Deerfield Beach, FL (September 30, 2014) This past Friday night in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Mesquite, JUAN CARLOS PAYANO won the WBA “Super” Bantamweight Crown from longtime champion ANSELMO MORENO via sixth round technical decision.

Boxing legend and Payano promoter MIKE TYSON of IRON MIKE PRODUCTIONS was thrilled with Payano’s performance.

“Juan Carlos truly seized the moment. He had the opportunity of a lifetime and he attacked Moreno from the opening bell,” said Tyson.

“Our entire team is very proud of Juan Carlos, the spirit of his performance and his success typifies Iron Mike fighters.”

Said Chris Middendorf, Vice-President of Iron Mike Productions, “Friday night saw the emergence of a very exciting, all action new world champion. He fits perfectly the Iron Mike mold, almost racing across the ring to begin every round, throwing close to 100 punches and connecting.”

“Payano joins with IMP’s young rising stars, Erickson Lubin, Ievgen Khytrov and Sammy Vasquez, as fighters who are going to become must see fighters. There is no taking time off in a round, and no taking a round off, their fights are all about getting the other guy the hell out of there. For our fans it is ‘edge of your seat’ boxing- put your drink down, throw the scorecards away and get ready to stand up and cheer the action. Congratulations Juan Carlos!”

For additional information on Iron Mike Productions visit www.IronMikeProductions, follow on Twitter at @IronMikeProd and on Facebook at IronMikeProductionsOfficial.

OMAHA, NEB (September 30, 2014) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight champion TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD, Omaha’s favorite son, will make an encore hometown title defense on the heels of his wildly successful victory over previously undefeated world champion and Cuban sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa. Crawford will defend his title against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger RAY BELTRAN on Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday, November 29, at the CenturyLink Center. The fight will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at
10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Tecate, tickets to the Crawford vs. Beltran World Lightweight Championship event will go on sale This Friday! October 3, at 10:00 a.m. CT. Reserved seat tickets start at just $27, with remaining tiers priced at $52, $77 and $127. They will be available for purchase at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge-by-phone call 800-745-3000. To order online, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Crawford successfully defended his title on June 28, at the CenturyLink Center, knocking out previously undefeated world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in front of an energized crowd. The fight, a candidate for Fight of the Year honors, was televised live on HBO®, and according to Nielsen Media Research, garnered an average audience of 1.208 million viewers to the live, first-time airing, making it the second most-watched fight of the year so far. Crawford vs. Gamboa was the first world championship fight the city of Omaha had hosted in 42 years when Joe Frazier defended his World Heavyweight Championship crown against Ron Stander in 1972.

“It’s an honor to fight in my hometown during the holiday season in front of my fans and family who will be traveling to Omaha,” said Crawford. “It’s great that Top Rank and HBO are coming back into town to promote another show on one of the biggest weekends of the year. Beltran feels I have something – a world title belt – which belongs to him. He thought he beat Ricky Burns and I thought Beltran won too. But he didn’t and I did. Beltran can fight. We know that. I am going to fight him like a bad dog, fight fire with fire. Let’s see if he really has a will to win in Omaha. My will to win is off the charts. He won’t be coming straight at me the way he did against Ricky Burns. My team and I are training hard to put on a good show for everyone. No one will be disappointed.”
“Crawford has shown to be a talented fighter, someone I respect.,” said Beltran. “But I see this fight as an opportunity for me to achieve the recognition in the boxing world and the public’s eye. This fight is Champion vs. Champion. It’s not about the belts. It’s about us. Crawford is talented, has skill, but I have the ability to adapt and will be ready for what he brings. The situation against Burns made me stronger, I felt the love of the crowd and all of their respect that night. I feel blessed with my family and friends. All of that will be with me when I fight Crawford in Omaha. I am the No. 2 fighter in the world. Crawford is No. 1. That is what this is all about. I believe in me. This is my moment.”

“This fight between Crawford and Beltran could very well be the fight of the year. The styles and skills of both fighters guarantee as much,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

“When Terence Crawford fought in front of his Omaha hometown crowd last June, the atmosphere produced one of the most spectacular fights of 2014 on HBO,” said Peter Nelson, vice president, programming, HBO Sports. “The spotlight returns to the American heartland November 29, as the undefeated champ faces Ray Beltran, a challenger who has earned more opportunities than he’s been given and always gives the fans his all.”

“CenturyLink Center Omaha is honored to have the opportunity once again to host this world championship boxing event,” said Roger Dixon, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority. “The atmosphere was electric in June and we expect even more excitement this time around.”

Crawford (24-0, 17 KOs), of Omaha, returns to the ring fresh from his dramatic and critically-acclaimed knockout victory of Gamboa. Not only did Crawford retain his title, he also made himself a contender for Fighter of the Year. He is only the second Nebraska native to be recognized as a boxing world champion. Perry “Kid” Graves, from Rock Bluff, captured the welterweight crown, knocking out Johnny Alberts in Brooklyn, in 1914, according to the Omaha World-Herald. After a short but impressive amateur career, which included victories over future world champions Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia and one-time world title challenger Diego Magdaleno, Crawford made his professional debut on March 14, 2008 – a first-round knockout victory of Brian Cummings. On March 1, 2014 – just 13 days short of the sixth anniversary of his pro debut, Crawford captured the WBO lightweight title, dethroning defending champion Ricky Burns on Burns’ home turf of Glasgow, Scotland. Scoring a powerful and unanimous decision, Burns put the boxing world on notice that with his virtuoso performance. Crawford pulled out all stops in dismantling Burns as he rocked the defending champion throughout the fight, while switching back and forth between orthodox and southpaw stances.

Beltran (29-6-1, 17 KOs), a native of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, who now lives in North Hollywood, Calif., is one of the lightweight division’s toughest and most experienced fighters. A former NABF and USBA lightweight champion, Beltran enters this fight riding a two-year five-bout winning streak, which includes a disputed draw against defending WBO lightweight champion hometown favorite Ricky Burns in Glasgow, Scotland last year. In that fight, Beltran fractured Burns’ jaw in the first two rounds and dominated the fight, consistently landing the harder punches. Beltran scored a knockdown in the eighth round and finished the fight strongly. Ringside observers and television viewers alike screamed “home cooking!” when the fight was declared a draw. Beyond his professional fight, Beltran has had the benefit of being a main sparring partner for Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao for several years before becoming a top-rated contender in his own right. In his last fight, on April 12, he claimed the NABO lightweight title, winning a 12-round unanimous decision against once-beaten Arash Usmanee on the undercard of the Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley Jr world welterweight championship rematch.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #CrawfordBeltran to join the conversation on Twitter.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich will defend his title against Jayson Velez on November 29 as part of the Terence Crawford – Ray Beltran undercard in in Omaha, Nebraska.

“It’s a real good fight, I think,” said Gradovich’s promoter Bob Arum. “Gradovich and this kid Velez both come to fight. It’s hard for me to pick a winner. If you had to pick a winner I guess you’d have to go with Gradovich based on his experience.”

“It’s two guys who aren’t big sluggers who fight like they are big sluggers, which always makes for a great action fight,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti said.

“Velez has given a good account of himself and he’s Miguel Cotto’s fighter, so we moved him into the title fight with Gradovich,” Arum said. “Velez, Miguel and [Cotto adviser] Gaby [Peñagaricano] are ecstatic to get the fight and we’re happy to put it on.”

(San Diego) – After starting off his year back in February with a come from behind win over Olympian Yordenis Ugas to capture the interim WBC Latino light welterweight title and then continuing with another triumph, this time over the highly-touted Jonathan Chicas, San Diego’s own Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles (11-0-1, 3KO) is looking to remain undefeated against the tough Carlos “El Guerrero” Valenzuela (6-1, 3KO) in the eight round main event of “San Diego Fights” presented by Bobby D. Presents. The professional boxing fight card will be held on Friday, October 24th, at the new home for San Diego boxing, the Crowne Plaza Hanalei Hotel, in Mission Valley.

Facing a much more experienced and technical fighter, Robles, with his hometown crowd behind him, was able to upset Ugas at the Crowne Plaza Hotel via a ten round split decision to capture the regional WBC belt. Five months later Robles traveled north for the first time in his career to face Chicas in San Francisco. Knowing that Chicas was ripe for a hometown decision, the southpaw Robles promptly put him down with a well-placed uppercut in the seventh en route to a split decision eight round win. Now Robles will look to cap off another exciting win where it started this year, at home.

In a special attraction female eight rounder, newly crowned NABF strawweight queen Amaris “Diamond Girl” Quintana (8-2-2, 1KO) also returns to her hometown of San Diego after traveling south to Tijuana to defeated Susana Uribe for the vacant North American Boxing Federation female strap. Quintana dropped her early with a left hook but then wasn’t able to find that punch once again but still clearly dominated the fight to earn a unanimous decision and a top ten WBC ranking. Quintana will now fight in front of her hometown crowd and show off her shiny new toy in a non-title fight against an opponent to be determined.

NABF straw weight champion Amaris “Diamond Girl” Quintana Will Also Make an Appearance Photo: Paul Gallegos
Rounding out the card will be WBC #7-ranked cruiserweight Dmytro Kucher (21-1, 15KO), local super bantamweight “Smokin” Joe Perez (5-1-1, 4KO) and pro debuting middleweight William Williams of Atlanta, Georgia. Also on the card will be popular San Diego heavyweight Joe “The Bull” Delgadillo (1-0, 1KO) in a border war against Edgar “Porky” Najera (0-2) of Tijuana in a scheduled four rounder.

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.

Philadelphia, PA-Hidden beneath the publicity surrounding the NBCSN-televised twin main events on Saturday, Oct 18, is an intriguing eight-round middleweight match.

It features Tyrone Brunson, of Philadelphia, and DeCarlo Perez, of Atlantic City, NJ, in what figures to be an explosive contest at the 2300 Arena at 2300 South Swanson Street.

The Brunson-Perez showdown will serve as the main preliminary contest to the doubleheader main event: Steve “USS” Cunningham, of Philadelphia, vs. Natu Visinia, Lakewood, CA, 10 rounds, heavyweights; Edner Cherry, Wauchula, FL, vs. Jerry Belmontes, Corpus Christi, TX, 10 rounds, lightweights. NBCSN will televise Cunningham-Visinia and Cherry-Belmontes on its popular Fight Night series beginning at 9pm (EST).

Brunson (above), 29, set some kind of record when he turned pro in 2005 and knocked out all of his first 19 opponents in one round. That streak ended in 2008 when Brunson was held to a six-round draw by Mexican Antonio Soriano in Canada.

Overall, Brunson is 22-2-1, 21 K0s, including a stoppage-first round, of course–in his last fight June 1over Jansel Mateo in the loser’s Dominican Republic backyard.

Now managed by Mark Cipparone and trained by Sloan Harrison, Brunson appears ready to get his career jump-started again. Though he lives in Philadelphia and boxed there as an amateur, the Oct. 18 fight with Perez will mark Brunson’s firs pro fight there since his debut in 2005. Instead, he has boxed in Michigan, Indiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Connecticut, Texas, Canada, Dominican Republic and New Zealand.

“Fighting in my hometown means more to me than ever before,” Brunson said. “I have not fought in Philly since my pro debut at the Blue Horizon so I can’t wait to give my friends, family and fans the performance of a lifetime. I never realized that I would have this extra boost that I am feeling right now just because I will have my people there rooting for me. It is really special and I have been pumped up about the fight ever since it was offered to me. I can’t wait to make Philly proud of one of their own.

“I have found a team with the chemistry that I have been looking for my entire career. I recently signed with Mark Cipparone of Club 1957 Management. He has been making some noise in the Philly boxing market over the last two years. Crazy as it seems I now have a second chance because this feels like my pro debut all over again.”

Perez (below), 23, appears to be coming into his own, having won six of his last seven, dropping only an eight-round split decision to Wilky Campfort, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, earlier this year in Atlantic City.

A pro since 2010, Perez is 12-3-1, 4 K0s. In his last fight Aug. 2 in Atlantic City, he earned a six-round decision over Marcus Willis, of Ft. Myers, FL.

“I’ve been working hard in the gym but there still are a few things to fix,” Perez said. “I’ll be ready for anything Brunson brings. He may try to come out fast, like he does in most of his fights, or he may want to start slower and save something for the later rounds.”

Co-trainer Hassan Hameed-El: “This fight will prove what we already know-DeCarlo is one of the best middleweight prospects in the country. He should be in line for a regional title after this, certainly a spot among the Top 15 in the country. This fight reinforces what people have seen. DeCarlo has fought undefeated fighters, experienced fighters, tough fighters.”

The Oct. 18 show includes a six-round all-Philadelphia lightweight contest between Victor Vasquez and Gerald Smith.

Vasquez, 31, is known as The Fighting Barber since he cuts hair when he is not boxing. A pro since 2006, Vasquez is 16-9-1, 7 K0s. He has not boxed since March 21 when he lost an unpopular eight-round decision to Osnel Charles, of Atlantic City, at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

This will mark Vasquez’ 10th pro fight in this building, formerly known as the New Alhambra, Arena and Asylum Arena. He is 7-2-1 there.

Smith, 29, also has been idle lately, last boxing March 29 when he dropped a four-round decision to Wellington Romero, a member of the Dominican Republic Olympic team, in Atlantic City. That was Smith’s first fight in six years; he is 3-1, 1 K0.

Three four-round fights complete the seven-bout card.

Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 they are on sale at Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or online at www.peltzboxing.com. They also can be purchased through Wanamaker’s Tickets (215-568-2400). The event is sponsored by Rocco’s Collision.

About October 18
The Oct. 18 edition of NBCSN Fight Night will take place at the 2300 Arena at 2300 Swanson Street in South Philadelphia. It features a 10-round heavyweight fight between Steve “USS” Cunningham, of Philadelphia, and Natu Visinia, of Lakewood, CA. A 10-round junior lightweight contest between Edner Cherry, of Wauchula, FL, and Jerry Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX is the co-feature. Five additional fights open the show at 6:45 PM (EST). Tickets are $50 and $75 and are available by calling Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or going online at www.peltzboxing.com. They also can be purchased at Wanamakers Tickets (215-568-2400). 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 6 PM. The event is sponsored by Rocco’s Collision.

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.

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VALLEY FORGE, PA (September 30, 2014)–This Saturday night at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, an intriguing Jr. Welterweight battle will be the co-feature of a championship night boxing promoted by King’s Promotions and Peltz Boxing.

Undefeated Naim Nelson (12-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on battle tested veteran Ryan Belasco (18-6-3-, 3 KO’s) of Wilmington, DE for the UBF All America’s Jr. Welterweight title.

This will be a shot for Belasco to get a coveted win to add to his victories over Victor Vasquez and Jesus Barbosa.

Belasco has been waiting for this opportunity against the undefeated Nelson for over a year as this fight was scheduled a couple of times but the fight was postponed due to injuries and family commitments.

“Everything is going good and I am hitting it hard. I been in camp with Dougie Pettiford and Omar Douglas for 8 weeks. A few fights came up but I am ready for this,” said Belasco.

This will be Belasco’s first fight in nearly a year since dropping a 10-round unanimous decision to Rod Salka last October 12.

“This fight has been brewing for a year. We were going to fight but then Naim hurt his hand. I took the Salka fight. After that fight, we could have the fight again but my wife was pregnant. I took time off to be with her so this fight has been on my radar for the last year or so.”

He knows that Nelson is deserving of his undefeated record.

“He is tough and very busy. He has what it takes but we trained rally hard. I have been thrown in with tough competition so I know this is a fight I can win. As people can see by my record, I have had nothing handed to me. People look at my record and they know I can fight. It will be a great fight as he is busy and I don’t back down.”

Twice before has Belasco fought for regional titles but now he knows that this will be the fight that pushes him over the top.

“The UBF Title will be the icing on the cake. I have a 6-month old daughter and that would be a nice first piece of jewelry to give her.”

Belasco finished by saying, “I never trash talk. I guarantee this fight will be a firecracker. A war at that. I know to be a champion that you have to surround yourself with them and for this camp I did just that.”

In the 8-round Main event, Frank De Alba (13-1-2, 5 KO’s) of Reading, PA will look for his 12th straight win when he takes on Jesse Carradine (8-3-2, 4 KO’s) of Las Vegas, NV in a Super Featherweight bout.

Shawn Sutton (0-2-1) of Norristown, PA will fight Anthony Prescott (3-3-2, 1 KO) of Cherry Hill, NJ in a 4-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Christian Molina (2-0, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA battles Josue Rivera (2-5, 2 KO’s) in a 4-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Travis Thompson (5-11-3, 3 KO’s) of Pottstown, PA will box Benjamin Burgos (1-8-1) of Mount Pocono, PA in a 4-round Lightweight bout

Tickets for this great night of boxing are priced at $125, $75 and $45 and can be purchased by calling Kings Boxing at 610 587-5950 or Peltz Boxing at 215 765 0922

Somerset, NJ (September 30, 2014)–On Friday night, October 24, undefeated Middleweight Antoine “Action” Douglas will take on veteran Jose Medina in the main event of a great night of boxing at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset, New Jersey.

The scheduled 8-round bout will be the main event of a card promoted by GH3 Promotions.

Douglas of Burke, Virginia has a record of 14-0-1 been one of the most talked about Middleweight prospects in the United States. The 21-year old has quality wins over undefeated Colby Courter (4-0) and Marquis Davis (8-0-2). Douglas was impressive in scoring a sensational 2nd round stoppage over former world title challenger Luca Messi (37-9-1) on April 4 in Parsippany, New Jersey.

In his last bout, Douglas and former world title challenger Michel Soro (23-1) fought at highly contested draw in a bout that Douglas dominated over the first half of the bout.

That bout headlined the 200th episode of the highly acclaimed ShoBox: The New Generation series on July 25 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.

Medina of Tilton, New Hampshire has a deceiving record of 18-15-1 with 7 knockouts.

Douglas with be the 9th undefeated foe that Medina will have faced.

The 31 year-old Medina has quality wins over Jamie Vejar (1-0), Gary Bonefant (1-0), Isaac Rodriguez (17-1), Markus Williams (7-1), & Chris Fitzpatrick (14-0). He also held former Jr. Middleweight champion Joachim Alcine (32-2) to a draw.

He is coming off a 6-round majority decision defeat to Gary O’Sullivan (16-1) on June 5th

In the eight round co-feature, Featherweight Jorge Diaz (18-3, 10 KO’s) will see action against Jose Haro.

Diaz of New Brunswick, NJ will be looking for his 2nd consecutive victory after taking a 6-round unanimous decision over Ramon Ellis on July 25 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.

Always in a crowd pleasing fight, Diaz has been known to take on all comers.

The 26 year-old has wins over Gino Escamilla (5-1-1), Yan Barthelemy (8-1), Alejandro Lopez (16-0), Jaesung Lee (10-2-1) & former world title challenger Emanuel Lucero (24-5-1).

Haro (8-1, 6 KO’s) of Salt Lake City, Utah won his first eight bouts.

The 27 year-old is coming off a 6-round unanimous decision defeat to undefeated prospect Toka Khan Clary (11-0) on June 14th in Atlantic City.

Also on the card in 6-round bouts:

Undefeated Super Middleweight John Magda (7-0, 6 KO’s) of Ruthorford, NJ will take on Mike Mitchell (3-4-2, 1 KO) of Paterson, NJ

In four round bouts:

Lightweight Bienvenido Diaz (1-0, 1 KO) of Prospect Park, NJ will battle Tim McNair (0-2) of Charlotte, NC.

Glenn Dezurn (4-0, 3 KO’s) of Baltimore, MD will fight an opponent to be named.

Anthony Cintron (2-0, 1 KO) of Hawley, PA will fight pro debuting Rennard Oliver of Baton, Rouge, LA.

Heavyweight Leon Johnson of Newark, NJ will make his pro debut against Ray Santiago (1-4) of Albany, NY.

Caleb Hernandez of Paterson, NJ will make his pro debut against Malik Jackson (1-3-4) of Newark, NJ

Tickets for this outstanding evening of boxing can be purchased for $125 for Stage seating, $100 for Front Row, $75 for Ringside and $50 for General Admission by calling 862-223-9487.

The Ukrainian Cultural Center is located 135 Davidson Avenue in Somerset, New Jersey

Swedish light heavyweight Erik Skoglund (21-0, 11 KOs) has announced his desire to challenge for a world title in 2015. The 23 year-old, who is unbeaten in twenty-one professional contests and ranked #4 with the WBO and #5 with the IBF, believes that within the next twelve months he will be ready to take on the best in the division.

‘’Everything I have done since I first started boxing at 11 years old has been building towards this,’’ said the current IBF Intercontinental, European (EU) and WBC Youth Champion. ‘’All the hard work, all the sacrifice has been for one reason, so that one day, I can call myself champion of the world. I believe that next year I will be ready to take up the challenge and fulfil my destiny.’’

In one of boxing’s most competitive weight classes the young boxer from Nyköping has risen through the world rankings in impressive fashion. Now faced with the prospect of a world title challenge, Skoglund is confident he has what it takes to realise his ultimate ambition.

‘’My time has come!’’ declared the self-assured Swede. ‘’I’ve been surrounded by world champions from the first moment I stepped through the doors at Team Sauerland’s Berlin gym. I know what it takes to make it to the top and I know I am ready.’’

Should he succeed in his quest for world glory, ‘The Swedish Sensation’ would become the country’s first world champion since Armand Krajnc held the WBO middleweight title in 2001. A feat promoter Nisse Sauerland has full confidence in Skoglund achieving.

‘’We always knew that Erik was a special talent,’’ said Sauerland. ‘’What we didn’t realise was how quickly he would develop. The confidence and composure he has shown against top-level opposition is outstanding. We will not rush him into any fights and when he does challenge for a world title we will ensure he is ready. With that said, by the end of 2015 we have every belief that Erik will be world champion.’’

There are no easy routes to the top of division. To be crowned light heavyweight king Skoglund would need to dethrone one of the four reigning titlists – WBA Super and IBF Champion Bernard Hopkins, WBO Champion Sergey Kovalev who meets Hopkins in a unification fight later this year, WBC Champion Adonis Stevensen and WBA Regular Champion Juergen Braehmer.

While Skoglund and his promoter Sauerland refuse to rule out a meeting with either of the four champions, the young Swede has been vocal in his desire to face ‘’living legend’’ Bernard Hopkins before the American calls time on his illustrious career.

“It would be incredible to face Hopkins,’’ states Skoglund. ‘’It would be awesome to fight him, awesome to beat him, but even to get a shot against him would be amazing. He is still one of the best fighters in the world. He is a living legend!”

Whichever route is chosen, one thing is for sure, Sweden could have a new world champion sooner rather than later.

Tacoma, WA (Sept. 30th 2014) It’s fight week in the Pacific Northwest as CageSport MMA and Super Fight League prepare for the first ever Super Fight League America event, live from the Emerald Queen Casino this Saturday, October 4th at 7:00PM. Eight bouts will be featured on the card, including two title fights.

The main event will see Vancouver, WA native “Vicious” Cory Vom Baur (7-2) facing Los Angeles, California’s Victor Henry (7-1) in a 5-round war for the SFLA bantamweight championship. Both fighters are coming off of victories in what should be a thrilling conclusion to the evening’s action.

In the co-main event of the evening, another California native, Colleen “The Thoroughbred” Schneider (5-4) will face Brenda “Boom Boom” Gonzales (5-1) in the first ever SFLA Women’s Bantamweight championship bout. Schneider will be looking to get back on track after suffering a defeat in June of this year, while Gonzales is coming off of a submission victory.

The rest of the card features the following up and coming Northwest talent:

Bobby McIntyre (1-0) vs. Gary Winslow (2-3)
Mike Ross (0-2) vs. Trent Tyler (3-4)
Hadley Griffith (1-3) vs. Cheryl Chan (0-2)
Michael Marcink0 (0-1) vs. Adam Walkemeyer (1-0)
Raven Guice (1-2) vs. Jesse Hardenbrook (debut)
Mike Devose (0-1) vs. Cleo Anderson (debut)

Tickets to CageSport MMA presents: Super Fight League America #1 are available now at all Ticketmaster locations as well as the Emerald Queen Casino box office. This event will sell out, so get your tickets early. This historic night of fights is not to be missed!

Former Super Middleweight champion Lucian Bute will be back in action on December 6 at the Bell centre in Montreal when he takes on former world title challenger Roberto Bolonti.

“I wanted to face a quality opponent who is coming to fight,” Bute said. “Bolonti is a persistent, come-forward boxer who is difficult to rattle. This is exactly what I need, and exactly what I will train to counter.”

“Bolonti is an excellent challenge for Lucian and InterBox is very happy to have concluded an agreement with this popular boxer of world caliber,” Bedard said. “Bolonti had several other options but chose to fight Lucian. Judging by the performance of Bolonti in his last fight for a world championship, our fans are in for a real treat.”

“I feel better and more confident for this bout than for others I had abroad before,” Bolonti said. “It is going to be a good fight for sure. I want to win clearly in order to have a new world title chance, because this fight against Bute will be like a bridge (to) another world championship opportunity.”

Joseph Diaz Jr. remained undefeated with a 7th round stoppage over Raul Hidalgo in a scheduled 10 round Featherweight bout at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.

Diaz scored a knockdown in round one from a right hook. Diaz scored three knockdown in round seven and the bout was stopped at 2:13 of round seven.

Diaz Jr. 122 1/2 lbs is now 12-0 with 8 knockouts. Hidalgo, 123 lbs is 22-12.

Fidel Maldonado scored a stoppage victory over Nelson Lara in the 8th and final round of their Jr. Welterweight bout.

The two waged a toe to toe war in the fourth round.

In round six, Maldonado was deducted a point for spinning Lara around. In round eight, Maldonado connected on a straight left hand. A follow up flurry caused the referee to stop the bout at 1:30 of round eight.

Maldonado, 141 1/4 lbs is now 19-2 with 16 knockouts. Lara, 141 1/2 lbs is now 15-6-4.

Ricardo Alvarez scored a 8-round unanimous decision over 46 year-old former world champion John Michael Johnson in a Welterweight bout.

Scores were 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 for Alvarez, 145 1/4 lbs of Guadalajara, MX and is now 24-3-3. Johnson, 137 1/2 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 31-10.

A statement from Stephen Espinoza, on behalf of SHOWTIME Sports.

“All of us at Showtime are deeply saddened by the passing of Dan Goossen. This news has come as a shock to many of us who knew Dan personally, beyond our collaborative work on boxing events, for decades. We will remember Dan as a passionate advocate for the sport of boxing, a fun-loving colleague and friend, and, above all, a devoutly religious family man. Our deepest sympathies to the entire Goossen family. May he rest in peace.”

VALLEY FORGE, PA (September 29, 2014)–This Saturday night at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, rising Jr. Lightweight Frank De Alba will look to win his 12th straight and try to remain unbeaten in 14 in a row when he defends the UBF All America’s Super Featherweight title against Jesse Carridine (8-3-2, 4 KO’s) of Las Vegas.

The bout will headline a 6-bout card promoted by King’s Promotions and Peltz Boxing.

De Alba of Reading, PA has a record of 13-1-2 with 5 knockouts is coming off his title winning effort when he stopped Pablo Batres in 5 rounds in Reading, PA.

De Alba has been working very hard at the King’s Boxing Gym for the better part of two months.

“Everything is good. I have been training 8 hard weeks and I am excited for Saturday to come,” said De Alba.

He knows he will be tested by Carradine, who has fought top competition.

Carrainde is a tall (listed at 5’10”) Super Featherweight. He has fought great guys and his only losses are to current world champion Ecgeny Gradovich and top-undefeated prospects Omar Douglas and Karl Dargan. I know I can not take him lightly.”

De Alba has been hitting harder in recent fights and he credits to some things in the gym that he has been working on.

“I am sitting on my punches more. I know that I have power. I do not go in there looking for a knockout but I am have been working on siting on my punches more. So if it comes, it come.”

With this current streak, the 27 year-old, who was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico knows that the biggest fights are going to come sooner rather than later.

“Hopefully I can get this win and I know bigger names and opportunities will come. This fight will put me one step closer. I have been working very hard. This is the hardest I have worked. I am ready for 8 hard rounds and whatever my opponent brings.”, finished De Alba.

In the 8-round co-feature, undefeated Naim Nelson (12-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on Ryan Belasco (18-6-3, 3 KO’s) of Wilmington, DE in a battle for UBF All America’s Jr. Welterweight title.

Jon Bolden (6-9, 5 KO’s) will take on an opponent to be announced in a 6-round Heavyweight bout.

Shawn Sutton (0-2-1) of Norristown, PA will fight Anthony Prescott (3-3-2, 1 KO) of Cherry Hill, NJ in a 4-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Christian Molina (2-0, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA battles Josue Rivera (2-5, 2 KO’s) in a 4-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Travis Thompson (5-11-3, 3 KO’s) of Pottstown, PA will box Benjamin Burgos (1-8-1) of Mount Pocono, PA in a 4-round Lightweight bout

Tickets for this great night of boxing are priced at $125, $75 and $45 and can be purchased by calling Kings Boxing at 610 587-5950 or Peltz Boxing at 215 765 0922

Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions proudly announces the signing of lightweight southpaw Ismael Barroso to a promotional agreement.

A huge puncher from El Tigre, Venezuela, Barroso (15-0-2, 14 KOs) has the visa issues that previously stalled his career resolved and is ready for another attack on the top of the lightweight division.

“This is a fighter who could easily become a world champion,” said Greg Cohen. “He’s got tremendous punching power and he’s relentless when he has an opponent hurt. I’m very proud to be working with him.”

Barosso won the Interim WBA Fedelatin Lightweight Title with a first-round knockout of Oscar Arenas (then 22-3) in October 2012 and defended it with a KO 4 over Winston Campos (then 17-2-4) in October 2013. The only blemishes on his record are a pair of draws in the first six fights of his career. He also won and defended the WBA Fedebol lightweight in 2012.

“Barroso’s manager, Osmiri Fernandez, and Ricardo Rizzo helped put this deal together and we’re eager to get to work on finding him the opportunities that will bring him to the top of the division,” continued Cohen. “We will have an exciting announcement about the first of those opportunities very soon.”

NEW YORK (Sept. 29, 2014) – DiBella Entertainment, Warriors Boxing and Foxwoods Resort Casino will celebrate the 49th birthday of “Irish” Micky Ward with boxing fans attending the SHOWTIME Boxing Special Edition tripleheader on Saturday, October 4, airing live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Promoter Lou DiBella promoted Ward (38-13, 27 KOs) during the latter part of his career, including the epic Arturo Gatti-Ward trilogy. DiBella and Ward, who fought out of Lowell, Massachusetts, developed a special relationship that continues today.

“Of all the fighters that I’ve worked with, no one was more honest or gave more of themselves than Micky Ward,” DiBella said. “It’s a natural to celebrate Micky’s birthday in conjunction with a fight card in New England. Micky is forever New England’s fighter. Fans will get an opportunity to see a great night of boxing and to meet a fighter who may never get into the Hall of Fame, but will always be an icon.”

All 51 of Ward’s bouts were fought as a junior welterweight, including his last fight on June 7, 2003, against Gatti. During his 18-year professional career, Ward captured the (original) WBU title with an eighth-round TKO win over heavily favored, previously undefeated (22-0) Shea Neary in London, and also participated in three consensus “Fights of the Year”. Displaying a lethal left hook to the body, Ward’s other more notable victims included Gatti, Steve Quinonez, Reggie Green, Emanuel Augustus and Alfonso Sanchez, in addition to popular New England fighters such as Louis Veader (twice) and John Rafuse. Ward had a 3-1 (2 KOs) lifetime record fighting at Foxwoods.

Boxers expected to join Ward’s celebration include former WBA/WBC welterweight champion Marlon “Magic Man” Starling (45-6-1, 27 KOs), of Hartford; reigning WBO junior middleweight titleholder Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (21-0, 14 KOs), of Providence; 1955 World welterweight champion Tony “The Pride of Fleet Street” DeMarco (58-12-1, 33 KOs), of Boston; former WBO middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs), of Brooklyn; former WBA junior welterweight and welterweight champion Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera (41-6-1, 24 KOs), former IBO middleweight champion and star of The Contender, Season I reality television show, Peter Manfredo Jr. (40-7, 21 KOs), of Providence; former world lightweight title challenger Tony Petronelli (42-4-1, 22 KOs), of Brockton (MA); “Connecticut Fighter of the Year” Luis “KO King” Rosa Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs), of New Haven, who is coming off a sensational win over Luis Del Valle in May; and Framingham (MA) welterweight and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor (23-2, 7 KOs).

All ticketholders may enter a special “Micky Ward Birthday Contest” by registering between 6:30-7:30 p.m. at a table set up near the Fox Theater box office. Prior to each of the three televised bouts, the ring announcer will select a winner and that lucky fan plus a guest will sit ringside with Micky Ward for the entire fight and be able to take photos with him and get his autograph.

Undefeated Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (20-0-0, 12 KOs), of Las Vegas, by way of Cuba, will defend his IBF junior lightweight title against former world title challenger and IBF No. 3-ranked challenger Fernando David “El Vasco” Saucedo (52-5-3, 8 KOs), of Florencio Varela, Argentina, in the Oct. 4 main event.

In other 10-round fights on the threer-fight telecast: Willie “The Great” Nelson (23-1-1, 13 KOs), of Cleveland, Ohio, will be opposing Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (34-1-1, 21 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., by way of Armenia, in a collision of once-beaten junior middleweights, former light heavyweight world champion “Bad” Chad Dawson (32-3, 18 KOs), of Las Vegas, by way of New Haven, Conn., fights for the first time in his home state in five years when he goes up against Tommy Karpency (23-4-1, 14 KOs), of Adah, Penn.

Tickets, priced at $150, $90 and $45, may be purchased online at Foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the first fight starts at 6:30 p.m. The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, with the main event promoted in association with Sampson Boxing and the co-featured Nelson-Martirosyan match promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

ORANGE, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2014) – Veteran tactician Christopher “Marvelous” Martin (28-3-3, 9 KOs) of San Diego returns to action this Wednesday against the highly touted Miguel Marriaga (18-0, 16 KOs) of Colombia in an 8-round featherweight bout from the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif., televised on ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT).

Martin-Marriaga is on the undercard of what is expected to be an action-packed main event battle between Curtis Stevens (27-4, 20 KOs) of Brownsville, N.Y. and Hassan N’Dam (30-1, 18 KOs) of France in an IBF middleweight eliminator. The winner faces world champion Sam Soliman (44-11, 18 KOs) of Australia in early 2015. The event is promoted by King Sports.

Martin, a crafty counter puncher, registered a unanimous decision win (77-75 x3) over the tough Giovanni Caro in August. Through eight rounds, it was a back-and-forth fight with neither boxer backing down. Martin, however, showed more consistency round-over-round and was able to squeeze out a close win.

“I felt refreshed after the Caro win,” said Martin, who is promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions. “I took about a week off and then I went right back into the gym. I feel strong, confident, and ready to win.”

This Wednesday Oct. 1 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, King Sports will pit boxing’s highest-ranking middleweights (Hassan N’Dam 30-1 18 KOs and Curtis Stevens 27-4 20 KOs) against each other in a mandatory bout to earn a shot at the IBF Middleweight World Championship Belt, currently held by Sam Soliman (44-1 18 KOs).

The event at Barker Hangar promises an epic night of fights that will be televised on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. King Sports will pull from an unprecedented talent pool that includes Interim World Cruiserweight Champion Youri Kalenga, and No. 7 Heavyweight in the world, Charles Martin (18-0-1 16 KOs) to create an exciting night of boxing.

Earlier this year, King Sports announced the return of big-time fights to Southern California on a frequent basis and this event, the second in the series, more than lives up to that promise. King Sports stunned the boxing world by winning the sealed bid against Main Events for the right to promote this important middleweight fight.

“I was just as shocked that we won the bid,” said Michael King, president of King Sports. “On the other hand, it’s important fights like this one that we promised to deliver, and will continue to deliver, as we develop and expand our lineup of world- class fighters and events from King Sports.”

“We bought the rights to this major fight and we’re thrilled to have it,” said Brian Kweder, Head of Boxing programming at ESPN. “Over the past several months, King Sports has proven itself a legit player in the space, and we are proud to partner with Michael King on his first televised event. Without question we’re expecting an outstanding lineup of fighters.”

Tickets can be purchased through
Ticketmaster by calling
1-800-745-3000.
Doors open at 5:00pm
First Bout at 6:00pm.

For more information on King Sports
and the October 1 event please visit
www.kingsportsworldwide.com.

New York City (September 29, 2014) IBF Middleweight World Champion “King” SAM SOLIMAN headed to MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the New York Jets home game against the Detroit Lions, the first pro football game the Australian native has attended.

“It was a terrific experience, a beautiful day with friends watching a tremendous game, I’ll definitely be attending more” said Soliman who kicked off a packed New York City media week on Sunday.

On Tuesday afternoon, September 30 at 12Noon ET, Soliman will swing open the doors to his New York City based training camp for an Open to the Public Media Workout just eight days prior to defending his world title.

The Open to the Public Media Workout will take place at Pop’s Boxing Gym (3134 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468) where Soliman will be joined by his trainer, CHRISTIAN ENNOR.

On Wednesday, October 8th, Soliman will defend his world title against former undisputed middleweight champion JERMAIN “Bad Intentions” TAYLOR from the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi and telecast LIVE on ESPN2, (9 p.m. ET).

SOLIMAN VS. TAYLOR is presented by Dibella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, in association with Soliman Stanley Promotions.

Tickets priced at $89.95, $69.95, $49.95 and $29.95, plus tax and service charges, are available at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office, or through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 4:45pm, with the first bout scheduled for 5:30pm.

Bethlehem, PA: Heavyweight powerhouse Amir “Hardcore” Mansour (20-1, 15 KOs) headlines the final Fight Night edition of 2014 with a ten-round heavyweight battle against Frederic “Big Fred” Kassi (18-2, 10 KOs) on Nov. 8live from Sands Resort Casino in Bethlehem, PA. The Mansour-Kassi match-up will serve as the main event on a triple header edition of Fight Night. Tickets are on sale now.

This will be the third Fight Night appearance for Mansour, the Southpaw from Philadelphia, PA who lost a narrow decision in a Fight of the Year candidate to Steve “USS” Cunningham in his last Fight Night appearance on Apr. 4 in his hometown of Philadelphia.

“Hardcore” Mansour
Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events
“If a guy sits there and bangs out with me, he’s going down,” said a confident Mansour. “I just go in there with the mindset that whoever my opponent is they are going to fight the best fight they ever fought against me so that’s what I prepare for. Whoever it is, I’m prepared for them to come out to be their best.”
Mansour is trained by Howard “Moses” Mosely who said, “From what I gather, [Fred Kassi] is a slick-type of boxer with a lot of slick moves and can give anybody problems, but he’s not going to give Amir any problems with the way I’m training him.”

Joe Hand, Sr., Mansour’s manager, added, “We’re anxious to fight this guy. Amir feels he has the power to take care of Fred Kassi. After his last fight with Steve Cunningham, we were finding it hard to find opponents because of Amir’s knockout power, so we welcome this match-up against Kassi. Top-ranked fighters refuse to take a fight with Amir. With Amir’s style against Kassi’s, we expect him to take care of business.”

Fred Kassi
Photo Courtesy of:
Matt Nussbaum
Kassi hails from Cameroon, Africa and now resides in New Orleans, where he assisted with the recovery of the New Orleans community after the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe. He has never been stopped and 10 of his 18 wins (55.5%) have been by way of knockout.

Mansour may be the favorite, but Kassi isn’t intimidated: “I like being the underdog, it motivates me, whenever I was told I couldn’t do something, I did it,” explained Kassi. “I have nothing but respect for Amir Mansour. He’s a big hitter and comes out swinging. I understand the challenge and look forward to showing the boxing world what I’m about. This is going to be a great fight.”

Vasily Lepikhin
Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events

The telecast will kick off a big night of boxing at at 8:00 PM ET with a ten-round showdown between two undefeated light heavyweights, Russian Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin (16-0, 9 KOs) and Brazilian Jackson Junior (15-0, 13 KOs).

The current WBO Oriental and PABA Light Heavyweight Champion Vasily Lepikhin, 29, is coming off a fifth round TKO over Robert Berridge in his Fight Night debut in August where he earned both titles and impressed many viewers with his skill and power. He said, “I am very excited to be back fighting in United States. This is going to be my second fight on NBCSN and I am looking forward to another victory.”

Brazilian Jackson Junior, known as “Demolidor” in the ring, has an outstanding knockout-to-win ratio (13 of 15 for 87%). He impressed many in his U.S. debut in January 2013 when he scored a first round KO of former U.S. Olympian, Dante Craig. Jackson said, “I am thrilled to be fighting in the USA again and grateful for this opportunity. I know my opponent is good and will be ready to give a good fight. My goal is to win this fight and get my rhythm, stay active and win a world Championship for Brazil and for me.”

Dmitry Mikhaylenko
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events

The middle bout features ten-rounds of welterweight action between undefeated Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko (17-0, 6 KOs) of Russia and Emmanuel Lartey (17-2, 8 KOs) of Ghana.

This will be the first Fight Night appearance for Mikhaylenko, 28. Dmitry made his US debut last month with an eight-round unanimous decision victory over Sechew Powell in Atlantic City, NJ after which he signed a co-promotional agreement with Main Events and German Titov Promotions. “I am very happy to be back with Main Events and fighting on NBCSN,” said Dmitry. “I will do my best to show to my fans what I am capable of in the ring.”

Emmanuel Lartey
Photo Courtesy of: Final Forum Promotions

Emmanuel Lartey, known as “Ice Cold”, hails from Ghana, Africa and currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. He is a dynamic southpaw fighter who has drawn many positive comparisons to Ghana’s greatest boxer, Azumah Nelson. “My goal is to be a world champion and a victory on Nov. 8 gets me one step closer to accomplishing that goal. I’m working very hard to ensure my arm is raised as the victor on Nov. 8,” said Lartey.

Lartey is managed by Sidney Martinez Jr. who added, “We understand that fighting Dmitry Mikhaylenko is no easy task and will be prepared to go a strong ten rounds in order to pull off a decisive victory. Lartey has made many sacrifices and traveled a long way from his native Ghana to get this opportunity and will show the boxing world that he belongs within the upper echelon of his division.”

Both Mikhaylenko and Lepikhin are co-promoted by German Titov Promotions. German Titov said, “I would like to thank Main Events for giving us another opportunity to showcase these two very hot Russian prospects, Lepikhin and Mikhaylenko, who are fighting here in United States. We have no doubt these fighters will deliver a good performance.”

Both Russian fighters are also managed by Egis Klimas, the same manager who advises WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey Kovalev. Egis added, “It is my pleasure to represent both of these fighters here back in the United States and I am sure they will do a good job in the ring on Nov. 8.”

Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said, “Saturday, November 8th will be a huge night for boxing. This card, featuring three bouts and six fighters that have a combined record of 103-5 with 61 knockouts between them and not a single stoppage loss, is a perfect way to start the night early at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. I expect all of the winners, and perhaps even some of the losers, to go on to much bigger fights from their start here, as we’ve come to expect from Fight Night.”

Tickets ($50 and $75) are on sale now through ticketmaster.com, the Sands Event Center box office (610-297-7400) or through Peltz Boxing (peltzboxing.com or 215-765-0922).

About Nov. 8 at Sands:
The November 8 special triple header edition of NBCSN Fight Night will take place at Sands Resort Casino in Bethlehem, PA and will feature a ten-round heavyweight match-up between Amir “Hardcore” Mansour and Frederic “Big Fred” Kassi, a ten-round welterweight match-up between Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko and Emmanuel “Ice Cold” Lartey and a ten-round light heavyweight match-up between Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin and Jackson “Demolidor.” Tickets are $75 and $50 and available through ticketmaster.com, peltzbxing.com and the Sands box office. The card is presented by Main Events, Peltz Boxing, Bam Boxing, and German Titov Promotions, in association with Final Forum Promotions. The special triple header telecast of NBCSN Fight Night will begin at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT.

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 *** PM ET/*** PM PT on November 8. 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.

Longtime boxing promoter Dan Goossen, of Goossen Promotions, who passed away Monday, promoted six events televised on ESPN networks in 2014 and has been a longtime promoter for ESPN’s boxing coverage. Most notably, Goossen promoted the WBC World Heavyweight Championship between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola on ESPN in May.

Brian Kweder, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions, on Goossen’s passing:
“Dan Goossen was an absolute titan in the boxing industry and a great friend to ESPN. He was the mastermind behind bringing the WBC World Heavyweight Championship bout between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola to the masses via ESPN back in May. He will be sorely missed.”

“Everyone at HBO Sports is saddened by the sudden loss of Dan Goossen,” said Ken Hershman, President, HBO Sports. “Dan was a dedicated boxing promoter who we worked closely with for many, many years on some of the most important fights in the sport. But what was even more impressive was his total commitment to his family, who were always right by his side during fight week or wherever his business required him to be. Our prayers and thoughts are with his wife, Debbie, and the entire Goossen family.”

TULSA, OK (Sept. 29, 2014) –Prolific, 25-year-old finisher Randall “Buddy” Wallace (9-2) of Oakdale, Calif. will replace David Mitchell (15-4) of Sacramento, Calif. in the highly-anticipated BattleGrounds MMA one-night, eight-man welterweight (170 pounds) tournament that will award its winner a grand prize of $50,000 and headline a live Pay-Per-View telecast from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. on Friday, October 3.

In addition, a new, lightweight (155 pounds) co-main event between submission ace Jonny “The King of Late Night” Carson (11-6) of Broken Arrow, Okla. and Danny Navarro (11-4) of Riverside, Calif. has been inked for the event. Navarro is riding a spectacular 11-fight winning streak dating back to Aug. 15, 2009 and is coming off a first round submission (guillotine choke) victory over Ray Cooper III on Aug. 30.

Former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler for Oklahoma State University and undefeated featherweight (145 pounds) Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) upstart Jamal Parks (3-0) of Tulsa, Okla. will look to extend his perfect run in the cage in a Superfight with Ruben Warr (3-3) of Whittier, Calif.

In another Superfight contest, bantamweight (135 pounds) finisher Tyler Shinn (6-2) of Stillwater, Okla. will square off with KO artist and rising star Chris “El Guapo” Gutierrez (4-1) of Greenville, Texas.

To date, all but one of Wallace’s victories have come by way of (T)KO (3) or submission (5). He began a run to four consecutive wins with a first round (2:39) submission (rear-naked choke) of D.J. Roberson on May 25, 2013, a streak that ended in his last start when he was submitted with a rear-naked choke by Max Griffin in the second round (2:20) of battle.

Carson, a 28-year-old member of MMA superstar Gilbert Melendez’s San Francisco, Calif.-based Skrap Pack fight team, will make his first start of 2014. In his last effort, he earned a unanimous decision over Marcio Navarro on April 12, 2013.

The 26-year-old Parks produced his best collegiate wrestling results in his senior year, earning a fifth place finish at the NCAA Championships. With a career record of 89-22, Parks made his professional MMA debut on April 27, 2013, scoring a second round (2:47) TKO on Danny Toszon with a barrage of punches.

Parks has since registered two additional victories – a second round (3:00) TKO (retirement) of Josh McCracken on June 7, 2013 and a unanimous decision over Javier Obregon on August 2, 2013.

Warr, 25, is looking for his second consecutive win after notching a unanimous decision over Jordan Isordia on August 10.

The 28-year-old Shinn is looking to regain his stride, after his three-fight win streak was suddenly halted on February 28 with a close, split decision defeat at the hands of Aaron Phillips. Prior to his latest result, Shinn produced two first round finishes – a stunning, 15-second armbar submission of Alex Ureba on April 27, 2013, and a monstrous, 58-second TKO of Jeremiah Castillo with an onslaught of punches.

Shinn extended his win streak to three straight fights on August 2, 2013 with a unanimous decision win over Laramie Shaffer.

Gutierrez is aiming for his third victory and a perfect 2014 after a first round (2:50) TKO (punches) over Justin McNally on March 7 followed by a unanimous decision over Evan Woolsey on April 5. In three of his four career victories to date, the 23-year-old Gutierrez has vanquished his opponents with barrages of punches.

The welterweight tournament field is comprised of an elite collection of fighters in submission wizards Cody “AK Kid” McKenzie (15-4) of Spokane, Wash and Jesse “JT Money” Taylor (27-10) of Murrieta, Calif.; streaking finisher Joe Ray (11-3) of Miramar, Fla.; two-time, one-night tournament winner Brock Larson (37-8) of Brainerd, Minn.; hard-hitting brawler Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti (24-11) of St. Louis, Mo.; Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Roan “Jucao” Carneiro (16-9) of Atlanta, Ga.; and Trey “That Just Happened?” Houston (11-2) of Bixby, Okla.

BattleGrounds MMA ‘O.N.E.’ will be distributed at a price point of $19.95 in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing, beginning at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST on both cable and satellite pay-per-view carriers iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and Bell TV, Rogers, SaskTel, TELUS, MTS and SHAW PPV in Canada. A pre-show will begin at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST. In addition, the event will be available online as an iPPV at a price point of $19.95 on Go Fight Live (www.gfl.tv).

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross and recently retired UFC superstar Chael Sonnen will call the action live from cageside.

Tickets for the event, priced from $65, can be purchased online at www.bokcenter.com as well as at Arby’s Box Office at the BOK Center, all ticket outlets, or by calling 1-800-7-BOKCTR.

Doors at BOK Center open at 6 p.m. CST on Oct. 3. The first preliminary bout will begin at 7:15 p.m.

About BattleGrounds MMA

BattleGrounds MMA (www.battlegroundsone.com) is a world championship professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion designed to place combative sports athletes on a major stage in the most challenging and exciting format possible: one-night, single-elimination tournaments that reveal the toughest competitors in their respective weight divisions. Launched by Olympic wrestling legend Kenny Monday and Bryan O’Rourke in 2012 as a regional organization in Tulsa, OK to unearth promising new talent in one of MMA’s biggest hotbeds, the promotion is quickly capturing the hearts of fans nationwide as it brings about an exciting new era in the world’s fastest growing sport.

About the BOK Center:
The BOK Center is Tulsa’s state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue that opened in fall 2008. The 19,199-seat arena is home to the WNBA Tulsa Shock and the CHL Tulsa Oilers. The BOK Center was designed to host major concerts, family shows, ice shows, and other world class entertainment. Owned by the City Of Tulsa, the BOK Center is part of Vision 2025, a project to grow economic and community infrastructure for future generations. In 2011, the BOK Center won the prestigious International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Venue Excellence Award.

About SMG
Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 230 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 14.4 million square feet of exhibition space and over 1.75 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s Reliant Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions, catering and special events division, SAVOR, currently servicing more than 100 accounts worldwide. For more information visit www.smgworld.com.

“It is with overwhelming regret that we announce the passing of Dan Goossen, 64, from complications relating to liver cancer. The sudden news of his diagnosis was very much a private matter and his final days were spent surrounded by his family and closest friends. Sadness is difficult to escape as we grieve his passing, however we are filled with pride by the fact that Dan Goossen battled this aggressive illness with boundless strength and the last days of his life were fought and lived with unflinching bravery, pure love and grace beyond measure.”

Arrangements are pending and details will be announced in the next few days.

Tyrone Everett had just finished cleaning Alfredo Escalera’s clock for most of the 15 rounds they fought and ring announcer Ed Derian grabbed the microphone to read the scores. It was Nov. 30, 1976, at The Spectrum in Philadelphia and Escalera’s WBC junior lightweight title belt was mere seconds from being transferred to Everett’s waist.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the scoring as follows: Judge Lou Tress has scored it 145 Escalera, 143 Everett.” Boos rained down from every corner of the building.

I stood there at the ring, my hands on the canvas, and I couldn’t believe that Eddie had just embarrassed himself in front of 16,019 fans, the largest crowd ever to watch a fight indoors in Pennsylvania. How in the world, I thought, could he possibly have read the score backward, especially from a judge from Philadelphia?

When Eddie went on to say that “Judge Ismael Fernandez, of Puerto Rico, has scored it Escalera 146, Everett 143,” I knew then what I know to this day—boxing’s dirty laundry had been hung out to dry and I felt like someone had pulled down my pants in public.

The point of this story is not to rehash one of the worst decisions in boxing history, but to point out that by killing the suspense right off the bat, Eddie had saved hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to the building. Had he announced Mexican referee Ray Solis’ score of 148-146 for Everett in between the two scores for Escalera, I believe the built-up suspense would have created such bad vibes that the pro-Everett crowd would have destroyed the Spectrum.

I thought about that night when I got the news Saturday from former Philadelphia Daily News boxing writer Bernard Fernandez that Eddie had passed away the day before at the age of 77.

“Action? You better believe it!” That was Eddie’s favorite line from his early days in the mid-1970s when he was the on-air announcer for the Roller Games, when female stars like Judy Arnold, Judy Sowinski and Yvonne Riggins and the Philadelphia Warriors battled it out with the visitors at the old Arena at 46th & Market Streets in West Philadelphia.

Rose Patterson worked the box office for the Roller Games at the Arena and when she later went to work for Frank Gelb in the boxing business, she suggested Eddie look into ring announcing and that’s how he got his start.

In those days, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission appointed the ring announcer and Eddie soon became the best of the lot. The Everett-Escalera fight gained him worldwide notoriety. By the mid-1980s, I had convinced the commission to let the promoter choose the announcer.

When Top Rank broke into Atlantic City with ESPN Boxing in 1980, Gelb got Eddie the slot and he was a fixture for a few years until Michael Buffer displaced him. Eddie never got over that; he always wore his heart on his sleeve.

Someone once reminded me that there is no such thing as 99 percent loyalty and Eddie, so long as he was healthy and available, was always my announcer, either in Philadelphia or Atlantic City.

Despite our relationship, I always tried to get him to eliminate his shtick.

“Eddie,” I’d say, “a fighter doesn’t tip the scales at 143 pounds; he simply weighs 143 pounds. And he doesn’t come all the way from San Diego, California; he is from San Diego, California. And he is not a fine young pugilist.”
For a show or two, I actually got Eddie to play it straight, but then he went back to his ways and I guess that’s what made him so endearing to the fans.

Everybody was honorable!

“The honorable Jersey Joe Walcott, commissioner,” he would intone. Then it became “the honorable Robert W. Lee, commissioner,” or “the honorable Howard E. McCall, commissioner,” in Pennsylvania. We’d start joking about introducing people in the crowd, the honorable this or the honorable that.

I loved it when he’d introduce a fighter and repeat the name, such as Bennie Briscoe…Briscoe. He picked that up from Johnny Addie, who did the cards at Madison Square Garden from the late 1940s through the early 1970s.

He was a fixture at USA Network’s Tuesday Night Fights from the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. And although I cannot remember whether it was my idea or his, he began opening those shows by saying “live, from the Legendary Blue Horizon in the boxing capital of the East Coast, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania….” He was as much a part of the Blue Horizon’s legacy as the fighters he introduced.

Eddie’s real name was Setrak Ejdaharian. He would have had fun introducing that one. He was Armenian and proud of it and his day job was selling automobile parts. He and his wife Roxie and me and my wife Linda enjoyed good times at a variety of Middle East restaurants in the Philadelphia area. He was a celebrity in every one of them. When Roxie passed away two years ago, she took a piece of Eddie with her.

He remains one of the finest ring announcers of all-time and his induction into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010 was long overdue. I’m not going to turn this column sour by saying he belongs on the ballot at Canastota, NY, so I’ll leave that alone.

His passing is another reminder of the days when boxing was still an integral part of the Philadelphia and Atlantic City sports scene. I miss that and I’ll miss him more.

Todd Grisham and analyst Teddy Atlas will be ringside describing the action for ESPN’s previously announced ESPN Boxing Special presented by Corona Extra airing live on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and WatchESPN. The show from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., will feature a 12-round IBF eliminator between Middleweight contenders Hassan “El Fenómeno” N’Dam (30-1, 18 KOs) and Curtis “Showtime” Stevens (27-4, 20 KOs). The winner of the bout will earn the right to fight for the IBF Middleweight title, currently held by Australia’s Sam Soliman. The card is promoted by King Sports.

ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra will also present the card live on broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+ and will televise the card on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 10 p.m. on ESPN Deportes. Pablo Viruega and analyst Delvin Rodríguez will call the fights for Noche de Combates, while Claudia Trejos and Leopoldo González will anchor the studio. Bi-lingual reporter Bernardo Osuna will present live reports and interviews for both ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

Main Event:
France’s N’Dam, a former Middleweight titlist, has won his last three fights, including a 10-round unanimous decision win over Fulgencio Zuniga in April.

“I think Curtis Stevens is a great fighter – he’s unbelievably strong and can knock you out with either hand. But, I think he’s limited when it comes to fighting a boxer like Hassan,” said N’Dam’s manager Gary Hyde. “I think the key to this fight is just Hassan being himself. He’s got lovely lateral movement and he’s a fantastic boxer. He’s got the Ali-Leonard style, and that’s what he should stick with against Stevens.”

Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Stevens, who challenged current Middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin for his belt in 2013, has won his last two fights and is coming off a 10th-round TKO win over 2008 Olympian Tureano Johnson.

“I really expect Curtis to be super explosive,” said Stevens’ trainer Andre Rozier. “He knows that this is a title eliminator which will bring him to fighting the winner of the Jermain Taylor-Sam Soliman fight. So he’s literally right back in the title hunt with two steps to go – two really very short steps. I think we’re going to see a very explosive performance that ends in a big knockout.”

Co-Feature:
Wednesday’s 10-round co-feature will pit undefeated Welterweight Fredrick “General Okuna” Lawson (22-0, 20 KOs) of California against New York’s Ray “The Emperor” Narh (26-5, 21 KOs). In his last outing, Lawson scored a sixth-round TKO win over Mohamed Kayongo, while Narh is looking to rebound from a 10-round split decision loss to Chris van Heerden.

Opening Fight:
Wednesday’s show will open with an eight-round bout between undefeated Featherweight Miguel Marriaga (18-0, 16KOs) of Colombia and California’s Chris Martin (28-3-3, 9 KOs).

King’ Arthur Abraham (41-4, 28 KOs) retained his WBO World Super Middleweight crown with a unanimous points decision against Paul Smith (35-4, 20 KOs) in Kiel, Germany. After twelve rounds of non-stop action in front of a sell-out crowd at the Sparkassen-Arena the judges scored the fight 117-111, 117-111 and 119-109 in favour of the defending champion.

‘’It was a tough fight,’’ said Abraham. ‘’Paul Smith was by no means an easy opponent and he made me work hard for the win. I was pleased with my performance. I feel that I have proved to myself, to my coach Ulli Wegner and to my fans that I still have what it takes. I’m not in decline and I look forward to more successful defences of my WBO title.’’

The challenger Smith more than played his part in a competitive contest and was left disappointed with the judges’ decision. ‘’First and foremost I’d like to say that I have a lot of respect for Arthur Abraham,’’ said the Liverpudlian. ‘’He is a great champion and tonight we had a great fight. But I think the judges got it wrong. I’ve been waiting a long time for this opportunity. I just wanted a fair crack at the whip and I don’t think I got that.’’

There were immediate calls for a rematch by Team Smith. When pressed on the possibility of a return fight ‘King Arthur’ admitted he would be willing to face the British boxer again. ‘’Of course I would fight Paul again,’’ said the Armenian-born German. ‘’I’m sure it would be another exciting fight. However the circumstances would need to be right. At the moment the most interesting fight for me would be Sturm or Stieglitz.’’

Said promoter Kalle Sauerland: ‘’Both fighters played their part in an extremely entertaining fight. I have a lot of respect Paul, his family and his team. He did himself proud tonight. But Arthur has shown yet again that he belongs at the top of the division. A rematch with Paul is a possibility but first we will be looking at the winner of Felix Sturm and Robert Stieglitz.’’

ORANGE, Calif. (Sept. 27, 2014) – Jose “Gato” Roman dominated Hector Velazquez, one of the most experienced boxers in the lightweight division, and with that resounding victory, successfully defended his WBC CABOFE Lightweight Championship in the 8-round “Path to Glory” main event promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions.

The unanimous decision scores read: 79-73, 80-72, 79-73.

Roman (18-1-1, 12 KOs), who fights out of Garden Grove, Calif. and had a strong contingent of fans at the sold-out Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, used his speed, agility, and intelligence to thoroughly frustrate the 39-year-old Velazquez. To his credit, Velazquez (56-23-3, 38 KOs) tried to tie up Roman at every opportunity, but Roman maneuvered out of the traps and managed to score points on the outside.

With about thirty seconds left in the fourth round, Roman fired a relentless barrage of punches, which caught Velazquez off guard. On the way back to his corner, one could tell Velazquez was visibly shaken by the onslaught. From this point forward, Roman carefully boxed his way to a one-sided victory.

“I just implemented what we worked on during our training camp,” Roman said. “We didn’t want to give him any opportunities to gain momentum. I knew I was going to be too fast and technical for him.”

In the co-main event, Danny Roman (12-2-1, 5 KOs) of Los Angeles put on a boxing clinic through eight rounds against Jonathan Alcantara (7-12-2, 1 KO) of Sonsonate, El Salvador. Roman swept the scoring 80-72 on all three scorecards.

Roman dished out a heavy beating, routinely connecting with left hooks to the head and body. Alcantara deserves credit for remaining aggressive throughout, however, it was clear from the start that he was over matched. Roman used a quick jab to set up power shots and worked the body well in close quarters.

In a contentious fight that featured numerous holds, low blows, blood, and a torn glove, through all that, it was Ukrainian welterweight Taras Shelestyuk (9-0, 6 KOs) squeezing out an 8-round split decision (76-75, 75-76, 76-75) victory over Patrick Boozer (6-3, 2 KOs) of Ann Arbor, Mich.

The boxers, both southpaws, had their moments as the tight scores suggest, but Shelestyuk benefited greatly by Boozer’s inability to keep the punches above the belt line. Referee Ray Corona warned the Michigan native early in the fight, and in the eighth, Corona deducted a point for what appeared to be a blatant low blow. Boozer’s infraction undoubtedly had a profound impact on the scoring.

In the fourth round, Boozer’s right glove tore and had to be replaced, causing a five-minute delay. When the round resumed, Boozer opened up a nasty cut over Shelestyuk’s right eye, which gushed blood for the remainder of the fight. The Ukrainian battled through and was able to stay in the fight and land quality shots. Boozer accorded himself well, often landing hard rights, but it was Shelestyuk who took home the hard fought win. Shelestyuk is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions.

Cesar Villarraga (5-0, 3 KOs) of Colombia showed why he is considered one of the best young lightweights by dominating and knocking out Oscar Santana (4-2-1, 2 KOs) of Pomona, Calif. Santana proved effective in the first two rounds, but after that, it was all Villarraga. In the third, the former Olympian was landing his left hook and straight right whenever he wanted.

Santana tried to keep his distance, but Villarraga closed the gap with an accurate jab and solid combinations. In the sixth and final round, Villarraga gave the crowd what it wanted, a pinpoint left hook to the body that dropped Santana for good at the :35 mark. Villarraga is promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions.

Super featherweight Erick Ituarte (8-1-1, 1 KO) of Santa Ana, Calif. proved the more polished prospect in his 4-round fight against Jesus Aguinaga (1-3) of Phoenix. Ituarte won a unanimous decision (39-37×3) behind an active jab and consistent power punching.

Heavyweight LaRon Mitchell (5-0, 5 KOs) of San Francisco extended his win and knockout streak with a second round KO of Eduardo Ramirez (1-1) of Yuma, Ariz. In the middle of the first round, both fighters connected flush with power shots resulting in a double knockdown. Mitchell quickly shook off the drop and managed to land shots through the rest of the round.

In the second, Mitchell attacked early and bloodied Ramirez’ nose with a heavy straight right that clearly wobbled the shorter and lighter Ramirez. Mitchell sensed a knockout and poured it on. He landed a four-punch combination that sucked the life out of Ramirez. The referee put a stop to the beat down at the 1:21 mark.

Opening the seven-bout card were lightweights Andres Figueroa (5-0, 3 KOs) of Bogota, Colombia and Carlos Zatarin (3-2-1, 1 KO) of Phoenix. Figueroa, who at 5’5″ is a bit undersized for the division, boxed his way to a 4-round unanimous decision win (39-37, 40-36, 39-37). Zatarin had a habit of opening his guard when throwing a right upper cut, which Figueroa timed nicely with a counter left. In addition to that, Figueroa landed the stronger punches and established a better defense.

“Path to Glory” was presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Lucas Oil, in association with KCAL 96.7 FM Rocks!, KOLA 99.9 FM, and LATV Networks.

For additional information please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter @ThompsonBoxing and Instagram.

Grigory Drozd won the WBC Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over reigning champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk at the Dynamo Palace of Sports in Moscow, Russia.

Drozd sent Wlodarczyk to the canvas from a flurry of punches in round eight. That, combined with a cut over his left eye had Wladarczyk in trouble. He trailed 79-72 twice and 78-73 as announced by the WBC open scoring.

Drozd, 198 1/4 lbs won by scores of 119-108 twice and 118-109 and is now 39-1. Wlodarczyk, 199 lbs of Poland is now 49-3-1.

Denis Lebedev retained the WBA Cruiserweight title with a 2nd round destruction over previously undefeated Pawel Kolodziej.

After a non descript first round, Lebedev drilled Kolodzied with a perfect left to the jaw and dropped the challenger. Upon getting to his feet, the fight was stopped.

Lebedev, 198 3/4 lbs of Russia is now 26-2 with 20 knockouts. Kolodziej, 200 lbs of Poland is now 33-1.

(LAS VEGAS) September 27, 2014 – With one week to go until his first defense of his IBF Super Featherweight world title, Champion Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (20-0, 12 KOs) wraps up his final day of training camp with an intense day of sparring. Barthelemy will face challenger Fernando David Saucedo (52-2, 8 KOs) in a 12-round bout at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The fight will be televised live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) as the main-event on Oct, 4, 2014.

“This is the best camp I’ve had since turning professional,” said Barthelemy. “My weight is good and I’m going to be well prepared for anything Saucedo brings. We did some things different in this camp as we added some old techniques from the Cuban School of boxing. I’m ready to show the world I’m the best Super Featherweight in the world. I want to thank Al Haymon and my entire team for all their support. I’m ready to show the world I’m the best Super Featherweight in the world.”