PARAMUS, NJ — Scott Abella, promoter of Abella Boxing, has rejuvenated and shifted fight shows back to where they’re supposed to be in his home state of New Jersey. This Saturday night April 1, Abella Boxing Promotions will deliver their third show in the span of 12 months – Bergen County Fight Night 3 at The Terrace and Biago in Paramus, New Jersey – PPV Available on Bergen Audio Visual – $24.99

The historic event will include a six-fight card: three six-round bouts and three four-rounders. Headlining the main event, a six-round super lightweight bout, ‘The Rematch,’ between Nicky “The Bull” Vitone (9-1-1, 7 KO) and Jordan Rosario (4-10-0).

In July of 2021 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, Rosario defeated Vitone by a split decision in a four-round welterweight bout, marking the 26-year-old’s first career loss. Everyday since, the Italian out of Pine Brook, New Jersey, better known as “The Bull,” looks back on that night, being his hardest critic.

“I wouldn’t be the boxer I am today without Jordan and that fight,” Vitone said. “Ever since that loss, I’ve grown tremendously, and that fight definitely brought me down to Earth. It was very tough with mental fortitude, but honestly I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“All respect towards Jordan, but it’s just business at the end of the day. I just feel like I’m going back to take what’s mine from the beginning. Everything happens for a reason. Everyday, that fight is in the back of my head, so I’m excited to be in New Jersey again in front of my friends and family. It’s gonna be one of the best fights of the night, I can guarantee you that.”

Since suffering his first loss, “The Bull,” has gone on a full head of steam, recording five consecutive victories with two coming via knockout, and plans to keep the pace going on Saturday night April 1.

“I’m a different fighter since that last fight,” Vitone said. “I’m excited for it. I’m ready for it on April 1st.”

Despite all the hype and lead up to “The Rematch” in Bergen County Fight Night 3, Vitone’s not letting the noise get to him. He went into depth on what’s fortified him into where he’s at today: his Italian heritage from his father, Frank Vitone, who was born in Bari, Italy, and immigrated to the United States at a young age.

“I really look at my father as the American Dream,” Vitone revealed. “He came here with no money, didn’t speak English, and had to teach himself the language. He grew up in Jersey City, worked his butt off to get to where he’s at and provided an amazing life for me, my two sisters and my mother, so I’m blessed”

“I definitely try to represent the Italian-American people everyday in that ring,” he explained. “I feel like the sport definitely needs someone like me. I really do fight for the people, and I really do look at myself as the people’s champ. I leave everything in that ring everyday.”

Remaining Six-Round Bouts
Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado, (5-0-0, 20 KO%), of Ridgewood, Queens, NY, will put his undefeated record up on the line against Usiel Hernandez (2-1-0) in a junior lightweight bout.

Mike “The Champ” Lee (9-2-0, 63.6 KO%) of Jersey City, New Jersey, takes on Antonio Sanchez (7-16-3) in a welterweight bout.

Four-Round Bouts
Christian “Veneno” Otero (4-3-0, 28.5 KO%) of Harlem, NY will go toe-to-toe with southpaw Vinnie Denierio (3-7-0) in a lightweight bout.

Dane Guerrero, of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, is set to make his pro-debut against Andre Hinmon (0-2-0) in a super middleweight bout.

Kevin Hernandez (0-0-1), of Bergenfield, New Jersey will go up against George Gethers (0-3-0) in a welterweight bout.

PPV Available for $24.99 on Bergen Audio Visual
The broadcast team includes ABC 7 Sports and Eyewitness News anchor Anthony Johnson, senior boxing columnist Rich Mancuso and pro-fighter John “Bodyshot” Leonardo (9-1-1, 4 KO), of Manalapan, New Jersey, with special guest appearances to be determined.

Bergen County Fight Night 3, presented by Abella Boxing Promotions is sponsored by NY METRO PROMOTION & PRINTING, TEAM PARAMUS COLLISION, PARAMUS 186 PBA, SKULL FUEL ENERGY DRINK, WIRED PRODUCTS, MYPAL BY PALADINO ENTERPRISES – NEW JERSEY’S PREMIER, HOME SERVICE APP, TURN KEY DATA, TIRE WHEEL PERFORMANCE CENTER, CIBAO MEAT PRODUCTS “TRADICIÓN DE CALIDAD”

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – BERGEN COUNTY FIGHT NIGHT 3
WHEN: Saturday Night April 1st, 2023
WHERE: The Terrace at Biagio Ristorante located on 293 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652
BOUTS: 3 Six-Round Bouts, 3 Four-Round Bouts (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
TICKETS: EVENT IS SOLD OUT
PPV/STREAMING: Bergen Audio Visual – $24.99

Follow on Instagram: @abellaboxing
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AbellaBoxingPromotions

For any further questions, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you from Abella Boxing Promotions.

Harlem Eubank will use his headlining slot on Wasserman Boxing’s second action-packed show in a week to make a statement about his title intentions for the year. 

Live and free-to-air on Channel 5 from 10pm on Friday, the unbeaten Eubank returns to York Hall to take on Mexican hardman Christian Uruzquieta over 10 rounds and aims to set up a shot at the British title next. 

Wasserman Boxing, in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment, have put together a card that is, pound-for-pound, as talent-crammed as any you will see anywhere, and it comes straight off the back of their sold-out show in Bolton last week, with 1.5m people tuning in to watch on Channel 5.

Super lightweight star Eubank tops this week’s event that also sees the return of the destructive Matty Harris, one Britain’s most fearsome heavyweight prospects, who has blasted his way through his last three opponents in the first round. 

Harris expects to add to his highlight reel of knockouts, when trading punches with Milos Veletic, in a fight that nobody thinks will go the six-round distance. 

There also a tasty looking title tussle between Harry Scarff and Jordan Dujon on Friday’s show. 

It’s Derby vs Barnet as Scarff and Dujon battle for the WBO European super welterweight belt. 

Germany’s world-rated super welterweight Abass Baraou fights for a second time in the UK, at York Hall on Friday night, in an eight-round dust-up with Ferenc Katona. 

You don’t want to miss the British debut of Baraou’s compatriot, Sophie Alisch, the fearsome featherweight, who is being primed for world honours. 

Alisch takes on the seasoned Bec Connolly, who has tested a string of emerging fighters in recent years including Skye Nicolson and Ebanie Bridges, and so Germany’s Sophie will aim to lay down a marker as she looks to take her career to the next level. 

Make sure to keep an eye on Finchley’s Jesse Brandon, a protégé of Anthony Joshua, and a super lightweight with a massive future. 

Brandon made his debut at York Hall in November and returns to the spiritual home of British boxing this week to tackle Spain’s Borja Lopez over four rounds. 

There’s a buzz around the professional journey of Codie Smith, which starts this week with Wasserman Boxing. 

Smith boxed for England and Great Britain on the international amateur stage, but now turns his attention to the pro ranks and a four round featherweight fight with Luca Genovese on Friday night.

There is also a pro debut for Jurrell Patterson and a heavyweight outing for Peter Belberov. 

Eubank vs Uruzquieta, live and free-to-air on Channel 5, from 10pm on Friday 

MEDIA REMINDER 

Tuesday March 28 – MEDIA DAY AND OPEN WORKOUT 

Location: Bronx LDN, Vicarage Grove, Camberwell, London, SE5 7LP 

Time: 12:30pm arrival for a 1pm start 

Participants:  

• Harlem Eubank 
• Christian Uruzquieta 
• Marnie Swindells 
• Matty Harris 
• Abass Baraou 
• Kalle Sauerland 
• Adam Booth 

The weigh-in for Eubank vs Uruzquieta takes place on Friday, March 30 at 1pm, with the location to be confirmed. 

Cranston, RI – Father Time catches up to everyone, but he’s still chasing Jaime “Hurricane” Clampitt.

The 46-year-old Clampitt won her 24th professional bout Saturday in the main event of CES Boxing’s Rhode Wars 3 card at the Historic Park Theatre & Event Center, out-classing Miami’s Taynna Cardoso for a 79-73 unanimous decision win on all three scorecards. The show was CES’ first at the Park Theatre, built in 1924 and recently renovated under new ownership.

Clampitt christened the venue Saturday with a vintage performance fitting for a classic theater setting. A four-time world champion and International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Clampitt initially launched her comeback in 2021 after eight years out of the ring. A win over Kim Wabik in February of 2022 shook off some of the ring rust, but a loss to 21-year-old Miranda Reyes in June planted some seeds of doubt as the Warwick, RI, resident carefully began plotting her next steps.

With a more focused approach in camp, including hiring a physical therapist and sports psychologist, Clampitt looked better than ever Saturday, boxing circles around Cardoso (5-3), who had just gone eight hard rounds in a much closer majority decision loss to Heather Hardy in February.

On Saturday, Clampitt was a step ahead, looking much faster, sharper, and more reactive than she did in June and shows no signs of slowing down as she approaches her 47th birthday in July. Where this win takes her next remains to be seen, but it’s clear Clampitt is far from done as she continues to find her place in this new era of women’s boxing – a path she and many others paved for the current torch-bearers.

On a night that featured six fights – and the debut of CES’ first female ring announcer, Margaret Cresta – Alejandro Paulino (12-0, 10 KOs) and Anthony Velasquez (12-0, 11 KOs) provided ample firepower.

Paulino, the fast-rising unbeaten super featherweight from New London, CT, demolished St. Louis’ Derrick Murray (17-8-1) via technical knockout in the opening round. A flurry of shots early in the round put Murray in defense mode before Paulino snuck in a short left hook that caught Murray directly on the chin and sent him crashing to the canvas. Murray made it to his feet, but stumbled into the ropes trying to take a step forward, prompting referee Johnny Callas to wave it off.

Velasquez, the hard-hitting Springfield, MA, super welterweight, also made quick work of his opponent, blasting the durable Rodrigo Lopes Rodrigues (8-5) of Brazil in the opening round with a barrage of punches that forced referee Joey Lupino to step in and quickly stop the fight.

The newest addition to the CES family, Velasquez is on the fast track to success and will return to the ring at CES’ next event April 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena. He and Paulino, 26 and 24 years of age, respectively, continue to dominate the regional circuit and now boast 24 wins with 21 combined knockouts.

Fan-favorite Gary Balletto III, who grew up just miles from the Park Theatre in Cranston, also put on a show in his unanimous decision win over Raphael Torres of Marlborough, MA. Both fighters entered unbeaten and fought at cruiserweight with Balletto simply out-working Torres over six hard rounds to earn a 60-54, 60-54, 59-55 victory. The two-sport star who also competes as a welterweight in mixed martial arts is now 4-0 in boxing, following in the footsteps of his father, Gary “Tiger” Balletto.

Johnston, RI, middleweight James Maner (3-0) scored an early knockdown en route to a 40-35 unanimous decision win on all three scorecards over debut Everet Desilets (0-1) over Pawtucket, RI; and welterweight Jeffrey Gonzalez (2-0) of East Haven, CT, won a spirited 39-37, 37-39, 39-37 split decision over Jesus Salas (1-2) of New Bedford, MA.

For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience, and worked as a promotional consultant for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view event in November of 2020.

Celebrating its 99th anniversary, the Historic Park Theatre & Event Center is a 1,015-seat performance art theatre that originally opened in 1924 and reopened in October of 2022 under new ownership with major renovations that include the newly-launched Park Place Café, Comedy Park, and Rolfe Supper Club on the second floor. Owned by restaurateurs Ed Brady and Jeff Quinlan, the historic Park, located across the street from Cranston City Hall at 848 Park Ave., is capable of hosting an array of events and will expand later this year to include tributes to Queen, Bruce Springsteen, and Michael Jackson. The Park Theatre will be a space for the Rhode Island community to come together and bring history back to life.

LAS VEGAS –  It was contentious. It was surprising. It was ugly. It wasn’t everything David Benavidez thought it would be. Or promised it would be.

But it was a victory, a big one that enhanced his chances at climbing to the top of boxing’s marquee and into its pound-for-pound argument.

He beat Caleb Plant Saturday night, scoring a unanimous decision at the MGM Grand in Showtime pay-per-view bout. But it was neither the beat-down he vowed nor the blood-letting he threatened. Plant survived. His jaw stayed intact. He was still upright after six rounds. He didn’t go to the hospital.

Benavidez had promised to shatter that jaw. He said he would knock him out within six rounds. He promised him a trip to the emergency room. 

But, in the end, he hugged Plant. He praised him. Instead of contempt, there were congratulations.

“I would talk shit,” said Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOS), who had talked enough of it to fill a couple of metropolitan sewers. “But I like this guy now.”

It was an astonishing comment. Maybe,  peace-on-earth is possible, after all.. Benavidez and Plant had behaved as though they would be enemies until the bitter end. And that’s how the super-middleweight bout — a so-called title eliminator for a shot at undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez — began.

Just seconds before the opening bell echoed throughout a sold out arena, Referee Kenny Bayless ordered them to touch gloves, a gesture of respect. They didn’t.

For the next 12 rounds, however, they were forced to respect each other. Benavidez moved forward, stubbornly and seemingly sure that one of his promises would become reality. But Plant had other ideas and perhaps more resilience than the Phoenix-born fighter expected 

.

Plant ( 22-2, 13 KOs) threw body shots and moved around the ring, trying to take advantage of every inch in its 22-by-22 feet of real estate. Benavidez stalked and often mocked. He followed Plant to his corner after the ninth, talking to the back of Plant’s head as if to say the end was near. It wasn’t. 

Plant came roaring out of his corner for the 10th, throwing a low blow as a warning shot.

He wasn’t finished. But he was behind on the cards. Tim Ceathham scored it, 115-113. David Moretti had it 116-112. On Steve Weisfeld’s card, it was 117-111. All for Benavidez, whose size and strength were dominant factors over the five six rounds.

“I feel good, my mind’s right,” Plant said. “David is a helluva fighter. It’s a big rivalry but that’s what boxing is all about. We came here and settled it like men. I take nothing from David. We haven’t been the best of friends but we got into the ring and we settled it like men.”

In the super-middleweight division, there’s much more to settle, of course. For the 26-year Benavidez, the victory might represent the beginning of a new stage, especially if Canelo agrees to fight him.

“I just want to tell everyone that I have a lot of respect for Canelo Alvarez but he has to give me that shot now,” he said. “That’s what everyone wants to see. Let’s make it happen.

“I don’t think Canelo is trying to avoid me. I just feel like he has a lot of options. But now the fans are calling for this fight, the legends are calling for this fight, so let’s make it happen.”

Even Caleb Plant would agree.

Cheers welcomed Benvidez, the first to enter the jammed arena. There were boos for Plant, who He wasn;t far from his hometown. He grew up on on the westside of Phoenix. It sounded if a lot.

Third Benevidez beging to cuut off the ring during the round’s finl minute. In the opening    

Jesus Ramos wins dominant stoppage

Jesus Ramos moved up the scale, hoping to be a good fit.

For one night, at least, the fit looked to be perfect. 

For Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs), the prospects look promising at junior-middleweight.

Ramos, of Casa Grande AZ, dominated Joseph Spencer, forcing his corner to surrender at 1:25 of the seventh round in the final fight Saturday before Showtime’s Pay-Per-View biggie, David Benavidez-versus-Caleb Plant at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

It didn’t take long for Ramos, a former welterweight and Abel Ramos’ nephew, to show that he’s very comfortable at junior-middleweight. Very dangerous, too

Late in the first round, Ramos threw a short left that landed like the hammer on a  pulled trigger. It crashed off Spencer’s chin and sent him crashing onto the canvas. A resilient Spencer (16-1, 10 KOs) , of Fenton Mich., got up. But it also set up the inevitable. Ramos continued to walk down, push around Spencer before his corner told referee Tony Weeks “no mas.”

Chris Colbert gets ups from knockdown to win controversial decision 

Jose Valenzuela’s first impression rocked and rolled.

But Chris Colbert survived. Make that thrived.

Colbert got up from a first-round knockdown to win a controversial decision — 95-94 on all three cards — over Valenzuela Saturday night on the Showtime pay-per-view card featuring David Benavidez-versus-Caleb Plant.

A roaring crowd expressed its outrage over the decision from judges Glenn Feldman, Lias Giampa and Don Trella. Colbert stuck his tongue out at the booing fans and Valenzuela, junior-middleweight and Benavidez stablemate.

“You called me a loser,” Colbert screamed at Valenzuela.

An angry Valenzuela then looked at broadcaster Jim Gray as he prepared for an interview in the middle of the ring.

“Who do you think won,?” Valenzuela asked.

“I ask the questions,” Gray said..

There was no question about what happened during the fight’s first few seconds. The opening bell still echoed through the arena when Valenzuela landed a thunderbolt-like left. 

Colbert and Valenzuela heard the ref’s instructions.

They touched gloves.

Valenzuela dropped Colbert.

One-two-three,  all in one quick sequence.

Looking like the best leftie since Fernando, Valenzuela (12-2, 8 KOs) ducked and came up with a left that Colbert (16-1, 6 KOs) never saw. It was astonishing that Colbert got up. He calls himself Prime Time. He knew there was still some left in the hour glass and prove it repeatedly by coming back with solid shots from the second through the 10th rounds.

 He was up and on his feet, fighting back at about the same time former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder walked into the arena and toward his ringside seat.

Cody Crowley win emotional decision in punishing fight with Abel Ramos

Abel Ramos wanted to make a statement. 

Instead, he got one.

Cody Crowley delivered it repeatedly with stubborn  pressure and wicked uppercuts in a punishing majority decision over Ramos Saturday in the first televised bout on the Showtime pay-per-view card featuring David Benavidez-versus-Caleb Plant  at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

The bout, a WBC title eliminator, was close and somewhat controversial. Crowley (22-0, 9 KOs) was the winner on judge Chris Migliore’s card, 116-112. He he won on Steven Wiesfeld’s card, 11-113. However, judge Tim Cheatham scored it a draw, 115-115.

In the eleventh, it looked as if Ramos (27-6-2, 21 KOs) might have a chance. Ramos, of Casa Grande AZ, landed a short right that buckled Crowley’s knees. Referee Robert Hoyle ruled that Ramos had scored a knockdown. It looked as if  the Canadian touched the canvas with a glove as he tried to stay on his feet. But video replay showed that he had not.

The knockdown was overturned from ringside before the 12th and final round. . A punishing victory belonged to Crowley.

An emotional Crowley (22-0, 9 KOs) came into the welterweight title eliminator determined to win one for his late dad, who committed suicide in June. Crowley cried during news conferences when asked about him during news conferences before the welterweight bout.

Crowley was fighting for a lost dad. Fighting for his dad’s memory. And fighting to make a statement against the mental illness that led to his father’s tragic death.

Consider it delivered.

Kevin Gonzalez remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Sanmartin in a super bantamweight fight.

Scores were 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 for Gonzalez, 121.4 lbs of Culican, MEX is 26-0-1. Sanmartin, 121.8 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is 34-7-1.

Orestes Velazquez, a Cuban living in Miami, had advantages in reach, power and energy. 

That and more proved to be too much for Argentine Marcelino Lopez (37-3-1, 22 KOs) throughout 10-rounds of junior-welterweight bout, the first on card featuring David Benavidez-Caleb Plant Saturday at the MGM Grand’s Grand Garden Arena.

Velazquez’ long jab dictated the pace as it landed repeatedly, sending echoes throughout a mostly empty arena hours before the main event. Velazquez (7-0, 6 KOs) won easily on all three scorecards –99-91, 97-93, 99-91. 

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that former WEC^® and UFC lightweight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Modern Wing’ as a member of the Class of 2023. The 2023 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires^®, will take place on Thursday, July 6, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event will be streamed live an exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS^®.

“Cowboy Cerrone is one of the best lightweights in UFC history,” UFC President Dana White said. “Cowboy consistently fought the best of the best for over a decade inside the Octagon and set a ton of records in the process. He was also a complete savage who would fight anyone at any time. He is a true legend, and it will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame as part of International Fight Week.”

Cerrone will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as a member of the Modern Wing, joining others in this distinguished category, including Forrest Griffin (2013), BJ Penn (2015), Urijah Faber (2017), Ronda Rousey (2018), Michael Bisping (2019), Rashad Evans (2019), Georges St-Pierre (2020), Khabib Nurmagomedov (2022), Daniel Cormier (2022) and Jose Aldo (2023). The “Modern Era” category includes athletes who turned pro on or after November 17, 2000 (when the first UFC event under the unified rules of MMA was held), are a minimum age of 35, or who have been retired for one year or more.

A veteran of 55 fights during his 16-year professional MMA career, Cowboy compiled a record of 36-17 (2 NC), securing victories over UFC veterans Jim Miller and Edson Barboza, former WEC lightweight champions Rob McCullough and Jamie Varner, former UFC lightweight champions Charles Oliveira and Eddie Alvarez, and former WEC and UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.

Cerrone made his professional MMA debut on February 11, 2006, as part of Ring of Fire 21, submitting his opponent, former UFC lightweight Nate Mohr, via triangle choke in the first round. Cowboy would win his next six fights across three MMA promotions, before joining World Extreme Cagefighting as an undefeated lightweight with a 7-0 record.

Donald made his WEC debut on September 5, 2007, on the prelims of WEC^® 30: McCULLOUGH vs. CRUNKILTON, which took place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Cowboy’s 56-second submission victory (triangle choke) over Kenneth Alexander would be overturned and recategorized as a no contest, but he would secure victories in his next two fights over Danny Castillo and Rob McCullough to earn a shot to win the WEC lightweight title against Jamie Varner in the main event of WEC 38.

WEC^® 38: VARNER vs. CERRONE took place on January 25, 2009, at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, Calif., and served as Cowboy’s first headlining event as a professional mixed martial artist. Jamie and Donald put on an amazing fight that would go the distance, with Varner winning via split decision.

Although that was his first loss under the WEC banner, Cowboy would bounce back by winning four of his next six bouts, including his rematch with Varner, before the organization was absorbed by Zuffa.

Over the next five years, Cerrone would win 19 of his next 23 fights, becoming one of the most consistently active and beloved contenders in the UFC lightweight division. He would continue to fight the biggest names in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions during the final six years of his career. He retired in July 2022 after a loss to Jim Miller at UFC 276.

Cerrone enters the UFC Hall of Fame with an impressive resume that includes:

UFC / WEC:

• Most finishes in UFC / WEC history combined – 20

• Most wins in UFC / WEC history combined – 29

UFC:

• Most KO / TKO by kick in UFC history – 7

• Most knockdowns in UFC history – 20

• Tied for second-most finishes in UFC history – 16

• Tied for second-most wins in UFC history – 23

• Third most fights in UFC history – 38

UFC lightweight division:

• Second-most wins in UFC lightweight history – 17

• Tied for second-most knockdowns in UFC lightweight history – 11

• Tied for fourth-most finishes in UFC lightweight history – 10

• Fifth-most significant strikes landed in UFC lightweight history – 1,127

Outside the Octagon, Cerrone has been honored with several awards during his career, including being recognized by the Fighters Only World MMA Awards as the Breakthrough Fighter of the Year in 2011, and receiving Fight of the Year honors by Sports Illustrated and Sherdog.com for his 2009 fight against Benson Henderson for the interim WEC lightweight title.

A native of Denver, Colo., Cowboy began his martial arts career by training in kickboxing and Muay Thai. Cerrone holds an undefeated 28-0-1 record as a professional Muay Thai artist and competed in professional boxing. He currently resides in Edgewood, New Mexico, with his wife, Lindsay, and three sons.

To view Cerrone’s UFC FIGHT PASS collection please visit: https://ufcfightpass.com/playlist/13235/donald-cerrone-ufc-hall-of-fame. To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFC.com/HOF. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

NEW HEAVYWEIGHT STAR Moses Itauma will be back in the ring on April 15 at the Copper Box Arena, having been added to the card headlined by the Joe Joyce-Zhilei Zhang showdown.

Itauma, just 18, moved to 2-0 as a professional in Telford tonight where he inflicted a first defeat on the Argentinean Ramon Ibarra.

The World and European youth gold medallist will step up to six round action in London.

Tickets to see Itauma in action on the showdown between Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang on Saturday, 15 April at the Copper Box Arena, London are on sale now from: ticketmaster.co.uk.

JOE JOYCE WILL defend his WBO Interim World Heavyweight title against the Chinese giant Zhilei Zhang at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday April 15, live on BT Sport.

Super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali will fight in a six-rounder with Dagenham super welterweight Joel Kodua fighting over four.

In a battle of former world champions, Jose Ramirez stopped Richard Commey in round 11 of a scheduled to 12-round junior welterweight bout in front of nearly 15,000 fans at The Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

In round 11, Ramirez dropped Commey with an uppercut. Later in round, it was a body that put Commey to his knees at 2:31.

Ramirez, 140 lbs of Avenal, CA is 28-1 with 18 knockouts. Commey, 140 lbs of Accra, GHA 30-5-1.

Estrada Decisions Rupprecht To Unify Strawweight Titles

Seniesa Estrada scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Tina Rupprecht to unify the WBA and WBC Strawweight titles.

Estrada, 104.2 lbs of East Los Angeles won by scored of 100-90 on all cards and is now 24-0. Rupprecht, 104.8 lbs of Augsburg, GER is 12-1-1.

Mireles win Split-Decision over Mailata

6’9″ heavyweight Antonio Mireles picked him self off the deck to win a six-round split decision over Patrick Mailata

In round three, Mailata landed a short right that wobbled and eventually sent the big Mireles to the canvas. Mireles took four-rounds on two cards as he on by scores of 57-56 twice and Mailata took a card 57-56.

Mireles, 265.4 lbs of Des Moines, IA is 7-0. Mailata, 321.4 lbs of Apia, SAM is 6-2.

Raymond Muratalla stopped Humberto Galindo in round nine of their 10-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Galindo dropped Muratalla with a right hand. In round four, Muratalla dropped Galindo with a left to the liver.

In round nine, Muraralla dropped Galindo with a body shot combination that made Galindo stay on his knee for the 10-count at 2:46.

Muratalla, 136.6 lbs of Fontana, CA is 17-0 with 14 knockouts. Galindo, 136 lbs of Riverside, CA is 14-3-1.

Charlie Sheehy remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Angel Rebollar in a lightweight bout.

In round six, Sheehy was cut on the left eyelid from an accidental headbutt.

Sheehy, 134.8 lbs of Brisbane, CA won by scores of 60-54 and 58-56 twice is now 6-0. Rebollar, 133.4 lbs of Los Angeles is 6-2.

Jessie James Guerrero and Eduardo Alvarez battled to a four-round majority draw in a light flyweight bout.

In round two, Guerrero was cut over the right eye from an accidental headbutt.

Scores were 40-36 for Guerrero and 38-38 twice. Guerrero, 109 lbs of Gilroy, CA is the nephew of former world champion Robert Guerrero is 3-0-2. Alvarez, 108.6 lbs of Maywood, CA is 0-2-1.

Ricardo Ruvalcaba stopped Marco Antonio Cardenas in round one of their scheduled six-round junior welterweight bout.

Ruvalcaba dropped Cardenas with a step around body shot, and the fight was stopped at 2:59 of round one.

Ruvalcaba, 140.8 lbs of Ventura, CA is 8-0-1 with seven knockouts. Cardenas, 140.4 lbs of Salem, OR is 9-8-1.

Subara Murata scored a first round stoppage over Jose Negrete in a scheduled four-round junior featherweight bout.

In round one, Murata dropped Negrete with a straight left to the chin. Negrete got to his feet, but he was wobbling all over the place and the fight was stopped.

Murata, 121.8 lbs of Tokyo, JAP is 4-0 with four knockouts. Negrete, 121.4 lbs of Hartford, CA is 2-2.

Manchester, England – 25th March 2023 –  WBO Cruiserweight Champion Lawrence Okolie returned to Sky Sports to retain his World Championship in a confident unanimous decision victory over the previously-undefeated New Zealand champion and WBO #1 contender David Light at the AO Arena, Manchester.

Despite having been out of the ring for over a year, Okolie dominated the fight with scorecards of: 119-108, 117-110, and 116-112, showing class and skill under his new trainer SugarHill Steward, a relationship looking likely to bear even richer fruit in future.

The North London native controlled the range of the fight very successfully with a pawing jab that stopped Light from getting into position to land any damaging shots. When Light did get close, Okolie used effective short hooks from within the clinch.

While the jab did most of the work for Okolie in the early rounds, the right hand did find its mark at an increasing frequency as the fight went on. The resulting damage accumulated to the point Light was running on fumes by the end of the fight and the scorecards remained lopsided despite a point deduction for Okolie in the 11th round. 

With Okolie a proven one-shot fight-finisher, Light showed he has a genuinely world-class chin by not being knocked down in the 10th and 11th rounds, but he could do little else than try to remain standing as the fight went on.

Lawrence Okolie said to Sky Sports after the fight: “David Light was extremely tough, but there’s no excuses and we use it to get better. I hurt him in the second half of the fight, and he was dancing round the ring away from me, but he had strong defenses and was able to survive. I’ll fight anyone, if you think you’re good enough to beat me, meet me in the ring and let’s fight.”

Britain is teeming with cruiserweight talent in the form of fighters like Richard Riakporhe and Chris Billam-Smith, but Lawrence Okolie has the right to claim to be at the very top of the pile, having made multiple defenses of his world championship against top opposition, and looking set to keep getting better after ending his period of inactivity and finding a new world-class trainer.

Who of the exciting Brits in the division will end up on top in the end is still to be seen, but it is undeniable Lawrence Okolie is right at the centre of a golden era of British boxing at 200lbs, and has huge fights with BOXXER coming for him very soon.

Televised Card Results:

Lawrence Okolie def. David Light – UD (119-109, 117-110, 116-112)

Frazer Clarke def. Bogdan Dinu – RTD Rd 2 (3:00)

Michael Gomez Jr def. Levi Giles – SD (97-93, 97-94, 95-96)

Karriss Artingstall def. Linzi Buczynski – PTS (60-54)

Callum Simpson def. Celso Neves – KO Rd 3 (1:36)

Full Undercard Results

Frazer Clarke def. Bogdan Dinu – RTD Rd 2 (3:00)

Olympic bronze medalist and top domestic heavyweight, Frazer Clarke, took the fifth stoppage of his six-fight career, forcing an opponent that has never quit before in Bogdan Dinu to end the fight on his stool with broken ribs, despite Clarke getting cut from a clash of heads.

Clarke switched up his offense effectively to the head and the body throughout the two rounds of the fight, and counter-punched well when Dinu tried to clinch and make the fight ugly. 

Frazer Clarke has again staked himself at the top of the British Heavyweight scene, and will be hungry to have big fights against top opposition in the next 12 months.

Frazer Clarke said to Sky Sports after the fight: “Bogdan Dinu saved the show, so respect to him and his family. I knew I’d hurt him to the body a few times in the fight, but I rushed in and didn’t give myself the space to hit him on the other side, and at points I was throwing shots from too far out. I’m always improving and I hope I can get out again soon.”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO & founder, said: “Frazer Clarke is in the best physical shape of his career so far. I think he’s really enjoying himself right now and he’s going from strength to strength. We’re aiming for the British title by the end of the year.”

Michael Gomez Jr def. Levi Giles – SD (97-93, 97-94, 95-96)

Son of a boxing legend, Michael Gomez Jr can now call himself a champion in his own right after winning a razor-tight, action-packed fight for the English Super Featherweight Championship. 

Gomez Jr never stopped coming forward for the whole 30 minutes of action, showing impeccable fitness to keep a pace up that won him the fight. Gomez Jr had to come through adversity to take victory, with Giles dominating the start of the fight, showing his grit and determination to win.

Giles has significant success by targeting Gomez Jr’s body with jabs in the first half of the fight especially, forcing Gomez Jr to back-up and reset without Giles having to take any damage. 

As the fight went on, Gomez Jr was able to close the distance more often and have the success that his more front-foot, close-brawling style can bring. Giles remained the neater fighter, but Gomez Jr was able to find the target more often.

Both men will have gained fans and improved as boxers from tonight’s 10 round war, and both will come back again much stronger in future.

Michael Gomez Jr said to Sky Sports after the fight: “I was confident I’d done enough to win the fight. There’s no way I lost more than four rounds. He deserves a rematch though, hopefully down the line we can do it again for a bigger title.”

Levi Giles said to Sky Sports after the fight: “It’s a learning curve. I thought I did enough to win the fight, but we learn from these experiences and we’ll come again strong in future.”

Karriss Artingstall def. Linzi Buczynski – PTS (60-55)

Tokyo 2020 Olympic medalist and fast-moving professional prospect, Karriss Artingstall, gave a confident, intelligent performance to move to 3-0 as a professional and dominate a talented opponent in Linzi Buczynski. 

Artingstall was happy to stand in her opponent’s range, making her miss and making her pay, or even being willing to take a few shots to give a few back, backing her boxing intelligence and punch power to be able to do more damage than she would take.

Artingstall looks supremely confident as a professional, and gained invaluable experience in this fight, she looks set to climb through the ranks quickly in the fast-moving world of women’s boxing, and no-one has been able to slow her down in her professional career so far.

Karriss Artingstall said to Sky Sports after the fight: “I had a great camp, I think I could have easily done a few more rounds. My opponent gave me a lot to think about, I didn’t have it all my own way, so it’s a good bout to have under my belt for the future.”

Callum Simpson def. Celso Neves – KO Rd 3 (1:36)

Barnsley’s new superstar, Callum Simpson, made a sensational Sky Sports debut with a cold-blooded knockout in the third round. Simpson came close to a stoppage victory in the first two minutes of the fight, sending Celso Neves to the canvas with a powerful right hand. 

Neves was able to beat the referee’s count and boxed smartly to survive the rest of the first two rounds. 

Simpson threw an inch-perfect right hook, just a fraction of a second faster than Neves threw an identical one, around half way through the third round that clattered into Neves’s jaw and collapsed him onto the floor of the ring, with the referee deeming him unable to continue despite stumbling to his feet before the count of 10.

Callum Simpson showed he deserves the hype surrounding him on his BOXXER debut, earning the ninth knockout of his undefeated 11 fight career, and catching a lot of eyes who may have never seen him fight before tonight, but will make sure never to miss any of his fights from now on.

Callum Simpson said to Sky Sports after the fight: “I’ve been working towards this since I was nine, since my dad brought me into a boxing gym at age nine. I wanted the stoppage in the first round, but I’m happy to have got it. I want to be fighting for titles by the end of the year.”

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO & Founder, said: “We’ve been quietly excited about this man for a long time. He’s the sleeping giant of British boxing. He’s already operating at a very high level and now we want to go all the way with him.”

Rhys Edwards def. Brian Phillips – PTS (60-55)

Rhys Edwards took a huge step towards following in the footsteps of his World Champion stablemate Joe Cordina by handily winning an evenly-matched fight against Brian Phillips that many thought could be a serious challenge for the Welshman. 

Edwards managed the range of the fight with veteran-like skill, making sure that Phillips’s high output was totally unable to do any damage to him, while Edwards could move into range, land powerful shots, and move back out again.

Edwards is now 14-0 as a professional, and gained a huge amount of fight-experience from these six rounds. He looks set for massive fights from now on in his career, and to keep moving up to the top of the boxing world.

Aaron McKenna def. Jordan Grant – PTS (60-54)

Ireland’s impressive 23-year-old prospect at 147lbs, Aaron McKenna, moved to 16-0 as a professional in dazzling fashion, smashing a tough opponent in Jordan Grant in a fight where McKenna came within moments of a stoppage on multiple occasions. 

Grant showed tremendous grit to see the final bell under a constant barrage from McKenna, who didn’t drop from his rapid pace of output for the whole six rounds of the fight.

Grant even found a few opportunities to fire back while facing McKenna’s whirlwind, occasionally landing shots that kept McKenna on his toes, but the fight’s overall direction is shown by McKenna’s perfect showing on the referee’s scorecard.

Shakiel Thompson def. Robert Talarek – PTS (59-54)

Sheffield’s future superstar ‘Dr Steel’ Shakiel Thompson battered a 47-fight-veteran in Robert Talarek from pillar to post for six rounds in the 10th victory of his undefeated career. 

Somehow Talarek refused to be stopped despite the 18 minutes of punishment, with Thompson in the sixth round especially landing a number of brutal straight right hands that would have knocked out almost any other opponent. 

Thompson’s dominance was unaffected by a point being taken away from him in the final round, taking a clean sweep on the card otherwise.

Harvey Lambert def. Casey Brown – PTS (40-37)

Exciting 6’3” Super Welterweight prospect Harvey Lambert cruised to another victory in only the second fight of his professional career, consistently landing the better punches and doing the better work against a vastly more experienced opponent in Casey Brown. 

Lambert looked calm and collected across the four rounds of the fight, failing to lose a single one of them on the referee’s scorecard.

Full Card Results: 

Lawrence Okolie def. David Light – UD (119-108, 117-110, 116-112)

Frazer Clarke def. Bogdan Dinu – RTD Rd 2 (3:00)

Michael Gomez Jr def. Levi Giles – SD (97-93, 97-94, 95-96)

Karriss Artingstall def. Linzi Buczynski – PTS (60-54)

Callum Simpson def. Celso Neves – KO Rd 3 (1:36)

Rhys Edwards def. Brian Phillips – PTS (60-55)

Aaron McKenna def. Jordan Grant – PTS (60-54)

Shakiel Thompson def. Robert Talarek – PTS (59-54)

Harvey Lambert def. Casey Brown – PTS (40-37)

Prospects deliver on Okolie vs Light undercard

Tonight’s undercard action, live at the AO Arena, Manchester, and streamed live on the Sky Sports Boxing YouTube channel, kicked off in style.

A raft of massively exciting young fighters showing the world why they are so highly regarded and why BOXXER has the greatest stable of fighters in British boxing today.

22-year-old Welsh talent Rhys Edwards shone in a fight against a seriously formidable opponent, undoubtedly adding everyone in the arena to his already sizable list of fans, while devastating middleweight Shakiel Thompson once again showed his savage punch power. 

None of the electrifying BOXXER prospects on the undercard lost a round to their opponent in an unprecedented display of talent and skill against a raft of dangerous opponents who would have given a lesser set of fighters a lot of problems.

Full Undercard Results:

Rhys Edwards def. Brian Phillips – PTS (60-55)

Aaron McKenna def. Jordan Grant – PTS (60-54)

Shakiel Thompson def. Robert Talarek – PTS (59-54)

Harvey Lambert def. Casey Brown – PTS (40-37)

The event’s main card is live and exclusive in the UK on Sky Sports Action from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8pm.

Rhys Edwards def. Brian Phillips – PTS (60-55)

Rhys Edwards took a huge step towards following in the footsteps of his World Champion stablemate Joe Cordina by handily winning an evenly-matched fight against Brian Phillips that many thought could be a serious challenge for the Welshman. 

Edwards managed the range of the fight with veteran-like skill, making sure that Phillips’s high output was totally unable to do any damage to him, while Edwards could move into range, land powerful shots, and move back out again.

Edwards is now 14-0 as a professional, and gained a huge amount of fight-experience from these six rounds. He looks set for massive fights from now on in his career, and to keep moving up to the top of the boxing world.

Aaron McKenna def. Jordan Grant – PTS (60-54)

Ireland’s impressive 23-year-old prospect at 147lbs, Aaron McKenna, moved to 16-0 as a professional in dazzling fashion, smashing a tough opponent in Jordan Grant in a fight where McKenna came within moments of a stoppage on multiple occasions. 

Grant showed tremendous grit to see the final bell under a constant barrage from McKenna, who didn’t drop from his rapid pace of output for the whole six rounds of the fight.

Grant even found a few opportunities to fire back while facing McKenna’s whirlwind, occasionally landing shots that kept McKenna on his toes, but the fight’s overall direction is shown by McKenna’s perfect showing on the referee’s scorecard.

Shakiel Thompson def. Robert Talarek – PTS (59-54)

Sheffield’s future superstar ‘Dr Steel’ Shakiel Thompson battered a 47-fight-veteran in Robert Talarek from pillar to post for six rounds in the 10th victory of his undefeated career. 

Somehow Talarek refused to be stopped despite the 18 minutes of punishment, with Thompson in the sixth round especially landing a number of brutal straight right hands that would have knocked out almost any other opponent. 

Thompson’s dominance was unaffected by a point being taken away from him in the final round, taking a clean sweep on the card otherwise.

Harvey Lambert def. Casey Brown – PTS (40-37)

Exciting 6’3” Super Welterweight prospect Harvey Lambert cruised to another victory in only the second fight of his professional career, consistently landing the better punches and doing the better work against a vastly more experienced opponent in Casey Brown. 

Lambert looked calm and collected across the four rounds of the fight, failing to lose a single one of them on the referee’s scorecard.

Main Card Running Order:

Callum Simpson vs Celso Neves – 8 x 3 minute rounds at Super Middleweight

Karriss Artingstall vs Linzi Buczynski – 6 x 2 minute rounds at Featherweight

Michael Gomez Jr vs Levi Giles – 10 x 3 minute rounds for the English Super Featherweight Championship

Frazer Clarke vs Bogdan Dinu – 8 x 3 minute rounds at Heavyweight

Lawrence Okolie vs David Light – 12 x 3 minute rounds for the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship.

NEW YORK (March 25, 2023)-6’9″ undefeated heavyweight Antonio Mireles will be back in action as he takes on Patrick Mailata tonight at The Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

The fight can be seen live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 PM ET.

The 25 year-old Mireles is 6-0 with six knockouts, and has looked spectacular in his early pro career. Mireles already has stoppages over two undefeated foes in Brandon Hughes (2-0) and Eric Perry (5-0-1). The win over Perry came on November 12, 2022 in Las Vegas.

Mailata of Crem, Utah is 6-1 with three knockouts. The 28 year-old Mailata has a win over undefeated Jorge Sevilla Acosta (2-0). Mailata has won two in a row, which includes his first round stoppage over Francois Russell on March 26, 2022 in Little Rock Arkansas.

Mireles weighed 265.4 lbs. Mailata was 321.4 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in.

Mireles is managed by Split-T Management and promoted by Top Rank.

Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images.

Atlantic City, NJ (March 25, 2023 )–Weights for Saturday Night’s Rising Star Promotions at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Kristian Prenga 255 – Sam Crossed 208

(NBA Continental Title and NABA Heavyweight Titles

Anthony Johns 112 – Ramon Velasquez 116.5

Justin Figueroa 154 – Manuel Moreira 154

Malik Nelson 125,5 – Joseph Adorno 127.5

Francisco Rodriguez 134 – Marco Dorame 134.4

Gabe Gerena 131 – Joshua Maldonado 132

Avious Griffin 146.5 – Jose Gazzo 140=9

Isaah Flaherty 157.5 – Dewayne Williams 161,5

Derek Starling 276 – Dennis Vance Jr. 273

Promoter : Rising Star Promotions

Venue: Boardwalk Hall

1st Bell: 7 PM ET

Stream: BXNGTV.com

Tickets are available for $65, $85, $150 and $200 and can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE

Lyndon Arthur remains on track to fight for the world title in May after flooring late replacement Boris Crighton on the way to a unanimous points win. 

Arthur, live and free-to-air on Channel 5, in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment, had to bide his time against his former sparring partner from Scotland, after original opponent Braian Suarez failed a medical on Thursday. 

Suarez’s withdrawal meant the vacant IBO light heavyweight world title was no longer on the line, but Arthur could afford no mistakes against Crighton on the Wasserman Boxing card at the University of Bolton Stadium, if he wanted to challenge for the belt later this year. 

And though the spirited Crighton made life difficult for ‘King’,  Manchester’s Arthur refused to be ruffled and proved his world class credentials down the stretch in front of a sell-out crowd.

After a strong eighth session, Arthur hurt ‘Blade’ in round nine and then detonated a huge right hand to send Crighton to the canvas late in the 10th.

Crighton rose to his feet to hear the final bell but Arthur was awarded the victory with scores of 98-92, 96-93 and 99-91 by the ringside judges and he now turns his attention back to the IBO world title.

Arthur, now 22-1, said: “Crighton literally came in at the last minute and I was supposed to be fighting someone completely different, with a completely different style, for the title.
“It was scrappy at times but, in the end, it was a good 10 rounds for me and we keep moving.”

Wasserman Head of Global Boxing, Kalle Sauerland said: “We march on, to May and the world championship for Lyndon Arthur.
“We have had it confirmed by the IBO that Lyndon is now mandatory challenger for the vacant belt and we will find out his opponent in the next few weeks, but there will be a world title for Lyndon Arthur in May.”

Also live in front of the Channel 5 audience, Kane Gardner edged out Conah Walker after an electric eight rounds in Bolton.

Local hero Gardner was given the nod 78-76 over Wolverhampton’s Walker but both men emerged with huge credit after delivering a thrilling contest.

The fearsome flyweight Chloe Watson closed the show by extending her unbeaten professional record to 5-0 with a four round win over Romina Sosa.

Watson, coached by Ricky Hatton, set a lightning quick pace against her Argentinean rival and, roared on by her loyal army of fans, took a well deserved 39-37 victory.

James Moorcroft earned a shot at the English welterweight title with a devastating second round stoppage of Nathan Bennett. 

Moorcroft, trained by Manchester legend Anthony Crolla, sent Bennett to the floor after a barrage of heavy shots and though his Liverpool rival beat the count, the referee decided he was in no fit state to continue. 

Victory in this final eliminator now secures Wigan’s Moorcroft a shot at English glory. 

Crowd favourite Niall Brown and Bahadur Karami engaged in a fight-of-the-night contender over six punishing rounds. 

Both men received a standing ovation, but it was Brown who had his hand raised, winning 59-55 on the official’s card. 

Unbeaten German middleweight Denis Radovan saw his blood-stained battle with Fouad El Masaoudi brought to a premature finish in round five. 

The ringside doctor deemed the cut above El Masaoudi’s eye was too severe for him to continue and so at 1:45 of the round, the fight was stopped with the referee having Radovan 50-46 ahead at the time. 

Other undercard results:  

Bobby Faulkner 40-36 Georgi Velichkov 

Sultan Zaurbek WTKO5 Facundo Arce 

Oliver Zaren 40-36 Frane Radnic

Alex Murphy 40-36 Liam Fox 

Katharina Thanderz 77-75 Ioana Fecioru  

Ashley Marron WRTD1 Daryl Pearce  

WBC Super Middleweight Title (Interim) – 12 Rounds

David Benavídez – 166 ¾ lbs.

Caleb Plant – 167 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Kenny Bayless; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Dave Moretti (Nev.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

Super Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Jesús Ramos – 153 ¼ lbs.

Joey Spencer – 153 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Tony Weeks; Judges: Max DeLuca (Calif.), Patricia Morse Jarman (Nev.), David Sutherland (Okla.)

Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Chris Colbert – 134 ½ lbs.

Jose Valenzuela – 134 lbs.

Referee: Celestino Ruiz; Judges: Glenn Feldman (Conn.), Lisa Giampa (Nev.), Don Trella (Conn.)

WBC Welterweight Title Eliminator – 12 Rounds

Cody Crowley – 145 ¼ lbs.

Abel Ramos – 146 lbs.

Referee: Robert Hoyle; Judges: Tim Cheatham (Nev.), Chris Migliore (Nev.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)

SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN

Stream Live at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube Channel and the

SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page

Super Bantamweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Kevin Gonzalez – 121 ½ lbs.

José Sanmartin – 121 ½ lbs.

Referee: Allen Huggins; Judges: Max DeLuca (Calif.), Lisa Giampa (Nev.), David Sutherland (Okla.)

Super Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Orestes Velazquez – 142 lbs.

Marcelino Lopez – 141 ¾ lbs.

Referee: Tony Weeks; Judges: Patricia Morse Jarman (Nev.), Chris Migliore (Nev.), Don Trella (Conn.)

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. Three Hall of Famers round out the telecast team – Emmy^® award winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr., and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. with Bob Dunphy, son of Hall of Fame boxing announcer Don Dunphy, directing. 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 hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, who also serves as an analyst alongside Marquez on SHOBOX.

#          #          #

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. PLANT

Benavídez vs. Plant will see undefeated former two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavídez and former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant meet in a high-stakes, 12-round showdown for Benavídez’s Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title live on SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

In the co-main event, unbeaten rising stars Jesús “Mono” Ramos and Joey Spencer will go toe-to-toe in a 10-round super welterweight scuffle, as each fighter looks to make their claim as the future of the 154-pound division. The action will also see rising lightweights Chris “Primetime” Colbert and Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela meet in a 10-round duel, while unbeaten welterweight contender Cody Crowley faces the hard-hitting Abel Ramos in the telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

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

    •  Jose Ramirez 140 lbs. vs. Richard Commey 140 lbs
(WBC Junior Welterweight Title Eliminator — 12 Rounds)

   •   Seniesa Estrada 104.2 lbs vs. Tina Rupprecht 104.8 lbs
(WBA, WBC & Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles — 10 Rounds)

•  Antonio Mireles 265.4 lbs vs. Patrick Mailata 321.4 lbs
 (Heavyweight — 6 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT)

•    Raymond Muratalla 136.6 lbs vs. Humberto Galindo 136 lbs
 (Lightweight— 10 Rounds)

•  Charlie Sheehy 134.8 lbs vs. Angel Rebollar 133.4 lbs
 (Lightweight — 6 Rounds)

•   Jessie James Guerrero 109 lbs vs. Eduardo Alvarez 108.6 lbs
 (Light Flyweight — 4 Rounds)

•  Ricardo Ruvalcaba 140.8 lbs vs. Marco Antonio Cardenas 140.4 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

•    Subaru Murata 121.6 lbs vs. Jose Negrete 121.4 lbs
 (Junior Featherweight — 4 Rounds)

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to the APEX with a pivotal clash in the heavyweight division that will see No. 3 ranked Sergei Pavlovich take on No. 4 Curtis Blaydes. The co-main event will see bantamweight contenders No. 8 Song Yadong and No. 10 Ricky Simon square off.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: PAVLOVICH vs. BLAYDES will take place Saturday, April 22 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The entire card will be available on ESPN+ in English and Spanish, with the main card starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and the prelims beginning at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

The hard-hitting Pavlovich (17-1, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) sets out to deliver a sixth consecutive first-round knockout in his first UFC main event. The Russian-born striker has delivered devastating finishes against formidable foes Tai Tuivasa, Derrick Lewis, and Shamil Abdurakhimov, and now has his sights set on putting away Blaydes and becoming a viable title contender.

Heavyweight veteran Blaydes (17-3 1NC, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) aims to showcase another dominant performance. Throughout his UFC run, Blaydes has scored numerous memorable victories, including wins over Tom Aspinall, Chris Daukaus, and former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos. Blaydes now intends on extinguishing Pavlovich’s win streak and proving that he deserves a shot at the heavyweight throne.

China’s Song (19-7-1 1NC, fighting out of Heilongjiang, China) looks to regain momentum with a decisive win over a surging contender. An unrelenting force in the bantamweight division, he holds wins over Marlon Moraes, Marlon Vera, and Casey Kenney. Song now plans to defeat another ranked contender in Simon.

Simon (20-3, fighting out of Vancouver, Wash.) looks to start 2023 with a bang by handing out a show-stealing win. A versatile finisher, he has delivered impressive wins over elite competition such as Merab Dvalishvili, Raphael Assunção, and Jack Shore. Simon is now gunning to deliver a highlight-reel performance against Song to inch his way closer to the Top 5 rankings.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• UFC veteranBrad Tavares (19-7, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) looks to deliver a stellar showing against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Bruno Silva (13-5-2, fighting out of Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil) at middleweight
• An electrifying welterweight bout sees Jeremiah Wells (11-2, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.) lock horns with the always entertaining Matthew Semeslberger (11-4, fighting out of Frederick, Md.)
• Exciting lightweights Bobby Green (29-14-1, fighting out of Fontana, Calif.) and Jared Gordon (19-6, fighting out of Astoria, N.Y.) look to steal the show
• Iasmin Lucindo (13-5, fighting out Fortaleza, Brazil) meets The Ultimate Fighter season 30 finalist Brogan Walker (8-3, fighting out of Hagåtña, Guam) at flyweight
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Caio Borralho (13-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) goes toe-to-toe with Michal Oleksiejczuk (18-5, fighting out of Barki, Poland) in an exciting middleweight matchup
• Rick Glenn (22-6-2, fighting out of Des Moines, Iowa) battles Christos Giagos (19-10, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla.) at lightweight
• At bantamweight, Rani Yahya (28-10-1, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil) looks to break the three-fight win streak of Montel Jackson (13-2, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.)
• A stylistic thriller pits No. 9 ranked bantamweight Karol Rosa (16-4, fighting out of Niteroi, Brazil) against Sanda black belt Norma Dumont (8-2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) at featherweight
• A fiery flyweight contest sees undefeated Rafael Estevam (11-0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) make his UFC debut against fellow Dana White’s Contender Series signee Carlos Candelario (8-3, fighting out of Springfield, Wash.)
• Guaranteed fireworks are set for the heavyweight division as The Ultimate Fighter season 30winner Mohammed Usman (9-2, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) takes onundefeated UFC newcomer Junior Tafa (4-0, fighting out of Queensland, Australia)
• An exciting featherweight tilt will see Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Francis Marshall (7-0, fighting out of N.J.) put his perfect record on the line against William Gomis (11-2, fighting out of Paris, France)
• Heavy-handed striker Priscila Cachoeira (12-4, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Karine Silva (15-4, fighting out of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil) square off at flyweight
• Bantamweights start the night’s action as The Ultimate Fighter season 30 finalist Brady Hiestand (7-2, fighting out of Spokane Valley, Wash.)meets Batgerel Danaa (12-4, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.)

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage.

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UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 688 million fans and 198 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 nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).

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.

Boxing is heading into Beast Mode. 

English football’s biggest cult hero Adebayo Akinfenwa is the new voice of boxing, live on Channel 5, after signing up with Wasserman Boxing, to become the MC for tonight’s huge show in Bolton. 

Akinfewa, known to football fans around the world as ‘The Beast’, will kick-off his ring announcing journey as Lyndon Arthur faces the dangerous late replacement Boris Crighton live in front of a huge audience on free-to-air TV, in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment. 

The larger-than-life former striker played almost 800 times, and scored over 200 goals, in a career that saw him become one of the game’s most colourful and recognised characters. 

Described by Pep Guardiola as a “legend of English football”, the iconic Akinfenwa will now bring his booming voice and heavyweight personality to the boxing ring. 

“Boxing better get ready for some Beast Mode energy” roared Akinfenwa  

“When I retired from football last year, I made it clear that I wanted to try my hand at a lot of different things, and being a big-time boxing MC was top of that list. 

“Everyone knows I’m a huge boxing fan and I cannot wait to bring my Beast energy to Bolton on Friday night, on a huge night for Lyndon Arthur, live on Channel 5, with Wasserman Boxing. 

“The atmosphere on Friday night is going to be electric and I cannot wait to announce the fighters to the ring.” 

Akinfenwa, known as the strongest striker in the world during his playing days, amassed a huge army of followers because of his footballing exploits but hopes to win new fans by stepping through the ropes, and picking up the mic. 

“Big time boxing on Channel 5 just got a whole lot bigger!” buzzed Wasserman Head of Global Boxing, Kalle Sauerland. 

“We are thrilled to have Adebayo announcing the fighters to ring, live on Channel 5, on Friday night and the Beast Mode energy he is going to bring will crank up the excitement levels for Lyndon Arthur’s dangerous fight against Crighton. 

“Adebayo became a huge fan favourite in football and we know the boxing fans are going to love him!” 

Lyndon Arthur vs Boris Crighton is live and free-to-air on Channel 5 at 10pm.

Tickets are available from Wassermanboxing.com   

Manchester, England – Lawrence Okolie‘s world championship title defence tomorrow night is now official, following both fighters making weight at today’s pre-fight weigh-ins in Manchester, England.

The defending WBO world cruiserweight champion faces undefeated New Zealand-based challenger David ‘The Great White’ Light, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist who has fought his way to mandatory challenger status in the WBO rankings.

Light (20-0, 12 KO’s)  has promised the upset while Okolie (18-0, 14 KO’s) is confident he can end the fight early and retain his title with a highlight-reel finish.

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

Also on the scales today were English Super-Featherweight Championship contenders Michael Gomez Jr (18-1, 5 KO’s)  – son of Manchester boxing legend Michael Gomez – and Levi Giles (13-0, 3 KO’s), who face off for the vacant belt tomorrow night. 

Gomez made sparks fly when the two faced off after weighing in, shoving Giles over and prompting security to intervene and separate the pair, setting the stage for a fiery showdown tomorrow night.

2020 Olympic medallists Karriss Artingstall (2-0) and Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KO’s) made their fights official when they stepped on the scales, Clarke getting to see his opponent for the first time as Romanian heavyweight Bogdan Dinu (20-4, 16 KO’s) arrived as late replacement for American veteran Rydell Booker, who was taken ill at the start of the week.

BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom has lauded the main event as “a serious fight, a proper world-title fight” which will test Okolie, who trains with Tyson Fury’s coach Sugar Hill Steward.

“[Light] is someone who has earned his position, not someone we have chosen and not necessarily someone we would choose for [Okolie’s] first fight after a year out, with a new trainer on a new platform,” said Shalom at yesterday’s press conference.

“We know David Light is tough, durable and can punch. We know he’s always fighting on the front foot and he’s going to stick it on Lawrence on Saturday night. There’s a lot of pressure on Lawrence to prove to everyone who he is, why we believe he’s the best cruiserweight in the world.

Today’s weigh-in results in full:

Lawrence Okolie (14st 4lbs) vs. David Light (14st 2lbs 5oz)

WBO World Cruiserweight Title (12×3)

Frazer Clarke (19st 5lbs) vs. Bogdan Dinu (17st 10lbs)

Heavyweight (8×3)

Michael Gomez Jnr (9st 4lbs) vs. Levi Giles (9st 2lbs 5oz)

Vacant English Super-Featherweight Title (10×3)

Karriss Artingstall (9st) vs. Linzi Kuczy?ski (9st 2lbs)

Featherweight (6×2)

Callum Simpson (11st 4lbs 3oz) vs. Celso Neves (12st 0lbs 5oz)

Super-Middleweight (8×3)

Rhys Edwards (9st 2lbs 5oz) vs. Brian Phillips (9st 3lbs 5oz) 

Featherweight (8/6×3)

Shakiel Thompson (11st 12lbs 5oz) vs.Robert Talarek (11st 11lbs) 

Middleweight (6×3)

Samiel Antwi (10st 13lbs) vs. Omar Rodriguez (10st 13lbs)

6×3 Welterweight

Frankie Stringer (9st 12lbs) vs. Jacob Laskowski (9st 11lbs)

6×3 Lightweight

Harvey Lambert (10st 13lbs) vs.  Casey Brown (11st 5lbs 2oz)

Super-Welterweight (4×3)

Ahead of the April 1 featherweight title match at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa in Tulsa, OK, ESPN will air the original program, Blood, Sweat & Tears: Ramírez vs. Dogboe.

Fans will be treated to a 30-minute all-access preview that will feature both training camps ahead of the battle for the vacant WBO featherweight world championship between 29-year-old Cuban sensation Robeisy “El Tren” Ramírez (11-1, 7 KOs) and the 28-year-old Ghanaian former world champion Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe (24-2, 16 KOs).

Ramírez enters the title bout having won 11 straight, including a successful return victory over Adán Gonzáles who stunned Ramírez via split decision in his pro debut. Now the highly decorated amateur prodigy and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist steps up to the plate in his first-ever world title opportunity.

The fighting pride of Africa, Dogboe was born in Ghana and now resides in London, England as he looks to become a two-division world champion. Dogboe previously held the WBO junior featherweight world title, including one successful title defense before going nearly 24-straight rounds in back-to-back wars against Emanuel Navarrete, the three-division kingpin. Since then, “Royal Storm” has bounced back with four-straight victories to setup his next world title opportunity.

In addition to the air times below, Blood, Sweat & Tears: Ramírez vs. Dogboewill also be available for replay on-demand in the ESPN App and on ESPN.com and ESPN+.

Blood, Sweat & Tears: Ramírez vs. Dogboe

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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.? 

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).

PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY — March 23, 2023 — It is with our deep regret to inform you of the devastating, and tragic passing of Ernest Hall, who was 32, and a father of three. 

Statement from Scott Abella

Abella Boxing Promotions extends our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Ernest Hall, who met a tragic and untimely death Wednesday evening in his native city of Baltimore, Maryland. 

Ernest was a young and thriving fighter looking for an opportunity to have a debut fight with Abella Boxing Promotions and had the mutual respect from all of us in the promotion and with his opponent John Leonardo.

The sport of boxing and the gym provides an outlet for youngsters and those like Ernest as an alternative to the continued violence that continues to plague our society and Ernest had that positive outlet that was provided. A moment of silence for Ernest will be observed at our scheduled show Bergen County Fight Night 3, next Saturday at The Terrace at Biagio’s in Paramus, New Jersey.

Again our deep condolences to his family and friends.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Due to the unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances, John Leonardo will no longer be fighting on Saturday April 1 in Bergen County Fight Night 3. The remaining fight card remains as previously noted. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

For any further questions, or concerns, please contact us, Robert Rizzo and/or Rich Mancuso with the contact information provided below. 

PLEASE NOTE OF THIS REVISION FROM THE PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE OF JOHN LEONARDO DISTRIBUTED FROM EARLIER TODAY THURSDAY MARCH 23, 2023. 

Six-Round Bouts

Nicky “The Bull” Vitone (9-1-1, 63.6 KO%) of Pine Brook, New Jersey, fights Jordan Rosario (4-10-0) in a super-lightweight bout. 

Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado, (5-0-0, 20 KO%), of Ridgewood, Queens, NY, will put his undefeated record up on the line against Usiel Hernandez (2-1-0) in a junior lightweight bout. 

Mike “The Champ” Lee (9-2-0, 63.6 KO%) of Jersey City, New Jersey, takes on Antonio Sanchez (7-16-3) in a super welterweight bout. 

Four-Round Bouts

Christian “Veneno” Otero (4-3-0, 28.5 KO%) of Harlem, NY will go toe-to-toe with southpaw Vinnie Denierio (3-7-0) in a lightweight bout. 

Dane Guerrero, of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, is set to make his pro-debut against Andre Hinmon (0-2-0) in a super middleweight bout. 

Kevin Hernandez (0-0-1), of Bergenfield, New Jersey will go up against George Gethers (0-3-0) in a welterweight bout. 

LONDON, England – Wednesday, March 22 – BOXXER, the next generation boxing promotion, will warm up British boxing fans before the summer with three sizzling shows, stacked with some of the UK’s leading prize fighters – including its first-ever stadium show on home soil.

The headline news begins with BOXXER’s first-ever UK stadium show on Bank Holiday Weekend in May, as BOXXER heads back to Bournemouth for another blistering battle on the beach on Saturday, May 27, headlined by hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KO’s). 

It takes place at the 15,000-capacity Vitality Stadium – home of Premier League football team AFC Bournemouth. An opponent for diehard Cherries supporter Billam-Smith will be revealed next Monday at a press conference in London (details to media will follow this week) in a main event that promises to be one of the fights of the year. 

“I think it will be an amazing event and an amazing show. To become number one in my division by winning at my team’s ground would be a dream. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. There’s been a lot of special moments there. Hopefully I can create another one,” said Billam-Smith.

And domestic cruiserweight quality will occupy the chief support slot on the South Coast with Mikael Lawal (17-0, 11 KO’s) making his first defence of the British Cruiserweight Championship he won by stopping David Jamieson in November.

Standing opposite him will be Isaac Chamberlain (14-2, 8 KO’s), making his second trip to Bournemouth following his unsuccessful attempt to take the Commonwealth and European cruiserweight belts from Billam-Smith in July last year.

Further fights will be announced in due course, along with ticket news for fight fans.

BOXXER’s terrific trio of electrifying events kicks off with ‘Crowning Glory’ on Saturday, May 6th at the Resorts World Arena, Birmingham when newly-announced BOXXER signing Joshua Buatsi (16-0, 13 KO’s) makes his eagerly-anticipated promotional debut. 

On the day King Charles III is coronated, the former British light-heavyweight champion – who is ranked No.1 in the world by the WBA – faces Pawel Stepien (18-0-1, 12 KO’s) in the headline bout and looks to end his Polish rival’s undefeated record in emphatic fashion as he kicks off his conquest for a world title.

In big news, generational prodigy Ben Whittaker (2-0, 1 KO’s) will make his long-awaited return to the ring in home city of Birmingham.The enigmatic 2020 Olympic silver medallist has already captured fans’ hearts and imaginations with his stunning skills, entertaining showboating style and inhuman reflexes – and he’ll be looking to come back with a bang for what will be his third professional outing.

BOXXER’s first visit to the UK’s second city will also feature Birmingham man Tyler Denny (16-2-3) defending his English middleweight championship in his home city. Denny won the belt in Coventry in June last year and will be making his third defence in this May bout with an opponent to be confirmed.

And Team GB golden girl Lauren Price MBE (3-0, 1 KO) – the nation’s most decorated amateur fighter of all-time – will return, fresh from her impressive victory away from home in Paris where she outclassed Naomi Mannes.

On Saturday, June 10 we head to London where new school meets old school as the incredible Adam Azim (8-0, 6 KOs) competes at the historic York Hall which holds a special place in British boxing folklore.

Azim, 20, has been heralded as a future world champion and last month overcame Santos Reyes at Wembley’s OVO Arena to extend his incredible, unbeaten start to life as a professional fighter.

BOXXER Founder and CEO, Ben Shalom, said: “We are excited to announce phase one of what is a huge schedule coming up for BOXXER and Sky Sports.

“It’s amazing to see new headliners get to the top, new marquee signings start with us and the return of fighters from injury. It really is going to be a groundbreaking few months with career-defining fights and huge nights.

“A special thanks to Joe Ashford-Ellis and AFC Bournemouth for making everything possible for us to stage our first-ever UK stadium show – and a first for the Premier League club too.”

For further details on tickets and event news, head to BOXXER.com

These events will be presented in association with official partners Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

(March 22, 2023) – Stephen Fulton’s WBO/WBC junior featherweight world title defense against Naoya Inoue — originally scheduled for Sunday, May 7, at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan — has been postponed due to a training injury suffered by Inoue.
 
Fulton-Inoue will be rescheduled for July, with a new date to be announced in due course.
 
The main event and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
 
Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) will make his third world title defense and second as a unified champion since defeating Brandon Figueroa in one of the best fights of 2021. Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs), the sport’s pound-for-pound king, is a three-division world champion who is making his junior featherweight debut after defeating Paul Butler last December to become the undisputed bantamweight world champion.

# # #

 
About ESPN+ 
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). 

BELFAST (March 22, 2023) — Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez may have to start calling himself “The Road Warrior.” Lopez will make the first defense of his IBF featherweight world title against Michael “Mick” Conlan on Saturday, May 27, at The SSE Arena in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast.
 
Lopez captured the title last December, venturing to Josh Warrington’s home base of Leeds, England, to grind out a majority decision.
 
Lopez-Conlan and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States. BT Sport will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.
 
Promoted by Top Rank and Conlan Boxing, in association with Queensberry Promotions, tickets go on sale Friday, March 31, at 11 a.m. local time via www.Ticketmaster.ie.
 
“The passionate Belfast fans will pack The SSE Arena hoping to lift their hero, Michael Conlan, to a world title. I also know that Luis Alberto Lopez thrives in enemy territory and will not relinquish his title without a tremendous fight,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
 
“Belfast hasn’t had a big world title fight in six years. Michael’s fans have traveled far and wide throughout his career and now they get to create the cauldron-like atmosphere that the SSE Arena is known for in the biggest fight of his career. Luis Alberto Lopez is a very dangerous fighter and a fantastic champion that has a reputation of going to the enemy’s backyard and upsetting the apple cart, so we are in for a barnburner on May 27,” said Conlan Boxing CEO Jamie Conlan.
 
Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, navigated bumpy terrain to become a world champion. After early-career defeats to Abraham Montoya and Ruben Villa stunted his momentum, Lopez thrilled American fight fans with his July 2020 split decision victory over Andy Vences inside the MGM Grand Bubble. Fourteen months later, he dominated then-unbeaten junior lightweight prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. over 10 rounds. Lopez then moved down to featherweight and stopped another undefeated foe, Isaac Lowe, in seven rounds at London’s York Hall. After two stay-busy wins, he received his shot at the title, turning an expected triumphant Leeds homecoming into disappointment for the partisan fans.
 
“I am a road warrior. Traveling to my opponent’s home country doesn’t faze me,” Lopez said. “I won my world title in Leeds, and now it’s time to defend it in Belfast. The louder they cheer for Michael, the harder I will fight. The IBF title will remain in Mexico. May 27 will be a special night for me, and Michael’s fans will go home disappointed.”

Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs) turned pro in 2017 after a decorated Irish amateur career that included two Olympic berths, an Olympic bronze medal, and gold medals at the World Championships, European Championships, and Commonwealth Games. His double middle finger salute to the judges at the 2016 Rio Olympics turned him into a fighting folk hero, and as a pro, he has proven himself on the world stage. Last March, he nearly captured the WBA featherweight crown from Leigh Wood in Wood’s hometown of Nottingham, England. Conlan, ahead on all three scorecards, was knocked out in the 12th round of ESPN’s Fight of the Year. The Wood disappointment did not linger, as Conlan came back later that year with victories over Miguel Marriaga and Karim Guerfi at The SSE Arena. Five months after knocking out Guerfi in one round, Conlan returns to the friendly SSE Arena confines, prepared to seize his championship moment.
 
 “This is a massive opportunity. Fighting for the world title in Belfast is something I’ve always dreamed of, and I will be taking this opportunity with both hands.” Conlan said. “The SSE Arena will be buzzing, and I will do everything I can to bring a world title home. Credit to Lopez for coming to Belfast, but I am taking his title. He is not prepared for what is coming his way on May 27. Ireland will see a new champion crowned.”

# # #

About ESPN+ 
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). 

March 21, 2023, Plant City, FL  —  Once beaten Mohamed “El Bufalo Negro” Soumaoro will battle undefeated Angel “El Chocolatito” Vazquez in a ten round lightweight bout in the main event of ProBox TV’s March 22 boxing show at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida. 

Tickets, starting at $50, are available HERE.

The ProBox Live Stream will begin at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT.

10 Rounds Lightweights Main Event

Mohamed Soumaoro           vs                          Angel Vazquez

Montreal, Canada                                              San Luis, Sonora. MX

12-1, 5 KO’s                                                                     12-0, 6 KO’s

139.8 lbs. 139.8 lbs.

6 Rounds Super Featherweights TV# 2

Demontaze Duncan                  vs                              Axl Melendez

Louisville, Kentucky                                               Ceiba, Puerto Rico

8-0, 8 KO’s                                                                       5-0, 4 KO’s

148 lbs.________________________________________148.4 lbs.

6 Rounds Jr. Welterweights TV #1 (8:00 PM) LIVE

Omar Rosario____ ________ vs___ _______Zach Hill

Caguas, Puerto Rico__________________________ Watertown, SD

9-0-2 KO’s______________________________________3-3-2 KO’s

141.8 lbs._________________________________________140 lbs.

Both Soumaoro and Vazquez are coming off the biggest wins of their careers, against undefeated opponents.

Soumaoro (12-1, 5 KOs) born in Guinea and fighting out of Montreal, Canada, is on a two-fight win streak. His last fight was a unanimous decision win against undefeated Jusiyah Shirley on December 2 at the ProBox Events Center.

“Training camp went very well and I feel ready to give a great show to the fans, give a beautiful performance and win the fight,” said Soumaoro. “Vazquez is a young fighter who likes to put the pressure on and will do everything in his power to beat me. However, whatever he brings to the ring on March 22 I will be ready for. I am unlike any other opponent he has faced.

“This win against Vazquez, my first ten-rounder on a Platform like ProBox TV, will be huge for my career. An emphatic win against another undefeated boxer will get my name out there and lead to bigger opportunities.”

Vazquez (12-0, 6 KOs) is from San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico. The twenty-two year old made is professional debut in February 2019 and his first eleven fights took place in Mexico. His last bout, his first in the US, was a unanimous decision win over fellow undefeated Nicholas Sullivan.

“I have prepared myself well physically, technically and mentally for this fight,” said Vazquez. “I sparred with top level fighters because I know my opponent has experience and good technique and will bring his all on fight night. The best one to do it on that night will win and I’m feeling real good about it. It will be an interesting fight and the public will enjoy it. I’m going to meet him in the middle of the ring then close the spaces and take him to the ropes where I will throw combinations that do damage.

“This a very good opportunity for me and after this victory against a quality fighter they get me bigger challenges so I can soon fight for titles that place me among the best in the division.”

Also on the three-fight live stream will be undefeated Dominique Valle (5-0, 4 KOs) from Tampa, FL vs Carlos Rosario (5-1, 3 KOs) from Fajardo Puerto Rico in a six-round super featherweight bout and Demontaze Duncan (8-0, 8 KOs) from Louisville, KY will battle Axl Melendez (5-0, 4 KOs) from Ceiba, Puerto Rico in a six-round welterweight bout.

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

Roseland, NJ (March 20, 2023) –GH3 Promotions has announced the signing of undefeated super middleweight Junior “The Young God” Younan to a co-promotional deal with Amaury Piedra.

Younan, 27 years-old of Brooklyn, New York has a record of 17-0-1 with 11 knockouts.

“This a is a great signing for us. Junior has always been a terrific talent. He just needed the opportunities, and that is what we plan to do. He can be a real player in the super middleweight division, and with a couple of wins, he will get those and eventually win world championships.” said Vito Mielnicki of GH3 Promotions.

“I am grateful for the opportunity. We have a nice plan for the rest of the year. I am excited for what is to come.  I am looking to fight in May, and then fight on a PBC platform. The goal is to get belts at Super Middleweight. I hope people are sleeping on me because I am getting better. Once they see me back in the ring, people will see that I am still the fighter people were talking about when I turned professional. I just had a year layoff, and stopped a guy with one loss in less than a round. After these few fights, I will be ready for anyone. The only problem before was consistency in fighting. And knowing that I will be active, I will be ready for the biggest challenges,” said Younan.

Younan was a highly touted amateur boxer who compiled a 90-5 record before turning professional in 2013 at the age of 18. Once dubbed by The New York Times as “a boxing prodigy” as a 10-year-old, Younan was a two-time National Junior Golden Gloves champion, the 2011 National Junior Olympic championship, and at one point was the No. 1-rated junior boxer in his weight class by USA Boxing. 

Younan turned professional on November 9, 2013 with a first-round stoppage over Kenneth Taylor Schmitz. Younan has defeated Mike Guy (9-2-1) and in his last bout, he stopped Dauren Yeleussinov (10-1-1) on July 30, 2022 in Brooklyn.

We see the passion with Vito and how he gets with his fighters. He responds right away and he cares about his fighters. We are very excited about the future. When we fought in July, PBC loved what they saw. Vito will get us opportunities on a PBC Platform, and Junior will be ready for anyone in the super middleweight division.  We are old school and believe real fighters have to fight real fighters. Junior will be doing just that, said Younan’s father/trainer Sherif Younan.

(March 21, 2023) — Two international fight cards will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ this week. The action starts Thursday, as super middleweight knockout artist Christian Mbilli takes on two-time Ecuadorian Olympian Carlos Gongora in a 10-round main event from the Montreal Casino in Montreal, Canada.
 
The ESPN+ action continues Friday from the Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy, as undefeated 168-pound contender Ivan Zucco faces off against London’s Germaine Brown in a 10-round bout.
 
Mbilli-Gongora and undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ on Thursday starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
 
Zucco-Brown and undercard contests will stream live on ESPN+ on Friday beginning at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
 
Mbilli (22-0, 20 KOs) is a 2016 French Olympian who is inching closer to a world title opportunity. The 27-year-old is coming off an impressive 2022 in which he scored knockout wins over former title challenger Nadjib Mohammedi and DeAndre Ware, along with a decision victory last December over Vaughn Alexander. Gongora (21-1, 16 KOs) represented Ecuador in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics before turning pro in 2015. In 2020, he scored an upset knockout victory over Ali Akhmedov. He then stopped Christopher Pearson in 2021 before losing a close decision to Lerrone Richards. The 33-year-old southpaw is coming off a fourth-round TKO over Oscar Riojas last August.
 
In other streaming action from Montreal:
 
Canadian Olympian Simon Kean (22-1, 21 KOs) faces his stiffest challenge yet against two-time world title challenger Eric Molina (29-8, 21 KOs). Kean was 15-0 with 14 knockouts before an upset loss to Dillon Carman in 2018. He avenged that loss the following year as part of a seven-fight knockout win streak.
 
Junior welterweight Steve Claggett (33-7-2, 23 KOs) will attempt to score his fifth straight KO victory in a 10-round tilt against Mexico’s Rafael Guzman Lugo (26-2-2, 16 KOs).
 
Undefeated lightweight Luis Santana (8-0, 2 KOs) returns to the ring in an eight-round fight against Francisco Arturo Ramirez Martinez (11-4, 6 KOs) of Veracruz, Mexico.
 
In a battle of undefeated junior lightweights, Canada’s Leila Beaudoin (8-0, 1 KO) will collide against Mexico’s Laura Avendano Mondragon (6-0, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.
 
Zucco (16-0, 14 KOs) is a 27-year-old southpaw who debuted in the paid ranks in 2017. He beat then undefeated Luca Capuano in 2021 via sixth-round knockout to capture his first regional title. In his last fight, he stopped Marko Nikolic in the second round to capture the WBC International super middleweight title. His last six opponents have not gone the distance. Brown (12-1, 3 KOs) is a 28-year-old native of London who captured a British title in 2022 with a decision win over Charlie Schofield. In his last outing, he lost the belt to Zak Chelli in what has been his only loss so far.
 
In other streaming action from Milan
 
Francesco Russo (12-2, 10 KOs) will put his Italian junior middleweight title on the line in a 10-rounder against Christian Mazzon (9-4, 3 KOs).
 
Maxim Prodan (20-2-1, 15 KOs) will see action in an eight-round welterweight tilt against Mirko Marchetti (8-4).
 
Undefeated Italian prospect Giovanni Sarchioto (6-0, 6 KOs) will participate in an eight-round middleweight contest against France’s Houcine Moulahi (4-13-2, 2 KOs).
 

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About ESPN+ 
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). 

Atlantic City, NJ (March 8, 2023)–THIS SATURDAY night, March 25th, Kristian Prenga will take part in the main event when he takes on Sam Crossed for NABA Heavyweight Title plus The NBA Continental Heavyweight at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

The fight card is promoted by Rising Star Promotions.

Prenga of Mirdite, Albania is 12-1 with all of his wins coming by knockout. The 32 year-old has thrilled his fans with prodigious knockout power has taken out Jaime Barajas (2-0-2) and his last outing when he drilled Alvin Davie in two rounds on November 12, 2022 in Atlantic City.

Crossed of Greenbelt, Maryland has a record of 11-3-1 with seven knockouts. The 35 year-old Crossed is an eight-year veteran who has a win over Josh Jones (1-0). Crossed is coming off a defeat to Calvin Mends on May 21, 2022 in Springfield, Virgina.

Appearing in the six-round co-feature will be undefeated flyweight Anthony Johns (5-0, 4 KOs) of Newark, New Jersey against an opponent to be named

Also in six-round bouts:

Isaah Flaherty (5-0, 3KOs) of Queens, New York takes on Dewayne Williams (3-6-1, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia, PA in a super welterweight bout.

Avious Gibson (10-0, 9 KOs) of Chattanooga, Tennessee will take on an opponent to be named in a welterweight contest.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Malik Nelson (3-0, 3 KOs) of Perth Amboy, New Jersey battles Joseph Adorno Del Valle (0-0-1) of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico in a featherweight contest.

Gabriel Gerena (1-0, 1 KO) of Piscataway. New Jersey boxes Joshua Maldonado Garcia (1-3) of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico in a super featherweight bout.

Pro debuting super featherweight Francisco Rodriguez of Pleasantville, New Jersey will fight an opponent to be named.

Justin Figueroa (3-0, 3 KOs) takes on Manuel Moreira (0-3) of Sheridan, Wyoming in a super welterweight clash

Derrick Starling (5-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a heavyweight contest.

Tickets are available for $65, $85, $150 and $200 and can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE

LAS VEGAS – March 21, 2023 – A pair of undefeated rising contenders will look to cement their status in their divisions with statement victories in action that will be live streamed on the SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN SHOW this Saturday, March 25 leading up to the highly-anticipated David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant event taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Unbeaten super bantamweight contender Kevin Gonzalez will battle Colombia’s Jose Sanmartin in a 10-round duel topping the show, while Cuban contender Orestes Velazquez takes on Argentina’s Marcelino Lopez in a 10-round super lightweight attraction. The live streaming presentation will begin at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page and will be hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell.

These fights will lead up to the SHOWTIME PPV telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT featuring super middleweight rivals David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez and Caleb Plant going toe-to-toe in the 12-round main event.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased through AXS.com.

The 25-year-old González (25-0-1, 13 KOs) made a successful U.S. debut on SHOWTIME in May 2022, earning a unanimous decision over Emanuel Rivera Nieves in their 10-round fight. A native of Sinaloa, Mexico, González has fought professionally since 2016, and owns a unanimous decision over former title challenger Ivan Morales in March 2021. González won a regional 122-pound title by stopping Alexander Mejia in July 2021, finishing the fight in round seven. He takes on the 30-year-old Sanmartin (34-6-1, 21 KOs), who most recently won a unanimous decision over Miguel Martinez in December 2022. The Arboletes, Colombia-native has challenged current featherweight champion Mauricio Lara and current super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete during a pro career that dates back to 2011.

A native of Cuba now residing in Miami, Velazquez (6-0, 6 KOs) has stopped each opponent he’s faced since turning pro in October 2020 following a prolific amateur career. The 30-year-old added four victories in 2022, including most recently stopping Guillermo Leonel Crocco in the first round of their December 2022 clash. He will be opposed by Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Lopez (37-2-1, 22 KOs), who enters this fight having won his last five outings, including triumphs over veteran contenders Pablo Cesar Cano and Breidis Prescott. The 36-year-old has a 5-1 record stateside, with his only blemish coming via-split decision against Michael Perez in 2017.

The non-televised undercard lineup will be highlighted by a battle of unbeatens as Las Vegas super featherweight prospect Demler Zamora (10-0, 8 KOs) battles Arizona’s Jesus Ibarra (15-0, 7 KOs) in an eight-round showdown. Rounding out the action is super middleweight prospect Daniel Blancas (5-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round attraction facing Texas-native Nicholas Molina (4-1-1, 4 KOs), super featherweight prospect Robert Meriwether III (3-0, 2 KOs) dueling Mexico’s Jesus Perez (14-15-1, 8 KOs) in a six-round fight, and super featherweight prospect Dorian Khan Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round fight.

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ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. PLANT

Benavídez vs. Plant will see undefeated former two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion David Benavídez and former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant meet in a high-stakes, 12-round showdown for Benavídez’s Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title live on SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

In the co-main event, unbeaten rising stars Jesús “Mono” Ramos and Joey Spencer will go toe-to-toe in a 10-round super welterweight scuffle, as each fighter looks to make their claim as the future of the 154-pound division. The action will also see rising lightweights Chris “Primetime” Colbert and Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela meet in a 10-round duel, while unbeaten welterweight contender Cody Crowley faces the hard-hitting Abel Ramos in the telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

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

FRESNO, Calif. (March 21, 2023) — Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles is ready for prime time.

The 6-foot-9, 270-pound heavyweight southpaw will return in a six-round clash against Patrick Mailata on Saturday, March 25, at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. Mireles-Mailata will open the televised tripleheader headlined by the junior welterweight showdown between Jose Ramirez and Richard “RC” Commey and the minimumweight title unification bout between WBA champion Seniesa Estrada and WBC queen Tina Rupprecht.

Ramirez-Commey, Estrada-Rupprecht and Mireles-Mailata will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $29 are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com.

Mireles (6-0, 6 KOs) is a Mexican-American prospect from Des Moines, Iowa. As an amateur, he won several national tournaments and signed with Top Rank in September 2021. Mireles made his pro debut the following month on the undercard of the Emanuel Navarrete-Joet Gonzalez main event in San Diego. Under the tutelage of Robert Garcia, he has maintained a 100 percent knockout ratio and is coming off a first-round knockout against Eric Perry last November. Mailata (6-1, 3 KOs) is a Samoan-born prospect who had a decorated amateur career representing New Zealand. Mailata has won two straight since a majority decision loss to Kingsley Ibeh.

Baltimore, Maryland (March 20, 2023)–Jeter Promotions has announced the signing of undefeated junior welterweight Ahmad Muhammad Jones to a promotional contract.

Jones, 23 years-old of Baltimore, Maryland is 4-0 with two knockouts.

All four of Jones’ wins have come on Jeter Promotions cards, and the signing makes it official that he will be with Jeter Promotions going forward.

?”Tony Jeter is doing an amazing job, and he is keeping fighters active and doing great things. He is staying busy by doing shows in different areas. I could see myself fighting in the different spots that Tony Promotes such as Atlanta, Pennsylvania and Maryland,” said Jones.

Jones started boxing at the age of 13, and had 35 amateur fights. He considers himself a boxer-puncher. Jones turned professional on December 3, 2021 with a first-round stoppage over Joshua Zimmerman in Philadelphia. Jones has a win over Kani Burnside. In his latest outing, Jones won a four-round unanimous decision over Michael Crain on February 18th in Hanover, Maryland..

“I am working on building my record and hopefully get on TV and fight for any belt that is available. Tony can bring me to be a champion and I believe in him:”

Jones is trained by Marvin McDowell

Photos by Daniel Cork

MANCHESTER, England – Tuesday, March 21 – Frazer Clarke will face former WBA world interim heavyweight title challenger Bogdan Dinu this Saturday, March 25th at Manchester’s AO Arena.

The news comes as Clarke’s initial opponent Rydell Booker is sadly forced to withdraw through illness following a serious medical incident.

The American heavyweight was taken unwell last weekend. Booker had attended a boxing event in his hometown of Detroit, just days before he was due to travel to the UK, where he was taken ill with a serious medical emergency. He is now recuperating and everyone at BOXXER sincerely wishes Rydell Booker a full and swift recovery.

Undefeated Team GB Olympics hero Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs), who memorably won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, will now bid to take another scalp on his burgeoning resume when he faces off against his 6ft 5in Romanian rival. 

Dinu (20-4-0, 16 KOs) was beaten by Daniel Dubois the last time he fought in England when he was stopped for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title in June 2021.

Last year, he fell short in his challenge for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title after taking on Kevin Lerena.

Based in Bucharest, Dinu fought former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev in 2019 and has stood opposite American Jerrell Miller too during his 24-fight career since turning professional in 2008.

Outside of the ring, the 36-year-old has served as an Independent Special Actions and Intervention Service Agent (SIIAS), which is a Romanian police task force created in 1995 as part of the Counter-Organised crime squad. Its roles include seizing dangerous or armed criminals, handling hostage crises, disaster rescues, the protection of police, witnesses and others involved in criminal investigations.

Whether Dinu will be able to handle the might of ‘Big Fraze’ in Manchester remains to be seen, however. Standing at a mean 6ft 6in, Clarke has been triumphant in his last two successive fights at the AO Arena and will be looking to make it a hat-trick when he returns this Saturday.

“Unfortunately Rydell Booker had to pull out of the fight. He’s had a medical problem, so I’m sending my best wishes to him and I hope he can get better soon,” said Clarke, speaking today on Sky Sports News.

“We’ve got a new opponent in Bogdan Dinu, who is a very credible opponent. He has boxed some great names including the likes of Daniel Dubois, Kubrat Pulev and Jerrell Miller. It’s a good fight for me and I’m looking forward to it.

“This is professional boxing – you can’t bank on anything. I’m accustomed to it now and throughout my career I am used to fighting people at a day’s notice. My job is to go out there and win. People can talk about looking fantastic and making a statement. But I’m a winner and that’s my job every time. If I can perform how I know I can then I will do that. I’m looking to go out there and make a statement.

“It’s been an up-and-down start to my career. Everytime I’ve got in there and I’ve won. This is heavyweight boxing. It’s dangerous. It’s up to me to be professional and do my job.

“It doesn’t matter who I’m getting in with this weekend, I’m ready to go and do my job.”

Final tickets are on sale now at BOXXER.com starting at just £25 – a bargain price for a blockbuster night of elite boxing, headlined by Lawrence Okolie defending his WBO world cruiserweight title against New Zealand’s David Light.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

– – – – – – – 

CONTACT BOXXER PR

Matty Lawless, Head of PR & Communications

+447393764765 | matty@boxxer.com

FULL CARD FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 25 AT THE AO ARENA IN MANCHESTER

*Please note: Below list is not the running order

12 x 3 mins  WBO World Cruiserweight Championship

LAWRENCE OKOLIE vs DAVID LIGHT

8 x 3 mins Heavyweight Contest

FRAZER CLARKE vs BOGDAN DINU  

10 x 3 mins Vacant English Super-Featherweight Contest 

MICHAEL GOMEZ JR vs LEVI GILES

6 x 2 mins  Featherweight Contest                                       

KARRISS ARTINGSTALL vs LINZI BUCZYNSKI

8 x 3 mins  Super-Middleweight Contest

CALLUM SIMPSON vs CELSO NEVES

6/8 x 3 mins  Featherweight Contest                     

RHYS EDWARDS vs BRIAN PHILLIPS

6 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

SHAKIEL THOMPSON vs ROBERT TALAREK      

8 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

AARON McKENNA vs LUCAS NDAFOLUMA             

6 x 3 mins Welterweight Contest

SAMUEL ANTWI vs OMIR RODRIGUEZ

6 x 3 mins  Lightweight Contest

FRANKIE STRINGER vs TBA                                       

4 x 3 mins Super Welterweight

HARVEY LAMBERT vs CASEY BROWN

Essington, PA (March 21, 2023)–RDR Promotions returns to the Clarion Hotel in Essington, PA on Friday, April 14th as heavyweights Junior Wright and Brian Howard will slug it out in the six-round main event.

Fresh off an explosive knockout of Colby Madison, Wright of Delaware County is 19-4-1 with 16 knockouts. The 36 year-old Wright has victories over Nick Reader (3-0-1), Nick Kisner (12-0-1). On May 21, 2016, Wright challenged Beibut Shumenov for the WBA Cruiserweight title. Wright was stopped in 10 -rounds in a fight that took place in Las Vegas. Wright is coming off that vicious third-round stoppage over Colby Madison on October 1, 2022 in Philadelphia.

Howard of Loganville, Georgia has a record of 15-5 with 12 knockouts. The 42 year-old Howard has wins over Yuwshua Zadok (1-0), Chris Stallworth (9-2), Alex Guerrero (12-0-1), Shawndell Winters (8-0), Carlos Negron (20-2). Howard is coming off la oss to Efe Ajagba on April 10, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In an six–round co-feature, welterweight Mark Dawson Jr. will be in action against Jose Mayoral

Dawson of Philadelphia, is promoted by RDR Promotions is 10-1-1 with four knockouts. The 25 year-old Dawson has been a pro for seven years, and has a win over previously undefeated Ivan Pandzic (13-0-1). Dawson is coming off a fourth round stoppage over Vincent Floyd on September 23, 2022 in Essington, PA

Mayoral of New Orleans, Louisiana is 5-2-1 with one knockout. Mayoral has wins over Jose Belloso and the touted Boubacar Sylla (12-0). Mayoral is coming off a draw with Ibrahim Robinson (4-0) on January 21 in Tampa, Florida.

Also in a six-round bout, Angel Perez (7-0, 6 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA takes on upset-specialist Kieron Hooks (4-2-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a welterweight bout.

In six-round bouts:

Rasheen Brown (11-1, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Eric Manriquez (7-15-1, 3 KOs) of Houston in a featherweight contest.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Antonio Dubose (13-2-2, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Phillip Davis (3-5-2) of Worcester, Mass. in a lightweight affair.

Seeing action against opponents to be named will be RDR Promotions fighters: junior welterweight Marvelous Corbin (2-0, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia; bantamweight Edwin Cortes (3-0 of Millville, NJ and welterweight Nimal Farmer (3-0, 3 KOs) of Lindenwold, NJ

The Clarion Hotel is located at 76 Industrial Highway in Essington, PA

Tickets are $100, $75 and $55 and can be purchased at the Following Link

CLICK FOR TICKETS