Katharina Thanderz says she has seen weaknesses in Terri Harper’s game that she will exploit when they clash for the WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday November 14, live on Sky Sports and DAZN.
Unbeaten in thirteen professional contests, the former European and WBC International Champion got her first taste of World Title action last time out in November 2019 when she battled past Danila Ramos to claim the interim WBC Super-Featherweight crown.
Thanderz aims to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Cecilia Brækhus, the former long-reigning Undisputed 147lbs champion, who is considered one of the greatest female boxers of all time, and the 32-year-old plans on kicking off her road to Undisputed by dethroning rising star Harper in London.
“This is my moment, my fight, the night my whole career has lined up for,” said Thanderz. “To fight against such a competitor for a World Title unification, it’s the fight every fighter dreams of!
“My last fight was a hard one where I had to bite down on the gum shield, but this fight will be an even greater test. I came through in my last fight and had my hand raised, I’m confident that will happen again against Terri.
“After that fight, I called for Terri Harper, I’ve been studying her for a long time but I know she will have been studying for me. I’ve seen weaknesses in her game that I have been working on in training, I’ve put in extra hours to work on a specific game plan and now I just can’t wait to get in there with Terri and put into practice what we’ve worked on.
“Everything for this fight has been right. My training camp, my preparation could not have gone better. From diet and nutrition, physical training, sparring – my team has left no stone unturned; I am determined not to waste this opportunity. “We will entertain in this fight, we are two fighters that love to fight and have trained hard and prepared well. I can’t wait.”
Women’s boxing has never been in a stronger position, with World Title fights regularly featuring on some of the biggest shows around the globe, and Thanderz is pleased to be sharing a card with Ireland’s Undisputed Lightweight queen Katie Taylor, who has been instrumental in building the sport in recent years.
“This card is a great one to be a part of. What is happening for sport here is amazing, it shows the evolution of the sport of boxing and coming away from this fight night with the World Title around my waist will make it the biggest and most special night in my career.
“Fighting this year is important. After everything that has happened with the pandemic, we’ve seen how much we need sport, the fans need it, the fighters, sports stars we all need it. Something to deliver excitement, passion and something that gives fans a reason to cheer and shout!”
Harper vs. Thanderz is part of an historical night of women’s World Title action that sees Irish star KatieTaylor (16-0, 6 KOs) put her Lightweight World Titles on the line once more against Mandatory Challenger MiriamGutierrez (13-0, 5 KOs), Rachel Ball (6-1) faces Jorgelina Guanini (9-1-2, 1 KO) for the vacant WBA Bantamweight World Title, big-punching John Docherty (9-0, 7 KOs) steps up against Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen (18-2-1, 9 KOs), Liverpool Light-Heavyweight Thomas Whittaker-Hart (4-0, 2 KOs) looks to go 5-0 against Bradford’s Jermaine Springer (7-1, 1 KO)and Glasgow Bantamweight talent Kash Farooq (13-1, 6 KOs)makes his Matchroom debut against Angel Aviles (20-5-1, 6 KOs).
Wednesday: Tursynbay Kulakhmet-Macaulay McGowan Junior Middleweight Showdown to Headline Afternoon of Boxing LIVE and Exclusively on ESPN+
(November 9, 2020) — Kazakh prodigy Tursynbay Kulakhmet looks to make another statement Wednesday when he faces fellow unbeaten Macaulay McGowan in a 10-round junior middleweight showdown from Production Park Studios in Wakefield, England.
Kulakhmet-McGowan headlines a special edition of #MTKFightNight, which will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
Kulakhmet (1-0, 1 KO), a 2019 World Championships bronze medalist, made his professional debut Aug. 23 and knocked out former amateur standout Sagadat Rakhmankul in four rounds. At 26 years old, he is taking the express lane to title contention, as the McGowan bout will be contested for the vacant WBC International title. McGowan (14-0-1, 3 KOs), from Manchester, England, has won four straight fights since a 2016 draw.
In other action on ESPN+:
Top Rank-signed Irish welterweight phenom Paddy Donovan (4-0, 3 KOs), who is trained and managed by former middleweight world champion Andy Lee, will fight Jumaane Camero (10-6, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder. Camero, who has won three consecutive fights, has never been stopped as a professional.
In an eight-round junior middleweight tilt, Jack “Demolition Man” Rafferty (12-0, 7 KOs) will put his unblemished record on the line against Tom Hill (9-1, 2 KOs). Rafferty and Hill were supposed to fight last month, but Hill’s positive COVID-19 diagnosis postponed the bout.
MTK Global signee Hassan Azim, a one-time British amateur star, will make his professional debut against 60-fight veteran MJ Hall in a four-rounder at welterweight.
In a six-round battle of unbeaten junior middleweights, Inder Bassi (2-0) will fight Jack Martin (3-0).
About ESPN+
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Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 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.
Grand Slam Weekend For Split-T Management Fighters
NEW YORK (November 9, 2020)– This past weekend, Split-T Management fighters were perfect by winning four bouts, which included adding another world champion to boxing’s premier management company.
Friday night in Saint Petersburg, Florida, Kali Reis captured the WBA Super Lightweight World Championship with a 10-round unanimous decision over Kandi Wyatt.
Reis was brilliant throughout the fight as she showed terrific boxing skills and the Providence, Rhode Island native was dominant with a piston-like jab and pinpoint left hooks. Reis moved around the ring with great footwork that set up her shots against the hard charging Wyatt.
Reis took the title by winning by scores of 97-93, 97-92 and 96-94 to become a two-weight division world champion as she had previously won the WBC Middleweight championship.
On the same card, super middleweight Isaiah Steen remained perfect by taking out veteran Juan De Angel in round five of their scheduled six-round bout.
Steen scored two knockdowns which included the final hook that sent De Angel down, and the fight was stopped at 23 seconds of the 5th round. De Angel had previously lasted the distance with world champions Caleb Plan and Austin Trout.
Steen of Cleveland is now 15-0 with 12 knockouts.
The wins by Reis and Steen were seen on Impact Network, and will be replayed on November 14th at 10:30 PM ET
Saturday night in Philadelphia, Mark Dawson shook off a 20-month layoff with a six-round unanimous decision over crosstown rival Vincent Floyd.
Dawson worked well as he was proficient with his overhand left and right hooks from the southpaw stance.
Dawson won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 to raise his mark to 7-0-1.
Also on Saturday night, prized amateur standout Tika Hemingway made her long-awaited professional debut with a four round unanimous decision over Miranda Barber in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Scores were 40-36 on all cards.
Hemingway, who was amateur rivals with Clarissa Shields, and has three wins over WBC and WBO World Champion, Franchon Crews Dezurn.
Top CES prospects to fight on highly-anticipated Tyson-Jones undercard
Providence, RI (November 9, 2020) – CES Boxing is stepping into the producer’s booth for its latest endeavor, embarking on a new journey and teaming with global venture creation group Eros Innovations in the production of the upcoming “Iron”Mike Tyson–Roy Jones Jr. megabout later this month to provide the opportunity of a lifetime for three of its top fighters.
Under the guidance of CES Boxing president and CEO Jimmy Burchfield Sr., reigning WBC World Youth Champion and NABF No. 10-ranked lightweight Jamaine Ortiz (13-0, 7 KOs), current WBC World Youth Featherweight Champion Irvin Gonzalez Jr. (14-2, 11 KOs), and hard-hitting heavyweight contender Juiseppe Cusumano (18-3, 16 KOs) will compete in separate 8-round championship bouts Saturday, November 28 on the preliminary card of the Tyson-Jones Jr. showdown in Los Angeles, presented by Tyson’s Legends Only League in association with entertainment platform Triller.
The event will take place at the Staples Center two days after Thanksgiving with boxing legends Tyson and Jones headlining a star-studded fight card beginning live at 9 pm ET on pay per view via FITE TV, or on the newly-launched Triller app, available both on Apple or Android devices. Visit tysonontriller.com for more information.
Tyson, the youngest heavyweight world champion in boxing history and a dynamic box-office draw during his prime, returns to the ring for the first time since 2005 to face Jones, a pound-for-pound all-time great who boasts multiple world titles in four different weight classes.
Through CES Boxing’s collaboration with Eros, three of boxing’s top rising prospects will showcase their talents to a worldwide audience November 28. Ortiz, a Worcester, MA, native and 2015 National Golden Gloves silver medalist, battles 24-year-old Philadelphia native Nahir Albright (8-1, 2 KOs) for the WBC USNBC Silver Title.
The undefeated Ortiz captured the vacant WBC Youth title in 2019 and recently defended the belt in his 2020 debut at The Palladium in Worcester with a second-round knockout win over Mexican challenger Luis Ronaldo Castillo in February.
Ranked No. 9 among lightweights in the NABF, Ortiz enjoyed a stellar amateur career before making his professional debut in 2016, winning more than 100 fights and advancing to the semifinals of the U.S. Olympic Trials in Nevada. The 24-year-old right-hander is also an apprentice carpenter and member of the Local 107 carpenter’s union. In his third year as a pro, he won the Youth title with a dominant win over unbeaten California native Ricardo Quiroz, then blasted 15-4 Vitor Jones before piecing together another dominant against French challenger Romain Couture in August of 2019.
Cusumano, a winner of 16 of his last 18 bouts, faces Mississippi’s Nick Jones (9-3, 6 KOs), who has won his last two. The bout will be contested for the vacant WBC USNBC Heavyweight Title.
A native of Carini, Sicily fighting out of Danville, VA, the 6-foot-4 Cusumano won 13 consecutive bouts during an impressive stretch between 2012 and 2018, which included 11 knockouts – five in the first round. He joined CES Boxing in 2017 and made his promotional debut with a knockout win over Dan Biddle. Cusumano also notched impressive wins over 9-1-2 Fred Latham, whom he stopped in just under three minutes, and 8-3-1 southpaw Bernardo Marquez via fourth-round knockout. Since October, the heavy-handed Cusumano has lived and trained in Rhode Island under the tutelage of noted trainer Roland Estrada; and his son, former Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada.
Gonzalez, also from Worcester, battles undefeated Forth Worth, TX, prospect Edward Vazquez (8-0, 1 KO) for the vacant WBC USNBC Featherweight Title. The 24-year-old prospect signed a promotional agreement with CES Boxing in November and has since won back-to-back bouts, including a thrilling, sixth-round knockout victory over Yeuri Andujar to capture the WBC Youth title in February. Gonzalez amassed an amateur record of 90-15 and joined his CES Boxing stablemate, Ortiz, at the 2016 Olympic Trials in Nevada.
Vazquez earned his eighth win as a pro in September, recovering from an early knockdown to defeat Adan Ochoa by unanimous decision at the MGM Grand “Bubble” in Las Vegas live on ESPN. Nicknamed “Kid,” Vazquez began boxing at 8 years old, amassed an amateur record of 82-8 and advanced to the Junior Olympic semifinals before launching his pro career in 2016 under the guidance of Roy Jones Jr. Promotions.
In addition to the highly-anticipated Tyson-Jones exhibition bout, the main card November 28 features a cruiserweight showdown between unbeaten British prospect and internet personality Viddal Riley and former UFC mixed martial arts pro Rashad Coulter. YouTube sensation and unbeaten pro Jake Paul faces former NBA star and three-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Nate Robinson and former two-time world champion Badou Jack battles unbeaten California native Blake McKernan in an 8-round bout.
Visit CESBoxing.com for more information, or follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter at @CESBOXING. INFORMATION CES Boxingis one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC Fight Pass, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience.
Mike Tyson’s Legends Only League is a sports league created and owned by Mike Tyson and Eros Innovations. The Legends Only League is a next-generation sports venture that provides full support and infrastructure to the world’s greatest athletes, bringing the best of the best back to the ring, onto the court, and back on the field. The league will span live sporting events including tennis, basketball, boxing, and more in addition to creating consumer products, live events, premium content, and full-service management for the greatest sports stars the globe has ever known.
Eros Innovations is a global venture creation group led by Sophie Watts that invests in and creates globally recognized businesses for celebrities across premium content, consumer products and live experiences.Owners of Eros Innovations include Eros Investments, a media and tech investment holding company whose affiliate companies include Eros Now, India’s leading OOT platform with 186 million registered users.
Triller is an entertainment platform built for creators. The app allows users to create music videos, skits, and lip-syncing videos containing background music. Launched in 2015 by co-founders David Leiberman and Sammy Rubin, Triller uses an AI-based video editing tool that automatically adds effects like overlays, fast or slow motion, and basic text to videos. Triller has more than 65 million active users and has been downloaded over 250 million times worldwide. It also boasts some big names among its users, like Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, DJ Khaled, Alicia Keys, and others. Triller is owned by Proxima Media, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Universal Music Group with other investors like Snoop Dog, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, and The Weeknd.
RING CITY ANNOUNCES DEC. 3 AND DEC. 17 MAIN EVENTS FROM WILD CARD BOXING GYM
Los Angeles – November 9, 2020 – Ring City USA, the new sports media startup that debuts its Thursday night boxing series Nov. 19 on NBC Sports Network, announced the main events for its second and third fight nights, to take place on Dec. 3 and Dec. 17 respectively. Undefeated blue-chip super welterweight prospect Serhii Bohachuck (18-0, 18 KO’s) meets former middleweight Interim Title Challenger Brandon Adams (21-3, 13 KO’s) in a 10-round main event on Dec.3, while the undefeated 2016 Olympian Charles Conwell (13-0, 10 KO’s) faces Madiyar Ashkeyev (14-0, 7 KO’s) in a 10-round super welterweight matchup.
All three of Ring City’s events in 2020 will be broadcast live from Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles.
In Dec. 3 undercard action, rising welterweight prospect Brian Ceballo (11-0, 6 KO’s) will clash with once-beaten Larry Gomez (10-1, 8 KO’s) in the 10-round co-main event. In heavyweight female action, 2019 World Championships Gold Medalist Danielle Perkins (1-0, 1 KO) will fight the undefeated Princess Hairston (1-0, 1 KO) in a six-round matchup.
“We are excited about the quality of the fights Ring City is delivering to fight fans,” said Head of Boxing Evan Rutkowski. “As a developmental platform, our mission is to put together the most competitive matches that challenge our fighters and entertain viewers. Bohachuck-Adams and Conwell-Ashkeyev are two matchups that we are confident will meet those goals.”
The hard-hitting Bohachuck has steamrolled through opposition on his way to an 18-0 record, all of which have come via knockout. Bohachuk, who trains with Manny Robles out of Legends Boxing Academy, proved himself with a knock-out win over Tyrone Brunson in October of 2019. Most recently, he put on an electric performance in September when he knocked out Alejandro Davila in six rounds out of Mexico. The Ukrainian-born Bohachuck, who is promoted by Tom Loeffler at 360 Promotions and Ural Boxing, continues to take the Southern California boxing world by storm with his dominant performances in the ring and magnetic personality out of the ring.
“I’m looking forward to fighting Brandon Adams; He’s an experienced challenger who has already fought for the world title and I am up for this challenge,” Bohachuk said. “I appreciate Ring City giving me this opportunity to fight on NBCSN from the legendary Wild Card Gym.”
The battle-tested Adams, who hails from Watts, C.A. and works with accomplished trainer Dub Huntley, challenged WBC Middleweight Titleholder Jermall Charlo for the title in 2019 after defeating Shane Mosley Jr. to win the Epix Television Series “The Contender.” Adams boasts a formidable group of sparring partners, including Shawn Porter and Gennadiy Golovkin. Adams, who went professional inside of two years, is known for his fast rise within boxing. He started competitively training at age 19, fought his first amateur fight at age 20 and turned professional at age 21. Adams’ return to the ring Dec. 3 will be his first fight since his June 2019 matchup with Charlo. He is promoted by Banner Promotions and Tournament of Contenders.
“I appreciate this challenge,” Adams said. “Bohachuck’s team thinks he is ready to fight at the top level and my team is confident that I am already fighting at that level with the top fighters in the sport.”
Cleveland native Conwell, who competed in the men’s 2016 Summer Olympics middleweight event as an amateur, returned to the ring for the first time this year in February when he scored a fifth-round stoppage against Ramses Agaton. Known for his decisive punching power, Conwell recently capped off an impressive performance in the Oct. 7 main event of ShoBox: The New Generation with an eruptive knockout of Wendy Toussaint. A swift uppercut in the ninth round ended the contest and broke Toussaint’s nose in a fight that Conwell was comfortably winning. The highly touted super welterweight contender who is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, also reached a pivotal moment this year when he welcomed a daughter earlier this fall to become a first-time father.
“I’m happy to be getting right back in the ring to show my skill, class and dominance on NBC Sports Network,” Conwell said.
Ashkeyev, who fights out of boxing hotbed Oxnard by way of his native Kazakhstan, returns to face Conwell a year after his last fight in which he stopped Rodolfo Martinez at the end of the fifth round. Ashkeyev was an excellent amateur who participated in the World Series of Boxing. The undefeated Ashkeyev is promoted by Main Events and managed by Egis Klimas.
“I am very happy to have the chance to fight on NBCSN,” Ashkayev said. “I will be ready to make a big statement in my first televised main event in the United States and have waited a long time to show everyone what I can do.”
In Dec. 3 undercard action, former Olympic hopeful Ceballo, who is promoted by 360 Promotions, faces off against Gomez in a clash of welterweights. Perkins, who is the most recent U.S. Amateur World Champion boxer since Claressa Shields in 2016, is a formidable fighter who played Division I basketball at George Mason University and St. John’s University followed by a stint playing basketball professionally in Europe. Her basketball career came to an end when she suffered debilitating injuries after being hit by a car in 2008. The 6-foot southpaw made her professional boxing debut in 2014 after an impressive amateur career. She is managed by longtime boxing executive Mark Taffet, who has also guided Shields throughout her career. Perkins faces Hairston, who will fight just her second professional fight after winning her debut via knockout in July of 2019.
Ring City fights will air live on NBC Sports Network on Thursday nights at 9pm EST/6pm PST.
About Ring City USA
Ring City is boxing’s newest sports media platform. Working in tandem with a variety of promoters and talent, its new boxing series places an emphasis on competitive matchups that genuinely test the fighters and excite the fight fans. Ring City provides great fights in the ring and compelling shoulder programming outside of the ring. Ring City is the proving ground where up-and-coming talent can earn their stripes and launch themselves into the upper echelon of boxing stardom.
Split-T Management’s Kali Reis Weighs-in For Title Bout in Tampa
NEW YORK (November 6, 2020)– Tonight, two members under the Split-T Management banner will be in action at the St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Kali Reis will take on Kandi Wyatt for the WBA Super Lightweight title; And undefeated super middleweight Isaiah Steen battles Juan De Angel in a bout scheduled for six-rounds.
Reis of Providence, Rhode Island has a record of 16-7-1 with five knockouts, and will look to become a two-division world champion, Reis is the former WBC Middleweight champion. She won that title with a 10-round split decision over Maricelo Cornejo on April 16, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand. Reis has won three in a row, which includes a unanimous decision over Patricia Juarez on August 29, 2019.
Wyatt of Calgary, Alberta, Canada has a record of 10-1 with three knockouts. Wyatt has won two straight and this will be her 2nd attempt at a world title.
Steen, 24 of Cleveland has a record of 14-0 with 11 knockouts. The four-year professional has wins over Carlos Ruiz (8-2) and Gorjan Slaveski (5-0). Steen is coming off a 1st round stoppage over Kenneth Council on February 8th.
De Angel of Barranquilla, Colombia has a record of 22-12-1 with 20 knockouts. He has a win over Jose Pinzon (25-6), and he has also faced world champions Gilberto Ramirez, Austin Trout and Caleb Plant.
Both bouts can be seen Saturday on Impact Network (10:30 PM ET)
At Thursday’s weigh-in, both Reis and Wyatt weighed 139.2 lbs.
Steen weighed 166.6, while De Angel was 167.
Reis is promoted by DiBella Entertainment. Steen is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions.
The show is being promoted locally by T&K Promotions.
WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER FROM TODAY’S HANEY VS. GAMBOA WEIGH-IN
Live on DAZN from 8pm ET
6 x 3 mins Featherweight contest
Raymond Ford (125.8lbs) vs. Rafael Reyes (123lbs) Camden, New Jersey Clovis, Mexico 6-0 (2 KOs) 18-10 (14 KOs)
Followed by
6 x 3 mins Welterweight contest
Reshat Mati (146lbs) vs. Marcos Mojica (146.4lbs) Staten Island, New York West Palm Beach, Florida 7-0 (5 KOs) 17-5-2 (13 KOs)
Followed by
10 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest
Zhilei Zhang (259.6lbs) vs. Devin Vargas (22-6 9 KOs) Las Vegas, Nevada Sylvania, Ohio 21-0 (16 KOs) 22-6 (9 KOs)
Followed by
10 x 3 mins Vacant IBF International Heavyweight title
Filip Hrgovic (242.6lbs). vs. Rydell Booker (248lbs) Zagreb, Croatia Detroit, Michigan 10-0 (8 KOs) 26-2 (13 KOs)
Followed by
12 x 3 mins WBC World Lightweight title
Devin Haney (135lbs) vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa (135lbs) Las Vegas, Nevada Miami, Florida 24-0 (15 KOs) 30-3 (18 KOs)
Floats
6 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight contest
Arthur Biyarslanov (141lbs) vs. Juan Jose Martinez (141.8lbs) Toronto, Canada Mexico City, Mexico 6-0 (5 KOs) 28-9 (20 KO’s)
8 x 3 mins Super-Bantamweight contest
Darren Cunningham (122.6lbs) vs. Juan Gabriel Medina (121.4lbs) Las Vegas, Nevada La Romana, Dominican Republic 11-0 (6 KOs) 11-4 (10 KOs)
HANEY VS. GAMBOA + UNDERCARD PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Devin Haney (24-0 15 KOs) – defending his WBC World Lightweight title against Yuriorkis Gamboa
What kind of fighter do you think Gamboa will be on Saturday night, after watching his previous fight against Gervonta Davis?
“He’s the type of fighter that will bring his all. Every fight he goes in there, no matter if he’s hurt, and lays it all on the line.”
What do you have to do on Saturday to beat him?
“I have a lot of things that I have to do to get the win on Saturday. The main thing is to go into the ring and dominate, I don’t want to just get the win, I want to make a statement. This will be a statement victory. I want to go in the ring and show Gamboa I’m the best fighter he’s been in the ring with.”
You’re been labelled amongst Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis and Teofimo Lopez, do you feel like you have to knock out Gamboa to get to the big fights you want?
“Honestly I feel I have to look bad to get these guys in the ring with me. The better that I look it seems the more they run. I’m going to put on a statement performance, get the job done and beat him worst than he’s ever been beaten before.”
What can fans expect on Saturday night?
“Tune in on Saturday night, it’s going to be fireworks. Gamboa is a tough competitor, he comes to fight every single time and doesn’t lay down for anybody. I’m going to bring the pressure, bring the excitement so tune in it’s going to be one hell of a night.”
Yuriorkis Gamboa (30-3 18 KOs) – former unified Featherweight king and challenger for Haney’s crown
How are you feeling about facing Haney?
“I’m expected a great fight and I’ve got a great rival in front of me.”
After facing Gervonta Davis in your last fight, who’s a better fight Davis or Haney?
“It doesn’t matter who’s the best fighter is. What matters is what happens in the ring on Saturday.”
How do you stop Devin Haney?
“Haney can say whatever he wants, once we’re in the ring the only person in charge is God and I’ll be there to fight.”
What’s your message to your fans and Devin Haney?
“God gave me this opportunity, I’m here to fight and god will have his say on Saturday night.”
Filip Hrgovic (11-0 9 KOs) – unbeaten Croatian Heavyweight threat
What do you remember about sparring with Rydell Booker in Miami? “He’s a skilful fighter, he has good technique and is slick. However, that was sparring partner, and this is a real fight.”
How important is it to you not just to win, but to finish Booker?
“We are friends, but on Saturday we are not friends anymore. I would like to finish him. He performed great against Kubrat Pulev, but I want to make a statement and stop him.”
Give us your prediction for Saturday night:
“I can’t predict what is going to happen, what round he will go down, but I know for sure I will win on Saturday night.”
Rydell Booker (26-3 13 KOs) – Detroit Heavyweight taking on Hrgovic
You’ve never been stopped, what’s your response to Hrgovic saying he’ll be the first:
“Everybody says it until they get in the ring. I know I’ll come to fight, I know Filip and I look forward to Saturday.”
Are you going to approach the fight defensive first on Saturday night?
“No, I’ve changed my whole team, staff and my preparations for this fight. My last coach was a straight defensive fighter, but that’s who I was, so I found someone who fit my style better.”
When you know a guy is coming to knock you out, how do you take advantage of that:
“Naturally I’m a world class boxer, so I use my boxing ability. I have a very high boxing IQ, after doing this for 32 years. I know how to make adjustments; he has a good trainer, but I know what to expect.”
Zhilei Zhang (21-0 16 KOs) – unbeaten Chinese Heavyweight
Zhang on his Olympics medal, loss to AJ and obsession with fighting him again:
“My dream is to become heavyweight champion and Joshua is holding most of the belts. I believe that this dream is going to come true very soon.”
What’s your message to Anthony Joshua?
“Wait for me. We have unfinished business, hope to see you soon.”
Zhang’s thoughts on Vargas:
“Vargas is a veteran; he’s been in the ring with some of the toughest boxers and I give him a lot of respect. It’s a pleasure to keep him and on Saturday we’ll see each other in the ring.”
“You work his body. Big guys can’t take pressure and a high work rate. I’m going to box him and throw a lot of punches – I like to average 60-80 punches a round.”
Vargas on being in the ring with Breazeale, Ruiz Jr and Fa and where Zhang ranks among these:
“All those opponents I’ve faced have gone on to do great things. I was always there at the doorstop of being great, but I think I can capitalize on this fight.”
Reshat Mati (7-0 5 KOs) – New York Welterweight talent
What’s life been like trying to stay active during inactive period of fighting:
“It’s tough in New York with everything staying closed but you’ve got to find places to go to the gym and do your workouts. I’ve kept myself busy, I’m in shape and now I’m ready to go.”
In Mojica’s last five losses he’s been knocked out four times, do you have to knock him out on Saturday to feel like you got the job done:
“I’m here to do my thing, it’s never right to look for a knockout. He has a lot of wins to his name, but I’ve been training hard to do what’s right to get this win. I’ve worked really hard and I’m not coming here to lose.”
Who’s your dream match-up / name you’d like to fight?
“Anyone with a belt, I want them. I want to build my legacy, put Albania, New York and Staten Island on the map.”
Marcos Mojica (17-5-2 13 KOs) – Nicaraguan facing Mati
On being 13 years older than Mati:
“It’s not going to play much of a difference in the fight, it’s going to be a great fight on Saturday and Mati is going to be a great opponent – we’ll see what happens.”
Raymond Ford (6-0 2 KOs) – New Jersey Featherweight prospect
What are going to do to neutralise Reyes and his game plan?
“I love his game plan, that’s the style I like to fight against – if he brings his heat, I’ll bring mine. I hope he’s well prepared well so he can last a few rounds. I’m not coming to play around but I’m getting him out of there.”
Is it knockout or bust?
“Most definitely, I don’t care about his experience or how many fights he’s had. I’m coming to make an example out him, come Saturday you’re going to see the best of me and I’m punching with bad intentions.”
Rafael Reyes (18-10 14 KOs) – Mexican facing Ford
There’s a lot of hype surround Raymond Ford, what do you make of him?
“I think he is a great prospect and I’m happy to be here in the United States fighting him. However, I have a lot of experience fighting in Mexico and I’ll use that to neutralise him in this fight.”
Do you see any weaknesses in Ford’s game?
“No not too many, I’m going to use my training tactics – stand in front of Raymond using my short punches. I’m going to get the job done, I have a warrior style and that’s how I’m going to win.”
How do you feel with Ford saying he’s going to make an example out of you?
“I’m going to bring the best of me to the ring, I’ve been through many rounds and I’m going to give the people a really good show.”
Arthur Biyarslanov (6-0 5 KOs) – Rising Canadian Super-Lightweight
How did your upbringing shape into the fighter you are today?
“It made me a lot stronger, where I came from makes me a lot hungrier. I’m very thankful to be here, to Matchroom, Eddie Hearn and DAZN.”
“You’re going to see beautiful boxing. I’ll be keeping my composure and box but if the knockout comes then it’ll come.”
“We’re ready for anything, we had a great camp. All Mexican’s are tough, and they come to fight. I’m very happy that Juan took the fight and let’s put on a great show for the fans.”
Juan Jose Martinez (28-9 20 KOs) – Mexican facing Biyarslanov
“I know that my opponent is a very strong warrior and that he is going to be a difficult fight but like all Mexican fighters I’m going to come out with the win.”
“In order to get the win on Saturday I have to utilise all the experience I have in the ring against my opponent.”
Darren Cunningham (11-0 6 KOs) – Super-Bantamweight with Devin Haney Promotions
David on being close and training with Devin Haney:
“Devin Haney has been my brother for six years now. Training with him is great because I get to experience that Championship pedigree which I’ll show Saturday night.”
What do you know about Juan Gabriel Medina?
“I know that he has fought a lot of former world champions, and one current world champion, but I’m the future and I’ll show him why I’m nothing like those guys.”
Juan Gabriel Medina (11-4 10 KOs) – Dominican facing Cunningham
What do you expect to see from Darren Cunningham this Saturday?
“I can’t expect anything because I know nothing about David. I’ve been training and I will show you everything I’ve been training for on Saturday.”
HANEY: I’LL PROVE GAMBOA’S COACH WRONG
Devin Haney wants to show Team Gamboa that he’s an elite fighter as he defends his WBC World Lightweight crown against Yuriorkis Gamboa tomorrow night (November 7) at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida, live on DAZN.
Haney (24-0 15 KOs) returns to action following an injury layoff after shoulder surgery sustained in the first defense of his strap against Alfredo Santiago in Los Angeles last November, and ‘The Dream’ puts the crown on the line for the second time against Gamboa (33-3 18 KOs) – a fighter he looked up to, but has history with his trainer, Pedro Roque.
A picture of Haney as a kid meeting Gamboa has been all over social media as ‘idols become rivals’, but Haney revealed that Roque shunned his talents as a teenager – and the WBC king wants to prove him wrong in the Sunshine State.
“Gamboa’s coach trained me at the Olympic training center,” said Haney. “He didn’t give me that much attention or think I was going to be the next superstar, that’s why I don’t just want to show Gamboa, I want to show his coach as well.
“Gamboa is a very dangerous opponent because he has the experience, he has speed, he has power, he’s been in with the best of them and he didn’t only old his own, he made it competitive.
“This is by far the toughest test of my career so far. Gamboa is someone that I watched growing up, I remember being star-struck meeting him when he came to the gym and letting me stay after the gym had closed and watch him train, even though I had to do homework, my Grandma let me stay to watch him, that’s why this fight means so much to me.”
Haney’s clash with Gamboa is part of a huge night of action in Florida.
Croatian Heavyweight talent Filip Hrgovic (11-0, 9 KOs) facing American Rydell Booker (26-3, 13 KOs) and Chinese star Zhilei Zhang (21-0, 18 KOs) meeting another American in Devin Vargas (22-6, 9 KOs) and three young stars continue their pro journeys on the bill as Reshat Mati (7-0, 5 KOs), Raymond Ford (6-0, 2 KOs) and Arthur Biyarslanov (6-0, 5 KOs) are in action on the show.
(#12) ISLAM MAKHACHEV WELCOMES FORMER CHAMPION (#12 WW) RAFAEL DOS ANJOS BACK TO LIGHTWEIGHT AT UFC® APEX IN LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas – UFC® continues its run of events in Las Vegas with a pivotal lightweight main event as surging No. 12 ranked Islam Makhachev welcomes No. 12 ranked welterweight Rafael Dos Anjosback to the weight class he once ruled as champion. In the co-main event, explosive welterweight strikers clash as Abdul Razak Al-Hassanmeets Khaos Williams.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+®: MAKHACHEV vs. DOS ANJOS will take place Saturday, November 14 from UFC APEX in Las Vegas. All bouts will stream exclusively on ESPN+ in English and Spanish, starting with the prelims at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT, followed by the main card beginning at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
Khabib Nurmagomedov prodigy Makhachev (18-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) intends to make the most of his first UFC main event and insert himself into the title conversation. Considered by many to be the dark horse of the lightweight division, Makhachev is currently riding an impressive six-fight win streak that includes victories over Davi Ramos, Arman Tsarukyan and Gleison Tibau. He now seeks to secure the biggest victory of his career by taking out his first former world champion with a vintage performance.
Dos Anjos (29-13, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) returns to lightweight for the first time since 2016 and looks to make a statement to the rest of the division. He first captured the title following a dominant win streak that included victories over Donald Cerrone, Benson Henderson and Nate Diaz. After moving up to welterweight, he continued to prove himself with wins over Robbie Lawler and Neil Magny. Dos Anjos now aims to show he can still compete with the best in the world and make another run at the championship.
Knockout artist Al-Hassan (10-2, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas) has captured the attention of the welterweight division and MMA fans alike with his impressive 100 percent, first-round finishing rate. Despite holding a black belt in Judo, Al-Hassan prefers to let his hands do the talking, as seen with his remarkable stoppages over Niko Price, Sabah Homasi and Charlie Ward. He now looks to reclaim his momentum with another statement victory over Williams.
Williams (10-1, fighting out of Jackson, Mich.) intends to follow up his emphatic UFC debut with another dominant performance. An undefeated pro boxer, he announced himself to fans with a 27-second knockout of veteran Alex Morono earlier this year. Williams now plans to stay undefeated in the UFC by becoming the first person to finish Al-Hassan.
Additional bouts on the card include:
In a middleweight bout guaranteed to deliver action, Julian Marquez (7-2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) locks horns with Saparbeg Safarov (9-3, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia)
Heavyweights Don’Tale Mayes (7-4, fighting out of Louisville, Ky.) and Roque Martinez (15-6-2, fighting out of Tamuning, Guam) seek to secure their first UFC wins
Daniel Rodriguez (13-1, fighting out of San Gabriel, Calif.) intends to stay undefeated in the UFC when he takes on veteran Bryan Barberena (15-7, fighting out of Gastonia, N.C.)
Eryk Anders (13-5, fighting out of Birmingham, Ala.) and Antonio Arroyo (8-3, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M. by way of Nazare, Para, Brazil) meet in a clash of middleweight finishers
Rising strawweight prospects face off as Kay Hansen(7-3, fighting out of La Mirada, Calif.) takes on Dana White’s Contender Series signee Cory McKenna (5-1, fighting out of Wales, United Kingdom)
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu specialist Ashley Yoder (7-6, fighting out of Temecula, Calif.) intends to bounce back into the win column against Miranda Granger (7-1, fighting out of Arlington, Wash.) at strawweight
Alex Morono(17-6 1 NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas) and Rhys McKee (10-3-1, fighting out of Northern Ireland, United Kingdom) plan on delivering statement performances at welterweight
Jose Quinonez (9-4, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.) takes on Louis Smolka (16-7, fighting out of Kapolei, Hawaii) in an exciting bantamweight matchup
Women’s strawweight veteran Randa Markos (10-10-1, fighting out of Windsor, Ontario, Canada) intends to spoil the UFC debut of Invicta FC champion Kanako Murata (11-1, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan)
Geraldo de Freitas (12-5, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) looks to stop Dana White’s Contender Series veteran Tony Gravely (19-6, fighting out of Pompano Beach, Fla.) from getting his first UFC win at bantamweight
Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage.
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Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) at ESPNplus.com, ESPN.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 brand, features nine U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.
HEAVYWEIGHT STAR HRGOVIC WEIGHS IN AND PROMISES VICTORY IN HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA
Filip Hrgovi? (11-0-9 KOs) weighed in at 110kg (242.6lbs) on Friday, ahead of his clash with Rydell Booker (26-3-13 KOs) in Hollywood, Florida this Saturday, as the Croatian seeks a fifth straight knockout victory. His opponent Booker weighed 112.4kg (248lbs).
‘El Animal’ has declared he “will not be friends” with Rydell Booker and that he aims “to finish him” when they meet in the ring this Saturday, insinuating he’ll be seeking another highlight reel finish against the man who went the distance with Kubrat Pulev last time out.
Coming face to face with Booker for the final time before fight night, Hrgovic said “I’m feeling very well, I want to thank my coach Pedro Diaz for preparing me very well and to the organizations Eddie Hearn and Team Sauerland and my manager. I’m feeling very good and happy to be here.”
“You’re going to see a great performance (tomorrow night), before the knockout I need to out box him, I will not just knock him out, I will out box first, and show my boxing ability.”
When asked who he would like next, ‘El Animal’ said “I want to come out on top, I want to become champion. Which way we’re going to go, no one knows, it is up to my management and promoter to match me up with the best in the division and I feel ready for everyone”.
Promoter Nisse Sauerland has previously described his fighter as “the best in the heavyweight division”, and stood by him again after the weigh in.
“He’s sensational” said Sauerland, who predicts a big 2021 for the Croatian powerhouse, “he’s light on his feet, heavy in his hands and when you combine his heart and his boxing intelligence you have a champion in the making. We believe he will impress again on Saturday night and it is only a matter of time before he is going for major honours.”
Relentless: Terence Crawford Premieres Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN
(November 6, 2020) — In anticipation of the Nov. 14 showdown between WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford and former welterweight world champion Kell Brook, ESPN will debut Relentless: Terence Crawford, an in-depth interview with Crawford leading up to his return to the ring. Conducted by Andre Ward, ESPN boxing analyst, former two-division world champion and 2004 U.S. Olympic gold medalist, the special airs Sunday, Nov. 8 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
During the interview, Crawford discusses his desire to fight the other welterweight world champions, his win-at-all-costs mentality, and his legacy as a three-weight world champion and the fighter many experts regard as the pound-for-pound king.
Crawford said, “I always ask people, ‘What’s your why? Why do you do the things you do?’ Because I know mine. I’ve gotta feed my family. You’re not gonna take food off my family’s table. That’s my why. It’s my family.
“There’s nothing in this world that I can do or participate in that I don’t want to win in. If I’m gonna do it, I want to do it to win. People doubting you, everybody looking at you like you’re gonna be another nothing, so it just made me hungry.”
Relentless: Terence Crawford will be preceded by ESPN, Updating the Welterweight Division, an in-depth look at one of boxing’s most talent-rich divisions, airing at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Crawford-Brook headlines a packed card that will feature the WBA super flyweight world title rematch between champion Joshua Franco and the man he defeated to win the title, Andrew Moloney. Crawford-Brook and Franco-Moloney 2 and the return of junior welterweight knockout sensation Elvis Rodriguez will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET, with undercard action to stream live on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
LOS ANGELES (November 5, 2020) – Unbeaten heavyweight Michael Coffie gave insight into his training camp, his past in the Marine Corps and more as he prepares to take on hard-hitting Joey Abell in FOX PBC Fight Night action and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, November 7 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
“Training camp has been going really well,” said Coffie. “My head coach Josue Aguilar has been getting me ready to show off all my skills. We’re at the Orange Avenue Gym in Orlando, Florida just making sure that we haven’t left any stone unturned. We’ve had to adjust some ways because of the pandemic, but it’s nothing that everyone else hasn’t also had to deal with.”
A Marine Corps veteran, Coffie picked up the sport less than five years ago after returning from overseas. After a brief amateur career that saw him put on standout performances at the New York Golden Gloves and Metro Championships, Coffie has helped bridge the experience gap through sparring top heavyweights.
“I think my unorthodox career path has helped me,” said Coffie. “I didn’t spend a lot of time in the amateurs, but I learned a lot sparring top fighters such as Deontay Wilder, Tomasz Adamek and Jarrell Miller. I got so many rounds in during those sessions that it more than makes up for my limited amateur career.”
In addition, Coffie believes that the values and training gained in the Marines has helped him both physically and mentally in pro boxing.
“I’ve already learned how to deal with stress from the Marines,” said Coffie. “Boxing can present continuously stressful situations during the fight. The Marine Corps puts you through stressful situations during basic training and that helps you for when the time comes that you need to adapt.”
Coffie impressed in his last outing, dropping the previously unbeaten Luis Pena multiple times before ending their fight in the fifth round of action that was featured on FS1.
“I got to show off my punch angles and my old school craftiness against Pena,” said Coffie. “I showed that I can fight with either hand, from any stance, low to high or high to low, and all of that is inside of a 280-pound frame.”
On Saturday night, Coffie will go up against the extremely experienced Abell, who has faced the likes of Tyson Fury, Tomasz Adamek, Oscar Rivas and Chris Arreola throughout his career. Despite that, Coffie believes his performance will leave no doubt that he can navigate any experience gap he comes up against.
“I know that he’s got a lot of experience,” said Coffie. “He’s been in there with a lot of notable guys. He is a veteran, but what I lack in experience, I make up for with maturity and poise. You’re going to see a smart fighter who hits hard. You won’t be able to tell who the more experienced fighter is.”
#
ABOUT ORTIZ VS. FLORES Ortiz vs. Flores will see top heavyweight contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz and Alexander “The Great” Flores meet in a 10-round battle that headlines FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes on Saturday, November 7 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see rising unbeaten heavyweight contender Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sánchez battle Brian Howard in the 10-round co-main event. Plus, undefeated Michael Coffie steps in to face hard-hitting Joey Abell in an eight-round heavyweight duel.
The event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Microsoft Theater, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.
Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app. For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.
CONTACTS: Tim Smith, Premier Boxing Champions: timothy@haymonboxing.com Andrew Fegyveresi, FOX Sports: Andrew.Fegyveresi@FOX.com Vernon Cheek, FOX Sports: Vernon.Cheek@FOX.com Swanson Communications: (202) 783-5500, contact@swansonpr.com TGB Promotions: (818) 817-8001
November 14: Knockout King Elvis Rodriguez to Return on the Terence Crawford-Kell Brook Undercard LIVE on ESPN from MGM Grand Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (November 5, 2020) — The knockout king of the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble, junior welterweight southpaw Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez, hopes to put an exclamation point on his 2020 Prospect of the Year campaign.
Rodriguez will fight an opponent to be named in an eight-rounder Saturday, Nov. 14 on the world title doubleheader undercard featuring WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford against former welterweight world champion Kell Brook. The co-main event will showcase the WBA super flyweight world title rematch between champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco and the man he defeated to win the title, Andrew “The Monster” Moloney.
Crawford-Brook, Franco-Moloney 2 and the return of Rodriguez will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET, with undercard action to stream live on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
“No prospect in boxing has shown more this year than Elvis Rodriguez, who keeps knocking out opponents in devastating fashion. It’s getting harder and harder to find people who will fight this kid,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “With two world title fights, plus a bunch of our top young fighters in action, Nov. 14 is a stacked card from top to bottom.”
Rodriguez (10-0-1, 10 KOs) has won all five of his 2020 bouts by stoppage, including four knockouts in three rounds or less inside the MGM Grand Bubble since July 2. He last fought Oct. 9 and knocked out veteran Cameron Krael in three rounds, only the second time Krael had been knocked out in 37 pro bouts. The Freddie Roach-trained Rodriguez has won eight in a row since an accidental headbutt-induced technical draw in his third pro bout.
“This is going to be my fifth fight in ‘The Bubble’ and my sixth of the year. I feel grateful for the opportunities Top Rank has given me and the great effort of my team to keep me fit and ready,” Rodriguez said. “I would like to be recognized as Prospect of the Year. It would be a great recognition of my talent, effort, sacrifice, and discipline that I have dedicated to this sport for the last 12 years of my life. It would be a great recognition for my team and my country because I believe that I would be the first Dominican boxer named Prospect of the Year. Representing the Dominican flag is a source of pride for me. I am committed to bringing a world title to my country.”
In undercard action on ESPN+:
Joshua Greer Jr. (22-2-1, 12 KOs) vs. Edwin Rodriguez (11-5-1, 5 KOs) 8 Rounds, Bantamweight
Greer saw his 19-bout winning streak come to end on June 16, when he was knocked down twice en route to a 10-round majority decision defeat to “Magic” Mike Plania. The Chicago native, who is still ranked in the top 10 by two of the major sanctioning organizations, hopes to return to form in his second Bubble appearance. Rodriguez’s record belies his talent, as he is 3-1-1 in his last five bouts, all against previously undefeated foes. He last fought in August 2019, upsetting the then-unbeaten Saul Sanchez via 10-round split decision.
Tyler Howard (18-0, 11 KOs) vs. KeAndrae Leatherwood (22-7-1, 13 KOs) 8 Rounds, Middleweight
“Hercules” Howard, from Crossville, Tenn., returns after more than a year away from the ring. He is 4-0 with two knockouts since inking a promotional deal with Top Rank and is seeking his first stoppage since a one-round demolition of Isiah Seldon in November 2018. Leatherwood is a 12-year pro who has fought the likes of former world champions Andy Lee and Caleb Truax. He last boxed in December 2019 and was stopped by top prospect Christian Mbilli in eight rounds.
Raymond Muratalla (10-0, 8 KOs) vs. TBA 8/6 Rounds, Lightweight
Muratalla, from Fontana, Calif., aims for his sixth consecutive knockout win and second inside The Bubble. The younger brother of unbeaten bantamweight prospect Gabriel Muratalla, he last fought Aug. 29 and knocked out Cesar Valenzuela in the seventh round.
Duke Ragan (2-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA 4 Rounds, Featherweight
Ragan, a former U.S. amateur star from Cincinnati, Ohio, made his professional debut Aug. 22 with a first-round knockout and followed that up with a decision victory over former UFC title challenger John Moraga on Oct. 3.
Vegas Larfield (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Juan Alberto Flores (2-0-1) 4 Rounds, Bantamweight
Larfield, from Brisbane, Australia, trained with Andrew and Jason Moloney for this bout and is coming off a first-round stoppage Aug. 26 in his professional debut. Flores has won two consecutive bouts since a four-round draw in his professional debut.
About ESPN+ ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to 8.5 million subscribers, offering fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.
Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) at ESPNplus.com,ESPN.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.
HARPER: I LEARNT A LOT FROM MY LAST FIGHT
Terri Harper says she has made a number of improvements following her thrilling split decision draw with Liverpool’s Natasha Jonas at the top of the bill on Fight Camp Week 2 back in August.
Harper retained her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles after ten rounds of all out action in Essex, but the Denaby star was left disappointed with her performance.
‘Belter’ (10-0-1, 5 KOs) puts her titles on the line against WBC Mandatory Challenger Katharina Thanderz (13-0, 2 KOs) at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday November 14, live on Sky Sports and DAZN.
The 24-year-old is open to a rematch with former Team GB standout Jonas but insists that all of her attention is on the job at hand against undefeated Spanish-Norwegian Thanderz next week.
“I just fight who I’m told to fight,” said Harper. “Thanderz was called as mandatory so that’s it. I’ve had my eye on her a good few months, maybe a year as a potential opponent so it’s not like she’s just popped out of nowhere.
“I learnt a lot after my last fight in many ways and I do want that rematch with Tasha down the line and also unifications, but I have a proven and deserving mandatory challenger to contend with first before we even look at those options – this is a proper fight and one I’m not overlooking.
“Previously I used to take it to heart when people called me out, but it shows I’m doing something right and have something they all want – the green and gold belt, but it’s one fight at a time.
“We’ve made changes from the last camp, including bringing a new S&C coach onboard. It’s really opened my eyes to a few areas I was perhaps missing before, the improvements we’ve made since the summer are already starting to show.
“You’ll see my boxing skills shine through, I’ll set the pace, be disciplined in there and retain my titles.”
Harper vs. Thanderz is part of an historical night of women’s World Title action that sees Irish star KatieTaylor (16-0, 6 KOs) put her Lightweight World Titles on the line once more against Mandatory Challenger MiriamGutierrez (13-0, 5 KOs), Rachel Ball (6-1) faces Jorgelina Guanini (9-1-2, 1 KO) for the vacant WBA Bantamweight World Title, big-punching John Docherty (9-0, 7 KOs) steps up against Little Lever’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen (18-2-1, 9 KOs) and Liverpool Light-Heavyweight Thomas Whittaker-Hart (4-0, 2 KOs) looks to go 5-0 against Bradford’s Jermaine Springer (7-1, 1 KO).
FRANK SANCHEZ: “I WANT TO SHOW THAT I’M THE BEST HEAVYWEIGHT IN THE WORLD”
LOS ANGELES (November 5, 2020) – Unbeaten rising contender Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez is determined to send a message to rest of the heavyweight division when he takes on Brian Howard in the co-main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, November 7 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
“I want to show that I’m the best heavyweight in the world,” said Sanchez. “I’m happy with the way that my career is moving along. I have great power, great speed and the division will have to take notice after this fight. My foot and hand speed is unlike any other heavyweight, and I have much better technique than anyone else in the division.”
The 28-year-old Sanchez has continued to work with renowned coach Eddy Reynoso in San Diego, California as he seeks another win to help his ascension up the heavyweight rankings. Despite the pandemic, Sanchez hasn’t felt any hindrance to his training camp regimen.
“Training with Eddy Reynoso in San Diego has been perfect,” said Sanchez. “There really hasn’t been any difference with the pandemic. It’s a very normal training camp and we’ve been getting a lot of sparring in with a number of different fighters. I’ve even sparred with Canelo Alvarez, who hits like a heavyweight. So, it’s been really strong preparation for this fight.”
A highly decorated amateur originally from Guantanamo, Cuba, Sanchez believes that he has the skillset and dedication to become the first heavyweight world champion from his home country.
“That’s the dream that I am working toward,” said Sanchez. “It would be extremely important for Cuba and for me personally. That’s why I’m working so hard. Because I want to the be the first heavyweight champion that Cuba’s ever had. I have none of the vices outside of the ring that have held back other fighters. All I do is train, train, train and fight. This sport is my whole life.”
On November 7, Sanchez’s latest obstacle will come in the form of the Georgia native Howard. Howard has spent most of his career fighting in the cruiserweight division, before making his heavyweight debut with a first round knockout of Puerto Rican Olympian Carlos Negron last year. Although Howard’s past at a lower weight class could help his ability to create an agile target for Sanchez, it is nothing the unbeaten fighter isn’t confident he will overcome.
“I’ve watched a number of Howard’s fights,” said Sanchez. “He has good power, but I don’t think he’ll be able to handle my power. I think I’ll win inside the distance. I’m a solid, full-fledged heavyweight. My skill level is too high for Howard. His movement won’t matter because I do everything better than him.”
BoxNation and Premier Sports announce live coverage of John McCallum and Evgeny Tishchenko this Saturday
Premier Sports and BoxNation have announced live and exclusive coverage from Russia this Saturday afternoon as Scotsman John McCallum takes on the biggest fight of his career as he attempts to win the vacant WBO European Cruiserweight title against Evgeny Tishchenko.
The 32 year old from Edinburgh is a former international and British Masters champions and last fought in February 2019 beating Casey Blair in a points win. This weekend will be a huge test for the Scotsman as McCallum travels to Ekaterinburg, Russia taking on the undefeated Tishchenko for the vacant title.
Russian Evgeny Tishchenko began his professional boxing career in August 2018 and has since recorded seven wins in his career including five knockout. Tishchenko last fought just eight months ago beating Marcos Antonio Aumada in a third round KO.
Live and exclusive coverage on BoxNation will begin at 2.30pm from Ekaterinburg and customers wishing to watch can easily sign up via the Premier Sports website – www.premiersports.com.
Prices for the Premier Sports bundle including Premier Sports 1, 2, LaLigaTV and BoxNation start from just £9.99 on Sky, Virgin and the Premier Player. BT Sport customers also get access to BoxNation as part of their subscription via BT TV, Sky and the BT App. New customers to the remier Sports bundle will get access to Scottish knockout football this month and the highly anticipated Welterweight World Title showdown between Terence Crawford and Kell Brook next Saturday Night, November 14th.
ENDS
ABOUT PREMIER SPORTS
Premier Sports was founded in 2009 and three sports TV channels in the UK. Premier Sports 1 is on Sky channel 412 and Virgin channel 551. Premier Sports 2 is on Sky channel 435 and Virgin Channel 552. FreeSports is available free on Sky Channel 422, Virgin Media Channel 553, on Channel 64 on Freeview and BT and on Freesat Channel 252. LaLigaTV is also available to Premier Sports customers via the Premier Player and on Sky from January.
Premier Sports 1, 2, LaLigaTV and BoxNation are available on a subscription basis for just £9.99 per month on Sky, Virgin TV and on the Premier Sports player. BT Sport customers also get access to BoxNation as part of their subscription via BT TV, Sky and the BT App. The channels are also available to pubs, clubs and other commercial premises throughout the UK.
Premier Sports also broadcast LaLiga, Serie A, Scottish Cup football, 152 games from the Guinness PRO14, 15 games a week from the NHL, GAA and the home of NASCAR in the UK.
ABOUT BOXNATION
BoxNation began broadcasting in 2011 and has featured some of the best fights from home and abroad in the 8 years it has been on air. BoxNation is currently available on Sky channel 427, Virgin TV channel 546, BT TV and Talk Talk channel 415.
Impact Network To Provide Promoters and Fighters Opportunities
Over the past few years, the top of sport of boxing has become segmented into de-facto leagues, with three big distributions platforms controlling the all of the high-end fights and fighters.
That is all about to change with the upstart Impact Network entering the proverbial ring of bringing world championship and high-quality fights to the boxing fans.
This Saturday (10:30 PM ET), Impact Network’s 2nd fight night will feature the WBA Super Lightweight fight between Kali Reis and Kandi Wyatt. The card will also feature some highly regarded undefeated prospects such as super middleweight Isaiah Steen as well as heavyweight’s Elvis Garcia and Jeremiah Milton.
Impact Network will automatically become a player in the world of boxing with a reach of over 90 million households in the United States. The outlet will also provide an opportunity for some of the biggest and best promoters in the world to not only be able to build their talent, but also to give a home for their fighters instead on having to compete on another promoter’s affiliated platform.
The fight on Saturday is no exception as Hall of Fame promoter Lou DiBella will stage the world title card.
“This is a great opportunity for the many high-quality fighters and promoters that have been shut out of dates because they aren’t signed to a particular promoter or outlet. Many of these companies can’t survive without any type of output deal, site revenue and sponsorships to showcase their fighters. There are not enough dates to go around for the other promoters, who themselves have great fighters. I’m grateful to have a Hall of Famer like Lou DiBella be involved with this show, and the support we are receiving from the entire boxing industry. Lou’s track record goes without saying, and he has a great roster of fighter’s that will appear on Impact. Impact was scheduled to put on 12 shows in 2020, unfortunately they were knocked out the Covid-10 Pandemic. We are committed to 24 shows in the next year, so that will provide a great opportunity for these promoters to be able to not only survive, but to thrive in promoting their fighters in competitive bouts,” said Steven Marcano, of the SMH Group, the programming partner with Impact Media Group
“Any outlet that is willing to put on great shows and is cost effective is good for the business. There is a scarcity of platforms for fighters. Impact can provide those opportunities. Saturday’s main event is a world title bout featuring Kali Reis, who fought on HBO and most people thought beat Cecilia Braekhus. Isaiah Steen is one of the top prospects and can generate interest from the urban market. Elvis Garcia was a Mexican Olympian who was the main sparring partner for Anthony Joshua and the opener will have Jeremiah Milton, who was a major United States amateur in his own right. This is a show with a lot of talent that is headlined by a female world title bout. These are great shows. Even better is that Impact is on free cable. It is on most cable and satellite providers, and it is a tremendous opportunity for these fighters to get great exposure,” said Hall of Fame Promoter, Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertainment.
Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, Founder of Impact Network stated:
“I am extremely happy to give the opportunity for young men and women to showcase on Impact also giving the opportunity for athletes who usually would not get this opportunity to be visible to over 90 million homes and be able to secure financial freedom through hard work.”
Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz Replay This Saturday on SHOWTIME
Last Saturday’s blockbuster pay-per-view event featuring Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz along with the event’s co-feature, Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Karl, will air on SHOWTIME this Saturday, November 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Below are some stats, accolades and notable tweets coming out of the event.
To view the promo, please click HERE. Attached is a photo of Davis’ Knockout Of The Year candidate. Photo credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME.
Best,
SHOWTIME Sports Communications
Stats
Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz hit No. 1 on Google Trend on Saturday, October 31.
Gervonta Davis’ KO highlight has generated over 9M views, over 1M engagements and over 5M impressions across social platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.
Gervonta Davis KO highlight trended at No. 1 on YouTube worldwide Sunday-Monday and trended No. 2 and No. 3 on Twitter on fight night.
Quotes
“Thousands of punches landed during a memorable weekend of boxing from all over the world—but there was only one people will be talking about for years to come.” – Bleacher Report
“Each fighter needs that notable performance to make the casual fan pay attention and catapult them to mainstream popularity. This was the moment for Tank.” – Jalen Rose of ESPN’s Jalen and Jacoby
“Exactly the sort of fight that can bring boxing to a larger base…” – ESPN
Gervonta “Tank” Davis lived up to his billing — and then some …” – CBS Sports
“… an emphatic victory over Leo Santa Cruz that is likely to garner knockout of the year honors.” – The Athletic
UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT ISAIAH “ZWOP” STEEN ADDED TO IMPACT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING EVENT, AIRING ON IMPACT NETWORK SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 10:30PM ET
New York, NY (11/4/20) – Rising, unbeaten super middleweight prospect Isaiah “Zwop” Steen (14-0, 11 KOs), of Cleveland, OH, has been added as the co-featured bout of Friday’s IMPACT Championship Boxing event, which is brought to you by T&K Boxing Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment. The card, headlined by an exciting women’s world title fight between Kali Reis and Kandi Wyatt, takes place this Friday, November 6, from the St. Petersburg Clearwater Marriott, in St. Petersburg, FL, and will premiere on IMPACT Network, Saturday, November 7, at 10:30pm ET.
Fighting in the six-round co-main event, Steen faces hard-hitting Colombian Juan De Angel (22-12, 20 KOs), from Barranquilla. Co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions, and managed by Split-T Management, Steen is coming off of a first-round knockout win against Kenneth Council on February 8. Steen and his half-brother, super welterweight contender Charles Conwell, were scheduled to share the spotlight last month on SHOWTIME’S “ShoBox” series, but Steen’s bout was cancelled at the last minute when his opponent pulled out with an illness. Trained by Otha Jones and Roshawn Jones, the 6’2” heavy-handed Steen has stopped seven of 11 opponents inside the opening round. Steen began boxing at the age of seven and built an amateur record of 78-24, before his March 2016 pro debut.
In the main event, Kali “KO Mequinonoag” Reis (16-7-1, 5 KOs), of Providence, RI, will meet Kandi “Krush” Wyatt (10-1, 3 KOs), of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in a 10-round clash with the vacant WBA world female super lightweight title on the line. The winner of this high stakes battle could be in line for unification matches against IBF champion Mary McGee or WBO champion Christina Linardatou.
Elvis Garcia (8-0, 5 KOs) will clash with Dell Long (7-6-2, 4 KOs), of Artie, WV, in an attractive six-round heavyweight bout. Born in Mexico, now living in Indio, CA, trained by Joel Diaz, Garcia returns to the ring following a victory against Hugo Trujillo. He also recently gained invaluable experience working as the “secret weapon sparring partner” that promoter Eddie Hearn referred to with regard to Anthony Joshua’s preparation for his rematch against Andy Ruiz last year. Prior to turning pro, Garcia was an outstanding amateur with a record of 85-10, 42 KOs. After winning gold at the Washington State Golden Gloves, as well as a silver and two bronze medals at USA National Tournaments, Garcia moved to Tijuana, Mexico, where he won the Mexican National Championships and the Mexican Golden Gloves Tournament twice. Long is coming off of an unexpected upset win against Don Haynesworth (16-4-1) on August 29, and he also owns a knockout victory against 13-1 Travis Clark.
Heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton (1-0, 1 KO), originally from Tulsa, OK, now based in Las Vegas, NV, will compete in a four-round bout against D’Angelo Swaby (1-1, 1 KO), of Nassau, Bahamas. Milton’s pro debut on August 20 lasted just 75 seconds, ending with a knockout of Dennis Vance Jr. As an amateur, Milton was a super heavyweight silver medalist at the 2019 US Olympic Trials. In preparation for his pro debut, Milton sparred with Luis Ortiz, Joe Joyce and Guido Vianello.
ALEXANDER FLORES “READY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITY” AGAINST LUIS ORTIZ IN HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH SATURDAY NIGHT
LOS ANGELES (November 4, 2020) – Alexander “The Great” Flores previewed his showdown against top heavyweight contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz on a media conference call Tuesday, before they headline FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, November 7 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see rising unbeaten heavyweight contender Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sánchez battle Brian Howard in the 10-round co-main event. Plus, undefeated Michael Coffie steps in to face hard-hitting Joey Abell in an eight-round heavyweight duel.
The event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Microsoft Theater, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.
Here is what Flores had to say Tuesday about training camp, his matchup with Ortiz, both of their places in the heavyweight division and more:
ALEXANDER FLORES
“Training camp has been going really well. I’m always in shape year around. We were already aiming for a November fight, so when this fight against Ortiz presented itself, we jumped on it. We’re ready to take advantage of this opportunity.
“I got the call about Ortiz over six weeks ago. I just had to adjust to southpaw sparring but everything else kept going smoothly. It was tough to find sparring during the pandemic, but I was blessed to find some great quality southpaws to work with.
“Ortiz is a great fighter. He’s still one of the most feared men in the division. A lot of the people on his level don’t want to fight him. His only losses coming against Deontay Wilder says everything about his quality.
“Whenever you fight at that caliber that Ortiz has been at, I know you’re going to know what you need to do in training. But, the older you get, the harder it is to recover. It doesn’t get easier. Maybe his age will show up Saturday night.
“I thought Ortiz was beating Wilder in the second fight. I think he just relaxed at the 10 second mark and got caught with that straight right hand at the end of the round.
“I do think it’s possible I’m being overlooked by Ortiz. I’m just focused on what I can control. I know that one day I might not get these opportunities anymore, so I have to jump all over this one.
“Beating Ortiz will put me up with the top heavyweights. I think a win is going to definitely lead to a world title fight sooner rather than later.
“I’m expecting the best Luis Ortiz on Saturday night. I’m preparing for the same guy who was beating Deontay Wilder twice.”
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Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app. For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.
HEAVYWEIGHT STAR HRGOVIC OUT TO MAKE STATEMENT IN HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA
Filip Hrgovic faces slippery heavyweight Rydell Booker on November 7th, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida, live on DAZN in the USA and RTL in Croatia, as a world title charge in 2021 beckons.
‘El Animal’ heads into the fight with a perfect record, 11 fights, 11 wins, 9 by way of huge knockout – a streak he says will continue into 2021. The man in his way went the distance with Kubrat Pulev last time out, in a tough fight where he took rounds off the man next up for Anthony Joshua, Hrgovic says that won’t happen this time.
“He will not hear the final bell” said the Croatian, “I want to get this job done early, and I believe I can do that. I hit harder than Kubrat Pulev, I move faster than him. I believe Rydell had some successes against Pulev, against me he’ll have none.”
“I have sparred with him before, but this won’t be like sparring. The heavyweight division is very exciting right now, with a lot of big names – I am here to come out on top of those names.”
With eye catching wins against Eric Molina and Alexandre Kartozia, the latter being an eye watering knockout of the year contender, Hrgovic is one of the most talked about fighters in the division, with Gypsy King Tyson Fury touting him as “a future World Champion”.
Promoter Nisse Sauerland is backing his fighter to continue his ruthless streak and go through the gears next year.
“It’s the heavyweight division, the most exciting, most discussed, most powerful division of them all, and Filip Hrgovic is making a charge to the top of it.
It isn’t just his power, but the way he can adapt, he’s big, tall and strong but he’s also quick and light on his feet. He’s quick on his feet, very dangerous and has more heart than anyone in the division.
It’s only a matter of time before we see him causing real problems for the biggest guys out there on the world scene.”
SANDOR MARTIN SIGNS WITH MATCHROOM AND OPI SINCE 82
European Super-Lightweight Champion Sandor Martin has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Matchroom and OPI Since 82.
The crafty Spanish southpaw (36-2, 13 KOs) claimed the European crown by dominating Italy’s Andrea Scarpa and becoming the first man to stop him in July last year, before widely outpointing Britain’s former champion Joe Hughes when he headlined the first-ever DAZN show from his home country in December.
The youngest Spanish Super-Lightweight Champion in the country’s history, Barcelona’s Martin was a solid amateur, and had a brief spell as a kick-boxer, before joining the pro ranks at the age of 18 in 2011, where he has amassed 36 wins from 38 fights, only losing twice to decent opponents including Anthony Yigit.
“It gives me great pleasure to join the OPI and Matchroom teams,” said Martin. “I’m also very proud to be the first Spanish boxer to sign with both companies. From now on, with the support of Boxing Management, the situation is optimal to try to achieve a World Title opportunity. We are ready and expectant to make my debut with my new team.”
“I’m delighted to welcome Sandor Martin to the Matchroom team and look forward to promoting his future fights with our friends at OPI Since 82,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “We saw Sandor put in a classy dominant performance against Joe Hughes when he headlined the first-ever DAZN show in Spain last year and that’s just a sign of things to come as we look to push him towards world level and develop him into a star of Spanish boxing.”
Christian Cherchi of OPI Since 82 said: “We are very happy to add reigning European Super-Lightweight Champion Sandor Martin to our ranks. Sandor is one of the very best fighters in Spain. With the support of Matchroom World Title opportunities are waiting for him.”
HANEY: I NEED TO BE SPECTACULAR AGAINST GAMBOA
Devin Haney is promising a spectacular performance as he prepares to defend his WBC World Lightweight title against Yuriorkis Gamboa on Saturday November 7 at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida, live on DAZN.
Haney (24-0 15 KOs) returns to action following an injury layoff after shoulder surgery sustained in the first defense of his strap against Alfredo Santiago in Los Angeles last November, and now ‘The Dream’ is back to continue his quest to dominate at 135lbs just two days shy of one year since that night.
The Lightweight division can lay claim to being the most exciting in the sport, with Teofimo Lopez recording a stunning win over Vasiliy Lomachenko in October and then Gervonta Davis delivering a knock out of the year contender against Leo Santa Cruz last weekend – Haney knows that the spotlight now turns to him and he must shine in Florida on Saturday.
“I don’t just want to win, I want to win in spectacular fashion,” said Haney. “I want to beat Gamboa worse than anyone has to date. I want to show him that I am the best fighter in the world and better than anyone he’s ever faced.
“I have to make a statement. The eyes of the boxing world are all on me again. They’ve heard me talk the talk and now it’s time to walk the walk.
“The belts are important to me; I want to win as many of them as I can. I am willing to fight any of the top guys, I don’t want to skip any of them out or say, ‘I like this guy over that guy’, because I want the fights that the fans want to see the most. It’s important to defend by title, look good doing it and hunt the rest of the division after that.
“Everything is falling into place and the Lightweight division is lighting up. I have to handle business with Gamboa first, take care of him and then the sky is the limit. There are so many big fights out there, everyone is opening up and 2021 can be huge if I win this fight and make a statement.”
Haney’s clash with Gamboa is part of a huge night of action in Florida.
Croatian Heavyweight talent Filip Hrgovic (11-0, 9 KOs) facing American Rydell Booker (26-3, 13 KOs) and Chinese star Zhilei Zhang (21-0, 18 KOs) meeting another American in Devin Vargas (22-6, 9 KOs) and three young stars continue their pro journeys on the bill as Reshat Mati (7-0, 5 KOs), Raymond Ford (6-0, 2 KOs) and Arthur Biyarslanov (6-0, 5 KOs) are in action on the show.
Armando “Toro” Resendiz Inks Pact With Warriors, Boxing Major League, World Class Event Entertainment, LLC
Fort Lauderdale, FL (Nov. 3, 2020) -Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing, Aldo Mir of Boxing Major League, and Lourdes Saura of World Class Event Entertainment, LLC proudly announce the signing of undefeated WBA #12 ranked Mexican middleweight Armando “Toro” Resendiz (11-0, 8 KOs) to a co-promotional contract.
21-year-old Resendiz was a decorated amateur, including 2015 Mexican Olympiad gold medal, 2016 National Olympiad bronze medal, 2017 National Olympiad gold medal, and 2017 Mexican Olympic Festival gold medal winner, and concluded his amateur career with an outstanding record of 71-2.
A powerful fighter with superior technical skills and crowd pleasing style, Resendiz is originally from Compostela, Mexico, but is planning on training in Minneapolis, Minnesota at The Circle of Discipline Boxing Gym with trainer/co-manager Rodolfo Estevez, and alongside WBA Interim Welterweight world champion Jamal James and Warriors Boxing newly crowned WBA Interim Champion David Morell, Jr.
Armando “Toro” Resendiz,”I’m very happy and grateful to God for the opportunities he offers me. My parents and I are incredibly happy to have signed with a Team that has treated us very well, and with lots of experience in champion boxers. I believe in the plans they have for me to fight on American TV. I have no doubt that we will make a great team together with my promoters and my beloved coach Rodolfo Estévez, with whom I have been since the beginning, in addition to my co-manager Mike Borao who is a valuable piece on my team. I feel ready to fight against better opposition and very soon for world titles on bigger stages. I am eager to show the world what I can do in the ring.”
Luis DeCubas Sr, who promoted Roberto Duran along with twenty-two other world champions, plans to develop Resendiz in Minnesota. “Minneapolis has become a great fight town, and The Armory has become the fight hub of Boxing in the state. Resendiz is a future star that is going to shine bright in Minneapolis and throughout the world,” said DeCubas.
Aldo Mir, “As Resendiz co-promoter I am happy to add this young Mexican prospect to my stable of boxers. He has tremendous skills and model looks, along with a perfect 11-0 record as a professional. I am sure we will help him become a superstar in the next few years. Boxing Major League has the prestige and experience to take his career to the top, along with my partners. Resendiz’s wants to fight for a world title by 2022, and it is our job to ensure he does and goes on to have a Hall of Fame career.”
Resendiz co-manager, Mike Borao of Borao Entertainment, LLC is excited about Resendiz potential. “Armando Resendiz is one of the brightest young prospects in boxing and has the ability to become a household name. At only 21 years-old, his potential is limitless.”
Resendiz is coming off an 8th round stoppage over Joaquin Murrieta on January 25th.
HENEGHAN SIGNS FOR QUEENSBERRY
UNBEATEN MERSEYSIDE MIDDLEWEIGHT James Heneghan has signed a promotional agreement with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions.
The 22-year-old from the Wirral has reached 4-0 in his professional career with his wins coming over the four-round distance and all staged in Liverpool, with his debut having taken place at Olympia, Liverpool in April of last year.
The flashy southpaw, trained by John Gillies at the Four Corners Gym, campaigned as an amateur over 40 fights – losing only six – and won a number of area titles and North West championships, while also boxing internationally.
“I am over the moon and it makes all the hard work worthwhile with getting to sign with a big Hall of Fame promoter,” said Heneghan on becoming a Queensberry fighter. “I think I needed a boost after not being able to fight and this gives me something to work towards.
“It has been hard with having no certain dates while everything has been upside down, so this gives me a big lift to carry on training hard.”
Heneghan took inspiration in July from seeing three fellow Mersey men in Nick Ball, Andrew Cain and Brad Strand perform on the BT Sport stage and he believes there will be the strength in depth moving forward to take the show on the road back to Liverpool when fans return to ringside.
“Definitely, between those three from Everton Red, myself, JJ Metcalf and Sam Maxwell, if everyone keeps on performing then there should really be a big chance of shows coming back to Liverpool.”
Style-wise, Heneghan promises that doesn’t conform to the conventional and insists he is a risk-taker that fans will enjoy watching.
“It’s different and everything you are taught not to do, really. Like hands down, reacting without my hands being up at all. I think why some people like it is because there are risks involved because, with your hands constantly down, you are going to catch one, aren’t you?
“That is the risk I take and it is the way I fight. When my hands are up I don’t react as quickly as when my hands are down. I like to see everything!”
Promoter Frank Warren added: “I am delighted to add another quality young prospect to our ranks and James comes highly recommended. We are developing a strong pool of top young fighters in the Liverpool region and, when things finally get back to normal, we will have huge scope to deliver big shows for the fans up there.
“James operates in a marquee weight division with a style very much of his own and I am looking forward to guiding him towards title success as his career progresses.”
Undefeated Khainell Wheeler steps in to Face Genc Pllana in Main Event on Saturday, November 21st at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Philadephia, PA (November 3, 2020)–.Undefeated knockout artist, Khainell Wheeler has agreed to step in and face Genc Pllana in the six-round main event on Saturday November 21st at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
Brandon Robinson, who was originally supposed to fight Pllana, had to withdraw from the bout.
The is promoted by King’s Promotions.
Wheeler of Bethlehem, PA has a record of 4-0 with four knockouts. The 27 year-old is coming off a 4th round stoppage over Patrick Pierre on November 14th.
Pllana of Hagerstown, Maryland via Kosovo, has a record 8-2-1 with four knockouts.
The 26 year-old Pllana is a three year veteran, who is not afraid to take on and ultimately defeat top competition.
Pllana already has wins over Jason Bell (3-0) and a win on ShoBox: The New Generation over regarded prospect Kevin Newman II (11-1-1). Pllana is coming off a decision loss to Maidel Sando (9-0) on September 23rd in Los Angeles.
In the six-round co-feature, James Martin (6-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia fights undefeated Rafiq Muhammad (4-0, 2 KOs) of Richmond, VA in a welterweight fight.
In a six-round bantamweight bout, Jonathan Rodriguez (8-1, 3 KOs) of Bethlehem, PA takes on Ivan Martino (5-4, 5 KOs) of San Felipe, CA
Victor Padilla (8-0, 7 KOs) of Berlin, New Jersey will take on an opponent to be named in a six-round lightweight bout.
Recent King’s Promotions signees, middleweight Eric Monroe and flyweight LeAnna Cruz of Philadelphia will make their pro debuts.
Monroe will take on pro debuting Jahdon Ervin of St. Claire, PA; Cruz will fight Unique Harris (1-3-1) of Philadelphia in four-round bouts.
Andy Dominguez Velasquez (1-0) of Las Vegas will take on an opponent to be named in a flyweight bout.
Tickets are $100 and $75 and MUST BE PURCHASED IN GROUPS OF FOUR AS THERE WILL BE TABLE SEATING ONLY, AND CAN BE PURCHASED AT PIVOTT BOXING ACADAMY (2807 NORTH 6TH STREET IN PHILADELPHIA)
THERE WILL BE NO TICKETS AT THE DOOR
FULL COVID PROTACALS WILL BE ENFORCED WITH ALL FANS MUST HAVE ID’S AND WEAR MASKS
POVETKIN TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
Alexander Povetkin has been forced to withdraw from his Saturday November 21 contest with Dillian Whyte due to testing positive for COVID-19.
The pair were due to rematch at The SSE Arena, Wembley, live on Sky Sports Box Office but will now face each other on a later date to be confirmed soon.
Further details on the November 21 show will follow shortly.
“Firstly we want to wish Alexander Povetkin a speedy recovery,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “This is a challenging time for shows. There will be lots of ups and downs over the next few months. We look forward to the fight happening in late January.”
OKOLIE LANDS WORLD TITLE SHOT AGAINST GLOWACKI ON AJ UNDERCARD
Lawrence Okolie will take on Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO Cruiserweight World Title on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev at The O2 in London on Saturday December 12, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories including Poland.
Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) claimed the EBU European Cruiserweight Title with a seventh-round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Yves Ngabu in October last year, capping a successful 2019 which saw four knockouts in as many fights for the Hackney man.
Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs) knocked out Germany’s Marco Huck in eleven rounds to win the WBO World Title in 2015 before widely outpointing Steve Cunningham in his first defence. He suffered the first defeat of his career against Ukrainian pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk in his next fight.
The Polish southpaw earned the interim WBO Title by decisioning Maxim Vlasov at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago in November 2018 but was stopped in three rounds by Latvia’s Mairis Briedis last year in a challenge for the full title.
“It has been a long and hard road to get here,” said Okolie. “I’m very excited and blessed to have this opportunity; I’ll be grabbing it with both hands. I will become Britain’s next World Champion on December 12.
“Glowacki is a great fighter and he is someone that I looked up to when I first started boxing. I believe he won the World Title the same year I was pushing to try and get on the Olympic team when I’d had 15 amateur fights.
“He’s a former two-time World Champion and has only lost twice to two elite opponents. He’s going to be my biggest test on paper as a professional. He is a consummate professional and will do everything in his power to win.
“I have to be on my A game, and I will be. I’m happy that throughout my career I have faced the best opposition that I could have at every stage. This is just another one of those.”
“I will retrieve my belt and I will bring it back to Poland,” said Glowacki. “I will become WBO World Champion for the third time in my career, there is no other option. I am prepared for a hard battle because Lawrence Okolie is big, strong and awkward, but the belt is mine and I will bring it back home.”
“In just 14 fights Lawrence Okolie has done it all and now it’s the moment of truth,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Britain has the chance to crown another World Champion but Lawrence has it all to do against a great fighter and former World Champ in Krysztof Glowacki and someone who has mixed consistently at the top level. This is going to be a huge night and a huge moment for Lawrence – we can’t wait.”
“The time has come for Lawrence,” said 258 Athlete Advisor Anthony Joshua. “This is a huge opportunity, one I know he will rise to. He is about to fight at the most elite level possible. He will prepare diligently and be ready.
“The whole team at 258 MGT are behind him. We are proud to have helped guide him inside and out of the ring since his professional debut to his first World Title opportunity in under 4 years.”
Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles against Mandatory Challenger Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) on a huge night of action, with more fights to be announced soon.
RANKIN: YOU CAN’T BE A KEYBOARD WARRIOR!
There is no love lost between Savannah Marshall and Hannah Rankin, which is just as well because the fists are about to fly, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all of its nine markets including the U.S.
Marshall and Rankin’s battle of Britain is more than a spat between two rivals, it’s a shoot-out at The SSE Arena Wembley for the vacant WBO World Middleweight Title.
The 29 and 30-year-olds clash on the undercard of one of the biggest Heavyweight fights of the year where ex-undisputed World Cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk puts his unbeaten record on the line against Britain’s Derek Chisora.
Marshall vs. Rankin looks a beauty, as the English girl with medal after medal on the amateur scene meets the battle-hardened Scot who has been in the trenches four times in World Title scraps.
“It’s a perfect match-up,” said Rankin, who is confident of ending the unbeaten record of her opponent she has already indulged in some social media jabs with. “It’s been on the cards for some time and I think people are genuinely excited by a proper 50-50 fight. I think me and Sav will be a real barnstormer and people know that and that’s why there was such a sense of anticipation.
“After I lost my World Title, Savannah thought it was appropriate to go on social media and start saying I needed the opportunity to fight her, and it would be nice for her to give me that opportunity. I’ve made all of my own opportunities in this sport. I became World Champion off my own back. Me and my team did it ourselves.
“Firstly, that’s disrespectful. Also, I’m a former World Champion. Exactly what has she done? Nothing in the professional game. When we were in the bubble I expected her to say something to me, but she said nothing. You can’t be a keyboard warrior and then say nothing when you’re face to face with people. It’s just not appropriate, and it’s disrespectful.”
Rankin believes the contest will eclipse the terrific tussle between new-kid-on-the-block Terri Harper and Marshall’s old Olympic team-mate Natasha Jonas for the WBC and IBO world Super-Featherweight belts in August.
“This is the first big fight at one of the higher weights in the UK, I don’t think there’s been a World Championship bout above Super-Lightweight before,” said the Glasgow star.
“There’s not been anything like this before, we’ve been on a collision course for a while, we can both bang and there are a lot of things that can happen in this fight. I’ve been buzzing for this and think boxing fans are excited too.”
Marshall vs. Rankin is part of a huge night of boxing as pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) faces his first real Heavyweight test in Derek Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs), Lee Selby (28-2, 9 KOs) and George Kambosos Jr (18-0, 10 KOs) meet in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title, Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy (16-2, 8 KOs) clashes with Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune (25-1-2, 14 KOs) for the vacant European Cruiserweight Title, Amy Timlin (4-0) faces off with Carly Skelly (3-0) for the vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title and Ramla Ali makes her professional debut against Eva Hubmeyer (1-0, 1 KO).
