Bradley Skeete (24-1 10 KOs) will now make the first defence of his British Welterweight title against Edingburgh’s John Thain (16-2 1 KO) at the Brentwood Centre on November 25, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

The co-feature of the night sees Romford’s Lee Markham defending his English Middleweight title against Midlander Andrew Robinson who replaces the injured Mullender. Markham, who already holds a win over Mullender, previously drew with Frank Buglioni who outpointed Robinson back in 2014. However, both men were venturing out of their natural Middleweight division and at 160 pounds this is a real 50/50 battle.

Chingford’s fast emerging and undefeated Boy Jones Jnr (10-0 7 KOs) challenges for his first professional title in the Vacant Southern Area Super-Featherweight Championship against Kent man Martin Hillman (7-2 2 KOs). Jones Jnr, trained by Essex duo Dominic Negus and Lennie Butcher, is widely tipped for big things after racing to his tenth pro win earlier this month at the tender age of 19.

Ilford’s Light-Heavyweight sensation Anthony Yarde (8-0 7 KOs) is another exciting addition to an already action-packed show. The hard-hitting knockout king recently fought on the undercard of Liam Smith’s blockbuster World title showdown with Mexican pound-for-pound star Canelo Alvarez at the incredible Dallas Cowboys home, the AT&T Stadium in Texas and is readying himself for an assault on the light-heavy domestic scene with his first appearance in his native Essex.

A special attraction for Essex fans sees the professional debut of Hornchurch’s 20 year-old Harley Benn, the son of the iconic ‘Dark Destroyer’ Nigel Benn who won World titles at two weights in the 1990’s. Harley will make his professional bow at Middleweight – 25 years after his father defeated Lenzie Morgan at the Brentwood Centre in 1991 in between his two epic encounters with his nemesis, Chris Eubank.

Ironically, Croydon’s Nathaniel ‘Banks’ Wilson also appears on the show 27 years after his own father, one Chris Eubank Snr stopped Les Wisniewski at the venue in 1989.

Prospects including South Ockendon Super-Lightweight Charlie Driscoll also appear on the show alongside the hugely popular Chelmsford Super-Middleweight Billy ‘The Bomb’ Long and Hornchurch’s Super-Lightweight Sanjeev Sahota, who between them will ensure the Brentwood Centre will be packed to the rafters for what promises to be a memorable night for Essex fight fans.

The show is being promoted by WAM Boxing; a new promotional company headed up by Brentwood based Promoter Andy Ayling who also manages English Champion Markham. WAM Boxing is a partnership between Ayling and his partners Francis Warren and Jason McClory. All three have worked together for many years alongside Hall of Fame Promoter Frank Warren.

Tickets are available priced at Ringside £100, Reserved £60 and Unreserved £40 on www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 0844 844 0444. WAM Boxing can be contacted on 01992 505 550.

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise this fight on Sky (SD Ch.437 and HD Ch.490), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon).

Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!

Almay, Kazakhstan (October 29, 2016) – The card originating from Almaty, Kazakhstan featuring the WBA/WBO Intercontinental junior Middleweight title bout plus the UBC junior middleweight tile pitting undefeated Kanat Islam and Patrick Allotey will be streamed LIVE at 10 AM ET on www.NelsonsPromotions.com.

Below are the final weights

Kanat Islam 154 – Patrick Allotey 154
vacant WBO & WBA Intercontinental & UBC World Super Welterweight title
Zhanibek Alimkhanuly 169 – Milton Nunez 171
Zhankozh Turarov 145 – Issac Aryee 145
Ruslan Myrsatayev 218 – Nuhu Azuma 227
Ali Akhmedov 171 – Ali Mammadov 169
Aidar Sharibayev 132 – Juan Ocura 130
Zhuma Zhumabekov 138 – Ivanou Uladimir 138

Los Angeles – Oct. 28, 2016 – In his second featherweight title defense, Raoni Barcelos (11-1) knocked out Dan Moret (11-3) in the second round of the co-main event on AXS TV FIGHTS: RESURRECTION FIGHTING ALLIANCE 45. Then, in the headlining fight, Gerald Meerschaert (24-8) submitted Chase Waldon (10-2) in the first round to win the vacant RFA middleweight belt.

Other highlights from tonight include:

Chad Curry (8-1) scored a dominant TKO victory over Frank Schuman (7-3) in the first round.

Mitch White (2-1), Bobby Lee (5-0) and Ben Neumann (11-4) all landed submissions to kick off the first three fights of the night.

Full highlights from tonight’s broadcast are available here: http://bit.ly/RFA45_Highlights

RFA 45 was presented by AXS TV FIGHTS commentators Pat Miletich and “The Voice” Michael Schiavello, along with cageside reporter Ron Kruck, live from the Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

Official results for RFA 45 are as follows:

Televised Main Card:

Main Event – Middleweight Title Fight – Gerald Meerschaert (24-8, 183.8) defeated Chase Waldon (10-2) via submission (arm triangle choke) at 1:44 in round one.

Co-Main Event – Featherweight Title Fight – Raoni Barcelos (11-1) defeated Dan Moret (11-3) by knockout (punch) at 0:51 in round two.

Welterweight Fight – Chad Curry (8-1) defeated Frank Schuman (7-3) by TKO (punches) at 3:06 in round one.

Welterweight Fight – Ben Neumann (11-4) defeated Jordon Larson (7-3) via submission (D’Arce choke) at 4:01 in round two.

Lightweight Fight – Bobby Lee (5-0) defeated Damion Shehan (3-1) via submission (armbar) at 2:00 in round one.

Bantamweight Fight – Mitch White (2-1) defeated Antonio Sanchez (3-1) via submission (guillotine choke) at 0:54 in round two.

ABOUT AXS TV FIGHTS

AXS TV Fights presents more LIVE mixed martial arts and kickboxing events than any other television network with 40+ LIVE world-class fight cards each year. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich call all the action as champions, challengers, and top prospects take center stage every Friday night at 10pE/7pP. AXS TV Fights can be found online, on Facebook and on Twitter. AXS TV is widely distributed in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other cable, satellite and telco providers. The network is also carried in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Philadelphia, Penn. /Orange, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2016) – Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing are proud to announce the signing of elite amateur Michael Dutchover (1-0, 1 KOs) out of Midland, Tex.

Dutchover, 18, will campaign as a junior lightweight. The Texas native won numerous regional tournaments as an amateur and was a runner up at this year’s National Golden Gloves competition in the 132-pound division. He enters the professional ranks well prepared having gone 130-17 in the unpaid arena.

“I felt an overwhelming amount of joy when I was signing my contract,” said Dutchover, who is trained and managed by Danny Zamora. “I’ve been doing this since I was eight years old. This is just the beginning. I’m going to work hard to become a world champion. That’s all I want.”

“I am very excited to be promoting Michael with Ken Thompson of Thompson Boxing,” said Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions. “He had a big amateur background. His style as an amateur was more pro oriented then anything else. He is a great young talent and I know he has a big future. We look forward to getting him started on what we hope will be a journey towards a world championship.”

“We are very pleased with the addition of Michael Dutchover,” said Ken Thompson, president at Thompson Boxing. “Michael brings a dynamic fighting style to the ring. He looked incredible in his pro debut last week. It’s going to be exciting watching his career take off.”

Dutchover appeared on the most recent Thompson Boxing card last Friday, Oct. 21. Dutchover started his career with a third round knockout over Cesar Partida.

He worked off an effective jab that allowed him to land crisp power shots. In the third, he connected on a crushing combination that resulted in the fight’s only knockdown. Partida survived the round, but was not allowed to come out for the fourth and final round.

“Partida was a tough opponent,” said Dutchover after the fight. “He took a lot of quality punches. I was able to drop him in the third and I knew he was hurt. It feels great to start my career with a knockout win.”

Although not signed yet, WBC/WBO 140 pound champion and John Molina have agreed to a fight that will take place on December 10th in Omaha, Nebraska and live on HBO, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“We cleared out the basketball game and Molina has agreed to the fight,” Crawford’s promoter Bob Arum said. “We’ve sent the contract. Everything is agreed to. Molina is a tough dude as he proved in the [Ruslan] Provodnikov fight [in June]. He’s a quality opponent.”

The nuts and bolts of the deal were negotiated by Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti and Tom Brown of TGB Promotions, but Arum and Haymon had to first sign off.

“I have absolutely no problem making fights with Haymon now. I respect him as a very smart guy, and I would do business with my fighters on his cards and I have no problem offering his fighters opportunities to fight my fighters on my cards,” Arum said. “That wasn’t true when we were in litigation, but the litigation is over now.”

Molina was one of four opponents HBO approved for Crawford. There was also interest in a unification fight with Eduard Troyanovsky (25-0, 22 KOs), 36, of Russia; Antonio Orozco (25-0, 16 KOs), 28, of San Diego; and 2008 Dominican Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz (18-1, 8 KOs), 32, a top contender. Arum said they tried to get Troyanovsky but there was not enough time to get it done with the fight so close. Orozco and promoter Golden Boy turned down the fight. Diaz, who very much wanted the fight and was seen by many as the most worthy available opponent, was never offered the bout.

“My [matchmakers] said Diaz is a stinker and that it would not be a good fight to watch,” Arum said.

Fort Washington, Maryland (October, 28, 2016)–Undefeated junior welterweight prospect
Mykal “The Professor” Fox is ready for his next challenge against veteran Juan Rodriguez in an eight-round bout that will headline eight-bout on Saturday, November 5th at the Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland.

The card is promoted by King’s Promotions.

Fox of Forestville, Maryland has a record of 11-0 with three knockouts and this will be his fourth bout of 2016.

The 20 year-old Fox turned professional in 2014 and has been kept busy as this will be his 12th contest in 29 months.

In his last bout, Fox stopped Somner Martin in three rounds on August 19th in Washington, DC.

Fox has been working hard in camp with his father/trainer Troy.

“Camp is winding down, and it has been real good. Coming off my last win, I got right back in camp. I took a week off and I all that I had to do was get in fight shape,” said Fox.

When trying to scout Rodriguez, Fox was not able to get much information, but he will be ready for what the veteran has to offer.

“I could not find anything on him. I just have to go in there and be the best of me.”

At just 21 years-old (Turned 21 today) Fox continues to mature physically, and the improvement is evident in his performances.

“As long as I learn something from every fight, I am happy. My power is coming around and I would not consider myself a knockout puncher, but it’s getting better. People forget, I turned pro at age 18, and now I think my power has become respectable.”

This being his 12th fight and most likely last of 2016, Fox sees 2017 as a moving year in his career.

“In 2017 I am looking for big things. I just want to keep winning and get some television time, but I know for that to happen, I must get past Rodriguez on November 5th. Just remember that main event Myke is coming to a boxing ring near you.”

Rodriguez of Haymarket, Virginia has a record of 6-5-1 with five wins coming via stoppage.

The 26 year-old Rodriguez is an eight year professional and he won his first four fights. He has a fifth round stoppage win over previously undefeated Nathaniel Rivas (5-0).

Fox will be Rodriguez’ fourth undefeated opponent. Rodriguez is coming off a six-round unanimous decision defeat to Anthony Young (11-2) on April 29th in Atlantic City.

In a six-round bouts:

Luther Smith (5-1, 4 KO’s) of Bowie, MD will fight Mike Marshall (3-0, 3 KO’s) of Bronx, NY in a cruiserweight bout.

Jordan White (3-0, 3 KO’s) of Washington, D.C. will take on Jose Elizondo (2-1) of San Antonio, TX in a junior featherweight bout.

Kent Cruz (11-0, 6 KO’s) of St. Louis, MO will square off with Darius Ervin (3-0) of Los Angeles in a battle of undefeated junior welterweights.

Marcus Bates (4-0-1, 4 KO’s) of Washington, D.C. will fight Franisco Muro (3-4, 1 KO) of Tucson, AZ in a junior featherweight affair.

In four-round bouts:

Greg Outlaw, Jr. of Bowie, MD will make his pro debut against Lamont White (0-4) of Waldorf, MD in a junior welterweight bout.

Just Hurd of Accokeek, MD will make his pro debut against Hector Mercado (2-8, 1 KO) of Veracruz, MX in a junior middleweight bout.

Patrick Rivera (1-0, 1 KO) of Edgewood, MD will square off with pro debuting Jared James Wells of Charlottesville, VA in a middleweight bout.

Tickets are now on sale for $75, $60 & $40 by calling 301-899-2430 or by logging onto www.kpboxing.com

MAIN EVENT – SPECIAL CATCHWEIGHT (129 lbs.) ATTRACTION – 12 ROUNDS
Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr. (24-6-1, 19 KOs), Bayamon, Puerto Rico 129 lbs.
vs.
Juan Manuel Lopez (34-5, 31 KOs), Caguas, Puerto Rico 128.6 lbs.

(L) “JuanMa” Lopez & (R) Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr.

Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr.

Juan Manuel Lopez
WHEN: Saturday, October 29, 2016 – 9:00 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
WHERE: Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
PROMOTER: Black Tiger Promotions
PPV: Distributed live by Integrated Sports Media in the United States and Puerto Rico, starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, on both cable and satellite pay per view on iN Demand, DISH, DIRECTV, Liberty Cable, Claro TV and Vubiquity. The event will also be available to watch across Canada on Fight Network, as well as worldwide via Fite TV app for iOS and Android devices or watch on the www.Fite.TV website. Suggested retail price is $29.95.
PPV ANNOUNCERS: Steve Farhood & Benny Ricardo
RING ANNOUNCER: Tom Treiber

JESSIE VARGAS: My trainer Dewey Cooper and my strength and conditioning coach David Hayes, Rafael Garcia, my father – we make a great team and they brought out the best in me. They brought out the best in me in March against Sadam Ali and now we are going to outdo that performance in this fight on November 5th. I am very thankful for my manager Cameron Dunkin getting me this opportunity and I can’t wait to perform on the big stage and show what I’m about.

DEWEY COOPER: Hi everyone. I am Dewey Cooper, Jessie Vargas’ boxing trainer. I am thrilled to be here it’s an honor and I feel so blessed to be a part of this magnificent event and to be a part of Jessie’s first pay per view fight and I can guarantee you that this is going to be a great performance by Jessie Vargas. Training camp has been wonderful. We’ve topped every number ten-fold from when we were preparing for Sadam Ali. He has thrown more punches per day than he had thrown for Ali. We have added even more explosive power, more athletic agility, more speed and more total IQ we have added since the last fight we had together. We have more synergy in this training camp and guys, I keep saying in every interview I do don’t forget who the champion is in this fight is and don’t forget who the challenger in this fight is and that’s exactly who we are viewing this guy as – we are viewing him as our opponent, the challenger and we are going to conquer him on November 5th. I am fully confident in Jessie and this is not promoter speak and this is not theatrical hype, I am telling you actual fact. We expect, we know and we will show the whole world on November 5th how great of a fighter Jessie Vargas is and we are looking forward to that night.

CAMERON DUNKIN: Jessie, years ago when he began this, all he talked about was being at this level, being at the highest level, and thank you, Bob, for putting him here he really deserves it and he is getting better every fight and there is going to be a shocker. I really believe he is going to win this fight. He is so dedicated he is training so hard and I just think there is going to be some surprised people. As you know Bob, when this fight was announced everybody was like “No, no, not Jessie.” And they are going to have a lot of Jessie on the 5th.

Manny is ten years older than you, he has been very busy in the Senate in the Philippines and maybe boxing is not his number 1 priority, whereas your team is totally focused – do you think you are getting him at the right time?

JESSIE VARGAS: What I am focused on is that I am in my prime. I have a lot to show and I have a lot to give in this sport and on the 5th I am going to perform at the highest level and as you said, Manny Pacquiao’s best performance in those three [Tim Bradley] fights was in that last fight which was only a few months ago and I’m happy that he was able to give that performance so when I defeat Manny Pacquiao they will see that I beat a good Manny Pacquiao who is still performing at the highest level. That’s the Manny Pacquiao that I want to beat.

What would it to for your life to pull off the upset?

JESSIE VARGAS: It would definitely put me on the world-wide stage – make me that boxing star that I have been looking forward to being. I have been waiting for this for a long time and I’m glad it’s here and I am going to take advantage of it. The only fighters to beat Manny Pacquiao have become legends themselves. So I plan to become one of the few to beat Manny Pacquiao and also become one of the legends.

Bob, what do you think a win does for Jessie Vargas?

BOB ARUM: He becomes not just a champion but a superstar. I will deny to him that I said that because I will have to negotiate his next fight (laughing). He would be a superstar there is no question about that if he were to beat Manny Pacquiao. He has a hell of a shot to do that. This fight I look at both guys trained for the fight and how explosive it’s going to be but I don’t know who is going to win, but I’m confident it will b by knockout. Jessie has a hell of a shot to win this fight.

DEWEY COOPER: The biggest illusion the devil ever pulled on the world was to make us think he doesn’t exist. If you are thinking Pacquiao is only half prepared in this fight or not mentally ready for this fight you are not the expert writer. We are not hearing anything about the Senate – he is an eight-time world champion and he knows how to get ready for a big fight. So we expect the best Manny Pacquiao and we are going to beat the best Manny Pacquiao. I don’t want to hear anything else except how great he trained, how Freddie has him prepared and great he is going to fight. At the end of the day we don’t want to hear any excuses after the fight. We are defending champions and he is the challenger and once we win this fight we are not going to hear about Senate duties and all of that. He knows how to prepare for a fight and we are sure he has. And we are sure we are going to be the better man on November 5th.

Is there any bit of you that is in awe that you are fighting a legend?

JESSIE VARGAS: Not at all this is where I belong. I’ve been waiting for this moment since I was eight years old. This moment is not so big. It’s here an I am going to take full advantage of it When you envision something in your head over and over again it’s like a movie placing you in that position and once you are there you’re ready. That’s the way I see it. I am so ready for this. I am in the best shape of my life. I have never felt this strong or this powerful. I mean there’s no…I am going to win this fight, that’s how good I feel about it.

You won a title at 140 now another at 147 it seems like you have a lot of confidence…

JESSIE VARGAS: I would say overall what gives me that confidence is the team that I have. They are bringing out the best in me I said that when we became a two-division world champion. We won the welterweight title in March. Again, we are looking to surpass the level that we were in in March. I will outdo that performance on November 5th. You are going to see a faster, stronger, more hunter, more intelligent and with better ring IQ. Just overall a better fighter and it’s all because of my team – my coach Dewey Cooper, my strength and conditioning coach David Hayes and Rafael Garcia my cut man. We have such great team chemistry and I have the best of the best and that’s why I feel so confident.

Dewey, when you joined Jessie’s camp was there anything in particular you wanted to work on?

DEWEY COOPER: Yes, the first time we met to train at City Boxing Gym we talked about some things and we had a good understanding and we had a role we did it his way and we did t my way and whatever it took to make them both mesh we’ll do. It was a just a few technical things that I had seen that Jessie needed to do a little more of. He already knew how to do them he just wasn’t doing them as much. He was open-minded and we grew together but remember, I’ve got to say it like this. I didn’t teach Jessie shit, he already had it in him. I just helped him acknowledge it and re-bring it out. I’m not trying to overdo it with the credit. I identified things that he had lost through all the training he had done and brought those back out in his physical exercises and his technical boxing. We have improved even more since the Sadam Ali fight and we are ready to show the world. This moment is not too big for us guys. We are the champions.

Did you work on techniques to improve his punching power?

DEWEY COOPER: Absolutely we did but once we identified the slight technical error, we had drills that we used to enhance that natural power. Everything that he is doing now is natural power. There are just some exercises that are conducive to make it more natural instead of so forced. And that’s what we did. We just put a magical formula together. Jessie trusted it and he believed in it. He feels it in his knuckles. He feels it in his forearms when he hits. He feels it in his hips when he hits. It’s a natural thing. For anyone in the world to say they can’t improve on something is just ignorant. We can improve our reading speed. We can improve our running speed. We can improve our strength on the bench press, so why wouldn’t we be able to improve our punching power. It’s about technique and doing the right exercises and specific movements to make you improve. It’s not rocket science. We are just smart enough to limit ourselves and our possibilities. We can do the improbable. We can do the impossible and that’s exactly what’s going to happen on November 5th.

Is it a dangerous way to fight Pacquiao – to come out and go right after him?

JESSIE VARGAS: We do have Plan A. And Plan B is to follow plan A. And Plan C is to make sure Plan A works. And it will work. It’s just about playing it smart and being the smarter fighter inside that ring. The right moment and the right time and looking for the opening and creating the openings. At the end of the day, come fight time, what are the right movements. I am a fighter and I am going to know what to do. I have a great team behind me and we came up with a great plan and in training camp everything has been coming along just as we have planned and on November 5th it’s going to be a great night of boxing and I’m going to enjoy my performance.

Marquez KO’d Manny with the right counter – is that something you will try and use?

JESSIE VARGAS: My trainer has reviewed several of Manny Pacquiao’s fight and made a game plan. We have several shots that we can use – it could be a hook or it could be a right hand. I am going to do it to my style and my liking and the moment that I choose to do it. I am not here to imitate any other fighter. I am here to do Jessie Vargas and move like I like to move with the punches and combinations that I like to throw. Stay tuned. I am going to surprise and you don’t want to miss it.

I saw your fight against Sadam Ali and the power was real there is no doubt about that and I’m looking forward to a great fight. Do you think if you had more time you would have finished Bradley off in that last round?

JESSIE VARGAS: You know, to be honest, that has been left in the past and there is nothing we can do to change it. You know how I feel about it but now we are fighting Manny Pacquiao. My job is to defeat Manny Pacquiao and to show that I’m the best in the division. Defeating a man that Bradley couldn’t beat on that last occasion will say it all for itself. That will give me the ultimate glory and he doesn’t want to give me a rematch. So we are looking forward to this fight at the highest level and keep in mind that in 2016 I put out the team that has brought out the best in me and we are unstoppable from that point on.

That was your only defeat in you pro career. What was your mood after that?

JESSIE VARGAS: It was a learning experience, everything that happened. Not everything is fair and we had to let things go. That’s just the way it is and I am using it as an experience and make sure I let my hands go from the opening bell, not until nearly the last round you could say. It gave me that fire that anger to, excuse me if I say it, to really hurt somebody or kill somebody inside that ring, and to take it and not have any compassion for my opponent. That has built a stronger Jessie Vargas and of course the team I have put together.

Many have noticed your punching power seems to have increased in the Bradley and the Ali fight – do you feel that way?

JESSIE VARGAS: Definitely – ever since I began working with the team I have now my punching power has increased and my ring IQ – just the entire way I have looked at the fight game has changed. A new Jessie Vargas was born in 2016 and everyone seems to like it and now we are going to give you a bigger and better Jessie Vargas come November 5th.

How do you increase you power in one fight?

JESSIE VARGAS: That’s a better question for Dewey.

DEWEY COOPER: Everything is created by the way you utilize your techniques. I am not going to give you guys the secrets – the game is to be sold not told. You will see it. But I will give you one key word and I told Max Kellerman and Bernard Hopkins and Jim Lampley this and after the Ali fight they laughed at me. One word – Hips – H I P S – that’s all you need to remember, hips guys. That’s all I am going to say and I shouldn’t have given you the million dollar clue but that’s what it’s about and you guys will continue to see that and continue to see Jessie Vargas be great.

So you are better leveraging your punches by using the hips?

BOB ARUM: Do you want him to tell everyone the sequence he is going to throw the punches? They have to keep some things to themselves!

Jessie, how do you see this fight going in your mind?

JESSIE VARGAS: I see Jessie Vargas coming out with a big victory in front of the entire world in spectacular fashion and surprise everyone. Everyone is going to give me credit for being the strongest and most powerful puncher in the division.

You are 5’10” and Manny is 5’5” – how will that play out?

JESSIE VARGAS: I am going to use every advantage I have in this fight – as an experienced fighter we have to use every advantage and we will. And that is one of the advantages along with the power, the reach, the ring intelligence, the great footwork.

Who would you want to fight next?

JESSIE VARGAS: After beating Manny Pacquiao I would fight anybody. We have Bob on the line so I would sit down with Bob and Cameron and see who they want next.

BOB ARUM: Every fighter, deep down, wants to beat up on his promoter. I’m 85 years old, but Jessie had a promoter before me named Floyd Mayweather and maybe Jessie will take the opportunity, if Floyd is ready, to beat up on Floyd.

JESSIE VARGAS: Definitely I will take you up on that one.

Is there no one you have in mind?

JESSIE VARGAS: My promoter said it all. I am taking on the Fighter of the Decade and defeating the Fighter of the Decade and you could only go up from there. And who’s the next guy that is as the great? That’s who we will go after.

How were you feeling after the Bradley fight while trying to get the decision overturned?

JESSIE VARGAS: Thankfully I have a great support system and I use it and the process I had with the Commission and when I brought in all of my legal attorneys, I was very patient and I let them handle it as best as they could and that’s the way I saw it and once they came up with the decision I said OK I am only looking forward to the future. What doesn’t kill me will only make me stronger and it has but more than anything I see it as a blessing. If that wouldn’t have happened I wouldn’t have the team that I have now. I would be at the highest level now and you wouldn’t see me performing as the fighter that I have become. It’s because of that and that’s the way I look at it and those are the facts to it. Dewey and Pedro and my father have made a great team and because of them you are going to see a spectacular performance from me on November 5th.

DEWEY COOPER: I want to interject something. To finally end the Bradley questions that was turmoil and almost a tragedy. Boys whimper out. Men figure out a way to get through it. But conquerors persevere and become more powerful. Jessie is a conqueror. He is not the average man. He is a conqueror. He is not the average man. You have to persevere through that and become more powerful. Remember that. Turmoil and tragedy makes the boys whimper. Men get through it, but conquerors persevere and become more powerful and that’s what Jessie is and that’s how I feel about the Bradley scenario.

CAMERON DUNKIN: He had a bright future and it was a setback and he did take it very, very hard. It was hard on him. He was not used to losing. We talked and he wanted to go through the steps of what he could do with the commission and when that was over, Jessie dropped it and he was done with it and he said “Cameron, let’s move on” and that’s what we did.

You turned down the Ali fight last year then you got it when you wanted it and you won – do you feel as though you are getting the last laugh fighting the most popular fighter in the world right now?

JESSIE VARGAS: Going back a few steps, Cameron has always been right on point with my career. I was always looking for bigger and better opportunities. He called me about the Sadam Ali fight and I was OK with it and said sure. Cameron did mention the fight would be in New York and we knew that recently, about certain decisions being made in New York that a lot of people didn’t agree with so it made us thing twice about it. It literally only took us about a month to change the venue and then got the fight made. So it wasn’t about whether I wanted it. It was about negotiating the right location. We did it at a neutral place, even though it was more his side [of the country] than mine, but I was OK with Washington, DC. The fans enjoyed it and the network was really happy with it and the entire arena went crazy. It was a good night of boxing.

JESSIE VARGAS: The reason I say that is because I never say “No” to any fight. You can ask Cameron right now, when he mentions any fight I say “Let’s take it.” I don’t say no to any fight, just tell me where when, how much and let’s make it happen.

IN CLOSING . . .

BOB ARUM: You heard Jessie and Dewey today, two class guys who know what they are talking about and they have prepared themselves well and they are going to give everybody a tremendous night of boxing. And remember, while you’re at it, there are three other championship fights on the card. Another fight between a Mexican-American and a Filipino – Nonito Donaire vs. undefeated No. 1 contender Jessie Magdaleno – and Óscar Valdez, a rising star and a Featherweight World Champion against Hiroshige Osawa, the No. 1 contender from Japan. Then we have the Flyweight championship – Zou Shiming against the Prasitak Papoem of Thailand, who has won 12 straight fights by knockout. It should be a terrific night of boxing – not just one world championship fight, as good as that fight is, it’s a full night of boxing that we are offering to the fans, both at Pay-Per-View, closed-circuit locations, online via www.toprank.tv and of course at the famous Thomas & Mack Center.

DEWEY COOPER: We are blessed to be here. We are building a legacy right now and we are the champions. We are the defending champions. We will retain our WBO world title and STILL – Jessie Vargas baby.

JESSIE VARGAS: I can’t top that! Dewey topped it off with facts. Tune in November 5th.

*************************************

In just eight days, boxing’s only eight division world champion and the reigning Fighter of the Decade Senator MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO (58-6-2, 38 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, collides with World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight world champion JESSIE VARGAS (27-1, 10 KOs), of Las Vegas. Pacquiao and Vargas will go mano a mano and toe-to-toe in a high-stakes welterweight showdown. While Pacquiao will be looking to become a three-time WBO welterweight champion as well as the first senator to win a world title, Vargas will be resolute in enforcing a term limit on the future Hall of Famer’s boxing career.

Pacquiao vs. Vargas takes place Saturday, November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs. Vargas and its three co-main event world title fights will be produced and distributed live by Top Rank® Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, and will be available on all conventional platforms, including all major cable and satellite systems, as well as Top Rank’s digital distribution via www.TopRank.tv and mobile devices.

The three additional world championship fights on the pay-per-view telecast include: four-division world champion NONITO “The Filipino Flash” DONAIRE (37-3, 24 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, defending his WBO junior featherweight title against undefeated No. 1 contender JESSIE MAGDALENO (23-0, 17 KOs), from Las Vegas; and newly-minted WBO featherweight champion and two-time Mexican Olympian ÓSCAR VALDEZ (21-0, 18 KOs), from Nogales, Mexico, making his first title defense, against No. 1 contender HIROSHIGE OSAWA (30-3-4, 19 KOs), from Osaka, Japan. The pay-per-view telecast will open with the rematch between top-rated contenders Chinese Olympic icon ZOU SHIMING (8-1, 2 KOs), from Guizhou, China, and PRASITAK PAPOEM (39-1-2, 24 KOs), of Buriram, Thailand, battling for the vacant WBO flyweight world title. Zou a two-time Olympic gold medalist trained by Freddie Roach, will have his hands full against Prasitak, who enters this fight riding a two-year, 12-bout winning streak, with all of his victories coming by way of knockout.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Wynn Las Vegas and Tecate, remaining tickets to the Pacquiao vs. Vargas world championship event are priced at $1,000, $700, $500, $300, $100 and $50, not including applicable service fees. Tickets may be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office (except on Wednesday, October 19 because of the Clinton – Trump presidential debate), online at http://www.unlvtickets.com/, at UNLVtickets Outlet Town Square Las Vegas and La Bonita Supermarkets. To charge by phone call 702-739-FANS (3267) or 866-388-FANS (3267).

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing or facebook.com/trboxeo, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing or twitter.com/trboxeo. Use the Hashtag #PacVargas to join the conversation on Twitter.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Oct. 28th, 2016) — When Saul Almeida looks at his upcoming opponent, Manny Bermudez, he sees a younger version of himself, a confident, borderline cocky, up-and-comer with an aura of invincibility due to his early success.

Almeida (18-7, 1 KO), the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist who fights and trains out of Framingham, Mass., also won his first seven pro fights, just like the 22-year-old Bermudez (7-0, 1 KO) has done since turning pro last summer.

The parallels are striking; Almeida was 21 at the time, undefeated and untested, until he stepped into the cage with wiry, 33-year-old vet Pete Jeffrey on the undercard of CES MMA’s inaugural event in 2010. It was a humbling experience for Almeida, who got submitted via guillotine choke in the third and final round for the first loss of his pro career.

Almeida is now 27 as he enters his 26th pro fight next Friday at Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Mass., on the main card of “CES MMA 39,” but he’s arguably more experienced now than Jeffrey was when they faced one another six years ago. Will history repeat itself Nov. 4th? Will the young, brash Bermudez get humbled by the cagey veteran Almeida?

“Why not?” Almeida said. “If he’s feeling like he’s the next big thing, he better be ready for that train to fall soon. He’s not going to go undefeated his whole life.”

The Almeida-Bermudez fight, one of the more compelling bouts on the “CES MMA 39” main card, is one of seven fights airing live on AXS TV’s AXS TV Fights telecast, which begins at 9 p.m. ET and is promoted by CES MMA in association with Cage Titans FC.

Almeida returns to the CES MMA cage for the first time in more than two years, but for the ninth time in his pro career. The lanky, 6-foot-3 featherweight, nicknamed “The Spider,” is one of the region’s most polarizing fighters; though seemingly soft-spoken and well-liked by his peers, Almeida has drawn the ire of others in the northeast for his frustrating method of overwhelming opponents, a simple, yet effective, style in which he relies more on his ground game than his striking.

Often categorized as “lay and pray,” Almeida’s approach unnerves his opponents to the point where they attempt to take his head off before he even has a chance to get them to the ground, but it typically backfires. Almeida is adept at drawing his opponents into his web — perhaps explaining the nickname — while controlling the pace of the fight on his terms.

History notwithstanding, “The Spider” suggests his style is more than just “lay and pray” — “I like to get in a fight,” he says — which is why he’s even tried his hand at pro boxing eight times and has gone the distance in seven of those fights.

Regardless, Almeida remains the one guy everyone wants to fight. Why? Almeida says it could be a number of things, including his relationship with Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) Interim Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo, who’s become one of his top training partners. Almeida tagged along on Aldo’s world tour in advance of his title bout against Conor McGregor at UFC 194 and even served as his translator with the media.

“These guys all want to fight me for some reason. I guess if they fight me they get a little more attention because I’ve fought everywhere,” says Almeida, a veteran of Bellator and the World Series of Fighting (WSOF).

“They don’t like me for the stuff I do. Even if I lose, I still win, so they hate on that. They don’t want to see people doing well. They think, ‘I’m fighting Jose Aldo’s training partner,’ so they want to get a little bit of the shine. It is what it is. I’m here. I’ll fight anyone if it makes sense.”

The bout makes perfect sense for both sides, especially since the high-flying Bermudez is coming off a win over one of Almeida’s other training partners, Rodrigo Almeida, in August. A post-fight scuffle in the cage between Bermudez and Almeida’s cornerman, Bruno Dias — a “misunderstanding,” according to both parties — has set the stage for what could be the most memorable bout on the “CES MMA 39” main card.

Bermudez has finished six of his seven opponents, all in the first round, and isn’t worried about Almeida’s experience playing a factor once the bell rings next Friday.

“All this talk about experience, the pace he puts up isn’t a fighting pace,” said the Abington, Mass., native. “It’s a sparring pace and it’ll work against him.

“I’ll give it to him, he’s trained with Aldo, who’s one of the best in the world, and he’s fought everyone — [Calvin] Kattar, [Matt] Bessette, [Chris] Foster, a lot of really good guys locally — but I’m just not a fan of how he fights. That’s my biggest gripe. He’s doesn’t have any punching power, no finishing ability. He’s just a grinder.”

Thankful for the lessons he’s learned from traveling with Aldo, “The Spider” considers himself a more well-rounded fighter and remains unfazed by Bermudez’s record and bravado.

“Just getting to train with him and stay with him for a while, seeing the mentality of a UFC champion — how they train, how they think, the lifestyle — has helped me a lot,” Almeida said. “In Brazil, it’s like a jungle. Sparring is pretty much like a fight, so I’ll be ready.”

The opposing styles make for an interesting dynamic. The outcome will likely hinge on whichever fighter can impose his will. Almeida is a veteran of network television, but this will be just the second fight for Bermudez on AXS TV. He exceled in his TV debut at “CES MMA 32,” submitting Evan Parker in 1 minute, 43 seconds via rear-naked choke.

“After I fought for CES, I had a ton of people who wanted to friend me on Facebook and talk to me about the fight,” Bermudez said. “A lot more people know me now than before. It’s kind of crazy.”

His popularity will continue to skyrocket if he can avoid falling into the same trap Almeida fell into six years ago and score another big win against an established veteran.

“I feel like he thinks he’s going to grab onto me and I’m going to freak and gas myself out and then he’ll out-point me,” Bermudez said. “That can’t be your game plan. Clearly, it’s been working for him, but I just don’t think it’ll play out that way against me.”

Added Almeida: “He really hasn’t been in a tough fight yet. It’s just going to be me against him in the middle of the cage.”

Tickets for “CES MMA 39” are priced at $45.00, $55.00, $75.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com or www.cagetix.com or by phone at 401-724-2253/2254. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

“CES MMA 39” features eight action-packed bouts, including the main event showdown between East Bridgewater, Mass., middleweight Chuck O’Neil (17-8, 6 KOs) and Lawrence, Mass., vet Wilfredo Santiago (6-3, 5 KOs).

Also on the main card, Quincy, Mass., light heavyweight Mike Rodriguez (5-1, 3 KOs) returns following an impressive network television debut at “CES MMA 38” in September to face New Hampshire’s Kevin Haley (5-3, 2 KOs) and Cage Titans vet Peter Barrett (6-0, 5 KOs) of Abington puts his unbeaten record on the line in a featherweight bout against Clearwater, Fla., native Jeremy Davis (3-0, 1 KO), also undefeated.

In the flyweight division, Milford, Mass., vet Remo Cardarelli (6-4) faces Josh Ricci (2-0) of Whitesville, N.Y., and Stoughton, Mass., bantamweight Max Barrett (3-0, 2 KOs) returns to face Matt Almy (2-1) of Binghamton, N.Y., both on the main card.

Sandwich, Mass., welterweight Bobby Flynn (6-3, 1 KO), fresh off his win over Kevin Horowitz at “CES MMA 36,” battles unbeaten Crofton, Md., native Micah Terrill (6-0, 5 KOs) on the main card while Connor Barry (1-0) of Holbrook, Mass., faces lightweight Anthony Giachina (1-0) of Selden, N.Y., on the preliminary card.

Visit www.cesmma.com, www.twitter.com/cesmma or www.facebook.com/cesmma for more information, follow CES MMA on Instagram at @CESMMA and use the hashtag #CES39 to join the conversation.

Last April at the Turning Stone in Verona, New York, and with the ShoBox: The New Generation cameras rolling, Alexey Zubov admits he choked.

“I was nervous. I never fought on a big show,” explained Zubov of the unanimous decision loss he suffered to Moldova’s Constantin Bejenaru. “It was such a huge step in my career and I felt frozen by nerves.”

Fighters often make excuses when they lose, but with Zubov, there may be some validity. Normally a very active fighter with a high work rate, Zubov appeared listless and sluggish for eight uneventful rounds.

“Life doesn’t always go the way you want. Losing that fight made me stronger. It was a good lesson for me and it was good for my experience to fight on that level. And now I know what it’s like. That will never happen again.”

Zubov will continue his quest for another shot at the big time on Saturday, November 12, at Salita Promotions’ “Detroit Brawl” event at the Masonic Temple in Downtown Detroit.

Sponsored by Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar, tickets for “Detroit Brawl” will be priced at VIP $123, Box Seats $100, Ringside $93, $63, $38, and $28 and available at all Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com.

Originally from Magnitogorsk, Russia, Zubov says he’s enjoyed his last eight months living in Detroit and working with the late Emanuel Steward’s nephew Javan “Sugar” Hill at the resurgent Kronk Gym.

“I came to Detroit to become a champion. I want to show everyone that I’m a world-class cruiserweight and I want to show everyone all the things Javan has been teaching me. He is a great trainer and I have a very good relationship him.”

When not in training, Zubov says he loves the challenge of adapting to a new culture, virtually alone.

“I only miss my parents, but we talk everyday on Skype or Facetime and they support me all the way. I don’t have many Russian-speaking friends in Detroit. Most of the time, I practice my English to try and learn it well. Every day, I challenge myself to learn new words. I’ve always been like that. Just like my boxing skills. Every day I push myself to be better.”

Zubov says in near-perfect English that he’d love the chance to settle some unfinished business.

“I want a rematch with Bejenaru so bad. I can do so much better than that. I know I can. I will prove I can. I will not stop until I do.”

###

Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar offers patrons an old-school sports and whiskey bar in Downtown Detroit’s Eastern Market district. Thomas Magee’s prides itself on providing every sport, every game, and every fight, plus great beer and whiskey!

For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visit www.salitapromotions.com.

Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar is located at 1408 E Fisher Service Drive in Detroit. For more information, call 313-263-4342 or visit their official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ThomasMageesSportingHouseWhiskeyBar

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

Almay, Kazakhstan (October 28, 2016) – Saturday at the Almaty Arena in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Nelson’s Promotions presents a bout for the WBO and WBA Intercontinental along with the UBC Junior Middleweight titles as as Kanat Islam returns home to face Patrick Allotey in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds.

Islam of Almaty, Kazakhstan has a record of 22-0 with 18 knockouts.

The 32 year-old Islam was a 2008 Olympic Bronze medal winner and is a 4 year-professional. He won the WBA Fedecaribe Super Welterweight title with a 1st round stoppage over Humberto Toledo (41-8). He defended the title twice.

Islam won the WBA Fedelatin Super Welterweight title with a 3rd round stoppage over Emilio Julio. He made three defenses of that belt, which included a 3rd round stoppage over Francisco Cordero. He is coming off a 6th round stoppage over Juan De Angel (18-3-1) on May 8th in Lakeland, Florida.

Allottey of Accra, Ghana has a record of 34-2 with 28 knockouts.

The 26 year is a 10 year veteran, who won his first 30 bouts. In those victories, Allottey has wins over Patrice Sou Toke (15-0) to win the WBC Silver Welterweight title, for which he made 2 defenses and a win over. Patrick Bogere (12-1).

Alottey has won 4 straight and in his last bout, he stopped Sani Yidana Kugblie on June 24th in Accra, Ghana.

In a 6-round light heavyweight bout, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly of Almaty, Kazakhstan will make his pro debut against former world title challenger Milton Nunez (33-16-1, 28 KO’s) of Barranquilla, Colombia.

In a 10-round welterweight bout, Zhankozh Turarov (19-0, 13 KO’s) Kazakhstan will fight Isaac Aryee (24-8, 12 KO’s) of Accra, Ghana.

In a 6-round Heavyweight bout, Ruslan Myrsatayev (9-0, 5 KO’s) of Almaty, Kazakhstan will face Nuch Azumi (4-1, 3 KO’s) of Accra, Ghana.

Ali Akhmedov (7-0-2, 2 KO’s) of Almaty, Kazakhstan will square off with Ali Mammadov (10-2, 2 KO’s) Baku, Azerbaijan in 6-round light heavyweight bout.

Aidar Sharibayev (11-1-1, 9 KO’s) of Almaty, Kazakhstan will take on Juan Ocura (11-6-1, 4 KO’s) of Sabadell, Spain in a 6-round lightweight bout.

Zhuma Zhumabekov of Almaty, Kazakhstan will make his pro debut in a 4-round lightweight bout against Uladzimir Ivanou (0-1) of Minsk, Belarus.

For more information, contact:

www.nelsonspromotions.com

Ben Hall will face Carson Jones for the WBC International Silver Super-Welterweight title at the SSE Arena, Wembley in London on November 26, live on Sky Sports.

Essex talent Hall faces a huge step-up in his 11th pro outing as the unbeaten 23 year old is looking to add a second belt to his collection after stopping Kris Agyei-Dua in January to land the Southern Area strap, but Hall faces a dangerous task in the American visitor.

Jones is a familiar face to UK fight fans and has proved to be a thorn in the side of two of Britain’s best. The Oklahoma man tested Kell Brook to the limit in July 2012 when the Sheffield star edged him out via majority decision before they met in a rematch in Hull the following year. Jones returned to England to meet Brian Rose in Blackpool in February 2015 and stunned the hometown favourite with a first round stoppage, with Rose gaining revenge six months later in a rematch in Hull.

Hall’s clash with Jones is part of a huge night of action in London as Irish amateur sensation Katie Taylor makes her professional debut.

Tommy Coyle and John Wayne Hibbert clash in a must-win Super-Lightweight battle, Ohara Davies challenges WBC Silver Super-Lightweight champion Andrea Scarpa, Martin J. Ward defends his British Super-Featherweight title, Reece Bellotti is meets Ian Bailey in an eliminator for the English Featherweight crown, Conor Benn fights for the sixth time in the paid ranks and fellow unbeaten youngsters Jake Ball, Craig Richards and Ted Cheeseman look to end 2016 with a bang.

Tickets for November 26 are on general sale priced £40, £60 and £100 available from www.ssearena.co.uk or by calling 0844 815 0815. £150 VIP tickets are available exclusively via www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for November 26 are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

New York, NY (10/28/16) – DiBella Entertainment (“DBE”), the most active boxing promoter in New York and one of the foremost in the United States, announced Friday that it has released its dates on hold with the New York State Athletic Commission through the end of the year, effectively ending the boxing program in New York until at least 2017. The announcement is a direct result of New York’s new insurance requirements, which have made it impossible for promoters to purchase the coverage necessary to do an event in the state and the New York State Athletic Commission’s failure to use its authority to alter the requirements.

N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 1015, colloquially known as the MMA Law as it also served to legalize Mixed Martial Arts in the state, went into effect on September 1, 2016, requiring promoters to purchase $50,000 in medical coverage and $50,000 in death benefits for all athletes competing in an event; this is an increase from $10,000 in medical coverage and $10,000 in death benefits, but is in keeping with other states at the forefront of boxing safety such as California and Nevada.

However, the law took the unprecedented step of requiring $1 million of coverage per athlete in the event of life threatening brain injury. No insurance carrier has been authorized by the state to offer such a policy and it does not appear that, despite the efforts of various promoters and the Commission, such a policy is imminent.

The practical impact of the law, meant to provide increased safety to professional boxers, is the extinction of boxing in New York and shows being moved to nearby jurisdictions where the insurance requirements provide much less coverage for the athletes.

There has not been a professional boxing event in New York since August 21, when DBE promoted Errol Spence Jr. vs. Leonard Bundu at the Ford Amphitheater in Brooklyn. WBA Middleweight Champion Danny Jacobs, who was born and resides in Brooklyn, had planned to defend his title in September at Barclays Center, but the bout was moved to Pennsylvania due to the insurance barrier.

September 2016 marked the first time in over 11 years since a full calendar month occurred without a professional boxing event in New York.

“There is such a rich history of boxing in New York,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “And now the sport has, for all intents and purposes, been evicted by a legislature willfully ignorant of both the boxing and insurance industries. The actions of the powers that be in Albany and their political appointees are depriving New York state residents in the sport of boxing from their livelihoods. This is hitting boxers very hard, as most struggle to pay their bills and need to be active. Small businesses are being put at jeopardy with no recourse or ability to continue plying their trade.

“This is a disgraceful abuse of legislative and state power.”

In many instances, fighters who have built a fan base in New York are being deprived the opportunity to earn a living.

Heather Hardy, one of the most celebrated female fighters in the world with a passionate fan base in the New York metropolitan area, was scheduled to fight on December 16 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn – one of the dates DBE released today. Hardy, who, in addition to her purses, makes money selling tickets to her fights, will now have to look elsewhere to provide for her family.

“These new insurance restrictions are not just destroying the sport of boxing in New York, they are destroying my livelihood,” said Hardy. “Do you have any idea what life looks like for a professional boxer, especially one who is a female and a single parent? With these new laws, fewer shows and dates being moved or canceled, I don’t know how I’m going to survive at all, let alone the upcoming holiday season. I’m going to have to go back to delivering books and answering phones to try to cover the bills.”

Even if an insurance carrier were eventually approved to offer insurance for life-threatening brain injuries sustained in a boxing match, the costs would no doubt be prohibitive for all but the most high profile shows. Club shows like Broadway Boxing, which DBE has promoted regularly in New York since 2004, would cease to exist and smaller promoters that promote only club shows would be faced with the choice of moving out of state or shuttering entirely without a modification in the law.

The New York State Athletic Commission is authorized to make such a modification per the MMA Law, which states: “The commission may from time to time, promulgate regulations to adjust the amount of such minimum limits.” The Commission did promulgate regulations in early September, but did little more than reinforce the minimums set forth in the MMA Law.

On August 27, DBE and another New York based Promoter, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, jointly submitted a Public Comment in advance of the Regulations being approved that warned “[A]ll boxing in the state of New York – marquee events and club shows alike – are under an immediate danger of extinction” as a result of the new insurance requirements. A full copy of the Public Comment can be found here: http://dbe1.com/dbe-star-boxings-public-comment-to-nysac-proposed-regulations19-nycrr-parts-206-214/

The warnings provided in the Public Comment, much like the barren boxing calendar, seem thus far to have eluded the attention of those with the authority to bring boxing back to New York. For now, the state where Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano fought Archie Moore, and Sugar Ray Robinson fought Jake LaMotta twice is without professional boxing entirely.

“It is incumbent upon either the legislature or Commission to take a long look at what they’ve done and fix it. If there is an honest intention to continue boxing in the state, there must be a modification of the required limits,” said DiBella. “I have had endless conversations with insurance brokers and underwriters and any narrative being spun suggesting that a policy with an affordable premium will be in place soon is flatly wrong and not helping restore boxing in New York.

“I have several dates on hold with the New York State Athletic Commission in January 2017 and beyond and I look forward to bringing world class boxing back to New York, but I must have both the assurance that it is legally possible to satisfy the insurance requirements and proper time to promote a show.”

DBE returns with live boxing Saturday, November 19, at the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT, and Friday, December 2, at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA. Tickets are available through the respective venue box offices.

Puerto Rico’s Orlando Cruz has vowed to make history by becoming the first openly gay boxing World Champion. Cruz challenges WBO World Lightweight Champion Terry Flanagan at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on Saturday 26 November, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

The 5ft 4in southpaw became the first openly gay active boxer when he came out four years and says he is ready for another shot at making history after losing to Orlando Salido in a clash for the Vacant WBO World Featherweight Championship back in 2013.

“At 35 years-old I feel great; I’m fitter and more determined than I have ever been,” said Cruz. “Terry Flanagan is a true World Champion and will defend his title with everything he has but I am prepared and ready for victory and to be crowned the new World Champion. I’m ready to become the first openly gay World Champion is boxing history.”

Nicknamed ‘El Fenomeno’, Cruz holds a top record of 25 wins with only four losses and one draw and is currently ranked at number two in the World at Super-Featherweight. A former Olympian, Cruz enjoyed a red-hot nine year unbeaten streak after making his professional debut in 2000 and is confident he can step up to Lightweight and cause an upset on British soil.

“I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and always will be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man. Winning a World title wouldn’t just be huge for me personally; it would mean a lot to people all around the world.”

Cruz has been an ongoing advocate of the LGBT community and was widely commended after dedicating his knockout win over Alejandro Valdez in July this year to the victims of the Orlando Pulse club massacre. At the weigh-in, he proudly wore rainbow-coloured briefs and stood in silence as a bell tolled 49 times – once for each life lost.

Speaking after the fight Cruz said: “It was a great opportunity to get the win and represent my people. I’m proud to give them an equal opportunity to compete. It meant a lot to get this win tonight, because it provides the opportunity for a World title.”

Flanagan and Cruz join a sensational five-title fight card that features undefeated Hatfield star Billy Joe Saunders making the maiden defence of his World title against Brooklyn-based Russian Artur Akavov; Welsh hero Liam Williams defending his British Super-Welterweight title against undefeated Londoner Ahmet Patterson; Baggies bomber Tommy Langford clashing with Sheffield’s Sam Sheedy for the Vacant British Middleweight strap and Liverpool’s Tom Stalker making the first defence of his WBO European Lightweight title against arch rival Craig Evans.

An action-packed undercard features some of the very best up-and-coming Welsh talent; undefeated Maerdy Middleweight menace Alex Hughes fights over eight rounds; Swansea Super-Flyweight starlet Jay Harris looks to impress on home soil again over six rounds and highly-rated Barry Lightweight Jason Sillett aims to go 6-0; Ricky Hatton Heavyweight prodigy Nathan Gorman goes in search of another explosive KO win and Market Harborough Super-Welterweight Reuben Arrowsmith looks for his eighth professional win.

Remaining tickets for ‘A Little Less Conversation’ priced at £40, £70, £100 and £150 are available from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff; 029 2022 4488 and www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk, Eventim; 0844 249 1000 and www.eventim.co.uk, Ticketmaster; 0844 8440 444 and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise this show on Sky (SD Ch.437 and HD Ch.490), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon).

Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!

Warriors Boxing won a purse bid has been set up by the IBF for an IBF Elimination lightweight bout, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Warriors bid on behalf of Ural Boxing. Ural Boxing Promotions plans to stage the fight on Dec. 7 at a location to be determined in Russia, Shafikov’s home country.

LAS VEGAS (October 27, 2016) – “Knockout Night at the D” returns Friday night, November 18, airing live (9 p.m. PT / 12 a.m. ET) on CBS Sports Network from inside the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center tent, located in the heart of the downtown Las Vegas casino district, one block away from the world famous Fremont Street (200 S. 3rd St.).

North American Boxing Association (NABA) United States lightweight champion Reynaldo Blanco (13-2, 7 KOs) makes his first title defense against challenger Demond “Body Shot” Brock (12-3, 4 KOs) in the 10-round main event.

The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.

Hall of Fame announcers Jim “J.R.” Ross and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside, along with roving reporter Sean Wheelock, on CBS Sports Network.

The 29-year-old Blanco, fighting out of the Dominican Republic by way of Puerto Rico, captured his NABA US title belt this past January, taking an 8-round unanimous decision from previously unbeaten Angel Luis Ocasio (8-0-2). In his last fight in July, Blanco stopped another undefeated challenger, 14-0 Mario Beltre, in the second round for the Dominican Republic lightweight championship.

New Orleans-native Brock, who learned how to box serving a 15-year prison sentence, defeated Chuy Gutierrez (14-0-1) in the June 10th “Knockout Night at the D” show to retain his World Boxing Council (WBC) United States lightweight title in his first title defense. Brock, 35, originally captured his title belt in 2015, by way of an 8-round unanimous decision over Oscar Valenzuela (9-1-1).

In the 8-round co-feature, Puerto Rican junior middleweight Daniel “El Duro” Cruz (11-1, 10 KOs) takes on former Mexico welterweight champion Norberto Gonzalez (22-8, 13 KOs).

Cruz, who has knocked out 10 of his 11 victims, is the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino junior middleweight champion having captured that vacant title in his last fight (July 17, 2015), stopping Aaron Garcia (14-3-1) in the second round in Florida.

Always dangerous Gonzalez is a proven upset specialist with victories against 30-3 Javier Francisco Maciel (DEC8), 20-1 Michael Oliveira (DEC10), 18-2 Antonio Arras (DEC10), and 22-3-1 Joel Juarez (DEC6).

In the television opener, rising junior lightweight Randy Moreno (6-0, 5 KOs) faces Mexican veteran Daniel Perales (7-5-1, 4 KOs) in a scheduled 6-round bout. Fighting once again at home in Las Vegas, Moreno will be in his first 6-rounder, as well as on national television for the first time. The gifted 20-year-old is coming off explosive back-to-back knockouts of Fabian Alaniz and Gaige Ireland in a pair of “Knockout Night at the D” events in September.

“The hottest series in boxing returns November 18th with another great event,” said Keith Veltre, CEO / Co-Founder of Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions. “Once again, the main event and co-feature are pick ’em fights. ‘Knockout Night at the D’ fights are known for its competitiveness and entertainment value. And we remain committed to showcasing local prospects like Randy Moreno, who will be fighting on national television for the first time. Fans in attendance as well as those watching on CBS Sports Network will be into these match-ups from the opening bell.”

Keeping with its goal to showcase young talent based in Las Vegas, junior flyweight Marina “Rocky” Ramirez (2-0), and pro-debuting cruiserweight Jason Beauchamp are slated to be fighting in separate 4-round bouts.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $1,000.00 VIP booth (includes 15 admissions), $50.00 VIP ringside, $25.00 and $15.00 general admission, are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 7:00 p.m. PT.

The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center and Neon Star Media.

INFORMATION:

Websites: www.dlvec.com, www.thed.com, www.royjonesjrboxing.com, www.knockoutnightboxing.com

Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvEventsCenter, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dlvec, www.Facebook.com/thedlasvegas

Follow these fighters on Twitter: @bodyshot brock and @_randymoreno

RIVAL BOXING GEAR & EQUIPMENT is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series. www.rivalboxing.com, @rivalboxinggear
About the D Las Vegas: the D Las Vegas delivers the fresh, energetic attitude and fun atmosphere synonymous with downtown Las Vegas. The new casino hotel boasts 629 remodeled rooms and suites and a unique two-level casino featuring modern and vintage floors. Cocktails, beer and frozen beverages abound inside the casino at LONGBAR and on the Fremont Street Experience at D Bar. the D offers contemporary American fare at D Grill, Detroit’s legendary Coney Dogs at American Coney Island and premium steaks and authentic Italian dishes at Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse. The Showroom at the D Las Vegas features outstanding entertainment ranging from award-winning dinner theater and Broadway productions to music, comedy and more. Follow the D on Facebook and Twitter.

About Downtown Las Vegas Events Center: Located at the corner of Third St. and Carson Ave. across from the D Las Vegas, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center can accommodate up to 11,000 guests and features state-of-the-art stage, sound and lighting. The open-air design is inviting to both tourists and locals and offers the perfect spot for concerts, conventions and other large-scale events. Embracing the uninhibited spirit of Downtown Las Vegas, the new venue plays host to a line-up of curated events including premier concerts, food festivals and more. The venue is also the first entertainment arena in Las Vegas to accept Bitcoin as currency. For more information, visit www.dlvec.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @dlveventscenter.

About Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. Based in Las Vegas, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable such as undefeated super welterweight John Vera and former 3-time world super bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko, along with Tony Lopez and Hanzel Martinez, lightweight Demond Brock, super featherweight Randy Moreno, cruiserweight Irsael Duffus, bantamweight Max Ornelas, super lightweight Emanuel Robles, middleweight Rolando Garza and light heavyweight Adrian Taylor.

About Neon Star Media LLC: Neon Star Media is a marketing and content company that creates highly effective brand-integration experiences for our clients, executed through a unique “story-telling” approach that empowers client’s product messaging to soar while delivering results. At Neon Star Media, we maximize client media spends by leveraging our relationships with various sporting events, cable channels, digital platforms and other social media outlets. We work with our clients to engage, endorse and advance their message with audiences on all platforms 24/7. Visit us on Twitter @Neonstarmedia or Facebook www.facebook.com/Neon-Star-Media-378687919005532/

LOS ANGELES (October 27, 2016) – Hard-hitting featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar (28-1, 21 KOs) is set to take on former three-division world champion Abner Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs) in a world title showdown that headlines a Premier Boxing Champions event on Saturday, December 10. The exciting doubleheader will be live on SHOWTIME from USC’s Galen Center in Los Angeles.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGÒ event begins with super welterweight world champion Jermall Charlo (24-0, 18 KOs) meeting top-ranked contender Julian “J-Rock” Williams (22-0-1, 14 KOs) in a highly anticipated matchup of undefeated stars.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, go on sale tomorrow, October 28 at 3 p.m. PT and are priced at $35, $50, $75, $150 and $200. To purchase tickets go to www.galentix.com.

“This is the most important fight of my career as Mares is one of the best in this loaded featherweight division,” Cuellar said. “We had to wait very long for this fight to happen, but everything happens for a reason and I’m grateful that the time is almost here. I know that this fight will be a war. I’ve been working hard with Freddie Roach and I’m excited to show what I’ve learned and get my frustration of waiting off my chest. I am more motivated than ever to keep my title and prove who is the best in the division.”

“I’m excited to get back in the ring and win my fourth world title,” said Mares. “I’m 100 percent healthy and ready to go. I’m looking forward to showing that to my fans and the entire audience on December 10. Los Angeles is my town. This is a fight that I’ve wanted and I’m glad to be giving the fans a great show at the end of the year. Come watch me on December 10 and see what a warrior looks like.”

“Camp for me started a month after I defeated Austin Trout,” said Charlo. “From that point on, I’ve been in the gym working and I got my vision corrected, so I’m feeling great. I’m looking forward to putting my clearer vision to the test and I’m so prepared and ready for this fight. This is everything I’ve ever wanted. It’s the best fighting the best. Julian brings an undefeated record to the table and I know he’s watched a lot of my past fights because we always knew we would fight one day. So who’s the best? We’ll find out, but I know I’m ready to rumble.”

“I’m excited to get my first title shot, but more than anything I’m just focused on winning,” said Williams. “Jermall Charlo is strong and fast, but I will be better than him on December 10. I’ve been waiting for this fight for the longest time and I know this will be a great night for the fans. I plan on giving them an exciting, explosive fight and most importantly a win.”

The action-packed doubleheader features two evenly matched showdowns as all four men, firmly in the top 10 in their division, will enter the ring believing that they will be the one leaving with a belt around their waist. Cuellar and Mares look for supremacy in a crowded featherweight division brimming with contenders while Charlo and Williams each look for a career-defining performance to boost their burgeoning profiles.

“I am elated to be promoting this great night of action for boxing fans around the world,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman and CEO of Ringstar Sports. “Both of these fights are 50-50 match ups with a lot on the line. These are fights that the fans want to see and pose challenges that these fighters are eager to face. They will have a great stage at the Galen Center at USC and on SHOWTIME to prove that they are amongst the best in the world. I couldn’t be coming back to the sport with a better fight card and I know that the real winner on December 10 will be the fans.”

“We’re very excited to present this highly anticipated featherweight world title fight between Jesus Cuellar and Abner Mares,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “I’m thrilled to work with Richard Schaefer on the debut promotion of Ringstar Sports and look forward to many more world-class collaborative events. I also want to thank Stephen Espinoza and the SHOWTIME team along with the Galen Center staff for their help in making what will undoubtedly be an outstanding night of boxing.”

“These two world title fights exemplify what SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING has and will continue to deliver – true ‘pick-em’ fights between top-rated fighters in the prime of their career,,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Cuellar vs. Mares is arguably the toughest to predict of the five featherweight world championships we’ve presented this year. And in Charlo vs. Williams, our latest in a series of significant bouts at 154-pounds, we have a prime example of how great this sport can be. These are major fights between the top players in two of boxing’s deepest divisions.”

A fast-rising star out of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cuellar isworking toward his 12th consecutive victory when he gets in the ring to defend his 126-pound title against Mares. His power in both hands has helped him deliver seven knockouts in his last 10 victories, including an eighth-round knockout of former world champion Vic Darchinyan in June 2015. The 29-year-old won his world title with a unanimous decision over Claudio Marrero in his U.S. debut in August 2013. He went on to defend his title against Rico Ramos, Juan Manuel Lopez and Ruben Tamayo.

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif., Mares won his first title in 2011 when he beat Joseph Agbeko to capture the bantamweight crown. He continued to rise in the pound-for-pound list with victories over Anselmo Moreno and Daniel Ponce De Leon to win world titles at super bantamweight and featherweight. The 30-year-old won three straight fights leading to a massive showdown with Leo Santa Cruz last August. Mares showed the same explosiveness that made him a multiple-division world champion in a thrilling “Fight of the Year” candidate which he lost by majority decision. The always-exciting Mares will enter the ring for the first time under the tutelage of renowned trainer Robert Garcia and strength coach Luis Garcia as he seeks to capture another world title.

Twin brother of fellow 154-pound world champion Jermell, Jermall Charlowill be making the third defense of the super welterweight crown he won last September with a dominant stoppage over Cornelius Bundrage. The 26-year-old is coming off of a career-best, hard-fought decision over crafty former world champion Austin Trout in May in Las Vegas. Training with Ronnie Shields in Houston, Charlo will look to silence Williams and stake his claim as the best in the division.

One of the most highly regarded young stars in boxing, Williams, of Philadelphia, will be getting his first world title opportunity. The 26-year-old has dismantled opponents on his way to accumulating an unbeaten record. Williams solidified his status as a fast-rising star by defeating veterans Luciano Cuello and Arman Ovsepyan in addition to a shutout victory over contender Joey Hernandez in 2015. He earned his No. 1 ranking and title fight by stopping Italy’s Marcello Matano in the seventh round in March.

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

Here are the official weigh-in results for AXS TV FIGHTS: RESURRECTION FIGHTING ALLIANCE 45 tomorrow night. Please let me know if you have any questions or need access to watch the fights. We greatly appreciate any coverage you can provide.

TWO TITLE FIGHTS SET AS FIGHTERS MAKE WEIGHT FOR ‘AXS TV FIGHTS: RESURRECTION FIGHTING ALLIANCE 45’ TOMORROW NIGHT

Los Angeles – Oct. 27, 2016 – With two championship fights on the card for tomorrow night’s AXS TV FIGHTS: RESURRECTION FIGHTING ALLIANCE 45 broadcast, middleweight contenders Gerald Meerschaert (23-8) and Chase Waldon (10-1), and featherweight champ Raoni Barcelos (10-1) and contender Dan Moret (11-2) all made weight today for their title bouts. The action kicks off live at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT from the Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, Minnesota with AXS TV FIGHTS commentators Pat Miletich and “The Voice” Michael Schiavello on the broadcast mic and reporter Ron Kruck cageside.

Official weigh-in results for RFA 45 are as follows, fighters’ record and official weight (in pounds) are listed in parenthesis.

Televised Main Card:

Main Event – Middleweight Title Fight – Gerald Meerschaert (23-8, 183.8) vs. Chase Waldon (10-1, 185)

Co-Main Event – Featherweight Title Fight – Dan Moret (11-2, 144.8) vs. Raoni Barcelos (10-1, 144.6)

Welterweight Fight – Frank Schuman (7-2, 170.6) vs. Chad Curry (7-1, 170.4)

Welterweight Fight – Ben Neumann (10-4, 170.8) vs. Jordon Larson (7-2, 171)

Lightweight Fight – Damion Shehan (3-0, 155.6) vs. Bobby Lee (4-0, 155.6)

Bantamweight Fight – Antonio Sanchez (3-0, 137) vs. Mitch White (1-1, 134.6)

ABOUT AXS TV FIGHTS

AXS TV Fights presents more LIVE mixed martial arts and kickboxing events than any other television network with 40+ LIVE world-class fight cards each year. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich call all the action as champions, challengers, and top prospects take center stage every Friday night at 10pE/7pP. AXS TV Fights can be found online, on Facebook and on Twitter. AXS TV is widely distributed in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other cable, satellite and telco providers. The network is also carried in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

PHILADELPHIA (October 27, 2016) – Former world champion Javier Fortuna (30-1-1, 22 KOs) and undefeated rising contender Omar Douglas (17-0, 12 KOs) are set to meet in a pivotal matchup as both men look to make a statement when they meet on Saturday, November 12 from Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Premier Boxing Champions on Spike action.

Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and is headlined by undefeated world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia taking on Colombia’s Samuel Vargas. Also featured in televised action is undefeated rising star Jarrett Hurd battling former title challenger Jo Jo Dan. Garcia is teaming up with Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization, to arrange a regional food drive and raise money throughout the promotion. For more information on how to get involved, visit the event’s webpage HERE.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DSG Promotions and King’s Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $35 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit LiacourasCenter.com/events or call 800-298-4200.

The former champion Fortuna and the unbeaten Douglas will meet in a 50-50 fight that could put the winner in a position to fight for a world title soon. Fortuna is known for his aggressive style while Douglas looks to impress against his toughest opponent to date.

Here is what the fighters had to say about training camp, each other and more:

How has training camp gone for this fight?

Javier Fortuna: “I’m having an excellent training camp. We’re working hard and figuring out how to break down my opponent. Hector Bermudez does a great job and I’m very comfortable training here in Boston. I’ve gotten great sparring with guys like Will Madero and Alden Whatley. I’m going to be just as strong in the final round as I was in the first.

Omar Douglas: “Training has been going very well. I was already working and staying sharp, because I knew a big fight was on the horizon. Training in Delaware with Douglas Petitford has been great for me and I’ve had incredible sparring. I’ve been in there getting rounds with (2016 U.S. Olympian) Gary Antuanne Russell and a veteran in Hank Lundy.”

What do you think of your opponent and how do you see this fight going stylistically?

JF: “Douglas is a prospect who has looked pretty good coming up. He wants to get to where I’ve been. He might be looking past me. I think that his style my style perfectly. I’m going to have openings and I just need to take advantage.”

OD: “Fortuna is a very decent and explosive fighter. He’s a former world champion and I expect him to stand up and get back what he thinks is his. He wants his rematch with Sosa and we are in each other’s way. He’s a frontrunner in the ring. He will try to start strong and I am prepared for whatever he brings to the table. Whether he boxes or fights me. I will make adjustments.”

What kind of problems does your opponent pose?

JF: “The only problem that he will pose is if he doesn’t show up and fight. I’m ready for anything he can bring, so I hope he’s ready to give the fans a show.”

OD: “Me moves well. I can’t let myself get off-balanced trying to chase him. He’s awkward but I know that my jab will neutralize his strengths.”

What are you looking for in the future if you can get the win on November 12? What are your goals for 2017?

JF: “I want to fight the best that are out there. My first choice is a rematch with Jason Sosa so that I can win my belt back. I’d love to fight Vasyl Lomachenko. I don’t think he’s fought a guy quite like me yet.”

OD: “I want to fight for a world title. That’s the goal. He is a former champion who just lost his title and 2017 is my year to make a run for a title.”

How have you improved as a fighter since your loss? Do you believe a win over Douglas proves you’re still on of the best in the division?

JF: “I have learned a lot of things since I lost. My defense and my confidence in myself has improved. If I can beat a guy who is 22-0 and make it two wins over previously unbeaten fighters, then I think I’m right back in contention. He’s still considered a prospect so I think whoever wins will be a contender at the top of the division.

How does fighting in Philadelphia motivate you, having fought there in the amateurs and being from nearby Delaware?

OD: “In the amateurs I was one of the only guys from Delaware. I had a lot of obstacles. I’ve been fighting against Philly’s best fighters for years. Philadelphia is where I achieved my first goals in the sport and it will always be special to me to fight in Philly.”

Why do you believe you’ll be victorious on fight night?

JF: “With the work that I’ve been putting in, I know that I will be ready on fight night. I’ve been through too much not to leave the ring victorious.”

OD: “I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life and I believe I am the hungrier fighter. He doesn’t want it as badly as I do. I’ve been waiting in the shadows for a long time. I have all the skills necessary to get the job done.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DSG Promotions and King’s Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $35 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit LiacourasCenter.com/events or call 800-298-4200. Ten dollars from every ticket sold will go to Philabundance, feeding 20 people in need per ticket.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (October 27, 2016) – Boxing’s only eight division world champion and the reigning Fighter of the Decade Senator MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO, held a media workout on Wednesday at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif.

Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, is in the final week of training for his world championship collision with World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight world champion JESSIE VARGAS (27-1, 10 KOs), of Las Vegas. In just nine days they will go mano a mano and toe-to-toe in a high-stakes welterweight showdown. While Pacquiao will be looking to become a three-time WBO welterweight champion as well as the first senator to win a world title, Vargas will be resolute in enforcing a term limit on the future Hall of Famer’s boxing career.

Here is what Manny had to say:

MANNY PACQUIAO:

“It took discipline to manage my time effectively … to balance my training camp and my Senatorial duties. I feel good. Every day I was able to get in all my training. I ran every morning and did my strength and conditioning with Justin Fortune. I worked with Freddie every evening at the gym after work. There were some days where I would have to come in later if my work in the Senate demanded I stay longer. Between the two “jobs,” I was averaging 14-hour workdays. Luckily the gym was very close to the Senate so I didn’t have to deal with traffic. I had no real free time to be with friends.

“I am now well-rested. I arrived in U.S. on Saturday evening and today I feel I have recovered from my jetlag. I sparred six rounds yesterday [Tuesday with Ray Beltran]. I will spar Thursday, Saturday and Monday before driving to Las Vegas.

“We have three different plans for Jessie Vargas. My first concern is for the fans; that the people who are going to watch the fight will be happy and satisfied. I want this to be a fight for fans to remember

“I am fighting for history. I was the first sitting congressman to win a world title. For this one, it is not enough to be the first sitting senator to fight for a world title, I want to be the first senator to become world champion. For me, that would be quite an accomplishment.

“I want to prove that I am still one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. I feel I still have a lot to prove. I am not done with boxing. I will continue to keep fighting as long as I love boxing and boxing still loves me. I do not feel old. I feel like I am still 27.

“I do not underestimate Jessie Vargas. He is a good strong champion. You cannot fight at this level and be successful by underestimating your opponent. Every opponent gets my full attention and respect. I respect Jessie and that is why I trained hard. This is the most important fight because it will determine the direction of my boxing career. I need to win convincingly.

“In boxing the fight is in the ring is for the enjoyment of the fans. In the Senate, the fight is for improving the quality of life of the Philippine citizens. Being a senator is inspiring work.

“I have spent more than 100 million [pesos] on building houses for the less fortunate [over 1,000 houses…Manny purchased the lots and built and gave away the homes and lots]

“Winning world titles in eight divisions is not that easy. I am so blessed to be a part of boxing history by winning them. That is not me boasting. I am just happy to be a part of the history of boxing.

“I enjoy politics because I do not have a hidden agenda. I serve honestly. That’s a good thing for me because I’m not ashamed to tell the truth. I’m not ashamed to rebuke someone if they are doing wrong. Government is for serving the people, not for serving oneself.”

*************************************

Pacquiao vs. Vargas takes place Saturday, November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs. Vargas and its three co-main event world title fights will be produced and distributed live by Top Rank® Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, and will be available on all conventional platforms, including all major cable and satellite systems, as well as Top Rank’s digital distribution via www.TopRank.tv and mobile devices.

The three additional world championship fights on the pay-per-view telecast include: four-division world champion NONITO “The Filipino Flash” DONAIRE (37-3, 24 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, defending his WBO junior featherweight title against undefeated No. 1 contender JESSIE MAGDALENO (23-0, 17 KOs), from Las Vegas; and newly-minted WBO featherweight champion and two-time Mexican Olympian ÓSCAR VALDEZ (21-0, 18 KOs), from Nogales, Mexico, making his first title defense, against No. 1 contender HIROSHIGE OSAWA (30-3-4, 19 KOs), from Osaka, Japan. The pay-per-view telecast will open with the rematch between top-rated contenders Chinese Olympic icon ZOU SHIMING (8-1, 2 KOs), from Guizhou, China, and PRASITAK PAPOEM (39-1-2, 24 KOs), of Buriram, Thailand, battling for the vacant WBO flyweight world title. Zou a two-time Olympic gold medalist trained by Freddie Roach, will have his hands full against Prasitak, who enters this fight riding a two-year, 12-bout winning streak, with all of his victories coming by way of knockout.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Wynn Las Vegas and Tecate, remaining tickets to the Pacquiao vs. Vargas world championship event are priced at $1,000, $700, $500, $300, $100 and $50, not including applicable service fees. Tickets may be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office (except on Wednesday, October 19 because of the Clinton – Trump presidential debate), online at http://www.unlvtickets.com/, at UNLVtickets Outlet Town Square Las Vegas and La Bonita Supermarkets. To charge by phone call 702-739-FANS (3267) or 866-388-FANS (3267).

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing or facebook.com/trboxeo, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing or twitter.com/trboxeo. Use the Hashtag #PacVargas to join the conversation on Twitter.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Oct. 27th, 2016) — When most fighters say they “live in the gym,” it’s merely a figure of speech, a way to show their peers just how hard they’re working.

For middleweight Wilfredo Santiago (6-3, 5 KOs), this commonly used expression is his reality, not just a clever euphemism. The transplanted Lawrence, Mass., native actually lives in his gym 2,200 miles west in Albuquerque, N.M.

“I have a room in the gym and everything,” Santiago said. “My address is the gym.”

Suffice to say, the 33-year-old Santiago has made plenty of sacrifices to ensure his career heads in the right direction. The hard work and dedication has paid off in the form of a nationally-televised headliner on the main card of “CES MMA 39” next Friday, Nov. 4th, 2016 against established veteran Chuck O’Neil (17-8, 6 KOs) at the historic Memorial Hall in Plymouth, Mass.

The O’Neil-Santiago middleweight main event is one of seven fights on the televised main card of AXS TV’s AXS TV Fights telecast, which begins 9 p.m. ET and is promoted by CES MMA in association with Cage Titans FC. Next Friday will be Santiago’s network television debut while O’Neil takes center stage on AXS TV for the sixth time.

“I can’t say enough. I’m blessed,” Santiago said. “All those mistakes a lot of fighters make, I made those in the beginning of my career. I took some time to myself due to injuries and did some soul searching. I’ve been taking it one fight at a time, training my ass off.

“I’m ready,” he continued. “No disrespect to Chuck, but I believe in myself 100 percent.”

A year ago, after winning a title at “Cage Titans 26” in Plymouth, Santiago decided he wanted to branch out and expand his training, so he reached out to gyms from all over the country. A few replied, including the Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, co-owned by Greg Jackson and widely considered one of the sport’s top training facilities.

The legendary Jackson has trained the likes of former Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm, former UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and ex-welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, among others. Santiago decided to pack his bags and head west, but the original plan was to stay for just six months. The move soon became permanent as Santiago realized the benefits of training full-time at Jackson Wink, both in and out of the cage.

“It’s a dream come true,” Santiago said. “To train everyday with some of the best in the world, that alone builds confidence.

“One of the biggest aspects to being a fighter is being able to handle yourself outside of the cage. I’m an old-school guy. My mom and dad taught us morals and values, and to see how these champions carry themselves, it just makes you want to do better.”

Relocating more than 2,000 miles from his hometown hasn’t been easy. Santiago left a lot of close friends and family behind, including his ill mother, but knowing this could be his last chance to build off his current three-fight win streak and take his career to the next level made the decision much easier.

“It takes a lot to do this,” he said, “but great sacrifices bring great rewards.”

The climb back to the top for Santiago has been slow and steady, but equally rewarding. After losing to Darrius Heylinger in 2013, his third loss in four fights, Santiago suffered a torn labrum that forced him to take time off. He wound up sitting out for two and a half years, not only to heal his shoulder, but to take a mental break as well.

He returned in July of 2015 with a knockout win over Ralph Johnson and has now won his last three fights as he steps up from the welterweight division to middleweight to face the red-hot O’Neil, who’s won his last two fights at 185 on AXS TV.

“None of us ever go into a camp 100 percent, but, overall, all the major injury issues I had in the past are behind me,” Santiago said. “Training-wise, things couldn’t be better. My body is still fresh. I haven’t taken a lot of beatings like some of these other guys have. Everything is great.”

O’Neil, a Bourne, Mass., native who now fights out of East Bridgewater, enters next Friday with newfound confidence since rebounding from his loss to Daniel Vizcaya last October after winning his last two fights. Outsiders questioned whether or not he made the right decision jumping from 170 to 185, and others have criticized his decision to moonlight as a professional wrestler, suggesting it’s affected his performance in the cage, but O’Neil remains as steady and consistent as ever.

The former UFC vet makes his 12th appearance with CES MMA next Friday and he does so less than 20 miles from his hometown, the site of his first victory in an MMA title fight nearly eight years to the date; a former CES MMA title-holder, O’Neil also won the Reality Fighting Welterweight Championship Nov. 1st, 2008 at Memorial Hall.

“It’s pretty crazy when you think about it. I’m an old man now,” said the 31-year-old O’Neil. “Back then, I was a young, scrappy kid trying to get by as the tough guy.

“I wouldn’t change anything for the world. There’s nothing better than getting in that cage and winning.”

While O’Neil has always eyed a potential return to the UFC, he’s carved a niche with CES MMA as an electrifying, hard-hitting middleweight who’s as precise at cutting promos as he is at finishing his opponents. The flashy, outspoken O’Neil enters next Friday’s fight with a definitive size advantage over his shorter, lighter opponent, who’s moving up in weight, but promises to maintain the same approach once the bell rings.

“[Santiago] is definitely a dangerous fighter,” O’Neil said. “He’s a game opponent. He throws a lot of heavy punches, big overhand rights, and he switches back and forth and likes to hop in and out, mostly in and out looking for that big shot.

“He’s fought taller guys before. He knocked out Ralph Johnson, but before that was having trouble with his range. But I’m not Ralph Johnson. Not at all. As [head coach] Diamond Dave [Keefe] says, I’m going to go out there and be the F-ing boss. I’m going to establish that and take control. If you go in there waiting on stuff, you’re going to get hit with things.”

O’Neil has found his comfort zone at 185, which means no more crazy weight-cuts leading up to fight night. Managing his weight and diet properly has helped O’Neil look and feel better when he enters the cage and it’s showed in his last two bouts, particularly in his fight against Dennis Olson in March when he fought three full rounds and never lost stamina, closing with a championship performance in the third and final round.

Now O’Neil returns to the site of some of his greatest achievements against a scrappy, underdog slugger with nothing to lose, perhaps a reflection of the fighter O’Neil used to be.

“Every fight, I feel stronger and stronger,” O’Neil said. “I’m not killing myself and I’m not burning muscle. I enter that cage on fight night feeling strong. I’m looking forward to this fight.”

Tickets for “CES MMA 39” are priced at $45.00, $55.00, $75.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com or www.cagetix.com or by phone at 401-724-2253/2254. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

“CES MMA 39” features eight action-packed bouts, including a featherweight showdown between 25-fight vet Saul Almeida (18-7, 1 KO) of Framingham, Mass., and Abington, Mass., prospect Manny Bermudez (7-0, 1 KO), who puts his unbeaten record on the line.

The 27-year-old Almeida is a veteran of several prominent organizations, including CES MMA, World Series of Fighting (WSOF) and Bellator Fighting Championships. Nov. 4th will be his ninth under the promotional guidance of CES MMA and first since 2014. Bermudez, a longtime Cage Titans and CES MMA vet, returns to the cage for the first time since August when he defeated Rodrigo Almeida via first-round submission.

Also on the main card, Quincy, Mass., light heavyweight Mike Rodriguez (5-1, 3 KOs) returns following an impressive network television debut at “CES MMA 38” in September to face New Hampshire’s Kevin Haley (5-3, 2 KOs) and Cage Titans vet Peter Barrett (6-0, 5 KOs) of Abington puts his unbeaten record on the line in a featherweight bout against Clearwater, Fla., native Jeremy Davis (3-0, 1 KO), also undefeated.

In the flyweight division, Milford, Mass., vet Remo Cardarelli (6-4) faces Josh Ricci (2-0) of Whitesville, N.Y., and Stoughton, Mass., bantamweight Max Barrett (3-0, 2 KOs) returns to face Matt Almy (2-1) of Binghamton, N.Y., both on the main card.

Sandwich, Mass., welterweight Bobby Flynn (6-3, 1 KO), fresh off his win over Kevin Horowitz at “CES MMA 36,” battles unbeaten Crofton, Md., native Micah Terrill (6-0, 5 KOs) on the main card while Connor Barry (1-0) of Holbrook, Mass., faces lightweight Anthony Giachina (1-0) of Selden, N.Y., on the preliminary card.

Visit www.cesmma.com, www.twitter.com/cesmma or www.facebook.com/cesmma for more information, follow CES MMA on Instagram at @CESMMA and use the hashtag #CES39 to join the conversation.

FACT SHEET

MAIN EVENT – SPECIAL CATCHWEIGHT (129 lbs.) ATTRACTION – 12 ROUNDS
WILFREDO “Papito” VAZQUEZ, JR. (24-6-1, 19 KOs), Former WBO Super Bantamweight Champion, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
vs.
JUAN MANUEL “JuanMa” LOPEZ (34-5, 31 KOs), Former 3-time, 2-division world champion, Caguas, Puerto Rico

CO-FEATURE — FEATHERWEIGHTS — 10 ROUNDS
JONATHAN OQUENDO (26-5, 16 KOs), Former World featherweight title challenger, Vega Ala, Puerto Rico
vs.
GUSTASVO “El Gustavo” MOLINA (23-13, 9 KOs),Former Mexico Flyweight Champion,Tuxcalen, Mexico

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS – 10 ROUNDS
YOMAR “The Magic” ALAMO (11-0, 8 KOs), WBC FECARBOX Junior Welterweight Champion, Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico
vs.
EDWIN “Bazookita” LOPEZ (27-6-1, 24 KOs), Former WBA Fedecaribe Super Featherweight Champion, Puerto Rico

BANTAMWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS
JANTONY ORTIZ (5-0, 3 KOs), 2012 Puerto Rico Olympian, Humacao, Puerto Rico
vs.
LUIS “Mosley” HERNANDEZ (1-0, 1 KO),Aqua Buenas, Puerto Rico

(ALL FIGHTS & FIGHTERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
WHEN: Saturday, October 29, 2016 – 9:00 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
WHERE: Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
PROMOTER: Black Tiger Promotions
PPV: Distributed live by Integrated Sports Media in the United States and Puerto Rico, starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, on both cable and satellite pay per view on iN Demand, DISH, DIRECTV, Liberty Cable, Claro TV and Vubiquity. The event will also be available to watch across Canada on Fight Network, as well as worldwide via Fite TV app for iOS and Android devices or watch on the www.Fite.TV website. Suggested retail price is $29.95.
PPV ANNOUNCERS: Steve Farhood & Benny Ricardo
RING ANNOUNCER: Tom Treiber
INFORMATION:
Websites: www.blacktigerpromotionspr@gmail.com, www.integratedsportsnet,com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlackTigerPromotionalLLC

Twitter: @integratedPPV

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Carlos Maldonado, Black Tiger Promotions, 787.810.5976, blacktigerpromotionspr@gmail.com
Bob Trieger, Full Court PRESS, 978.590.0470, bobtfcp@hotmmail.com, @fightpublicist

WBO Lightweight Champion Terry Flanagan (31-0 12 KOs) will make the fourth defence of his World title against Puerto Rico’s former World title challenger Orlando Cruz (25-4-1 13 KOs) on Frank Warren’s huge November 26th Motorpoint Arena Cardiff show, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Welsh fights fans will be treated to an incredible five title fights at the Motorpoint Arena; two World title fights, two British title fights and one European fight. Big time boxing has well and truly returned to Cardiff.

When Flanagan stopped American challenger Diego Magdaleno in a hail of punches back in October 2015 during the maiden defence of his WBO World Lightweight title, it had taken the Manchester southpaw under six minutes to prove his world class credentials.

Then in March the Steve Maylett trained star retained his WBO crown with a wide points decision over tough as nails Liverpool veteran Derry Mathews in an absorbing arm wrestle of a fight in front of a packed-out Liverpool Echo Arena.

Last time out at the Ice Arena Wales Flanagan successfully made the third defence of his World title against the experienced and tricky Mzonke Fana. South Africa’s Fana provided Flanagan with a stern test but the Ancoats man came away with a unanimous decision win.

Cruz, 35, fought for Puerto Rico at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and ran undefeated for a full nine years before losing to America’s Cornelius Lock by TKO in 2009. During a glittering career Cruz has held the WBO Latino Featherweight and WBO NABO Super-Featherweight titles.

In 2013 Cruz had the opportunity to become the first openly gay World Champion when he challenged Orlando Salido for the Vacant WBO World Featherweight title at the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas. But he fell short in his first challenge at the highest level as he was out-gunned and overpowered by Salido who was crowned Champion for the third time. Salido went on to beat pound-for-pound Featherweight star Vasyl Lomachenko in his next fight at the Alamodome in Texas.

Undefeated in 31 professional outings, all-action ‘Turbo’ is determined to overcome his latest challenger before setting his sights on a mega-fight in early 2017.

“I’m excited to get out there again and put in a big performance before getting the blockbuster fights that Frank has promised me next year,” said Flanagan. “Last time I fought in Cardiff I wasn’t happy with how I boxed so it will be good to show the Welsh fans that I’m a lot better than I showed against Fana.

“Frank’s delivered everything he promised. He got me a British title, a WBO European title and a WBO World title; I got the opportunity to defend it in my own town and then defend it in someone else’s back yard. I know I’m the best Lightweight in the division and I’m looking to get these big fights to prove it.

“I do what I need to get the win but if I feel the stoppage is there I’ll go for it. Cruz is a strong fighter and very dangerous and more than capable of causing an upset. I’m out to prove a point and show everyone that I’m world class. Linares in seen as number one in the division after beating Crolla and it would be good to get that fight and do something that Crolla couldn’t do to prove I’m the best around.”

Flanagan and Cruz join a sensational five-title fight card that features undefeated Hatfield star Billy Joe Saunders making the maiden defence of his World title against Brooklyn-based Russian Artur Akavov; Welsh hero Liam Williams defending his British Super-Welterweight title against undefeated Londoner Ahmet Patterson; Baggies bomber Tommy Langford clashing with Sheffield’s Sam Sheedy for the Vacant British Middleweight strap and Liverpool’s Tom Stalker making the first defence of his WBO European Lightweight title against arch rival Craig Evans.

An action-packed undercard features some of the very best up-and-coming Welsh talent; undefeated Maerdy Middleweight menace Alex Hughes fights over eight rounds; Swansea Super-Flyweight starlet Jay Harris looks to impress on home soil again over six rounds and highly-rated Barry Lightweight Jason Sillett aims to go 6-0; Ricky Hatton Heavyweight prodigy Nathan Gorman goes in search of another explosive KO win and Market Harborough Super-Welterweight Reuben Arrowsmith looks for his eighth professional win.

Remaining tickets for ‘A Little Less Conversation’ priced at £40, £70, £100 and £150 are available from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff; 029 2022 4488 and www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk, Eventim; 0844 249 1000 and www.eventim.co.uk, Ticketmaster; 0844 8440 444 and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise this show on Sky (SD Ch.437 and HD Ch.490), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon).

Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!

LONDON (27 October) – BoxNation will be the only place to watch boxing legend Manny Pacquiao’s ring return as he takes on WBO welterweight world champion Jessie Vargas on November 5th from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The bout will be broadcast exclusively live on ‘The Channel of Champions’ BoxNation as eight-division world champion Pacquiao takes a break from his political commitments in the Philippines in a bid to become the only sitting Congressman and Senator to win a world title.

That task, however, will not come easy he steps in against the accomplished Vargas who has won all but one of his 28 fights, and, at 27-years-old, is already a two-weight world champion.

Future Hall-of-Famer Pacquiao is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet and has decided to carry on with his career in the ring despite expecting to hang up the gloves after being elected to the Philippines Senate in the summer.

“Public service is my calling but boxing is my passion. I realised this summer I was not ready to retire from the ring,” said Pacquiao. “I made history when I became the first congressman to win a world title and now that the good people of the Philippines have elected me to the Senate I want to make more history by becoming the first senator to win a world title. I promised the voters I would not miss a Senate session which is why I will be training in Manila until the Senate goes into recess in late October. I dedicate this fight to my fans and to my countrymen throughout the world who have kept me in their prayers. And as always, I fight to bring glory to the Philippines.”

Las Vegas resident Vargas is coming-off an impressive ninth-round stoppage earlier this year over the highly-touted Sadam Ali in which he claimed his second world title.

Vargas has always had his eye on the formidable Pacquiao and can’t wait to get revenge for the losses he inflicted on his fighting heroes.

“When I was younger I watched what Manny did to my two boxing idols, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera – two great Mexican warriors. I told myself, someday I would get into the ring against Manny and avenge what he did to them. Now I will fight for them as well as myself. To me, this fight isn’t about a friendly ring rivalry between our countries. This fight is about payback,” said Vargas.

Jim McMunn, BoxNation Managing Director, said: “It is fantastic that BoxNation will be showcasing Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring exclusively live on November 5th. Pacquiao is among the most exciting fighters in the world and is rightly regarded as one of the very best pound-for-pound around today. BoxNation subscribers will be in for a great fight as he takes on the WBO welterweight world champion and a top fighter in his own right in Jessie Vargas. This fight will be action-packed as both boxers have exciting and come-forward styles that can only make for a thrilling spectacle.”

Pacquiao v Vargas is exclusively live on BoxNation (Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/Online & App) on November 5th. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –
About BoxNation

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated boxing channel. From £12* per month with no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Khan vs Canelo.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV).

BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

Available on selected internet-connected Freeview products only, subject to coverage. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers

Amateur sensation Katie Taylor has signed with Matchroom Boxing and will make her professional debut at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London on November 26, live on Sky Sports.

Taylor’s astonishing success in the amateurs sees her widely regarded as the outstanding Irish athlete of her generation with her 15 year career garnering five World titles, six European titles and Olympic gold at the London 2012 games where she was her nation’s flagbearer.

The 30 year old from Bray now turns her attentions to conquering the paid ranks and her path to World titles begins in London on November 26 before a second pro outing before the end of the year at the Manchester Arena on December 10 on the undercard of the IBF World Heavyweight title defence of fellow gold medal star Anthony Joshua MBE.
“When I first dreamt of Olympic gold, female boxing was practically unknown,” said Taylor. “Now because of my journey and the incredible supporters who came along with me, female boxing is as much part of the fabric of the Olympics as its male counterpart. Now I want to do the same for the professional sport and I hope those who have supported me along the way will come along with me. I’m excited for the road ahead.”

Taylor’s manager Brian Peters said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with Katie again. She’s is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s greatest ever athletes, a national treasure and a true pioneer for women’s sport. She was hugely instrumental in getting women’s boxing into the Olympics and now she wants to make a similar impact on the professional side of the sport.”
“Today marks a significant day for our sport with the news that Katie is joining the professional ranks,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “She is one of the most decorated amateur boxers of all time and a public icon in Ireland. I met Katie for the first time last week and was fascinated by her desire to not just win World titles but to break down the barriers of women’s boxing, she is an incredible role model.
“Boxing is a sport open to all but it’s also an entertainment business. Anyone who has watched Katie fight knows how exciting she is and anyone who hasn’t is really going to enjoy her journey on Sky Sports. I’m really excited by this challenge and we are committed to giving Katie the opportunities she needs to achieve her dreams.”

Sky Sports Head of Boxing Adam Smith said: “Katie is an outstanding boxer and this is great news for her and all the fans who have followed her incredible career. She has shown what an inspiration she is to young people through her role as a Sky Sports Living For Sport ambassador, and we’re very excited for her first professional fight live on Sky Sports in November.”

Taylor’s debut comes on a huge night of action in London as Tommy Coyle and John Wayne Hibbert clash in a must-win Super-Lightweight battle. The all-action pair know that victory is paramount if they are to continue to hunt major titles, with Hull star Coyle looking to get back into contention for the British title after being edged out by Tyrone Nurse and former Commonwealth champion and Essex favourite Hibbert keen to reignite his career after a disappointing outing in the summer.

Hibbert’s last fight was at The O2 for the WBC Silver title against Andrea Scarpa in June, and unbeaten Hackney talent Ohara Davies can rip that title from the Italian as the 24 year old faces a huge step up in his 14th pro outing. Davies’ Tony Sims gym-mate Martin J. Ward defends his British Super-Featherweight title for the first time after his impressive eighth round stoppage win over Andy Townend at The O2 in September.

Reece Bellotti is closing in on his first title fight in the paid ranks and the unbeaten Watford prospect meets Ian Bailey in an eliminator for the English Featherweight crown. Conor Benn fights for the sixth time in the paid ranks and fellow unbeaten youngsters Jake Ball, Craig Richards and Ted Cheeseman look to end 2016 with a bang – with more fights to be added.

Tickets for November 26 go on Matchroom Fight Pass Pre-Sale at midday on Thursday October 27, priced £40, £60, £100 and £150 VIP via this link: http://www.stubhub.co.uk/event/9699201/?mbox=1&rS=0&abbyo=false&sliderpos=false&qtyq=false&dUpg=false&sort=price+asc/?gcid=chPrt-_-geoUK-_-genboxing-_-cpgssefpnov-_-partmatchroom

Tickets go on general sale at midday on Friday October 28, with tickets priced £40, £60 and £100 available from www.ssearena.co.uk or by calling 0844 815 0815. £150 VIP tickets are available exclusively via www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for November 26 are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.