Gennady Golovkin thrilled a sold out StubHub Center in Carson, California in the 2nd round of their scheduled 12 round Middleweight championship bout.

Golovkin rocked Rubio at the end of the opening frame from a right. In round two, Golovkin landed a thudding uppercut that drove Rubio to the ropes. A follow up barrage that was finished off by a looping left to the head sent Rubio down for the ten count at

Golovkin, 159 lbs of Kazakhstan is now 31-0 with 28 knockouts. Rubio weighed in 1.8 lbs over the Middleweight limit is now 59-7-1.

Nicholas Walters announced his presence as a top flight Featherweight as Nicholas Walters scored a 6th round stoppage over Nonito Donaire to capture the WBA “Super” Featherweight title.

Donaire struck first as he rocked Walters with a left hook at the end of round two. In round three, Walters landed his own left hook that sent Donaire to the canvas. In round four, Dinaire suffered a cut over his right eye. In roud six, a cut formed over Donaire’s left eye. At the end of the sixth round, Walters landed two thudding right hands with the latter pouncing off the top of Donaire’s head that sent the former Fighter of the Year to the canvas again. Donaire was barely able to get to his feet but referee Raul Caiz stopped the fight at 2:59 of round six.

Walters, 125 1/w lbs of Montigo Bay, JAM is now 25-0 with 21 knockouts. Donaire, 125 1/2 lbs of Philippines is now 33-3.

Edwin Rodriguez scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Azea Augustama in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Scores were 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Rodriguez, 174 3/4 lbs of Worcester, MA and is now 24-1. Augustama. 175 3/4 lbs is now 17-2.

Abraham Han scored a 10-round majority decision over Marcos Reyes in a Super Middleweight bout.

Reyes Dropped Han in round eight but was deducted a point in round for a low blow.

Han, 160 1/2 lbs won by scores of 97-91 twice and 94-94 and is now 23-1. Reyes, 160 3/4 lbs is 32-2.

Former two-time Cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham scored a 7th round stoppage over previously undefeated Natu Visinia om a scheduled 10-round Heavyweight bout at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Despite a 75 pound weight disadvantage, Cunningham boxed and moved very efficiently and peppered Visinia with rights and lefts. Visinia scored a brief knockdown in round five when he connected with a right hand while Cunningham was off balance.

Cunningham was far from hurt as he came back to land hard power shots that busted up the face of Visinia until the bout was called after seven rounds.

Cunningham, 205 lbs of Philadelphia is now 28-6 with 13 KO’s. Visinia, 278 lbs is now 10-1.

World ranked Jr. lightweight, Edner Cherry scored a 2nd round stoppage over Osamanu Akaba in a scheduled 10-round bout.

In round two, Cherry landed a hard left that sent Akaba to the canvas. He sent Akaba down again with a left hook to the head. A hard three-punch combination sent Akaba to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 2:15.

Cherry, 132 1/2 lbs of Wauchula, FL is now 34-6-2 with 18 knockouts. Akaba, 134 1/2 ls of Prichard, AL is now 24-7.

Decarlo Perez scored a 5th round stoppage over Tyrone Brunson in a scheduled 8-round Middleweight bout.

brunson boxed well early and had Perez hurt in the 2nd round. Perez got into the fight and slowly seized control. In round five, Perez hurt Brunson with a left hook and followed up with a barrage of punches that had referee Shawn Clark call a halt to the bout at 2:29 if round five.

Perez, 158 lbs of Atlantic City, NJ is now 13-3-1 with 5 knockouts. Brunson, 158 lbs of Philadelphia is now 22-3-1.

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA — October 17, 2014 — It was a spectacular night of boxing action in front of a sold-out crowd at the Belle at Baton Rouge in the Capital City Friday night. WFC 30 ended with Travis Scott improving to 18-0 (4KO), and winning the World Fighting Championships Middleweight Title in his unanimous decision victory over Taronze Washington (16-19, 4KO).

WFC also announced its next boxing event. WFC returns to the Belle of Baton Rouge on Saturday, January 17th. Tickets are priced at $60 and $30. VIP tables are available for $500. Tickets and information are available at www.worldfightingchampionships.com.

Full results for WFC 30:

Main Event: Travis Scott def Taronze Washington by Unanimous Decision
(77-75, 78-74, 79-73)

Justin Thomas def Daniel Henry by Unanimous Decision
(58-56, 58-56, 58-56)

Chris Singleton def Steve Trumble by TKO
(2:59 of 4th round)

Todd Manuel def Arthur Thomas by Unanimous Decision
(58-56, 58-56, 59-55)

Thomas Dorsey def Stephen Louis by Majority Decision
(40-36, 40-36, 38-38)

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, The son’s of former Heavyweight world champion Hasim Rahman have filed suit against Floyd Mayweather, Floyd Mayweathwer and Showtime for alleged sparring sessions that aired during the All Access show that was aired in the buildup to the Mayweather – Maidana rematch.

Upset that his brother had taken such a vicious pounding, Hasim Rahman Jr. arrived at the gym and challenged the smaller Cameron to get into the ring with him. While members of the gym lined up wagers, including Mayweather, they fought for 31 consecutive minutes, according to the telecast and lawsuit, until Cameron could not go on. All the while, Mayweather was present and cheering wildly.

The suit alleges that “Mayweather forced Sharif to fight multiple rounds of approximately 5, 6 and 7 minutes in length.” Sharif contends that he asked for traditional three-minute rounds but Mayweather said “this is the doghouse” and to “turn those bells off.”

“Sharif feared for his safety and was forced to continue to fight,” the suit said.

On Sept. 23, Mayweather testified — although not under oath — to the commission that the sparring scenes (as well as others featuring several of Mayweather’s girlfriends smoking marijuana in front of him in his Las Vegas home) were staged for the television show in order to help boost pay-per-view sales. He said the 31-minute sparring session did not happen as the fighters were allowed to take several breaks. He also told the commission that the gambling shown in the episode was also fake.

“With ‘All Access,’ we’re able to edit and chop footage the way we want,” Mayweather told the commission.

The commission was concerned over the lack of regard for the health and safety of the fighters and questioned him about the “doghouse” fights but accepted his version of events and closed the matter — much to the surprise of many, because there were numerous people in the gym, including Showtime production personnel, who were not questioned about the sparring.

“Defendant Mayweather knowingly misrepresented facts while testifying before the Nevada State Athletic Commission,” the suit said.

WBC Eurasian Pacific middleweight champion Mike Keta defended his title on Saturday in front of a frenetic, sold out crowd in Bulqize (Albania) by stopping Marat Khuzeev with a devastating hook to the liver after 1:03 minutes in the 3rd round.

Thousands of Albanian fans came to support their local hero but couldn’t get into the open air Arena in Bulqize which had just been built up for this event. So the fight was broadcasted live on giant video walls outside of the stadium for the people in attendance who later on celebrated Keta’s victory with car parades and dancing in the streets.

It was the first time in its long history that the WBC sanctioned and supervised a fight in Albania. “Mike did an outstanding job”, said his brother, trainer and promoter Jonny Keta after the show. “I am very proud of him and of everybody who helped to turn this event in such a major success. There was a lot of pressure on Mike in front of his home crowd. Still he showed an excellent performance and got the job done in style. He proved today how strong he really is.”

Russia’s Khuzeev who had already been in the ring with the likes of Selcuk Aydin and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez started well and managed to stay away from Keta in the first round using his jab and good footwork. But Keta sticked to his game plan and put a lot of pressure on his challenger finally knocking him out in round 3 with a vicious body punch. The hook to the liver turns into Keta’s trademark punch. When he captured the EPBC title in July he stopped Mikheil Khutsishvili from Georgia in round 7 with a devastating power punch, too.

In the co-feature, European K1 lightweight champion Mareike Michl from Germany defended her IKBF belt by outworking strong Austrian challenger Nina Scheucher. Michl donated her purse for the title fight to support the construction of a sports complex in Bulqize and was awarded with the honorary citizenship of the small Albanian town.

Pablo Munguia scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Edgar Ortega in a Welterweight bout at the Jose Cuervo Salon in Polanco, Mexico

In round four, Ortega was cut over the right eye from a headbutt.

Munguia, 147 lbs won ny scores of 98-90 twice and 95-93 and is now 20-5. Ortega, 147 lbs is now 15-2.

Antonio Moran scored a 3rd round stoppage over Adrian Rodriguez in a scheduled 8-round Lightweight bout.

The stoppage came at 3:00 of round three for Moran, 134 lbs and is now 16-0 with 10 knockouts. Rodriguez, 135 lbs is 8-5.

Sergio Fabian (1-2) scored a Hugo Ledesma (1-4-2) in a Lightweight bout.

Founder and CEO of Star Boxing, Joe DeGuardia is proud to announce that he has entered into a long term promotional agreement with power punching Light Heavyweight Joe ” Irish Bomber” Smith Jr., of Long Island, NY.

Smith, “The Irish Bomber”, turned professional in October of 2009 and has blazed a trail that has seen knockout 13 of his opponents on his way to compiling a record of 16-1 (13 KO’s). In his last fight on July 23rd, 2014, Smith knocked out Los Angeles California’s Tyrell Hendrix, 11-5-2 4KO’s, in New York City, NY.

The “Irish Bomber” was elated with the signing and stated: “I’m so excited to be with Star Boxing and fighting on Long Island at the Paramount “.
Smith is known for his tremendous power but has also displayed the ability to box. He has had close to 50 amateur bouts that included titles as a Junior Olympian, NY Metro champion, and in 2008 Joe won the prestigious NY Daily News Golden Gloves Championship. Smith is also a member of Local 66 Laborers Union and has already established a very big following. He is managed and trained by the Jerry Capobianco, who stated: “With the help of Joe DeGuardia’s team at Star Boxing I feel Joe Smith Jr will be another World Champion from Long Island “. Joe wants to follow in the tradition of past great Irish/American fighters such as Jack Dempsey, Billy Conn, Mickey Walker, and Gene Tunney to name a few.

Star Boxing head Joe DeGuardia had this to say about his new signing “I’ve had my eye on signing Joe for a while as he is an exciting fighter who is a perfect fit for our fans at the Paramount. The Light Heavyweight division is a very good one and we have had our share of champions in that division (among other, Star Boxing promoted Light-Heavyweight champs Antonio Tarver and Lou DelValle) and I’m looking forward to Joe Smith becoming another or our World Champion’s in the very near future”.

Smith will make his Star Boxing debut on December 20th, 2014 at The Paramount in Huntington, NY. Smith hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow Long Islander and current WBO Jr. Welterweight champion Chris Algieri who on November 22nd battles Manny Paquiao, live on HBO Pay Per View from Macau, China. Algieri made The Paramount his home having fought there eight times which eventually led him to the mega fight he is in. The Irish Bomber hopes to do the same and have the same success as Algieri did.

INGUSHETIA, RUSSIA (October 17, 2014) — Slovakian MMA technician Ivan “Buki” Buchinger (28-4-0, 7 KO/TKO, 16 SUB) captured the vacant M-1 Challenge featherweight title by stopping Azerbaijan striker Tural Ragimov (9-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) at his own game in tonight’s M-1 Challenge 52: Battle of Narts main event at Summer Amphiteatre Magas in Ingushetia, Russia.

M-1 Challenge 52: Battle of Narts, featuring red-hot challengers Buchinger and Ragimov,both unbeaten in a pair of M-1 Challenge bouts apiece, aired lived on www.M1Global.TV. See below for full results and photo gallery.

“Buki”
Buchinger was riding a six-fight win streak into his title fight, including the last two against Mikhail Malyutin (SUB1 – rear naked choke) and Sergei Golyaev (DEC3), respectively, this past August in M-1 Challenge 50 and in M-1 Challenge 47 last April.

Ragimov started the action having won his last five fights, including the last two versus and Lee Morrison (SUB1 – arm-bar) and Aliyar Sarkerov (TKO2 – punches), respectively, this past June in M-1 Challenge 49 and last March in M-1 Challenge 46.

Russian welterweight Murad “The Hunter” Abdullayev (12-1-0, 5 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) lived up to his nickname, stalking his more experienced opponent Daniel “The Gladiator” Tabera (18-6-3, 4 KO/TKO, 6 SUB), of Spain. A strong flurry of punches halted the action in the second round.

Belarussian lightweight Artiom Damkovsky (18-9-0, 7 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) won a three-round decision over his Russian opponent, Said Khaililov (12-12-0, 8 KO/TKO/ 2 SUB), as did Rustam Gadzhiev (4-2-0, 2 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) against Ingiskhan Ozdoev in a battle between Russian welterweights.

Russian middleweight Magomed Mutaev (5-2-0, 3 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) upset previously undefeated Pole, Bartosz “Hulk” Chyrel (4-1-1, 4 SUB), by way of a third-round stoppage via punches.

Unbeaten Russian heavyweight Murad Ismailov (4-0-0, 4 KO/TKO) kept his perfect record intact, taming Vladimir “White Lion” Mishchenko (7-7-0, 7 SUB), of Ukraine, with a first-round knockout by punches to close the main event.

In preliminary bouts, Kazakh welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov (1-0-0, 1 KO/TKO) used a triangle choke in his successful professional debut, defeating hometown favorite Adam Tsurov (1-1-0, 1 SUB) in the opening round.

In a pair of lightweight matches, Russian prospect Khamzat Dalgiev (1-1-0, 1 SUB) finished off Dmitry Ermolaev (2-2-0, 2 SUB), of Kazakhstan, with a guillotine choke in the second round, while Arubakar Mestoev (1-0-0) won a two-round decision over Marat Tokhtamushev (0-1-0) in pro debuts for both Russians. Another lightweight fight between two Russians, Zurab Betergaraev (1-0-1, 1 KO/TKO) and Rustam Khasanov (5-2-0, 4 KO/TKO. 1 SUB), ended in a “no contest” due to an accidental clash of heads.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN CARD

HEAVYWEIGHTS:
Murad Izmailov (4-0-0), RussiaWKO/TKO1 (punches – 1:09) Vladimir Mishchenko (7-7-0), Ukraine

MIDDLEWEIGHTS:
Magomed Mutaev (5-2-0), Russia WKO/TKO3 (punches) Bartosz Chyrek (4-1-0), Poland

WELTERWEIGHTS:
Murad Abdullayev (12-1-0), Russia WKO/TKO2 (punches) Daniel Tabera (18-6-3), Spain

Rustam Gadzhiev (4-2-0), Russia WDEC3 Ingiskhan Ozdoev (1-1-0, Russia

CATCHWEIGHT (160 lbs.):
Artiom Damkovsky (18-9-0), Belarus WDEC3 Said Khaililov (12-12-0), Russia

FEATHERWEIGHTS:
Ivan Buchinger (28-4-0), Slovakia WKO/TKO4 (punches) Tural Ragimov (9-2-0), Azerbaijan
(Buchinger won vacant M-1 Challenge Featherweight title)

PRELIMINARY CARD

WELTERWEIGHTS:
Shavkat Rakhmonov (1-0-0), Kazakhstan WSUB1 (Triangle Choke) Adam Tsurov (1-1-0), Russia

LIGHTWEIGHTS:
Rustam Khasanov (5-2-0), Russia No Contest Zurab Betergaraev (1-0-1, Russia

Khamzat Dalgiev (1-1-0), Russia WSUB2 (Guillotine Choke) Dmitry Ermolaev (2-2-0), Kazakhstan

Murat Tokhtamyshev (1-0-0), Russia WDEC2 Abubakar Mestoev (0-1-0), Russia

Ivan Buchinger

Ivan Buchinger

Ivan Buchinger & Tural Ragimov

Ivan Buchinger & Tural Ragimov

Murad Abdullayev & Daniel Tabera

Artiom Damkovsky & Said Khaililov

Rustam Gadzhiev & Ingiskhan Ozdoev

Magomed Mutaev & Bartosz Chyrek

Shavkat Rakhmonov & Adam Tsurov

Khamzat Dalgiev & Dmitry Ermolaev

Marat Tokhtamyshev & Abubakar Mestoev

Rustam Khasanov & Zurab Betergaraev

HISTORICAL FENCING

Information

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www.WMMAA.org

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Instagram:

@M1Global

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@M1GlobalNews

Facebook:

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ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and matchups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2014 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.

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

New York, NY/Carson, CA (10/17/14) – Weighing in today at 174.8lbs., Worcester, Massachusetts-native Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez, 24-1 (16 KOs), is ready for his light heavyweight debut against Azea Augustama tomorrow night at the StubHub Center, in Carson, CA. Scheduled for 10 rounds, the bout will air on HBO Latino, beginning at 12:15am ET.

“I’m excited to be returning to action and to get back on HBO,” said Rodriguez. “I feel that with my last fight against Andre Ward, my body was telling me that I needed to move up in weight. I’ve had a really good training camp for this fight and I’m going in there to send a message to the light heavyweight division that I am an elite fighter. My opponent is a good boxer, a former Olympian, but I’m not worried about what he’s doing. I’m just looking to be the best Edwin Rodriguez I can be tomorrow night.”

A popular New England fighter and an accomplished amateur, Rodriguez turned pro in 2008 and signed with DiBella Entertainment a year later. Always willing to take on the best fighters out there, his last six opponents had a combined record of 107-2-3, dating back to 2011. Underneath the Sergio Martinez-Matthew Macklin middleweight championship bout at Madison Square Garden on St. Patrick’s Day 2012, Rodriguez displayed excellent technique in outboxing the always-tough Donovan George over 10 rounds to pick up the USBA super middleweight belt, on HBO’s World Championship Boxing. After impressively stopping the previously undefeated Jason Escalera in eight rounds in September 2012, on HBO’s Boxing After Dark, Edwin participated in and won the “Million Dollar Super Four” tournament in Monte Carlo, Monaco, defeating the 19-0 Ezequiel Maderna via 10-round unanimous decision and demolishing the 13-1-1 Denis Grachev by TKO inside the opening frame.

His performances in the tournament earned him a shot at the Super WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward, considered by many as the second best boxer in the world. On November 16, 2013, Edwin worked hard to bring the fight on the inside and take Ward out of his game plan, but would ultimately lose a 12-round decision. Now refreshed and rejuvenated, Rodriguez is determined to reclaim his lofty high-ranked status, as a light heavyweight.

He’ll be facing Haitian-born Azea Augustama, 17-1 (9 KOs), of Miami, FL, who weighed in at 175.8lbs. After losing a controversial eight-round majority decision to the 8-0 Denis Grachev in 2011, Augustama has gone on to score eight straight victories over several tough contenders.

“Augustama is a good boxer, but is just not in Edwin’s class,” said trainer Ronnie Shields. “This has been the best training camp we’ve had since I’ve been working with him. This is the first time where we didn’t have to focus so much on losing weight. I think Edwin has the skill set to compete with anybody in the light heavyweight division. I’m expecting him to look spectacular tomorrow night.”

“We’re happy that Edwin is returning to the ring where he belongs, as a light heavyweight,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Augustama is an excellent test for Edwin’s move into the light heavyweight division.”

The Rodriguez-Augustama bout will air on HBO Latino tomorrow night, starting at 12:15am ET, directly following HBO’s telecast of the Golovkin-Rubio middleweight championship contest.

Gennady Golovkin 159 – Marco Antonio Rubio 161.8
Nonito Donaire 125.6 – Nicholas Walters 125.6

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Argentinean super featherweight contender Israel “Cachito” Perez (27-2-1, 16 KOs) will finally fulfill his dream of fighting for a world title when he faces unbeaten Japanese Champion Takashi “KO Dynamite” Uchiyama (21-0-1, 17 KOs) for the WBA Super Featherweight Championship on December 31 at the Ota City General Gym in Tokyo, Japan.

35-year-old Perez’s career has taken off since joining forces with promoters Sampson Lewkowicz and Maravilla Box. The ex-Olympian and national and regional professional champion is coming of an eighth round destruction of Carlos Rodriguez for the WBA FEDEBOL Super featherweight title, earning him the 9th spot in the WBA ratings.

Perez and trainer Carlos Tello will need to work hard and come up with an excellent game plan to defeat a solid champion like Uchiyama, who is making the ninth defense of his title he won in January of 2010 with a twelfth round stoppage of Juan Carlos Salgado.

“I would like to thank Sampson Boxing and Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martinez, who are the ones responsible for this great opportunity. Without them, this would not have been possible,” said a happy Perez. “I have experience. I am in shape and I am very much aware that I am going to bring the championship home. I will not disappoint and will make my dream of becoming champion of the world a reality. Uchiyama is a good boxer, but not unbeatable. I am going to Japan with only one thing in mind: to be crowned WBA Super featherweight Champion of the World.”

Perez vs. Uchiyama is promoted by Hitoshi Watanabe and will be televised by TyC Sport of Argentina.

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.

(San Diego) – World Boxing Council ranked #7 cruiserweight Dmytro Kucher will make a special stop in San Diego next Friday night, October 24th, to take on the durable and experienced Galen Brown as part of Bobby D. Presents “San Diego Fights: Back in Business” to be held at the new home for local professional boxing the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley.

Kucher turned professional after a successful amateur career in his home country of Ukraine in 2009. In five short years he has amassed an impressive record of 21 wins against only one defeat with fifteen wins inside the distance. Since going pro he’s had an impressive run stepping up in competition after only his 4th fight when he took on at the time forty-nine fight veteran Kostyantyn Okhrey who he stopped in two of a scheduled six. Kucher suffered his first loss in his last fight at the fists of Ilunga Makabu who defeated him via a hotly contested majority decision back in July of last year in Monaco. Since then Makabu has gone on to stop Eric Fields and Glen Johnson.
Kucher is ready to get back in the win column but has not taken the easy way back as he will face St. Louis native Galen “Bad Boy” Brown, a veteran of 71 bouts. Brown has been a test for the best of the heavier divisions such as Robert Stieglitz, Tye Fields, Hasim Rahman among others and now will look to put Kucher through the paces next week as the thirty-year-old Ukranian looks to protect his international ranking.
The Kucher vs Galen cruiserweight bout is scheduled for eight rounds or less.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel is located at 2270 Hotel Circle North, San Diego. “San Diego Fights” is presented by Bobby D. Presents with Mossy Automotive Group, Pepsi, Everlast, Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, DGS Construction and Car Czar. Doors open at 6:30pm with the first punch thrown at 7:30pm. For more info, please dial (619) 420-8866 or visit BobbyDPresents.net.

17 October 2014 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization with a 90% market share, ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC), proved once again to be the undisputed king of mixed martial arts in Asia by showcasing nine exciting bouts of world-class mixed martial arts action in front of a capacity crowd at the iconic Stadium Putra in Kuala Lumpur for ONE FC: ROAR OF TIGERS. In the main event, Marat Gafurov showed fans that he is a force to be reckoned with at featherweight, defeating Rob Lisita by impressive submission in just one round.

Visit the official ONE FC: ROAR OF TIGERS photo gallery by clicking:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ogw4tb66e3467d5/AABAVUM5CDb9aMVF3VZN7O0Da?dl=0

In a near one-sided affair, Russian kickboxing champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov annihilated top contender “Ruthless” Rob Lisita, winning by submission moments into the first round to remain unbeaten at 10 wins and no losses. Gafurov landed a kick to the head, staggering Lisita as he tumbled to the ground. Gafurov then immediately swarmed Lisita, taking the Australian’s back and locking in a Rear Naked Choke that forced Lisita to tap out.

In an intense battle of talented lightweights, Peter Davis of Malaysia defeated Vaughn Donayre of the Philippines by ground and pound in the first round. Davis and Donayre wasted no time with a torrid exchange of strikes at the center of the cage. When the fight hit the ground, Davis caught Donayre in a Guillotine choke that almost ended things early. Donayre escaped but wound up underneath Davis who rained down a slew of strikes from full mount, causing a halt to the contest.

Malaysia’s Ev Ting added a head kick knockout to his stellar record with a triumph over the Philippines’ Edward Kelly, winning in the second round of their featherweight matchup. After an uneventful first round that was spent primarily with both fighters tangled and pressed up against the cage, Ting abandoned his grappling strategy to turn to striking and launched a quick head kick that hit the mark, dropping Kelly in a single shot. Ting confidently walked away as the referee jumped in to intervene.

Ann Osman continued her winning ways as she defeated Aya Saeid Saber of Egypt in the first round, sending the packed Malaysian crowd into frenzied cheers. The Malaysian shot and scored on a takedown after sizing up her opponent. On the ground, Osman effortlessly transitioned from side control into full mount, pouring down a barrage of punches and elbows from top position. With her unstoppable ground and pound, Osman was awarded the victory via referee stoppage.

Bashir Ahmad, known widely as the father of Pakistani MMA, came out of the gates looking to strike as he took the fight straight to Tanaphong Khunhankaew of Thailand. When the fight hit the ground, Bashir overpowered Khunhankaew after surviving a failed submission attempt by the cagey Thai. Bashir then worked to take Khunhankaew’s back after which he sunk in a deep Rear Naked Choke, forcing Khunhankaew to tap out in round one.

Former Lumpinee champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke’s near-flawless technique was on full display as he needed less than two rounds to dispose of Malaysian hero Saiful Merican. When the fight began, the two Muay Thai specialists surprisingly spent most of their time grinding it out on the mat as Merican opted to take the fight to the ground, scoring on multiple takedown attempts in the first round. In the second round, Amnuaysirichoke put the pressure on Merican with his striking, winding up in full mount after a furious scramble. Moments later, Amnuaysirichoke expertly transitioned into an armbar and Merican had no choice but to tap out.

Stephen Langdown scored an impressive TKO victory over Malaysia’s own Raymond Tan, battering the local fighter with a series of well placed strikes capped off with a vicious kick to the head in round one. The referee jumped in to stop the fight, much to the dismay of the Malaysian fans.

Anatpong Bunrad of Thailand made quick work of Marc Marcellinus in round one, dropping the Malaysian with a front kick straight to the abdomen. Bunrad followed up with a swift kick to the head as the referee immediately stepped in to call a halt to the action, awarding Bunrad with the knockout.

Egyptian boxer Hisham Hiba opened the show with a victory over Barbod, winning by referee stoppage in the second round. The two fighters kicked off ONE FC: ROAR OF TIGERS with an even display of striking and grappling, with both Hiba and Barbod having their moments. As soon as the second stanza began, Hiba picked up the pace with his boxing and was able to trip Barbod onto the canvas. Hiba unleashed a barrage of strikes on a defenseless Barbod, causing the referee to stop the contest.

Official results for ONE FC: ROAR OF TIGERS
Featherweight bout: Marat Gafurov defeats Rob Lisita by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:08 minutes of round 1
Lightweight bout: Peter Davis defeats Vaughn Donayre by TKO (Strikes) at 4:50 minutes of round 1
Featherweight bout: Ev Ting defeats Edward Kelly by Knockout at 4:28 minutes of round 2
Women’s Flyweight bout: Ann Osman defeats Aya Saeid Saber by TKO (Strikes) at 3:15 minutes of round 1
Featherweight bout: Bashir Ahmad defeats Tanaphong Khunhankaew by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:38 minutes of round 1
Flyweight bout: Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke defeats Saiful Merican by Submission (Armbar) at 2:12 minutes of round 2
Bantamweight bout: Stephen Langdown defeats Raymond Tan by Knockout (Strikes) at 2:28 minutes of round 1
Bantamweight bout: Anatpong Bunrad defeats Marc Marcellinus by knockout at 0:26 minutes of round 1
Welterweight bout: Hisham Hiba defeats Barbod by TKO (Strikes) at 1:01 minutes of round 2

In case you missed the action log on to www.onefc.com/livestream for the full replay of the fights at only US $9.99.

For more updates on ONE Fighting Championship™, please visit www.onefc.com and follow Twitter and Instagram @ONEFCMMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA

About ONE FC
With a 90%+ market share in Asia, ONE Fighting Championship is Asia’s largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization. Headquartered in Singapore, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Fighting Championship™ has partnered with FOX and STAR Sports for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans 70+ countries across the world.

LAS VEGAS, NV (October 17, 2014) – Beginning October 19, undefeated light welterweight world champion Chris Algieri will begin training at The Palazzo for his upcoming fight against Fighter of the Decade and defending WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. Algieri will train in a custom gym at The Palazzo through November 13 and is giving boxing fans the ultimate opportunity – the chance to watch training sessions.

“The Palazzo has rolled out the red carpet for me,” said boxer Chris Algieri. “From the custom training room to the accommodations, I feel completely at home here and I know this training camp will prepare me for the upcoming bout against [Manny] Pacquaio at The Venetian Macao on November 22.”

On Tuesday nights while Algieri is training The Palazzo, fans will be able to hear how training is going when he speaks with The Palazzo’s very own Ken Thomson on Yahoo! Sports Radio from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The broadcast is live from Lagasse’s Stadium, giving fans an opportunity to catch a glimpse of Algieri outside of training.

On Saturdays fans will get an inside look when the doors to Algieri’s training camp are open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs), from Huntington, New York, on Long Island, has become boxing’s No. 1 story, as well as being hailed as the 21st century real-life Rocky. Over the last 22 months, Algieri, a former kickboxing champion, has elevated himself from a prospect to a world-class contender to a world champion.

After accumulating significant victories over top prospect Jose Alejo, former USBA champion Mike Arnaoutis, and highly-rated contender Emmanuel Taylor, Algieri, stepped up in his HBO® debut and challenged WBO junior welterweight champion “The Siberian Rocky” Ruslan Provodnikov on June 14. Despite suffering two knockdowns in the first round which closed his swollen right eye, Algieri, who entered the fight as a 5-1 underdog, eschewed the natural instinct to panic and resolutely stuck to his game plan, expertly using his jab and supreme athletic ability to pick apart the defending champion to claim a split decision victory and the world title.

The live, first-time airing of the fight on HBO averaged 1.1 million viewers placing it among the most-viewed fights on cable this year. In what could be a first for any professional boxer, Algieri used his purse from the Provodnikov bout to pay off his student loans. He is as much a scholar as he is a brawler. Algieri graduated from Stony Brook University with Honors in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management and then went on to receive his Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from the New York Institute of Technology. He aspires to attend medical school.

The Clash in Cotai II: Pacquiao vs Algieri was announced in August 2014 with a 27,273-mile international media tour that began at The Venetian Macao and included a stop at The Venetian Las Vegas. Manny Pacquiao will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Algieri, the undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, Banner Promotions, Foreman Boys Promotions, and Tecate, the world welterweight championship event will take place on Sunday, November 23 (Saturday, November 22, in the U.S.) at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena.

The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas will be the only resorts on the Las Vegas Strip broadcasting the fight live. With a viewing party in the Palazzo Ballroom, as well as Lagasse’s Stadium – The Venetian and The Palazzo will be the only place for fight fans to be on November 22. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go to Venetian.com or call the box office at 866-641-7469.

Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, junior middleweight dynamo John “Dah Rock” Jackson (18-2, 15 KOs) will return to action on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at the Quorum Córdoba Hotel in Cordoba, Argentina, against hometown veteran Carlos Adan “El Malevo” Jerez (40-17-3, 18 KOs).

Presented by Sampson Boxing, Maravillabox, Tello-Box and J.E.B. Boxing, Jackson vs. Jerez will serve as one of the main supporting bouts for a night of boxing headlined by Carolina Marcela Gutierrez (22-4-1, 13 KOs) taking on Yulihan Luna Avila (11-2, 1 KO) for the vacant IBF World female super bantamweight title.

25-year-old Jackson says his fight against Jerez will serve two purposes: First, Jerez was the first fighter to pin a loss on his cousin, Samuel Rogers and so some family-style revenge is on the menu.

Secondly, this will be Jackson’s first fight since his shock KO loss to Ireland’s Andy Lee last June at Madison Square Garden. Fighting on the PPV-broadcast undercard of Martinez vs. Cotto, Jackson dominated every minute of the first four rounds against the highly rated Lee before running into perfectly timed right hand at 1:07 of round five. Jackson had put Lee down in round one and battered him around the ring non-stop, but got careless against the dangerous puncher as he was moving in for the kill.

“John knows he got careless against Lee,” said Jackson’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz. “He knows what he did wrong and paid a heavy price for it. He was beating Andy Lee all over the ring and forgot about his defense. It’s something that will never happen again.”

Lewkowicz says Jackson is still young and will be able to recover from the surprise loss quickly.

“He’s a very strong, good young fighter and he learned a very important lesson against a fighter with a lot more experience. But before the lucky punch, it was apparent that John Jackson is a top fighter who can handle other highly rated contenders in his division very well. Once he gets his revenge for his cousin Samuel against Jerez, he will continue to rebuild by taking on tough foes to regain his position in the rankings. This is far from the last of John Jackson. It was just a learning experience on his way to the championship.”

Gutierrez vs. Avila and Jackson vs. Jerez will be televised live on Argentina’s TyC Sports.

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.

The ‘Hebrew Hammer’ will get a shot at a title as Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing is proud to present another installment of the popular “Rockin Fights” series on Saturday, December 20th, 2014 at The Paramount in Huntington, NY.

The main event will feature undefeated Jr. Welterweight Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin (14-0 11KO’s) Shirley, NY. Returning after a spectacular 2nd round knockout of Ramesis Gil at The Paramount on Sept. 19th, 2014, Seldin is scheduled to fight in a grudge return match with Bayan “The Mongolian Mongoose” Jargal, 17-5-3 11KO’s, Arlington, VA in a 10 round Jr. welterweight match for Regional Title that will be announced shortly. Seldin and Jargal hooked up at The Paramount on July 18th of this year in a feature bout televised as part of the popular ESPN “Friday Night Fights” series. From the opening bell these two warriors went right at each other with damaging punches. The bout was stopped after 3 rounds due to a cut over Jargal’s eye that also caused severe swelling. The bout was ruled a Technical Draw and this time each combatant promises a more definitive ending in what was shaping up as an all-out thrilling war.

The Semi-Final 8 round bout will feature new Star Boxing acquisition, Light Heavyweight Joe Smith Jr., 16-1 13Ko’s, Shirley, NY in his first appearance at The Paramount against an opponent to be named shortly. Smith is known for his devastating power as a professional and was a decorated amateur in the tri state area. In his last fight on July 23rd, 2014, Joe stopped Tyrell Hendrix in 3 rounds in New York City. Smith is also a working member of the Laborers
Union (Local 66) and expects to have many Laborers at the fight.

Star Boxing head honcho Joe DeGuardia had this to say about the holiday card: ” I am excited to have another exciting show at the Paramount. The fights will once again be very fan-friendly and I’m looking to see Seldin and Jargal trade blows again. Their first encounter was a crowd pleasing battle while it lasted. This should be is a tough test for Cletus as Jargal always gives his all and known for his tremendous ability to withstand punishment and then battle back. I’m also thrilled to showcase Star Boxing’s newest signing, Joe Smith Jr. , in the semi-final 8 rounder. He is really an action fighter and I’m excited to see him fight at the The Paramount, a venue that always brings out the best in fighters.”

The remainder of the exciting card will be announced in the near future. The first bout is scheduled for 7:30pm with doors open at 7:00pm. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, October 17th at 10:00am and start at $50 and are available at The Paramount Box Office, 631 673-7300, as well as all Ticketmaster outlets, 1 (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com, and through Star Boxing, (718 823-2000) or at www.starboxing.com.
ABOUT STAR BOXING ®

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit their official website at www.StarBoxing.com and follow them on twitter.com/starboxing and Facebook.com/starboxing

ABOUT THE PARAMOUNT:
Opened September 30, 2011 this 1,555-capacity live entertainment venue, located in downtown Huntington, Long Island, New York, features; concerts, comedy, boxing, community and other special events in a club/theater setting. With over 30,000 Facebook fans, The Paramount was recently ranked by Pollstar Magazine as the #24 highest attended club-venue worldwide (January-June 2013). A Ticketmaster venue, booked by Live Nation, TheParamount hosts nearly 200 events per year and in less than two years since its inception, has quickly established itself as the premier music venue onLong Island, NY. Some artists who have recently taken the Paramount stage include; Billy Joel, Pitbull, Don Henley, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, ZZ Top, Counting Crows, Primus, Matchbox 20, The Blues Brothers, Limp Bizkit, & many, many, more.

ABOUT THE FOX HOLLOW:
Nestled upon 8 private acres of Long Island’s north shore is the Fox Hollow, which features a state of the art event venue, fine dining restaurant and an all-suite luxury boutique hotel. Owned & operated by the Scotto Brothers, their Above & Beyond philosophy in providing each & every guest with superior services and amenities is paramount. Visit the Fox Hollow online atwww.TheFoxHollow.com & www.TheInnAtFoxHollow.com

ABOUT CAMELOT LIMOUSINE:
Official Sponsor of the Paramount Boxing Series, Camelot Limos is a family owned and operated business located in Nassau County, with over 25 years of professional experience; serving satisfied clientele since 1984. The owners of Camelot Specialty Limos are very active in the business and play a major role in the company’s day-to-day operations. Camelot Specialty Limos, Inc. is an Accredited Member of the Better Business Bureau. www.camelotlimo.com

ABOUT WBAB 102.3:
WBAB 102.3 is the home of Long Island’s Classic Rock anchored by their Long Island Rock ‘N’ Roll Morning Show with Roger and JP. For more information or to listen online, visit their website at
www.wbab.com and follow them on Facebook.com/1023wbab and on Twitter @1023wbab.

LONDON (17 SEPT) British light-heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe tackles English light-heavyweight champion Travis Dickinson on November 8 at Glow, Bluewater, in the final of the MaxiNutrition Knockout tournament, live on Channel 5.

The double-title affair follows a ten-rounder the duo shared in December 2012, a fight Ajisafe won comfortably over the distance. Naturally, the result of their first meeting has given the Yorkshireman ample confidence going into the rematch.

“I’ve already laid the blueprint on how to beat him,” said Ajisafe, 13-2 (4 KOs). “I’m the only one who has done it. That will probably play on Dickinson’s mind a bit. He knows he couldn’t get to grips with me at all last time. He knows I’m a puzzle he can’t solve.

“But that doesn’t mean I’m resting on my laurels or just assuming I’m going to beat him in exactly the same way. In fact, I’m not reading too much into that first fight. This is a different occasion now, a new day and a new fight. Every fight is different. I’ve got to prepare like it’s the biggest fight of my life and I’ve got to defend my British title. I’m putting everything on the line again. I’m taking it very seriously.”

Dickinson has won four fights on the spin since suffering his sole professional loss at the hands of Ajisafe. What’s more, earlier this year he waged a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender with Matty Clarkson. Ajisafe watched his rival’s progress with a keen eye.

“From what I’ve seen of him since our first fight, I don’t really think he’s changed that much,” said the 29-year-old from Brendan Ingle’s Wincobank gym. “I can’t see him changing his style. He fights in a certain way and that’s just the way he is.

“I expect him to be a little bit more geared up for this fight and a bit more aggressive because of what happened last time. He’s got revenge on his mind and has a point to prove.

“I’ve got no points to prove. I’ll be calm, relaxed and just do what I’ve got to do. If he wants to be a bit more aggressive this time round, it will probably be to his detriment. I’ll adapt accordingly and deal with him.”

Though a hit-and-move stylist with a strong emphasis on defence, southpaw Ajisafe hopes to go one better than last time and halt Dickinson within the scheduled distance. That kind of result, he believes, would mark progress.

“It’s hard to get motivated to go over old ground and beat someone you’ve already beaten,” he conceded. “It feels like I’m going back on myself. I was in this position a couple of years ago and it feels a bit of a step back for me.

“But it’s all about the Lonsdale belt being on the line. That is what has got me up for the fight and that is what motivates me. I have to defend that belt and I’ll go all out to do so.”

Tickets to see who will lift the MAXINUTRITITON TROPHY are available to purchase from Ticketline.co.uk or by calling the Ticketline box office on
0844 888 9991

Tickets are priced at £25 for General Admission, £50 for Outer Ringside Reserved Seating, £100 for Inner Ringside Reserved and £120 for Inner Ringside Reserved (Please note that the £120 ringside tickets will secure you a seat in the first 3 rows)

Kathy Duva, Main Events’ CEO
This is our 21st show in the series which will end with its 22nd show on NBCSN on November 8. It has been the greatest privilege of my life putting on a series like this. We got to build stars. We started building stars from the very beginning. It is fitting that it is going to end on the same day that Sergey Kovalev is fighting in the biggest fight of the year.

Steve was already a world champion but we got the opportunity to introduce him to the United States because he fought mainly overseas. Now, he is on the front page of Grantland this morning.

Cunningham & Visinia
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

This is the last show I am going to be at for this series. I am not going to be able to attend the last fight of the series because I will be at the Kovalev fight. It feels like high school graduation. It is bitter sweet and sad, but I am also excited about what is going to come ahead. I am also very proud of everyone who has worked on this series.

This fight is no doubt going to live up to expectations. In his last fight, Steve put on the best fight of the series. It was about as perfect as you can get.

J Russell Peltz
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

J Russell Peltz, Hall of Fame Matchmaker

We began the NBCSN series here in this building. We developed Bryant Jennings, who took the fight on short notice, and (Gabriel) Rosado, who is now ranked among the best in his weight class. This will be our last fight of the series in Philly.

Cherry & Akaba
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

If it weren’t for bad luck, Edner Cherry wouldn’t have any luck at all. He hasn’t lost a fight in years, he has been undefeated in eight fights and yet he can’t get on television. He is ranked number 15. Just as he was set to fight Belmontes, last week Jerry gets hurt with a wrist injury. He was training for a ranked opponent and now he is fighting an unknown opponent.

Natu is undefeated in ten fights with eight knockouts. He has everything to gain and nothing lose. He is probably going to outweigh Steve by about 60 pounds.
Nobody was out of it more than Steve Cunningham was in April against Mansour. Then he got up and dropped the other guy and came back to win. It doesn’t get any better than that. If you weren’t there, you wouldn’t have believed that he got up and managed to win that fight.

Steve “USS” Cunningham
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Steve Cunningham

Thank you to Main Events, Russell Peltz, MHP, Everlast and Philly Boxing History. I want to thank everyone for their support for Kennedy’s fund. I want to thank Natu’s camp for donating to her fund. This sport is not as savage as people think. We are fathers and husbands. I want to thank Concrete Jungle and Brother Naazim. I think I have the best team in the sport. Naazim takes me to levels and pushes me where I didn’t know I could go. Getting through training camp with him is a victory in itself.

I am the smallest heavyweight in boxing right now. I wish my weight matched my heart! I am Philly to my core. I am born and raised here. This is not new to me. I am here to do a job and Natu and I can go get a beer after the fight. My career has been about relationships. After I am done, I will be back in boxing somehow. I was in the Navy — you get orders and you have to carry them out. I got orders and I have to carry out this mission and defeat Natu on Saturday. My faith is what carries me.

He’s a big power puncher. He’s big. I am a fighter. This is the third undefeated fighter I am fighting as a heavyweight. I am ready to fight. I am a fighter. I have been going through this with Kennedy for nine years. I want to stay active. I want to get back in there. I wanted another shot before the year was out and thank you to Main Events for making it happen.

Brother Naazim Richardson
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Brother Naazim Richardson, Cunningham’s Trainer

I would like to thank Russell and Kathy for making this fight and Natu for his kind words. We appreciate it. Kennedy is what Steve wants to be when he grows up. Steve Cunningham is always in the danger zone. Steve is the lightest heavyweight in the division. That shows his courage. In the Mansour fight, I looked at my team and I was very confident. His corner has worked with championship fighters all over the world. Everything I have seen is a big strong hungry guy and that is a problem. This man can fight. He is a danger. Steve is always willing to face those kind of things. This is all he knows. This is what he’s teaching. His son just won an amateur fight the other day. He’s on his crusade. We thank you for the support and for giving us this opportunity. NBC has been a great series. I have seen [Edner] Cherry fight. He is a monster. We got a good card. Come out and see the essence of Philadelphia fighting.

Natu Visinia
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Natu Visinia

I am honored and privileged to be here today. Thanks to Russell Peltz and Main Events. Steve is a world champion. I have nothing negative to say about him. I admire him. He is where I want to be. He’s been eating from a good menu for a long time and I am hungry. Some guys need 30 fights before they would face a Steve Cunningham. A fight like this comes along and I jump at it. I have had a pretty rough career. It is a big risk for him to take this fight and I respect him for that. I am going to give Philly what they are coming to see. His fight with Mansour was my favorite fight of the year. I am looking to go to war.

Sal Musumeci
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Sal Musumeci, Final Forum Promotions

I would like to thank Kathy Duva and Main Events. I would like to thank Russell Peltz. We are all children of God. The Cunningham family is in the toughest fight right now. I read about their fund. It shows the humanity and the spirit of this sport. I want to present Mr. Cunningham with this check. This is the most important thing – to help his family. They are going through a battle that is much bigger than two men in the ring. My father is sick in the hospital now; I understand what they are going through.

Freedom is not free. This is for the men and women who put their life on the line for our country. Thank a veteran, Veterans’ Day is coming up. Show your support for his family. I say that from my heart.

Putting all that aside, Steve USS Cunningham is a great world champion and family man. I have a lot of respect for him. He is an honorable man. USS Cunningham has a lot of strength behind it. He is taking on a young rising heavyweight. He isn’t coming in just to be on television. He is coming to win and coming to fight. It is going to be a tremendous fight for the fans. Cunningham is a true Philadelphian. He doesn’t hide. They are going to mix it up. This is what fighting is about. This is a war and I am proud to be a part of it. Let’s give Philadelphia a great show.

Edner Cherry
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Edner Cherry

I want to thank you all for being here. I want to thank Main Events and Peltz for giving me this opportunity. Saturday night will be a great show. My hands will do all the talking. I am just prepared for this fight. I’m ready. We are just ready to rock and roll. Don’t miss it. There will be action. It might be a quick night. We will be ready.

Osumanu Akaba
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Osumanu Akaba

I am happy they called me for this fight. I am ready. I am from Africa and I am ready to show America that I am the best. Everything I need to do I will do in the ring. I am a good boxer. I am going to prove I am the best. Thank you everybody.

About October 18
The Oct. 18 edition of NBCSN Fight Nightwill take place at the 2300 Arena at 2300 Swanson Street in South Philadelphia. It features a 10-round fight between Steve “USS” Cunningham, of Philadelphia, and Natu “The Truth” Visinia, of Clinton, IL. A 10-round junior lightweight contest between Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry, of Wauchula, FL, and Osumanu Akaba, of Accra, Ghana, is the co-feature. Five additional fights open the show at 6PM. Tickets are $50 and $75 and will be available at the door (cash only) . The card is presented by Main Events and Peltz Boxing in association with Final Forum Promotions and BAM Boxing. The NBCSN Fight Night telecast will begin at 9 PM ET. Doors open at 5 PM and the first fight will start at 6. The event is sponsored by Rocco’s Collision, Coors Light and Steve’s Prince of Steaks.

NBC Sports Live Extra:
NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets — will live stream Fight Night at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Oct. 18. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

FOLLOW US:

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Twitter: @main_events
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CHAUNCY WELLIVER says he’ll shatter Lucas Browne’s hopes of boxing for a world title and re-establish himself on the global stage when they meet next month.

The New Zealand-based American, 31, was himself once ranked in the WBC’s top five ranked heavyweights and feels the November 12 fight is a chance to kick start his title hopes.

If experience counts for anything, Welliver will be at a huge advantage. The “Hillyard Hammer” has been a professional for over 13 years and has had 68 fights, while unbeaten Browne has been in just 21 paid bouts.

“This is the perfect fight for me to get my career back on track. Lucas Browne is on a roll but I’m going to derail his train,” Welliver said.

“I think Lucas Browne is a very good prospect, but he’s just that, a prospect. I think my experience will be too much. I was injured my last fight, but I’m fully healthy now and will win this fight.

“I think style wise, you’ll see fireworks. He’s stronger, but I believe I’m more durable. The early rounds will dictate how this fight goes so I’ve got to set a fast pace.

“I’ll take him into the later rounds and see if he sinks or swims. I’m going to use my boxing skills to confuse him and out point him and get my name back up the top of the heavyweight ratings.

“I want to get back where I was a few years ago and I know a win here puts me in the mix. I’ve been training well and getting some quality sparring with Marco Huck and Yoan Pablo Hernandez. I’m going to shatter Lucas Browne’s dreams.”

Browne v Welliver’s clash for the WBC EPBC title is part of a huge night of boxing at the Hisense Arena in Melbourne with the main event seeing Sergey Rabchenko defending his WBC Silver light-middleweight title against Anthony Mundine.

Further title action includes Zhanat Zhankiyanov squaring off with Fred Mundraby for the WBC EPBC bantamweight crown while Leonardo Zappavigna meets Misael Castillo for the WBO Oriental light-welterweight championship.

Jordan Shimmell, 17-0 with 14 KOs, has been steadily moving up in the regional and world rankings this year. Jordan fought in Las Vegas on September 11th and became the first boxer to stop opponent Joell Godfrey, 17-12-1. Godfrey was a contestant in Season 3 of the reality TV show “The Contender”. Godfrey had been in the ring with many cruiserweight and heavyweight contenders and was coming off a big win in his prior bout defeating Marcus Vinicius de Oliveira who was 23-1-1. Godfrey, who had stated in an interview that he would embarrass Jordan Shimmell and make him look “regular” during the fight, was not able to land any meaningful punches on Jordan. Jordan wasted no time in the fight and dominated Godfrey starting in round 1 and had Godfrey’s mouth bleeding by the end of the first. Jordan continued to pound Godfrey with a variety of punches in round 2 and the bleeding from Godfrey’s mouth became much heavier. Jordan Shimmell continued to apply pressure and landed devastating body punches and many head shots in the 3rd round. Jordan was covered in Godfrey’s blood at the end of the 3rd round. Godfrey was warned by referee Jay Nady for fouls in the early rounds including using his elbow and head and for too much holding. During the 4th round Jordan Shimmell continued his assault and Godfrey bled more from his mouth and nose. Jordan again was coated in Godfrey’s blood at the end of the 4th round. During the 5th round, Jordan Shimmell landed some very hard punches to the head of Godfrey who was dazed by the punches. In retaliation or just to survive Godfrey resorted to more fouls and landed a deliberate low blow to Jordan’s groin. Referee Jay Nady took away a point from Godfrey and Jordan took about 20 seconds of the 5 minutes allowed to recover enough to continue boxing. Jordan then went on the attack again and Godfrey again resorted to landing a deliberate low blow. Referee Jay Nady again took a point away from Godfrey and warned him against any further fouls. Jordan Shimmell again took less than 30 seconds to recover and went right after Godfrey who received a beating for the remainder of the round. After having Godfrey’s blood wiped off from him once again at the end of the 5th round, Jordan Shimmell went on the attack again in round 6. Jordan hurt Godfrey several times in the 6th but Godfrey clinched his way to barely survive the round. Again the highly rated Shimmell was coated in Godfrey’s blood at the end of the 6th but was feeling great and ready to become the first to stop Godfrey inside the distance. The 7th round saw Jordan go out and brutally attack Godfrey who had no answer to survive the attack. Godfrey was visibly drained and a bloody mess while Jordan seemed to be as fresh as he was in the first round. At 1:16 of the 7th round, referee Jay Nady put a halt to the one-sided slaughter and Jordan Shimmell did what nobody else had done and that was stop Godfrey inside the scheduled distance. With the TKO victory, Jordan Shimmell moved to 17-0 with 14 KOs.

Since defeating Godfrey on September 11, 2014, many of the sanctioning bodies have issued new rankings and Jordan Shimmell has moved up in their world and regional rankings. Jordan Shimmell is the USBO Cruiserweight Champion and is world ranked #18 by the IBO and #23 by the WBC. In the regional rankings Jordan is ranked #3 NABA, #3 NABO, #5 NABF and #5 USBA.