THE LEADING CHARACTERS in Saturday night’s World Championship show at the SSE Arena in Belfast faced the media today in a final press conference ahead of Michael Conlan challenging Luis Alberto Lopez for the IBF world featherweight title, live on BT Sport.

Below are the key quotes from this media event that also featured promoters Bob Arum and Jamie Conlan and undercard fighters including Queensberry champions Nick Ball, Anthony Cacace and Pierce O’Leary.

Michael Conlan
I’m just excited, really excited about Saturday night. I thank Luis for coming to Belfast, I appreciate it, but on Saturday night I will be champion. I have experienced a lot of atmospheres throughout my career now, very mad, crazy atmospheres and Saturday night will be no different. I know how to handle it now. He plans to end it quickly, but I know he has changed trainers a few times during this training camp and there are probably things going on with him. I don’t think he truly believes that, he is saying it for the cameras and that is ok, no problem. I respect him as a fighter, I respect his opinion, but on Saturday night I will be champion. I am expecting the best Luis Alberto, he is going to bring everything and try and come in and knock me out. I am prepared for everything he is going to do, I have ticked every box I need to tick and I am very confident going into this fight. It is a pleasure to have this in Belfast, but I know it doesn’t mean too much because Luis travels well. I believe on Saturday night it will be ‘and the new’.

Luis Alberto Lopez
I have already beaten up all the prospects and fighters Top Rank have given to me so, on this Saturday night, I want to prove to everyone that I am a true champion and, after beating Michael Conlan, I will go for the next world champs. I am used to this type of environment, I am used to travelling and this is my third time here in the UK. Everybody wants to see me lose but, don’t forget, I am the world champion. Every time they tell me that I am going to lose, that I am going to be knocked out, but when I jump into the ring there are two of us and I am used to it. I am going to be taking the victory.

Jamie Conlan
It is fantastic and we are delighted to bring it to Belfast. A fantastic champion like Luis Alberto Lopez, risking everything and prepared to put it on the line in Belfast is a credit to him. I truly believe this is a special night, a special moment in Irish boxing history, that Ireland will have its first male amateur world champion becoming a first male professional world champion. I believe Michael is the man to do it. This is the best fight on Saturday, the most intriguing fight in the division between two unpredictable fighters who can adapt and adjust. It is not to be missed.

Bob Arum
I’ve been there from the start of Mick’s professional career and people ask what attracted you to Mick? Go back and remember that Olympiad where he got cheated out of a decision win and he knew exactly who to blame. Remember Mick? We gave the finger to Putin and we continue to give the finger to Putin! It has been a great run with Mick, he is a terrific young man, a really good fighter who is stepping to the plate, as we say in the United States in a baseball term, against a really tough, tough opponent and world champion in Luis Lopez, who doesn’t hesitate to go into his opponents home town and perform spectacularly. It may end up being the fight of the year.

Anthony Cacace
This has been eight years in the making, the last time I fought here was in 2015. I am just excited to fight in front of my home city and show what I can do. I am delighted to be on a show stacked with talent and Mick fighting for a world title. It means a lot to be fighting in front of my family and friends, who don’t have to fly and follow me around the UK. I don’t know too much about Damian Wrzesinski, I’ve watched a bit of tape and he hasn’t fought much out of Poland. I don’t really care about Damian, I just want to do what I know I can do and, if I do that, I should win pretty handy.

Nick Ball
I am just trying to stay focused. All he says sounds good but I have heard it all before and it is nothing new to me. Let’s see what he is saying when he gets punched in the face on Saturday. I am looking forward to it. It is a massive show and I appreciate everyone who got me on it. There is a world title fight at my weight and it is a good chance to show what I am about. I can’t lose focus, I’ve got another man who is coming to win and, if you think I underestimate him, you clearly don’t know me. I’ve got my business to handle first, then we will think about world title belts.

Ludumo Lamati
Firstly I want to thank Nick Ball’s team of Queensberry. If it is the toughest fight, I don’t know, I will find out on the 27th. I am looking forward to this and excited that I have finally got a shot that I think will take me to the world title. I think he is strong, he is a threat and experience-wise, I don’t know, we will find out. I will give him a fight and we will see how he will handle a fight. I’ve been in fights, I’ve been pushed and pushed back. He is strong, comes forward and if he is going to bully me I will deserve that in the ring. I have everything to beat him. 22 guys have tried to beat me and failed all over the world.

Pierce O’Leary
I want to thank Top Rank, Conlan Boxing and, most of all, my manager Francis, George, Frank and Queensberry for getting me on this card. It is a massive card for Irish boxing itself. It is great to be home, it is not Dublin, but I am going to carry a lot of Dubs up and it is going to be loud. They call me Big Bang, so I want to go out and I want to destroy people. I’ve told you before, I don’t bang everything!

NB: DUE TO THE CLASH OF THREE MAIN EVENTS ON SATURDAY, LOPEZ-CONLAN RINGWALKS WILL BE AT 9PM, LIVE ON BT SPORT.

QUEBEC CITY, Canada (May 25, 2023) — King Artur and his three world titles are coming home to Canada.
 
Montreal resident Artur Beterbiev, the unified WBC/WBO/IBF light heavyweight world champion, will defend his belts against WBC No. 1 contender Callum “Mundo” Smith on Saturday, Aug. 19 at Videotron Centre in Québec City, Canada.
 
Promoted by Eye of the Tiger and Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, Beterbiev-Smith and a co-feature will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The card will air live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
 
The August 19 event will be particularly significant for Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs), boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio. He has not fought in Québec City since he defended his IBF North American belt in 2015 against Gabriel Campillo.
 
“This is a momentous event for us, as we’re continually striving to bring major fights back to the province. We’re thrilled to be able to make this happen with the best boxer in the history of Québec, Artur Beterbiev, who will share the limelight with other EOTTM fighters. We hope that boxing fans will attend in droves, and that the evening will mark the beginning of a new era of boxing in Québec,” said Eye of the Tiger president Camille Estephan.
 
“The legend of the sport’s most fearsome puncher, Artur Beterbiev, continues August 19 in beautiful Québec City for a fight that can’t help but be a light heavyweight championship classic,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Callum Smith is a deserving mandatory challenger who won’t be intimidated fighting on Artur’s home turf.”
 
“Québec is my second home, so I’m very happy to finally defend my titles on home turf,” Beterbiev said. “When you are world champion, everyone wants the opportunity to take your belt, and that’s especially true in my case, with three titles at stake. I’ve already started my training camp, and I’ll be ready to not only defend my belts, but to also put on an impressive show August 19.”
 
Smith said,“I’m excited to finally get my opportunity to become a two-weight world champion. I’m no stranger to fighting on away soil, having boxed in Saudi Arabia twice, across America, and now heading to Canada on August 19. There was no hesitation from me going to Canada to fight Artur Beterbiev, and I will be returning to Liverpool as a world champion once more.”
 
Beterbiev, a two-time Olympian, has lived in Montreal since turning pro a decade ago. He has made seven world title defenses since toppling Enrico Koelling for the vacant IBF title in November 2017. Beterbiev picked up the WBC strap with a stirring 2019 knockout over Oleksandr Gvozdyk, then added the WBO title to his collection with last year’s second-round drubbing of Joe Smith Jr. He’s only fought once in Canada as world champion, a ninth-round TKO over Marcus Browne in December 2021. Beterbiev followed up the Smith triumph with January’s thrilling eighth-round stoppage over Anthony Yarde in Yarde’s hometown of London.
 
Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) is a former WBA super middleweight world champion who holds victories over George Groves, Hassan N’Dam and John Ryder. His championship run came to an end in December 2019, when he lost a one-sided decision to pound-for-pound great Canelo Alvarez in a title unification tilt. Smith moved up to light heavyweight following the Canelo defeat and notched knockout victories over Gilbert Castillo Rivera and Mathieu Bauderlique.
 
The full card for the Beterbiev-Smith event, which will also feature undefeated super middleweight Christian Mbilli (24-0, 20 KOs) and heavyweight puncher Simon Kean (23-1, 22 KOs), will be announced shortly. Local talents Wilkens Mathieu (2-0, 1 KOs), Leïla Beaudoin (9-1, 1 KO) and Clovis Drolet (13-1, 9 KOs) will also fight in front of their hometown supporters.
 
Tickets for the August 19 event at the Videotron Centre go on sale tomorrow, May 26 at 12 p.m. ET via www.ticketmaster.ca.

NEW YORK, NY – May 25, 2023 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced that Adam Kipenga (11-3-1, 7 KOs) will now take on Ashton H2O Sylve in Most Valuable Prospects’ headlining bout for its inaugural event. Kipenga will replace Angel Rebollar who was forced to pull out of the event due to an eye injury. Created to highlight the next generation of the sport’s best male and female athletes, Most Valuable Prospects’ inaugural event will take place this Friday, May 26 live from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. DAZN will air Most Valuable Prospects across its platforms as a part of its subscription package and tickets are on sale now at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005E9AD958CFC5.

Kipenga, the southpaw out of Tanzania, began boxing at the age of 13 following in the footsteps of his two older brothers. He has had 40 amateur fights under his belt and holds the title of Tanzania National Champion. The 24-year old lightweight is signed to Reyes Boxing Promotions and is fighting out of Boston, MA. Sylve will go face to face with Kipenga for the first time at the official weigh-ins taking place this Thursday, May 25 at 5pm ET at the Caribe Royale Resort. The faceoff will be streamed live on DAZN Boxing’s YouTube. 

May 26th’s full card includes Kevin Brown vs. Julian Smith as the Co-Main Event fighting for the WBA Super Lightweight Continental Americas Title and a heavyweight battle between two undefeated fighters, Lorenzo Medina and former Cuban National Boxing Team member, Angel Y. Napoles (1-0, 1 KO) who will be replacing Andrey Mangushev. Mangushev had to pull out of the fight due to a hand injury. Napoles is from Miami by way of Camaguey, Cuba and has won gold medals at the Pan-Am Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games. Undefeated two-time national amateur champion Jamar Pemberton will also take on fellow undefeated fighter Bryce Henry in an action-packed four-round middleweight matchup.

YouTube boxing commentator Wade Plemons and Jomboy Media personality Dan Canobbio will be co-commentators for Friday night, while hard-hitting analysis will be provided by retired two-weight-class world champion Paul Malignaggi. Sibley Scoles will serve as the ringside reporter and YouTube boxing and Esports MC Akinola Verissimo will serve as the in-ring announcer. 

The “Most Valuable Prospects” card is produced by Most Valuable Promotions, with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter. The Caribe Royale Resort will be the series’ official title sponsor and host for each event, while DAZN will air Most Valuable Prospects across its platforms as a part of its subscription package. MVP’s co-founder Jake Paul and world-renowned undisputed featherweight world champion Amanda Serrano will be in attendance for the inaugural event. 

For more information, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @MostVPromotions, @DAZNBoxing, @Boxlab_AP, and @cariberoyale or on Instagram via @JakePaul, @MostValuablePromotions, @DAZNBoxing, and @cariberoyaleorlando.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) 

Dedicated to brand building, content creation, promotion, and strategic advisory, Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. Already making a name for itself in the sport of boxing and the overall industry, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. The promotion company has co-produced and co-promoted all of Paul’s latest matches including both fights against Tyron Woodley and his most recent fight against Anderson Silva, which included a co-headlining bout with MVP’s youngest signed talent, Ashton Sylve. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head-to-head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US, and the UK.? Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC.? 

DAZN is the NFL’s global partner and, from the 2023 season, will be the only place for fans around the world to watch every NFL match through the NFL Game Pass International add-on subscription. DAZN is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with UEFA Women’s Champions League and Finetwork Liga F.? DAZN is adding more and more sport to its platform to create a destination for sports fans.?

DAZN is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialize, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.?

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs, and game consoles, ensuring that fans have access to ground-breaking rights catalog and slate of incredible content. In the UK and globally, DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony, and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV and can find the app on their iPhone, iPad, and android mobile devices. DAZN is available as an Amazon Channel on Amazon Prime TV and can be viewed on Channel 429 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?www.dazngroup.com.??

About Caribe Royale Orlando Resort

Located just minutes from the Walt Disney World® Resort in the nation’s number one convention and tourist destination, Caribe Royale Orlando is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite meetings resort in Orlando. A TripAdvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award winner – among just 10 percent of hotels worldwide to receive the distinction – the upscale Caribe Royale is emerging from a $140 million renovation that includes fully remodeling all of its one-bedroom suites, an all-new 50,000-square-foot grand ballroom (bringing the total meeting space to 220,000 square feet), and an inviting new lobby. Being privately-owned, Caribe Royale offers meeting planners faster approval cycles and more flexibility to create stand-out events. To learn more or to book a visit, event or meeting, visit www.cariberoyale.com. Follow the all-suite convention hotel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@cariberoyale), LinkedIn and Pinterest. #cariberoyaleorlando 

Wasserman Boxing is thrilled to announce that Josh Kelly has signed a new multi-year deal with the company. 

Kelly is set to become the next British boxer to break onto the world stage and Wasserman Boxing, one of the sport’s leading promoters, will be in his corner as his career goes to the new levels. 

The ‘Pretty Boy’, ranked No2 in the world, is preparing for his June 24 showdown with Argentinean hardman Gabriel Corzo at the Vertu Motors Arena, in Newcastle, live and exclusive worldwide on DAZN. 

And today it can be confirmed that Kelly and Wasserman Boxing have extended their partnership, which began last year and has quickly seen the 29-year-old re-establish himself as one of Britain’s premier talents. 

Josh Kelly said: “I am really happy to have signed a multi-year deal with Wasserman Boxing. 

“I have loved working with Kalle, Nisse and the whole team and know that, with them in my corner, my career will continue to go from strength to strength. 

“Winning the British title against Troy Williamson, at a packed-out arena last year, is a moment that I will never forget, but now we are ready to take on the world, starting on June 24 in Newcastle.  Let’s go!”  

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Wasserman Boxing, said: “Josh Kelly is one of the hottest properties in the sport and there are so many massive domestic and international fights to be made for him, so we are thrilled he has put pen to paper on a new multi-year deal with Wasserman Boxing.

“Promoting Josh has been a dream but make no mistake, we are only just getting started with this man.  

“In Newcastle on June 24, we start to take Pretty Boy to the next level.” 

Kelly vs Corzo headlines a great night of boxing in Newcastle on June 24, with Liam Dillon and Qais Ashfaq battling it out for the vacant British super featherweight title, in the co-main event. 

Local heavyweight Steve Robinson trades punches with Franklin Ignatius in a not-to-be-missed eight round collision. 

Chloe Watson continues her journey to the top of the flyweight division, when she takes on Argentina’s Belen Valdebenito, stepping up to eight rounds for the first time. 

Codie Smith, one of the most exciting additions to the professional ranks in years, will bring a noisy army of fans from Yorkshire with him for his latest bout. 

Darlington’s Ben Marksby plans on making a statement about his super lightweight ambitions, while the Mikkel Kessler-trained Oliver Zaren boxes in front of a UK audience for a second successive time. 

North East fighters Luke Cope, Travis Waters and Joe Laws are also set to draw in the crowds, on a huge night of action in Newcastle. 

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – (May 24th, 2023) – Savannah Marshall (12-1, 10 KO’s) is on track to land a record-setting 1-2 this summer as she follows October’s sell-out of The O2 London – the UK’s largest arena – by headlining a sold-out show at the AO Arena Manchester – the UK’s second-largest arena – on Saturday, July 1st.

The undisputed World Super-Middleweight Championship will be on the line when Marshall walks out to challenge defending champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn (8-1, 2 KO’s) and becomes the first female boxer ever to headline the UK’s two largest arenas in back-to-back events.

Previously set to occupy the co-headline slot, the undisputed world championship bout now takes main event status as Liam Smith postpones his rematch with bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr to recover from a minor but nagging injury which has dogged his training camp.

The two antagonists set a pay-per-view record for their weight class when they fought in January, a bout Smith won by fourth-round stoppage, and a stellar support card was put in place for their highly-anticipated rematch, which was also set to air as a Sky Sports Box Office pay-per-view event.

With two world title fights – Liverpool’s Natasha ‘Miss GB’ Jonas (13-2-1, 8 KO’s) is set to defend her unified world light-middleweight championship at the event – plus a guaranteed-fireworks British super-middleweight title fight pitting Manchester man Mark ‘Kid Dynamite’ Heffron (29-2-1, 23 KOs) against Zak Chelli (13-1-1, 6 KOs), that stacked undercard now becomes a stacked event which will air live on the Sky Sports network.

And BOXXER has today also announced that every fan entering the AO Arena on Saturday, July 1 will be issued with a £10 or £20 food and beverage voucher (depending on value of ticket held), courtesy of BOXXER, plus priority access to tickets for the new Smith vs Eubank II date when announced and a 10% discount code to use in their priority access window. 

Also confirmed for the card is once-in-a-lifetime talent Ben ‘The Surgeon’ Whittaker (3-0, 2 KO’s), who became one of the most talked-about athletes in the country earlier this month when his outrageous showboating at BOXXER’s Birmingham event went viral online and had him trending at #1 on UK twitter for the night of May 6th.

Another prospect heavily-tipped by boxing insiders is Callum Simpson (11-0, 9 KO’s), who journeys from his native Yorkshire on July 1st to make his second BOXXER appearance following his stunning third-round stoppage in the same venue in March.

“I’m gutted and sorry to all the fans about the postponement. I’ve always said a fully fit Liam Smith beats Chris Eubank Jr every time. I tried training through because I was desperate not to let anyone down but I’ve had to withdraw from the bout in July following the latest medical assessment this week. I’ll heal up now and then be fully fit for later in the summer,” said Liam Smith. 

“I wanted BOXXER to put a big card together and they more than delivered, so I’m honestly delighted that BOXXER is keeping the card on without the pay-per-view, which doesn’t always happen. I would encourage all the fans to get behind Tasha Jonas and Savannah Marshall in their world title fights, and the other fighters in a brilliant card.”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER founder and CEO, saluted Smith’s courageous efforts to stay on the card and looks forward to another record-setting night in Manchester.

“Nobody is more disappointed than Liam Smith, he’s the ultimate professional but he had no choice but to postpone the bout. We’re working on a new date for the fight and hope to announce that in a week or so. In the meantime we’ve got a huge night taking place in Manchester on July 1st,” he said.

“Savannah Marshall headlining the UK’s two biggest arenas in back to back fights is a first for a female fighter and shows the strength of the women’s sport today. She’s fighting for the undisputed world super-middleweight championship against the USA’s Franchon Crews-Dezurn – a fight which could headline any arena in the world. 

“Manchester’s own Mark Heffron defending his British title against Zak Chelli, Natasha Jonas laying her own world titles on the line, plus a once-in-a-generation talent like Ben Whittaker and the outstanding Callum Simpson takes on Boris Crighton – this is a card stacked with great fights and we are very excited for it.

“We understand a lot of fans will be disappointed to hear the Smith-Eubank rematch is being postponed, so we’ve arranged a free voucher for every fan in the venue to have a drink on us on fight night, plus they will receive priority access to Smith vs Eubank II tickets for the new date when it’s announced, and a discount on those tickets.”

Eubank Jr’s promoter Kalle Sauerland of Wasserman Boxing said a new date for the Smtih vs Eubank rematch will will be announced imminently. “We have been informed that Liam Smith is not fit to fight on July 1st. We are awaiting further medical reports before we announce the new date shortly.”

A new date for the rescheduled Smith vs Eubank II bout – which follows Smith’s stunning stoppage of Eubank in January – will be announced in the near future.

ANTHONY CACACE MIGHT just be a big name in Poland having enjoyed the distinction of being called out live on national television.

The man doing the calling, IBO International super featherweight champion Damian Wrzesinski, gets to have his wish come true this weekend when he challenges the full IBO champion Cacace for his belt, live on BT Sport, on the undercard of the IBF world featherweight title collision between Luis Alberto Lopez and local Belfast favourite Michael Conlan.

Cacace and his Polish challenger had actually been quietly stalking each other online for some time now.

“I’ve followed him for a while now and he’s followed me, before I even won the IBO,” revealed the man known as ‘The Apache’. “Polish TV tagged me in something and it was him calling me out live on his national TV.

“Then I was supposed to go to Poland and that never happened and here we are now. Damian is 35 and wanting an opportunity. I am more than happy to give it to him.”

Saturday night at the SSE Arena represents a homecoming for the 34-year-old southpaw, who last fought at the venue back in early 2015, some 10 fights ago. Not that he minds as he is happy to take his show on the road.

“Yes it is great,” he considered. “I’ve got an IBO and I would love an IBF or a WBC. I have been fighting a long time professionally and I feel I have got to the stage in my career where it is all beginning to pay off. I’m just happy.

“With me, I don’t mind where I am fighting, whether it is in England, Scotland, Wales, Belfast, it doesn’t matter. It is obviously a big bonus for my family and everyone who comes out to watch me. I have sold a lot of tickets for this, so it is going to be special.

“Belfast is special for boxing, it is a great city, they appreciate their boxing and they know what they are watching.”

Despite their ongoing connection, Cacace admits that he remains largely in the dark when it comes to assessing the threat posed by the Pole, who is currently being trained out of Southampton by respected trainer Wayne Batten.

“I don’t know too much about Damian. I watched an interview with him and he seems like a pleasant fella. I have watched him a few times and he is what he is. I’m sure he’s going to be buzzing to get this opportunity and he is going to come over wanting to fight. That’s what I want and I don’t think Damian has ever been hit the way I’m going to hit him.

“We’re going to have to just see what happens on the night. They are all fit and strong but, as soon as you hit them, they don’t seem to want to come forward as much and they think a little bit more. With Damian, I’m going to add a bit more pain and punishment for him. I’m coming to take him out, forget about the boxing aspect, I am coming to get him.

“Also how big I am, I think Damian may be in for a surprise.”

Anthony Cacace defends his IBO World super-featherweight championship against Damian Wrzesinski on the undercard of the Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan on Saturday at the SSE Arena, Belfast. 

NB: DUE TO THE CLASH OF THREE MAIN EVENTS ON SATURDAY, LOPEZ-CONLAN RINGWALKS WILL BE AT 9PM, LIVE ON BT SPORT.

NEW YORK (May 23, 2023) —Junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas (15-0, 10 KOs) will have an extra source of motivation for his upcoming fight.

The 20-year-old standout will fight Ronald “Diablo” Cruz (18-2-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday, June 10 for the second annual Miguel Cotto Award, which is presented by Top Rank and Madison Square Garden Entertainment. The Miguel Cotto Award celebrates the remarkable career of the legendary four-division world champion and upholds the tradition of hosting a major fight card during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend. Cotto, who achieved notable wins against Muhammad Abdullaev, Paulie Malignaggi, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Sergio Martinez and Daniel Geale during this festive weekend, will present the award at The Theater at Madison Square Garden following the June 10 bout.

Zayas-Cruz will be the co-feature to the junior welterweight showdown between WBO and Ring Magazine world champion Josh Taylor and former unified and lineal lightweight king Teofimo Lopez.

Taylor-Lopez and Zayas-Cruz will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. 

Cotto said, “For me, it’s a great honor and a great pleasure that Madison Square Garden and Top Rank have an award with my name to continue the tradition of fight cards during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend. This award will motivate future generations to deliver their best in each fight.”

“Miguel Cotto has made an immeasurable mark on boxing at ‘The Mecca’ – Madison Square Garden,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, Marquee Events and Operations, Madison Square Garden Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to celebrate Cotto’s warrior legacy during the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend with the presentation of the second annual award to the winner of the Xander Zayas v. Ronald Cruz fight on Saturday, June 10.”

Zayas said, “I’ve always said that in the world of boxing, Miguel Cotto is my favorite fighter. He is the reason I decided to become a fighter. It’s a total honor and a dream come true to have the opportunity to fight for an award that has his name. This confirms for me that we are on the right path, and it motivates me to keep working hard to continue accomplishing my dreams. I want to unite my Island and all of the Puerto Ricans in the United States in the same way that Miguel did. That is my biggest dream, and I will achieve it.”

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.

Los Angeles, CA (May 23, 2023) Undefeated rising star, Daniel ‘Chucky’ Barrera, (2-0-1, 2 KOs), returns to battle in a six-round super flyweight contest on Saturday, July 22 at Hollywood Fight Nights from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, CA and broadcast globally on UFC FIGHT PASS.  

Tickets for Hollywood Fight Nights presented by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions, starting at $55 for the evening of world class professional boxing can be purchased online at Chumash Casino Resort. The Chumash Casino Resort is located at 3400 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460. Doors will open on the night of the event at 5:00 p.m. PT with the first bell at 6:00 p.m. PT.

The 21-year-old Barrera, fighting out of Riverside, CA quickly turned heads as a professional with a sensational third round knockout of Jesus Godinez in his debut on July 28, 2022. The former amateur standout most recently scored a show-stopping first round knockout of Victor Hernandez Martin on January 27, 2023. The highly touted Barrera is managed by Ray Chaparro and trained by Al Franco.

“I’m thrilled to fight on this tremendous card at the Chumash Casino Resort on Saturday, July 22,” said Barrera. “We’ve been working very hard in the gym since my last fight and I’m looking forward to putting on another great show.”

“We’re very pleased with ‘Chucky’s’ progression as a professional,” said Ray Chaparro. “He learned from sparring with ‘Chocolatito’ in the ring but also how to prepare for fights outside the ring. July 22 is another opportunity for Chucky to shine under the bright lights.”

Stated Tom Loeffler, “This is our first event at Chumash Casino Resort and we’re very excited to have ‘Chucky’ on the card. His all-action style has made him a fan favorite for Southern California boxing fans in the last year and we look forward to another memorable performance from him.”

Hollywood Fight Nights is headlined by a highly anticipated ten-round clash between WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Champion Serhii ‘El Flaco’ Bohachuk, (22-1 22 KOs) defending his title against Former World Title Challenger, Patrick Allotey, (42-4, 32 KO’s).

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Liam Dillon and Qais Ashfaq are to clash for the vacant super featherweight crown at the Vertu Motors Arena, on Saturday June 24 as part of the bumper show headlined by world champion-in-the-making Josh Kelly. 

Live and exclusive around the world on DAZN, North East hero Kelly puts his world title dream on the line against the highly ranked Argentinean Gabriel Corzo, who has already cranked up the tension by promising a “war”. 

And now the Wasserman Boxing event has become even bigger with the addition of Dillon vs Ashfaq, in a scrap which has all the ingredients to be a show stealer. 

Dillon is the unbeaten and dangerous Londonder who is coming off a career-best win over Joshua Wahab and the 27-year-old plans on upsetting the odds again, but this time against former Olympian Ashfaq. 

Leeds favourite Ashfaq is the former Team GB stand-out, who won medals at major international tournaments, boxed at Rio 2016 and is back in form after suffering a shock defeat in 2020. 

Dillon (12-0-1) said: “Qais Ashfaq is a mountain for me to climb but I was the big underdog in my last fight and people had written me off, but I caused a big upset. 

“After my last win I was still the English champion and so I asked my team if we could push for the British. The British title is one I have always wanted but I didn’t ever know if I had the ability or know-how to win it. But after my last fight, I know I am ready.”  

Ashfaq (12-1) said: “Liam is a very tough kid and while he may not have my technical ability, he will be in my face for the whole fight. 

“But he can’t out-box me and this can be a very straight-forward fight for me, but it is also for me to lose. 

“But I believe this is the reboot of my career and winning the British title will lead to many more big nights, and I genuinely believe I will still become a world champion.” 

Wasserman Boxing can also confirm that the future of women’s boxing in this country, Chloe Watson, will step up to eight rounds for the first time, with victory edging her closer to title contention. 

Watson, the unbeaten former international amateur star who is trained by Ricky Hatton, tackles Belen Valdebenito in Newcastle and plans on making yet another statement in her second contest of the year. 

Hometown heavyweight Steve Robinson locks horns with Franklin Ignatius in a thunderous collision of big punchers that nobody is expecting will go the eight-round distance. 

Codie Smith, one of the most exciting young British boxers to turn professional in recent years, has the second contest of his career and will be backed by a noisy army of fans making the trip from Yorkshire. 

Darlington’s hugely popular Ben Marksby has his eyes fixed on climbing the super lightweight ladder this year and plans on making his first fight of 2023 one to remember, in front of the DAZN cameras. 

Big local support is also expected for Luke Cope, Travis Waters and Joe Laws on June 24, while the Mikkel Kessler-trained Oliver Zaren fights on UK soil for the second time as part of a not-to-be-missed event. 

NICK BALL IS bidding to stake a claim for a place at the top table of the featherweight division this weekend and is hoping to issue an invitation to the winner of the world title clash between Luis Alberto Lopez and Michael Conlan in Belfast, live on BT Sport.

Scouser Ball takes his place on the Belfast bill with a precarious defence of his WBC Silver title against the unbeaten South African Ludlum Lamati with the express intention of placing his name right in the frame to fight whoever emerges as IBF world champion next.

To do this, the 26-year-old knows he needs to make a splash in the city that built the Titanic.

“That is the place I am going, the level I am going, which is world level,” said the 17-0 Ball on the prospect of taking on either Lopez or Conlan. “If I get the opportunity to fight the winner I will take it with both hands.

“I’m made up, it is a good card to be on, with it being a world title at my weight. Although obviously I am concentrating on my fight, putting a good performance in and trying to steal the show.”

On what will be something of a defining night for the featherweight division, it is also one that will see WBA king Mauricio Lara rematch against Leigh Wood in Manchester.

WATCH DEV SAHNI’S FULL INTERVIEW WITH NICK BALL BY CLICKING HERE

Ball is confident that his swashbuckling approach to fights contains all the right ingredients to demand the attention of the watching public and establish his world title credentials.

“Definitely, that’s what boxing is. We go out there to entertain people and I always want to look good doing it. I feel like my style does that and people would rather watch a style like mine over an average boxer, if that’s what you want to call it.”

And as for opponent Lamati, all Ball knows for sure is that, as normal, he will be up against a tall order.

“I don’t really know anything about him, just that he’s tall, but they all are until they get in the ring with me and I bring them down to my size!”

NB: DUE TO THE CLASH OF THREE MAIN EVENTS ON SATURDAY, LOPEZ-CONLAN RINGWALKS WILL BE AT 9PM, LIVE ON BT SPORT.

LOS ANGELES (May 22, 2023) – Fast rising, undefeated super flyweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez (11-0, 8 KOs), boxing’s 115-pound version of a Human Highlight Film, returns to action this Saturday night against Fernando “Leoncito” Diaz (12-3-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round match to open the DAZN stream, starting at 9 pm. ET / 6 p.m. PT, live from Fantasy Spring Resort Casino in Indio, California.

The 26-year-old Ramirez, fighting out of South-Central Los Angeles, will make his first World Boxing Continental title defense Saturday on the Alexis Rocha vs. Anthony Young-headlined card, presented by Golden Boy Promotions.

In his last action, “Scrappy” convincingly won a 10-round unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 99-91) over Luis Villa Padilla (15-3-2) this past February for the then vacant WBC Continental crown. Ramirez captured the NABA crown a year ago, registering a 2022 Knockout of the Year-caliber performance against Jan Salvatierra (8-1), who lasted only 2:25 in the opening round, punched through the ropes and literally out of the ring. His NABA title is not on the line versus Diaz.

“Scrappy” was arguably the most active fighter during the COVID-19 pandemic and he enjoys being on the fast track. “I like fighting often because the more fights for me,” promotional free agent Ramirez said, “I’m only getting better. I’ve been learning more knowledge about boxing and gaining experience. I’m improving overall in this game, learning whatever I can to gain knowledge and experience. I ask questions all the time. I speak to ‘Zurdo’ (former world super middleweight world champion Gilberto Ramirez) on a daily basis at Brickhouse (Boxing Club in North Hollywood, CA). Deontay Wilder and Regis Prograis when they are training there, too. And BHOP (Bernard Hopkins) and Oscar (de la Hoya).

“After my last two fights, I’ve gone to training camps on the East Coast. I went to camp in the Pennsylvania woods to help get (Junto) Nakatani ready for his title fight (vacant World Boxing Organization World  Super Flyweight) against (Andrew) Maloney). I was out there chopping wood and staying in top condition. I really worked on movement. I like working with fighters who have different mechanics to pick up and add to my toolbox. I sparred at a higher level for this fight and really learned a lot from Nakatani.” (Nakatani (25-0, 19 KOs) brutally stopped Maloney (25-3, 16 KOs) in the 12^th round.)

Rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), Scrappy” accepted an offer five months ago to face veteran Thai boxer Sirichai Thaiyen (64-4, 42 KOs), rated No, 3 (the No. 1 spot is open), in a WBA Title Eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for WBA Super Flyweight World Champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco (18-1-3, 8 KOs). There hasn’t been any movement yet to secure this fight.

“That’s out of my control,” Ramirez noted. “My job is to stay ready and be prepared for when the eliminator happens. Until then I’ll keep learning and improving.”

Diaz, 23, won his World Boxing Council (WBC) USA Flyweight title on February 5, 2022, when he took a 10-round unanimous decision from previously undefeated Lorenzo Smith (10-0). Representing Riverside, California, Diaz also knocked out (6^th round) another unbeaten challenger, Salvatierra (7-0), who is the only common opponent for Diaz and Ramirez.

“I don’t think he (Diaz) is on my level,” Ramirez claimed, “but this kid is looking for his opportunity. He’s lost three fights because he’s taken big fights. He thinks I’m his opportunity. He is in between my mission and goals. I’m going to take him out! I learned a lot in my last fight by going 10 rounds. I need to be patient. I’m an entertainer who is always looking to get an opportunity to take out my opponent, but early in my last fight I was looking for a knockout and got away from the game plan. If the knockout comes, it comes, but I need to be more patient. I want to impose my will but be patient. I’m going to follow the process to be patient.

“It’s good to be fighting on DAZN again. It’s not my first rodeo, though. This will be my third straight fight on DAZN. I’m a little upset I’m not in the main event like in my last fight; I’m taking it personal, nothing against the promoters. I understand but now I’m always aiming to be in the main event. I know that I have to earn my stripes, and that this fight is another chance for me to showcase my skills. I appreciate fighting on DAZN and my fan base has really grown fast because of the exposure I’ve had fighting on DAZN.”

“Scrappy” Ramirez is working with 3 Point Management (3 PM), a growing company based in Los Angeles that has a growing stable of gifted boxers including former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs), light heavyweight Kareem Hackett (10-0, 5 KOs), super middleweight Cem “Champ” Kilic (17-1, 11 KOs), and heavyweights Darius “DFG “ Fulghum (4-0, 4 KOs) and Zach Spiller (3-0, 2 KOs).

INFORMATION:

Facebook: /JohnRamirez

Instagram: @Scrappyboxing

Regis Prograis will defend his WBC World Super-Lightweight title against Danielito Zorrilla on Saturday June 17 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS FOR PROGRAIS VS. ZORILLA ARE ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM
Prograis (28-1 24 KOs) became a two-time World king at 140lbs by dismantling and knocking out Jose Zepeda in 11 rounds at the feted ‘War Grounds’ of the Dignity Health in California in November.

The New Orleans native previously held the WBA title at Super-Lightweight, winning the belt against Kiryl Relikh via sixth round stoppage at the University of Louisiana in April 2019 in the semi-finals of the World Boxing Super Series, before meeting Josh Taylor in the final at The O2 in London in October in a barnstorming battle edged by the Scot.

The 34 year old returned to winning ways against Juan Heraldez, Ivan Redkach and Tyrone McKenna to lead to his win over Zepeda, and ‘Rougarou’ is looking to shine in his first fight at home since October 2018 as he aims to land the unification fights he craves in the second half of 2023, with undisputed on his mind in 2024.

Zorrilla (17-1 13 KOs) will be out to spoil those plans, and the Puerto Rican promoted by the legendary Miguel Cotto, lands a golden opportunity to win his first World title on June 17, replacing the injured Liam Paro. The 29 year old held the WBO NABO title at 140lbs, highlighted by a destructive second round KO over Pablo Cesar Cano, and pushed highly rated Californian Arnold Barbosa Jr all the way in their clash in July.

“I’m glad that Zorrilla has taken the fight,” said Prograis. “Nothing changes for me; I am still working hard to go out there and prove that I am the best fighter in the world at 140lbs. I will go out, do my thing, show out for my city and defend my title with pride.

“I’m sad for Liam but we have a great replacement, and I am going to make every proud. Everyone in the city is stopping me in the street and asking me about the fight, so I cannot wait to get in there and put on a show, it’s going to be a fire fight.”

“We have waited for this opportunity for a long time in my career and it has finally arrived,” said Zorrilla. “I am ready to be a world champion, I am grateful to Prograis for giving me the opportunity but on June 17, there will be a new World champion.

“I’ve been watching Prograis for a long time and I know his style, I know I have the talent and ability to win by any means. The world will know who Zorro is.”

“Zorrilla has worked hard for this opportunity and without a doubt the time has come to fight for the World championship,” said Cotto. “Prograis is a great champion but on June 17 he will have a complete boxer in front of him, hungry and ready to be World champion.”

INDIO, CA (May 22, 2023) – The pride of the Coachella Valley, Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores (15-0, 11 KOs), will headline his first-ever Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZN card on Thursday, June 8 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. He will face Phoenix, Arizona’s Walter Santibanes (11-2, 2 KOs) in a 10-round bantamweight fight. Doors to the Special Events Center open at 5:00 p.m. PT, the first fight will begin at approximately 5:05 p.m. PT, and the worldwide DAZN broadcast begins at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET. 

In the co-main event, female boxing veteran and former two-division world champion Jelena Mrdjenovich (41-12-4, 19 KOs) of Hay River, Canada will return to the ring after a valiant WBA World Championship rematch against Erika Cruz in September 2022. Mrdjenovich will face former world title contender of Santiago, Colombia, Calista “Cali” Silgado (21-16-4, 16 KOs). The two will fight in a 10-round featherweight fight. 

Information on the complete undercard will be announced soon. 

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Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZN is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand.

Tickets for the June 8 show go on-sale today at 12:00 p.m. PT and are priced at $65, $55, $45, $35 and $25 plus applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased at FantasySpringsResort.com or GoldenBoyPromotions.com. 

Media interested in a credential can apply at: https://bit.ly/6_8GBFN. Credential applications are due June 5, 2023. 

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

QUINCY, Mass. (May 22, 2023) – Heavyweight Kevin Nagle (1-0, 1 KO), fighting out of Scituate (MA), has certainly taken a circuitous route to professional boxing.

The 39-year-old Nagle will be in action Saturday night, June 10^th, in a four-round match against Reinaldo Souza (0-1) on the “Fight Night at the Vets Club” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions’ (GCP), at the Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Nagle, who started boxing when he was 10, made his professional debut this past February in Melrose (MA), stopping Aquilla Prote in the second round.

Boxing was put to the side by Nagle when he played high school football at South Shore Regional Vocational Technical, and then while he played rugby after he graduated from high school, prior to him joining the National Guard at 20 and going to boot camp.

He wanted to pick up boxing again upon his return home from camp and reconnected with some of his coaches from his early days at the Pembroke Boxing Club, after which he started training at the famed Petronelli Gym in Brockton. Kevin had a brief amateur boxing career, highlighted by him reaching the semifinals of the New England Golden Gloves.

In 2006, he was deployed to Kosovo and then he volunteered for a six-months stint in Iraq when his company was deployed there. Once his National Guard commitment was fulfilled, he joined Local 223 as a laborer.

Later, he took CNA classes and Kevin was responsible for dementia care at the Veterans Administration (VA). He attended nursing school and has been a psychiatric nurse for the past eight years at the Brockton VA.

Nagle wanted to box again and after local boxer/trainer Mark DeLuca hooked him up in 2014 with Steve Vukosa (14-1-1, 5 KOs), a former New England Heavyweight Champion, and Kevin has been Steve’s primary sparring partner ever since.

But why did it take so long for Nagle to join pro boxing’s ranks?

“I had kids, and my wife didn’t let me fight,” Nagle explained. “When we separated, my first call was to Steve, not a lawyer, and I told him it was time to get back into boxing and I needed to get into shape. Steve introduced me to (promoter) Chris Traietti, who I had watched fight, and he said he’d get me one fight. Boxing has helped me be focused with all I’m going through.

“My goal with Steve was for me to go pro. I wanted to accomplish that for my kids and accomplished it. Anything that happens now in boxing is like having a cherry on top. I wanted to show my kids that I didn’t give up on my dream. I wanted to be a soldier and did that, too. My overall goal is to work my way up to a competitive fight. I’m just a crazy, old guy working in the gym with Steve and Martin Grealish. This experience is keeping me centered, I’m not trying to take over the boxing world.”

“When Steve Vukosa first approached me about Kevin turning pro,” Traietti added, “I didn’t really take it overly serious at first, but I knew Kevin. I sincerely liked him on a personal level, so I gave him a call and we chatted. Once he told me about his current situation, I knew he was serious, and this was important to him. He is 39 years old and doesn’t have any aspirations of some long career, but he wants an opportunity to get on a big card and get the experience of fighting on a national stage. Fortunately, for him, that is exactly what I can do for my guys. The plan is to keep him active in 2023 with a handful of fights and get him the big experience he is looking for in 2024.”

Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (4-2, 2 KOs), of Woburn (MA), and New Hampshire’s Ryan Thomas Clark (2-3. 1 KO) throw-down in the six-round main event for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) middleweight title.

Also slated to fight on the “Fight Night at the Vets Club” are former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (17-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook (MA), vs. William Parra Smith (4-14-1, 3 KOs) in an eight-round bout; unbeaten Lynn (MA).super middleweight James “Pitbull” Perkins (11-0-1, 8 KOs) vs. TBA in a six-rounder; and Boston lightweight Arika Skoog (1-0-1, 1 KO), the 2020 USA Boxing Elite National and multiple New England Golden Gloves champion, vs. Sarah “Switch Kick” Click (1-4-1).

Card subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $60.00 (floor seats), $40.00 (standing room only), and $400.00 for ringside tables of 4 are available for purchase at https://granite-chin-

promotions.ticketleap.com.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

NEW YORK (May 22, 2023)-Split-T Management junior middleweight Marques Valle remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Demarcus Layton six-round junior middleweight fight in a bout that took place this past Wednesday night at The Pro Box Event Center in Plant City, Florida.

Valle came out aggressive from the opening bell and battered Layton all over the ring with power shots until the fight was stopped at 2:30.

Valle of Wesley Chapel, Florida is now 9-0 with seven knockouts. Layton of Little Rock, Arkansas is 8-5-1.

Valle is promoted by Pro Box Promotions.

Newtown, PA (May 22, 2023)-This Saturday, RDR Promotions presents a can’t-miss night of boxing that will consist of a Pro-Am at The Newtown Sports and Event Center in Newtown, PA.

The amateur portion of the show will feature some of the best amateur fighters from Philadelphia, Maryland and Bensalem, PA. That will begin at 3 PM ET.

One admission will get fans into the whole event. The professional portion will begin immediately after the amateurs are complete

The card will showcase some of the best undefeated talent in the Philadelphia area.

Heading up the card will be Paul Kroll (9-0-1, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia taking on Eduardo Rafael Reyes (11-18) of Mexico in a six-round super welterweight bout.

In an eight-round bout, Samuel Teah (19-4-1, 8 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Andrew Rodgers (7-11-2, 2 KOs) of Elkhart. Indiana in an eight-round super lightweight bout.

In six-round bouts:

Isaiah Johnson (7-0, 5 KOs) of Sicklerville, New Jersey fights Marquis Hawthorne (8-17, 2 KOs) of Waco, Texas in a junior welterweight bout.

In Four-Round Bouts:

?Erron Peterson (3-0-1, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Nissan Anderson (0-3-2) of Tampa, Florida in a middleweight bout.

Nimal Farmer (3-0, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Rah’quand McDaniel (1-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a welterweight contest.

Soslan Alborov (1-2-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia squabbles with Antonio Allen (1-15-1,1 KO) of Philadelphia in a super welterweight tussle.

Edwin Cortes (3-0) of Millville, New Jersey fights Jeffery Williams (0-1) of Philadelphia in a bantamweight bout.

Nasir Mickens (2-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on Braulio Avila (3-15, 1 KO) of Mexico super featherweight bout.

Tariq Green (2-2-1) of Philadelphia fights Courtney Williams (0-2-1) of Milwaukee in a middleweight fight.

David Calabro of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Michael Turner (0-3) in a bantamweight bout

PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO
TICKETS ARE $65, $75, $125 and $175 (VIP Cocktail) and can be purchased by emailing RDRBOXING@yahoo.com

Moments after lightweight king Devin Haney successfully defended his undisputed title against Vasyl Lomachenko, the Ukrainian phenom was asked how Haney stacks up with the other fighters he’s faced.

Rather than answering the question directly, ‘Loma’ seemed to suggest that lightweight contender Jamaine Ortiz was a tougher foe.  

“You know what?  I want to see Haney fight Ortiz,” answered Lomachenko.  “It would be very interesting.”

Lomachenko would know.  ‘The Technician’ gave Loma all he could handle last October, losing a close decision by the slimmest of margins.  

Ortiz, who returns to the ring on June 10th on the Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez undercard at Madison Square Garden, is up for the task, posting on Instagram that he thought Lomachenko won on Saturday and challenging Haney to face him next.  

“I think it’s a great fight,” stated Ortiz of a fight between him and Haney.  “I would give [Haney] a run for his money.  Let’s make it happen!”

When asked to elaborate, the 27-year-old doubled down on his chances of dethroning Haney.

“You can go back to when I fought in 2020 – I was saying that I wanted to fight Haney,” explains Ortiz.  “Styles make fights, and I always knew based on our styles that I would beat him.  Lomachenko knows that I would whoop Haney’s @ss too.”

In addition to the contrast in styles, the Worcester, MA native gained confidence from how Haney fared against Lomachenko compared to his performance against the Ukrainian.

“Lomachenko controlled the fight and landed way more clean shots against Haney than he did against me,” states Ortiz.  “Lomachenko never got behind me, spun me or controlled the pace with me like he did with Haney.  I was dictating most of our fight.  Loma landed a few clean shots on me towards the end of our fight, but he never landed flurries or threw 5 and 6 punch combinations the way he did against Haney.  He would only throw one or two punches at a time against me because he was wary of what I was throwing back.”      

Ortiz, who is now co-promoted by Top Rank and CES Boxing, is more than ready to face “The Dream” for the undisputed lightweight title.  The question remains: Is Haney going to accept the challenge?  

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

INFORMATION

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

Lucas Bahdi remained perfect by stopping Jesus Amaparan in round nine of a scheduled 10-round welterweight bout at The Niagara Falls Convention Center in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

In round two, Amparan had blood on the bridge of his nose.

In round nine, Bahdi landed a hard right hand that followed a combination that sent a bloody Amapan to the canvas, and the bout was stopped at 1:51.

Bahdi, 144.2 lbs of Niagara Falls, NY is 14-0 with 12 knockouts. Amaparan of Mexico is 20-4.

Joshuah Lupia remained undefeated with a second round stoppage over Domingo Vazquez in a eight-round welterweight bout.

In round two, Lupia bloodied the nose of Vazquez and then ended the fight with a left uppercut to the body that crumpled Vazquez for the 10-count at 2:31.

Lupia, 149.4 lbs of Hamilton, ONT, CAN is 11-0 with nine kockouts. Vazquez, 149.8 lbs of Chiapas, MEX is 7-5.

Mikiah Kreps remained undefeated with a stoppage of Elena Martinez at the end of the opening round of their eight-round junior lightweight bout.

At the end of round one, Kreps landed a left hook that put Martinez on the canvas. The fight was stopped in the corner.

Kreps, 128 lbs of Niagara Falls, NY is mow 6-0 with three knockouts. Martinez, 124 lbs of Baja, California, MEX is 6-6.

Spencer Wilcox remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Juan Rodriguez in a junior welterweight bout.

Wilcox, 138.6 lbs of Hamilton, ONT, CAN won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 6-0. Rodriguez, 138 lbs of Culican. MEX is 10-7.

CRANSTON, RI – Since its inception in early 2022, “Rhode Wars” is designed to serve as a proving ground for the next generation of CES stars looking to join the list of past greats such as Vinny Paz and Peter Manfredo Jr. as well as current stars like Jamaine Ortiz.  

The ring is a truth machine, and the series is meant to weed out the true prospects from those who have more work to do in the gym.  Rhode Wars IV was no exception.  The show featured the CES debuts of two recent signings from legendary fighting families, the development of several New England prospects, and the pro debuts of two of Rhode Island’s own fighters.    

The event did not disappoint, as the bouts were evenly matched to the delight of the fans who came to support their local favorites at the packed Historic Park Theater in Cranston on a rainy Saturday night.  

Paulino annihilates Perez

In the main event of the evening, New London, CT’s Alejandro “El Abusador” Paulino stopped Colombia’s Jonathan Perez in the sixth and final round of a lightweight bout to improve his record to 13-0 with 11 knockouts.

‘El Abusador’ was in control of the bout from the opening bell, nearly dropping Perez with a left hook in the opening stanza.  A subsequent right to the body caused Perez’s gloves to touch the canvas, but referee Joey Lupino ruled it a slip.  Paulino continued landing at will in round 2, when a right to the head finally dropped Perez, who mustered up the will to beat the count and survive the round.

The knockdown appeared to wake up the Colombian, who responded in round 3 with several right hands of his own.  The shots did little to discourage Paulino, as the New Londoner returned to his dominant ways in rounds 4 and 5, stunning Perez repeatedly with laser straight right hands that left a welt under the Colombian’s left eye.   

Paulino continued looking for the knockout in round 6, and he finally found the opportunity he was seeking as he trapped Perez against the ropes and landed a combination that dropped the Colombian to the canvas.  Perez got up, but this time Paulino put a final exclamation on the night, ending matters with a follow up attack that caused referee Ricky Gonzalez to halt the bout at 2:20 of the round.  With the loss, Perez falls to 40-37 with 32 KOs.   

Mascarenhas makes triumphant return

In the co-feature, Wilson Mascarenhas shut out Ghana’s Benjamin Lamptey in a 6 round welterweight contest.  All three judges scored the bout 60-54 for the New Bedford resident.

‘Ill Will’ thrilled the raucous crowd, which included Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson, with his smooth boxing and rapid-fire combinations.  Many fans wondered whether Mascarenhas would show any ill effects from a stabbing he suffered shortly after his last outing in March 2022 that kept him out of the ring for 18 months.  

The New Bedford resident was able to quell any concerns in round 1, patiently working behind an educated jab and appearing to be the sharper of the two pugilists.

Wilson dominated rounds 2 and 3, landing crisp combinations to the head and body of the mostly upright and stationary Lamptey.  The Accra native looked to counter, but he was never able to mount much of an attack against the quicker Mascarenhas.  

With the crowd chanting “Ill Will,” the Portugal native upped the ante in rounds 4 and 5, walking Lamptey down with a stiff jab and firing combinations whenever his opponent’s back touched the ropes.  Mascarenhas moved the fight to the inside in round 6, ripping short hooks to the body and rights to the head as the bout came to a close.  With the win, Mascarenhas improves to 7-1 (2 KOs) while Lamptey drops to 13-10-2 (9 KOs).      

Walsh decisions Williams in a War

In the fight of the night, Brockton’s Kevin Walsh outlasted Orlando, Florida’s Marcello Williams over 6 rounds in a lightweight war.  The bout was a contrast in styles, as the sharper Walsh was forced to trade early and often with the wild and persistent Williams.

Williams pressured Walsh from the opening bell, launching haymakers to the head of the patient Walsh, who responded with a big uppercut midway through the round.  The fighters traded heavy leather in round 2, with Walsh sharply countering the Brazilian’s wild advances.  

Williams landed a left hook and an uppercut in round 3, but a big right hand from Walsh briefly halted his momentum.  Walsh wisely chose to box in round 4, but the relentless Brazilian caught him with a right hand that forced the Brockton native to fire back with a left uppercut and right hand at the bell.  

The bout continued to follow this pattern in round 5, with Walsh landing the crisper punches early on and Williams weathering the storm to land heavy shots in the second half of each round.

Sensing that the fight was up for grabs, Walsh came out firing in round 6, finally staggering an exhausted Williams with a left hook to the head.  The fighters again engaged in a back-and-forth war until the final bell. The judges scored the fight 59-55 (2x) and 58-56 for Walsh, who improved his perfect record to 9-0 with 4 KOs as the unrelenting Williams dropped to 4-18-1.   

One Legend continues, the other stalls as Duran Jr. decisions Florez and Hagler Jr. suffers a knockout defeat

Alcibiade “Robert” Duran Jr. (12-3, 9 KOs) impressed fans in his CES debut, pounding out a 6-round unanimous decision win over Colombian Luis Florez (26-27, 21 KOs) in a 6 round junior middleweight showdown.  

With mentor Vinny Paz looking on, the son of the legendary “Hands of Stone,” landed at will against the sturdy Florez, switching between orthodox and southpaw stances throughout the contest.

Duran came out as a southpaw in round 1, focusing on Florez’s body and countering well to the head.  A 3-punch combination staggered Florez in round 2, and Duran continued to land heavy shots to the Colombian’s head and body.  

Duran, who fights out of Pedro Diaz’s ‘Mundo Boxing’ gym in Florida, threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Florez, walking the Colombian down and nailing him with heavy left hooks and right hands in rounds 3 and 4.  

The game Florez took the punches well, but he was unable to mount a significant assault of his own.  Scores were 60-54 (2x) and 59-55.  After the fight, Duran stated that he’d like to drop down to the welterweight division, where he feels most comfortable.       

Leonardo Ledeira (3-8, 3 KOs) can tell his future grandchildren that he once beat the grandson of a legend, as the Revere, MA resident spoiled James Hagler Jr.’s (3-2, 1 KO) CES debut in a 4 round light heavyweight bout.  

Hagler Jr. hurt Ledeira to the head in round 2, but the Brazilian responded in round 3 with a ferocious body assault that badly hurt the Atlanta native.  

Hagler Jr., who lost over 30 pounds in training camp for this bout, did his best to weather the storm, but a final left hook to the body dropped him for the full 10 count and the bout was called at 1:08 of the round.  

“I had to lose too much weight ahead of this fight, and it took a toll on my body,” said a disappointed Hagler Jr.  “I’d like to come back quickly to make up for this loss.”  

Other Action:

In her pro debut, Melanie Costa (1-0) destroyed England’s Daisy Preston (0-6-1) in round 2 of a 4 round featherweight bout.  The Providence native swarmed Preston from the opening bell, ripping shots to Brit’s midsection as she pressured her taller opponent.  Costa ended matters in round 2, landing a series of heavy shots that crumbled Preston to the canvas.  The bout was called off at 1:32 of the round.  

North Providence’s Michael DiDino (1-0) also made his professional debut a successful one, winning a competitive 4 round decision over Joel Young (0-2) in a lightweight bout.  The pugilists traded combinations throughout the first and second rounds, with the Southpaw DiDino landing the sharper blows.  A right hook appeared to hurt Young in round 3, but the Beltsville, Maryland native was able to tie up long enough to clear his head.  The fighters fought on the inside in round 4, with Young pressuring DiDino, who was cut by an accidental headbutt.  After 4 rounds, scores were 39-37 (2x) and 40-36 for the North Providence native.         

In the opening bout of the night, Springfield, MA’s Calixto Cruz (2-0) shut out Scotland’s Kevin Traynor (1-2, 1 KO) over 4 rounds in a welterweight matchup.  Traynor looked to pressure Cruz in rounds 1 and 2.  He was able to trap Cruz along the ropes on a few occasions, but the Springfield native effectively fought his way out or spun Traynor to avoid any significant damage.  After a competitive first 2 rounds, Cruz began to focus on Traynor’s body in round 3, jabbing to the body before launching right hands to the head.  Calixto’s higher workrate was the difference in the bout, as he consistently landed combinations to the head and body while the Scotsman was limited to single shots.  Scores were 40-36 (3x).

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

INFORMATION

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

Alycia Baumgardner will defend her undisputed World Super-Featherweight title against Christina Linardatou at The Masonic Temple Detroit in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday July 15, live worldwide on DAZN – as bitter rivals Richardson Hitchins and Montana Love clash, and Cuban amateur sensation Andy Cruz makes his pro debut.
 
Baumgardner (14-1 7 KOs) puts all the belts at 130lbs on the line for the second time after a dominant performance over Elhem Mekhaled in New York in February, a first defense in the Big Apple coming after a massive win to claim all the belts in London against fierce rival Mikaela Mayer in October. The big nights just keep coming for ‘The Bomb’ and now it’s home time as she fights in Detroit for the first time in the paid ranks – and has a score to settle against Linardatou, who handed Baumgardner her sole defeat in July 2018.
 
Linardatou (14-2 6 KOs) is aiming to become a three-time World ruler and break Baumgardner’s heart once again, five years after a split decision win over eight rounds in Louisville. That win for the Greek preceded her claiming her first World title at Super-Lightweight against Kandi Wyatt in March 2019, having previously challenged Delfine Persoon for the World Lightweight title in June 2016. The 35 year old defended the crown against Deanha Hobbs in June 2019 in Athens, before Katie Taylor took the title in Manchester, England in November 2019. Linardatou reclaimed the vacant title three months later against Prisca Vicot in Indiana and returned to action in July with a six round win in Greece. 
 
“It was a blessing to be able to fight overseas in front of an international audience to unify titles; and then to finally become undisputed   in my home country at MSG, was so amazing!” said Baumgardner. “But to come back home to the Midwest, where I grew up, where I learned how to work, where my life was shaped, where my faith was forged, and then to headline in my adopted home of Detroit for my first undisputed title defense; I am truly realizing a dream come true.  
 
“In one of the world’s most storied cities for boxing, I get to put on show and show out in front of the people who’ve supported me and know me best. I get to thank the region that helped make me who I am. I get to show the world that a little girl from Fremont, came back home as the Undisputed Champion of the World, and let all those other midwestern little girls like me know that they can reach any dream they can imagine.”
 
“I think it’s going to be a great fight with me and Alycia,” said Linardatou. “It’s going to be much better than the first one. She has shown signs of improvement, but I have a new purpose to fight for – my son. 
 
“And as much as she improved with her skills, her ego and head has grown with it. She does a lot of things for social media and to get attention. I’m doing this for the legacy of my son. See you July 15, chump – I mean champ.”
 
A stacked undercard in support of Baumgardner’s homecoming sees fireworks guaranteed as bitter rivals Richardson Hitchins and Montana Love clash for Hitchin’s IBF North American and USWBC Super-Lightweight titles.
 
Hitchins (16-0 7 KOs) is rising up the rankings at 140lbs and boxes for the third time in eight months since joining forces with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. The Brooklyn man was punch-perfect in his last outing, dominating John Bauza over ten rounds in New York in February, following a eighth round stoppage win over Yomar Alamo in Cleveland in November. 
 
Love (18-1-1 9 KOs) headlined on that night in his Cleveland hometown against Steve Spark in a fight that ended in controversial circumstances, as a tangle on the rope appeared to end in Love lifting Spark over the ropes, leading to a disqualification. Love now seeks to get back into contention to meet the contenders and champions at 140lbs, and while no greater incentive is needed, Hitchins and Love clashed at the press conference in Cleveland and there’s no love lost between the pair leading up to this high-stakes battle.
 
“It’s done – finally,” said Hitchins. “This is the fight I have been wanting since I signed with Matchroom and finally we’ve got him. 
 
“To say there is bad blood between us is an understatement. This is personal for me. I genuinely cannot stand the guy and come July 15; he’s going to feel all that anger come out. This is my time. This is going to be a showcase performance for me and put me in line for a World title. 
 
“He isn’t on my level. He doesn’t belong in the ring with me. I’m giving him this opportunity for no other reason than that I want to smash him to pieces.”
 
“I’m gonna give you this ass whoopin’ you been asking for,” said Love. “This is just the fight I need to get back into the mix, and when I deal with him, I’ll be back on track for World titles.”
 
Fresh from signing a promotional deal with Hearn and Matchroom, Cuban amateur sensation Andy Cruz will make his pro debut on the bill over ten rounds at Lightweight against Juan Carlos Burgos.
 
Cruz struck gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the Lightweight division against Keyshawn Davis in the delayed games in August 2021 and added an incredible third straight AIBA World Championship gold at Light-Welterweight in Serbia three months later, putting that medal next to those he landed at the World Championships in Germany and Russia in 2017 and 2019.
 
The 27 year old is wasting no time in getting into the groove in the paid ranks, and does so against the experienced Burgos (35-7-3 21 KOs) who took Davis the eight round distance in his last outing in December and drew over ten rounds with highly ranked Lightweight Angel Fierro last March. 
 
“I’m pumped and ready,” said Cruz. “Everything I wanted is about to become a reality. Now, it is time for me to show the world what I am made of. I want to give my fans the best of me, and I’m ready to do in pro boxing the same I did in the amateurs, be the best in the World!”
 
“What a night this is going to be – and I am so thrilled for Alycia,” said Hearn. “It’s poetic that we have announced this card just before Katie Taylor finally gets her homecoming in Dublin tonight, as great champions deserve to fight in front of their hometown fans and that’s exactly what Alycia gets on July 15 – with the added spice of being able to right the only loss on her record, I’ve no doubt ‘The Bomb’ is going to produce something special in Detroit.
 
“To say Richardson and Montana do not like each other is an understatement, and they finally get the chance to get their hands on each other in the ring. The build-up will be ferocious, and will come to the boil on fight night, but cool heads will be needed when they step through the ropes as this is a vital clash in the 140lbs division.
 
“And last but by no means least, welcome to the paid ranks, Andy Cruz. Fans who get their hands on a ticket for this brilliant night of action will witness the first steps of a fighter I believe will win World titles at multiple weights and walk into the hall of fame – but every journey starts with a single step, and Juan Carlos is a tough Mexican that’s never been stopped and has mixed in great company, it’s a great test on what will be the first of many epic nights for Andy in the pro game.”
 
An announcement on ticket on-sale dates will be made soon.
 

Chantelle Cameron won a 10-round majority decision over undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor to retain her undisputed super lightweight title at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.

Cameron, 139.7 lbs of Northampton, ENG won by scores of 96-94 twice and 95-95 and is now 18-0. Taylor, 139.7 lbs of Bray, IRE is 22-1.

Jose Felix Jr. shocked previously undefeated hot prospect Gary Cully in round three of their 10-round lightweight bout.

In round three, Felix dropped Cully with a bug right. Felix sent Cully down again with a big flurry of punches. Felix landed some vicious left hooks and rights to the chin before Cully’s corner threw in the towel at 2:34.

Felix, 137.2 lbs of Los Mochis, MEX is 40-6-1 with 31 knockouts. Cully, 137.25 lbs of Naas, IRE is 16-1.

James Metcalf scored a 12-round unanimous decision Dennis Hogan in a super welterweight fight.

In round 12, Hogan was deducted a point for spitting out his mouthpiece. He also had a cut around his right eye.

Metcalf, 153.1 lbs of Liverpool, ENG won by scores of 117-110 twice and 115-112 and is now 25-2. Hogan, 163.3 lbs of Kilders, IRE is 31-5-1.

Caoimhin Agyarko remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Grant Dennis in a middleweight contest.

Agyarko, 159.3 lbs of Belfast, NI won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 13-0. Dennis, 159.3 lbs of Chatham, ENG is now 18-5.

Thomas Carty stopped Jay McFarlane in round three of a scheduled eight-round heavyweight fight.

In round two, Carty dropped McFarlane with a left hand down the middle. In round three, Carty sent McFarlane to the canvas with a right hand followed by another left down the middle. Seconds later, it was another left that sent McFarlane down again, and the fight was stopped at 2:58.

Carty, 258.6 lbs of Dublin, IRE is 6-0 with five knockouts. McFarlane, 283.7 lbs of Glasgow, SCO is 14-8.

Paddy Donovan stopped Sam O’Maison in round six of their eight-round welterweight bout.

In round six, Donovan landed some heavy shots and then dropped him with a left hand, the corner of O’Maison threw in the towel at 2:13.

Donovan, 148.1 lbs of Limerick, IRE is now 11-0 with eight knockouts. O’Maison, 149.3 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 17-5-1.

Maisey Rose Courtney won a six-round decision over Kate Radomska in a flyweight bout.

Courtney, 112.1 lbs of Eltham, ENG won by a 58-57 score and is now 3-0. Radomska, 109.7 lbs of Waterford, IRE and is now 3-2.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (May 19, 2023)–Weights for Saturday night’s R and B Promotions card at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City.

Photo by David Agranati / The Fight Photos

Emmanuel Rodriguez 117.8 – Carlos Mujica 117.2

(WBA Fedelatin Bantamweight Title)

Justin Figueroa 154.7 – Antwion McCollough 149.9

Francisco Rodriguez 134.3 – Jose Luis Fracica Baron 135.2

Deyshawn Williams 146.4 – Anthony Dill 148.9

Juan Marrero 134.7 – Donquay White 140.3

Eliezer Olmeda 143,8 – Michael Crain 141.5

Daniel Bean 241.5 – Isaiah Cobbs 231.6

Miguel Garcia 132.6 – Michael Ruiz 131.5

James White 178.9 – Rontavious Thrasher TBA

Promoter R and B Promotions

Venue: The Showboat Hotel

1st Bell: 7 PM ET

Stream: BXNGTV.com

Tickets are $85, $150 and $200 and can be purchased at the following Link

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Djamel Dahou 135.6 – Estivan Falcao 135.8

Mikenna Tansley 117.2 – Brittany Sims 117.7

(WBA Continental Americas and NABF Bantamweight Titles)

James Bernadin 134.9 – Ivan Jimenez 134.1

(NABF Lightweight Title)

James Martin 155 – Courtney Pennington 152.4

Julian Gonzalez 131.4 – Clay Burns 131.1

Quadir Albright 145.8 – Nathan Luyando 145.7

Muhammad Robinson 143.6 – Kevin Davila 148.2

Najeem Johns 143.2 – Travis Floyd 143.8

Amy Salinas 112.9 – Ashley Sciscente 112.9

Ali Ellis 222.7 – Ramsey McGraw 216.8

PROMOTER: King’s Promotions

Venue: 2300 Arena

1st Bell: 6:45 PM ET

Stream: BXNGTV.com (Marc Abrams and Atif Oberlton on the call)

  •   Devin Haney 134.9 lbs vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko 135lbs
(Haney’s Undisputed Lightweight Championship – 12 Rounds)
Judges: Tim Cheatham, Dave Moretti and David Sutherland
Referee: Harvey Dock

   •   Oscar Valdez132.1 lbs vs. Adam Lopez132.1 lbs
(Junior Lightweight Rematch — 10 Rounds)

   •   Raymond Muratalla 133.9 lbs vs. Jeremia Nakathila133.6 lbs
(Lightweight — 10 Rounds)

(ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)

•  Andrew Moloney 114.5lbs vs. Junto Nakatani 114.6 lbs
(Vacant WBO Junior Bantamweight Title — 12 Rounds)

•    Nico Ali Walsh 158.4 lbs  vs. Danny Rosenberger 158 lbs
 (Middleweight — 8 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT)

•  Emiliano Fernando Vargas 133.8 lbs  vs. Rafael Jasso134.7lbs 
 (Lightweight— 4 Rounds)

•  Floyd Diaz 119.8 lbs vs. Luis Fernando Saavedra 119.8 lbs
 (Junior Featherweight — 8 Rounds)

•    Abdullah Mason 135.8 lbs  vs. Desmond Lyons 135.3 lbs
 (Lightweight — 6 Rounds)

•    Amari Jones 160 lbs  vs. Pachino Hill 161.9 lbs
 (Middleweight — 6 Rounds)