NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – November 29, 2023 — Rising junior middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. will look to thrill his hometown crowd on Friday, December 29^TH, as it was announced today that he has been added to the BRICK CITY FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. GH3 Promotions and Prudential Center have partnered to launch a multi event boxing series, BRICK CITY FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, slated to continue in 2024. The launch of this exciting boxing series will present an evening filled with the best “the sweet science” has to offer.

Mielnicki of Roseland, New Jersey has a record of 16-1 with 11 knockouts, most recently he knocked out Alexis Salazar just 2:27 into their scheduled 10-round junior middleweight match on the David Benavidez-Demetrius Andrade undercard. Mielnicki will take on Salim Larbi in a 10-round bout for the debut of BRICK CITY FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS on December 29^th.

“I am so excited to be fighting at Prudential Center on December 29^th for the launch of BRICK CITY FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS. I would like to thank Al Haymon and Premier Boxing Champions for allowing me to fight in front of my hometown fans. It is always special to have my friends and family at my fights, and December 29th will be no different,” said Mielnicki.

“Prudential Center is extremely proud to partner with GH3 Promotions to add to the rich history of boxing in New Jersey for this first of a multi-event boxing series, BRICK CITY FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS,” said Dylan Wanagiel, VP of Sports Properties & Special Events for Prudential Center. “As The Rock continues to serve as New Jersey’s Town Hall for sports and entertainment, we are very confident this event series will give fighters, not only locally but from all over the world, the platform to enhance their boxing careers. We are thrilled with the addition of New Jersey’s own Vito Mielnicki Jr. as the main event to this exciting card and look forward to this historic launch of BRICK CITY FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS.”

An accomplished amateur, Mielnicki turned professional at the age of 17 and now the WBA Continental Americas Super Welterweight Champion and WBC World Youth champion is currently ranked eight by the WBA. Mielnicki has won his first eight fights and is currently riding an eight-fight winning streak that is highlighted by wins over Nicholas DeLomba (16-3), Omar Rosales (9-1-1), Jose Sanchez Charles (20-3-1) and a one-round destruction over tough Alexis Salazar (25-5) this past Saturday night at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Larbi of Cambrai, France is 22-12-3 with eight knockouts. The 36-year-old Larbi has wins over Mohamad El Maghnouji (2-0), Davit Makaradze (16-4), Patrice Sou Toke (17-2). In his last bout, Larbi went 10-rounds with world ranked middleweight Thomas LaManna before dropping a decision on March 11 in Orlando, Florida.

BRICK CITY FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS is proudly partnering with the Greater Newark Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and Caribe Royale Orlando, and will feature world ranked fighters, from New Jersey and the rest of the world, in competitive matchups throughout the entire card.

Scheduled to appear in a ten-round bout will be Newark’s own Michael Anderson. Anderson (23-3-1, 17 KOs) has wins over Dashon Johnson (11-2-3), DeMarcus Rogers (14-3-1) and a third-round stoppage over Marklin Bailey. Anderson will take on Eudy Bernardo (25-6, 18 KOs) of Elias Pina, Dominican Republic.

Seeing action in a ten-round bout will be former world title challenger and current WBA number-three ranked middleweight Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna taking on Nicolas Hernandez (27-7-3, 12 KOs) of Reading, PA.

LaManna (36-5-1, 15 KOs) of Millville, New Jersey will take part in a 10-round bout. The 31-year-old LaManna has quality wins over Kendal Mena (20-3), Matthew Strode (25-6), Michael Marcano (25-5-1) and his bout when LaManna stopped Juan Manuel Witt (33-1-2) in the third round to retain his WBA Fedelatin Middleweight crown on July 22 in Atlantic City.

Fighting in an eight-round bout will be popular Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga (14-1, 14 KOs) taking on Ahmed Hefney (13-3, 5 KOs) of Alexandria, Egypt.

Appearing in six-round bouts will be:

Joseph Adorno (18-3, 15 KOs) of Allentown, PA battling Barulio Rodriguez (20-8, 17 KOs) of the Dominican Republic in a super lightweight bout.

Mike Lee (10-2, 5 KOs) of Orange, NJ fighting Rickey Edwards (13-5, 3 KOs) of Paterson, NJ in a welterweight contest.

Paul Kroll (10-0-2, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia collides with Weah Archibald ((10-15, 5 KOs) of Mount Vernon, NY in a welterweight fight.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Dwyke Flemmings Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs) of Paterson, NJ squares off with Luis Briceno Roman (3-4, 3 KOs) of Houston in a junior middleweight bout.

Malik Nelson (4-0, 3 KOs) of Avenel, NJ fights Romel Tasanimp (2-1) of Baltimore in a Featherweight bout.

Anthony Johns (6-1, 5 KOs) of Newark, NJ takes on an opponent to be named in a flyweight bout.

Kasir Goldston (5-0-1, 2 KOs) of Albany, NY will fight George Gethers (0-5) of Jersey City in a super lightweight tussle.

John Vallejo (4-0, 2 KOs) of New York scraps with Nelson Morales (4-11, 1 KO) of Scranton, PA in a junior middleweight affair.

Keon Ivory (2-2, 1 KO) of Lodi, NJ will take on Orland Ortiz (1-1, 1 KO) of New York in a super middleweight fight.

Tickets are priced at $306, $231, $121, and $66, are on sale, and can be purchased at www.Ticketmaster.com.

Broadcast distribution for this event series, as well as the remainder of the December 29 fight card, will be announced in the coming weeks.

About Prudential Center

Prudential Center is the world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007 and recently celebrating its 15^th year as a marquee destination, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, and more than 210 concerts, family shows and special events each year. Ranked in the Top 5 worldwide by Pollstar, Billboard and Venues Today, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States, and hosts over 2 million guests annually. For more information about Prudential Center, visit https://www.prucenter.com/ and follow the arena on Facebook, X and Instagram @PruCenter. Prudential Center is a HBSE property.

?

About Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE):

Recognized as one of the most innovative and entrepreneurial companies in the industry today, HBSE is a leading sports and entertainment company, with a focus on inspiring possibilities in people and enhancing the communities where we live, work, play and win. HBSE brands provide distinctive and innovative ticketing, booking, hospitality, concessions and catering opportunities and services connected to game and event experiences. Founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, HBSE’s global portfolio has grown to include premier sports franchises, brands, venues and investment platforms, centered around marquee assets, the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center. 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

While wrapping up his training camp, Hancel Gonzalez suffered an injury that forced him to pull out of the scheduled eight-round Combate Space main event against veteran contender Ve Shawn Owens, which was to take place this Saturday at the Arena Ring Central in Mexico City, Mexico. 

Owens (14-3, 12 KOs) of Minneapolis, Minnesota was going to give up weight and natural size against the larger Gonzalez. Now, stepping in for the Colombian Gonzalez, will be a more natural welterweight in Heriberto Flores (10-0, 9 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. 

Preparing for Saturday’s originally scheduled bout, Owens made the sacrifices that fighters make, stunting celebrations for Thanksgiving and his son’s birthday, which both took place last week. 

“It is a sacrifice, it is,” Owens explained. “I couldn’t do everything I actually wanted to do for my son’s birthday. I couldn’t really do as much as I wanted to do for Thanksgiving. Both of those days I was training and working. That is just the thing with this career. You are going to have to make sacrifices. It is a good thing that I have a good team behind me. When I say team, I mean support system. My family really understands. When it is fight time, they understand I am going to push it. They get it. It is hard, but everyone gets what I am trying to do.”

Coming off a career-best performance in decisioning once-beaten Kudratillo Abdukakhorov in February, Owens fielded some offers in the time since, but wanted to keep this date in Mexico. 

“I’ve gotten lots of offers,” explained Owens on Friday, shortly after arriving in Mexico, but before the opponent change. “Lots and lots of offers. Some of them were a bit ridiculous. Some were actually really good, but I was already really dedicated to this one. I don’t want to back-up from my word. I made a commitment to this one.”

Another component playing a part in Owens’ ten-month layoff, and the decision take this fight, is that his long-time head trainer Sankara Frazier has been slowed by a health issue. 

“Our head coach is kind of sick and going through a few things right now and putting our careers on hold,” explains Owens. “I told him, these people and our teammate in Mexico are serious. There’s not much we can really do right now and I am not getting any younger. I am 32, so I can’t keep on waiting.”

Many of Owens’ biggest fights have been televised by Showtime. With the network concluding its long association with boxing at the end of the year, keeping Saturday’s date in Mexico has added importance. 

“This year, has been kind of tough, just being active,” says Owens. “I understand changes are going on, and Al Haymon has a few tricks up his sleeve, but he’s going to need some time. I want to stay on that hot streak, so when everything with PBC takes effect, I can get going hot.”

Owens represents a huge step up in class for Flores. In his last bout, Flores stepped up to the scheduled ten-round distance for the first time and stopped fellow unbeaten Eduardo Sanchez in nine. Prior to that win in Costa Rica, all of Flores’ bouts had come against soft opposition in Mexico. 

Regardless of the opponent change, Owens aims for the same planned result as he continues his rise in the welterweight division on Saturday night. 

“Hopefully it gets me closer to the top ten in the world,” says Owens. “As far as the future, I don’t really want to speak too much on that. I want to focus on what’s in front of me right now, so I don’t want to talk about this and that. My main objective is this guy right now.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by Producciones Deportivas and televised throughout Latin America on Space, are available at the venue. 

Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

NEW YORK, NY – November 28, 2023 – Today, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced the broadcast team and main card additions for the Jake Paul vs. Andre August and Most Valuable Prospects IV event taking place on Friday, December 15 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL live on DAZN as a part of its subscription package. Paul vs. August, presented by CELSIUS Essential Energy Drink, will feature famed voices in combat sports including Ariel Helwani, Todd Grisham and Dan Canobbio as the night’s commentators and ringside analysts, with YouTube boxing commentator Wade Plemons serving as host. The Most Valuable Prospects IV main card will feature two additional action-packed bouts between light middleweights Yoenis Tellez (6-0, 5 KOs) vs. Livan Navarro (15-1, 9 KOs) for the WBA Continental Latin Americas title and heavyweights Lorenzo Medina (8-0, 7 KOs) vs. Joshua Temple (12-2, 10 KOs).

Tellez vs. Navarro and Medina vs. Temple will precede MVP’s 10-round special championship feature of Shadasia “The Sweet Terminator” Green vs. Franchón Crews-Dezurn for the WBC super middleweight title and headliners Jake “The Problem Child” Paul vs. professional boxer Andre August in an 8-round cruiserweight fight. Tickets for Paul vs. August, Green vs. Crews-Dezurn and Most Valuable Prospects IV are available now at https://www.ticketmaster.com/most-valuable-promotions-jake-paul-vs-orlando-florida-12-15-2023/event/22005F67C7631182 starting at just $75.

Lorenzo Medina vs. Joshua Temple will kick off the Most Valuable Prospects IV main card with a 6-round heavyweight bout on Friday, December 15th. Medina, the 19-year-old heavy hitter and Most Valuable Prospects fan favorite, returns to Most Valuable Prospects IV from Hialeah, Florida to continue testing his 8-fight undefeated professional record against the more experienced Temple. The St. Louis, Missouri native Temple, a twelve-time national amateur champion, comes to the ring off a five-fight win streak ready to test his early-round knockout power on Medina.

Following the bout will be the highly-anticipated 10-round light middleweight Cuban battle between star prospect Yoenis Tellez vs. Livan Navarro for the WBA Continental Latin Americas title. Tellez (6-0, 5 KOs), from Stafford, Texas by way of Santiago, Cuba, made a name for himself in the opening PPV bout of the Terrence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr. welterweight championship unification showdown, in which Tellez took on the far more experienced Sergio Ramos and dealt Ramos a brutal 3rd round knockout, the seasoned Garcia’s third loss in 37 professional matches – and his first loss by TKO. Tellez spent most of his youth in Cuba as an amateur boxer, winning national youth titles in 2017 and 2018 before moving to Russia in 2020 to make his pro debut. Tellez eventually moved to Texas in 2022 to begin training with Ronnie Shields. He is managed by Eduardo Perez and promoted by BoxLab Promotions and Warrior’s Boxing. 

Livan Navarro (15-1, 9 KOs), the Miami-based fighter out of Havana, Cuba, is on a four fight win streak and will take the ring against Tellez following a strong 15-1 start to his professional career and following an impressive 306-20 amateur record. Navarro made his pro debut at age 24 and secured an 11-0 record within his first three years as a professional, before suffering a hard loss to Justin DeLoach in 2020. Navarro enters the ring vs. Tellez coming off a four-fight win streak, seeking to put his name back at the top of the rankings. He is trained by Jorge Rubio.

Providing commentary on these fights will be an all-star broadcast team consisting of Todd Grisham, Wade Plemons, and Dan Canobbio. Beloved YouTube boxing commentator Wade Plemons will serve as host of the show, while Dan Canobbio, Fox Sports’ boxing regular and host of Pluto TV’s Inside Boxing Live returns to serve as analyst and commentator. ESPN veteran and DAZN combat sports reporter Todd Grisham will provide commentary and call the fights throughout the Paul vs. August and Most Valuable Prospects IV main card. Famed combat sports reporter Ariel Helwani will serve as the ringside reporter. The full main card will be offered on DAZN subscription to ensure accessibility to fans worldwide.

“We built the Most Valuable Prospects series on the foundation of giving young and upcoming talent a platform to display their skills and build their names on our stage. As we close out this year’s Most Valuable Prospects series on Friday, December 15th, we are proud to welcome back Lorenzo Medina, who alongside Yoenis Tellez, Livan Navarro, and Joshua Temple personify the skill and energy Most Valuable Prospects represents,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP. “With Shadasia Green battling for the WBC super middleweight championship and Jake continuing on his journey to being world champion, this is not only a card every boxing fan can enjoy, but is exactly what we envisioned when we launched this series. Thank you to DAZN, Caribe Royale Resort, BoxLab, and CELSIUS for this incredible year of partnership. We look forward to unveiling our next six installments in 2024 showcasing more of the young, rising athletes around the world.”

Fans will also get the opportunity to witness four additional preliminary bouts during the Paul vs. August fight. Cruiserweight Zachary Randolph (9-3-1, 3 KOs) out of Fairmont, WV will take on Pittsburgh, PA fighter Michael Manna (7-5, 4 KOs) over six rounds, and 19-year-old welterweight prospect Elijah Flores (6-0, 2 KOs) will put his undefeated record on the line against Javier Mayoral (6-3-1, 1 KO). Bantamweight Alex Gueche (2-0, 2 KOs), the 18-year-old out of Long Beach, CA will also take the ring for a four round bout, ahead of Xavier Bocanegra (3-0, 2 KOs)’s featherweight four round battle. 

Jake Paul vs. Andre August fight week events will be free to the public and will kick off Wednesday, December 13 at the Caribe Royale Resort with doors opening at 12 PM ET, with the fighters facing off at the final press conference before the big event. The press conference will begin at 1 PM ET and will be moderated by Todd Grisham and presented by Celsius Essential Energy Drink. The special championship feature fighters Shadasia Green and Franchón Crews-Dezurn will kick off the event, and then the main event fighters Jake Paul and Andre August will join them on the stage. The event will be broadcast across DAZN’s YouTube channel, MVP’s YouTube channel, and Jake Paul’s YouTube channel.

The public weigh-ins will also be free to the public and will be taking place on Thursday, December 14 at the Caribe Royale Resort at 5 PM ET, with doors opening at 4 PM ET. The weigh-ins will be shown live again on DAZN’s YouTube channel, MVP’s YouTube channel, and Jake Paul’s YouTube channel.

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and promoted by MVP, with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed by DAZN. The fourth event in the series will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2023 and will be hosted by Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. The series has been renewed for six installments in 2024 and DAZN will air the series globally across its platforms as a part of its subscription package. CELSIUS Essential Energy Drinks, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of the Most Valuable Prospects series. Digital sports, entertainment, and gaming company DraftKings will serve as the Official Sports Betting Partner of Paul vs. August and Most Valuable Prospects IV. 

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

How to watch DAZN  

• Visit DAZN.com and follow the steps to sign up now
• Once signed up, download the DAZN app to watch on any device
• Go to the app store on your chosen device, search ‘DAZN’ and download the DAZN app  
• DAZN is available on your phone, tablet, smart TV, streaming devices such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and gaming consoles. 
• Connect multiple devices to your account to watch at home or on the go  

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

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

About DAZN

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US and the UK.? Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC.? 

DAZN is the NFL’s global partner and, from the 2023 season, will be the only place for fans around the world to watch every NFL match through the NFL Game Pass International add-on subscription. DAZN is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with UEFA Women’s Champions League and Finetwork Liga F.? DAZN is adding more and more sport to its platform to create a destination for sports fans.?

?

DAZN is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialize, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.?

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles, ensuring that fans have access to a ground-breaking rights catalog and slate of incredible content. In the UK and globally, DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and Apple TV and can find the app on their iPhone, iPad, and android mobile devices. DAZN is available as an Amazon Channel on Amazon Prime TV and can be viewed on Channel 429 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.   

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?www.dazngroup.com.??

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

Welterweight contender Ve Shawn Owens will return to the ring this Saturday night as he takes on Colombian Hancel Gonzalez at the Arena Ring Central in Mexico City, Mexico. The eight-round bout marks Owens’ first ring appearance since his eye-opening victory over Kudratillo Abdukakhorov on Showtime in February. 

Owens had been a familiar face in the mix from 140 to 154-pounds dating back to 2018. After coming up short against elite opposition, Owens rose to the occasion in his native Minneapolis, Minnesota and broke through with the dominant ten-round unanimous decision over Abdukakhorov. 

As Owens’ tells it, the main change that led to his sterling performance in February was mental. “Honestly, it was more of a mindshift,” says Owens. “In the beginning phases, I was really hungry to be a world champion. Then life took full blown advantage of my career. When it came to taking some fights, it was more the fact that I needed money. I needed the money and I wasn’t really serious. But this one, I felt like I could really be something. That hunger that I had in my youth is back.”

The highly touted Abdukakhorov was hoping to rebound from his lone defeat by getting past Owens in their Showtime-televised encounter. However, Owens had been eyeing the Uzbekistani native for some time.

“This guy, I watched him fight twice, and when I saw him fight, I knew I could beat him,” remembers Owens. “Then ironically, in 2021, I had a few fights that dropped and I needed a break. I had a family member that had passed. I really needed to get my life together and then I get the call to fight this guy. I looked at him and [excitedly] said set that up. I knew I could beat him and then a year later they gave me that offer. I remembered his style; how he feints, how he reacts to certain things. And it all worked.”

A self-described student of the game, Owens (14-3, 12 KOs) has taken the same approach heading into what some may see as a stay-busy bout against the unknown Hancel Gonzalez (11-2, 9 KOs). 

“I picked up on a few things, and the things I picked up are the reasons why I want to go forward with it,” says Owens. “That one fight when he got stopped, that was a big thing, because I noticed in another fight, he would get caught with that same shot, but the second guy didn’t have the strength to get him down. I noticed his feet. He’s not going to be one of those guys that move around. He’s going to sit there and be a big target for me. We all know I love big targets. I have a huge gameplan for him, as long as he can make the weight.”

Weight is one of the main stories heading into this bout, much as it has been throughout Owens’ career. After the win against Abdukakhorov, Owens’ has decided to stake his place in the 147-pound welterweight division. Having ventured up to 154 to meet the challenge of the largest junior middleweight of recent memory, Sebastian Fundora, as well as sliding down to 140 to take on current titleholder Alberto Puello, Owens is putting his yo-yo away moving forward. 

“Nothing is throwing me off,” proclaims Owens. “My A-game is here. I feel like I should have been here. I should have been staying at 147. I feel amazing at this weight class.”

Gonzalez’ relationship with the scale has seen him see action in the light heavyweight and super middleweight divisions in recent bouts. Owens and his team will be insistent that the Colombian weighs within a few pounds of the welterweight limit at Friday’s weigh-in. 

“The only thing that is of my concern is the weight thing,” explains Owens. “As long as he can make the weight. I’m giving him a few pounds, but if he can’t do that, then we can’t.”

Gonzalez, who has looked at home physically while competing in the higher weight classes, will have an audience when he steps on the scale. “My team is on it,” explains Owens. “We are going to have eyes on there. I am not doing that anymore, fighting guys out of my weight class. I am not doing that anymore. I want to prioritize my career and the avenue that I want to go. No more silly stuff. I am not doing that anymore.”

Owens, a long-time drawing card in Minnesota, looks forward to putting on for the people in Mexico and those watching the broadcast around the world.

“I have a love for Mexico City,” says Owens. “I love the atmosphere and the people. They are going to see the fundamentals, but also that explosiveness. They are going to see a lot of fireworks.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by Producciones Deportivas and televised throughout Latin America on Space, are available at the venue. 

Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

Top Rank won the promotional rights of the vacant featherweight world title fight between the Uzbekistan’s Otabek Kholmatov and the American Raymond Ford. 

The promoter offered an amount of US$ 317,500.00, while giving three possible options of date and place to make the fight. The first is February 16, in New York; the second is February 17, in Ryad; and the third is March 2, in New York. 

Matchroom Boxing also participated in the bidding, offering US$ 255,555.55 in the bidding that took place through Zoom this Monday morning. 

Kholmatov and Ford are the top two rated 126-pounders and will contest the world championship that was recently vacated due to former champion Leigh Wood’s move up in class.

MIAMI, FL (Nov. 27, 2023)—Although Adrien Broner is sidelined with an injury, promoter Don King still has five action packed title fights on tap Saturday night on the People’s Championship boxing card at Casino Miami Jai Alai.

“We’ve got five spectacular and action-packed title fights ready for our boxing fans of South Florida,” said King. “And since we lost one title fight, we’ve set a holiday special price of $25 for this fantastic evening. It’s the People’s Championship.”

WBA Continental America’s Middleweight Champion Ian Green (17-2, 11 KOs), who has shown his talents at Casino Miami in the past, will defend his title against Vaughn Alexander (18-7-1, 11 KOs) of St. Louis, MO.

Tre’Sean Wiggins (15-5-3, 8 KOs) of Newburgh, NY will defend his WBA NABA Welterweight Championship against Chris Howard (18-2-1, 8 KOs) of Cincinnati, OH. 

The vacant WBA International Lightweight title bout will be up for grabs as Antonio Perez (8-0, 5 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA will take on Las Vegas’ Haskell Rhodes (29-5-1, 14 KOs).

The WBA NABA Middleweight Championship will be decided when Alex Castro (13-1, 11 KOs) of Tulua, Colombia challenges Harry K. Cruz (14-3, 11 KOs) of Bronx, NY via Puerto Rico.

The fifth title fight will see the vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental Super Lightweight championship on the line as Fort Lauderdale’s DeVon Williams (3-0, 3 KOs) looks for the belt against the savvy Nelson Morales from Scranton, PA via the Dominican Republic.

One undercard fight rounds out the card as an eight-round bantamweight attraction features Boynton Beach, Florida’s Lawrence Newton (15-0, 7 KOs) and Jonathan Smith (8-2, 6 KOs) from South Bend, IN.

Tickets, priced from $25, are on sale and can be purchased at www.playcasinomiami.com for the Saturday night card.  Ringside tables are $1,500. Side floor seats are $50, floor ringside are $100 and ringside seats are $300.

The People’s Championship night of boxing also will be available on DonKing.com, FITE.TV AND ITUBE247.com.

Orlando, FL (November 27, 2023) – Boxlab Promotions is proud to announce they will host the World Boxing Association (WBA) KO Drugs fight card Friday, December 8 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. The card will air live on DAZN at 7:30 PM ET.

The KO Drugs fight card precedes the 2023 WBA Convention, which takes place December 11-15 at the Caribe Royale Resort. The 2022 WBA Convention was also held at the Caribe.

“The WBA is honored to return to our home, the Caribe Royale Resort” said WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. “We are confident that our 2023 convention will be even better than last year’s. Prior to this great event, we have a spectacular KO Drugs fight card. That is the hallmark of Boxlab Promotions.”

Tickets from $40 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com under WBA KO Drugs. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the first fight begins at 6.

The KO Drugs fight card features multiple WBA regional title bouts.

Headlining this exciting evening of boxing is an intriguing ten round contest for the WBA Fedelatin lightweight title between Idalberto Umara and Fradimil Macayo.

Fighting out of Miami, FL by way of Cuba, Umara’s 11-1 with 8 KO’s. On July 28^th, Umara scored a vicious one punch knockout over former Olympian William Encarnacion in the second round. The knockout, which came via uppercut, is among boxing’s best in 2023.

Representing his native Venezuela, Macayo’s outstanding professional record is 16-1 with 13 KO’s. In his most recent bout, Macayo defeated previously unbeaten Armando Ramirez Almanza via unanimous decision. He also holds amateur victories over 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Robson Conceicao and 2012 Olympian Wellington Romero.

Blue chip prospect Kevin Hayler Brown challenges Marcos “El Tigre” Jimenez for the WBA Continental Americas junior welterweight championship. Originally from Cuba, Brown lives and trains out of Las Vegas, Nevada under Trainer Ismael Salas. On May 26, Brown 3-0 (2 KO’s), won a hard-fought ten round unanimous decision over Julian Smith.

Representing Higuey, Dominican Republic, Jimenez is 25-10 with 17 wins by KO. Jimenez’ battled several contenders and world champions including Diego Magdaleno, Carlos Molina, Anthony Peterson, Jose Felix, Ryan Martin and Ladarius Miller.

Orlando native Jeovanny “El Rayo” Estela looks to keep his perfect record intact when he meets Mexican knockout artist Juan Egana Elizalde. Estela, 13-0 (4 KO’s), scored a first-round stoppage of Luis Caraballo Ramos in September. The 23-year-old has a large following in Central Florida and has improved each time out. At 11-2 with all his wins coming by knockout, Elizalde’s won eight straight fights.

In a battle of unbeatens, 2020 Dominican Olympian Euri Cedeno, 6-0-1 (6 KO’s) challenges Cuba’s Yoanki “Diamante” Urrutia, 13-0 (5 KO’s). This highly touted middleweight contest is scheduled for eight rounds.

Women’s standout Jasmine Artiga, 11-0-1 (5 KO’s), vies for the WBA Continental Americas Super Flyweight title. The Tampa, FL native faces an opponent to be named in a ten-round contest.

In an eight-round super bantamweight bout, Mexico’s Israel Rodriguez Picazo, 20-5 (19 KO’s), challenges Wilner Soto, 23-13 (12 KO’s) of Colombia.

Junior welterweight Aaron Aponte, 7-1-1 (6 KO’s) of Hialeah, FL squares off with Mexico native Roberto Almazan Monreal, 11-21 (4 KO’s) in a six rounder.

Undefeated Orlando native Jean Guerra Vargas puts his 6-0 record on the line when he takes on Colorado Springs, CO’s Pedro Hernandez, 7-15-1 (2 KO’s) in a four-round contest.

International standouts Abass Baraou, 13-1 (9 KO’s) of Berlin, Germany and Nigeria’s Opeyemi Adeyemi, 9-0-1 (7 KO’s) face opponents to be named.

“The entire team at Caribe Royale is proud to once again serve as the host for the WBA Convention,” said Amaury Piedra. “It’s great to have all the international visitors and boxing legends returning to Orlando. This event helps showcase the area and will bring a strong viewing audience via our broadcast partner DAZN.”

Located just minutes from the Walt Disney World^® Resort in the nation’s number one convention and tourist destination, Caribe Royale Orlando is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite meetings resort in Orlando. A TripAdvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award winner – among just 10 percent of hotels worldwide to receive the distinction – the upscale Caribe Royale Orlando is emerging from a $127 million renovation that includes fully remodeling all of its one-bedroom suites, an all-new 50,000-square-foot grand ballroom (bringing the total meeting space to 220,000 square feet), and an inviting new lobby. To learn more or to book a visit, event, or meeting, visit www.cariberoyale.com. Follow the all-suite convention hotel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@cariberoyale), LinkedIn and Pinterest. #cariberoyaleorlando  

By Norm Frauenheim

LAS VEGAS –David Benavidez promised.

And he punished.

He did to Demetrius Andrade what he did to David Lemieux and so many others. It was another moment in his demolition tour, an uninterrupted dominance of every super-middleweight other than the one he has been pursuing for so long.It was also another edition of the long-running message he has been delivering like punches at a machine-gun rate.

“Canelo, give the people the fight they want, Canelo Alvarez-versus-David Benavidez,” he said in the center of the ring to a roaring crowd just minutes after breaking down and breaking apart Andrade.

Who knows if Canelo was in the audience for Showtime’s final pay-per-view fight Saturday night at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena? If he was, however, he had to be impressed.

Andrade, unorthodox and unbeaten before opening bell, was simply undone by the aggressive Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs), who knocked him down with right hand in the fourth round and then battered him through the next two rounds. There are few fighters with Benavidez kind of momentum. 

Once he gets going, he’s a freight train rolling down a steep incline. Get the hell of his way. Andrade (32-1, 19 KOs) couldn’t. After six rounds, he had no option other than surrender.

At ringside, there was Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight great who gave Benavidez his current nickname, The Monster.

Benavidez, who emerges as the World Boxing Council’s mandatory challenger to Canelo, went over and hugged him, perhaps an embrace between the modern version of the monster Tyson once was.

“I’m the best and I’m going to be the best,” Benavidez told a crowd full of his fans from Phoenix, his hometown. “i’m going to be a legend.”

Tyson smiled.

Andrade didn’t argue.

No telling what Canelo thought

Charlo scores one-sided decision over Jose Benavidez

It was a fight preceded by insults, broken promises and fines. 

But the profanity didn’t matter. The broken promises were followed by fines. The fight went on after one fighter, Jermall Charlo, paid $75,000 for every pound heavier than a contracted catchweight.

After all of that, it was a fight that went the way it was expected to. Chaos was  the prediction. But there was none. 

A bigger man beat a smaller man. 

Charlo, a middleweight champion who hasn’t made a title defense in 29 months, beat Jose Benavidez Jr., a former junior-welterweight and welterweight contender.

Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs) scored a unanimous decision. Saturday night at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena.  Argue with the score cards. The margins might have been too wide. The judges had it 98-92, 99-91 and 100-90. The third card, a shutout, seemed unfair to Benavidez (28-3-1, 19 KOs) who was never off his feet and appeared to make a competitive fight out of the early rounds.

But in the end, he simply wasn’t going to beat a fighter who was at least 15 pounds heavier. Charlo’s weight at opening bell wasn’t announced. He was ordered to be no more than 176 pounds at a secondary weigh-in Saturday morning, about 24 hours after he failed to make the 163-pound catch weight. Anything more than 176 pounds, would have cost him at least another $75,0000 per pound.

Whatever the final toll, he left the ring with his wallet a lot lighter. But that didn’t weaken his leverage-per-pound against a fighter who was simply too small to be in the ring with him.

Charlo knew that. After the scores were announced, he sounded more relieved than happy.

“Thank God, both of us are going home to our families healthy,” he said.

Benavidez, never a man with nothing to say before the fight, left the ring without a word. 

After a long 10 rounds, maybe there just wasn’t anything left to say. He was out of answers. Maybe, energy, too. 

Later, during an interview from his dressing room, he had this to say:

“He’s a good fighter, I’m not going to make any excuses. I came to fight. He said he was going to back me up and I didn’t back up. I kept coming forward. The best man won tonight.

“It’s boxing. I thought it was way closer than the judges’ said it was. At the end of the day I lost, and I’m not going to make any excuses.

“I don’t know if his extra weight had anything to do with it. Maybe. Maybe not. I came prepared. I gave my best. I’m going to take some time off – it’s the holidays. Of course, I’d like to run it back at the actual weight. At 160. If you weigh me right now I’m probably 165, and he still can’t do s— to me. It’s all good. I’m not worried about it. I gave it my all, and I came up short.”

Benavidez, ever fearless, opened the bout with abundant energy. He landed a straight right hand that bounced off Charlo’s face like a wicked tennis ball. It echoed throughout the arena. Benavidez also moved stubbornly forward, backing Charlo into the ropes and then into his corner. It was then, however, that Charlo answered with a flash of power, delivered like a pointed message from his bigger, stronger body.

Benavidez backed off. But his retreat didn’t go far. Didn’t last long either.

In the second and third, he continued his march into harm’s way, straight into Charlo’s dangerous wheelhouse. Charlo would throw a punch; Benavidez would counter with combos. The crowd roared. There was a chorus of chants.

Benavidez, Benavidez, was the lyric from fans who had traveled to Vegas from Phoenix, his hometown.

Jose, Jose.

Benavidez continued to give them hope with more combos and repeated bursts of energy. Increasingly, however, there were signs that the bigger blows from Charlo were beginning to have an impact.

In the seventh, Benavidez’ face bore the reddening signs of a bruising impact from Charlo’s punches. In the eighth, there were fewer combos from Benavidez. His hands began to drop. His chances began to diminish. It looked as if an energy crisis loomed. In the tenth, it landed, leaving with one more loss in his record and probably a purse fattened by a percentage of the fines paid by Charlo. 

Matias Retains Title with 6th Round Stoppage

Subtriel Matias is in the quitting business. Business is very good.

It continued uninterrupted and seemingly unstoppable Saturday,when Matias, the International Boxing Federation’s junior-welterweight champion, forced a fifth straight opponent to surrender Saturday night at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena.

This time, it was a wiry-like fighter from Uzbekistan, Shohjahom Ergashev.

Matias (20-1, 20 KOs), of Puerto Rico, endured his punches early and then exhausted him with his own, forcing his corner to say no-mas a couple of seconds after the bell sounded for the start of the sixth round.

Matias’ stubborn power, he said, is a result of the work his team has done. It’s also a result of patience followed by wild bursts of energy. Ergashev (23-1, 20 KOs) simply could not slow him down. 

Lamont Roach wins junior-lightweight crown

Wait and worry has been a story line to Lamont Roach’s career.

The story ended Saturday night.

He can quit waiting. For now, he can quit worrying.

Roach (24-1-1, 9 KOs) won, finally calming a junior-lightweight world title, with a split decision over Hector Garcia (16-2, 10 KOs) in a Showtime pay-per-view bout on the card featuring David Benavidez-Demetrius Andrade at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

In an otherwise close bout, Roach took control in the final two rounds, knocking Garcia into the ropes with a piston-like punch in the eleventh and then scoring a debatable knockdown in the twelfth with a left to the back of Gracia’s head.

“I think I did enough,” said Roach, of Upper Marlboro MD, a winner on two scorecards, 116-111 and 114-113. “He played kind of a cat-and-mouse game .’

Garcia, who was  favored 114-113 on the third card, said he accepted the judging.

“I thought I won,” he said. “But they counted it as a knockdown in the twelfth. He hit me in the back of the head. Without that, it would have been different.”

Mercado scores junior-welterweight shutout

Mercado scores junior-welterweight shutoutFrom precision to poise, Israel Mercado had it all.

He used it all, too, scoring a four-round shutout of Wesley Rivers Saturday night on the non-televised portion of the the Benavidez-Andrade fight at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay.

Mercado (10-1-1, 8 KOs), a junior-welterweight from Pomona CA, scored at will from several angles in a one-sided decision over Rivers (4-4), of Dearborn Heights MI.

First-time winner

It wasn’t easy, but Alenn Medina finally moved into the win column.

Medina (1-1), a welterweight from Las Vegas, had just enough of an edge in aggression to get a majority decision over  Alex Holley (1-1), a Dallas fighter who landed in the loss column for the first time. 

In the fourth fight of the night Michel “Salsa Ali” Rivera 24-1 (14KOs) of Miami, FL took on Sergey Lipinets 17-2-1(13KOs) fighting out of Woodlands CA. The action began with Rivera establishing his Jab and keeping Lipinets off balance. Jabbing continued through the round and not much action from Lipinets. Sergey stepped it up in the second round as both fighters picked it up with the volume of punches. The third did not see too much of anything, just a warning from the referee about holding and hitting behind the head area. 

In the fourth — just as Rivera landed a stunning right — Lipinets came back in his own right, landing  a good left just as the round ended. Rivera once again wobbled his opponent. The fifth of the scheduled 10 was arguably the best round of the fight. Each fighter seemed to hurt one another — Lipinets with lefts and Rivera with rights. 

As the fight went into the later rounds the pace slowed.  Few meaningful punches landed. The fight went all 10 rounds and was a good showcase for Rivera. Rivera went on to win the unanimous decision — 97-93, 97-93, 96-94. Improving to 25-1 (14KOs)….By David Galaviz

Vito Mielnicki wins first round stoppage

Vito Mielnicki Jr. calls himself White Magic.

Saturday, he was White Lightning.

Mielnicki (16-1, 11 KOs) struck fast. Struck twice, all within the first round of the third bout Saturday on the Benavidez-Andrade card..

First, he dropped Alexis Salazar (25-6, 10 KOs), of Norwalk CA, with what looked like a glancing blow. Then, he struck with a head-rocking straight hand, finishing Salazar at 2:27 of the first round.. 

Jubin Chollet scores knockdown, wins split decision

It was timely, It was precise. It was the difference.

Jubin Chollet (9-0, 7 KOs), a lightweight from San Diego, needed a knockdown and he got one, flooring Jorge Perez (6-1, 2 KOs) with a beautifully-placed right hand in the fifth round of the second bout Saturday on the David Benavidez-Demetrius Andrade card. It was just enough for Cholley to win a split decision. He won 57-56 on two cards. It was 57-56 for Perez on the third.

First Bell: Daniel Blancas scores unanimous decision

The show opened In an arena filled with only chilly November temperatures and echoes from punches from super-middleweight Daniel Blancas and Raiko Santana.

In the end, the loudest shots were landed by Blancas (8-0, 4 KOs), a long and lanky Milwaukee fighter who won a 76-75, 78-73, 77-74 decision over Raiko Santana in a Saturday matinee, the opener on a car featuring David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob ULTRA Arena.

Blancas, who had Benavidez trainer Jose Benavidez in his corner, relied on his superior reach to keep Santana

(10-4, 6 KOs), of El Paso, at a distance.  

Katie Taylor avenged her first professional defeat to win a majority decision over Chantelle Cameron to win the Undisputed Junior Welterweight Title in front of a raucous crowd at 3 Arena in Dublin, Ireland

It was an action packed fight with Taylor landing the crisper combinations that had the crowd on their feet throughout the “Fight of They Year” Candidate. Cameron was courageous in defeat as she fought through a bad cut on her forehead that started in the second round.

Taylor, 139.6 lbs of Bray, Ireland won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 23-1. Cameron, 139.5 lbs of Northampton, ENG is 18-1.

Cully Edges By Mould Via Split Decision

Gary Cully came back from his first professional defeat by winning a 10-round split decision over Reece Mould in a lightweight bout.

Cully, 134.5 lbs of Naas, IRE won by scores of 97-93, 96-93 and Cully won a scorecard by a 97-93 total.

Cully landed 77 of 305 punches. Mould landed 92 of 261.

Cully is now 17-1. Mould, 134.1 lbs of Dorncaster, ENG is 18-2.

Donovan Stops Ball in Four

Paddy Donovan remained undefeated by stopping Danny Ball in round four of their 10-round welterweight fight.

In round four, Donovan dropped Ball with a hard left hand. Donovan then unloaded on Ball and dropped him again with a hard flurry of punches. The corner of Ball threw in the towel at 2:41.

Donovan, 146.5 lbs of Limerick, ENG is 12-0 with nine knockouts. Ball, 146.7 lbs of Kingswingford, ENG is 13-2-1.

Carty Stops Garber in 8th and Final Round

Popular heavyweight Thomas Carty stopped Dan Garber in the final minute of the eighth and final round.

Carty beat Garber down and in round eight, landed a hard left to the body that took the starch out of Garber and then dropped him after a few follow up punches at 2:19.

Carty, 154.3 lbs of Dublin, IRE is now 8-0 with seven knockouts. Garber, 220.5 lbs of Bradford, ENG is 5-2.

Skye Nicolson retained the WBC Interim Featherweight title with a ninth round stoppage of Lucy Wildheart.

Nicolson Defends Interim Title with 9th round Stoppage of Wildheart

Nicolson won every one by boxing and breaking down Wildheart. Wildheart was bleeding all over her face. the fight was stopped when the corner of Wildheart threw in the towel as Nicolson was landing an unanswered flurry of punches at 1:11.

Georgio Visioli made a spectacular pro debut with a first-round stoppage over Lee Anthony Sibley in a super featherweight bout.

Visioli landed a perfect left hook that put Sibley on the canvas. Sibley got to his feet, but the fight was stopped at 1:21.

Visioli, 134.9 lbs of Guidford, ENG is 1-0 with one knockout. Sible, 133.5 lbs of La Oliva, SPA is 3-2.

Various reports have stated that Samuel Teah, a very solid junior welterweight from Philadelphia was tragically shot and killed on Friday.

Details are not fully collaborated at this time, but it the shooting seemed to have stemmed from a domestic altercation that may have involved the boyfriend of the mother of his child.

Teah, 36 years-old had a record of 19-5-1 with eight knockouts and he had signature wins on ShoBox over current 130-pound world champion O’Shaquie Foster and current WBA number-two ranked 140 lb contender Kenneth Sims Jr.

His manager Sara Fina wrote on her Facebook page, “Say it ain’t so…. my family, my friend. Sam say it ain’t so!!!! You were one of the solid few. You gave me a hard time but I knew the love was real. My pain in my ass. But like that pain you feel after a long work out on the next day. The good pain. The pain of growth. What we gonna do now without you? Your smile was infectious. Who gonna call me sarah feeny? I’m broken.”

His trainer, Rashiem Jefferson also wrote, “#SadNews today I lost a #Brother a #Fighter a #Friend a whatever you could think of this was a huge hurt piece #Gods timing is the best timing I don’t know why or where but I know God had another place for you and that’s the only thing that ease the pain #Angel #Tsunami #MyGuy #MyBrothwr #MyFriend #MyFighter I know you watching over me now and will help direct my path thanks for being great while you was here #TRFBOXING #TEAMRICHANDFAMOUS????”

When more details become available, 15rounds.com will update.

Interim WBC Super Middleweight World Title – 12 Rounds

David Benavídez – 167 lbs.

Demetrius Andrade – 167.6 lbs.

Referee: Thomas Taylor; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), David Sutherland (Okla.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

Middleweights – 10 Rounds

Jermall Charlo – 166.4 lbs

José Benavídez Jr. – 161.2 lbs.

Note: Contracted weight was 163. Fight will go on as scheduled.

Referee: Harvey Dock; Judges: Max DeLuca (N.Y), Dave Moretti (Nev.), Zachary Young (Calif.)

IBF Junior Welterweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Subriel Matías – 139.8 lbs.

Shohjahon Ergashev – 139.8 lbs.

Referee: Celestino Ruiz; Judges: David Sutherland (Okla.), Don Trella (Conn.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

WBA Super Featherweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Héctor Garcia – 129.4 lbs.

Lamont Roach – 129.6 lbs.

Referee: Tony Weeks; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Max DeLuca (N.Y.), Robert Hoyle (Nev.)

SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN 

Stream Live at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT

on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube Channel and the

SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page

Super Lightweights – 10 Rounds

Sergey Lipinets – 139.4 lbs.

Michel Rivera – 138.8 lbs.

Referee: Celestino Ruiz; Judges: Eric Cheek (Nev.), Glenn Feldman (Conn.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

Super Welterweights – 10 Rounds

Vito Mielnicki Jr. – 153.2 lbs.

Alexis Salazar – 152.8 lbs.

Referee: Robert Hoyle; Judges: Lisa Giampa (Nev.), Chris Migliore (Nev.), David Sutherland (Okla.)

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME PPV telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. SHOBOX: The New Generation^® commentator and award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show co-host Brian Campbell will serve as the ringside reporter. A pair of Hall of Famers round out the telecast team – world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr., and boxing historian Steve Farhood, who will serve as unofficial scorer. Four-time Emmy^® Award winner David Dinkins, Jr. is the executive producer. The producer is Ray Smaltz III and the director is Bob Dunphy. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) with former world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as the expert analyst.

The SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN show is hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show co-host Luke Thomas with special guest esteemed trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards.

#          #          #

ABOUT BENAVÍDEZ VS. ANDRADE

Benavídez vs. Andrade will see undefeated two-time super middleweight world champion David “El Monstruo” Benavídez defend his Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title against unbeaten two-division world champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade headlining a SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, November 25 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. 

The pay-per-view telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will feature undefeated WBC Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo against exciting contender José Benavídez Jr. in a 10-round non-title WBC special event in the co-main event. Plus, hard-hitting IBF 140-pound world champion Subriel Matías faces unbeaten mandatory challenger Shohjahon Ergashev and WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Héctor García duels top-rated mandatory challenger Lamont Roach in the telecast opener.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezAndrade, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

By Norm Frauenheim –

Jose Benavidez-Jermall Charlo fight on with deal made after Charlo is heavier than catchwt. Charlo 166.4, then 166.6. Charlo fined $75,000-a-pound above 163, sources tell 15 Rounds. Trainer Jose Benavidez says Charlo to weigh Sat morning. He’ll pay more fines if heavier than 176.

Dublin, Ireland – 24 November 2023 – The WBC Interim World Featherweight Title Challenger Lucy Wildheart hit 125.35lb at today’s official weigh in held at the Helix, Dublin, ahead of her fight with Skye Nicolson tomorrow night.

Swedish star Wildheart (10-2-0, 4 KO’s) faces the unbeaten champion Nicholson at the 3Arena on Matchroom Boxing’s blockbuster show headlined by the big rematch between Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron.

Australia’s Nicolson (8-0-0) weighed in at 125.15lb as she puts her title on the line for the first time since winning the belt against Sabrina Perez in September.

Wildheart, who now resides in Chelmsford, Essex, has had a perfect camp with Trainer, Sam Mullins at Churchills Gym and is in prime condition to tackle Nicolson and relieve her of the crown on Saturday night.

“Everything is done now and it’s just the fight tomorrow night. I’m ready for this moment and can’t wait to get in the ring and get the job done.”

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND (November 23, 2023) – The stage is set for another unmissable night of boxing in Bournemouth as local hero Chris Billam-Smith makes a triumphant return to defend his WBO World Cruiserweight Title against Mateusz Masternak on Sunday, December 10^th live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Billam-Smith captured the WBO crown in May with a fairytale victory over countryman Lawrence Okolie in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Vitality Stadium, home of his beloved A.F.C. Bournemouth.

‘The Gentleman’ will make the first defence of his title at the Bournemouth International Centre against Polish powerhouse Masternak, who returns to the UK for the first time since his 2015 European championship war with Tony Bellew.

And fans have even more to look forward to with the full undercard revealed for the sold-out, south coast show.

As previously confirmed, 2020 Olympic Gold Medallist Lauren Price will face former European Champion Silvia Bortot. Having made history earlier this year by becoming the first female to win a British title, Price (5-0, 1 KO) will be aiming to end 2023 with a statement win against Italy’s Bortot (11-3-1, 3 KOs), who previously went the distance with former unified world champion Mikael Mayer.

Fellow 2020 Olympic Medallist Ben Whittaker has an opponent set for his hugely-anticipated return to the ring. Future boxing superstar Whittaker (4-0, 3 KOs), who has been wowing crowds around the country with his flamboyant and unorthodox style, returns to the scene of his spectacular pro debut to take on Stiven Leonetti Dredhaj (11-2-1, 3 KOs).

Having impressed on previous visits to Bournemouth, Michael McKinson (25-1, 4 KOs) will make the short trip from Portsmouth to take his place on the undercard. The 29-year-old southpaw stopped Lebin Morales last time out at Vitality Stadium and will be hoping a similar victory can set him up for a title run in 2024.

Following his victory over Stanley Stannard in an official eliminator bout during BOXXER’s visit to Bournemouth in May, Lee Cutler (13-1, 7 KOs) will face Obi Egbunike (8-2-1, 1 KO) for the vacant English Super Welterweight Title in a potential show-stealing 50-50 clash.

Southampton light heavyweight Lewis Edmondson (7-0, 3 KOs) joins the bill as he looks to extend his unbeaten record against Dmytro Fedas (8-4-2, 5 KOs). ‘The Saint’ claimed his seventh pro win with a technical decision victory over Petar Nosic on the undercard of Billam-Smith’s world championship winning fight in May.

And fresh from her impressive debut, 18-year-old bantamweight Francesca Hennessy (1-0, 1 KO), the daughter of renowned boxing manager and promoter Mick Hennessy, can continue the perfect start to her professional career when she gets back under the bright lights in Bournemouth.

BOXXER CEO and Founder Ben Shalom said: “The Bournemouth International Centre is going to be rocking on December 10th as we end the year with another spectacular sold-out show on the south coast. We have Olympic medallists, local stars, and some of British boxing’s hottest young talents in action. This show is a real Christmas cracker and one you do not want to miss!”

RETURN OF THE KING: Chris Billam-Smith vs Mateusz Masternak takes place on Sunday, December 10^th at the Bournemouth International Centre and will be broadcast live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA. Tickets for the year-ending, south coast show are already sold out.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE, Integritas Property Group and Who Dares Gyms.

The IBF European Lightweight Championship 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Mark Chamberlain 133.5lbs
Artjoms Ramlavs 134lbs

The WBC International Silver Super-Lightweight Championship 10 x 3 Minute Rounds
Henry Turner 139.5lbs
Billy Allington 139lbs 

8 x 3 Minute Rounds International Middleweight Contest
Liam Williams 164lbs
Florin Cardos 164lbs

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Welterweight Contest
Ben Fail 158lbs
Nikola Stoyanov 154lbs 

6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Welterweight Contest
Khalid Ali 149lbs
Fernando Mosquera 148lbs 

6 x 2 Minute Rounds International Female Light-Flyweight Contest
Kristina O’Hara 105lbs
Cristina Navarro 105lbs

4 x 3 Minute Rounds Lightweight Contest
Billy Adams 133lbs
Jahfieus Faure 132lbs

4 x 3 Minute Rounds Super-Featherweight Contest
Charlie Hickford 126lbs 
Jake Pollard 126lbs 

Las Vegas – UFC^® kicks off 2024 at UFC APEX with an action-packed rematch featuring No. 3 ranked light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev and No. 7 Johnny Walker. In addition, an intriguing matchup in the lightweight division sees Jim Miller take on Gabriel Benitez. 

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: ANKALAEV vs. WALKER takes place Saturday, January 13 in Las Vegas and will be available exclusively on ESPN+ (English and Spanish). The prelims will start at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT, followed by the main card at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. 

Ankalaev (17-1-1 1NC, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) sets out with the intention of delivering a statement performance. An International Master of Sport in Amateur MMA and Master of Sport in Combat Sambo, Ankalaev has delivered dominant wins against Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, and Volkan Oezdemir. Now slated to rematch Walker, Ankalaev plans on leaving no doubt that he is one of the best light heavyweights in the world. 

Walker (21-7, fighting out of Dublin, Ireland by way of Rio das Ostras, Brazil) returns to action seeking redemption from his last outing against Ankalaev. His impressive resume contains highlight reel finishes over top ranked contenders Paul Craig, Ion Cutelaba, and Ryan Spann. The always exciting Walker now looks to get pass Ankalaev in emphatic fashion and make his case for a title shot in 2024.

Octagon veteran Miller (36-17 1NC, fighting out of Sparta, N.J.) is a UFC record holder for most fights (42) and most wins (25) in company history, Miller’s legendary career has seen him defeat the likes of Donald Cerrone, Joe Lauzon, and former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. He now aims to kick off the year with a strong performance over Benitez. 

Benitez (23-11, fighting out of Tijuana, Baja, Mexico) finally makes his return to competition. A versatile competitor, he’s entertained fight fans with memorable knockouts against Charlie Ontiveros, Justin Jaynes, and Humberto Bandenay. Benitez now looks to secure the biggest win of his career by making his name off Miller.  

Additional bouts on the card include: 

• A high-stakes flyweight matchup pits No. 6 Matheus Nicolau (19-4-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) against No. 8 Manel Kape (19-6, fighting out of Phuket, Thailand by way of Porto, Portugal) 
• Featherweights Gabriel Santos (10-2, fighting out of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil)and Westin Wilson (16-8, fighting out of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil)collide
• No. 3 ranked bantamweight Ketlen Vieira (14-3, fighting out of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) squares off with No. 9 Macy Chiasson (9-3, fighting out of Dallas, Texas by way of New Orleans, La.)
• A pivotal bantamweight bout sees No. 7 ranked contender Yana Santos (14-8, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Saint Petersburg, Russia) compete against No. 10 Norma Dumont (10-2, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
• Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (34-23, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) takes on Waldo Cortes Acosta (10-1, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz. by way of Fundacion, Barahona, Dominican Republic)
• Bantamweights Farid Basharat (11-0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Paktia, Afghanistan) and Taylor Lapilus (19-3, fighting out of)look to steal the show
• Bassil Hafez (8-4-1, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) collides with Preston Parsons (10-4, fighting out of Jacksonville Beach, Fla.) at welterweight
• An action-packed middleweight bout features Phil Hawes (12-5, fighting out of North Bergen, N.J. by way of Deerfield Beach, Fla.) and Brunno Ferreira (10-1, fighting out of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil) is scheduled for the APEX
• Highly skilled bantamweights Ricky Simon (20-4, fighting out of Vancouver, Wash.) and Mario Bautista (13-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) clash
• Felipe Bunes (13-6, fighting out of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte Brazil)makes his UFC debut against Ukraine’s Denys Bondar (16-5, fighting out of Kharkiv, Ukraine) at flyweight
• An intriguing bantamweight bout sees Marcus McGhee (8-1, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) take on Gaston Bolanos (7-3, fighting out of Dublin, Calif. by way of Lima, Peru)

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 243 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 900 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+ 

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. 

LOS ANGELES (November 22, 2023) – Undefeated Darius “DFG” Fulghum (8-0, 8 KOs) faces light heavyweight Pachino “Chino” Hill (8-4-1, 6 KOs) in a scheduled eight-round bout at home in Houston on a Golden Boy Promotions card, headlined by Ryan Garcia vs. Oscar Duarte, on December 2 at Toyota Center.

The 27-year-old Fulgham is on a hot run, knocking out each of the eight opponents to date as a professional. However, it isn’t imperative for Fulghum to extend his perfect  KO streak to nine. This will be his third straight scheduled eight-round fight, but the first two only went a total of three rounds.

“It’s (9-for-9) not really important to me because I care most about winning and giving the fans an exciting fight,” Fulghum explained. “I want to give a dominant showing and if the knockout comes, it comes. My opponent is very tough. He’s coming to fight, not rollover.

“Anybody who has seen me train knows I train for 12 rounds. There’s no doubt in my mind that I can go a strong eight. I know I’m in top condition and will be putting on the pressure.”

3 PM has him fighting for the sixth time in 2023, the second under contract to the event promoter, Golden Boy Promotions.

“2023 has been the best year of my career,” Fulghum commented. “The start of my career has been everything I want to do to get me where I’m going, one step at a time. I’m taking my time. My boxing IQ is higher in the pro ranks with the experience I’m gaining. I’m more familiar with the process and I’m learning how to keep care of my body. Overall, I’m more comfortable with the process and I’m used to the PR stuff. Everybody wants recognition, but it has to be earned not given.”

A licensed nurse in Texas with a degree from Prairie View A & M University, Fulghum was a decorated amateur boxer, ranked No. 1 in the USA as a heavyweight, despite fighting as a super middleweight as a pro. He captured top honors at the 2018 National Golden Gloves Tournament and 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Because the fight is after Thanksgiving, Fulghum will need to sacrifice and ship a few of the traditional foods that have too many carbohydrates.

“I’m a big ‘foodie’ but I believe Thanksgiving isn’t all about food,” Fulghum concluded. “I’m not concerned about what I won’t be able to eat this year. I believe Thanksgiving is about being thankful for the people you love, and I will be spending time with a lot of them. I do love food, though. If I wasn’t a boxer, my dream job would be Guy Fieri’s (Food Network host).”   

Fulghum is working with 3 Point Management (3 PM), a growing company based in Los Angeles that has a growing stable of gifted boxers including former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (45-1, 30 KOs), NABA Super Flyweight Champion John “Scrappy” Ramirez (12-0, 8 KOs), WBA Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Champion Kareem Hackett (12-0, 6 KOs), super middleweight Cem “Champ” Kilic (17-1, 11 KOs), and heavyweight Zach Spiller (3-0, 2 KOs).

It’s a lock, Fulghum’s time is coming; not if, rather when. Book it!

INFORMATION:

Instagram/X (Twitter)/Linkedin: @DariusFulghum

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – November 20, 2023 — Undefeated super featherweight Julian Gonzalez will appear in his first headlining bout as he takes on Juan Antonio Lopez in an eight-round bout at The Wind Creek Event Center on Friday, December 8th in Bethlehem, PA.

The loaded card is promoted by King’s Promotions.

Gonzalez, 22 of Reading, PA is 11-0-1 with nine knockouts. Gonzalez has established himself as a top-130 lb. prospect with wins over undefeated fighters Rosalindo Morales (9-0) and Johnnie Spell (8-0) with the latter coming on August 4th at The Wind Creek Event Center.

Lopez of Fort Worth, Texas, has a record of 17-15-1 with seven knockouts. The 29-year-old Lopez has wins over undefeated fighters Erick Lainez (1-0), Isaac Torres (5-0-1), Jerren Cochran (11-0-1) and Fernando Garcia (12-1). Lopez has faced 12 undefeated opponents. Lopez is coming off a loss to Richard Medina on May 20th in San Antonio.

A loaded undercard that will feature world champions, top contenders and top prospects has been assembled.

In a 10-round super middleweight fight, former two-time world title challenger, Jesse Hart (29-3, 23 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Jeyson Minda (14-7-1, 8 KOs) in a super middleweight bout.

In eight-round bouts:

Former unified world champion, Jarrett Hurd (24-3, 16 KOs) of Accokek, Maryland will take on Tyi Edmonds (14-5, 9 KOs) from Meridian, Mississippi

Travon Marshall (8-1, 7 KOs) of Landover, Maryland will take on Roudley Lolo (6-1-2, 3 KOs) of Camp Hill, PA in a junior middleweight bout.

Paige Suchit (5-0 4 KOs) of Edmonton, Canada will fight Yusniel Abrahante (5-1, 1 KO) of Louisville, KY in a super flyweight contest.

Ernie Cuevas (7-0, 5 KOs) of Maudin, SC will take on Roberto Puchetta (11-24-3, 6 KOs) of Jalisco, Mexico in a bantamweight fight.

In six-round bouts:

James Bernadin (10-2-1, 6 KOs) of Lancaster, PA collides Osvaldo Morales (5-3, 2 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA in a lightweight clash.

Thanjhae Teasley (8-0, 4 KOs) of Allentown, PA fights Xavier Madrid (5-2, 3 KOs) of Albuquerque, NM in a welterweight fight.

Shamara Woods (3-0) of Allentown, PA squares off with Micaele Nogue (2-4) of Egg Harbor, NJ in a super lightweight battle.

In Four-round Fights:

Francis Oran (4-1,2 KOs) of Bethlehem, PA will take on Justin Maggi (0-0-1) of Frederick, Maryland in a cruiserweight bout.

Elijah Akana will make his pro debut against RJ Hayes (0-2) of Oneontha, NY in a heavyweight bout.

Gustavo Morales (2-0, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA fights Antonio Allen (1-15-2) of Philadelphia in a welterweight fight.

Tickets are priced at $50, $100 and $150 and can be purchased at CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Philadelphia (November 20, 2023) –- R and B Promotions will kick off the last month of 2023 with a big night of boxing on Friday, December 1st at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Headlining the card will be former world champion Tevin Farmer taking on Patrick Okine in a eight-round junior lightweight bout.

?Farmer of Philadelphia is 32-5-1 with seven knockouts. The 33-year-old Framer defeated Angelo Ward (1-0), Tim Witherspoon Jr. (6-1-1), Tyrone Luckey (4-1-1), Camilo Perez (9-0), Noel Echevarria (11-10), Emmanuel Gomez (14-0), Viktor Chermous (15-1-1), Angel Luna (10-0-1), Daulis Prescott (30-2), former world champion Gamailei Diaz, Ivan Redkach (19-1-1) and Dardan Zenunaj (12-2).

On August 3, 2018, Farmer traveled to New South Wales, Australia, and defeated Billy Dib (44-4) to win the IBF Junior League championship. Farmer defended the title four times with wins over James Tennyson (22-2), Francisco Fonseca (22-1-1), Jono Carroll (16-0-1) and Guillaume Frenois (46-1-1). Farmer came back after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus with a 10-round unanimous decision over Avery Sparrow on June 24th at the 2300 Arena. In his bout, Farmer viciously stopped Oscar Barajas in six-rounds on September 29th at the 2300 Arena.

Okine of Accra, Ghana is 21-6-2 with 18 knockouts. The 32-year-old Okine has defeated David Kotey (1-0) and Richard Amenfu (4-1). Kotey is coming off a loss to Cletus Seldin on October 10th in New York.

In six-round bouts:

Oluwafemi Oyeleye (14-0, 8 KOs) of Long Beach, CA fights Luis Solis (26-17-4, 22 KOs) of Yucatan, Mexico in a super welterweight contest.

Joshua Jones (8-0-1, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Carlos Padilla (19-13-1, 13 KOs) of Barranquilla, Colombia in lightweight battle.

Erron Peterson (4-0-1, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named i a junior middleweight fight.

In four-round contests:

Ismail Muhammad (3-0, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Ishmeal Dixon (0-2) of Benton Harbor, MI in a junior welterweight bout.

Juan Marrero (2-0, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia fights an opponent to be named in a lightweight contest.

Edwin Cortes (4-0) of Millville, New Jersey collides with Tyrone Arzeno (1-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a bantamweight fight.

In a battle of undefeated middleweights, Allen Otto (2-0-1,2 KOs) of Pennsauken, New Jersey fights James Abraham (2-0-1, 2 KOs) of Queens, New York.

Devin Gantt (5-0, 5 KOs) of Sicklerville, New Jersey takes on an opponent to be named in a featherweight contest.

Ghandi Romain (2-1, 2 KOs) of Irvington, NJ fights Jamar Leach (1-1) of Philadelphia in a welterweight fight.

Steve Cunningham Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs) of Pittsburgh takes on Angelo Thompson (0-7) of Irvington,4-0- New Jersey in a junior middleweight clash.

Tickets for this great night of boxing are priced at $75, $105 and $155 and can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE

Los Angeles, CA (November 21, 2023) Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions returns to the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, January 27 with another outstanding Hollywood Fight Nights event headlined by the WBC Continental Americas Featherweight Championship between Undefeated Rising Star Omar Trinidad, (14-0-1, 11 KOs), of Boyle Heights, CA and cross-town rival Jose ‘El Mudo’ Perez, (11-2-2, 5 KOs), of Oak Hills, CA. The ten-round main event tops the internationally broadcast UFC FIGHT PASS card.

Advance tickets priced at $250, $150, $100 and $80 are Now On-Sale and can be purchased online at www.360Promotions.us. The Commerce Casino, ‘The World’s Largest Card Room and Site of the LA Poker Classic’, is located at 6131 Telegraph Road, Commerce, CA 90040. For more information and directions visit their website.

Said Tom Loeffler, “We’re very excited to kick off the New Year with this compelling main event. Omar Trinidad has worked his way up the ranks by taking on all comers. He just fought in The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City and now he’s headlining this show at the Commerce Casino on January 27. He’s in another tough battle against local rival Jose Perez and this fight is sanctioned for the WBC Continental Americas Featherweight Title.”

Popular in Southern California for his show-stopping knockouts, the all-action Omar Trinidad took his show on the road with a stunning first round knockout of Andrew Bentley on November 9 in New York City fighting on the Callum Walsh / Ismael Villarreal undercard. The victory was Trinidad’s fourteenth in a row and his sixth knockout in his last seven fights.

“Fighting at Madison Square Garden was an amazing experience,” said Omar Trinidad. “But as soon as I got back home we started preparing for January 27. I’ll be ready to put on another great show against Jose Perez.”

Previously on an 11-fight unbeaten streak, Jose Perez will look to re-enter the win column following a hotly contested eight-round split decision loss to highly touted and undefeated prospect Duke Ragan on October 14, 2023. Perez dropped Ragan in the fifth round of the contest.

Stated Jose Perez, “I’m looking forward to this fight with Omar Trinidad, I’ve known him for a while and will prove that I am the better man on January 27th. I’m looking forward to showing my skills on UFC Fight Pass, I’m definitely going to put on a show for the fans.”

Additional fights for the January 27th event will be announced shortly.

                                                ————————————————–

Social Media

#HollywoodFightNights

#UFCFightPass

Instagram

@ufcfightpass

@360BoxingPromotions

@TomLoeffler1

@360BoxingPromotions

@howlerheadehiskey

Twitter

@UFCFightPass

@360BoxingPromos

@TomLoeffler1

 @howlerhead

Facebook

@UFCFightPass

@360BoxingPromos

@howlerheadwhiskey

Website

www.360Promotions.us

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND (November 21, 2023) – 2020 Olympic gold medallist Lauren Price MBE will face Silvia Bortot on the undercard of Chris Billam-Smith’s WBO World Cruiserweight Title defence against Mateusz Masternak on Sunday, December 10th live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Price (5-0, 1 KO) is on a fast-track to World Title success following a glittering amateur career. Having made history earlier this year by becoming the first female to win a British title, ‘The Lucky One’, will be aiming to end 2023 with a statement win against Bortot (11-3-1, 3 KOs).

The Italian is a former EBU European Super Lightweight Champion who went the distance with former Unified World Champion Mikaela Mayer in Manchester in September, the same night Price secured her fifth pro-victory against Lolita Muzeya.

Price knows a victory can put her in the mix for big fights at welterweight including a showdown with the winner of the upcoming IBF World Title contest between BOXXER stablemate Natasha Jonas and Mikaela Mayer.

“I’m looking forward to December 10th and continuing my progression by finishing the year with a good win to take me into 2024,” said Price. “Bortot is a good opponent, she’s game and tough like them all but I believe I’m the bigger, stronger and better boxer. She boxed Mayer in her last fight and gave her a good ten rounds so she will be a good step up. There are some great female fights coming up and I believe next year I will be involved in the big fights.”

“Lauren is an exceptional talent and one of the future stars of this sport,” said BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom. “She is already closing in on World Titles and in just her sixth fight is taking another step up on December 10th. 2024 can be a massive year for her but first she must overcome a tough test against Silvia Bortot.”

Price joins fellow Olympic medallist Ben Whittaker (4-0, 3 KOs) in action in Bournemouth. Whittaker has got off to a blistering start to his career since turning professional in the wake of his 2020 silver medal glory, wowing crowds around the country with his flamboyant and unorthodox style. The 26-year-old is returning to the south coast, where he made his professional debut, and is looking to end the year on a high with another memorable performance.

Fans can also look forward to a potential show-stealing showdown between Bournemouth’s Lee Cutler (13-1, 7 KOs) and Kingsley Egbunike (8-2-1, 1 KO) for the vacant English Super Welterweight Title.

RETURN OF THE KING: Chris Billam-Smith vs Mateusz Masternak takes place on Sunday, December 10th at the Bournemouth International Centre and will be broadcast live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA. Tickets for the year-ending BOXXER show are already sold out.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE, Integritas Property Group and Who Dares Gyms.

Denis Radovan and Andrei Mikhailovich collide in a final eliminator for the IBF world middleweight title, live on DAZN next month. 

The two highest ranked contenders in the 160lbs division clash on Saturday, December 16 in Sunderland, on the undercard of Josh Kelly’s major homecoming fight with Roarke Knapp. 

Delivered by Wasserman Boxing, Radovan and Mikhailovich put their unbeaten records on the line at the Beacon of Light, in the hope of earning the right to challenge fearsome champion Janibek Alimkhanuly. 

This world title eliminator acts as the co-main event to Kelly’s match-up against the highly ranked Knapp, with the Sunderland hero daring to risk his own title ambitions against the big-punching South African. 

Kelly will be boxing in his hometown for the first time as a professional and an expected sell-out crowd will provide noisy support for the 29-year-old, in the biggest fight of his career. 

North East talents Dan Toward, Ben Marksby and Travis Waters are also on the show, along with Harvey Lambert, plus many more fighters who will be announced in the coming days. 

But today’s announcement confirms the addition of a high-level international scrap between Germany’s Radovan and New Zealand-based Russian, Mikhailovich, live on DAZN. 

Denis Radovan said: “I don’t waste time yapping like him and his crew.  

“December 16th, my statement hits – not through the media, but right on his chin.” 

Andrei Mikhailovich said: “I am extremely excited for the opportunity to fight Denis.  

“To be fighting for a world title eliminator is a dream come true. 

“Only one man will be left in my way after this victory. 

“In the Wild West of Auckland, we are training hard to show everyone who I am. 

December 16th, I can’t wait.” 

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman Boxing, said: “Radovan vs Mikhailovich is a brilliant fight to add to this massive show in Sunderland. 

“Whether you’re sitting at ringside, or watching at home on DAZN, you will love this one, and it will get the adrenaline pumping for the main event. 

“Radovan and Mikhailovich are both unbeaten, both extremely confident and both laser-focused on winning a shot at the prestigious IBF world middleweight title.  

“Those ingredients together can mean only one thing – a great fight for the fans.” 

LONG BEACH, CA (November 20, 2023) – The third edition of CBN Promotions’ “New Blood” boxing series is scheduled for December 9, 2023, at Infinite Reality Studios in Long Beach, California, formerly known as Thunder Studios.

The 10-round main event will feature a featherweight all-action clash between WBO / NABO featherweight champion Brandon “Leon” Benitez (20-2, 8 KOs) of Queretaro, Mexico, vs. Rigoberto Hermosillo (14-4-1, 9 KOs) of Los Angeles, CA. Also on the card will be WBC super flyweight Interim world champion Adelaida “La Cobra” Ruiz (14-0-1) of Los Angeles, CA, against an opponent to be named shortly. Rounding out the stellar event, super featherweight George “El Yuyu” Acosta (16-1, 3 KOs) of Whittier, CA, will battle Texan Richard “El Castigo” Medina (15-1, 8 KOs) from San Antonio in an 8-round clash.

Televised fights will broadcast live in Spanish on FOX Deportes, and the entire card will stream live on, www.FightStars.Network?. In addition, fans will be able to see the fights tape delayed on Estrella TV.

Doors open at 5:00 pm PT with the first fight starting at 6:00 pm PT. Televised fights on FOX Deportes will start at 7:00 pm PT. Tickets priced $50, $75, $100, $150 (Plus applicable fees), are available for purchase now by calling 800-283-8699, by text at 702-591-1638, or online at www.cbnpromotions.com. Infinite Reality Studios is located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810.

“We want to close the year with a fantastic card and give the fans a night to remember,” said Alex Camponovo, President of CBN Promotions. “We are building something special in Long Beach and we want to continue the momentum we’ve gained in our prior two shows. I’d like to encourage everyone to come out and enjoy a great night of boxing!”

“Everyone at our studio is thrilled to host the third installment of the ‘New Blood’ series, ending the 2023 year with a bang,” said Rolando Nichols, President of Infinite Reality Studios. “We plan on putting together another fantastic production for the fans. Everyone can expect a dynamic atmosphere of action-packed live boxing.”

UNDERCARD BOUTS:

Bantamweight Mario Hernandez (10-4-1, 3 KOs) from Santa Ana, CA, will face Adrian Alvarado (8-1-1, 4 KOs) of Los Angeles, CA. (6-rounds).

Lightweight Adrian Corona (9-1-2, 2 KOs) of Rialto, CA, will battle Francisco Duque (2-3, 1 KO) from Nuevo Leon, Mexico. (6-rounds).

Opening the card will be super welterweight Nelson Guerrero (Pro Debut) from Coachella, CA, facing Arturo Herrera, of Killeen, TX. (0-1). (4-rounds).

This event is sponsored by Bud Light, HUSTLER Casino – LA’s only luxury Casino. Tequila Mandala – 100% Agave Azul, and Shoe Palace, Community comes first.

MIAMI, FL (Nov. 20, 2023)—Adrien “The Problem” Broner suffered an injury to his right-hand and won’t be able to participate in Don King’s People’s Championship boxing card on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Casino Miami Jai Alai.

Broner, who was disappointed he won’t be able to take on Chris Howard in a tune-up fight on his road to the championship, said he will be ready to go by late February. “The hell with tune-up fights,” said Broner. I’m ready to take on any of the champions in the 140- and 147-pound division. I’m ready to fight the big guys. Everything they think I don’t have, I still got. I’m ready to fight Ryan Garcia or, Rolando Romero or the winner of the Regis Prograis—Devin Haney fight.”

“Adrien hurt his hand in the June 9^th fight against William Hutchinson,” said trainer Kevin Cunningham. “He returned to camp for six weeks for this fight and reinjured it sparring. He took a couple cortisone shots and went back to work. He hurt it again in training and the doctor said he needs to take time off.”

“We’ll continue to stay in shape and get back to work. I personally guarantee to Don King that we will be in tip top shape for a championship opportunity in late February.”

“Adrien is ready for the big time,” said King. “He’s a four-time World Champion and he’s going to win four more titles under my promotion. We’ll still hold the People’s Championship card on Dec. 2^nd with six title fights up for grabs.”

The super sensation fan favorite and WBA Continental America’s middleweight champion, Ian Green (17-2, 11 KOs) from Haledon, NJ will be featured in the main event against St. Louis’ Vaughn Alexander (18-7-1, 11 KOs) for the WBA Continental North American Middleweight title.

Tre’Sean Wiggins (15-5-3, 8 KOs) of Newburgh, NY will defend his NABA Welterweight championship against an opponent to be named.

King also will announce four other title fights to make it a night of six championships.

Tickets, priced from $50, are on sale and can be purchased at www.playcasinomiami.com for the Dec. 2^nd card.  Ringside tables are $2,500. ringside seats $300, floor seats $150 and side seats are $75. General Admission tickets at $50.

The People’s Championship night of boxing also will be available on DonKing.com, FITE.TV AND ITUBE247.com.

QUINCY, Mass. (November 20, 2023) – Four-time New England Golden Gloves Champion Keno Luna will make his long anticipated professional debut at home on Saturday night, December 9, fighting on the “Pandemonium at the Palladium 2” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), in a four-round bout against Moises Riveira.

All of the action will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com from the famed Palladium in Luna’s hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.. GCP has partnered with Project New Hope, a Worcester-based charity that supports veterans and their families.

In addition to winning four N.E. Golden Gloves titles, Luna (67-18 amateur record) is a five-time Silver Mittens champion, who also reached the semi-finals of the 2019 and 2023 National Golden Gloves Tournament. He is trained by Chico Lopez at Ken Ball’s Camp Right Boxing Gym in Worcester.

“I wanted to make it to the Olympic Qualifiers this year, but I fell short,” Luna explained why he’s turning pro now. “I felt robbed and everybody else did too. I didn’t want to wait four more years to try and make the (2028) Olympics.

“I’m only going to be better as a pro, because my style is better suited for it than the amateurs, where it’s all about punching for points. I like to take my time and pick spots. I’m a southpaw who people in the gym have been calling mini-Pacquiao. I’m a speedy southpaw who started going to the gym when I was 10. I didn’t really know much about Manny Pacquiao, but once I started watching his fights, I realized why they were calling me mini-Pacquiao.”

Fighting at home as one of the leaders of the new wave of Worcester boxers means a lot to the 21-year-old Luna. He is aware of his hometown’s rich tradition of producing elite fighters for the past century, including top 10-rated lightweight contender Jamaine Ortiz.

“Fighting my pro debut at home is like a dream come true for me,” Luna said. I can’t wait. I’m happy and excited about this opportunity. I’ve trained with sparred Jamaine and it’s meant so much to me. He’s been my inspiration and look where he is today.”

Two other Worcester fighters are on the card as well, light heavyweight Kendrick Ball, Jr. (21-1-3, 12 KOs), and junior middleweight Khiary “Too Sharp” Gray (17-6, 13 KOs). Ball will be fighting for his third title when he faces Heber Rondon (20-5,13 KOs), of Venezuela, in an eight-round match for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Light Heavyweight Championship. Gray fights for the first time in two years, squaring off with veteran Jimmy “The Quiet Storm” Williams (18-13-2, 6 KOs) in a six-round bout match that could steal the show.

“We are honored to have Keno’s first professional bout on a Granite Chin event,” GCP president Chris Traietti remarked. “All the chatter about him has been enthusiastic and optimistic that he has the goods to go somewhere in boxing. It all just adds to the quality of the card being put on December 9th. Granite Chin is displaying the immediate and relatively soon future of Massachusetts boxing.”

The stacked “Pandemonium at the Palladium 2,” card also has International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas Super Middleweight and Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Champion Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs) fighting an opponent to soon be announced.

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale and available for purchase online at www.ThePalladium.net.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.?

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

X (Twitter): @Granite_Chin

Diego Pacheco stopped Marcelo Coceres in round nine of their 12-round super middlleweight bout at The Youtube Theater in Inglewood, Californi.

Pacheco battered a gritty Coceres in several rounds. In round nine, Pacheco landed a booming right and a nasty right uppercut that put Coceres down for the 10-count at 2:53.

Pacheco, 167 lbs of Los Angeles is 20-0 with 17 knockouts. Coceres, 167 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 32-6-1.

Erika Cruz Decisions Rivas to win Super Bantamweight Title

Erika Cruz won the WBA Super Bantamweight title with a 10-round majority decision over Mayerlin Rivas.

In round four, Rivas was cut below her right eye.

Cruz landed 70 of 425 punches. Rivas was 71 of 168.

Cruz, 122 lbs of Mexico City won by scores of 98-92, 9703 and 95-95 to become a two-division world champion at 17-2. Rivas, 121.8 lbs of Maracaibo, VEN is 17-5-3.

Jonathan Rodriguez stops Yafai in First-Round

Jonathan Rodriguez scored the biggest and most emphatic win of his career as he stopped former world champion Kal Yafai in the opening round of their 10-round bantamweight bout.

In round one, Rodriguez landed a huge overhand right that put Yafai on the canvas. Rodriguez out Yafai down again with another right hand. Rodriguez had Yafai in trouble and landed a big shot that stumbled Yafai and then landed four more punches and the fight was stopped at 2:17

Rodriguez, 118 lbs of Bethlehem, PA is now 17-1-1 with seven knockouts. Yafai, 117.4 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is now 27-2.

Marc Castro Stops Fuenzalida in 7

Marc Castro remained undefeated with a seventh round stoppage over Gonzalo Fuenzalida in a 10-round super featherweight bout.

Castro dominated the brawl and almost had the stoppage earlier in round seven until Castro leveled Fuenzalida with a should block. Seconds later, Castro landed a huge flurry that forced a referee stoppage at 2:31.

Castro, 131.4 lbs of Fresno, CA is 11-0 with eight knockouts. Fuenzalida, 132 lbs of Santiago de CHL is 12-3.

Jalan Walker stopped Jorge Alberto Villegas in round two of their eight-round super featherweight.

In round two, Walker landed a huge flurry of about 20 flurries and the bout was stopped at 2:55.

Walker, 131.2 lbs of Los Angeles is now 12-0-1 with 10 knockouts. Villegas, 131.6 lbs of Los Mochis, MEX is 14-2.

Criztec Bazaldua stopped Pedro Cruz in the fourth and final round of their lightweight bout.

In round four, Cruz was cut around the right eye. Bazaldula battered Cruz until the bout was stopped at 46 seconds.

Bazaldua, 136.6 lbs of Los Angeles is now 3-0 with one knockout. Cruz, 138.8 lbs of San Jose, CA is 3-4.

oston Boxing Promotions returns this Wednesday, November 22nd for the 6th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Boxing Spectacular live on www.CombatSportsNow.com.

The annual event, which will be sold out for the 6th straight year, has become one of the most anticipated nights of club boxing in the entire country, a bonafide holiday tradition for hardcore fight fans who watch the action online from around the world.

This year’s main event features one of the most beloved fighters in New England, Greg Vendetti (23-5-1) who will be taking on veteran spoiler, Geronimo Sacco (10-7-1). ‘The Villain’ will be making his first hometown area appearance since he went the distance in a Rocky worthy performance against WBA Super Welterweight Champion, Erislandy Lara in 2020.

Vendetti who took a year off from his professional career to join the National Guard as an infantryman in addition to creating and running a free after school boxing program for Boston area youth, returns to Boston Boxing Promotions, the same company he made his professional debut with a decade ago.

“I’m excited to be fighting locally. It’s been too long. This is a good opportunity for my supporters to see me live. It’s going to be a lot of fun for me to fight in front of my friends and family again.”, said Vendetti.

“I’ve attended Boston Boxing Promotions’ Thanksgiving Eve event in the past and the atmosphere is incredible. I look forward to putting on a show in front of a sold out hometown crowd and then go for a major opportunity early next year.”

In the co-main event, two of Boston Boxing Promotions’ most popular young fighters will go toe to toe when Haverhill, Massachusetts’ Nicky Tejada (6-0) puts his perfect record on the line against Tygnsboro, Massachusett’s Nate Balakin (6-3) in a 6 round welterweight contest. With their mutually rabid fanbases, Tejada vs. Balakin has created a massive local buzz.

In a special attraction, undefeated Ukrainian sensation, Andrii Novytskyi (6-0) will have the toughest test of his young career when he takes on former world title challenger, Santander Gelez (32-16) in a 6 round heavyweight bout.

The supporting card has all the unique hallmarks, from rematches to international heavyweights to retirement bouts, that boxing fans have come to love about the Thanksgiving Boxing Spectacular including:

Massachusetts’ Leesh Pike will take on Rhode Island’s Karen Dulin in a 6 round women’s bout that is a rematch of their back and forth battle last year.

Two young undefeated heavyweight sluggers Serhii Sheludko (1-0) and Steven Dunn (2-0), who both train out of Hollywood, California will see action separate fights.

Undefeated fighters Austin Keller (1-0) from Massachusetts and Mario Christopher Ramirez (3-0) from Simi Valley, California will be representing their 3,000 miles apart hometowns of Middletown, Massachusetts and Simi Valley, California in separate bouts.

Last but not least, Chris Jay (1-0) best known as the frontman of the band, Army of Freshmen, actor/writer of the indie comedy film, The Bet and frequent member of Boston Boxing Promotion’s commentating team will be returning to the ring for his second and final professional fight.

In keeping with the event’s popularity with boxing fans who watch the annual broadcast as well as discuss it in real time online, this year fans are encouraged to follow BoxRec’s Grey Johnson @boxrecgrey and club boxing icon, Tim Boxeo @timoboxeo on Twitter. The two outspoken and very funny experts will be live tweeting and running an online commentary throughout the night which fans can participate in.

“What started out as an ode to the days of professional wrestling promoters running on major holidays has turned into our biggest and most anticipated night of the year. We’re looking at our 6th straight sell out and the interest from press, both local and national, has been phenomenal for a regional promotion.” says, Boston Boxing President, Peter Czymbor.

‘We’re honored that it’s become a tradition for many boxing fans. We invite everyone to join us online and be part of the energy and excitement that comes with the Thanksgiving Eve Boxing Spectacular. We truly believe it’s the most entertaining club boxing show of the year.”

The Thanksgiving Eve Boxing Spectacular takes place this Wednesday, November 22 at The Castleton in Windham, New Hampshire. Limited tickets are available and the entire event will stream live on www.CombatSportsNow.com

ABOUT BOSTON BOXING PROMOTIONS

Boston Boxing Promotions was founded in 2013 and is dedicated to the resurgence of professional boxing at the regional level, particularly in the New England area. Since that time, it has presented professional boxing events throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. In 2020, Boston Boxing Promotions was the first independent boxing promoter on the east coast to hold an event during the pandemic. The event led to a popular series of empty venue shows broadcast live and for free on YouTube watched by thousands of fans around the world. Their annual Thanksgiving Eve Boxing Spectacular has become a tradition for hardcore boxing fans with 6 consecutive sellouts including this year’s 2023 edition which is receiving extensive news coverage on television and in print.

Follow Boston Boxing Promotions on Social Media!

Heavyweight contender Nathan Gorman goes straight back in at the deep end when he faces Ukrainian Bohdan Myronets on December 1, live and free-to-air on Channel 5. 

Gorman returns to the ring for the first time since last year’s three-round shoot-out for the British title with Fabio Wardley, after a training injury to Lee McGregor has forced his clash with Isaac Lowe to be rearranged. 

The highly anticipated WBO European title showdown between McGregor and Lowe will now take place, early in the New Year.  

But the bumper Wasserman Boxing show in Bolton, delivered in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment, goes on – and now with a heavyweight humdinger on the card as Gorman and Byronets collide. 

And Roman Fury, fresh from his brutal stoppage win in Brighton live on Channel 5 last week, is also in action at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Friday, December 1. 

The European flyweight title fight between the ferocious Chloe Watson and Justine Lallemand headlines this pre-Christmas cracker, with the big-punching match-up between Gorman and Myronets also showcased live on free-to-air television. 

Myronets stunned Kash Ali in Edinburgh in the summer and now he wants to add Gorman to his list of UK scalps. 

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman Boxing, said: “We’re so disappointed for Lee because he was looking in great shape ahead of this cracker of a fight with Lowe. 

“But the contest will still go ahead, early in the New Year, when Lee is fit and firing again, and it will be worth the wait I can guarantee you that. 

“In its place for our December 1 show in Bolton, live on Channel 5, comes the return of Nathan Gorman, who goes into a tough, tough fight with Bohdan Myronets. 

“This a heavy-duty, big-punching match-up that will not be for the faint-hearted, so make sure you tune-in. 

“And it supports a brilliant showdown for the European flyweight title as the future of women’s boxing, Chloe Watson, takes on Justine Lallemand. 

“We’ve also got Roman Fury, Dan Toward, Codie Smith and many more on a bumper show in Bolton!” 

Brilliant amateur Toward makes his professional debut in Bolton, the electric Smith looks to finish his first year as a pro in style, while James Moorcroft meets Matthew Rennie in a fight that is guaranteed to deliver. 

The massive card is also packed with an array of talent, including Adbul Khan, the cousin of British boxing great Amir, Nelson Birchall,Ted Jackson and Immad Naseeb.  

For any fans looking for ticket refunds, please contact your point of purchase