TAYLOR AND SERRANO MEET IN HISTORIC CLASH ON APRIL 30

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are set to make history in an epic battle for Taylor’s undisputed Lightweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday April 30, live worldwide on DAZN.

TO SIGN UP TO THE EXCLUSIVE PRESALE, VISIT MSG.COM/TAYLORSERRANO

Presale begins at 12noon ET on Thursday February 3, with tickets on general sale at 12noon ET on Friday February 4 – tickets start at $56 (plus fees)
Years in the making, the biggest fight ever in women’s boxing between 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’.

Irish icon Taylor (20-0 6 KOs) puts all the Lightweight belts on the line for the sixth time since winning them in June 2019 in a war with Delfine Persoon and seeing off the Belgian in a rematch in England before repelling the challenges of Miriam Gutierrez, Natasha Jonas, Jennifer Han and Firuza Sharipova – and there’s added spice to the fight as Taylor holds a win over Amanda’s sister Cindy in Boston back in October 2018.

Puerto Rican sensation Serrano (42-1-1 30 KOs) already has an unrivalled legacy in the sport as a seven-weight World champion. The Brooklyn based champion enters the momentous bout in sparkling form after knocking out Daniela Bermudez last March, dominating Yamileth Mercado in August and overpowering Miriam Gutierrez in two separate cards co-starring Jake Paul. Amanda was the 2021 Female Fighter of the Year for DAZN, ESPN and WBC among others.

“This is a fight I’ve wanted for a long, long time and I’m just excited for it to finally take place because these are the kind of fights I’m in the sport for,” said Taylor. “People have been talking about this fight for years and there have been times I wondered if it was ever going to happen so I’m very grateful to Eddie Hearn, everyone at Matchroom, DAZN and Madison Square Garden for getting it over the line.

“When I turned professional my goal was to be involved in huge events like this so to headline at Madison Square Garden in a fight of this magnitude is really the pinnacle of the sport. It’s such an iconic venue and has been home to so many of the historic moments in boxing and I truly believe this will be another one.”

“It is a dream come true to have the opportunity to headline Madison Square Garden and do so against one of the greatest boxers of all time in Katie Taylor,” said Serrano. “Since I was a young girl, my only boyfriend has been boxing. I have dedicated my life to him, and this event makes that commitment worth every minute. On April 30th I am going to make history for me, for my team, for my family, for Puerto Rico, for every Latina and Latino and for all women worldwide.”

From the moment Katie Taylor stepped into my office, this is the moment we always dreamed of,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “The moment the world would stop and watch and watch the two greatest female fighters on the planet headline at the Mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden.

“Taylor vs. Serrano is a fight for the history books. Yes, it’s the by far the biggest female fight of all time but it’s also one of the biggest fights of all time, the undisputed World and Olympic champion against the seven division World champion. 

“Both fighters deserve credit for getting this fight made, as does Jake Paul and his team at Most Valuable Promotions, DAZN and Madison Square Garden – together we’re going to put on a special night in New York and create a fitting spectacle for these trailblazers to shine.”

“We are honored to be a part of this historic event, headlined by two historically dominant women. Bringing attention to women’s boxing has been a priority for us and Saturday April 30th is a major milestone for not just the sport but girls globally who deserve equal opportunity,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, Co-Founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “We expect a battle for the ages and have the utmost respect and admiration for Katie Taylor. But make no mistake, we are standing next to Amanda Serrano and know she will prove to the world that she is the pound-for-pound greatest female boxer to ever enter the ring.  This is more than a fight, this is for forever.”

“This is without question the biggest fight ever in women’s boxing,” said Ed Breeze, DAZN EVP, Rights. “Katie Taylor is a trailblazer in the sport, with a perfect amateur record and pivotal in catapulting women’s boxing into the mainstream. Serrano is a true legend and will be Taylor’s toughest test to date. This fight will be spectacular and also one for the history books, and we’re thrilled to deliver this exciting moment in boxing and sports history to DAZN subscribers across the world.”

As the first ever women to headline at Madison Square Garden, Taylor and Serrano will come face-to-face in the Big Apple on the first leg of a global press tour next Wednesday, February 2 – timed in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, a day of observance in the U.S. acknowledging the accomplishments of female athletes and recognizing the importance of equal opportunities in sport for girls and women.  Billie Jean King – tennis icon, equality champion, and Women’s Sports Foundation founder – is delighted that the fight will take center stage at the legendary arena.

“The Taylor vs. Serrano fight at Madison Square Garden is historic and it is only fitting it is being held in the venue that has hosted so many important championships in sports,” said King. “These two women are breaking barriers and opening doors for others by being the main event and not the undercard, fighting for one of the biggest paydays in boxing and showing everyone that if you can see it, you can be it.”

“Saturday, April 30 will be another historic night of boxing at Madison Square Garden,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Marquee Events.  “The Garden has been home to some of the most iconic events in the history of boxing, and Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor will usher in another legendary night, becoming the first women to headline a show at the ‘Mecca of Boxing’.  We wish them both good luck and congratulate them on this groundbreaking achievement.”

Details around the London press conference early February will be released in due course. Additionally, there will be more information released soon around the fight not only being available worldwide on DAZN, but also through select cable & satellite pay-per-view providers in the U.S.




OLYMPIC CHAMPION GALAL YAFAI SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion Galal Yafai MBE has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will make his highly anticipated professional debut on the Lawrence Okolie vs. Michal Cieslak WBO Cruiserweight World Title show at The O2 in London on Sunday February 27, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).
 
Birmingham’s Yafai fulfilled his lifelong dream and became Olympic Champion as he brilliantly won Team GB’s first boxing gold of Tokyo 2020, impressively outpointing the Philippines’ Carlo Paalam to secure gold in the Flyweight division – Britain’s 19th gold medal of the Games. 
 
Yafai comes from a proud boxing family, with old brothers Kal and Gamal having successful careers in the professional ranks after beginning as amateurs. 2008 Olympian Kal won a European silver medal in 2010 before turning pro and winning the WBA Super-Flyweight World Title in 2016, with Gamal winning Commonwealth and European Titles. 
 
“The goal now is to win a World Title,” said Yafai. “I know there’s not many who have won Olympic Gold and then a World Title so hopefully I can add my name to that list. There’s some great current World Champions out there at the minute, I’m not going to call out any names but my time will come – I have set my sights on being at the very top.

“I’ve boxed all over the World with Team GB, it’s made me into a better fighter no doubt. I’ve fought and sparred with many styles which will stand me in good stead in the pro game. Eyes will be on me as a pro but I thrive on the pressure and it’s a really exciting time to be entering this new chapter of my career.

“I remember standing on the podium with the National Anthem playing with the medal around my neck, it was a surreal moment. I enjoyed my time in Tokyo and now I’m ready for the next step. Matchroom are the biggest promotional company in the world. I’ve known Eddie for years obviously with all the shows with my brothers so it was the best fit for me to become a World Champion.”

“I’m over the moon to secure the signature of Olympic Gold Medallist Galal Yafai and we welcome him with open arms to the Matchroom Boxing and DAZN team,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Galal was the standout British fighter at the Games and we have a long-standing relationship with his brothers, so it was personally very important to me to get this done. 
 
“Galal is going to do things very differently, for his professional debut at The O2 we are looking for him to challenge for his first professional title and from there move quickly to a World Title which we expect him to win across multiple divisions. This young man is an exceptional talent and you are going to be able to watch him on the biggest shows all over the world live on DAZN.”
 
You can follow Yafai’s journey on Instagram: galalyafai and Twitter: @galal_yafai

Tickets for Okolie vs. Cieslak are priced £40, £60, £100, £150 and £250 (VIP).

General Sale tickets can be purchased NOW via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).




BELLATOR MMA 273: BADER VS. MOLDAVSKY VIRTUAL MEDIA AVAILABILITY QUOTES

PHOENIX (Jan. 26, 2021) – BELLATOR MMA Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader (28-7, 1 NC) returns to the division following his impressive run in the BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix and will now meet interim heavyweight kingpin Valentin Moldavsky (11-1) to headline BELLATOR MMA 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky. The long-awaited title unification bout takes place on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury.

The card’s co-main event will feature a showdown of top-10 lightweight contenders as Phoenix, Ariz., resident and No. 6-ranked Benson Henderson (28-11) hopes to thrill the hometown fans against No.7-ranked Islam Mamedov (20-1-1).

Also, Two of the hardest-hitting 205 pounders in the BELLATOR stable will battle it out when former Arizona State wrestling standout Sullivan Cauley (2-0) takes on viral fan-favorite Ben “Big Tuna” Parrish (5-1), and Deerfield Beach, Fla.’s own Darrion Caldwell (14-5) will challenge Peruvian puncher Enrique Barzola (16-5-2).

SHOWTIME will televise the highly anticipated main card live at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Additionally, the must-watch preliminary fights will stream live three hours earlier at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the BELLATOR and SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channels, as well as Pluto TV.

Tickets for BELLATOR MMA 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say on Wednesday, Jan. 26:

RYAN BADER: BELLATOR MMA HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION

“I am a black belt myself. He is more of a sambo guy. I have seen a couple of fights with him (Moldavsky) on his back. He usually just waits to explode. I have been in there with some of the better guys in the world on the ground. I am totally fine wherever this fight goes. He is good everywhere, on the ground and on his feet. There are different areas I can exploit.”

“The last fight (in Phoenix at Bellator 268 on Oct. 16, 2021) was not the result we wanted. The crowd showed up. Arizona showed up. We packed the house. Let’s get a little redemption here in front of the home crowd.”

“It means a lot to me to go out there, defend and unify this heavyweight title. I have been wanting to fight at heavyweight for two years. He (Moldavsky) is an interim champ. a great prospect. I have had my eyes on him for a while.”

“I am not done yet. I feel that fire still. I feel healthy and I can train the way I need to in order to be successful. I don’t want to look back and say, ‘Oh man, I had a few years and a few fights when I stopped and regretted it for the rest of my life.’ I feel amazing. I don’t see any quitting here in the near future.”

“A Fedor (Emelianenko) fight is big. I don’t see how I can do it much better than I did the first time we fought. A Fedor fight is something that will always interest me.”

“Sullivan Cauley is a high-level fighter and one of the better guys I have trained with. His wrestling is on point. His striking is pretty damn amazing at his level and his age. To be able to go through camp with him, push each other, and gauge ourselves off of each other has been awesome. He is definitely a guy to watch in the future. He is going to do really big things.”

“We went through a weird time with Covid, not really knowing when the fights were and what weight class. So, I had to be in this limbo and keep my weight at a certain point. Cutting out water started getting harder and harder. It didn’t benefit me. I am excited to be back at heavyweight and feel good going into the fight.”

Click HERE for Bader’s full media-day session

VALENTIN MOLDAVSKY: INTERIM HEAVYWEIGHT KINGPIN

“It’s a bad idea to fight with Bader for all five rounds. It would be better if I finish him in maybe the second round. He has not lost a fight to a decision. He always wins a decision. I must beat him early, not five rounds.”

“It’s not personal. MMA is a sport. Bader is a good guy. He is aggressive.”

“I hope it is a KO or TKO in the first or second round. If needed, I am ready to fight all five rounds.”

Click HERE for Moldavsky’s full media-day session

BENSON HENDERSON: NO. 6-RANKED BELLATOR LIGHTWEIGHT

“I am incredibly happy and thankful to be fighting in my adopted hometown. I enjoy having my family, friends, and my fans come out and support me. I won’t be doing this much longer, so it definitely means a lot to me.”

“It was awesome to be inducted to the Asian Hall of Fame three or four years ago. I am very appreciative of the Asian community.”

“I have to have the BELLATOR belt around my waist, otherwise things just don’t make sense. I am not going to stop until that happens. I’ll keep going until the wheels fall off. I just need to go out there and do the things I need to do, get my hands raised to make sure I get that BELLATOR title shot.”

“I am your guy. I am your huckleberry. If Islam (Mamedov) is the quickest way back to a title shot, sign me up.

“My wife asked me to get her a third belt five or six years ago. I will get my wife a third belt.”

Click HERE for Henderson’s full media-day session

DARRION CALDWELL: BELLATOR  BANTAMWEIGHT

“I am not going the distance. I am going to beat his (Enrique Barzola’s) ass. I am here to hold down the BELLATOR banner. Saturday night is business.”

“I still have a lot of juice left. I’ve still got a lot of fight in me. Even though I have been here for a while, we are just getting started. The Wolf 2.0 is in full effect. In 2022, you guys are going to see a completely different fighter than previously.”

“I am coming here to steal the show. Even though I am not on the main card, my fight will be talked about the most.”

“There is a line of BELLATOR bantamweights that are tough. I will wax this kid. I can string together some good wins. I am next in line.”

Click HERE for Caldwell’s full media-day session

DALTON ROSTA: UNBEATEN BELLATOR MIDDLEWEIGHT

“At first, I was supposed to fight Romero Cotton. I was getting ready for an orthodox wrestler. (New opponent) Duane Johnson is the complete opposite. He is a southpaw striker. We switched up the game plan immediately.”

“Romero Cotton is pitiful. He should be disappointed in himself. His family and friends should be disappointed in him. He fights professionally and gets paid for it. All he does is pull out of fights. He should re-think his career.”

“Duane Johnson is a good fighter. He is athletic. He has good striking and jiu-jitsu from what I have seen. I am better than him everywhere. It is not about exploiting weaknesses; it’s going to be about my strengths. Wherever this fight goes, I will win.”

“My last two fights were against good fighters. Tony Johnson was a very experienced opponent and a very good striker. One thing that I learned and proved is that I am an all-around mixed martial artist. This isn’t boxing, this isn’t wrestling, this isn’t jiu-jitsu, this is MMA. When it comes to mixing everything up, I do it better than most of the people in the game.”

Click HERE for Rosta’s full media-day session

SULLIVAN CAULEY: FORMER ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY WRESTLING STANDOUT

“Camp went great. I was healthy and able to train hard the whole way through. I was battling injuries last camp.  I trained a lot with Bader. It’s always super competitive. I feel great coming into this fight.”

“Ben Parrish is a gamer and has good power in his hands, so that’s what makes him dangerous. I am really fast. I have good wrestling. I am planning to go in there and put it on him.”

“He (Ben Parrish) looks to cover and counter, switch his stances. We have a beat on what he does. Fighting is never super predictable. You have to go in there and prepare to adjust. I try not to focus too much on a gameplan, and definitely don’t focus too much on what I am worried about a guy doing.”

Click HERE for Cauley’s full media-day session

BEN PARRISH: BELLATOR LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

“You should expect fireworks on Saturday night. That is a safe assumption.”

“I look at all fighters the same. It doesn’t matter if he is 2-0 or 0-2.”

“I keep my fight camps under wraps. We kind of stay in the shadows. I am coming in like The Dark Knight on this one.”

“I am going to stop writing 5-1 and write 6-0 (for his MMA record). As soon as I’m done with this guy, I kind of hope BELLATOR will bring Logan Woods so I can get my loss back. I want that back.”

“You can expect a big money show and big drama show from me going forward. I am here to have the most entertaining fights that money can buy live on SHOWTIME.”

“My motivation is being counted out. This guy (Sullivan Cauley) gets to come straight into BELLATOR, but me and my teammates are all out on the regional scene having to deal with jank-fest promoters and fighting killers for $600. Even there I made more money than those regional fighters. He gets to come straight in. He is 2-0 in Bellator, and I’m getting brought in as the underdog. Do you think I’m going to let him take all this that I have been working my whole life away from me?”

“I don’t want nothing for free, but I will take everything. I swear to God.”

Click HERE for Parrish’s full media-day session

BELLATOR MMA 273: BADER VS. MOLDAVSKY MAIN CARD:

Saturday, Jan. 29 – live on SHOWTIME

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Heavyweight World Title Main Event: C-Ryan Bader (28-7, 1 NC) vs. IC-Valentin Moldavsky (11-1)

Lightweight Bout: #6-Benson Henderson (28-11) vs. #7-Islam Mamedov (20-1-1)

Featherweight Bout: Henry Corrales (19-6) vs. Aiden Lee (10-5)

Welterweight Bout: Sabah Homasi (15-10) vs. Jaleel Willis (15-3)

PRELIMINARY CARD: 

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV

7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT 

Bantamweight Bout: Darrion Caldwell (14-5) vs. Enrique Barzola (16-5-2)

Lightweight Bout: Saad Awad (24-13, 1 NC) vs. Chris Gonzalez (6-1)

Middleweight Bout: Dalton Rosta (5-0) vs. Duane Johnson (6-2)

Bantamweight Bout: Nikita Mikhailov (8-1) vs. Blaine Shutt (8-5)

Featherweight Bout: Lucas Brennan (5-0) vs. Ben Lugo (5-4)

Featherweight Bout: Weber Almeida (5-1) vs. Fabricio Franco (8-4, 1 NC)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Sullivan Cauley (2-0) vs. Ben Parrish (5-1)

*Card subject to change.

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

****

Updated schedule of BELLATOR events

Sat. Jan. 29 // BELLATOR 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky // Footprint Center // Phoenix, Ariz.

Sat., Feb. 19 / / BELLATOR 274: Gracie vs. Storley // Mohegan Sun Area // Uncasville, Conn.

Fri. Feb. 26 // BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford // 3Arena // Dublin, Ireland

Fri. May 13 // BELLATOR LONDON: Amosov vs. MVP // The SSE Arena, Wembley // London

About BELLATOR

BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. In the United States, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity, and commission relations. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc., owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS, and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple®, Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku®, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One and PlayStation®4. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. Viewers can also watch on computers at Showtime.com. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 




Don King Productions “RETURN TO GREATNESS” Final Press Conference Quotes

WARREN, Ohio (January 26, 2022) – WBC World Cruiserweight Champion Ilunga Makabu will defend his world title against WBC Cruiserweight Silver Champion Thabiso Mchunu in the main event while WBA Heavyweight Champion Trevor Bryan will square off against WBA No. 13-ranked Heavyweight Contender Jonathan Guidry on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the W.D. Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio.

All four fighters joined eight others who will compete for four more championship belts in the final press conference for Don King Productions’ “RETURN TO GREATNESS” on Wednesday at the Grand Hotel. Johnnie Langston (9-3, 3 KOs) of Sarasota, Fla., will square off against Nick Kisner (22-5-1, 6 KOs) of Baltimore, Md., in a 10-round bout for the NABA Cruiserweight title and Ahmed Hefny (13-1, 5 KOs) of Queens, N.Y., takes on undefeated Decatur, Ga., prospect Dacarree Scott, who has a perfect record of 6-0 with 6 KOs. Plus, West Virginia’s Cody Wilson (10-3, 7 KOs) meets New York’s Tre’Sean Wiggins (12-5-3, 6 KOs) in an NABA Middleweight Title Bout and the NABA Middleweight Championship will be up for grabs as local product Michael Moore (18-3, 8 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio, will meet Anthony Lenk (17-7, 7 KOs) of Niagara Falls, NY.

Warren Mayor William D. Franklin declared January 26, 2022, Don King Day in Warren, Ohio, presenting the legendary 90-year-old Hall of Fame promoter with a special “Don King Day” Proclamation plaque.

Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster or the W.D. Packard Music Hall. The fight card will be televised through

Donking.com, DKPBoxing.com, or Itube247.combeginning at 6 p.m. ET at a cost of $49.99.

DON KING: International Boxing Hall of Fame Promoter

“We’re going to have a sensational evening of boxing. I am very pleased to be home again. It will give people a chance to have fun again. No one should take it lightly. It would be much better if you take the vaccinations and the shot, where your mask and socially distance.

“We are here to give you a moment of respite. Hey everybody, let’s have some fun. Live it once, and when you’re dead, you’re done. No matter whether you are young or old, let the good times roll.

“I have to thank God because we had a governor (of Ohio) who reduced the charge for me, basically because he said it wasn’t possible. Nevertheless, he put his reputation on the line. They sent me to the Ohio penitentiary. They said they were going to give me shock probation. I had never been arrested so they were going to give me 30-90 days. I ended up doing four years. I made the time serve me. I educated myself in the penitentiary. When I came out of the penitentiary, the good citizens of Cleveland were waiting to tell me about the hospital that was going to be closed down for lack of funds and would I promote a fundraiser for the hospital.

“I called Muhammad Ali to come in and box five or six guys. In so doing, we would raise money for this hospital. He told me that I was the greatest promoter he had ever seen, and I should go into boxing. So, my first fight was Muhammad Ali. We made history together. Then he got convicted by not taking that step into the Army. He was sentenced to five years and a big fine at the height of his career. He stood as a conscientious objector. The United States Supreme Court reversed that decision. Ali then came back and made history again with me promoting him.

“The four years that he (Ali) was out, no one knows how great he would have really been because he was at the top of his career. Plus, he would have made millions of dollars during those four years.

“You’ve got to say, ‘Muhammad Ali take a deep breath. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. Your hands can’t get what your eyes can’t see.’  He was so fast that he could turn the switch off and get in bed before the room got dark.”

ILUNGA MAKABU: WBC Cruiserweight Champion

“I hope everybody knows who I am. I’m very thankful for this opportunity to be here today in front of you guys. I’m very thankful to Don King Productions for making this event happen because plenty of events have been disturbed by COVID. I’m very happy to be here and to have the opportunity to defend our title on January 29. I don’t have much to say. I just want to say good luck to my opponent Thabiso Mchunu because this is the second time I’m fighting him now. Thanks to all who come to support us. Thanks to my team. Enjoy the fight on the 29th.”

THABISO MCHUNU: WBC No. 1 Ranked Cruiserweight Contender

“The hard work has been done. Come fight night, I am ready to go. All the best to everyone who is fighting on Saturday night.”

TREVOR BRYAN: WBA Heavyweight World Champion

“I am here to stay, to keep proving myself. I have a strong opponent in front of me in Jonathan Guidry. I appreciate him being out here. This is a big opportunity for him as well. We are going to show it out for you in Ohio and showcase all this talent for the whole world to see.

“It’s been a long road, a lot of hearsay. I am here to stay. It won’t be long now. I am the journey.”

JONATHAN GUIDRY: Undefeated WBA No. 13-Ranked Heavyweight

“All the hard work is done. I am just glad we got the opportunity. We are just thankful to be out here to shock the world.”

RAY “BOOM BOOM” MANCINI: International Boxing Hall of Fame Boxer/Jan. 29 pay-per-view commentator

“I am very excited about this fight card here at W.D. Packard Music Hall. I fought six times here in 1980 on the way up. I had a fight here against Jose Luis Ramirez to defend my North American belt. It is a great venue. It is just a great facility for boxing. It’s great to have championship boxing back here in Warren, Ohio.”

HONORABLE WILLIAM D. FRANKLIN: MAYOR OF WARREN, OHIO

“We are very proud, honored, and happy to be hosting this event. I know what we’re about. I am thankful to you, Mr. King for letting us be the host of this great event seen by boxing fans worldwide. Who would have thought that Warren, Ohio, would be the host?

“On Saturday night, by the benevolence of Mr. King, we are going to have a record number of our safety forces at the fight. We’re going to host more than 175 police officers, firefighters, and health care workers. They have been protecting us for almost two years.

“Mr. King, I tried to capsulize what people don’t talk about; your heart, your life, your spirit, your experience, your strength and hope that you give to so many people.”

BERNIE PROFATO: Executive Director of Ohio Athletic Commission

“In 1972 Don King called me and I was a young referee at the time. He asked if I wouldn’t mind donating my time because they were going to do a boxing show for this hospital. I said, ‘Don, for you, absolutely anything.’ Don King is the only person in the state of Ohio that I have issued a lifetime boxing license to. No one deserves it more than him. This is probably the greatest overall fight card in the 20 years that I have been at the Ohio Athletic Commission to be promoted in Warren, Ohio. I am so honored that Don has done this.”




CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. EMA KOZIN VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

(January 26, 2022) – Boxing superstar Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields and #1 ranked challenger Ema Kozin previewed their showdown for Shields’ WBC/WBA/IBF Middleweight World titles during a virtual press conference Wednesday before they step into the ring on Saturday, February 5 from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in Wales and also available in the U.S. and Canada on pay-per-view.

Shields will be making her U.K. debut as a professional, entering the ring as the co-main event, with star U.K. middleweights Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams meeting in the main event. This is Shields’ first fight in a lucrative multi-fight deal with promoter Boxxer and broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K., secured for her by Salita Promotions.

Kozin hopes to pull off a landscape-shifting upset in her first crack at the world titles, and in doing so halt Shields’ march towards a super fight showdown with WBO Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall in 2022. Marshall owns an amateur victory over Shields, the only boxing defeat Shields’ has suffered in the pro or amateur ranks.

The February 5 event will be carried in North America across all PPV platforms, including streaming, cable, satellite and telco. On TV, boxing fans can order the event through Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as well as leading operators in Canada. Complete PPV distribution details can be found below.

Here is what the fighters, along with Salita Promotions President Dmitriy Salita, had to say on Wednesday:

CLARESSA SHIELDS

“I’m looking forward to returning to boxing and showing why I’m one of the top women in the sport. I can’t wait to give everyone a great fight on February 5.

“I’ve never overlooked an opponent and I won’t just because of the Savannah Marshall fight. We’ve always had someone that we’re already working on facing for the next fight. I’ve been in this situation before. I’m focusing on the person who has earned the right to fight me. Kozin is my mandatory, and I respect that this is a huge opportunity for her.

“Training with Floyd Mayweather has pushed my confidence even higher. He’s very fond of my skills and my power and he said he’s going to fly to the U.K. to watch this fight. So I’m definitely looking to put on a great show.

“If I had to use one word for this camp, it would be: uncomfortable. I made sure that I got out of my comfort zone for this fight. I’m making sure that I have all my tools and going to the Mayweather Boxing Club has really sharpened those tools.

“I’m expecting the U.K. fans to be very excited to see me. When I walked out there in London for my gold medal match in 2012, it was an explosive crowd. They have great fans and I’m excited to be back to show off all my improvement since 2012.

“I’m going to bring my world championship experience to this fight. She has more fights as a pro than me, but she has not fought the top tier champions like I have. That’s definitely to my advantage in this fight. She’s going to see my experience in this fight and see that it’s totally different at this level.

“I never lost my love for boxing. That’s my first love and that’s why I’m the greatest at it. MMA is something I do for myself. Being able to even do that, with no amateur experience, just shows that I’m a different kind of athlete.

“I’m hoping to get in the ring with Savannah Marshall next. Women’s boxing is on fire right now and we’re giving the fans the fights they want.

“Fighting on a card of this magnitude will help women’s boxing. Eubank and Williams are known worldwide, so it’s great that some of their fans will become our fans. This is a great opportunity and I’m just going to keep taking it one step at a time.

“I know more about her than she thinks. I’ve followed her whole career. When we get in there, I’m going to make her call me the G.W.O.A.T. in the ring.”

EMA KOZIN

“This is a huge opportunity and I want to make the most of it. I’ve worked hard for the last year and I’ve made a lot of progress as a fighter. I can’t wait to show it all in the ring.

“I’ve heard that the crowds in the U.K. are great and I can’t wait to experience that. I’m sure it will be awesome. They’re going to see a great fight that they’re really going to enjoy.

“I’ve never been as prepared as I am right now. I wouldn’t be stepping in the ring with her if I didn’t believe I was capable of beating her.

“I can’t show all of my cards right now, but I’m highly motivated. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything this badly. I’m going to use my intelligence, my focus and my preparation to get this victory. I’ve made huge progress in the last year and I feel ready.

“She’s a great fighter of course, but you don’t need high-level fights to gain experience. I have had great training and I have a great team behind me. She doesn’t know me as well as she thinks she does. I can change up my style round-by-round. With the focus that I’ve had for the past year, I can beat anyone in this sport.

I’m going to give my best in this fight. I’m ready for a tough fight through 10 rounds or as long as it takes. I’m anxious to get in the ring and win this fight.”

DMITRIY SALITA, President of Salita Promotions

“Claressa has left no stone unturned in preparation. With all due respect to Kozin, I believe Shields is going to shine on February 5 in the U.K.

“This is a tremendous fight and a great event for Claressa to be making her U.K. debut as a pro. Kozin is a tough challenger and she’s the number one ranked contender for a reason. Ema Kozin has been a big star in Europe and being undefeated, you can’t take her for granted.

“When great fighters are faced with stiff competition, they rise to a new level. You saw that against Christina Hammer, and I believe the same will happen with Kozin. She’s going to send a strong message to Savannah Marshall.”

#

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.

HOW TO WATCH THE February 5 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, ____________Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as ____________well as leading operators in Canada.
?
Streaming: PPV.com and FITE.TV




Atlanta middleweight Antonio Todd, Jr. Riding high after upsetting WBC No. 10 rated Hugo Centeno

QUINCY, Mass. (January 26, 2022) – Last Saturday night in Detroit, Atlanta middleweight Antonio Todd, Jr. registered his career-defining victory, upsetting World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 10-rated Hugo “The Boss” Centeno, Jr. by way of a 10-round majority decision in the main event.

The 27-year-old Todd, fighting out of Atlanta, won on two of the three judges’ scorecards, 97-93 and 96-94, as the other had it a 95-95 draw. More impressive was Todd defeating a fighter who is under contract to the event promoter, Dmitriy Salita.

“It was the biggest win of my career, thus far,” Todd said. “It means a lot for my career in terms of taking me to the next level. I feel that I won the fight by unanimous decision and, if he hadn’t started moving around, I could have stopped him. But this is boxing, you need to take chances to be great.

“I want to fight anybody, anybody in the 160-pound division, fighting bigger names on television. I’m ready now! I think real fighters or those confident in their skills will be the guys who step up. We do have a couple names in mind.”

Todd is promoted by rising New England-based Granite Chin Promotions, owned, and operated by Chris Traietti.

“The way Antonio handled himself throughout the whole process leading up to the Centano fight is a testament to his character and drive,” Traietti commented. “At first, the fight was on, then off, then back on again. Then, Centeno was over the weight limit. Despite all of this, Antonio and his trainer, Lionel Harris, just stayed focused on the fighting part of all this, leaving the behind-the-scenes stuff to me, and he delivered a career-defining performance. For 10 rounds he brought pressure, used his world-class jab, and pulled off a beautiful complete win.”

Todd concluded, “I love being promoted by Chris. It’s great being part of his Granite Chin team and him being part of my team.”




MARIO BARRIOS TRAINING CAMP QUOTES

OAKLAND, CALIF. (January 26, 2022) – Former super lightweight world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios shared insights into his training camp and discussed making his welterweight debut before he squares off against former unified welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman on Saturday, February 5 in the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View main event from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features four-division champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz dueling Keenan “Bedo” Carbajal in the co-main event of the four-fight lineup.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at axs.com.

The 26-year-old Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs) will make his welterweight debut following an impressive run at super lightweight that saw him capture the WBA world title and win his first nine fights in the division, including eight by knockout. Barrios lost the title to three-division champion Gervonta Davis in June in an exciting action fight on pay-per-view.

Here is what the San Antonio, Texas native Barrios had to say leading into his showdown against Thurman:

On his recent training camp:
“I’m having an incredible training camp. I’ve stayed in shape since my last fight and headed to the Bay Area to start camp with Virgil Hunter about three weeks ago. I’ve now moved camp to Las Vegas where I’ll finish off that last couple of weeks until the fight. My sparring has gotten me into perfect condition and I know that I’ll be ready for war come fight night.”

On his upcoming matchup with Keith Thurman:
“Although Thurman has been out of the ring for a couple of years, I know he’s been training hard for this fight and will be in great shape. He’s been one of the best fighters of our era and I expect him to be at his very best. I know what needs to be done on my end and I believe I can execute the game plan we have in place. We both like to let our hands go, so fans can definitely expect to see an explosive fight on February 5.”

On moving up to the welterweight division:
“Making the move to welterweight is going to be very important for me at this stage in my career. I’ve grown into my man strength, and it has been difficult making 140 pounds for these last few years. The extra seven pounds is going to make a tremendous difference in my weight cut, because I’m still big for this weight as well. In this fight we’re going to see if my power comes up with me. I’m confident that it will.”

On fighting on FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View:
“I’m grateful to my whole team for giving me this opportunity to fight on pay-per-view once again. I think I’ve proven myself to the fans that I’m a warrior in the ring who will always give a great performance. This fight will be no different, as I’m going into the ring to lay punishment on my opponent. Everyone should order this fight now, because I don’t think this one is going the distance.”

#

ABOUT THURMAN VS. BARRIOS
Thurman vs. Barrios will see former unified welterweight world champion Keith “One Time’’ Thurman return to the ring to take on former super lightweight world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios in a 12-round welterweight showdown that headlines a jam-packed FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View lineup on Saturday, February 5 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

In the co-feature, four-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto’’ Santa Cruz will battle Keenan “Bedo’’ Carbajal in a 10-round super featherweight match, while battle-tested all-action welterweights Abel Ramos and Josesito “Riverside Rocky’’ Lopez clash in a 10-round attraction. The pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with former two-division champion Luis “Pantera” Nery battling unbeaten Carlos Castro in a 10-round super bantamweight duel.

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.




PROBELLUM’S UPCOMING DUBAI EVENT TO HOST HISTORY-MAKING FEMALE WORLD TITLE MATCH

Dubai, UAE – January 26, 2022 – Olympic gold medalist Estelle Mossely will face Argentinian Yanina del Carmen Lescano at Probellum’s two-night boxing showcase in Dubai this March, with the fighters making history by competing in the Middle East’s first-ever female world title match.

The final headline bouts for Probellum’s first event of the year have now been confirmed, with Jono Carroll also in action.

Those two fights will take place on the opening night, following the announcement that Sunny Edwards will put his IBF flyweight title on the line against Muhammad Waseem on night two, with Regis Prograis and Tyrone McKenna facing off in the co-main event.

Probellum’s Dubai double-header takes place on March 18 and 19 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, located at The Irish Village, in association with Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.

Undefeated IBO world lightweight champion Mossely (9-0, 1 knockout), Probellum’s most recent signing and the 2016 Olympic and World Champion, will become the first female boxer to headline an event in the Middle East.

Carroll (21-2-1), meanwhile, will be looking to build on his impressive win at Probellum’s previous Dubai show at the Coca-Cola Arena in December.

“History will be made on the opening night of our upcoming event in Dubai as Estelle Mossely and Yanina del Carmen Lescano go head-to-head,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum.

“Probellum continues to make big strides in the boxing world and our ability to host events of this magnitude, having only launched in September, is indicative of our long-term ambitions.

“Our first show in Dubai last year was a huge success and this upcoming event, which includes two consecutive nights of top-level boxing, promises to be even bigger and better.

“I am looking forward to being in Dubai to watch history being made, and I would urge boxing fans across the Middle East to make sure they secure a ticket as this is an event not to be missed.”

With the event taking place over St Patrick’s Day weekend, more of Ireland’s most talented boxers will be confirmed to compete over the course of both nights in the coming weeks.

In the lead-up to the event there will be a week-long programme of entertainment including public workouts, press conferences and weigh-ins, along with a series of activations, while The Irish Village will be introducing special offers for those fans who purchase tickets for Fight Night.

Ticket prices start from 50 AED and are available to purchase from Friday, 28th January via Platinum List or in-person at The Irish Village, Al Garhoud and Studio City.

For live news and updates, be sure to 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 includes Nonito Donaire, Lee McGregor, Donnie Nietes, Troy Williamson, Dina Thorslund, Muhammad Waseem, O’Shaquie Foster, Will Cawley, Mark Dickinson and Pat and Luke McCormack.

Since launching, Probellum has signed co-promotional partnerships with some of the biggest promoters globally, including 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).

Probellum hosted its inaugural event at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena in December 2021.




SOUTH PHILADELPHIA HEAVYWEIGHT SONNY CONTO PUTS UNDEFEATED STREAK ON THE LINE AGAINST MIKE MARSHALL IN LIVE BOXING AT LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL ON FEBRUARY 24

PHILADELPHIA (January 25, 2022)—South Philadelphia heavyweight fighter Sonny Conto (8-0, 7KOs) puts his impressive undefeated streak on the line against Mike Marshall (6-2-1, 4 KOs) of Danbury, CT, in a six-round heavyweight fight at The Event Center at Live! Casino & Hotel in Philadelphia, on Thursday, February 24th at 7 p.m.

Tickets will go on sale Friday January 28th at 10am starting at $50, $75 and $125 and can be found at Philadelphia.livecasinhotel.com, AXS.com or by calling 215-364-9000. Must be 21 or older to attend.

In his previous sold out fight at Live! in November 2021, Conto scored a third-round knockout in front of the loud supportive hometown crowd.

Marshall is a veteran of the sport making his debut in 2015 and is coming into enemy territory trying to bounce back from a tough loss on the Wilder vs Fury 3 undercard.

Super lightweights Daiyaan Butt (10-1, 5KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA and Bryce Mills (7-1, 4KO’s) of Liverpool, NY will battle six rounds where Butt will look to extend his three fight winning streak.

Another highlight on the card is lightweight Jordon Murphy (1-0, 1KO) of Bensalem, PA will be making his second professional appearance competing in a four round bout.

The card will also feature super featherweight Frankie Trader (13-2-1, 3KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA competing in a six round contest. Trader will look to continue to climb the ranks, as he has won 3 straight bouts since making his return from a four and a half year layoff and reuniting with his head trainer Aaron Ford.

Super lightweights Christopher Burgos (3-4-1, 1KO) of Philadelphia, PA will battle Phillip Davis (2-5-1) in a six round bout. Burgos won his last fight in an all-out war in a rematch against Gerardo Martinez and will look to build on that win to gain some momentum.

Rounding out the card will be Gerardo Martinez (5-2, 1KO) of Coatesville, PA going against Seifullah Jihad Wise (4-8, 1KO) of Philadelphia, PA in a six round bout.

For press credentials contact Bam McCloskey at Brittany@JoeHandPromotions.com.

About Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
Voted Best Overall Gaming Resort in Pennsylvania by Casino Player Magazine, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia has transformed the South Philadelphia Stadium District into a nationally unrivaled one-stop destination to enjoy the fast-paced action of four major professional sports teams, memorable entertainment, premier dining, well-appointed hotel accommodations and world-class gaming. Conveniently located off I-95 and I-76, the facility features more than 200 luxury hotel rooms that are Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED™ with Forbes Travel Guide, a FanDuel® Sportsbook and Lounge, over 2,100 slots and electronic table games, and 150 live action table games, including a dedicated poker room. New dining and entertainment options include the Zagat-rated #1 steakhouse The Prime Rib®; Luk Fu, serving authentic Asian cuisine; Sports & Social Philly, a one-of-a-kind sports restaurant, gaming venue and social lounge; the 10th Street Market, a unique food hall featuring Guy Fieri’s Taco Joint and Guy’s Burger Joint; Philadelphia-favorites Lorenzo and Sons Pizza, Termini Bros. Bakery and Sang Kee Noodle Bar & Kitchen; Morty’s Deli and Luckie’s Liquor. A spirited nightlife scene at Center Bar and R Bar rounds out the Live! experience. The property offers more than 15,000-square-feet of customizable meeting and event space, as well as ample, secure parking. Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia was developed and remains owned and managed by Stadium Casino RE, LLC, an affiliate of The Cordish Companies,?the premier developer of Live!?dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. For reservations, call 1-833-472-5483 or visit?Philadelphia.LiveCasinoHotel.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – @livecasinophl




MTK Global signs undefeated star Moussa Gholam

MTK Global is delighted to announce the signing of unbeaten super-featherweight sensation Moussa Gholam on an advisory deal.
Gholam (18-0, 11 KOs) has been extremely impressive since entering the paid ranks in 2016, winning a number of titles to date, including the WBO Intercontinental super-featherweight title, and WBC Youth Silver super-featherweight title.

The Spain-based Moroccan is known for his huge power, with six of his last seven wins all coming by knockout, and he’s targeting big things after teaming up with MTK Global, who will work in association with Gallego Prada.

Gholam said: “I’m very excited to join MTK. I have been hoping this would happen for two years, when I was in Marbella to spar with Jono Carroll.

“I also had the opportunity to talk to Billy Joe Saunders back then, and both are fighters that I really appreciate, so now becoming part of the team is a really big step for me. I’m very motivated with this signing, and this will make me work harder to arrive as soon as possible at the top level.

“I’m always asking to face the best fighters in my division. In my weight I want Zelfa Barrett, Archie Sharp, Joe Cordina. Up to now, it has been tough to get them to fight me, but I hope that MTK will be able to bring me these fights to show to the entire world who I am.

“My main objective is to become world champion. I know that it is not an easy one, but I think that bringing together Gallego Prada, the team that has backed me since I was 11, and the worldwide experience of MTK, I will be able to win that world title. I can’t think of a better way to thank Gallego Prada and MTK for the confidence they have put in me.”

MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton added: “We’re thrilled to be working with Gallego Prada to guide the career of Moussa Gholam from here on out. He has dominated during his career so far, and we expect him to kick on and have plenty of success.

“The super-featherweight division is an exciting division to be a part of, and we’re looking forward to seeing Moussa become a key part of that weight class.”

News on when Gholam will have his first bout as an MTK Global fighter will be announced in due course.

Stay up to date by subscribing to our weekly newsletter HERE and on social media @mtkglobal




CLARESSA SHIELDS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES

LAS VEGAS (January 25, 2022) – Boxing’s only two-division undisputed world champion, Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields, held a media workout in Las Vegas on Tuesday as she showed off her skills before her WBC/WBA/IBF middleweight world championship defense against #1 ranked challenger Ema Kozin taking place Saturday, February 5 live on pay-per-view in the U.S. and Canada.

Shields has moved her training camp to Las Vegas as she prepares for the altitude she’ll experience when stepping into the ring at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in Wales for her U.K. debut as a pro. The four-fight PPV card begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT and features star U.K. middleweights Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams meeting in the main event.

Guided by Salita Promotions, Shields signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with promoter Boxxer and broadcaster SKY Sports in the U.K. that has put her on the path toward a super fight showdown with WBO Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall in 2022.

Shields met with media Tuesday at Mayweather Boxing Club, where she is conducting training in Las Vegas, and discussed adding co-trainer Gerald Tucker to her team and more. Here is what Shields, and her promoter Dmitriy Salita, had to say:

CLARESSA SHIELDS

On adding co-trainer Gerald Tucker to her team, joining longtime coach John David Jackson:

“I just wanted some new eyes in my camp. I’ve always wanted two different coaches with two different styles in my corner. He fits into my team perfectly.

“Gerald works with Floyd Mayweather, so he brings a different kind of boxing conditioning. He does the pads differently than how I’ve ever done them. We’re able to add some things and my coaches are totally in sync.”

On a potential showdown with Savannah Marshall:

“I’ve never focused on Savannah. She’s been focused on me. If you watch her interviews, she’s always talking about Claressa Shields. I’m definitely happy that the fight with her is getting closer. They’re going to see why I’m a 12-time champion. There is just a huge difference in what we can do as fighters.”

On making her U.K. debut as a professional (Shields won the gold medal at the 2012 Olympic games in London):

“I feel like I’m returning to my old stomping grounds. I’m excited to perform and show everyone in the U.K. how I’ve gotten better as a fighter. When they saw me in the Olympics, I was still a teenager.

“I don’t think they’ve seen my style of boxing over there yet. I’m bringing my ferociousness and my swag. I’m going to show them why I’m pound-for-pound. They should all come out and watch this fight, because I’m building all kinds of new strength and power.”

On switching from MMA training camps back to boxing:

“The mental part is the biggest thing for me. I definitely enjoy learning MMA, so when I’m back to boxing, I have to make that switch back to knowing I just have my left and my right hands. My preference is still boxing training though. I’m still getting better and learning more, even with all I’ve accomplished in boxing so far.”

DMITRIY SALITA, President of Salita Promotions

“Claressa is taking this fight very seriously and is leaving no stone unturned in her preparations. From her work in the gym, to adding Gerald Tucker to her already excellent corner, which includes one of the best trainers in the sport in John David Jackson, I really think this is one of the best training camps of her career.

“I look forward to a statement-making performance against the undefeated and very capable Ema Kozin on Saturday, February 5. All of this hard work is being put in en route to the biggest fight in woman’s boxing history against Savannah Marshall.”

#

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.

HOW TO WATCH THE February 5 – Claressa Shields vs. Ema Kozin PPV

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, ____________Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others (U.S.), as ____________well as leading operators in Canada.
?
Streaming: PPV.com and FITE.TV




JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ CLASHES WITH CHOCOLATITO

Julio Cesar Martinez will face Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez at the Pechanga Arena San Diego in San Diego, California on Saturday March 5, live worldwide on DAZN.

 TICKETS STARTING AT $50 (PLUS FEES) ARE ON SALE NOW AT AXS.COM
 
Martinez (18-1 14 KOs) moves up to 115lbs and does so against a legend of the weight in Chocolatito (50-3 41 KOs), with the Mexican stepping in to replace Juan Francisco Estrada, who has been forced out of his trilogy clash with Chocolatito with COVID.
 
Martinez’s last outing was a trademark all-action shootout with McWilliams Arroyo in New Hampshire in November, with both men hitting the canvas in the opening round and Martinez flooring Arroyo in the second before the contest was stopped with Arroyo suffering a cut.
 
The exciting Mexican has spoken freely of his desire to move up in weight and challenge himself against the cream of the 115lb scene like Chocolatito and Estrada, and opportunity has knocked loudly for the 26 year old to announce himself at Super-Flyweight in San Diego and ‘El Rey’ plans to do so in style against the Nicaraguan star.
 
“I am thrilled that I am able to move up in weight and fight the very best straight away,” said Martinez. “Chocolatito is a living legend and a fighter I have always admired, so to be fighting him in my first fight at Super-Flyweight is special – but on the night, it’s going to be war and I am ready for it.
 
“I have ambitions to unify the Flyweight division and that flame still burns, but this fight is so huge for me, and I did not hesitate to accept it – I promise the fans that I will put on a show.”
 
“What a fight!” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Julio has ambitions to become a pound-for-pound star, and this is what the greats do – meet huge challenges head on and take them with both hands. Chocolatito is a modern great and he’s relishing this test against El Rey – I cannot wait for this fight and I’m so happy that both men have signed on the dotted line to deliver this brilliant fight to the fans.”
 
A stacked undercard sees Mauricio Lara return to action against Emilio Sanchez, Angel Fierro defends his WBO NABO Lightweight title against Juan Carlos Burgos, Diego Pacheco tastes eight round action for the fourth time against Genc Pllana, Marc Castro is in his sixth pro fight, Anthony Herrera fights for the second time in the paid ranks and Australian Skye Nicolson makes her pro debut.
 
Tickets starting at $50 are on sale now from Ticketmaster – fans that require refunds from the original headline fight should contact their point of purchase.




February 19: Amir Khan-Kell Brook British Grudge Match to Stream LIVE on ESPN+

(Jan. 25, 2022) — The long-simmering rivalry between British superstars Amir Khan and Kell Brook will finally come to a head in a 149-pound catchweight battle Saturday, Feb. 19, at AO Arena in Manchester, England. Roughly 20,000 fans will be in attendance for this British super fight for the ages, which sold out in 10 minutes when tickets went on sale in December.

Promoted by BOXXER, Khan vs. Brook and select undercard fights will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.

“Kell Brook versus Amir Khan is a fight that has sparked international interest,” said BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom. “This legacy-defining fight between the UK superstars, who have been world champions on American soil, now meet in a final showdown at AO Arena in one of the most eagerly anticipated fights in UK history.”

“I think Kell Brook is very bitter, and this is a good time for me to put the issue straight between us because he has always thought he is the better fighter than me,” Khan told Sky Sports. “He’s always said he should have had the recognition that I had and believes that should have been him. But at the end of the day, my skills made me the name I am today.”

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Brook said: “This is a real grudge match, there’s no love lost in this fight and we both don’t like each other. The fans and the pundits can’t split us, and that shows how even this fight is going to be.”

The 35-year-old Khan (34-5, 21 KOs), from Bolton, England, has been in the spotlight since the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, when he took home a silver medal as a 17-year-old prodigy. As a pro, Khan unified world titles at junior welterweight and fought myriad top names, including Marco Antonio Barrera, Danny Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Paulie Malignaggi, Canelo Alvarez, and Zab Judah. He last fought in July 2019, knocking out former featherweight world champion Billy Dib in four rounds.

Brook (39-3, 27 KOs), a former British champion from Sheffield, England, made three successful defenses of the IBF welterweight world title he won from Shawn Porter in August 2014. His bold 2016 challenge of middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin ended in a fifth-round knockout defeat. He then lost his welterweight title to Errol Spence Jr. via 11th-round knockout the following May. Brook won three consecutive fights before challenging WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford in November 2020. Brook led on two scorecards before being knocked out in the fourth round.

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 17.1 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).




RISING UNBEATEN PROSPECT ASHTON SYLVE VOWS TO DELIVER “GREAT SHOW” IN U.S. DEBUT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 IN POMONA, CALIFORNIA

LONG BEACH, CALIF. (January 25, 2022) – Undefeated prospect Ashton “H2O” Sylve aims to make a splash in his U.S. debut when he steps into the ring on Saturday, February 26 in Pomona, California, as the 17-year-old looks to leap into the discussion amongst the sport’s top prospects.

A self-described “mobile brawler” inside of the ring, Sylve first gained acclaim at eight-years-old, when his father and trainer Ivan posted a training video of Ashton that caught the attention of all-time great Floyd Mayweather. Next thing Sylve knew, he was invited into Mayweather’s gym and began learning from Mayweather and his uncles Roger and Jeff.

“My favorite fighter and the one I have always watched tapes on, is Floyd Mayweather,” said Sylve. “So to meet him and be invited to his gym to train and be a part of his experience, that opened my eyes to the dedication it takes to be a successful fighter. I’m training hard to do just that. I want to be a world champion in several weight classes for sure.”

Sylve put together a stellar amateur career across 110 fights that included 10 national titles, two International Boxing Cup victories and over 100 wins. At just 16-years-old, Sylve determined he had accomplished all he could in the amateur ranks and turned pro as a teenager.

Training out of the Jack Rabbit Gym in Long Beach, California, Sylve is well-known in the area and has sparred numerous top pros, including four-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz. Sylve, who is trained by his father, has piled up a 6-0 record with five knockouts since his debut in October 2020, with all his bouts coming in Mexico due to age restrictions for pro bouts in the U.S.

The father-son duo started their own H2O Promotions company to help Sylve get his pro career started as he seeks to make the journey to the top.

“My son is a great kid and people are always impressed by what they see in his skills,” said Ivan. “Even as a young fighter, I was well aware that his ring generalship and boxing IQ were well beyond his years. He’s quite special in and out of the ring and I’m extremely proud of him.”

With his U.S. debut set for February 26, just under a month after he’ll turn 18-years-old, Sylve is eager to deliver a strong performance and leave a lasting impression when he steps into the ring.

“I can’t wait to fight in Pomona and be in front of my fans,” said Sylve. “I have a big following in and around Southern California and in my hometown of Long Beach. I know they’re all going to come out and watch me. For my fans around the world, who are so excited to watch me fight, I made sure it is broadcasted free of charge on YouTube live. I’m going to show up and put on a great show on February 26.”




DUBAI TO HOST PROBELLUM DOUBLE-HEADER FEATURING WORLD TITLE FIGHTS IN MARCH

Dubai, UAE – January 25, 2022 – Probellum returns to Dubai in March for an action-packed weekend of elite-level boxing staged over two consecutive nights with an incredible card featuring a combination of current and former world champions, Olympic medalists and hugely talented young fighters.

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, located at The Irish Village, in association with Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, will host Probellum’s first shows of the year – and one of the UAE’s biggest-ever boxing showcases – on March 18 and 19.

The main and co-main event for night one will be announced this week, while two fantastic bouts top the bill on the second night, with IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards (17-0, 4 knockouts), from the UK, defending his title against Muhammad Waseem (12-1, 8 knockouts), one of Pakistan’s biggest boxing stars, in the headline contest.

That will be preceded by an intriguing clash between Ireland’s WBO intercontinental super-lightweight champion Tyrone McKenna (22-2-1, 6 knockouts) and Regis Prograis (26-1, 22 knockouts), the American former super-lightweight world champion who signed to Probellum in October.

Probellum heads back to Dubai following its hugely successful inaugural event, which took place at the Coca-Cola Arena in December, hosted by legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer.

“We are absolutely delighted to be returning to Dubai for our first event of 2022,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum.

“Probellum has made a huge impact in the boxing world in a short period and we have some major plans for this year, starting with these two history-making shows in Dubai.

“There was a fantastic response to our first-ever event, which took place in Dubai at the end of last year, and we know there is a big appetite for boxing in the city.

“These two shows will feature many top-quality fighters from around the world, including Sunny Edwards, Muhammad Waseem, Tyrone McKenna, and Regis Prograis. We would encourage fans to secure tickets early in order to ensure they don’t miss out on what will undoubtedly be another fantastic event.”

With the shows taking place over St Patrick’s Day weekend, there will be an Irish theme to proceedings and more of the country’s most impressive boxers, in addition to McKenna, are set to be confirmed for the event over the coming weeks.

In the lead-up to the event there will be a week-long programme of entertainment including public workouts, press conferences and weigh-ins, along with a series of activations, while The Irish Village will be introducing special offers for those fans who purchase tickets for Fight Night.

Ticket prices start from 50 AED and are available to purchase from Friday, 28th January via Platinum List or in-person at The Irish Village, Al Garhoud and Studio City.

For live news and updates, be sure to 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 includes Nonito Donaire, Lee McGregor, Donnie Nietes, Troy Williamson, Dina Thorslund, Muhammad Waseem, O’Shaquie Foster, Will Cawley, Mark Dickinson and Pat and Luke McCormack.

Since launching, Probellum has signed co-promotional partnerships with some of the biggest promoters globally, including 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).

Probellum hosted its inaugural event at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena in December 2021.




Ty Tomlin Training Camp Notes

CHEATHAM COUNTY, TN (January 25, 2022) – On February 5, 2022, undefeated lightweight prospect, Tyler “Short Fuse” Tomlin (12-0, 8 KOs), of Cheatham County, TN, will take the next step in his career as he faces Charlie Serrano (16-6-2, 5 KOs), of Tampa, Florida. Tomlin vs. Serrano, a 10-round main event, will take place in Clarksville, TN, at the Winfield Dunn Center at Austin Peay University.

The show is being promoted by One-One-Six Boxing Promotions, in association with Tomlin’s promoter, DiBella Entertainment. Tickets priced $20and $40, are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (256) 458-2341. The Winfield Dunn Center is located at 601 College St. Clarksville TN, 37044.

Tomlin, who is signed by DiBella Entertainment, gives his thoughts on his recent training camp, his matchup with Serrano, and more.

On his recent training camp.

“Camp has been great from the nutrition to the training to bringing in Andres Cortes to camp to help me be as sharp as possible. I know that I invested in myself in a sport a lot of people just get by in, and that will be my edge as I move up in competition, that I didn’t cut corners that others did.”

On his upcoming bout with Charlie Serrano.

“Serrano is a fighter who’s been in the ring with a lot of good fighters and I’m expecting him to be in great shape. He’s got a lot of experience and I’m going to be ready for an explosive fight. I am a gentleman outside the ring, but I am a warrior inside. I am planning on making an example out of Charlie Serrano with a knockout.”

On Fighting at the Winfield Dunn Center.

“This venue is only 25 mins from my house so I’m expecting a sell out and lively crowd. I have been lucky enough to get a lot of local support, my community is not just a fight town, but also supports the local business that sponsor me. I know a lot of people want to see me do well, but also want to support my dream. I am from a place where we support each other, and I am lucky to have so much to fight for. I truly fight for my hometown fans who have always had my back.

On what a win will do for his career.
?
“My goal is to be in the conversation for the 2022 Prospect of the Year, and a brutal KO that goes viral will be the start of it. I am planning on fighting a lot this year, and every opponent, as well as performance, will be better than the last. This will be a major victory and get me closer to facing world ranked fighters.”




Darren Cunningham Returns February 25th in Arizona

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 25, 2022) – Super bantamweight prospect, Darren “The Gift” Cunningham (14-1, 7 KOS), will make his 2022 debut, on February 25th, against battle tested veteran, Ernesto Guerrero (33-32, 19 KOs), on a card promoted by Ironboy Combat Sports. The 8-round bout will take place at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.

“This is chapter two of my redemption story,” said Darren Cunningham. “A lot of people have lost a lot outside of the ring, especially since the pandemic, and I am not just fighting for my career, but also to inspire others. Hope starts with a belief, and I believe in my dream so much that I know that I am going to make it work.”

Cunningham last fought in November getting an eight-round decision over Rob Diezel (14-9, 4 KOs), as it was his first fight back after his lone career loss.

“I knew there would be doubt by some people, but I know who I am and what I am,” continued Cunningham. “I proved a loss won’t define me in my last fight, and now I am looking to put myself in the conversation with the best in the division, as those are the fights I want by the end of the year.”

Rafael Ramos, a famed Las Vegas, Nevada, boxing coach who comes from the school of Roger Mayweather, will again be guiding the corner of Cunningham as he’s now the head trainer.

“I felt a big difference having Rafael Ramos in my corner in the last fight, but obviously it takes two fights to see a difference so this fight will show the improvement,” Cunningham said about his new coach. “Coach Ramos has molded new dimensions to my style without changing what I do well. I feel very confident in his coaching and where my career is currently. I just need to make a statement, so I can get to where I want to go.”




OKOLIE VS. CIESLAK LANDS AT THE O2

Lawrence Okolie will make the second defence of his WBO Cruiserweight World Title against former World Title challenger Michal Cieslak at The O2 in London on Sunday February 27, shown live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

Hackney’s Okolie (17-0, 14 KOs) crushed Krzysztof Glowacki in six rounds to be crowned the new WBO Cruiserweight World Champion in just his sixteenth fight at The SSE Arena, Wembley in March last year.

The 29-year-old then made short work of Montenegro’s Dilan Prasovic in the first defence of his World Title on the blockbuster Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk card at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September, taking out his mandatory challenger in just three rounds. 

Poland’s Cieslak (21-1, 15 KOs) suffered the one and only loss of his professional career when he took WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Ilunga Junior Makabu the distance in the Democratic Republic Of The Congo in January 2020. 

“Thank you to Cieslak for accepting the fight,” said Okolie. “I’m sure he is coming to get revenge for Glowacki! He is a good, strong campaigner who should be one of my toughest tests to date.”

On the undercard, France’s Karim Guerfi (30-5, 9 KOs) makes the first defence of his EBU European Featherweight Title against ‘The Thrill’ Jordan Gill (26-1-1, 7 KOs), with more exciting additions to be confirmed this week. 

Tickets for Okolie vs. Cieslak are priced £40, £60, £100, £150 and £250 (VIP).

Presale tickets are available to purchase for O2 Priority Members NOW via The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk)

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from midday on Tuesday January 25. Priority ticket info has been emailed directly to eligible members.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) from midday on Wednesday January 26.




CONFIRMED: BOURKE LANDS BRITISH TITLE SHOT VS LEACH

CHRIS BOURKE will challenge Marc Leach for the vacant British Super-Bantamweight championship at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Friday March 11, live on BT Sport.

Streatham’s Bourke (10-0, 6 KOs) gets his big opportunity after Queensberry stablemate Jason Cunningham relinquished his domestic crown in pursuit of world honours

He said: “Fighting for the British title in the main event on BT Sport is something I am looking forward to.

“I have been calling for the British title for a while now and I am just grateful I have got the opportunity.”

Tickets are available now directly from the fighters or at: Eventbrite.co.uk

Bourke, 27, won the WBC International title in December 2020 with a second round stoppage of Michael Ramabeletsa. In his only defence last July, the South Londoner thrashed James Beech on points over ten rounds.

The Martin Bowers trained boxer also won the Southern Area crown in July 2020 with a points win against unbeaten Ramez Mahmood.

If Chris defeats fellow southpaw Leach it could lead to big clashes against the likes of Cunningham, Brad Foster and fellow big puncher Andrew Cain.

Salford’s Leach (17-1, 4 KOs) leapt from obscurity in October 2020 when he upset 2016 Olympian Qais Ashfaq on points in a British Featherweight title eliminator.

He dropped back to Super-Bantamweight last summer for another British championship eliminator and confirmed his mandatory status with a narrow, but unanimous points win over Thomas Essomba.

Leach, 27, last boxed in December when he knocked out Stefan Nicolae after just 26 seconds of the opening round.

Bourke added: “Ashfaq is a good win and I think Marc put him down a few times. Essomba is always tricky, he takes good fighters the distance and they struggle with him.

“Marc has earned his shot and I feel I have earned mine. From the little clips I have seen he does seem awkward and technically a very good fighter.

“People in boxing will know this is a massive fight and I think people will be looking forward to it.”

Promoter Frank Warren added: “The Super-Bantamweight division is stacked and I now believe it is time for Chris to make his move.

“Marc is tricky, slippery and come through eliminators to get a deserved shot. I think Chris wins in the power department and that might be the difference.

“It’s a great way to start Queensberry’s 2022 calendar with a 50-50 British title fight and prospect stacked card at the spiritual home of British boxing.”

Also on the show, Hackney Super-Featherweight Frank ‘The Tank’ Arnold  (8-0-1, 2 KOs) will make the leap to ten rounds in a non-title contest.

British boxing’s latest Light-Heavyweight hopeful Karol Itauma (5-0, 3 KOs), an eight-time National amateur champion boxes a six rounder.

In four round action is Conor McGregor’s Super-Lightweight training partner Willo Hayden (2-0), Reading Super-Welterweight Joshua Frankham (4-0,1 KO), Portsmouth Super-Featherweight Jamie Chamberlain (3-0), Welling Super-Welterweight Jake Henty (1-0), and exciting teenage Cruiserweight Aloys Youmbi (0-1).

The quality card also features the debut of another top London Cruiserweight prospect, Arnold Obodai, a former Repton ABC boxer who won two National championships.

Tickets are available now directly from the fighters or at: Eventbrite.co.uk




UNBEATEN RISING STAR CHRIS COLBERT TAKES ON WBA SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION ROGER GUTIERREZ LIVE ON SHOWTIME® SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 IN PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS EVENT FROM THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS

LAS VEGAS – January 24, 2022 – Undefeated rising star Chris “Primetime” Colbert, whose mix of speed and power have quickly made him a fan favorite, will seek his first world title when he takes on WBA Super Featherweight Champion Roger “The Kid” Gutierrez in the SHOWTIME main event Saturday, February 26 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast kicks off at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will feature another unbeaten young phenom in the co-main event. Gary Antuanne Russell, a 2016 U.S. Olympian, faces former world champion Viktor Postol in a 10-round super lightweight bout, while IBF Junior Bantamweight World Champion Jerwin Ancajas defends his title against unbeaten Argentine Fernando Martinez in the televised opener of the loaded tripleheader.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com.

“We’ve had the pleasure of watching Chris Colbert develop from a prospect to a contender on SHOWTIME, so it’s only fitting that he will get a chance to take yet another step in his progression with a title shot against Roger Gutierrez on our network,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “Gary Antuanne Russell is following a similar recipe for stardom. If he can turn back the tough-as-nails Viktor Postol, it will be another signal that his time in the spotlight may soon be at hand. We’ve seen the destructive talents of Jerwin Ancajas on SHOWTIME before. His title defense against Fernando Martinez should be a barnburner and the perfect start to a fantastic night of boxing.”

Representing his native Brooklyn, N.Y., Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs) has quickly shot up the 130-pound rankings, taking on high-level competition in his first 16 pro fights. Already established as a fighter with dazzling boxing skills, Colbert showcased his ability to fight toe-to-toe with an 11th-round stoppage of Jaime Arboleda in December 2020 before most recently besting Tugstsogt Nyambayar in July 2021. The 25-year-old turned pro in 2015 and defeated three unbeaten fighters in his first eight contests. Prior to the Arboleda fight, Colbert scored a highlight-reel first-round knockout against Miguel Beltran Jr. in September 2019 and a dominant 12-round decision victory over former champion Jezzreel Corrales in January 2020.

“I’m super ready for my title shot,” said Colbert. “This has been a long time coming, but it’s no shocker to me. This was always the expectation. I know Gutierrez will come to fight. He’s a champion for a reason. So he’s not coming to lay down. But I plan to put him down and I’m willing to do whatever I have to do on February 26 to make that happen. I know a lot of people have been waiting to see when I get this title shot and now it’s time.”

The 26-year-old Gutierrez (26-3-1, 20 KOs) captured his world title with a unanimous decision victory over Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado in January 2021, in a fight that saw him drop his opponent three times. Gutierrez followed up that performance by defending his world championship and defeating Alvarado a second time in August 2021, again earning a unanimous decision. Fighting out of his native Maracaibo, Venezuela, Gutierrez is unbeaten in his last seven outings, including four knockouts.

“First of all, I want to thank God, my mother, my team, my promoter and the WBA for this opportunity,” said Gutierrez. “It cost me a lot of effort to win the world championship, this is my second title defense and I am ready to give it my all to retain it. On February 26, I am going to show the world that I am the best at 130 pounds.”

Russell (14-0, 14 KOs) has yet to allow an opponent to make it the distance against him since turning pro in 2017 following his run representing the U.S. at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. Russell added five more stoppage victories in 2019 before knocking out Jose Marrufo in the first round in February 2020. The 25-year-old most recently dominated Jovanie Santiago in May on SHOWTIME, on his way to a sixth-round stoppage. Russell belongs to one of the sport’s preeminent fighting families and trains alongside his older brothers, former WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Jr. and bantamweight contender Gary Antonio.

“I’m going to make sure I’m prepared mentally and ready to perform at a high-level for this fight,” said Russell. “These fights come down to who’s more mentally stable, and that’s a matter of training. I train my mental as much as I do physically. I’ve watched Postol fight before and I know that he’s a rangy fighter with a European style. He likes to stay at a distance and that works best for him. He leans on his strengths. Every fight I come in planning to make a statement. My prediction, I’m ending this fight in round five.”

A feared contender in the 140-pound division, Postol (31-3, 12 KOs) returns to the ring after losing a narrow majority decision to then unified champion Jose Ramirez in August 2020. Fighting out of California and originally from Ukraine, Postol, knocked out Lucas Matthysse in 2015 to capture a super lightweight world title before losing a unification showdown against Terence Crawford. Postol has won three of his last five fights, with the only defeats in that stretch coming against Ramirez and current undisputed champion Josh Taylor, both by decision.

“I accepted this fight as soon as it was offered,” said Postol. “I haven’t fought in a while and I wanted to get back in the ring as soon as I could. I’m especially excited that I’m going to have the opportunity to face a good young opponent on February 26.”

Representing the Philippines, Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs) was only 15 years old when he was spotted by boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. The young fighter blossomed with Pacquiao’s guidance, becoming the first world champion under Pacquiao’s promotional banner when he outpointed McJoe Arroyo for the IBF title in September 2016. The 30-year-old southpaw hasn’t lost since and will be making the tenth defense of his title, following an April 2021 unanimous decision over Jonathan Rodriguez.

“I am thrilled to be back on SHOWTIME defending my world title on February 26,” said Ancajas. “It’s very exciting to be making my tenth world title defense in the first Las Vegas fight of my career. I want to thank my whole team for giving me this great opportunity to fight on this PBC event on SHOWTIME.”

A resident of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Martinez (13-0, 8 KOs) most recently knocked out Gonzalo Duran in the fourth round of their August 2021 showdown and will be making his U.S. debut on February 26. The 30-year-old rose up the rankings by stopping Athenkosi Dumezweni in his home country of South Africa in 2019, following that up with a decision over Angel Aquino in December 2020. Martinez turned pro in 2017 and owns an amateur victory over former title challenger and super flyweight contender Andrew Moloney.

“I’m excited to have this great chance to show my skills on the big stage in Las Vegas,” said Martinez. “I’m going to leave it all in the ring on February 26 and give all the fans watching an exciting fight. My goal is to become world champion and this is the night for me to prove myself.”

#

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




New “Showcase Boxing” main event Jeffrey Torres vs. Tyrone Luckey

QUINCY, Mass. (January 24, 2022) – Due to COVID-19, the “Showcase Boxing” main event has changed as Jeffrey Torres (9-1, 5 KOs) will now face veteran Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (15-16-4, 11 KOs) in the 8-round headliner, Saturday night, February 26, at Sheraton Hotel in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Showcasing many of New England’s most promising and popular prospects, “Showcase Boxing,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, will be streamed live on www.bxngtv.com for $19.99.

“Showcase Boxing” will also mark Granite Chin’s first event in Massachusetts in more than 2 years, as well as being only the second professional boxing show ever in Framingham, which is located 23 miles west of Boston.

Luckey was originally scheduled to fight local favorite Nelson “Chino” Perez (5-0, 2 KOs), who has pulled out because he contracted COVID-19.

“Unfortunately,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti explained, “we lost Perez, but Jeffrey Torres was willing to fill in for him and, to nobody’s surprise, Tyrone was willing to work with everyone to make the change possible. He’s a fighter, not one of these guys that pretends to be one on social media, posting videos of himself hitting bags or highlight reel knockouts of them beating up some 0-8 guy picked up off a job site. Tyrone is willing to test any prospect to see if they are the real deal or not. Torres comes from a giant gym, and he had a solid pedigree, so, no doubt, Tyrone will have his hands full and vice versa. This will be a fun fight!”

Luckey, fighting out of Manahawkin, NJ, is the reigning ABF USA Mid-American Super Lightweight Champion. The always dangerous Luckey has been in against top prospects such as Mike Ohan, Jr. Jamaine Ortiz, Tyler Tomlin, and Frank Martin.

Torres, a native of Puerto Rico now fighting out of New Haven (CT), has won two in a row since suffering his only pro loss to 7-0 Josh Wagner last October.

The 6-round co-featured event matches high-flying welterweight prospect Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (7-0, 5 KOs), of Holyoke (MA), against Alfred “Keenan” Raymond (1-0), of Cranston, Rhode Island.

Denzel is a “legacy boxer” as the latest member of the “Fightin’ Whitley family,” trained by his father and uncle, Derrick and Darrin, who were respected pro fighters in New England.

Raymond, 31, made an auspicious pro debut this past November 13th, upsetting previously undefeated Julien Baptiste (3-0) by way of a 4-round split decision.

“This fight has all the makings for high action,” Traietti remarked. “’Keenan’ just upset a 3-0 prospect in his last fight, so his confidence is through the roof which makes him dangerous. On the other hand, you have Denzel looking to step up with each fight and get on television in the near future. He comes from a family with a long history if boxing. Denel really has all the pieces to be something special.”

One of the hottest welterweight prospects in the country, Boca Raton’s (FL) Josniel “TG” Castro (8-0, 6 KOs), returns to New England once again to face Mexican veteran Juan Jesus Rivera Garces (18-27, 12 KOs), the former WBC Youth World Super Lightweight Champion.

Undefeated fighters Carlos Castillo (4-0, 3 KOs), a junior middleweight from Holyoke (MA) and Pittsfield (MA) super middleweight Steve Sumpter (3-0, 3 KOs) are scheduled to fight in their first scheduled 6-rounders, respectively, versus Antonio Chaves Fernandez (9-41-4, 3 KOs) and Rodrigo “The Young Lion” Almeida (2-11, 1 KO).

Veteran middleweights Manny “Shake Em’ Up” Woods (17-15-1, 6 KOs), of Saint Petersburg (FL), and Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (12-50-4, 8 KOs), of Dallas, will open the evening in a 10-round bout.

Decorated amateur Felix Parilla (3-0, 3 KOs), of New Haven, has been added to the card in a 4-round fight against junior lightweight Weusi Johnson (3-19-1). Parrilla is a 4-time New England Golden Gloves Champion, as well as a 2018 National Golden Gloves silver medalist.

Also slated to be in action, each in 4-round matches, are light heavyweight Scott “Scotty Bomb” Lampert (2-3, 2 KOs) vs. Brazilian Leonardo Ladeira (1-6, 1 KO), Springfield (MA) super middleweight Laurent Humes (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Juan Celin Zapata (6-20-2, 4 KOs), Pittsfield junior middleweight Jamer Jones (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Maycon Ollder Da Silva (0-3), Framingham’s pro-debuting light heavyweight Kevin “Lucky” Lewis vs. crosstown rival Sal “The Spider” Almeida (0-14-4), and Swansea (MA) junior middleweight Anthony Andreozzi (0-2) vs. Robert Bricks (0-8).

“I am excited to showcase a big chunk of the rapidly growing Granite Chin roster,” Traietti concluded. “I have been setting out for the last 2 years to really create a roster of exciting fighters who will be regulars on major networks in the near future. If you’re looking for a night of quality, high-competitive boxing, the Sheraton on February 26h is the place to be.”

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale for purchase at www.TicketRiver.com (Search: SHOWCASE). Ticket prices are $50.00 (General Seating), $75.00 (Ringside), and $1,000.00 for a table of 10.

Doors open at 7:00 pm. ET with the first bout at 7:00 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin




ENTROBOX ANNOUNCES ITS OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF MONTHLY BOXING EVENTS TO BE TELEVISED ON THE BALLY SPORTS NETWORKS, DIGITAL AND DISPLAY SOCIAL PLATFORMS

Las Vegas, January 20, 2022– EntroBox LLC announced today its official launch date of March 26th, 2022, at the Caribe Royale Resort, Orlando FL. The highly anticipated launch will be aired across its partnering platforms with Sinclair Broadcasting Group’s Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs) and Stadium, and Display Social Inc. (Display TV). EntroBox has also secured a multi-event deal with Caribe Royale Orlando for the remainder of the year through the end of 2023, establishing a major commitment to the sport of boxing in the heart of Florida.

“On behalf of my partner James Wilent (President of EntroBox) and our company, we are excited to kickoff 2022 and bring the next chapter in boxing and entertainment to the world starting at the Caribe Royale Orlando. As both an active fighter and a promoter, I can now say we are well positioned with our partners Sinclair and Display. Their core distribution capabilities in live sports, gamification, and social platforms provide the vast reach to the viewers and fans by way of the largest group of regional sports networks, digital platforms and now the metaverse. With this combination, we are set for 2022 and beyond,” said Ron “The American Dream” Johnson, EntroBox CEO and five-time World Champion.

“We look forward to EntroBox joining our growing roster of sports programming across Bally Sports and Stadium,” said Bally Sports President, Steve Rosenberg. “Their approach to the sport, impressive mix of talent and strategic vision represent unique and exciting complements to our existing lineup.”

EntroBox’s full programming schedule, which will be announced at a press conference to be held at the Caribe Royale Orlando in the next few weeks will include a consistent lineup of premium live matches along with long and short form content for linear and digital platforms. Fans will see a mix of familiar names along with some of the sports best up and coming prospects.

“We are honored to be working with EntroBox and Bally’s Sports to bring an exciting roster of world-class boxing/entertainment events to Caribe Royale Orlando throughout 2022 and 2023,” said Amaury Piedra, Managing Director, Caribe Royale Orlando. “As the premiere all-suites resort in Orlando FL with a focus on creating memorable experiences for our guests and local visitors alike, this partnership provides a unique opportunity to add even more high-quality entertainment to our extensive resort offerings.”

About: EntroBox LLC

EntroBox, is a sport and entertainment content company that connects amateur/pro athletes, entertainers, and live boxing events together with superior production quality, audience engagement, and compelling partnerships with high viewership. EntroBox’s core mission is to assist all parties in exceeding their potential, through content creation, sponsorships, and monetization platforms. Their unique approach and professional status in the sporting industry allows them to execute across diverse landscapes and businesses. EntroBox is currently launching the next evolution in boxing’s DNA, while providing a pathway for other sports to connect and monetize to the ever-changing digital world by bridging the viewership from network tv and into the metaverse. To learn more, visit www.EntroBox.com. Follow us on: Display Social, FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter

About: Caribe Royale Orlando

Located just minutes from the Walt Disney World® Resort in the nation’s number one convention and tourism destination, Caribe Royale Orlando is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite meetings resort in Orlando FL. A TripAdvisor 2021 Travelers’ Choice Award winner – among just 10 percent of hotels worldwide to receive the distinction – the upscale Caribe Royale is emerging from a $127 million reimagination that includes a redesign and full remodeling of all of its one-bedroom suites, an all-new 50,000-square-foot ballroom (bringing the total meeting space to 220,000 square feet), an inviting new lobby and exciting new and expanded food and beverage offerings. To learn more or to book a visit, event or meeting, visit www.cariberoyale.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@cariberoyale), and LinkedIn. #cariberoyaleorlando




UNDEFEATED WORLD CHAMPION MOSSELY SIGNS FOR PROBELLUM

Los Angeles, CA – January 23, 2022 – Probellum is delighted to announce the promotional signing of IBO world lightweight champion and Olympic gold medallist, Estelle Mossely.

The 29-year-old French fighter (9-0, 1 knockout), who is undefeated as a professional, clinched the IBO world lightweight title in 2019 with a victory over Lucy Wildheart.
 
Prior to turning professional, Paris-born Mossely enjoyed a stellar career at amateur level winning gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and World Championships, where she famously defeated current undisputed female world lightweight champion Katie Taylor at the semi-final stage.
 
“I am very excited to embark on the next stage of my boxing journey with Richard Schaefer and his team at Probellum,” said Mossely.
 
“I have known Richard for many years and his track record as a promoter speaks for itself – he really knows how to build champions into superstars and I’m excited to start working closely with him.
 
“As a truly global boxing promoter with events all around the world, Probellum offers me the ideal platform to showcase my skills and bring more fans to female boxing. I predict very exciting times ahead and can’t wait to get started.”
 
“I have been a fan of Estelle since her historic gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics,” added Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum. “Not only because of her tremendous boxing skills, but also the way she carries herself outside the ring which makes her in my view the best ambassador for female boxing in the world.
 
“She is a role model for fans and fighters everywhere and in my opinion today, she is the best pound-for-pound female fighter in the world. In fact, I have not seen the kind of ring talent and skills from any other fighter, male or female, since I was fortunate to promote Floyd Mayweather.
 
“I am honoured and humbled that Estelle has chosen Probellum to be her promoter and I am already working round the clock to plan her first fight under the Probellum banner.”
 
Mossely becomes the second undefeated female champion to sign for Probellum, following Danish fighter Dina Thorslund signing earlier this month, and joins a stable which also includes the likes of Pat and Luke McCormack, Troy Williamson, Regis Prograis, Nonito Donaire, Donnie Nietes, Lee McGregor, Eimantas Stanionis, Arthur Biyarslanov, Noel Mikaelian, Taras Shelestyuk, Ricky Burns, Paul Butler, Lewis Ritson, Muhammad Waseem, O’Shaquie Foster, Hovhannes Bachkov, Darius Fulghum, Eduardo Hernandez, Mark Dickinson, Brandon Moore, Jack Bowen, Jason Mallia, Hebert Sousa, Dina Thorslund, Ben Rees and Will Cawley.
 
Probellum has also secured co-promotional agreements with Wasserman Boxing, Universum in Germany, Groupe Yvon Michel in Canada, Maravillabox Promotions in Spain, Kynoch Boxing in Scotland, Mitchell Sports Promotions in England, LNK Boxing in Latvia, Titov Boxing in Russia, Glozier Boxing in New Zealand, Cuadrilatero Boxing in Colombia, PR Best Boxing in Puerto Rico, Shuan Boxing Promotions in the Dominican Republic, Bufalo Boxing in Nicaragua, Team Ellis Boxing in Australia, Moron Boxing in Venezuela, Volcano Boxing in El Salvador, Armin Tan Promotions in Indonesia, Pro Boxing Team Finland and Box Office Sports in Ghana.
 
For live news and updates, be sure to 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 includes Nonito Donaire, Lee McGregor, Donnie Nietes, Troy Williamson, Dina Thorslund, Muhammad Waseem, O’Shaquie Foster, Will Cawley, Mark Dickinson and Pat and Luke McCormack.
 
Since launching, Probellum has signed co-promotional partnerships with some of the biggest promoters globally, including 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).
 
Probellum hosted its inaugural event at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena in December 2021.




10TH ANNUAL UFC INTERNATIONAL FIGHT WEEK™ TAKES OVER LAS VEGAS FROM JUNE 27 – JULY 3

Las Vegas – UFC® today announced that the 10th Annual UFC International Fight Week™ will take place in Las Vegas from Monday, June 27, through Sunday, July 3, headlined by UFC® 276, the 2022 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and a two-day, interactive fan experience.

Included among the key highlights of the week will be the prestigious 2022 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires®. Held annually as part of International Fight Week, the ceremony honors the contributors and athletes who have helped shape UFC while leaving an indelible mark on the sport of mixed martial arts.

“We’re excited to announce the return of UFC International Fight Week to Las Vegas this summer and we can’t wait to provide our fans with greater access, a wide variety of activations and more memorable experiences than ever before,” UFC Chief Operating Officer Ike Lawrence Epstein said. “IFW is our annual event celebrating all things UFC and combat sports, and we couldn’t do it without our partners from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.”

Spanning more than 200,000 square feet of entertainment activation space, the Las Vegas Convention Center will host UFC’s fully immersive and easily accessible two-day fan experience on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2.

“We’re thrilled to welcome UFC International Fight Week back to Las Vegas and to host the fan experience at the Las Vegas Convention Center,” said Steve Hill, CEO and president of the LVCVA. “UFC has been an integral part of Las Vegas’ evolution as a major sports city, and we know both the fans and fighters will enjoy a week of world-class, only-in-Vegas experiences.”

In addition, the Las Vegas Convention Center will also host the return of amateur tournaments from various disciplines, beginning on Thursday, June 23, and concluding on Sunday, July 3. The Fan Experience will be produced by global full-service cultural marketing agency 160over90.

Fans from around the world who converge on Las Vegas for International Fight Week will also be able to enjoy ceremonial weigh-ins, press conferences and live entertainment of a traditional Fight Week leading to the schedule’s culminating event, UFC® 276, on Saturday, July 2, at T-Mobile Arena.

Plus, UFC fans can enter for their chance to win an epic UFC Dream Week at International Fight Week.  One lucky winner and a guest will win a one-of-a-kind VIP experience to UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas including exclusive access to UFC 276, the UFC Hall of Fame Ceremony, the two-day fan experience, and much more!

Details regarding the bout card for UFC 276, event locations and additional activities for UFC International Fight Week will be announced at a later date. For more information, please visit UFCFIGHTWEEK.COM.




OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TOMORROW NIGHT’S DETROIT BRAWL IN DEARBORN, MI

ugo Centeno Jr. 161.2 vs. Antonio Todd 158.2
Winfred Harris Jr. 166.8 vs. Esau Herrera 163.4
Joseph Hicks Jr. 168.4 vs. Montrel James 168.4
Gordie Russ II 153.4 vs. Leslie Michael Klekotta 156
Marlon Harrington 159.4 vs. Terry Roscoe 158.2
Quinton Randall 151.4 vs. Julian Smith 145.4
Joshua James Pagan 137.2 vs. Glenn Mitchell 136

VENUE: Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI
PROMOTER: Salita Promotions
TICKETS: $35 and $60 are still available
DOORS: 6:30 pm
STARTS: 7:00 pm
TICKETS: Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $35 (service fees will apply). Order tickets online or from 5 pm to 8:30 pm at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center Box Office (313.943.2354) at 15801 Michigan Ave. 5 pm to 8:30 pm tomorrow.

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be mailed up to one week prior to event date. Tickets ordered within a week of event will be placed in will call in the box office for pickup. A limited quantity of VIP tickets are also available by calling Lina Kurylyuk at 313.529.7604.




MARVNATION PROMOTIONS TO HOST FIRST SHOW OF THE YEAR ON JAN. 29 AT THE DERBY ROOM IN POMONA, CALIFORNIA

POMONA, CALIF. (Jan. 21, 2022): MarvNation Promotions will host its first boxing event of the year on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Derby Room in Pomona, Calif. The event will be headlined by rising prospect Angel “Moreno” Rodriguez (10-0, 7 KOs) of Pico Rivera, Calif. facing Jose Marrufo (12-10-2, 5 KOs) of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico in an eight-round battle for the WBC USNBC Silver Super Lightweight Championship.

The entire card will be streamed live in English and Spanish on MarvNation’s official YouTube channel starting at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET. Veteran cutman Mike Rodriguez will handle commentating duties for the English stream alongside reporter Vanessa Martinez. Details regarding the Spanish commentary will be announced shortly.

Less than 100 tickets are still available. They can be purchased via Tix.com or by clicking here.

“We’re ready to take this company to another level,” said Marvin Rodriguez, CEO of MarvNation Promotions. “That’s why we’ve decided to host a show every month this year at the Derby Room starting on Jan. 29, which will feature rising talents like Angel Rodriguez, Alejandro Reyes, Raul Salomon and many more. Make sure to watch it in person or through our official YouTube channel. It’s going to be an exciting night of action.”

In the co-main event, Alejandro “Pin Pon” Reyes (5-0, 4 KOs) of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico will take on Antonio Wattell (3-7-3, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas in a six-round 140-pound fight. Reyes hails from the renowned Westside Boxing Club in Los Angeles and possess a fan-friendly Mexican style that promises to steal the show.

Raul “Money” Salomon (8-1, 8 KOs) of Long Beach, California will look to bounce back from his only defeat in a six-round super middleweight fight against Jeremy Ramos (11-11, 4 KOs) of El Paso, Texas. Salomon was last seen in November in a close decision loss against Aaron Silva that was streamed on DAZN.

Alfredo Fernandez (6-0, 4 KOs) of Downey, California will participate in a four-round super lightweight fight against Nicaraguan slugger Osmel Mayorga (2-3, 1 KO).

Rising Mexican prospect Andy Dominguez (4-0, 2 KOs) will return in a six-round flyweight battle against Mexican warrior Jose Rodriguez Montemayor (5-5, 4 KOs).

Kyle Erwin (3-0, 2 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas will return against a soon-to-be-determined opponent in a four-round fight in the 140-pound division.

Sergio Jimenez (4-0-1, 3 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico will fight Ray Santiago (2-8) in a four-round cruiserweight clash.

Jaivion Cardinal (4-0, 3 KOs) of Long Beach, California will battle against Tyler Jacques (0-1-1) of Orlando, Florida in a four-round super middleweight fight.

Jesus Torres Beltran (4-1, 3 KOs) of Phoenix, Arizona will take on Ryan Venable (2-9) of Martinsville, Virginia in a four-round bout in the lightweight division.

Cris Reyes (10-0, 9 KOs) of Seattle, Washington will face Argentine veteran Lucas Alejandro Mignoni (14-3, 4 KOs) in a six-round battle in the super lightweight division.

Carlos Rodriguez (1-0, 1 KO) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and Jerrell Nettles (1-1) will meet in a four-round cruiserweight battle.
?

#

Moreno vs. Marrufo is an eight-round fight for the WBC USNBC Silver Lightweight Title presented by MarvNation Promotions. The event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 29 at The Derby Room in Pomona, Calif. The entire card will be streamed live in English and Spanish on MarvNation’s official YouTube channel beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET.

For more information, follow MarvNation on Instagram and Twitter @MarvNation_.

Media Credentials: Media interested in attending the Jan. 29 event must be pre-approved for credentials. The credential application is available by clicking here. Media will not be credentialed on site, no exceptions.

About MarvNation
MarvNation Promotions was founded in 2014 by Marvin Rodriguez and was created with a vision to not only create concerts or boxing events, but to also create experiences for the fans. In 2018, after noticing a lack of support for many young and hungry prospects without an extensive Olympic and amateur background, MarvNation involved itself in the sport of boxing with a mission to make a way for these young prospects and develop them into top contenders and champions in the sport. Established both on a national and international level, MarvNation is here to bring you the best of boxing and live entertainment.




“FOX PBC Countdown” Show Airs TOMORROW Saturday, January 22 at 2:00 p.m. ET Live on FOX Previewing Keith Thurman vs. Mario Barrios Pay-Per-View Showdown

LAS VEGAS (January 21, 2022) – FOX Sports will air “FOX PBC Countdown” TOMORROW, Saturday, January 22 at 2 p.m. ET live on FOX ahead of the Keith Thurman vs. Mario Barrios FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View showdown taking place Saturday, February 5 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The behind the scenes show features comments from FOX Sports PBC talent including Brian Kenny, Lennox Lewis, Joe Goossen, Shawn Porter and Kate Abdo as they preview the highly-anticipated showdown that pits the former unified champion Thurman in his return to action as he takes on the former 140-pound champion Barrios, who will be making his welterweight debut.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at axs.com.

#

ABOUT THURMAN VS. BARRIOS
Thurman vs. Barrios will see former unified welterweight world champion Keith “One Time’’ Thurman return to the ring to take on former super lightweight world champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios in a 12-round welterweight showdown that headlines a jam-packed FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View lineup on Saturday, February 5 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

In the co-feature, four-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto’’ Santa Cruz will battle Keenan “Bedo’’ Carbajal in a 10-round super featherweight match, while battle-tested all-action welterweights Abel Ramos and Josesito “Riverside Rocky’’ Lopez clash in a 10-round attraction. The pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with former two-division champion Luis “Pantera” Nery battling unbeaten Carlos Castro in a 10-round super bantamweight duel.

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.




January 29: Tiger Johnson, Nico Ali Walsh and Bruce Carrington Scheduled to See Action on Robson Conceição-Xavier Martinez Undercard at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa

TULSA, OK (Jan. 21, 2022) — U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson, Brooklyn-born phenom Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of “The Greatest,” are among the rising stars who will fight Saturday, Jan. 29 atHard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.The bill is topped by the 10-round WBC 130-pound title eliminator between Robson Conceição and Xavier Martinez, and a 10-round junior lightweight co-feature featuring Mexican grinder Rene Tellez Giron and Puerto Rican contender Luis Melendez.

Conceição-Martinez and Giron-Melendez will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The following undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT:

  • Johnson (1-0, 1 KO), a 23-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, will take on fellow unbeaten Xavier Madrid (3-0, 1 KO) in a four-round welterweight tilt. Johnson advanced to the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Olympics and turned pro last November with a fourth-round stoppage over Antonius Grable.
     
  • Middleweight Ali Walsh (3-0, 2 KOs), who grabbed international headlines last year, looks to continue his unbeaten run in a four-rounder against Jeremiah Yeager (1-1-1, 1 KO).
     
  • Carrington (1-0), the latest young talent from the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, makes his Top Rank debut against fellow unbeaten Steven Brown (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round featherweight bout.
     
  • Light heavyweight prospect Dante “Free Smoke” Benjamin Jr., a one-time U.S. amateur standout from Cleveland, Ohio, makes his professional debut in a four-rounder against Herman Rendon (2-0). Benjamin signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank last year.
     
  • Featherweight prospect Haven Brady Jr. (4-0, 3 KOs) will see action in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named.
     
  • Tulsa-born heavyweight Jeremiah Milton (3-0, 3 KOs) hopes to thrill the hometown fans when he takes on the well-traveled Jason Bergman (27-20-2, 18 KOs) in a six-rounder. Milton and Bergman fought on the same Top Rank-promoted card in Tulsa last April, with Milton notching a first-round knockout and Bergman losing an eventful three-round shootout against Trey Lippe Morrison.
     
  • Junior lightweight Pink Tyson (11-2, 2 KOs) looks to make it three consecutive wins when she fights the durable Carla Torres (6-6) in an eight-rounder. 
     

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Tony Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now and can be purchased at tickets.hardrockcasinotulsa.com and at the Box Office at 918-384-ROCK (7625).

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 17.1 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).




GARY RUSSELL JR. VS. MARK MAGSAYO FINAL WEIGHTS AND COMMISSION OFFICIALS FOR SATURDAY’S WBC FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON SHOWTIME®

WBC Featherweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Gary Russell Jr. – 125 ½ lbs.*

Mark Magsayo – 125 ½ lbs.

Referee: Benjy Esteves; Judges: Lynne Carter (Penn.), Mark Consentino (N.J.), Henry Grant (N.J.)

*Note: Russell made the 126-pound weight limit on his second attempt.

Super Lightweight Bout – 12 Rounds

Subriel Matías – 140 ½ lbs.  

Petros Ananyan – 141 lbs.

Referee: Mary Glover; Judges: Debra Barnes (N.J.), Joseph Pasquale (N.J.), Paul Wallace (Md.)

*The fight contracted weight limit is 141 lbs.

Featherweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Tugstsogt Nyambayar – 128 lbs.  

Sakaria Lukas – 127 ½ lbs.

Referee: Edgardo Claudio; Judges: Tony Lundy (N.J.), Ronald McNair (N.Y.), Robin Taylor (N.Y.)

*The fight contracted weight limit is 128 lbs.

#          #          #

ABOUT RUSSELL VS. MAGSAYO

Russell vs. Magsayo will see WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. defend his world title against top contender and WBC mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo headlining action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, January 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a 12-round rematch between super lightweight contenders Subriel Matías and Petros Ananyan in the co-main event, plus hard-hitting featherweight Tugstsogt Nyambayar squaring-off against Sakaria Lukas in the 10-round telecast opener.

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




EVAN HOLYFIELD TRAINING CAMP QUOTES

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (January 21, 2022) – Unbeaten prospect Evan Holyfield, the son of legendary heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, will look to kick off what he hopes to be a big 2022 campaign when he takes on Chris Rollins in a six-round bout on the non-televised undercard this Saturday, January 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com. Holyfield’s fight is promoted by TGB Promotions and Main Events.

“My goals for 2022 are to remain undefeated and win Prospect of the Year,” said Holyfield. “I have to start by winning on January 22. I’ve been growing at a steady rate. Every time I fight I try to keep showing some type of evolution based on what I’ve been doing in the gym during training.”

Despite the large shadow created by his father’s many accomplishments, Holyfield, nicknamed “Yung Holy”, has been able to keep himself focused on his craft instead of worrying about any outside perceptions his family ties might cause.

“I don’t spend too much time thinking about creating my own lane or getting out of my dad’s shadow because I know I’m my own man and that we are different as fighters,” said Holyfield. “My brother plays in the NFL and every game they still mention my dad, even though it has nothing to do with boxing. They’re always going to mention my dad and that’s fine.

“With every fight it’s a chance for people to see who I am and see the differences between us as fighters. That’s the only thing that makes people change their minds and see who I am, is when you show them something. My dad has always been really supportive and encouraging. He’s always been there for any questions that I have. And it’s always nice to make him proud when I do well.”

Co-trained by coaches Mike Stafford and Bert Wells, Holyfield has split his training camp between the Cincinnati Golden Gloves gym and the Paul Murphy Boxing Club in Atlanta. The 24-year-old added three victories in 2021 as he now prepares for his first 2022 outing on Saturday night.

“I approach every camp seriously and with a determined mindset,” said Holyfield. “I’ve learned a lot this camp and I’m ready for January 22. I know I’m facing an opponent who’s about my height, so I think he’s going to try to use his jab a lot against me. I’m going to approach it like all of my fights, which is to do what I can to hit and not get hit. A lot of these fighters try to change their looks against me, so I’ll just have to see what he does on fight night.”

Holyfield is looking forward to the opportunity to compete on Saturday night and maintains he’s going to bring excitement to the ring, along with the ring generalship that helped make his father an all-time great in the sport.

“I’m definitely an exciting fighter,” said Holyfield. “I feel like I can adapt to any situation. I can box when I have to box, and fight when I have to fight. The main thing is to hit and not get hit and protect yourself from taking damage.”

Also on the card is another of Main Events’ prospects – undefeated LeShawn Rodriguez (12-0, 9 KOs) from Port Jefferson, NY. He will battle Sixto Suazo (9-2-1, 7 KOs) in a six-round middleweight bout.