Miami – August 27, 2020 – “Boxeo Telemundo,” the #1 Spanish-language boxing program in the U.S., continues its all-star boxing lineup this Friday night, August 28 at 12am midnight ET. This week’s action will be headlined by up and coming stars Dennis “El Martillo” Contreras and Belmar Preciado, set to face each other in a 10-round fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedecentro Flyweight Title. The event will be broadcast live from Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla. on Telemundo as well as on the Telemundo Deportes App.

Calling the action are “Boxeo Telemundo” veteran boxing commentators, Edgar Lopez and Florida Boxing Hall of Famer Rene Giraldo alongside World Boxing Champion and former Olympian Abner Mares.

Mexican Dennis “El Martillo” Contreras (21-10-1-19 KO’s), is eager to take home a win against Belmar Preciado (20-2-13 KO’s), hoping it will be the key to more opportunities against U.S. based fighters. “I am ready to fight with anyone, I feel that I am in the best stage of my career, mentally, physically, with the experience to make a good fight, and fight with any champion,” said Contreras, adding he feels ready to fight with global featherweight stars such as Gary Russel Jr. and fellow Mexican native “Vaquero” Navarrete.

While this week marks the Boxeo Telemundo debut and first fight this year for both boxers, Preciado, the 32-year-old featherweight title contender is more than ready for the challenge. Friday’s fight marks the Baranquilla, Colombia native’s first U.S. fight following the cancellation of his St. Patrick’s Day bout against Belfast’s Michael Conlan at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater. 

All “Boxeo Telemundo” Summer Season fights, running through September 4^th, will be broadcast live on Telemundo and live streamed on Telemundo Deportes App. Each live broadcast is complemented by extensive news and additional content on Telemundo Deportes’ digital platforms including access to the weigh-in and exclusive behind-the-scenes content on TelemundoDeportes.com, as well as short form content produced exclusively for Telemundo Deportes’ social media platforms using the hashtag #BoxeoTelemundo.

Debuting in 1989, “Boxeo Telemundo” has grown to become the #1 combat sports program in the U.S. among Hispanics, across broadcast and cable landscape. Since its launch, “Boxeo Telemundo” has broadcast over 350 title fights, showcasing some of the biggest boxing stars as they rose to stardom and won their first championship titles, earning a reputation as the show “where champions are born.” Among these stars is Saúl Canelo Alvarez, who won his first pro boxing title on “Boxeo Telemundo” in 2008. Other notable Champions featured include?Juan Manuel Marquez,?Diego Corrales, Carlos Maussa,?Floyd Mayweather,?Israel Vázquez,?Wilfredo Vázquez,?Rafael Ruelas,?Jorge Solis and many others. In addition, renowned boxing Hall of Famers have also appeared on the show including?Erik Morales,?Marco Antonio Barrera and?Felix Trinidad.?

About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises:
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a world-class media company leading the industry in the production and distribution of high-quality Spanish-language content to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. This fast-growing multiplatform portfolio is comprised of the Telemundo Network and Station Group, Telemundo Deportes, Telemundo Global Studios, Universo, and a Revenue Strategy & Innovation unit. Telemundo Network features original Spanish-language entertainment, news and sports content reaching 94% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 30 local stations, 50 affiliates and its national feed. Telemundo also owns WKAQ, a television station that serves viewers in Puerto Rico. Telemundo Deportes is the designated Spanish-language home of two of the world’s most popular sporting events: FIFA World Cup™ through 2026 and the Summer Olympic Games through 2032. Telemundo Global Studios is the company’s domestic and international scripted production unit including Telemundo Studios, Telemundo International Studios, Telemundo International, Underground Producciones, an internationally renowned production boutique based in Argentina as well as all of the company’s co-production partnerships. As the #1 media company reaching Hispanics and millennials online, the Revenue Strategy & Innovation unit distributes original content across multiple platforms, maximizing its exclusive partnerships with properties such as BuzzFeed, Vox, and Snapchat. Through Telemundo Internacional, the largest U.S.-based distributor of Spanish-language content in the world; and Universo, the company reflects the diverse lifestyle, cultural experience and language of its expanding audience. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

SAN CARLOS, Sonora, Mexico (August 26, 2020) – The official weigh in was held today for tomorrow night’s (Thurs., Aug. 27) RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS®, its second event at the same venue within the past 48 hours.

RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS will stream live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT, from Marinaterra Hotel & Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico.

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com, or download the UFC app.

Official fighters’ weights below:

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT WBC LATINO SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 8 ROUNDS*
Juan Barajas
(11-0, 7 KOs), Victorville, California, USA 168 lbs.
vs,
Jose Resendiz
(11-0, 8 KOs), Compostela, Nayarit, Mexico 168 lbs.

CO-FEATURE – WELTERWEIGHTS – 8 ROUNDS*
Marco Dominguez
(11-2-1, 10 KOs), Obregon, Sonora, Mexico 147 lbs.
vs.
Salvador Tapia
(9-3-1, 8 KOs), Trepic, Nayarit, Mexico 147 lbs.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS*
Lester Martinez (4-0, 4 KOs), Guatemala City, Guatemala, Mexico 168 lbs..
vs.
Abraham Hernandez
(8-2, 4 KOs), Monterey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico 170 lbs.

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS*
Jose Arellano
(8-0, 5 KOs), Aurora, Colorado, Mexico 137.8 lbs.
vs
Flavio Cedar Santos
(6-1, 0 KOs), Durango, Durango, Mexico 141.1 lbs.

*denotes streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS
card subject to change

WHERE: Marinaterra Hotel & Spa, San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico

WHEN: Thursday, August 27, 2020

PROMOTER: RJJ Boxing Promotions

LIVE STREAM: Exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

BROADCASTERS: T.J. DeSantis (blow-by-blow), and James “Smitty” Smith (color commentator)

RING ANNOUNCER: Lupe Contreras

RJJ BOXING ON UFC FIGHT PASS SCHEDULE:
Thursday, Aug . 27, at Marinaterra Hotel & Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico
Thursday, Sept. 24 at Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi

INFORMATION:

Websites: www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com
Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa, @RoyJonesJrOfficial, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre
Instagram: @RoyJonesJRboxing, @artofmusiclv, @rivalboxinggear, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre
Facebook: /KeithVeltre, /UFCFightPass

LOS ANGELES (August 26, 2020) – WBA Super Welterweight Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara and veteran contender Greg Vendetti previewed their world title bout on an international media conference call Wednesday, before they headline FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, this Saturday, August 29 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The call also featured hard-hitting Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and former world champion Caleb “Golden” Truax discussing their IBF Super Middleweight Title Eliminator that serves as the co-main event of the broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. All programming can be live streamed in English and Spanish on the new FOX Sports app. FOX Deportes offers delayed coverage of all FOX and FS1 programming beginning at 10:00 PM ET.

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. Angulo vs. Truax is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing.

Here is what the conference call participants had to say Wednesday:

ERISLANDY LARA

“I feel better than ever. I’ve been training hard and working well heading into this fight. I feel stronger than I did a couple of years ago and I’m totally ready for this fight on Saturday.

“The difference people have seen in my last few fights isn’t about my fighting style or even about trying pleasing the fans. I just do what is needed inside of the ring. I have to see what each fight requires me to do. If it pleases the fans, then that’s great. But I’m always focused on doing what I have to do in each situation during each fight.

“I’m not focused on my legacy yet. There is a lot to accomplish still and I want to bolster my standing as one of the best Cuban fighters in history with more important wins.

“I still feel like I can have a lot of success in the rest of my career, so I haven’t set any time frame for when I’ll be done boxing. But once I feel the difference in my training and when the young fighters are really getting the best of me, then it will be something to consider. But it’s not on my mind.

“I really haven’t seen Vendetti at all. I don’t like to watch video of my future opponents. For me, the style will become clear in the first round once we start throwing punches in the ring.

“I firmly believe that I can be the undisputed best fighter in this division. Most of the other champions haven’t faced me yet. We’ll see how it plays out, but I believe that I can come out on top against anybody at any time in a very competitive division.

“I never lost any confidence. Regardless of any circumstances after the Canelo fight or the Jarrett Hurd fight, I always believe in my abilities in the ring. That belief is still very strong. I’m willing and able to fight anyone in the division at any time.

“I want everyone to know that I’m in great shape, I’m feeling outstanding and ready to put on a show Saturday night.”

GREG VENDETTI

“I think we’ve done all we can to prepare for this fight. Every box is checked. I’m in a position to do my best and I’m excited and confident for this opportunity

My trainer has been saying for years that I have a good style to face Lara and once I got the call, I took it as a real sign. I’m really motivated to show everyone what I can do and put on my best performance.

“I look at it like this is just another human like me that I’m facing. He’s made of skin and bones and I’m sure he has his doubts about himself. Maybe about his age and about if I can get to him. I don’t get intimidated by anything in the ring. I’m just really excited to test myself against one of the best fighters of this generation.

“I just have to prepare the best and I can and perform the best I can. I can’t control anything else. Could this be my only title shot? Maybe, but thinking about that won’t change anything in the ring. I just have to give myself the best shot to win.

“It will be a little strange without fans. If anything I think it will help me. It allows me to focus better. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have, the crowd can make you more aggressive than you want to be and influence the judges. If anything, it will help me, but it is what it is.

“I’ve approached this fight like I’m getting the best version of Lara that’s ever existed. I’m not taking him lightly at all. But if you look at his performances as of late, it’s not the same Lara you saw against Angulo and Canelo years ago. The agility is not there as much. It almost seems like he’s doing just enough to try to win these fights and not really going the extra mile to dominate.

“Pressure is the name of the game. I have to be active. I can’t run in and get blasted, but I’m going to try to push the pace as best I can and be as smart as I can. I’m predicting an exciting fight, at least on my end.”

ALFREDO ANGULO

“First thing’s first, I have to focus on Saturday night. Whatever comes next, including a possible fight for the world title, it will only happen if I win. This will be an interesting fight and a great challenge for me.

“Abel Sanchez really has a fountain of youth. I feel rejuvenated and I think the clock has been turned back. My only focus is on working hard and giving the fans a great fight.

“The biggest key for me is my confidence and the input that Abel gives me each and every day. That’s the most important thing that has changed. All the advice that he’s able to give me is so valuable.

“I also get a lot of motivation from the other fighters in the gym with me because they have the same ambition as me. We push each other to get to new heights. It’s not competitive as far as who gets a fight next. But it’s about making each other better.

“Truax is a great boxer and he’s aggressive. He comes and tries to get you out of there. It’s going to be a great matchup and we’re going to give the fans a great fight.

“I’m ready for Saturday night and I can’t wait. It’s going to be a great night for the fans and I’m planning on stealing the show.”

CALEB TRUAX

“The last year and a half was tough for me. I had the cut against Quillin and the Achilles injury. It took about eight or nine months for it to feel back to normal. But I’ve been training on it since January and I’m ready to roll.

“I had a little bit of ring rust in my last fight and it was great to knock it off. Most people thought I dominated, so I don’t know how it ended up so close on the cards, but I got the win and got the rounds in that I wanted. We’re moving forward and ready to put on a show against a higher level of competition in Alfredo Angulo.

“It wasn’t a surprise to me that he won against Peter Quillin. He backed up Quillin and pushed him around the whole night and did what he had to do.

“The Achilles was the first major injury I had in my career, but I’m fortunate to be in the spot that I’m in now. I’m number three in the IBF and I just need to make the most of it against Angulo. At this stage in my career, you have to approach every fight like it’s a must-win and a last chance opportunity.

“I used to be more of a counter puncher who tried to sit back and box, but when I fought Jermain Taylor, it was my first big fight against a top level opponent. I sat back too long and tried to counter. After that fight I reinvented my style and now I consider myself an aggressive counter puncher.

“I think my style matches up pretty well with Angulo. I like when I don’t have to go searching for someone, I haven’t fought someone who wants to come forward in a while.

“Whoever wins could get that opportunity against Caleb Plant, which you have to acknowledge, but none of that happens without going through Angulo first. So I have to take care of what’s in front of me Saturday.”

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

“The 154 pound-division is stacked with talent right now. There are some big 154-pound fights on the horizon for Erislandy Lara, but first he has to get past the tough Greg Vendetti. Vendetti is legitimate and he’s going to try to test Lara all night, because he knows he’s getting in there against one of the best.

“I’m also looking forward to the always-exciting Alfredo Angulo going up against the former champion Caleb Truax in a super middleweight title eliminator that will put the winner in prime position for a title fight.”

#

ABOUT LARA VS. VENDETTI
Lara vs. Vendetti will see WBA Super Welterweight Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara battling Greg Vendetti in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, Saturday, August 29 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo battling former world champion Caleb “Golden” Truax in an IBF Super Middleweight Title Eliminator. All programming can be live streamed in English and Spanish on the new FOX Sports app. FOX Deportes offers delayed coverage of all FOX and FS1 programming beginning at 10:00 PM ET.

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.

LAS VEGAS (August 26, 2020) — The Mean Machine is ready to rise again. Welterweight contender Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas, a two-time Lithuanian Olympian coming off a valiant effort last December against Terence “Bud” Crawford, will face NABO welterweight title-holder Mikael Zewski in a 10-rounder Saturday, Sept. 12 from the MGM Grand Conference Center.
 
In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, three-time world title challenger Miguel Marriaga will fight recent world title challenger Joet Gonzalez.
 
Kavaliauskas-Zewski and Marriaga-Gonzalez will stream live on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.  The undercard, also on ESPN+, starts at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
 
“Mean Machine proved he’s a top welterweight with his performance against Terence Crawford. He’s itching to get back into championship contention, and Zewski should give him a tough challenge,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Viewers will get a high-energy, action-packed fight with the Marriaga-Gonzalez bout.”
 
Kavaliauskas (21-1-1, 17 KOs) is a seven-year pro who earned a mandatory shot at Crawford with wins over the world-rated David Avanesyan, Juan Carlos Abreu and the previously unbeaten Roberto Arriaza. The Crawford bout headlined the post-Heisman Trophy ceremony telecast on ESPN last December, and Kavaliauskas was competitive with the pound-for-pound great until a pair of knockdowns ended things in the ninth round. He is still ranked in the Top 15 by the WBO and WBC and hopes a win over Zewski (34-1, 23 KOs) moves him closer to a second world title opportunity. Zewski, from Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada, is 8-0 with 3 KOs since a 2015 decision loss to Konstantin Ponomarev in Las Vegas.
 
Kavaliauskas said, “I am excited to return to the ring, as I still have unfinished business. I still believe I have what it takes to become a world champion, and that journey resumes against a tough opponent in Mikael Zewski.”
 
Zewski said, “This is the fight I’ve been waiting for. Kavaliauskas is a fast and extremely powerful boxer, but I have all the tools to win. The stakes are high, and a win will propel me into a world championship fight. This is my ninth fight in Las Vegas. I’ll feel right at home.”  
 
Marriaga (29-3, 25 KOs) is itching to return after his July 16 ESPN main event was canceled when Mark John Yap missed weight by nearly nine pounds. The Colombian slugger has won four in a row by knockout since challenging Vasiliy Lomachenko for a junior lightweight world title in August 2017. Gonzalez (23-1, 14 KOs) last fought in October 2019, dropping a unanimous decision to Shakur Stevenson for the vacant WBO featherweight world title. With Stevenson having vacated the title to campaign at junior lightweight, Gonzalez’s path to a second world title shot goes through Marriaga.
 
Marriaga said, “I was disappointed after what happened with Yap, but Joet Gonzalez always comes to fight. It’s going to be a toe-to-toe battle. I believe my experience and power will be the difference. I will not underestimate him, as I must win to move forward in my career.”
 
Gonzalez said, “It’s a real privilege to be coming back at this time. I want to thank my manager, Frank Espinoza, and my promoter, Golden Boy, for making this possible. Marriaga is a very tough fighter. He’s been in the ring with Nicholas Walters, Oscar Valdez and Vasiliy Lomachenko, so this will give everyone a good indication of where I stand in the division. I plan to make the most of this opportunity and score a big win so I can show everyone that I deserve to be at the top of the division.”
 
In undercard action: 

• Genaro Gamez (10-1, 7 KOs), who scored a first-round knockout inside the “Bubble” on July 7, will fight Puerto Rican veteran Anthony Mercado (13-4, 11 KOs) in an eight-rounder at junior welterweight.
   
• Undefeated featherweight prospect Angel Alejandro (9-0, 4 KOs), from Dallas, Texas, will face fellow Lone Star State native Jorge Ramos (7-2-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
   
• In a six-round bantamweight tilt, Manuel Flores (8-0, 5 KOs), from Coachella, Calif., will fight Jonathan Rodriguez (8-0, 3 KOs).
   
• Lightweight prospect Eric Puente (3-0), who is training out of the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Riverside, Calif., will fight an opponent to be named in a four-rounder.
   
• Thomas Wu will make his professional debut in a four-round junior welterweight bout against an opponent to be named. 

Use the hashtag #MachineZewski to join the conversation on social media. For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing; twitter.com/ESPNRingside. 

SAN CARLOS, Sonora, Mexico (August 26, 2020) -The first RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® event in 6 ½ months was held last night, showcasing a trio of undefeated prospects, at Marinaterra Hotel & Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico.

Luis “Koreano” Torres, World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 15 rated welterweight Santiago “Somer” Dominguez and Jermone Jones, Jr. all remained undefeated.

RJJ Boxing became the first promotion to stream a complete boxing card live from Mexico on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com, or download the UFC app.

“It is a great privilege to be working with Emmanuel Romo from De La O Promotions,” RJJ Boxing CEO/Co-Founder Keith Veltre said. “Having fights in Mexico is extremely political and having a great partner makes things run a lot smoother. Adapting to the current situation is key to being successful and having fights in Mexico is where we need to be right now to make shows successful. I want to thank Terry Holland and the Mexican Boxing Commission for working with us and making RJJ Boxing feel so welcomed.”

In the main event, Torres improved to 10-0 (8 KOs) with a convincing win by 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Luis Vazquez (10-2, 3 KOs) for the vacant WBC Youth Silver lightweight championship. Torres, whose nickname is for his Asian features, had never fought more than four rounds during his young pro career.

Dominguez (22-0, 17 KOs) dropped late replacement and fellow Mexican knockout artist, Jadalberto “Terrible” Borquez (30-20-1, 27 KOs), three times in the first round of their title fight for the WBC FECARBOX and WBC United States welterweight crowns. Borquez, a former WBC Continental Americas featherweight champion, was blasted out by rising star Dominguez in the opening round.

The top world-rated Mexican welterweight in the world, Dominguez has now stopped nine of his last 10 opponents, as he ascends the rankings with each fight. He won the vacant FECARBOX title and retained his WBC U.S. crown.

The 25-year-old Jones (6-0, 6 KOs), the only non-Mexican fighter on the card, kept his perfect pro record intact, winning all six of his fights by stoppage, with a 4th-round knockout of Mario “Cachalote” Israel Vera (6-2, 0 KOs). Jones, fighting out of Phoenix, AZ, fought past the second round for the first time since his pro debut last November.

Barajas vs. Resendiz headlines RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS tomorrow night

Super middleweight prospects Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0, 7 KOs) and Jose “Toro” Resendiz (11-0, 8 KOs) battle for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino title, headlining tomorrow night’s (Thurs., Aug. 27) RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® event, starting at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT, from Marinaterra Hotel & Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico, in an extremely rare match between undefeated prospects.

In two other bouts, unbeaten Las Vegas-based Mexican super bantamweight Ezequiel Borrero (3-0, 1 KO) won a 4-round unanimous decision over Jhoan Cano (1-2, 1 KO), while welterweight Jesus “Fierro” Lopez (2-0, 2 KOs) knocked out Bryan Joel Morales (0-4) in round one.

Official results below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT WBC YOUTH SILVER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Luis Torres (10-0, 8 KOs), Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
WDEC10 (99-91,97-92, 96-93)
Jose Luis Vazquez (10-2, 3 KOs), Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
(Torres won vacant WBC Youth Silver featherweight title)

CO-FEATURE – WBC FECARBOX & WBC U,S. WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Santiago Dominguez (22-0, 17 KOs), Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
WKO1 (2:49)
Adalberto Borquez (30-20-1, 27 KOs), Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
(Dominguez retained WBC U.S & won WBC FECARBOX. welterweight titles)

WELTERWEIGHTS
Jermone Jones, Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs), Phoenix, Arizona, USA .
WKO4 (1:01)
Mario Israel Vera (6-2 (0 KOs), Campeche, Campeche, Mexico

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Ezequiel Borrero (3-0, 1 KO), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA by way of Mexico
WDEC4
Jhoan Cano (1-2, 1 KO), Obregon, Sonora, Mexico

WELTERWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Jesus Lopez (2-0, 2 KOs), Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
WKO1
Bryan Joel Morales (0-4), Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico

RJJ BOXING ON UFC FIGHT PASS SCHEDULE:
Thursday, Aug . 27, at Marinaterra Hotel & Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico
Thursday, Sept. 24, at Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi

INFORMATION:

Websites: www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com
Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa, @RoyJonesJrOfficial, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre
Instagram: @RoyJonesJRboxing, @artofmusiclv, @rivalboxinggear, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre
Facebook: /KeithVeltre, /UFCFightPass

Anthony Yarde vs Dec Spelman, Nathan Gorman vs Richard Lartey, Mark Heffron vs Denzel Bentley and Ekow Essuman vs Cedrick Peynaud have today all been announced for a bumper Queensberry Promotions card on September 12.

Anthony Yarde will take on Dec Spelman, in what will prove an ideal chance to directly compare himself against potential future foe Lyndon Arthur – who last month edged Spelman on points behind-closed-doors.

Yarde challenged for a World Title against Sergey Kovalev in 2019 and has been absent since his Russian mission – where he came within seconds of toppling the legendary champion.

The light heavyweight Beast from the East is now back in business against an opponent who extended Manchester’s Arthur to 12 rounds of work in July. Commenting on the fight on behalf of BT Sport on the night, Yarde complained over a lack of entertainment from the pair and that he needed paying to stay awake.

Yarde will be looking to provide more entertainment on September 12.

Also featuring on what will be a huge night of action is the heavyweight return of Nathan Gorman, 16-1, who will fight Richard Lartey from Ghana (subject to visa approval) in an eliminator for the Commonwealth title. Both have a shared experience of taking on Daniel Dubois, with the 14-2 Lartey engaging in an explosive shootout with the young Londoner before being stopped in four rounds at Wembley Arena in April of last year.

Gorman, just 24, will be seeking to put the domestic heavyweight division on notice that he is back in the fold and in the bidding for major titles once again.

The vacant IBF European welterweight championship will be on the line for English champion Ekow Essuman when he goes in with the Frenchman Cedrick Peynaud. The Paris-based Peynaud took part in two epic struggles against Connor Benn across 2017-18 where both men were put to the canvas and it represents an ideal test for Essuman, who is in the British title mix along with Benn and the champion Chris Jenkins.

In what is a huge fight for the middleweight division in this country, a battle of the big punchers is confirmed between Battersea’s Denzel Bentley (13-0) and Oldham’s Mark Heffron (25-1).

For a fight that surely cannot fail to deliver fireworks, the IBF European title is the prize for the winner between two men who have not been shy in calling each other out across social media. 

Promoter Frank Warren – who will also showcase the talents of lightweight Mohammad Bilal Ali on the night, along with new signings Amin Jahanzeb (7-0, featherweight) and Joshua Frankham (debut, super welterweight) – said: 

“This is a card with the potential to deliver for the fans watching on BT Sport in a big way.

“Boxing is a game of ego’s and Anthony is keen to show the world that he can go one better than Lyndon and blast Spelman out early.

“Spelman is not an easy fight for anyone, but if Anthony comes through we’ll be on course for Yarde vs Arthur later this year hopefully.”

“I am delighted to be bringing Anthony back because he needs a competitive fight before his big domestic showdown against Lyndon Arthur and he will be determined to do a better job on Dec Spelman than his rival. He has put the onus on himself to find an explosive performance after complaining about Lyndon’s fight with Dec being boring!

“I still firmly believe Anthony is a world-level elite operator and he will prove as much given time but, for now, he needs to keep busy and remind the public of what he is all about.”

Anthony Yarde said:

“The people want explosive action and knockouts so I will not be hiding behind my jab and sending everyone to sleep,” stated the 19-1 man from Ilford. 

“This will be all about me reminding people that I am the force of the division and I am heading right back to the top where I intend to dominate and reign for a long time to come.

“I respect Dec Spelman as a fighter but this is the chance for me to show everyone what they can expect when I get to share a ring with Lyndon Arthur.”

Dec Spelman said:

“If Yarde comes to fight then so much the better for me. Lyndon made our fight a technical affair that I was disappointed I couldn’t really get to grips with, so if Yarde wants some action then bring it on.

“I will actually be his first test at domestic level so we will see how he looks on the night.”

FULL DETAILS FOR FURTHER SHOWS ON SEPT 26 (Headlined by Josh Taylor vs Apinun Khongsong) and OCT 10 COMING VERY SOON

London, UK (25 August 2020) Promoter Mick Hennessy is thrilled to announce that one of the emerging young stars of World boxing, Stephen ‘Hitman’ McKenna, will make his UK debut on his 5th September show, live on free-to-air Channel 5.

Red-hot Irish talent McKenna will feature on the undercard of Alex Dilmaghani’s European Super-Featherweight title challenge against champion Samir Ziani, courtesy of his management team Sheer Sports. His opponent will be Gateshead’s Kris Pilkington in a six round contest.

The hard-hitting 24-year-old super-lightweight prospect is certainly living up to his Hitman moniker. Undefeated in four fights since turning professional last year, McKenna has won them all by KO inside two rounds, three coming in the first.

From Monaghan in Ireland, McKenna comes from a very strong boxing family of brothers alongside Gary and Aaron who all represented Ireland at International level winning medals. Now based in Woodhills, California, he is trained by the legendary Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym.

McKenna was a standout amateur produced by the Irish Boxing Association with a career record of 155 fights and only 24 losses. Astonishingly, he won the Irish U/18 youth title, Multi Nation Bronze in Russia, Commonwealth Youth Gold in Samoa, European youth silver in Poland and was crowned Irish Elite Senior Champion all in the same year.

Prior to moving to Los Angeles in 2018, McKenna had been training with the Irish Elite team full time at the High Performance center in Dublin for three years.

Despite only having four fights and less than five rounds of action, McKenna has gained valuable experience sparring with pound-for-pound best Vasily Lomachenko, plus top fighters Sergey Lipinets, Jose Zepeda, Hikori Okada, Antonio Orozco, Javier Molina, Lee Selby and Ryan Garcia.

McKenna is excited to fight in the UK for the first time as a professional. He said, “The Hitman is ready! I’m looking forward to making my first appearance in the UK with Hennessy Sports. I’m in really good shape and ready to put on an exciting show. I’m delighted to be fighting on free TV in the UK on Channel 5. It’s a fantastic opportunity for my friends, family and fans to finally see me in action. This is just the platform I need to build my stock. I can’t wait.”

Sheer Sports V.P Lyle Green, said: “Stevie McKenna is the best, most exciting up and coming fighter in boxing. Thank you to Mick Hennessy for giving Stevie a chance to showcase his world class talent in front of the entire UK and Ireland on September 5th live on Channel 5. He will not disappoint.”

Hennessy added, “This is a real honour to have this talented young man feature on my September 5th event. I’d like to thank Sheer Sports for allowing Stevie to fight on the card and I’m sure he will go down a storm with fans and viewers here. I’ve been well aware of Stephen’s quality and credentials for many years due to my close links with the Irish boxing scene and also knowing his family. He is one of the most exciting boxers to emerge from Ireland in recent years. I’m absolutely thrilled he’s going to fight on my show and what a night it will be with Alex challenging for the European title, Isaac continuing his momentum in the cruiserweight division, the Southern Area Super-Flyweight Championship between Ricky Little and Sammy Cantwell, plus my son Michael will fight Jamie Stewart, and Idris Virgo returns after his stunning one punch body knockout last Saturday night.”

Women’s boxing superstar Claressa Shields has added two more impressive distinctions to her already unparalleled boxing career laurels.

25-year-old “T-Rex” Shields (10-0, 2 KOs), currently the unified WBC and WBO World Female Super Welterweight and WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO Middleweight Champion, has been named #1 in both The Ring and ESPN’s inaugural pound-for-pound women’s rankings of the best female fighters in the world.

During an exciting renaissance for the sport, Shields was able to best a strong lineup of female fighters including Irish unified lightweight champion Katie Taylor, seven-division champ Amanda Serrano, Norway’s long-time undisputed queen Cecilia Braekhus and her recent conqueror Jessica McCaskill.

Among her many accomplishments, Shields is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and the first American boxer – female or male – to win consecutive Olympic boxing gold medals. She became Unified Super Middleweight World Champion in her fourth professional fight, Unified Middleweight World Champion in her sixth professional fight and Unified Super Welterweight World Champion in her tenth. She also holds the record for becoming a two and three-weight world champion in the fewest professional fights and is one of only seven boxers in history, female or male, to hold all four major world titles in boxing—WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO—simultaneously.

“Claressa is the driving force for women’s boxing!” said her promoter, Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions. “I am happy to see that ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, and the well-respected “Bible of Boxing” Ring Magazine unanimously and indisputably recognize Claressa’s incredible accomplishments as the best in the world.”

“I’m proud to see two more Herstoric achievements added to the unprecedented resume of Claressa Shields,” said her manager, Mark Taffet, President of Mark Taffet Media. “She continues her march toward equality for female boxers using her broad shoulders from both an athletic and a social perspective. I look forward to the day when she appears on the top pound-for-pound list among the men with no gender labels.”

#

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

Sampson Lewkowicz, promoter for undefeated two-time WBC Super Middleweight World Champion David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez, has sent the following letter to the WBC, requesting they reinstate Benavidez into their super middleweight rankings.

After failing to make weight for what would have been his first defense of the WBC strap against Roamer Alexis Angulo on August 15, the WBC graciously installed Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) as their #1 contender at light heavyweight.

However, after consulting with physicians in his hometown of Phoenix, Team Benavidez say they’re confident the pandemic played a major role in Benavidez’s weight problems and that 168lbs is still a safe weight to make for the 23-year-old Benavidez.

Benavidez was stripped of his WBC title by weighing in 2.8 pounds over the super middleweight limit but went on to score a dominating 10th round TKO over Angulo.

Lewkowicz says he’s requesting the WBC place Benavidez in the super middleweight ratings in a position where he can secure an elimination fight and start the road to regaining his championship.

SAN CARLOS, Sonora, Mexico (August 22, 2020) – The official weigh in was held today for tomorrow night’s first RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® event since January 30th in Washington

RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS will stream live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT, from Marinaterra Hotel & Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico.

Due to COVID-19 related problems, Adalberto “Terrible” Borquez (30-19-1, 27 KOs) has replaced Jose Rosario Cazarez as Santiago “Somer” Dominquez’ (21-0, 16 KOs) opponent in a battle of KO bombers. Dominguez-Borquez remains 10 rounds and contested for Dominquez’ WBC FECARBOX and WBC United States welterweight titles, but it is now the co-featured event. The original co-feature, Luis Torres vs. Jose Luis Vazquez, has been moved up to the 10-round main event for the vacant WBC Youth Silver lightweight title.

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com, or download the UFC app.

Official fighters’ weights below:

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT WBC YOUTH SILVER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 ROUNDS*
Luis Torres (9-0, 8 KOs), Obregon, Sonora, Mexico 134 lbs.
vs,
Jose Luis Vazquez (10-1, 3 KOs), Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico 135 lbs.

CO-FEATURE – WBC FECARBOX & WBC U,S. WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 ROUNDS*
Santiago Dominguez (21-0, 16 KOs), Champion, Obregon, Sonora, Mexico 146 lbs.
vs.
Adalberto “Terrible” Borquez (30-19-1, 27 KOs), Challenger, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico 147 lbs.

WELTERWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS*
Jermone Jones, Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs), Phoenix, Arizona, USA 147 lbs. .
vs.
Mario Israel Vera (6-1 (0 KOs), Campeche, Campeche, Mexico 146 lbs.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS*
Ezequiel Borrero (2-0, 1 KO), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA 122 lbs.
vs
Jhoan Cano (1-1 (1 KO), Obregon, Sonora, Mexico 122 lbs.

WELTERWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Jesus Lopez (1-0, 1 KO), Obregon, Sonora, Mexico 149 lbs.
vs.
Bryan Joel Morales (0-3), Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico 149 lbs.

*denotes streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS
card subject to change

WHERE: Marinaterra Hotel & Spa, San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico

WHEN: Tuesday, August 25, 2020

PROMOTER: RJJ Boxing Promotions

LIVE STREAM: Exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

BROADCASTERS: T.J. DeSantis (blow-by-blow), and James “Smitty” Smith (color commentator)

RING ANNOUNCER: Lupe Contreras

RJJ BOXING ON UFC FIGHT PASS SCHEDULE:
Tuesday (Aug. 25) & Thursday (Aug . 27) at Marinaterra Hotel & Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico

Thursday, Sept. 24 at Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi

INFORMATION:

Websites: www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com
Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa, @RoyJonesJrOfficial, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre
Instagram: @RoyJonesJRboxing, @artofmusiclv, @rivalboxinggear, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre
Facebook: /KeithVeltre, /UFCFightPass

NEW YORK (August 24, 2020) -Two members of the Split-T Management stable posted emphatic stoppage wins over the past four days.

On Thursday night, Morris Young Jr. made a successful pro debut by stopping Jader Alves De Oliveira in the 2nd round of their welterweight bout at Detroit’s famed Kronk Gym.

On Saturday in Fort Payne, Alabama, middleweight Money Powell IV needed just 58 seconds to take out Patrick Pierre.

Young hurt Oliveira to body as he landed a couple of crushing blows before the bout was stopped at 1:59.

Young was a 2019 National Golden Glove Champion. The Saginaw, Michigan native  is a relentless-pressure fighter.  His style is considered fan-friendly, and is poised to be the next future star that comes out of the Split-T stable.

Powell returned to his home state of Alabama, and stopped Patrick Pierre.
The bout,  saw Powell land a vicious three-punch combination that sent the 14-fight veteran back to the ropes.  A follow up flurry on the ropes hurt Pierre which forced the referee to stop the fight just 59 seconds into the contest.

With the wins, Powell improves to 11-1 while notching his 7th knockout.

CLICK TO WATCH MONEY POWELL’S 1ST ROUND STOPPAGE

Powell had a distinguished amateur that saw him win three United States Championships & Ringside World Championship.  He was also a Member of the 2016 United States Travel Team that competed in Russia.

LAS VEGAS (August 24, 2020) – Super middleweight prospects Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0, 7 KOs) and Jose “Toro” Resendiz (11-0, 8 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino title, headlining this Thursday night’s (August 27) RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® event, starting at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT, from Marinaterra Hotel & Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico, in an extremely rare match between undefeated prospects.

The freakish 6′ 4″, 80″ reach Barajas, fighting out of Victorville CA, will be fighting for the 8th time in Mexico. Barajas’ statement victory to date came May 2019, when he won a 10-round majority decision against 18-4-3 Lanell Bellows in Memphis. In his UFC FIGHT PASS debut a year ago, Barajas followed up with an impressive 8-round unanimous decision win versus 20-7-1 Fidel Hernandez in Tucson, Arizona.

“I am excited to be on in the August 27th main event streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS,” Barajas said. “This is very much a dream come true and I am looking forward to showcasing my talents on the live UFC FIGHT PASS stream to prove to all super middleweights that ‘Just Business’ is here to stay. I had the honor of being signed by Roy Jones Jr. Boxing a year ago after beating Bellows. I took a 10-round fight having never fought a six-round fight, knowing that I was ready to beat a strong, experienced fighter, even though the entire crowd was against me.”

Barajas has dedicated this fight to the memory of a boy, Jose Huerto, who was killed two years ago in an accident. “Having the opportunity to fight for the WBC Latino super middleweight title comes with added importance for me. Two years ago, one of our kids was killed riding his bicycle after leaving my gym during the week of Thanksgiving. Jose had received a medal from the WBC that year for winning a WBC Youth Tournament. When the WBC found out, representatives from the WBC and Supreme Boxing’s Anthony Saldana came to the gym offering a donation to go towards the funeral. In fact, the WBC paid for the entire funeral.

“I am dedicating this fight to Jose Huerto and the WBC for the generosity it explained. Getting back in the ring after everything that has happened this year is a true blessing. Camp has been great, and I’ve benefitted a lot from having the best sparring in the U.S., right here in southern California. Training in the desert with temperatures ranging in the 100s is definitely an added plus. I feel like with each fight I am getting stronger and gaining more experience. I have a great management team, coach, and family supporting me every step of the way. I am looking forward to big things and big names going into 2021, but I am fully focused on the task in front of me. It’s Just Business.'”

Resendiz is riding an 8-fight knockout streak into his expected all-out battle with Barajas.

Undefeated Mexican lightweight Luis “Sparring” Gallegos (16-0, 15 KOs) suffered an injury in training camp, forcing him to pullout of Thursday night’s 8-round, co-featured event against fellow Mexican Oscar “Terrible” Flores (12, 12 KOs).

Mexican welterweight Marco “Nazzy” Dominguez (11-2-1, 10 KOs) versus another Mexican fighter, Salvador “Changuito” Tapia (9-3-1, 8 KOs), was moved back from tomorrow night’s RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS show to become Thursday’s new 8-round co-feature.

Dominguez is the younger brother of undefeated Mexican knockout specialist and WBC #15-rated Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (21-0, 16 KOs), who will be defending his World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX and United States welterweight titles tomorrow evening (Tues.) against Mexican challenger Jose Rosario Cazarez (20-5-1, 10 KOs), which is also streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS from the same venue.

Rising-star Lester Martinez (4-0, 4 KOs) meets Abraham “Pan” Hernandez (8-2, 4 KOs), of Mexico, in a six round lightweight fight. Last year, Martinez made his pro debut at home in Guatemala City under extremely rare conditions, taking on 3-time, 2-division Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (32-11-1, 26 KOs), who hasn’t fought again since he was stopped in the second round by Martinez. The 24-year-old Martinez, who was a standout amateur boxer, is on a mission to become World champion prior to his 10th pro fight.

Undefeated Colorado welterweight Jose Arellano (8-0, 5 KOs), a Mexico native, meets Flavio Cesar Santos (6-1) in a 6-round match opening live UFC FIGHT PASS streaming.

Also scheduled to fight on the card, off-UFC FIGHT PASS, is Phoenix’ pro-debuting lightweight Jose Miguel Valenzuela against his Mexican opponent, Guillermo “El Gratano” Borboa (1-2-1, 1 KO), in a 4-round bout. Other undercard fights will soon be announced.

Card subject to change.

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com, or download the UFC app.

INFORMATION:

Websites: www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com
Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa, @RoyJonesJrOfficial, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre
Instagram: @RoyJonesJRboxing, @artofmusiclv, @rivalboxinggear, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre
Facebook: /KeithVeltre, /UFCFightPass

NEW YORK (August 24, 2020) -Highly touted junior welterweight prospect Omar Rosario made a very successful professional debut by winning a four-round unanimous decision over six-fight veteran Solon Staley on Friday night at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.

Rosario is managed by Split-T Management.

The Top Rank Promoted Rosario, 22 years-old of Caguas, PR, was the Puerto Rican Olympic Trial Champion at 152 lbs., and was the island’s favorite to win a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but signed with Tim VanNewhouse with Split-T Management.

In the bout with Colon, he boxed very effectively and worked the body of Colon.

“I am very happy with my performance because I was able to demonstrate that I can do many things.,” said Rosario. “I worked my jab well, and I showed that I can work to the body. My opponent took a lot of punishment, and was in trouble quite a few times. It was a good experience to go four rounds in my pro debut.’

“I hope to be fighting again in October.”

Rosario is trained by Joe Santiago.

FRANK WARREN IS delighted to announce that outstanding amateur star Adan Mohamed has signed a promotional agreement to turn professional under the Queensberry Promotions banner.
 
Adan, 18, is a product of the Repton Boxing Club and amassed an amateur record of 55 wins from 60 fights.
 
A seven-time national champion, the Buckhurst Hill-based super bantamweight also won a Tri-Nations GB title, two Haringey Box Cups and was a bronze medallist in the 2019 European Youth championships. He also boxed over 10 times for England and was a member of the national squad from the age of 12.
 
“I am over the moon, I really am, and this has come at the right time for me,” reacted Adan to his career development.
 
“It is the place to be and it is where all young fighters want to be. I trained with the likes of Dennis McCann and Henry Turner as an amateur and I’ve seen them move to Frank Warren, perform well and enjoy their careers.
 
“I thought ‘I’ll join them’. They are giving young fighters their chance, building them up and most of them will become world champions. I just want to be in and amongst that.
 
“Signing with Frank and Queensberry is a no-brainer for me.
 
“I will probably fight at super bantam. I’ve been thinking about super bantam and featherweight but, to start off with, super bantam. I’m not small at all and I reckon I will be massive at the weight.
 
“I will be getting my licence either late in September or October and my debut will come before the end of the year. I reckon I will sell a good few tickets.”
 
Hall of Fame promoter Warren added: “I am thrilled to have Adan team up with us for what I am sure will prove to be a hugely successful journey in the sport.
 
“Adan is clearly a massive talent with the potential to go all the way and I am looking forward to helping him in realising his ambitions. The quality of young fighters we are attracting to the Queensberry and BT Sport platform is, I believe, at another level to anywhere else in the world at the moment and when these boys all grow into the fighters they can be there will certainly be exciting times ahead with numerous world title fights on the cards.
 
“This is the place to be for the best young fighters and recent history shows that the finest talents from the Repton club choose Queensberry as their professional home. Dennis McCann and Henry Turner are showing the way and I am sure Adan will quickly follow in their footsteps.”

London, UK (23 August 2020) Shakan Pitters is the new British Light-Heavyweight Champion after defeating Chad Sugden by unanimous points decision in Redditch last night.

The fight was originally scheduled for March 28 but was delayed when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the lockdown ensued.

Shakan used his long reach and spearing jab to keep the aggressive Sugden at bay and in the second round he split Sugden’s lip with a big uppercut that required a check from the ringside doctor but was allowed to carry on.

Big Shak chose his punches well with scything left hooks and slicing right hands as he picked up the points lead.

He was also impressive in controlling the ring space and the centre of the ring.

Newark warrior Sugden had some success landing on Shak with right hands and left hooks, but rarely troubled the 6ft 6in Birmingham fighter.

All three judges’ had it for Pitters with wide scores of 118-111 (twice) and 119-110 which reflected his dominance.

British boxing legend John Conteh earlier backed Pitters to win his old British title and believes he could become a great champion,

Pitters said, “Chad was very game and I take my hat off to him. I kept it long and punished him as he came in. He was a very tough opponent but he didn’t trouble me. I wanted to keep things basic and it worked. I’m always learning and this was my first twelve-rounder. I’d give that performance a six or seven out of ten. It was a decent performance but I’m always improving.”

8 x 3 Minute Rounds Cruiserweight Contest
Isaac Chamberlain WTKO3 (1:27) Antony Woolery

Brixton cruiserweight Isaac Chamberlain sizzled in his return to the ring after a two year lay off to blow away Antony Woolery inside three rounds.

IC got to work with his sharp jabs in the early round and showed composure as he moved around the ring.

In the second round towards the end Chamberlain landed a good right that made Woolery come out swinging.

Chamberlain upped the tempo in the third round as he started landing left hooks and unsettling Woolery. He started working to the body more and got Woolery to the ropes and then landed a hard left hand to the body that folded the Wolverhampton former soldier.

“It’s been a tough two years, but I’m happy to be finally over that and get out tonight and showcase my skills. The left hook is my money punch and mixed with my strength and conditioning it was a real potent weapon. I just took my time, I knew he’d rush me. My corner told me to relax and get into my flow and boom I took him out.”

Chamberlain will get little rest, he will now return to action in two weeks’ time in another eight-round contest.

6 x 3 Minute Rounds Welterweight Contest
Conah Walker WPTS6 (60-54) Nathan Bendon

Conah Walker should have been up against Kaisee Benjamin for the Midlands Area Welterweight title, but Benjamin withdrew earlier in the week from a stomach viral infection.

Sutton Coldfield’s Nathan Bendon stepped in at the last minute and it was a rematch of their encounter in May last year that Walker won on points over six-rounds.

Walker was on top from the start, moving into range using a stiff jab and strong right hand before landing a hard body shot, then moving or swaying out of the way.

Walker kept working well to head and body and Bendon had some success with his right hand at points.

It was Walkers better work rate and cleaner punches that got him the decision again.

6 x 3 Minute Rounds Middleweight Contest
Michael Hennessy Jr WPTS6 (58-57) Tom Brennan

Undefeated middleweight Michael Hennessy Jr saw off the spirited challenge of Tom Brennan with a six-round points victory.

Burford’s Brennan called out for the fight during the lockdown and Hennessy accepted the challenge coming in fit and ready.

Hennessy was working with a new corner team of Junior Saba and John Pegg and he looked more composed and balanced as he pumped out a stiff left jab.

The Sevenoaks talent landed with some good clean body shots in the opening rounds and connected with a good right hand in the second.

In the fourth he showed some good combinations punching and landing with more clean body shots.

Although the score should have been wider than scored by the referee, Hennessy Jr. was happy to get a win after nine months out of the ring.

He said, “He was tough customer and I felt in control in there. It was good to get the ring rust off and I can’t wait to fight in two weeks’ time again. I think I showed new things in there tonight that I’d been working on and there is still plenty of improvements to come.”

The Sevenoaks talent takes his record to 4-0-1 and will be out in action again on September 5th in Wakefield.

4 x 3 Minute Rounds Super Welterweight Contest
Idris Virgo WKO1 (Time: 1:44) Josh Hodgins

In a Birmingham derby Idris Virgo didn’t even break into a sweat as he dispatched of Josh Hodgins inside one round with a sickening left hook to the body that had Hodgins scream out in pain.

The encounter was expected to be a fiery one after Friday’s ‘water fight’ during a video interview when Virgo squeezed a bottle of water into Hodgins’ face and the pair ended up squirting each other.

Virgo, the former Love Island contest, said, “They call me the Body Breaker, as soon as I hit the body they go. I’ll destroy any opponent put in front of me. Step in my way and you’re gone. I might have been in Love Island but I ain’t showing no love in the ring. I’m serious and I mean business, I’m here to show people I can fight.”

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

Jack Cullen has moved up to Super-Middleweight to chase his dreams of winning British, European and World Titles – but must beat Zak Chelli at Matchroom Fight Camp this evening to prove he belongs at 168lbs.

Former English Middleweight Champion Cullen (18-2, 9 KOs) was involved in a thrilling toe-to-toe war with Fight Camp week three headliner Felix Cash at Manchester Arena in November last year, falling short in an explosive battle for the Commonwealth Title. 

Both Cullen and Chelli will be looking to impress on the big stage and kick on in a red-hot 168lbs domestic scene that contains the likes of British and Commonwealth Champion Lerrone Richards, No.2 rated WBO contender Zach Parker and heavy-handed Scot John Docherty.

Cullen had been preparing to face Jason Quigley but has had to recalibrate to tackle game Londoner Chelli and knows that the clash is must-win for his career, but that won’t mean he’ll take a backwards step, and he expects the fight to catch fire.

“I think that this is the hardest I’ve ever trained,” said Cullen. “I was really excited about the Quigley fight but I think that there was talk about him being in the running for the Canelo Alvarez fight and any fighter is going to hold out for that as that’s the dream fight. He did what’s right for him and good luck to him, I’m just glad I’m fighting, I couldn’t be on a better show and Zak is a very good test.

“I don’t feel under any pressure, I’ve got myself in great shape to fight and I just have to go out there and do what I do best. I’ve watched a lot of Zak, he’s a good tough lad who comes for a fight, and I’m the same – so it’s going to be a belter. He likes winging it in and he’ll think he’s the bigger man in the ring, but on fight night he’ll see how big I am. He’s going to have a big shock. 

“I think that the time is right to move up to Super-Middleweight. I still have to make weight, it’s not like I am putting weight on to make 168lbs, I’m like every boxer, I’ll be cutting weight and then refueling, and I’ll be more than a Super-Middleweight in that ring, and he’ll feel that.

“It’s been good for me though as I’m not just concentrating on making weight, which is what happened in the last two fights, that’s all we were doing in the gym was making weight and not working on things to get the edge in the fight. It’s been totally different for this and I’ve benefited so much.

“I think there’s more pressure on him because I don’t feel pressure. I need to win, I know that, and the way that I see myself going in my life, I have to win this fight. I want a nice steady life from being a boxer, so I want to go for the British and European Titles, and from there we will see.”

Cullen vs. Chelli kicks off a huge night of action that sees Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) defend his Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs), with the WBC Diamond belt also up for grabs, Irish legend Katie Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) puts her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight crowns on the line against Belgium’s Delfine Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) in the biggest rematch in women’s boxing, Luther Clay (13-1, 5 KOs) defends his WBO Global Welterweight Title against Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs) and Croatian Heavyweight contender Alen Babic (3-0, 3 KOs) steps up to face Shawndell Winters (13-3, 12 KOs) over eight rounds. 

London, UK (22 August 2020) One of Britain’s greatest ever fighters John Conteh MBE has given Shakan Pitters a massive boost hours before his showdown with Chad Sugden for the British Light-Heavyweight Title, exclusively LIVE on Channel 5 from 10pm tonight.

The fight legend, who memorably won the WBC World Light-Heavyweight title against Jorge Victor Ahumada in 1974 at the Empire Pool, Wembley, transcended the sport in the 70s and become a household name through appearing on the iconic TV show Superstars.

Conteh held the prestigious Lonsdale belt – that Pitters challenges for tonight – over 47 years ago when he defeated rival Chris Finnegan with a hard fought points decision and believes Pitters could become a great champion in his own right.

“I think he has the potential to be not only a champion but a great fighter and his record proves that at the moment with thirteen fights and thirteen wins and four inside the distance. He has some punching power there to win the British title,” Said Conteh.

“He’s certainly got the ability to do it, he’s got the desire. I’m sure he’s won those fights because of his dedication, you have to be fully committed to fulfil your potential,”

“Give everything you’ve got, know what you’re going into. My trainer George Francis said ‘It’s won or lost on the training ground’ so you’ve got to give it 100 percent, always. That’s what Shakan’s doing at the moment, he’s unbeaten in thirteen, so there’s no slacking,”

“The domestic light-heavyweight division looks great at the moment with plenty of talents coming through so it’s good to see it in such fantastic shape. Forty-six years after I won the British title against Chris Finnegan, it would be great to see Shakan holding it,”

With boxing’s big return to free-to-air TV tonight on Channel 5, Pitters is looking to put on a big show with a potentially massive viewing audience that will further raise his profile and Conteh well knows the importance of a free TV platform as his fights were broadcast on the BBC.

He added, “For a boxer to build his profile it’s essential to get in front of the public and with free TV on Channel 5 he’ll get through to millions of people like I did on BBC. You have to leave it in the hands of the promoter who is guiding you to get the best exposure, which they’re doing. But Shakan has to focus on his job and he needs to concentrate on winning the British title tonight.”

PITTERS V SUGDEN IN THE MEDIA

Daily Star
Shakan Pitters aiming to put lockdown quiz defeats behind him on boxing return

BBC Sport Online
Shakan Pitters on West Brom rejection, new goals and a British title shot

Boxingscene
Shakan Pitters Reflects on The Long Road as Sugden Bout Looms

Seconds Out
Shakan Pitters vs Chad Sugden weights, TV channel & undercard

Daily Star Sunday
Saucy Shak To Go On The Attack

World Boxing News
Chad Sugden raring to go ahead of Shakan Pitters test on UK TV
British Boxing News
Pitters and Sugden get heated in interview

Shakan Pitters v Chad Sugden is exclusively live on free-to-air Channel 5 this Saturday at 10pm
In association with Ladbrokes and Infinitum, Hennessy Sports will present the exciting five-fight card headlined with the highly-anticipated Shakan Pitters v Chad Sugden British Light-Heavyweight title clash, plus the comeback of Brixton cruiserweight title contender Isaac Chamberlain in an eight-round contest against Wolverhampton’s Antony Woolery; Birmingham super-welterweight and Love Island star Idris Virgo faces Birmingham’s Josh Hodgins over four rounds; Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker faces Nathan Bendon in a six round welterweight contest, and fast-rising Sevenoaks middleweight prospect Michael Hennessy Jr takes on Burford’s Tom Brennan over six rounds.
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

Heavyweight Shawndell Winters has told Alen Babic in no uncertain terms that he’s bitten off more than he can chew for just his fourth pro fight this evening, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Winters arrived from Chicago to meet the Dillian Whyte managed Babic at the final installment of Matchroom Fight Camp, and their eight round Heavyweight battle has become one of the most talked about fights on the card following a spicy press conference on Thursday.

Babic has yet to hit the third round in his three fights to date, but Winters represents a huge step up in class, as the American enters the bout on the back of tackling former World Champion Joseph Parker in Texas in February, and as the 39-year-old enters his 17^th pro bout, he believes experience will be key.

“He ain’t the first person in the gym or on the streets to say he’s gonna knock me out,” said Winters. “I’m still alive! Am I mad? No, he’s supposed to say that. They made a mistake bringing me over here because it will propel me. When I beat him, when I show him how to fight, he will understand. I was 3-0 with three KOs once. I’m 13-3 now. I was where he was, I understand. I’m known for bringing the smoke! He has fought three cab drivers and has never been hit by a punch.

“The integrity, the moral compass I have? If I say to a man ‘I will knock him out’ then when I see him, that’s my energy. He plans on coming forwards. That’s what I love. He’s a kickboxer, an MMA fighter. All he can do is come forwards. He doesn’t know anything about establishing a jab.

“I found out about the fight a while ago, but I knew it was a possibility and the reality is I’ve been in the gym. I don’t have a 9-to-5 job, this is my job, so I’ve been training all the time, so you are never going to pop up and catch me off guard, that’s never going to happen.

“I expect him to come forward and try to do what he said, he wants to KO me, so I expect him to come forward with pressure and throw a lot of punches, and try to break me down. He can expect me to bring my speed, fast hands, it’s different to be fast AND quick, and strong. That’s what he’s getting from me.

“I feel that this is destiny for me. I’ve had three losses in my career and I’ve come back stronger from each one. The purpose for me fighting and winning and moving on is far greater than just beating my opponent. What I can do with winning these fights on these platforms is change where I am from. 

“I don’t know where a win takes me because I don’t know what people feel about this fight, but I will fight anybody, it doesn’t matter. Winning cures all, if you lose bad but come back with a better win, people forget the loss and just say ‘he just knocked him out!’ The loss is gone.

“I will fight King Kong or Godzilla. The Joseph Parker fight? I wasn’t 100 per cent. Babic will get a rude awakening. The reality is that I like to fight – that’s what I’m known for in Chicago. I was an 180lbs amateur beating up World Champions in the gym in Chicago. I’ve got more knockouts than Babic has had fights! It will definitely be about the experience. My skills are certified. He thinks he will beat me but that ain’t gonna happen.”

Babic vs. Winters lands on a huge night of action that sees Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) defend his Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs), Irish legend Katie Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) puts her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight crowns on the line against Belgium’s Delfine Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) in the biggest rematch in women’s boxing, Luther Clay (13-1, 5 KOs) defends his WBO Global Welterweight Title against Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs), Super-Middleweights Jack Cullen (18-2, 9 KOs)  Super-Middleweights Jack Cullen (18-2, 9 KOs) and Zak Chelli (7-1, 3 KOs) meet over eight rounds.

London, UK (22 August 2020) Tonight at a purpose built TV production studio in Redditch, the 26-year-old one-time world kick-boxing champion challenges 6ft 6in Birmingham tower Shakan Pitters in an East v West Midlands derby that has got the diehards drooling.

‘Fighting for the British title live on Channel 5, it doesn’t get any better. The Lonsdale is the best belt and I want to earn the right to have a photo with it wrapped round my waist,’ chirped the Nottingham-born ‘2Slick’ who cemented his worth by upsetting ex Commonwealth 12st king Luke Blackledge, then holding world rated Craig Richards to an eight round draw in the second half of last year.

‘The opportunity may have come sooner than expected but it’s definitely not too soon. Win this and I’m on my way.

‘We got an inkling (original co-challenger Craig) Richards might pull out so I was put on stand-by anyway. But I’ve been preparing for this since I was five years old, not just eight weeks.

‘Though I’ve not had a 10 rounder yet, I think the Board considered the calibre of my recent opponents and determined I was more than able.

‘I always keep myself in shape but I’ve trained as hard as I ever have. This has given me an extra buzz. Besides, I enjoy challenging myself. I’m really excited to test my skills against another good fighter. I like being the underdog, proving people wrong.’

Strongman Sugden, who hails from one of the nation’s most formidable fighting families, suggests that his substitution actually enhances the clash for the vacant crown.

‘This is a far more exciting fight for the fans than Pitters v Richards would have been. At some stage, it’s gonna light up!’ claims the former K1 star whose younger brother Regis is an undefeated pro welter.

Unbeaten co-challenger Pitters, the sky-scraping English champion, will present the sternest examination of Sugden’s formidable fighting credentials but John Costello, the Brummie who coaches Chad in tandem with his ex-world kick-boxing champion dad Dean Sugden, is confident that he is piloting the better machine.

‘Shakan’s a nice lad, a gentleman, who uses his physical attributes well. He’s very long behind his front hand then walks you on to his right,’ assesses Costello who steered Swindon’s Jamie Cox to a world super-middle title challenge.

‘But Shak came to boxing late whereas Chad’s from a pedigree fighting family. Fighting’s not in Shak’s soul, like it’s in Chad’s soul. This is totally the wrong fight for Pitters. Chad’s done very well against tall lads before in the kick-boxing and has a huge advantage physically in this fight. Chad’s unpredictable with a great sense of distance and good positioning. Shak won’t have dealt with anyone like Chad before, trust me.’

Qualified personal trainer Chad knows that he’ll have to deliver a career best effort if he is to get his hand raised.

‘Look, Shak’s a top fighter. He does plenty right,’ concedes Sugden.

‘But I fight different to most. Others attacked him in straight lines, I’ll be coming in at angles. Let’s see how he deals with that. And let’s see how mentally strong he is. I came through against Richards after breaking my nose in round two. I’ve been knocked down in the kick-boxing and prevailed. I’ve dealt with adversity. I’m war tested. Is Shakan? He’s not been the places in the ring that I have yet. I’ll take him there tonight.

‘Shak’s a freak at the weight but I’ve sparred with (6ft 4in ex British champion) Hosea Burton four times for this fight and he’s probably better than Pitters. Shak’s shoulders are big but he’s pretty slight, certainly not as thick as I am. I gain in other areas; strength, movement, timing. Though Shak’s a good bit older, he started far later than me. I’ve been boxing, since I’ve been walking.

‘Obviously, I’ll be trying to close the distance, Shak will be trying to maintain it. He’ll try to capitalise on his height, use the jab a lot, then load up with the back hand and those big right uppercuts. If I have to be clever, I can. He’ll get a shock when I land my jab on him. He’ll be hard to hit to the head early on so we’ll attack the body.

‘Now I just want to get in there. I’ll give it all I’ve got, push the pace all the way through. I’m coming to win every round.

‘I win because my ability is better and my boxing IQ is higher. Shak’s a tough lad but I will break him mentally, then physically. I expect to stop him.’

Shakan Pitters v Chad Sugden is exclusively live on free-to-air Channel 5 this Saturday at 10pm
In association with Ladbrokes and Infinitum, Hennessy Sports will present the exciting five-fight card headlined with the highly-anticipated Shakan Pitters v Chad Sugden British Light-Heavyweight title clash, plus the comeback of Brixton cruiserweight title contender Isaac Chamberlain in an eight-round contest against Wolverhampton’s Antony Woolery; Birmingham super-welterweight and Love Island star Idris Virgo faces Birmingham’s Josh Hodgins over four rounds; Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker faces Nathan Bendon in a six round welterweight contest, and fast-rising Sevenoaks middleweight prospect Michael Hennessy Jr takes on Burford’s Tom Brennan over six rounds.
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

LAS VEGAS, NV (August 21, 2020) – Earlier this week undefeated rising star, super lightweight Omar “Relámpago” Juárez (8-0, 4 KO’s), flew out to Las Vegas to get top notch sparring in preparation for his upcoming bout tentatively scheduled for early September. During his visit, Juarez sparred with WBA world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (23-0, 22 KOs), a session that took place at the Mayweather Boxing Gym in front of Floyd Mayweather.

“It was incredible to be in the ring with Tank Davis,” said Juarez. “Gervonta has tremendous power to go along with his high ring IQ. We went six rounds and I got to experience what the elite level of boxing is like. I got tagged a couple of times but held my own. Tank is no joke and I favorite him to beat Leo Santa Cruz. Floyd Mayweather was very cool and gave me some good compliments after sparring the second day.”

In addition, Juarez got work with others in the Mayweather gym as well as getting some good sparring at Jorge Capetillo’s gym. Juarez sparred three days straight and gained a lot of good experience.

“The knowledge I gained this week is invaluable and will make me a better fighter,” Juarez continued. “I’m grateful to all the fighters and trainers in Las Vegas who welcomed me with open arms. I’m going to take everything that I learned and apply it to my game moving forward.”

 •     Eleider Alvarez 174.6 lbs vs. Joe Smith Jr. 174.9 lbs 
(WBO Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator — 12 Rounds)

•    Rob Brant 161.1 lbs vs. Vitaliy Kopylenko 159.5 lbs 
(Middleweight — 10 Rounds)

•    Julian Rodriguez 141.5 lbs vs. Anthony Laureano 145.9 lbs 
(Junior Welterweight — 10 Rounds)

•      Clay Collard 159.8 lbs vs. Maurice Williams 158.2 lbs 
(Middleweight — 8 Rounds)

•     Duke Ragan 125.5 lbs vs. Luis Alvarado 126.8 lbs 
(Featherweight — 4 Rounds)

•    Robert Rodriguez 119.7 lbs vs. Abel Soriano 119.8 lbs 
(Bantamweight — 6 Rounds)

•    Adrian Valdovinos 137.2 lbs vs. Israel Mercado 136.6 lbs 
(Junior Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

•    Wendy Toussaint 154.4 lbs vs. Isiah Jones 157.2 lbs 
(Middleweight — 8 Rounds)
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.

Las Vegas – The last UFC^® event in August is set be headlined by an exciting bout featuring light heavyweight finishers looking to make a statement as No. 5 ranked Anthony Smith takes on No. 8 Aleksandar Rakic in a three-round main event.In the co-main event, former UFC welterweight champion and No. 13 ranked contender Robbie Lawler returns to action to battle fellow veteran and No. 14 ranked Neil Magny. This event will be closed to the public and will be produced with only essential personnel in attendance pursuant to a Health, Safety and Operations plan approved by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+®: SMITH vs. RAKIC will take place Saturday, August 29 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas with all fights carried exclusively on ESPN+ in English and Spanish. The main card begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, with the prelims kicking off at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Smith (32-15, fighting out of Omaha, Neb.) aims to impress with another highlight-reel finish. Having ended an incredible 30 of his 32 wins before the final bell, Smith has established himself as one of the most thrilling athletes on the roster with victories over Alexander Gustafsson, Mauricio Rua and Rashad Evans. He now looks to work his way back to the title picture by becoming the first man in the UFC to stop Rakic.

Among the youngest members of the light heavyweight top 10, Rakic (12-2, fighting out of Vienna, Austria) intends to steal the show and earn the biggest win of his career. A former kickboxer with nine of his 12 wins coming by knockout, Rakic rose through the ranks with emphatic first-round finishes of Jimi Manuwa and Devin Clark. He now seeks to prove that he can compete with the top of the division and solidify himself as a future title threat.

Former UFC welterweight champion and fan-favorite Lawler (28-14, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) returns to action for the first time in over a year. Among the most revered athletes on the roster, Lawler made his mark in the division with historic wins over Rory MacDonald, Carlos Condit and Johny Hendricks. He now aims to deliver a vintage performance to snap his recent losing streak and begin the climb back up the 170-pound rankings.

A UFC veteran since 2013, Magny (23-8, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) has competed against some of the biggest names in the welterweight division. Among the most active athletes on the roster with a record-tying five wins in a calendar year, Magny’s resume includes notable victories over Kelvin Gastelum, Johny Hendricks, Hector Lombard and Carlos Condit. He now looks to extend his current win streak and break into the top 10 of the division.

Additional bouts on the card include:

·         No. 14 ranked women’s flyweight Ji Yeon Kim (8-2-2, fighting out of Incheon, South Korea) welcomes No. 14 ranked women’s strawweight Alexa Grasso (11-3, fighting out of Guadalajara, Mexico) to the 125-pound division

·         In a highly-anticipated light heavyweight rematch, No. 14 ranked Magomed Ankalaev (13-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) and Ion Cutelaba (15-5 1 NC, fighting out of Moldavian, Romanian) look to earn a definitive win

·         Dana White’s Contender Series veterans clash as Maki Pitolo (13-6, fighting out of Makaha, Hawaii) makes a quick return to the Octagon to take on recent signee Impa Kasanganay (7-0, fighting out of Charlotte, N.C.)

·         Mallory Martin (6-3, fighting out of Brighton, Colo.) goes for her first UFC win when she meets Hannah Cifers (10-6, fighting out Kittrell, N.C.)

·         Middleweight veterans hunt to get back in the win column as Alessio Di Chirico (12-4, fighting out of Rome, Italy) takes on Zak Cummings (23-7, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.)

·         In a featherweight bout guaranteed to deliver action, Alex Caceres (16-12, fighting out of Miami, Fla.) looks to hand former GLORY kickboxer Giga Chikadze (10-2, fighting out of Tbilisi, Georgia) his first UFC loss

·         Polyana Viana (10-4, fighting out of São Geraldo do Araguaia, Para, Brazil) and Emily Whitmire (4-3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) meet in a clash of women’s strawweight hopefuls

·         Undefeated welterweight prospect Sean Brady (12-0, fighting out of Philadelphia, Pa.) looks to snap the win streak of Christian Aguilera (14-6, fighting out of Brea, Calif.)

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

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 102 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

About ESPN

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

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer 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 through offering fans thousands of live 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 $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ — all for just $12.99/month

(August 21, 2020) —Australia’s most anticipated fistic showdown in years has an American streaming home.
 
Former welterweight world champion and Manny Pacquiao conqueror Jeff “The Hornet” Horn will face Tim Tszyu in a 10-round junior middleweight bout Wednesday, Aug. 26, at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, Australia. A socially distanced crowd of more than 16,000 fans are expected for Horn-Tszyu, which will headline a special edition of Breakfast and Boxing exclusively on ESPN+ (5 a.m. ET/2 a.m. PT).
 
Horn (20-2-1, 13 KOs), from Brisbane, toppled Pacquiao in July 2017 via unanimous decision to win the WBO welterweight world title. Horn-Pacquiao, the Top Rank on ESPN series premier, peaked at 4.4 million viewers. Horn defended his title once before losing via ninth-round stoppage to Terence “Bud” Crawford in June 2018. He is 2-1 since the Crawford loss, most recently splitting a pair of action classics against countryman Michael Zerafa in 2019.
 
Tszyu (15-0, 11 KO), the Sydney-born son of legendary former world champion Kostya Tszyu, returns from a nearly nine-month layoff. He graduated from prospect to contender in 2019, closing out the year in December with a fourth-round TKO over Jack Brubaker that streamed live on ESPN+. 
 
“In my career, what I’ve accomplished and what I’m doing, my dad doesn’t play much of a role. I do my own stuff,” Tszyu told ESPN recently. “He taught me one thing and that’s work ethic, because of that I am who I am. If you want to succeed you have to put in the work.
 
“I’m proud of what my dad achieved. He’s the greatest boxer in Australian and Russian sports history. I do everything that he’s done. There’s a blueprint. If I could do half of what he did, I’m going to be a great in this sport.”
 
The Horn-Tszyu stream will also include unbeaten junior lightweight prospect Liam Wilson (6-0, 4 KOs) against Jackson Woods (4-1-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-rounder, former Australian 154-pound champion Joel Camilleri (18-6-1, 8 KOs) versus Adam Copland (5-1, 3 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight bout, and Australian middleweight prospect Issac “The Headsplitter” Hardman (6-0, 5 KOs ) against seven-year veteran Jamie Weetch (12-3, 5 KOs) in a six-rounder.
 
Lewis Crocker-Louis Greene Headlines #MTKFightNight Following Horn-Tszyu
 
The action continues Wednesday on ESPN+ at  2 p.m. ET, as MTK Global returns with a closed-door card from Production Park Studios in Wakefield, England. In the 10-round main event, Belfast’s Lewis “The Croc” Crocker will battle Louis Greene for the vacant WBO European welterweight title.
 
Crocker (11-0, 6 KOs) is making his headlining debut in his first scheduled 10-round assignment. He last fought Feb. 1 at Belfast’s historic Ulster Hall, where he notched an eight-round decision over John Thain. Greene (12-1, 7 KOs) has won three fights in a row since a unanimous decision defeat to Larry Ekundayo for the IBF European welterweight title.
 
In other action on the Crocker-Greene stream, British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion Lee McGregor (8-0, 6 KOs) moves up to junior featherweight to fight Ryan Walker (11-1, 2 KOs) in a 10-rounder; junior welterweight prospect Gary Cully (10-0, 5 KOs) takes on Craig Woodruff (10-5, 4 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight tilt; middleweight Fearghus Quinn turns pro in a six-rounder against Robbie Chapman (6-3, 0 KOs); and Darren Tetley (20-0, 9 KOs) fights Liam Taylor (21-1-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round British welterweight title eliminator.
 
August 23: Kazakh Amateur Superstar to Make Pro Debut at Cruiserweight
 
MTK Global presents a special Sunday show live from Almaty, Kazakhstan, which will showcase the professional debut of former Kazakh amateur superstar Kamshybek Kunkabayev. The two-time World Championships silver medalist (2017 & 2019), will make his professional debut in an eight-round cruiserweight bout against Issa Akberbayev (20-1, 15 KOs). Kunkabayev also won a pair of Asian Championships silver medals, while Akberbayev, a 6-foot-3 puncher who currently resides in Almaty, hopes to rebound from his first career defeat.
 
The scheduled five-fight stream kicks off on ESPN+ at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT and also includes:

• Lightweight contender Viktor Kotochigov (11-0, 4 KOs), who defended the WBC International belt last December, will fight Belarusian veteran Andrei Isayeu (30-17, 9 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

• In an eight-round junior middleweight bout, 2019 Asian Championships gold medalist and 2019 World Championships bronze medalist Tursynbay Kulakhmet will make his pro debut against former amateur star Sagadat Rakhmankul (6-1, 4 KOs), who has won three consecutive fights since his lone pro defeat.
   
• In an eight-round clash of undefeated middleweights, Abay Tolesh (5-0, 3 KOs) will take on southpaw Saparbay Aidarov (4-0, 2 KOs).
   
• Nurtas Azhbenov (9-0, 4 KOs), who has won three of his last four via first-round stoppage, will fight Shovkat Khalilov (7-2, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder at junior welterweight.

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.

NEW YORK (August 21, 2020) – TONIGHT at The Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, highly regarded Split-T Management signee Omar Rosario will make his highly anticipated professional debut when he takes on six-fight veteran Siolon Staley in a bout scheduled for four rounds.

Rosario,22 years-old of Caguas, PR, was the Puerto Rican Olympic Trial Champion at 152 lbs., and was the island’s favorite to win a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Rosario will campaign in the junior welterweight division.

Rosario was likely to star at the Olympics, however after many conversations with his coaches and family surrounding the uncertainty of the Olympic games due to postponement of the games due to COVID-19, Rosario has decided to make the transition to the pro ranks under the guidance of Split-T’s Tim VanNewhouse.

According to VanNewhouse, Rosario is a complete fighter with good fundamental skills – honed by over 200 amateur bouts – with a particular fondness for attacking the body like his idol, Miguel Cotto.

Rosario enjoys a strong support system at home that includes his brother Jose, a 2015 Pan-Am Games Bronze medalist boxer for Puerto Rico, and is in the process of completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing & Finance at Ana G. Méndez Universidad.

At Thursday’s weigh-in Rosario weighed 144.2 lbs. Staley was 143.6.

Rosario is promoted by Top Rank and he is trained by Joe Santiago.

The show can be seen on Telemundo at Midnight Eastern Time.

Zak Chelli says he’ll provide the fireworks on the last night of Fight Camp as he aims to KO Jack Cullen, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Chelli stepped up to Light-Heavyweight in September to tackle the hotly-touted Kody Davies at York Hall, and more than threatened to upset the Welshman after putting him on the deck on the second round with an uppercut.

The 22-year-old has no regrets stepping up in weight against Davies and believes that putting him over proves that he has power, and a punch that he’ll bring back down to 168lbs to put Cullen away in style inside the ten rounds and set up more big opportunities.

“You’re going to see fireworks – knockout fireworks,” said Chelli. “As soon as the bell goes, I can test him out inside the first ten seconds and then we’ll know what to do, if it’s going to go the full ten or if it can go early, but I am planning to take him out. I like his style because it suits mine, he likes to come for a war, and I like to hurt people and have a war too.

“He’s had 21 fights but he’s not really fought anyone. I beat Umar Sadiq and he’s fought for the British Title, Kody is a former Team GB podium boxer, and I’ve boxed a lot of other guys with winning records. So even though I’ve had less fights, I think I have the better record and I know I have had better sparring with Joshua Buatsi, George Groves and Chris Eubank Jr, and I’ve treated them more like learning fights.

“I won the Southern Area Title at just 21 and was Mandatory for the English title after that but unfortunately due to COVID that never came. This opportunity came along and I’m the type of fighter to take opportunities with both hands. It’s a great platform too appearing at Matchroom Fight Camp on Sky Sports Box Office, and one that I intend to make go well and open up even bigger chances for me.

“I think I was right to take the Davies fight. I did drop him in there but he was more of a Cruiserweight in there – I dropped a Cruiserweight in round two so imagine what I’ll do in this fight. Jack is not going to have the power of a true Super-Middleweight, and especially not one like me that can put over Cruiserweights.”

Cullen vs. Chelli kicks off a huge night of action that sees Dillian Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) defend his Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title against Russia’s Alexander Povetkin (35-2-1, 24 KOs), with the WBC Diamond belt also up for grabs, Irish legend Katie Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) puts her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight crowns on the line against Belgium’s Delfine Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) in the biggest rematch in women’s boxing, Luther Clay (13-1, 5 KOs) defends his WBO Global Welterweight Title against Chris Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs) and Croatian Heavyweight contender Alen Babic (3-0, 3 KOs) steps up to face Shawndell Winters (13-3, 12 KOs) over eight rounds. 

10 x 3 mins Super-Middleweight contest
JACK CULLEN 11st 10lbs 6oz v ZAK CHELLI 11st 10lbs 8oz
(Little Lever) (Fulham)

followed by

19:30 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS BOX OFFICE (encrypted)

8 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest
ALEN BABIC 14st 9lbs 0oz v SHAWNDELL WINTERS 13st 12lbs 0oz
(Croatia) (USA)

followed by

10 x 3 mins WBO Global Welterweight Title
LUTHER CLAY 10st 5lbs 8oz v CHRIS KONGO 10st 5lbs 5oz
(Bracknell) (Bermondsey)

followed by

10 x 2 mins Undisputed Lightweight World Titles
KATIE TAYLOR 9st 8lbs 3oz v DELFINE PERSOON 9st 6lbs 7oz
(Ireland) (Belgium)

followed by

12 x 3 mins WBC Interim and Diamond Heavyweight Titles
DILLIAN WHYTE 18st 0lbs 6oz v ALEXANDER POVETKIN 16st 0lbs 0oz
(Brixton) (Russia)

Unbeaten Super Welterweight Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will be donning some very special trunks to honor the fallen when he takes on Nathaniel Gallimore this Saturday night, August 22, live on FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Fundora (14-0-1, 9 KOs) will face Chicago’s Nathaniel Gallimore (21-4-1, 17 KOs) in the co-main event. In the main event, two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter face unbeaten German contender Sebastian Formella in a 12-round welterweight title eliminator.

The custom-made trunks, adorned with red roses, will be Fundora’s tribute to all the fallen people worldwide who have succumbed to COVID-19.

“The roses are for all the victims. Those who have lost their lives and those who have lost a friend or relative to this terrible virus,” said Fundora.

22-year-old Fundora, who speaks to young students about fighting for your dreams in his adopted hometown of Coachella, California, in his spare time, says the trunks are a small gesture of remembrance.

“I think we all need to fight on the same team to defeat this thing,” continued Fundora. “We’ve been on the ropes, but humanity will never lose in the end.”

“I’m so proud of Sebastian,” said his promoter Sampson Lewkowicz. “In every fight, Sebastian finds a way to dedicate his fights to a good cause or a good person. Last time, he dedicated his fight to Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter. People from Australia sent him messages about how much they loved it. Sebastian is a great fighter and future champion, but he’s also a good man.”

The Porter vs. Formella event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and Shawn Porter 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
About Sampson Boxing

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