LONG BEACH, CA (August 17, 2023) – Camponovo Sports is proud to announce a newly established alliance in the world of sports entertainment with the launch of an electrifying new boxing series titled “New Blood.“ This groundbreaking series is set to debut with its first event on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the prestigious Infinite Reality Studios in Long Beach, California, formerly known as Thunder Studios.

The inaugural event, showcasing a plethora of rising talent looking to become the next super star in boxing, will be broadcast live on FOX Deportes, captivating audiences with an unforgettable night of intense action. In addition, the series will air tape delayed on Estrella TV and beIN SPORTS, reaching a combined total of 98-million homes in the United States.

The 8-round main event will feature featherweight Rigoberto Hermosillo (13-4-1, 9 KOs), from Los Angeles, CA, vs. Alexis De Luna (10-1, 5 KOs) from Bakersfield, CA. Undefeated super lightweight and Long Beach’s own Emiliano Moreno (6-0, 4 KOs), will square off against Levy Garcia Benitez (3-0-1, 2 KOs) from Guadalajara, Mexico in the 8-round co-main event.

Doors open at 4:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 5:30 pm PT. Televised fights start at 7:00 pm PT. Tickets priced $60 – $150 (Plus applicable fees), are available for purchase by calling 800-283-8699 or online at www.cbnpromotions.com.

“We are excited to unveil the restart of ‘New Blood,’ a series that for over two decades aligned perfectly with our commitment to promoting and nurturing emerging talents in the boxing world,” said Alex Camponovo, Founder and CEO of Camponovo Sports. “We built something special during our time with Thompson Boxing that was equally beneficial for both boxers and fans. Using that tremendous track record and thanks to our new partnership with Infinite Reality Studios, we will be able to create a dynamic atmosphere that will resonate with everyone involved. Thanks to our success in the past, we now look into the future by creating a media distribution strategy that will give our fighters tremendous exposure.”

“Words can’t describe how thrilled we are to be hosting the ‘New Blood’ series at our studios,” said Rolando Nichols, President of Infinite Reality Studios. “The combination of our state-of-the-art production facilities and the energy of live boxing will create an unforgettable experience for both the fighters and the fans.”

“We’re delighted to collaborate with respected partners like FOX Deportes, Estrella TV, and beIN SPORTS to bring the ‘New Blood’ Boxing Series to a diverse and passionate audience,” added Andrew Bocanegra, CEO of Cali Sports. “Together, we’re elevating the sport and giving these emerging athletes a stage to shine.”

“This series is set to be an incredible display of skill, determination, and passion, providing a platform for these rising stars to showcase their abilities on a grand stage.” concluded Jessie Sanchez of Cali Sports.

UNDERCARD BOUTS:

Middleweight Nelson Oliva (8-0, 7 KOs), from Los Angeles, Calif., will face an Selim Martinez 6-6, 2 KOs, from Matamoros, Mexico. (6-rounds)

Welterweight Kevin Salgado (3-1, 1 KO) from Murrieta, CA, will battle Roberto Patron (2-0, 1 KO) from Turlock, CA. (4-rounds)

Welterweight Juan Sanchez (6-0, 5 KOs) from Buena Park, CA, will square off Osvaldo Negrete (6-5-1, 1 KO) from Matamoros, Mexico. (6-rounds)

Opening the card will be lightweight Tayden Beltran (6-0-1, 4 KOs) from Huntington Beach, CA, facing an Francisco Duque (2-2, 1 KO) from Guadalupe, Mexico. (6-rounds)

This event is sponsored by, Bud Light, HUSTLER Casino, LA’s only luxury Casino and Shoe Palace.

PHILADELPHIA (August 24, 2023)–Banner Promotions has signed junior lightweight contender Destiny Jones.

Jones, 24 years-old of Georgetown, Texas, has a record of 5-1 with two knockouts.

Jones who is known for her all-action and aggressive style who looks for knockouts, is the first female fighter signed to Banner Promotions.

“It is an honor to have Destiny signed to Banner Promotions. My good friend David Watson brought her to us, and she is a very aggressive fighter who makes good fights. She has the talent and ability to become a world champion, and we plan to make that happen for her,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.

“Being the first female fighter to sign with Banner makes me grateful, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to represent them. My goal is to not only become world champion, but undisputed champion,” said Jones.

Jones started boxing at the age of 13 as he uncle, Nelson Trevino was an amateur boxer. Jones began training in a shed in the backyard. “My uncle was actually trying to get my younger brother to start training, but I wanted to try. I punched my uncle once in the face, and made his nose bleed,” continued Jones.

Destiny had over 100 amateur fights and won tournaments such The National Junior Open Championship, USA Boxing Eastern Elite, and National Women’s Golden Gloves.

Jones turned professional with a four-round unanimous decision over Janina Lopez on September 25, 2021. In Destiny’s most recent outing, she captured the ABF Inter-Continental Junior Lightweight champion with a first round stoppage over Brittany Ordonez on May 5th in San Antonio.

Nicknamed, “Too Sweet”, Jones was a cheerleader before she took up boxing. She is trained and managed by Dave Watson.

Jones has a brother who a a wide receiver for Kansas Sate University.

 On September 8th, Davontae Kirk returns to the ring against an opponent to be announced in the near future in his hometown of Detroit at the Motor City Casino. The card is promoted by the well respected Carlos Llinas.  

The imposing 5’11” boxer-puncher possesses power in both fists and is looking to put on a show for the local fans in his second fight of 2023. 

“I always look to give the fans their money’s worth,” said Kirk. “Whoever they put in front of me, the goal is to knock them out and that’s exactly what I will do on September 8th.”

Kirk’s advisor, former multi-division title challenger, Benjamin “BJ “Flores, says he sees potential in the up and coming athlete, and an impressive work ethic. 

“Boxing is a learning process, and true growth doesn’t happen overnight. Davontae will have plenty of opportunities over the next twelve months to find out exactly how far he wants to take his journey,” said Flores.

“It’s a real treat for Davontae to be featured in his hometown. Promoter Carlos Llinas has a long-standing presence in the city of Detroit. Over the last 15 years, Carlos has continued to bring exciting fights to the fans in the “Motor City.”

In addition to advising Davontae Kirk, Flores manages 205 pound world Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship champion Lorenzo Hunt, and top BKFC middleweight prospect, Brutal Jake Bostwick. Flores is looking forward to helping create opportunities for these young fighters in their journeys to become champions. 

“This is something I take very serious. I’m in a different phase of my life now and nothing makes me happier than creating opportunities and building up the people on my team. Giving back to the sport of boxing is one of my passions. We are just getting started,” said Flores with a smile. 

Lorenzo Hunt will defend his BKFC 205 pound world title against Chris Cammozi on September 22 in Denver, Colorado. 

Flores is also a member of the “Small Council”  for Misfits Celebrity Boxing that has steadily gained in  popularity.  Flores is on the board of advisors that determines fighter rankings, future matchups, and potential locations for events. 

He will be in Manchester for the KSI versus Tommy Fury fight on October 14.

Long Island, NY (August 24, 2023) – Star Boxing is pleased to announce that it has signed 22-year-old, undefeated super featherweight out of New Jersey, ERICK “EL CANETE” PEREZ (1-0 1KO, Passaic, NJ) to a long-term promotional agreement.

It was just a few months ago when Vincente Fernandez’s song “El Rey” rang out across the Paramount in Huntington, NY, as Erick Perez decked out in Mexican flag colored robe and trunks, made his ring walk for his pro debut. Mexican flags were waving throughout the crowd, as the fans roared for Erick. The noise only continued to grow as the bout began and Erick roared forward with his relentless and exciting Mexican styled aggression.

Erick’s thrilling fan-friendly style and convincing third-round TKO victory caught the eye of Hall of Fame promoter, JOE DEGUARDIA, “When Erick came into the ring the Paramount came alive. His bout was a fire fight from the moment the first bell rang. The fans that knew Erick made themselves known, and by the end of the fight, the entire Paramount crowd was asking about the new Mexican dynamo.”

“I have been working for this for so long,” said Perez. “This is an incredible opportunity, and I am excited to begin my journey with Star Boxing. I’d like to thank Joe DeGuardia and Tony Palmieri for welcoming me to the team.”

Erick was born in Cuautla Morelos, Mexico on May 20, 2001. In storybook fashion, his father (and head trainer) Fredy Cañete was literally boxing in an amateur bout of his own when Erick was born. A few hours late to the hospital, a victorious Fredy rushed to the maternity ward to welcome his first-born son into the world.  

In searching for a better life, Erick’s parents made the difficult decision to emigrate to America, leaving a 4-month-old Erick behind to live with his maternal grandparents. The decision was not made lightly, but there was hope that they could return to Erick with a greater opportunity for his life ahead in America. Four years later that hopeful day arrived. Fredy returned for Erick and carried him on his shoulders for a near 10-hour journey back to the States. Just two years later, at the age of 7, Erick began boxing.  

In America the passion of the father turned into the passion of the son. Making a name for himself in the local New Jersey gyms, Erick began accumulating valuable experience in fighting some elite amateurs such as Xander Zayas, Keith Colon and Rashiem Jefferson. Around the gym Erick became known as “El Cañete,” paying homage to his father’s last name.  

Perez will return to the ring on October 28 for his second professional fight at super featherweight and looks to shine on the undercard of the highly anticipated main event between, ALEX “EL TORO” VARGAS (13-0 6KO’s) vs MATT “SWEET CHILD” CONWAY (23-3 9KO’s) at The Paramount. Tickets to Rockin’ Fights 45 are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Jai Opetaia will make the first defence of his IBF and Ring Magazine Cruiserweight World Titles against Jordan Thompson on a huge night of World Championship boxing at the OVO Arena Wembley on Saturday September 30 that also sees IBF Super-Bantamweight ruler Ellie Scotney make the maiden defence of her World Title against Laura Soledad Griffa, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand).

Opetaia (22-0 17 KOs) wrestled the IBF and Ring Magazine World Cruiserweight Titles away from Mairis Briedis on home turf with an outstanding display in Queensland, Australia in July 2022, outboxing the Latvian with a show of skill mixed with guts after breaking his jaw in both the second and final rounds.

The 28-year-old extended his unbeaten slate to 22 fights in the paid ranks on that famous night, landing World Title honours at the first attempt in a professional career that began in August 2015 after the imposing southpaw said goodbye to a glittering amateur stint that yielded gold in the World Junior Championships in 2011 and saw him become the youngest ever Australian Olympian fighter when he represented his country in at the 2012 Games in London.

He returns to London next month, putting his red and gold hardware on the line against Manchester’s undefeated contender Thompson (15-0, 12 KOs), who heads into his first shot at world honours on the back of a dominating sixth-round TKO win over Swindon’s Luke Watkins at the Cardiff International Arena back in Cardiff.

The 6′ 7″ powerhouse, who is trained by Tony Sims at the Matchroom Boxing Elite Gym in Essex, has won all five of his fights under the Matchroom Boxing banner since putting pen to paper on a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in June 2021, picking up the IBF European Title but outpointing Vasil Ducar at the Sheffield Arena in August 2022.

Catford’s 122lbs queen Scotney (7-0) returns to the arena where she was crowned IBF World Champion in June, comfortably outpointing Australia’s former champion Cherneka Johnson on the undercard of Sunny Edwards’ shutout points win over Andres Campos.

Argentina’s Griffa (20-8, 1 KO) gets her second shot at the IBF Super-Bantamweight after falling short in her challenge against Marcela Eliana Acuna in August 2018. ‘La Joya’, who fights out of Pehuajo in Buenos Aires, has also challenged for the IBO Super-Bantamweight and Featherweight Titles and has won both of her fights in 2023.

Dangerous Gravesend Cruiserweight Cheavon Clarke (6-0, 5 KOs) gets his first title shot – taking on former Chris Billam-Smith and Jordan Thompson opponent Vasil Ducar (14-6-2, 10 KOs) for the vacant IBF International Title and Warrington’s Rhiannon Dixon (8-0, 1 KO) meets Norway’s World Title challenger Katherina Thanderz (16-1, 2 KOs) for the vacant EBU European Lightweight crown.  

Billericay Middleweight George Liddard (4-0, 3 KOs) and Eltham Flyweight Maiseyrose Courtney (4-0) have a quick turnaround after picking up wins on the Joshua vs. Helenius undercard at The O2 in London earlier this month, Watford Super-Flyweight Shannon Ryan (5-0) fights for the sixth time as a pro and Tony Sims-trained Middleweight Jimmy Sains makes his professional debut.

“I have been waiting too long for someone to challenge me and now we finally have a fight,” said Opetaia. “Thank you Jordan for stepping up but I hope you are ready!”

“Opetaia is the recognised number one in the division and the best guy out there and that’s why he’s the one I want,” said Thompson. “This is my time now and the world will see that on September 30th. I ain’t never been one to just take part, I’m a winner, I’m going to win.

“Winning a World Title is every fighter’s dream but now I want more,” said Scotney. “I want to prove myself the best Super-Bantamweight in the world, but a true champion also has to be willing to defend her title. I wanted to stay active and getting to defend the belt in the same venue I was crowned World Champion gives me the ideal opportunity to show that there are levels to this sport On September 30 I will show just that.”

“I am very excited to be fighting for the World Title for a second time,” said Griffa. “Ellie Scotney is a very good and skilful boxer, but she doesn’t have the heart and toughness that I do. I am a true warrior and will bring war to London September. I will break her down bring the World Title back home to Argentina.”

“A huge World Title double-header at the OVO Arena Wembley on September 30 topped by IBF Cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia defending his crown against Manchester’s Jordan Thompson and Catford’s Ellie Scotney putting her IBF Super-Bantamweight crown on the line against Laura Soledad Griffa,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Jai’s win over Briedis was an historic moment for Australian boxing and solidified him as the number one in the Cruiserweight division. Jordan is showing huge courage by bypassing the domestic scene and jumping in with the best in his division for a shot at glory – he should get massive credit for grabbing this opportunity with both hands when others have avoided it. 

“Ellie has plans on unifying the Super-Bantamweight division and becoming a multi-weight World Champion but first she must get her first World Title defence under her belt. There’s plenty more title action on the undercard as Cruiserweight powerhouse Chev Clarke goes for the IBF International Title against the tricky Vasil Ducar and Anthony Crolla’s charge Rhiannon Dixon meets former Terri Harper opponent Katherina Thanderz for the EBU European Lightweight Title. Watch all of the action live worldwide on DAZN.”

“It’s great to have Jai debut on DAZN on September 30 in London,” said Alfie Sharman VP, DAZN. “Jai is one of the best in the division and with Jordan being tipped for a big future in the sport, this is going to be a cracker. Watch it live and exclusive on DAZN.”

Ticket information will be announced soon. 

NEW YORK (August 23, 2023) – Split-T Management is pleased to announce the signing of Donte Layne to an exclusive management contract.

The 20 year-old Layne is a native of Elmont, New York.

Layne began boxing at the age of eight after his family would have backyard fights, and young Donte wanted to go to the gym.

Layne had an 85 fight amateur career that saw him go 74-11. He won the 2015 and 2017 Junior Olympics as well as a 2017 Silver Gloves title. Layne also won four U.S. National titles, which included the 2021 Elite National Championship and the 2022 Elite National Golden Gloves and National Championship.

He competed at 165 pounds and will campaign as a super middleweight in the professional ranks.

“I am excited to sign with Split-T Management. I am ready to show the world who I am, I was an elite amateur and now I am going to show my skills as a professional,” said Layne.

Layne is already preparing for his pro debut, which is slated for August 25th.

“I have been getting a steady flow in camp. I have been working on distance and head movement. I am ready to put on a show on August 25th,”

The 6’1″ Layne is trained by Anthony Santiago and Kenyatta Harris.

Top Rank Boxing on ESPN presented by AutoZone: Anderson vs. Rudenko will be presented live this Saturday, August 26, at 10:30 p.m. ET/ 7:30 p.m. PT, on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In the 10-round main event, Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson, fighting pride of Toledo, Ohio, will take on Ukrainian contender Andriy Rudenko.

Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) debuted as a pro in 2019 and has developed into a top contender. He ended his first 14 fights in six rounds or less. The 23-year-old will make his third 2023 appearance less than two months after defeating former world champion Charles Martin in front of 7,234 hometown fans in his hometown.

Rudenko (35-6, 21 KOs) is a 39-year-old with more than 16 years of pro experience. He was 24-0 before losses to then-undefeated contenders Lucas Browne and Hughie Fury. In recent years, he has provided stern tests to some of the sport’s top big men.

In the 10 round co-feature, heavy-hitting Nigerian contender Efe Ajagba will take on unbeaten Kazakh southpaw Zhan Kossobutskiy. Ajagba (17-1, 13 KOs), a 2016 Olympian, has solidified himself as one of the division’s fiercest punchers. Kossobutskiy (19-0, 18 KOs) is a 34-year-old southpaw from Kostanay, Kazakhstan. He has only gone the distance once in his career, a six-round decision win over Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko in September 2018.

The undercard streams exclusively on ESPN+ at 6:50 p.m. ET / 3:50 p.m. PT.

ESPN’s Joe Tessitore will call the action with Hall of Famer, Timothy Bradley, Jr. Mark Kriegel and Bernardo Osuna?will serve as reporters.

Digital, On Demand and Exclusive to ESPN+

ESPN.com 

Out Friday: Lapsed Fan’s Guide to the Heavyweight Division 

ESPN+: On Demand Shows, Archives & Premium Articles

• Top Rank: Real Time– All-access with top fighters throughout fight week as they work their way to fight night. 
• Who Do U Fight 4?– Learn what drivesthe next generation of Top Rank stars. 
• State of Boxing– Post-show coverage of the biggest fights on ESPN and ESPN+. 
• Best of Boxing Spotlight – An archive of the all-time best Top Rank fights. 

Follow @ESPNRingside: Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok

Anderson vs. Rudenko (All Times ET)

About ESPN

About ESPN+

NEW YORK (August 23, 2023) – Split-T Management has signed former Interim world champion Elhem Mekhaled to a managerial contract.

Mekhaled, 32 years-old of Lyon, France has a record of 16-2 with three knockouts.

“I am very excited to sign with Split-T Management because they are a great management team. They have a lot of boxers who are at a high level and world champions like Teofimo Lopez. I look forward to getting good fights and big opportunities. I hope to fight again for the world title. Not only is my goal to become a world champion, but an undisputed champion,” said Mekhaled.

Mekhaled began boxing at the age of 20 as there was a boxing coach at school, and Elhem saw the ring and wanted to try her hand at the sweet science. Mekhaled then had a 40-fight amateur career that saw her make the Algerian National team.

Mekhaled turned professional on November 12, 2016 with a four-round unanimous decision over Jacinthe Berenguer. Mekhaled won her first 15 fights that saw her defeat Pauline Leconte (1-0-1).

On March 16, 2019, Mekhaled won the WBC Interim Super Featherweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Danila Ramos (7-0) in Barcelona. On February 4th, Mekhaled fought unified world champion Alycia Baumgardner for the Undisputed 130-lb title at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Elhem fought a valiant fight but came up just short in a gritty effort. Mekhaled is coming off a eight-round unanimous decision over Yuliya Kutsenko on May 28th in France.

The signing of Mekhaled is a collaboration and team effort between Split-T Management employees Sarah Fina and Brian Cohen.

Elhem trains in Paris under Joseph Germain.

Leonardo Ruiz won a 10-round split decision over Raul Garcia in a junior middleweight bout at the Whitesands Event Center in Plant City, Florida.

Ruiz, 156.4 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 98-91 and 96-93, while Garcia won a card 95-94.

Ruiz is 13-0. Garcia, 156.4 lbs of San Benadino, CA 13-1.

Justin Pauldo won a 10-round unanimous decision over Eduardo Estela in a lightweight bout.

In round seven, Pauldo was deducted a point for pushing Estela to the canvas. In round 10, Estela was bleeding over is left eye.

Pauldo, 137 lbs of Orlando, FL won by scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 95-94 and is now 16-1. Estela, 137 lbs of Uruguay is 14-3.

Johan Gonzalez stopped Ricardo Villalba in round five of their eight-round super welterweight fight.

Gonzalez dropped Villalba twice in round five, and the bout was stopped at 1:57.

Gonzalez, 156.2 lbs of Panama City, PAN is 33-2 with all wins coming by knockout. Villalba, 155 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 20-10-1.

Mandeep Jangra stopped Markus Bowles in round four of their six-round lightweight bout.

Jangra dominated the action and beat Bowles down until the fight was stopped at 2:41.

Jangra, 134.4 lbs of Khiaman, IND is 6-0 with four knockouts. Bowles, 135.2 lbs of Roxboro, NC is 2-2.

OTX – Overtime’s boxing platform – is back in action for this month’s final slate of matches featuring some of the most promising next generation fighters, SOLD OUT Friday, August 25th at OTE Arena in Atlanta and live on DAZN around the world.

In the main event, the undefeated Truck Simpson (13-0-0) from Baltimore will face off against Vladimir “24k” Hernandez (13-5-0). Team USA veteran, Truck, aims to maintain his unbeaten record, while Hernandez seeks to pull off an upset against a formidable opponent in the Super Welterweight Division. 

The co-main event features Andreas Katzourakis (10-0-0), a Houston transplant originally from Athens, Greece, squaring off against fellow Houston resident Raphael Igbowke (15-4-0). These two talented middleweights enter Friday’s match with distinct goals: Katzourakis continues his pursuit to become the first Greek World Champion since 1941, while Igbowke aims to enhance his impressive KO percentage. 

In the Lightweight Division, Luis Acosta (12-1-0) from Houston, Texas, will compete against Puerto Rican fighter Christian Barreto (9-0-0). Both fighters are eager to strengthen their already notable early professional records.

In the Super Middleweight division, Abel “El Jefe” Gonzalez (5-0-0) from Miami is set to face Olympic Qualifier Robert “Irish” Magee (8-0-2) of Byrnes Mill, Missouri. Each fighter is determined to hand the other their first professional defeat. 

Czarina Mccoy (11-1-0) from Las Vegas will challenge Carisse Brown (9-6-0) of Lakeland, FL in an all action bout in the women’s Lightweight division with Brown boasting a 5-inch height advantage over her opponent.

In the Middleweight Division, Donte Layne (5-3-0), who was named “one to watch” after the annual National Golden Gloves Tournament and hails from Elmont, NY, will take on Nathan Mitchel (2-5-0) from Holly Springs, Mississippi.

OTX is implementing an Overtime Round. If there is a draw on the judges’ scorecards after the regularly scheduled rounds, there will be an additional “winner takes all” round. This allows the fighter to take their fate into their own hands and for the victory.

To incentivize the fighters, OTX is also offering a unique KO Bonus for every fight on the card. A KO in any round is rewarded, but there is a multiplier effect if the KO is in the first or last round to create a more compelling fight for fans from start to finish. On top of the KO bonuses OTX is opting for an 18×18 ft ring versus the standard 20-22 square foot sizes which means extra action.

All the fights will air exclusively on DAZN. For more information, visit https://otboxing.com/

.**OTX General Manager and Fighters are available for interviews as requested in addition to media availability listed below**

Fight Week Schedule

Thursday, August 24th

11am-12pm Weigh-Ins

11:30am-1pm Ceremonial Weigh-Ins     

*Media Welcome*

1pm – 2pm Media Availability

**All fighters and OTX GM Brandon Rhodes available for interviews**

Friday, August 12th

7:30 pm                     Doors Open

Donte Layne vs. Nathan Mitchel

Weight – 165 lbs / 4 Rounds / 2 min each

Czarina Mccoy vs. Carisse Brown

Weight – 135 lbs / 6 Rounds / 3 min each

Abel Gonzalez vs. Robert Magee

Weight – 165 lbs / 6 Rounds / 3 min each

Javon Woodard Jr. vs. Lorenzo Parra

Weight – 125 lbs / 6 Rounds / 3 min each

Luis Acosta vs. Christian Barreto

Weight – 135 lbs / 8 Rounds / 3 min each

Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson vs. Vladimir Hernandez

Weight – 160 lbs / 8 Rounds / 3 min each

(Aug. 23, 2023) — Ukraine’s WBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight world champion, Oleksandr Usyk, will defend his collection of belts against England’s Daniel Dubois this Saturday, Aug. 26 at Tarczy?ski Arena Wroc?aw in Wroclaw, Poland.
 
This is the second title defense for pound-for-pound great Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs), who moved up to heavyweight in 2019 following a historic run to the undisputed cruiserweight championship. Usyk toppled reigning champion Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision in September 2021, then prevailed by split decision last August in their highly anticipated rematch. Dubois (19-1, 18 KOs) has won four fights by stoppage since a 2020 TKO defeat to countryman Joe Joyce.
 
Usyk-Dubois will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ as a special one-fight broadcast starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. Ring walks are expected shortly thereafter.
 
Usyk-Dubois kicks off a marathon fight day on the ESPN family of networks. The action then turns to Oklahoma for the undercard of the Jared Anderson-Andriy Rudenko heavyweight main event at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. ESPN+ will stream undercard bouts beginning at 6:50 p.m. ET/3:50 p.m. PT. A slew of undefeated prospects will be in action, including Brooklyn-born featherweight phenom Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (8-0, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder, Tulsa-born heavyweight Jeremiah Milton (10-0, 7 KOs) taking on Craig Lewis (15-6-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder, and middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (8-0-1, 5 KOs) against Sona Akale (7-1, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder.
 
The action moves to ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT for a heavyweight doubleheader, as Anderson (15-0, 14 KOs) returns less than two months removed from his triumphant Toledo homecoming to fight Rudenko (35-6, 21 KOs) in a 10-round clash. In the 10-round co-feature, top contender Efe Ajagba (17-1, 13 KOs) looks to topple unbeaten southpaw Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-0, 18 KOs).

LONDON, ENGLAND – (August 22nd, 2023) – Hotly-tipped prospect Francesca Hennessy was today unveiled as the latest addition to the BOXXER ranks, joining her brother Michael on the roster and becoming part of the world’s strongest stable of female boxers.

Entering the professional ranks following an accomplished amateur career which saw her win two national championships, the Women’s Winter Box Cup and Sweden’s Golden Girls Box Cup, the talented 18-year-old hopes to follow in the world championship footsteps of stablemates Savannah Marshall and Natasha Jonas.

Daughter of veteran boxing manager and promoter Mick Hennessy, head of Hennessy Sports, the young Hennessy has never been short of inspiration. Her childhood years were populated by some of boxing’s biggest names – including heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, who was long part of her father’s stable – and she has all but grown up in the ring.

“I’m turning professional now, signing with the best platform, best promotion – I’m more than ready, I’m ready to shake up boxing. My style is very unique. I like to move and groove. I’m a bit of a show-woman. You’re going to see some excitement for sure,” said Hennessy.

“I saw the way my dad and Peter Fury were looking after Savannah Marshall and I thought ‘This is something I can do and go to the top at’. It really inspired me, seeing Savannah, I have always looked up to her. Savannah’s such a massive role model.

“Women’s boxing has got massive recently. I was at the Savannah Marshall-Claressa Shields fight and obviously as a young girl who loves boxing standing in that arena, it was amazing. I never thought I’d see the day when an arena would be packed out like that with two women fighting. It’s so exciting for all us young girls who are coming on up.”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO, said, “BOXXER and the Hennessy family have worked together for a long time, so we’ve watched Fran blaze a trail through the amateur ranks and now we’re delighted she will make her professional debut under the BOXXER banner. She’s grown up in the game – she was practically raised in the ring – and she’s got enormous potential, so we’re excited to start that journey with her on September 30th.”

In signing with BOXXER, Hennessy joins the world’s strongest stable of female boxers, lining up alongside world champions Marshall and Jonas plus Olympic medalists Lauren Price and Karriss Artingstall and the prodigious Caroline Dubois.

She will make her debut BOXXER and professional debut on Saturday, September 30th as part of the undercard for the BOXXER: Breakthrough event taking place at London’s historic York Hall.

Three centrepiece bouts were announced for that card yesterday, showcasing the top tier of British boxing’s rising stars and new talent. 

Caroline Dubois challenges for the IBO World Lightweight Championship, undefeated cruiserweights Viddal Riley and Nathan Quarless contest the English Cruiserweight Title and super-middleweight standout Callum Simpson heads into a firefight with the always-aggressive Germaine ‘G-Man’ Brown. 

The event airs live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (August 22, 2023) — “IT’S AMATEUR HOUR!” Eumir Felix Marcial, the Philippines’ 2020 middleweight Olympic bronze medalist, declared today. Marcial, 27, announced that he would be putting his burgeoning professional career on temporary hold to join the Philippine National Boxing Team training camp in Canberra, Australia and focus fulltime on pursuing his dream of winning a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.  A native of Zamboanga City, Marcial (4-0, 2 KOs) plans to compete in the Hangzhou Asian Games, a Paris Olympics qualifier, Sept. 23 through Oct. 8.  It’s going to be a challenge since he’ll be fighting at light heavyweight because the middleweight division, where he won the bronze in Tokyo, was eliminated from the Hangzhou competition.  Marcial will also have to reach the final now that only the finalists in Hangzhou will qualify for the Paris games — a departure from the traditional semifinals cutoff.  

“I’ve made a decision to realign my focus, announcing my withdrawal from my upcoming professional fight here in the United States.  My decision has been driven by my commitment to represent the Philippines in the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympics.  I am currently undergoing rigorous training here in Las Vegas, and I am set to participate in the upcoming Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games in the People’s Republic of China with the full support of my promoters, MP Promotions and TGB Promotions.  I am very grateful to my promoters Mr. Manny Pacquiao, Mr. Al Haymon, and MP Promotions President Mr. Sean Gibbons for allowing me to pursue my Olympic dream despite having a contractual obligation in the professionals.

“In preparation for the forthcoming Asian Games, scheduled this September, I am presented with a new challenge brought by my transition to a higher weight division for the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games.  Moving from my familiar 75kg middleweight division to the 80kg light heavyweight category demonstrates my determination to conquer new heights in my amateur boxing journey.”

“Eumir has the blessing of Manny Pacquiao and everyone involved with his professional boxing career to pursue his Olympic dream,” said Gibbons.  “During his 2021 training camp in Hollywood, California, Manny would stay up to watch Eumir’s Olympic bouts.  Manny was so excited for his success as were the Philippines and Filipinos around the world.  We admire Eumir’s resolve and look forward to Eumir bringing Olympic glory to the Philippines and his countrymen.”   

Since making his professional debut in 2020, Marcial has run the table, defeating Andrew Whitfield and Steven Pichardo by unanimous decision and stopping Isiah Hart and Ricardo Ruben Villalba in the fourth and second round, respectively, balancing those fights with his amateur career, which has included training for numerous tournaments and the Tokyo Olympics.  In the Hart battle, which was Marcial’s second professional bout, the Filipino warrior displayed the composure of a seasoned veteran to score a TKO of Hart (6-3-1, 4 KOs), at the 47-second mark of the fourth-round despite getting knocked down three times himself, once in the first round and twice in the second round, in a firefight bout scheduled for six rounds.  That’s a lot of experience to get for a fighter in only his second professional fight.  Whitfield, Hart, Pichardo, and Villalba boasted a combined record of 37-12-2, 16 KOs, when they fought Marcial.    

After winning his pro debut — a four-round unanimous decision over Andrew Whitfield in Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 2020 — Marcial turned his attention to getting prepared for the Olympics in Tokyo, which took place during the summer of 2021.  In one of the most exciting bouts of the summer games, Marcial and top-seeded Oleksandr Khyzhniak, of Ukraine, battled tooth and nail in their semifinal battle.  Khyzhniak, who would move on to win the Silver medal, pulled it out in the third and final round by the narrowest of margins.  Marcial won the Bronze.  Another high-water mark in Marcial’s amateur career was capturing a Silver medal at the 2019 World Boxing Championships.

NEW YORK, NY, AND LOS ANGELES, CA—August 22, 2023—Legendary boxing journalist and blow-by-blow announcer Jim Lampley will be joining PPV.COM to co-host the service’s Canelo vs. Charlo live viewer chat on Saturday, September 30. In addition, Lampley—who is well known for his long tenure on “HBO World Championship Boxing”—will provide on-site commentary and reports in Las Vegas throughout fight week to generate original video content for PPV.COM’s website and social media platforms. 

“Jim Lampley is the most significant voice in boxing. We want to partner with the best people in the sport, and he’s universally respected and loved,” said Dale Hopkins, President & CEO of iNDEMAND and PPV.COM. “What makes this even more special is that our viewers will be able to directly interact with Jim throughout the entire PPV event via our live chat. We’ll be streaming the official broadcast, of course, with our high-quality stream, and on top of that fans can type their questions and comments to Jim in real time, and he’ll be able to respond immediately. And you never need a subscription to watch anything on PPV.COM.”

Lampley noted, “For me, this is a fun opportunity to see my many friends and colleagues in the boxing world, while adding my two cents’ worth to all the action throughout fight week and on fight night itself. What makes it different is that I’ll get to interact directly with fans via an engaging and respectful forum. I’m impressed by what PPV.COM has been able to do in a relatively short period of time since launching less than two years ago.”

Lampley is a recipient of the Boxing Writers Association of America’s (BWAA) Sam Taub Award for Excellece in Broadcasting Journalism, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in its 2015 class. He served as anchor and commentator for “HBO World Championship Boxing” for 30 years, and has covered numerous Olympic Games during his long and distinguished career in sports broadcasting. He is currently an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Lampley will be co-hosting PPV.COM’s Canelo vs. Charlo live chat alongside another esteemed boxing journalist, Lance Pugmire, the recipient of the BWAA’s 2022 Nat Fleischer Award for Excellence in Boxing Journalism. Pugmire, formerly of the Los Angeles Times, The Athletic, and USA Today, has been serving as PPV.COM’s senior writer, contributing original articles to the website as well as hosting its chats for a number of boxing events. Pugmire will also be contributing original content to PPV.COM for Canelo vs. Charlo.

Hopkins added, “Having Lance and Jim together on our chat is truly a boxing aficionado’s dream team. The combined amount of expertise and perspective they share is unsurpassed, and we’re frankly honored to be able to make this experience available to our customers on PPV.COM.”

PPV.COM will be live-streaming Canelo vs. Charlo in the U.S. and Canada on Saturday, September 30. The audio feed will be available in both English and Spanish. iNDEMAND, the parent company of PPV.COM, will also be carrying the event through its network of cable and telco operators in the U.S. and Canada via providers including: Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Optimum, Fios, and others in the U.S.; and Rogers, Bell, Shaw, SaskTel and TELUS in Canada.

About iNDEMAND and PPV.COM

iNDEMAND is an innovative partnership among three of the leading cable companies in the U.S.—Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications. iNDEMAND is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDEMAND delivers great content to more than 80 million cable homes and has distribution deals with more than 150 companies. In December 2021, iNDEMAND launched PPV.COM, an innovative streaming PPV service and the first of its kind to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports. With the addition of PPV.COM to its existing cable PPV infrastructure, iNDEMAND has consolidated all forms of PPV distribution under one roof, making the company the only provider of turn-key PPV solutions for both industry partners and consumers. For more information, go to indemand.com.

NEW YORK (August 22, 2023) – Four Split-T Management fighters remained undefeated over the weekend.

Friday night in Atlanta, LeAnna Cruz remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Maryguenn Vellinga in a flyweight bout.

Cruz landed 88 of 271 punches. Vellinga was 34 of 224.

Cruz, 111.6 lbs of Allentown, PA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is 6-0. Vellinga, 111.2 lbs of Park City, UT is 4-4-2.

Asa Stevens remained undefeated with a four-round split decision over D’Angelo Hopgood in a super bantamweight fight.

Stevens, 121.7 lbs of Waianae, HI won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and Hopgood took a card 39-37.

Stevens landed 66 of 205 punches. Hopgood was 67 of. 273.

Stevens is 5-0. Hopgood, 121.2 lbs of Milwaukee is 2-2-1.

Javier Zamarron remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Sabastian Santiago in a featherweight bout.

In round one, Zamarron dropped Santiago with a perfect counter left to the head.

In round four, Zamarron with cut around the right eye,

Zamarron landed 87 of 265 punches. Santiago was 52 of 307.

Zamarron, 128.2 lbs of Milwaukee won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 5-0. Santiago, 128.4 lbs of Cidra, PR is 0-2.

In The Dominican Republic, new Split-T signee Shamara Woods took a four-round unanimous decision over Rocio De Leon Query. Woods of Allentown, PA is now 3-0.

Woods will be right back in action as she will fight on a Probox TV card on September 20th in Plant City, Florida.

LOS ANGELES (August 22, 2023) – The boxing spotlight shifts back to the Great Northwest this Saturday night as rising super featherweight star  Austin Brooks (10-0, 3 KOs) takes on dangerous Anthony Chavez (11-3-1, 3 KOs) in the 10-round main event on a highly competitive pro card, presented by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

“This card sticks with our theme of compelling regional fights along with club wars,” Haydon said. “More than a couple guys have a chance to get a verdict from the great jury that is the northwest boxing fan and see if they can create a fan base for themselves going forward.”

Brooks, 27, is stepping up in class against Chavez, a 2015 USA National Championships bronze medalist as an amateur, has yet to fight more than six rounds to date. Fighting out of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Brooks, who has already fought several times on the ESPN platform, is coming off a six-round decision over veteran Diuhl Olguin this past March in San Diego.

Chavez, an old-fashioned fighter out of  San Bernardino, California, is trained by well-known Southern Californian Henry Ramirez, who guided Chris Arreola and Josesito Lopez, among the more notables. Two fights ago, Chavez won a six-round majority decision over Olguin.

The six-round, co-featured event pits Seattle featherweight Gregory Cruz (5-2, 3 KOs) against Roberto Negrete (4-1-1, 2 KOs), of West Liberty, Iowa. Cruz is bouncing back from a six-round majority loss to Luis Gallegos (4-0) last April, while Negrete fought to a six-round split draw in his most recent action this past June.

Chief undercard support will be provided by undefeated Portland super lightweight prospect Lorenza Caldera (6-0, 3 KOs) and Filipino veteran boxer Jake “D’ Twins” Bornea (14-5-1, 7 KOs), the former WBO Asia Pacific Youth Flyweight titleholder.

Angel Rebollar (6-3, 3 KOs) is coming straight out of Compton (CA) to face San Bernardino (CA) super lightweight Esteban Munoz (7-3, 4 KOs) in a rare five-round bout. Rebollar was a 2019 USA Western Regional Junior Open Champion as an amateur.

Also fighting on the undercard, each in four-round matches, is Auburn, Washington lightweight Joshua Cadena (1-0, 1 KO), vs. Dan Hernandez (2-2, 1 KO), of Riverside, California; undefeated Puerto Rican welterweight prospect Axl Melendez Salgado (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. Tulsa’s Lyle McFarlane (2-1 1 KO), and San Antonio (TX) super lightweight Richard Ray Howell (4-3-2, 2 KOs) vs. Detroit’s Wesley Rivers (1-3).

Card subject to change.

Reasonably priced at $100.00, $60.00, and $40.00, tickets may be purchased by calling (253) 594-7777 or at www.Emeraldqueen.com.

NEW YORK (August 22, 2023) – The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, today announced the signing of Super Middleweight boxing world champion Savannah Marshall. Marshall is regarded as one of the greatest women’s combat sports athletes in the world, with over two million viewers tuning into her October 2022 bout against Claressa Shields, making the event the most watched women’s professional boxing event in history.

Marshall is set to begin her MMA career inside the PFL SmartCage and join the deepest female combat sports roster in the world, which includes two-time Olympic gold medalists Kayla Harrison and Claressa Shields, PFL World Champion Larissa Pacheco, and Amanda Serrano. Together these women lay the foundation for PFLW, which will put the focus on women in combat sports while continuing the PFL’s fighter first merit-based approach to MMA.

“I want to welcome two-time boxing world champion, Savannah Marshall to the Professional Fighters League,” said Peter Murray, PFL CEO. “It’s an exciting time for PFL as we officially launch PFLW, and the addition of Savannah Marshall strengthens the best global roster of women in combat sports. PFLW is committed to the empowerment and equality of all female athletes and provides a dedicated platform for women to become PFL MMA champions.”

“I am thrilled to begin my journey in MMA with The Professional Fighters League,” said Savannah Marshall. “I am proud to join the most talented female combat sports athletes in the world and continue to raise the profile of women in sports through PFLW.”

In the creation of PFLW, the Professional Fighters League renews their commitment to empowering and leveling the playing field for women in combat sports. PFLW will strive for equality in and out of the PFL SmartCage.

The 2023 PFL Playoffs continue live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Wednesday, August 23, airing on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.

PFL is the #1 fastest growing company in MMA and the #2 MMA company on a worldwide basis. PFL is the only league in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year, making PFL a “win and advance” meritocracy like all other major sports. PFL fighter roster hails from over 20 countries and 25% of PFL fighters are independently ranked in the top 25 of their weight-class. The company leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage powering real-time betting and next-gen viewing experience.

About Professional Fighters League
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the fastest growing and most innovative sports league. PFL is the #2 MMA company worldwide on all key metrics and the only with the sports-season format where individual fighters compete in Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship. Our global live fight franchises: PFL League Season, PFL Challenger Series, PFL PPV Super Fights, and PFL Europe.

PFL airs live in the U.S on ESPN and ESPN+ and is broadcast and streamed to 140 countries with 25 international leading media partners, including DAZN, Stan Sport, Viacom18, RMC Sport, Globo, Star Times, FPT, CSM, DirectTV, ITV, and MBC.  PFL has dozens of major brand sponsors such as Anheuser-Busch, GEICO, Bose, US Marine Corps, and Celsius Energy Drink. 

PFL is backed by blue-chip investors including Ares, Luxor Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, Knighthead, Legends, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners.

MMA is the growth sport of this decade, with over 600 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demo of any sport, and true global revenue streams.

PFLmma.com; Instagram (@PFLmma); Twitter (@PFLMMA); Facebook (/PFLmma)

Biloxi, MS (August 21, 2023) – NABA middleweight champion Connor “The Kid” Coyle of Derry, Northern Ireland successfully defended his title for a third time with an impressive fifth round knockout of Joey Bryant Saturday, August 19 at The Bind Tiger in Biloxi, MS.

Coyle displayed good skills and outboxed Bryant in the early rounds. In the fifth Coyle dropped Bryant three times, forcing the referee to halt the contest at 2:54.

Coyle improved to 20-0 with 9 KO’s and he’s currently ranked #6 by the World Boxing Association (WBA). Bryant falls to 17-2 (13 KO’s).

“I’m happy with the victory,” said Coyle. who trains out of Pinellas Park, FL. “Our game plan was to pick him apart round by round and break him down. It was executed exactly the way we wanted it.”

With the victory, Coyle’s sights are set on facing one of the champions or top contenders at 160 pounds.

“The plan is to fight in an eliminator or for the world title as soon as possible. My team is going to explore potential fights against the bigger names at middleweight to see what makes the most sense.”

Coyle is promoted by Fire Fist Boxing Promotions.

Orestes Velazquez and Khalil Coe continue their journeys in the pro game with step-up fights on Saturday September 23 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, live worldwide on DAZN, as they take on Mohamed Soumaoro and Kenmon Evans respectively.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM

Velazquez (7-0 6 KOs) will defend his WBA International Super-Lightweight title and look to build on his #9 ranking in the WBA in the process. The Cuban amateur standout, who had over 160 fights for the national team before defecting and moving to Florida, is in his fourth straight ten round contest and went the distance for the first time in his last outing, when vastly experienced Argentine Marcelino Lopez extended the 30 year old to the final bell in Las Vegas in March.

Soumaoro (13-1 6 KOs) will be looking to hand a first defeat to Velazquez and take his third ‘0’ in as many fights in Florida. The Canadian-Guinean comes into the bout on the back of impressive upset wins over unbeaten pair Jusiyah Shirley (PTS 6) and Angel Lupercio (TKO 8) in December and March, and the 30 year old will aim to crash into the top ten by completing a hat-trick of big victories.

Coe (6-0-1 4 KOs) continues to rise through the ranks at Light-Heavyweight, and ‘Big Steppa’ will be looking for his own hat-trick as he hunts a third KO win of 2023 in Orlando. The Jersey City man put Buneet Bisla away in the seventh round of his first eight round battle in June on New York, and the 27 year old will meet Evans (10-1-1 3 KOs) over that distance on September 23, with the Florida man looking to bounce back to winning ways. 

Velazquez will kick off the main card live on DAZN while Coe will headline the Before the Bell section of the action, and he is joined there by three Floridians looking to make an impact on the big stage, with Super-Welterweight Jeovanny Estella and Super-Flyweight Jasmine Artega tasting action over eight rounds while Bantamweight Roberto Rivera Gomez kicks the whole night off over four rounds, with all three fighters to be matched imminently.

The undercard get to shine on Matchroom’s return to the Sunshine State on a bill topped by World-rated Super-Lightweight Richardson Hitchins taking on Jose Zepeda for the WBC Silver and IBF North American Super-Lightweight titles, on a night promoted in association with Boxlab Promotions.

Hitchins (16-0 7 KOs) shone in his last outing in his home city, putting New Jersey’s John Bauza on the canvas during a shut-out win at Madison Square Garden, and the Brooklyn ace now lurks with intent at #6 with the WBO and #7 with the IBF in the 140lb rankings. 

Zepeda (36-3 27 KOs) represents a significant barrier to Hitchins’ plans to move into World title contention though, and the Californian, who has challenged for World titles at both 135 and 140lbs, will be eyeing Hitchins’ lofty standings to reignite his own World championship plans. 

The Welterweight division will move one step closer to crowning an undisputed champion on the night as Jessica McCaskill and Sandy Ryan meet for three of the belts. 

WBA and WBC champion McCaskill (12-3 5 KOs) is no stranger to undisputed status, having ripped all the hardware at 147 from long-reigning ruler Cecilia Braekhus in August 2020 and then holding onto the belts in a rematch the following March. The Chicagoan defended the belts twice more against Kandi Wyatt and Alma Ibarra before the lure of becoming undisputed champion at a second weight saw her drop down to 140lbs to take on Chantelle Cameron in Abu Dhabi in November, with the Briton coming out on top on that occasion.

WBO belt holder Ryan (6-1 2 KOs) will look to make it back-to-back losses to Brits for McCaskill, as the Derby talent puts the title she won in her last outing against Marie Pier Houle in Cardiff, Wales in April. Ryan, who holds wins over former World champions Anahi Sanchez and Erica Farias, steps straight into the biggest fight in the division in her first defense and can add two belts to take her collection up to three in just her eighth pro fight.

A third fight for the bill in Orlando sees Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams press his claims for World title action at Middleweight as he tackles Steve Rolls.

Williams (14-0 10 KOs) is back in the States having taken out River Wilson-Bent in eight rounds in London in April – his third fight in England – and the Middleweight contender is right on the cusp of landing a World title shot sitting at #2 with the WBA, #10 with the IBF and #11 with the WBC.

Rolls (22-2 12 KOs) will test those ambitions to the fullest though, having shared the ring with Gennadiy Golovkin and Edgar Berlanga in his 24-fight career, and the Canadian will look to get back into contention himself with the WBA International and IBF North American titles on the line.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (August 21, 2023) – Former World Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) will make his grand debut in the cruiserweight division and measure up against former light heavyweight World Champion Joe “Common Man” Smith Jr. (28-4, 22 KOs) of Long Island, New York on Saturday, October 7. The 12-round clash, presented in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, will take place live from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and live around the world on DAZN. 

The former WBO Super Middleweight World Champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will be looking to make a statement and demonstrate he has the bravado to become a two-division titleholder. With nearly 15-years of professional experience, he embarked on a career that would see him defeating the likes of Maxim Vlasov, Jessie “Hard Work” Hart and “King” Arthur Abraham, whom he defeated to become the WBO Super Middleweight World Champion. His sole blemish on his record comes from a valiant performance against Dmitrii Bivol last November 2022. Ramirez is now ready to return to the ring and contend against the heavy hitters of the division.

“I am ready to take over the cruiserweight division and prove to myself that I can add another championship belt to my resume,” said Gilberto Ramirez. “I want to thank all of my fans, Golden Boy, DAZN, the WBA, and my entire team that have supported me through this season of change. We are ready to face a hungry opponent in Joe Smith Jr. who is used to being an underdog. I know both of us wanted this fight at light heavyweight a few years back, but I’m glad we can make it now. See you all in Las Vegas!” 

The iron-willed, former light heavyweight world champion Joe Smith Jr. is known to prove his critics wrong, becoming the WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion after giving an unyielding boxing performance when he fought Maxim Vlasov in April 2021. He went on to successfully defend his title against Steve Geffrard in January 2022 and then succumbed to Artur Beterbiev in a massive unification fight on June 18. In addition, Smith has one of the best resumes in boxing that includes victories over former undisputed champion and boxing legend, Bernard Hopkins, former world champion, Eleider Alvarez, and title contenders Jessie Hart and Andrzej Fonfara. Having begun his career in 2009, he has earned the respect of the “common man” and will also be going up to cruiserweight for the first time to face Ramirez.

“It feels great to return to the ring in a big way on October 7 against ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez,” said Joe Smith Jr. “I was having a rough time this year, then we tragically lost my brother Alex on top of it all. I miss him and know he will be with me when I step into that ring. He was always proud of me and he would be happy to see me back. I can’t wait to show the world the Common Man is back and hope my performance can bring some happiness and inspiration back to my family.”

“‘For almost 15 years, ‘Zurdo’ beat everyone who stepped into the ring, becoming a world champion and the most feared man in the Super Middleweight division in the process,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya. “But coming off a loss and with a new weight division to conquer, there is a renewed fire in Zurdo’s eyes. I expect an impressive outing and a first step towards a cruiserweight world championship.”

“We are thrilled to announce the return of Star Boxing’s ‘Common Man,’ Joe Smith Jr. at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas live on DAZN,” said Star Boxing’s CEO Joe DeGuardia. “He and his family have had a rough year, but in quintessential Joe Smith fashion, while there were many fights out there for him, he wanted the biggest and toughest challenge available.  It will once again be Champion vs Champion as two former world champs go head to head in this intriguing fight. This has all the makings of must see action and I personally look forward to watching Joe back in the ring on October 7th.” 

‘What an exciting fight this will be between two former World Champions,” said Joseph?Markowski, CEO North America, DAZN Group. “Zurdo wanted a tough test, and this one-his first at cruiserweight-vs Smith Jr. is going to be a very difficult fight for him. You will not want to miss it! Tune in October 7th live from the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, broadcast only on DAZN.”

More information on event tickets and the complete undercard will be announced in the coming weeks.

(Aug. 21, 2023) — Former unified junior lightweight world champion Mikaela Mayer returns in a 10-round junior welterweight battle against Italian contender Silvia Bortot on Saturday, Sept. 2 at AO Arena in Manchester, England.
 
Mayer-Bortot will take place on the undercard of the highly anticipated middleweight rematch between bitter rivals Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr.
 
Promoted by BOXXER, Smith-Eubank II, Mayer-Bortot and additional undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Sky Sports Box Office will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.
 
Mayer (18-1, 5 KOs), a 2016 U.S. Olympian, signed with Top Rank in 2017 and captured the WBO junior lightweight world title by defeating Ewa Brodnicka in October 2020. The following year, the Los Angeles native unified the WBO and IBF titles in an action-packed slugfest against Maiva Hamadouche. In October 2022, she suffered a razor-thin split decision loss to Alycia Baumgardner in an undisputed world title showdown at London’s O2 Arena. Mayer then moved up to lightweight and scored a unanimous decision win over Lucy Wildheart in April. She now prepares to make her third consecutive appearance in London.

Mayer said, “It’s my sixth year as a pro, but I’ve never felt better. My run at 130 was a ton of fun and something I’m proud of, but it’s time for a new chapter. It’s time to combine my experience with my size and see what I can accomplish. This fight is at 142 pounds, but 147 is the next hot division in women’s boxing, and that’s where I’m headed.”
 
Bortot (11-2-1, 3 KOs) debuted in the pro ranks in 2016 and captured the European junior welterweight title in 2019 with a fourth-round TKO win over Marie Helene Meron. She suffered her first loss via ninth-round TKO in April 2022 but bounced back that year with three victories. In her last outing, she lost to undefeated standout Flora Pili via 10-round decision in May.
 
Smith (33-3-1, 20 KOs) captured the WBO junior middleweight title with a seventh-round TKO win over Apollo Thompson in 2015. He defended the title twice before losing to Canelo Alvarez in 2016. Smith remained a division mainstay during the following five years, earning wins over the likes of Liam Williams, Anthony Fowler and Jessie Vargas. In September 2022, he made his middleweight debut with a stoppage win over Hassan Mwakinyo before upsetting Eubank via fourth-round TKO in their first encounter.
 
Eubank (32-3, 23 KOs) began his pro career in 2011 and went 18-0 before losing to Billy Joe Saunders in 2014. In 2017, he moved up to super middleweight and beat former two-division world champion Arthur Abraham and then-unbeaten contender Avni Yildirim. In his first world title shot, he suffered a unanimous decision loss to George Groves in February 2018. Eubank returned with wins against JJ McDonagh and former world champion James DeGale before returning to middleweight, where he was 4-0 before the first Smith showdown.
 
In other streaming action from Manchester:

• Junior welterweight standout Adam Azim (8-0, 6 KOs) takes on Ukraine’s Aram Fanyan (23-1, 5 KOs) in a 10-round clash.
   
• Unbeaten heavyweight Frazer Clarke (7-0, 5 KOs), a British Olympic bronze medalist, will lock horns with David Allen (21-5-2, 18 KOs) in a 10-rounder.
   
• British super middleweight champion Mark Heffron (29-2-1, 23 KOs) will defend his title against former English middleweight champion Jack Cullen (21-4-1, 9 KO) in a 12-rounder.
   
• Unbeaten Albanian southpaw Florian Marku (12-0-1, 7 KOs) will take on Ireland’s Dylan Moran (18-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight tilt. 

LONDON, ENGLAND – (August 21st, 2023) – A trio of bouts were announced today for a BOXXER: Breakthrough event showcasing the top tier of British boxing’s young talent on Saturday, September 30th at London’s historic York Hall. 

Caroline Dubois challenges for the IBO World Lightweight Championship, undefeated cruiserweights Viddal Riley and Nathan Quarless contest the English Cruiserweight Title and super-middleweight standout Callum Simpson heads into a firefight with the always-aggressive Germaine ‘G-Man’ Brown, live and exclusively on Sky Sports. 

The stunning ascent of Caroline Dubois (7-0, 5 KO’s) scales new heights when the 22-year-old prodigy steps up to challenge for the IBO lightweight world title in just her eighth professional bout. The prodigious Dubois faces power-punching Mexican veteran Magali Rodriguez (22-6-4, 9 KO’s), a former WBA world title challenger and current WBC title holder who has a 40% finish rate in her professional victories.

.

Last year, Dubois – a Youth Olympics champion in her amateur career – told interviewers she wanted to win a world title in 2023 in order to put herself in position for big fights with big-name opponents, naming both Mikaela Mayer and Katie Taylor as specific targets. With five stoppage wins from seven outings, Dubois has now blasted her way to contention and the chance to complete stage one of her plan.

Two of the country’s top young cruiserweights will put their undefeated records on the line in a North vs South battle for the vacant English Cruiserweight Championship when London’s  Viddal Riley (9-0, 6 KO’s) – himself a Youth Olympian like Dubois – faces Liverpool lad Nathan Quarless (12-0).

Riley rides a string of crowd-pleasing stoppages into the bout, with his last four bouts all having ended inside four rounds or less, while Quarless has boxed clever on his way to a dozen straight wins and heads to London intent on outfoxing the heavy-handed Riley on home soil. 

Also confirmed for the September 30th card today are the surging Callum Simpson (12-0, 9 KO’s) and the gritty Germaine ‘G-Man’ Brown (13-2, 4 KO’s), set to meet in what is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleasing super-middleweight showdown between two gunslingers who both like to occupy the centre of the ring and rarely take a backwards step.

Simpson was considered one of the best under-the-radar talents in the UK by boxing insiders before he signed with BOXXER earlier this year. The Barnsley man seized the chance to showcase his skills on Sky Sports and now has a growing army of fans across the country. On September 30th, former English super-middleweight champion Brown intends to test Simpson’s chin, stop the hype train and steal his momentum. 

“Caroline Dubois is exceptional and we’ve said ever since she turned professional with BOXXER last year that we expect her to become the future face of the women’s sport, not only in the UK but on the world stage. Her ambition is as big as her talent, but even I didn’t expect her to blast her way to a world title opportunity in just eight fights,” said BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom. 

“British and English title bouts seem to produce some of the best fights we see in this country and this English Cruiserweight Championship bout between Viddal Riley and Nathan Quarless has a little something extra to it. It’s a classic North/South rivalry, with the outstanding Riley on home soil in London and the slick Quarless heading down from Liverpool looking to silence the home fans.

“I also can’t wait for this fight between Callium Simpson and Germaine Brown. A lot of insiders are predicting big things for Callum and he’s got a very tough test here. Brown is the former English champion and both of them go forward and look for the finish, so we might see an instant classic here.”

“BOXXER: Breakthrough events are about showcasing the best young talent in Britain and giving centre stage to the next generation of champions. The three bouts announced today are just the highlights of what will be an amazing card from top to bottom.”

BOXXER: Breakthrough at York Hall, London takes place Saturday, September 30 and airs live and exclusively in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports.

This event is presented in association with official partners Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

WORCESTER, Mass. (August 20, 2023) – In a rare battle of undefeated boxers, Steve “The Savage” Sumpter used his athleticism to defeat James “Pitbull” Perkins in the main event of last night’s “Pandemonium at The Palladium,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“Our first show in Worcester was awesome and the Palladium is a great venue,” GCP President Chris Traietti remarked. “The fighters did a great job on a high-quality show in our first but not last show here.“

Sumpter never stopped moving, Perkins kept charging forward. Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Pittsfield (MA), Sumpter won an eight-round majority decision, albeit it on contrasting judges’ scoring – two judges had Sumpter winning each round ( 80-72) but the other had it a draw, 76-76 – for the vacant IBA Americas Super Middleweight Championship.

“The plan was for me to keep moving to tire him out,” Sumpter said after the fight. “My footwork was key because he couldn’t keep up with me. I’m bringing this belt home like I said I would.”

Styles make fights and last night’s main event was a perfect example. The first round found the athletic Sumpter moving circularly, the powerfully built Perkins going forward and applying pressure as he attempted to cut off the ring. There was a lot of feinting and little connecting from both fighters in the second or third rounds in the strategic match-up.

Sumpter went down right after the bell ending the third, ruled so by the referee, and both fighters started mixing it up in the fourth as Sumpter used his jab more effectively.

The fighters went toe to toe in fifth as the action accelerated, but neither was injured, and their boxing chess match continued into the sixth. Sumpter kept the hard charging Perkins off balance in the seventh, setting up a critical eighth and final round with the outcome still up in the air. Sumpter and Perkins let their hands go in the eighth round, leaving everything they had in the ring.

“I thought I had a pretty good performance,” Sumpter added. “It could have been a little more offensive. I started moving and he couldn’t keep up with me. When I was on the ropes, I spun off like I always do. I kept throwing my jab and moving. He was getting tired, and his hands started coming down. I want to keep fighting, keep progressing, and I’ll be right back in the gym.”

Denzel Whitley registered the quickest KO in Palladium boxing history

In the co-featured event, Undefeated Massachusetts Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (12-0, 7 KOs), of Holyoke (MA), added another title belt to his collection, defeating his Mexican opponent, Hector “El Gatito” Esnar Bobadilla (9-15-1, 4 KOs), for the vacant USBF Atlantic Welterweight Championship. A notoriously slow starter, Whitley needed only one punch – left hook to the body – to stop Bobadilla only 25 seconds into the opening round.

Springfield lightweight Carlos “El Gallo” Gonzalez (7-0, 7 KOs) extended his undefeated knockout streak to 7-0 with his seventh stoppage against transitioning mixed-martial-arts fighter Johnny “Cupcakes” Campbell (0-1) in the sixth round. Campbell was entertaining and tough, as usual, but Gonzalez was patient, finally catching Campbell in the last scheduled round. Campbell was trapped in his own corner as Cruz exploded with a barrage of punches. Campbell went down and the referee ruled that he was unable to continue.

“”I let good tonight,” Whitley commented. “I listened to everybody who has been telling me to start fast. I did…one punch and it was over. I was told that it’s the fastest knockout ever here (Palladium).”

“Sumpter and Perkins stepped up and did something a lot of fighters won’t do (two undefeated fighters in a fight),” Traietti concluded. “One of them had to win and it was Steve. He looked great, but this wasn’t a step down for Perkins, only a detour. Denzel has been listening to his (trainer) father and uncle. He only needed one punch tonight. The sky’s the limit for him.”

?
Hometown favorite Eslih Owusu pleased his Worcester fan-base

The only hometown fighter on the card, Worcester junior middleweight Eslih Owusu (10-1, 5 KOs), simply brought too much into the ring for Texas journeyman Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (13-55-2, 9 KOs). A past World Boxing Council (WBC) World Youth title challenger, left-handed Owusu threw punches in bunches, sending Smith down in the fourth via a left hook. Owusu finished off Smith in the following round, trapping the Texan in the corner until Smith went down for the final time.

In his stiffest test to date, three-time New England Golden Gloves Champion Felix Parrilla (8-0, 7 KOs), of New Haven (CT), faced 2008 Ecuador Olympian Luis Porozo (16-8, 9 KOs) in a scheduled eight-round featherweight match. Parrilla displayed every punch in his vast arsenal, after breaking down Porozo with a steady diet of body shots, picking up the pace in the third round as the clear aggressor. At this point Parrilla was in complete control of the action, battering Porozo who suffered a flash knockdown in the fourth, and Porozo was penalized a point in the fifth for holding. The punishment Porozo had suffered showed in the sixth and when he unwisely turned his back to Parilla in a neutral corner, the referee had seen enough, and he quickly stopped the fight.

Cuban amateur star Dany Lafos Poll (1-0, 1 KOs), a 2021 AIBA Youth Champion, had an encouraging pro debut, blasting overmatched Jeremy Gregory (0-8-1) all around the ring until a vicious left to the body dropped Gregory. The referee waved off the fight at the 2:46 mark of round one.

“The Outlaw” Ryan Venable (2-13-1) upset previously undefeated lightweight prospect Calixto Cruz (2-1), of Springfield (MA), dropping Cruz with a stunning right hook in round one. Cruz came back strong, but he fell short on the judges’ scorecards, losing a four-round split decision.

Canadian lightweight Thomas Blumenfeld opened the show quickly, stopping Richard “Hard To Hit” Bernard (1-13-1) midway through the opening round. A 2020 Commonwealth Games silver medalist, southpaw Blumenfeld decked his opponent with a multi-punch combination, then moments later he closed the show with a sweet right-left combination.

Official results below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT IBA AMERICAS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

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

WDEC8 (80-72, 80-72, 76-76)

James Perkins (12-1-1, 9 KOs), Lynn, MA

(Sumpter won IBA Americas super middleweight title)

CO-FEATURE – VACANT USBF ATLANTIC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Denzel Whitley (12-0, 7 KOs), Holyoke, MA

WKO1 (0:25)

Hector Esnar Bobadilla (9-15-1, 4 KOs), Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico

(Whitley won the USBF Atlantic welterweight title)

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Eslih Owusu (10-1, 5 KOs), Worcester, MA

WTKO5 (0;53)

Larry Smith (13-55-2, 9 KOs), Mesquite, TX

Dany Lafos Poll (1-0, 1 KOs), Santiago, Cuba

WTKO1 (2:46)

Jeremy Gregory (0-8-1, 0 KOs), Auburn, NY

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Carlos Gonzalez (7-0, 7 KOs), Springfield, MA

WTKO6 (1:29)

Johnny Campbell (0-1), Plymouth, MA

Thomas Blumenfeld (3-0, 2 KOs), Springfield, MA by way of Canada

WKO1 (1:36)

Richard Bernard (1-13-1, 0 KOs) Waianae, Hawaii lbs.

Ryan Venable (1-13-1, 0 KOs), Roanoke, VA

WDEC4 (38-37, 38-37, 37-38)

Calixto Cruz (2-1, 0 KOs), Springfield, MA

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Felix Parrilla (8-0, 7 KOs), New Haven, CT

WTKO6 (1:11)

Luis Porozo (16-8, 9 KOs), Santo Domingo, Ecuador

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (AUGUST 19, 2023)–On Saturday night, August 26th, Joe Frazier Jr. and Mis Downing Promotions will present a night of championship boxing that will coincide with the previously announced Ultimate Experience Weekend.

The boxing card will take place at The Showboat Hotel and will be headlined by a 10-ruond bout featuring Derrick Webster taking on Christopher Pearson for the NBA Super Middleweight championship.

Webster of Glassboro, New Jersey has a record of 29-4 with 14 knockouts. The 41 year-old Webster is a 14 year-professional who has defeated Obodai Sai (23-1), Thomas Awimbono (25-5), Frankie Filippone (22-5-1), Francisco Cordero (38-9) and his last outing when he won a six-round unanimous decision over Christian Thomas on April 29th in Philadelphia.

Pearson of Selma, Texas is 17-3 with 12 knockouts. The 32- year-old Pearson won his first 13 bouts with wins over Arturo Crespin (10-2-1), Acaclo Jose Fereira (13-0-1), Steven Martinez (15-1), Siad El Harrak (12-2) and Janks Trotter (9-1-1). Pearson also has wins over Joshua Okine (28-6-1) and worlds title challengerYamaguchi Falcao (16-0).

In the eight-round co-feature, Shinard Bunch will take on Abraham Afful in a super lightweight contest.

Bunch of Trenton, NJ has a record of 20-2-1 with 16 knockouts. The 24 year-old is a four-year professional who has wins over Shyngyskhan Tazhibay (9-1-1) and former world title challenger Hank Lundy. Bunch is coming off a split decision loss to Bryan Flores on April 7th in Brooks, California.

Afful of Accra, Ghana is 12-5-1 with all of his wins coming via knockout. The 26 year-old is a 13 year professional who has a win over Joseph Tagoe (2-0). Attful has lost two straight and is looking to get back in the win column after losing to Angel Beltran Villa on June 23rd in Ontario, California.

In a six-round super bantamweight bout, Devin Gantt (4-0, 4 KOs) of Sicklerville, NJ takes on Kevin Traynor (1-4, 1 KO of Denny, Scotland.

Nimal Farmer (4-0, 4 KOs) of Lindenwold, NJ fights Nelson Morales (4-8,1 KO) of Scranton, PA in a junior welterweight contest.

In four-round bouts:

Khaalid Billings (1-0) of Queens,NY takes on Aaron Nemones (1-3) of Atlantic City in a welterweight contest.

Stanley Johnson (1-0, 1 KO) of Houston Squares off with Charles Johnson (2-7, 1 KO) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland in a heavyweight scrap.

Tickets are $150 for Premium Floor, $125 for Premium Balcony, $90 for General Floor and $65 for General Balcony and can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE

2020 Olympic Gold Medal winner Galal Yafai continued his dominant run as a professional as he stopped Tommy Frank in the opening round of their 10-round flyweight bout in Birmingham. England.

In round one, Yafai dropped Frank with a right hook. Yafai was all over Frank until the corner of Frank threw in the towel at 1:40.

Yafai, 111.8 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 5-0 with four knockouts. Frank, 111.9 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 15-4-1.

Conan Walker stopped Cyrus Pattinson at the end of round seven of their 10-round welterweight bout.

Walker dropped Pattinson rounds three and five. Pattinson sent Walker to the deck in round six. The fight was stopped after round seven after Walker continued to land hard shots on Pattinson.

Solomon Dacres won a 10-round unanimous decision over Chris Thompson in a heavyweight bout.

Dacres of Birmingham, England won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92.

Khaleel Majid won an eight-round decision over Alessandro Fersula in a super lightweight bout.

At the end of round one, Majid dropped Fersula with a hard left hook.

Majid of Bolton, ENG won by a 78-73 score.

In a rematch, Jordan Flynn and Kane Bake fought to a 10-round draw in a super featherweight contest.

In round two, Flynn dropped Baker with an overhand right.

The fight was scored 94-94.

Ibraheem Sulaiman made a successful pro debut with a first round stoppage over Michel Gonxhe in a four-round lightweight bout.

Sulaiman landed a hard left that was followed up by a flurry which was featured by a hard right hook and left to the face thar forced a stoppage at 1:27. Gonxhe protested the stoppage.

Sulaiman, 136.4 lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 1-0 with one knockout. Gonxhe, 136.5 lbs of Karlsruhe, GER is 5-5-1.

Aaron Bowen stopped Wilmer Baron htwo of their six-round middleweight bout

In round two, Bowen dropped Baron with a left to the body. Bowen then hit Baron with a right hand while he was down, but it was not called and the fight was over after a 10-count at 52 seconds.

Bowen, 162.9 lbs of Coventry, ENG is 3-0 with two knockouts. Baron, 165.3 lbs of Arboletes, COL is 6-2.

Sahil Khan made a successful pro debit with a four-round decision over Sean Jackson in a bantamweight fight.

Khan, 122.2 lbs of Birmingham, ENG won by a 40-36 score and is now 1-0. Jackson, 120.9 lbs of Manchester, NG is 0-15-1.

Muhammad Ali remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Francisco Rodriguez in a four-round super bantamweight fight.

In round three, Ali dropped Rodriguez with a body shot. Ali jumped all over Rodriguez until the towel was thrown in at 1:20

Ali, 123.5 lbs of Leicastershire, ENG is 3-0 with one knockout.

Kurt Scoby remained undefeated with a sixth round stoppage over Narcisco Carmona in a eight-round junior welterweight bout at The Overtime Arena in Atlanta.

In round six, Scoby started pounding away on Carnona by landing vicious hooks and the fight was stopped at 2:31.

Scoby of New York is 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Carnmona of Spain is 11-1-1.

Shawn McCalman remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Money Powell IV in a super middleweight bout.

McCalman landed 58 of 346 punches. Powell was 58 of 275.

McCalman, 167.2 lbs of Denver won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 and is now 14-0. Powell, 168 lbs of Phoenix City, AL is 13-2.

In a tremendous war that went to the “Overtime” round, Lorenzo Parra II outlasted Javon Woodard in a super bantamweight contest.

In round seven, Woodard started to bleed from his mouth.

Parra landed 261 of 726 punches. Woodard was 207 of 631.

Parra, 122.8 lbs of Machiques, VEN won by scores of 86-85 twice with Woodard winning a card 86-85. Parra is now 23-1. Woodard, 122.6 lbs of Raleigh, NC is 12-2.

LeAnna Cruz remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Maryguenn Vellinga in a flyweight bout.

Cruz landed 88 of 271 punches. Vellinga was 34 of 224.

Cruz, 111.6 lbs of Allentown, PA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is 6-0. Vellinga, 111.2 lbs of Park City, UT is 4-4-2.

Asa Stevens remained undefeated with a four-round split decision over D’Angelo Hopgood in a super bantamweight fight.

Stevens, 121.7 lbs of Waianae, HI won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and Hopgood took a card 39-37.

Stevens landed 66 of 205 punches. Hopgood was 67 of. 273.

Stevens is 5-0. Hopgood, 121.2 lbs of Milwaukee is 2-2-1.

Javier Zamarron remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Sabastian Santiago in a featherweight bout.

In round one, Zamarron dropped Santiago with a perfect counter left to the head.

In round four, Zamarron with cut around the right eye,

Zamarron landed 87 of 265 punches. Santiago was 52 of 307.

Zamarron, 128.2 lbs of Milwaukee won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 5-0. Santiago, 128.4 lbs of Cidra, PR is 0-2.

Nestor Bravo remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Will Madera at The Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Bravo landed 98 of 363 punches. Madera was 83 of 374.

Bravo won by scores of 99-91 and 96-94 twice and is now 22-0. Madera is 17-3-3.

Damian Lescallie win a 10-round unanimous decision over Hugo Noriega in a welterweight bout.

Lescalle was 162 of 557 punches. Noriega was 98 of 414.

Lescallie won by scores of 97-92 twice and 96-93 and is now 5-0. Noriega is 8-1.

In a battle of undefeated welterweights, Elijah Flores won a six-round majority decision over Elijah Williams.

Flores landed 82 of 188 punches. Williams was 74 of 294.

Flores won by scores of 58-56 twice and 57-57 and is now 6-0. Williams is 6-1.

Krystal Rosado made a successful pro debut with a second round stoppage over Tarrethia Dixon in a scheduled four-round super flyweight bout.

Rosado landed a big combination that forced a stoppage at 1:00 of round two.

Rosado is 1-0 with one stoppage. Dixon is 1-1.

Julian Smith won a six-round majority decision over Julio Rosa in a super lightweight bout.

Smith won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 57-57 and is now 7-2. Rosa is 8-3.

Lorenzo Medina stopped Antonio Torres in round three of their six-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Medina dropped Torres with a counter right hand. In round three, Medina hurt Torres with a hard left hook. He followed that up with a big flurry of punches to the head and the fight was stopped at 2:49.

Medina is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Torres is 4-1.

Alexander Rios stopped Javier Avila in the first round of their their six-round lightweight bout.

Rios dropped Avila with a right to the body and the fight was stopped at 1:08.

Rios, 141 lbs is now 7-0 with three knockouts. Avila is 136 lbs is 3-2.

Antravous Ingram won a four-round unanimous decision over Orlenis Licea in a junior middleweight bout.

In round one, Ingram dropped Licea with a right hook.

In round three, Ingram dropped Licea with another right hook.

Ingram won by scores of 38-35 and 37-36 twice and is now 6-0. Licea is 0-1-1.

WORCESTER, Mass. (August 17, 2023) – Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) held its “Pandemonium at The Palladium” Weigh In today at Mexicali Cantina for this Saturday night’s stacked “Pandemonium at The Palladium” card at the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“Pandemonium at The Palladium,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, will be streamed live on www.bxngtv.com.

Tickets are on sale and available for purchase online at www.ThePalladium.net. Tickets will also be sold fight night at The Palladium box office.

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

Fighters’ weights below:

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

(photo courtesy of Jose Rivera)

MAIN EVENT – VACANT IBA AMERICAS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)

(R )- Steve Sumpter (8-0, 7 KOs), Pittsfield, MA 167.6 lbs.

(L) – James Perkins (12-0-1, 9 KOs), Lynn, MA 166.6 lbs.

CO-FEATURE – VACANT USBF ATLANTIC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)

(R) – Denzel Whitley (11-0, 6 KOs), Holyoke, MA 148,6 lbs.

(L) – Hector Esnar Bobadilla (9-14-1, 4 KOs), Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico 151.6 lbs.

LIGHTWEIGHTS (6)

Johnny Campbell (pro debut), Plymouth, MA 134.6 lbs.

Carlos Gonzalez (6-0, 6 KOs), Springfield, MA 1334.2 lbs.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS (6)

Larry Smith (13-54-2, 9 KOs), Mesquite, TX 154.8 lbs.

Eslih Owusu (9-1, 4 KOs), Worcester, MA 157.4 lbs.

FEATHERWEIGHTS (6)

Felix Parrilla (7-0, 6 KOs), New Haven, CT 127.6 lbs.

Luis Porozo (16-7, 9 KOs), Santo Domingo, Ecuador 127.4 lbs.

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS (8)

Dany Lafos Poll (pro debut), Santiago, Cuba 153 lbs.

Jeremy Gregory (0-7-1, 0 KOs), Auburn, NY 155.6 lbs.

LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Ryan Venable (1-12-1, 0 KOs), Roanoke, VA 135.6 lbs.

Calixto Cruz (2-0, 0 KOs), Springfield, MA 137 lbs.

LIGHTWEIGHTS (6)

Thomas Blumenfeld (2-0, 1 KO), Springfield, VT by way of Canada 134.8 lbs.

Richard Bernard (1-12-1, 0 KOs) Waianae, HI 133.8 lbs.

(card subject to change)

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

Wasserman Boxing is incredibly excited to announce the signing of amateur star Tom Welland on a long-term promotional contract. 

Welland, who celebrates his 19th birthday today, moves into the professional ranks with a huge buzz around him after an amateur career decorated with national and international titles. 

And the super bantamweight also starts life in the paid ranks in the unique position of already having the support of two boxing hotbeds – England and the Philippines. 

Essex-born Welland has a Filipino mother and having boxed for his homeland, but wanting more opportunities, the teenager joined the Philippines’ Olympic squad earlier this year, gaining national exposure in the process. 

But eager to press ahead with his career, Welland – who is coached by Will Jones at the Edge Gym in East London – decided to leave the Olympic Games pathway and turn over, with his highly anticipated pro debut under the Wasserman Boxing banner scheduled for later this year.  

Tom Welland said: “Wasserman Boxing can make me a star and a household name. 

“They can provide me with a great platform for that to happen and given their experience in promoting huge fights, like those in the World Boxing Super Series, I couldn’t ask for anything more. 

“Boxing fans can expect me to bring fire to the ring. 

“I’m known for having heavy fists and for my body punching, so expect me to take the fight to my opponents every time I step through the ropes. 

“I expect to rise quickly and this time next year I will be looking for fights with those big names domestically.” 

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman Boxing, said: “Tom Welland has all the potential to be a truly international star. 

“Because not only does he have an excellent amateur pedigree and the tools to make a real statement in this sport, but he has the backing of not just one country – but two! 

“We are delighted to add this young man to our brilliant stable of fighters at Wasserman Boxing, and we can’t wait to share details about his professional debut, because it’s one you will not want to miss.”