NEW YORK – November 16, 2021 – Three-time NBA All-Star Deron Williams and legendary NFL running back Frank Gore faced off for the first time following a press conference announcing their professional heavyweight boxing debuts on Tuesday at Edison Ballroom in New York City.

Williams vs. Gore will take place on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury, live on SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, December 18 at AMALIE Arena in Tampa. The four-round heavyweight bout will be contested with a 215-pound contractual limit as the two legends make their professional boxing debuts. 

Also appearing at Tuesday’s event was seven-division world champion and current unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, who will face 135-pound titleholder Miriam Gutiérrez in the co-feature of the SHOWTIME PPV event.

Tickets for the live event, titled #PaulFury: One Will Fall, are now available for purchase at www.amaliearena.com.

Below are quotes from Williams, Gore and Serrano.

Deron Williams

“I’ve always wrestled all the way until high school and always been a big boxing and MMA fan. I’ve done a lot of training at my gym, Fortis MMA, in Dallas for the past six years.

“I’ve always wanted to do an MMA fight. I had one that I was training for before Covid hit but my opponent pulled out. It was always in the back of my mind and I’ve always stayed in shape and stayed training. I got a call from Nakisa (Bidarian) who I hadn’t talked to in five years and he said Frank Gore was training and looking for an opponent, and I felt like it was a great opportunity. I felt like if I didn’t take it I’d be kicking myself for the rest of my life.

“Frank looks good. If I’m going to do a fight I’d rather do it with someone who is capable and who has been training. The man is tough, there’s no doubt about that. Anyone who can take that many snaps in the NFL has to be tough. It’s a good challenge for me and something that I can check off the bucket list.

“Most people are behind me. I’ve had some people say, ‘You’re fighting Frank Gore. What are you doing?’ But that’s OK. There are a lot of unknowns in this game, so it makes it exciting. I’ve been training for years and doing a lot of MMA, and a lot of it has been boxing.

“I first started wrestling when I was like five. I didn’t really know what it was and I spent the whole season being dragged on the mat by my mom crying because I was so scared to go in there. But she said I had to because she had already paid for it and said you’re going to do this every weekend. So I basically went out there crying, got pinned, walked off the mat and then did it again for the whole year. The next year she asked if I wanted to sign up again expecting I would say no, but I actually said yes for some reason. I did that for about a half year before I turned into a little animal. So I think that year and a half of getting pinned made me tougher. Wrestling is a tough sport, and it was a great base for me and I’m really glad I did it and was able to go to the state tournament in Texas as an eight-year-old and 12-year-old. And I would have loved to have kept going but it was in the same season as basketball.

“I loved watching the heavyweights. Growing up in the ‘90s and watching (Mike) Tyson and all those wars they had. And watching (Evander) Holyfield. It was just a special time in boxing and there were still other fighters, but those were the ones I was watching and who I was excited to see.

“I jogged four miles yesterday and that was the first time I’ve ever run four miles. It’s getting out of your comfort zone and it’s a different feeling. Basketball, and football for him, we’re comfortable with that work. It’s learning to get hit in the face and being OK with it. It’s just a new challenge. I’ve been retired for four years now. You just miss competing. You miss having something to train for.”

Frank Gore

“l have always loved boxing. I’ve been training since 2005. I was doing it because it would save my legs since I play running back. I just fell in love with it, how hard it was and I’m very competitive. I was just doing it for the cardio. My first time I didn’t think I could do it, but I kept getting better and better at it.

“I’m definitely not doing this for the money. I’m blessed. I’m good and blessed with football and off-the-field stuff.

“I’ve always been an underdog my entire life. I was raised in a one-bedroom apartment. I blew out both of my knees and many thought I wouldn’t make it to the NFL. Sixteen years later and I’m No. 3 on the all-time list.

“I’m happy to be here and I respect Deron. He’s coming from the NBA and I always say any man who gets into the ring has got to be different. I don’t care what sport you play. I’m training my behind off for December 18.

“I know he’s trained in MMA and coming over from the NBA but he’s no Nate Robinson. He’s been doing MMA for six years so I have to respect that. He’s been wrestling since he was a kid. I’m training my behind off and the only one I can worry about is myself. I’m looking forward to the challenge and let the best man win on December 18.

“Football and boxing are totally different. When you watched me play I never really got hit. That’s why I was able to last so long. I played off of angles. Now, with boxing I’m going in there with guys that have had 300 amateur fights, are 10-0 as pros. So I can’t just dodge all the shots they are throwing because they have more ring experience.

“I would say jogging has been the toughest thing. In football we never jogged. We always did sprints and pulled the sled but I had to really train myself to jog. I had to put my mind somewhere else and work on it.

“My favorite fighter is Floyd (Mayweather, Jr.). There are a bunch of guys I like to watch now. I like Terence (Crawford) and I like Errol Spence, Tank (Davis), Shakur Stevenson. I just want to be the best of me. Whatever my coach tells me to do I’m going to go out and try to do and do my best to get this win on December 18.”

Amanda Serrano

“This fight is more important than the Katie Taylor fight. Miriam Gutierrez is a tough girl at 135 pounds and it’s not my natural weight class. I’m moving up two divisions. I have to get through Miriam in a way that people will want to see me fight Katie next.

“I would actually rather lose the weight than gain the weight. It’s so hard for me to keep the weight on because once I start training I drop it. I’m eating a lot of good foods and had to hire a nutritionist for this camp to make sure I’m strong. I’m a little girl, but I pack a punch wherever I go.

“I definitely want the Katie Taylor fight. That night could be the night I accomplish my goal and become the first undisputed boxer to come out of Puerto Rico. That would be an amazing night. Right now I’m concentrating on boxing because I have two amazing fights but in the future I definitely want to become an MMA champion, but right now it’s all about boxing.

“Pound for pound I think is a matter of opinion. Some people think I am, some people think it’s Claressa Shields. Katie actually fights the week before me so she has to look good, and I have to look good. I’m training really hard for Miriam. I know she is a tough girl and I’m just going to go out and be the best I can be and I think the fight with Katie Taylor is going to happen.”

# # #

For more information on #PaulFury visit www.SHO.com/sports, follow on Instagram via @JakePaul, @TommyFury, @MostValuablePromotions and @ShowtimeBoxing, Twitter via @JakePaul, @TommyTntFury, @MostVpromotions and @ShowtimeBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

NEW YORK (November 16, 2021) – The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) has announced its 29-member Class of 2121. The 10th NYSBHOF induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, will be Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), May 1, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“Every year the selections get more difficult,” NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy said. “Everyone of these new inductees has been a major part of New York boxing. It’s talent like this that makes NYSBHOF so successful.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NYSBHOF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No class of 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions

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

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

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

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

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

INFORMATION:

www.nyboxinghof.org

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Honda Center for the first time in over two years with a heavyweight title unification bout that will see former teammates collide, as UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou battles interim champion Ciryl Gane. Newly crowned UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno runs it back with former titleholder Deiveson Figueiredo in the co-main event.

UFC^® 270: NGANNOU vs. GANE will take place Saturday, Jan. 22 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. All bouts will be simulcast on ESPN+ in English and Spanish beginning at 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT with the ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass prelims. The prelims will continue exclusively on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT followed by the ESPN+ Pay-Per-View main card that will kick off at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

UFC^® 270: NGANNOU vs. GANE tickets will go on sale Friday, Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Nov. 18 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

No. 4 men’s pound-for-pound fighter Ngannou (16-3, fighting out of Paris, France by way of Batie, Cameroon) aims for his first successful title defense following a thrilling KO win over Stipe Miocic in March. Among the most feared strikers in the UFC, he also holds memorable finishes against Junior Dos Santos, Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem. Ngannou now hopes to deliver his most impressive performance yet by handing Gane his first career loss in emphatic fashion.

Undefeated Gane (10-0, fighting out of Paris, France) has wasted no time rising through the heavyweight ranks, capturing the interim title with a spectacular TKO win over Derrick Lewis in August. A former professional kickboxer, he has also delivered notable victories against Alexander Volkov, Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Junior Dos Santos. Gane now intends to dethrone his former teammate to begin his reign atop the UFC heavyweight division.

No. 10 men’s pound-for-pound fighter Moreno (19-5-2, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) delivered the biggest victory of his career in December by submitting Figueiredo to earn the UFC flyweight championship. Initially featured on The Ultimate Fighter season 24, Moreno has also secured notable victories against Brandon Royval, Jussier Formiga and Louis Smolka. Moreno now aims to prove he is the top flyweight in the world by stopping Figueiredo a second time.

Former champion Figueiredo (20-2-1, fighting out of Soure, Pará, Brazil) is determined to even the score with Moreno by recapturing the belt with a vintage performance. A powerful striker and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, he has delighted fans with memorable wins over Joseph Benavidez (twice), Tim Elliott and Alexandre Pantoja. Figueiredo now plans to get revenge on Moreno in their third battle to once again reach the top of the 125-pound ladder.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Top five middleweight contenders collide when No. 3 ranked Jared Cannonier (14-5, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) takes on No. 4 Derek Brunson (23-7, fighting out of Wilmington, N.C.)
• Undefeated featherweights battle when No. 13 ranked contender Movsar Evloev (15-0, fighting out of Sunzha, Republic of Ingushetia, Russia) squares off with Ilia Topuria (11-0, fighting out of Alicante, Spain)
• No. 6 ranked women’s flyweight contender Viviane Araujo (10-3, fighting out of Brasilia, DF, Brazil) takes on. No. 11 Alexa Grasso (13-3, fighting out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
• Kay Hansen (7-4, fighting out of Fullerton, Calif.) squares off with recent Dana White’s Contender Series signee Jasmine Jasudavicius (6-1, fighting out of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada) at flyweight
• Trevin Giles (14-3, fighting out of Houston, Texas) meets Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Michael Morales (12-0, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) at welterweight
• Tony Gravely (21-7, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) faces Dana White’s Contender Series signee Saimon Oliveira (17-3, fighting out of Balneario Camboriu, SC, Brazil) in a bantamweight bout
• No. 15 ranked bantamweight contender Cody Stamann (19-4-1, fighting out of Sparta, Mich.) squares off with rising Said Nurmagomedov (14-2, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia)
• Warlley Alves (15-5, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) faces Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Jack Della Maddalena (10-2, fighting out of Perth, Western Australia) in an intriguing welterweight bout
• Poliana Botelho (8-4, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) takes on Ji Yeon Kim (9-4, fighting out of Incheon, South Korea) at flyweight
• Greg Hardy (9-4 1NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) squares off with Aleksei Oleinik (59-16-1, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) in a battle of heavyweight finishers
• Matt Frevola (8-3-1, fighting out of Long Island, N.Y.) faces unbeaten Dana White’s Contender Series signee Genaro Valdez Solo (10-0, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) in an exciting lightweight matchup
• Rodolfo Vieira (8-1, fighting out of Orlando, Fla. by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) aims for another show-stealing submission when he takes on Wellington Turman (17-5, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) at middleweight

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

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 625 million fans and 178 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About Honda Center

Nestled in the heart of Orange County, Honda Center stands as one of the premier entertainment and sports venues in the country. Owned by the City of Anaheim and managed by Anaheim Arena Management, LLC, the arena is home to the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, and annually hosts dozens of top-name concerts such as Elton John, Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, Jay-Z, Garth Brook, and Foo Fighters. Since 2005, Anaheim Arena Management/Anaheim Ducks owners, Henry and Susan Samueli, have invested millions of dollars into facility upgrades, continuously improving the guest experience at Honda Center.

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).

About ESPN

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

(This is the first story in a short “Fantasy Fights” series about boxers who fought in 2021 on RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS cards to be matched next year in potentially explosive fights on the same platform.)

LAS VEGAS (November 16, 2021) – Arguably Mexico’s No. 1 welterweight, Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (25-0, 19 KOs), against Michael “Boy Wonder 150%” Williams, Jr. (19-0, 12 KOs) is the first RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS’s “Fantasy Fights” potential showdown for the same live streaming platform in 2022.

UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, on which RJJ Boxing has streamed live and exclusively for the past three years. To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

“Throughout the long, rich history of boxing,” veteran RJJ Boxing matchmaker Guy Taylor explained the genesis of ‘Fantasy Fights,’ “fans have always asked, ‘What would happen if these two ever fought each other.’ You couldn’t ask for a more polar opposite match-up than Santiago Dominguez and Michael Williams, Jr.”

Dominguez vs. Williams, Jr. is a classic contrast of styles, featuring a pair of gifted, undefeated welterweights seemingly on the verge of stardom.

RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS has helped boxers develop their skills in highly competitive matches, in addition to providing invaluable exposure worldwide, since 2019 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The heavy-handed Dominguez, who is a former NABF Welterweight Champion and past No. 15-rated in the world, stopped former WBA World title challenger Jesus “Chino” Antonio Rubio (13-4, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBC Latino strap in the October 15th main event in Mexico. It was Dominguez’ only fight in nearly a year because he needed to give his body a break. Dominguez improved to 5-0 (4 KOs) fighting career-wise on RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS.

The 22-year-old Williams, fighting out of Fayetteville, North Carolina, is trained by living legend Roy Jones, Jr. Last March in Biloxi, Mississippi, Williams defeated Starr Johnson, who couldn’t continue after the opening round. Williams improved to 2-0 (2 KOs) on RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS.

“Santiago is a throwback Mexican fighter, who stands 5’ 8” and was born in Ciudad Obregon Sonora, Mexico, just like his hero, the great Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr.,” Taylor added. “Williams, Jr. is a flashy, fast-footed boxer with lightning-quick hands who stands 6’ 1”. To put that in context for a welterweight, Michael is the same height as Hall of Famer Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearns. Williams is also trained by arguably the greatest all-around fighter, Roy Jones. Jr.”

“This is a fight that can easily be made given the status of both fighters from RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS. I truly feel that, stylistically, there is no better match-up in 2022 than an undefeated, power-punching Mexican against an undefeated, slick, counter puncher from the United States. And they are both approaching their prime.”

INFORMATION:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre, /World_Cup_Boxing_Series

Twitter: @UFCFightPass, @Keith_Veltre, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial

Instagram: @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre, @RoyJonesJrBoxing, @Ritzglitzglam, @World_Cup_Boxing_Series

TikTok: @WorldCupBoxingSeries

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. RJJ has already made a massive impact in the boxing community in a few short years. Creating exhilarating content for UFC Fight Pass, CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in many of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.

Based in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, NV, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable.

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®: UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than two hundred countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combat sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

The NJ Boxing Hall of Fame has voted Shawn Darling as “Coach of the Year.”

Darling learned his trade from International Boxing Hall of Famer Matthew Saad Muhammad. In addition to learning from Muhammad, Darling was always studying the training methods some of the best boxing minds on the East Coast.

They included: Bill Johnson, Don Givens, Walli Moses, Shaun George and Denny Brown. Darling was also fortunate to be in the company of many of New Jersey’s best fighters such as Kevin Johnson, Bobby Czyz, Bruce Seldon, John Brown, Shamone Alvarez, Prince Badi Ajumu.

Shawn has also had great success coaching and managing numerous Jersey Shore professionals with the most recent being Chris “Sandman” Thomas, “Quick” Nick Valliere, “The Brawler” Dan Pasciolla & Hafiz “Big Dawg” Montgomery.

“Shawn has been one of our top coaches for years,” said Henry Hascup, president of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. “He not only teaches young boxers how to box, nut he also acts like a father figure to many of them, which is far more important. He prepares them for adulthood, on how to conduct themselves even when the decision does not go their way.”

Darling opened his Gladiator Boxing Gym in 2005 in Forked River, New Jersey where such fighters as Bryant Jennings, Derric Rossy, Jesse Hart, Sonny Conto, Zhang Zhilei and Peter Quillin have sparred in the gym.

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of talented super lightweight prospect Shinard Bunch to a long-term co-promotional contract.

Before turning professional in 2019, Bunch had over 400 amateur fights and was once ranked as high as #3 nationally as a decorated member of the USA National Team, alongside current world champions Errol Spence and Shakur Stevenson. The talented former Brooklynite relocated to Trenton, New Jersey at age 13, and is now trained by Chino Rivas, perhaps best known for his work with former world champions Tevin Farmer and Jason Sosa, at TKO Fitness in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Managed by Philadelphia-based boxing legend J. Russell Peltz and, along with Lewkowicz, co-promoted by Nedal Abuhamoud of Nedal Promotions, the 22-year-old Bunch (17-1-1, 15 KOs) announced himself as a serious threat to anyone in the world on July 23 of this year at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island, Nebraska, where the supposed underdog Bunch fought to an impressive split draw with fellow prospect Janelson Figueroa Bocachica in a fight which many had Bunch winning handily. The scores were 97-93, 95-95 and 94-96 and the fight was televised nationally on ShoBox: The New Generation.

Bunch says he has total trust in his team and is looking forward to more chances to shine in the national spotlight.

“I just want to be great, honestly, and to be the best you have to have the right team in place,” said a happy Bunch of adding Lewkowicz to his squad. “I plan on being the best fighter in whatever weight class I’m in and this deal will definitely help me test my full potential.”

“I’ve done business with Sampson for close to 20 years and he’s a man of his word and that’s rare in this business,” said Peltz of the deal for his fighter with Lewkowicz. “I think we’re going to have fun together.”

Abuhamoud, maybe best known for his impressive work with rugged former contenders Kabary “The Egyptian Magician” Salem and Omar Sheika, echoes Bunch and Peltz’s excitement for the co-promotional deal. “I’ve done business with Sampson before and never had a problem,” said Abuhamoud. “He’s a great guy and we have good relationship. Even outside boxing we speak. You sign with another promoter; you have to talk to ten people to talk to him. Sampson doesn’t give you that kind of run around.”

Lewkowicz, who says he has a potential fight date in January for Bunch’s first under his co-promotional banner, likes what he sees in Bunch. Known for his ability to spot true fighting talent, Lewkowicz has no compunctions about matching Bunch with any other super lightweight in the world.

“Shinard Bunch is already one of the best in the world,” said Lewkowicz. “His team of Nedal and Russell Peltz and Chino Rivas have done an incredible job with him. I will help them find the fights they need to become world champion. Shinard Bunch has the talent to beat anyone in one of boxing’s best divisions. I am happy to be working with the next world champion at 140 lbs.”
About Sampson Boxing

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

Springfield, MA (November 16, 2021) – Bronx native Dashaun Johns is a 31-year-old professional boxer and businessman, owner of a 4-1 record in the ring and his own gym with three locations in the tri-state area.

As he continues to balance two professions in addition to his family life, the super lightweight southpaw makes his long-awaited debut with CES Boxing next Saturday on November 27 when he battles Pittsburgh’s Danny Mitchell (5-4-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout at the MassMutual Center.

To fully understand how much Johns (4-1, 3 KOs) has grown, it’s important to understand where he came from.

Johns lived most of his childhood without his father and grew up in house with four siblings, some of whom were stepbrothers, so he was often forced to defend himself. Bullied in school, Johns turned to the streets and found himself running with gangs as a teenager. That lifestyle came to a grinding halt one night at the age of 15 when someone pointed a gun to his stomach as walked into a deli in Brooklyn.

“I really didn’t know if I’d make it out or not,” Johns said. “After that, I knew I had to get away and make a change.

“I got out just in time.”

Like many fighters before him, Johns decided the best way to channel his aggression was through boxing. He began his new journey at 17, which is late in comparison to some of the sport’s elite fighters, but still took his time, starting out by learning basic footwork before he even put on a pair of gloves.

“I didn’t even know how to throw a punch when I started,” Johns said.

That changed quickly. Under the guidance of coach Understanding Allah at the renowned John’s Boxing Gym in the South Bronx, Johns fine-tuned his craft and soon began a productive amateur career in which he won the Title National Championships in Arkansas in 2016 and advanced to the semifinals and finals of the New York Daily News Golden Gloves tournament in 2016 and 2017, respectively, losing to former Olympian and current 12-0 pro Richardson Hitchins in the 2016 semis.

With a deep amateur background behind him, Johns decided to turn pro in 2018. He sought the tutelage of a new coach, Kwame Asante, who helped him acclimate to the pro style in the ring, teaching him to sit down on his punches and generate more power with his legs. Since his debut in November of 2018, Johns is 4-1 with his lone loss coming to former two-time Junior Olympic champion and fellow New Yorker Alex Vargas, who was 4-0 at the time – a fight not a lot of novices would take with only two pro fights under their belt.

Johns, however, isn’t like most boxers; he understands the business side of the sport. He understands branding and marketing. He knows how to make a name for himself and generate interest in his career through all social media platforms.

Right around the time he turned pro, a friend in the fitness industry invited him to come try one of the fitness classes at his gym. Johns declined at first, but the friend – also a trainer – insisted he check it out because his gym was hiring trainers and he thought Johns would be a good fit.

“I gave it a shot and did five demo classes,” Johns said, “and I sucked at all five.”

Still, there was something there that motivated Johns to keep trying. He watched other trainers and noticed how much they helped their clients. That inspired him. He, too, wanted to help others, so he earned his certification and soon began working as a trainer at Belly and Body Fitness in Old Greenwich, CT, roughly 40 minutes from the Bronx.

“Now I love it,” Johns said. “The fight game and the fitness world go hand-in-hand. Fitness is beneficial to a lot of people. To be able to give back that way is a good feeling. I’m seeing people lose weight and get fit and have fun doing it. That’s why my slogan is, ‘Train with a smile.’”

As Johns’ popularity grew, he soon launched his own business, TooSweet Fitness, modeled after his boxing nickname, “Too Sweet.” With three locations in the tri-state area, Johns keeps busy outside the ring. He also offers clients the option of meeting at a local park or facility of their choice, and they can book group or individual sessions online.

Because Johns is always working with clients and, naturally, on top of his own fitness, he’s always ready to fight, but finding opponents as a 5-foot-9 southpaw with an extensive amateur background isn’t always easy. That’s why he signed with manager Jason Scalzo, who quickly began shopping his client to various promoters. Johns’ impressive resume and sharp, polished look caught the attention of CES Boxing president Jimmy Burchfield Sr., who immediately booked Johns on the November 27 show, anxious to see what the southpaw brings to the table.

“This is what it’s all about – a whole new set of eyes on me,” Johns said. “I told [CES] from the beginning, ‘You better get me now. If you don’t, it’s your loss!’”

Time will tell if Johns can deliver, but there’s no questioning his work ethic and drive to succeed. He gives back in a number of ways, even taking the time to speak to classrooms in various schools on the importance of choosing the right path in life. November 27 is his chance to show that his early success is only the beginning.

“In this sport, you only have so much time,” Johns said. “I lost a whole year to COVID, so, in 2022, I want to be super active. My goal is to fight every month – every week – if I can. I don’t want to take too much time off.”

Tickets are available online at CESFights.com. The card is headlined by a 10-round main event showdown between Worcester’s Kendrick Ball Jr. (17-1-1, 11 KOs) and Sacramento’s Mike Guy (12-7-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant WBC USNBC Super Middleweight Title.

In addition to the Ball-Guy headliner, iconic female featherweight Shelly Vincent (26-2, 1 KO) of New London, CT, makes her long-awaited return to the ring following a two-year layoff to face Chicago’s Shelly Barnett (5-5-2) in an eight-round special attraction, plus New Britain, CT, featherweight Nathan Martinez (7-1, 2 KOs) faces battle-tested Puerto Rican contender Jayron Santiago (7-8-1, 5 KOs) in a six-round bout.

Featherweight Joshua Orta (7-0, 3 KOs), born and raised in Springfield, returns to his hometown following a successful appearance in August to face Lester Brown Jr. (4-3-3, 1 KO) of the Bahamas in a six-round bout, and fellow Springfield native Isaiah Cruz (1-0), competing in the super featherweight division, takes on Kingstown, NY, native Darren Mima, a former MMA world-title challenger making his boxing debut, in a four-round bout. Also from Springfield, unbeaten super welterweight Jalen Renaud (6-0, 2 KOs) battles Jurmain McDonald (5-4, 2 KOs) of Jefferson City, MO. Female welterweight Stevie Jane Coleman (1-1) of Columbia, CT, looks to build off her first pro win when she battles Nevada’s LeAnn O’Malley (1-0) in a four-round bout.

Visit CESFights.com for more information. Updates on CES Boxing can also be found on Facebook in addition to Instagram and Twitter by following @CESBoxing.

–30–

INFORMATION

CES MMA is a mixed martial arts promotional company based out of Providence, R.I., founded by legendary boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. It promoted the first sanctioned professional mma event in the state of Rhode Island on Sept. 17, 2010 at Twin River Casino Hotel. Since its inception, CES MMA has been a gateway to the UFC developing the careers of UFC contenders Calvin Kattar, Rob Font, Charles Rosa, William Knight, Mike Rodriguez, Tony Gravely, Andre Soukhamthath and others. In October 2012, CES MMA promoted its first pay-per-view event at The Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, featuring the professional MMA debut of former WWE superstar Dave Bautista, and recently signed a two-year extension to broadcast exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®.

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience, and worked as a promotional consultant for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view event in November of 2020.

MGM Springfield covers three city blocks in the heart of downtown Springfield, Mass. As the world’s first LEED™ Platinum-certified gaming resort, MGM Springfield ignites a cultural and economic renaissance in a historic New England city by seamlessly blending new design with restored historic buildings. The resort offers more than 125,000 square feet of gaming space, a 240-room boutique hotel on Main Street, superior spa services, diverse retail and inspired dining headlined by Costa and The Chandler Steakhouse. MGM Springfield also features a seven-screen Regal luxury cinema complex, bowling lanes, a seasonal skating rink and outdoor marketplace displaying local art, events and talent. For more information, visit the MGM Springfield Newsroom or mgmspringfield.com.

Los Angeles, CA – November 16, 2021 – Fresh from unveiling Lee McGregor as its latest athlete, Probellum is pleased to announce a multi-fight co-promotional deal for the bantamweight king alongside fellow powerhouse Matchroom Boxing.

It means the two boxing giants will work together to guide the career of British, Commonwealth and European champion McGregor (11-0, 9 KOs), as he looks to work his way towards a world title shot.

McGregor’s first fight since teaming up with Probellum and Matchroom Boxing will come at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 18 December, when he defends his European title against Narek Abgaryan.

The fight takes place on the undercard of the Joseph Parker vs. Derek Chisora 2 card, and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN (with the exception of New Zealand and Samoa).

“I’m absolutely delighted to be getting back in the ring defending my European Title against Narek Abgaryan,” said McGregor. “This is another step closer to me becoming a world champion. I have the best team possible and I believe with Probellum and Matchroom backing me, I can win world titles at multiple weights.”

“The Bantamweight division is one of the deepest and most exciting in the sport with some of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum.

“We are thrilled to be able to promote Lee McGregor. He is one of the most exciting fighters in the world today, and his fights are must-see events. With his power and speed, he is without a doubt the future of the division and a multi-weight world champion.

“All of us at Probellum are looking forward to working with Eddie Hearn and his great team at Matchroom to give Lee the opportunities and platform he deserves. December 18 is the beginning for an exciting journey with Lee.”

For live news and updates, be sure to follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

New York (November 16, 2021)–Asa Stevens remained undefeated, and picked up his first stoppage win as he took out Felix Vazquez in the opening round of their scheduled four round super bantamweight fight at The Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Stevens was dominant as he hurt Vazquez with a combination that was started by an uppercut. With Vazquez hurt, Stevens wasted no time in landing a hard flurry of punches before the fight was stopped at 1:59.

Stevens, who is managed by Split-T Management is now 2-0 with one knockout.

Asa of Waianae, Hawaii was both a National and World Amateur champion, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions

LOS ANGELES (November 15, 2021) – Unbeaten five-time world champion and boxing’s hottest attraction Gervonta “Tank” Davis and hard-hitting Isaac “Pitbull’’ Cruz previewed their showdown for Davis’ WBA Lightweight Championship during a virtual press conference Monday before they square off on Sunday, December 5 live on SHOWTIME PPV from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Davis’ third-straight pay-per-view headlining attraction will see him take on the IBF-ranked No. 2 lightweight in Cruz, a Mexico City-native who has earned his ‘Pitbull’ moniker through his hardnosed style.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, GTD Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Monday:

GERVONTA DAVIS

“I’m happy and excited to be in this position, I’ve been working hard getting ready for this new opponent. I know Cruz is going to come to fight. The fans are going to be the winners in this fight, because we’re both coming in prepared to be at our best. I’m ready to put on a great show on December 5

“Anything can happen in boxing, so I just try to stay on task. I’m always ready to step up to any challenge thrown my way and get the job done.

“This is a more interesting fight now, because we both come forward. This is going to be something great for the fans and another exciting night for the sport of boxing. May the best man win. We’re both coming with our ‘A’ games.

“He can say I haven’t faced someone like him, but he’s never fought anybody like me either. I can box and I can hit. We’ll see what he’s saying when he gets hit in the face.

“December 5 is going to be fireworks for sure. It’s going to be something you can’t miss. Don’t go get your popcorn or anything like that during this fight. This is another tough task, but this is what I’m made for.

“You always have to adapt in boxing. No matter what comes your way. I’m going to adapt to Cruz. I’m figuring out every day how Cruz is thinking and what he’s going to bring to the fight.

“Cruz has impressed me in his past fights. He comes in there to win. He doesn’t look to just hang in there. He wants to go in and take it. He’s not an opponent I can overlook. A win over him would be big for me.

“It is different training to fight a shorter opponent. I usually fight guys taller than me, so it’s an adjustment. It’s another thing I have to adapt to. Everything we’re doing is to figure him out.

“December 5 is going to be a fireworks show. This is going to be one of the best fights of the year. It’s not just a boxing match, it’s an event. Make sure you come out.

“I’m excited to be in this position. I’m grateful for it. I’m trying to continue to grow as a fighter and just improve each day.”

ISAAC CRUZ

“December 5 is going to be a great fight. I’m ready to shock the world and become the next star in the pantheon of Mexican boxing champions.

“I’m ready to put on a show on December 5 at STAPLES Center. There were a wide-array of feelings when I knew I got this fight, but most of all, it made me really motivated to be ready for this opportunity.

“We are not overconfident in any way, but Gervonta has not fought anyone with my style and with my characteristics. We’re working really hard to make sure my style will work the best that it can on December 5.

“The real winner of this fight is going to be the fans. ‘Pitbull’ and ‘Tank’ are going to crash into each other and people will be on the edge of their seats.

“I can guarantee that I’m hungry and motivated to win this fight. I’m fighting for more than myself, I’m fighting for my family and to make my country proud. I know that if I win this fight, it will change my whole career.

“The key to defeating Gervonta is for me to want it more. I want that belt in my hand. It’s going to come down to determination.

“I’m always thankful for the opportunities I get. It’s my job to work hard and take advantage of each opportunity as I get them. I’m going to come forward and present my power. Once he feels my power, the fight is going to turn toward me.

“It’s up to Gervonta to show that he’s a superstar in the ring. I don’t see him as an impossible task to defeat at all.

“I always want to fight the best and Gervonta is one of the best. I’m training really hard so that I’m up to that challenge.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“This is an exciting matchup, with the most exciting fighter in the world, Gervonta Davis, taking on Isaac Cruz, who is a tough lightweight and a bonafide top-10 contender. He has an action-packed style himself and he’s looking to knock ‘Tank’ off his throne.

“Mexico is riding high off of Canelo Alvarez’s historic undisputed championship victory and now there’s a big opportunity for Cruz to stand up for his country and take ‘Tank’ out. I’ve had my eye on Cruz since he knocked out Diego Magdaleno on ‘Tank’s’ undercard last year. I was very impressed with the knockout and knew he might get this opportunity down the line.

“’Tank’ is always ready. He stays ready, so he doesn’t have to get ready. This fight is going to be nothing but fireworks on December 5 and it’s definitely ending in a knockout.

“Cruz is coming to fight. He’s not a last-minute replacement. He was already fighting on this card, so he’s going to be ready. ‘Tank’ is going to have to be on point for every second of this fight, because Cruz puts a lot of mental pressure on you with the way that he fights.”

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

“This is going to be an incredible fight on December 5. Los Angeles has been a great boxing city going back over 100 years. Fighters from Mexico City come in with a ton of pride, courage and desire. They flat out don’t want to lose. Cruz is a certified Mexican warrior from Mexico City.

“STAPLES Center has a rich tradition of bringing the biggest and best fights to Los Angeles. With Gervonta Davis, you know there will be an incredible atmosphere in the arena. It’s going to be bombs away and you won’t want to miss it on December 5.”

#          #          #

ABOUT DAVIS VS. CRUZ

Davis vs. Cruz will see five-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis defend his WBA Lightweight Championship against hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz live on SHOWTIME PPV on Sunday, December 5 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in a Premier Boxing Champions event. 

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features rising super welterweight star Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora facing fellow unbeaten Sergio Garcia in a WBC Super Welterweight World Title Eliminator that serves as the co-main event. Plus, hard-hitting middleweight contenders Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Carlos Adames square off in a 10-round battle, while top featherweight contender Eduardo Ramirez faces former title challenger Miguel Marriaga in the pay-per-view opener.

Reading, PA (November 15, 2021)–Alycia Baumgardner became the WBC/IBO Junior Lightweight world champion with a crushing fourth round stoppage over reigning and previously undefeated champion Terri Harper at The Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England.

Baumgardner, who came in as a big underdog at more than 7 to 1, hurt Harper in round two with some hard right hands.

In round four, Baumgardner landed a big right hand that stunned and froze Harper. Harper was basically motionless on her feet. Baumgardner jumped in and landed one more powerful left hook just as referee Mark Lyson was stopping the fight just 23 seconds into the round.

Baumgardner, of Bingham Farms, Michigan via Fremont, Ohio, who is promoted by King’s Promotions, becomes a world champion with a record of 11-1 with seven knockouts.

“The ones that overlooked me, fueled me. People got to see a tad of who Alycia is. Since everyone was booing me, I embraced it and it pumped me up even more. When I landed the punch, I felt all my power hit her right on the chin. When I saw her hurt, I knew just to finish her right now. I thought immediately that I did it, and I am a world champion. I want to unify the division, and I am going to be the undisputed champion,” said Baumgardner.

“I am so proud of Alycia. She showed what a true champion is all about. She came into enemy territory, and came in here and knocked the champion out. Alycia is a special fighter and to win the championship in the fashion that she did was just awesome to witness. There are many major opportunities ahead for her, and when the time is right, we will sit down with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing and look at those options. She deserves time to celebrate this amazing accomplishment,” said Marshall Kauffman, CEO of King’s Promotions.

“Alycia did what I always believed she would do when we signed her three years ago. I knew Alycia would win a world title and it came to fruition. All she needed was one opportunity, and look what happened. I feel that in a very short time, Alycia will be one of, if not the face of women’s boxing,” said Andrew Foy of King’s Promotions.

Chantelle Cameron is on a scouting mission this week as the WBC, IBF and Ring Magazine World Super-Lightweight champion hits the east coast to watch Kali Reis and Jessica Camara on Friday November 19 at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire live worldwide on DAZN – in a clash for the right to fight Cameron for the undisputed title in 2022.
TICKETS START AT $30 (PLUS FEES) AND ARE ON SALE NOW FROM TICKETMASTER.COM
Cameron (15-0 8 KOs) touched down in Mexico City yesterday to attend the WBC Convention and rub shoulders with some of her fellow holders of the famous green and gold belt, and on Wednesday she’ll arrive in New Hampshire to take an up close and personal look at the second installment of the road to undisputed as Reis (18-7-1 5 KOs) takes on Camara (8-2) for the WBA and vacant WBO straps.

Cameron booked her spot in the showcase fight for next year with victory in London over Mary McGhee in an all-action battle at The O2 a fortnight ago, just one of many breathless and exciting women’s World title bouts that have thrilled fans in recent weeks in the UK and America.

The 30 year old expects Reis and Camara to pick up the baton and leave it all in the ring on Friday night, but believe that it will be the American Reis that she’ll go toe-to-toe with for all the marbles next year.

“I think Kali will win on Friday night,” said Cameron. “Jessica is great opposition, a great fighter and tough as they come but I think Kali has the edge – she’ll land cleaner shots, move better and is a technically superior and will win it on points, but I’m excited because it will be a good fight.

“There’s been so many great women’s fights recently, the world title fights are always explosive over the two minute rounds, and I think this will be another one of them.

“I’ve been back in training already last week and getting ready to see who wins, and then I’ll up the levels again as I will know who I am preparing for.

“It was a great fight with Mary, I’ve watched it back couple of times, we put on a good show. It showed that I am improving with every fight, and it was a perfect fight to show those improvements and that I listen and take the instructions well from Jamie Moore.

“I’m getting better and better, and it’s coming in bigger and bigger fights, I don’t want to go stale or get complacent so it’s not just about winning fights but also about performance, that’s important to me.

“It’s so important for me to come out here. I’ll be in New Hampshire on Wednesday, and it’ll be good to see Kali and Camara not just on fight night but on the scales too and just around the hotel. I need to be 100 per cent prepared for the winner and you cannot beat being there in person, watching it on TV is a lot different. You get to see how they handle their business for fight week at the press conference and weigh-in as well as on the night, on my week I was so relaxed and no matter what Mary was doing or saying, I kept my cool and took care of myself, you can’t get under my skin as I am too focused on my job.

“I’m really looking forward to the whole week, I’ve never been to Mexico before, so I am looking forward to meeting the other WBC champions and spending time there too.”

Reis and Camara clash on a massive night of quadruple World title action, topped by Demetrius Andrade (30-0 18 KOs) defending his WBO World Middleweight title against Jason Quigley (19-1 14 KOs). 

Murodjon Akhmadaliev (9-0 7 KOs) defending his WBA and IBF World Super-Bantamweight titles against José Velásquez (26-9-2 19 KOs) and it’s Mexico vs. Puerto Rico in the long-awaited showdown between WBC World Flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez (18-1 14 KOs) and McWilliams Arroyo (21-4 16 KOs).

BOSTON (November 15, 2021) – Presenting its fourth event in fewer than 60 days since its inaugural event this past September 24th, Vertex Promotions will end its first year of successfully promoting professional boxing events, “Fall Brawl,” this Saturday (Nov. 20) night at its Boston suburb home, Mosely’s On The Charles in Dedham, Massachusetts.

Many of the Northeast’s most promising and popular prospects will be in action in the intimate surroundings at Mosely’s.

GO HERE TO WATCH PROMO VIDEO:

Undefeated 23-year-old lightweight RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (14-0, 11 KOs), the reigning ABF American West and NBA Continental champion from Albany (NY), will headline his third Vertex card in the 8-round, main event (non-title fight) against Colombian veteran Daulis Prescott (32-14, 24 KOs).

Prescott fought Nicholas Walters for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Featherweight World title in 2012. He is the younger brother of Breidis Prescott, who shocked the boxing world in 2008, when he knocked out 2004 Olympic silver medalist and future 3-time World champion Amir Khan in the opening round.

In the co-feature event, undefeated welterweight prospect James “The Slim Reaper” Perella (8-0, 6 KOs), of Mansfield (MA), faces Floridian Andre Byrd (8-11-2, 1 KO) in Perella’s first scheduled 8-round bout.

Perella, 29, was a standout USA Boxing amateur as a 4-time USA New England and 4-time New England Golden Gloves champion.

Another hot, undefeated prospect, Weymouth (MA) boxer Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (8-0, 8 KOs), goes for his 9th win with his 9th KO in a 6-round Special Super Welterweight Attraction against his Mexican opponent, Danny “Venado” Flores (15-25-1, 8 KOs). Hogan is the reigning New Hampshire super welterweight champion, as well as a 2019 New England Golden Gloves gold medalist.

In four 6-rounders, New Bedford (MA) middleweight Drew “Tomahawk” Dwelly (3-0-2, 3 KOs) faces Ginno Montoya (0-6), Springfield (MA) super lightweight super lightweight Eric “Gladiator” Goff (4-0, 3 KOs)) throws down with . Austin Reed Ward (0-9), and undefeated Colorado super middleweight “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (9-0, 5 KOs), the ABF American West champion, has been added to the card versus David Rohn (0-9-1).

Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole moved to Friday’s DAZN show in Manchester, NH

Irish light heavyweight prospect Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole (1-0, 1 KO) was originally scheduled to fight on this Saturday’s Vertex show, but he was moved to Friday (Nov. 19) evening’s Andrade-Quigley card, streaming live on DAZN from SHNU Arena (former Verizon Center) in Manchester New Hampshire.

The 23-year-old O’Toole (1-0, 1 KO), fighting out of Galway, Ireland, won his pro debut this past September 25th on a Vertex show at Moseley’s in which he knocked down Francisco Ariri Neto three times for a spectacular first-round knockout. O’Toole is matched against Texan Mark Malone (1-0) this Friday in a 4-round bout.

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in 4-round matches are Dorchester (MA) featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), a 2016 Rocky Marciano Tournament champion, vs. Ecuadorian Ronny Arana (0-2), Malden (MA) super featherweight Alex Rivera (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Deshawn Kennedy (0-4), Boston welterweight James Murrin (1-0) vs. pro-debuting Miguel Valencia, of Worcester (MA), Kansas City (KS) super lightweight Marcus Davidson (1-0, 1 KO) vs. pro-debuting Marlon Hardnick, and Salem’s (MA) pro-debuting welterweight Kenny Larson vs. Seigenald Daley, Jr. (0-1).

Card is subject to change.

Tickets are on sale for $150.00 (ringside), $65.00 (general admission), $50.00 (standing room) and $2000.00 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets, go online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vertex-promotions-fall-brawl-tickets-192621806007, or contact any of the competing fighters. Limited tickets may be available fight night at the door.

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

LAS VEGAS, NV (November 15, 2021) – Welterweight contender, Thomas Dulorme (25-6-1, 16 KOs), has officially submitted a letter to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, disputing the result of his bout against Jaron Ennis (28-0, 26 KOs), in which he claims he was hit with an illegal rabbit punch to the back of the head. The fight took place at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, October 30, 2021.

Dulorme respectfully requests that the Nevada State Athletic Commission overturn the knockout loss to a no decision due to the referee’s outcome-determinative error.

Prior the bout, the assigned in-ring referee, Mike Ortiz, instructed the fighters that a punch to the back of an opponent’s head would constitute an illegal blow subject to penalty, as codified under:
?
NAC?467.675?Acts constituting fouls in boxing.
The following acts constitute fouls in boxing:
12.?Using a rabbit punch or otherwise striking an opponent on the back of the head, the base of the skull or the back of the neck.
Dulorme and Ennis affirmed that they understood the rule. However, at the one-minute mark of the first round, Ennis threw a right hook that landed squarely to the back of Dulorme’s head. Despite his spirited efforts, the illegal blow rendered Dulorme dazed, unbalanced, and physically incapable of adequately defending himself against his opponent. Consequently, Dulorme was knocked down a second time 49 seconds later and could not rise to his feet before being counted out by Mr. Ortiz.

“I feel I wasn’t given the allocated time to recover by the referee, after getting hit from what was clearly an illegal rabbit punch to the back on my head, forcing me to fight at a disadvantage,” said Dulorme. “Jaron Ennis is a great fighter and I’m not taking anything away from his talent, I’m just disputing that I should have been given the allotted time to regain my composure. I’m hoping that Nevada State Athletic Commission will honor my appeal based on their rules.”

Baltimore, MD (November 15, 2021) — Jeter Promotions has signed undefeated super middleweight prospect Mansaborie Conde to a promotional contract.

Conde, 22 years-old of Laurel, Maryland has a professional record of 3-0 with two knockouts.

“Monzo is a terrific prospect. I look forward to helping him develop into a world class fighter, and eventually we see him in big fights.” said Tony Jeter, who along with with his wife Christen, makeup Jeter Promotions.

Conde started boxing at the age of nine and quickly fell in love with the sport.

He had an amateur record of 49-12, which included winning a State Golden Gloves Tournament in 2010.

“I have known and been working with Tony Jeter since I was an amateur. I know he is a great guy. I used to train at the gym that his wife owns, Odenton Fitness. I am trained by Calvin Ford and I train alongside Gervonta Davis and Lorenzo Simpson,” said Conde.

Conde describes himself as a boxer-puncher, who is very versatile.

“Being with Jeter Promotions will bring me lots of eyes and eventually a world title shot. I know Jeter Promotions will be able to help me up the rankings,” finished Conde.

Conde will make his Jeter Promotions debut on Friday, December 3rd at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Nov. 15, 2021) – Although Daniel Ponce de Leon officially retired from boxing following his last bout more than seven years ago, the 41-year-old father of four has not completely removed himself from the sport in which he procured two world titles during a stellar 14-year career.

Since Miguel Roman stopped him on June 7, 2014, De Leon (45-7, 35 KOs) has remained active in the sweet science by training Mexican fighters Aaron Silver, Julio Madera, and Luis Varano, and serving as a boxing commentator for Fox Deportes, Estrella TV, and Facebook Live.

Returning competitively to the sport that brought him fame and fortune, the Mexican boxing legend will lace up the gloves one final time when he squares off against Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera (67-7, 44 KOs) Saturday, Nov 20, 2021, on pay per view. The six-round super welterweight exhibition and four additional bouts will air live from the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino in Mescalero, New Mexico.

FITE PPV and Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch Paid Online will televise the five-bout main card live on pay per view for $9.99 at 4:30 p.m. PT /5:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. ET.

“Boxing is in my blood, and it is difficult to leave it,” said the Chihuahua, Mexico, native. “I was already anxious to fight again before I talked to (promoter) Teresa Tapia and am thrilled to return. Time has passed quickly and here I am ready to fight again.”

In addition to commentating and training championship hopefuls, De Leon aims to demonstrate to the younger generation that seasoned veterans can also prove their mettle in the squared circle.

“I want to show that age does not matter, and it is possible to succeed in the ring after seven years away,” said the El Monte, Calif., resident. “I am happy to still be able to do what I love the most.”

Admitting that it was initially difficult to shake off the ring rust, De Leon remains confident that boxing enthusiasts will see his best on Nov. 20.

“It was difficult to catch the training rhythm and lose weight at the beginning of my return. Now I go running every day, shadow box, work the mitts, spar a few rounds, and finish off each session with strength exercises and stretching. I will be ready to show my best.”

While many fighters list taking home a world title as their greatest boxing accomplishment, the proud papa reflects upon his professional career from a unique perspective.

“I have beautiful memories from my boxing career,” De Leon reminisced. “I will never forget the happiness on my kids’ faces when they saw me win my fights. They were always with me watching from the front row.”

The former two-division world champion is eager to display his skills and holds nothing but the utmost respect for his upcoming opponent.

“Barrera is a great warrior who fought many historic opponents,” said the 2000 Mexican Olympic team member who battled eight world titleholders during his pro career. “It is an honor to face such a great Mexican champion.”

After securing a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan American Games during his amateur boxing career, De Leon claimed the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight title in October 2005 and made six successful defenses.

Nearly seven years after earning his first world title, the southpaw slugger collected a second with an eight-round technical decision over Jhonny Gonzalez in September 2012 to take home the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight crown.

Raised in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range in Mexico, De Leon is a member of the Tarahumara tribe, a group of indigenous people renowned for long-distance running.

“The Tarahumara Warrior” who overcame extreme poverty during his early childhood years living in Chihuahua, will provide everything he has during his final pro contest five days before Thanksgiving against “The Baby-Faced Assassin.”

“Fans everywhere can expect the best of me,” De Leon insisted. “I have taken this seriously and plan to put up a good fight against Barrera.”

In the first exciting pay-per-view co feature, undefeated Abel Mendoza (30-0, 23 KOs) of El Paso, Texas, hopes to keep his perfect record intact and ascend to the upper echelon of the 135-pound division when he takes on Mexican brawler Victor Zaleta (20-5-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round clash.

Rounding out the pay-per-view card will be a welterweight showdown of hard-hitting Albuquerque pugilists as undefeated Clinton Chavez (5-0, 4 KOs) faces once-beaten Cristian Castillo (3-1, 3 KOs), as well as a 270-pound battle royale pitting two Streetbeefs standouts making their pro boxing debuts when Cody Beck takes on Jonathan Rice.

Kicking off the festivities, Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch Facebook.com/GoldenBoyFN and FITE will stream Nicco Tapia’s debut and four additional outstanding preliminary bouts for free at 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT/5 p.m. ET.

A Spanish-language broadcast will be available as a viewing option for both the pay-per-view and preliminary bouts.

Those hoping to attend the unforgettable, 10-fight Tapia Promotions extravaganza in person can purchase tickets starting at $75 through innofthemountaingods.com and  TicketMaster.com by searching “La Ultima Batalla – The Last Stand.”

About BARRERA-DE LEON: La Ultima Batalla (The Last Stand)

Two legendary former world champions return to the boxing ring one final time for a special six-round welterweight exhibition, as Tapia Promotions presents Barrera vs. Ponce De Leon “La Ultima Batalla” – “The Last Stand” on Saturday, Nov 20, at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino in Mescalero, New Mexico. The thrilling five-fight main card will be available via pay-per-view for $9.99 through both FITE PPV and Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch Paid Online at 4:30 p.m. PT /5:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. ET.  For the audiences watching in Mexico, both FITE and Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch Paid Online will offer a Spanish-language broadcast of the event for $4.99. Kicking off the festivities two hours earlier, Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch Facebook.com/GoldenBoyFN and FITE will stream the five outstanding preliminary bouts for free at 2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT/5:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets starting at $75 are available through innofthemountaingods.com and  TicketMaster.com by searching “La Ultima Batalla – The Last Stand.”

About TAPIA PROMOTIONS

Teresa Tapia formed Tapia Promotions to continue the legacy of her legendary late husband, six-time world champion/Hall of Famer Johnny Tapia by providing thrilling boxing events to fight fans everywhere. One of the first female boxing promoters in the United States, Teresa successfully managed Johnny Tapia’s career from 1995-2011, and accepted his 2017 induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBOF). Additionally, in 2004, Teresa became the first and only female boxing manager in sweet science history to receive a special recognition award from the IBOF. The multi-faceted promoter branched out in 2020 to produce the sports reality series “Stars and Champions,” which featured an intimate look at boxers’ lives both inside and outside of the ring.

About FITE

FITE is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry’s marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 5MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire TV, and Huawei apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Virgin Media, Shaw Communications’ Blue Curve IPTV, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Comcast’s Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex as well as 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIN and Facebook. FITE: It’s ON.

About GOLDEN BOY

Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment brand committed to making fighting entertainment more accessible and affordable. The company’s in-house production team develops creative original programming for RingTV.com and international channels across the globe. The company holds the exclusive rights to top boxers and has promoted some of the biggest and highest grossing events in the history of the sport. Now, Golden Boy is one of the most successful boxing entertainment companies in the world and shapes the future of boxing for fighters and fans alike. 

Jason Quigley believes he’ll have the crowd on his side as he expects his Irish fans to roar him to victory when he challenges Demetrius Andrade for the WBO World Middleweight title at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on Friday November 19, live worldwide on DAZN.
TICKETS START AT $30 (PLUS FEES) AND ARE ON SALE NOW FROM TICKETMASTER.COM
Quigley (19-1 14 KOs) is the second Irishman to try to take the crown from Andrade (30-0 18 KOs) after Luke Keeler was stopped in the ninth round of his attempt in Miami in January 2020, and now the 30 year old tries to work out the Rhode Island puzzle that no pro has been able to solve so far against the two weight champion.

The Donegal man landed in Boston over the weekend before making the short drive up to Manchester for the biggest night of his career, and legions of Irish fight fans are expected to make that trip along with fans from New York and Ireland itself, and that’s the kind of backing Quigley believes can get him over the line on the night – but he’s staying calm and treating it like every other fight he’s had.

“It’s going to be very exciting,” said Quigley. “There’s nothing like the Irish fans and I cannot really imagine what it’s going to be like come fight night. We all know how loud and proud they are and that’s giving me more excitement, and these are the types of things as well that can get fighters through a difficult period of a fight.

“When you are in the ring and you are hurt, you go down, something is not going to plan – when you hear the crowd roaring you on that can give you the extra lift and percentage to get you over the line. Hopefully it won’t come to that, but I know that the support is going to be there and I’m grateful for the fans that have been messaging me and that are coming to the fight.

“In the build-up to the fight it’s about controlling emotions, the nervous energy, you have the natural excitement inside of course, but I have a job to do on November 19, to get in there and take care of business. That’s been the mindset for me, I have prepared as hard for this fight as any other that I’ve had.

“Of course, there’s more on the line than before, but it has to be business as usual. I have thoughts and visions of winning the belt and I am glad, because that shows that I have the self-belief that I can win this fight.”

Quigley’s clash with Andrade is part of a massive quadruple header of World title action, with Murodjon Akhmadaliev (9-0 7 KOs) defending his WBA and IBF World Super-Bantamweight titles against José Velásquez (26-9-2 19 KOs).

It’s Mexico vs. Puerto Rico in the long-awaited showdown between WBC World Flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez (18-1 14 KOs) and McWilliams Arroyo (21-4 16 KOs) and the fourth World title bout on the bill is the second step on the path to crowning an undisputed women’s champion at 140lbs as Kali Reis (18-7-1 5 KOs) takes on Jessica Camara (8-2) for the WBA, IBO and vacant WBO straps.

Los Angeles, CA – November 15, 2021 – Probellum is delighted to announce the promotional signing of unbeaten British, Commonwealth and European bantamweight champion Lee McGregor.

Scottish sensation McGregor (11-0, 9 KOs) is widely-regarded as one of the best rising stars in all of boxing, with the 24-year-old already firmly established as one of the top 118lb fighters in the world after just 11 fights.

He won the European title in emphatic fashion earlier this year, viciously stopping defending champion Karim Guerfi in the very first round, before following that up with a fourth round stoppage win against Vincent Legrand in August.

McGregor also holds wins over the likes of Kash Farooq and Thomas Essomba during his career, and is currently ranked #3 with the IBF, #6 with the WBA, #7 with the WBC, #12 with the WBO, and #10 with the Ring Magazine.

He is the latest big name to sign with Probellum, joining an elite roster that includes Regis Prograis, Nonito Donaire, Badou Jack, Donnie Nietes, Eimantas Stanionis, Arthur Biyarslanov, Taras Shelestyuk, Ricky Burns, Paul Butler, Lewis Ritson, Muhammad Waseem, Hovhannes Bachkov, Darius Fulghum, Eduardo Hernandez, Mark Dickinson, Brandon Moore, Jack Bowen and Jason Mallia.

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, BXSTRS Promotions in Mexico, 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, and Box Office Sports in Ghana.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be signing with Probellum. I believe with Probellum backing me and guiding me I won’t just become a world champion, but I’ll also become a multi-weight world champion,” said McGregor.

“I’m looking forward to some huge nights ahead and hopefully getting closer to my dream fighting at Tynecastle Park and over in the States.”

“We are ecstatic to welcome a fighter of Lee McGregor’s ability to the team here at Probellum,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum. “In such a short space of time he has proven himself as one of the best bantamweight fighters on the planet, and this is only the start of what we’re certain is going to be a long and successful career.

“He is already a superstar in Scotland and the UK, and we’re confident he can now take that popularity to a worldwide level. There will be more news revealed soon about Lee and the future is going to be very bright.”

For live news and updates, be sure to follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Katie Taylor will defend her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight crowns against WBA Mandatory Challenger Firuza Sharipova on the same night that Welterweight star Conor Benn steps up against former World Champion Chris Algieri at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Saturday December 11, live worldwide on DAZN.

Irish sensation Taylor (19-0, 6 KOs) is within touching distance of a huge showdown with Amanda Serrano in 2022 but must overcome a final hurdle in the shape of Kazakhstan’s Sharipova after cruising to another successful defence of her titles against the USA’s Jennifer Han at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds.

Sharipova (14-1, 8 KOs) has picked up titles at Super-Featherweight, Lightweight and Super-Lightweight since joining the professional ranks in May 2016, and the 27-year-old from Taraz is ranked at No.1 in the world at Lightweight by the WBA having remained undefeated since a shock four-round points loss on her debut.

Chatteris Featherweight talent Jordan Gill (26-1, 7 KOs) returns to the ring to challenge EBU European Featherweight Champion Karim Guerfi (30-5, 9 KOs) after scoring behind closed doors wins over Reece Bellotti in August 2020 and Cesar Juarez in February 2021 to land the WBA International Title. 

France’s Guerfi became a two-weight European Champion by outpointing Andoni Gago in Marbella, Spain earlier this year to land the 126lbs strap. The 34-year-old from Manosque previously held the EBU Bantamweight Title before losing it to undefeated Scottish talent Lee McGregor at the Bolton Whites Hotel in March. 

‘The Welsh Wizard’ Joe Cordina (13-0, 8 KOs) continues his push for Super-Featherweight World Title action in 2020 after scoring a sensational first round knockout win over the USA’s Joshuah Hernandez at Fight Camp in August, former European, British and Commonwealth Super-Lightweight Champion Robbie Davies Jr (21-3, 14 KOs) fights for the second time under new trainer Shane McGuigan, undefeated Belfast Middleweight talent Caoimhin Agyarko (9-0, 6 KOs) makes his Matchroom debut, former Team GB star Calum French makes his professional debut at Super-Lightweight, Tokyo Olympian Peter McGrail (1-0) steps though the ropes for the seconds time as a pro and is joined on the bill by his debutant brother Joe McGrail, while former professional footballer Paddy Lacey (1-0) looks to build on his pro debut win over Stanko Jermelic last month. 

 “I’m looking forward to ending the year on a high with another defence of my titles,” said Taylor. “I know there are some huge fights out there for me in 2022 but for now my sole focus is on December 11 and this mandatory defence against Sharipova.”

Tickets are priced £40, £60, £80, £100 & £300 (VIP).

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

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Nov. 13, 2021) – While countless high school juniors concern themselves with standardized test scores and submitting college applications, Johnny “Nicco” Tapia, the youngest son and namesake of the late five-time world champion, will commence his pursuit of a pro boxing career when he makes his amateur debut on the preliminary portion of his Mom Teresa’s Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Daniel Ponce de Leon pay-per-view fight card Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021.

“Boxing is a passion,” said the 16-year-old currently working toward earning his diploma online. “I love stepping into the ring, getting hit, and feeling the crowd’s energy.”

In the Nov. 20 main event, two Mexican boxing legends will lace up the gloves for one final night when Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera (67-7, 44 KOs) returns to the ring for only the second time in more than a decade to square off against former two-time world champion Daniel Ponce de Leon (45-7, 35 KOs). The six-round super welterweight exhibition and four additional bouts will air live on pay per view from Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino in Mescalero, New Mexico.

FITE PPV and Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch Paid Online will televise the five-bout main card live on pay per view for $9.99 at 4:30 p.m. PT /5:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. ET

A native of Las Cruces, N.M., Nicco trains in the Tapia home garage, enjoys studying sociology to “look at people from a different perspective,” dislikes mathematics, and currently has no plans to further an academic career following his 2023 graduation.

“I don’t really plan to go to college,” said the music fan who freestyle raps in his downtime. “I want to keep pushing myself in the ring and turn pro as soon as I get enough experience.”

Surrounded by the sweet science from an early age, Nicco fondly looks back on innumerable heartwarming memories of watching his father train for upcoming fights.

“I used to go to the gym and run around with my Dad every day. When the bell rang, I held up the gloves with him.”

Outside of boxing, the father-son pairing spent quality time playing other sports, enjoying delicious desserts, and tuning into their favorite television programs.

“We used to go to the park, play basketball, and jump on the trampoline,” Nicco recalled. “Dad used to give me ice cream sandwiches. I remember going into his room and watching the show ‘Cops’ together.”

Aiming to find inspiration and discover boxing tips from one of boxing’s all-time greatest fighters, young Nicco frequently rewatches Johnny’s classic bouts.

“I study his speed, head movement, and angles,” said the teenager who models much of his fighting style after his Dad and Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

When asked to name his favorite “Mi Vida Loca” fight, Nicco did not hesitate in listing Johnny Tapia’s hard-fought victory over fellow Albuquerquean and former world champion Danny Romero for the IBF/WBO junior bantamweight titles on July 18, 1997, in Las Vegas, Nev.

“The crowd was wild and crazy,” Nicco recollected. “I love studying my Dad’s boxing technique.”

Originally scheduled to fight at Inn of the Mountain Gods on July 31, 2021, the aspiring actor and former viola player pulled out of his amateur debut when he sustained a hand fracture.

“I was playing football with friends and landed on my hand wrong,” lamented the proud holder of a driver’s license. “It was the first time I injured myself.”

Less than four months later, Nicco is eager to thrill the Mescalero crowd on Nov. 20 before Barrera and De Leon take center stage.

“I am ticking off the days and can’t wait for this night to come.”

Kicking off the festivities, Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch Facebook.com/GoldenBoyFN and FITE will stream Nicco Tapia’s debut and four additional outstanding preliminary bouts for free at 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT/5 p.m. ET.

A Spanish-language broadcast will be available as a viewing option for both the pay-per-view and preliminary bouts.

Those hoping to attend the unforgettable, 10-fight Tapia Promotions extravaganza in person can purchase tickets starting at $75 through innofthemountaingods.com and  TicketMaster.com by searching “La Ultima Batalla – The Last Stand.”

About BARRERA-DE LEON: La Ultima Batalla (The Last Stand)

Two legendary former world champions return to the boxing ring one final time for a special six-round welterweight exhibition, as Tapia Promotions presents Barrera vs. Ponce De Leon “La Ultima Batalla” – “The Last Stand” on Saturday, Nov 20, at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino in Mescalero, New Mexico. The thrilling five-fight main card will be available via pay-per-view for $9.99 through both FITE PPV and Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch Paid Online at 4:30 p.m. PT /5:30 p.m. MT/7:30 p.m. ET.  For the audiences watching in Mexico, both FITE and Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch Paid Online will offer a Spanish-language broadcast of the event for $4.99. Kicking off the festivities two hours earlier, Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook Watch Facebook.com/GoldenBoyFN and FITE will stream the five outstanding preliminary bouts for free at 2:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. MT/5:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets starting at $75 are available through innofthemountaingods.com and  TicketMaster.com by searching “La Ultima Batalla – The Last Stand.”

About TAPIA PROMOTIONS

Teresa Tapia formed Tapia Promotions to continue the legacy of her legendary late husband, six-time world champion/Hall of Famer Johnny Tapia by providing thrilling boxing events to fight fans everywhere. One of the first female boxing promoters in the United States, Teresa successfully managed Johnny Tapia’s career from 1995-2011, and accepted his 2017 induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBOF). Additionally, in 2004, Teresa became the first and only female boxing manager in sweet science history to receive a special recognition award from the IBOF. The multi-faceted promoter branched out in 2020 to produce the sports reality series “Stars and Champions,” which featured an intimate look at boxers’ lives both inside and outside of the ring.

About FITE

FITE is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry’s marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 5MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire TV, and Huawei apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Virgin Media, Shaw Communications’ Blue Curve IPTV, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Comcast’s Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex as well as 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIN and Facebook. FITE: It’s ON.

About GOLDEN BOY

Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment brand committed to making fighting entertainment more accessible and affordable. The company’s in-house production team develops creative original programming for RingTV.com and international channels across the globe. The company holds the exclusive rights to top boxers and has promoted some of the biggest and highest grossing events in the history of the sport. Now, Golden Boy is one of the most successful boxing entertainment companies in the world and shapes the future of boxing for fighters and fans alike. 

New York (November 13, 2021)–Today at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, undefeated super bantamweight Asa Stevens is back in action as he takes on Felix Vazquez in a bout scheduled for four-rounds.

The fight can be seen on Golden Boy Fight Night on Facebook, beginning at 6:15 PM ET.

Stevens, who is managed by Split-T Management, will be making his second appearance as he is coming off his pro unanimous decision win over 17-fight veteran Francisco Bonilla on January 2nd.

Stevens, 20 years-old of Waianae, Hawaii is a former World and National Amateur champion.

Vazquez of San Diego is 0-1.

Stevens weighed in at 121.6 lbs. Vazquez weighed 121.2 lbs.

Stevens is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

WATCH STEVENS – VAZQUEZ WEIGH-IN

Reading, PA (November 13, 2021)–TODAY!! at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England, Alycia Baumgardner will challenge Terri Harper for the WBC and IBO Super Featherweight Title.

The fight will be streamed Live on DAZN, beginning at 2 PM ET.

Baumgardner, who is promoted by King’s Promotions, has a record of 10-1 with six knockouts.

The 27-year-old of Bingham Farms, Michigan, has won four consecutive fights. In her last outing, Baumgardner won an eight-round unanimous decision over Vanessa Bradford on August 14th in Orlando, Florida.

Alycia Baumgardner Press Conference Quotes

“My confidence is at an all-time high, I’ve been preparing for this moment for a very long time in my career and being in boxing for twenty years – this moment everybody dreams of. Here I am, well prepared and ready to give a great fight Saturday night. I’m ready to showcase what women’s boxing has been doing and give a different look on what a lot of boxing fans haven’t seen from me and from a women’s boxing perspective.

“It is a very dangerous fight for Terri, I pose a big threat, again just the experience I have with over 100 amateur fights and many former World Champion’s training camps. I’ve been prepared for these moments, just to go out there Saturday night to really do what I do best and get the win – I will become a two-time World Champion come Saturday night.

“Like I said, my confidence is at 100, there’s levels to this game and I believe I’ve been on that level, but I haven’t been given the opportunity to showcase that. Now on Saturday I’ll be able to show the many levels of boxing of what I have to offer to the sport and what I have to show Terri Harper Saturday night. She hasn’t been in the ring with somebody like me, I’m definitely going to show her and punish her every round.”

Harper of Denaby, England is 11-0-1 with six knockouts. The 25 year-old Harper won the WBC Title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Eva Wahlstrom (23-1-2) on February 8, 2020 in Sheffield. Harper has two title defenses with a draw with Natasha Jonas (9-1) and a 9th round stoppage of Katherina Thanderz (13-0) on November 14, 2020 in London.

At Friday’s weigh-in, Baumgardner weighed 129.5 lbs; Harper was 129.4 lbs

Pictures By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

BELLATOR MMA 271:?CYBORG VS. KAVANAGH MAIN CARD:

C-Cris “Cyborg”?(25-2, 1 NC) defeated #5-Sinead Kavanagh (7-5) via KO (strikes) at 1:32 of round one

Cris “Cyborg:”

“I didn’t do anything we planned. You never know. I had a feeling about the fight. I feel great. I am happy with the win.”

“I knew she was more of a striker, so I went to the ground game.  The right hand did it fast and was the key. I was very excited for the count.”

“I really appreciate Kayla Harrison coming to the fight. If she wants to fight me one day, that would be great.” 

#6-Linton Vassell (22-8, 1 NC) defeated #5-Tyrell Fortune (11-2, 1 NC) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Linton Vassell:

“I am happy that I was able to out grapple a wrestler considering I’m from the U.K. and I have no wrestling background”

“I give myself a good 7. I am not 100 percent happy with my performance, but I am super happy with the outcome.”

“I was able to reverse him (Tyrell Fortune), get on top of him, and add some damage.”

“I used to watch WWE. When I first started to train, I did wrestling moves like that.”

“I always feel like we’re our own worst enemies. I wanted a knockout.”

“Tyrell was so strong and powerful. There were a few times where he just stood up and shook me off.”

“I went for the submission. I just carried on and tried to wear him down but couldn’t do it.”

#6-Aaron Pico (9-3) defeated #8-Justin Gonzales (12-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Aaron Pico:

“I knew going into the fight that he (Justin Gonzales) was going to be a tough fighter. He is a former wrestler. One thing about us wrestlers is we don’t quit. All my coaches knew he was going to be tough.” 

“He was just holding on to me and is really strong. When people hold on to you, it’s kind of hard to get strikes.”

“Thank God I walked out of here relatively healthy. I’m just happy I got my full paycheck.”

“It is the first time I’ve gone three rounds. It’s my first decision. I need the experience. I’m happy I got the win.”

“I knew I was the dominant performer, but I have to get better. I am just so hard on myself. I want to finish guys.”

“Let’s go back to the drawing board. Once I step out of this cage, it’s going to be a whole different ballgame. I have to get prepared for the next opponent, so let’s get to work.”

#1-Arlene Blencowe (15-8)defeated #7-Pam Sorenson (9-4) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Arlene Blencowe:

“I am my own worst critic. It wasn’t the performance that we trained for, or that I was hoping for.”

“I felt my first right hand land and then just went head hunting with my hands. I was respecting her take downs.”

“I feel like I’m such a well-rounded fighter now. I didn’t showcase any of that. I didn’t hit the ground though.”

“You know what is not next? Retirement. I’m 38. Old girls rule. Retirement is nowhere near on the horizon. I’m No. 1 in the division. It is only up from here.”

“I’m heading home to Australia. I haven’t been home in six months. I haven’t seen my kids, my partner, my family, my friends. I’m just going to go home and enjoy the rest of the year. I’ll just enjoy some family time.”

“Pam Sorenson is a tough girl. She tried to take me down. I went head hunting and really wanted the knockout. I am convinced that I did enough to win the fight.”

PRELIMINARY CARD:

#7-Steve Mowry (10-0)defeated Rakim Cleveland (22-14-1, 1 NC) via submission (kimura) at 3:28 of round one

Bruna Ellen (6-3) defeated Desiree Yanez (5-4) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Roman Faraldo (6-0) defeated Robert Turnquest (11-8) via KO (flying knee) at 1:17 of round one

Cody Law (6-0) defeated Colton Hamm (4-4) via knockout (elbows) at 4:21 of round one

Valerie Loureda (4-1) defeated Taylor Turner (5-7) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Waldo Cortes-Acosta (4-0) defeated Muhammed DeReese (9-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Ethan Hughes (3-0) defeated Mahmoud Sebie (3-1) via TKO (punches) at 4:05 of round three

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

****

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 service SHOWTIME^®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ and FLIX^®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV^®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 

Long Island, New York (November 12, 2021)

Boxing fans filled The Paramount once more for the 40th edition of New York’s prestigious club series, Rockin’ Fights. The six-fight card lived up to the hype topped by a phenomenal main event between undefeated Italian IBO Super Featherweight World Champion, MICHAEL “LONE WOLF” MAGNESI (now 20-0 12KO’s) and EUGENE “RAMBO” LAGOS (now 16-6-3 11KO’s).

From the get-go of the scheduled 10-round main event, Magnesi and Lagos traded like heavyweights in super featherweight’s bodies. Overly eager in the first round of his US debut, Lagos took advantage planting Magnesi on the canvas. Feeling the momentum, Lagos would go for broke, but Magnesi would subdue the attack and came roaring back to close out the round. Magnesi came off the stool in the second like a freight train, and both fighters exchanged massive blows inside of phone booth, neither conceding ground. Midway through the third round, Magnesi landed a combination with a right hand to the body and then the head, followed by a straight left hand that launched Lagos back into the ropes and onto the canvas. With blood in the water, just twenty seconds later, Magnesi continued the pressure causing referee Al LoBianco to stop the action at the 1:56 mark of the third round. Magnesi is co-promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and DiBella Entertainment.

On the undercard, Long Island fan favorite and rising super lightweight prospect, ALEX “EL TORO” VARGAS (now 12-0 4KO’s) returned to the Paramount for the second time in as many months and went to battle with tough Argentinian, SEBASTIAN CHAVES (now 5-3 2KO’s). The 6-round super lightweight contest turned into a rough and tumble brawl quickly, as Chaves unsuccessfully tried to negate Vargas’ athleticism by smothering him. Vargas was cut over the eye due to a headbutt from the southpaw Chaves, but maintained composure and was was able to display his superior boxing skills, earning the unanimous decision (60-54, 59-55 2x)

2016 Irish Olympian “MIGHTY” JOE WARD (now 5-1 2KO’s) brought the beatdown on Brazilian LEANDRO “BUSCAPE” SILVA (now 3-5 2KO’s) from pillar to post over their 6-round light heavyweight bout. To Silva’s credit he remained in the fight and showed an iron chin, as Ward had his way for almost the entirety of the bout, letting his hands go at will. Ward would win the shutout unanimous decision. (60-54 3x)

In a 4-round light heavywight rematch, LOU “IL MARTELLO” MAIETTA (now 1-0-1) had the final say, defeating PEREZ AUGHTRY (now 0-3-1) by majority decision in a fan friendly fight. (40-36 Maietta, 39-37 Maietta, 38-38 Draw). Lebanese super middleweight NADIM SALLOUM (Now 6-1 3KO’s) took the fight right to Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s DELVECCHIO SAVAGE (now 3-8-1 3KO’s) sweeping up all six rounds en route to a unanimous decision victory (60-54 3x). In the opening bout, Italian Canadian AMANDA GALLE (now 5-0) defeated JAICA PAVILUS (now 1-4-1 1KO) over a 6-round super bantamweight by unanimous decision (59-55 3x).

“Another fan friendly Rockin’ Fights in the books,” said Star Boxing CEO JOE DEGUARDIA. “From the opening fight of the night to the main event, fight fans truly got to experience what Rockin’ Fights is all about. Michael Magnesi put on a hell of a show, and announced himself to the boxing world as a force to be reckoned with at 130 lbs. We look forward to being back at the Paramount in the new year, continuing the tradition of all action fights on Long Island!”

HAMPTON, N.H. (November 12, 2021) – The official weigh in was held today for tomorrow night’s “Championship Road,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, streaming live on bxngtv.com from The Rim in Hampton, New Hampshire.

Priced at $60.00 (ringside) and $40.00 (general admission, in addition to ringside tables of four for $260.00, tickets are available to purchase at www.TicketRiver.com (Search: Championship Road) and fight night at the doors.

Doors open at 5 p.m. ET with the first bout at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Official fighters’ weights below:

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

wi me.jpg
MAIN EVENT – SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS (10)

(R) Mike Ohan, Jr. (13-1, 7 KOs), Whitman, MA 140.8 lbs.

(L) Israel Rojas (12-24, 5 KOs), Aqua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico 140.6 lbs.

wi cf.jpg
CO-FEATURE – WELTERWEIGHTS (6)

(L) John Ferrara (0-1) Tiverton, RI 145 lbs.

(R) Denzel Whitley (6-0, 5 KOs), Holyoke, MA 146.8 lbs.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS (6)

Steve Sumpter (2-0, 2 KOs), Pittsfield, MA 168.6 lbs.

Juan Celin Zapata (6-19-2, 4 KOs), Bronx, NY 169 lbs.

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Nkosi Soloman (3-1, 2 KOs), Brooklyn, NY by way of Ghana 227 lbs.

Wewerson Silveira Silva (pro debut), Woburn, MA 206.4 lbs.

Wallace Nass Silva (0-2), Boston, 198 MA lbs.

Quinton Sumpter (1-0, 1 KO), Pittsfield, MA 225.6 lbs.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Thailisson Nunes (pro debut), Woburn, MA 179.6 lbs.

Laurent Humes (2-0, 2 KOs), Springfield, MA 175 lbs.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)

Caleb Glover (0-2), Hampton, NH 165.2 lbs.

Jamer Jones (Springfield, MA) 157.6 lbs.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)

Devin Wright (pro debut), Chicago, IL 159 lbs.

Robert Nolette (0-1), Providence, RI 159.8 lbs.

Julien Baptiste (2-0, 2 KOs), Woburn, MA 162.6 lbs.

Alfred Raymond (pro debut), Providence, RI 158.2 lbs.

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Carlos Castillo (3-0, 3 KOs), Holyoke, MA 151.8 lbs.

Antony Andreozzi (0-1), Swansea, MA 153.8 lbs.

WELTERWEIGHTS (6)

Damon Townes (3-0, 2 KOs), Providence, RI 147.8 lbs.

Calvin Glover (0-2), Chicago, IL 144.4 lbs.

LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Kevin Rodriguez (2-1, 1 KO), Lawrence, MA by way of Puerto Rico 133.5 lbs.

Dominick Joyner (0-4), Wilson, NC lbs. TOMORROW

Micky Ward believes Demetrius Andrade will retain his WBO World Middleweight title when he defends against Irishman Jason Quigley at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on Friday November 19, live worldwide on DAZN.
TICKETS START AT $30 (PLUS FEES) AND ARE ON SALE NOW FROM TICKETMASTER.COM
Ward is no stranger to big New Hampshire bouts, winning two fights in the state in 1999 that set the benchmark for his Ring Magazine Fight of the Year with Emanuel Augustus in 2001 in Hampton Beach.

The Massachusetts legend with Irish roots could be forgiven for having split loyalties when he takes his seat next Friday night as Andrade and Quigley close a monster show with four World titles on the card, but the man that played a starring role in three epic battles with Arturo Gatti will be backing the Rhode Island man to retain his title and hunt down the unification battles he craves.

“I’ve known Boo Boo for years, he’s the real deal, he always comes to win, he’s a born winner,” said Ward. “I was telling him that this is the only time I am going to go against an Irishman as Boo Boo is my guy! He’s an elite fighter but he’s also a great kid. I wish Jason all the luck in the world in the fight, he’s a great fighter too but Demetrius is my man.

“I’ll be on Boo Boo’s side but I’m Irish and if it was any but Demetrius fighting, I’d be rooting for Jason but Boo Boo is like family to me, so I have to back him. Demetrius can really fight. He can switch, he’s got power, speed, he brings everything and he’s tough with a good chin, he’s the full package, an all-round great fighter that can adapt to any style.

“I know that the Irish fans are going to come out and they are crazy in the best way. If they are out in force it’s going to be loud, they are great fans and they get behind their guy.

“It’s great to have massive fights in New Hampshire. I fought here a few times and it’s great to see such a massive card coming to Manchester. I had the fight of the year here in 2001 with Emmanuel. It was a great fight, crazy fight and New Hampshire is close to me right up the street from Massachusetts, so it brings back great memories and I’m looking forward to next Friday.”

Andrade’s clash with Quigley is part of a massive quadruple header of World title action, with Murodjon Akhmadaliev (9-0 7 KOs) defending his WBA and IBF World Super-Bantamweight titles against José Velásquez (26-9-2 19 KOs).

It’s Mexico vs. Puerto Rico in the long-awaited showdown between WBC World Flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez (18-1 14 KOs) and McWilliams Arroyo (21-4 16 KOs) and the fourth World title bout on the bill is the second step on the path to crowning an undisputed women’s champion at 140lbs as Kali Reis (18-7-1 5 KOs) takes on Jessica Camara (8-2) for the WBA, IBO and vacant WBO straps.

ARLINGTON, TX / November 12, 2021 / METALLICA and TRILLER, the parent company of VERZUZ, FITE TV and TRIAD, today announced Tickets are Now On-Sale for TRIAD COMBAT which includes a full METALLICA concert during and after on November 27, 2021 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.  Doors open at 7:00 p.m. local time with the event starting at 8:00 p.m. local time.

Prior to the Concert Is the Highly Anticipated Debut of TRIAD COMBAT.

Advance tickets priced at $300, $200, $125, $85 and $50 can be purchased at TrillerFightClub.com and Ticketmaster. Globe Life Field is located at 734 Stadium Drive, Arlington, TX 76011.

TRILLER FIGHT CLUB is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its extraordinary launch on November 28, 2020 which shook up the sports and entertainment world as Boxing Legends MIKE TYSON and ROY JONES battled in Los Angeles, CA on a Pay-Per-View broadcast which garnered 1,600,000 PPV buys.

In the past year, TRILLER FIGHT CLUB has sold over 3,000,000 Pay-Per-Views making it one of the top selling combat sports / entertainment platforms. The widely acclaimed monthly TRILLERVERZ series including world class professional boxing and extraordinary VERZUZ battles has consistently been at the top of watched broadcasts averaging over 5,000,000 views. The Trillerverz events have been the most watched sporting events of the year far exceeding even the UFC’s viewership on each of its events.

The show will be produced by the award-winning NIGEL LYTHGOE, the TRILLER FIGHT CLUB visionary in addition to the producer and creative force behind American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.

*The Metallica concert post fight will not be on PPV but exclusively on FITE.TV and Triller.*

The Triad Combat PPV event will be carried in North America across all PPV platforms, including cable, satellite, telco, and streaming. 

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

About TrillerNet:

FITE and Triller Fight Club are owned by TrillerNet, a first-of-its-kind company consolidating technology and content platforms to lead the move to Internet 3.0. TrillerNet pairs the culture of music with sports, fashion, entertainment and influencers through a 360-degree view of content and technology. TrillerNet—which owns the globally popular Triller app used by musicians, celebrities, athletes, and overall culture setters—has more than 300 million users worldwide. The Triller app—unlike other popular short-video apps it is often compared to, encourages its users to post the content created on the app across other social media platforms and websites. The app uses proprietary AI and Machine Learning technology which is uniquely tied to the content rather than the user. By tracking the content, Triller empowers its tastemakers and users to push their content virally to affiliated and non-affiliated sites and networks reaching hundreds of millions of additional users. Data and insights gleaned from the Triller network, its creators, artists and users (from the app and off network) are used to program longer-form content, connect users across the web with the content, and provide unprecedented opportunities for engagement and monetization. TrillerNet has developed highly successful campaigns that begin with the app and continue throughout the entire content and technology ecosystem with some of the biggest brands in the world, including Pepsi, McDonalds, Weedmaps, DraftKings, L’Oreal, and many others. TrillerNet offers brands a unique content and technology solution, including direct deals with the influencers and celebrities. This branded content journey starts with short-form video and can easily expand into valuable long-form content distributed through the Triller Network, such as live-event boxing and music PPVs, fashion shows, and episodic reality content on TrillerTV. Some of the more than 65 original half-hour TrillerTV shows include The D’Amelios Family’s “Ask a DAM Question,” Jennifer Lopez In The Morning, Jake Paul: Staying On Top, 2 Chainz Let’s Do It, DJ Khaled’s Spreading Love, Hype House’s Thomas Petrou’s Coffee Talks, Josh Richards’ Josh Pong, Ur Lov’d: the Noah Beck Show, Fat Joe’s Masterclass, The Perez Hilton Show, and Violet Benson’s Too Tired To Be Crazy, among others. TrillerNet additionally owns Verzuz, the massive live-stream music platform launched by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, and Triller Fight Club (www.TrillerFightClub.com), which launched last year with the highly successful Tyson-Jones Fight which shattered digital PPV records. Other holdings include leading AI-powered customer engagement platform Amplify.ai, and FITE, the premier live event and PPV, AVOD, SVOD streaming platform.

About FITE:

FITE is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry’s marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 5MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS, Android and Huawei mobile apps, as well as via Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, and Amazon Fire TV OTT streaming apps. In addition, FITE supports Shaw Communications’ Blue Curve IPTV, LG, Samsung, Vizio SmartCast™, Cox Contour and the Contour Streaming Player, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Virgin Media, as well as over 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. FITE is owned by TrillerNet. FITE: It’s ON. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIN, and Facebook. 

About Globe Life Field:

Since its opening in the spring of 2020, Globe Life Field has rapidly earned a reputation as one of the top sports and entertainment venues in the United States. A public-private partnership between the City of Arlington and Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers, Globe Life Field is not only the home of the team but also a multipurpose sports and entertainment venue that includes capabilities for hosting numerous local, regional, and national events. It is highlighted by a 5.5-acre one-piece retractable roof that provides climate control, shelter for fans during the hot summer months, and year-round utilization. Groundbreaking for the facility took place on September 28, 2017, and construction was completed in just over 30 months. In its first 18 months of operation, Globe Life Field has hosted the 2020 Major League Baseball postseason, including the 116^th World Series, the 2020 National Finals Rodeo, the Hella Mega Tour, the Lockheed Martin Commanders’ Classic, and many other major events.  

Triller Fight Club Social Media

Instagram: @Triller, @TrillerFightClub

Twitter: @Triller, @TrillerFight

Facebook: @TrillerFightClub

Website www.Triller.co