A vivacious crowd accented a special Thursday night edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, that was headlined by a 10-rounder featuring a battle royal to top off the appropriately named “Noche De Combates”. Fredrick “General Okunka” Lawson 24-0, (20 KOs) of Ghana earned a hard fought 10 round split decision over Colombian Breidis “El Khanqueror” Prescott (27-7, 20 KOs) of Colombia. With great give and take action througout the entire fight with Prescott hitting the floor in round three but to come back in round four with a great overhand right that backed Lawson up to help even the tide. Round six was a great round with an almost a Gatti-Ward feel. Relax I said almost. This was a great fight for a great crowd. The finals cards read 95-94 twice for Lawson with the final card coming in at 96-93 for the Colombian Prescott.

In the co-main event former IBF Super-Featherweight champion Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy, who is 22-0(13KO) made easy quick work of Angino Perez (18-7, 6 KOs) in his first fight as a lightweight after vacating his IBF strap for bigger purses at lightweight. As Teddy Atlas called it, a total mismatch. Early in round two Barthelemy unloaded on Perez with a quick end at 15 seconds into round two.

In a slugfest Egyptian bomber Ahmed Elbiali 10-0(9KO) was taken the distance for the first time by Michael Stafford 13-3(3KO). In Elbiali’s last fight, a bout that was shown live on ESPN “Friday Night Fights”, Elbiali, scored an impressive 2nd round knockout against former undefeated foe Dustin Echard (10-1, 7 KOs).

For the undercard of the ESPN Friday Night Fights heavyweight Robert Alfonso improved to 5-0 with a sharp shooting target practice TKO win over Raymundo Lopez 4-12(2KO) to get the night started at Hialeah Park Rachin and Casino.

Antonio Tarver Jr. 2-0(2KO) resembled his father while boxing in his southpaw stance and stalking Bruce Lutchmedial with a commanding jab setting up slick combinations. With no amateur career Tarver was blessed with natural ability in the ring, moving like a seasoned pro. The end came after a final assault by the second generation boxer to the bell ending round three and by advisement of his corner.

Michael Seals 19-0(14KO) dropped Carlos Reyes 7-6-1(5KO) in round five with a straight right hand which looked like it came all the way from his home in Atlanta Georgia. Reyes who normally fights at a heavier weight gave Seals a test with good movement and tough give and take. Seals mentioned after the fight Reyes was slick and a tough challenge. The final cards read 60-53 twice and 59-54.

Jr Middleweight Daquan Arnett 13-1(9KO) kept on the comeback trail as he dismantled journeyman and too-tough-for-his-own-good Travis Hartman 13-22-1(10KO). Hartman hit the canvas a number of times by result of well placed blistering body shots throughout the fight. The crowd patiently awaited the eminent end for the Orlando boxer. This is the second consecutive win for Arnett since dropping a heartbreaking decision to Eddie Gomez in January of 2014.

Undefeated Cuban heavyweight Yasmany “El Tiburon” Consuegra improved to 15-1(14KO). Consuegra has a record of 16-0 with 14 knockouts, most in the early rounds. Consuegra has not had to wait for the scorecards to be tallied since winning a four-round bout 5 years ago in only his third lifetime.

Super welterweight “Silky” Wilky Campfort 20-1(11KO) from Tampa stopped Jamaican Devon Moncrieff 10-4(4KO) after five rounds to earn his twentieth with as a pro.

Super featherweight Kamil Laszczyk 20-0(8KO) had his hands full with Jose Luis Araiza 31-11(22KO) and had to come off the canvas twice and saved by the bell to come back and stop Araiza with a willful non stop effort. A cut over the left eye of Araiza and a headbutt in round 5 followed by an onslaught by the determined Polish pugilist. Araiza was saved by the bell and by his corner whom advised the fight stopped after 5.

Polish Super middleweight Patryk Szymanski improved his mark to 13-0(8KO) with a TKO victory over a very game Yoryi Estrella 11-10(8KO). The Polish Szmanski picked apart his opponent with heavy shots at all angles, while touching his body and head often. Referee Sam Burgoes wisely stopped the bout at the end of two.

Mickey Bey will defend his IBF Lightweight title against Denis Shafikov in Las Vegas just two nights before the mega showdown between Floyd Mayweather – Manny Pacquiao card according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The fight will take place at the Palms Casino and will be televised by ESPN 2.

“We’re not making Pacquiao-Mayweather again, we were making Bey-Shafikov,” Top Rank’s Carl Moretti said of working with Mayweather Promotions. “They have the champion, they have the date (on ESPN2). We were professional, we made a deal and we move forward to the fight, and it’s a good fight, especially during fight week (for Mayweather-Pacquiao).

“It’s classic style match. Shafikov is an aggressive kind of fighter who walks you down while Bey is a slick counter puncher. Whoever can impose their style on the other guy will win. It’s almost a miniature version of what’s probably going to happen on May 2.”

Emanuel Lopez scored a 9th round stoppage over Carlos Padillas in a scheduled 12-round Super Featherweight bout at Palenque de la Feria Mesoamericana in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico.

Lopez scored a knockdown in round seven. Lopez scored a knockdown in round nine from a wicked right to the body. Lopez was all over Padilla and landed a huge flurry and the bout was stopped at 2:24.

Lopez is now 18-4-1 with 7 knockouts. Padilla is 15-2-1.

In an exciting 10-round Super Welterweight bout, Alfonso Gomez scored a unanimous decision over Yoshihro Kamegai at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.

Gomez boxed well over the first seven rounds until Kamegai turned the fight into a toe to toe battle over the last three rounds that saw each guy landed many thudding shots over the last nine minutes. It was too little, too late for Kamegai as Gomez won by scores 98-92 on all cards.

Gomez, 149.2 lbs of Guadaljara, MX is now 25-6-1. Kamegai, 149.6 lbs of Tokyo, Japan is now 25-3-1.

Ronny Rios scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Sergio Frias in a Featherweight bout.

Rios, 127 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92 and is now 24-1. Frias, 125.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is now 16-5-2.

Rios outlanded Frias 161-117.

Jamie Kavanagh scored a stoppage after round five of his scheduled 8-round Lightweight bout with Miguel Zamudio

In round one, Zamudio already had swelling under his left eye. Kavanagh showed scars as well as he had some blood from the left side of his forehead. At the end of round two, Zamudio landed a right to the body that sent Kavanagh to a knee for a knockdown. In round three, Kavanagh was cut on his right eye from a punch.

Kavanagh turned it on and landed some hard right hands and mixed im some good body work and after round five, Zamudio had enough and the fight was stopped.

Kavanagh, 135.6 lbs of Indio, CA is now 18-1-1 with 9 knockouts. Zamudio, 135.6 lbs of Gusave, MX is now 29-7-1.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Floyd Mayweather has rejected a potential $5 million penalty if either fighter fails a drug test.

“Today we were informed that Mayweather turned down the request,” said Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz. “Manny had requested that there would be a reciprocal fine of $5 million for a failed drug test.”

“Michael Koncz is an idiot, and Manny Pacquiao should be ashamed to have him as his representative, in my opinion,” Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.com. “It’s obvious he didn’t read the contract. Why would he have his fighter sign something he was not happy with? The deal was negotiated up and down by his promoter [Bob Arum of Top Rank] on behalf of Manny with Floyd and Mayweather Promotions, and it’s been well documented in the media for quite some time.

“If this moron didn’t convey his fighter’s wishes when the negotiation was going on, that’s their problem. This is a lame-ass attempt to generate publicity.”

“They have made derogatory statements for years about Manny [supposedly using PEDs], and now we challenged them by asking for the $5 million fine, and they refused to do it. It’s disheartening,” Koncz said.

“We were still discussing the penalty. We’ve been going back and forth about it for the past three or four weeks. We hoped that we could sign that agreement around the same time as the agreement with USADA,” Koncz said. “[The Mayweather camp] is saying, ‘Why wasn’t it brought up for the main contract?’ Why does it have to be brought up for the main contract? Everything in the main contract pertains to the co-promotion and the promoters. You can argue all day if [a penalty agreement] should be with the USADA contract or the main contract. What do you have to lose or gain in that argument? It’s a simple thing — if you fail, you pay the other guy $5 million. The issue is simple — are you willing to agree to a penalty of $5 million? The drug-testing terms and any penalty, that’s between the fighters not the promoters.

“We have no recourse. We can’t force Floyd into something. But we gave them an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is and they wouldn’t. I won’t speculate why. To me there is no legitimate argument. We know we’re clean. That’s why Manny said he would pay $5 million if he tested dirty. Manny was surprised [Mayweather refused]. He can’t figure out why they wouldn’t agree to it when Floyd is always talking about cleaning up the sport of boxing.”

Added Ellerbe: “If Manny Pacquiao tested positive, it is going to cost him a whole lot more than $5 million. All parties signed a contract agreeing to every term. Where has this idiot Koncz been? It sounds like he didn’t read the documents they signed. No wonder why his fighter is always confused. It sounds like that idiot is suggesting there’s a $5 million price tag if Manny comes up positive. That sounds suspicious. All I know is we welcome random testing as we always have.”

Lightweight title holder Jorge Linares will defend his title against Kevin Mitchell on May 30 in London according to Dab Rafael of espn.com.

In another world title bout on the card, revealed Thursday by Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, featherweight titleholder Evgeny Gradovich will make his mandatory defense against Lee Selby as well as a fight between 2012 Olympic Gold medal winner Anthony Joshua taking on Kevin Johnson.

“This is a huge night for British boxing, and today’s announcement is just the beginning,” said Matchroom Sport Eddie Hearn. “I’m delighted to deliver shots for Kevin and Lee in the U.K. and they have every chance of becoming world champions on May 30.

“Linares is an incredible fighter, a three-weight world ruler, but Kevin has been exceptional with us and I truly believe he is going to do it,” said Hearn, who made a deal for the fight with Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Linares, and avoided a purse bid.

“Lee has been virtually punch-perfect over the last few years, but now it’s his moment against one of the best fighters in the division in Gradovich,” Hearn said.

“Kevin is a big step for Anthony Joshua and signifies his first real challenge in the pro ranks,” Hearn said. “He brings personality and attitude as well as plenty of ring craft. I’m buzzing for this show already, and fans can expect plenty of other major announcements for the card.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Al Haymon’s Premiere Boxing Champions was debut on ESPN on July 11.

The monthly PBC series, which will feature many of the elite fighters from Haymon’s star-studded stable of nearly 200 boxers, will debut on ESPN and ESPN Deportes on July 11 (9 p.m. ET) with a card that is to be announced.

“ESPN has a long history of carrying world-class boxing events and the new ‘Premier Boxing Champions’ series continues our commitment to the sport with premier-level prime-time fights previously only available on premium cable networks,” ESPN president John Skipper said.

“It’s bittersweet because ‘Friday Night Fights’ has been an integral part of boxing for 17 years at ESPN, but this opportunity to bring bigger and better fights to the network has been a long time coming,” said ESPN’s Brian Kweder, an ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions, who is responsible for boxing at the network.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, undefeated Flyweight champion Roman Gonzalez will take on Edgar Sosa in the co-feature on a HBO World Championship boxing double header that will feature Gennady Golovkin’s middleweight title defense against Willie Monroe Jr. at the Forum in Inglewood, California on May 16.

“For a long time we’ve had our eye on bringing ‘Chocolatito’ to our subscribers as we do with any of the fighters considered to be the best in the world,” HBO Sports vice president Peter Nelson told ESPN.com before Tuesday’s news conference at the Forum to announce the card. “Architecting a plan to achieve this came to fruition finally with the vision of Tom Loeffler and Mr. Honda, who saw this opportunity to bring two of the sport’s planetary forces together on one show.”

“My philosophy is to try to provide the best fights for the fans that we can make whether or not the fighters are with K2,” said K2’s Tom Loeffler. “We showed that when he worked with Top Rank to put Nonito Donaire against Nicholas Walters on Gennady’s card [in October]. The opportunity arose to put on Roman Gonzalez and have him in the U.S. on HBO. It is the perfect complement to having Gennady in the main event.

“I think Roman Gonzalez is in the exact same position we were in before Gennady fought on HBO in 2012. He was a hard-core fight fan favorite. A lot of people had seen the Internet videos of him, but nobody had really seen him live. Then he made his HBO debut and he has grown tremendously in popularity. Roman Gonzalez is in the same position now. Once he is able to show the American television audience on HBO what he can do, he is going to become a fan favorite as well.”

“I’m very, very excited about this,” Nelson said. “I think it’s a great fight, which is the linchpin to all of this. But in addition to the quality of the fight there is quality to the card in having both Gennady Golovkin and ‘Chocolatito’ on the same show. It was something that immediately brought lights to the eyes to those we revealed this plan to.”

Former lightweight title holder Juan Diaz tore his rotator cuff in his left shoulder and had to pull out of his May 1 title bout with Takahiro Ao that was set to take place at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas and according to Dan Rafael of espn,.com, Raymundo Beltran will replace Diaz.

“Juan was sparring with a southpaw and he threw the shot and winced in pain,” said Diaz manager Brian Caldwell. “He kept going for the rest of the round but when he came back to the corner he said he hurt his shoulder.

“We did conditioning work the next day and the shoulder was still giving him problems, so he went to the doctor the next day. He ended up seeing three doctors and all three concluded that, after looking at the MRI, he needs surgery. They said his rotator cuff is attached by a thread so it was inevitable that he would have had a complete tear if he continued to use it without getting surgery.”

“I feel bad for Juan because of the effort and time he has put into his comeback. Everything was on track for him to get another world title,” said Carl Moretti, vice president of Diaz promoter Top Rank. “He had really put in the work to get back to the level of being able to fight for a world title again.”

Said Caldwell, “Juan is pretty bummed out but he’s really optimistic. His thoughts are, ‘Let’s have the surgery and recover and get back on track.’ He is definitely not giving up the dream of getting another world title.

“So he’ll be out for about six months. It’s too bad because the fight [with Ao] was a winnable fight. Tell Beltran and Ao that in six to eight months we’re coming for that title.”

Toka Kahn Clary won an 8-round unanimous decision over Edwin Solis in a Super Featherweight bout.

Clary, 127 lbs of Providence, RI won by scores of 78-64 twice and 78-73 and is now 15-0. Solis, 127 lbs of Tijuana, MX is now 6-3-3.

Jonathan Barros scored a 6th round stoppage over Sergio Gonzalez in a scheduled 10 round Super Featherweight bout at Club Sportivo Las Parejas, Las Parejas in Santa Fe, Argentina

Barros registered a knockdown in round one, two and six. aIn round six Barros landed a huge flurry and Gonzalez corner threw in the towel at 35 seconds of round six.

Barros, 129 3/4 lbs is now 39-4-4 wuth 22 knockouts. Gonzalez, 129 3/4 lbs is now 27-18-4

Mateo Veron won a 6-round unanimous decision over Guillermo Suarez in a Middleweight bout.

Veron was administered a standing eight count in the first round but came back to win by scores of 57.5 – 56.5, 58-55.5 and 59-57.5.

Veron, 157 lbs is 20-15-2. Suarez, 158 1/2 lbs is 17-4.

Former world champion Fernando Montiel won a 10 round unanimous decision over Rogelio Doliguez in a Featherweight bout at Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutiérrez Moreno in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Montiel scored two knockdowns in round one and another in the next round. Doliguez was also deducted a point in round seven from a headbutt.

Montiel, 126 lbs won by scores of 99-88 on all cards and is now 54-4-2. Doliguez, 126 lbs is now 19-3-2.

Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr. scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Melendez in a Super Bantamweight bout.

Sanchez, 122 lbs won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and is now 20-3-1. Melendez, 122 1/2 lbs is now 41-10-1.

Sergey Kovalev retained the IBF/WBA/WBO Light Heavyweight titles with an exciting 8th round stoppage over former champion Jean Pascal at Bell Centre in Montreal.

After Pascal landed two hard right hands in round three, Kovalev landed a big left hook that rocked Pascal. At the end of the round, Kovalev landed a huge right that slumped Pascal in between the ropes for a knockdown. It was the first time Pascal has been down as a pro.

In round eight, Kovalev rocked Pascal with a right hand but the two became tangled up and Kovalev tripped to the canvas. While referee Luis Pabon was tending to Kovalev, Pascal wobbled into the corner. When the fight resumed, Kovalev drilled Pascal with two hard right hands and the fight was stopped at 1:03.

Kovalev, 174 1/2 lbs of Russia is now 27-0-1 with 24 knockouts. Pascal, 175 lbs of Montreal is now 29-3-1.

Vyacheslav Glazkov won a controversial unanimous decision over Steve Cunningham in an IBF Heavyweight elimination bout.

Cunningham threw and and landed more punches but somehow the judges saw Glazkov as the winner by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113.

Glazkov, 219 1/2 lbs of Ukraine is now 20-0-1. Cunningham, 209 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 28-7.

Isaac Chilemba won a 10-round unanimous decision over Vasily Lepikhin in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Chilemba, 175 lbs of South Africa won by scores of 100-90 and 99-91 twice and is now 24-1-1. Lepikhin, 175 lbs of Russia is now 17-1.

Ricardo Rodriguez scored a 7th round stoppage over Jonathan Vidal in a scheduled 10-round Bantamweight bout at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa, Florida.

Rodriguez scored a knockdown in round five and continued to pressure and land on Vidal until the bout was stopped at 3:00 of round seven.

Rodriguez, 118 lbs of Mexico is now 11-2 with 4 knockouts. Vidal, 118 lbs of Puerto Rico is now 18-4.

Daniel Rosario scored a 3rd round stoppage over Alphonso Black in a scheduled 6-round Super Welterweight bout

Black dropped Rosario in round one from a right hand. Rosario came back to rock Black at the end of round two. Rosario ended things after a huge flurry on the ropes had Black on the ropes and the bout was stopped at 2:56 of round two.

Rosario, 152 3/4 lbs is now 10-1 with 9 knockouts. Black, 151 lbs is 8-2-1.

Sergey Lipinets stopped veteran Cosme Rivera in round nine of their scheduled 10-round Super Lightweight bout.

Lipinets dropped Rivera with a booming right hand and the bout was stopped at 2:59 of round nine.

Lipinets, 139 3/4 lbs is 6-0 with 5 knockouts. Rivera, 139 1/4 lbs is 37-20-3.

Andre Berto scored a 6th round stoppage over Josesito Lopez in a scheduled 12-round Welterweight bout.

Berto scored a knockdown in round six from a hard right hand. Bert finished the fight a moment later when he jumped on Lopez and landed a flurry that sent Lopez down for a second time and the fight was immediately stopped at 1:03 of round six. Lopez boxed well and was ahead on all three judges scorecards.

Berto, 146 lbs of Winter Haven, FL is 30-3. Lopez, 146 1/4 lbs of Riverside, CA is 33-7.

Chris Arreola won an entertaining 8-round unanimous decision in a Heavyweight bout over Curtis Harper

Arreola dropped Harper in round one with a hard three-punch combo.

Arreola, 262.3 lbs won by scores of 78-73, 77-74 and 76-75 and is now 36-4. Harper, 265.2 lbs of Jacksonville, FLA is 12-4.

Shawn Porter stopped late replacement Erick Bone in round five of a scheduled 10-round Welterweight bout.

It was a tough and close fight for the first four rounds until Porter blooded the nose of Bone and preceded to drop Bone three times in round five. The final blow coming from a left hook that sent Bone down for referee Jack Reiss’s 10 count at 2:30 of round five.

Porter, 146.7 lbs of Akron, OH is 25-1-1 with 16 knockouts. Bone, 149 lbs of Ecuador is 16-2.

SAN ANTONIO – A sparse crowd gathered Thursday night at Freeman Coliseum, located beside the stadium in which the world champion Spurs play, and the small turnout was an unfortunate turn, as the evening’s main event, undefeated Mexican junior lightweight Fernando Vargas versus Australian Will Tomlinson, a match broadcast on HBO Latino, deserved a much larger crowd.

Vargas (22-0-1, 16 KOs) stopped Tomlinson (23-2-1, 13 KOs) early in the eighth round of a fight that proved the Mexican’s class and the Australian’s mettle.

After two fantastic rounds of near-even exchanges the Mexican probably got the better of, in round 3 an accidental collision of heads opened an abrasion on Vargas’ face that partially salvaged the round for Tomlinson, who was otherwise beaten with impunity. In the fourth, Tomlinson, who was now bleeding more than Vargas, stayed upright mainly on the virtue of his roughhousing tactics.

Vargas’ onslaught continued unabated, even mixing-in left hooks to the body that nearly found their mark on Tomlinson’s liver. A Vargas left in the fifth found its mark and brought a visible wince from the remarkably sturdy Australian. Vargas’ savage pursuit continued through the seventh round, the conclusion of which saw a number of officials gather in the Australian’s corner to ensure he was fit to continue.

He wasn’t.

A minute into round 8, Vargas finally dropped Tomlinson and the match concluded.

FABIANO PENA VS. VYACHESLAV SHABRANSKYY
Thursday’s co-main event was a mismatch from the opening round when undefeated Ukrainian light heavyweight Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (13-0, 11 KOs) conducted target practice on plainly overmatched Philadelphian Fabiano Pena (11-1-1, 8 KOs) until Pena’s corner stopped the beatdown after five rounds, giving Shabranskyy another knockout win.

Better at every facet of boxing than Pena, in round 1 Shabranskyy hit Pena with nearly every punch in the boxing lexicon, and from a variety of levels, too, reducing Pena to hurling blind overhand rights in a sign of early desperation. After having every advance thwarted by his taller opponent’s jab, in round 3, Pena began taking stutter-stepped lunges at Shabranskyy. While bringing a rise from the crowd, these lunges appeared to take no effect on the Ukrainian who beat his hopeless opponent to quitting on his stool.

Shabranskyy appears to have every tool, and with HBO Sports’ recent fixation on all things Eastern European, there’s a very good chance the Ukrainian will soon find himself promoted beyond HBO Latino.

YAMAGUCHI FALCAO VS. RAYMOND TERRY
When undefeated Brazilian southpaw Yamaguchi Falcao (4-0, 2 KOs) and undefeated Philadelphia southpaw Raymond Terry (3-1, 2 KOs) made the evening’s final undercard fight, it looked evenly matched on the bout sheet. But it sure wasn’t even in the ring.

After swarming Terry from the opening bell with overhand punches and hooks of every kind, Falcao dropped Terry in the first minute and knocked him unconscious at 1:27. No 10-count was needed, and only one southpaw was still undefeated.

ARMANDO CARDENAS VS. MARCO ANTONIO SOLIS
The evening’s fourth bout, a six-round scrap between undefeated Texas welterweights, San Antionio’s lanky Armando Cardenas (7-0, 4 KOs) and Austin’s Marco Antonio Solis (3-1, 1 KO), began impressively for Cardenas – who dropped Solis on the second punch he landed – and then flattened out a bit, as the width of Cardenas’ punches and the durability of Solis’ chin slowed the action. After knocking the guard from Solis’ mouth in round 3, Cardenas showed hints of fatigue in the fourth and fifth before having both his chin and heart tested by Solis in the sixth.

Cardenas passed all tests, and won by unanimous decision scores of 59-54, 58-55 and 58-55. For a very tall fighter, though, Cardenas showed an alarming tendency to get hit with uppercuts – a trait he’ll need to remedy before improving his competition further.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Roberto Garcia missed weight and will not fight Shawn Porter tonight in Ontario, California.

“It was more than 4 pounds. That is what I was told by the promoter,” said California Commissioner Andy Foster. “I was told that he had to cut too much weight and he couldn’t do it.”

Porter will now fight Eric Bone

FORT MCDOWELL, Ariz. – Bronco Billy Wright is a late bloomer. He has to be.

Wright (46-4, 37 KOs) is a 50-year-old heavyweight who wants to be the oldest champion in the division’s long history.

His quest continues Friday night against a man who could be his son, 29-year-old Gilberto Domingos (22-2, 20 KOs) of Brazil in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds on a six-fight card at We Ke Po Casino. First bell is 6:30 pm. (PST).

Wright, of Las Vegas, returns to his home state. He was born in Morenci, an Arizona mining town. His record includes losses to Michael Moorer and Frans Botha.

The card also included unbeaten middleweight Milorad Zizic (11-0, 5 KOs) of Montenegro against Lionel Rose (11-2, 3 KOs) of Lynwood, Calif.

Undefeated Super Middleweight Jesse Hart of Philadelphia has been added to the off-tv portion of the May 2 mega showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao card in Las Vegas according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“My eyes got big and I was like, ‘For real?’ I originally had a fight on April 10 and he said it was canceled. ‘You’re fighting on May 2,'” Hart told ESPN.com on Thursday when hearing the news from his promoter Bob Arum. “I only knew of one other card on May 2. He said, ‘Yup, you’re on the card, your first 10-round fight.’

“As I was talking to him, my eyes were watering up. This was a for real moment.”
“You got to look at the opportunity and just be grateful,” Hart said. “It’s a big deal to be on a card like this. I love Bob Arum. He’s not only my promoter. We talk often and not just about boxing. He gives me advice on my family life and things I should do raising my daughter. I have a father but Bob is also a father figure to me. He gives me advice on things I don’t know.

“I have genuine love for Bob Arum and Top Rank. And my matchmaker at Top Rank, Brad Goodman, is the best in the business. They have treated me so good. I am excited to be on the biggest card in the history of boxing. I come from North Philly, a very rough area. To make it out there to be on a card of this magnitude, it’s a big deal.”

“He’s one of my favorites,” Arum said. “I really, really like the kid. I pulled seniority. It’s my company and I made the call. No secret agenda other than I really like the kid and I think he has a bright future.

“He’s such a gentleman. I love the kid. Every fight he has he calls me up and he thanks me. Who does that? And I am a great admirer of his father. So to be able to do this, to put the kid on this big show, it makes me feel good. I said to [others at Top Rank], ‘That’s my spot. I’m picking Jesse.'”

“It’s not necessarily pressure but I’m so excited that he recognizes my talent,” Hart said. “If the boss of the company calls and says, ‘You’re on the card,’ it’s my opportunity to become a superstar. He helped make Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd into superstars and you can go back to Muhammad Ali to see what he has done. Bob Arum makes guys into superstars, and that’s what I want to be.”

“I was in the gym and I’m thinking, ‘I’m on the biggest card in the world.’ My dad and everyone is happy,” Hart said. “After this they’re gonna know who I am. It makes me train even harder. My dad had to pull me back but I’m still getting up at 5 in the morning and running six miles, five days a week. Go to the gym at 3 in the afternoon and train. At night I go swimming.

“We are training hard for this fight like we’re fighting for a world title, doing six-minute rounds in sparring.”

“Bob said being on this card should inspire you to be in the main event, and it does,” Hart said. “After boxing, Bob will still be a friend of my family. I can’t explain how much he has done for my life. Things I can’t talk to my dad about I can go to him. He’s like the angel on my shoulder.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Warriors boxing won the purse bid to secure the IBF Super Middleweight title bout between Andre Dirrell and James DeGale.

‘Disappointed to lose the bid but confident DeGale will beat Dirrell anywhere,” said DeGale’s promoter Eddie Hearn “Negotiations were frustrating and in the end Andre made it clear he wasn’t coming to the U.K. I think even if we won the bid he wouldn’t have come. They have 15 days to provide the date and then James will make his way to the U.S. and pick up the red and gold jewels.”

“Fight will be staged in (the) USA. Ring is a ring. I’m still making history,” said DeGale.

Takashi Miura will defend his 130 pound title against former Featherweight titlist Billy Dib on May 1 in Tokyo according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“I’m so humbled and happy that both the IBF and WBC have considered me [to fight for their title],” Dib told ESPN.com. “I have decided to go with the WBC option as I feel it’s an opportunity to prove I belong with the best of my division.”

“I want to face the best, and I know if I can dethrone Miura, I will be given that opportunity to once again be on the big stage,” Dib said.

Hot Prospect Felix Verdejo will make his 2015 debut on April 25 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico when he takes on Marco Antonio Lopez that will headline an Uni Mas card according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Thanks to God I feel fully recovered from the injury on my left hand,” Verdejo said Monday. “The rest came in handy, but the vacations are over. Despite the rest, I kept running in the mornings. I’m ready to return to the gym to prepare and get ready to bring that title to my people.”

Said Ricky Marquez, Verdejo’s manager and trainer, “I wanted to make sure that the injury that Felix suffered healed 100 percent for his first 10-round bout. I’m sure ‘El Diamante’ will be ready to shine and conquer that title on April 25.”

“For me there is nothing better than representing Puerto Rico, honoring my flag and bringing joy to my island,” Verdejo said. “I’m more than happy and thankful with Top Rank for the opportunity of fighting for a title in front of my people. I am very grateful [to] the fans on the island for the unconditional support they have always given me, and that’s why I wanted to give them my first title fight.”

LAS VEGAS – Blood, guts, skill and will made for a powerful mix. It was a shot of prime time, just what NBC ordered.

Keith Thurman and Robert Guerrero delivered Saturday night at the MGM Grand with a compelling welterweight bout full of more drama than the story told by scores on one-sided cards.

Thurman was the winner. The 120-107, 118-109, 118-108 scorecards seemed to say that it was easy. It wasn’t. That was as plain as Thurman’s battered face. There was a huge welt on the left side of his forehead from an apparent head butt in the third round. Streaks of blood and bruises framed his weary eyes.

Thurman won, all right.

In the ninth round, he knocked down Guerrero and cut him above one eye with a successive right uppercuts and a glancing left hand. Guerrero was flat on his back, blood streaming across his face and onto the mat from a deep gash across his left eyelid. It looked as if he wouldn’t get up, as if he was about to get stopped for the first time in his long career. But there’s no if in his courage.

“Robert Guerrero was a tremendous warrior,’’ Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs).

Was and is.

Guerrero (32-3-1, 18 KOs) got up and took the fight to a tiring Thurman. It was if Guerrero knew he needed a knockout and Thurman was protecting the victory he knew he had on the cards. Thurman backpedaled. Guerrero moved forward.

In the 10th, there was a collision. Guerrero’s pursuit put him with range and he capitalized, landing straight right hands that seemed to stun Thurman. The crowd of 10,107 went wild. NBC had the round it wanted in its first prime-time telecast of boxing in three decades.

“I fought my heart out,’’ Guerrero said. “That’s the the kind of performance that wins over the hearts of fans, even if you don’t win.’’

Adrien Broner has a fast jab, a faster mouth and collection of nicknames. The jab was enough to a score a 120-108, 118-110, 120-108 decision over John Molina Jr., whose only real counter was an awkward lunge.

But the speed in Broner’s jab was absent in his feet. Broner (30-1, 22 KOs), who landed 141 jabs, was often as flat-footed as Molina (27-6, 22 KOs) was off-balance. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t even competitive. Molina landed only 54 punches throughout the 12 rounds.

Yet, Broner never displayed a finishing touch. He calls himself AB. But Broner’s performance put some new meaning into the acronym. About Billions? Not quite. About Boring was more like it.

It was a junior-welterweight fight that took the prime out of time. The MGM Grand crowd booed. NBC can only hope that the viewers didn’t reach for their remotes, especially after Broner repeated a version of a slur that insulted a pay-per-view audience in May, 2014.

That’s when Broner said: “I’ve beaten Afri-cans and I just beat the bleep out of a Mexi-can” after a victory over Carlos Molina on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s decision over Marcos Maidana.

This time, Broner tried to offend a network audience.

“Anyone can get it,’’ he said to as the crowd tried to silence him with boos. “African’cans, Mexi-cans.’’

At least, nobody in the NBC audience had to pay to hear that one.

In the wake of a knockout loss to Jhonny Gonzalez, nothing has been easy for Los Angeles featherweight Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs), who won his third straight since the defeat, yet continued to look less than spectacular in a unanimous decision over Arturo Reyes (18-5, 5 KOs) of Mexico.

Mario Barrios (8-0, 4 KOs), a 6-foot featherweight from San Antonio, employed every inch of his advantage in height and reach against overmatched and overwhelmed Justin Lopez (5-3, 5 KOs), a fellow Texan who was down late in the second round and finished at 1:53 of the third.

With Robert Guerrero’s volatile dad, Ruben, in his corner, Mexican featherweight Jorge Lara (27-0-1, 19 KOs) was a buzz saw, walking through and over fellow Mexican Mario Macias (25-15, 13 KOs) for a first-round TKO

First, there were the lights. Then, there was the music. Then, there were Ladarius Miller and Ryan Picou, who were the first fighters to walk across a new stage, down ramps and into a ring beneath the brightest high def this side of Jerry Vision at the Dallas Cowboys home stadium.

Miller and Picou must have been tempted to look at themselves on screens that cost $3.5 million apiece.

But they couldn’t. They had to keep an eye on each other in the opening bout on Al Haymon’s first card in his new circuit, Premier Boxing Champions, at the MGM Grand.

Miller, a Mayweather-promoted junior-welterweight, and Picou battled through four crisp rounds Saturday night in the first non-televised bout on a card featuring Keith-Thurman and Adrien Broner-John Molina Jr. in NBC’s first primetime telecast of boxing since a Larry Holmes’ victory over Carl “The Truth’’ Williams in 1985.

With Floyd Mayweather Sr. in his corner, Miller (6-0, 1 KO) employed his superior reach and quick hands, scoring a four-round unanimous decision over Picou (2-7), who lost every round on each of the scorecards.

On the card’s second bout, lightweight Robert Easter (13-0, 10 KOs) of Toledo didn’t leave it up the judges. He knocked down Alejandro Rodriquez (22-16-1, 13 KOs), three times in the second for a TKO victory at 1:15 of the round.

Amnat Ruenroeng scored a 12-round unanimous decision over hometown hero Zou Shiming to retain the IBF Flyweight title at the Cotai Arena at the Ventian in Macao, China.

Shiming was credited with a knockdown in round two but replays revealed that it was more a of a push. Ruenroeng was very accurate with his hard right hands and that proved to be the difference of the fight as he won all scorecards by a 116-111 tally.

Ruenroeng, 112 lbs of Thailand is now 15-0. Shiming, 111.6 lbs of China is now 6-1.

Glen Tapia scored a 3rd round stoppage over Daniel Dawson in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

In round three, Tapia staggered Dawson with a double right and then hurt him again with a third right. Tapia continued to unload with hard shots in the corner and Dawson did not punch back and the fight was stopped at 1:42 of round three.

Tapia, 154 lbs of Passaic, NJ is now 23-1 with 15 knockouts. Dawson, 153 1/2 lbs of Perth, AUS is now 40-5-1.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Joseph Diaz scored 4 knockdowns en route to a 3rd round stoppage over Juan Luis Hernandez in a scheduled 10-round Featherweight bout at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles.

Diaz dropped Hernandez in round two from right hook to the body. In the next round, Diaz sent Hernandez to the canvas from another body shot. Diaz dropped Hernandez with another body shot. Hernandez was able to contine only to eat another hard left to the body that sent him to the canvas at the end of the round which ruled an accidental punch after the bell. Hernandez could not continue and the fight was over.

Diaz, 124 lbs of South Elmonte, CA is now 15-0 with 10 knockouts. Hernandez, 122 1/2 lbs of Tijuana, MX is now 17-5-1.

Christian Gonzalez remained perfect by stopping Julio Sarinana in round six of their six round Lightweight bout.

Sarinana dropped Gonzalez in round two from a hard 1-2 combination. In round four, Gonzalez was cut around the left eye from am accidental headbutt. Sarinana was deducted a point in round five from a headbutt. Sarinana’s eye started to swell in round six and the bout was stopped because of that at 2:02 of the final round.

Gonzalez, 131 3/4 lbs of Buena Park, Ca is now 9-0 with 9 knockouts. Sarinan, 133 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is now 3-3-1.

Carlos Morales won a 6-round majority decision over previously undefeated Santiago Guevara in a Lightweight contest.

Morales was cut in round two from an accidental headbutt.

Morales, 131 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 59-55, 58-56 and 57-57 and is now 8-1-3. Guevara, 131 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is now 8-1.

Tony Harrison destroyed Antwone Smith in round two of a scheduled 10-round Middleweight bout at the MGM Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas.

Harrison dropped Smith twice in round one and pummeled him more in round two until the fight was stopped at 19 seconds of round two.

Harrison, 155 1/2 lbs of Detroit is now 20-0 with 16 knockouts. Smith, 156 lbs is now 23-6-1.

Ievgen Khytrov remained perfect by scoring an 8th round stoppage over Jorge Melendez in a scheduled 10-round Middleweight bout.

Khytrov scored a knockdown in round eight and the bout was stopped at 42 seconds of round eight.

Khytrov, 160 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 9-0 with 9 knockouts. Melendez, 159 lbs of Puerto Rico is 28-5-1.

Erickson Lubin remained undefeated by scoring a 1st round stoppage over Kenneth Council in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Lubin dropped Council in round one from a perfect left hand. Council was sent to the deck for a second time from a hard combination. Lubin ended things when he landed 10 booming shots and the referee stopped the bout as Council fell to the canvas at 1:33.

Lubin, 153 lbs of Orlando, FL is niw 10-0 with 7 knockouts. Council, 154.2 lbs of North Carolina is now 8-1.

Caleb Plant remained undefeated by scoring a 1st round stoppage over Daniel Henry in a scheduled 6-round Middleweight bout.

Plant dropped Henry in round one from a hard right hand. Plant finished things after Henry got turned around and when he turned forward, he ate a vicious right that knocked him flat on his back and the fight was stopped at 2:29.

Plant, 162.6 lbs of Nashville, TN is now 7-0 with 5 knockouts. Henry, 163 lbs of Austin, TX is now 2-3-3.

Jamontay Clark withstood a 3rd round knockdown to win a 4-round unanimous decision over Rick Graham in a Super Welterweight bout.

Ckark, 149 1/4 lbs won by scores of 39-37 on all cards and is now 5-0. Graham, 149 3/4 lbs is 2-5-2.

4-division and current Middleweight champion Miguel Cotto has signed with Roc Nation Sports according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“We are really happy to have this partnership with Roc Nation, and we are going to do our best as always to fight at the same level I have always fought at,” Cotto said. “We are going to discuss the opponents and the venue, but the best option for us is to be in New York.”

David Itskowitch, the chief operating officer of Roc Nation Sports’ boxing division, used to be the COO at Golden Boy Promotions and got to know Cotto when Golden Boy promoted his fights with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Austin Trout. Itskowitch had been pursuing Cotto for months.

“We bring a lot to the table beyond the world of boxing,” Itskowitch said. “We can bring certain things in boxing that were attractive to him, but there’s a lot that we can help establish for him in his years beyond the ring.”

“I am just finishing the last part of my career by doing what is in the best interest for me and my family,” Cotto said. “We had the opportunity to work with and have nice relationships with Top Rank and Golden Boy [for two fights] and now we have an agreement with Roc Nation. That was the best option for us. Just like any other businessman, I am just thinking about the benefits, the money and the opportunity in this deal.

Middleweight champion Miguel Cotto has left Top Rank to join Roc Nation Sports. “I am just finishing the last part of my career by doing what is in the best interest for me and my family,” Cotto said.
“When you talk about Miguel Cotto, it’s not only about Miguel Cotto the boxer. Miguel Cotto has a company [Cotto Promotions] that Roc Nation is going to bring more interest to. I’m in the last stage of my career. I need to have other things after my career.”

“I don’t know what happened, but ever since I’ve been with Miguel [since signing him out of the 2000 Olympics], there has always been a force trying to pull us apart, to divide us,” said Top Rank’s Todd duBoef told ESPN.com. “I can’t constantly fight those that are trying to manipulate him to pull us apart. He is responsible for his decisions, but he has always had people around him manipulating him. He has been corrupted by people who are disingenuous. His conduct shows he can be easily polluted.

“For the past few months, I’ve been calling Gaby to talk about this or that as it relates to Miguel’s next fight. He wouldn’t return calls or texts, kept putting me off. What’s there to hide? Don’t dodge. If he says they got a great offer, be transparent and open. Don’t hide. That is not in my DNA.”

“This time they were playing games with me. They were devious and mischievous,” duBoef said. “They weren’t open and transparent. I’m disappointed in Cotto’s personal conduct. It’s not that he took another deal. But he said to me before the Martinez fight, ‘I’m a man of my word. We’re together. We’ll finish my career together.’ His words meant nothing.”

Michael Yormark, president and chief of branding and strategy for parent company Roc Nation, said a major part of the deal for Cotto was Roc Nation’s ability to do more for Cotto than just promote his fights.

“Boxing is the core of what Miguel does, but he is also looking for other opportunities,” Yormark said. “For a fighter like Miguel, at this point in his career, those things become important — his company, his philanthropic initiatives with his foundation, building his brand beyond the core boxing fans and positioning it in the mainstream. Those are things we do at Roc Nation, and we will be aligning him with companies around the globe.

“Roc Nation is not just a boxing promoter. We have lots of different platforms to offer Miguel Cotto. We are going to help him with his foundation, which is very important to him. Our relationships extend beyond boxing. We will help him build Cotto Promotions into a more diversified company that will include music and entertainment.”

“It all depends on what’s the best for me,” Cotto said. “If it’s 160, I will stay at 160. If the best thing for me to do is to be at 154, I will do it.”

“He’s not tied to any one network and we will seek the best deal,” Itskowitch said, acknowledging that an opponent such as Bundrage or somebody of that caliber would not be a pay-per-view fight.

“I never met him, but who doesn’t know about Jay Z,” Cotto said. “Working with his company is big for me. In this chapter of Miguel Cotto’s career, it will make a difference.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com. former multi-time Middleweight champion Felix Sturm will battle Fedor Chudinov on May 9 for a vacant Super Middleweight title.

“I promised to make only big fights from now on. Chudinov is seen as a highly talented and skilled boxer with a lot of punching power,” Sturm said. “But I will take this belt to Germany.”

“We always wanted to make a fight in Frankfurt, but we could never ever imagine that it would be such a big thing,” said Roland Bebak, Sturm’s manager. “Frankfurt is a city of boxing and we’re really enjoying the great interest from the fans.”

\Middleweight contender David Lemieux has been sued by promoter GYM (Groupe Yvon Michel) according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Michel, who says he still has a contract with middleweight contender David Lemieux, is suing the fighter and others associated with him in the Superior Court of Quebec for $1.35 million, claiming Lemieux broke their agreement.

Michel also is suing Lemieux representative Camille Estephan and his Eye of the Tiger Management; Golden Boy Promotions, which announced it signed Lemieux to a promotional agreement in January; and HBO, which televised Lemieux’s last fight in December and which Michel claims is complicit in Lemieux’s breaking his contract.

Michel’s Groupe Yvon Michel “claims that it has suffered damages of $1,350,000 as a result of tortuous conduct and bad faith actions by the defendants.”

According to the suit, “GYM has always acted in Lemieux’s best interest, and oversaw his development at every level, turning him into a top contender in the middleweight division, and a financially viable professional boxer and gate attraction.”

The lawsuit alleges that after Estephan made a deal with Michel to modify their agreement, he orchestrated Lemieux’s move to Golden Boy and cut Michel out. The lawsuit further claims that HBO was complicit with Estephan to remove Michel as Lemieux’s promoter.

“Our lawyers have reviewed and analyzed their claims, and we feel very confident that it has no basis, and chances of success [and] their pursuit of extracting money from us are, at best, extremely slim and factually none,” he said.

Estephan said Michel is claiming they have a verbal agreement that does not exist.

“They are based on allegations from GYM that they have a verbal agreement extending the contract and are simply seeking damages,” Estephan said. “I can tell you that in no way, shape or form David nor I have ever agreed to anything verbally with GYM or anyone associated with them.

“We do not have any concerns that their suit would slow down David’s ascension and career. Hence we are looking forward and working diligently with GBP on making the fight for the IBF title between David and Hassan N’Dam.”

Julian Rodriguez scored a 1st round stoppage over Raul Tovar Jr. in a scheduled 8-round Welterweight bout at The Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida.

Rodriguez dropped Tovar with a hard left hook. The 2nd knockdown came from a body shot. Rodriguez ended thing when he dropped Tovar for third time from a combination and the bout was stopped at 1:59.

Rodriguez, 141 1/2 lbs of Hasbrough, NJ is now 9-0 with 8 knockouts. Tovar, 144 3.4 lbs if Mission, TX is now 14-9-1.

Clarence Booth scored a 1st round stoppage over Osenohan Vazquez in a scheduled six-round Welterweight bout.

Booth floored Vazquez with a crushing left uppercut. Vazquez was able to get to his feet but he endured a vicious flurry and referee Frank Santore stopped the bout at 2:28 of round one.

Booth, 142 1/2 lbs of St. Petersburg, FL is now 10-1 with 6 knockouts. Vazquez, 142 1/4 lbs is now 8-3-1.

Nelsan Machado won a 6-round unanimous decision over Ernesto Garza in a Featherweight bout.

Machado, 125 3/4 lbs won by scores of 59-54 and 58-55 twice and is now 9-0. Garza, 126 lbs is now 5-1.