LOS ANGELES (August 19, 2020) – German contender Sebastian Formella relishes the opportunity he has in front of him in his U.S. debut as he prepares to face two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter in a welterweight title eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, August 22 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

“I have always said that I want to compete with the best,” said Formella. “Now I have the chance. Even though I’m coming from Germany and the U.S. fans aren’t as familiar with me, I’m ready to do whatever it takes to win. I can’t wait to test myself against a welterweight superstar like Shawn Porter.”

For the 33-year-old Formella, challenges are nothing new. He debuted as a pro in 2014, already 26 years old, but quickly showed his mettle, winning a German middleweight title in just his sixth pro fight. After moving down into the welterweight division full time in 2018, he has reeled off five straight wins against opponents with a combined record of 95-8-1.

“Everyone who knows me, knows that I will face any opponent,” said Formella. “When my promoter called and offered me the fight, I immediately said yes – without knowing the details. I know what I can do and I’m willing to prove it against whoever is available. I am not a guy who gives up or avoids anything.”

Heading into this fight, Formella has been on a training camp world tour, participating in training camp in his native Germany, before two weeks of sparring in Istanbul. Eventually he arrived in the U.S., where he sparred with top welterweight Yordenis Ugas, who faced Porter in dropping a close title fight last March on FOX.

“One of the reasons this opportunity came at the right time is because I had been in training in Germany since June,” said Formella. “Since then, we had two weeks of sparring in Istanbul. We had rough conditions there and that made it all the better for training so I feel prepared for whatever is going to happen in the ring.

“One of the sparring partners in Istanbul was my promotional stablemate Volkan Gökcek. It was optimal work day in and day out. Once we got to the U.S., I sparred with Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas and I know that experience can only help me on fight night.”

Formella will have a tall task on fight night against the two-time 147-pound titlist Porter, who’s career resume is littered with big name opponents such as Errol Spence, Jr., Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia, amongst many others. Porter is defined by his rough and tumble, all-action style that ensures nobody is in for any easy night against him.

“Porter makes a lot of pressure, he can bridge the distance very well with his fast movements and he is very strong on the inside,” said Formella. “You always have to be careful and concentrated. You must not let him drag you into his fighting style. We’ve analyzed Porter, and we know it’s going to be tough. But it’s boxing and the nice thing about our sport is that a lot of things can happen that you don’t expect. We have a tactic set up and I’m going to throw everything at him to get the win.”

In his corner, his promoter Erol Ceylan has drawn a direct line between Formella’s underdog status against Porter and Formella’s similar status when he triumphed over Thulani Mbenge, who had come into that fight off of victories over Miguel Vazquez and Diego Chaves.

“Nobody believed in Sebastian when he fought for the IBO title against Mbenge and he surprised everyone,” said Ceylan. “Sebastian is someone who grows with the strength of his opponents. You should not underestimate him and the strength of his will to win.”

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ABOUT PORTER VS. FORMELLA
Porter vs. Formella will see two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter face unbeaten German contender Sebastian Formella in a 12-round welterweight title eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, Saturday, August 22 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features rising undefeated contender Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora going up against hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event. Sensational rising prospect Joey Spencer will also compete on the broadcast in a six-round middleweight special attraction against Shawn West. 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 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.

Anthony Joshua joins Natasha Jonas and Tony Bellew on the Sky Sports Box Office team for Dillian Whyte versus Alexander Povetkin and Katie Taylor-Delfine Persoon 2.

Britain’s Unified World Champion will be ringside to watch his Heavyweight rival Whyte battle Povetkin this Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and Irish star Taylor also takes on Persoon in a World Title rematch in the finale of Fight Camp.

Joshua is relishing the opportunity to watch Taylor, a fellow gold medallist at the London 2012 Olympics.

“I really respect her,” Joshua told Sky Sports. “She is phenomenal. She is someone I sit back quietly and learn from.

“She is a real-life athlete – I am more reckless. I take inspiration from her. She is a dedicated athlete.”

The Sky Sports Box Office team of experts also includes Jonas, who came within touching distance of a World Title when she battled to a thrilling draw with Terri Harper in the second week of Fight Camp.

“The girls are leading the way in Fight Camp,” said Jonas. “I’m most looking forward to the Taylor fight and I think Taylor has got a point to prove this time, so she’ll be looking to make a statement.

“Anyone around my weight class, is someone I’ve always got my eye on. You’ve got to look at them from a tactical point of view – and I’ll be looking for weaknesses.”

Bellew, who twice toppled David Haye at Heavyweight, will also supply analysis and opinion with Adam Smith, Anna Woolhouse, Johnny Nelson and Matthew Macklin.

“I can’t wait to see Whyte-Povetkin and Taylor-Persoon,” said Bellew. “A fantastic night of fights and it’s going to be exciting from start to finish.

“Povetkin doesn’t know any other way than to meet fire with fire. Whyte, he fights anyone, and gets stuck in from the word go. Whyte is a vicious counter puncher and I just expect an explosive fight from the word go.”

Adam Smith, Sky Sports Head of Boxing Development, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Anthony Joshua is part of our team for this Saturday’s Box Office event as Dillian Whyte risks his World Title ambitions against the dangerous Alexander Povetkin and Katie Taylor takes on Delfine Persoon in an epic rematch.

“AJ knows all about Whyte and Povetkin’s strengths, having already shared the ring with them, while he has followed Taylor’s career with interest since they were both Olympians at London 2012.

“Natasha joins us, just a few weeks after her thrilling draw with Terri Harper, and it could be a scouting mission for the Liverpudlian, who is keen to force her way into Taylor’s future plans.

“Tony Bellew is back on Box Office, this time behind the mic, and he knows all about the excitement surrounding a big Heavyweight clash. It’s a terrific Box Office team that will bring you every opinion and talking point in a thrilling finale to Fight Camp!”

Los Angeles, 19th of August– Sebastian Formella is not your everyday boxer. Especially not if you consider the fact that the 33-year old from Hamburg, Germany carries world championship gold around his waist. When Formella is not busy working in the gym, he is controlling container bridges at the port of Hamburg. In other words: apart from being a professional boxer he still has a daytime job that pays his bills. Even when he won the IBO World Title in 2019 he got back to work less than 48 hours later.

It doesn‘t get more humbling than that, but it’s something that might give him an edge over a lot of his opponents. Formella knows that without hard work and dedication everything means nothing in the end. In 2017 he found the perfect partner to put his laser focus to use, when he signed a contract with EC Boxing in Hamburg. Alongside Erol Ceylan „Hafen-Basti“ build himself up, selling out arenas with several thousand people in his hometown.

 Then, in July of 2019, he got a shot at then IBO Champion Tulani Mbenge from South Africa. The German homecrowd pushed Formella all the way to the end of this 12 round affair. A couple of minutes later legendary ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. declared him the unanimous winner and therefore the new world champion. Without this victory Formella wouldn’t be where he is today. Without this a big fight on a big stage would never come to fruition.
 

 But now dreams have become reality. On August 22nd Formella will take on non-other than former two time world champion „Showtime“ Shawn Porter. It‘s by far the toughest challenge of his career, but the German is not visiting Los Angeles to lose: „I have great amounts of respect for Shawn Porter, who is a world-class fighter. But I’ll come prepared. Me and my team have studied him closely“, Formella explains.

In preparation Formella held training camps in both Istanbul and Las Vegas. At the gym of famous coach Ismael Salas he got around to spar former Porter-foe Yordenis Ugas. No stone was left unturned for the biggest fight in Formella’s boxing career.

London, UK (19 August 2020) British Light-Heavyweight Title contenders Shakan Pitters and Chad Sugden came ‘head-to-head’ and the sparks began to fly as the clock ticks towards their big showdown this Saturday night, exclusively live on free-to-air in the UK on Channel 5 from 10pm.

The bitter Midlands rivals were due to clash over five months ago, but following the postponement of the original March 28 date due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdown, both fighters have been sniping at each other whilst waiting for the new date.

With the tension ratcheting up this week, tempers flared on the epress conference yesterday with a fiery exchange between the pair as Seconds Out host Danny Flexen – for the latest Boxing Unlocked special – attempted to get in between them and even he couldn’t separate the feuding pair.

Whilst starting off cordially and both predicting a hard fight and hoped that each other had prepared hard, it soon descended into a war of words as both attempted to out-do the other.

Shakan Pitters: He’s had plenty of black eyes.

Chad Sugden: Are you following me or something? I thought you didn’t do any research into what I do?

SP: I saw you in the first press conference and you had a black eye. Why are you getting black eyes Bro?

CS: So what? Just because I’m having hard sparring mate. Look when we get in there…it doesn’t matter. I had a black eye in my last fight and had a draw, it means nothing.

SP: You mean your draw with Craig? (smiling)

CS: Did you not see my face in that one, I had a broken nose in my one before that one. You’re laughing mate, you say you’re going to end my career, I’m 26, you’re 31-years-of-age, this is your last chance.

SP: You think?

CS: You’re done mate!

SP: Listen bro, this ain’t kickboxing. Man, this is boxing and like I said on Saturday I’m going to punch your face in. On Saturday I’m going to punch your face in, defo. You’ve shown up with countless black eyes. I can hit hard and I’m accurate with my shots. I just can’t wait to be landing on you.

Watch the full epress conference between Pitters and Sugden HERE and also the ‘head-to-head’ between Kaisee Benjamin and Conah Walker for the Vacant Midlands Area Welterweight Championship, plus Isaac Chamberlain, Idris Virgo and Michael Hennessy Jr.

LAS VEGAS (August 18, 2020) – Mexico’s leading welterweight prospect, undefeated Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (21-0, 16 KOs), leads an expected power surge Tuesday night, August 25, headlining the first RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® event since January 30 in Washington.

Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions presents back-to-back events Aug. 25h & 27h in Mexico with two rescheduled cards due to the COVID-19 pandemic, streaming 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.

The 28-year-old Dominguez, fighting out of Orebreon, Sonora, Mexico, will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX welterweight title in the 10-round main event against Mexican challenger Jose Rosario Cazarez (20-5-1, 10 KOs).

“We believe Santiago Dominguez has everything needed to be a champion,” RJJ Boxing CEO and co-founder Keith Veltre said. “He’s the highest ranked Mexican welterweight in the world, No. 20 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), and ready to move up to the next level. His opponent, Jose Rosario Cazarez, has won his last seven fights in a row. We’ll learn a lot more about Santiago in this well-matched fight. I think he’s going to be a key part of the future in a loaded welterweight division”
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In what has become a standard for RJJ Boxing’s co-features on UFC FIGHT PASS, undefeated Luis “Koreano” Torres (9-0, 8 KOs) and Jose Luis Vasquez (10-1, 3 KOs) square-off in the 10-round co-featured event. Torres’ power and Vasquez’ boxing ability combine for what should be an entertaining stylistic match-up.

Undefeated Phoenix, AZ welterweight Jerome Jones, Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs), who finished off each of his opponents in the opening round, puts his perfect professional record intact against consummate Mexican boxer Mario “Cachalote” Israel Vera (6-1, 0 KOs) in a six-round match. Vera’s lone loss came in his last fight on short notice against 19-1 contender Hector Zepeda by way of a 10-round decision on March14.

Dominguez (16 of 20 – 80%), Torres (8 of 9 – 88.9%) and Jones (4 of 4 – 100%) will provide plenty of power. They are a combined 35-0 (29 KOs) for an 82.9 knockout percentage. Viewers are warned, in advance, to not look away from their televisions or computers, never mind go to the restroom, while these three fights are being conducted for fear some awesome, live knockouts may be missed.

Also scheduled to fight on the RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS card is Las Vegas-based Mexican super bantamweight Ezequiel “La Brukena” Borrero (2-0, 1 KOs) versus Jhoan Cano (1-1, 1 KO), of Mexico, in a 4-round bout.

Mexican welterweights, Jesus “Fierro” Lopez (1-0, 1 KO) faces. Bryan Joel Morales (0-3), in a 4-round, off-UFC FIGHT PASS fight.

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

Miami – August 18, 2020 – “Boxeo Telemundo,” the #1 Spanish-language boxing program in the U.S., continues its all-star boxing lineup this Friday night, August 14 at 12am midnight ET. This week’s action will be headlined by Mexican fighters, Saúl “Baby” Juárez versus Axel “Mini” Aragón, 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.

In the summer season’s second fight night, fight favorite Saúl “Baby” Juárez (25-11-2-13 KO’s) hopes to redeem himself following two consecutive defeats, by Mexican Ganigan “Maravilla” López and Puerto Rican Jonathan “La Bomba” González, costing Juárez his Top 10 position in World Boxing Council’s (WBC) global rankings, pushing him to number 13.

Also looking to reclaim victory is Ensenada, Mexico native Axel “Mini” Aragón(13-3-1-8 KO’s). Friday marks Aragón’s first fight of the year following an October 2019 loss to Wilfredo Méndez of Puerto Rico for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Strawweight Title.

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.

LOS ANGELES (August 18, 2020) – Undefeated welterweight Liván Navarro will battle tough contender Justin DeLoach in a 10-round attraction that headlines action live on FS1 this Saturday, August 22 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Unbeaten super welterweights Ivan Pandzic and Jeffrey Torres will square off in a six-round showdown in the co-feature, while super lightweight prospect Justin Pauldo faces Josec Ruiz in an eight-round affair to kick off the FS1 telecast at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

The FS1 telecast will follow FOX PBC Fight Night headlined by two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter taking on unbeaten German contender Sebastian Formella in a 12-round WBC/IBF welterweight title eliminator on a broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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.

The 29-year-old Navarro (11-0, 7 KOs) scored an impressive victory in his last outing in May 2019, defeating veteran contender Breidis Prescott by unanimous decision. Born in Havana, Cuba and now fighting out of Miami, Navarro turned pro in 2015 and has steadily climbed up the rankings, including a stoppage of then unbeaten Willie Jones in 2017 and a 10 round decision victory over Armando Alvarez in 2018.

DeLoach (18-4, 9 KOs) will return to the ring looking to bounce back from a loss to then unbeaten Terrel Williams in April 2019. The 25-year-old put together an impressive run in 2017, defeating three-straight unbeaten fighters in Dillon Cook, Junior Castillo and Domonique Dolton, before knocking out Christopher Pearson in 2017. The Augusta, Georgia native suffered defeats against now unified champion Jeison Rosario in 2018 and Nathaniel Gallimore in 2017, before rebounding to beat Michael Ogundo in November 2018.

A native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Pandzic (13-0-1, 8 KOs) enters this fight on a five-bout winning streak, with all of those victories coming in 2019. The lone blemish on the 29-year-old’s record is a 2018 draw against Maurice Lee in just his third fight in the U.S. He returns to fight in the U.S. for the first time since that draw when he steps into the ring on August 22.

The 23-year-old Torres (6-0, 3 KOs) is unbeaten since turning pro in 2016 with a first round knockout of Mariano Rolon. Representing his native Hartford, Connecticut, Torres was successful in his first six-round bout in December 2019, as he won every round on the judges’ scorecards in defeating Antonio Chaves Fernandez.

Pauldo (13-1, 7 KOs) returns to make his 2020 debut after a 2019 campaign that saw him score first round knockouts over Federico Jesus Malespina and Tyrone Luckey. The 25-year-old from Orlando had previously earned a career best victory in winning his first eight-round fight via a unanimous decision over then unbeaten Joshua Zuniga in 2018.

A native of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Ruiz (21-3-3, 14 KOs) now fights out of Miami since making his U.S. debut there in March 2019. The 26-year-old has fought in the U.S. for his last five bouts, including most recently losing a decision against unbeaten Gabriel Flores, Jr. in June. Prior to that fight, Ruiz had been on a seven-fight winning streak dating back to 2016.

LOS ANGELES (August 18, 2020) – Two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter will face unbeaten German contender Sebastian Formella in a 12-round WBC/IBF welterweight title eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, Saturday, August 22 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features rising undefeated contender Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora going up against hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event. Sensational rising prospect Joey Spencer will also compete on the broadcast in a six-round middleweight special attraction against Shawn West. 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.

“With championship-winning performances and numerous ‘Fight of the Year’ battles, Shawn Porter has made himself into one of the top welterweights of this generation and he will bring his fan friendly style to the ring yet again as he seeks a path to a third world title,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Standing in his way is a hungry undefeated fighter in Sebastian Formella, who no doubt is coming from Germany intent on pulling off the upset August 22. In addition, rising super welterweight Sebastián Fundora will face perhaps his toughest test to date in Nathaniel Gallimore, and top prospect Joey Spencer again will look to show the promise that makes him a potential rising star in the sport.”

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.

Born in and Akron, Ohio and now living and fighting out of Las Vegas, Porter (30-3-1, 17 KOs) returns to the ring after narrowly losing a welterweight unification showdown against Errol Spence, Jr. last September, in one of 2019’s best fights. The 32-year-old has faced a slew of big names throughout his two runs as champion in the stacked 147-pound division. Porter’s first title was won in 2013 by defeating Devon Alexander, while his second championship came in a 2018 triumph over Danny Garcia. Along the way he was beaten top fighters such as Adrien Broner, Yordenis Ugas and Andre Berto, while coming up just short in memorable showdowns against Keith Thurman and Kell Brook.

“Me and my dad have been working hard since April staying ready for this opportunity to get back in the ring,” said Porter. “Over the past couple of years, any time I step in the ring there are some new wrinkles to my game. We understand that you can’t fight one way against everyone, so you’re going to see some small, slight wrinkles, but I’ll always been an aggressive fighter. Once I smell that blood, I’m going for it. We’re excited to show off a different side of Shawn Porter.”

The 33-year-old Formella (22-0, 10 KOs) turned pro in 2014 at the age of 26, racking up seven wins in the year before fighting and winning his first 10 round fight in 2015. He continued to rise up the rankings fighting in his native Hamburg, Germany, before capturing a regional title in 2018 by stopping Angelo Frank. He continues to ride his winning streak into his U.S. debut on August 22, having won three-straight 12 round decisions over Betuel Ushona, Thulani Mbenge and most recently Roberto Arriaza in January of this year.

“I have always said that I wanted to compete against the best, and now I have that chance on Saturday, August 22,” said Formella. “Even though the experts may think I’m the underdog, I have trained hard for this fight and will give everything I have in the ring. Shawn Porter is rightly a superstar in this weight class and I’m excited to get in the ring and test myself against him.”

Towering at nearly six-feet six-inches, Fundora (14-0-1, 9 KOs) has used his height and length, combined with power and aggressiveness, to rack up an unbeaten record since turning pro in 2016. The 22-year-old most recently defeated previously unbeaten Daniel Lewis in his 2020 debut on February 22. Fighting out of Coachella, California, Fundora entered the ring three times in 2019, including TKO victories over then unbeaten fighters Donnie Marshall and Hector Manuel Zepeda, before an exciting split-draw against fellow contender Jamontay Clark.

“You have to be at your very best when there’s adversity, like this pandemic, and I will be the best version of myself when I face Gallimore,” said Fundora. “You’ve only got three choices in life: give up, give in, or give it all you’ve got. I always rise up to the toughest challenges that are put in front of me and I plan on doing it again on August 22.”

Fighting out of Chicago, the Jamaican-born Gallimore (21-4-1, 17 KOs) has faced an impressive lineup of top super welterweights throughout his career, having most recently dropped a decision to Erickson Lubin last October. The 33-year-old also owns a TKO victory over unified super welterweight champion Jeison Rosario, and decision defeats against former unified 154-pound champion Julian Williams and current super welterweight titleholder Patrick Teixeira.

“I’m back working with my old trainer George Hernandez and I’m excited for everyone to see a new and improved fighter,” said Gallimore. “I have to go in there and prove myself. Fundora is a good fighter, but he’s never experienced the caliber of competition that I’ve fought. There are levels to this. I’m planning to to dominate each round. I just want everyone to tune in and catch the action because it’s going to be a fight to remember.”

The 20-year-old Spencer (10-0, 7 KOs) has made fast strides since turning pro in February 2017. The Linden, Michigan native kicked off 2020 in January with a six-round decision victory over Erik Spring on FOX. That win built on an impressive four-win 2019 that he punctuated by stopping previously unbeaten Travis Gambardella in September. He will be opposed by the 31-year-old West (5-1, 3 KOs), who fights out of Davenport, Iowa and enters this fight the winner of his last two contests.

“This was the best training camp I ever had,” said Spencer. “I feel better than ever coming into fight week. I know I have a pretty tough opponent with a good record, so I want to come out and show how much I’ve grown during this time away from the ring.”

“I’m blessed to be back and do what I love,” said West. “Joey is a popular fighter who’s been molded and shaped for big situations and shows like this. I’m extremely excited to pick his brain and talk combat in the with him on Saturday night.”

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Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.
For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

London, UK (18 August 2020) Michael Hennessy Jr was last out in a career-best six round clinic over Hungarian soldier Richard Baba in his last start, but the fast rising middleweight tyro refuses to allow complacency to compromise his climb towards the 160lb summit.

The brain-box – who bagged 10 A grade GCSEs – is clearly super smart on both sides of the ropes and, far from allowing the Covid lockdown to inconvenience his development, the unbeaten 20 year old has utilised the time to make critical changes which he insists will see him re-surface as a far more polished prospect when he returns to duty on father Mick Hennessy’s Channel Five show this Saturday night.

‘In lockdown, I did some college work in my down time (business and property course) but boxing is my job, my priority, and I’ve been working extremely hard on mastering the fundamentals; footwork, strength and conditioning, plus defence. The less you get hit, the longer your career lasts,’ disclosed the classy Sevenoaks youngster who reached national junior and youth finals in both England and the ancestral home of Ireland.

‘In the past I’ve underused my feet but I’ve recently made mine lighter and more durable. I don’t ever want to get ‘stuck in the mud’ inside a ring. If I do get trapped on the ropes, I’ve worked hard lately on blocking. I get my 15 year old sister Francesca to wing away at me and I only allow myself to evade. She’s pretty feisty!

‘During ‘Lockdown’, I’ve really sorted my nutrition out. I’m less than one kilos over my fighting weight yet feel my strength has improved significantly. I’ve developed out of recognition behind closed doors since The York Hall in November.’

That certainly bodes well, given that the lean and lithe 6ft 1in Hennessy delivered the second six round shut-out of his fledgling career in his London debut.

‘It was my homecoming and I loved it. I sold well over one hundred tickets, easily my most yet,’ states Michael Jr.

‘Though I’d hoped to force my first stoppage against good opposition – Baba was gassing badly in the fifth – he toughed it out. Still, I was very pleased with my performance because my prep wasn’t great. Three weeks out I got gastric flu but I stuck to my boxing, got hit as little as possible and won as ‘cleanly’ as I could.

‘Dad (his manager-trainer) was particularly happy that, for once, I’d stuck to instructions. In previous fights, sometimes I’ve been lazy with my feet and gone gung-ho.’

It was the third time that the amateur centurion had triumphantly navigated the six-round trip and with maestro Mick also promoting his passage, Mike minor is guaranteed regular berths on live terrestrial TV whilst he earns and learns.

‘There’s plenty of good amateurs who look unbelievable over four rounds but struggle to adapt to six and eight, whereas my relaxed style is tailor-made for longer fights,’ continues Hennessy Jr who has been testing himself at his Sevenoaks Boxing HQ in spars against talented local Kent fighters.

‘Due to the TV scheduling, my next four fights will all be scheduled six rounders but hopefully I’ll get a progressively better level of opponent for each. I hope to encounter as many different shapes and styles so that I’m fully prepared for when I reach title level.

‘By the end of next June, I’d like to have 11, 12 fights on my CV, including a few eight rounders and possibly even a 10 rounder and I want to be doing those rounds comfortably.’

And the lad they dub ‘Miguel Hernandez’ – due to his initials and propensity for Mexican style liver shots – promises to deliver a polished yet potent performance in an eerily silent empty room, with C5 cameras reeling in Redditch.

‘It’ll be weird, difficult to imagine; but we’re in great hands with Channel 5 who will be looking to produce a great show,” concedes Hennessy Jr, who will take on Burford’s Tom Brennan – who called out Hennessy Jr. during the lockdown for a 50-50 fight – over six rounds in his fifth pro-outing.

‘Brennan wanted this fight for a long time so I expect him to be fully prepared so I will not underestimate him. It’s crucial that I stay focussed. I’ve got to impress’.

‘While I’m happy with how I’ve started my career, there’s a hell of a lot of room for improvement. I’m not 21 until the end of this year. I can feel myself developing physically though I know I’m still some way off my full ‘man strength’.

‘I guarantee improved footwork, I’ll be much slicker, more focussed. Hopefully It’ll be like in Rocky III, when Apollo Creed turns Balboa the brawler into a master boxer (laughs).

‘I’m hoping for an exceptional performance; one that shows considerable improvement in all areas and hopefully have people talking highly about me the next day (laughs)’.

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; a fiery Midlands derby for the Vacant Midlands Area Welterweight title between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin and Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker, 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

Katie Taylor says she will silence her critics by putting on a “dominant performance” when she defends her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Titles against Delfine Persoon in a huge rematch at Matchroom Fight Camp this Saturday August 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

The undefeated Irish star (15-0, 6 KOs) captured the WBC crown with a majority-decision victory last June in New York, which was greeted with dismay by Belgium’s Persoon after ten thrilling rounds that had the MSG crowd on their feet throughout, and they will renew their rivalry this weekend in the biggest women’s rematch in the history of the sport.

Taylor is looking to get a more definitive win over Persoon before moving on to further legacy fights as she continues to cement herself as one of the best female fighters of all time. A second fight with newly-crowned Undisputed Welterweight ruler Jessica McCaskill could be on the cards after the American caused a huge upset against long-reigning champion Cecilia Braekhus over the weekend.

“I’m in this sport to create history and leave a great legacy,” said Taylor. “These are the kind of fights that are going to leave a great legacy in my career. The first fight was too close for my liking. It has been hanging over my head over the last year, so I was delighted when the rematch was nailed down. I’m looking forward to putting on a more dominant performance on August 22^nd and shutting up everyone that has criticised me over the last year.

“I did watch the fight back and it was obviously a very close fight. That’s why there is a rematch. I definitely couldn’t have given her more than five rounds, so for people to say it was a disgraceful decision or it was a robbery, is a disgrace in itself. I felt like I deserved to win the fight even though it was very close. I wanted this rematch. At the end of the day, I want to be involved in the biggest fights and the fights that people are interested in. This is a huge fight for me and for Persoon. It’s a huge fight for the sport.

“I think I’m going to be a completely different fighter on August 22^nd. I think people are going to see a completely different performance and a completely different fight from my perspective. I got drawn into a bit of a fight in the first one and sometimes that happens. I’m definitely going to be a bit more disciplined in this fight. I’m going to be ready for whatever Persoon throws at me. I’m completely prepared for this fight. I’ve been training for a big fight since January so I’m more than ready to step in and put on a dominant performance.”

Taylor vs. Persoon 2 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), 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) and Zak Chelli (7-1, 3 KOs) meet over eight rounds and Croatian Heavyweight contender Alen Babic (3-0, 3 KOs) steps up to face Shawndell Winters (13-3, 12 KOs) over eight rounds. 

(August 17, 2020) — Omar Rosario, a six-time Puerto Rican national amateur champion who won the 2020 Olympic Trials at 152 pounds, signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank.
 
Rosario, 22, will make his professional debut as a junior welterweight Friday evening in a four-round bout at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla.
 
“My dream has always been to be promoted by Top Rank, and I am excited that my dreams are coming true,” Rosario said. “I worked extremely hard to get here, and this is a testament to the hard work we do in and out of the ring. I am ready to conquer the boxing world and become Puerto Rico’s next superstar.”
 
Said Tim VanNewhouse, Rosario’s manager, “Omar is an outstanding talent and I’m happy I could fulfill his expectations of aligning him with Top Rank. Although I had big Olympic hopes for him, I know he is going to have a promising future in the pros.”
 
Rosario hails from Caguas, the same city that produced Miguel Cotto. As a young man, he was trained by Cotto’s father, Miguel Cotto Sr. He compiled a 175-34 record in the unpaid ranks and is currently trained by Joe Santiago, the Puerto Rican national team coach who was Cotto’s head trainer for his bouts against Joshua Clottey and Manny Pacquiao. A 5-foot-10 boxer-puncher, Rosario excels in the classroom as well. He is a junior at Universidad Ana G. Méndez, where he majors in marketing and finance.
 

Chris Kongo is planning on announcing himself as one of the best Welterweights in the country when he takes on Luther Clay for the WBO Global Title on the undercard of Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin on the final week of Matchroom Fight Camp this Saturday August 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office. 

Bermondsey’s Kongo (11-0, 6 KOs), a former Team GB amateur, has found opportunities hard to come by since turning professional in August 2016, facing mostly foreign journeymen on the small hall scene, but ‘2Slick’ was finally handed a golden ticket after teaming up with Heavyweight contender Whyte earlier this year. 

Not short on confidence, the 27-year-old immediately targeted fights with Matchroom men Conor Benn and Josh Kelly, looking to propel his name to the top of the 147lbs domestic scene. Kongo is determined to avenge the hotly disputed defeat he suffered to Rio Olympian Kelly in the ABA finals in 2013, but must first deal with the in-form Clay if he is to attract the attention of the division’s bigger names. 

“I took the fight straight away,” said Kongo. “I didn’t even have to think about it. I’ve been waiting for the opportunity and it’s here now, so I’m going to take it with both hands. It has been a long time coming. I’ve come up the hard way in the sport of boxing and there’s fire in my belly. I’m going to rip the belt from him. I’m not taking any chances. I’m not leaving it to the judges. We’re going to rip the belt off the champion. Guaranteed. 

“I believe I’m coming to take the title regardless of what Luther does. I believe this is my time. When it is someone’s time, it doesn’t matter what happens, you can’t stop it. I believe this is the moment Chris Kongo is going to be announced as one of the top Welterweights in the division. I need to prove that I am the number one Welterweight in the country. I know my level. That’s why I believe I can be at the top table.

“He’s going to try and bring the pressure because he thinks I’ll be rusty due to my time out of the ring. They’re going to be in for a big shock. They will try to put pressure on me and wait until the later rounds. It’s probably the worst thing they can do. We all know what kind of shape Jim McDonnell is going to have me in. 

“We know he’s not going to try and out skill me or outbox me because he can’t do that. His greatest attributes are always coming from the front foot. If he wants to bring the pressure, trust me, we’re going to meet head on. I’m a big Welterweight. I’ll be ready for that.”

Clay vs. Kongo 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, Super-Middleweights Jack Cullen (18-2, 9 KOs) and Zak Chelli (7-1, 3 KOs) meet over eight rounds 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 (17 August 2020) Newark’s Chad Sugden recently suggested in an interview that the adversity he’d encountered and overcome inside boxing and kick-boxing rings plus the MMA octogen, accorded him a significant psychological edge over his Brummie co-challenger.

‘Chad says I’ve had everything my own way but that’s because I MAKE everything my own way,’ fired back the 6ft 6in high rise Pitters who remains relatively untested while racking up a perfect 13-0 slate.

‘Look, big talk is easy. I hope Mr Sugden keeps it up and I look forward to providing my response in the ring on the night. Let’s see what he’s saying after he feels my power. He ain’t ‘breaking nobody mentally’. Boxing is a completely different to kick-boxing. He’s so easy to hit.’

The 31 year old Jon Pegg managed father of one cemented this British title shot with a career-best 10 round unanimous decision over Scunthorpe strongman Dec Spelman to land the English crown last September. Alas, Covid-19 has been his only opponent over the ensuing 11 months.

‘All the stop-start was frustrating. Ideally, I’d have had my British title shot around last December,’ disclosed Shak, who was initially pitched to face Craig ‘Spider’ Richards in March.

‘But the gap won’t hinder me. I was given a boxing bag to train at my mum’s (house) so I had everything I needed bar the initial sparring.

‘I’ve recently caught up with some good rounds with (Olympic medallist and former British champion) Josh Buatsi and (15-1-1 Birmingham pro) Steed Woodall. I’ve sparred cruisers and heavies plus lighter weights and all styles. It doesn’t matter that Chad brings a different style to ‘Spider’. A true fighter can adapt to any opponent in the ring. I’m ready for every eventuality.’

While the athletic former West Bromwich Albion trainee would have entered as a marginal underdog against the world-rated Richards – only for the Crystal Palace man to withdraw – Shak shall start a prohibitive favourite over Sugden, in his quest to secure the domestic 175lb crown previously worn by the likes of Harvey, Mills, Turpin, Finnegan, Conteh, Andries, Woods, Cleverly and Bellew.

‘To be honest, I never look at the bookies odds. In my own mind, I’d have been a strong favourite over ‘Spider’ anyway,’ states Pitters who is coached by Paul ‘Soggy’ Counihan.

‘But fair play to Chad for stepping in. Like me, Chad’s from a fighting background, a fighting family. So we’ve similar stories. The respect’s there. He’s been given a big opportunity to step up but I’m confident in my ability to deal with anyone in the division.

‘I studied Chad’s draw with ‘Spider’. He did what he had to do but he’ll find Craig and me are completely different animals. Sure, Chad seems tough and strong but, at just six foot, he’d be a lot stronger down at super-middleweight. I’m coming down from cruiser, remember. I’m just too big and I bring too much. I believe I hold the advantage over Sugden in every single area.’

And with a seven-figure nationwide TV audience expected, the one-time Ultimate Boxxer winner knows the stage is set for him to sizzle to stardom.

‘Though I’ve prepared thoroughly for 12 hard solid rounds I expect to be too big, too strong,’ concludes Pitters.

‘If I perform to my full ability, I stop him. Whether the ref steps in, his dad slings in the towel or he’s flat on his back, he’ll not see the finish.’

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; Birmingham super-welterweight and Love Island star Idris Virgo; a fiery Midlands derby for the Vacant Midlands Area Welterweight title between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin and Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker, and fast-rising Sevenoaks middleweight prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

Croatia’s explosive Heavyweight contender Alen Babic will battle Shawndell Winters over eight rounds on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s defence of his Interim WBC Heavyweight World Title against Alexander Povetkin at Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, on Saturday August 22.

Babic (3-0, 3 KOs) can enhance his growing reputation as ‘The Savage’ when he faces American Winters, live on Sky Sports Box Office, as Fight Camp reaches a finale with Katie Taylor’s eagerly awaited rematch with Delfine Persoon and Whyte’s crucial clash against Povetkin.

Whyte has spent the last few weeks in punishing sparring sessions with Babic, who is yet to be extended beyond the third round in his professional career. But Winters has proven his toughness in 13 victories, with just three defeats, and he ruined the unbeaten record of Oleksandr Teslenko last September.

Babic vs. Winters lands on a huge night of action that sees Irish legend Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) put her WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight crowns on the line against Belgium’s 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 Super-Middleweights Jack Cullen (18-2, 9 KOs) and Zak Chelli (7-1, 3 KOs) meet over eight rounds. 

Cecilia Brækhus can become a record breaker tonight against Jessica McCaskill, and the undisputed World Welterweight champion has questioned whether her challenger has the goods to rip the titles from her on the streets of downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, live on DAZN from 7pm CT/ 8pm ET.

Brækhus (36-0 9 KOs) tackles the unified Super-Lightweight champion McCaskill (8-2 3 KOs) and the Norwegian champion holds a significant advantage in experience over her rival, with 36 pro fights, 284 rounds and 25 World title fights under her belt against McCaskill’s 10 fights and 61 rounds in the paid ranks, with the Chicagoan entering just her fifth World title contest.

Both fighters know that victory could set up a monster showdown with the winner of next weekend’s rematch between Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon at Matchroom’s Essex HQ, live on DAZN, and the clash tonight follows hot on the heels of two epic battles for women’s boxing in promoter Eddie Hearn’s backyard, with Terri Harper and Natasha Jonas’ thrilling draw in week two in the first ever World title fight between two Britons and then Rachel Ball edging out Shannon Courtenay over eight breathless rounds last night – and now Brækhus and McCaskill pick up the gauntlet Stateside in a battle that promises fireworks in the street.

“Jessica is hungry, she has fewer fights than me but she’s younger and ambitions and been in there with some of the best,” said Brækhus. “She’s known for her work tech and grit, so it’s a good challenge for me. I don’t look at her flaws so much. She’s strong, she has good technique, she has taken major leaps in the last years and fights, so she’s a great fighter but I am just better than her all around. 

“We offered a fight to her before, but she didn’t feel that she was ready which is totally understandable, but she is now. Maybe this time would make her more prepared for a fight of this size and it’s a great time and I’m happy she’s fighting because it’s going to be a great fight. 

“She’s definitely one of the toughest fighters out there for sure, but I am at the point in my career right now where that’s how I want it and I wouldn’t want it any other way. If she has what 36 other women didn’t have, let’s see. 

“It’s a chance to put my name in the history books but I am using that as motivation in camp, but I never take anything for granted and my focus is just the fight in front of me and being the best I can be.

“I like this mini-tournament that we’re in right now, myself, Jessica, Katie and Delfine. Hopefully the winners will meet each other, it would be something to elevate women’s boxing and create a lot of hype.

“Challenges like this in Jessica, a Taylor fight in the future, I’ve been very lucky to be a part of this boom in Women’s boxing. We just needed someone to believe in women’s boxing in terms of promoting us, putting their strength behind us in promotion and giving us a platform for us to be shown. We have been waiting for this for hundreds of years, so we are not going to say no to a fight. We are tough because of what you go through as a female in this sport.”

Brækhus-McCaskill tops the bill on a massive night of action in the unique setting of the downtown Tulsa streets as Matchroom return Stateside.

Rising Super-Welterweight Israil Madrimov (5-0 5 KOs) can close in on World title honors as he meets Eric Walker (20-2 9 KOs) in a final eliminator for the WBA World title while Madrimov’s fellow countryman ShakhramGiyasov will now face Wiston Campos (31-7-6 19 KOs) after second replacement opponent Rey Perez was ruled out following original opponent Francisco Rojo being forced out of the bout after testing positive for COVID-19 during his training camp in his home city and a trio of young talents complete the card in Nikita Ababiy (8-0 6 KOs), Raymond Ford (5-0 2 KOs) and the debut of amateur star Marc Castro.

Saturday, August 15, 2020 (New York, NY)

As JOE SMITH JR.’s (Long Island, NY 25-3 20KO’s) WBO Light Heavyweight World Championship Title Eliminator against ELEIDER “STORM” ALVAREZ (25-1 13KO’s) comes roaring around the corner on August 22, a unique fight camp comes to a close. Gyms that were once filled with echoing punches on the heavy bag, the clicking of a jump ropes on the floor and the conversation of stories from boxing past, now remain in a deafening silence.

Regardless of the current COVID world, when the phone rings, Long Island’s Common Man, Joe Smith Jr., answers. Come fight night the goal remains the same for Joe Smith Jr., “I just want to keep it going,” he said, ” I got to put on a great show every time I’m in there, so I can have more and more people recognize me.”

Fighters, who are often characterized as creatures of habit, have dealt with this “new normal” in different ways. For Smith Jr., it was a change he recognized, but something he knew he must embrace and make ‘common’, “It was different but as far as training goes, when your training you’re not really around people going out and doing things, so the last two months haven’t made a big difference because I would separate myself from everyone normally.”

Smith Jr. will be returning for his second consecutive bout on ESPN (this time on ESPN+), where he was last in action this past January, defeating then #3 world rated light heavyweight JESSE HART (then 26-2 21KO’s) in classic upset fashion. Smith believes it’s his duty as a fighter to to bring live sporting entertainment into the homes of millions who have otherwise been in a sport drought, “Boxing has been carrying the sports world. We have to make sure if we have a fight coming up that we stay in quarantine to not mess anything up and be able to get in there to put on a show for the fans.”

After tuning in to the ESPN boxing summer series, Smith Jr. says the circumstances will not faze him come fight night, “I have watched a few fights on ESPN. It’s definitely different, but boxing is a lonely sport, when you’re training it’s only you and your trainer, that’s it.”

Alvarez-Smith Jr. is promoted by Top Rank in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, and Group Yvon Michel. The WBO Title Eliminator is set to take place August 22, live from The Bubble at MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, on ESPN +.

Las Vegas – The fourth season of the hit show Dana White’s Contender Series continues with Episode 3, featuring a lineup of rising athletes looking to make their dreams come true by impressing UFC President Dana White and earning a spot on the UFC roster.

The third episode of season four takes place on Tuesday, August 18 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with all five bouts streaming exclusively on ESPN+ in the US.

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN.com, ESPNPlus.com or the ESPN App on all major mobile and connected TV devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire, Apple, Android, Chromecast, PS4, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, X Box One and more. Fans can sign up for $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, with no contract required.

To support your coverage, please find the download link to the season four sizzle reels here and here. In addition, please find the download link for the season four athlete feature here, which highlights some of the participating athletes, their backgrounds and what competing on Dana White’s Contender Series means to them.

Season 4, Episode 3 – Confirmed Bouts:

Welterweight

Louis Cosce vs. Victor Reyna

Women’s Strawweight

Cheyanne Buys vs. Hilarie Rose

Welterweight

Orion Cosce vs. Matt Dixon

Heavyweight

Josh Parisian vs. Chad Johnson

Lightweight

Kevin Syler vs. Ken Cross

Visit the UFC.com for information and additional 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

First bell: 7pm CT/ 8pm ET – live on DAZN
 
6 x 3 mins Featherweight Bout 
 
Raymond Ford: 126.8lbs
 
Eric Manriquez: 126.6lbs.
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins Super Lightweight Bout (142lbs catchweight) 
 
Shakhram Giyasov: 141.4lbs.
 
Wiston Campos: 141.4lbs.
 
Followed by
 
6 x 3 mins Middleweight Bout 
 
Nikita Ababiy: 160.2 lbs.
 
Jarvis Williams:159.4 lbs.
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins WBA World Super Welterweight final eliminator 
 
Israil Madrimov: 153.6 lbs.
 
Eric Walker: 153.2 lbs.
 
Followed by
 
10 x 2 mins Undisputed World Welterweight Title 
 
Cecilia Brækhus: 145 lbs.
 
Jessica McCaskill: 144.4 lbs.

Friday, August 14, 2020 (New York, NY)

An “0” must go on August 22 when undefeated East Hartford, Connecticut’s, “ACTION” ANTHONY LAUREANO (13-0 4KO’s) takes on Hoboken, New Jersey’s, JULIAN “HAMMER HANDS” RODRIGUEZ (19-0 12KO’s) in a scheduled 10-round super lightweight bout at The Bubble inside of MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The bout is set to take place on the undercard of the highly anticipated WBO World Title Eliminator between Long Island’s Common Man and #4 world rated (WBO) light heavyweight, JOE “THE BEAST” SMITH JR. (25-3 20KO’s) and #3 world (WBO) rated light heavyweight, ELEIDER “STORM” ALVAREZ (25-1 13KO’s). Laureano, like Smith Jr., fights under the Star Boxing banner.

Laureano prides himself on his humble beginnings, but don’t allow his constant smile to fool you, he comes to fight. “Action” Anthony rose the ranks of the New England amateur circuit, culminated by adding back to back Open Western Massachusetts Golden Glove Championship (’15, ’16), as well as a 2016 New England Golden Gloves Championship, to his mantle. Turning pro in September of 2016, Laureano has not looked back, ripping off 13 consecutive wins. As a pro Laureano earned the ABO Continental America’s super lightweight title, successfully defending the belt three-times, and was named 2018 Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame Fighter of the Year. This will be the biggest fight of Laureano’s career which has been nurtured by Star Boxing, developing him into a local fan favorite.

Laureano believes it’s his turn to shine, “I want to show the world that faith moves mountains. I want to show everyone my heart and my grit. I will receive my blessing. You know you will see Action! I’m coming for mine! God is always good!”

NATE TORRES, Manager and Trainer of Laureano, commented, “We are very grateful for the opportunity to be fighting on such a great card. Anthony is prepared to put on a great show. We know Julian is a very good fighter and we have prepared as such. Our team is just as confident as they are. We are coming to win! It will be a great fight!”

Julian Rodriguez is considered one of the top prospects in the country. He amassed over 230 amateur fights winning the 2013 National Golden Gloves. At the age of 25, Rodriguez is a 6-year professional with skillset to back up his perfect record. After a 22-month layoff due to a shoulder injury, Rodriguez returned with vengeance in 2019, going 3-0 with two wins coming by way of knockout. Most recently Rodriguez laced them up at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of the Commey-Lopez IBF World title fight, where he dominated an 8-round decision over Manuel Mendez (80-71 x2, 79-72).

Star Boxing CEO, JOE DEGUARDIA, who has developed Laureano into a local fan favorite stated: “Anthony is truly an exciting warrior with a relentless style. He and his team have been seeking a big breakout fight and I am happy to give him this opportunity. Whenever Anthony is in the ring, there is guaranteed action and, considering Julian is a hard-hitting top prospect, I expect a thriller when they clash on August 22.”

WATCH:
Catch up with ANTHONY LAUREANO’S past bouts ahead of #RodriguezLaureano:
Laureano vs Brian Jones | Catskills Clash II | September 14, 2019
Laureano vs Dieumerci Nzau | Catskills Clash I | June 28, 2019
Laureano vs Ronald Rivas | Slugfest At the Sun | January 26, 2019

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – August 14, 2020 – WBC Super Middleweight World Champion David Benavidez missed weight today at the official weigh-in for Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader, losing his world title belt on the scale. Benavidez will face world title challenger Alexis Angulo in the main event as planned. Angulo can earn the WBC 168-pound title with a win.  All other fighters on the card made weight.  Final weights, photos and officials are below.

Complete weigh-in coverage provided by MORNING KOMBAT with hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell including a live interview with Benavidez immediately following the weigh-in, is available here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyNuvsx1hE4&feature=youtu.be.

Photos from Friday’s official weigh in: HERE Credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

WBC Super Middleweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

David Benavidez – 170¾  lbs.

Alexis Angulo – 167½ lbs.

Referee: John Callas (West Hartford (Union, N.J.); Judges: John McKaie (Flushing, N.Y.), Chris Migliore (Las Vegas), Don Ackerman (West Oneida, N.Y.)

WBA Lightweight Interim Title – 12 Rounds

Rolando Romero – 134¾ lbs.

Jackson Marinez – 135 lbs.

Referee: Harvey Dock-Union (Union, N.J.); Judges: Glenn Feldman (Avon, Conn.), Frank Lombardi (Brookfield, Conn.), Don Trella (Noank, Conn.)

Heavyweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Otto Wallin – 241¾ lbs.

Travis Kauffman – 234¼ lbs.

Referee: Michael Ortega (East Haven, Conn.); Judges: John McKaie (Flushing, N.Y.), Chris Migliore (Las Vegas), Don Trella (Noank, Conn.)

David Benavidez on losing his world title on the scale:

“I’m very disappointed. This is obviously my first time missing weight. Just very disappointed to lose the title on the scale, but I’m still going to win the fight tomorrow. I put the blame on myself. It’s just the last three pounds wouldn’t come off. Maybe not having the proper things I needed like no sauna. I was only able to go to the gym an hour a day since I got here. It’s just a couple of different things, but I still have a job to do tomorrow. Maybe later the opportunity will present itself, but I still have a fight to win.

“I didn’t think this all the way through. Coming in I thought I would have access to more, but I didn’t. Maybe this is a message to all the other fighters who have a little bit of trouble with their weight. It’s going to be hard to make the weight if you already have trouble. If you need a couple extra things like the gym or the sauna, you better come into the bubble already on weight. Because it’s very hard.”

*  *  *

Saturday’s fights are presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions. The main event is promoted in association with Sampson Boxing and the Wallin-Kauffman bout is promoted in association with Salita Promotions and Kings Promotions.

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

ORANGE, Calif. (August 14, 2020) – Thompson Boxing Promotions is pleased to present their second 3.2.1 Boxing event since the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring three action-packed bouts on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The free stream will air live on the Thompson Boxing Promotions website (www.thompsonboxing.com), as well as their Facebook and YouTube pages.

3.2.1. Boxing will take place at the Omega Products International
Event Center in Corona, CA, and will start at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET. 3.2.1 Boxing is a non-audience show.

In the 8-round main event, welterweight Louie Lopez (8-0-1, 4 KOs), of Corona, Ca will do battle with Saul “Avatar” Bustos (12-0-1, 7 KOs), who fights out of Los Angeles, CA, in a match-up of two unbeaten prospects with one looking to become a contender.

Lopez, who is coached by Henry Sanchez, will be looking to make a statement as will Bustos. Lopez has faced some good opposition so far in his career but is also looking to shake off the ill-feelings of a draw he had against Demarcus Layton, two fights ago. Bustos is looking to carry the momentum from his last fight, a TKO against Ariel Vasquez.

In the 6-round co-feature, the very talented George “El Yuyu” Acosta (9-1, 1 KO), of Whitter, Ca, will face Teodoro “El Regalo” Alonso (3-2) of Los Angeles, CA, in a bout that is sure to be fan friendly.

The opening 6-round super flyweight bout sees Mario Hernandez (10-1-1, 3 KOs) of Santa Ana, CA, against Manny “Meny” Flores (8-0, 5 KOs), in a fight that will dictate where both fighters careers will go from here.

“We returned with our first online PPV with Michael Dutchover, Ruben Torres and Arnold Dinong and it was a great show that got fantastic feedback,” said promoter Ken Thompson. “We are now looking to move forward and put on more great entertaining shows for fight fans across the country. Our goal is to give the fans competitive high-quality fights while adhering to the California guidelines for safety during these trying times.”

“We’re glad to be back with our second edition of 3.2.1. Boxing,” said Alex Camponovo, Thompson Boxing’s general manager and creator of 3.2.1 Boxing. “All of these bouts will provide good action, and stern tests for each fighter as anything could happen on fight night. A lot is on the line for these guys as they have had a long lay-off and now are in fights that could elevate their careers quickly.”

Beto Duran will operate as the blow-by-blow commentator with expert commentary by Dough Fisher, while Jessica Rosales will serve as the onsite ringside reporter.

3.2.1 Boxing is sponsored by Makita: Rule the Outdoors and Henry-Fotifiber: Building Confidence, Omega Products International, and Thompson Building Materials.

For more information, regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. You can also follow the conversation on social media, please use #321Boxing and #ThompsonBoxing.

Please check our Facebook Page, watch our YouTube channel on Thompson Boxing TV, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

(ESPN & ESPN Deportes, 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT)

    •     Carl Frampton 134.4 lbs vs. Darren Traynor 134.25 lbs 
(Lightweight — 10 Rounds)

•    Michael Conlan 126.25 lbs vs. Sofiane Takoucht 126.6 lbs 
(Featherweight — 10 Rounds)

•    Archie Sharp 133 lbs vs. Jeff Ofori 131.1 lbs 
(Lightweight— 10 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT)

•    Troy Williamson 152.8 lbs vs. Harry Scarff 153.3 lbs 
(Williamson’s IBF European Junior Middleweight title— 10 Rounds)

•    Paddy Donovan 146.5 lbs vs. Des Newton 149.3 lbs 
(Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

Friday, August 14, 2020 (New York, NY)

Standout Irish amateur TONY BROWNE is set to go pro after signing a promotional agreement with Hall of Fame Promoter JOE DEGUARDIA and Star Boxing.

Star Boxing adds to its talented stable another young Irish prospect after announcing late last week the signing of undefeated Irish super lightweight RYAN O’ROURKE (3-0).

The move ends the decorated amateur chapter of Browne’s career who was listed at #4 on Ireland’s amateur pound for pound list. Browne represented Ireland internationally, medaling at The Chemistry Cup (World Cup), the Eindhoven Box Cup and a slew of several Irish National Titles.

While Browne who will be campaigning at super middleweight, has had no shortage of professional experience having sparred around the world with some of the best to do it, including Chris Eubank Jr., in his preparation for his bout against James DeGale.

Browne currently trains with Steven O’ Rourke in Inchicore alongside his now stablemate, Ryan O’Rourke. Browne is managed by Conor Slater of Slater Consulting. Browne will look to make his pro-debut closer to home in the coming months, with a fight date likely to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing commented, “It is great to welcome Tony to the team. He is one of the most exciting amateurs in world boxing and his pedigree speaks for itself. We believe he is well suited to the pro game and I look forward to seeing him progress.”

Tony Browne added, “I’m delighted to have finally turned pro. This has been a dream of mine for a very long time, and this opportunity that has presented itself is one I had to grab with both hands. People have always said I’m suited for the pro game, so I’m raring to show that I am. A big thanks to my team Steven and Conor and of course to Joe and everyone at Star Boxing for this amazing opportunity. I’m looking forward to getting started. I haven’t turned pro just to make up the numbers or to win just a couple of belts, I want to be world champion and leave a legacy. That’s my goal.”

London, UK (14 August 2020) The skilled and sturdy 6ft 2in Brixton boy spent his early years trapped in the gang-infested, gun, knife and drug riddled Loughborough and Angell Town estates of London SW9 – a red zone on the Met Police’s Gang Matrix – where, too often, the elderly outlive the young.

Twenty-six year old ‘Chambo’ claims that only boxing rescued him from a cell or a cemetery so is now committed to using his profile as a stand out athlete to rescue troubled youngsters as an ambassador for the ‘Gloves Up, Knives Down’ initiative.

‘Just because you grew up in the ‘hood, doesn’t mean you want to end up there,’ philosophises ‘IC’ who returns to duty following a frustrating 22 month hiatus in an eight rounder on new manager-promoter Mick Hennessy’s Channel 5 show live next Saturday (22nd August) at a TV studio in Redditch.

‘The boxing gym saved me, helped me forget. You drift in and out of street life – you instinctively follow what your friends are doing and street life was always part of that – but thankfully I was never too heavily involved.

‘Those streets definitely toughened me mentally for life as a pro fighter I guess but the streets are nothing compared to the discipline that’s needed to succeed against another trained fighter inside the ring. That brings another level of respect entirely.

‘‘Gloves Up, Knives Down is something very dear to me. I give talks, visit schools, and preach that nothing positive ever came out of ‘road life’. The streets bring easy money. Drugs and guns are the easy way. Any mug can pull a trigger, far harder to challenge your skills and character against another trained man. The discipline needed to be a successful boxer is a far harder but far more rewarding road.’

Chamberlain might rue the harsh hand that fate dealt him in his early years but those sinister south London streets certainly instilled an inner steel that has been a constant throughout his stop-start paid career.

‘In just my fifth fight, I broke my rib against Russ Henshaw (then 6-0) but dug in to stop him in round six,’ recalls ‘Chambo’ who has yielded just once in a five year 11 bout pro career.

‘After that, I fought with a dislocated shoulder from round three against Wadi Camacho but went 10 very hard rounds to win the Southern Area in only my sixth fight. I was only 22 at the time fighting big, fully grown men.’

‘My last win over (ex Commonwealth king) Luke Watkins was a weird one cos I actually thought I was well in front, cruising, and only pressed for the knock out to entertain the crowd, rather than salvage the fight. (A last round knockdown saw ‘Chambo’ edge a 95-94 verdict). I was amazed to discover the win depended on that knockdown. I finished every round stronger and thought I’d won at least six, easy.’

Even in his solitary setback – to 2016 Olympian Lawrence Okolie at London’s O2 Arena in February 2018 – Chamberlain’s resilience was beyond reproach, even if his silky skills temporarily went AWOL.

And the Brixton bruiser believes it’s his proven ticker and tenacity that will ultimately take him to the top of Britain’s hugely competitive cruiserweight crop.

‘My knee was ruined after Okolie first pushed me down in round one but I still slogged through on the adrenalin. It was only 20% of me in there,’ insists affable Isaac.

‘Though others in the division say they want it more, I’ve already SHOWN I want it more. That’s the difference. You can measure height, weight, reach. You can’t measure heart!’

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; Birmingham super-welterweight and Love Island star Idris Virgo; a fiery Midlands derby for the Vacant Midlands Area Welterweight title between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin and Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker, and fast-rising Sevenoaks middleweight prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

LONDON (August 13, 2020) — The Belfast Boys, former two-weight world champion Carl “The Jackal” Frampton and unbeaten featherweight Michael “Mick” Conlan, participated in a Zoom press conference Wednesday in advance of their co-headlining bouts Saturday on ESPNfrom London (4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT). Conlan will face recent world title challenger Sofiane Takoucht, while Frampton, who is currently campaigning at junior lightweight, will make a pit stop at lightweight against Scottish veteran Darren Traynor.

The ESPN opener features world-ranked junior lightweight contender Archie Sharp against Jeff Oforiin a 10-rounder. 

Here is what Frampton, Conlan and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum had to say.

Carl Frampton

On the late opponent switch and fighting at lightweight rather than junior lightweight

“Obviously, it was a disaster, the whole lead-up regarding opponents. I have to give MTK Global credit. They assumed there could’ve been {an issue} because of the current situation that the whole world is facing. It turned out Corona didn’t affect anything, but the issue was visa problems for {Vahram} Vardanyan, the original opponent. I think Traynor has been paid by MTK for the last four or five weeks on the chance that this fight may have come about. So, Traynor has been training for me for five weeks. I’ve been training for him for one week.”

On fighting as a lightweight for the first time

“It hasn’t really affected me, to be honest. I’ve enjoyed this fight week more than any other because I’ve been doing the weight OK.

“Although I’m short in stature, I walk around about 150, 148 anyway. {Traynor} is probably doing me a favor as well.”

On the Jamel Herring fight

“That’s the fight that I want. We kind of had a date agreed — June 13 was the proposed date, and I think everything was pretty much set to go and the fight was going to happen. And I supposed with it kind of falling away that he wouldn’t be as keen anymore or maybe Top Rank wouldn’t be as keen to make the fight, or the governing body. But everyone seems on board. I want the fight. Jamel wants it. Top Rank and Bob Arum want it. I think that is the plan, to have that fight next.”

On a potential third Leo Santa Cruz fight

“I don’t see that fight ever happening. I think Leo did promise that, but I think, to be honest, he’s full of sh*t. The fight could’ve happened if he wanted it to happen. It never has, and it’s a shame.”

Bob Arum

On the status of Herring vs. Frampton

“If Jamel is successful {Sept. 5 against Jonathan Oquendo}, and if Carl is successful on Saturday, I have a date picked out in November where they’ll fight for the title. That’s done. Everyone is on board. One thing I can’t control is the virus, but we’re going to do that fight in November. It may very well be another ‘Bubble’ fight.

“If both guys win these interim fights, you can count on a world title fight between Herring and Frampton in November.”

Michael Conlan

On fighting in an empty arena

“This is something I’ve wanted to do. It’s going to be a challenge, something different, something I haven’t experienced as a fighter, boxing in an arena with no one there. It’s exciting me to hear those winces and the pounding of the breath, everything about it. It’s something that’s lit a spark under me in training camp. I’ve been sparring with no music on.”

On moving down junior featherweight after Saturday’s fight

“I came out of this pandemic lighter than I’ve ever been. I think it’s just the reset button on me, myself, and I’ve kind of refocused myself. I can make 122 tomorrow if I really needed to. That’s why the decision was made.

“We’ll fight Takoucht at 126, and then after that, we’ll move down.

“I would love a {world title shot} in my next fight. I know it may not be possible the way things stand with the WBO, but 100 percent I’d be happy to challenge for the WBO title next.

“I’d be confident in facing any of {the champions now}. If that was the case, it’d be no problem. But we’ll get this one out of the way Saturday and then 122, here I come.”

On fight week during a pandemic

“If I’m being honest, it’s the most relaxed and chilled fight week I’ve had. Usually, we have the hoopla, the hyperbole, everyone around, having to go here and there to do interviews. It’s been chilled at the hotel, chilled out with the team, having fun. This time I actually brought my PlayStation and I’m playing some “Call of Duty.”

On fighting an opponent who recently fought world champion Josh Warrington and equaling what Warrington accomplished (second-round stoppage win)

“It’s different situations. Warrington was coming off three great wins against three really top-class opponents, and he faced Takoucht, who is relatively unknown, in his own backyard in front of 20,000 of his fans. I think {Takoucht} froze in front of the headlights. I would be stupid and reckless if I were to go out and try and blast this guy out like Warrington did, but I definitely will be going in to make a statement. I’ll do it in my own way. I don’t need to live up to anybody’s expectations or compare myself to Josh Warrington. I’m Michael Conlan.”

Cecilia Brækhus
 
“This is going be a hell of a fight. I think everyone who knows our careers, fights, and how hard we work – they will know this will be a great fight. We have both been fighting since January, we both have been in camp, so we will see come Saturday that I’m in the best shape and form ever. 
 
“Jessica’s hungry, she knows what doors can open if she beats me. I have seen her against Katie Taylor and gave her problems, so you know she’s hard working and dedicated. I feel I have better skills. I try not to focus on the record, I focus on my task in camp, but you know it would be huge. That’s a record that won’t be broken in quite a while.” 
 
Jessica McCaskill
 
“I have had pretty enormous fights leading up this fight. I’m confident in my fighting and skills, and that’s all I worry about. Cecilia has an amazing record, history that she has created, but some of that history is before this era and it can be seen differently compared to the fighters in this era. I’m here to challenge everything she has put on the table. Cecilia wants to hear that I will knock her out and not here to rub her back. She wants me to be the
best fighter. 
 
“You’re going to see the best form of fighting. A lot of brawling, a lot of things you haven’t seen out of me, a lot of fireworks.”
 
Israil Madrimov
 
“I have a goal to become world champion, and there’s nothing personal for me. I have an opponent in front of me that I have to beat. The ring will show who has a better game plan. We both have goals and we will see what happens. Everyone dreams to fight in your hometown in front family, relatives, and friends. That motivates us a lot. We’d love to fight in Uzbekistan.”
 
Eric Walker
 
“This is my dream. It’s coming true and I just have to put it all together on Saturday night. Going through what I have been through in my life, being in prison and learning how to box in prison, reaching this moment now at 20-2 as a pro and being lined up to fight for a World title eliminator, I’ve been through ups and downs, the years I’ve spent in prison realizing this is what I wanted to do when I came back into society I just prepared myself for that mentally.
 
“Being in prison is a lot different from being quarantined in a hotel room where you have a phone and a TV, when you are in prison and on extended lockdown there’s none of that, it can be mentally tough if you haven’t been through anything like that before but ice just been on cruise control.
 
“He’s ‘The Dream’ so I’ve got to be ‘The Nightmare’.”
 
Shakhram Giyasov
 
“We were preparing for a lot of different opponents. It was the longest camp of my life – six months. I’m prepared for whatever he brings to the ring. I’ve seen all the styles and he won’t bring anything I haven’t seen before. I have great
trainers and they prepare me for whatever will happen in the ring. I train everyday with sweat and blood, and I’m ready to perform. My plan after this fight is to have nice sweet food.”
 
Nikita Ababiy
 
“He’s going to see Saturday, it’s going to be fireworks in the ring. There will be nothing like it. He will get stopped for first time Saturday.” 
 
Raymond Ford
 
“It’s a great experience training with those guys. They’re Olympians and champions. It’s a confidence booster for me. I don’t like to say I’m going to knock someone out because it will never go that way. I’ll let that happen naturally. The main thing is to be victorious.”
 

Las Vegas – UFC^® continues its series of events at UFC APEX with an exciting bantamweight bout that will see No. 5 ranked contender Pedro Munhoz look to spoil the 135-pound debut of No. 8 featherweight and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. Plus, former interim title challenger Ovince Saint Preux returns to the light heavyweight division against Alonzo Menifield.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN^®: MUNHOZ vs. EDGAR will take place Saturday, August 22 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, with the main card starting at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. The prelims will kick off at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT on ESPN+.

A perennial bantamweight contender, Munhoz (18-4 1NC, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) aims to steal the show in his first UFC main event. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with heavy hands, Munhoz has earned impressive victories against Bryan Caraway, Rob Font and former champion Cody Garbrandt. Munhoz now hopes to add a decorated legend to his resume and secure the biggest win of his career to re-assert himself as dangerous title threat.

A former lightweight champion and featherweight title challenger, Edgar (22-8-1, fighting out of Toms River, N.J.) looks to make an immediate impact at bantamweight. A potential future UFC Hall of Fame inductee, Edgar has delivered spectacular victories over BJ Penn (thrice), Gray Maynard and Urijah Faber. Edgar is now gunning for another vintage performance to crack the 135-pound rankings and set himself up to become the first athlete to challenge for UFC championships in three divisions.

A perennial standout at light heavyweight, Saint Preux (24-14, fighting out of Knoxville, Tenn.) looks to re-assert himself as a 205-pound threat after a recent visit to the heavyweight division. A hard-hitting striker who is also known for his patented Von Flue choke, the former Tennessee Volunteers football player has delivered highlight-reel victories over Shogun Rua, Corey Anderson and Tyson Pedro. Now, Saint Preux plans to send a message to the light heavyweight division with another vintage performance.

A powerful knockout artist, Menifield (10-1, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) steps in on short notice to face the toughest test of his career. After securing a UFC contract following an eight-second victory against Dashawn Boatwright on Dana White’s Contender Series, he has since delivered spectacular KO wins over Paul Craig and Vinicius Moreira. Menifield now looks to earn his biggest win yet with another highlight-reel finish.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Marcin Prachnio (13-4, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) aims to secure his first UFC win when he takes on Mike Rodriguez (10-4 1NC, fighting out of South Easton, Mass.)
• Daniel Rodriguez (12-1, fighting out of Alhambra, Calif.) looks to secure his ninth consecutive win when he faces Takashi Sato (16-3, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan)
• In a battle of rising strawweight prospects, Amanda Lemos (7-1-1, fighting out of Para, Brazil.) meets Mizuki (14-5, fighting out of New York, N.Y. by way of Fukuoka, Japan)
• Mariya Agapova (9-1, fighting out of Pavlodar, Kazakhstan) squares off with Shana Dobson (3-4, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) in a women’s flyweight match
• Austin Hubbard (12-4, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) hopes to build off his most recent win when he takes on streaking Joe Solecki (8-2, fighting out of Wilmington, N.C.)
• Dwight Grant (10-2, fighting out of San Jose, Calif.) goes for his third consecutive victory when he squares off with Jared Gooden (17-4, fighting out of Atlanta, Ga.)
• Ike Villanueva (16-10, fighting out of Houston, Texas) looks to secure his first UFC win when he meets Jorge Gonzalez (16-4, fighting out of El Paso, Texas)
• In a battle of top bantamweight prospects, Timur Valiev (16-2, fighting out of Toms River, N.J. by way of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia) faces Mark Striegl (18-2, 1 NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Baguio City, Philippines)
• Carlton Minus (10-1 1NC, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska) meets Matthew Semelsberger (6-2, fighting out of Frederick, Md.) in clash of welterweight newcomers

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.