David Morrell Jr. Says David Benavidez is the Biggest Bitch in Boxing

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (June 21, 2023) — WBA Regular Super Middleweight Champion, David Morrell Jr. (9-0, 8 KOs), has issued another bold statement to undefeated WBC Interim Champ, David Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs). Morrell Jr., brimming with confidence after his recent triumphs in the ring, says Benavidez is a coward and is always looking for a way out when talks to fight him emerge.

“David Benavidez is a big bitch,” said Morrell Jr. “His dad is a big fraud always talking like he’s some tough guy but he’s just a small man with little man complex. His brother wants to be gangster who talks a lot of shit but got knocked out by Crawford and did a horrible job in the move Creed. The Benavidez’ are a bunch of cowards. This is the guy you call The Mexican Monster? He’s a fraud. This is the guy everyone is building up. I see a fat insecure boy…that’s what I see. Benavidez couldn’t walk down any street in Cuba without getting his shoes taken. Funny he calls Canelo a duck, who’s the duck now?

David Morrell Jr.’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of remarkable. With an unblemished record and a reputation for his explosive knockout power, the Cuban-born star has captivated audiences worldwide. Having earned the coveted WBA Regular Super Middleweight title in just his third professional bout, Morrell Jr. has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with.

Now, setting his sights on David Benavidez, Morrell Jr. seeks to test his skills against one of the division’s most accomplished fighters. With an unbeaten record and a staggering knockout ratio, Benavidez has emerged as one of the sport’s most dangerous fighters. A clash between the two would undoubtedly be a matchup of epic proportions, showcasing the pinnacle of skill, power, and determination in the super middleweight division.

The potential showdown between Morrell Jr. and Benavidez has generated enormous excitement among boxing fans, who are eagerly anticipating a clash of titans. Should the fight materialize, it promises to be a high-stakes battle that will undoubtedly go down in boxing history as a classic showdown.




David Morrell Jr., Delivers a Pitch-Perfect Moment at Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox Game

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (June 20, 2023) – Last night, WBA Super Middleweight Regular Champion, David Morrell Jr. (9-0, 8 KOs), displayed his talent outside the boxing ring as he took center stage at the highly anticipated matchup between the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox. Morrell Jr. captivated the audience at Target Field when he stepped onto the pitcher’s mound to throw out the first pitch.

Fans cheered and applauded the arrival of David Morrell Jr., who has become a rising star in the world of professional boxing. Known for his devastating knockout power and charisma, Morrell Jr. has dominated the super middleweight division since he turned professional in 2019. His presence on the mound was that of a Cuban superstar.  With the spotlight firmly fixed on him, Morrell Jr. flawlessly executed the ceremonial first pitch with accuracy.

“It was an incredible honor to throw out the first pitch at such an iconic sporting event,” said David Morrell Jr. “Boxing has been my passion for as long as I can remember, but it’s always exciting to try something new and showcase my abilities beyond the ring. I want to thank the Minnesota Twins, along with The Armory and Warriors Boxing for this unforgettable opportunity.”

David Morrell Jr.’s appearance at the game also provided an opportunity for fans to interact with the champion and gain insight into his remarkable journey. Following the ceremonial pitch, Morrell Jr. took part in an exclusive meet-and-greet session, signing autographs and engaging with fans who have supported him throughout his boxing career.




UFC® RETURNS TO NASHVILLE WITH EXCITING BANTAMWEIGHT CONTENDERS’ BOUT BETWEEN (#4) CORY SANDHAGEN AND (#11) UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Nashville with an intriguing bantamweight contenders’ bout that will see No. 4 ranked Cory Sandhagen take on undefeated No. 11 Umar Nurmagomedov. Also, former strawweight champion and No. 5 ranked contender Jessica Andrade plans to take out unbeaten No. 10 Tatiana Suarez.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: SANDHAGEN vs. NURMAGOMEDOV will take place at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, Aug. 5. The main card airing on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (English and Spanish) starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The prelims will be available on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ beginning at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: SANDHAGEN vs. NURMAGOMEDOV tickets are set to go on sale to the public on Friday, June 23 at 10 a.m. CT and will be available through ticketmaster.com.Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, June 21 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, June 22 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Sandhagen (16-4, fighting out of Aurora, Colo.) plans to keep his momentum going by securing his third consecutive victory. A dynamic striker, he has secured highlight-reel KO wins over Frankie Edgar, Marlon Moraes and Iuri Alcantara. Sandhagen now intends to defend his spot in the rankings by handing Nurmagomedov his first professional loss.

Nurmagomedov (16-0, fighting out of Kizilyurt, Russia) looks to steal the show in his first UFC main event opportunity. A decorated Sambo fighter, he has secured memorable finishes against Raoni Barcelos, Brian Kelleher and Sergey Morozov. Nurmagomedov now has his sights set on cracking the bantamweight Top 5 with a statement performance.

Andrade (24-11, fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) vies to make another run towards UFC gold by stopping Suarez in emphatic fashion. A powerful striker and grappler, Andrade holds notable finishes over Rose Namajunas, Amanda Lemos and Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Andrade now plans to become the first fighter to defeat Suarez and remind the world she’s among the strawweight elite.

Suarez (10-0, fighting out of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) returns to the strawweight division following a dominant flyweight win against Montana De La Rosa in February. A decorated grappler, she has also delivered spectacular victories over Nina Nunes, Carla Esparza and Alexa Grasso. Suarez now looks to continue her ascent up the 115-pound ladder by stopping Andrade in impressive fashion.

Other bouts on the card include:

  • Tanner Boser (20-10-1, fighting out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) locks horns with Aleksa Camur (6-2, fighting out of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) at light heavyweight
  • Ignacio Bahamondes (14-4, fighting out of Chicago, Ill. by way of Santiago, Chile) squares off with Ludovit Klein (19-4-1, fighting out of Nove Zamky, Slovakia) at lightweight
  • No. 15 ranked light heavyweight contender Dustin Jacoby (18-7-1, fighting out of Englewood, Colo.) squares off with rising Kennedy Nzechukwu (12-3, fighting out of Dallas, Texas)
  • Exciting featherweights collide when Billy Quarantillo (17-5, fighting out of Tampa, Fla.) meets Damon Jackson (22-5-1 1NC, fighting out of Dallas, Texas)
  • Tennessee’s own Ovince Saint Preux (26-17, fighting out of Knoxville, Tenn.) plans to steal the show against hard-hitting Ion Cutelaba (17-9-1 1NC, fighting out of Chisinau, Republic of Moldova) at light heavyweight
  • No. 12 ranked flyweight contender Tagir Ulanbekov (14-2, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) squares off with surging Jake Hadley (10-1, fighting out of Oldbury, Sandwell, England)
  • Said Nurmagomedov (17-3, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) faces Kyler Phillips (10-2, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) in an intriguing bantamweight tilt
  • Ode’ Osbourne (12-5 1NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Milwaukee, Wisc.) looks to spoil the UFC debut of Assu Almabayev (17-2, fighting out of Almaty, Kazakhstan) in a flyweight bout
  • Jeremiah Wells (12-2-1, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.) meets Carlston Harris (18-5, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by way of Skeldon, Guyana) in a clash of welterweight prospects
  • Sean Woodson (9-1-1, fighting out of St. Louis, Mo.) battles Steve Garcia (14-5, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) at featherweight

Media members wishing to apply for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: SANDHAGEN vs. NURMAGOMEDOV credentials may sign up here.

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

###

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 233 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to over 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s active fighter roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About Bridgestone Arena:

Serving as the home for numerous national and international events, Bridgestone Arena has the distinction of being one of the busiest venues in the United States since the doors first opened in 1996, hosting more than 27 million guests during that time. The NHL’s Nashville Predators have been the primary tenants of Bridgestone Arena since 1998 and boast one of the most unique game atmospheres in the NHL. The list of acts that have called the 2021 Pollstar Arena of the Decade nominee home is lengthy and includes the Country Music Association Awards, the Country Music Television Awards and the SEC Basketball Tournament through 2035. Bridgestone Arena has 15 consecutive and 18 overall nominations for the Pollstar Magazine Arena Year of the Award, winning the award in 2014, 2017 and 2023. To view a full Bridgestone Arena event schedule, visit BridgestoneArena.com.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 25.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).

About ESPN

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




Bryce Mills Building a Massive Following in his Hometown of Syracuse New York

SYRACUSE, NY (June 20, 2023) – Rising prospect, Bryce Mills (12-1, 4 KOs), managed by Home Team Management, is looking toward a productive rest of 2023 as he continues to make waves in the super lightweight division. He’s secured his sixth consecutive victory in dominating fashion against Jonathan de Pina (12-2, 5 KOs), a 6-round bout that took place at the esteemed Hall of Fame event held at the Turning Stone Casino on June 9, 2023.

Mills’ showed exceptional boxing skills throughout the fight as he displayed excellent agility, precision, and ring intelligence. Despite de Pina’s creditable efforts, Mills demonstrated his dominance, securing a well-deserved unanimous decision victory. The match showcased Mills’ ability to adapt to different fighting styles, leaving both fans and pundits impressed by his versatility. His following in his hometown of Syracuse is rapidly growing.

Looking ahead, Bryce Mills has big plans to finish off the remaining 2023 year with a bang. Mills plans to step into the ring for his first 8-round bout before the year’s end. This crucial step will test his endurance and serve as a significant progression in his journey towards a boxing ranking.

“I am incredibly thankful for all the fans, my team, and my advisor Amer Abdallah, who have believed in me from the start,” said Bryce Mills expressing his gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received. “The victory against Jonathan de Pina was a testament to our hard work and dedication. My fanbase is growing in my hometown of Syracuse and I am thrilled to be stepping up to the 8-round bouts. This just the beginning of what I hope will be a legendary career.”

“Bryce Mills continues to surpass our expectations with every fight and I do believe he’s going to be a superstar in the sport,” said his advisor Amer Abdallah, about Bryce Mills’ impressive progress and future plans. “His performance against Jonathan de Pina was nothing short of exceptional. Bryce possesses a rare combination of speed, ring IQ, and determination that truly sets him apart. He has a tremendous number of fans in his hometown that follow him. We have no doubt that he will excel when he moves to 8-round bouts, further establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the super lightweight division.”




The Sicilian Nightmare prepared to fulfill his dream at the Garden

CES Boxing’s Juiseppe “Joe” Cusumano (21-4, 19 KOs) is prepared for the fight of his life on Saturday, June 24th in New York City.  “The Sicilian Nightmare” will fulfill one of his childhood dreams when he faces Brooklyn’s Adam Kownacki (20-3, 15 KOs) at Madison Square Garden and broadcast live on DAZN.

“It’s a dream come true,” says the Italian native about fighting in the ‘Mecca of Boxing’. “The last time I was at Madison Square Garden was in 2007 with my original coach, Robert “Machine” Matney, who passed away a few years ago. I believe Cotto was fighting that night. That was the last time I was there, so I have great memories of MSG and I’ll be fighting in memory of ‘Machine’ that night too.”      

Cusumano and Kownacki are each one impressive win away from a big fight.  With their aggressive, come forward styles, the power punching heavyweights may steal the show as the co-feature to Edgar Berlanga’s super middleweight main event against Jason Quigley.  

“Kownacki kind of fights the same way in all of his fights, especially after he gets hit,” explains Cusumano of his Polish opponent’s style.  “I don’t think he knows how to fight too many different ways, but he’s still a very tough, dangerous fighter.  He comes forward throwing lots of punches.  Any heavyweight that does that, you have to watch out for.”  

In order to prepare for a firefight given Kownacki’s non-stop, high-volume style, the Danville, Virginia resident has gone to hell and back.

“We’ve been training to be ready for anything he brings to the table,” says the 35-year-old, who now trains out of Champs Boxing Gym in Danbury, CT, under the watchful eye of coach David McDonough.  “The losses I have are because I wasn’t ready for my fights.  I’ve made a lot of sacrifices and that’s why I now come up to Connecticut for camp.  We go to New York for good sparring that I wasn’t getting in Virginia.  I made every sacrifice I could possibly make and have never been more prepared.”

Indeed, Cusumano significantly changed his approach to training after a first round KO loss to top contender Daniel Dubois in 2021.  

“I knew that I had to go to a training camp after that fight because I wasn’t in camp when I fought Dubois,” laments Cusumano.  “I just took that fight on a couple of weeks’ notice.  There’s no way you’re going to beat the top fighters preparing like that.”

Cusumano took several months off after that loss, but as demoralizing as the Dubois defeat was for him, the experience marked a turning point in how the Italian slugger prepares for success in his fights.

“One of the things I dreamed about as a kid was showing the skills I have on pay-per-view, but the one time I got that opportunity, I was nowhere near ready and I took it anyway,” reflects Cusumano.  “I let myself down and that hurt the most.  I hit rock bottom and I thought: I’m not going out like this, so I made some moves: I started traveling, making sacrifices, sparring guys like the ‘Big Bang’, Zhilei Zhang, who I’ve been in training camp with a few times.  I started going to Costa Rica for conditioning workouts and it’s been full speed ahead ever since.”

While those training adjustments led to 2 consecutive knockouts in 2022, Cusumano literally flew to the jungle to prepare for Kownacki, who he knows is coming to impress his hometown fans and resurrect his career after 3 consecutive defeats.  

“They were really grueling workouts,” says Cusumano of the 2 weeks he spent doing strength and conditioning work at FARMERSTRENGTH training camp in Costa Rica.  “The jungle is very hot, and you get so high up into the mountains, there isn’t much oxygen there.  It’s like heaven and hell because it’s so beautiful there, but at the same time, it’s very rough, especially with the heat.  It changes your mentality, because if you can train in the jungle for 2 weeks in that kind of heat, running up a mountain for 12 miles straight up without oxygen, nothing else is going to stop you.”

With that level of dedication, Kownacki and his fans may be in for a short night and a rude awakening on Saturday night.  If the ‘Sicilian Nightmare’ was tough to beat before, it’s going to be extremely difficult to turn back the efforts of an inspired and fully prepared Cusumano.    

“I made the sacrifices to perform like I should and I’m excited for this opportunity,” insists Cusumano.  “My trainer, Robert Matney always told me: ‘it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish’, so I’m finishing my career at my best.  I’m going to give this fight everything I’ve got and it’s going to be electric.”

Kownacki v. Cusumano takes place on June 24, 2023 at Madison Square Garden’s The Theater and live on DAZN.    

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

INFORMATION

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




CARLOS ADAMES TRAINING CAMP QUOTES

LAS VEGAS – June 20, 2023 – Top middleweight Carlos Adames will aim to make his case as the sport’s best middleweight when he defends his Interim WBC Middleweight Title against former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams this Saturday, June 24 live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from The Armory in Minneapolis headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

“My time will come where I will show the world that I’m the best middleweight,” said Adames. “A dominant victory on Saturday night will ensure me a fight with Jermall Charlo to see who the real WBC middleweight champion is. It’s been very difficult to get the big names in the ring with me, but I just have to keep winning.”

The 29-year-old Adames (22-1,17 KOs) has been on a tear since moving up to middleweight in 2021, including a close but decisive decision over Sergiy Derevyanchenko and most recently a third-round KO of Juan Macias Montiel in October. The Dominican fighter now training in Las Vegas has thrived in another training camp under top trainer Bob Santos.

“I had an incredible training camp in Las Vegas with my coach Bob Santos,” said Adames. “We put in a lot of hard work and got some excellent sparring with some very good fighters. My road work was taken to the next level, with a lot of running in high elevation. I’m eating the best foods and feeling great.”

Saturday night will see Adames battle perhaps his most accomplished opponent to date in the former unified 154-pound Williams, a Philadelphia-native who defeated Jarrett Hurd in one of 2019’s best fights to capture WBA and IBF titles. Although Williams only made his middleweight debut in November with a unanimous decision over Rolando Mansilla, Adames knows the danger that Williams presents.

“I see Williams as a dangerous opponent,” said Adames. “He’s a former world champion who has a lot of experience and he has nothing to lose at this point in his career. I’m expecting a tough fight, but I feel I’m the better fighter in every aspect. I feel I can break him down and end the fight in the middle to late rounds.”

Since losing a 154-pound title fight in 2019, Adames has worked his way up the 160-pound division and will now step into the ring for his first SHOWTIME main event on Saturday night, with the goal of closing the show early and in dominant fashion.

“This is another great opportunity to showcase my talent on the big stage,” said Adames. “SHOWTIME is where the stars are born. I can’t wait to show my people back in the Dominican Republic, and here in the U.S., all the hard work that we put into this camp. This is my first main event on SHOWTIME and I’m going to take full advantage of the situation. My goal is to win by spectacular knockout.”

#         #         #

ABOUT ADAMES VS. WILLIAMS

Adames vs. Williams will see hard-hitting Interim WBC Middleweight Champion Carlos Adames battle former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams in the 12-round main event of action live on SHOWTIME® Saturday, June 24 from The Armory in Minneapolis in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and featured top super welterweight contenders Erickson “Hammer” Lubin and Luis “Cuba” Arias squaring off in the 10-round co-main event. Super flyweight world champion Fernando “Pumita” Martinez will put his IBF title on the line against unbeaten Filipino contender Jade Bornea in the telecast opener.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster. Lubin vs. Arias is co-promoted with Mayweather Promotions.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sportswww.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #AdamesWilliams follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.




Former World Champion Tevin Farmer Takes on Avery Sparrow This Saturday Night at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (June 20, 2023- THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, Former IBF Junior Lightweight World Champion Tevin Farmer returns to action when he takes on Avery Sparrow in a mouth watering 10-round lightweight bout at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The card is promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions.

Farmer of Philadelphia, 30-5-1 with six knockouts, will be making his first appearance in nearly three and a half years. The 32-y ear-old won the IBF Junior Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Billy Dib on August 3, 2018 in New South Wales, Australia. Farmer made four successful defenses of the crown with wins over James Tennyson (22-2), Francisco Fonesca (22-1-1), Jono Carrol (16-0-1) Guillaume Frenois (46-1-1). Farmer dropped the belt to Joseph Diaz Jr. on January 30, 2020 in Miami. Farmer also has wins over Angelo Ward (1-0), Tim Witherspoon Jr. (6-1-1), Tyrone Luckey (4-1-1), Camilo Perez (9-0), Noel Echevarria (11-1), Emanuel Gonzalez (14-0), Viktor Chernous (15-1-1), Angelo Luna (10-0-1), Daulis Prexott (30-2), former world champion Gamaliel Diaz, Ivan Redkach (19-1), and Darden Zenunaj (12-2).

Sparrow of Philadelphia is 11-4 with four knockouts. The tough 29 year-old who will fight anybody at any time has wins over Anthony Burgin (10-2), Israel Henriquez (6-0), Joey Laviolette (6-0), Jose Lopez (19-1-1), former world title challenger Hank Lundy (29-7-1) and Matt Conway (20-2). Sparrow dropped his last bout to William Foster III on July 23, 2022 in Philadelphia.

On the undercard in six-round bouts, Dezmond Lucas (6-1, 3KOs) of Bronx, NY fights Elijah Vines (5-0, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia in a super welterweight bout.

Romuel Cruz (8-0-1, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Jenn Gonzalez (9-19-1, 5 KOs) of Santa Teraza, Nicaragua in a featherweight contest.

Derrick Webster (29-4, 14 KOs) of Glassboro, NJ fights an opponent to be named in a super middleweight contest.

In four-round bouts:

Gustavo Morales (1-0, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA battles Najee Belcher (0-2) of Las Vegas in a welterweight contest.

Luis Gonzalez Colon (5-1, 4 KOs) of Aibomito, Puerto Rico faces off against Efrain Cruz (4-6-1, 1 KO) of Viequez, Puerto Rico in a super lightweight bout.

Trinidad Vargas (2-0, 1 KO) of Grand Prairie, Texas boxes Artimus Sartor (4-3, 1 KO) of Cincinnati, Ohio in a bantamweight fight.

Ticket prices are. $200 VIP, $100 ringside, $75 preferred and $60 GA and can be purchased at the following Link:

https://2300arena.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=97




MCCANN VS BALUTA SET FOR 18 AUGUST

DENNIS MCCANN WILL bid to add the vacant WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight title to his growing collection of belts when he steps up to take on Ionut Baluta at York Hall on Friday August 18, live on TNT Sports.

The gifted and precocious McCann (14-0, 8 KOs), just 22, has in his last three fights won the WBO Youth title (super bantam), the WBC International Silver (featherweight) and the Commonwealth title (super bantam), against Charles Tondo, James Beech Jr and Joe Ham respectively.

Now he goes up against the tough and rugged Baluta (16-4, 3), who clinched his WBC International Silver belt last time out in March following a disputed decision victory over Andrew Cain in a captivating Telford shootout.

Tickets for McCann vs Baluta go on sale at 11am on Wednesday, 21 June from ticketmaster.co.uk.

Also on what should be a thrilling card in Bethnal Green, the British and Commonwealth featherweight champion Nathaniel Collins (12-0, 6) will defend his titles against Raza Hamza (17-1-1, 7). The Scot from Bearsden won his title double by defeating James Beech Jr in March.

The vacant WBC International super featherweight title will be on the line when Southampton star Ryan Garner (13-0, 7) steps in for his maiden championship challenge following his thrilling second round stoppage of Eduardo Valverde in May.

The Queen of Queensberry, Raven Chapman (6-0, 2) will make a defence of her WBC International featherweight title ahead of a proposed challenge for an interim world title next time out.

Featherweight Umar Khan (6-0), super welterweight Khalid Ali (5-0, 3), welterweight Sonny Liston Ali (6-0) and super welterweight Joel Kodua (2-0) complete the card.

“This has got all the makings of a true York Hall cracker,” said promoter Frank Warren. “For Dennis McCann, this could be a real coming-of-age fight against Ionut Baluta, who has fought and beat numerous top-level opponents.

“It will be a fourth title fight on the bounce for Dennis and, if he overcomes Baluta, he will quickly close in on world title contention.

“I am looking forward to the Queensberry debut of Nathaniel Collins and he is in a tough double title defence against the skilful Raza Hamza with Nathaniel’s British and Commonwealth featherweight belts at stake.

“Raven Chapman is on the cusp of a very big fight, so she will need to be at her best in a defence of her WBC belt and not look too far ahead.

“I am also thrilled to deliver a first major title shot for Ryan Garner, who has been with us right from the start when he was 18 and is now set to fight for the vacant WBC International super featherweight title, where victory will establish him in the world rankings.

“This will be a York Hall night not to be missed and probably the strongest card of 50-50 action staged at the famous old venue for many years.”

Tickets for McCann vs Baluta go on sale at 11am on Wednesday, 21 June from ticketmaster.co.uk.

From 18th July, TNT Sports will be the new name for BT Sport




UNDEFEATED JEFFERS SEIZES CHANCE TO FACE CHELLI FOR A COMMONWEALTH STRAP, WHITTAKER TURNS THE HEAT UP IN MANCHESTER ON SATURDAY, JULY 1st

Manchester, England – (June 20, 2023) – Two guaranteed crowd-pleasers were today confirmed for the BOXXER: Crews-Dezurn vs Marshall card, with highly-rated Manchester area super-middleweight Mark Jeffers seizing a huge opportunity to replace the injured Mark Heffron in a Commonwealth Silver title clash with Zak Chelli and the sensational Ben Whittaker stepping up another level in Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday July 1st, live on Sky Sports.

Heffron had been due to defend his Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Championship against Chelli (13-1-1, 6 KO’s) next weekend but was forced to withdraw last week due to an injury sustained in training. The undefeated and hotly-tipped Jeffers (15-0, 4 KO’s) saw an opportunity to step in and take a big scalp in a clash which now has the vacant Commonwealth Silver Super-Middleweight Championship on the line. 

Fighting out of the Manchester satellite town of Chorley – also home to Jack Catteral – the rising Jeffers is trained by Michael Jennings, whose own standout professional career took him all the way to the USA to lock horns with all-time great Miguel Cotto in New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden. 

Jennings has declared his Jeffers to be “twice as good as I was at the same age” and is confident of his fighter’s ability to step in on short notice and upset the surging Chelli, who carries career-best form into the bout as he comes off his dominant win over former WBA Intercontinental champion Anthony ‘The Magician’ Sims Jr in February.

Whittaker (3-0, 2 KO’s) won a silver medal for Great Britain at the 2020 Olympic Games and has won a legion of fans since entering the professional ranks last year, his supremely confident showboating style harking back to his idol ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed and proving a huge hit with fight fans.

The Wolverhampton wonderkid has made no secret of his ambitions to fast-track himself to the bigtime: he went immediately into six-round fights after turning professional, skipping any four-round experience, and is now stepping up for an eight-round bout in what is only his fourth professional fight.

In Manchester he will take on Ireland-based light-heavyweight Vladimir Belujsky (13-6, 9 KO’s), a durable campaigner who has three times as many KO wins on his record as Whittaker has bouts. 

The heavy-handed Slovakian’s last UK visit saw him take Karol Itauma almost to the final bell of their eight-rounder, having earlier that year taken Jack Cullen eight rounds in the same Manchester arena he will now face Whittaker in. 

“Mark Jeffers is dangerous and talented. He will be stepping up to a huge opportunity to fight Zak Chelli after Mark Heffron pulled out via injury. I’m delighted to turn around such a great fight – possibly fight of the night – in a matter of days. Credit has to go to both guys for taking on such a big challenge,” said Ben Shalom, BOXXER founder and CEO.

“Zak Chelli is on a mission to prove himself the best super-middleweight in the country and he’s fearless in taking on anyone along the way. Chelli is a throwback fighter, he has that ‘anyone, anytime’ mentality and Jeffers is ready to meet him head-on, so I give full credit to both of them. They both know this is going to be a tough fight

“Ben Whittaker’s last performance got him on the radar of every sports fan in the country. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime type of talent and he’s said himself that he wants to be fighting at the top level as soon as possible. This will be his first fight over eight rounds. Vladimir Belujsky is tough, he’s tricky, but I think we’re going to see something special from Ben Whittaker once again in Manchester.”

BOXXER: Crews-Dezurn vs Marshall takes place Saturday, July 1st at the AO Arena Manchester and airs live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports. 

The headline bout sees former world middleweight champion Savannah Marshall return to super-middleweight to challenge reigning champion Franchon ‘FCD’ Crews-Dezurn for the undisputed world championship in a clash which will be closely watched by FCD’s friend and Marshall’s bitter rival Claressa Shields.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.




JESUS SARACHO TRAINING CAMP NOTES

ONTARIO, CA (June 19, 2023) – Super lightweight Jesus Saracho (13-1, 11 KOs) of Guanajuato, Mexico, is ready to take the next step in his career as he steps up in competition to fight Tarik Zaina (12-0, 8 KOs) for the WBO Latino Super Lightweight title. The 10-round main event bout will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA on Friday, June 23, 2023, on Thompson Boxing’s “Locked ‘N Loaded” card.

“Locked ‘N Loaded” doors will open at 6:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 8:00 pm PT. Tickets priced $50, $75, $100, and $125, are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900 or online at www.thompsonboxing.com. Fight fans will be able to watch all Thompson Boxing fights, weigh-ins, and behind-the-scenes content, via their Mobile App downloadable on Apple and Google.

Here is what Saracho had to say about his recent training camp, his upcoming matchup with Tarik Zaina, defending his WBO Latino title, and more.

On his recent training camp:

“I’ve been in the gym for the last five months working on all parts of my game. I feel sharp going into this fight. My whole perspective on training has changed for the better since my lone defeat last year. I feel I’m a better fighter now and it showed in this training camp.”

On his matchup with Tarik Zaina:

“That fact that Zaina is unbeaten, I know he’s coming into this fight with a lot of confidence. I too feel great with a lot of confidence since I just beat two undefeated fighters back-to-back. This fight will be explosive. We are going to give the fans a great fight.”

On defending his WBO Latino title:

“I have a strong relationship with the WBO, and I want to keep the momentum going by defending my Latino title. A win against Zaina will sustain my WBO ranking and lead to bigger fights.”

On fighting in main event on Thompson Boxing card:

“Three of my last four fights have been in the States so I feel I’m getting more comfortable fighting outside of Mexico. The competition is far better so the training and preparation has been taken to the next level. Fighting in the main event is special and I’m grateful, especially on a Thompson Boxing card where everyone back home will be to watch on YouTube.”

Beto Duran will operate as the blow-by-blow commentator with expert commentary by Doug Fischer and Rich MarottaJessica Rosales will serve as the onsite ringside reporter.

This event is sponsored by HUSTLER Casino, LA’s only luxury casino; Thompson Building Materials, Transforming spaces into beautiful places; Omega Products International, The leading stucco manufacturer in the United States; Belgard, Paves the way; and Makita, Rule the outdoors.

“Locked ‘N Loaded” will stream live for free on the Thompson Boxing Promotions website (www.thompsonboxing.com), as well as their 

Facebook and YouTube pages.

For more information, and regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. You can also follow the conversation on social media, please use #ThompsonBoxing.




GIANT HEAVYWEIGHT MATTY HARRIS ADDED TO LEE MCGREGOR WORLD TITLE UNDERCARD  

The UK’s most fearsome heavyweight prospect Matty Harris has been added to the undercard of Lee McGregor’s huge world title homecoming. 

Harris, the 6’8” destroyer looks to become the first man to stop Kostyantin Dovbyshchenko, when they collide at the Meadowbank Sports CentreEdinburgh on Friday July 21, live and free-to-air on Channel 5

The Wasserman Boxing event, delivered in association with LadbrokesNuman and Infinitum Entertainment, sees McGregor face the dangerous Mexican Erik Robles for the vacant IBO world super bantamweight title

And the first fight confirmed for the undercard next month, is the heavyweight battle between Harris and Dovbyshchenko. 

Harris has halted his last four opponents and the 23-year-old delivered a shuddering statement of intent in front of the Channel 5 cameras in March, when he took less than 30 seconds to wipe the floor with Milos Veletic. 

Many expect Ukraine’s Dovbyshchenko, who took the highly touted Moses Itauma the six round distance earlier this year, to test Harris but the man known as ‘Magic’ has other ideas. 

“I don’t think I will have any trouble getting him out of there,” declared the 5-0 Harris

“I’m 19st and with these 10oz gloves on, I hit people very hard. These gloves are unforgiving, especially when you are as explosive as I am. 

“If he gets past the first round, then I’m getting him in the second.” 
 TICKETS FOR MCGREGOR VS ROBLES ARE ON SALE NOW




NATASHA JONAS TAKES AIM AT BECOMING TWO-WEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION IN MANCHESTER ON SATURDAY JULY 1st

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – (July 19th, 2023) – Natasha Jonas (13-2-1, 8 KO’s) has the chance to become a two-weight world champion on Saturday, July 1st as she faces three-time world title challenger Kandi Wyatt (11-4, 3 KOs) for the IBF World Welterweight Championship on the BOXXER: Crews-Dezurn vs Marshall card taking place at the AO Arena Manchester and airing live and exclusively on Sky Sports.

For Jonas – the first woman to box for Great Britain at an Olympic Games – it’s another chance to make history and follows a blistering 2022 run which saw her capture three world titles in an unprecedented nine months to become unified world super-welterweight champion, a feat which led to her being declared the 2022 Fighter Of The Year by the British Boxing Board of Control.

Wyatt is a three-time welterweight world title challenger and the current WBA Intercontinental champion. She won that title on a visit to the UK in March this year and is confident of carrying that same championship-winning form into her clash with Jonas next month.

The Canadian is no stranger to big challenges: in December 2021 she made a spirited attempt to seize the four world title belts held by undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill, and the drop in weight places Jonas on a potential collision course with the American.

“Every time I think I’ve done enough in the sport, another opportunity presents itself to step things up. If there’s one thing that I always try and impress upon my daughter and on young people in general it’s to keep going, work hard and try your best,” said Jonas.

“Every camp I am improving, I’m evolving, I’m learning new skills and reaching new levels, so to me it would be foolish to stop now. The best-ever version of Natasha Jonas will be stepping into that ring on July 1.”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER’s founder and CEO, said, “I’m very excited to see Natasha Jonas compete at the top of the welterweight division, closer to her natural weight. When you look at what she’s achieved in the last year alone – three world titles and the Fighter Of The Year 2022 award from the British Boxing Board of Control – you know you’re looking at an extra-special fighter. 

“Becoming a two-weight world champion, holding belts in two weight classes at the same time, is an incredibly difficult thing to accomplish, but it’s exactly the kind of challenge which brings out the best in Natasha Jonas. She’s inspired a lot of Britain’s female boxers – not least her fellow Olympian and BOXXER welterweight Lauren Price – and I’m looking forward to watching her write another chapter of her incredible story in Manchester on July 1st.”

BOXXER: Crews-Dezurn vs Marshall takes place Saturday, July 1st at the AO Arena Manchester and airs live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports. 

The headline bout sees former world middleweight champion Savannah Marshall return to super-middleweight to challenge reigning champion Franchon ‘FCD’ Crews-Dezurn for the undisputed world championship in a clash which will be closely watched by FCD’s friend and Marshall’s bitter rival Claressa Shields.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.




“Punch-Out at Polar Park” Showcasing Local Boxing Talent Under the Stars

WORCESTER, Mass. (June 19, 2023) –“Punch-Out at Polar Park”, presented by Shearns Boxing Promotions (SBP) in conjunction with Kenrick Ball’s Camp Get Right Boxing, will be the first boxing event held at Polar Park in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The centerpiece of a revitalized City of Worcester, the state-of-the-art Polar Park will host a Pro-Am boxing event on Friday, August 4 (Aug.. 5 rain date), showcasing New England professional and amateur boxers. It is the home of the Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate Worcester Red Sox (WooSox) and its officials are fully committed to the local community. A share of the proceeds from what is believed to be the first outdoor boxing show in Worcester history will be donated to local charities.

“I am really pleased with this card has come together,” promoter Chuck Shearns said. “We certainly have some fighters stepping up against each other. There is a great mix of competition and varying reasons for cheering on these athletes. No doubt the fighters will feel the energy of the crowd at Polar Park.”

Worcester light heavyweight Kendrick “Peppa” Ball, Jr. (20-1-3, 12 KOs), a former New England middleweight and WBC USA Silver super middleweight champion, will headline “Punch-Out at Polar Park” against Mexican southpaw Oscar “Moustro” Riojas (28-16-3, 16 KOs) in the  eight-round main event. Ball is a fixture at Polar Park having worked there during its construction, in addition to throwing out a ceremonial first-pitch at a WooSox game.

“Fans should be incredibly excited about the fighters and fights lined up for our event,” noted Ball’s father/trainer Ken Ball, Sr., “coupled with the amazing atmosphere in Polar Park. The fighters and fights offer the potential for memorable performances and intense rivalries, in addition to the thrill of witnessing skilled athletes pushing their limits in pursuit of victory. From seasoned champions to rising stars, this event will showcase some of the best fighters in New England. out of New England.” 

The eight-round co-featured event promises to provide fireworks as undefeated Sean Bey (7-0, 7 KOs), of Providence, takes on Pittsfield’s (MA) Quintin Sumpter (6-1, 4 KOs) in a battle of heavy-handed heavyweights.

Brockton’s undefeated super featherweight “King” Kevin Walsh (9-0, 4 KOs) is the latest boxer from the City of Champions that was home to Hall of Famers Rocky Marciano and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Walsh faces Philip Davis (3-5-2), of Worcester, in a six-round bout.

Puerto Rican welterweight prospect Josniel “TG” Castro (9-1, 7 KOs), who has lived in New England, returns to fight an opponent to be determined in an eight-rounder.

In a pair of four-round fights, Worcester police officer Neal Sullivan (0-0-1) faces Brazilian light heavyweight Michael Medeiros (0-1), while Native American Robert Degaetano, of Douglas (MA), makes his pro-debut versus welterweight Michael “Titan” Taylor (1-5).

Another highly decorated amateur boxer, super bantamweight Melanie “Pitbull” Costa (1-0, 1 KO), will be in a four-round bout against Sarah “Switch Kick” Click (1-5-1). A 2017 National Golden Gloves champion, Costa is a police officer in Norton (MA). 

The pro card will commence after amateur boxers from throughout New England compete in the inaugural Carlos Garcia Tournament, named after the National Golden Gloves Hall of Fame trainer who founded and operated the highly successful boxing program at the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester for four decades.

Doors open at 5 p.m. ET with the first amateur match starting then (6 p.m. ET), the pro card starts at 7 p.m. ET.

Tickets will soon be released and available to purchase from competing fighters, Polar Park’s box office, and online at polarpark.com/boxing.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please email all inquiries for details to  ShearnsBoxingPromotions@gmail.com.

INFORMATION:

Website: polarpark.comcgrboxing.com

Facebook: /ShearnsBoxingPromotions, /CampGetRightBoxing, /PolarParkWorcester

Twitter: @ShearnsBoxing, @PolarPark

Instagram: @ShearnsBoxingPromotions, @cgrboxing, @PolarParkWorcester




Dominic Valle Remains Undefeated With Last Second Stoppage over Carlos Rosario

NEW YORK (JUNE 19, 2023) – Last Wednesday night in Plant City, Florida, Split-T Management super featherweight Dominic Valle remained undefeated with a sixth and final round stoppage over tough and upset-minded Carlos Rosario at The Probox Event Center.

It was a close fight early as Rosario was able to get in a few uppercuts in the opening frame. From there on, Valle began to land hard shots and slowly break down Rosario. In round Six, Rosario turned up the heat and landed a big flurry of punches that had Rosario reeling. Valle baked Rosario into the ropes and landed another barrage of punches and the fight was stopped with just one second remaining at 2:59.

Valle of Lutz, Florida is now 6-0 with five knockouts. Rosario of Winter Haven, Florida is 6-2.

Valle is promoted by Probox Promotions.




Card Shaping Up for Ponytail Promotions and CNC Promotions Presents World Class Boxing on Saturday, June 24th at The Patapsco Arena in Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland (June 19th, 2023)–World class boxing returns to Baltimore on Saturday, June 24th as Ponytail Promotions and CNC Entertainment presents a big night at The Patapsco Arena.

In the featured contest, Mack Allison IV takes on an opponent to be named in a eight-round super featherweight bout.

Allison of Baltimore is 16-3-1 with 11 knockouts. The 25 year-old is a seven-year pro who is coming off a fourth round stoppage over Lonnie Jackson Jr. on April 22nd in Baltimore.

An 11-bout card has been assembled and it will include an eight-round super middleweight bout between Tyrell Boyd (8-, 8 KOs) of Baltimore and Derrick Vann (4-7) of Philadelphia.

In a six-round bout, Dravontay Speed Rawls (13-1-1, 8 KOs) of Glenarden, MD fights Jose Rodriguez (6-2, 2 KOs) of Puerto Rico in a super featherweight bout.

In four-round bouts, Deshawn Chase (2-0, 1 KO) of Baltimore, Maryland takes on debuting Alberto Boites Salazar of Hampton, Virginia in a welterweight bout.

Walter Sanders (2-0, 2 KOs) of Baltimore takes on an opponent to be named in a middleweight bout.

La’Vay Lawrence (2-0, 2 KOs) of Washington, DC fights an opponent to be named in a super featherweight bout.

In a battle of pro debuting welterweights, Anwar Wingate of District Heights, MD fights Shawn Randolph of San Antonio, Texas.

Isiah Branch (1-0, 1 KO) of Baltimore takes on debuting Robert Hough of Houston in a heavyweight contest.

Christopher Glenn (3-0) of Hagerstown, MD takes on an opponent to be named in a featherweight bout.

Ricky Sanabria of Salisbury, MD makes his pro debut against Christopher Dixon of San Antonio, TX in a welterweight bout.

Pro debuters Juan Pablo Guillen Arancibia of Annandale, VA and Jaden Webb will square off in a featherweight bout.

Tickets can be purchased at ponytail-promotions.eventbrite.com or call 410-499-5361




EARLY RESULTS FROM ATLANTIC CITY

Pierre Dibombe stopped Derrick Findley in round four.

Joe Dawejko dropped Dennis Vance Jr. four-times in the opening round en-route to a first round stoppage in a six-round heavyweight bout.

Dawejko sent Vance down each time with wicked lefts to the body and the fight was stopped upon the fourth knockdown at 2:01.

Daeejko of Philadelphia is 25-10-4 with 14 knockouts. Vance is 4-10.

Leandro da Silva and Victor Darocha fought to a six-round majority draw in an entertaining light heavyweight bout.

In round seven, da Silva began to bleed from his nose.

da Silva took a card 59-55, while two others were even at 57-57. da Silva is now 3-7-1. Darocha is 11-6-2.

Edward Donovan remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Nelson Morales in a welterweight bout.

Donovan of Limerick, Ireland won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 7-0. Morales of Scranton, PA is 3-7.




Prograis Decisions Zorrilla To Retain Super-Lightweight Title

Regis Prograis defended the WBC Super Lightweight title with a 12-round split-decision over Danielito Zorrilla at the Smoothie King Center in New Orlenas.

In round one, it looked like Zorrilla scored a knockdown when he landed a left hand that sent Prograis to the canvas, but was ruled a slip. That was the difference in the fight as in round three, Prograis landed a quick left that put Zorrilla down.

Prograis, 139 lbs of New Orleans won by scores of 118-109 and 117-110, while Zorrilla took a 114-113 card.

Prograis is 29-1. Zorrilla, 139 lbs of Toa Boja, PR is 17-2.

Shakhram Giyasov remained undefeated with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Harold Calderon in a welterweight bout.

In round 10, Calderon was cut over his right eye.

Giyasov, 146.1 lbs of Bukhara, KAZ won by scores of 120-108, 118-110 and 116-112 and is now 14-0. Calderon, 146.2 lbs of Miami, FL is 27-1.

Julissa Guzman knocked out previously undefeated Ramla Ali in round eight of their 10-round super bantamweight fight.

In round five, Guzman dropped Ali with a perfect overhand right on the jaw. In round eight, Guzman landed a perfect left hook to the chin that put Ali flat on her back for the 10-count at 42 seconds.

Guzman, 121.1 lbs of Sonora, MEX is 13-2-2 with seven knockouts. Ali, 122 lbs of London, ENG is 7-1.

Jeremy Hill stopped Mark Davis in round four of their eight-round lightweight bout.

In round four, Hill landed a perfect right to the chin that hurt Davis. Hill followed up with three hard shots that blasted Davis into the ropes and down to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 1:29.

Hill, 135.6 lbs of New Orleans is 19-3 with 12 knockouts. Davis, 135.6 lbs of Baton Rouge, LA is 19-2.

Ginny Fuchs remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Indeya Rodriguez in a super flyweight fight.

Fuchs, 113.4 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 3-0. Rodriguez, 113.2 lbs of New Orleans is 6-8-2.

In round three, Fuchs was cut over her left eye from an accidental headbutt.

Xavier Madrid upset previously undefeated Aaron Aponte by winning an eight-round split decision in a super-lightweight fight.

Madrid, 138.5 lbs of Albuquerque, NM won two cards by 76-75 scores. Aponte took a card 78-73.

Madrid is now 5-2. APonte, 140 lbs of Hialeah, FL is 7-1-1.

Criztec Bazaidula won a four-round unanimous decision over Elroy Fruto in a lightweight bout.

Bazaidula, 136.4 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 2-0. Fruto, 135.6 lbs of British Columbia, Canada is 1-2.




TIM TSZYU VS. CARLOS OCAMPO WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® TONIGHT

June 17, 2023 – Undefeated hometown favorite Tim Tszyu (22-0, 16 KOs) and veteran contender Carlos Ocampo (34-2, 22 KOs) both made weight yesterday ahead of their highly anticipated matchup on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL tonight, live on SHOWTIME at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT for Tszyu’s WBO Junior Middleweight Interim Title from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia in a Premier Boxing Champions event. The Weigh-in yesterday took place at the picturesque Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in Broadbeach, next door to the venue.

The fighters in the co-main event, Sam Goodman (14-0, 7 KOs) of Australia and Las Vegan Ra’eese Aleem (20-0, 12 KOs) also safely made weight for their 12-round IBF 122-pound title eliminator.

WBO JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT INTERIM TITLE FIGHT – 12 Rounds

Tim Tszyu – 153.2 lbs.

Carlos Ocampo – 153.7 lbs.

Referee: Danrex Tapdasan; Judges: Daniel Sandoval (USA), Masakazu Murase (JPN), Christopher Condon (AUS)

IBF SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR – 12 Rounds

Sam Goodman – 121.7 lbs.

Ra’eese Aleem – 121.6 lbs.

Referee: Kats Nakamura; Judges: Daniel Sandoval (USA), Masakazu Murase (JPN), Adam Height (AUS)

#          #          #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sportswww.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #TszyuOcampo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.




WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER FOR PROGRAIS VS. ZORRILLA

4 x 3 mins Lightweight contest
 
Criztec Bazaldua (136.4lbs)      vs.     Elroy Fruto (135.6lbs)
Los Angeles, California             British Columbia, Canada 
 
Followed by
 
8 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight contest
 
Aaron Aponte (140lbs)   vs.     Xavier Madrid (138.5lbs)
Hialeah, Florida                       Albuquerque, New Mexico
 
Followed by
 
8 x 2 mins Flyweight contest
 
Ginny Fuchs (113.4lbs)   vs.     Indeya Rodriguez (113.2lbs)
Houston, Texas                        New Orleans, Louisiana
 
Live worldwide on DAZN from 7pm CT
 
8 x 3 mins Lightweight contest
 
Jeremy Hill (135.6lbs)     vs.     Mark Davis (135.6lbs)
New Orleans, Louisiana            Baton Rouge, Louisiana
 
Followed by
 
10 x 2 mins IBF Intercontinental and WBA Continental Americas Super-Bantamweight titles
 
Ramla Ali (122lbs) vs.     Julissa Guzman (121.1lbs)
London, England            Sonora, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
12 x 3 mins Eliminator for the WBA World Welterweight title
 
Shakhram Giyasov (146.1lbs)   vs.     Harold Calderon (146.2lbs)
Bukhara, Uzbekistan                                   Miami, Florida

Followed by 

12 x 3 mins WBC World Super-Lightweight title 
 
Regis Prograis (139lbs)   vs.     Danielito Zorrilla (139lbs)
New Orleans, Louisiana            Toa Baja, Puerto Rico




Weights from Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY (June 16, 2023)–Weights for Saturday Night’s Champions Sports and Entertainment card at Ballys Atlantic City.

Dimash Niyazov 139.8 – Larry Fryers 139.9

(WBB Super Lightweight Title)

Pierre Hubert Dibombe 167.1 – Derrick Findley 169

Joey Dawejko 266.6 – Dennis Vance 277

Victor Darocha 179.3 – Leandro Da Silva 180.5

Edward Donovan 146.5 – Nelson Morales 146

Promoter: Champions Sports and Entertainment

Venue: Ballys Atlantic City

1st Bell: 7:30 PM ET

Stream: BXNGTV.com (Marc Abrams, Randy Gordon and Gerry Cooney on the Call)

Saturday, June 17th

1 PM C & H Yard Party Book Signing with Gerry Cooney at The Yard At Ballys

6:30 PM ET Doors open for Fight Night

7:30 PM ET 1st Bell

Tickets for this great night of boxing are $65, $95, and $175 and can be purchased at www.cseboxing.com

For more Information, click www.cseboxing.com or email cseboxing@gmail.com




TOP LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER FRANK MARTIN DUELS UNBEATEN OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST ARTEM HARUTYUNYAN IN WBC TITLE ELIMINATOR SATURDAY, JULY 15 LIVE ON SHOWTIME® IN PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS EVENT FROM THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS

LAS VEGAS – June 16, 2023 – Undefeated top contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin will take on undefeated Olympic bronze medalist Artem Harutyunyan in a WBC Lightweight Title Eliminator topping action live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will see future Hall of Famer and Filipino star Nonito Donaire battle Mexican contender Alexandro Santiago for the vacant WBC Bantamweight World Championship in the co-main event, plus top super lightweight contender Elvis Rodriguez meets former world champion Viktor Postol in a 10-round showdown opening the telecast.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com.

“Every time Frank Martin gets in the ring, he shows why he’s a future world champion and one of the most talented fighters in the sport,” said unified welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr., Martin’s promoter. “I’ve been seeing him up close day after day in the gym, and I know he’s gonna look spectacular on July 15. Don’t miss this one, because you’re going to be seeing a special fighter at the top of his game.”

“Frank Martin has established himself in the top-tier of fighters in the star-studded lightweight division and can take another big step toward earning his world title shot against the tough Olympic bronze medalist Artem Harutyunyan on July 15 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “With a world championship on the line between all-time great Nonito Donaire and Mexico’s Alexandro Santiago in the co-main event, and a high-level crossroads fight between Elvis Rodriguez and Viktor Postol in the telecast opener, this card sets up to deliver memorable clashes throughout the night.”

The 28-year-old Martin (17-0, 12 KOs) stamped his status as one of the elite 135-pounders in the sport last December at The Cosmopolitan as he dropped the previously unbeaten Michel Rivera on his way to a dominant unanimous decision . Martin’s initial ascent at 135-pounds saw him begin by stopping then unbeaten Jerry Perez in April 2021 before dispatching of tough contenders Jackson Marinez, Romero Duno and Ryan Kielczweski. Originally from Indianapolis, Ind., Martin now trains in the Dallas-area under the guidance of highly renowned trainer Derrick James and alongside his promoter and unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.

“Anyone who doesn’t know about me, I want to wake them up to who I am with a great performance on July 15,” said Martin. “I’m locked in and I have a lot of momentum on my side. There’s a great energy in our gym and I’m ready to show everybody what I’ve been working on. I know he’s undefeated too and coming in there to try and upset me, but we’ll be prepared for whatever he brings. I’m ready to make a statement. I’m definitely not looking past Harutyunyan, but I’m ready for the best fighters and this performance will show everyone how ready I am.”

Harutyunyan (12-0, 7 KOs) earned a Bronze medal representing Germany at the 2016 Olympics before turning pro in late 2017. Born in Armenia and now fighting out of Hamburg, Germany, Harutyunyan scored a career-best victory by knocking out then unbeaten Samuel Molina in five rounds in September 2021 and most recently defeated Humberto Galindo by unanimous decision last June. The 32-year-old will make his U.S. debut on July 15 after fighting in Germany for his first 12 outings.

“I respect all of my opponents, but Frank Martin is just my next step toward reaching my dream of becoming world champion,” said Harutyunyan. “I’m very happy to be making my U.S. debut in Las Vegas and I know that the crowd is going to love me. I’ve been training in Germany and working hard for months now. All of this is going to lead to an extraordinary win over Frank Martin.”

One of the sport’s most accomplished active fighters, Donaire (42-7, 28 KOs) has captured titles at flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight. He will look to make another run at bantamweight after capturing the title with a May 2021 knockout of Nordine Oubaali and eventually a defeat to Naoya Inoue in their June 2022 rematch. Representing his native Talibon, Bohol, Philippines, Donaire’s previous campaign at bantamweight began in 2018 by upsetting then unbeaten champion Ryan Burnett in his hometown to capture a title once again, before eventually dropping the belt in the 2019 Fight of the Year in his first matchup against Inoue.

“I’m coming to the ring on July 15 to take that belt home and there’s no second option for me,” said Donaire. “I’m thankful to my team for this opportunity and I’ve been training hard to make the most of it. I’ve brought in some really fast fighters who have helped me prepare, and my team has really focused on giving me some defensive pointers. I’m ahead of schedule right now and I can’t wait to get in there.”

A native of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Santiago (27-3-5, 14 KOs) will compete for a bantamweight crown for the first time in his career on July 15, as he enters this fight on a three-bout winning streak since a majority decision loss to Gary Antonio Russell in November 2021. The 27-year-old had previously fought for a 115-pound championship in September 2018, battling Jerwin Ancajas to a split-draw. Santiago most recently avenged one of the draws on his record, as he stopped Antonio Nieves in seven rounds last October.

“I would like to thank my whole team for this amazing opportunity,” said Santiago. “It has been a long time coming. I have been waiting for another world title opportunity since my draw with Ancajas. Camp has been great and I’m working extremely hard. It is also a great honor to be able to share the ring with one of the greatest of my generation, Nonito Donaire. However, this is my time to shine.”

Rodríguez (14-1-1, 12 KOs) has bounced back from his first career defeat, a majority decision loss to Kenneth Sims Jr., to defeat three-straight opponents. His most recent fight came in February on SHOWTIME as he defeated Joseph Adorno by decision to follow up stoppages of Juan Pablo Romero and Juan Jose Velasco. The 27-year-old burst onto the scene with knockout victories in 10 of his first 11 fights and totaled an impressive five wins in 2020. Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Rodríguez now lives and trains in Los Angeles, Calif.

“I’m very motivated to be back in the ring,” said Rodriguez. “Viktor Postol is a great fighter and warrior and has fought the best in this division. This will be an action-packed fight that no one should miss. I’m coming to prove that I deserve a title shot after this fight. Beating Postol in spectacular fashion is a statement that earns me that shot. I have a duty to myself, my family and my country to win on July 15. This is the most important fight of my career.“

A feared contender in the 140-pound division, Postol (31-4, 12 KOs) returns to the ring after a defeat to top contender Gary Antuanne Russell at The Cosmo in February 2022. Fighting out of California and originally from Ukraine, Postol, knocked out Lucas Matthysse in 2015 to capture a super lightweight world title before losing a unification showdown against Terence Crawford. Postol had won three of his previous five fights before facing Russell, with the only defeats in that stretch coming against the then-unified champion Jose Ramirez and the former undisputed champion Josh Taylor, both by decision.

“I’m very happy to be back in the ring fighting in the U.S. against a strong contender,” said Postol. “I know my opponent very well. We’ve both trained in the same with Freddie Roach and we’ve sparred together. Now we get to fight for real and prove who is better on July 15.”

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sportswww.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #MartinHarutyunyan, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.




UNBEATEN WELTERWEIGHT STAR JARON “BOOTS” ENNIS DEFENDS INTERIM TITLE AGAINST ALL-ACTION ROIMAN VILLA HEADLINING LIVE ON SHOWTIME® SATURDAY, JULY 8 IN PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS EVENT FROM JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.

ATLANTIC CITY – June 16, 2023 – Undefeated rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis will defend his Interim IBF Welterweight Title against the biggest puncher he has faced in all-action contender Roiman Villa headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, July 8 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT and will also feature rising Cuban sensation Yoelvis Gómez taking on middleweight contender Marquis Taylor in the 10-round co-main event, plus hard-hitting lightweight knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos faces former amateur superstar Joseph Adorno in the explosive 10-round telecast opener.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, go on sale Monday, June 19 at 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com. The Ennis vs. Villa fight is promoted in association with D&D Boxing and Sampson Boxing.

“Saturday, July 8 in Atlantic City will feature three exciting clashes that all have the ingredients to deliver action-packed bouts and memorable knockouts,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Jaron Ennis has shown his ability to be a future star of the sport, but he’ll be up against his most difficult opponent so far in Roiman Villa, who will look to pick up his second major upset of the year. Make sure you tune into SHOWTIME or get into your seat early, because all these fights have the ability to end at any moment.”

Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) is the latest in the pantheon of outstanding Philadelphia fighters, combining top boxing skills with natural power in both hands to vault up the welterweight division and establish himself as amongst the 147-pound elite. After two appearances on SHOBOX: The New Generation®, the 25-year-old Ennis graduated to headlining his first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast in April 2021, as he became the first fighter to stop former world champion Sergey Lipinets. Heading into his most recent bout, Ennis had scored 19 KOs in his last 20 fights, before showing his ability to go the 12-round distance for the first time as he shut out Karen Chukhadzhian on his way to a unanimous decision in January.

“I’m excited to be fighting in the main event and I can’t wait to get in the ring,” said Ennis. “I know Villa is a straightforward fighter and that’s tailor-made for me. I’m going to win because I’ve been putting in the work, day in and day out. All my hard work will show on fight night. I’m ready to shine and make a big statement on July 8. My time is now!”

A native of Rosario, Venezuela, Villa (26-1, 24 KOs) delivered one of 2023’s biggest upsets in January as he eked out a majority decision victory over the previously undefeated top contender Rashidi Ellis. In an exciting toe-to-toe bout, Villa broke through in the 12th and final round as he dropped Ellis twice to clinch the career-changing win. The 30-year-old made a memorable U.S. debut last September as he dropped the previously unbeaten Janelson Bocachica on his way to a unanimous decision. The only blemish on his resume came via a 2019 split-decision in Mexico against Marcos Vilasana.

“I’m very thankful to my team for this life-changing opportunity,” said Villa. “Rashidi Ellis underestimated me before our last fight, so I knew I was going to win and go on to face Ennis. In order to be the best, you have to fight the best fighters. On July 8, I’m going to score another upset and ruin another undefeated record.”

The 25-year-old Gómez (6-0, 5 KOs) made a big statement in his U.S. debut on Christmas Day 2021, blasting out the typically durable Clay Collard in the first round of their showdown. Born in Havana, Cuba and now training in Los Angeles, the southpaw showed power in both hands and relentless finishing skills, immediately making him a rising contender in the talent-laden super welterweight division. He most recently stepped up his competition again, cruising to a shutout unanimous decision against hard-hitting veteran Jorge Cota in May 2022 on SHOWTIME.

“The wait is over and I’m excited to return to the ring,” said Gómez. “I’m very thankful to my whole team for bringing me back on the big stage. I had a great camp in L.A. with my trainer Joe Goossen, who has polished my style. I feel like a hungry lion and I’m ready to eat. My plan is to get the knockout and prove why I am the new boogeyman in the division. Taylor is going down and the fans are going to see me at my best.”

Representing his native Houston, Taylor (14-1-2, 1 KO) is unbeaten since dropping a four-round decision to Ladarius Miller in just his fourth pro fight back in 2015. Since then, the 29-year-old has worked his way up the ladder, including scoring victories over then-unbeaten fighters Sanjarbek Rakhmanov, Marlon Harrington and Jimmy Williams. Taylor has also fought tough contenders Paul Kroll and Luke Santamaria to draws and most recently defeated Oscar Chacin in February of this year.

“This is a great matchup and I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Taylor. “We’re two really good fighters and it will be a great matchup for the fans. Yoelvis Gómez is a young, strong fighter and he’s aggressive with a lot of power. A win should put me in a position to compete for a world title. Everyone is gonna see that I’m a big contender when I win on July 8.”

De Los Santos (15-1, 14 KOs) has scored emphatic knockout victories over previously undefeated opponents in his last two outings to stamp himself as a young fighter to watch. Last September the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-native stepped in on short notice and dramatically stopped Jose Valenzuela in three rounds to punctuate a firefight that saw both men hit the canvas. Previously, De Los Santos blasted out Luis Acosta in two rounds in March 2022. The 23-year-old power-puncher has ended all but one of his victories by knockout since turning pro in 2018

“I’m planning to show the world that I am an uncrowned world champion by scoring another sensational knockout on July 8,” said De Los Santos, who suffered his only defeat in January 2022 against another undefeated fighter on SHOWTIME. “I want to thank my team for giving me another opportunity to show off my skills and for believing in me after my defeat. I’m more motivated now than ever. I’m too close to my dream for anyone to be able to stop me.”

Adorno (17-2-2, 14 KOs) will look to get back in the win column after losing a narrow decision to 140-pound contender Elvis Rodriguez in February. Prior to that defeat, Adorno had won three-straight bouts, including a unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten Hugo Alberto Roldan in September 2022. The 24-year-old was born in Union City, N.J., and now resides in Allentown, Pa., and is trained by respected coach Raul “Chino” Rivas. Adorno turned pro in 2016 at the age of 17 after a standout amateur career where he amassed a 178-22 record and beat two-division champion Shakur Stevenson twice in the unpaid ranks.

“For this fight, I’ve had a full training camp, so there are no excuses and I’m ready to perform,” said Adorno. “I expect De Los Santos to come ready and be strong. We know he has power in both hands and we’re gonna be ready for what he’s bringing. My boxing skills will be the difference and get me the victory on July 8.”

#         #         #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sportswww.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #EnnisVilla,  follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and the Atlantic City Convention Center are operated by OVG360 and owned and funded by the CRDA.

About OVG360

OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client-partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client-partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health, and public safety and more.

About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA)

The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority’s mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state’s key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA’s expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. For more information about CRDA and our projects, visit www.njcrda.com. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/njcrda, and Twitter at www.twitter.com/njcrda.

For complete Atlantic City tourism information, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com, and follow us on facebook.com/DoAtlanticCity, on Twitter at twitter.com/VisitAC, on Instagram at instagram.com/doac, and YouTube at youtube.com/doac.




TIM TSZYU VS. CARLOS OCAMPO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

June 16, 2023 – Undefeated hometown favorite Tim Tszyu (22-0, 16 KOs) said he plans to make veteran challenger Carlos Ocampo (34-2, 22 KOs) quit and utter the words “no más” when they meet on SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL Saturday, June 17, live on SHOWTIME at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT for Tszyu’s WBO Junior Middleweight Interim Title from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Tszyu made the confident statement on Thursday during the final press conference, threatening to do to Ocampo what Sugar Ray Leonard did to Roberto Durán when Durán waved off and quit their 1980 welterweight championship by, according to boxing folklore, uttering those infamous words in the eighth round. 

In the co-main event, Las Vegan Ra’eese Aleem (20-0, 12 KOs) will look to keep his unbeaten record intact as he faces fellow undefeated contender Sam Goodman (14-0, 7 KOs) of Australia in a 12-round IBF 122-pound title eliminator. In his last four fights since his SHOWTIME debut on SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION® in early 2020, Aleem’s opponents have a combined record of 73-3-2.

The event is promoted by No Limit Boxing and The Rose Brothers, in association with TGB Promotions. See below for what Tszyu and Ocampo had to say to the Australian press during the final press conference and throughout the week.

FIGHT WEEK MAIN EVENT QUOTES:

Tim Tszyu

“I’ve had these two words of Spanish going through my mind: ‘No más.’ That’s the type of fight I intend to do. That’s my intention [to make him quit].

“[Jermell] Charlo is the No. 1 priority. That’s the name that I want on my resume.

“As you play in video games, there’s a big boss and you’ve got to get rid of all these little bosses on the way to the big boss. Ocampo is next, but Charlo is the big boss I’ve got my eyes on. I believe in myself. I believe in what I go through and I think the opportunity will come.

“My biggest growth is in managing my emotions. You’ll see on fight night. You’re going to see a guy who’s in total control. I feel like I’m mastering controlling my emotions, more than my skills or IQ in the ring. You’ll see what I mean.

“I think I’ve dealt with pressure my whole life so this is nothing. We do this for fun and for the love of the sport. I feel blessed to do this over and over, to be able to come to this press conference and build relationships, so there is no pressure.

“I’m not overlooking anyone. Every time I get into a fight, it’s the same thing for me. I train six hours a day nonstop, it doesn’t matter the opponent. He says I’m underestimating him but that’s complete nonsense. I respect the sport and I’m in the gym training every day.

“I think [my mentality] is just based on the position that I’m in. It’s got nothing to do with him. He’s a top fighter. Whoever they put in front of me I’ll annihilate them. If it’s King Kong or a shark or a pit bull. I’m coming back for another round.

“I think this will be my greatest victory.”

Carlos Ocampo

“I took the fight against Tim Tszyu because he represents an important challenge in my career. He is the one who holds the title today, and on June 18 he will understand what it is to meet a Mexican. 

“I will beat Tim Tszyu, make no mistake. This has been the best preparation of my career. The sparring was better than that of many world champions and my work won’t be in vain even though I have to go to the other side of the world. 

“We Mexicans are different. We are distinguished fighters, we are real, we come to fight. Here [in Mexico] boxers fight to win breakfast tomorrow and the rest of the world doesn’t understand that. I’m going to fight to bring the title home. 

“We’ll see a war, if Tim wants it, and if he doesn’t, I’ll show him what it’s like to have 10,000 people watching him go down at home.

“I will not be a defeated Mexican like the one his father saw, I will be Julio César Chávez in his prime, defeating Macho Camacho.

“I hope Tim’s nightmares weren’t as bad as the one awaiting him on fight day. I have extra space in my suitcase to take his title back to Mexico!”

#          #          #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sportswww.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #TszyuOcampo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.




“WEDNESDAY NIGHT FIGHTS” RETURNS TO KISSIMMEE JULY 26! IT’S PUERTO RICO vs MEXICO IN THE MAIN EVENT AT THE KISSIMMEE CIVIC CENTER

June 16, 2023, Plant City, FL. — ProBox TV returns to Kissimmee, Florida with a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico battle. Puerto Rico’s Orlando Gonzalez and Mexico’s Ramiro Cesena will mêlée in a ten round super featherweight bout in the main event at the Kissimmee Civic Center on Wednesday, July 29. The card will be streamed live on ProBox TV.

Tickets, price from $25-$75, are available HERE

Orlando “Capu” Gonzalez (20-2, 12 KOs) was born and raised in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The twenty-seven-year-old made his pro debut in 2016, has a two-fight win streak, and recently fought for the NABF title against current world champion Robelsy Ramirez.

Ramiro “Demon” Cesena (16-1-1, 13 KOs) from Loreto, Mexico is twenty-three-years-old and has been fighting professionally since 2018. Cesena looks to rebound from his sole loss when he fought for the WBC Continental Americas title in April. Prior to that fight Prior to that bout he was on a 4 knockout win streak.

A ProBox TV subscription is $1.99 per month

How to Watch ‘Wednesday Night Fights”:

1. ProBoxTV.com

2. The ProBoxTV app available on all app stores

3. Available on Roku TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV

About ProBoxTV: ProBox TV is a digital subscription service which gives fans exclusive access to ProBox TV Content including live streaming of fights and on-demand videos. You can also watch daily talk shows with Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi, Chris Algieri and our host Claudia Trejos. ProBox TV can be accessed using your favorite streaming devices, including mobile devices, or any personal computer. ProBox TV is a global product and available in all countries.

Fact: Kissimmee, located in Central Florida has the largest Puerto Rican population of any region in Florida and the fastest-growing Puerto Rican population in the country.

Follow ProBox TV

https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en




LEE MCGREGOR LANDS IBO WORLD TITLE SHOT FOR JULY 21 HOMECOMING  

The vacant IBO world super bantamweight title will be on the line when Lee McGregor makes a hero’s return to Edinburgh next month. 

‘Lightning’ faces the dangerous Mexican Erik Robles at the Meadowbank Sports Centre on Friday, July 21, live-and-free-to-air on Channel 5

Excitement levels were already through the roof for McGregor’s homecoming, but the stakes have been raised with today’s news that the Hearts supporter will be fighting for the IBO belt. 

Tickets for the 26-year-old’s shot at world glory go on sale at 12pm today and are expected to sell out quickly. 

The Wasserman Boxing event, delivered in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment, will be McGregor’s first since signing with the global promoter and he has described the fight as potentially “life changing”. 

But the former bantamweight king knows that Mexico’s Robles is a “very risky” opponent to face and is predicting a bruising battle in front of a full house.

Lee McGregor said: “It’s a big fight, it’s a life changing fight for me.

“I didn’t think it would be possible to go straight back into a big title fight like this, and so when it got put forward, it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. 

“It’s going to get the fans buzzing, get people talking about me again and so I need to go in and put on a performance to pick up this belt and add it to my collection. 

“But it is very, very risky with these fights. We’ve seen time and time again with Mexicans coming over to the UK and upsetting people, so I need to be switched on.” 

Erik Robles, the hard-hitting southpaw who has stopped four of his last five opponents, said: “On July 21, in Edinburgh, I will add my name to the long list of world champions from Mexico. 

“Everyone expects McGregor to win this fight, he is the favourite and he has his home fans on his side, but he has never faced a Mexican fighter before. Next month, he will learn all about the Mexican fighting spirit.” 

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman Boxing, said: “We had an incredible reaction when we revealed Lee would be fighting back in Edinburgh, so today’s news that he will also be fighting for the IBO world title, is going to send his fans wild. 

“Everyone at Wasserman Boxing is delighted to deliver this opportunity for Lee and we know, with the backing of his amazing fans, he is going to grab it with both hands, in what promises to be an exceptional fight on a memorable night.” 




STACKED CARD FOR STANIONIS VS. ORTIZ, JR. FINALIZED

SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 15, 2023): The undercard has been finalized for another potential main event candidate for ‘Fight of the Year’ featuring the highly anticipated clash between undefeated knockout sensation Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (19-0, 19 KOs) of Grand Prairie, Texas and World Champion Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) of Kaunas, Lithuania for Stanionis’ WBA Regular Welterweight Title.

In the chief supporting role, Golden Boy’s blue-chip prospect Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (14-0, 11 KOs) will be looking to dazzle the crowd yet again after a ferocious second-round knockout victory against Jesus Valentin Leon on the Davis vs. Garcia undercard on April 22. Presented in association with Davies Entertainment, Schofield will measure up against Haskell “Hackman” Rhodes (28-4-1, 13 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada in a 10-round lightweight fight. 

On the DAZN broadcast with a spectacular unification bout, the WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine World Champion Marlen Esparza (13-1, 1 KOs) of Houston, Texas will take a step closer to her dream to become the first-ever undisputed female flyweight champion of the world when she faces WBO World Champion of Buenos Aires, Argentina Gabriela Alaniz (14-0, 6 KOs) in a 10-round flyweight fight. Esparza returns to the ring after an impressive showing against Eva Guzman last August 2022 on the Ortiz, Jr. vs. MicKinson undercard. 

Opening the broadcast with a redemptive return to the ring after re-signing a multi-fight contract with Golden Boy, Joseph “JoJo” Diaz (32-4-1, 15 KOs) will also be on the DAZN undercard in a 10-round lightweight fight. Diaz’s opponent will also be announced in the coming weeks. 

On the preliminary card with an eight-round super welterweight fight, Romanian-American hot prospect Eric Tudor (8-0, 6 KOs) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida will square off against Reggie Harris, Jr. (7-3, 3 KOs) of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tudor made waves and gained a massive following on the undercard of Diaz, Jr. vs. Gesta this past March 2023, where he was in a toe-to-toe matchup against Damoni Cato-Cain.

Also in the prelims, Tristan Kalkreuth (10-1, 7 KOs) of Duncanville, Texas will fight Jaime Solorio (12-5-2, 9 KOs) of Ensenada, Mexico in a six-round cruiserweight match. Opening fight night with four-rounds of light heavyweight action, Houston’s Darius “DFG” Fulghum (5-0, 5 KOs) will fight Ricardo Medina (1-4) of San Antonio. 

###

Stanionis vs. Ortiz, Jr. is a 12-round fight for the WBA Regular Welterweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by BetOnline, “Your Online Sportsbook Experts. The fight will take place on Saturday, July 8 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas and will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN.

Tickets for Stanionis vs. Ortiz, Jr. are on sale and are priced at $250, $150, $100, $75 and $50 not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at ticketmaster.com or by using the Ticketmaster App on your mobile device.

Media interested in covering the fight can apply for a credential by clicking HERE. Credential applications are due by June 30, 2023. 

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

About the AT&T Center

The premier entertainment venue in South Texas, the AT&T Center is the home of the San Antonio Spurs (NBA) and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The Bexar County-owned arena has also hosted hundreds of concerts and special events since opening in 2002 and underwent a $110+ million renovation in 2015 to enhance the fan experience at all levels. For more information go to ATTCenter.com.




Granite Chin Promotions to bring Historic Pro-Am Boxing Card to Quincy  

QUINCY, Mass. (June 15, 2023) – Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) is bringing boxing back to Quincy, outdoors at Veterans Memorial Stadium for the benefit of Operation Homefront, on Friday night, August 11 (rain date Aug. 12), at Veterans Memorial Stadium .

“Veterans Stadium Showcase” will showcase many of the best and most popular professional and amateur boxers throughout New England, particularly those from Massachusetts. Quincy has hosted a few outdoor amateur events in the past, but this will be the first in the City of Presidents (Quincy natives John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams) to feature professionals fighting under the lights. Quincy is a coastal city of 100,000, located in the shadows of Boston to the south.

“What a night this is going to be,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. “Not only are fans going to see some of the state’s best fighters in the ring, but we are also raising money for Operation Homefront to help out veterans and their families. I can’t think of a better spot for this than the beautifully renovated Veterans Memorial Stadium. I want to thank the New England Free Jacks (pro rugby team based in Quincy) for their assistance in making this event happen.”

Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man, Ohan, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs) takes on Harry “The Hitman” Gigliotti (9-4, 3 KOs), reigning ABF Atlantic super lightweight title holder, in a classic Intra-Bay State throw-down rivalry fight between fighters from, respectively, Holbrook versus Haverhill. The eight-round, main event is a non-title junior welterweight bout that promises to have future title implications for the winner.

“I’m excited to headline a big local show,” Ohan commented. “I’m going to go out there and show everyone that I’m a top-level fighter.”

“I’m thrilled to be headlining this show in Quincy,” Gigliotti added. “I know Mike is going to come at me with everything he’s got, but I’m bringing my A-game too, and I’m confident that I can outlast him and win by decision. I’m excited to give the fans a great show. Anything beyond a decision is just a bonus.”

In the co-featured event, two belts will be on the line in another All-Mass. showdown – only Eastern vs. Western – in the eight-round middleweight unification fight between newly crowned USBF Middleweight Champion Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (5-3, 2 KOs), of Woburn, and Massachusetts middleweight title holder Jamer Jones (3-1, 3 KOs), of Pittsfield.

Undefeated middleweight prospect Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (14-0, 13 KOs), of nearby Weymouth (MA), is slated to be in action against an opponent to be determined. Hogan was a celebrated amateur who was a 2020 USA Boxing Olympic Team alternate as well as a 2010 New England Golden Gloves champion.

The undercard will soon be announced.

Boxing in Quincy dates back to the 1880s and Jake Kilrain, a bare-knuckle boxing champion who is inducted in the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame, in addition to the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF). Kilrain, who is buried in Quincy’s St. Mary’s Cemetery, fought legends such as John L. Sullivan and James J. Corbett.

Tickets for “Veterans Stadium Showcase,” will go on sale June 17th online at www.EventBrite.com.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Traietti at chris@granite-chin-promotions.com for details.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET with the amateur matches starting  at 6:30 p.m. ET, pro card commences at 8 pm. ET.

INFORMATION:  

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin




COMPELLING CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER HEADLINES UFC® RETURN TO BOSTON

Las Vegas – UFC® makes its highly anticipated return to Boston with two compelling championship bouts. In the main event, UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling plans to silence No. 2 ranked contender Sean O’Malley. In the co-main event, UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili takes on

No. 4 Amanda Lemos.

UFC® 292: STERLING vs. O’MALLEY will take place Saturday, Aug. 19 at TD Garden with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be seen on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with the night’s action starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with Early Prelims on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and UFC Fight Pass.

UFC® 292: STERLING vs. O’MALLEY tickets will go on sale Friday, June 16 at 10 a.m. ET and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, June 14 at 10 a.m. ET via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, June 15 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Sterling (23-3, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y.) looks to make a statement and cement himself as the greatest bantamweight in UFC history. Sterling holds the record for the most consecutive title defenses in the 135-pound division, which he earned with wins over Petr Yan, TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo. He now aims to leave no doubt with a shutout performance over O’Malley.

Rising star O’Malley (16-1 1NC, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) intends to make the most of his first title opportunity by landing another signature knockout. Among the most popular athletes in the UFC, he captivated fans with performances against Eddie Wineland, Thomas Almeida and Petr Yan. O’Malley now plans to snap Sterling’s streak and claim UFC gold in highlight-reel fashion.

Zhang (23-3, fighting out of Beijing, China) has her sights set on making her second reign as champion a dominant one. The first Chinese titleholder in UFC history, she cemented herself as the best in the world with victories over former champions Joanna Jedrzejczyk (twice), Carla Esparza and Jessica Andrade. Zhang now seeks to start her 2023 campaign with another bonus-winning finish.

Brazilian knockout artist Lemos (13-2-1, fighting out of Para, Brazil) strives to shock the world in the biggest opportunity of her MMA career. A member of the UFC roster since 2017, she owns wins over Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson-Gomez and Angela Hill. Lemos now looks to add her name to the historic list of Brazilian champions with her third finish in a row.

Other bouts on the card include:

  • No. 8 ranked UFC welterweight contender Geoff Neal (15-5, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) strives to derail the momentum of undefeated No. 13 Ian Machado Garry (12-0, fighting out of Dublin, Ireland)
  • Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt (13-5, fighting out of Uhrichsville, Ohio) returns against Mario Bautista (12-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.)
  • Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman (15-6, fighting out of Fort Mill, S.C. by way of Baldwin, N.Y.) begins his long-awaited comeback against fellow veteran Brad Tavares (19-9, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.)
  • Middleweight grapplers collide as Andre Petroski (9-2, fighting out of Philadelphia, Pa.) faces Gerald Meerschaert (35-16, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.)
  • An intriguing women’s flyweight bout sees No. 13 ranked Andrea Lee (13-7, fighting out of Shreveport, La.) battle Natalia Silva (15-5-1, fighting out of Pingo D’Agua, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
  • Gregory Rodrigues (13-5, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) meets Denis Tiuliulin (11-7, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) at middleweight
  • Women’s flyweight standout Karine Silva (16-4, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) looks to deliver another impressive performance in a matchup with Maryna Moroz (11-4, fighting out of Volnogorsk, Ukraine)

Media members wishing to apply for UFC® 292: STERLING vs. O’MALLEYcredentials may sign up here.

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

###

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 233 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to over 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s active fighter roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About TD Garden

TD Garden, owned and operated by Delaware North, first opened its doors to the public on September 30, 1995. In the 25+ years since, the venue has generated more than $365 million in direct economic impact to the Greater Boston region from its major national events alone, not including its high-profile Bruins and Celtics tenants. The arena has played host to countless marquee events, including the Democratic National Convention, NHL All-Star Game, NCAA Frozen Fours, NCAA Women’s Final Four, U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials, U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and ISU World Figure Skating Championships among others.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 25.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.comESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).

About ESPN

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




PROGRAIS TELLS LOPEZ – “DON’T RETIRE, FIGHT ME” 

Regis Prograis has vowed to defend his WBC World Super-Lightweight title in style against Danielito Zorrillaat the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN – and then target unification bouts with his fellow champions, with Teofimo Lopez at the top of the list.
 TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM
Prograis (28-1 24 KOs) defends his strap for the first time after becoming a two-time World champion after stopping Jose Zepeda in California in November, and ‘Rougarou’ faces Zorrilla (17-1 13 KOs) in a long-awaited return to his New Orleans hometown.
 
Lopez joined Prograis as a title holder at 140lbs on Saturday in New York with a composed performance against Prograis’ old foe Josh Taylor, but the Brooklyn man has hinted at walking away from the sport following the victory at Madison Square Garden.
 
Prograis has insisted all his focus is on the dangerous Puerto Rican challenger on Saturday, but the 34 year old was full of praise for Lopez’s performance, and hopes that the pair can meet in a unification clash, one that was predicted by the maverick Teofimo Lopez Sr five years ago.
 
“I wanted Josh to win so I could fight him again, but now, I just have got to fight Teofimo,” said Prograis. “I know he’s saying he’s retired but I hope he is not. I think that would be a huge fight and we must do it.
 
“There was a video in 2018 with me, Teo and his Dad, and his Dad was saying ‘you and my son are going to fight one day, and you are going to be rich’. So, he called it a long time ago and its still true right to this day, more than ever now. 
 
“Teo fought on my undercard in New Orleans back in 2018, we just must get that fight. I am not taking my eyes of Zorrilla, but if I can get the win and hopefully Teo is not retired, we can get it on.
 
“I always thought that Teo is a great fighter. When he was sat 135, I thought he was the best of the lot. He’s explosive, he’s got power, he can box. So, I would never look past a fighter of his caliber, but I still believe I whoop him.
 
“I think he’s frustrated. I don’t think he’s going to retire. If he fought me, he’d probably get ten times what he got for the Taylor fight. There are too many big fights out there for him. He’s going through some things, he can fight for sure, but there’s some things going on for him outside the ring. If he only made $1million to fight the former undisputed champion, it makes no sense, but he won’t walk away – he likes money, his Dad likes money, so that’s how he was feeling right away, you can’t walk away after the biggest fight of his life.
 
“It’s between Teo and Subriel Matias as to who would be the harder fight, it’s not Rolly Romero. I don’t know if Teo could stand up to what I give him, even though he did with Josh, I feel I’m a bigger and sharped puncher than Josh though. Matias is tough, but he’s been hurt before and by a lesser guy than me. So, I don’t know if he could stand up to me either, but hopefully I can get to fight at least one of them.
 
“I’ve always wanted to fight Jack Catterall. I want the Lopez fight more as he’s just beaten Josh and he has the belt. But I’ve always wanted to face Jack, so we’ll see what happens. I need to get past Zorrilla on Saturday and after that, I’ll talk to Eddie, and we’ll see what is next.
 
“It was good for boxing, two fighters that needed that win, they were both coming off performances that meant they needed to win. I’m not going to lie, I doubted Teo, I thought he was going to lose, but Teo just went out and did his thing. I take my hat off to him and congratulate him on his win. I wouldn’t say Josh is washed up, I don’t know if he’s shot, he didn’t look good though and Teo had every answer for him. 
 
“Josh just couldn’t hit him often with big shots, and even when he did hit him with some left hands and uppercuts, it didn’t have any effect on Teo. Josh couldn’t touch Teo too much because he was being slick, and even when he did, nothing happened or worked for Josh. Around the fourth round I think I had it level, but after that Teo got into his groove and his rhythm and took over.
 
“I was surprised that Teo was able to rock Josh in the later rounds and honestly, he made Josh look ordinary, he really did. I don’t know if it was because of Teo or because of Josh, if he’s shot, I don’t know. He didn’t look like a former undisputed champion in there.”
 
Prograis defends his World title on a stacked night of action in New Orleans. 
 
Unbeaten pair Shakhram Giyasov (13-0 9 KOs) and Harold Calderon (27-0 18 KOs) meet in an eliminator for the WBA Welterweight crown and Ramla Ali (8-0 2 KOs) defends her IBF Intercontinental Super-Featherweight title against Julissa Guzman (12-2-2 6 KOs).
 
Criztec Bazaldua (1-0) kicks off the night on Before the Bell against Elroy Fruto (1-1) over four rounds at Lightweight, Aaron Aponte (7-0-1 2 KOs) meets Xavier Madrid (4-2 2 KOs) over eight at Super-Lightweight, there’s an all-Lousiana bout between New Orleans’ Jeremy Hill (18-3 11 KOs) takes on Baton Rouge’s Mark Davis (19-1 5 KOs) over eight at Lightweight, and Houston-based 2020 Olympian Ginny Fuchs (2-0 1 KO), being advised by Prograis, fights for the third time in the paid ranks on the card against Indeya Smith (6-7-2 1 KO) over eight rounds at Super-Flyweight.



PROGRAIS: ZORRILLA IS HUNGRY AND DANGEROUS

Regis Prograis says his full focus is on the ‘hungry and dangerous’ challenger Danielito Zorrilla as he prepares to defend his WBC World Super-Lightweight title at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.
 TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM
Prograis (28-1 24 KOs) defends his strap for the first time after becoming a two-time World champion after stopping Jose Zepeda in California in November, and ‘Rougarou’ faces Zorrilla (17-1 13 KOs) in a long-awaited return to his New Orleans hometown.
 
The Super-Lightweight division gained a new champion on Saturday when Teofimo Lopez dethroned WBO and Ring Magazine ruler Josh Taylor in New York, and a unification battle between Prograis and Lopez would be a blockbuster battle – but while Prograis believes he would come out on top against ‘The Takeover’, and the other top names at 140lbs, Zorrilla is his only focus as fight night draws close.
 
“It’s not hard to focus because when you fight someone that people say is lesser than you, those are the dangerous fights and the hard ones as you don’t know what they have got, and you need to perform against them,” said Prograis. “People do pull off upsets. 
 
“I’m not looking past him, but you have in your mind that there’s massive fights out there, but I know that I won’t get to them unless I take care of my business on Saturday. So, until then, I don’t think about anyone else because you might not get there.
 
“There’s pressure on me already as I’m fighting at home in New Orleans, my people are coming to see me. And yes, Teo has done his thing against Josh, so I still feel that I am the best at 140lbs, but Teo deserves his credit, and I give that to him. So, I must go out and look great and prove I am the best, and then we can get that fight so there will be no doubt.
 
“You can’t control what people think. Some may say I’m the best, some will now say Teo, Subriel Matias, some might even say Rolly. I still feel I’m the best; you put me in with Rolly, I beat him. Put me in with Teo, I beat him. Put me in with Matias, I beat him. We can’t prove that until we fight, but that’s how I feel, and the only way to prove it is to fight each other.”
 
Prograis defends his World title on a stacked night of action in New Orleans. 
 
Unbeaten pair Shakhram Giyasov (13-0 9 KOs) and Harold Calderon (27-0 18 KOs) meet in an eliminator for the WBA Welterweight crown and Ramla Ali (8-0 2 KOs) defends her IBF Intercontinental Super-Featherweight title against Julissa Guzman (12-2-2 6 KOs).
 
Criztec Bazaldua (1-0) kicks off the night on Before the Bell against Elroy Fruto (1-1) over four rounds at Lightweight, Aaron Aponte (7-0-1 2 KOs) meets Xavier Madrid (4-2 2 KOs) over eight at Super-Lightweight, there’s an all-Lousiana bout between New Orleans’ Jeremy Hill (18-3 11 KOs) takes on Baton Rouge’s Mark Davis (19-1 5 KOs) over eight at Lightweight, and Houston-based 2020 Olympian Ginny Fuchs (2-0 1 KO), being advised by Prograis, fights for the third time in the paid ranks on the card against Indeya Smith (6-7-2 1 KO) over eight rounds at Super-Flyweight.