NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS WEIGH-IN RESULTS

ANTHONY YARDE v ALEX THERAN
Yarde weight: 12st 12lbs 4ozs
Theran weight: 12st 11lbs 8os

AKEEM ENNIS-BROWN v SAM MAXWELL
Ennis-Brown weight: 9st 13lbs 3ozs
Maxwell weight: 10 stones 

CACACE v WOODSTOCK
Cacace weight: 9st 3lbs 9os
Woodstock weight: 9st 3lbs 5oz

HEANEY v ALEXANDROV
Heaney weight: 11st 6lbs 7ozs
Alexandrov weight: 11st 5lbs 6ozs

DAVIES v COMMEY
Davies weight: 8st 12lbs 8ozs
Weight: 8st 11bs 2ozs

BANCE v HALL
Bance weight: 10st 6lbs 3ozzs
Hall’s weight: 10st 5lbs

JAMES v SAMBOU
James weight: 10st 3lbs
Sambou weight: 10st 8oz

AHMED v KHADEMI
Ahmed weight: 8st 2lbs 1ozs
Khademi weight: 8st 2lbs 5ozs

TAYLOR v SHARP
Sharp weight: 12st 11lbs 1ozs
Taylor weight: 12st 5lbs 8oz

HAYDEN v JONES
Hayden weight: 9st 12lbs 8oz
Jones’ weight: 9st 11lbs 6ozs




QUOTES — VITOR BELFORT SOUTH FLORIDA MEDIA WORKOUT

Boca Raton, FL (August 27, 2021) Former UFC Superstar VITOR ‘THE PHENOM’ BELFORT opened the doors to his South Florida training camp in Boca Raton, FL for a media workout on Thursday, August 26 alongside his head trainer DERIK SANTOS  

Presented by Triller Fight Club, Belfort will battle ‘THE GOLDEN BOY’, OSCAR DE LA HOYA,in the main event of LEGENDS II set for Saturday, September 11 at STAPLES Center.

Remaining tickets starting at $75 may be purchased through AXS.com or at this Ticket Link. Doors will open on the day of the event at 2:30 p.m. PT. The STAPLES Center is located at 1111 S. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles, CA 90015. Very-limited VIP packages as well as Super-Exclusive behind the scenes packages are also available.

VITOR BELFORT QUOTES

“My job is to knock people out and I did and will continue to do so on September 11.”

“Boxing is a true martial art and I love it. I am the Muhammad Ali of my sport, I literally opened the Red Sea, me and a few other guys as at that time MMA was a new sport. We had to incorporate new rule sets and make it uniform.”

“Boxing is an art and this is a great crossover event for fans.”

“It takes courage for this challenge to fight De La Hoya. This is a legacy fight for me.”

“I’m hoping after I win on September 11 to box again in December. I haven’t turned my back on MMA but this is my focus now.”

“Triller Fight Club has truly opened a new world with their events and I’m thrilled to be part of it. I challenge any MMA champion to fight me at Triller Fight Club.”

“Sometimes it can be hard to stay relevant but this fight with Oscar De La Hoya at Triller Fight Club absolutely keeps me relevant.”

“I’m very happy with the way this fight with Oscar De La Hoya came about and the way Triller Fight Club conducts business. It’s going to be a special night at LEGENDS II.”

“Right now, I have Oscar in my sights and that’s the only fighter I’m thinking about. After I beat him we can talk about my next opponent.”

“It’s an honor to fight the best boxer of all-time. Striking has always been my A-game in MMA. When I was 20-years-old I was looking to do both at the same time but I couldn’t, however now I can box with Triller Fight Club. For me boxing has always been my favorite martial art of all-time.”

“Against Oscar, I think the fight plays out with me working through him and looking for the knockout. This is one of the toughest opponents of my career and I can’t look past him to other fights.”

“I trust what Triller Fight Club is doing, we’re looking to make fights that make sense and have a legacy behind them.”

“This fight is different from the other ones taking place, I have the most knockouts in UFC history and Oscar is the greatest boxer of all-time. It’s a true matchup of the most talented.”

A national hero in his native Brazil, Belfort was taught at a very young age by jiu-jitsu master Carlson Gracie who nicknamed him ‘Vitor Belfort Gracie.’ With fast, powerful hands and a slick ground game, Belfort was selected to compete at one of the first Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments at the young age of 18.

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the tutelage of Gracie, Belfort would continue on to have a highly acclaimed and distinguished career in UFC , becoming one of their most popular international fighters.  He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight World Champion and also the winner of the UFC-12 Heavyweight Tournament Championship. 

A must-see attraction throughout his career for MMA fans, Belfort became known for his explosive striking power with two of his fights heading the list of all-time best-selling UFC Pay-Per-View events. Belfort’s illustrious UFC career includes numerous records and accolades including ‘Knockout of the Night’ (five times), ‘Most Knockouts in UFC History’ (12), ‘Most First Round Finishes in UFC History’ (13), and ‘Youngest UFC Tournament Winner’ (19 years, 313 days).

Among the notable names Belfort defeated in his illustrious career include; Dan Henderson, Randy Couture, Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold and Wanderlei Silva. He has also battled many other top names; Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz and Lyoto Machida.

                                                ——————————————

Co-featured at LEGENDS II, UFC Legends, ANDERSON ‘THE SPIDER’ SILVA from Sao Paolo, Brazil and ‘THE HUNTINGTON BEACH BAD BOY’ TITO ORTIZ will clash in an eight-round cruiserweight boxing match for combat sports supremacy.

Also, at LEGENDS II, Former Heavyweight and Cruiserweight World Champion DAVID ‘THE HAYEMAKER’ HAYE will face off against JOE FOURNIER in a scheduled eight-round heavyweight battle.

Additionally, in a highly anticipated 10-rounder, ANDY ‘El TIBURON’ VENCES, (23-2-1, 12 KOs), of San Jose, CA will challenge Ireland’s JONO ‘KING KONG’ CARROLL, (19-2-1, 5 KOs).

The entire event is produced by Triller Fight Club visionary NIGEL LYTHGOE, award-winning producer of American Idol and the executive producer and creator of ‘So You Think You Can Dance and will be hosted by SNOOP DOGG.

Musical acts announced for this extraordinary event include a Once-In-A-Lifetime Performance by SNOOP DOGG with The One and Only MARVIN GAYE, plus ANITTA, LUNAYGENTE DE ZONA and others.

The FREE Preview on Saturday, September 11 will start at 11:00 p.m. BST / 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT with the Triller Fight Club Pay-Per-View commencing at 12:00 a.m. BST / 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT as the DAVID HAYE vs. JOE FOURNIER eight-round heavyweight battle opens the broadcast. The Pay-Per-View is priced at $49.99 in North America and £9.99 ($13.99) in the UK.

                                                ————————————————

iNDemand, the leading transactional video-on-demand and PPV programming provider in North America, will serve as the exclusive U.S. and Canadian cable, satellite, and telco PPV provider for the De La Hoya vs. Belfort fight. Fans will be able to order the event on PPV through their existing cable, satellite, and telco PPV providers across the U.S., including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others and from leading operators in Canada.

LEGENDS II will be broadcast globally on FITE, iNDemand and through all leading Cable, Satellite and Telco Providers in the U.S. and Canada. The suggested PPV retail price is $49.99.

**HOW TO WATCH THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2021, TRILLER PPV EVENT**

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum (U.S.), among others, as well as leading operators in Canada.

Worldwide Streaming: FITE.TV and all FITE mobile, Smart TV, IPTV, game controller and OTT apps as well as the event microsite hub: TrillerFightClub

LEGENDS II is the second event Triller Fight Club has promoted at STAPLES Center, the first being Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. on November 28, 2020. The fight was boxing’s biggest pay-per-view event of the year garnering over 1.6 million buys.

FITE, the world’s premier streaming PPV platform for sports and entertainment recently acquired by TrillerNet, will handle worldwide live pay-per-view streaming distribution online for the September 11 event, and via FITE mobile and Smart TV apps, game controllers and all major OTT devices as well as power TrillerFightClub.com.

About TrillerNet:

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

This marks the third time that FITE, iNDemand and Triller will have partnered to bring value-packed, world-class PPV events to boxing, music, and entertainment fans. iNDemand also served as the cable, satellite, and telco PPV distributor for Triller Fight Club’s November 2020 Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. event (which landed as the 8th best PPV event of all time), as well as the April 17, 2021 Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren event. FITE handled global digital sales for both events and powered the TysononTriller and TrillerFightClub sites.

Fans outside North America can check the FITE link at https://www.fite.tv/watch/oscar-de-la-hoya-vs-vitor-belfort/2p9su/ for international pricing.

About FITE:

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

 FITE: It’s ON. Follow us on Twitter, InstagramYouTubeLinkedIN, and Facebook

About iNDemand:

iNDemand is an innovative partnership between three of the leading cable companies in the U.S.—Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications. iNDemand is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDemand delivers great content to more than 80 million homes and has distribution deals with more than 150 companies. For more information, go to indemand.com.

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Twitter: @Triller, @TrillerFight

Facebook: @TrillerFightClub

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JAKE PAUL VS. TYRON WOODLEY FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

CLEVELAND (August 26, 2021) – Renowned content creator and unbeaten pro boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul and former UFC champion Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley went face-to-face and continued their war of words during a heated final press conference as the two fight camps nearly came to blows Thursday before they settle their rivalry in the ring this Sunday, August 29 headlining a SHOWTIME PPV from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

Thursday’s press conference also featured the fighters who will be competing on the jam-packed lineup of undercard attractions. Puerto Rican star Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano will defend her featherweight titles against super bantamweight champion Yamileth Mercado in the co-feature of the PPV telecast, which begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Former world champion Ivan Baranchyk returns to take on unbeaten Cleveland-native Montana Love in a 10-round super lightweight fight, while U.K. stars Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois and Tommy “TNT” Fury make their U.S. debuts in separate bouts, as Dubois faces Juiseppe Angelo Cusumano in a 10-round heavyweight fight, while Fury duels Anthony Taylor in a six-round showdown.

In action taking place prior to the pay-per-view, undefeated Cleveland-native and 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell squares off against unbeaten Juan Carlos Rubio in a 10-round super welterweight tilt.

Tickets starting at $25 are still available via RocketMortgageFieldHouse.com.

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

JAKE PAUL

“When I started boxing, I didn’t think I’d be here this fast. My original goal was to fight Conor McGregor or Floyd Mayweather, because I knew I would have a big enough pay-per-view draw to do those things. Now I want to become world champion. I want to fight and beat Canelo Alvarez. This has been a fast, quick roller coaster ride, but I didn’t expect to be here. I just knew I loved fighting and I knew I was good at it.

“This is an exciting time. I’m bringing it home for Cleveland. We knew that when we teamed up with SHOWTIME, that this would be a huge event. This is turning into a historic moment.

“Tyron Woodley is ‘The Chosen One’, we chose him to get his ass beat. None of his accomplishments matter on Sunday night. I’m sending him into retirement and turning him into a meme. People are going to see all of my skills. People are going to be surprised. I haven’t shown anything yet. I might come out southpaw. This is my coming out party.

“It’s going to be another show on Sunday. I’m putting on another masterful performance and a boxing clinic. This guy is going to sleep and getting turned into another meme. Just like his friend Ben Askren. After Sunday, nobody is ever going to talk about Woodley ever again. He’s a speed bump on the road of my career.

“There’s no other fighter that’s 3-0 and taking fights against champions. I want challenges and I want to push myself. I was much more motivated in training camp because I know this is a dangerous opponent. I expect him to come out sharp and I expect this to be a fun one.

“I’m polarizing, I get it. I don’t care what people think. Most people aren’t like that. They’re scared to rub people the wrong way. Some people want to see me lose, but I’m here to stay.

“A fight against Tommy Fury makes sense. That’s a huge fight. It seems to be right in the palm of both of our hands. We do have to go out and perform on Sunday. I want to see how the U.S. crowd receives him. I want to see if he has that star power this whole entire week. He doesn’t have the big pay-per-view numbers that Tyron Woodley has, or even a Ben Askren. Those guys sold tons of pay-per-views. No one has seen a Tommy Fury fight.

“There’s no real respect between us. I’m going to show that winning a UFC championship doesn’t mean anything in the world of boxing.”

TYRON WOODLEY

“I’m almost falling asleep over here listening to this guy. It’s disgusting how much of a clown people have to be to be recognized. He’s got the appearance of being about that action down, but I’m really like that.

“This is the fight game. You can say what you want to say and you can do what you think fighters do. Jake does all the things to build the fight, but we’re really here now. He’s getting hurt on Sunday.

“All the people around him have lied to him. They don’t want to lose their bag. They’re not pushing him. You can come out with that dumb robot, it doesn’t matter. You’re getting knocked out.

“I’m just really ready to fight. I don’t have any shenanigans or B.S. I should bring him some wipes to clean himself up when I knock him out on Sunday.

“He hasn’t shown me anything yet. Real recognize real. I don’t worry about what anyone on the outside is saying. I’m worried about bringing that action.

“I’m going crazy on Sunday. At the end of the day, it’s been a long time coming. I’m thankful for my team that’s supported me but I’m also thankful for everyone who counted me out. When everyone comes against you, it shows how powerful what you’re about to do is.

“I think in general with combat sports, one person does something and people want to replicate it. This is a real fight though. If you look at the way we’re built, this is a real fight. Some people took this lightly and that’s why they came up short against him. We’ve been training since before this fight was even signed.

“All camps have highs and lows. You have to fight through adversity. With me mentally, it was a lot easier when we were having fun. It was passionate and you had people watching your every move and monitoring your every step. I’m just very grateful to all my coaches. To me, this is just a lot of fun. I haven’t had fun in a long time, to be real. I loved this training camp. It was one of my most fun ever.”

AMANDA SERRANO

“I want to thank Jake for putting his faith in me and pushing to get me on this card. This is going to be two champions going at each other and leaving it all in the ring.

“These belts are my babies. It’s going to be very hard for her to beat me and take these back to Mexico. She’s going home empty-handed. I thank Mercado for taking the fight, but she’s not winning.

“I train and fight to be the best in the world. I hope that people can acknowledge that the women are champions as well and that we work as hard as the men. I’m showing everyone that women’s boxing is great too.”

YAMILETH MERCADO

“I’m coming up in weight, but I’m one of the biggest fighters at 122. I’m not worried at all about going up a division for this fight.

“I’m very well prepared and I feel strong. I’m confident that I’m going to win on Sunday and prove that I’m up to the challenge. We’re going to surprise a lot of people.”

DANIEL DUBOIS

“This is my U.S. debut, so I want to look good and win in devastating fashion. I’m a seek and destroy fighter and that’s what I’m bringing again.

“This guy is right for me and I’m ready for the fight. It’s going to be a spectacular debut and I’m going to announce my presence with a lot of power and skill.”

JUISEPPE ANGELO CUSUMANO

“We are both big power punchers and we’re exciting fighters. We like to fight and bang on the inside. There’s going to be a lot of punches thrown for as long as this lasts . That’s what we’re going to come out and do.

“It’s the heavyweight division. It only takes one punch. That’s what people love about this division. I can’t wait to get in the ring on Sunday night.”

IVAN BARANCHYK

“I’m excited to be here and fighting on this show. I learned a lot from my last fight. I put in a great training camp so that I can show my new weapons. I just need to take everything from my training camp and bring it into the ring.

“I think Jake Paul is very, very good for boxing. It’s good to have these famous guys join professional boxing because it helps the fighters. It’s good for promoting the sport. I don’t know what will happen in the fight on Sunday night. Jake Paul is young and he’s hungry. But Tyron Woodley is a tough guy. He’s a professional fighter and we will see.”

MONTANA LOVE

“A win is going to put the whole division on notice. They know I’m coming. I’ve worked with plenty of champions and been in plenty of camps. Now, everybody watching is going to see what I’m going to do.

“This fight means everything for my career. I’m introducing myself to the 140-pound division with my fight on Sunday. Beating an ex-champion will definitely put me in a whole new category.

“My city is behind me 100%. They know how I’m coming. We’re training hard and we’re excited for this. All of Jake’s fans are going to be my fans after Sunday.”

“Gervonta Davis came up to my weight. He got a title. Congratulations on that. Now, if he’s ready to keep it or not, that’s on him. But if he does keep it, we want the fight.”

TOMMY FURY

“I’m very happy to be in Cleveland and performing for everyone. Everyone is very familiar with Tyson, and they’re about to learn all about what I bring. I’m coming with my own package and my own game and you’re going to see that on Sunday night.

“If Taylor thinks I’ve overlooked him, he’s dead wrong. I’ve been grueling for eight weeks like I’m fighting for the world titles. Sunday night, I’ll get the job done, and then I can think about what could be next for me.

“Anthony Taylor can’t get off his phone and stop doing autographs. I haven’t been on my phone in five weeks. I’ve been living and training like a demon. I don’t care about fame, and I don’t care about money. All I want is to be a world champion.”

ANTHONY TAYLOR

“I know he’s overlooking me. Tommy is here just to face off with Jake Paul. But I’m here to fight. Don’t look down on me. Just because he beat up six bums, doesn’t mean he’s going to beat me up.

“He’s not going to stop me. He’s fought nobody. I’m not that guy you’re just going to run through. We’re not cut from the same cloth, and he’s not the same as his brother. He’s not ready for me.”

CHARLES CONWELL

“It’s amazing to fight back at home in my city. I’ve had a lot of local support back here throughout the years and there are a lot of people here who haven’t been able to see me fight.

“To have all the support I’ve gotten leading up to fight, I’m just more ready than ever to put on a show and let everyone know what I’m about.”

JUAN CARLOS RUBIO

“It’s true that I haven’t fought anyone on Charles’ level, but I feel strong, I’m well prepared and I’m ready to give a show to the people of Cleveland.

“We’re going to see if he’s ready for the next level of competition. We won’t know until we step in the ring. But I’m definitely going to give it my all and give him a test.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President, Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc.

“SHOWTIME has been in boxing a long time. We have a long history in the sport. But the thing about boxing is that it always has a way of surprising you. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, along comes someone like Jake Paul to upset the apple cart. I’m excited to see the sport innovate, change and evolve.

“I’m very proud of this card. We have some of the best fighters in the world on this card, from world champions to up-and-coming fighters and promising prospects. This card has a bit of everything.

“This card is filled with fighters who didn’t listen when they were told no. No one on this card has been handed anything. They’ve all beaten the odds. I’m proud to have every one of them on this card.

“The great thing about boxing, is that on some level, nothing matters until you get into the ring. To borrow a phrase, ‘boxing don’t lie’. Boxing is the ultimate truth-teller. When Sunday night rolls around, your resume and your following doesn’t matter. For all the hype and hoopla, make no mistake, these are fights. The purest form of competition. The great thing about boxing is, when two competitors enter that ring, each fighter gets a chance to rewrite their own history. It all comes down to that moment of truth on Sunday night.”

#

About Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley:
Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley is the headline attraction atop a stacked evening of professional boxing action presented by SHOWTIME PPV® and Most Valuable Promotions in association with Holden Productions, live from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday, August 29 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The SHOWTIME PPV is available for purchase now at SHOWTIME.com and via the SHOWTIME app, and is available to order through all major cable, satellite and telco providers in the U.S. and Canada. Renowned content creator and undefeated professional boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul will take on the toughest challenge of his budding career in the former UFC champion Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley. Featured on the undercard is unified featherweight world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano defending her titles against super bantamweight champion Yamileth Mercado and the U.S. debuts of popular U.K. attractions Daniel Dubois and Tommy Fury in separate bouts.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @TWooodley and @ShowtimeBoxing, on Instagram via @JakePaul, @Twooodley and @ShowtimeBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.




Cusumano ripped and ready for “opportunity of a lifetime” Sunday

Cleveland, Ohio (August 26, 2021) – Every fighter talks and dreams about that “opportunity of a lifetime,” but few ever get it, and the percentage that actually come out on top is even smaller.

Heavyweight Juiseppe Cusumano, the hard-hitting, 6-foot-4 giant from Sicily – appropriately nicknamed “The Sicilian Nightmare” – finally gets that coveted, life-changing opportunity Sunday, August 29 in Cleveland when he faces 23-year-old United Kingdom prospect Daniel Dubois in a 10-round bout on the undercard of the highly-anticipated Jake Paul-Tyron Woodley pay-per-view extravaganza on Showtime.

Since signing with longtime promoter and CES Boxing president and CEO Jimmy Burchfield four years ago, Cusumano’s stock has risen considerably to the point where he is name one of the more talked-about heavyweights in a crowded market of heavy-handed sluggers. He is 9-2 under CES’ guidance, including his most recent win in November against Gregory Corbin on the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones exhibition showdown in California.

The difference this time is there will be fans in attendance, which means more eyes on Cusumano and an even bigger opportunity to show the world what he can do on the sport’s biggest stage. Nerves? Fuggedaboutit! This is the fight – and the platform – Cusumano envisioned when he teamed with Burchfield in 2017, and with Paul, a social media influencer with more than 20 million followers on YouTube and an additional 16 million on Instagram, facing Woodley, a former UFC champion making his pro boxing debut, there’s no telling who might be watching Sunday.

The PPV portion of the show begins at 8 pm ET and is available for $59.99 on Showtime PPV on all traditional cable and satellite providers. The live stream is also available on Showtime.com or by downloading the Showtime app.

“I’m ready,” Cusumano said. “I’ve been fighting for a long time, and I’m ready to let my skills show.”

With Cusumano (19-3, 16 KOs) and Dubois (16-1, 15 KOs) having combined for 32 knockouts in their pro careers, the odds suggest someone will hit the deck Sunday before 10 rounds are through, but Cusumano is promising a smarter, more mature approach.

Over a span of four years, Cusumano knocked out 11 of 12 opponents, which, despite a rewarding payoff at the final bell, may have worked against him in others bouts as his game plan at times appeared too focused on landing a finishing blow. Eschewing the knockout in favor of a more patient, deliberate style of boxing is difficult for a fighter who admits he fell in love with the sport because he liked to “mix it up” as a youth – especially one who grew up idolizing Tyson – but Cusumano now understands at the age of 33, a smarter approach may not only pay greater dividends, it may also keep him around longer than expected.

“I’m a lot better than what I’ve shown,” Cusumano said. “I’ve really been working on my skills and how to show off what I can do. This is the perfect fight to do that.”

Dubois, who began boxing at the age of 9 while growing up in London, is, according to Cusumano, “young and hungry” and no doubt a dangerous adversary, but Cusumano is confident he’s yet to face anyone with as much punching power as he has – a bold statement considering Dubois, the former WBA interim heavyweight champion, has faced the likes of Joe Joyce, who stopped Dubois in the 10th round of their scheduled 12-round fight in November of 2020, Dubois’ only loss as a pro.

The overwhelming confidence Cusumano has displayed in recent years is a byproduct of his own success coupled with the belief that anything is possible, even when dark days make it seem like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Cusumano has faced as many battles outside of the ring as he has in between the ropes, including contract disputes with ill-minded promoters, depression, and alcoholism, but he’s picked himself up off the canvas each time, the mark of a true champion.

The only logical next step is to cement his status as a champion inside the ring, and he can begin taking those steps by putting everything he’s learned in the gym, the ring, and in life to use against Dubois. The journey hasn’t been easy, but that light at the end of the tunnel is starting to shine. Cusumano is in the best shape of his life, back in the 220-pound range after feeling “sluggish” in the 240s, and has all the right people in his corner as he prepares for the fight of his life this weekend.

“Everything is looking good. Everything feels rights,” Cusumano said. “Dubois is an attacker like I am, and he’s young and hungry. This is a good fight. Both of us hit hard and fight to slug it out, but I believe the smarter man will win.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized you can’t always just attack. This is the heavyweight division. Anything can happen. The older I’ve gotten, the smarter I’ve gotten. This is a dream come true.”

INFORMATION

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




New York State Boxing HOF Class of 2020 Rescheduled for Sept. 19

NEW YORK (August 26, 2021) – The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) induction dinner, originally scheduled for April 19, 2019, has officially been rescheduled for Sunday afternoon, September 19 (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), once again at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

The 28-member Class of 2019 will be honored at the ninth NYSBHOF induction dinner, which is sponsored by Ring 8. There will not be a Class of 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions that forced the event’s 2019 postponement until next month.

It is expected that, prior to the NYSBHOF induction dinner, New York City guidelines will mandate that all attendees must be vaccinated to attend indoor events.

“We are expecting a good crowd,” NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy said. “This event has been in the making for the last 22 months. We’re finally going induct the Class of 2020. The honorees have known for a long time that they were going into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. They’re all happy their day is coming and we’re very happy to be honoring the NYSBHOF Class of 2019.”

Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF include three-time World light heavyweight title challenger Jorge Ahumada (42-8-2, 22 KOs), of Woodside, Queens by way of Argentina; (1975-78) WBC super featherweight World Champion Alfredo “El Salsero” Escalera (53-14-3, 31 KOs), of New York City by way of Puerto Rico; WBC super featherweight World title challenger Freddie “The Pitbull” Liberatore (20-4-1, 11 KOs), of Bayside, Queens; WBC middleweight World Champion and four-time New York Golden Gloves winner Dennis “The Magician” Milton (16-5-1, 5 KOs), of Bronx; World heavyweight title challenger and two-time New York Golden Gloves winner Lou Savarese (46-7, 38 KOs), of Greenwood Lake; and WBA super middleweight title World title challenger Merqui “El Corombo” Sosa (34-9-2, 27 KOs), of Brooklyn by way of the Dominican Republic.

Posthumous participants being inducted are Brooklyn welterweight Soldier Bartfield (51-29-8, 33 KOs), who fought a reported 55 world champions; Bronx middleweight Steve Belloise (95-13-3, 59 KOs); NYSAC and World lightweight champion (1925) Jimmy Goodrich (85-34-21 (12 KOs), of Buffalo; World heavyweight title challenger Tami Mauriello (82-13-1, 60 KOs), of Bronx; WBA light middleweight World champion (1982-83) and four-consecutive New York Golden Gloves titlist Davey “Sensational” Moore (18-5, 14 KOs), of Bronx; and World lightweight champion Freddie “The Welsh Wizard” Welch (74-5-7, 34 KOs), of New York City by way of Wales.

Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are Oneida judge Don Ackerman, Wantah, Long Island journalist/producer Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Buffalo manager Rick Glaser, Rockaway Beach journalist Jack Hirsch, Bronx boxing broadcaster Max Kellerman, Ardsley ringside physician/NY Medical Director Dr. William Lathan, Orangeburg judge Julie Lederman, Hyde Park referee Ron Lipton, and Staten Island/Catskill trainer Kevin Rooney.

Posthumous non-participant inductees are Brooklyn’s Ring Magazine editor Lester Bromberg, New York City sportswriter Dan Daniel, Brooklyn’s Gleason’s Gym founder Bobby Gleason, Sunnyside, Queens boxing writer Flash Gordan, Manhattan journalist A.J. Liebling, Long Island City’s NYSBHOF co-founder Tony Mazzarella and New York City manager Dan Morgan.

There are a number of firsts regarding some Class of 2020 inductees: husband-wife – Dr. William and Melvina (Class of 2018) Lathan; daughter-father – Julie and Harold (Class of 2012) Lederman. Bobby Jr. and Bobby Cassidy, Sr. (2013) are the fourth son and father inducted into the NYSBHOF, but the first boxer/journalist combination. The others are boxers Floyd and Tracy Patterson, executive administrators Bobby and Murray Goodman, and referees Arthur, Sr. and Arthur Mercante, Jr.

Welch is going into the NYSBHOF as a boxer, but he also managed fellow Class of 2020 inductee Goodrich.

Each attending inductee will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.

The 2020 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members: Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski, Ron McNair, Jim Monteverde and Neil Terens.

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

Tickets are priced at $150.00 per adult and $60.00 for children (under 16) and IT includes a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, as well as a full course dinner (prime rib, fish, or poultry) and open bar throughout the day. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304 or depcomish@aol.com. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available: half-page $100.00, full page $200.00 front and back inside covers are $400.00 each, and $500.00 for back cover. Mail checks and ads by the Sept. 9tjh deadline to Bob Duffy, 1112 Whitewood Landing, Massapequa Park, NY 11762. Checks should be payable to NY Stare Boxing Hall of Fame, call Duffy to charge on a credit card.

NEW YORK STATE BOXING HALL OF FAME

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Johnnie Addie, Johnny Bos, Murray Goodman, Bert Randolph Sugar and Sam Taub.

CLASS OF 2019: Wilfredo Benitez, Dick DiVeronica, Rogelio Tuur, Davey Vasquez, Michael Olajide, Monte Barrett, Jimmy Carter, Al “Bummy” Davis, Marty Servo, Roland LaStarza, Paddy DeMarco, Sid Terris, Leach “The Fighting Dentist” Cross, Don King, John McKaie, Steve Albert, Arthur Mercante, Jr., Bob Jackson, Dewey Fragetta, Johnny LoBianco, Wayne Kelly, Harry Hill, Jimmy Cannon, and Joe Dwyer.




NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

QUEENSBERRY today held the final press conference ahead of Saturday’s (Aug 28) ‘Night of Champions’ card at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham, live on BT Sport 1 from 7:30pm.

Belfast’s Anthony Cacace (18-1, 7 KOs) defends his British Super-Featherweight crown against Lyon Woodstock (12-2, 5 KOs).

Akeem Ennis-Brown (14-0, 1 KO) will risk his British and Commonwealth Super-Lightweight championships against Liverpool’s former amateur superstar Sam Maxwell (15-0, 11 KOs).

Former World title challenger Anthony Yarde (20-2,19 KOs) meets US based Colombian Alex Theran (23-5, 15 KOs) in a non-title Light-Heavyweight ten rounder.

Local fighter Ijaz Ahmed (8-2) faces Kaisy Khademi (8-1, 2 KOs) for the vacant British Super-Flyweight championship. When they met over ten rounds in February, Ijaz won on points.

Telford’s English Bantamweight champion Telford’s Liam Davies (9-0, 4 KOs) boxes an eight rounder and Stoke Middleweight Nathan Heaney (12-0, 4 KOs) will have 1600 fans supporting him in the arena when he fights.

Photos from todays press conference can be found here

Here are a selection of quotes from the press conference.

FRANCIS WARREN: “Akeem Ennis-Brown v Sam Maxwell is contrasting styles. Sam is always switched on and you have to respect Akeem’s style. It is a great fight. I am so excited for Anthony Cacace and Lyon Woodstock’s fight. It has been rescheduled and finally we’re here. We have two very tough men who will give it all. A rematch between Lyndon Arthur and Anthony Yarde is a massive fight, but let us get Saturday done and dusted. The rematch is contracted and we are focused on getting it on. It is a terrific show, three British title fights and Anthony Yarde. It’s worth tuning in for.”

ANTHONY CACACE: “I have no worries about being rusty after a lay-off. I have been boxing 20 years and this comes second nature. I am used to the big stage and raring to go. I felt like I was never going to defend this title. It’s been bad luck after bad luck, but I have trained hard and I am ready for what Lyon brings. I will do whatever I want with Lyon. I can fight him, box him but I respect what he brings to the table. I will win and it doesn’t matter what way.”

LYON WOODSTOCK: “I more than confident I will take the title. I don’t believe in the whole idea of ring rust because we’re both warriors. This is like a tribal thing, mine against his. I respect him as a warrior and gladiator. On Saturday, two tribes are going to come together and go to war. I have experienced high and lows. That is what builds your character and the loss to Zelfa Barrett was part of the journey. Hand on heart, I haven’t thought past this fight. It is all or nothing and going to be great.”

AKEEM ENNIS BROWN: “Of course I respect Sam. I respect any fighter who gets in the ring because it takes a lot to do that. I think I have the superior record and that is a fact. This win should give me the platform to go and get bigger fights. Some of the wins I had should have put me in that position, but somehow I still get avoided. I am not worried about his power. I love a challenge and that gets me excited. I have the style to nullify any fighter. He is getting beat up and knocked out. I am going to punch him up.”

SAM MAXWELL: “Everything Akeem brings to the table I have seen before. I have the amateur experience and feel I have boxed at a higher level in the pros. I was prepared for it (Akeem to try and get under his skin) because I knew what type of character he is. I called him a clown but I didn’t expect him to dress as one today. I am being underestimated going into this fight. I thrive on being the underdog. He is a weak man. His record tells you that and he has nothing that will trouble me. I am going to knock him spark out and hurt him. When I win this it is dream achieved and it will open up bigger opportunities.”

ANTHONY YARDE: “The biggest excitement for me is having fans back because they play such a part. It’s about entertaining so when you hear the crowd roaring it lifts you. We have made some tweaks but training has gone fantastic. I have always enjoyed a laugh and joke in training, but we know when it is time to be serious. I always enjoy the job. For me the focus is Saturday because I have a decent opponent.”

TUNDE AJAYI: “Anthony has always been dedicated to boxing and his work ethic has never changed. Having James Cook in the training team has added to everything . His experience has been invaluable. You can’t buy that. I’d be lying if I said the Arthur rematch wasn’t in our heads, but in terms of the training and preparation has been this weekend.”




PIVOTAL MIDDLEWEIGHT MATCHUP BETWEEN (#5) DEREK BRUNSON AND (#7) DARREN TILL HEADLINES AT UFC® APEX IN LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas – UFC® confirms another entertaining card at UFC APEX in Las Vegas as No. 5 ranked middleweight contender Derek Brunson takes on No. 7 ranked Darren Till in the main event. In the co-main event, heavyweight strikers go head-to-head as No. 13 Tom Aspinall meets No. 15 Sergei Pavlovich.  

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: BRUNSON vs TILL will take place Saturday, September 4 from UFC APEX in Las Vegas. All bouts will stream on ESPN+, with the prelims beginning at a special time of 1:30 p.m. ET/ 10:30 a.m. PT and the main card at 4 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. PT.

Brunson (22-7, fighting out of Wilmington, N.C.) plans to continue his rise to the top of the division and add the former welterweight title challenger to his resume. Currently on a four-fight win streak, he most recently secured wins over top middleweight prospects Edmen Shahbazyan and Kevin Holland. Brunson now intends to insert himself into the title conversation with a statement win over Till. 

Fan favorite Till (18-3-1, fighting out of Liverpool, England) makes his eagerly anticipated return to the Octagon® and hopes to kick off his off his 2021 campaign with an emphatic win. Since joining UFC’s roster in 2015, he has faced off against some of the promotion’s biggest names, scoring victories over Kelvin Gastleum, Stephen Thompson and Donald Cerrone. Till now looks to secure his most important middleweight win yet and break into the top five of the division. 

Aspinall (10-2, fighting out of Atherton, England) aims to deliver another exciting performance and continue working his way up the heavyweight rankings. Currently undefeated in the UFC, the 28-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt is coming off his biggest victory to date over former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski earlier this year. Aspinall now seeks to maintain his impressive 100 percent finishing rate by taking out Pavlovich.

Fellow heavyweight prospect Pavlovich (14-1, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) has his sights set on proving that he has the power to stop anyone in the division. With 11 of his 14 wins coming by first round KO, including his two UFC victories over Maurice Greene and Marcelo Golm, Pavlovich has established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He now plans to prove he has what it takes to compete with the division’s elite by vanquishing Aspinall.

Additional bouts on the card include:

·       Women’s flyweights look to steal the show as Ariane Lipski (13-7, fighting out of Paraná, Brazil) matches up against UFC newcomer Mandy Bohm (7-0, 1NC, fighting out of Gelsenkirchen, Germany).

·       Modestas Bukauskas (11-4, fighting out of Sarratt, England) plans to stop The Ultimate Fighter alum Khalil Rountree Jr. (9-5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) in a light heavyweight bout.

·       Paddy Pimblett (16-3, fighting out of Liverpool, England) makes his long-awaited UFC debut as he takes on Brazilian Luigi Vendramini (9-2, fighting out of Brasília, Brazil) in a lightweight bout.

·       Molly McCann (10-4, fighting out of Liverpool, England) returns to the Octagon and aims to get back to her winning ways when she faces Ji Yeon Kim (9-3-2, fighting out of Incheon, South Korea) in a women’s flyweight bout.

·       An exciting bantamweight bout sees Jack Shore (14-0, fighting out of Abertillery, Wales) look to maintain his undefeated record when he faces off with The Ultimate Fighter alumni Liudvik Sholinian (9-1-1, fighting out of Kiev, Ukraine) who replaces Said Nurmagomedov.

·       In an exciting 150-pound catchweight bout, Charles Jourdain (11-3-1, fighting out of Beloeil, Quebec, Canada) collides with Julian Erosa (25-10, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) who replaces Lerone Murphy.

·       Middleweight Dalcha Lungiambula (11-2, fighting out of Cape Town, South Africa) aims to build on his recent win as he takes on Marc-Andre Barriault (12-4, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla. by way of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada).

·       Welterweights lock horns as David Zawada (17-6, fighting out of Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) battles Alex Morono (19-7, 1 NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas) who replaces Sergey Khandozhko.

·       Jonathan Martinez (13-4, fighting out of Plainview, Texas) faces off against Marcelo Rojo (16-8, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) in an exciting bantamweight bout.

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




UNBEATEN HEAVYWEIGHTS HRGOVI? AND RADONJIC CLASH ON SEPTEMBER 10 AT WÖRTHERSEE STADIUM IN KLAGENFURT, AUSTRIA

Unbeaten heavyweights Filip Hrgovi? (12-0, 10 KOs) and Marko Radonjic (22-0, 22 KOs) clash in a ‘Battle of the Giants’ on September 10 at the Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria for the IBF International Heavyweight Title, live on RTL in Croatia and DAZN in over 170 countries and territories worldwide.
 
Hrgovi?, the 29-year-old from Zagreb, Croatia, is one of the most feared fighters in the heavyweight division. He returns to action following a sensational knockout win over American heavyweight Rydell Booker on November 7 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist has his sights set on a World title fight with IBF ruler Anthony Joshua but knows he must first overcome Radonjic as he makes the maiden defence of his IBF International crown.
 
Radonjic, who is known as the ‘Montenegro Hammer’, holds an incredible record of 22 knockout wins from 22 contests. The 31-year-old from Cetinje, Montenegro, will face his toughest test against Hrgovi?, a man many are tipping as a future world champion, but is confident of maintaining his perfect record and taking home the IBF International strap.
 
“This is going to be a great fight between two top heavyweights,” said Hrgovi?. “I have a lot of respect for Radonjic for taking this fight when many wouldn’t. I’m excited to box at the Wörthersee Stadium. I expect a lot of Croatians to travel to support me and I look forward to fighting in front of the Austrian fans too. Radonjic has a good record, he has won all his fights by knockout, but he has never fought anyone like me. On September 10, he will feel my power and the ‘Montenegro Hammer’ will fall!”
 
“Filip Hrgovi? is a great fighter and I’m really looking forward to fighting him,” says Radonjic. “It will be an exciting fight between two big punching heavyweights. I know Hrgovi? is a good boxer but I’m confident I can beat him. I will take the IBF International Title home with me. The ‘Montenegro Hammer’ is coming to win!”
 
The IBF International Heavyweight Title contest between Filip Hrgovi? and Marko Radonjic headlines an action-packed event at the Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria promoted by Wasserman Boxing and Matchroom Boxing in association with SEH Sports and Entertainment Holding.
 
Kalle Sauerland, Head of Global Boxing at Wasserman, said: “We’re delighted to bring the ‘Battle of the Giants’ to the Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt. This is going to be a sensational night of heavyweight action. Filip Hrgovi? is the most avoided heavyweight on the planet. He is the man no one wants to fight and for good reason! In the opposite corner, we have the ‘Montenegro Hammer’, another unbeaten fighter with a perfect record of 22 fights and 22 knockouts. This is a real treat for boxing fans. Two top heavyweights with dynamite in their fists. This fight is not going the distance. Expect fireworks on September 10!”
 
Matchroom Sport Chairman, Eddie Hearn, said: “Filip Hrgovi? is one of the most avoided men in the Heavyweight division and finding an opponent with the courage to step in the ring with him has been a challenge. Virtually the whole of the IBF top 15 turned down the opportunity to face him in a Final Eliminator. It’s great to see the Croatian contender in action against the undefeated ‘Montenegro Hammer’ Marko Radonjic. Both men hold perfect records and I’m expecting an explosive Heavyweight fight in Austria on September 10.”
 
Zeljko Karajica for SEH Sports and Entertainment Holding, said: “Filip has been training hard these last months and can’t wait to enter the Wörthersee Stadium. There are a lot of Croatians living around Klagenfurt who will be there to support him and many more travelling from Croatia. The fans can look forward to another explosive performance from Filip as he shows why he is the most exciting fighter in the heavyweight division today.”
 
Tickets are on sale now and available via https://www.snapticket-live.de/battleofthegiants




ISAAC CHAMBERLAIN RETURN: “THERE’S A NEW WEAPON IN THE ARSENAL”

London, UK (26 August 2021) After enduring an agonising annum on the sidelines, Brixton cruiser bruiser Isaac Chamberlain returns to duty on Friday 10th September at the Coventry Skydome Arena, live and free on Channel 5, armed with a new power tool in his already expansive kit box.

The 27-year-old former Southern Area champion has been recuperating from surgery to enhance his right shoulder which had severely restricted both the range and wrecking capacity of his rear hand. No more!

‘There’s a new weapon in the arsenal,’ says the affable, inspirational ‘IC’ who has effectively operated as a one-armed bandit for the past five years.

‘Truthfully, I’ve not been able to throw my right hand properly since the Wadi Camacho war (wpts 10, September 2016) but the surgery last November has plugged a gap. Once I fully sort out the accuracy and timing, it’s going to be lethal!’

Though my Cuban coach (Rasel Hechadarria) had to temporarily stand down due to some issues, I’ve been working with Bobby Mills and Dan Fitzgerald, a protégé of Freddie Roach, at Brixton Recreation Centre. Like a casino, our gym has no clocks, so you can just focus solely about your business. Expect some seriously explosive punching.’

Despite the impediment, the eldest of seven from a single parent family raised in one of south London’s least celebrated post codes has made stellar progress since entering the profession with nominal amateur schooling in January 2015. Only Hackney’s recently coronated WBO Champion Lawrence Okolie has beaten him (pts10 in Feb 2018) in his 13 outings to date (six stoppage wins).

‘I was actually very happy for Lawrence,’ claims class act ‘Chambo’.

‘We’ve had beef but we’re two boys from underprivileged backgrounds so I’ve nothing but respect for him. It could be another massive fight in the future. First time we were both very young, very inexperienced, fighting before 12,000. The pressure and occasion got to us both and it was a crap fight. But if I didn’t go through it. I’d not be the person and athlete I am today.’

With his good friend Richard Riakporhe (British), Chris Billam-Smith (Commonwealth) and Tommy McCarthy in possession of the key belts on this continent and – unlike Chamberlain – all currently world ranked, plus talents as mighty as Deion Jumah, Jack Massey and Mikael Lawal jostling beneath, the domestic 200lb class has seldom seemed stronger. Nevertheless, ‘IC’ wisely appears intent on navigating around them, rather than barging through them.

‘Mick (Hennessy, manager-promoter) has it all planned out for me. He’s one of the very best in boxing. I’ve full trust in him guiding my career. I’m just a pitbull on a leash!’ says 6ft 2in Chamberlain.

‘I’ve no need to call people out because I’ve great supporters who’ll turn up no matter who I fight. Besides, I don’t want to give any of the others energy by calling their names!

‘But I believe my resolve in and out of the ring will eventually see me rise above the others. I won’t stop because of everything I’ve been through. I adapt in training, in organisation, and in lifestyle. No crap food. Then, come those hard 11th and 12th rounds, I’ll storm through. When trainers warn their fighters: ‘There’s someone out there putting it in, if you’re not.’ That someone is me!’

‘‘The green WBC belt has always been my childhood dream and I prepare like I’m a world champion already. Mick’s the master of manoeuvre. Before my surgery, he had a WBC belt lined up for me; International, Silver, interim, something like that.

‘My target is (WBC king) Ilunga Makabu. That fight makes most sense. We both have heritage in the Congo and already people talk about us over there. It’s very exciting, another potential ‘Rumble in the Jungle’. It’ll happen whenever God thinks it’s right.’

‘It certainly wouldn’t be easy. Every champion is strong in their own way from the route they’ve had to take but I’d be confident.’

Surgery coupled with Covid 19 have combined to make it the most frustrating of years for the slick and speedy Brixton boy but, now 27, he knows the time is right to transform his major talent into major titles.

He says: ‘Everything has been on standstill but I’m not the only person going through it. There’s people in wheelchairs or with incurable diseases so how can I complain? I’ve just been working on my graft and craft. I know it will pay off. Results will come.

‘Mick has three more shows this year and I intend to be on all of them. By early next year, I’ll be battle-hardened, shoulder fully tested.’

The man who routinely spars with the planet’s elite heavyweights – such as Joshua, Whyte, Wilder and Usyk – returns in a six rounder on Hennessy’s blockbuster show at Coventry’s Skydome Arena and back to 100% capacity is keen as Colman’s to deliver a show stealing performance.

He concludes: ‘I’ve no idea of the opponent yet but fans can expect to see world class. Isaac’s back. Maybe some classy boxing but, once I see his legs twitch, there’ll be an assassination. No emotion!’

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

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; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters; 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; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo takes on the Czech Republic’s Michal Ryba; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch and the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.




JAKE PAUL VS. TYRON WOODLEY MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES

CLEVELAND (August 25, 2021) – Renowned content creator and unbeaten pro boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul and former UFC champion Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley kicked off fight week on Wednesday with an open to the public media workout before they headline on SHOWTIME PPV this Sunday, August 29 from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

The media workout also featured fighters who will be competing in undercard action, including Puerto Rican star and WBC/WBO Featherweight World Champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, who will enter the ring in the PPV co-feature, former world champion Ivan Baranchyk and unbeaten Cleveland-native Montana Love, who meet in a 10-round attraction, plus U.K. stars Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois and Tommy “TNT” Fury, who compete in separate PPV undercard bouts.

Rounding out the participants on Wednesday was 2016 U.S. Olympian and Cleveland-native Charles Conwell, who will enter the ring for an undercard showdown prior to the PPV.

The Cleveland-native Paul will be looking to thrill his hometown crowd on Sunday night topping a stacked night of action as he takes on the toughest test of his burgeoning boxing career in the dangerous and accomplished Woodley.

Tickets starting at $25 are still available via RocketMortgageFieldHouse.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from Public Square in Cleveland:

JAKE PAUL

“I couldn’t have thought about a moment like this. I couldn’t have dreamt it. That’s why I was just looking around. I was like, ‘how am I here?’ This is the city that made me and to bring this one home is the perfect crescendo to my boxing career that’s just starting out. Looking around and seeing friends and family, seeing this beautiful city, I’m just having fun. I’m trying to soak it all in because you don’t get moments like this twice in life.

“Tyron said he’s training like he’s fighting Mike Tyson. Floyd Mayweather is training him and you can tell he’s in shape. He’s got the six pack back. He’s looking good. He’s not messing around. This is his biggest fight ever and the whole MMA community is counting on him to represent them and to get the ‘W’. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen. And when I beat him, there will be no excuses because he was being trained by Floyd Mayweather. Because Jorge Masvidal said he was going to knock me out. Because he took this camp and had a 14-week camp. He has no excuses.

“I love boxing. I fell in love with it. There’s something about knocking someone out and cracking someone in the face. My whole life has been a fight. I never got anything handed to me so I feel like I’m at home. I feel like I was put on this earth to fight. And I like challenges. I’m driven by challenges.

“Boxing is a 24-7 job. The training camp – sleep, eat, recovery, no partying, no distractions – all of that type of stuff makes it the hardest thing I’ve done in my life. Plus, the promotional side of it. I’ve probably done 75 interviews in the past three weeks. It’s non-stop.”

TYRON WOODLEY

“All camps have highs and lows. You have to fight through adversity. With me mentally it was a lot easier when we were having fun. It was passionate and you had people watching your every move and monitoring your every step. I’m just very grateful to all my coaches. To me, this is just a lot of fun. I haven’t had fun in a long time, to be real. I loved this training camp. It was one of my most fun ever.

“I don’t have any issue with Jake Paul. Only issue is he signed the contract. He’s trying his very best to play the mind games. But I’m a man. I don’t play kids’ games.

“There’s a lot of things in MMA you can get away with. In MMA you can make excuses like, ‘Coach, I’ve got to watch out for a kick or get ready for the take takedown.’ So we make all these excuses. None of those excuses are allowed.

“The times I worked with Floyd [Mayweather], he was very vocal. You couldn’t do nothing wrong. And that’s what makes him so great. In MMA we over-do it a lot, but it doesn’t always transition into power. It doesn’t always transition into accuracy. He gave me the foundation of how he beat everyone he did.”

AMANDA SERRANO

“Jake Paul is the main event, but he’s not the main attraction. I am going to make sure I steal the spotlight from him and entice people to enjoy female boxing and to understand that women can fight and put on shows, and showcase that we’re deserving of this opportunity.

“It’s a Puerto Rican champion versus a Mexican champion. That’s enough said. She’s young and hungry and wants my titles, but I’ve worked super hard for those titles and it’s not going to be an easy task to take them away from me.

“I bring excitement, knockout power, skills, and a great chin as well. I’ve been boxing since I was eighteen years old. Boxing is all I have known. I’ve dedicated and sacrificed my whole life to the sport of boxing.

“I fight for the sport of women’s boxing. It’s not for me, it’s for the future girls coming into the sport.”

IVAN BARANCHYK

“I’m excited. I’m hungry and I’m ready for the next challenge. He’s never fought anybody like me. He’s never been ten rounds. I’m ready for a long-distance fight.

“Of course he’s going to try to move around a lot and box me. But this is no problem for me. I’ve changed my style a little bit. I will try to show everybody the new Ivan Baranchyk.

“We will see what’s next for me. Right now, I just need to fight Montana Love. We will see what happens after that.”

MONTANA LOVE

“There’s a lot of motivation from fighting in my hometown. I’m very excited. I’m happy to be in this position. It’s very rare that these kinds of events come to Cleveland. I hope there’s more to come. It’s a dream come true to fight in front of thousands of fans. My friends, my family. I get emotional at times being here and having this opportunity is great.

“I just have to be myself on Sunday night. I’ve been doing this since I was five years old. I just have to pull everything out of my arsenal. Hopefully Ivan pushes me. I think he will push me so that I can show the next level.

“I’m just focused on this fight that’s in front of me. My only goal right now is to be victorious on Sunday night. After that, we’ll look to do a title eliminator after that and then I’ll fight for a world title.

“I’m expecting Ivan Baranchyk to be wild, aggressive, strong. With him, it’s not about his skill or anything like that. We expect aggression and wildness.”

DANIEL DUBOIS

“I want to show that I’m all action. I’m not a man of many words, but when I get in that ring, they’re going to see that I’m the real deal. It’s going to be a devastating performance.

“I’m 23, so with that loss I have just gotten stronger. I’ve had to learn to tighten up my game and that I have flaws, so I’ve just been working on that. This is going to be like my debut.

“I’m full of confidence and I’m ready to go right now. I can make this fight as easy as I want it to be in my opinion. I’m the next one coming through. I’m destined to be a world champion, that’s my goal.”

TOMMY FURY

“This is my first fight in the U.S. But I’m used to it, it’s not my first rodeo because since I was a young kid I watched Tyson fight Klitschko and I’ve always been there on fight week and watched how he handled himself on fight week and thought when my time comes, which is now, I’m going to do the exact same thing. So I flew my team out here and we do what Tyson did, and it’s easy work.

“To be a Fury you grow up to be a fighter, and there’s nothing else. It’s fight, fight, fight. As a kid, you don’t do nothing else. It’s fight, fight, fight. And that’s all I’ve done my entire life. I’ve been around fighters. Everyone in my family does it and now it’s my time.

“I don’t feel one bit of pressure because there’s only pressure when you try to live up to somebody. I’ve said this time and time again there will never ever be another Tyson Fury. No one will ever come close. I’m only trying to do the best I can do. And as long as I’m being the best version of Tommy Fury, I don’t care about anything else. I’m only trying to do the best that I can do.”

CHARLES CONWELL

“I’m doing this in front of my family and my friends and want to thank everyone for supporting me. It’s going to be a major event.

“[Juan Carlos Rubio] is an undefeated fighter, 18-0. That means 18 have tried and not succeeded. But on Sunday night it’s a whole different story as he’s fighting a whole different type of fighter he’s never experienced before. There are levels to this boxing game and this one is just going to take me to the top.

“Yeah, I think every fight is a level-up fight at this point in my career. I keep getting to fight on bigger and bigger stages.

“I just want to show the fans what good boxing is and to put on a performance that they can remember me for. Whatever that has to be and if it’s a knockout, I’m going to go out there and do it. I’m going out there and risking everything, just like he is

“The local support is amazing for me. I have a lot of people here supporting me. I’m looking to steal the show, every time. I know there are a lot of great fights on this card, but I’m looking to put on a show.”

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About Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley:

Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley is the headline attraction atop a stacked evening of professional boxing action presented by SHOWTIME PPV® and Most Valuable Promotions in association with Holden Productions, live from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday, August 29 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The SHOWTIME PPV is available for purchase now at SHOWTIME.com and via the SHOWTIME app, and is available to order through all major cable, satellite and telco providers in the U.S. and Canada. Renowned content creator and undefeated professional boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul will take on the toughest challenge of his budding career in the former UFC champion Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley. Featured on the undercard is unified featherweight world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano defending her titles against super bantamweight champion Yamileth Mercado and the U.S. debuts of popular U.K. attractions Daniel Dubois and Tommy Fury in separate bouts.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @TWooodley and @ShowtimeBoxing, on Instagram via @JakePaul, @Twooodley and @ShowtimeBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.




QUOTES — OSCAR DE LA HOYA LA LIVE WORKOUT

Los Angeles, CA (August 25, 2021) Boxing Legend, ‘The Golden Boy’ Oscar De La Hoya, hit the XBOX Plaza at LA LIVE on Tuesday evening, August 24 to host an open workout for a huge crowd of adoring fans and a massive contingent of local and international media. Looking in exceptional form, De La Hoya worked the mitts for the cheering crowd and brought a couple fans into the ring to join him during the entertaining event.

Presented by Triller Fight Club, De La Hoya will battle former UFC Superstar Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort in the main event of LEGENDS II set for Saturday, September 11 at STAPLES Center.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA

“Call me crazy but I just miss it, I missed getting hit and doing the hitting. I wasn’t ready to retire after I lost to Manny Pacquiao. I never felt like I was in wars so in boxing you’re just as old as how you feel.”

“I went through hell and back treating my body wrong but these last six months I feel amazing. I refocused myself and rededicated myself and I’m actually doing this for me, I can’t wait.”

“The weight limit is 185 but I’m going to come in at 175, strong like an ox. I’m at 180 right now. I’m the underdog because the bettors don’t believe in me but I finally put the train back on the rails.

“I’m not a betting man or a gambler but I would put a lot of money on me. I’m going to surprise people on how I do it. I’ve been training smart, I’ve been very motivated in training since we opened camp.”

“I’m going to give the fans a war. I’ve been studying Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns for a reason. I want a fight, a war. I have a good chin and I can take the punch.”

“I know Vitor Belfort has the same mentality. He was a boxer first before he became the UFC Heavyweight Champion. I have to be calculating with my attack and stay away from his big left hand.”

“There will be a knockout, my inspiration for this fight is Arturo Gatti. I want one of those types of fights.”

Remaining tickets starting at $75 are now on-sale and may be purchased through AXS.com or at this Ticket Link. Doors will open on the day of the event at 3:00 p.m. PT. The STAPLES Center is located at 1111 S. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles, CA 90015. Very-limited VIP packages as well as Super-Exclusive behind the scenes packages will be available too.

The FREE Preview will start at 11:00 p.m. BST / 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT with the Triller Fight Club Pay-Per-View commencing at 12:00 a.m. BST / 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT as the HAYE vs. FOURNIER eight-round heavyweight battle opens the broadcast. The Pay-Per-View is priced at $49.99 in North America and £9.99 ($13.99) in the UK.

Boxing’s biggest international star for over 15 years, De La Hoya was an 11-time world champion in six different weight classes while captivating fans all over the world and setting the standard by generating over $700 million dollars in pay-per-view income. 

De La Hoya’s first world championship fight with then rival Shane Mosley was the inaugural event held at STAPLES Center on June 17, 2000. Among the sold-out crowd of 20,744 in attendance were a wealth of celebrities from the sports and entertainment world. 

Known throughout his career for fighting the best competition and ‘taking on all comers’, included among the victories during De La Hoya’s Hall of Fame career are world champions; Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker, Ike Quartey, Fernando Vargas, Hector Camacho, Arturo Gatti, Yori Boy Campas, Ricardo Mayorga, Wilfredo Rivera and Felix Sturm. 

Co-featured at LEGENDS II, UFC Legends, ANDERSON ‘THE SPIDER’ SILVA from Sao Paolo, Brazil and ‘THE HUNTINGTON BEACH BAD BOY’ TITO ORTIZ will clash in an eight-round cruiserweight boxing match for combat sports supremacy.

Also, at LEGENDS II, Former Heavyweight and Cruiserweight World Champion DAVID ‘THE HAYEMAKER’ HAYE will face off against JOE FOURNIER in a scheduled eight-round heavyweight battle.

Additionally, in a highly anticipated 10-rounder, ANDY ‘El TIBURON’ VENCES, (23-2-1, 12 KOs), of San Jose, CA will challenge Ireland’s JONO ‘KING KONG’ CARROLL, (19-2-1, 5 KOs), for the vacant WBC International Silver Super-Featherweight Title.

The entire LEGENDS II event is produced by Triller Fight Club visionary NIGEL LYTHGOE, award-winning producer of American Idol and the executive producer and creator of ‘So You Think You Can Dance and will be hosted by SNOOP DOGG.

Musical acts announced for the extraordinary event include a Once-In-A-Lifetime Performance by SNOOP DOGG with The One and Only MARVIN GAYE, plus ANITTA, LUNAY and GENTE DE ZONA and others.

                                                ————————————————

iNDemand, the leading transactional video-on-demand and PPV programming provider in North America, will serve as the exclusive U.S. and Canadian cable, satellite, and telco PPV provider for the De La Hoya vs. Belfort fight. Fans will be able to order the event on PPV through their existing cable, satellite, and telco PPV providers across the U.S., including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum, among others and from leading operators in Canada.

LEGENDS II will be broadcast globally on FITE, iNDemand and through all leading Cable, Satellite and Telco Providers in the U.S. and Canada. The suggested PPV retail price is $49.99.

**HOW TO WATCH THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2021, TRILLER PPV EVENT**

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum (U.S.), among others, as well as leading operators in Canada.

Worldwide Streaming: FITE.TV and all FITE mobile, Smart TV, IPTV, game controller and OTT apps as well as the event microsite hub: TrillerFightClub

LEGENDS II is the second event Triller Fight Club has promoted at STAPLES Center, the first being Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. on November 28, 2020. The fight was boxing’s biggest pay-per-view event of the year garnering over 1.6 million buys.

FITE, the world’s premier streaming PPV platform for sports and entertainment recently acquired by TrillerNet, will handle worldwide live pay-per-view streaming distribution online for the September 11 event, and via FITE mobile and Smart TV apps, game controllers and all major OTT devices as well as power TrillerFightClub.com.

About TrillerNet:

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

This marks the third time that FITE, iNDemand and Triller will have partnered to bring value-packed, world-class PPV events to boxing, music, and entertainment fans. iNDemand also served as the cable, satellite, and telco PPV distributor for Triller Fight Club’s November 2020 Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. event (which landed as the 8th best PPV event of all time), as well as the April 17, 2021 Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren event. FITE handled global digital sales for both events and powered the TysononTriller and TrillerFightClub sites.

Fans outside North America can check the FITE link at https://www.fite.tv/watch/oscar-de-la-hoya-vs-vitor-belfort/2p9su/ for international pricing.

About FITE:

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

 FITE: It’s ON. Follow us on Twitter, InstagramYouTubeLinkedIN, and Facebook

About iNDemand:

iNDemand is an innovative partnership between three of the leading cable companies in the U.S.—Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications. iNDemand is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDemand delivers great content to more than 80 million homes and has distribution deals with more than 150 companies. For more information, go to indemand.com.

Social Media

Triller Fight Club

Instagram: @Triller, @TrillerFightClub

Twitter: @Triller, @TrillerFight

Facebook: @TrillerFightClub

Website www.Triller.co

Staples Center

Instagram: @staplescenterla

Twitter: @STAPLESCenter

Facebook: @STAPLESCenter

Website: www.staplescenter.com




RJJ BOXING OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

HUMBLE, Texas (August 25, 2021) — The official weigh in was held today for tomorrow night’s installment of RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS, Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing in association with Next Up Fight and the World Cup Boxing Series, at Humble Civic Center, Humble, Texas.

Fights will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, boxing starts at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

James “Smitty” Smith (blow-by-blow) and former WBA World super lightweight champion Roger Prograis (color commentator) will call the action from ringside.

Priced at $800.00 (VIP table of 6), $75.00 (reserved) and $50.00 (general admission), tickets are available to purchase online at https://events.com/r/en_US/registration/nextfightup-xiii—ufc-fightpass-humble-august-815051.

Fighters’ weights are below:


OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT NABF SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10)*

Eridson Garcia (13-0, 9 KOs), Houston, TX 129 lbs.

Armando Frausto (9-1-1, 5 KOs), La Marque, TX130 lbs.

CO-FEATURE – MIDDLEWEIGHTS (8)*

Winfred Harris, Jr. (19-1, 9 KOs), Detroit, MI 163 lbs.

Vaugh Alexander (15-6, 9 KOs), Saint Louis, MO 160 bs.

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS (6)*

Robert Kevin Garcia (8-0, 6 KOs), Austin, TX 150 lbs.

Antonius Grable (3-1, 3 KOs), Sarasota, FL 148 lbs.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)*

Eugene Hill, Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), Houston, TX 161lbs.

Shane Hall (3-1, 3 KOs), Clovis, NM 154 lbs.

LIGHTWEIGHTS (6)

Luis Acosta (11-0, 10 KOs), Houston, TX 135 lbs.

Christian Danilo Guido (8-19, 6 KOs), Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina 135 lbs.

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS (6)

Pablo Cruz (21-4, 6 KOs), Houston, TX 130 lbs.

Jonathan Lecona Ramos (18-31-5, 5 KOs), Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico 129 lbs.

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS (6)

Eduardo Garcia (5-0, 0 KOs), Houston, TX 151 lbs.

Steven Andrade (3-6, 2 KOs), Cartersvilole, GA 149 lbs.

(card subject to change)

*denotes streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS


INFORMATION:

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

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre

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

Instagram: @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

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

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

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®: UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combat sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.




Boxing Superstar Claressa Shields has Street She Grew up on in Flint Honorarily Renamed After Her

Salita Promotions congratulates fighting superstar Claressa Shields for having the street she grew up on in Flint, Michigan, honorarily dedicated in her name by City of Flint Mayor Sheldon Neely. Last Sunday, Shields, 26, was presented the accolade, which turned Spencer Street into Claressa Shields Street, at her Joy Tabernacle Church, where Shields was a guest speaker.

Mayor Neely says he’s overjoyed to be able to bestow the honor on the city’s fighting legend and says the next steps are to determine if it will be a ceremonial name change or an official name change. Ceremonial would mean adding Shield’s name to the existing name and official would mean the removal of the existing street name and replacing it with Shield’s name.

“Claressa continues to make us all proud while exemplifying what it means to be a true champion,” said Mayor Neely. “She has accomplished so much, remains connected to this community and we just want to honor her. This street dedication is well-deserved.”

Shields (11-0, 2 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medal winner, three-division professional boxing champion, the first fighter, male or female, to unify championships in two divisions and the fastest boxer in history to win titles in three different weight divisions, says this award is especially touching for her.

“I could not be happier today y’all!” said Shields on Twitter. “I had a great time at church! So thankful to everyone who came out to worship with me today! I was surprised by the Mayor of Flint! The street I grew up on Spencer street is being named after me ‘Claressa Shields Street.’ My grandma would be so PROUD!!!! I delivered a great message today! I feel so special!!! I’m overjoyed.”

“This is a well-deserved honor for a woman and fighter who has done a lot to help and support her home city,” said Shields’ promoter, Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions. “She never stops working toward success in her career or as a public figure with an inspiring message. Salita Promotions is proud to represent her.”

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About Salita Promotions

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

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




Undefeated RayJay Bermudez headlines “Fight Night on the Charles at Moseley’s II”

BOSTON (August 25, 2021) – Vertex Promotions has announced its second event, “Fight Night on the Charles at Moseley’s II,” on Saturday night, September 25, at Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham, Massachusetts.

A few of the same fighters from Vertex Promotions’ first show, July 31st at the same venue, will be in action again.

“We were very happy with the first show on July 31st,” Vertex promoter Dave Clark said. “Everyone there really had a great time. This show will be great as well. There’s a lot of local talent and we want to try to keep them as active as we can give fans around here a great night out.”

Undefeated ABF American West and NBA Continental champion, 23-year-old Albany (NY) welterweight RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (13-0, 10 KOs) will headline the show once again in the 8-round main event,

Undefeated welterweight prospect James “The Slim Reaper” Perella (8-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of Mansfield, Massachusetts, is a 4-time USA New England Championships and 4-time New England Golden Gloves Champion. The popular fighter returns in the 6-round co-featured event.

R – perrela_johnson001.JPG
James “The Slim Reaper” Perella

(picture by Emily Harney / Fightography

Undefeated super featherweight Daniel “G.D.F.E.” Bailey (7-0, 4 KOs), fighting out of Tampa (FL), and unbeaten Lawrence (MA) junior welterweight Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (11-0, 9 KOs) are slated to be in 6-round bouts. Bailey is a 4-time U.S. Army and 2012 Ringside National champion, as well as the cousin of multiple world champion Randall Bailey.

New Daniel Bailey.jpg
Daniel Bailey

Dorchester (MA) featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), a 2016 Rocky Marciano Tournament champion, and Lynn (MA) light heavyweight James Perkins (5-0-1, 4 KOs) are scheduled to be in 4-rounders.

Other returning fighters from Vertex Promotions’ inaugural event include Boston welterweight James Murrin (1-0), Malden (MA) junior lightweight Alex Rivera (1-0, 1 KO) in 4-round matches.

Opponents will soon be announced. Fighters subject to change.

Tickets will go on sale soon for $95.00 (row 1), $85.00 (2nd row), $65.00 (3rd row), $55.00 (general admission) and $45.00 (standing room).

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




“Boxing Under The Stars” FACT SHEET for this Saturday night in Montreal

WHAT: “Boxing Under The Stars: Clavel vs. Vargas”

WHEN: Saturday, August 28, 2021

WHERE: IGA Stadium, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

WHO: MAIN EVENT – VACANT WBC SILVER FEMALE LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10)

              Kim Clavel (13-0, 2 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

vs.

              Maria Soledad Vargas (15-3-1, 1 KO), Morella, Michoacán de Ocampo, México



              CO-FEATURE – SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS (8)

              Mikael Zewski (34-2, 23 KOs), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada

vs.

              Dilan Loza (15-4-1, 9 KOs), Mexicali, Baja California, México

FEMALE WELTERWEIGHTS (6)

              Marie Pier Houle (3-0-1, 1 KO), Terrebonne, Québec, Canada

vs.

              Jeanette Zacarais Zapata (2-3, 0 KOs), Villa de Puertecitos, Aguascalientes, México

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

              Alexis Barriere (2-0, 2 KOs), Saint-Jean-Sur Richelieu, Québec, Canada

vs.

Angel Gabriel Barron (1-1, 1 KO), Hermosillo, Sonora, México

              SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

              Mazlum Akedniz (13-0, 7 KOs), Montréal, Québec, Canada

vs.

              Giovanni Martinez (7-11-1, 4 KOs), Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico    

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Samuel Lajoie-Dery (Pro Debut), Montréal, Québec, Canada

s.

Patrick LaFleur (1-3-1, 1 KO), Sheerbrook, Alberta, Canada

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)

Petar Gavrilovic (Pro Début), Montréal, Québec, Canada

vs.

Ruben Mejia (1-5-1, 0 KO), México City, Distrito Federal, México

(card subject to change)


PROMOTER: Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) in association with Lee Baxter Promotions

HOW TO WATCH: “Boxing Under The Stars” will also be available via pay-per-view on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and on Fite.TV (www.FITE.tv) for $ 49.99, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

TICKETS: GYM has obtained authorization to sell 5,000 tickets for the occasion, available on ticketmaster.ca or at GYM (514) 383-0666. Priced at $35, $??50, $90 and $150 in the stands, tickets are available to purchase on ticketmaster.ca or by calling GYM at (515) 383.0666. Tables for 6 people are also available for $ 2,500, including a served hearty meal and wine.

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About Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM): Groupe Yvon Michel is a professional boxing promotion organization, founded in 2004 by Yvon Michel, Alexandra Croft and Bernard Barré, who are all still active in the most prolific organization in the history of professional boxing in Canada. Since its founding, GYM has organized 155 events in Quebec, all broadcasted in Quebec on RDS, TVA Sports or Radio-Canada, and participated in 37 international events outside Quebec. Six boxers became world champions, Joachim Alcine, Jean Pascal, Adonis Stevenson, Artur Beterbiev, Eleider Alvarez and Marie-Eve Dicaire. Sixteen of the organization’s boxers have fought in 48 world championship bouts with an excellent record of 24 wins, 22 losses and 2 draws. During this period major American television networks were more active than ever in going to Quebec to broadcast the most important events of the organization. On 34 occasions, the major American networks presented a GYM gala, an exceptional showcase of Quebec knowledge including HBO (8), Showtime (7), ESPN2 (10), Wealth TV (4), Spike TV (2), ESPN (1), CBS (1) and NBC Sports (1).

Facebook: @groupeyvonmichel

Instagram: @groupeyvonmichel

Twitter: @yvonmichelGYM

Source : Groupe Yvon Michel




Former World Title Challenger Jesse Hart Returns Home to Face Mike Guy on Friday, September 17th at The 2300 Arena

PHILADELPHIA (August 24, 2021)-Former world-title challenger Jesse Hart returns to Philadelphia to take on Mike Guy in an eight-round super middleweight battle that will headline a huge night of boxing that will take place on Friday night, September 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The special event is promoted by RDR Promotions.

Hart of Philadelphia has a record of 26-3 with 21 knockouts. The 32 year-old has twice battled for the super middleweight championship of the world only to fall just short to Gilberto Ramirez in fights that were decided by just a couple of points.

After a stellar amateur career, Hart turned professional on June 9, 2012 with a 1st round stoppage of Manuel Eastman in Las Vegas. That led to Hart winning his first 22 fights (20 by knockout), with victories over Tyrell Hendrix (10-2-2), Samuel Clarkson (10-2), Roberto Acevedo (8-2), Mike Jimenez (17-0), Andrew Hernandez (16-4-1), Alan Campa (16-2). Hart also has victories over Demond Nicholson (18-2), Mike Gavronksi (24-2-1) and Sullivan Barrera (22-2). Hart is coming off a loss to current WBO Light Heavyweight champion Joe Smith Jr. that took place on January 11, 2020 in Atlantic City.

Guy of Sacramento, California, has a record of 12-6-1 with five knockouts.

Guy, 40, is a 12 year-professional, who has wins over Jose Hernandez (6-1-1), Justin Thomas (12-0), Marco Delgado (5-0), Eric Moon (11-1). Guy is coming off a decision loss to world-title challenger John Ryder on December 18th in Hollywood, Florida.

Besides Hart-Guy, a loaded undercard has been assembled with an outstanding co-feature that will pit Samuel Teah taking on Larry Fryers in a Junior Welterweight bout scheduled for 10-rounds.

Teah of Philadelphia, has a record of 17-4-1 with seven knockouts. The 34 year-old Teah has been a staple on Nationally-Televised events has wins over O’Shaquie Foster (8-0), David Gonzales (8-0-2), Maynard Allison (9-2) and Kenneth Sims Jr. (13-1-1). Teah is coming off a defeat to highly regarded Brandun Lee on March 10th in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Fryers of Yonkers, New York via Clones, Ireland, has a record of 11-4 with four knockouts.

The 31 year-old Fryers is a five year-professional, who has a win over Charles Natal (9-0-2). In his last bout, Fryers lost talented prospect Xander Zayas on June 12th in Las Vegas.

In six-round bouts:

Romuel Cruz (5-0-1, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Roberto Pucheta (10-19-2, 6 KOs) of Jalisco, Mexico.

Muhsin Cason (8-0, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas takes on an opponent to be named in a cruiserweight bout.

In Four-round bouts:

Jabril Noble (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia fights David Boria (0-2) in a super featherweight bout.

Nicholas Sullivan (3-0, 1 KO) of Norfolk, VA will take on an opponent to be named in a lightweight affair.

Jerrod Miner (1-12-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia battles debuting Josh Aarons of Williamsport, PA in a bantamweight contest.

Boimah Karmo (1-0) of Sharon Hill, PA fights Raymond Kupula (9-9-1, 4 KO) of Monterrey, Mexico in a welterweight fight.

Brandon O’Callaghan (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia rumbles with Clifford Johnson (0-1) of Ashtabula, Ohio in a middleweight tussle.

Isaiah Johnson (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia takes on Llamar Kelly (0-1) of Lawrence, Massachusetts in a lightweight fight.

Tickets for this great night of boxing are $150, $100, $75 and $250 for VIP Box and can be purchased by contacting rdrboxing@yahoo.com or https://2300arena.showare.com/ordertickets.asp?p=373&src=default




JOSHUA VS. USYK UNDERCARD CONFIRMED

Details of the supporting cast to Anthony Joshua’s huge IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO Heavyweight World Title showdown with Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday September 25 have been confirmed. 
 
The Heavyweight division’s biggest attraction puts his Unified crown on the line once more against former Undisputed Cruiserweight World Champion and pound-for-pound star Usyk live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland and on DAZN in over 170 countries and territories worldwide
 
WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Lawrence Okolie (16-0, 13 KOs) puts his World Title on the line for the first time against his Mandatory Challenger Dilan Prasovic (15-0, 12 KOs) following his crushing sixth round stoppage of Krzysztof Glowacki at The SSE Arena, Wembley back in March. 
 
By winning a World Title in just his sixteenth fight, the unbeaten 28-year-old from Hackney nicknamed ‘The Sauce’ emulated fellow Brits Tony Bellew, David Haye, Enzo Maccarinelli, Johnny Nelson and Carl Thompson who all previously held world crowns in the 200lb class.
 
Montenegro’s Prasovic, a former WBO Cruiserweight Youth World Champion, sits at No.1 in the world with the governing body having won all fifteen of his fights since turning professional in October 2014, with twelve of those wins coming by way of knockout. 
 
Former WBA Super-Middleweight World Champion Callum Smith (27-1, 19 KOs) makes his highly anticipated ring return up at Light-Heavyweight against the Dominican Republic’ Lenin Castillo (21-3-1, 16 KOs) after his points loss to Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez out in Texas last December. 
 
Manchester Lightweight prospect Campbell Hatton (3-0) continues his education in the professional ranks when he takes on Spain’s Izan Dura (3-7) hot on the back of his comfortable points win over Jakub Laskowski on the first week of Matchroom Fight Camp. 
 
‘The Albanian King’ Florian Marku (8-0-1, 6 KOs) looks to build on his impressive stoppage win over Rylan Charlton on the Avanesyan vs. Kelly undercard in February as he challenges Milan’s Maxim Prodan (19-0-1, 15 KOs) for the IBF International Welterweight Title and unbeaten Chicago Middleweight Christopher Ousley (12-0, 9 KOs) meets Russia’s Khasan Baysangurov (21-1, 11 KOs) for the WBA Intercontinental Title.
 
Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development for Sky Sports, said: “Joshua vs. Usyk will be an unmissable evening of action, with Lawence Okolie, Callum Smith and Campbell Hatton all featuring on a bumper bill at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, live on Sky Sports Box Office.”We’ve followed Lawrence Okolie’s career since the start and he’ll be determined to light up north London with an explosive defence of his WBO Cruiserweight belt.”Callum Smith is on a collision course with new World Title rivals, having joined the Light-Heavyweight division, and Campbell Hatton continues his journey up the pro ranks with the help of Matthew and Ricky Hatton.”AJ and Usyk then take centre stage as two Olympic gold medallists collide in the capital, in a hugely important World Heavyweight Title clash!”

Joseph Markowski, DAZN EVP, said: “This is an action-packed card that will thrill boxing fans around the world. Callum Smith, Lawrence Okolie and Campbell Hatton are household names in their own right and are going to raise the roof at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the remarkable main event – featuring two great fighters whose difference in styles, personalities, and journeys will make for the perfect storm. It’s set to be an incredible night of boxing on DAZN across 170+ countries and territories.”




UNBEATEN TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION DAVID BENAVIDEZ RETURNS TO HIS HOMETOWN OF PHOENIX TO FACE FORMER CHAMPION JOSE UZCATEGUI IN SHOWTIME MAIN EVENT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13

PHOENIX (August 24, 2021) – Unbeaten two-time world champion and Phoenix-native David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez will battle former world champion Jose Uzcategui in a WBC Super Middleweight title eliminator in his hometown on Saturday, November 13 live on SHOWTIME in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Benavidez and Uzcategui were originally scheduled to meet on Saturday, August 28, before the fight was pushed back due to a positive COVID-19 test for Benavidez.

Also featured on the card will be longtime contender José Benavídez, the older brother of David Benavídez, making his much-awaited return facing Argentina’s Francisco Emanuel Torres in a 10-round super welterweight duel.

Tickets purchased for the August 28 event will be valid for the newly scheduled November 13 event date. If you are unable to attend the newly scheduled date, tickets will be refundable at your point of purchase.

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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.




Tyler Tomlin to Face Veteran Ira Terry this Saturday in Kentucky

CHEATHAM COUNTY, TN (August 24, 2021) – Undefeated lightweight prospect, Tyler “Short Fuse” Tomlin (11-0, 7 KOs), of Cheatham County, TN, is looking to keep the forward momentum going on his promising professional boxing career as he faces, Ira “Mr. Showtime” Terry (27-16, 16 KOs), that on paper is Tomlin’s toughest fight of his career. The bout scheduled for eight-rounds will take place this Saturday, August 28, 2021, at the Oak Grove Racing and Gaming Hotel in Oak Grove, Kentucky.

“I am now signed with DiBella Entertainment, and having a major promoter means I have to step my game up as I will now be getting bigger fights,” said Tomlin. “Ira Terry has fought a lot of really good fighters like Jorge Linares, Francisco Vargas and Claudio Marrero, and I look forward to showing the world where I stack up against these legends in boxing. This is the toughest test of my career and I’m looking to have a performance that gets people talking about me.”

Tomlin, who was an offensive wrecking ball from the opening bell, landed some vicious body blows early, in addition to some powerful overhand rights, that led to his opponent’s demise in his last fight against Tyrone Luckey. Tomlin is looking to repeat that performance against Terry.

“Ira Terry is a golden glove winner and he’s coming off a big win in his last fight, and we’re taking him very seriously,” said Darryl Tomlin, Tyler’s coach, and father, who co-manages is son with Peter Fernandez. “We’re grateful to Lou DiBella and DiBella Entertainment for keeping us active and we are looking to put on a great show for all of those who will be traveling to the fight to support Ty. I want everyone to know we have trained for a knockout, and we’re looking to close the show in this fight.”

Tomlin is a massive draw, and despite the fight being in Kentucky, it is a mere 30-minutes from his residence in Tennessee, meaning Ty will have a lot of familiar faces in the crowd.

“This bout is 30-minutes from where I live, and I am excited to have tremendous support from my family and friends as I move forward on my journey towards becoming a world champion,” said Tomlin. “This will be a sold out show and I want to make everyone proud who is coming to see me. I’m going to bring it in this fight and put on a great show for the fans.”




BELLATOR MMA RETURNS TO THE 3ARENA IN DUBLIN ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5

DUBLIN – After more than 18 months away from the 3Arena, BELLATOR’s return to the iconic Dublin venue is set for Friday, Nov. 5, when Ireland’s own No. 6 ranked James “The Strabanimal” Gallagher (11-1) faces the No. 2 ranked Patchy Mix (14-1) in a huge bantamweight main event to headline BELLATOR 270.

In the co-headliner, No. 4 ranked lightweight and Dublin’s very own Peter “The Showstopper” Queally (13-5-1), will be looking to bring the house down again when he faces 23-time BELLATOR veteran and No. 1 ranked Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (23-10) in a highly anticipated rematch. An additional five preliminary matchups for BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix are also confirmed below.

Tickets to BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix go on general sale on this Friday, Aug. 27, with an exclusive presale on Thursday, Aug. 26, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.ie and Bellator.com.

Fans in Ireland will be able to watch the event on both Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport, while those in the UK can watch the event live on BBC iPlayer. Meanwhile U.S. fans will be able to enjoy the main card action live on SHOWTIME at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT, with a replay at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

The eagerly awaited bantamweight matchup between Gallagher and Mix has the potential to go down as one of the all-time great fights in BELLATOR history. It was originally due to take place in May at BELLATOR 258, but injury forced Gallagher out of the encounter. Now, in front of what is guaranteed to be an electric Irish crowd, the “Strabanimal” will finally get his chance to silence Mix as he looks to earn the biggest win of his career to date.

“I’m so grateful to be back as the headline in Dublin,” said Gallagher, “I’ve moved to America to take my mindset and skill set to another level and I’m happy I can show my work to my home fans! Welcome to the Jimmy Show! ??

Patchy Mix is currently the #2 ranked bantamweight and fights out of Extreme Couture in Las Vegas. Like Gallagher, Mix has made a name for himself in the BELLATOR cage by displaying impressive submissions, including the rare Suloev Stretch.

Mix said of his long-awaited matchup: “I’m going to walk into James’ home country and put him away in the first round.”

After a series of lively back-and-forth trash talk encounters and cancelled bouts due to injury, Queally and Pitbull finally met in the BELLATOR cage in May earlier this year, with the Irishman causing a huge upset, securing a hard-fought TKO victory due to a doctor’s stoppage following a cut Patricky sustained in the second round. 

Queally, meanwhile, who trains alongside Gallagher out of Ireland’s famous Straight Blast Gym, will be looking to once again use the might of the home-crowd to help him secure a decisive win over his bitter rival, Pitbull.

“I can’t wait to get back out there again to settle this once and for all with Pitbull and really give the 3Arena crowd something special,” Queally said. “Patricky is such a perfect opponent, there has been so much that has gone on with me and him that I think the crowd will be even more invested than normal this time. Expect an all-out war – I’m going to beat him, and the lightweight belt is next.”

Freire – the older brother of BELLATOR lightweight champion Patrício – has competed professionally since 2005, earning a fearsome reputation as a knockout artist. Living up to the moniker “Pitbull,” Freire will be looking to even the score with Queally, silence the home crowd and get back to his winning ways.

“He knows he was getting beat up in the first fight,” said Pitbull. “He felt pain in his legs and body, I’m gonna make him feel even more pain now. The Irish fans are very loud and passionate, but when I knock him out, you will be able to hear a pin drop in that arena.”

The news of a return to Dublin rounds off a trio of BELLATOR MMA events confirmed on European soil in 2021, with the cage setting down in London on October 1 and Moscow on October 23 before heading to the Irish capital on November 5.

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)

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

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

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

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

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




NO HORSING AROUND FOR ‘HITMAN’ McKENNA

London, UK (24 August 2021) Red hot Irish prospect Stevie ‘The Hitman’ McKenna has turned to horsepower as he gallops towards his first championship title.

The undefeated super-lightweight KO king and his equally talented brother Aaron, an unbeaten super-welterweight talent, have both taken up horse riding to aid in their active recovery from arduous training sessions.

Front runner McKenna features on promoter Mick Hennessy’s big bill on Friday 10th September at the Coventry Skydome Arena, headlined by Sam Eggington’s defence of his WBC Silver Middleweight Championship against undefeated French sensation Bilel Jkitou, exclusively live and free on Channel 5 in the UK and Ireland.

The County Monaghan ace has shot out of the starting gates as a pro, racing to a perfect 8-0 and flattening all by knockout – with five coming in the opening round – and is in the saddle on the fast track to his first championship title.

Stablemates Stevie, 24, and Aaron, 22, recently took to the Sport of Kings on their return to Ireland after the lockdown and the brothers are now regulars at the Mullaghmore Equestrian Centre at the luxury 5 Star hotel Castle Leslie in Monaghan.

He said, “It started when Aaron and I came back to Ireland from America after the lockdown and we were looking for something to do at the weekends and we just hit on the idea of doing some horse riding,”

“Back In Los Angeles we were jet skiing and shooting on our days off, we were always out and about doing some type of active recovery from our training sessions so back home in Ireland we chose horse riding and I’m glad we did,”

“It’s a very exciting and we get a great thrill out of it. We get an adrenaline rush out of it, just like you do in the ring, once you get the horse going up fast to a canter and then once you start getting it galloping, it’s a truly amazing feeling,”

“It’s a dangerous sport, but we’re not afraid of anything and we have great instructors to do it safely. We decided to pick it up and we learned pretty quick, it didn’t take us long to get on the horse and get used to it and we’re really enjoying it,”

“It’s hard on the legs and you have to use your core and balance so it works everything. Instead of lying up on a Sunday on the couch and doing nothing you’re out horse riding and we’re really feeling the benefits when we’re back in the gym,”

“Balance is key when you’re standing up on the horse and using the core so it helps us as well when we’re taking a rest day and also getting in some active recovery. It fits well as part of our training schedule.”

“We’re hoping to do anything on the horse like galloping, jumping as high as we can get them, we’re up for anything, we’re still just learning really and it will happen over time, but for now we’re just really loving the excitement.”

The McKennas are even eying up owning a stable of champions horses one day, but for now Stevie has got the blinkers on as he focuses on becoming World Champion.

He added, “Hopefully some day we can own a few horses ourselves, but our focus right now is to become World champions first,”

“We’re both a bit tall to be jockeys, I’m 6’ 1” and Aaron’s 6’ 2”, so we’d probably need to get a jockey in, our brother Gary is a wee bit shorter so we may use him!”

“Watch out Paul Townend and Rachael Blackmore, in the future who knows, we might give them a run for their money!”

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

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; Birmingham’s Former British Light-Heavyweight Champion Shakan Pitters; 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; Birmingham’s flash and brash Love Island and super-middleweight star Idris Virgo; red-hot Irish super-welterweight talent Brett McGinty; Brighton heavyweight destroyer Tommy Welch and the silky skilled Sevenoaks prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.




Ariel “The Machine” De la Torre Arrives in Las Vegas to Start Training with Ismael Salas

LAS VEGAS, NV (August 24, 2021) – Cuban sensation and undefeated super bantamweight prospect, Ariel “The Machine” De la Torre (6-0, 5 KOs), has arrived in Las Vegas, NV, to start training with famed boxing coach, Ismael Salas. De La Torre, who is managed by Jesse Rodriguez, is co-promoted with Warriors Boxing and Boxing Major League.

De La Torre, age 23, stands 5’5, and was born in Camaguey, Cuba. With an exceptional pedigree, De La Torre had an excellent amateur record and is considered one of the top global blue-chip prospects in boxing. In addition, he was the 2018 Super Flyweight Cuban National Champion.

“I’m very happy to be training in Las Vegas with Salas, who is one of the best boxing coaches in the world,” said De La Torre. “I know there will be a lot of great fighters in the gym, so I want to learn as much as possible form everyone, especially Salas. Training with world class fighters is only going to elevate my career.”

Ismael Salas is known as an elite coach having guided multiple fighters to world titles. His recent victory with WBA welterweight world champion Yordenis Ugas, who defeated boxing legend and 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao this past Saturday, will go down in history as one of the best upsets of all time. Rodriguez is thrilled to have his fighter training with the best.

“In my opinion, Ismael Salas is a future Hall of Fame boxing coach, who is globally recognized for his great work, having build many world champions,” said Jesse Rodriguez. “Ariel De La Torre is a tremendous talent, and his punching power is immense for this division. I believe De La Torre will be a future champion and I can’t wait to get him his first fight in the United States.”

“I’m looking forward to making my USA debut by the end of this year,” De La Torre continued. “Everyone will see the explosiveness that God has blessed me with. My goal is take over the super bantamweight division.”




Undefeated World Light Heavyweight Contender Gilberto Ramirez Believes in “Zurdo,” Golden Boy & his Mexican heritage

LAS VEGAS (August 23, 2021) – Undefeated Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (42-0, 28 KOs) feels he’ll get his first World light heavyweight title shot because he believes in himself, his promoter Golden Boy Promotions, and his Mexican heritage.

The former World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight World champion is a leading light heavyweight contender, currently rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and No. 5 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), as well as No. 9 in The Ring independent rankings for the first time in the 175-pound division.

After Ramirez’ recent knockout victory over Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs), positioning him for a World title shot, the boxing world looked forward to “Zurdo” challenging World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol later this year. Bivol had all but assured a showdown with Ramirez through social media posts, but suddenly he changed his tune and was dreaming of a match this November that isn’t going to happen against WBA and WBC Super Middleweight Champion “Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs).

The 30-year Ramirez has openly called for a fight with Bivol or either of the other World light heavyweight title holders, Artur Beterbiev (WBC/IBF) and Joe Smith, Jr. (WBO), whose rumored unification fight doesn’t appear to be on the horizon.

Meanwhile, all three reigning World light heavyweight champions have gone dark, at least in terms of fighting Ramirez. Is “Zurdo” too risky for them, or are they just hesitant to fight a proven Mexican challenger?

“I leave my opponents to my promoter, Golden Boy, and its matchmaker, Robert Diaz,” Ramirez explained. “They’re aware of what I want, and I trust they are diligent and will do whatever is best for me. As a fighter, I’ve been clear that all the World light heavyweight champs are on my hit list; and I don’t retract my statement or shy away from the fights as most of them have. In this world, all I have are my word and balls, and I don’t break ‘em for anyone. I fight not just for myself, but for my pride and the spirit of Mexican people. We are proud of our heritage and have been the best fighters. Russians know I will take out both Bivol and Beterbiev; Joe Smith, Jr. is just an appetizer.”

“Canelo” and Julio Cesar Gonzalez (2003) are the only native Mexicans to be crowned World Light Heavyweight Champions, but everybody in boxing knows Mexican boxers are called warriors for a good reason.

“I think they’re all reluctant to fight a Mexican light heavyweight like me,” Ramirez added. “There’s a reason why Bivol is retracting his statement and staying quiet after all his social media antics. If he was serious, it’s an easy fight to make, and he knows it (both fighters have fought on DAZN). I’m also hearing (Joshua) Buatsi’s name in the mix, but I would absolutely destroy him. All these guys talk the talk but rarely walk the walk. I am a Mexican warrior; everybody knows the way we are built!”

Other potential contenders in the mix, excluding the reigning world champions, may include Badou Jack, Eleider Alvarez, Maxim Vlasov (Ramirez defeated him as super middleweights), and Lyndon Arthur.

“My time will come, Ramirez concluded. “I know Golden Boy is working hard on making this a reality and when that time comes, all these guys will have nowhere to run or hide. I leave who I fight next up to my matchmaker, Robert Diaz. I trust that Golden Boy will do whatever is best for my career.

“I’m not frustrated, this is part of the process. I’m a veteran in this game. Many will talk, but they will fall when it’s time to act. Again, I trust Golden Boy will do what has been promised and I look forward to what fight they will present me with.”

INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez




JOE JOYCE COMMITS FUTURE TO QUEENSBERRY

‘JUGGERNAUT’ Joe Joyce has signed a multi-fight contract extension to continue his journey towards becoming world champion under the promotional banner of Queensberry.

Unbeaten in 13 professional fights, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist has committed his fighting future to Frank Warren and Queensberry, who he linked up with in May 2019 and launched the promotional partnership with a resounding stoppage of another world title challenger, Alexandr Ustinov.

Since this time, the now 35-year-old has recorded impressive victories over Bryant Jennings and German Michael Wallisch.

Joyce then propelled himself into public prominence as a professional when he took the unbeaten record of young heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois in late November and, in turn, took over the high WBO ranking accumulated by the 23-year-old.

In his most recent bout Joyce overcame an early onslaught with typical tenacity to finish the durable former World Title challenger Carlos Takam.

He is now in pole position to fight the winner of the forthcoming heavyweight title fight between unified champion Anthony Joshua and former cruiserweight ruler Oleksandr Usyk.

Joyce said: “I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be extending my promotional deal with Queensberry. I believe with my management S-Jam, Queensberry and BT Sport I’m in the right place to achieve my dreams and become a World Champion.”

Hall-Of-Fame Promote Frank Warren said: “I am delighted Joe has agreed a long-term contract renewal with us at Queensberry for the period of time where we are confident he will be crowned WBO world champion.

“He hasn’t put a foot – or a fist – wrong since teaming up with us and he is now getting the exposure and attention his boxing exploits deserve. 

“We worked very hard in lobbying the WBO to recognise Joe as No.2 in the world rankings and the governing body will enforce the mandatory challenge to the winner of Joshua-Usyk in 2022.

“So there are exciting times ahead in the heavyweight division for Queensberry fighters, with Tyson Fury leading the way as WBC champion, Joe poised to challenge for the WBO title and Daniel Dubois now WBA Interim champion.

“It means we will be all set for some massive fights and huge occasions across the rest of this year and next and Joe will play a big part in it all.”




COMPLETE RESULTS FOR BELLATOR MMA 265: KONGO VS. KHARITONOV

#3-Cheick Kongo (31-11-2, 1 NC) defeated Sergei Kharitonov (32-9, 2 NC) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:59 of round two

#5-Logan Storley (12-1) defeated Dante Schiro (8-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Marcelo Golm (9-3) defeated Billy Swanson (4-1) via TKO (strikes) at 4:57 of round one

#6-Jornel Lugo (7-0) defeated Keith Lee (7-4) via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 5:00 of round one

Preliminary Card: 

Fabio Aguiar (18-2) defeated Taylor Johnson (7-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Mike Hamel (8-5) defeated Bryce Logan (12-6) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Archie Colgan (3-0) defeated Ben Simons (3-3) via TKO (punches) at 00:00 of round one

Duane Johnson (6-2)defeated Deven Fisher(4-9) via submission (D’arce Choke) at 1:04 of round one

Bailey Schoenfelder (2-0) defeated Kory Moegenburg (1-3) via TKO (strikes) at 4:11 of round one




Split-T Management’s WBA Super Lightweight Champion Kali Reis Defends Title TONIGHT against Diana Prazak on UFC Fight Pas

NEW YORK (August 20, 2021) -TONIGHT! at the Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon, California, Split-T Management’s Kali Reis will make the first defense of her WBA Super Lightweight world title when she takes on Diana Prazak in the headline bout of a UFC Fight Pass streamed card (11 PM ET / 8 PM PT).

Reis of Providence, Rhode Island, has a record 17-7-1 with five knockouts.

Reis, who is managed by Brian Cohen, won the title on November 6, 2020 with an exciting 10-round unanimous decision over Kandi Wyatt in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Reis, who is also a former WBC Middleweight world champion has wins over Maricela Cornejo (4-1) and Patricia Juarez (4-1).

Prazak of Melbourne, Australia has a record of 14-3 with nine knockouts, won the WBA Super Featherweight title with an 8th round stoppage over Frida Wallberg on June 14, 2013 in Sweden. She defended the title once with a 5th round stoppage over Shannon O’Connell (8-2). Prazak also has wins over Siriphon Chanbuala (10-0-1) and Fatuma Zarika (23-5-1). Prazak is coming off a unanimous decision over Milagros Gabriela Diaz on March 13th in Tijuana, Mexico.

At Thursday’s weigh-in, Reis weighed 139.2 lbs. Prazak was 138.2 lbs.

Reis is promoted by Dibella Entertainment.




UNDEFEATED GABRIELA FUNDORA BACK IN ACTION TOMORROW NIGHT IN TIJUANA

Tijuana (August 20, 2021) – 19-year-old female fighting sensation Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora (2-0) will return to action tomorrow night in Tijuana, taking on Mexico’s Karol Mazariegos (1-0-1, 1 KOs) in a super flyweight four-rounder to open festivities at the Najera Boxing Promotions’ event at the Round 13 Big Punch Arena.

The younger sister of world-ranked super welterweight contender Sebastian “Towering Inferno” Gabriela Fundora, is a lofty 5’ 9” former amateur standout, trained by her father, Freddy, at his increasingly popular gym in Coachella, California. The skilful southpaw says her busy schedule since turning professional is all part of a larger plan.

“I’m feeling very strong and fast and I’m excited getting back in the ring,” said Fundora, who was last seen in July of this year, taking a unanimous decision from Texas brawler Indeya Smith. “I don’t know much about Karol Mazariegos, but we are trying to stay super busy and get as much experience as possible.”

Like her brother, Fundora is promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. She says her busy schedule is part of a plan to take the fast track to a world championship fight.

“My brother and i are working extremely hard in the desert, trying to improve our craft,” she explained. “I want to get as much promotion as possible, to prepare for what my promoter has planned and that’s a world title by next year. The sky is the limit!”

From a boxing family where three of her brothers, her father and her mother were once fighters, the fighting female Fundora is the most heavily decorated member of the family while winning regional and national championships, including the 2017 USA National Junior Championship, where she was named “Boxer of the Tournament” as well as the Junior Olympics twice, and the 2017 USA Eastern and Western Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

Lewkowicz says that because of Fundora’s extensive experience, she is already an uncrowned world champion.

“Gabriela ‘Sweet Poison’ Fundora will be a world champion a year from now. I guarantee it,” said a confident Lewkowicz, known for finding unknown talent in gyms all over the world. “She is too much for most of the fighters in her division to handle, so we are taking a fast route to the top. We are keeping her sharp and ready for when the time comes to take her first belt from one of the current champions.”
About Sampson Boxing

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




WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR TOMORROW’S BROADWAY BOXING

Kali Reis 139.2 lbs. vs. Diana Prazak 138.2 lbs.

Elvis Garcia 218.4 lbs. vs. Joel Shojgreen 197.6 lbs.

Alma Ibarra 146.2 lbs. vs. Kandi Wyatt 145 lbs.

RED CORNER BLUE CORNER

10 ROUNDS – WBA/IBO WORLD FEMALE SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION
Kali Reis vs. Diana Prazak
Philadelphia, PA Los Angeles, CA
17-7-1, 5 KO’s 14-3, 9 KO’s
139.2 lbs. 138.2 lbs.

4 ROUNDS – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Austin Brooks vs. Jesus Torres Beltran
San Diego, CA San Bernardino, CA
3-0, 1 KO 4-0, 3 KO’s
128.6 lbs. 130 lbs.

8 ROUNDS – WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS BRIDGERWEIGHT TITLE
Elvis Garcia vs. Joel Shojgreen
Puerta de Mangos, Nayarit, Mexico Brooklyn, NY
11-0, 8 KO’s 10-2 (9 KOs)
218.4 lbs. 197.6 lbs.

8 ROUNDS – WBA WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR
Alma Ibarra vs. Kandi Wyatt
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico Calgary, Alberta, Canada
8-1, 4 KO’s 10-2, 3 KO’s
146.2 lbs. 145 lbs.

Photo Credit: Paul Gallegos/DiBella Entertainment

Social Media
DiBella Entertainment
Instagram: @DiBellaEnt
Twitter: @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt
Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment

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Facebook: @UFCFightPass




KALI REIS VERSUS DIANA PRAZAK WORLD TITLE UNIFICATION HEADLINES BROADWAY BOXING TONIGHT ON UFC FIGHT PASS 11:00PM ET / 8:00PM PT

El Cajon, CA (August 20, 2021) – Tune in TODAY at 11:00pm ET / 8:00pm PT to catch Kali Reis (17-7-1, 5 KOs), 139.2 lbs., defend her WBA Super Lightweight World Title against Los Angeles-based Australian Diana Prazak (14-3, 9KOs), 138.2 lbs., streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading streaming service for combat sports. The IBO Female Super Lightweight belt will also be at stake in the 10-round bout.

On the UFC Fight Pass undercard, La Mesa, California’s Austin Brooks (3-0, 1 KO), 128.6 lbs., and 19-year-old Jesus Torres Beltran (4-0, 3 KOs), 130 lbs., of San Bernardino, CA, will put their undefeated records on the line in a four-round super featherweight bout.

Mexican Elvis Garcia (11-0, 8 KOs) meets Joel Shojgreen (10-2, 9 KOs), 197.2 lbs., of Brooklyn, NY, with the WBC Continental Americas Bridgerweight Title on the line. Referred to as Anthony Joshua’s “secret weapon”, Garcia served as Joshua’s main sparring partner in preparation for his world heavyweight championship rematch against Andy Ruiz in December 2019. With new dedication to health and nutrition, Garcia, who weighed in at 260 pounds for a fight just two years ago, hit the scales yesterday at 218.4 pounds.

In a fight dubbed the “Thrilla for CasKilla,” Mexican Alma Ibarra (8-1, 4 KOs), 146.2 lbs., will face Canada’s Kandi Wyatt (10-2, 3 KO’s), 145 lbs., in a high-stakes WBA welterweight title eliminator. The winner will challenge undisputed welterweight female champion Jessica “CasKilla” McCaskill.

Social Media
DiBella Entertainment
Instagram: @DiBellaEnt
Twitter: @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt
Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment

UFC Fight Pass
Instagram: @UFCFightPass
Twitter: @UFCFightPass
Facebook: @UFCFightPass




Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Special Guests Abound at the Induction Ceremony

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (August 19, 2021) — The 5th Annual Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame event promises an action-packed weekend filled with interactive fan experiences, exhibits, live amateur bouts, and the must-attend Induction Ceremony on Sunday, August 22, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in the Sound Waves Theater.

The red-carpet formal celebration will honor and enshrine many great boxers and notable contributors who made Atlantic City the worldwide boxing mecca. Guests will enjoy the opportunity to mix and mingle with more than 20 special guests, including entertainers, sports icons, government officials, and more. From basketball star Lamar Odom to boxing legends Paulie Malignaggi, Michael Olajide, Ray Mercer, Michael Spinks, Tim Witherspoon, and Iran Barkley to Grammy award-winning songwriter Fred Jerkins, Hip Hop Legend and Sirius XM Radio Host Roxanne Shante and actor Daryl’ Chill’ Mitchell to Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr., and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and Victor Manuelle a Latin Grammy-nominated American salsa singer, known to his fans as El Sonero de la Juventud (“The Singer of Youths”) will sing the national anthem. Many other great fighters, both current & future stars and former World Champions, will be in attendance.

At the Induction Ceremony, which takes place from 4 pm to 8 pm, attendees will enjoy a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar followed by an awards presentation filled with live music, tribute dance performance, and more.

The 2020 and 2021 inductees are:

Roy Jones Jr., Riddick Bowe, Pernell Whitaker, Al Cole, Ernest Bing, Tony Thornton, Sr., Calvin Grove, Percy Richardson, Tommy Parks, Earl Morton, Steve Weisfeld, Ron Katz, Murad Muhammad, Marc Abrams, Al Bernstein, and Ms. Laoma Byrd. Felix Trinidad, Kelly Pavlik, Simon Brown, Ivan Robinson, Aaron Snowell, Joey Eye, Frank Cappuccino, Ed Keenan, and Nino Delbuno.

To purchase tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime evening to remember, visit www.ticketmaster.com. For more program information, visit Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame at www.acbhof.com or call (609) 829-8711.