GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Problem Child had a problem.

Had a solution, too.

Jake Paul found his power at a moment when it looked as if defeat was imminent, knocking down MMA legend Anderson Silva Saturday night in the final round of a closely-contested cruiserweight fight on Showtime pay-per-view at Desert Diamond Arena.

The knockdown, scored by  short right hand, was timely and critical to a Paul victory that is sure to generate some controversy. Paul (6-0, 4 KOs) was awarded a unanimous decision. 

Judge PaulCalderon scored it 77-74. Chris Wilson and Dennis O’Connell both had 78-73, all for Paul, the celebrity fighter, who is more of social-media phenomenon than he is proven prospect. 

The scorecard margins were big enough that Paul would have won even without the knockdown. But the first seven rounds appeared to favor Silva (3-2, 2 KOs), a 47-year-old Brazilian who was fighting as a boxer for only fifth time in his storied career.

“They’re going to find something to say,” Paul said. ” ‘Fight a real boxer.’ I tried. If I were walking on water, people would say that I can’t swim. There’s always going to be haters. There’s always going to be critics. It’s an everyday part of life if you’re doing something and being successful. I don’t worry about it.”

The argument with this decision will start with Silva’s hands. They were quicker. They were more precise. According to a ringside computer, Silva’s landed 31 percent of his punches. Paul landed 25 percent. Yet, Silva didn;t argue with the decision

“That’s the game,” Silva said. “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But nothing will change in my life. I’ll continue training hard because I’m born for this. Now, I go back home, continue training and see the next challenge.

“I think the judges got it right. Listen, it’s tough to come inside here and fight a young kid. I tried to do my best. I trained hard every day. Jake is better than me today. I don’t have anything bad to say about my opponent. I think everybody needs to respect this kid because he’s doing the best job.

The fight began with Paul doing what he does best. First he mugged for the cameras. Then, he stuck out his tongue. The show was underway. It’s what he didn’t do that suggested he might be in for a tough night. He kept his hands low and himself in peril.

Silva noticed. So, too, did just about everybody in a roaring crowd of 14,430 patrons. Paul was there, his face a moving target. It was an invitation to attack and Silva did. He rocked Paul with a left hook in the first round. He rocked him again in the second. Paul’s face began to show redness near both eyes. He looked surprised.

In the third, he began to look for a single knockout punch. Mostly, he would lunge and miss. But there were signs that the middle-aged Silva had begun to slow down. Paul was getting closer with every lunge, although Silva repeatedly mounted an assault during the closing seconds of every round.

In the eighth, however, he slowed down just enough for Paul to land a critical shot. It didn’t win the fight. On the scorecards, Paul had already won. But it gave him an argument in a scorecard controversy sure to continue.

Paul knows that. For him, there’s always another controversy.So, he moved on to the next one.

“This is just the start,” Paul said. “I want Nate Diaz. Canelo (Alvarez), you too. You guys said, ‘You can’t beat a striker, you can’t beat a legend like Anderson Silva.’ I just did it. 

“So, why can’t I beat Canelo?”
Trying to explain why he can’t is, well, just another Problem.

Ashton Sylve scores first-round stoppage

Ashton Sylve calls himself H2O. Maybe that’s because water has its own force. Once it starts moving, it can’t be stopped.

So far, neither can Sylve (8-0, 8 KOs).

It took the 18-year-old lightweight from Long Beach Calif. exactly 61 seconds to stop Braulio Rodriguez (20-5, 17 KOs), of the Dominican Republic, Saturday in the last fight before Jake Paul and Anderson Silva took center stage at Desert Diamond Arena .

One Sylve punch hit Rodriguez. A sudden left hit put Rodriguez down. Rodriguez slammed hs fist onto the canvas in frustration. Then, he tried to get up. But his sense of balance was gone. He stumbled one way and then another. It was over, Sylve a stoppage winner at 1:01 of the first round

Santiago wins rematch, Nieves quits after seventh round

It was dull. Decisive, too.

Mexican bantamweight Alejandro Santiago fought deliberately and did what he said would, forcing Antonio Nieves to quit after seven rounds in a rematch of their 2016 draw Saturday night at Desert Diamond Arena.

Santiago (27-3-5, 14 KOs) threw body shots while moving in and out tirelessly. Nieves (20-4-2, 11 KOs) never seemed to counter in any way. He simply wore out in a fight that Santiago promised would not go to the scorecards.

Le’Veon Bell runs into debut defeat

Former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell said a few days before his pro debut that boxing was tougher than football.

“In the ring, you’ve got no teammates,” he said.

Moments into his first pro fight Saturday at Desert Diamond Casino, Bel looked around as though he missed those teammates. Retired UFC star Uriah Hall, making his boxing debut at heavyweight, rocked him around like a linebacker. He landed jabs and body shots. At the end of the third, Bell looked stunned. He looked as if he needed a back-up.

But this is boxing. No backups and no breathers. For Bell, there was only a tough loss by unanimous decision, 40-36 on all three cards. 

Dr. Mike loses pro debut

Diagnosis: Mismatch

Dr. Mike Varshavski quickly discovered that the sweet science isn’t the medical science.

The practicing physician from New York got rocked repeatedly by a tough Chris Avila, who staggered  the good doctor with  right hooks and then stinging left hands Saturday on the first pay-per-view fight on Jake Paul-Anderson Silva card at Dester Diamond Casino..

Repeatedly, Avila (2-1), a cruiserweight from Stockton Calif., flashed menacing smiles at Varshavski. Every smile seemed to say: Welcome to my world.

In the end, Avila won a unanimous decision, 40-36 on all three cards. It wasn’t immediately clear whether Dr. Varshavski would fight again as a pro. He donated his entire purse, $175,000, to the Harlem Boys and Girl Club 

Jeremiah Milton silences the boos 

A stoppage was the only way to silence the boos.

Jeremiah Milton (7-0, 6 KOs) delivered it, a multi-punch silencer that turned boos into cheers with a fifth-round stoppage Quintin Sumpter (5-1, 4 KOs) in a heavyweight fight, the final bout Saturday before Showtime’s pay-per-view telecast of a card featuring Jake Paul-Anderson Silva at Desert Diamond Arena.

A growing crowd grew increasingly restless with Sumpter’s early tactics. Sumpter, of Pittsfield MA, would dance, mix in an occasional punch and then dance away. By the fourth, the crowd lost its patience. Boos filled the arena. In the fifth, Milton, of Las Vegas, finished it with successive punches to the temple that put Sumpter on the canvas. When got back onto his feet, he stumbled. At 39 seconds of the round, it was over — Milton a TKO winner. 

Shadasia Green marches on to an 11-0 record

Shadasia Green, tireless and powerful, continued on her march forward.

This time, Ogleidis Suarez was in her way. But not for long. 

Green (11-0, 10 KOs), a feared super-middleweight from Paterson NJ, walked her down and was about to walk all over her Venezuelan opponent until Suarez corner was left with only one reasonable option: Surrender.

Green was declared the winner after Suarez (3–5-1, 14 KOs) decided not to come out of her corner for the fifth round of a fight on the non-televised part of the Paul-Silva card.

Glendale’s Danny Flores wins sixth-round stoppage

It was a cross-town battle, Glendale’s Danny Flores against Phoenix rival Edgar Ortiz Jr..

Score one for Glendale.

Actually, the aggressive Flores (11-0, 3 KOs) scored often, rocking Ortiz (8-4-2, 4 KOs) repeatedly late in the third round and again in fourth and fifth of junior-featherweight bout on the non-televised portion of the Paul-Silva card. Early in the sixth, the unbeaten Flores applied the finisher, overwhelming a tiring Ortiz with a wave of punches. It was over, Flores a TKO winner, at 30 seconds of the sixth

Glendale junior-featherweight wins unanimous decision 

Adrian Rodriguez grew up within a couple miles of Desert Diamond Arena. He has walked around it. He’s done road work around it.

Saturday, he won in it.

Rodriguez (3-0), a young-junior featherweight, employed quick feet and quicker hands, scoring a one-side decision over Dominique Griffin (4-3-1, 2 KOs) of Irving,TX in a four rounder, the second bout on the Jake Paul-Anderson featured card. It was a shutout, 40-36,  on all three scorecards.

First Bell: Eliezer Silva opens Paul-Silva show with quick stoppage

It began with only echoes.

Los Angeles junior-middleweight Eliezer Silva (2-0, 1 KO) stated it off, landing a big punch that created a lot of echoes in an empty Desert Diamond Arena Saturday afternoon on the non-televised part of the Showtime pay-per-view card featuring Jake–Anderson Silva.

Silva caught Anthony Hannah, who had dropped his hands, leaving himself wide open for the shot that ended the matinee bout. Hannah (3-5, 2 KOs), of Augusta GA, crashed onto the canvas, prompting the referee to end it at 1:57 of the second round. 

William Zepeda won a 12-round unanimous decision over Joseph Diaz Jr. in a super lightweight bout at The Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California,

Zepeda, 137 lbs of San Mateo Atenco, MEX won by scores of 119-109 twice and 118-110 and is now 27-0. Diaz, 137.6 lbs of South El Monte, CA is 20-2.

Alexis Rocha pounded out a 10-round unanimous decision over Jesus Perez in a welterweight fight.

Rocha, 146.7 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by scores of 100-89, 100-90 and 99-91 and is now 21-1. Perez, 146.8 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 24-4.

Arely Mucino won the IBF Flyweight world title with a 10-round split decision over defending undefeated champion Leonelo Yudica.

In round four, Yudica had some swelling on her forehead.

Mucino won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94, while Yudica took a card a 96-94.

Mucino, 112 lbs of Monterrey, MEX is 32-3-2. Yudica, 111.4 lbs of Chomba, ARG is 17-1-3.

In a battle of undefeated super bantamweights, Hector Valdez Jr. won a controversial 10-round split decision over Max Ornelas.

Valdez, 121.4 lbs of Dallas, TX won by scores of 97-93 on two cards, while Ornelas won a card 97-93.

Valdez is 16-0. Ornelas, 120.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 15-1-1.

Jorge Chavez remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Adrian Leyva in a super featherweight bout.

30 seconds into the fight, Leyva dropped Chavez with a hard right hand. Later in the round, Chavez evened up the round by sending Leyva to the canvas with a big right of his own.

Chavez, 127.2 lbs of San Diego won by scores of 60-57, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 4-0. Leyva, 127.4 lbs of Houston is 3-4-1.

Japhetlee Llamido stopped Pablo Cruz in the opening round of their eight-round super featherweight bout.

Llamido jumped on Cruz and landed a big flurry of punches on the ropes and the bout was stopped at 1:36,128 lbs of Houston, TX is 22-6-1.

Llamido, 126.2 lbs of Long Beach, CA is 10-0 with four knockouts. Cruz,

Jan Salvatierra won a four-round unanimous decision over Robert Ledesma in a flyweight bout.

Salvatierra, 111.4 lbs of Los Cabos, MEX won by scores of 38-37 on all cards and is now 9-2. Ledesma, 111 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 3-9/

Asa Stevens remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Mychaquell Shields in a featherweight bout.

In round two, Stevens dropped Shields with a straight left.

Stevens, 122.6 lbs of Waimae, HI won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 3-0. Shields, 122.8 lbs of San Diego was making his pro debut.

Vasiliy Lomachenko won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jamaine Ortiz in a lightweight bout that headlined a Top Rank show at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

In round six, Lomanchenko had swelling under his right eye. Ortiz had swelling over his left eye.

Lomachenko landed 125 of 571 punches. Ortiz landed 122.

Lomachenko, 134.6 lbs of Akkerman, UKR won by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 and is now 17-2. Ortiz, 134 lbs of Worcester, MA is 16-1-1.

Robeisy Ramirez stopped Jose Matias Romero in round five of a 10-round featherweight bout.

In round one, Ramirez dropped Romero with a straight left, In round nine, Ramirez turned up that pressure and landed a vicious flurry of punches that was capped off by a hard straight left and the fight was stopped at

Ramirez, 125.4 lbs of Cindhegos, CUB is 11-1 with seven knockouts. Romero, 127.4 lbs of Cordoba, ARG is 26-3.

Richard Torrez Jr. remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Ahmed Hefny in a scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Torrez landed a chopping left that sent Hefny to the canvas. In round two, Torrez dropped Hefny with a right hook to the body. In round three, Torrez continued to land power shots, and then landed a another right to the body that put Hefny down again, and the fight was stopped at 2:32,

Torrez, 229.4 lbs Tulac, CA is 4-0 with four knockouts. Hefny, 218 lbs of Egypt is 13-3.

Duke Ragan remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Luis Lebron in a featherweight bout.

Ragan, 128 lbs of Cincinnati, OH won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 and is now 8-0. Lebron, 128 lbs of Manuel Aprens, PR is 18-5-1.

Nico Ali Walsh remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Billy Wagner in a middleweight fight.

Walsh, 159 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 twice and is now 7-0. Wagner, 159 lbs of Browning, MT is 5-3.

Tiger Johnson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Esteban Garcia in a junior welterweigt bout.

Johnson, 141.4 lbs of Cleveland won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 6-0. Garcia, 139.2 lbs of El Comino, CA is 15-2.

Troy Isley pounded out an eight-round unanimous decision over Quincy Levallais in a middleweight bout.

Isley, 159 lbs of from Alexandra, VA won by scores of 80-72 and 79-73 twice and is now 8-0. Levallais, 157,4 lbs of Panama City, FL is 14-4-1.

Good-looking prospect Abdullah Mason scored a fourth round stoppage over Angel Barrera in a scheduled six-round lightweight bout.

In round three, Mason dropped Barrera with a straight left. Seconds later, Mason landed a short left on the inside that put Barrera down again. The onslaught bloodied the left side of Barrera’s face.

In round four, Mason landed shots that had Barrera bouncing all over the ring and the out was stopped at 21 seonds.

Mason, 135.6 lbs of Cleveland is 5-0 with four knockouts. Barrera, 135 lbs of Chicago, IL is 4-1.

Haven Brady Jr. remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Eric Mondragon in a junior lightweight bout.

Brady, 131 lbs of Albany, GA won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 and is now 8-0. Mondragon, 130.6 lbs of Maywood, CA is 7-1-1.

NEW YORK (October 28, 2022) -TONIGHT will see six of Split-T Management’s prospects in action over four cards throughout the United Sates.

Credit: Mikey Williams (Top Rank via Getty Images)

In New York City at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, a pair of undefeated fighters in featherweight Haven Brady Jr. will take on Eric Mondragon in an eight-round fight, and junior welterweight Tiger Johnson will see action in a six-round bout against Esteban Garcia.

Brady of Albany, Georgia, recently moved his training to Philadelphia under the esteemed Derek “Bozy” Ennis, and has a record of 7-0 with four knockouts. The 20 year-old Brady has wins over Roberto Negrete (3-0), Jose Argel (8-2) and his last outing when won a unanimous decision over Aaron Echeveste on July 23rd in Hinckley, Minnesota.

Mondragon of Maywood, California is 8-0-1 with four knockouts. The 24 year-old Mondragon is coming off a fourth round stoppage over Mario Aguirre on August 6th in Los Angeles.

Brady weighed 131 lbs. Aguirre was 130.6 lbs.

Credit: Mikey Williams (Top Rank via Getty Images)

Johnson will take on Esteban Garcia in a six-round bout. The 23 year-old Cleveland native is 5-0 with four knockouts. The 2021 United States Olympian has a win over previously undefeated Xavier Madrid (3-0). In Johnson;s last bout, he took out Harry Gigliotti in five rounds on August 27th in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Garcia of Brawley, California is 15-1 with seven stoppages. The 32 year-old Garcia has fought 15 of his 16 fights in Mexico. He has a win over Omar Molano (6-1-3) & Juan Ramon Guzman (12-1-1). Garcia is coming off a first round stoppage over Jonathan Delgado Martinez on July 9, 2021 in Tijuana, Mexico.

Johnson weighed 141.4 lbs. Garcia was 139,2

Brady and Johnson are promoted by Top Rank. Their fights can be seen live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:15 PM ET.

Photo credit: Golden Boy Promotions / Tom Hogan

In San Diego, undefeated super bantamweight, Asa Stevens will take on Mychaqual Shields in a bout scheduled for four-rounds.

Stevens of Waianae, Hawaii is 2-0 with one knockout. Stevens, 21 is coming off a First round stoppage over Felix Vazquez on November 11th in Anaheim, California. Stevens is a former National Golden Gloves champion and World Amateur champion.

Shields will be making his pro debut.

Stevens weighed 122.6 lbs. Shields was 122.8 lbs.

The fight can be seen live on Golden Boy Promotions social media pages.

Stevens is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

In Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena, undefeated heavyweight Sonny Conto fights in front of his hometown fans when he takes on James Bryant in a six-round bout.

Conto has a record of 10-0 with eight knockouts, and the 26 year-old will be making his third start of the year as in his last bout, he stopped Justim Rolfe in three rounds on May 13th in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Bryant of Pittsburgh, has a record of 6-1 with four knockouts. The 37 year-old Bryan is on a three fight winning streak as in his last bout he won a unanimous decision over Thomas Hawkins on March 7th in Pittsburgh.

Conto weighed 225.5 lbs. Bryant was 242 lbs.

Conto is promoted by Top Rank.

In Milwaukee, at The Tripoli Shrine Center, two Split-T Management fighters from the Badger state will see action.

Javier Zamarron will make his pro debut against Ahmond Rayshaun Oates in a four-round featherweight bout.

Zamarron of Sheboygan, Wisconsin was 127.6 lbs. Oates was 124 lbs.

Rolando Vargas will take on Charles Garner in an eight-round junior welterweight bout. Vargas, 23, of Milwaukee is 7-1 with seven knockouts. He has stoppage wins over Nathaniel Lee Davis (1-0). Vargas has stopped his last two opponents, which includes first-round stoppage over Jerrell Hodge on March 4th in Columbus, Ohio.

Garner of Buffalo, New York is 6-1 with five knockouts. Garner is coming off a second round knockout over Juhvari Artis on March 26th in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Vargas was 143.3 lbs. Garner was 139 lbs.

Katie Taylor retained the Undispted Lightweight world title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Karen Elizabeth Carabajal at The OVO Arena in London.

Taylor, 134.5 lbs of Bray, IRE won by scores of 99-91 and 97-93 and is now 22-0. Carabajal, 134.2 lbs of Buenis Aires, ARG is 19-1.

Former world champion Kiko Martinez upset Jordan Gill via fourth round stoppage in their scheduled 10-round featherweight contest.

In round three, Martinez dropped Gill with a right hand. Later in the round, Martinez sent Gill to the canvas with a right uppercut. In round four, Martinez dumped Gill with a perfect right to the head. Martinez ended things by landing a big left hook that put Gill down for a fourth and final time at 2:44.

Martinez, 124.8 lbs of Alicante, SPA is 44-11-2 with 31 knockouts. Gill, 125.8 lbs of Chatteris, ENG is now 27-2-1.

Johnny Fisher remained undefeated as he obliterated Dominik Musil inside of a round in their six-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Fisher dropped Musil with a overhand right. Fisher then ran after Musil and dropped him again with a two punch combination. Fisher then landed a plethora of right hands that forced a referee stoppage at 2:03.

Fisher, 233.4 lbs of Romford, ENG has a rabid fan base and they went home happy as Fisher upped his mark to 7-0 with six knockouts. Musil, 262.7 lbs of the Czech Republic is 7-5.

Ellie Scotney remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Mary Romero in a super bantamweight fight.

Scotney, 121.5 lbs of Catford, ENG won by scores of 97-93, 97-94 and 96-94 and is now 6-0, Romero, 120.5 lbs of Murcia, SPA is 8-3.

In a battle of undefeated lightweights, Gary Cully destroyed Jaouad Balmedhi in a scheduled 10-round bout.

Cully landed one left to the chin that dropped and stopped Belmedhi at 35 seconds.

Cully, 135.5 lbs of Naas, IRE is 15-0 with nine knockouts. Belmedhi, 136.3 lbs of France is 16-1-3.

Mickey Ellison won a 10-round light heavyweight bout with a decision over previously undefeated Thomas Whittaker Hart.

Ellison, 174.9 lbs of Darwen, ENG won by a 96-95 score and is now 14-4. Hart, 174.8 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 7-1.

Jordan Reynolds remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Jose Manuel Lopez Clavero in a middleweight fight.

Reynolds, 163.1 lbs of Luton, ENG won by a 60-55 score, and is now 4-0. Clavero, 161.3 lbs of Granda, SPA is 16-19-1.

John Hedges remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Ales Makovec in a light heavyweight contest.

In round one, Hedges dropped Makovec with a body shot.

Hedges, 181.6 bs of Takeley, ENG won by a 60-53 score and is now 7-0. Makeovec, 180.2 lbs of Tabor, CZR is 3-1.

Maiseyrose Courtney made a successful pro debut with a four-round decision over Judit Hachbold in a flyweight bout.

Courtney, 113.5 lbs of Ektham, ENG won by a 40-36 score.

Las Vegas – UFC^® continues its run of events at UFC APEX with an intriguing strawweight bout that will see No. 3 ranked contender Marina Rodriguez battle No. 7 Amanda Lemos. The co-main event will feature Top 15 welterweights, as No. 13 ranked contender Neil Magny locks horns with No. 14 Daniel Rodriguez.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: RODRIGUEZ vs. LEMOS will take place Saturday, November 5 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 at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

Surging Marina Rodriguez (16-1-2, fighting out of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil) aims to stake her claim for a title shot with another impressive performance. Currently riding a five-fight unbeaten streak, she holds wins over Yan Xiaonan, Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas. Rodriguez now looks to stop Lemos and defend her spot on the strawweight ladder.

Exciting finisher Lemos (12-2-1, fighting out of Pará, Brazil) plans to shine in her second UFC main event opportunity. Victorious in six of her last seven outings, she has secured memorable wins against Michelle Waterson, Angela Hill and Montserrat Conejo. Lemos now intends to crack the strawweight Top 5 by stopping Marina Rodriguez in emphatic fashion.

Perennial contender Magny (26-10, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) has his sights set on breaking the UFC record for most welterweight victories. Currently tied with all-time great Georges St-Pierre at 19, he holds notable wins over former champions Robbie Lawler, Carlos Condit and Johny Hendricks. Magny now hopes to halt Rodriguez’s momentum and prove he is still among the best at 170 pounds.

Rising star Daniel Rodriguez (17-2, fighting out of Alhambra, Calif.) plans to continue his momentum by securing the biggest win of his career. Currently on a four-fight win streak, he has netted impressive victories against Li Jingliang, Kevin Lee and Mike Perry. Rodriguez now aims to finish Magny to continue his ascent up the welterweight rankings.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Gritty heavyweights collide when Chase Sherman (16-10, fighting out of D’Iberville, Miss.) takes on Josh Parisian (15-5, fighting out of Escanaba, Mich.)
• Tagir Ulanbekov (14-2, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) squares off with Nate Maness (14-2, fighting out of Morganfield, Ken.) at flyweight
• Grant Dawson (18-1-1, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) aims to hand Mark O. Madsen (12-0, fighting out of Maribo, Denmark by way of Nykøbing Falster, Denmark) his first professional loss in an exciting lightweight tilt
• Jailton Almeida (17-2, fighting out of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil) squares off with Maxim Grishin (32-9-2, fighting out of Grozny, Chechen Republic, Russia) in a 220-pound catchweight bout
• Darrick Minner (26-13, fighting out of Nebraska City, Neb.) meets Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (38-10, fighting out of Beijing, China) at featherweight
• Miranda Maverick (12-4, fighting out of Denver, Colo. by way of Buffalo, Mo.) faces Shanna Young (9-5, fighting out of Knoxville, Tenn.) in a flyweight contest
• Mario Bautista (10-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) goes for his third consecutive win when he meets Benito Lopez (10-1, fighting out of Oroville, Calif.) in an exciting bantamweight bout
• Polyana Viana (12-5, fighting out of São Geraldo do Araguaia, Pará, Brazil) takes on Jinh Yu Frey (11-7, fighting out of Arlington, Texas) at strawweight
• The Ultimate Fighter season 29 alum Liudvik Sholinian (9-3-1, fighting out of Kiev, Ukraine) locks horns with Johnny Munoz (11-2, fighting out of Norco, Calif.) in a bantamweight tilt
• Dana White’s Contender Series veteran Carlos Candelario (8-2, fighting out of Springfield, Mass.) faces Jake Hadley (8-1, fighting out of Oldbury, Sandwell, England) at flyweight
• Tamires Vidal (6-1, fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) debuts against Ramona Pascual (6-4, fighting out of Hong Kong) in a bantamweight bout

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 688 million fans and 207 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 22.8 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.

By Norm Frauenheim –

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Jake Paul jumped off the scale, flexed, screamed and then did what he does best.

He weighed in.

He’s been weighing in all week with an unvarnished rip of a business known for what it doesn’t do any more. It fails to deliver fights that matter. It stumbles, from week-to-week, from one round of exasperating news to another.

Terence Crawford won’t be fighting Errol Spence. Canelo Alvarez won’t fight David Benavidez. Anthony Joshua won’t fight Tyson Fury. Who knows about Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis?  Never-Never Land isn’t fiction. It’s boxing.

But the oft-criticized Paul (5-0, 4 KOs), dismissed as a YouTuber, is about to do what so many others in the waiting game won’t. He’ll fight Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena, facing 47-year-old mixed-martial arts legend Anderson Silva (3-1, 2 KOs as a boxer) in a Showtime Pay-Per View bout (6 pm PT, 9 pm ET/ $59.95) that’s another easy target for old-school critics.

It’s a gimmick, they say. It’s also a fight that doesn’t matter, they say, arguing that it doesn’t belong on a decent undercard. Maybe, it doesn’t. But there aren’t many decent undercards anywhere these days.

Paul thinks he knows why. And he’s not shy about saying why. He counters the criticism with plenty of his own. His featured fight against Silva on a hybrid card that includes boxers, MMA fighters, a former NFL running back and a practicing physician is a lot of things. Mostly, it’s a forum, another platform, for Paul. He’s using it to say what a lot of frustrated fans are thinking. He has turned it into his bully pulpit.

“Get these fights done,” Paul said at a news conference before making the contracted weight Friday morning at 186.5, a fraction of a pound heavier than Silva, who came in at 186.1 “Stop shooting yourself in the foot. Stop being greedy. Give people what they want. Don’t look at every term in the contract and try to change it.

“Just effing fight. You spar every day. Why not get paid effing tens of millions of dollars to do it in front of people? They’re very scared to risk their undefeated records, but boxing needs these big fights. Don’t let your manager stop you. Don’t let your promoter stop you.

“You gotta be in control.”

Today’s state of the boxing business is the flip side of control. It’s chaos. Paul also knows that movers-and-shakers, both in boxing and the UFC, don’t like what he’s saying. In effect, he’s telling the fighters to do more than take punches. He’s telling them to take control.

“It sucks for the fans,” Paul said exactly one week after the business was pushed to another breaking point with news that Crawford-Spence would not happen in 2022. 

“The fans are the ones that get hurt. And it’s bad. This is why the sport has gone to bad places before.

“It’s gone to scary moments where you think the sport’s going to wind up dying out, because big fights like this aren’t happening. Why didn’t we get Fury-Joshua? There’s so many instances where big fights could be made, and they’re just not.

“I don’t know what it is. No one will ever know, and that’s what’s frustrating.’’

The fighters staged a weigh-in for fans Friday afternoon. Here are the officlal weights from Friday morning for fighters on the PPV part of the card:

Lightweights Ashton Sylve (7-0, 7 KOs), Long Beach, California, 132.4 pounds versus Braulio Rodriguez (20-4, 17 KOs), Dominican Republic, 132.5 pounds.

Cruiserweight debuts: Uriah Hall, New York, 198.6 pounds versus former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell, Columbus, Ohio, 197.6 pounds.

Cruiserweight debut of Dr. Mike Varshavski (pro debut), New York,182.6 pounds, versus Chris Avila (1-1), Stockton, California, 183.3 pounds.

The non-televised part of the card is scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm (PT). It includes three Arizona fighters – Glendale junior featherweight Danny Barrios Flores (10-0, 2 KOs) against Edgar Ortiz Jr. (8-3-2, 4 KOs) of Phoenix and Glendale featherweight Adrian Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) against Dominique Griffin (4-2-1, 2 KOs) of Irving, Texas.

Cruiserweight Bout – 8 Rounds

Jake Paul – 186 ½ lbs.

Anderson Silva – 186 lbs.

Referee: Wes Melton; Judges: Paul Calderon (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)

Lightweight Bout – 8 Rounds

Ashton Sylve – 132 ½ lbs.

Braulio Rodriguez – 132 ½ lbs.

Referee: Tony Zaino; Judges: Eric Curcio (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.).

Bantamweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Alexandro Santiago – 118 lbs.

Antonio Nieves – 117 ¾ lbs.

Referee: Wes Melton; Judges: Eric Curcio (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)

Cruiserweight Bout – 4 Rounds

Uriah Hall – 198 ½ lbs.

Le’Veon Bell – 197 ½ lbs.

Referee: Tony Zaino; Judges: Eric Curcio (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)

Cruiserweight Bout – 4 Rounds

Chris Avila – 183 ¼ lbs.

Dr. Mike Varshavski – 182 ½ lbs.

Referee: Joey Chavez; Judges: Paul Calderon (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)

SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN

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

on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube Channel

Heavyweight Bout – 6 Rounds

Jeremiah Milton – 248 ¼ lbs.

Quintin Sumpter – 219 ½ lbs.

Referee: Wes Melton; Judges: Paul Calderon (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)

Super Middleweight Bout – 8 Rounds

Ogleidis Suarez – 169 lbs.

Shadasia Green – 169 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Joey Chavez; Judges: Paul Calderon (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)

Contracted weight: 169 pounds

Super Bantamweight Bout – 6 Rounds

Danny Barrios Flores – 122 ½ lbs.

Edgar Ortiz, Jr. – 120 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Tony Zaino; Judges: Eric Curcio (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host Saturday night’s SHOWTIME PPV telecast with MMA legend Georges St-Pierre serving as co-host. St.-Pierre was a two-division UFC champion and three-time UFC welterweight champion. They join the most versatile voice in combat sports Mauro Ranallo, along with International Boxing Hall of Famer Al Bernstein and leading mixed martial arts journalist Ariel Helwani in calling the action from ringside.Helwani will also handle pre-and-post-fight interviews and serve as the ringside reporter. Three more Hall of Famers round out the SHOWTIME telecast team – unofficial scorer and boxing historian Steve Farhood will score the fights, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. will emcee the proceedings, and Barry Tompkins will call the international feed with former junior middleweight world champion and SHOBOX^® commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez providing analysis. The executive producer is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing. Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, whose podcast MORNING KOMBAT was recently named Best Sports Podcast of the Year at the People’s Choice Podcast Awards, will host the SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN show streaming live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page.

#          #          #

ABOUT PAUL VS. SILVA

International superstar and serial risk-taker Jake “The Problem Child” Paul will face the biggest challenge of his career when he takes on UFC legend and accomplished boxer Anderson “The Spider” Silva in an eight-round bout at a catchweight of 187 pounds on Saturday, October 29 in a Most Valuable Promotions event live on SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Desert Diamond Arena, just outside of Phoenix, Ariz. In undercard action, teenage sensation Ashton Sylve will put his knockout streak on the line against Braulio Rodriguez in an eight-round lightweight bout contested at 133 pounds. Top 118-pound contenders and former world title challengers Alexandro “El Peque” Santiago and Antonio “Carita” Nieves will meet again in a 10-round rematch of their exciting 2016 showdown. Elite UFC striker Uriah Hall and former NFL star running back Le’Veon Bell will make their pro debuts in a four-round cruiserweight bout contracted at 195 pounds. In addition, Chris Avila, a disciple of UFC superstar Nate Diaz, will square off against “Doctor Mike” Varshavski, a board-certified family physician and social media influencer, in a four-round cruiserweight bout contracted at 185 pounds

PHILADELPHIA (October 28, 2022)–Weight’s for Saturday night’s Joe Hand Promotions card at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Sonny Conto 225.5 – James Bryant 242

Bryce Mills 144.5 – Larry Fryers 144.5

Shane Slocumb 208.5 – Johnathan Wiles 226

Tyree Arnold 143 – Carlos Marrero 142

James White 177.5 – Keynan Williams 181

Tariq Green 168.5 – Everlon Still 168

Promoter: Joe Hand Promotions

Venue: 2300 Arena

1st Bell: 7 PM ET

Note Both Game 2 of the World Series plus the Jake Paul – Anderson Silva PPV card will be shown on the many TV Monitors throughout the 2300 Arena.

Tickets at $55, $75, $100 and $150 are on sale: https://2300arena.showare.com/orderticketsvenue.asp?p=436

•  Vasiliy Lomachenko 134.6 lbs  vs. Jamaine Ortiz 134 lbs

(Ortiz’s NABF Lightweight Title — 12 Rounds)

•   Robeisy Ramirez 125.6 lbs vs. Jose Matias Romero 127.4 lbs 
(Featherweight — 10 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 6:15 p.m. ET / 3:15 p.m. PT)

   •   Richard Torrez Jr. 229.4 lbs vs. Ahmed Hefny 218 lbs
 (Heavyweight — 6 Rounds)

   •   Duke Ragan 128  lbs vs. Luis Lebron 128 lbs
 (Featherweight — 8 Rounds)

•    Nico Ali Walsh 159 lbs vs. Billy Wagner 159 lbs 
(Middleweight — 6 Rounds)

   •   Tiger Johnson 141.4 lbs vs. Esteban Garcia 139.2 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

   •    Troy Isley 159 lbs vs. Quincy Lavallais 157.4 lbs
 (Middleweight — 8 Rounds)

   •    Abdullah Mason 135.6 lbs vs. Angel Barrera 135 lbs
 (Lightweight — 6 Rounds)

   •    Haven Brady Jr. 131 lbs vs. Eric Mondragon 130.6 lbs
 (Junior Lightweight — 8 Rounds)

###

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 22.8 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, New Jersey (October 28, 2022)–Weight’s for Saturday’s R&B Promotions card at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City

Anthony “Juice” Young 146.1 – Jose Zaragoza 143.2

Sydney Maccow 138.9 – Brandon Idrogo 137.5

Leonidas Soprandis 140.9 – Michael Crain 141.1

Kenyon Sessions 111.4 – Brett Yuschok 113.8 

Aaron Newmones 146.7 – Anthony Dill 150

Elijah Lynah 194.3 – Tunde Fatiregun 190.6 

Deyshawn Williams 144.8 – Kevin Schmidt 146

Promoter: R&B Promotions

Venue: Showboat Hotel

1st Bell: 7:00 PM ET

Stream:  BXNGTV.com

Tickets for this outstanding evening of boxing are 175 VIP Ringside

120 Premium

75 Reserved

55 General Admission

and can be purchased at 

https://randbpromo.ticketleap.com/acfn/

The fight card will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com

By Norm Frauenheim

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Arizona State Boxing & MMA Commission quickly cleared Anderson Silva to fight Jake Paul Thursday night, citing a review of recent medical tests and comments provided by Silva and his representatives.

It took the Commission less than 10 minutes to reach the decision at a meeting that was suddenly scheduled Wednesday amid questions about whether the 47-year-old Silva had been knocked out twice in training for a Showtime pay-per-view bout Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena.

“A fighter’s safety is always our priority,’’ Commission Chairman Scott Fletcher said. “But we peeled back the onion and determined that Anderson Silva is in shape and ready to fight.’’

Silva was granted an Arizona license in September. That’s when he reportedly was knocked out, according to quotes that appeared in MMA Weekly. However, Silva said in a statement Wednesday that he had been misunderstood.

Silva, a Brazilian whose first language is Portuguese, said he told the publication he had been knocked down, not out.

The Commission decided to schedule what it called a Special Meeting late Thursday after it was notified of the discrepancy this week before a public workout in front of Desert Diamond Arena Wednesday.

Commissioners Joe Pennington and Dr. Ara Feinstein both said they were initially concerned when they first learned about the discrepancy in quotes from Silva, a mixed-martial arts legend.

“I was extremely concerned,’’ Pennington said. ”But after reviewing all the medicals and other accounts, I’m confident he’s ready to fight.’’

Silva underwent an MRI this week, according to the Commission.

“The result was pristine,’’ said Fletcher, who watched and spoke to Silva at a news conference Thursday at Desert Diamond Arena before the Commission met.

MVP, Paul’s promotional company, and Showtime were confident that Silva would be cleared for the cruiserweight fight.

“Fighter safety is paramount to us as a network and hopefully to everybody who’s a principle in this sport,’’ Stephen Espinoza, president of Showtime Sports, said.  “The commission has a job to do and we respect their responsibilities. We certainly didn’t begrudge them their request for additional information.

“They had heard some things in the interview, which gave them concerns. They asked for additional medical information and exams. Thankfully, those came out clean and everyone has concluded, both the medical experts and the commission, that it’s fine to move forward with the fight. So, we’re happy that the process worked in all senses.

“They had a concern, we addressed it, medical experts weighed in and the fight is on.’’

Matchroom Boxing have completed the double signing of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medallist Pat McCormack and decorated former Team GB Podium Squad member Mark Dickinson. 

McCormack (2-0, 2 KOs) enjoyed a glittering amateur career, culminating in Olympic silver in the Welterweight division. Before that, the 27-year-old from Sunderland won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and a gold medal at the 2019 European Games in Minsk. The former Team GB ace has two knockout wins from two fights since turning professional with Ben Davison earlier this year. 

Durham’s Dickinson (3-0, 1 KO) made waves in the amateurs, representing Team GB on a number of occasions and earning gold at the European and Commonwealth Youth Games. The 23-year-old has made a perfect start to life in the paid ranks since turning over in October 2021, picking up three wins from three fights in the Middleweight division under the tutelage of Davison.

“I believe with the backing of Matchroom Boxing and DAZN I’m in the perfect place to be able to fulfil my potential,” said McCormack. “I’m looking forward to this exciting journey and truly believe I have what it takes to become a World Champion. There is nobody better to work alongside in boxing and I know that Matchroom and Eddie will promote me to the very top.”

“I am excited to get things moving with the backing of Matchroom Boxing and DAZN,” said Dickinson. “I believe there are some huge nights ahead for me and I’m excited and motivated to showcase myself and what I am capable of. With Ben, Matchroom and DAZN behind me I know I can go on to achieve big things in this sport.”

“I’m really excited for both of these journeys to push on,” said BenDavison. “Eddie, Matchroom Boxing and DAZN were keen on Pat and Mark and I believe this is the perfect place for them to be. They will be given the opportunities necessary to develop and fulfil their potentials. There’s no doubt about it, these lads are special talents and fans across the world are going to love watching them in person and live on DAZN.”

“I’m delighted to add two of Britain’s brightest stars in the North East Pat McCormack and Mark Dickinson to the Matchroom stable,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Pat’s achievements in the amateurs speak for themselves. Silver medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and a gold medal at the 2019 European Games in Minsk and many more. He’s one of the very best amateurs we’ve seen on these shores in recent times and I’m incredibly excited to guide his professional career moving forwards.

“Mark is one of the most exciting prospects in British boxing and another product of the famous Birtley Boxing Club. He had an outstanding amateur career, representing Team GB numerous times, whilst earning  gold medals at the Youth Commonwealth Games and the European Youth Championships. He’s made a perfect start to life in the pro ranks and there’s some big nights ahead for him. We’ve enjoyed some brilliant nights up in the North East over the years and both Pat and Mark are keen to bring big shows and World Titles back home.”

Follow McCormack’s journey on Instagram: patmccormack14 and Twitter: @PatMcCormack14

Follow Dickinson’s journey on Instagram: mark_dickinson and Twitter: @mark_dickinson1

By Norm Frauenheim-

GLENDALE, Ariz. – He rode in on a horse.

Maybe, it was a nod toward Arizona’s wild-west past. Or, maybe, it was his way of saying he was the cavalry, riding to the rescue in an attempt to save a battered game from a head-long gallop to its own demise. Or, maybe, an elephant wasn’t available.

Whatever it was, Jake Paul, an unconventional boxer, enlivened a traditional media event Wednesday with an unconventional entrance for a public workout a few days before his cruiserweight bout with UFC icon Anderson Silva Saturday night on Showtime pay-per-view.

Paul had fun and a crowd of fans on a pavilion outside of the renamed Desert Diamond Arena west of Phoenix had some fun with him.

That’s not to say that Paul also didn’t do some business. He doesn’t just ride horses. He also has some horse sense. If his entrance was an acknowledgement of AZ history, his presence at the Glendale arena was also an acknowledgment of the state’s best-known fighter.

Paul mentioned David Benavidez, telling the DAZN Boxing Show he’d like to be his promoter. Why not? He’s in the neighborhood after all, talking, training and talking at an arena where Benavidez blew out David Lemieux in his last bout on May 21.

Benavidez grew up a few miles east of the arena, formerly known as Gila River. Metro Phoenix is the heart-beat of Benavidez’ emerging fan base. You could hear it, loud and clear, in his three-round demolition of Lemieux.

“David Benavidez,’’ said Paul, who promotes Amanda Serrano. “I think he’s big in the boxing world and he’s a superstar, he’s my favorite boxer, but he needs that push just like Amanda did into the mainstream.

“The kid needs to be on billboards, he needs to be on podcasts, he needs to be collaborating with influencers. He needs help making some content and getting some big sponsorships to get his name out there even more.”

Benavidez already has a promoter/manager in Sampson Lewkowicz. He’s also aligned with PBC. But that doesn’t stop Paul, whose opinions are part of the fun. Both are inexhaustible, always part of the show.

Paul’s tireless self-promotional skill has created a huge virtual universe. Not even Canelo Alvarez can ignore the reported social-media number – 20 million-plus You Tube subscribers. That’s enough to add a zero to even Canelo’s paycheck.

Thus far, however, Canelo has ignored, or at least eluded Benavidez, who is reportedly close to a deal for a fight with Jose Uzcategui in January,

Canelo said after his super-middleweight decision over Gennadiy Golovkin in a third fight in September that Benavidez’ resume doesn’t measure up.

“What has he done?’’ Canelo asked angrily.

He’s done more than Paul, at least he has in boxing terms narrowly defined by an unbeaten record, including a World Boxing Council title that was lost twice — first for a positive drug test and then on the scale.

Yet, Paul has an answer. He proposes to promote Benavidez  the way he promotes himself.

Put it his way: It’d be a wild ride. 

By Norm Frauenheim–

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Arizona State Boxing & MMA Commission scheduled a meeting for late Thursday in the wake of conflicting reports about whether Anderson Silva was knocked out in training for his scheduled fight Saturday against Jake Paul.

The Commission scheduled the meeting Wednesday after news of the controversy broke during a public workout featuring both Silva and Paul on a pavilion outside of Desert Diamond Arena, site of the Showtime pay-per-view bout.

The meeting was announced by Commission Executive Director Danny A. Vella in a letter signed and posted on the Commission’s web site. It is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm PT/9:30 pm ET.

The executive director is prohibited from commenting on the regulatory agency’s business. Comments to the media are handled by a public information officer assigned by the state’s Department of Gaming.

Silva, a UFC legend, is 47 years-old. His age means he is subject to additional vigilance by Arizona. Fighters older than 36 are required to disclose the last time they’ve been knocked out.

Silva, a Brazilian whose native language is Portuguese, denied in a statement Wednesday that he had been knocked out at all. He was quoted in MMA Weekly as saying he had been knocked out twice.  

“After seeing the reports and concern for me, I’d like to clarify two important things,’’ Silva said in the statement, “One, I was NEVER knocked out in sparring. I misspoke in that interview as I sometimes do when interviewing in English and exaggerated the normal back-and-forth action that occurs in sparring.

“Second, this sparring session I referenced was in early September. The interview with MMA Weekly was done on Sept. 13 and, for some reason, just released this week. So, it wasn’t recent.”

SACRAMENTO, CA (October 26, 2022) – WBA #14 bantamweight contender,

 Eros Correa (12-1, 8 KOs), of San Jose, Ca, faces Luis Fernando Saavedra

 (9-7, 3 KOs) of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, in a ten-round bout that will serve as the main event on Thompson Boxing’s “New Blood” card.

“New Blood” will take place at the Omega Products International in Sacramento, CA on November 5th, 2022. Doors open at 6:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 8:00 pm PT. Tickets are priced $50, $75, $100, and $125 are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900 or online at www.thompsonboxing.com. Fight fans will be able to watch all Thompson Boxing fights, weigh-ins, and behind-the-scenes content, via their new mobile app downloadable on Apple and Google.

“I feel like I am really close to getting in position to fight for a world title, and I’m looking to get a big win at home against Saavedra,” stated Correa, who defeated top contender Saul Sanchez in his last fight. “This is not an easy fight as Saavedra has fought tough against some big names. A victory will get me closer to my goal of fighting for a world title in 2023. I want to also express my appreciation to Thompson Boxing for showcasing me in the main event.”

“I am more than just an opponent,” said an upset minded Saavedra. “I have made a career out of giving people hard fights, and this will be no different. I want Correa to remember one thing – ‘don’t overlook me!’ I’m coming to win and win impressively.”

In the 8-round co-main event, Oakland’s own Damoni Cato-Cain (7-0, 6 KOs), who has a strong fanbase in Sacramento, California, battles Rashid Stevens (6-1, 5 KOs), of Gardena, California, in a super welterweight contest. 

UNDERCARD BOUTS:

Cruiserweight Suray Muhmutovic (5-0-1, 45KOs), of San Francisco, CA, will fight Cody Kerr (2-1, 1 KO), of Spearfish, SD. (6-rounds)

Lightweight Cain Sandoval (6-0, 6 KOs) of Sacramento, CA, faces an opponent TBA. (6-rounds)

Welterweight Allen Medina, of Fresno, CA will make his pro debut against an opponent TBA. (4-rounds)

Opening the card will be middleweight Rowdy Montgomery (7-4-1,5 KOs) of Victorville, CA, facing Rick Graham (9-27-4, 4 KOs), of Houston, TX. (6-rounds)

Rich Marotta will operate as the blow-by-blow commentator with expert commentary by Doug Fischer. Jessica Rosales will serve as the onsite ringside reporter.

This event is sponsored by HUSTLER Casino, LA’s only luxury casino; Thompson Building Materials, Transforming spaces into beautiful places; Omega Products International, The leading stucco manufacturer in the United States; Belgard, Paves the way; and Makita, Rule the outdoors.

“New Blood” will stream live for free on the Thompson Boxing Promotions website (www.thompsonboxing.com), as well as their Facebook and YouTube pages.

For more information, and regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. You can also follow the conversation on social media, please use #ThompsonBoxing.

MINNEAPOLIS – October 26, 2022 – Former unified world champion Jeison Rosario will now take on veteran contender Brian Mendoza in a 10-round middleweight bout that serves as the co-main event live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis. Rosario was originally scheduled to face Yoelvis Gomez, who is out of the bout due to a wrist injury.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is headlined by unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. returning to action against undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly in a 12-round duel. The telecast opens with unbeaten middleweight Fiodor Czerkaszyn facing the hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.

Rosario (23-3-1, 17 KOs) will look to move himself into title contention at middleweight after scoring knockouts in three straight fights dating back to November 2021. The 27-year-old’s current streak comes after a pair of defeats versus undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo and top contender Erickson Lubin. Born in the Dominican Republic and fighting out of Miami, Rosario captured the WBA and IBF 154-pound belts by stopping Julian Williams in one of 2020’s biggest upsets, before losing the titles against Charlo.

Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mendoza (20-2, 14 KOs) now fights out of Las Vegas as he looks to impress in his debut at 160 pounds. The 28-year-old’s last two fights have come at The Armory, as he defeated Benjamin Whitaker by fifth-round stoppage in March. His previous outing saw him take highly-touted knockout artist Jesus Ramos the 10-round distance in losing a decision in September 2021. Mendoza also owns a 10-round unanimous decision triumph over Thomas LaManna in August 2020 and began his career with eighteen consecutive victories.

# # #

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

NEW YORK (October 26, 2022) -TONIGHT, undefeated welterweight Brian Ceballo takes on Nicklaus Flaz as part of the WBO Convention tonight in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Also on the card, will be the professional debut of welterweight Willito Ortiz 

Ceballo and Ortiz are managed by Split-T Management. 

Ceballo of New York is 13-0 with seven knockouts. The 28 year-old Ceballo is a four-year professional and is a former WBO Intercontinental champion. Ceballo has been matched tough and has wins over Luis Alberto Lopez Longoria (1-0), Bakhtiyar Eyubov (14-0-1), Ramal Amanov (16-0), Larry Gomez (10-1) and his last outing when stopped Gerald Sherrell in six-rounds on May 14th in Newark, New Jersey.

Flaz of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico is 9-2 with seven knockouts. The 26 year-old Flaz has a win over previously undefeated Sagadat Rakmankul (3-0). He is coming off a defeat to Janelson Bocachica on October 7, 2020.

Ceballo weighed 150.8 lbs. Flaz was 149 lbs.

Ceballo is promoted by 360 Promotions.

Ortiz will make his pro debut against fellow debutant Brian Rodriguez in a bout scheduled for four-rounds.

Ortiz dominated the opposition since stepping onto the amateur circuit – compiling a total record of 48-4 and winning four National Championships in a row (2019-2022). As a member of Team Puerto Rico, Ortiz amassed multiple international accolades including a Gold Medal at the 2019 Cinturon de Oro Tournament in Ecuador, a Bronze Medal at the 2021 Pan-Am Games in Colombia, and a Silver Medal at the 2022 Copa Independencia Tournament in the Dominican Republic.

Ortiz weighed 142 lbs. Rodriguez was 140 lbs.

The fights will be streamed live on Pro Box TV at 8 PM ET.

NEW YORK (Oct. 26, 2022) — Four of boxing’s most electrifying young talents hope to strike the Heisman pose Saturday, Dec. 10, at Madison Square Garden.

Former lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez makes his second appearance at junior welterweight in the 10-round main event against former two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza.

In the 10-round heavyweight co-feature, Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson aims for his 13th straight knockout against the battle-tested Jerry “Slugger” Forrest.

Puerto Rican junior middleweight star Xander Zayas steps up in class against 28-fight veteran Alexis Salazar in a scheduled eight-rounder special feature. And, in the televised opener, Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis looks to jumpstart his world title ambitions in an eight-round lightweight duel versus Juan Carlos Burgos.

Lopez-Pedraza, Anderson-Forrest, Zayas-Salazar, and Davis-Burgos will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT immediately following the Heisman Trophy Ceremony.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $51 go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 12 p.m. ET.

“Four of boxing’s mega talents, headlined by the great Teofimo Lopez, will be in action December 10 at the iconic Madison Square Garden. This will be a special evening,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Lopez is targeting a junior welterweight title shot in 2023, and Jose Pedraza is a Puerto Rican warrior hungry for another world title opportunity. With Jared Anderson, Xander Zayas, and Keyshawn Davis, this card features three additional fighters who will one day be headlining superstars.”

Lopez (17-1, 13 KOs) toppled pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko in October 2020 to become the lightweight champion. Thirteen months later, he lost his titles via split decision to George Kambosos Jr. He returned August 13 as a junior welterweight and stopped Pedro Campa in the seventh round. Lopez is no stranger to “Heisman Night,” as he’s authored two of the most indelible Top Rank on ESPN moments on that platform. In 2018, he knocked out Mason Menard in 44 seconds, donned the jersey of Heisman winner Kyler Murray, and topped things off with the Heisman pose and a backflip. One year later, he stopped Richard Commey in the second round to win the IBF lightweight world title and immediately put on the jersey of that year’s victor, LSU’s Joe Burrow. He didn’t forget the pose or the signature backflip that time, either.

Lopez said, “It’s Heisman Night at Madison Square Garden. I’m born for this stage. Once I beat Jose Pedraza in front of my hometown fans, I am coming for all the junior welterweight belts in 2023. The Takeback is in full effect, and I am on a mission to become a champion again.”

Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KOs), from Cidra, Puerto Rico, won world titles at junior lightweight and lightweight before moving up to the 140-pound ranks in 2019. Despite a competitive decision loss to Jose Ramirez and a draw against Commey in his last two fights, Pedraza still ranks among the most accomplished junior welterweight contenders. Ranked No. 10 by the WBO and WBC, Pedraza can earn another title opportunity with a win over Lopez and move closer to his goal of becoming the first male Puerto Rican boxer since Miguel Cotto to capture world titles in three weight divisions.

“I am here to face the elite fighters of the division, and to me, that is what Teofimo represents,” Pedraza said. “I have come to show that I am still one of the best fighters at 140 pounds. I’m still a threat to everyone in the division, and on December 10, I’m going to prove it. For me, the goal doesn’t change. I want to be crowned world champion in a third division, and I know I’m going to achieve it.”

Anderson (12-0, 12 KOs), the fighting pride of Toledo, Ohio, has seen his stock skyrocket since turning pro in October 2019 following a decorated U.S. amateur career. He has prototypical heavyweight size at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, and he’s stopped nine of his 12 foes in two rounds or less, including four straight second-round stoppages. In August, he returned from an eight-plus month layoff to knock out Serbian veteran Miljan Rovcanin.

“I’m happy to finally be getting a step-up fight,” Anderson said. “Hopefully, this solidifies my place as a contender and confirms that I’m not a prospect anymore.”

Forrest (26-5-2, 20 KOs) is the ultimate heavyweight litmus test, a 6’1, 230-pound southpaw who has mixed it up with some of the division’s most notable names, including Carlos Takam, Michael Hunter, and Zhang Zhilei. His only stoppage loss came nearly 10 years ago, and he held Hunter and Zhilei to 10-round draws in 2021. Forrest returned in May and dropped a 10-round decision to two-time world title challenge Kubrat Pulev.

“I’m in camp now. I’m excited and motivated to make a big statement. Jared is the up-and-coming fighter, and all the pressure is on him,” Forrest said. “After my last performance, I feel everyone has forgotten how good I am. I’ve been in the ring against top fighters, and I know that I can compete at the top level. The question is, what can he do against an experienced veteran like me? I am coming to send the ‘Big Baby’ home crying after his first loss. This will be a great fight for the fans in attendance at Madison Square Garden and those watching nationally on ESPN.”

Zayas (14-0, 10 KOs), the youngest signee in Top Rank history, turned pro as a 17-year-old in October 2019 on the same card as Anderson. Since that debut, he’s developed into Puerto Rico’s newest sensation and has knocked out three of his past four foes. He received the co-feature spotlight on the Lopez-Campa card, knocking out Elias Espadas in five riveting rounds. In March, Zayas shined at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden with an eight-round drubbing over Louisiana-born spoiler Quincy LaVallais. Salazar (24-4, 9 KOs), from Guadalajara, Mexico, has won 16 of his last 17 bouts, the only defeat coming via third-round knockout to rising middleweight contender Carlos Adames. He has not fought since January 28, an eight-round decision over Valentin Martinez Guzman in Tijuana, Mexico.

Zayas said, “I am very happy to be part of another amazing card at the legendary Madison Square Garden, and as always, I’m grateful to Top Rank for giving me these opportunities to showcase my skills on such a big stage. Salazar is a strong Mexican veteran, and with this performance, I’m looking to close the year strong and set the tone for a big 2023.

Davis (6-0, 5 KOs) hopes to open the ESPN telecast with his blend of in-fighting and precision that has already made him a lightweight contender to watch. The 23-year-old phenom from Norfolk, Virginia, fought three fought pro fights in 2021 before becoming one of the standouts of Team USA’s boxing team at the Tokyo Olympics. He stopped 2016 Olympic silver medalist Sofiane Oumiha before dropping a tight decision to Cuban sensation Andy Cruz in the gold medal match. Since signing with Top Rank last November, he’s scored a pair of knockouts, most recently a fifth-round drubbing of Omar Tienda on the Shakur Stevenson-Robson Conceição bill in Newark, New Jersey. Burgos (35-6-3, 21 KOs), from Tijuana, is a three-time world title challenger who has fought the likes of retired four-weight world champion Mikey Garcia and undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney. He has never been knocked out and has experienced a career renaissance of late. In March, he held highly regarded prospect Angel Fierro to a draw.

Davis said, “I will send another message to the lightweight division to end the year. Burgos is a veteran who demands respect, and I can’t overlook the man in front of me on December 10. It’s an honor to fight on ESPN after the Heisman Trophy Ceremony, and I plan on representing Norfolk while putting on a show for all the fans tuning in.”

Undercard action — streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ — is highlighted by featherweight prospect Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and welterweight standout Jahi Tucker. Carrington (5-0, 3 KOs), the latest prodigy from the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, steps up in his first scheduled eight-rounder against Texas native Juan Tapia (12-4, 4 KOs). Carrington, a 2020 Olympic Trials gold medalist, shut out Jose Argel on the Stevenson-Conceição undercard. Tapia, who has battled the likes of Stevenson and Olympic bronze medalist Vladimir Nikitin, has never been knocked out.

Tucker (9-0, 5 KOs) looks go 10-0 in an eight-rounder against Ivan Pandzic (14-2-1, 8 KOs). Tucker, from Deer Park, New York, is 4-0 in 2022, including a near-shutout decision over Jose Luis Sanchez in his last outing.

On Saturday, October 29, promoter Paco Damian of Paco Presents, in honorary association with Don Chargin Productions, will proudly present “Showdown at Cache Creek,” a five-fight night of world-class boxing at Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, California.

In the night’s main event, local favorite Alan Sanchez (21-5-1, 10 KOs) of Fairfield, California, via Guadalajara, Mexico, will face undefeated Saul “Avatar” Bustos (15-0-1, 8 KOs) of Los Angeles in a 10-round battle for the WBA Fedecentro Welterweight Championship.

A 13-year professional, Sanchez is a former WBC Continental America’s Welterweight Champion. He was last seen in May of 2021, scoring a split eight-round decision over 18-2 Jose Miguel Borrego. The Freddy Roach-trained Bustos is an eight-year pro who, in Sanchez, will be taking on the toughest test of his career. In his last ring appearance, Bustos took an eight-round unanimous decision over Mexican veteran Martin Angel Martinez Perez in February 2022.

In the co-main event, action hero Blake “The Beast” McKernan (13-1, 6 KOs) of Sacramento will take on League City, Texas, slugger Roberto Silva in an eight-round cruiserweight battle with “fight of the night” written all over it. McKernan, an ex-army machine gunner and Iraq veteran, will be looking to bounce back from his only career loss, a multi-weight world champion Badou Jack decision in November 2020.

On the undercard, Fairfield, California’s Ivan Vergara (8-1, 2 KOs) will return from a three-year absence to face undefeated southpaw Juan Pedro Miranda (6-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round featherweight contest, while undefeated lightweight Kevin Montano (3-0, 2 KOs) of Concord, California will take on Corona, California’s also undefeated Kevin Perez (1-0-1).

Opening the action will be former amateur standout Federico Pacheco Jr. making his heavyweight pro debut in four rounds against Josue Vargas (3-3-1, 2 KOs) of Panorama City, California.

Tickets range from $49 up to $125. The first bell is at 7 PM PST.

# # #

Cache Creek Casino Resort, owned and operated by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, is California’s premier casino resort. Located 40 miles northwest of Sacramento and 80 miles from the San Francisco Bay Area in Brooks, CA, it features more than 600 four-diamond luxury hotel rooms, thousands of exclusive slot machines, hundreds of table games, ten incredible dining experiences, world-class nightlife, a full-service spa, and an 18-hole championship golf course.

For more information, please visit cachecreek.com.

You can join the conversation using the hashtags #SanchezBustos #WBA #PacoPresentsBoxing #CacheCreekBoxing #Boxing. Please follow us on Twitter at @PacoPresentsBox and @CacheCreekCR. Please follow us on Instagram @PacoPresents, @CacheCreekCasino, @blakethebeastmckernan1, and @VergaraBoxing. As well as like us on Facebook at facebook.com/PacoPresentsBoxing and facebook.com/cachecreek.

Hard-hitting heavyweight prospect Jeamie TKV will fight in front of his north London faithful for BOXXER: Breakthrough on a ‘Super Sunday’ at Alexandra Palace on November 27th.

In what is an action-packed weekend of sport, BOXXER brings a festival feeling to the nation’s capital and a new boxing experience – and unbeaten London fighter TKV will be hoping to send his legion of followers home happy, just a stone’s throw away from his hometown in Tottenham.

Ferocious featherweights Rhys Edwards and Jimmy Lee will be in action respectively, whilst undefeated middleweight George Mitchell joins next month’s cracking card in the capital, live and exclusively in the UK and Republic of Ireland on Sky Sports.

Fight fans can look forward to an unmissable feast of activities at ‘Ally Pally’ in an afternoon jam-packed with 50:50 fights and some of the country’s future superstars.

Adam ‘The Assassin’ Azim, a generational talent and the most exciting prospect in British boxing today, faces a tough test which will draw even more attention to his ever-growing profile as he tops the bill against the wily and experienced campaigner Rylan Charlton in the main event.

Mikael Lawal and Deion Jumah collide for the British cruiserweight championship, as super middleweights Lerrone Richards and Zak Chelli go head-to-head. Sam Gilley and Sean Robinson battle for the English super-welterweight title as rising stars Shannon Ryan and Hassan Azim complete the bill.

MEDIA CAN APPLY FOR ACCREDITATION TODAY – CLICK HERE FOR NOVEMBER 27th CREDENTIALS

Meanwhile, you can also apply for accreditation for our forthcoming show at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday, November 12th.

Natasha Jonas fights for the unified world super-welterweight championship against Canada’s Marie-Eve Dicaire, as Dalton Smith defends his British super-lightweight title against Kaisee Benjamin, and Bradley Rea challenges Tyler Denny for the English middleweight belt.

And after BOXXER’s blockbuster show concludes, the legendary Ricky Hatton returns – led by Europa Combat – for an exhibition fight with Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera on the same night. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a memorable evening.

?Rising cruiserweight sensation Viddal Riley will face unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Ross McGuigan in his next fight on Saturday, November 12th.

Riley (6-0, 3 KOs) made light work of Jone Volau back in June with a first round stoppage at Wembley Arena.

And the 25-year-old returns to the AO Arena in Manchester, where he defeated Willbeforce Shihepo on points, looking to continue his impressive ascent up the rankings.

BOXXER CEO & Founder, Ben Shalom said: “Viddal is a very good boxer, who is still very young and he should be taken very seriously.

“Coming out of Tottenham and training in East London, Viddal understands the importance of honing his craft. Training, sparring, watching, listening and learning the traditional way.

“Undefeated at 6-0, Viddal sets himself goals with each opponent and understands that hard work will push him on for domestic titles in 2023, with an ultimate focus of a world title down the line.”

Since turning professional back in 2018, Riley a 2014 Team GB Youth Olympian has enjoyed a flawless start and built up a huge following across social media

And he is intent on laying down another marker to the cruiserweight division.

Viddal Riley said: “My mission continues on November 12th in Manchester. Ross McGuigan is undefeated and will do his best to keep it that way, but I know my level and will display it in full come fight night.”

In McGuigan (3-0), Riley faces a tough opponent who is keen to make an impression live and exclusively on Sky Sports.

“I’m buzzing to be fighting Viddal Riley,” added London fighter McGuigan.

“I’m really looking forward to showcasing my skills on a massive platform with Sky Sports and BOXXER, where I plan to announce myself to the rest of the cruiserweight division.”

Elsewhere on the November 12 card, Dylan Cheema will be looking to extend his unbeaten record when he fights Jordan Ellison.

Cheema (7-0, 2 KOs) became the BOXXER Series: Lightweight champion back in April when he defeated Rylan Charlton – and the Coventry fighter is expected to have his legion of followers cheering him on in Manchester.

Oldham middleweight Jack Kilgannon will be keen to put on a show for the local fans as he joins the undercard.

And Mancunian welterweight prospect Clark Smith – a Gallagher’s Gym stablemate of Natasha Jonas, who fights Marie-Eve Dicaire for the unified world titles in the main event – will be in action too as he bids to continue his unbeaten start to life in the professional ranks.

Tickets are on general sale now. Go to boxxer.com

BOXXER proudly presents this event in association with bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE, Village Hotels and FCI Markets.

CONTACT BOXXER PR

Matty Lawless, Head of PR

+447393764765 | matty@boxxer.com

JJ O’Regan, Media Officer

+447888 891861 | jj@boxxer.com

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON VENUE-SHARE WITH RICKY HATTON vs MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA & DAN HARDY vs DIEGO SANCHEZ EXHIBITION MATCHES, PROMOTED EXCLUSIVELY BY EUROPA COMBAT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12th

BOXXER ticket holders

Ticket holders for the Sky Sports BOXXER event will be able to access the AO Arena from 16:45pm.

These tickets will also grant free access to the Hatton v Barrera exhibition match, promoted by Europa Combat, which is expected to begin around 10:30pm after the BOXXER main event and show has concluded.

Europa Combat ticket holders:

Tickets for the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show will also enable free access to the Sky Sports BOXXER event taking place in the AO Arena from 16:45pm to around 10pm on 12th November. The Hatton v Barrera show will take place after the BOXXER event finishes.

FAQs

1. If I’ve got a ticket to the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show, can I also attend the Sky Sport BOXXER event?

Absolutely, your ticket gives you free access to the BOXXER event and you can arrive at any time from 4:45pm onwards.

2. If I leave the AO Arena, will I be able to come back in?

Apologies but you will not be allowed to leave the venue and come back in. This is standard venue policy.

3. Can I transfer my ticket to a friend or family, so I can watch the BOXXER event and then they can watch the Hatton v Barrera & Hardy v Sanchez show?

We are sorry but all tickets are non-transferrable.

4. Why are there two separate events?

They are two separate events, which have been organised by two separate promoters, with Europa Combat taking over the venue when the BOXXER event has concluded. But purchasing a single ticket for either event will give access to both events.

5. Do I sit in the same seat for both events?

Yes, your seat will be the same for both events.

October 25, 2022, San Juan P.R  – –   ProBox TV is at the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Convention this week in San Juan for a special Wednesday edition of boxing. In the “WBO Night of Champions,” Bryan “Chary” Chevalier will battle Cesar “Corazon” Juarez for the vacant WBO Intercontinental Junior Lightweight Title.  The Chevalier-Juarez fight will be the main event and headliner at the renowned Coliseo Roberto Clemente, located in the heart of San Juan, Puerto Rico and streamed live on ProBox TV and the ProBox TV app beginning at 8 pm ET  

Chevalier (17-1-1, 13 KOs) from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, is on a nine-fight win streak since his first and only defeat in his professional career. He has two titles in his resume, on July 9, 2021, won the NABO featherweight title and on Aug 17, 2019 won WBO Latino title. 

Juarez (27-12, 20 KOs) from Cuidad Mexico, Mexico on the other hand, has fought in ten title fights since making his professional debut in 2010.  He won the Mexico super flyweight title in his eleventh fight in 2012.  He was also the WBO International Super Bantamweight Champion, WBO International Super Bantamweight Champion and WBA Fedecentro Featherweight Champion.  In his lone world title fight, in 2018, he traveled to Ghana to challenge WBO Interim World Super Bantamweight Champion Isaac Dogboe only to fall short (TKO5)

The co-main event bout will feature another Puerto Rico versus Mexico battle as the NABO junior welterweight title will be at stake when Puerto Rico’s Nestor Bravo (20-0, 14 KOs) puts his undefeated record on the line against Mexico’s Adrian Yung (28-7-3, 22 KOs).

A ProBox TV Subscription is $1.99 per month.

Following is the ProBox fights and official weights . . . 

WBO Inter-Continental Super Feather (vacant). 10 ROUNDS

Bryan CHEVALIER, Bayamón, P.R. (17-1-1, 13KOs), 129.6 lbs.

Cesar JUAREZ Ciudad Mexico, MEX (27-12, 20KOs), 130 lbs. 

NABO Junior Welterweight (vacant) – 10 ROUNDS

Nestor BRAVO Arecibo, P.R. (20-0, 14KOs), – 139.6 lbs.

Adrián YUNG Los Mochis, MX (28-7-3, 22KOs),  139 lbs.

Welterweights – 8 ROUNDS

Brian CEBALLO, Brooklyn, NYC, (13-0, 7KOs), 150 lbs.                                                      

Nicklaus FLAZ, Vega Alta, P.R., (9-2, 7KOs), 149 lbs.

Lightweights – 4 ROUNDS

Addiel PEREZ, Fajardo, P.R., (3-0, 2KOs),  134 lbs.                                                             vs.

Waldemar CARRIL, Moca, P.R., (1-0, 1KO), 134 lbs.

ProBox TV was originally founded by Roy Jones Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi, Antonio Tarver and CEO Garry Jonas.  Miguel Cotto recently joined the group.  In 2023 there will be one fight card per month streamed on ProBox TV in each of the USA, Puerto Rico (Cotto Promotions) and Mexico (Marquez Promotions).

Get the App HERE

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

Las Vegas – UFC^® closes out its final Pay-Per-View of 2022 with a rematch of one of the best fights of all-time as UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka defends his newly won crown against former title-holder and No. 1 ranked contender Glover Teixeira. Also on the card, more top-ranked light heavyweight action sees former champion and No. 2 contender Jan Blachowicz attempt to stop the momentum of No. 3 Magomed Ankalaev.

UFC^® 282: PROCHAZKA vs. TEIXEIRA 2 takes place Saturday, Dec. 10 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV.  The prelims will be seen on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with the night’s action starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with Early Prelims on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and UFC Fight Pass.

UFC^® 282: PROCHAZKA vs. TEIXEIRA 2 tickets will go on sale Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at axs.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Oct. 27 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

The Czech Republic’s first UFC champion, Prochazka (29-3-1, fighting out of Brno, Czech Republic) intends to make his reign on top of the light heavyweight division a long and historic one. An exciting finisher who has more UFC post-fight bonuses than he does fights, Prochazka quickly rose through the rankings with statement wins over Volkan Oezdemir and Dominick Reyes. He now looks to leave no doubt in his rematch with Teixeira by delivering another vintage performance.

Teixeira (33-8, fighting out of Danbury, Conn. by way of Minas Gerais, Brazil) aims to recapture his lost title and add a new chapter to his storied UFC career. An MMA legend who has been competing for over 20 years, he has earned notable wins over former champions Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans. Teixeira now plans to leave it all in the Octagon and end the year with his hand raised.

Former champion Blachowicz (29-9, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) plans to defend his spot in the rankings and stake his claim as the next contender for the belt. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with knockout power, he has shown off his well-rounded skills in victories over Dominick Reyes, Corey Anderson and Luke Rockhold. He now seeks to snap Ankalaev’s win streak by becoming the first person to knock him out.

Ankalaev (18-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) has cemented himself as one of the most feared athletes in the light heavyweight division. A Master of Sport in Combat Sambo, Ankalaev is currently on the second-longest win streak in the division’s history, which stands at nine victories and includes defeats of Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos and Volkan Oezdemir. He now looks to make it 10 in a row and secure his first shot at UFC gold.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Breakout star Paddy Pimblett (19-3, fighting out of Liverpool, England) intends to keep his momentum going against gritty veteran Jared Gordon (19-5, fighting out of Queens, N.Y.)
• Former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler (29-16, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) and Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-6, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) meet in a Fight of the Night contender
• Former light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson (18-8, fighting out of Stockholm, Sweden) battles Ovince Saint Preux (26-16, fighting out of Knoxville, Tenn.)
• Fan favorite and No. 9 ranked middleweight Darren Till (18-4, fighting out of Liverpool, England) takes on No. 13 ranked Dricus du Plessis (17-2, fighting out of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa)
• Edmen Shahbazyan (11-3, fighting out of Glendale, Calif.) locks horns with Dalcha Lungiambula (11-5, fighting out of Cape Town, South Africa) in a middleweight contest
• Heavyweight action sees No. 9 ranked Jairzinho Rozenstruik (12-4, fighting out of Paramaribo, Suriname) lock horns with No. 11 ranked Chris Daukaus (Philadelphia, Penn.)
• Billy Quarantillo (16-4, fighting out of Tampa, Fla.) plans to spoil the featherweight debut of Alexander Hernandez (13-5, fighting out of San Antonio, Texas)
• TJ Brown (16-9, fighting out of Little Rock, Ark.) and Dana White’s Contender Series signee Erik Silva (9-1, fighting out of Alajuela, Costa Rica) collide in a featherweight tilt
• No. 14 ranked middleweight Chris Curtis (29-9, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) meets the always exciting Joaquin Buckley (15-5, fighting out of St. Louis, Mo.)
• Ronnie Lawrence (8-2, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla.) returns to action against undefeated Dana White’s Contender Series signee Cameron Saaiman (6-0, fighting out of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa)
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Vinicius Salvador (14-4, fighting out of Minas Gerais, Brazil) intends to steal the show in his UFC debut against Daniel Silva (11-4, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at flyweight

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change. Please click here to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 688 million fans and 207 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 T-Mobile Arena

T-Mobile Arena, the 20,000-seat venue located on the Las Vegas Strip between Park MGM and New York-New York, opened April 6, 2016. The arena hosts more than 100 events annually including major headline entertainment, awards shows, UFC, boxing, basketball and other sporting events, family shows and special events. T-Mobile Arena also is the home of the Vegas Golden Knights, a National Hockey League expansion team and the city’s first professional sports team, as well as UFC’s exclusive Las Vegas arena destination. The venue, named the No. 1 venue on Billboard Magazine’s 2018 Arena Power List as well as the “Best New Major Concert Venue” by Pollstar Magazine in 2016, features 50 luxury suites, more than two dozen private loge boxes, complete broadcast facilities, and other specially designed exclusive hospitality offerings and fan amenities destined to create a guest experience second to none. Toshiba Plaza, an adjacent two-acre outdoor entertainment space, features performance stages, a variety of video screens and other interactive content and display areas. Industry-leading architect Populous designed T-Mobile Arena to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s standards for LEED® Gold Certification. T-Mobile Arena is a privately funded joint venture between AEG and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit T-MobileArena.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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 22.8 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.

POMONA, CA (October 24, 2022) – Rising star, Ernesto “Tito” Mercado (8-0, 8 KOs) captured the vacant super lightweight NABA Silver title this past Saturday when he stopped former world title challenger, Jayson Velez (30-10-1, 21 KOs). Velez, who went the distance with Ryan Garcia and JoJo Diaz, didn’t come out after the sixth round. The event, promoted by Red Promotions, took please at the LumColor Center in Ontario, California.

Mercado looked sensational from the opening bell, throwing multiple power shots from all angles, sending Velez into survival mode from the start. Tito landed a powerful left hook to the body, setting the tone for a dominating performance. It was evident that Velez was hurt on multiple occasions throughout the fight, as Tito tried to knock him out. After getting punished for six rounds, Velez had enough and didn’t come out for round seven, crowning Mercado the new NABA Silver champion at super lightweight.

“Fighting a veteran like Velez in only my eighth pro fight is a big deal to me,” said Tito Mercado, who has won all his fights by knockout, all of which took place in the United States. “I learned a lot in this fight being that I went past the third round for the first time in my career. I know there is more to work on and I’ll be looking at the tape to see where I can improve. One thing I know for sure is I’m not a boring fighter. Fans who turn in to watch me fight will get their money’s worth.”

With the victory, Tito Mercado at age 20, becomes one of the youngest regional belt holders in the sport. With over 300 amateur fights before turning professional, Mercado is certainly on the fast track to a world title. He’s hoping to break into the top 15 WBA rankings.

“Winning the NABA Silver title, I’m hoping gets me ranked with the WBA,” said Tito. “I’m ready to fight any of the top contenders in the WBA. I know my time is coming and I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.”

GLENDALE, ARIZ. – October 24, 2022 – The blockbuster event headlined by international superstar Jake “The Problem Child” Paul and UFC legend Anderson “The Spider” Silva has established itself as the highest grossing boxing event for ticket revenue in the history of Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River Arena) and the second highest-grossing ticket event across all combat sports with six days to go until fight night. The eight-round cruiserweight match takes place on Saturday, October 29 in a Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) event live on SHOWTIME PPV^® at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from the arena, just outside of Phoenix, Ariz.

PAUL VS. SILVA LANDS BOX OFFICE HAYMAKER

As fight week gets underway, the event’s total ticket revenue currently ranks ahead of all prior boxing events in the arena and sits between a pair of UFC events, trailing only UFC 263 for the highest grossing combat sports event in arena history. UFC 263 was headlined by the rematch between middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori, and featured MMA superstar Nate Diaz. Paul vs. Silva has already surpassed the only other UFC event there – UFC on Fox 29, which was headlined by a lightweight bout featuring future champion Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje and featured the initial match between Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori.

Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. The official promo for the event was inspired by the 1983 cult classic Scarface and is available to watch and share HERE. 

SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD

The five-fight pay-per-view event is widely available for purchase and live streaming in the U.S. at SHOWTIME.com/ppv and via the SHOWTIME^® app. The event is also available on major cable, satellite, and telco television providers throughout the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $59.95 (SRP). In Canada, viewers can access the event via traditional distributors as well as digitally on FITE.tv, which will also carry the event in most international territories around the globe including the United Kingdom, Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and India. FOX Sports Australia will televise the main event Down Under, ESPN Latin America will carry the event throughout Latin America and Globosat will carry the event in Brazil.

THE MOST TRUSTED VOICES IN COMBAT SPORTS

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host Saturday night’s SHOWTIME PPV telecast with MMA legend Georges St-Pierre serving as co-host. St.-Pierre was a two-division UFC champion and three-time UFC welterweight champion. They join the most versatile voice in combat sports Mauro Ranallo, along with International Boxing Hall of Famer Al Bernstein and leading mixed martial arts journalist Ariel Helwani in calling the action from ringside.Helwani will also handle pre-and-post-fight interviews and serve as the ringside reporter.

Three more Hall of Famers round out the SHOWTIME telecast team – unofficial scorer and boxing historian Steve Farhood will score the fights, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. will emcee the proceedings, and Barry Tompkins will call the international feed with former junior middleweight world champion and SHOBOX^® commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez providing analysis.

THE STREAM TEAM

Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, whose podcast MORNING KOMBAT was recently named Best Sports Podcast of the Year at the People’s Choice Podcast Awards, will host the SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN show streaming live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page. The dynamic duo will call the action of three undercard fights and look ahead to the SHOWTIME PPV action to come.

In the preliminary streaming bouts, Jeremiah “Dream Land” Milton (6-0, 5 KOs) faces Quintin Sumter (5-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round contest between undefeated heavyweights. Plus, former featherweight champion Ogleidis Suarez (30-4-1, 14 KOs) faces undefeated KO artist Shadasia Green (10-0, 9 KOs) in an eight-round women’s super middleweight bout and Glendale’s Danny Barrios Flores (10-0, 2 KOs), one of Arizona’s most promising prospects, will look to show out in front of his hometown fans against Edgar Ortiz Jr. (8-3-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round super bantamweight bout.

Thomas and Campbell will be on hand in Arizona all week long to host the live streams of fight week events, including Wednesday’s open media workout (1:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT), Thursday’s final press conference (11 a.m. ET/2 p.m. PT) and Friday’s public weigh-in (2 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT). All events stream live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel, Jake Paul YouTube channel, Jake Paul TikTok channel and the SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page.

BACKSTAGE PASS WITH ALL ACCESS: PAUL VS. SILVA

SHOWTIME SPORTS^® has released the full episode of its Emmy^® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS: PAUL VS. SILVA, bringing fans behind the scenes and into Paul and Silva’s private lives and training camps as they each prepare for one of the year’s must-see sporting events. The episode is now available free via the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel. To watch, go to:  https://youtu.be/vbrVF827RbQ.

A GOOD BET IN YOUR BACK POCKET

The event on Saturday is sponsored by Betr, the official partner of PAUL vs SILVA. Betr is the world’s first direct-to-consumer micro-betting app, allowing customers to make wagers on different aspects of a game that don’t involve the final score. It was launched by Paul and betting industry veteran Joey Levy in September.

# # #

ABOUT PAUL VS. SILVA

International superstar and serial risk-taker Jake “The Problem Child” Paul will face the biggest challenge of his career when he takes on UFC legend and accomplished boxer Anderson “The Spider” Silva in an eight-round bout at a catchweight of 187 pounds on Saturday, October 29 in a Most Valuable Promotions event live on SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz. In undercard action, teenage sensation Ashton Sylve will put his knockout streak on the line against Braulio Rodriguez in an eight-round lightweight bout contested at 133 pounds. Top 118-pound contenders and former world title challengers Alexandro “El Peque” Santiago and Antonio “Carita” Nieves will meet again in a 10-round rematch of their exciting 2016 showdown. Elite UFC striker Uriah Hall and former NFL star running back Le’Veon Bell will make their pro debuts in a four-round cruiserweight bout contracted at 195 pounds. In addition, Chris Avila, a disciple of UFC superstar Nate Diaz, will square off against “Doctor Mike” Varshavski, a board-certified family physician and social media influencer, in a four-round cruiserweight bout contracted at 185 pounds. For more information: www.Showtime.com/PPV.

 Saturday, October 29 will be a busy night at 2300 Arena in South Philly. Heavyweight Sonny Conto (10-0, 8 K0s) will take on James Bryant (6-1, 4 K0s) in the six-round headline bout on Saturday. The Philadelphia Phillies will be in Houston facing the Astros in game 2 of the World Series. Jake Paul and Anderson Silva clash on Showtime PPV, all on the same night.

Along with the live fights in the main arena, the Phillies game will be broadcast on one of the large TV screens, and at 9 pm ET, the 2300 Arena Bar area will be showing the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva event. What better way to spend Saturday night as a sports fan in Philadelphia.

Tickets at $55, $75, $100 and $150 are on sale:

https://2300arena.showare.com/orderticketsvenue.asp?p=436

Also fighting Saturday night at 2300 Arena:

Bryce Mills (9-1, 4 KOs) of Liverpool, NY will look for his fourth consecutive victory when he takes on Larry Fryers (11-5-1, 4 KOs) of Yonkers, NY via Clones, Ireland, in a six-round junior welterweight bout.

Tariq Green (2-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia, PA will take on Everlon Still (2-2, 1 KO) of Voorhees, NJ in a four-round super middleweight contest.

Carlos Marrero (3-8-3) of Bridgeport, CT will be fighting Tyree Arnold (1-4) of Philadelphia, PA in a four-round junior welterweight fight.

Shane Slocumb of Philadelphia, PA will be making his pro debut in a heavyweight fight against Johnathan Wiles (0-1) of Philadelphia, PA.

James White of Warwick, PA battles Keynan Williams (0-2) of Winchester, VA.

Devin Gantt (1-0, 1 KO) of Sicklerville, NJ will see action in a four-round featherweight bout following his impressive third-round stoppage over Taijiro Arakawa on September 1st.

ABOUT JOE HAND PROMOTIONS

Founded in 1971, Joe Hand Promotions is the nation’s oldest and largest television distributor of pay-per-view and closed circuit sports and entertainment events, such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), championship boxing, and concerts. JHP’s event consultants provide their marketing knowledge and promotional expertise to help commercial establishments grow their business through the use of live sports and entertainment programming. Additionally, JHP hosts 4-6 live boxing events per year in the Philadelphia area. These events have held sold-out crowds at various venues and arenas.

NEW YORK (October 24, 2022) -Split-T Management fighters David Navarro and Joseph Hicks Jr. scored second round stoppage victories on Friday night at Ballys Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Their fights were part of the non-televised undercard of a SHOBOX: The New Generation card

Navarro of Los Angeles stopped Luis Domingo Hernandez in round two of their six-round super featherweight bout.

The 22 year-old Navarro hurt Hernandez in the second frame after a hard flurry of punches. Navarro was able to finish the fight at 1:02 to raise his record to 5-1 with three knockouts. Hernandez falls to 14-7-1.

Hicks took out Luis Solis also in round two of their six-round middleweight bout.

Hicks of Grand Rapids, Michigan landed a hard combination that sent Solis to the deck, and the fight was stopped at 2:52 of round three. Hicks kept his perfect mark intact as he is now 3-0 with three knockouts.

Hicks says his brief encounter with Solis was a learning experience. “I learned to try to get warmer in the dressing room before I come out. I didn’t feel warm in the first round, but besides that I’m ready for whatever comes next.”

Hicks was a stellar amateur where he was elected Captain of Team USA Boxing, National Golden Gloves Champion 2019. Three-time Eastern Elite Qualifier Champion (2017, 2018, 2019) & a five-time Michigan Golden Gloves Champion (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019).

Solis is 25-15-4.

Hicks is promoted by Salita Promotions.