The bout will take place at the Dallas Cowboys training facility in a venue that holds around 12,000 fans.

“Miguel is back in the ring and we are all excited,” said Cotto Promotions Bryan Perez. “Like he always does, Miguel wants to go in the ring and put on a great show.”

“We tried to do other fights, but you know how the business is,” Perez said. “Kirkland was there, he was willing to fight Miguel, he makes good fights, and we made the fight. Miguel will do his best to give a great show and an exciting fight.”

“Miguel can’t wait to start training with Freddie,” Perez said. “I think the year off was good for Miguel, but he is ready to fight again.”

“It’s a beautiful place,” Perez said. “We’re excited to be the first big sports event there other than football.”

LOS ANGELES (December 7, 2016) – WBC Super Featherweight Champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-2, 17 KOs) will serve as the VIP guest for the stacked Friday, December 16 HBO Latino show at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. His appearance will come just six weeks before he defends his title against Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (30-1, 27 KOs) in a 12-round surefire high-action fight on January 28, from the same venue live on HBO Boxing After Dark.

Vargas, a former Olympian, is coming off back-to-back Fight of the Year performances. First, in 2015, he got off the deck to defeat Takashi Miura and capture his world championship belt in a consensus Fight of the Year war. Earlier this year, Vargas started right where he left off, brawling for 12 rounds with Orlando “Siri” Salido in a contest that ended in a majority draw. In Berchelt, Vargas will face yet another top contender, one with 27 knockouts in his 30 victories.

Christmas will come early for boxing fans at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on December 16 with a massive tripleheader featuring a light heavyweight match-up of top contenders between WBC USNBC Champion Vyacheslav “Lionheart Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (17-0, 14 KOs) and Cuban standout Sullivan Barrera (17-1, 12 KOs) in the main event.

Super lightweight standout and undefeated contender Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (25-0, 16 KOs)will face one of his toughest challenges to date, taking on the always-dangerous and exciting Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado, Jr. (22-3-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBC International Super lightweight Championship in the 10-round co-main event.

Additionally, Bronx-born IBF North American welterweight titlist Eddie “E-Boy” Gomez (19-1, 11 KOs) will put his title on the line in a 10-round fight against undefeated Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (16-0, 11 KOs) of Lynn, Massachusetts to open the HBO Latino broadcast.

Vyacheslav Shabranskyy vs. Sullivan Barrera is a 10-round bout for the WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight championship, presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events and sponsored by “Tecate, BORN BOLD,” and Casa Mexico Tequila Doors open at 4:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 4:00 p.m. PT. The HBO Latino® Boxing telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT

Tickets are on sale and are priced at $25, $35 and $45 and available for purchase now at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mainevents.com and www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @main_events, @HBOLatino, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/maineventsboxing, www.facebook.com/hbolatino, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @main_events.

Bethlehem, PA (December 7, 2016) – This Saturday night, former two-time world welterweight champion Kermit Cintron will take on Rosembeg Gomez in an eight-round bout for the WBF title.

The bout will serve as the co-feature of a card promoted by GH3 Promotions, KIng’s Promotions and will streamed live on www.ringtv.com beginning at 9 PM ET.

In the 10-round main event, welterweight David Peralta (26-2-1, 14 KO’s) takes on Berlin Abreu (13-1, 11 KO’s) for the WBC Latino title.

“Everything went well in camp. Everything is on scheduled, and I am on weight. I sparred with Julian Williams and overall it was a good camp,” said Cintron.

In Gomez, he is facing a fighter who is on a two-fight win streak, yet lost his only appearance in the United States, which ironically took place in the same building as he dropped a decision to undefeated Alex Martin on February 9th.

“I don’t know much about him. I saw one tape, and he seems like a bully and tries to take you out of your game. He is nothing special, nothing that I haven’t seen before. I am just going in there and do what I have worked on, and exploit his mistakes.”

This will be Cintron’s 4th fight in the last 7 months, and he is ready for a good performance, and move on to big opportunities in 2017.

“The game plan was to be built up again. From what (King’s Promotions) Marshall Kauffman has said, 2017 will be a big year and I am looking forward to getting back to the top.”

With a plethora of talent atop the welterweight division, Cintron sees many opportunities for that breakthrough win.

“Whatever fight makes sense for me is who i will fight. I will fight all of the top contenders.”

At 37 years-old, Cintron still feels youthful and has the same energy level he did when he was a welterweight champion a decade again.

“My trainer Joe Pastore has been putting me through the same workouts that I always have done when I was a world champion. They are hard workouts and I don’t feel 37. I don’t feel any changes in my body. I feel good and fresh.”

“I am just excited to be back. This Saturday I will finish the year strong. I am looking to seeing my friends and family and finish the year with a bang!”

Ronald Ellis (12-0-1, 10 KO’s) of Lynn, MA takes on Oscar Riojas (10-6-1, 3 KO’s) of Monterrey, Mexico in a eight-round super middleweight bout.

In 6-round Bouts:

Erik Spring (8-1-1, 1 KO) of Reading, PA battles Grayson Blake (6-4, 2 KO) of State College, PA in a super welterweight bout.

Antowyan Aikens (10-2-1, 1 KO) of Atlantic City, NJ will take on Blake Mansfield (3-0-1, 2 KO’s) of Burlington, NC in a super middleweight bout.

Abraham Nova (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Braintree, MA will box Joshua Santos of San Juan, PR (2-1-1, 2 KOs) in a super featherweight bout.

Derric Rossy (30-12, 14 KO’s) of Medford, New York battles Richard Carmack (15-9-1, 12 KO’s) of Kansas City, Missouri in a heavyweight bout.

In 4-Round Bouts:

Chordale Booker (3-0, 2 KO’s) takes on Dawond Pickney in a super welterweight bout.

Pro debuting Jesus Perez of Reading, PA will square off with Antonio Allen (0-4) of Philadelphia in a super lightweight bout.

Doors open at 6 PM with the 1st fight at 6:30.

Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com for $100, $75 and $50.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Richard Scahefer’s Ringstar Sports has signed Olympic Bronze Medal winner Misael Rodriguez.

“After I came back from the Olympics, I knew that it was time to start my professional career,” Rodriguez said. “I am excited to have signed with Ringstar Sports. I have always appreciated Richard Schaefer’s approach on developing talent into boxing stars. When the time came, picking my promoter was easy. I knew that this is where I wanted to be.”

“He’s very exciting,” Schaefer said. “He’s not as polished or advanced as Carlos Balderas, but he is exciting and he comes to fight, and that is what I like. While I appreciate the sweet science, fans like to see toe-to-toe action, and that is his style.

“He’s going to be the ultimate entertainer and will follow in the footsteps of some of the great Mexican warriors who go and thrill the fans. We are going to take it slow, but he has that ‘it’ factor. He knows how to entertain. His personality, his laugh, his smile — absolutely incredible and that is what really attracted me. He’s a nice, polite, kind young man who loves to entertain fans.”

Schaefer said Rodriguez likely will fight professionally either in the 160-pound middleweight division or 154-pound junior middleweight division. His pro debut, Schaefer said, probably will take place in February in Los Angeles on the same card on which the Balderas brothers will have their pro debuts.

“I’m thrilled to be adding another promising young potential superstar in Misael Rodriguez to the Ringstar lineup,” Schaefer said. “This is a young man who has overcome every obstacle thrown his way. He is mentally strong, has great skills and I expect him to have a very long, successful career. I’m looking forward to helping Misael and his family achieve their goals, and I hope to make him a household name in the sport.”

“I look forward to showing the world the passion and heart I have for the sport I love,” Rodriguez said. “Becoming a world champion has always been a childhood dream, and now it is my No. 1 goal.”

HBO Boxing presents an action-packed tripleheader from two sites when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: TERENCE CRAWFORD VS. JOHN MOLINA JR. AND RAYMUNDO BELTRAN VS. MASON MENARD AND JOSEPH PARKER VS. ANDY RUIZ JR. is seen SATURDAY, DEC. 10 at 9:35 p.m. (live ET/ tape-delayed PT) from CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb. and Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on HBO. The HBO Sports broadcasting team will call the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Dec. 11 (8:50 a.m.) and 12 (12:45 a.m.)

HBO2 playdate: Dec. 11 (3:40 p.m.) and 13 (midnight)

Omaha native Terence “Bud” Crawford (29-0, 20 KOs), 2014’s Fighter of the Year, defends his junior welterweight title for the third time in 2016 before enthusiastic hometown supporters when he meets John Molina Jr. (29-6, 23 KOs) of Covina, Cal. in a 12-round bout.

The 29-year-old Crawford enjoyed an impressive 2015 with knockout victories against top 140-pound contenders Thomas Dulorme and Dierry Jean. Known for speed, precision, defense and power, he defeated Hank Lundy last February and returned to the ring in July to score a dominating victory over the highly regarded, undefeated Viktor Postol in a junior welterweight unification title bout that had the boxing community buzzing. Unafraid of trading blows at close range, Crawford has won four of his last six bouts by thrilling stoppages.

The Omaha showdown marks the third time HBO Sports has traveled to the city for a Crawford fight and is his ninth live fight on HBO.

Molina Jr. is a hard-hitting, high-pressure brawler who challenged for a world title in 2012, and returns to the ring after a career-best upset of heavily favored former junior welterweight champ Ruslan Provodnikov in June. Using skills not seen in previous fights, Molina won a unanimous decision while skyrocketing up the rankings, with some organizations now rating him as high as number one in the world.

The evening’s co-feature is ten-round lightweight battle between two rugged veterans eager to compete for a title shot in 2017. Raymundo Beltran (31-7-1, 19 KOs), a native of Mexico now living in Phoenix, will square off with Mason Menard (32-1, 24 KOs) of Rayne, La. in a crossroads fight for both competitors. Since losing a unanimous decision to Terence Crawford in 2014, Beltran, 35, has notched two impressive knockout wins, while Menard, 28, has also defeated his last three opponents via knockout.

Opening the tripleheader is a world heavyweight title bout from Auckland, New Zealand between hometown favorite Joseph Parker (21-0, 18 KOs), 24, and Mexico’s Andy Ruiz (29-0, 19 KOs), 27, in a 12-round affair. Presented on same-day delay, the fight marks the first world title shot for two fast-rising undefeated competitors, both of whom aim to become their country’s first world heavyweight titleholder.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

The executive producer of WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is Rick Bernstein; producer, Dave Harmon; director, Johnathan Evans.

® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

Wilmington, DE (December 7, 2016) Below are quotes and the video from Tuesday’s press conference announcing the legendary Roy Jones, Jr. taking on Bobby Gunn for the WBF Cruiserweight title.

That bout will take place on February 17th at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware.

Roy Jones, Jr.
“I am happy to be in the ring.”

“Delaware is starving for some activity.”

“I always do things that people don’t expect me to do.”

“I promised Bobby a long time ago that I would give him the opportunity, and I am a man of my word.”

“Come February 17th, I am going to shock the world again.”

Bobby Gunn
“I am a Pitbull dog, and I am coming on February 17th.”

“Roy motivates me. To fight an all-time great is a huge thing for me and I believe that he is top-five all-time.”

“After February 17th, Roy will never forget me for the rest of his life.”

Roy Jones, Jr. vs Bobby Gunn, promoted by David Feldman Promotions for the WBF World Cruiserweight Championship, on Friday, February 17, 2017 and will be aired live on PPV.

Tickets will range from $75 – $300 and can be purchased by calling (484) 935-3378.

The WBA has ordered Fedor Chudinov to fight George Groves for the vacant Super Middleweight title, accrding to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

(L-R) – Rashid Yusupov and Stephan Puetz

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (December 6, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced a blockbuster match-up to kick-off its 2017 season as undefeated M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Rashid Yusupov takes on former titlist Stephan “T-800” Puetz in the M-1 Challenge 74 main event, February 18, in St. Petersburg, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 74 will be streamed live from St. Petersburg in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

The 24-year-old Yusupov (6-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), fighting out of Dagestan, Russia, will be making his first title defense having captured his coveted belt this past May at M-1 Challenge 66, by way of a 5-round unanimous decision over defending champion Viktor Nemkov.

Yusupov (2 KO/TKO, 1 SUB), representing Gorets fight club (Highlander), has three other victories in M-1 Challenge competition over Martin Zawada (DEC3), Mitry Madvedev (KO/TKO1 – Punch) and Charles Andrade (DEC3).

Puetz, 29, has won six of seven M-1 Challenge fights going into fifth title fight. The talented German (5 KO/TKO, 5 SUB) from Team Spirit burst upon the M-1 Global scene 2 ½ years ago, at M-1 Challenge 46, when he challenged M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Nemkov that ended in a 5-round split decision in favor of the new champion, Puetz.

Puetz successfully defended his title, in order, against Luis Fernando (SUB2 – Choke) and Valery Myasnikov (KO2 – Punches), followed with a Super Fight knockout (nose injury) of M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura in the third round of their May 2, 2015 non-title fight at M-1 Challenge 72. Puetz then lost his title to Nemkov by way of a 5-round majority decision in the M-1 Challenge 63 Fight of the Night.

To get back into title contention, Puetz won his last two fights against Andrey Seledtsov (DEC3) and Marcus Vinicius (SUB3 – Choke) this past October at M-1 Challenge 71.

Information

www.M1Global.tv
www.mixfight.ru
www.wmmaa.org

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews
ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premier entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With its office in St Petersburg, Russia, the M-1 brand has staged more than 160 events worldwide, including M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge, M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the U.S. network, Showtime. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Sergei Kharitonov, Aleksander Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2016 has been another sensational year of world-class competition, featuring a full calendar of Challenge events, fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global Champions among the greatest fighters in the sport.

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

LOS ANGELES (December 6, 2016) – Unbeaten junior lightweight contender Sergey Lipinets is wrapping up training camp as he prepares for his world title eliminator against Australia’s Lenny Zappavigna this Saturday, December 10 from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles.

Saturday’s event is headlined by featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar defending againstformer three-division world champion Abner Mares in a long-awaited showdown. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with junior middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo and top-rated challenger Julian Williams in a world championship battle of undefeated rising stars in their prime.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, are on sale and are priced at $35, $50, $75, $150 and $200. To purchase tickets go to www.galentix.com.

Lipinets and Zappavigna will fight in an eliminator for the 140-pound world title won this past weekend by Julius Indongo via a first round knockout of reigning champion Eduard Troyanovsky. Here is what Lipinets had to say about training camp with Buddy McGirt, his matchup on Saturday and more:

On his upcoming title elimination bout against Lenny Zappavigna…
“Zappavigna is a very well-rounded fighter with a lot of experience and I know he’s coming to rip my head off. There is no doubt about it, this fight is going to be tough. We both have a lot at stake because this is a title elimination bout. This will be war and everyone should be tuning in.”

On his recent training camp…
“It’s been a really productive training camp. My coach, Buddy McGirt has studied a lot of tape on Zappavigna and we have a great game plan intact. We are finalizing our last days of camp and we will be ready to go. I’m well prepared for this fight.”

On his rapid rise toward the top of the junior welterweight division…
“I’ve worked really hard and fought a lot of tough opponents to get in this position. In my first fight as a professional boxer, I fought a guy with over 30 fights, so nothing has come easy for me. I’ve earned my right to be here.”

On the possible opportunities that will come with a victory…
“A victory against Zappavigna will put me in position to fight for a world title. The opportunities are endless from then on. Unification bouts, fighting all the champions, those are the type of fights I’m looking forward too. My desire to be the best is all I think about.”

On fighting December 10th in Los Angeles in front of hometown fans…
“Since I’ve moved to America I’ve made a lot of friends in Los Angeles, especially in the Russian community. Anytime your hometown fans can see you fight on a mass scale is a beautiful thing. I have a lot of friends and fans that will be in attendance. I believe my fighting style is pleasing to the eyes of all fans. I’m always looking to knock out my opponent. I know one thing…the Mexican fans will love watching me go to battle. It’s time to take my career to the next level and it starts on Saturday, December 10 in Los Angeles.”

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com,follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing, @JesusCuellarBOX, @AbnerMares, @FutureOfBoxing, @JRockBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 multi-platform channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents extensive UFC fight week coverage, including the UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: LEWIS vs. ABDURAKHIMOV main card from Albany, New York on Friday, Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. ET, plus extensive pre-fight and post-fight coverage for UFC 206: Holloway vs. Pettis in Toronto, Canada.

Headlining the UFC’s debut at Times Union Center in Albany, New York, heavyweight behemoths will collide as No. 10-ranked knockout artist Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis (16-4, 1NC) battles No. 15-ranked Russian export Shamil Abdurakhimov (17-3). Heavyweights also take center stage in the co-main event when No. 12-ranked Cameroonian prospect Francis “The Predator” Ngannou (8-1) looks to continue his meteoric rise against Anthony “Freight Train” Hamilton (15-5). A pair of light heavyweight contests will round out the main card broadcast as No. 9-ranked contender Corey “Beastin 25/8” Anderson (9-2) meets Sean “The Real OC” O’Connell (17-8), while No. 14-ranked New Yorker Gian Villante (14-7) faces undefeated short notice replacement Saparbek Safarov (8-0).

The UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: LEWIS vs. ABDURAKHIMOV main card will air live across Canada on Fight Network at 9 p.m. ET. The event will replay on Dec. 10 at 1 a.m. ET, 10 a.m. ET and 3 p.m. ET.

Immediately following the UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: LEWIS vs. ABDURAKHIMOV main card broadcast, Fight Network presents HARD KNOCKS FIGHTING 52 live from Calgary, Canada, headlined by light heavyweights Rodney Wallace (26-12-1) and Matt Van Buren (7-5), plus Maged Hammo (8-4) meets Hamilton Ash (4-2) for the featherweight title, Arjan Bhullar (5-0) looks to stay perfect against Leroy Johnson (6-2) and local favorite Noah Ali (7-3) tangles with Joaquin Calderon (4-2).

Earlier in the day on Dec. 9 at 12 p.m. ET, Fight Network will televise M-1 CHALLENGE 73: BATTLE OF NARTS live from Nazran, Russia, featuring a championship doubleheader as Ramazan Emeev (14-3) clashes with Anatoly Tokov (24-2) for the middleweight title, while Ivan Buchinger (31-4) defends the featherweight crown against undefeated Magomed Idrisov (6-0). In other featured bouts, Lee Morrison (14-7) meets Movsar Evloev (5-0), Josh Rettinghouse (13-4) squares off with Sergey Morozov (6-1) and Diego D’Avila (15-5) enters hostile territory against Zalimbeg Omarov (7-1-1). The M-1 SELECTION undercard will kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Live UFC 206 fight week coverage begins on Friday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. ET with the official UFC 206 Weigh-ins, as headliners Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis face off one final time before their UFC interim featherweight championship showdown on Saturday night.

Leading into UFC 206: Holloway vs. Pettis on pay-per-view, Fight Network presents a live UFC 206 Pre-Show at 6 p.m. ET from its downtown Toronto studios, featuring on-site fight week interviews, original analysis, plus last-minute picks and predictions

Following Saturday’s pay-per-view event, Fight Network will televise the live UFC 206: Holloway vs. Pettis Post-Fight Press Conference in its entirety.

In addition to all the live events, Fight Network is the destination for UFC library content, specials and series, including The Ultimate Fighter, UFC Unleashed, UFC Now, UFC Ultimate Insider and classic UFC PPV, WEC and PRIDE events.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit www.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Lightweight contender Felix Verdejo will return to the ring following a motorcycle accident earlier this year, on February 3rd in San Juan, Puerto Rico and televised on UniMas.

“Thank God I am 100 percent recovered and well,” Verdejo announced Tuesday. “[I am] pleased to announce that I will return to the ring on Feb. 3.”

“He’s been doing conditioning work. He went for a run over the weekend and a pit bull chased him and almost caught him. He needs to find a new place to run,” Moretti said with a laugh. “But he’s been medically cleared to fight. He’s been doing conditioning for a few weeks and he’ll start sparring in another week or so. He’ll train through the holidays.”

“I think he’s been humbled by the whole situation,” Moretti said. “He’s still young and young people make mistakes. But I think he realizes that when you’re an athlete and have a promising career, you don’t do things like ride motorcycles and jump off cliffs. Overall it was a humbling experience. Forget about losing your career. He almost lost his life and that’s what hits home.

“We think it may be a motivating factor for him. He knows life is short and he has to do everything he can in and out of the ring to achieve his goals.”

2016 Olympic Silver Medal winner Shakur Stevenson signed a managerial contract with James Prince and Andre Ward, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I know I have a great team behind me with J. Prince as the head of it, working with Josh Dubin and Andre Ward,” Stevenson said. “I know that these guys can get me where I want to be, and I feel very comfortable with them behind me. I’m so focused, and I promise to put 110 percent into making sure we become great as a team, and I plan on becoming one of the best boxers on the planet, which is my main goal.

“Now it’s on me to prove to the world that I can be just as great as the legends before me, and trust me, I’m up to the task.”

“It is an honor and a privilege to represent this young man,” Prince said. “Andre, Josh and I know we have the next superstar in the sport. Shakur is not only a gifted fighter but someone that has the ability to be an icon. Our first goal is to sign him with the right promoter. Then, we will be with him every step of the journey toward greatness.”

“I want to give a big thank-you to my grandfather — big time — for getting me where I want to be as far as boxing and becoming the boxer I am today,” Stevenson said. “I want to thank Coach Kay for taking me in and coaching me and keeping me in the boxing environment when I moved away from Jersey. I’m excited for this journey ahead of me, and my main goal is to be great.”

Bethlehem, PA (December 6,, 2016) – This Saturday night, David Peralta will take on Berlin Abreu in a scheduled 10-round bout for the WBC Latino Welterweight title on a massive card that will take place on Saturday, December 10th at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The show, which is promoted by GH3 Promotions, King’s Promotions and Sampson Boxing, will be streamed LIVE on www.ringtv.com

Peralta of Cordoba, Argentina has a record of 26-2-1 with 14 knockouts and is coming off the biggest win of his career, when he upset former world champion Robert Guerrero on August 27th in Anaheim, California.

That victory has catapulted Peralta to the number-15 ranking in the WBC.

“Training ca,p is going well, I am very happy for the opportunity to have camp in the United States and with such great champions along side of me,” said Peralta. “They all have immediately taken me in as one of them and want the best for me and push me to my limitdaily. There is so much knowledge between all of these fighters in Caicedo Sports and here in camp with Herman Caicedo. Herman is the most professional person I have met in this sport. He has really enhanced my style and tried to fix the details in my style that will give me the vision of what’s to come. All and all, camp is going great and I look forward to the next one.”

In Abreu, he is facing a veteran with a good, but mostly untested record.

“Well other than that he’s coming to fight and try to win, I don’t know much about him. Some guys in my camp know him and say he is tough and a bit wild. Herman doesn’t know much about him, but he says he knows the type. Therefore, we are preparing for anyone with any style. I can not wait to fight already.”

With that big win against Guerrero on August 27th, Peralta is now being recognized as a contender in the crowded welterweight division.

“It obviously allowed me to have a camp in the United States with a top trainer. It put me in position to possibly fight top guys and even champions very soon. I need to continue to do my jo, which is winning and improving as a fighter. No one knew me before the fight with Guerrero, and now people have heard of me or at least boxing people have, That is a good thing for my family and me. Sampson Lewkowicz has promised me great things and he is delivering. ”

Peralta now feels that he can compete with the top fighters.

“I am not really sure, but I do believe that I belong with the top fighters. If anything, my physical strength. I believe that i can beat them all. You will have to knock me out in order to beat me. I am just so excited for this fight and I am looking forward for what my promoter has in store for me. I am prepared with Argentinian pride for every fight. I want to thank Sampson Lewkowicz my promoter, my trainer Herman Caicedo and my training partners in camp which are world class fighters Juan Carlos Payano, Luis Ortiz and Edison Miranda.”

Abreu of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic has a record of 13-1 with 11 knockouts.

The 24 year-old is a six year professional and has knocked out his last six opponents, which includes a 1st round stoppage over Juan Carlos Contreras on October 22, 2015.

In an eight-round bout for the WBF Welterweight title, former world champion, Kermit Cintron (38-5-2, 29 KO’s) of Reading, PA takes on Rosemberg Gomez (19-5-1, 15 KO’s) of Managua, Nicaragua.

Ronald Ellis (12-0-1, 10 KO’s) of Lynn, MA takes on Oscar Riojas (10-6-1, 3 KO’s) of Monterrey, Mexico in a eight-round super middleweight bout.

In 6-round Bouts:

Erik Spring (8-1-1, 1 KO) of Reading, PA battles Grayson Blake (6-4, 2 KO) of State College, PA in a super welterweight bout.

Antowyan Aikens (10-2-1, 1 KO) of Atlantic City, NJ will take on Blake Mansfield (3-0-1, 2 KO’s) of Burlington, NC in a super middleweight bout.

Abraham Nova (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Braintree, MA will box Joshua Santos of San Juan, PR (2-1-1, 2 KOs) in a super featherweight bout.

Derric Rossy (30-12, 14 KO’s) of Medford, New York battles Richard Carmack (15-9-1, 12 KO’s) of Kansas City, Missouri in a heavyweight bout.

In 4-Round Bouts:

Chordale Booker (3-0, 2 KO’s) takes on La’Torie Woodberry (1-2-1) of Roanoke, Virginia in a super welterweight bout.

Pro debuting Jesus Perez of Reading, PA will square off with Antonio Allen (0-4) of Philadelphia in a super lightweight bout.

Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com for $100, $75 and $50.

LOS ANGELES (December 6, 2016) – Featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar and former three-division world champion Abner Mares will meet in a long-awaited world championship showdown this Saturday, December 10 at Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles and live on SHOWTIME.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with junior middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo and top-rated challenger Julian Williams in a battle of undefeated rising stars in their prime.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are priced at $35, $50, $75, $150 and $200. To purchase tickets go to www.galentix.com.

The hard-hitting Cuellar of Argentina and the decorated Mares of Southern California shared some fun facts and spoke about their interests outside of boxing before they lace up the gloves and meet in the center of the ring on December 10.

Read below to learn more about the two fighters before their main event showdown:

JESUS CUELLAR

1. If you could have one super power, what would it be?

It would be super strength. My nephew already calls me The Incredible Hulk.

2. What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m a very good cook. I can cook lots of things for myself. I love cooking for my family.

3. What is your favorite snack?

A torta dulce, a sweet sandwich served in Latin American countries throughout the world.

4. Least favorite food?

I hate pickles.

5. What do you do for extra motivation?

I watch the movie “300” during training and before fights.

6. What is your favorite book?

My favorite book is “Martin Fierro,” a 2316-line poem written by Argentina’s Jose Hernandez.

7. If you weren’t a boxer, what would you be doing?

I would want to be a horse jockey. Their job is very interesting. My body would look a lot different, but I think I could be good at it.

8. What is one of your most impressive physical feats?

I’ve done as many as 1,200 sit-ups in a day.

9. Do you have any fight night superstitions?

It’s not really a superstition, but I wear red and white in the ring during every fight.

10. If you could have dinner with one historical figure who would it?

It would be former unified middleweight world champion and Argentine legend Carlos Monzon.

ABNER MARES

1. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a ‘dance dad.’ My oldest daughter Emily is on a dance team that went to the national championship in Connecticut when I fought Leo Santa Cruz. We stopped the workout at the track and the entire team huddled around my iPhone to watch her. It made me really proud – she did really well! She has her winter recital on the night of the fight, but I’m hoping to watch part of it on Facetime while I’m in the locker room.

2. What is a guilty pleasure you have?

It’s definitely my collection of sports cars. I call it my ‘auto wardrobe.’ My favorites are the different Mercedes I have.

3. What’s the most extravagant thing you own?

I wrapped one of my Mercedes in pure gold. That would have to be it.

4. Do you have any business endeavors outside of boxing?

My wife and I just opened up “Nathalie’s Essence of Beauty.” It’s a full service makeup salon in Downey that I’m excited to see grow.

5. What is a food you hate?

Olives. I’ve never liked them and I never will.

6. Who’s your favorite musician?

My favorite music is from Ariel Camacho. He was a regional Mexican singer who died in a car accident in 2015 in Sinaloa, Mexico. He walked me out for my fight against Oquendo and then the band walked me out for my fight against Santa Cruz after Ariel had passed. The band is called Los Plebes de Rancho and “El Karma” is a must-have CD.

7. What is your ideal birthday present?

The one thing my friends always get me that I love is cologne. I have cologne from all different brands from all over the world. I like smelling good.

8. What is your favorite snack?

Definitely a Snickers bar. They’re another guilty pleasure, but not during training camp.

9. If you could have dinner with one historical figure, who would it be?

I would say Pablo Escobar. He’s a guy I couldn’t pass up meeting.

10. If you weren’t a boxer, what would you be doing?

I would want to be an architect. I love the art, structure and function of buildings – homes and offices. From the design, to the way it’s used, it’s something I’m very interested in.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing, @JesusCuellarBOX, @AbnerMares, @FutureOfBoxing, @JRockBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

New York (December 6, 2016) -Split-T Management is pleased to announce the signing of another member of the 2016 United States Olympic Team, Antonio Vargas to a managerial contract..

Vargas of Kissimmee, Florida was the Flyweight representative for the 2016 U.S. Team.

“I have known Split-T Management’s David McWater for several years. The people I know told me a lot of positive things about him. He showed me he was a good person and the man who can manage my career the way it should be,” said Vargas.

Said Split-T Management’s David McWater, “Antonio is just a special kid. Of course he has all the talent and physical tools, but he is so much more than that. He’s got incredible focus and determination. Not to mention, he is always very classy. I wanted to represent him since the first time that I saw him at the National Golden Gloves, and I know he will be a world champion.”

He was considered one of the best pound for pound fighters on the squad, and the most successful amateur of the team heading into the games. He was a U.S. Youth Open champion, U.S. National Elite champion, two-time National Golden Gloves champion and won the Gold Medal at the Pan American Games at the age of 18. Those accomplishments led him to be named the 2015 USA Boxing Male Athlete of the Year.

In the 2016 Olympics, Vargas lost to eventual Gold medal winner Shakhobibdin Zoirov of Uzbekistan.

Vargas will turn professional at either 115 or 118 pounds and his handlers believe that he will fight up to junior lightweight before his career is complete.

Vargas has a very exciting style, and he has taken traits from some of the best fighters in the world that he feels makes him a complete fighter.

“I would compare my style to Manny Pacquiao, Vasyl Lomachenko, and going back a bit, Orlando Canizales because all three had fast hands and feet with the ability to stop on a dime and unleash powerful shots to the head and body that can get you out of there.”

Vargas began boxing at age nine.

“I had ADHD, and was a very hyper kid that was always fighting and getting into trouble,” said Vargas. “One of my teachers actually told my parents to put me on medication. My father instead brought me to the boxing in gym in hopes it would help me burn a lot of energy and tire me out.”

“I told my teacher that I was on medication but it was actually boxing that helped calm me down so I could focus on my studies and stay out of trouble.”

As Vargas grew older, boxing became more of a future then just an activity.

“I won a lot of state tournaments, but when I won the US Youth Open Tournament at age 16, I realized I could make boxing my career. I was undefeated for 4 years, which I won several gold medals at the National Golden Gloves, U.S National Championships and Pan American Games.”

Vargas believes that all of his international experience will help him in the pros because he was exposed to the many different styles of boxing, and now he is extremely motivated due to his Olympic experience.

“The Olympics did not go as I wanted. I lost to the eventual gold medal winner. The loss made me real hungry and now I train harder than I ever did before because I want to be the best.”

“I plan on turning professional as either a junior bantamweight or bantamweight and win world championships in four different weight divisions. I am going to achieve greatness while glorifying Jesus Christ and to spread his word.

According to Dan Rafael, Top will co-promoted undefeated heavyweight Joseph Parker with Duco Ecents going forward, which includes his WBO title bout this Saturday night with Andy Ruiz in Auckland, New Zealand.

“Listen, having been in this business 50-plus years, I don’t expect anybody to win a fight, particularly when it’s as close on paper as this one is,” Top Rank’s Bob Arum said. “I really think that the winner of this fight probably has the best chance to be the pre-eminent heavyweight, I really believe that.

“Parker has natural skills. He’s so big and he punches so hard, and Andy has the fastest hands that I’ve seen on a heavyweight since Muhammad Ali.”

“But no promoter can make a fighter a star,” Arum said. “A fighter has to make himself a star. A promoter can only help by getting the right fights, getting the right publicity, but the idea that the promoter makes the star, as flattering as that is, is just not the case.

“If Parker does defeat Andy Ruiz then we will, together with Duco, perhaps have Parker fight in the United States, then come back here and then fight in China. Believe me, this [is] just the start.

“We have massive global ambitions for Joseph and for a number of other fighters,” said Duco’s Dean Lonergan, whose company will still control any fights and revenue in New Zealand and Australia. “Just because we come from New Zealand doesn’t mean to say that we can’t do it overseas. In fact, it encourages us to go overseas because our market is so small.”

CANASTOTA, NY – DECEMBER 6, 2016 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the members of the Class of 2017. Inductees include three Modern category boxers who all enter the Hall in their first year of eligibility; Mexico’s three-division champion “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera,undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield and three-division champion Johnny “Mi Vida Loca” Tapia (posthumous). Non-participants and observers to be inducted include Australian trainer Johnny Lewis, veteran judge Jerry Roth, journalist / broadcaster Steve Farhood and broadcaster Barry Tompkins.

“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2017 and are very much looking forward to paying tribute to the new inductees in Canastota next June,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.

The 2017 Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 8-11th in Canastota, NY. Over 10 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned. An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year’s Induction Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 11th to welcome the newest members.

The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: Eddie Booker in the Old-Timer Category; and ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Sr. in the Non Participant Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians. Biographies on the Class of 2017 can be found on www.ibhof.com

For more information on the events planned for the 2017 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.

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COMMENTS UPON RECEIVING INDUCTION NEWS

“I’m honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and I’d just like to thank Jesus for giving me the tenacity to not quit.”

– Evander Holyfield

“This is the best news for me. I’m very happy to hear this news that I have been inducted into the Hall of Fame and I am excited to go to Canastota!”

– Marco Antonio Barrera

“I’m going to use his words. What he used to say is, it doesn’t matter how many times you fall, it’s how many times you pick yourself up to be successful.”

– Teresa Tapia, wife of Johnny Tapia

“Awesome. That is amazing news. I think it is so extremely meaningful for my family. My mom was brought to tears when she heard that he was nominated. She is 94 years old now and I guarantee you she is going to be at the ceremony with so much pride. Our whole family will. We are thrilled and honored.”

– Jimmy Lennon Jr., son of Jimmy Lennon Sr.

“What an honor. It’s something you never think is going to be bestowed upon someone and when it is, it’s just a wonderful feeling not only for yourself, but for your family and the guys that were responsible for that happening and they were the fighters.”

– Johnny Lewis

“It feels terrific. I can’t describe it. I’m absolutely thrilled. I did a lot of title fights over the years – over 200. I’m thrilled.”

– Jerry Roth

“This is highest honor I could possibly receive. I have such respect for the International Boxing Hall of Fame. I’ve been a visitor so many times but next year will be special for obvious reasons. It serves as validation for a career that has been boxing, and pretty much nothing but boxing, for almost 40 years. I am truly touched and honored and I can’t wait until June.”

– Steve Farhood

“Wow. I’m really flattered. To be recognized by the boxing community in general and by my peers in the media in particular is the highest compliment I could be given as a broadcaster. You want the respect of your peers and that’s what I’ve always strived for. I couldn’t be happier.”

– Barry Tompkins

Rising Super-Bantamweight talent Tommy Ward has signed a long-term promotional deal with Hall of Fame Promoter Frank Warren. British title hopeful Ward joins Warren with a red-hot unbeaten record of 19 wins form 19 fights with two coming via knockout.

Ward, trained by Neil Fannon in Hartlepool and managed by David Garside, is aiming to bring big time boxing back to the North East. The County Durham slickster joins Warren’s growing stable of fighters that features identical Guisborough twins Josh and Kalam Leather.

The exciting duo have attracted a lot of attention since teaming up with Warren and now Ward is confident he can take his career onto the next level under the guidance of the boxing supremo. 22-year-old Ward is described by many fight fans in the North East as British boxing’s best kept secret but is now looking to propel his name into the limelight.

“I’m over the moon to be signing with Frank Warren,” said Ward. “In my eyes he is one of the best promoters in the world. He always gets his lads the fights they want and the fights they need. I’m really excited to be working with him and featuring on some big fight nights. Hopefully I can push on under his guidance and bring massive boxing to the North East for everybody.

“I’m a skilful and unique boxer. I like to keep to my boxing but I can mix it up and fight when I have to. I’m a smart fighter and I like to outbox people and show my skills. Anyone out there who wants to watch me will be in for a nice little treat.

“My early career has been managed by David Garside and Neil Fannon and they’ve been getting me out often which is great. They’ve put me in with some decent opponents, everyone I’ve fought hasn’t been a walkover and I’ve had some tough fights and learnt my job properly.”

The British Boxing Board of Control recently instructed Ward’s British title showdown with Liverpudlian Jazza Dickens to be staged by the end of February 2017. Ward knows he will have his work cut out against warrior Dickens who has lost just twice, to Sheffield ace Kid Galahad and Cuban pound-for-pound star Guillermo Rigondeaux, in 24 fights.

Martin Ward, Tommy’s older brother, went to war with Dickens in a challenge for the Lonsdale Belt last November but narrowly missed out in a split decision loss. Tommy is determined to avenge his brother’s loss and is predicting another barn burner of a fight.

“I got myself into the mandatory position for the British title by beating Robbie Turley in my eliminator. I’ve beat everyone who they’ve put in front of me to get to that spot. I know Jazza and his trainers and they’re all nice lads and I get along with them but this is business. He owns the British belt and I want it.

“It will be a good fight. I watched him box my brother and it was a cracking fight. I’m going to be on top form for him and I’m expecting him to be on top form for me. It’s going to be one hell of a fight.”

Trainer Neil Fannon said: “Tommy is top class. Anybody who enjoys the art of self-defence and likes to see a real nice boxer will love watching Tommy. If you look at his record he’s only stopped two opponents but he could have stopped a lot more.

“He’s just serving his time and doing everything right. We’ve gone under the radar a bit because of his age but he’s had the right fights at the right times. He does everything we ask of him and he’s never had a drink of alcohol in his life. He’s a pleasure to train and he can really push onto the next level under the guidance of Frank.

“Tommy deserves to get some television exposure. Me and David Garside know how good Tommy is, as do the fans up here. But it will be brilliant for the rest of the country to see him box. It’s great Frank has recognised his talent and wants to promote him.”

Frank Warren said: “Tommy is gifted with bags of natural boxing ability and I’m thrilled to be adding him to our growing stable of talent. He lives and breathes boxing and has the right attitude to take him far in the sport. He has a tough test next against Jazza and I’m sure it will be an exciting contest for the fans.”

You can follow Tommy on Twitter: tommy2ward and Instagram: thomaspatrickward

Callum Smith says the pressure is on to beat Luke Blackledge in style when he defends his British Super-Middleweight title at the Manchester Arena on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Smith defends his British title for the first time against Blackledge and insist he’s 100 per cent focussed on keeping hold of the Lord Lonsdale belt – but the unbeaten Super-Middleweight talent knows the big one is just around the corner.

‘Mundo’ dismissed Hadillah Mohoumadi inside a round in Liverpool in April to land the mandatory spot in the WBC. The Liverpool star then flew out to Washington DC to see WBC king Badou Jack defeat Lucian Bute in the second defence of his crown – with IBF champion James DeGale seeing off Rogelio Medina on the same bill, with Smith waiting in the wings to meet the winner of their unification bout.

Smith knows Blackledge will give him a real test in Manchester on a big stage for the Lancastrian. Blackledge lost against Smith’s hometown foe Rocky Fielding in 2013 for the Commonwealth title having taken the fight at late notice. Since that defeat, the 26 year old has won eight in a row and picked up the Commonwealth title – so Smith knows that he faces a hungry fighter, and says that will raise his game as he shows the world what he’ll bring to the table when he gets his crack at the top prize.

“It’s important to have the British belt on the line in a proper fight,” said Smith. “Luke is a local lad, there’s going to be a bit of spite in there and it’s the last chance for me to prove that I am good enough to go and beat the winner of Jack and DeGale.

“The better the opponent the better you’ll see from me. A lot of fighters say that and I don’t think there’s many truer statements in boxing than that. It’s definitely the case for me. When I started off landing title fights and people were saying that this will be a tough test, I started to believe that and it would bring an extra level or two out of me.

“I’m proud to be British champion, people forget that, and I want to defend it. If I lose this I won’t fight for a World title, and I don’t deserve to. He’s coming to win, it’s a big night for him and he’s got a lot to gain.

“He lost to Rocky but there’s a lot of good wins on his record. He’s sparred World champions and always come out with praise from them for being tough. He’s coming to get a win that will change his career, but if I am as good as people say I am, then it’s not just about winning it’s about looking good doing it.”

After their wins in Washington, Jack and DeGale agreed to meet in a unification clash following their wins, but that’s not happening until January 14 in Brooklyn. Smith has boxed twice while waiting for the champions to set their date – at Goodison Park in May and then in London in September – and while he admits he’s not been at his best, he’s glad to have the rounds under his belt before a potential World title crack.

“It’s taken longer to get to the World title than it should have done but I know that it’s coming,” said Smith. “I’ve had some low key fights since I knew I had the mandatory shot so while it’s been a bit frustrating, I’ve always known the outcome in the end, a World title shot is on the way.
“In an ideal world I would have beaten Mohoumadi and then fought Badou Jack the next fight, but it doesn’t always work like that in boxing. I went to watch Badou and James fight in their fights in Washington and they agreed to meet in a unification so I knew that I was going to have to wait.

“I can’t really be that frustrated as I knew that the unification would take precedence. I’ve had three fights instead of the one, but I’ve always had that end goal in mind and I’ve now had three extra training camps to keep working and improving through so that’s a positive for me too. I’m a better fighter than I was last year and now I really feel that I will take my shot when it comes.

“I wasn’t great in my last two fights, I switched off a bit because there was no fear factor. After being in there for 40 seconds I knew I would win so I got a bit bored and allowed myself to make mistakes and switch off, then I’d be thinking that they should be out of there by now. Sometimes fighters find a way to hang in there and frustrate you so it was good to experience that.”

Smith and Blackledge clash as part of a huge night of action in Manchester as Anthony Joshua MBE defends his IBF World Heavyweight title against Eric Molina.

Dillian Whyte faces bitter London rival Dereck Chisora in an official eliminator for the WBC Heavyweight title and Scott Quigg returns to action against Jose Cayetano for the vacant WBA International Featherweight title.

Kal Yafai can become Birmingham’s first World champion but the unbeaten 27 year old faces a tough task to rip the WBA Super-Flyweight title against Luis Concepcion, the two-weight World champion that will enter the ring in his 11th World title outing.

Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor boxes for the second time in the paid ranks against Viviane Obenauf, Heavyweights Luis Ortiz and Dave Allen also clash and Hosea Burton will defend his British Light-Heavyweight title against Frank Buglioni.

Limited tickets remain on from http://www.manchester-arena.com/ and on 0844 847 8000 VIP tickets are £800 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Face value tickets for December 10 are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

06 December 2016 – SINGAPORE: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced its blockbuster 2017 schedule.

This past year, ONE Championship delivered world-class mixed martial arts (MMA) action to iconic Asian cities across the region, breaking into new Chinese markets while continuing to delight fans in key Asian destinations. The promotion also successfully held a live event at the Cotai Arena in glitzy Macau, and became the first-ever major MMA promotion to hold a live event in Bangkok, Thailand.

Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “2016 has been a phenomenal year for ONE Championship. It was absolutely historic for the promotion and 2017 promises to be even better.

“With the addition of key senior leaders to aid ONE with our growth plans, the promotion is in an unbelievable position to make some major waves in the global MMA industry. Together we aim to deliver fans a continuously unique experience that they will never forget.

“ONE Championship is coming out in full force to hold electric live events all over mainland China, with plans to break into new and exciting markets in Vietnam, South Korea and Japan. I know fans can’t wait for ONE to come to town. Get ready for one of the biggest years in MMA.”

In 2016, ONE Championship saw the birth of new world champions, sold out iconic stadiums and arenas all across the world, and entered exciting new markets. Growth has increased exponentially, attracting new major sponsorships and forging stronger business relationships with partners.

With groundbreaking new network television deals, ONE Championship is now broadcast to over one billion viewers in more than 118 countries worldwide, with a loyal and passionate fan base of supporters from nations all across the globe.

2017 promises to be even better in terms of viewership and popularity as ONE Championship lays out plans for new markets.

ONE Championship has announced plans for live shows in its usual major cities of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila, and Yangon. The promotion is also set to return to the Cotai Arena in Macau and the Impact Arena in Bangkok. New markets Vietnam and Japan are also in the works as well as multiple destinations in mainland China including Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing.

In line with ONE Championship’s growth strategy, building local homegrown Asian martial arts heroes from the grassroots, the promotion is set to take advantage of the potential of world-class MMA in Vietnam, South Korea and Japan with events to be announced at a later date.

ONE Championship 2017 Schedule

Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta Convention Center
Saturday, January 14

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Stadium Negara
Friday, February 10

Bangkok, Thailand
Impact Arena
Saturday, March 11

Manila, Philippines
Mall of Asia Arena
Friday, April 21

Singapore
Singapore Indoor Stadium
Friday, May 26

Beijing, China
Le Sports Center
Friday, June 30

Yangon, Myanmar
Thuwunna Indoor Stadium
Friday, July 14

Macau, China
Cotai Arena
Saturday, August 12

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Stadium Negara
Friday, August 18

Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta Convention Center
Saturday, September 16

Shenzhen, China
Bao An Stadium
Saturday, October 21

Da Nang, Vietnam
Tien Son Sport Center
Friday, October 27

Yangon, Myanmar
Thuwunna Indoor Stadium
Friday, November 1

Manila, Philippines
Mall of Asia Arena
Friday, November 10

Singapore
Singapore Indoor Stadium
Friday, November 24

Beijing, China
Le Sports Center
Saturday, December 2

Bangkok, Thailand
Impact Arena
Saturday, December 9

Shanghai, China
Mercedes Benz Center
Tuesday, December 12

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, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia featuring the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Championship is broadcast to over 1 billion viewers across 118+ countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including FOX Sports, Setanta, MNC, Astro, Thairath TV, ABS-CBN, TV5, MYTV, HTV, Esporte Interativo and more.

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 5, 2016) Living legend and former two-division world champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (55-7 2, 32 KOs) was recognized today by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney with an honorary ceremonial Liberty Bell to commemorate his final career fight against Joe Smith, Jr. for the WBC International Light Heavyweight Championship set for Saturday, December 17 at The Forum in Los Angeles. The bout will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, joined Hopkins and Mayor Kenney to celebrate the former’s legendary career that spans four decades.

Following the presentation with Mayor Kenney, Hopkins hosted a media workout in Philadelphia at Joe Hand Boxing Gym ahead of his “Final 1” 12-round fight with Joe Smith, Jr. for the WBC International Light Heavyweight Championship set for Saturday, December 17 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Los Angeles. The bout will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

Hopkins was joined by his head trainer John David Jackson and his promoter Oscar De La Hoya at Joe Hand Boxing Gym for the media workout. Below are select photos from today’s events in Philadelphia:

(Left to Right) Two-division former world champion and Future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (Right) is presented with an award by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney on December 5, 2016 in Philadelphia prior to Hopkins 12-round fight for the WBC International Light Heavyweight title against hard-hitting Light Heavyweight contender Joe Smith, Jr. from Los Angeles’ iconic Fabulous Forum on Saturday, December 17 to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

(Left to Right) Two-division former world champion and Future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (Right) and Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya (Left) pose on December 5, 2016 in Philadelphia prior to Hopkins 12-round fight for the WBC International Light Heavyweight title against hard-hitting Light Heavyweight contender Joe Smith, Jr. from Los Angeles’ iconic Fabulous Forum on Saturday, December 17 to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

(Left to Right) Two-division former world champion and Future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins hits the mitts during his media workout on December 5, 2016 in Philadelphia prior to Hopkins 12-round fight for the WBC International Light Heavyweight title against hard-hitting Light Heavyweight contender Joe Smith, Jr. from Los Angeles’ iconic Fabulous Forum on Saturday, December 17 to be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

Hopkins vs. Smith takes place Saturday, December 17 on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT from the “Fabulous” Forum in Los Angeles.

Hopkins vs. Smith is a 12-round WBC International Light Heavyweight Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Star Boxing. Diaz vs. Garcia is a 10-round NABF featherweight title match presented by Golden Boy Promotions. Usyk vs. Mchunuis a 12-round WBO Cruiserweight World Title battle presented by K2 Promotions in association with Main Events. The event is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be televised live on Saturday December 17, 2016 from Inglewood, California’s “Fabulous” Forum on HBO’s flagship series beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets for Hopkins vs. Smith are now on sale and are priced at $25, $50, $75, $105 and $205, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the Forum Box Office (Monday through Friday 11:00am PST to 7:00pm PST) at (310) 330-7300. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

B-roll and images of Hopkins vs. Smith are available for use and download HERE or by copying and pasting: bit.ly/HopkinsSmith. Video and photo credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions.

Glassboro, N.J. (Dec. 5, 2016) – Fresh off a dominant TKO victory of Zoltan Sera last month in Philadelphia, Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster (21-1, 11 KOs) will make a return to the ring on Jan. 21st at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, N.J. Standing opposite him that night will be Thomas Awimbono (25-5-1, 21 KOs), with the IBO Super Middleweight Championship on the line.

“I am extremely excited because it has been a few years since the last time I fought in New Jersey,” the Glassboro native stated. “Just being able to fight back in New Jersey feels good. I really have to take my hat off to the amount of supporters who have already committed to coming out to this fight.”

With the IBO Super Middleweight Championship on the line, Webster says that the intensity surrounding this camp is already at an extreme level.

“My trainers and I have really kicked it into high gear,” he remarked. “(Head trainer) Denny Brown and (assistant) Robert Rossi are already pushing me to my limits. In order to be a champion, you have to train like a champion. I am so hungry for this right now, and all I can think about is the amount of sacrifices that I have made to get to this point. This shot here, I am taking it by the horns, and we are going to ride it all night long. This boy is going to have hell to pay. It might be a 10-round fight, but I really don’t know if it is going to make it the distance.”

A newly married man, Webster quickly put to rest any concerns regarding his mental focus in his last fight, where he knocked down Sera three times before a referee stoppage in the 5th round.

“With me getting married in September, so many people questioned whether or not I would be the same guy,” he said. “I found out about my last fight at the wedding. We were supposed to go on a month-long honeymoon, and I shut my honeymoon down to start preparing for the fight. If that’s not sacrifice and determination, I don’t know what is. I wanted to make a statement that in 2017 I am going to be a problem, period. I don’t want any .500 fighters or guys with bad records. I never wanted any fighters like that, but I just fought who they put in front of me. With this last guy, it had to start with him in terms of what I am trying to accomplish in 2017.”

The card on Jan. 21st is being promoted by Renee Aiken, someone who has been a consistent ally of Webster throughout his career.

“Going into the last fight, I had every intention of staying busy afterwards,” Webster confirmed. “Right after we took care of business with our last opponent, I immediately started looking for another card. I reached out to Renee Aiken about a spot on one of her future cards, and she helped us get this fight locked up. I just really wanted to stay busy after the last fight to keep the momentum going.”

Webster vs. Awimbono will be the co-feature bout on the Jan. 21st card, with former four-time world champion Zab Judah making his return to boxing in the main event.

“I met Zab Judah when I was in camp with Jean Pascal a few years ago,” Webster recollected. “Above all things, he is a great person. He is a four-time world champion, and that is such a huge accomplishment. I always said I was the main event, even when I have not been fighting in the main event. I always wanted to be the most exciting fighter on the card. But for me to get to share the stage with a guy of his stature, that means a whole lot to me. I’m a southpaw, he’s a southpaw. In my book, I’m calling this night the southpaw showdown. I am excited to see Zab once again, and I am going to bring him to the ring in unbelievable fashion. I am going to handle my business, and then I am going to sit back and watch Zab do his thing.”

Tickets for this upcoming fight card at the Sun National Bank Center are on sale now. Prices range from $35, $55 and $75, and they can be purchased today by calling the Team Webster office at (856) 904-8590.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (December 5, 2016) – A super showdown between M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Ramazan Emeev (14-3-0, M-1: 8-1-0) and knockout artist Anatoly Tokov (24-2-0, M-1: 9-1-0) headlines this Friday’s (Dec.9 ) M-1 Challenge 73: Battle of Narts in Ingushetia, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 73 will be streamed live from Ingushetia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, undefeated welterweight prospect Ed Brown passed away from a Gunshot wound in Chicago over the weekend.

Brown was 20-0 with 16 knockouts.

“He lost his life at 25 years old for nothing.” said Brown’s manager Cameron Dunkin.. “Those people in Chicago shoot you for no reason. It’d be different if he was out there gang banging or running around or dealing drugs. He wasn’t doing any of those things. He was such a quiet kid. He was so bashful. You’d never know how tough he was in the ring talking to him outside the ring.”

“He had a lot of ability, and everybody who was around him who worked with him was amazed how good he was,” Dunkin said. “When I got him a little over a year-and-half ago, I was very excited to sign him. He was ready to go fast and we were moving him fast. Everybody in boxing who knew him liked Ed Brown. All the guys at the gym loved him.

“He was so excited about being 20-0 and so excited about being so close to breaking through. He was excited about what he was going to do. He believed and I believed he was going to be a world champion. It’s just such a shame, just such a waste of a life.”

“I told him he had to get out of Chicago. I begged him to get out of Chicago,” Dunkin said. “And every time I had him ready to go, (trainer) George (Hernandez) would call me and say he’s not going to leave. It’s sad they can’t leave that environment.”

This reporter interviewed Brown just 4 weeks ago.