Michael Dutchover Takes On Antonio Moran on Friday Night in Semifinal of Last Chance Tournament
PHILADELPHIA, PA /Ontario, CA (August 4, 2022) – On Friday night, junior welterweight Michael Dutchover (16-2, 10 KOs) will take on Antonio Moran as part of the semifinal round of the The Last Chance Tournament at The Pro Box Event Center in Plant City, Florida.
Dutchover, of Midland, Texas is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.
Dutchover advanced in the tournament when he won an eight-round split decision over Clarence Booth on May 20th. The 24 year-old junior welterweight also has wins over Jorge Marron Jr. (18-1), Robeskie Cristobal (15-3), Bergman Aguilar (14-3-1), Ricardo Lopez Torres (7-1-2), Miguel Carriozza (10-1) and Cesar Partida (1-0-1).
Moran, 29 of Mexico City is 27-5-1 with 19 knockouts. The 10-year veteran defeated Jeffrey Torres (10-1) in his quarterfinal effort. Moran has also defeated Brandon Perez Morillon (1-0), Rodolfo Uriel Contreras (1-0), Mario Herrera (2-0), Martin Islas (4-0), Etick Rosales (5-1), Uriel Perez (7-1), Richard Zamora (14-1), Salvador Bricino (13-2), Victor Gonzalez Rodriguez (18-2) and Emanuel Colon (17-1)
At Friday’s weigh-in, Dutchover weighed 139.6 lbs. Moran was 139.8
The fight will be streamed live on ProBoxTV at 7 PM ET.
Photo/Dutchover Social Media
For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.
3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 17, in Las Vegas
Las Vegas (August 4, 2022) – Three-division world champion and Hall of Famer
Marco Antonio Barrera has confirmed that he will appear at the Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo
on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo will also coincide with the mega trilogy fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.
Barrera will hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at his booth during the fan event held over
the Mexican Independence Day weekend.
The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, and Canelo vs. Jacobs. Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com – @BoxFanExpo
Barrera will make his fourth appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and memorabilia. Morales will also have merchandise to sell for fans to enjoy. Boxing Fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures with this boxing legend also known as the“Baby Faced Assassin”.
Barrera joins Rolando Romero, Jose Ramírez, David Benavidez, Shawn Porter, Jessie Vargas and Erik Morales as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with more Boxing stars to be announced.
About Marco Antonio Barrera
Barrera is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2011. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the WBO super bantamweight title three times from 1995 to 2001; the WBC super featherweight title from 2004 to 2007; and the IBF super featherweight title from 2005 to 2006. Additionally, he held the IBO featherweight title in 2001; the lineal featherweight title from 2001 to 2003; and the Ring magazine featherweight title from 2002 to 2003. Barrera is well known for his trilogy with fellow Mexican legend Erik Morales, as well as his duology with Manny Pacquiao, and rivalry with Juan Manuel Marquez. ESPN ranked Barrera as number 43 on their list of the 50 greatest boxers of all time. Barrera was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017.
About Box Fan Expo
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.
Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, David Benavidez, Errol Spence Jr, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Claressa Shields, Teofimo Lopez, Brandon Rios, Jorge Linares, and many more.
Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.
Throughout the next several weeks leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo
.
Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –
https://bit.ly/BOXFANEXPO2022
To request information on exhibiting and sponsorship at the Expo:
For media credentials:
Contact us:
Telephone number: (702) 997-1927 or (514) 572-7222
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT PROSPECT SHINARD BUNCH TAKES ON UNDEFEATED HUGO ALBERTO ROLDAN ON NEXT EDITION OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION® FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
NEW YORK – August 4, 2022 – Shinard Bunch, a super lightweight prospect with over 400 amateur fights, returns to SHOBOX: The New Generation in his toughest challenge to date against undefeated Argentine Hugo Alberto Roldan on Friday, September 9 in the main event of a stacked tripleheader live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The developmental series features six prospects with a combined record of 110-3-3 and returns to Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino, site of the first SHOBOX® 21 years ago.
After going 7-0-1 in 2021, Bunch(19-1-1, 15 KOs) and the Freddy Fundora-trainedRoldan(21-0-1, 7 KOs) will square off in a 10-round super lightweight bout. The co-feature matches undefeated Filipino prospect Bernard Angelo Torres (16-0, 7 KOs) against once-beaten Dominican Frency Fortunato Saya (13-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight attraction. The telecast opens with SHOBOX returnee Janelson Bocachica (17-0-1, 11 KOs), who fought main event headliner Bunch to a split draw in July 2021, taking on once-beaten KO artist Roiman Villa (24-1, 24 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight battle.
The event is promoted by Sampson Boxing and features four fighters new to SHOBOX.
“SHOBOX continues its tradition of presenting evenly matched fights between determined prospects, giving fans what they have long come to expect from us — a glimpse of tomorrow’s stars today,” said Gordon Hall, executive producer for SHOBOX: The New Generation. “Shinard Bunch certainly fits the bill as a champion-in-waiting with his extensive amateur background and willingness to take on all comers. In Hugo Alberto Roldan he’s facing his most difficult test, given Roldan’s experience and relentless style. The co-feature between Bernard Angelo Torres and Frency Fortunato Saya is a can’t-miss action fight, and the telecast opener with Janelson Bocachica and Roiman Villa is a battle of power-punchers that should be thrilling for as long as it lasts.”
Here is a closer look at the matchups:
Bunch vs. Roldan – 10-Round Super Lightweight Main Event Bout
Managed by Hall of Famer J. Russell Peltz, the 23-year-old Bunch has been extremely active since turning pro in 2019, fighting five times in 2020, eight times in 2021, and twice so far this year. Since his controversial split draw with Bocachica in his SHOBOX debut, Bunch has won four fights in a row, including three by way of stoppage. Bunch’s only pro loss came in 2019 in just his third fight, a unanimous decision loss to SHOBOX alum and amateur standout Paul Kroll (9-0-1, 6 KOs). Bunch had more than 400 amateur fights and started boxing at age 7, earning a No. 3 national ranking from the 2016 Nationals and a spot on the USA Boxing national team. A native of Queens, N.Y., Bunch currently lives and trains in Trenton, N.J.
“Fighting on SHOBOX in a co-main event was a step-up for me in 2021,” said Bunch. “But now, I’m the main event. Growing up with the name Showtime, this is literally something I have dreamed about since I was five years old. Being able to do this in front of my friends and family is unbelievable. I’m blessed to be a main event on SHOBOX and I’m definitely ready to show the world why I’m at this level.”
Promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz, Roldan, 29, recently relocated to Coachella, Calif. where he began training under the guidance of Freddy Fundora, father of WBC Interim Super Welterweight Champion Sebastian Fundora. A native of La Banda, Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Roldan will be making his SHOBOX and United States debut on September 9 and has fought 20 of his 22 professional bouts in his country. A clever boxer who moves in and out of range using his footspeed and switches from orthodox to southpaw, Roldan owns wins over German del Castillo, Lucas Bastilla and Emiliano Dominguez twice and has never faced an opponent with a losing record.
“I am ready to show my boxing skills to the world,” said Roldan, who had a 56-1 amateur record. “I can’t wait to fight in the United States. I am so thankful for this opportunity and can’t wait to take a big leap forward with this fight in my journey to a world championship.”
Torres vs. Saya – 8-Round Featherweight Bout
The twenty-six-year-old Filipino Torres had a long, storied amateur career in both his native Philippines and Norway that included three amateur wins over childhood friend Mark Magsayo, former WBC Featherweight World Champion. A talented southpaw, Torres made his pro debut in Norway in 2017 and is coming off a career-best win over then 13-4-1 Mauro Perouene in Madrid in January. When he was 14, he moved to Norway where he met his trainer and mentor Kjell Soerum and became a seven-time national champion as part of an amateur career that totaled 160 bouts.
“This is a great opportunity for me that I plan to take full advantage of on September 9,” said Torres. “Sampson discovered Manny Pacquiao so the fact that he has noticed me is something that motivates me to be a world champion and succeed in America. I know that my style will be popular there. It’s going to be a great fight. I hope to fight in a world championship in 2023.”
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and currently residing in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Saya has fought just once in the U.S, stopping Julio Buitrago in two rounds in Daytona Beach in August 2020. Prior to that win, he had beaten two consecutive undefeated opponents in then 14-0 Marcos Muniz and then 6-0 Misael Vasquez. Saya’s lone blemish came at the hands of Argentine Alberto Ezequiel Melian in a 10-round unanimous decision loss in Argentina in which Saya sent Melian to the canvas four times. Saya fought four times in 2021 but has yet to step into the ring in 2022. Most recently, he won a 10-round unanimous decision over Alejandro Jair Gonzalez in his hometown of Santo Domingo last December.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to fight on SHOBOX and to showcase my skills to the world,” said Saya, 24. “I promise to put on a great show for the fans and show everyone that I am one of the top featherweight boxing prospects in the world. Bernard Torres is a very skilled boxer with a lot of experience in the ring. I know he will come ready to fight. However, this fight and this opportunity are so important to me, my family, my team and my country. I will fight for all of them, leave everything in the ring and come out victorious.”
Bocachica vs. Villa – Eight-Round Welterweight Bout
Fighting out of Detroit, Mich., Bocachica is just 23 and already has six years of pro experience, including three appearances on SHOBOX. Last July, he fought Bunch to a 10-round split-draw in the co-main event. Prior to that, he earned his best win to date, a majority decision win over previously unbeaten Mark Reyes, Jr. An aggressive, come-forward fighter, Bocachica began boxing at age eight and boasts an amateur record of 60-5, including a victory against Brandun Lee in the finals to win the 2014 U.S. Junior National Olympics. He is trained by his father, Nelson Figueroa.
“I’m excited to be back on SHOWTIME and I’m looking forward to putting on my best performance so far,” said Bocachica. “I feel good and I’m ready to take over the sport of boxing and end careers, humbly.”
All 24 of Venezuelan sharpshooter Villa’s victories are by way of stoppage. Since a 12-round split-decision loss to Marcos Villasana in April 2019, Torres has stopped all five of his opponents in five rounds or less. He owns a fourth-round KO over then 20-1-1 Mexican Miguel Parra Ramirez in Mexico and most recently stopped Andres Garcia in Uruguay on July 29. Born in Rosario, Venezuela, Villa had a long amateur career, finishing with a record of 138-9 before turning pro in 2015.
“This is a great opportunity, and I am very honored to make my U.S. debut on SHOBOX,” said the 29-year-old Villa. “SHOBOX is known to be the starting place of great champions and I am ready to show my talent and show how strong I am.”
Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins calls the action from ringside with veteran combat sports reporter and MORNING KOMBAT host Brian Campbell and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts with Hall of Famer Steve Farhood remotely performing unofficial scoring duties.
The executive producer of SHOBOX: The New Generation is Gordon Hall with Chuck McKean producing and Rick Phillips directing.
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, SHOBOX: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The SHOBOX philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 86 fighters who have appeared on SHOBOX and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.
‘NOWHERE TO RUN’ – JOYCE VS PARKER – MANCHESTER, 24 SEPTEMBER
THE BIG JUGGERNAUT, Joe Joyce, will take on former world champion Joseph Parker on 24 September at the AO Arena in Manchester exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office, promoted by Frank Warren for Queensberry Promotions in association with BOXXER.
The heavyweight collision between No.1 and No.2 in the WBO rankings, as well as being rated at No.2 and No.3 by the WBC, will represent a shootout to determine who will be made mandatory challenger for the winner of the forthcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua.
Joyce, 14-0 (13 KOs), is the holder of the WBO International, WBC Silver and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, having recently relinquished the British. The 36-year-old was last in action at the OVO Arena, Wembley in July, emphatically defeating Christian Hammer via a fourth-round stoppage.
A wrist injury kept the Putney man out of action for the first part of this year.
Former WBO world champion Parker, 30-2 (21 KOs), won the title in 2016 with a points victory over Andy Ruiz in Auckland. He successfully defended against Razvan Cojanu and Hughie Fury before suffering defeat in a unification battle with Anthony Joshua in Cardiff in March 2018.
The 30-year-old is currently on a six-fight winning streak, following points loss to Dillian Whyte in July 2018, with the run including successive victories over Dereck Chisora, both in Manchester.
Fans can look forward to an array of established and up-and-coming Queensberry talent on display on the ‘Nowhere to Run’ undercard that will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for ‘Nowhere to Run’ – the heavyweight clash between Joe Joyce and Joe Parker – are priced from £40 and will go on sale at 12pm on Tuesday, 9 August exclusively from Ticketmaster.co.uk.
The fighters will come face-to-face today at the kick-off press conference which will be streamed across BT Sport and Queensberry social channels from 2pm.
“This is a fantastic fight that really keeps the heavyweight ball rolling,” added promoter Frank Warren. “It has proved to be a little while in the making, but this is a match between two in-form and quality heavyweights fighting to be first in the queue for a world title shot.
“It is one the fans want to see so I am delighted to be taking this blockbuster fight to Manchester, the biggest indoor arena in the country, which we want to see packed to the rafters.
“Joseph Parker is obviously a well-known and highly respected fight figure over here in the UK, both for his exploits in the ring and him working alongside Tyson Fury up in Morecambe. He also looks a greatly improved heavyweight since teaming up with Andy Lee and his defeat of Dereck Chisora last time out was a comprehensive one.
“This is the perfect test of big Joe’s world championship credentials and victory over Parker would propel him into the top echelons of the division and right in the mix with the likes of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.”
“This fight has been a long time in the making,” said Joe Joyce. “Parker realised he had nowhere else to go and eventually had to take this fight. No. 1 Vs No. 2. The winner goes on to fight for the World Title! It’s going to be a cracking fight and you will see why he tried so hard to avoid me!”
Joseph Parker said: “On Saturday, September 24th, the fans in Manchester will see the very best of me. Joe Joyce will see exactly why I will become the heavyweight champion of the world again with BOXXER. I am working hard with my trainer Andy Lee, everything is going smoothly and I truly feel great. I have waited patiently to get this fight on and let me tell you now, the Juggernaut’s journey ends right here. He has nowhere to run.”
BOXXER CEO and Founder Ben Shalom said: “The fans have waited for this one and so has Joseph. It provides him with the perfect opportunity to realise his world title ambitions.
“He has rightly earned a reputation as one of the most respected heavyweight fighters on the planet. And I am confident he will soon become a world champion again. He is looking in great shape, thanks to the hard work and dedication he is putting in at the gym. Joe Joyce might be ranked No.1 by the WBO but he is seriously in for the toughest night of his career.”
Tickets for ‘Nowhere to Run’ – the heavyweight clash between Joe Joyce and Joe Parker – are priced from £40 and will go on sale at 12pm on Tuesday, 9 August exclusively from Ticketmaster.co.uk.
Images are free to use, please credit: Queensberry Promotions
Sims Jr.-Mino headlines Entrobox Championship Boxing August 21 in Orlando, FL
Orlando, FL (August 3, 2022) – Junior welterweight rising star Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. will face Christian “Piedrita” Mino in the main event of a Bally Sports Presents: Entrobox Championship Boxing card Sunday, August 21 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL.
The card is promoted by Boxlab Promotions in association with American Dream Presents. Tickets from $45 are on sale at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 4 pm and the first bout begins at 5.
Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Sims Jr.’s outstanding professional record is 17-2-1 with 5 wins coming by knockout. Promoted by GH3 Promotions, Sims Jr. is coming off consecutive victories against unbeaten opponents, handing Elvis Rodriguez (11-0-1) and Keeshawn Williams (8-0-1) their first professional defeats. He also battled top rated contender Montana Love to a draw in 2018.
Representing the fighting city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mino is 22-5-2 with 17 KO’s. The heavy-handed 25-year-old battled various world class foes including Alfredo Santiago, Juan Manuel Lopez, Nestor Bravo and Ruben Torres among others.
Sims Jr.-Mino is scheduled for 10 rounds and is for theWBA Continental junior welterweight championship.
In the co-featured bout of the evening, junior welterweight phenom Orestes “El Tsunami” Velazquez challenges Emiliano Martin Garcia in a ten round contest.
Born and raised in Cuba but now residing in Miami, FL, Velazquez is 4-0 with all of his victories coming by knockout. On May 7, Velazquez stopped former world champion Juan Carlos Salgado in less than two rounds.
Known as “Pac Man,” Garcia is 17-7 as a pro and 13 of his wins came via knockout. Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Garcia’s battled many quality fighters including, Harold Calderon, Nestor Bravo, Otar Eranosyan, Denys Berinchyk and Reynaldo Ojeda.
Blue chip welterweight prospect Kevin Hayler Brown makes his highly anticipated pro debut against former world champion Jose Alfaro in an eight round welterweight matchup.
One of the world’s top amateur boxers, Brown won the Cuban National Championship in 2019 and defeated legendary Roniel Iglesais in the finals. Brown defected Cuba in early 2022 for the opportunity to begin his pro career in the United States.
Hailing from Nagarote, Nicaragua, Alfaro’s fought all over the world against some of boxing’s best. In 2007, Alfaro won the WBA lightweight championship by outpointing Pantan Narongwet in Germany but lost his first title defense against Yusuke Korobi in his native Japan.He’s faced Erik Morales and Humberto Soto in Mexico, Jason Pagara in the Philippines, and Cesar Cuneca in Argentina.
“This is a unique televised boxing card,” said Ron Johnson, CEO of American Dream Presents. “Kenneth Sims Jr. is on a roll and earned his way into contention at 140 pounds. Orestes Velazquez appears to be on the fast track to a world title and seeing an exceptional talent in Kevin Brown not only make his pro debut in an eight rounder but doing so against a former world champion is unheard of!”
The Sims Jr.-Mino, Velazquez-Garcia and Brown-Alfaro bouts will be televised on Bally Sports Network and the Bally Sports app live at 7 PM ET.
Derrick “Diesel” Jackson of Orlando takes on his toughest foe to date when he meets Damian Bonelli of Buenos Aires, Argentina in a six round junior middleweight matchup.
Jackson, 8-0 (4 KO’s), is coming off a second round knockout of Jesus Silva on May 21 at the Caribe Royale and is only 20-years-old.
Bonelli, 24-11 (20 KO’s), most recently dropped a ten round unanimous decision to Yamaguchi Falcao in an entertaining fight seen on Bally Sports Network.
The talent-rich undercard features former US Olympian Antonio Vargas, unbeaten cruiserweight knockout artist Adrian Pinheiro, junior middleweight Jeovanny Estela, super featherweight Malik Warren, super featherweight Dorian Mark KhanJr. and junior welterweight David Lopez in separate bouts.
Lopez, Khan Jr. and Warren are promoted by Mayweather Promotions.
“On Behalf of the Caribe Royale Hotel and Boxlab Promotions, we’re excited to once again bring championship boxing to Central Florida” said Amaury Piedra, of Boxlab Promotions “The goal is always to provide the best fight night atmosphere and quality bouts for the fans in attendance and those watching on the Bally Sports Network. We’re proud of our association with Entrobox and Bally Sports. We look forward to continuing to growing stars of the present and future.”
A four diamond resort, the Caribe Royale is a 1,388 room resort that provides a luxurious and relaxing experience for guests of all ages. Amenities include a spa, five restaurants, kid’s splashpad and playground, a two-story fitness center and a large outdoor pool featuring a 75 foot waterside. Fully re-imagined and renovated with over $127m in improvements and expansion Caribe Royale is the premier all suite hotel in Orlando.
World’s Greatest Promoter Don King Has Never NOT Paid a Fighter & This Is Certainly Not the Case with Daniel Dubois
DEERFIELD BEACH, FL (August 3, 2022)—Don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.
That’s certainly the case for WBA Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Dubois, after winning the title on a Don King promoted show on June 11, 2022 in Miami.
DuBois and his promoter and manager, Frank Warren, who was not allowed to enter the United States, need to get together and renew acquaintances.
Promoter King has requested banking and wire information from Warren for two months with no reply.
So King’s lawyer, Tony Gonzalez, put the funds in escrow waiting for Warren to respond. DuBois’ lawyer Leon Margules finally sent the wire instructions after Warren and Queensberry Promotions failed to reply to Don King Promotions multiple requests for wire instructions.
Warren and his promotional company, Queensberry Promotions, had the television rights payment for BT Sports deducted from the purse, per the agreement.
King has already paid DuBois’ foreign taxes to the IRS of $420,660.12.
“I have talked with DuBois and his father about the matter,” said King. “I’ve told them the money was in escrow and waiting for DuBois’ promoter and manager, Frank Warren, the wiring instructions.
Did Frank lose my number? He knows where to reach me.”
“I love Frank Warren. His word, honor and integrity have been above and beyond any contract or agreement with me. His word has been his bond…Impeccable! I am deeply hurt and terribly disappointed in what is happening now.
“I’ve never not paid a fighter and this is certainly not the case here.”
King’s lawyer Gonzalez stated, ““DKP has made all requisite payments towards Mr. Dubois’ purse.
“Pursuant to Florida State Athletic Commission Director Patrick Cunningham’s instructions, proof of payment in the form of the payment for the 30% IRS backup withholding was provided along with $475,000 setoff towards Mr. Dubois’ purse at the instruction of Mr. Dubois’ promoter, Queensbury.”
“Additionally, and at the instruction of Mr. Cunningham, an escrow deposit was made in the amount of $134,000.00 representing a final balance due Mr. Dubois after applying a setoff of $319,000 for outstanding monies owed DKP by Mr. Warren. Also, all sanction fees owed by Mr. Dubois were paid in full to the WBA.”
360 PROMOTIONS / HOLLYWOOD FIGHT NIGHTS WEIGHTS
Thursday August 4, 2022
360 Promotions / Hollywood Fight Nights
Quiet Cannon – Montebello Country Club
901 Via San Clemente
Montebello, CA 90640
Doors: 5:00 p.m.
Approved Media Credentials Available Starting at 5:00 p.m. at Will Call
STACKED LINEUP OF PBC ACTION HITS FOX SPORTS PLATFORMS ON SEPTEMBER 4 WITH HIGH-STAKES SHOWDOWNS ON FOX & FS1 LEADING UP TO FOX SPORTS PBC PAY-PER-VIEW
LOS ANGELES – August 3, 2022 – Rising unbeaten super welterweight Joey Spencer will battle Mexican contender Kevin Salgado in a 10-round showdown highlighting PBC action live on FOX and FOX Deportes beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on September 4 during Labor Day Weekend from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Prior to the FOX broadcast, undefeated top super bantamweight contender Ra’eese Aleem takes on Mike Plania in a 10-round attraction live on FS1 and FOX Deportes beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
These two exciting matchups will lead up to a stacked FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View event at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT which is headlined by the highly-anticipated heavyweight clash between former unified heavyweight world champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. and hard-hitting top contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz meeting in a WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased online at AXS.com.
The 22-year-old Spencer (15-0, 10 KOs) turned pro in February 2017 and immediately caught the eye of fans and pundits with his combination of speed, power and athleticism. Following an impressive 2020 campaign, the Linden, Michigan native added three more victories to his ledger in 2021, including his first eight-round fight as he earned a unanimous decision over James Martin in July. Most recently, Spencer kicked off his 2022 with another unanimous decision victory, this time besting Ravshan Hudaynazaro in March.
“I can’t wait to get back in the ring on September 4,” said Spencer. “I’m training extremely hard and I’m in amazing shape. This is a great opportunity for me to shine on a big stage and really show what I’m capable of. I’m looking forward to bringing the fans lots of excitement!”
A native of Mexico City, Salgado (14-0-1, 9 KOs) is the younger brother of former super featherweight champion Juan Carlos Salgado and now fights out of San Antonio, Texas. The 24-year-old turned pro in late 2016 and delivered knockouts in six of his first nine outings. After scoring three-straight knockouts between September 2019 and February 2021, Salgado returned to the ring in October 2021 to defeat Ricardo Banuelos Cernas by unanimous decision before most recently fighting Bryant Perrella to a split-draw in his U.S. debut in April.
“Training camp has been great and I’m way ahead of schedule heading into this fight,” said Salgado. “I know I’m facing a solid fighter who’s a good counter puncher, but I’m preparing to counter that style. This is going to be a very interesting fight, because I’m training to deliver a knockout and win in tremendous fashion.”
Owning a top-10 ranking at 122-pounds from multiple sanctioning bodies, Aleem (19-0, 12 KOs) put on the most impressive performance of his career in January 2021 to capture the interim WBA title. Aleem dominated in a battle of unbeatens, dropping Victor Pasillas four times before eventually stopping him in round 11. Raised in Michigan and training out of Las Vegas, the 31-year-old Aleem had stopped his past seven opponents inside the distance before most recently earning a decision victory over Eduardo Baez in November 2021.
“The time is now to take that next step in my career toward a world title shot and I know that a win in this fight will put me on the right path,” said Aleem. “I’ve been waiting for the chance to show everyone why I’m the best super bantamweight in the world. I’m never in a boring fight and you can expect fireworks once again on September 4. I’m going to let my hands send a message to the rest of the division.”
The 25-year-old Plania (26-1, 13 KOs) dropped Joshua Greer twice in their June 2020 clash on his way to a career-best decision victory, which he followed up in April 2021 by defeating Emmanuel Mogawa, before stopping Ricardo Nunez in November. A native of General Santos City in the Philippines, Plania has put together an 11-fight winning streak since a 2018 decision loss against former champion Juan Carlos Payano. Plania has fought professionally since 2014, with five of his last six outings taking place stateside.
“Ever since I beat Joshua Greer to put myself in the world rankings, I have been looking for an opportunity to fight the best at 122 pounds and to secure a world title shot,” said Plania. “On September 4, I will show everyone I deserve to fight for the title. I want to thank my whole team for putting me in this position and I can’t wait to get in there and show what I can do.”
WHERE: Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, MA
WHEN: Saturday, August 6, 2022
PROMOTER:Granite Chin Promotions
RING ANNOUNCER: John Vena
TICKETS: Tickets are available for purchase at GRANITE-CHIN-PROMOTIONS.TICKETLEAP.COM or www.ticketriver.com (Search: The Next Chapter) for $45.00 (standing room), $60.00 (floor seats), $80.00 (VIP stage seats) and $40.00 for a table of 4. Tickets also available for purchase fight night at the venue.
OTHER: Doors open at 7 p.m. ET, first bout at 7:30 p.m. ET.
WEIGH IN: Friday, August 5, starting at 5 p.m. ET at Bridgewater Veterans Club (Public Welcome)
INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/GraniteChin
Twitter: @Granite_Chin
Boxing Star “Rolly” Rolando Romero Confirmed for Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 17, in Las Vegas
Las Vegas (August 2, 2022) – Boxing Star “Rolly” Rolando Romero has confirmed that he will appear at the Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo will also coincide with the mega trilogy fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.
Romero will hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at his booth during the fan event held over the Mexican Independence Day weekend.
The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, and Canelo vs. Jacobs. Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com – @BoxFanExpo
Romero will make his second appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and also have merchandise for sale for fans to enjoy. Boxing enthusiasts will have an opportunity to also take pictures with this unique Boxing Star also known as “Rolly”.
Romero joins Jose Ramírez, David Benavidez, Shawn Porter, Jessie Vargas and Erik Morales as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with more Boxing stars to be announced.
Rolando Romero
Romero is an American professional boxer from Cuban descent who captured the vacant WBA interim title by defeating top contender Dominican Jackson Marinez on August 15, 2020. Romero known for his aggressive knockout style inside the ring and his outspoken charismatic personality outside the ring, has made Romero one of the Top stars in the boxing world. On May 28, 2022, Romero would face his biggest challenge to date against another Top Star Gervonta “Tank” Davis for the WBA “Regular” Title. This mega fight event was headlined on Showtime PPV, at the Barclays Center in New York city. The event was a huge success and although Romero did not win the title, his exciting and solid performance in this fight has made Rolando Romero a household name.
About Box Fan Expo
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.
Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, David Benavidez, Errol Spence Jr, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Claressa Shields, Teofimo Lopez, Brandon Rios, Jorge Linares, and many more.
Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.
Throughout the next several weeks leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo
.
Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –
https://bit.ly/BOXFANEXPO2022
To request information on exhibiting and sponsorship at the Expo:
R&B Promotions Presents its Maiden Voyage with Battleship Pro Boxing on Friday, August 12th on The Battleship New Jersey in Camden, New Jersey
Camden, New Jersey (August 1, 2022)–R&B Promotions is pleased to announce a unique and new professional boxing series that will take place on The Battleship New Jersey in Camden, New Jersey on Friday, August 12th.
R&B Promotions is headed by former bantamweight fighter and current owner of the highly regarded TKO Fitness, Alex Barbosa.
“We are very excited to jump into pro boxing promotion. We have done several successful amateur shows, and having fights on the Battleship New Jersey is a different experience that the fans will really enjoy. We are featuring young and hungry fighters, and I could not be happier about the show on August 12th,” said Barbosa.
Heading up the event will be undefeated welterweight Tahmir Smalls taking on Andres Viera in a six-round bout.
Smalls of Philadelphia is 8-0 with five knockouts. Just 23 years-old, Smalls is coming off a first-round stoppage over Roque Agustin Junco on June 24th in Philadelphia.
Smalls is a frequent sparring partner of top ranked welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis
Viera of Montevideo, Uruguay is 11-5 with eight-knockouts.
Viera, 38 years-old, is a six-year professional.
In a six-round co-feature bout, Danny Murray (5-6, 4 KOs) of Lanoka Harbor, NJ takes on Michael Gibbons of Atlanta (0-0-1) in a junior welterweight contest.
IN FOUR-ROUND BOUTS:
Leonidas Soprandis (1-1, 1 KO) of Kilkis, Greece takes on Eliezer Olmeida (1-1) of Camden, NJ in a junior welterweight bout.
Terrick Maven (0-1) of Vineland, NJ takes on debuting Brandon Trollinger of North Charleston, South Carolina in a heavyweight fight.
Tyrone Arzeno (0-1) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a super bantamweight bout
Anthony Dill of King of Prussia, PA fights Ramses Brown of Bellmawr, NJ in a battle of pro debuting junior middleweights
Timothy Tyler (0-1) of Camden, NJ will take on Tyrone Lewis (0-2) of Philadelphia in a welterweight contest.
Tickets are $50 and $100 and Can be Purchased at https://randbpromo.ticketleap.com/pro/dates/Aug-12-2022_at_0530PM
Manuel Gallegos vs. Jesus Moroyoqui Headline “Canela Box Nights”
LOS ANGELES (August 1, 2022) – Only 10 days after the launching of the “Canela Box Nights” series, CANELA BOX and World Cup Boxing Series (WCBS), led by CEO Terry Hollan and promoter/matchmaker Guy Taylor, have announced boxing’s newest series will return August 19th to one of boxing’s true hotbeds, Los Mochis, Sonora, Mexico.
“Canela Box Nights” will be held and streamed live for free the third Friday evening every month in Mexico.
Los Mochis, Sonora is synonymous with elite boxing, producing stars such as 5-time World Champion Fernando Montiel 54-6 (39 KOs) and 4-division World Champion Jorge Arce (64-8, 49 KOs).
The most recent WCBS signing, super-middleweight Manuel Gallegos (19-1, 16 KOs), has a legitimate shot at developing into the next star from Los Mochis. Gallegos appears to have the size, strength, skills, and chin to go deep in the loaded 168-pound division. Two fights ago. Gallegos defeated former Showtime and TMT fighter, Kevin Newman II (13-3-1, 8 KOs), of Las Vegas, by way of a close 10-round unanimous decision a year ago.
Gallegos’ opponent in the Aug. 19th 8-round main event is light heavyweight Jesus “Mazo” Moroyoqui (10-1, 7 KOs), of Navojoa, Sonora, the home of Mexican boxing legend and former International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Champion Luis “Yory Boy” Campas (107-17-3. 82 KOs).
“I’ve had the privilege to sit ringside and watch both men fight on separate nights and when the opportunity came to make this fight happen it was something we couldn’t pass up,” explained Taylor. “Now, if you are a boxing purest and love the whole ‘hit and not get hit’ style, this main event match-up may not be for your favorite, but if want to see a fight with no pretense of defense then you better tune in on August 19th to CANELA.TV”.”
Moroyoqui had a good amateur career with more than 100 fights and as a pro he has already defeated two previously undefeated fighters. Moroyoqui’s last fight resulted in his first pro loss to current world-ranked, undefeated Diego Pacheco (15-0) on DAZN.
The 8-round co-featured event will serve as a great “table setter” as one of the top prospects in all of Mexico and member of the Mexico’s famous Montiel boxing family, super lightweight prospect Jorge Lugo Cota (7-0, 5 KOs), also from Los Mochis.. An outstanding amateur who had a record of 155-10, coupled with numerous state and national championship performances, Cota takes a huge leap up in class versus former world title challenger Jesus Antonio Rubio (13-5-2, (7 KOs).
Rubio defeated former world-ranked challenger and United States Boxing Association (USBA) Champion Sonny Fredrickson (21-3) back in the spring of 2021. Defeating Fredrickson earned Rubio an opportunity to fight for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim Junior Welterweight World Championship against undefeated Alberto Puello (20-0) a year ago albeit dropping a 12-round decision. In Rubio’s last action, he fought to an 8-round split draw with Angel Martinez (14-1, 14KOs).
“I have always been known as an aggressive matchmaker in my 20 years of doing, but this is overly aggressive even for me,” Taylor noted. “We have the utmost confidence in our fighter (Lugo) and for him to make his first eight-round fight against a past world title challenger should tell you all about the confidence he has in himself.”
“Canela Box Nights” – LIVE, EXCLUSIVE and FREE stream on CANELA.TV, presented by World Cup Boxing Series, on Friday, August 19th from the Centennial Sports Center in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, starting 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT throughout the United States, Mexico, and Latin America.
Canela.TV is available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, as well as through linear channels on Samsung TV Plus, LG, Vizio, Plex, Distro TV and available through iTunes and Google Play. Users can find a wide variety of content, including soap operas, news, movies, television series, cooking shows, among others, through the Hispanic lens. For additional information on Canela.TV please visit: https://www.canela.tv/
“Canela Fight Nights” was created by CANELA MEDIA, a leading, minority-owned technology driven company committed to redefining digital media experiences for the Hispanic Community, and World Cup Boxing Series (WCBS), led by its creators CEO Terry Holland and promoter/matchmaker Guy Taylor.
ABOUT CANELA MEDIA: Canela Media is the leading, minority-owned technology driven company offering brands a complete ecosystem to connect with multicultural audiences starting with its free streaming platform service, Canela.TV which enriches the new generation of U.S. Latinos with free access to unique, culturally relevant content. In addition to TV content, Canela Music features a unique blend of Latin music programming , featuring various genres from Latin Pop, Regional Mexican, Classics, Romantic, and more.
Canela Media reaches more than 50 million unique Hispanics across its 180+ premium Spanish-language sites. Combined with the company’s proprietary data, Canela Media possesses in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to establish meaningful and culturally relevant connections with the new mainstream- U.S. and Latin America Hispanics.
Headquartered in New York, Canela Media is ranked as the third largest Hispanic ad-focused company and the only female-and minority-owned certified digital company. For more information please visit: https://canelamedia.com/
ABOUT WORLD CUP BOXING SERIES (WCBS): World Cup Boxing Series is your passport to the best online fights you’ll ever see. WCBS is the only active tournament and team fight series in professional boxing. For years, its creator Guy Taylor has been tasked with creating tough, competitive matches for promoters eager to test their rising prospects and contenders. That same mindset has now been applied to his own latest creation, World Cup Boxing Series. For more information, please visit https://www.worldcupboxingseries.com/
KELLY GRINDS DOWN BASTIDA TO BE CROWNED WBO INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION
Josh Kelly overcame a tough Lucas Bastida to enter the world rankings and claim the WBO International Super Welterweight Championship. It was a fiery encounter before the bell had even sounded, and after yesterdays weigh-in antics that saw the two main event fighters exchanging words, Bastida walked to the ring in a Newcastle United football shirt to antagonise Sunderland’s Kelly even further.
With his name upon the banners, Kelly did not disappoint the Channel 5 audience and all those in attendance at the Vertu Motors Arena on a fantastic Wasserman Boxing fight night. ‘PBK’ had a job to do as he continued his climb up the rankings, but had clearly been working on all the physical and technical aspects of his game to grind down his Argentine opponent.
“I’ve said i only want to be in big fights, and that kid tonight has only lost once, and that was due to a cut. It wasn’t even a legitimate loss,” said Kelly, live on Channel 5 post-fight.
“He’s a strong Argentine who wanted to push forward, with a marauding style where he tried swinging shots from everywhere. I needed to keep my discipline in there tonight, and that’s exactly what i did.”
The eyes were on the North East fighter fighter even more so when British champion, and potential opponent, Troy Williamson entered the arena with his Newcastle shirt on. Asked about this being the next move for Team Kelly, there was no denying if they did, or didn’t, want this fight.
“We absolutely want that fight. I’m here for all the big fights and that includes Troy,” he said. “I’ve told Adam (Booth) and the rest of the team that it’s a fight we all definitely want to see.”
The post-fight interview between Channel 5, Kalle Sauerland and Josh Kelly was to be quickly interrupted by Williamson, as he gave his opinion on the future encounter.
“It’s a fight that represents the future of British boxing, and i’m up for it 100%,” he said.
“Lets get it on.”
Results
Josh Kelly def. Lucas Bastida via points – 98-92, 99-92, 96-85
Harlem Eubank def. Eliot Chavez due to Chavez DQ
Pat McCormack def. Dimitri Trenel via first-round stoppage
Ben Marksby def. Rustem Fatkhullin via points, 60-55
Steve Robinson def. Phil Williams via points – 39-37
Jordan Barker-Porter def. Bec Connolly via fifth-round stoppage
Hose Stewart vs. Franklin Ignatius was declared a draw
Lisa Whiteside def. Jasmina Nad via points – 60-54
Kai Richmond def. Taka Bembere via third-round stoppage
BRITISH BOXING’S BOUT OF THE YEAR? BILLAM-SMITH BATTERS HIS WAY TO VICTORY DURING BLISTERING BATTLE IN BOURNEMOUTH
Bournemouth, England – 30th July 2022 – An electrified Bournemouth crowd cheered their hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith to victory in a brutal twelve-round war with Isaac Chamberlain for European and Commonwealth Cruiserweight Championships.
All three judges scored the contest 117-111 in favour of Chris Billam-Smith, giving him the unanimous decision victory in one of the most intense contests fought on British soil in recent years.
Both men threw hell for leather from the first bell to the last, with the second round especially action packed, both men inflicting visible damage on the other across the three minutes. Alternating between long-range bombs and close-range firefights, neither man willingly took a backwards step from start to finish.
The fight looked likely to end at any given moment, with advantage passing back and forth and one fighter dominating only to see the other come surging back. Isaac Chamberlain also managed to consistently find openings in Billam-Smith’s defense and looked the more energetic fighter of the pair in the Championship rounds.
Chris Billam-Smith has now more than earned his place at the top of the domestic Cruiserweight division and put himself into world title contention. He looks set for even greater glory in the years to come, and he can now confidently claim to have the whole of Bournemouth behind him.
Results
Joe Pigford bt Raphael King TKO Rd 3 – 1:49
Knockout artist Joe Pigford claimed another ferocious stoppage victory after overwhelming a skilled and powerful opponent in Raphael King.
Pigford landed a crunching bodyshot that forced his opponent to seize up, and then bullied him into the corner of the ring, and continued to batter his body while also mixing in some shots to the head, forcing the referee to end the fight and giving Pigford the 19th stoppage victory of his flawless 20 fight career.
This fight was an eliminator for the Commonwealth Championship and should stand Pigford in good stead to get the big fights he’s been craving for years.
Ben Whittaker bt Greg O’Neill KO Rd 2 – 0:21
‘The Surgeon’ Ben Whittaker delivered a stunning performance in one of the most highly anticipated professional debuts in British boxing history.
The Olympic Silver Medalist landed a perfect right hook to the temple in the second round that left O’Neill out cold on the ring floor. The first round was fiery as both men had moments of frustration in the clinch, while Whittaker sprinkled in some showboating as well.
Whittaker looked set for superstardom as a professional before this fight, and this scintillating knockout has only made this seem even more certain.
A brutal left hook sent Bracamonte tumbling to the canvas and granted Frazer Clarke victory, maintaining his 100% finish rate, right at the death of the second round of their fight.
Clarke was landing forceful punches throughout the two rounds of the fight, but Bracamonte took them well, and did fire back with jabs and straight rights towards Clarke at times.
Clarke showed impressive intelligence to set up the fight-ending left hook by throwing them to the body throughout the fight, then suddenly switching to the head, and landing perfectly as a result. Clarke came into this fight after some time out of the ring for surgery to his right hand, and will be keen to keep active from now.
Hassan Azim bt Jacob Quinn PTS – 59-55
The Hitman Adam Azim won every round but one on the referee’s scorecard in an impressive victory that took him to 4-0 in his young professional career. Azim came out at a blistering pace and scored a knockdown 14 seconds into the first round before throwing everything he had at Quinn, who somehow survived the first round’s onslaught.
The fight slowed into a more methodical pace from then on, with Azim handling Quinn’s evasive style effectively and peppering his body from short and long range across the five remaining rounds. Hassan Azim remains one of the most exciting prospects in British boxing and will have learned a huge amount from these six rounds.
Caroline Dubois bt Happy Daudi TKO Rd 3 – 0:46
Young Olympian Caroline Dubois took her record to 3-0 with a savage performance over an experienced opponent in Happy Daudi. Dubois was landing with barrages of shots from both hands across the three rounds of the fight, with Daudi showing great heart not to be stopped, despite being knocked down in the second round.
Dubois finally overwhelmed Daudi’s defenses in the third round and forced the referee to step in and end the fight. Caroline Dubois looks set to become one of the biggest stars in women’s boxing at only 21 years old.
Lee Cutler bt Meshack Mwankemwa PTS 6/6 – 58-56
Lee Cutler took a solid decision victory on the referee’s scorecard in an exciting fight in front of a vocal hometown crowd. Cutler boxed smartly in the first round, picking his opportunities to throw powerful hooks and do damage to his opponent well, and range-finding with his jab smartly.
The Bournemouth native picked up the pace in the second round, consistently landing powerful shots to the head and body. Cutler continued to find success in the third and fourth rounds, despite Mwankemwa showing tremendous heart and tenacity to keep coming forward and battle with Cutler.
The final two rounds of fight continued in a similar fashion, with both men landing shots, and Mwankemwa advancing, but Cutler consistently doing more damage, and being more successful on his way to victory.
Mikael Lawal bt Crispulo Javier Andino KO Rd 2 – 1:25
Mikael Lawal walked away with another stoppage victory on his undefeated record tonight after a deadly left hook to the body caused Javier Andino to slowly crumple to his knees and not stand up again until after the referee’s 10-count.
This came after a measured round and a half of jabbing and range finding from Lawal where he showed strong boxing intelligence. Lawal is now keen to take on Deion Jumah in a fight that’s been ordered to be for the British title.
Stevie McKenna bt Facundo Alberto Rojas KO Rd 2 – 2:59
Exciting welterweight Stevie ‘Hitman’ McKenna made a huge statement with a devastating 2nd round stoppage of a tough opponent that had never been stopped in his career before this fight. McKenna scored a knockdown in the 1st round after a thudding left hook to the body, and wore Rojas down across the second round, forcing the referee to wave the fight off after the Argentinian was able to return to his feet from another knockdown late in the round.
Garcia Decisions Benavidez
BRROKLYN, NY–Philadelphia-born Danny Garcia (36-3, 21 KOs) handled Phoenix native Jose Benavídez Jr (27-1-1, 18 KOs) throughout 12 rounds en route to a majority decision at Barclays Center. The larger Benavídez seemingly could not find an answer for Garcia, who seemed loose and quick for the contest. The judges scored the bout 114-114, 116-112 and 117-111.
Garcia landed 233 of 746 punches; Benavidez was 117 of 600.
Danny Garcia:
“I did take a break going through mental things, things went dark (breaking down crying), I went through anxiety, deep depression, just trying to be strong.
“It was the pressure of life, being a good dad, just letting it out right now (crying) because it was stuck inside, it rained on me for a year and a half and the only way to do better is to fight and I’m a fighter, if you battle anxiety and depression, you can get out of it, that’s what I did today. I fought.
I still battle some days, I have dark days, but I try my best to stay positive, but I feel good, I gave the fans a good fight tonight.
“(Angel) was there with me the whole way. I’m nothing without this man. I thank him every day, to be Danny Garcia again, people ask me all the time, why do I fight? I make a lot of money. Why does Warren Buffett is still making money? I’m a fighter. This is what I do, what I love to do. Hopefully, I don’t become a meme with the crying face.
“I’d like the rematch with Keith Thurman, he took my ‘0.’ I’ll take Lara for the middleweight title at 155 pounds.”
Angel Garcia:
“Love is the key. Love is the key to everything.”
Jose Benavidez Jr.:
“I’m happy with my performance. I feel like I did good. I’m fighting in his backyard, one of the best, I took his punches like they were nothing.
“I thought I won the fight. But it is what it is, a loss makes you stronger.
“It’s tough, things don’t always go your way, they’re ups and downs. I try to be positive, like when the doctor said I would never walk again. I didn’t let that get to me. The only one that can stop me is me.
“He’s a great personality, we had a hell of a fight. We’re happy to be here.”
Demirezen Decisions Kownacki in a Slugfest
Turkish heavyweight, Ali Eren Demirezen (17-1, 12 KOs) edged Polish-born Adam Kownacki (20-3, 15 KOs) via unanimous decision in their 10-round heavyweight fight. The bout featured mixed displays of heavyweight power and boxing skill, with both fighters taking damage throughout the 10 rounds. Ultimately, the judges scored the contest 96-94, 97-93 and 97-93 for Demirezen.
The two threw a staggering 1766 punches with Demirezen landing 256 of 915. Kownacki was 276 of 851, but Demirezen landed more power punches by a 239 to 186 tally.
Ali Eren Demirezen:
“I truly love fighting in the U.S. and I love New York so I said before you will see me more on SHOWTIME and PBC.
“I was nervous because he’s a strong fighter and I could be much better but it’s my first time here and he’d fought here before.”
Adam Kownacki:
“I’m a bit rusty, I think he was getting off first in the exchanges, I didn’t’ sit down as much, I think the rust played a part, being out so long
“I was out of the ring since last October, camp was good but I don’t know, I was letting him get off first, I wasn’t moving my feet, I went back to the old me instead of the first few rounds when I was doing good.
“I have two kids, I’ll have a long talk with my wife to see what I want to do. I’ve had so many fights here, so many great memories, I don’t want to go out like a loser. I would like another fight to leave my fans with a win.”
Russell Stops Barthelemy via controversial sixth round stoppage
Maryland son, Gary Antuanne Russell (15-0, 15 KOs) stopped former world champion and Las Vegas native Rances Barthelemy (29-1-1, 15 KOs) in the sixth round their super lightweight 10-round matchup. The opening rounds of the fight featured heavy-handed actions, with both fighters landing powerful shots. The official stoppage came in a controversial manner, as Barthelemy was dropped from a leaping right hook from Russell. Barthelemy seemingly beat the 8-count and looked ready to continue fighting. However referee Sharda Murdagh waved the fight off at 50 seconds of round six, handing Russell the TKO victory.
Gary Antuanne Russell:
“First and foremost I want to thank God, I want to tell my father up above I did it for him, we’re going to keep it going for pops, I want to thank showtime for letting me participate. I know Rances was a high-grade class athlete and he wanted to continue. Emotions were high. Whether we or bruised or beaten, as a warrior, you always want to continue but the referee was doing their job and if he was allowed to continue it would have been the same outcome. I would have gotten him.
“It’s the first of many [without my father] I had to have tunnel vision. This is something my dad instilled in us, no matter what you go through in life and death, two things are inevitable, he raised us to be men and well-rounded men. Being thorough means to be prepared, and he prepared us for boxing and for life outside of boxing. I thank my father and I did what I had to do.
“In the sixth round I had him backing up, I knew he was looking for his right cross and I caught him backing up and I shot my hook and put him down, he was buzzed but he wanted to keep going. He’s a warrior.”
Rances Barthelemy:
“No, they shouldn’t have stopped it. I felt good, it was good shot, I’m not denying that, but they shouldn’t have stopped it.
“I got up and told him I’m fine and I’m good to go
“Of course I want the rematch, but with a different referee.”
Orlando Cuellar – Barthelemy’s Trainer:
“I’m unhappy , this was a good fight these fans paid good money to see, how can you take this opportunity away, he’s been down before and gotten up. He’s fought on. You’re supposed to give your fighter every opportunity to continue. The referee took away the chance for both to show their character, for Rances to continue and for Gary Antuanne to show his character by fighting on in a hard fight. You robbed the fans. We want a rematch but with a different referee.”
–NON TELEVISED ACTION–
Ukrainian-born Sergiy Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) decidedly handled San Diego native Joshua Conley (17-4-1, 11 KOs) in their 10-round middleweight bought. The fight went the distance, with all three judges scoring in favor of Derevyanchenko. Two of them scored the contest 99-91 and the last scored it 98-92, officially awarding the Ukrainian the unanimous decision.
Vito Mielnicki JR. (12-1, 8 KOs) of Roseland, New Jersey stopped Jimmy Williams (18-9-2, 6 KOs) of New Haven, Connecticut at 2:12 of the sixth round of their 8-round super welterweight matchup. Mielnicki JR unleased a series of strong blows on Williams, forcing his corner to intervene, providing the New Jersey native with another TKO victory.
Philadelphia native Miguel Román (2-0, 0 KOs) and Baltimore-born Marcus Redd (0-1, 0 KOS) fought to a decision in their super bantamweight four-round bout. Both fighters displayed strong technical boxing during the fight. Romàn, however, won the decision, with all three judges scoring the contest 39-37 in his favor.
Junior Younan (17-0-1, 11 KOs) wasted no time in making a statement against fellow Brooklyn resident Dauren Yeleussinov (10-2-1, 9 KOs) . In the first round of the scheduled eight-round the super middleweight bout, Younan unloaded shots on his opponent, not stopping until the referee stepped between the two at 1:47 of round 1.
Ricky Lopez (21-5-2, 6 KOS) and Joe Perez (16-6-4, 10 KOS) were looking for knockouts in this fast-paced super featherweight 6-rounder. However, the fight went the distance, ultimately leaving the outcome to the judges. Although one judge scored in favor of San Diego native Joe Perez by a 58-56 tally, the two others did not agree, with both scoring it 57-57, ending the fight in a majority draw.
Ismael Villareal (12-0, 8 KOS) of Bronx, New York dropped and stopped LeShawn Rodriguez(13-1, 10 KOs) of Port Jefferson, New York in the sixth round of their eight-round super welterweight bout to maintain his perfect record. Following a knockdown in the second round, Villareal repeated this in the sixth, Rodriguez got to his feet, but was wobbly, forcing the referee to stop the bout.
Dwyke Flemmings JR (2-0, 2 KOs) of Paterson, New Jersey defeated Angelo Thompson (0-3, 0 KOs) of Irvington, New Jersey via TKO in their super welterweight contest. In the first round, both fighters threw hard shots and landed combinations. This continued in the following round, however, Flemmings JR turned up the intensity, backing Thompson down, with the referee officially stopping the bout at 2:32 of the second round.
‘KING ARTHUR’ JOINS THE WASSERMAN BOXING FAMILY
Wasserman Boxing are delighted to have secured the signing of Lyndon Arthur (19-1, 13 KOs) to add to its already elite stable. The promotion looks forward to getting the hungry light heavyweight out there and starting what is destined to be a very successful journey together.
“I went a little quiet after my last fight, and we just spent time fishing around for who could provide the best platform for me, someone who will get behind me and give me the best opportunities,” said Arthur.
“Wasserman Boxing did that; I instantly had a good feeling about what they could do for me and they sounded as happy to work with me as I was with them. You don’t want to get that feeling that you’re the B-side when you’re working with a promotion, I understand it’s business, but Wasserman have been welcoming and shown they want to put work into me.”
“They seem happy to work and to push my brand and my platform to get me back into the right fights for title contention. I feel like they’ll help direct my career in the right way. I’m excited to see what’s about to happen.”
With excitement already building regarding this tremendous addition to the Wasserman Boxing family, the work Arthur has been putting in outside of the ring showcases his intentions. Training with some of the worlds best, he’s ready to show everyone why he’s right at home competing at the top.
“I’ve been out in Canada sparring with Artur Beterbiev for his last fight, and I’ve been out in San Francisco training with Josh Buatsi. I’ve been making sure that I’m putting the work in and sharpening my skillset by staying busy in the gym.”
“Beterbiev is an animal, a monster, and he is what you see. Away from boxing, he’s a lovely person, but he’s very very good at what he does. I didn’t feel out of my depth, but he is talented.”
“Buatsi is also very good at what he does,” continued Arthur. “We boxed back in 2014 and I’ve been on the Team GB squad with him, we don’t speak every day but I only have good words to say about him. Again, he’s an animal in the boxing ring, and it’s all great experiences.”
It is a rejuvenated Arthur, ready to capitalise on plenty of lessons learnt to make use of the prime years he now begins to enter. Suffering a hiccup last time out, he’s admittedly a little wiser and ready to get in the ring and show the fire is roaring within his belly.
“It’s good to be in the company of all the talented fighters at Wasserman, and it gives me more ambition to push on and be up there with the best. I feel my name is solid within the British scene, and a few might have forgotten about me recently, but I’ll be reminding people when I fight again soon and they will talk again.”
“Channel 5 is a great platform, it’ll be watched all over, and with it being free-to-air it’ll continue to have good viewing numbers. I think this platform will help my fanbase to keep growing.”
“I’m excited for the future.”
Wasserman’s Head of Global Boxing, Kalle Sauerland, expressed his delight for being the ones to get Arthur to sign on the dotted line.
“Lyndon needs no introduction, but equally deserves a fantastic welcome into Wasserman Boxing,” he said.
“Adding someone of his ambition, quality, and firepower not only says statements about what we want to do, but about him wanting to join us and use our platform as soon as he possibly can.”
“I’ve been doing this long enough to have a cool approach to business, but I cannot deny how excited I am to showcase this mans talents. Boxing royalty, ‘King Arthur’ is here!”
2-time Olympians Yuberjen Martinez & Leonel de los Santos Dominant winners last night in Colombia
BARRANQUILLA, Colombia (July 30, 2022) – The future of Fighter Locker, a Boston-based boxing management company, was on display last night in Colombia as 2-time Olympians Yuberjen “Tremendo” Martinez and “El Tsunami” Leonel de los Santos were dominant in their ESPN Deportes fights at Elias Chegwin Coliseum in Barranquilla.
The 30-year-old Martinez, who represented Colombia in the last two summer Olympic Games, capturing a silver medal in 2016, made his long-awaited pro debut much to the delight of his fellow Colombians, knocking out Argentinian flyweight Yeison “El Chino” Hernandez (6-4, 2 KOs) in the fourth round.
In addition to his Olympics experience, Martinez was a highly decorated amateur who won gold medals at the 2014 & 2018 Central American & Caribbean Games and the 2018 South American Games. He also took bronze at the prestigious 2017 World Championships, bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games.
Santos (7-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of the Dominican Republic, thoroughly outboxed veteran Colombian lightweight Luis Diaz Marmol (18-16, 11 KOs) enroute to a shutout decision, winning all six rounds on each of the three judges’ scorecards. Santos, a southpaw, won a silver medal at the 2019 Pan-American Games.
“’Tremendo’ faced a tough opponent in a rare 6-round debut, knocking out his opponent in the third round,” Fighter Locker president Ryan Roach said. “He has all the tools and intangibles of a world champion. I can see him winning a major title in less than 10 fights.
“Leonel dominated for six rounds. He had great output in terms of punches over six rounds against a rough, veteran opponent. Leonel also had to overcome a head butt. He also used his defense to limit his opponent to landing 5-6 punches. That’s what we had worked on during camp, landing his shots and moving, so I’m very happy with his performance.”
Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers also includes New York’s ABF American West super lightweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (16-0, 11 KOs), Colorado’s ABF American West super middleweight champion “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (11-0, 6 KOs), Massachusetts super lightweight Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (12-0, 9 KOs), Florida super bantamweight Daniel “The Dedication” Bailey, Jr. (10-1, 5 KOs), Massachusetts featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs), Dominican super welterweight Juan Solano Santos (1-0, 1 KO), Florida light heavyweight Robert Daniels, Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), Irish light heavyweight Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole (4-0, 3 KOs), Texas lightweight Miranda “ La Alacrana” Reyes (6-1-1, 3 KOs), Kansas brothers, welterweight Marcus Davidson (4-0, 4 KOs) and super lightweight Marcell Davidson (2-0, 1 KO), and Utah brothers, ABF American West lightweight champion Ignacio Chairez (8-1-1, 5 KOs) and lightweight Gabriel Chairez (4-0-1, 2 KOs).
ABOUT FIGHTER LOCKER: Established in 2019, Fighter Locker is a comprehensive sports agency that manages professional boxers. Fighter Locker also helps to brand boxers by finding their voice with a 100-percent customized service. Fighter Locker does not really believe in working models. It believes in partnership optimization models in motion.
Fighter Locker uses four creative steps because it believes in “the foundation is everything”: 1. wisely conceived, 2. creatively restrained, 3. Proudly judged, 4. sharply targeted.
CASTRO, APONTE AND HERRERA COMPLETE CANELO-GGG III CARD
Marc Castro, Aaron Aponte and Anthony Herrera will all take the latest steps in their pro journeys on the biggest stage of all as they complete the undercard to the trilogy clash between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin. The event, presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan).
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW VIA AXS.COM Castro (7-0 5 KOs) appears on his fifth Canelo undercard since making his debut in December 2020, and the former amateur standout will meet Kevin Montiel Mendoza in his first bout over eight rounds. Castro steps through the ropes for the third time this year with a pair of points wins over six rounds already in the bag and will be tested by Mexican Mendoza (6-1-2 3 KOs) whose CV includes a split-draw with Otha Jones III.
Aponte (6-0 2 KOs) is also lacing them up for the third time in 2022, and ‘The Alien King’ is ready to mix it up against Canelo Promotions’ unbeaten prospect Fernando Molina. Aponte, who penned a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in January, will look to add a seventh win in the paid ranks in his first eight round round clash with Molina (8-0 3 KOs), the 20 year old Mexican who also has a pair of wins over six this year.
Herrera (2-0-1 2 KOs) gets the chance to bounce back to winning ways on the biggest stage as he takes on Delvin McKinley. Herrera was held to a draw in his last outing in Mexico against the spirited Kennyn Valenzuela, and the Manny Robles trained talent is eager to get back on track in Sin City. McKinley (4-3-1 4 KOs) will have other ideas though, and the 26 year old comes into the bout having taken Olympic bronze medal man Nico Hernandez the distance earlier this month.
The trio of talent completes a stacked undercard on September 17, led by a co-main fight starring Super-Flyweight sensation Jesse Rodriguez defending his WBC World title against Israel Gonzalez.
Fireworks are promised as Ali Akhmedov and Gabriel Rosado will clash for the IBF North American Super-Middleweight title, Diego Pacheco fights for his first pro belt when he meets Enrique Collazo for the WBC USNBC Silver Super-Middleweight title and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams taking on Kieron Conway for the vacant WBA International Middleweight title, all leading into the third installment of the classic modern rivalry between Canelo and Golovkin, with the Mexican king putting his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown on the line against Kazakhstan’s reigning WBA and IBF Middleweight ruler in the most anticipated match up of 2022.
“This is a great opportunity for three talented young men to strut their stuff on the biggest stage of all,” said Hearn. “Marc, Aaron and Anthony will be soaking up the packed build-up and buzzing fight week in Las Vegas before putting their skills on display as part of a brilliant card on September 17 that is full of great fighters and clashes that promise drama, before we hit a main event that the world will stand still for.”
GARCIA VS. BENAVIDEZ JR. OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
Super Welterweight Bout – 12 Rounds
Danny Garcia – 152 ¾ lbs.
Jose Benavidez Jr. – 153 ¾ lbs.
Referee: Steve Willis; Judges: Glenn Feldman (Conn.), Anthony Paolillo (N.Y.), (Waleska Roldan (N.Y.)
Heavyweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Adam Kownacki – 251 ¼ bs.
Ali Eren Demirezen – 262 ¾ lbs.
Referee: Eric Dali; Judges: Mark Consentino (N.J.), Martha Tremblay (Mass.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)
Super Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Gary Antuanne Russell – 137 ¾ lbs.
Rances Barthelemy – 139 ½ lbs.
Referee: Shada Murdaugh; Judges: John McKaie (N.Y.), Kevin Morgan (N.Y.), Robin Taylor (N.Y.)
Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers round out the telecast team – Emmy® award winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. with Ray Smaltz III producing and Bob Dunphy directing. Former junior middleweight world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez and sportscaster Alejandro Luna serve as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP). Veteran combat sports reporter Luke Thomas of MORNING KOMBAT, Marquez and star Philadelphia natives Jaron “Boots” Ennis and unified 122-pound world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will call the live streamed bouts.
# # #
ABOUT GARCIA VS. BENAVIDEZ
Garcia vs. Benavidez will see two-division world champion and Brooklyn fan-favorite Danny “Swift” Garcia making his super welterweight debut against exciting contender Jose Benavidez Jr. in a 12-round showdown that headlines a stacked tripleheader Saturday, July 30 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will also see Polish star and Brooklyn’s all-action Adam Kownacki returning to the ring to take on Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen in a 10-round heavyweight attraction, while unbeaten rising star Gary Antuanne Russell faces former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy in a 10-round showdown to kick off the telecast.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #GarciaBenavidez, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @BrooklynBoxing, and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.
NORTH EAST TAKEOVER WEIGH-IN RESULTS
Please find detailed below the official images and fighter weights from today’s weigh-in ahead of the free-to-air event live on Channel 5 at 10pm on Saturday 30 July.
WBO International Super Welterweight Championship JOSH KELLY – 10 Stone, 13 Pound, 12 Ounces LUCAS BASTIDA – 10 Stone, 13 Pound, 4 Ounces
The North East takeover is coming as Josh Kelly (11-1-1, 7 KOs) vs. Lucas Bastida (18- 1-1, 10 KOs) headline for the WBO International Super Welterweight Championship on an electric fight night. Olympic hero Pat McCormack (1-0, 1 KO) also stars, alongside Harlem Eubank (14-0, 6 KOs) as he continues his title charge against Mexico’s Eliot Chavez (11-4-1, 6 KOs). Raza Hamza (16-0, 7 KOs) competes for the IBO International Featherweight Championship against Roberto Rodriguez Nucamendi (13-5, 10 KOs) before heavyweights Hosea Stewart (2-0) and Franklin Ignatius (4-0, 1 KO) guarantee fireworks. Top local talent such as ‘Drago’ Steve Robinson (4-1, 3 KOs), Kai Richmond (1-0), Ben Marksby (4-0), Lisa Whiteside (3-0, 1KO) and Jordan Barker-Porter (3-1) also feature on an unforgettable night in the North East. Wasserman Boxing heads to the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle for a massive night of free-to-air boxing on Saturday July 30, live on Channel 5 in association with William Hill, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment.
Tickets priced £40, £80, £100 and £200 are one sale now and available via www.wassermanboxing.com
Gonzalez Stops Angulo in 3
Jousce Gonzalez stopped Jose Angulo in round three of a scheduled eight-round super lightweight bout at The Fantasy Springs Casino Resort in Indio, California.
In round three, Gonzalez landed a left hook to the body that sent Angulo down for the 10-count at 2:29.
Gonzalez, 136.6 lbs of Covina, CA is 13-0-1 with 12 knockouts. Angulo, 136.2 lbs of Pixley, CA is 14-3.
Manuel Flores stopped Daniel Moncada in round three of their eight-round super bantamweight bout.
In round three, Flores landed a hard combination that was followed by a vicious left that put Moncada down and out at 1:35.
Flores, 119.8 lbs of Coachella, CA is 13-0 with 10 knockouts. Moncada, 119.8 lbs of Mexico City is 15-7-2.
Elnur Abduraimov scored an explosive first round stoppage over Leonel Moreno in a scheduled 10-round junior lightweight fight.
In round one, Abrduraimov dropped Moreno with a big left left hand to the Solar Plexas. Moreno could not beat the count at the fight was stopped at 1:14.
Abduraimov, 129.6 lbs of Indio, CA is now 10-0 with nine knockouts. Moreno, 135.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 11-2-1.
Gabriela Fundora remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Lucia Nunez in a flyweight fight.
Fundora, 111.8 lbs of Coachella, CA won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 8-0. Nunez, 109 lbs of Mexico City, MEX is 7-13.
In a battle of undefeated middleweight, Eric Tudor stopped Edgar Valenzuela in round two of a scheduled six-round bout.
In round two Tudor dropped Valenzuela with a body shot. Moments later, it was another left to the body that put Valenzuela down for a second time, and the fight was stopped at 2:04.
Tudor, 156.9 lbs of Fort Lauderdale, FL is 5-0 with four knockouts. Valenzuela, 156.9 lbs of Douglas, AZ is 701.
Jasmine Artiga remained undefeated with a six-round split decision over Amy Salinas in a super flyweight bout.
Artiga won by scores of 60-54, 58-56 while Salinas won a card 58-56.
Artiga, 114.2 lbs of Tampa, FL is 9-0-1. Salinas, 114.8 lbs of Las Cruces, NM is 4-2.
TOP 10 LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDERS (#6) THIAGO SANTOS AND (#10) JAMAHAL HILL COLLIDE AT UFC® APEX
Las Vegas – UFC® returns to UFC APEX with a thrilling light heavyweight contenders’ bout that will see No. 6 ranked Thiago Santostake on No. 10 Jamahal Hill. The co-main event pits No. 6 ranked welterweight contender Vicente Luqueagainst No. 13 ranked welterweight contender Geoff Nealin a pivotal matchup. Also on the card, the thrilling conclusion of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Peña vs. Team Nunes, as Mohammed Usman and Zac Pauga battle at heavyweight and Brogan Walker and Juliana Miller face off at flyweight with UFC contracts on the line.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: SANTOS vs. HILL will take place Saturday, August 6 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The entire card will be available on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and via simulcast on ESPN+ (English and Spanish), with the main card starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and the prelims at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
Dangerous striker Santos (22-10, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) returns to the Octagon to take on a new rising contender. A knockout artist and former title challenger with 15 KOs, Santos holds impressive victories over former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, Anthony Smith, and Jack Hermansson. Santos is now aiming to deliver another signature finish against Hill and make his way back into the title picture.
Rising star Hill (10-1-1, Grand Rapids, Mich.) looks to continue his climb up the 205-pound ladder with another explosive knockout win. The Dana White’s Contender Series signee has delivered stellar finishes against Johnny Walker, Jimmy Crute and Ovince Saint Preux in his short time spent in the Octagon. Ready to make a statement against a true veteran of the sport, Hill is determined to take Santos’ spot in the rankings and prove that a new title challenger is on the horizon.
The always exciting Luque (21-8, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil) re-enters the Octagon to take on respected contender Neal. Holding a 90 percent finish rate, the grappling specialist with knockout power has delivered highlight reel wins over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, Michael Chiesa, Randy Brown, and Bryan Barberena. Now, Luque will be looking to defend his spot in the rankings by putting on a show-stealing performance against Neal.
No. 13 ranked welterweight Neal (14-4, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) wants to deliver a statement against one of the division’s most dangerous fighters. Ever since being signed from Dana White’s Contender Series, Neal has established himself among the top talents at 170 pounds with wins over Belal Muhammad, Mike Perry, and Santiago Ponzinibbio. Neal is now setting out to stop Luque and add another impressive name to his resume.
The Ultimate Fighter heavyweight finalist Usman (8-2, fighting out of Mansfield, Texas) looks to join his brother, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, on the roster with a statement victory. Pauga (6-0, fighting out of Lakewood, Colo.) aims to keep his undefeated record intact by becoming the first man to knockout Usman.
Flyweight finalist Walker (8-2, fighting out of Upland, Calif.) intends to rely on her experience and well-rounded skills to secure the biggest victory of her career. Miller (3-1, fighting out of Lakeside, Calif.) seeks to continue defying the odds by adding another submission to her record.
Additional bouts on the card include:
No. 14 ranked UFC heavyweight contender Augusto Sakai(15-4-1, fighting out of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil) clashes with Serghei Spivac(14-3, fighting out of Chi?in?u, Moldova)
Sam Alvey(33-17-1, fighting out of Murrieta, California) takes on Michal Oleksiejczuk(16-5, fighting out of Leczna, Poland) in a middleweight bout
Ariane Lipski(14-7, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Florida) battles Priscila Cachoeira(11-4, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a flyweight battle
Bryan Battle(8-1, fighting out of Charlotte, NC) meets Takashi Sato(16-5, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan) at welterweight
Terrance McKinney(12-4, fighting out of Spokane, Washington) clashes with Erick Gonzalez(14-6, fighting out of Los Angeles, California)in an explosive matchup at lightweight
Nate Landwehr(15-4, fighting out of Clarksville, Tennessee) collides with Zubaira Tukhugov (20-5-1, fighting out of Grozny, Chechen Republic, Russia) in an exciting featherweight bout
Jason Witt(19-8, fighting out of Kansas City, Missouri) squares off against Dana White’s Contender Series signeeJosh Quinlan(5-0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada) at welterweight
Cory McKenna(6-2, fighting out of Cwmbran, Wales) battles Miranda Granger(7-2) in an exciting strawweight bout
Marya Bueno Silva (8-2, fighting out of Sau Paulo, Brazil) meets Stephanie Egger (7-2, fighting out of St. Gallen, Switzerland) in a clash at bantamweight
Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage.
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JAKE PAUL VS. HASIM RAHMAN JR. AND AMANDA SERRANO VS. BRENDA CARABAJAL NEWS AND NOTES AHEAD OF AUGUST 6 SHOWTIME PPV® AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
NEW YORK – July 28, 2022 – SHOWTIME SPORTS has announced the global distribution partners, pay-per-view price and telecast team for the upcoming SHOWTIME PPV co-headlined by global superstar Jake “The Problem Child” Paul vs. Hasim Rahman Jr. and Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano vs. Brenda Carabajal on Saturday, August 6 live from Madison Square Garden in New York City. Tickets are on sale and available at www.msg.com. Click HERE to watch and share the promo video.
The pay-per-view event kicks off at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is widely available for purchase and live streaming in the United States at SHOWTIME.com/ppv and via the SHOWTIME app for a suggested retail price of $59.99 (SRP). All U.S. consumers who purchase the event through the SHOWTIME app or SHOWTIME.com can watch it live through the SHOWTIME streaming service app on any supported devices including Apple iOS and tvOS devices, Android Mobile, AndroidTV, Roku, Amazon FireTV, Samsung Smart TV, Xbox One, LG Smart TV, as well as online at SHOWTIME.com. The event is also available for purchase in the U.S. via satellite and telco systems through DIRECTV®, DISH, Sling TV, Vubiquity and on the Sony PlayStation™ store.
In Canada, viewers can purchase and access the event via traditional cable and satellite distributors (Bell, Rogers, Shaw and SaskTel/TELUS) as well as on FITE, who has distributed all of Paul’s previous fights and will offer the event in most regions around the world outside of the U.S. Liberty and Claro TV will offer the event in Puerto Rico. Joe Hand Promotions is the commercial distributor within the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.
DAZN will broadcast the event in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as part of the monthly subscription and ESPN LatAm will be the exclusive cable, satellite, internet/digital carrier in Latin America. Paul vs. Rahman Jr. is also available down under via FOX Sports Australia.
Paul (5-0, 4 KOs) and Rahman Jr. (12-1, 6 KOs) will meet after the two erupted during the kick-off press conference over who was the better man during sparring sessions they had in 2020. Paul, a YouTube star and influencer-turned-pro boxer trains under the tutelage of Danny Smith and B.J. Flores in Puerto Rico and was named the Sports Illustrated 2021 Breakout Boxer of the Year. Rahman Jr. is the son of the former two-time heavyweight champion and has trained under boxing sages like Emanuel Steward, Calvin Ford and now Yoel Judah, father and trainer of the former two-division world champion Zab Judah.
The other half of the dual main event features seven-division women’s champion Serrano, (42-2-1, 30 KOs) of Brooklyn, who will defend her featherweight titles against Argentina’sCarabajal (18-5-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout. Serrano made history in April when she and Katie Taylor were the first women to headline a main event at MSG. In the co-feature, teenage sensation,18-year-old Ashton Sylve (7-0, 7 KOs) of Long Beach, Calif., will face Braulio Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic in an eight-round lightweight bout. Knockout artist Brandun Lee (25-0, 22 KOs), of La Quinta, Calif., will face Will Madera in a 10-round super lightweight to open the pay-per-view telecast.
Veteran sportscaster and SHOWTIME boxing host Brian Custer will host the four-fight pay-per-view telecast alongside the most versatile voice in combat sports Mauro Ranallo, with International Boxing Hall of Famer Al Bernstein and former junior middleweight champion and SHOBOX® commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as expert analysts. Leading combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani will serve as ringside reporter. Two more Hall of Famers will round out the SHOWTIME PPV telecast team – boxing historian Steve Farhood will serve as unofficial scorer and world-renowned Jimmy Lennon Jr. will serve as ring announcer. Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins and SHOBOX announcer and combat sports expert Brian Campbell will provide analysis for the international feed.
The pay-per-view telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV. Four-time Emmy® award winner David Dinkins Jr. will serve as executive producer and Bob Dunphy, son of legendary Hall of Famer Don Dunphy, as director. The pair has produced the three highest-grossing pay-per-view events of all time (Mayweather-Pacquiao, Mayweather-McGregor, Mayweather-Canelo).
In the leadup to the dual headliner, SHOWTIME SPORTS will offer an installment of its Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS, bringing fans behind the scenes as Paul prepares to face the first full-fledged boxer of his career and Rahman Jr. prepares for his first big moment in the spotlight. The series also features Serrano as she trains in her hometown and shakes off the remnants from her last fight in advance of her title defense. ALL ACCESS: PAUL VS. RAHMAN premieres on Saturday, July 30 at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT with ALL ACCESS: PAUL VS. RAHMAN EPILOGUE premiering on Saturday, August 13.
The event is co-produced by SHOWTIME PPV and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), a company founded by Paul and Nakisa Bidarian and promoted by Holden Boxing.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @ShowtimeBoxing and @MostVpromotions on Instagram via @JakePaul, @ShowtimeBoxing and @MostValuablePromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paramount, owns and operates the premium service SHOWTIME®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.
Converted MMA fighters Raphael Torres & Jon Gruber Battle for Mass. Cruiserweight title
QUINCY, Mass. (July 28, 2022) – Two converted mixed-martial-arts fighters, Raphael Torres (2-0, 2 KOs), of Framingham (MA), and Fall River’s (MA) Jonathan Gruber (3-1, 2 KOs), will throw-down in a 6-round match for the vacant Massachusetts Cruiserweight Championship.
“The Next Chapter,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, will be held Saturday night, August 6, at the Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
“Raphael is an impressive athlete who currently has a lot of people’s attention in the local boxing scene,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti commented. “He is now training in arguably the best gym in the state and showed massive improvements in his first fight with Ken Ball as his trainer. This is really going to show us where he is at. Gruber comes to fight. He is a big guy coming down in weight and has had some good amateur experience. August 6th will answer a lot of questions.”
The 22-year-old Torres is coming off an opening round knockout of Igor Pessoa this past June at home in Framingham. He weighed in at 186 pounds, but he plans to come in close to the 200-pound maximum for his cruiserweight clash with Gruber.
“”It felt good,” Torres talked about his last fight. “I kind of surprised myself. My standards are a little higher. We had a game plan for people to see how much better I’ve become. I’m coming in close to 200 for this fight. I’ve gotten faster and stronger. More importantly, I’m comfortable fighting at this weight. I love to eat; my training has been dope. This title fight is huge for me. Taking it says a lot about my confidence. I’m taking a big step up. I’m an opportunist, so when this fight was offered, I jumped at it fast.
“I know my opponent is a former Muay Thai fighter and kick boxer. He fought one of my (MMA) teammates a few years ago. I’m excited. He’s bigger, but I’m going to show I’m the puncher.”
Gruber, 33, switched from MMA to boxing in 2019 when he fought in the Golden Gloves. Rather than work on different MMA disciplines, he decided to concentrate on one type of combat sport, boxing.
“I’m a construction worker and it was difficult training because one day it would be boxing, the next Jiu-Jitsu, and then kickboxing,” Gruber explained. ”Now, I box five days a week. I’m in a zone when I box and never think about anything else (like MMA). People call me an awkward fighter. I’m not the usual boxer. I was right-handed until I got into boxing. My father taught me boxing and he was left-handed. I had to learn everything again as a righty. I do switch back and forth. I use it to cut off the ring or going backwards. I also confuse my opponent. They may be looking for a big right, but then I switch to southpaw.
“I know my opponent is coming up in weight from a lighter weight class. I’ve heard he’s fast. This is my first fight below heavyweight. Two fights again I weighed 225 and last November I was 262. I’ve trained hard to lose this weight and keep my strength. And I’m still learning every day.”
In the 10-round main event, former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr., fighting out of nearby Holbrook (MA), meets Argentinian junior welterweight Jonathan “Yoni” Ariel Sosa (7-13-2, 4 KOs).
Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (3-2, 1 KO) and Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (4-2, 2 KOs) square off in the 8-round co-feature for the vacant Massachusetts cruiserweight title.
New Bedford (MA) light heavyweight prospect Edet “Papito” Mkpanam (7-0, 6 KOs), the 2018 New England Golden Gloves runner-up, fights veteran Texas fighter Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (13-50-2, 9 KOs) a 6-rounder.
Promising Brockton (MA) welterweight David “The Blessed One” Ribeiro (1-0, 1 KO) faces a new opponent, Rhode Island’s Alfred “Keenan” Raymond (1-3, 0 KOs) in a 4-round match. The 25-year-old Ribeiro was a decorated amateur who captured a gold medal at the 2020 New England Golden Gloves Championships.
Also scheduled to fight in a 4-round bout is Methuen (MA) junior middleweight Luke Iannuccilli (2-0, 2 KOs).
Card subject to change.
Tickets are available for purchase at GRANITE-CHIN-PROMOTIONS.TICKETLEAP.COM or www.ticketriver.com (Search: The Next Chapter) for $45.00 (standing room), $60.00 (floor seats), $80.00 (VIP stage seats) and $40.00 for a table of 4.
Doors open at 7 p.m. ET, first bout at 7:30 p.m. ET.
DANNY GARCIA VS. JOSE BENAVIDEZ JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
BROOKLYN – July 28, 2022 – Two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia and exciting contender Jose Benavidez Jr. went face-to-face at a final press conference on Thursday and gave verbal clues of the explosive action they plan to dish out in a super welterweight clash set for this Saturday, July 30 headlining live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
Also squaring off on Thursday at the press conference were Polish star and Brooklyn’s all-action Adam Kownacki and Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen, who battle in the heavyweight co-main event, plus unbeaten rising star Gary Antuanne Russell and former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy, who duel in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Thursday’s event also featured rising prospect Vito Mielnicki Jr., who faces tough veteran Jimmy Williams as part of the SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN show streaming live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and DSG Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through seatgeek.com and barclayscenter.com. Tickets are also available for purchase at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from Barclays Center:
DANNY GARCIA
“It’s been 19 months since I’ve been in the ring and I’ve been enjoying my life in and out of the ring. I’ve spent time with my family, but I’ve still been staying in the gym the whole time. I trained with young guns Chris Colbert and Stephen Fulton Jr. To be honest, it feels like I never left.
“We had a tremendous training camp in Philly. We’ve done everything we were supposed to do and my body feels great. I knew that I was coming up to 154 pounds, so I built more muscle. But most importantly I feel good mentally.
“Once Danny Garcia is mentally and physically strong, no one can touch him. I’ve proved that before. I’m just excited to be back at Barclays Center.
“I’m excited to be on this card with a lot of young fighters. It’s tremendous and I can’t wait. The ‘Danny Garcia Show’ is back. I definitely feel good and come Saturday night you better make sure you get your tickets or tune in on SHOWTIME.
“It feels good to be back. I’m back because I love to fight. I’m a fighter and I love boxing. I knew once I took that break, that I’d come back at 154 pounds. A lot of people don’t know how I’ve been squeezing my body down. I think people will be surprised about how strong I am.
“I want to chase a new dream. I want to be a three-division champion. I have the skill and I have the will and I’m not going to let anyone take it away from me.
“Nothing ever comes easy against Danny Garcia. Don’t try too hard, because you might knock yourself out (to Jose Benavidez Jr.).
“I’m going to go out there and have fun and do what I do best. I’m going to find a way. It’s going to be the same thing you always see. I’m going to get this ‘W’.”
JOSE BENAVIDEZ JR.
“I’m ready. I feel strong and I’m happy to be here. It’s exciting to be fighting in this big arena. I’m ready to show the world that I’m the one at 154 pounds.
“I’m the bigger guy at this weight. I’m confident, I’m strong and I’m ready. This is a new and improved me. Nobody is going to touch me.
“I don’t have to look impressive. I’m going to show what I am. I’m a beast. I know where my talent is and I’m going to make it look easy.
“This is going to be a good fight. It’s going to be fireworks. I respect Danny Garcia, but his dad talks too much. I’m thankful for the opportunity, but we’re going to let the fists talk.
“I’m done with the trash talk. I’m happy and I’m excited. I can’t wait to get it on Saturday night.
“They can think what they want to think. I know what I’m capable of and I’m going to prove it on Saturday. I’m only focused on my work ethic and I’ve been training hard for this fight.
“To me, the talk is just a game. I respect everyone. I’m more mature now. I’ve grown and I only care about what I’m going to do on Saturday.
“This is going to be the end of the ‘Danny Garcia Show’.”
ANGEL GARCIA, Garcia’s Father and Trainer
“We don’t fear anybody. We never turn down any fights. This isn’t anything new to us.
“When these guys are eye to eye, they’re the same size. Don’t underestimate Danny.
“Jose Jr. doesn’t have the skills. We’re ready for him. July 30 on SHOWTIME, the ‘Danny Garcia Show’ is back. It’s the greatest show on earth.”
JOSE BENAVIDEZ SR., Benavidez’s Father and Trainer
“This is a great opportunity for Jose to show his talent. He has to look impressive in order to go to the next level.
“I want to thank team Garcia for the opportunity. We’re facing a monster. But that just motivated us even more. When Jose beats Danny Garcia, he’ll be at the top and open up for bigger opportunities.
“Jose has matured a lot and he’s super motivated. It makes me feel comfortable and more secure that we’re going to have a good fight Saturday.”
ADAM KOWNACKI
“It means everything to be back here. I’m focused and I can’t wait to get a knockout victory and then go see my family in Poland
“I don’t come to play, I come to fight. I’m trying to break my own record with punches thrown. I’m here to fight, welcome to Brooklyn Ali.
“I’m facing an Olympian. He’s a tough guy. He likes to keep coming forward just like I do. I know he has a strong chin. He beat a good heavyweight in Gerald Washington. He stopped him. So this is definitely going to be a tough test.
“I’m going to have the same strategy as always. Come forward and try to stop him. Welcome to Brooklyn, baby. I don’t like to make predictions, but I don’t see this going the distance. I want to come back with a bang and stop him.
“Right now, I’m just focused on Ali. I can’t look past him because he can mess with all my plans. Right now, I’m just looking forward to knocking him out.
“Fighting at Barclays is always quite an experience. For anybody who hasn’t witnessed it, you’ve got to experience it. Get your ticket. There are going to be a lot of red shirts making a lot of noise on Saturday. It’s going to be a fun night.”
ALI EREN DEMIREZEN
“I’m so happy to be here in New York. I understand I’m facing an experienced fighter coming off losses, but I’m here to win as well. My goal is to not give him a chance to beat me.
“I’m here for a battle. I’m expecting the fans who watch this fight to come ready to see a war for as long as it lasts.
“This is a very important fight for me. This fight can get me into the top 10 and to the fight with the world champions.
“This is a chance for me to step up. I’m so happy to be here in the U.S. It’s every boxer’s dream to fight in the U.S. and I’m going to make the most of it.
“I’m not worried that I’m fighting in my opponents’ hometown. I feel that I’m known enough that I’m going to be treated fairly and I’ll be able to execute my game plan on Saturday.”
GARY ANTUANNE RUSSELL
“I’m more tunnel-visioned now. That support system that I once had with my dad is not there. But he gave us a lot of tools to keep us going. It’s made me more focused on the things that he did teach us.
“We all had an initial goal as a family. My father gave us the blueprint, so we’re just trying to strive and keep it going.
“I know Barthelemy is trying to make things happen for his country, but I’ve got goals too. It’s will versus will and goal versus goal. This Saturday night, you have to be there.
“I’ve been training and going back and forth in my mind on what I have to do. I have to win this fight so that I can move on to my next mission. We’re drawing lines and then keeping it going.
“We’re going to keep the knockout streak going. He’s going to have to do his best. I’ve been grinding. I know he’s been training, but is it the training that he needs to get through me? He’s gotta bring his A-game.”
RANCES BARTHELEMY
“I’ve had a goal for a long time to become a three-division world champion. I had the dream snatched away from me when I lost, but now I’m here and I’m thankful for the opportunity.
“I’m ready to show that I’m capable of winning this fight for the Cubans and for all my fans tuning in to watch me on Saturday night.
“Styles make fights and we’re definitely going to give the people what they want. It’s going to be a spectacular fight. I know what Russell is about, but I believe in myself and I know what I’m capable of doing.
“It’s all about my preparation, my experience and the great team that I have around me. I won’t let my guard down. I know that my opponent has heavy hands and that I’m going to have to be focused during the entire fight.
“I can guarantee that I’ve left everything inside of the gym to get ready for Gary. I’m going to show you what I’m capable of when we get into the ring.”
VITO MIELNICKI JR.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity on a big platform. It’s my first time fighting in Brooklyn and I’m excited to put on a dominant performance.
“We had a great eight-week camp with my coach ‘Chino’ Rivas and we’re ready to go. We want to put on a show, so make sure you tune in early.
“Expect a dominant performance. I’m an explosive fighter and you’re going to see why on Saturday night.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc.
“Having Danny back is good for Barclays Center, good for SHOWTIME and most of all, it’s good for boxing. We all know by this point who Danny is. He fears no one. He doesn’t hesitate to take any fight. He’ll fight anybody and everybody and he’s proven that.
“Fourteen of Danny’s last 19 opponents have been world champions. Among his opponents – Zab Judah, Amir Khan, Lamont Peterson, Paulie Malignaggi, Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, Errol Spence Jr. It’s literally the best in the division during this era. Thirty-nine fights with 15 current or former world champions. He’s gone 12-3 against world champions in his career. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a Hall of Fame resume to me.
“Jose Benavidez Jr. has very impressive credentials of his own. His only loss is to one of the pound-for-pound greats in Terence Crawford. Benavidez was an amateur prodigy and an 11-time National Champion. We’ve got two guys with great resumes, but at the end of the day, none of that matters when the bell rings. What we’re going to have, I promise you, is an all-action fight. Neither one of these guys knows how to take a step backwards.
“If you’ve never been to an Adam Kownacki fight at Barclays Center, you’re in for a treat. It’s one of the best atmospheres in boxing. The following that Adam has built is something to behold. He brings out the Polish fans from throughout the Tri-State area and it is a great atmosphere. But you cannot overlook the Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen. He is a tough competitor and a dangerous opponent.
“Gary Antuanne is one of the few undefeated ranked fighters who has won all of their fights by knockouts. Of the ranked fighters, only four have won all of their fights by knockout. In my opinion, Gary Antuanne is the most underrated fighter in his division. Rances Barthelemy has his own credentials. A two-division world champion. Experienced, skilled and an excellent technical fighter. He’s trying to become the first Cuban fighter to win titles in three divisions.
“I’m about as excited for this card as any as we have done recently. Why is that? Top to bottom, we’ve got great storylines. We’ve got name fighters, popular, fan-friendly fighters in high-stakes fights. It’s not just the fights on SHOWTIME. In the prelim stream, we have Sergiy Derevyanchenko and we have Vito Mielnicki Jr. We have quality top to bottom on this card.”
# # #
ABOUT GARCIA VS. BENAVIDEZ
Garcia vs. Benavidez will see two-division world champion and Brooklyn fan-favorite Danny “Swift” Garcia making his super welterweight debut against exciting contender Jose Benavidez Jr. in a 12-round showdown that headlines a stacked tripleheader Saturday, July 30 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will also see Polish star and Brooklyn’s all-action Adam Kownacki returning to the ring to take on Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen in a 10-round heavyweight attraction, while unbeaten rising star Gary Antuanne Russell faces former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy in a 10-round showdown to kick off the telecast.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #GarciaBenavidez, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @BrooklynBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @BarclaysCenter and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.
Super Bad Signs: Two-Division World Champion Seniesa Estrada Inks Multi-Year Promotional Contract with Top Rank
LAS VEGAS (July 28, 2022) — Reigning two-division world champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada, the pound-for-pound fighting force from East Los Angeles, California, has signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank.
Estrada (22-0, 9 KOs) is the current WBA minimumweight and WBO junior flyweight champion and is the No. 1-ranked female in both divisions by ESPN.com. She will make her highly anticipated Top Rank on ESPN debut later this year.
“Seniesa Estrada is one of the world’s premier fighters and is well on her way to becoming a superstar in the sport,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “She is an engaging young woman who brings unbridled passion into the ring every time she fights. I am ecstatic that she has joined our tremendous roster of world champions.”
“I am extremely excited to be part of the Top Rank family. I’m eager to get back in the ring and continue where I left off, winning world titles, putting on exciting fights, and unifying in three divisions,” Estrada said. “Thank you, Top Rank, for giving me the opportunity to represent women’s boxing alongside Mikaela Mayer. There is no better timing then now to be with a promotional company like Top Rank and fight on such a great platform to show the world that women’s boxing is here to stay. I’m ready to shine.”
“I am thrilled that Seniesa has signed with Top Rank and will have the opportunity to showcase her talents to the largest possible audience,” said Jerry Casarez, Estrada’s manager. “The best is yet to come!”
Estrada, an 11-year pro, has been at the forefront women’s boxing meteoric rise over the past decade. A former U.S. amateur standout with more than 100 fights in the unpaid ranks, Estrada first walked into a boxing gym at the age of 8. Before the recent women’s boxing renaissance, she earned her stripes sparring boys at Hollenbeck Youth Center in Los Angeles.
Estrada notched a signature victory in November 2019, a dominant technical decision over bitter rival and U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza. In 2021, Estrada went 3-0 and firmly established herself as a pound-for-pound force. She snatched the WBA minimumweight title from longtime champion Anabel Ortiz in March, dominated Tenkai Tsunami over 10 rounds in July to win the WBO junior flyweight crown, and defended her minimumweight title in December with a fourth-round stoppage over Maria Micheo. Estrada is currently ranked No. 6 on the ESPN.com women’s pound-for-pound list. With hardware in two divisions — and a third division firmly in her crosshairs — Estrada’s next championship chapter is about to be written.
2-Time World Champion Jose Ramirez Confirmed for Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 17, in Las Vegas
Las Vegas (July 27, 2022) – Two-time world champion Jose Ramírez has confirmed that he will appear at the Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo will also coincide with the mega trilogy fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.
Ramírez will hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at his booth during the fan event held over the Mexican Independence Day weekend.
The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, and Canelo vs. Jacobs. Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com – @BoxFanExpo
Ramírez will make his first appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and also have merchandise for sale for fans to enjoy. Boxing enthusiasts will have an opportunity to also take pictures with this fan friendly Boxing Star.
Ramírez joins David Benavidez, Shawn Porter, Jessie Vargas and Erik Morales as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with more Boxing stars to be announced.
Jose Ramirez
Ramírez is a Mexican American professional boxer. He is a former unified light welterweight champion, having held the WBC title from 2018 to May 2021 and the WBO title from 2019 to May 2021. As an amateur he was the number one rated in the WBC lightweight in the United States and represented the U.S at the 2012 Olympics. In June of 2020, Ramirez was ranked as the world’s second-best active light welterweight by The Ring Magazine. Some of Ramirez most noticeable fights came against Amir Imam, Maurice Hooker, Viktor Postal, Josh Taylor and Jose Pedraza. He is currently scheduled to fight next for the Vacant WBC Super lightweight championship versus Jose Zepeda in a highly anticipated rematch, which Ramirez won on Feb 10, 2019.
About Box Fan Expo
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.
Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, David Benavidez, Errol Spence Jr, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Claressa Shields, Teofimo Lopez, Brandon Rios, Jorge Linares, and many more.
Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.
Throughout the next few months leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo
.
Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –
https://bit.ly/BOXFANEXPO2022
To request information on exhibiting and sponsorship at the Expo:
For media credentials:
Contact us:
Telephone number: (702) 997-1927 or (514) 572-7222
2-time Olympians Yuberjen Martinez & Leonel de los Santos in action this Friday in Colombia
BOSTON (July 27, 2022) – Two-time Olympians Yuberjen “Tremendo” Martinez and Leonel de los Santos, the future of Fighter Locker, will both be in action this Friday night at Elias Chegwin Coliseum in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Martinez, 30, represented Colombia in the last two summer Olympic Games, capturing a silver medal in 2016. The flyweight will be making his long anticipated professional debut, at home, against Yeison “El Chino” Hernandez (6-3, 2 KOs), of Argentina, in a 6-round bout.
Martinez was a highly decorated amateur who, in addition to his Olympics experiences, won gold medals at the 2014 & 2018 Central American & Caribbean Games and the 2018 South American Games. He also took bronze at the prestigious 2017 World Championships, bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games.
Leonel de los Santos
The 27-year-old Santos (6-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of the Dominican Republic, faces veteran Colombian lightweight Luis Diaz Marmol (18-15, 11 KOs) in a 6-rounder. Santos, a southpaw, won a silver medal at the 1019 Pan-American Games.
“I’m very excited to have these two Olympian fighters on an ESPN Deportes broadcast,” manager Ryan Roach (Fighter Locker) said. “Both fighters are facing some tough opposition. They had great camps, so look for some explosive action Friday! They are ready to showcase their skills on an international platform.”
Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers also includes New York’s ABF American West super lightweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (16-0, 11 KOs), Colorado’s ABF American West super middleweight champion “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (11-0, 6 KOs), Massachusetts super lightweight Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (12-0, 9 KOs), Florida super bantamweight Daniel “The Dedication” Bailey, Jr. (10-1, 5 KOs), Massachusetts featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs), Dominican super welterweight Juan Solano Santos (1-0, 1 KO), Dominican featherweight Orlando Perez Zapata (11-0, 9 KOs), Dominican lightweight Isaelin Florian Henriguez (9-1, 4 KOs), Florida light heavyweight Robert Daniels, Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), Irish light heavyweight Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole (4-0, 3 KOs), Texas lightweight Miranda “ La Alacrana” Reyes (6-1-1, 3 KOs), Kansas brothers, welterweight Marcus Davidson (4-0, 4 KOs) and super lightweight Marcell Davidson (2-0, 1 KO), and Utah brothers, ABF American West lightweight champion Ignacio Chairez (8-1-1, 5 KOs) and lightweight Gabriel Chairez (4-0-1, 2 KOs).
INFORMATION:
WEBSITE: fighterlocker.com, punch4parkinsons.com
FACEBOOK: /fighterlocker
TWITTER: @RoachRyan
INSTAGRAM: @RyanRoach82
ABOUT FIGHTER LOCKER: Established in 2019, Fighter Locker is a comprehensive sports agency that manages professional boxers. Fighter Locker also helps to brand boxers by finding their voice with a 100-percent customized service. Fighter Locker does not really believe in working models. It believes in partnership optimization models in motion.
Fighter Locker uses four creative steps because it believes in “the foundation is everything”: 1. wisely conceived, 2. creatively restrained, 3. Proudly judged, 4. sharply targeted.
FORMER WORLD CHAMPION LIAM SMITH MAKES LONG-AWAITED HOMECOMING ON 3RD SEPTEMBER
Liverpool, England – 27th July 2022 – Liverpool’s own Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith (31-3-1, 18 KOs) will begin his campaign for a second world title shot when he headlines at the M&S Bank Arena in his home city on Saturday, 3rd September, live and exclusively on Sky Sports.
Tickets are on sale now via Boxxer.com, with prices beginning at just £40.
Making his way to Merseyside to face the hometown hero is the heavy-handed Hassan Mwakinyo (20-2, 14 KO’s), who shocked the British boxing fanbase on his 2018 visit to the UK when he demolished the infamously tough Sam Eggington in just two rounds.
Undefeated since then and coming off three consecutive stoppage victories, the former WBF Intercontinental champion has scored 70% of his victories by KO or TKO, has stopping power in both hands and is traveling to the UK intent on upsetting the home fans once again.
Currently ranked in the top five by three of boxing’s major sanctioning bodies, Smith – who won the WBO World Light-Middleweight Championship in 2015 – has blasted his name back into the world championship contender conversation with stoppage wins in his last two fights and is now set on winning a second world title as part of the BOXXER stable.
Two of the UK’s top light-heavyweights will collide in the chief support bout when reigning British Light-Heavyweight champion ‘Super’ Dan Azeez (16-0, 11 KO’s) meets former champion Shakan Pitters (17-1, 6 KO’s) to make his first defence of the British Light-Heavyweight Championship he won by stopping the highly-accomplished Hosea Burton in November last year.
One of the hottest young talents in boxing, Adam ‘The Assassin’ Azim (5-0, 4 KO’s), will make the first defence of his WBC Youth title. Azim has ended his last four bouts inside the distance, most recently demolishing experienced European opponent Anthony Loffett in just 66 seconds.
Amir Khan, who became world champion at just 22 years old, was ringside to witness that win in June and has lavished praise on the hard-hitting youngster, predicting that the 20-year-old may become a world champion even earlier than he did himself.
A super-middleweight firefight is on the cards when 2018 Commonwealth Games medalist John Docherty (12-1, 9 KO’s) travels down from Scotland to face Brazilian bomb-thrower Diego ‘Dynamite’ Costa (8-0, 5 KO’s).
The Manchester-based Costa is widely regarded as one of the most avoided fighters in the division but Doherty has no qualms about taking him on, setting up what is sure to be a non-stop battle between two fighters who rarely take a backwards step.
And another power-punching clash is predicted when Liverpool’s own Nathan Quarless (9-0) faces Middlesbrough man Michael Webster (7-0, 5 KO’s) in a cruiserweight contest which sees both prospects put their undefeated record on the line.
Amir Khan-managed Sikh sensation Tal Singh will also be making his professional debut at this event after swapping Liverpool for Las Vegas to train for the professional ranks.
Two more Liverpudlians appearing on the card are Paddy Lacey (6-0, 1 KO) who claimed victory in under 45 seconds in his most recent fight, and the 21-year-old Frankie Stringer (1-0), competing in his second professional bout following a successful debut in April.
Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO and Founder, said: “We were delighted to sign Liam Smith, so there is no better place for him to make his debut with us than in his home city of Liverpool. Liam is a man on a mission. He wants to win a second world title and there are big fights coming his way. Coming off a defining stoppage win over Jessie Vargas at the iconic Madison Square Garden in April and returning to the M&S Bank Arena, where he stopped derby rival Anthony Fowler last October, Liam truly is in the best form of his life. This fight will be the perfect return to Sky against a proven dangerous puncher. Another big performance will set Liam up for a world title and potential box office fights.
“The fans on Merseyside will be in for a real treat with a highly-stacked card. Many boxing insiders are excited to see current British champion Dan Azeez and former champion Shakan Pitters collide. And the man who has captured the attention of every fight fan this year will be on show too, as Adam Azim takes to the ring. Adam has excelled in every fight thus far and he is developing into the superstar we all believe he will become. He has first-round stoppage wins in his last two fights – and I know he’ll be hungry to make it a hat-trick in his first defence of the WBC Youth World title. I can’t wait.”
Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports said, “We’re very excited to have Liam Smith back on Sky Sports and headlining a huge card in the fantastic fighting city of Liverpool as we kick off what will be an unbelievable action-packed Autumn season. A second world title is what Liam wants and having seen the hunger in him, I have no doubts he will achieve it, so I’m looking forward to seeing some big fights for Liam Smith as he makes that journey towards his second world title with BOXXER and Sky Sports.”
“There are some great fights on this Liverpool card – the British Light-Heavyweight Championship clash between Dan Azeez and Shakan Pitters will be electric, and every time I see Adam Azim fight, I feel like I’m watching the emergence of a future all-time great. This is a mammoth card for Merseyside at the start of September and I can’t wait to hear that Liverpool crowd when Liam Smith makes his walk to the ring.”
Further bouts for this massive night of boxing in Merseyside will be announced in the near future.
Visit Boxxer.com today and register for the exclusive pre-sale to be first in line for the best seats at the best prices.
BOXXER proudly presents this event in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.
IBF WORLD CHAMPION YOKASTA VALLE TO FACE WBO WORLD CHAMPION THI THU NHI NGUYEN ON SEPTEMBER 8
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA (July 27, 2022) – Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZNgoes international on Thursday, September 8 for the first-ever world title unification fight in Costa Rica live on DAZN and the Golden Boy Boxing Youtube Page. Newly signed Golden Boy fighter and IBF Minimumweight World Champion, Yokasta “Yoka” Valle (25-2, 9 KOs), of San Jose, Costa Rica is set to put everything on the line when she faces off against undefeated, WBO Minimumweight World Champion Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen (5-0, 1 KOs) of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The 10-round world championship fight will take place at Cuidad Deportiva Heiner Ugalde, Hatillo, San José, Costa Rica and stream live on DAZN and on the Golden Boy Boxing Youtube page starting at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET.
“When I signed with Golden Boy I thought that there could be nothing better, my childhood dream was coming true. But it turns out that with the hand of God and the support of Óscar de la Hoya and Golden Boy, today I am surprised once again, with the opportunity to be able to show the world that Costa Rica supports its athletes. I can promise all of my fans and Costa Rica that I will give the fight of my life against a great rival, the WBO World Champion Thi Nguyen, who is an internationally recognized boxer,” said Yokasta Valle.
“I know this fight is going to be a war of champion versus champion, unifying world titles, all or nothing! The only difference is that she is going to have to come to my house to face a ‘Yoka’ more motivated than ever! With the support of my people who I am sure will make their presence known with their incredible support. I WILL MAKE THE HOUSE TO BE RESPECTED!!!” continued Yokasta Valle.
“I am very excited about this fight and the opportunity to be a unified world champion,” said Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen. “I am going to win this fight no matter what. I will be the hero of Vietnam, it is my honor to represent my country and the women of my country. I have been training every day to make this an exciting, action filled fight and deliver a KO victory.”
Ranked as one of the best female 105-pounders by ESPN.com and The Ring Magazine, Yokasta Valle is a world champion in two weight classes. She captured the IBF Atomweight World Title in 2016 and has held the IBF Minimumweight World Championship since 2019. The Costa Rican fighter has been undefeated since 2018 and has made five successful world title defenses. Valle was named 2021’s “Female Fighter of the Year” by the International Boxing Federation. Now, the world champion is looking to unify the division against any world champion up for the challenge.
In 2021, Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen made history as Vietnam’s first boxing world champion when she captured the WBO Minimumweight World Championship against Japan’s Etsuko Tada. Her burgeoning boxing career was a surprise to most boxing spectators as Nguyen has been able to prove to the world that she is a force to be reckoned within the sport. Her first big opportunity came in 2020, Nguyen when defeated Kanyarat Yoohanngoh and captured the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight title, something that set her up for the world championship face off against Etsuko Tada in 2021. Nguyen, was able to use boxing as her avenue out of poverty in Ho Chi Minh City, but as a result, also faced tough criticism as boxing and athletics in general are not cultural norms for women in Vietnam. Now, considered an icon of national pride, the world champion is paving the way for women in boxing and sports in Vietnam.
Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZN: Valle vs. Nguyen is presented by Golden Boy in association with Marvnation. The 10-round minimumweight event is sponsored by “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Thursday, September 8 at Cuidad Deportiva Heiner Ugalde, Hatillo, San José, Costa Rica, and will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN and the Golden Boy Boxing Youtube Channel.
