Las Vegas (March 26, 2024) – Boxing Star and NABO Super Middleweight champion Edgar Berlanga 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.

Berlanga 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

Berlanga will make his first appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and memorabilia. Berlanga will also have merchandise to sell for fans to enjoy. Boxing fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures with this boxing star also known as the “The Chosen One”.

Berlanga joins 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 Edgar Berlanga

Edgar Berlanga is the current NABO Super Middleweight champion. Although born in Brooklyn New York, Berlanga feels very connected to his parent’s native land of Puerto Rico. Berlanga began boxing at the age of seven. His childhood idol was Puerto Rican boxing legend Felix “Tito” Trinidad, which inspired Berlanga to work hard and gather an impressive amateur record of 162 wins with 17 losses. Berlanga won bronze (2013) and gold (2015) in the US Youth National Championships. Nicknamed “The Chosen One”, Berlanga turned pro in 2016, in Mexico and began his professional career with 16 consecutive first round knockouts, which burst him into the scene and made him an instant attraction.

Berlanga is one of the most exciting fighters in the world, with a record of 22 wins, no losses with 17 knockouts, making him one of the biggest Stars in boxing. He’s an all-around fan favorite, with a huge Puerto Rican fan base and draws big numbers at the gate. Berlanga has recently signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, and is primed for a major opportunity against Canelo Alvarez in the near future. This showdown would be the next in the long line of historical fights between Puerto Rican and Mexican fighters.

?About Box Fan Expo

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.

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 –

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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

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QUINCY, Mass. (March 26, 2024)  – Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) has announced the launching of its innovative one-night tournament, “Granite Chin Box Off,” on Saturday night, May 11, featuring a quartet of throw-back super middleweight fighters from New England headlining the “Rumble at the Rink” pro boxing card, at Quincy Youth Arena in Quincy, Massachusetts.

The quartet of super middleweights will fight in three-round bouts (4^th round of sudden death if needed in case of a draw) early in the evening and the two winners will advance to the five-round main event (6^th round of sudden death in the event of a draw) to determine the champion of what promoter Chris Traietti plans to be an annual tournament, which has been sanctioned by the Massachusetts Boxing Commission.

All four fighters are aggressive and gutsy who come to fight, which translates into a memorable evening for fans.

“This tournament has been an idea I have been flirting with since 2021,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. “I didn’t want to pull the trigger on it until I felt as though I had some of the initial concerns worked out and I had the right four guys. It has all come together now! There is no combination of fights with these four that won’t be action-packed right from the opening bell. This is something Granite Chin plans to do annually, so once this inaugural tournament is complete, we will assess it to see if any improvements are needed to get one ready for 2025. Thank you to the fighters for their passion in being part of something special like this and the Massachusetts Commission for all its help in navigating me to getting all the safety issues address and handled so it could be sanctioned.”

Here is a breakdown of the four “Granite Chin Box Off” challengers:

James “Pitbull” Perkins (13-1-1, 9 KOs), Lynn, MA

Perkins is the pre-tournament favorite based on his pro record and quality of opposition. A gravedigger during the day, Perkins suffered his lone loss last August to Steve Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs), losing an eight-round majority decision for the vacant IBA America Super Middleweight Championship.

“I’m really looking forward to this event. I’ve always wanted to fight in a tournament because I never fought in the Golden Gloves or any amateur tournaments. I decided to turn pro after my sixth amateur fight. It’s even better that the event is being held at a hockey rink because I grew up my whole life playing hockey. I started skating at two years old and played all the way through high school (St. Mary’s of Lynn).

“I’m prepared to deal with whatever comes at me. I know who all the fighters are, but I know Clark a lot more than the other fighters. Me and Clark have fought on the same card a number of times. I like Clark and he’s a tough guy, but if we end up in the ring together, it will be all business. We won’t be friends when we are in there. At the end of the night, I’m very confident I’ll be the winner of the tournament.”

Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (5-3, 2 KOs), Swansea, MA

A former Massachusetts Middleweight Champion, Andreozzi has recovered from a brutal leg/ankle injury suffered more than a year ago, returning this past February 24^th within a second-round knockout of Igor Pessoa.

“It’s (tournament) breaking boundaries for sure. It’s the type of tournament where emotional control will be important. You can’t blow your load in the first round of the first fight and still expect to succeed. I have a few hundred wrestling matches and over a dozen karate matches. I’m used to the emotional control necessary to effectively do violence twice in one night. I can’t wait!

“Ryan Clark is a great guy. We’ve done rounds before my fight with Kyle Cusick (April 22, 2022). Perkins went six hard rounds with a former teammate of mine. Bernard seems like a good dude, so nothing personal against him.”

Bernard Joseph (6-1, 4 KOs), Dorchester, MA

Joseph has won his last two fights and has been active with four fights in 2023 and this will be his second of 2024. The 33-year-old will also have a hometown advantage fighting in nearby Quincy.

“It is different (tournament format), but it comes down to the way we train. I do a lot of sparring and that will be good for me. It comes down to training and getting my body used to the break like in sparring. I could be fighting four rounds and then six.

“I’m a pro now, fighting six rounders, but not with a long pause between fights like in this tournament. It will give me time to re-hydrate and get ready for the second fight of the night. I’ve seen video of all the other fighters and I’m not bad-mouthing anybody, but I can’t not feel that I’m the favorite to win it all.”

Ryan Clark (4-5, 2 KOs), Barrington, ME

?

A natural middleweight, Clark is moving up the most weight in the tournament, something he is well aware of but not overly concerned. Another action-packed fighter, Clark’s record is misleading because he’s as tough as they come and capable of defeating any of the other three challengers.

“It’s (tournament) is a great idea. Chris (Traietti) is a smart guy, and this tournament will provide entertainment for the fans, and it’ll be a challenge for the fighters. I applaud his idea. I typically fight at 160 and this tournament has me fighting in a little bigger weight class. I like the challenge.

“I know Tony and Perkins and I respect them. They’re talented. This (tournament) is similar to sparring. I spar five or six rounds, hang around talking, get in some other training, and then get back in the ring to spar again. This isn’t too different.”

Additional matches will soon be announced.

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale to purchase at www.granite-chin-promotions.ticketleap.com.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:  

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

GLENDALE, Ariz. (March 26, 2024) — The stakes have just gotten higher.

When Oscar Valdez and Liam Wilson face off this Friday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, the vacant WBO Interim junior lightweight world title will now be on the line. The Interim title became available after the current champion, Emanuel Navarrete, elected to fight Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO lightweight world title on Saturday, May 18 in San Diego, California.

Per the WBO, “If Navarrete is successful in winning the vacant WBO Lightweight championship and determines to retain the WBO Lightweight championship, the WBO Jr. Lightweight Interim champion shall be elevated to ‘Full Champion’ status…”

In Friday’s co-feature, an undisputed minimumweight queen will be crowned, as WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and WBO/IBF queen Yokasta Valle battle to unify all the belts.

Valdez-Wilson, Estrada Valle, and a loaded undercard will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.

“This not only promises to be a sensational fight, but with the WBO Interim title on the line, the winner will have tremendous opportunities in a loaded weight class,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

NEW YORK, NY (March 26, 2024) – Undefeated super lightweight slugger Kurt Scoby (13-0, 11 KOs) is ready to make his highly anticipated return to the ring at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 19, 2024. Scoby will be facing off against Dakota Linger (13-6-3, 9 KOs) of Buckhannon, West Virginia, in a scheduled 8-round main event bout.

This fight, promoted by OTX (Overtime Boxing), will be televised live on DAZN, giving fans across the globe the opportunity to witness Scoby’s impressive power and skills.

Training in the gritty depths of Brooklyn’s infamous Gleason’s Boxing Gym, Scoby’s grinding away, fine-tuning his craft with the seasoned wisdom of trainers Don Saxby and Leon “Cat” Taylor. Coming up strong in the tough New York boxing scene, Scoby’s known as a real fighter, one who can end sparring with one punch. He’s rapidly becoming boxing’s next fresh face in NYC.

Kurt Scoby, who tends to keep his words short and to the point, sums up his feelings about his reputation and training regimen saying, ““I’ll never be satisfied!”

Co-managers Brandon Stump and Daniel Gonzalez, alongside the seasoned promoter Lou DiBella, believe Scoby has every attribute to become something special in the ring. With their combined efforts, they have confidence that they will strategically guide Scoby’s journey to the top of the boxing world. Here is what they had to say.

“Kurt Scoby has been making a lot of noise training in New York, everyone is talking about him,” stated Scoby’s co-manager Brandon Stump, President of CTB Athletics. “Everyone watching live in Atlanta or on DAZN is going to see his explosiveness. There is no doubt in my mind that Scooby will become the face of boxing in New York City, it’s just a matter of time.”

“Kurt Scoby is a world class athlete with world class discipline and world class talent,” said Scoby’s co-manager Daniel Gonzalez. “2024 is going to be an amazing year for him and for OTX Boxing. There is no doubt in my mind that he will move from being a prospect to being a real contender in the loaded super lightweight division.

“Kurt Scoby is one of the best prospects in boxing right now at 140 pounds,” said renowned boxing promoter, Lou Dibella, from NYC. “He’s also an explosive puncher. He had a stellar 2023 and will begin 2024 back on Overtime in a tough contest, on April 19, against an upset-minded Dakota Linger. A win here helps push Scooby further up the world ratings.”

Brazilian amateur star turned 4-0 professional Beatriz Ferreira will face Argentina’s Yanina del Carmen Lescano for the vacant IBF Lightweight World Title at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool on Saturday April 27 – live worldwide on DAZN.

‘The Beast’ (4-0, 2 KOs), who captured Silver in the Lightweight category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, put pen to paper on a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in July 2022 before making her much anticipated professional debut at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland later that year.

The 31-year-old from Sao Paulo returns to fight in the UK for the second time following her points win over Karla Ramos Zamora at the Utilita Arena Sheffield in July 2023, aiming to capture a World Title in just her fifth professional fight before turning her attention to winning Gold at the Paris 2024 games this summer. 

“I’m very excited to be fighting for a World Title in just my fifth pro fight,” said Ferreira. “A few other opponents didn’t accept the challenge to fight me for the World Title. I don’t understand that attitude but Lescano was brave enough to accept and I know she will be a tough challenge.

“I want to put on a great show in Liverpool next month and make sure I go to the Olympics in Paris as the reigning World Champion in both the professionals and amateurs. That would be very special. I won Silver at the last Olympics in Tokyo and I am very focused and confident that I can upgrade that medal to Gold in Paris.”

Sunderland’s rising Welterweight star Pat McCormack (5-0, 5 KOs) returns to the ring for his first fight since July 2023 to face Argentina’s William Andres Herrera (16-3, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Title, while Rotherham Super-Welterweight talent Junaid Bostan (8-0, 6 KOs) faces Southminster’s Jack Martin (9-1, 4 KOs) in a Final Eliminator for the English Title – with the Commonwealth Silver Title also on the line. 

There’s also action for Eltham Super-Flyweight prospect Maiseyrose Courtney (5-0), Matchroom’s latest Featherweight signing Joe McGrail (9-0, 5 KOs), Walsall Flyweight pro debutant Hamza Uddin and Liverpool Lightweight Frankie Stringer (6-0).

Tickets for Matchroom’s latest NXTGEN card on April 27 are priced £40, £60 and £120 (Ringside)

FightPass tickets will be available to purchase for Matchroom Boxing FightPass members from midday on Wednesday March 27.

General Sale tickets will be available to purchase from midday on Thursday March 28 via stagefrontvip.com/boxing and exhibitioncentreliverpool.com.

MIAMI, FL (March 25, 2024)— Legendary boxing promoter Don King has put together another electrifying boxing event, “The Quest for the Best,” set to take place on Saturday, April 27, at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, Florida. This evening promises to be an unforgettable showcase of talent and determination as three championship bouts top the slate of matchups set to unfold in the ring.

Don King commented: “In the ring, there’s no room for hesitation, only domination. ‘The Quest for the Best’ will be a testament to the relentless pursuit of greatness in the squared circle.”

The lineup for this highly anticipated event features some of the most formidable contenders in the sport.

WBA Continental Americas Middleweight Champion Ian Green (18-2, 12 KOs) has been a fan favorite at Casino Miami. The Paterson, NJ native aims to win his seventh straight fight as he takes on Roy Barringer (10-4, 6 KOs), a hard-hitting challenger from Toledo, OH.

Miami, FL’s own Ahmed Elbiali (23-1, 18 KOs), who holds the NABA/NABF Light Heavyweight Championships, will show his explosive power as he takes on undefeated Sergio Jimenez (13-0-1, 11 KOs) from San Pedro, CA, in a showdown that promises fireworks from start to finish.

The third championship fight will feature WBC Int’l Lightweight Champion Antonio Perez (9-0, 5 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA risks his title against Los Angeles’ Oscar Acevedo (9-1).

The evening of boxing also will feature four undercard fights. DeVon Williams (4-0, 4 KOs) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL will face Julio Tanori (1-1, 1 KO) for the WBC Youth Intercontinental Super Lightweight championship. 

Angel Perez (9-0, 7 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA will take on Nigel Fennell (13-3, 8 KOs) of Chula Vista, CA in an eight-round welterweight attraction. A 10-round bantamweight fight will feature Boynton Beach, FL sensation Lawrence Newton (16-0, 7 KOs) challenging Luis Tenorio (10-0, 8 KOs) of Tulua, Colombia and the final undercard fight is a six-round welterweight attraction will feature Semajay Thomas (11-1, 8 KOs) of Chicago, IL.

Tickets for this sensational evening of boxing are now on sale, starting at just $25. Don’t miss your chance to witness the action live at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai. Ringside tables are available for $1,500, while side floor seats can be purchased for $50. Floor ringside seats are priced at $100, and ringside seats are $300. Secure your seats now at www.playcasinomiami.com.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be broadcast live on DonKing.com, FITE.TV, and ITUBE247.com, ensuring that fans worldwide can experience the thrill of “The Quest for the Best.”

Join us on Saturday, April 27, for an unforgettable night of championship boxing, presented by the one and only Don King. For more information and updates, visit www.donking.com.

LAS VEGAS – March 25, 2024 – A star-studded lineup of knowledgeable and experienced on-air talent is set to call the inaugural PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video on Saturday, March 30, headlined by the Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora and Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz world championship showdowns live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Providing blow-by-blow for this highly anticipated event will be renowned boxing commentator Mauro Ranallo, with former three-division world champion Abner Mares and legendary Hall of Fame trainer Joe Goossen on fight analysis. In the host position will be veteran announcer Brian Custer, while Claudia Trejos and Jordan Plant will each provide ringside reporting.

For the Spanish language pay-per-view, acclaimed play-by-play voice Alejandro Luna will deliver the blow-by-blow.

Ranallo was the longtime voice of boxing on SHOWTIME, in addition to play-by-play duties for entities including WWE SmackDown and NXT, Bellator MMA and more. A Mexican Olympian and a four-time world champion throughout a career that saw him become one of Southern California’s most popular fighters, Mares worked as an analyst for SHOWTIME from 2020 through 2023. One of boxing’s most celebrated trainers, Goossen has operated the Ten Goose Boxing Gym for many years, training top fighters including Shane Mosley, Amir Khan, Riddick Bowe, Diego Corrales and many more. Behind the mic, Goossen was acclaimed for his commentating with FOX Sports from 2018 through 2022.

Custer won two Emmy awards while working at SNY-TV, and currently is a featured ESPN talent appearing on SportsCenter and more. He’s experienced in the fight game as well, as a longtime host of SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. Trejos is a veteran of ESPN and ESPN Deportes broadcasts and is a member of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, while Plant was a fixture ringside reporting for FOX Sports boxing events.

Luna is a two-time Emmy nominee and has handled Spanish blow-by-blow for SHOWTIME, FOX Sports and Univision.

The announcer teams will also be on the call for the two preliminary PBC on Prime Video fights that stream live and for free, regardless of Prime Video membership, beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is topped by rising star and reigning world champion Tim Tszyu taking on all-action contender Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora for Tszyu’s WBO title and the vacant WBC 154-pound world title in the main event, plus 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz meeting in the co-main event.

The pay-per-view will also see Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defend his belt against No. 1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa, plus WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio César Martínez defends his world title against unbeaten contender Angelino Cordova in the pay-per-view opener.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are available now through AXS.com. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #TszyuFundora and #RollyPitbull, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

WORCESTER, Mass. (March 25, 2024) – Undefeated prospect Dennzel “Double Impact” Whitley (14-0, 8 KOs) remained undefeated, winning last Saturday night’s “Pandemonium at The Palladium 3” main event with a second-round stoppage of late replacement Joe Wilson, Jr. (3-7, 0 KOs).

“Pandemonium at the Palladium 3,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), was streamed on www.BXNGTV.com live from the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Whitley dropped Wilson at the end of round one with a nifty one-two, but he managed to rise to beat the count. Wilson may have survived but it was only temporarily, as Whitley unloaded a perfect left hook that sent Wilson to the canvas. Referee Gene Del Bianco immediately stopped the fight without counting.

The 25-year-old Whitley, fighting out of Holyoke (MA), is the reigning Junior North American Boxing Federation (NABF), Massachusetts and United States Boxing Federation (USBF) welterweight champion.

The Sumpter brothers, fighting out of Pittsfield (MA), fought on the same card for the first time in 21 months. IBA Americas Super Middleweight Champion Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (9-0-1, 7 KOs) fought Antonio Louis “Tony The Beast” Hernandez (7-18-3, 4 KOs) to an eight-round majority draw in a non-title fight. Sumpter seemed to be loading up for one big punch during the first few rounds, but in the sixth round, southpaw Sumpter let his hands go, connecting on several occasions. Knowing the fight was close, Sumpter came out in the eighth round on the attack, belting Hernandez with some punishing punches, but he didn’t sustain the pressure, forcing the action only in spurts.

Sumpter’s older brother, heavyweight Quintin Sumpter (7-2, 4 KOs), out-punched a game, colorful Zach Calmus (1-1), of Gloucester (MA), in a bombs-away encounter for a four-round unanimous decision. Sumpter dropped the awkward Calmus with a left hook to the top of the head only seconds prior to the end of fourth and final round.

Springfield (MA) super featherweight Carlos “El Gallo” Gonzalez (11-0, 10 KOs), the new Massachusetts Champion, kept his undefeated record intact with another dominant performance, blasting Aldimar Silva (22-25, 14 KOs) from the opening bell until the end. Gonzalez hurt Silva with a shot and then jumped all over him, battering him in a neutral corner with 10-unanswered punches, the last forcing Silva to take a knee. Referee Gene Del Bianco counted to eight, but he didn’t like what he saw in the eyes of the former Brazilian Super Bantamweight Champion and stopped the fight. Gonzalez has stopped all but one of his 11 opponents as a pro fighter.

One of New England’s elite fighters, World Boxing Association’s (WBA) No. 14 rated super featherweight William “The Silent Assassin” Foster, III (16-1, 10 KOs), a 2-time New England Golden Gloves Champion and reigning WBA Fedecentro Champion, faced Lucas “El Pibe” Mignoni (14-6, 4 Kos), of Argentina. Fighting out of New Haven (CT), Foster dropped Mignoni with a vicious left hook to the body that dropped the Argentinian to his knees, and he was unable to beat the referee Del Bianco’s count.

The newest member of the CGP stable, Dorchester (MA) lightweight Jonathan de Pina (13-2, 6 KOs), knocked out Michael “Titan” Taylor (1-7) in the second round. De Pina, the 2018 New England Golden Gloves Champion, unloaded in the second after a feeling-out first round, trapping Taylor in a neutral corner and pounding him until referee Paul Casey waved off the fight.

(L) – Jonathan de Pina was victorious in his GCP debut

Southpaw Jetter Burgos (8-1, 6 KOs), fighting out of the Bronx, outclassed super welterweight Linwood “Mr. Composure” Dozier (10-36-3, 5 KOs) in the opening fight of the evening, mixing in a steady diet of crisp combinations and powerful body shots en route to a six-round unanimous decision.

Complete Results Below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT — SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Denzel Whitley (14-0, 8 KOs), Holyoke, MA

WTKO2 (0:35)

Joe Wilson, Jr. (3-7, 0 KOs), Manchester, CT

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Quinton Sumpter (7-2, 4 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

WDEC4 (40-35, 40-35, 40-35)

Zach Calmus (1-1, 1 KO), Gloucester, MA

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Steve Sumpter (9-0-1, 7 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

D8 (76-76, 76-76, 75-77)

Tony Hernandez (7-12-3, 4 KOs), Liberty, MO

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Jetter Burgos (8-1, 6 KOs), Bronx, NY

WDEC6 (60-54, 60-54, 60-53)

Linwood Dozier (10-36-3, 5 KOs), Belcamp, MD

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Jonathan de Pina (13-5, 6 KOs), Dorchester, MA

WTKO2 (2:39)

Michael Taylor (1-7, 0 KOs), Cortland, NY

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Carlos Gonzalez (11-0, 10 KOs), Springfield, MA

WTKOI1 (2:27)

Aldimar Silva (22-25, 14 KOs), Sao Paulo, Brazil

William Foster III (17-1, 11 KOs), New Haven, CT

WKO1 (1:06)

Lucas Mignon (14-6, 4 KOs), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Granite Chin returns May 11th with “Rumble at the Rink” at Quincy Youth Arena in Quincy, MA.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Liverpool Featherweight talent Joe McGrail has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will make his eagerly anticipated debut as a Matchroom fighter on the April 27 NXTGEN card at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

The 21-year-old has won all nine of his fights since joining the paid ranks with a stoppage win over Francisco Rodriguez on the huge sold-out Conor Benn vs. Chris Algieri and Katie Taylor vs. Firuza Sharipova double header in December 2021.

McGrail, who trains out of the renowned Everton Red Triangle on Albion Street under Paul Stevenson, joins Matchroom’s growing stable of talent alongside his brother Peter – who will be looking to return to winning ways at the top of Matchroom’s latest NXTGEN instalment after suffering a shock KO loss to Ja’Rico O’Quinn in December.

A standout performer at amateur level, competing in 64 bouts and becoming a National ABA Champion, the Evertonian will now look to make his mark in the domestic 126lbs division – targeting titles by the end of 2024.

“I’m made up and excited,” said McGrail. “I’m looking forward to making my mark on the big shows and showing people what I’m about. Teaming up with Matchroom and DAZN will do wonders for my career and give me a massive boost.

“I’ve got a bit more of a plan in place now and there’s going to be a lot more eyes on my fights. It’s going to be an active year for me. We’ll be pushing the rounds up and by the end of the year we should be fighting for some sort of title.

“I’m a good boxer but I throw my punches with bad intentions. I’m always trying to hurt whoever I’m in there with. I think people will like to watch that. I’m over the moon I’ll be making my big Matchroom debut in Liverpool. It means all my family and friends can be there.

“If all goes to plan, I’ll get another three fights in this year. All of my fights up until now have been four and six rounders, but this next one is over eight and the next one after that is eight too. After that we’ll go up to ten and if there are any titles out there then it should be for one. I’ll be looking for titles before the end of 2024.”

“I’m delighted to announce the signing of another outstanding fighter from Liverpool – Joe McGrail,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “We’ve been watching Joe for a long time and he hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in his professional career. April 27 is set to be a huge night for the McGrail family, with Peter looking to return to winning ways after his setback in December. Watch Joe’s journey live around the world on DAZN.”

You can follow McGrail’s journey on Instagram: joemcgrail_

LOS ANGELES (March 24, 2024) – Toro Promotions’ train of promising heavyweight prospects – undefeated 2020 Ukraine Olympian Tsotne Rogava (6-0, 6 KOs), Alexander “The Great” Flores (19-4-1, 17 KOs) and Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh (12-2-1, 10 KOs) – all turned in impressive knockout performances last night at LumColor Phoenix Center in Ontario, California.

The event was co-promoted by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Fearless Boxing Promotions.

The 6’ 5”, 264-pound Rogava kept his undefeated pro record perfect with his sixth victory in six fights, all won by early knockouts.  Born in Georgia, the fast-rising Rogava absolutely destroyed Antonio Brown (8-5, 8 KOs), dropping him three times in the opening round for his third straight first-round stoppage of an opponent.

A former Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer simply overpowered Brown, who also has knockout power based on his career record. Rogava has boxed a grand total of only eight rounds in his six pro fights, clearly dominating any opponent who has stepped in the ring with him, nobody getting through two complete rounds .

Flores rebounded from his 10-round unanimous decision loss to 15-1-1 Dante Stone this past January 4 in grand fashion, landing at will and closing the show in the third round against Josue Vargas (5-7-2, 2 KOs). Three of his other pro career losses have all been to world champions Luis Ortiz, Joseph Parker, and Charles Martin for the popular fighter from Rowland Heights, California,

Nigeria-native Ibeh, who lives in Phoenix, is a physically imposing specimen, standing 6’ 4” and tipping the scales at 299 pounds. Ibeh extended his win streak to seven with a first-round knockout of a game Derek Cardenas (9-12, 2 KOs). Ibeh, whose cousin is the infamous heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi (20-0, 15 KOs), decked Cardenas twice in round one.

Complete Results of Toro Promotions’ fighters below:

_____________________________________________________________________

OFFICIAL RESULTS

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Tsotne Rogava (6-0, 6 KOs),

Marina del Rey, California by way of Ukraine and Georgia

WKO1

Antonio Brown (8-5, 8 KOs), Phoenix, AZ

Alexander Flores (19-4-1, 17 KOs), Rowland Heights, CA

WKO3

Josue Vargas (5-7-2, 2 KOs), Panorama City, CA

Kingsley Ibeh (12-2-1, 10 KOs), Phoenix, AZ by way of Nigeria

WKO1

Derek Cardenas (9-12, 2 KOs), Panorama City, CA

____________________________________________________________________ 

Tsotne is scheduled to return to the ring on April 12 vs. TBA in an eight-round bout at Blue Sport Stable in Superior, Colorado.

?

INFORMATION:

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Dalton Smith remained undefeated with fifth round stoppage over former three-time world title challenger Jose Zepeda in Sheffield, England.

Zepeda had a nice first two rounds and he was able to dart in and out landing quick combinations and straight lefts. Smith started to get o Zepeda in rounds three and four. Round five saw Smith land a perfect right to the body that sent Zepeda down for the 10-count at 1:25.

Smith, 139.6 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is now 16-0 with 12 knockouts. Zepeda, 139.6 lbs of La Puente, CA is 37-.5

Sandy Ryan Stops Terri Harper After 4; Retains Welterweight Title

Sandy Ryan defended the WBO Welterweight title with a stoppage after round four over former two-division world champion Terri Harper.

Ryan dominated and hurt Harper badly on several occasions. It was clear that Ryan was the boss in the fight and the corner of Harper pulled the plug on the fight following the fourth stanza.

Ryan, 146.2 lbs of Derby, ENG is 7-1-1 with three knockouts. Harper, 145.9 lbs of Denaby Main, ENG is 14-2-2.

Ishmael Davis Decisions Troy Williamson

Ishmael Davis remained undefeated with a 12-round unanimous decision over Troy Williamson in a British Super Welterweight Eliminator.

Davis, 153.8 lbs of Leeds, ENG won by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice and is now 13-0. Williamson came in over the 154 lb. weight limit at 158.2 of Darlington, ENG is 20-3-1.

James Flint Outlasts Campbell Hatton

James Flint won a 10-round unanimous decision over Campbell Hatton in a Central Areal Super Lightweight Title bout.

The fight was a war with both guys landing throughout.

In round nine, Flint was cut over his left eye. In round 10, Flint was all over Hatton and the son of the Hall of Famer was hanging on for most of the round.

Flint, 139 lbs of Dorncaster, ENG won by scores of 98-92, 97-94 and 97-95 and is now 14-1-2. Hatton, 138.7 lbs of Hyde, ENG is 14-1.

Leivars Stops Mirga in 9

Nico Leivars stopped Piotr Mirga in round nine of their 10-round super Bantamweight English Title Eliminator.

In round three, Leivars was cut over his right eye from a punch.

In round nine, Leivars landed a perfect left to the body that sent Mirga down for the count of 10 at 1:32.

Leivars, 121.3 lbs of Mansfield, ENG is 6-0-1 with one knockout. Mirga, 121.1 lbs of Southend, ENG is 7-3.

Liam Cameron stopped Hussein Itaba in the opening round of their six-round light heavyweight contest.

In round one, Cameron dropped Itaba with an uppercut. Moments later, it was a left hook tat put Itaba down again. Itaba got to his feet, but the referee stopped the bout at 2:32.

Cameron, 174.8 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 23-5 with 10 knockouts. Itaba, 173.3 lbs of Dar-Es-Salaam, TAN is 16-9-3.

Leli Buttigieg won a six-round decision over Bartlomiej Stryczek in a super welterweight contest.

In round three, a big right from Buttigieg dropped Stryczek in the corner.

Butigieg, 157,2 lbs of Newham, ENG won by a 60-53 score and is now 3-0. Stryczek, 156 lbs of Bestwina, POL is 2-3.

Conan Murray remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Edgar Kemsky in a middleweight fight.

Murray, 158 lbs of Cusworth, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 8-0. Kemsky, 156.6 lbs of Belfast, NI is 3-7-1.

6 x 3 mins Middleweight contest
CONNAN MURRAY 158 lbs v EDGAR KEMSKY 156.6 lbs
(Cusworth, England)              (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

followed by

6 x 3 mins International Super-Welterweight contest
LELI BUTTIGIEG 157.2 lbs v BARTLOMIEJ STRYCZEK 156 lbs
(Newham, England)               (Bestwina, Poland)

followed by

6 x 3 mins International Light-Heavyweight contest
LIAM CAMERON 174.8 lbs v HUSSEIN ITABA 173.3 lbs
(Sheffield, England)               (Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania)

followed by

19:00 LIVE ON DAZN

10 x 3 mins English Super-Bantamweight Title Final Eliminator
NICO LEIVARS 121.3 lbs v PIOTR MIRGA 121.1 lbs
(Mansfield, England)          (Southend, England)

followed by

10 x 3 mins Central Area Super-Lightweight Title 
JAMES FLINT 139 lbs v CAMPBELL HATTON 139.7 lbs
(Doncaster, England)     (Hyde, England)

followed by

12 x 3 mins British Super-Welterweight Title Final Eliminator
ISHMAEL DAVIS 153.8 lbs v TROY WILLIAMSON 158.2 lbs
(Leeds, England)                   (Darlington, England)

followed by

10 x 2 mins WBO Welterweight World Title
SANDY RYAN 146.2 lbs v TERRI HARPER 145.9 lbs
(Debry, England)               (Denaby Main, England)  

followed by

12 x 3 mins vacant WBC Silver Super-Lightweight Title
DALTON SMITH 139.6 lbs v JOSE ZEPEDA 139.6 lbs
(Sheffield, England)             (La Puente, USA)  

OS ANGELES (March 22, 2024) – Toro Promotions, Inc. weighed-in three gifted heavyweight prospects today for tomorrow night’s event, co-promoted by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Fearless Boxing, at LumColor Phoenix Center in Ontario, California.

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 8 ROUNDS

TSOTNE ROGAVA (L)

2020 Ukraine Olympian

Marina del Rey, California by way of Ukraine and Georgia

5-0, 5 KOs

264.4 lbs.

vs.

ANTONIO BROWN (R)

Phoenix, AZ

8-4, 8 KOs)

231 lbs.

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS

ALEXANDER “The Great” FLORES (in scale)

Rowland Heights, CA

18-4-1 (16 KOs)

260 lbs.

vs.

JOSUE VARGAS (R)

Panorama City, CA

5-6-2, 2 KOs

235 lbs.

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS

KINGSLEY The Black Lion” IBEH (L)

Ike Ibeabuchi’s cousin

Phoenix, AZ by way of Nigeria

11-2-1, 9 KOs

299.4 lbs.

vs.

DEREK CARDENAS (R)

Panorama City, CA

5-6-2, 2 KOs

285.4 lbs.

INFORMATION:

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New York, NY (March 22, 2024) Fighting on St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, Friday March 15 in The Theater at Madison Square Garden, ‘King’ Callum Walsh continued to validate his status as The Fastest Rising Star in Boxing, with a ninth-round stoppage of Dauren Yeleussinov in front of huge crowd at the famed venue and a worldwide audience viewing on UFC Fight Pass.

With the victory guided by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, the 23-year-old native of Cork, Ireland improved his record to 10-0 with eight knockouts. Walsh also earned the WBC Continental Super Americas Welterweight Title with the dominant victory.

During a very busy fight week in addition to making the media rounds in New York City and hosting the Final Press Conference in Madison Square Garden’s Chase Square, Walsh spent the week meeting with a large group of local dignitaries at the Irish Consulate and held a packed media photo shoot at the Empire State Building. He also received a wealth of publicity from numerous international and local newspapers along with the top sports outlets prior to and following the fight.

The remarkable event was promoted by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions. “It was a great St. Paddy’s Event last Friday March 15. Now with all the numbers that have been tallied, ‘King’ Callum Walsh has clearly established himself as The Fastest Rising Star in Boxing,” said Loeffler.

“Callum’s fight night was in the Top 20 of all boxing events held in the historic The Theater at Madison Square Garden, that’s a huge statement for only his second fight in New York City and the storied history of the venue. Callum’s event was also the highest rated boxing show in the history of UFC Fight Pass. That’s a pretty big statement for someone that’s 23-year-old with only ten fights. The future will only get brighter for young ‘King’ Callum!”

Walsh will return to action on Friday, June 7 at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, CA and headline live on UFC Fight Pass with further details to be announced shortly.

LAS VEGAS, NV (March 22, 2024) – Super lightweight boxer puncher Starling Castillo (18-1-1, 13 KOs), hailing from the Dominican Republic and now training under the tutelage of renowned coach Bob Santos in Las Vegas, prepares to face off against Jesus Saracho (13-1, 11 KOs) from Guanajuato, Mexico, in a thrilling 10-round co-main event bout. The action-packed event will take place live from the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, and will be broadcast internationally on ProBox TV’s “Wednesday Night Fights.”

Starling Castillo, known for his high ring IQ and superior boxing skills, is prepared to make a statement in the super lightweight division. Under the guidance of 2022 Trainer of the Year, Bob Santos, Castillo has honed his skills and is ready to showcase his talents on the global stage.

“A victory in this fight will get me back in contention to compete for a world title in the super lightweight division,” said Castillo, who is promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz. “I’ve been training hard alongside Coach Santos, and I’m confident that all the hard work we’ve put in will pay off. This is a pivotal moment in my career, and I’m ready to seize the opportunity.”

Bob Santos, renowned for his expertise and success in training world-class fighters, praised Castillo’s progress, stating, “I’ve been impressed with Starling’s dedication and work ethic over the past year. He’s made significant improvements in his technique and conditioning, and I have full confidence in his ability to deliver a standout performance in this bout. He’s ready to make a statement in this fight.”

Castillo also reflected on his return to the ring after a prolonged layoff, saying, “It’s been a challenging journey getting back into fighting shape, but I’m thrilled to be returning to the ring. The time away has me extremely hungry to come out on top, and I can’t wait to showcase the improvements I’ve made.”

The ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida, will set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling night of boxing action. With Starling Castillo and Jesus Saracho prepared to leave it all in the ring, fans can expect fireworks from start to finish.

For more information on the event and ticket details, please visit the official ProBox TV website.

NEW YORK, NY (March 22, 2024) Before she became a three-time, two-division world champion, Japan’s Miyo Yoshida made her U.S. debut on April 27, 2023, at Sony Hall in New York City, as part of DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series. Boxing fans who missed the event live will be able to catch the action that took place that night premiering this Sunday, March 24, at 6:00pm ET, on SNY. The stacked card, which was promoted in association with Boxing Insider Promotions, was headlined by a thrilling junior middleweight battle between Brian Ceballo and Luis Alberto Veron.

“This Sunday night, Broadway Boxing will premiere an exciting episode from its vault that was first broadcast on DAZN, featuring three stars from the DiBella Entertainment stable,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Before capturing her bantamweight crown, Miyo Yoshida made her U.S. debut, with her daughter watching from ringside, as she took on a very game Indeya Smith. Tsendbaatar Erdenebat, known to some as the Mongolian Mole following his intense sparring sessions with Ryan Garcia, employed his wide arsenal against Edy Valencia Mercado. Rising star David Lopez picked up his first win under the DBE banner. His next fight will be April 19 back on DAZN as part of the Overtime series.”

Now the IBF women’s bantamweight world champion, Yoshida, on this night, squared off against the tough Indeya Smith, of Dallas, TX, in an eight-round super flyweight contest. Born in Kagoshima, Japan, Yoshida now resides in New York, NY. She won her first world title in June 2019, seizing the WBO super flyweight belt from Casey Croft via unanimous decision. Miyo made one successful defense, then lost the title by technical decision (stoppage due to gash over her eye). She regained that belt in a rematch six months later. After losing the title on a split decision in 2022, Yoshida decided to leave Japan with her young daughter and build upon her career in the United States.

The co-main event featured the unbeaten Mongolian power puncher Tsendbaatar Erdenebat taking on Mexican veteran Edy Valencia Mercado in an eight-round contest. Erdenebat grew up on the countryside steppes of the Mongolian grassland, living a nomadic lifestyle with his family, herding horses and livestock, which helped him to develop his lauded strength. As an amateur, Erdenebat was a two-time Olympian, competing in the 2016 Rio Games and 2020 Tokyo Games. Accumulating an impressive 147-41 record, Erdenebat won 11 Mongolian National titles, as well as gold medals at the AIBA Asian Championships twice, the 2018 Asian Games, and a bronze medal at the 2019 AIBA World Championships.

Touted junior welterweight prospect “Dynamite” David Lopez made his DBE debut on the undercard against Dominican Nelson Morales. Lopez, from Oakland, CA, now based out of Las Vegas, turned professional at 17 years old while still enrolled in high school. Coming from a family of fighters, Lopez, a southpaw who is of Black and Filipino heritage, is trained by his father and former pro boxer, Kris Lopez. Amassing an overall amateur record of 34-4, Lopez won the Desert Showdown World Amateur Boxing Championships, Puerto Rican National Championships, and a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics.

Since its inception in November 2003, Broadway Boxing has featured many boxing luminaries and world champions, including Vitali Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin, George Kambosos Jr., Jamel Herring, Jose Pedraza, Amanda Serrano, Miyo Yoshida, Andre Berto, Heather Hardy, Paulie Malignaggi, Peter Quillin, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Joshua Clottey, DeMarcus Corley and Randall Bailey, among others.

Boxing fans wishing to enjoy this premiere of Broadway Boxing can do so by tuning in to SNY on Sunday at 6:00pm ET. SNY can be found on the following platforms (list not all-inclusive – see your local TV guide): DirecTV (639), Time Warner Cable (26), Verizon FiOS: (577, 77), Cablevision (718, 60), Comcast (843, 73). 

DiBella Entertainment

Instagram: @DiBellaEnt

X (Twitter): @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt

Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment

Philadelphia, PA (March 22, 2024) — Another massive night of professional boxing is in store when RDR Promotions returns to the Harrahs Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack in Chester, Pennsylvania on Saturday night, March 30th.

In the eight-round main event, junior welterweight Greg Outlaw Jr, (13-2, 7 KOs) of Bowie, MD takes on tough veteran Rondale Hubbert (16-28-3, 10 KOs) of Duluth, Minnesota.

Outlaw has quality wins over Kashon Hutchinson (2-0), Mack Allison IV (8-1-1), Edgar Torres (8-1-1), Johnathan Montrel (12-0) and his last fight when he scored an opening round knockout over Sebastian Gabriel Chaves on November 10, 2023 in Philadelphia.

Hubbert is a 12 year-pro and has wins over Winston Anderson (4-0), RJ Lasse (12-1), Tony Lee (11-2-1) and his last bout when he took out Marklin Bailey in three rounds on February 16th in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

In the six-round co-feature, highly regarded super flyweight LeAnna Cruz (7-0) of Allentown, PA fights Beata Dudek (3-1, 3 KOs) of Miskolc, Hungary.

Cruz won the NABF Super Flyweight title with a eight-round unanimous decision over Tania Walters on November 10th in Philadelphia,

Dudek is coming off her first blemish as she dropped a six-round decision to Brittany Sims on March 1st in El Paso, Texas.

Also in a six-round bout, undefeated cruiserweight Stanley Johnson (3-0, 2 KOs) of Houston, Texas will take on an opponent to be named.

In four-round bouts:

Rashan Adams (5-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Ryan Picou (3-15-1 of Las Vegas in a super featherweight contest.

Trinidad Vargas (4-0, 1 KO) of Grand Prairie, Texas fights Robin Ellis (6-2, 5 KOs) of New York in a super flyweight contest.

Nasheed H. Harris (1-0, 1 KO) of Washington, DC takes on Twon Smith (3-8, 2 KOs) of Oklahoma City in a light heavyweight bout.

Deric Davis (2-0,2 KOs) of Fort Washington, Maryland will square off with Emond Driver (1-2, 1 KO) of Indianapolis in a lightweight contest.

Hakeem Harmon (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia fights Christopher Puryear (2-1) of Jacksonville, Florida in a lightweight fight.

Steve Cunningham Jr, (2-0, 2 KOs) of Pittsburgh takes on Jeremiah Kendrick (1-3, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a middleweight bout.

Juan Davila (4-0, 2 KOs) of Franklinville, NJ takes on an opponent to be named in a lightweight fight.

Lamar Smith of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Anthony Young (0-7) of Philadelphia in a super lightweight bout.

Tyshwan Denson (2-0, 1 KO) of Akron, Ohio takes on an opponent to be named in a super featherweight fight.

Deutrell Perry of Hatfield, PA will make his pro debut against an opponent to be named in a lightweight fight.

Tickets are $65, $75, $100 and $130 and can be purchased at rdrboxing@yahoo.com

LONDON, UK (March 22, 2024) – The full fight card is now confirmed for BOXXER’s bumper ‘Bad Blood’ bill on Sunday, March 31st at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke top a stacked card in the capital as they look to settle their differences in one of British boxing’s most hotly anticipated match ups.

The unbeaten fighters have been on a collision course as both men aim to establish themselves as Britain’s number one heavyweight.

Their simmering rivalry has reached boiling point following a cancelled purse bid last year.

Clarke was ordered as mandatory challenger for Wardley’s British Title in April but was later withdrawn from purse bids. The fallout sparked a series of tense exchanges between the warring heavyweights and has added serious spite to their Easter Sunday showdown.

The ‘Bad Blood’ runs deep in an undercard filled with unmissable fights.

Welterweight rivals Florian Marku and Chris Kongo, who had to be pulled apart following an explosive press conference altercation last year, finally get the chance to settle their long-standing feud. 

Viddal Riley and Mikael Lawal will clash in a special bet365 Wildcard contest for the English Cruiserweight Title, while Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic and Steve Robinson collide in what promises to be a fan-friendly heavyweight fire fight.

With opponents set for Ben Whittaker and Callum Simpson the full supporting cast is now in place for a dramatic night of boxing at The O2.

Whittaker (6-0, 5 KOs) has become a viral sensation with clips of his flamboyant showboating during his stoppage win over Khalid Graidia on February 3rd generating millions of views and global interest on social media.

Tipped for superstardom, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medallist will look to capitalise on his new-found attention by delivering another show stealing performance when he takes on Leon Willings (7-1, 2 KOs).

Rising super middleweight star Simpson (13-0, 9 KOs) will look to extend his unbeaten streak as he builds towards a British Title challenge.

Before the 27-year-old from Barnsley has his crack at the Lonsdale belt, he must first get past the experienced Tanzanian Dulla Mbabe (34-13-1, 29 KOs).

Over 10,000 tickets have already been sold for the stacked Easter Sunday ‘Bad Blood’ show with an additional allocation of tickets, priced from £35, now released due to demand and available for purchase via BOXXER.com.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE, Integritas Property Group, Fastline Steel Services, CarFinance 247 and VOW Nutrition.

By Norm Frauenheim –

PHOENIX – The streets have always been part of Michael Carbajal’s identity.

He’s endured them. Survived them. Fought because of them. They’ve left their mark, scars still there like deep cracks in an old sidewalk outside of his Ninth Street Gym, which was a church about a century ago.

It’s still a bully pulpit, but punches do all the preaching these days. You can hear the choir in the rhythm of a speed bag.

Step out of the gym and down the street, Fillmore, and you’re at Carbajal’s childhood home.

I’ve walked that street with him often and asked what keeps him there. He looks at me, eyes flashing like sparks off flint, as if to say I don’t understand.

For years, I didn’t.

Today, I do.

That was delivered definitively this week at a Phoenix City Council meeting just a few miles of roadwork from Ninth Street and Fillmore. Carbajal was on the agenda, Item No. 65. From liquor licenses to zoning issues, the session began with the usual process. Think about your last visit to the Motor Vehicle Division. Take a number, please.

But, suddenly, it went from protocol to poignant with Item No. 65, a resolution to rename one of those streets after Carbajal.

Ordinarily, council meetings in any city don’t attract a crowd. But this one did. From Carbajal friends and neighbors to those who had a role in his ring career, dozens were there.

I was there, too, and I was lucky enough to speak in his behalf. I was asked to.

Ordinarily, that’s not the job of a journalist, sports or otherwise. I had covered Carbajal’s career during my years at The Arizona Republic.

I was there in Seoul when he got robbed of a gold medal at the 1988 Olympics.

I was there in Las Vegas when he got up twice and knocked out Chiquita Gonzalez in a dramatic 1993 Fight of the Year, a fight as memorable as any in the history of boxing’s smallest weight classes.

I was there in Mexico City in 1994 in front of at least 30,000 Gonzalez fans, then unhappy at California’s Proposition 187, controversial immigration legislation.

Carbajal was Mexican only in name and heritage on that night, which ended in Gonzalez wining a debatable decision in a second rematch.

For those Mexican fans, he was a convenient American target for their anger at the California proposal. They drank, threw debris and waited for Carbajal to enter the hostile arena as if he were the bull that the place had been built for.

About an hour before opening bell, I saw Carbajal, seated with his hands taped and ready to take that long walk through a gathering storm.

He was a lonely figure at the end of a long dark tunnel that was his dressing room.

All the while, restless partisans stomped their feet in unison.

The noise had an angry beat, one that echoed a fundamental cliche: You can’t play boxing. I looked at Carbajal and wondered what I would feel at that moment.

One word: Terror.

I think I would have headed for the parking lot, jumped into a taxi, gone to the airport and boarded a flight in a panicked escape to Cabo San Lucas.

But I also knew then that I admired Carbajal. It’s hard to be objective about courage, and I saw plenty of it on that night in a 108-pound kid off the streets of Phoenix.

Over the years, I was often accused of crossing the line. I was told I had gotten too close. I can’t deny that. But I won’t apologize for it, either.

Boxing, itself, is different than any other sport in traditional journalism, now a dying craft. Trust is hard to come by from fighters who grew up mistrusting cops, teachers and a gringo reporter from a big daily that had not paid much attention to their neighborhoods.

In more than a decade as the Suns beat reporter, I had worked hard to keep my distance. But those traditional lines weren’t there in trying to cover Carbajal, a tough Mexican-American from a dangerous neighborhood just a few blocks from The Republic’s newsroom.

Through it all, there was controversy, an inherent part of almost any ring career. After all, prizefighting is controversial, almost by definition.

There were arrests, police investigations, shootings, gang allegations and ominous rumors. It was part of the Carbajal story and part of the reason I would ask him: Why, Michael, why do you stay here?

He has for the same reason he took that long ring walk on that night in Mexico City three decades ago. His adherence to a dangerous craft is as unshakable as his ties to those streets in a dangerous neighborhood.

Turns out, his friends, neighbors and a few retired cops understood that better than a gringo reporter.

They spoke to the city council before and after I did at Wednesday’s meeting Retired cops, who had worked Carbajal’s neighborhood, confirmed there was trouble, but they said, it didn’t come from Michael.

By the time it was my turn to take the podium, I realized that legacy — a word so overused to be almost meaningless – is still relevant in Carbajal, now 56 and 25 years removed from his last fight in 1999.

Younger neighbors, who weren’t even born when he was fighting, know him and identify with him because he’s still there. Their challenges were his challenges.

For Phoenix, he continues to be a living piece of tangible history. In my two minutes before the City Council, I talked about how the Phoenix area has become an emerging market for promoters from all over the world.

Eddie Hearn, of London’s Matchroom Promotions, has been staging cards in Phoenix and Glendale for the last couple of years. Hearn is putting together a Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez-Juan Francisco Estrada SuperFly showdown, projected for June 29 at Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena.

“There are a lot of educated fans here,’’ Hearn said repeatedly when he was in Phoenix, representing John Ryder in January for Ryder’s stoppage loss to Jamie Munguia.

There are, because of Carbajal. At recent cards, I’ve often been approached by young fans who tell me that their dads used to read me all the time when I was writing about Carbajal for The Republic.

Those sons are Hearn’s educated fans, the demographic that has turned the Phoenix market into a go-to place for promoters and networks.

They also represent Carbajal’s ongoing legacy, an avenue to what the emerging market has become.

There are no avenues in Carbajal’s neighborhood. But there will be a street, from Ninth to Tenth, named after him. The Council voted to attach Michael Carbajal Way onto the street signs. It was a unanimous decision, 9-0.

It’s appropriate. The streets that created him will soon be named after him.

ATLANTIC CITY, March 21, 2024. —  South Jersey’s own Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Gold Middleweight World Title against Venezuelan Johan “Chelo Manotas” Gonzalez in the main event in a twelve-round bout on Saturday, June 8 at Bally’s Atlantic City.

This World Championship Boxing Event is being promoted by Main Events in association with LaManna’s Rising Star Promotions. Ticket info will be released soon.

“I am definitely excited to fight in another world title fight I was down and out after the first try but now I’m back in the mix fighting for the WBA Gold against a very experienced opponent from Venezuela,” said LaManna. “Gonzalez rated at 154 and despite coming up to 160, he’s explosive and powerful and has a master trainer in Ismael Salas and this would be my first win against him. I made my pro debut at Bally’s and now I’m going to be fighting for a world title there and being able to accomplish both that would be amazing. Atlantic City is my backyard, so it is going to be fire that night, and on that night and I don’t think there will be anyone that can beat me.

“Working with Main Events is a real honor,” continued LaManna. “We’ve been talking about a fight like this for months, almost a year. Thankfully Main Events can see my mission and they can see my drive between fighting and promoting and I’m glad they got behind mean they are taking a chance with me and I’m looking forward to continuing with them in the future.”

“I admire Thomas for the way he has taken charge of his career and become a successful promoter in his own right,” said Kathy Duva. “Now that he has an opportunity to challenge for the world title, Main Events is happy to step in and help so LaManna can focus exclusively on preparing for the biggest fight of his career. Main Events has a long history promoting boxing in Atlantic City. And a great deal of those fights were promoted in association with Bally’s. We are looking forward to a great promotion.”

LaManna quote:

“The dream for any boxer is to become a champion, so I am very happy for this opportunity,” said Johan. “LaManna has a lot experience and very well-known boxer in the business and that means I need to work harder to get the win. This is boxing and nothing is easy in this sport.  Atlantic City is like his home, a knockout could come, but for sure we will have a great camp, training to get the W, by decision or by KO. Atlantic City is place with good boxing history, now is time to write my own.”

“Bally’s Atlantic City is thrilled for the return of boxing. We look forward to hosting this thrilling event and providing memorable experiences for boxing enthusiasts and our guests,” said Michael Monty, General Manager at Bally’s Atlantic City.

Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (37-5, 16 KOs) born and raised in Millville, NJ, just down the road from Atlantic City, is on a seven fight win streak that propelled him onto the world stage. He is undefeated in Atlantic City, 21 wins, no losses and one draw overall and seven wins with no losses at Bally’s.  He made his professional debut in 2011 and has an impressive collection of belts, including the New Jersey State Welterweight Title, World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX title, WBA Fedecentro title, WBA Fedecaribe title and the WBA Fedalatin title. He has won two titles in AC and made two successful defenses. His string of seven wins began after his 2021 world title fight defeat to Erislandy Lara.

Johan Gonzalez (34-2, 33 KOs) is a Venezuelan fighting out of Las Vegas, NV and has knocked out all but three of his thirty-six opponents. The thirty-two-year-old made his pro debut in June of 2017 and fought ten times in the first 5 months and one day of his career. He the had ten more bouts in 2018. He became Venezuelan Welterweight Champion and IBA Intercontinental Champion in 2018. In 2021, Johan won the WBA Fedalatin welterweight title in March and eight months later the WBA Fedalatin super welterweight title. In 2022 he collected the NABA Super Welterweight title with a knockout win in Panama City. His first thirty-three of his career fights took place in either Venezuela or Panama – and those three were in his last four fights.

ABOUT MAIN EVENTS

Main Events has been promoting fights in Atlantic City since 1982. Their first was a WBC light heavyweight title fight between Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Eddie Davis. Their first event at Bally’s AC was in April of ‘95 with Gatti in the co-feature of an IBF Super Featherweight World Title fight between Eddie Hopson and Moises Pedroza. Since then they have promoted bouts with many notable world champions, including Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, Mark Breland, Meldrick Taylor, Sergei Kovalev and Dmitri Bivol. Amongst the most notable fights promoted by Main Events in Atlantic City include, “The Battle of the Ages,” Holyfield-Foreman for the World Heavyweight Championship, which was the first TVKO (HBO PPV) event; Bivol-Smith which was the last HBO fight to take place in Atlantic City, Kovalev-Hopkins—the last World Championship fight at Boardwalk Hall; Gatti-Ward II & III and Gatti-Mayweather.

ABOUT BALLY’S CORPORATION

Bally’s Corporation is a global casino-entertainment company with a growing omni-channel presence of Online Sports Betting and iGaming offerings. It currently owns and manages 16 casinos across 10 states, a golf course in New York, a horse racetrack in Colorado, and has access to OSB licenses in 18 states. It also owns Bally’s Interactive International, formerly Gamesys Group, a leading, global, online gaming operator, Bally Bet, a first-in-class sports betting platform, and Bally Casino, a growing iCasino platform. With 10,500 employees, the Company’s casino operations include approximately 15,000 slot machines, 600 table games and 5,300 hotel rooms. Upon completing the construction of a permanent casino facility in Chicago, IL, and a land-based casino near the Nittany Mall in State College, PA, Bally’s will own and/or manage 17 casinos across 11 states. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BALY”.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with a pivotal rematch featuring No. 5 ranked flyweight contender Matheus Nicolau taking on No. 6 Manel Kape. In addition, hard-hitting light heavyweights No. 11 Ryan Spann and rising contender Bogdan Guskov square off in a high stakes showdown. 

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: NICOLAU vs. KAPE 2 takes place Saturday, April 27 in Las Vegas and will be available on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and ESPN. The prelims will air on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT, followed by the main card airing on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. 

UFC APEX VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC octagon girls and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

Nicolau (19-4-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) looks to make the most of his first UFC main event. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a strong standup game, Nicolau has earned victories over Matt Schnell, David Dvorak, and Tim Elliott. The veteran contender now aims to secure a second win against Kape and make his case for a title shot later this year.

Kape (19-6, fighting out of Phuket, Thailand by way of Porto, Portugal) returns to action looking to avenge his 2021 loss to Nicolau. The Angolan-born fighter has made waves in the 125-pound division by delivering dominant performances against Felipe dos Santos, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, and Ode’ Osbourne. Kape now looks to finish Nicolau in emphatic fashion and cement his spot in the Top 5.

Veteran Spann (19-7, fighting out of Beaumont, Texas by way of Memphis, Tenn.) sets out to remind the world why he’s among the best at 205 pounds. A dominant force for the past six years, Spann has delivered highlight finishes against Dominick Reyes, Ion Cutelaba, and Misha Cirkunov. He now hopes for another first-round finish to derail Guskov’s momentum.

Guskov (15-3 fighting out of Dukent, Uzbekistan) looks to put the division on notice by taking out a top-ranked opponent. Making just his second Octagon appearance, Guskov wowed fight fans with his first-round knockout against The Ultimate Fighter season 30 finalist Zac Pauga. Uzbekistan’s own now sets forth to secure the biggest win of his career by getting his hand raised against Spann.

Additional bouts on the card include: 

• No. 11 ranked flyweight Ariane Lipski (17-8, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) and No. 12 Karine Silva (17-4, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) go toe-to-toe in a thrilling matchup
• WelterweightsTim Means (33-15-1, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) and Uroš Medi? (9-2, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska by way of Novi Sad, Serbia) square off
• Joel Álvarez (20-3, fighting out of Asturias, Spain) looks to secure back-to-back wins as he takes on Dana White’s Contender Series signee Mateusz R?becki (19-1, fighting out of Szczecin, Poland) at lightweight
• Bantamweight veteran Rani Yahya (28-11-1 1 NC, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil)collides with Dana White’s Contender Series alumnusVictor Henry (23-6, fighting out of Southgate, Calif.)
• Dana White’s Contender Series heavyweight contract winners Don’Tale Mayes (10-6 1 NC, fighting out of Louisville, Ken.) and Caio Machado (8-2-1, fighting out of Vancouver, B.C., Canada) look to steal the show
• Gabriel Benitez (23-12, fighting out of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico)takes on Maheshate (9-3, fighting out of Sichuan, China)at lightweight
• Marnic Mann (6-2, fighting out of Bozeman, Mont.) locks horns with Brazil’s Ketlen Souza (13-4, fighting out of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) at strawweight
• Ivana Petrovic (6-1, fighting out of Tønsberg, Norway) faces Liang Na (17-1, fighting out of Heilongjiang, China) in a flyweight tilt
• Gabe Green (11-5, fighting out of San Pedro, Calif.) welcomes Dana White’s Contender Series signee James Llontop (14-2, fighting out of Lima, Peru) to the UFC 155-pound division
• Dana White’s Contender Series heavyweight contract winners Austen Lane (12-4 1NC, fighting out of Jacksonville, Fla.) and Jhonata Diniz (6-0, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) are set to deliver fireworks
• The Ultimate Fighter season 31 finalist Austin Hubbard (16-6, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) clashes with Michal Figlak (8-1, fighting out of Worcester, England by way of Poznan, Poland) in an electric lightweight matchup

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 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 (March 21, 2024) – Current WBC world champion, WBA interim champion and first female undisputed super middleweight world champion Franchón Crews-Dezurn has confirmed that she 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.

Franchón will hold a Meet & Greet with her fans at her 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

Franchón will make her third appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and memorabilia. Franchón will also have merchandise to sell for fans to enjoy. Boxing fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures with this boxing star also known as the “The Heavy Hitting Diva”. Follow Franchón Crews-Dezurn @thehhdiva

Franchón joins 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 Franchón Crews-Dezurn 

Historic sports figure Franchón Crews-Dezurn, is a former contestant on American Idol, 12-year member of Team USA, 15X National Champion, 5X Pan Am Gold medalist, 2X Olympic alternate and 2X world medalist. Franchón is the first US woman to qualify for the Pan American Games and one of three US women to compete in the event.

The Heavy Hitting Diva is a current world champion and the first female undisputed super middleweight champion, winning the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine championship belts. Outside the ring, Franchón is a fashion designer that has designed clothing and boxing apparel that was featured on HBO, Showtime, DAZN and ESPN, dressing pro contender Glenn Dezurn Jr, fellow world champions Claressa Shields, Marlen Esparza and Issac Dogboe. This year, Franchón debuted “Secret Place Fashion Experience” in New York during NYFW 2024 to rave reviews. Franchón has achieved all of these great accomplishments while having her debut single “Secret Place” charting in the Top 10 on dance charts in the United Kingdom (UK). Renaissance Woman Franchón is a professional singer, songwriter, public speaker, designer and college graduate. Truly an extraordinary woman in the world of sports and entertainment. She advocates for better health, women’s empowerment, equality pay in sport and entrepreneurship.

?About Box Fan Expo

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.

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

BRITISH LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION Sam Noakes will defend his four title belts at York Hall on Saturday April 20, live on TNT Sports.

Tickets for the show on Saturday, 20 April are on sale now available from ticketmaster.co.uk.

To apply for Media Accreditation, please fill out this form. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 12 April and confirmation emails will be sent out that evening.

In co-headline action, the undefeated super lightweight Henry Turner (12-0, 4 KOs) will make a fourth defence of his WBC International Silver title against fellow unbeaten challenger Bradley Townsend (16-0, 2).

Liverpool firebrand Andrew Cain (10-1, 9), the former WBC International Silver champion at super bantamweight, makes his return from a serious hand injury in eight round action at bantamweight.

Last time out in February, Noakes (13-0, 13), from Maidstone,  added the British and WBO International titles to the WBC International Silver and Commonwealth honours already in his name with a brutal four-round destruction of the previously unbeaten Lewis Sylvester.

The knockout sequence of High Wycombe man Turner, 23, was halted back in November when he went up against the former Southern Area and English champion Billy Allington, although he prevailed comfortably on the scorecards. He now takes on an undefeated opponent in Witney’s Townsend, 28, for the first time in his professional career.

Cain, 27, had his reign of terror at bantamweight ended by Ionut Baluta a year ago in Telford. The KO-artist put the Romanian down twice in the first round only to suffer a fractured hand in the process and was ultimately subject to a highly-disputed loss on points. Extensive surgery to his hand followed that has kept him out of the ring for a prolonged period of time.

Also featuring on the card, explosive cruiserweight Aloys Jr (6-1, 6) will have his first fight over the eight-round distance and big-punching super welterweight Ben Fail (5-0, 4) will also fight over six, along with Crayford super welter Jack Olephant (1-0).

In four round action is Upminster lightweight Billy Adams (2-0), plus the professional debuts of outstanding amateur stars Joe Cooper from Sandy and Eoghan Lavin from Ballyhaunis in Ireland.

“This is another card where our elite young band of highly talented fighters get the chance to shine,” said promoter Frank Warren. “These shows are quite literally the making of our young stars and we always make sure these development cards are topped by significant title action, this time featuring Sam Noakes and Henry Turner.

“Sam continues to blaze his way through the lightweight division and he will get to make a first defence of the British title he was so happy to win late last year, while Henry is back in another defence of his WBC belt against an excellent challenger in Bradley Townsend, who gets his big chance.

“I cannot wait to see Andrew Cain back in the ring at bantamweight. I firmly believe he would be a major champion by now if it were not for the severe hand injury he sustained that affected him so much in Telford last year.

“Aloys Jr and Ben Fail will continue to thrill, I’m sure, while I am excited to launch the professional careers of elite amateur stars Joe Cooper and Eoghan Lavin, who I am delighted have chosen Queensberry to guide their careers.”

Tickets for the show on Saturday, 20 April are on sale now available from ticketmaster.co.uk.

LOS ANGELES (March 21, 2024) – Toronto’s undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Champion Kareem “Supreme” Hackett (12-0, 6 KOs) will make his first title defense March 30^th against Rowdy Legend Montgomery (10-5-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-pound match on a Golden Boy Promotions card headlined by the WBA Cruiserweight World title fight between defending champion Arsen Goulimarian and Hackett’s stablemate, former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.

All the action will be streamed live on DAZN from YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.

WBA No. 13 world-rated Hackett captured his crown last September 20^th in Plant City, Florida, when he dominated 4-1 favorite and previously undefeated Clay Waterman (11-0, 8 KOs) en route to a 10-round unanimous decision, in which he won all 10 rounds on two of the judges’’ scorecards and nine on the other judge’s.

“I would have liked to fight sooner but that’s the way this business goes,” Hackett said. “It’s harder to get fights after winning my title than it was. A lot of good has happened since my last fight. I understand. I have a title and I’m world ranked. I have a clearer path towards a world title shot. I appreciate any opportunity to get in the ring.

?“I’m getting more respect since I displayed my skills on ProBox.TV. (Announcers) Juan Manual Marguez, Paulie Malignaggi and Chris Algieri gave me a lot of props and that’s been very validating.”  

Hackett has gained invaluable experience sparring world champions such as “Zurdo” Ramirez, Dmitry Bivol, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, Sergio Mora, Mathew Macklin and David Benavidez.

Hackett has already established firsts by a Toronto boxer in terms of fighting on a Golden Boy Promotions card and becoming WBA Inter-Continental Light Heavyweight title holder.

“I’m a trailblazer for Toronto boxing,” promotional free agent Hackett explained with great pride. “I want to bring the first world title home, for sure, and one day the undisputed and unified titles, too, Toronto is a big city with a lot of natural talent, but I don’t know why boxing hasn’t thrived there.”

Hackett is trained by fast-rising Julian Chua at Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood (CA) and managed by 3 Point Management (3 PM).

“(Dmitry) Bivol is at the head of the light heavyweight division, and I know he’s a strong guy,” Hackett noted. “We’ve changed some things since my last fight with the end in mind. We’ve tripled down, strength-wise, for when we run into him. That’s the main change. I feel that I’m the most agile fighter in our division and I’m working on getting stronger to match my skills and ring IQ.”

In 2024, Hackett wants to add hardware and fight a top-10 ranked opponent but, at least for now, he’s happy to be in his fight with Montgomery in his second home, Los Angeles.

“I love that this fight is in LA,” Hackett concluded. “I’m comfortable in Los Angeles. I feel at home here and fighting in other places in California. I’m also excited to be fighting on a card headlined by one of my closest friends in boxing (Zurdo).”

INFORMATION:

Website: www.KareemHackett.com

Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok: @kareemwins

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PHILADELPHIA, PA (March 21, 2024) On Thursday, April 18, DiBella Entertainment’s acclaimed Broadway Boxing will make its debut in Philadelphia, PA, at the 2300 Arena. The 121st edition of the longest-running grassroots boxing series will be headlined by heavyweight contender “Gentleman” George Arias squaring off against the undefeated Skylar Lacy.

Tickets for Broadway Boxing are on sale now and can be purchased via www.2300arena.com (click HERE) or by calling (267) 273-0945. Tickets are priced at $150.00 for VIP Ringside, $125.00 Premium Ringside, $100 Ringside, $60 for General Admission seating and $45 for Standing Room Only. The 2300 Arena is located at 2300 S Swanson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148. Doors will open on the night of the event at 6:00 PM ET, with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.

“I’ve wanted to bring Broadway Boxing to Philadelphia for a long time and I’m thrilled to debut the series at the 2300 Arena, where I know we will have a raucous, passionate crowd,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “The heavyweight division remains in flux and is ripe with opportunities to break through. This card will feature two exciting and meaningful heavyweight clashes with contender George Arias making his ring return against an undefeated Skylar Lacy and rising undefeated prospect Roney Hines taking on his toughest assignment in the crafty and experienced Robert Hall Jr. Also, several popular Philadelphia prospects will populate the card, including the hard-hitting, superbly talented Tahmir Smalls as well as Erron Peterson and Romuel Cruz, both undefeated and under the guidance of boxing sage Breadman Edwards. Kestna Davis, a fighter advised by Lennox Lewis, and unbeaten female featherweight contender Tiara Brown will also compete.”

Dominican George Arias (18-1, 7 KOs), a New York Golden Gloves champion based out of The Bronx, NY, will face his ninth undefeated adversary when he meets Skylar Lacy (8-0-1, 6 KOs), of Indianapolis, IN, in the eight-round main event. Arias is coming off of a spirited battle against top-rated Jared Anderson last year. The six-foot-tall Arias will be giving up a significant height advantage to Lacy at six-foot-seven, though, he has shown he is very capable of dismantling a much taller foe. In December 2021, Arias upset the previously undefeated six-foot-six Cassius Chaney on points, outboxing him with fast hands and deft footwork. Lacy is coming off of a second-round stoppage victory against Hector Coronado on March 16 in Mexico.

“I am excited to get back in the ring. I’ve always believed that, as a fighter, one should be able to take risk and dare to be great. My last performance against Jared Anderson was exactly what I needed to understand that more is required of me,” said Arias. “I have been working tirelessly in the gym to perfect my flaws and my style. I am very thankful to my promoter, Lou DiBella, for believing in me and allowing me to develop. I can’t wait to begin a new chapter as a more mature and disciplined fighter on his way to becoming the first Dominican heavyweight champion of the world.”

The card will also feature a high-powered heavyweight clash between Cleveland’s Roney Hines and Johnson City, TN, native Robert Hall Jr., scheduled for eight rounds. The fight is a step-up for Hines (13-0-1, 8 KOs), who trains with veteran trainer Eric Brown in Los Angeles and is co-managed by Robert Diaz and Sheer Sports. He is coming off of a unanimous decision win against Jonathan Gruber last November. 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. Hall Jr. (14-2, 11 KOs), a former WBC USNBC titlist, last entered the ring in September, when he faced contender Jerry Forrest, losing a unanimous decision over eight rounds.

“I’m going to show out,” said Hines of the contest. “I’m not worried about who’s in front of me. They have to deal with me. I was born to fight. You get up and brush your teeth, I get up and box. I just want to be the best.”

Undefeated 24-year-old Philadelphia welterweight Tahmir Smalls (11-0, 8 KOs) will take on Ezequiel Victor Fernandez (29-7-1, 3 KO’s), of San Juan, Argentina, in an eight-round bout. Smalls is a familiar face at the 2300 Arena, having previously fought there five times. With his father, Lawrence Smalls, as his trainer and a former amateur boxer himself, Tahmir has been around the sweet science all of his life and began competing at the age of eight. After winning the Pennsylvania Golden Gloves tournament, Smalls turned pro in September 2019. He trains out of Philly’s Next Champ boxing gym, also known as Bozy’s Dungeon, where Derrick “Bozy” Ennis trains his son, IBF welterweight world champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis.

Two unbeaten prospects trained by Stephen “Breadman” Edwards out of James Shuler Memorial Gym in West Philadelphia will appear on the undercard in separate bouts. Six-foot-tall middleweight southpaw Erron “JYD” Peterson (5-0-1, 4 KOs) 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. Junior featherweight Romuel “Cuco” Cruz (10-0-1, 4 KOs), promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions, was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, but moved to Philadelphia, PA, as a toddler. He began boxing as a teenager and has been under Edwards’ tutelage since his pro debut in December 2017.

Jamaican super welterweight southpaw Kestna “Hardball” Davis (5-0), based out of Vauxhall, NJ, will box in a four-round bout. He is advised by former undisputed heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Davis moved to the U.S. in 2018. Davis has been mentored by the former world champion since they met in July 2016 through the Lennox Lewis League of Champions Foundation.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Kestna in the ring. He’s been training hard after a while out, so it will be good to see how the work is paying off,” said Lewis.

Featherweight contender Tiara Brown (16-0, 11 KOs), of Lehigh Acres, FL, will compete in a six-round contest. Before moving back to Florida, where she was raised, to fully focus on her boxing career, Brown had been a police officer in Washington D.C., for nearly six years. She was once honored as the Police Officer of the Year by the Metropolitan Police Department of D.C. Brown will be fighting in the U.S. for the first time since 2019. She is coming off of a first-round stoppage victory against Angi Romero on February 17 in Colombia.

Additional information on the event will be announced shortly.

DiBella Entertainment

Instagram: @DiBellaEnt

Twitter: @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt

Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment

RZESZOW, POLAND (March 21, 2024) – Lawrence Okolie will challenge Lukasz Rozanski for the WBC World Bridgerweight Championship on Friday, May 24th at the Podpromie Arena in Rzeszow, Poland, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.

The former British, Commonwealth, European and WBO World Cruiserweight king makes his long awaited return to the ring as he bids to become a two-weight world ruler by taking on the undefeated Rozanski in the champion’s backyard.

Rozanski, who boasts a frightening knockout ratio with fourteen of his fifteen victories coming inside the distance, will be bringing big-time boxing back to Rzeszow having claimed the WBC Bridgerweight belt with a ferocious first-round stoppage win over the previously unbeaten Alen Babic in front of his home fans in April last year.

Okolie, the 31-year-old from Hackney, who represented Team GB at the 2016 Rio Olympics, first captured world honours in March 2021 with a knockout win over Rozanski’s countryman Krzysztof Glowacki.

‘The Sauce’ moves up in weight for his first professional bout above the 200lbs limit following a majority decision loss against former stablemate Chris Billam-Smith in an epic world title showdown in May 2023 at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.

Lawrence Okolie said: “I’m excited to go to Poland and test myself yet again on away ground. Rozanski is a good champion, with an explosive style, but I’m coming to do some serious damage. He has never seen power like mine.”

Lukasz Rozanski said: “I’m defending my World Title in my own backyard, in my city, fighting against a former World Champion. It’s a fantastic fight, for moments like these, I’ve trained hard all my life.”

The WBC Bridgerweight World Title fight between Lukasz Rozanski and Lawrence Okolie will be the second event co-promoted by BOXXER and Knockout Promotions following a successful collaboration in April 2023.

BOXXER CEO and Founder Ben Shalom said: “We’re excited to be returning to Poland and working once again with our friends at Knockout Promotions for what promises to be another spectacular night of boxing. I was ringside to watch Rozanki beat Babic inside a round to claim the WBC Bridgerweight World Title so I know Lawrence will need to be at his best to bring the belt back to the UK. I believe at this heavier weight we will see the best and most destructive version of Lawrence Okolie.”

Andrew Wasilewski for Knockout Promotions said:  “I’m delighted that Knockout Promotions will be organizing another gala in cooperation with our English colleagues from BOXXER. We had hoped that last year’s gala would be the beginning of further collaboration, and it is happening. We are thrilled and can’t wait.”

This event is presented in association with official partner Integritas Property Group.

ALL THE WEIGHTS and photos from the weigh-in ahead of Chris Bourke vs Ashley Lane on Friday night at York Hall, Bethnal Green, live on TNT Sports:

The vacant British and Commonwealth Bantamweight Championships, 12×3 Minute Rounds
Chris Bourke – 117lbs 4oz
Ashley Lane – 117lbs 14oz

The WBC International Light-Heavyweight Championship, 10×3 Minute Rounds
Willy Hutchinson – 174lbs 10oz
Martin Houben – 173lbs 5oz

8×3 Minute Heavyweight Contest
Moses Itauma – 241lbs 30z
Dan Garber – 262lbs 10oz

8×3 Minute International Super-Featherweight Contest
Royston Barney-Smith – 132lbs 12oz
Jose Manuel Perez – 131lbs 5oz

6×3 Minute International Welterweight Contest
Sean Noakes – 151lbs 13oz
Marian Wesolowski – 149lbs 10oz

6×3 Minute International Super-Welterweight Contest
Sonny Liston-Ali – 152lbs 6oz
Petar Aleksandrov – 153lbs 15oz

6×3 Minute International Super-Lightweight Contest
Luke McCormack – 144lbs 12oz
Robin Zamora -145lbs

4×3 Minute International Cruiserweight Contest
Iman Zamatkesh – 202lbs 14oz
Pawel Stykkowski – 201lbs 7oz

CHATTANOOGA, TN (March 21, 2024) – Undefeated welterweight Avious “Tha Underdog” Griffin, hailing from the vibrant city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is gearing up for the most significant bout of his career as he steps into the ring under the expert guidance of Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre, Ring Magazine’s 2023 Trainer of the Year.

The event, promoted by OTX (Overtime Boxing), whose motto is “About That ACTION,” will be broadcast live internationally on DAZN. The 8-round bout is scheduled for April 19, 2024, at the prestigious OTE Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. OTX promises an evening filled with great matchups and nonstop action.

Griffin, with an unblemished record of (13-0, 12 KOs), is about to face his first undefeated fighter to date in his televised debut. His adversary is the unbeaten slugger from Colombia, Jose Vargas Quintana (9-0, 7 KOs), who poses a daunting challenge that Griffin must overcome in the ring. This by far is the most dangerous opponent Griffin will be facing.

Fresh off his arrival in Omaha, Nebraska, where he’s putting the finishing touches on his training camp alongside the legendary “BoMac”, Griffin shares his thoughts on what promises to be his most thrilling bout yet as a professional boxer.

“Making my debut on DAZN is a fighter’s dream come true, but for me it’s just another fight. I been fighting my whole life, now more people get to witness it” said Griffin, who goes by the nickname “Tha Underdog” after dealing with immense adversity having been falsely incarcerated. “It’s an honor to showcase my talent to the world, especially on an international platform with my new coach “Bo Mac” by my side. I can’t wait to give fans an unforgettable performance. I’m grateful for the opportunity Overtime and DAZN are giving me.”

“Avious is a special fighter, he has it all…skill, boxing IQ, speed, athleticism, charisma, and devastating power. I have no doubt he will rise to the occasion,” manager Brandon Stump, President of CTB Athletics, stated on Griffin’s upcoming fight. “This fight against Quintana is the step up in competition you can surely expect to see moving forward and with BoMac in his corner, I believe we’re on the cusp of witnessing something truly special for many years to come.”