LOS ANGELES – BELLATOR MMA has confirmed the full fight card for BELLATOR MMA 262: Velasquez vs. Kielholtz on Friday, July 16 at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The event airs LIVE on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is headlined by undefeated flyweight world champion Juliana Velasquez (11-0) versus BELLATOR Kickboxing’s Flyweight World Champion and No. 3 ranked Denise Kielholtz (6-2) for the promotion’s 125-pound belt.

In addition to the must-see main event, four other exciting main card bouts are confirmed for BELLATOR 262 on SHOWTIME, including No. 5 ranked Tyrell Fortune (10-1, 1 NC) taking on former New York Giants football star and No. 7 ranked Matt Mitrione (13-8, 1 NC) at heavyweight, a women’s featherweight matchup between No. 2 ranked former title challenger Arlene Blencowe (13-8) and Brazil’s Dayana Silva (9-6), a men’s heavyweight contest pitting No. 4 ranked Linton Vassell (20-8, 1 NC) versus BELLATOR newcomer Marcelo Golm (8-3), and undefeated No. 5 ranked Johnny Eblen (8-0) facing off against Travis Davis (10-4) in an explosive middleweight bout to open the main card.

The preliminary card is confirmed for six bouts and features a heavyweight slugfest between knockout artist Ronny Markes (19-8) and Said Sowma (6-2), as well as a featherweight contest pitting undefeated top prospect Cody Law (3-0) against Theodore Macuka (1-0). In addition, South Florida’s Roman Faraldo (5-0) welcomes John Ramirez (5-5) to the fray in a welterweight clash, while Team Pitbull Brothers-product Matheus Mattos (12-2-1) faces off against Cee Jay Hamilton (15-8) in a bantamweight battle. Lastly, Johnny Soto (4-1) and Adil Benjilany (5-3, 1 NC) square off in a 145-pound matchup and the undefeated Diana Avsaragova (3-0) takes on Gabriella Gulfin (2-2) in a flyweight showdown.

All prelims will stream live at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV. Full bout listings are below:

SHOWTIME streaming service is offering a 30-day free trial, followed by a discounted monthly subscription fee of $4.99/month for the next six months. Viewers can sign up at SHO.com/BellatorMMA. Subscribers will be delivered two live premier BELLATOR MMA events per month throughout 2021 and beyond, anywhere the SHOWTIME service is available.  

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BELLATOR MMA 262: Velasquez vs. Kielholtz Main Card:

Friday, July 16 – Live onSHOWTIME

9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

Flyweight World Title Main Event: C-Juliana Velasquez (11-0) vs. #3-Denise Kielholtz (6-2)

Heavyweight Bout: #5–Tyrell Fortune (10-1, 1 NC) vs. #7-Matt Mitrione (13-8, 1 NC)

Heavyweight Bout: #4-Linton Vassell (20-8, 1 NC) vs. Marcelo Golm (8-3)

Featherweight Bout: #2–Arlene Blencowe (13-8) vs. Dayana Silva (9-6)

Middleweight Bout: #5-Johnny Eblen (8-0) vs. Travis Davis (10-4)

Preliminary Card: 

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

6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT

Bantamweight Bout: Matheus Mattos (12-2-1) vs. Cee Jay Hamilton (15-8)

Heavyweight Bout: Ronny Markes (19-8) vs. Said Sowma (6-2)

Featherweight Bout: Cody Law (3-0) vs. Theodore Macuka (1-0)

Welterweight Bout: Roman Faraldo (5-0) vs. John Ramirez (5-5)

Flyweight Bout: Diana Avsaragova (3-0) vs. Gabriella Gulfin (2-2)

Featherweight Bout: Johnny Soto (4-1) vs. Adil Benjilany (5-3, 1 NC)

*Card subject to change.

For more information on upcoming BELLATOR MMA events, visit BELLATOR.com. 

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

About SHOWTIME

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

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR CLARESSA SHIELDS AS 2021 BEST BOXER HERE.

Salita Promotions wishes to congratulate women’s pound-for-pound #1 boxer and three-division world champion Claressa Shields for being nominated for a 2021 ESPY Award for Best Boxer.

Presented by Capital One and the ESPN network, the ESPY’s allow fans to choose the yearly winners by way of online voting.

Aside from making her successful MMA fighting debut in June, Shields (11-0-0, 2 KOs) made history last March by dethroning Canada’s Marie-Eve Dicaire and becoming the first boxer in the four-belt era, male or female, to be an undisputed champion in two divisions. She also retained her WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles with the victory and claimed Dicaire’s IBF belt, as well as the vacant WBA Championship.

Shields is in strong company with the other nominees, including unified super middleweight champ Canelo Alvarez, unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez and WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury.

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE GWOAT HERE AND TUNE IN TO THE ESPYS ON JULY 10 AT 8 P.M. ET ON ABC.

“Claressa is a once-in-a-generation athlete who is taking women’s combat sports and her fight for equality, inside and outside the ring, to new heights every time she steps into the ring,” said her promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “She is an example to young athletes and especially young female athletes that with hard work you can reach your dreams. 2021 is another history-making year for Claressa with no end in sight to what she can accomplish.”

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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.

LAS VEGAS (July 1, 2021) — Karlos Balderas, a decorated 2016 U.S. Olympian, has launched the next chapter of his professional career by signing a multi-fight promotional pact with Top Rank. The 25-year-old Balderas, from Santa Maria, California, will make his Top Rank debut Saturday, Aug. 14.

After fighting most of his professional bouts as a lightweight, Balderas will now campaign as a junior lightweight. He will make his world title charge with Buddy McGirt as his head trainer and a new manager, Sam Katkovski of Churchill Management.

“Karlos Balderas was one of the most talented fighters coming out of the 2016 Rio Olympics, and I strongly believe he still has what it takes to become a world champion,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Buddy McGirt is a fantastic trainer who I’m confident will tap into Karlos’ boundless potential.”

Balderas said, “When I first turned pro, deep down inside, I knew Top Rank was the way to go. With the talent and excitement I bring to the table, they’re going to promote the hell out of me. Thank you to Sam Katkovski, Bob Arum, and everyone at Top Rank. I always come back better and stronger. Don’t believe me? Just watch!”

Balderas (9-1, 8 KOs) advanced to the quarterfinals of the lightweight bracket at the Rio Olympics, the conclusion of a reported 175-9 amateur ledger that included victories over the likes of Ruben Villa and Hector Tanajara. He turned pro in April 2017 with a first-round stoppage and notched nine wins in his first two-plus years in the paid ranks before suffering a stunning sixth-round stoppage at the hands of Rene Tellez Giron in December 2019. Balderas has not fought since the Giron defeat, but with a new manager, trainer, and promoter, the road towards a title begins Aug. 14.

CARSON, CALIF. (July 1, 2021) – Unbeaten Interim WBA Super Featherweight Champion Chris “Primetime” Colbert and hard-hitting contender Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar faced off Thursday at the final press conference before they meet in the main event of action live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, July 3 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

Also featured at Thursday’s press conference were unbeaten rising star Michel Rivera and lightweight contender Jon Fernández, who square off in the co-main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast that begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

To open the telecast, SHOWTIME will air a special replay of last Saturday night’s exciting pay-per-view main event fight between Gervonta Davis and Mario Barrios.

The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

CHRIS COLBERT

“I was going to knock [Yuriorkis] Gamboa out cold, and now ‘King Tug’ has to take the knockout.

“My hard work is finally paying off. All I have to do is stay focused, dedicated, and disciplined, and then I’ll be the face of boxing in a couple of years.

“This venue is really known for wars. Come Saturday night I’m definitely going to bring the heat.

“I’m ready for this fight. Nyambayar knows he’s in for trouble on Saturday. Nobody out there can take a fight with me on a week-and-half notice and not be in for trouble.

“Me and Michel Rivera got a lot of rounds in together during training down in Miami. We did a great job all camp and I’m just ready and excited to get in the ring.

“I’ve been knocking out everyone they put in front me. They still don’t give me the respect I deserve yet. I just have to keep doing my thing on Saturday night and embarrass him.

“I can’t tell you if he’s my toughest opponent yet. I know that he’s not beating me, and that’s a promise. There’s no way a 126-pounder will come up in weight and beat me.

“He’s a fighter with only one loss, he can come back from that. But it’s not going to matter on Saturday night. He’s supposed to be confident in himself. He can’t say he’s going to get washed Saturday, but that’s what is going to happen.

“I appreciate ‘Tug’ for taking the fight, but Saturday night I’m going to get in there, dominate and beat him up. This is a Nissan vs. a Lamborghini, and I’m the Lambo.

“I agree that ‘King Tug’ might be better opposition than Yuriorkis Gamboa would have been. But it doesn’t matter if it was Gamboa, ‘King Tug’, or Arnold Schwarzenegger in there with me, it was always going to be the same outcome on Saturday night.

“My hair is orange this week as a dedication to the cause of fighting Multiple sclerosis. One of my friends, Dave, back in New Jersey has it and he told me his story of how he was paralyzed as a kid and also had MS. Then I saw him on the Stairmaster in the gym the next day for like an hour. I saw that and realized there’s no excuses I can make for not being in the gym. I do the different hair colors to make people feel special. I want them to know that I’m fighting for them.

“Nobody in the 130-pound division can beat me. I’m going to continue to prove that every time I step into the ring. I’m going to deliver a dominating performance. Don’t be surprised when I stop him.

“I don’t think this is going past 10 rounds. I’m going to keep proving that I have power on Saturday night. I’m not discrediting his skills, but I’m just different.”

TUGSTSOGT NYAMBAYAR

“I’m really excited for this fight. It’s my first fight at 130 pounds and I want to show what I can do. I’m ready for this opportunity.

“Just know this, we are here to win. My team is here to win. I’m ready for Chris Colbert. That’s it.

“I don’t care that I’m fighting on short notice at a higher weight. I believe in myself. I can fight at 122, I can fight at 126 and I can fight at 130.

“Two weeks’ notice is enough for me. If I didn’t take the fight, Colbert wouldn’t have a fight. So he should be thankful. Let’s see what happens. I’m going to whoop his ass.

“I believe in my speed and I believe in my power. I believe in myself. I just want to test myself. This is a good opportunity versus a good fighter.”

“I don’t think that he can stop me. Watch me on Saturday night. I’m ready.

“I’m not worried about anything he says. I’m just focused on the sight. I really believe in myself and that I’m going to hurt him on Saturday night.

“Colbert has similar speed compared to Gary Russell Jr., so it’s not going to be anything I haven’t seen before. The adjustments from the Russell fight have been made in the gym over time.

“I’m very happy to be fighting at Dignity Health Sports Park because Los Angeles is my second home. It’s very exciting to be fighting here and with a crowd there watching. The Mongolian fans are going to show up on Saturday.”

MICHEL RIVERA

“I had a good camp and I have a good team, led by Herman Caicedo who is my coach along with Jukka Toivola. I know that this is a good opportunity and I worked so hard for this fight. I’m so excited for July 3 and I know that this is my chance to show I’m great and to shine.

“Jon Fernandez is a good boxer and he’s a good puncher. I don’t know much about him, but I know that he’s Spanish and he’s a tall guy. He hits hard but I’m in the type of condition to be great in this fight.

“I’m sure that on July 3 when people are watching the fight, they will see who the best boxer is. I’m ready for everything. If he wants to fight instead of box, I will fight too. I have the skills. I believe that I am faster than him. I don’t have problems with his height. You can see in my past fights where I was fighting at 144, and I looked good with big boxers too. I don’t have a problem with it. Everybody will have to tune in July 3 on SHOWTIME, and they will see Michel Rivera beating Jon Fernandez.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. I’m Dominican, and in the Dominican Republic you don’t get much opportunity. I came here and I am making my name. Everybody will know that I’m ready to fight the top names at 135 – the best boxers. I have the skills and the talent. I’m young and I’m pretty, too.

“It’s good that he sounds confident. I am confident too. That makes for a great war. He has a lot of knockouts, but they weren’t against any boxers like me. I’m focused. Like I said, he’s a good boxer, but I’m better. I’m trusting my talent and I’m trusting my condition.

“My perspective remains the same after this press conference. Fernandez is a proud fighter and I expect nothing less than what he said. I’m also a proud fighter and I’m convinced that I’m better than him. I consider myself better prepared and ready to be considered one of the top boxers in the 135-pound division.

“Training with Chris Colbert was a great experience, and the sparring sessions were awesome. He made me better, just like I made him better. He’s a great person. My fellow Dominican fighter Jeison Rosario wished me luck and told me he knows I’m going to be a world champion someday, and that he will be supporting me and watching the fight from the Dominican Republic.

“Of course I believe that I am the next world champion from the Dominican Republic. I can beat all of the top boxers, the top five, in the 135-pound division. I want to make my name at 135 because I know this is a strong division now. I want everybody to know me at this weight.

“I promise a good fight. Everybody will see the next superstar in the ring on July 3.”

JON FERNANDEZ

“I’m very excited to be here for this fight. Training camp in Madrid and Mexico have been great. We’ve had an outstanding preparation. I’m facing a great opponent in Michel Rivera, but this is the door I need to open to be in the big leagues of boxing. I don’t plan on missing out on this chance.

“I’m glad he’s confident in his abilities, but I think this is a 50-50 match. It’s going to be a great fight and we’re definitely on the same level. There’s no difference in skill levels. I’m going to use my height and show off my boxing ability on Saturday night.

“Rivera is a very good boxer, and has many skills, but I believe that I have equal skills and more power. If I get the opening, I can knock Rivera out.

“I promise that we’re going to put on a great show and deliver fireworks in the ring. My hand will be raised when the fight is over.

“There’s nothing like fighting in Los Angeles. I have already been here before, but nothing can compare to being in the big show.

“Everyone in Spain is supporting me. My city of Bilbao has sent me all its love and they believe in me 100%. Even some famous soccer players have reached out to me. Players from Athletic Bilbao and (former Spain national team striker) Fernando Torres.

“I would like to win in order to open the door for other Spaniard boxers who come behind me and relish this opportunity – like my brother Eker, who is about to make his professional debut. I want to make him proud and put Spain on the map as far as boxing is concerned.

“If I win, it’s not just because of my power. It’s going to be a close fight, but I’m going to give everything I have to come out with the victory.”

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ABOUT COLBERT VS. NYAMBAYAR
Colbert vs. Nyambayar will undefeated Interim WBA Super Featherweight Champion Chris “Primetime” Colbert face hard-hitting contender Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar on Saturday, July 3, headlining the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with a special replay of last Saturday night’s exciting pay-per-view main event fight between Gervonta Davis and Mario Barrios prior to the live co-main event from California featuring unbeaten rising star Michel Rivera battling lightweight contender Jon Fernández.

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.

BOSTON (July 1, 2021) – Former college football star, super welterweight boxer Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams, recently defeated his first world champion, Yuri Foreman, and the veteran New Haven, Connecticut fighter’s boxing career has been revitalized.

This past March 6th, Williams (18-5-2, 6 KOs) was originally supposed to fight Foreman, who withdrew after the weigh in due to sickness. Williams stayed in training camp, took a stay busy fight, and continued preparing for Foreman.

Williams won an 8-round majority decision against Foreman (35-4, 10 KOs) two weeks ago this Saturday in Atlanta for the vacant Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) International and American Boxing Federation (ABF) USA super welterweight championships.

Williams dropped Foreman twice in the sixth round and won the decision by judges’ scores of 77-73, 77-73, 75-75. “Thirty-seconds more and I think I would have stopped him,” Williams said.

Foreman, fighting out of Brooklyn, captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight World title in 2009, when he won a unanimous 12-round decision versus defending champion Daniel Santos (32-3-1). Williams and Foreman sparred many years ago at the Joe Grier Boxing Academy in Patterson, New Jersey.

Jimmy Williams action.jpg
Foreman, fighting out of Brooklyn, captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight World title in 2009, when he won a unanimous 12-round decision versus defending champion Daniel Santos (32-3-1). Williams and Foreman sparred many years ago at the Joe Grier Boxing Academy in Patterson, New Jersey.

“I’ve been chasing him a long time,” Williams noted. “I stayed in camp when our fight was canceled, took a confidence-building fight, and stayed ready for Yuri. He is a good boxer, not a brawler, and he was in tremendous shape. Yuri’s very intelligent in the ring and fighting him was a good learning experience for me. For example, he was working behind his jab to try and get me to lunge. I had to think more in the ring against him.

“I’m sure he was disappointed after the fight, but he’s a world champion who was in against Miguel Cotto and two of his other losses were to world champions (Cotto and Erislandy Lara). This was a huge opportunity for me. I’m excited about my career again. We’ll wait and see what fights are ahead for me.

Williams was a standout cornerback at Southern Connecticut State University who was invited to several NFL tryout camps. He came close to making the cut with the then-Oakland Raiders. “Quiet Storm” has been promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES) since he turned pro in 2013.

“This is Jimmy’s biggest win of his career,” Williams’ manager Ryan Roach (Fighter Locker) commented. “He just opened a lot of doors for himself. I’m proud of him, he worked hard. He made the sacrifices champions make. Taking out a name like Yuri Foreman is why fighter’s go to work every day. We are working on his next fight date now. Stay tuned, ‘Quiet Storm’ fans.”

Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers include California super flyweight Rocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro (21-1, 6 KOs), Troy, NY ABF American West super lightweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (12-0, 9 KOs), Toronto, Canada welterweight West Haven, CT UBO International ABF USA super welterweight Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (18-5-2, 6 KOs), super middleweight “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (7-0, 4 KOs), super bantamweight Daniel “G.D.F.E.” Bailey, Jr. (6-0, 4 KOs), lightweight Leonel de los Santos (3-0, 3 KOs), a 2-time Dominican Republic Olympian, Boston featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), pro-debuting Dominican Republic welterweight Juan Solano, and Salt Lake City, 2016 Brazilian Olympic silver medalist Yuberjen Martinez, Brazilian Olympian Jorge Vivas, Colorado super middleweight Marvin “Too Much” Cordova, Jr. (23-2-1, 12 KOs), West Palm Beach, FL light heavyweight Robert Daniels, Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs), Utah brothers, super lightweight Ignacio Chairez (8-0-1, 5 KOs) and lightweight Gabriel Chairez (4-0-1, 2 KOs).

INFORMATION:

WEBSITE: fighterlocker.com, punch4parkinsons.com

FACEBOOK: /fighterlocker

TWITTER: @RoachRyan

INSTAGRAM: @RyanRoach82

ABOUT FIGHTER LOCKER: Established in 2019, Fighter Locker is a comprehensive sports agency that manages professional boxers. Fighter Locker also helps to brand boxers by finding their voice with a 100-percent customized service. Fighter Locker does not really believe in working models. It believes in partnership optimization models in motion.

Fighter Locker uses four creative steps because it believes in “the foundation is everything”: 1. wisely conceived, 2. creatively restrained, 3. Proudly judged, 4. sharply targeted.

A LONG-PLANNED fight date being aborted with a few day’s notice is usually a source of great anguish for the affected fighter concerned. In the case of Archie Sharp a few weeks or so back it was a blessing in disguise and he was more than happy to be absent for the events taking place in Telford.

The former WBO European champion was set to fight Marcio Soza for an upgraded WBO Global belt at super featherweight but, shortly before he was set to depart for the Shropshire town he received news that the Nicaraguan had been struck down with Covid-19.

Now normally this would spark a flurry of angst and a rapid ring-around in search of a new opponent. But for Sharp, as much as he would never wish a virus on a ring rival, the pull-out was a stroke of real fortune.

Because instead of heading to the vicinity of the Telford International Centre, he made his way to the local maternity ward to witness the birth of his new baby daughter.

A case of every cloud and all that… Or as Sharp himself now regularly says, ‘trust the process’.

“I trusted the process, once again, and what happened? My little girl was born,” beamed the now father of three. “The fight got cancelled a few days before and on the Thursday we were supposed to be leaving at 6pm to go to Telford. Instead of that at 6pm I was in the hospital waiting for my little girl to be born.

“So it worked out for me and now I am happy to be back fighting at the Royal Albert Hall, in London with some fans and my last outing there was a big knockout.”

Sharp, 19-0, is indeed back in action next Saturday (July 10) at the historic West Kensington concert hall fighting for the WBO Global belt. Unfortunately, Soza is enduring a prolonged struggle in his Covid recovery and he is replaced by the Mexican Diego Andrade Chavez (13-4-2).

“Like I say, I just trust in what is going to happen and trust the process,” added Sharp on the wheel of fortune stopping on his number. “I keep saying it because it is true and I’m just thankful and grateful for the way everything has worked out and now I am just looking forward to July 10.

“Now I am back at the Royal Albert Hall, where I had my famous knockout win over Declan (Geraghty in September 2019),” a fight where Sharp was struggling to find a rhythm against the tricky Dubliner.

“I was easing into it,” retorted Sharp. “Warming up. He was doing well and he is a good fighter. What you have got to realise with Declan is a lot of people avoid him because he is good and his amateur pedigree was unbelievable.

“He is all wrong for a lot of fighters but we took the fight and I was adamant I was going to knock him out. I think that showed in the first couple of rounds because I didn’t get going as I just kept thinking about the knockout. Then I got a little cut and my coach said I had to go to work, so I found a sweet shot that paid off.

“It was a great shot on a great night and now we are back on July 10 to do the same. There is a spark there with me now.”

Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight champion Lyndon Arthur (18-0, 12 KOs) headlines the July 10th Royal Albert Hall bill and makes the first defence of his WBO Inter-Continental title against Italian Davide Faraci (15-0, 7 KOs).

The Mancunian’s bitter rival Anthony Yarde (20-2, 19 KOs) returns in a non-title ten rounder.

Also on the bill WBO ranked number one Super-Middleweight Zach Parker (20-0, 14 KOs) will defend his WBO International belt against Uzbek Sherzod Khusanov (22-2-1, 10 KOs).

 WBO ranked number four Super-Featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) meets Mexico’s Diego Andrade Chavez (13-4-2, 1 KOs) with the vacant WBO Global championship on the line.

Prodigious bantamweight talent Dennis McCann (9-0, 5 KOs) faces Tanzanian John Chuwa (20-4, 10 KOs).

Elsewhere on the card, 2016 Olympian Muhammad Ali (2-0) will have his third professional assignment against Lee Glover (11-4, 3 KOs), with Lightweight KO-artist Sam Noakes (5-0, 5 KOs) and Light-Heavyweight former Olympic Youth champion Karol Itauma (2-0, 1 KO) also featuring.

TUSCALOOSA, AL. (June 30, 2021) – Former longtime heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder laid down the gauntlet in a video posted to his Instagram this week, as the power-puncher displayed the measures he is taking in training camp to regain his title on Saturday, July 24 in a trilogy showdown against Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury live on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“You say you’re a semi-truck, but I’m a freight train!” Exclaimed Wilder in the video, responding to Fury’s boast during their Los Angeles press conference.

Will the “Deontay Wilder Express” be right on time and make the Alabama-native a two-time heavyweight world champion? Or will Fury “truck” through Wilder and cement his claim to the heavyweight crown? The sporting world will have to wait until July 24 to find out.

Tickets for Fury vs. Wilder III are on sale now and can be purchased at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com. The event is promoted by Top Rank, BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. A Premier Boxing Champions presentation.

ABOUT FURY VS. WILDER III
Fury vs. Wilder III will see two heavyweight kings meet for a third world title showdown as undefeated WBC world champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury puts his title on the line against former longtime heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder Saturday, July 24 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The resumption of one of the great heavyweight feuds, Fury vs. Wilder III will be broadcast live on pay-per-view.

The pay-per-view undercard will see 2016 Nigerian Olympian “The One and Only” Efe Ajagba will take on fellow unbeaten Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sánchez in the 10-round co-main event, plus the 12-round rematch between Finland’s Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius and Polish star Adam “Babyface” Kownacki. The eight-round pay-per-view opener will see Toledo-born Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson step up in class against undefeated Russian contender Vladimir Tereshkin.

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.toprank.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @trboxing, @TGBPromotions, @TMobileArena and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/trboxing.

CARSON, CALIF. (June 30, 2021) – Unbeaten rising lightweight contender Michel Rivera exuded confidence in previewing his upcoming showdown against Jon Fernández that serves as the co-main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING this Saturday, July 3 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

“My skills, speed and intelligence are all advantages in my favor,” said Rivera. “I am an aggressive fighter when it is most advantageous for me, but I can also be crafty and turn that into an advantage. My skills and talent will be the difference on fight night.”

The 23-year-old Rivera’s confidence comes from an intensive training camp in Miami with his coach, Herman Caicedo, that has allowed him to work on numerous aspects of his game heading into perhaps the toughest fight of his young career.

“I think it’s important to work on everything in training,” said Rivera. “I am the type of boxer who adapts to what is going on in the moment. So we’ve made sure to work on all areas in order to prevail Saturday night. We’ve had a very organized yet intense preparation for Fernández.”

Rivera broke onto the scene in his U.S. debut in June 2019, as he out-boxed dangerous power-puncher Juan Rene Tellez to earn a unanimous decision. In 2020, Rivera added a pair of impressive victories over veteran contenders, as he stopped Fidel Maldonado Jr. in round 10 of their February clash, before winning via unanimous decision over Ladarius Miller in October. Despite giving up a three-inch height advantage to Fernández, Miller doesn’t see anything in the Spaniard that he won’t be able to overcome.

“His height may be an issue, but I don’t really know much he uses his reach,” said Rivera. “I haven’t seen many of his previous fights, but I’m 100% confident I will overcome anything that he thinks he could do to make me uncomfortable.

“I’ve never fought a European opponent before, but I have fought opponents that were taller than me. I may be smaller, but I have good reach and will look for openings when I get into close range. If it bodes better for me to dominate him with my quickness, I can do that as well.”

A native of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Rivera represents the next potential superstar from the sport-rich island, an honorific that has helped motivate and push Rivera toward the championship level that he has nearly reached.

“It feels good to have the support of my country,” said Rivera. “I’m excited by it and I hope that the entire nation is behind me and ready to support me in the way any athlete needs to be cheered on when they reach these heights. I feel it now more than ever. I’m honored when people tell me that I’m the hope of the Dominican Republic.”

In addition to potential pressure from carrying the torch for his homeland, Rivera finds himself fighting smack dab in the middle of a section of the boxing calendar filled with young, undefeated stars such as July 3 main event participant Chris Colbert and last week’s centerstage combatant, Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Despite this, Rivera knows that with opportunities like Saturday, combined with his skills, that he is on the track he has long hoped for.

“I don’t feel any pressure to remain undefeated,” said Rivera. “I trust myself and my abilities 100%. I am convinced that my opportunity to shine has finally arrived and I’m going to make a big statement on July 3.”

ABOUT COLBERT VS. NYAMBAYAR
Colbert vs. Nyambayar will undefeated Interim WBA Super Featherweight Champion Chris “Primetime” Colbert face hard-hitting contender Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar on Saturday, July 3, headlining the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature unbeaten rising star Michel Rivera battling lightweight contender Jon Fernández the co-main event.

The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

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

Undefeated Cruiserweight Jordan Thompson has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.

The 6’ 6” 28-year-old from Manchester has won all ten of his fights since turning professional in December 2015 – with eight of those wins coming inside the distance – and has enjoyed world class sparring with WBC Heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury and former Undisputed Cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk. 

‘Troublesome’ has suffered a stop-start tenure in the paid ranks but can now look forward to making his mark in an exciting British Cruiserweight division that contains the likes of new Matchroom stablemates Lawrence Okolie, Tommy McCarthy and Chris Billam-Smith.

“I can’t wait to get going again, my career’s been a rollercoaster so far but I’m here now and ready to fulfil my potential,” said Thompson. “I’ve always been told patience is a virtue and that timing is everything. My time is now.

“I’ve been on a steady grind for a while now, in the gym staying ready so I’m just excited to finally get back in there and go through the gears. I’m in a very good place right now with an amazing team behind me and the best promoter in the business.

“My goals in boxing are pretty simple, to become World Champion, fulfil my potential and make all those who believe in me proud. As well as being able to add to the family collection of World Champions of course! When it’s all said and done as long as my Mum, Dad and family are proud I’ll be a very happy individual.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Jordan to the Matchroom team and I look forward to guiding his progress in the red hot domestic Cruiserweight scene,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Jordan is an exciting, heavy-handed fresh talent who looks the part in and out of the ring.

“The Cruiserweight division is on fire at the moment and I’m sure Jordan will be watching the Tommy McCarthy vs. Chris Billam-Smith Fight Camp showdown with interest next month as he looks to work his way towards domestic Titles and beyond.”

You can follow Thompson’s journey on Twitter: jordan_boxing93 and Instagram: jordan_boxing_

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced a multi-event partnership with Toyota Center in Houston, Texas following the record-breaking sell out of UFC 262: OLIVEIRA vs CHANDLER in May. The partnership, which includes a prospective Pay-Per-View event in 2022, kicks off with UFC 265: LEWIS vs GANE on Saturday, August 7, 2021. The main event will see Houston hometown hero and No. 2 ranked Derrick Lewis take on undefeated striking sensation and No. 3 ranked Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight championship. In the co-main event, the greatest women’s martial artist of all time graces the Octagon once again as UFC featherweight and bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes aims to retain her 135-pound title when she faces No. 6 ranked Julianna Pena.

“I love the city of Houston. We had a sold-out event in May, the city and fans are incredible, so we are heading right back in August,” UFC President Dana White said. “Working with Tilman and his team has been amazing and we will continue making Toyota Center a home for UFC, including bringing another PPV to the city next year.”

“We are fortunate to have a venue like Toyota Center in the great city of Houston,” said Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta. “As the operator of Toyota Center, it is always going to be our goal to bring more exciting, high-quality entertainment to our community.”

UFC 265: LEWIS vs GANE will take place Saturday, August 7 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. All bouts will be simulcast on ESPN+ in English and Spanish beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with the UFC Fight Pass prelims. The prelims will continue exclusively on ESPN2 & ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT followed by the ESPN+ Pay-Per-View main card will kick off at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

UFC 265: LEWIS vs GANE tickets will go on sale at Friday, July 9 at 10 a.m. CT and are available for purchase at toyotacenter.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, July 7 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, July 8 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Houston’s own Lewis (25-7, fighting out of Houston, Texas) aims to put on a show for his hometown fans and finally wrap UFC gold around his waist. The record holder for most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history with 12, Lewis proved himself as one of the best in the world with a victory over current champion Francis Ngannou, as well as iconic wins over Alexander Volkov, Travis Browne and Curtis Blaydes. He now looks to secure the overall knockout record for the UFC by becoming the first man to finish Gane and then move on to once again vanquish Ngannou for the undisputed crown.

Gane (9-0, fighting out of Paris, France) competes in the shortest turnaround of his MMA career with his sights set on claiming his first UFC title. A professional in MMA for less than three years, Gane has had a meteoric rise through the heavyweight division, spurred on by dynamic victories over Junior Dos Santos, Don’Tale Mayes and most recently Alexander Volkov. Gane now looks to show off his ever-improving skillset by defeating Lewis to set up a future clash with champion and former training partner Francis Ngannou.

No. 1 women’s pound-for-pound fighter Nunes (21-4, fighting out of Coral Springs, Fla., by way of Bahia, Brazil) returns to the bantamweight division intent on delivering another remarkable title defense. Considered the greatest women’s athlete to compete in the Octagon, Nunes owns almost every notable record in women’s MMA, including most UFC wins, most knockouts and longest win streak. She further carved her name into the history books by defeating every former UFC women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion, including Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg and Holly Holm. Nunes now plans to raise the bar even higher by taking out Pena.

The Ultimate Fighter season 18 winner Pena (11-4, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) looks to claim the biggest victory of her career and secure her first title. A well-rounded grappler, she cemented herself as one of the best fighters in the world by defeating former UFC champion Nicco Montano, as well as former title challengers Jessica Eye, Cat Zingano and Sara McMann. Now, Pena intends to ride the momentum of her recent victory over McMann to upset Nunes and shock the world.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Former UFC featherweight champion and No. 4 ranked bantamweight Jose Aldo (29-7, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) faces off with No. 8 Pedro Munhoz (19-5, 1 NC, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) in a bout all but guaranteed to deliver action
• No. 5 ranked welterweight Vicente Luque (20-7-1, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil) locks horns with No. 6 Michael Chiesa (18-4, fighting out of Spokane Valley, Wash.) in a pivotal bout
• An intriguing bantamweight bout sees Song Yadong (16-5-1, 1 NC, fighting out of Heilongjiang, China) take on standout grappler Casey Kenney (16-3-1, fighting out of Tucsan, Ariz.)
• Flyweights Manel Kape (15-6, fighting out of Phuket, Thailand by way of Porto, Portugal) and Ode’ Osbourne (9-3, 1 NC, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) intend to deliver standout performances and break into the rankings
• An exciting rematch in the women’s strawweight division sees No. 10 Tecia Torres (12-5, fighting out of Colorado Springs, Colo.) replicate her 2015 win over No. 12 Angela Hill (13-9, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.)
• Dana White’s Contender Series veteran Victoria Leonardo (8-4, fighting out of Shreveport, La.) aims to spoil the UFC debut of Melissa Gatto (6-0-2, fighting out of State of Paraná, Brazil)
• Alonzo Menifield (10-2, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) and Ed Herman (27-14, 1 NC, fighting out of Portland, Ore.) meet in a heavy handed light heavyweight bout
• Strawweight veterans lock horns as Karolina Kowalkiewicz (13-6, fighting out of Lodz, Poland) takes on Jessica Penne (13-6, fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif.)
• Vince Morales (9-6, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) and Drako Rodriguez (7-2, fighting out of  Sioux City, Iowa) intend to put on a show-stealing performance at bantamweight
• Bantamweights Johnny Munoz (10-1, fighting out of Norco, Calif.) and Jamey Simmons (7-3, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) vie to secure their first UFC victories

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

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About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 625 million fans and 155 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to approximately 900M TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 70 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About Houston Toyota Center

Since opening in October 2003, Toyota Center has set a new standard for sports and entertainment, becoming one of the premier live entertainment venues in the nation. Laid over the span of six city blocks, Toyota Center is home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets. Toyota Center also plays host to the nation’s top concerts and touring shows. The arena’s playing surface is set nearly 32-feet below street level giving Toyota Center the largest lower level of any arena in the nation. Coupled with the exclusive Lexus Lounge, trendy Golden Nugget Club, Red and White Bistro’s superior food and service, Toyota Center offers something for everyone making it the hottest spot for sports and entertainment in Houston. For more information, visit ToyotaCenter.com.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 12.5 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month.

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – eight U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

BELFAST (June 30, 2021) — The fighting pride of West Belfast, Michael “Mick” Conlan, is primed for a summer homecoming for the ages. Conlan, the WBO No. 1 junior featherweight contender, will defend his WBO Intercontinental title against former world champion TJ Doheny in a 10-round showdown Friday, Aug. 6 at Falls Park in Belfast as part of the Féile an Phobail festival.
 
Promoted by Conlan Boxing, Conlan-Doheny and undercard fights will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ starting at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
 
“This is a big test for Mick, as Doheny is a formidable foe who won’t be intimidated fighting in front of the partisan Belfast crowd,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He wanted a Belfast fight, and I am thrilled that his loyal fans will get to see him in person once again.”
 
Added Jamie Conlan, CEO of Conlan Boxing: “Michael and I are honored and excited to bring live boxing back to Belfast. Everyone has been working hard behind the scenes to make this event possible during these crazy times and now there is light at the end of the tunnel. Both Michael and TJ have Irish pride on the line, but they see each other as the perfect dance partner to reach the world title level. It has all the ingredients for a fantastic fight.”
 
Conlan (15-0, 8 KOs) became an Irish sporting folk hero after an amateur career that saw him win a 2015 World Championships gold medal and qualify for a pair of Olympic Games. He captured a bronze medal in London in 2012 and turned pro after a well-publicized robbery — and a double middle finger salute toward the judges — at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He’s fought in Belfast twice as a pro, selling out the SSE Arena Belfast in 2018 and packing nearly 10,000 fans into Falls Park in August 2019. He last fought in April and made his junior featherweight debut with a 12-round majority decision over noted spoiler Ionut Baluta.
 
Conlan said, “I’m excited to be back fighting in my city. It was special in 2019, but I believe this year it will be even better as we haven’t had live events due to the pandemic. On Aug. 6, we will show Belfast is back!
 
“It will be an honor to share the ring with TJ. I have a lot of respect for him and his achievements. I believe it’s my toughest fight to date, and with that, I will make my biggest statement in my quest to become a world champion.”
 
Doheny (22-2, 16 KOs), from Portlaoise, Ireland, reached the pinnacle of the sport when he upset Ryosuke Iwasa by unanimous decision in August 2018 to win the IBF junior featherweight world title. He made one defense of the title before losing a hotly contested title unification matchup against Daniel Roman. Following a comeback victory, he was upset via eight-round unanimous decision against Baluta, who went on to knock out former Irish amateur star Davey Oliver Joyce before fighting Conlan. 
 
Doheny said, “This will be my first time fighting on Irish soil, and I can’t think of a better homecoming. It doesn’t get much bigger than this for an all-Irish clash, and the fans are in for a real treat. This is the kind of fight that I have been craving since my close majority decision loss to Daniel Roman. Top opposition is what motivates me and helps me raise my game. I cannot wait for this.”
 
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 13.8 million subscribers.
 
Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $12.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $18.99/month (Hulu w/o ads). 

CARSON, CALIF. (June 29, 2021) – Unbeaten prospects will highlight the non-televised undercard this Saturday, July 3 as Ángel Alejandro battles fellow unbeaten Rudy Ochoa in an eight-round super featherweight duel, while Shon Mondragón takes on José Pérez in a six-round featherweight attraction from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Unbeaten Interim WBA Super Featherweight Champion Chris “Primetime” Colbert will face hard-hitting contender Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event. Coverage on SHOWTIME begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features rising lightweight contender Michel Rivera battling Spain’s Jon Fernandez in the co-main event.

Unbeaten super lightweight Richardson Hitchins had been previously scheduled to take on Darwin Price, but was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a hand injury suffered in training.

The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

The non-televised lineup will also feature Denver’s Daniel Garcia (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round super featherweight tilt against New Mexico’s Gabe Sandoval (1-0, 1 KO) and Gabriela Fundora (1-0), the sister of top super welterweight Sebastian Fundora, in a four-round flyweight bout. Rounding out the action is New Jersey’s Rajon Chance (4-0, 4 KOs) battling Memphis-native Marco Lara (0-1) in a four-round super bantamweight fight and Los Angeles’ Anthony Cuba (1-0, 1 KO) stepping in for a four-round lightweight matchup against Cleveland’s William Flenoy (0-1).

A native of Dallas, Alejandro (9-0, 4 KOs) began his pro career in 2017 with knockouts in four of his first six outings. Still just 21-years-old, Alejandro’s last fight saw him win a six-round decision over Darryl Hayes. In his prior entry into the ring, Alejandro earned a career-best unanimous decision over experienced 45-fight veteran Mark John Yap. He will take on a fellow unbeaten in Ochoa (10-0, 5 KOs), who returns to action for the first time since an eight-round unanimous decision over Matt Doherty in October 2020. A pro since 2017, the 27-year-old Ochoa fights out of his hometown of Oxnard, California.

The 23-year-old Mondragón (6-0, 2 KOs) turned pro in February 2019 after an extensive amateur career. A native of Denver, Colorado, Mondragón earned five victories in his first nine months as a pro, before most recently winning a decision over Luis Javier Valdes in November 2020. He will be facing Gardena, California’s Pérez (9-1-1, 4 KOs), who scored an impressive fourth-round knockout of previously unbeaten Jose Edgardo Garcia in December 2020. The 25-year-old is unbeaten since losing in only his third pro fight, adding six victories between 2018 and 2019.

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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.

LAS VEGAS (June 29, 2021) — Four big heavyweight fights in one historic night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Three can’t-miss heavyweight showdowns have been added to the televised PPV undercard of the highly anticipated third fight between WBC and lineal heavyweight world champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury and former heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder.

In the 10-round co-main event, 2016 Nigerian Olympian “The One and Only” Efe Ajagba will take on fellow unbeaten Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sánchez. The PPV telecast also includes the 12-round rematch between Finland’s Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius and Polish star Adam “Babyface” Kownacki, who was stopped by Helenius in the fourth round of their first bout in March 2020.

The eight-round PPV opener will see Toledo-born Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson step up in class against undefeated Russian contender Vladimir Tereshkin.

Tickets for Fury vs. Wilder III are on sale now and can be purchased at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com. The event is promoted by Top Rank, BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. A Premier Boxing Champions presentation.

Ajagba (15-0, 12 KOs) turned pro in July 2017 and soon established himself as one of the division’s fiercest one-punch knockout artists. He showed his mettle when he rose off the deck to knock out Iago Kiladze in December 2019, and three months later, he broke down and stopped former world title challenger Razvan Cojanu in the ninth round. He last fought in April in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and knocked out Brian Howard with a single right hand in the third round.

“I am honored to be fighting on the Fury-Wilder III pay-per-view as the co-main event,” said Ajagba. “I have been patiently waiting for this opportunity to showcase my skills. My fans — and critics — can expect to see more jabs, head movement, footwork and power in both hands against Frank Sánchez. July 24 is going to be a special night for ‘The One and Only’ Efe Ajagba.”

An amateur standout from his native Cuba, Sánchez (18-0, 13 KOs) now trains in San Diego with coach Eddy Reynoso. The 28-year-old has stayed busy on his rise up the heavyweight rankings, scoring three victories in 2020 as he earned a unanimous decision over Joey Dawejko and stopped Brian Howard and Julian Fernandez. Sanchez most recently won a technical decision over Nagy Aguilera in May and will look for an important victory over the fellow unbeaten Ajagba that could catapult him up the heavyweight division.

“I am excited to make my case as the top heavyweight title contender on the best pay-per-view card of the year,” said Sánchez. “I look forward to fighting Efe Ajagba and coming out victorious. Boxing fans want to see the best fight the best. People say Efe Ajagba is avoided, and that’s exactly why I chose to fight him. Fans can expect a great fight between two undefeated heavyweights July 24.”

In just his second stateside outing, Helenius (30-3, 19 KOs) shocked the crowd at Barclays Center by handing Kownacki the first loss of his career via a fourth-round TKO. Born in Sweden and fighting out of Mariehamn, Finland, Helenius established himself as one of Europe’s top heavyweights and knocked out Erkan Teper in September 2018 to move up the rankings. Prior to dropping his U.S. debut to Gerald Washington in 2019, the 37-year-old had won six of his last seven fights, with his lone blemish coming against Dillian Whyte.

“I’m looking forward to repeating my first performance against Kownacki on July 24,” said Helenius. “Boxing fans can expect another incredible fight with my hand raised in victory once again. All of Finland will be behind me when I show the world why I am most deserving of a world title fight. My only goal is to be world champion and unfortunately for Adam he stands in my way.”

Kownacki (20-1, 15 KOs) will be seeking revenge for the first loss of his career when he rematches Helenius on July 24. The 31-year-old Kownacki, who was born in Lomza, Poland and moved to Brooklyn when he was seven, is noted for his tenacity and had been progressing towards a world title shot with knockouts in five of his last seven fights prior to the March 2020 defeat to Helenius. Kownacki owns victories over former world champion Charles Martin and former title challengers Gerald Washington and Chris Arreola. His August 2019 battle against Arreola set CompuBox records for heavyweights in combined power punches thrown and landed.

“I’m very excited to be back in the ring,” said Kownacki. “The pandemic made things hard for everyone, but things are getting back to normal. Being a part of an all-heavyweight pay-per-view like this feels great, and it’s a great thing for fans of our sport. This pay-per-view will be action-packed from top to bottom. I can’t wait to get my revenge against Robert Helenius. It’s been a long year waiting for the rematch, but I’ll be getting a victory on July 24. I feel like things will get back to normal and I will prove that I am one of the top heavyweights in the world.”

Anderson (9-0, 9 KOs) has not tasted the final bell as a professional, a dominant run that began with a first-round stoppage in his pro debut less than two years ago. He has five first-round knockouts and became the breakout star of the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble, where he went 5-0. After closing out his Bubble run with a sixth-round knockout over Kingsley Ibeh, Anderson returned April 10 with a second-round blitzing of Jeremiah Karpency. Anderson was Fury’s primary sparring partner for the Wilder rematch and will serve in the same capacity for the trilogy bout. Tereshkin (22-0-1, 12 KOs) a 6’6 southpaw, is a 14-year professional who has won 14 consecutive fights since the lone draw on his ledger.

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.toprank.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @trboxing,  @TGBPromotions, @TMobileArena and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/trboxing.

THE NEW ADDITION to Ilford’s own pride of Lions insists that Anthony Yarde has more than got what it takes to become a light heavyweight world champion.

James Cook MBE, the former British and European super middleweight champion, has recently been drafted into the camp to work with Yarde and his trainer Tunde Ajayi, to provide wise counsel and be an experienced eye on the team who work out of the Box Up Crime gym in the heart of Ilford.

Yarde, 29, who challenged for the WBO world title against Sergey Kovalev in 2019, is back in the ring on July 10 at the Royal Albert Hall. The self-styled ‘Beast from the East’ is looking to put his marker down in the division once again after suffering a narrow points loss to Manchester rival Lyndon Arthur in December.

“I am the older lion!” said the Hackney legend with a chuckle. “I am just here so if something goes wrong I will try and correct it and tell Tunde. People might think I am here shouting, but it is not that, the whole idea is to see what is going wrong and look at what we can do better. I will tell them what I think.

“What I like about these guys is they listen, they are a young team who are willing to learn from someone who has been there and done it. I am here to correct them and say ‘you know what, this is what you do in this situation’,” added the 62-year-old, who will bring both experience and calm to punching proceedings.

“Definitely, because when you get that close to a fighter you can get caught up in it and not see things. I am here to guard against that because I have been there and I can look for things that maybe they are not looking for.

“The truth is very important for a fighter and, as I have said to people, if they are not hearing the truth they are hearing nonsense. They are in there to survive and you have got to be honest.”

Cook insists his remit includes a full licence to speak his mind and say what he sees.

“When they spoke to me I said if I am not that then I won’t be here. Anthony is his own man and I am the older man, so if I don’t speak the truth this is never going to work. I am here to make sure the truth is spoken.

“Anthony has all the heart in the world and it is probably that calmness that he needs around him. When everyone is wrapped up in emotion they probably miss that.”

And from his short stint bringing order to the lion’s den, Cook is convinced Yarde will, before too long, be top cat of the division.

“Listen, he will definitely be a world champion. He fought for one before and it was part of a learning experience where he will know what to do next time. He is definitely ready for a world title fight.”

Pictures from yesterdays media day with Cook, Yarde and Tunde can be found here

Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight champion Lyndon Arthur (18-0, 12 KOs) headlines the July 10th Royal Albert Hall bill and makes the first defence of his WBO Inter-Continental title against Italian Davide Faraci (15-0, 7 KOs).

The Mancunian’s bitter rival Anthony Yarde (20-2, 19 KOs) returns in a non-title ten rounder.

Also on the bill WBO ranked number one Super-Middleweight Zach Parker (20-0, 14 KOs) will defend his WBO International belt against Uzbek Sherzod Khusanov (22-2-1, 10 KOs).

 WBO ranked number four Super-Featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) meets Nicaragua’s Marcio Soza (21-6-2, 12 KOs) with the vacant WBO Global championship on the line.

Prodigious bantamweight talent Dennis McCann (9-0, 5 KOs) faces Tanzanian John Chuwa (20-4, 10 KOs).

Elsewhere on the card, 2016 Olympian Muhammad Ali (2-0) will have his third professional assignment against Lee Glover (11-4, 3 KOs), with Lightweight KO-artist Sam Noakes (5-0, 5 KOs) and Light-Heavyweight former Olympic Youth champion Karol Itauma (2-0, 1 KO) also featuring.

FRANK WARREN has delivered a spectacular undercard to support Joe Joyce’s big Heavyweight clash against Carlos Takam at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT.

Beside’s Joyce’s WBO International, WBC Silver and Commonwealth Heavyweight championships being on the line, the Hall of Fame promoter has added three further title clashes.

There will be plenty of attention on Hamzah Sheeraz after former two-weight World champion Carl Frampton branded him Britain’s best prospect and added: “If he doesn’t go on and win a world title, I’ll eat my hat.”

Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs).

Ilford’s Sheeraz, who is highly rated in the WBO rankings for Brian Castano’s World title, will be bidding for a seventh consecutive inside-the-distance win.

He won his title stopping Ryan Kelly in November 2019 and followed that up with impressive defences against Paul Kean and Guido Nicolas Pitto.

Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth Welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury.

They were due to meet back in March, but Jenkins who hasn’t boxed since a technical draw against Liam Taylor in November 2019 pulled out because of a perforated eardrum.

Essuman last fought in September 2020 when he outpointed Cedrick Peynaud to claim the IBF European crown.

In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International Super-Bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs).

Streatham’s Bourke has a reputation as a damaging puncher. His title winning performance when he hammered Michael Ramabeletsa inside two rounds last December is proof.

Beech isn’t an easy first defence. Beech Jnr pushed Brad Foster all the way in a British and Commonwealth title challenge 12 months ago before losing on points.

Warren said: “I am delighted with the undercard. All of the boys have a chance to make statements that show they are headline acts of the future.

“Hamzah is now training in California and from what I am told he is impressing everyone out there. He is a real sleeper in the Super-Welterweight division, and I am with Carl Frampton in believing he reaches the very top.

“Chris Bourke is a threat to any of the domestic Super-Bantamweights and I’m sure he would like to do better than Brad Foster did against James.

“I am relieved that Chris Jenkins will finally get another defence after a long layoff, and am delighted to get Ekow Essuman out again. Whoever wins this fight, be it Chris or Ekow, will be well placed to kick on and start looking at World level fights.

“It is a 50-50 fight and few will tip either with great conviction.”

There is also Heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), who’s opponent is TBC.

Elsewhere on the card, Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut, whilst Reading Super-Featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill.

‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year.

Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets.

SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 28, 2021) – Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs), who showed the world his warrior heart when he stepped in the ring with pound-for-pound great, Gervonta “Tank” Davis (25-0, 24 KOs), received a hero’s welcome when he arrived at the airport back home in San Antonio. Barrios captured the hearts of many fans around the world with his courageous performance and vows to be back.

“It as an honor to step in the ring with Gervonta Davis, who in my opinion is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in boxing,” said Barrios. “Although I didn’t come out on top, I left everything in the ring and showed the world my warrior spirit. I always told myself if I ever lose a fight, I’m going out on my shield, and that’s what I did. I’m going to take this experience and grow as a fighter. I promise I’ll be back better than ever.”

When Barrios arrived in San Antonio, fans from his hometown were there to welcome him for his valiant effort in defeat, proving he has the charisma that fans adore.

“The love I’ve been receiving from the fans has been incredible,” continued Barrios. “My social media has been blowing up and I’m grateful for everyone who has shown support. I want to thank all my San Antonio fans, SHOWTIME, PBC, my sponsors Thomas J. Henry, SNAC, Pyofit, and my entire team. In boxing, it’s a must to give the fans an entertaining fight, and that’s what I plan to do every time I step in the ring. It was a great fight, and the fans were the real winners.”

SAN DIEGO, CA (June 28, 2021) – Thompson Boxing Promotions’ undefeated welterweight, Giovani Santillan (27-0, 15 KOs), is seeking a top contender for his next fight after a victorious outing this past Saturday when he defeated Cecil McCalla (23-5, 10 KOs) by unanimous decision. The 8-round bout was promoted by Top Rank.

“Every fight I’m learning something new about myself and this fight was no different,” said Santillan. “It’s been over a year since I last fought before going into this fight, and I felt I shook off the rust nicely. Now that I got this fight out of the way, I’m ready to step up and face any top ten contenders in the welterweight division. My whole team is working hard to get me a big fight and I’ll be ready when my name is called.”

“Giovani is on the cusp of a big fight, and I know he’s ready for the next level of competition,” stated promoter Ken Thompson. “He’s showing time and time again that he has the grit to always come out on top, no matter who the opponent is. He gets the job done each and every time he steps in the ring. His future is bright.”

PHILADELPHIA (June 28, 2021)-Undefeated welterweight Mark Dawson Jr. will take on seasoned veteran Larry Fryers in the eight-round main event of an RDR Promotions card on Saturday, July 24th at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.

The card will conclude the 2nd night of a “Crossroads” weekend doubleheader at the 2300 Arena. The July 23rd show was updated last week with Nahir Albright taking on Jeremy Hill in the main event.

Dawson of Philadelphia has a record of 8-0-1 with three knockouts. The 24 year-old Dawson, is a five year-professional, and is coming off of a win over Rodrigo Solis on May 8th at the 2300 Arena.

Fryers of Yonkers, New York has a record of 11-4 with four knockouts. The 30 year-old Fryers is a five year professional. He has a good win over previously undefeated Charles Natal (9-0-2). Fryers is coming off a setback to prospect Xander Zayas on June 12th.

In the co-feature, popular heavyweight Joey Dawejko will compete in an eight-round bout.

Dawejko of Philadelphia is 21-8-4 with 12 knockouts. The 21 year-old Dawejko is a 12 year-professional who has wins over Ricardo Johnson (1-0), John Lennox (6-0), Derric Rossy (28-7), Mark Rideout (4-0-2), Enobong Umohette (9-2), Natu Visinia (11-1), Demetrius Banks (9-1) and Kelvin Nunez (15-0). Dawejko is coming off a 1st round stoppage of Joe Jones on April 3rd at the 2300 Arena. Dawejko’s opponent will be announced shortly.

In six-round bouts:

Dhafir Smith (28-25-7, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Joe Jones (11-4, 8 KOs) of Jersey City, NJ in a cruiserweight bout.

Edgar Joe Cortes (8-6-1, 1 KO) of Vineland, NJ fights Gorwar Karyah (2-2, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia in a bantamweight fight.

Rasheen Brown (9-0, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a super bantamweight contest,

In four-round bouts:

Afunwa King (3-1, 1 KO) of Bronx, NY fights Clarence Whitehead (0-2) of Philadelphia in a light heavyweight contest.

Paul Koon (4-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a heavyweight fight.

Nicolas Sullivan (3-0, 1 KO) of Norfolk, VA fights Nathan Benichou (2-5, 1 KO) of Puebla, MEX in a super featherweight bout.

David Stevens (5-0, 4 KOs) of Reading, PA takes on an opponent to be named in a light heavyweight contest.

Iman Lee of Yonkers, NY will make his pro debut against an opponent to be named in a super featherweight bout.

Tickets are $75, $100, $150 and $250 for VIP Box, and can be purchased from the fighters or emailing rricerivew@yahoo.com

1st Bell for each night is at 6 PM

(June 28, 2021) WBO #3, IBF #7, WBC #14 bantamweight Nikolai Potapov continued his “Hunt for The Monster” on Sunday morning (June 27) by scoring an eight-round unanimous decision over Tanzania’s Oscar Richard.

Fighting in the main event of a 14-fight event at the Soviet Wings Sport Palace in Moscow, Russia and live on Russian TV and Salita Promotions’ YOUTUBE CHANNEL, Potapov (23-2-1, 11 KOs) showed off his world-class skills by dominating the game Richard (7-4-1, 2 KOs) throughout.

Potapov, of Podolsk, Russia, was happy to stay busy with the victory and hopes it continues to propel him to the fight he wants: a shot at three-weight world champion and current unified bantamweight world champion Naoya “The Monster” Inoue of Japan.

“I commend my opponent,” said Potapov, post-fight, “he had no fear in him. It felt good to get in eight good rounds after six months. I am sharp and ready to slay ‘The Monster’ as soon as I get him in a ring.”

Potapov, who had over 180 amateur fights and won numerous national and international tournaments, says the vaunted Inoue is nothing he hasn’t seen before.

“I’ve beaten hard punchers like him before,” said Potapov of Inoue. “I know his style inside and out and beating him will not be a problem. Bring me ‘The Monster!’”

Potapov’s long-time promoter, Dmitriy Salita, says that Potapov’s focus has been on Inoue for a long time.

“Since the first time he saw Inoue fight he’s been saying he knows how to beat him,” said Salita. “All his experience fighting around the world, he says he knows exactly how to nullify a fighter who relies on his power like that.”

Salita, who presented the event on his popular YOUTUBE CHANNEL says he’s happy with the large viewership who were allowed to watch several exciting overseas prospects before their North American debuts.

“I am delighted that we were able to provide boxing fans with an opportunity to watch free live boxing featuring some of the best contenders and prospects from Russia,” said Salita. “Thousands of fans tuned in, participated in a live chat and talked boxing. Our YOUTUBE CHANNEL has been a phenomenal platform to give needed exposure to talent from around the world and connect them with the boxing community. There is much more to come in the coming months!”

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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.

RISING HEAVYWEIGHT STAR George Fox has signed a promotional agreement with Frank Warren to fight under the Queensberry banner.

The 29-year-old, who is 3-0 in the professional ranks after making his debut in June 2018, was last in the ring in November 2019. Fox will be managed by Francis Warren.

“I am delighted to be announcing the partnership with Queensberry and we are looking to do big things in the sport,” said Fox on his career development. “I have genuine aspirations of becoming world champion and I believe, coupled with the history of Frank Warren’s establishment in the sport, I am with the right people to guide me to success.

“He has got vast experience and has been on this journey many times. Hopefully I will be another new addition who goes on to achieve great things.”

After a period out of the ring, Fox is ready to return to boxing’s flagship division, ready to make his mark in a sport where he has 20 amateur fights under his belt.

“One hundred per cent, I think the impact that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have had on the sport has been huge. You’ve seen an influx of big men testing themselves and throwing themselves into the mix competing to become the next big thing.

“There are a lot of up and coming talents and prospects and I am excited to make my way as one of them and hopefully to come out on top,” added Fox, who reveals that a link-up with Queensberry felt a natural move to make given his family’s connection to Frank Warren over many years.

“There is a lot of history there with my dad (Don Charles) being Dereck Chisora’s coach for over 12 years. I have known Francis and Frank since I was about eight years old, to be honest, so there is a long-standing relationship there, along with trust, mutual respect and understanding.

“I think we are going to have the right harmony and connection to work as a team and achieve what we believe we are capable of. We had a lot of conversations as a family in-house and there is no doubt we are making a great decision.”

Despite the frustration of well over a year out of the ring, Fox insists he is ready to hit the ground running this Summer.

“It has been very, very tricky. I have never had a platform where I can consistently fight every couple of months to get some momentum. It has all been very stop-start.

“I had a little time out of the sport and then we had the Covid situation, so fights have been few and far between for me. Rest assured, in the meantime I have been sparring Tyson Fury and have done two camps with him. I haven’t been sleeping on the job and I’ve been progressing behind closed doors, doing our work and now is the time to showcase what we have been doing to the world.

“I am looking forward to it, everything will come together and I will deliver on fight night.”

LOS ANGELES (June 28, 2021) – Undefeated former WBO Super Middleweight Champion and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs), currently a highly ranked light heavyweight contender, will have a lot on the line July 9th against world light heavyweight title challenger Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs), including world title fight implications and, ultimately, his boxing legacy,

Zurdo vs. Barrera, presented by Golden Boy Promotions, will be streamed exclusively on DAZN, live from Banc of California Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Football Club (pro soccer), located in downtown Los Angeles.

To get a world light heavyweight title shot against any of the reigning champions – WBC & IBF Artur Beterbiev (16-0 (16 KOs), WBA Super Dmitry Bivol (18-0, 11 KOs) or WBO Joe Smith (27-3, 21 KOs) – Barrera stands in Ramirez’ way in the 12-round Zurdo vs. Barrera main event. Ramirez is ranked No. 3 by the WBA and WBO, as well as No. 5 by the IBF.

“That’s what the fans want but I’m not sure if these fighters are ready for me,” Ramirez boldly said about Beterbiev, Bivol and Smith. “I wasn’t impressed by any of the three in their recent bouts. They can run as much as they want, but they can’t hide forever. I know I’m the best in the division and, sooner or later, I will be snatching each of the belts and taking their souls one by one.”

Ramirez, who recently turned 30 (June 19), was the first Mexican fighter to capture a world super middleweight title, which he relinquished in 2019 to move up to the light heavyweight division, in which he is 2-0 (2 KOs) having defeated Tommy Karpency (29-6-1) and Alphonso Lopez (32-3) last December to capture the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) crown.

A decorated Cuban amateur boxer (285-27 record), 39-year-old Barrera defeated future pro world champions such as Chad Dawson, Beibut Shumenov and Mariano Natalio Carrera prior to defecting from Cuba to Miami and turning pro.

Barrera, fighting out of Cuba by way of Miami, is 3-3 vs. past or present world champions with victories against Jeff Lacy (WTKO4), Karo Murat (WKO12) and Felix Valera (WDEC10), losing to Bivol (TKO12), Smith (DEC10), and Hall of Famer Andre Ward (DEC 12).

“I always expect the best from my opponents,” Ramirez noted. “Barrera is a professional and I know he will be ready when the lights are on. He displayed that he’s a strong fighter when he beat and broke Joe Smith, Jr.’s jaw in their bout. A victory for Barrera can resurge his career and alter my path; so, I prepare for the best version of Barrera, and I will not let anything deter my goals.

“I’ve been working hard. There’s new stuff I’ve been fine tuning and I can’t wait to showcase it July 9th. Come fight night, I know all my hard work will pay off.”

Tickets are priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $35, excluding applicable service charges, and available to purchase at www.bancocaliforniastadium and www.ticketmaster.com.

ORANGE, CA (June 28, 2021) – Thompson Boxing Promotions is happy to announce that they have officially signed undefeated super welterweight prospect Richard “Cool Brez Brewart Jr. (10-0, 4 KOs), a fighter they have developed since his pro debut.

Brewart Jr., an orthodox fighter who stands 5’10, has showed great improvement in his most recent fights, having beaten his last three opponents who had a combined record of (20-1-3, 11 KOs).

“Signing with Thompson Boxing is something I’ve been working toward since I turned professional,” said Brewart Jr., who resides in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. “I made my pro debut with them and the support they’ve showed me by putting me on all their cards proves they are the right promotional company for me. I consider Ken Thompson, Alex Camponovo, and their entire staff like family. I’m ready to take my career to the next level and I’m looking forward to putting on some great entertaining fights. I’m glad I’m now part of the Thompson Boxing family.”

Ken Thompson, who has been in the boxing business for over 20-years and counting, feels Brewart Jr. has all the elements of a great prize fighter, and is thrilled to have signed a kid he’s groomed from the beginning.

“Richard is a great human being, in addition to being a tremendous fighter,” stated promoter Ken Thompson. “We’ve watched him develop since his pro debut and now he is officially part of the Thompson Boxing family. We have big plans for him and we want to see him reach the pinnacle of the boxing world.”

“We have bee been Richard’s corner since the very beginning and we are certain that his future will be as bright and as exciting as his fights,” Alex Camponvo, Thompson Boxing’s general manager, said.

Following recent news of a game-changing five-year global deal, DAZN, the leading global sports streaming platform, and Matchroom, the leading international boxing promoter, are thrilled to announce details of their exciting new on-air talent roster loaded with some of the best broadcasters in sport.    This brand new on-air talent team will bring fight fans all of the ringside action, kicking off with an exhilarating second instalment of Fight Camp. Taking place at the stunning Matchroom HQ in Brentwood, Essex across three weekends – July 31, August 7 and August 14 – this festival of fights kicks off an unrivalled schedule for boxing fans and cements DAZN as THE global home of boxing.    In a huge coup for DAZN and Matchroom, British broadcasting legend Mike Costello will take the reins as the lead commentator, leaving his role as the BBC’s Boxing and Athletics correspondent after 15 years. Having covered seven Olympics and countless World Title fights during his glittering career at the BBC, Costello has established himself as one of the most popular commentators in sport today.   The UK’s most talked about TV and radio broadcaster Maya Jama brings a fresh perspective to the team. Maya is a hugely influential personality and has represented a variety of flagship shows for Channel 4, ITV and the BBC across TV and radio. Most recently, she co-presented the BBC show Save Our Summer and Year-Late Euros with former England striker Peter Crouch. And she has also hosted numerous award shows such as the MOBOs, BRITS and 2020 BAFTA red carpet.    Former WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Tony Bellew is one of the most well-known fight figures in boxing following his retirement from the sport in 2018. The former PPV star lit up stadiums and arenas across the world during a memorable career and has since gone on to carve out a career as a media personality as well as a leading pundit in the sport.   Laura Woods joins the team as the 2021 SJA Sports Presenter of the Year and one of the leading broadcasters in the sports industry. She is a regular weekly broadcaster on national radio and TV, hosting talkSPORT Radio’s Breakfast Show, one of the most listened to sports breakfast radio shows in the country.   Former WBO Middleweight World Champion Andy Lee remains one of the most prominent figures in boxing and holds a brilliant insight into coaching due to his involvement with Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker. The Irish fight legend possesses one of the sharpest minds in the sport and has quickly established himself as a fan favourite after stints with BBC Radio 5 Live and many more.    Former IBF Middleweight World Champion Darren Barker and expert analyst Chris Lloyd have built an excellent relationship since they started working with each other across the Matchroom fight week build up shows back in September 2018. Fight fans will be delighted that the dynamic duo will continue to bring all of the big fight week build up and much more.   To become a subscriber, download the DAZN app on any internet-connected device, including living room devices such as smart TVs, streaming sticks and game consoles as well as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and PCs. A special introductory offer of £1.99/€1.99 per month is currently available to UK and Ireland fans – for more information, visit www.DAZN.com

DAZN Group EVP Joseph Markowski commented: “This stellar line-up of broadcasters underlines our commitment to bringing in a new era of global boxing, providing fans with the very best experience, as we roll out fights and wider programming on a scale never seen before. Each presenter will bring their own unique perspective and style to our coverage, as we take a fresh approach to this fast-growing sport, and will engage existing and new fans alike.”   Matchroom Boxing Chairman Eddie Hearn said: “I couldn’t be prouder of this team of talent that we have assembled for our ground-breaking new project. The launch of Matchroom Media has enabled us to form a cradle to grave mindset across inception to completion of our shows so we can deliver the live event experience to the viewer in the narrative and style in which we have built it.   “It’s a real mixture of industry legends and fresh new talent that will give us the credibility and the energy to drive this new era forward. Mike Costello has long been the fan favourite for live boxing commentary, and we are honoured to welcome him to the team. Maya Jama is now one of the leading broadcasters and personalities in British television, and brings a great new perspective to the audience to the audience, as a boxing fan and well-known sports presenter. We can’t wait to get started with Fight Camp next month!”   Mike Costello said: “I’ve had such a great time at the BBC for so long that I’ve always said it would take something special to persuade me to leave that role and I get the impression this is that something special.    “I love the energy, ambition and passion around this new venture with DAZN and Matchroom. From black and white television, Boxing was one of the most popular sports where televised sports were growing. We then moved into the PPV and satellite era. Over the decades boxing has tended to move with the times in the media landscape and I think this is the next step of that journey.   “The clearest challenge is that on radio the task is to paint the pictures, on television the task is to add to what the viewers can already see. It’s a very different style of commentary but I have to bring all my experience from ringside on radio into television. This to me this is one of the attractions of the new role is taking on a new challenge at this stage of my career.   “This is a great chance for the big fights to happen more regularly and I’m looking forward to being the voice at ringside for many big nights to come.”   Maya Jama said: “I am thrilled to be joining DAZN and Matchroom. I’ve always loved boxing and this is a whole new adventure for me which I can’t wait to begin. I’m hoping to bring a new energy, flavour and vibe to one of my favourite sports and couldn’t be more excited to be working alongside such a fantastic and world class team.” ENDS  About DAZN Group DAZN Group is one of the fastest growing sports media companies in the world. Headquartered in the UK and with employees in over 25 countries, our businesses touch every aspect of the way fans engage with sports; from production, through to content distribution and commercialisation. DAZN Group is home to DAZN, the leading global sport?destination, as well as the popular sport portal, DAZN News. DAZN is leading the charge to give sports fans around the world access to sport anytime, anywhere. DAZN guarantees affordable access on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles. DAZN is now live in more than 200 countries and territories after first launching in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Japan in 2016. Visit https://media.dazn.com? for more information.  About Matchroom Boxing Matchroom Boxing is the world’s leading boxing promotional outfit putting on major stadium and arena shows across the globe. Headed up by boxing supremo Eddie Hearn, Matchroom has been among the world leaders in major boxing promotion and production for over a quarter of a century since its launch in 1987. With an unrivalled stable of world-class fighters, Matchroom’s unique expertise in promotion, staging and television productions cements its position as the No.1 promoter in the sport.

NEW YORK (June 28, 2021)–Four fighters under the Split-T Management banner kept their undefeated records in-tact with big wins throughout North America.

In Las Vegas, Welterweight contender Giovani Santillan took an eight-round unanimous decision from veteran Cecil McCalla at the Virgin Hotel.

Santillan of San Diego, boxed very well and dictated the pace throughout the contest.

McCalla proved to be a tough opponent, but Santillan was more effective but outlanding McCalla 146 to 102, and came home with the near-shutout victory by score of 80-72 twice and 79-73 to raise his mark to 27-0.

The fight was streamed on ESPN+.

Santillan is promoted by Thompson Boxing and Top Rank.

In Guadalajara, Mexico, good looking prospect Diego Pacheco stopped Jesus Palomares in round six of a scheduled eight-round battle of undefeated super middleweights.

Pacheco dominated the fight with his boxing ability, and in round six he started to dominate and the fight was stopped after a hard uppercut at 2:17.

Pacheco, 167 lbs of Los Angeles is 12-0 with nine knockouts. Palomares, 167 lbs of Sonora, MEX is 7-1-1.

The fight was streamed on DAZN.

Pacheco is promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

In Ashland, Kentucky, world-ranked junior middleweight Charles Conwell continued his winning ways, by pounding out an eight-round unanimous decision over veteran Silverio Ortiz.

Conwell, who is ranked number-seven by the IBF, dropped Ortiz once in round five, and twice in round seven. Conwell of Cleveland, won by scores of 80-69 on all cards to raise his perfect mark to 15-0.

Conwell is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions.

On the same card, featherweight, Haven Brady Jr. stopped Nathan Benichou inside of a round.

Brady registered two knockdowns, and the fight was halted 93 seconds into the contest.

The 19 year-old Brady, who is promoted by Top Rank, is now 3-0 with three knockouts.

DERRY, N.H. (June 26, 2021) –- “Breakout” main event fighters Steve “The Gentle Giant Vukosa and “Fly” Mike Marshall battled to a 10-round Granite Chin Promotions doubleheader last night, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, at New England Sports Center in Derry, New Hampshire.

Granite promoted another day-night doubleheader, including a Pro-Am card during the afternoon sessions, highlighted by the semifinals of the inaugural “Granite Chin Invitational, featuring some of New England’s top amateur boxers.”

The ageless Vukosa (13-1-1, 5 KOs), a former WBC U.S. heavyweight title holder, and Marshall (5-1-1, 4 KOs), the reigning New England heavyweight champion, battled to a 10-round draw and the NABA United States title they fought for remains vacant.

It was clearly a difficult fight to judge as evident by the wide range of judges’ scoring: 99-91 for Marshall, 97-93 in favor of Vukosa, and 95-95.

R – main event.JPG
Vukosa and Marshall (back)

“We had a dynamic day and night,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti said. “During the day, we had some of the top amateurs in New England and some local pros. At night, we had a packed house and entertaining fights. Although scorecards in the main event may not have reflected the fight, I don’t argue with the outcome, only the way we got there. I’ll talk to Steve and Mike and ask them if they want to fight again on our August 28th card. I’m not sure if Steve wants to continue fighting and Mike may be offered a bigger fight. We’ll talk soon and find out.”

In the co-featured event, former New England heavyweight champion Justin “Crazy Train” Rolfe (6-2-1, 4 KOs) outworked his Mexican opponent, Jose Humbert “Olimpico” Corral (20-27, 12 KOs) from the opening bell to win a decisive 8-round unanimous decision for the vacant ABF Atlantic heavyweight title.

Harney_rolfe_corral.JPG
New ABF Atlantic heavyweight champion Justin Rolfe

New England welterweight champion Mike “Bad Boy” O’Han, Jr. (13-1, 7 KOs) retained his title with a workmanlike performance against gutsy challenger Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (13-15-4, 9 KOs), who was unable to answer the bell for the sixth round.

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Mike O’Han, Jr. (L)

In what was unquestionably the Fight of the Night, junior lightweights Kevin “El Gallo” Rodriguez (1-1) and Dee “Outlaw” Venable 2-6) went toe-to-toe for four entertaining rounds of non-stop action. Despite being penalized a point for a low blow, Rodriguez edged Venable on all three judges’ scorecards by the identical scores of 38-37.

Undefeated welterweight prospect Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (5-0, 4 KOs) floored Paulo Sousa three times en route to a third-round triumph by technical knockout.

Unbeaten Julien “Black Drago” Baptiste (3-0, 2 KOs) pitched a near shutout against Rodrigo “The Lion” Almeida (2-11, 2 KOs) for a 4-round decision.

Young welterweight Eric “Gladiator” Goff (2-0, 2 KO) used an old-fashioned body attack and a right hook put Aquilando Brandao (0-4) on the canvas in round one. He beat the count, but it was ruled that he was unable to continue, resulting in a knockout for Goff.

An unanswered barrage of punches thrown by junior middleweight Carlos Abel Castillo led to the referee stopping the bout late in the first round against an overmatched Jay Gregory (0-4)

A wild opening round, in which heavyweight Marco Nasciemento (0-2) was dropped twice and then he decked Dennis Ventura (2-0, 2 KOs), was followed by a slower pace in round two. Ventura dropped Nasciemento again in the second and Nasciemento was unable to beat the count.

Lightweight Brandon Idrogo moved to 3-0 with his third knockout, needing only 50-seconds to secure a technical knockout of Tommy “T-Mike” Kenney (0-6).

Light heavyweight Steve Sumpler won his first pro fight by way of a fourth round TKO, when an accidental head but opened a cut over Saul “Spider” Almeida’s right eye so severe that the ring doctor halted the fight.

Fighting for the first time in more than three years, undefeated middleweight Jelame Garcia (8-0, 6 KOs) got right back on the winning track, out-boxing Texas veteran Larry “Slo Mo” Smith for a 4-round unanimous decision

Promising middleweight prospect, Josniel “TG” Castro (3-0, 2 KOs) punished Jader Alves, who had two points deducted for holding and head butting, until the ring doctor stopped the one-sided fight after the conclusion of the third round. Castro recently signed a managerial contract with Shearns Boxing.

Nelson “Chino” Perez improved his record to 3-0 when his opponent, Dewayne Wisdom, was disqualified in the fourth round for repeated fouls and refusal to follow the referee’s orders.

Three-time New England Golden Gloves champion Demeck “Hightower” Edmonds (2-0, 2 KOs) needed only three punches and 21-seconds to stop pro-debuting Wallace Nass Silva in the evening’s first bout.

“Wild Thing” Pallerin defends ABF Atlantic title

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Yan Pallarin (L)

ABF Atlantic cruiserweight champion Yan “Wild Thing” Pallerin, fighting out of Montreal, successfully defended his crown against Angolan challenger Cristiano Pedro (2-4-1, 1 KO) in the afternoon card’s main event. Pallerin, who improved to 12-1 (5 KOs), methodically cruised to an 8-round unanimous decision by scores of 79-73, 78-72, 78-72.

In other afternoon pro bouts, lightweight Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (1-0-1) won his first pro fight via a 4-round unanimous decision over game Andy Aiello (1-5-1), cruiserweight Andrew “Action Packed” Perez (2-0, 2 KOs) took a third-round technical knockout versus Jesus “The Juice” Cintron (1-19-2), cruiserweight Scott Lambert (2-2, 2 KOs) earned a first-round TKO win over Yhago Goncalves (0-4), Canadian heavyweight Alexis Barriere (2-0, 2 KOs) finished off pro-debuting Andrew Nolan with a crisp right in the opening round, and Laurent Humes stopped Philipe Martins in the round in a battle of pro-debuting super middleweights.

Middleweight Wade Faria, welterweight Shea Wilcox and Jaydell Pazmino were semifinals winners in the inaugural Granite Chin Invitational, and they will advance to the championship round August 28th at New England Sports Center.

Complete results below:

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NIGHT CARD

MAIN EVENT — VACANT NABA UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Steve Vukosa (13-1-1, 5 KOs), Quincy, MA

D10

Mike Marshall (5-1-1, 4 KOs), Danbury, CT

CO-FEATURE – VACANT ABF ATLANTIC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Justin Rolfe (5-2-1, 4 KOs), Fairfield, ME

WDEC8 80-71, 79-72, 77-74

Jose Humberto Corral (20-26, 12 KOs) Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico

(Rolfe won ABF Atlantic heavyweight title)

NEW ENGLAND WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Mike O’Han, Jr. (13-1, 7 KOs), Holbrook, MA.

WTKO5 (3:00)

Tyrone Luckey (13-5-4, 9 KOs), Manahawkin, NJ

(O’Han Jr. retained N.E. welterweight title)

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Dennis Ventura (2-0, 2 KOs), Salem, MA

WKO2 (1:39)

Marco Nasciemento (0-2), Woburn, MA.

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Demeck Edmonds (2-0, 2 KOs), Worcester, MA

WKO1 (0:21)

Wallace Nass Silva (0-1), Boston, MA

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Steve Sumpler (1-0, 1 KO), Pittsfield, MA

WTKO4 (0:54)

Saul Almeida (0-14-4), Framingham, MA

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Jelame Garcia (8-0, 6 KOs), Lynn, MA

WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)

Larry Smith (12-48-2, 8 KOs), Dallas, TX

       Julien Baptiste (3-0, 2 KOs), Woburn, MA

WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-37)

Rodrigo Almeida (2-11, 2 KOs), Woburn, MA

Josniel Castro (3-0, 2 KOs), Worcester, MA by way of Puerto Rico

WKO3 (3:00)

Jader Alves (0-9), Woburn, MA

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Carlos Abel Castillo (2-0, 2 KOs), Holyoke, MA

WTKO1 (2:31)

Jay Gregory (0-4, 2 KOs), Auburn, NY

WELTERWEIGHTS

Denzel Whitley (5-0, 4 KOs), Holyoke, MA

WTKO3 (2:26)

Pablo Sousa (0-21), Woburn, MA.

Eric Goff (2-0, 2 KOs), Weymouth, MA

WKO1 (0:37)

Aquilando Brando (0-4), Woburn, MA

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Nelson Perez (3-0, 2 KOs), Marlboro, MA

WDQ4 (0:48)

Dewayne Wisdom (7-57-2, 3 KOs), Indianapolis, IN

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Brandon Idrogo (3-0, 3 KOs), Ellenville, NY

WTKO1 (0:50)

Tommy Kenney (0-6), Rutland, VT

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS

Kevin Rodriguez (1-1), Lawrence, MA

WDEC4 (38-37, 38-37, 38-37)

Dee Venable (2-6), Springfield, MA

DAY CARD

MAIN EVENT – ABF ATLANTIC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Yan Pallerin (12-1, 5 KOs), Granby, Quebec, Canada

WDEC8 (79-73, 78-74, 78-74)

Cristiano Pedro (2-4-1, 1 KO), Lewiston, ME by way of Angola

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Alexis Barriere (2-0, 2 KOs), Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieux, Quebec, Canada

WKO1 (1:31)

Andrew Nolan (0-1), Dover Plains, NY

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Andrew Perez (2-0, 2 KO), Lawrence, MA

WTKO3 (2:45)

Jesus Cintron (1-19-2), Springfield, MA

Scott Lambert (2-2, 2 KOs), Dover Plains, NY

WTKO1 (1:30)

Yhago Goncalves (0-4), Portsmouth, ME by way of Brazil

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Laurent Humes (1-0, 1 KO), Springfield, MA

WTKO2 (2:32)

Philipe Martins (0-1, Marlborough, MA

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Ian Garcia (1-0-1), Springfield, MA

WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-37)

Andy Aiello (1-5-1), Bridgewater, MA

AMATEURS

GRANITE CHIN INVITATIONAL MIDDLEWEIGHT SEMIFINAL

Wade Faria, Portland Boxing Club WPTS (3-0) James Maner, Big Six

GRANITE CHIN INVITATIONAL WELTERWEIGHT SEMIFINAL

Shea Wilcox, Broadway Boxing WPTS (2-1) Apostolus Lolos, Nashua PAL

GRANITE CHIN INVITATIONAL LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT SEMIFINAL

Jaydell Pazmino, Intenze 978 WPTS (3-0) Dimas Colon, Thrive Boxing

SENIOR NOVICE SUPER HEAVYWEIGHTS

Jordan Lindsay, Portland Boxing Club WPTS (3-0) David Marshall, On Point Boxing

GRANITE CHIN INVITATIONAL WELTERWEIGHT SEMIFINAL

Shea Wilcox, Broadway Boxing WPTS (2-1) Apostolus Lolos, Nashua PAL

SENIOR NOVICE HEAVYWEIGHTS

Haiden Scott, TKP BoxFit WPTS (3-0) Liam Harrison, Seacoast Boxing

Theo Beuvelet, Private Jewels WPTS (2-1) vs. Dylan Goulart, On Point Boxing

SENIOR NOTICE WELTERWEIGHTS

Sam Williams, Seacoast Boxing WRSC1 (1:36) Joe Provenzano, Fenton Boxing Club

SENIOR NOVICE FEATHERWEIGHTS

Shyne Conce, Intenze 978 WPTS (3-0) Thomas Chin, Broadway Boxing Club

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INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

NEW YORK (June 27, 2021) – SHOWTIME will add a special replay of tonight’s pay-per-view main event fight between Gervonta Davis and Mario Barrios to the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast next Saturday, July 3 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME. The replay of tonight’s SHOWTIME PPV headline attraction from State Farm Arena in Atlanta will serve as the opening fight of the live telecast from Carson, Calif. on Independence Day weekend.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event from Carson, Calif. will be headlined by undefeated Interim WBA Super Featherweight Champion Chris “Primetime” Colbert, who continues his rise to stardom in one of boxing’s elite divisions, facing hard-hitting 130-pound contender Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar. The SHOWTIME telecast will feature unbeaten rising star Michel Rivera battling lightweight contender Jon Fernández in a 135-pound WBA title eliminator in the co-main event as well as highlights of undefeated super lightweight contender Richardson Hitchins squaring off against Darwin Price in a 10-round duel.

ALL ACCESS: DAVIS-BARRIOS EPILOGUE premieres immediately following next week’s live telecast of Colbert vs. Nyambayar. The Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS was behind-the-scenes all week in Atlanta to capture never-before-seen moments from fight week. The epilogue will reveal intimate scenes from the locker rooms before and after the fight and inside the ropes from tonight’s action.

The action-packed, star-studded summer lineup on SHOWTIME Sports continues next weekend with an unrivaled run of top-tier boxing, MMA and original programming every weekend through mid-July:

SHOWTIME SPORTS SCHEDULE

Sunday, June 27

8:00 p.m. ET/PT – THE KINGS (Episode 4, Series Finale)

Saturday, July 3

9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: Chris Colbert vs. Tugstsogt Nyambayar, WBA Super Featherweight Interim Title Fight

*ALL ACCESS: DAVIS-BARRIOS EPILOGUE will premiere immediately following.

Friday, July 9

8:30 p.m. ET/PT – ALL ACCESS: CHARLO-CASTAÑO

Friday, July 16

9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT – BELLATOR MMA 262: Juliana Velasquez vs. Denise Kielholtz, Flyweight World Championship

Saturday, July 17

9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT – SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castaño, Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Championship Fight

*All four episodes of THE KINGS are available now wherever SHOWTIME is available.

General Sale tickets for the three Fight Camp events taking place at the Matchroom HQ in Brentwood, Essex headlined by Conor Benn vs. Adrian Granados on Saturday July 31, Kid Galahad vs. Jazza Dickens on Saturday August 7 and Joshua Buatsi vs. Richard Bolotniks on Saturday August 14 will be available to purchase at 10am on Friday July 2. 

Fans can purchase General Sale tickets via StubHub(www.stubhub.co.uk)

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets via Matchroom Boxing  (www.matchroomboxing.com) from 10am on Thursday July 1.

All tickets are priced at £750 per show (plus booking fee) and include transportation to and from the venue (shuttle service from the Brentwood Centre) and festival style hospitality (complimentary food and beverages) throughout the night. Full event information can be found at your point of purchase. 

Fight Camp returns with a bang on Saturday July 31 as rising Welterweight star Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) puts his WBA Continental Title on the line against Mexico’s Grandos (21-8-3, 15 KOs) following his sensational first round KO win over Samuel Vargas, newly-crowned WBA Bantamweight World Champion Shannon Courtenay (7-1, 3 KOs) puts her World Title on the line for the first time, Tommy McCarthy (18-2, 9 KOs) and Chris Billam-Smith (12-1, 10 KOs) collide in a huge showdown for the European, British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight Titles, former World Title challenger Avni Yildrim (21-3, 12 KOs) aims to bounce back from his loss to pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez when he takes on ‘Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen (19-2-1, 9 KOs), Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler (14-1, 11 KOs) promises to build on his huge third-round knockout win over Jorge Fortea when he takes on Roberto Garcia (44-5, 27 KOs), Manchester Lightweight Campbell Hatton (2-0) continues his young journey in the pro ranks and former amateur star Sandy Ryan makes her highly-anticipated professional debut at Super-Lightweight.

Sheffield’s Galahad (27-1, 16 KOs) and Liverpool’s Dickens (30-3, 11 KOs) meet in an all-British clash for the vacant IBF Featherweight World Title at the top of Week 2 on Saturday August 7, Ipswich Heavyweight knockout artist Fabio Wardley (11-0, 10 KOs) steps up again after stopping Eric Molina in five rounds, the ‘Albanian King’ Florian Marku (8-0-1, 6 KOs) fights Maxim Prodan (19-0-1, 15 KOs) for the IBF International Welterweight Title, ‘The Savage’ Alen Babic (7-0, 7 KOs) looks to extend his KO streak against Mark Bennett (7-1, 1 KO), popular Australian Ebanie Bridges (5-1, 2 KOs) went to war with Shannon Courtenay last time out and returns to the UK to face Bec Connolly (3-9) over eight rounds, gifted Catford talent Ellie Scotney (2-0) looks to impress again, Romford Heavyweight Johnny Fisher (2-0, 2 KOs) goes for another knockout against Josh Sandland (5-3-1) and Oldham prospect Aqib Fiaz (6-0) fights for the first time in 2021. 

Fight Camp concludes with an action-packed night of boxing on Saturday August 14 that sees Buatsi (14-0, 12 KOs) defend his WBA International Light-Heavyweight Title against the winner of the MTK Global Golden Contract winner Bolotniks (18-5-1, 8 KOs), Hartlepool’s Savannah Marshall (10-0, 8 KOs) makes the second defence of her WBO Middleweight World Title as she pushes for unification fights, undefeated New Jersey Featherweight Raymond Ford (8-0-1, 4 KOs) fights in the UK for the second time against Reece Bellotti (14-4, 12 KOs), Portsmouth’s Michael McKinson (20-0, 2 KOs) puts his WBO Global Welterweight Title on the line against Poland’s Przemyslaw Runowski (19-1, 5 KOs) following his breakout win over Chris Kongo in Gibraltar, Wokingham’s Felix Cash (14-0, 10 KOs) blitzed Denzel Bentley in three rounds last time out and puts his Commonwealth belt up for grabs again in the Matchroom garden, Glasgow Bantamweight slickster Kash Farooq (15-1, 6 KOs) makes the first defence of his WBC International Silver Title, two-time World Title challenger Tasha Jonas (9-2-1, 7 KOs) returns to the scene of her epic Fight of the Year contender with Terri Harper and Leeds Featherweight talent Hopey Price looks to go 5-0. 

*Ticket holders can only arrive at the venue via Matchroom transport.

NEW YORK (June 25, 2021)–On Saturday, boxing’s top management company, Split-T Management will have four of it’s top fighters featured in bouts throughout North America.

At the Virgin Hotel In Las Vegas, undefeated welterweight Giovani Santillan battles Cecil McCalla in a 10-round bout.

In Guadalajara, Mexico, rising undefeated prospect Diego Pacheco takes on undefeated Jesus Palomares in an eight-round super middleweight fight.

In Ashland, Kentucky, world-ranked super welterweight Charles Cinwell takes on Silverio Ortiz, while Haven Brady Jr. takes on Nathan Benichou in a four-round featherweight bout.

Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images

Santillan, who is promoted by Thompson Boxing and Top Rank, has a record 26-0 with 15 knockouts. Santillan of San Diego, has wins over Michael Balasi (10-2), Daniyar Hanyk (10-0), Osenohan Vazquez (7-1-1), Eduardo Rivera (9-1-2), Ernesto Ortiz (10-2), Omar Tienda (18-3), Sammy Valentin (12-0), Dodzi Kemeh (19-1), Alejandro Barboza (11-1) and his last bout when defeated former world champion Antonio DeMarco on June 16, 2020 in Las Vegas.

McCalla of Randallstown, Maryland, has a record of 23-4 with 10 knockouts.

McCalla has defeated the likes of Ivan Zigar (1-0-1), Antonio Walls (2-0), John Mackey (11-2-1), Gary Lynch (4-0) and Oscar Godoy (13-2). McCalla has won two in a row, and is coming off of a 2nd round stoppage over Fidel Monterrosa Munoz on October 16th in Plant City, Florida.

Santillan weighed 147.6 lbs and McCalla was 147 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in.

The bout can be seen on ESPN+ at 7:15 PM.

Photo by Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing

Pacheco of Los Angeles is 11-0 with eight knockouts.

The 20 year-old Pacheco will be facing his 5th undefeated foe of his three-year career. He already has wins over Felix Aguilar, Guillermo Maldonado, Jose Esparza and Terry Ferandez. Pacheco also has a 2nd round stoppage over Juan Antonio Mendez (12-2). Pacheco is coming off a unanimous decision over Rodolfo Gomez Jr. on February 21st in Miami.

Palomares of Sonora, Mexico is 7-0-1 with four knockouts, and has defeated two undefeated opponents in his last two bouts. He has a 2nd round stoppage over Christian Hermosillo (3-0) and in his last bout Palomares won a unanimous decision over Jaime Portillo on November 19th in Sonora, Mexico.

Both Pacheco and Palomares were 167 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in

In Ashland, Kentucky Conwell and Brady were able to book fights following bouts being postponed in Miami.

Conwell of Cleveland is ranked number-seven by the IBF, has a record of 14-0 with 11 knockouts,

The 2016 United States Olympian is the USBA champion, who has made three defenses has wins over Roque Zeoeda (4-1-3), Travis Scott (19-3), His USBA title winning effort over Courtney Pennington (12-3-3) and defenses over undefeated Webdy Toussaint (12-0) and Madiyar Ashkeyev (14-0).

Conwell, who is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions checked in at 158 lbs.

Ortiz of Yucitan, Mexico has a record of 37-26 with 18 knockouts, and is a 21 year veteran,

He has fought many world champions and title challengers and has sprung upsets over Daniel Seda, Miguel Angel Huerta, Mian Hussein and Ramzan Baysarov

Brady of Albany, Georgia is 2-0 with both wins coming via knockout. He weighed 128 lbs.

The 19 year-old Brady, who is promoted by Top Rank, is coming off a 2nd round stoppage over Michael Land on December 12th in Las Vegas.

Benichou of Puebla, Mexico has a record of 2-4 with two knockouts.

Weston, Florida (June 11, 2021)–TOMORROW NIGHT at The Bonaventure Resort Spa in Weston, Florida, undefeated featherweight Edward Vazquez will be back in action when he takes on Yeison Vargas in a six-round bout.

Vazquez of Fort Worth, Texas, has a record of 9-0 with one knockout. The 25 year-old Vazquez is managed by DKO Management, will be making his first start since winning an eight-round split decision over Irvin Gonzalez (14-2) on November 28th in Las Angeles to capture the WBC USNBC Title.

Vazquez also has wins over Everado Jhoao (1-0), Brandon Arvie (2-0), Brandon Cruz (6-0) and Adan Ochoa (11-1).

Vargas of Colombia is 16-6 with 11 knockouts.

Vargas, 30, has wins over Ramiro Rojas (12-1-1) and Sander Diaz (5-1-1).

Vargas’ six losses are to fighters with a combined record of 116-5-4

“It has been a pleasure to work with Blake Davis and the entire BAD Promotions team In putting this bout together. We look forward to Edward earning his 10th straight victory in convincing fashion on Saturday night,” said Dave Dubinsky, cgno-manager of DKO Boxi

“Edward had an amazing training camp, under the tutelage of Raymond Barrera, and he is ready to go. Edward fears no one, and he will prove once again that he is the most dynamic prospect in the featherweight division,” said DKO Boxing co-manager, Jim Kurtz

Said John Anderson who promoted Vazquez under the KO Night Boxing banner, “KO Night Boxing is so excited for Edward to be fighting in Florida . Edward has been in some unbelievable exciting fights as of late. I thought he was fight of the night on the Tyson -Jones card his last time out and he showed the same type of fight on ESPN before that . Edward Vazquez is what boxing needs more of and that’s the warrior spirit he brings .I expect nothing less on Saturday night.”

Vazquez weighed 125.8 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in. Vargas was 126 lbs.

DERRY, N.H. (June 25, 2021) – The official weigh for tomorrow night’s Granite Chin Promotions doubleheader was held today at the same venue as the event, the New England Sports Center, in Derry, New Hampshire.

Tickets are on sale and are priced at $25.00 (Day Show) / $40.00 (Night Show) for general seating (unassigned). Unassigned ringside seating will be available at $35.00 per seat during the day show. The night show will offer ringside tables (assigned and seats 4) for $300.00 and are available to purchase online at www.ticketriver.com (Search: Granite Chin Invitational for the day show, Breakout for night show). Limited tickets will be available to purchase at the door.

Doors open at 12:15 p.m. ET and 7:15 p.m. ET (night) with the first bouts, respectively, at 12:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. ET.

The Pro-Am afternoon segment of the day-night doubleheader (separate admission) is slated to include nine amateur matches, highlighted by three semifinal bouts of the inaugural Granite Chin Invitational. Amateurs will weigh in Saturday morning.

Fighters’ weights below:

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NIGHT CARD

MAIN EVENT — VACANT NABA UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10)

Steve Vukosa (13-1, 5 KOs), Quincy, MA 243.4 lbs.

Mike Marshall (5-1, 4 KOs), N.E. Champion, Danbury, CT 248.8 lbs.

CO-FEATURE – VACANT ABF ATLANTIC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)

Jose Humberto Corral (20-26, 12 KOs) Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico 229 lbs.

Justin Rolfe (5-2-1, 4 KOs), Fairfield, ME 258.2 lbs.

NEW ENGLAND WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)

Mike O’Han, Jr. (12-1, 6 KOs), Champion, Holbrook, MA 147 lbs.

Tyrone Luckey (13-4-4, 9 KOs), Manahawkin, NJ 144.6 lbs.

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Dennis Ventura (1-0, 1 KO), Salem, MA 235.4 lbs.

Marco Nasciemento (0-1), Woburn, MA 208.6 lbs.

CRUISERWEIGHTS (4)

Demeck Edmonds (1-0, 1 KO), Worcester, MA 199.8 lbs.

Wallace Nass Silva (pro debut), Boston, MA SATURDAY lbs.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Saul Almeida (0-13-4), Framingham, MA 175 lbs.

Steve Sumpler (pro debut), Albany, NY 173 lbs.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)

Rodrigo Almeida (2-10, 2 KOs), Woburn, MA 165 lbs.

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

MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)

Jader Alves (0-8), Woburn, MA154 lbs.

Josniel Castro (2-0, 1 KO), Worcester, MA by way of Puerto Rico 159 lbs.

Jelame Garcia (7-0, 6 KOs), Lynn, MA 163.6 lbs.

Larry Smith (12-47-2, 8 KOs), Dallas, TX 160 lbs.

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)

Carlos Abel Castillo (1-0, 1 KO), Holyoke, MA 153 lbs.

Jay Gregory (0-3, 2 KOs), Auburn, NY 151 lbs

WELTERWEIGHTS (6)

Denzel Whitley (4-0, 3 KOs), Holyoke, MA 147 lbs.

Paulo Sousa, Woburn, MA 152 lbs.

WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Aquilando Brandao (0-3), Woburn, MA 146.4 lbs.

Eric Goff (1-0, 1 KO), Weymouth, MA 148 lbs.

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Nelson Perez (2-0, 2 KOs), Marlboro, MA 138.4 lbs.

Dewayne Wisdom (7-56-2, 3 KOs), Indianapolis, IN SATURDAY lbs.

LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Brandon Idrogo (2-0, 2 KOs), Ellenville, NY 140 lbs.

Tommy Kenney (0-4), Rutland, VT 138.4 lbs.

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Kevin Rodriguez (0-1), Lawrence, MA 127 lbs.

Ryan Venable (2-5), Roanoke, VA 130 lbs.

DAY CARD

MAIN EVENT – ABF ATLANTIC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)

Yan Pallerin (11-1, 5 KOs), Champion, Granby, Quebec, Canada 195 lbs.

Cristiano Pedro (2-3-1, 1 KO), Challenger, Lewiston, ME by way of Angola 200 lbs.

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Alexis Barriere (1-0, 1 KO), Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieux, Quebec, Canada 224 lbs.

Andrew Nolan (pro début), Franklin, NY 208 lbs.

CRUISERWEIGHTS (4)

Andrew Perez (1-0), Methuen, MA 183 lbs.

Jesus Cintron (1-18-2), Springfield, MA SATURDAY lbs.

Yhago Goncalves (0-3), Portsmouth, ME by way of Brazil 185 lbs.

Scott Lambert (1-2, 1 KO), Dover Plains, NY 183 lbs.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)

Laurent Humes (pro début), Springfield, MA 166 lbs.

Philipe Martins (pro début), Marlborough, MA 160.4 lbs.

LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)

Andy Aiello (1-4-1), Bridgewater, MA 134 lbs.

Ian Garcia (0-0-1), Springfield, MA 139.4 lbs.

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