According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Kenichi Ogawa has been suspended and stripped of his IBF Junior Lightweight title due to a failed drug test stemming from his December bout with Tevin Farmer.

With Ogawa facing a suspension, the IBF earlier this month had ordered Farmer, a 27-year-old southpaw from Philadelphia (whose new record is 25-4-1 with 5 knockouts), and former featherweight world titlist Billy Dib (43-4, 24 KOs), 32, of Australia, to fight for the interim title.

With Ogawa set to be stripped, the fight between Farmer and Dib will instead be for the vacant title, Peoples said. They have until May 3 to make a deal or a purse bid will be ordered.

World record breaking knockout king Zolani Tete has fired another warning shot at Bantamweight rival Ryan Burnett ahead of his WBO Bantamweight World Title defence against Omar Andres Narvaez this Saturday at the SSE Arena in Belfast, shown live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

Tete, 30, is chasing a unification showdown with WBA ‘Super’ Bantamweight Champion Burnett and is determined to prove that he is the real king of the 118lbs division by defeating the Belfast native.

“I would love to have the fight with Burnett, even if they said it would be my last ever fight,” said Tete. “I would grab it with both hands. I believe the fight needs to happen before the end of the year.

“There should be one king of the Bantamweights. I believe there are two at the moment so one needs to be eliminated.”

Narvaez (48-2-2, 25 KO) is 5-0 since a rare loss to Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue. He has held the WBO Flyweight and Super-Flyweight World Titles and will be aiming to become a three-weight World Champion by defeating Tete.”

Tete is prepared for a tough fight, adding: “I’m fighting a good fighter. He is very experienced and it is going to be a great fight. Don’t blink because there is going to be fireworks.”

Tete v Narvaez lands on a huge night of boxing at the SSE Arena in Belfast topped by the WBO Interim Featherweight World Title clash between two-weight Word Champion Carl Frampton MBE and four-weight World Champion Nonito Donaire.

WBO European Champion Conrad Cummings and Irish champion Luke Keeler go toe to toe in what promises to be an all-action Middleweight affair while Tyrone McKenna and Light-Welterweight rival Anthony Upton clash in an exciting all-Belfast match-up; with Belfast’s Marco McCullough keeping busy after Jono Carroll’s injury forced him to pull out of their IBF Intercontinental showdown.

Undefeated prospects David Oliver Joyce, Steven Ward, Lewis Crocker, Tyrone McCullagh, Troy Williamson, Ryan Hatton and Alex Dickinson complete an unmissable card.

A very limited number of tickets for Frampton v Donaire are available to purchase from the SSE Arena Belfast Box Office, www.ssearenabelfast.com and 0044(0)28 9073 9074. Prices range from £40 (tier) to £400 (inner-ring hospitality).

Fight Week schedule:

Thursday 19th April: PUBLIC WORKOUT

Carl Frampton and Nonito Donaire, along with fighters on the undercard, will perform public workouts at the Victoria Square Shopping Centre in Belfast from 1.00pm onwards.

Victoria Square,
1 Victoria Square,
Belfast,
BT1 4QG.

Time: 1.00PM onwards.

The ring will be located on Level 2, next to Odeon.

Brief one-on-one interview and photo opportunities are available with all fighters and their teams.

Friday 20th April: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN

Fighters will hit the scales from 2.00pm at the Europa Hotel.

Europa Hotel, Belfast
Great Victoria Street,
Belfast,
BT2 ZAP

Joshua Buatsi will fight for the sixth time as a pro on the undercard of the Heavyweight rematch between Tony Bellew and David Haye on May 5 at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports.

Buatsi has raced to 5-0 since turning over in July, ending three of those bouts inside the distance. The Team GB Rio Olympic bronze medal man tastes his first eight-rounder on his third appearance in the Greenwich venue, and the 25 year old talent managed by Anthony Joshua’s AJ BXNG is delighted to be back in action for the third time already in 2018.

“I’m happy to be back on the scene again on the big May 5 show,” said Buatsi. It’s my hometown in London which gives me that extra push to put on a display.

“It’ll be another entertaining fight I’m sure, people come with expectations which I can hopefully meet and surpass them. As AJ calls The O2 – ‘The Lions Den’ – it’ll be a fantastic atmosphere in there on fight night, I can’t wait to get back in there.”

Buatsi is part of a huge bill in London topped by the second instalment of the Bellew-Haye rivalry.

Paul Butler is looking to regain the IBF World Bantamweight title when he tackles undefeated Emmanuel Rodriguez for the vacant strap while Team GB Olympian Joe Joyce challenges Lenroy Thomas for the Commonwealth Heavyweight title in just his fourth pro fight.

Martin J. Ward defends his European Super-Featherweight title against WBA International champion James Tennyson, there’s a mouth-watering Super-Middleweight showdown between John Ryder and Jamie Cox, while Jordan Gill, Kody Davies and Ruqsana Begum.

Limited tickets for May 5 remain on sale at www.theo2.co.uk

Face value tickets for May 5 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Norfolk, Virginia – April 18, 2018 – Ponytail Promotions hosted a sold out crowd in Norfolk, Virginia Saturday, that saw hometown favorite Jerry “Slugger” Forrest (19-2, 15KO) overwhelm his opponent, Miree Coleman (6-4, 4KO) in a sensational barrage of punches, knocking him out cold and further earning his “Slugger” nickname. The Masonic Temple was packed to the rafters for the main event bout. Forrest is scheduled to return to the Masonic Temple in in September.

Philadelphia’s top prospect, Jaron “Boots” Ennis scored his second knockout win of the year in a brief, three minute bout with tough Ghanian journeyman Samuel Amoako (23-18-0, 17KO). Amoako, who had previously been stopped only twice in his career, was unable to continue after the first round of their bout. Ennis, who is promoted by Victory Boxing Promotions and Now Boxing Promotions, is approaching the two year anniversary of his professional debut, a knockout win over Corey Muldrew, on the 30th of this month. The 20 year old prospect has been extremely active over the past 24 months, and will be looking for a step up opportunity in the coming months.

Maryland super flyweight Alexandru Marin improved to 16-0 (11KO) with a second round knockout win over Fresno’s Michael Ruiz, Jr., earning the previously vacant IBO Intercontinental Super Flyweight Championship title. Marin, who originally hails from Romania, has been steadily working his way up the super flyweight rankings since his professional debut in 2013.

NEW YORK (April 18, 2018) – Super bantamweight prospects Josh “Don’t Blink” Greer and Glenn Dezurn will meet in the 10-round co-feature of what is now a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader on Friday, May 11 live on SHOWTIME from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. The six fighters added to the ShoBox telecast sport a combined 82 wins, four losses and 50 knockouts.

Greer (16-1-1, 8 KOs) returns to ShoBox for the third time, having scored knockouts in his previous two appearances, including a spectacular one-punch KO of previously unbeaten James Smith. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/RsR-1qp9LII. The 23-year-old Chicago native, who is known for bringing a pillow branded “Night Night” to the ring, will face once-beaten Glenn Dezurn (9-1-1, 6 KOs), a Baltimore native who has fought twice on the long-running prospect developmental series.

In an eight-round featured attraction, light heavyweight prospects will face off as former national amateur champion Alvin Varmall Jr. (15-0-1, 12 KOs) takes on southpaw Charles Foster (15-0, 8 KOs) in a matchup of undefeated prospects facing their toughest opponents to date.

In the opening bout of the ShoBox telecast at 10 p.m. ET/PT, undefeated super bantamweight Arnold Khegai (11-0-1, 8 KOs) will meet skilled veteran Adam Lopez (16-2-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-round 122-pound bout. Lopez will set the record for most ShoBox appearances with seven as he enters the ring.

The previously announced main event pits highly regarded undefeated lightweight Devin Haney (18-0, 12 KOs) in the toughest test of his career against veteran Mason Menard (33-2, 24 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions, Devin Haney Promotions & Hard Hitting Promotions, are priced at $125 for VIP, $75 for ringside and $50 for general admission and are available at the 2300 Arena Box office or online at www.HardHittingPromotions.com

Joshua Greer vs. Glenn Dezurn: 10-Rd Super Bantamweight Bout

Greer is a former Chicago Golden Gloves finalist that has won 13 in a row since his lone loss, a majority decision against Stephen Fulton Jr. in 2015. Nicknamed “Don’t Blink” due to his speed and punching power, Greer returns to ShoBox for the third time. In his ShoBox debut, he delivered a Knockout of the Year candidate in March of 2017, then returned with a TKO of previously once-beaten former amateur standout Leroy Davila.

“Glenn Dezurn and I have fought on the same show before. I’ve seen him fight and he’s an average fighter, nothing special,” Greer said. “I will be bringing my ‘Night Night’ pillow with me again this time. This fight is a great opportunity for me to keep building on my national TV exposure and I’m going in there looking to be impressive once again.”

Dezurn is coming off a tough unanimous decision loss, the first of his pro career, to Jesse Angel Hernandez in November of 2017. Dezurn looked impressive in his two previous bouts on ShoBox in 2017. He won an eight-round unanimous decision in April against Davila, who at the time was undefeated, and an exciting eight-round draw against Adam Lopez last July.

The 30-year-old Dezurn is married to women’s professional boxer Franchon Crews.

“Josh Greer is a good, enthusiastic fighter,” Dezurn said. “As far as his pillow thing, I’m a grown man and a professional. I have a job to do and a family to provide for. If the pillow makes him comfortable, that’s OK, it has nothing to do with me. Everybody needs something to get them going for a fight. I’m just grateful for another opportunity and I’m still focused on my goal of one day becoming a world champion.”

Alvin Varmall Jr. vs. Charles Foster: 8-Round Light Heavyweight Bout

A fifth-year pro, Varmall is a native of New Orleans, but lives and trains in Catskill, N.Y., currently the only pro fighter training out of the famed Cus D’Amato’s KO Boxing Gym. Varmall is a former national amateur champion – he was the 2013 U.S. Nationals Senior Champion at 201 pounds. In his last fight in February, the 26-year-old won a unanimous decision against Larry Pryor in Atlanta City, N.J. Prior to his last win, the aggressive Varmall had won six consecutive bouts via knockout.

“It doesn’t matter who I’m fighting – I’m working hard and I’ll be ready for whoever,” Varmall said. “I look at every opponent as another step closer to the main goal of winning a world championship. Right now, Foster is in my way of one day achieving that goal so I need to go out there and get him out of the way. This is my first big televised matchup and it’s what I’ve been waiting for. I’ve been training hard to put on a spectacular performance for my family back home.”

Foster, of New Haven, Conn., started his professional career unblemished after an award-filled amateur career. Since turning pro in June 2011, the former four-time Connecticut Golden Glove winner and National PAL silver medalist has amassed an undefeated record in his first 15 fights while knocking out over half of his opponents. Foster, known for his heavy hands and slick movement, is promoted by Murphys Boxing, the promotional company founded by Ken Casey of the popular rock band Dropkick Murphys. The 6-foot-2 southpaw is trained by Luis Rosa, the father of Luis Rosa Jr., who tragically passed away in an automobile accident earlier this year.

“This is probably the best shape I have ever been in,” said Foster. “My opponent is a 15-0 fighter, the same way I am. I know he’s a lot shorter than me, so that means he’s going to be coming forward all night. We have a common opponent that he just fought, and I beat him when I was 6-0. He’s a cruiserweight coming down to light heavyweight, but that doesn’t play a factor because I know I’m a big light heavyweight. My job is to leave the ring at 16-0.”

Arnold Khegai vs. Adam Lopez: 8-Round Super Bantamweight Bout

The aggressive, come-forward Khegai is a 26-year-old coming off the most impressive victory of his career in a knockout of previously unbeaten Valery Tretyakov. The undefeated Khegai, who is a former Ukraine national amateur champion and two-time world champion in Thai boxing, made the switch to professional boxing in 2015 and has since compiled a near-perfect record while competing solely in Russia. Born to Korean parents in Lymanske, Ukraine, the all-action Khegai will make his U.S. debut against Lopez in search of a statement knockout.

“I want to fight the best fighters in my weight division and now is the perfect time to begin my campaign in the U.S.,” said Khegai. “May 11 is going to be a great opportunity for me to show the fans around the world that I am the new fighter on the block. I thank SHOWTIME for the opportunity and look forward to making a statement against Adam Lopez.”

Lopez was an accomplished amateur fighter, he won six national titles and was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. at 114 pounds from 2009-10. The 27-year-old started his pro career with 15 straight victories yet he has since suffered two defeats as his level of opposition has drastically increased. The San Antonio native has one previous fight at 2300 Arena, a November 2016 KO victory over Carlos Valcarcel. The May 11 matchup with Khegai could prove to be a do-or-die fight as Lopez looks to get his promising career back on track.

“My opponent is a good fighter. He’s well-rounded and rugged, and he’s a little dirty,” Lopez said. “He’s a solid guy and a strong fighter, but he’s got some holes in his game. He doesn’t have the experience that I bring to the ring, but a win over an undefeated fighter would be a good way to kick-start my career. Training is going really well. I’m back with my old trainer, Carlos Hernandez, and we’re doing really well together. It’d mean a lot to win on SHOWTIME again.”

Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

# # #

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

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SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 18, 2018) – TMB & PRB Entertainment is pleased to announce its partnership with San Antonio TV, an ABC affiliate in San Antonio, TX, which will air all its boxing shows on their digital channel.

With over 50,000 subscribers, San Antonio TV is ABC’s local digital channel which can be viewed on devices such as Roku, Amazon, and Apple TV. Subscribers can watch their live feeds for FREE. The first boxing show to air live on the platform will be this weekend’s Whose “O” Must Go card, taking place at the Mi Mercado Event Center in San Antonio, TX on April 28, 2018.

“This is a great opportunity for TMB & PRB Entertainment to showcase our events to our local San Antonio market,” said Rick Morones, promoter of TMB & PRB Entertainment. “We have some great fights lined up for our first show with San Antonio TV. Everyone who can’t make it to the fight, should be watching in on their devices.”

In the 6-round main event, undefeated fighters,James Cantu (10-0, 4 KOs) and Jairo Castaneda (9-0, 3 KOs), will battle for welterweight supremacy in San Antonio. In the 6-round co-main event, local standout, Daniel “Da Beast” Baiz (11-1, 5 KOs), will square off against Isai Mireles (8-8, 6 KOs).

Baiz, who recently sparred former world champion, Ishe Smith (29-9, 12 KOs), is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing. After sparring Smith, Baiz is confident he can make some noise in the super welterweight division.

“When I was in Las Vegas for Lara vs. Hurd, I had a great sparring session with former world champion Ishe Smith, who is an accomplished fighter,” said Daniel Baiz. “Smith was impressed with my work, and I know if I continue to work hard in the gym, I’ll be ready to fight for a regional title soon. I have a tough fight with Mireles on Saturday, so that’s where my focus is right now.”

UNDER CARD BOUTS:

4-Round Featherweight Bout
Gregory Morales (2-0, 2 KOs) vs Jahaziel Vasquez (1-6)

4-Round Super Lightweight Bout
Frank Brown (2-1, 1 KO) vs Joe Sambrano (2-11)

4-Round Featherweight Bout
Vicente Loredo (1-0, 1 KO) vs Omar Rangel (Pro Debut)

4-Round Super Middleweight Bout
Steven Ramos (2-0, 2 KOs) vs Rudy Lozano (3-5)

4-Round Bantamweight Bout
Abraham Flores (1-0, 1 KO) vs Manuel Rubalcava (4-26)

Ringside tickets priced at $100, and general admission $30, are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (210) 449-5599 or (210) 322-9974. The Mi Mercardo Event Center is located at 227 New Laredo Hwy, San Antonio, TX. Doors open at 6:00 PM, first bell at 7:30.

LOS ANGELES (April 18, 2018) – Golden Boy Promotions has issued the following statement in response to Canelo Alvarez’s settlement agreement with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

“As we have maintained all along, the trace amounts of clenbuterol found in Canelo’s system in February came from meat contamination, and we provided the Nevada State Athletic Commission with a great deal of evidence to support those facts.

Although most professional sports, international anti-doping agencies and United States boxing commissions treat meat contamination differently from other positive tests, Nevada does not. Canelo and Golden Boy Promotions respect the rules of Nevada and are therefore satisfied with the settlement agreement reached today.

“Canelo looks forward to returning to the ring in September for Mexican Independence Day weekend to represent Mexico and boxing in what will be the sport’s biggest event of the year. He is ready to continue his remarkable record of fighting at the highest level.”

Carl Frampton and Nonito Donaire took questions from the media at today’s press conference at the Europa Hotel ahead of their clash for the WBO Interim Featherweight World Title at Belfast’s SSE Arena this Saturday, broadcast live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

Below are a selection of quotes from both fighters and promoter Frank Warren.

Carl Frampton:

“To have a guy like Nonito Donaire coming Belfast to fight me almost feels like an honour. In terms of accolades, he’s accomplished more than anyone I’ve fought, that includes Leo Santa Cruz. He’s a future Hall of Famer and hopefully I can put my name in that bracket one day.

“Some people want the easiest fights, but that’s not me and I don’t think that’s Nonito either. I’m experienced enough to know that I need to be in fights that excite me and get me nervous.

“I think the crowd adds something to my performance. There isn’t an atmosphere like the SSE Arena anywhere in the World!

“There is a lot more to Donaire than just a left hook. To say that is disrespectful. He’s also got a brilliant right hand. I have a lot of respect for Nonito, he’s a quality fighter.”

Nonito Donaire:

“Me and my wife feel like we are married to Carl! We wake up, we see Carl. We go to bed, we see Carl. He’s a great fighter.

“I think I have been gifted with great genes. I feel like I’m entering my peak because of my positive mentality. I’m smarter now and I’ve learned with the ups and downs of my career in the past couple of years. We are very confident going into this fight.

“Carl is an amazing fighter. He has taken this fight because it inspires him and it inspires me massively too. I have my outcome and that’s what I believe in.”

Frank Warren:

“In some ways this is a crossroads fight for the both of them. Both guys know what they want. Winning the Interim title will get them a shot at the WBO Champion Oscar Valdez. This is a tough fight for Carl. Nonito has been boxing since the age of eleven and we’ve heard that he’s had a brilliant camp.

“It’s a pleasure and a joy to be back in Belfast, especially promoting such a great show involving so great Champions. There is no comparison anywhere else. This is what boxing is all about, the best fighting the best. We’re in for a special treat this weekend.

“The Belfast public are knowledgeable boxing fans and they appreciate good fights, we’ve got plenty of 50/50 match-ups right down the card and I can’t wait for Saturday. There’s some great Irish derbies on the card and we’ve also got knockout king Zolani Tete defending his WBO Bantamweight crown against Omar Andres Narvaez.

“This is a proper show, a real show. You want real fights? Be in Belfast, this is where it’s happening!”

A very limited number of tickets for Frampton v Donaire are available to purchase from the SSE Arena Belfast Box Office, www.ssearenabelfast.com and 0044(0)28 9073 9074. Prices range from £40 (tier) to £400 (inner-ring hospitality).

Fight Week schedule:

Thursday 19th April: PUBLIC WORKOUT

Carl Frampton and Nonito Donaire, along with fighters on the undercard, will perform public workouts at the Victoria Square Shopping Centre in Belfast from 1.00pm onwards.

Victoria Square,
1 Victoria Square,
Belfast,
BT1 4QG.

Time: 1.00PM onwards.

The ring will be located on Level 2, next to Odeon.

Brief one-on-one interview and photo opportunities are available with all fighters and their teams.

Friday 20th April: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN

Fighters will hit the scales from 2.00pm at the Europa Hotel.

Europa Hotel, Belfast
Great Victoria Street,
Belfast,
BT2 ZAP

On Saturday, May 26, the fast-tracking of the “Argentinean Lomachenko,” two-time Olympian Alberto “Impacto” Melian (2-0, 2 KOs), will continue in Buenos Aires, when he takes on his undefeated countryman Sergio Sosa (10-0, 3 KOs) for the IBF Latino Super Bantamweight Championship.

Presented by Sampson Boxing, Melian vs. Sosa will headline a night of boxing entitled “Triple Impact on Paternal” that will be televised live on TyC Sports and VTV Uruguay (available in HD) for all of Latin America, The United States and the Caribbean.

After a distinguished amateur career and two Olympic appearances, 28-year-old Melian is off to a sensational start as a professional. In his debut, he knocked out the former world title contender Diego Ricardo Santillan (who entered the ring at 23-2) in the fifth round. In his second contest, Melian won the Argentine Super Bantamweight Championship with an eight-round TKO over Julian Aristule (32-8, 16 KOs).

A victory over Sosa will mean his first international championship and bring him one step closer to the world stage.

“Alberto Melian is a star on the rise in boxing,” said his promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz. “Because of his amateur and Olympic experience and his incredible skills, there is no need to take it slow. He is already one of the world’s best 122-lb fighters. He will continue to climb with every fight and should be ready for a world championship fight by next year.”

The co-main event will feature Uruguay’s Caril “El Ratón” Herrera (39-2, 23 KOs) taking on Argentina’s Roman “220 Volts” Reynoso (20-2-2, 9 KOs) in what promises to become a thrilling South American duel. Also appearing on the card will be former Olympian Alberto “Beto” Palmetta (7-1, 3 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout against fellow Argentinean Nahuel “El Perfecto” Galessi (12-4-1, 7 KOs).

Starting at 8:20 p.m. (7:20 EST) on TyC Sports, the new edition of “Boxeo de Primera Promocional,” will be begin with an amateur boxing showcase, followed by the professional fights.
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

PHILADELPHIA (April 18, 2018)–This Saturday, undefeated super flyweight, Dylan “The Real Dyl” Price (5-0, 5 KOs) of Sicklerville, New Jersey will take the next progression in his pro career, as he takes part in his first scheduled six-round bout when he battles Edson Eduardo Neri (2-2, 1 KO) of Mexico City at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The bout will be part of a big night of boxing that is headlined by a bout of former world champions Adrien Broner and Jessie Vargas.

The 19 year-old Price has been training very hard, and is looking forward to his next step in his career.
I would like to first thank Yahuah, my Elohim for putting me in such a great position to showcase the talent he has given me. My entire team that is doing a phenomenal job. My promoters Floyd Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe of Mayweather Promotions. My management team Doc Nowicki, Dejuan Blake and David Price who is my dad/trainer/manager, plus my “Real Dyl” team Lake Tilghman and Will Sanders,” said Dylan Price.

“I am super excited to be on such an action packed card once again. I can’t wait to weigh in on Friday, and perform on Saturday. I have had a really good camp with some excellent sparring, and I’m looking forward to my first 6 round bout. Saturday night will be packed with some of the biggest stars in the business, and I’m looking to show that over the next few years I will belong in this company.

Price is managed by D and D Management and is promoted by Mayweather Promotions.

https://www.facebook.com/btsport/videos/1972556006150925/?hc_ref=ARQNWfnnt2yHss3KHojxjh9EFr6EpT_n9g2IM_WfA2hcO2zFifDuc2DDjnAlFcmUL6w

CARSON, CALIF. (April 18, 2018) — Undefeated World Middleweight Champion and boxing superhero GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN is saving Cinco De Mayo for boxing fans! Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs), from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, boxing’s longest-reigning world champion, returns to the ring, Saturday, May 5, against two-time world title challenger VANES “THE NIGHTMARE ” MARTIROSYAN (36-3-1, 21 KOs), from Glendale, Calif. The fight will headline an exciting world championship card which will take place, under the stars, at StubHub Center, in Carson, Calif. It’s the first time Golovkin has fought in Southern California in over two years. Golovkin has proved himself to be a sterling gate attraction in his previous three fights in the Southland, selling out The Fabulous Forum twice, in 2016 and 2015, and setting the all time attendance record for boxing at StubHub Center in 2014. Golovkin vs. Martirosyan will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT. Not only will this mark Golovkin’s first non-pay-per-view fight since 2016, if successful, it will also be his 20th consecutive and record-tying middleweight title defense.

Golovkin and Martirosyan boast a combined record of 73-3-2 (54 KOs) — a winning percentage of 94% with close to 3/4 of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Golovkin had originally been scheduled to defend his WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO middleweight titles on May 5 in a rematch against Saul “Canelo “Alvarez, in the biggest and most-anticipated event on the 2018 boxing calendar. But that fight was canceled when Alvarez withdrew after twice testing positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol

Promoted by GGG promotions, in association with Don King Productions, and sponsored by Tecate, Chivas Regal, Jordan and Hublot, tickets to the Golovkin vs. Martirosyan world championship event go on sale Today! Wednesday, April 18, at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, tickets may be purchased online at AXS.com, by phone at (888) 9AXS-TIX, or by visiting the StubHub Center box office.

“Vanes Martirosyan is now the most important fight of my career. He has my respect and I am training hard to defend my titles against him,” said Golovkin. “I am happy to be back on HBO and fighting at StubHub Center because they have great boxing fans. I will give my fans another big drama show.”

“Gennady has had such a terrific training camp in Big Bear. It wouldn’t be fair to him to let it go to waste just because Canelo was being punished,” said Abel Sanchez, Golovkin’s trainer. “Gennady is going to light up Cinco De Mayo as only a true Mexican-style fighter can. I can’t wait to unleash him.”

“We are adding extra bleachers to accommodate the demand from Gennady’s fans. We are prepared for Gennady to break his own StubHub Center attendance record for a boxing event, which he set in 2014,” said Tom Loeffler, Golovkin’s promoter. “When you think about all the great champions and exciting world title fights StubHub has hosted, that’s quite an accomplishment. Vanes Martirosyan brings a passionate Armenian fan base from nearby Glendale and an aggressive style of fighting. Best of all, he is ready and wants the fight. Golovkin vs. Martirosyan will definitely be the fiesta de résistance of Cinco De Mayo.”

“I’ve been training my ass off. I’m sparring, I’m on weight,” Martirosyan recently told the Los Angeles Times. “When they asked me if I’d take this fight, I said yes. I didn’t ask about money at all. It’s a good show for L.A. Cinco De Mayo. Armenians will pack the place. I have a lot of Mexican fans. I do believe in my heart I’m going to beat (Golovkin) because he’s never fought someone with my style.”

Golovkin, the 36-year-old wrecking ball who has reigned over the middleweight division as world champion since 2010, was a dominant amateur standout and Olympic Silver Medalist before turning professional in 2006. Since then, Golovkin has been on an historic trajectory, knocking out one opponent after another to unify the WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO World Middleweight Titles. During this run, Golovkin maintained an unblemished record that included a 23-fight knockout streak, which ended with a unanimous decision victory against then-undefeated world champion Danny Jacobs in March 2017. In September of the same year, Golovkin went the distance in a historic and controversial split draw against Alvarez, which most scored as a victory for Golovkin. The hotly-anticipated rematch, which had been scheduled for Cinco De Mayo, was canceled when Alvarez withdrew from the fight. Golovkin has sold out the most iconic arenas of the world, including T-Mobile Arena, Madison Square Garden, O2 Arena, The Fabulous Forum and StubHub Center.

Martirosyan, 31, is a two-time world title challenger and a former amateur standout who represented the U.S. in the 2004 U.S. Olympics, the same Summer Games where Golovkin won the silver medal. A native of Abovyan, Armenia, who fights out of Glendale, Calif., Martirosyan’s resume boasts NABF, NABO, WBO Inter-Continental, WBA International and WBC Silver championship victories against the likes of former world champions Ishe Smith and Kassim Ouma, as well as a draw against Erislandy Lara. Martirosyan’s only professional blemishes have been decision losses in world title fights against Demetrius Andrade, where Martirosyan scored a knockdown, and a rematch with Lara, as well as a controversial 10-round loss to WBC super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo. Standing at six-feet tall, Martirosyan will enter the ring as the taller and the younger gladiator. He is currently the WBC’s No. 1 world-rated super welterweight contender.

For more information, www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter @gggboxing, @hboboxing, @VanesBoxing, and @TomLoeffler1; become a fan on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/gggboxing, and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing; follow on Instagram @gggboxing, @vanesboxing,and @HBOboxing.

Tommy Coyle believes ‘it’s written in the stars’ that he’ll rip the Commonwealth Lightweight title from Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

The Hull star says he’s back in love with boxing after a great camp with Jamie Moore, and the 28 year old is confident he’ll bag his first belt since October 2014 – and he has unfinished business with the Commonwealth strap.

Coyle’s first major title fight was against Liverpool son Derry Mathews for the Commonwealth crown in 2013 and was in control until Mathews found a punch from the gods to KO him, but five years on, a revitalised Coyle believes that the best is yet to come and that the title will be going back to Hull.

“It’s written in the stars that I win this title,” said Coyle. “I think that this is the relaunch of me and I’ll have that title around my waist. It’ll come full-circle for me. When you look at the big fights I’ve had they’re all on my logbook of experience making me the fighter that I am today. I really do feel that I am going to get rid of him in there.

“I’ve fallen in love with the game again. Normally I’m very nervous, anxious and quiet as the camp comes to an end, because I don’t want to lose. For the first time in a long time I feel super-confident. Timing is everything, I really think that this fight is made for me.

“I got thrown into the Derry fight and I’ve learnt on the job. All that experience is going to pour out of me tonight and that will be enough.

“I feel super sharp and well up for it. It’s a top fight. He’s the champion, he’s a proud man and I’m going to his backyard. It’s going to be a great fight but the pictures after the fight will

be even better. We’ll have a sit down, a bite to eat and a couple of drinks, because that’s what it’s about.

“’Masher’ can fight, he can box, he’s awkward, but I’ve got too much for him and I think that I’ll overwhelm him. I will press and press and press, and I am comfortable with that style of fighting. It’s the same dance just a different partner, I’m looking forward to it and ready to be champion again.”

Coyle’s clash with Dodd is part of a huge night of action on Merseyside as Amir Khan returns to action for the first time in nearly two years, and first fight in the UK for almost five years, against outspoken Canadian Phil Lo Greco.

‘Miss GB’ Natasha Jonas fights for her first pro title with the WBA International Super-Featherweight title against Taoussy L’Hadji, former British and European Welterweight champion Sam Eggington begins life at Super-Welterweight, Rio Olympian Anthony Fowler boxes in front of his hometown fans for the second time as a pro and is joined by fellow Mersey hitters Tom Farrell and Craig Glover.

Exciting Welterweight Conor Benn returns, Qais Ashfaq is in his second pro fight, unbeaten Bolton Super-Bantamweight Osman Aslam and unbeaten Super-Welterweight Scott Fitzgerald are all in action.

Limited tickets remain on sale priced £40 and £80 via the Echo Arena at www.echoarena.com and on 0344 8000 400.

Face value tickets for April 21 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

LONDON, UK – TUESDAY 17th APRIL

ULTIMATE BOXXER, Britain’s first boxing entertainment brand, is delighted to announce that free-to-air TV channel 5Spike will broadcast the inaugural event from the Manchester Arena on Friday 27th April. LIVE across the UK.

The new and exciting boxing elimination tournament will provide raw, modern and exhilarating action for viewers to watch LIVE on Freeview Channel 31, Sky 160, TalkTalk 31, Freesat 141, BT TV 31 and Virgin Media 154.

Created to give untapped, talented and fiercely ambitious boxers a golden opportunity to become boxing’s next big stars across multiple weight divisions, ULTIMATE BOXXER has high profile legends involved including British greats Ricky Hatton and Anthony Crolla as well as former world champion and leading pundit Paulie Malignaggi. Spike programming is endeavouring to bring something cutting edge to the booming UK boxing scene.

ULTIMATE BOXXER I features eight undefeated boxers in the Welterweight division who will battle it out in toe-to-toe action in four quarter-finals of 3 x 3-minute rounds, followed by two semi-finals and one final to determine an ULTIMATE BOXXER champion in one night who’ll also win a life-changing cash prize from a pool of £50,000.

ULTIMATE BOXXER also aims to engage a younger audience utilising leading digital brands and social media to provide a different boxing experience. The quarter-finals will begin on Unilad at 7.15pm GMT before the live show on 5Spike begins at 9pm.

Benjamin Shalom, Founder of ULTIMATE BOXXER, said

“I’m thrilled to partner with 5Spike to make available on free-to-air TV the debut of ULTIMATE BOXXER I. We believe that 5Spike is a great match for our brand and possesses the drive and energy for entertainment smarter, sharper and braver.

We want to give something to both the fans & the sport and I’m delighted that 5Spike share the same vision.”

Caj Sohal, Head of Sport across the Channel 5 family said:

“Here at 5Spike we are always on the lookout for high impact and engaging sport content. We are excited about working with Ultimate Boxxer for this brand new fighting format and hope that it delivers knock out results”

Live: Ultimate Boxxer I will be on 5Spike on Friday 27th April at 9pm.

NOTES TO EDITORS
*If using quotes or materials from the press please use the following tagline, thank you*

ULTIMATE BOXXER I will take place at the Manchester Arena on Friday 27th April. Go to www.ultimateboxxer.com for further information.

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Unexpectedly, Mikey Garcia vacated his junior welterweight belt and will keep his WBC Lightweight championship, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The IBF, whose junior welterweight title he won from Lipinets, gave Garcia 10 days to make a decision. He notified the sanctioning organization in a letter in late March that he planned to keep the junior welterweight belt.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told ESPN that Garcia had notified him that he would defend his lightweight title next, which is why the WBC had not yet stripped him of the belt.

And then Garcia notified the IBF of his change of plans.

“The IBF received an email from Mikey Garcia on Sunday indicating that he was relinquishing the IBF junior welterweight title,” IBF president Daryl Peoples told ESPN on Tuesday. “We were a little surprised as well.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin could be stripped of his IBF Middleweight title should he go through with a fight with Vanes Martirosyan.

IBF attorney Linda P. Torres sent a letter on Tuesday to attorney Ron DiNicola, who represents the Golovkin side, and Alex Dombroff, the attorney for promoter Lou DiBella, who promotes IBF mandatory challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko, outlining the reasons for the IBF’s refusal the grant approval for Golovkin-Martirosyan, a source with knowledge of the letter told ESPN.

In the letter, Torres outlined the reasons for the IBF’s refusal the grant approval for Golovkin to defend against Martirosyan. The IBF’s reasons for refusing the approve the fight are same reasons why the proposed bout with Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs), 31, a 2004 U.S. Olympian from Glendale, California, has received so much criticism from boxing fans and media: Martirosyan is coming off a loss, he is a junior middleweight who would be moving up in weight and he has not fought in two years.

If Golovkin goes ahead with the bout against Martirosyan, the IBF said it would invoke its rule 5.H, which states, “If a champion participates in an unsanctioned contest within his prescribed weight limit, the title will be declared vacant whether the champion wins or loses the bout. The championships committee, with the approval of the (IBF) president, will then establish a new champion in that division in accordance with the procedures established and prescribed in these rules.”

The IBF rules do provide Golovkin with the ability to seek an exception to the mandatory bout, but the IBF’s reasons for not approving the fight in the first place would not bode well for him to get the exception granted. Loeffler acknowledged the letter from the IBF and told ESPN that Golovkin plans to fight May 5 and said their side will seek an exception, adding that he hopes the IBF will grant one.

“Gennady is a proud champion of the IBF and, as a unified world champion, he looks forward to remaining champion for a long time and defending his middleweight titles many more times,” Loeffler said.

Bethlehem, PA (April 17, 2018) -This past Friday night at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center, junior lightweight O’Shaquie Foster got a career boosting win as he defeated Frank De Alba via eight-round majority decision in a crowd-thrilling fight.

The six-bout card was promoted by King’s Promotions.

Foster got off to an early lead, as he featured an accurate straight hand. De Alba got back in the fight as he decided to stand toe-toe with Foster, and on many occasions, he gave as good or even better then he received. Neither fighter took a backward step, which was much to the delight to the crowd that congregated at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The furious action continued, De Alba began to leak some blood from his nose in the fifth frame.

Foster of Houston, Texas won his third bout in a row as he took two cards by scores of 79-73 and 78-74, while a 3rd card read event at 76-76.

Foster, 131.2 lbs of Houston, Texas is now 13-2. De Alba, 130.1 lbs of Reading, PA is 22-3-2.

In the explosive co-feature, Luther Smith stopped Elvin Sanchez 55 seconds into the 2nd round of their scheduled six-round cruiserweight bout.

Sanchez struck in the 1st round when he dropped Smith with a left to the head. In round two, Smith came back to send Sanchez to the canvas with a right hook. Smith ended the fight when he landed a straight left that sent Sanchez to the canvas, and the fight was immediately stopped.

Smith, 199.1 lbs of Bowie, MD is 10-2 with 9 knockouts. Sanchez, 198.7 lbs of Paterson NJ is 8-4-1.

Martino Jules remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Vincent Jennings in a featherweight bout.

Jules, 128 lbs of Allentown, PA won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice to raise his unblemished mark to 4-0. Jennings, 126.7 lbs of Grand Rapids, MI is 5-5.

James Robinson took a six-round majority decision from Greg Jackson in a junior middleweight bout.

Robinson 156.7 lbs of York, PA won by scores of 59-55 twice and 57-57, and is now 5-9-4. Jackson, 150.9 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is 8-6-1.

In a battle of undefeated welterweights, Anthony Sonnier won a six-round unanimous decision over Jesus Perez.

In round three, Sonnier scored two knockdowns. The 1st knockdown came from a flush right hand. The 2nd knockdown came from a hard left. In round five, Perez was bleeding from his nose.

Sonnier, 143.2 lbs of Seattle won by scores of 59-53 and 58-54 twice to raise his record to 4-0. Perez, 142.7 lbs of Reading, PA is 3-1.

Craig Callaghan and Cesar Soriano Beruman battled to a six-round majority draw in a welterweight fight.

Despite bleeding from around both eyes, Beruman was able to get inside and land some solid punches, while Callaghan had success from the outside.

Scores were 58-56 for Callaghan, and 57-57 twice.

Callaghan, 152 lbs of Houston, Texas via Liverpool, ENG is 17-1-1. Beruman, 151.6 lbs of Iztacaloc, MEX is 28-37-3,

King’s Promotions will be back on Friday, May 11th at The SugarHouse Casino with a big night of action that will feature undefeated junior welterweight Mykal Fox battling Anthony Mercado in the eight-round main event.

LAS VEGAS (April 17, 2018) – University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) student and Las Vegas resident, unbeaten bantamweight prospect “The Baby-Faced Assassin” Max Ornelas (10-0-1, 4 KOs), faces Mexico-native Tony Lopez, Jr. (13-3, 4 KOs) this Friday night (Apr. 20) in the eight-round main event for the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) United States title, at Cox Pavilion on the UNLV campus.

Ornelas vs. Lopez, Jr., presented Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions, will air live on beIN Sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Ornelas and Lopez, Jr, who fights out of Ft. Worth, TX, are RJJ stablemates.

In the eight-round, co-featured event, unbeaten World Boxing Council (WBC) United States welterweight champion Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (14-0-1, 5 KOs), a former college football player from New Haven, Connecticut, meets Marquis Taylor (8-1, 0 KOs), of Houston, in a non-title match.

Undefeated Roy Jones protégé Shady Gamhour (6-0, 5 KOs), a Swedish middleweight now living in Jones’ hometown of Pensacola, FL, fights Mexican Erasmo Garcia (5-2, 3 KOs) in the six-round televised opener.

Also fighting on the undercard is Australian super welterweight and past world title challenger, Tommy “The Titan” Browne (35-7-2, 13 KOs), versus Carlos Hernandez (15-17, 12 KOs), of Puerto Rico, in an eight-round bout.

Top Rank’s blue-chip prospect, 17-year-old Stockton, CA sensation Gabriel Flores, Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), a 2016 World Juniors Championships silver medalist, takes on Mexico-native Alejandro Rochin (5-1, 3 KOs), fighting out of Oklahoma City, in a six-round match.

Pro-debuting Las Vegas junior lightweight Jaime Gomez and Ivan Ortiz (1-0-1, 1 KO), of Los Angeles, will clash in a four-round “walk out” fight.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $100.00 Ringside, $40.00 Reserved Seating & $25.00 General Admission, and available to purchase online at http://www.unlvtickets.com/eventInfo/spe/687/ornelas-vs-lopez/Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 p.m. PT.
INFORMATION:
Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com http://www.beinsports.com/us
Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa, @beINSPORTS ,
Instagram: @RoyJonesJRboxing, @beINSportsusa, @artofmusiclv, @cervezatecate, @rivalboxinggear, use #RoyJonesJr, #RJJ, #MaxLopez
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RJJBoxing http://www.facebook.com/beinsportsusa

EDMONTON, Canada (April 17, 2018) – Canada’s preeminent destination for boxing fans in Canada, Super Channel, will air a world-class event featuring two world title fights this Saturday, headlined by the 12-round main event for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Interim World Featherweight Championship between former world champions Carl “The Jackal” Frampton and Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, live from The SES Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

Frampton vs. Donaire, presented by Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions, will air exclusively on Super Channel across Canada, starting at 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT.

WBO World Bantamweight Champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete defends his title against former world champion and Olympian Omar “El Huracan” Andres Narvaez in the 12-round, co-featured event.

The 31-year-old Frampton (24-1, 14 KOs), fighting at home in Belfast, is a former World Boxing Association (WBA) Super World Featherweight Champion. The crowd-pleasing Irishman is 5-1 in world title fights, 6-1 (3 KOs) versus current or past world champions, including a victory over Canada’s Steve Molitor.

Frampton has also defeated world champions such as Kiko Martinez (twice), Scott Quigg and Leo Santa Cruz, the reigning WBA featherweight world champion who defeated Frampton in their world-title fight rematch on January 28,2017 for the WBA crown.

Philippines-native Donaire, who lives in San Leandro, California, is a seven-time, four-division world champion, who is 10-0 in fights held outside of the United States. The 35-year-old Donaire has a 13-3 (8 KOs) world title fight record and he’s 12-3 (8 KOs) against current or former world champions. His Who’s Who list of victims include Vic Darchinyan (twice), Ferrnando Montiel and Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., among the more notables.

One of the greatest Filipino fighters of all time — along with Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao, Gerry Penalosa and Gabriel “Flash” Elorde –Donaire is unquestionably a future Hall of Famer, who has won five of his last six fights.

Tete (26-3, 2 KOs), fighting out of South Africa, captured his WBO title a year ago, when he won a 12-round unanimous decision over Arthur Villanueva (30-1). Last November, Tete needed only 13 seconds to one-punch knockout his fellow countryman, Siboniso Gonya (11-1), In his first title defense.

Narvaez (48-2-2, 25 KOs) is a two-time, two division world champion, as well as a two-time Argentinian Olympian. The veteran southpaw has an incredible 28-2-1 (12 KOs) record in world title fights during his 17 1/2 -year pro career. One of his two career losses, ironically, was in 2011 to Donaire by way of a 12-round unanimous decision for the WBO world bantamweight title.

Other exciting fights on the “Frampton vs. Donaire” card, in addition to the aforementioned main event and co-feature, will air in Canada exclusively on Super Channel.

Super Channel aired major boxing events live in 2017 like Brook vs. Spence Jr., Pacquiao-Horn, Eubank, Jr. vs. Abraham, Lomachenko vs.Marriaga, Crawford vs. Indongo, Smith vs. Williams II, and the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) quarterfinals and semifinals.

To watch Frampton vs. Donaire live, as well as more exciting boxing to come in 2018, fight fans in Canada can contact their local cable provider to subscribe to Super Channel and all that it offers, including premium series, movies and much more, for as low as $9.95 per month.

THE FIGHT GAME WITH JIM LAMPLEY kicks off its seventh season WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Hosted by the four-time Sports Emmy® winner, who has hosted HBO Boxing since joining the network in 1988, the show is a provocative, engaging and informative experience that delves into intriguing storylines, newsmakers and issues that are top-of-mind in boxing.

The show is also available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and partners’ streaming services.

Segments on this edition of THE FIGHT GAME include: an examination of Canelo Alvarez’s temporary suspension after testing positive for the PED Clenbuterol, which has postponed his mega-fight with Gennady Golovkin; new correspondent Kelefa Sanneh’s in-depth look at one of the toughest challenges in boxing, making weight; Daniel Jacobs’ sit-down with THE FIGHT GAME’s Andre Ward before his April 28th middleweight showdown with Maciej Sulecki at Barclays Center; and a survey of the latest news with Lampley.

Immediately following the show’s April 18 debut, fight fans can log on to hbo.com for an exclusive overtime segment hosted by Lampley.

One time GB amateur standout Sam Maxwell has no cause to fear any of the runners or riders in Britain’s white hot super-lightweight division.

Five years ago, the MTK managed Merseysider twice dipped between the ropes to confront the Ukraine’s formidable dual Olympic champion Vasyl Lomachenko over five rounds and remained vertical throughout.

Now unbeaten in six as a pro, the straight-shooting stylist is chasing ‘Loma’s’ tail in the commercial code.

You were born in Hackney, east London before moving to Prescot (eight miles east of Liverpool city centre)when you were eight. Must’ve been tough growing up on Merseyside with a Cockney accent.
Not really. I grew up in a good area surrounded by the right people. When you’re young you have to prove yourself but I was basically a mellow kid, a bit of a nerd. From 11, I was always training at the boxing gym rather than out on the streets.

Remind us of your amateur credentials.
I had about 150 bouts and won around 120. In addition to my (2014) Commonwealth Games bronze, I won the National Universities gold, two Senior ABAs and a British title, beating (2016 GB Olympian)Joey Cordina in the final. I also beat (undefeated pros) Josh Kelly and Josh Leather.

I spent five years on the Team GB set-up in Sheffield. I travelled all around the world, Russia, Ukraine, Mexico, Morocco, Algeria, Brazil and made some amazing friends who I still communicate with on a daily basis.

At the 2012 Olympic qualifiers, I beat the number one seed Albert Selimov from Russia – the only man to defeat Vasyl Lomachenko in almost 400 amateur bouts – but then lost to the Turk in Turkey. That was gutting. I also had 13 bouts in the WSB during two seasons with the GB Lionhearts and won about half of them.

It was in the World Series of Boxing that you twice swapped leather with a certain V.Lomachenko from the Ukraine!
Yeah. First fight I was a bit overwhelmed. I was supposed to fight someone else but there was a ‘pull out’ and ‘Loma’ was thrown on me at short notice. I did much better second time and it was a great experience. I’ve always got that on my CV.

He’s just an unbelievable talent; his feints, his angles, his intelligence. He’s always a few steps ahead of you, knows your movements before you do. He just destroys opponents mentally. That’s why they all ‘No Mas’!

I went 10 rounds with him and got paid about 400 quid for the two fights combined. You could put a good few noughts on the end of that if we ever meet in the pros. I definitely wanna make it a trilogy (laughs)!

You’ve made a storming start to your pro career since debuting in October 2016, winning six straight with five victims failing to finish.
The WSB acclimatizes you to fighting five rounds at a high pace against class opposition. You learn to save your energy, use the jab, avoid the heads.

I know from the pads that I have the power to hurt anyone with my long jab and back hand. I stopped barely a handful in the amateurs. However, it’s very hard to land a clean strong shot against the top amateurs whereas, in the pros, almost every shot connects with power. George (Vaughan, his veteran coach)has taught me not to be so bouncy and awkward. He’s really got me believing in myself.

You’re already 29 so might be required to make your move quicker than most. What’s the SP?
I’m with a great promoter in Frank Warren. Each fight his team ensure I face a better opponent yet I’m dealing with them and getting a bit more hype each time.

The domestic light-welter division is littered with talent like Josh Taylor who beat me in the (2014) Commonwealth Games semis plus Jack Catterall, Tyrone Nurse, Ohara Davies, Glenn Foot and Josh Leather. I believe I’m a very good boxer and a stiff puncher myself. There’s loads of entertaining fights to be made down the line.

There’s no need to rush but it’s great to see so many of my Team GB squad mates doing so well and fighting for titles before they’ve reached ten pro fights. Hopefully, it won’t be long before I’m joining them. I rate myself just as highly.

What can the packed Belfast crowd expect to see from Sam Maxwell on Saturday night?
The Irish fans are amazing so it’s crucial I look good before such a knowledgeable crowd. Hopefully, they’ll see a technically sound boxer, with a tight guard, good feet, a sharp jab and good power in my straight right hand.

I was in the ExCel (Arena) for the London Olympics when Katie Taylor was boxing and it was just unreal, a sea of green. Frampton is their favourite star so hopefully I can get on before him and really savour the atmosphere. I can’t wait.

I always train to do the rounds but if I clip ‘em clean and see they’re hurt, I won’t back off. My fight’s scheduled for six so hopefully I can showcase my skills, get four good rounds under my belt to bank for later in my career, then put ‘em away in style in the fifth or sixth.

Maxwell fights on a huge night of boxing at the SSE Arena in Belfast topped by the WBO Interim Featherweight World Title clash between two-weight Word Champion Carl Frampton MBE and four-weight World Champion Nonito Donaire.

WBO Bantamweight Champion of the World Zolani Tete also features as he makes the second defence of his title against former three-time World Champion Omar Andres Narvaez after his Word recording-breaking KO win at the SSE Arena in November.

WBO European Champion Conrad Cummings and Irish champion Luke Keeler go toe to toe in what promises to be an all-action Middleweight affair while Tyrone McKenna and Light-Welterweight rival Anthony Upton clash in an exciting all-Belfast match-up; with Belfast’s Marco McCullough keeping busy after Jono Carroll’s injury forced him to pull out of their IBF Intercontinental showdown.

Undefeated prospects David Oliver Joyce, Steven Ward, Lewis Crocker, Tyrone McCullagh, Troy Williamson, Ryan Hatton and Alex Dickinson complete an unmissable card.

A very limited number of tickets for Frampton v Donaire are available to purchase from the SSE Arena Belfast Box Office, www.ssearenabelfast.com and 0044(0)28 9073 9074. Prices range from £40 (tier) to £400 (inner-ring hospitality).

17 April 2018 – Manila, Philippines: Asia’s premier martial arts organization, ONE Championship, is back in Manila for its second of four shows in 2018. In a press conference held at the Grand Ballroom of the City of Dreams in Manila, the promotion kicked off its latest event, ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, which is set for Friday, 20 April, at the Mall of Asia Arena. Photos of the event can be downloaded here.

In attendance were Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, Chatri Sityodtong, main event combatants Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of Baguio City, Philippines and Andrew Leone of Cortland, New York, USA, global kickboxing superstar Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan and opponent ‘Smokin’ Jo Nattawut of Thailand, among others.

Belingon (17-5), who is currently riding a four-bout winning streak, takes on former bantamweight world title challenger Leone (8-3) in a contest with huge title implications. Both Belingon and Leone are seeking a rematch against reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes, but will have to go through each other to secure it.

“I know Andrew Leone is a tough opponent, and I need to be at my best to win. It’s going to be one of my biggest matches to date,” said Belingon. “I am very thankful to ONE Championship for allowing me to be a part of this historic event. I can’t leave anything to chance. I have to give another great performance. Beating Leone would be the next step to the title.”

Belingon’s opponent Leone also knows what’s at stake in this matchup, and he isn’t taking the Filipino lightly by any means.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me. I can’t wait to go up there and show what I can do, to perform to the best of my ability,” said Leone. “Kevin Belingon is a tough guy. He’s a hard puncher and he has power. But I’m not worried about his striking. I’ve faced tough guys before. All I can say is that I’ll be ready.”

ONE: HEROES OF HONOR also marks the world premiere of the highly-anticipated ONE Super Series. Announced earlier this year, ONE Super Series aims to provide the world’s best martial artists a prestigious global platform to showcase the beauty of Asia’s striking arts such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, Kung Fu, wushu, sanda, silat, lethwei, and more.

“It’s an open invitation to the greatest strikers in the world,” said Sityodtong. “Fans will witness the absolute elite in striking martial arts, as they go head-to-head on the biggest and most prestigious global stage of competition.”

With ONE Super Series, ONE Championship is now considered the largest martial arts organization in the world. While competing promotions do offer a similar product, according to Sityodtong, they only offer one flavor of martial arts as opposed to ONE Championship which hosts bouts across all styles of martial arts.

“Aside from the many great bouts this Friday night, what I’m most excited about is the launch of ONE Super Series. ONE Championship is the only global player to encompass all styles of martial arts,” said Sityodtong. “We have the best in all styles going up against each other. That’s definitely something to look forward to.”

Making his appearance in the co-main event of the evening, kickboxing elite Giorgio Petrosyan is elated at his chance to leverage ONE Championship’s massive worldwide audience reach. Broadcast to a potential 1.7 billion on any given night to over 136 countries worldwide, ONE Super Series will harness the full potential of ONE Championship’s global influence in order to highlight the greatest in striking martial arts.

And while the promotion is gearing up for a very busy mid-year, Sityodtong teases that there are plenty more surprises to come, including the highly-anticipated launch of ONE Championship’s new mobile app, slated to arrive in the coming months.

“The new ONE Championship mobile app is a true game changer in the world of martial arts,” said Sityodtong. “Soon, fans will have access to all our blockbuster live events and complete library of Hi-Definition content in the palm of their hands, all for free, and you can watch from anywhere in the world. It’s going to take ONE Championship to the next level.”

Before the end of the press conference, Sityodtong also revealed plans to establish a professional boxing league in addition to ONE Super Series, inviting the greatest boxers from the Philippines and around the world to join the promotion.

Also in attendance at the press conference were main card competitors Honorio “The Rock” Banario of Team Lakay, opponent Adrian “The Hunter” Pang of Australia, as well as various ONE Championship athletes who mixed in with the crowd and participated in the festivities.

ONE: HEROES OF HONOR goes down this Friday, 20 April at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. Gates open at 6:30 PM local time.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™

ONE Championship is the largest global sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Championship is the home of martial arts and is the world’s largest martial arts organization, hosting bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. The world’s most exciting martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world’s best martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 1.7-billion potential viewers across 136 countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including Fox Sports, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Bandsports, Startimes, Premier Sports, Thairath TV, Skynet, Mediacorp, OSN, and more.

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PHILADELPHIA, Penn. / ORANGE, Calif. (April 16, 2018) – Prized prospect Ruben Villa (11-0, 4 KOs) continued his upward trajectory by thoroughly dismantling Marlon Olea (13-3, 12 KOs) to win the vacant WBO Youth Featherweight Title Saturday night from his hometown of Salinas, Calif.

Villa, just days before his twenty-first birthday, headlined his first event and won his first title in front of a raucous home crowd. The southpaw delivered an impressive performance, winning every round on all three scorecards (80-72 x3).

“It’s exactly how I wanted to end this night,” said Villa, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “I blocked out the crowd and just did what I had to do. Olea moves around a lot, but I was able to land whatever I wanted.”

After a feeling out first round, Villa turned up the heat in the second. Both hands began to split Olea’s guard, which became a constant theme throughout the 8-round title fight.

As in his other fights, Villa consistently landed a seldom used punch by most boxers, a stiff jab to the midsection that neutralized the Colombian’s attack.

In the third round, a “Ruben” chant broke out in the Salinas Storm House, just as the former back-to-back Golden Gloves champion started to land heavy combinations. Villa, who is managed by Danny Zamora, thrilled the sold-out crowd with his aggressive punching.

“I thought Ruben had a terrific performance on Saturday,” said Artie Pelullo, president of Banner Promotions. “It was a great night for him to perform in front of his hometown fans, and capture his 1st title. This is the 1st of many titles in Ruben’s future, and by the way, the fans turned out for him. I see Salinas being the home of many more fights for Ruben.”

“Ruben put an exclamation point on what turned out to be a fantastic event,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing. “It’s the best I’ve seen him fight since he turned professional. He showed the skill and confidence of a veteran, yet he’s barely turning 21. The sky is the limit for Ruben.”