MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – (March 23, 2023) – World cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie came face to face with David Light in Manchester today at the pre-fight press conference ahead of this Saturday’s clash at the AO Arena Manchester, which will air live on Sky Sports.

<CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD PHOTOS>Credit to BOXXER / Lawrence Lustig

Light has battled his way to the mandatory challenger position for this shot at Okolie’s WBO title. Both fighters are undefeated, which means one of them will lose his ‘0’ this weekend.

Okolie (18-0, 14 KO’s) says the loser of the bout will become “irrelevant” and confidently expects that to be New Zealand man Light, while Light (20-0, 12 KO’s) is revelling in his underdog status and promising the upset.

Olympic standouts Karriss Artingstall (2-0) and Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KO’s) – both of whom won bronze medals at the 2020 Olympics – also compete this weekend in the next bouts of their nascent professional careers.

Clarke had been due to face American veteran Rydell Booker but now has a late change of opponent due to Booker falling ill. 

The slot has gone to towering Romanian special forces soldier Bogdan Dinu (20-4, 16 KO’s), who challenged for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title last year and has also faced former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev in 2019.

Also facing off at today’s press conference were local favourite Michael Gomez Jr (18-1, 5 KO’s) son of Manchester boxing legend Michael Gomez, and his undefeated rival Levi Giles (13-0, 3 KO’s). The two are competing for the vacant English Super-Featherweight Championship.

Here’s what today’s press conference participants had to say:

LAWRENCE OKOLIE

“He’s coming to win, [which] sets you up for a lot of openings. But you don’t get to this position by overlooking people, ever.

“It’s a nice safe place to hide behind being the underdog. When I see him I know what he really is. I’m prepared for what he may bring and will do what I need to do.

“I am going to be matching him and overmatching him for pressure and power from round one.

“Saturday’s going to come. One of us is going to win and the other one’s going to become irrelevant. So I’m looking forward to it.”

DAVID LIGHT

“I’m not here on somebody’s else’s terms… I’ve earned the shot. I’m coming to win. I know he’s a proud man and he’s going to defend with everything he’s got.

“I could have taken this fight a few years ago, for the money, but I am not here for the money – I’m here for the title.”

BEN SHALOM, BOXXER PROMOTER + CEO

“This is a serious fight, a proper world-title fight. It’s someone who has earned his position, not someone we have chosen and not necessarily someone we would choose for [Okolie’s] first fight after a year out, with a new trainer on a new platform. 

“We know David Light is tough, durable and can punch. We know he’s always fighting on the front foot and he’s going to stick it on Lawrence on Saturday night. There’s a lot of pressure on Lawrence to prove to everyone who he is, why we believe he’s the best cruiserweight in the world.

“He’s got to be able to deal with David Light. I’m very excited for it, I think we’re in for an absolute treat and we’re certainly not overlooking David Light.” 

MATT ROSE, DAVID LIGHT’S PROMOTER 

“He knows how to go into people’s backyards and win, that’s one thing he’s really good at. He’s based in New Zealand, he comes to Australia and wins, he goes to the US and wins. I know his trainer Isaac Peach has put a great game-plan together and I’ve told Ben Shalom we’re here to spoil the party.”

MICHAEL GOMEZ JR 

“I’ll punch you up now,” Gomez told Giles directly.

“I don’t know anything about him. Saturday night we’ll find out who he is. 

“I’m just going to punch his face in. I’m just going to go in there, stick it on him and see how good he is.

LEVI GILES

“I do my talking in the ring. It’s a good test for me, see where I’m at.

“We know what he brings. Forward, one dimensional. We know what he’s going to bring and we know how to deal with it.”

KARRISS ARTINGSTALL

“Her throwing her shots is going to leave more openings for me so I’m going to find my shots as well.”

“I am a level above [her] – two levels, if anything! – and I’ll show that on Saturday.”

LINZI BUCZYNSKYJ

“I just wanted the opportunity to show everyone on a big stage what I can actually do. I’m not scared to take any fight. I’ll fight anyone at any time on any stage.

“I have got the experience. She’s the one that’s got everything to prove.”

FRAZER CLARKE

“Unfortunately, Rydell Booker had to pull out of the fight. He had a medical problem and best wishes to him, we hope he gets better soon. But we’ve got a new opponent, Bogdan Dinu, he’s a credible opponent, who’s boxed some great names. It’s a good fight for me and I’m looking forward to it.”

“This is heavyweight boxing. It’s dangerous. Especially this guy at short notice. It’s up to me to be professional, which I am, go in there and do my job. I’m looking forward to it.

“It doesn’t matter who’s getting in with me at the weekend. I feel confident, I’m fit and strong. I’m ready to do a job.”

LONDON, England – Wednesday, March 22 – BOXXER, the next generation boxing promotion, will warm up British boxing fans before the summer with three sizzling shows, stacked with some of the UK’s leading prize fighters – including its first-ever stadium show on home soil.

The headline news begins with BOXXER’s first-ever UK stadium show on Bank Holiday Weekend in May, as BOXXER heads back to Bournemouth for another blistering battle on the beach on Saturday, May 27, headlined by hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KO’s). 

It takes place at the 15,000-capacity Vitality Stadium – home of Premier League football team AFC Bournemouth. An opponent for diehard Cherries supporter Billam-Smith will be revealed next Monday at a press conference in London (details to media will follow this week) in a main event that promises to be one of the fights of the year. 

“I think it will be an amazing event and an amazing show. To become number one in my division by winning at my team’s ground would be a dream. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. There’s been a lot of special moments there. Hopefully I can create another one,” said Billam-Smith.

And domestic cruiserweight quality will occupy the chief support slot on the South Coast with Mikael Lawal (17-0, 11 KO’s) making his first defence of the British Cruiserweight Championship he won by stopping David Jamieson in November.

Standing opposite him will be Isaac Chamberlain (14-2, 8 KO’s), making his second trip to Bournemouth following his unsuccessful attempt to take the Commonwealth and European cruiserweight belts from Billam-Smith in July last year.

Further fights will be announced in due course, along with ticket news for fight fans.

BOXXER’s terrific trio of electrifying events kicks off with ‘Crowning Glory’ on Saturday, May 6th at the Resorts World Arena, Birmingham when newly-announced BOXXER signing Joshua Buatsi (16-0, 13 KO’s) makes his eagerly-anticipated promotional debut. 

On the day King Charles III is coronated, the former British light-heavyweight champion – who is ranked No.1 in the world by the WBA – faces Pawel Stepien (18-0-1, 12 KO’s) in the headline bout and looks to end his Polish rival’s undefeated record in emphatic fashion as he kicks off his conquest for a world title.

In big news, generational prodigy Ben Whittaker (2-0, 1 KO’s) will make his long-awaited return to the ring in home city of Birmingham.The enigmatic 2020 Olympic silver medallist has already captured fans’ hearts and imaginations with his stunning skills, entertaining showboating style and inhuman reflexes – and he’ll be looking to come back with a bang for what will be his third professional outing.

BOXXER’s first visit to the UK’s second city will also feature Birmingham man Tyler Denny (16-2-3) defending his English middleweight championship in his home city. Denny won the belt in Coventry in June last year and will be making his third defence in this May bout with an opponent to be confirmed.

And Team GB golden girl Lauren Price MBE (3-0, 1 KO) – the nation’s most decorated amateur fighter of all-time – will return, fresh from her impressive victory away from home in Paris where she outclassed Naomi Mannes.

On Saturday, June 10 we head to London where new school meets old school as the incredible Adam Azim (8-0, 6 KOs) competes at the historic York Hall which holds a special place in British boxing folklore.

Azim, 20, has been heralded as a future world champion and last month overcame Santos Reyes at Wembley’s OVO Arena to extend his incredible, unbeaten start to life as a professional fighter.

BOXXER Founder and CEO, Ben Shalom, said: “We are excited to announce phase one of what is a huge schedule coming up for BOXXER and Sky Sports.

“It’s amazing to see new headliners get to the top, new marquee signings start with us and the return of fighters from injury. It really is going to be a groundbreaking few months with career-defining fights and huge nights.

“A special thanks to Joe Ashford-Ellis and AFC Bournemouth for making everything possible for us to stage our first-ever UK stadium show – and a first for the Premier League club too.”

For further details on tickets and event news, head to BOXXER.com

These events will be presented in association with official partners Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

LAS VEGAS – March 22, 2023 – Undefeated former two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavídez and former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant officially kicked off fight week events Wednesday with open media workouts before they meet in the SHOWTIME PPV main event this Saturday, March 25 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The media workout also featured fighters competing on the pay-per-view telecast including unbeaten rising stars Jesus “Mono” Ramos and Joey Spencer, who meet in the co-main event, rising lightweight contenders Chris “Primetime” Colbert and Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela, who duel in a lightweight showdown, and welterweight contenders Cody Crowley and Abel Ramos, who square off in the pay-per-view telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased HERE through AXS.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from MGM Grand:

DAVID BENAVIDEZ

“This is a dream come true. There’s a lot at stake in this fight. I’ve been wanting an opportunity like this for a long, long time. The time is right, right now. This is the best time to make this fight happen. I’m ready to give the fans what they want to see. I’m going for the knockout on Saturday.

“I have tremendous power. Everybody I hit, get hurt. I end up breaking them down little by little. This is the most focused I’ve ever been for a fight. I know Caleb Plant is going to be a hard fighter moving around a lot. But whatever he brings to the table, I’m going to be ready for it. I’m looking for that knockout and I’m going to get it.

“I just want to push myself. This is pay-per-view. I want to be in the limelight. I want to continue having pay-per-view fights and to do that, I have to push and get the knockout. But I’m not going to go in there just throwing wild shots. I’m going to be very calculated. This is the best I’ve ever felt mentally, physically and emotionally. I was already a monster before, but Caleb Plant brought the ‘Mexican Monster’ out of me.

“It’s a dream come true to headline a SHOWTIME PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Just coming in here and seeing my face all over the place and the ring in the entrance to the MGM Grand, I used to see that when Manny Pacquiao used to fight here. I used to tell myself that I’m going to get there one day. Now the day has come. It’s my turn to give these fans what they want to see and to be a pay-per-view star.

“I’m going to show what I’ve always shown. That I’m a monster and I can’t be stopped.”

CALEB PLANT

“I’m super excited. Thanks to all the fans showing up today. This is a big fight. Exactly what the fans want and what boxing needs. So, make sure you tune in Saturday because this is going to be big. 

“I’ve been here before. I’ve been in big fights before. I know what this is all about and I know what it takes. Me and my team are fully prepared to get my hand raised on Saturday night. 

“[Trainer Stephen Edwards] ‘Breadman’ came in last camp and we took things up to another level – you’ve seen that in my last performance. We took just a couple of weeks off and got back to work. So we’ve been building on top of that and it’ll show in the fight.

“I’m getting back to my old ways and the way my dad wants me to box. With ‘Breadman’ being here and echoing that and them going off each other, we’ve just got great chemistry.

“Getting my hand raised is all the motivation I need. It’s super motivating to have my family here with me. I’m gonna show that if you come up short or things don’t go your way, you gotta keep chasing and fighting for your dreams.”

JESUS RAMOS

“This is what boxing is all about. Good fighters fighting other good fighters. That brings out the crowd. That’s what this is about. We’re here to compete.

“It’s crazy that both Joey and I turned pro around the same time, and now we’re here. But that’s what boxing is all about, making the big fights. This is a great fight and it’s going to be entertaining for the fans.

“It’s always special sharing a card with my uncle. It’s a great card and to have my uncle and my whole family here means a lot. We did training camp together and now we’re here. It’s exciting and we’re both ready for this.

“I’m looking to make a big statement on Saturday night – that we’re here to stay. We’re fighting tough fighters, overcoming adversity and becoming better with each fight.

“I’m just focused on winning. If the knockout comes, it will come, but I have to win.”

JOEY SPENCER

“This sport is about testing yourself against the best that you can, and I feel like Jesus [Ramos] was one of the best fighters that I could get and that’s what happened. So that’s what I want to do for the rest of my career and as long as I do this – go in there and test myself physically and mentally and in a way that you can’t do outside this sport.

“It’s a great training camp and we’ve had some good looks and had some undefeated pros in my camp – tall southpaws to emulate the look that I need for Jesus. Everything is going well. I’ve put together a great game plan. I’m mentally and physically ready and I’m looking forward to showcasing that for the world to see.

“This is a familiar feeling for me – the feeling of fight week. I’ve never been this high up on a card before or in a fight of this magnitude, but I’ve been able to observe the really big fights over the past five or six years, so I’m definitely prepared to show that this is my time.

“All I know is that I have to get the win at all costs. Whatever it takes and whatever I have to do to get the win, I will do it. If I have to adjust, or if I have to change my gameplan – whatever I have to do, I’m prepared for all circumstances and ready to go out and get it done.”

CHRIS COLBERT

“I missed boxing so much. This is what I love to do. This is my life. It just feels good to be back and to be fulfilling one of my dreams. It was always a dream to fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Come Saturday night, that dream is going to come true and I’m going to show up and show out.

“I know that Valenzuela is a great fighter and he’ll be coming to fight, but I ain’t worried about nothing. In my last fight, I didn’t get the decision that I wanted, but everybody knows that I can really fight. Come Saturday night, I’m going to show that.

“I’m coming up in weight, so what fighter is not going to feel good coming up in weight? Saturday night will tell me how I really feel and I’ll see whether or not I can hang at this weight class. I feel like I can. I’ve been in the ring with 155-pounders and it’s nothing to me. I think I’ll be good.

“The time away from the ring just made me realize certain things that I didn’t realize when I was on my high horse because I was undefeated. I was winning and I was making a lot of money and doing things that I had never done before. But that’s never going to stop. I’m always going to be me. Always going to be ‘Primetime’. It’s going to be ‘Primetime’ on SHOWTIME PPV on March 25. I will be victorious.”

JOSE VALENZUELA

“This week is a blessing. It’s a dream come true to be on the undercard with my brother David Benavidez. This is another opportunity to show and prove to myself and the world what I’m made of and what I can really do. 

“I took this tough fight because I know what I can really do when I have my head in the game and when I have my stuff together. I’ll be putting on a show on Saturday night.

“I learned a lot from my loss to Edwin De Los Santos. I learned a lot about the game and about myself, my team and my family. I just learned so much and I’ve matured a lot. It was a blessing in disguise.

“Chris Colbert is a good fighter. He’s slick and he’s fast. I’m well prepared for that. I’ve trained for his style and I’ll be ready.

“I’m promising fireworks on Saturday night. The whole card from top to bottom is a great card. It’s going to be a good night of boxing and I will be victorious. My hand will be raised, there’s no doubt about that.”

CODY CROWLEY

“Vegas is home for me in terms of where I live, and also in terms of where I deserve to be, which is at the top of the boxing game with the legends. I’m paving my way one fight at a time and I feel like I’m right at home.

“Abel is a veteran. Hats off to him. He’s been in a lot of exciting fights at the top level. But he hasn’t been in there with Cody Crowley yet. Anything you’ve seen, it’s going to be totally different. I’m a different animal, a different beast. I suffocate my opponents to the point where they can’t breathe. Unless you’re willing to throw 150 to 200 punches a round, you’re not ready for Cody Crowley.

“My dad took his own life last summer. He was battling some demons just like I think every single human being in this room does on a daily basis. The greatest thing I can do to honor him is to not let those demons attack me like they attacked him. That means waking up every day no matter how hard it is, moving forward, opening my mouth, sharing my heart and letting people know what’s going on in my head. This fight, I’m raising money for suicide awareness in my father’s name so other people who need help can have resources to reach out and come out on the other side.

“In a perfect world for Cody Crowley, this fight ends in a shutout with me winning every single round until I suffocate him and take him out. I’m going for a stoppage. I’m a 15-round fighter. I’m still waiting for those days to come back. I hope when I go out there and show my conditioning and the excitement that I give fans a reason to get off their chairs and stand on their feet on fight night.”

ABEL RAMOS

“I’m excited for this fight. I’m enjoying it and I’m thankful to all the fans for showing up today.

“Crowley is a tough opponent and we’re expecting an exciting fight and we are ready to go. Whatever he brings, we’ll be ready.

“It’s motivating to be on the same card [as my nephew Jesus]. We went through training camp together and we’re here now. It’s going to be an exciting night for the Ramos family.

“Be sure you tune in, because I’m coming out with the victory.”

#         #         #

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. PLANT

Benavídez vs. Plant will see undefeated former two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavídez and former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant meet in a high-stakes, 12-round showdown for Benavídez’s Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title live on SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

In the co-main event, unbeaten rising stars Jesús “Mono” Ramos and Joey Spencer will go toe-to-toe in a 10-round super welterweight scuffle, as each fighter looks to make their claim as the future of the 154-pound division. The action will also see rising lightweights Chris “Primetime” Colbert and Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela meet in a 10-round duel, while unbeaten welterweight contender Cody Crowley faces the hard-hitting Abel Ramos in the telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

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

Boston, MA (March 22, 2023) Fast-Rising Irish Boxing Star, ‘King’ Callum Walsh, (6-0, 5 KOs), had a whirlwind international week surrounding his most recent dominant performance, a second-round knockout of Wesley Tucker on the Eve of St. Patrick’s Day, March 16 from the Agganis Arena in Boston, MA and broadcast live internationally by UFC FIGHT PASS, the highest rated boxing event on the premium streaming service.

The victory, promoted by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions, was Walsh’s sixth appearance on UFC FIGHT PASS and Boston’s biggest boxing event in many years.

Said Loeffler, “Callum’s popularity is ascending quickly. The huge attendance in Boston and the record-setting viewership on UFC FIGHT PASS validates his ability to draw immense interest for his fights. He’s clearly bringing UFC fight fans back to boxing.”

“Everywhere we go, whether its UFC events in Las Vegas, Phoenix or London; in addition to his fight nights and media events, Callum is swarmed by fans for photographs. We have very big plans for him not only this year but in the coming years.”

The 22-year-old Walsh’s week in Boston kicked off Monday with a visit to the iconic Fenway Park where he was presented with a personalized jersey by members of the Red Sox front office. While visiting the famed Green Monster in left field, Walsh declared ‘Boston fight fans will see Ireland’s Green Monster on Thursday night’.

Walsh spent Monday evening with his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach hosting a boxing clinic for the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester in addition to holding a media workout at the famed Peter Welch’s Gym in South Boston.

On Tuesday, Walsh hosted the Fight Week Press Conference at the renowned West Side Johnnie’s Sports Memorabilia Bar attended by a huge contingent of Boston media.

Following the weigh-in on Wednesday, Walsh and UFC President Dana White returned to Peter Welch’s Gym to host a Boxing Punch Machine contest for the hundreds packed into the gym. Known for his knockout power, no one was able to beat Walsh’s high score which earned him a cash bonus of $5,000.  

Among the sports celebrities in attendance for Walsh’s first fight in front of the Boston boxing fans were UFC President Dana White, UFC Legend Georges St. Pierre, Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro Defensive End Maxx Crosby, New England Boxing Legend Micky Ward, Two-Time Super Bowl Champion (New England Patriots) Tully Banta-Cain, Two-Time Heavyweight World Title Challenger Gerry Cooney, Former Heavyweight Contender Kevin McBride, Former Welterweight Contender Dicky Eklund and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Serra.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Friday March 17, Walsh and Tom Loeffler traveled to London, England for UFC 286 at the sold-out O2 Arena. Walsh was widely recognized by UFC fight fans in a venue he hopes to headline in the future.

Prior to the start of UFC 286 on Saturday, Walsh was a special guest at the UFC 286 Fan Experience where he once again registered the high score on the Boxing Punching Machine.

Walsh is scheduled to return to the ring and UFC FIGHT PASS in June.

Photos: Credit / 360 Promotions

Social Media

#HollywoodFightNights

#UFCFightPass

Instagram

@callum_walsh1

@ufcfightpass

@360BoxingPromotions

@TomLoeffler1

@360BoxingPromotions

@howlerheadehiskey

Twitter

@KingCallumWalsh

@UFCFightPass

@360BoxingPromos

@TomLoeffler1

 @howlerhead

Facebook

@UFCFightPass

@360BoxingPromos

@howlerheadwhiskey

Website

www.360Promotions.us

(March 22, 2023) – Stephen Fulton’s WBO/WBC junior featherweight world title defense against Naoya Inoue — originally scheduled for Sunday, May 7, at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan — has been postponed due to a training injury suffered by Inoue.
 
Fulton-Inoue will be rescheduled for July, with a new date to be announced in due course.
 
The main event and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
 
Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) will make his third world title defense and second as a unified champion since defeating Brandon Figueroa in one of the best fights of 2021. Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs), the sport’s pound-for-pound king, is a three-division world champion who is making his junior featherweight debut after defeating Paul Butler last December to become the undisputed bantamweight world champion.

# # #

 
About ESPN+ 
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). 

NEW YORK (March 22, 2023) – Multiple world champion Kathy “Wildcat” Collins (14-2-4, 3 KOs) will become the first female boxer inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF).

Collins, of Plainview, is one of a 22-member Class of 2022 being inducted at the 11th NYSBHOF induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, on Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 30, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“”It’s a tremendous honor to be inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame,” said Collins (married name Globuschutz). “This is my fourth induction into Halls of Fame, which is special to me since I also held four world titles. But this is even more special since it is finally here in New York, the Mecca of Boxing, and where it all started for me.

“In 1995, I was part of the first class of women ever allowed to box in the fabled Daily News Golden Gloves. A year later, the first women’s fight televised on the USA Tuesday night boxing series from the Paramount at Madison Square Garden, which culminated in the highest female purses at the time from Madison Square Garden as a co-featured bout on a major pay-per-view for Don King. These were major accomplishments in women’s boxing. It helped paved the way for women today, some coming out of the Olympics, selling out The Garden and working towards equal pay with seven-figure pay days.”

Collins’ second professional fight was a six-round decision over Andrea DeShong in 1996, which brought pro women’s boxing to the famed Madison Square Garden and regular cable television.

In 1997, Kathy captured the IFBA welterweight title and added the IWBF junior welterweight crown later that same year, then, she dropped down to the lightweight division to successfully challenge for the IWBF championship. Collins became the first fighter to simultaneously own world titles in the WIBF, IFBA, and IWBF.

Kathy Collins is a true pioneer in women’s boxing. Now, she’ll be honored at home in New York by her induction into the NYSBHOF.

“In 30 years,” she concluded, “we’ve come a long way baby! It is truly an honor to be recognized by the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame and to be recognized and included in in a tremendously talented, successful class of inductees, and being around so many of my friends and colleagues that helped me break ceilings along the way.”

“Kathy Collins is a great asset for the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame as our first female boxer inductee,” NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy commented. “Her induction into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame is an extension of her career as a pioneer of women’s boxing. We are proud to be inducting her.”

Other living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF are Brooklyn’s 2-division (welterweight & light welterweight), 6-time World Champion “Super” Zab Judah (44-10, 30 KOs), Brooklyn’s 2-divbision World Champion (welterweight and light welterweight) Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (36-8, 7 KOs), Troy welterweight Kevin “Mr. Excitement” Pompey (32-18-3, 12 KOs), and Brooklyn World Super Lightweight World title challenger Dmitry “Star of David” Salita (35-2-1, 18 KOs).

Posthumous participants being inducted are Poughkeepsie’s world lightweight challenger Johnny Busso (36-12-1, 15 KOs), Bronx middleweight Eugene “Silent” Hairston (45-13-5, 24 KOs), New York City’s NYSAC Featherweight World Champion Tony “Jimmy Pell” Pellone (51-19-6, 10 KOs), Bronx featherweight Mike “The Bronx Spider” Belloise (91-28-12, 21 KOs), New York City’s World Colored Heavyweight Champion Harry “Black Panther” Wills (70-9-3, 56 KOs), and Hempstead’s World Light Heavyweight World title challenger Eddie “Wildcat” Davis (34-6-1, 20 KOs).

Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are Brooklyn trainer Hector Rocha, Brooklyn ring announcer Dave Diamante, Bronx commentator/producer/radio show host Tony Paige, Latham journalist Bob Mladinich, Brooklyn neurologist Barry Jordan, Brooklyn judge Robin Taylor, and Buffalo journalist Bob Caico.

Posthumous non-participant inductees are Brooklyn manager Izzy Zwerling, Manhattan manager Dave Wolf, Brooklyn trainer George Washington, and New York City manager/promoter Irving Cohen.

Each attending inductee (or direct descendant of) will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.

The 2022 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF Nominating Committee members: Chairperson Jack Hirsch, Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski, Ron McNair, Jim Monteverde, Neil Terens, Jose Corpas, Bobby Cassidy, and Bob Duffy.

All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers or during the prime of their respective career.

Tickets are priced at $160.00 per adult, $60.00 for children (under 16), and includes a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, as well as a 7-course dinner (prime rib, fish, or poultry) and open bar throughout the event. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304 or depcomish@aol.com. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $80.00 to $200.00, by contacting Duffy. Go online at www.nyboxinghof.org or www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

NYSBHOF

CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and Arthur Mercante, Sr.

CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Buddy” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard and Don Dunphy.

CLASS OF 2014: Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Billy Backus, Kevin Kelley, Juan LaPorte, Gerry Cooney, Mustafa Hamsho, Howard Davis, Jr., Lou Ambers, Jack Britton, Terry McGovern, Teddy Atlas, Lou DiBella, Steve Farhood, Gene Moore, Angelo Prospero, Whitey Bimstein, Cus D’Amato, William Muldoon and Tom O’Rourke.

CLASS OF 2015: Saoul Mamby, Joey Giamba, Johnny Persol, Harold Weston, Lonnie Bradley, Paul Berlenbach, Billy Graham, Frankie Genaro, Bob Miller, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Slattery, Bob Duffy, Mike Katz, Tommy Gallagher, Bruce Silverglade, Charley Goldman, Jimmy Johnston, Cedric Kushner, Harry Markson, Damon Runyon, and Al Weill.

CLASS OF 2016: Aaron Davis, Charles Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, Edwin Viruet, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Kansas, Joe Lynch, Joe Miceli, Ed Brophy, Joe DeGuardia, Randy Gordon, Dennis Rappaport, Howie Albert, Freddie Brown, Howard Cosell, Ruby Goldstein, and Jimmy Jacobs.

CLASS OF 2017: Gaspar Ortega, Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Doug Dewitt, “The Bronx Bomber” Alex Ramos, Dick Tiger, Jose Torres, “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey, Don Majeski, Ron Katz, Stan Hoffman, Bobby Bartels, Hank Kaplan, Al Gavin, Arthur Donovan, and Dan Parker.

CLASS OF 2018: Lou Del Valle, Jake Rodriguez, Terrence Alli, Joe Mesi, Kid Chocolate, James J. “Gentleman Jim” Corbett, Jack McAuliffe, Billy Costello, Melio Bettina Ralph “Tiger” Jones, Charley Norkus, Dave Anderson, Pete Brodsky, Herb Goldman, Bobby Goodman, Melvina Lathan, Ron Scott Stevens, Johnnie Addie, Johnny Bos, Murray Goodman, Bert Randolph Sugar, and Sam Taub.

No class of 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions

CLASS OF 2020: Jorge Ahumada, Alfredo Escalera, Freddie Liberatore, Dennis Milton; Lou Savarese and Merqui Sosa, Soldier Bartfield, Steve Belloise, Jimmy Goodrich, Tami Mauriello, Davey Moore, Freddie Welch, Don Ackerman, Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Rick Glaser, Jack Hirsch, Max Kellerman, Dr. William Lathan, Julie Lederman, Ron Lipton, Kevin Rooney, Dan Daniel, Bobby Gleason, Flash Gordan, A.J. Liebling, Tony Mazzarella, and manager Dan Morgan.

CLASS OF 2021: Michael Bentt, Shannon Briggs, Verno Phillips, Donny Lalonde Johnny” Verderosa, Larry Barnes, Johnny Turner, Al Singer, Kid Norfolk, Patsy Giovanelli, Eddie Martin, Battling Siki, Solly Krieger, Herbie Kronowitz, Tommy Paul, Lou Salica, Ron McNair, Don Elbaum, Ed Schuyler, Bill Verigan, Tom Hauser, Mike Silver, and Jill Diamond, Lou Stillman, Bill Cayton, James Walker, John Condon, Irving Rudd, Richard K. Fox, and trainer Victor Valle.

ABOUT RING 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.

RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.

Go online to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues are only $30.00, and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.

INFORMATION:

www.nyboxinghof.org

www.Ring8ny.com

PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY — March 22, 2023 — Pro-fighter John “Body Shot” Leonardo (9-1-1), intends to set his mark across the boxing map on Saturday April 1st as Bergen County Fight Night 3 goes down at The Terrace at Biagio Ristorante in Paramus, New Jersey – presented by Abella Boxing Promotions with PPV available at Bergen Audio Visual – $24.99. 

The 22-year-old Italian with four knockouts in 11 bouts (36.3 KO %), out of Manalapan, New Jersey, will go toe-to-toe against Ernest Hall (4-2-1) in a six-round super bantamweight bout.

“I’m hyped to get in there,” Leonardo said. “I show up to win and I come to fight with my heart. I fight with the best of my ability, and my heart kicks in and takes care of the rest.”

Speaking of ability, Leonardo has grown into his own under the ethics and values transcended down from his father Donald Leonardo, who is a retired professional boxer and 1987 Daily News Golden Gloves Champion. 

“My dad was a big body puncher and the golden gloves had him as one of the best body punchers to ever go through the golden gloves,” Leonardo said. “My dad would always say ‘hit the body, hit the body’ and it came to a point where I was the only guy in the amateurs where I would set you up and touch you low.”

His father Donald has been the head of Leonardo’s camp ever since his amateur career, where he fought in 70 bouts starting at the age of 14. 

Uniquely, in all walks of life, things come full circle… 

Now, as John Leonardo prepares for his pro-fights, he also trains and provides lessons to the youth at Juice Boxx Boxing Gym located in Freehold, New Jersey. 

“Obviously at the stage where we’re at now, you don’t get paid enough for what we do,” Leonardo said. “It’s a tragic thing. You’re at a beginning stage, where you gotta take shots to the head in order to make a paycheck and it’s not even enough money. So to make money and to do other things, I do what I know best and that’s boxing. I train my own set of amateur guys. Many of them are currently competing in the New Jersey Golden Gloves.” 

But with that said, his main concern and goals are to represent his home roots of New Jersey as well as his Italian heritage.  

“It’s very important because you need to have the state of Jersey behind you,” Leonardo explained. “When you get big and travel out to these places, fans want to see Jersey win. They want to have someone represent for them.” 

“And representing Italians across New Jersey is even more important. Everybody’s community kinda sticks together. Being involved in your heritage and background is huge. With the Italian guys, you don’t see many of us. They want to support that. People are behind what they are.”

Remaining Six-Rounders: 

Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado, (5-0-0, 20 KO%), of Ridgewood, Queens, NY, will put his undefeated record up on the line against Usiel Hernandez (2-1-0) in a junior lightweight bout. 

Nicky “The Bull” Vitone (9-1-1, 63.6 KO%) of Pine Brook, New Jersey, fights Jordan Rosario (4-10-0) in a super-lightweight bout. 

Four-Round Bouts: 

Christian “Veneno” Otero (4-3-0, 28.5 KO%) of Manhattan, NY will go toe-to-toe with southpaw Vinnie Denierio (3-7-0) in a lightweight bout. 

Dane Guerrero, of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, is set to make his pro-debut against Andre Hinmon (0-2-0) in a super middleweight bout. 

Kevin Hernandez (0-0-1), of Bergenfield, New Jersey will go up against Tyrell Cook (0-3-0) in a welterweight bout. 

Bergen County Fight Night 3, presented by Abella Boxing Promotions is sponsored by NY METRO PROMOTION & PRINTING, TEAM PARAMUS COLLISION, PARAMUS 186 PBA, SKULL FUEL ENERGY DRINK, WIRED PRODUCTS, MYPAL BY PALADINO ENTERPRISES – NEW JERSEY’S PREMIER, HOME SERVICE APP, TURN KEY DATA, TIRE WHEEL PERFORMANCE CENTER, CIBAO MEAT PRODUCTS “TRADICIÓN DE CALIDAD”

# # # #

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – BERGEN COUNTY FIGHT NIGHT 3

WHEN: Saturday Night April 1st, 2023

WHERE: The Terrace at Biagio Ristorante located on 293 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652

BOUTS: 4 Six-Round Bouts, 3 Four-Round Bouts (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

TICKETS AVAILABLE: $100 General Admission, $300 VIP

PPV/STREAMING: Bergen Audio Visual – $24.99 

Follow on Instagram: @abellaboxing

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AbellaBoxingPromotions

Top Rank presented by Autozone will be live this Saturday, March 25, at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+.  The triple-header features a junior welterweight showdown, a minimumweight title unification fight, and a six-round heavyweight clash. The event takes place at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

In the 12-round junior welterweight main event, former unified 140-pound world champion José Ramírez (27-1,17 KOs) from Avenal, California will meet former lightweight world champion Richard “RC” Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs).  Following his 2021 decision defeat to Josh Taylor for the undisputed junior welterweight title, Ramírez rebounded last March with a unanimous decision victory over former two-weight world champion José Pedraza. He has been among the sport’s best 140-pounders since winning the WBC world title against Amir Imam in March 2018.

Commey,from Accra, Ghana, made his name as one of the sport’s top lightweights, winning Commonwealth honors before capturing the IBF world title in February 2019. His title reign lasted 10 months, as he knocked out former world champion Ray Beltrán before a stunning second-round stoppage defeat to Teófimo López at Madison Square Garden. Commey’s lightweight run ended with a December 2021 decision loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko. 

The co-feature will be a world title unification clash, as WBA minimumweight world champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) collides with WBC world champion Tina Rupprecht (12-0-1, 3 KOs).

Hailing from East Los Angeles, California, Estrada returns to her home state intent on unifying world titles for the first time in her decorated career. The 30-year-old veteran turned pro nearly a dozen years ago and has competed at the world class level in three weight classes. In 2021, she captured the WBA minimumweight and WBO light flyweight titles in consecutive fights. Estrada then vacated the light flyweight title to pursue undisputed glory at minimumweight. She signed with Top Rank last year and returned from a nearly 11-month layoff in November to shut out Jazmin Gala Villarino.

Rupprecht, from Augsburg, Germany, has made five defenses of her world title after being elevated from interim champion in 2018. Earlier that year, she toppled Yokasta Valle, who is the current IBF and WBO unified minimumweight world champion. In July 2021, Rupprecht edged former world champion Katia Gutierrez by split decision. She is coming off a decision win over Rocío Gaspar in December.

The heavyweight opener will be a six-round clash between Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles and Patrick Mailata.  Mireles (6-0, 6 KOs) is a Mexican-American prospect from Des Moines, Iowa. As an amateur, he won several national tournaments and signed with Top Rank in September 2021. Mailata (6-1, 3 KOs) is a Samoan-born prospect who had a decorated amateur career representing New Zealand.

The undercard will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.
 

ESPN’s Joe Tessitore will call the action with Hall of Famers Andre Ward and Timothy Bradley, Jr. as analysts; Mark Kriegel and Bernardo Osuna will serve as reporters.  

Original Content: The Dream Americano

Ahead of the March 25 doubleheader, ESPN will air Top Rank’s The Dream Americano, a 30-minute celebration of the Mexican-American fighting spirit, featuring a visit with co-headliners, U.S. Olympian José Ramírez and undefeated world champion Seniesa Estrada. Viewers will also be treated to special guest appearances by actors Danny Trejo and Mario López. 

In addition to the air times below, The Dream Americano will also be available for replay on-demand in the ESPN App and on ESPN.com and ESPN+. 

Top Rank Presents: The Dream Americano 

ESPN.com

Out Friday: How Seniesa Estrada’s love for boxing helped save her father –by Mike Rothstein

ESPN+, ESPN App Boxing Content: Live and Upcoming, On Demand, Studio Shows, Archives  

Top Rank: Real Time Go all-access with top fighters throughout fight week as they work their way to fight night 

Boxing 

Top Rank 

State of Boxing 

Max on Boxing Max Kellerman hosts a 30-minute series weighing in on key boxing news and providing insights on the sport’s top fighters and upcoming events 

Who Do U Fight 4? Get to know the next generation of Top Rank stars and learn what drives them 

Follow @ESPNRingside: Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok

 Ramírez vs. Commey-  Estrada vs. Rupprecht  – Mireles vs. Mailata  (All Times ET)

About ESPN 

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

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).