– Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter was the most watched bout of the year thus far with an average of 3.1 million viewers throughout the SHO Boxing on CBS main event (ahead of 3.0M for Garcia vs. Guerrero, Jan. 23 on FOX).

– With a peak of 3.94 million viewers, Saturday’s broadcast drew the second highest peak audience for boxing on broadcast television since 1998 (De La Hoya, FOX). The peak, which came at the very end of Thurman vs. Porter bout, trails only the peak of the PBC debut event of Thurman vs. Guerrero (4.56M; March 7, 2015, NBC) since ’98.

– The audience grew steadily throughout the broadcast, most notably during the main event, a Fight of the Year candidate. In fact, the second half of Thurman vs. Porter, including the announcement of the official decision, averaged 3.5 million viewers.

Longmont, CO, (June 30, 2016) This Saturday night, July 2, a sensational eight-bout card of world class professional boxing, BOULDER COUNTY BRAWL will be presented by MGM Promotions in association with Ghost Town Gladiators and the Denver Boxing Academy at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO.

Headlined by the local debut of undefeated, former Cuban amateur sensation Inocente “El Lucero Spirituano” Fiz, (19-0, 13KO’s) in a scheduled eight round middleweight clash against Las Vegas battle-tested veteran Arturo “El Toro” Crespin, (13-6-1, 4KOs), advance tickets are available starting at $25 by calling (720) 296-6176. Doors will open on the night of the event at 4:00 p.m. with the first bell at 5:00 p.m.

The Open to the Public Weigh-In will take place on Friday at 4:00 p.m. at Las Palmeras Mexican Restaurant, 199 S. Main Street in Longmont.

An outstanding amateur with a record of 381-17 as a member of the legendary Cuban National Team, Fiz won numerous Gold Medals in international competition from 2001 to 2007.

Following three knockout performances in 2015, Fiz will be making the first start of his 2016 campaign on July 2.

The 26-year-old Crespin makes a quick return to action following an eight round decision over Renan Ruiz on May 19 in Rochester, New York.

Also featured in a five round super flyweight battle, local favorite Freddy Marquez, (1-0) known for his all-action, crowd pleasing, explosive style will face-off against Marco Alvarez, (1-9, 1KO) of Greenville, Texas.

In a battle of undefeated young prospects, Denver’s Misael Lopez, (1-0), will face Nebraska’s Jose Jacobo, (1-0) in a five round super featherweight bout.

In the super lightweight division, local favorite Gregorio Perez, (2-1-0, 1KO), will battle Nebraska’s Chad “Obie” Obermiller in a scheduled five rounder.

Super lightweights will also see action in a four round bout as hometowner Adrian Pineda, (1-1-0, 1KO) faces Erik Alvarez (0-1) of Salina Cruz, Mexico.

Local favorite Melik Elliston will make his professional debut in a four round flyweight bout against Basyzbek Baratov, (0-1) of Brooklyn, New York.

Super welterweights will face off in a four round clash as Baltazar Ramirez, (3-1, 3KOs), of Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, faces Richard Baldo,
(1-5, 1KO) of Caspar, Wyoming.

Rounding out the card, Guy Smith Jr., (6-2-1, 2KOs) of Omaha, Nebraska will be challenged by Colbert “The Pitbull” Lozoya, (7-12-0) of Las Cruces, New Mexico in a four round welterweight clash.

Boulder County Brawl is also sponsored by Las Palmeras Mexican Restaurant and Denver Chiropractic, LLC.

MAIN EVENT – SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS (8)
Luis “KO King” Rosa, Jr. (22-0, 10 KOs), New Haven, CT by way of Puerto Rico 123 lbs.
Luis “Barcelo” Hinojosa (28-9, 3 KOs), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 123 lbs.

(L-R: Angel Gladney & Jennifer Salinas)

CO-FEATURE – SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS (8)
Jennifer “The Bolivian Queen” Salinas (18-3, 4 KOs), Providence, RI 138 lbs.
Angel “Non-Stop” Gladney (9-11-1, 6 KOs), Columbus, SC 139 lbs.

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)
Mykey Williams (1-0, 1 KO), East Hartford, CT 148 lbs.
Abdel Vera-Clemente (0-3, Carolina, Puerto Rico 154 lbs.

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)
Irvin Gonzalez (pro debut), Worcester, MA 137 lbs.
Gilvan Santos (0-2), Framingham, MA 139 lbs.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (6)
Charles Foster (10-0, 5 KOs), New Haven, CT 174 lbs.
Willie “For Real” Williams (14-11-2, 4 KOs), Baltimore, MD 177 lbs.

WHAT: “Broadway Boxing” professional boxing

WHEN: Thursday, June 30, 2016

WHERE: Premier Ballroom, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT

PROMOTER: DiBella Entertainment

TELEVISION: Broadway Boxing

DOORS OPEN: 6:00 p.m. ET

FIRST BOUT: 7:00 p.m. ET

TICKETS:On sale and priced at $125, $75 and $45, excluding applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

For more information, visit www.DBE1.com and www.Foxwoods.com, follow on Twitter @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt, @FoxwoodsCT, @JSalinasBoxing, and @MarvelousMykey, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/foxwoods/

Manchester’s lightweight king Terry Flanagan will make the third defence of his WBO World Title against South Africa’s two-time world champion Mzonke Fana at the Wales Ice Arena, Cardiff on Saturday 16th July, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Flanagan, 30-0-0 12 KO’s, had been set defend his World Title against Fana on Saturday 9th July at the Manchester Arena as chief-support to World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury’s rematch with Wladimir Klitschko.

Team Fury were left with no option but to postpone the first defence of his WBA Super, WBO and IBO World Heavyweight titles after Fury suffered a badly sprained ankle. However, Flanagan will now defend his WBO crown against Fana on the talent-stacked Ice Arena Wales show; just seven days after the original fight date.

Co-headlining a huge night of boxing in Cardiff promoted by Frank Warren in association with RocNation and Caribe Promotions is pound-for-pound superstar Guillermo Rigondeaux who defends his WBA Super-Bantamweight crown against Merseyside hero Jazza Dickens in a real life ‘Rocky’ story. British and Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Williams defends his titles against unbeaten WBO Intercontinental Champion Gary Cororan.

A talent-stacked undercard sees British and Commonwealth Champion Super Bradley Skeete make the fourth defence of his WBO European Welterweight title; Baggies banger Tommy Langford defends his WBO Inter-Continental belt; ‘The Mexican’ Jamie Conlan returns to the ring after his fight of the year contender, Southampton’s red-hot Joe Pigford looks to extend his unbeaten run to eleven fights; Welshmen Craig Evans, Alex Hughes, Gary Buckland, Jay Harris, and Dale Evans all look to impress in front of their home crowd; big-hitting cruiserweight prospect Gary Sweeney looks to go 2-0 and Belfast’s Tyrone McKenna fights over six rounds.

Tickets priced at £35, £40, £70, £100 and £150 are available from:

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Ticketline UK
02920 230 130
www.ticketlineuk.com

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise the show live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, TalkTalk 415, Freeview 255 and also on smart connected devices via multiple platforms. Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (June 29, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced heavyweights Denis Smoldarev and American MMA veteran Kenny “Deuce” Garner will square off in the M-1 Challenge 69 main event, Saturday night, July 16, in Ingushetia, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 69 will be streamed live from Ingushetia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.

Known as the “Brock Lesnar of Estonia,” Smoldarev (11-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0) is a combat sambo specialist and two-time M-1 Challenge heavyweight title challenger. In his last fight this past February at M-1 Challenge 64, Smoldarev lost by third-round submission via a choke to Alexander Volkov for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship.

Smoldarev (black trunks) drives a knee into his opponent

Garner (16-9-0, M-1: 9-7-0), fighting out of Port St. Lucie, Florida, was the M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion four years ago. In 2011 at M-1 Challenge 27, Garner submitted Maxin Grishin in the fifth round by strikes to become Interim M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion. After successfully defending his Interim title versus Magomed Malikov (KO3 – strikes) at M-1 Challenge 32, the stage was set for Garner to challenge “regular” M-1 Challenge heavyweight title-holder Guran Gugenishvilli in a rematch to avenge an earlier loss.

Garner graduated from Interim to “regular” M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion June 21, 2012 with a victory over Gugenishvilli via doctor’s stoppage in the third round. Six months later in their “rubber match,”, Garner stopped Gugenishvilli on punches in the fourth round to retain his title belt.

At M-1 Challenge 44 in November 2013, Garner lost his crown to Polish challenger Damian Grabowski by third-round submission (choke). In his last fight at M-1 Challenge 59, Garner was punched out in the opening round by Russian great Sergei Kharitonov one year ago in Kazakhstan.

One other fight has been announced for M-1 Challenge 69 as Croatian featherweight Antun “Killer” Racic (18-7-0, M-1: 3-4-0) takes on undefeated Russian prospect Movsar Evloev (5-0-0, M-1: 5-0-0).

Racic, who is coming off a split decision loss to Vitali Branchuk last February at M-1 Challenge 64, is a submission master, while Evloev is a strong striker who stopped Alexander Krupenkin in the opening round at M-1 Challenge 66 in his most recent action.

(Antun Racic (L), Movsar Evloev (R)

Information

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

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

TRENTON, NJ (June 29, 2016) – Undefeated super featherweight contender Mario Barrios (15-0, 8 KOs) is deep into training camp for his world title eliminator against former title challenger Devis Boschiero (39-4-1, 21 KOs) Saturday, July 9 in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes from Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $75, $55, $39 and $24, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased HERE, at the Sun National Bank Center box office or by calling 609-656-3234

Barrios will be taking on the most accomplished opponent of his career as he looks to put himself in the number two position for Jose Pedraza’s 130-pound title. For this training camp, Barrios has moved part of his training camp from San Antonio to Las Vegas where he has sparred at the UNLV Gym and at the gym of former world champion Robert Guerrero.

Here is what Barrios had to say about his fight, training camp and more:

On fighting in his first 12-round main event…
“This is what I’ve worked my whole life for, to be fighting in main events on national television. I’m confident that I’ll be able to the full 12-rounds if need be. My goal is to get the knockout though. I really want to make a statement in this fight.

On his matchup with Devis Boschiero…
“All I know about Boschiero is that he’s got a lot of fights and he’s a top contender. I know he’s hungry so I’m not taking him lightly. I’ve seen some tape on him and I know he likes to come forward. Everyone can expect to see a lot of had punches being thrown by both of us. I’m expecting a war.”

On the landscape of the super featherweight division…
“It’s a very tough division loaded with a lot of great fighters. I would say Lomachenko, Pedraza and Vargas are the top dogs for now. Salido is also up there. It’s one of the toughest divisions in boxing. I’m hoping I can become a champion in this division. A victory against Boschiero puts me right there to challenge for the title. I’m a hungry fighter and everyone will see that on July 9.”

On hosting training camp in Las Vegas for the first time…
“Training in Las Vegas has been incredible. Running in high elevation is something new for me. I had to get used to it when I first got out here. It’s been a tough camp but I know all the hard word will pay off.”

On fighting on ESPN during primetime on Saturday night…
“I’m very happy to be fighting on ESPN during primetime on Saturday night. I have a lot of family, friends and fans back home who’ll be tuning in. I just want to go out there and shine. I feel my style is explosive for television and I hope everyone enjoys what I bring to the table. Everyone will see a determined fighter in myself, who’s going to leave everything in the ring.

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.sunnationalbankcenter.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @Boxer_Barrios, @KingsBoxing, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (June 29th, 2016) — Arguably the most decorated amateur boxer from New England to enter the professional ranks in quite some time, Jamaine Ortiz of Worcester, Mass., is on the fast track to success under the promotional guidance of CES Boxing.

He’ll encounter obstacles and deal with inevitable change along the way, but there’ll always be that one constant, that calming influence in his corner, his longtime coach Carlos Garcia, Worcester’s world-renowned trainer and the heart and soul of the city’s Boys & Girls Club, where so many fighters before Ortiz honed their craft.

The bond between Ortiz (1-0, 1 KO), 20, and Garcia, which began when Ortiz was just 7 years old, goes far beyond boxing.

“Carlos is a guy that teaches you more about life than he does about boxing,” said Ortiz, who made his professional debut in May and will return to the ring Friday, July 15th, 2016 at Twin River Casino on the undercard of CES Boxing’s summertime spectacular.

“He’s a great coach. Everybody knows him. He’s been in boxing forever. He teaches you discipline and he teaches you respect, so when you’re in the ring and you’re in the gym, it’s serious. I’ve always looked at him like a father figure because he always gave me rides when I was walking home from the gym and fed me whenever I was hungry when I was younger.

“I could never, ever disrespect Carlos. He teaches you how to love. He teaches you about God. It’s never about money with him. He’d give his last dollar from his wallet to someone who’d use it on drugs just because he has that kind of heart. You can’t run away from that.”

Thirteen years since Ortiz first stepped foot inside the Worcester Boys & Girls Club, where Garcia has been an instructor for more than three decades, he and his coach have been inseparable. The 66-year-old Garcia remains a father figure to Ortiz as the 5-foot-8 lightweight begins a journey many believe will take him to the top of his class.

“Not only do I want to be world champion,” Ortiz said, “but I want to one day be pound for pound the best fighter. I want to break records. I want to do the impossible, whatever my body allows me and whatever God has in store for me, I’m willing to do and go as high as I can in boxing.”

Ortiz’s improbably journey began as a youth growing up in the Great Brook Valley Projects in Worcester, a neighborhood notorious for a series of riots in the late 1970s due to increasing racial tension between Latinos and police officers. Ortiz got into a lot of fights in elementary school, so his father told him to put on a pair of gloves instead of using his bare fists.

“One day, he had me outside in front of the house boxing everyone in the projects,” Ortiz recalled. “Me versus everybody, one by one, taking turns.”

Shortly thereafter, Ortiz’s mother signed him up at the Boys & Girls Club, where he eventually met Garcia and began his amateur boxing career, a whirlwind journey that led him to a New England Golden Gloves championship in 2015 and a spot alongside the nation’s elite at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in Reno, Nev.

Ortiz made it to the fourth day of the trials, where he lost to eventual Olympian Gary Russell, the younger brother of current World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion and 2008 Olympian Gary Russell Jr.

After winning the Western New England Golden Gloves in February, avenging an earlier loss to Jeffrey Torres with a split-decision win in the rematch, Ortiz turned pro three months later on May 13th, stopping Josh Parker at the 3-minute mark of the opening round.

Fighting without headgear in front of a crowd of more than 2,500 fans didn’t bother Ortiz, who also boxed without headgear at the Olympic Trials in Reno after the U.S. Olympic Committee announced all fighters at the 2016 Rio Games would box without headgear for the first time since 1980.

“It wasn’t much to me,” Ortiz said. “It was my first pro fight, but it wasn’t my first time fighting without headgear. I had fought without headgear over 10 times already and I fought in there with more quality opponents, with the best, people who are going to the Olympics, people who’ve been ranked in the country without headgear, so I felt pretty confident going into the ring.”

“I believe the amateurs were for me great because when you’re fighting in the Nationals you’re always fighting the best at all times,” he continued. “The Olympic Trials, the Olympic Qualifiers, when it comes down to it, you’re always fighting the best of the best and you don’t have time to prepare for who you’re fighting. You don’t have time to prepare. You just go in there and do what you know.

“Now in the pros when you actually have time to train for one specific guy and you have two months ahead of knowing when you’re going to fight, it’s an advantage.”

With his second pro fight less than three weeks away, Ortiz remains thankful for that one constant in his corner, Garcia, who has helped teach him right from wrong while making sure he stays on the path to success.

“Carlos, ever since I met him he always kept me on track,” Ortiz said. “Anytime I was ever going to do something bad I just always thought about Carlos. ‘Would Carlos be happy with the decision I’m making? What would Carlos say?’ I would always have his picture in my head and his voice speaking and I would always hear him and it would always prevent me from doing anything bad when I would see his face.”

The sky’s the limit for Ortiz, whose improbable climb from Worcester to Nevada puts him in elite company as one of the city’s — and New England’s — most celebrated prospects.

“I always believed in myself,” he said. “You can’t get far in life without believing in yourself. I feel like I could’ve won the whole thing and gone to the Olympics. It was all in the making.

“When you work hard and you believe in God and keep having faith in yourself, anything is possible. That was always in my mind and is still in my mind to this day.”

Undefeated Providence, R.I., native Angel Camacho Jr. (15-0, 5 KOs) headlines the July 15th card and puts his Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) International and New England Light Heavyweight Titles on the line in the 10-round main event against Willimantic, Conn., vet Kevin Cobbs (10-2, 4 KOs).

The Camacho-Cobbs main event is one of three title fights July 15th; Cranston, R.I., super lightweight Nick DeLomba (9-1, 2 KOs) makes the first defense of his New England Title in a six-round bout against Oscar Bonilla (3-1-2) of Bridgeport, Conn.; and Thomas Falowo (14-3, 8 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I., the reigning New England Middleweight Champion, returns to Twin River for the first time in more than two years and puts his belt on the line in an eight-round rematch against Jersey City, N.J., slugger Chris Chatman (13-5-1, 5 KOs), who beat Falowo at Twin River in 2013.

Tickets for the event are priced at $42.00, $67.00, $102.00 and $152.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com, www.twinriver.com or www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Casino Players Club. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

July 15th also features the return of newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) Female Middleweight World Champion Kali Reis (9-5-1), who captured the belt in April in New Zealand, in an eight-round bout against Atlantic City vet Althea Saunders (3-2-2), plus middleweight Kendrick Ball Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) of Worcester, Mass., and the professional debut of New London, Conn., welterweight Cristobal Marrero.

Also on the undercard, Ray Oliviera Jr. (4-0, 1 KO) of New Bedford, Mass., battles Worcester’s Andy Gonzalez (3-0, 3 KOs) in a four-round junior middleweight attraction featuring two undefeated New England fighters.

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING and use the hashtag #CamachoCobbs to join the conversation.

FEASTERVILLE, Pa. – UFC ® and Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. today announced a multi-year extension of their Pay-Per-View television distribution agreement. With the extension, UFC will maintain Joe Hand Promotions as its exclusive commercial distributor throughout the United States.

“UFC and Joe Hand promotions have been synonymous with Pay-Per-View success for nearly 15 years and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership,” UFC Vice President of Content David Shaw said. “It’s fitting that we announce this extension with one of our longest-tenured partners leading into our landmark UFC 200 event.”

“Our relationship with UFC is one of the longest and most valued in the history of Joe Hand Promotions. The UFC is the largest Pay-Per-View provider in the world with unparalleled leadership and we are proud to be their partners,” Joe Hand Jr. said. “We look forward to growing our customer base together and bringing the excitement of the UFC to even more commercial locations.”

UFC and Joe Hand Promotions began their commercial distribution rights partnership in 2001. With more than 45 years of experience, Joe Hand Promotions is the nation’s premier distributor of pay-per-view, closed-circuit sports and entertainment programming. Its growing customer base includes a network of more than 5,000 sports-oriented commercial establishments, such as bars, restaurants, military bases, casinos, universities, cruise ships and oil rigs.

About UFC®
UFC® is a premium global sports brand and the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Sao Paulo and Singapore, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in more than 156 countries and territories to more than 1.1 billion TV households worldwide in 29 different languages. UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service, delivers exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content to fans around the world. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About Joe Hand Promotions
Formed by company chairman Joe Hand, Sr. and his family in 1970, Joe Hand Promotions’ size and reputation has grown in large part to Hand’s background, passion and keen foresight about the television distribution industry. Hand started his professional career as a Philadelphia Police Detective but always had an eye and passion for sports, particularly boxing. In 1967, Hand became a charter member of Cloverlay Corporation, the organization that helped guide Joe Frazier to the heavyweight championship. Hand became intrigued by the prospect of forming his own company specializing in sports promotions.

Today, Joe Hand Promotions’ main focus is promoting and distributing closed-circuit and pay-per-view TV sporting events and other entertainment broadcasts to commercial establishments. The company has promoted or broadcast many of the major championship fights nationwide, including UFC 94®: ST-PIERRE vs. PENN 2, UFC® 121: LESNAR vs. VELASQUEZ, UFC® 196: MCGREGOR vs. DIAZ, as well as boxing events such as Ali vs. Frazier, Ali vs. Holmes, Leonard vs. Hearns, Hagler vs. Hearns, Tyson vs. Lewis, Hopkins vs. Trinidad, and DeLaHoya vs. Mayweather. Joe Hand Promotions also works with DirecTV in bringing the NFL Sunday Ticket to hundreds of commercial establishments throughout the country.

LAS VEGAS (June 29, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that undefeated, top prospect Phil Hawes (4-0) will make a quick turnaround and step back in the decagon cage just six weeks after his promotional debut, and will square off with Louis “Put The Guns Down” Taylor (12-3) in a middleweight (185 pounds) contest at WSOF32, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT from XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. on Saturday, July 30.

Hawes of Little Ferry, N.J. will replace Shamil Gamzatov, another undefeated, rising star in the World Series of Fighting stable, after Gamzatov was forced to withdraw from the commitment due to a personal issue.

“We hope to see Shamil back in action soon, and we salute Phil Hawes for having the courage and willpower to return to action less than two months after his first fight with us,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

In his first start for World Series of Fighting on June 17, the 6-foot, 27-year-old Hawes made quick work of Joshua Key, scoring a first round (2:52) TKO on Key with a series of elbow strikes.

A product of the Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M., Hawes was a 2009 junior college national wrestling champion for Iowa Central Community College, also the alma mater of Jackson-Winklejohn teammate and UFC champion Jon “Bones” Jones.

Taylor of Chicago, Ill. is a 5-foot-11, 37-year-old, battle-tested veteran of World Series of Fighting, Strikeforce and Bellator, and a devastating finisher who has earned 11 of his 12 career wins by way of (T)KO or submission.

In his last start and debut for World Series of Fighting on March 12, Taylor extended his win streak to five consecutive bouts by submitting Cory Devela in just 29 seconds with a guillotine choke.

Priced from $29, tickets for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II are on sale at XFINITYArenaEverett.com and WSOF.com.

In the world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship main event, Marlon Moraes 16-4-1) will defend his coveted title for the second time against Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1) while, in the co-main event and a second world championship rematch, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) will put his featherweight (145 pounds) belt on the line against the fighter he took it from – Lance Palmer (10-2).

In other action on the live NBCSN telecast, costumed crime fighter Phoenix Jones (6-1-1) aka Ben Fodor of Seattle, Wash. will look to settle his rivalry with adopted brother Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-5) of Seattle in a 162-pound catchweight affair.

Unbeaten featherweights Hakeem “Mean” Dawodu (5-0-1) and Marat Magomedov (7-0-1) will square off in a preliminary card bout.

Additional preliminary card bouts for WSOF32 will be announced soon.

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a worldwide premier, professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion partnered with NBC, NBCSN and international media distribution giant, IMG. Established in 2012 and headquartered in Las Vegas with satellite offices in New York City and Boston, the company is dedicated to delivering an incredible experience for sports fans by producing action-packed, live fights between elite athletes from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com and follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries. WSOF and World Series of Fighting are registered trademarks of MMAWC, LLC.

ABOUT NBCSN
NBCSN, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 85 million homes, the Emmy Award-winning network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL) – including two games of the Stanley Cup Final — Premier League, Formula One, IndyCar, Tour de France, the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2015, NASCAR. In addition, NBCSN features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk, The Dan Patrick Show, and NASCAR America. NBCSN is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

About XFINITY Arena at Everett
The XFINITY Arena at Everett, recipient of the International Association of Venue Manager’s (IAVM) prestigious Venue Excellence Award 2010, was developed by the Everett Public Facilities District. The 10,000-seat venue hosts a myriad of events including concerts, ice skating and family shows and is home to the Everett Silvertips, a Western Hockey League franchise. The venue is managed by Spectra by Comcast Spectacor and embodies all three of its divisions: Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality and Ticketing & Fan Engagement.

NEW YORK (June 29, 2016) – The popular, prospect-orientated boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation celebrates its 15th anniversary with a quadrupleheader on Friday, July 22, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

In the 10-round main event, undefeated top 10-ranked Adam “Mantequilla” Lopez (15-0, 7 KOs) of Phoenix faces Roman Ruben Reynoso (18-1-1, 7 KOs) of Argentina in a bantamweight bout. Super middleweights Ronald Ellis (12-0-1, 10 KOs) of Lynn., Mass., and Julius Jackson (19-1, 15 KOs) of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, will collide in the eight-round co-feature.

Two eight-rounders will round out the four-fight telecast. O’Shaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KOs), of Orange, Texas, meets Rolando Chinea (12-1-1, 6 KOs), of Lancaster, Penn., in a featherweight scrap and undefeated Khiary Gray-Pitts (13-0, 10 KOs), of Worcester, Mass., will be opposed by fellow unbeaten Ismael Garcia (10-0, 4 KOs), of Vineland, N.J., by way of Pahokee, Fla., in the super welterweight opener.

Tickets for the GH3 Promotions event are priced at $45, $75 and $150 and can be purchased by phone from the Foxwoods Resort Casino at 800.200.2882 or online at www.foxwoods.com.

Since its premiere on July 21, 2001, 67 boxers who’ve appeared on ShoBox went on to become world champions; the most recent, Rau’Shee Warren. An additional 75 fighters who appeared on ShoBox have fought for a world title.

Testament to the ShoBox mission statement and to the competitiveness of the fights – prospects are matched against their toughest opposition to date – 150 fighters have suffered their first loss on the developmental series.

Lopez, Ellis and Foster fought on GH3’s Feb. 19 ShoBox at Atlantic City. Lopez and Foster triumphed; Ellis boxed a draw.

Adam Lopez vs. Roman Ruben Reynoso: 10-round bantamweight bout
The steadily improving Lopez, now trained by Houston-based Ronnie Shields, will be making his fourth ShoBox start since March 2015. In his first three, he defeated previously unbeaten prospects (combined record: 44-0-2) on each occasion.

Last Feb. 19, the 5-foot-7, 25-year-old Lopez captured a career-best, highly competitive 10-round decision over Mario Muñoz (16-0-1) of Mexico. Lopez survived a nasty cut over his right eye to win by the scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93. In his other fights on ShoBox, Lopez won a (then personal-best) 10-round majority decision over Dominican Eliecer Aquino (17-0-1) on July 17, 2015, and by second-round knockout over Pablo Cruz (11-0) on March 13, 2015.

Regarding his upcoming fight against Reynoso, Lopez said, “Everything is good. I’m starting to turn up my sparring. I have switched trainers to Ronnie Shields in Houston. I see a lot of improvement since my last fight.

“Reynoso is a good fighter from Argentina. He is in Canada now, so I am sure he is getting good sparring there. He is kind of wild, but guys like that are hard to fight because you don’t know where the punches are coming from, but we will be prepared for anything.”

Born in Phoenix and raised in Los Angeles, Lopez moved to San Antonio at 15. He went 125-23 in the amateurs and won six national championships before turning pro at 21 in February 2012.

The 25-year-old Reynoso brings a 10-fight winning streak into his United States and ShoBox debut. A five-year pro, the South American lightweight champion fought his initial 18 fights in Buenos Aires before winning his last fight and lone start this year on a decision over Cristian Arrazola last May 20 in Canada. Reynoso’s lone defeat came in his fourth fight.

“Everything is going well in training camp,” Reynoso said. “We know that Lopez is tall for 122 pounds and he has good hand speed. He has a good name and we will try to learn more in the next few weeks.

“This is a big opportunity for us and we will do our best. This is a big fight and we know we have to win. With a win, we would hope to get a world title opportunity.”

Ronald Ellis vs. Julius Jackson: Eight-round middleweight bout
Ellis gets an immediate opportunity to regain his winning ways after taking a sizeable jump up in class and boxing an eight-round draw with hard-hitting Jerry Odom in his Feb. 19 ShoBox debut. A spirited, close contest throughout was scored 78-74 for Ellis and 76-76 apiece. The draw snapped a four-fight-knockout streak for Ellis, who’s won all 10 of his knockouts inside two rounds (eight in the first) since turning pro in 2011.

“This is going to be another coming out party for me,” the 5-foot-11, 25-year-old Ellis said. “The last fight was a draw. I had some problems with my hand, but I’m back and this is a step for me. Hopefully he comes to fight. I hope he brings it 100 percent because I am bringing 200 percent.

“I am glad to be on ShoBox again. I showed the fans a little bit in my last fight. They can expect the same thing but a little bit more on July 22.”

Jackson is making his second ShoBox start. In his debut – and initial go in the U.S. – the older brother of John and son of former two-division world champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson registered two knockdowns en-route to a ninth-round TKO over Jonathan Nelson (19-2, 10 KOs) on Dec. 20, 2014.

Much like Ellis, Jackson is also getting a quick-fix chance to redeem himself and get back on the winning track. But, unlike Ellis, Jackson lost his most recent fight. His perfect record and 19-fight winning streak ended when he lost by second-round TKO to now top-rated super middleweight contender Jose Uzcategui last Oct. 6.

“I’m looking to redeem myself and come out with a win,” said the 6-foot-2 Jackson, who turns 29 on Aug. 1. “This is my second ShoBox fight and I’m excited to get back to let the world see my talent. I’m getting better, my training has been good. I expect to be in with another really good fighter. It should be a great fight.”

A 2008 Olympian for the Virgin Islands and a pro since January 2009, Jackson is fighting for the third time in a row in the U.S.

O’Shaquie Foster vs. Rolando Chinea: Eight-round featherweight bout
O’Shaquie (pronounced “oh-SHACK-ee”) Foster is making his third appearance on ShoBox. Last Feb. 19, he began to live up to expectations when he rebounded from a sub-standard performance in his ShoBox debut (an eight-round decision loss to Samuel Teah in November 2015) to register a seventh-round TKO over previously undefeated Lavisas Williams (8-0-1).

Foster, 22, dropped southpaw Williams four times – in the second, third, fourth and seventh rounds. Three of the knockdowns appeared to result from a push, but Williams’ gloves touched the canvas each time so they went into the books as knockdowns. After the final knockdown in the seventh, the fight was stopped at 52 seconds into the round.

“Everything is going good,” Foster said. “I’ve been doing a lot of conditioning. I am in the best shape of my life. Chinea has a good jab and I know he will be in a good shape.

“Ever since I moved to Virginia to train, my conditioning, mentality and confidence has gone way up and that was the difference from my first fight to my last fight on ShoBox. On July 22, I will be even that much better.”

A highly decorated amateur standout, the 5-foot-8½ inch Foster advanced to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials where he lost to unbeaten pro prospect, Joseph “Jo-Jo” Diaz. Before that, Foster was a 2010 PAL National Champion, a five-time Ringside National Champion and two-time National Junior Golden Gloves Champion.

Chinea, a 5-foot-8, 25-year-old, is making his ShoBox debut. After going pro in November 2011, he went 10-0-1 before losing an eight-round decision to Ismail Muwendo in April 2015. He’s won two straight since, including a six-round decision over previously undefeated Ladarius Miller (then 9-0) in his last fight on Feb. 16.

“I treat every opponent the same,” Chinea. “I give everything I got and I leave it all in the ring. I know Foster was a good amateur. I know he can box and I know he has some pop.

“This is the moment I’ve dreamed about since I started boxing at 14. My main goal is to tune out the crowd and win. I want to be a main event fighter on SHOWTIME and this is the first step.”

Khiary Gray-Pitts vs. Ismael Garcia: Eight-round super welterweight bout
Gray-Pitts, 23, will be boxing on ShoBox for the first time. Ambidextrous with quick hands and feet, Gray-Pitts turned pro in June 2014. He fought three times that year, eight times in 2015 (8-0, 8 KOs, seven in the first, one in the second) and this will be his third fight in 2016.

“I’m very excited,” Gray-Pitts said. “Now I get to showcase my skillset to the whole world. It’s something I’ve been waiting for. There’s still more that people haven’t seen yet when it comes to me. Now I get to see what I have the ability to do. I’m able to block [the crowd] out.

“The more pressure there is, the more relaxed I am. I don’t know a lot about my opponent, but it doesn’t matter as long as I go in there and get done what I need to get done.”

The 5-foot-9 Gray-Pitts is coming off a second-round knockout over Quinton Willis last May 13. In his outing before last, the previous Feb. 19, won a 10-round decision over Eduardo Flores.

Garcia, 29, has fought sporadically since turning pro in March 2010, although he’s been more active in the last 14 months. He fought in May and October in 2015 and won his one start this year on a six-round split decision over Carlos Garcia last March 18. Garcia’s initial seven fights took place in Atlantic City, the last three in Philadelphia.

“It is my television debut, and everything we have been working on in my first 10 fights we will put together for this fight,” Garcia said. “This is SHOWTIME. Being on ShoBox is a long time coming for me. It’s what I’ve dreamed about since I started boxing. It’s his TV debut as well so I know he will be on top of his game. We will be preparing 100 percent for that and then some.

“I have seen a little of Gray-Pitts on tape. This will be my toughest test, as I will be his toughest test. When you have 13-0 fighting 10-0, it will be a good fight.”

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez will serve as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

Hyannis, Massachusetts [June 29, 2016] – In another fight announced for the upcoming Boston Boxing Promotions show Saturday August 6th at The Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC), it will be a four-round super welterweight fight between New Bedford’s Briam Granado (1-1-1, 1 KO) and Farmington, Maine’s Zenon Herrera (0-2).

Granado, owner of All Out Fitness in the Whaling City of New Bedford, began his career in 2015 with a first-round TKO over Providence’s Theo Desjardin before losing his second bout to then undefeated prospect Freddy Sanchez of Worcester and capped off the year with a hard fought draw with Matt Doherty, who recently challenged for the New England lightweight title.

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring”, said Granado, “Cape Cod fight fans are gaining a reputation for being amongst the best around and I can’t wait to fight in front of them while bringing a bunch of my friends and fans from New Bedford and nearby cities that I built over the years with my hard work and dedication. I want to cap off 2016 by getting back on track and head into 2017 full steam looking for big fights. Where there’s a will there’s a way and I hope Zenon Herrera brings his A-game because Briam ‘Bam Bam’ Granado will definitely give the fans what they are looking for – an exciting and explosive fight.”

Herrera will be entering the ring for the third time as a professional and for the first time in his career, the man standing opposite will not be undefeated. He made his pro debut last year losing an entertaining bout to the the then undefeated Tollison Lewis and earlier this year was in a hard fought battle with former amateur standout Casey Kramlich. Both fights took place on his native state of Maine.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CapeCodBoxing.com. A very limited number of ringside seats are available for $60 each, while general admission costs $40.

Boston Boxing Promotions is dedicated to the resurgence of professional boxing at the regional level, particularly in the New England area. To learn more about the promotion, you can follow them on Twitter @BostonProBoxing, join the promotion’s official Facebook page “Boston Boxing Promotions,” and visit the promotion’s website www.BostonBoxingPromotions.com .

BETHLEHEM, PA. (June 29, 2016) – Former title challenger Edner Cherry (35-7-2, 19 KOs) defeated contender Lydell Rhodes (23-2-1, 11 KOs) by unanimous decision (98-92, 97-93 X 2) in a 10-round super featherweight main event of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.

Cherry, of Wauchula, Fla. who trains out of St. Pete Boxing Club with welterweight champion Keith Thurman, got off to an early lead in the second round, landing a left that stumbled Rhodes briefly.

A former football standout and wrestler in high school, who has competed in both boxing and mixed martial arts professionally, Oklahoma City’s Rhodes made the fight physical and ugly early.

Rhodes said, “He held and a lot which made it tough to get in a rhythm.”

“He was slick,” answered Cherry. “So I held because I didn’t want him to get in those quick shots.”

A sloppy round five saw both fighters slip to the canvas, but neither was ruled a knockdown. What became a wrestling match continued rounds six through 10, with clinching and grappling throughout.

Moments before the final bell, Cherry stunned Rhodes, cementing what would become his unanimous victory.

Cherry said, “I thought it was a great fight. I was in a tough fight tonight and I am glad to come out with the victory.”

A discontented Rhodes expressed, “It was a heck of a fight. I wanted to back him up in the later rounds but he was strong. It was an ugly fight, but I believe I won. I don’t agree with the decision. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Cherry concluded, “Training and sparring with Keith (Thurman) was great. He’s so strong and it helped me in this fight. We were both training for big fights at the same time and it helped me increase my strength and pick up this win tonight, without a doubt.”

Televised coverage kicked off with unbeaten Omar “Super O” Douglas (17-0, 12 KOs) stopping Cuban Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado (19-2, 17 KOs) in the seventh round of their scheduled 10-round super featherweight bout.

A fast-rising star out of Wilmington, Delaware, Douglas jumped out to an early lead, controlling the action in the first frame. Douglas continued moving Collado around the ring in round two, forcing a frustrated Collado to clinch, which resulted in both fighters awkwardly stumbling to the canvas.

The Miami native Collado came out aggressive in rounds three and four, outworking Douglas and winning him the pair of rounds on all three judges’ scorecards.

However, Douglas settled in throughout rounds five and six. His jabs to the body proving an effective deterrent to Collado’s aggression and furious pace he displayed in the earlier rounds.

The end came in the seventh round as Douglas landed a left hook to Collado’s head that stumbled Collado, forcing him to take a knee and never get back up.

“I noticed that he has his head in the middle and that is unusual for a tall guy,” said Douglas. “So I was focusing on the right hand up the middle. I was able to finish him with a hard right, left, right combination.”

Collado acknowledged, “He hit me with a good left hook and that broke my nose. I feel it was a close fight though, and I was in the fight up until he got me, but he is a good fighter.”

Douglas agreed with Collado’s assessment of the competition adding, “It was a tough fight, but I had a great camp and that showed tonight. I think I need one or two more of these kinds of fights and I will be ready for a title shot.”

The second televised bout showcased unbeaten prospect Antonio Russell (7-0, 5 KOs) securing a unanimous decision (60-54, 59-55 X 2) victory over Jamaica’s Rudolph Hedge (10-4-3, 4 KOs) in a six-round super bantamweight showdown.

Lee Haskins will defend the IBF Bantamweight title against Stuart Hall later this Summer in England, after promoter Matchroom Sports won a purse bid to stage the fight, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Matchroom Boxing won promotional rights to Haskins-Hall with a bid of $201,999, which easily beat the only other offer of $85,000 made by Tom Brown’s TGB Promotions. As the titleholder, Haskins is entitled to 75 percent of the winning bid ($151,499), and Hall will receive the remaining 25 percent ($50,500).

“I’m pleased to win the bid, as it’s a domestic world title fight that I’m excited to see,” Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn told ESPN.com. “There is some deep rivalry between the pair having already met, and we are deeply invested in the division with [world titleholder] Jamie McDonnell and [British champion] Ryan Burnett.

“We have eight world champions in our team right now, and I want to push this into double figures as soon as possible, and I believe Stuart will get the job done against Haskins.”

IBF #2 super bantamweight contender Jonathan “Salomon King” Guzman (21-0, 21 KOs) is hard at work preparing for the “fight of his life” with trainer Hector Bermudez at Peter Welch’s Gym in Boston.

The 26-year-old KO artist from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will face IBF #1 contender Shingo Wake (20-4-2, 12 KOs) on Wednesday, July 20, at EDION Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan, for the vacant IBF World super bantamweight title.

Guzman, who stopped Mexico’s tough Daniel Rosas in eighth round on April 29 to earn this fight, says his dreams are so close to coming true he can almost taste them. “I have waited my whole life for a world title fight and now it’s almost here,” said Guzman. “I can’t wait to get in the ring and win for my family and my country.”

Trainer Bermudez says Guzman has too many weapons to fall short in this fight. “Although Jonathan has never had to go the distance because his power is amazing, he can also box very well. He’s just never had to thus far in his career. Jonathan is the complete package and soon the world will be learning all about him. There is no way that Wake can beat him.”
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Neat boxing Swansea super-fly Jay Harris has finally added the firepower that he believes will see him replicate dad Peter as a British champion.

The 25 year old Jack was extended to the cards in his first three paid gigs as he acclimatized to the profession but has since wasted his last four victims ahead of schedule…..with two suffering the full ten toll.

‘I guess I must’ve just caught them with the right punches,’ says the humble but amiable former British amateur champion who squares off with Afghan-born Hayes banger Ramash Ahmadi over six rounds on the mammoth world championship bill at Cardiff Ice Arena on July 16th.

‘It’s mostly body shots, left hooks underneath, something my dad was also good at. We’re working hard in the gym on landing correctly and I’ve also matured a bit physically over the past 18 months. It’s finally all falling into place.

If his current rich vein of form is any indicator, it shouldn’t be too long before the 5ft 5in Gary Lockett managed minnow enters the championship mix in Britain’s buoyant 115lb weight class.

‘Even if Paul Butler moves back up to bantam, the domestic super-fly division is suddenly looking very good and I’m anxious to become part of it,’ insists Harris who moonlights as a fork lift truck driver.

‘There’s some very talented boys fighting here such as Kal Yafai, Jamie Conlan, Anthony Nelson and Zolani Tete and the division is now attracted the publicity it never got before.

‘In fact, the recent fight between Conlan and Nelson is probably the best fight of the season at any weight. I went out to spar Jamie in Marbella recently; very tough boy, excellent body puncher but I’d love to fight him for his Commonwealth belt down the line.

‘I’ll make the step up whenever my dad and Gary decide I’m ready. If I come through on the 16th, I’ll hopefully move straight up to eight round level, have another couple before Christmas and be fighting for titles within 12 months. As I tend to start a bit slow, I believe the longer fights will bring out the best in me.’

Through no fault of his own, this highly dedicated prospect has been limited to just seven starts (all wins) since entering the profession back in July 2013 and the showdown with Ahmadi represents his first outing of 2016.

‘I’ve been out nearly seven months now which is frustrating but I’ve kept myself in the gym and stayed fit just in case a job was offered a short notice. I only ever take two weeks off after a fight to celebrate,’ he explains.

‘But I’m a bit isolated over in Swansea and it’s an effort getting quality sparring. I still work nights in a warehouse so can only get over to Gary (Lockett)’s gym once a week.’

Instead, the Swansea City fan hones his craft in his home town under the critical gaze of father-coach Peter, a former British featherweight champion who faced five world champions in a meritous 33 fight pro career between 1983-96.

Jay states: ‘My dad never forced me towards the boxing but, once I started to show an interest around the age of 12, he insisted on coaching me. He did it all himself as a fighter, brings bags of experience and I’m still learning fresh stuff from him every day. He’s especially good with regard to fast combos and movement. Gary Lockett adds control and teaches me to load up properly. They blend very well.’

Post war, the Principality’s second city has produced a plethora of quality prizefighters such as the Curvis brothers (Brian and Cliff), Colin Jones, Floyd Havard and Enzo Maccarinelli.

Nevertheless, Harris’ salivating six rounder with Ahmadi serves as only his second scrap in Wales – following his debut in Newport three years back – and he can’t wait to showcase his wares before the knowledgeable Welsh fight fraternity.

‘A lot of people have been pestering about when I’d be fighting closer to home so, for once, I’ve been able to sell a few tickets. I can’t wait to show what I can do to the Welsh fans,’ he concludes.

‘I’ve seen little bits of Ramesh on You Tube. He looks a very game opponent and, cos he’s unbeaten himself, he’ll be coming to win. He possesses a very powerful right hand but seems a bit wild so I think I should be okay.

‘It’s a good step up for me but, come Sunday 17th, I definitely intend waking up 8 and 0.’

Former world middleweight champion Gary Lockett who has managed Harris from the dawn of his pro career adds: ‘Jay’s a quality counter puncher who’s getting more mature with each fight. Though he’s naturally a very nice natured boy he’s becoming more nasty on fight night. He’s got a very spiteful left hook to the body.

‘We send him out everywhere sparring and the feedback every time is that he’s a really good kid so I know he’s not too far away. But he’s got a very tough fight on July 16th against another unbeaten kid who’s rumoured to be a pretty dangerous puncher himself. It’s a genuine 50-50 scrap that’ll tell us exactly where Jay is. It’s a fight he’s got to win, simple as that.

Tickets priced at £35, £40, £70, £100 and £150 are available from:

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Ticketline UK
02920 230 130
www.ticketlineuk.com

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise the show live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, TalkTalk 415, Freeview 255 and also on smart connected devices via multiple platforms. Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!

Milton Santiago Jr. remained perfect with an 8-round unanimous decision over Osumanu Akaba in a super lightweight bout.

Santiago, 139.4 lbs of Philadelphia, PA won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 and is now 14-0. Akaba, 139.9 lbs of Prichard, AL is now 32-11-1.

Mykal Fox won a 6-round unanimous decision over Jose Valderrama in a super lightweight bout.

Fox, 141.8 lbs of Forestville, MD won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 10-0. Valderrama, 144.1 lbs of Manati, PR is 5-14.

Victor Vasquez won a 6-round unanimous decision over Seifullah Jihad Wise in a lightweight bout.

Vasquez, 135.1 lbs of Yonkers, NY won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 twice to improve to 5-2. Wise, 136.8 lbs of Philadelhia, PA is now 3-2.

READING, PA. (June 28, 2016) – Unbeaten featherweight prospect Stephen Fulton (9-0, 4 KOs) takes on Mexico’s Christian Renteria (5-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round featherweight attraction as part of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN & ESPN Deportes Saturday, July 2 from Santander Arena in Reading, PA.

PBC on ESPN & ESPN Deportes action is headlined by unbeaten lightweight contender Jamel Herring squaring-off against former title challenger Denis Shafikov in a 10-round bout. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features undefeated Polish prospect Patryk Syzmanski battling former title challenger “Silky” Wilky Campfort.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $20, $35, $55 and $75, and are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

Additional action will see local contender Frank DeAlba (18-2-2, 7 KOs) taking on veteran Colombian Jonathan Perez (35-14, 28 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight bout while former world champion Kermit Cintron (36-5-2, 28 KOs) takes on Puerto Rico’s Carlos Garcia (10-15-1, 8 KOs) in eight-rounds of junior middleweight action and local prospect Erik Spring (7-1, 1 KO) against Pennsylvania’s James Robinson (3-4-2, 1 KO) in a six-round welterweight battle.

Rounding out the night of fights are unbeaten prospect Chordale Booker (2-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round super welterweight contest against Kevin Womack (7-11-3, 5 KOs), local super welterweight Miguel Martinez (1-1) in a four-round bout against Philadelphia’s Antonio Allen (0-1), the pro debut of New Jersey’s Kashon Hutchinson in a four-round super lightweight attraction against Robert Ramos (1-4-1, 1 KO) and the pro debut of New Jersey’s Christian Carto in a four-round flyweight contest against Rahkeam Parker (0-2).

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Fulton is coming off of a fourth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Adalberto Zorilla in April. The 21-year-old is unbeaten since turning pro in 2014 and will be looking to make it a perfect 10 wins in 10 pro starts when he enters the ring on July 2. He will be opposed by the Tijuana, Mexico-native Renteria who enters the ring coming off of back-to-back knockout victories.

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @JamelHerring, @KingsBoxing, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

BROOKLYN (June 28, 2016) – Undefeated former two-division world champion Mikey Garcia will return to the ring after a two-and-a-half-year layoff on Saturday, July 30 in an exciting night of boxing on SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME EXTREME that is one of the strongest cards ever assembled at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Garcia, who won world titles at featherweight and super featherweight, will fight former world champion Elio Rojas in a 10-round bout in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature of the Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton event presented by Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast that begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, once-beaten 154-pound contenders Tony Harrison and Sergey Rabchenko will meet in a 12-round IBF Junior Middleweight Eliminator. Harrison and Rabchenko will square off for the No. 2 mandatory challenger spot to IBF titlist Jermall Charlo, who successfully defended his crown on May 21, and undefeated contender Julian Williams, who earned the No. 1 mandatory position on March 5, both on SHOWTIME. Harrison vs. Rabchenko is the sixth matchup in 2016 between top 154-pound fighters, a lineup showcasing three world title fights and three title eliminators in one of boxing’s deepest divisions.

The combined record of the six fighters on the SHOWTIME telecast is an impressive 162-4-1 with 113 knockouts.

An all-Brooklyn showdown between welterweight technicians Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi and Gabriel “Tito” Bracero highlights the undercard action on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME. The 10-round welterweight bout is a matchup between a former two-division world champion, Malignaggi, and a fellow Brooklyn native, Bracero, coming off the biggest win of his career when he knocked out Danny O’Connor last October.

A 10-round matchup between once-beaten lightweight Ivan Redkach and streaking Tevin Farmer, a winner of 14 straight, will open the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast live at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

The July 30 event at Barclays Center comes on the heels of last Saturday’s potential Fight of the Year thriller between Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter, a back-and-forth slugfest at a that generated the top grossing live gate and second-highest attended boxing event in venue history.

“This is the strongest card from top to bottom, that I have promoted at Barclays Center,” said DiBella Entertainment President Lou DiBella. “Every single fight is significant and competitive, and this is a great follow up from the tremendous success that boxing had with Thurman-Porter this past weekend.”

“This will be our 19th boxing event, but from top to bottom it’s arguably our best card yet,” said Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment CEO Brett Yormark. “We are excited to welcome undefeated Santa Cruz and Frampton to Brooklyn for the first time, a fight that could rival Barclays Center’s epic Thurman-Porter bout for Fight of the Year. It’s also a pleasure to welcome Brooklyn’s own Paulie Malignaggi back to Barclays Center for the fifth time and to host the return of Mikey Garcia after a two and a half year hiatus. July 30 is going to be another big night for BROOKLYN BOXING.”

“We are excited to be part of Mikey Garcia’s return to the ring. Before the layoff he was among the top-10 pound-for-pound and among the most popular fighters in boxing. We know he is determined to reclaim his place among the elite,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “SHOWTIME has distinguished itself by delivering the most compelling matchups and, hands down, the most important events in boxing all year long. There is no other network as committed to the sport and the July 30 event, from top-to-bottom, is a prime example.”

MIKEY GARCIA vs. ELIO ROJAS
“I expect to pick up right where I left off,” Garcia told SHOWTIME Sports reporter Jim Gray last Saturday on CBS. “I was a world champion, I was undefeated, and I still am. I didn’t leave because I was injured. I think I’ll come back even better. I’m hungrier now than I was before.

“I just have to get one fight in. This first fight with Elio (Rojas) will be somewhere between 135 and 140 pounds, but I want to fight at 135 and win a title there. I want to win a title there and keep going after champion after champion. Now that all that (uncertainty) is behind me I look forward to the next stage of my career. This next stage of my career will be what people remember me for.”

“Mikey Garcia is a great fighter,” Rojas said. “I want to thank him for this opportunity. We are both former WBC World Champions and I expect a great fight. However, all of the talk surrounding this fight has been about Mikey’s comeback and his future plans. I am no tune-up. This is also about me coming back and fighting again. He may be looking past me, but I am fully focused on him and securing the victory. I will do whatever I have to do to win, so I can move on and regain my world championship.”

Garcia (34-0, 28 KOs), of Ventura, Calif., is 28-years-old and in the prime of his career. Once considered one of the top young boxers pound-for-pound in the world, he will make his first ring appearance since he retained the WBO 130-pound title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Burgos on Jan. 25, 2014. Garcia, the brother of renowned trainer Robert Garcia, has been victorious by knockout in 10 of his last 12 fights and holds impressive victories over Roman “Rocky” Martinez, Juan Manuel Lopez, Orlando Salido and Bernabe Concepcion.

Rojas (24-2, 14 KOs), of San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, won the WBC featherweight world championship in 2009 with a 12-round unanimous decision over defending champion Takahiro Ao in Japan. The 33-year-old successfully defended the title against Guty Espadas Jr. in 2010, before losing the belt via unanimous decision to Jhonny Gonzalez in April of 2012. Since the loss to Gonzalez, Rojas moved up to lightweight, where he defeated Robert Osiobe in August 2014.

TONY HARRISON vs. SERGEY RABCHENKO:
“I’m thrilled to return to the ring on this big stage for my first fight in Brooklyn, and I’m ready to put on a show,” said Harrison. “Fighting for a world title is my dream and I know that I have a challenge in front of me. I’m working hard in camp to get another knockout and to make my mark on the division.”

“This is the start of realizing my dream,” Rabchenko said. “America is the Mecca of boxing so it is a huge privilege for me to be asked to fight there. American fans like to see knockouts and I like to knock people out, so I think they will like what they see. I think I can build a fan base there. I am hungrier than ever. I have not seen much of Harrison, but I am ready for anyone. People say he is a very good fighter with good power. I’m not worried. I have good power as well and I think I will have too much for him.”

At just 25-years-old, Harrison (23-1, 19 KOs) has showed tremendous promise. He manufactured a 10-fight knockout streak from 2013 to 2015 and proved he could recover from a loss when he dominated Cecil McCalla for 10 rounds in October 2015 and stopped Fernando Guerrero in impressive fashion in March.

Fighting out of Belaraus, Rabchenko (27-1, 20 KOs) is looking to put himself squarely into world title contention when he makes his U.S. debut on July 30. The 30-year-old is coming off of stoppage victories over Walter Calvo in May 2015 and a Miguel Aguilar in February.

SHOWTIME EXTREME:

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI vs. GABRIEL BRACERO:
“I feel truly blessed to have yet another opportunity to fight in Brooklyn,” Malignaggi said. “I have known Tito a long time and I know he always comes to fight. We will give the Brooklyn fans a great appetizer before the terrific main event later that night in Barclays Center.”

“I’m looking to make a statement by winning this fight,” said Bracero. “Paulie and I have been friends since the amateurs and I’m thankful to have this opportunity, but he’s had his run. Now it’s time for me to have mine. This fight is going to change my life.”

A former world champion at 140 and 147-pounds, the 35-year-old Malignaggi (35-7, 7 KOs) will return to the ring to fight at Barclays Center for the fifth timel. He has faced a slew of big names throughout his career and has been victorious over the likes of Zab Judah, Vyacheslav Senchenko and Pablo Cesar Cano. Born and raised in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, “The Magic Man” was victorious twice fighting in his birth country of Italy last year after unsuccessfully challenging unbeaten Danny Garcia in August.

Another Brooklyn-native, Bracero (24-2, 5 KOs) comes off of a sensational one-punch knockout of rival Danny O’Connor in their rematch last October. The 35-year-old owns victories over Dmitry Salita and Pavel Miranda in addition to his first triumph over the previously unbeaten O’Connor in 2011.

IVAN REDKACH vs. TEVIN FARMER:
“I am extremely happy to be back in the ring on a big show in New York,” Redkach said. “There are so many Ukrainian fans in New York and I am thrilled to have their support and will put on a great show for them. I want to thank Leo Santa Cruz and his team for having me in their camp as we both prepare ourselves to put on tremendous performances come July 30.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this fight,” Farmer said. “This is my Barclays Center debut and it is going to be a spectacular performance. I have called out anyone and everyone in the 130 pound division to no avail, so now I’m moving up to 135 to take on Redkach, one of the most feared punchers in the division. Redkach is an aggressive guy and I know he is coming to fight, but there is no way I leave that ring without my hand being raised. This is a fight where I can and I will make a major statement. I’m willing to fight whoever they put in front of me to inch closer to a world title opportunity and July 30 is another step in that direction. I tip my hat off to Redkach for giving me this fight, but this is my time to shine.”

Born in Ukraine but fighting out of Los Angeles, Redkach (19-1-1, 15 KOs) began boxing at the age of six and has put together an impressive career since turning pro in 2009. The 30-year-old owns victories over Tony Luis, Sergey Gulyakevich and Yakubu Amidu. Mostrecently, Redkach knocked out Erick Daniel Martinez in October 2015 and fought to a draw with Luis Cruz in April.

Representing the fighting city of Philadelphia, Farmer (24-1-1, 5 KOs) has won 14 bouts in a row since dropping a contest to unbeaten world champion Jose Pedraza in 2012. The 25-year-old has come on strong in recent years, upsetting previously unbeaten fighters such as Emmanuel Gonzalez, Angel Luna and Camilo Perez. Farmer dominated veteran Gamaliel Diaz in March and will make his Barclays Center debut on July 30.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions, start at $38 and can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

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Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @RealCFrampton, @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

ROOKS, Calif. (June 28, 2016) – The packed card for Saturday, July 9 at the Cache Creek Casino Resort located in the beautiful Capay Valley will feature promising local stars as they take on experienced opponents from all across the globe.

Headlining the event, Fairfield, Calif. native Manuel “Tino” Avila (20-0, 8 KOs) will have another chance to obtain his second title in less than a year against the tough Prosper Ankrah (24-7, 15 KOs) of Accra, Ghana in a 10-round battle for the vacant IBA Americas Featherweight Championship.

The co-main event will feature former world title challenger Manuel “Suavecitio” Roman (19-4-3, 7 KOs) of Paramount, Calif. in an eight-round super bantamweight fight against Javier Gallo (21-12-1, 12 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Alberto Torres (6-0-2, 3 KOs) of Sacramento, Calif. and Redwood City’s Jesus Sandoval (5-9-3, 1 KO), will look to settle the score of their 2013 majority draw decision in a six-round featherweight rematch. Tough light heavyweights Ryan Bourland (9-1, 4 KOs) of Vacaville, Calif. and Gilberto Rubio (6-2, 4 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico will battle it out in the ring in a scheduled six-round matchup.

Also, featured on the undercard super featherweights Pedro Moreno (2-0, 2 KOs) of Sacramento, Calif. will take on Derick Bartlemay (0-3-1) of Eugene, Ore. in a four-round fight and opening up the night, Blake Mckernan of Sacramento, Calif. will make his professional debut in a four-round cruiserweight battle against an opponent to be named shortly.

Manuel Avila vs. Prosper Ankrah is a 10-round bout for the vacant IBA Americas Featherweight Championship headlining a night of world-class professional championship boxing presented by Don Chargin Productions and Paco Presents Boxing in association with Golden Boy Promotions and Cache Creek Casino Resort. Doors open at 5:00 pm, the first bell rings at 6:00 pm.

Tickets, priced at $65, $95 and $125, are on sale now and available for purchase at Cachecreek.com, Tickets.com and PacoPresentsBoxing.com.

The weigh-in will take place at the Cache Creek Casino Resort on Friday, July 8 and is free to the public. The official weigh-in time is 3:00 pm.

For more information visit www.pacopresentsboxing.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com, and www.cachecreek.com, or visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PacoPresentsBoxing, www.facebook.com/GoldebBoyBoxing, and www.facebook.com/CacheCreek, and follow us on Twitter at @PacoPresentsBox, @CacheCreekCR and @GoldenBoyBoxing.

NEW YORK, NY (June 28, 2016) – Roc Nation Sports is pleased to announce that Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (29-0, 15 KOs) will return to the ring on Saturday, August 6, to continue his conquest of the light heavyweight division when he takes on power-punching Colombian Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) at Oracle Arena in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Ward and Brand were slated to face each other last November on the pay-per-view undercard of Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez, but a leg injury forced Ward to withdraw from participation in the event.

Tickets priced at $300, $120, $90, $60 and $30, not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Tuesday, June 28 at 5:00 p.m. PT and will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com and charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Ward vs. Brand is a 12-round fight presented by Roc Nation Sports and sponsored by Corona Extra, the motion picture HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (ctms) and The Clorox Company, supporting the Bay Area Community for over 100 years.

“We can get it on, right now,” said Ward. “August 6th, I will be ready, so come out to Oracle Arena or tune in live on HBO. Don’t miss it.”

“It will be a great honor to face Andre Ward on August 6 and better yet in his own backyard,” said Brand. “Fighting somebody with such an illustrious career, facing a guy that perhaps hasn’t lost a round in his entire life, is even more thrilling. We were set to face each other last November, but he was forced to pull out of the fight with an injury. Now the time has come to fight him and I can’t wait to derail his future plans. I’ll work hard to spoil them.”

“Andre Ward’s quest to become the best light heavyweight on the planet and boxing’s number one pound-for-pound fighter continues on August 6,” said David Itskowitch, COO of Boxing Roc Nation Sports. “Alexander Brand has been waiting for this fight since last year and we have no doubt he is going to enter the ring hungry for a huge victory. There’s a lot on the line in this fight for Andre who knows he can’t look past Brand towards a much discussed clash with Unified Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey Kovalev.”

“Undefeated for the last two decades, technically brilliant and the last American man to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing, Andre Ward is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world,” said Peter Nelson, Executive Vice President, HBO Sports. “On August 6th, Andre continues his move up in weight to campaign in the 175-pound division against challenger Alexander Brand in front a hometown crowd at the Oracle.”

Known for his strong character and integrity outside the ring and his warrior’s instinct inside it, 32 year-old Andre Ward’s skill and talent were apparent early in his outstanding amateur career. He racked up every title in the books, culminating in a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. As the only male American boxer to claim Olympic gold in the past
decade, Ward joined the likes of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya. He turned professional on December 18, 2004, scoring a second round technical knockout victory over Chris Molina at Staples Center in a fight that was televised live on HBO. He has gone on to rack up 27 more victories since then, building an ever-growing legion of fans in the process. After becoming the Ring Magazine and WBA Super Middleweight World Champion, rising to the number two spot on the pound-for-pound list and winning the 2011 Fighter of the Year Award (ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America), it was announced that Ward signed an exclusive promotional agreement with Roc Nation Sports in January 2015, opening a new chapter in his storied boxing career. The Bay Area product returned to the ring on June 20, 2015 at the Oracle Arena in front of his hometown fans in Oakland, California and scored a ninth-round knockout over Paul Smith, continuing his unbeaten streak which dates back to when he was a 12-year-old amateur. In his most recent fight on March 26, 2016, Ward made his highly publicized 175-pound debut against Cuba’s undefeated and IBF number one rated light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera in front of frenzied crowd at Oracle Arena that including luminaries such as Michael B. Jordan, Stephen Curry, Marshawn Lynch and Draymond Green. Ward expertly managed the fight and began to unravel his opponent in the third round when he caught Barrera with a counter left hook, dropping him to the canvas. The rest was a routine victory for Ward, who scored a dominating dispatch of Barrera by way of unanimous decision after 12 rounds. Ward looks forward to a formidable challenge in Brand who is now the only obstacle in the way of his anticipated showdown against Unified Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey Kovalev in the fall.

Bogota, Colombia native Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) turned professional at the relatively late age of 32 following a long and accomplished amateur career that saw him tally over 400 wins. He burst on to the professional scene in 2009, scoring knockout wins in his first 12 fights and winning 15 of his first 17 bouts inside the distance. His first and only professional setback came via an eight-round split decision loss to current WBC Super Middleweight World Champion Badou Jack in a 2012 fight that many ringside observers thought Brand had won. Since that fight, Brand has passed every ring test with flying colors, notching eight consecutive victories. In his last bout, Brand faced the sternest test of his career since the Jack fight when he fought a favored, undefeated and highly touted light heavyweight Medzhid Bektemirov on December 5, 2015 at Osceola Heritage Center in Kissimmee, Florida. Brand weathered an early Bektemirov blitz, including recovering from a first round knockdown, and notched a 10-round split decision victory by the scores of 98-91, 98-91 and 94-95. The 39 year-old Brand, who has held several regional title including the WBC Latino Super Middleweight and the WBC Silver Interim Super Middleweight Championships, will be looking to pull off another upset on August 6 and thrust himself into light heavyweight title contention.

Follow the conversation using #WardBrand.

For more information, please visit www.rocnation.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter and Instagram @rocnation and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.

For more information, visit www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

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ABOUT ROC NATION SPORTS
Roc Nation Sports, a sub-division of Roc Nation, launched in spring 2013. Founder Shawn “JAY Z” Carter’s love of sports led to the natural formation of Roc Nations Sports, supporting athletes in the same way Roc Nation has been working alongside and advocating for artists in the music industry for years. Roc Nation Sports focuses on elevating athletes’ career on a global scale both on and off the field. Roc Nation Sports conceptualizes and executes marketing and endorsement deals, community outreach, charitable tie-ins, media relations and brand strategy. Roc Nation Sports launched its boxing division, a full service promotional company which represents Five-Time World Champion Miguel Cotto and Two-Time World Champion Andre Ward, in August 2014. Roc Nation Sports’ roster includes premiere athletes such as Robinson Cano, Skylar Diggins, Kevin Durant, Geno Smith, Victor Cruz, CC Sabathia, James Young, Dez Bryant, Ndamukong Suh, Rusney Castillo, Yoenis Cespedes, Jaelen Strong, Todd Gurley, Wilson Chandler, Erick Aybar, Justise Winslow, Willie Cauley-Stein, Jerome Boateng, Miguel Sano, CJ Prosise, Ronnie Stanley, Henry Ellenson, Caris LeVert and Mike Gbinije.

ABOUT ORACLE ARENA & OAKLAND ALAMEDA COLISEUM:
Oracle Arena and Oakland Alameda Coliseum, managed by AEG Facilities, are the premiere sports and entertainment complexes in Northern California. These facilities are home to the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, MLB’s Oakland Athletics, as well as host to concerts, family shows and special events. Additional information on Oracle Arena and Oakland Alameda Coliseum, including a complete schedule of events can be found on our mobile app available on the app store for fee and online at www.oraclearena.com

MEDIA: Media Credential Requests: http://berkcommunications.com/request.php

PHOENIX, AZ (June 28, 2016) – Unbeaten Mexican-American super-middleweight, David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez (15-0, 14 KOs) is eager to stamp his name in the division. This past Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Benavidez stopped former undefeated Canadian, Francy Ntetu (16-1, 3 KOs), handing him his first loss of his career. With the win, Benavidez is looking to climb up the rankings with the hopes of challenging a top contender by the end of the year.

“I see myself fighting someone in the top ten by the end of the year,” said David Benavidez. “I just beat an undefeated fighter in Ntetu, who pushed me. I want to fight more guys like him and earn my way to the top. I know if I continue to win fights, many opportunities will open up for me.”

Benavidez, who campaigns at light-heavyweight and super-middleweight, wants to settle in at 168 pounds. With a long road ahead of him, Benavidez is ready for the journey.

“Although I’ve had a few fights at light-heavyweight, but my plan is to win a title at super-middleweight. I have no problem making 168 pounds and that’s where I’ll be making my march up the rankings. I have a lot of work to do, but I set the bar high for myself and I won’t settle for mediocrity. I got my eye on all the champions at super-middleweight. I’m just going to take it one fight at a time.”

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (June 28th, 2016) — He’s dealt with losses in and out of the ring. He’s had to listen to outsiders question whether or not he’s got what it takes to make it in the sport of boxing.

The road has been bumpy at times, but Kevin Cobbs is living proof that all roads eventually lead home.

“Sometimes you’ve got to go left,” Cobbs said, “to find out you should’ve taken the right turn.”

More than five years since his professional debut, the Willimantic, Conn., native may have finally found the path worth traveling.

With a new team behind him and a fresh outlook on his career, the 6-foot-2 Cobbs (10-2, 4 KOs) returns to the ring Friday, July 15th, 2016 to challenge undefeated Angel Camacho Jr. (15-0, 5 KOs) of Providence for Camacho’s Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) International and New England Light Heavyweight Titles in the 10-round main event of CES Boxing’s stacked summer fight card at Twin River Casino.

Coming off a loss in January on national television, Cobbs, 32, is wasting no time jumping back into the mix. Training out of George Foreman III’s Everybody Fights fitness gym in Boston (formerly known as The Club), where he also works as a personal trainer, Cobbs has surrounded himself with a new team that includes Foreman, trainer Chris Daveiga, strength coach Kirby Espinal and at least one familiar face in trainer / advisor Israel Santiago, who has been with him since Day 1.

“He’s family,” Cobbs said of Santiago. “He always will be.”

Rather than work his way back into contention slowly, Cobbs instead decided to end his two-year absence from Twin River against arguably the toughest light heavyweight in the region in Camacho, who has beaten everyone in his path since returning to prominence late in 2014. It’s a fight Cobbs has lobbied for since Camacho knocked out Rich Gingras last September.

“In this area I really, really think I’m one of the top light heavyweights, period,” Cobbs said. “Some of the guys that have the belt or had an opportunity to fight for the belt and were called the best light heavyweights in the area, they never fought me. Technically, I strongly believe if you are the best you have to fight everyone to be the best.”

Cobbs faced one of the best in January in red-hot prospect David Benavidez on a night when he admittedly wasn’t at his best. Problems with his training camp, coupled with a difficult weight cut to 170 pounds, a weight he hadn’t fought at since 2011, reached a boiling point on fight night when a mentally and physically drained Cobbs absorbed a second-round knockout loss on FOX Sports 1, the biggest fight of his career to date.

“I honestly feel like I was talked into that one really bad,” Cobbs said. “A lot of things didn’t play into my favor, like coming into my dressing room and telling me I’ve got 15 minutes before I’m on, but beforehand being told I’m the second to last fight when it takes 15 minutes just to wrap your hands alone.

“I walked out to that fight cold and I walked out to that fight under weight because I had never been there. I walked out to that fight weak. It just wasn’t me.”

Mired in a tug-of-war between remaining loyal to his camp and doing what was best for himself, Cobbs eventually decided it was time to reboot and invest in those who’d invest as much time into him.

“Deep down inside, I felt like something just doesn’t feel right, you know? It really eats at you mentally, but the thing you’re taught and you always grow up with is loyalty,” he said. “Family first. Just sticking by people instead of sometimes you have to think about you. It really does eat at you because sometimes I’ll stay somewhere and not leave because of my loyalty. Then it’ll run me into the ground instead of stepping up and doing what I’ve got to do for myself.

“This time around, I literally shut everyone and everything and did things myself.”

Cobbs’ new boxing family at Everybody Fights has helped restore the feeling he first felt more than a decade ago when he stepped into the ring as an amateur fighting out of Burlington, Vt., one of many stops along the way on his wild journey.

“There’s so much knowledge coming through this building,” Cobbs said. “Now I’ve got my own personal trainer, conditioning and strength, nutrition — everything is right here at home. It feels good. I don’t have to search for help anymore. You know me. I was always searching for help and trying to find where I’m supposed to be. Even with a great trainer, one thing I’ve learned is that even if they’re a great trainer, they still might not be for you.”

Now he’s less than three weeks away from the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to reestablish his footing as one of the top fighters in the region after more than two years away from his second home at Twin River.

“That’s why we really wanted to figure out how to get back inside that arena and really start being with the fans, with the people that love me most. It just feels good to be back over there,” he said.

“You’ve got to imagine I’ve been wanting this fight for so long, so there are no real nerves mentally. The only nerves that might come are from stepping in that arena where my career started, which I can break once I get out there and see some familiar faces.

“This is my way of proving that when things are done right you can really come out on top. I know Angel is a great fighter, but I really do believe that when my training is consistent we really have a great opportunity to bring back that belt. No matter what happens, I’m bringing my best that day. I can tell you that much.”

The Camacho-Cobbs main event is one of three title fights July 15th; Cranston, R.I., super lightweight Nick DeLomba (9-1, 2 KOs) makes the first defense of his New England Title in a six-round bout against Oscar Bonilla (3-1-2) of Bridgeport, Conn.; and Thomas Falowo (14-3, 8 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I., the reigning New England Middleweight Champion, returns to Twin River for the first time in more than two years and puts his belt on the line in an eight-round rematch against Jersey City, N.J., slugger Chris Chatman (13-5-1, 5 KOs), who beat Falowo at Twin River in 2013.

Tickets for the event are priced at $42.00, $67.00, $102.00 and $152.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com, www.twinriver.com or www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Casino Players Club. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

July 15th also features the return of newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) Female Middleweight World Champion Kali Reis (9-5-1), who captured the belt in April in New Zealand, in an eight-round bout against Atlantic City vet Althea Saunders (3-2-2), plus lightweight Jamaine Ortiz (1-0, 1 KO) and middleweight Kendrick Ball Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), both from Worcester, Mass., and the professional debut of New London, Conn., welterweight Cristobal Marrero.

Also on the undercard, Ray Oliviera Jr. (4-0, 1 KO) of New Bedford, Mass., battles Worcester’s Andy Gonzalez (3-0, 3 KOs) in a four-round junior middleweight attraction featuring two undefeated New England fighters.

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING and use the hashtag #CamachoCobbs to join the conversation.