BOSTON (May 4, 2022) – Two-time Dominican Olympian, lightweight Leonel de los Santos (6-0, 5 KOs), may be settling in the Boston area to enhance his professional boxing career. In fact, he recently spent a month there preparing for his last fight, which resulted in a win by way of a 6-round decision this past March in his native Dominican Republic.

Santos’ manager, Ryan Roach, lives in Boston and he introduced his undefeated lightweight to trainer Alex Rivera, and that paid immediate dividends in terms of improvement.

Santos, 26, trained at the Somerville Boxing Club under Rivera, who trains 26-0 welterweight Rashidi Ellis, who Santos sparred with several times, and US Olympian Rashida Ellis, Rashidi’s sister.

“The conditions at our training camp in Boston were very good,” Santos said. “I learned a lot of new things about professional boxing from Alex in just a short time, especially my defense about dodging smaller boxers. He really helped my performance in my last fight.

Rivera only worked with Santos two weeks, but the two connected right away.

“Leonel is a good boxer with a lot of experience,” Rivera remembered. “He has speed and power. We worked on making him more technically sound. It’s about hitting without being hit. He is very tall for his weight class – 5’ 8’ or 5’ 9” – with a good reach. We got along right away, and it was like we had been working together for a long time. I think he can make some noise with his amateur background. He has all the tools. Reminds me a little of Ryan Garcia: tall and strong for his weight class. Leonel has what it takes.

“I wasn’t with Leonel for his last fight, but I did watch some highlights. The guy he fought (Andres Bens Zapata) could really take a punch. Leonel’s hands were swollen after the fight from hitting his opponent so much. Leonel hit him with everything he had. I noticed how his defense and distance had improved. That’s what we worked on. He kept his distance and had a clean fight.”

Santos, who has relatives living in nearby Lawrence, MA, is applying for a work visa to train with Rivera.

“I think training with Alex vastly improved Leonel’s boxing and timing,” Santos’ manager Roach added. “Alex worked a lot on distance, which will lead to more power behind his shots. I saw big changes in Leonel’s last fight. He applied the skills he learned with Alex, and I look forward to more.”

Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers also includes California super flyweight Rocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro (21-1, 6 KOs), New York’s ABF American West super lightweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (16-0, 11 KOs), Connecticut’s ABF USA super welterweight Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (18-5-2, 6 KOs), Colorado’s ABF American West super middleweight champion “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (10-0, 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. (4-0, 2 KOs), 2-time Brazilian Olympian & 2016 Olympic silver medalist Yuberjen Martinez, Brazilian Olympian Jorge Vivas, Dominican cruiserweight Roki “Rocky” Berroa (2-0, 1 KO), Dominican super welterweight Juan Solano Santos (1-0, 1 KO), Georgia super middleweight James Hagler, Jr. (2-1, 1 KO), Dominican featherweight Orlando Perez Zapata (10-0, 8 KOs), Dominican lightweight Isaelin Florian Henriguez (8-1, 4 KOs), Florida light heavyweight Robert Daniels, Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), Irish light heavyweight Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole (3-0, 2 KOs), Texas super lightweight Miranda “La Alacrana” Reyes (5-1-1, 2 KOs), Massachusetts super featherweight Alex Rivera (3-0, 2 KOs), Kansas brothers, welterweight Marcus (3-0, 3 KOs) and super lightweight Marcell (1-0), and Utah brothers, ABF American West lightweight champion Ignacio Chairez (9-0-1, 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.

LAS VEGAS (May 4, 2022) – Former World Super Middleweight Champion and top light heavyweight contender, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (43-0, 39 KOs), is fully focused on his May 14th opponent, German Dominic Boesel (32-2, 12 KOs), not the winner of this week’s fight between Zurdo’s fellow countryman, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, and World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Light Heavyweight Champion Dmiity Bivol.

If Zurdo defeats Boesel in their 12-round main event match, the reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) Light Heavyweight World titleholder and WBA No. 1 rated contender, No. 2 ranked Ramirez will be positioned to challenge the Alvarez-Bivol winner. But he needs to get past Boesel to force his long-sought world light heavyweight title fight against Canelo of Bivol.

“Zurdo vs. Boesel,” presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zurdo Promotions and SES Boxing, will stream live and exclusively on DAZN from Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

“Whatever happens,” Ramirez said about the Canelo vs. Bivol fight, “I’ll be ready for the winner of that fight. Both are great fighters, but I’m ready to beat both.

“I expect an all-out fight (vs. Boesel). This is a life-changing fight for him, so I’m prepared for anything he throws at me. My team has been getting me ready and I have full confidence I will be the victor come fight night.”

Ramirez has several advantages over Boesel: higher quality experience, the fact Boesel has never fought outside of Europe, his hometown advantage with the fight in his adopted home and his Mexican fans coming out in force.

“I’m the best in the world and will always have the advantage,” Ramirez added. “But I still can’t take him (Boesel) lightly. He’s a longtime pro who knows how to take advantage of the moment.

“It’s convenient for me (fighting in the LA area), but at the end of the day it’s a fight. To me, it doesn’t matter if it’s held in Zurich, Frankfurt, Tokyo, or Mexico, I can fight anywhere. I don’t worry about the other fights (in southern California the same day – Charlo-Castano in Carson, Kovalev-Pulev in Inglewood). I’m just focused on my fight, and I know that come fight night, my fans and all my Mexican people will be with me.”

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

WHAT: “Mayhem at Moseley’s” professional boxing

WHO: MAIN EVENT – WELTERWEIGHTS (8)

James “The Slim Reaper” Perella (10-0, 7 KOs), Mansfield, MA

vs.

Rogue Augustine Junco (10-10-1, 6 KOs), Cordoba, Argentina

CO-FEATURE – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (6)

Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole (3-0, 2 KOs), Galway, Ireland

vs.

Josue Obando (20-33-2, 15 KOs), Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS (6)

Alex Rivera (3-0, 2 KOs), Southbridge, MA

vs.

William Parra Smith (3-10-1, 3 KOs), Anchorage, AK

WELTERWEIGHTS (6)

Joe Farina (7-1, 4 KOs), South Boston, MA

vs.

Rakim Johnson (6-16-1, 5 KOs), Indianapolis, IN

SPECIAL SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT ATTRACTION (6)

James “Savage” Hagler (2-1, 1 KO), Atlanta, GA

vs.

Heitor Mangaravitte Senrat (pro debut), Sao Paulo, Brazil

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Anthony Cefalo (pro debut), South Boston, MA

vs.

Brandon Grimmett (0-7), Thomasville, NC

MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)

Michael Fontanez (pro debut), Nashua, NH

vs.

TBA

FEATHERWEIGHTS (6)

Troy Anderson, Jr. (4-0, 2 KOs), Dorchester, MA

vs.

Michael Gaxiola (4-33, 0 KOs), Modesto, CA

(card subject to change)

WHERE: Moseley’s On The Charles, Dedham, MA

WHEN: Saturday, May 14, 2022

PROMOTER: Vertex Promotions

MATCHMAKER: Brian Dillon

RING ANNOUNCER: John Vena

TICKETS: On sale for $140.00 (row 2 ringside), $75.00 (general admission) and $50.00 (standing room), available for purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mayhem-at-moseleys-51422-tickets-318776066797?aff=ebdssbdestsearch, or by contacting any of the competing fighters to purchase tickets.

Doors will open at 6:30 pm. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET.

BRAD FOSTER WILL challenge for the vacant WBC International Super Bantamweight title against the dangerous Ionut Baluta at York Hall on Friday, 20 May live on BT Sport.

Former British, Commonwealth and IBF International bantamweight champion Foster from Lichfield makes his return to the ring following his disputed defeat to Jason Cunningham in Birmingham back in October and he takes on the highly rated Spaniard, the former WBO European champion.

Bidding to get back on on the title track, Foster, 14-1-2 (5 KOs), who became one of the youngest outright British champions when he defeated James Beech jr in July 2020, having previously overcome Josh Wale, Ashley Lane and Lucien Reid, with his IBF International success coming against Alvaro Rodriguez in March 2021.

Baluta, 14-3 (3 KOs), impressively defeated Irish stars, former world champion TJ Doheny and Olympian David Oliver Joyce, before dropping a narrow majority decision to Michael Conlan last time out in April 2021.

Also in championship action on the night will be Liverpool super bantamweight Andrew Cain, making a first defence of his WBC International Silver title against durable Mexican Luis Moreno.

Cain, 9-0 (8 KOs), won his belt with an explosive first round stoppage of Pablo Ariel Gomez in Telford in mid-April and is quickly back in business after the fight was stopped with the official time of just 19 seconds.

Moreno, 10-2 (6 KOs), has previously fought on these shores, with the Monterrey man suffering a points loss to Dennis McCann in March last year. Having reversed that loss last time out, ‘Gallito’ (which translates as ‘Cocky’) will be hoping for a better result in his second bout outside of his native country.

Liverpool middleweight James Heneghan (6-0) is back in London, with the 23-year-old having his third fight at York Hall.

Two first cousins feature on the card on another special night for the Frankham fighting family. Super featherweight Charles (5-0, 2 KOs) and welterweight Josh (5-0, 2 KOs) will continue their progression in the professional ranks.

Future super bantamweight star Adan Mohamed (4-0, 1 KO) from Buckhurst Hill will have his fifth professional assignment on the card, alongside Bexley welterweight Micky Burke jr (5-0, 2 KOs) and Beckton lightweight Mohammad Bilal Ali (4-1, 1 KO).

Recent Frank Warren signing Raven Chapman (2-0, 1 KO) will have her first fight under the Queensberry promotional banner when she takes on the unbeaten Italian Nadia Flalhi (3-0, 1 KO) over six rounds at featherweight.

Sean Noakes will make his professional debut at the famous East London venue with the Maidstone man – older brother of lightweight Sam – fighting at welterweight over four rounds.

“I am very much looking forward to seeing Brad Foster getting himself back in the mix, although he won’t have an easy night’s work against Ionut Baluta, who has proved his credentials on several occasions against fancied opposition,” said promoter Frank Warren.

“Brad has never looked for an easy touch and his rise to becoming outright British champion at such a young age was remarkable. He was unlucky against Jason Cunningham and it could have gone either way, but a setback in a close fight is never going to damage your future prospects.

“There are so many exciting fights to be made at super bantam and Brad will want to be right in the thick of it.

“Andrew Cain is a formidable prospect for anyone at super bantam or bantam and I cannot wait to see more of him after his last opponent didn’t get to 20 seconds! I suspect he will have an eye on Brad’s title fight and will be keen on a piece of the action there too.

“Charles and Josh Frankham are both making excellent progress and I am delighted to have the first cousins fighting on the same card.

“Young Micky Burke will be looking to be back with a bang after some time out of the ring, as will Mohammad Bilal Ali, who has a point to prove after a disappointing performance during the lockdown period.

“We also have two newcomers to our ranks who I would like to welcome in Raven Chapman and Sean Noakes.”

Tickets for the show at York Hall on Friday, 20 May are on sale now, available directly from the fighters or via eventbrite.co.uk or alternatively call: 01992 505 550 (office hours only).

KISSIMMEE, Florida (May 4, 2022): Puerto Rican world champion Jonathan “La Bomba” Gonzalez (25-3-1, 14 KOs) is set to make the first defense of his WBO Junior Light Flyweight Title against Filipino Olympian and former title challenger Mark Anthony “Baby Boy” Barriga (11-1, 2 KOs) in a 12-round main event on Friday, June 24.

The fight, which is presented in association with Tuto Zavala Jr.’s All Star Boxing, Inc., will take place at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida and headlines a night of action that will be streamed globally on ProBox TV.

Ticket and undercard information for the event will be announced shortly.

Gonzalez is a slick southpaw who made his pro debut in April 2011. Since then, he’s faced some of the top fighters at 112 pounds, including former champions Giovani “El Guerrero Azteca” Segura and Kosei Tanaka. However, “La Bomba” decided to move down to 108 pounds in 2020, a division in which he has had much more success. Indeed, after obtaining two impressive victories in a row, Gonzalez upset Elwin “La Pulga” Soto to capture the WBO Junior Flyweight Title in October 2021. The Puerto Rican champion is now ready to defend his title for the first time in what will be his debut on the ProBox TV platform.

“I’m ready to kick off a dominant reign as world champion by making the first defense of my title,” said Gonzalez. “Elwin Soto learned that I’m not somebody you should underestimate, so I hope Mark Anthony Barriga is training as hard as possible because I’m coming with everything on June 24. This is my division. Nobody is going to beat me at 108 pounds. I look forward to an exciting night for the fans and to leaving the ring with my hand raised in victory.”

Barriga is a 28-year-old contender who represented the Philippines at the 2012 Olympics in London. After continuing his amateur career for a few more years, the explosive southpaw turned professional in 2016 and eventually captured the WBO International Junior Flyweight Championship in 2018. Barriga then had his first world title opportunity against Carlos Licona for the IBF 108-pound title. The fight was close and ended in a split decision loss for Barriga, who bounced back with two victories in his home country. Barriga understands the importance of this new opportunity, and he is ready for war on June 24.

“I have fought in the Olympics, for a world title, and was ranked No. 1 in the world, but this is the most important fight of my career,” said Barriga. “La Bomba is a world champion for a reason. He is a great opponent, and this is going to be an exciting fight. I am so thankful to my management One Above Sports Consultancy and Dejan Zavec for making this happen with a fantastic promoter All Star Boxing, Tuto, and Ruben. Thank you, Pro Box TV, for showing this around the world, especially for my country people in the Philippines.”

#

ABOUT PROBOX TV
ProBox TV is the first and only global sports streaming and media company dedicated exclusively to the sport of professional boxing. Founded by former CEO of Iron Mike Productions Garry Jonas in partnership with the legendary Roy Jones Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Antonio Tarver, and Paulie Malignaggi, ProBox TV’s mission is to deliver real boxing fans an improved experience when watching and following the sport—all for the nominal monthly price of $1.99. Download the ProBox TV app or visit www.ProBoxTV.com to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Reddit.

Manchester, England – (May 3, 2022) – Anees Taj (5-1, 4 KO’s) was on track to take a spot in the Pakistan boxing team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until a late rule change made him illegible. At that point, the law graduate decided to turn professional and see how far he can go.

Next week, on Saturday May 14, he takes part in the eight-man BOXXER Series Manchester: Cruiserweights tournament at Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, live on Sky Sports.

“The plan was always to be a professional boxer. I always enjoyed law, and liked the idea of being a qualified lawyer, but when I beat David Adeleye at the Haringey Box Cup in 2014 I was set on turning professional there and then,” he says.

“My grandfather agreed to help pay for my university fees as long as I finished my degree before turning professional. From then the plan was always to be a professional boxer and have law as a fallback.”

Taj successfully balanced boxing with his study across university by strictly regimenting all his time, winning amateur success and catching the eyes of the Pakistan Olympic Boxing Team along the way.

“I just had a clear, exact timetable for every day, with an exact time for all my training and studying. I’d study in the day, train boxing in the evening and run at night. I usually did my assignments two weeks before they were due.”

Taj had a dream of fighting at the Olympics for Pakistan and had a place assigned to him before sudden eligibility rule changes – instituted due to the COVID pandemic – closed that door for him. Disillusioned with amateur boxing, he made a big decision.

“In the end I would have had to jump through hoops for 9 months and then not even definitely make it to the Olympics, so I realized it was best to just turn professional there and then,” he explains.

And with his ferocious power having earned him four knockouts inside three rounds, plus a history of competing in tournaments as an amateur, he feels the BOXXER Series format plays to his strengths.

“This format is all about work rate. I’m going in for a fight, and whatever happens, happens – it’s either him being knocked out or me being knocked out,” he says.

“The best thing about this tournament is everyone’s coming to win. Beating them will show how good I am. If I didn’t enter this tournament, I’d regret it in a few years looking back. I don’t want to be someone who has regrets and comes back to the sport when they’re too old.”

BOXXER Series events feature an eight-man, one-night tournament: four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a grand final.

The victorious boxer takes the lion’s share of the prize fund for one-night tournament boxing while every boxer in the tournament has the chance to put a spotlight on himself by putting on a standout performance on the nation’s biggest sports television platform.

Featuring a mix of rising stars and top prospects competing under short-form boxing rules (3 x 3 minute rounds), BOXXER SERIES tournaments offer an unparalleled platform for grassroots British boxing and can send winner’s names rocketing up the rankings list.

Promising non-stop action from start to finish, BOXXER SERIES events are touring every major city in the UK and will feature each region’s best boxing talent, rising stars and local heroes.

Tickets are on sale now via Boxxer.com

QUEENS, NEW YORK (MAY 3, 2022) — Star Boxing’s “Borough Boxing” fight week is under way ahead of Saturday nights, May 7th, six fight card at the famed Carnesecca Arena at St. John’s University. The fighters gathered today at the official “Borough Boxing” press conference to discuss Saturday’s anticipated night of fights.

STAR BOXING CEO JOE DEGUARDIA:

“This fight is Borough Boxing – it’s about the boroughs. it’s great to look back and see the history of the borough’s right in front of me… It’s one of the things I am looking forward to doing here at St. John’s – bringing boxing into the borough’s at a place like an established university such as St. John’s.”

“Everywhere you look on this card you see a representation of the boroughs. Danny Gonzalez, born and raised in Queens, Maureen Shea representing the Bronx. Emmanuel Etienne, an NYPD officer, is the epitome of the boroughs. Ronny Reyes from NYC and Mat Castro from Queens – no matter where you look the boroughs shine through these fighters and will be on full display Saturday night.”

DANNY GONZALEZ:

“I came from nothing but hard work and dedication. I had a good amateur career, but didn’t get that star power that a lot of these other guys had. Literally, show to show, week to week I would grind. I have been on the big shows with razor close loses, but I have learned from that. I am ready to show everyone I am a top contender. It sounds like it will be a real epic night – it’s going to be a like a gladiator event.”

“I used to be 250 lbs. really didn’t have much self esteem and was really all over the place. I found a boxing gym and I fell in love and made a career. I have fought at MSG, Barclay’s and really I am living the dream. If you work hard and stay dedicated and you have the grit and determination to move forward, you can make it. I am here to inspire everybody. May 7th is going to be a great night!”

MAUREEN SHEA:

“It’s an honor to be coming back home, especially after the show that happened last weekend for women’s boxing [Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano sellout at MSG]. I am excited to be coming home after 12 years alongside these up and coming boxers. 17 years I have been in this game. I may be older but I feel better than ever and I feel like women get better as they get older- like fine wine. I am excited to put on display my skills and what I have been working on after winning two world titles”

MAT “THE FUTURE” CASTRO:

“I am excited for Saturday evening to put on a great show and have a great night. It’s a blessing to be fighting at St. John’s University. Best of luck to my opponent, I am hoping for a great fight and I hope you all tune in.

EMMANUEL ETIENNE:

“I am happy to be here. Thank you to Joe DeGuardia for this opportunity. I am excited to showcase my talent. Thank you to my corner Casey Ericson, Chris Sitra and Jack Stanton, those guys are behind me. Good luck to all the fighters and I look forward to putting on a good show for you guys.”

RONNY REYES:

“I want to thank everyone for showing up, Joe DeGuardia for this opportunity and St. John’s for having us at this amazing venue. I am bringing the red storm and I am going to do it big! Thanks to my team Mike, Victor and Underdog. Come this Saturday night, we will put on a show, I don’t expect this to go the distance. We are coming to shake, we are coming to bang, and we are coming to put on a show!”

ANGELO THOMPSON:

“I have been working hard for this fight. I know my opponent is coming to bring it, but I am for sure coming to win. Thank you to my team and for this opportunity. It’s going to be a great show”

SCOTT LEMPERLE, Executive Director of Conference & Auxiliary Services at St. Johns

“The University is very excited to be working with Star Boxing to bring you this event on Saturday night. We believe that Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing is going to bring a great show here. We have a great card, and I personally cannot wait to see the first fight start!”

Tickets for Saturday May 7th’s, “Borough Boxing” are on sale NOW and can be purchased by clicking HERE. Doors will open at 7:00 PM ET.

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Joe DeGuardia opens the press conference at St. John’s

Danny Gonzalez speaks to the crowd at today’s presser

Ronny Reyes takes questions ahead of his pro debut

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Joe DeGuardia, Danny Gonzalez and Scott Lemperle

Mat Castro addresses the crowd at St. John’s

Mat Castro fields questions from the media

“Borough Boxing” is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing on May 7, 2022 at Carnesecca Arena at St. John’s University in Queens, NY.

Bouts subject to change

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FIGHT NIGHT TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
BUY TICKETS HERE!
TICKETS START AT JUST $50
FIGHT NIGHT: SATURDAY, MAY 7 AT CARNESECCA ARENA IN QUEENS, NY

STAR BOXING ARCHIVES:

OLEH DOVHUN defended his NABA title for the first time against Belgium Bruiser GERAM ELOYAN in the main event at Rockin’ Fights 41!

TYRONE “PRETTY BOY” JAMES left his mark on “Rockin’ Fights” 35 with a vicious TKO victory over RAY OLIVEIRA JR. to remain undefeated!

CARSON, CALIF. – May 3, 2022 – WBO World Champion Brian Castaño held a Los Angeles media workout on Tuesday as he prepares to face unified WBC, WBA, and IBF World Champion Jermell Charlo in a rematch of one of 2021’s most significant fights when they each seek undisputed status at 154-pounds once again on Saturday, May 14 live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The Charlo vs. Castaño rematch will come nine months after they went toe-to-toe for 12 grueling rounds in July 2021, with both men appearing hurt during the action before the bout was eventually ruled a split draw. Watch the Charlo vs. Castaño: Round by Round recap of the epic first fight HERE, with insight from Hall of Fame analyst Steve Farhood.

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

Here is what Castaño, along with his father and trainer Carlos Castaño, had to say Tuesday from Knockouts Boxing Gym:

BRIAN CASTAÑO

“I’m very happy to be fighting in front of the Latino fans in Southern California. My message to the fans is that I’m going to leave it all in the ring. We’re going to be lifting up all four belts on fight night.

“I do believe that I won the first fight. It might have been by a small margin, but I won it. This time, we’re going to try everything to make sure we don’t leave the fight in the hands of the judges.

“I was training with one hand for quite a few weeks after the arm injury. But right now I really feel better and stronger than ever.

“I come to do my job. He can come in yelling and screaming, but I don’t really care. I’m focused on the task and just doing what I need to.

“We had a lot to learn from the first fight with Charlo. One of the biggest things that I learned is to be more cautious at times while I’m in the ring. He’s powerful, but I’m going to bring my power too. We learned from the first fight and we’re going to correct any errors we made.

“I’m always going to fight whoever the fans want me to face. Give me the name, and I’m ready to go. I want to fight the best. Elite opponents are what motivate me.

“Our press conference was intense and our exchanges definitely motivated me a lot. He saw a different fight than I did, if he saw himself winning eight rounds. I don’t know what he saw, because I felt like I won by two points.”

CARLOS CASTAÑO, Castaño’s Father and Trainer

“This rematch is going to be a hard fight. It is going to be an even closer fight than the first one. We have to be prepared for everything entering the ring.

“We are ready to fight all 12 rounds. It is going to be 12-rounds full of action. We know Charlo’s potential, and that he’s got great power. If it were up to me, I would prefer to get the knockout, but I also know we have a tough opponent.

“I look at Brian first and foremost as a boxer. When he is training, inside the ring, during the fight – I am his trainer. Outside of the boxing gym, I am then his father and he is my son.”

#

ABOUT CHARLO VS. CASTAÑO II
Charlo vs. Castaño II will see unified WBC, WBA and IBF World Champion Jermell Charlo and WBO World Champion Brian Castaño in a rematch of one of 2021’s most significant fights as they again seek to become the first ever undisputed 154-pound champion in the four-belt era on Saturday, May 14 live on SHOWTIME from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature rising welterweight star and pound-for-pound talent Jaron “Boots” Ennis dueling unbeaten Canadian Olympian Custio Clayton in an IBF Welterweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event. Kicking off the telecast, Mexican contender Kevin González puts his unbeaten record on the line against Puerto Rico’s Emanuel Rivera in a 10-round super bantamweight attraction.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CharloCastano2, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

 Miami, Florida – Eric Tudor (3-0 3 KOs) looks to keep his perfect record intact when he takes on Donte Stubbs (6-4) in his first bout scheduled for six rounds. 

The fight takes place on the Angel “Tito” Acosta-Janel Rivera undercard in Indio, Calif. The card is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and will be streamed by DAZN. 

The 2020 Romanian Olympian made his pro debut in February, when he stopped Dalton Duncan in the one round. He has followed that victory up with two more knockout wins. 

Stubbs is expected to be his toughest opponent at this point in his young career and Tudor hopes to show more of his skills for the Southern California fight fans that will be in attendance. 

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring. My manager has kept me busy this year and this is a big opportunity for me to be on the undercard of a former champion like Tito Acosta,” said Tudor. 

“The plan is to pickup another victory and keep moving forward in my career. The goal is to become a world champion and these are the steps I need to take to accomplish my goal.”

If all goes well, Tudor plans on returning early in the summer. His manager Luis Molina, who also guides the career of former title challenger Sullivan Barrera, would like to see his fighter get in the ring at least four more times this year. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 3, 2022) – Light heavyweight Mexican boxing star Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez (43-0, 29 KOs) of Mazatlán, Mexico, and former WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Champion Dominic Boesel (32-2, 12 KOs) of Freyburg, Germany hosted a media conference call on, today, Tuesday, May 3 to talk about their upcoming clash. Their scheduled 12-round light heavyweight fight will pit the WBA #1 ranked, Boesel against the #2 WBA ranked Ramirez for the WBA Light Heavyweight Final Title Eliminator.

Also on the call, the undefeated William “El Camaron” Zepeda (25-0, 23 KOs), and former world champion Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (32-11, 21 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua discussed their upcoming 10-round co-main fight for the WBA Continental Americas Lightweight Title. The event will take place on Saturday, May 14 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA, and will stream live exclusively on DAZN.

Below are what the fighters had to say on the call, please note, quotes have been edited for clarity and context.

GILBERTO “ZURDO” RAMIREZ, UNDEFEATED FORMER WORLD CHAMPION AND LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER:

“It’s a pleasure to work with Golden Boy. I found a family with them. I am very excited to be busy this year and to be able to keep working. As Eric said, I am knocking on the door of a title fight, and staying busy is best. I also want to stay busy to break Mayweather’s record (50-0) record. Eventually, the big fights will happen; it’s just taking time.”

“I am looking for an early knockout. I have been putting in a lot of work in this training camp, more than in any other camp. I have put everything I can into my hands, and I can’t wait for everyone to see us in action on May 14.”

“I have to knock out other fighters and put on a good show to get the big fights and get a chance at the champions. I have to knock out all these guys to show that I am ready for big challenges and big opportunities.”

“Boesel is a complicated fighter, he likes to come forward all the time, and I know he will be a challenge for me because he is the #1 light heavyweight fighter for the WBA. So I don’t take him lightly. But I know I have better boxing quality and abilities, and I have more intelligence in the ring. I know I will knock him out.”

“We are looking for the big fights. I have to go through some fighters first. I know the fights are going to happen. Everyone is busy with other fights, but I know these fights will happen this year.”

DOMINIC BOESEL, FORMER WBA INTERIM LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION:

“I am always training. I am always in shape. I have always told my team that I would be available if there is a big fight in the states, so I feel very prepared.”

“I am familiar with Zurdo because of his fight against Abraham. I know he is an undefeated fighter with a high amount of knockouts. I feel good because I don’t feel under pressure at this moment. Before, I felt pressure because I was the guy with the belt. Now I understand that I am the underdog and feel comfortable with that role, and we will look to surprise everyone on May 14.”

“I am tall. I have distance, and I am able to read my opponent. I can change my style when needed, and I feel that with my boxing skills, I can defeat Ramirez.”

“First of all, I am ranked #1 by the WBA in the light heavyweight division, and Ramirez is ranked #2. I know that there will be a lot of Mexican fans at the venue, and there will be some big hype around Ramirez. Mostly, I feel that considering the experience in the last few fights of Ramirez’s career, this fight will push him. I am not afraid if the audience is against me.”

WILLIAM “CAMARON” ZEPEDA, WBA CONTINENTAL AMERICAS LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION:

“I am very thankful for the opportunity. I know Rene is a strong, experienced fighter, and I feel very prepared for this fight.”

“In my last fight, I was originally scheduled for another fighter, but the fighter dropped a week before the event. Typically, I don’t like to take fights on short notice, but I had committed to the event and wanted to see it through. The fighter came out of nowhere. He was sloppy. He came forward with his head, and my main concern was not getting cut or injured during that fight. Yes, I was frustrated about the whole thing, but you learn from these experiences.”

“We are looking for big fights and world championship events. This fight is a big opportunity for me. Rene is a former world champion, he has the experience, and both our styles will make for a great event. The pandemic held us back for a bit, but fortunately, we have stayed busy and ready for whatever comes after this fight. The first thing is we hope that god willing, things come out in our favor on May 14.”

“I want to give the fans a show, make it worth their ticket purchase. I also always want to show the fans what I am made of. This is the biggest fight of my career. Rene is a strong, hungry fighter, and I know that fans will enjoy our fan-friendly style on fight night.”

RENE “GEMELO” ALVARADO, FORMER WORLD CHAMPION AND LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER:

“First of all, I am grateful to god for my good health and this new opportunity. This is a very important fight for me after losing three straight fights. I know that Zepeda is a high-caliber fighter, and defeating him would be a big boost to my career.”

“You can’t compare two fights; they will never look the same. Gutierrez is more of a boxer, whereas Zepeda is a more come-forward type of fighter. I know both our styles will meet for a fan-friendly event. I know we will both go into the ring ready to come forward and give it our all. We are just hoping that we will positively result on fight night.”

“The love for the sport keeps me motivated. It gives me the will to continue even after my losses. This is one of the biggest opportunities of my career. If I can defeat Zepeda, it will invigorate my career.”

Credential applications for Zurdo vs. Boesel are now open. The application can be accessed by going on to: https://www.emcevents.com/zurdoboesel.html. Approvals will begin on Wednesday, May 4 and APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, MAY 6th!!

Tickets for Zurdo vs Boesel are on sale now and are priced at $150, $75, $50 and $25 not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboypromotions.com or the Toyota Arena box office Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Zurdo vs. Boesel is a 12-round light heavyweight fight presented by Golden Boy in association with Zurdo Promotions and SES Boxing. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Saturday, May 14, at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN worldwide.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #ZurdoBoesel

TOYOTA ARENA
Toyota Arena, located in Southern California, built and owned by the City of Ontario, managed by SMG Worldwide, continues to win awards for the best entertainment venue in the region. The 225,000 square foot venue can accommodate capacities up to 11,000 for concerts, family shows, and sporting competitions. The arena features 36 luxury suites located on two levels and a continuous concourse hosting a variety of refreshment stands, merchandise kiosks, a VIP club and other fan amenities. Toyota Arena is proud to be recognized for cleaning and disinfecting to a higher standard to keep our space clean and safe for occupancy with a GBAC Star Accreditation. Toyota Arena hosts a variety of sporting competitions, concerts, family shows, special events, graduation ceremonies and community activities as well as private events. The Arena is home to Ontario Reign, an AHL Hockey Team, and Ontario Fury, a MASL Soccer Team and the Aqua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, a G league basketball team. Toyota Arena is the biggest and most modern arena within the region, an area with over 4.7 million people. It is located in the City of Ontario, California, on a 37-acre parcel located between Haven Avenue and Milliken Avenue, Fourth Street and the I-10 Freeway. For more information visit Toyota-Arena.com

Los Angeles, May 3, 2022 — Evan Holyfield (9-0, 6 KOs) from Atlanta GA and son of Five Time World Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield, is preparing for his May 14 fight at The Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA. TRILLERVERZ 5 will be streamed live on Triller and Fite.tv.

Tickets, starting at $37.00, are on sale and may be purchased through TrillerFightClub.com, TheLAForum.com, and Ticketmaster.com at http://www.ticketmaster.com/trillerverz5

Evan is training in Colorado Springs. It’s the first time in his career doing high altitude training and has been there for over a month.

“It’s my first time training in Colorado Springs,” said Holyfield. “It’s fun being around the people that I am around – my trainers Mike Stafford and Bert Wells and fighters Adrian Broner and Rau’shee Warren.

“You’d think Broner would be a loud-mouth, but he’s kind of funny and a real hard worker.”

Bert Wells have been with Evan since his amateur days and Stafford has been training Evan for four fights.

“The biggest challenge at training camp has been the thin air. I could run and everything else fine, but I was having trouble with the boxing workouts, particularly sparring. I was having trouble catching my breath. I talked to my dad after the first week about the challenges. He said the same thing happened to him the first time he trained in high altitude, and I’ll get acclimated after a week or two and he was 100% right. After a week I felt better and had all of my energy.”

Evan trains six days and week, off on Sundays. Daily workout sessions are at 8 am and 5 pm. Each morning and evening workouts alternate between the boxing gym and conditioning. When conditioning is in the morning, they do a run or play basketball. When strength and conditioning is in the evening it’s at the fitness center with fitness trainer Rob Schwartz.

On Sunday “We may get some basketball in. It’s not as much fun here though, it’s a little harder because of the elevation.”

“I’ve run into Keyshawn Davis a few times at the fitness center and also Terence Crawford and Bomac (Crawford’s trainer Brian McIntyre) while running around the lake.”

With Stafford Evan’s been “working on using my distance and using my jab and the rest you’ll just have to see when it comes down to the fight. been doing the right thing and I’m excited to see what happens.” He has not been working on anything special for this fight since “This is my first time up here so I feel like that is special enough. We haven’t worked on anything specific for this fight, other than working on going to the body. After all, training at this high altitude should be special enough.”

Currently, Evan weighs 155/156 and “weight is never a problem. I weighed about 159/160 when I came into camp. The contract weight is 152 and I may even hit 147 to be honest.”

At the Forum on May 14 will be “Mom for sure, dad maybe, Elijah wants to come but he may be in (Cincinnati) Bengals camp.” Elijah was recently promoted from the practice squad to ‘The 53’ man roster.

BOSTON (May 3, 2022) – Promising prospects Michael Fontanez and Anthony Cefalo will be making their professional debuts May 14th on the “Mayhem at Mosley’s” card, presented by Vertex Promotions, Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham.

Fontanez has fought at the national level as an amateur, while Cefalo experienced a more modest amateur career.

The 26-year-old Fontanez, fighting out of Nashua, NH, is a 2-time New England Golden Gloves Champion who has been nationally ranked in the top 10 for several years.

“My pro debut has been a long time coming,” Fontanez said. “This is the perfect time for me. I’ve been ready for two years, but I needed more experience and was chasing a national title before I was going pro. I was supposed to fight in last December’s USA Boxing National Championships, but I got COVID, and I took that as a sigh from God to go pro. Everything is good. No more waiting.”

Fontanez drives 45-minutes to an hour to training with Alex Rivera in Somerville (MA). The travel is simply part of the process for Fontanez.

“I need to train with the best to be the best, and that’s with Alex. I was at a training camp sparring with Rashidi Ellis (23-0 world rated welterweight) and training with Alex was my next step. I bonded with Alex. I know where I’m at and I’m getting great work. He’s a coach who works with us and drinks purple juice.

“I know I need to stay calm in my pro debut fighting in front of fans, friends, and family. My national experiences will help me to focus. It’s like glorified sparring but precious and that’s what diamonds are made from. There will be minimal pressure, but the pressure on myself to win. I’ve trained for this, and I’m being moved right.”

Fontanez will face and middleweight to be determined in a 4-round bout.

On the other hand, unlike decorated amateur Fontanez, Cefalo doesn’t have elite amateur experience and accomplishments. He was, however, the New England Golden Gloves Champion as a novice in 2019, fighting out of South Boston.

“I’ve been at this a long time, working hard in the gym and giving good sparring,” the 26-year-old Cefalo commented. “I did take a hiatus from boxing during COVID. I’ll keep my head in this pro debut. I’ll be fueled by the crowd. My coach will be there keeping me together.

“I’ll be excited and a little nervous. I just need to do what we’ve been working on in the gym. The anticipation of my pro debut is going the way as planned.”

Cefalo is matched against super lightweight Brandon Grimmett (0-7), of North Carolina.

The headliner is undefeated James “The Slim Reaper” Perella (10-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Mansfield, Massachusetts, against Argentinian challenger Rogue Augustine Junco (`10-10-1, 6 KOs) in the 8-round main event. A decorated amateur boxer, Perella was a 4-time USA New England Championships and 4-time New England Golden Gloves Champion.

Boston’s enthusiastic Irish boxing fans will once again be supporting Galway light heavyweight Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole” (3-0, 2 KOs) in the 6-round co-featured event vs. Mexican Joshue Obando (20-33-2, 15 KOs). O’Toole was a 2019 Irish Elite Championship gold medalist.

The grandson of Marvelous Marvin Hagler, James Hagler, Jr. (2-1, 1 KO), will make his Massachusetts debut in a 4-round super middleweight bout against Brazilian Heitor Mangaravitte Senra in his pro debut.

Also fighting on the undercard in 6-round bouts is Dorchester (MA) featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (4-0, 2 KOs), a 2016 Rocky Marciano Tournament champion, vs. Michael Gaxiola (4-33), Southbridge (MA) super featherweight Alex Rivera (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. William Parra Smith (3-10-1, 3 KOs), and South Boston welterweight Joe Farina (7-1, 4 KOs) vs. Rakim Johnson (6-16-1, 5 KOs).

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale for $140.00 (row 2 ringside), $75.00 (general admission) and $50.00 (standing room), available for purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mayhem-at-moseleys-51422-tickets-318776066797?aff=ebdssbdestsearch, or by contacting any of the competing fighters to purchase tickets.

Doors will open at 6:30 pm. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Austin, Texas for the first time since 2018 to hold its first event in the brand-new Moody Center. Headlining the event will be a featherweight matchup sure to deliver fireworks as No. 4 ranked contender Calvin Kattar takes on No.7 ranked Josh Emmett. Also on the card, respected veteran Tim Means battles fan favoriteKevin Holland. 

UFC^® FIGHT NIGHT: KATTAR vs EMMETT will take place Saturday, June 18 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The prelims will start at 4 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. PT on ESPN2 and ESPN+, followed by the main card at 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT on ESPN and ESPN+.

UFC^® FIGHT NIGHT: KATTAR vs EMMETT tickets will go on sale Friday, May 6 at 10 a.m. CT and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, May 4 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday May 5 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Kattar (23-5, fighting out of Boston, Mass.) aims to continue his resurgence up the featherweight ranks by taking out another formidable test. A tough striker with the majority of his UFC wins coming via KO, Kattar proved himself among the elite in the division with notable victories over Jeremy Stephens, Ricardo Lamas and Shane Burgos. He now has his sights set on delivering another statement performance in his fourth consecutive UFC main event.

Knockout artist Emmett (17-2, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) looks to notch the biggest victory of his UFC career and break into the Top 5 for the first time. Currently on the longest win streak of his UFC tenure, Emmett has delighted fans with incredible finishes over Mirsad Bektic, Michael Johnson and Ricardo Lamas. He now seeks to become the first person to knock out Kattar and insert himself into the title conversation.

Highly regarded veteran Means (32-12-1, 1 NC, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) has been exciting UFC fans since his debut in 2012. A well-rounded athlete who is dangerous wherever the fight goes, Means is riding the second-longest win streak of his UFC career, which includes victories over Laureano Staropoli, Mike Perry and Nicolas Dalby. He now intends to steal the show by stopping Holland in the Lone Star State.

Texas’ own Holland (22-7, 1 NC, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas) has cemented himself as one of the most entertaining athletes on the roster, both for his fighting style and his captivating personality. A veteran of Dana White’s Contender Series, Holland has competed at both middleweight and welterweight, securing notable wins over “Jacare” Souza, Joaquin Buckley and Alex Oliveira. He now plans to put on a show for his fans in his first UFC fight in his home state.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Welterweight action sees veteran Court McGee (22-10, fighting out of Orem, Utah) face off with Jeremiah Wells (10-2, 1 NC, fighting out of Philadelphia, Pa.)
• KO artist Joaquin Buckley (14-4, fighting out of St. Louis, Mo.) returns to action against Albert Duraev (15-3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Grozny, Russia) at middleweight
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Jasmine Jasudavicious (7-1, fighting out of Ontario, Canada) goes for her second UFC win when she takes on the debuting Natalia Silva (12-5-1, fighting out of Novo Eldorado, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
• Damir Ismagulov (23-1, fighting out of Orenurgskaia, Russia) meets Guram Kutateladze (12-2, fighting out of Stockholm, Sweden by way of Tbilisi, Georgia) in a lightweight bout
• Maria Oliveira (12-5, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) aims to secure her first UFC victory when she battles Gloria de Paula (6-4, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• Bantamweight veteran Eddie Wineland (24-15-1, fighting out of Chesterton, Ind.) aims to make a statement against Cody Stamann (19-5-1, fighting out of Sparta, Mich.)
• An exciting middleweight bout sees Roman Dolidze (9-1, fighting out of Batumi, Georgia) lock horns with Kyle Daukaus (11-2, 1 NC, fighting out of Philadelphia, Pa.)
• Phil Hawes (11-3, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) plans to return to his winning ways against Deron Winn (7-2, fighting out of Gilroy, Calif.)
• Fan favorite Julian Marquez (9-2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) seeks to earn another notable win when he meets Gregory Rodrigues (11-4, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

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

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 688 million fans and 198 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About Moody Center

Moody Center will provide the nation’s 11th largest city with a premier venue to host the biggest artists and acts on the planet. Designed specifically for concerts, the new arena replaces the 45-year-old Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center at The University of Texas and is home to The University of Texas Women’s and Men’s basketball games, family shows, and other sporting and community events. Moody Center is the first of its kind in the industry with an unrivaled partnership between Oak View Group, Live Nation/C3 Presents, The University of Texas at Austin and Minister of Culture, Matthew McConaughey.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 21.3 million subscribers.

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Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

Joe Cordina will challenge Kenichi Ogawa for the IBF Super-Featherweight World Title at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on Saturday June 4, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand).

Welshman Cordina (14-0, 8 KOs), a former British and Commonwealth Champion at Lightweight, dropped down in weight to Super-Featherweight after handing his compatriot Gavin Gwynne a first loss at The O2 in London in August 2019. 

‘The Welsh Wizard’ captured the WBA Continental 130lbs Title against Mexico’s Mario Enrique Tinoco at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in November 2019 before suffering a hand injury that kept him out of the ring throughout 2020.

Determined to make up for lost time, the now 30-year-old stacked up three wins in an active 2021 – including a stunning first round knockout victory over Chicago’s Joshua Hernandez at Matchroom Fight Camp in the summer – and now sits at No.3 at Super-Featherweight with the IBF. 

Japan’s Ogawa (26-1-1, 18 KOs) claimed the vacant red and gold 130lbs World Title by overpowering the dangerous Azinga Fuzile in a wide points decision at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden, New York, last November, dropping the South African in rounds five and twelve.  

The 34-year-old from Tokyo is on the hunt for unification fights and represents a sizable step up in class for Rio 2016 Olympian Cordina, having only tasted defeat once in 29 professional bouts – a stoppage loss at the hands of Yuki Miyoshia at Korakuen Hall back in August 2012.

On the undercard, Manchester’s Zelfa Barrett (27-1, 16 KOs), who is ranked at No.2 with the IBF, looks to build on his impressive win over Australia’s Bruno Tarimo on the Parker vs. Chisora 2 undercard when he challenges European Super-Featherweight Champion Faroukh Kourbanov (19-3, 3 KOs) – a former opponent of Cordina. 

“I’ve dedicated my entire life to boxing and to putting myself in this position,” said Cordina. “Now it all comes down to this opportunity, my World Title shot.

“It’s a lifelong dream of mine to become a World Champion and a stepping stone to securing my family’s future and making all of the times missed with them worth it.

“I’ll be taking this opportunity with both hands; I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to win and be crowned the new IBF World Super-Featherweight Champion. Be ready to see the best Joe Cordina come fight night as I put my name at the top of the division.”

“First of all, I want to thank Mr. Eddie Hearn for this opportunity,” said Ogawa. “Hello to Team Cordina. I am disappointed that I could not attend the launch press conference but I’m looking forward to fighting in Cardiff. Let’s be in our best shape for this fight. But I will be the one to win this fight. See you in a month.”

“This is it for Joe Cordina – the opportunity of a lifetime and his moment of truth,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Joe has an opportunity to become World Champion in his home city and put himself up there with the greats. Ogawa is huge step up, big, strong and proven as an elite fighter. Victory for both men sets up huge unification opportunities – we expect an incredible atmosphere in Cardiff and a great show on June 4.”

“What a brilliant fight this will be,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “Joe Cordina has been rightly tipped by many as a future World Champion and this will be his time to prove it against a very game opponent in Kenichi Ogawa. We are set for a classic in front of a raucous crowd, and you can see it live and worldwide on DAZN on June 4.”

Tickets for Ogawa vs. Cordina are priced £40, £60, £120 and £250 (VIP).

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from midday on Thursday May 5. Priority ticket info has been emailed directly to eligible members.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) and via the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff (www.ticketmaster.co.uk) from midday on Friday May 6.

NEW YORK – May 3, 2022 – For the first time in its storied 21-year history, a heavyweight Olympic Gold Medalist will step into the ring and headline SHOBOX: The New Generation as the prospect series features up-and-coming heavyweights in its return to Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y., on Friday, June 10. The action begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT live on SHOWTIME and helps kick off the International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in nearby Canastota, N.Y., where another Olympic Gold Medalist and SHOBOX alum, Andre Ward, will be inducted during the three-year, three-class ceremony.

The main event will see two-time Olympian and 2020 Gold Medalist from Uzbekistan, Bakhodir “Big Uzbek” Jalolov (10-0, 10 KOs), face rising prospect “Big” Jack Mulowayi (11-2-1, 7 KOs) from Belgium in an eight-round heavyweight bout, marking the first time an Olympic heavyweight Gold Medalist has appeared on SHOBOX. Andre Ward, a former U.S. Olympic light heavyweight Gold Medalist who went 5-0 on SHOBOX, is one of the inductees of the 2021 Hall of Fame class.

The co-feature matches former four-time Oregon Golden Gloves champion and Joel Diaz-trained Elvis Garcia (12-0, 9 KOs) against fellow undefeated and four-time Cleveland Golden Gloves champion Alante “Bam Bam” Green (10-0-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight fight while former Ukrainan national champion Iegor Plevako (7-0, 4 KOs) takes on SugarHill Steward-trained Kolbeinn Kristinsson (12-0, 6 KOs), also an eight-round heavyweight matchup. Kristinsson is one of the few pro fighters from Iceland, where pro boxing is banned. Steward also trains WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury.

In the telecast opener, six-time Tennessee Golden Gloves champion Tyler “Short Fuse” Tomlin (13-0, 9 KOs) squares off against Chann Thonson (10-0, 7 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout. The telecast is brimming with international flavor, as seven countries are represented among the eight fighters in action. The four-fight telecast is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, whose owner, Lou DiBella, is a 2020 Hall of Fame inductee and being formally inducted along with the classes of 2021 and 2022.

The night of fights marks the seventh time SHOBOX will take place at Turning Stone and the third time the series will be a part of the International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend in Canastota, N.Y. SHOBOX bouts also took place during Hall of Fame festivities in June of 2013, the year SHOWTIME Ring Announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr., was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and in 2017, the same year longtime SHOBOX analyst and boxing historian Steve Farhood and SHOBOX play-by-play announcer and renowned sportscaster Barry Tompkins were inducted.

The SHOBOX alum Ward captured Olympic gold in 2004 as a light heavyweight and went on to collect two super middleweight titles during his triumphant run through the SHOWTIME Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament before moving to light heavyweight and winning three more world titles.

The late SHOWTIME executive Jay Larkin, who helped launch SHOWTIME boxing in 1986 and televised fights involving Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Julio Cesar Chavez during his 22-year tenure with the network, was voted in as part of the Class of 2021.

“It’s always an honor to bring a SHOWTIME event to Turning Stone during Hall of Fame Weekend. This is the third time in the past 10 years that we’ve had the privilege to do a SHOBOX on this weekend,” said Gordon Hall, executive producer for SHOBOX: The New Generation. “Every fighter on this SHOBOX card aspires to be a contender, a world champion, and yes, even to someday be in the Hall of Fame. We have eight fighters, seven undefeated, who on June 10 look to take that next step to accomplishing those goals. Congratulations to all the inductees! We have so many fighters who fought on SHOWTIME being inducted and so many friends, most importantly Jay Larkin, who oversaw the launch of SHOWTIME boxing and the SHOBOX series.”

Here is a closer look at the matchups:

Jalolov vs. Mulowayi – 8-Round Heavyweight Main-Event Bout

The 6-foot-7 southpaw Jalolov has knocked out all 10 of the fighters he’s faced as a professional, employing smooth footwork and a jackhammer left hand. A highly decorated amateur, he beat Richard Torrez, Jr., of the U.S. in the gold medal match of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. At the Summer Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, where he was his country’s flagbearer at the opening ceremonies, Jalolov lost to Joe Joyce, who went on to win the silver medal and is currently undefeated and a top contender at heavyweight. Jalolov also claimed gold at the 2019 AIBA World Championships and at the 2018 and 2021 Governor’s Cup and is a four-time national champion as part of his 247-17 amateur record. Among his other achievements, he has 1.2 million Instagram followers and a master’s degree in Sports Science.

“I have been very anxious to return to the USA and fight there as a professional,” Jalolov said. “This is a great opportunity for me to perform at my best and show everybody what’s coming in the future of the heavyweight division.”

Born in Kinshasa, Congo, where Muhammad Ali beat George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle,” the 6-foot-5 Mulowayi is a stablemate of WBC World Cruiserweight Champion Ilunga Makabu. Mulowayi went the distance with unbeaten 20-0 SHOBOX alum and highly regarded heavyweight prospect Frank Sanchez. He has come back from that unanimous decision loss to win four consecutive fights, including the biggest win of his young career by registering a TKO stoppage over-then 20-0-1 Apti Davtaev in Russia last April.

“I am very happy and appreciative to have another chance to come back to America,” said Mulowayi. “This is a bout of vindication for me and my career. When I boxed Frank Sanchez in 2019, I froze and was not mentally or emotionally ready to fight in the U.S. Now I am, and I’ve won four straight bouts since my last defeat. I am not intimidated by the reputation of my opponent. My style, now, is to go for the knockout no matter who I fight, and my defense is my offense. I plan to give an explosive performance and prove that I am a world championship level contender.”

Garcia vs. Green – Eight-Round Heavyweight Bout

Garcia was born in Mexico and moved to Umatilla, Ore., when he was four. A four-time Oregon Golden Gloves champion, he was also a star Greco-Roman wrestler in high school and has dabbled in mixed martial arts, winning three MMA bouts by submission. He brought that multifaceted background with him to training camp and sparring sessions with former two-time unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua before he beat Andy Ruiz in their rematch in December 2019.Garcia’s commitment to boxing was evident at an early age when he endured eight-hour roundtrips five days a week to the closest boxing gym 260 miles away in Tacoma, Wash. He later competed in Mexico, winning national and Golden Gloves titles. During that time, he lived out of his car, sending earnings he made from doing odd jobs back home to support his family. His hard work and sacrifice resulted in an 85-10 amateur record with 42 knockouts and a No. 3 ranking at super heavyweight with USA Boxing. He now works with renowned trainer Joel Diaz in Indio, Calif.

“After my last fight, I took some time off to be with my wife as we welcomed our first child, Elena,” Garcia said. “But now I am back and more focused than ever on my boxing career. My training camp in Indio, California, has been going according to plan. My coach, Joel Diaz, and I both know we have a tough fight against Green and we will be ready. I would like to thank Lou DiBella for the opportunity to be part of the Hall of Fame weekend festivities. I also want to thank my wife and daughter, who are my motivation to get up every day and work so hard.”

A pro since 2016, Cleveland’s Green is also undefeated and is coming off a sixth-round stoppage win over Samuel Clarkson in March in Columbus, Ohio. Green was a two-sport athlete in high school before he discovered boxing. Green boasted a 54-9 amateur record and placed third in an Olympic trial qualifier in Spokane, Wash., in 2015. He has campaigned as a cruiserweight at times in his career, most recently knocking out previously undefeated Taylor Duerr in two rounds in November 2021

“I would like to thank my team, promoter, manager and DiBella Entertainment for this great opportunity,” Green said. “I plan on introducing myself to the boxing world on June 10 and seeing to it that Elvis Garcia leaves the ring with his first loss.”

Plevako vs. Kristinsson – Eight-Round Welterweight Bout

A native of Kharkiv, Ukraine, Plevako is a former Ukrainian national champion and member of the famed Ukrainian National Boxing Team who captured the New York Golden Gloves twice after moving to Brooklyn. He is managed by David McWater of Split-T Management and trained by Bashir Abdullah.

“I am very excited to be fighting on SHOWTIME because this is a big step for my career,” Plevako said. “You will see Iegor Plevako at his best.”

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Kristinsson is a former Iceland national champion who has trained with Steward at Detroit’s famed Kronk Gym since 2017. Kristinsson cut his teeth sparring with highly ranked Robert Helenius, as well as with undefeated contenders Filip Hrgovic and Jared Anderson, and title challenger Kubrat Pulev.

“As the only heavyweight pro boxer in Iceland, I’ve been training for two years during Covid travel restrictions awaiting my opportunity,” Kristinsson said. “I can’t wait to unleash my power and give the fans a thrill June 10th on SHOWTIME. Iegor Plevako is a decent fighter, but he won’t survive more than two rounds with me.”

Tomlin vs. Thonson – Eight-Round Lightweight Bout

Just 22 years old, Tomlin is from the same hometown as former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant and has cultivated a passionate fanbase in Ashland City, Tenn. Tomlin started boxing at age nine and was a highly decorated amateur, finishing 65-15 and winning bronze at the 2015 Junior Olympics before turning pro. He is trained by his father, Darryl Tomlin, at the Team Tomlin Gym, which was built five years ago on the family’s home estate. Tomlin fought four times in 2021 and five times in 2020, including a super lightweight bout against Jose Zaragoza on the undercard of the Plant vs. Vincent Feigenbutz card at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville where he won a unanimous decision.

“This is my biggest fight to date, and I thrive in situations like this,” Tomlin said. “When the lights are brightest, I am at my best. I intend to put on a dominant performance and introduce the world to ‘Short Fuse’ in a big way.”

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to immigrant parents from Jamaica, Thonson is the No. 3-ranked lightweight from Canada. He has a twin brother, Trevor, who is older than him by seven minutes and is also a prizefighter. The two shared the same card in January 2022 when they both recorded second-round stoppages. They are both trained by Chris Johnson, who won Olympic bronze for Canada in 1992 at middleweight and finished 26-3-1 as a pro, losing his final fight to Antonio Tarver in 2001.

“I’m anxiously awaiting my bout against Tyler Tomlin,” said Thonson. “I know that he is a formidable opponent, but I am coming to win. This is a major opportunity and I appreciate DiBella Entertainment and SHOWTIME providing the platform. I’m very confident and am training hard.”

Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins calls the action from ringside with former world champion Raul Marquez and veteran combat sports reporter Brian Campbell and serving as expert analysts, and Hall of Famer Steve Farhood remotely performing unofficial scoring duties.

The executive producer of SHOBOX: The New Generation is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

Tickets for the June 10 heavyweight fight at Turning Stone are on sale now starting at $39. To request media credentials for the June 10th fight at Turning Stone, email Kelly Abdo, Director of Public Relations for Turning Stone at kelly.abdo@turningstone.com.

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

About SHOBOX: The New Generation
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, Tyson Fury, 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, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

A 10-round heavyweight main event has been added to Salita Promotions’ special Memorial Day weekend-kickoff Detroit Brawl event, as WBC #11-rated heavyweight Otto Wallin (23-1, 14 KOs) of Sweden will face Detroit’s own Rydell Booker (26-5-1, 13 KOs) on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $40 and can be purchased by clicking HERE. PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be placed in will call at the box office for pick-up. A limited quantity of VIP tickets is also available by calling 313.529.7604.

An athletic southpaw heavyweight who does everything well, Wallin hails from Sundsvall, Sweden. The 31-year-old Wallin made the world stage and captured headlines in 2019 when he waged a thrilling war with linear world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and came extremely close to scoring a monumental stoppage upset. Then unknown and a 10-1 underdog, Wallin took the fight to Fury early and cut the superstar Englishman for 47 stitches with a surprise left in the third round. What followed was a nail-biting back-and-forth war of attrition that Fury eventually pulled out via close, controversial unanimous decision.

Wallin now lives and trains in New York under the tutelage of popular former two-division champion Joey Gamache at Mendez Boxing in Manhattan. He captured the EBU European Union Heavyweight Title with a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Adrian Granat in April 2018, and has also held the WBA Continental Heavyweight Championship. Wallin was last seen in February of this year, scoring a unanimous decision over Polish veteran Kamil Sokolowski

“Training is going really well,” said Wallin during a break in preparations. “I’ve been getting a lot of work in over the last few months. I saw Booker when he fought Franklin and I know that he’s an experienced and skilled boxer. He’s not someone I will underestimate, but this is a fight I need to win. I appreciate my promoter, Salita Promotions, keeping me active. This is the first time I fight twice in a year since 2019. I’m looking to put on a good performance.”

Inactive for over a decade, in 2018, Rydell Booker won three comeback bouts before losing a televised close 10-round decision to undefeated heavyweight Jermaine Franklin. As an amateur, Booker was the former number one ranked heavyweight in the United States and won the Michigan State and Regional championships every year from 1992 through 2000 and his first national title in 1999.

A capable boxer with excellent counterpunching skills, Booker fought all-time-great James Toney for the IBA World and WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Championships and lost a 12-round decision in 2004.

All of the Detroit slugger’s losses have come to former champions or undefeated top contenders. An upset victory by the still capable Booker over Wallin would reignite the Detroiter’s once promising career.

“He’s a southpaw that boxes well,” said Booker of Wallin. “Everybody thinks they know how to fight a southpaw, but I fight them totally differently. I’ve been fighting them for years. I’m sparring with lefties every day and training is going well. It would mean a lot to beat Wallin. He’s rated in the world and it would let everybody know Rydell Booker is still here.”

Booker also says his trainer, former female fighter Kara Ro, is making sure he shows up in great shape for the battle. “Kara is getting on my nerves,” he admitted jokingly. “Not in a bad way. She’s a workhorse and it’s good because she’s always pushing.”

“I’m excited to add a heavyweight matchup featuring one of the best heavyweight fighters in the world, Otto Wallin, against battle-tested Detroiter Rydell Booker,” said event promoter Dmitriy Salita. “This fight card is packed with world-class talent and I’m honored for it to take place in Detroit, the city of boxing legends.”

Rising super welterweight powerhouse Marlon Harrington (7-0, 6 KOs) will be appearing in the night’s eight-round co-main event.

Fast-tracking former national amateur champion and undefeated professional middleweight Joseph Hicks Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, will continue his rapid climb up the 160-lb ranks in a six-round bout.

Fighting in supporting bouts will be a trio of undefeated Michigan prospects, including super welterweight Husam Al Mashhadi (3-0, 3 KOs) of Dearborn, as well as super lightweight Ferris Dixon Jr. (2-0, 1 KO) and also undefeated super welterweight Da’Velle Smith (2-0, 2 KOs), both of Detroit.

All opponents will be announced shortly and all bouts are subject to change. The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center is located at 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. On fight night, doors open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 7:00 pm.
ABOUT THE FORD COMMUNITY & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:

The mission of the Dearborn Recreation & Parks Department is to help fulfill the social, educational and recreational needs of children, adults and families by providing quality programs and activities in clean and well-maintained facilities and to achieve this through exemplary customer service. For more information, visit their OFFICIAL SITE.

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

QUINCY, Mass. (May 3, 2022) – Undefeated New Bedford (MA) light heavyweight prospect Edet Mkapanam (6-0, 5 KOs) is battling back from retina and shoulder surgeries that sidelined him 16 months before his successful ring return this past March.

The 27-year-old Mkapanam faces Scott “Bombz” Scott on the May 7th Hometown Royalty” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions in association with Cappiello Boxing Promotions and Shearns Boxing Promotions, at Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts (85 Cottage St.), marking the first professional boxing event ever held in that town.

Raised in Brockton, known as the “City of Champions, Mkapanam had an abbreviated amateur career (8-3), although he was a heavyweight winner in the 2017 Rocky Marciano Tournament, as well as runner-up a year later in the prestigious New England Golden Gloves Championships.

Mkapanam had back-to-back surgeries, starting with a torn ligament in his shoulder, followed by surgery to repair his retina in the right eye.

“I didn’t have much of an amateur career and I’ve been learning on the job (as a pro),” Mkapanam explained. “I learned in the gym sparring with some of the top fighters in New England like Peter Manfredo, Jr. and Mark Deluca. In my mind, I wanted to continue fighting and I kept working hard in the gym while recovering. Some doctors said I shouldn’t fight again, so I upped my intensity in the gym, and when I was examined again the doctors said my eye was a lot better and I was cleared to fight. I had a tough training camp before my last fight, the first after my surgeries, and I wasn’t even thinking about my eye during that fight.”

Mkapanam looked relatively sharp in his March 19th comeback fight, stopping pro debut fighter Igor Pessoa in the third round of their fight in Derry, New Hampshire.

Now, Edet is on a mission to make up for lost time.

“I’ve been working on my jab and some other things,” he said. “My goal is to fight on bigger stages, which is one of the reasons I signed with (Granite Chin promoter) Chris Traietti. I respect Scott Lampert, but I’m on a whole different level in New England boxing, and I’m going to prove it this fight. I know Chris is going to get me opportunities to fight on bigger stages.”

“Edet was somebody I was interested in working with in the past, but then his injuries happened before we could formally get a deal together,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti explained. “Once he reached out and told me he was cleared to fight again, I wasted no time making him an offer to sigh with Granite Chin. Edet is a great guy who works hard and wants to fight. We talked about a gameplan for his career. We are both on the same page and you will be seeing him on a big stage in the very near future.”

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Former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man Ohan, Jr. (14-1, 8 KOs), of Holbrook, MA, headlines “Hometown Royalty” in the 8-round main event against Argentinian opponent Jose “El Chino” Aubel (8-9, 7 KOs).

Quincy (MA) lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczweski (30-6, 11 KOs), a 2008 National Golden Gloves silver medalist and 2-time New England Golden Gloves Champion, faces another Argentinian, Mario Lozano (18-5-1, 9 KOs), in the 8-round co-featured event.

Brockton welterweight prospect David Ribeiro makes his pro debut in a 4-round bout versus Joshua Zimmerman (0-8). Ribeiro was a celebrated amateur having won gold medals at the 2020 New England Golden Gloves, 2019 King of the Ring, and the regional Mike Tyson Tournament.

Fall River (MA) welterweight Damon Towns (4-0, 3 KOs) meets Robert Bricks (0-9) in a 4-round bout.

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale, $60.00 standing room and $40.00 floor seats, and available for purchase at www.TicketRiver.com (Search: Hometown Royalty).

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

London, England – (May 3, 2022) – Full steam ahead for ‘The Midnight Train’ Richard Riakporhe as he returns to action at the OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday, June 11, live and exclusive on Sky Sports, to take on Italy’s Fabio Turchi in an eliminator battle which will see the winner move up the cruiserweight rankings and in prime position to challenge reigning champion Maris Breidis later this year.

With Riakporhe (14-0, 10 KO’s) coming off a stunning knockout victory over Deion Jumah in March and former IBF International Cruiserweight champion Turchi (20-1, 14 KO’s) having a 66% stoppage rate in his victories, this fight matches two proven finishers and promises action from the very start as both men look to score the knockout which will move them on to world championship opportunity.

Bermondsey’s former WBO Global Welterweight Champion Chris Kongo (13-1-0, 7 KO’s) has a route back into world title contention if he defeats the tough German contender Sebastaian Formella (23-2-0, 11 KO’s) in their International showdown.  

Kongo is raring to get back into pole position after winning his comeback fight against Kelvin Dotel in March following his close points loss to Michael McKinson last year. While Formella is looking for his own shot at the World title and his only two losses have been against Former World Champion Shawn Porter and Connor Benn, pushing both big hitters the distance.

Two of the very best young fighters in the UK, English Super-Middleweight Champion Germaine Brown (12-0, 3 KO’s) defends his title against challenger Zak Chelli (11-1-1, 6 KO’s) in an exciting trade fight.

The two Londoners will both be going into this fight totally confident of victory and certain to put on an eye-catching performance in a 50-50 fight which will delight the nation’s boxing fans and looks set to steal the show.

Also on the card, the long-awaited professional debut of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medallist Lauren Price MBE.

One of the most highly-touted amateurs in women’s boxing, Price earned the amateur sport’s supreme honour when she won gold last summer. She was subsequently awarded an MBE in recognition of this stunning success. 

She now looks destined to reach the very highest level of the professional sport in the exciting and fast-moving world of women’s boxing, with the first step towards that greatness coming on June 11.

Cruiserweight star Viddal Riley (5-0-0, 2 KO’s) fights in his home city for the first time in his pro career. The Hackney sensation made his pro-debut in November 2018 with a first round KO of Julio Manuel Gonzalez in Mexico and has since fought in Las Vegas (twice) and Dubai. 

Last time out he was on the huge Amir Khan-Kell Brook undercard in Manchester in February registering a six-round points win over Willbeforce Shihepo via a first round knockdown and aims to showcase his power and skill in front of the London fans.

“I’m ready to continue my assault on the cruiserweight division. The Midnight Train is on an unstoppable roll and Turchi is the next man tied to the tracks in front of me. He’s a good boxer and I’m expecting a tough fight but nothing I can’t handle. I’m coming out of this one with the win and stepping up into world title contention,” said Riakporhe.

“I am very happy to have this opportunity. Since I was a kid I always dreamed of fighting at the international level and in an important venue like this. I’m dedicating my body and soul to get into the best shape and have a great match against Riakporhe who I think is an excellent boxer,” said Turchi.

“Richard Riakporhe has been on an unstoppable rise to world title contention and now he’s potentially within touching distance of getting his shot at gold. Turchi is the former IBF International Champion and brings heavy firepower to the ring. This is Riakporhe’s toughest career challenge to date and a win here will make a strong statement about his potential to be world champion,” said Ben Shalom, BOXXER Founder and CEO.

“The English Super-Middleweight Title showdown between Zak Chelli and Germaine Brown is a fight which every boxing fan in the country will be glued to. It’s impressive that they are willing to fight each other at this stage and lay it all on the line. Don’t be surprised if this is a Fight Of The Year contender.

“Finally, the professional debut of Lauren Price. Olympic gold medalist, MBE – there aren’t many athletes in any sport who have those kind of credentials and we’re proud to be sharing her professional journey and being part of her rise to the top.”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, said, “This is shaping up to be a fantastic card. I’m looking forward to seeing ‘The Midnight Train’ Riakporhe roll back into Wembley after that excellent win over Jumah. Another big test awaits as he faces the tough and classy Turchi. 

“The fight between Chelli and Brown is a really good match. We’ve seen some absolutely cracking fights in the English title matches, those fights just seem to deliver incredible action, and this is a 50-50 pick ’em. 

“I’m also really excited to see Lauren Price begin her professional journey. She was a standout amateur and achieved so much for the sport, everyone at Sky Sports is very proud to have her with us and we can’t wait to see her achieve equally huge things in the pro ranks.”

Tickets are on sale from 12pm midday tomorrow, Wednesday May 4 via BOXXER.com priced at £250, £150, £100, £75, £60 and £40. 

BOXXER proudly presents this event in association with bet365, Everlast, Wow Hydrate and Village Hotels.

Los Angeles, May 2, 2022 — Sergey “The Krusher” Kovalev (34-4, 29 KOs), living in Long Beach, CA, will fight Tervel Pulev in his cruiserweight debut on Saturday, May 14 at The Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA and will be streamed live on Triller and Fite.tv.

Tickets, starting at $37.00, are on sale and may be purchased through TrillerFightClub.com, TheKiaForum.com, and www.Ticketmaster.com/Trillerverz5

Sergey is being trained by Buddy McGirt and his strength and conditioning coach is Teddy Cruz. They are the duo that reinvented Arturo Gatti.

“Buddy was a real smart boxer and a real smart trainer and coach. Sometimes a good boxer can’t be a good coach and sometimes a coach wasn’t a good boxer. But Buddy has it both ways – good boxer and good coach. He does what he needs to do to get me prepared the best for the fight. Buddy gives me tactics and sound techniques and strategy. Together we are working towards getting another world title, this time in the cruiserweight division and become champion for the fourth time.”

For this eight-week training camp Sergey is staying in a hotel in close to the park where he runs and his boxing gym is a twenty minutes away in Van Nuys. “The most difficult part of my career right now is being away from my family,” said Kovalev. “Ten years ago it was just me, now I have a wife and two kids. To be away from them for two months is tough.”

Kovalev hits the boxing gym at 5 pm daily. He spars three days a week and is off on Sunday.

An evening sparring would last about 1.5 hours and go as such: (1) Jump rope 4 rounds (2) Shadow box 4 rounds (3) Spar 7 rounds (4) Neck exercises.

A non-sparring evening workout would be technical training and some game plan.

The Krusher arrives at the fitness gym early morning – every day except for Sunday – with strength and conditioning coach/extraordinaire Teddy Cruz. They will do a workout depending on how much boxing workout he does the evening prior.

The morning after a sparring day would be a low intensity 45-minute session and include: (1) Warm up stretch for 5-10 minutes (2) Squats combined with shoulder presses – 20 reps with 25 lb. dumbbells (3) Step lunges with torso twisting with 10 lbs. medicine ball for 20 reps, (4) Static lunges with curls for 20 reps with 25lbs dumbbells (5) Abs for 600 reps

The morning after light boxing training would be a more intense workout such as: sprints for the legs and punching sprints for the arms, “or he can go run 5 miles.”

This will be Kovalev’s first fight since November 2, 2019. “When you don’t fight for a long time you lose boxing skills. On the other hand the time off has helped me rest and get rid of all of my injuries – it’s like a renewal.

“My first two weeks of sparring I couldn’t touch my opponent (laughing) mostly because I was heavy, about 210 lbs. But then by week three, I had lost some weight and my boxing skills came back. By May 14, I will be at 187 pounds and there will be no rust.

“I don’t really study my opponents. I will watch one or two rounds from his last couple of fights so I can see what style he likes – does he like to fight inside or from a distance then I can prepare. I just can’t wait to get inside the ring and show the world who is the best cruiserweight on the planet.

Kovalev was initially preparing to fight Fanlong Meng but then “Egis (Klimas, manager) called me and said, “you have a new opponent – it is Pulev.” I said “Pulev? He is a heavyweight,” and Egis said “no, he has a brother that is a cruiserweight,” so I said “OK, Let’s go.”

“The only difference in the opponent change to me is we were initially training for a southpaw, now we are training for a rightpaw.”

New York, NY (May 2, 2022)-Featherweight Jeremy Adorno and light heavyweight Khalil Coe remained undefeated with wins in Philadelphia and New York respectively.

Both Adorno and Coe are managed by Split-T Management.

Friday at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Adorno stopped Jason Vera in round three of their six-round featherweight bout.

Adorno dropped Vera twice in round three and the bout was stopped at the 33 second mark.

Adorno of Allentown, PA is now 7-0 with three knockouts. Vera of Miami is 5-9.

Adorno is promoted by GH3 Promotions.

Saturday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Coe remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over William Langston in a light heavyweight bout.

Coe, 174. lbs of Jersey City, NJ won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 3-0-1. Langston, 173 lbs of Kenosha, WI is 6-3.

Coe is promoted by Matchroom Boxing and is co-managed with Keith Connolly.

LAS VEGAS, NV (May 2, 2022) – In a shocking turn of events, super bantamweight prospect, Darren “The Gift” Cunningham (15-2, 8 KOS), lost to Angel Antonio Contreras (12-6-2, 6 KOs) via a majority decision last Friday, April 29, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Celebrity Theater.

“I tried to power through getting sick this week, and was unable to bring my best last Friday,” said Cunningham. “I am not making any excuses, but I got sick last week, and didn’t think it would affect my performance, as I wanted to fight and entertain those who came to see a great night of boxing. In the end, I learned a tough lesson, as I was unable to fight to the best of my abilities.”

“This is not the end by no means,” continued Cunningham. “It isn’t a good feeling, but I know I wasn’t at my best, I still think I did enough to win, but I am going to take out my frustration on my next opponent. I’ll be making an announcement on my next fight soon.”

Tampa, FL (May 2, 2022) – Like most who love the sweet science, undefeated middleweight Connor “The Kid” Coyle was fully engaged in the Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano fight.

Recognized as the biggest in women’s boxing history, Taylor-Serrano took place in front more than 19,000 fans at a sold out Madison Square Garden. It was the first time a female fight headlined at The Mecca of Boxing.

Following four fast-paced and competitive rounds, Serrano rocked Taylor in the fifth with a left hook followed by a left cross. Taylor was in bad shape and nearly tasted the canvas for the first time in her career but managed to finish the round on her feet.

Serrano kept the momentum over the next few rounds as she appeared to be headed towards the biggest win of her great career. Taylor impressively turned the tides in the final three rounds of the contest, finding her second wind and outfighting Serrano en route to a split decision victory.

“What an incredible fight that was – major credit to both women” said Coyle, who trained with Taylor in Dublin when both were amateurs. “Katie really had to overcome a lot of adversity against Serrano especially in the fifth round. Katie showed incredible heart and came through like a champion. She’s a true warrior and great inspiration for me heading into the most important fight of my career.”

Coyle, 15-0 (7 KO’s), meets Antonio Todd in a ten round contest for the NABA middleweight title Saturday, May 21 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL. Coyle-Todd airs live on Bally Sports Network as part of the Entrobox Championship Boxing Series at 9 pm et.

Tickets are on sale at https://www.ticketmaster.com/bally-sportsentrobox-championship-boxing-orlando-florida-05-21-2022/event/22005C889425AF5F.

Coyle is promoted by Fire Fist Boxing Promotions.

PITTSBURGH (May 2, 2022) – Professional boxing returns this Saturday night (May 7) to the Pittsburgh market as Gionta Management presents, “Murrysville Madness II,” at the Murrysville SportZone in Murrysville, Pennsylvania.

Undefeated Pittsburgh super middleweight prospect Eric Lomax (4-0, 3 KOs) is matched in the 4-round main event against unbeaten Joseph Aguilar (1-0-1, 1 KO), of Portland, Oregon.

The 31-year-old Lomax is a throwback fighter who entertains fans and pressures his opponent with power in both hands, while Aguilar represents a step up in terms of a quality opponent for Lomax. Aguilar is coming off a 4-round draw this past February against an undefeated opponent, 5-0 Edel Gomez.

The 6-round co-feature has all the makings of a real barnburner. Danny “Feel Good Hollywood” Rosenberger (8-9, 2 KOs), fighting out of Youngstown, Ohio, will take on Maryland middleweight Jonathan Ryan Burrs (4-4, 1 KO). Both bring the heat and rarely take a step backwards.

Pittsburgh super middleweight Mary Casamassa, the 2018 PA Golden Glove champ, makes her long anticipated pro debut in a 4-round match versus super middleweight Jozette Cotton (0-1-1), of Omaha, Nebraska.

“We’re happy to be returning to Murrysville SportZone for our second show there,” promoter Derek Gionta said. “They are great to work with. Lomax is always in exciting fights and Aguilar will be Eric’s toughest test to date. Burrs vs Rosenberger is going to be a really good fight, too. I’m excited for Mary Casamassa’s pro debut on our show. I’ve known her since her amateur days. I did some matchmaking for her over the years for Golden Glove events and other shows. We recently signed a deal with her and look forward to the future”

Other fights scheduled on the undercard begin with Illinois cruiserweight Anthony Hollaway (4-2-2, 3 KOs) vs. New York’s Eric “Cautious” Abraham (7-13, 3 KOs) in a 6-rounder, and Pittsburgh lightweight “Maverick” Mike Conway (4-2-1, 2 KOs) vs. Brazil’s Marcello Williams (2-12) in a 6-round match.

Card is subject to change.

Available tickets are priced at $50.00 (floor seating), $40.00 (stadium seating), $125 (first row gold ringside), $100.00 (second row silver ringside), $75.00 (third row bronze ringside), plus a table of 8 ($800), are available to purchase by calling 412.759.0407.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET with the first bout starting at 7 p.m. ET.

Tonight, April 29, 2022, unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight Silver Champion
Andrés Sosa of Argentina will defend his title for the first time against also undefeated Panamanian Rafael Pedroza in the 10-round main event of a night of world-class boxing, presented by Sampson Boxing in association with Best Box at the Vasco Núñez de Balboa Convention Center in the Hotel El Panama in Panama City. The event will be televised live on TyC Sports and TyC Sports Play at 10 pm CST.

The WBA #9-ranked Pedroza (12-0, 11 KOs) now living in El Martillo, Panama, will be looking to annex the crown Sosa (13-0, 8 KOs) won with a unanimous decision over his Argentinean countryman Mauro Barrios last February.

Also appearing in televised matchups will be undefeated Panamanian Alexander Durán (20-0, 7 KOs) taking on Ecuadorian Edwin Bennett (15-2, 7 KOs), in a super lightweight eight-rounder; Panamanian local Ronal Batista (13-2, 8 KOs) will face undefeated Ramses Perez
(8-0, 2 KOs) of Mexico City in a super flyweight eight-rounder; Venezuelan super lightweight knockout artist Roiman Villa (22-1, 22 KOs) will face Peruvian veteran Jesús Bravo (19-5-1, 17 KOs) over eight rounds and in the bantamweight division, Panamanian Edgar Valencia (14-5-1, 3 KOs) will clash against Mexico’s Luis Robles Pacheco (14-1, 4 KOs) in the eight-round opening bout of the telecast.

On the untelevised undercard will be a duel of Panamanians in the super lightweight division, Juan Huertas (14-3-1, 10 KOs) will face Fernando De La Rosa (5-2-1, 3 KOs) over six and in a crossroads welterweight battle to open the night, Alcibíades Ballesteros (0-1-1) will take on Ricardo Rodríguez (1-6-1) over four rounds.

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About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.

  •  Oscar Valdez 129.6 vs. Shakur Stevenson 130
(WBO/WBC/Ring Magazine Junior Lightweight Titles — 12 Rounds)

•   Keyshawn Davis 136.2 lbs vs. Esteban Davis 136.6 lbs 
(Lightweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Nico Ali Walsh 159.2 lbs vs. Alejandro Ibarra 160.4 lbs 
(Middleweight— 4 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT)

   •    Raymond Muratalla 134.8 lbs vs. Jeremy Hill 134 lbs
 (Vacant WBC USNBC Silver Lightweight Title— 8 Rounds)

   •    Andres Cortes 131.8 lbs vs. Alexis del Bosque 131.6 lbs
 (Junior Lightweight— 8 Rounds)

   •   Troy Isley 157.4 lbs vs. Anthony Hannah 156.8 lbs
 (Middleweight — 6 Rounds)

   •   Abdullah Mason 136.4 lbs vs. Luciano Ramos 137.8 lbs
 (Lightweight— 4 Rounds)

   •   Antoine Cobb 143.6 lbs vs. Jaylan Phillips 142.4 lbs
 (Welterweight — 4 Rounds)

New York, NY (April 29, 2022)-Two young talents under the Split-T Management banner will be in action this weekend.

On Friday night, junior lightweight Jeremy Adorno will take on Jason Vera in a six-round bout at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Adorno of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is 6-0 with two knockouts, and is coming off his most impressive outing of his three-year career when he stopped Trayvion Butts in the opening round of their bout on February 18th in Orlando, Florida. Adorno also has a win over previously undefeated Ramiro Martinez.

Vera of Miami is 5-8 with three knockouts. Adorno will be Vera’s sixth undefeated opponent

At Thursday’s weigh-in, Adorno weighed 128.5 lbs. Vera was 130.8 lbs.

Adorno is promoted by GH3 Promotions.

Saturday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden, undefeated light heavyweight Khalil Coe takes on William Langston in a bout scheduled for six-rounds.

Coe from nearby Flemington, New Jersey is 2-0-1 with two knockouts. The 26 year-old Coe has been a professional for just under a year, and will be making his fourth outing, and is coming off a first-round stoppage over undefeated Dylan O’Sullivan on February 5th in Phoenix, Arizona.

Despite just 34 amateur fights, Coe made the most of his opportunities as he was a member of the distinguished United States elite team. Coe gained his most prominence when he knocked out Olympic Gold Medal Winner and four-time world amateur champion Julio Cesar La Cruz.

Langston of Kenosha, Wisconsin is 6-2 with four knockouts. The 28 year-old Langston has a win over Devin Tomko (7-1), and has won three straight, with the latest being a sixth round stoppage over Josue Obando on February 18th in Jefferson, Wisconsin.

Coe weighed in at 174.6 lbs. Langston was 173.

The bout will be part of the big Katie Taylor – Amanda Serrano card, will be streamed live on DAZN at 4:30 PM ET.

Coe is promoted by Matchroom Boxing and is co-managed with Keith Connolly.

Orlando, FL (April 29, 2022) – Featherweight contenders Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz and Miguel Beltran will square off in the ten round main event of a Bally Sports Presents: Entrobox Championship Boxing card Saturday, May 21 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, raised in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico and now residing in Orlando, Diaz is regarded as one of boxing’s most exciting fighters. At 26-4 with 16 KO’s, Diaz has impressive victories over Angel Luna, Ray Ximenez, Neftali Campos, Raul Hirales, Bryant Cruz and Braulio Rodriguez. His third round stoppage of Cruz in 2017 earned him the WBO NABO 130 pound title.

Following his win against Rodriguez, Diaz challenged for world titles at 126 and 130 pounds but came up short. All four of his setbacks came against current or former world champions in Masayuki Ito, Shakur Stevenson, Emmanuel Navarrete, and Isaac Dogboe.

Fighting out of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Beltran’s 34-8 with 23 wins by
knockout. Beltran’s first title challenge ended in a no contest due accidental clash of heads against reigning IBF 130 pound champion Juan Salgado Zambrano. Less than a year later, Beltran dropped a disputed split decision to Roman Martinez for the vacant WBO super featherweight championship.

A 15-year pro, Beltran’s defeated the likes of Miguel Roman, Eduardo Lazcano, Eden Marquez and Fernando Garcia. He’s also challenged Yuriorkis Gamboa and Chris Colbert.

In the co-featured bout of the evening, unbeaten Nestor Bravo faces longtime contender Fernando David Saucedo in an eight round junior welterweight contest.

Hailing from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Bravo, 20-0 (14 KO’s), is currently based in Orlando. Prior to his pro career, Bravo defeated future Olympic Gold Medalist Robson Conceicao and was an alternate for the 2012 Puerto Rican Olympic Boxing Team. Bravo turned pro in 2015 and stopped his first six opponents. In his most recent bout, the 28-year-old knocked out Vitor Jones in three rounds.

Living and fighting out of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saucedo’s a longtime contender who owns an impressive 63-9-3 record with 10 KO’s. He’s a two-time world title challenger and shared the squared circle with Chris John, Sergio Manuel Medina, Rances Barthelemy, Christian Mijares, Emmanuel Tagoe and Subriel Matias.

Undefeated Irish sensation Connor Coyle meets his toughest opponent to date when he challenges Antonio Todd in a ten round tilt for the vacant NABA middleweight title.

Coyle, who splits time between his native Northern Ireland and Florida, is 15-0 with 7 wins by knockout. On February 19, Coyle dominated once-beaten Rodrigo Rodriguez en route to a fifth round stoppage. The 31-year-old Coyle is promoted by Fire Fist Boxing Promotions.

Fighting out of Atlanta, GA, Todd’s 13-5 record includes 7 victories by KO. On January 22, Todd scored the biggest win of his career by defeating contender Hugo Centeno Jr.

The Diaz-Beltran, Bravo-Saucedo and Coyle-Todd bouts will air on the Bally Sports Network and Bally Sports app live at 9 PM ET.

The undercard will feature a plethora of young talented fighters including lightweights, Joseph Adorno, Sean Mason and Alexy De La Cruz, junior middleweight Derrick Jason, middleweights Wayna Reid and Jamar Pemberton, super bantamweight Elon de Jesus and junior welterweights Corey Marksman, Elijah Flores, and Darrius Jackson all in separate bouts.

“May 21 is going to be a great event for boxing fans,” said Ron Johnson, CEO of American Dream Presents “We’ve got three exciting fights that will air on Bally Sports plus a stacked undercard with blue chip prospects including a 2020 Olympian. I’m anticipating a great turnout to support two of Puerto Rico’s best boxers today in Diaz and Bravo. Sean Mason also brought out a big crowd to our last card ,so make sure to get your tickets before they sell out.”

The card is promoted by American Dream Presents, Boxlab Promotions and GH3 Promotions.

Tickets are on sale at https://www.ticketmaster.com/bally-sportsentrobox-championship-boxing-orlando-florida-05-21-2022/event/22005C889425AF5F.
Doors open at 5 pm and the first fight is scheduled for 6.

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.

BROOKLYN – April 29, 2022 – The SHOWTIME PPV undercard for Gervonta Davis vs. Rolando Romero will feature three exciting, explosive matchups entering the ring in high-stakes action on Saturday, May 28 live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Two-division world champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara will defend his WBA Middleweight Title against hard-hitting, Irish crowd-pleaser Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan in an all-action co-main event of the telecast, which begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Sensational young star Jesús “Mono” Ramos will put his unbeaten record on the line against rugged super welterweight battler Luke Santamaría in a 10-round showdown on the pay-per-view, while hard-hitting contender Eduardo Ramírez battles Puerto Rico’s Luis Meléndez in a 10-round super featherweight thriller that shapes up to deliver toe-to-toe action opening up the telecast.

“When you look at the matchups, this is an edge-of-your-seat pay-per-view undercard,’’ said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Erislandy Lara, a highly skilled champion who has engaged in numerous exciting action bouts, will have everything he can handle against Gary O’Sullivan, who has never backed up in a boxing ring. Fans will also get to see exciting young star Jesús Ramos bringing that heat-seeking knockout mentality to the ring against rugged brawler Luke Santamaría, and Eduardo Ramírez versus Luis Meléndez, as they look to add their duel as the latest chapter in the classic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico boxing rivalry. Whether you’re watching at Barclays Center in Brooklyn or watching live on SHOWTIME PPV, you’re going to be entertained all night long.’’

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, GTD Promotions and TGB 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.

Lara (28-3-3, 16 KOs) was the longest reigning 154-pound world champion before he lost a tough split-decision to Jarrett Hurd in a title unification match in 2018 that earned “Fight of the Year” from the BWAA. Lara returned from that fight and battled current 154-pound world titleholder Brian Castaño to an exciting draw in another narrow fight that could have gone Lara’s way. Lara most recently moved up to middleweight, capturing his WBA title with a first round knockout of Thomas LaManna in May 2021. Lara faced a slew of the top 154-pounders in the sport, including Canelo Alvarez, ahead of his middleweight debut.

“I’m ready to get back in the ring and show the fans that I’m still a world class fighter,” said Lara. “Gary O’Sullivan has proven to be a tough opponent for everyone he’s faced, and his only losses are to champions. I’ve been in many great fights and it will be no different when I step into the ring at Barclays Center. Being on this stage always brings out the best in me and fans can expect to see my power in this fight.’’

A native of Cork, Ireland, O’Sullivan (31-4, 21 KOs) has won three of his last four fights leading into his title shot against Lara on May 28. O’Sullivan’s aggressive style has made him a fan-favorite each time he steps into the ring. He has faced a deep roster of top names, including David Lemieux, Jaime Munguia, Chris Eubank Jr., and Billy Joe Saunders. O’Sullivan scored a career-best victory in December 2017, as he stopped rising prospect Antoine Douglas during a five-fight knockout streak.

“From the very first time I watched boxing, I’ve always dreamed of being a world champion and from the first day I turned professional I’ve worked towards that goal,” said O’Sullivan. “I’ve had some setbacks, but I’ve gone back to the drawing board, regrouped, righted some wrongs and kept pushing forward. I’ve always known that one day the chips would fall in my favor. I’m coming to rip that belt back to Ireland and hear the words, ‘And the new!’”

A strong southpaw who at 21 has yet to come close to hitting his ceiling as a fighter, Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) is the nephew of welterweight contender Abel Ramos, who was defeated in February by Santamaría via unanimous decision. Jesus knocked out tough contender Vladimir Hernandez in February on that same card. Prior to that impressive outing, Ramos had shown the ability to outpoint his opponents with back-to-back 10-round unanimous decisions over Brian Mendoza in September 2021 and Javier Molina in May 2021. Overall, the youthful Ramos has gained recognition with highlight-reel KOs, stopping six of his last eight opponents, showcasing a desire to end his fights early.

“Training out in Las Vegas has been going great so far,” said Ramos. “We’ve had some great sparring out here. We expect Santamaria to move around the entire fight, so we’re going to be ready to cut the ring off and land heavy shots. I’m going to win on May 28 because of the preparation I’ve been doing, but I’m not underestimating anyone and will prepare to the best of my ability.”

The 24-year-old Santamaría (13-2-1, 7 KOs) will look to continue his success against the Ramos family as he steps into the ring after back-to-back impressive victories, first defeating two-division champion Devon Alexander in August 2021 before defeating Abel Ramos in February on less than two weeks’ notice. Santamaría had previously dropped a decision to top prospect and SHOBOX: The New Generation® alum Paul Kroll in October 2020, following an August 2020 triumph over veteran contender Mykal Fox that saw him put Fox down in the first round. The Garden Grove, Calif. native also owns a decision over Willie Jones and a majority draw against SHOBOX® prospect Marquis Taylor in his 2019 contests.

“I’m daring to be great in this fight,” said Santamaría. “That’s the main reason I agreed to fight Ramos. I’ve shown that I’m willing to compete against anyone, because I believe in my training and my abilities. This is going to be a great fight for the fans and I can’t wait to step in there on May 28.”

Fighting out of Sinaloa, Mexico, Ramírez (26-2-3, 12 KOs) has risen up the rankings with four-straight victories, including most recently defeating Miguel Marriaga in December 2021. He previously had stopped then-unbeaten Leduan Barthelemy in November 2019 before blasting out Miguel Flores in December 2020. The 29-year-old is currently riding wins in six of his last seven fights since losing to then featherweight champion Lee Selby in 2017. He’s won 17 of his last 20 fights overall, including a March 2019 knockout victory at Barclays Center.

“I’m happy to be returning to Brooklyn for this fight,” said Ramírez. “I scored a big knockout last time I was there, even though I was the underdog going into the fight. My plan is to deliver a moment like that once again. I’m already in great shape and I will be prepared for a war on May 28.”

Originally from Puerto Rico and now fighting out of Miami, Fla., Meléndez (17-1, 13 KOs) has moved into contender status with an undefeated streak after dropping his third pro fight back in 2018 via split decision. The 24-year-old was busy in 2021, winning eight times, including six victories by knockout. Most recently, Melendez scored a career-best victory over Thomas Mattice in November, winning a unanimous decision after eight rounds. Melendez’s clash with Ramírez shapes up to be a classic Puerto Rico-Mexico ring war.

“I’m very excited to be on a big card like this,” said Meléndez. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m coming to put my name on the map come May 28. The winner of this fight is going to be the fans. I’m going to make Puerto Rico proud once again and display my talents in the ring. I want to thank my team and say that I’m not going to disappoint, because this is just the beginning for me.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #DavisRomero, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @BrooklynBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromotions and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions/.