The World Boxing Association (WBA) made official an agreement with Riyadh Season this Wednesday during a press conference held in New York with the presence of the organization’s president, Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. 

The agreement opens the door to work hand in hand with promoters and different organizations with the intention of delivering more and better fights to fans around the world in an alliance that seeks to offer the best for the sport.

For the pioneer organization, the systematic development of boxing and the promotion of young talent will always be a priority, so this agreement will work hand in hand with Riyadh Season to support various projects such as the KO to Drugs, the WBA Future Champions and the WBA Academy, pillars of the WBA for its importance to the development of fighters and the sport in general. 

The WBA will continue working and reaching alliances with different actors in world boxing, always in search of the best for boxing, the fans and the fighters themselves.

WASHINGTON, PA (April 24, 2024) — This Saturday at The Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA, Integrity Fighter Management presents a big night of boxing.

Pittsburgh based Ukrainian and former NABA Gold and Pennsylvania cruiserweight champion Lyubomyr “The Demolition Man” Pinchuk (14-4-2, 8 KO) takes on Andrew Satterfiel (7-7-1, 4 KOs) of Parkersburgh, WV for the ABO Heavyweight Title (Appalachian Boxing Organization) in an eight round heavyweight bout.

Fan Favorite Joey Turk (4-1-1, 1 KO) of Pittsburg faces pro debut Skyler Mauller from Newark Ohio. Mauller is 2-0 in pro MMA in a four-round heavyweight bout.

6’7″ Brian “Big Beauty” Mowry (1-0, 1 KO) of Butler, PA will be in against ) 6’5 police officer Daniel Fry (0-2) from Lebanon OH. in a four-round heavyweight bout.

Steve Cunningham Jr (2-0, 2 KOs) of Pittsburgh will face an opponent to be named in a four-round middleweight bout.

In a matchup of undefeated fighters, Ivan Dancha (3-0, 3 KOs) of Lviv, Ukraine will take on Jerome “Thoroughbred” Baxter (3-0, 1 KO) of Pittsburgh in a six round junior Middleweight contest. Dancha had amateur wins over upcoming WBO title challenger Denis Berinchyk, Delante Johnson, and Mger Hovhannisyan. He has stopped all 3 of his opponents in the first round in the professional ranks.

southpaw Rosalindo Morales (9-1, 2 KOs) of Elwood City, PA returns to action against Marcelo Williams (4-22-1, 1 KO) of Orlando, Florida via Brazil in a six-round junior lightweight contest.

Teddy Mrkonja (2-0, 2 KOs) of Pittsburgh takes on Tyler Pacheco (1-7) from Abilene TX in a four-round lightweight contest.

Tickets can be purchased at the following Link.

https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/16006074C5E165D4

The fights will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com

*All Bouts subject to change and cancellation. No ticket refunds or exchanges

PHILADELPHIA (April 24, 2024)–Former world title challenger looked spectacular in taking out Ismael Villareal in round three of a scheduled 10-round bout as part of the Overtime Junior Middleweight Tournament in Atlanta.

The bout, which was streamed live on DAZN saw Adams land solid shots throughout the contest as they were short and compact.

In round three, Adams landed a perfect left hook to the body that sent Villareal down for the count at 2:59.

Adams of Watts, California advances in the tournament as his record ascends to 24-3 with 16 knockouts.

Adams will now take on undefeated Francisco Veron (14-0-1, 10 KOs) on a date to be announced.

“Brandon showed that he is a force to be reckoned with at junior middleweight. He showed tremendous power and we look forward to the next fight in the tournament,” said Artie Pelullo of Banner Promotions.

LAS VEGAS (April 24, 2024) — Junior bantamweight sensation Steven “Kid Dynamite” Navarro, a 13-time U.S. national amateur champion who turned pro earlier this month with a show-stopping knockout, has signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank.
 
The 20-year-old Navarro, a native of Inglewood, California, is scheduled to make his Top Rank debut in June.

“Steven is an exceptional talent who comes from a great boxing family, and I believe he has all the tools to become a world champion,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “I can’t wait to watch his professional journey unfold.”

“My road to becoming a world champion is just beginning, and I’m ready to work hard and show the world what I’m made of,” Navarro said. “I intend to make a statement and win world titles at junior bantamweight. I believe Top Rank is the best promoter to showcase my talents. It’s been an amazing ride from being an amateur since I was nine and winning all those championships, to stopping a tough opponent in my pro debut, and now signing with the legendary Top Rank.”

“Steven has massive star potential. He’s fun to watch in the ring with masterful footwork, unexpected combinations, and excellent boxing IQ,” said Vishare Mooney, Navarro’s manager. “Outside the ring, he is very charismatic and well-liked by fans and sponsors. Guided by Top Rank, the sky’s the limit.”

Navarro (1-0, 1 KO) made his pro debut on April 6 in Las Vegas, stopping 10-fight veteran Jose Lopez in the sixth round. Lopez entered the fight on a five-bout unbeaten streak and had never been knocked out as a pro. Last December, Navarro earned a silver medal at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Lafayette, Louisiana, dropping a controversial decision in the gold medal match. His amateur accolades include a USA Youth National Championships gold medal in 2021 and silver medals at the 2021 Junior Pan American Games and 2022 USA National Championships.

Navarro comes from a long and storied boxing lineage. His uncle, Jose Navarro, represented Team USA at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and challenged for a world title four times during a decorated 33-bout career. His father and head trainer, Refugio Navarro, had 10 professional fights. Another one of his uncles, Carlos Navarro, went 27-6-1 over a nearly 11-year pro career. 
 
Navarro said, “I have a great team, especially my dad, who’s been by my side all along. We’re about to do great things.”
 

NEW YORK (April 18, 2024)–Nathan Lugo showed electric power in taking out Richard Lartigue inside of a round in their four-round super-middleweight bout.

Lugo dropped Lartigue with a hard left hook. Lugo would not rest on his laurels as he dumped Lartigue with a hard right hand and the fight was stopped at 1:33.

Lugo, 168,4 lbs of Atlanta is 1-0 with one knockout. Lartigue, 166.8 lbs of San Diego is 1-2.

Because of the opening round stoppage, the 23-time national champion earned the Overtime bonus.

“This is just the beginning of the start of a very, very promising career. He has not just the ability, but also the charisma to become a star. There will be some very big announcements in the not so distant future regarding Nathan.” said David McWater of Split-T Management

Las Vegas – UFC International Fight WeekÔ returns to Las Vegas with a blockbuster main event featuring the return of superstar Conor McGregor as he collides with Michael Chandler in a highly anticipated welterweight bout. Also, former UFC light heavyweight champion and No. 3 ranked contender Jamahal Hill makes a quick return to take on rising No. 8 Khalil Rountree Jr. in a pivotal co-main event.

UFC^® 303: MCGREGOR vs. CHANDLER takes place Saturday, June 29 at T-Mobile Arena with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be available on ESPN, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The night’s action will start at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with early prelims on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and UFC Fight Pass.

UFC^® 303: MCGREGOR vs. CHANDLER tickets will go on sale Friday, April 26 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at axs.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, April 24 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, April 25 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC X will also be taking place during UFC International Fight WeekÔ on June 28 and 29 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This two-day immersive experience will include autograph sessions, athlete meet and greets, live panels, exclusive activations and more. To purchase tickets and for more information on UFC X, visit UFC.com/IFW.

McGregor (22-6, fighting out of Dublin, Ireland) makes his long-awaited return to settle his rivalry against opposing The Ultimate Fighter season 31 coach Chandler. The first fighter in UFC history to hold two division titles simultaneously, McGregor has become a sports icon through his legendary performances against José Aldo, Eddie Alvarez and Donald Cerrone. The Irishman aims to deliver another iconic moment against Chandler, kickstarting another run at UFC gold.

Chandler (23-8, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Nashville, Tenn.) finally gets his shot at the sport’s biggest star. A fan favorite incapable of delivering a dull moment in the Octagon, Chandler has become a must-watch after his highlight-reel finishes against Dan Hooker and former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. He now looks to secure the biggest win of his career by finishing McGregor in unforgettable fashion.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Hill (12-2 1NC, fighting out of Grand Rapids, Mich.) returns to action with a vengeance. The Michigan-native made a name for himself by delivering three straight knockouts against Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker and Thiago Santos on his way to capturing the division’s title from Glover Teixiera. Hill plans on reminding the 205-pound division why he’s one of the best in the world by delivering a statement performance against Rountree Jr.

Rountree Jr. (14-5 1NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) embarks on his first outing of the 2024 season. An eight-year Octagon veteran, Rountree Jr. has become an unrelenting force and knockout machine, finishing the likes of Anthony Smith, Chris Daukaus and Paul Craig. The rising contender looks to make it six in a row and inch his way closer to a title opportunity by silencing former division champion Hill.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 3 ranked bantamweight contender Mayra Bueno Silva (10-3-1 1NC, fighting out of Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil) takes on No. 7 Macy Chiasson (10-3, fighting out of Dallas, Texas by way of New Orleans, La.) in a high-stakes matchup
• A thrilling featherweight bout pits UFC Hall of Famer Cub Swanson (29-13, fighting out of Palm Springs, Calif.) against Andre Fili (23-11, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.)
• Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Joe Pyfer (12-3, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.) squares off with Canada’s own Marc-André Barriault (16-7 1NC, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla. by way of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada) at middleweight
• Ranked strawweights No. 14 Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-12, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) and No. 15 Gillian Robertson (13-8, fighting out of Port St. Lucie, Fla. by way of Niagara Falls, Canada) lock horns
• Road to UFC season two prospect Rei Tsuruya (9-0, fighting out of Chiba, Japan) looks to remain undefeated as he meets Dana White’s Contender Series signee Carlos Hernandez (9-3, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.)at flyweight

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change. Please click here to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About T-Mobile Arena

T-Mobile Arena, the 20,000-seat venue located on the Las Vegas Strip between Park MGM and New York-New York, opened April 6, 2016. The arena hosts more than 100 events annually including major headline entertainment, awards shows, UFC, boxing, basketball and other sporting events, family shows and special events. T-Mobile Arena also is the home of the Vegas Golden Knights, a National Hockey League expansion team and the city’s first professional sports team, as well as UFC’s exclusive Las Vegas arena destination. The venue, named the No. 1 venue on Billboard Magazine’s 2018 Arena Power List as well as the “Best New Major Concert Venue” by Pollstar Magazine in 2016, features 50 luxury suites, more than two dozen private loge boxes, complete broadcast facilities, and other specially designed exclusive hospitality offerings and fan amenities destined to create a guest experience second to none. Toshiba Plaza, an adjacent two-acre outdoor entertainment space, features performance stages, a variety of video screens and other interactive content and display areas. Industry-leading architect Populous designed T-Mobile Arena to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s standards for LEED® Gold Certification. T-Mobile Arena is a privately funded joint venture between AEG and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit T-MobileArena.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About ESPN+ 

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus

About ESPN

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

NEW YORK, NY – April 24, 2024 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced the launch of its newest content series MVP Presents: The Boxing Lab, a roundtable-style boxing show discussing boxing’s recent and upcoming biggest fights and upcoming Most Valuable Promotions events. The first installment of the series is now live on MVP’s YouTube channel and features discussion from Most Valuable Promotions Director of Boxing Mike Leanardi, President of Boxlab Promotions Amaury Piedra, and famed YouTube boxing commentator and Most Valuable Prospects series blow-by-blow commentator Wade Plemons, with special guest, founder of Onward Athletics and manager of MVP’s Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, DJ Walton. Leanardi, Piedra, Plemons, and Walton cover a range of hot topics in boxing in the show’s opening episode, including a look back at Garcia vs. Haney, as well as sharing insights on MVP’s upcoming Most Valuable Prospects VI on Friday, April 26 and Netflix mega-event Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano on Saturday, July 20.

The boxing roundtable analysis series will live on the Most Valuable Promotions YouTube channel, with highlights and clips to be released across the company’s social media channels. Episodes will be released regularly ahead of MVP events throughout 2024. Watch the first installment of MVP Presents: The Boxing Lab here.

MVP Presents: The Boxing Lab is the latest of Most Valuable Promotions’ evergreen content series features. The company also recently released MVP Uncut, an MVP six-part YouTube docuseries following MVP talent behind the scenes as they made their final fight week preparations for MVP’s marquee event on Saturday, March 2 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, featuring Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano, and Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton. Now, MVP will spotlight the vast boxing knowledge of its executives, longtime event broadcast talent, and partners through insightful discussion on the latest hot topics, fighters, and events in boxing. 

For more information, follow on Twitter via @MostVPromotions or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. Since inception MVP has consistently produced the biggest combat sports pay-per-view events. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. The company signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which is the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

NEW YORK (April 24, 2024) – DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series made a successful debut in Philadelphia, PA, with an entertaining five-bout card on April 18 at the 2300 Arena.

In the main event, heavyweights “Gentleman” George Arias and undefeated Skylar “Big Dog” Lacy battled to an eight-round draw in a close and competitive bout. Arias surged ahead early bobbing and weaving his way inside to land combinations. The six-foot-seven Lacy then began to create a distance with his size and reach, sneaking in straight rights and clinching whenever Arias moved in too close. That strategy worked down the stretch as he kept the fight at his pace. Scorecards read 77-75 for Arias, and 76-76 twice. Arias, based out of The Bronx, NY, is now 18-1-1 (7 KOs), while Lacy, of Indianapolis, IN, remains unbeaten at 8-0-2 (6 KOs).

Heavyweight prospect Roney “Too Much” Hines, of Cleveland, OH, pounded out an eight-round unanimous decision win against a game Robert “The Truth” Hall Jr. The six-foot-six southpaw Hines used a consistent jab to keep Hall at bay to land his straight lefts to the head and body. Co-managed by Robert Diaz and Sheer Sports, Hines won by scores of 79-73 on all cards and his record now reads 14-0-1 (8 KOs). Hall, of Johnson City, TN, is 14-3 (11 KOs). The 28-year-old Hines had an extensive amateur career that included over 90 fights and a win at the National Golden Gloves, before making his professional debut in July 2018.

Jamaican middleweight southpaw Kestna Davis, based out of Vauxhall, NJ, earned a four-round unanimous decision win against Abdalla Nagy to improve to 6-0. The athletic Davis used his footwork and countershots to offset Nagy’s aggression. A right hook counter from Davis dropped Nagy in round three. All scorecards read 40-35. Davis is mentored by former undisputed heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis, who was ringside to support his protégé. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Davis moved to the U.S. in 2018. He met Lewis in 2016 through the Lennox Lewis League of Champions Foundation. Nagy, born in Egypt now based out of Albuquerque, NM, returned home with a 1-1 record.

Philadelphia junior featherweight prospect Romuel “Cuco” Cruz remained undefeated as he stopped Robin “Gravedigger” Ellis in the fourth of a scheduled six-rounder. The bout featured lots of inside exchanges, with Cruz getting great leverage on his hooks and combinations to the head and body. In round four, Cruz created some distance with his jab. He hurt Ellis with a straight right hand to the chin then decked him with a right uppercut-left hook combination moments later. Ellis made it to his feet, but his corner elected for their charge not to continue. The stoppage came at the 1:43 mark of the stanza, improving Cruz’s record to 11-0-1 (5 KOs). Ellis, of Las Vegas, NV, left the ring at 6-4 (5 KOs). Cruz was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, but moved to Philadelphia as a toddler. He began boxing as a teenager and has been under the tutelage of world championship trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards since his pro debut in December 2017. He is promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions.

Erron “Junkyard Dog” Peterson, a Philadelphia middleweight southpaw also trained by Edwards, dominated Raheem Davis en route to a second-round stoppage win. Peterson pressured his way inside the awkward style of Davis and targeted the midsection, scoring knockdowns in the first and second rounds with right hooks to the body. Once Davis arose from the second knockdown, Peterson trapped him against the ropes and landed a right cross upstairs to send his foe to the canvas for the third and final time. The fight was called off at 1:52 of the frame, with Peterson upping his record to 6-0-1 (5 KOs). Davis, of Morgantown, WV, is now 1-3. Peterson was an All-City linebacker in high school before turning his full attention to boxing at the age of 21. Following a brief-but-successful amateur campaign, Peterson, managed by his father Salah, turned pro in July 2022.

Photo Credit: Darryl Cobb/DiBella Entertainment

DiBella Entertainment

Instagram: @DiBellaEnt

X: @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt

Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment

NEW YORK— April 24, 2024—Today, Prime Video announced the launch of an all-new, two-episode presentation of Gloves Off, the revealing series that brings fight fans compelling behind-the-scenes access in the lead-up to highly-anticipated PBC on Prime Video boxing events. Gloves Off: Canelo vs. Munguia, narrated by Barry Pepper, premieres on Prime Video today, and takes fans far beyond the ring. The series blends footage and stories of the two fighters’ lives, families, training camp team members, and training camp activity as the build-up increases to the highly-anticipated Cinco de Mayo weekend showdown in Las Vegas.

Squaring off in the May 4 blockbuster event will be Undisputed Super Middleweight World Champion and Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez placing his world title on the line versus rising Mexican star Jaime Munguia, an unbeaten former world champion. The episodes illustrate the personal stakes on the line and offers an intimate look at these prizefighters headlining the first four-belt undisputed title fight between Mexican combatants and harkens back to the great Mexico vs. Mexico matchups of the past.

Social Handles:

Prime Video

Instagram: @PrimeVideo

X: @PrimeVideo

Facebook: @PrimeVideo

Manchester, England: UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, has announced its first European event of 2024, UFC® 304.

Arriving in Manchester on Saturday, July 27, UFC® 304 is the first-ever sporting event announced for Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena.  The prelims will begin at 11 p.m. BST (6 p.m. ET in the U.S.), followed by the main card airing at 3 a.m. BST (10 p.m. ET in the U.S., the traditional start time for a UFC Pay Per View).

UFC® 304 tickets go on sale from 10:00 a.m. BST on Friday, June 7, via Ticketmaster. UFC Fight Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets early on Wednesday, June 5, at 9:00 a.m. BST. Those who registered their interest to the event will gain access to a special pre-sale which starts Thursday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m. BST.

The card marks the first sporting event announced for Co-op Live, the UK’s largest and most sustainable live entertainment arena. With state-of-the-art technology and a carefully curated unique design, the venue promises to bring fans right into the heart of the action.

“I’m so excited to get back to Manchester. And no better time than this summer,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “We have two champions from the UK and fans have been dying for a UFC PPV event. So here we come to the largest indoor arena in the UK. See you soon, England!”

Co-op Live Executive Director & General Manager, Gary Roden said: “With the north of England home to so many of the world’s leading fighters, we are primed and ready for UFC and its knowledgeable, passionate fanbase. Offering a state-of-the-art platform for globally broadcast events, Co-op Live is extremely proud to welcome entertainment of this scale and caliber as the future home of combat sports in the UK.”

The UK has always been the home to landmark UFC events and has played host to some of the most memorable Octagon® moments in UFC history, including Michael Bisping’s spectacular defeat of the legendary Anderson “The Spider” Silva in February 2016. UK fans also watched as Leon Edwards successfully defended his title in front of a home crowd last year at UFC® 286, cementing his legacy as one of the UK MMA greats.

UK MMA is currently experiencing what is being described as an unheralded golden era, with stars such as  welterweight champion Leon Edwards, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, and local favourites, including  Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, Muhammad Mokaev, Michael Page, and Arnold Allen, with more rising through the ranks.

VIP Experience packages will be available soon via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that can feature premium seating, VIP access to weigh-ins, all-inclusive hospitality, meet-and-greets with UFC athletes and more. For additional information, visit UFCVIP.com to view package details.

Fans are advised to register their interest early via ufc.com/Manchester to secure their tickets and to follow @UFCEurope on social media for the latest updates on this event.

ENDS

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Co-op Live

Oak View Group (OVG), City Football Group (CFG), Harry Styles, and Co-op are joining forces to create Co-op Live, the biggest and best arena in the UK. Based in Manchester, the project is injecting £365m of private investment into the Northwest. Co-op Live will be one of the world’s premier music and entertainment venues, rivalling New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Forum in LA and The O2 in London. 

World class, planet friendly and at the heart of the local community, Co-op Livewill deliver one of the world’s most pioneering, sustainable, and socially responsible venues, delivering Co-op’s vision of a fairer world into the entertainment industry. The project will create 3,350 constructions jobs and 1,000 roles and apprenticeships on completion of the venue as well as giving over £1m back to national and local good causes.  

Co-op Live will be located on the Etihad Campus, and will host live music, sport, comedy, award shows and family entertainment. Co-op Live’s smart ‘bowl’ design means it is big but intimate with cutting edge visual technology, incredible acoustics and 32 bars, restaurants, lounges, and club spaces. 

Visit cooplive.com, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

LOS ANGELES (April 23, 2024)–Wise Owl Boxing had a knockout weekend as all five of the company’s fighters registered stoppage victories.

It started off Friday night when former world title challenger Brandon Adams quickly shook off rust and stopped Ismael Villareal in round three of their scheduled 10-round bout as part of the Overtime Junior Middleweight Tournament in Atlanta.

Adams boxed very well and landed crisp punches on the inside. In round three, he clipped Villareal with a perfect left hook to the body that sent Villareal to the canvas. Villareal was unable to continue and the bout was stopped at 2:59.

Adams of Watts, California is now 24-3 with 16 knockouts.

Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, number-one ranked super welterweight Charles Conwell stopped Nathaniel Gallimore in round six of a scheduled 10-round super welterweight bout.

In round five, Conwell opened up a huge flurry that backed Gallimore up. Conwell continued to batter Gallimore until the fight was stopped at 56 seconds.

Conwell, 153 lbs of Cleveland is 19-0 with 14 knockouts. Gallimore, 153 lbs of Des Plaines, IL is 22-8-1.

“I feel good,” said Charles Conwell. “It was the coming back party. I thought he was a tough-game fighter. He came with a lot of experience, but I did what no other fighter has done. I stopped him in the sixth round. I don’t think any other fighter has beat him as bad as I did. He was a tough fighter and I appreciate him for taking the fight. We’re looking to get back in the ring asap, sometime in July or August. I’m back in the gym getting better. The ring rust is off. We’re ready for what’s next.”

The same night in Rock Hill, South Carolina, super lightweight DeAngelo Evans needed just 36 seconds to dispose of Ricardo Ocampo.

Evans of Kernersville, North Carolina is now 10-0 with nine knockouts.

On the same bill, light heavyweight Isaiah Carr made it 2-0 with two knockouts with a first round stoppage over Kedarius Whitley.

Saturday in Philadelphia, super bantamweight Javon Woodard scored a knockout in The Team Combat League over Noah Norman. Woodard competes for the Atlanta Attack

April 23, 2024 – Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of undefeated super bantamweight prospect Bryan “Latino” Acosta to an exclusive multi-year promotional contract.

Acosta (20-0, 8 KOs) is a skilled counterpuncher with a dazzling boxing skill. Hailing from the traditional boxing hotbed of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and raised in the U.S. until he was nine, the 25-year-old Acosta turned professional in 2016 and won his first title, the WBC Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with a tenth-round TKO over fellow Mexican Benito Sanchez Garcia in May of 2022.

Another significant victory for Acosta doesn’t appear on his official record because of the AIBA’s controversial history, however, earlier this month, he dropped and knocked out fellow prospect Alberto “Impacto” Melian of Argentina in the eighth round for their IBA American Championship.

“I knew that knocking out Melian would open doors for me and now I’m signing with Sampson. He will take me on the right path and get me the necessary fights to become world champion,” said Acosta. “I’m looking forward to continuing my march to the top, now with the right team at my side.”

Acosta’s trainer, Alfredo Caballero, says entrusting his fighter’s promising career to Sampson Boxing is a matter of faith.

“I am very happy to work together with Sampson Boxing,” said Caballero. “I had waited for the opportunity, and I know that God’s timing is perfect, and this is the right time to sign.”

“Welcome to the Sampson Boxing family,” said an excited Sampson Lewkowicz. “Bryan Acosta is a future world champion with a fan-friendly style that the audiences will love. I’m happy to be working with him and his team and look forward to helping this young man achieve his goal of becoming a world champion.”

#

About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.

LONDON, UK (April 23, 2024) – It’s game on for Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe in a historic all-British summer stadium world title showdown for the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship on Saturday June 15th at Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace F.C, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

SIGN UP NOW FOR ACCESS TO PRE-SALE TICKETS AT BOXXER.COM

Defending champion Billam-Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) will be looking to avenge his only career defeat when he makes the second defence of his WBO World Title against big punching South Londoner and Crystal Palace fan Riakporhe (17-0, 13 KOs).

‘The Gentleman’ captured the WBO World Title in May 2023 with a memorable win over former stablemate Lawrence Okolie, downing the undefeated champion three times en route to having his hand raised in front of his home fans at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.

Riakporhe will get his long-awaited shot at world honours in front of his fellow ‘Eagles’ as the Crystal Palace fan fights at South London’s historic Selhurst Park stadium.

‘The Midnight Train’ is the only man to hold a win over Billam-Smith in the professional ranks. The pair first squared off at the O2 Arena in July 2019 for the WBA Intercontinental Title with Riakporhe judged to have got the better of his cruiserweight rival and awarded a split decision win.

Fans attending the huge GAME ON! show will be part of history as boxing returns to Selhurst Park in its centenary year.

The epic Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe clash kick-offs a huge summer of world-class sport with a blockbuster night of world championship boxing and celebrations. Undercard fights will be revealed in the coming days.

A percentage of every ticket sold will be donated to the Palace For Life Foundation, the official charity of Crystal Palace F.C, which has been working with the community for over 25 years, helping young people grow through the power of sport, inspiring them to find a better path in life and to lead a healthier life.

Chris Billam-Smith said: “I’m looking forward to giving the Bournemouth fans an away day to remember with an explosive performance, live on Sky Sports. Richard is a good fighter, but I’ve improved hugely since we last met and he’s going to be in for a terrible night at Selhurst Park. The WBO belt is coming back with me to Bournemouth.”

Richard Riakporhe said: “My time has come. The countdown is on. I’m the runaway ‘Midnight Train’ that you cannot stop and it’s the end of the line for Chris Billam-Smith. I can’t wait to knock Chris out and take his title. I’ve beaten him once and I’m ready to do it again. This time it’s not going to the judges. He’s going to be out cold on the canvas and the world title is going to be staying in South London.

“It’s going to be an incredible feeling to fight at Selhurst Park in front of the Palace fans and to be part of a special moment for the club celebrating 100 years since the stadium opened. I’m proud to be from South London and be affiliated with a club like Crystal Palace. The support of the club and the fans means everything to me. I’m going to repay that support with a devastating performance on June 15th.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “We’re delighted to be working with Steve Parish and the team at Crystal Palace F.C to deliver a historic night of boxing at Selhurst Park as part of the stadium’s centenary celebrations. We have a huge main event with Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe going toe-to-toe for the WBO World Cruiserweight Title in this summer showdown.

“Chris Billam-Smith has huge support on the south coast, and we expect the AFC Bournemouth faithful to travel in huge numbers to support him as he puts his WBO World Title on the line against the only man to beat him. It’s a dream come true for Richard Riakporhe as he gets his World Title shot in front of his fellow Crystal Palace fans at Selhurst Park. With more big fight announcements to follow, this is the event in British Boxing not to miss this summer.”

Crystal Palace Chairman Steve Parish said: “We are absolutely delighted that professional boxing is returning to Selhurst Park, with one of south London’s own and big Palace fan, Richard Riakporhe, leading the billing alongside Chris Billam-Smith.

“Boxxer have put together a fantastic line-up for the occasion, and it already promises to be a spectacular night in SE25 – as well as a fitting tribute to our stadium’s centenary year.”

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Integritas Property Group and HELL Energy.

Ticket details to be announced shortly.

Sign up now for access to pre-sale tickets at BOXXER.com

This Monday was officially announced the July 7 super flyweight unification bout between the World Boxing Association (WBA) champion, Kazuto Ioka, and the owner of the IBF belt, Fernando Martinez, during a press conference held in Tokyo, Japan. 

Both fighters were face to face at the event, which had a large attendance of the press and people linked to the sport in this country. Ioka will look for the unification against the Argentinean at home in a fight that looks pretty even and promises action. The fight will take place at the Kokugigan Arena in the Japanese capital and will pit two of the best fighters in the division against each other. 

Both Ioka and Martinez talked about what they expect from the fight and their desire to keep both belts, they also posed for the cameras and promised a good fight worthy of two world champions. 

Both have already started their preparation camps, which they stopped momentarily to fulfill this promotional event and once ready they will continue working to reach one hundred percent for the fight. 

Ioka, a boxing veteran, has 31 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw and 16 knockouts. Martinez has a 16-win record, is undefeated and has knocked out 9 opponents.

GILROY, CA (April 22, 2024) – Undefeated super featherweight, Robert Guerrero III, son of former multi-division world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, captivated the crowd at the Auditorio Municipal de Tijuana this past Friday with a stunning victory in his second professional fight. Guerrero III (2-0, 1 KO) faced off against Cristian Velazquez of Tijuana, MX, in a scheduled 4-round bout. The fight, promoted by Bxstrs Promotions, aired live on ESPN Deportes / “ESPN Knockout”.

Guerrero III, age 17, sealed the win with a first-round knockout, delivering a powerful left hook-straight right combo to the body of Velazquez that sent him to the canvas. The referee promptly stopped the bout, solidifying Guerrero III’s dominance in the ring.

“Scoring my first knockout of my career feels incredible,” said Guerrero who by the nickname “El Pistolero”. “I put in a lot of hard work and dedication into my training, and this knockout victory is a moment I’ll never forget.”

Looking ahead, Guerrero III is eager to maintain his momentum and stay active in the boxing world throughout the rest of the year. “I’m already planning my next steps to get back in the ring as soon as possible. I want to stay busy, keep improving, and show the world what I’m capable of. This is just the beginning for me, and I’m ready to make my mark.”

“I very pleased with my son’s performance over the weekend,” said Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero. “He showed he has the power to take out a fighter, and it’s clear that he has a bright future ahead of him in the world of boxing. As his father and mentor, I’ll continue to support him every step of the way.”

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (April 22, 2024) – Boxing Insider Promotions is bringing old school club boxing back to Atlantic City on Saturday night, May 11, at the Tropicana Atlantic City Showroom. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and at the Tropicana Box Office. 

Bouts begin at 7:30 pm ET, doors open at 6:30 pm ET. This exciting event will be streamed live and free of charge at BoxingInsider.com.

Boxing Insider Promotions to showcase local favorites and promising prospects on its May 11 card on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City

There was a time when Atlantic City was the center of the boxing universe, and the Tropicana was one of the real hot spots along the Boardwalk. 

Those days are about to come back!

On Saturday, May 11, Boxing Insider Promotions brings professional boxing back to the Tropicana Showroom for the first time in seven years, and this show has a local flavor.

Larry Goldberg, CEO of Boxing Insider, is an Atlantic City native, so he knows those glory days as a boxing mecca quite well. He’s been honing his promotional craft in Manhattan’s Times Square district with regular shows at the legendary Sony Hall. Those cards brought some of the best young talent in the New York City area together. 

“For our first show in Atlantic City,” promoter Larry Goldberg said, “it was important to keep tickets reasonably priced, starting at $60.00. We have a full slate of top prospects from New Jersey and New York in a throwback to club fight cards from the past generation. I hope everyone in the area who enjoys watching live fights will be at The Tropicana on May 11^th to support the next generation of fighters.”

Atlantic City junior middleweight Justin Figueroa (8-0, 6 KOs) is in one of the featured bouts. Local fans may remember Figueroa’s days as a football star at Holy Spirit High School, and he also proved himself to be the best in South Jersey as an amateur. Beaming with confidence, he recently returned from San Antonio, where he registered his eighth straight pro win, a decision over Christian Aguirre, and as usual, he celebrated by dancing “The Worm” across the ring.

The charismatic Figueroa, who’s also put in several years as a lifeguard, is a local boy through and through. He says his mission is to “put Atlantic City on my back” and he can take another step toward that objective on May 11.

Junior featherweight John Leonardo (10-1-1, 4 KOs) is in an eight-round bout and he brings a healthy contingent of fans with him. Hailing from nearby Manalapan Township in the Garden State, he’s a former New Jersey Golden Gloves champ who goes by the nickname “Bodyshot.” 

Leonardo went eight rounds in his last fight, winning a decision over Dominique Griffin. But that was back in August, so he’s hungry to get back into the ring again. He’ll do so against Frank Gonzalez (12-5, 6 KOs), of Tampa, who has gone eight rounds in each of his last two fights. 

Brooklynite Pryce Taylor (3-0, 2 KOs), an intriguing heavyweight prospect, will also be in action on this show in a four-rounder. Taylor is one of the participants on this card who has also competed on the Boxing Insider shows at Sony Hall, winning a decision over Antonio Torres on March 7.

Another May 18 contestant who’s been at Sony Hall is middleweight Jacob Solis, who debuted there back in December, and is now 3-0 with all the victories coming by knockout.

There are other great prospects in action. Junior welterweight Dwyke Flemmings (6-0, 6 KOs) is a powder keg out of Paterson, NJ, who has recorded four one-round knockouts and will be in a scheduled six-rounder; middleweight Famous Wilson (4-0, 2 KOs) is a former New York Golden Gloves champ who is in a four-rounder. Other four-round contestants include super middleweight Joel Telles (2-0, 2 KOs), of Brooklyn, and lightweight Koby Williams, also of Brooklyn, a NY Golden Gloves and Metro champ who will make his professional debut.

_______________________________________________________________________  

TICKETS ON SALE

Tickets are priced at $60, $100, $150 and $200, and are available to purchase through Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.com/boxing-insider-live-professional-boxing-atlantic-city-new-jersey-05-11-2024/event/02006076BA7B700C) and at the Tropicana Box Office. 

MIAMI, FL (April 19, 2024)—With several injuries forcing cancellations of several of the title fights planned for Don King’s “Quest for the Best” fight card slated for next Saturday, April 27^th at Casino Miami Jai-Alai, the fight card has been postponed to a future date.

“Injuries are part of this game,” said King. “It’s unfortunate, but we’ll aim to get these championship fights together again to bring boxing fans another exciting night of boxing. Ian Green and Ahmed Elbiali will return to defend their respective titles. We appreciate Dan Licciardi and all our friends at Casino Miam Jai-Alai for their friendship and support and look forward to working again with them in the future.”

Fans who purchased tickets for the April 27^th fight card can obtain refunds at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai box office.

BROOKLYN, NY–Ryan Garcia scored the biggest win of his career as he sent Devin Haney to the canvas three times en-route to a 12-round split decision at Barclays Center.

Round one saw Garcia get off to a fast start as he landed some hard left hooks and backed Haney up. One particular left hook buckled Haney. Haney had a solid round three as he was good with the jab and landed a left hook that sent Garcia back.

The fight turned in round seven when Garcia landed a left hook that deposited Haney on the canvas. Garcia was deduced a point for hitting on the break. Garcia was relentless and hurt Haney several more times in what was a tumultuous round for Haney. In round 10, Garcia dropped Haney for a second time when he lanced a perfect three punch combination in the corner. Later in the round, Garcia hurt Haney again with a perfect left hook to the head. Garcia dropped Haney for a third time with another perfect left hook to the chin.

Garcia landed 106 of 285 punches. Haney was 87 of 214.

Garcia, 143.4 lbs of Victorville, CA won by scores of 115-109 and 114-110. Once card was even at 112-112.

Garcia is now 25-1. Haney, 140 lbs of Las Vegas is 31-1.

“I shouldn’t have put too much pressure on myself to stop him, because every time I hurt him, I went crazy and I couldn’t stop him,” said Ryan Garcia. “I think the ref should’ve stopped the fight. He (Haney) was really hurt. I felt bad, I even looked at Bill to stop the fight. [Regarding the point being deducted in seventh round] The guy was holding me for dear life, and I felt the opportunity to keep swinging while my hands were free. I should’ve knocked him out that seventh round. They stole that from me. I’m surprised he has so much heart and recovery. He got wobbled bad in the first round. I thought it was over. He even hurt me with a hook. At the end of the day, I’m going to fight him, win or lose.” 

“Ryan just shocked the world and proved once and for all that he is the face of boxing and a pound-for-pound athlete in our sport,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman Oscar De La Hoya. “Despite all of the talk from armchair psychologists and so-called boxing pundits, Ryan clearly had a plan and executed it.” 

Barboza Decisions McComb

Arnold Barboza Jr. remained undefeated with a 10-round split decision over Sean McComb in a super lightweight bout.

Barboza landed 99 of 443 punches. McComb was 107 of 488.

Barboza, 139.4 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 96-94 and 97-93 while McComb took a card 98-92.

Barboza is now 30-0. McComb, 139.4 lbs of Belfast, IRE is 19-2.

“I felt good. It was a very tricky fight,” said Arnold Barboza Jr., “He was a lefty, tall and he moved a lot. He gave me a lot of trouble, but it was a learning experience. I’ll be back better. We’re going to talk to Oscar and see what’s next.” 

Melikuziev wins Technical Decision over Dibombe

Bektemir Melikuziev won a technical decision over previously undefeated Pierre Dimbombe when cuts from both fighters forced a stoppage.

In round two, Dibombe was cut badly over his right eye from an accidental headbutt. In round five, Melikuziev dropped Dibombe with a straight left. Later in the round , another headbutt caused a nasty cut on Melikeziev’s left eyelid.

The bout was stopped in round eight due to the cut on Dibombe’s right eye.

Melikuziev was 80 of 276 punches. Dibombe was 58 if 237.

Melikuziev, 167.8 lbs of Uzbekistan won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 and is now 14-1. Dibombe, 166.6 lbs of Nantes, FRA is 22-1-1.

“He was a good opponent. Unfortunately, the fight was stopped,” said Bektemir Melikuziev. “During the fight he kept coming forward with his head. There was nothing I could do. I just needed another minute or two in the ring to finish the fight. I slowed down a bit because I felt that my opponent was getting tired.” 

Daniel Jimenez Decisions John Ramirez

Daniel Jimenez upset John Ramirez via 12-round unanimous decision in a super flyweight bout.

In round 12, Ramirez was bleeding over his right eye.

Jimenez landed 191 of 722 pages. Ramirez was 142 of 531.

Jimenez, 114.8 lbs of Catagro, CR won by scores of 117-111 twice and 116-112 and is now 16-1. Ramirez, 114.2 lbs was ranked number-one by the WBA and had a title shot lined up for later in the summer, but that seems to have gone by the wayside and is now 13-1.

“I am very happy to become a champion again. I want to thank Golden Boy for the opportunity,” said David Jimenez. “I am ready to plan for what’s next. I felt great in the ring, and I felt like I was controlling the fight from the second round. Scrappy has a good punch and is a good boxer. Like all fighters, I want to become undisputed.”

Conwell Stops Gallimore in 6

World-Ranked Charles Conwell stopped Nathaniel Gallimore in round six of scheduled 10-round super welterweight bout.

In round five, Conwell opened up a huge flurry that backed Gallimore up. Conwell continued to batter Gallimore until the fight was stopped at 56 seconds.

Conwell, 153 lbs of Cleveland is 19-0 with 14 knockouts. Gallimore, 153 lbs of Des Plaines, IL is 22-8-1.

“I feel good,” said Charles Conwell. “It was the coming back party. I thought he was a tough-game fighter. He came with a lot of experience, but I did what no other fighter has done. I stopped him in the sixth round. I don’t think any other fighter has beat him as bad as I did. He was a tough fighter and I appreciate him for taking the fight. We’re looking to get back in the ring asap, sometime in July or August. I’m back in the gym getting better. The ring rust is off. We’re ready for what’s next.” 

Former three-time world title challenger Sergiy Dereyvyanchenko won a 10-round unanimous decision over Vaughn Alexander in a super middleweight bout.

Derevyancenko dropped Alexander with a body shot in round eight.

Derevyanchenko, 167.4 lbs of Brooklyn won by scores of 100-89 on all cards and is now 15-5. Alexander, 167.4 lbs of Saint Louis is 18-11-1.

Darius Fulgham stopped Cristian Olivas in round four of a scheduled eight-round super middleweight fight.

The time of the stoppage was 50 seconds of round four for Fulgham, 167.4 lbs of Houston, TX is 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Olivas,

Jonathan Canas won a four-round unanimous decision over Markus Bowes in a super lightweight bout.

Canas, 137.6 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by 40-36 sores on all cards and is now 4-0. Bowes, 140 lbs of Roxboro, NC is 2-6.

Amari Jones stopped Armei Mbumba-Yassa om round six of a scheduled eight-round super lightweight bout.

Jones dropped Mbumna-Yassa in rounds one and six. Jones ended the fight with a flurry and the bout was stopped at 39 seconds.

Jones, 159.2 lbs of Las Vegas is 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Mbumba-Yassa, 160.4 lbs Remscheild, GER is 10-2.

Kevin Newman II scored a fourth round stoppage over Eric Robles in a scheduled eight-round cruiserweight bout.

Newman dropped Robles in round four and the bout was stopped at 1:53.

Newman, 173.4 lbs of Las Vegas is now 16-3-1. Robles, 177.8 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 9-4.

Pedro Bogarro drooped Shamar Canal in the second round en-route to a six-round unanimous decision in a super lightweight bout.

Bogaro, 135.8 lbs of Sonora, MEX won by scores of 60-53 on all cards ans is now 8-1. Canal. 135 lbs of Albany, NY is 7-1.

Francisco Veron won a 10-round unanimous decision over Angel Ruiz in the opening bout of the OTX Super welterweight tournament.

Veron, 154 lbs of Argentina won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 96-94 and is now 14-0-1. Ruiz is 18-3-1.

David Lopez took out Anthony Mora in the opening round of their six-round super lightweight bout.

Lopez landed a perfect left to the face that sent Mora down over the bottom rope. Mora almost beat the 10-count bit couldn’t and the fight was stopped at 2:38.

Lopez, 142 lbs of Oakland is 5-0 with four knockouts. Mora, 141 1/2 lbs of New Brittan, CT is 3-2-1.

Nathan Lugo showed concussive power in taking out Richard Lartigue inside of a round in their four-round super-middleweight bout.

Lugo dropped Lartigue with a hard left hook. Lugo would not rest on his laurels as he dumped Lartigue with a hard right hand and the fight was stopped at 1:33.

Lugo, 168,4 lbs of Atlanta is 1-0 with one knockout. Lartigue, 166.8 lbs of San Diego is 1-2.

BROOKLYN, NY (April 19, 2024):

“Ryan has weighed-in over his contractual weight. He will honor the handshake made at the final press conference yesterday. We have a fight.” – Golden Boy

GILROY, CA (April 1, 2024) – Robert Guerrero III, son of the former multiple division world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, is gearing up for his second professional bout in Tijuana, MX. Following a victorious debut, Guerrero III (1-0) is eager to step back into the ring and continue his journey in the world of professional boxing. Guerrero III will square off against Cristian Velazquez Rizo.

The fight, which will air on ESPN Deportes / “ESPN Knockout”, takes place at Auditorio Municipal de Tijuana tonight Friday, April 19, 2024. This marks another big step in Guerrero III’s promising career. Stepping out of his father’s shadow, Guerrero III is determined to carve his own path in the sport and make a name for himself.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the ring for my second professional fight,” said Guerrero III, who goes by the nickname “El Pistolero”. The support from my family, friends, and fans has been incredible, and I can’t wait to showcase my skills once again.”

Building his name in Mexico, a country with a rich boxing tradition, holds special significance for Guerrero III. Embracing his Mexican heritage, Guerrero III aims to honor his roots and connect with boxing fans across the border.

“I am proud to represent my Mexican heritage in the ring,” Guerrero III continued. “Mexico has produced some of the greatest fighters in history, and I am determined to add my name to that legacy. Fighting in Tijuana is an opportunity for me to pay homage to my roots and build a connection with the passionate boxing community here.”

Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, a seasoned veteran in the sport and proud father, expressed his support for his son’s journey in professional boxing.

“I am incredibly proud of Robert III and the dedication he has shown to his craft,” said Robert Guerrero. “As he continues to pave his own path in the sport, I have no doubt that he will make a name for himself and carry on the Guerrero legacy with honor.”

NEW YORK (April 18, 2024)–Amateur sensation Nathan Lugo will make his anticipated pro debut when he takes on Robert Lartigue in a super middleweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

Lugo of Atlanta has signed with Split-T Management and comes into the pro ranks after an amazing amateur career that saw him win 23 National Amateur titles. The 19 year-compiled a record of 223-19.

Lugo won the 2022 Elite National title which made him the youngest fighter ever to qualify for the Olympic Trials. Lugo also captured many International Gold medals.

Lugo is considered to have next level power, which was evidenced by having over 40 stoppage victories.

In 2021, Nathan, then 16 and his brother Elijah, 14 will featured in Sports Illustrated prestigious Faces in the Crowd sections https://www.si.com/faces-in-the-crowd/video/2021/01/07/nathan-lugo-elijah-lugo-boxing-prodigy-brothers

Nathan Lugo has been on our radar for a long time now. He is a dynamic puncher with thunderous power that will immediately

translate to the pros. Quite simply, he is one of those special talents that does not come around often. I can not wait to be part of his journey toward stardom in the sport,” said David McWater of Split-T Management.

Lartigie of Pecos, Texas is 1-1 with one knockouts.

Lugo was 168.4 lbs. Lartigue weighed 168.8.

The fight will be part of an Overtime Boxing card and will be streamed live on DAZN at 8 PM ET.

HOUSTON, Texas – April 18, 2024 – Red Owl Boxing will return with its next installment of the BOX FEST series when it presents a special Cinco de Mayo edition on Friday, May 3, streaming live on DAZN globally in more than 200 territories and regions from the state-of-the-art “Owl’s Nest” in Houston.

BOX FEST IX will be headlined by two exciting matchups in the junior lightweight division including a main event, eight-round fight between Edward Vazquez (15-2-3, 3 KOs) against Daniel Bailey (11-1, 5 KOs). The co-main event features Eridson Garcia (17-1, 11 KOs) squaring off with Maliek Montgomery (17-0, 16 KOs) in an eight-round fight.

VIP experience packages and general admission tickets are now available.

Also on the main card on DAZN, undefeated junior featherweight Emanuel Moreno (6-0, 1 KO) will take on the dangerous Luis Alberto Lopez (6-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round fight at 122 pounds. A pair of fighters will return to the ring for the first time since their pro debuts when Troy Nash (1-0) takes on Roman Reyes (5-0, 4 KO) in a four-round fight at 126 lbs. and Richard Fernandez (1-0, 1 KO) faces Oscar Arroyo (3-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round fight at 115 lbs. to open the evening’s event. 

Red Owl Boxing owns and operates the state-of-the-art sports performance facility which features seating for more than 1,500 with a modern flare that includes VIP experiences and unique ringside seating. The “Owl’s Nest” is a full-service hospitality venue with high-end sound, lighting and screens for a premier in-arena experience. The venue is outfitted with cutting-edge production for seamless streaming and television presentations. 

BOX FEST IX Main Card on DAZN at 9 p.m EST/8 p.m. CST

Edward Vazquez (15-2-3, 3 KOs) vs. Daniel Bailey (11-1, 5 KOs)

8-Round Main Event – 135 lbs.

Eridson Garcia (17-1, 11 KOs) vs. Maliek Montgomery (17-0, 16 KOs)

8-Round Co-Main Event – 135 lbs. 

Emanuel Moreno (6-0, 1 KO) vs. Luis Alberto Lopez (6-1, 3 KOs)

6-Round Fight – 122 lbs. 

Troy Nash (1-0)  vs. Roman Reyes (5-0, 4 KO)

4-Round Fight – 126 lbs. 

Richard Fernandez (1-0, 1 KO vs. Oscar Arroyo (3-2, 2 KOs) 

6-Round Fight – 115 lbs. 

For more information on Red Owl Boxing and to purchase tickets, visit www.redowlboxing.com. Fans can follow Red Owl Boxing on X, Instagram and YouTube. 

On April 20, fans in the Houston area can come out to the Owl’s Nest on fight night to watch the DAZN PPV presentation of Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia. Click here for tickets. 

ABOUT RED OWL BOXING 

Red Owl Boxing is a media company that specializes in delivering world-class events from its state-of-the-art sports facilities in the United States and Canada. Red Owl Boxing aims to bring structure to boxing’s middle class by highlighting tomorrow’s future stars and contenders in action-packed fights. Red Owl Boxing launched in 2021 by Canada-based entrepreneur Gabriel Fanous who owns and operates cutting-edge event spaces in Houston, Texas, and Brampton, Ontario, both of which provide premier event experiences and hospitality packages. 

Click here if you’re interested in learning more about being featured on the BOX FEST series. 

Philadelphia (April 18, 2024)–Former world title challenger, Brandon Adams weighed in for his OTX Junior Middleweight tournament bout against Ismael Villareal that will take place tomorrow night at the OTX Arena and live on DAZN.

Adams (23-3, 15 KOs) of Los Angeles checked in at 153.6 lbs while Villareal was 154 pounds.

Adams who is promoted by Banner Promotions and managed by Mark Habibi’s Wise Owl Boxing, will be competing in the tournament that will be streamed on DAZN beginning at 8 PM ET.

Villareal of The Bronx, New York is 13-2 with nine knockouts.

MAIN EVENT

Kurt Scoby – 144.8 lbs

Dakota Linger 144.6 lbs

OTX TOURNAMENT ROUND 1

Brandon Adams – 153.6 lbs

Ismael Villarreal – 153.4 lbs

OTX TOURNAMENT ROUND 1

Francisco Veron – 154 lbs

Angel Ruiz – 154 lbs

UNDERCARD

David Lopez -142 lbs

Anthony Mora – 141.2 lbs

UNDERCARD

Nathan Lugo – 168.4 lbs

Robert Lartigue – 166.8 lbs

UNDERCARD

Morgan Griggie – 151.6 lbs

Luis Gerardo Caraballo – 153.4 lbs

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Newark, N.J. with another stellar card, headlined by UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and No. 4 ranked contender Dustin Poirier. Also, an action packed five-round co-main event sees No. 1 middleweight contender Sean Strickland square off with No. 7 ranked Paulo Costa.

UFC^® 302: MAKHACHEV vs. POIRIER takes place Saturday, June 1 at Prudential Center, with the main card available on ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The prelims will be airing on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT. The early prelims will be available for viewing exclusively on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

UFC^®returns to Prudential Center after setting the venue’s live sporting event gate record in 2023 with UFC^® 288 headlined by Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo. UFC^® 302: MAKHACHEV vs. POIRIERwill mark the tenth UFC event at the famed arena dating back to 2007.

UFC^® 302: MAKHACHEV vs. POIRIER tickets will go on sale this Friday, April 19 at 10 a.m. ET and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, April 18 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com/newark.

Makhachev (25-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) looks to defend his UFC lightweight championship after his commanding knockout victory over former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. The No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world seeks his fourteenth straight victory and a win over another future hall of famer. The world class grappler also holds wins against Charles Oliveira, Bobby Green and Dan Hooker.

Poirier (30-8 1NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Lafayette, La.) returns to action seeking championship gold after a thrilling knockout victory against rising contender Benoit Saint Denis. An Octagon veteran, the former Interim UFC lightweight champion holds wins over elite competition such as Conor McGregor (twice), Michael Chandler, and Dan Hooker. Poirier looks to cement his legacy by claiming the undisputed UFC lightweight championship.

Former UFC middleweight champion Strickland (28-6, fighting out of Corona, Calif.) looks to position himself for another title shot with a win in New Jersey. The relentless striker holds victories over Israel Adesanya, Jack Hermansson, Uriah Hall and Brendan Allen. Strickland now intends to get back in the win column with a victory over fan favorite Paulo Costa.

Costa (14-3, fighting out of Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil) returns to action seeking a statement performance. The explosive Brazilian fighter looks to ascend back up the middleweight rankings with a win over the former champion. “The Eraser” has notable wins over Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero and Uriah Hall.

Current bouts also on the card include:

• No. 7 ranked heavyweight contenderJailton Almeida (20-3, fighting out of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil) squares off against Alexander Romanov (17-2, fighting out of Comrat, Moldova) scheduled for three five minute rounds
• Octagon veteran Randy Brown (18-5, fighting out of Queens, N.Y.) clashes with Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (24-7, fighting out of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil) in a welterweight bout
• HyunSung Park (9-0, fighting out of Phuket, Thailand) and Dana White’s Contender Series alum Andre Lima (8-0, fighting out of Guarulhos, Sao Paulo, Brazil) square off in a battle between undefeated flyweights. 
• Niko Price (15-7, fighting out of Cape Coral, Fla.) battles Alex Morono (24-9, fighting out of Houston, Texas) in a welterweight tilt
• Pivotal matchup scheduled for the middleweight division as No. 9 ranked contender Roman Dolidze (12-3, fighting out of Batumi, Georgia)and No. 12 Anthony Hernandez (12-2 1NC, fighting out of Dunnigan, Calif.) go to battle
• Dana White’s Contender Series alum Cesar Almeida (5-0, fighting out of São Paulo, Brazil) collides with Roman Kopylov (12-3, fighting out of Novosibirsk, Russia) in a middleweight bout
• Looking to put to their rivalry to rest, bantamweights Ailin Perez (9-2, fighting out of Buenos Aires, Argentina)and Joselyne Edwards (13-5, fighting out of Panama City, Panama) square off
• Sumudaerji (16-6, fighting out of Aba, Sichuan, China) looks to stop “The Fearless” Joshua Van (10-1, fighting out of Houston, Texas) in a flyweight bout 
• An action packed bout is set for the 155-pound division as Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Grant Dawson (20-2-1, fighting out of Coconut, Creek, Fla.) locks horns withJoe Solecki (13-4, fighting out of Wilmington, N.C.)
• Well-rounded welterweights Phil Rowe (10-4, fighting out of Orlando, Fla.) and Jake Matthews (19-7, fighting out of Epping Victoria, Australia) slated for three five minute rounds
• New Jersey’s own Mickey Gall (7-5, fighting out of Green Brook, N.J.) makes his return to the Octagon to take on Bassil Hafez (8-4-1, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) at welterweight

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit UFC.com/newark. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event. 

###

About UFC^®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Prudential Center

Prudential Center is the world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, and more than 210 concerts, family shows and special events each year. Ranked in the Top 5 worldwide by Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Today, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States, and hosts over 2 million guests annually. For more information about Prudential Center, visit https://www.prucenter.com/ and follow the arena on Facebook, X and Instagram @PruCenter. Prudential Center is a HBSE property.

About ESPN+?? ??

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus

About ESPN

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

Las Vegas (April 18, 2024) – Two-division world champion Oscar Valdez has confirmed that he will appear at the Seventh Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday May 4, 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo will also coincide with the mega fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.

Valdez will hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at his booth during the fan event held over the Cinco De Mayo weekend.

The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, Canelo vs. Jacobs and Canelo vs. GGG III. 

Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com – @BoxFanExpo

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –https://bit.ly/BOXFANEXPO2024

Valdez will make his first appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and memorabilia. Valdez will also have merchandise to sell for fans to enjoy. Boxing fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures with this boxing star, born in Nogales, Mexico. For more info go to: https://oscarvaldezstore.com/ 

Valdez joins, Teofimo Lopez, Lennox Lewis, Devin Haney Mia St. John, Edgar Berlanga, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, Roy Jones Jr., Erik Morales, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Juan Manuel Marquez, Michael Spinks, Claressa Shields and Marco Antonio Barrera as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with more Boxing stars to be announced.

About Oscar Valdez

Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) is a two-time Mexican Olympian who captured the WBO featherweight title in 2016 by knocking out Matias Rueda. In February of 2021, and after six successful defenses of his title, Valdez moved up to the junior lightweight division, to challenge Miguel Berchelt who was considered at the time one of the top fighters in the sport. In spectacular fashion, Valdez knocked out Berchelt, thus earning him the WBC world championship title. On September 10, 2021 Valdez successfully retained his championship belt in a competitive fight against Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição. In a highly anticipated and unification belt showdown, Valdez suffered his first pro loss in a valiant effort against Shakur Stevenson in April 2022. The fighting pride of Nogales bounced back with a unanimous decision win, in a rematch against Adam Lopez in May 2023. In a warrior type match up, Valdez suffered a decision loss against world champion Emanuel Navarrete last August. Known for his resilient mentality, Valdez came back stronger by winning the interim WBO super featherweight title versus Australian puncher Liam Wilson, which took place on March 29 at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, in front of a pact audience that came out to support Valdez

Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, David Benavidez, Teofimo Lopez, Andre Ward, Ryan Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, Mikey Garcia, Errol Spence Jr, Fernando Vargas, Rolando Romero, Sergio Martinez, Tim Bradley, Jose Ramirez, Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Floyd Mayweather sr., Claressa Shields, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, Seniesa Estrada, Jorge Linares, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Brandon Rios, Anthony Dirrell, Danny Jacobs, and many more.

Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.

Throughout the next few weeks leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –

To request information on exhibiting and sponsorship at the Expo:

For media credentials:

Contact us:

Telephone number: (702) 997-1927 or (514) 572-7222

For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

More information on Box Fan Expo visit: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

Follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter and Instagram at: @BoxFanExpo

Follow Box Fan Expo on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo

LAS VEGAS, April 17, 2024 – UFC^®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today announced that UFC 300: PEREIRA vs. HILL, held on Saturday, April 13, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was one of the most successful and highest-grossing events in UFC history.

Among the highlights:

GATE

• $16.5 million, the third highest-grossing UFC event ever

ATTENDANCE

• 20,067,a new record for a UFC event at T-Mobile Arena
• UFC’s sixth consecutive sellout in 2024 and the eleventh straight sellout dating back to October 2023

VIEWERSHIP

• Most-watched UFC Pay Per View Prelims ever across ESPN platforms (ESPN+, Hulu SVOD, ESPN & ESPN Deportes combined)
• Most-watched UFC Pay Per View Prelims ever on ESPN, with 1.86 million total viewers
• Viewership on ESPN grew every 30 minutes from 8:00p – 10:00p ET, peaking with 2.49 million total viewers at 9:48p ET leading into the main card Pay-Per-View on ESPN+ at 10:00p ET
• Most-viewed sports event of Saturday during primetime (8:00p – 10:00p ET) on cable and network television among total viewers and key demographics, including P18-34, P18-49, P25-54, M18-34, M18-49, M25-54, F18-34, F18-49, and F25-54

MERCHANDISE

• #1 all-time merchandise sales ever for a UFC arena event (*not including stadium shows)
• #2 all-time merchandise sales for any UFC event (*behind only UFC 193: ROUSEY vs. HOLM at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne in 2015)

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

• Highest-grossing sponsorship sales for an event in UFC history
• All available inventory sold out

COMMERCIAL PAY PER VIEW IN US, CANADA, AND AUSTRALIA

• U.S.: Highest result since July 2021 (UFC 264)
• Canada: Highest result since March 2020 (UFC 248)
• Australia: Highest result since January 2021 (UFC 257)
• Movie theaters in the U.S. set a record for a UFC event with the highest number of participating locations

SOCIAL: 

• Best performing event on social media in UFC history, breaking records for cross platform video views, impressions, and interactions. Throughout fight week (April 8 – 13), UFC social media amassed more than 1.1 billion video views, with 213 million views coming from Max Holloway’s knockout of Justin Gaethje, which was posted across several platforms.  

# # #

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 260 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

NEW YORK (April 17, 2024) – Junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas is poised to kick off Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend by facing his stiffest challenge yet.
 
Zayas will take on Brazilian former world champion Patrick Teixeira in a 10-round clash on Saturday, June 8 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Zayas will look to secure his 19th pro win 19 years after Top Rank initiated its parade weekend tradition when Miguel Cotto defended his junior welterweight crown against Muhammad Abdullaev.
 
In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, the latest fistic prodigy from Brownsville, Brooklyn, aims to extend his knockout streak against Mexico’s Jose Enrique Vivas.
 
Zayas-Teixeira and Carrington-Vivas will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK & Ireland.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 24 at 12 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.
 
“This is a great New York City card featuring two young men, Xander Zayas and Bruce Carrington, who are poised to become two of the sport’s biggest stars,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Our Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend cards are always special, and I can’t wait for another raucous atmosphere.”
 
Zayas (18-0, 12 KOs) has been on the path to stardom after signing with Top Rank at 16 and debuting as a pro in October 2019. He captured his first regional title with a TKO win against Elias Espadas in August 2022 and followed up with an eight-round decision against Alexis Salazar that December. In 2023, he decisioned Ronald Cruz during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend and stopped Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in September. The 21-year-old concluded the year in December with a scintillating fifth-round TKO against Spanish contender Jorge Fortea as the co-feature to the Robeisy Ramirez-Rafael Espinoza main event.

Zayas said, “Representing Puerto Rico on a date in which Boricua culture is celebrated and honored represents a sacred commitment that I have with my people. On June 8, I won’t just be fighting for myself. I’ll be fighting for each and every Puerto Rican who always perseveres when the going gets tough. This is my first main event and my first fight against a former world champion. And I plan on carrying my flag and making it shine on one of the world’s biggest stages, ‘The Mecca of Boxing.’”
 
Teixeira (34-4, 25 KOs) stunned the boxing world by upsetting Carlos Adames to capture the interim WBO junior middleweight world title in November 2019. After being elevated to full champion, the 33-year-old southpaw faced multiple setbacks, losing the title to Argentine powerhouse Brian Castaño in February 2021. In his subsequent bouts, he was controversially disqualified against Paul Valenzuela in April 2022 and suffered a decision loss against then-unbeaten Russian Magomed Kurbanov that July. Undeterred, Teixeira bounced back with a first-round knockout win against Adrian Perez in November 2022, a second-round stoppage over Carlos Rivero last August and a fourth-round TKO against Edisson Saltarin in March.

Teixeira said, “It took longer than expected, but this fight is finally here. I can’t wait to get in the ring and put the division on notice. I did it once before when I won my world title against Adames on a Top Rank show, and I’m going to do it again with one of their rising stars. Zayas is a great talent, and everyone there will be supporting him during that important weekend. But my experience will make the difference, and I’ll show that on June 8.”
 
Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs), a 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, has rapidly ascended the ranks since turning pro in October 2021. The 27-year-old secured five victories in 2023, including a second-round TKO against former world title challenger Jason Sanchez. In his last outing, he blasted out Bernard Torres with a right hook at The Theater in February. The stoppage went viral and was a SportsCenter Top 10 highlight.
 
Carrington said, “Vivas should be my toughest opponent to date, but as I do every time I fight in Shu York City, I’m going to put on a crowd-pleasing performance. It’s special to fight in front of the great Puerto Rican fans. I can’t wait for June 8.”
 
Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs), a tenacious 29-year-old Mexican, enjoyed an undefeated 17-0 run before encountering his first pro defeat at the hands of Ruben Villa in September 2019. He bounced back with a four-fight winning spree, including a 10-round decision over then-unbeaten Carlos Jackson in July 2020 and an eight-round triumph against Louie Coria the following May. Despite a majority points loss to eventual title challenger Eduardo Baez in March 2022, Vivas rebounded with a win over Edy Valencia before losing to Joet Gonzalez last April. In February, he scored a first-round TKO against Jonathan Aguilar.
 
The ESPN+-streamed undercard will showcase a selection of some of the best rising talents from the East Coast.
 
Junior middleweight Jahi Tucker (10-1-1, 5 KOs), from Deer Park, New York, looks to respond following a string of setbacks in an eight-rounder versus Quincy LaVallais (17-4-1, 12 KOs). Tucker overcame a tough out in Nikoloz Sekhniashvili last April, dropped a decision to Nicklaus Flaz in July, and fought to a majority draw against Francisco Daniel Veron in December.
 
U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (12-0, 6 KOs) will see action in an eight-rounder against once-beaten Tarik Zaina (13-1-1, 8 KOs). After going 4-0 in 2023, the Cleveland native made his 2024 debut with a first-round stoppage victory against Paulo Galdino in February. 
 
Unbeaten welterweight Elijah Flores (8-0, 3 KOs) will lock horns against Derrick Whitley Jr. (7-4-1) in a six-rounder. Flores, a Bronx native, returns following a fourth-round TKO against Alejandro Munera in March.
 
Junior lightweight prospect Ofacio Falcon (10-0, 6 KOs) heads to The Theater for a third time to take on Antonio Dunton El Jr. (5-2-2, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder. Falcon, also a Bronx native, decisioned Edward Ceballos in February.
 
Team USA heavyweight hopeful Ali Feliz (1-0, 1 KO), from Danbury, Connecticut, makes his second appearance in the paid ranks in a four-round tilt versus Lemir Isom-Riley (4-2, 2 KOs). Feliz dispatched Anthony Woodson III in only two rounds last Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas. Isom-Riley last fought on the Teofimo Lopez-Jamaine Ortiz bill in February, stopping Antonio Zepeda in three rounds.
 
Nisa Rodriguez (1-0), a Golden Gloves champion and NYPD officer, will square off against Jordanne Garcia ( 4-3-3) in a four-round middleweight fight.

Rising flyweight Andy Dominguez (10-1, 6 KOs), who was born in Mexico and raised in The Bronx, will face Cristopher Rios (10-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder.