LAS VEGAS and ABU DHABI – UFC^®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today announced that the much-anticipated UFC FIGHT ISLANDÔ events will be held on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, one of the emirate’s most popular leisure, shopping and entertainment destinations.

UFC will produce four events on Yas Island, including one Pay Per View, UFC^® 251, and three Fight Nights.  The action-packed schedule begins with UFC 251 on Saturday, July 11, and will be followed with successive Fight Nights on Wednesday, July 15; Saturday, July 18; and Saturday, July 25.  Details for each event, including fight cards, will be announced in coming weeks. 

To accommodate existing public health guidelines, DCT Abu Dhabi will create a safety zone within the nearly ten square mile (25 km²) Yas Island that will include an arena, hotel, training facilities, and dining establishments.  This safety zone will only be open to UFC athletes and their coaches; UFC staff and other event personnel; and Yas Island employees who are necessary to ensure the operation of the facilities.

HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our partnership with the UFC, now in its second year, has proved to be one of our most successful ventures in recent years. Thanks to their commitment and cooperation, we are proud to announce that Abu Dhabi will host the first ever “Fight Island” event, marking the long-awaited return of UFC fights to the global stage.”

He added: “We have worked closely with all government entities in Abu Dhabi to ensure that the staging of this historic event complies with the highest standards of safety for the athletes, coaches, and all UFC personnel as well as the safety of our community. This year, Abu Dhabi has successfully proven its ability to handle all challenges and promote the well-being of its visitors and residents; and today, we are here to showcase the best that our capital has to offer, as we look forward to opening our doors once again to the world.”

UFC President Dana White commented: “We came up with the idea of having fights on ‘Fight Island’ because we needed a destination to hold international events during the global pandemic.  Abu Dhabi has been an amazing location to hold fights over the past ten years and it is the perfect place for these events. The infrastructure we are building will be such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the fighters that’s never been done before – from the arena, the private training facility, and the Octagon on the island – it’s going to be an experience that none of us will ever forget. I can’t wait to deliver amazing fights from Yas island.”

In 2019, UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi entered into a groundbreaking five-year partnership to bring UFC events to the emirate.  UFC^® 242: KHABIB VS. POIRIER, the first event held under the new agreement, attracted more than 14,000 fans to Yas Island last September.  The agreement to bring UFC FIGHT ISLAND to Abu Dhabi is an expansion of the original five-year partnership between UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi.

UFC FIGHT ISLAND events will air live on global broadcasters around the world and on Pay-Per-View in select markets.  UFC events are broadcast in 175 countries and territories in 40 different languages and reach approximately one billion TV households. 

In the UAE and throughout the rest of the Middle East and North Africa, UFC content is streamed on UFC Arabia app, UFC’s first Arabic-language streaming subscription service in the region.  ‘UFC Arabia’ app can be downloaded through Apple Store and Google Play and is available on web, smart phone, tablets and Smart TVs.

Prior to 2019, UFC held events in Abu Dhabi in 2010 and 2014, including its first-ever outdoor event, UFC^® 112: INVINCIBLE, in April 2010, and UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: NOGUEIRA vs. NELSON in April 2014.

A full line of UFC FIGHT ISLAND products, including t-shirts, hats, water bottles, tote bags, and more are available now on UFCStore.com.

– ENDS –

About UFC^®
UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, 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^®, the world’s leading streaming service for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor and 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 the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The Department manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The Department of Culture and Tourism supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role played by the Department is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

THE WBO EUROPEAN super flyweight champion Kaisy Khademi has teamed up with Frank Warren and will now fight on the Queensberry Promotions platform.

The unbeaten 25-year-old, 8-0 (2KO), fled his native Kabul, Afganistan, in the midst of military conflict back in 1998 at the age of four and, along with family members, embarked on a four-year journey to reach their ultimate destination of the United Kingdom.

The East Ham-based Khademi launched his professional boxing journey in October 2017 and set about learning his trade on the small hall circuit, culminating in his title opportunity that he grasped with a points victory over Pedro Matos in December 2019.

“I was very surprised when they sent the contract and it was a great offer as well, so I was very happy with it,” said Khademi in reaction to news of his promotional pact with a Hall of Fame promoter.

“I am very excited because it will be my first chance to box on a bigger platform, so I cannot wait. My career started a little slowly because it was very hard to get fights, especially with being a super flyweight.

“A lot of fights were getting cancelled and I stalled a bit, but hopefully now I am with a bigger stable things will be a lot more organised.

“Winning the WBO title was the moment of my whole boxing career so far and it was a title I would never have thought I would have got to. We won it and now I want to push on.”

Khademi is now part of a promotional squad that also includes both Sunny and Charlie Edwards operating around the fly-super fly weight categories, giving him established names to target when the time is right.

“I want to fight the best out there with everything in my time. There are great fighters out there and I want to be able to share the ring with them.

“The likes of Sunny and Charlie Edwards have been fighting on the bigger stage, which I haven’t, so I would like to have three or four fights before taking them on. I have no experience of fighting on the bigger platform, but in my own time I will be ready to fight them and pushing yourself is what boxing is all about.

“I would definitely love to fight them though,” he reassured, before expanding on his backstory and elongated route to setting up home in the UK.

“When we left the war was crazy so we became refugees I think in 1998 and headed to Pakistan. We were there for two years and things didn’t go well, while my older brother was already in the UK and wanted us to come here to the land of opportunity.

“My parents wanted a better future for their children so we decided to make our way here and it took almost two years on foot with a group of eight of us.

“I was very young and left my country at the age of four. The two years in Pakistan came to end when people started knocking at our door and pulling out a gun on my dad and things like that. Our lives were under threat so we needed to go somewhere safe.

“I remember leaving Pakistan and the two years after that was like an adventure for me at that age. I was a kid so people were giving me a piggy back when we had to go into the jungle to avoid capture by the police, who would have just sent us back to the previous country we had passed.

“So looking back it was a bit like an adventure, like a game of Hide and Seek where you didn’t want to get caught. The first country we got to that was more relaxed was Germany, but my dad said this was not our destination and our destiny was the UK.

“Once we got here in 2002 it was like heaven, so calm and relaxed, it was the best feeling.”

———————-

Kaisy’s first act as a Queensberry fighter was to speak to Dev Sahni as part of the ongoing Lockdown Lowdown series. The full interview can be seen here.

  Shakur Stevenson 130 lbs vs. Felix Caraballo 130 lbs
(Super Featherweight— 10 Rounds)
Judges/Referee: Tim Cheatham, Dave Moretti and Steve Weisfeld/Russell Mora 

      Jared Anderson 236.5 lbs vs. Johnnie Langston 218.3 lbs
(Heavyweight— 6 Rounds)
Judges/Referee: Patricia Morse Jarman, Max De Luca and Steve Weisfeld/Jay Nady

      Guido Vianello 239.25 lbs vs. Don Haynesworth 294.5 lbs
(Heavyweight — 6 Rounds)
Judges/Referee: Adalaide Byrd, Tim Cheatham and Dave Moretti/Jay Nady

     Quatavious Cash 160.5 lbs vs.  Calvin Metcalf 158.3 lbs
(Middleweight — 6/4 Rounds)
Judges/Referee: Patricia Morse Jarman, Max De Luca and Steve Weisfeld/Jay Nady          

                      Robeisy Ramirez 126 lbs vs. Yeuri Andujar 125.5 lbs
(Featherweight — 6 Rounds)
Judges/Referee: Adalaide Byrd, Tim Cheatham, Dave Moretti/Russell Mora
For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Top Rank on ESPN live events return Tuesday, June 9, as WBO featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson will take on Puerto Rican contender Felix “La Sombra” Caraballo in a 10-round super featherweight bout.  Main event coverage will air exclusively on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (in Spanish) starting at 7 p.m. ET.  

Top Rank on ESPN live events continue Thursday, June 11 when former junior featherweight world champion and top featherweight contender Jessie Magdaleno faces Dominican puncher Yenifel Vicente in a 10-rounder, with coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.  

ESPN’s Top Rank play-by-play commentator, Joe Tessitore, will be calling the action from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios.  Andre Ward (analyst), former #1 pound-for-pound two-division world titleholder and 2004 Olympic gold medalist, Tim Bradley (analyst), former two-division world titleholder and boxing insider Mark Kriegel, will join from their home studios. Boxing reporter Bernardo Osuna will be on-location in Las Vegas and provide reports in English and Spanish. Spanish-language coverage will be handled by Jorge Eduardo Sánchez on the play-by-play, and boxing Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Márquez on the analysis from home studios.  

Main Card, Undercards and Early Undercards (All times ET)

Salita Promotions has joined the new normal of professional sports by signing a deal to stage a number of “no spectator” live boxing events at the legendary Kronk Gym in Downtown Detroit.

The fights, with participants and TV networks to be announced, will begin in the coming months and continue until fans can return to attending live events.

Dmitriy Salita, says he’s excited about bringing high-profile events, which will be held in accordance with all State and Michigan Commission virus-safety protocols, to the iconic Detroit boxing gym.

“The Kronk is the heart of boxing in this city and I’m happy to be bringing these high-profile events to the historic gym. Detroit has many great prospects and contenders who can now return to action in a safe virus-free environment. The fans and fighters have waited long enough and I am grateful to the team at Kronk Gym for hosting these upcoming fights.”

Kronk Gym head trainer Javan “SugarHill” Steward says staging live events at the gym was the brainchild of the late, great trainer Emanuel Steward, who would stage amateur fights and world-class sparring sessions at the gym as though they were professional cards.

“To be able to have real competitive live fights here is amazing to me,” said SugarHill. “I am very excited this will be happening. It’s an honor for an event like that to take place at the historic Kronk Gym where so many world champions come from. I picture these fights will be a lot like the classic days of the Blue Horizon. I give thanks to my cousin Sylvia Steward Williams, Emanuel’s daughter. If she hadn’t put this gym together, we wouldn’t be doing this right now. Many thanks to her and all she has done for these events to take place.”

Specific dates will be announced shortly, pending Michigan Commission approval.

CONTACT:
Andre Courtemanche, Salita Promotions: (954) 302-2462

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.

Evan Korn (Media Relations Director, Top Rank): First off, I want to thank all the media for hopping on this call as we bring back world-class boxing on Top Rank on ESPN. We kick things off Tuesday, June 9, from the MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom with one of the sport’s most dynamic young stars, WBO featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson, who is testing the waters in a 10-round super featherweight bout against Puerto Rican contender Felix “La Sombra” Caraballo.

The June 9 and June 11 events —June 11 being headlined by Jessie Magdaleno vs. Yenifel Vicente — will be televised by ESPN and ESPN Deportes starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. It will be a four-hour block of programming both evenings.

Also on the call today with us is the Founder and Chairman of Top Rank, Mr. Bob Arum. It gives me great pleasure to introduce Bob for his opening statement.

Bob Arum: Well, it looks like we’re back, you know. This is a momentous occasion. Boxing is back after a three-month lapse. I’m really proud that Top Rank is the first promoter out of the box. We have a great fight on a great show on June 9, then we continue on {with} virtually two and three boxing events a week. Boxing is going to come back — believe me — bigger and more important than ever. 

And in this two-month period in June or July, where it looks like there won’t be any NBA, any Major League Baseball, the spotlight will be on the sport of boxing, and with bouts that we’ve lined up, I believe that the public will once again be enthused about the competitive level in the sport.
 
Korn: We have Felix Caraballo with us now. So, first, before we get to the questions, Felix, what can you tell us about this opportunity in front of you fighting a world champion like Shakur Stevenson as boxing makes its big return?

Caraballo: Fighting with Shakur is going to be interesting. I can’t let this opportunity go, I’ve trained hard, and I’m going to give it my all, I’m going to give everything. I’m going to do my work and try to get that ‘W.’

Q: Felix, I’ve got two questions for you: First one is, can you just tell me a little bit about your feelings about having your first fight outside of Puerto Rico, and it would be in somewhat unusual circumstances given there wouldn’t be any fans in attendance? 

Caraballo: Well, I feel great, I feel emotional. My last fight was in January and knowing that I’m going to fight now in June with Shakur Stevenson, knowing that he’s one of the best boxers right now, and he’s the {featherweight} champion. I’m a 126, too, but they gave me this opportunity at 130, and I’m going to go and give it my all.

I want to fight, and it’s not going to have the public {in attendance}, but I don’t have no problem with that. I just want to go to that ring and do my job. 

Q: You’ve basically fought your whole career at featherweight, Shakur has done the same. I know you’re excited about the fight, getting back in the ring, but is there any small part that it’s disappointing that you’re getting a chance to fight against the world champion, but yet it’s not going to be for that title?

Caraballo: From a business point, it’s not about that title; I think it’s every boxer’s dream {to earn a title shot}.

So, I’m going to get this great opportunity and I’m going to give it my all, and I know that if we win, we could open all the doors, we could have more fights and better fights.

Q: Bob, can you just briefly explain the process of how went about bringing these fights back? And I sort of get it that these initial bouts are not for titles that you have world champions, but can you just explain the thought behind that? 

Arum: Yes. I mean, this is not an easy job. It seems like it’s easy but my people, {Top Rank COO} Brad Jacobs and {Top Rank President} Todd duBoef, they have all really been working for months on this getting the protocols in shape, the testing, working with the Nevada Commission and its medical staff. I mean, this is something that nobody — at least on our end — had any experience with. So, it’s really been a work in progress, and it continues to be a work in progress.

Imagine guys come into Vegas to get into the bubble, which is a special floor at the MGM. They got to be tested there in the bubble, they’ve got to be escorted to a place to shake out and train, a place to eat. We have a special dining room set up in the convention center. All of this is something that none of us are used to.

Now, we are not starting out with title fights, but we’re going to have them before long, by the third week, start doing some world title fights because there are other issues with the organizations, which we’re working out.

So, it’s one step at a time. It’s not easy and it’s not inexpensive. For example, testing — just the testing — for coronavirus for each event will cost us in excess of $25,000. Just the testing. Plus, the rooms, the special security, the meals in the convention area. This is a very, very large undertaking, but obviously, it has to be done. We’ve got to get boxing started up. We’re going to probably be doing this perhaps for three months, for June, July, definitely, and then in August. And hopefully, by September, we’re going to start getting back to doing events with spectators with a limited capacity. That’s the second phase that we’re working on.

And the third phase, hopefully, by the end of the year, we’ll be doing events with virtually full capacity. But that’s down the line. So, I mean, this is a really big responsibility on our part to start this up, start it up on the right foot. As I said, our protocols, which we’ve been working on for months, are available to all promoters all over the world. There’s no competition here. We want to get everybody to do the right things necessary to get started in boxing as big as possible.

Q: I was wondering if you could tell us what type of fight you expect Caraballo to give Shakur Stevenson and maybe a little bit about Caraballo as a fighter. 

Arum: Well, I’m the wrong guy. I mean, Carl Moretti and our matchmakers are familiar with Caraballo. They think it’s a very competitive fight; that’s good enough for me. I’ve never seen the young man fight, but he comes highly recommended by Moretti and our matchmakers. 

Q:  What are you expecting from Shakur at 130 pounds, Bob? 

Arum: Shakur is — I said it when we did our first fight — a future star in the sport of boxing, a future superstar. I look at him as the southpaw version of Floyd Mayweather, and I think he will exceed the performances by Floyd. I just think he’s a rare, rare talent, and I think that he’s a young man who’s growing in size and so I think 130 pounds will be a brief stop in his career because he’s growing into a welterweight and maybe even a junior middleweight. 

Q: Felix, my first question is obviously, not a lot of people know a lot about you given that there’s not a lot of video and you’ve primarily fought in Puerto Rico. But what does it mean to you to sort of kind of coming into this position, not just an underdog, but someone who the general audience in the United States really has no idea of how you are at the fighter? Is that going to help with motivation or with potentially coming up and surprising everyone?

Caraballo: Well, it’s hard because I know there’s not a lot of videos on me, nobody knows about me a lot. I’ve been {under the radar}, but I don’t think that’s going to be a problem. I think when we get to a fight, we’re just going to do our job. 

Q: Right now, you are 13-1-2 with 9 KOs. Now, the first thing that comes to mind is a fighter by the name of Jeison Rosario, and I’m wondering if you look at how he came to into the fight as an underdog, meaning we really didn’t know who he was and in the situation that you have right now, you’re fighting in an unprecedented time. So, my question is, is there any extra pressure or do you feel that this is what you need or something like this to actually get you to where you’ve always wanted to be in boxing?

Caraballo: Well, actually, I don’t got no pressure. I feel that this moment, I have to give it all, and this is a great opportunity, like I always say. And I’m going to fight, I’m going to give it all on June 9.

And I know that I’m going with a great boxer. He’s got speed, he’s got technique, but I’m going to work. He’s going to make me work and I’m going to make him work. I know it’s going to be a great fight, and I get motivated because I know that this opportunity doesn’t happen twice. 

Q: How is it for you to be featured in the first large-scale boxing event in the US after the whole COVID-19 thing? 

Caraballo: Well, it’s great for me. I never thought I was going to fight this year again because of this whole pandemic. I thought I wasn’t going to fight this year. And when I got the call, well, I was excited, I just got ready and started training harder because I never stopped training. But I got excited, and I started training hard for this fight. I started training more. 

Q: Shakur, I know this is a non-title fight at 130. Is it your intention to go back down to 126 after this fight?

Stevenson: I don’t know yet. I got to see how I feel at 130, at making the 130 weight. That’d be a question I can answer better for you after the fight. So, right now, no, I can’t really give you a spot-on answer.

Q: Shakur, I remember talking to you on that Friday after your fight and your whole card got canceled. What was that weekend like for you? 

Stevenson: It was really bad because of the fact that I trained eight weeks, spent a lot of money on training camp, and then to find out that I wasn’t getting paid, that kind of made me mad. To find out that I wasn’t fighting made me mad because I felt like I put a lot of work in, I felt like I was gonna perform really good. I was mad at that.

So, it wasn’t a good week, but being around my family and friends kind of made it a lot better. 

Q: Bob, I’ve got a question for you. Should Shakur indicate to you that he does have a couple of fights left at 126, would you try to revisit the Josh Warrington situation for him? 

Arum: Absolutely. You know, let’s see what’s happening. Again, we’re in uncertain times… who knows when we’ll be able to do events with spectators? That’s a fight that needs spectators and I know that the promoters over in the UK are working towards that. We’re working towards that, absolutely, whether it’s going to be in the States or in the UK, we want that fight —the Warrington fight — to happen. I promised that to Shakur.

Now, if, on the other hand, he feels that he’s better off going to 130, we’ll go along with that. In other words, I’m not going to force a fighter to fight at a weight which he shouldn’t be fighting at because it takes too much out of them to make the weight. 

So, Shakur has great people with him, great technical people, his corner people, his manager, James Prince. They’ll discuss it with him and discuss it with us. But certainly, if he decides to stay at 126, I’m going to, one way or the other, make the Warrington fight happen. 

Q: Shakur. I was just wondering did you have any familiarity at all with Felix Caraballo before you knew he was your opponent? 

Stevenson: No, I ain’t never heard of him before.

Q: But since you found out he was your opponent —I know there’s not a lot of videos available of him- — what have you been able to find out and how much footage have you been able to find on him to study? 

Stevenson: I watched like one round. I see everything I needed to see in that one round, and I see a lot of holding in his game, so I’m going to expose it.

Q: The one round that you saw — I mean, without giving away your game plan or anything — what did you notice?

Stevenson: I noticed that he’s nowhere near on my level.

Q:  Do you expect him to come forward–like what are you expecting from him?

Stevenson: I expect him to come out loud and try to land a big shot. 

Q: What was it like for you, Shakur, to have the extra four pounds? I know you haven’t made weight yet, of course, but what has it been like for you two to try to make 130 as opposed to 126, how much more comfortable? 

Stevenson: I’d say it’s a little bit more comfortable, but I think that I’m really a 130-pounder, honestly what I’ve been feeling like, for sure. 

Q: The last time you had to make 126 — I know you didn’t get to the scale because the fight got canceled — but how was it for you the last time you were training to make 126? 

Stevenson: It actually was better than I thought it was gonna go, but it’s still work to get there. It’s not easy. I’m a really big 126.  

Q: Obviously, the world is going through a large amount of turmoil with the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd. How have the problems surrounding our country and the world impacted you mentally and emotionally and how have you been dealing with those emotions?

Stevenson: Honestly, I’ve been more focused on my fight. I understand everything that’s going on and I’m with my people in everything that’s going on, but I got a fight coming up so I’ve been in the gym every day, {and then} going home. When I go home, I’m watching boxing. I’ve been in camp so I’m not really too focused on anything that’s going on outside. I’m more locked in on what’s going on the inside as far as boxing.

Q: Talking about the boxing, your last fight was eight months ago. As far as you know, having that kind of distance between fights, do you think that time off will impact you either positively or negatively, and what goals you have to yourself physically and what you hope to see from yourself in this fight?

Stevenson: No, I don’t think time off is going to do anything because I’m a gym rat and I’m always in the gym. So, me being a gym rat and in the gym, I probably got to get off a little rust in the first to two rounds, but other than that, I’m ready to go. I’m in the gym every day, ain’t no way I’m having rust just from being off for eight months and not been sparring. I did a full training camp on March 14 and then got right back in the gym, took like a month off, and then got in the gym. So, I’m a gym rat. I don’t think it’s going to affect me.

Q:  Bob, you’ve been very transparent and very open with how you see things going in the future. Looking at the UFC, what are the large or significant missteps you saw in the way they handled the opening of sporting life combat sports and what have you done, would you say, maybe the one or two things that you’ve done differently than them?

Arum: Oh, we didn’t feel the protocols that the UFC had when they opened up Florida were adequate. But again, you have to understand that they were the first out of the box, and so the fact that they made mistakes, you know that’s understandable. They now have done an event in Nevada and they’re under the same type of protocols that we are, and I think it’s all good because the Nevada Commission has cleared everything, whether it’s a UFC event or a Top Rank event, and their interest in the safety of the participants are the same for us and now for UFC. 

So, I have to commend the State of Nevada, the governor, and the athletic commission in the type of effort and work that they’ve done to enable us to do these events on a basis of as much safety as humanly possible.

Q: Given that you don’t have the WBO featherweight championship and there was talk about you potentially have a reunification match with Josh Warrington, there is one fighter that has said that you are basically the only one that has the courage to step up to him and that’s the WBC champ, Gary Russell Jr. How would you feel about a potential match-up with Gary Russell, Jr.? 

Stevenson: That’d be a hell of a fight with me and Gary. I think we really are the best two featherweights, skill-wise, in the division, so I think that’d be a hell of a fight. 

Right, Gary knows I’m the only one that… I see how he talks about everybody else, he doesn’t respect a lot of the other fighters, but he respects me a lot because he’s been around me, he knows I’m a boxer, he knows what I’m about. So, I understand Gary when he said that.

Q: And how is it like working with the team around you with Andre Ward being by your side and also sometimes working with Terence Crawford? 

Stevenson: It’s good to have them people around me, and I appreciate having them. Andre Ward is a big blessing to me. He helps me out in a lot of ways inside and outside the ring. So, Terence is also like… Terence keeps me competitive, like keeps my mindset competitive because I’m just as competitive as him, but he’s so competitive, it makes me be even more competitive. So, like those guys in my life and in my career, it helps me a lot. 

Q: You’ve mentioned that you’re not sure of what your future is going to be in terms of staying at 130 or going back to 126 after this fight. But is there a part of you that’s kind of already thinking of how you would fare against any of the other champions at 130 in anticipation for what I presume is an eventual move up to 130? 

Stevenson: Of course. Of course, I think that the champions at 130 are all decent fighters. I’ve already pictured myself in the ring with all of them already, so I’ve already been thinking about that. I’ve been thinking about being in the ring with Oscar Valdez, with Russell, {Leo} Santa Cruz, JoJo {Diaz}, even Jamel {Herring}, if I have to. 

Q:  Do you feel that with those potential fights, do you feel that it may be easier to get them done down the road than it is for, say, a fight against Josh Warrington because I know that’s been a fight you’ve been wanting for well over a year now at this point? 

Stevenson: Yeah, I think that’d definitely be an easier fight with Josh Warrington. With Josh Warrington, there comes a lot of business and politics with that like…. as far as the money being made for the fight and stuff like that. So, I think them fights would be a lot easier, because like Valdez and Berchelt and them guys, they’re with Top Rank. JoJo is with Golden Boy. I just fought a Golden Boy fight in my last fight {Joet Gonzalez}, so I think them fights would be lot easier than a Warrington fight. 

LAS VEGAS, NV- Mike Tyson captured the world’s attention recently with a short video clip hitting the pads.  He showed that he still has his trademark power that helped him become a global star in the 80s and 90s.  

The 53 year old former world champion is in tremendous shape and has stated that he is planning on making a comeback to the sweet science with his goal being to raise money for charity.

American Dream Presents, Sterling Promotions and  James Wilent of J3G Global would like to help him achieve his goal and have presented Iron Mike with a substantial offer for  a series of multiple exhibition fights that he is reviewing.

“Mike looks like he is in tremendous shape and has the fire back.  What is better than a motivated Mike Tyson in the ring?  He has always been must see tv and we want to help him reach his goals to raise money for his various causes,” said American Dream  Presents CEO Ron Johnson.

Under the terms of the agreement, Tyson would receive a hefty deposit when his services are secured with the remainder of the purse for the first fight held in escrow. His purses would increase throughout the remainder of his contract.  

If the offer is accepted, all of the entities involved will immediately get to work to bring the, “Baddest Man on the Planet,” back to the forefront of the boxing and sports world in general. More details will be revealed in due time. 

Hughie Fury says he would be open to a behind closed doors domestic Heavyweight clash withMatchroom stablemate Dave Allen whilst his World Title hopes have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 outbreakas he spoke with Chris Lloyd in the latest episode of Matchroom Boxing’s podcast ‘The Lockdown Tapes’.

Fury (24-3, 14 KOs) stopped the Czech Republic’s Pavel Sour in three rounds to rekindle his World Title ambitions last time out in March, but with international travel disrupted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Mancunian has set his targets closer to home.
THE LOCKDOWN TAPES WITH HUGHIE FURY IS ALSO ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW!
“Dave Allen keeps mentioning my name saying he wants to fight me and all this,” said Fury. “I’m a fighting man so let’s get it on as soon as possible. It doesn’t bother me. It’s only going to be fights against English opponents at the moment. It will be a good fight between the pair of us, there’s no point in waiting. I have no hard feelings against him but he’s mentioning my name so let’s get it on!”

The only defeats on Fury’s 27 fight slate came at World level – a majority 12 round decision in a close and controversial WBO World Title challenge to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in 2017, a gallant and gory 12 round points loss to Kubrat Pulev in a IBF Final Eliminator in Sofia and a points loss to Alexander Povetkin last summer.

At 25, Fury believes that his best years are ahead of him and the cousin of WBC Heavyweight World Champion Tyson is confident that there’s still plenty of time left for career-defining fights once the sporting world gets back to normal. 

“I’m 25 and still filling out. One thing I love to do is fight and no one will ever take that away from me, I love these challenges. We have changed a lot although you never got to see too much in the Pavel Sour fight. When I get back in these bigger fights that is when you will see the difference and the changes we’ve made.”

As well as discussing a potential showdown with Allen, Fury disused his losses to Pulev and Povetkin and what he learnt from them, overcoming his struggle with acne conglobata and much more. 

Fans can find Fury’s episode plus previous episodes with Joshua Buatsi, Devin Haney, Joe Cordina, Joseph Parker, Josh Warrington, Daniel Jacobs, Liam Smith, Demetrius Andrade, John Ryder and more here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-matchroom-boxing-podcast/id1506174562

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YRAWQS5JXB0OvM8vCqZxq

Matchroom Website: https://www.matchroomboxing.com/lockdown-tapes-podcast/

New York, NY (06/05/20) – DiBella Entertainment has signed heavyweight contender Jerry “Slugger” Forrest (26-3, 20 KOs), a 6-foot-1 southpaw from Newport News, VA, to an exclusive promotional agreement.

Forrest was born in Lafayette, LA, but moved to Virginia as a young child when his father enlisted in the Navy. His boxing aspirations began after a series of high school senior year brawls convinced Forrest that he had the aptitude to compete in the sweet science. Accumulating a 34-5 amateur record, Forrest won gold medals four times at the Virginia State Golden Gloves tournament, four times at the Washington D.C. Regionals tournament, twice at the California Tournament of Champions, and once at the North Carolina Golden Gloves. He also competed in the National Golden Gloves tournament twice and made it to the semi-finals of the 2012 Olympic Qualifiers.

His ring nickname, “Slugger”, was given to him at birth by his grandmother.

“My mother’s bloodstream got poisoned while pregnant with me and she had to have an emergency Caesarean section,” said Forrest. “The doctors told my family that I probably wouldn’t make it through the night. When my grandmother saw me in the incubator, she said, ‘You have to be a fighter, you have to be a slugger. If you die, my daughter will want to die. That can’t happen.’ When she said that, I started to respond and it was the first time that I opened my eyes. From day one, ‘Slugger’ was my nickname.”

Forrest turned pro in 2012, winning seven of his first nine bouts. Those two early career setbacks paved the way for a rededicated Forrest to win his next 18 fights. Following an impressive win against the 19-2 Joshua Tufte, Forrest challenged unbeaten prospect Jermaine Franklin on July 12, 2019, live on SHOWTIME’s “ShoBox” series. After 10 rounds, Forrest felt that he had clearly outboxed his adversary, but would lose a controversial split decision. Many ringside observers believed Forrest deserved the victory, including all three of SHOWTIME’s commentators. Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood both had Forrest winning seven rounds, while Raul Marquez had him the winner by eight rounds to two. Trained by Anthony Chase and managed by James Hogan, Forrest rebounded from that loss with a second-round knockout of Martez Williamson last September.

While starting his boxing journey, Forrest got married and now has three children. To make ends meet, he had a career as a nuclear electrician, working for Huntington Ingalls Industries on submarines and aircraft carriers for 10 years. Nearing the end of 2019, Forrest made the decision to move on and fully focus on boxing.

He is also heavily involved with charitable causes in his community, helping to steer inner city youth away from crime and street life. Forrest is active in such programs as Gladiator School Boxing, Together Lives Change (TLC) and the Future Actors and Media Makers (F.A.M.M.) Project, all of which provide kids with academic, athletic and vocational training.

“When I watched Jerry’s fight against Franklin, not only did I think he deserved to win, I saw a fighter with a lot of talent and potential. I’m thrilled to add him to the DiBella Entertainment roster,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “With his size, style and strength, Forrest can be a big player in the heavyweight division.”

“Lou called me the day after I lost to Franklin and, from then on, I knew we’d be working together,” said Forrest. “This is an unbelievable moment for me and my family, not simply because I signed with a promoter, but because of who signed me. Lou was the only promoter that I wanted to be with because of his heart and the man that he is. I can’t wait to make my family proud and make Lou proud. The better I look, the better he looks.

“There are a lot of good fighters in the heavyweight division right now, but I believe that I train harder than any of them. I’m an old school gym rat. Like Muhammad Ali said, ‘Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’ I love the craft of boxing and I have a calculated style, but I also have that killer instinct inside of me. I know that I can compete at the top level.”

LOS ANGELES (June 5, 2020) – Bernard Hopkins and Eric Gomez have issued the following statements in response to the WBC’s reinstatement of Franchon Crews-Dezurn as its super middleweight champion:

“First, I’d like to thank the fans for rooting for Franchon [Crews-Dezurn] to get her belt back that she deserves,” said Bernard Hopkins, Hall of Famer and Golden Boy Business Partner. “I would also like to commend Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy and myself for fighting behind the scenes to get justice for Franchon. Now let’s move forward and get the best fights she deserves!”

“The WBC made the right choice by reinstating Franchon Crews-Dezurn as its world champion,” said Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy. “We are thrilled for her. She is a very exciting fighter and a stellar representative of the best that Golden Boy offers. We can’t wait to see ‘The Heavy-Hitting Diva’ back in the ring.”

In another bold expansion move, Salita Promotions has reached an agreement and obtained a license to display the extensive fight-video library of long-time top promoter Gary Shaw on the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel, free of charge.

Shaw’s Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, video library contains some of the most important fights of the last 20 years from the biggest names in the sport, including Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley, Diego Corrales, Arturo Gatti, Winky Wright, Timothy Bradley, Rafael Marquéz, Chad Dawson, Nonito Donaire, Vic Darchinyan, Jeff Lacy and Shawn Porter.

Gary Shaw began in boxing in 1971 as an Inspector for the New Jersey State Athletic Control Commission. During his 28-year tenure with the commission, Shaw was promoted to Chief Inspector and eventually to the State’s Regulatory Board. In 1999, he became the Chief Operating Officer of boxing promotional company Main Events and then in 2002, he started his own GSP and promoted or co-promoted many of the biggest grossing boxing events in the sport’s history. Shaw is also credited with developing the initial concept and development of the TV series ShoBox: The New Generation.

“I’m very happy to be working with Dmitriy,” said Gary Shaw. “It’s great to see a former boxer stay in the game and form a worldwide company. I believe the content that his company is putting together will help to make his channel extremely competitive in the marketplace, as well as giving the fans an opportunity to see great fights.”

The GSP video collection joins the esteemed collections of Cedric Kushner’s CKP, Dan Goossen’s America Presents and Leon Margules’ Warriors Boxing Promotions, who have already granted the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel rights to also display their extensive collections.

“I am excited to partner up with Gary Shaw one of the most successful promoters who has an incredible library of fights,” said Dmitriy Salita. “During these challenging times, boxing fans will have a chance to enjoy some of the best fights and biggest names in the sport on our always-growing YouTube Channel.”

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

MIAMI, FLORIDA – Sullivan Barrera thought that right now he would be entertaining offers for another title shot.  The former Cuban amateur standout has a lot of nice wins on his resume with a world championship the only thing missing.

Barrera was scheduled to face former champion Sergey Kovalev at a 180 pound catchweight in a DAZN streamed main event on April 25th but the coronavirus pandemic wiped out those plans as it forced the cancellation of boxing events throughout the globe.

According to Barrera, beating Kovalev was the first step in a two fight plan.  First conquer the former champion then get a crack at another title. After hoisting a belt around his waist, he would be content to ride off into the sunset and focus his time and energy on his family.

“All of my focus was on Kovalev.  After the surgery, I feel like a reborn fighter and I wanted to prove it to the world with a great performance against Kovalev.  I know that win could have led me to a fight against one of the 175 pound champions,” Barrera stated.

What is troubling to Barrera is that he hasn’t heard a word regarding the rescheduling of the fight.  With boxing returning to the airwaves in the United States next week and plans for a DAZN fight card on July 4th, Barrera is perplexed at why he hasn’t heard anything about the Kovalev fight and wonders if there are other issues at hand.

“I am still training, staying in shape for when my manager calls me and says that the fight is back on. So far we don’t hear anything.  What is the problem?  I just hope Kovalev isn’t back on the vodka.  We all know what liquor does to him and I hope that isn’t the reason why our fight isn’t rescheduled.  I really want this fight. I put everything into it. I even agreed to give him an extra 5 pounds so he doesn’t have to train too hard.  What is the problem now, Kovalev?” Barrera stated.

TOP HEAVYWEIGHT PROSPECT Mitchell Barton has officially joined Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, as he prepares to make his professional debut.

The 21-year-old Scotland international, who lives in York and was born in Skipton, was a Scottish and British champion as a youth and also enjoyed success in the seniors where he was a two-time Tri-Nations winner and Scottish champion.

“It is unbelievable and I never thought in a million years I would get to sign with Frank Warren,” said the Henry Wharton-trained heavyweight. “He is one of the biggest names in boxing and it took a couple of days to sink in that I had done it.

“My trainer Henry kept asking if I could believe it and the answer was no. For the first couple of days I couldn’t get excited because it just hadn’t sunk in. It has now and I am over the moon.

“I have never trained as hard in my life and it is just brilliant,” added Barton, who is now based in York after his international exploits in a Scotland vest.

“I was born in Skipton and moved to Scotland when I was younger. I never picked up the accent, but I am just a fighter and it doesn’t matter where you are from, does it?

“I’ve represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games and the Europeans as a youth, also the world championships. 

“I am a bit of everything because I box and fight. You cannot just stick to one style and although I would say I am more of a fighter, I am a smart fighter and pick my punches and look for the right shots.

“If needs be the power is there. I am 6ft 3/4” and I weigh about 17.5st.

“There is a lot of talent popping up now and it is a good time to be a heavyweight.

“The plan is to keep active and not rush into anything. I am still only young and will take small steps to build myself up. I am looking forward to the journey, although I know it will be hard.”

Beginning her career as a nurse, Kim Clavel left the profession to pursue her dream of boxing, but as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across North America, Clavel returned to nursing to look after the most vulnerable patients. For her dedication to serving others, Clavel will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service sponsored by MassMutual at The 2020 ESPYS presented by Capital One airing June 21, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

“It is an honor to receive the Pat Tillman Award on behalf of all the healthcare workers battling COVID-19 on the frontlines,” said Kim Clavel.  “Just as Pat put his NFL career on hold to serve his country, I felt the same duty to serve my community. Although recently I have pursued my dream of boxing, helping people is my passion and I’m proud to be able to make a difference.” 

Hailing from Joliette, Quebec, Kim Clavel made her professional boxing debut on December 16, 2017. She took a year-long leave from nursing last August to focus on her emerging boxing career as a light flyweight. Clavel proved her passion for the sport, compiling a record of 11-0 with two knockouts and winning her first professional title via unanimous decision to become the North American Boxing Federation flyweight champion in December 2019 in Montreal. Scheduled to defend her title on March 21, 2020, Clavel’s match was cancelled as COVID-19 began escalating in North America. Instead of lacing up her boxing gloves, Clavel made the choice to return to her scrubs. Since then, Clavel has worked tirelessly as an overnight nurse at retirement and elderly care centers. She’s acutely aware that her patients are vulnerable not only to the virus, but to the isolation and loneliness it imposes. It’s exhausting, challenging work. But she knows she’s making a difference – a fighter-turned-caregiver, serving where she’s needed most. 

“Choosing to return to the front lines of healthcare amid an unprecedented global pandemic, Kim personifies the spirit of service, duty and selflessness that Pat embodied,” said Marie Tillman, board chair and co-founder of the Pat Tillman Foundation. “In spite of the dangers from COVID and delays to her budding boxing career, Kim chose to focus her energy on those most in need. In Pat’s name, we are honored to present the Tillman Award to Kim for her service and leadership in her healthcare work and throughout this crisis.” 

The Pat Tillman Award for Service was established in 2014 to commemorate the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger’s legacy, and honoring an individual with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes Tillman’s legacy. Kim Clavel will be presented with the award during The 2020 ESPYS in conjunction with the Pat Tillman Foundation, a national leader in providing academic support and scholarships to veterans, active-duty service members and their spouses. Past honorees include U.S. Paralympic gold medal sled hockey player and Purple Heart recipient Josh Sweeney (2014), and former Notre Dame basketball player, Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient Danielle Green (2015), U.S. Army Sgt. and Invictus Games gold medalist Elizabeth Marks (2016), and Purple Heart recipient and Invictus Games gold medalist Israel Del Toro (2017), Navy-Marine Commendation Medal recipient, Sergeant and founder of Team Rubicon Jake Wood (2018) and former Marine and founder of the Kristie Ennis Foundation, Kristie Ennis (2019).

The 2020 ESPYS will include the Sports Humanitarian Awards, sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb, with several key awards including the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award presented by Anthem Foundation and the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award presented by Dove Men+Care, among others. 

The ESPYS helps to raise awareness and funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the charity founded by ESPN and the late basketball coach Jim Valvano at the first ESPYS back in 1993. ESPN has helped raise more than $116 million for the V Foundation over the past 27 years.

ABOUT THE PAT TILLMAN FOUNDATION

In 2002, Pat Tillman proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Pat’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Created to honor Pat’s legacy of leadership and service, the Pat Tillman Foundation unites and empowers remarkable military veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self. For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation and the impact of the Tillman Scholars, visit www.PatTillmanFoundation.org.

Eddie Hearn and Tony Bellew are back with the sixth and final instalment of our ‘Talk the Talk’ series, which airs tonight at 7pm (BST) on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel.

This week the duo are joined by UFC President Dana White – the kingpin behind creating the world’s biggest MMA events and fights. White discusses a number of topics from the world of boxing and MMA ahead of this weekend’s UFC 250 showdown in Las Vegas. 

“It’s been some series and what a way to finish, having Dana on Talk The Talk was great,” said Eddie Hearn. “His drive and passion speaks volumes, I’m so pumped after speaking with him to return to live action.”

“Dana’s grown and evolved MMA over the years, it’s incredible what he’s done and it was brilliant to speak with the UFC President on our season finale,” added Bellew.

Talk The Talk premieres tonight at 7pm (BST) tonight

In line with the latest BBBofC and Government guidelines relating to COVID-19, Matchroom Boxing have taken the decision to reschedule their events due to take place in Newcastle on Saturday June 27th and Cardiff on Saturday July 11th, while the event taking place at Manchester Arena on Saturday July 4th has been cancelled.
 
Subject to the developing situation, Lee Selby’s IBF Lightweight World Title Final Eliminator against George Kambosos Jr at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff has been rescheduled to Saturday October 3rd, while Lewis Ritson’s clash with former World Champion Miguel Vazquez at the Utilita Arena Newcastle has been rescheduled to Saturday October 17th.  
 
Tickets will be valid for the rescheduled dates in Cardiff and Newcastle or refunds will be available from your point of purchase. Tickets for the cancelled Manchester event will be available from your point of purchase.

DETROIT, MI (June 2, 2020) – Top Rank’s undefeated WBO Featherweight World Champion, Shakur Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs), is this week’s featured guest on “Stars and Champions”, airing Friday, May 29, 2020, on the Impact Network. Veteran boxing writer Dan Rafael will host the 30-minute broadcast beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT.

Stevenson captured the vacant WBO crown when he defeated Joet Gonzalez (23-1 14 KOs) in November of 2019. His next fight, a 10-round main event bout against Felix Caraballo (13-1-2, 9 KOs), is scheduled for June 9, 2020, live on ESPN. Stevenson will be making his super featherweight debut. This will be the first live main event boxing match broadcasted on national television amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Impact Network will air “Stars and Champions” across all major cable, satellite, and digital channels. Impact is now broadcasting 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and can be viewed on DIRECTV’s Channel 380 or Channel 268, DISH Network’s Channel 268, Fios TV Channel 787, Verizon Website and Comcast’s Xfinity TV’s Channel 400. In addition, Impact Network can be viewed digitally on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Microsoft, and Sling. “Stars and Champions” can also be viewed on the Impact Network website and mobile app. Please check local listings in your area for more information.

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About Impact Network: The Impact Network provides family friendly entertainment and educational themed inspirational content through its many distribution platforms. Broadcasting in over 88 million homes, Impact endeavors to be the foremost innovative inspirational network both locally and abroad. The Impact Network is the fastest growing and largest black owned faith-based TV network spanning across the united states, the Bahamian Islands and parts of Africa!

LAS VEGAS (June 1, 2020) — It can all be summarized in three long-awaited words: boxing is back.
 
Top Rank on ESPN returns Tuesday, June 9, as WBO featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson will take on Puerto Rican contender Felix “La Sombra” Caraballo in a 10-round super featherweight bout. Stevenson-Caraballo will kick off a blockbuster June boxing lineup, which will include multiple cards each week on the ESPN family of networks. Specifics on ESPN platforms and tune-in times to be announced soon.
 
Stevenson-Caraballo will be the first of multiple June events to take place at the MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom. The action will continue Thursday, June 11 when former junior featherweight world champion and top featherweight contender Jessie Magdaleno faces Dominican puncher Yenifel Vicente in a 10-rounder.
 
These events will be closed to both the public and the media, as only essential fight camp members and event staff will be permitted on site.
 
“I would like to thank MGM Resorts and the Nevada State Athletic Commission for their assistance in helping to bring back world-class boxing,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We are all looking forward to a spectacular summer of live boxing across ESPN platforms. Shakur is among the best young talents I’ve ever promoted, and he is going to put on a show on June 9.”
 
ESPN’s Top Rank play-by-play commentator, Joe Tessitore, will be calling the action from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios.  Andre Ward (analyst), former #1 pound-for-pound two-division world titleholder and 2004 Olympic gold medalist, Tim Bradley (analyst), former two-division world titleholder and boxing insider Mark Kriegel, will join from their home studios. Boxing reporter Bernardo Osuna will be on-location in Las Vegas. 
 
June 9 
MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom
Main Event
Shakur Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs) vs. Felix Caraballo (13-1-2, 9 KOs)
10 rounds, Super Featherweight
 
2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist Stevenson, the pride of Newark, New Jersey, is testing the waters at super featherweight following his featherweight title-winning effort over Joet Gonzalez last October. He went 4-0 in 2019, flashing the skills and athleticism that have many experts pegging him as a future pound-for-pound superstar. Caraballo has won five fights in a row and will be fighting for the first time away from Puerto Rico.
 
“I can’t wait to get back in the ring and return live boxing to ESPN,” Stevenson said. “I was really disappointed when my fight got canceled in March, and I said then that I wanted to be one of the first fights back. I stayed in shape so when that call came, I was ready. The atmosphere might be different on June 9, but I’ve fought in unique situations all over the world before so it won’t affect me. Regardless of who’s in the building, you’ll see another great performance, and I’ll remind everyone why I’m the best young fighter in boxing.”
  
Co-Feature
Mikaela Mayer (12-0, 5 KOs) vs. Helen Joseph (17-4-2, 10 KOs)
10 rounds, Super Featherweight
 
Mayer, Stevenson’s 2016 Olympic teammate, has in short order become one of the faces of female boxing. The Los Angeles native is on track for a world title shot this year, but she must first defeat Joseph, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, who is coming off a competitive decision loss to former lightweight queen Delfine Persoon.
 
“I’m incredibly grateful and excited to be fighting on the first boxing card since the pandemic shutdown,” Mayer said. “I was set to travel to New York City for a fight March 17, but the quarantine went into effect the day before I was supposed to fly out. So, despite having a long, hard 10-week camp, I was unable to perform and showcase the work I had put in. I feel like I’ve leveled up my skill set, and I’m eager to show that on June 9 and capture my 13th win. It’s also great to see ESPN and Top Rank having a woman headline their first card back. I have been in camp with Shakur, and we’re ready to bring boxing back to television with exciting wins.”
 
Undercard
 
Undefeated heavyweight knockout artists Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (3-0, 3 KOs), from Toledo, Ohio, will face Johnnie Langston (8-2, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder. Anderson recently served as Tyson Fury’s chief sparring partner for the Deontay Wilder rematch.
 
Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (6-0, 6 KOs), a 2016 Italian Olympian, will fight Don Haynesworth (16-3-1, 14 KOs) in a six-rounder at heavyweight.
 
Robeisy Ramirez (2-1, 2 KOs), the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba who bested Stevenson in the 2016 gold medal match, will seek his third straight win as a pro in a six-round featherweight bout against Yeuri Andujar (5-3, 3 KOs).
 
In a middleweight tilt set for six or four rounds, Calvin Metcalf (10-3-1, 3 KOs) will face Atlanta native Quatavious Cash (11-2, 7 KOs).
 
June 11
MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom
Main Event
Jessie Magdaleno (27-1, 18 KOs) vs. Yenifel Vicente (36-4-2, 28 KOs)
10 rounds, Featherweight
 
Top-ranked featherweight contender Magdaleno has defeated veterans Rafael Rivera and Rico Ramos since moving up from the junior featherweight ranks. The Las Vegas native will be fighting in his hometown for the first time since he dethroned four-weight kingpin Nonito Donaire in November 2016. Vicente, the author of numerous highlight-reel knockouts, is 11-1 with 11 knockouts in his last 12 fights.
 
“It feels great to be one of the first fighters back,” Magdaleno said. “I’m excited to get back in the ring, especially after my last fight was canceled. I didn’t get discouraged. I am even more ready now. I can’t wait to showcase my talent to the ESPN audience. What better way to show that the champ is back?”
 
Co-Feature
Adam Lopez (13-2, 6 KOs) vs. Louie Coria (12-2, 7 KOs)
10 rounds, vacant NABF Featherweight title
 
Lopez, a native of Glendale, California, is back following his seesaw throwdown against Oscar Valdez last November, a bout he took on a day’s notice after Valdez’s original opponent missed weight. Despite a 3.5-pound weight disadvantage, he knocked down Valdez in the second round before being stopped in the seventh. The “Glendale Gatti” will have a tough task in Coria, a Robert Garcia-trained fighter who has won three straight since a split decision loss at super featherweight.
 
“I will put a show on for all the fight fans around the world and show them what I’m made of,” Lopez said. “The Valdez fight was an incredible experience. I’m ready to get what’s left of 2020 going and move toward a title shot.  The whole team is working hard and preparing well. Tune in. I’m going to put on a show.”
 
Undercard
 
Bryan Lua (5-0, 2 KOs), from California’s Central Valley, will return following a more than two-year layoff against Dan Murray (5-3, 0 KOs) in a six-rounder at lightweight.
 
Bantamweight prospect Gabriel Muratalla (2-0, 2 KOs) will make his 2020 debut in a four-rounder versus Fernando Robles (2-2, 0 KOs).
 
In a battle of unbeaten California-based lightweights scheduled for six or four rounds, Eric Mondragon (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Mike Sanchez (6-0, 2 KOs).

Sampson boxing proudly announces the re-signing of featherweight contender Eduardo “Zurdito” Ramirez and super welterweight contender Jorge “Demonio” Cota, both of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, to exclusive long-term promotional contracts.

Ramirez (23-2-3, 10 KOs) is a 27-year-old, highly skilled southpaw with fast hands and super defense. He was last seen stopping formerly undefeated Cuban Leduan Barthelemy in four impressive rounds last November in Las Vegas. The pair had previously fought to a controversial draw, but this time Ramirez left no doubt.

Cota (30-4, 27 KOs) is a 27-year-old perennial contender with powerful fists and a hard-nosed relentless free-swinging style. Cota was last seen at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia where he scored a TKO 5 over popular contender Thomas LaManna on the undercard of promotional stablemate Jeison Rosario’s title-winning stoppage of Julian Williams in January of this year.

Both fighters are trained by Pedro and Eduardo Montiel and managed by Manuel Montiel Jr., brothers of five-time world champion Fernando Montiel.

“I have been given many good opportunities in my career and look forward to many more with Sampson Boxing,” said Ramirez. “Sampson told me if I work hard and do my job, he will get me in the right fights and we have both kept our word.”

“I am happy to continue to fight under the Sampson banner,” said Cota. “Sampson never gave up on me. I will continue to fight hard and work to win a world championship for my team.”

Lewkowicz says he’s happy to be continuing his promotional relationship with both Mexican warriors.

“Both of these fighters are from the toughest parts of Mexico and they work everyday for more for themselves and their families. I am honored to remain part of their team and helping them fight their way to better lives. They are both good men who always show up to fight. They are both coming off big victories in their careers and when boxing starts up again, they will both see good opportunities to come.”
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.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX in Las Vegas with a thrilling women’s featherweight championship bout that will see No. 1 ranked women’s pound-for-pound fighter Amanda Nunes defend her featherweight belt against top contender Felicia Spencer. In a blockbuster bantamweight bout, No. 5 ranked contender Raphael Assuncao battles former champion and No. 9 ranked Cody Garbrandt.

UFC^® 250: NUNES vs. SPENCER will take place Saturday, June 6 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas and will stream live on Pay-Per-View, exclusively through ESPN+ in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT in both English and Spanish.

ESPN+ is the exclusive provider of all UFC Pay-Per-View events to fans in the U.S. as part of an agreement announced in 2019.

Fans will be able to purchase UFC^® 250: NUNES vs. SPENCER online at ESPNPlus.com/PPV or on the ESPN App on mobile and connected-TV devices. ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of 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.

Preliminary fights will air nationally in English on ESPN and on ESPN Deportes (in Spanish) starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with the early prelims simulcast on UFC Fight Pass, ESPN, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes (in Spanish) at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT.

The greatest women’s fighter of all-time, Nunes (19-4, fighting out of Coral Springs, Fla. by way of Bahia, Brazil) looks to continue cementing her legacy by securing her first successful featherweight title defense. Throughout her storied career, Nunes has delivered spectacular first-round finishes against Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm and Miesha Tate. Nunes now looks for another show-stealing performance to further etch her name in the history books.

A former Invicta FC featherweight champion, Spencer (8-1, fighting out of Orlando, Fla. by way of Montreal, Canada) aims to send shockwaves throughout the sports world by dethroning Nunes. A talented grappler, the Canadian-born submission specialist has delivered spectacular finishes against Megan Anderson, Zarah Fairn and Pam Sorenson. Spencer now aims to capture her first UFC championship by handing Nunes her first loss in over five years.

A perennial bantamweight contender, Assuncao (27-7, fighting out of Alpharetta, Ga. by way of Recife, Brazil) has fought the top names at 135 pounds in the UFC. A talented Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, he has earned impressive wins against TJ Dillashaw, Marlon Moraes, Aljamain Sterling and Pedro Munhoz. He looks to add another former champion to his resume and re-assert himself as a title threat.

Former champion Garbrandt (11-3, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) turned heads by winning his first 11 consecutive outings and dethroning long-time champion Dominick Cruz in 2016. Over the course of his career, he has netted memorable KO wins against Thomas Almeida, Takeya Mizugaki and Augusto Mendes. He looks to take his next step back into title contention with another highlight-reel finish.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• In a pivotal bantamweight bout with title implications, No. 2 ranked contender Aljamain Sterling (18-3, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y.) takes on No. 4 Cory Sandhagen (12-1, fighting out of Aurora, Colo.)
• Neil Magny (22-8, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) squares off with Anthony Rocco Martin (17-5, fighting out of St. Cloud, Minn.) in a thrilling welterweight contest
• Former WEC bantamweight champion Eddie Wineland (24-13-1, fighting out of Chesterton, Ind.) locks horns with undefeated upstart Sean O’Malley (11-0, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.)
• In an exciting featherweight bout, Alex Caceres (15-12 1NC, fighting out of Miami, Fla.) takes on undefeated Chase Hooper (9-0-1, fighting out of Enumclaw, Wash.)
• Ian Heinisch (13-3, fighting out of Englewood, Colo.) squares off with Gerald Meerschaert (30-12, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) in an entertaining middleweight bout
• Cody Stamann (18-2-1, fighting out of Sparta, Mich.) takes on Brian Kelleher (21-10, fighting out of Selden, N.Y.) in an intriguing featherweight bout
• Charles Byrd (10-6, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.) meets Maki Pitolo (11-5, fighting out of M?kaha, Hawaii) in a clash of middleweight finishers
• In a battle of flyweight contenders, No. 4 ranked Jussier Formiga (23-7, fighting out of Natal, Brazil) faces No. 9 Alex Perez (23-5, fighting out of Leemoore, Calif.)
• Alonzo Menifield (10-0, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.) looks to remain undefeated when he takes on tough Devin Clark (11-4, fighting out of Sioux Falls, S.D.)
• Evan Dunham (18-7-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) returns against Herbert Burns (10-2, fighting out of Lantana, Fla. by way of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a 150-pound catchweight bout

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

###

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+ 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 quickly to 7.9 million subscribers, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  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

About Disney’s Direct-To-Consumer & International

Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer & International (DTCI) segment includes Disney’s international media operations stretching from Europe to Asia to Latin America and the Company’s direct-to-consumer streaming businesses, including Hulu, Hotstar, ESPN+, and the recently launched Disney+ service. DTCI also manages global advertising sales and ad technology for Disney media properties which include ABC, ESPN, Freeform, FX Networks, National Geographic, and the Disney Channels. The Company’s media distribution operations are also part of the Direct-to-Consumer & International business segment.

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.

Over the next few weeks the sport of boxing will finally resume after a lengthy hiatus caused by the covid-19 pandemic.

While the action in the ring was on hold, there still was plenty going on outside of the ring.  Former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson was trending after setting the social media world fire after posting a short training video clip.

Whispers of a comeback by Tyson ensued and he fueled the fire more by stating that he would like to comeback to the ring in a series of exhibition bouts to raise money for charity.  

Tyson’s announcement set off a chain reaction, as he inspired several other legendary names in the combat sports world to throw their names in the mix. Long time Tyson rival Evander Holyfield, James Toney and MMA legends such as Wanderlei Silva and Tito Ortiz were among the fighters to state their interest in fighting the youngest heavyweight in the history of boxing.

However, the interest in comebacks isn’t limited to only heavyweight fighters.  A former Mexican superstar has reached out to Impact Boxing to gauge their interest in potentially televising his comeback fight.  

Impact Boxing is a newcomer to the sport, having joined the boxing world earlier this year and is interested in helping retired fighters continue to earn money to support their families but only if it can be done in a safe manner.

In similar fashion to senior leagues in professional golf and tennis, Impact Boxing would only be interested in televising these “legends” fights if strict rules are adhered to for each bout.

Impact Boxing would like to propose the potential creation of a veteran’s league that would allow former ring idols to return against their colleagues with modified rules. These rules are outlined below:

VETERAN BOXING LEAGUE

The Veteran Boxing League (the “VBL”) is a proposed specialty boxing league specifically established for former professional boxers from ages 45-60 years. The VBL would follow traditional boxing weight classes and work with established sanctioning bodies to establish a ranking system and championship structure for each weight class. 

The VBL would hold events and mini-tournaments featuring a “who’s who” of retired professional boxers that would allow these retired pros to come out of retirement and
recapture their former glory in the ring. The VBL would provide a high level of competition for former fighters in a setting that allows for competition and safety.

VBL Fight Structure:
? No more than 6 rounds per bout
? 2 minute rounds
? 90 second breaks between rounds instead of the usual 1 minute for professional fights in order to allow proper recovery time and also additional medical supervision from ringside doctors between rounds
? Fighters would use 12 oz. gloves at the heavier weight classes and 10 oz. gloves at the lighter weight classes
? Stringent medical requirements pre-bout to ensure physical fitness to compete in VBL
? All other aspects of the fights to be governed by the ABC rules
? Tournaments may be held with seeding established based on fighter’s prior professional success, alternatively fighters could be ranked in conjunction with an established sanctioning body

Steve Marcano of SMM Boxing believes that the VBL will provide a high level of competition for former fighters that still desire to fight in a setting that allows for competition and safety. “This structure will allow retired fighters to compete against each other and avoid mismatches where retired fighters are fighting boxers who are much younger than them, which increases the potential risk of injury and is something that no one wants to see,” he stated.

According to Marcano, Impact is in discussions to hold its first VBL event with a main event featuring 2 boxing hall of famers as soon as regulations preventing fans from attending events are lifted.

“As soon as we are up and running we are expecting to get this new platform off the ground in conjunction with Impact’s regular boxing programming,” Marcano revealed

Ricky Burns says it would be fitting to draw the curtain on his illustrious career in Glasgow when the time is right, but the Coatbridge hero is confident he still has plenty more great nights left in the tank as he spoke with Chris Lloyd in the latest episode of Matchroom Boxing’s podcast ‘The Lockdown Tapes’.
THE LOCKDOWN TAPES WITH RICKY BURNS IS ALSO ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW!
Burns (43-8-1, 16 KOs ) created history by becoming Scotland’s first three-weight World champion in May 2016 when he added Super-Lightweight glory to his Super-Featherweight and Lightweight titles by stopping Michele Di Rocco for the WBA title at the SSE Hydro.

‘Rickster’ joined the paid ranks at the age of 18 in October 2001, decisioning Woody Greenway at Kevlin Hall in Glasgow, 51 fights and almost 20 years later the ultimate professional insists that he is still going strong following a close defeat to Welshman Lee Selby in London last October. 

“I just felt as if I had done enough to win in that fight,” said Burns. “It wasn’t just the Selby fight but over the last year and on social media, I had lots of people asking me if I was still fighting. After the fight it was things like that going through my head but I’m not ready to retire yet. If I had went in and Lee had punched the face off me I would have said no more. 

“As I say, I thought I had done enough to win and I do think I have a couple of good fights left in me so let’s see what happens! I was 36 at the time, I am 37 now and I don’t kid myself. I know I have got a year or two left of my career. I’ve always said I will decide when the time is right, I just don’t like it when people are trying to force it upon me.

“I started ticking over in the gym up here and had to shake off a few injuries after the Selby fight. All the scans have come back clear and I have been back to normal doing marathon runs, the body is all good. 

“We’ve not spoken about dates or opponents yet but I would love to finish my career in Glasgow and have one more big night up here. Throughout my career the fans have always turned up and showed great support so I would love to put on one last show for them up here before I call it a day.

“I don’t really want to think about life after boxing until I’ve decided that’s it. I see myself staying within boxing and getting an amateur club started. Getting my pro license would be great and I think I would make a good coach and a good trainer.”

As well as reflecting on his glittering career and looking ahead to what comes next, Burns discusses his amateur days in Scotland, dealing with losses, what it takes to maintain his incredible fitness, as well as the future of Scottish boxing. 

Fans can find Burn’s episode plus previous episodes with Joshua Buatsi, Devin Haney, Joe Cordina, Joseph Parker, Josh Warrington, Daniel Jacobs, Liam Smith, Demetrius Andrade, John Ryder and more here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-matchroom-boxing-podcast/id1506174562

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YRAWQS5JXB0OvM8vCqZxq

Matchroom Website: https://www.matchroomboxing.com/lockdown-tapes-podcast/

Interim WBC Heavyweight World Champion Dillian Whyte and Heavyweight UFC star Francis Ngannouwill come together for a special ePress conference at 7pm (BST) tomorrow (Saturday May 30) on Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel.

In partnership with StubHub, Sky Sports and VOW, Eddie Hearn hosts the fifth edition of our ‘Rivals’ series following the first four instalments featuring Lee Selby, Anthony Fowler, Ohara Davies, Terri Harper, Fabio Wardley and more. 

Hearn revealed that he has received huge demand to stage an explosive battle between the big-hitters, and is planning on holding talks with UFC boss Dana White with an eye to putting on the fight at the back end of 2020.

Whyte is currently training for a rescheduled clash with Russian danger man Alexander Povetkin that is due to conclude Matchroom Boxing’s groundbreaking ‘Fight Camp’ this summer, but ‘The Body Snatcher’ could then turn his attention to a fight with Ngannou before the end of 2020. 

Ngannou is the No.2 ranked contender in the UFC and the 33-year-old’s mettle has already been tested inside the boxing ring by British Heavyweight Joe Joyce when the big men shared eight rounds of sparring in Las Vegas earlier this year.

“Whoever wants it, can get it,” said Whyte. “We can do two fights, one in the ring and one in the cage. We’ve both got power, we’re both in our prime and one punch can end it. I want to get it on and rock the world.”

“People have been talking about this potential fight for months now,” said Ngannou. “This makes sense down the line, me and Dillian are going to cross paths. I don’t back down from a challenge.”

“Dana loves great fights, so I’ll try to make this happen. This isn’t a gimmick, this is two of the best and baddest in the world. Whyte vs. Ngannou would be huge,” added Hearn. 

Fans can tune in to Rivals tomorrow at 7pm (BST) on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel here: Whyte vs. Ngannou Rivals 

Matchroom Boxing Light-Heavyweight stars Joshua Buatsi and Callum Johnson will speak to each other for the very first time on ‘The Boxing Show’ – a new dynamic weekly show presented by Anna Woolhouse alongside Matthew Macklin on Sky Sports.

Airing at 2.00pm (BST) today on Sky Sports News and Main Event, the British rivals will discuss the latest news and views from the world of boxing, with a focus on the thriving Light-Heavyweight scene and a potentially huge domestic clash with each other in the future. 

Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Buatsi (12-0, 10 KOs) has already established himself as a must-watch fighter having scored a series of eye-catching stoppage wins so far in his professional career as he marches towards a World Title shot, most recently halting Ryan Ford in seven rounds at The O2.

Big-hitting Johnson (18-1, 13 KOs) fell short in his first World Title attempt in 2018 when current WBC and IBF ruler Artur Beterbiev inflicted his sole career defeat, but the Boston man is itching for another shot at the big time and believes that a meeting with Buatsi is inevitable down the line. 

Buatsi’s manager, two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World Anthony Joshua OBE, was full of praise for the undefeated Croydon sensation as he spoke to Andy Scott in an exclusive interview: “I know Buatsi for the man he is. He gives me advice as well before my fights, he reaches out to me. I think with Buatsi, why he will do great things in boxing is because of his belief in god.

“He has a reason, and his reason is bigger than boxing. Through boxing, he will use his platform to go on and do great things after. That rugged edge is only to fulfil his destiny and purpose, and he has to do it through fighting.”

Watch ‘The Boxing Show’ on Sky Sports News and Sky Sports Main Event from 2.00pm (BST) today!

NEW YORK (May 28, 2020) – Split-T Management has announced the addition of a second top amateur prospect this week, as 2020 Olympic hopeful Omar Rosario of Puerto Rico has signed with the company.

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

Rosario will campaign in the junior welterweight division.

“Although I am disappointed I won’t be able to compete for Puerto Rico in the Olympics this year, I feel that I am better able to represent my country in the pros. Puerto Rico is looking for their next superstar, and I am that guy,” said Rosario with a smile.

Rosario, 22, has come a long way since he began boxing at the age of seven after being inspired by the success of fellow countryman and fellow Caguas-native Miguel Cotto. Rosario has followed in Cotto’s footsteps ever since – winning six Puerto Rican National Championships and representing the National Team in various international competitions. In fact, Cotto’s father, Miguel Sr., was Rosario’s first trainer and Rosario describes him as being “like a second father” to him growing up.

“I am ready and working hard every day to build a great legacy in boxing and I know that Tim and the whole Split-T family will help me do that. I just want to make the people of Puerto Rico proud.”

Rosario’s current trainer, Joe Santiago, the coach of the Puerto Rican National Team and Miguel Cotto’s trainer for multiple world title bouts, commented that, “The Olympics are a myth right now and we are going to take advantage of this time to begin Omar’s journey into the pros. He has all the right tools and physicality to become a multi-divisional World Champ.”

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, Cotto.

“I’m really excited about adding Omar to our growing roster of young talent. He’s from a deep boxing culture in Puerto Rico that has great love and pride for the sport. Omar’s an outstanding talent and he can easily be described as a boxer-puncher with a beautiful, precise left hook – similar to Cotto’s when he was an amateur. With Omar’s ability and experience he has a maturity about him that should help him make a flawless transition to the professional ranks,” stated VanNewhouse.

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.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 28, 2020) — Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES), founded and operated by veteran boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield, Sr., is offering “Iron” Mike Tyson $1,000,000 to square-off with Juiseppe Angelo Cusumano, plus a percentage of closed circuit receipts to be negotiated, as well a $200,000 donation to whatever charity Tyson’s wife prefers.

Jimmy Burchfield, Sr., known as “The Hardest Working Promoter in Combat Sports”
“If Mike Tyson is serious about making a comeback,” Burchfield said, “we’re prepared to make him a legitimate offer to fight Cusumano in a 6 or 8-round fight, whichever Mike chooses. After three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, boxing fans are hungry to watch real fights, not exhibitions. Tyson is a boxer and a damn good one at that! He’s not a bare-knuckle fighter or wrestler. A real boxing match is what we’re interested in promoting!”

Tyson (50-6, 49 KOs) hasn’t officially fought since June 11, 2005.

The 6′ 4″ Cusumano (18-3, 16 KOs) is an Italian heavyweight who fights out of Carini, Sicily.

CES needs to make sure that Tyson is medically cleared before proceeding. His complete medical exam results are required by CES to be submitted with a June 25, 2020 deadline. The date and venue for Tyson vs. Cusumano is to be determined, but open to negotiations once CES has spoken to Tyson or his representatives.

“Cusumano will be a true gauge for Tyson’s first fight in 15 years,” Burchfield added. “This is a fight boxing fans want to see, not an exhibition, because it will let everyone know exactly where he’s at today and whether or not he can truly challenge a (Tyson) Fury, (Anthony) Joshua, or (Deontay) Wilder. We’re ready to negotiate in good faith right now.”

CES has been promoting boxing events for nearly 30 years and its stable of fighters has included 5-time world champion Vinny Paz, who was a very close teammate of Tyson’s when they were amateurs, 3-time world titlist Chad Dawson, Peter Manfredo, Jr., Ray Olivieria, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Gary “Tiger” Balletto, and Matt Remillard, among the more notables.

INFORMATION:
Website: www.CESBoxing.com
Twitter & Instagram: @cesboxing