ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (January 11, 2016) – M-1 Global has announced its signing of undefeated Russian welterweight prospect Alexey Kunchenko (12-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0) to an exclusive promotional contract.

The 31-year-old Kunchenko, fighting out of Tyumen, Russia, has a Muay Thai foundation. Representing the Boets Club, Kunchenko has nine knockouts, along with two submission and one decision victory.

At M-1 Challenge 62 last October, Kunchenko stopped Alexandre Ramos in punches in the third round. (Below see picture of Kunchenko kicking Ramos)

Information

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

Twitter & Instagram:

@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews
USA MEDIA CONTACT:
Bob Trieger, Full Court PRESS, 978.590.0470, bobtfcp@hotmail.com, @FightPublicist

ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premier entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With its office in St Petersburg, Russia, the M-1 brand has staged more than 160 events worldwide, including M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge, M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the U.S. network, Showtime. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Sergei Kharitonov, Aleksander Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2015 was another sensational year of world-class competition. Its 2016 calendar of Challenge events will soon be announced, fueled by a talent-rich contention system, ranking M-1 Global Champions among the greatest fighters in the sport.

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

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Jan. 11th, 2016) — When it came time for undefeated junior welterweight world champion Terence Crawford to find a suitable opponent for his first title defense of 2016, only one of the so-called top 140-pounders in the world answered the challenge.

Philadelphia’s “Hammerin'” Hank Lundy, boxing’s most feared road warrior, will get his long-overdue title shot Saturday, Feb. 27th, 2016 against the unbeaten Crawford in the 12-round main event of HBO’s World Championship Boxing doubleheader at The Theater at Madison Square Garden for Crawford’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) title.

Top Rank and CES Boxing, Lundy’s promoter, will host a press conference Tuesday at Madison Square Garden beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET to officially announce the fight.

“I’m running with a dream,” said Lundy, ranked No. 8 in the world. “This is what I’ve been fighting for my whole career.

“I’m telling Crawford: ‘You’re coming to the east coast. You’re coming into my backyard. I’m coming here to knock you out. I’m going to give you everything you’re looking for.'”

Ten years since his debut, Lundy (26-5-1, 13 KOs) has finally reached the pinnacle of his profession, a well-deserved opportunity for a fighter who’s always been willing to fight anyone, anywhere at any given time, traveling from Quebec to the Ukraine to earn his respect in a sport where such persistence and dedication sometimes goes unrewarded.

“We’ve waited for this opportunity for a long time. No one deserves this more than Hank,” said CES Boxing president Jimmy Burchfield Sr. “We’ve fought everywhere. We’ve taken last-minute fights overseas. We’ve been the underdog. No one works harder than Hank and no one is hungrier for a shot at a world title. On Feb. 27th the whole world will see why he is the best 140-pounder in the world.”

According to Crawford’s promoter, Top Rank founder and CEO Bob Arum, no one else would step to the plate against Crawford, not even Mauricio Herrera, who beat Lundy in July in a controversial technical decision; reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Viktor Postol, whom Lundy faced in 2013; or former champ Ruslan Provodnikov.

“That’s what I tell you about these fighters. They want to pick and choose,” Lundy said. “One thing I tell you about me and in my career, you never see ‘Hammerin” Hank pick and choose. I don’t care who I’m in the ring with. I’m an old-school, throwback fighter. You put them in front of me, let’s get it. I don’t have time for picking and choosing. The opportunity came for a world title and I’m ready. I’ve been ready.”

Facing Crawford (27-0, 19 KOs) is a unique challenge, but not the first time Lundy has stood toe-to-toe with an unbeaten vet. A 5-foot-8 right-hander from Omaha, Neb., Crawford rose to prominence in 2013 with a dominant, unanimous decision win over Breidis Prescott, followed by back-to-back wins over former WBC Silver Lightweight champ Alejandro Sanabria and unbeaten Russian Andrey Klimov before earning his shot at 140-pound title-holder Ricky Burns in 2014.

Crawford has defended his WBO title four times since beating Burns, including wins over contenders Raymundo Beltran and Thomas Dulorme, both of whom Lundy lost to in close, controversial decisions (a majority decision loss to Beltran in July of 2012 and a split decision loss to Dulorme in December of 2014 on HBO). Three of those aforementioned title defenses took place at the CenturyLink Center in Crawford’s hometown. He hasn’t fought on the east coast since beating Angel Rios in New Jersey in 2011.

“I’m not going to downplay it. [Crawford] does what he’s supposed to do when he gets those guys in front of him, but at the end of the day I haven’t seen any improvement,” Lundy said. “If you look at my resume, I’ve fought the tougher opposition than Crawford.

“He fought a couple of guys I already fought and I’ll you like this, after you fight me you’re never the same. Those guys are never the same after fighting Hank Lundy. Dulorme? I gave you the blueprint on how to beat him. Beltran? I beat him but didn’t get a fair shake. At the end of the day, think about it, if I didn’t get robbed on those fights, ‘Hammerin” Hank Lundy would be undefeated and would’ve already had a world title.

“I can really say no one has flat-out beat me. I’ve suffered controversial losses. I consider myself undefeated. That’s how I go into my fights. This fight, fighting for the word title, I’m looking at it as if I’m undefeated and he’s trying to take my pride.”

Lundy’s bold claims aren’t without merit. The Philadelphia native has faced an undefeated opponent with at least eight pro fights on his record five times in his career and is 3-1-1 in those bouts, including a win over Tyrese Hendrix on ESPN in 2010 and a knockout victory against Jason Cintron, the younger brother of former world champ Kermit Cintron, in 2009. Lundy also owns a split decision win over current World Boxing Association (WBA) Lightweight Champion Richar Abril.

Win or lose, Lundy’s fights never lack in excitement or drama. After reviving his career with wins over Ajose Olusegun and Angelo Santana, the latter in his Showtime debut, Lundy lost a controversial technical decision to Herrera when the fight was stopped toward the end of the fifth round due to a pair of cuts over each of Herrera’s eyes caused by accidental head-butts. The fifth round turned out to be the difference-maker; the fight was even after four, but judges Eddie Hernandez and Fernando Villareal awarded the partial fifth round to Herrera while Zac Young ruled it an even 10-10 round. Herrera won, 48-47, 48-47, 48-48.

Feb. 27th will be Lundy’s third fight since reuniting with his original trainer, Charles Ramey, who coached Lundy as an amateur and helped guide him to wins in each of his first 16 pro fights. The difference is noticeable in Lundy’s defense, which appeared impenetrable in Lundy’s recent knockout win over Carlos Winston Velasquez in October.

“I’m back to the fighting ‘Hammerin” Hank that everybody loves,” Lundy said. “Before, in previous fights, you saw a lot of brawling, but I’m back to my boxing and punching, slickness, going to the body — I’m back, man. Listen, I can’t wait until the world sees me February 27th. I’ve got something to show you.

“Everybody knows ‘Hammerin” Hank is an elusive guy. I make guys miss, I make them pay, but with my boxing ability there’s going to be more damage done now. After I make you miss, I’m going to make you pay.”

Those who’ve followed his career know Lundy’s been clamoring for a title shot as far back as 2012 when he called out 135-pound title contender Antonio DeMarco. Even though it’s taken longer than anticipated for that opportunity to come, the 32-year-old Lundy is grateful for the experiences in between, both good and bad.

“I grew into a hell of a fighter — smart, I know what I’m doing in there,” he said. “When I first jumped onto the scene, I started boxing at the age of 18, turned pro at 23, so in professional fights I was still learning the game. Now I’m actually the complete package. I don’t have any wear and tear on me.

“Most of these guys I’m fighting, because they had long amateur careers, have a lot of wear and tear on their bodies. Sometimes they don’t last that long in the pro game. I’m fresh and I’m going to show the world on Feb. 27th on HBO at Madison Square Garden that ‘Hammerin” Hank is bringing that world title to Philadelphia.”

The Feb. 27th HBO doubleheader, which begins 10 p.m. ET, also features a 10-round WBO Latino lightweight title bout between reigning champion Felix Verdejo (19-0, 14 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and unbeaten challenger William Silva (23-0, 14 KOs) of San Paolo, Brazil.

For more information, visit www.cesboxing.com or www.toprank.com, or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.twitter.com/trboxing using the hashtag #CrawfordLundy to join the conversation. Updates are also available on www.facebook.com/cesboxing, www.facebook.com/trboxing or www.facebook.com/trboxeo.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Jan. 8th, 2016) – Another CES MMA title is heading to The Buckeye State.

Cincinnati’s Chris Curtis captured the CES MMA Welterweight Title Friday night at Twin River Casino in the main event of “CES MMA XXXII,” stopping defending champion Gil Freitas with a series of unanswered strikes at the 3-minute, 13-second mark of the opening round live on AXS TV, becoming the third Ohio-born fighter to win one of the promotion’s titles.

The heavy-handed Freitas (18-6) began to unload on Curtis (13-4, 5 KOs) midway through the round, but Curtis stood his ground and answered with a right uppercut to the chin, momentarily stunning Freitas. With an opportunity to finish the fight, Curtis quickly became the aggressor, landing a right hand to the liver that sent Freitas to the canvas. Curtis immediately pounced on Freitas and landed a flurry of rights and lefts, forcing referee Kevin MacDonald to stop the fight.

Curtis has now won four consecutive fights and seven of his last eight. He’s the third CES MMA champion born in Ohio, joining UFC vets Julian Lane and Dominique Steele. Freitas, making his first title defense since winning the belt in October, lost for the first time in five fights.

In the most bizarre finish of the night, Ryan Sanders (10-7, 2 KOs) of Bangor, Maine, a late replacement on the main card, earned the win over Providence, R.I., lightweight Luis Felix (14-9) when Felix was forced to verbally tap following an injury to his right knee at the 1:46 mark of the second round.

Felix looked sharp in the opening round and briefly had Sanders hurt early in the second, but Sanders caught him with a knee against the cage and took Felix to the canvas. As the two began jockeying for position, Felix twisted his knee and immediately tapped.

“I heard it pop,” Felix said. “The pain just shot through my leg.”

The only consolation for Felix is he retains his CES MMA Lightweight Title, which was not on the line Friday since his original opponent, Waylon Lowe, was forced to withdraw from the fight two weeks ago, leaving Felix and Sanders fighting at a catch weight of 160 pounds in a scheduled three-round non-title bout.

Tennessee heavyweight Ashley Gooch (9-4) pulled off an upset against Josh Diekmann (15-7) of New London, Conn., in his first appearance with CES MMA, forcing Diekmann to tap due to a rear naked choke at the 4:30 mark of the opening round.

The two traded blows early with Gooch remaining wary of Diekmann’s strong overhand right. Gooch eventually got the takedown, took Diekmann’s back and delivered a series of blows, including a hard right elbow to the rib cage, before locking in the choke in the closing seconds of the round. Friday’s fight was Diekmann’s first in 11 months while Gooch has now won his last seven after starting his career 2-4.

Fresh off an upset win over Dinis Paiva in October in his AXS TV debut, Cumberland, R.I., featherweight Kody Nordby (6-3) added another impressive victory to his resume, submitting Derek Shorey (3-3) of Maine via triangle choke 41 seconds into the opening round. Five of Nordby’s six wins have come by first-round stoppage, including the last three under the promotional guidance of CES MMA.

Kyle Bochniak (6-0) of Gloucester, Mass., also won in impressive fashion – his third victory on AXS TV – by submitting Taylor Trahan (5-5) of Whitefield, N.H., via rear naked choke 3:58 into the opening round in a bloody featherweight battle. Bochniak rocked Trahan early, opening a cut over Trahan’s left eye, and continued to pepper him with strikes. Trahan landed some clean shots of his own, but eventually fell the canvas, where Bochniak applied the choke to earn his sixth win in six fights, all with CES MMA.

Unbeaten Abington, Mass., featherweight Manny Bermudez (4-0) remained unbeaten on Friday’s main card and scored his second win on AXS TV, submitting Evan Parker (5-4) of Worcester, Mass., at 1:43 of the opening round via rear naked choke. Parker tried to trade blows with Bermudez, but got busted up quickly and taken to the canvas, where Bermudez put his superior ground game to use.

Providence’s Keenan Raymond (3-2, 1 KO), a late addition to the lineup, highlighted the preliminary card with a knockout win over Cortland, N.Y., welterweight Ryan Todd (0-1). Raymond caught Todd with a left hook early in the second round, followed by a knee to the chin, sending his opponent to the canvas and forcing MacDonald to stop the bout at the 58-second mark.

Also on the prelim card, Centereach, N.Y., featherweight Mak Kelleher (1-2) earned his first win as a pro in his third try, rallying to beat South Boston’s James Murrin (3-4) in a bloody three-round war. Murrin came out strong in the opening round and nearly finished the fight in the second with a series of hammerfists, but Kelleher dominated the third, opening a cut on Murrin’s forehead that left both fighters a bloody mess. Kelleher earned the unanimous decision, 29-28, on all three scorecards.

Flyweight Devin Baxter (2-0) of Bellingham, Mass., also scored a win on the preliminary card and remained unbeaten by submitting Joshua Ricci (0-1) of Whitesville, N.Y., via rear naked choke at 3:02 of the third round. In a battle of unbeaten, Syracuse, N.Y., flyweight Luay Ashkar (2-0) outlasted Nick Iaciofano (2-1) of Providence to earn a 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 unanimous decision win.

Middleweight Pat McCrohan (2-0) of Beverly, Mass., rallied to keep his unbeaten record intact in the final bout of the prelims, winning the last two rounds over Boston’s Mike Rodriguez (2-1) to earn a 29-28 unanimous decision on all three scorecards.

MONTREAL, January 8th 2016 – Main Events and InterBox are proud to offer to boxing fans a quality card with a championship flair this January 30 at the Bell Centre. The event, which will feature the unified light heavyweight world championship grudge match between WBA, WBO and IBF title holder Sergey Kovalev and former world champion Jean Pascal, will also put two other titles on the line : Dmitry Mikhaylenko against Ray Robinson for the USBA welterweight belt as well as Renan St-Juste against Francis Lafrenière for the International IBF middleweight title.

“We asked our team to put together a balanced and diverse card that would showcase our up-and-coming talent,” said InterBox Vice President Pierre Duc.

To kick the evening off, Quebec-based hard puncher Steven ‘Bang Bang’ Butler (13-0-1, 11 K.O.) will meet against Angola’s Antonio Hoffmann (13-0, 9 K.O.). Just like Eye of the Tiger Management’s young local rookie, Hoffman is a fierce competitor who has a devastating punch and is quite gifted technically.

“I am presently in camp in the United States for my bout against Hoffman and I am in great shape,” said Butler. “I’m pumped for this fight and I look forward to it, as well as to all the challenges 2016 will bring me. I have lofty goals and I intend to impress the crowd at Bell Centre on January 30.”

After another impressive performance in front of his fans where he beat Quebec-based boxer Frank Cotroni in spectacular fashion, Sorel’s David Théroux (8-1, 5 K.O.) will be back in the Bell Centre ring on January 30 to face Mexican boxer Juan Armando Garcia (12-2-2, 5 K.O.) in a six-round middleweight bout.

Théroux said he is thrilled to fight on the undercard of the unified world championship grudge match between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal: “Their first fight was a memorable night for me and a great number of boxing fans considering the quality of the fights that were scheduled that night and the electric atmosphere there was in the building! I am confident I will put on a good show on January 30 because my opponent, Juan Armando Garcia, is a tough fighter who does not shy away from challenges.”

For his part, Sébastien Bouchard (11-1, 4 K.O.) will be back in action to fight Poland’s Damian Mielewczky (9-1, 7 K.O.) at 160 pounds.

The grudge match for the unified light heavyweight world championship between Sergey ‘Krusher’ Kovalev and Jean Pascal, a Vidéotron presentation in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, will be televised live in the United States on HBO World Championship Boxing ® beginning 9:45pm ET/PT. The HBO telecast will open with a 10-round welterweight contest between Dmitry Mikhaylenko and Ray Robinson. In Canada the event will be available on pay-per-view TV, please consult with your local cable provider. The card is promoted by Main Events and InterBox in association with German Titov Promotions. Tickets are on sale on at www.evenko.ca, at Centre Bell box office and at Club de boxe Champions in Montreal.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 8, 2016) – In the first LA FIGHT CLUB of 2016, East LA’s undefeated top prospect Julian “El Camarón” Ramirez (15-0, 8 KOs) will look to make fireworks in his first title fight against battle tested fighter Christopher “S.D. Kid” Martin (28-6-3, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBC Silver Youth Featherweight Title in a 10-round bout live on Estrella TV on Jan. 29 at The Belasco Theater.

Previously announced, undefeated featherweight standout Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez (19-0-1, 14 KOs) will make his first 2016 appearance in the ring at LA FIGHT CLUB in a 10-round featherweight co-main event against San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Carlos Valcarcel (14-6-4, 5 KOs) and opening up the Estrella TV broadcast, East Los Angeles’ Angel Bojado, will make his long-awaited professional debut in a four-round super welterweight bout.

Featured as part of the non-televised undercard but streaming live on RING TV Edgar Valerio (4-0, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles will participate in a six-round super featherweight bout; Jonathan Navarro (3-0, 2 KOs) of East Los Angeles, will fight in a six-round super lightweight bout and Los Angeles favorite, Pablo “The Shark” Rubio, Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs) is scheduled for a four-round super bantamweight bout, all against opponents that will be announced shortly.

Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB are on sale starting at $20 and available for purchase online at www.goldenboypromotions.com or by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page. For ticket information, email us at LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com.

Known as “El Camarón,” Ramirez is coming off of a unanimous decision win on the undercard of the Lucas Matthysse vs. Viktor Postol fight Oct. 3 at the StubHub Center in Carson in an action-packed affair that had the fans on their feet. The undefeated East Los Angeles native has boxing in his blood. His late uncle was the former WBA and WBC Super Featherweight World Champion Genaro “El Chicanito” Hernandez. Ramirez has been on the fast track since turning professional in 2012. A dynamic southpaw who has the skills to succeed, the 22 year-old Ramirez gave a spectacular showing on the undercard of Matthysse vs. Postol on October 3 and a thrilling main event showdown April 2 when he headlined LA FIGHT CLUB for the first timecard, adding another victory to his resume with a unanimous decision win over the vicious Raul “Bule” Hidalgo. Ramirez will look to start off 2016 strong with a win on Jan. 29.

The 29 year-old experienced Christopher “S.D. Kid” Martin is known for his endurance in the ring having gone the distance against tough opponents including current World Champion Gary “Mr.” Russell Jr., and impressive victories over Chris “The Hitman” Avalos, Charles Huerta, Jose Luis “Tapitas” Araiza, Jose Angel “Pepe” Beranza and the tough warrior Raul “Bule” Hidalgo. Martin has racked up titles to include on his impressive resume including the WBO NABO Super Bantamweight title, WBC United States (USNBC) Super Bantamweight title, and the WBC United States Super Bantamweight Title. On Jan. 29, Martin will look to rebound to add yet another title to his resume with a win over Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez at LA FIGHT CLUB.

Unbeaten in 19 professional fights, La Puente, Calif.’s Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez wants to start making his move to the elite level at 126 pounds and despite a draw against Juan Carlos Martinez in March, the 27-year-old’s fifth-round knockout of 1996 Ghanian Olympian Alfred “The Stinging Bee” Tetteh in May proved that he’s ready for that next step. Owner of wins over Gabriel “Ghost” Tolmajyan, Aaron “Gavillan” Garcia and Jorge “King” Diaz, Lopez is looking forward to his next challenge on Jan. 29.

Now fighting out of Miami, Florida but originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Carlos Valcarcel has shown to be a resilient fighter since his professional debut in 2004. Undefeated in his last two bouts in 2015, Valcarcel has beat out Aneudy “Vacacito” Matos in August and Geyci “Jeysi” Lorenzo in September via decision. In his first fight of 2016, the 32-year-old will be looking to continue the moment and add another victory to his record when he faces La Puente’s Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez on Jan. 29.

Hailing from Boyle Heights, Angel Bojado began his career in the sport at the young age of four, following in the footsteps of his brother, former Mexican Olympian and youth champion Francisco “Panchito” Bojado. Since then, Bojado has been on a path to success competing in numerous amateur tournaments like the Desert Showdown, Blue and Gold’s, National PAL Championships, National Silver Gloves Championships, the National Junior Olympic and many more, accumulating more than 130 bouts. In his professional debut, Bojado is eager to cement his own legacy in the sport.

Edgar Valerio is determined to become a force in boxing since making his professional debut in September 2012. Valerio is part of the rising local talent from Los Angeles, and has fought all of his professional fights in the region before a hometown crowd. Valerio, who last seen in August 2014 to secure a unanimous decision victory over Adrian Rodriguez. Eager to make his return to the ring Jan. 29, Valerio is ready to prove he has what it takes for championship glory.

Hailing from East Los Angeles, Jonathan Navarro made a strong impression with his professional debut on the Aug. 6, 2015 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB where he defeated Andrew Lee Gomez via knockout in the first round. He quickly followed that impressive performance up one month later by defeating Gibran Gutierrez via unanimous decision at LA FIGHT CLUB on Sept. 4, 2015. A gifted boxer who began his boxing career at seven-years-old, Navarro won his first Golden Gloves at age nine and had a decorated amateur career winning gold in 15 tournaments, four of which were international while representing the U.S. on the national team. Navarro is a legacy fighter; his uncle Jose “El Angelino” Navarro was a 2000 U.S. Olympian and a flyweight title challenger in his professional career.

Hailing fromWhittier, Calif., Pablo Rubio Jr. fought three times in 2015 after making his professional debut at the June 4 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB with a win against Julio Rodriguez. Previously, Rubio fought in the 2014 USA Boxing Junior and Youth Open in the youth lightweight class at 123 lbs., and has sparred with the likes of undefeated World Champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz. Rubio is determined to make a strong start for his second year as a professional fighter with a win on Jan. 29.

LA FIGHT CLUB, is a monthly series which features the boxing ring set on the main floor of the Belasco Theater with on-camera standing room for fans in front of the ring similar to a concert pit, as well as reserved balcony and floor seats. Los Angeles’ own DJ Ray of Big Boy’s Neighborhood spins music during the fights and fans are able to dance and mingle with the fighters when the venue converts into a night club, in a VIP experience not matched by any promoter in the industry.

Media interested in attending the Jan. 29, 2016 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are available here. Completed credential applications should be sent to credentials@mercuryllc.com by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 22. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

Julian Ramirez vs. Christopher Martin is a 10-round bout for the vacant WBC Silver Youth Featherweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate Born Bold and Carmelita Chorizo. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on Friday, January 29 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT., and will stream live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.

Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB are on sale starting at $20 and available for purchase online at www.goldenboypromotions.com or by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page. For ticket information, email us at LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com.

The “Knockout Experience VIP Package” is also available for an additional $25 upgrade and includes VIP entrance, access to an exclusive lounge offering food and beverages for purchase; a meet and greet opportunity with fighters and celebrities attending the event, past guests have included Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Kate Del Castillo, Mario Lopez, George Lopez, Lucas Matthysse, Randy Caballero and other stars have all made appearances in the past; an automatic entry into the LA FIGHT CLUB grand prize drawing, which can include but is not limited to: autograph gloves, picture in the ring, backstage access, tour of locker rooms, fighter ring walk, tickets to upcoming boxing events and additional merchandise and prizes.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.estrellatv.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @EstrellaTV, and become a fanon Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @belascola and @EstrellaTV, follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB and #BoxeoEstelar.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBC Lightweight champion Jorge Linares will defend his title against Dejean Zlaticanin.

The fight will be broadcast on Showtime.

“It was a good offer, a fair offer,” Zlatcanin’s promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN.com. “I didn’t nickel-and-dime them. Showtime is glad to have the fight. It’s going to be a firefight. It’s an excellent fight. Linares is all action and a skilled fighter, and Zlaticanin is a beast. I’d be very surprised if this one went the distance.”

“Stephen [Espinoza, who runs Showtime Sports] loves the fight and has wanted it since I first contacted him about it,” DiBella said. “Showtime is committed to doing the fight and now we’ll work out the details of when and where and what kind of card the fight will be on.”

Lou DiBella
Thank you very much and welcome to the, final conference call for the SHOWTIME Championship Boxing show, January 16 of this new year at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The show will begin at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME. It’s a world championship, heavyweight championship doubleheader.

These are the first two heavyweight title fights in over 100 years in Brooklyn on the same night, 115 years since the last heavyweight title fight in Brooklyn. And there’ll be two on the same night on January 16 on SHOWTIME.

The first bout will be for the vacant IBF Heavyweight World Championship between Charles Martin and the highest ranked contender in the IBF, former Olympic Bronze Medalist, Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov. The main event will be Deontay Wilder, the Heavyweight Champion of the World of the WBC who is defending his title against the very colorful and exciting Artur Szpilka.

We’re going to start with Stephen Espinoza, the man who runs SHOWTIME Boxing and who has put together this great card for us.

Stephen Espinoza
Thank you, Lou. As some of you know, 2016 represents the 30th anniversary of SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. The very first fight at SHOWTIME was telecast on March 10, 1986 and featured Marvelous Marvin Hagler versus John Mugabi. We’ve had a variety of high-profile fighters and fights since.

To kick off our 30th anniversary year, I can’t think of a better way to do it than at Barclays Center in Brooklyn with a doubleheader of heavyweight title fights. There is going to be some explosive action. We have some really entertaining, interesting personalities. In fact, I can’t wait to see what the rest of this all holds.

L. DiBella
I’m going to start with the man who is the leading available contender in the IBF, and he is going to fighting Charles Martin for the IBF Heavyweight Championship. Czar Glazkov, 21-0-1, 13 KOs from the Ukraine originally, now fighting out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He’s a 2007 Silver Medalist at the World Amateur Boxing Championship and a 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist at Super Heavyweight.

Manager extraordinaire, Egis Klimas is on the call, and he will do the translating for Czar Glazkov. Czar is promoted by Main Events and Kathy Duva of Main Events will be co-promoting this fight with us.

Egis Klimas
Hello, everybody. This is Egis, manager of Vyacheslav Glazkov. We’re very happy to have a title shot, the world title of the IBF. We wanted to thank our promoter Main Events for doing such a good job for bringing Glazkov to this opportunity. I am very fortunate to represent Mr. Glazkov. I’ve been doing it for four years, and this is a big shot for him to become the world champion.

I would like to introduce to you, Vyascheslav Glazkov, the contender for the IBF Title.

Vyaschelav Glazkov
Yes. Hello, everybody. This is Vyacheslav Glazkov. This is a great opportunity for me and a really good chance for me to win the World Championship.

L. DiBella
Charles Martin, 22-0-1 with 20 KOs, born in St. Louis, Missouri, now from Carson, California. Charles is a huge physical specimen at 6’5″. The 29-year-old knockout artist was an accomplished amateur. He won the 2012 National PAL Championship. Charles is something of an unknown commodity to a lot of people. He is the number three-ranked IBF contender and is looking forward to his opportunity and what he thinks is going to be a knockout win against Vyacheslav Glazkov.

Charles, would you like to say a few words, please?

Charles Martin
Yes. I’m so thankful to be in this position and blessed to get a world title shot, and that’s what all boxers dream of. It’s finally becoming a reality to me. I’m not going to let anything stand in front of me of receiving this IBF title. So I will be prepared on January 16th.

I’m up in high altitude right now. I’m in the snow. I’m running in the snow. I’m getting it, grinding with it, and it’s going to all show in the rings.

L. DiBella
Thank you, Charles. Charles is promoted by Warriors Boxing in Florida, so they will also be a co-promoter of this title fight.

I would open it up now to questions for Vyacheslav Glazkov and Charles Martin.

Q
Can you take me through the decision-making process of dropping out of your fight with Dominic Breazeale in December?

C. Martin
I’m glad you asked that because I wanted to do both of the fights. My team is the one that talked me out of it. I was up here making plans to do both. They’re like, yes, yes, you know, that’s right, that’s right. With the conversation with my coaches, I’m like, I can do this fight. I can get this another way. Then I’m lined up right here.

My manager and everybody else, they’re like, “Hey, this is a world title opportunity. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. You fight for a world title. So we’re pulling out. You’re going to back to camp and get this belt.” I guess after a while it sunk in and it started to make sense. And I said, “Hey, you know, whatever. Let’s just do it.” Because anything could happen.

You could get cut or something, any kind of crazy stuff that could have pulled me out of this fight. But I guarantee I was going to knock Dominic out. That’s automatic, you know what I mean? We know each other. I would have knocked him out, for sure.

Q
You’re talking about Breazeale, who you know?

C. Martin
Yes, Dominic Breazeale. I would have knocked him out.

Q
When you did make that decision to withdraw from the fight, did you stay straight through in camp. Did you at least take a couple of days off? Did you do anything over the holidays? Or did you just basically stay in camp and just work all the way through it?

C. Martin
Yes, I took a week off. I took that week off and then we got back to camp. I started back training when I was in L.A.. I live in North Hollywood, so we have a gym right there. These guys they sponsor me and I got a gym right there. Me and my coaches got in there and we were hitting pads and we’re doing workouts, doing pushups and callisthenic-type of movements.

Then we got right back up here into the high altitude, man. We are in Big Bear right now. We’ve been here for a few weeks now. We’ve been up here grinding, man. We’re getting it in. I’m in perfect shape. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life. I’m ready to fight.

Q
When you look at the record of Glazkov, does it make you think to yourself, I better really get rid of this guy because I cannot leave it in the hands of the judges?

C. Martin
I don’t even take the time to think about those kind of things because he’s never been in the ring with a fighter like me. I’m no Cunningham. I’m no Tor Hamer. I’m none of these guys that he fought.

I’m totally a different fighter than he’s ever seen. So come fight night, I’m ready to prove it to the whole wide world. I’m ready to be that superstar. We train like superstars. If you’re going to train mediocre, you’ll be mediocre, and that’s what I see out of a lot of fighters, heavyweights, especially. But we train to be a superstar and that’s what you guys are going to see.

Q
Has everything changed in the mindsets for a fighter like yourself after Klitschko’s loss?

C. Martin
It was going to open up eventually. Klitschko had a very good run. His whole career was outstanding. He’s an awesome fighter. But it’s our time now. There are new fighters on the map. We had big plans to knock him out as well. We wanted to knock him out and become superstars overnight. Everybody got the dream.

It’s here now, man. I get to fight for the IBF World Title. I can’t believe it. Every day I wake up. I think I’m freaking blessed. I’m fighting for a world title. This is crazy. Sometimes it doesn’t even sound right, but it’s real. So I’m going to seize the moment, definitely.

V. Glazkov
Well, I think right now the heavyweights are going to be very interesting because of all the titles getting a split around. There is going to be more champions, and that’s what the fan always like because for many years it was all one person. I’m looking forward to see what is going to be happening in the heavyweight division.

Q
This is for both fighters. I just want to know if one of you, unless there is a draw, wins this title next weekend, are you anxious to unify with either the WBC champion or with Tyson Fury?

V. Glazkov
Yes, of course. This is the dream of every fighter to get all the titles because I truly believe the real champion is whoever is holding all four titles.

C. Martin
Yes, I want it all. As soon as I get this belt, I want to unify. I want everything. I want all the hardware. Look out for “Prince” Charles Martin. I’m here to make a statement and you guys are going to see, finally. I’ve been under wraps a long time but now the world can see me display my skill. Yes, I can’t wait to unify. I want everything.

Q
Charles, do you think that Glazkov is a pretty decent step up in competition on paper from who else you fought? I’d like your assessment of him as a boxer and what you think he brings to the table.

C. Martin
Yes. He’s definitely a step up on paper. His resume reads well. He’s a good fighter. He’s technical, keeping his hands up and stuff like that, has a pretty nice hook. But I got to give you the ups and the downs. He’s a little guy. I’m massive, strong, powerful, elusive. He’s definitely going to be in there for the hardest fight of his life that he’ll ever have.

Q
Czar, you heard what Charles said. He called you a little guy. I’d like your reaction to and what you think of Martin technically. Have you seen tape on him? What do you think of him as a fighter?

V. Glazkov
I respect all of my opponents. Anybody who steps into the ring is doing a very good job. As far as him as a boxer, what can I say? He’s a big dude. He’s a southpaw. I soak up all of his videos. He’s not the standard guy. He’s not a normal guy, but that’s why I’m picking up my sparring partners. That’s why I’m working and preparing for the fighting.

Q
Czar, What’s your prediction for this fight?

V. Glazkov
I’m not going to be saying that I’m going to knock him out. I’m not going to be aiming to knock him out. I’m just going to be fighting and showing everybody my good skills with boxing. If it’s a knockout coming, it’s going to come.

L. DiBella
This is a significant fight. There is a belt at stake. There is an Olympic Medalist fighting a massive American heavyweight, as Charles accurately described himself, and also extremely charismatic and English-speaking American heavyweight that this fight can bring in major new player to the forefront in the heavyweight division. So it’s a very significant fight.

I thank you guys for joining us, and we’ll see you next week.

Now we’re going to move on to the main event of the evening, Deontay Wilder’s third defense of his WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World against Artur Szpilka, who is promoted by Warriors Boxing. If you’ve been following this promotion or listened to our first call, you’ll know that Artur’s English has gotten much better and he’s never at a loss for words nor is he at a loss for confidence.

I know that Deontay is looking forward to fighting a guy that’s looking to bring the fight and is this confident in his own skills and his ability.

Artur, would you like to say a few words to start?

A. Szpilka
Welcome to everybody. The new heavyweight champion is here. You’ll see. I wait for questions.

L. DiBella
Well, the man who believes he is going to be the new heavyweight champion just said a couple of words. Now we’re going to go to the Heavyweight Champion, undefeated Deontay Wilder.

Deontay Wilder
Good evening everyone. Happy New Year. We’re headed into a new year. It’s going to be a hell of a year this year for not only myself but a lot of other fighters as well. There are a lot of things going on in the heavyweight division. The division is definitely alive, and I’m looking to claim it all.

I wish all the heavyweights in the division good luck on their up and coming journeys. And I definitely wish my opponent good luck on becoming the first Polish champion. That is something that has been a hard task to complete for many Polish guys.

He’s not the first to come. It’s going to be difficult for him as well, but I wish him luck. He should be proud that he made it this far, and got this opportunity. So I’m looking forward to January 16, to conquering the world.

Q
How’s training going, Deontay? How’s camp been? How’s your training? Same question for Artur.

D. Wilder
Camp has been wonderful. We’ve had a lot of wonderful guys that come in camp. I’ve always been in shape. That’s always been my motto, that I’m never out of shape. To not have fought a southpaw in three years, and to have a great camp like I’ve had, it’s been crazy.

It reminded me of why I enjoy and love fighting southpaws. I definitely had fun in this camp. I’m looking forward to the fight. I really am. This is my statement year, the start of the year. I’m looking forward to make a statement on Szpilka’s face.

A. Szpilka
Everything is great. Everything is fine. To be honest, I cannot wait to start this whole commotion. Especially I am waiting for the moment that I will be able, for the first time, to look in Deontay’s eyes, and be in the middle of this whole fight week preparation, and fight week craziness.

Q
For each fighter, what is difficult about preparing for the other guy? For Deontay, how different is it facing a southpaw, especially one that kind of fights out of a crouch? And for Szpilka, how difficult is it to prepare for someone who is so tall, and with such reach?

D. Wilder
It’s different levels of what you look at as difficult. Southpaws are my fun people to fight. You know, southpaws are people that pressure me. They are the ones I enjoy the most in sparring and actual fights and stuff like that.

There’s nothing, difficult about the southpaw, other than you’re switching sides with fighters. What you’re used to seeing is just backwards. That’s about it. Everything else is all about your feel, your determination, your IQ in the ring, and what you’re able to do with your ability.

I could put everything I got in the bank on my abilities and skill and will, and what I’m capable of doing in the ring. There’s no other heavyweight in the division like me, especially when it comes into the athletic department. I’m the most athletic heavyweight in the division.

There comes a point in time where it’s enough talking and it’s time to fight, which is what we’re doing now. We’re in the last few couple of words here, and a couple of more days. Then it’ll be time to fight. That way, every fighter has something to say about what they’re going to do.

There comes a time when you have to put forth the action, and actually see whether you’re really just talking to promote yourself, just to sell yourself, or to build your confidence, or build confidence around you, the people that you have inside, or are you the real deal. And I’m pretty sure that I can put every penny on it that I’m the real deal, and what I talk about, I put full action in.

What I’m saying I’m going to, I’ll do it. Everybody that knows me personally knows that if Deontay says he’s going to do something, it’s going to be done. So it’s exciting times, and I can’t wait. I really can’t. I’m in love with boxing. I’m in love with the sport. I love fighting. I love every bit of it and this is just a part of it.

This is the part I hate, just the waiting. And I’ll be so anxious to beat somebody up, just look at their face. This is the part that I hate — the waiting part. I’m ready for the fight. I’m ready to fight. Training is enough. I could have taken off that last little week of training, I didn’t need it.

I’m ready. I didn’t need the last week of training. I didn’t need the last week of strength training. I don’t need that. These guys could have went home. If I wasn’t paying my sparring partners, I would have sent them home.

But I don’t believe in giving out free money, so they had to stay and they had to spar — not to the point that they didn’t give me no work, because they gave me great work. It’s just to the point where I am super-ready. I’m just done, ready.

I’m looking forward to it, and I hope everybody is and everyone who is going to be attending this fight, who all’s going to be attending it or watching it on TV. They’re in for a treat. They’re in for a huge treat, just to start the year off.

I’m excited about the new year, that we get to start it off, make a statement. I want this fight to be already the fight of the year, and this is just the beginning of the year. So that’s what excitement I’m trying to bring to this fight. I’m trying to bring a severe knockout.

I want to get back to my knockout days. My hands were still out of all this time, last year my hand was about 85% when I defended my title. Now it’s, looking back, strong as ever. It’s back to 100%, and I’m looking to go back to where I used to be — four rounds or under.

A. Szpilka
For now I’m just ready to step into the ring. I also like to fight taller fighters. All the time when I’m spending time in Houston with my trainer, this is what we train for. I understand the training is not the actual fight. But I always liked the taller fighters.

Whatever Deontay is saying just makes no sense. I don’t believe in his words, and I will be able to prove it in the ring on the 16th. But for now, it’s just talk by Deontay.

Q
Everybody was just really looking forward to 2016’s Klitschko against Wilder. How disappointed were you when Klitschko just didn’t show up?

D. Wilder
I was very disappointed that Klitschko didn’t show up and do the things that we expected of him and what he was capable of doing. It could be many reasons why that Klitschko didn’t show up, because that wasn’t him as a fighter. Klitschko as a person, his body was there, but as a fighter, something was missing. That isn’tt what we’re used to seeing out of Wladimir Klitschko.

I think Father Time has knocked on his door, and he don’t want to let him in yet. But, I think it’s knocking at his door, and that fight proved it.

There’s talk of a rematch, and I’m going to see the second time around. So some people are still in daze of belief, because they can’t believe what they’ve seen.

Just like my career, many times, people make excuses for me. They say different things; even criticize me because they can’t understand why I’m able to do what I do, and how I do it when I do it. So, it’s the same thing as Klitschko. So we’re going to see the second time around, was this real?

Q
Does it mean extra to you to be fighting in such a new arena in the borough of Brooklyn?

D. Wilder
I’m very happy and honored to be able to be able to fight in Brooklyn. Barclays Center as well with so much rich heavyweight history throughout the state of New York. I’m so looking forward to finally putting my name down in history.

I definitely want to come in in the new year, and not only put history down, but in a great fashion; make a great statement to all the others that are in the division. This is a fine time for me. 2016 is going to be a starting time as well, so just making the whole division back and exciting again.

It’s definitely an exciting time and I’m just happy to be a part of it, and bringing that excitement truly back to the heavyweight division. I may be a country boy, but I don’t think the city’s ready for this boy right here.

Q
My first question is to Szpilka. Where are you guys at right now with the drug testing?

A. Szpilka
I’m still waiting. I’m still waiting. I don’t know why.

D. Wilder
Well I don’t know what he’s talking about. I just went to LabCorp yesterday and got blood drawn for the fight. So this is a championship fight. You’re not going to have a championship fight without being drug-tested. Period. So whether the test is happening before the fight, or whether the test happens after the fight, there will be a drug test.

Q
Is this camp different compared to all the other camps that you guys went through?

D. Wilder
This camp has been one of the most fun camps for the simple fact that I haven’t been involved with a southpaw in like three years. To get my brain back in functioning how to defeat a southpaw, it has been fun. I can’t say challenging, because I had too much fun doing it.

I can’t wait to show you everything that I have to offer. Just as I developing my skill, I develop everything I’ve learned over the years, and apply them in the ring.

Like I said before, I keep saying that I want it to be embedded in you guys’ brains that 2016 belongs to Deontay Wilder, where he will unify the division. There hasn’t been one since 1999. That was Lennox Lewis. Now I must make history. I can’t let any man get in my way from that.

If any man feels that I’m just talk, like Szpilka says, he thinks I’m just talk. There’s never been anything I said that I haven’t done. But we’ve seen him, many times, talk. We’ve recently seen him say the same shit he’s talking about now. And what happened? He ended up becoming the loser.

Everything I’ve said I’ve backed up. That’s why I’m still the champ. That’s why I am a winner. And the thing about it, my 10,000 hours is coming up – of training is coming up (unintelligible). So now I’m coming up four complete fighters now. I understand my abilities and skills inside that ring, and those 10,000 hours is definitely approaching.

I’m looking forward to the world embracing me, and to continue being the heavyweight champ of the world, soon to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

A. Szpilka
Just like I said before, and just like Deontay said before, I also could have skipped the last week of training. Everything is done. Everything is prepared. Right now it’s just waiting. So we’re going to find out who is who on January 16.

Q
I wonder what you think about the fact that you’re fighting in Deontay’s home country, but chances are you’re going to be the one that everybody’s cheering for?

A. Szpilka
There is no doubt that my crowd, the Polish crowd, will be predominant on January 16 in Barclays Center. They will be like additional gloves in the ring for me. They’re going to carry me to be a winner, to be a champion, something special. I’m going to fight also for them.

Q
What would it mean to you to become the first Polish heavyweight to win a world title?

A
This is the most important part of this fight for me, not even to become a world champion. It’s not about that. It’s about to be part of the history; becoming the first Polish heavyweight champion; to be the one when, even after I’m going to be dead, people are going to say, oh, this was the Szpilka guy, the guy who was the first Polish heavyweight champion. This is what I want to do, and this is what I’m going to prove to everybody on January 16.

L. DiBella
Well thank you, Artur, and thank you, Deontay. That’ll be our last question. Once again, the Showtime telecast will begin at 10:00 ET/7:00 PT. But there are tickets still available at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and we urge people to come out.

This is a rare opportunity to see the heavyweight champion of the world defend his title, and to see another heavyweight championship contested — two heavyweight title fights in one night, Barclays Center, January 16, on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing.

Tickets again are at Ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster; Barclays Center.com; by going to Barclays Center box office. We hope to see you in Brooklyn. Deontay and Artur, we’ll see you next week in Brooklyn, and we look forward to a great event on January 16. Thank you all for joining us.

LOS ANGELES (January 8, 2015) – Golden Boy Promotions today announced a new partnership with Mexican beer powerhouse – Cerverza Tecate, BORN BOLD — to serve as the main sponsor on Golden Boy Promotions’ wildly popular bi-monthly boxing series featured on Estrella TV.

“Tecate is a leading brand, widely recognized and loved by boxing fans; we are thrilled to have them as our main sponsor for our popular fight series on Estrella TV,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “We have a long history of working with Tecate and look forward to partnering with them once again as we feature the future stars of boxing on Estrellla TV.”

The partnership with Tecate will begin with two previously announced stacked cards. On January 29 Tecate will launch its sponsorship at the
LA FIGHT CLUB show featuring Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez taking on Christopher “S.D. Kid” Martin. A week later, Tecate will again sponsor the February 5 event at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino featuring the grand return of Randy “El Matador” Caballero taking on Mexico’s Ruben Garcia.

About Golden Boy Promotions:
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by 10-time world champion in six divisions Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the world and has worked with networks such as HBO, HBO Latino, Estrella TV, ESPN, TeleFutura, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, Televisa and TV Azteca. The company has also promoted some of the top boxing events in the history of the sport including De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Mayweather vs. Canelo and other notable pay-per-view fights featuring fan-favorites Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Marco “Baby Faced Assassin” Antonio Barrera, Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Sugar Shane Mosley.

For more information please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow us on Twitter @GoldenBoyBOxing and @Tecate and #BORNBOLD, visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/tecate/ and on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 8, 2016) – With its commitment to putting on the best fights for the fans, Golden Boy Promotions retained its position as the leading promoter in all of boxing in 2015. Receiving acclaim for many of its events from leading publications across the globe, Golden Boy Promotions was named Promoter of the Yearby Sports Illustrated for the second year in a row and received the same honor from The Bleacher Report.

These accolades come in response to Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions, delivering on his promise of putting on the best fights for the fans. From the January show that brought the heavyweight world title back to America, to promoting a tremendous December card that saw the official arrival of a new heavyweight star in Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs), Golden Boy gave fans action-packed, competitive fights throughout the year.

Golden Boy Promotions was also awarded Best Cards of the Year for the undercards of Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux and Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez by The Bleacher Report and received acclaim by Boxing News Magazine UK by citing Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland, Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux, and Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez among “The 15 Best Boxing Events in 2015.”

Additionally, Golden Boy Promotions received honorable Fight of the Year, Fighter of the Year, and Event of the Yearmentions by Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com, The Bleacher Report, The RING Magazine, FightNews, Boxing Scene and The Sweet Science, which included WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs), WBC Lightweight World Champion Jorge “El Nino De Oro” Linares (40-3, 27 KOs), former WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse (37-4, 34 KOs), WBC Super Featherweight World Champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KOs) and former IBF Middleweight World Champion David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs).

“I’m thrilled that the media recognized Golden Boy with these well-deserved accolades but not surprised because I meant what I said when we started off the year 2015: Golden Boy is in the business of putting the best against the best to give the fans the fights they want to see,” said Oscar De La Hoya.

Golden Boy Promotions also graduated some of its most promising prospects to serious contenders in 2015. Among those making the transition: Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr. (19-0, 11 KOs), who obtained the NABF Featherweight title after a second round technical knockout of Hugo “Olimpico” Partida (21-7-2, 16 KOs) on Dec. 18 and who was named as one of ESPN.com’s 2015 Top 20 Rising Stars;Vacheslav “Lion Heart-Chingonsky” Shabransky (15-0, 12 KOs) who made it to USA Today’s Boxing Junkie and ESPN.com’s Light Heavyweight pound-for-pound rankings debuting at number 9 on both sites after his defeat of Yuniesky Gonzalez (16-2, 12 KOs) on Dec. 19; and rising prospect Diego De La Hoya (13-0, 7 KOs) who received an honorable mention as a Finalist for 2015 the RING Magazine Awards’ Prospect of the Year.

“2015 was a spectacular year for Golden Boy Promotions but 2016 will be bigger and better in every way,” De La Hoya continued. “We’re just getting started. Our mission isn’t over as long as the fans are with us. We do this for the fans; it’s about giving them exciting matchups that they want to see.”

As we take a look into the great fights of 2015, look out for Golden Boy Promotions’ top prospects, contenders and future world champions of 2016 to be announced next week.

CANELO NAMED “FIGHTER OF THE YEAR”

Canelo Alvarez celebrates after his unanimous decision victory over Miguel Cotto on Nov. 21 winning the WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight Championship at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports.
The 25-year-old Canelo (46-1-1, 32 KOs) had a phenomenal year and was named The Fighter of Yearby ESPN.com, USA Today’s Boxing Junkie, The Bleacher Report, Fight News and ranked as number 4 on Yahoo! Sports list for Fighter of the Year. ESPN.com stated Canelo to be “one of the best fighters in the ring” and The Bleacher Report considers him to be a “breath of fresh air for boxing fans who are looking to press the reset button on the last decade.” In addition, Canelo received recognition for Knockout of Yearfor his third round knockout of James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland in May and Best Event and Best Card of the Year for his performance against Miguel Cotto in November which crowned him the new WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion and catapulted Canelo in to the sport’s top pound-for-pound rankings. His fights drew top viewership for HBO, some of the best numbers the network has seen in years and “did big business (900,000 buys, $58,000,000 in revenue), the most pay-per-views sold without the help of Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao or Mayweather since 2002” (USA Today). A new Pay-Per-View king has been crowned for the next generation, and his name is Canelo Alvarez.

CANELO ALVAREZ AWARDED “KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR”

Canelo Alvarez (R) delivers a right hook on James Kirkland (L) on route to a third-round knockout victory on May 9 at Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland-Getty Images/Golden Boy Promotions.
ESPN.com, The Bleacher Report, USA Today’s Boxing Junkie, Boxing News and The Sweet Science all awarded Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland Knockout of the Year as Canelo Alvarez, in front of more than 31,000 raucous fans at Minute Maid Park in Houston on May 9, knocked out the dangerous James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland with a thunderous right hand in the middle of the third-round, capping a sensational performance that saw the then 24-year-old drop Kirkland in the first round and deliver a number of huge shots before the eventual end of the fight. This fight also marked Canelo’s second biggest attendance record since Canelo vs. Trout, that drew in more than 40,000 fans in 2013.

TAKASHI MIURA VS. FRANCISCO VARGAS AWARDED “FIGHT OF THE YEAR”

Francisco Vargas (R) delivers a right hook on Takashi Miura (L) at their WBC Super Lightweight World Championship fight on route to his ninth-round technical knockout victory on Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Photo Credit: Tom Hogan-Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions.
Serving as the co-main event to the highly anticipated Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alavrez event on Nov. 21, Takashi Miura vs. Francisco Vargas stole the show and received unanimous Fight of the Year nods from Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com, The Bleacher Report, USA TODAY’s Boxing Junkie, The Sweet Science and Boxing Scene. The action packed fight featured knockdowns, great performances and a lot of hear from two of boxing’s’ most respected warriors; where Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KOs) was able to claim the WBC Super Featherweight World Championship via ninth-round technical knockdown over Takashi Miura (29-3-2, 22 KOs) after suffering a knockdown during the fourth round. ESPN.com called the fight “the most dramatic comeback since the late Diego Corrales used a legendary 10th-round rally to stop Jose Luis Castillo and unify lightweight titles in 2005.”

BOXING NEWS MAGAZINE UK NAMES JORGE LINARES VS. KEVIN MITCHELL AS “FIGHT OF THE YEAR”

Jorge Linares (L) delivers a right straight on Kevin Mitchell (R) at their WBC Lightweight World Championship fight on route to his tenth-round technical knockout victory on May 30 at the O2 Arena in London.-Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Named as Boxing News Magazine’s “Fight of the Year” by UK Fans and also received an honorary mention by ESPN.com, Jorge Linares vs. Kevin Mitchell had all the ingredients for an exciting matchup. Jorge “El Nino de Oro” Linares (40-3, 27 KOs) defeated the courageous Kevin “Mighty” Mitchell (39-4, 29 KOs) in the first defense of his WBC Lightweight World title on the Brit’s hometown turf in London at the O2 Arena on May 30. The equally matched fighters delivered an exciting fight that had Linares fighting with his brains and brawn but suffered a knock down in the fifth while the crowd went crazy for Mitchell. In the 10th round, Linares landed a big right hand to Mitchell’s face that backed him into the corner forcing Mitchell to take a knee but was able to make the count. But the referee had seen enough punishment and stopped the count and the fight, declaring Linares the victor by technical knockout.

OTHER GREAT FIGHTS IN 2015 IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

Bermane Stiverne vs. Deontay Wilder: On Jan. 17, 2015, Golden Boy Promotions promoted the highly anticipated heavyweight bout between Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (35-0, 34 KOs) and Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs), where Wilder became the WBC heavyweight world champion and the first United States born fighter to do so since 2007 after the heavyweight division was dominated for decades by European champions such as Lennox Lewis and the Klitschko Brothers.

Rocky Juarez vs. Robinson Castellanos: After starting his career with a 3-7 record, not many people would have picked Mexico’s Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos (23-11, 13 KOs) to become one of the best featherweights in the world. But eight years later, the 33-year-old is on the verge of a title shot after capping off his remarkable career comeback with consecutive victories over unbeaten Ronny Rios and perennial contender Rocky Juarez (30-11-1, 21 KOs). Castellanos was able to become the WBC Featherweight World Championship mandatory challenger on Jan. 26 after one of the bloodiest fights of 2015 against Rocky Juarez, knocking Juarez in the fifth and twice in the 10th round to win via unanimous decision.

Francisco Vargas vs. Will Tomlinson: After a 2014 stoppage of Puerto Rican superstar Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez (34-5, 31 KOs) propelled Mexico’s Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KOs) into the spotlight, he kicked off 2015 in March with a punishing

Lucas Matthysse (R) delivers a right straight on Ruslan Provodnikov (L) at their 12-round junior lightweight fight on route to his majority decision victory on April 18 at Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, NY. Photo Credit: Tom Hogan-Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions.
eight-round technical knockout victory over Australia’s ultra-tough “Wild” Will Tomlinson (24-2-1, 13 KOs) to set the stage for a classic November title fight against Japan’s Takashi Miura.

Lucas Matthysse vs. Ruslan Provodnikov:Although the fight did not win the covenant title of “Fight Year” it did receive honorable mentions from ESPN.com, The Bleacher Report, and USA Today’s Boxing Junkie as one of the best fights of 2015. Argentina’s Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse (37-4, 34 KOs) and Russia’s “The Siberian Rocky” Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) waged war for 12 rounds on April 18 at the sold-out Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. Provodnikov was cut badly in round two from an accidental head-butt but came back and landed furious shots to Lucas Matthysse’s head. Matthysse bounced back in round five as he landed some hard jabs to the face of an oncoming Provodnikov. The war continued through the middle rounds as both fighters went toe-to-toe while Matthysse landed combinations from a distance and Provodnikov went on the defense and continued to brawl. Provodikov had a strong round 11 as he landed a hard left to the top of the head that buckled Matthysse and the Argentinian was forced to hold on. The two waged a final flurry in round 12, and it was Matthysse who won via majority decision with scores of 115-113 twice and 114-114.

Sadam Ali (R) delivers a right uppercut on Francisco Santana (L) at their 10-round WBA International Welterweight Title fight on route to his unanimous decision victory on April 25 at the Madison Square Garden, New York.-Photo Credit: Notifight.com.
Sadam Ali vs. Francisco Santana:A member of the 2008 United States Olympic team fighting out of Brooklyn, New York, Sadam “World Kid” Ali (22-0, 13 KOs) impressed boxing fans with his unanimous decision victory over Francisco “Chia” Santana (23-4-1, 12 KOs) in April that earned him the WBA International Welterweight Title and also made him the mandatory challenger for the WBO Welterweight World Championship.

Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland: It was a risky move for Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) to take on devastating knockout artist James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland (32-2, 28 KOs) on May 9, especially with a lucrative ‘SuperFight’ against Miguel Cotto on the horizon. But Canelo proved his warrior spirit once more as he not only fought Kirkland in front of more than 31,000 fans at Minute Maid Park in Houston, but he tore through him en route to a third-round knockout victory. “The Knockout of the Year” was viewed by 2.2 million on HBO World Championship Boxing, the biggest numbers on the network since 2006, confirming Canelo’s superstar status.

Antonio Orozco vs. Emmanuel Taylor: It was the rarest of fights in the boxing world: two top prospects meeting on the way up. But Golden Boy Promotions has never shied away from such matchups and on May 15, unbeaten Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (23-0, 15 KOs) took on equally talented Emmanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor (18-4, 12 KOs) in a competitive matchup where Taylor wasn’t able to get the lead against Orozco. “Relentless” proved he was ready for prime time with a unanimous decision win over the top prospect, Taylor.

Hassan N’Dam vs. David Lemieux:Montreal’s David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs) has long been destined for stardom, and on June 20, in his hometown arena, the Bell Centre, he added the title “world champion” to the title of “star” when he knocked down Frenchman Hassan N’Dam (31-2, 18 KOs) four times on route to winning the IBF Middleweight World Championship.

Lucas Matthysse vs. Viktor Postol: Lucas “La Maquina” Matthysse may not have gotten the win after a gutsy effort against Viktor “Ice Man” Postol (28-0, 12 KOs) on Oct. 3, but after selling out the StubHub Center in Carson, California for the WBC Super Lightweight

Antonio Orozco (R) delivers a right straight on Humberto Soto (L) at their 10-round junior lightweight fight on route to his unanimous decision victory on Oct.3 at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.-Photo Credit: Tom Hogan-Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions
World Championship, “La Maquina” proved that his popularity is now international, setting the stage for more big events in 2016.

Humberto Soto vs. Antonio Orozco: As impressive as Antonio “Relentless” Orozco was against Emmanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor, the true test for him in 2015 would come on Oct. 3 against former three-division world champion Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto (65-9-2, 35 KOs). Riding a seven-fight winning streak, Soto was still in top form, but Orozco proved to be too much for him, winning a clear-cut unanimous decision that confirmed his place as a legitimate world title contender heading into 2016.

Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux: It was Champion vs. Champion at the Mecca of Boxing on Oct. 17, as David Lemieux (34-3, 31 KOs) faced off with Gennady “GGG”

Gennady Golovkin (L)and David Lemieux (R)pose at their final press conference for their WBC Interim, WBA, IBO and IBF Middleweight Title Unification fight which took place on Oct. 17 at Madison Square Garden , New York.-Photo Credit: Tom Hogan-Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions.
Golovkin (34-0, 31 KOs) in both fighters’ first Pay-Per-View event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Given the styles of both fighters and the high stakes involved, the bout sold-out MSG and had a record breaking pre-sale, the first time two non-American fighters have sold out the venue.

Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez: The Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez Super Fight in Las Vegas on Nov. 21 didn’t just crown Canelo as the WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight Champion – it also crowned Canelo as a megastar whose ability to garner 900,000 Pay-Per-View buys is a strong indicator that he has now become the face of boxing. Those numbers are more than any non-Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya fight since 2002 and if the exciting and talented Canelo, who is still only 25 years old, has his way, he will surpass those numbers in the coming years now that he is firmly entrenched on the sport’s pound-for-pound list.

Luis Ortiz poses after his seventh-round technical knockout victory overBryant Jennings on Dec. 19 defending his WBA Interim Heavyweight World Championship at Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, NY. Photo Credit: Tom Hogan-Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions.
Bryant Jennings vs. Luis Ortiz: On Dec. 19, at Turing Stone Resort Casino in Verona,
New York, Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs) defended his WBA Interim Heavyweight World Championship against one of the toughest fighters in the division, Bryant “By – By” Jennings (19-2, 10 KOs) in a fantastic display of boxing skill with a dramatic seventh round knockout of the former world champion challenger Jennings. Ortiz, dominated the fight early on with powerful hooks, uppercuts and jabs that kept him in control of the pace throughout the 12-round heavyweight brawl. The victory allowed Ortiz to keep his undefeated status but also made a loud announcement to the boxing community that a new heavyweight threat had arrived to the division.

About Golden Boy Promotions:
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by 10-time world champion in six divisions Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the world and has worked with networks such as HBO, HBO Latino, Estrella TV, ESPN, TeleFutura, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, Televisa and TV Azteca. The company has also promoted some of the top boxing events in the history of the sport including De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Mayweather vs. Canelo and other notable pay-per-view fights featuring fan-favorites Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Marco “Baby Faced Assassin” Antonio Barrera, Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Sugar Shane Mosley. For more information, visit www.GoldenBoyPromotions.com, or follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @GoldenBoyBoxing.

Sky Sports Box Office will show the eagerly anticipated super-bantamweight unification World Title fight between two of Britain’s undefeated champions, Carl Frampton MBE and Scott Quigg.

Tickets sold out in a matter of minutes for the must-see event at the Manchester Arena on Saturday February 27. Someone’s perfect record will go as the long-awaited clash between Frampton the IBF champion and Quigg the WBA belt holder will finally determine the number one domestic boxer in the division.

Belfast born Frampton, who received an MBE in the New Year honours list, has drawn support from across the different communities of Northern Ireland. His popularity will ensure a strong Irish contingent in the crowd making for an electric atmosphere with Bury’s Quigg enjoying the passionate Lancashire fans.

Adam Smith, executive producer of Sky Sports boxing, said: “2016 is going to be an amazing year for British boxing with 12 current reigning world champions. This is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of recent times. Everything is on the line for Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg and the atmosphere in the Manchester Arena will be electric for what should be a truly outstanding duel between two fighters at the top of their game.”

Carl Frampton said: “I am delighted to be headlining this massive Sky Sports Box Office event on February 27 at Manchester Arena. This fight has been in the making for years, it’s finally happening and I’m going to deliver the performance of my career and win in style.”

Scott Quigg said: “This is going to be the biggest fight of the year and I am delighted that it’s heading to Sky Sports Box Office. The build-up is going to be huge and will get tenser as we get close to February 27 – but I am totally focused on the job in hand. Everything I have done in my career has led to this fight, I know I’m better than Carl in every department. I’ve got the tools to beat him and beat him convincingly.”

Preview and analysis from the Manchester Arena will be provided by Adam Smith, and former world champions Johnny Nelson, Carl Froch and Jim Watt, as well as a range of boxing experts. Sky Sports viewers can look forward to an extensive schedule of support programming providing the best possible analysis of the fight across our channels and digital outlet including Ringside and The Gloves Are Off.

In 2015 Sky Sports treated viewers to some incredible match-ups including Mayweather v Pacquiao, Klitschko v Fury and Joshua v Whyte. This year will be even bigger for boxing fans with some of the biggest names in the sport set to feature over the next 12 months. In particular, viewers will be able to follow the next generation of British boxers including James DeGale MBE, Kell Brook, Lee Selby, Kevin Mitchell, Scott Quigg, and Anthony Crolla, plus gold medallists Luke Campbell MBE, and Anthony Joshua MBE, two of Britain’s most exciting sporting prospects.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Jan. 7th, 2016) – When asked to step up on just two week’s notice and face reigning CES MMA Lightweight Champion Luis Felix on the nationally televised main card of “CES MMA XXXII,” Ryan Sanders didn’t even have to think twice.

“There was no second guess, no second thought,” said Sanders, a native of Bangor, Maine. “In this sport, you have an opportunity like this only once in a career and you have to jump at it.”

Sanders (9-7, 1 KO) will face Felix in a three-round non-title fight at a catch weight of 160 pounds on Friday night’s main card, which airs live on AXS TV beginning at 10 p.m. ET. The Sanders-Felix is one six televised bouts on the main card and a major step up for Sanders, who’s won two consecutive fights and three of his last four.

“I just think this fight just fell into my lap for a reason and I’m going to make the most of it. I have no pressure on me. All the pressure’s on Luis,” Sanders said. “He has to show up. It’s his hometown. It’s his backyard. All I have to do is just go in there and fight, so all the pressure’s on him. I’m just looking for a good fight, hoping to entertain the fans and put on a show and let CES know I’m here to fight, too.”

Asked if the pressure of performing in front of his loyal fan base against an opponent with nothing to lose would unnerve him, Felix (14-8, 5 KOs) just shook his head and smiled.

“There’s no pressure, man. This is just another fight for me,” said the Providence, R.I., native, who captured the CES MMA title in August with a win over champion Julian Lane. “It’s like the last 22. I’ve been the main event before. I feel great.”

Friday will be Felix’s fifth consecutive appearance on AXS TV. The first ended in a stunning loss to Lane in one of the most highly publicized bouts in CES MMA history. Felix then narrowed his inner circle and began simplifying his training. Heeding the advice of his longtime coach, Vic Fagnant, Felix traveled less during camps, working with only a handful of coaches and peers instead of spreading himself thin.

“We’ve had the same camp for the last three so we stayed pretty consistent with that. I’ve seen a lot improvement in the last three fights. They’re all wins, so why change anything?” Felix said.

“What I have here with coach Vic and [Greg] Rebello and then going up to Boston and training with [Mark] Dellagrotte and the guys at Sityodtong, that, in itself, is enough variety for what I need to see. It’s consistent and over at Sityodtong we get all different guys from different places coming to get work up there.

“I’ve been blessed to have these two spots and to be able to get enough work just from there instead of having to go all over the place like we did before.”

Their backgrounds might be different, but Felix and Sanders are competing for exposure and the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of a worldwide audience.

“I’m just looking at it as another fight. It’s a different fight, a different opponent, a different name on the cage, but it’s just another fight at the end of the day,” Sanders said. “If it opens up doors, great. If it doesn’t, so be it. The chance to fight for CES is an awesome opportunity and I’m just going to go out there and bang and put on a show and see what happens.

“I’m not in the greatest shape of all the time, but I definitely was getting ready for a fight so I was definitely in shape, which is why it was an easy decision to make. Like I said, Luis is a stud and I want to fight the studs, so this is a huge opportunity for me.”

Tickets for “CES MMA XXXII” are still available at $40.00, $55.00 and $100.00 and can be purchased online at www.cesmma.com, www.cagetix.com/ces, 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.

Also featured on the main card of “CES MMA XXXII,” reigning CES MMA Welterweight Champion Gil Freitas (18-5, 6 KOs) makes his first title defense in a five-round bout against Cincinnati’s Chris Curtis (12-4, 4 KOs), who aims to become the third Ohio-born fighter to capture one of the promotion’s titles, joining a list that includes UFC vets Lane and Dominique Steele.

Groton, Conn., heavyweight and four-time Bellator vet Josh Diekmann (15-6, 11 KOs), now in his 11th year as a pro, battles fellow knockout artist Ashley Gooch (8-4, 6 KOs) of Nashville, Tenn.; and rising featherweight Kyle Bochniak (5-0, 2 KOs) makes his second appearance on the televised main card as he puts his undefeated record on the line against Taylor Trahan (5-4) of St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Rounding out the main card is a featherweight showdown between unbeaten Manny Bermudez (3-0, 1 KO) of Abington, Mass., and Evan Parker (5-3, 1 KO) of nearby Worcester. None of Bermudez’s previous three opponents made it out of the first round and the 5-foot-6 submission specialist is looking to make it 4-for-4 against the game Parker, who choked out Pete Rogers Jr. in his CES MMA debut in June.

The preliminary card features five additional bouts. South Boston featherweight James Murrin (3-3, 2 KOs) faces Mak Kelleher (0-2) of upstate New York and Providence’s Keenan Raymond (2-2) battles newcomer Ryan Todd of Cortland, N.Y.

Also on the preliminary card, middleweights Pat McCrohan (1-0, 1 KO) of Beverly, Mass., and Boston’s Mike Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) put their unbeaten records and knockout streaks on the line against one another and flyweight David Baxter (1-0) of Bellingham, Mass., makes his CES MMA debut against newcomer Joshua Ricci of Whitesville, N.Y. Providence’s Nick Iaciofano (2-0, 1 KO) battles Luay Ashkar of Syracuse in a three-round flyweight bout.

For more information on “CES MMA XXXII” visit www.cesmma.com, follow @CESMMA on Twitter and Instagram and “like” the official CES MMA Facebook fan page.

LINCOLN, R.I. (Jan. 7th, 2016) – Listed below are weights for all the participants in Friday’s nationally televised “CES MMA XXXII” fight card live on AXS TV from Twin River Casino. Preliminary bouts begin at 7 p.m. with the televised main card scheduled for 10.

GIL DE FREITAS
Ludlow, Mass. (San Paulo, Brazil)
18-5, 6 KOs
171

CHRIS CURTIS
Cincinnati, Ohio
12-4, 4 KOs
170 ½

LUIS FELIX
Providence, R.I.
14-8, 5 KOs
160

RYAN SANDERS
Bangor, Maine
9-7, 1 KO
160

JOSH DIEKMANN
Groton, Conn.
15-6, 11 KOs
239

ASHLEY GOOCH
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
8-4, 6 KOs
262

KYLE BOCHNIAK
Gloucester, Mass.
5-0, 2 KOs
150

TAYLOR TRAHAN
Whitefield, N.H.
5-4
151 ½

KODY NORDBY
Cumberland, R.I.
5-3
144

DEREK SHOREY
Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
3-2, 2 KOs
145

MANNY BERMUDEZ
Abington, Mass.
3-0, 1 KO
145

EVAN PARKER
Worcester, Mass.
5-3, 1 KO
146

PAT MCCROHAN
Beverly, Mass.
1-0, 1 KO
185

MIKE RODRIGUEZ
Boston, Mass.
2-0, 2 KOs
186

NICK IACIOFANO
Providence, R.I.
2-0, 1 KO
124

LUAY ASHKAR
Syracuse, N.Y.
1-0, 1 KO
124

JAMES MURRIN
South Boston, Mass.
3-3, 2 KOs
144

MAK KELLEHER
Centereach, N.Y.
0-2
145

DAVID BAXTER
Bellingham, Mass.
1-0
126

JOSHUA RICCI
Whitesville, N.Y.
Pro debut
124

KEENAN RAYMOND
Providence, R.I.
2-2
172

RYAN TODD
Cortland, N.Y.
Pro debut
178

Hatton Promotions and Black Country Boxing are joining forces again in 2016 to bring more top class pugilism to the Midlands.

The promotional outfits hosted three successful events during the final months of last year and will pick up where they left off at Walsall Town Hall on Friday, 19th February with a nine fight card – jam-packed with undefeated boxers.

Topping the bill will be heavy-handed Halesowen favourite Lennox Clarke in an eagerly anticipated eight round battle with Harlow’s seasoned Richard Horton.

Clarke, 9-0 (3 KOs), has barely dropped a round since turning professional 26 months ago and is aiming to make 2016 a big year.

Horton, however, will be a stern test. The 34-year-old Essex man has won nine of 14 fights and has contested a title on less than three occasions.

On the undercard of ‘Undefeated’, Ricky Hatton-trained trio Nantwich’s Nathan Gorman (1-0), Market Harborough’s Reuben Arrowsmith (3-0) and Wednesbury’s Sam Evans (2-0) are back in action against as yet to be confirmed opponents.

Also appearing are West Bromwich heavyweight Matt Gordon (2-0), highly-rated Swadlincote prospect Zach Parker (3-0), Old Hill’s stylish Manny ‘Pac Man’ Zaber (3-0), Stoke’s Kieran McLaren (6-0) and Birmingham puncher Luke Heron (Walker) (2-0).

Tickets are priced at £30 (general admission) and £60 (VIP Ringside), and can be purchased by calling 0845 111 2900 or directly from any boxer on the bill.

London (7 January) – An exciting Latino fistic explosion between warriors Danny Garcia and Robert Guerrero will be screened exclusively live on BoxNation on Saturday 23 January.

Garcia, the former unified World Super-Lightweight Champion, and Guerrero, a former four weight World Champion, collide at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles, over twelve rounds in an expected thriller.

The addition of Garcia v Guerrero adds to a red-hot January on the Channel of Champions alongside top live domestic and international action with British Featherweight Champion Ryan Walsh (22 January) and the return of fearsome Russian Sergey Kovalev (30 January).

For the 31-fight unbeaten Garcia, of Puerto Rican decent, he’s taking the hard route to become a two-weight world champion by facing in only his second fight at welterweight, a hard and relentless adversary in Guerrero.

The 27-year-old big-hitter from Philadelphia vacated his titles last year to make the move up and knocked out former WBA World Welterweight Champion Paulie Malignaggi in nine rounds and is now ready to trade blows with his rival.

“Guerrero comes to fight, and he’s faced the best in the sport. This is a huge opportunity for me to show why I’m a star, and there’s no better place to do that than in Los Angeles, where stars are born.” Said Garcia.

All-action Mexican-American Guerrero, holds the edge over Garcia in rounds and has extended former pound-for-pound great Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Keith Thurman in world title challenges.

Coming back from the Thurman loss, 32-year-old Guerrero outpointed Aaron Martinez over ten rounds and is looking to get back to a winning run and towards a sixth world title. He’s anticipates a war with his Latino rival.

Guerrero, from Gilroy, California, said, “If there ever was a fight that defined the word ‘war,’ it’s this fight,” Guerrero said. “I guarantee this is going to be a historic fight. A Mexican-American vs. a Puerto Rican-American, it’s a bitter rivalry,”

“Danny Garcia is a great champion, and I know we’re going to put on a tremendous show January 23. It’s going to be fireworks—and I can’t wait!”

The action packed card will also include unbeaten welterweight prospect Sammy Vasquez Jr. facing hard veteran Aron Martinez, plus heavyweight hope Dominic Breazeale takes on Amir Mansour.

Jim McMunn, BoxNation Managing Director, said, “Garcia v Guerrero is the first live international fight on BoxNation of 2016 and we’re delighted to add this potential thriller to the January schedule for our subscribers. Ryan Walsh starts the year for us with his British Featherweight title defence against Darren Traynor and then the ferocious punching, top ten pound-for-pounder, Sergey Kovalev, ends the month defending his WBO/IBF/WBA World Light-Heavyweight titles against Jean Pascal. Then into February, we’re looking forward to the huge WBO World Lightweight title showdown between Terry Flanagan and Derry Matthews. It’s the start of another big year on the Channel of Champions and we’re excited to be delivering our subscribers even more live domestic and international action in the coming months.”

To subscribe to BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 525, Freeview 255, TalkTalk 415, online or app) for only £12 a month visit boxnation.com

– Ends –

About BoxNation

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

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.
The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at Livesport.tv and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

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

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

LOS ANGELES (January 7, 2016) – Undefeated lightweight Alejandro “El Charro” Luna (19-0, 14 KOs) will meet Mexico’s Alan Herrera (34-7, 22 KOs) in a 10-round bout as part of a full night of undercard action on Saturday, January 23 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

The event is headlined by the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FOX and FOX Deportes telecast that features three exciting contests in primetime. In the main event undefeated Danny “Swift” Garcia and former world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero battle in a 12-round welterweight bout. Preliminary action on FOX begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features undefeated rising star Sammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez taking on Los Angeles-native Aron Martinez, plus a matchup between heavyweights Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale and Amir “Hardcore” Mansour.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Swift Promotions, are priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com or by phone at 888-929-7849 or at STAPLES Center.

Additional undercard action features South Korea’s Min Wook Kim (12-1, 10 KOs) in a junior welterweight attraction and 22-year-old Mexican-American Luis Bello (6-3, 2 KOs) in a six-round lightweight bout.

Rounding out the exciting night of fights is the pro debut of Los Angeles’ Sergio Quiroz in a six-round super bantamweight affair, cousin of undefeated star Leo Santa Cruz, Antonio Santa Cruz (1-1, 1 KO) in a four-round bantamweight fight and Huntington Park, California’s Jose Gomez (4-0) in four-rounds of featherweight action.

At just 24-years old, Luna has already put together an impressive 19 professional wins since turning pro in 2010. Fighting out of Bellflower, California, he defeated former world champion Cristobal Cruz over eight rounds in June and knocked out Sergio Lopez in August to close his 2015. Before 2015 he had put together victories over experienced fighters Daniel Attah and Sergio Rivera while knocking out six of his last nine opponents.

Opposite Luna will be the battle-tested Herrera out of Sinaloa, Mexico. Herrera was featured in a 2014 Fight of the Year candidate in Pittsburgh against hometown favorite Monta Meza Clay. The outstanding two way action inside of the ring thrilled the electric crown and nationally televised audience as both men showed incredible bravery before the fight was stopped in the 10th and final round. Herrera has won his last two fights and is coming off of a knockout of Isaias Cabrera.

A pro since 2010, the 28-year-old Kim dropped his debut but has reeled off 13 wins since then. After fighting in his native South Korea and China for the first several years of his career, Kim knocked out Lizandro De Los Santos in Mexico in March before stopping Luis Alberto Pelayo in his U.S. debut in July.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.staplescenter.com and www.TGBPromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift @GhostBoxing, @SammyV2112, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes @STAPLESCenter, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter and www.facebook.com/foxsports, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX.

On Saturday night, Vincent Feigenbutz (21-1, 19 KOs) and Giovanni De Carolis (23-6, 11 KOs) renew their rivalry at the Baden-Arena in Offenburg, Germany, with the WBA World Super Middleweight title on the line.

Feigenbutz holds the advantage, having scored a narrow points victory over De Carolis in their fiercely contested first encounter, but despite his previous success, the 20 year-old from Karlsruhe is keen to provide a more conclusive finish to their World title rematch.

Speaking at today’s final pre-fight press conference, he said: ‘’We’ve not changed much in training, but this time I’m fully fit and will be able utilise all my power. I will be curious to see if Giovanni can withstand my punches. Of course, my main objective is to win and be crowned World Champion, but a knockout would be the icing on top!’’

It was Feigenbutz’s coach Hansi Brenner who attempted to provoke his protégé’s Italian opponent, likening their World title showdown to ‘Battle of the Teutoburg Forest’, which took place in 9AD and saw an alliance of Germanic tribes defeat an invading Roman army.

‘’2000 years after the ‘Battle of the Teutoburg Forest’, we have the ‘Battle of the Black Forest’,’’ said Brenner. ‘’Just as the Germans destroyed the Roman legions, Vincent will destroy Giovanni on Saturday night.’’

The provocation was lost on De Carolis, who responded: ‘’History may repeat itself – but not in the way Vincent and his team imagine. My form is outstanding, as Vincent will find out, and I’m ready for whatever he has to offer. I not only have Rome behind me, but the whole of Italy, and I will repay their support, by bringing the WBA World title home.’’

With victory at the Baden-Arena, Feigenbutz can become Germany’s youngest ever World Champion, a feat his manager Rainer Gottwald is confident he can achieve.

‘’The first fight with De Carolis did not go exactly as planned, but this time Vincent will show his true potential. I have no doubt; he will make history on Saturday night! Not only will he be the youngest German World Champion, but also the youngest Super Middleweight Champion of all time.’’

Promoter Kalle Sauerland is expecting another action-packed clash between the battling super middleweights and is eager to see how a fully fit Feigenbutz will fare against his Italian foe.

‘’Vincent and Giovanni’s first fight was one of the most exciting contests we’ve seen on German soil for a long time,’’ said Sauerland. ‘’In the US, many experts were describing it as the European fight of the year. If the rematch comes close to this, we are in for a real treat.

‘’Despite not being fully fit, Vincent showed tremendous fighting spirit in their first fight, but now, we will see what a healthy ‘Iron Jr’ can really do!’’

A stacked undercard sees top cruiserweight talent Noel Gevor (19-0, 10 KOs) defend his WBO International title against Valery Brudov (42-6, 28 KOs), and British heavyweight star Dereck Chisora (24-5, 16 KOs) return to Germany to face Hungary’s Andras Csomor (14-8-1, 12 KOs).

LOS ANGELES (January 7, 2016) – Undefeated prospect David Benavidez (11-0, 10 KOs) will take on Kevin Cobbs (10-1, 4 KOs) in eight rounds of super middleweight action as “Fight Week on FOX in L.A.” kicks off with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes on Tuesday, January 19 from Club Nokia at L.A. Live.

Televised coverage begins at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT and is headlined by undefeated prospect Jamal James (18-0, 9 KOs) taking on 2008 U.S. Olympian Javier “El Intocable” Molina (17-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight battle. PBC action continues on Saturday, January 23 with PBC on FOX and FOX Deportes beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT at STAPLES Center and headlined by Danny “Swift” Garcia taking on Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero.

Tickets for the January 19 event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced $50 and $35, not including applicable fees, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit AXS.com.

Also entering the ring is undefeated rising middleweight prospect Caleb Plant (11-0, 8 KOs), who will look to kick off 2016 in a big way when he battles Adasat Rodriguez (11-4-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight affair.

Further action features 25-year-old Malcolm McAllister (6-0, 6 KOs) in a six-round middleweight bout against Chicago’s Cerresso Fort (18-4-1, 12 KOs) and Philadelphia’s Thomas Velasquez (3-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round super featherweight bout.

Rounding out the night of fights is 26-year-old Ronald Mixon (5-0, 4 KOs) in a six-round light heavyweight contest and the pro debut of Ireland’s Con Sheehan ashe looks to build off of his stellar amateur career in a four-round heavyweight bout.

The younger brother of undefeated Jose Benavidez, David racked up a perfect 11 wins in 11 starts at just 19-years-old. Fighting out of Phoenix, Benavidez picked up four victories via stoppage in 2015 and most recently scored a sensational knockout over Felipe Romero in November. He will be opposed by the Burlington, Vermont-native Cobbs who enters this fight on a four-bout win streak.

A 2011 National Golden Gloves champion, Plant has begun to make his name in the professional ranks since turning pro in 2014. Last year, the 23-year-old picked up six victories including hard fought triumphs over Jamar Freeman in September and Tyrone Brunson in October. Fighting out of Nashville, he will battle the 28-year-old Rodriguez of Islas Canarias, Spain.

# # #

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com and www.TGBPromotions.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @JamesShango, @JavierMolina562 @TGBPromotions, @FS1, @FOXDeportes, @VENUE and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

Dublin born Jamie ‘The Nuisance’ Kavanagh, childhood friend of UFC sensation Conor McGregor, can’t wait to fight in front of his hometown crowd again when he returns to the National Stadium on Saturday 6th February.

Red hot Kavanagh, who racked up over 180 wins in his amateur career, walked into Dublin’s Crumlin Boxing Gym at the tender age of 10 and never looked back. It was here that the 25 year-old first trained and sparred alongside Irish megastar Conor ‘The Notorious’ McGregor.

“His fighting skill is brilliant but I think his mind set in what he does both inside and outside the octagon is inspirational,” said Kavanagh.

“The way he dominates his opponents mentally and physically is something that I look up to and I’ll be looking to implement that into my game. Half of the time he has his opponents beaten before they’ve even had the weigh-in.”

Thousands of Irish fans flocked to Las Vegas to witness McGregor dispose of Jose Aldo in just 14 seconds and Kavanagh is hoping he’ll receive similar support on his return to Dublin. After five years learning his craft as a pro in the gyms of the US west coast, the former world youth silver medallist is looking to make a name for himself in Dublin.

He said: “There’s no better bunch to be fighting in front of. I can’t wait to get back over there, the reception I received last time was out of this world. It’s my hometown so that’s where I want to base myself, If I’m going to build a following anywhere Dublin is where it’s going to be.”

“Conor is probably the biggest fighter in the world right now, the Irish people have really taken to him and the support he receives is incredible. Having a crowd get behind you can make a hell of a difference so I’m hoping there’s going to be another big turnout for my fight.”

Kavanagh aims to kick off his 2016 campaign with another explosive win when he fights over six rounds in an international lightweight contest against an opponent to be announced and the Irishman is excited for the year ahead.

He added: “I’m feeling in top condition ahead of my next fight, I’ve been working a bit with Mark Tibbs recently focusing on my groundwork. 2016 is all about progressing and launching myself on to that next level.

Ticket prices are from €25, €40, €60, €80, €100 and €150 and are on sale at www.tickets.ie

The Channel Of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, Freeview 255 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com Or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Jan. 7th, 2016) — Chris Curtis has had several chances at his “big break” in mixed martial arts, but something always got in the way, whether it was an untimely injury or his own stubborn insistence on upholding the tough-guy bravado often associated with combat sports.

As he approaches his 29th birthday later this year, Curtis (12-4, 4 KOs) is ready for another shot at the breakthrough victory every fighter dreams of when he faces hard-hitting CES MMA Welterweight Champion Gil Freitas (18-5, 6 KOs) live Friday night on AXS TV on the main card of “CES MMA XXXII” at Twin River Casino.

“I firmly believe this is going to be my big opportunity, if not with this fight, then shortly thereafter” said Curtis, a Cincinnati, Ohio native with 16 pro fights and nearly a decade’s worth of experience under his belt.

“This is huge. Fighting on AXS TV? This is what you want as a fighter. CES MMA is known nationwide. They’re now everywhere as a feeder to the UFC now. This is going to be my big step.”

Having been down this road before, Curtis is better equipped to handle the pressure of fighting on the sport’s biggest stage. He describes himself a reformed “headcase” who used to train nonstop, ignoring his body whenever it told him to take him a break.

“It was always, ‘Go, go, go!'” he said. “Then I’d end up with injuries. I always felt I had to outwork the other guy. Now I realize I’m a human being, not a cartoon character. Your body has limits.

“I’m older and wiser now. I understand there are times you need to take a day off. The holidays this year, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, were light for me. I should be 100 percent healthy for this fight for the first time in a long time.”

Two years ago, Curtis got the call to participate in Bellator’s short-lived reality television series, Fight Master, with the winner advancing to the promotion’s welterweight tournament. As always, Curtis trained hard, probably to the point of exhaustion, then tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee just three days before his first fight while stuffing a takedown in practice.

“Story of my life,” he said.

With limited mobility, Curtis lost his first and only fight to Eric Scallan and never advanced past the entry round, but his reunion with former foe Tom Gallicchio, who happened to be one of the 32 fighters competing to make it on Fight Master, led to a career-changing move.

Gallicchio, a member of Team Quest MMA who fought and defeated Curtis in 2011, constantly pressed Curtis to train with him in California. When he got the call from CES MMA to fight for a title on national TV, Curtis took him up on his offer and actually moved in with Gallicchio this recent during training camp to prepare for Friday’s showdown with Freitas.

It was a real-life Rocky Balboa-Apollo Creed storyline, two fighters who once stood toe-to-toe against one another now working with each other thousands of miles away from their comfort zone to take down a seemingly invincible opponent, a description that suits Freitas to a T these days. It was also a chance for Curtis to broaden his horizons beyond the city limits of Cincinnati.

“This was important career-wise for me,” Curtis said. “I need to be around guys as hungry as I am. When you train together with the same people every day it becomes routine. It becomes a habit. It’s just too familiar. It’s like being a big fish in a small pond.

“Going out there to California in a room of high-caliber guys you don’t know, that’s what sharpens you as a fighter. It’s like taking the ax to that iron and sharpening it. It was a painful, but awesome, experience.”

As for Freitas, the Brazilian welterweight now training with Team Link out of Ludlow, Mass., he’s become a household name in recent months with two overpowering wins on AXS TV, knocking out George Sheppard in August and submitting Chip Pollard in October.

Once the best-kept secret in regional MMA, Freitas is no longer an unknown commodity. His raw power – two knockout wins in his last three fights with CES MMA – is a frightening proposition for anyone who stands on the other side of that cage, but Curtis doesn’t’ seem too concerned about winding up on the receiving end of a hard right hand.

“He’s a dangerous guy, but it’s not 1996 anymore. Everyone has power. Everyone is technical,” he said. “I’m not afraid of anyone’s power. I’ve always fought guys who hit hard, but I know my own ability. I can stand toe-to-toe with anybody.”

Stopping short of making any predictions, Curtis added, “Watch me fight and watch Gil fight. We’re not going 25 minutes. He doesn’t want to hang around for 25 minutes and neither do I.”

In addition to dethroning Freitas on live television, Curtis also has the opportunity to add another chapter to a strange statistical anomaly by becoming the third Ohio-born fighter to win a CES MMA title, joining a list that includes UFC vets Julian Lane and Dominique Steele. Perhaps one day he can add that elusive prefix to his name, too. He’s as ready as he’ll ever be.

Tickets for “CES MMA XXXII” are priced at $40.00, $55.00, $100.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and available for purchase online at www.cesmma.com, www.cagetix.com/ces, 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.

The main event features a lightweight showdown between reigning CES MMA Lightweight Champion Luis Felix (14-8, 5 KOs) of Providence, R.I., and Bellator vet Ryan Sanders (9-7, 1 KO) of Bangor, Maine, in a three-round non-title bout.

Also featured on the main card of “CES MMA XXXII,” Groton, Conn., heavyweight and four-time Bellator vet Josh Diekmann (15-6, 11 KOs), now in his 11th year as a pro, battles fellow knockout artist Ashley Gooch (8-4, 6 KOs) of Nashville, Tenn.

Rising featherweight Kyle Bochniak (5-0, 2 KOs) makes his second appearance on the televised main card as he puts his undefeated record on the line against Taylor Trahan (5-4) of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and undefeated bantamweight Rico DiSciullo (5-0, 2 KOs) of Peabody, Mass., faces 21-fight vet Lionel Young (6-15) of Boston.

The preliminary card features six additional bouts, starting with a featherweight showdown between unbeaten Manny Bermudez (3-0, 1 KO) of Abington, Mass., and Evan Parker (5-3, 1 KO) of nearby Worcester. None of Bermudez’s previous three opponents made it out of the first round and the 5-foot-6 submission specialist is looking to make it 4-for-4 against the game Parker, who choked out Pete Rogers Jr. in his CES MMA debut in June. South Boston featherweight James Murrin (3-3, 2 KOs) faces Mak Kelleher (0-2) of upstate New York and Providence’s Keenan Raymond (2-2) battles newcomer Ryan Todd of Cortland, N.Y.

Also on the preliminary card, middleweights Pat McCrohan (1-0, 1 KO) of Beverly, Mass., and Boston’s Mike Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) put their unbeaten records and knockout streaks on the line against one another and flyweight David Baxter (1-0) of Bellingham, Mass., makes his CES MMA debut against newcomer Joshua Ricci of Whitesville, N.Y. Providence’s Nick Iaciofano (2-0, 1 KO) battles Luay Ashkar of Syracuse in a three-round flyweight bout.

For more information on “CES MMA XXXII” visit www.cesmma.com, follow @CESMMA on Twitter and Instagram and “like” the official CES MMA Facebook fan page.

India’s boxing superstar Vijender Singh is excited to fight in the city of his heroes for the first time on Saturday 13th February.

Undefeated middleweight Singh, who has won all his three fights by knockout inside three rounds, has his first fight of the year at the Liverpool Echo Arena and is looking to putting on another explosive performance at the birthplace of his idols – The Beatles.

Whilst boxers usually look to the sport’s legends like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard or greats like Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya for inspiration, the 30-year-old from Bhiwani, Haryana, says John, Paul, Ringo and George are his icons.

And while Singh is priming himself for action at the Echo Arena, his first port of call in the city will be the legendary Cavern Club on Mathews Street.

“When I turned professional in England I hoped that I would one day fight in Liverpool and fight at the birthplace of my heroes, now that dream will come true on February 13,” Said Singh.

“I love the Beatles music since I was a child back home and my parents are big fans of their music and I believe that my grandparents went to see them when they came to India in the late 1960s so growing up I remember all the hits Hey Jude, Yesterday, All You Need Is Love, Let It Be, Penny Lane, Here Comes The Sun, I love it all!”

“I can’t wait to get to Liverpool, I’ve never fought in the city before as an amateur so now I will get my chance to get down to the Cavern Club finally. Madison Square Garden may be the home of boxing, but for me I have to get to the Cavern Club!”

“I admired boxing legends like Ali and Sugar Ray growing up, but they were never really my heroes, The Beatles however were the centre of my life growing up, I wanted to be a rock star! We’ll I’m rocking opponents in the ring now!”

Hotshot Singh aims to kick off his 2016 campaign in knockout style when he fights over six rounds in an international contest against an opponent to be announced and the 2008 Olympic Bronze Medallist is excited for the year ahead.

He added, “I ended the year in great style and now I’m looking to begin it in the same fashion by knocking out whoever is put in front of me. This is an important year for me to continue developing and getting in more ring experience, but I’m looking to bring the excitement as well.”

Ticket for ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150* and are available from:

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk

Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com

Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk

A special V.I.P ticket priced at £250* that includes an inner ringside V.I.P seat, lanyard, complimentary beer, wine and soft drink (between a certain time period) and canapés are available to purchase through the Frank Warren Box Office office only on 01992 505 550.

The Channel Of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, Freeview 255 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com Or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

*Tickets are subject to a booking fee.

LAS VEGAS (January 6, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today a trio of preliminary card bouts that will complete its lineup for WSOF27 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan. 23, live on NBCSN at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The three preliminary card bouts will stream live on an embeddable video player on WSOF.com and precede the four-fight, live NBCSN telecast that will be headlined by a lightweight (155 pounds) showdown between rival stars Mike “The Martian” Ricci (11-4) of Montreal, Quebec, Canada and Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-4) of Kirkland, Wash.

Topping the undercard bill will be a welterweight (170 pounds) matchup between Wade “The Hammer” Johnson and Justin Hartley.

The 25-year-old Johnson (9-1) of Bradford, Ark. is looking to notch his third consecutive victory after scoring a quick, first round (1:30) TKO (punches) on Lawrence Purifoy on September 26.

Hartley (3-1) of Nashville, Tenn. is seeking his second straight win following a second round (4:42) submission (rear-naked choke) of Sedric Johnson on June 20. To date, all of Hartley’s wins have come by way of submission.

In one of two lightweight (155 pounds) preliminary card contests, Zach “Thunderwood” Underwood (13-6) of Memphis will take on Jason Williams (4-7) of Columbus, Miss. while, in the other, Alvin Williams (2-2) of Memphis will collide with Wes Sharp (0-1) of Fayetteville, Ark.

Tickets for WSOF27 start at just $39.99, and are on sale at WSOF.com, all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com, the FedExForum Box Office, or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

In the light heavyweight (205 pounds) co-main event, heavy-handed finisher Teddy Holder (9-2) of Bartlett, Tenn. will battle undefeated Shamil Gamzatov (9-0) of Makhachkala, Russia.

Gamzatov, the number two ranked light heavyweight in the Ukraine, has yet to be taken past the second round of a fight, while Holder has earned all nine of his professional career wins by way of (T)KO or submission.

For more information, visit fedexforum.com, ‘like’ FedExForum on Facebook or follow on Twitter (@FedExForum).

MAIN CARD

Lightweight Main Event: Caros Fodor vs. Mike Ricci
Light Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Teddy Holder vs. Shamil Gamzatov
Welterweight Bout: Jaleel Willis vs. Chauncey Foxworth
Featherweight Bout: Jorge Medina vs. Bryce Mitchell

PRELIMINARY CARD

Welterweight: Justin Hartley vs. Wade Johnson
Lightweight: Zach Underwood vs. Jason Williams
Lightweight: Alvin Williams vs. Wes Sharp

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a worldwide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters 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.

Las Vegas – UFC® today announced Nakisa Bidarian as the organization’s new Chief Financial Officer effective January 4, 2016. Formerly UFC’s Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Ventures, Bidarian will now focus on key financial initiatives, strategic goals, and supporting the organization’s overall growth by guiding business decisions and analyzing their financial components.

“Nakisa has been a key contributor to UFC’s success throughout the last four years since he joined the organization,” UFC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lorenzo Fertitta said. “His diverse finance and strategy experience, coupled with the impact he has had with the organization, make him an ideal candidate for the CFO position.”

“I’m excited and humbled to accept this new opportunity with UFC,” Bidarian said. “The organization is coming off a record year in 2015, and I am confident that the finance, accounting and strategy teams will continue to deliver at the highest level and help to take the organization to new heights.”

Bidarian was formerly responsible for Group Strategy which includes Corporate Development, Strategic Planning, Research, Analytics, and several joint ventures, including UFC GYM. Under his leadership, UFC made significant strides in improving internal processes to improve its operating model. Bidarian has also championed the evolution of UFC’s people management practices, ensuring the organization continues to invest in its team members.

Prior to joining UFC, Bidarian led international real estate and hospitality investment and asset management for Mubadala Development Company, a multi-billion dollar sovereign investment company. Before Mubadala, he was an investment banker at Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, specializing in merger and acquisitions. Beginning his career at Accenture, Bidarian advised global financial institutions on financial and performance management. Bidarian received a Bachelor of Arts degree in financial economics from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Business Administration from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, where he graduated as a Tuck Scholar.

About UFC®

UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, 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 158 countries and territories to over one billion TV households worldwide in 21 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service that is available throughout the world with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

The $100 Million lawsuit that Top Rank has against manager Al Haymon will go on as a court decided not to throw out the case according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The Court concludes that the issues raised by the Haymon Defendants with respect to Top Rank’s federal antitrust claims are more appropriately resolved on a motion for summary judgment,” Judge John F. Walter wrote.

“I’m delighted with the ruling, but I don’t want to discuss it any further,” Top Rank’s Bob Arum told ESPN.com.

You do not want to miss Opening Night of Fight Club OC Year #6 on Thursday, February 18th in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center. Fight fans will be treated to All Americans… European Champions… And three undefeated boxers.

Lets start with two 10 round bouts featuring two undefeated fighters with credentials to back it up. It will be 5-0 heavyweight Sergey Kuzman tentatively set to face tough 6-5 Avery Gibson in one 10 rounder. Kuzman is a former European heavyweight champion and has a win over 2008 Olympic gold medalist Roberto Cammarelle. The second 10 round bout features a boxer who many are calling the next light heavyweight champion of the world in 6-0 Dmitry Bivol. Bivol just won the WBA Inter Continental Title on November 4th with a KO win over Junior Jackson. He is currently the 35th ranked light heavyweight in the world!

Plus, getting back to its roots of featuring local fighters, the February 18th show will feature the pro debut of Anaheim’s featherweight Carlos Gonzalez and Santa Ana’s tough prospect 8-1 Max Berrera. Gonzalez, who is managed by David Serna will face another pro debut boxer in Guadalupe Arroyo who trains out of Grampa’s Gym in Garden Grove. Berrera will take on a tough 3-1 Alejandro Osuna out of Mexico.

Also on the boxing side of the show, it will be “The Fight of the Night from our December 3rd show” in a rematch, when 6-0 Ruslan Madiyev faces Thomas Herrera but this time it will be for six rounds and Herrera is out to put the first loss on Madiyev who is trained by Abel Sanchez. This was a war in December and it will be fireworks in February!

Not to be overshadowed FCOC will feature two mixed martial arts bouts that will be about as good as it gets! Let’s start with former NCAA All Americam wrestler Ryan Lang, who after a hiatus from the cage will be back in action bringing his 4-1 record against 8-6 Justin Governale who is an active Marine out of Camp Pendleton. Lang was a two time All American wrestler out of Northwestern, All Big 10 three years running, and finished second in the NCAA Championships in 2007. The other MMA bout will be all Orange County as Christian Gonzalez out of Santa Ana will be making his pro debut against Huntington Beach’s 0-1 Joe Cisneros.

SEASON SEATS AVAILABLE FOR 2016… If you want to ensure yourself of the best available seats before they go on sale to the public on February 1st plus FREE PARKING, getting Season Seats is the way to go! To receive a 2016 Fight Club OC Season Seat Invoice email Drew Englebrecht at fightpromotions@gmail.com. Remember you get Free Parking with your Season Seats.

February 18th
Doors – 6:30pm – First Bout – 7:00pm
88 Fair Dr

East End entertainer Sam McNess is gunning for his third consecutive professional victory when he takes on Yousef Al Hamidi at Bethnal Green’s York Hall on Friday 22nd January, exclusively live on BoxNation.

The 23 year-old, an avid West Ham fan, made an explosive debut at York Hall back in July when he stopped Aaron Robinson inside the first round. He followed his impressive debut with a points victory against Kevin McCauley at Harrow Leisure Centre.

Born in Whitechapel and trained by Mark Tibbs, McNess is confident of big things in 2016. First up is Al Hamidi and McNess is confident of another victory.

He said: “I’ve made a solid start to my professional career and I’m looking to really push on this year. 2016 will be all about keeping busy, upping my rounds and gaining as much experience as I can,”

“I’ve been training with Mark Tibbs for a while now, Mark and his dad are probably the most knowledgeable team in British boxing so I’m in a really privileged position.”

McNess, who is tipped as one of the most exciting prospects to come out of London, joined Billy Joe Saunders for two weeks at his training camp in Marbella ahead the Hatfield star’s world title fight against Andy Lee last month.

He added, “It was a brilliant experience for me, I learnt so much in the two weeks I spent out there. One day I hope to be in his shoes so it was really inspiring being involved in a training camp for a world title fight,”

“Everything Billy did, I did. While I was out there I stayed in Billy Joe’s apartment with Jimmy Tibbs. We trained at the same time, we ate at the same time and we rested at the same time, it was a real learning curve. I gained so much just from being in that environment.”

“He’s done it the hard way, I hope he keeps the belt for as long as possible. I’d like to see him involved in some big fights in 2016, I know there’s a possibility of a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr and Gennady Golovkin is another name I’ve seen mentioned, it’s going to be a big year for the both of us that’s for sure.”

Headlining the show is Ryan Walsh making the first defence of his British Featherweight title against Darren Trayner. Chief support on the card sees Dulwich’s Ahmet Patterson face Ryan Aston for the Vacant IBF Intercontinental Super-Welterweight Championship; on the undercard Erith super-bantamweight Lewis Pettitt makes his comeback; Dagenham lightweight talent Ediz Hussein competes in a six rounder; West Ham super-welterweight Sam McNess; Chelmsford super-middleweight Billy Long; Chingford lightweight Archie Sharp; West Ham super-lightweight Ben Smith and Sidcup super-featherweight D.P Carr.

Tickets priced at £40 and £60 are available from Ticket Master at www.ticketmaster.co.uk and 0844 844 0444

For media accreditation please go to www.frankwarren.com and go to the events page to apply.

The Channel Of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com Or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

HOUSTON, TX (January 6, 2016) – As he enters the final week of training camp, Houston’s undefeated featherweight star, Miguel Flores (18-0, 9 KOs), took time during camp to give his thoughts on his upcoming showdown with Mario Briones (27-4-2, 20 KOs). The scheduled 10-round bout will serve as the main event on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes on January 12 from the Dancehall in San Antonio (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT).

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions, are priced at $100, $70, $38 and $20 and $650 for VIP tables, $260 for balcony tables and $200 for stage tables, before taxes and fees and are on sale now. To purchase tickets call Leija Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302, visit www.leijabattahpromo.com/tickets or buy online at http://lbtickets.ticketleap.com/.

Here is what Flores had to say about training, his opponent and more:

On his relationship with longtime coach Aaron Navarro:

“Aaron is an unbelievable coach and mentor. I’ve been with him since I first laced up a pair of gloves at age 8. He knows how to push me while getting the best out of what God has blessed me with. Together we make a great team and I have a great deal of respect for him. He’s one of the best trainers in boxing.”

On fighting in the main event on TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS:

“This is another wonderful opportunity for me to show everyone that I can fight at the top level. I’m very grateful to FOX Sports for showcasing me in the main event. Anyone who’s seen me fight knows I like to fight toe-to-toe. Against Briones, it will be no different. I’m coming to bring an exciting fight to everyone who’ll be watching.”

On his current training camp:

“Training camp is never fun. The grind is grueling but well worth it when I look back on all the hard work, especially when I’m victorious. I had a tremendous amount of good sparring with some very good fighters. In addition, I’m in great shape, and I’m prepared to go the distance if the fight goes into the later rounds. I’m very hungry and my goal to win a world title is not far away.”

On his matchup with Mexico’s Mario Briones:

“Anytime you’re up against a fighter from Mexico you know you’re in for a tough fight. Briones is a veteran of over 30 fights so I know he’s got some tricks up his sleeve. I’m expecting a very rugged fight but one I feel I can win. The fans are going to see a classic Mexican war.”

On fighting in his home state of Texas:

“Being that I’m from Houston, I love fighting in Texas where all my family and friends can attend and watch me fight. San Antonio is not that far away from home so I’m expecting a nice hometown crowd to be there in the stands. I’m looking to make a statement and represent Texas to the fullest.”

LOS ANGELES (January 6, 2016) – In its latest move to pursue the best in boxing, Golden Boy Promotions has added undefeated WBC Interim Latino and WBA Fedecentro Welterweight Champion Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (14-0, 11 KOs) of Lynn, Massachusetts and USA national boxing team phenom Niko “Baby Face” Valdes of Miami, Florida as the newest members of its top-notch stable of fighters.

“Golden Boy Promotions is kicking off the New Year by adding new, top talent to our stable with Rashidi Ellis and Niko Valdes,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “We are committed to developing top talent to become boxing’s future champions, and will look to do just that with the addition of Ellis and Valdes to the Golden Boy family.”

“I am glad to be part of the Golden Boy Promotions team,” said Rashidi Ellis. “Being part of a such a great organization that prides itself on putting on the best fights in the industry really gives me confidence that they will take my career to the next level. My dream is to become a world champion and with Golden Boy at my side I know that opportunity is now a possibility.”

“It feels great,” said Niko Valdes. “Since I started boxing, all I wanted was to sign with Golden Boy Promotions. The fact that the opportunity presented itself right away, right when I decided to become a professional boxer is crazy to me. They’re the first real promotion that I noticed. They’re very professional, clean-cut and I’ve always wanted to be at the Golden Boy Promotions standard of boxing.”

A swift and ferocious striker, the undefeated Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis has repeatedly showcased his skills to audiences, most recently with a fourth-round technical knockout victory in Puerto Rico over Victor “Pambele” Gonzalez in March 2015 to claim the vacant WBA Fedecentro and the WBC Interim Latin Welterweight titles. Ellis won his three previous fights via technical knockout, defeating Joseph De los Santos and Joananthony Vazquez in Puerto Rico and Jose Martinez in the Dominican Republic. Later in 2015, Ellis played a key part in the training camp of Golden Boy Promotions fighter and now WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez. The 22-year-old Ellis trained with Canelo as a sparring partner in preparation for Alvarez’s November 21 super fight against Miguel Cotto. After “Speedy” put Alvarez to the test with his notoriously fast fists in training camp, Alvarez defeated Cotto via unanimous decision.

A fearless fighter and eager learner, the 22-year-old Valdes quickly ascended the national ranks after he began boxing four and a half years ago. The light heavyweight southpaw won the Florida Golden Gloves state championship four times and claimed bronze at the National Golden Gloves. Valdes also fought in Belgium and rose to become the no. 1 ranked fighter in the country at 178 lbs. In the United States, Valdes is ranked third among amateur light heavyweights, also winning bronze at the USA Boxing National Championships in 2014. While proud of his national accomplishments, “Baby Face” finds himself hungry for more as he makes the jump to the professional level of boxing.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya @RashidiEllis and @NixNex101, a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing @OscarDeLaHoya @RashidiEllis and @BabyFace_Niko.