(April 12, 2022) — Top Rank on ESPN will be at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday, April 23 to capture the all-English heavyweight battle between WBC/Lineal/Ring Magazine heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury and WBC interim titleholder Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte. 

ESPN+ Pay-Per-View will stream the event LIVE in the United States at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, with the undercard to stream on ESPN+ at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. ESPN will also air a special Fury vs. Whyte Pre-Show on ESPN beginning at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Purchase the ESPN+ PPV here.

Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) will defend his crown against WBC interim champion Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) in front of a record 94,000 fans, the largest Wembley Stadium has ever hosted and the most fans to witness a boxing event in person since 1993. The Whyte showdown marks Fury’s first bout in London since February 2015.

Calling the action will be Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), former two-division world champion Timothy Bradley Jr. (analyst) and former pound-for-pound #1, two-division world titleholder and 2004?Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward (analyst). The desk team will feature analysis from Mark Kriegel and Bernardo Osuna.  

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 –XXX– 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.

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.

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).

Los Angeles, CA (April 12, 2022) Trilller Fight Club has announced a slate of national and international events for the balance of 2022 incorporating world class professional boxing, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and Triad Combat. 

“When we started Triller Fight Club over a year ago the goal was to see if we could bring excitement to combat sports and deliver a product that Gen Z would love. Between Triad Combat, TrillerVerz and large fight club events we have done just that,” said Ryan Kavanaugh. 

“Now that we have perfected the product it’s time to roll out a consistent schedule so we can dominate combat sports.” 

Each event is produced by Superstar Nigel Lythgoe, visionary and producer of “So You Think You Can Dance” and “American Idol” who has brought this new look and feel of combat sport to the forefront. 

“While we are increasing our volume, we will not sacrifice on quality or on making sure that each event is packed with the excitement people have come to expect from fight club events. Each event will deliver broad four quadrant programming. Triller Fight Club is certain to be number one,” continued Kavanaugh.

The Triller Fight Club system creates a multi-tiered outcome: superstars, premium world class fighters and top prospects through it’s entertaining and diverse events. 

n  Trilller Fight Club’s ‘Blockbuster Boxing Cards will be tent pole events featuring world ranked fighters, celebrity commentary and epic musical performances.

n  Triller Fight Club’s Premium Boxing Events will showcase world championship boxing featuring top contenders with unmatched entertainment and music. 

n  Trilller Fight Club Boxing Club Shows will feature rising prospects and future stars in evenly matched bouts. 

n  Triad Combat Premium Events will feature top MMA fighters facing off against top boxing contenders in the revolutionary triangle ring.

n  Triad Combat Club Shows will give young MMA fighters a chance to face off with top boxing prospects in the revolutionary triangle ring. 

The award winning Lythgoe is also developing a new unscripted competition series, “So You Think You Can Fight.” The highly anticipated series will launch later this year.

Below is a full listing of events scheduled for the balance of 2022.

Thursday, April 21 — BKFC Fight Night, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Saturday, April 30 — BKFC-24, Great Falls, MT

Friday, May 6 — BKFC-25, Orlando, FL

Saturday, May 7 — BKFC Thailand 2, Pattaya, Thailand

Friday, May 13 — BKFC Fight Night, Omaha, NE

Saturday, May 14 – TrillerVerz V, Los Angeles, CA

Friday, June 10 — Triad Combat Club Show, Orange County, CA

Saturday, June 25 — Boxing Premium Event, Las Vegas, NV

Friday, July 15 — Boxing Club Show, Mexico City, MX

Saturday, July 16 — Blockbuster Boxing Event, Mexico City, MX

Saturday, July 30 — Triad Combat Premium Event

Friday, August 5 —  Triad Combat Club Show

Saturday, August 27 — Boxing Premium Event

Friday, September 16 — Boxing Club Show

Saturday, September 24 – Triad Combat Premium Event

Friday, October 7 — Triad Combat Club Show

Saturday, October 29 – Boxing Premium Event

Saturday, November 12 – Triad Combat Premium Event

Friday, November 25 – Boxing Club Show

Saturday, November 26 – Blockbuster Boxing Event

Saturday, December 3 – Boxing Premium Event

Saturday, December 17 – Triad Combat Premium Event

                                                 —————————————-

Launched less than two years ago, Triller Fight Club has already sold over 3,000,000 Pay-Per-Views in the past year, making it one of the top-selling combat sports/entertainment platforms. TrillerVerz’s widely acclaimed monthly series, including world-class professional boxing and musical Verzuz battles, has consistently been at the top of watched broadcasts averaging over 6,000,000 views. 

In December 2021, Triller entered into a definitive merger agreement with SeaChange International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEAC), in a transaction that would result in the combined company being named TrillerVerz Corp., and its common stock will be listed on Nasdaq, subject to completion of the conditions listed in the S4, which was filed recently by SeaChange (NASD: SEAC).

Follow Triller Fight Club on social media: 

Instagram: @Triller, @TrillerFightClub
Twitter: @Triller, @TrillerFight

Facebook: @TrillerFightClub

NEW YORK (April 12, 2022) – The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) stacked Class of 2121 will be honored Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), May 1, at the 10th NYSBHOF induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF include Brooklyn WBO Heavyweight World Champions Jamaica’s Michael Bentt (11-2, 6 KOs), also a 4-time New York Golden Gloves gold medalist, and Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs (60-6-1, 53 KOs); Albany’s 3-time World light middleweight titlist Verno Phillips (42-11-1, 2 KOs), WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Donny “Golden Boy” Lalonde (42-11-1, 21 KOs), Staten Island’s WBC World Light Heavyweight Champion Johnny “The Heat” Verderosa (41-5-1, 33 KOs), Mount Vernon’s 2-time World title challenger and No. 1 ranked welterweight contender Larry “No Fear” Barnes (44-3-1, 17 KOs), and Brooklyn’s welterweight Johnny Turner (42-6-2, 32 KOs)

Posthumous participants being inducted World Lightweight Champion Bronx’ Al Singer (62-9-2, 26 KOs), World’s Colored Light Heavyweight Champion Kid Norfolk (88-25-7, 49 KOs), Brooklyn’s lightweight Pasquale Patsy Giovanelli (44-7-1, 14 KOs), Brooklyn’s World Bantamweight Champion Cannonball Eddie Martin (81-12-4, 29 KOs), New York City’s World Light Heavyweight title challenger Battling Siki (60-24-4, 31 KOs), Brooklyn’s Novice New York Golden Gloves and Intercity Golden Gloves champion Solly Krieger (82-25-6 , 54 KOs), New York City’s No. 1 world ranked middleweight contender Herbie Kronowitz (55-23-5, 10 KOs), Buffalo’s World featherweight champion Tommy Paul (80-28-10, 26 KOs), and Brooklyn’s World Bantamweight Champion and US Olympian Lou Salica (67-17-12, 13 KOs).

Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are judge Queens New York Golden Gloves finalist, inspector and licensed judge Ron McNair, promoter/manager/matchmaker Don Elbaum, New York City journalists Ed Schuyler of New York City and Bill Verigan, New York City author/journalist Tom Hauser, Queens author/journalist/ Mike Silver, and Brooklyn’s Jill Diamond, Secretary of the World Boxing Council and International Chair or WBC Cares.

Posthumous non-participant inductees are Brooklyn’s trainer and Stillman’s gym owner Lou Stillman, New York City’s promoter/manager Bill Cayton, NYC Mayor James Walker who legalized boxing in NY, publicists John Condon, of Queens, and New York City’s Irving Rudd, Brooklyn’s journalist Richard K. Fox, and trainer Victor Valle.

Each attending inductee (or direct descendant of) will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.

The 2021 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members: Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski, Jim Monteverde and Neil Terens.

All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers or during the prime of their respective career.

NYSBHOF

CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and Arthur Mercante, Sr.

CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Buddy” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard and Don Dunphy.

CLASS OF 2014: Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Billy Backus, Kevin Kelley, Juan LaPorte, Gerry Cooney, Mustafa Hamsho, Howard Davis, Jr., Lou Ambers, Jack Britton, Terry McGovern, Teddy Atlas, Lou DiBella, Steve Farhood, Gene Moore, Angelo Prospero, Whitey Bimstein, Cus D’Amato, William Muldoon and Tom O’Rourke.

CLASS OF 2015: Saoul Mamby, Joey Giamba, Johnny Persol, Harold Weston, Lonnie Bradley, Paul Berlenbach, Billy Graham, Frankie Genaro, Bob Miller, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Slattery, Bob Duffy, Mike Katz, Tommy Gallagher, Bruce Silverglade, Charley Goldman, Jimmy Johnston, Cedric Kushner, Harry Markson, Damon Runyon, and Al Weill.

CLASS OF 2016: Aaron Davis, Charles Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, Edwin Viruet, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Kansas, Joe Lynch, Joe Miceli, Ed Brophy, Joe DeGuardia, Randy Gordon, Dennis Rappaport, Howie Albert, Freddie Brown, Howard Cosell, Ruby Goldstein, and Jimmy Jacobs.

CLASS OF 2017: Gaspar Ortega, Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Doug Dewitt, “The Bronx Bomber” Alex Ramos, Dick Tiger, Jose Torres, “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey, Don Majeski, Ron Katz, Stan Hoffman, Bobby Bartels, Hank Kaplan, Al Gavin, Arthur Donovan, and Dan Parker.

CLASS OF 2018: Lou “Honey Boy” Del Valle, Jake Rodriguez, Terrence Alli, “Baby” Joe Mesi, Kid Chocolate, James J. “Gentleman Jim” Corbett, Jack McAuliffe, Billy Costello, Melio Bettina Ralph “Tiger” Jones, Charley Norkus, Dave Anderson, Pete Brodsky, Herb Goldman, Bobby Goodman, Melvina Lathan, Ron Scott Stevens, Johnnie Addie, Johnny Bos, Murray Goodman, Bert Randolph Sugar, and Sam Taub.

No class of 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions

CLASS OF 2020: Jorge Ahumada, Alfredo Escalera, Freddie Liberatore, Dennis Milton; Lou Savarese and Merqui Sosa, Soldier Bartfield, Steve Belloise, Jimmy Goodrich, Tami Mauriello, Davey Moore, Freddie “The Welsh Wizard” Welch, Don Ackerman, Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Rick Glaser, Jack Hirsch, Max Kellerman, Dr. William Lathan, Julie Lederman, Ron Lipton, Kevin Rooney, Dan Daniel, Bobby Gleason, Flash Gordan, A.J. Liebling, Tony Mazzarella, and manager Dan Morgan.

Tickets are priced at $125.00 per adult and $60.00 for children (under 16) and include a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, as well as dinner (prime rib, fish, or poultry) and open bar throughout the day. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304 or depcomish@aol.com. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $80.00 to $200.00, by contacting Duffy. Go online at www.nyboxinghof.org or www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

ABOUT RING 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.

RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.

Go online to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues are only $30.00, and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.

INFORMATION:

www.nyboxinghof.org

BOSTON (April 12, 2022) – Vertex Promotions returns May 14th with “Mayhem at Mosley’s, featuring the Massachusetts debut of James “Savage” Hagler, the grandson of the late Hall of Famer Marvelous Marvin Hagler, and headlined by undefeated welterweight prospect James “The Slim Reaper” Perella, Saturday night, May 7th at Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham.

“We’re looking forward to having James fighting less than 20 miles from where his grandfather Marvin Hagler fought out of in Brockton,” Vertex promoter Dave Clark said. “We’re committed to giving local fighters to fight near home and we have three familiar fighters to fans who have attended Vertex shows, as well as three top amateurs making their pro debuts on ‘Mayhem at Moseley’s.’ James Perella is a Vertex favorite and he’s a rising star. We’re continuing to keep local fighters active and giving fans an entertaining night of pro boxing.”

“Savage” Hagler (2-1, 1 KO), fighting out of Atlanta, naturally, is excited to be fighting in the Bay State, where his grandfather Marvelous Marvin fought 35 times as a pro, including world middleweight title defending victories against Tony Sibson, Vito Antuerofermo and Fulgencio Obelmejias, on his way to eventually becoming a Hall of Famer.

“It’s an honor to fight in the same state as my ‘Papa’ fought out of,” James said. “I just want to make sure I destruct and destroy in Hagler fashion.”

Hagler will be in a 4-round super middleweight bout against an opponent to be determined.

Perella action.jpg
(L) James Perella is putting his undefeated record on the line

(picture by Emily Harney/Fightography)

Undefeated Perella (10-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Mansfield, Massachusetts, is matched against Mexican challenger Edgar “The Tiger” Torres (8-3-1, 4 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 Irish boxing fans will be supporting Galway light heavyweight Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole” (3-0, 2 KOs) in the 6-round co-featured event vs. TBA. O’Toole was a 2019 Irish Elite Championship gold medalist.

Dorchester (MA) featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (4-0, 2 KOs), a 2016 Rocky Marciano Tournament champion, and Southbridge (MA) super featherweight Alex Rivera (3-0, 2 KOs) are slated to be in separate 6-rounders.

Making their pro debuts in 4-round bouts are Nashua (NH) middleweight Michael Fontanez, a 2-time New England Golden Gloves Champion, Dorchester super welterweight Zachary Fenton, and Boston super lightweight Anthony Cefalo.

Opponents will soon be announced. 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.

?Jordon Murphy (2-0, 1KO), originally from Bensalem, PA, and now residing in Deerfield Beach, FL, will be returning to Bensalem to fight in front of his family and friends in a four-round super featherweight bout on Friday, May 13th at Parx Casino®. I had the pleasure to talk with Jordon Murphy and hear his thoughts on fighting in front of his hometown fans in his last fight at Live! Casino and Hotel in South Philly on February 24th. Jordan’s career is still young, and he does not take for granted the fact that he gets to fight in front of his friends and family at this stage of his career.

JORDON MURPHY Q&A

What are your thoughts on your last fight?

“My thoughts were that it was something new. We expected him to come out wild and everything but being in the ring is something different than watching videos it was a new experience it was a tough fight fighting someone that is wild and non-stop like him, it was a tough fight but we got through it and I wasn’t that impressed with my performance but as long as we got the job done that all that counts and you will be seeing something different for the next fight.”

Did you enjoy fighting at home for your last fight?

“I loved it and I always said that would my dream to fight in front of my family and friends and to do it in my second fight was an amazing experience. I couldn’t ask for more it was wonderful having my family and friends out there it is a different atmosphere than my first fight in Florida so having everyone so close to me in my life around to see that peak like not even a peak on that ladder I have been climbing for years now and to finally be that point to perform in front of them was amazing”

Do you feel this fight is different than your last fight since this one is in your hometown while the last fight was in South Philly?

“Not really we go into every fight doing what we worked on in camp so what we are doing will be the same thing it’s all about just getting used to it being around the crowd and having this arena around you that’s the only difference is the arena the ring and it is different people but we don’t pay attention to that in the ring we just noting different we go in there and do the same stuff we have been working on getting the job done.”

Do you enjoy the pressure of fighting at home?

“I don’t mind the pressure for me I feel like it is not the same for others like my dad for my last two fights when we were backstage, he asked are you nervous? And I said no it’s a dream come true I’m happy to be in the place that I’m at right now at the point where I finally reached my first goal of being a professional boxer and have all there are different experiences, I don’t feel this nervous pressure. I like the crowd that’s why my nickname is jiggy all that stuff excites me. It’s no pressure I like working out I like going to the gym I love boxing and like I love this, and this is my life and what I was raised to do. I’m so used to the pressure I have been on national stages multiple times throughout my career I have had pressure since I was eight years old like being in front of Floyd Mayweather and people the pressure was always on me but now as a pro its something I have gotten used to.”

What are some skills that you want to improve on for this fight?

“In this camp well they fight with Nasir I had a shoulder injury for a little bit and he kind of pulled my arm a little bit in the second round and I wasn’t able to consistently throw that jab like I would have liked to. That is something we are working on to improve this camp is to build that shoulder strength up. we already got what we needed to be done for the shoulder. So we are back to normal and the main focus for this camp is building that jab and getting back to where it used to be and we didn’t even know I had an injury until we got late into camp. So we had to do what we had to we had to fight through the pain and that’s exactly what we did.”

If you have one message for the fans what would it be?

“To my fans and family lie, I appreciate every little thing you guys do for me just clicking the like button on my Instagram is more than enough I’m just blessed to have you around I don’t need anything in return from everyone this is my work I don’t expect anything from everybody I’m going to work regardless but to have my friends and family supporting me as much as they do is more than I could ever ask for and I am truly blessed to have everyone in my corner and on my side supporting mine toward this whole thing ad I promise at the end of all this there will be a return for you all.”

The live boxing event, which is produced by Joe Hand Promotions, will feature a six-round heavyweight bout between Sonny Conto (9-0, 7 KOs) out of Philadelphia, PA going up against Justin Rolfe (7-3-1, 5 KOs) fighting out of Fairfield, ME.

2021 Briscoe “Prospect of the year” Shinard Bunch (18-1-1, 15 KOs) out of Trenton, NJ will look to continue his 17-fight undefeated streak when he competes in an eight-round super lightweight fight.

The always entertaining Christopher Burgos (3-5-1, 1 KO), of North Philadelphia, PA, will face Philip Davis (2-5-1) of Worcester, MA, in a six-round lightweight contest.

Making his debut on the card will be 2014 Pennsylvania Golden Gloves champion Karl Wylie out of Coatesville, PA.

(April 11, 2022) One of the most respectful and personable fighters in boxing, brand new WBC Interim Super Welterweight Champion, Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora, wishes to send his warmest wishes for a quick recovery to brave challenger Erickson “Hammer” Lubin.

In an instant boxing classic, the two 154-lb fighters waged a thrilling, back-and-forth war of attrition Saturday (April 9, 2022) night in The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, as California’s Fundora (19-0-1, 13 KOs) and Florida’s Lubin (now 24-2, 17 KOs) took turns hitting the deck: Lubin was down in round two and Fundora was down in round seven.

Eventually, however, the work rate and inside fighting skills, especially the uppercut, of the 6’ 6” Fundora were able to mash the face of the much shorter Lubin and inflict severe facial swelling and damage. Despite their man being ahead on all three scorecards, Lubin’s corner indicated he had taken enough damage after round nine and requested a stoppage, giving the popular Fundora a career-defining victory in a nationally televised main event.

“That was a very tough fight. I loved it,” said a happy Fundora. “I want to let Erickson Lubin know I respect his heart and toughness very much. I went into the fight thinking Lubin’s chin was suspect, but he took everything I could throw at him and still kept coming. I give him major respect and I hope he heals up quickly. He’s a very brave fighter. Get well soon and let’s do it again!”

The eldest Fundora, father/trainer Freddy, says he’s also extremely happy with his son’s exciting triumph and impressed with Lubin’s toughness.

“I’m very happy we were able to get the win; we needed to win to get into the bigger fights,” said Fundora. “That was a terrific fight between two future champions. Neither fighter has anything to be ashamed of. They are both true warriors.”

So severe was the damage to Lubin’s distorted face that false internet rumors and conspiracies have already begun surrounding Fundora’s gloves and conditioning. Fundora averaged 78 punches thrown and 28 landed, per round, while the less-active Lubin averaged 41 punches thrown and 17 landed per round.

“It’s all not true,” Freddy Fundora continued. “Erickson Lubin had a representative and The State of Nevada Commission Inspector were both in the room for Sebastian’s hand wrapping and to inspect the gloves. We didn’t even send anyone to Lubin’s room we trust their integrity and the Nevada Commission so much. As far as his work rate in that fight, that’s his dedication. Sebastian trained like he was possessed for this fight. He took it up a level with everything, power, speed and punch rate. That’s what champions do. The Nevada Athletic Commission takes blood and urine after a title fight, so very shortly, any talk of PED use will be proven false when Sebastian comes back all clean.”

Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, the Uruguayan talent scout known for finding unknown diamonds like Manny Pacquiao, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez and current super middleweight king David Benavidez in obscure gyms around the world, says Fundora’s victory changes the trajectory of the 24-year-old southpaw’s career.

?A star is born!” said the happy Lewkowicz. “The Towering Inferno is going straight to the top. The fans love how he fights. He doesn’t back down ever. And everybody likes Sebastian away from the ring. Such a nice family. But, inside the ring, Sebastian Fundora can’t be beaten at 154 lbs. My hat is off to Erickson Lubin, but Sebastian Fundora is going to clean out the division.”

#

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.

Conor Benn has warned South Africa’s Chris van Heerden that he needs to be prepared for “a whole lot of firepower” when they clash over 12 rounds for the WBA Continental Welterweight Title at the AO Arena in Manchester this Saturday April 16, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

‘The Destroyer’ (20-0, 13 KOs) secured a stunning knockout win over former World Champion Chris Algieri last time out in December, taking out the American with a brutal right hand in the fourth round of their top of the bill clash at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.

Reflecting on his showreel knockout Benn said: “It was the most dramatic finish of my career for sure. It was great that I was able to put in that performance. I just went in there with such confidence. Being confident in the ring… you display it in your defence mechanisms, trust in your reflexes, trust in your power.  

“Having my dad ringside and seeing the raw emotion from him was probably the most rewarding thing out of the whole eight-week camp. Even during the fight and the feeling after the fight. Watching that video back was, me watching someone so genuinely happy for me. Nothing but happiness for his son. That for me is so warming. It made me so emotional watching it.”

The 25-year-old Essex native is yet to come up against a southpaw boxer in his 20 fights to date and is relishing the challenge of locking horns with former IBO 147lbs Champion van Heerden (28-2-1, 12 KOs) – a seasoned veteran who has only been stopped by Errol Spence Jr in 32 professional fights. 

“Every fighter I fight now moving forward is going to be more experienced, but it means nothing to me,” said Benn. “Who they’ve fought and what they’ve done in their career doesn’t matter because they haven’t fought me. I know what I can do and I know what I’m capable of. I believe in my work ethic and I believe in my team. I believe in my mindset and I believe in my physical attributes. I believe in my power and I believe in my boxing ability. Bring me whoever, I’m confident in what I can do.”

‘The Heat’ hasn’t held back with his pre-fight trash talk, labelling Benn an “emotional, angry fighter” who relies solely on his power. Benn is determined to prove his doubters wrong once again and has promised to earn van Heerden’s respect as he aims to take another step towards a World Title shot in the thriving Welterweight division.

“van Heerden is a good fighter, he’s a tricky fighter, he’s a tough fighter. He’s a come forward southpaw and a former World Champion. He’s been in there with the best. First southpaw opponent – they’re definitely hard work that’s for sure. You have to think a lot more. You have to demonstrate a lot more skill. You can’t just go in there with the same approach as you would with an orthodox fighter. 

“He’s wanted this fight for a while. He told me he needed this fight for himself, needed it for closure. We’ve made the fight happen. Hopefully he comes prepared, which I believe he will. He said he doesn’t rate my boxing ability. If you don’t respect me then I’ll make you respect me. Chris van Heerden needs to be ready for a whole lot of firepower. He needs to be ready for someone who fights like he’s got everything to lose.”

Benn vs. van Heerden tops a huge night of action in Manchester, Bournemouth’s European Cruiserweight Champion Chris Billam-Smith (14-1, 10 KOs) rematch Belfast’s former champion Tommy McCarthy (18-3, 9 KOs) following their epic back and forth battle at the Matchroom HQ last summer, WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Champion Alycia Baumgardner (11-1, 7 KOs) makes the first defence of her World Titles against Edith Matthysse (17-11-1, 1 KOs) following her shock win over Terri Harper last November, Little Lever’s Jack Cullen (20-3-1, 9 KOs) aims to bounce back from his stoppage loss to Kevin Lele Sadjo in December when he meets Vladimir Belujsky (12-3-1, 8 KOs) over eight rounds, Hyde Lightweight prospect Campbell Hatton (6-0, 2 KOs) quickly returns to action against Lee Glover (11-9, 3 KOs) over six rounds, hard hitting Cruiserweight talent Jordan Thompson (12-0, 10 KOs) clashes with Mariano Angel Gudino (14-5, 9 KOs) over eight rounds, Alnwick Welterweight Cyrus Pattinson (3-0, 1 KO) hopes to make it two wins from two fights in 2022 when he takes on Alexey Tukhtarov (5-28-6, 3 KOs) over eight rounds, Liverpool Light-Heavyweight Thomas Whittaker-Hart (6-0, 3 KOs) faces Ben Ridings (5-1) over six rounds, Salford Super-Lightweight Luke Evans (11-0, 1 KO) locks horns with Miguel Cesario Antin (19-10, 8 KOs) over six rounds while James Metcalfe warms up for his European Middleweight Title fight with a six round contest against Evgenii Vazem (9-26, 4 KOs).

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 11, 2022) – Super bantamweight prospect, Darren “The Gift” Cunningham (15-1, 8 KOS), is set for his next bout as he will take on Angel Antonio Contreras (11-6-2, 6 KOs), on April 29, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Celebrity Theater, on a card promoted by Iron Boy Promotions.

“I am excited as I feel better than ever, and I am ready to put the division on notice with a performance that will get me mentioned amongst all the emerging fighters at super bantamweight,” said Cunningham. “My opponent faced a world title contender at featherweight in his last bout and has a lot of experience. That is what I need at this point to become a world title contender. I am fighting a bigger man who has been battle tested, I’m ready.”

Cunningham is no stranger to the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona, as he knocked out Ernesto Guerrero in one round in February of this year. This will Cunningham’s third fight in the last six months. He believes that his recent activity has helped him get sharp at this point in his career.”

“I love fighting in Phoenix at the Celebrity Theater where the fans are really loud” said Cunningham reflecting on his last fight. “Many thought my last fight was the best fight of my career. All I can say is staying busy, and fighting routinely, has made me a better fighter. I can’t wait to have another great performance in April!”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 11, 2022) — World Cup Boxing Series (WCBS), co-founded by CEO Terry Hollan and promoter/matchmaker Guy Taylor, today announced it has signed a multi-fight deal with beIN SPORTS to be featured on the network’s free English and Spanish-language streaming and over-the-air channels – beIN SPORTS XTRA and beIN SPORTS XTRA en Español – beginning Friday, June 3rd, live from Obregon, Sonora Mexico.

Combat sports fans will be able to catch all the World Cup Boxing Series action live nationwide on beIN SPORTS XTRA and beIN SPORTS XTRA en Español. The channels are available on major streaming services in the U.S. and Canada including The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, fuboTV, and XUMO TV and additionally in the U.S. on YouTube TV, Pluto TV, Fanatiz, Vizio, and Canela TV as well as over-the-air stations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas – Fort Worth, Houston, San Jose – San Francisco – Oakland, Atlanta, Miami – Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Hartford, Columbus, Las Vegas, and Austin, among others. For a full list of providers, visit beINSPORTSXTRA.com.

“Our goal with beIN SPORTS goes far beyond providing monthly boxing content,” Taylor said. , “We want to create a global brand with state-of-the-art technology, updated graphic packages and artwork, top of the line production, enhanced lighting, fan engagement during the event, social media platforms and LIVE online gaming. We look forward to a great 2022-23 season of World Cup Boxing Series on beIN SPORTS XTRA and beIN SPORTS XTRA Español beginning this June 3rd.

“beIN SPORTS is excited to add World Cup Boxing Series to its growing roster of combat sports programming,” commented Antonio Briceño, Managing Director for beIN SPORTS North America. “We believe in putting our fans first and making live world-class sports programming easily available to fans in the U.S. and Canada via beIN SPORTS XTRA and beIN SPORTS XTRA en Español.”

For more information about beIN SPORTS North America, visit www.beINSPORTS.com and www.beINSPORTSXTRA.com. Follow us on Instagram @beINSPORTSUSA, Twitter at @beINSPORTSUSA and/or @ESbeINSPORTS and like us on Facebook beIN SPORTS USA for breaking news and real-time updates.

INFORMATION:

Facebook: /WorldCupBoxingSeries

Instagram: @World_Cup_Boxing_Series

Schenectady, NY (April 11, 2022) — Championship boxing was in the limelight in Schenectady at Rivers Casino Saturday night, as SIMONE “TYSON” FEDERICI (now, 19-2-1 8KO’s) unified the WBC CA and NABA Gold Cruiserweight Titles outpointing Pittsburgh’s, LYUBOMYR “DEMOLITION MAN” PINCHUK (now, 14-3-1 8KO’s) in an absolutely thrilling main event.

The opening round had the packed crowd on their feet as Federici and Pinchuk came out swinging, looking to establish their respective game plans. Federici began to find success working on the inside, putting efficient punches together with quality speed forcing Pinchuk to work off the back foot. Pinchuk would respond with combinations to the body, attempting to utilize the jab to keep the Italian tank, Federici, at a distance. As the battle of wills continued an accidental clash of heads with a minute left in the fourth round caused a gash over the eye of Federici. Knowing what was on the line both fighters maintained an impressive work rate over the 10-rounds, however it seemed to be Federici’s ability to bully his way inside that would make the difference. The judges saw it in favor of Federici by unanimous decision, who successfully defended his WBC CA title, and became the new NABA Gold Champion (99-91, 97-93 2x).

In 8 rounds of action, Ireland’s, “SUPERFLY” TONY BROWNE (now, 5-1) was successful in his US debut against the tough LEANDRO “APOLLO” SILVA (now, 3-6 2KO’s). Silva came out of the gate looking to control the action, while Browne effectively countered his aggression. In the 5th round, Silva buzzed Browne with an overhand right, but Browne was able to shake it off and power on. Silva kept coming forward trying to find a way in, but Browne continued to successfully work from the outside. Browne would take home the unanimous decision in his US debut (77-75, 78-76, 79-75)

Also making his US debut, 22 year old Irish product, “THE SILENT ASSASIN” RYAN O’ROURKE (now, 8-1 1KO) defeated Frenchman, FAYCAL REZKALLAH (now, 6-2-1 1KO) over 6 rounds. The Schenectady crowd was “oohing” and “ahing” as O’Rourke was landing from impressive angles. While O’Rourke controlled the pace of the fight, Rezkallah had his moments, waiting for O’Rourke to take a beat, before returning the favor in the form of multi punch combinations. O’Rourke’s early work to the body paid dividends in rounds five and six, hurting Rezkallah. The fight would find the final bell, and Ryan O’Rourke would earn the clean sweep on the cards for the unanimous decision victory (60-54 3x).

In the opening bout of the evening MICHELLE COOK (now, 2-3-2) and LIZ TUANI (now, 1-7) impressed in a competitive battle. Tuani came out swinging with force, but Cook was able to weather the storm. Late in the 3rd round, Cook found a home for her right hand knocking Tuani on her heels. At the close of the fight, Cook would get the nod by unanimous decision (39-37 X3)

“The fans came out early and stayed late for a thrilling night of fights at Rivers Casino,” said Star Boxing CEO JOE DEGUARDIA. “Federici and Pinchuk put on one hell of a show, and left it all in the ring – both should be proud. Congratulations to Simone on the victory, and Tony Browne and Ryan O’Rourke for shining in their US debuts.”

Simone Federici shows off his new belts

Browne (R) lands on Silva (L)

O’Rourke (R) shuts out Rezkallah (L)

Team Federici celebrates

About Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady: Located at the picturesque Mohawk Harbor near the heart of downtown Schenectady, Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady features 1,050 slots, 67 live table games and a 16-table poker room and a live, in-casino luxury sportsbook lounge. The casino offers five distinctive restaurants—among them are Dukes Chophouse, Flipt, Johnny’s To-Go and Mian. Rivers features a multipurpose Event Center space, a lively entertainment lounge—Van Slyck’s, live music performances, free parking and daily promotions and giveaways. The Landing Hotel is a 165-room, six-story boutique hotel with riverfront views located adjacent to the Event Center. Rivers, which opened in 2017, employs approximately 1,200 team members and has been voted a great place to work in Schenectady. Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady is owned and operated by Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates. For more information, visit RiversCasino.com/Schenectady.

RockinFights.

STAR BOXING ARCHIVES:
Rockin’ Fights 41: Oleh Dovhun vs Geram Eloyan – NABA Title (Highlights)
OLEH DOVHUN defended his NABA title for the first time against Belgium Bruiser GERAM ELOYAN in the main event at Rockin’ Fights 41!
Rockin’ Fights 35: Tyrone “Pretty Boy” James vs Ray Oliveira Jr.
TYRONE “PRETTY BOY” JAMES left his mark on “Rockin’ Fights” 35 with a vicious TKO victory over RAY OLIVEIRA JR. to remain undefeated!

QUINCY, Mass. (April 11, 2022) – The first professional boxing event in Bridgewater (MA) will be held Saturday night, May 7th, when Granite Chin Promotions presents its third promotional event of 2022, “Hometown Royalty,” at Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts (85 Cottage St.).

“Hometown Royalty” is presented by Granite Chin in association with Cappiello Boxing Promotions and Shearns Boxing Promotions.

“I’m excited to be bringing professional boxing to Bridgewater for the first time ever,” Granite Chin president Chris Traietti said. “I was shocked when I found out that this would be the first for the town. It’s going to be a great show and I want to thank Rich Cappiello and Chuck Shearns for their help in making it happen. We are going to pack the Vets hall with amazing boxing fans who have helped Granite Chin grow expeditiously over the last couple of years. This will be the first of many to come to Bridgewater.”

Some of the best and most popular boxers from the South Shore area of the Bay State will be showcased in an intimate setting.

New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan (14-1, 8 KOs), of Holbrook, is dropping down to junior welterweight in the 8-round main event to face Jose “El Chino” Aubel (8-9, 7 KOs), of Argentina.

Quincy lightweight Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczweski (30-6, 11 KOs) is matched against another Argentinian, Mario Lozano (18-5-1, 9 KOs), in the 8-round co-featured event. A 2008 National Golden Gloves silver medalist, as well as a 2-time New England Golden Gloves Champion, The 32-year-old Ryan K. has been world rated during his 14-year professional career.

Brockton welterweight David Ribeiro will make his long-awaited pro debut in a 4-round fight versus an opponent to be determined. 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.

Undefeated New Bedford light heavyweight Edet Mkpanam (6-0, 5 KOs), a 2018 New England Golden Gloves runner-up, throws down with Scott “Bombz” Lampert (2-4, 2 KOs) in a 6-round match.

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

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

ATLANTA, GA – Jolene Mizzone, among the most experienced and well-respected matchmakers in professional boxing for a quarter of a century, announced the launch of newly created company Fighters First Management, offering a fresh approach to athlete representation for today’s generation of talent.

Mizzone, who will lead Fighters First as President of Boxing Operations, honed her skills as Vice President/Matchmaker for Main Events, building great fighters and working with multiple world champions, including Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Sergey Kovalev, and Tomaz Adamek.

First Matchmaker to Manager Career Shift

Mizzone is the first mainstream matchmaker and promoter to shift her career in boxing into athlete management. Known for her direct, ‘the truth hurts’ style, Mizzone has always been protective of athletic talent and will continue to fight for them using her unique combination of experience and insights.
“I want to educate fighters as much as possible on the business aspects of boxing,” said Mizzone. “I plan to work hand in hand with our fighters and their teams. As their manager, I’m also an educator. I can give them the tools they need to make smarter long-term decisions about their careers so they can flourish and live well after giving their all to the sport we love.”

“I bring something to the table no other manager brings to boxing today. Being a former promoter and matchmaker, I understand the secret language of matchups and deals. Most of this is kept from the fighters, not always in a malicious way, but never to their long-term benefit. This changes today with Fighters First Management.”

Fighter Signings Anticipated Summer 2022

Mizzone says she will start announcing newly signed fighters by summer 2022.
“The kind of fighters we are looking for are all different types, young up and coming boxers or boxers who may already be established looking for guidance. One thing I know I can do is move a fighter to a championship bout, as long as they keep winning and listening to advice,” said Mizzone.

The new venture is owned by Georgia-based entrepreneur David Basha, owner of Carriage Auto Group with seven locations in the southeastern U.S. Basha, age 62, sought top talent to run his new organization and made Mizzone his first hire.

“Boxing has been a passion of mine for the past 40 years. I have always desired to have a company that represented boxers and protected them in business. To do that, I knew I would need the perfect person to lead the charge, and Jolene is that perfect person,” said Basha.

Mizzone says she learned about the business during her work with Main Events and expressed her gratitude to Hall of Fame promoter Kathy Duva for the opportunity leading to her new venture.

Fighters First will operate as a full-service management company with the fighters’ long-term best interests true to its name and central to all decisions. Fighters First pledges a greater percentage of the purse to its athletes while also educating them on their business and financial future to protect them during and long after their careers in the ring have concluded.

Follow Fighters First Management on social media:
Instagram – @FightersFirstMgmt
Facebook – @FightersFirstMgmt
Twitter – @Fighters1st
TikTok – @Fighters1st

Here is some key information for next week’s blockbuster welterweight title unification clash that will see WBC and IBF World Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and WBA World Champion Yordenis Ugas headline an explosive night of boxing on both SHOWTIME PPV^® and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® Saturday, April 16 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

SHOWTIME PPV BEGINS AT 9 pm ET/6 PT: The four-fight telecast features exciting lightweight contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz taking on veteran former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in the 10-round co-main event. The lineup also includes unbeaten Jose Valenzuela battling former world champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas in a 10-round lightweight fight, plus unbeaten Cody Crowley faces veteran contender Josesito Lopez in a 10-round duel of all-action welterweights that kicks off the telecast.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING AT 7 PM ET/4 PM PT: Preceding the Spence-Ugas SHOWTIME PPV telecast, welterweight titleholder Radzhab Butaev and top contender Eimantas Stanionis face off in a special SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast airing live on SHOWTIME^® and the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel. The two unbeaten rising talents both have their eyes on a future world championship opportunity in the red hot 147-pound division. The telecast also features unbeaten knockout artist and future star Brandun Lee taking on Zachary Ochoa in a super lightweight bout. Named Ring Magazine’s Prospect of the Year in 2021, the fan-friendly Lee looks to extend his KO streak to 16 consecutive fights.

ON THE CALL: The most trusted and experienced team in combat sports will be on the pay-per-view call. Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME PPV telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers round out the SHOWTIME telecast team – Emmy^® award winning reporter Jim Gray, unofficial scorer Steve Farhood and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.  Former junior middleweight world champion Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez and sportscaster Alejandro Luna will serve as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP). On the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins calls the action from ringside with veteran combat sports reporter Brian Campbell and Marquez serving as expert analysts.

SPECIAL WEIGH-IN SHOW ON FRIDAY: A quartet of top SHOWTIME Sports talent will share their thoughts and views on Saturday’s fights during Friday’s weigh-in that will be live-streamed via the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube page at youtube.com/c/SHOSports. MORNING KOMBAT hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell join former world champion Raul Marquez and ex-NBA great and ALL THE SMOKE podcast host Stephen Jackson to break down the fights. 

HOW TO GET THE SHOWTIME PPV: The four-fight pay-per-view event is available for purchase and live streaming in the U.S. at SHOWTIME.com/ppv and via the SHOWTIME app. The event is also available on major cable, satellite, and telco television providers throughout the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $74.99 (SRP). In Canada, viewers can access the event via traditional distributors as well as digitally on PlayStation and FITE.tv.

SHOWTIME FREE TRIAL OFFER: SHOWTIME will offer a free 30-day trial beginning the day of the big fight, April 16. Consumers can try SHOWTIME free for 30 days, then pay just $3.99 per month for the first four months. The offer runs through May 17. Go to SHOWTIME.com for more information.

TICKETS: Tickets for the April 16 live event at AT&T Stadium, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Man Down Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at SeatGeek.com, the Official Ticketing Provider of AT&T Stadium.

EMMY AWARD-WINNING ALL ACCESS: Fans can now catch up on ALL ACCESS: SPENCE VS. UGAS Episode One, which is available in its entirety now on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel. Click HERE to watch. Episode Two premiered last Saturday, April 9. To watch click HERE. ALL ACCESS EPILOGUE premieres Saturday, April 23.

ALL ACCESS GARNERS ANOTHER EMMY NOMINATION: ALL ACCESS: CANELO VS. PLANT, which premiered in 2021 prior to the Canelo vs. Plant SHOWTIME PPV event, was nominated last week for the 2021 Sports EMMY Award for outstanding writing. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in May. Various editions of the ALL ACCESS series have been nominated 11 times over the years, winning five EMMY Awards thus far.

FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIAL MEDIA: For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #SpenceUgas, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing and @PremierBoxing, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing and @PremierBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

New York, NY (April 11, 2022)-Giovani Santillan was almost flawless in stopping Jeovannis Barraza in round seven of their 10-round welterweight bout.

The bout took place this past Saturday from The Hanger in Costa Mesa, California and was televised live on ESPN.

Santillan, who is managed by Split-T Management, landed power punches from the outset and was on-top of Berraza from the beginning, Santillan started beating up and breaking down Barraza until the bout was stopped at 33 seconds of round seven.

Santillan, 147.4 lbs of San Diego, CA is now 29-0 with 16 knockouts. Barraza, 148.6 lbs of Barranquilla, COL 25-3.

The win solidified Santillan’s spot in bigger stakes fight against any of the top welterweights

Santillan said, “I am humbled by the support of my hometown, San Diego. Once again, they came out in force. They motivate me to do my best every time out there.

“I am going to keep working to earn a welterweight world title shot. I have a great team behind me, and when the time comes, I’ll be ready.”

Santillan is co-promoted by Top Rank and Thompson Boxing.

Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images

Las Vegas ­– UFC^® today announced that the classic 2016 fight between featherweights Cub Swanson and Dooho Choi will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Fight Wing’ as a part of the class of 2022. The 2022 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires^®, will take place during the 10^th Annual UFC International Fight Week^Ô this summer in Las Vegas and will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS^®.

“The fight between Cub Swanson and Dooho Choi is one of the greatest fights of all time,” said UFC President Dana White. “This fight was an absolute war for all three rounds and both guys left everything they had inside the Octagon, it was crazy! This fight was an incredible display of heart, endurance and determination and it was so good, it was named the 2016 Fight of the Year. Congratulations to Cub Swanson and Dooho Choi on a fight that will always be remembered as one of the best ever!”

As one of the featured main card bouts of UFC^® 206: HOLLOWAY vs. PETTIS, which took place on December 10, 2016, at Air Canada Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Swanson and Choi entered the event on winning streaks of two and 12, respectively.

Swanson entered the Octagon^® ranked #4 in the division with a 23-7 record that included victories over current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier and former Shooto welterweight champion Tatsuya Kawajiri.

Choi, who was ranked #11 in the division, entered the fight having won all three of his previous UFC fights and possessed an impressive overall record of 14-1 that included wins over former Pancrase lightweight champion Shoji Maruyama and former Shooto welterweight champion Mitsuhiro Ishida.

At the beginning of the fight, Swanson and Choi quickly advanced to the center of the Octagon, with Choi striking first with a straight right before clinching and administering multiple knees. On the break, Choi tripped Swanson using his left leg, causing Swanson to slide into in a standing guillotine. With the standing guillotine in place, Choi administered three more knees that created heavy swelling over Swanson’s right eye.

Swanson recovered quickly and began to take control of the fight by dictating the pace and striking first during each exchange, as both athletes would trade flurries of punches, knees and leg kicks throughout the remainder of the first round.

Swanson raced to the center of the Octagon at the beginning of round two, resuming his role as the aggressor and applying consistent pressure with the focus of forcing Choi to fight off of his back foot from a defensive position. This was an in-fight adjustment made by his corner in between rounds, as his team felt that Choi could not maintain an offensive attack from this position.

With 3:55 left in the second, Swanson connected on a barrage of punches and body kicks, driving Choi to the fence and briefly to the ground in an attempt to withstand the continuous shots coming from Swanson.

At the end of the exchange, Choi caught Swanson with a right hook, stunning him and sending him down to one knee. Swanson quickly stood up, but had not fully recovered, so he retreated to the fence and covered up as Choi unleashed his own set of punches, attempting to finish Swanson on his feet. Dazed, but still active on his feet, Swanson survived by using jabs and straight kicks to push Choi outside of striking distance in an attempt to allow himself to recover and survive the attack.

From a clinched position, Swanson took advantage and took Choi down with a judo throw, then immediately moved into a mounted position for the first takedown of the fight. With 2:55 remaining in the second, Swanson took Choi’s back and attempted to secure both hooks, but Choi was able to scramble and evade Swanson’s submission attempt, with Swanson still maintaining full guard position.

Known for his strong ground attack as a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Swanson controlled the action in both half and full guard until letting Choi stand up and resume trading punches. Both athletes swung for the fences with each punch, with Swanson connecting on a rarely used cartwheel kick, which stunned Choi and brought the sold-out crowd of more than 18,000 fans to their feet and into a frenzy of excitement.

Swanson, in control of the round, began to swing wildly, fighting with a more relaxed style with hands down as opposed to the more technical Choi, whose counterpunches rocked Swanson during each exchange. Swanson closed the final 45 seconds of the round by connecting on numerous punches and a spinning backfist that sent Choi to the fence and almost knocked him out on his feet. Both athletes connected with punches to end the round, neither giving an inch.

The non-stop pace continued in round three, with both Swanson and Choi exchanging punches and body kicks in the center of the Octagon. Choi successfully executed a takedown of Swanson with 3:50 left in the round, but Swanson quickly countered to gain top position. After trading punches and elbows on the canvas, Swanson would stand and allow Choi to do the same with 2:55 remaining. Swanson immediately took control of the pace with a barrage of punches that stunned Choi on the fence, before taking Choi back to the canvas via hip toss with 2:32 remaining. Swanson applied pressure via headlock but stood back up with Choi with 2:00 minutes left in the fight.

The slugfest continued for the final minutes of the third round, with Swanson connecting on a Superman punch with 15 seconds left that nearly sent Choi to the ground. Swanson completed one more takedown of Choi before the end of the round, concluding the fight in top position. At the end of the fight, both athletes received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Swanson won the bout via unanimous decision, earning a headlining spot in his next bout against Artem Lobov at UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: SWANSON vs. LOBOV, which took place four months later on April 22, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee.

During the event, Swanson and Choi landed a combined 188 significant strikes, the most for a featherweight fight in 2016. Swanson landed 111 of the 188 significant strikes, which also set a high mark as the most by a featherweight in a single bout in 2016. The fight won the Fight of the Night performance award and would be acknowledged by ESPN and the Fighters Only Magazine World MMA Awards as “2016 Fight of the Year.”

Swanson has continued to flourish inside the Octagon, having won three of his last four fights, and he most recently defeated veteran Darren Elkins. He currently holds the record for most post-fight bonuses in UFC featherweight history with nine. Choi would lose his next two fights against Jeremy Stephens and Charles Jourdain, before retiring at the end of 2019 with a 14-4 record. Each of Choi’s final five bouts earned a post-fight bonus.

To view the fight on UFC FIGHT PASS for free, please visit: https://ufcfightpass.com/video/47681

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFC.com/HOF. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

TIJUANA, Mexico (April 8, 2022): Mexican contender Damian “Samurai” Sosa (20-1, 11 KOs) defended his WBO Latino Super Welterweight Championship with an impressive knockout victory against Jesus “Ingeniero” Vega (22-3-1, 13 KOs) of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico in the main event of a Toscano Boxing Promotions show Friday night at Zonkeys Auditorium in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico and live on FITE.TV Pay-Per-View.

Sosa ended the bout at 1:35 of the third round and once again demonstrated his desire to have a world title opportunity in the near future.

“It was a good fight,” said Damian Sosa. “I think I had control of the entire fight. In the second round, he landed a hard shot on me, but aside from that I felt I had control of the entire bout and that I was doing what my corner was telling me to do.”

“I think we all dream of one day being able to fight for a world title. I prepare myself every day for that. I know that the opportunity will present itself one day because I will look for it. I’ll continue growing and waiting for that opportunity.”

In the co-main event, Pedro Bernal (9-1-2, 3 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico scored an upset unanimous decision victory over Manuel Jaimes (12-1, 10 KOS) of Stockton, California to capture the WBC Youth Lightweight Title. After eight rounds of action, the judges scored the fight 77-76, 77-76 and 77-75 in favor of the new champion.

Carlos Garcia (10-0, 8 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico scored a brutal first-round knockout victory against David Rangel (13-11, 9 KOs) of Cintalapa, Chiapas, Mexico in a scheduled six-round middleweight bout. Garcia ended the bout at 55 seconds of the opening round.

Jose Luis Vazquez (7-0, 2 KOs) of Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico scored a split decision win against Omar Martinez (4-3, 3 KOs) of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico after six rounds of battle in the lightweight division. One judge scored the fight 58-56 for Martinez, but two others had it 58-56 and 58-57 in Vazquez’s favor.

Gabriel Muratalla (7-0, 4 KOs) of Fontana, Calif. scored a knockout win over Jose Giovanny Pinedo (4-4, 1 KO) of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico in a scheduled six-round super bantamweight clash. Muratalla ended matters at 2:58 of the first round.

Arturo Cortez (6-1-1, 5 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico defeated Carlos Alberto Ocampo (9-4-4, 6 KOs) of Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico via second-round technical knockout. The official time of the stoppage was 2:54 of the aforementioned round.

Cristian Cruz (17-6, 7 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico scored a fourth-round technical knockout against Daniel Acosta (9-5, 6 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in a scheduled six-rounder in the lightweight division.

Carlos Flores (23-1, 13 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico captured the WBA Fedecaribe Featherweight Title with a unanimous decision win against Jesus Rendon (15-12, 9 KOs) of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico. Flores won with scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73.

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Sosa vs. Vega was a scheduled 10-round battle for the WBO Latino Super Welterweight Championship presented by Toscano Boxing Promotions. The event took place on Friday, April 8 at Zonkeys Auditorium in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico and was streamed live on Pay-Per-View via FITE.TV.

About Toscano Boxing Promotions
Toscano Boxing Promotions is a promoter based out of Stockton, California and founded by Jorge Toscano in 2018. The company has hosted events both in the United States and in Mexico, including the 2021 battle between Anderson Silva and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. The Toscano Boxing stable includes rising stars Damian Sosa, Manuel Jaimes, Jose Alvarado, Jose Carrillo and more.

Schenectady, NY (April 8, 2022) – With fight night just one sleep away, all ten fighters took to the scale for the official weigh in ahead of tomorrow nights fights at Rivers Casino in Schenectady, New York. Doors to the Rivers Casino Event Center will open at 7PM and the action will start 8PM. Tickets to the event are available HERE. The action will be stream LIVE and direct via FITE.TV PPV and can be purchased HERE.

10 Round WBC Continental America’s & NABA Gold Championship Main Event
SIMONE “TYSON” FEDERICI (WBC CA Champion): 195 lbs
LYUBOMYR “DEMOLITION MAN” PINCHUK (NABA Gold Champion): 194.2 lbs

**6 Round Super Welterweight Bout
JAHYAE “GOLDEN CHILD” BROWN
GILBERTO PEREIRA dos SANTOS

8 Round Light Heavyweight Bout:
“SUPERFLY” TONY BROWNE: 174 lbs
LEANDRO “APOLLO” DA SILVA: 176 lbs

6 Round Super Lightweight Bout (143 lb max.):
“THE SILENT ASSASIN” RYAN O’ROURKE: 143.2 lbs
FAYCAL REZKALLAH: 143.4 lbs

4 Round Lightweight Bout
MICHELLE COOK: 131.2 lbs
LIZ TUANI:? 128

**Official weight not available
The Rivers Casino fight card is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing on April 9, 2022 at Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, NY.
Bouts subject to change

SIMONE FEDERICI vs LYUBOMYR PINCHUK OFFICIAL FIGHT TRAILER
Simone Federici vs Lyubomyr Pinchuk WBC CA & NABA Gold Title Bout Trailer

FIGHT NIGHT TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
BUY TICKETS HERE!
TICKETS START AT JUST $50
FIGHT NIGHT: SATURDAY, APRIL 9 AT RIVERS CASINO SCHENECTADY
About Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady: Located at the picturesque Mohawk Harbor near the heart of downtown Schenectady, Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady features 1,050 slots, 67 live table games and a 16-table poker room and a live, in-casino luxury sportsbook lounge. The casino offers five distinctive restaurants—among them are Dukes Chophouse, Flipt, Johnny’s To-Go and Mian. Rivers features a multipurpose Event Center space, a lively entertainment lounge—Van Slyck’s, live music performances, free parking and daily promotions and giveaways. The Landing Hotel is a 165-room, six-story boutique hotel with riverfront views located adjacent to the Event Center. Rivers, which opened in 2017, employs approximately 1,200 team members and has been voted a great place to work in Schenectady. Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady is owned and operated by Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates. For more information, visit RiversCasino.com/Schenectady.

RockinFights.

ROCKIN’ FIGHTS ARCHIVES:
Rockin’ Fights 41: Oleh Dovhun vs Geram Eloyan – NABA Title (Highlights)
OLEH DOVHUN defended his NABA title for the first time against Belgium Bruiser GERAM ELOYAN in the main event at Rockin’ Fights 41!
Rockin’ Fights 35: Tyrone “Pretty Boy” James vs Ray Oliveira Jr.
TYRONE “PRETTY BOY” JAMES left his mark on “Rockin’ Fights” 35 with a vicious TKO victory over RAY OLIVEIRA JR. to remain undefeated!

New York, NY (April 8, 2022)- Undefeated welterweight contender Giovani Santillan of Split-T Management will be back in action on Saturday night as he takes on Jeovannis Barraza in the co-feature bout of an ESPN card on Saturday night in Costa Mesa, California.

The 30 year-old Santillan of San Diego, has a record of 28-0 with 15 knockouts. A 10 year-veteran of the squared circle, Santillan is on the verge of a big fight. Of his 28 wins, some of his noted victories have been over Peter Haro (2-0), Michael Balasi (10-2), Daniyar Harryk (10-0), Osenohan Vazquez (7-1-1), Eduardo Rivera (9-1-2), Ernesto Ortiz Centeno (10-2), Omar Tieneda Bahena (18-3), Sammy Valentin (12-0), Dodzi Kahmeh (19-1), Alejandro Barboza (11-1), former world champion Antonio DeMarco, Cecil McCalla (23-4) and his last bout when he took a 10-round unanimous decision over Angel Ruiz (17-1) on October 15, 2021 in his hometown of San Diego.

Barraza of Barranquilla, Colombia is 23-2 with 15 knockouts. The 26 year-old is an eight-year professional, and a former Colombian Welterweight champion who has defeated the likes of Francisco Marlmon (1-0), Luis Guillermo Berrio (5-1-1), Domicio Roldon (11-2), Carlos Saenz (19-2). Barraza is coming off a loss to Alexis Rocha on November 13, 2021 in Anaheim, California.

Giovani Santillan Press Conference Quotes:

“I like fighting in Southern California. It was great to have been able to fight in San Diego, my hometown. I think that San Diego has a lot of boxing fans, and to have a show out there is great for everybody. To be in the co-main event of that show was amazing. Now we’re in Costa Mesa, which is only an hour away from San Diego. I expect a lot of fans, friends and family to be there.”

“I’m ready for a title shot. I think I’m there. We definitely want the big fights. Hopefully, this year we get closer to something like that. Hopefully, we can be the main event in San Diego. This Saturday night will be important for me because it will set the tone for what I’m going to do for the rest of the year.”

“With every fight, there is always pressure. You always have to perform as a fighter, especially fighting on ESPN. You always want to do your best. I think I’m undefeated for a reason. We’re always thinking about trying to get the bigger fights. I’m always working hard because I want to give the best version of myself in each fight.”

At Friday’s weigh-in, Santillan was 147.4 lbs. Barraza was 148.6.

Santillan is co-promoted by Top Rank and Thompson Boxing.

Super Welterweight Bout – 12 Rounds (WBC Interim Title)

Erickson Lubin – 153 ¼ lbs.

Sebastian Fundora – 152 ¾ lbs.

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

Super Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds (WBC Title Eliminator)

Tony Harrison – 153 ½ lbs.

Sergio Garcia – 152 ½ lbs.

Referee: Tony Weeks; Judges: Eric Cheek (Nev.), Max DeLuca (Calif.), Don Trella (Conn.)

Super Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Kevin Salgado – 154 ¼ lbs.

Bryant Perrella – 153 ½ lbs.

Referee: Mike Ortega; Judges: John McKaie (N.Y.), David Sutherland (Okla.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J).

Note: Contracted weight is 155 pounds

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Two more Hall of Famers are part of the most decorated telecast team in all of boxing: Emmy^® Award-winning event announcer Jim Gray as ringside reporter and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. The versatile Michael C. Williams is the in-ring announcer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The producer is Ray Smaltz III and the director is Chuck McKean. Former junior middleweight world champion Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez and sportscaster Alejandro Luna serve as expert analysts in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP). 

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

    •  Mikaela Mayer 129.8 vs. Jennifer Han 128.8
(Mayer’s WBO/IBF/Ring Magazine Junior Lightweight Titles — 10 Rounds)

•   Giovani Santillan 147.4 lbs vs. Jeovanis Barraza 148.6 lbs 
(Welterweight — 10 Rounds)

•   Andrew Moloney 115.8 lbs vs. Gilberto Mendoza 113.4 lbs 
(Junior Bantamweight — 8 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT)

   •    Floyd Diaz 122 lbs vs. Blake Quintana 120.6 lbs
 (Junior Featherweight— 6 Rounds)

   •       Duke Ragan 126.6 lbs vs. Diuhl Olguin 125.6 lbs
 (Featherweight — 6 Rounds)

   •    Jason Moloney 119.4 lbs vs. Francisco Javier Pedroza 119.8 lbs
 (Bantamweight — 10/8 Rounds)

   •   Virginia Fuchs 109.8 lbs vs. Randee Lynn Morales 110.6 lbs
 (Flyweight — 6 Rounds)

   •   Luis Alberto Lopez 128 lbs vs. Raul Chirino 128.8 lbs
 (Junior Lightweight — 8 Rounds)

(OFF-TV, 6:15 ET/3:15 p.m. PT)

   •       Lindolfo Delgado 142.6 lbs vs. Gustavo David Vittori 145.2 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 8 Rounds)

Skye Nicolson will become the first Australian female to step through the ropes at Madison Square Garden when she fights on the undercard of the historic clash between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano on Saturday April 30 in New York, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS FOR TAYLOR VS. SERRANO ARE ON SALE NOW FROM TICKETMASTER.COM
Nicolson (2-0) returns to the States for her third pro-outing after making her debut in San Diego at the start of March and then making it two wins from two in Leeds at the end of the month.

The Australian, who won Commonwealth Gold in 2018 and represented her country at the 2020 Olympics, joins an all-star cast on April 30 in the Big Apple, and makes her own piece of history on a night where Taylor and Serrano, the pound-for-pound #1 and #2 fighters of the world is one that will not only make boxing history, but women’s sports history. MSG has hosted thousands of fights through its illustrious years, beginning more than a century ago on July 17, 1882; now, 140 years later, this matchup finally marks the very first time two female fighters are headlining a combat sports event at ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’.

The 26 year old southpaw will face Shanecqua Paisley Davis (3-1) over six rounds, and with the main event shining the brightest of lights on the rise of women’s boxing, Nicolson is thrilled to be sharing the stage with the main event and another undisputed battle between Super-Middleweight champions Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Elin Cederoos.

“It’s an honor for me to not only fight on this historic card but also to become one of the few Australians to fight at the Mecca of boxing Madison Square Garden and the first female,” said Nicolson. “This is a game changing moment for Women’s boxing and I’m so grateful for this opportunity to feature on this show.

“For me personally it will be three fights in eight weeks on both sides of the Atlantic, I feel like I’m improving every day and the opportunities that Matchroom and DAZN are giving me are helping me grow on my journey to become World champion. See you in NYC!”

“This is a massive night for boxing, and I am delighted to complete a great undercard with Skye,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “She’s been faultless in her first two fights so far, and on this most momentous of nights for female fighters, she will be able to show the world what she is capable of on the biggest of stages.”

Nicolson completes a star-studded undercard with Jessie Vargas and Liam Smith meeting in a must-win battle at Super-Welterweight and there’s more undisputed action on the card as Crews-Dezurn and Cederroos decide who is the top dog at 168lbs.

Olympic Gold medal star Galal Yafai makes his American debut and defends his WBC International Flyweight Title against Miguel Cartagena in his second pro fight, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams is in a tough test with fellow unbeaten Middleweight Chordale Booker, Reshat Mati is always popular in his home city and the ‘Albanian Bear’ meets Joe Eli Hernandez over eight rounds, and Light-Heavyweight talent Khalil Coe makes the short trip from Jersey City to face William Langston over six.

MINNEAPOLIS – April 8, 2022 – Unified WBC and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will battle former unified champion Danny Roman in a matchup between two of the sport’s most consistently crowd-pleasing fighters headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, June 4 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. taking on Kalvin Henderson in the co-main event.

“Fans at The Armory in Minneapolis and watching on SHOWTIME are in for another treat on June 4 with a battle between unified champion Stephen Fulton and former unified champion Danny Roman that is destined to deliver dramatic action,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Adding in the exciting rising star David Morrell Jr. returning to fight in his adopted hometown against Kalvin Henderson, and June 4 is lined up to be another can’t-miss night of high-stakes fights.”

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster. The Fulton vs. Roman fight is promoted in association with Thompson Boxing.

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa., Fulton (20-0, 8 KOs) faced impressive competition while rising up the 122-pound rankings to earn the opportunity that saw him become world champion and eventually a unified champion. In his last 14 fights, the 27-year-old has beaten eight previously undefeated fighters. After taking the title from Angelo Leo in January 2021, he edged out Brandon Figueroa in November to unify titles in one of the year’s best and most action-packed fights. Trained in his hometown by coach Wahid Rahim, Fulton has displayed sublime boxing skills that have allowed him to dominate opponents of varying styles and control fights from start to finish.

“I’m ready to defend my titles once again against ‘Danny boy’,” said Fulton. “I expect Roman to be excited and on point. He’s looking at this fight as a comeback, so he’ll be ready. This is his biggest fight to date. Fight fans should just make sure to tune in to this fight because when I fight I always put on a great show and June 4 won’t be any different.”

Ranked in the top five by the WBC, WBO and IBF, Roman (28-3-1, 10 KOs) will have a chance to regain his unified 122-pound championship status on June 4. The 31-year-old from Los Angeles has won back-to-back fights, earning unanimous decision victories over former champion Juan Carlos Payano in September 2020 and Ricardo Espinoza Franco in May 2021. Roman first became world champion in 2017, when he stopped Shun Kubo for the WBA title. Roman would go on to unify titles by beating TJ Doheny for his IBF strap in 2019, before losing a narrow split decision to Murodjon Akhmadaliev in January 2020.

“Words can’t describe how excited I am to be back in the ring, fighting for the world titles on SHOWTIME,” said Roman. “Fulton is an undefeated champion who has never tasted defeat, but I have plans to take his belts. I have confidence in myself that I’m going to come out on top based on my skill and experience. I’m having a great camp and the fans should be tuning in because I’m going to be in the best shape of my life. I’m grateful to my team for working hard to make this fight happen. I’m going to make this fight a war on June 4.”

Now based in Minneapolis, Morrell (6-0, 5 KOs) has shown off the prodigious talents that made him a standout in Cuba’s iconic amateur scene since arriving stateside in 2019. The 24-year-old captured an interim title by dominating then unbeaten Lennox Allen in August 2020. Morell, who trains in Texas with renowned coach Ronnie Shields, thrilled the crowd at The Armory in his adopted hometown twice in 2021. He stopped the previously unbeaten Mario Cazares in round one in June before dominating veteran contender Alantez Fox on his way to a fourth-round stoppage in December.

“I’m super excited to be able to have the opportunity to fight in my second home of Minneapolis,” said Morrell. “I’m ready to shine at The Armory once again on June 4. It’s going to be an amazing feeling to have that support on fight night and I’m working hard in training to make sure I can deliver for the fans.”

The 31-year-old Henderson (15-1-1, 11 KOs) has won three of his last four fights, including three stoppage victories in 2021. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Henderson bounced back from a decision loss against unbeaten Isiah Steen to stop Robert Burwell in his most recent outing in October. Henderson turned pro in 2016, winning his first 12 bouts before a majority draw against Genc Pllana in December 2019.

“I feel this is an excellent opportunity to show who I am on a national network for a WBA title,” said Henderson. “A lot of pros never get the chance to fight for a world title and for me to get this opportunity 17 fights in is amazing. All I ever wanted was an opportunity. Even though he is young, Morrell is a game opponent. He comes from the Cuban program, but we have a great game plan to take this world title back home.”

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

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with an exciting welterweight contenders’ bout that will see No. 4 ranked Vicente Luque run it back with No. 5 Belal Muhammad. The co-main event will see Dana White’s Contender Series contract winners collide when Caio Borralho  faces Gadzhi Omargadzhiev at middleweight.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: LUQUE vs. MUHAMMAD 2 will take place Saturday, April 16 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The main card will be available on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+, starting at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT. The preliminary card will kick off on ESPN+ at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT.

Diverse finisher Luque (21-7-1, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil) is currently riding the hottest streak of his MMA career. Victorious in 11 of his last 12 bouts, he holds impressive finishes against Michael Chiesa, Tyron Woodley and Niko Price (twice). Luque now has his sights set on once again stopping Muhammad to stake his claim for a welterweight title shot.

Muhammad (20-3 1NC, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) is riding a wave of momentum that has seen him go unbeaten for the past three years. A well-rounded competitor, he has secured notable victories over Stephen Thompson, Demian Maia and Dhiego Lima. Muhammad now looks to even the score with Luque and earn his first UFC championship opportunity.

Borralho (10-1 1NC, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) hopes to turn heads in his first UFC co-main event opportunity. Currently on a 10-fight unbeaten run, he impressed with consecutive wins against Aaron Jeffrey and Jesse Murray on Dana White’s Contender Series. Borralho now intends to hand Omargadzhiev the first loss of his career in emphatic fashion.

Omargadzhiev (13-0, fighting out of Paris, France by way of Makhachkala, Russia) is gunning for another highlight-reel finish in his UFC debut. A former combat sambo world champion, he earned his spot on the UFC roster with a spectacular submission victory over Jansey Silva. Omargadzhiev now aims to become the first fighter to finish Borralho and establish himself among the sport’s top prospects.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Miguel Baeza (10-2, fighting out of Davie, Fla.) looks to steal the show when he faces Andre Fialho (14-4 1NC, fighting out of Cascais, Portugal) in a welterweight bout
• Mayra Bueno Silva (7-2-1, fighting out of Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil) faces Wu Yanan (11-4, fighting out of Xi’an, China) at bantamweight
• Pat Sabatini (16-3, fighting out of Bristol, Penn.) intends to continue his momentum when he meets Dana White’s Contender Series signee TJ Laramie (12-4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Windsor, Ontario, Canada) at featherweight
• Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (23-7, fighting out of Francisco Beltrão, Parana, Brazil) locks horns with Mounir Lazzez (10-2, fighting out of Dubai, UAE by way of Sfax, The Republic of Tunisia) in an exciting welterweight bout
• Devin Clark (12-6, fighting out of Sioux Falls, S.D.) battles William Knight (11-3, fighting out of East Hartford, Conn.) in a heavyweight bout
• No. 11 ranked women’s bantamweight contender Lina Lansberg (10-5, fighting out of Malmö, Sweden) returns to action against No. 12 Pannie Kianzad (16-6, fighting out of Helsingborg, Sweden, by way of Ahvaz, Iran)
• Drakkar Klose (11-2-1, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz. by way of South Haven, Mich.) squares off with Brandon Jenkins (15-8, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) in a lightweight contest
• Rafa Garcia (13-2, fighting out of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico) hopes to build off the momentum of his first UFC win when he takes on veteran Jesse Ronson (21-10 1NC, fighting out of London, Ontario, Canada) at lightweight
• Chris Barnett (22-7, fighting out of Athens, Ga.) aims to deliver another highlight-reel finish when he takes on Martin Buday (9-1, fighting out of Trnava, Slovakia) at heavyweight
• Jordan Leavitt (9-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) faces UFC newcomer Trey Ogden (15-4, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) in a lightweight matchup
• Istela Nunes (7-2 1NC, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) squares off with Sam Hughes (5-4, fighting out of Everett, Wash.) at strawweight
• Alatengheili (14-8-1 1NC, fighting out of Beijing, China) meets Kevin Croom (21-14 1NC, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) in a bantamweight bout

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

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About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 688 million fans and 188 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About ESPN+

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

LONDON, APRIL 8 – WBO world bantamweight title holder Dina Thorslund is pushing for huge unification fights with Ebanie Bridges and the other champions.

The 28-year-old will start banging the drum for clashes with Bridges, Jamie Mitchell and Yuliahn Luna if she comes through a defence of her title in Denmark on Saturday night.

Bridges won the IBF belt last month but the unbeaten Thorslund believes she would be too strong for the Australian and anyone else in the 118lbs division.

Thorslund faces Niorkis Carreno in Holstebro this weekend – on a bill that also includes Alex Dilmaghani in an eight-round contest against Victor Julio – and if she keeps hold of her belt then the Dane’s focus will immediately turn to unification fights.

“It would be amazing to fight Ebanie but the result would not come as a surprise to people because I would win because I am better than her,” Thorslund (17-0) said.

“But it would be a great fight and the build-up could be real fun with two blonde bombers!”

“I believe I am strongest fighter at bantamweight and with the right preparation, I can take all of the belts and unify the division,” she added.

“That is my goal and to get to this point in my career has been a long time coming, especially with no promoter for so long, but with Probellum backing me I hope we can make these massive fights for women’s boxing.”

Two-weight world champion Thorslund joined forces with Probellum, the fastest growing brand in the sport, in January as is part of a building roster of female fighters.

Lightweight world champion Estelle Mossely made a historic defence of her title in Dubai last month, while women’s boxing pioneer Hanna Gabriels has signed a co-promotional deal with the company.

To keep up to date with all of the Thorslund’s fight news as she chases big unification fights, sign up to the Probellum?newsletter?or follow Probellum on?Instagram,?Twitter?and?Facebook???

About Probellum???
Launched in September 2021, Probellum is a global boxing promotion and media company, and the fastest-growing brand in the sport.

Probellum’s elite stable of international fighters includes Nonito Donaire, Regis Prograis, Estelle Mossely, Sunny Edwards, Lee McGregor, Donnie Nietes, Dina Thorslund and Muhammad Waseem.

But the company has also recruited the next generation of stars with Peter McGrail, Mark Dickinson and Pat and Luke McCormack and Shabaz Masoud among the young talents under the Probellum umbrella.

Since launching, Probellum has also signed co-promotional partnerships with some of the biggest promoters globally, including DiBella Entertainment (US), Wasserman (Germany), Universum (Germany), GYM (Canada), Maravilla Box (Spain), Team Ellis (Australia), Titov Boxing Promotions (Russia), Volcano Boxing (El Salvador), BXSTRS Promotions (Mexico), PR Best (Puerto Rico) Glozier Boxing (New Zealand), Box Office Sports (Ghana) and LNK Boxing (Latvia).?