This Friday, October 13, marks the 99th and final boxing event that will take place at the arena on Dana Shores Drive in Tampa that once went by the name of Egypt Shrine Temple and is now called A La Carte Event Pavilion. The arena that showcased world champion boxers such as John “The Beast” Mugabi, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, Frankie “The Surgeon” Randall, Nate “The Galaxy Warrior” Campbell and Keith “One Time” Thurman, was recently sold and faces December demolition.

All Star boxing promoted it’s first show at A La Carte in 2010 and Friday’s event will be it’s 19th there

“Many promoters have done shows in this building, I remember when Brad Jacobs back in the 80’s was doing boxing shows in that I building. I feel privileged and honored for All Star Boxing, Inc and the Telemundo Network to bid farewell to such an iconic building for boxing fans in Tampa, Florida” said Tuto Zabala, President of All Star Boxing, Inc

Thursday’s OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN will take place on Thursday at 4 pm at the Tampa Stadium Hotel at 4732 North Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL 33614.

On Friday, DOORS OPEN at 7 pm and FIRST BOUT is at 8 pm.

Egypt Shrine Temple hosted it’s first of twenty-seven boxing events on October 24, 1982 and the last on November 13, 1998. The first of seventy one boxing events under the present name of A La Carte Event Pavilion took place on April 13, 2002.

The main event Friday will be a ten-round super bantamweight bout between Daniel Lozano (14-4, 11 KOs) from Bowling Green, Florida against Ricardo Rodriguez (16-4, 5 KOs) from Mexico City, Mexico now residing in Los Angeles, California. Both fighters have a history of fighting at A La Carte. Lozano made his A La Carte debut on August 13, 2010 and has fought there ten times total (7-3, 4 KOs). This will be Rodriguez’ sixth fight at A La Carte and he has 5 wins with 1 KO there.

In the co-feature, 2016 US Olympian and six-time US National Champion Teofimo Lopez (6-0, 5 KOs) from Brooklyn, NY now residing in Davie, Florida will battle Angel Sarinana (7-7, 3 KOs) in a lightweight bout.

EGYPT SHRINE TEMPLE / A LA CARTE EVENT PAVILION FACTS:
47 boxers made their professional debuts at Egypt Shrine Temple / A La Carte
On November 4, 1983, Egypt Shrine Temple hosted it’s second boxing event which featured future World Heavyweight Champion James “Bonecrusher” Smith, in his 13th professional fight
On August 5, 1984, future world champion John “The Beast” Mugabi won by TKO against Frank “The Animal” Fletcher.
On September 11, 1984, future world champion Frankie Randall, 17-0 at the time, fought for the first of six times at Egypt Shrine Temple – he was 6-0 with 5 KO’s there.
Tampa’s own Don “Cowboy” Shiver, 22-1, 12 KOs over a four-year career, with his only loss against Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Breland, was undefeated in six fights at Egypt Shrine Temple
On June 20, 1985, Tampa native Joe “Jo Jo” Harris made his professional debut at Egypt Shrine Temple with a knockout win. He fought there again three weeks later winning again by TKO. Harris then lost 25 of his next 28 fights to finish his career at 5-25, 4 KOs
On March 25, 2004, Wauchula native Edner Cherry fought the first of 15 fights at A La Carte finishing 15-0 with 15 KOs at the Pavilion
October 7, 2005 Chevelle Lynette Hallback became the first woman boxer to fight at A La Carte – she would soon become WBC WBO WBA World Featherweight champ
On January 19, 2007, Tampa’s Ahsandi Gibbs made his professional debut at A La Carte and would fight there ten times winning eight.
Jacksonville’s Nate Campbell, future six-time world champion fought at A La Carte on March 2, 2007
Following in her father’s footsteps, Jenna “Cowgirl” Shiver made her A La Carte debut on May 4, 2007 – she would fight there twelve times in her career, winning ten with two knockouts
On November 9, 2007, St. Pete’s Keith Thurman made his professional debut at A La Carte. Keith fought seven of his first pro fights there and is currently 28-0, 22 KO’s and world welterweight champion.

Conor Benn says he’s honoured to be the first UK fighter to box on a Matchroom Boxing USA bill – and he plans to make a big impact at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York on November 11.

Benn improved to 9-0 on Saturday night with his seventh win inside the distance, a clinical first round stoppage over Nathan Clarke at the Manchester Arena.

The ‘Destroyer’ heads to the Big Apple to move into double figures in the paid ranks, and having turned 21 just a fortnight ago, the son of British boxing legend Nigel feels he’s progressing every day and believes his US debut is an important mark on his development.

“New York here I come!” said Benn. “I’m honoured to be the first Matchroom UK fighter to box on a show out there, it’s a real blessing – it’s a massive chance for me to make a big impact in front of a new audience and it’s one that I am going to take.

“I’ll fight anyone that is put in front of me, I leave that to Tony Sims and Eddie Hearn to decide my path. I’m only 20 and I plan on making this a long journey, so I need new experiences like fighting in New York as part of my learning curve.

“If I rush myself it can all go pear-shaped as I don’t have an amateur career behind me, so I will take my time and enjoy my career and especially the youthfulness of my career, and when I am ready to fight grown men and fight for titles, I want to rise and rise and keep it going, not go up and down like a yo-yo.

“I feel like I am improving every day, I think my technical skills are really coming on. The time will come for me but at the minute I’m all about learning my trade, and that’s happening in the gym and it’s going to continue in front of the US crowd.”

Undefeated Heavyweight talent Mohamed Soltby has been added to the highly-anticipated Smith v Williams 2 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena card on Saturday 11th November.

Soltby (13-0, 8 KOs) will fight over eight rounds in his second contest in the UK after he demolished Hungarian Ferenc Zsalek in one round at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester earlier this year.

Trained by the legendary former WBO Lightweight World Champion Artur Grigorian, Soltby is hoping to fire himself into Heavyweight title contention with another explosive performance in Newcastle.

“I see a lot of fighters in the UK who are making waves in the heavyweight division,” said Soltby. “I know I have what it takes to beat them. I would love to fight the winner of Gorman v Webb, and have one eye on Agit Yabayel, who fights has-been Chisora for the European title.

“Adameck, Wach and Helenius are fights I want in 2018 and I can’t wait to show the UK public what I am made of in Newcastle on 11th November. I’m in a hurry to get a belt around my waist and a World ranking, I know I can mix it with the best in the division.”

Main event at the Metro Radio Arena sees former WBO Super-Welterweight World Champion Liam Smith rematch with reigning British Champion Liam Williams a WBO World Title Eliminator.

Country Durham’s Thomas Patrick Ward (20-0) will defend his British Super-Bantamweight Championship against Brimingham’s Sean Davis (13-1-0)

Explosive Super-Middleweight Mark Heffron (Oldham, 16-0) another of Ricky Hatton’s excellent young stable of fighters, will also be in action on the card; undefeated Jeff Saunders (11-0) of Sedgefield takes on undefeated Liverpudlian Steven Lewis (14-0)

In addition, local prospects Troy Williamson (Darlington, 3-0) Kalam Leather (Guisborough, 2-0) Joe Maphosa (Thornaby, 1-0) and Michael Watson (Sedgefield, Pro debut) will all appear on the bill.

Tickets for Smith v Williams 2 priced at £40, £50, £70, £100, £150 and £250 are available from:

Metro Radio Arena
0844 493 6666
www.metroradioarena.co.uk
In person from the Metro Radio Arena Box Office

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk

WBA Super World Super Middleweight champion George Groves (26-3, 19 KOs) and Jamie Cox (24-0,13 KOs) went head-to-head at the last pre fight press conference before their Ali Trophy quarter-final on Saturday at The SSE Arena Wembley in London.

“I feel I’m in the form of my career,” said Groves.

“This tournament has come along for me at the perfect time. I’ve had a fantastic camp. Everything that we wanted to happen did happen. It’s gone perfectly. I know what Jamie Cox can bring. I know that we maybe haven’t seen the best of Jamie yet because he’s fought nowhere near the level that I have.

He hasn’t fought any big names, he hasn’t been in world title fights and he’ll have to take a giant leap on Saturday night. Both he and his trainer will wonder whether he can take that leap. When he’s boxed at a lower level he’s dropped to that level and maybe he’s that sort of fighter. Maybe he can rise to the occasion but maybe not.”

“He’s been gifted with a world title shot. He hasn’t fought anyone decent to get this. I’ve picked him, it’s fantastic for him. We’re hoping that the best of Jamie Cox will show up. I look forward to going out and performing and performing well. And to show everyone in the division that I’m still the man to beat.”

Said Jamie Cox:

“I’m going to win. It’s as simple as that. No question about it. I’ve come into this to win the tournament. George is the first stop. I’m ready. I don’t know why he chose me. Everyone in the tournament is good, but I’m going to make my mark.”

Said Comosa’s Chief Boxing Officer, Kalle Sauerland:

“I am here with two absolute athletes. George Groves, the man to beat in the tournament. He’s the WBA super champion, the best super middleweight when one looks at all the names. That’s why he’s the number one seed.

A lot of people are talking about a Eubank Jr. vs. Groves semi-final but Jamie Cox comes in with a nothing to lose situation. He’s an undefeated challenger and you have a storyline that you couldn’t put into a Hollywood thriller.

We’re lucky to be sitting here every week ringside at this great fights and this is no different.”

Promotor Eddie Hearn:

“It is a big opportunity but it’s not one Jamie Cox doesn’t deserve. Jamie Cox has been wanting to become a world champion for a long time. There’s been talk of a Chris Eubank Jr. vs. George Groves fight and we’re here to disrupt the plans.”

“Jamie Cox has been talked about for a long, long time as a great fighter, a great puncher. The world around the business is that Jamie is the real deal. It’s only when you step up to this level that you find out if it’s true. And if it is true I believe he can win the world title on Saturday night.

The tournament is a massive opportunity and we thank Kalle Sauerland and the World Boxing Super Series for it. Now we have the opportunity there’s only one thing to do and that’s go and become world champion.”

George Groves’ trainer, Shane McGuigan:

“George Groves has always strived to be the best that he can be. He’s got a very confident attitude but he’s still putting in all the graft. The camp has gone fantastic, it’s been 12 great weeks.

Jamie Cox has been a pro for a long time and there are still question marks over his quality. He hasn’t proven himself at the top level and maybe there’s a reason he hasn’t stepped up to that level in the past.”

Jamie Cox’s trainer, John Costello:

“Size had no relevance that evening and it will certainly have no relevance on Saturday night. Jamie’s ability and what he brings will be very relevant because we’re taking that WBC Super Championship home with us. I’ve said it before, but I like to repeat: George Groves made a big mistake when he picked Jamie Cox.”

Tickets for the Ali Trophy quarter-final clash on Saturday in London are on sale ranging from rom £35 to £130 at stubhub.co.uk.

PHILADELPHIA – Undefeated welterweight, Jaron “Boots” Ennis will take home “2016 Rookie of the Year” honors at Sunday’s 10th Annual Briscoe Awards. In perhaps the best season for rookies in Philly’s long ring history, Ennis led a talented pack of newbies that included Christain Carto, Darmani Rock, Branden Pizarro, and several others.

Ennis turned pro in April of 2016 and reeled off eight impressive victories, seven by knockout, before the year had ended. Throughout his rookie season, Ennis displayed enough skill, killer instinct, and star power to excite even the most skeptical of boxing fans. Currently zipping through his sophomore year, Ennis, now 15-0, 13 KOs, looks poised for a big future and has the Philly boxing fans excited.

Ennis was the “2015 Amateur of the Year” at last year’s Briscoe Awards, and will be in attendance to receive his second Briscoe Medal.

ABOUT THE BRISCOE AWARDS ON OCTOBER 15 FROM 1-4 PM

The Briscoe Awards are named in honor of legendary Philly middleweight Bennie Briscoe and the trophies given away – the Briscoe Statue and the Briscoe Medal – all bear the deceased icon’s likeness. The event brings together the local boxing community, including the award winners, their families, past and present boxers, fight fans, other boxing people, and general sports fans.

This is the tenth year for the Briscoe Awards, which are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Philadelphia’s great boxing legacy. Past winners at the Briscoe Awards include Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, and many others.

The event returns to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, the central hub of Philly’s sports stadiums, located at 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased at BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, please call John DiSanto, 609-377-6413 / johndisanto@phillyboxinghistory.com.

The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1-4 PM, at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.

Undefeated Jack Catterall takes on Tyrone Nurse next Saturday for the British Super-Lightweight title, and he’s already displaying extreme confidence in his abilities.

Speaking to British Boxers, Catterall spoke on the benefits of sharing the ring with the two World Champions after sparring Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Canelo Alvarez.

“It gives you that experience, it’s being in that environment and feeling uncomfortable. You feel the pressure when you’re in the gym with World Champions, but you can see the graft that they do put in,” he revealed.

When asked about Nurse the southpaw added: “I would never underestimate [Tyrone Nurse], I know he’s training the best he can. I can’t put these fighters on a pedestal…Tyrone is just another piece of meat and I have to go through him!”

The British Title holds weight for the 24-year-old, and he’s looking forward to a domestic match-up of this magnitude. “I’m happy, I couldn’t con my supporters with sh*t fights. They work hard to see [the fights]. It’s a good fight, Tyrone’s a good fighter. We’re going to put a good fight on for the fans.

“I’m excited [to fight in Leeds], I’m going to bring an army from Chorley down to Leeds, the Leeds fans love a good scrap I can’t wait.”

Main event on the card sees Leeds hero Josh Warrington (25-0, 5 KOs) take on the undefeated Dennis Ceylan (18-0-2, 8 KOs) in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Featherweight World Title.

Rising Manchester Super-Featherweight star Zelfa Barrett (18-0, 11 KOs) has a chance to win his first professional title when he takes on Chris Conwell (9-2, 2 KOs) for the Vacant English strap.

Undefeated Liverpool Super-Welterweight talent J.J Metcalf (16-0, 8 KOs) takes on Leeds native Damon Jones (15-1, 3 KOs) in an official eliminator for the British title currently held by Warren stablemate Liam Williams.

An action-packed undercard also features British Middleweight Champion Tommy Langford (18-1, 6 KOs); former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and GB squad standout Sam Maxwell (Super-Lightweight, 3-0, 2 KOs); Bradford Welterweight Darren Tetley (14-0, 5KOs); Chapel-en-le-Frith Cruiserweight Jack Massey (12-0, 6 KOs); Doncaster Featherweight Reece Mould (6-0, 2 KOs); Leeds Flyweight Jack Bateson (1-0, 1 KO) and the professional debut of Leeds fighter Jack Daniels.

Tickets for Warrington vs. Ceylan priced at £40 (Upper Tier), £50 (Lower Tier), £70 (Floor), £100 (Floor), £150 (Foor) and £250 (VIP/Hospitality) are now available from:

First Direct Arena
www.firstdirectarena.com
0844 2481585

Coach John Costello believes George Groves made a big mistake when he selected Jamie Cox as his quarter-final opponent ahead of their all-British Muhammad Ali Trophy showdown on Saturday at the SSE Arena, Wembley in London.

Costello has been in Cox’s corner for the last 11 years and has helped shape the Swindon man into the fighter he is today. His first World Boxing Super Series test will see the undefeated 31 year-old challenge for the WBA Super World belt.

“We always wanted this fight with George Groves. We’d asked for this fight before so when George picked Jamie in Monte Carlo we was in our element. All our Christmases had come at once,” reveals Costello, who believes his boxer has the beating of any man in the super middleweight division.

‘’I’ve said it before and people have laughed at me. I’ve believe Jamie can beat any 12 stone fighter on the planet. People are talking about size but that has no relevance for me. Carl Froch was 12 stone 4 when he fought George Groves at Wembley, and I believe George was over 13 stone. Jamie will be heavier than 12 stone 4. Jamie would be dehydrated if he got into the ring at 12 stone 4.

“Size had no relevance that evening and it will certainly have no relevance on Saturday night. Jamie’s ability and what he brings will be very relevant because we’re taking that WBC Super Championship home with us. That’s 100% set in stone. We’re here to a do a job and that’s what we are going to do. George Groves made a big mistake when he picked Jamie Cox.”

Tickets for George Groves vs. Jamie Cox at The SSE Arena Wembley are available via stubhub.co.uk

BROOKLYN (October 10, 2017) – As fight night nears, six of the top 154-pound world champions and contenders shared their thoughts and analysis of the high stakes matchups taking place Saturday, October 14 in a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defending against undefeated Terrell Gausha. Coverage on SHOWTIME begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting unbeaten champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo taking on top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin and “Swift” Jarrett Hurd making his first title defense against tough former world champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout.

Tickets to the event are on sale now and start at $50 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Here is how the fighters see the other the action going this Saturday night in Brooklyn:

ERISLANDY LARA

“Charlo vs. Lubin is really a great title fight between two tremendous fighters. Charlo is going to have his hands full with Lubin. I think Jermell is going to come out on top with a close, split-decision win.

“Austin Trout is a great fighter, but I think that Jarrett Hurd is too young and too strong for him. That’s going to be another going to be a good fight but I’m picking Hurd by a unanimous decision.”

TERRELL GAUSHA

“It’s really hard for me to predict these fights. All six of us are going to leave everything in the ring to seize this opportunity. May the best man win.

“No matter who wins this fight, I want the other winners next. I’m extremely confident and my goal is to prove I’m the best in this division. That means I’m going to have to go through whoever else wins on this night.”

JERMELL CHARLO

“Experience is going to be the key on October 14. The fighters who use their experiences to their advantage will prevail.

“If Jarrett Hurd gets by Austin Trout, I definitely would fight him next. Unification is on my mind and I think that would be a fight a lot of people would want to see. We’ll see who is able to come out on top when we’re all in the ring.”

ERICKSON LUBIN

“I really think Hurd vs. Trout is a 50-50 fight. If Trout can box for 12-rounds and not get tired the way Tony Harrison did, I think he’ll win the fight. But if he slows down in the later rounds, I think Hurd will probably take over and stop him.

“I’m expecting Lara to get the win. No disrespect to Gausha, I know he’s going to come hungry and try to take the title. But the skills and experience of Lara I think will make the difference.”

JARRETT HURD

“Gausha is going to have to keep a high pace and stay in Lara’s face all night, because you know that Lara is going to use the ring. In the end I think Lara is just on a different level than what Gausha has faced. I think Lara will win by decision.

“Charlo vs. Lubin is really a 50-50 fight. Lubin is the faster and sharper fighter, but Charlo is more mature. I would have to lean towards Charlo on this one because he’s been on this stage and been in title fights before. We don’t really know what Lubin can do yet so I give Charlo the slight edge but it’s really close.”

AUSTIN TROUT

“This is really a great night of guys putting it all on the line in tough fights. I’m expecting these to be hard-fought and close bouts. You really can’t know who the winner is until the fight starts, so I think it’ll be exciting for the fans.

“My focus is full on Jarrett Hurd. Boxing has tried to write me off but I’m not going anywhere. I’m a true warrior. I’m ready and if I can get that belt, I’m ready to face any of the other winners as soon as possible to prove that I’m the best.”

# # #

The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defending against undefeated Terrell Gausha in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. Coverage on SHOWTIME begins live at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting unbeaten champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo taking on top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin and “Swift” Jarrett Hurd making his first title defense against tough former world champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions @BarclaysCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment

LONDON (10 October) – Dennis Hobson has revealed details about an exciting new partnership that will deliver free, top-quality boxing coverage to fight fans across the UK.

Hobson has teamed up with the newly launched free-to-air channel FreeSports operating free to 18 million homes in an exclusive deal that will see 12 live UK boxing shows broadcast annually.

FreeSports launched in September and is the UK’s only dedicated free-to-air sports channel with over 1000 live events per year. It operates on Sky channel 424 and via Freeview/Youview on channel 95.

The partners for Dennis Hobson Promotions’ FreeSport television deal are London-based Warrior Boxing and Management’s founder Mark ‘Mo’ Prior, Hartlepool promoter Dave Garside, North-East promoter Phil Jeffries and Scottish boxing promoter Iain Wilson.

FreeSports first free live boxing event takes place at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on October 13th and is headlined by the Commonwealth middleweight championship fight between Sam Sheedy, and challenger Liam Cameron. Coverage begins at 8pm.

Commenting on the partnerships, promoter Dennis Hobson, who is leading on the venture said: “I’m delighted about this partnership, and it’s absolutely fantastic news for UK boxing fans, I’ve been involved in boxing for years and it’s the most exciting sport there is, but for too long it’s been hidden away on subscription channels, with a limited audience. This new deal puts boxing back where it belongs, and anyone with a TV will be able to watch the shows.”

Richard Webb, Operations Director at FreeSports commented: “It is great to be able to announce this partnership with Dennis and the other UK promoters to bring regular free-to-air boxing to UK viewers. It is exciting times for our new channel and this live boxing coverage is another piece in the jigsaw as we build a great new free live sports channel with a strong commitment to UK sport.”

For more information visit www.freesports.tv.

NEW YORK (October 10, 2017) — Top-rated pound-for-pound fighters and Olympic legends VASILY “Hi-Tech” LOMACHENKO.and GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX will go mano a mano in a collision of world champions, Saturday, December 9, at the The Theater at Madison Square Garden. This historic battle will mark the first time two-time Olympic gold medalists have fought each other professionally at the highest level. Lomachenko will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight world title against the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight champion Rigondeaux. The fight, which will headline a spectacular all-action card, will be will be televised live and exclusively at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN App.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Roc Nation Sports and Madison Square Garden, tickets to the Lomachenko vs. Rigondeaux world championship event sold out two months in advance! It is Lomachenko’s second advance sellout in his past three fights. His April 8 title defense against former world champion Jason Sosa sold out the MGM National Harbor one month in prior to the event.

“This is the Big Apple’s second-hottest ticket on the secondary market next to Bette Midler’s Broadway smash, Hello Dolly!” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank. “The Lomachenko vs Rigondeaux title fight is a signature event in the sport of boxing. It matches the two greatest fighters in Olympic boxing facing off against each other. Never before in boxing history have two boxers, each the winner of two Olympic gold medals, faced each other in a professional boxing match.”

“ESPN is excited to showcase this world championship event. For the first time ever, two-time Olympic gold medalists, Lomachenko and Rigondeaux, will go head-to-head and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the event to boxing fans across our platforms in English and Spanish,” said Burke Magnus, executive vice president of programming & scheduling, ESPN.

“It will be a big battle for boxing fans and boxing history,” said Lomachenko. “This battle will open our maximum potential. It will be the best New Years present for boxing fanatics. Trust me on this one!”

“I am excited about Vasiliy stepping back in the ring before the year is over. It is a great fight for all boxing lovers and the fans from around the world who asked for it,” said Egis Klimas, Lomachenko’s manager. “It is a historic bout for boxing where for the first time, two boxers, two world champions, each holding two Olympic Gold medals, will meet in the professional ring. I am looking forward to seeing it.”

“I’m thrilled to be part of this historic fight on ESPN because I’ve had my eye on fighting Vasyl Lomachenko for a long time,” said Rigondeaux. “I’m thankful that Roc Nation Sports and Top Rank made this fight happen and I can’t wait to make a statement on December 9 in New York City. Weight classes don’t win fights – fighters do – and I look forward to delivering the best performance of my career, beating a fellow legendary Olympian in Lomachenko and solidifying my place as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of this era.”

“This fight against Vasyl Lomachenko is the marquee challenge that Guillermo has been coveting and we’re grateful for Roc Nation Sports’ hard work in making this a reality,” said Alex Bornote, Rigondeaux’s manager. “Throughout Guillermo’s career, he has never backed down from any fighter or weight class restriction, so we’re very excited to get to work. It’s going to be a battle, but Guillermo will make Cuba, Miami and all of his fans worldwide proud when he beats Lomachenko on December 9.”

“There has never been a fight between two, two-time Olympic gold medal winners until now and Roc Nation Sports is thrilled to announce this unprecedented event with ESPN and Top Rank,” said Roc Nation President & Chief of Branding and Strategy Michael R. Yormark. “Boxing fans will have the rare opportunity to watch two of the best Olympians in boxing history fight for supremacy and there’s no doubt this fight at the Theater at Madison Square Garden will be one for the ages. Regardless of weight class, Rigondeaux is ready to deliver an unforgettable performance.”

Lomachenko (9-1, 7 KOs), of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Ukraine, who has won his last six fights by stoppage, returns to the Mecca of Boxing ring for the first time since his one-punch fifth-round knockout victory of three-time WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez on June 11, 2016 to claim Martinez’s title. This will be Lomachenko’s third defense of that title in 2017 and fourth overall. The Martinez victory not only made Lomachenko a two-division world champion, but he once again he broke a record doing it, winning world title No. 2 in a record least amount of fights — SEVEN. He followed that with his first defense of the WBO junior lightweight title, on Nov. 26, totally dominating Nicholas Walters. The previously undefeated former WBA featherweight world champion quit on his stool after the seventh round with his trainer and father Jobs Walters, telling referee Tony Weeks, ‘”No mas.” Not only was it a total domination but a boxing masterpiece painted on the canvas by Lomachenko. It concluded a year that had many media outlets declaring Lomachenko the “Fighter of the Year.” This year he stopped former WBA super featherweight world champion Jason “El Canito” Sosa in the ninth round and top-rated contender Miguel Marriaga in the seventh round, on April 8 and August 5, respectively. Lomachenko captured his first world title — the vacant WBO featherweight title — winning a scintillating majority decision over the previously unbeaten and future world champion Gary Russell Jr. on June 21, 2014. It remains the only blemish on Russell’s record. It was Lomachenko’s third professional bout, tying him with Thailand’s Saensak Muangsurin for fewest fights to win a world title. Muangsurin won a junior welterweight title in 1975, also in his third professional fight. Lomachenko successfully defend that title three times during his reign before vacating it to challenge Martinez in 2016. The greatest amateur boxer of his era and arguably of all time, Lomachenko first gained international renown by winning gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Games as a featherweight and a lightweight, respectively. He retired from the amateurs with a 396-1 record.

Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 KOs), of Miami, Florida, one of boxing’s long-time elite, has reigned as world champion for seven years. He returns to the ring with three of his last four victories coming by way of knockout. A career highlight was when he unified the WBA and WBO 122-pound titles by defeating 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire on April 13, 2013 at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall in New York. Rigondeaux thoroughly dominated Donaire via a unanimous decision victory, ending the Filipino Flash’s 12-year, 30-bout winning streak, as well as claiming his WBO junior featherweight title. Rigondeaux had a stellar amateur career, winning Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2000, World Amateur Championship titles in 2005 and 2001, and Pan American Games gold medals in 2005 and 2003, all at 119 pounds, before leaving Cuba to embark on a professional career which began in Miami in 2009. In only his seventh professional fight where both fighters scored knockdowns, Rigondeaux captured the WBA interim super bantamweight title, winning a tough split decision over the vastly more experienced former world champion Ricardo Cordoba in 2010. After successfully defending the interim title in 2011 with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated former European super bantamweight champion Willie Casey, Rigondeaux won the WBA world super bantamweight championship with a sixth-round knockout of previously undefeated defending champion Rico Ramos, January 20, 2012. Rigondeaux successfully defended that title twice in 2012, blasting out once-beaten Teon Kennedy in the fifth round, which included Kennedy suffering five knockdowns en route to the loss, and winning a dominant unanimous decision over once-beaten contender Roberto Marroquin. After besting Donaire in their April 2013 title unification fight, he successfully defended the unified title three times via a unanimous decision against former two-time world champion Joseph Agbeko in 2013 and with knockout victories of Sod Looknongtantoy and Hisashi Amagasa in 2014. His reign as WBA super bantamweight champion has extended through this year, with a second-round stoppage of James Dickens last year and a no-contest against Moises Flores on June 17.

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For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo
@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #LomaRigo to join the conversation on Twitter.

WBO Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders has been ordered to defend his title against Billy Joe Saunders, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“We got the letter from the WBO and Frank Warren reached out to me in an email and I responded back to him, so we’ve started dialogue and it will continue. We’re going to start negotiating,” Golden Boy Promotions Eric Gomez told ESPN.

“You can’t do it on that undercard. It’s a little too expensive,” Gomez said. “Frank’s got the champion, so he’ll make us an offer. Most likely he’ll want to do the fight in the U.K. Depending on the offer, we’ll react. We’ll discuss it with David, but it’s a good fight for HBO. I notified [HBO Sports executive vice president] Peter Nelson and he has interest in it.”

“We have 30 days to negotiate a deal, and then if they call for a purse bid it would be within two weeks after the 30 days,” Gomez said. “Then from the date of the purse bid it’s 90 days to put on the fight, so you’re looking at maybe February or March. But David is ready to fight in December, so that will be part of our conversation with Frank. It’s all open to discussion and negotiation.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com. Miguel Cotto will fight Sadam Ali on December 2nd in Madison Square Garden in what will be Cotto’s farewell fight.

“The fight has been agreed to verbally,” Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions, which promotes Cotto, told ESPN on Tuesday. “We’re working on the contracts now and we’ll be making official announcement shortly.”

Cotto’s preferred opponent would have been the winner of the Sept. 16 middleweight world title showdown between Gennady Golovkin and Alvarez, but they fought to a disputed draw and likely will face each other in a rematch on May 5 without any intervening bouts.

Cotto has no plans to wait for either of them or any of the other bigger names who turned down offers to fight him before Ali accepted the bout. “I am leaving the ring Dec. 31,” Cotto told ESPN in September in Las Vegas during Golovkin-Alvarez fight week. “I will have the last fight of my career in December.”

11 October 2017 – Manila, Philippines: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), in conjunction with Chevron Havoline™, recently held the official ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD City Skyline Face-Off on Tuesday, 10 October, at the City Garden GRAND Building in Makati City, Philippines. Present at the event were main event competitors, reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang and newly-crowned ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen.

Folayang and Nguyen are scheduled to do battle at the center of the ONE Championship cage in a main event bout at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD, set for 10 November at the iconic Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

Ticket information for ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD is available at www.onefc.com.

Official photos for the ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD City Skyline Face-Off available at this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BxHVlFU0lKiIZVNWd25TYmtWa1U?usp=sharing

Lennard Kwek, Asia Pacific Marketing Manager, Chevron, stated: “We are excited at the possibilities and the opportunities for growth in both companies. The values of ONE and the strength of the athletes, resonate deeply to the core of Havoline on genuine strength. Caltex Havoline believes that, just like the bouts in the ONE Championship cage, our vehicles often face difficult conditions on the road. But with a proven warrior against friction, wear and sludge deposits, you can be sure that you will have a smooth and worry-free ride.”

Eduard Folayang, ONE Lightweight World Champion, stated: “Martin [Nguyen] is a great martial artist and an amazing competitor. He has earned the highest degree of my respect. There is absolutely no chance that I am coming into this bout underestimating him. I am prepared for the best Martin Nguyen possible, one that has no weaknesses. This bout will be talked about long after it is finished, as two champions face-off inside the cage. I live for these challenges, and I am motivated for victory, for the pride and honor of the Philippines.”

Martin Nguyen, ONE Featherweight World Champion, stated: “I like Eduard [Folayang]. I said to myself I did not want to compete against someone I like and take away their glory, but opportunities like this do not come around too often. And, if I refused to do this, someone else was going to compete against him and take his glory. So it is strictly business. I am in a super bout for the first time ever in ONE Championship history to become a two-division champion. This match is not going to go the distance.”

Eduard “Landslide” Folayang of the legendary Team Lakay in Baguio City is one of the Philippines’ most experienced martial artists. After nearly a decade of competing in various promotions, Folayang has amassed an impressive 18-5 professional record. The 33-year-old veteran is currently riding a four-bout winning streak against high-profile opponents, including an emphatic technical knockout victory over Japanese legend Shinya Aoki to capture the ONE Lightweight World Championship in 2016. Showcasing a highly-improved wrestling and grappling arsenal, Folayang thoroughly defeated top challenger Ev Ting in his first title defense last April. Now set to return to the ONE Championship cage in Manila, Folayang will face ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin Nguyen in a cross-divisional showdown.

28-year-old Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Sydney, Australia, is a highly-skilled finisher and one of the most talented featherweights in martial arts. In his most recent bout, Nguyen stepped into the ONE Championship cage last August, scoring the biggest victory of his career when he stopped former undefeated featherweight champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov in Kuala Lumpur to capture the ONE Featherweight World Championship. Sporting a 9-1 professional record, Nguyen’s all-around skill set allows him to compete at the highest level of competition. In a much-anticipated battle between division champions, Nguyen is set to face the Philippines’ Eduard Folayang in Manila for the Filipino’s coveted ONE Lightweight World Championship.

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 sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Championship is the home of martial arts. 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 billion potential viewers across 128+ 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.

About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. Through its subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide, the company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemicals and additives; generates power; and develops and deploys technologies that enhance business value in every aspect of the company’s operations. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About Havoline®
Since 1904, as a part of the Chevron Corporation family of products, Havoline® has continued to produce innovations, based on science and technology. In 1946, Havoline® launched the “New and improved Havoline” with additives as a feature. Year after year, Havoline® delivers new innovations; the latest achievement is Deposit ShieldTM, which can protect engines from harmful sediments improving vehicle performance and fuel economy.

CARSON, CALIF. (October 10, 2017) – This Saturday, October 14 ahead of Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes, numerous world champions and contenders will participate in a ‘Fan Fest’ at the StubHub Center on the main concourse level starting at 1:00 p.m. PT.

Among those meeting fans include Mikey Garcia, Sergio Mora, John Molina Jr., Alfredo Angulo, Chris Arreola, Dominic Breazeale, Josesito Lopez, Victor Ortiz, Hugo Centeno Jr., Robert Guerrero, Karlos Balderas and Lindolfo Delgado. Autograph signing will begin at 1 p.m. PT* leading up to the start of televised fights at 4 p.m. PT.

Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by three-division champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz defending his featherweight world title against Chris Avalos, while four-time world champion Abner Mares defends his 126-pound championship against once-beaten Andres Gutierrez. Televised coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

If Santa Cruz and Mares win their respective matches, they have both agreed to terms to meet in a highly anticipated rematch for the WBA featherweight title in early 2018. Santa Cruz won a hard-fought, narrow decision against Mares in a 2015 Fight of the Year candidate that saw the two men go toe-to-toe for 12 fast-paced rounds and combine for over 2,000 punches thrown.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Promotions and TGB Promotions, are priced at $30, $50, $75, $100, $150, and $250 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit AXS.com HERE.

Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

*Lineup subject to change

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.ringstar.com,www.tgbpromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Ringstar, @TGBPromotions, @FOX, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/RingstarSports and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FOX & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

NEWARK, N.J. (October 10, 2017) – IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Murat “Iron” Gassiev shared his thoughts from training camp in Big Bear, Calif., as fight week nears for his World Boxing Super Series quarter-final showdown Saturday, October 21 against Krzysztof Wlodarczyk from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J and on AUDIENCE Network.

Gassiev first arrived to train in the U.S. in 2014 and has worked with the renowned Abel Sanchez, eventually capturing his title with a victory over Denis Lebedev in December 2016.

“Abel is an amazing guy and he has pushed me very hard in the gym,” said Gassiev. “He’s really a father figure here in the gym. I have so much respect for him and the way that he treats people. The best thing that I ever did was come here to train with Abel Sanchez.

“We have very hard and intense training, but this is not ballet. He’s preparing me for battle and I trust that he knows exactly what we need to do to have success.”

“There are no world champions in my gym,” said Sanchez. “Your belts stay at home. My gym is just a place to work and get better. I can already see the improvements in this training camp for Gassiev. He had Lebedev down but didn’t finish him. Moments like that, you have to finish the job.”

The 23-year-old from Vladikavkaz, Russia had a winding road to success in the squared circle, but quickly embraced the sport upon picking it up at 15-years-old.

“Boxing was actually not my first sport,” said Gassiev. “My city has produced lots of Olympic and world champion wrestlers, so that was my first sport. Then I tried soccer, but that wasn’t quite right either. One day I went to a boxing gym with my friend and right away I knew, this was what I needed. Eight years later, and I’m very happy where I am.”

Gassiev has trained alongside the likes of middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin up in the unique atmosphere and altitude of Big Bear.

“It’s very important to be in a place like this because the only focus is training,” said Gassiev. “This is what we do all day. This is exactly what I need to be at my best and win this tournament. I don’t see my family for a long time, but it’s part of my life. This is my business and I’m doing all of this for my family.

“We have a very diverse group of fighters here in Big Bear. We’re all family and support each other. It’s been a great experience for me and I’ve learned a lot about different cultures.

“Some guys who come in for sparring in Big Bear really don’t anticipate how the altitude changes things. They think they can fight 10 rounds, but after three it is too much. This is the best place to prepare for tough fights.”

“This has been a really smooth camp,” said Sanchez. “I haven’t had any more problems with sparring partners vanishing after a couple days in the ring with Gassiev. We have the tools to make him even better than in his last performance.”

The winner of the Gassiev vs. Wlodarczyk fight will meet WBA champion Yunier Dorticos in a unification showdown in the WBSS semi-finals. However, Gassiev knows he cannot look past the two-time champion standing in his way in the quarter-finals.

“I know that I have to prepare myself for a tough fight,” said Gassiev. “I’m facing an experienced fighter and it’ll be a great test for my career. I’m ready for this.

“I have worked hard in this sport to become a world champion. I believed in myself and in my team. This tournament gives me the opportunity to be a unified champion and to fight the best fighters to prove it. I will show everyone who I am.”

“This tournament is a peculiar beast and there are no second chances,” said Sanchez. “I’ve always hoped for a great tournament where each fight is tougher than the last. I have big respect for Wlodarczyk and his trainer, but Gassiev has to knock him out if the chance arrives. I’m expecting this to be another great experience for Gassiev.”

Promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series, tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available to purchase at the Prudential Center box office.

Featured bouts on October 21 will see Polish contender Mateusz Masternak facing once-beaten Stivens Bujaj in a WBSS cruiserweight reserve match and unbeaten Polish contender Maciej Sulecki taking on former title challenger Jack Culcay.

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For more information visit worldboxingsuperseries.com or www.ringstar.com

Follow on Twitter @WBsuperSeries, @Ringstar and become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/WBSuperSeries and facebook.com/RingstarSports. Tonight’s fight was promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series.

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES FIXTURES

14/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
George Groves vs. Jamie Cox (WBA Super)
The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom

21/10/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final:
Murat Gassiev vs. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (IBF World)
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA

27/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
Juergen Braehmer vs. Rob Brant
Kongresshalle in Schwerin, Germany

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES AT A GLANCE
Number of participants: 16
Number of belts: 7
Number of world champions: 6
Number of former world champions: 3
Number of undefeated fighters: 9
Combined Record of participants: 423 wins, 17 losses, 294 KOs

ABOUT THE WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES
Organized by Comosa AG, the World Boxing Super Series will kick off in September 2017, featuring the Cruiserweight and Super Middleweight divisions. In each weight class, eight elite boxers will battle it out in a bracket-style elimination tournament, with four quarter-finals (fall 2017), two semi-finals (early 2018) and one final (May 2018). This makes for seven top fights per weight class, and a total of 14 fights in Season One to be staged in premier venues around the globe. The winners of the World Boxing Super Series will rightfully receive The Greatest Prize in Boxing, the Muhammad Ali Trophy. Please visit our website WorldBoxingSuperSeries.com for more information or follow @WBSuperSeries on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

About Prudential Center
Prudential Center is a world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of theNational Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, and more than 175 concerts, family shows and special events each year. Ranked in the Top 10 nationally by Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Today, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States, and welcomes 1.75 million guests annually. For more information about Prudential Center, visit PruCenter.com and follow the arena on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram@PruCenter.

(New York City, October 10, 2017) STAR BOXING brings championship boxing to Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on Saturday, November 25 as WBC International Cruiserweight Champion and WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight Champion CONSTANTIN BEJENARU, (12-0, 3KO’S), of Brooklyn, NY defends his titles against #1 ranked mandatory contender THABISO “The Rock” MCHUNU, (18-3, 13KO’S) of Cato Ridge, South Africa, in the ten round main event.

Bejenaru is coming off two victories seen on the popular Showtime series ShoBox: The New Generation, over fellow contenders Stivens Bujaj and Alexey Zubov.

A native of the Eastern European country, Moldova, Bejenaru is a quick handed aggressive fighter who has shown rapid improvement with each fight. He captured the vacant WBC International Cruiserweight and vacant WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight titles with his dominant victory against Bujaj in his last fight on November 4, 2016.

Mchunu is no stranger to big fights having challenged Oleksandr Usyk for the WBO World Cruiserweight Title on December 17 of last year. Mchunu fell short in a valiant attempt getting stopped in the ninth round. Mchunu holds a victory over highly regarded Eddie Chambers which also took place at Mohegan Sun Arena in 2013. Mchunu will be coming all the way from his home in South Africa for this coveted title opportunity.

Defending champion Bejenaru had this to say about his upcoming fight, “The Bejenaru Team is facing a world class boxer who fought for a world title. This fight is a great opportunity for me to move up in the world rankings and a step closer to the world title. I’m in great shape and ready to put on a great performance”.

Challenger Mchunu had these comments “I’m very grateful for this opportunity. It’s more than that it’s a dream. There’s plenty of action in the division now. Winning is not negotiable if I’m to reawaken my ambition of winning a world title. I look forward to putting on a great show”.

Promoter Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing, had these comments “This is a top-notch fight between two top cruiserweights looking to place themselves in the world championship picture. With the cruiserweight tournament presently taking place the winner of this fight will be in an excellent position to challenge for the world title. I’m looking for an outstanding fight between these two young men.”

Further details on an outstanding undercard will be announced shortly.
TICKETS:
Tickets starting at $35.00 will go on sale This Friday, October 13 at 10 AM E.T. through Mohegan Sun Box Office, Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1 (800) 745-3000. Additional information and ticket links available by visiting www.starboxing.com.

Lewis Ritson has signed a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing.

Ritson landed the British Lightweight title in impressive fashion on Saturday night in Manchester, dominating outgoing belt holder Robbie Barrett before the towel came in during the seventh round to see the Lord Lonsdale belt change hands for the second fight in a row.

The ‘Sandman’ improved to 13-0 with his seventh win inside the distance, and the 24 year old is excited to be getting the chance to team up with new promoter Eddie Hearn and showcase his talents on Sky Sports.

“I’m so excited to be signing with Eddie and Matchroom,” said Ritson. “It’s happened so quickly. I got the win on Saturday, spoke to my manager then we agreed and have signed the contract straight away. It’s been a ride the last couple of days but I’ve enjoyed it.

“My Dad’s trained me since I was eight years old through the amateurs, then when I turned pro he didn’t have his license so I went back up to Scotland for a bit and have since come back down. It was one thing we always have spoken about winning, “Imagine what it would feel like to win the British!” and now we have done it.

“I always had it in the back of my mind, I would give the belt to him. For all the years training and bond we have between us.

“My next goal is to win it outright so he can have it for keeps then. It’s a buzzing division at the minute with the likes of Scott Cardle and Sean Dodd. They are the big domestic names at Lightweight and if I can beat them then I’ll be well on the way to keeping the belt for good.

“They definitely interest me. Hopefully either one of them is my next move. You have Anthony Crolla, Ricky Burns and Luke Campbell who are World-level, but beneath that it’s Dodd and Cardle. I don’t think they should be hard to make being with Eddie as well.

“I like to fight on the front foot and be in your face. We were expecting a tough opening couple of rounds against Barrett and come on strong late on but it happened to unfold as it did. We got to him earlier than we had expected. He was getting up and down, I think it was good of Stefy to end it when he did he was taking some punishment.

“I think Eddie has pencilled in my first title defence for December time, squeezing one in before the end of the year. Then maybe February or March back home in Newcastle with Josh Kelly too. Eddie’s the boss now, so I’ve got to wait and see what he says and where the next fight is.

“Sky Sports is the biggest platform you can fight on, you can’t ask for much bigger. It’s going to spur me on a level and hopefully it can help the other North East fighters to feature and give them some coverage too.”

“People have been telling me about Lewis for a long time and on Saturday night we got to see why,” said Hearn. “Lewis put in a ruthless performance to win the British title with plenty of Geordie support in the Manchester Arena and I’m very excited about his future.

“The North East is an important area for us to focus on with the development of Josh Kelly and I’m looking forward to bringing a major show there in the early part of 2018.”

WBO #2-ranked Russian bantamweight Nikolai Potapov is in Detroit, finalizing preparations for his long-awaited showdown with WBO #1-ranked Omar Narvaez of Argentina.

The pair will meet for a 12-round showdown this Saturday, October 14, at Estadio Obras Sanitarias in Buenos Aires and live on Argentina TyC Sports.

27-year-old Potapov (17-0, 8 KOs) hails from Podolsk, Russia, but travels to Detroit before fights, to work with well-respected trainer and nephew of Emanuel Steward, Javan SugarHill.

“I had an intense training camp in Detroit with Sugar Hill Stewart,” said Potapov. “This is our second camp together and I feel like I am getting better everyday.”

Defeating the former WBO World Flyweight and Super Flyweight Champion Narvaez (46-2-2, 24 KOs) will not be easy for Potapov. The tough southpaw won his first world championship 15 years ago and remains one of the world’s best. “I look forward to making a statement in the Narvaez fight and taking a step closer to a world title,” continued Potapov.

“Nikolai is one of the best bantamweights in the world,” said his promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “A win over a top fighter a former world champion like Narvaez will put the division on notice. Nikolai is coming to make a name for himself on October 14.”

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

PHILADELPHIA – Rising Philadelphia lightweight Damon Allen Jr., 13-0-1, 5 KOs, will be honored as “The One to Watch” for the Philly fight scene, at the 10th Annual Briscoe Awards, on Sunday, October 15, 2017.

Since his debut in 2013, Allen has been steadily rising in the lightweight division, and now finds himself on the brink of a major breakthrough. With Golden Boy as his promoter, and an impressive skillset in the ring, Allen is well-positioned to soon step into the spotlight.

For these reasons, Philly Boxing History, a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and documenting the Philadelphia fight scene, named Allen the “One to Watch” and will present him with a Briscoe Medal at their annual event this weekend.
“It’s an honor and makes me feel like my hard work is not going unnoticed,” Allen said of his Briscoe Award. “I truly believe I’m the ‘one to watch’, and the next big talent coming from the City of Brotherly Love.”

ABOUT THE BRISCOE AWARDS ON OCTOBER 15 FROM 1-4 PM

The Briscoe Awards are named in honor of legendary Philly middleweight Bennie Briscoe and the trophies given away – the Briscoe Statue and the Briscoe Medal – all bear the deceased icon’s likeness. The event brings together the local boxing community, including the award winners, their families, past and present boxers, fight fans, other boxing people, and general sports fans.

This is the tenth year for the Briscoe Awards, which are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Philadelphia’s great boxing legacy. Past winners at the Briscoe Awards include Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, and many others.

The event returns to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, the central hub of Philly’s sports stadiums, located at 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased at BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, please call John DiSanto, 609-377-6413 / johndisanto@phillyboxinghistory.com.

The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1-4 PM, at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA – Dylan Price, of Sicklerville, NJ, will be named the “2016 Amateur of the Year” at the Briscoe Awards on Sunday, October 15, 2017, at Xfinity Live! in Philadelphia. Price won the US National Championships in Reno, Nevada and took home a Bronze Medal at the Youth World Championships, in St. Petersburg, Russia, both in 2016. His stellar year earned him bragging rights as the area’s top amateur.

Price recently turned professional, and will take home the final salutation for his fine amateur career on Sunday. Past winners of the award include Darmani Rock, Jaron Ennis, and Stephen Fulton, all currently unbeaten pros.

ABOUT THE BRISCOE AWARDS ON OCTOBER 15 FROM 1-4 PM

The Briscoe Awards are named in honor of legendary Philly middleweight Bennie Briscoe and the trophies given away – the Briscoe Statue and the Briscoe Medal – all bear the deceased icon’s likeness. The event brings together the local boxing community, including the award winners, their families, past and present boxers, fight fans, other boxing people, and general sports fans.

This is the tenth year for the Briscoe Awards, which are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Philadelphia’s great boxing legacy. Past winners at the Briscoe Awards include Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, and many others.

The event returns to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, the central hub of Philly’s sports stadiums, located at 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased at BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, please call John DiSanto, 609-377-6413 / johndisanto@phillyboxinghistory.com.

The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1-4 PM, at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.

George Groves (26-9, 13 KOs) says size matters and has predicted a stoppage win over domestic rival Jamie Cox (24-0, 13 KOs) in their World Boxing Super Series quarter-final contest on Saturday at The SSE Arena Wembley in London.

Groves will be making a first defence of the WBA Super title he claimed with a sixth-round TKO victory over Fedor Chudinov on May 27 in Sheffield, and ‘The Saint’ is confident of retaining his belt and landing a semi-final spot opposite Chris Eubank Jr, who secured a statement win over Avni Yildirim last Saturday in Stuttgart.

“I’ve always done well against guys I’m naturally bigger than,” said the 29 year-old from Hammersmith. “Jamie is not so big so if he comes in heavy he is going to be slow. He fights at middleweight and could probably even make super welter if he needed to.

“He has had to bulk up to get to the super middleweight division. I don’t. I could never make middleweight. I have to have a full camp to make super middleweight. I make it and I make it well. I’m physically strong and on point when I’m there, but I couldn’t do anything lighter. Size is going to be very important on the night and I believe I’ll end the fight before the distance.

“Jamie is a fit lad and he trains hard. That will increase his powers of recovery so if he does get buzzed or wobbled he’s more likely to be able to ride the storm. Martin Murray was similar. He wasn’t as big as me. He couldn’t find his range and I was landing big heavy shots on him. I couldn’t get rid of him that night. Maybe I could if I had applied myself more, but I didn’t need to, I was in full control.

“Against Jamie, I’m going to land even cleaner. He doesn’t have the boxing brain Martin Murray does. I don’t think he will be able to negate his way through difficult situations. Once I set a few traps and he falls for them, I’m going to land big shots and he’s going to go.”

Cox, however, who enters the ring with an undefeated record of 24-0, believes it will be a matter of hunger and not size.

“George Groves has been eating lobster, while I’ve been eating crisp sandwiches,’’ he says. “We live completely different lives. I’m the hungrier fighter. This is a big opportunity for me and I’m going to take it. I’m feeling good, I’m ready and I’m looking forward to the occasion.”

Tickets for George Groves vs. Jamie Cox at The SSE Arena Wembley are available via https://www.ssearena.co.uk/

FLINT, MI. (October 10, 2017) – Former super middleweight world champion Anthony Dirrell will return to the ring and fight in his hometown of Flint, Michigan on Friday, November 17 when he takes on Denis Douglin in a 10-round bout that headlines a Premier Boxing Champions event from the Dort Federal Credit Union Center.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and A.D.D. Enterprises, begin at $20 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit the Dort Federal Credit Union Center box office or Ticketmaster.com.

Additional televised action on FS1 and FOX Deportes begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features an eight-round rematch between welterweight prospects Jamontay Clark and Ivan Golub plus an eight-round junior welterweight battle featuring once-beaten prospects as Ryan “Cowboy” Karl meets Kareem Martin.

# # #

Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes was sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina and promoted by Sampson Boxing.

Atlantic City, NJ (October 10, 2017)–On Saturday night, November 18th, welterweight contender Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna returns to the ring when he takes on Tomas Mendez in 10-round fight for LaManna’s WBC Silver Latino Welterweight title, as well as the LBF Intercontinental Welterweight title. The fight will headline a stacked night of boxing at The Claridge Hotel.

The show is promoted by Rising Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions in association with Devin Haney Promotions and Winner Take All Productions.

“This is our 10th show and we expect this to be the best turn out,” said Debbie LaManna, CEO of Rising Promotions. “With a stacked undercard, and my son getting to headline again, we can all expect a great night of boxing. I’m happy Thomas decided to stick with it, after more than 10 years and a lot of money spent, it would be foolish to stop now when he is right there. We are happy to be doing this show with Greg Cohen and we look forward to bigger and better things together in the future.”

I am thrilled to be working with Rising Promotions This is a stacked from top to bottom. It is worthy of a ShoBox card,” said Greg Cohen, President of Greg Cohen Promotions.. .”When you have a show with Thomas defending his title and fighters like Devin Haney, and fights such as Serrano against Enver Halili plus Skender Halili fighting Jeff Lentz, every fight is a TV worthy fight. We are really excited to bring this to The Claridge, and a great way to finish out the year in Atlantic City and happy that GCP is a co-promoter on the show.”

LaManna of Millville, New Jersey will be making the 1st defense of the WBC Silver Latino title that he won on August 19th when he scored two knockdowns en-route to a ten round unanimous decision over George Sosa at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The 25 year-old Lamanna is a six-year professional who has wins over veteran’s Ayi Bruce, Kendal Mena, Eduardo Flores, and Carlos Winston Velasquez.

This will be LaManna’s 7th bout at The Claridge and 16th in Atlantic City.

“I’m back! I couldn’t stay away for long. It’s crazy, after my last fight, I was set on being done with boxing,” said Thomas LaManna. “I Couldn’t handle the stress anymore and it’s hard. I have a huge chip on my shoulder with no promoter, no more financial backing, just me and my mother. We have mart strategic planning, and a Dream. I feel I have a lot left and I’ll be knocking on doors in 2018. To me, Mendez is dangerous because you never know what he will bring. I’ve always said records don’t mean anything to me. We’ll see on November 18 what he brings and like I always say, I make my adjustments and do what I have to do to win.”

“As for this card, I feel it’s the best one we at Rising Promotions have put together. Raymond Serrano and Enver Halili is a solid cross roads fight, and I’m glad we got it done. I’m excited to have Devin Haney on the show, and Tommy Rainone’s go away fight is special. Expect another sell out. Thank you to everyone involved putting this great card together including all the fighters involved, The NJSACB, Commissioner Larry Hazzard and Rhonda Utley-Herring, Greg Cohen, the LBF and Ms. Marian Muhammad, the WBC, GH3 Promotions and The Claridge.”

Mendez of Santo Domingo, Domincan Republic has a record of 24-10 with 17 knockouts.

The 10 year-professional won 16 of his first 17 bouts, and is a capable fighter who has fought top competition around the world. This will be Mendez 7th title fight, and he is coming off a stoppage defeat to Derrick Cuevas on June 17th in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

WBC Youth Champion, Devin Haney (16-0, 11 KOs) of Las Vegas will take on Taiwo Ali Sulaimon (21-5-1, 16 KOs) of Lagos, Nigeria in a junior welterweight bout.

Haney, of Las Vegas, Nevada has a record of 17-0 with 11 knockouts.

Haney, just 18 years-old has quickly emerged as one of the top prospects in the country.

He turned professional at age 16, and has been more impressive with each performance.

Haney has impressive wins over Jairo Fernandez Vargas (4-0), Clay Burns (4-1-2), and in his last bout he scored a eight-round unanimous decision over Enrique Tinoco (16-4-1) on September 22nd in Philadelphia.

In the exciting welterweight bout, Raymond “Tito” Serrano will take on Enver Halili in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

Serrano of Philadelphia has been on the cusp of a big fight in the welterweight division, has a record of 23-4 with ten knockouts.

The 28 year-old is a ten-year professional, has wins over Ashantie Hendrickson (1-0), Jay Krupp (12-1), Ronnie Warrior, Jr. (13-2-1), Ayi Bruce (15-2) & Jerome Rodriguez (6-1-3).

Serrano is on a two-fight winning streak with the latest win being a six-round unanimous decision over Zack Ramsey (8-1) on September 22 in Philadelphia.

Halili is perfect with a record of 10-0 with three knockouts.

Halili of Bronx, New York is a five-year professional with wins over undefeated Raul Nuncio (2-0) and his latest bout where he scored his biggest win with a eight-round unanimous decision over Wesley Tucker (14-0) on June 30 in Toledo, Ohio.

In eight-round bouts.

Adam Lopez (16-1-2, 8 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas battles Jorge Diaz (18-5-1, 10 KOs) of New Brunswick, New Jersey in a super bantamweight bout for the WBC Fecarbox title.

Skender Halili (14-2, 13 KOs) of Bronx, New York battles Jeff Lentz (5-1, 1 KO) of Belmar, New Jersey in a junior middleweight fight.

In six-round bouts:

Tommy Rainone (26-8-1, 6 KO’s) of New York, New York will make his final start of his career when he takes on an opponent to be named in a welterweight bout.

Yurik Mamedov (7-0, 3 KOs) of New York, New York will take on an opponent to be named in a super lightweight bout.

In a rematch of lightweight’s. Tomas Romain (4-1) of Brooklyn, NY boxes Sidell Blocker (1-9-1) of Pleasantville, New Jersey.

In four-round bouts:

Jonathan Arroyo of Long Island will make his pro debut against Steve Moore (0-1) of Orange, New Jersey in a welterweight bout.

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2017 – HBO Sports has entered into a new multi-year agreement with acclaimed broadcaster Jim Lampley, who serves as the primary voice for its HBO Boxing franchise. Lampley will continue to serve on multiple HBO Boxing platforms, including the host and blow-by-blow voice for “World Championship Boxing®,” “HBO Boxing After Dark®” and HBO Pay-Per-View.® He also will continue to host the boxing studio program “The Fight Game With Jim Lampley.” The agreement was announced today by Peter Nelson, executive vice president, HBO Sports.

“For nearly three decades, Jim has been the most prominent television voice in boxing,” said Nelson. “His work is universally recognized as the standard in the sport and we are thrilled to know he will continue in this high visibility role for years to come. Jim’s high journalistic standards, historical knowledge of the sport and enthusiasm for sharing the backstories of the fighters who enter the ring enriches the broadcast experience for the HBO audience.”

A four-time Sports Emmy® Award winner, Lampley was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY on June 14, 2015.

Starting with his first HBO presentation, the “World Championship Boxing” fight between Mike Tyson and Tony Tubbs from Tokyo on March 20, 1988, Lampley has been at the helm for many of the most dramatic moments in HBO Boxing history.

“I’m very lucky to have spent nearly three decades working in HBO’s unique culture, and grateful for the chance to keep doing it,” said Lampley. “It’s always been my natural home.”

Lampley returns to HBO on Saturday, Oct. 21 when he calls the “HBO Boxing After Dark” tripleheader from Verona, NY at 10:05 p.m. (ET/PT). The next edition of “The Fight Game With Jim Lampley” premieres Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT).

NEWARK, N.J. (October 9, 2017) – Local prospect Julian Rodriguez (16-0, 10 KOs) returns to the ring as the New Jersey-native defends his perfect record in a six-round welterweight bout that highlights an exciting night of undercard attractions on Saturday, October 21 from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series, tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available to purchase at the Prudential Center box office.

The October 21 event is headlined by the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight quarterfinal showdown between IBF Champion Murat Gassiev and former cruiserweight world champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk live on AUDIENCE Network. Featured bouts also include Polish contender Mateusz Masternak facing once-beaten Stivens Bujaj in a WBSS cruiserweight reserve match and unbeaten Polish contender Maciej Sulecki taking on former title challenger Jack Culcay.

Also competing in undercard bouts are 2016 Lithuanian Olympian Eimantas Stanionis (3-0, 3 KOs), who enters the ring for an eight-round welterweight fight, 2016 Nigerian Olympian Efe Ajaba (1-0, 1 KO) in a six-round heavyweight showdown and rising unbeaten prospect Money Powell IV (4-0, 3 KOs) against Detroit’s Antonio Urista (9-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round super welterweight affair.

Rounding out the night of fights is powerful super welterweight Skender Halili (14-2, 13 KOs) of Kosovo in a six-round bout against Samuel Amoako (19-15, 16 KOs) and Nigerian cruiserweight Efetobor Apochi (2-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round fight against Lawrence Gabriel (1-1-1).

Representing Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., Rodriguez had a stellar amateur career that included a 2013 National Golden Gloves title, a 2012 U.S. Amateur Championships silver medal and a spot as an alternate on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team. The 22-year-old has continued to impress since turning pro in 2013, delivering knockouts in nine of his first 10 fights. Rodriguez has picked up victories over Jerry Belmontes and Dario Ferman in 2017 and will fight in his home state for the first time since he stopped Peter Oluoch in round one at Prudential Center in May 2015.

An accomplished amateur representing Kaunas, Lithuania, Stanionis is looking to become the next Eastern European fighter to make a splash in the U.S. The 23-year-old had a 141-19 record as an amateur and earned four senior national championships before winning gold at the European Olympic Qualifier to earn his trip to the 2016 Games. A gold medalist at welterweight at the 2015 European Amateur Boxing Championships, Stanionis has impressed with knockouts in his first three starts since turning pro in April, including a first round destruction of Oscar Valenzuela in September.

The 23-year-old Ajagba is set to turn pro after beating the odds and making the 2016 Rio Olympics to represent his native Nigeria. Although he lost in the quarterfinals, Ajagba made a splash by delivering a highlight reel knockout in his opening bout against Trinidad and Tobago. The fighter known as “King Kong” also won an African games gold medal during his impressive amateur career delivered a first round knockout in his pro debut in July.

Born in Germany, where his former boxer father was stationed in the military, Powell IV dedicated himself to boxing for good when his family moved back to the U.S. in 2011. The 19-year-old has quickly made a name for himself since then, winning the 2016 Youth Welterweight National Championship to earn the top ranking in the 152-pound division by USA Boxing. Fighting out of Fort Mitchell, on the state line of Alabama and Georgia, Powell has scored stoppage victories in three of his four pro victories.

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For more information visit worldboxingsuperseries.com or www.ringstar.com

Follow on Twitter @WBsuperSeries, @Ringstar and become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/WBSuperSeries and facebook.com/RingstarSports. Tonight’s fight was promoted by Ringstar Sports in association with World Boxing Super Series.

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES FIXTURES

14/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
George Groves vs. Jamie Cox (WBA Super)
The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom

21/10/17 – Cruiserweight Quarter-Final:
Murat Gassiev vs. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (IBF World)
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA

27/10/17 – Super Middleweight Quarter-Final:
Juergen Braehmer vs. Rob Brant
Kongresshalle in Schwerin, Germany

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES AT A GLANCE
Number of participants: 16
Number of belts: 7
Number of world champions: 6
Number of former world champions: 3
Number of undefeated fighters: 9
Combined Record of participants: 423 wins, 17 losses, 294 KOs

ABOUT THE WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES
Organized by Comosa AG, the World Boxing Super Series will kick off in September 2017, featuring the Cruiserweight and Super Middleweight divisions. In each weight class, eight elite boxers will battle it out in a bracket-style elimination tournament, with four quarter-finals (fall 2017), two semi-finals (early 2018) and one final (May 2018). This makes for seven top fights per weight class, and a total of 14 fights in Season One to be staged in premier venues around the globe. The winners of the World Boxing Super Series will rightfully receive The Greatest Prize in Boxing, the Muhammad Ali Trophy. Please visit our website WorldBoxingSuperSeries.com for more information or follow @WBSuperSeries on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

About Prudential Center
Prudential Center is a world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of theNational Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, and more than 175 concerts, family shows and special events each year. Ranked in the Top 10 nationally by Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Today, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States, and welcomes 1.75 million guests annually. For more information about Prudential Center, visit PruCenter.com and follow the arena on Facebook, Twitter

PHILADELPHIA – Crowd-pleasing welterweight of the 1950s, Gil Turner will become the sixth recipient of a gravestone by the Philly Boxing History Gravestone Program. A fundraising campaign to pay for the Turner monument will be launched as part of the 10th Annual Briscoe Awards event, on Sunday, October 15, 2017, at Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, beginning at 1:00 PM. Turner’s children and other family members will attend the event on Sunday.

Philly Boxing History Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the great legacy of Philadelphia boxing. Five area boxers have been previously honored by the program, including Matthew Saad Muhammad, Gypsy Joe Harris, Tyrone Everett, Garnet “Sugar” Hart, and Eddie Cool.

Turner became a sensation in the early 1950s, when he reeled off 31 straight wins (25 by KO) to start his career. The streak stretched until July 7, 1952, when Turner faced off against welterweight champion Kid Gavilan, at Municipal Stadium in South Philly. Turner fought on even terms with the champ until round eleven, when the “Cuban Hawk” swooped in and retained his crown by TKO. Turner fought for another six years, but never again vied for a world title. He retired in 1958 with an overall record of 56-19-2, with 35 knockouts. Turner was a popular TV fighter throughout the 1950s and fought numerous big names such as Joey Giardello, Johnny Saxton, Ike Williams, Gene Fullmer, Carmen Basilio, Beau Jack, and many others.

He died in 1996, and currently rests in an unmarked grave in North Philadelphia. Once the necessary funds are raised, the monument is expected to be placed in 2018. Tax deductible donations to the effort can be made at the event or by calling John DiSanto at 609-377-6413.

ABOUT THE BRISCOE AWARDS ON OCTOBER 15 FROM 1-4 PM

The Briscoe Awards are named in honor of legendary Philly middleweight Bennie Briscoe and the trophies given away – the Briscoe Statue and the Briscoe Medal – all bear the deceased icon’s likeness. The event brings together the local boxing community, including the award winners, their families, past and present boxers, fight fans, other boxing people, and general sports fans.

This is the tenth year for the Briscoe Awards, which are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Philadelphia’s great boxing legacy. Past winners at the Briscoe Awards include Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, and many others.

The event returns to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, the central hub of Philly’s sports stadiums, located at 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased at BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, please call John DiSanto, 609-377-6413 / johndisanto@phillyboxinghistory.com

The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1-4 PM, at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA – Streaking junior lightweight Tevin Farmer, 25-4-1, 5 KOs, will go home with two awards at Sunday’s 10th Annual Briscoe Awards on Sunday, October 15, 2017. The annual event will be held at Xfinity Live! in Philadelphia.

Farmer, currently riding an 18-bout winning streak, is looking toward a December crack at the vacant IBF 130-pound world title. However, before that milestone comes, he will stop by the Briscoe Awards on Sunday, to receive recognition for the “2016 Performance of the Year” and as the “2016 Prospect of the Year”.

Farmer was brilliant in his fight with Ivan Redkach last year, and his virtuoso performance will be honored as the best among all other Philly fighters for 2016. This is the second straight year that Farmer has won the award.

Overall, Farmer posted four victories in 2016, pushing himself up the rankings and in position for his upcoming title opportunity. That four-fight run earned him the nod as Philly’s best prospect. If he can wrest the title in December, he’ll surely be in the running for the “2017 Philly Fighter of the Year Award”.

ABOUT THE BRISCOE AWARDS ON OCTOBER 15 FROM 1-4 PM

The Briscoe Awards are named in honor of legendary Philly middleweight Bennie Briscoe and the trophies given away – the Briscoe Statue and the Briscoe Medal – all bear the deceased icon’s likeness. The event brings together the local boxing community, including the award winners, their families, past and present boxers, fight fans, other boxing people, and general sports fans.

This is the tenth year for the Briscoe Awards, which are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Philadelphia’s great boxing legacy. Past winners at the Briscoe Awards include Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, and many others.

The event returns to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, the central hub of Philly’s sports stadiums, located at 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased at BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, please call John DiSanto, 609-377-6413 / johndisanto@phillyboxinghistory.com.

The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1-4 PM, at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.

Ricky Hatton-trained Heavyweight prospect Nathan Gorman believes his English Title fight with Nick Webb cannot fail to entertain.

Gorman fights for the vacant title on November 11th as part of the sizzling Liam Smith v Liam Williams 2 card in Newcastle, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

“We both want that English title badly and I’m predicting fireworks on the night,” said the 21-year-old. “He’s 11-0 with nine knockouts, I’m 10-0 with eight knockouts.

“We’re both big men with knockout power in both hands. At the end of the day what Heavyweight can’t punch? You can’t blink in this fight.

“There’s a lot of padded records in boxing these days. Nobody wants to risk anything but I’m in this sport to take risks and win titles. I want to be mixing it with the top fighters in the Heavyweight division in two years, winning the English title is the next step on my journey.”

The Chesire Heavyweight also explained what it’s like to train under Ricky Hatton. “He’s one of the lads. The knowledge I get off him is second to none. Every day is a laugh with Ricky, it makes the training seems easier, we train incredibly hard don’t get me wrong!”

Main event at the Metro Radio Arena sees former WBO Super-Welterweight World Champion Liam Smith rematch with reigning British Champion Liam Williams a WBO World Title Eliminator.

Country Durham’s Thomas Patrick Ward (20-0) will defend his British Super-Bantamweight Championship against Brimingham’s Sean Davis (13-1-0)

Explosive Super-Middleweight Mark Heffron (Oldham, 16-0) another of Ricky Hatton’s excellent young stable of fighters, will also be in action on the card; undefeated Jeff Saunders (11-0) of Sedgefield takes on undefeated Liverpudlian Steven Lewis (14-0)

In addition, local prospects Troy Williamson (Darlington, 3-0) Kalam Leather (Guisborough, 2-0) Joe Maphosa (Thornaby, 1-0) and Michael Watson (Sedgefield, Pro debut) will all appear on the bill.

Tickets for Smith v Williams 2 priced at £40, £50, £70, £100, £150 and £250 are available from:

Metro Radio Arena
0844 493 6666
www.metroradioarena.co.uk
In person from the Metro Radio Arena Box Office

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk

09 October 2017 – Yangon, Myanmar: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced the complete bout card for ONE: HERO’S DREAM, set for the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium on 3 November. In the main event, ONE Middleweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang of Myanmar will take on Muay Thai heavyweight world champion Alain “The Panther” Ngalani of Hong Kong in an Open Weight Super-Bout. The ONE Middleweight World Championship will not be on the line.

Ticket information for ONE: HERO’S DREAM is available at www.onefc.com.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “For the first-ever Open Weight Super-Bout in ONE Championship history, I am thrilled to announce that ONE Middleweight World Champion Aung La N Sang will face Muay Thai heavyweight world champion Alain Ngalani in a five-round open weight contest. It’s going to be another memorable night of action for fans in Yangon and from all over the world. Get ready for some major fireworks!”

Aung La N Sang, ONE Middleweight World Champion, stated: “I am thrilled to be back in the cage this November. As world champion, I will always be proud to represent my home country, and I gladly accept the responsibility of inspiring my countrymen with my time inside the cage. I am truly blessed to be in the position that I am, and I promise to give my best performance yet. Alain Ngalani will be the biggest opponent I have ever competed against, and it is a challenge that I am really excited to take on.”

Alain Ngalani, ONE Superstar, stated: “As a martial artist, we continuously strive to reach the top. Everyone craves success in many forms, and for me, to be part of history is part of my goals. This is a historic matchup that will be talked about for years. I vow to do everything in my power to get the victory, give the fans an exciting show, and go down in the record books as winner of this historic bout. Together with Aung La N Sang, we will put on a thrilling contest.”

32-year-old Aung La N Sang is Myanmar’s most successful athlete in history, whose constricting style has earned him the moniker of ”The Burmese Python”. Born in Myitkyina in the mountainous Kachin State, he belongs to an ethnic minority known as the Kachin. In his most recent outing, Aung La N Sang stunned former champion Vitaly Bigdash of Russia in a highly-anticipated rematch to be crowned the new ONE Middleweight World Champion. Aung La N Sang is set to square off in his toughest challenge yet, against heavyweight behemoth Alain Ngalani.

Heavyweight knockout artist Alain “The Panther” Ngalani, who trains out of Impakt MMA in Hong Kong but is originally from Cameroon, is a terrifying combination of power and speed, and is always looking to end matches early. Owning a 25-7-1, 2 NC kickboxing record which includes 23 knockouts, Ngalani is a heavyweight world champion in Muay Thai and kickboxing. Fresh off his record-setting 11-second KO of former ONE Heavyweight World Title Challenger Hideki Sekine, “The Panther” is set to figure in ONE Championship’s first-ever ‘David vs Goliath’ super bout, as he takes on ONE Middleweight World Champion Aung La N Sang in an open weight contest.

An unbeaten 32-year-old martial artist from Yangon, Phoe Thaw (4-0) is set to return to action following a tremendous accomplishment at ONE: STATE OF WARRIORS where he won the ONE Myanmar Featherweight Tournament Championship. Prior to transitioning to the cage, Thaw was a successful Lethwei practitioner with a record of 3-0-2. So far in his career, Thaw has showcased a penchant for scoring highlight-reel stoppages, winning all four of his bouts by knockout. One of the fastest rising stars in Myanmar, Thaw is now set to face countryman Saw Ba Oo.

Saw Ba Oo is a martial artist hailing from Yangon, Myanmar, and is a promising young talent in ONE Championship’s featherweight division. He made a successful ONE debut in 2015, and has since gone 2-1 in his career. Prior to transitioning to the cage, Saw was a Lethwei star with a 16-4-18 record. In his most recent bout, Saw scored a second-round technical knockout victory over Kyal Sin Phyo. Next up, Saw will take on rising star Phoe Thaw.

23-year-old Chinese national freestyle wrestling champion “The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin is unbeaten inside the ONE Championship cage. Making his professional debut in 2016, Ma took home the ONE: DYNASTY OF CHAMPIONS (CHANGSHA) Flyweight Tournament Championship, defeating Wu Ting Shen and Bu Huo You Ga in a single evening of action. Since then, Ma has strung together an impressive 7-1 professional record which includes three wins by submission and one by knockout. He will now take on Eugene Toquero.

Top flyweight contender Eugene Toquero is a former celebrity martial arts and fitness coach from Manila, Philippines. The 5’5” Filipino stalwart has a knack for executing highlight-reel striking techniques and is highly unpredictable, operating at a pace opponents find difficult to keep up with. In his most recent bout, Toquero fell to rising star Stefer Rahardian of Indonesia, losing by unanimous decision in a tough contest. Now Toquero seeks to get back in contention when he takes on Ma Hao Bin.

Unbeaten Tha Pyay Nyo of Myanmar owns an unblemished professional martial arts record of 4-0 and is the 2015 ONE Myanmar Featherweight Tournament Champion. A devastating Lethwei striker, Tha Pyay Nyo transitioned to martial arts in 2015 and has since impressed inside the cage. A proven finisher, all four of Tha Pyay Nyo’s victories have come by knockout. He will return to the ONE Championship cage to face Asraful Islam, who makes his promotional debut.

21-year-old bantamweight Asraful “Warrior” Islam of Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a martial artist making his professional debut. With a an amateur career that saw him go a perfect 2-0, Islam is the former UFI Bantamweight Champion. Specializing in wushu, boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Islam is incredibly well-rounded and is ready to put his skills on full display. He makes his ONE Championship debut against Tha Pyay Nyo.

21-year-old Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit is an undefeated martial artist from Chiang Mai, Thailand, and was previously a North Thailand Muay Thai champion with a 72-17 record, which included 49 KOs. Since making his professional debut in the cage, the strawweight has amassed a stellar record of 8-0 with six knockout triumphs and one submission victory, and made an immediate impact in ONE Championship with first-round finishes over Ye Thway Ne and Rabin Catalan. In his next outing, Mitsatit will share the ONE Championship cage with Jeremy Miado of the Philippines in a three-round strawweight contest.

Filipino strawweight champion Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado of Manila is a martial artist with a 6-1 professional record. After six straight victories, including two highlight-reel finishes, Miado took on countryman Robin Catalan in his most recent bout, but fell just short of victory, losing by split decision. Miado is now ready to get back in the win column, and will face a rising star from Thailand in Pongsiri Mitsatit.

Winner of the 2017 ONE: LIGHT OF A NATION Flyweight Tournament, Saw Min Min is a Lethwei practitioner with a 10-0-5 record and is unbeaten at 2-0 in the ONE Championship cage. Both of his victories in ONE have come by way of stoppage, including one submission and one knockout that prove his well-roundedness. Saw now looks to record his third straight win, this time over Ye Thway Ne.

Veteran Lethwei star and professional martial artist Ye Thway Ne of Myanmar made his ONE Championship debut in 2016, and has since gone 1-1 in his professional cage career. He owns a stellar professional Lethwei record of 41-1-29. In his most recent contest, Ye battled Pat Kyaw Lin Naing to a unanimous decision victory after two rounds. Ye is set to return to action this November opposite countryman Saw Min Min.

Unbeaten Chinese martial artist “Rock Man” Chen Lei of Changsha is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and the Shanghai Open BJJ Champion. His submission prowess has led Chen to six straight victories as a professional. In his last bout, Chen continued his spectacular win streak with an armbar finish of Malaysia’s Saiful Merican. Chen now moves on to his next contest, a tough assignment against the Philippines’ Burn Soriano.

Burn “The Hitman” Soriano of Ilocos Sur, Philippines, is coming off a tough contest against Malaysian Saiful Merican last February. The Filipino featherweight features an aggressive style, with solid power and seasoned grappling technique leading to all of his wins to date coming by way of stoppage. His 15-second spinning back fist knockout of Indonesia’s Mario Sitya Wirawan in 2016 was one of the fastest finishes in ONE history, and he will be looking to replicate that accolade against Chen Lei in his next outing.

30-year-old “Supermom” Miao Jie of Shanghai, China, is a professional martial artist with a 4-1 record. A talented grappler, Miao recently won a bronze medal at the 2017 IBJJF World Championships in Long Beach, California, USA. In her most recent bout, Miao needed less than a minute to submit Egypt’s Mona Samir via armbar at ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: SHANGHAI. Looking to make a name for herself in Asia’s premier martial arts organization, Miao seeks to showcase her complete skills as she returns to the ONE Championship cage against Amira Hafizovic.

Female strawweight Amira “The Wandera” Hafizovic of Australia is a professional martial artist with a record of 1-0. Representing Australian Top Team, Hafizovic has well-rounded striking and grappling skills as she has proven capable of finishing on the feet or on the ground. After a successful amateur career, Hafizovic was victorious in her professional debut, defeating Meg Gallagher via first-round submission. She specializes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, with a grappling record of 25-5. Hafizovic’s ground skills will be put to the test, as she makes her ONE Championship debut against China’s Miao Jie.

“The Ghost” Zhang Ze Hao of Shanghai is a professional martial artist from China with a record of 3-2. He made his promotional debut at ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: SHANGHAI in early September, finishing compatriot Li Cheng Chao via technical knockout in the third round. Zhang, a proponent at the AMA Shanghai Gym, is a sanda and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. He is set to do battle against Bala Shetty in a three-round lightweight contest.

An eight-time Muay Thai national champion in India, Bala Shetty is set to return to the ONE Championship cage following a brief appearance at ONE: WAR OF DRAGONS in July of 2014. In his first ever professional cage contest, Shetty succumbed to Taiwanese star Jeff “The Machine” Huang via first-round technical knockout. Shetty now looks for redemption as he steps back onto the biggest stage of competition against China’s Zhang Ze Hao.

Decorated Indonesian martial artist Nita Dea first took up wrestling in high school, quickly becoming a two-time national wrestling champion. She has since added wushu, Muay Thai, and kickboxing to her arsenal, with three national wushu championships proving her aptitude and well-rounded ability. Taking a 12-4-0 professional record in kickboxing and Muay Thai into her ONE Championship debut last May, she fell to Thai star Rika Ishige, but now returns to the cage seeking victory against the Philippines’ Jomary Torres.

Jomary Torres, a martial artist representing Catalan Fighting System, is an unbeaten female atomweight talent from the Philippines. Armed with a complete set of striking and grappling skills, Torres is incredibly talented and determined to make a name for herself in ONE Championship. In her last bout, Torres scored a shocking upset victory over rising star Rika Ishige, winning via second-round rear naked choke to bring her cage record to 2-0. She is now set to return to action against Indonesia’s Nita Dea.

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About ONE Championship™
ONE Championship is the largest sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Championship is the home of martial arts. 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 billion potential viewers across 128+ 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.