September 14, 2023 – Undefeated Panamanian prospect Rafael Pedroza and San Antonio’s own Ramon Cardenas both made weight on Thursday, a day ahead of their 10-round super bantamweight main event showdown on SHOBOX: The New Generation tomorrow night, Friday, September 15 live on SHOWTIME at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT from Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas.

The exciting tripleheader includes fighters with a combined record of 88-2-2 and 54 knockouts all stepping up in competition. The co-main event will feature hard-hitting undefeated Argentine Mirco Cuello who returns to the U.S. for the first time since 2020 to battle undefeated Los Angeles native Rudy Garcia. Rounding out the card, undefeated KO artist Freudis Rojas, who made his SHOWTIME debut in July, meets once-beaten Californian Saul Bustos in an eight-round welterweight bout to open the telecast.

The card is promoted by Sampson Boxing. The card is co-promoted by Paco Presents Boxing.

FINAL WEIGHTS

Super Bantamweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Rafael Pedroza – 122 pounds

Ramon Cardenas – 121.8 pounds

Featherweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Mirco Cuello – 125.2 pounds

Rudy Garcia – 125.3 pounds

Welterweight Bout – 8 Rounds

Freudis Rojas – 146.8 pounds

Saul Bustos – 146.7 pounds

FINAL QUOTES

RAFAEL PEDROZA

“I know that Ramon Cardenas is a really tough fighter and I know he has a lot of skills but I trained really hard for this fight. I had a super camp, and it’s a must-win for me. I had great preparations and each fight out I mature mentally and physically. This will be another challenge to overcome but I feel ready for it.

“I know I have to win the respect of the public. I want to be known as a showman and as someone who knows how to perform so that people want to see me again and I’m able to come back to the United States to fight again because people ask for it. I really want to stand out and get noticed with this performance.  

“As for my game-plan, I know I can adjust to whatever my opponent does. I don’t want the judges to play a role in this fight. I really want to finish early. But I will adjust. If I have to box or if I have to brawl will depend on what my opponent does. But I know I will be able to take my opponent out of his game-plan. I’m taller and have the longer reach. My opponent is shorter.

“One of my influences growing up in Panama was definitely Roberto Duran. He’s inspirational and he’s helped many people get off drugs and their delinquencies. They see him as a path to a better life. He influences a lot of people. We have met and he’s certainly given me advice. He tells me to go in there and take care of business and to stay disciplined and to train every day.

“I can’t really say if Cardenas will be my toughest opponent. He’s a good fighter and he can punch but let’s see what happens when we meet in the ring.”

RAMON CARDENAS

“I’ve fought like nine times here in San Antonio, but mostly smaller shows. This is the biggest one for me, and a main event.

“I can’t really say if I’m the favorite or the underdog. Everything that he brings, I’ve already seen it. To be honest, I have watched 10 seconds of him. I think he has a good jab, but I don’t watch film because I don’t see the point of it. I let my coaches handle that.

“I have Adam Lopez in my corner. He’s a local legend and fought the most times on SHOBOX [eight times]. I learned a lot from watching him when I was younger.

“I have 22 wins and 11 KOs. You would say that’s not a big KO ratio, but I have some pop and that’s what all the fans will see on Friday night.”

MIRCO CUELLO

“All Argentinian fighters are aggressive and I’m not an exception.  My boxing style is aggressive, and I can fight on the inside and the outside.

“I know Rudy Garica is very active. I know he has a good left hand. I am ready for him.

“I have fought all over the world – Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, and the United States. And also the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. I feel like that has given me the experience and has allowed me to step up the level of competition and opponents that I have faced.

“My last fights in the U.S. were my first two pro fights in South Carolina in 2020. I just feel like I’m so much more focused now, and more relaxed, more professional.

“It’s a dream to be here and fighting on SHOWTIME. As a kid I was always watching guys like Marcos Maidana on SHOWTIME. This is a true dream come true.”

RUDY GARCIA

“I like fighting fighters who are aggressive and it always brings the best out of me. I feel like I’m both a boxer and a puncher. I can bring it both ways. I can work well inside, and also try to be a real technical boxer. Sometimes you just get in that fight mode and you want to give the fans what they want.

“I can fight on the ropes or I can put pressure on. I love putting pressure in a smart way. I’m not one of those fighters that likes to get hit.

“I don’t see too much from my opponent. He has a lot of rounds in the amateurs and we have just been concentrating on being disciplined in camp and sticking to the game plan.

“I think I can outlast him and go the distance. I’m certainly in the best shape for it.

“I idolize guys like Juan Manuel Marquez. It’s his counter-punching. He was aggressive and technically sound.

“One thing a lot of people don’t know about me is that I’m a history buff. I’d like to become a history teacher. I was going to college, but I stopped to concentrate on boxing. It’s my goal to get back into it later, or maybe get into law enforcement.”

FREUDIS ROJAS

“We’ve been working a lot on the inside and sparring with people that way. I’ve been working on not being a one-dimensional fighter and someone who people can figure out. If I have to fight backwards, I’ll fight backwards. If I have to fight with lateral movement, I’ll fight with lateral movement. If I have to stay in there and box, I’ll stay in there and box. If I have to stay in there and bang with him, I will.

“If a knockout happens, it happens. But I have to stick to my game plan. I’ve been working with a lot of pressure fighters and we’re ready. I think people will see a different Freddy. Everyone is so used to seeing me box and move, box and move. But I’m going to stay in there and mix it up with him.

“We’ll see what kind of fight he brings. We have some tricks ready for him. I have to be ready to fight a boxer who’s going to stand in there.

“I couldn’t care less about the knockout streak and stuff like that. I’m not known to be a knockout artist.

“Fighting on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP was amazing [beating Diego Sanchez by TKO7 in July]. I was just so happy and I caught myself between rounds looking up at the screen and saying, ‘Damn, I’m really here.’ You know, as a kid you dream of being on that stage, but you never expect it will happen. I was so happy from the press conference to the end of the fight. I just had so much fun.

“I’m excited to face a guy with a famous coach like Freddie Roach. I mean, he’s Manny Pacquiao’s coach. He has an amazing coach in his corner.”

SAUL BUSTOS

“Rojas has the height and will try and use that to his advantage, but I’m not fearful of him. I know he’s undefeated and has a lot of knockouts, but I feel like I’m ready to rise to the challenge. I respect him for giving me this opportunity. I’m excited to showcase my skill set.

“I’ve been sparring taller guys, like 6-foot-2, and 154 pounders. I’m not really too worried about his size.

“I started working with Freddie Roach in August of 2021, but this will be my first fight with him in my corner because he wasn’t available for the others.

“I can’t say a lot about Rojas’ power, but I would say his power looks a little padded to me. In a way I don’t think it’s real, but I’ll soon find out.

“I’m more of a boxer. I wouldn’t say I’m a brawler. But I do like to bring the action.”

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International Boxing Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins calls the blow-by-blow action for SHOBOX with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood joining the team remotely as the unofficial scorer. Former world champion Raul Marquez and veteran combat sports reporter and MORNING KOMBAT co-host Brian Campbell will serve as ringside expert analysts. The executive producer of SHOBOX: The New Generation is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

# # #

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

About SHOBOX: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series SHOBOX: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The SHOBOX philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 90 fighters who have appeared on SHOBOX and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more. 

New York, NY (September 14, 2023) – DiBella Entertainment is proud to announce the signing of Australian heavyweight sensation “Big Bad” Joe Goodall (10-1-1, 9 KOs). With an impressive amateur record and an innate talent for the sport, Goodall brings with him world class experience and a determination to get to a world title. 

The six-foot-five Joe Goodall had an illustrious amateur career that included approximately 90 fights, of which he won nearly 70. His accomplishments in the amateur ranks include winning a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, where he defeated the formidable Efe Ajagba in the semi-final, ultimately losing to Joe Joyce in the final. Notably, Goodall also secured a bronze medal at the World Championships, becoming the first Australian heavyweight to achieve such a prestigious feat.

A six-time Australian champion and four-time Oceania champion, Goodall’s remarkable journey in boxing also includes a gold medal victory at the prestigious Felix Sturm Tournament in Germany. His name now stands alongside legends like Lennox Lewis.

Goodall wasn’t the first professional athlete in his family. His father was a professional football player in the Australian Football League (AFL). The younger Goodall was following in his father’s footsteps when a hip injury sidelined the talented player. At 17, after trying different sports, he decided to focus on boxing. His decision to lace up the gloves was nothing short of transformative, as he traveled the world competing in world class matches. 

In April 2018, Goodall made his professional debut, and quickly demonstrated his prowess within the squared circle, knocking out his first four opponents in the opening round.

Goodall caught the attention of boxing fans worldwide in July, when he upset Stephan Shaw (18-2, 13 KOs), stopping the heavyweight prospect in the sixth round of a scheduled eight-round bout.

Recently, Joe joined Coorparoo Boxing Gym, enlisting head coach Harry Costi as his trainer, with Chris Rose handling strength and conditioning duties.

“Joe Goodall is a big, physically imposing, athletic heavyweight. I was extremely impressed with his emphatic win over Stephan Shaw. It wasn’t an accident, though; Joe defeated Efe Ajagba in the amateurs,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “I strongly believe that Joe Goodall is coming into his own and will be a heavyweight championship contender. I’m thrilled to be working with him and his manager, Steve Scanlan.

“I’m really excited to be joining DiBella Entertainment,” said Goodall of the signing. “There are some huge fights out there for me and I look forward to showing not just Australia, but the world, who I am and what I am capable of. Having someone like Lou DiBella believe in me and my future is priceless. He has taken multiple people to world titles and I believe I will be the next one to achieve it with him. I want to keep on improving and taking big fights. Australia’s pool is limited and heavyweight boxing is in England or America. I want to fight at Wembley or the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for a world title. This partnership helps me achieve that. All I have to do is keep winning and that dream will come true.”

Steve Scanlan, Goodall’s manager, said of the signing, “We are very lucky to be partnering with DiBella Entertainment for Joe’s quest toward becoming a world champion. The heavyweight division is so exciting at the moment and we strongly believe that, with Lou’s support, Joe can be in some of the biggest heavyweight bouts Australia has ever seen. We had multiple offers on the table for Joe, but Lou stood out for us. He is an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and someone who we trust and believe in to guide Joe to the top. There aren’t many people better to have in your corner. The whole team at DiBella Entertainment has been a pleasure to deal with. We have agreed on a great strategy that works very well for Joe and fast tracks his rise to the top. I truly believe Joe is capable of mixing it with the best in the world and, with DiBella Entertainment behind us, it’s only a matter of time until that happens.”

Joe Goodall’s signing with DiBella Entertainment marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in his career. Stay tuned for updates as Joe Goodall embarks on his journey to boxing greatness.

Social Media

DiBella Entertainment

Instagram: @DiBellaEnt

Twitter: @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt

Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment

Davantae Kirk improved to 5-0 with a first-round knockout over Larry Moore this past Friday night at the Motor City Casino in Detroit, Michigan, in front of a standing room only crowd.

Standing at 5’11” tall, Kirk dominated from the opening seconds of the bout. His power and skillset proved to be far too much for Moore to handle. The fight was waved off at the 1:53 mark of the opening stanza. 

Kirk plans on remaining very active throughout the rest of the year. With the increased activity, he plans on stepping up another notch in 2024. 

“It’s always good to get experience under the lights. The goal is to excel and make every performance better than my last. No time to celebrate. We’re right back in the lab,” Kirk stated after the victory. 

His advisor, former title challenger Bj Flores, was very pleased with the performance. 

He said the plan is for the Michigan native to get right back into action next month.

“5-0, and we are only getting better. We have a long ways to go but we realize nothing in life comes easy and we are prepared to do the work required. Look for Davantae to be featured in October with a much more established opponent. Massive shoutout to all those supporting Davantae to be his best and you know who you are,” said Flores. 

“Davantae has proven to be a big ticket seller in his local area of Detroit and his fans are excited to see what’s next for him. He will be right back in a 6 round fight in October.  You won’t want to miss it!”

 •  Luis Alberto Lopez 125.2 lbs. vs. Joet Gonzalez 126 lbs
(Lopez’s IBF Featherweight World Title – 12 Rounds)

   •   Xander Zayas 153.7 lbs vs. Roberto Valenzuela Jr. 153.4 lbs
(Zayas’ NABO/NABF Junior Middleweight Titles — 10 Rounds)

   •   Emiliano Fernando Vargas 135.8 lbs vs. Alejandro Guardado 136.3 lbs
(Lightweight — 6 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT)

•    Omar Aguilar146.6 lbs  vs. Julio Luna 146.6 lbs 
 (Vacant WBC USA Welterweight Title — 8 Rounds)

•    John Rincon143.4 lbs  vs. Bryan Ismael Rodriguez Rivera 143.9 lbs 
 (Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

•  Jamaine Ortiz 137.8 lbs  vs. Antonio Moran 137.5 lbs 
 (Junior Welterweight — 10 Rounds)

•  Ruben Villa 126.7 lbs vs. Brandon Valdes 126.9 lbs
 (Featherweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Tiger Johnson 141.7 lbs vs. Ricardo Quiroz 141.6 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 8 Rounds)

New York, NY (September 14, 2023) – Heavyweight contender Jerry “Slugger” Forrest (26-6-2, 20 KOs), of Newport News, VA, returns to the ring tomorrow night near his hometown headlining an event at John Marshall Hall, in Richmond, VA. He will take on Robert Hall Jr. (14-1, 11 KOs) in the eight-round main event. The card, titled “Ritz & Rumble” and promoted by River City Promotions, will be streamed live on FITE+ at 7:00pm ET.

“I’m thrilled to get back into the ring after taking some time off after my last fight. I’ve studied Hall and I know he’s not as fast as me nor can he keep up with my pressure. I believe that no one can beat me when I’m 100 percent healthy and in shape. I’ve had a great training camp with my new head coach, Eric Ash, out of his gym, Vintage Boxing Gym & Fitness, in Richmond, VA. The gym is actually down the road from where one of Lou DiBella’s MiLB baseball teams, the Richmond Flying Squirrels, play. We went to a few games and the team helped promote the event with their fans,” said Forrest.

“Last year, I was dealing with injuries going into both of my fights. Following the Jared Anderson fight, I took some time off to heal and now I am fully healthy. After I get this win, I’ll be looking to get right back into the mix. There are a lot of opportunities at heavyweight right now and I’ve already proven that I can compete at the top of the division.”

Last year, Forrest battled rising contender Jared Anderson and former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev. In 2021, Forrest engaged in back-to-back slugfests, both of which ended in controversial draws, against then-undefeated Chinese southpaw Zhilei Zhang and a rematch against top-rated contender Michael Hunter. Most observers felt that Forrest deserved to win both bouts.

The heavy-handed southpaw was given the nickname “Slugger” by his grandmother after he survived complications from his birth. Forrest, whose father is a master chief petty officer in the US Navy aboard the USS Nimitz, was employed as a nuclear electrician for 10 years, working on submarines and aircraft carriers at the outset of his boxing career.

Forrest’s opponent tomorrow, the six-foot-three Hall Jr., from Johnson City, TN, is a former WBC USA titlist. He is coming off of a three-fight winning streak, all by knockout, following his only defeat in 2017. He has shown that he is a dangerous adversary and is capable of causing an upset, evidenced by his 10-round unanimous decision victory against the previously unbeaten prospect Dimar Ortuz.

COMMERCE, CA (September 14, 2023): As things heat up for Mexican Independence Day, William “El Camarón” Zepeda (28-0, 24 KOs) and Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) hosted a press conference ahead of their 12-round clash on September 16 for Zepeda’s WBA Continental Americas Lightweight Title. The special fight night event will take place at the Commerce Casino & Hotel and will be broadcast live on DAZN. Doors to The Commerce Casino & Hotel open at 3:00 p.m. PT, The Golden Boy Fight Night: Zepeda vs. Gesta Prelims on YouTube and Facebook Watch begin at 3:05 p.m. PT, and the DAZN broadcast will begin at 5:00 p.m. PT/ 8:00 p.m. ET.

The co-main event will feature Vancouver’s Victor “El Tornado” Morales (18-0-1, 9 KOs) who is scheduled to defend his WBA Intercontinental Featherweight Title against Mexico City’s Edwin “Pupo” Palomares (18-4-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round fight. Three-division and five-time world champion Yokasta Valle (28-2, 9 KOs) will make her grand 2023 return to U.S. soil and will defend her IBF and WBO Minimumweight World Championship titles against Maria Santizo (11-3, 6 KOs) of Guatemala City, Guatemala. Houston, Texas’ Darius “DFG” Fulghum (6-0, 6 KOs) will look to continue his knockout streak in an eight-round light heavyweight fight against Mexico City’s Ricardo “Tyson” Luna (25-10-2, 16 KOs).

Opening the DAZN broadcast with eight-rounds of middleweight action, recently signed Eric Priest (10-0, 7 KOs) who represents Wichita Falls, Texas and is now under the tutelage of world championship trainer Ismael Salas, will face off against Danish-born Simon “Vikingo” Madsen (13-1, 10 KOs) who now calls Cancun, Mexico home.

On the The Golden Boy Fight Night: Zepeda vs. Gesta Prelims streamed on YouTube and Facebook Watch, Daniel “Junebug” Garcia (6-0, 5 KOs) of Denver, Colorado will fight Guadalajara, Mexico’s Erick “Aidahoe” Benitez (4-4, 1 KO) in a four-round super featherweight match. In a six-round super lightweight fight, Mexicali, Mexico’s Pinpon Reyes (10-0, 5 KOs) will measure up against Roberto Gomez (5-1, 5 KOs) of Mexico City.

Recently signed to Golden Boy, Mexican Olympian Gael “El Terror” Cabrera (1-0, 1 KO) of Sonora, Mexico will participate in a four-round super bantamweight fight against Managua, Nicaragua’s Juan Centeno. Making his pro-debut and opening Mexican Independence Day Weekend festivities, Jordan Cervantes of East Los Angeles will participate in a four-round lightweight fight against El Paso, Texas’ Giovanny Meza.

Here is what some of the participants from today’s press conference had to say:
WILLIAM ZEPEDA, WBA CONTINENTAL AMERICAS LIGHTWEIGHT TITLEHOLDER:
“I am extremely motivated for this fight. I’ve always believed that there’s no such thing as an A-side or B-side in boxing. To face a grand rival like Mercito Gesta is a great privilege, and I can’t wait to demonstrate to everyone of what “El Camarón” is made of.”

MERCITO GESTA, LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CONTENDER:
“I am not new in this sport. I will never stop learning. My style always evolves. I am staying in focused with my coach Marvin Somodio. I am so excited to be facing William Zepeda who is undefeated. Zepeda is an up-and-coming fighter. He’s great and he excites me. This opportunity is really hard to miss. Now that Oscar and Golden Boy have given it to me – why not? It’s a good fight. I want to thank Golden Boy for this opportunity.”

VICTOR MORALES, JR., WBA INTERCONTINENTAL TITLEHOLDER:
“I’m blessed to be on another Zepeda card as a co-main event again on the most important weekend for us Mexicans. We’re very excited to do what we do. If he [Palomares] wants to bring the pressure, we have a game plan for everything. We can do it from the inside and we can do it from the outside. We’re going to go and be victorious one more time.”

YOKASTA VALLE, IBF AND WBO MINIMUMWEIGHT CHAMPION:
“Thank you to all the media who came. To Oscar, Eric and all of Golden Boy for this big fight against Maria Santizo. We have prepared 100-percent for this fight to give you guys the show you have all been waiting for and one that is worthy for this special Sept. 16 date. I am so excited for the first bell to ring this coming Saturday.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS:
“September 16 is a tradition of amazing events for boxing. You go back to Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, and even myself – we have put the September 16 date on the map for the sport of boxing. And now, today, William Zepeda and Mercito Gesta have an opportunity to show the world what fighting is all about.”

“For some strange reason, whenever anyone steps inside that ring on Mexican Independence Day, they fight with such passion. They fight with heart, they fight with everything they have because they know what’s on the line. Everyone who watches on Saturday can expect great fights from top to bottom.”

BERNARD HOPKINS, PARTNER OF GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS:
“Everybody up here has an opportunity to close out the year, going into 2024. If you believe that the boxing world doesn’t have respect on your name, this is your opportunity to get it going into 2024. Everyone do well, be sharp, leave it all in the ring cause the world is watching.”

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Zepeda vs. Gesta is a 12-round fight for the WBA Continental Americas Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The fight is sponsored by Betonline, “BetOnline, Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand.

Tickets for Zepeda vs. Gesta are on-sale today, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 10:00 am PT and are priced at $150, $100, $75, and $50 plus applicable fees. A limited amount of Golden Boy VIP Experience seats will also be available for purchase with exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades included. Standard and VIP tickets can be purchased at GoldenBoyPromotions.com.

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

Philadelphia (September 14, 2023)–Weights for Friday Night’s King’s Promotions card at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia.

Photo by Marc Abrams / King’s Promotions

Joey Dawejko 253.1 – Colby Madison 241.7

(WBC US Heavyweight Title)

Quadir Albright 147.7 – DeMarcus Layton 148.8

Brendan O’Callagham 158.2 – Dewayne Williams 158.4

Jackie McTamney 125.9 – Brittany Dukes 118

Muhammad Robinson 139.6 – Najeem Johns 138.8

Tyler Zwicharowski 154.5 – Tevon Watson 155.2

Canar Morrison 156.3 – Vincent Floyd 156.9

Ibrahim Robinson 146.8 – Elizer Olmeda 147.4

Promoter: King’s Promotions

Stream: BXNGTV.com

LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. – September 13, 2023 – Undisputed Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo Álvarez showed off the skills that have made him a global superstar during a live streamed workout Wednesday as he prepares to take on Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermell Charlo headlining a SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View.

Canelo can add yet another benchmark to his already historic career with a triumph over Charlo and in doing so become the first man during the four-belt era to defend all four titles successfully three consecutive times.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com. 

Wednesday’s workout streamed live on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page and also featured Canelo’s renowned manager and trainer Eddy Reynoso. Here is what they had to say from their Lake Tahoe training camp:

CANELO ALVAREZ

“I always want to make the best fights out there. I’m excited to be in this fight. This is a fight that people have talked about for a while. I’m excited to show the Charlos my skills. Now Jermell is gonna feel my skills.

“I think Jermell Charlo is the perfect fight right now. He’s been calling me out for a long time and I never forget. He’s said a lot of things. He never believed in my skills, but he’s gonna find out soon. Him and his brother didn’t believe in my skills and that motivates me for this fight.

“We always prepare 100% no matter where we are. It’s different being here. At the beginning, I couldn’t breathe very well. But right now, I feel great. I’ve found a place that’s made me happy and strong.

“Charlo will be good at 168 pounds. I’ve made that jump before so I know. I think that when you’re a great champion like he is, it doesn’t matter.

“These kinds of fights motivate me. I like being underestimated. That’s what makes me excited for this fight.

“I always believe that I’m number one. My whole career. Because you need to believe in yourself. I still believe I’m number one. But I believe there is more than just one fighter alone at the top, there are a few.

“I still feel young and fresh. I never think about the end of my career. I just train and fight year after year. I still feel that I’m at my best.

“I’m very proud to represent Mexico. I have a lot of pride in my country. I feel amazing when I walk into the ring and see all the Mexican flags and hear the Mexican music. It feels great to represent my country.

“I feel great. This is really one of the best camps I’ve ever had. I feel great to be able to train 100% now with my left hand. That’s made me more confident. When you train knowing that you’re healthy, you’ll be more confident in the fight.

“I like being here in Lake Tahoe because I’m 100% focused. It’s just me and my team and we’re focused on the fight. It makes me feel ready for the fight.”

EDDY REYNOSO, Canelo’s Manager and Trainer

“This is gonna be a great fight. Jermell is a great fighter who’s accomplished a lot in his career, so the fans are going to get an excellent matchup.

“There are times in a career where you have to change things up like training camp locations. We spent five or six years in San Diego and got a lot of great results. The altitude has been great for us here and we feel very good in Lake Tahoe as well.

“Canelo is ready to fight whoever it may be. Right now, we’re squarely focused on Jermell Charlo and that’s our task on September 30. We’ll be ready for whoever comes after that.”

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ABOUT CANELO VS. CHARLO

Canelo vs. Charlo will see pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez defend his undisputed super middleweight world titles in a blockbuster showdown against hard-hitting undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo headlining a SHOWTIME PPV (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View.  

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in the 12-round super welterweight co-main event. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toe for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.

For more information visit sho.com/ppv and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloCharlo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Sept. 13, 2023) — Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) is ready to kick-start Mexican Independence Day weekend with the second defense of his world title.

Lopez will put his IBF featherweight world title on the line against two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez (26-3, 15 KOs) this Friday at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

In the 10-round junior middleweight co-feature, rising Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas (16-0, 10 KOs) faces Mexico’s Roberto Valenzuela Jr. (21-4, 20 KOs).In the six-round lightweight ESPN-televised opener, Emiliano Fernando Vargas (6-0, 5 KOs) steps up versus Spain’s Alejandro Guardado (5-0, 1 KO).

Lopez-Gonzalez, Zayas-Valenzuela and Vargas-Guardado will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

The ESPN+-streamed undercard (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT) features Mexican standouts Omar Aguilar (25-1, 24 KOs) and Julio Luna (20-1-2, 11 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight tilt.

Corpus Christi native John Rincon (7-0, 2 KOs) takes on Puerto Rico’s Bryan Ismael Rodriguez Rivera (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round welterweight clash, and Jamaine Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) fights Antonio Moran (29-5-1, 20 KOs) in his first fight since last year’s valiant effort against Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Former world title challenger Ruben Villa (20-1, 7 KOs) will look to notch his second win of the year in an eight-round featherweight battle against Brandon Valdes (15-3, 7 KOs), while U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (9-0, 5 KOs) makes his third appearance of 2023 in an eight-round junior welterweight fight against Ricardo Quiroz (13-2, 7 KOs).

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $30 are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

At Wednesday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Luis Alberto Lopez

“I am happy to fight on an important date for Mexico where Joet Gonzalez and I will be representing our country. We are going to present a real war that night.”

“I respect him because he has had great fights. He has done a great job in his career. But you know that when we get in the ring there is no respect. I am going to take this belt home for my family and for Mexico.”

“It’s going to be a total war. When there are two hungry Mexicans in the ring, they always go at it with everything. We know that Joet Gonzalez is tough. And my goal, as I’ve said, is to knock him out.”

“We are ready as always. I am a fighter who knows how to give exciting fights. I am a warrior who goes forward. They know that when ‘El Venado’ gets in the ring, there will be a great show.”

Joet Gonzalez

“This is my third {world title} opportunity. I’m truly grateful. I’ve worked really hard every single time. And every time I step into the ring, I give it my all. I’ve got to win.”

“I’ve always trained hard. I’ve never taken any shortcuts. I’ve always put in the hard work in the gym. But sometimes it’s not your night. It is what it is. But I’m still here, and I’m going to give it my all every time.”

“I’m expecting a great fight. It’s a big day for Mexico. All I have to do is win and become the new IBF world champion. Plain and simple. I can’t go home empty-handed. I’m bringing that belt back home.”

Xander Zayas

“It’s been a great journey. I’m 16 fights in. I’ve been growing. I’ve been learning. I’ve been getting better in and outside of the ring. And I’m excited to put on a show this Saturday night.”

“We’ve been training for the last three or four fights for a ten-rounder. Now I get the opportunity, and I’m going to take advantage of it. I’m facing a Mexican warrior who is ready to put on a show.”

“He has a lot of things behind him. Mexican Independence Day is the day after. His family is here with him. He’s probably going to have the crowd behind him. But I’m excited to put on a show and win over the crowd.”

Roberto Valenzuela Jr.

“It is a very important date for me and for Mexico. So, we will do our best to get a good result. This is my opportunity to let everyone know who Roberto Valenzuela is.”

“We have been studying him. He is a great boxer. He actually doesn’t have many flaws. But I believe that my hunger to win and move forward in my career is going to be the difference. I know that if I win this fight, we will be on the path to very big fights;.”

Omar Aguilar

“I feel very excited and happy. It is a great date for Mexico and for boxing. So I feel honored to fight on these dates, and what better way to do it than with these people around me? I’m going to give my best in the ring.”

“I learned a lot against Lindolfo Delgado. I matured with that fight. It was a very interesting fight. I hope to take all the experience that I’ve gained and apply in this fight. We are ready.”

Julio Luna

“I’ve come very well prepared, whether it lasts eight rounds or if it ends before. If it ends earlier, even better. But I’ve come prepared either way. Whenever two Mexicans get into the same ring, it is a guaranteed war. I think this will not be the exception.”

“The fight with Giovani Santillán gave me a lot of experience. And now I’m trying to get rid of that thorn in my side. I was not happy with that decision, and now I am grateful for this second opportunity.”

Emiliano Fernando Vargas

“It’s a blessing to be here. It’s a great opportunity for me to bring that excitement back to Corpus Christi. It’s definitely something special for me and my father. He fought here, and now I’m fighting here almost 20 years later. It’s very special for us.”

“I’m insanely excited to make my ESPN debut. This is definitely a step up with the opponent I have. It’s only going to make it more of a show. The best comes out of me when I’m facing better opposition. At the end of the day, to get to that world championship level where I know I can compete at and dominate, I’ve got to get through the Spaniard come Friday.”

John Rincon

“I’ve been dreaming for a moment like this since I was a kid. I’m finally here. The hard work is done. Friday night I’m going to put on a great show. I’ll see you all then.”

Friday, September 15

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

Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Joet Gonzalez, 12 rounds, Lopez’s IBF Featherweight World Title 

Xander Zayas vs. Roberto Valenzuela Jr., 10 rounds, Zayas’ NABO/NABF Junior Middleweight Titles

Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Alejandro Guardado, 6 rounds, Lightweights

ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT)

Omar Aguilar vs. Julio Luna, 8 rounds, Vacant WBC USA Welterweight Title 

John Rincon vs. Bryan Ismael Rodriguez Rivera, 6 rounds, Welterweights 

Tiger Johnson vs. Ricardo Quiroz, 8 rounds, Junior Welterweights 

Angel Fierro is hunting down the Lightweight World champions, and wants to showcase his credentials to take on the title holders as he defends his WBO NABO title against Brayan Zamarripa on Friday night (September 15) at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez Moreno in Tijuana, Mexico, live worldwide on DAZN.
 
Fierro (21-1-2 17 KOs) is sitting pretty at #4 with the WBO, and the 25 year old gets a hometown outing on Mexican Independence weekend as he looks to build on his growing reputation for exciting performances.
 
‘Tashiro’ was at his explosive best in his last outing with multiple knockdowns leading to a seventh round stoppage win over Eduardo Estela in Culiacan – a fifth KO in his last six fights – and a run he’ll be looking to improve upon against Zammaripa (13-1 4 KOs), the Baja California man who has recorded ten wins on the bounce since his sole defeat in 2016.
 
“We’re focused on winning this fight on Friday, and then we’re looking for a World title,” said Fierro. “I’ve been chasing this dream since I was a kid and it’s something that I promised my parents and my daughter. 
 
“I’m excited to be back in Tijuana. It’s been four years since I fought here at home. I’m very excited to have the fifth defense of my title with all my people. 
 
“I’m thrilled to be stepping in the ring, it’s a very big commitment having all my people there. I want to give a good show. I feel very excited and content, I’ve handled pressure well. I’ve been practicing mindfulness and I think we’re heading to a big night. 
 
“I know he’s a brave fighter. When two Mexicans step into the ring it is all-out war, especially on a Mexican holiday. Now he wants to take my title, he must be as hungry as any other boxer fighting for a dream. I think this time the fans will win. It’s motivating to me that another Mexican wants my title, and more motivating knowing that I am now the one being hunted.
 
“It’s all-out war, of that I am sure. I will just get in the ring and do my work; show all the hard work we have done as a team. I can imagine a hard fight but getting my hand raised, and then having another victory and heading to bigger stages in America.” 
 
“I’ve been in with knockout artists before, and it doesn’t scare me one bit,” said Zamarripa. “I’ve been training hard, harder than I ever have in my life. I know he’s a big hitter, brings good things to the table, but I am ready, I’ve been doing this my whole life. I will just go out there and show what I am capable of. 
 
“I’m proud that we’re fighting on Mexican Independence, I’m ready for it and we’ll put on a great show for Tijuana. I don’t know how I will beat him, but I know I am going to come out victorious. After this, we’re going after the best, we want to be ranked in the top ten and that’s what we’re looking for.”
 
Fierro’s clash with Zamarripa is part of a stacked night of action in Tijuana, as Erika Cruz (15-2 3 KOs) returns to action following her epic battle with Amanda Serrano in February and tackles Melissa Odessa Parker (6-1 2 KOs) for the WBA Continental Americas Super-Bantamweight title, Rising Mexican talent Kevin Barron Crespo (12-0 9 KOs) tastes ten round action for the first time as he faces Christian Olivo Barreda (20-1-1 7 KOs), Skye Nicolson (7-0) aims to get one step closer to becoming a World champion as she takes on Sabrina Maribel Perez (18-1-1 2 KOs) for the interim WBC World Featherweight title and young Heavyweight Federico Pacheco (4-0 3 KOs) kicks the card off live on DAZN against Carlos Cardenas (4-0 3 KOs).

Top Rank Boxing on ESPN presented by AutoZone: Lopez vs. Gonzalez will be presented live this Friday, September 15, at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT, on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ from American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

In the main event, Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez will defend his IBF featherweight world title against former two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez.

Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) earned his shot at the IBF title in 2021, dethroning Josh Warrington in his hometown of Leeds, England. In his first defense, the 30-year-old traveled to Belfast and beat Michael Conlan via fifth-round TKO with a dazzling right uppercut. He is now looking to defend his crown against Gonzalez, a division mainstay during the past several years. Gonzalez (26-3, 15 KOs) debuted in the pro ranks in 2012 and was 23-0 before facing Shakur Stevenson for the vacant WBO featherweight title in 2019. The 29-year-old will now have his third opportunity at a world title after defeating Enrique Vivas via 10-round unanimous decision in April.

In the 10-round junior middleweight co-feature, rising Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas takes on Mexico’s Roberto Valenzuela Jr.  Since signing with Top Rank at 16, Zayas (16-0, 10 KOs) has been on a rapid trajectory to super stardom. The 21-year-old will make his second 2023 appearance after a 10-round unanimous decision win over Ronald Cruz during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend in June. Valenzuela (21-4, 20 KOs) is a six-year pro and, at 24 years old, is coming off a third-round TKO victory against Daniel Vega in April.

The undercard will air exclusively on ESPN+ at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT.

Calling the action will be Hall of Famer Timothy Bradley, Jr., Mark Kriegel, and Bernardo Osuna. 

Digital, On Demand and Exclusive to ESPN+

ESPN.com 

Out Thursday: A Look at the Rising Stars by Nick Parkinson.

ESPN+: On Demand Shows, Archives & Premium Articles

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• Best of Boxing Spotlight – An archive of the all-time best Top Rank fights. 

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Lopez vs. Gonzalez (All Times ET)

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with a thrilling bout in the lightweight division, as No. 10 ranked contender Grant Dawson takes on the always exciting Bobby Green. Also on the card, middleweights Joe Pyfer and Abdul Razak Alhassan lock horns.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: DAWSON vs. GREEN will take place Saturday, October 7 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The entire card will be available on ESPN+ in English and Spanish, with the main card starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and the prelims beginning at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

Dawson (20-1-1, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) steps into his first UFC main event with high expectations of making the most out of the opportunity. Unbeaten in his last 12 fights, the Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus has quickly risen through the 155-pound rankings by delivering dominant wins against Damir Ismagulov, Jared Gordon, and Leonardo Santos. Dawson now sets his sights on fan-favorite Green with hopes of delivering a statement performance.

Veteran standout Green (30-14-1 1NC, fighting out of Fontana, Calif.) returns to action looking to steal the show. With an impressive decade-long resume, Green has collected wins against the likes of Nasrat Haqparast, Al Iaquinta, and Clay Guida. Fresh off a submission victory over former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson, Green aims on maintaining that momentum by spoiling Dawson’s night in emphatic fashion.

Dana White’s Contender Series breakout star Pyfer (11-2, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.) makes his second appearance of the year. After delivering stellar finishes against UFC middleweights Alen Amedovski and Gerald Meerschaert, the Philly striker has yet to have a boring moment inside the Octagon. Pyfer returns to where it all started at the UFC APEX to test himself against fellow knockout artist Alhassan.

Alhassan (11-5, fighting out of Denver, Colo. by way of Accra, Ghana) looks to keep his 100% finish rate intact and position himself for a big opportunity down the road. Proudly representing Ghana, Alhassan has made a name for himself by delivering highlight reel knockouts against formidable foes such as Claudio Ribeiro, Alessio Di Chirico, and Niko Price. He now aims on taking out Pyfer and securing back-to-back wins.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Alexander Hernandez (14-6, fighting out of Denver, Colo. by way of San Antonio, Texas) squares off with jiu-jitsu black belt Bill Algeo (17-7, fighting out ofKing of Prussia, Penn.)at featherweight
• Welterweights Alex Morono (23-8, 1 NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas) and Joaquin Buckley (16-6, fighting out of St. Louis, Miss.) look to make a statement
• Former strawweight title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz (16-7, fighting out of Lodz, Poland) looks for her fourth straight win as she battles Romanian prospect Diana Belbita (15-7, fighting out of Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada)
• Electric lightweights Drew Dober (26-12, 1 NC, Denver, Colo. by way of Omaha, Neb.) and Ricky Glenn (22-7-2, fighting out of Des Moines, Iowa) go toe-to-toe
• Brazil’s Philipe Lins (17-5, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil) takes on the heavy-handed Ion Cutelaba (17-9-1, 1 NC, fighting out of Chisinau, Republic of Moldova) in a light heavyweight bout guaranteed to deliver fireworks
• No. 15 ranked bantamweight contender Chris Gutierrez (19-4-2, fighting out of Englewood, Colo.) is scheduled to take on Montel Jackson (14-2, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) for three five-minute rounds
• At bantamweight, Aoriqileng (24-10, fighting out of Shanghai, China) faces Johnny Munoz (12-3, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico by way of Norco, Calif.)
• An action-packed flyweight contest sees Nate Maness (14-3, fighting out of Morganfield, Kentucky) battle Mateus Mendonca (10-1, fighting out of Pindare Mirim, Maranhao, Brazil)
• Vanessa Demopoulos (9-5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) and Kanako Murata (12-2, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan) collide in a strawweight bout
• At flyweight Montana De La Rosa (12-8-1, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas) takes on Stephanie Egger (8-4, fighting out of St. Gallen, Switzerland)

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

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 233 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 over 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s active fighter roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About ESPN+  

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

LAS VEGAS (September 12, 2023) –- When former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) takes on former Light Heavyweight World Champion Joe “The Common Man” Smith, Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) on October 7^th, it’ll be 7 ½ years since Ramirez last fought in the modern-day Mecca of Boxing, Las Vegas.

Zurdo vs. Smith will headline the Golden Boy Promotions event to be streamed live on DAZN from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan. Both veteran fighters will be making their cruiserweight debuts, albeit  fighting at a 190-pound catchweight.

“Zurdo” last fought in Las Vegas on April 9, 2016, when he became the first Mexico native to capture a world super middleweight title, dominating a 12-round unanimous by winning each round on all three judges’ scorecards for a shutout, to defeat defending World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Champion Arthur Abraham (44-4) at MGM Grand. Ramirez is 3-0 (1 KO) in Las Vegas, while Smith is 1-0 in Las Vegas having stopped the then former WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion.

“Fighting in Las Vegas is an incredible experience,” Ramirez said. “It’s often referred to as the Mecca of Boxing for a good reason. The city has a rich history in the sport, hosting some of the most iconic and legendary boxing matches. The atmosphere, the energy, and the sheer excitement of fighting in such a renowned location are truly unparalleled. Personally, I enjoy fighting in Las Vegas not just because of its historical significance, but also because of the passionate fan base and overall boxing culture that the city embodies. The lights, venues and the whole ambiance creates a unique and electrifying environment that fuels my motivation and determination. While every fight location has its own charm, Las Vegas has a special place for any boxer. It’s a place for any boxer. It’s a place where dreams are made and legacies are forged, and I’m honored to be part of a tradition every time I step into the ring there.”

“Zurdo” is coming off of his first pro loss as he prepares to fight Smith. Ramirez lost a 12-round decision to World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitri Bivol (21-0) last November in Abu Dhabi. His training camp at Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood (CA) does have a different look.

“Win or lose, Ramirez explained, “I’m always looking to improve. While the loss was disappointing, it provided me with invaluable insights. Physically, I’m pushing myself even harder in training to ensure I’m in the best shape possible. I’m always focusing on refining my techniques and working on any weaknesses that were exposed in my previous fight. Mentally, the loss has ignited a new level of determination in me. It reminded me that setbacks are a part of the journey, and they only make us stronger. Overall, this loss is a unique opportunity for growth and transformation into the new division. I’m learning from my mistakes and adapting my strategy accordingly. I’m excited to showcase the improvements I’ve made and to prove that setbacks don’t define me – they motivate me to rise above and come back stronger than ever.

“The loss in my most recent fight was undoubtedly a significant learning experience for me. It provided valuable insights that I’m determined to use to become an even better fighter. Overall, the loss has reignited my motivation and commitment to improvement. I’m dedicated to refining my skills, broadening my fight IQ, and ensuring that I step into the ring as the best version of myself. While setbacks are rough, they are also opportunities for growth, and I’m embracing that philosophy as I continue my journey in the sport.”

Next stop, Las Vegas Boulevard…..the same city in which “Zurdo” first became world champion.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Facebook: /ZurdoPromotions, /GilbertoZurdoRamirez

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

ABOUT ZURDO PROMOTIONS: Headquartered in Las Vegas and Mexico, Zurdo Promotions is the premier combat sports/event led by former World Champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. Zurdo Promotions strives to be the best in all areas to set the new standard in boxing. Visit us at www.ZurdoPromotions.com.

LONG BEACH, CA (September 12, 2023) – This past Saturday at the at Infinite Reality Studios in Long Beach, CA, CBN Promotions held its first boxing event titled “New Blood” in association with Camponovo Sports Inc. “New Blood” broadcasted live in Spanish on FOX Deportes and will air on tape delay on Estrella TV. “New Blood” also livestreamed the entire card on www.FightStars.Network where you can watch the replay in English.

In the 8-round featherweight main event, Rigoberto Hermosillo (14-4-1, 9 KOs) from Victorville, CA, defeated Alexis De Luna (10-2, 5 KOs) from Bakersfield CA, in a very close fight. Both fighters engaged in back-and-forth action, giving the fans an all-out war. The fight started with both fighters feeling each other out but got heated in the middle rounds when hands started to fly. Hermosillo was using his height advantage to win some rounds as De Luna was coming forward landing nice power shots of his own. As the fight headed into the final rounds, it was anyone’s fight. Hermosillo landed some decisive head shots in the last two rounds that gave him the edge. Hermosillo wins by majority decision. Scorecards read 76-76, and 77-75 twice in favor of Hermosillo.

“I had a very good training camp, and it showed in my performance,” said Hermosillo. “The fight was very close so my corner told me I had to win the final rounds. I pushed hard throughout the fight, and I give De Luna a lot of credit, he was a very tough opponent. I want to thank my team for all the hard work they put into me. I’m hoping this victory leads to a big fight. I had to dig deep and I’m happy I got the win.”

In the scheduled 8-round super lightweight co-main event, 18-year-old Emiliano Moreno (7-0, 4 KOs) from Long Beach, CA, defeated Levy Garcia Benitez (3-1-1, 2 KOs) from Jalisco, MX, by unanimous decision. Both fighters showed a lot of heart, and we were in some heated exchanges throughout the fight. Moreno used his height and reach to his advantage to land from the outside, while Benitez was doing his best to counter. Moreno’s aggression and accurate punches gave him the victory in an entertaining battle. Scorecards read 79-73 twice and 78-74 in favor of Moreno.

“Fighting and getting a victory in front of my hometown fans was everything I envisioned, and especially on FOX Deportes, where all my Mexican fans got a chance to see me in action,” said Moreno. “These are the type of fights I need to get me to the next level. I don’t want easy fights, so I’m glad Benitez stepped up to fight me in my backyard. I’m looking forward to my next fight, hopefully by the end of the year.”

The second televised fight saw a very entertaining fight between Tayden Beltran (7-0-1, 4 KOs) from Huntington Beach, CA, defeat Francisco Duque (2-3, 1 KO) from Baytown, TX. Both fighters showcased incredible durability and passion. Beltran was the aggressor from the opening bell, as Duque was counter punching from the southpaw stance. Both fighters landed some nice power shots, but it was Beltran that scored the cleaner punches. Beltran outworked Duque, edging him in most of the rounds as he went on to win a unanimous decision. Scorecards read 59-55, and 60-54 twice, all for Beltran. The bout was scheduled for six rounds in the lightweight division.

Opening up the FOX Deportes telecast, Juan Sanchez (7-0, 6 KOs) from South El Monte, CA, defeated Roberto Patron (2-1, 1 KO) from Turlock, CA. Sanchez landed two vicious left hooks the head, the first one scored a knockdown (Ropes held him up) early in the round, and the second one sent Patron to the canvas ending the contest at the 1:44 mark of the opening round. Sanchez wins the welterweight contest by knockout.

In the third bout of the evening, Nelson Oliva (9-0, 8 KOs) from Los Angeles, CA, made easy work of Selim Martinez (6-7, 2 KOs) from Matamoros, Mexico, scoring a first-round knockout. After battering Martinez around in the early part of round one, Oliva, a southpaw, landed a left hook to the head, ending the bout at the 2:20 mark. The bout was scheduled for six rounds in the middleweight division.

In bout number two, a 6-round super bantamweight contest, Deiniel Santiago Alegre (3-1, 1 KO), from Phoenix AZ, by way of Santa Clara, Cuba, defeated Sean Brewer (4-1-1, 3 KOs), from Las Veas, NV, by way of unanimous decision. Alegre came out aggressively, applied pressure from the opening bell, and landed an overhand right scoring a knockdown as Brewer’s glove touched the canvas. Alegre continued to work his way inside the taller Brewer throughout the fight and won a decisive victory. Scorecards read 60-53, and 59-54 all in favor of Alegre.

In the opening fight of the night, a scheduled 4-round super lightweight bout, Kevin Salgado (4-1, 2 KOs) from Murrieta, CA, defeated Osvaldo Negrete (6-6, 1 KO) of Matamoros, MX, knocking him out in the second round. After dominating round one, Salgado dropped Negrete with a left hook to the body early in round two. Negrete got up and Salgado quickly landed an over hand right-left uppercut combination from the southpaw stance, ending the fight at the 1:20 mark of round two.

This event is sponsored by, Bud Light, HUSTLER Casino, LA’s only luxury Casino, Shoe Palace and Tequilla Mandala, 100% Agave Azul

LONDON, ENGLAND – (September 12, 2023) – Commonwealth super-welterweight champion Louis ‘The Medway Mauler’ Greene (16-3, 10 KO’s) will make a third defence of his title when he meets Sam ‘Magic Man’ Gilley (16-1, 8 KO’s) in a highly-anticipated clash on the undercard of BOXXER: BUATSI VS AZEEZ – PATHS COLLIDE on Saturday, October 21 at The O2 in London which will also send the winner forward for a shot at the British title.

Greene scored a fifth-round knockout victory to win the Commonwealth title in November last year and defended it in May with another thunderous stoppage victory, travelling from Kent to challenger Paul Kean’s home city of Dundee and leaving nothing to the judges as he ended the Scotsman’s night in the sixth round.

English super-welterweight champion Gilley, fighting out of Walthamstow, booked this shot at Greene’s Commonwealth title in June, when he landed a blistering body-shot knockout of Ellis Corrie at London’s historic York Hall in what was the third stoppage victory of his last four outings.

2020 Olympics bronze medallist Karriss Artingstall (4-0) is also confirmed for the card, heading to The O2 in London for what will be her fifth professional outing and her second time competing over eight rounds as she works her way up the rankings and towards title contention. Her opponent will be revealed in the near future.

And sparks are set to fly in a ten-round super-welterweight encounter when Michael Hennessy (11-1, 2 KO’s) – son of veteran British boxing manager Mick Hennessy and brother to recent BOXXER signing Fran Hennessy – meets an opponent with an equally deep British boxing heritage: Harley Benn (9-2, 1 KO), son of former two-weight world champion Nigel Benn.

BOXXER: BUATSI VS AZEEZ – PATHS COLLIDE takes place Saturday, October 21st at The O2, London and airs live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports.

This event is presented in association with official partners, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

The main event sees a decade-long friendship put to one side when top light-heavyweights Joshua Buatsi (17-0, 13 KO’s) and ‘Super’ Dan Azeez (19-0, 13 KO’s) put their unbeaten records on the line in all-domestic clash with world-level implications.

And the British cruiserweight championship is on the line when defending champion Mikael Lawal meets bitter rival Isaac Chamberlain at last, with the pair aiming to settle their differences in explosive fashion when they finally meet in the ring.

Tickets are on sale now and available via BOXXER.com 

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Top lightweight contender Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) returns to the ring this Friday to face battle-tested veteran Antonio Moran (29-5-1, 20 KOs). The bout takes place at the American Bank Center and will be televised live on ESPN+.

“Training has been fabulous,” said Ortiz 10 days before the fight as he wrapped up training camp. “I’m very excited to put on a show and demonstrate how well my training went.”

The 27-year-old makes his first appearance of 2023 after an injury caused him to miss weight in June, forcing the cancellation of a bout that was to take place at Madison Square Garden on the Josh Taylor – Teofimo Lopez undercard.

Now fully healed, the Puerto Rican and Dominican boxer made a few changes to his training camp to ensure that he comfortably makes weight on September 15th.

“I feel confident making weight,” emphasized Ortiz about any doubts that he’ll make the contract limit of 138 lbs. “I hired another nutritionist, but the weight issue in June had more to do with an injury and not being able to work out the same way than it had to do with weight.”

In addition to hiring a nutritionist, Ortiz moved his training camp from his native Worcester to Las Vegas.

“I have less distractions training in Vegas than when I’m training in Worcester,” explained Ortiz of the move. “The intensity of the sparring is a little different too.”

Ortiz also took the step of completing a pre-training camp in Dubai, where he’s been spending more time of late.

“It was random,” says Ortiz about his initial decision to visit Dubai, the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. “I enjoy traveling and taking advantage of some leisure time between fights to see the world. I just decided to pack my bags and go there. The Eastern part of the world is very different from the Western part. It gave me a whole different perspective. I liked Dubai a lot and decided to train there for a while before coming to Vegas.”

Ortiz believes that these changes will lead to an impressive performance against Antonio Moran, who has faced the likes of undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney and top junior welterweight contender Arnold Barboza, Jr. However, Ortiz feels that he is the one coming into this fight with an edge in experience, especially considering that his last 6 opponents sport a combined record of 102-13-2.

“He’s a good fighter with decent power,” says Ortiz of Moran, who is a 35-fight veteran with 20 knockouts in 29 wins. “He almost has twice as many fights as me, but over the last year I’ve been in the ring with 2 former world champions, one of which is probably a sure shot hall-of-famer.”

Indeed, Ortiz burst on to the scene in 2022, when he won a 10-round unanimous decision over former WBO Super Featherweight champion Jamel Herring and gave future hall-of-famer Vasyl Lomachenko all he could handle in a close 12-round decision loss. Ortiz learned a lot from these experiences, particularly in the fight against “The Matrix”.

“Lomachenko sets things up well and picks up the pace towards the end of each round,” says Ortiz of his first 12-round fight against the former multi-division champion. “I would love to avenge that loss. I definitely learned how to pace myself, how to finish strong, and how important it is to win those championship rounds.”

While Ortiz is disappointed that he dropped a close decision to Lomachenko, it gave him an opportunity to gauge his performance against that of undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney, who won a highly disputed decision over Lomachenko in May.

“I felt like my fight was a lot closer than Devin’s,” says Ortiz. “I felt like I landed a lot cleaner shots in my fight against Loma, and Devin Haney got hit a little too much in their fight. Loma landed a few clean shots on me towards the end of our fight, but he never landed flurries or threw 5 and 6 punch combinations the way he did against Haney. He would only throw one or two punches at a time against me because he was wary of what I was throwing back.”

Antonio Moran will be the second straight opponent that Ortiz faces who has also shared the ring with Haney. When Moran faced Haney in 2019, he was knocked out in spectacular fashion by “The Dream” in round 7. Ortiz, however, is not interested in trying to one-up Devin.

“Styles make fights, so I don’t try to outshine anybody else,” explains Ortiz. “I just compete with myself. I’m going to put on a great show, come out victorious, and be the best version of myself on Friday.”

And while Ortiz is solely focused on Antonio Moran on Friday, he knows that an impressive victory will lead him to high profile bouts for one of the lightweight belts expected to be vacated by Haney once Devin officially moves up to the junior welterweight division.

“After September 15th, the only guys I have my eyes on are ‘Tank’ Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Lomachenko,” says ‘The Technician’. “Me and Kambosos would also be a great fight. Regardless of who you put in front of me, I see me winning. I really don’t care as long as I get a world title shot ASAP. I’m ready for anyone.”

For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast. Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.

HOUSTON, TX. – September 11, 2023 – Undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo held a live streamed media workout on Monday and previewed his upcoming showdown against undisputed super middleweight world champion Canelo Álvarez topping a SHOWTIME PPV Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View.

Houston’s Charlo will look to earn undisputed status in a second weight class with a career-defining triumph over Canelo in the first showdown between two reigning male undisputed champions in the four-belt era.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com. 

Charlo’s workout streamed live on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page and was co-hosted by WWE Hall of Famer and radio personality Booker T and PBC announcer Ray Flores. Here is what Charlo, along with trainer Derrick James, had to say Monday from his training camp in Houston:

JERMELL CHARLO

“I’ve been doing this my whole life and now it’s time to put on for my city. Put up or shut up and do what I do. I’m facing one of the best fighters in the world, you have to be excited for this moment.

“Now is the right time for this fight. We’re in our primes and at our best. I wanna shake the doubters off and prove to the world why I’m in this position. There’s a reason I made it this far. I’m gonna show what I’m made of. Everything I’ve done since I was eight years old, I’m putting it all on the line now.

“I’m not going to have to worry about losing too much weight. I’ve been sparring bigger guys for a very long time and now it’s about bringing that same mindset that I have at 154-pounds and bringing it up with me to 168-pounds.

“Of course there’s pressure. We have to be dominant and not just rely on a knockout. I have to beat him for 12 rounds. I have to do what I have to do in the ring to protect myself while still being vicious.

“This is a dream come true, just like winning undisputed, winning a world title and making it out the mud was. Once you get this far and see yourself prospering, you just want to keep bringing it. I’m staying focused on handling business.

“We’ve done so much sparring and conditioning. I’m working on the mental as well, because I know it’s not only about the physical. I’ve been training 14 weeks and making sure I do everything I need to.

“I just have to stay hungry. And I’ve been hungry. I would’ve fought Canelo years ago, and it probably wouldn’t have been as big as it is now. But I’m not too focused on being in the ring with Canelo, I’m just hungry. I want to win this fight for my city.

“If I accomplish this massive goal, it’ll be hard to top. I’ll be in the record book with the greats of boxing for a long time. 

“I’m so dialed in as far as my team and everyone around me. I just need to get in the ring and do what I have to do.”

DERRICK JAMES, Charlo’s Trainer

“Having two undisputed championships at the same time would be amazing. It would be historic for Jermell.

“It’s gonna be back and forth early. Canelo has to impose his will, and Jermell has to show him who he is. You have to stop him from being his great self.

“Jermell’s advantage is actually his size. You have to maximize that advantage. It’s about what Jermell is able to do. He doesn’t have to become the guy, he has to be the guy.

“You win the fight in the gym. You’re not pulling a rabbit out of your hat. You have to go in the ring having done it the right way.”

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ABOUT CANELO VS. CHARLO

Canelo vs. Charlo will see pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez defend his undisputed super middleweight world titles in a blockbuster showdown against hard-hitting undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo headlining a SHOWTIME PPV (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View. 

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in the 12-round super welterweight co-main event. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toe for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.

For more information visit sho.com/ppv and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloCharlo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.

ORLANDO, FL – CES Boxing founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr. was in for a pleasant surprise on Saturday night, as the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) presented the legendary promoter with the “Promoter of the Year” award at their 53rd annual convention.   

The ceremony took place at the beautiful Caribe Royale resort in Orlando, Florida.  Other notable guests at the convention included hall-of-fame two-division world champion and ESPN commentator Tim Bradley, current WBC middleweight king Jermall Charlo, newly minted NABF super featherweight champion Jordan White, emerging Irish sensation Callum Walsh, promoter Tom Loeffler, and hall-of-fame manager, matchmaker and journalist Don Majeski.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and NABF President Duane Ford presented Burchfield with the prestigious award.  

“I’m honored with this award,” said Burchfield, who founded Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES) in 1992.  “The NABF and WBC are very special to me, going back to Jose Sulaiman’s days.”

Burchfield related a story about how the late Don Jose Sulaiman, Mauricio’s father and longtime former WBC president, once called him to ask if he would serve on a ‘Rocky Marciano’ committee.  Don Jose sought to create a monument in Marciano’s likeness to honor the Brockton great.

“I never understood how Jose did this,” said Burchfield.  “He had the statue made in Mexico, had it brought to Boston on a ship like the Statue of Liberty, and if you are ever in Massachusetts, you have to make a stop in Brockton to visit this statue.”

The project culminated in a 2-ton, 20-foot statue of Marciano, the only heavyweight champion to retire with an undefeated record. The monument stands in Marciano Stadium near Brockton High School, where it was erected in 2012.

Burchfield thanked current NABF President Duane Ford and WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, and paid homage to beloved former NABF President and longtime NABF executive board member Sammy Macias, who passed away in 2018.

“When you got done coming to an NABF convention with Sammy Macias, you needed a 3-day vacation when you got back,” joked Burchfield to the delight of the crowd. “We had some great times together and I still speak to his wife when I think of him.”

Burchfield also reflected on some of the key topics discussed at the 3-day convention, which emphasized integrity and accountability in how fights are judged and officiated.  These themes were prominent in the event’s keynote speeches, several roundtable discussions, and immersive seminars for judges and referees.  

“Integrity is what I’m all about,” said Burchfield about what he values most in life.  “That’s how I run my life, and that’s how I run my business.”

Himself a former judge, Burchfield traded in his judgeship in 1992 for a promoter’s license, and he went on to build CES into a powerhouse in the Northeast.  Over 3 decades, Burchfield has developed and promoted several world champions, including Vinny Pazienza, Chad Dawson, Peter Manfredo Jr., and many others.  His current stable includes the likes of top lightweight contender Jamaine Ortiz, who faces Antonio Moran this Friday on an ESPN card out of Corpus Christi, TX, as well as many of the best prospects in New England.     

In closing, Burchfield reminisced about his past accomplishments and future goals with respect to CES boxers winning NABF championships, noting that over 100 NABF champions have gone on to also win world titles.

“I received this award several years ago when I had either 5 or 6 NABF champions on my roster,” recalled Burchfield.  “I’d love to have an NABF champion in every single one of the weight classes.  I said to Duane Ford yesterday that I’m planning a big card at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, and I would love to have 3 NABF championship belts on the line that night.  We’re going to work hard to do that. God bless you and I love you all.”

For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.

LOS ANGELES (September 11, 2023) – Ten months after accepting a World Boxing Association (WBA) offer to fight in a title eliminator, electrifying super flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez  (12-0, 9 KOs) will finally get his opportunity October 7th in Las Vegas against Panamanian boxer Ronal Batista (15-3, 9 KOs).

The winner of the 12-round fight between No. 2-rated Ramirez and No. 7 Batista will become the No. 1, mandatory challenger for new WBA Super Flyweight World Champion Kazuto Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KOs), of Japan, who dethroned defending world champion Joshua Franco this past June by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113.

Ramirez vs. Batista will be fighting in the co-featured event on a Golden Boy-promoted card to be headlined by his friend and mentor, former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs), who takes on former world light heavyweight titleholder Joe “The Common Man” Smith, Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs).

All the action will be streamed live on DAZN from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan.

Ramirez was initially matched against then No. 3 rated Sirichai Thaiyen (64-4, 42 KOs), of Thailand, who has since dropped to No. 8 in the WBA rankings.

The 26-year-old Ramirez, fighting out of the mean streets of South-Central Los Angeles, has had his patience rewarded, and the entertaining fighter of Belizean and Honduran descent vows to take full advantage of this long overdue opportunity.

“It feels like I’m getting closer to my destination (to be world champion),” Ramirez said about the delay in his title elimination fight. “I didn’t have to fight my last two fights (he could have waited for the eliminator), but I risked it all. I’m in a good position (WBA #2) and would have lost my position if I had lost either of those fights. We went with it and now I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity.

“This will be my first time fighting in Las Vegas. I call it my destiny, The last time I was there, I watched David Benevidez fight (Caleb) Plant. It (Las Vegas’ boxing atmosphere) was inspiring. I still have a chip on my shoulder, because people don’t know who I am, and I’m not getting respect.”

In his most recent fight this past May, the 26-year-old Batista dropped down one weight class,  unsuccessfully challenging World Boxing Council (WBA) Flyweight Champion Julio Cesar Martinez (19-2), who registered an 11^th round technical knockout victory. Batista’s most notable victory to date is a ninth-round TKO of Antonio Guzman in 2018 for the International Boxing Association (IBA) Super Flyweight World title.

In addition to fighting in Las Vegas for his first time, “Scrappy” will also be in his first scheduled 12-round bout, in addition to fighting on the same card as “Zurdo” Ramirez.

“It’s a 12, we’re big boys,” Ramirez emphasized,” and I’m back together with ‘Zurdo’ on the same card. It’s an honor to share the ring with him again and I’m going to do the best I can do. I’m more comfortable now. We have the same competitive spirit and even though he’s in the main event, in a positive way, it’ll make me try to do better than him on October 7^th.

“I’m not planning for this fight to go 12 rounds. My last two fights were decisions, but I’m looking for a  knockout….I’m going to destroy this kid!”

“Scrappy” Ramirez is working with 3 Point Management (3 PM), a growing company based in Los Angeles that has a growing stable of gifted boxers including “Zurdo” Ramirez, light heavyweights Kareem Hackett (11-0, 6 KOs) and Darius “DFG “

Fulghum (6-0, 6 KOs), super middleweight Cem “Champ” Kilic (17-1, 11 KOs), and heavyweight Zach Spiller (3-0, 2 KOs).

DETROIT – September 11, 2023 – Rising middleweight contender Joseph Hicks Jr. continued a busy 2023 on Friday night as he stopped veteran Gilberto Pereira dos Santos in the fourth-round of their showdown at Motor City Casino in Detroit.

Promoted by Salita Promotions, Hicks (9-0, 6 KOs) earned his fifth-victory of the year in his debut performance with highly-regarded trainer Kay Koroma.

“I felt great in the ring,” said Hicks. “I tried to put my combinations together more than what you normally see from me. I’m improving with every fight and I look forward to staying busy and fighting the best in the division. I’m one step closer to become a world rated contender and then a world champion.”

The Grand Rapids, Michigan-native was a standout amateur before entering the pro ranks, and was set to captain the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2020 summer games before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the proceedings. By the time the games were back on, the IOC’s formula for picking fighters in his weight class left him on the outside looking in. Undeterred, Hicks turned pro in 2022 and has shown that same promise from his amateur days in the pro ranks.

Hicks kicked off the year dominating the previously unbeaten Bilal Quintyne in February before stopping Noah Kidd in April. He would go on to score a unanimous decision over Antonio Todd on Claressa Shields’ undercard at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit in June and added a unanimous decision over Ramses Agaton in July before Friday’s bout.

“With his fifth fight of the year, Joseph is one of the busiest, if not the busiest, young fighter in the sport,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “He’s dedicated to his craft and is getting better with each fight. He’s Michigan-made and soon enough he will have an opportunity to join the great champions from this legendary boxing state.”

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS

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

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

Middleweight talent Leli Buttigieg has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and is set to make his eagerly anticipated professional debut later this year.
 
The 18-year-old from Bow in East London trains out of the renowned iBox Gym in Bromley under the tutelage of head trainer Alan Smith and Eddie Lam alongside the likes of Matchroom stablemate Skye Nicolson.
 
Managed by Lee Eaton, the former Newham Boxing Club fighter enjoyed a glittering stint in the unpaid code, winning four National Titles, a GB Gold Medal and representing England twice at the European Games.
 
“I’m really looking forward to starting my professional journey with Eddie and the rest of the team at Matchroom,” said Buttigieg. “I have a brilliant team behind me in my trainer Al Smith and my manager Lee Eaton and I can’t wait to get started. I’ve been told my debut will land in early December so now it’s all systems go working towards that date.
 
“I’ve been training with Al Smith and Eddie Lam at the iBox Gym in Bromley. I’ve been sparring the likes of Danny Dignum who fought for a World Title. I believe I will knockout a lot of people as a professional. As an amateur I could have stopped a lot more opponents but I had to hold back so it didn’t become hard to match me. As a professional I won’t be holding back on anyone and I feel like I’ll get a lot of people out of there.
 
“For anyone that hasn’t watched me box yet, I bring a bit of everything. I’m an all-rounder. I’m not just good at one thing. I’m good at coming forward and I’m good on the backfoot. I can have a war; I can take a shot and I can also give one. I believe as a professional whoever you put in front of me, I’ll have an answer for. I can adapt to anything and get anyone out of there.
 
“I like to break people down and I like to box on the backfoot. Whatever I have to do to win – I can adapt to anything to get the job done. I’ve always enjoyed watching Miguel Cotto. I’m excited to ditch the vest and show everyone what I’m capable of when I make my debut under the bright lights.
 
“School wasn’t really for me. Everything was just boxing boxing boxing boxing. I called college off because I wanted to put everything into boxing. It’s all going to pay off. Boxing is the path to my successful life. I believe I’m going to go to the very top of the game.
 
“I started boxing at the age of seven and I went into my first championship at the age of eleven, winning the Minors. Then I went into the Schoolboys after that in 2019 and won them. I did the Three Nations for England, winning a gold medal in them in 2019. After that I went to the European Games for England.
 
“I have a very good amateur pedigree. I won four National Titles; I won a GB Gold Medal and I got picked to box for England at the European Games twice. My name is Emmanuel Buttergieg and I’m from Bow, East London – remember the name because I’m coming for everything.”
 
“Another young and exciting addition to our growing stable of talent,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “I’m incredibly excited about signing Leli Buttigieg and I think we’re going to have a lot of fun with him on his professional journey. Leli looks like the complete package and there’s a lot of people raving about this young man’s talent. He has a great team behind him in trainer Al Smith and manager Lee Eaton and we’ll be dropping news on his professional debut in the coming weeks.”
 
You can follow Buttigieg’s journey on Instagram: lelibuttigieg_1 and Twitter: @lelibuttigieg_1

September 11, 2023 – San Antonio’s own Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas is putting the finishing touches on training camp to face undefeated 122-lb Panamanian prospect Rafael Pedroza for the WBA Continental-Latin American Super Bantamweight Championship in the 10-round super bantamweight main event of a SHOBOX: The New Generation telecast on Friday, September 15 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT live on SHOWTIME from Boeing Center at Tech Point in San Antonio, Texas.

Previously ranked as high as No. 5 by the WBA, Cardenas has won his last 10 bouts dating back to 2017. He earned a career-best victory at The Alamodome in July 2022, defeating once-beaten Michel Banquez via unanimous decision.

Hard at work with trainer Chato Martinez at Chato’s Boxing Club in San Antonio, 27-year-old Cardenas says it’s all finally coming together for him and his career. With the prospect of winning a nationally televised main event in front of his hometown friends and family, while gaining access to even bigger opportunities after that, Cardenas says he will leave no stone unturned when it comes to his preparations for the big fight.

Here’s what he had to say:

“Everything is going well. I never really stop training, so I’ve just kept doing what I usually do, I’m just doing more of it. This guy (Pedroza) is undefeated, so he’ll fight like it. He’ll come a little stronger than other fighters and I’m totally prepared for that. I know he’ll be dangerous for the first few rounds, but then, my experience will take over in the later rounds.”

“I don’t really watch tapes on anybody because every fight is different. They fight you differently than they did somebody else, so that’s why I don’t normally watch tapes, but he tagged me in something on his Instagram and I looked at a short video of him. Everything he does, I do better. I don’t say that in a cocky way. Overall, I’m just the better fighter.”

“I’m super excited. People will finally see who I am, and the bigger fights will start coming my way. My career is finally coming around and now I plan to take full advantage of it. A lot of doors will open when I win this belt. I’ve always wanted to face better competition. I want to always be progressing, not regressing. I want to fight guys who are undefeated. That’s what I need. That will put my career on the front burner.”

“I put on a good show and a lot of people come to my fights. I’m going to be fighting for my second WBA belt. To win it in front of my family and fans and everybody will be so sweet. My first WBA belt, I won in Florida and there were only a few people there to celebrate with me. It’s going to be super sweet. I’m excited. It’s a dream come true. I’ve put in a lot of hard work. I never got much help coming up. I didn’t find a promoter when I turned pro. I had a couple offers but they weren’t good. I decided to do it on my own. I fought anywhere I could get a fight. It was all leading up to this. There’s nothing better than that.”

In the co-featured bout, hard-hitting undefeated Argentine Mirco Cuello (12-0, 11 KOs) will return to the U.S. for the first time since 2020 to battle undefeated Los Angeles native Rudy Garcia (13-0-1, 2 KOs). The telecast opener features undefeated KO artist Freudis Rojas (11-0, 11 KOs), meeting once-beaten Californian Saul Bustos (15-1-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout.

This event is presented by Sampson Boxing, Paco Presents and Davies Entertainment.

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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.