Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions proudly announces that Shabazz Bryant has been named GCP’s Executive Vice President, effective immediately.

For the past seven years, Baltimore-based Bryant, President of Shabazz Brotherz Boxing, has been a key figure in the surprisingly strong resurrection of his city’s boxing scene. Working with a long list of fighters including undefeated super lightweight contender Keith “The Bounty” Hunter, undefeated super middleweight prospect Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson and light heavyweight contender Travis Reeves, Shabazz Brotherz’ “Real Fights” series has been featured in first-rate venues such as Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland, and the Baltimore Arena.

“I’m very happy about this opportunity and excited for the future,” said Shabazz Bryant. “I look forward to this year and to bringing new fighters to GCP.”

Bryant, along with fellow GCP Vice President Sarah Fina, will commence working together immediately on signing new talent while continuing to develop the ever growing GCP stable.

“We will be working on the day-to-day and on keeping everything moving in the right direction,” continued Bryant. “I’m looking to bridge the gap between some of the younger fighters and Greg because we have a lot of young fighters that are up-and-coming in this area and Greg has a lot of connections. As one of the top promoters in the sport, he has demonstrated his ability to bring fighters to the next level many times.”

“I’m very happy that Shabazz has officially joined GCP,” said Greg Cohen. “He is a seasoned promoter with a great eye for talent and there is no doubt he will be a tremendous asset to our company.”

About Greg Cohen Promotions

One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen is lauded for his expert guidance of, among many others, current WBA Middleweight Champion Rob Brant from Minnesota, top-rated heavyweight contender Jarrell “ Big Baby” Miller from New York and former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout of New Mexico. All three fighters, under Cohen’s promotional watch, went from unknowns to prospects to national television stars.

In addition, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney, as well as former WBA World Champion Ismael Barroso and former WBO-NABO Super Middleweight Champion “Mean” Joe Greene.

Cohen also has a full stable of up-and-coming future champions, lead by undefeated light heavyweight Cem Kilic, undefeated featherweight prospect Ramiro Hernandez, and undefeated super featherweight prospect Abraham “El Super” Nova.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, CBS Sports, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

SHREVEPORT, LA. – January 30, 2020 – Undefeated featherweight prospect Ruben Villa and hard-hitting KO artist Alexei Collado (pictured above) both made weight a day before their ShoBox: The New Generation main event on Friday, January 31 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport, La.

The former two-time Junior Olympic National Champion Villa (17-0, 5 KOs) of Salinas, Calif., will make his fourth ShoBox: The New Generation appearance in just over a year as he faces Cuba’s Collado (25-2, 22 KOs) in a 10-round 126-pound bout. Undefeated Ukrainian and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Taras Shelestyuk (17-0, 10 KOs) meets Argentina’s Luis Alberto Veron (18-1-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight matchup in the co-featured bout. In the telecast opener, ShoBox veteran Zhora Hamazaryan (9-1-1, 6 KOs) from Armenia has moved over to the “A” side and will face new opponent Uganda’s Sulaiman Segawa (12-2, 3 KOs) who replaces Jerry Perez, who fell out of the fight earlier in the week because of the flu. The lightweight bout is scheduled for eight rounds.

The event is promoted by Banner Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Bishop Promotions LLC. Tickets can be purchased at www.Bishoppromotions.com and prices are $20-$100.

Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

FINAL WEIGHTS, REFEREES AND JUDGES

Featherweight 10-Round Bout
Ruben Villa – 125 ¾ lbs.
Alexei Collado – 125 lbs.
Referee: Mark Nelson (Minnesota); Judges: Keith Thibadeaux (Houma, La.), Pat Dayton (Monroe, La.), Micky Lofton (Monroe, La.)

Welterweight 10-Round Bout
Taras Shelestyuk – 146 ¾ lbs.
Luis Alberto Veron – 146 ¼ lbs.
Referee: Keith Hughes (Mississippi); Judges: Keith Thibadeaux (Houma, La.), Pat Dayton (Monroe, La.), Todd Singletary (Baton Rouge, La.)

Lightweight 8-Round Bout
Zhora Hamazaryan – 136 ½ lbs.*
Sulaiman Segawa – 135 lbs.
*Initially missed weight, but was allowed to re-weigh and after one hour made weight.
Referee: Mark Nelson (Minnesota); Judges: Keith Thibadeaux (Houma, La.), Pat Dayton (Monroe, La.), Todd Singletary (Baton Rouge, La.)

FINAL QUOTES:

RUBEN VILLA:

“I said in the past it will be one year till I fight for a world title and I think that’s still true.

“I’m ready and can’t wait to display my talents. I’m on ShoBox again and a main event. I want to look good and get the win, so it’s No. 2 on my list to get the stoppage. Getting the win is most important.

“I know there are some boxing fans who appreciate what I do. As far as me being concerned about what others think of me, I don’t care. We work on footwork every day, religiously. Every day for 45 minutes. That’s our priority.

“I’m not running away from anyone in there. I’m progressing and still an exciting fighter.

“I know I look relaxed out here, but I’m locked in. Once I finish all of my interviews I’m back and locked in. The fun starts now because I get to eat.”

ALEXEI COLLADO:

“The last time I fought on ShoBox I was undefeated and weight was an issue because I’m not a 135-pound fighter.

“I know how Villa fights: Box, box, box. I have to be smart and we have our game plan. No one has been able to figure him out yet, but we will see. He’s in for a test, and I have the experience.

“The hunger is still there and I have to do this for my family. Because they have supported me and are behind me.

“I come from the Cuban school of boxing which is hit and don’t get hit. I want the knockout. We’re on T.V. so we need to be impressive.”

TARAS SHELESTYUK:

“I fought on ShoBox in the past but I think I’m more experienced now and had never fought 10 rounds before that. I think I’m mentally stronger.

“I’ve lived in Los Angeles since 2013 when I turned pro. I know I’ve been inactive but it won’t affect me. I’m 34-years-old and now I’m looking for the next big fight, the Keith Thurmans or the Kell Brooks. I want to be back in the mix at 147 pounds so it’s of course important that I look good and I’m looking forward to showing that Friday night.

“I’ve had a long layoff, 22 months. But I’ve always been training. It’s a variety of reasons I was out of the ring. Sometimes the opponent just falls out.

“I’m so excited to be back on ShoBox. Most of the great champions have fought on ShoBox. I have had a goal since a very young age to be the world champion. I feel my body has served me well over the years.

“Bobby Benton will be in my corner, as well as my brother Bogdan Shelestyuk.”

LUIS ALBERTO VERON:

“I fought just 12 days ago in Argentina so I’m definitely ready for this battle.

“I know I have to correct some mistakes I’ve made in the ring recently, and we went right back to the gym and did that.

“In my mind I’m always thinking about winning and I’m always looking for the victory.

“This is my debut in the United States and I’ve fought 20 times in my native Argentina and one time in England. It’s exciting being here, and I’m ready to put on a show. Don’t miss it. It’s going to be fun giving him his first defeat.

“I have more confidence now that I see him face-to-face and he’s not even as big as I thought or as big as me.

“I know I have to make a statement on Friday night. This is a big step-up fight for me and so important for my career.”

ZHORA HAMAZARYAN:

“I did recently receive my degree in physical education back in Armenia. Boxing is my life right now, but it’s good to have something to fall back on.

“I have a new trainer now Edmund Tarverdyan and my training camp was the best one ever. He was the Armenian National coach and worked as the former trainer to Vic Darchinyan and Rhonda Rousey. It’s been three months now and things are going great.

“I’m living full-time in Armenia but have applied for my Green Card. ShoBox fans know me from the (Thomas) Mattice fights. Not many agreed with the decision when I lost to him, but I’m just looking to move forward and just looking ahead.

“My opponent is a strong fighter and a southpaw. I’ve fought lots of them so I’ll be ready.

“I’m so excited to be back on ShoBox. It’s a dream come true. I’ve been watching fights on T.V. since I was a kid.”

SULAIMAN SEGAWA:

“I just got called on Monday for this fight, but it’s great and I’m ready.

“My style is unique and I have a ton of weapons. I’ve fought stronger competition than he has and I know this is a fight I can win.

“I haven’t watched my opponent’s past fights but my trainer and my team has. They say he reminds them of my last few opponents and comes forward.

“I’ve fought on short notice before so it’s nothing new. I’m 100 percent ready, and not just physically, but mentally. And sometimes that’s even more important.

“I moved from Uganda to Maryland two years ago and I’ve come to realize that boxing in the U.S. is war. You are under a lot of pressure to win here. They hit to kill. You have to be ready for everything.”

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 81 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

LAS VEGAS – January 30, 2020 – Undefeated super lightweight prospect Malik Hawkins returns to the ring to make his ShoBox: The New Generation series debut as part of a three-fight telecast when he faces fellow undefeated Vegas native Keith Hunter in the main event that is scheduled for 10 rounds on Friday, February 28 live on SHOWTIME (10:45 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.

Two other Mayweather Promotions’ top prospects will face tough challenges, as 2016 Olympian Richardson Hitchins (10-0, 5 KOs) and once-beaten Las Vegas native Kevin Newman II (11-1-1, 6 KOs) both return for their second ShoBox appearances fighting in separate bouts. Hitchins, the undefeated super lightweight prospect, will take on Rhode Island’s Nick DeLomba (16-2, 5KOs) in a 10-round bout, while Newman will seek his fifth consecutive victory when he steps in the ring with undefeated Kalvin Henderson (12-0-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight bout.

Tickets for the Mayweather Promotions’ Sin City Showdown go on sale Friday, January 31 at 12 p.m. PT, start at $25 and can be purchased by visiting: https://mayweatherpromotions.com/events/.

“As we kickstart another year, I’m confident that we will continue to exceed expectations and bring top tier events to the sports and entertainment world,” says Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Our first stop of the year is at our home venue for club shows and a stacked Friday night ShoBox card. These prospects are looking to put on impressive performances to start their year off. They’re putting in the work to take their fight game to the next level, and on February 28 we will see them challenge themselves against tough opponents at Sam’s Town Live and live on SHOWTIME.”

Hawkins, (18-0, 11 KOs) known as “Ice Man” in the ring, fights out of Baltimore, Md., and is coming off the heels of two back-to-back knockout victories. His most recent came via fifth-round stoppage against Darwin Price on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN on the Davis vs. Gamboa undercard on December 28. The 24-year-old Hawkins is trained by the highly touted Upton Gym coaches’ trio of Calvin Ford, Kenny Price, and Russ Blakey. Hawkins turned professional in 2014 with a knockout victory, which foreshadowed what was to come from the young fighter. As an amateur, Hawkins amassed an impressive 160-15 record while competing in the 2012 and 2013 National Championships and won a bronze medal in the 2012 Jr. Olympics. Best known for his gritty and powerful fighting style, Hawkins joined the Mayweather Promotions team in late 2019 with a knockout decision win over Al Rivera at Cannery Casino & Hotel.

“It feels great to headline my first ShoBox event,” says Hawkins. “This is something I wanted to do since I was a kid. A win in this fight and the exposure fighting on a platform like SHOWTIME only brings more recognition to my talent and skills and bigger and better opportunities. I have more than myself to fight for. I have the kids who look up to me at Upton Gym. I fight for them they’re my real motivation.

“I can’t say much about my opponent. I know he’s also undefeated. He is a durable opponent and he’s coming to fight, but if you watched my last fight you know I come in to take my opponents 0.”

Twenty-seven-year-old Keith Hunter (11-0, 7KO’s) comes from a fighting background. He’s the younger brother of heavyweight contender Michael Hunter, and his father was a well-respected boxer who sparred with Mike Tyson for many years before his tragic death. Hunter didn’t have a long amateur career, electing to turn professional after just 28 fights

“I feel confident coming into this fight,” said Hunter. “My last two bouts, I defeated Mayweather fighters and I’m confident with the insight I have. We’re both 6-feet tall, but he’s missing components as a fighter. He has trouble fighting on the outside. He is more comfortable on the inside. I feel I’m the better more skilled fighter going into the fight.

“Anytime I get to fight on a big stage like SHOWTIME, I invest a piece of my heart and soul, so hopefully my fans and anyone who watches my fight will see a genuine kid fighting for legacy and not money. This opportunity will help me connect with more people and I’m forever thankful for it.”

Hitchins (9-0, 5 KOs), from Brooklyn, is a former two-time Golden Gloves champion who represented his parents’ home country of Haiti in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. One of boxing’s top young prospects, Hitchins has sparred and trained with several world champions including Terence Crawford and stablemate Gervonta Davis. Just 21-years-old, Hitchins boasts incredible hand and foot speed and the boxing IQ of a veteran contender. Having fought eight out of his 10 professional fights in his hometown, Hitchins will travel to Las Vegas for a second time looking for a statement win in his follow-up ShoBox appearance.

“I’m hungrier than ever,” said Hitchins. “I see my brother Tank winning and prospering and I feel that same energy around me when I’m training for hours in the gym and perfecting my craft. I’m made to be great and I have the right people around me who keep my focus, keep me training at the highest level, and push me outside my comfort zone to be victorious. That’s what will show on fight night when I’m inside the ring.”

“Nice” Nick DeLomba (16-2, 5KO’s), fighting out of Cranston, RI, is coming off a five-fight win streak with three out of five wins by knockout. He’s best known for his slickness and elusiveness in the ring and looks to make a powerful statement in foreign territory as he makes his Las Vegas and ShoBox debuts next month.

“What a great opportunity this is to fight on SHOWTIME,” said DeLomba. “I’ve been fighting my way up to this point and now it’s about showing the world who I am and growing my brand. That’s what I plan on doing come fight night. I take every fight and lesson with me to the gym and train harder than the day before and push myself to really be the best fighter. I know I’m coming in as the underdog, but it’s only going to make me want the win more and to be that guy who gives Hitchins his first defeat.”.

Las Vegas’ own Kevin Newman (11-1, 6KO’s) started boxing when he was nine-years old and built up an amateur record of 25-5 before turning pro in 2014. Impressed by Newman’s skills and technique in the ring as an amateur, Floyd Mayweather signed the rising super middleweight to his stable of fighters in the summer of 2014. Newman made his professional debut on the Mayweather vs. Maidana II undercard, where he fought to a draw against Azamat Umarzoda. Newman returns to ShoBox having avenged the only loss of his career against Mark Anthony Hernandez. Newman defeated Hernandez on November 1 at Sam’s Town Live, redeeming himself from their first matchup in 2017 on the Mayweather vs. McGregor undercard. Newman remains humble and hungry as he climbs the ranks in the super middleweight division.

“It’s always good to get that weight off your shoulders,” said Newman of his recent victory over Hernandez. “I work hard day in and day out to be the best me and I follow God’s plan. I understand that there’s more for me on my journey now and I’m past that and I’m looking to the future on February 28.

“I’ve seen Kalvin fight. There isn’t anything particular that stands out about him. I’ve been in the ring with top tier guys as an amateur and a professional and I have fought tougher opponents. I’m always the smarter opponent.

“Fighting on SHOWTIME does a lot for me. It’s not about the win, it’s about how I win. I’m going to put on another dominant performance, something that will set me apart from the rest, and I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity that continues to come my way.

Originally from Fayetteville, Ark., but fighting out of Fort Worth, Tx., Henderson (12-0-1, 8 KO’s) doesn’t have a typical background for a professional fighter. He’s a University of Arkansas alumni who pursued a career in music when he was awarded a scholarship as a percussionist. He never lost sight of boxing since he was first introduced at 15 years old and quickly after graduating in 2012, he shifted his focus back to boxing. Henderson has quickly established himself as one of the faster rising super middleweights in the division and welcomes the challenge to continue his pursuit in becoming a world class boxer.

“Fighting in other people’s backyard is not a big deal,” says Henderson. “There’s no pressure on me to do anything. I take care of business and I go home. I will say that it brings a different motivating factor. It forces me to train harder and it affects my game plan because we can’t leave the rounds too close.

“I’m excited to get in the ring and execute my game plan in front of wide audience. I want to show the world what me and my team already know. I make it hot in the ring. That’s why they call me, ‘Hot Sauce’.”

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For more information visit: www.sho.com/sports, www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter: @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @MayweatherPromo, , @mayweathersprts and, Instaram: @mayweatherpromotions, @showtimeboxing, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions #ShoBox #SinCityShowdown

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 80 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 30, 2020) – Amateur heavyweight standout, Jeremiah Milton, has made his decision to turn professional, signing a managerial agreement with (VSE) Victory Sports & Entertainment, known for their work with two-time world champion, Badou Jack.

Standing 6’4″ 230 lbs., the 25-year old Milton was a Silver Medalist at the 2019 Olympic Trials, was the 2019 Western Qualifier Champion, and took Bronze at the 2018 US Nationals. Milton was also played Division II college football as a defensive End. He is a promotional free agent and will look to sign with a major promoter before his pro debut.

“I’m ready to take my talent to the professional ranks,” said Milton, who was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “Signing with an experienced management group like VSE gives me confidence that I’m with the right people. They’ve guided many top fighters to the championship level, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of their lineup. VSE is putting a great team around me and I can’t wait to make my pro debut with the right promoter.”

Although Jeremiah has only been competing as an amateur boxer for three years, he is considered one of the best American heavyweight prospects to come out of the amateurs.

“I started boxing at a later age in my life, but learned the basics pretty fast,” Milton continued. “I had great success in the amateurs and have wins against some of the best guys who all had over one-hundred fights under their belt. I know I have the power to take anyone out with one punch, especially now with no head gear and ten-ounce gloves. My athletic ability will allow me to improve on defense, which is already is a part of my game that I feel is very solid. I’m going to make a lot of noise in the heavyweight division.”

“I’m really excited to see Jeremiah progress as a professional,” said Mike Leanardì, CEO of Victory Sports & Entertainment. “He has all the tools to be great, and his punching power is what stood out to me when I was scouting talent at the Olympic Trials. Milton has a great attitude and work ethic, two attributes that we put a lot of faith into when we I sign a fighter. He will have an all-star team of trainers around him right from the gate. I’m looking to sign him with one of the top promoters in the next few months. Sky is the limit for this kid.”

Victory Sports & Entertainment management firm was started by Mike Leanardì and renowned boxing attorney Rick Torres. Together the group guided Jose Pedraza to his second world title and the Vasyl Lomachenko fight.

Kid Galahad says he has unfinished business with reigning IBF World Champion Josh Warrington ahead of his Final Eliminator clash with Claudio Marrero on the undercard of Kell Brook vs. Mark DeLuca at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on Saturday February 8, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 
 
Galahad (26-1, 15 KOs) fell short in his first World Title attempt against Warrington at the First Direct Arena in Leeds back in June last year, losing out on a controversial split decision after 12 close rounds, but the Sheffield ace has a golden opportunity to land a rematch when he faces ‘The Matrix’ next week. 
 
“The day after the fight I went straight back into the gym,” said Galahad. “I went back to the drawing board. I believe that I didn’t lose that fight. I didn’t feel like I lost that fight when I was in the ring. The judges saw it a different way, it is what it is. Next time I’ve got to make sure I don’t leave it in the judges’ hands. 
 
“I 100% believe that if that fight was anywhere else, and we had neutral judges, Kid Galahad would have been crowned a World Champion. I believe that the IBF is the best governing body though, they don’t mess about. They looked at the decision, they watched the fight and they gave me a Final Eliminator again. 
 
“I believe that if it was any other governing body, they wouldn’t have done that. I’ve got unfinished business. That’s the title I want. If Josh Warrington has the title after I come through February 8, then great. Josh is a hell of a fighter, he’s strong and he can fight. I don’t believe that he had a bad night, I just believe that he got beat that night. I believe he knows he got beat that night.”
 
Marrero (24-3, 17 KOs) captured the interim WBA Featherweight World Title with a one round demolition of Carlos Zambrano in 2017 and the 30-year-old from the Dominican Republic is determined to shatter Galahad’s dreams and set up another attempt at gold for himself. 
 
“I’m fully focused on February 8 and Claudio Marrero. I’m fully focused on him and getting this kid out of the way because it’s going to be a very dangerous night for me. Marrero comes from a very good amateur pedigree. He’s a former Dominican Republic Olympian, he’s signed with Al Haymon as a pro. He’s had 23 fights, 17 knockouts, he’s only lost to high-calibre opponents. He can punch, he can box. 
 
“He can do everything this kid and he’s very dangerous. February 8^th is going to be a very tough night for me. I’ve been training very hard, I’m looking forward to it. Whatever he brings to the table on February 8^th I’m going to rise to the occasion and step up my game. If I don’t win this fight then there is no World Title fight for me.”

Galahad vs. Marrero is part of a huge night of action in Sheffield.Kell Brook (38-2, 26 KOs) will be aiming to shake off the ring rust and fire his name back into the mix for a Word Title shot in 2020 when he meets the USA’s Mark DeLuca (24-1, 13 KOs), Terri Harper (9-0, 5 KOs) clashes with Finland’s Eva Wahlstrom (23-1-2, 3 KOs) in a unification for the WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles, AnthonyTomlinson (11-0, 6 KOs) takes on Stewart Burt (13-1-1, 1 KO) in a Eliminator for the British and Commonwealth Welterweight titles, Dave Allen (17-5-2, 14 KOs) makes his long-awaited return after eight months out of the ring, Brentwood Super-Featherweight Martin Joseph Ward (23-1-2, 11 KOs) and Sheffield Super-Featherweight prospect Donte Dixon (2-0, 1 KO) return, Super-Middleweight John Docherty (7-0, 5 KO) continues his march towards a first title, Leeds Featherweight Hopey Price (2-0, 1 KO) looks to go 3-0 and Sheffield Light-Heavyweight Callum Beardow (1-0) fights for the second time as a pro.

The first episode of ‘Unscripted‘, a brand new series presented by Matchroom Boxing, has launched exclusively on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel.

Hosted by promoter Eddie Hearn, ‘Unscripted’ explores a variety of current topics from the world of boxing and beyond, with episode one looking at the thriving Heavyweight scene following AJ’s triumph over Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia, the explosive rise of YouTube boxing in the wake of KSI vs. Logan Paul 2 and the latest trends in the comedy and grime scenes. 

Episode one features the enigmatic Godfather of Grime and massive boxing fan Wiley, British actor and comedian Tom Davis, hugely-popular YouTube star Joe Weller and undefeated Cruiserweight World Title contender Lawrence Okolie. 

“We are constantly striving for new ways to evolve our content output across our social media channels and I’m excited to launch the brand new ‘Unscripted’ series for fans to enjoy,” said Eddie Hearn. “In episode one we talked a lot of boxing, the pros and cons of YouTube fights and a bit of comedy and grime! Make sure you give it a watch on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel.”

Fans are invited to follow Matchroom Boxing across social media to watch the first episode:

Facebook: facebook.com/matchroomboxing
Twitter: twitter.com/matchroomboxing
YouTube: youtube.com/matchroomboxing
Instagram: Instagram.com/matchroomboxing

BROWNSVILLE, TX. (January 29, 2020) – Unbeaten rising prospect Omar “El Relampago” Juarez will look to put on a show in the ring this Super Bowl weekend when he battles Mexico’s Angel Hernandez this Saturday, February 1 in FS1 PBC Fight Night action and on FOX Deportes from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.

“This is another great opportunity for me to shine on the big stage,” said Juarez. “The Super Bowl is like a holiday for all sports fans. Everyone will be hanging out watching sports all weekend and I want to give them something to remember.”

The 20-year-old Juarez (6-0, 4 KOs) returns to the ring after an outstanding 2019 where he picked up five wins, including four by knockout. He most recently knocked out Kevin Shacks in November after his previous fight saw him score a sensational finish on FS1 over Gino De La Paz in August.

“I’m so grateful that my management team and FOX believe in me by continuing to showcase me to the masses,” said Juarez. “All I want to do is perform to my best ability and continue to give the fans watching on TV a spectacular performance.”

The Brownsville, Texas native held the early portion of his training camp in Brownsville before going to San Antonio to finish camp there and spar with WBA Super Lightweight Champion Mario Barrios, experience that will surely help him as his young career progresses.

“I started training camp in my hometown as I always do, but then headed out to San Antonio to finish off the last few weeks,” said Juarez. “I got really good sparring with a world champion and somebody I admire. I’m a big fan of Mario Barrios. He’s an incredible fighter and I learned a lot from being in the ring with him. As I’m getting older, I can feel my body getting stronger. I’m having a great training camp to say the least.”

Juarez will be opposed by the most experienced and accomplished opponent of his career in the 20-year-old in Hernandez. The Mexicali, Mexico native has won 10 of his 11 fights and will be making his U.S. debut on February 1.

“Angel Hernandez is a fighter with real power and a man who is coming to take me out,” said Hernandez. “All of his victories have come by knockout, so I feel I’m in the toughest fight of my career. He’s a tough gritty Mexican fighter with bad intentions on his mind.

“Unfortunately for Hernandez, I’m in the best shape of my life, and he’s stepping into the ring with a man on a mission. This will be an exciting night of fights and I plan to steal the show with a knockout.”

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office and through Ticketmaster.com.

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ABOUT UGAS VS. DALLAS
Ugas vs. Dallas will pit top welterweight Yordenis Ugas against Mike Dallas in a 12-round attraction that headlines FS1 PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, February 1 from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, an MGM Resorts property, in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The main telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features unbeaten top prospect Michel Rivera taking on veteran contender Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round lightweight duel, plus unbeaten prospect Omar Juarez in a super lightweight showdown against Mexico’s Angel Hernandez and hard-hitting prospect Raymond Guajardo in a six-round super welterweight affair against Clay Collard.

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, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

Luke Keeler claims he’s got under the skin of WBO World Middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade as they clash at the Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami on Thursday night, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW STARTING AT $40 (PLUS FEES)
 Keeler (17-2-1 5 KOs) challenges for his first World title in Miami as two-weight World champion Andrade (28-0 17 KOs) makes the third defense of his strap, and as the two traded barbs at the press conference at the luxurious CMX Cinema in Brickell, Miami with further interviews taking place in the CMX Sports Bar in the venue, Andrade appropriately wore a t-shirt stating with Darth Vader’s famous line: ‘Luke, I am your father’ – with ‘Boo Boo’ saying he’s heard it all before from challengers for his crown.

Here are quotes from yesterday’s press conference.

Demetrius Andrade, WBO World Middleweight champion

“Luke, I am your father! Miami! Let’s get jiggy with it. It’s an honor to be here on this card with these guys. Kicking off Super Bowl weekend with a bang on DAZN. Luke Keeler, just like everyone else. They have the game plan; they say they can beat me and then they can’t. I had a great camp, spent a lot of time down here in Miami training. It’s my second home. Let’s put on a show. And remember Luke, I am your father.”

Luke Keeler, Middleweight Contender

“Thanks everyone for coming and making this fight happen. There’s a tale of two halves with my career. People think this is an easy touch for Andrade. He stepped up to middleweight and he hasn’t been performing. He hasn’t showed me how great he is like he said he is. I labeled him delusional and I think it got under his skin. I am 32 but I am fresh. I think his pro career has slowed him down. He’s not entertaining, he’s struggling. He talks like he is the greatest, but he isn’t. I am going to take that belt back to Ireland.”

Jake Paul 

“I am an entrepreneur at the end of the day. I have a baker’s dozen in the influencer space which I take a percentage from. I have over a hundred people using my merch company. I’m off the YouTube stuff. I am good.

“There are a lot of lies being told from their side. Two days from now, you will see the work that I put in.

“I wrote a book called ‘You Gotta Want It.’ It was top 10 on Amazon. I wanted to be a Navy Seal before I moved to LA to pursue acting and stuff. We can chop it up any single way, but I am going to win on Thursday night. I think it’s only going three rounds. Shane thinks that and so do I. This is boxing, we aren’t measuring hearts though, so I don’t care how big his heart is.

“I am here to avenge the Paul name. After I beat Gib, again he’s a stepping stone, I am going to fight KSI. After that, who knows? I love this sport. I don’t do anything I don’t love to do. So, I will see what the future holds. I will beat Gib and then fight KSI next.”

AnEsonGib

“Training camp is done, and I have been pushed to the limit. I am ready to get in there on Thursday. I think his aim is to say that he is more technical. Sure, he is more technically sound. But I am going in there on my rough house shit and I am going to beat him. 

“I think he has tried to select opponents before, and this isn’t what he wanted. It’s going to be a rough night for him. I finessed my way into this fight. I have nothing to lose. I want it really f**king bad. He has everything to lose on Thursday.”

Shane Mosley (Jake Paul’s Trainer)

“Jake has put the work in. He hasn’t just come to me randomly; it was that we were friends. I’ve known him a few years. I wanted to train him and show him the ropes. He can put in the work. He really loves the sport of boxing. The people he works with – they are all impressed by him and his talent in the ring. 

“These guys have the desire. I won’t train anyone who doesn’t put in 100 per cent. He does that every single day. He’s working harder than a lot of professional fighters that I know. He has definitely put the work in. He is strong, he is fast, and he is ready to go. 

“The toughness shows in sparring. I put him to the test. I didn’t make it easy for him during camp. He has no quit. I put him against guys at 154. Boxing is entertainment and this brings a lot of fans and followers to the sport. It’s great for the fight game. It will only grow the sport.”

Viddal Riley (AnEsonGib’s Trainer)

“We are looking to repeat history again. IT was great to come out on the winning side of the KSI vs. Logan Paul fight. We broke down barriers. We came out victorious. We will do it again.

“Gib is not the best boxer in the world. But neither was Marcos Maidana. I can compare Gib to him because he has that rough element to him. He is tougher than a typical YouTube guy. I have hit him hard on purpose and he has taken those shots. I don’t think Jake can hurt him. 

“Gib fights unorthodox. It’s dangerous for his opponent because he can’t prepare for it really.”

Tevin Farmer, IBF Super Featherweight World Champion

“I don’t have much to say. I am going to be JoJo’s ass – flat out. Thanks to Eddie, DiBella, Matchroom and DAZN. Thanks for keeping me active. This is such a huge card. There are so many stars on this card, it’s amazing to be on there with all of these guys. I feel amazing. I don’t feel dried out, my weight is great. Miami weekend is going to be crazy after I win. I wanted to fight him and gave him this opportunity. I am tired of sweeping everyone out and kicking everyone’s ass, so I hope he brings it. He better bring it. I’ll probably sweep him though, but we will see on Thursday on DAZN.”

Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Super Featherweight challenger

“Thanks to Eddie Hearn, Joe and DAZN, and Golden Boy Promotions. Thank you to my whole team. I have been through a lot in my career, a lot of ups and downs. It has made me who I am today. I know Tevin Farmer is a slick boxer, I know he is tough, but I am coming to take that title. I’ve talked a lot of shit; he has talked a lot of shit. We are going to back it up. This is history in the making and I am just happy to be alive and be a part of it. I know he’s making his fifth and his last defense. Tevin, I hope you are sleeping with that belt because it is going to be mine.”

Danny Roman, WBA and IBF Super Bantamweight World Champion

“Thanks to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and Thompson Boxing for making this happen. I am thrilled to be on this world championship card. I am going to make this the fight of the night again. I became the unified champion last year and I am going to keep it like that.”

Murodjon Akhmadaliev, Super Bantamweight World Champion

“Thanks for supporting this event. Thanks to everyone who made this fight possible. See you January 30.”

Anthony Sims, Jr., Super Middleweight Champion

“Since we are telling stories. I got a story about Devin Haney. I was at his house, I was like, ‘This is a dope fox statue.’ Devin says, ‘I don’t have a fox statue.’ I turn around and it is gone. Now it’s up on the wall. I take a stick and tell Devin to line him up and I hit it into the pool. His dad gets home and doesn’t believe us that there was a fox in the house. He thought we were just breaking shit.

“Thank you for this opportunity. My mother is Cuban, so it feels like home. Thanks for the opportunity. My Español is muy malo though. Thanks to the WBO, Matchroom and DAZN. Thanks to my UK geezers. They always say I need to fight better opposition and here it is. This is my time. Expect a funky, groovy night baby, yeah.”

Eddie Hearn, President of Matchroom Boxing USA

“This is what you call a fight card. Unbelievable night of championship boxing. Three huge title fights from Miami on DAZN. We took over Super Bowl week.

“We added Amanda Serrano, seven-time champ, to the card. She is on a quest for the super bowl of women’s boxing against Katie Taylor in 2020.

“This card is so underrated. Everyone in boxing is talking about this card. The three world championship fights are all breathtaking. Danny Roman is a unified super bantamweight world champion. Murodjon Akhmadaliev is one of the most exciting young fighters. This is going to be an absolute war for the unified belts.

“Tevin Farmer is the most active world champion in the world. Period. This is first huge breakout fight. They said they were going to make this fight and here we are.

“Andrade is the best 160 pounder in the world. Everyone is saying it. Everyone comes in with a plan but they can’t even with rounds, minutes or even seconds. He has an interesting point. WBO ranked number two. If he pulls off the upset, he will go back to Ireland as a hero. He will look to topple the champion on Thursday night. It’s going to be a huge fight. And listen, if you don’t have DAZN then what on earth are you doing?”

Joseph Markowski, EVP DAZN North America 

“Good to be back at it 2020. In 2019, DAZN was home to every single one of ESPN’s year-end boxing awards: Fighter of the Year, Fight of the Year, Round of the Year, Knockout of the Year, Prospect of the Year.

“We look forward to delivering a stellar 2020 to our subscribers and this week’s championship tripleheader marks the deepest card of the boxing year so far.

“Demetrius Andrade looking to make a statement on a big stage and lure the division’s biggest names into career-defining matchups later this year. Tevin Farmer and JoJo Diaz competing in a can’t-miss grudge match. A guy in Danny Roman, who has been with DAZN since our U.S. launch, putting both of his belts on the line against a hungry, undefeated fighter in Akhmadaliev.

“In addition to a championship tripleheader, Thursday’s co-main event will see Jake Paul looking to avenge his brother’s loss by defeating Gib on his way to a fight with KSI.

“In terms of the interest this matchup is generating, our pre-fight show 40 DAYS has already been viewed nearly 4 million times on YouTube – and that’s a testament to the fan bases of these two individuals. They are businessmen, content creators and – for the first time on Thursday – professional fighters. 

“And the only place you can watch it is on DAZN. Just download the app, sign up and enjoy. Thank you to the fighters for making the most of this opportunity, participating in a busy several days of media and creating great content on social. This is a noisy week but we feel confident that we’ll be able to cut through and draw a spectacular audience on Thursday night.”

CMX STONE SPORTS BAR

CMX Stone Sports Bar is the best place to enjoy an elevated sports-watching experience. Complete with the largest indoor LED in Florida and the latest audio visual technology, the bar also offers a chef-crafted menu and amazing signature cocktails, an wide selection of cold draft beers and an extensive list of wines and fine liquor. From the Big Game to exciting boxing fights and soccer games, we show them all in the big screens.

CMX Stone Sports Bar opened its first location inside CMX Cinemas at Brickell City Center in Miami, Fl. The other four bars are located in Alpharetta, GA, Wheeling, IL and Skokie, IL.

(Jan. 29, 2020) — Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, the big-talking, undefeated, 300-plus-pound heavyweight who hails from Brooklyn, has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Top Rank. Miller, who is co-promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions and Salita Promotions, will make his Top Rank on ESPN debut in 2020.

“Jarrell Miller is serious about coming back, doing things the right way and becoming heavyweight champion of the world,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He is one of boxing’s most unique and exciting characters, but most importantly, he can fight.”

“Minor setback for a major comeback. I’m coming for everything and everyone. No one is safe. Say hello to the bad guy,” Miller said. “Everyone wants to portray the superhero. We don’t live in a sunshine world. I’ll never be the superhero. In my world, the majority of the time, the villain wins.”

“I couldn’t be happier that after months of hard work and perseverance, we were able to make this deal a reality,” said Greg Cohen, CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions. “Top Rank is the perfect partner and ESPN the perfect platform for Jarrell to realize his full potential and become the dominant force in the heavyweight division. Time for Big Baby to get back in the ring!”

“Top Rank was my first promoter when I was fighting, so I know firsthand that Bob Arum and his team will create the right opportunities for Jarrell,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “Top Rank promotes many of the top heavyweights, including Tyson Fury, and Jarrell fits right in with all of the big names in the division. Since I started promoting Jarrell as a six-round fighter, I have been saying that he would be the next heavyweight champion from Brooklyn. Working with Top Rank, I am confident he will have the chance to realize that goal.”

Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs) is one of boxing’s most polarizing figures, a combination-punching heavyweight who also went 22-2 as a professional kickboxer. Under the Marquess of Queensberry rules, he has won 19 consecutive bouts since a four-round draw in his fifth professional fight. From 2017-2018, he rose the ranks with dominant wins over Gerald Washington, Mariusz Wach, Johann Duhaupas and Tomasz Adamek, all of whom had previously challenged for a heavyweight world title. He last fought in November 2018, knocking out Bogdan Dinu in four rounds.

Miller signed to fight Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden for the unified heavyweight title last June, but he failed multiple VADA tests and was denied a license by the New York State Athletic Commission. Now, armed with a new long-term deal, Miller is determined to reclaim his status as one of the world’s best big men.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Barclays Center with one of the most anticipated title fights in UFC history, as undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov looks to defend his crown against No. 1 ranked contender Tony Ferguson. Also on the card, former strawweight champions rematch as Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas aim to secure another shot at the title.

UFC^® 249: KHABIB vs. FERGUSON will take place Saturday, April 18 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. and will stream live nationally 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.

Fans will be able to purchase UFC^® 249: KHABIB vs. FERGUSON 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 ESPN2 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 and ESPN+ at 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT.

One of the most dominant athletes in UFC history, Nurmagomedov (28-0, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) returns to the arena where he captured the then-vacant UFC lightweight championship. The No. 2-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Nurmagomedov holds victories over Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor and Rafael Dos Anjos. He now attempts to prove that he is the greatest lightweight of all-time by snapping the impressive winning streak of Ferguson.

A former interim lightweight champion, Ferguson (26-3, fighting out of Orange County, Calif.) aims to finally capture his first undisputed title. Currently on an incredible 12-fight winning streak, Ferguson has defeated the likes of Donald Cerrone, Anthony Pettis and Dos Anjos. He now aims to secure his greatest victory yet by becoming the first man to defeat Nurmagomedov.

The first Brazilian strawweight champion, Andrade (20-7, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) intends to replicate her spectacular knockout victory over Namajunas from 2019. The owner of the most knockouts in strawweight history, Andrade holds stoppage wins over Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Joanne Calderwood and Jessica Penne. She now seeks to get back to her winning ways and earn a shot at revenge against current champion Zhang Weili.

One of the biggest fan favorites on the roster, Namajunas (9-4, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) rose to fame by dethroning longtime strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Throughout her career, she has also delivered thrilling victories against Michelle Waterson, Paige VanZant, and Tecia Torres. She now aims to even the score with Andrade and secure the next shot at the 115-pound crown.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Sijara Eubanks (5-4, fighting out of Toms River, N.J.) and Sarah Moras (6-6, fighting out of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada) clash in a battle of women’s bantamweights
• Khama Worthy (15-6, fighting out of Pittsburgh, Pa.) looks to replicate his incredible knockout debut against the undefeated Ottman Azaitar (12-0, fighting out of Rabat, Morocco)
• Gian Villante (17-11, fighting out of Bellmore, N.Y.) makes his UFC heavyweight debut against veteran Ben Rothwell (37-12, fighting out of Kenosha, Wisc.)
• Top middleweights battle as No. 10-ranked Uriah Hall (16-9, fighting out of Queens, N.Y.) welcomes back Jacare Souza (26-8, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• No. 10-ranked heavyweight Shamil Adurakhimov (20-5, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) will try to derail the hype train of undefeated Ciryl Gane (6-0, fighting out of Paris, France)

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

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

Tickets for UFC^® 249: KHABIB vs. FERGUSON go on sale Friday, January 31 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, January 29 at 10 a.m. ET via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, January 30 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

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About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 80 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 170 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 Barclays Center

In the heart of Brooklyn, at the crossroads of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues, Barclays Center is home of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the NHL’s New York Islanders, and boasts one of the most intimate seating configurations ever designed for a modern multi-purpose arena.

Since its opening on September 28, 2012 with the first of eight consecutive sold-out shows by JAY Z, Barclays Center has continued to host the world’s most renowned performers, including Barbra Streisand, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen. The success of these events has made Barclays Center one of the most popular arenas in the world, ranked top ten nationally in 2018 for gross revenue and attendance by Billboard and Pollstar.

Barclays Center opened to extensive critical acclaim and was recognized with several major awards, including the 2012 Pollstar Award for Best New Major Concert Venue, 2013 Sports Business Awards Facility of the Year, Architizer A+ Building of the Year Award and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Brooklyn Building Award for Economic Development.

A model for sustainable design and construction, Barclays Center has earned LEED© Silver Certification for New Construction from the U.S. Green Building Congress, becoming the first professional sports and entertainment venue in the New York metro area to achieve this status.

The arena offers 17,732 seats for basketball, 15,795 for hockey, and up to 19,000 seats for concerts, and has 101 luxury suites, and an array of bars, lounges and clubs including the 40/40 CLUB & Restaurant by American Express, and Qatar Airways Courtside Club.

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+ grew quickly to 3.5 million subscribers in 18 months, 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 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.

TOPPENISH, Wash. (January 29, 2020) – The official weigh in was held today for tomorrow night’s RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® event at Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington.

RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com

WBC United States Silver flyweight champion Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (20-0, 16 KOs) has withdrawn from his scheduled fight against Vitor Jones (16-5, 10 KOs) due to illness.

Official fighters’ weights:

MAIN EVENT – VACANT NABF SUPER FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10)*

(L) Ernesto Delgadillo (11-0-2, 2 KOs), Dallas, TX 114.4 lbs.
(R) Jade Bornea (14-0, 10 KOs), General Santos City, Cota del Sur, Philippines 115 lbs.

CO-FEATURE – MIDDLEWEIGHTS (8)*
Connor Coyle (11-0, 4 KOs), Derry, Northern Ireland, UK 159.6 lbs.
Miguel Dumas (11-2, 8 KOs), Tijuana, Mexico 159.2 lbs.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (6).8
Richard Van Sicien (7-0, 3KOs), Seattle, WA 170.4 lbs.
Abraham Martin (5-0, 5 KOs), Medford, OR by way of Mexico 171.4 lbs.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)
Glenn Hagler, Jr. (4-1, 2 KOs), Daytona Beach, FL 163.8 lbs.
Charon Spain (1-13-1), Portland, OR 158.6 lbs.

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)
Margarito Hernandez (0-0-1), Wapato, WA 139.2 lbs.
Joshua Wheeler (0-0-1), Blaine, WA 139.4 lbs.

William Hernandez-Gomez (3-0, 2 KOs), Burlen, WA 142.2 lbs.
Abdul Kamada (1-1), Vancouver, WA by way of Sierra Leone 141.6 lbs.

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Jerrell Barbour (pro debut), Tacoma, WA 124 lbs.
Kendall Ward (0-5), Colorado Springs, CO 124.4 lbs.

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

WHERE: Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington

WHEN: Thursday, January 30, 2020

PROMOTER: RJJ Boxing Promotions in association with Sanman Boxing

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

BROADCASTERS: Sean Wheelock (blow-by-blow), and James “Smitty” Smith (color commentator)

RING ANNOUNCER: Michael Vale

TICKETS: Range from $15.00 to $50.00 and are available for purchase by going HEREand also on fight night at the Legends Casino box office

OTHER: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. PT, first fight at 6:00 p.m. PT, and UFC FIGHT PASS starts at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)

INFORMATION:

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

New York, NY (January 29, 2020) Seven-division world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (37-1-1, 27 KOs), of Brooklyn, NY, will return to action Tomorrow Night, Thursday, January 30, at the Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami, FL, in an eight-round non-title lightweight clash against Simone Aparecida Da Silva, of San Paulo, Brazil. The fight will be part of the stellar “Miami Fight Night” event presented by Matchroom Boxing.

Co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Matchroom Boxing USA, the Puerto Rican native Serrano was excited about the opportunity, saying: “I was training for a mixed martial arts bout that was scheduled for January 25 in Puerto Rico and I was working super hard on my ground game. A few weeks ago, I was told the card was canceled, so I spoke with my promoter Lou DiBella. I told him that I wanted to stay active so I can be well prepared for the Katie Taylor fight later this year. My fans deserve for me to be in the best shape for that one. I only fought twice last year and those bouts were eight months apart. We both owe everyone that has been looking forward to the Taylor showdown to be 100% ready, and I promise that I will be.”

“Unquestionably, Amanda is one of the pound-for-pound queens of boxing. Her bout with Katie Taylor will be the Super Bowl of women’s boxing,” said 2020 International Boxing Hall-of-Fame Inductee Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “We’re thrilled that she will get another opportunity to showcase her talents against a quality opponent tomorrow night before she chases history.”

One of the most accomplished female fighters in history, Serrano unified the featherweight division on September 13, 2019, defeating fellow Brooklyn, NY, resident Heather Hardy via 10-round unanimous decision for the WBO featherweight world title. The victory, which took place at Madison Square Garden, also garnered Serrano the interim WBC featherweight world title.

Earlier in the year, Serrano stopped Eva Voraberger in the first round on January 19, 2019, winning the vacant WBO Super Flyweight world title.

In 2019, Da Silva battled with world ranked contenders Shelly Vincent and Tiara Brown, losing eight-round decisions.

New York, NY (January 28, 2020) 2020 International Boxing Hall-of-Fame Inductee Lou DiBella and DiBella Entertainment present the long-running Broadway Boxing series TONIGHT, making its Toronto, Canada debut from Danforth Music Hall, in association with Lee Baxter Promotions. The 113th edition of Broadway Boxing will be live streamed exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, beginning tonight at 9:00pm ET/6:0pm PT. Commentating on the broadcast will be former Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Alicia Napoleon-Espinosa, noted boxing journalist Corey Erdman, New York Yankees reporter Justin Shackil and Dan Canobbio, of CompuBox.

Headlining the event in a scheduled 10-rounder, Custio Clayton (17-0, 11 KOs), 146.9 lbs., of Montreal, Canada, will defend his WBA NABA Welterweight title against Diego “El Chacarero” Ramirez (21-3, 6 KOs), 146.9 lbs., of Santa Fe, Argentina. The 25-year-old Clayton is coming off a stellar 2019, which included a sixth-round stoppage of former world champion DeMarcus Corley and a 10-round decision against Johan Perez on June 29. Following a five-fight winning streak, the 25-year-old Ramirez looks to bounce back from a hard-fought 10-round decision loss to Maximiliano Veron on November 2, 2019, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Hometown favorite “Mr.” Steve Rolls (19-1, 10 KOs), 168 lbs., will battle Gilberto Pereira dos Santos (16-10, 12 KOs), 167.4 lbs., of Goiania, Goias, Brazil in the co-featured bout. Rolls is returning to battle following his challenge against pound-for-pound great Gennadiy Golovkin on June 8, 2019, at Madison Square Garden, losing the first bout during his nine years as a professional. Victorious in his last two fights, the upset-minded Pereira dos Santos stopped John David Martinez in the sixth round on July 26, 2019, in Miami, FL.

In a special-attraction women’s bout, Amanda Gale (3-0), 122.2 lbs., of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, faces off against Shelly Barnett (4-2-2), 121.8 lbs., of Toronto, Canada, in a scheduled eight-round bout. Gale won all three of her professional bouts in 2019 by four-round unanimous decision. Barnett looks to stop the Gale train, but is coming off of an eight-round split decision loss to Noemi Bosques on September 7, 2019, in Milwaukee, WI. The vacant National Championship Committee Canadian super bantamweight title is on the line but for Barnett only, as Gale weighed in above the limit.

Opening the UFC FIGHT PASS broadcast, in an eight-round middleweight fight, Hurshidbek “Hershey” Normatov (9-0, 3 KOs), 158.2 lbs., of Brooklyn, NY, clashes with Uriel “El Muneco” Hernandez (13-5, 7 KOs), 159 lbs., of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. A native of Uzbekistan where he had a stellar amateur career, the 27-year-old southpaw Normatov hits the ring following an eight-round decision versus Walter Wright on August 29, 2019, at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, CT.

Toronto favorite Nick Fantauzzi (9-0, 5 KOs), 174 lbs., battles Aaron Crawley (6-3, 1KO), 173 lbs., of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, in an eight-round light heavyweight clash.

Junior welterweights will see action as undefeated prospect Will Madera (14-0-3, 7 KOs), 138.8 lbs., of Albany, NY, clashes with heavy-handed veteran Edgar Ramirez (17-15-1, 14 KOs), 138 lbs., of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, in a scheduled six-rounder.

Rounding out the card in a four-round cruiserweight clash, popular Toronto resident Salar Gholami (3-0, 2 KOs), 199 lbs., hits the ring against Mateusz Kubiszyn (3-2, 2 KOs), 198 lbs., of Rzeszow, Poland.

Now in its 17th year, Broadway Boxing is presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, Christos Steak House and Gagliardi Insurance.

LAS VEGAS (January 28, 2020) – Top welterweight Yordenis Ugas shared his thoughts on training camp and previewed his upcoming showdown against Mike Dallas Jr. before he steps into the ring this Saturday, February 1 in the FS1 PBC Fight Night main event and FOX Deportes from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.

“We are in the final days of a great training camp and I couldn’t feel any better going into this fight,” said Ugas. “Me and my trainer Ismael Salas are working on a great strategy that we believe will be successful. My timing is right on point and every round of sparring has been unbelievable. It’s been an outstanding camp in Las Vegas and I’m ready to go!”

Ugas will look to put on a performance worthy of his headlining slot the night before Super Bowl LIV, and further cement himself as a force to be reckoned with at welterweight.

“This is a huge weekend for sports fans,” said Ugas. “It’s very exciting to be in the main event one day before the Super Bowl. You know that when I get in the ring, you’re going to see action and great skill from start to finish. I always come to put on a great performance.”

Ugas will be challenged by the veteran Dallas, who has faced quality competition throughout his career and enters this matchup the winner of four of his last five bouts, with the only blemish a split draw in 2016 against Dusty Hernandez Harrison.

“Mike Dallas Jr. is a very skilled fighter who’s been in the ring with some very good opposition,” said Ugas. “He’s a crafty veteran who I know is coming to fight with all his heart. His only losses have come against top fighters. I’m taking this fight very seriously and I’ll have to be on my game to really make a statement.”

The Cuban-born Ugas believes that a statement on Saturday will put him back in position to challenge one of the welterweight elite for a second shot at a world title. In March 2019, Ugas came up just short of becoming champion, dropping a narrow decision to then WBC titlist Shawn Porter. Ugas returned to action for a WBC title eliminator in July 2019, and he performed impressively, dropping Omar Figueroa and handing him the first loss of his career.

“My lifelong dream ever since I first laced up a pair of gloves was to win a world title,” said Ugas. “I’ve come so close to accomplishing that dream, but for some reason I’ve come up short. I’m determined to be the best fighter I can be, and I know in my heart that I’m one of the best welterweights in the world. My goal is to become a world champion in 2020.”

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office and through Ticketmaster.com.

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ABOUT UGAS VS. DALLAS
Ugas vs. Dallas will pit top welterweight Yordenis Ugas against Mike Dallas in a 12-round attraction that headlines FS1 PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, February 1 from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, an MGM Resorts property, in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The main telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features unbeaten top prospect Michel Rivera taking on veteran contender Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round lightweight duel, plus unbeaten prospect Omar Juarez in a super lightweight showdown against Mexico’s Angel Hernandez and hard-hitting prospect Raymond Guajardo in a six-round super welterweight affair against Clay Collard.

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, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

Philadelphia / Orange, Ca. – January 28, 2020 – Undefeated featherweight and world-ranked Ruben Villa (17-0, 5 KOs) is winding down his training for his 10-round showdown with Cuban knockout artist Alexei Collado (26-2, 23 KOs), this Friday night at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana. The bout will headline a three-fight telecast on ShoBox: The New Generation and live on SHOWTIME (10 PM ET/PT).
Villa has been working hard just outside of his native Salinas, California.

“Training camp has been good. I have been training in Prunedale which is a little bit outside of Salinas, but its close enough, so in a way I am home, but I am not at home.”

In Collado, he is facing a tough veteran, who has an impressive knockout ratio.

“Collado is a real strong aggressive guy. He is a veteran. I have to be cautious because of his power and play it very smart on our end.”

With a winning performance on January 31st, Villa can see himself in the middle of the featherweight title chase as he looks to improve on his number-five ranking by the WBO.

“I feel like I’ve proven myself with the last couple of fights. I feel like I belong in the top-five if not higher. I feel that a win will set me up for bigger and better things. ”
Villa has been more them grateful to accelerate from prospect to contender on the series that has showcased more than 75 world champions.

“Another main event on ShoBox. I am excited to showcase my talents in Louisiana again. It’s motivation to prove myself to people that I should be the main event.”

“I am usually just real focused. I know the featherweight division is stacked, but I am really just focused on what is in front of me and focused for the fight. After we are finished on January 31st, my team and I can figure out what is next; however, I feel that I am close to competing for a world title.”

Villa is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

Undefeated Ukrainian and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Taras Shelestyuk (17-0, 10 KOs) meets Argentina’s Luis Alberto Veron (18-1-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight matchup in the co-featured bout. The televised opener features an eight-round lightweight bout pitting ShoBox veteran Zhora Hamazaryan (9-1-1, 6 KOs) of Armenia against Sulaiman Segawa (13-2, 4 KOs) of Uganda.

The event is promoted by Banner Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Bishop Promotions LLC. Tickets can be purchased at www.Bishoppromotions.com and prices are $20-$100.

(Jan. 28, 2020) —The 2020 premier of #MTKFightNight on ESPN+ will feature super lightweight sensation Sean McComb in a 10-round test Saturday against veteran Mauro Maximiliano Godoy from Belfast’s historic Ulster Hall.
 
McComb-Godoy will headline an action-packed fistic afternoon beginning at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on ESPN+. The card will also be available in Spanish on ESPN+.

McComb (9-0, 4 KOs), also known as “The Public Nuisance,” will be making his eighth ring appearance in Belfast, where he has become a fan-favorite due to his outgoing personality and go-for-broke style. He went 4-0 in 2019 and was featured on the ESPN+ stream of Michael “Mick” Conlan’s Belfast homecoming card last August. In his last bout, he recovered from a fourth-round knockdown to easily outpoint Emiliano Dominguez Rodriguez over eight rounds. Godoy (32-5-1, 17 KOs), from Argentina, has won two of his last three and previously held the South American super lightweight title.
 
In other action on the ESPN+ stream:

• In a 10-round battle for the vacant Irish lightweight title, Gary “The Diva” Cully (9-0, 4 KOs) will fight Belfast native Joe “The Dragon” Fitzpatrick (10-0, 7 KOs), who has won three in a row by knockout.
   
• 2016 Irish Olympian Davey Oliver Joyce (11-1, 8 KOs) will look to bounce back from his first career defeat against former IBF bantamweight world champion Lee Haskins (36-4, 14 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the WBO European junior featherweight title. Joyce will be moving down from featherweight for this fight, while Haskins has won two straight since losing his world title to Ryan Burnett in June 2017.
   
• Belfast native Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (10-0, 6 KOs) will fight former British title challenger John Thain (17-4, 1 KO) in an eight-round welterweight tilt.

For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing. 
 
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 3.5 million subscribers in 18 months, 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.

JoJo Diaz is ready to rip the IBF Super-Featherweight title from Tevin Farmer and ending the war of words that sees him challenge for the belt at the Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami on Thursday night, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW STARTING AT $40 (PLUS FEES)
 Diaz (30-1 15 KOs) is hunting for a World title at the second attempt having fallen short against Gary Russell Jr for the WBC Featherweight strap in May 2018 and failing to make the weight against Jesus Rojas for the WBA crown three months later.

The Californian has found 130lbs to be his sweet spot with three wins in 2019 setting up his shot with Farmer (30-4-1 6 KOs), and tensions between the pair on social media and in a clash in Las Vegas during the Canelo Alvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs fight has stirred up huge interest in Thursday night’s clash.

Despite the tensions between them, Diaz has plenty of respect for the champion and knows he has to penetrate the ‘American Idol’s’ slippery defense if he is to take the title away from Farmer.

“I wanted to fight the best for a World title and that’s Tevin Farmer,” said Diaz. “I started calling him out because I knew I was going to climb up the rankings. I was talking shit to him at the press conference In Las Vegas, I threw the out my hook and he caved in and fell into my net, started talking shit back and everyone wanted the fight to happen. 

“Farmer could have chosen an easier fight, but he has a lot to prove to the critics and to himself that he’s the best in the division and I feel I have a lot to prove too. He’s talked a lot, so I hope he backs it up and brings it.

“I learnt a lot from the Russell fight, knowing that I have to take more risks in there. I could have had him and won the fight, I feel like I am a better fighter than him but I let off the gas and I wasn’t opening up as much as I should have but it was a learning experience for me and it’s made me the fighter that I am today. 

“I’m hungrier than ever. I know Tevin is a very good fighter, but I have a lot at stake and it’s the opportunity of a lifetime and I have to go out and showcase to everyone that I am the next star of the sport.

“I can’t wait to shut this guy up. He’s a hell of a fighter though, don’t get me wrong. He’s a World champion for a reason, he knows how to win, he’s a talented defensive boxer, he knows how to dodge and make you miss and how to win rounds. But he’s never fought a guy as tough as me, his defenses have been against good fighters, but none of the level that I bring. I feel I am an elite level guy and I have championship pedigree and on Thursday night, it’s going to come out.

“I don’t want easy fights; I could have gone down an easier route but that wouldn’t satisfy me. I want to go out and prove that I will fight the best and I want to win a World title by taking it from the champ. Tevin is the best fighter at 130lbs now and I want to dethrone him and that would be the most satisfying way to achieve my dream.

“If he wants to bang in there that’s cool with me, that’s my cup of tea, but if wants to move around and create his angles and be slick how he is, trust me, I have got everything to capitalize and land the shots to hurt him, slow him down and land devastating shots. I don’t see it going 12 rounds, I think I will hurt him and make him feel my shots. I’m happy and ready to go 12 rounds with him though, I’m not going to go in swinging for the fence, that’s what he wants. I’ll fight a smart fight.”

Diaz and Farmer clash on a huge night of action in Super Bowl week as Demetrius Andrade (28-0 17 KOs) defends his WBO World Middleweight strap against Luke Keeler (17-2-1 5 KOs), unified World Super Bantamweight champion Daniel Roman (27-2-1, 10 KOs) defending his titles against Murodjon Akhmadaliev (7-0, 6 KOs) and YouTube stars Jake Paul and AnEsonGib clashing on their pro debuts.

Super-Middleweight contender Anthony Sims Jr (20-0 18 KOs) fights for his first pro title against Roamer Alexis Angulo (25-1 22 KOs) and a host of young talents are in action in the form of Movladdin Biyarslanov (5-0 4 KOs), Austin Williams (4-0 3 KOs), Alexis Espino (4-0 3 KOs), Otha Jones III (4-0 1 KO) and Avril Mathie (4-0-1 2 KOs).

Toms River, NJ (September 30, 2019) – Toms River NJ’s, Chris “Sandman” Thomas 15-1-1, 10KO won by 1st rd knock out Saturday night at the Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton.

This win over Engleberto Valenzuela comes just two weeks after knocking out former regional WBC & WBA champion, Samir Barbosa in Atlantic City.

These back-to-back knockout victories should put Sandman right back into the super middleweight rankings?.

Thomas, 21 years-old and his manager Shawn Darling are finalizing the details on an April 4 regional championship fight in Atlantic City.

You can follow his career at Chris “Sandman” Thomas- NJ State Middleweight Champ on Facebook.

He trains at Lacey Township’s Gladiator Gym and is also trained by Darling.

Thomas is a Teamsters truck driver, and 2016 Toms River South graduate.

He’s a promotional free agent.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 28, 2020) — Unbeaten WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and undefeated lineal heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury continued their war of words at a special attraction press event on Saturday at FOX Studios in Los Angeles, as they near their highly anticipated showdown taking place Saturday, February 22 in a historic, joint FOX Sports PPV & ESPN+ PPV from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at www.mgmgrand.com or www.axs.com. The event is promoted by BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions, Top Rank and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. A Premier Boxing Champions presentation.

The two gargantuan heavyweights traded words and shared updates on training camp leading up to one of the most heavily awaited fights in recent memory. A large media contingent was on hand to watch the undefeated titans square off once again, less than one month before they will finally meet in the ring to settle the score, 14 months after their unforgettable first clash.

Here is what the fighters had to say Saturday in Los Angeles:

DEONTAY WILDER

“Things are going amazing. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. To come from where I come from, it’s amazing to be here. When you get a happy Deontay Wilder in training camp, you can definitely expect great things from me. That’s’ what I’m going to give you.

“We haven’t seen his power displayed like he’s been talking about. It hasn’t been continuous, like mine. I think he has pillows as fists. That’s what I felt in our last fight.

“With the strategies that he’s talking about, I don’t really know how to take it. I don’t know if he’s trying to throw me off my game by saying he’s going to knock me out. But it’s exciting to hear and I’m looking forward to February 22.

“Everything on his body is a target, not just his cut. Everything that is permissible for me to hit, I’m going to hit it.

“When you fight someone like me, it’s a mistake to tinker around with your training camp. I’m unpredictable in that ring. When you have too many opinions and too many people who think they have the remedy, it usually backfires.

“I think this win will be more special than the others. Because of the history that we have, with that controversial draw. I consider Tyson a brother of this era, especially in the heavyweight division. The other fighters don’t want to let themselves loose and have fun. We’re both able to enjoy what we do day after day. Because when the bell rings, anything can happen.

“Fighting a guy like Fury, you have to be careful. Time goes by so fast in the ring. You’re trying to do everything that you prepared for. With what he brings to the table with his boxing skills, you have to have some awareness of the clock. But with my power, it’s his job to really watch the clock and try to avoid me for 36 minutes.

“We both have to come in like we did the first fight, with our hearts on our sleeves and the warrior mentality that we always bring. When you get to this point, the scenery itself makes for a great fight. We all know when I come to fight, I don’t play around. We can play around here today, but we’re going to have that killer mentality in the ring.”

TYSON FURY

“I’m born ready. I’m feeling good in training camp. Everything has been going really well. There’s no injuries or excuses. It’s all dedication and sacrifice, one day after another.

“The first fight I wanted to go in there and out box him. It didn’t work. No matter what people say, I didn’t win. I count a draw as a loss.

“We’re giant heavyweights. I’ve had 20 knockouts, so I’m very capable of knocking people out. When you underestimate someone else’s power, you usually end up unstuck. Whether I’m a great puncher or not, I don’t believe anybody else can match me with heart and determination. I’m going to put my iron will on Deontay Wilder.

“I felt that I needed to get an edge in this fight. It’s not personal with me and my trainers, cutmen and nutritionists. It’s business. If I think someone else is going to improve my business, I’ll do it.

“How do you beat a massive puncher? You have to back him up. He gets massive leverage in those long arms while coming forward. I have to put him on the back foot and make him absorb some of my power.

“I’m the Gypsy King. There’s only been one and there’s only likely to be one going forward. That’s one belt that Deontay Wilder can’t ever win.

“He had a great performance against Ortiz. He did what he was supposed to do. He knocks guys out. He was relaxed and calm under the pressure. I was impressed. Not by the knockout, but by the way he was conducting himself under pressure.

“I’m always real. Deontay Wilder has knocked out 43 opponents in a row. Even if I hate this guy, I respect that. He has amazing power and his name is up there with all-time greats. He’s a great puncher who gets the job done.”

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For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.toprank.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com and www.espn.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @trboxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @ESPN, @ESPNRingside, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/trboxing, www.facebook.com/foxsports, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes and www.facebook.com/espn.

London, UK (28 January 2020) Promoter Mick Hennessy brings big-time boxing back to Coventry at the Sky Dome for the first time in a decade with an exciting clash between bitter rivals Shakan Pitters and Craig Richards for the Vacant British Light-Heavyweight Championship on Saturday 28th March, exclusively live on free-to-air Channel 5.

Presented by Hennessy Sports in association with Ladbrokes, Channel 5, Infinitum, Everlast and Jon Pegg, tickets will be priced at Standard £40, Ringside £70, Inner Ringside £100. An on-sale date and full ticket details will be announced shortly.

The Sky Dome was a boxing hotbed in the early to mid 2000s with a host of popular local boxers, including Neil Simpson, Dean Pithie, Richard Evatt, Steven Bendall and Andy Halder all featuring in glorious fight nights at the venue.

With the last championship boxing event staged there almost 10 years’ ago – Leicester’s Rendall Munroe in a WBC World Super-Bantamweight title eliminator in April 2010 – and with Coventry leading up to its year as 2021 City of Culture, Hennessy felt it was the ideal time and location to bring boxing back and stage one of the most eagerly anticipated fights in British boxing.

Since the British title was vacated by Joshua Buatsi and the British Boxing Board of Control announced purse bids for Pitters v Richards – which were won by Hennessy – the the showdown has got the British fight trade divided. It’s a real 50-50 encounter with both fighters evenly matched and with plenty of pride at stake, neither man will want to come second in this crucial 175lb clash.

The towering 6ft 6in Pitters, 30, hasn’t put a foot wrong since making his pro-debut in March 2017 and has amassed a perfect unbeaten 13-fight career with four knockouts. The Birmingham talent first came to attention when he cruised through the Ultimate Boxxer 2 tournament in November 2018, defeating Dec Spelman, Georgii Bacon and Sam Smith all in one night to win the Golden Robe. In ‘Shaks’ last fight in September he again faced Spelman, who by then had become the English champion, and relieved him of the title in a thrilling 10-round war where he had to overcome some tricky moments to emerge the winner on the scorecards.

Pitters said, “I’m not like any of the guys he’s faced before. He keeps going on about Andre Sterling, Jake Ball and Frank Buglioni, he just living off those names. I can’t wait until I get in the ring with him and find out how adaptable he is, then he’ll realise how good I am. It doesn’t matter where the fight is taking place, I don’t care where the fight is, the result will always be the same, I will win. I’m the better boxer and he’s going to find that out. He goes on about me being hurt against Dec Spelman, but I proved I had a great chin. His last fight against Chad Sugden was awful, if that was me in with Sugden he would have been out of there. For me the fight doesn’t go the distance and I want to know what his excuse is going to be when he loses.”

Richards, 29, from Crystal Palace, has built a solid record in his five years as a professional. He’s captured the Southern Area Super-Middleweight title and the WBA Continental Light-Heavyweight title in his 17-fight career. This will be Richards second shot at the British Light-Heavyweight title after his points loss to then Champion Frank Buglioni in October 2017 at the Principality Stadium on an Anthony Joshua card. Richards took the fight at just five days’ notice after original opponent Callum Johnson withdrew, but he took the fight to Buglioni and at one point in the third round he looked like he was going to cause a huge upset. Since then ‘Spider’ has remained unbeaten in six fights, although his last fight was scored a surprised draw to Chad Sugden.

Richards said, “Pitters is not ready to challenge for the British title, he should have defended the English and then fought an eliminator to prove he’s ready. People are getting carried away with him. Just take a look at his record, his four knockouts have been against a guy who lost 72 fights; someone who only had three fights; another one with 29 losses and someone making his debut. He was badly hurt in his last fight against Spelman. Is the fight taking place in Coventry to give him some kind of advantage? It will work against him and the pressure will all be on him. I’ve fought on an Anthony Joshua show in front of 86,000 people against Frank Buglioni for the British title at just five days notice. Fighting in Coventry means nothing to me. It won’t go the distance unless he gets on his bike for twelve rounds. When I hit him on the chin and he lands on Big Ben he’ll wish the fight would have taken place in London.”

A top quality undercard features some great Midlands match ups that includes a feisty Coventry derby between welterweights Jordan Cooke and Michael Green over six-rounds; Birmingham’s Ishmael Ellis takes on Walsall’s Shaun Cooper over six rounds at lightweight; Coventry’s Dilly Singh against Birmingham’s Matt Sen at cruiserweight over six rounds; Coventry light-middleweight River Wilson Bent in a four-round contest; Birmingham lightweight Tom Collins in a four-round contest; Birmingham super-featherweight Lewis Coley in a four-round contest; Leamington Spa lightweight Danny Quartermine makes his pro-debut in a four-round contest.

Also on the card will be exciting middleweight prospect Michael Hennessy Jr. from Sevenoaks, Kent, in his fifth professional bout in a six round contest.

Hennessy is thrilled to deliver the fight to the fans and for viewers live on Channel 5 and is expecting a memorable encounter between Pitters and Richards. He said, “It was a fight that really appealed to me when the purse bids were announced by the Board and I’m delighted to have won the rights to stage it. The once popular fight city of Coventry has been bereft of professional championship boxing for nearly 10 years and I felt that it was the ideal venue to host this cracking British title fight and bring boxing back once again and it will also be live on free-to-air TV on Channel 5. It’s a real 50-50 fight and has split the trade on who will win this one. Shakan is undefeated, skilful and with the physical advantages, but is facing his first big test and if he comes through he will really launch himself on the big stage. While Richards has the edge in experience having challenged for the British title before he is also highly regarded and skilled boxer, he’ll be hungry to get the victory over his rival. This has the makings of a great fight between the fierce rivals with plenty of pride on the line.”

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports and join the conversation at #PittersRichards

PHILADELPHIA — “Raging Babe” Michelle Rosado returns to the 2300 Arena, with the second installment of Philly Special, on Friday evening, March 27. This boxing series showcases up-and-coming local talent in competitive matches. The action begins at 7:30 p.m.

The event will build on a successful 2019 for Rosado, which kicked off with her first self-promoted Philadelphia event–Philly Special on Feb. 8–and included her Oct. 4 card, “Blood, Sweat & 50 Years,” celebrating the 50th anniversary in boxing for Hall-of-Fame Promoter J Russell Peltz. Rosado was mentored by Peltz in Philadelphia until she struck out on her own. He will handle matchmaking duties for March 27.

“Philly Special will showcase the type of fights that make Philadelphia a legendary fight town,” said Rosado. “Fighters that would rather be carried out than quit, and fights that are more about left hooks, and less about managers’ checkbooks. Real fans, real fighters, real fights.”

Club shows have been Rosado’s passion since she promoted her first event in 2011.

“Not every fighter is getting signed to a big promotional agreement out of the amateurs,” said Rosado. “Not every fighter is going to have a manager throwing money at his career. These boxers deserve a platform and an opportunity to advance in boxing–fighters that work their day job during the day, and train at night…they all deserve a shot. Robert Hines, Gary Hinton, Jeff Chandler, Charlie “Choo Choo” Brown, Charles Brewer, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Bernard Hopkins, Jason Sosa, Tevin Farmer, and Julian Williams all began their careers fighting on the Philly club show circuit and went on to become world champions. Club shows matter.”

The Philly Special lineup will be announced Wednesday, February 5th. Boxing fans can visit www.ragingbabe.com/phillyspecial to sign up for news and ticket announcements.

Tevin Farmer is still craving unification fights at Super-Featherweight before a move to Lightweight as he prepares to defend his IBF title against JoJo Diaz at the Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami on Thursday January 30, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW STARTING AT $40 (PLUS FEES)
 Farmer (30-4-1 6 KOs) has enjoyed a spell as the most active World champion, with his clash in Super Bowl week his fifth defense of the title he won in Australia in August 2018.

The Philadelphia star dismissed the challenges of James Tennyson, Francisco Fonseca, Jono Carroll and Guillaume Frenois in a ten month period and now welcomes the test of Diaz (30-1 15 KOs), who is gunning to win a World title at the second attempt in a bout fueled by a war of words on social media.

The ‘American Idol’ knows his clash with Diaz is arguably the toughest examination of his championship reign to date, but the 29 year old is confident of retaining his title – and wants to add more belts at 130lbs before moving up to Lightweight.

“After I win, I think I have one or two more fights at 130lbs and then I’ll move up, especially if the big fights don’t happen,” said Farmer. “It’s not frustrating, I want the unification fights and I want to be undisputed, but as long as I am still fighting and feeding my family, I am OK with that. 

“I go out there and do my thing, I don’t listen to what people say as you can’t win, I just focus on my job and I know what that job is, I don’t need to be told – I bust my ass in the gym and we get popping. 

“Talk about overlooking people is overused as you have to plan for the future, but it’s my future and I won’t let any other fighter determine my career – you don’t want to fight me, we move on. I will make my legacy with what I do and who I fight, I don’t care what anyone else does, it’s all down to me.

“It’s going to be a hell of a fight, he’s going to come ready and I am always ready to fight. I’ve had a great camp and we’ve added some new things to what I already have so I can’t wait, it’s going to be fireworks. You can never learn enough. I’m the first in the gym and I’m the last out, I put the work in and cut no corners. 

“He started calling me out on social media, usually I don’t pay attention to people but I thought that he would be a good name on my resume, he’s a hell of a fighter and I wanted to give him a shot at the title. I knew the fight would happen, if I say the fight is going to happen, it’s going to happen.

“He’s going to come out and try to bang, throw a lot of power shots, maybe he could try to box too. But anything he brings I’m ready for it.”

Andrade and Keeler clash on a huge night of action in Super Bowl week with Tevin Farmer (30-4-1, 6 KOs) defending his IBF World Super Featherweight title against JoJo Diaz (30-1, 15 KOs), unified World Super Bantamweight champion Daniel Roman (27-2-1, 10 KOs) defending his titles against Murodjon Akhmadaliev (7-0, 6 KOs) and YouTube stars Jake Paul and AnEsonGib clashing on their pro debuts.

Super-Middleweight contender Anthony Sims Jr (20-0 18 KOs) fights for his first pro title against Roamer Alexis Angulo (25-1 22 KOs) and a host of young talents are in action in the form of Movladdin Biyarslanov (5-0 4 KOs), Austin Williams (4-0 3 KOs), Alexis Espino (4-0 3 KOs), Otha Jones III (4-0 1 KO) and Avril Mathie (4-0-1 2 KOs).

28 January 2020 – Manila, Philippines: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), today held the ONE: FIRE & FURY Official Open Workout in Pasay City. The world’s best martial arts talent came out to showcase their incredible skills in front of fans and media.

In attendance was reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of the Philippines, who faced off with the challenger, former champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva of Brazil. Also at the open workout were top Filipino athletes Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Danny “The King” Kingad, Lito “The Thunder Kid” Adiwang, Gina “Conviction” Iniong, and Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres.

Athletes are set to compete at ONE: FIRE & FURY, scheduled for this Friday night, 31 January at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.

Photos of the event can be downloaded at this link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-hha2Bci9wQgUMs4FGzkVO5jTAcTTap2

A high-res copy of the highlight video can be downloaded here: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ot_J2M8d8OJuyJtd7cU4qq4KPPC_Mc1Z/

More information on ONE: FIRE & FURY is available at www.onefc.com.

Fight Club OC’s 10th Anniversary Year kicks off with a huge Boxing and MMA show on Thursday, February 20th in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. And if that wasn’t a reason to celebrate, check our our all new and updated website at www.socafights.com.

Fight fans are in for a treat on February 20th as they will not only see three pro boxing bouts but also three pro mma bouts inside the 24’x24’ hybrid ring, ….win free pizza’s from Gina’s Pizza….rib dinners from Newport Rib Company….$200 in cash….great merchandise from the Kings & Legends booth….and free samples by Tong Jerky, the best beef jerky this side of Texas.

It all takes place on February 20th inside The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center. Also new for 2020 we are going back to our 6pm door open time and sticking with the 7pm start time. Tickets for this Feb 20th show are available now at www.socafights.com with all tickets priced at $60.

Season Seats with locations starting in the 3rd and 4th row, and free parking are on sale now by calling Drew at (949) 760-3131.

?FEATURED BOXING
BOUT OF THE NIGHT
Headlining the boxing side of things for opening night will be Newport Beach’s Andrew Segura 2-0 (2KO’s). As he is set to face the Huntington Beach legend in Guadalupe Arroyo, a veteran of 20 fights in a four round Super Featherweight boxing match! Segura hopes his undefeated record and brutal power can match the experience of the battle tested Arroyo.

FEATURED MMA
BOUT OF THE NIGHT
On the MMA side our Featured MMA bout will see Fullerton’s Trent Meaux 7-6 (3KO’s) as he battles Benji Gomez 9-12 (2KO’s) of Oxnard in a 3 round Bantamweight bout. The MMA action at Fight Club OC always goes off and we expect nothing less when Meaux and Gomez meet in the ring for this bout that was supposed to take place on our Dec 5th 2019 FCOC show.

Undercard Bouts Set For Opening Night 2/20/20
Uriel Villanueva of Santa Ana and John Ornelas of Lake Elsinore make their pro boxing debuts against one another in a 4 round Super Lightweight standoff! Both fighters come into this match with something to prove. They each want to impress as they embark on their pro careers and that means we’re in for a great fight!

Danny Silva 2-0 from Santa Ana vs. Chula Vista’s Dennis Fisher a veteran of two pro fights in a 3 round Featherweight match. Fight Club OC fighters always open the show with a bang. So get there early and get ready for an excellent night of boxing/MMA action from the only hybrid show in the southland!

Two more fighters will make their pro boxing debuts against one another as Vista’s Austin Brooks takes on Javier Francisco Navarro, in what should be a scintillating 4 round Featherweight war!

Opening the show will be the exciting and explosive Joey Dorado 1-0 from Santa Ana, CA as he goes up against San Diego’s Adrian Najera 2-0 in a 3 round Bantamweight encounter! Somebody’s 0 must go in what promises to be an MMA shootout!

Tickets for this Feb 20th show and all 2020 Fight Club OC and Garden Casino Fight Night shows are available now by visiting www.socafights.com with all tickets priced at $60!

Demetrius Andrade has laughed of Luke Keeler branding him ‘deluded’ as he prepares to defend his WBO World Middleweight title against the Irishman at the Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami on Thursday January 30, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW STARTING AT $40 (PLUS FEES)
 Andrade (28-0 17 KOs) puts his strap on the line for the third time having landed become a two-weight king having won the vacant title against Walter Kautondokwa in October 2018 in Boston and then seeing off Artur Akavov with a final round stoppage in New York in January 2019 and then thrilling his hometown of Providence, RI with a dominant points win over Maciej Sulecki.

‘Boo Boo’ has been hunting showdowns fellow champions and elite names like Canelo Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin and Jermall Charlo, but challenger Keeler (17-2-1 5 KOs) labelled those ambitions as delusional and believes the 31 year old is making the mistake of looking past Thursday night’s fight.

Andrade told Keeler he was wide of the mark with those comments as the pair faced-off for the first time today in Miami, and the champion wants to prove his credentials at the top level 

“Delusional? That’s a good one!” said Andrade. “I’ll give Luke credit where it’s due, it’s hard to get people to get in there with me and it’s his first World title fight, so I am expecting him to bring his A-game 

“I’m bringing mine too as I know what it’s like. I’ve been to the Olympics and to me there’s no bigger platform, but this is a massive stage and no other fighter or network has done this, I’m going to give him the beating of his life. He’s said that he would fight me for free, I’d say that you should want to get paid because these shots don’t come easy! I’m just very excited to get things in motion and prepare myself to get in great shape.

“I’ve never watched a lot of fighters, I just concentrate on me. It’s all about me and doing what I need to do to beat anyone that’s put in front of me, and that’s get in shape, stay fast, work on my range and timing. Whatever is being brought to me, through my work ethic and preparation I am able to weather any storm, adjust, land the shots I need to land and relax, because I’ve been doing this for a very long time and there’s nothing I haven’t seen style-wise. 

“I’ll never get too comfortable though and think ‘I’m better than you so I don’t have to train’ – every fight is a multi-million dollar fight because if I don’t perform and win, the opportunities go out the window. I don’t slack on one punch or one training session because of that.”

Andrade and Keeler clash on a huge night of action in Super Bowl week with Tevin Farmer (30-4-1, 6 KOs) defending his IBF World Super Featherweight title against JoJo Diaz (30-1, 15 KOs), unified World Super Bantamweight champion Daniel Roman (27-2-1, 10 KOs) defending his titles against Murodjon Akhmadaliev (7-0, 6 KOs) and YouTube stars Jake Paul and AnEsonGib clashing on their pro debuts.

Super-Middleweight contender Anthony Sims Jr (20-0 18 KOs) fights for his first pro title against Roamer Alexis Angulo (25-1 22 KOs) and a host of young talents are in action in the form of Movladdin Biyarslanov (5-0 4 KOs), Austin Williams (4-0 3 KOs), Alexis Espino (4-0 3 KOs), Otha Jones III (4-0 1 KO) and Avril Mathie (4-0-1 2 KOs).

WHAT: RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS professional boxing

MAIN EVENT – VACANT NABF SUPER FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10)*
Ernesto Delgadillo (11-0-2, 2 KOs), Dallas, TX
vs.
Jade “Hurricane” Bornea (14-0, 10 KOs), General Santos City, Cota del Sur, Philippines

CO-FEATURE – WBC UNITED STATES SILVER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)*
Santiago Dominguez (20-0, 16 KOs), Champion, Fort Worth, TX by way of Mexico
vs,
Vitor “La Amenza” Jones Freitas (16-5, 10 KOs), Challenger, Salvador Bahir, Brazil

MIDDLEWEIGHTS (8)*
Connor “The Kid” Coyle (11-0, 4 KOs), Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
vs.
Miguel Dumas (11-2, 8 KOs), Tijuana, Mexico

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (6)*
Richard Van Sicien (7-0, 3KOs), Seattle, WA
vs.
Abraham Martin (5-0, 5 KOs), Medford, OR by way of Mexico

FEATHERWEIGHTS (4)
William Hernandez-Gomez (3-0, 2 KOs), Burlen, WA
vs.
Jerald Gregori (0-2), Grand Falls, MT 0-2

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS (4)
Margarito Hernandez (0-0-1), Wapato, WA
vs.
Joshua Wheeler (0-0-1), Blaine, WA

FEATHERWEIGHTS (4)
Jerrell Barbour (pro debut), Tacoma, WA
vs.
Steven Hellman (0-2), Grand Falls, MT

MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)
Glenn Hagler, Jr. (4-1, 2 KOs), Daytona Beach, FL
vs.
Charon Spain (1-13-1), Portland, OR

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

WHERE: Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington

WHEN: Thursday, January 30, 2020

PROMOTER: RJJ Boxing Promotions in association with Sanman Boxing

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

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com

BROADCASTERS: Sean Wheelock (blow-by-blow), and James “Smitty” Smith (color commentator)

RING ANNOUNCER: Michael Vale

OFFICIAL WEIGH IN
: Wednesday, Jan. 29, in the foyer of the Event Center at Legends Casino & Hotel

TICKETS: Range from $15.00 to $50.00 and are available for purchase by going HERE and also on fight night at the Legends Casino box office

OTHER: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. PT, first fight at 6:00 p.m. PT, and FIGHT PASS starts at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)

INFORMATION:

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

Murodjon Akhmadaliev is chasing history as he prepares to challenge WBA and IBF World Super-Bantamweight champion Daniel Roman at the Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami on Thursday January 30, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW STARTING AT $40 (PLUS FEES)
 Akhmadaliev (7-0 6 KOs) can equal Leon Spinks’ record of becoming a men’s unified World champion in just his eighth pro fight and will become the first unified ruler from Uzbekistan with victory over Roman (27-2-1 10 KOs).

‘MJ’ has blasted his way to the mandatory spot with the WBA since turning pro in March 2018 and for the 25 year old, his meeting with the Baby Faced Assassin represents an opportunity to become a hero in his boxing-mad country.

“It’s history in the making,” said Akhmadaliev. “To become a unified champion in just eight fights and the first from Uzbekistan is really some great history for me to make, I want to make my country proud. Boxing is the number one sport in Uzbekistan and with God’s blessing, I think everything will play out well. 

“It’s a dream come true for me. I have been climbing this mountain for 17 years, in the gym twice a day in that time. I’ve broken my wrists, my fists, my nose, bloodied face, had cuts; all that sacrifice is for fights like this. I know people think I am inexperienced and Danny will take me out or something like that, but trust me, I have given it my all for 17 years and it will be no different for fight night.

“This is the most important fight in my career so far. I’m fighting the unified champion, the best in the division, so it’s a big step up for me but we’re very well prepared for this fight with my coaches Antonio and Joel Diaz. 

“I’ve only had seven fights and I haven’t felt challenged in any of those fights. I am not comparing those fights to this one as I know they are different and this is a hard fight. All the talk about his experience that he brings to the ring is fine but it’s only when we get in the ring together that we will see who is the best fighter, the most experienced, who is stronger, faster, sharper and smarter. I don’t like to talk too much; I love to fight, and I can’t wait to fight him.”

Akhmadaliev’s clash with Roman is part of a huge night of World championship boxing as Demetrius Andrade (28-0, 17 KOs) defends his WBO World Middleweight title against contender Luke Keeler (17-2-1, 5 KOs) and Tevin Farmer (30-4-1, 6 KOs) defending his IBF World Super Featherweight title against JoJo Diaz (30-1, 15 KOs).

YouTube sensations Jake Paul and AnEsonGib make their pro debuts against each other, Super-Middleweight contender Anthony Sims Jr (20-0 18 KOs) fights for his first pro title against Roamer Alexis Angulo (25-1 22 KOs) and a host of young talents are in action in the form of Movladdin Biyarslanov (5-0 4 KOs), Austin Williams (4-0 3 KOs), Alexis Espino (4-0 3 KOs), Otha Jones III (4-0 1 KO) and Avril Mathie (4-0-1 2 KOs).

NEW YORK (January 27, 2020) – The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) has officially announced its 28-member Class of 2019. The ninth annual NYSBHOF induction dinner will be held Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 19, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“I am proud that we are continuing to honor New York men and woman in boxing for their dedication to the sport that they’ve served,” NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy said. “This is our way to thank them all and let each new inductee know that we do remember all that they did and continue to do. The Class of 2020 is strong across the board, boxers and non-participants, continuing the NYSBHOF tradition of honoring our own.”

Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF include three-time World light heavyweight title challenger Jorge Ahumada (42-8-2, 22 KOs), of Woodside, Queens by way of Argentina; (1975-78) WBC super featherweight World Champion Alfredo “El Salsero” Escalera (53-14-3, 31 KOs), of New York City by way of Puerto Rico; WBC super featherweight World title challenger Freddie “The Pitbull” Liberatore (20-4-1, 11 KOs), of Bayside, Queens; WBC middleweight World Champion and four-time New York Golden Gloves winner Dennis “The Magician” Milton (16-5-1, 5 KOs), of Bronx; World heavyweight title challenger and two-time New York Golden Gloves winner Lou Savarese (46-7, 38 KOs), of Greenwood Lake; and WBA super middleweight title World title challenger Merqui “El Corombo” Sosa (34-9-2, 27 KOs), of Brooklyn by way of the Dominican Republic.

Posthumous participants being inducted are Brooklyn welterweight Soldier Bartfield (51-29-8, 33 KOs), who fought a reported 55 world champions; Bronx middleweight Steve Belloise (95-13-3, 59 KOs); NYSAC and World lightweight champion (1925) Jimmy Goodrich (85-34-21 (12 KOs), of Buffalo; World heavyweight title challenger Tami Mauriello (82-13-1, 60 KOs), of Bronx; WBA light middleweight World champion (1982-83) and four-consecutive New York Golden Gloves titlist Davey “Sensational” Moore (18-5, 14 KOs), of Bronx; and World lightweight champion Freddie “The Welsh Wizard” Welch (74-5-7, 34 KOs), of New York City by way of Wales.

Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are Oneida judge Don Ackerman, Wantah, Long Island journalist/producer Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Buffalo manager Rick Glaser, Rockaway Beach journalist Jack Hirsch, Bronx boxing broadcaster Max Kellerman, Ardsley ringside physician/NY Medical Director Dr. William Lathan, Orangeburg judge Julie Lederman, Hyde Park referee Ron Lipton, and Staten Island/Catskill trainer Kevin Rooney.

Posthumous non-participant inductees are Brooklyn’s Ring Magazine editor Lester Bromberg, New York City sportswriter Dan Daniel, Brooklyn’s Gleason’s Gym founder Bobby Gleason, Sunnyside, Queens boxing writer Flash Gordan, Manhattan journalist A.J. Liebling, Long Island City’s NYSBHOF co-founder Tony Mazzarella and New York City manager Dan Morgan.

There are a number of firsts regarding some Class of 2020 inductees: husband-wife – Dr. William and Melvina (Class of 2018) Lathan; daughter-father – Julie and Harold (Class of 2012) Lederman. Bobby Jr. and Bobby Cassidy, Sr. (2013) are the fourth son and father inducted into the NYSBHOF, but the first boxer/journalist combination. The others are boxers Floyd and Tracy Patterson, executive administrators Bobby and Murray Goodman, and referees Arthur, Sr. and Arthur Mercante, Jr.

Welch is going into the NYSBHOF as a boxer, but he also managed fellow Class of 2020 inductee Goodrich.

Each attending inductee will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.

The 2020 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members: Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski, Ron McNair, Jim Monteverde and Neil Terens.

All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers or during the prime of their respective career.

Tickets are priced at $150.00 per adult and $60.00 for children (under 16) and includes a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, as well as a full course dinner (prime rib, fish or poultry) and open bar throughout the day. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304 or depcomish@aol.com. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available: half-page $100.00, full page $200.00 front and back inside covers are $400.00 each, and $500.00 for back cover. Mail checks and ads by the April 6 deadline to Bob Duffy, 1112 Whitewood Landing, Massapequa Park, NY 11762. Checks should be payable to NY Stare Boxing Hall of Fame, call Duffy to charge on a credit card.

NEW YORK STATE BOXING HALL OF FAME

CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and Arthur Mercante, Sr.

CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Buddy” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard and Don Dunphy.

CLASS OF 2014: Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Billy Backus, Kevin Kelley, Juan LaPorte, Gerry Cooney, Mustafa Hamsho, Howard Davis, Jr., Lou Ambers, Jack Britton, Terry McGovern, Teddy Atlas, Lou DiBella, Steve Farhood, Gene Moore, Angelo Prospero, Whitey Bimstein, Cus D’Amato, William Muldoon and Tom O’Rourke.

CLASS OF 2015: Saoul Mamby, Joey Giamba, Johnny Persol, Harold Weston, Lonnie Bradley, Paul Berlenbach, Billy Graham, Frankie Genaro, Bob Miller, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Slattery, Bob Duffy, Mike Katz, Tommy Gallagher, Bruce Silverglade, Charley Goldman, Jimmy Johnston, Cedric Kushner, Harry Markson, Damon Runyon and Al Weill.

CLASS OF 2016: Aaron Davis, Charles Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, Edwin Viruet, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Kansas, Joe Lynch, Joe Miceli, Ed Brophy, Joe DeGuardia, Randy Gordon, Dennis Rappaport, Howie Albert, Freddie Brown, Howard Cosell, Ruby Goldstein and Jimmy Jacobs.

CLASS OF 2017: Gaspar Ortega, Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Doug Dewitt, “The Bronx Bomber” Alex Ramos, Dick Tiger, Jose Torres, “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey, Don Majeski, Ron Katz, Stan Hoffman, Bobby Bartels, Hank Kaplan, Al Gavin, Arthur Donovan and Dan Parker.

CLASS OF 2018: Lou “Honey Boy” Del Valle, Jake Rodriguez, Terrence Alli, “Baby” Joe Mesi, Kid Chocolate, James J. “Gentleman Jim” Corbett, Jack McAuliffe, Billy Costello, Melio Bettina Ralph “Tiger” Jones, Charley Norkus, Dave Anderson, Pete Brodsky, Herb Goldman, Bobby Goodman, Melvina Lathan, Ron Scott Stevens, Johnnie Addie, Johnny Bos, Murray Goodman, Bert Randolph Sugar and Sam Taub.

CLASS OF 2019: Wilfredo Benitez, Dick DiVeronica, Rogelio Tuur, Davey Vasquez, Michael Olajide, Monte Barrett, Jimmy Carter, Al “Bummy” Davis, Marty Servo, Roland LaStarza, Paddy DeMarco, Sid Terris, Leach “The Fighting Dentist” Cross, Don King, John McKaie, Steve Albert, Arthur Mercante, Jr., Bob Jackson, Dewey Fragetta, Johnny LoBianco, Wayne Kelly, Harry Hill, Jimmy Cannon, and Joe Dwyer.

Anthony Tomlinson can take one step closer to fulfilling a promise to his son when he meets Stewart Burt in an Eliminator for the British and Commonwealth Welterweight titles at FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on Saturday February 8, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

‘The Truth’ (11-0, 6 KOs) steps up to fight former Scottish Champion Burt on the undercard of Kell Brook’s ring return against Mark DeLuca in what is a big breakthrough opportunity for the Sheffield born man and his toughest career test to date. 

Despite taking an unconventional route into the realms of professional boxing, 28-year-old Tomlinson has notched 11 straight victories since his 2017 debut points win in Doncaster, with his current knockout form seeing him climb the rankings and establish himself as a domestic force at 147lbs.

Having captured the Central Area title and the IBO Continental strap in his eighth and eleventh fights respectively, Tomlinson heads into February 8 on the back of four explosive KO wins, most recently dispatching of former Midlands Champ, Rob Hunt in the sixth of a scheduled ten. 

“Anybody that I fight I know that I have the power to get them out of there and I know if I do land it will be an early night”, said Tomlinson. “This fight brings me one step closer to where I want to be so it’s about overcoming this challenge and showcasing to everybody around the world what I can do.

“My skillset and awkwardness will cause anyone in this division problems and I don’t believe that Stewart Burt has been in the ring with anyone like me. The power and presence I have in the ring will be new to him and I’m more than confident of getting the win on February 8.”

Fighting out of Doncaster under the tutelage of Stefy Bull, Tomlinson is driven by a promise he made to his young son since turning his life around and believes his ability will soon see him fight the best Welterweights in the country. 

“My son was in the gym and he pointed to a photo and told me he wants that rainbow belt, so that is my motivation for him, to fulfil that promise to my son – I won’t stop until I win that belt”, he added. “I started boxing at 22 and had a troubled past, being involved with gangs and I was in and out of prison. When my son was born and I started boxing it changed my life and gave me that extra light. 

“I originally got into boxing to start MMA but everything seemed to fall naturally to me in the ring. I have great people around me who have helped me to be where I am now.

“I don’t call people out but I believe that I am at the level to be fighting the best in Britain. I feel we are all at a similar level and they also need to fight people like me to prove that they’re the best. If them big domestic fights come along then I will be more than happy to take them.

“I have never been hungrier for a fight than this one because I know how close I am to fulfilling a promise to my son. I am so thankful for everyone who supports me and has bought tickets because they are making my dreams come true.”

Tomlinson vs. Burt is part of a huge night of action in Sheffield.

Kell Brook (38-2, 26 KOs) will be aiming to shake off the ring rust and fire his name back into the mix for a Word Title shot in 2020 when he meets the USA’s Mark DeLuca (24-1, 13 KOs), Kid Galahad (26-1, 15 KOs) takes on Claudio Marrero (24-3, 17 KOs) in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Featherweight crown, Terri Harper (9-0, 5 KOs) clashes with Finland’s Eva Wahlstrom (23-1-2, 3 KOs) in a unification for the WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles, Dave Allen (17-5-2, 14 KOs) makes his long-awaited return after eight months out of the ring, Brentwood Super-Featherweight Martin Joseph Ward (23-1-2, 11 KOs) returns, Sheffield Super-Featherweight prospect Donte Dixon (2-0, 1 KO) returns, Super-Middleweight John Docherty (7-0, 5 KO) continues his march towards a first title, Leeds Featherweight Hopey Price (2-0, 1 KO) looks to go 3-0 and Sheffield Light-Heavyweight Callum Beardow (1-0) fights for the second time as a pro.

THE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED rematch between unbeaten super bantamweights Brad Foster and Lucien Reid with the British and Commonwealth titles on the line will take place at York Hall on February 22.

The stacked card also features an intriguing battle at super middleweight between the unbeaten former Team GB amateur Kody Davies and the exciting ‘Top Boxer’ Umar Sadiq.

Also on the bill is thrilling super bantamweight prospect Dennis ‘The Menace’ McCann for his sixth professional assignment, Southampton snapper Ryan ‘The Piranha’ Garner (8-0) aiming to make a timely return and make up for lost time at super featherweight, as well as featherweight starlet Louie Lynn (5-0) from Banstead looking to build on his impressive Queensberry Promotions debut in December.

Top drawer former amateurs and now new professionals Henry Turner (super lightweight, 1-0), Eithan James (super lightweight, 2-0) and Sam Noakes (lightweight, 2-0) get to take the next step towards early title contention, while Muhammad Ali – elite amateur and 2016 Rio Olympian – makes his professional debut at bantamweight.

News on further exciting additions to the bill will be confirmed shortly.

The majority draw declared between the champion Foster and Reid in mid-September proved to be a source of significant controversy, with many observers marking the challenger as the winner in his first 12 round assignment.

The 22-year-old Foster completed his third 12 round test of a productive 2019 and considered himself in need of some time out having suffered a cut above his left eye early in the second round.

The Lichfield man now makes a third defence of the British title he won by beating Josh Wale from the away corner in Barnsley in March of last year. It represents a second defence of the Commonwealth crown he prized via a 12th round knockout from Ashley Lane at Stevenage in May.

“It will be another good scrap and one where I need to put things right,” insisted the champion. “I need to win this one and close this book. Simple as that.

“A draw is not the way I want to keep my titles and it was disappointing to keep them with one. This time I’ve got to win the fight convincingly.

“I can take a lot from it but he can as well because he knows what I’m like now and that is what makes it a tasty fight.

“I’ve had a nice little break to get over a few injuries including a broken knuckle after the last one. I am back at it now and on February 22 I will be the winner.”

Reid, 26, insists he is on a mission to right a wrong and will carry a sense of injustice into the ring with him.

“A million per cent and I can’t wait to prove that I did win the fight and I will do it in a fine fashion,” said the pupil of the Queensberry iBox Gym. “I am not going in there to do anything less or the same as I did last time. This time you will see a totally different me as well and I will change it up.

“Every single person knows that even if I won it by one round I still won the fight. When I get in there with Brad I am going to old man him again, move him about and prove that I am the rightful champion.

“I am also going in there thinking he will come out unbelievable so I am looking forward to seeing that and how I adjust to it because I know I can.”

Tickets are available via TicketMaster