New York, NY: Before fans at the Theater at Madison Square Garden enjoy two light heavyweight championship bouts Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin, and Dmitry Bivol vs. Sullivan Barrera” on Saturday, March 3, Main Events and Krusher Promotions presents the first title fight on the night’s undercard in the super welterweight division.

Bakhram Murtazaliev (11-0, 9 KOs) of Grozny, Russia will face Kenneth McNeil (11-3, 8 KOs) of Birmingham, Alabama, in the first defense of the IBA Super Welterweight World Title he won at The Garden in November.

Murtazaliev, 25, has quickly made a name for himself since coming to the United States in 2016. He hopes to extend his seven-fight knockout streak and improve his already impressive 82% knockout ratio (9 KOs in 11 wins). This will be his third fight under both the Krusher Promotions’ and Main Events’ banners.

McNeil, 28, is coming off a win in his last bout, and a split decision with Samuel Clarkson many observers believe he won. McNeil has never been stopped, so Murtazaliev’s goal of extending his knockout streak will be put to the test in his toughest fight to date.

After winning the title at Madison Square Garden in November, Murtazaliev said of the experience, “It looked like what I dreamed all my life.”

Murtazaliev was able to return home to Russia for a holiday visit with family and friends, but then it was back to sunny Oxnard, California to train with Abror Tursunpulatov, who also trains two-time Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey Kovalev.

“In my preparation, my path is to do. Abror’s is to tell us what to do. Today, he tells us to throw rocks. Tomorrow, he may tell us to throw people. He has a plan … we trust him,” said Murtazaliev.

Murtazaliev recently marked his first anniversary training with Tursunpulatov. “I started to train with him and I really understood what he was saying. It made huge sense to me. I enjoy every day with Abror. I love training with the other boxers, and Kovalev too.”

Murtazaliev says he’s working hard to impress fans and achieve success in the ring. “I’m putting all my heart into practices and all my heart into my fight March 3rd. You aren’t going to be disappointed,” promised Murtazaliev. “I will try to gain more fans, to show nice boxing. I really work hard, and it’s all due to hard work. If you work hard, you will get everything you want in your life.”

There are a few big fans who won’t be watching the young super welterweight on March 3, though. “Nobody from my family has ever seen live video of my fights,” said Murtazaliev. “They are worried about me and they don’t want to see me get punched,” he laughed. Murtazaliev says only his father has ever watched him fight live, in Russia.

About March 3: The Saturday, March 3 main event between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin is a 12-round match-up for the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-main event features WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol versus Sullivan Barrera in a 12-round title fight. Tickets range from $50 to $300 and are available online at TicketMaster.com and at the Madison Square Garden box office. The event is promoted by Main Events, Krusher Promotions and World of Boxing in association with EC Box Promotions, is sponsored by Medoff Vodka and Leon.ru and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

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St. Louis, Missouri) – Fourteen years ago, in 2004, an 18-year-old rising star in boxing from St. Louis, Missouri got the thrill of his life, winning his fifth professional bout by unanimous decision at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden. Vaughn “The Animal” Alexander (11-0, 8 KOs) was on his way to the top, and nothing would stop him.

Except for prison.

After serving an 11-year sentence, Alexander resumed his professional boxing career in 2016, determined to pick up where he left off. Since his return to the ring, Vaughn has racked up six wins, remaining undefeated with a complete record of 11 wins, eight by knockout. The 32-year-old Alexander continues his remarkable comeback with a return to The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, March 3 on the Sergey Kovalev vs. Igor Mikhalkin non-televised undercard. It will be Alexander’s first time back in New York City in all those years.

“The first time I fought there, it was quite an experience … The second time coming to New York at the Garden, I’m ready to put on a good fight, doing what I do … I’m definitely going to come steal the show!”

Alexander will face hard-hitting Mexican Jaime Solorio, 29, of San Quintin, Baja California, with a record of 12-3-2, including nine knockouts. Solorio is coming off a unanimous decision loss to D’mitrius Ballard. Their bout will take place at super middleweight (168 pounds).

Alexander acknowledges the element of Father Time. “Time is time, we all know that. You can’t get time back – seconds, minutes, hours. All I can do is pick up where I am and fight as much as I possibly can,” said Alexander.

Alexander says his years away from boxing helped in a way by preventing him from suffering the natural wear and tear of the being in the ring. As a result, he isn’t fighting as a typical man in his thirties. “I’m preserved, I still feel like I’m 19 years old … I’m not a 32-year old body-wise. I work out smart, I eat right, I have that mental capacity,” explained Alexander.

With maturity comes the advantage of greater mental focus: “When I face someone in their 20s, when you have been in the game as long as I have, you know how to win,” said Alexander. “You see where they make mistakes. You pick up on a lot of things I see in front of me. It’s as clear as day. It’s like slow motion for me, I see it a mile away. They are still learning how to win.”

Alexander says he’s dedicated to one goal: to have his hand raised in the ring as a world champion. “I’m trying to be the best fighter in the world. I’m not in this game to be mediocre, or good. I want to be the face of boxing,” declared Alexander.

Because of the road he’s traveled, Alexander knows he also has the opportunity to help other young fighters avoid the mistakes he made. “I don’t proclaim to be a role model. But what I will do, I’ll show what I went through as a platform so other guys don’t have to make those types of mistakes.

“It’s a rarity, such a short line that I was blessed with to do 11 years ago. I still have that hunger. I use that, not everyone who makes mistakes like that and goes to prison has the hunger to get out and do great things. I use my platform as someone who made mistakes on my rise up, 18 years old and still in the streets, straddling the fence. The streets don’t win,” said Alexander.

Alexander says for him, it’s all about grit and the chance to be put to the test. “I’m looking for the right opponent to dig deep and pull a win out. I haven’t had that yet. You have to have that hunger to want to do this and to want to be on top,” said Alexander.

Might that opponent be Solorio? “I don’t take any man lightly. I dissect whoever I’m fighting, and I know I’m going to be victorious,” promised Alexander.

Alexander took time to thank his supporters, particularly in his home town of St. Louis. “I just want all those that support me to continue to support me. I hope I gain more fans to follow me after this fight. I’m definitely going to put on a good show,” said Alexander. He promises to make the most of his second chance to shine on the biggest stage in boxing, Madison Square Garden.

About March 3: The Saturday, March 3 main event between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin is a 12-round match-up for the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-main event features WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol versus Sullivan Barrera in a 12-round title fight. Tickets range from $50 to $300 and are available online at TicketMaster.com and at the Madison Square Garden box office. The event is promoted by Main Events, Krusher Promotions and World of Boxing in association with EC Box Promotions, is sponsored by Medoff Vodka and Leon.ru and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

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ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2018) – WBA champion Danny “Baby Faced Assassin” Roman met challenger Ryo “Pretty Boy” Matsumoto for the first time at Monday’s medical exam and media availability in Tokyo, Japan.

The pair square off Wednesday for Roman’s (23-2-1, 9 KOs) WBA 122-pound title.

The 12-round world championship fight, dubbed “The Challenge,” is promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions in association with Ohashi Promotions and will take place from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Prior to the exam and media roundup, Roman got in one last workout with manager/trainer Eddie Gonzalez.

“I feel great,” said Roman, who has been in country for the last two weeks. “I’m well rested and looking forward to the weigh in.”

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, watch our YouTube channel on Thompson Boxing TV, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

New York, NY: Before fans at the Theater at Madison Square Garden enjoy two light heavyweight championship bouts Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev vs. Igor Mikhalkin, and Dmitry Bivol vs. Sullivan Barrera on Saturday, March 3, Main Events serves up a menu of top international and local prospects on the non-televised undercard.

According to Main Events’ matchmaker and 2015 NABF Matchmaker of the Year, Jolene Mizzone, “matching an undercard like this is a breath of fresh air. The ‘A’ side fighters trust me to do my job and match them with the right opponents. They all want to challenge themselves to be ready when they get to the bigger fights. Some of them even asked me for tougher opposition, which doesn’t happen much these days.”

Vaughn Alexander
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Vaughn Alexander (11-0, 8 KOs) of St. Louis, Missouri and older brother of former welterweight world champ Devon Alexander, returns to Madison Square Garden 14 years after his 2004 victory there, as he works his way back into the middleweight division. He will face Jaime Solorio (14-4-2, 8 KOs) of Ensenada, Mexico.

Alexander was a rising star when he was sent to prison and served an 11-year sentence. The 32-year-old picked up his career where he left off with life lessons learned and gratitude for the second chance Main Events and his hard work have provided him.

Solorio, 29, is a come-forward fighter and bigger than Alexander. He’s only been stopped once. Solorio will test Alexander’s ability to handle his size and aggressive approach.

Brooklyn native and community philanthropist, Frank “Notorious” Galarza (18-2-2, 11 KOs), will face Norberto Gonzalez (24-10, 14 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico in a ten-round junior middleweight contest.

Frank Galarza
Photo Credits: David Spangolo/Main Events

Galarza, 32, made his professional debut in 2010 and did not face defeat until 2015. After he signed with Main Events following a 14-month layoff, Galarza won a decisive decision victory in November and can’t wait to continue his road back to championship contention. Outside of the gym, Galarza dedicates his attention to his charitable organization, Youth Fighting Forward, which offers boxing lessons, as well as mentoring and tutoring to underprivileged kids in Brooklyn and Connecticut.

Gonzalez, 36, is a veteran who has fought everyone and took this fight on short notice without a second thought. Forget wins and losses, Gonzalez is a tough customer who puts everyone to the test in typical Mexican style.

Bakhram Murtazaliev (11-0, 9 KOs) of Grozny, Russia will face Kenneth McNeil (11-3, 8 KOs) of Birmingham, Alabama, in the first defense of the IBA Super Welterweight World Title he won at The Garden in November.

Bakhram Murtazaliev
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Murtazaliev, 25, has quickly made a name for himself since coming to the United States in 2016. He hopes to extend his seven-fight knockout streak and improve his already impressive 82% knockout ratio (9 KOs in 11 wins). This will be his third fight under both the Krusher Promotions and Main Events banners.

McNeil, 28, is coming off a win in his last bout, and a split decision with Samuel Clarkson many observers believe he won. McNeil has never been stopped, so Murtazaliev’s goal of extending his knockout streak will be put to the test in his toughest fight to date.

Astana, Kazakhstan native Meiirim “The Sultan” Nursultanov (5-0, 4 KOs) will face Alejandro Torres (9-3-2, 4 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico.

Meiirim Nursultanov
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Nursultanov, 24, will have a robust cheering section for his second bout at The Garden from enthusiastic Kazakh fans. He has stopped each of his last three opponents. Nursultanov will look to top his most recent performance, which resulted in a TKO win after knocking his opponent, Ismael Bueno, out of the ring.

Torres, age 24, is making his debut at The Garden and appearing in his second bout in the United States. He has been on the short end of several decisions and nearly stopped his last opponent, knocking him down. Torres has only been stopped once, in his professional debut. Nursultanov will need to work hard to make a statement against Torres.

Expect a big show from the heavyweights. Cassius Chaney (11-0, 5 KOs) of Baltimore, Maryland faces Tim Washington (6-5, 6 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio, in a six-round fight.

Chaney, 30, a standout NCAA basketball player at the University of New Haven, switched sports after graduating with his bachelor’s degree in sports management. He’s been a sought after sparring partner, working with Tyson and Hughie Fury. He recently returned to his hometown of Baltimore to work with trainer Calvin Ford, the inspiration for the character “Cutty” in the popular TV series “The Wire.”

Washington, 37, joins the list of fighters making their first appearance in New York at The Garden. Washington has plenty of power and always comes to fight and make a statement. With all of his wins coming by knockout, Washington is a “go big or go home” opponent.

Alexey Evchenko (15-10-1, 6 KOs) of Chelyabinsk, Russia takes on Khiary Gray-Pitts (15-3, 11 KOs) of Worcester, Massachusetts in an eight-round welterweight fight.

Evchenko, age 34, makes his American debut after fighting primarily in Russia. He is a road warrior who has won his last six bouts in Russia and has the opportunity to introduce himself to fans and make a strong first impression that will stick with them.

Gray-Pitts, 25, is fighting for the first time outside Rhode Island and Connecticut. He is coming off his first win at welterweight over the rugged Greg Jackson. When this tough match was offered to Gray-Pitts, he didn’t hesitate, which says a lot about his attitude.

Middleweights Leshawn “Lightning” Rodriguez (8-0, 7 KOs) and Martez Jackson (4-1-2, 2 KOs) are scheduled for six rounds of action.

LeShawn “Lightning” Rodriguez
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Rodriguez, 24, of Shirley, New York is generating buzz among fans who love his take-no-prisoners, hard-hitting style. He enjoyed an outstanding amateur career, amassing a record of 160-15 and winning two NY Daily News Golden Gloves before making his professional debut in 2016. Rodriguez promises to entertain and hopes to achieve his third straight knockout victory.

Jackson, 34, from Atlanta, Georgia, has a knack for ruining perfect records. Both of his draws came against previously undefeated opponents. Jackson has never been stopped and his sole loss came to Madiyar Ashkeyev, who is also on the card. Jackson has the ability to dictate the pace and Rodriguez will be tested to keep up with him in his toughest fight to date.

Madiyar Ashkeyev
Photo Credit: David Spangolo/Main Events

Madiyar Ashkeyev (8-0, 4 KOs) of Merki, Kazakhstan will face Jose Antonio Abreu (13-3, 8 KOs) of La Romana, Dominican Republic in a six-round junior middleweight match-up.

Ashkeyev, 29, enjoyed an outstanding amateur career. He earned a bronze medal at the Asia Cadet Boxing Championships (2004), second place at the XIX International Boxing Tournament (2011), and first place at the XX International Boxing Tournament (2014). He scored a second-round stoppage in his professional debut in 2015 over Tavorus Teague, and is coming off a seventh round TKO over Shawn Cameron in his most recent bout. Ashkeyev trains in Oxnard at the Boxing Laboratory under the guidance of Marco Contreras, and is managed by Egis Klimas, who also manages champions Sergey Kovalev, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko.

Abreu, 30, made his professional debut in 2012 and won his first 12 bouts with seven of those wins coming by way of knockout. After suffering his first career loss in 2016, Abreu redeemed himself in his next fight by scoring a second round TKO over Euri Gonzalez. With two difficult defeats in a row, Jose is in “must-win” situation against Ashkeyev, which makes him a dangerous opponent.

Opening the evening, two-time NY Daily News Golden Gloves Champion Ismael Villarreal (1-0) from the Bronx, New York returns after his successful professional debut for his second fight at The Garden against Anthony Woods (1-6) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a four-round super middleweight bout.

Ismael Villarreal
Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events

Villarreal, 20, son of former super lightweight fighter Otilio Villarreal, is quickly gaining fans and making a name for himself despite also carrying a full course load at Brooklyn Community College.

Woods, 31, originally from Georgia, wanted to play in the NFL as a kid. But after he got into a few scraps with neighborhood kids, he decided boxing suited him better. Woods says his attitude is why he’s never been stopped and he doesn’t intend for this to change against Villareal.

Mizzone said, “I am lucky to work with these boxers because they all want to fight the best. It is my job to challenge them, to advance their career, and it is their job to win!

“Every undercard fight is a must-win fight for both participants, whether it be to get to the next level, or to be able to get the next opportunity. I promise every fan who comes to this card on March 3 will be entertained from top to bottom, start to finish!”

About March 3: The Saturday, March 3 main event between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin is a 12-round match-up for the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-main event features WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol versus Sullivan Barrera in a 12-round title fight. Tickets range from $50 to $300 and are available online at TicketMaster.com and at the Madison Square Garden box office. The event is promoted by Main Events, Krusher Promotions and World of Boxing in association with EC Box Promotions, is sponsored by Medoff Vodka and Leon.ru and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

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Brooklyn, NY (February 26, 2018) Tickets are Now On Sale for ‘Straight Outta Brooklyn’, an outstanding evening of professional boxing on Saturday, April 28 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY and televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Presented by Matchroom Boxing USA, tickets starting at $42 may be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or calling 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. For information on group sales, call 844.255.9647.

Headlining the event, former Middleweight World Champion and BROOKLYN BOXING Ambassador DANIEL JACOBS, (33-2-0, 29 KO’s), returns for a 12-round middleweight showdown against undefeated world ranked Polish contender MACIEJ SULECKI, (26-0-0, 10 KO’s).

Opening the HBO telecast, undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight contender JARRELL ‘Big Baby MILLER, (20-0-1, 18 KO’s) faces former world title challenger, JOHANN “The Reptile” DUHAUPUS, (37-4-0, 24 KO’s), of Abbeville, France, over 12-rounds in a WBA World Heavyweight Title Eliminator.

Also returning to Barclays Center on the non-televised portion, WBA Lightweight Women’s World Champion KATIE TAYLOR, (8-0-0, 4 KO’s) of Bray, Ireland will fight in a 10-round world title unification against IBF Lightweight Women’s Champion VICTORIA BUSTOS, (18-4-0), of Rosario, Argentina.

Additionally, fighting in separate 10-round bouts, former heavyweight world title challenger ARTUR ‘The Pin’ SZPILKA, (20-3-0, 15 KO’s), of Wieliczka, Poland, returns along with emerging, unbeaten knockout artist SHOHJAHON ERGASHEV, (11-0-0, 11 KO’s), a native of Uzbekistan, now fighting out of Brooklyn, New York, against opponents to be announced.

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BROOKLYN (February 26, 2018) – “The Young Jamaican Trainer” Demarjay Smith, known for his motivational Instagram videos and appearances on “The Ellen Degeneres Show”, will join heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder on Wednesday, February 28 at the open to the public media workout at Barclays Center ahead of Wilder’s showdown with Luis Ortiz Saturday, March 3 live on SHOWTIME at Barclays Center.

The 11-year-old Smith, who recently spent NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles taking part in various activities, will host a health and fitness presentation for the local community youth groups attending the workout before stepping in the ring with Wilder for a special photo opportunity. Kids in attendance will be from Gleason’s Give a Kid a Dream, BOXER Inc. and the Atlas Cops & Kids Program.

Smith has previously interviewed the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Usain Bolt and other top athletes and entertainers for Instagram and the “Ellen” show.

The open to the public event will being at approximately 3 p.m. ET with Smith’s health and fitness presentation, featuring unbeaten local light heavyweight contender Marcus Browne, set to take place before Wilder’s workout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

*Media arrival is 3 p.m. ET at the doors closest to the Starbucks outside Barclays Center

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According to Dan Rafael of espn.com. Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions announced a new series that will start on March.

360 Promotions outlined plans for a regular series at a media breakfast on Friday. The series, dubbed “Hollywood Fight Nights,” will take place on Tuesday nights every other month at the Avalon Hollywood, a theater in Hollywood, California, where Loeffler said he’ll set it up for about 800 fans.

“It’ll be a series like every other month, every two months we’ll do it,” Loeffler said. “Combined with our HBO dates, that will give us enough dates and slots to be able to sign young talent and bring them up to a point where they could get on premium cable television.”

The inaugural card will take place March 27 and will include the professional debut of highly touted amateur Brian Ceballo, a 23-year-old welterweight from Brooklyn, New York, who recently signed with Loeffler and Split-T Management.

Loeffler said that the Klitschko brothers and Golovkin were not interested in their companies signing many fighters because they wanted to focus on their own careers, though K2 Promotions represents unified cruiserweight titlist Oleksandr Usyk and undisputed women’s welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus. But by founding 360 Promotions Loeffler said it “will enable me to sign other fighters now and develop their careers.”

“We’re working on the platform right now,” he said. “It looks like it will be on a streaming platform, but we have had interest [from] broadcast platforms. So we’ll see, naturally, whatever the best platform will be. The first fight card will be streamed.”

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 26, 2018) – As their fast-tracked rise to boxing greatness and popularity continue, the Charlo twins, Jermall and Jermell, are in high fan and media demand as they make their national talk show debut tomorrow on STEVE, hosted by Steve Harvey (check local listings).

The twins, who fight on the Premier Boxing Championship series, were asked by the show to be surprise guests for a special segment, which was taped on Monday, featuring Officer Dean Fay and at-risk youth boxers from his gym in Springfield, MA.

“We know the spotlight on our boxing careers are starting to get bigger and we welcome the chance to be on shows such as STEVE and we’re excited to be able to spend time with the kids and share our success stories with kids like us,” said Jermall, who’s fight with Hugo Centeno Jr. was recently rescheduled for April 21 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and live on SHOWTIME. “The show was fun and just another milestone for us as brothers and champions. We want to do what we can to show the world why we are such success stories too.”

“It felt good to be on a talk show with someone like Steve Harvey and to also give back to the kids,” said Jermell, who will defend his world title on June 9 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles live on SHOWTIME, against an opponent to be named. “We were able to tell a bit about our story and tell the kids through hard work and focus they can do it too.”

As part of the feature, the Charlo twins gifted Officer Fey and his boxing students’ tickets to Saturday night’s Deontay Wilder vs Luis Ortiz world heavyweight championship at Barclays Center and live on SHOWTIME. Both brothers will be in attendance to host their special guests on fight night.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing,@TwinCharlo and @SteveTvShow or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, Facebook.com/TwinCharlo, Facebook.com/Jermall.Charlo. Follow the conversation by using #PBC and #SteveTvShow.

BROOKLYN (February 26, 2018) – When unbeaten heavyweight Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz faces WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder Saturday, March 3 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, he will be looking to make history not just for Cuban boxing, but for all Hispanic or Latino fighters.

Ortiz has a chance to become the first Latino or Hispanic heavyweight world champion born outside of the U.S. and just the second heavyweight of Latino or Hispanic descent to capture the heavyweight world title. The first was Massachusetts’ John Ruiz, whose parents were Puerto Rican and who defeated Evander Holyfield for the WBA Heavyweight World Championship in March 2001.

“This fight is not only important for my family, but for Cuban boxing history,” said Ortiz. “My only focus right now is on the strategy I will need to defeat Wilder, but I know this fight has a lot of significance. I’m going to make history for myself and my country when I knock out Wilder on March 3.”

Cuba has had three previous fighters vie for the heavyweight title, with Jorge Luis Gonzalez losing to Riddick Bowe in 1995 and Vitali Klitschko defeating both Juan Carlos Gomez in 2009 Odlanier Solis in 2011. Ortiz hopes to stake his claim to the upper echelon of Cuban heavyweight lore along with heavyweight Teofilo Stevenson, who won three Olympic gold medals and is considered the greatest Cuban fighter of all time, despite never fighting professionally.

The strong boxing tradition of Cuba has continued to this day, with Ortiz looking to become the 18th world titlist from the country. Prominent active Cuban fighters include WBA 154-pound champion Erislandy Lara, who fights Jarrett Hurd in a unification showdown April 7 on SHOWTIME, and two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy, who looks to become the first three-division champion in Cuban history March 10 on SHOWTIME.

The history of Hispanic fighters vying for the heavyweight title dates back to the legendary matchup in 1923 between Jack Dempsey and Argentina’s Luis Firpo. Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Larry Holmes all defended against Hispanic challengers while Deontay Wilder has beaten three Mexican-American opponents in Chris Arreola, Gerald Washington and Eric Molina.

The fourth heavyweight title fight in Barclays Center history will give Ortiz a chance to make his name not only as a world champion, but a barrier-breaker for Hispanic heavyweights.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

# # #

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On his opponent, Igor Mikhalkin: “He will bring everything to get the WBO title. But I’m not going to give it to him, believe me. My goal is to defend the title and provide that I’m the best in this division.”

On the fight: “The fight will be very interesting. He will never step back, he comes to attack and fight again. I saw his fights a lot of times as an amateur and a few fights as a professional. He is a southpaw. I haven’t fought a southpaw in a long time, probably since Cedric Agnew. Maybe it will be uncomfortable a little bit, but my goal is to make it an interesting fight.”

On this matchup: “I know just one thing, he’s very motivated right now. He never fought for a real world title and right now he is very motivated. Maybe, his whole life, he has been waiting for this moment. He comes here, and he is very dangerous because it is a great opportunity for his future boxing career … and I should be ready for everything he can bring against me.”

On his outlook toward boxing now: “I’m in the right way. Already, all my mistakes have been deleted mentally from my head. Right now, I just keep working and following my dream, for my goal to make the big fights.”

On working with his trainer Abror Tursunpulatov for the first full training camp: “I really like to work with Abror. I don’t think about what I should do, what I need to do, how many minutes or rounds. Everything is under his plan and his control. I like it, and right now I don’t spend my energy to think about training camp. Everything is under the control of Abror. I really like it, and now I have more energy to spend on focusing for the fight.”

On his current circumstances: “You know, I’m happy for everything that I have. What’s happened, has happened. What happened has made me better, and it’s in the past. What has happened with me, it’s a lesson for life. God sent me this test … It left big questions. I understand for myself, the main thing that I should do is maintain my body and my boxing career.”

On fighting outside the United States: “Fighting anyone who will fight is my goal. Wherever my next fight will be, I’ll go. For me, it doesn’t matter where I fight, just that everything should be fair around the fight. I like to travel.”

On his knockout against Vyacheslav Shabranskyy: “You know, I can say I’m back from my two losses. I’m much stronger mentally as a result of this. Life teaches me in these situations.”

Prediction for the outcome? “I don’t like to make any predictions … Only one thing I can say, this fight will be an interesting fight because it’s two Russians, and two motivated fighters. One of us will prove he is a world champion, and the other guy will lose.”

About March 3: The Saturday, March 3 main event between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin is a 12-round match-up for the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-main event features WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol versus Sullivan Barrera in a 12-round title fight. Tickets range from $50 to $300 and are available online at TicketMaster.com and at the Madison Square Garden box office. The event is promoted by Main Events, Krusher Promotions and World of Boxing in association with EC Box Promotions, is sponsored by Medoff Vodka and Leon.ru and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

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LAS VEGAS – February 26, 2018 – Five of Now Boxing Promotions’ standout prospects continued their rise to contender status this weekend, scoring knockout victories over their opponents in Louisville, Detroit and Mexicali.

Brandun Lee (8-0, 7KO) kicked off the weekend with a four round bout at welterweight, at the Derby Park Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. Lee’s hand was raised at the end of the night after a second round stoppage over the always-game Matthew Murphy of St. Louis. Lee punished his experienced opponent, who declined to leave his corner for the third round. The fight represented a step up in competition for Lee, who handled Murphy’s pressure with ease, and improved his record to 8-0, 7KO.

Also on Friday, Now prospects Brian Norman, Jr. (2-0, 2KO), Christian Camarena (3-0, 1KO) and Manuel Flores (5-0, 4KO) traveled South of the border to Mexicali, where all three fighters ended the night with stoppage wins.

Light Welterweight Brian Norman, Jr. shined in his second professional fight, catching Mexico’s Luis Osuna on the chin with a straight right hand one minute, thirty seconds into the first round, rendering Osuna unconscious before he hit the mat. Pasadena’s Christian Camarena faced Mexico’s Benjamin Hernandez in a bout that was scheduled for four rounds in the lightweight division. It would take Camarena less than two rounds to break his opponent down with body shots, stopping him in the second. Hard-hitting bantamweight Manuel Flores improved to 5-0, 4KO with a third round stoppage over Franklin Mendez. The bout was halted when Mendez, who had taken a lot of punches during the bout, hit the canvas, and the ref determined he was unable to continue, despite the fighter’s protestations.

Finally, on Saturday, Detroit’s Joseph Bonas (3-0, 3KO) made his long-awaited return to the ring, facing John Pitts in a four round bout at welterweight. The former Kronk devotee shined in front of his family and friends in Warren, Michigan, stopping Pitts at just 33 seconds into the first round with a three punch combination that ended with a head shot.

“We’re planning on continuing to keep these guys busy,” said boxing manager Cameron Dunkin. “We’re committed to getting them the ring experience they’ll need at the higher levels, and keeping them sharp. We’ve got a lot of talent in our stable, and they’re progressing just how we’d hoped.”

Now Boxing Promotions’ Mikael Zewski (30-1, 22KO) also returned to the ring February 15th, winning an eight-round unanimous decision over the tough Jose de Jesus Macias of Mexico. “We’d like to see Zewski fight for a Canadian National Title soon, and we’re looking for a big fight,” said Dunkin.

For more information on Now Boxing Promotions, visit www.nowboxingpromotions.com.

####

Anthony Fowler returns to action on March 24 at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports – and the Team GB star is targeting title shots by the end of 2018.

Fowler spent the latter part of 2017 on the sidelines with a hand injury having raced to 4-0 in his last outing in October with three wins inside the distance since turning pro in May.

The Rio Olympian and Commonwealth gold medal man is itching to get back into the ring on the undercard of the crunch Heavyweight clash between Dillian Whyte and Lucas Browne, and with another outing set for his hometown of Liverpool on Amir Khan’s comeback bill, ‘The Machine’ is in motion to get his hands on pro silverware this year.

“I’ve been out for a while so it’s great to be back,” said Fowler. “The hand is fine now and I’m confident it’ll hold up on March 24. I’d love to win a belt by the end of the year, maybe the English or Commonwealth, but to do that I need to stay busy and start stepping up the rounds and test myself.

“As a prospect you can have things all your own way in the start against journeymen who are there to survive but I want someone that’s got ambitions to knock me out, then we’ll see what I’m made of.

“I want to start stepping up now and facing unbeaten guys and people that come to put it on the line, that’s going to bring the best out of me. I’m never complacent no matter who I go in with, I always think that there could be a lucky shot with my name on it so I’m always switched on.

“It’s a really busy gym in Rotherham with Dave Coldwell. Jordan Gill got a great win in Manchester last night, Gavin McDonnell has a big fight in Sheffield this weekend and Tony Bellew has got a massive night coming up against David Haye in May. We’re all pushing each other hard in the gym and there’s a great buzz in there.”

Fowler is back on a huge night of action in Greenwich as Dillian Whyte and Lucas Browne meet for Whyte’s WBC Silver Heavyweight title in a crucial clash for the division and Frank Buglioni defends his British Light-Heavyweight title against Commonwealth king Callum Johnson.

Tickets for Whyte vs. Browne at The O2 in London are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £100 from www.theO2.co.uk. VIP tickets priced £200 are exclusively available from www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for March 24 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.

Josh Taylor will now face Winston Campos on March 3rd after Humberto Soto had to with draw due to a cut, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“It came as a bit of a shock, but these things happen in boxing,” said Taylor, a 2012 Olympian who did not turn pro until 2015. “I wish Humberto Soto all the best in his recovery, but now I’m 100 percent focused on defending my [regional] title against Winston Campos. I’d like to thank my team for finding a replacement at this late stage, and although Campos represents a different challenge, being a rangy southpaw, I’m very confident that I can put on a career-best performance next weekend at the SSE Hydro.”

“I’m delighted to get this opportunity,” Campos said. “I was in training for another fight when I got the call. I’m coming to Glasgow to shock the world. [Taylor] is talented, no doubt, but I’m cut from a different cloth. I’m from the streets of Managua! I have the style to give him nightmares, and I’m very confident that I can rip that [regional] title from him on March 3.”

Callum Smith booked a place in the Ali Trophy Super Middleweight Final after defeating Nieky Holzken on points in Nuremberg.

The judges scored it 118-110 and 117-111 twice all in favour of the English WBC Diamond Champion.

The Liverpudlian was due to fight German veteran Jurgen Braehmer but he was forced to pull out early in the week due to illness.

“I’m looking forward to the final,” Smith after his win. “Groves is the one everyone wants to beat. He’s the number one seed and it’s the fight I wanted,” said tournament 2nd seed.

Said Holzken, who showcased a big fighting heart, over the 12 rounds. “I thought it would be tougher, but he did a good job behind the jab. Congratulations to him, but I will be back!”

George Groves faced off with Smith immediately after the Liverpudlian’s win.

“I’ve had two great wins, this is the fight people want to see. I need to get in the ring and win the trophy,” said Groves. “It’s exciting to see your opponent fight live – I can’t wait to get back into the gym. It will be an explosive final. I don’t expect it to go the distance – I’m confident, of course.”

SAN CARLOS, CA (February 24, 2018) – Victor Conte, CEO of SNAC System speaks out in response to WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder’s recent comments made during the pre-fight conference call for his upcoming world title bout against Luis Ortiz in Brooklyn, New York on March 3rd.

Below are some of the quotes from Conte’s response to Wilder:

“I don’t believe Deontay Wilder knows much about anti-doping!”

“I don’t think Wilder’s statement ‘…once a cheat, always a cheat’ is coming from an informed individual.”

“He seems to know about as much about anti-doping as I know about skydiving and I am afraid of heights.”

“Luis Ortiz has been tested seven times by VADA as well as the New York commission.”

“I’ve been assisting the Ortiz camp by helping trainer Herman Caicedo with nutrition and training protocols. In fact, I have tested Ortiz’s blood profile on two different dates and have not seen any of the markers that would suggest any form of drug use.”

“Bottom line. I think Luis Ortiz is a clean athlete and everybody needs to put this ‘once a cheat, always cheat’ stuff aside. I hope it doesn’t become a distraction or sideshow this week and that everyone can focus upon a great fight that is about to happen. My prediction is Luis Ortiz will do a great job and become the new heavyweight champion of the world.”

Miami, FL: Yesterday Sullivan Barrera (21-1, 14 KOs) met with members of the media in Miami to discuss his upcoming mandatory challenge fight against WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (12-0, 10 KOs) at The Theater at Madison Square Garden Saturday, March 3. The bout will be the co-main event on the Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev vs. Igor Mikhalkin HBO World Championship Boxing telecast which airs at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

Sullivan Barrera:

On fighting in a title bout:
“This would be a very important victory obviously because I want to look to the future after this. It would be a dream come true to win the title. And we would see what happens after that. There are a lot of big names out there.”

His plan fighting Bivol:
“Bivol is a good fighter and it is known that he has speed but we have a plan to adjust to the speed and take it away. We are going to impose ourselves and use our abilities.”

His thoughts on Bivol:
“Bivol is the champ and he has to be respected as such but I have fought big names before and that’s going to give me an edge. I have been there before, fighting in big fights.”

Regarding adversity and coming back from knockdowns:
“Things happen in a fight but you can see every time that it has happened the switch has gone on and activated me and I become a lot more dangerous. Obviously, that’s not the plan that it happens in any fight and we hope it doesn’t happen in this fight either. I know the crowd likes the drama and the excitement of it and it’s worked in our favor every time.”

What’s next?
“After March 3rd, when I get the belt, I’m ready, I’m ready right now for everyone, open for everyone. I’m a fighter and open to fight everybody. I’m a throwback fighter. I’m not thinking about sitting down. Of course, things need to be done right financial-wise but I am willing to fight anybody.”

His strategy for Bivol:
“Obviously, we can’t reveal our strategy and our plan, but I can tell you we are going to go out there 100% and leave it all out there in the ring to get the victory.”

About March 3: The Saturday, March 3 main event between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin is a 12-round match-up for the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-main event features WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol versus Sullivan Barrera in a 12-round title fight. Tickets range from $50 to $300 and are available online at TicketMaster.com and at the Madison Square Garden box office. The event is promoted by Main Events, Krusher Promotions and World of Boxing in association with EC Box Promotions, is sponsored by Medoff Vodka and Leon.ru and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

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Lewis Ritson wants to make up for lost time when he makes the first defence of his British Lightweight title against Joe Murray in the latest installment of the JDNXTGEN series at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester tomorrow night (Sunday February 25), live on Sky Sports.

Ritson landed the crown with an impressive stoppage win over Robbie Barrett in Manchester in October and the talented 24 year old finally gets the chance to step into the ring as British champion in the same city against local fan favourite Murray.

Murray challenges for the British strap for the second time having faced Liam Walsh for the Super-Featherweight belt in 2015, and Newcastle man Ritson says he’s eager to get the ball rolling in his quest to claim the belt for keeps.

“I’m counting down and really itching to go now,” said Ritson, who scaled 9st 7lbs 9oz, lighter than Murray’s 9st 8lbs 4oz. “I really can’t wait to get in there and do the job.

“I’ve not really had any time off since the last fight, it’s been a bit stop and start thinking we might get out before Christmas but shows and opponents fall through, it’s boxing. I’ve remained professional and kept my head down.

“Joe might say it’s short notice, but we’re professional athletes. We should be in the gym and ready to go when required – It’s our job.

“The fight has been brewing since last year, Joe said I’d knock Robbie Barrett out, but then he would knock me out – I like that part of Joe. He’s passionate and it shows in his interviews. We’ll see tomorrow if he can back up his words but I don’t see it.

“My Dad (and trainer) assesses all my opponents. Joe does some things well, but there’s also avenues we can exploit. We’ll try and work that on our favour to get the first notch on the belt. My plan is to definitely win the belt outright. I want to get this out the way then maybe look at June and September. We’ve got to keep winning, I can’t let complacency creep in now I’ve signed a deal with Matchroom.

“I text Eddie if I get through this, I want the winner of Masher and Coyle. It would be a great fight and the chance to add another belt to my collection – I fancy Dodd to get the win in a bit of a war but first things first I have to keep my eye on Joe and get the job done Sunday night.”

A stacked bill of talent joins Ritson on the card, Jordan Gill meets Jason Cunningham in an eliminator for the British Featherweight title, Qais Ashfaq makes his debut under the Matchroom Boxing banner, Tasha Jonas continues her path to a World title shot and her Joe Gallagher gym mates Hosea Burton, Marcus Morrison and Sam Hyde tasting their first action of the year.

Tickets are on sale now priced £40 and £60 with VIP tickets at £100 from www.stuhbhub.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/videos/758405087686833/?t=8356

https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/videos/758402974353711/?t=6193

https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/videos/756194074574601/?t=0

Thomas LaManna 146.3 – Gabriel Bracero 145.3
(WBC Fecarbox Welterweight Championship)

Mike Rashid 219.5 – Darius Taylor 211
Tommy Rainone 151.5 – Eduardo Flores 151.5
Ernesto Perez 151.5 – Steve Moore 151.3
Jahmal Dyer 137 – Venderley Miranda 138
Osnel Charles 139.9 – Laquan Lewis 140.5
Frederick Julan 183.5 – Edgar Perez 185
Donald Smith 129 – Andrew Bentley 127.8
Corey Weekley 157 – Robert Terry 159
Omar Kabary Salem 161.9 – Leon DeSheilds 160.9
Darren Goodall 173 – Thalik Taylor TBA
Alvin Varmall, Jr. 189 – Larry Pror 185

Promoter: Rising Star Promotions
Venue: The Showboat Hotel
1st Bell : 7 PM

Saturday, February 24

6:00pm DOORS OPEN
Location: SHOWBOAT ATLANTIC CITY – MAIN ENTRANCE

7:00pm FIRST FIGHT BEGINS
Live stream begins via www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE

Saturday’s HBO Boxing After Dark® tripleheader telecast begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Opening up the telecast from Inglewood, California a 12-round flyweight title bout between champion Donnie Nietes and Juan Carlos Reveco.

Leading up to the main event is a 10-round super flyweight clash between Carlos Cuadras and McWilliams Arroyo.

Super Flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai will defend his super flyweight title against Juan Francisco Estrada in the main event of the evening in a 12-round matchup.

Official Weights from Carson:

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai: 114.8 lbs.

Juan Francisco Estrada: 115.0 lbs.

Carlos Cuadras: 114.6 lbs.

McWilliams Arroyo: 114.2 lbs.

Donnie Nietes: 111.6 lbs.

Juan Carlos Reveco: 112.0 lbs.

OAKLAND, CA. (February 23, 2018) – Super middleweight Andre Dirrell is preparing for his rematch with Jose Uzcategui by working with renowned trainer Virgil Hunter and former pound-for-pound great Andre Ward ahead of his showdown for the Interim IBF Super Middleweight title Saturday, March 3 live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by the highly anticipated matchup between heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder and unbeaten challenger Luis Ortiz.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

Dirrell has moved his training camp out to Oakland to train with Hunter and gain wisdom from being around Ward. Ward for his part, feels Dirrell has not yet reached his potential in the ring.

“The way I feel about Andre is the way I’ve always felt, the sky’s the limit,” said the recently retired Ward. “He has the God-given ability and talent to do whatever he wants to do in a boxing ring. In other words, he is blessed with the kind of gifts, that if he’s made up his mind that he won’t allow himself to be beat and if he prepares properly in camp, it’s going to be very hard to beat him.

“With a fighter with Andre’s experience and pedigree, it’s less physical and more psychological. Do you want to be a champion and do you want to dominate your division? If the answer is yes, which I believe it is, then go do it. It sounds simple and in many ways it is, but you have to be very intentional to condition your mind to think this way and really believe it. That’s the reason he is training with Virgil in the Bay Area. Physical training, mental preparation & spiritual preparation. It all matters.”

Here is part of what Dirrell had to say about training camp with Hunter and Ward. Read the full story HERE via PremierBoxingChampions.com.

What are some of the nuances Virgil brings, and will your grandfather, Leon “Bumper” Lawson, remain in your corner?

“Virgil is teaching me similarly to the way my grandfather taught me, and I can easily say that he’s picking up where my grandfather left off. My grandfather put my talents in me, making me the fighter Andre Ward had to worry about back in the day.

“But my grandfather doesn’t have the ability to coach really anymore because he’s in the beginning stages of dementia, but I still have him in my corner, and I always will. Virgil has taken over, and this is bar-none, the best I’ve felt, mentally, in my career. There are little things about Virgil that I had to adapt to.

“Virgil’s sense of humor is raw, playful and serious at the same time. If I stop for one minute, he’ll tell me, ‘It takes one second to get knocked out.’ He teaches with passion, direction and remains focused on the task at hand, really wanting you to instill how important things are, psychologically.”

How beneficial is the atmosphere in Virgil’s gym?

“There is a positive aura in the gym, which is a winning environment. When you walk into that gym, it’s time to work. Virgil lets you know that simply by staring at you. You have Andre Ward’s posters all around you, other fighters’ posters around you. There are a lot of fighters’ faces up on those gym walls, including Andre Berto’s.

“I’m definitely inspired because the atmosphere has everything to offer as far as training. You have the mountains, the beaches. And of course, ultimately, you have Virgil, who has flair about him and a way to generate that fire within you and bring it out of you. The most important thing with Virgil is listening.”

What counsel have you received from Ward?

“Andre’s never really showed any hesitation about offering advice and has always been there to give it to me, no problem at all. Andre has always been cordial and honest about wanting to see me hold that championship belt. I believe that he’ll see that this year.

“But I can imagine that now that he’s out of the game, he can do it more freely. I recently had a 45-minute conversation over the phone with him about Jesus Christ, but, face-to-face, we’ve spoken quite often. He came down for a few of my sparring sessions and he’ll be coming to a few more.

“We’ve always talked and had a good time, and he’s been quite an inspiration, aside from being a boxer. Andre has a confidence about himself in and out of the ring, so he’s one of the top guys in my life as a motivator for life outside of and beyond boxing.”

Has Virgil broken down the Uzecategui fight?

“Virgil has watched the fight several times, and I’ve watched the fight several times. We both agreed that the mistakes were definitely all mine and both agree that I didn’t use my ring generalship.

“Even with the flaws that I was committing, I still found my groove. I heard myself saying that I had gotten his timing down and was taking over leading up to the end of the fight.

“Uzecategui is a fighter, but that’s it – he’s no boxer. He has great punching ability but not great skills and he’s not fast, so I expect him to attack me like the first fight. He knows how to put a one-two-three together, and he’s hungry.

“As far as boxing goes, I’ll have to teach him a thing or two about how this game is really played. There’s no question I made the first fight harder than it had to be. I look at that first fight with so much confidence.

“I know that I fought it incorrectly, but I was still coming back. He won the first, second and possibly third and fourth rounds, but I was coming back. So this time, I plan on frustrating this boy so much that he’ll be completely off of his game.”

# # #

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and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.