London, UK (4 September 2021) As a professional, world ranked welter Conor Benn can boast more fights (18) than Stevie McKenna has had rounds (15) so far, but that doesn’t dissuade the smoking Smithsborough, County Monaghan ‘Hitman’ from actively staking a shootout with the son of Hall of Fame legend Nigel Benn.

‘I want to get to Conor Benn before somebody else does,’ fired the super confident 24-year-old ex- Irish amateur standout ahead of Benn’s fight tonight in Leeds.

’I’m sure it’s a fight the fans would love to see, probably next year. My style, my physicality, would prove far too much. I’m 6ft 1 (in), huge at 147 (lbs) where he’s very small for the weight. He might have 18 pro fights on his record but he’s not been fighting high calibre and, unlike me, Benn has nominal amateur pedigree.

‘He’ll never have come across anything as hard-hitting as me. He’s wild, easy to hit and he’ll be feeling it whenever I connect. His dad’s career was finished by a man from the south of Ireland (Steve Collins) so they’ll no doubt be coming for revenge. I’ll happily oblige.’

Since debuting at super-lightweight in April 2019, monstrous punching McKenna has flattened all eight victims long before the cards were called. Five faltered in the opening session and, with six succumbing to the full 10 count, the evidence suggests savage Stevie carries a real kayo kick rather than profiting from overly cautious matchmaking.

‘The power is very real,’ warns a man who has done copious sparring rounds with world grade talents such as Josh Taylor, Jose Ramirez, Vasyl Lomachenko and Ryan Garcia

‘It’s down to years of hard work plus my natural leverage. It’s a combination of precision, timing, speed and accuracy. Plus mindset. You obviously hope everyone goes home safely to their family but, it’s the hurt business and, whenever I step inside that ring, my aim is to throw every punch with bad intent. If I stun them, I look to take their head off.’

With 179 amateur contests on his CV, many in the international singlet, the former Commonwealth Youth champion and European Youth finalist is not unduly concerned by the lack of rounds on his pro ledger.

‘It’d be good to go some rounds but I’ll not be dragging fights unnecessarily,’ states McKenna, who made his pro debut in a bull fighting arena in Pico Rivera, California.

‘Every fight, I train as if I need to go the 10 or 12 round distance. There’ll always be one who could take my shots – though I doubt for 12 rounds – and you could always get cut and have a No Contest or a loss. If I clip my opponent, I’m not messing around. Eventually, I’ll get to all of them.’

The possibility of being placed into an involuntary siesta means that the queue to fight McKenna is exceedingly short.

He claims: ‘There’s already guys looking to avoid me but hopefully some will accept the challenge of trying to take me the distance, even beat me. I’ll likely have to force my way into a mandatory position to get the title shots.’

Despite the global pandemic, this most focussed of fighting men insists he’ll be perfectly primed for when he resumes his rampage against Frenchman Moussa Gary on his promoter Mick Hennessy’s Channel 5 screened blockbuster show at Coventry Skydome Arena on September 10th.

‘In truth, every camp is like lockdown anyway,’ says McKenna.

‘I’ve had a tremendous camp, working with my dad Fergal (his coach) and my younger brother, Aaron (an 11-0, super-welter), who provides great spars. We work on technique, bring each other on. I’ve also done some quality sparring with Robbie Davies Jr, a really top guy, at the McGuigan gym on the mainland.

‘I’m really happy to get back and hope Mick can keep the fights rolling. He and Channel Five have big, big plans for me. By the end of the year, I’d like to fighting 10 rounds for a World Youth title. That’s the plan.’

Supremely confident, Stevie warns the fraternity to tune in on time, concluding:

‘I’m there to entertain. You’ll not want to blink!’

Tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
Sam Eggington’s WBC Silver Middleweight title defence against unbeaten French star Bilel Jkitou headlines an action packed card Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the stars from the promoter’s stable including big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna faces France’s Moussa Gary over six rounds ; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters tackles Holland’s Farouk Daku over eight rounds; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent takes on Bosnian hardman Sladjan Janjanin in a 10-round international contest, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin battles Finland’s Jarkko Putkonen over ten rounds; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo takes on the Czech Republic’s Michal Ryba over six rounds; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty faces Lithuania’s Lukas Ulys over four rounds; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch squares up against Spain’s Alvaro Terrero over four rounds and completing the card is the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr. against Latvian Maksims Dembovskis.

Long Island, New York (September 3, 2021)

Star Boxing’s “Rockin’ Fights” 39 makes its triumphant return to the Paramount tomorrow night, Saturday, September 4. All fighters weighed in today at the Huntington Hilton in Melville, ahead of tomorrow nights action packed night of fights.

Weights from Huntington Hilton:

6-Round Super Lightweight Main Event
ALEX VARGAS 142.2 lbs.
ALEJANDRO MUNERA 143.6 lbs

4-Round Light Heavyweight Bout
LOU MAIETTA 173 lbs.
PEREZ AUGHTRY 177 lbs.

4-Round Middleweight Bout
AYANNA TRAMONT 159.4 lbs.
MIRANDA BARBER 159.4 lbs.

Unfortunately, due to a medical issue concerning his opponent, the previously scheduled Cletus Seldin bout will no longer take place on Saturday night. We will advise on Seldin’s next bout shortly.

Alex Vargas vs
Alejandro Menura

Lou Maietta vs
Perez Aughtry

Ayanna Tramont vs
Miranda Barber

“Rockin’ Fights” 39 is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
Bouts subject to change
“ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 39 TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
BUY TICKETS HERE!
!LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN!
TICKETS START AT JUST $50
FIGHT NIGHT: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 AT THE PARAMOUNT
ABOUT ROCKIN’ FIGHTS

Created in 2011, the “Rockin’ Fights” series has developed elite boxing talent and has produced current WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion, the “Common Man”, JOE “THE BEAST” SMITH JR. (Mastic, Long Island 27-3 21KO’s) and former WBO Super Lightweight World Champion, CHRIS ALGIERI (Huntington, NY 24-3 9KO’S), two of only four Long Island World Champions EVER.

“ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 39 is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
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For more information visit us at www.StarBoxing.com. For 28 years of action packed fights, subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE. Follow along on social media for fight announcements and updates @StarBoxing, and join the conversation using #RockinFights.

PAST RELEASES:
Rockin’ Fights is BACK September 4
Alex Vargas Signs with Star Boxing – Set to Return at Rockin’ Fights
FIGHT ARCHIVES: CLETUS SELDIN & ALEX VARGAS
Rockin’ Fights 38: Cletus Seldin vs Luis Flores NABA Title Bout
CLETUS “THE HEBREW HAMMER” SELDIN returned to the Paramount at “Rockin Fights” 38 to face off with late replacement LUIS FLORES in a WAR for the NABA Super Lightweight Title
Rockin’ Fights 37: Dashaun Johns vs Alex Vargas
ALEX “EL TORO” VARGAS put his undefeated record on the line against fellow undefeated super lightweight DASHAUN “TOO SWEET” JOHNS at “Rockin’ Fights” 37 in an electric fight!

Atlantic City, NJ (September 3, 2021)–After a sold-out maiden show, The 2nd installment of “Boardwalk Boxing Powered by Hard Hitting Promotions in Association with Showboat Hotel Atlantic City” will take place on Saturday night, September 25th.

In the eight-round main event, recent Hard Hitting Promotions signee Anthony “Juice” Young will take on Luis Sanchez in the headline welterweight bout.

Young, 33 of Atlantic City, New Jersey has a record of 22-2 with eight knockouts.

Young is a 10 year-professional who has developed into one of the most popular fighters in the Tri-State area.

Young became a household name in the boxing world when he scored an emphatic 3rd round stoppage over former world champion Sadam Ali (27-2) on May 4, 2019 in Las Vegas. With that win, Young won the WBC USNBC Silver welterweight title.

Young is also a former New Jersey State Welterweight champion.

Young also defeated tough Jose Javier Calderon.

Young is coming off a unanimous decision over Todd Manuel on July 31st at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City.

Sanchez of San Juan, Puerto Rico has an impressive record of 9-1 with six knockouts.

Sanchez, 27 years-old, is a five-year professional who is coming off a win over Ryan Pino on March 25th in San Juan.

In six-round bouts:

Thomas Velasquez (10-1, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia will see action in a lightweight bout.

Isaiah Wise (9-2-2, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Gabor Gorbics (26-20-1, 16 KOs) of Budapest, Hungary in a middleweight fight.

Jan Carlos Rivera (4-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Janos Penzes (2-0, 1 KO) of Budapest, Hungary in a super lightweight contest.

Jerome Conquest (11-5, 1 KO) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a lightweight battle.

Wesley Ferrer (14-1-1, 7 KOs) of Brooklyn, NY takes on an opponent to be named in a lightweight fight.

Isiah Seldon (14-4-1, 5 KOs) of Atlantic City, NJ fights Brandon Baue (16-24, 11 KOs) of Troy, MO in a middleweight bout.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Dezmond Lucas (2-0, 1 KO) of Bronx, NY takes on Tray Martin (1-4, 1 KO) of Mabery, MO in a welterweight affair.

Tahmir Smalls (4-0,3 KOs) of Philadelphia will battle Shaquan Moore (0-0-1) of Coram, NY in a welterweight fight.

Rodney Brooks (1-0, 1 KO) of Atlantic City takes on debuting Quaymayne Johnson in a heavyweight tussle.

Joshua Lebron (2-0, 1 KO) of Orlando, FL takes on an opponent to be named in a bantamweight contest.

Tickets for this amazing evening boxing are $175, $100, and $60 and can be purchased by Clicking:

CLICK FOR TICKETS

Matchroom Boxing, in partnership with DiBella Entertainment, announce today that the Undisputed Super-Lightweight crown will be put on the line as Chantelle Cameron, Mary McGee, Kali Reis and Jessica Camara fight it out for 140lbs supremacy, live on DAZN around the world.

Cameron (14-0, 8 KOs) displayed an impressive performance last time out in her maiden WBC World Title defence, beating former champion Melissa Hernández by TKO in the fifth round to retain the green and gold strap and continue her flawless record since turning professional in 2017.

Mary ‘Merciless’ McGree (27-3, 15 KOs) comes into the fight with increased momentum, notching seven straight wins since her World Title loss in 2013 and picking up the IBF Super-Lightweight Title on the way. The American’s last win came via a ninth round TKO against Deanha Hobbs to retain her crown. 

American two-weight World Champion Kali Reis (18-7-1, 5 KOs) retained her WBA World Title and won the vacant IBO Super-Lightweight belt in August 2021 in a convincing unanimous decision against Australian challenger Diana Prazak at Sycuan Casino, California. 

‘The Cobra’ Jessica Camara (8-2) beat former World Champion Heather Hardy impressively last time out, scoring a unanimous decision to hand the Hardy her second career loss and dramatically boost the Canadian’s ranking in the 140lbs division.

“I’m delighted to have this opportunity to show that I’m the number one fighter in the world at 140lbs,” said Cameron. “All I’ve wanted since I started in boxing is to become Undisputed, and now I have a fantastic chance to achieve that.

“These tough fights against the other champions are what motivates me and pushes me in the gym, and you’re going to see the very best Chantelle Cameron.

“They are all great champions, and first things first I have Mary McGee to take care of, and then once I come through that I’ll be ready to make history against the winner of Kali Reiss and Jessica Camara.”

“This is an exciting time for women’s boxing,” said Camara. “I’m honoured to be a part of an event of this magnitude that will help to bring a lot of exposure to the ladies. Kali, Mary and Chantelle are all great fighters, and I know these fights will bring out the best in me. Thank you to Lou DiBella and Eddie Hearn for coming together to make this possible and for providing a platform for me to show the world what I am capable of.” “If we can work together to find one champion for every division then it would be a massive moment for the sport and we have a great opportunity to do that in the 140lbs division,” said Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman. “Women’s boxing is red hot at the moment and huge credit to these 4 champions for putting it on the line in the road to Undisputed on DAZN. Lou and I have been heavily committed to women’s boxing for a number of years now and it’s great to see them finally getting the plaudits and the rewards they deserve.”

“Both DiBella Entertainment and Matchroom have been leaders in advancing women’s boxing and elevating the great female fighters in our sport,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “I’m happy that Eddie and I were able to arrange these historic fights and I’m grateful to my friends at DAZN, who will be streaming it. Chantelle, Mary, Kali and Jessica are four elite 140-pound athletes, deserving of this incredible opportunity. After two terrific semi-finals, a queen will be crowned at Super-Lightweight.”

“What a way to crown the true 140lbs champion. We’re thrilled to feature on DAZN these two hugely competitive match-ups with four fearless fighters ready to leave it all in the ring for the undisputed crown,” said Joseph Markowski, EVP of DAZN. “We’re committed to growing women’s sport around the world and this elite four-way showdown will undoubtedly showcase to fans worldwide that women’s boxing is sensational as ever.”

Dates and venues for Cameron vs. McGee and Reis vs. Camara will be announced in due course.

The ESPN+ exclusive presentation of Dana White’s Contender Series presented by ZipRecruiter continues next Tuesday, September 7, at 8 p.m. ET from UFC APEX in Las Vegas. 

A new group of contenders will meet next week, all looking to make their way into the UFC.  Episode one of DWCS saw five athletes earn highly-coveted UFC contracts.

DWCS introduces some of UFC’s top prospects from around the world in a ten-episode season, with new episodes available every Tuesday evening exclusively on ESPN+, the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service. Showcasing approximately five bouts in each episode, prospects will compete for the chance to earn a contract with UFC.

Following Tuesday night’s fights, 122 athletes throughout the series have now earned UFC contracts, including “Suga” Sean O’Malley, Ryan Spann, Maycee “The Future” Barber, Johnny Walker and Marina Rodriguez, who will be the first non-champion woman in UFC history to headline multiple events in a calendar year.

Dana White’s Contender Series on ESPN+, Episode Two Bouts:

• Welterweight  – Darian Weeks vs. Josh “The Maverick” Quinlan

• Middleweight – Mario “Coracio Valente” Sousa vs. Chidi “Bang Bang” Njokuani

• Bantamweight  – Saimon Oliveira vs. TBD

• Flyweight – CJ Vergara vs. Bruno “Korea” Rodrigues Mesquita

• Bantamweight – Muin “Tajik” Gafurov vs. Chad “The Monster” Anheliger

UFC Rise of the Contenders, a 30-minute series recap of seasons one through four of Dana White’s Contender Series, airs on ESPN2 on Saturday, September 11, at 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. showcasing some of the best and brightest prospects from UFC. Rise of the Contenders highlights the background of the Contender Series, UFC headliners the show has produced, and how the series fits into the overall plan to identify and develop future UFC athletes.

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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 14.9 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 UFC^®
UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 625 million fans and 142 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 one billion TV households across more than 171 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 72 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.?For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

BAKERSFIELD, CA. (September 3, 2021) – Big-time boxing returns to Bakersfield, California as back-to-back nights of FS1 PBC Fight Night action, and on FOX Deportes, will take place at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California on Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19.

Tickets for the live events, which are promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and available at AXS.com.

Additional card and telecast information will be announced shortly.

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

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

LAS VEGAS (September 3, 2021) – With just over two weeks until his highly anticipated super bantamweight unification fight on SHOWTIME, undefeated WBO 122-pound world champion

Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. has relocated to Las Vegas to put the finishing touches on his summer-long training camp. Fulton Jr. will face WBC champion Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event on Saturday, September 18 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

“I am trying to get used to everything in Vegas,” said Fulton Jr. “I wanted to get away from home, be away from everyone and get myself a little uncomfortable to finish up camp.”

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa., Fulton Jr. (19-0, 8 KOs) is the city’s only world champion following a triumphant win over then-unbeaten Angelo Leo in January on SHOWTIME. This will mark the first title defense for Fulton and Figueroa, who have been on a collision course for many years and finally meet to determine the king of the 122-pound division.

“I don’t feel any extra pressure going into this fight,” added Fulton Jr. “I don’t know why people expect me to feel more pressure entering my first defense and this huge unification fight, but I don’t let any of that get to me.  I know there are people doubting me and I can’t wait for them to watch what happens on September 18.”

The 24-year-old Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs) captured his world title from former two-division champion Luis Nery via devastating seventh-round knockout in May on SHOWTIME. Immediately following his win, Fulton entered the ring for a face off with the newly minted champ which set up their September unification. Figueroa is well-known for his hard-charging style while Fulton Jr. is lauded for his boxing prowess, setting the stage for an excellent clash of styles.

“I feel like this is a classic boxer-brawler matchup, but I showed in my last fight that I can brawl too,” explained the 27-year-old champ. “He can’t become a pure boxer now though, it’s too late in the game to teach him that. I am more than prepared for him to come in and try to walk me down but if he has a different game plan, I have the adjustments ready.”

The fight marks Fulton’s first fight as a professional in Las Vegas, the site of boxing’s biggest title fights in history. Figueroa will make his second appearance in Vegas where he suffered his lone pro blemish – a split draw against Julio Ceja in 2019.

“This is my first professional fight in Las Vegas,” stated Fulton Jr. “I fought in Nevada as an amateur. I fought in the Junior Golden Gloves here and won the whole tournament.”

Trained in his hometown by coach Wahid Rahim, Fulton has adopted a new approach to his training camps when preparing for his last two fights.

“I trained alone for this camp and I feel like this is how it needs to be moving forward as a championship fighter,” added Fulton. “Due to the COVID situation, I just tried to stay away from everybody.

“I was locked down like this when training for the Angelo Leo fight, too. I like it better to be in the gym by myself or with less people. I like it better because I get to focus more on myself. I have the ring to myself; I have the bags to myself. You don’t have to worry about taking turns or waiting for anything when you are the main priority. You get your job done faster, easier, and more efficiently.

“I worked harder. I sparred more, I focused more on my endurance. The world will see September 18 on SHOWTIME.”

The three-fight boxing event will open SHOWTIME’s combat sports doubleheader on September 18. Immediately following the main event from Las Vegas, BELLATOR MMA will air live from San Jose, Calif. with a three-fight event headlined by light heavyweight contenders Phil Davis and Yoel Romero.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale nowand can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

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

Los Angeles, CA (September 3, 2021) – Heralded featherweight prospect Jalan Walker remained undefeated with a 4th round stoppage over veteran Gregorio Soto Molinero.

The bout took place this past Saturday in Tijuana, Mexico.

Walker, 19 years-old of Los Angeles, went up in weight to junior lightweight for this contest, and took the bout on short notice.

Molinero, who came in with a record of 12-6-2, tried to use his experience against the young standout Walker. He tried to rough-up and use questionable tactics by trying to throw Walker to the canvas.

That did not work as in round two, Walker dropped Molinero with an overhand left. Later in the round, it was a left to the liver that sent Molinero down for a 2nd time. Somehow Molinero was able to beat the 10-count, but that would be the proverbial beginning of the end.

In round three, Molinero continued his “veteran moves” by spitting the mouthpiece out three times. At the beginning of round four, Molinero was slow to get out of his corner, which forced the referee to administer an eight-count. Molinero must have known the end was near as he ate a barrage of punches and then turned his back to the referee and bowed of of the fight.

With the win, Walker is now 9-0-1 with eight knockouts.
Walker, is managed by Rene Symonds and Clement Kwan of Waterfront Management, and is a promotional free agent.

Photos by Tom Hogan–Hogan Photos / Ring City USA

Eddie Hearn:

“Thank you for being here in Leeds today, what a turnout, it feels so good. I forgot what this felt like, the big stage, the media, the fans, the atmosphere and anticipation for a massive night on Saturday in Leeds.

“20,000 people at Headingley Stadium, the home of Leeds Rhinos transformed for an epic night of boxing, live and exclusively on DAZN all around the world.

“This is one of the best cards we have ever put on and on Saturday night you are going to have a night and experience you will never forget. Inside the stadium, inside the ropes, the fans in the arena will get one of the best nights of live boxing they have ever witnessed and on screen we will bring you the best talent line-up in boxing.

“This Saturday Laura Woods leading the presentation with Tony Bellew, over to Darren Barker and Chris Lloyd, then we mix it up with Mike Costello the legend and Andy Lee. What a team we have here and what a night we have.”

Josh Warrington:

“It’s good to be back, it’s nice of everyone to turn up and nice to see there’s going to be a big crowd on Saturday night – it feels normal. This is what I got used to, I got used to this big stage ever since I won the World Title. I’ve been looking forward to this for such a long time, we were talking about conquering the world together, winning the Ring Magazine belt, Las Vegas, New York and ride off into the sunset.

“What happened on February 13 happened, it was a hard lesson to take but this is where the next stage goes on, the next chapter begins. I’ve been about the game a long time and I can’t wait to redeem myself.

“I take him [Lara] very seriously, I think the first time he said that he saw fear in my eyes, there’s not fear in there I was just looking straight through him. I didn’t think that he could bring what he delivered and that’s my mistake, that’s me being too cocksure of myself. I won’t make that same mistake again; I have the fear factor about this one. He said some random comments about me slagging his dad off, I slag my own dad off, but there’s no personal animosity between me and Mauricio – it’s just business.

“When Anthony Joshua got his redemption against Andy Ruiz Jr, it was done and forgotten about and that’s going to be the same Saturday night. I’m sure he’s come over with a bit of an entourage, he looks smart today, had a haircut, but once he’s been done, he’ll have given me a massive lesson in my career but that will be it, we’ll move on.

“I’m a proud man and it would have made my toes curl to see and watch somebody else fight Mauricio Lara. I want to get my redemption, I feel that Lara is a great fighter, a strong fighter, but I feel like I’ve been at a higher level for such a long time and beaten fighters that are such a higher level than what he is.

“I turned a few book deals down last year and I think after February 13 publishers weren’t bothered about writing a book about Josh Warrington anymore. After Saturday night we’ll put it right, add a few zeros onto that book deal. Going back to normality, going back to a stadium, having people in the crowd – they’re my second wind, my adrenaline, my twelfth man, that little advantage. They’re part of Josh Warrington’s attributes, it’s going to be special to walk out, I’ll give them redemption.” 

Mauricio Lara:

“I hope everyone is well, we have to think now that February 13 February is in the past. I’m now completely and 100% focused on putting on a good show on Saturday. I’m prepared not 100%, but 1000%. Perhaps people didn’t know me previously, but they do now in certain areas, there’s going to be a repeat of what happened – there are no surprises in life.

“It really hurt me that a great champion like him [Josh] didn’t give me the credit for my performance but that’s in the past now. I can’t wait for Saturday to come along now and I’m going to show him, in his words, that we’re definitely not on the same level – I’ll have my hand raised on Saturday night.

“I’ve prepared for a knockout, but I’ve also prepared for the twelve rounds, I can assure you it won’t go the distance.” 

Katie Taylor:

“This is the first fight in a long time where I’ve actually fought in front of a live crowd, the fact that’s here in Leeds, some of my best memories as a kid are visiting this city, going to Leeds United games at Elland Road. This city has a special place in my heard and I never thought I’d have a chance to fight here. I’m just so excited about it.

“This is a huge fight for both of us, I don’t overlook anybody, I can’t afford to get complacent and when you do it’s when you start to actually lose fights. I have prepared for this fight just like I’ve prepared for any fight. I’m expecting a tough challenge on Saturday, and I’m prepared for that.

“I feel great, I know I can’t do this forever, but I still feel very fresh right now and I still have plenty more years in the ring. This training camp has gone great, I feel sharp and strong, I can’t wait to produce one of my best performances on Saturday night.” 

Jennifer Han:

“My team and I have travelled a long way, all the way from El Paso, Texas, to be here to show the world what we have. I’ve worked my entire life for this kind of opportunity and I’m excited to be here – it’s my time.

“It’s already been life changing, we’ve worked hard, and I’ve overcome many obstacles to get to this point. I’ve never fought on this kind of a stage, so this is going to be amazing.

“I do have a lot of respect for Katie, I’ve studied her and it’s time to shine on Saturday.”

Conor Benn:

“It’s either going to be a proper serious fight or someone’s getting laid out, and it isn’t going to be me. That’s for sure. I work so hard, confidence is a luxury for the hard working, and people mistake by confidence for arrogance. But those people aren’t up with me running at 3 in the morning. I’m crushing it in the gym, and when I work as hard as I do, I have the right to be confident because I leave no stone unturned.

“Look at the shape of me. That’s a testament to the five years hard work, that’s a testament to my team working overtime, my strength and conditioning coach, my physio, my nutritionist, Tony, my agent, it all plays a massive part. Teamwork makes the dream work they say, that’s where we’re at. All I have to do is focus on beating the geezer up in the other corner, my team allows me to do just that – I’ve done it now 18 times.

“I’m very confident, Granados is a massive test, he’s been in with the top boys, the top dogs. He thinks he’s experienced and that he’s tested at a high level. What did Formella say, what did Vargas say. If they don’t want to believe the hype, I’ll make them believe the hype, it’s as simple as that. I work so hard to be denied and that’s where that ends. It’s been five years of hard work, I love this life, I’m a fighter.

“You’ve seen the change, the transformation, it hasn’t come overnight, and it hasn’t come easy. I’ve put the work in every single time, I give 100%, I’m leaving it all in there Saturday night.

“I don’t believe the hype whatsoever, not in the slightest, otherwise I still wouldn’t be getting up and doing my runs – I’d think I was all that and a bag of chips. I don’t rely on my power, I’ve been watching Granados’ fights, against Broner and Easter, he gave them one hell of a fight. One of the best Granados and I believe I’m going to get the best Granados. Create the hype and don’t believe it.

“I’ve had so many people come up to me and say it’s going to be some reception you know; it’s going to be incredible. I’m thinking they’re going to top my O2 debut you know, I just have a feeling about it. I’ve had such a warm welcome here, big shoutout to the Leeds supporters, thank you. We’ve got a job to do Saturday but after that, I might join you lot in the pub and have a beer.”

Adrian Granados:

“First and foremost, I want to give thanks to God. Thanks to Eddie for reaching out for me, giving me this opportunity, everyone at Matchroom and DAZN. It was unfortunate, both of us were chomping at the bit for this fight, very exciting build-up and then a day before the weigh-in Conor tested positive for COVID.

“This is the age we live in now, although I was very frustrating and upset, everything happens for a reason, and I believe it worked out. Now we’re fighting in Leeds in front of 20,00 people, I’m excited, I’ve already dreamt about fighting here, overseas, I come from Chicago. It’s a dream come true, everyone has been very welcoming and accepting. Now it’s fight time and I’m ready to get this fight going Saturday.

“It’s boxing talk, I understand the confidence he’s portrayed and that’s why I’ve answered back and let him know I’m obviously not here to lay done either. I think it makes for an exciting fight, I think our styles are going to match well, l think we’ve got a classic in the making. May the best man win, may God protect us both and we both come out safely.”

Jovanni Straffon:

“It’s great to be back here in England. What I would say about the fight is it’s not a fight between Mexico and the UK, it’s me and my opponent in the ring. What I will say is that I have the hunger when I go into these fights, I look at this as if this belt was vacant and I have to go in and win it – I have to show that hunger to do that.

“Any fighter that’s in front of me is a block in the road for and I have to take them away. They’re also a thief because they’re taking money from my family. I come to fight, and I hope he also comes to fight.

“First and foremost, I’m not overlooking Maxi in this instance, he shouldn’t either. It’s dangerous when fighters do that, I want to show I have the hunger, if he wants to win this fight, he’ll have to kill me. On Saturday you’ll be shouting Viva Mexico.” 

Maxi Hughes:

“I’m grateful for the opportunity, I’ve worked hard and been in the pro game eleven years. I believe I am just getting started, whoever’s the oldest world champion, I’m going to try and break that record.

“A lot of people are now referring to me as the Cinderella Man, that couldn’t be truer, this morning my missus said to me this house needs cleaning before you leave this house. I’ve been cleaning the house, but when I go to the ball on Saturday night in Headingley I’ll be coming home with two glass slippers on.

“It’s the experience, I’m older and wiser, you can’t buy or steal experience, you’ve got to go out and earn it. Doing this as long as I have and being around some top domestic opposition, it’s all led me to where I am. Everything happens for a reason, every fight I’ve took and not got the decision has led me to this, now’s the time to capitalise on it and reap the rewards of the resilience, hard work and dedication I’ve shown.

“I want to put my name up there in the top ten across the world, hopefully across all the sanctioning bodies. While I’m in this red-hot form, get the win on Saturday and you better put me in the ring with Canelo in this form before it runs out.

“Josh has been a great World Champion, not only did he win the World Title, but he defended it successfully in great fashion. You only need to look at what he’s doing in the gym, copy what Josh does because he’s laid out how you become and stay a world champion. We get on well aside from boxing, it’s been brilliant bouncing off each other in the gym. It’s been brilliant to share training camp with him.”

Ebanie Bridges:

“I’m actually really excited about this fight, watching her [Mailys] fight with Ellie, I think she has a great style, and our styles are going to gel really well together. I think with that it’s going to make it an exciting fight, she’s tough and I love tough opponents. I’m looking forward something exciting there, another good performance by myself. I’m only getting better, feeling stronger than ever, I’m looking forward to showing you all what I’ve got come Saturday night.

“Training with Brian Cohen in America and having those eight weeks in Philadelphia, I’m really focused on footwork and balance – plating my feet. We all know I’m strong but if you can’t get into position, it’s not effective. Now I feel like I’m really nailing that, we saw that with Bec, about the positioning and planting the feet to throw those shots to get my full power into it.

“My cut for this fight was easy, I just fought four weeks ago. I’m hungry as ever, I love to fight, I’m hungry to punch on.” 

Mailys Gangloff:

“It’s a good fight because it will be at my perfect weight class, I think I’ll bring something that couldn’t bring the last time I was here. I’m very excited, I hope it will be a very good show.”

Hopey Price:

“It’s good to keep busy, I’m glad I got out two weeks ago and it’s good to be back home, in front of my hometown and fans. It’s another step up, another step forward in my career, there’s a lot of good fighters on this show, a lot of fighters from Leeds, but I’m coming to steal the show on Saturday night.

“Another good performance this weekend and I’m looking to step up again and it won’t be long before the domestic titles come my way.”

Zahid Hussain:

“I’m definitely looking forward to it, in front of 20,000 people. I’d like to thank Matchroom, my manager Steve Wood and my coach for spending time training me.”

“I’m just going to do what I do best. Experience is going to play a major part on Saturday night.”

Jack Bateson:

“I’m buzzing to be back here in Leeds with a crowd, now Covid’s on its way out. Thanks for the opportunity, Eddie and yeah, I’m looking to shine, it won’t be last time I’ll be on one of these big cards. I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve known Josh since we were young kids, growing up, I want to be where he is now. He paved the way for us and I’m sure that one day if I keep working hard, I can be where he is and doing it for the city.” 

Felix Garcia:

“First and foremost, thanks for the opportunity to be here. I’m extremely happy to be here and I’ve prepared extremely hard for this night. Hopefully you’ll see the best of me on Saturday.”

Brandon Stansfield:

“This is a massive opportunity for me, a big stage now coming from Bradford Hotel on my last fight jumping to this fight, it’s a massive opportunity for me and I cannot wait.

“I did quite well with tickets, a lot really. I’m one of the first ones on, I’ll get changed and watch Josh Warrington do his thing again.”

Mali Wright:

“I’m looking forward to it man, I can’t believe it, fighting in my hometown of Leeds. I went to university in Headingly, I used to live there, 2-minute walk from the stadium. It’s surreal even seeing my name here, so I can’t wait and I’m looking forward to it.”

JAYSON MAMA has accused rival Sunny Edwards of running from an old man in his title winning performance.

The unbeaten Filipino challenges for the Croydon man’s IBF World Flyweight championship at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday September 11, live on BT Sport.

Mandatory challenger Mama (16-0, 9 KOs) stepped aside so Edwards  (16-0, 4 KOs) could challenge Moruti Mthalane for the title in April.

Edwards delivered one of the best performances so far this year thrashing the South African on points.

Mthalane had been unbeaten for more than 12 years, but Mama scoffed: “Mthalane was old.

“Edwards was running all night. I hope he doesn’t run when he fights me but I think he will run from me.”

Mama, 24, hails from General Santos City home all-time great Manny Pacquiao and believes he can take over from Pacquiao who is considering retirement as the Philippines next big boxing star.

He has prepared at the Sanman gym close to his home under trainer Ronerex Dalut and strength and conditioning coach Ronerex Dalut.

Despite being critical of Edwards tactics against Mthalane, Mama admits: “Edwards is a great boxer but I have trained really hard to bring back the belt to the Philippines. 

“I will be a World champion on September 11.”

Mama warmed up for his big fight against Edwards with a eight round retirement win against Romshane Sarguilla in April – the challenger’s third inside the distance win in his last four fights.

Also on the bill World title chasing Light-Heavyweight Callum Johnson (19-1, 14 KOs) defends his WBO Global belt against Serbia’s Marko Nikolic (27-1, 12 KOs).

Battersea Middleweight Denzel Bentley (14-1-1, 12 KOs) meets Wolverhampton’s Andrew Robinson (24-5-1, 7 KOs).

Exciting Batten’s Boxing Gym stablemates Mark Chamberlain (8-0, 5 KOs) and Ryan Garner (10-0, 6 KOs) both box eight rounders.

Bromley Cruiserweight Ellis Zorro (9-0, 6 KOs) boxes a six rounder in his first fight of 2021. Islington Super-Featherweight Masood Abdullah (1-0, 1 KO) steps up to six rounds.

Super-Featherweight Charles Frankham (3-0, 1 KO), Super-Bantamweight Umar Khan (1-0), and Stratford Welterweight Khalid Ali debutant are in four round action.

Tickets available from £55 via SEETICKETS

NEW YORK – September 2, 2021 – ShoBox: The New Generation returns with a three-fight telecast headlined by an exciting matchup featuring two rising bantamweight prospects and ShoBox returnees as Ja’Rico O’Quinn takes on Saul Sanchez Friday, September 24 live on SHOWTIME at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT from Main Street in Broken Arrow, Okla.

O’Quinn vs. Sanchez headlines a tripleheader that features six prospects who boast a combined record of 72-2-1, including two fighters who are ranked inside the top 10 by one of the four major sanctioning bodies.

In the 10-round bantamweight main event bout, the 26-year-old Detroit native O’Quinn (14-0-1, 8 KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since January 2020 against Sanchez (16-1, 9 KOs), a once-beaten prospect who has fought four times since O’Quinn last entered the ring. The co-main event pits undefeated featherweight prospects Jayvon Garnett (10-0, 5 KOs) and Luis Reynaldo Nunez (11-0, 8 KOs) against each other in a ten-round bout and Alejandro Guerrero (12-1, 9 KOs) faces the undefeated Otar Eranosyan (9-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight contest that opens the telecast.

The event is promoted by Salita Promotions.

“In our main event, we have an excellent style matchup featuring two returning ShoBox fighters that with a win, are both on the verge of becoming contenders,” said Gordon Hall, executive producer of ShoBox: The New Generation. “The co-feature brings two new, undefeated faces to ShoBox in a fight for recognition and advancement. The opener features two amateur standouts – a new face in bruiser Otar Eranosyan, and a ShoBox veteran in Alejandro Guerrero, a fighter that we had high expectations for. On ShoBox, we have had 15 fighters who lost on the series and went on to become a world titlist and with a victory, Guerrero can get right back on track for that pursuit.”

“I am honored to promote this excellent September 24 ShoBox event that features crossroad fights from top-to-bottom,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “We are doing the fights in a unique outside setting in beautiful Downtown Broken Arrow, Okla., with real fight fans who love good action fights.”

O’Quinn vs. Sanchez – 10-Round Bantamweight Main Event Bout

Previously rated in the top-ten in the world by the WBO at 115 pounds, O’Quinn last fought at 118 pounds in a dominating unanimous decision over Oscar Vasquez in the 250th edition of ShoBox in January 2020. Ranked as the No. 1 amateur bantamweight in the country compiling a record of 130-18 before turning professional in 2015, O’Quinn boasts blazing-fast hands and an ability to throw effortless combinations. A fan favorite in his hometown of Detroit, he was busy in 2018 and 2019, winning three times in each year, with five of the six fights taking place in his home state of Michigan.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” said O’Quinn. “I can’t wait to show my talent to the world again. I don’t really know much about him, but he better learn all he can about me. Not that it will help him any. I’m going to win because there are levels to this and he is not on my level. That will be very apparent quickly. I’m a strong force in the bantamweight division. Training is going good but it’s hard. I train hard and fight easy.”

The 24-year-old Sanchez, who is ranked No. 8 by the WBA at 118 pounds, is riding a four-fight winning streak. His last time out, Sanchez made quick work of Frank Gonzalez, knocking him down three times en route to a first-round stoppage. The Pacoima, Calif. native scored an eighth-round stoppage of Brandon Benitez in an entertaining and all-action fight in his ShoBox debut in May 2019. He dropped his next fight, a split decision to Edwin Rodriguez, but rebounded with a unanimous decision over Victor Trejo Garcia to jumpstart his winning streak. Trained by Manny Robles, Sanchez is the younger brother of 19-1 professional featherweight Emilio Sanchez.

“This is the biggest fight of my career on the biggest stage of my career, and I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by,” said Sanchez. “I’m going to show everyone watching on SHOWTIME that I belong with the big boys. O’Quinn is a good fighter but I’m going to give him his first loss. I’m at a point in my career where I need to make that turning point to a world title shot, and that time is now.”

Garnett vs. Nunez – 10-Round Super Featherweight Bout

Jayvon Garnett hails from the boxing talent-laden city of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he first put on a pair of boxing gloves at the age of six. He had a stellar amateur career fighting over 110 times, developing his style and sharpening his skills in Ohio’s very competitive amateur boxing scene. The 26-year-old is coming off his career-best professional win, a unanimous decision over the once-beaten Jose Argel in June. Combining exceptional quickness and accuracy with a propensity for power, the 5’3” Garnett stopped five of his first six professional opponents. He has won his last four contests on the scorecards, all unanimously.

“It feels great to be fighting on SHOWTIME,” said Garnett. “I always dreamed of fighting on big platforms, but never dreamed it would be ShoBox for my first TV fight. I don’t know much about my opponent, but I will win this fight because I’m smarter. In the ring, I’m a boxer and a thinker, but I also have heavy punches. With this victory, I’m going to the next level up the ladder and getting closer to being in the world rankings.”

A decorated amateur in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata’s Luis Reynaldo Nunez started boxing at age eight and went on to win a number of national championships as a member of the Dominican national team, including gold in the 2016 Youth Championship. A fan-friendly pressure fighter with heavy hands, Nunez turned professional at 18, passing every test put in front of him in his native country. His unblemished resume includes a unanimous decision over then 20-3-1 Eliezer Aquino and a fourth-round KO over then once-beaten Giovanni Gutierrez.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be fighting on SHOWTIME,” said the 21-year-old Nunez, who will be fighting outside of the Dominican Republic for the first time. “My opponent is a good fighter but I am here to show him what happens against real competition. Thanks to my team for getting me this opportunity and I look forward to making a splash on national television.”

Guerrero vs. Eranosyan – Eight-Round Lightweight Bout

Fighting out of Houston, Texas, Guerrero is a big-punching prospect who will be making his third appearance on ShoBox, looking to improve his record to 2-1 on the prospect development series. He won a closely contested slugfest via majority decision over Jose Angulo in March 2020, but was upset by Abraham Montoya in February. A celebrated amateur who won two junior national titles, the 23-year-old “Pork Chop” has sparred with the likes of world champions Mikey Garcia and Brandon Rios at the famed Garcia Boxing Academy in California.

“Training is going great,” said Guerrero. “I’ve been in shape for two months so now it’s just touching up basic stuff here and there with my technique. I know Eranosyan will be tough, so we’re going in with a strong mind knowing he can fight. I’m training hard because I will have to be more than ready. The guy will not be a walk in the park. But I have a different mentality now. The last fight, I went in with the mentality of ‘I can beat everybody.’ This one, I have to go in with a smart mind and actually box the guy and use all my skills.”

Ranked No. 9 by the WBA at 130 pounds, Eranosyan was a highly decorated Georgian amateur who has transitioned seamlessly into the paid ranks. The 27-year-old didn’t turn professional until August 2020, but has already fought nine times. Now based in Miami Beach, Fla., “Pitbull” owns two notable fourth-round KOs over the 32-4 Juan Carlos Pena, including in his last time out on August 13. Eranosyan will make his ShoBox debut as he fights for the seventh time in 2021, which also marks his first pro fight outside of Florida.

“I haven’t studied Guerrero too much, but I watched a couple fights and he’s a good fighter with very good punching power and very good stamina,” said Eranosyan. “I’m adding a lot of stamina training and working on my legs for this fight to be ready for him. I don’t know exactly what will happen, but simply I am the best in the division, so I will win.”

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

About ShoBox: The New Generation

This year, the critically acclaimed prospect developmental series, ShoBox: The New Generation, celebrates its 20th anniversary on the air as it continues to match top young talent tough. Since its inception in July 2001, the ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 84 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

Maxi Hughes wants to keep his Cinderella story rolling as he challenges Jovanni Straffon for the IBO World Lightweight Title at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds this Saturday September 4, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

Hughes (23-5-2, 5 KOs) has been in the form of his life through the pandemic, handing Jono Carroll defeat in August, travelling to Dubai two months later to take the WBC International Lightweight Title from Viktor Kotochigov and then realised a dream by landing the vacant British Title in March by stopping Paul Hyland Jr in Bolton to win the Lord Lonsdale belt at the third attempt.

The Doncaster man, who trains alongside main event star Josh Warrington under the guidance of Sean O’Hagan, now tackles a highly motivated Straffon for the IBO Title on the biggest stage of his career. The Mexican is familiar to UK fight fans after his stunning first round KO of James Tennyson to win the title in Manchester in May, but Hughes says he won’t allow his train to be delayed and wants victory tonight to stamp his ticket to a dream fight in America.

“I didn’t see this coming a year or 18 months ago,” said Hughes. “A year ago I was brought in as an opponent to keep Jono Carroll busy, now I am two titles up and fighting for a World Title, the Cinderella man. It cannot get better.

“You get older, wiser and mature as a person and that’s a part of the success too, and happiness of course. Things fall into place and if you want something bad enough, go and get it. I came close twice to walking away, losing to Sam Bowen was the first one and it was hard to swallow. I had a six-month break and got the hunger back, but when I lost to Liam Walsh I was gutted. It was a close fight but the right man won, and I just thought to myself ‘I am never going to be good enough to win these domestic fights’. The four-hour journey on the way home with Josh, Sean and Reece Mould, just talking about stuff, and then having a few days rest, I thought, ‘I will be good enough, I will get there, I will win something’.

“I’ve known Josh and Sean a long time, sparred with Josh for years and Sean has always been there as another voice and eyes in the corner. We we’re familiar with each other anyway but the link up came because I live in Wakefield and the gym is close by, with having a young daughter it made sense so that I don’t have so far to travel to the gym and I can spend more time at home with her. It makes me a better and happier fighter because the work and home life balance is great. We get on and have a laugh, and Sean has found a way to bring out the best in me, the results speak for themselves, it’s been three years now and we’re just getting better and better as a team, and we have everything we need to produce results. 

“I know James Tennyson, I’ve sparred many rounds with him, and I don’t think he was 100 per cent in there. We’ve seen him better than that but that doesn’t take away from Straffon. What you see is what you get from him, even if that fight hadn’t happened and his name came up to fight me, we wouldn’t have approached it differently. Mexicans are known for being tough and his record shows he’s a puncher. So, we’ve done our homework, prepared well and we’ll take it round by round and adapt. I just hope I come out with some credit, he looks a million dollars with the win over James so if I turn him over, I don’t want people to say ‘oh maybe he wasn’t that good’ because no one else is in a rush to fight him.”

Straffon vs. Hughes is part of a huge night of action in Leeds, Mauricio Lara (23-2, 16 KOs) and Josh Warrington (30-1, 7 KOs) face each other again in a huge rematch for the Featherweight division, Undisputed Lightweight ruler Katie Taylor (18-0, 6 KOs) defends her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine crowns against her latest Mandatory Challenger Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KOs), rising Welterweight star Conor Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) faces Adrian Granados (21-8-3, 15 KOs) after their Fight Camp Week 1 headliner fell through, Australia’s Ebanie Bridges (6-1, 3 KOs) looks to build on her impressive KO win over Bec Connolly at Fight Camp earlier this month when she meets Mailys Gangloff (5-2, 2 KOs), Super-Bantamweight prospect Hopey Price (5-0, 1 KO) steps up against Zahid Hussain (16-1, 2 KOs) in an all-Leeds clash, undefeated Super-Bantamweight talent Jack Bateson (13-0, 3 KOs) clashes with Felix Garcia (7-2-1, 3 KOs) over six rounds, 1-0 Super-Welterweight Brandon Stansfield takes on MJ Hall (2-61-2) and Light-Heavyweight Mali Wright makes his pro debut against Antony Woolery (2-6).

Limited remaining tickets are available from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).

LAS VEGAS (September 2, 2021) – Undefeated 122-pound world champions will go toe-to-toe as WBC champion Brandon “Heartbreaker” Figueroa and WBO champion Stephen “Cool Boy Steph” Fulton Jr. meet in the SHOWTIME main event Saturday, September 18 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will include undefeated super bantamweight contender Ra’eese Aleem battling Mexico’s Eduardo Baez in the 10-round co-main event. Opening the telecast, unbeaten rising bantamweight contender Gary Antonio Russell takes on Mexico’s Alejandro Barrios in a 10-round showdown.

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

“This night of high-stakes action is headlined by two undefeated young stars in one of the most anticipated fights of the year.” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “The winner of this fight will not only hold the mantle as the division’s best but will have a case as one of the top pound-for-pound rising stars in the sport. With Ra’eese Aleem and Gary Antonio Russell also on the card, the future of the sport takes centerstage on September 18.”

The three-fight boxing event will open SHOWTIME’s combat sports doubleheader on September 18. Immediately following the main event from Las Vegas, BELLATOR MMA will air live from San Jose, Calif., with a three-fight event headlined by light heavyweight contenders Phil Davis and Yoel Romero.

Figueroa vs. Fulton has loomed as a potential showdown for several years prior to the two unbeaten fighters joining the world championship ranks with career-best performances in 2021. Fulton struck first, dominating then-unbeaten Angelo Leo to capture the WBO title in January, while Figueroa made his own statement in stopping two-division champion Luis Nery to capture the WBC strap in May.

The 24-year-old Figueroa (22-0-1, 17 KOs) used his youth and relentless pressure to become the first person to defeat Nery in their championship clash on SHOWTIME. Figueroa’s body attack was the difference, as he was able to stand up against Nery’s offense and eventually overwhelm him to earn the knockout. A native of Weslaco, Texas, Figueroa added to his family’s legacy in capturing the world title, joining his brother Omar Figueroa who previously held the lightweight world championship. Figueroa took down a slew of veteran contenders on his way to championship status, knocking out Moises Flores, Oscar Escandon and Damien Vazquez on his ascent.

“We train hard for every fight and make sure we go 110% come fight night,” said Figueroa. “I expect Fulton to be flashy and slick with his movements, and perhaps he’ll want to mix it up a little as well, so we’re ready for anything. People know I always come to fight and with this being my second back-to-back fight against another undefeated world champion it makes this an exciting fight on paper and it should be even more exciting to see it live on September 18.”

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa., Fulton (19-0, 8 KOs) faced impressive competition while rising up the 122-pound rankings to earn the opportunity that eventually saw him become world champion on SHOWTIME by besting Leo. In his last 13 professional fights, the 27-year-old has beaten eight previously undefeated fighters, including Leo, Josh Greer, Arnold Khegai, Adam Lopez and Luis Saul Rosario. Trained in his hometown by coach Wahid Rahim, Fulton has displayed sublime boxing skills that have allowed him to dominate opponents of varying styles and control fights from start to finish.

“We will have a new king of the division on a historic day,” said Fulton. “Training camp has been great, rough and dirty. I know where I need to be for this fight and I’m right there not running away from it. History will be made September 18 on Mexican Independence Day weekend in Las Vegas. Let’s celebrate with a bang!”

Owning a top-10 ranking at 122-pounds from multiple sanctioning bodies, Aleem (18-0, 12 KOs) put on the most impressive performance of his career in January to capture the interim WBA title on SHOWTIME. Aleem dominated in a battle of unbeatens, dropping Victor Pasillas four times before eventually stopping him in round 11. Raised in Michigan and training out of Las Vegas, Nev., Aleem, 31, has stopped his past seven opponents inside the distance.

“It’s great to be back fighting on SHOWTIME,” said Aleem. “I’ve been waiting patiently, working hard in the gym, and now it’s go time. Eduardo Baez is a good fighter who is trying to make a name for himself, but he’s standing in my way of becoming world champion, and I’m going to take him out. I’m on a mission to prove I’m the king of the super bantamweight division, and the journey continues on September 18.”

The 26-year-old Baez (19-1-2, 6 KOs) will look to earn a career-best victory and build on back-to-back triumphs over previously unbeaten fighters when he takes on Aleem on September 18. Originally from Baja California, Mexico, Baez now fights out of Calexico, California as he nears his second stateside outing. Baez most recently won a decision over Abimael Ortiz in March, after his U.S. debut saw him defeat Narek Abgaryan in his U.S. debut in December 2020.

“I can’t wait for this opportunity against Ra’eese Aleem,” said Baez. “Success is the most precious treasure, the more you are willing to pay, the more valuable the prize will be. I will win this fight and we will all scream ‘viva Mexico!’”

The middle brother between WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Jr. and 2016 U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne, Antonio Russell (18-0, 12 KOs) announced his arrival amongst the bantamweight division contenders with a technical decision over former world champion Juan Carlos Payano in December 2020 on SHOWTIME. The 28-year-old from Capitol Heights, Md. turned pro in 2015 after an impressive amateur career. After four wins in 2019, Russell kicked off 2020 defeating Jesus Martinez in February. Russell returns to action after his August 14 fight against former champion Emmanuel Rodriguez ended in a no-decision in round one due to a clash of heads.

“I’m excited to be back after I trained so hard for my last fight before it ended early,” said Russell. “Now, I’m just taking that same fight energy that I had for Emmanuel Rodriguez and bringing it on September 18 for my new opponent.”

The 25-year-old Barrios (24-2-5, 13 KOs) has not been beaten since 2014, a streak spanning 20 fights. Representing his native Tijuana, Mexico, Barrios has won his last eight contests since a 2018 draw against Jerwin Ancajas in a 115-pound title bout. After defeating Erick Hernandez and Willibaldo Garcia in 2020, Barrios knocked out Juan Gabriel Medina to begin his 2021. In addition to the draw against Ancajas, Barrios has fought then unbeaten Jose Martinez-Mercado to a draw twice while also earning the same result against then undefeated Antonio Nieves.

“I want to thank my whole team and everyone else who made this fight possible,” said Barrios. “It has been a long road for me. I’ve been looking for another title fight or a rematch with Ancajas, ever since our draw. We decided to move up to 118-pounds and I’ve just remained focused and worked hard for the next opportunity. Now I get to share the ring with a great and talented fighter in Gary Antonio Russell. On September 18, I will leave everything in that ring, put on a great fight for all boxing fans and leave victorious.”

#

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

DUBLIN – Leading mixed martial arts promotion BELLATOR MMA has today announced two explosive fights have been added to the BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix main card, which takes place at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, on Friday November 5^th. 

Set to light up the main card on BELLATOR’s highly-anticipated return to Ireland is a middleweight matchup between hometown hero and No. 6 ranked ‘Relentless’ Charlie Ward (9-4) and No. 9 ranked Norbert ‘Magic’ Novenyi Jr. (5-0). In addition, a thrilling featherweight fight will be contested between No. 6 ranked Daniel ‘Drake’ Weichel (41-12) and No. 7 ranked Pedro ‘The Game’ Carvalho (11-5).

In the United States, the main card action will air live on SHOWTIME at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. BELLATOR fans in Ireland can watch the eagerly anticipated event on both Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport, while UK fight fans can watch event live on BBC iPlayer.

In addition, five new preliminary bouts have been announced to kick the night off. The preliminary portion of the docket will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.

The news comes just a week after the promotion announced their explosive return to the Irish capital. BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs Mix will be headlined by No. 6 ranked James “The Strabanimal” Gallagher (11-1) and the No. 2 ranked Patchy Mix (14-1) in what is set to be a must-see bantamweight match up. In the co-main event, Waterford’s Peter “The Showstopper” Queally (13-5-1) will look to bring the house down as the No. 4 ranked lightweight goes head-to-head against 23-time BELLATOR veteran and No. 1 ranked Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (23-10) in a hotly anticipated immediate rematch.

Tickets for BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs Mix are on sale now and can be purchased online from Ticketmaster.ie and Bellator.com.

“Relentless” Charlie Ward, who trains out of SBG, is unbeaten in his last two fights with six of his nine professional victories coming by the way of knockout. The number six ranked middleweight fighter will be looking to build on his impressive decision victory over Andy Manzolo in Milan at BELLATOR 247 last October. Ward will want to put on a show for his home fans and with fireworks guaranteed inside the 3Arena, this fight is certainly one not to be missed.

Standing in his way will be Hungarian Norbert Novenyi Jr., who trains out of London Shootfighters alongside Michael “Venom” Page. Novenyi who is yet to taste defeat as a professional, is one of the most explosive fighters in the middleweight division. Hewill want to prove his class once again after his first-round submission victory in his last fight against Laïd Zerhouni, which also took placeat BELLATOR 247. Novenyi will be hoping to silence the home crowd and continue his rise through the middleweight rankings as he looks to build on his impressive start to his MMA career.

Meanwhile, the highly experienced No. 6 ranked German, Daniel Weichel heads to Dublin after claiming victory over Keoni Diggsat BELLATOR 261 this past June. Weichel will be hoping to add to his impressive 41 professional victories in what is set be a thrilling encounter between two featherweights’ neck and neck in the BELLATOR rankings.

Opposing Weichel will be Portugal’s 26-year-old Pedro Carvalho, who also trains out of SBG in Ireland. “The Game” will be hoping to return to his winning ways and climb back up the featherweight rankings. A talented submission specialist, Carvalho has scored six of his 11 career victories in that fashion, proving to always be a tough out. On Nov. 5, the former featherweight world title challenger will be looking to secure the victory in his adopted hometown.

Fight fans can see the updated card for BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix below:

BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix MainCard:

SHOWTIME (US) / BBC iPlayer (UK) / Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)

Friday, October 1 – 9 p.m. GMT/5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT

Bantamweight Main Event: #6-James Gallagher (11-1) vs. #2-Patrick Mix (14-1)

Lightweight Co-Main Event: #4-Peter Queally (13-5-1) vs. #1-Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (23-10)

Middleweight Bout: #6-Charlie Ward (9-4) vs. #9-Nobert Novenyi Jr. (5-0)

Featherweight Bout: #6-Daniel Weichel (41-6) vs. #7-Pedro Carvalho (11-5)

Preliminary Card:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV (US)

BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)

5:30 p.m. GMT/1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT

Welterweight Bout: Ashley Reece (8-2) vs. Luca Poclit (6-1) 

Lightweight Bout: Daniele Scatizzi (10-5) vs. Brian Hooi (16-7, 1 NC)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Lee Chadwick (26-15-1) vs. Arunas Andriuskevicus (15-4)

Featherweight Bout:Ilias Bulaid (2-0) vs. Georges Sasu (4-2)

Featherweight Bout: Ciaran Clarke (3-0) vs. Jordan Barton (6-1-1)

Welterweight Bout:Nicolò Solli (3-1) vs. Bobby Pallett (5-0)

Strawweight Bout: Danni Neilan (4-0) vs. Audrey Kerouche (7-5, 2 NC)

Featherweight Bout:Asael Adjoudj (1-1)vs. Keir Harvie (4-1)

Featherweight Bout: Junior Morgan (3-0) vs. Darragh Kelly (Pro Debut)

Welterweight Bout:Stephen Costello (Pro Debut) vs. Yusuf Nazokatov (Pro Debut)

*Card subject to change.

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

Updated schedule of BELLATOR events

Sat. Sept. 18 // BELLATOR 266: Davis vs. Romero //SAP Center // San Jose, CA

Fri. Oct. 1 // BELLATOR 267: Lima vs. MVP 2 //The SSE Arena, Wembley // London, England

Sat. Oct. 16 // BELLATOR 268: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinals // Footprint Center // Phoenix, AZ

Sat. Oct. 23 // BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson // VTB Arena // Moscow, Russia

Fri. Nov. 5 // BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix // 3Arena // Dublin, Ireland

****

About BELLATOR

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

About SHOWTIME

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

Rising Middleweight star Linus Udofia (16-0, 8 KOs) and highly-rated Heavyweight debutant Matty Harris have been added to the undercard for Chris Eubank Jr’s showdown with Sven Elbir on October 2 at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London, live and exclusive on Sky Sports.

Udofia returns to Sky Sports following a spectacular ninth-round TKO win over John Harding Jr to retain the English Title on October 10 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes. The 28-year-old will now put his unbeaten record on the line against London-based Albanian Xhuljo Vrenozi (17-3, 4 KOs) over ten rounds.

Having vacated the English Title and signed promotional terms with Wasserman Boxing, ‘Lightning’ is ready to prove his potential on another big card as he looks to move up the rankings into title contention. 

“I’ve been out of the ring for a while, but I’ve been working non-stop behind the scenes,” says Udofia. “It’s an honour to be on such an incredible card, it’s time for me to put on a show for the Wembley crowd and put Luton on the map.”

Harris will make his professional debut in a four-round contest at The SSE Arena, Wembley. The 6ft 8in Heavyweight is one of the UK’s most exciting boxing prospects. Having passed the GB assessment, the 21-year-old opted to join the paid ranks instead and spent lockdown sparring the best of the British Heavyweight scene including Daniel Dubois, Hughie Fury and Nathan Gorman.

To ensure he has had the perfect preparation for his debut the Leamington Spa man has been living in a caravan on his coach Edwin Cleary’s drive.

“I’m extremely excited to be making my debut for Wasserman Boxing on Sky Sports on October 2,” said Harris. “The lure of the professional ranks has always been something I was drawn to rather than a lengthy amateur career. Now I get the chance to make my family proud and show my supporters what I’m all about. Believe me when I tell you I’m going all the way to the top.”

Promoter Nisse Sauerland said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Linus and Matty, two of Britain’s brightest boxing prospects, to showcase their skills on the big stage. Linus is a slick fighter with power in both hands and is on the verge of major title challenges. Matty is just starting his journey but he has all the potential in the world and we believe he can go a very long way.”

The road to major world title contention leads Chris Eubank Jr and German standout Sven Elbir to London’s SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday, October 2. This co-promoted event is the first in a multi-fight deal between Wasserman Boxing and Boxxer to feature Chris Eubank Jr and other fighters from the Wasserman Boxing stable on Sky Sports.

Tickets are available via AXS.com and Ticketmaster.co.uk. 

London, UK (2 September 2021) Given its population, it’s perhaps something of mystery, that Coventry – England’s eleventh largest city – has struggled to deliver it’s share of boxing champions, all-action Exhall middleweight ace River Wilson-Bent promises to promptly put paid to that.

‘I want to put this brilliant city on the boxing map,’ says the 27 year old Midland Area Champion who is undefeated in nine, with five brutal stoppages.

‘We’ve twice won the City of Culture, we’ve a brilliant football club…! Coventry City (FC) are getting right behind me. I always go to the matches when my training schedule permits.’

Thus far, it has been a tale of the nearly men for the West Midlands’ second city. Welterweight Bobby Arthur sat briefly sat on the British throne in 1972 but his victory was courtesy of a disqualification over future world champion John H. Stracey who savagely avenged him in an immediate rematch. Amateur sensation Errol Christie, an eight-time national junior champion, promised so much in the 80s only for a suspect chin to be exposed in the more brutal paid fold. In the late 90s, colourful Richie ‘The Tiger’ Evatt was leading up until the 11th round of an IBO featherweight tilt at New York’s Junior Jones before running out of petrol.

The noughties proved a purple patch for Cov boxing. Super-feather Dean ‘Pitbull’ Pithie and light-heavy Neil Simpson briefly conquered the Commonwealth only to capitulate in British title challenges. Another amateur ace Steve Bendall contested British, Commonwealth and European middleweight fights but never quite crossed the line and featherweight Roy Rutherford won a British crown in 2003 only to succumb in his maiden defence. Two years after, middleweight Andy Halder muscled his way to a British title shot but was wiped out in a round by Plymouth southpaw Scott Dann.

‘It’s my ambition to bring big boxing titles to Cov, deliver something none of the others managed. A Lonsdale Belt outright would be a mad achievement.’ states huge ticket seller River.

The Nuneaton-born 6ft 2in roofer concedes that, growing up, he was protected from the city’s rougher edges.

‘Cov’s a lively old town but Dad pushed us into sports. I was always active in after school clubs,’ claims the youngest of three.

‘Though there’s no boxing in the family, my brother was a superstar junior rugby player, on all the elite squads and I was always in his shadow. People told me I wasn’t aggressive enough… !

‘At my school, loads of kids around my age boxed but my mum wasn’t going to allow anyone to punch her little baby in the face so I started off without her knowing in Year 10. From the off, I was absolutely glued to the training. My progress was all about dedication and hard work. I really didn’t have much natural ability. For a start I wasn’t very fit. I became a human punchbag.

‘At school, I was a cheeky lad, liked to push the boundaries, test the water. I got pushed around a bit but six months after starting training, I got into a fight, beat the other kid up and, seriously, everything changed that day. Everyone started being nice to me.’

Though he never advanced beyond the regional titles in a 57 bout amateur innings, the River really started to flow once he began his pro career against Hyde’s Mike Castell in November 2018.

‘I actually wanted a few rounds but it was ‘Here I am! I stormed to the ring as fast as I could, wanted to prove I was serious. Three hundred of my fans bought tickets to see me for just 90 seconds,’ he recalls.

Coached by Brendon Norman, managed by Jon Pegg and promoted by Mick Hennessy, the pride of Cov has certainly sparkled since being unleashed at 10 round Area title level last December.

‘I’ve always been able to use my nerves to rise to the occasion against better opposition,’ says the Midland man who trounced Burntwood’s 6-0 Troy Coleman with a raking right to claim the crown (TKO3), then retained by routing another unbeaten man, Derby’s George Farrell in seven rounds six months later.

‘I’d heard good things about Troy; he was strong gave people lots of problems but I’d always rather box better kids who open up.

‘Against George Farrell, I sold 220 tickets. I was told he was a baaaad guy, a big strong lad, a banger but I work way too hard to worry about others. He was a fit durable kid who shook off some seriously heavy shots. But it was lovely to hear the crowd back.’

With his huge army of Sky Blues boys bringing the noise to every appearance, big things are predicted for the Exhall Express.

‘I’m mandatory for the English and hopefully will fight Tyler Denny in November or December,’ says Wilson-Bent who recently completed a marathon in just three hours, 20 minutes.

‘I’ve developed a winning style that adapts to whatever’s in front of me. I can box long, short or mid-range, I can dance and move or get stuck in. I usually keep them on the end of my long levers but when I smell blood, I go for the jugular.’

He will certainly be the best supported man on the bill when he stars on promoter Hennessy’s Channel 5 screened spectacular at The Skydome in his home city on Friday 10th September when he takes on Bosnian Hardman Sladjan Janjanin in what is expected to be a fiery showdown.

‘Get down to the Skydome!’ concludes River.

‘I’m fighting a 10 rounder against a tough Bosnian Sladjan Janjanin who’s got 29 wins, and 23 stoppages. It’s a good opponent, hopefully for an International title.

‘I’m just a young local lad trying to make something of himself. My support is ridiculous and their noise is crazy. They’ll bring the atmosphere, I’ll deliver the entertainment. Guaranteed!’

Tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
Sam Eggington’s WBC Silver Middleweight title defence against unbeaten French star Bilel Jkitou headlines an action packed card Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the stars from the promoter’s stable including big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna faces France’s Moussa Gary over six rounds ; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters tackles Holland’s Farouk Daku over eight rounds; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent takes on Bosnian hardman Sladjan Janjanin in a 10-round international contest, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin battles Finland’s Jarkko Putkonen over ten rounds; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo takes on the Czech Republic’s Michal Ryba over six rounds; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty faces Lithuania’s Lukas Ulys over four rounds; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch squares up against Spain’s Alvaro Terrero over four rounds and completing the card is the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.

Adrian Granados is determined to prove that he is still a major threat on the world scene by becoming the first man to defeat rising Welterweight star Conor Benn when they collide on the undercard of Mauricio Lara vs. Josh Warrington 2 at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds this Saturday September 4, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

‘El Tigre’, a 33-fight veteran who is no stranger to boxing’s biggest platforms, will finally lock horns with ‘The Destroyer’ in front of 20,000 fans at the home of Leeds Rhinos this weekend after their Fight Camp meeting was quashed by a positive COVID-19 test, and the 32-year-old Mexican American believes he is on another level to the opponents Benn has faced up to this point in his career. 

Granados (21-8-3, 15 KOs) is the vastly more experienced fighter having gone the distance with former two-time Welterweight World Champion Shawn Porter and former multi-division World Champion Adrien Broner in losing efforts. Despite having 8 losses on his record, some of which he feels are controversial, the Chicago fighter believes that he still has a World Title shot in him.

“I’ve been chomping at the bit for this fight,” said Granados. “It was frustrating at the time because we were ready to go. I was already in the zone and just ready to fight Conor, but it happened, this is the day and age we live in now where this can happen. I’m still crossing my fingers because we’re not there yet, when the bell goes, I’ll feel a little calmer. It worked out, I got a couple of days off and then flew home. We didn’t even stay for the fights. We flew right home and got back to work.

“It’s fight week, so I think he reignited the flame again, but he’s been pretty quiet the past few weeks. Leading up to the last fight he was very vocal and brash. I think somebody hit him with some peace of mind and he’s tried to go the humble route this time. We all know how Conor Benn is and we know the type of character he is, and it’s starting to come back.

“I’m excited. I accept all challenges. If he thinks that he’s better than me on his worst day, I want his best. Don’t give me your worst, I want the best of Conor Benn so I can beat him straight out. I think I’m better than him. It’s not so much humbling him, it’s more teaching him a lesson. My career has been so up and down, and I’ve been in and out of so many different controversial things. I’m on a mission to prove my point that I’m still one of the best fighters in the world.

“A lot of people are underestimating me. The odds are crazy right now. The way it looks they’re already making plans for him in December against Adrian Broner – somebody who I believe I beat as well. If I beat Conor then I’ll be like, ‘let me get that Broner fight’. Let me get my rematch. If he’s looking past me then let me look past him. If you guys have got future plans for him then I’m going to start making my own plans.

“I don’t have the prettiest record in boxing and usually people are quick to attack me with that. The real diehards hit me with the fact that I’ve been robbed so many times. All three of my draws were clear wins and my losses – I count maybe half of them or three of them. I can’t accept all of those losses that I have. It’s just unfortunate. That’s why I feel boxing is actually killing itself. It turns people off the sport. I’m hoping for a fair shake and that justice is served, and that the best man wins. 

“We’re both hot heads – I think him a lot more than I. I’ve got it in me. I’ve got that Mexican style. I’m that type if you hit me, I want to hit you back. It’s going to make for exciting fireworks. I’m excited for this fight, he’s excited for this fight and everyone is excited for this fight. We’re both planning on putting on a show. I just turned 32, I’m a young veteran. I’m a savvy vet and I’ve got a lot of tools in my toolbox. I think I’ve got a lot more to offer in a fight than Conor Benn.”

Benn vs. Granados is part of a huge night of action in Leeds, Mauricio Lara (23-2, 16 KOs) and Josh Warrington (30-1, 7 KOs) face each other again in a huge rematch for the Featherweight division, Undisputed Lightweight ruler Katie Taylor (18-0, 6 KOs) defends her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine crowns against her latest Mandatory Challenger Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KOs), Mexico’s Jovanni Straffon (24-3-1, 17 KOs) makes the first defence of his IBO Lightweight World Title against the in-form Maxi Hughes (23-5-2, 5 KOs), Australia’s Ebanie Bridges (6-1, 3 KOs) looks to build on her impressive KO win over Bec Connolly at Fight Camp earlier this month when she meets Mailys Gangloff (5-2, 2 KOs), Super-Bantamweight prospect Hopey Price (5-0, 1 KO) steps up against Zahid Hussain (16-1, 2 KOs) in an all-Leeds clash, undefeated Super-Bantamweight talent Jack Bateson (13-0, 3 KOs) clashes with Felix Garcia (7-2-1, 3 KOs) over six rounds, 1-0 Super-Welterweight Brandon Stansfield takes on MJ Hall (2-61-2) and Light-Heavyweight Mali Wright makes his pro debut against Antony Woolery (2-6).

Limited remaining tickets are available from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).

NEW YORK (September 1, 2021) – Heavyweight Stephan Shaw and junior welterweight Omar Rosario kept their undefeated records intact with victories at Whitesands Event Center in Plant City, Florida.

Shaw and Rosario are managed by Split-T Management.

Shaw of Saint Louis, Missouri, upped his record to 15-0 with 11 knockouts as he dispatched Nick Davis at 1:42 of the opening round of their scheduled eight-round bout.

Shaw dropped Davis with a huge barrage of power punches that put Davis out on his back.

WATCH SHAW’S KO

Shaw is promoted by DiBella Entertainment

Rosario pitched a shutout in his four round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Marc Misiura.

Rosario was able to showcase his boxing skills that made him an amateur star in his native Puerto Rico. The 23 year-old Rosario won every round and came home with the victory by scores on all three judges’ scorecards to raise his record to 5-0. Misiura is now 2-1.

Rosario is promoted by Top Rank.

Sunday night in Cleveland, junior middleweight Charles Conwell stopped previously undefeated Juan Carlos Rubio at 2:39 of round three of their scheduled 10-round bout.

Conwell of Cleveland is now 16-0 with 12 knockouts.

Conwell is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions.

Las Vegas & Abu Dhabi – UFC^® returns to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi with another blockbuster event, headlined by two highly anticipated world championship bouts. UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz goes for his second successful title defense when he takes on No. 1 ranked contender Glover Teixeira. In the co-main event, UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling look to settle the score with former titleholder and No. 1 ranked contender Petr Yan.

UFC^® 267: BLACHOWICZ vs. TEIXEIRA will take place Saturday, Oct. 30 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

UFC^® 267: BLACHOWICZ vs. TEIXEIRA will headline Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, which will feature city-wide activations, including fan events, fitness showcases and much more, in partnership with Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

UFC^® 267: BLACHOWICZ vs. TEIXEIRA tickets will go on general sale Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 1:00 p.m. GST and are available through Ticketmaster.ae and etihadarena.ae starting from AED 495. Tickets are limited to six (6) per person.

Blachowicz (28-8, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) looks to build off his recent momentum that not only saw him capture UFC gold, but also hand middleweight champion Israel Adesanya the first loss of his career. A 14-year MMA veteran, he holds spectacular KO wins over Luke Rockhold, Dominick Reyes and Corey Anderson. Blachowicz now has his sight set on taking out another dangerous finisher to continue building his legacy atop the 205-pound ladder.

Teixeira (32-7, fighting out of Danbury, Conn.) hopes to make good on his second UFC title shot by stopping Blachowicz in emphatic fashion. A decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with heavy hands, he has delivered memorable victories against Thiago Santos, Anthony Smith, Rashad Evans and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson. Teixeira is now gunning for his sixth consecutive win by dethroning Blachowicz to achieve dream of becoming UFC champion.

Sterling (20-3, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y.) plans to cement his UFC bantamweight championship reign by delivering a dominant performance in the rematch against Yan, who he defeated via disqualification in March. A skilled grappler, he has earned notable wins over Cory Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz and Jimmie Rivera. Sterling now vies to put his rivalry with Yan to bed by netting another show-stealing submission victory.

Yan (15-2, fighting out of Yekaterinburg, Russia) is gunning to avenge his disqualification loss to Sterling by reclaiming the UFC bantamweight championship. A Master of Sport in MMA and boxing, he has secured thrilling KO victories against Jose Aldo, Urijah Faber, Douglas Silva de Andrade and Teruto Ishihara. Yan now intends to get the last laugh against Sterling by finishing the New Yorker and once again taking his spot at the top of the 135-pound division.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 5 ranked lightweight contender Islam Makhachev (20-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) looks to take out his first former UFC champion when he meets No. 7 Rafael Dos Anjos (30-13, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• No. 7 ranked Magomed Ankalaev (15-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) takes on No. 8 Volkan Oezdemir (17-5, fighting out of Fribourg, Switzerland) in a clash of light heavyweight contenders
• Top heavyweights collide when No. 5 ranked contender Alexander Volkov (33-9, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) squares off with surging No. 8 Marcin Tybura (22-6, fighting out of Uniejow, Poland)
• No. 12 ranked welterweight contender Li Jingliang (18-6, fighting out of Beijing, China) aims to spoil the return of undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (9-0, Stockholm, Sweden by way of Chechnya, Russia)
• No. 11 ranked strawweight contender Amanda Ribas (10-2, fighting out of Varginha, Minas Gerais, Brazil) faces No. 12 Virna Jandiroba (17-2, fighting out of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil) in a clash of talented grapplers
• Ricardo Ramos (15-3, fighting out of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil) looks for another vintage win against rising prospect Zubaira Tukhugov (19-5-1, fighting out of Grozny, Chechen Republic, Russia) at featherweight
• Exciting lightweights battle as Magomed Mustafaev (14-4, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) takes on Damir Ismagulov (23- 1, fighting out of Orenburg, Russia by the way of Almaty, Kazakhstan)
• Makwan Amirkhani (16-6, fighting out of Turku, Finland by way of Kurdistan) locks horns with Tristan Connelly (14-7, fighting out of Vancouver, BC, Canada) in an intriguing featherweight bout
• Hu Yaozong (3-2, fighting out of Beijing, China) makes his first Octagon appearance in nearly three years when he faces Alen Amedovski (8-2, fighting out of Rome, Italy) at middleweight
• Tagir Ulanbekov (13-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) hopes to continue his momentum when he takes on Allan Nascimento (18-5, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) at flyweight
• Shamil Gamzatov (14-0, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) hopes to remain undefeated when he battles Michal Oleksiejczuk (15-4 1NC, fighting out of Leczna, Poland) at light heavyweight

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

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About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 625 million fans and 155 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 approximately 900M TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 70 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the Emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the Emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the Emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

Etihad Arena

Etihad Arena is the UAE’s landmark of entertainment, the region’s largest multi-purpose indoor arena set on the stunning waterfront of Yas Bay, offering world-class event space and hospitality. Designed with sustainability at its core, the venue offers a dynamic event space that can be easily transformed to host a variety of events including large-scale international concerts, sports games, corporate events, private functions and local community celebrations. Owned by Miral Asset Management and operated by Flash Entertainment, Etihad Arena is proudly positioned on Yas Island, the Middle East’s premier leisure and entertainment destination, and will enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as a global entertainment hub. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is the proud naming rights partner for Etihad Arena. Over the years to come, Etihad will fly many of the world-class entertainment acts and guests to the venue.

Jennifer Han believes she can pull off the mother of all victories when she challenges Katie Taylor for the Undisputed World Lightweight Championship at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds this Saturday September 4, live worldwide on DAZN. 

Han (18-3-1 1 KO) is back in World Title action after giving birth to her second son earlier in the year, and the former IBF Featherweight ruler is more than confident she’s back in fighting shape for the biggest night of her career.

‘El Paso’s Sweetheart’, a six-time national amateur champion, landed the vacant IBF strap in September 2015, and went on to make four successful title defenses of the belt before taking time out to start her family. Han’s last fight came in February of 2020, a unanimous decision win against Jeri Sitzes on home turf at the El Paso County Coliseum.

The 38-year-old is moving up to 135lbs for the fight of her life and fights outside of America for the second time in her career, having been edged out by majority decision in South Korea by Ji Hye Woo in March 2013, and knows that she has to be at her very best to take the titles from the number one female fighter.

“I’ve been a road warrior, I know how it is, the odds are stacked against me, she’s the hometown girl – I get it,” said Han. “When I went to Korea, I felt I dominated the fight and the decision was taken away from me, so this time I have to not only dominate but be in command of every single round or go for the KO.

“This is huge, it’s the biggest fight of my life and you can’t get bigger than Katie Taylor. I’m going to be fighting for all her belts, this is the greatest opportunity that God has blessed me with, I’ve worked my whole life for this, and I am ready.

“After I fought last year, I was meant to defend my title again versus the interim champion, but she lost, and the new champion wasn’t ready to fight yet. The IBF granted me the opportunity to fight Jeri, and then they made me the number one contender at Lightweight so I could fight Katie – but then COVID got in the way and crushed those dreams. 

“Americans weren’t allowed to go over to the UK, so the fight was shelved, there was nothing out there for me, so I had baby number two. I kept my number one spot which I did, I didn’t think that the opportunity would come around so soon, but it has, you must be prepared for this, and I am, it’s great and I have trained so hard for this and it’s going to be so worth it. 

“I was IBF champion for five years, but I was only fighting once a year because I couldn’t get the big fights. I can’t pause my life, I don’t have that luxury, so I had my baby, I’m very lucky and happy. I am in great shape, and I want to fight the best of the best, and that’s what I am doing on Saturday.

“She has amazing strengths, an Olympic gold medalist, Undisputed World Champion, she’s beaten a lot of talented fighters, but they are not the same as me, and I think what I bring to the table she hasn’t seen before so I hope that I surprise her with my technique.

“I hope she underestimates me and takes into consideration all the things that are stacked up against me. I hope she hasn’t trained hard; she’s taken me for granted, that’d be sweeter for me.

“I was hoping to just be on TV and become a two-weight World Champion, but this is the biggest platform possible for me. I’m not going to take anything away from her, but she’s beatable. Believe me, my camp and I are studying her inside and out. We have plenty of strategies.”

Taylor vs. Han is part of a huge night of boxing in Leeds, Mauricio Lara (23-2, 16 KOs) and Josh Warrington (30-1, 7 KOs) face each other again in a huge rematch for the Featherweight division, rising Welterweight star Conor Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) faces Adrian Granados (21-8-3, 15 KOs) after their Fight Camp Week 1 headliner fell through, Mexico’s Jovanni Straffon (24-3-1, 17 KOs) makes the first defence of his IBO Lightweight World Title against the in-form Maxi Hughes (23-5-2, 5 KOs), Australia’s Ebanie Bridges (6-1, 3 KOs) looks to build on her impressive KO win over Bec Connolly at Fight Camp earlier this month when she meets Mailys Gangloff (5-2, 2 KOs), Super-Bantamweight prospect Hopey Price (5-0, 1 KO) steps up against Zahid Hussain (16-1, 2 KOs) in an all-Leeds clash, undefeated Super-Bantamweight talent Jack Bateson (13-0, 3 KOs) clashes with Felix Garcia (7-2-1, 3 KOs) over six rounds, 1-0 Super-Welterweight Brandon Stansfield takes on MJ Hall (2-61-2) and Light-Heavyweight Mali Wright makes his pro debut against Anthony Woolery (2-6).

Limited remaining tickets are available from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).

Wasserman Boxing has agreed a multi-fight deal with Boxxer to feature British boxing star Chris Eubank Jr and other fighters from the Wasserman Boxing stable on Sky Sports.

The first co-promoted event of this exciting new agreement will take place on October 2 with Chris Eubank Jr headlining at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London against German standout Sven Elbir, live and exclusive on Sky Sports.

“We’re delighted to have agreed a multi-fight deal with Boxxer to bring Chris Eubank Jr and the Wasserman Boxing stable to Sky Sports, which has been the home of UK boxing for the last decade. We look forward to working together to deliver some unforgettable nights for fight fans. We have big plans for Chris Eubank Jr. He’s ready for career defining fights but first he must overcome a tough test against Sven Elbir on October 2,” said Kalle Sauerland, Head of Global Boxing at Wasserman.

“It feels good to be back on Sky Sports and headlining another big show at The SSE Arena, Wembley,” said Chris Eubank Jr. “I’d like to thank my promoters the Sauerland brothers at Wasserman Boxing for the opportunity. My opponent Sven Elbir is a good fighter but if he thinks he can stand in my way – he’s wrong, and he will learn that the hard way. 2022 is going to be massive year for me. The middleweight division is on notice. The takeover begins on October 2.”

Wasserman COO of Global Football and Boxing, Fahri Ecvet said: “We’re thrilled to have reached an agreement that will enable Chris Eubank Jr and other top talent from the Wasserman Boxing stable to feature on Sky Sports. Chris is one of the most exciting names in world boxing right now. With many big fights on the horizon, we look forward to seeing him star on the Sky Sports platform very soon.”

“Chris Eubank Jr. is one of British boxing’s best talents and this is the first fight of his new multi-fight deal with Wasserman Boxing and Sky Sports. Elbir is very skilled, he’s got knockout power and he wants that big-name win. Major opportunities are on the line here – the winner will see their career taken to a new level,” said BOXXER’s Ben Shalom.

The deal features regular fight nights plus Pay Per View events and opportunities to showcase up and coming talent from Wasserman Boxing’s UK stable on Sky Sports.

Wasserman Boxing is the UK’s fastest growing stable, promoting some of the country’s most exciting talent including former WBA interim World Middleweight Champion and two-time IBO World Super Middleweight Champion Chris Eubank Jr, English Middleweight Champion Linus Udofia, WBO European Flyweight Champion Harvey Horn, undefeated British Iranian Featherweight Razor Ali, highly regarded 6ft 8in Heavyweight Matty Harris, undefeated Cornish Middleweight Brad Pauls, explosive Heavyweight debutant and Anthony Joshua sparring partner Hosea Stewart, and former GB boxer, Ricky Hatton trained Featherweight Chloe Watson.

About Wasserman:

Wasserman is a partner to the world’s most iconic brands, properties and talent in their endeavours across sports, entertainment and culture. Our purpose is to transform the businesses and careers of clients. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman operates globally in more than 20 cities, including London, New York, Toronto, Raleigh, Carlsbad, The Hague, Portland and Shanghai. In 2021, Wasserman acquired Team Sauerland, one of the world’s leading boxing promoters, to form Wasserman Boxing, a new global force in the world of boxing. Wasserman Boxing’s promotional stable includes British boxing star Chris Eubank Jr, IBF World Cruiserweight Champion Mairis Briedis and top heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovi?. Learn more at TeamWass.com.

Conor Benn has put his Fight Camp disappointment behind him and is now fully focused on stealing the show when he defends his WBA Continental Welterweight Title against Adrian Granados at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds this Saturday September 4, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

‘The Destroyer’ was set to headline the first Matchroom Fight Camp event last month before a positive COVID-19 test forced the Essex native to pull out of his clash with Mexican-American Granados on the Thursday of fight week. 

Benn, a face of the British boxing future, upped his stock in a major way after a first-round destruction of Samuel Vargas in April to improve to 18-0 with 12 knockouts, and the surging 24-year-old knows that another standout victory will push him a step closer to a World Title shot in the 147lbs division. 

“I was devastated,” admitted Benn. “I went home half not believing it. We did around eight tests. I was absolutely devastated. I worked extremely hard and had a blinding camp. It honestly pained me so much – I even shed a few tears. I’m going to go through adversity again. It’s just how you react to it. What’s for me won’t pass me, so come September 4 in front of 20,000 I’ll put on a show.

“I was quite worried about long Covid. A few people messaged me saying not to train too hard too soon. When I broke my jaw, and I had my first sparring session back, people were saying, ‘you’re going to be a bit hesitant’, and I thought, ‘no I’m not’. If it goes it goes. If my jaw goes it goes. I’m not going to have that at the back of my head.

“That was my mindset with training. When I was doing my sprints on the steps down at Leigh-on-Sea, how am I hitting my PB after Covid? How am I hitting my PB for a 5 miler? I’m not going to say it’s all been heaven because a lot of people have been affected by COVID, but I’m blessed to have made a full recovery in time for this huge show. 

“I don’t have a message for Granados. I don’t. There is nothing to say. I let my fists do the talking. Everything that has been said from both parties has been said now. At the end of the day the promo is done. All that’s left to do now is fight, and come September 4 he is in for one hell of a fight. I know he’s going to bring it – but that gets me going. Let’s have it!

“He’s a tough durable guy, the only person to stop him is Danny Garcia. He won the fight against Adrian Broner. He gave hell to Shawn Porter. He fought Robert Easter Jr. He’s been in with the top boys, but he’s in with another top boy. I just want to fight now. I just want to get in there now. 

“Vargas he’s going, ‘well yeah, you’re not Khan, you’re not Vergil Ortiz, you’re not Errol Spence, you’re not Danny Garcia’, nah I’m Conor Benn mate. That’s my approach – if they don’t want to put respect on my name then I’ll make them put respect on my name. At the end of the day I’m up for a hard fight, but I’ve got his number on my worst day.”

Benn vs. Granados is part of a huge night of action in Leeds, Mauricio Lara (23-2, 16 KOs) and Josh Warrington (30-1, 7 KOs) face each other again in a huge rematch for the Featherweight division, Undisputed Lightweight ruler Katie Taylor (18-0, 6 KOs) defends her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine crowns against her latest Mandatory Challenger Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KOs), Mexico’s Jovanni Straffon (24-3-1, 17 KOs) makes the first defence of his IBO Lightweight World Title against the in-form Maxi Hughes (23-5-2, 5 KOs), Australia’s Ebanie Bridges (6-1, 3 KOs) looks to build on her impressive KO win over Bec Connolly at Fight Camp earlier this month when she meets Mailys Gangloff (5-2, 2 KOs), Super-Bantamweight prospect Hopey Price (5-0, 1 KO) steps up against Zahid Hussain (16-1, 2 KOs) in an all-Leeds clash, undefeated Super-Bantamweight talent Jack Bateson (13-0, 3 KOs) clashes with Felix Garcia (7-2-1, 3 KOs) over six rounds, 1-0 Super-Welterweight Brandon Stansfield takes on MJ Hall (2-61-2) and Light-Heavyweight Mali Wright makes his pro debut against Anthony Woolery (2-6).

Limited remaining tickets are available from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).

Katie Taylor says she is relishing the opportunity to make the latest defence of her Undisputed Lightweight crown in front of 20,000 passionate Leeds fans at Emerald Headingley Stadium on the blockbuster Lara vs. Warrington 2 card this Saturday September 4, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

The Irish star (18-0, 6 KOs) was forced to dig deep as she retained her World Titles via a unanimous decision victory after another memorable meeting with Natasha Jonas last time out at Manchester Arena in May – nine years on from their London 2012 Olympic Games bout.

This time Taylor puts her belts on the line against six-time national amateur champion and former IBF Featherweight World Champion Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KO) – her latest Mandatory Challenger who heads into this weekend’s clash on the back of an eight-fight winning streak.

“My father was born and raised in Leeds, so we all grew up as Leeds United fans,” said Taylor. “There are still a few Leeds United fans out there! I’m really excited to fight in Leeds and in front of so many fans. It’s kind of like a second home to me so I just can’t wait. It’s going to be so exciting boxing in front of 20,000 people. The atmosphere is going to be insane. Leeds fans are very passionate and loud.

“I think the last 12 months have been fantastic for me personally. I’m still sitting here as the Undisputed Champion, 18-0 with some fantastic performances and some amazing fights under my belt. The fights I’ve been in have elevated women’s boxing to another level. This is the pinnacle of professional boxing – holding all of the belts, that’s what everyone in professional boxing wants to do. Everyone’s dream is to become the Undisputed Champion.

“I’m going to try my best to hold on to every one of those belts for as long as I can. This is what I’m in the sport for. I want to make history, I want to be a World Champion and I want to hold all of the belts – I’m all in. “The women are definitely more inclined to take a few more risks and actually go in and take the bigger fights. I love that about the female fighters. We actually want the big fights. We’re willing and able to actually step in the ring and fight all of these other champions. 

“I’m expecting the toughest fight from Jennifer. She has a lot of amateur experience and she’s a very technical fighter. She’s a six-time World Champion. She was my No.1 Mandatory as well so I had to take the fight. These girls have stepped up – they’ve boxed beyond themselves, they have raised their game against me. I’m expecting a very very tough fight and I’m going to be prepared like I have been for every single fight I’ve had over the last few years.

“She is a fighter that believes in herself. This fight is going to bring the best out of the both of us. I love the fact that she’s stepping into the ring confident like I am as well. I don’t really take much notice of what other fighters say, I just focus on my own performance and my own preparation. We’re going to be stepping into the ring 100% prepared. The only words that matter are, ‘and still’. Training is going well – I feel good and sharp. I can’t wait to step in again on September 4 and get another great victory.”

Taylor vs. Han is part of a huge night of boxing in Leeds, Mauricio Lara (23-2, 16 KOs) and Josh Warrington (30-1, 7 KOs) face each other again in a huge rematch for the Featherweight division, rising Welterweight star Conor Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) faces Adrian Granados (21-8-3, 15 KOs) after their Fight Camp Week 1 headliner fell through, Mexico’s Jovanni Straffon (24-3-1, 17 KOs) makes the first defence of his IBO Lightweight World Title against the in-form Maxi Hughes (23-5-2, 5 KOs), Australia’s Ebanie Bridges (6-1, 3 KOs) looks to build on her impressive KO win over Bec Connolly at Fight Camp earlier this month when she meets Mailys Gangloff (5-2, 2 KOs), Super-Bantamweight prospect Hopey Price (5-0, 1 KO) steps up against Zahid Hussain (16-1, 2 KOs) in an all-Leeds clash, undefeated Super-Bantamweight talent Jack Bateson (13-0, 3 KOs) clashes with Felix Garcia (7-2-1, 3 KOs) over six rounds, 1-0 Super-Welterweight Brandon Stansfield takes on MJ Hall (2-61-2) and Light-Heavyweight Mali Wright makes his pro debut against Anthony Woolery (2-6).

Limited remaining tickets are available from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk).

MINNEAPOLIS (August 31, 2021) – Super middleweight contender Kyrone Davis will square off against Martez McGregor in an 8/10-round showdown that tops FS1 PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Sunday, September 5 from the Armory in Minneapolis.

The FS1 telecast begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT and will feature unbeaten prospect Justin Cardona (5-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round super lightweight affair, plus undefeated prospect Travon Marshall (2-0, 1 KO) in a four-round super welterweight bout, and super bantamweight prospect Michael Angeletti (3-0, 2 KOs) looking to remain unbeaten in a four-round duel against undefeated Mexican Alexis Salido (2-0, 1 KO).

The FS1 telecast will precede FOX PBC Fight Night which begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is headlined by unbeaten rising star Jesús “Mono” Ramos Jr. taking on super welterweight contender Brian Mendoza in a 10-round showdown. In the FOX undercard, rising lightweight contender Starling “El Poli” Castillo battles former title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos in the 10-round co-main event, plus middleweight prospect Armando “El Toro” Reséndiz kicks off the broadcast against all-action Marcos “Madman” Hernández.

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

A native of Monmouth, N.J., Davis (15-2-1, 6 KO) impressed against the toughest test of his career last time out, as he fought two-time super middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell to a split-draw in February. It was the 26-year-old’s debut at super middleweight, after beginning his career at middleweight. Davis had won five of his six previous outings heading into the Dirrell clash on FOX. He will be opposed by the 31-year-old Maywood, Illinois-native McGregor (8-4, 6 KOs), who looks to snap a three-fight losing streak.

In non-televised action, veteran heavyweight Iago Kiladze (26-5-1, 18 KOs) faces Matthew McKinney (8-3-2, 5 KOs) for eight-rounds of action.

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

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

ATLANTA (August 31, 2021) — Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring and Shakur Stevenson have exchanged verbal volleys in person and on social media. They’ll settle the score in the Throwdown in A-Town.

Herring will defend his WBO junior lightweight world title against former featherweight world champion Stevenson on Saturday, Oct. 23 at the award-winning State Farm Arena in Atlanta in an event promoted by Top Rank.

Nico Ali Walsh (1-0, 1 KO), grandson of “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali, looks to make it 2 for 2 against an opponent to be named in a four-round middleweight special attraction.

Herring-Stevenson, Ali Walsh’s bout, and a co-feature will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

The undercard — streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ — will see the professional comeback of U.S. Olympic silver medalist Duke Ragan (4-0, 1 KO) in a six-round featherweight bout, Ragan’s Olympic teammate Troy Isley (2-0, 1 KO) in a six-rounder at middleweight, Georgia native Haven Brady Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) in a four-round featherweight tilt, and the A-Town debut of junior middleweight prospect Evan “Yung Holy” Holyfield (7-0, 5 KOs), an Atlanta native and the son of heavyweight legend Evander Holyfield. 

Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

“We are thrilled to be back in Atlanta with a spectacular card headlined by a junior lightweight championship grudge match between a veteran champion and one of the sport’s supreme young talents,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “And with names like Ali Walsh, Ragan and Isley on the undercard, Atlanta’s great fight fans will see many of the sport’s most promising up-and-comers.”

Herring (23-2, 11 KOs), a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who captained the 2012 U.S. Olympic boxing team, has made three defenses of the world title he won via decision over Masayuki Ito in May 2019. After a challenging 2020 campaign that included a bout with COVID-19 and a disqualification victory over Jonathan Oquendo, Herring punched his passport in April and knocked out former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton in Dubai. He now steps up against pound-for-pound talent and 2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist Stevenson (16-0, 8 KOs), a former WBO featherweight world champion who vacated the title last year to move up to junior lightweight. Stevenson is 3-0 at junior lightweight, most recently picking up the interim WBO junior lightweight world title in June with a shutout decision over Namibia’s Jeremiah Nakathila. Stevenson has lost only a handful of rounds since turning pro in April 2017, a dominant run that’s included victories over the likes of Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz and Joet Gonzalez.

“2021 has been good to me so far. I started the year with a big fight and a major win over Frampton,” Herring said. “I look forward to finishing out the year the same way I started it, not only with another huge victory, but as a world champion. I have nothing else to say. I’m focused on October 23 and the fourth title defense of my WBO belt.”

Stevenson said, “Jamel had to fight me, or he would’ve been stripped of his world title. I boxed him into a corner, and I am going to take his world title in devastating fashion on October 23. I can’t wait to fight in front of the amazing fans in Atlanta. Trust me, you are going to see a show, and I will become a two-weight world champion.”

Ali Walsh’s Aug. 14 professional debut drew international media attention, and he knocked out Jordan Weeks in the opening round while wearing a pair of his grandfather’s old trunks. He’ll make his ring return in a city that hosted two of Muhammad Ali’s most memorable moments. State Farm Arena sits less than two miles from the Atlanta Olympic Cauldron Tower, where Ali lit the Olympic flame at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In October 1970, Ali fought Jerry Quarry at City Auditorium, his first fight in more than three years after being banned from the ring for refusing induction into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Ali Walsh’s second pro fight will come three days shy of the 51st anniversary of the Quarry fight, which Ali won by third-round knockout.

Ali Walsh said, “Atlanta welcomed my grandfather with open arms, and I am honored to fight there on a major world championship card. When Top Rank said I’d be fighting in Atlanta, I thought of my grandfather lighting the Olympic torch and his bout against Jerry Quarry. This will be a special evening for my entire family. The legend lives on.”

LOS ANGELES – BELLATOR MMA’s first-ever event in Russia just got even bigger, as BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson on Saturday, October 23 has officially added five more scintillating matchups.

As if the return of Russian legend Fedor Emelianenko wasn’t enough, two more of his countrymen join him on this stacked SHOWTIME-televised main card. Russian superstar and No. 6 ranked lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov (13-0) takes on Patrik Pietila (11-8), while former BELLATOR Heavyweight Champion Vitaly Minakov (22-1) makes his highly-anticipated return to action against No. 8 ranked heavyweight Said Sowma (7-2) in the co-main event of the evening.

Tickets for the massive event are on sale now and can be purchased at Kassir.ru. Additional matchups and SHOWTIME telecast details will be revealed soon.

The preliminary card of BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson has three confirmed bouts, with the homecoming of Russian submission ace Grachik Bozinyan (11-4) taking on former Cage Warriors Welterweight Champion Ross Houston (8-1), SBG-product and Irish star Brian Moore (14-7) squaring off with the BELLATOR-debuting Nikita Mikhailov (7-1) at 135-pounds, and sambo specialist Alexey Shurkevich (12-4) challenging the hard-hitting Christian Eckerlin (13-5) in a welterweight bout. Preliminary actionwill stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.

Initially known for being the cousin of Russian superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov, undefeated No. 6 ranked lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov (13-0) has quickly made a name for himself and ascended into the 155-pound title conversation. Coming off a dominant victory in July and knockouts in five of his last six contests, the dangerous Russian looks primed and ready to continue his climb for a title shot with a win over Pietila, while putting on a show for the country he calls home.

Stepping into the BELLATOR cage for the first time in over two years, the former BELLATOR Heavyweight Champion Vitaly Minakov (22-1) looks to remind the promotion’s heavyweight division how dangerous he is. With 20 of his 22 professional victories coming by way of stoppage, the four-time sambo world champion takes on No. 8 ranked heavyweight Said Sowma (7-2) in a fight that will instantly throw his name into the title picture if Minakov emerges victorious.

Replacing the injured Tyrell Fortune, the American Top Team-product Said Sowma (7-2) didn’t hesitate at the opportunity to welcome Vitaly Minakov back to the BELLATOR cage. Fresh off a highlight reel first-round knockout over UFC veteran Ronny Markes and debuting at No. 8 on the BELLATOR heavyweight rankings, the 28-year-old has finished five of his seven professional victories and plans on making a huge statement over the former champion in enemy territory.

Updated BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson Card:

Heavyweight Main Event: Fedor Emelianenko (39-6, 1 NC) vs. #2-Tim Johnson (15-7)

Heavyweight Bout: Vitaly Minakov (22-1) vs. #8-Said Sowma (7-2)

160-pound contract weight bout: #6-Usman Nurmagomedov (13-0) vs. Patrik Pietila (11-8)

Welterweight Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (24-4) vs Rustam Khabilov (24-4)

Preliminary Card: 

Bantamweight Bout: Brian Moore (14-7) vs. Nikita Mikhailov (7-1)

Welterweight Bout: Grachik Bozinyan (11-4) vs. Ross Houston (8-1, 1 NC)

Women’s Flyweight Bout: Irina Alekseeva (3-1) vs. Stephanie lelo Page (5-2)

Welterweight Bout: Alexey Shurkevich (12-4) vs. Christian Eckerlin (13-5)

*Card subject to change.

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

London, UK (31 August 2021) Concession of his cherished British title late last year has convinced Birmingham light-heavy ace Shakan Pitters to transform from a tidy technician into a terminator ahead of his return to the Coventry Skydome Arena, live and free on Channel 5.

Though felled in round four, the 6ft 6in skyscraper believes he had clawed his way ahead after eight rounds of his maiden defence against Craig ‘Spider’ Richards, only to be dropped and stopped (whilst back upright), late in round nine. The complacency of cruising is something he now intends to curtail.

‘Previously, I’ve been too content to box to victory. Maybe I got too comfy. It’s changed my mentality. Now I won’t fight to decisions even though I’ve got the technical ability to dominate distance fights,’ claims the 32 year old ex logistics worker who claimed his crown four months earlier with a comprehensive 12 round decision over Chad Sugden.

True to his word, the high-rise Brummie bounced back with a brutal fifth round butchering of Bradford’s useful Jermaine Springer at Coventry’s Skydome last May.

Pitters’ presence certainly enriches promoter Mick Hennessy’s stellar show – headlined by Sam Eggington’s WBC Silver Middleweight title against unbeaten French rival Bilel Jkitou – when he takes Amsterdam’s experienced Farouk Daku over eights rounds.

‘Now my mindset is to win in dramatic fashion. I know what power I possess when I hold my feet. Jermaine was a strong kid but I felt I had to make a statement,’ says Pitters who can boast three clean knockouts in his five stoppage wins.

Formerly an Ultimate Boxxer, English and British champion, the Richards’ reverse represents the only stain on Shak’s 16 fight pro slate

‘I was boxing well, winning the fight but, up at this weight, all the best boys can hit and ‘Spider’ got a punch off,’ recalls the ex-West Bromwich Albion trainee.

‘It’s not as though it was a one-sided beating. The ref did his job but there were only about 15 seconds left in the round, in a title fight, and I was up. I can’t control the critics.

‘I trained to win as always but the better man won on the night. You just have to learn and move on. I learnt a lot, there’s improvements to be made. It’s part of my journey. You have to be graceful in defeat as well as victory and try to move forward. If we did it again, I’m sure I’d get the win, 100%. I’m a better boxer and I’ll never be beaten on heart. But I can’t become pre-occupied with chasing one fight.’

Alas, with Covid rampant, the finest night of Pitter’ four year fighting career, his coronation against Midland rival Sugden, transpired at an empty production studio in Redditch.

‘It was a bit of an anti-climax,’ concedes the string bean sharpshooter.

‘I’d have loved to have shared the night with my family and friends, snapping photos of me live rather than snapping their TV screens at home but I know they were all with me in spirit. Now they can return, I intend to give them their monies worth and win in dramatic fashion.’

So what of the future? The ex-champ, who is managed by Jon Pegg and coached by father-son duet Paul and Louis Counihan at the city’s thriving Eastside gym, was already 28 when committing to the profession in March 2017 and time is no longer a friend.

‘I may be 32 but I’m low mileage. I believe my fitness and power are as good as they’ve ever been,’ insists Pitters whose father Colin and uncle Rob were both respected pros.

‘With the likes of Joshua Buatsi, Callum Johnson, ‘Spider’, Lyndon Arthur, Anthony Yarde, the division is thriving and the fans need to get behind it. If I had a choice, a rematch with Spider would be top but I’d fight any of them. I’m scared of nobody and I’m confident of beating all of them. I bring a lot of advantages and I know what I’m capable of. You’ll notice there’s nobody calling me out.

‘I leave it to my team to navigate. One step at a time. If it made sense to fight for the British again, of course, I’d do it. I’d also love to fight for the European.

‘I’ve now been through the worst bit and never want to feel like that again. Look, there are other ways to make good money but my motivation has always been my little five year old daughter. She’s my pride, always utmost in my heart. Boxing has always been more of a passion in my family and I want to be the one who took it the furthest.’ finished the Brummie.

Tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
Sam Eggington’s WBC Silver Middleweight title defence against unbeaten French star Bilel Jkitou headlines an action packed card Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the stars from the promoter’s stable including big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna faces France’s Moussa Gary over six rounds ; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters tackles Holland’s Farouk Daku over eight rounds; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent takes on Bosnian hardman Sladjan Janjanin in a 10-round international contest, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin battles Finland’s Jarkko Putkonen over ten rounds; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo takes on the Czech Republic’s Michal Ryba over six rounds; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty faces Lithuania’s Lukas Ulys over four rounds; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch squares up against Spain’s Alvaro Terrero over four rounds and completing the card is the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

To apply for media accreditation to attend the Coventry Skydome Area show on Friday 10th September please CLICK HERE
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

London, UK (30 August 2021) After marginally missing the boat at 147lbs, warlord Sam Eggington claims world honours await in the super-welter or middleweight divisions once he gets past undefeated French ace Bilel Jkitou on Friday 10th September at the Coventry Skydome Arena, live and free on Channel 5.

The 5ft 11in ‘Savage’ seemed a shoe-in to score a world title shot back in 2017 when, just 23, he sat proudly on the British, Commonwealth and European thrones, having just lifted the prestigious Boxing Writer’s Young Boxer of the Year award.

The humble but hardy father of three recently crowbarred his way into the WBC middleweight listings and still just 27 and with esteemed new promoter Mick Hennessy piloting his ship, the nine-year pro is as confident as he’s ever been that global glory awaits.

‘I still believe it’ll happen for me at world level or I’d not still be doing it and that’s the truth,’ says Eggington who, having previously scalped Paulie Malignaggi, conquered a second world champion when bagging the WBC Silver strap against Carlos Molina in Coventry last May.

‘Mick goes to hell and back for his fighters. He’ll take me where I need to go. I just have to play my part by winning the fights.

‘I’m so much happier now. My coaches will vouch that I’ve never enjoyed training as much ever and that obviously helps. Before boxing was just a job. After I’d done my two sessions, you couldn’t pay me to do another. Today, I gladly do my own additional training, even when I’m out of camp.’

The Smethwick-born fan favourite acknowledges that his ‘anyone, anywhere’ mindset has proven costly in the past. Most recently, he conceded an IBF rating after narrowly and controversially succumbing to Ted Cheeseman over 12 rounds last August, a decision that still rankles.

‘It’s a double-edged sword. The fans love that I’ll face anyone but now I have to get clever,’ concedes Sam has been trained and managed by Jon Pegg for his entire career.

‘I’ve never had a pathway before. My best chance of success would still probably be down at 154 because the biggest middleweights are seriously big lads. I know the type of confidence my size gave me at welter. But an opening came with the WBC at middle. It could be a risk fighting up at 160 but I’d not have a WBC belt if I didn’t take the gamble.

‘With hindsight, I should’ve vacated the European title in 2017 because making welter got too hard. But people place far too much value into wins and losses. One loss won’t ever spoil my career. You just get back on the horse and push on.

‘I don’t want to go through the eliminator process but if I was given a shot at Ted for the British (super-welter) I’d take it at a heartbeat.’

Though Eggington’s cabinet is overloaded with the bounty he acquired as a ‘rock’em, sock’em 147lber, the Stourbridge slugger insists he is a different, improved beast up at the higher poundage.

‘Experience brings you on and, technically, there’s a bit more about me now,’ says Eggington.

‘At welter, I always knew I was bigger and stronger than the other lads. Up at a higher weight, I have to box differently, worry more about what’s coming back.’

On Friday 10th September, headlining the show at the Coventry Skydome Arena, live and free on Channel 5, the world contender walks the tightrope against 15-0 French dangerman Bilel Jkitou, knowing that a stellar showing will vault him further up the WBC rankings.

‘I honestly know very little about him. He’s unbeaten, works the body shots, has got funny hair! That’s it,’ quips Sam.

‘I seldom watch even my own fights back but I’ve good coaches who take care of that part. He’s certainly not fought anyone at the level I’ve operated at.

‘The Skydome was a decent venue with just half a crowd in May. At full capacity, it’ll be some atmosphere. I need to win well, look comfortable to improve my ranking. Win, lose or draw, I never disappoint.’

Tickets are available to purchase now from only £40* from the Coventry Skydome Arena website https://iceaccount.co.uk/championship-boxing

ITV Central feature | Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell gives a masterclass in cooking with Sam Eggington, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin and River Wilson-Bent
Sam Eggington’s WBC Silver Middleweight title defence against unbeaten French star Bilel Jkitou headlines an action packed card Hennessy All-Stars featuring some of the stars from the promoter’s stable including big-hitting Brixton star Isaac Chamberlain; Irish KO king Stevie McKenna faces France’s Moussa Gary over six rounds ; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters tackles Holland’s Farouk Daku over eight rounds; Coventry’s dynamite-punching middleweight sensation River Wilson-Bent takes on Bosnian hardman Sladjan Janjanin in a 10-round international contest, Birmingham welterweight ace Kaisee Benjamin battles Finland’s Jarkko Putkonen over ten rounds; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo takes on the Czech Republic’s Michal Ryba over six rounds; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty faces Lithuania’s Lukas Ulys over four rounds; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch squares up against Spain’s Alvaro Terrero over four rounds and completing the card is the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.

Los Angeles, CA (August 30, 2021) Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions and Roy Jones Jr. Boxing in association with World Cup Boxing Series have announced an outstanding ten-bout card of world class boxing for the return of the acclaimed Hollywood Fight Nights series on Thursday, September 16 at the Quiet Cannon – Montebello Country Club and streamed live exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS^®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports (10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT).

“We are excited to have so many quality fights on the Hollywood Fight Nights show September 16,” said Loeffler. “We’ve had a tremendous reaction from the fans and media to this event. Quiet Cannon will provide a scenic location and great atmosphere for this show. There is a great mix of world class fighters and local fighters which will provide a full night of entertaining fights. We look forward to working with UFC Fight Pass, who will broadcast the show and want to acknowledge Roy Jones Jr Boxing and World Cup of Boxing.”

Remaining tickets are Now On-Sale for The VIP Boxing Experience. Priced at $125 (VIP Ringside/SOLD-OUT), $100 (Preferred Seating), $80 (SOLD-OUT) and $60 (General Admission Seating) tickets may be purchased online at www.360Promotions.us and through the interactive seating chart by clicking HERE. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. PT. For more information on the venue please visit www.QuietCannon.com.

Headlining Hollywood Fight Nights, heavy-handed super welterweight Serhii ‘El Flaco’ Bohachuk, (19-1, 19 KOs) battles veteran southpaw Raphael ‘Trouble’ Igbokwe, (16-2, 7 KOs), of Houston, TX. Following a first-round knockout of Brandon Baue on July 17, 2021, the 26-year-old Ukrainian Bohachuk, trained by the renowned Manny Robles looks to stay in the win column against the upset-minded Texan. The 28-year-old Igbokwe is riding a three-bout winning streak, most recently knocking out Juan Carlos Rodriguez in the third round on January 30, 2021 in Heredia, Costa Rica. Bohachuk is currently ranked #13 by the World Boxing Council.

Co-featured, Ali Akhmedov, (16-1, 12 KO’s), training out of Los Angeles, CA with Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin and promoted by GGG Promotions clashes with David Zegarra, (34-5, 21 KOs),of Lima, Peru, currently training in Mexico City, in an eight-round light heavyweight bout. A native of Almaty, Kazakhstan and guided by acclaimed trainer Johnathon Banks, the 26-year-old Akhmedov looks to get back into the win column following a hotly contested battle with Carlos Gongora on December 18, 2020. The battle-tested Zegarra also looks to return to the win column after a tough loss to former world champion David Lemieux.

In the light-heavyweight division over eight rounds, Rafayel Simonyan, (9-1, 8 KOs), of Vanadzor, Armenia faces Adrian ‘Montu-Ra’ Taylor, (11-1, 4 KOs), of Dallas, TX. The 27-year-old Simonyan, trained by the world-famous Abel Sanchez, returns to action after a disputed loss via eight-round majority decision to Abraham Tebes on March 5, 2021 in Kissimmee, FL. Taylor heads into the clash with Simonyan riding a four-bout winning streak, lastly winning a unanimous decision over German Perez on December 21, 2019.

Fighting in the super featherweight division in a battle of top undefeated local prospects, Adrian ‘Bam Bam’ Corona, (7-0, 1 KOs) of Rialto, CA battles Daniel ‘The Dawg’ Robles, (7-0-1, 5 KOs), scheduled for six rounds. A staple at Hollywood Fight Nights and trained by the legendary Ben Lira, Corona hits the ring for the first time since October 27, 2019, where he was victorious with a unanimous decision over Emmanuel Castro. Fighting for the fifth time in 2021, the busy Robles returns after a first-round knockout of Jahir Everson on August 6, 2021.   

In a special attraction female amateur bout, WBC Amateur Junior Featherweight Champion Chantel Navarro of Glendale, CA will face 18-year-old Daniela Rojas in a featherweight bout. The 17-year-old Navarro, a six-time amateur national champion, recently signed an exclusive multi-year sponsorship deal with NIKE.

Trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, light heavyweight Marco Deckmann, (5-1, 4 KOs), of North Hollywood, CA will fight in a scheduled six rounder against Alejandro ‘Mexique’ Fugon,

(3-0-1, 3 KOs), of Palmdale, CA. Deckmann comes off a first-round knockout of Juan Antonio Lopez Fonseca on June 5, 2021, while Fugon looks to bounce back into the win column following a split draw with Gerardo Aldama Cuevas on July 31, 2021.

In a battle of locally based undefeated female lightweights, Elvina ‘Warrior’ White, (5-0, 2 KOs), of Los Angeles, CA battles Chelsey Anderson, (3-0, 1KOs), of Yorba Linda, CA in a four rounder. A native of Austria, White heads into battle after a fourth-round knockout of Katarina Vistica on December 12, 2020 in Germany. Anderson returns to action following a unanimous decision over Anyela Lopez on December 6, 2019 in Phoenix, AZ

In the super featherweight division, Eric Mondragon, (3-0-1, 2 KOs), of Maywood, CA will battle an opponent to be named in a four-rounder. The 22-year-old Mondragon looks to return to the win column following a majority draw on June 11, 2020 against Mike Danny Sanchez in Las Vegas, NV.

Scheduled for four rounds in the lightweight division, 19-year-old Ruben ‘Gallito’ Islas, (1-0, 1KO), of Los Angeles, CA will face pro debuting Raymond Grajeda of La Mirada, CA.

Rounding out the card, Irish amateur standout Callum Walsh will make his professional debut in a four-round super welterweight bout against Donnis Reed, of Lemon Grove, CA, a veteran of thirteen professional bouts. Trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, the 20-year-old European Junior Gold Medalist and six-time Irish National Champion has recently been sparring with Gabriel Rosado at the Wild Card Boxing Gym.

More information on this exciting event will be announced shortly.

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Sao Paulo, Brazil (August 30, 2021) – Yamaguchi Falcao successfully moved up to the 168 pound division by dominating countryman Gilberto Perreira Dos Santos August 21 in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

The ten round contest between Falcao and Dos Santos was nationally televised in Brazil. The impressive performance earned Falcao the WBC Latino, WBC Feconsur and ABF Continental America Super Middleweight Titles.

With the victory, Falcao improved to 18-1-1 (8 KO’s) and is focused on facing any top 15 super middleweight in the immediate future.

“I am happy to have entertained my fans throughout Brazil during my last few fights. The goal remains the same for my team and I – we want to face the world’s best fighters. I feel great at 168 pounds and it doesn’t matter who they put me in with or where the fight takes place because I’ll be ready!”

Falcao’s promoter Jodi Caliguire of Fire Fist Boxing Promotions is fully confident his fighter is up for the challenge and can hold his own with the best in the division.

“Yama’s vision is the exact same it was when he was campaigning at 160 pounds. He doesn’t care who he’s facing or where the fight is because he’ll be ready.”

Caliguire also believes the move up to 168 pounds only made Falcao stronger.

“Yama was a big middleweight and he won his medal in the Olympics at 178 pounds. He has more energy at super middleweight and continues to eat, sleep and dream boxing. I’ve got no doubt he can become a world champion!”

Falcao’s next bout takes place October 23 in Sao Paulo and will be nationally televised in Brazil.

Fans can follow Falcao on Instagram @YamaguchiFalcao. For more information on Fire Fist Boxing Promotions, visit Firefistboxing.net