Cecilia Brækhus (27-0, 7 KOs) retained her WBC, WBA, WBO & IBF Female World Welterweight titles with a unanimous points victory over IBF mandatory challenger Jennifer Reztke (15-1-2, 9 KOs) at the Falconer Hall, at the Radisson Blu in Copenhagen.

Brækhus once again proved why she is the pound-for-pound number one with a dominant display against her German opponent. ‘The First Lady’ started strongly and looked likely to stop Retzke before injuring her foot in the third-round. Despite the injury, Brækhus fought on to claim a clear victory, with the judges scoring the fight 100-90, 100-90 & 98-92.

‘’I would like to thank all the fans that travelled to Copenhagen to support me,’’ said Brækhus. ‘’I thought I could have got the stoppage but I injured my foot and had to adjust my tactics. I was unlucky, but fortunately the injury doesn’t appear to be serious. Retzke was a tough opponent but I think I showed, even with one foot, that I’m a class above.’’

Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’This was an entertaining fight and a great advert for women’s boxing. Cecilia continues to impress, she seems to get better and better with every fight. Full credit to Retzke, she came to fight, but was ultimately outclassed by Cecilia, who must now be considered the greatest female boxer of all time.’’

In the co-featured Swedish main event, Klara Svensson (15-0, 5 KOs) successfully defended her interim WBC World Light Welterweight title against Lucia Morelli (18-5, 8 KOs). The 27 year-old outworked the tough Italian and at the final bell was ahead on all the judges’ scorecards (100-90, 100-91 & 99-91).

‘’Morelli was a tough opponent,’’ said Svensson. ‘’I was pleased with my performance and happy to beat such an experienced fighter. This is another step in the right direction for me and another step towards dominating the light welterweight division. I’m ready for the big fights in 2015.’’

In the evening’s third championship fight, 22 year-old Norwegian super middleweight Tim-Robin Lihaug (9-1, 5 KOs) captured the vacant WBO Youth World title in an entertaining battle with George Beroshvili (14-4-2, 7 KO).

‘’I felt that I was always in control of the fight,’’ said Lihaug. ‘’Beroshvili is a good boxer so I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. I had to keep calm and stick to my game plan, and that’s exactly what I did. It is a great honour to win the youth world title. This is the beginning of my journey to become a world champion!’’

NEW JERSEY (November 28, 2014) – Gary Shaw Productions has finalized a bout with two of his top lightweight contenders. On January 9, 2015, WBA Interim lightweight champion, Darleys Perez (31-1, 20 KOs), who hails from Columbia, will put everything on the line against Peruvian contender Jonathan Maicelo (21-1, 12 KOs). The 12-round bout will take place at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California and air live on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights”.

In his last bout which took place on October 24, 2014, Perez defended his interim title with a 6th round knockout over Jaider Parra (23-2-1, 12 KOs). Against Maicelo he’ll look to stay in the win column and retain his title with an impressive victory.

“Maicelo is a very difficult opponent and I will have to use all my skills to come out victorious.” said Darleys Perez. “Knowing I’ve been here before, I feel I have the advantage going into this bout. A win will advance my career to the next level and I know what I have to do to be victorious. It’s going to be an exciting fight because we both have a lot to lose. I need to come out on top and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Rated WBA #7, WBO #13 and WBC #22, Maicelo was supposed to fight on November 21, 2014 at the Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York, against Hector Velasquez (56-23-3, 38 KOs), but pulled out to face Perez on national TV. With the WBA Interim title on the line, Maicelo is taking his training to a new level.

“Gary Shaw has giving me this wonderful opportunity to take Perez’ WBA title and I’m not going to cut any corners.” Jonathan Macielo said. “I’m taking this fight very serious. My trainer and I are working extremely smart to make sure I’m in the best shape of my life. I know with a win, I can become a world champion. I’m bringing everything I got come fight night and I anticipate myself being the victor.”

“When I made this bout I knew it was going to be a crowd pleasing fight because both fighters are putting everything on the line,” said Gary Shaw. “Both Perez and Maicelo are great men and I know they will bring their very best on January 9th. The fans are in for a great night of boxing.”

“This is a fantastic fight for the fans,” said Alex Camponovo of Thompson Boxing Promotions who co-promotes Perez with GSP. “Darleys Perez is very hungry to show the world he’s one of the top fighters in the lightweight division. I expect a great show as I know both fighters are coming with their “A” game. Everyone should be tuning in.”

The ESPN “Friday Night Fights” telecast begins Friday January 9, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. EST / 6:00 p.m. PST from the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif. Tickets priced $35, $50, $65, $85, and $95 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Chumash Casino Box office or online at HERE. Doors open at 5:00 P.M, first fight starts at 5:30 P.M.

LONDON (Nov 28) – Rising middleweight sensations Chris Eubank Jr and Billy Joe Saunders will be out to steal the show on a truly mouth-watering evening of boxing this Saturday, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Taking place at a 20,000 sell-out at ExCel London the pair have not minced their words in the run up to this year’s biggest and best British card, headlined by Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury’s world title eliminator.

But despite the heavyweight hitmen topping the bill, it is Eubank Jr’s and Saunders’ clash which could prove the fight of the night on a card stacked from top to bottom.

The duo have shown little regard for one another in the build up to their eagerly anticipated clash, with Eubank Jr adamant that the current British, Commonwealth and European champion has not got under his skin.

“I can see he is not mentally ready to face what is going to be brought to him on Saturday night,” said Eubank Jr. “I could see he’s not ready at the press conference, with his nervous laughing and talking like he is a school kid. It’s going to be complete domination on my part in this fight.

“From day one of my professional career I have had people saying all types of things to me – from social media to trolls to haters. They have always been insulting me, whether it’s because they doubt my abilities or they didn’t like my dad so they don’t want me to succeed.

“So I’m used to insults and immune to any bad words that are directed towards me. He is not getting to me but I am getting to him by not reacting to the dumb things he says,” said Eubank Jr.

Despite both men having around the same number of professional fights, with the unbeaten Saunders’ 20 wins to Eubank Jr’s 18, it is the Brighton speedster who is seen as the less experienced of the two.

However, the 25-year-old is looking to follow in his father’s famous footsteps but says he is his own man when in the ring and has vowed that he will stop the highly-touted Saunders.

“I don’t take advice – I know what I’m going to do. If I feel like I have to change a certain strategy or start doing something different I will do it. That’s the difference between me and Billy Joe he needs someone to tell him what he needs to do – I don’t,” said Eubank Jr.

“I never pick a round or say when I’m going to take someone out in but he will not go the full 12 rounds with me – I’m going to knock him out. He’s not going to have enough to deal with the firepower which I’m going to bring to him,” he said.

Saunders, though, is in equally defiant mood and despite the fact he could have gone on to challenge for world honours he felt he has unfinished business back at home.

“I think you get more respect from the fans by taking on fights like this, where people can’t split you. I want to make sure everyone in Britain is beat so when I do move to world level people can say he beat everyone at his weight back home now he’s gone onto the world,” said Saunders.

“This is a fight the fans have been calling for and I’m happy we’ve managed to get this fight done – I honestly cannot wait to get in the ring,” he said.

The fight will allow the victor to go on to challenge the biggest names in the division next year, with Saunders, also 25, certain that Eubank Jr doesn’t know what is coming his way.

“It’s been a long time coming. The talking is done. This fight doesn’t need hyping up. I’m fit and ready to rock and roll. I’m going to poleaxe Chris Eubank Jr. Believe me I’m going to knock him out cold,” Saunders said.

“He says he’s going to break my heart. He wouldn’t break my heart with an AK47. So he isn’t going to break my heart – that’s definitely sure. I know what I need to do in there. I’m relaxed, all the hardwork has been done and the job is going to get done on Saturday,” he stated.

Also featuring on the night’s brilliant bill is Birmingham’s Frankie Gavin who will be looking to bounce back against the undefeated Bradley Skeete, with super-featherweights Liam Walsh and Gary Sykes challenging for the British and Commonwealth belts.

Super-middleweight ace Frank Buglioni is also appearing on the card as he takes on Andrew Robinson for the vacant WBO European title.

Once the enthralling bill is over from London, BoxNation will bring viewers live and exclusive coverage of one boxing’s hottest young superstars in the slick and exciting Terence Crawford who will defend his WBO lightweight world title against Raymundo Beltran.

In front of a full house at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska, the 27-year-old Crawford returns home for his second fight in a row, as he takes on the man who contentiously lost in his last world title bid against Ricky Burns last year.

To subscribe to BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 546, TalkTalk 525) for only £12 a month (plus registration fee) please visit www.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.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.525), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. 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.

MONTREAL (Nov. 28, 2014) — The best amateur boxer in Canada for more than five years, Custio Clayton, has signed a long-term agreement with Groupe Yvon Michel Inc. (GYM).

The leader of the Canadian National Team in recent years, Clayton captured six national titles. He represented Canada at many international tournaments including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and 2014 in Glasgow, 2013 World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan and 2011 in Baku, Azerbaijan, highlighted by his participation in the 2012 Olympics in London.

Clayton is best remembered for becoming first Canadian boxer to win two Olympic matches since silver-medalist David Defiagbon at 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. After disposing of Oscar Molina, of Mexico, and Cameron Hammond, of Australia, Clayton lost a 14-14 tiebreaker to the eventual silver medalist, Welsh Fred Evans, depriving Clayton of an Olympic medal by the tiniest margin. In 2013, the AIBA ranked him the No. 6 welterweight (152 lbs., 69 kg.).

Bernard Barré, head of recruitment at GYM, has only the highest praise for Clayton. “Since the inception of our organization, he said, “we made a point to sign the greatest Canadian boxers. Clayton is part of this group that, before him, includes Adonis Stevenson, Jean Pascal and Andrew Kooner. Custio Clayton developed into the star of the Canadian National Team during his amateur career at a small gym with limited Nova Scotia resources. In this context his amateur trainer, Gary Johnson, did miraculous works. We are convinced that, in his new framework, Clayton will develop his full potential and achieve great success.”

Clayton, 27, is delighted to join GYM: “Signing with GYM, led by Yvon Michel, is what I’ve always wanted,” Clayton commented. “I am very proud he has given me this opportunity. I had six concrete offers, including two from the US, but I am convinced that my chances of success are best with GYM, one of the best and proven organizations in the world.”

Team Clayton also includes his manager, Douggy Berneche, and Canadian National Team coach Daniel Trépanier. They will provide Clayton with all of the required specialists for his professional career. He recently moved to Montreal and his family will join him there in early 2015.

His first professional fight will take place December 19 at the Quebec City Coliseum. His opponent will be announced shortly. He will fight as super welterweight (154 lbs.) division.

“Custio is already a very mature boxer who will quickly go through the steps and end up in the world elite of his division before long,” Berneche added. “Making his pro debut on a program headlined by world champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson defending his crown, also featuring future superstar Artur Beterbiev and Andre Dirrell on the same card being televised by the prestigious boxing network, Showtime, will be inspiring for Custio to start his pro career in style.”

The next GYM event will take place Dec. 19 at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City. Tickets are on sale at Pepsi Coliseum box office in Quebec (418-691-7211) or by calling1 (800) 900-7469, GYM at (514) 383-0666 and Champion Boxing Club (514) 376-0980, and online at www.billetech.com, Ticket prices range from $25 to $ 250 on the floor.
ABOUT GROUPE YVON MICHEL, Inc. (GYM): GYM was founded in 2004. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers by supportive coaching and especially by management competition. To achieve its objectives GYM actively recruits talent and organizes major events. Since its founding 10 years ago, GYM produced 118 events, including two history making in terms of ticket sales and PPV viewers, Pascal vs. Hopkins I and II. GYM has produced more than 300 hours of TV Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, TVA Sports, VOX, TVA, CBC, RDS and V, Canada, as well as HBO, Showtime and ESPN in the USA. A total of seven different GYM boxers have participated in 21 world title fights. Under the tutelage of GYM, Joachim Alcine captured the WBA super welterweight in 2007 and two years later, Jean Pascal captured the WBC Light Heavyweight title. Since June 2013, Adonis “Superman” Stevenson has held the WBC and The Ring Magazine light heavyweight title and he remains the lineal 175-pound division champion. Stevenson was also selected appointed as the 2013 Fighter of the Year by “The Ring”, Sports Illustrated and many other publications.

All the fighters weighed in today ahead of the Nordic Fight Night, headlined by the ‘All or Nothing’ WBC, WBO, WBA & IBF Female World Welterweight clash between Cecilia Brækhus and Jennifer Retzke, at the Falconer Hall at the Radisson Blu in Copenhagen on Saturday (November 29).

Below is the full list of official weights:

WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF Female World Welterweight Championship:
Cecilia Brækhus: 64.6 kg
Jennifer Retzke: 66 kg

Interim WBC Female World Light Welterweight Championship:
Klara Svensson: 62.7 kg
Lucia Morelli: 61.5 kg

WBO Youth World Super Middleweight Championship:
Tim-Robin Lihaug: 76.1 kg
George Beroshvili: 75 kg

Light Heavyweight – 6 Rounds:
Alexander Hagen: 78.9 kg
Karel Horejeck: 78.7 kg

Heavyweight – 8 Rounds:
Otto Wallin: 109 kg
Vjekoslav Bajic: 98.5 kg

Cruiserweight – 4 Rounds:
Kai Robin Havnaa: 89.7 kg
Tomislav Rudan: 87.3 kg

Middleweight – 8 Rounds:
Abdul Khattab: 72.4 kg
Laurent Ferra: 72 kg

Middleweight – 4 Rounds:
Andreas Lynggaard: 71.3 kg
Michal Vosyka: 72 kg

Cruiserweight – 4 Rounds:
Steffen Andersen: 89 kg
Ralf Sawetzki: 87 kg

Middleweight – 6 Rounds:
Landry Kore: 71.9 kg
Artem Karasev: 70.5 kg

Welterweight – 6 Rounds:
Garvey Kelly: 65.9 kg
Gergo Vari: 67.5 kg

Middleweight – 6 Rounds:
Conrad Cummings: 74.4 kg
Norbert Szkeres: 73 kg

Brækhus honoured with personalised WBC belt:

At today’s weigh-in Cecilia Brækhus was presented with a personalised WBC belt by the WBC Female Championship Chairman Malte Müller-Michaelis on behalf on WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.

‘‘I’m extremely proud to be presented with this personalised WBC belt,’’ said Brækhus. ‘’I would like to thank the WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and the WBC Female Championship Chairman Malte Müller-Michaelis for this great honour.’’

Tickets for the Nordic Fight Night are available via billetnet.dk.

All four fighters for tomorrow’s WBC Female double header in Copenhagen had no problems making weight.

WBC interim world superlightweight champion Klara Svensson (Sweden) weighed in at 62.7 kg (138 lbs.) while her challenger Lucia Morelli (Italy) brought 61.5 kg (135.5 lbs.) to the scale. It will be the first title defense for the “Swedish Princess” Svensson who won the interim championship by beating Marie Riederer in September. The winner of this fight will face newly crowned WBC world champion Erica Anabella Farias next.

Unified WBC / WBA / WBO / IBF welterweight champion and boxing’s “First Lady” Cecilia Braekhus (Norway) weighed in at 65.4 kg (144 lbs.). Her challenger Jennifer Retzke (Germany) went over the scale at 66.0 (145.5 lbs.). The unbeaten and undisputed champion Braekhus is looking to defend her title for the 16th time. The 33-year-old Norwegian sports icon won the WBC World championship in March 2009 and has beaten every challenger ever since. Right after the weigh-in female boxing’s pound-for-pound-champion was awarded with two pictures to personalize her green and gold WBC belt and proudly presented the “upgraded” belt to the public and media.

Saturday’s HBO Boxing After Dark doubleheader telecast airs at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT).

The HBO telecast kicks off live from CenturyLink Center in Omaha, NEB, when unbeaten featherweights Evgeny Gradovich and Jayson Velez square off in a 12-round title bout.

The main event of the evening, a 12-round lightweight world title showdown, features Terence Crawford against Ray Beltran.

Official Weights from Atlantic City:

Terence Crawford: 135 lbs.
Ray Beltran: 134.8 lbs.

Evgeny Gradovich : 126 lbs.
Jayson Velez: 126 lbs.

Join the conversation on Twitter: #CrawfordBeltran

LONDON (27 Nov) – Sky Sports has secured the rights to show Amir Khan’s pivotal fight with Devon Alexander exclusively live from the MGM Grand in December.

Khan tops the bill in Las Vegas as he goes head-to-head with Alexander on Saturday 13 December, live on Sky Sports 1, with the winner set to throw their name into the sweepstakes to face WBA Super and WBC welterweight world champion Floyd Mayweather Junior.

Khan’s first fight at 147 pounds came in May when he overcame Luis Collazo on points, and the Bolton fighter returns to Las Vegas again to face the former two-weight world champion from St. Louis.

As part of a huge night of boxing from the US, Sky Sports will also show the mouthwatering fights from the undercard, including Keith Thurman against Leonard Bundu, Abner Mares taking on Jose Ramirez, and Jermall Charlo against Italian Lenny Bottai.

Khan said: “It’s great to be back on Sky Sports once again for what is one of the biggest fights of my career so far against Devon Alexander. I have had a great training camp and have no doubts it’s going to be a very special night for me on December 13th, headlining at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I look forward to putting on a spectacular performance for everyone tuning in on the night, against a very tricky and respected opponent in Alexander. I can’t wait to step in the ring again and am raring to go.”

Adam Smith, Executive Producer of Sky Sports Boxing, said: “This is a great fight, and fabulous night of action from Las Vegas. Boxing fans are in for a momentous week with all the build up and live action on Sky Sports.

”It’s a vital fight for Amir and for British boxing, with both fighters desperate for the chance that could come their way in 2015 it really is winner takes all in Las Vegas.”

The fight from Las Vegas is yet another outstanding contest in a year of great boxing on Sky. 2014 has seen Froch v Groves II from Wembley Stadium, the return of Cleverly v Bellew and Kell Brook overcoming Shawn Porter in Los Angeles.

LONDON (27 Nov) – Charismatic heavyweight Tyson Fury has claimed that Wladimir Klitschko will avoid fighting him should he overcome Dereck Chisora in their world title eliminator this weekend.

The Manchester banger steps into the ring with Chisora this Saturday night at a sold out ExCel London and has claimed that heavyweight kingpin Klitschko will refuse to take him on next year.

Fury, and the 30-year-old Chisora, have the chance of forcing themselves into a mandatory position to challenge for the Ukrainian star’s WBO world title should either prevail in their impending contest, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

”By beating Dereck I will ensure I’m mandatory for a world title shot next year,” said Fury. “I have been saying for a long time now that I don’t think Wladimir Klitschko will fight me – I think he will avoid me – but you never can tell what’s going through people’s minds.

“I hope to God that he does take the challenge and that I become the new heavyweight champion of the world,” he said.

The former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion believes the people around Klitschko are cautious of putting their prized asset in with him.

“I don’t usually think it’s the fighter it’s the people who are around him and handling his business side of things [that don’t want the fight],” Fury said.

“He’s the goose that lays the golden egg and they wouldn’t want to kill the goose that lays that golden egg. So if they want to kill it, put it in the ring with me, otherwise keep on fighting mediocre fighters because there is nothing mediocre about me,” he said.

The 26-year-old Fury has endured a terrible 18 months which has seen him suffer inside and outside the ring.

Now, though, he takes on Chisora for the second time after having beat him in 2011, but believes that the Londoner will prove a tougher test this time around.

“Dereck deserves respect for getting in the ring. He’s had a lot of professional fights, with a lot of world class fighters, so it’s going to be a tough night. He’s been very active, he’s fit and he’ll be ready because it’s all on the line,” said Fury.

“It’s a final eliminator for a mandatory shot at the world title – it’s not just a mandatory shot on the line but a lot of money. The winner excels onto big fights in the future and the loser has to regroup and go from there.

“I’m anticipating a fit, motivated Dereck Chisora, who is in great shape and willing to fight – it should be a good war. Hopefully I’ll do the double over Dereck Chisora but nothing is certain in boxing that’s why everyone loves the heavyweights.”

‘Del Boy’, as Chisora is known, is ready for the task at hand and says he is a much more mature and fitter fighter than in the past.

“I’m in really great shape for this fight and ready to go on Saturday night,” said Chisora.

“The talking is all done and now it is about stepping in there and taking care of business. I’m hungry for another shot at the world title and I’m not going to let anyone stand in my way.

“I know what Tyson brings to the ring. I’ve learned from our last fight and I’m ready for him. This is going to be my easiest fight because I know how he boxes and I’m going to beat him at everything he does. He doesn’t know what he’s in for,” said a confident Chisora.

Also featuring on the bill is a mouth-watering chief support between Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jr which sees the British, Commonwealth and European belts up for grabs in a potential thriller.

Frankie Gavin takes on Bradley Skeete, with Liam Walsh facing Gary Sykes on a stacked card from top to bottom.

Tyson Fury vs. Dereck Chisora is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 546 & TalkTalk 525) this Saturday night. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-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.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.525), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. 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.

The heavyweight rematch between Cuban Olympic gold medalist Odlanier Solis and US ring veteran Tony Thompson is scheduled for January 24th in Dusseldorf, Germany. Promoter Ahmet Oner announced the new date today after the fight had to be postponed twice after Solis suffered an ankle injury in training.

“It was not easy to keep Tony Thompson and his team calm and convince them to postpone again but we found an agreement and I am happy that the fight can finally take place in January”, said Oner. “Unfortunately, Solis’ injury took longer than expected to heal because he started training too early. But now he’s back on track again and the fight on the new date is a done deal.”

Solis vs. Thompson II was originally scheduled for October 18th before Solis twisted his ankle. Oner postponed to November 22nd but the rematch couldn’t take place on that date either. Thompson upset Solis in their first fight in March in Turkey when he won by split decision. Now Solis wants to avenge that loss hoping to get in line for another title shot.

“The heavyweight division is pretty boring at the moment with Wladimir dominating his opponents at will”, states Oner. “That’s why we need fights like Solis vs. Thompson II or Chisora vs. Fury II. Those bouts are good to find at least a worthy challenger for Klitschko. And it’s real boxing with a lot at stake.”

For both Solis and Thompson this is most probably the last chance to get at least close to another title shot. Both men already fought for world titles. Solis lost to Vitali Klitschko in a WBC championship bout in March 2011 while Thompson was stopped twice (July 2008 and July 2012) by Wladimir. The winner of Solis vs. Thompson II gets in line for a second (or third) chance while the loser can most probably hang up his gloves.

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 27) – The latest member of the Alvarez family to make his mark in the boxing world, Ramon “Inocente” Alvarez will step into the spotlight on Saturday, November 29, when he faces surging former world champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris in the super welterweight main event of this weekend’s Televisa and FOX Deportes-televised event at Módulo Comude de San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, México.

In the co-featured bout of the evening, unbeaten Guadalajara star Horacio “Violento” Garcia puts his perfect record on the line in a 10-round bantamweight bout against seasoned veteran Jose “Cacho” Silveira

Alvarez vs. Harris, a 12-round super welterweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Mexico – Live It To Believe It! Doors open at 5:00 p.m. CT and the first fight begins 6:00 p.m. CT. The FOX Deportes broadcast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT and the Televisa broadcast airs at 11:30 p.m. CT.

Part of a fighting family that includes brothers Canelo, Rigoberto and Ricardo, 28-year-old Ramon “Inocente” Alvarez (20-4-2, 12 KOs) hopes to add a world title to the family trophy case in 2015, but first he has business with Vivian Harris to tend to this Saturday. Unbeaten in 14 of his last 15 bouts, a stretch that includes six consecutive wins, Alvarez is in prime form at the moment, and after defeating Omar Chavez for the NABO 154-pound title in September, momentum is on the side of the Guadalajara native’s side.

A native of Guyana who makes his home in Brooklyn, New York, 36-year-old “Vicious” Vivian Harris (32-9-2, 19 KOs) is one of the most respected veterans in the sport today, and though the former junior welterweight world champion hit a rough patch in his career for a bit, since his 2013 win over Shakha Moore, he is undefeated in three straight, with his two most recent victories coming over Danny O’Connor and Jorge Paez Jr. On Saturday, he looks to upset the odds once more and show the world that he’s not ready to be written off.

Long considered to be a top candidate to bring a world title back to Mexico, 24-year-old Horacio “Violento” Garcia (27-0, 19 KOs) has upped the ante in 2014, going 4-0 with four knockouts leading up to this Saturday’s bout. Currently ranked number 13 in the world by the WBC, Garcia is coming off a fifth-round technical knockout of Jonathan Perez in August that saw him notch the first successful defense of his WBC Continental Americas title.

Merida’s Jose “Cacho” Silveria (15-11, 6 KOs) is approaching his 10th year as a professional, and he hopes that a win over Garcia will set up a 2015 campaign in which he can challenge for a world title once more. A former IBA bantamweight champion, the 35-year-old will undoubtedly use his world-class experience to take Garcia into deep waters this weekend.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and visit on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page. For more information on Televisa Deportes visit www.TelevisaDeportes.com, become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TD_Deportes. For more information on FOX Deportes visit www.FOXDeportes.com, become a follower on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes on Facebook.

Cecilia Brækhus (26-0, 7 KOs) and Jennifer Retzke (15-1-1, 9 KOs) both attended the final pre-fight press conference today ahead of their WBC, WBA, WBO & IBF Female World Welterweight Championship fight at the Falconer Hall at the Radisson Blu in Copenhagen on Saturday night.

Brækhus will be defending the titles she unified with a historic victory over Ivana Habazin in September. As she prepares for her next challenger, “The First Lady’ is confident her undefeated record will remain intact.

“I always respect my opponent, but there’s no doubt that I’m the better boxer and that’s what you’ll see on Saturday,’’ said Brækhus. ‘’I’m 100 % focused. I will defend my belts in style and show that I’m in a different league to Jennifer.’’

Retzke has worked her way up the rankings, becoming IBF mandatory challenger, and earning a shot at the pound-for-pound number one. “I have prepared more for this fight than I have ever done before,’’ said Retzke. ‘’Fighting the pound-for-pound number one requires something special. Cecilia may be the best in the world but the world should prepare for a big shock on Saturday night.’’

Brækhus will have renowned German coach Otto Ramin in her corner for a fourth time. Ramin, who has guided Brækhus to victories over Myriam Lamare, Jessica Balogun and Ivana Habazin, is wary of the danger the German challenger poses.

“Jennifer is similar to Cecilia’s last opponent Habazin, but maybe a little stronger and a little more compact,’’ said Ramin. ‘’She will need to pick her shots carefully in order to stay out of trouble. It will be a tough fight, but Cecilia is a great boxer and on Saturday she is going to show just how attractive female boxing can be.”

Promoter Kalle Sauerland is looking forward to Saturday night’s action. ‘’It is all always something special when the number one in the world is fighting,’’ said Sauerland. ‘’When you watch Cecilia fight, you are watching boxing history. It has been long journey but Cecilia has proven time and time again why she is the best in business. It is my belief that she could one day retire as an undefeated champion.’’

Brækhus tops the bill at the Falconer Hall on Saturday night. She is joined by Norwegian prospects Tim-Robin Lihaug, who challenges George Beroshvili for the vacant WBO Youth Super Middleweight title, Alexander Hagen, who faces Karel Horejsek and Kai Robin Havnaa, who makes his professional debut against Tomislav Rudan. Tickets are available via billetnet.dk.

CHESTER, PA (November 27, 2014)- On Friday night, December 5, boxing returns to Harrahs Philadelphia that will be headlined by a ten-round WBU World Middleweight title bout between Harry Joe Yorgey and Eric Mitchell.

The show is promoted by King’s Promotions & XFE.

Yorgey of Bridgeport, PA has a record of 27-2-2 with 12 knockouts and will be looking to get up on Mitchell as they fought to a draw on July 25.

Yorgey began his career unbeaten in his first 23 bouts (22-0-1) by scoring wins over Billy Johnson (1-0), Ronnie Warrior Jr. (11-1-1), Jason LeHoullier (21-0-1) and a 9th round knockout over Ronald Hearns (21-0).

That set up a shot at Alfredo Angulo for the WBO Interim Middleweight title.

Yorgey was stopped in three rounds but has come back to go 5-1-1 since which was highighted by a 1st round stoppage over previously undefeated Zain Shah (5-0).

Mitchell of Philadelphia has a record of 23-11-2 with 11 knockouts and has fought top competition.

He began his career in 1993 and went 22-4-1 with quality wins over Tyrone Flucker (6-1), Ernest Strohman (7-1 & 8-2), Keith Lee (11-1-2), Dwain Williams (10-1), Anthony Fields (11-0), Former world title challenger Ross Thompson (24-4-1), former world champion Alejandro Berrio (19-2), & Rob Dula (15-1).

He has also fought world champions Joachim Alcine & Dmitry Pirog.

An exciting undercard is being assembled that is littered with top undefeated prospects from throughout the country.

In six round bouts:

Omar Douglas (12-0, 9 KO’s) of Wilmington, DE will take on an opponent to be named in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Brandon Williams (6-0) of Rochester, NY will fight Israel Suarez (4-4-2, 1 KO) of Luquillo, PR in a Lightweight bout.

Jarret Hurd (13-0, 8 KO’s) of Accokeek, MD will fight an opponent to be named in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Steve Geffard (8-2, 6 KO’s) will fight an opponent to be named in a Cruiserweight bout.

In four round bouts:

Milton Santiago Jr. (7-0, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will battle Travis Thompson (7-11-3, 3 KO’s) in a Lightweight tussle.

Caleb Plant (4-0, 3 KO’s) of Ashland City, TN will fight an opponent to be named in a Middleweight bout.

In a Featherweight bout, Stephen Fulton (2-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will square off with Benjamin Burgos (2-9-1) of Mount Pocono, PA.

Earl Newman (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will take part in a Cruiserweight bout against an opponent to be named.

Tickets are now on sale for $100 (VIP); $75 (Ringside) and $50 (General Admission) and can be purchased at the Harrahs Philadelphia Gift Shop; By calling King’s Promotions (610-587-5950) or www.Hboxing.eventbrite.com

Kevin Mitchell will face Daniel Estrada for the WBC Silver Lightweight title at The O2 on January 31, live on Sky Sports.

Mitchell returns to action for the first time since his thrilling stoppage win over Ghislain Maduma at Wembley Stadium on May 31, where the Canadian gave ‘Mighty’ Mitchell all he could handle before the 30 year old turned the tide and stopped the visitor in the 11th round.

Estrada’s last outing was a World title challenge against Omar Figueroa in Los Angeles in August on the undercard of Kell Brook’s World title win, where promoter Eddie Hearn got a first row look at the former Silver champion as he aims to make the bout a final eliminator for the World title.

“Mitchell vs. Estrada is a great fight,” said Hearn. “I was ringside in Carson when he took on Figueroa for the WBC title and he put up a great fight. We have applied to the WBC to make this fight a final eliminator for the WBC title with the winner to face the winner of Jorge Linares vs. Javier Prieto and we will be pushing the request at the upcoming convention, I expect it to be successful. It’s all part of a cracking line up at the O2.”

Mitchell’s showdown with Estrada takes place on a huge night of boxing in the capital as Olympic gold medal sensation Anthony Joshua MBE kicks off 2015 with a huge test against former World title challenger Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson. Joshua has a perfect ten KO wins from ten pro fights, and will put out a big statement if he can successfully defend his WBC International Heavyweight title against the American and make it 11 KOs against the man that has taken Vitali Klitschko, Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora the distance.

Islington Middleweight John Ryder defends his WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight title and there are two cracking domestic derbies as Tommy Martin meets Ricky Boylan for the vacant English Light Welterweight title and John Wayne Hibbert defends his WBC International Light Welterweight title against Tyler Goodjohn.

Tickets go on sale at midday today (November 26) to Matchroom Fight Pass members priced £40, £60, £100 and £150 VIPs from www.matchrooomboxing.com

Tickets go on general sale tomorrow from midday with £40, £60 and £100 tickets available from The O2 at www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202. VIP tickets are available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing.

Fres Oquendo’s team responded today to Timur Dugazaev’s press release that was ghost written by Malte Muller Michaelis trying to justify the non-payment of Oquendo’s purse based on an allegedly positive drug test by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). “People in the sport need to know that this guy, Timur Dugazaev, can’t speak a word of English yet he has his co-hort Malte make up all these quotes and lies. They are both wannabes in boxing and Timur is only a servant to President Kadyrov from whom he pilfered Oquendo’s purse money. I suspect that once all of this comes to light, both he and Malte will be called to task. Their story is nothing but a ploy to try and justify their keeping Fres’ money and lying to the President.”

“The stuff that happened to us over there is really unbelievable,” continued Tsatas. “Timur orchestrated the kidnapping of Oquendo to forcibly take him back to the arena from the hospital to make him take the RUSADA drug test against his will. Fres’ trainer was threatened in an elevator that if Fres knocked out Chagaev none of us would leave Grozny (which by the way, is a worry that also concerned Gilberto Mendoza regarding the WBA judges). Timur then tried to extort money from us after our passports supposedly went ‘missing’ at the airport while the aircraft was on the runway about to take off. No, this is not a scene from the movie Argo or some cold war spy novel, but what our team actually experienced during our 3 days there. These facts are backed up by not just me, but also Oquendo himself, John Wirt, long time CEO of Square Ring Promotions, George Hernandez who is a well-respected boxing trainer and Vietnam Veteran, Dino Spencer, who co-owns the 5th St Gym with me and was a student of Angelo Dundee and Nate Jones who is a US Olympic Bronze medalist and Floyd Mayweather’s co-trainer.”

“Yesterday, Dugazaev put out a press release accusing Oquendo of testing positive,” said Tsatas. “What Oquendo ‘supposedly’ tested positive for are two women breast cancer drugs. Not steroids. Not testosterone and not masking agents. So let’s be clear. We vehemently deny the accuracy of the RUSADA results and have filed a protest with the WBA and are requesting a full impartial panel hearing under Article 8 of the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) code. Furthermore, we had Fres tested here in the US by the same company that does the testing for most of the Boxing Commissions in the US and even had his second sample sent to the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) testing lab in Utah and everything has been negative, including for these alleged breast cancer drugs. This was done in response to a Skype text message Fres’ promoter received shortly after the fight that had been leaked by RUSADA and that warned that Oquendo had tested positive. This leak of confidential information alone constitutes a breach by RUSADA of the WADA Code and irrefutably proves that RUSADA and the people working for it cannot be trusted.”

Tom Tsatas went on to say, “we have contacted President Kadyrov and requested him to intervene to correct these injustices. He was very pleasant towards Fres when we were in Grozny and even joked by pointing to Fres’ and Ruslan’s faces and stating that it looked like Fres was the guy who won. In fairness, his government put on a spectacular promotion and he was very hospitable to us and even invited Fres to the Presidential Palace after the fight, but the boxing side of things which was run by Dugazaev and Michaelis was deplorable and the fact that they have not paid Fres his purse or respected the rematch clause in the written contract they signed despicable. The boxing community needs to know and be forewarned about dealing with these two. I have all the voice messages, threatening emails, contract and damning information on Terek Boxing and Dugazaev and Michaelis, and all of this will come out in the lawsuit being filed in December. They duped us into going to save their own asses because in truth Fres really was not mentally ready for the fight because of his sick wife and newborn child and he wanted them to postpone the fight, as was his contractual right, but they refused. Instead, to induce us to go, they increased Fres’ purse and offered him a rematch if he lost and we were the suckers who believed their fraud. Well, we intend to get the last word and will see what a jury of our peers thinks about all of this.”

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Dugazaev’s announcement four and half months after the fight took place that RUSADA allegedly found that Oquendo tested positive but only a week after we finally went public that Fres’ $1 million purse had not been paid is nothing more than pure BS,” said Bobby Hitz, President and Founder of Hitz Boxing, the co-promoter of Fres Oquendo. “The truth is that we objected to RUSADA testing because we knew RUSADA could not be trusted. The guys at USADA told us as much and that’s why we had Fres tested by the USADA lab which was negative. But none of this should be a surprise since even WADA suspended RUSADA just last November right before the Sochi Olympics for too many false positives. The bottom line is that the promoter forced Fres to take the RUSADA test against his will.”
“But what is really troubling to me and what I am having a really hard time understanding is that we provided concrete proof to the WBA that RUSADA violated the WADA Code in connection with Oquendo’s testing and we’ve proved that the RUSADA people cannot be trusted,” Hitz continued. “And we also protested the fight with the WBA and established that Chagaev’s team violated the WBA rules by permitting Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov to climb up onto the ring apron between rounds to coach Chagaev. I don’t mean any disrespect to President Kadyrov but Timur and Malte are so clueless they probably don’t even know this rule and they obviously did not tell the President since I understand that Kadyrov is an honorable man and would not have knowingly violated the WBA rules. But honestly, what kind of level playing field was there when the country’s sitting president gets to publicly coach and encourage his fighter for the three ‘impartial’ WBA judges to see? Can you imagine what kind of hoopla that would make if the fight had been in Washington and Obama was in Fres’ corner coaching him? For the life of me I don’t understand what the WBA is thinking and why they are putting their heads in the sand on this one.”
“There are already two pending lawsuits in Chicago over this fight and this is just the beginning,” said Hitz. “We intend to request a hearing before the WBA under Article 8 of the WADA Code and there will be other lawsuits filed shortly to address these injustices, unless President Kadyrov and the WBA make this thing right.”

ESPN3 will present exclusive live coverage in the U.S. of the 12-round Heavyweight rematch between British contenders Tyson Fury (22-0, 16 KOs) and Dereck Chisora (20-4, 13 KOs), which will take place at the ExCel Arena in London on Saturday, November 29. The winner of the fight will become the mandatory challenger for Wladimir Klitschko’s WBO Heavyweight title. ESPN3’s coverage of the card will begin at 3:40 p.m. ET.

Prior to the main event, ESPN3 will feature the 12-round Welterweight contest between Frankie Gavin (20-1, 13 KOs) and Bradley Skeete (18-0, 7 KOs) and the WBO Middleweight world title eliminator bout between Billy Joe Saunders (20-0, 11 KOs) and Chris Eubank Jr. (17-0, 12 KOs). Saturday’s card is promoted by Queensberry Promotions.

About ESPN Boxing
ESPN is home to ESPN Friday Night Fights and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates (Spanish version), a weekly boxing series which runs between January and August and showcases some of the best bouts in the boxing industry. Friday Night Fights began on October 2, 1998 and Noche de Combates (formerly Viernes de Combates) began on January 10, 2004. ESPN began televising boxing on April 10, 1980 when weekly boxing returned to television for the first time since 1964, with the debut of Top Rank Boxing on ESPN.

New York, NY/Quincy, Mass. (11/26/14) – Tonight, DiBella Entertainment’s (DBE) undefeated world-ranked junior lightweight contender and New England fan-favorite Ryan “Polish Prince” Kielczweski, 20-0 (4 KOs), fights in his hometown of Quincy, Mass., for the first time as a professional. Headlining the card, held at the Quincy Armory and promoted by Vincent Traietti, in association with New England Fights and DiBella Entertainment, Kielczweski will face off against Ernesto Guerrero, of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, in an eight-round junior lightweight contest.

The popular 25-year-old Kielczweski, now rated #6 by the WBA at junior lightweight, had success as an amateur, twice winning gold at the New England Golden Gloves and silver at the 2008 National Golden Gloves. Culminating his amateur career with a stellar 118-26 record, Kielczweski turned pro in 2008 on a DiBella Entertainment Broadway Boxing event. After earning eight consecutive victories, the “Polish Prince” signed a promotional contract with DBE in 2010.

At 16-0, Kielczweski competed in the co-feature bout of an ESPN-televised Friday Night Fights card facing the 11-0 (11 KOs) knockout artist Miguel Soto, on July 19, 2013, at Rockingham Park, in Salem, NH. Kielczweski absolutely dominated Soto from the opening bell, before landing a monstrous left hook that sent his foe crashing face first to the canvas in the fifth round for a full count. The knockout was so explosive that it was voted as the fifth best play on ESPN’s list of “Top-10 Plays of the Day”.

Following another two wins, Kielczweski was back on ESPN in his most recent contest against the 12-1 Ramsey Luna, on June 27, at the Ameristar Casino, in St. Charles, MO. In this fight, to combat Luna’s aggressiveness and pressure, Kielczweski proved that he could brawl as well as box. Getting the better of the exchanges and digging viciously to the body, Kielczweski won an eight-round unanimous decision with scores of 79-73 and 78-74 twice.

Now he is focused on staying busy in his third fight of 2014 and entertaining the hometown fans with another impressive outing on the eve of Thanksgiving.

“It will be an epic night with an unbelievable atmosphere fighting in front of my hometown fans,” said Ryan. “All of my friends and family will be there. I am ecstatic that the Traietti family is putting on this card. Chris Traietti and I grew up in the gym together and we’ve become close friends.

“Training camp was great. My old gym in Quincy closed down so I hooked up with a new trainer, Alex Rivera, out of Somerville, Mass., and we communicate very well. I’ve seen some tape of my opponent, but I am one hundred percent ready and he cannot beat me.”

“Rivera has been working to turn my son into a volume puncher,” said father and manager Rick Kielczweski. “To get ready for tonight, Ryan sparred with a real speedster in Rashidi Ellis, which definitely helped with his timing. He is ready and looking for blood. Guerrero likes to fight in close quarters, but Ryan can do either, box on the outside or bang on the inside. My son has a big following in Quincy so it will be great to give back to the fans with this fight in his hometown. After tonight, I believe it is time for Ryan to step up, get more exposure and fight bigger challenges.”

“I am beyond excited to have Kielczweski headlining this card, along with undefeated heavyweight Steve Vukosa and myself fighting on the undercard in our hometown of Quincy,” said Chris Traietti, whose father is promoting the event. “The three of us are anxious to give Quincy a Thanksgiving Eve to remember. Having Ryan on the card was really a pleasant surprise and I want to thank DiBella Entertainment for making it happen. Anytime you can get a world ranked fighter on your show, you know you have something special. Quincy fans are in for a treat seeing their own local ‘Polish Prince’ fighting in our backyard.”

“Ryan Kielczweski is a true talent with incredible boxing ability,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “He’s already had tremendous victories on national television and we will continue to seek out the best opportunities for him. Tonight, the ‘Polish Prince’ will put on a thrilling performance in front of his hometown fans in Quincy.”

Wachula, FL—With Thanksgiving upon us, junior lightweight contender Edner Cherry believes there are plenty of turkeys in the 130-pound division who seem to run for cover whenever his name is mentioned.

The 32-year-old Cherry has not lost a fight in more than more than six years. His last setback, in 2008, came via 12-round decision to Tim Bradley for the latter’s WBC junior welterweight title, 10 pounds over Cherry’s natural fighting weight.
Cherry has boxed 10 times since then. He has won nine of them, six by knockout, and he boxed one No Contest when his opponent, Eric Aiken, claimed he couldn’t continue after getting hit after the bell ending the first round.
“I want to get into the ring with any champion or any of the top guys at 130,” said Cherry, who blew out Osumanu Akaba, of Ghana, in two rounds in his last fight Oct. 18 in Philadelphia. “All I want to do is fight the best and show the world that I’m the best 130-pound fighter in the world.
“Look at the guys who beat me, all above my natural weight,” said Cherry, who also dropped a 10-round decision to Paulie Malignaggi in 2007. “They were all current, former or soon-to-be champions. I’ve fought them all. Now I’m fighting at 130, never lost at this weight, knocking guys out and I can’t get an opportunity. I’ve never been knocked out.”
Cherry has solid wins over Vicente Escobido, ex-champs Stevie Johnston and Juan Polo Perez, Monte Meza-Clay and Daniel Alicea.
Trainer Dan Birmingham doesn’t think there is a junior lightweight on the planet who can deal with Cherry.
“Edner is the strongest junior lightweight in the world,” Birmingham said. “He’s paid his dues and it’s time he gets the right fights at the right weight. If he fights any of the current champions, he wins. Maybe that’s why no one wants to fight him.”
Cherry currently is ranked No. 9 by the IBF, No. 11 by the WBO, No. 13 by the WBC.
Foremost on Cherry’s hit list is former champ Yuriorkis Gamboa, the ex-champion from Cuba.
“Edner’s too strong and hits too hard for Gamboa,” said Birmingham.
Manager Patrick Doljanin: “If we can’t get Gamboa, Edner will fight any of the current champions, especially Orlando Salido, which has Fight-of-the-Year written all over it. Edner’s willing to fight anyone at 130 in the kind of fights that boxing fans deserve and want to see.”
Doljanin scratches his head when he looks at the world ratings.
“You’ve got guys like Ryan Kielczwesk, who hasn’t fought anybody and somehow he managed to get a No. 7 rating with the WBA,” Doljanin said. “He’s done nothing to warrant that rating. Edner would fight this guy in a winner-take-all fight and I guarantee this kid (Kielczwesk) would head for the hills before he ever gets in the ring with Edner.”
Promoter J Russell Peltz has tried to line Cherry up with several world-rated 130-pounders, with no luck.
“Boxing is a business, not a sport,” said Peltz. “If it were a sport, an organized sport, then some of these so-called contenders would have to fight Cherry. Guys like Jose Pedraza go around calling out the champs, but when we tried to get a fight with him all we got was a lot of un-returned phone calls.
“If we had to fight at 135, we would consider the winner of the Terrance Crawford-Ray Beltran fight or any other top lightweight in the world.”

HBO’s hit late-night boxing franchise visits Omaha, Neb. for the second time in less than six months to present an all-action doubleheader of world title bouts when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: TERENCE CRAWFORD VS. RAY BELTRAN AND EVGENY GRADOVICH VS. JAYSON VELEZ is seen SATURDAY, NOV. 29 at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from CenturyLink Center, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 30 (8:15 a.m.) and Dec. 1 (12:15 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Nov. 30 (5:45 p.m.) and Dec. 2 (12:15 a.m.)

Last June in Omaha, lightweight titleholder Terence Crawford (24-0, 17 KOs) made his long-awaited hometown debut on HBO, scoring a spectacular comeback KO victory over the previously undefeated Cuban star Yuriorkis Gamboa. The 27-year-old has fast-tracked through the 135-pound division, scoring three victories on HBO last year and adding a world title belt in March 2013.

Ray Beltran (29-6-1, 17 KOs) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico is a formidable opponent on a five-fight winning streak. No stranger to the spotlight, the 33-year-old fought on the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley Jr. undercard last April, winning a 12-round unanimous decision over Arash Usmanee.

The night from Omaha opens with two undefeated fighters hoping to become breakout stars when Evgeny Gradovich (19-0, 9 KOs) of Russia and Jayson Velez (22-0, 16 KOs) of Puerto Rico clash in a 12-round featherweight title fight. Making his fourth title defense, the 28-year-old Gradovich has shown a willingness to meet anyone, anywhere, having fought three times in Macau, China. Like Gradovich, the 26-year-old Velez has a fan-friendly style that should make for a compelling encounter.

The telecast begins with a replay of the Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri welterweight title fight from Macau that featured a dominant performance from Pacquiao in his 17th HBO Pay-Per-View event.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

The executive producer of HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Jon Crystal; director, Johnathan Evans.

Tacoma, WA (November 25th, 2014) Brian Halquist Productions and CageSport MMA are excited to announce Super Fight League America SFL36, live from the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday, December 13th 2014. The Super Fight League, Asia’s largest mixed martial arts promotion hosted their first event stateside on October 4th with great success. Looking to ride that wave of momentum, SFL USA has another great night of fights in store for MMA fans around the world. With two five-round title fights on the card and an international broadcast, this event promises to be another showstopper.

The main event of the evening will see Tacoma’s Harrison Bevens (7-2) in a 5-round battle versus Julian Erosa (12-2) of Yakima for the SFL USA 155lb. championship. With each fighter coming off a win earlier this year, they will be looking to keep their respective streaks alive and take home the first ever SFL USA lightweight belt. Both men have proven to be finishers, with 17 of their combined 20 professional victories coming by either knockout or submission.

After a win in his pro debut in May of 2008, Harrison Bevens rattled off five straight victories, all by submission. With only two of his bouts ending up in the judge’s hands, MMA fans in the Pacific Northwest know that when Bevens steps into the cage, fireworks are sure to follow.

His opponent, the more experienced Julian Erosa, is no stranger to explosives finishes himself, with 11 of his 12 victories coming by stoppage. Erosa turned pro in 2010, and has since proven that he can do it all, with seven submissions and four knockouts to his credit. With the lightweight strap on the line, both men are sure to turn in “Fight of the Night” worthy performances.

In the co-main event, the crowd in Tacoma will be treated to something very rarely seen, a real-life superhero. Ben “Flat-Top” Fodor (4-0), or as he may be better known, Seattle Superhero Phoenix Jones, will put his undefeated streak on the line against the equally dangerous and undefeated Tyson Cunningham (3-0) for the SFL USA middleweight championship.

A pro since 2013, Shoreline, Washington’s Ben Fodor is one of the more interesting characters you’re likely to find. In July of 2011, Fodor formed the Rain City Superhero Movement. As costumed vigilante Phoenix Jones, Fodor patrolled the streets of Seattle with other like-minded individuals, gaining an international following. As a fighter, with two of his four professional victories coming by submission, he has shown that he has what it takes to come out victorious in the cage, as well as on the streets.

Fodor’s adversary, explosive Enumclaw native Tyson Cunningham will also be looking to remain unbeaten. At 3-0, with all three victories coming by knockout, Cunningham will present Fodor with his toughest test to date. Also a pro since 2013, Cunningham has been a buzz saw, destroying opponents with his heavy-handed attack. This fight promises to be a war from beginning to end, with two of the Northwest’s most promising young talents aiming to claim their spot atop the SFL USA middleweight division.

Tickets for Super Fight League America SFL36 are on sale now through the Emerald Queen Casino box office and all Ticketmaster locations and start at only $35. Get yours now, as tickets are expected to sell out.

Super Fight League America is brought to you courtesy of Brian Halquist Productions and CageSport MMA. More info about Super Fight League America and all other Halquist Productions events can be found at www.halquistproductions.com and www.superfightleague.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the Cruiserweight title bout between Yoan Pablo Hernandez and Ola Afolabi has been postponed due to Hernandez elbow injury.

The fight was scheduled for December 6 in Oldenburg, Germany.

“After sparring on Thursday I had minor problems, but it got worse on Friday and I could not properly stretch my right arm. I went to the doctor immediately,” Hernandez said through an interpreter.

“The boy has already had so much bad luck, enough for a lifetime,” trainer Ulli Wegner said of Hernandez, who has had various injuries and illnesses in recent years that have caused him to cancel or postpone fights. “Pablo is a fighter. He will bite down and then come back stronger than ever.”

“We wish Pablo a speedy recovery and hope his mandatory defense against Ola Afolabi can be rescheduled for the start of 2015,” Meyer said.

Said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, Afolabi’s promoter, “We are very disappointed to hear that Hernandez got injured. He is a great champion but has been very injury prone.

“Ola has had a great training camp sparring with Olympic gold medalist Olexandr Usyk in Kiev. You can’t get any better training than with Usyk. We are in discussions with Sauerland Event to keep Ola on the show or we will look to put him in another fight to keep him active until Hernandez is ready to fight again.”

Derrick Webster 163.5 – Obodai Sai 162
Antonio Dubose 131 – Arturo Santiago 129.5
Avery Sparrow 131.5 – Jesus Lule 127
Blair Cobbs 143 – Julian Sanchez 142.5
Jerome Conquest 135 – Piotr Apostle 133.5
PLUS 8 AMATEUR BOUTS

1ST BOUT: 7:00 PM
Promoters: Joe Hand Promotions & D and D Management
Venue: 2300 Arena

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are just $20 for students showing ID at the door as well for secured admission, $30 for secured seat and $50 for reserved seats. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-364-9000 or online at www.2300Arena.com and Wanamaker Entertainment.

Formerly called the Alhambra Arena, 2300 Arena is located at 2300 South Swanson St., in South Philadelphia and plenty of parking is available.

The 2300 Arena is located at 2300 South Swanson Street (Corner of Swanson & Ritner).

For more information and media credentials, contact:

Marc Abrams at phillyboxing@gmail.com or 856 287 7611 or

Bill Kettelberger at bill@joehandpromotions.com or 215 364 9000

www.joehandpromotions.com and www.danddmanagementeam.com

Follow Joe Hand Promotions on social media at

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 25, 2014) – With the holiday season fast approaching, boxing fans will have plenty to celebrate at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 13, as the star-studded “ROYAL BATTLE: Khan vs. Alexander” has grown to a quadrupleheader. Added to the previously announced SHOWTIME telecast will be a 10-round featherweight bout featuring former three-division world champion Abner Mares (27-1-1, 14 KOs) against Mexico’s Jose Ramirez (24-3-2, 15 KOs), and opening the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING portion of the event at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT will be a 12-round IBF Title Elimination bout between unbeaten Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) and Italy’s Lenny Bottai (22-2, 9 KOs).

Headlined by the high-stakes 12-round welterweight matchups between British superstar and former unified super lightweight world champion Amir “King” Khan and former two-division world champion Devon Alexander “The Great,” and featuring the interim WBA Welterweight World Championship 12-round title fight between Keith “One Time” Thurman against Leonard “The Lion” Bundu, the live SHOWTIME event will offer a full night of boxing action.

SHOWTIME EXTREME viewers will also be treated to outstanding live action beginning at 7 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), with top 154-pound contender Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo(24-0, 11 KOs) putting his unbeaten record on the line in a 10-round bout against Mario Alberto Lozano (28-5, 20 KOs) and undefeated 2012 United States Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (14-0, 11 KOs) taking on longtime contender “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (24-10-1, 11 KOs) of Greece in an eight-round junior middleweight contest. Plus, the return of former welterweight world champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-5-2, 22 KOs) against Denver’s Manuel Perez (21-10-1, 4 KOs) will be aired during the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast.

Rounding out the non-televised card, in an eight-round cruiserweight bout featuring Beibut Shumenov (14-2, 9 KOs) versus Robert Thomas Jr. (14-2-1, 9 KOs) and Tokyo’s Yoshihiro Kamegai (24-2-1, 21 KOs) will face off against San Jose’s Oscar Godoy (13-3, 6 KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight showdown.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are priced at $300, $200, $100, and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Facing off against former world champion Abner Mares will beMazatlan, Mexico native Jose Ramirez, (24-3-2, 15 KOs), who can put himself in the running for a world title shot at 126 pounds with a win on Dec. 13. A professional since 2006, the 27-year-old former WBO International Featherweight World Champion is 3-2 in his last five bouts, a stretch that includes a victory over veteran contender Rey Bautista. Ramirez now makes his home in Oxnard, Calif., where he’s put in an intense training camp for the biggest fight of his career.

Former amateur sensation Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) of Houston, Texas has made his presence known in the professional game with all but four of his wins coming by way of knockout. The 24-year-old Charlo is ready to continue to make a statement that he is one of the best junior middleweights in the world when he opens the Dec. 13 telecast against Lenny Bottai. His most recent win, a seventh round technical knockout over Norberto Gonzalez in September has given Charlo the drive to close out the year with a victory and head into 2015 with a world championship in his sights.

On a quest to bring a world championship home to Italy, Livorno’s Lenny “Mangusta” Bottai (22-2, 9 KOs) is a seasoned veteran of European rings, where he has won the Italian, IBO International, IBF International, IBF Intercontinental and WBC Mediterranean Junior Middleweight titles. The only thing missing for the 37-year-old warrior is a world title belt and following seven consecutive victories, four by knockout, he can move one step closer to glory should he upend Charlo.

Winner of nine of his last 11 fights, 27-year-old Mario Alberto “Aguila” Lozano (28-5, 22 KOs) will be a stern test for unbeaten Jermell Charlo on Dec. 13 in Las Vegas. A stellar welterweight contender for several years, the Chihuahua, Mexico native is now putting his skills on display at 154 pounds, where he has recently battled respected contenders Vanes Martirosyan and Charles Hatley. But to set the stage for a title run, Lozano must dispatch Charlo from the ranks of the unbeaten and end 2014 with a bang.

2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (14-0, 11 KOs) has been making a steady climb up the divisional ranks since turning professional. After a shutout win over rugged veteran Ronald Cruz in June and a dominating technical knockout victory over the experienced Noe Bolanos in September, the 24-year-old from Desoto, Texas is primed to take his next big step.

Fresh from his first fight as a professional in his native Greece, a second round knockout of Andrei Staliarchuk in May, Athens’ “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (25-10-2, 12 KOs) will see if 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. has what it takes to move to the next level when they collide. A veteran of nearly 14 years in the pro game, the 35-year-old Arnaoutis has battled the likes of Josesito Lopez, Chris Algieri, Danny Garcia and Victor Ortiz in his career, and he still feels he gas plenty left his as he tackles one of boxing’s brightest prospects.

“ROYAL BATTLE: Khan vs. Alexander,” a 12-round welterweight bout for the WBC Silver Welterweight Title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Khan Promotions and The Great Promotions and is sponsored by Corona Extra, AT&T and Mexico – Live It To Believe It! The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will air on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). In the co-main event, Keith Thurman defends his interim WBA Welterweight World Title against Leonard Bundu. Additionally, Abner Mares will face Jose Ramirez in a 10-round featherweight bout and opening the telecast, Jermall Charlo will meet Lenny Bottai in a 12-round IBF Junior Middleweight Title eliminator. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing,@SHOSports, @AmirKingKhan, @TheRealDevonA, @KeithfThurmanJr, @abnermares00, @FutureOfBoxing, @TwinCharlo, @ErrolSpenceJr @viciousortiz, @MGMGrand and @Swanson_Comm follow the conversation using #KhanAlexander, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com/.

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing is proud to announce the signing of lightweight prospect Jairo “Jimmy” Llanes (7-0-1, 6 KOs) to a long-term exclusive promotional contract.

From a fighting family, Llanes, from Los Mochis Sinaloa, Mexico, is the son of former Mexican Junior Middleweight and Middleweight Champion, as well as world title challenger, Jaime Llanes, who was stopped in seven rounds by then-WBO champion Verno Phillips in 1994.

In fact, Llanes says he dedicates his career to his father who, due to his bad lifestyle and partying habits, wasted what could have been a great a career. He has vowed not to follow in his father’s footsteps.

20-year-old Llanes will make his debut under the Sampson Boxing banner on Friday, December 5 at the Arena Union in Los Mochis, when the takes on fellow Mexican Mao Corona in a six-round battle.

Llanes vs. Corona will serve as the co-main event of the evening. WBA #13 ranked middleweight contender Jorge “Demonio” Cota will face tough veteran Esau Herrera of Mexico City in the eight-round main event. The night of boxing is promoted by Sampson Boxing and Martin Estrada’s M Master Promotions.

“Jimmy is a very talented prospect and is already very popular in his native Los Mochis,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “He is the third fighter brought to me by my trusted advisor in Mexico, Fernando Dominguez from Dominguez Promotions (along with Jorge Cota and Hugo “Cuatito” Ruiz). Fernando is my right-hand man in the country and he says this young fighter has what it takes.”

Llanes started boxing at age eight and had 70 amateur fights, losing just four. Highly decorated, Llanes fought in 29 amateur championship fights and lost only twice. As a professional, he has stopped his last four opponents.

“I’m happy to be working with Jimmy and I predict big things for his future,” continued Lewkowicz. “We will bring him along at the right speed and help him become the next great fighter to come from Mexico.”

ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

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

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