SAN ANTONIO, TX (July 30, 2019) – Unbeaten super featherweight prospect, Henry “World Star” Arredondo (5-0, 2 KOs), will return to the ring on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at the Alzafar Shrine in San Antonio, Texas. Arredondo will face Alejandro Moreno (24-39-3, 11KOs), a veteran of over 60 fights, in his first six-round bout as he looks to live up to his “World Star” nickname.

“Everyone knows I have a lot of personality and style,” said Arredondo. “I mean, look at my nickname “World-Star”, you don’t get that by being a regular fighter. I’m looking to show people why I got that nickname and the goal is to have another clip that goes viral after this fight.”

“Henry is a showman and he is very excited for this upcoming fight,” said Rick Nunez, Arredondo’s trainer. “He has put the work in and now it is time for him to show his skills in his first six-round bout, right here in his hometown of San Antonio.”

Arredondo believes that going two extra rounds will allow for more chances for a stoppage.

“I am learning the pro game and I have a style in which I break opponents down and it might take some time to see me stop someone,” Arredondo continued. “I feel with two more rounds added, I can get more knockouts and show out to the best of my abilities.”

In the six-round main event, San Antonio’s Selina Barrios (5-1, 3 KOs) will face Nina Gallegos. Arredondo vs. Moreno will serve as the co-main event.

August 2nd Weigh-Ins for this event will take place at “Perfect Score San Antonio” located at 6420 Northwest Loop 410 Ste 108, San Antonio, TX 78238 at 12:00 noon CT. Tickets priced $25 + fees are available HERE or by calling Rick Nunez at (210) 605-8933. Doors open at 5:30 pm first bell at 7:30.

New York, NY (July 30, 2019) DiBella Entertainment (DBE) has signed top welterweight prospect Victor “El Turu” Padilla (4-0, 4 KOs), of Berlin, New Jersey, to an exclusive promotional agreement. He will make his DBE debut on Thursday night’s Broadway Boxing: Night of the Contenders event, live streamed exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

“We’re very excited to begin working with Victor. At just 20 years old, we look forward to his rise in boxing and to working again with his manager/trainer Chino Rivas,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “With a stellar background, devastating power, charisma and a great team behind him, Victor will become a big star in the sport. I can’t wait to see him in action on Thursday night as part of our Broadway Boxing UFC Fight Pass stream.”

Fighting out of the same camp as IBF Super Featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer, Padilla, a native of Vieques, Puerto Rico, will make his DBE debut in a battle against Benjamin Borteye, of Silver Spring, Maryland, in a scheduled four-round bout this Thursday night, August 1, at the Monroeville Convention Center, just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“My family and I are very thankful to Lou DiBella and the entire DiBella Entertainment team for believing in my talent and dedication toward becoming a world champion. I have never wanted something so badly,” said Padilla. “I lost focus for a short period of time where I was not fighting because my family was not by my side and it made it difficult for me. With the help of my trainer Chino Rivas and the rest of my team, I have no more worries. I have the full support of my family and I have never been happier or more motivated. All those that doubted me will regret it and those who believed in me will never question that decision. I look forward to making DiBella Entertainment proud on August 1 and for many years to come.”

Padilla turned professional in December 2016 after a stellar amateur career that included three National championships and a record of 90-7.

——————————————————

The card will take place at the Monroeville Convention Center this Thursday night, August 1, and will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS starting at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

In the main event, Ievgen “The Ukrainian Lion” Khytrov (18-2, 15 KOs), of Brooklyn, New York, faces Atlantic City, New Jersey’s Gabriel Pham (11-1, 5 KOs).

Junior middleweight Eric “The Baby Faced Assassin” Walker (18-2, 8 KOs), of Plaquemine, Louisiana, battles Jose Antonio “Bachata” Abreu (14-5, 8 KOs), of La Romana, Dominican Republic, in the co-feature.

Heavyweights will also see action on August 1 and live on UFC FIGHT PASS as undefeated and hard-hitting Mike Balogun (13-0, 10 KOs), a former college football standout from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, clashes with St. Louis veteran Ed Fountain (12-5, 5 KOs) in a scheduled eight-rounder.

Ukrainian welterweight Ivan “The Volk” Golub (16-1, 12 KOs), of Brooklyn, New York, squares off against former Brazilian super lightweight champion Joaquim Carneiro (25-10, 23 KOs), of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Tickets for Broadway Boxing: NIGHT OF THE CONTENDERS, promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Pinnacle Fighting Championships, and presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, Christos Steak House and Gagliardi Insurance, are priced at $100, $50 and $25, and can be purchased online HERE. The Monroeville Convention Center is located at 209 Mall Plaza Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146, just 12 miles east of Pittsburgh. Doors will open at 6:30 pm, with the first fight scheduled for 7:30 pm. For more information on the venue, please visit their website HERE.

AMATEUR SENSATION Eithan James is set to turn professional and will do so under Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions banner.

The 18-year-old, winner of five National titles, gold medallist at the Commonwealth Youth Games and two-times Tri-Nations and Haringey Box Cup winner, from Northampton will be trained in Bromley by Alan Smith alongside fellow young talents Dennis McCann, Mickey Burke jr and Jake Pettitt.

He joins a growing list of multi-title winning former amateur stars in the stable of promoter Frank Warren and super lightweight James is a little taken aback over the speed of the process of becoming a professional.

“I am still a bit shocked with it all,” said James, who also has a European silver medal on his honours list. “It happened quite quickly in the space of two months and I am so impressed with how it has all come together.

“I ended up going down to Alan Smith’s iBox Gym for a session with Dennis McCann and I was telling Alan what I had won. He then set me up from there, set me up with a manager and then a contract with Frank Warren.

“I’m going to train during the week in Bromley, going home at weekends, then will stay there full-time during fight camps. I’m looking forward to it because it will be something different, compared to the amateurs where I trained up here in Northampton every day.

“It will give me a bit more independence.”

James, who took part in 76 fights as an amateur – losing five, but believing he came off second best only once – admits there was a small temptation to retain the vest and seek Olympic recognition, but he is now looking forward to transferring his skills to the pro game and reports he already has a date in the diary.

“I was, but I sort of got bored of the amateurs towards the end. I won my first senior competition and just wanted something new.

“I would class myself more as a boxer and less of a brawler. I like my movement and long on the jab, but if I see and opening I will go for it.

“I’ve got my date confirmed and it is going to be September 21 in London. I will bring close to 200 down from Northampton with me.”

Frank Warren commented on the latest addition to his youthful ranks: “Eithan is clearly a fantastic talent and I am delighted to have him on board with us. As I keep saying, the biggest joy for me in boxing is guiding young fighters from day one to major titles and there is another opportunity to do just that with Ethan.

“He will learn his trade in an excellent working environment with Alan over at the iBox Gym and his career couldn’t be in much better hands. They are developing a new generation of young stars in Bromley and I am very much looking forward to seeing Ethan take his first steps as a professional.”

Anthony Fowler says he has developed a “new found hunger” after suffering the first loss of his professional career at the hands of Preston’s Scott Fitzgerald at The M&S Bank Arena Liverpool back in March.

‘The Machine’ looks to return to winning ways this Friday in front of his home crowd at the Exhibition Centre when he takes on Blackpool’s Brian Rose for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight title, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Fowler, trained by Dave Coldwell in Rotherham, is all too aware that his clash with former World title challenger and British Champion Rose is must-win. The ex-Team GB star admits to learning valuable lessons from his Fitzgerald defeat and says there’s no chance of him overlooking 34-year-old Rose. 

“I’ve got a new found hunger,” said Fowler. “I got a little bit cocky last time. I thought it would be an easy fight and I got proved wrong, so I’ve been brought down to earth a bit. I completely underestimated him and that’s my own fault.

“It was a close fight all the way through. I felt as though I was winning going into the last round but I still wanted to take him out. Looking back, maybe I should have got behind the jab and boxed to a decision. It was all for grabs and I went for it, so it was what it was. 

“I’d had nine fights, it was a big occasion and I showed that I’ve got a lot in me, a lot of heart and a lot of strength. Even in the ninth round I still hurt him. I showed a lot but it’s still early days and I’ve got a lot ahead of me to learn. 

“Every fight is must-win. I take every fight very seriously. I learnt a lot from my last fight and I’ll take that experience into this fight. I’m not looking past anyone, I’ve learnt from that mistake. I respect Brian. He’s a good fighter and I look forward to sharing a ring with him.

“I always say you’re only as good as your last fight. My last fight was a title fight, obviously it was a loss but it was a great fight. He boxed a journeyman over six rounds. What you did years ago means nothing now but he’s got experience on his side. I don’t think he’s stopped anyone for years has he? But we’ll see. Hopefully he does drag me into deep waters because I can swim.”

Fowler vs. Rose tops a bumper JD NXTGEN card in Liverpool. 

Bolton’s Jack Cullen (16-1, 7 KOs) defends his English Middleweight title against Brixton’s John Harding Jr (7-0-1, 1 KO) Forest Hall banger Lewis Ritson (18-1, 11 KOs) makes his second appearance at 140lbs as he defends his WBA Continental title, Heavyweight contender Martin Bakole (12-1, 9 KOs) returns to take on Ecuador’s Ytalo Perea (11-4-2, 7 KOs) and Welsh amateur star Sean McGoldrick (9-0, 2 KOs) meets Thomas Essomba (8-5, 3 KOs) for the WBA Continental Bantamweight Championship and Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jr (18-1, 12 KOs) returns after his European and British title win over Joe Hughes. 

There’s also action for hard-hitting Montrose Super-Middleweight John Docherty (5-0, 5 KOs),Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq (6-0, 3 KOs), Anthony Bellew-managed Light-Heavyweight prospect Thomas Hart (1-0), Anthony Crolla Lightweight protege Dylan Evans (2-0) and Manchester Welterweight debutant Nathan Farrell.

30 July 2019 – Manila, Philippines: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), in cooperation with City of Dreams Manila, held the official ONE: DAWN OF HEROES Kick-Off Press Conference on Tuesday, 30 July. The world’s finest martial arts athletes came out to address fans and media ahead of the blockbuster event taking place at the Mall of Asia Arena on 2 August. Reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen stood face to face with challenger Koyomi Matsushima for the first time in an intense staredown in lieu of their main event matchup.

Also in attendance was ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, as well as ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty and opponent Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon, American mixed martial arts legends Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, among other ONE athletes competing on the card.

Ticket information for ONE: DAWN OF HEROES is available at www.onefc.com.

Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-1JyRc-IY4_aRZDdyQa9L9aBpyww-PTx

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “This is without a doubt the greatest event in Philippine martial arts history. If you are a Filipino anywhere in the world, you do not want to miss Friday night. On a personal note, I am so excited for Eduard Folayang versus Eddie Alvarez, genuinely two of the greatest martial artists on the planet, two incredible legends with storied careers, and such incredible human beings. Our mission since day one has been to ignite the world with hope, strength, dreams and inspiration. There are two huge World Title bouts here in Manila. I am a huge fan of Martin Nguyen and his lovely family. Koyomi Matsushima has come here as the best in Japan. This bout is going to be fireworks. Both guys hit very, very hard. This one, I guarantee is not going the full distance. I believe it’s going to end by KO or by submission. Philippines, you are in for another treat. A bout which has the potential to be Bout of the Night — Jonathan Haggerty versus Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Of course, we also have the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Semi-finals between Demetrious Johnson and Tatsumitsu Wada. The winner goes on to compete in the finals at ONE: CENTURY in Tokyo, our 100th event.”

Martin Nguyen, ONE Featherweight World Champion, stated: “I hope you guys are as excited as I am, being able to come back here and compete in front of the Manila fans and Filipinos. First and foremost, I’m just happy to compete at the highest level. I want to thank ONE Championship, Chatri [Sityodtong], Victor Cui, Matt Hume, for believing in me. I want to thank my coaches for believing in me and pushing me everyday to be the best person I can be. I want to say congratulations to Koyomi Matsushima in earning his title shot by winning his last bout decisively. It’s an honor and I’m excited to go up against a warrior who puts it all on the line as much as I do. On Friday night, you all are in for a treat. I’ve been working so hard and I’m sure he’s been working so hard as well. But this is my division…and still.”

Koyomi Matsushima, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “I’m really honored to be competing against the greatest champion, Martin Nguyen. Our fight will be a very exciting fight, so please come to the event and watch.”

Jonathan Haggerty, ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, stated: “I want to thank everyone for coming out today. Ever since I was a little boy, this has been my dream, being up here on the big stage among legends like Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez. I’m fighting Rodtang Jitmuangnon. He’s a very come-forward fighter. I’ve been training hard. I know what I’m going to expect and I have a game plan which I always do. Last May, I defeated Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. This title is going to be staying with me. This is what I do. This is what I love. I’m here to stay champion.”

Rodtang Jitmuangnon, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “This is my second time to compete in Manila and this is the biggest card ever in Philippine history. This is also the most important bout of my career. Fighting for a world title in ONE Championship is something every fighter dreams of. To all my fans around the world, please support me this coming Friday. I will do my best.”

Eduard Folayang, former ONE Lightweight World Champion, stated: “Good afternoon to all. I’m really excited to be competing in Manila again. Of course, I’ll be facing Eddie [Alvarez]. He’s one of those athletes that I spent a lot of time watching before. He says this isn’t the right time, but I believe it’s God’s time. It’s a huge honor for me to be able to test my skills against him. My preparations have gone well. I lost my belt last March. That chapter of my career has closed. It’s time to write another chapter of my journey.”

Eddie Alvarez, 4x Lightweight Mixed Martial Arts World Champion, stated: “Thank you Manila. I rarely come as a nemesis to a country. Usually, I’m the guy holding the belt. It’s unusual for me to be the bad guy, but I promise you if I’m the bad guy, I will not disappoint. I respect Eduard [Folayang]. I respect everything he’s done not just as a fighter, but also as a human being for his community. This is what this sport is all about. It’s beyond what goes on in the Circle. In the movies, heroes always prevail. The nemesis loses, he goes home and everybody’s happy. Unfortunately, that’s not the story here. You picked the wrong guy at the wrong time. I love you Manila. I respect you Eduard. Let’s have some fun.”

Demetrious Johnson, 12x Flyweight Mixed Martial Arts World Champion, stated: “I’m very much looking forward to taking on Tatsumitsu Wada. It’s the second round of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix. Being a kid, growing up watching Japanese mixed martial arts, I could never imagine myself actually competing against the best in the world and hopefully eventually win the Grand Prix. I’m looking forward to my first time competing here in Manila. I think this is probably the biggest press conference I’ve ever been to, with all of the media. Thank you guys so much for being here. I look forward to fighting. I’m sure I’m going to battle a little adversity against Tatsumitsu Wada. I’ve been down on the scorecards before, but I keep on pushing through. I look forward to entertaining you all on Friday night.”

Tatsumitsu Wada, ONE Athlete, stated: “Thank you for welcoming me Filipino fans. This is the third time for me to fight in Manila, so I feel at home here. This week, I’m fighting pound-for-pound the world’s greatest martial artist, Demetrious Johnson. I’m really honored to fight against him, but I have a chance to win. I will do my best to try to stick to my game plan and try to win. Thank you for all the support.”

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™
ONE Championship (ONE) is the largest global sports media property in Asian history, and the largest producer of millennial live sports content in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE is the Home of Martial Arts, and is the world’s largest martial arts organization, hosting bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. ONE hosts the biggest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world’s best martial artists and world champions on the largest global media broadcast in Asia. ONE eSports, a subsidiary of ONE Championship, runs Asia’s largest global eSports Championship Series with some of the biggest blockbuster game titles in the world. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 2.6 billion potential viewers across 140+ countries with some of the largest global broadcasters, including Fox Sports, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Startimes, Thairath TV, Skynet, Mediacorp, Great Sports, Tencent, Star TV, Mediaset Italia, ProSiebenSat.1, Dubai Sports, Turner Sports, and more.

BROOKLYN (July 29, 2019) – Two-time former welterweight world champion Andre Berto suffered an injury during sparring on Saturday that resulted in a torn bicep muscle and is forced to withdraw from his bout against Miguel Cruz that was scheduled for this Saturday as part of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

Undefeated Polish star and Brooklyn-native Adam Kownacki will meet Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola in a 12-round heavyweight showdown in the main event and unbeaten interim WBA Light Heavyweight Champion “Sir” Marcus Browne battles former champion Jean Pascal in a 12-round bout in the co-feature. The broadcast starts at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will now feature Brooklyn’s Curtis Stevens making his 154-pound debut against Wale “Lucky Boy” Omotoso in a 10-round bout.

Berto tweaked his left bicep muscle during sparring earlier last week and tore the tendon during his final sparring session on Saturday in preparation for the Cruz bout. After an MRI revealed the extent of the injury, doctors advised Berto to withdraw from the fight and have surgery as soon as possible.

“Saturday was the last day of sparring and I was trying to finish and keep going strong,” said Berto. “I threw a left hook and I felt a squeeze and a pop. I started yelling and cursing, because I knew what happened. I’ve had injuries before. Even though it was bad, I thought it was something that I could get a cortisone shot and fight with. But the MRI showed that the tendon was torn from the bone and I need surgery as soon as possible.

“It’s devastating because I worked hard for eight weeks and I’m in dog shape. I was just ready to go. This just kills me. It’s so freaky that it happened on the last day of sparring. When I hurt it on Tuesday, I just taped it up and went back to work. The doctors say there was a slight tear on Tuesday because there was still some inflammation when I came back to spar on Thursday and Saturday. They say it would have torn during the fight.”

Berto went into his match against Jesus Soto Karass with a shoulder injury, tore muscles during the match and had to fight with one arm. He had shoulder surgery to repair torn tendons and ligaments and spent eight months recovering. He was out of the ring for 14 months.

“This injury and the surgery won’t be as bad as the shoulder,” Berto said. “The shoulder was a lot of different muscles and tendons that were torn. I had a sling on for six weeks, and I was immobilized for so long that I had frozen shoulder syndrome and I had to go through three or four weeks with therapy to just get it to moving. It took eight or nine months with the shoulder. If I do it right with this injury, I’ll be good in two or three months.”

Berto (32-5, 24 KOs) has fought some of the top welterweight champions of this generation, including Floyd Mayweather. The 35-year-old won a welterweight world title with TKO victory over Miguel Angel Rodriguez in 2008 and successfully defended it five times before losing it to Victor Ortiz in 2011. He later avenged that loss to Ortiz with a knockout victory in 2016 on FOX. Heading into the fight against Cruz, Berto was coming off a split decision victory over former welterweight champion Devon Alexander in his last fight in August on FOX.

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

FLORESVILLE, TX (July 29, 2019) – This past Saturday at a sold-out Floresville Event Center in Floresville, TX, Prince Ranch Boxing’s Richard Medina (6-0-1, 5 KOs) and Hector Coronado (3-0, 2 KOs), who are both promoted by TMB & PRB Entertainment, remained undefeated.

After winning the first three rounds of his scheduled four round featherweight bout, Medina’s opponent Miguel Moreno (0-2), and his corner, threw in the towel at the beginning of round four. Medina was landing some vicious body blows before the fight was stopped.

“It felt good to be fighting in front of a lot family and friends,” said 18-year old Medina, who resides in nearby San Antonio. “I was breaking him down with body shots and his corner decided to throw in the towel. 2019 has been a great so far and I’m looking to close out the year with a few more fights. I have a lot to learn, but everything is moving in the right directions. I’m very grateful to the team around me. Everyone is doing a fantastic job.”

Welterweight Hector Coronado went the distance for the first time in his career, winning a unanimous decision against veteran Adam Ealoms (3-18-3, 1 KO). Coronado cruised to an easy win using his superior footwork and boxing skills. Scorecards read 40-36 across the board.

“I got some good rounds in with a tough opponent,” said Coronado who trekked up from his hometown of Del Rico, Texas. “This is just the beginning of my career and I see myself getting better with each fight. I’m gaining valuable experience every time I step in the ring and at some point, I’ll be in a big step up fight. I’m just going to take it one day at a time.”

“Medina and Coronado came out victorious and that’s exactly what I expected.” said Manager Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing. “Both of these fine young men have bright futures in the sport of boxing, and I will be getting them back in the ring very soon.”

“Medina and Coronado showed their spectacular talent to those in attendance this weekend,” said promoter Rick Morones Jr. of TMB & PRB Entertainment. “The turnout for this event was unbelievable and I’m happy to say we broke the record for attendance at the Floresville Event Center. The fans were amazing, and I want to thank the city officials of Floresville for all their support.”

“The Floresville Event Center was jam packed with great boxing fans and everyone got to see the true talents of Medina and Coronado, who I believe will be something special in boxing.” said TMB & PRB promoter Alex Draghici.

In the ten-round light flyweight main event, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (10-0, 6 KOs) defeated Cesar Garcia Torrijos (11-1, 4 KOs) by third round TKO. Rodriguez dropped Torrijos three times before the referee stopped the bout.

Other Results:
Gregory Morales (9-0, 5 KOs) defeated Abrahan Flores (3-1, 2 KOs)
Dagoberto Nevarez (7-0, 3 KOs) defeated Warren Stewart (0-10)
Robert Rodriguez (5-0, 2 KOs) defeated Miguel Rebullosa (4-8, 2 KOs)
Robert Garcia (3-0, 3 KOs) defeated Marco Castro (2-1, 1 KO)
Corey Barlow (3-4, 2 KOs) defeated Tyrrell Herndon (12-4, 8 KOs)
Cristina Ruiz (9-9, 3 KOs) defeated Brittany Ordonez (2-3-1, 1 KO)

BELFAST (July 29, 2019) —The show had to go on.

After Olympic nemesis Vladimir Nikitin bowed out due to injury, Michael “Mick” Conlan found a new opponent for his Belfast homecoming in Diego Alberto Ruiz (21-2, 10 KOs).

The veteran from Argentina will look to upset Conlan (11-0, 6 KOs) in front of roughly 10,000 fans Saturday at Falls Park as part of the Féile an Phobail summer festival.

Conlan grew up a stone’s throw from the park, and his fight will be one of the festival’s  major events. 

Conlan-Ruiz and Luis Arias-Luke Keeler will stream live on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. The undercard stream will begin at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT and stream only on ESPN+.

As fight week kicks off, this is what Conlan, a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, had to say.

On Nikitin dropping out and what Ruiz brings to the table

“Having Diego Alberto Ruiz step in for Vladimir Nikitin didn’t really change how I approach the fight. I suspect Ruiz will come forward but maybe not as aggressively as Nikitin was going to.”

“For me, I wanted the toughest fighter we could get after Nikitin fell out, and that’s what I told Top Rank and MTK Global. Every fight to me is important, but I wanted to make sure the August 3 fight in West Belfast was going to entertain the huge crowd.”

On training with Adam Booth

“Adam and I work on so much every camp. I know I’m much better just since St. Patrick’s Day {when he defeated Ruben Garcia Hernandez at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden}. While we focus on every opponent and how to beat them, we’re truly working on getting better each camp and every day, so that when the time comes to fight for a world title, I’ll be ready.”

On the future

“I’m a humble person. There’s a lot of chatter coming from different fighters, some who are in a similar place as me in their careers and it’s getting a bit much, especially on social media. I prefer to let my performances speak for themselves.”

“I plan to fight again on St. Patrick’s Day at Madison Square Garden next year. It’s my favorite arena, and I love the atmosphere inside the arena and in New York City during fight week.”

“I could see a title fight against {IBF featherweight world champion} Josh Warrington coming to fruition within 12 months. It would be big anywhere in the UK or Ireland, but I’d love to have my first world championship fight at Madison Square Garden.”

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtags #ConlanRuiz and #TheConlanRevolution to join the conversation on social media. About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive 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) and can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month.

Jesse Rodriguez109 vs. Cesar Garcia 108.6
Hector Coronado 148.2 vs. Adam Ealoms 155
Robert Rodriguez 118 vs. Miguel Rebullosa 116,8
Tyrrell Herndon 238 vs. Corey Barlow 244
Richard Medina 127.4 vs. Miguel Moreno 127.4
Gregory Morales 125.8 vs. Abrahan Flores 121.9
Brittany Ordonez 125.8 vs. Cristina Ruiz 123.6Dagoberto Nevarez 164.2 vs. Warren Stewart 160.4Robert Garcia 134.4 vs. Marco Castro 137

Headlining the 10-round main event will be Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (9-0, 6 KOs), who is promoted by Teiken Promotions, vs. Cesar Garcia Torrijos (11-0, 4 KOs), in a battle of undefeated light flyweight prospects. A 6-round bout featuring undefeated super bantamweights Gregory Morales (8-0, 4 KOs) vs. Abraham Flores (3-0, 2 KOs), will serve as the co-main event.

“YOUNG GUNSWHO’S “0” WILL GO” takes place at the Floresville Event Center on July 27, 2019.  Tickets priced $30 General Admission, $80 Ringside and $800 VIP Tables (10 seats) are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (210) 449-5599 or (210) 322-9974.  The Floresville Event Center is located at 600 SH 97 West, Floresville, TX 78114.  Doors open at 6:00 PM, first bell at 7:30 PM.

6-Round Super Bantamweight Co-Main EventGregory Morales (8-0, 4 KOs) vs. Abraham Flores (3-0, 2 KOs) 

4-Round Featherweight BoutRicky “El Castigo” Medina (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Miguel Moreno (0-1) 

4-Round Welterweight Bout“Prince” Hector Coronado (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Adam Ealoms (3-17-3, 1 KO)

4-Round Super Lightweight BoutRobert Garcia (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Marco Castro (1-0, 1 KO)

4-Round Heavyweight Bout (Texas Title)Tyrrell Anthony Herndon (12-3, 8 KOs) vs. Corey Barlow (2-4-2, 1 KO) 

4-Round Featherweight BoutBrittany Ordonez (2-2-1, 1 KO) vs. Christina Ruiz (8-9-3, 5 KO)

4-Round Middleweight BoutDagoberto Nevarez (6-0, 2 KOs) vs. Warren  Stewart (0-9) 

4-Round Bantamweight BoutRobert Rodriguez (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Miguel Rebullosa (4-6, 2 KOs)

BALTIMORE – July 26, 2019 – Unbeaten two-time super featherweight champion and Baltimore native Gervonta Davis and mandatory challengerRicardo Núñez both made the 130-pound weight limit a day before they square off Saturday live on SHOWTIME from Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore.

Davis, the youngest reigning American world champion, will become the first world champion from Baltimore to make a homecoming defense in nearly 80 years against the hard-hitting Panamanian Núñez.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a pair of 10-round lightweight bouts. Former world champions Yuriorkis Gamboa and Roman “Rocky” Martinez will square off in the co-featured bout, while top contender Ladarius Miller will take on former world titlist Jezreel Corrales in the telecast opener.

In Saturday’s undercard action streaming live beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page, prospects Malik Hawkins, Dylan Price and Kareem Hunt will all be featured in separate eight-round bouts. 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME

WBA Super Featherweight World Championship

Gervonta Davis – 129 ½ pounds

Ricardo Núñez – 128 ¾ pounds

Referee: Harvey Dock; Judges: Lynne Carter (Penn.), Larry Hazzard, Jr. (N.J.), Dave Moretti (Nev.)

Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Yuriorkis Gamboa – 132 ½ pounds

Roman Martinez – 133 ½ pounds

Referee: Bill Clancy; Judges: Lynne Carter (Penn.), Larry Hazzard, Jr. (N.J.), Dave Moretti (Nev.)

NOTE: Gamboa initialed weigh-in at 134.6 pounds, slightly over the contacted catch weight of 134 pounds.  He successfully made weight within the allotted two-hour time limit. 

Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Ladarius Miller – 135 ½ pounds

Jezreel Corrales – 134 ¼ pounds

Referee: Brent Brovell; Judges: Lynne Carter (Penn.), Larry Hazzard, Jr. (N.J.), Dave Moretti (Nev.)

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN Live Streaming Online – 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT

Super Lightweight Bout – 8 Rounds

Malik Hawkins – 140 ¼ pounds

Johnathan Steele – 139 ¾ pounds

Super Flyweight Bout – 8 Rounds

Dylan Price – 115 ½ pounds

Samuel Gutierrez – 116 pounds

Super Lightweight Bout – 8 Rounds

Kareem Martin – 139 ¾ pounds

Luis Avila – 139 ¼ pounds

NOTE: The previously announced Richardson Hitchins vs. Tyrone Crawley bout is off of Saturday’s card.

FINAL QUOTES

Gervonta Davis

“It was easy making the weight. Training at home amongst my brothers, I knew I had a big task ahead of me. I’m in front of my friends and family so I’m on top of my game this go around. This has been a great experience fighting in Baltimore, it means a lot so I’ve been pushing extra hard.”

Ricardo Núñez

“I’m going to knock Gervonta Davis out by hitting him and hitting him. I know it’s Gervonta Davis’ party here in Baltimore but I’m still going to put on a good show tomorrow night. I’m here to put on a great fight. That’s what the fans want and that’s what I’m going to give them.”

ABOUT DAVIS VS. NÚÑEZ

Davis vs. Núñez will see two-time super featherweight champion and Baltimore native Gervonta “Tank” Davis become the first fighter from Baltimore in almost 80 years to make a homecoming title defense when he defends his WBA title against mandatory challenger Ricardo “Científico” Núñez live on SHOWTIME Saturday, July 27 from Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature former world champions Yuriorkis Gamboa and Roman “Rocky” Martínez battling in a 10-round lightweight attraction while lightweight contender Ladarius “Memphis” Miller meets former world champion Jezreel “El Invisible” Corrales in a 10-round showdown.

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports, follow on Twitter @Gervontaa, @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, @PremierBoxing and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports andwww.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.

First bell – 5pm (all times local)

4 x 3 mins Middleweight contest              
Darius Bagley 159.4lbs    vs            Carlos Dixon 166 ½lbs
Dallas, Texas                                      Dallas, Texas

Followed by

4 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight contest     
Arthur Biyarslanov 140lbs             vs            Solon Staley 139.5lbs
Toronto, Canada                               Columbia, South Carolina

6:00pm                                                                                                

6 x 3 mins Middleweight contest              
Nikita Ababiy 161.4lbs    vs            Yunier Calzada 158 ¾lbs
Brooklyn, New York         Houston, Texas

Followed by

10 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest             
Joey Dawejko 251.4lbs   vs            Rodney Hernandez 261.4lbs
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania                           Modesto, California

Followed by

4 x 3 mins Middleweight contest
Austin Williams 159.8lbs                vs            Jabrandon Harris 164.4lbs
Houston, Texas                 Bryan, Texas

8:00pm                                                                                

10 x 3 mins Vacant WBO NABO and USBA Super-Bantamweight championships  
Tramaine Williams 121.8lbs          vs            Yenifel Vicente 121.8lbs
New Haven, Connecticut              Miami, Florida

Followed by

12 x 3 mins IBF World Super-Featherweight championship           
Tevin Farmer 129.8lbs    vs            Guillaume Frenois 129 ½lbs
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania                           Sainte-Quentin, France

Followed by

12 x 3 mins WBO and WBC World Super-Lightweight championships       
Maurice Hooker 139 ½lbs             vs            Jose Ramirez 139 ½lbs
Dallas, Texas                                      Avenal, California

FLOAT

4 x 3 mins Lightweight contest  
Javier Francisco Martinez 133lbs                vs            Michael Land 130.4lbs
Dallas, Texas                                                      Dallas, Texas

Bulgarian IBF #1-rated heavyweight contender Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev and his team have officially petitioned the IBF, requesting they order their world champion, Andy Ruiz, to postpone his rematch with former champ Anthony Joshua and make an immediate mandatory defense against Pulev.

Team Pulev say their fighter has earned the right to an immediate title fight by winning two IBF eliminators (October 27, 2018, when he defeated IBF #3-rated Hughie Fury and May 7, 2016, when he defeated former European champion and world title challenger Dereck Chisora) and by staying active against top competition. For example, on March 23 of this year, he knocked out WBA #14-rated Bogdan Dinu on ESPN.

Pulev had originally been scheduled to face then-champion Anthony Joshua on October 28, 2017, in Cardiff, Wales, but was forced to withdraw due to injury. Joshua went on to defeat substitute opponent Carlos Takam and then make two more defenses then lose to Ruiz by TKO 7 in June of this year without facing Pulev.

And now, even though long-time IBF mandatory challenger Pulev has re-earned his spot as the IBF mandatory by beating Fury, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing has made clear he and Joshua intend to exercise their contractual right to an immediate rematch against Ruiz.

“We’ve been waiting patiently. The time is now,” said Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank, which co-promotes Pulev along with Epic Sports. “Andy Ruiz has an obligation to fight #1 mandatory IBF contender Kubrat Pulev.”

“Eddie is running this heavyweight title like it’s his own private enterprise,” said Ivaylo Gotzev of Epic Sports. “The bottom line is, Pulev originally fought an IBF eliminator over three years ago and was next in line with his IBF mandatory status. The IBF is an organization that has set a precedent for following their written rules and, according to rule 5.A.1., Ruiz’s rematch clause against Joshua does not affect his obligation to defend his title against the IBF leading available contender. Mandatory obligations supersede a promoter’s promotional rights. The IBF should not set aside their rules over the contractual details of a past fight.”

Ruiz himself is an indirect beneficiary of the IBF’s respected reputation for strictly adhering to its rules.

When Tyson Fury defeated Wladimir Klitschko to win the IBF title, the Klitschko camp exercised its contractual right to an immediate rematch with Fury. When Fury then refused to fight his IBF mandatory, opting for the more lucrative rematch with Klitschko, the IBF correctly vacated the title and ordered the two leading available contenders, Vyacheslav Glazkov and Charles Martin, to fight for the vacant IBF title.

Martin defeated Glazkov to become the IBF champion. In Martin’s first defense of the IBF title, he lost to Joshua which in fact was Joshua’s first bout for a major heavyweight title. Ruiz, who has now acquired the IBF title by defeating Joshua, is therefore the indirect beneficiary of the IBF’s policy of strictly complying with its rules, and Ruiz should therefore also be held to the IBF Rules and ordered to fight the IBF No. 1 available contender, Pulev, in his next bout.”

In another example, superstar fighter Gennady Golovkin was stripped of his IBF middleweight title in 2018 after choosing to face Vanes Martirosyan and failing to set up a mandatory defense against Ukrainian Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Daniel Jacobs then won the title by beating Derevyanchenko in a fight for the vacant belt.

“Two months have gone by since the Joshua bubble burst,” continued Gotzev. “No deal has been confirmed, only the occasional blurb by Eddie Hearn, of potential site and really no particular date. Eddie Hearn was talking to us for a November date at Wembley Stadium and Andy Ruiz ruined those plans. Andy is the new face of heavyweight boxing and we respect his fighting abilities. Pulev vs Ruiz will be a formidable battle.”

“I was ready to face Anthony Joshua in November and now I’m eager to challenge Andy Ruiz,” said Pulev. I will fight Ruiz anywhere in the world. Let’s make it happen.”

Manchester Heavyweight contender Hughie Fury has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, with his next fight will be announced at a press conference next week.

The hugely gifted Manchester star has long shown himself to be one of the finest technical talents the UK has produced, and now the 24-year-old is ready to mount a third assault towards a Heavyweight World title.

The only defeats on Fury’s 25 fight slate came at World level – a majority 12 round decision in a close and controversial WBO World title challenge to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in 2017, then a gallant and gory 12 round points loss to Kubrat Pulev in last October’s IBF Final Eliminatory in Sofia.

 “I’m over the moon to be signing promotionally with Eddie and joining a stable as strong as Matchroom,” said Fury.

“I feel with Matchroom’s backing I can kick on now and really fulfil my potential. Watch this space because it’ll be exciting times over the next couple of years.”

Father and trainer Peter Fury added: “This is fantastic news for Hughie. People forget he’s still only 24 years old – a baby for a Heavyweight. Signing with Matchroom gives him to perfect platform to achieve his goal of rising to the top of the heavyweight division and I have complete confidence in him doing just that.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Hughie Fury to the Matchroom Boxing team,” said Promoter Eddie Hearn.  “At such a young age Hughie has been fearless taking on the World’s contenders, facing Joseph Parker for the World title at just 23 and recently travelling to Bulgaria to take on Kubrat Pulev on his back yard. This experience will be priceless and I’m excited to see him back in a big fight soon at a time when the division is hotter than ever.” 

ORANGE, Calif. (July 25, 2019) – Unbeaten lightweight prospect Ruben Torres (9-0, 7 KOs) successfully weighed in Thursday for his main event showdown against veteran Ruben Tamayo (27-13-4, 18 KOs).

Torres weighed in at 138.3 lbs., while Tamayo weighed 138 lbs.

Torres vs. Tamayo comprises the eight-round “New Blood” main event originating from the Doubletree Hotel Friday night from Ontario, Calif.

WEIGHTS

Ruben Torres, 138.3 lbs. vs. Ruben Tamayo, 138 lbs. (8-rounds)
Anthony Sanchez, 133.7 lbs. vs. James Early, 132.6 lbs. (6-rounds)
Leo Ruiz, 152.5 lbs. vs. Donnis Reed, 152.8 lbs. (6-rounds)
Jose Tito Sanchez, 124.3 lbs. vs. Luis Montellano, 123.5 lbs. (4-rounds)
Chris Crowley, 130.4 lbs. vs. Braulio Avila, 130 lbs. (4-rounds)

Available tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $40 & $100 and are available for purchase on the day of the event (Friday) from the will call booth starting at 5:30 p.m. local time from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

All fights will be streamed live on TB Presents: New Blood via our Facebook page, YouTube channel and ThompsonBoxing.com. Beto Duran will handle blow-by-blow duties, while Doug Fischer provides expert, color commentary.

The livestream starts at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET.

The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 N. Vineyard Ave, Ontario, CA 91764 and can be reached at 909-937-0900.

“New Blood” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Everlast.

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, watch our YouTube channel on Thompson Boxing TV, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

Houston, TX: Yesterday at the Fighter Nation Gym in Houston, Texas junior middleweight prospect Evan Holyfield, middle son of Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield, officially announced he has teamed up with Main Events to launch his professional career. Below are quotes from this event:

Evan Holyfield:

“I signed with Main Events! First off, I would just like to thank God for allowing me to get to this position. There were times in my life when things didn’t make sense and I always prayed for perseverance. I want to thank Kathy Duva for taking a chance on me. I want to thank my whole team and I want to thank my mom. We have been through a lot and it took a lot to get here. I probably wouldn’t be here without her.”

Termite Watkins
Photo Credit: Hosanna Rull/Main Events

Maurice “Termite” Watkins – Holyfield’s Manager/Trainer:

“About 30 something years ago I got to meet this man named Lou Duva. We got to become friends and he had this fighter. His name was Evander Holyfield. I want to give a big shout out to Evander because I would not be here without him. Toi Irvin, Evan’s mother, thank you for trusting me with your son. We’ve made this decision and we have come a long way in a short time. We have a little way to go until we get where we want to be – and that is that championship of the world!

“When I met Lou Duva, he had Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Mark Breland and he did some great things in the boxing world. But, really, I have to give the credit to Dan Duva. Dan was actually the brains behind things. They have both gone to be with the Lord so it is my pleasure to introduce the woman who is Main Events now, Kathy Duva.”

Evan Holyfield and Kathy Duva
Photo Credit: Hosanna Rull/Main Events

Kathy Duva – CEO of Main Events:

“Thank you, Termite. Almost 35 years my late husband’s company made advances as a young up-start boxing promoter. He made it clear that we had arrived in a very big way when Dan announced that we had signed six boxers from the greatest Olympic boxing team of all time. Most of those fighters went on to achieve greatness as world champions. In the professional ranks, two of those fighters had such spectacular careers that they are now accepted universally among the all-time greatest practitioners of the sweet science. Tragically, we lost one of them last week, Pernell Whitaker. The other, of course, was Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield.

“His iconic fights with Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Buster Douglas, George Foreman Riddick Bowe, and, of course, Mike Tyson placed him among the all-time heavyweight greats. His historic career is now the stuff of legends. Back then Main Events was blessed to have the opportunity to launch Evander’s career and guide his assent. As he became the undisputed cruiserweight champion in just his 12th fight and then, as if to defy the many pundits that that pronounced him as too small, Evander patiently explained that it isn’t the size of the man but the size of his heart that matters. He landed a right hand to knockout Buster Douglas and become the undisputed heavyweight world champion.

“Back in 1984, my job at Main Events was publicist. So, obviously I could go on with great pride to speak about Evander’s many accomplishments but that is not why you asked me all to be here today. We have something very different in mind, as Termite and Evan have already told you. I used to laugh because when Dan would joke with Evander whenever he congratulated him on the birth of another son, that Dan was going to ask for dibs on signing him someday. I never imagined in my wildest dreams it would actually happen. But I am delighted and amazed to tell you that it did.

“People have asked me what made me decide to sign Evan. I have to say that when I met him just a few weeks ago that three things jumped out at me. We very rarely sign pro debut fighters at Main Events, and I have never signed a big-time fighter’s son. But he truly is a super athlete. He already has what we call ring intelligence. He is a student of the game and he is analytical in his approach to his chosen profession. Finally, he has a passion to succeed. That became crystal clear to me as I read the book this talented young man wrote when he was still a teenager. That’s right. He wrote a book! Talk about a work ethic! When I was teenager all I could do was get my term papers turned in on time.

Toi Irvin and Evan Holyfield
Photo Credit: Hosanna Rull/Main Events

“I met his mom, Toi Irvin, for the first time yesterday. All I could say is Toi you have raised an impressive young man. I am thrilled at the prospect of promoting his career. Particularly, because I am able to announce it here in this very ring that once graced Kenny Weldon’s gym. This ring hosted some of the greatest fighters of all time. Muhammad Ali fought in this ring and Evan’s dad trained in this ring. I think you can almost taste the history of the ring right now.

“It is with great pride and anticipation that I am here to tell you how thrilled we are at Main Events, my whole staff, that we are going to play a role in this young man’s career. I am one of the only people in this room who is old enough to remember watching Termite Watkins when he was in the amateurs. I became very familiar with his colorful background when he coached the Iraqi amateur boxing team. Then he called me out of the blue one day and asked me if Main Events would be interested in signing one of his young recruits. I wasn’t able to help him then but I am glad I am glad I was able to say yes when he called this time. I look forward to getting to know Termite and the rest of his team much better in the coming months and years. From what I can see, I can tell this is going to be a really fun ride!”

Holyfield and Watkins
Photo Credit: Hosanna Rull/Main Events

Termite:

“I am just honored and thrilled that this guy from North Shore is over here doing business with Kathy Duva. When I wanted to put this team together, I wanted to make sure it was complete. Really and truly though I can’t take the credit. It was a God thing. It was God that brought this team together. When we were just coming together, I called a guy named Tim Hallmark. I was so honored that he would even take my call. I knew him because he was the one that took Evander Holyfield and made him big and strong. We here at Fighter Nation we want to have the best equipment. My friendship with Tim just grew and flourished. In my opinion, Tim Hallmark, is one of the greatest strength and conditioning coaches in history.

Tim Hallmark
Photo Credit: Hosanna Rull/Main Events

Tim Hallmark – Evan’s Sports Performance Coach:

“First off, I am just so blessed to be here. The Word of God says, ‘This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad.’ And that is just the truth. I have been a sports performance coach for 40 years. I have worked with just about every sport out there. Some of the greatest people I have been blessed to meet are in boxing. Hands down.

“I don’t know how many of y’all actually knew Kenny Weldon. If Kenny didn’t like you, you knew it. If Kenny liked you, you knew it. For whatever reason he liked me. I came for Kenny’s funeral and Termite and I reconnected. I came over here to Fighter Nation to see what was going on and if you have ever seen it, it’s like going to church in a gym and a dance hall all at the same time. It is crazy awesome. While I was there someone came in the door and they needed some help. Termite stopped the workout. Everybody came over and everybody prayed for that person. Every time I have been back here that’s what I see. That is what goes on here five and six nights a week. This ground is part of God’s plan. Just to say I am a little part of Fighter Nation makes me very proud.

“Evander and I had been talking about Evan turning pro. I said to him and I said to Toi that you need to go and see Termite at Fighter Nation. Evan came down to see if it was a good fit. He took Evan into his home and showed him the way we do things. I have been very blessed because between Toi and Evander I get the inside scoop about this young man. Toi would call me and tell me things about Evan that only a mama would know. These things would give me an advantage. I have been working with Evan for about 14 months.

“I have worked with a lot of athletes in a lot of sports and this guy is really unique. He has a variety of assets that are crazy. Evan could have been successful in whatever he wanted to do. This is what he chose to do. He is super smart because he is a great listener. He doesn’t say a lot but then he will say something to let you know he was tuned in. I have the greatest expectations about what this man is going to do and I am thankful to be part of it.”

Holyfield
Photo Credit: Hosanna Rull/Main Events

Termite:

“Evander asked me if I would consider training his son and I said, ‘Can he fight?’ He said, ‘I think he can.’ I said, ‘Of course I will!” Evander sent him down here to stay with me for a week or so and asked me to tell him if I thought he could fight. We fell in love with him. This kid can fight. As a trainer you want a guy that’s got heart. He’s got heart. That’s something that you have got to be born with. Then you look for talent. This guy has speed. He’s got power. He has a lot of pressure with the Holyfield name. I told him he only needs to worry about what he can do.

Holyfield:

“I appreciate everyone coming together to support me. I want to thank my team. I want to thank y’all for supporting me. You each poured something into me. The glass used to be half full but now we are overflowing. We are going to take it one day at a time and reach our goal of becoming a champion.”

Duva:

“Tim [Hallmark] has been in my boxing life for 35 years and he is one of the kindest most-generous, thoughtful men I have ever known. This is part of what makes this so special is that I am going to get to work with him again. I want to take the time to thank everyone for coming out and joining us today. I want to thank everyone from the Fighter Nation Boxing Gym here for your hospitality. I want to thank Evan for putting his faith in us. We will not let you down. I want to thank Toi for trusting us with her son. We will not let you down. I want to thank Termite Watkins for his indominable spirit and for welcoming Main Events so fully into his family. I want to thank my staff. I want to thank God too because everyone else did. I don’t want to leave Him out.

“We are just beginning now to plan Evan’s fights. Obviously, in the beginning when he is fighting often he can’t fight in Houston all the time but we ultimately intend to bring him here. We are very familiar with the market and we love coming here. Watch for the announcement coming soon that will provide you with the details of his upcoming pro debut.”

SAN ANTONIO, TX (July 25, 2019) – Female lightweight contender, Selina “Aztec Queen” Barrios (5-1, 2 KOs), will return to the ring on Saturday, August 3rd at the Alzafar Shrine in San Antonio, Texas. Barrios will face Nina Gallegos in a four-round bout.

This is Barrios first fight since her first career loss to former WBC world champion Melissa Hernandez in April.

“I am ready to return to the ring and fight in my hometown of San Antonio. I learned a lot from my loss to a world champion in my last bout and now I have worked hard to make sure that never happens again in my career.” said Barrios in preparation for this fight.

“She entered the gym with more intensity and her punches felt harder.” said Rick Nunez, Barrios’ trainer. “She is ready to make a statement and jump back into the world title conversation.”

“We believe Selina Barrios has the ability to be a world champion and is doing something few other fighters are doing, consistently staying active and looking for the best competition available,” said Kerry Dangle, Barrios’ co-manager. “This fight will be a hometown fight after her first loss, but we have big plans for her in the future and are excited at what the future holds for her.”

“Selina is one of the most gifted and powerful women boxers in the sport, we are expecting a tremendous performance on August 3rd and big fights in 2020.” said Colin Campbell, Barrios’ co-manager.

LOS ANGELES (July 25, 2019)— Former junior featherweight world champion Jessie Magdaleno will take on Rafael Rivera in a 10-round featherweight clash Saturday, Aug. 17 at Banc of California Stadium. The Magdaleno-Rivera fight will be the co-feature underneath Emanuel Navarrete’s WBO junior featherweight world title defense against Francisco “Panchito” De Vaca.

Navarrete-De Vaca was elevated to main event status after Jose Benavidez Jr.’s leg injury forced him to pull out of his welterweight bout against Luis Collazo.

Navarrete-De Vaca and Magdaleno-Rivera will headline the inaugural fight card at the year-old stadium and will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

“This is a great opportunity as I continue my quest to become a two-weight world champion,” Magdaleno said. “Nothing is going to stand in my way, especially Rafael Rivera. He is a tough guy, but I am in a different class.”

“I have experience at the highest levels of the sport, so Magdaleno is not going to intimidate me,” Rivera said. “I know what a win would mean for my career. I am going to bring my Mexican fighting spirit to Los Angeles and hand Magdaleno the second loss of his career.”

Magdaleno (26-1, 18 KOs) will be making his second ring appearance since losing his world title in April 2018 in a Fight of the Year contender to Isaac Dogboe. The Las Vegas native, who made one successful defense of the belt he won from future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire in November 2016, moved up to featherweight following the Dogboe defeat. He returned March 23 in Costa Mesa, California, and won a wide unanimous decision over former world champion Rico Ramos. 

Rivera (27-3-2, 18 KOs), from Tijuana, Mexico, has never been knocked out as a pro and is two fights removed from a spirited effort in a decision loss to WBA super world featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz. In July 2018, he dropped a tightly contested split decision to top featherweight prospect Joet Gonzalez, who was 19-0 at the time.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions and Iron Boy Promotions, tickets priced at $100, $80, $70, $60, $45 and $25 (not including applicable fees) are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 and in person at the Banc of California Stadium box office.

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtags #NavarreteDeVaca and #MagdalenoRivera to join the conversation on social media.

About Banc of California Stadium

Located in the heart of Los Angeles in Exposition Park, Banc of California Stadium is the first open-air stadium built in Los Angeles since Dodger Stadium in 1962. Home to the Los Angeles Football Club, the stadium is a $370 million, state-of-the-art, world-class venue specifically designed to present all types of star-studded live entertainment and creates an unparalleled fan experience for music, sports, and more. At a capacity of 23,500 for concerts (22,000 for soccer), the venue’s unique “outdoor arena” design provides for an intimate experience with excellent sightlines of the stage from every seat and superior quality sound throughout the house. Banc of California Stadium sits atop the hallowed grounds of the former Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, which hosted some of the most legendary music artists of all time — befitting its history, the new stadium continues the tradition of hosting the very best in live entertainment. For more information, visitwww.bancofcaliforniastadium.com.

BROOKLYN (July 25, 2019) – Two-time welterweight world champion Andre Berto will return to the ring and look to make a statement on his way toward another world title when he takes on Miguel Cruz in FOX PBC Fight Night action Saturday, August 3 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

“I’m at a point in my career where every time I step into the ring, I need to make a statement,” said Berto. “I’m a fighter who has spent a lot of years at the top of the welterweight division and that’s something to be proud of. I have to continue earning my stripes and I plan to do that on August 3.”

Berto will be fighting for the first time since the passing of his father, who has been influential throughout his career, and for the first time since the birth of his daughter Legaci. With these new factors in his life, Berto promises to show a new fire on August 3.

“I definitely have a ton of motivation this camp,” said Berto. “This is the first fight since my father passed away, and he’s been in my corner my whole life. I’m also fighting for the first time as a father myself. I’m taking that honor into the ring and it’s a huge motivation. I have more motivation for this fight than I’ve had in a very long time.”

While he trains in the Bay Area with longtime coach Virgil Hunter, Berto represents his hometown of Winter Haven, Florida. His opponent Miguel Cruz is from nearby Lake Mary, Florida, creating a ‘turf war’ of sorts that came to fruition in the announcement press conference for the fight, with both men staking claim to the area and their side of the generational battle.

“I wasn’t surprised at all that we got into it at the press conference,” said Berto. “I saw someone that was nervous. I was doing a lot of barking, so the only thing he could do was defend himself.

“I don’t really consider this a ‘turf war’ because I’ve been doing this for so long. He’s watched me do it for a very long time. Everyone in Central Florida knows who the big dog in that area has been for a whole. He’s one of the young fighters that’s trying to come up, and we are going to have to tame him.”

Cruz most recently scored a second round stoppage at Barclays Center in January to bounce back from his lone pro defeat, a decision loss to Josesito Lopez last April on FOX. Prior to that, the 29-year-old had beaten a slew of prospects and contenders, and will now look to put himself back in the title mix with a win against a big name in Berto.

For Berto, he will be facing a new challenge after a run that has seen him take on former and current champions in Devon Alexander, Shawn Porter, Victor Ortiz and Floyd Mayweather, dating back to 2015.

“I know that I’m facing a fighter who is trying to make a name for himself,” said Berto. “That’s always dangerous. He’s tough, rugged and he’s going to come to fight. I have to make sure I’m on point with all parts of my game.”

# # #

ABOUT KOWNACKI VS. ARREOLA
Kownacki vs. Arreola pits undefeated Polish star and Brooklyn-native Adam Kownacki against veteran former title challenger Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola for a 12-round heavyweight showdown that headlines FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, August 3 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The broadcast starts at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features former world champion Andre Berto taking on Miguel Cruz in a 10-round welterweight clash and unbeaten interim WBA Light Heavyweight Champion “Sir” Marcus Browne battling former world champion Jean Pascal in a 12-round bout.

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

CHRIS JENKINS INSISTS that defending his British title – as well as competing for the vacant Commonwealth title – on away soil against Paddy Gallagher makes absolutely no odds to him at all.

In fact, every big fight the likeable Welsh welterweight has entered into has taken place on enemy territory, so to speak, or an away show. He fought Tyrone Nurse for the British title twice in Manchester, Phil Sutcliffe jr in Belfast, Akeem Ennis-Brown in Gloucester, Darragh Foley in Glasgow and, finally, his crowning glory at the Royal Albert Hall in London where he parted Johnny Garton from his Lonsdale belt.

He now ventures over to Falls Park in Belfast to face Gallagher as part of Féile an Phobail on August 3 and has resisted looking too deeply into who he will be confronted by on the night, live on BT Sport.

“I haven’t really, to be honest with you,” admitted the 30-year-old, who goes by the stage name ‘Rok’n’Rolla’. “I saw his last fight against (Liam) Wells and I saw him the time he boxed Freddy Kiwitt, I think it was.

“I know what I am expecting and that is a tough, come forward night’s work where I have got to be on my game plan from round one to 12 and basically don’t get caught.”

Jenkins doesn’t read too much into the losses on the record of Gallagher and was actually unaware of one of the reverses.

“I think he lost against Kiwitt, who is a boxer, on a split decision, against Brad Soloman and I didn’t know until you told me that he lost to Tamuka Mucha. I sparred Mucha a couple of years ago and he is hard work for anyone!”

Now Jenkins gets the opportunity to double his title-tally against the 16-5 30-year-old known as Pat-Man and is more than happy to be heading into another away fixture.

“I am known as the road warrior and I know it sounds stupid, but I can’t shift tickets back at home so I have to go and fight people in their back yard. I done it with Nurse – going up north to fight him – then to Gloucester against Ennis-Brown with about 1,200 of his fans and two of mine.

“I’ve already been to Belfast to fight Sutcliffe so I have got no issues with going anywhere,” he added, conceding that he only recently researched the setting where the ring will be located on the night.

“To be honest with you, it was last night or the night before when I thought ‘I’d better have a look where I am fighting’. I text Gaz (trainer Gary Lockett) and said ‘I am fighting outside in a field!’.

“I think it is going to be awesome.”

5 July 2019 – Bangkok, Thailand: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), recently held the official ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD Open Workout last Thursday, 25 July at the Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel in Bangkok. In attendance were ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchdam Petchyindee Academy, Smokin’ Jo Nattawut, ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex, as well as Thai superstars Bangpleenoi Petchyindee Academy, Lerdsila Phuket Top Team, and Muangthai PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym.

Ticket information for ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD is available at www.onefc.com.

Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-04SZNwcHIKE4X7GqaAmINIp9G1MiXGI
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y6DpPw1mSVoAU_VzEdlIdEYIB-8QQTF-/view?usp=drivesdk

Petchdam Petchyindee Academy, ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion, stated: “I am excited to get back in the ring and prove myself again in ONE Super Series. Becoming ONE World Champion is one of the greatest achievements of my career and it is such an honor to represent Thailand on the biggest global stage of competition. My opponent is another tough one, who is also well-versed in the kickboxing style. I have to be at my best for this fight. But I am confident that my skill and power will carry me to victory. I’m training very hard for this fight and I want to give the fans a good show.”

Stamp Fairtex, ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion, stated: “I am ready to embark on this new chapter of my martial arts journey. When I first joined ONE Championship, I was already working very hard to compete in mixed martial arts. But when the opportunity to compete in both kickboxing and Muay Thai, as well as the chance to become a World Champion came by, I couldn’t pass it up. Now that I’ve achieved so much in those sports, I want more. I want the mixed martial arts World Title. That’s the goal.”

Jo Nattawut, ONE Athlete, stated: “I know my opponent is a legend in this sport, and I’ve already lost to him before. But I’ve made some key changes to my training and overall style. I’m not the same fighter I was a year ago when we first met. I’m stronger and faster now, and more well-prepared for our second meeting. This August, I’m going to shock the world once again and I’m going to take down this giant. I have my eye on the prize, and I’m going to do everything I can to beat [Giorgio] Petrosyan and reach the tournament finals.”

Bangpleenoi Petchyindee Academy, ONE Athlete, stated: “First of all, it is both an honor and a privilege to showcase my skills in front of all the Thai fans here in Bangkok. Competing against the best in the world here in my hometown is a very special moment for me. I do everything in my power to bring glory to my country and prove that Thai fighters are the most talented and hard-working athletes. I want to prove to myself and to all the fans that I am one of the best fighters in my weight class. Each time I step through those ropes, I carry the pride of Thailand with me.”

Lerdsila Phuket Top Team, ONE Athlete, stated: “I would like to thank ONE Championship for the opportunity to showcase my skills and abilities to millions of people around the world. Joining ONE Super Series, I knew I would be facing off against the best striking talents. It’s an honor to be counted amongst these amazing athletes. I’ve accomplished many things in my career thus far, but I know I still have a lot left to offer. Get ready for the best Lerdsila you’ve ever seen.”

Muangthai PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym, ONE Athlete, stated: “I’m working very hard in training to give the fans a good show. This camp has been incredible, and I feel like I’m in the best shape of my career. I have the speed and the power, and my confidence is in a good place. This August, I can’t wait to step right back in the ring again and perform in front of my friends and family in Bangkok.”

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™
ONE Championship (ONE) is the largest global sports media property in Asian history, and the largest producer of millennial live sports content in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE is the Home of Martial Arts, and is the world’s largest martial arts organization, hosting bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. ONE hosts the biggest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world’s best martial artists and world champions on the largest global media broadcast in Asia. ONE eSports, a subsidiary of ONE Championship, runs Asia’s largest global eSports Championship Series with some of the biggest blockbuster game titles in the world. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 2.6 billion potential viewers across 140+ countries with some of the largest global broadcasters, including Fox Sports, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Startimes, Thairath TV, Skynet, Mediacorp, Great Sports, Tencent, Star TV, Mediaset Italia, ProSiebenSat.1, Dubai Sports, Turner Sports, and more.

LAS VEGAS – Bantamweight prospect Damien “Sugar” Vazquez will return to the ring on August 24th in Edinburg, Texas on a Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 card.  The bill will be topped by Brandon Figueroa facing Javier Chacon.

The 21-year-old Vazquez was last in action in March when he suffered his first career loss, dropping a decision to Juan Carlos Payano in California. He is promoted by Sugar’s Promotion and managed by Greg Hannley.

His father Oscar Vazquez has also made some changes to Damien’s team, bringing in Hall of Farmer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson to serve as his head trainer and Ben Bautista as his assistant trainer. 

“My last fight I lost it but it was against a good guy Juan Carlos Payano who was ranked #7 at the time and a two-time world champion who was in the Olympic games. It was a great learning lesson. Like I tell a lot of people, I don’t even take it as a loss. I take it as a learning lesson. I am ready to come back and show everybody what I learned in that fight,” Vazquez explained.

The opponent for Vazquez is expected to be announced in the next few days. He said that his biggest goal in this fight is just to remind everyone that he is still a top prospect and just had a bad night..

“For this next fight I am going to show everybody what I learned and that I am not just a typical kid. I am going to be a world champion and a superstar in this sport,” Vazquez stated.

If everything goes as planned Vazquez wants to go right back to fighting world ranked opponents.  He is willing to face any top 20 opponent and has his sights set firmly on former champion McJoe Arroyo.

“I want to step it back up and start facing these top guys again.  I want to fight someone like Arroyo. He and his brother are great fighters. I give them respect outside the ring but inside the ring I got no respect for nobody. I think it would be a great fight. A Puerto Rican fighter versus a Mexican-American.  I think it would be an action packed fight,” said Vazquez.

Leon Bauer (16-0-1, 9 KOs) will face his toughest career test on August 17 as the rising German star takes on experienced English boxer Luke Blackledge (26-7-2, 9 KOs) at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

The 20 year-old IBF Youth Champion returns to the ring following a one-sided points win over Argentina’s Mateo Damian Veron at the CongressPark in Wolfsburg in April, and will look to continue his climb up the super middleweight ranks with a victory in front of his home fans in Ludwigshafen.

“It’s an honour for me to box in front of my fans at home again,” said Bauer. “I always give it my all and I will do my best to win. I’m in good shape already, my training has started and the fight can’t come soon enough.

“Luke Blackledge is a strong opponent and has a lot of experience, but for me this fight is a good opportunity to show where I stand. The fans at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle on August 17 will see how ready I am!”

Blackledge, a former Commonwealth and WBC International Silver Champion, who has faced the likes of former WBA Champion Rocky Fielding and current WBA Super and Ring Magazine Champion Callum Smith, believe his experience will give him the edge as he predicts a ‘battle’ against Bauer.   

“We’re two aggressive boxers who come forward, and on August 17, it will come down to who shows more will. I expect a real battle,” says Blackledge. “I am extremely fit and have the experience of having boxed against the best in the world. I’m the strongest opponent Leon Bauer has ever faced. I cannot wait to show my talent in Germany and I’m sure that I’ll come home with the victory!”

“Luke Blackledge will be a real tough test for Leon,” said promoter Nisse Sauerland. “He has boxed some big names, won titles and is very experienced so the fans can look forward to another exciting battle in Ludwigshafen.” 

This mouth-watering super middleweight clash is scheduled for eight rounds and features as chief support for Vincent Feigenbutz (30-2, 27 KOs) versus Cesar Nunez (16-0-1, 8 KOs). The stacked bill in South Germany also includes 17 year-old sensation Sophie Alisch (3-0, 1KO), Norway’s Katharina Thanderz (11-0, 2 KOs) and Hadi Srour (3-0, 2 KOs), as well as unbeaten super welterweight Ahmad Ali (14-0-1, 10 KOs) defending his GBU World Title.

All the action from the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle is available to watch live on Sport1 in Germany and Viasport+ and Viaplay in Norway. Tickets are available online via www.eventim.de or by calling +49 01806-570440.

ORANGE, Calif. (July 24, 2019) – Rising lightweight Ruben Torres (9-0, 7 KOs) makes his headlining debut against veteran Ruben Tamayo (27-13-4, 18 KOs) this Friday, July 26, from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

Thompson Boxing caught up with Torres and got his take on facing the veteran Tamayo in his main event debut, how he handles life as a college student and full-time boxer and how he prepared for his first eight-round fight.

To access the promotional video for “New Blood,” please click here, or on the graphic above.

Your opponent, Ruben Tamayo, has been in with some big names. He fought for a world title against Jesus Cuellar. He went the distance against former world champion Jhonatan Romero, plus has seen a host of top prospects. On paper, he’s the toughest fighter you’ve faced so far. What are your thoughts on him?

“Tamayo is a seasoned veteran who still has a lot of fight left in him. I expect he’s going to give me a lot of different looks and different angles. I’ll be ready for any antics too. I’ll need to have my head on a swivel because he has a lot of experience to lean on.”

Friday’s “New Blood” main event will be the first for you as a headlining attraction. How are you approaching this next step in your career?

“It’s a different type of pressure because all eyes are on you to perform. That’s the main difference. My promoter expects big things from me and I expect to deliver. In terms of training and mental preparation, it’s just another day at the office. My dedication to the sport is always there no matter who I’m fighting.”

This is your first fight at eight rounds and it is against a southpaw. What, if anything, did you do differently in training camp?

“We stressed being patient. I can’t focus on one punch or thinking about a knockout. I sparred 10 rounds to make sure my cardio is at the level it needs to be. I got some great sparring with lefties like Isaac Zarate and Anthony Sanchez, who is fighting on this card. Isaac was super helpful because he throws punches from odd angles. I also sparred with Michael Dutchover, one of my stablemates. He’s always tough and ready for anything.”

You initially went to college at San Francisco State, but transferred after one year to Cerritos College in the Los Angeles area. How are you managing your full-time education with your boxing career?

“It’s actually not as difficult as it seems because I’m in school year round. For instance, I’m taking a statistics class right now in the summer. That allows me to take less of a course load in the Fall or Spring, which opens up more time to train. I think managing both at the same time has helped me stick to a schedule and has led to a more organized lifestyle.”

Tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $40, $60, & $100 and are available for purchase at ThompsonBoxing.com, or by calling 714-935-0900.

In the six-round co-feature, lightweight Anthony Sanchez (9-0-1, 9 KOs) of Long Beach, Calif. battles James Early (3-3) of Washington, DC.

All fights will be stream live on TB Presents: New Blood via our Facebook page, YouTube channel and ThompsonBoxing.com. Beto Duran will handle blow-by-blow duties, while Doug Fischer provides expert, color commentary.

The livestream starts at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET.

The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 N. Vineyard Ave, Ontario, CA 91764 and can be reached at 909-937-0900.

“New Blood” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Everlast.

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, watch our YouTube channel on Thompson Boxing TV, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

New York, NY (July 24, 2019) On Thursday, August 1, DiBella Entertainment will return with the second edition of its Broadway Boxing Summer Series, titled “NIGHT OF THE CONTENDERS”, from the Monroeville Convention Center, in Monroeville, PA. Two participants from the last season of “The Contender” tournament, Ievgen Khytrov and Eric Walker, will be co-featured in separate bouts. The event will be live streamed exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. Broadway Boxing: NIGHT OF THE CONTENDERS is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Pinnacle Fighting Championships, and is presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, Christos Steak House and Gagliardi Insurance.

“I’m thrilled to bring the second leg of the Broadway Boxing Summer Series to the Monroeville Convention Center, just outside of Pittsburgh, an old school fight town,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, we are calling the August 1 event the ‘Night of the Contenders’ with former Contender series stars Ievgen Khytrov and Eric Walker appearing in co-featured bouts. Ukrainian welterweight contender Ivan Golub and hard-hitting undefeated heavyweight prospect Mike Balogun will see action as well.”

Fighting for the first time since competing for “The Contender”, Ievgen “The Ukrainian Lion” Khytrov (18-2, 15 KOs), of Brooklyn, NY, will headline the event against Gabriel Pham (11-1, 5 KOs), of Atlantic City, NJ. The heavy-handed Khytrov, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions Inc., defeated both Morgan Fitch and Malcolm McAllister by knockout on “The Contender” series last year.

Pham is riding a five-bout winning streak, including a unanimous decision victory against previously undefeated Jaba Khositashvill on June 20, in Atlantic City.

In the co-featured bout, junior middleweight Eric “The Baby Faced Assassin” Walker (18-2, 8 KOs), of Plaquemine, LA, will take on Jose Antonio “Bachata” Abreu (14-5, 8 KOs), of La Romana, Dominican Republic, in an eight-round bout. On “The Contender”, Walker defeated John Jackson and John Thompson before losing a hard-fought majority decision over five rounds to tournament champion Brandon Adams on May 22, 2018, in Los Angeles. In his last fight, Walker won an eight-round unanimous decision versus Michael Moore on November 9, 2018, at the Forum in Los Angeles, CA.

The upset-minded Jose Antonio Abreu returns following an outstanding victory against hometown favorite Wesley Tucker in Toledo, OH, on July 6. The battle-tested veteran has faced numerous contenders and top prospects over his seven years as a professional, including Kerman Lejarraga, Euri Gonzalez and Madiyar Ashkeyev.

Welterweight contender Ivan “The Volk” Golub (16-1, 12 KOs), of Brooklyn, NY, will see action on the undercard in an eight-round bout. Co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions Inc., the 30-year-old Ukrainian southpaw is currently riding a three-bout winning streak. He last fought on April 10, earning a dominant 10-round unanimous decision against Manuel Alejandro Reyes at Sony Hall in New York City. As an amateur, Golub accumulated a 270-32 record, while becoming a five-time Ukrainian National champion, and won bronze medals at the Junior World Championships in 2006 and at the World Championships in 2009. He also participated in the World Series of Boxing, winning all five of his bouts.

Undefeated heavyweight prospect Mike Balogun (13-0, 10 KOs), of Upper Marlboro, MD, faces St. Louis veteran Ed Fountain (12-5, 5 KOs) in what promises to be an exciting clash, scheduled for eight rounds. The athletic Balogun is a former college football standout who started for the Oklahoma Sooners before playing in the NFL for three years. The southpaw Balogun will be fighting for the third time this year, with knockout victories against Marquis Valentine and Danny Calhoun coming in February and April. Fountain is seeking to rebound from a hard-fought loss to undefeated contender Hemi Ahio on March 2, in Columbus, OH.

Local fan favorite Bill Hutchinson (17-2-4, 8 KOs), of Pittsburgh, PA, will face Charlie Serrano (16-4-2, 5 KOs), of Tampa, FL, in a scheduled eight-round lightweight attraction. The 30-year-old Hutchinson is currently on a seven-bout winning streak, which included a stoppage victory against Justin Savi last August.

In a four-round middleweight bout, Rick Borowski (2-0), of Pittsburgh, PA, will face John Gregory (2-2, 1 KO), of Youngstown, OH.

Rounding out the card, heavyweight Bob Weisen, of Pittsburgh, PA, will make his pro debut against Dennis Vance (1-0, 1 KO), of Detroit, MI.

Tickets for Broadway Boxing: NIGHT OF THE CONTENDERS, promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Pinnacle Fighting Championships, and presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, Christos Steak House and Gagliardi Insurance, are priced at $100, $50 and $25, and can be purchased online HERE. The Monroeville Convention Center is located at 209 Mall Plaza Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146, just 12 miles east of Pittsburgh. Doors will open at 6:30 pm, with the first fight scheduled for 7:30 pm. For more information on the venue, please visit their website HERE.

BROOKLYN (July 24,2019) – Unbeaten Polish heavyweight star Adam Kownacki and former title challenger Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola exchanged words and previewed their upcoming showdown on “PBC Face to Face” ahead of their heavyweight duel Saturday, August 3 that headlines FOX PBC Fight Night from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The program originally aired on Sunday on FOX and will re-air tonight, July 24 on FS1 and 9:30 p.m. ET.

The August 3 main event will see Kownacki, a rising contender in the red-hot heavyweight division, as he looks to make a statement in his hometown of Brooklyn against the three-time title challenger Arreola, who can vault himself back up the heavyweight rankings with a win against the currently unbeaten Kownacki.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

Here are highlights from when the two heavyweights sat down and went “face to face”:

Opening Statement

Adam Kownacki: “I love fighting. I love the mentality of going out and fighting and putting on a good show making sure the fans are happy and getting their money’s worth. I think I am the best heavyweight out there. I just haven’t been given the opportunity to prove myself.”

Chris Arreola: “If I lose this fight, I will retire, plain and simple. I love the sport of boxing and I want people to still remember me as a world heavyweight champion. I believe I still have the skills to do so.”

Kownacki on being the face of Polish boxing

Kownacki: “Wearing the red and white colors means a lot to me. That’s where I was born. That’s where my family is from, it means everything to be the first Polish born heavyweight champion of the world. There were six fighters that tried it and none of them accomplished it. So I will be the first to do it.”

Arreola on fighting former heavyweight champions

Arreola: “I literally love fighting. I think it’s the most enjoyable thing to do. The most gentlemanly sport there is. Two guys beating the crap out of each other and then after that just shaking hands like nothing happened. There’s nothing more gentlemanly than that. The older that I get, the more I appreciate that.”

Arreola on a possible title push with new trainer Joe Goossen:

Arreola: “I needed someone like Joe to light a fire in me and to be right next to me and point out the mistakes that I am making.”

Kownacki on having similar body frame to Heavyweight Champion Andy Ruiz Jr.

Kownacki: “Andy Ruiz Jr. just proved that the dad bod is in style for the summer. That’s the look. That was something I dealt with my whole career, but the last couple of fights were tough ones, so the cat is out of the bag, that I can fight.”

Kownacki on watching Chris Arreola fight as he was growing up

Kownacki: “I remember even watching him as an amateur growing up. Every time he fought, I had to tune in because he was so exciting. I think our styles are perfectly matched for each other to make a fight that will be a legendary night. I think it will be an action-packed fight. Truly I wish I could watch it from the sideline, and I will do that after the fight is over.”

Arreola on what’s different about this fight for him

Arreola: “I love boxing. The love for boxing came back to me and the fact that I’m a different person. I’m more mature, I understand the significance of this fight. This is a big fight, there’s a big opportunity for him and a big opportunity for me. I can’t leave one stone unturned because I know that this man is going to come and try to break my head and try to make a statement with my name and I can’t let that happen.”

On the friendliness between the two of them and if it lasts until August 3

Arreola: “Oh no, the smiles are going to go away. That’s right. That’s for sure. But, the thing is, I have a respect for him. I have a lot of respect for him. Like you said, he was watching me. While I was at home during those two years off that I was just watching PBC at home, I got to watch him do his thing and watch him mature watch him grow and what I love most about him is his smile. The fact that he fights with a smile. I love that.”

Kownacki: “Your life is always on the line with your fight. You got to be ready, I’ve got to prove myself. He’s been there with everybody, from Klitschko to Deontay Wilder, and I think if I could beat him in a better fashion than Deontay beat him before, then that’s a good statement.”

Arreola on if he is happy with his career so far

Arreola: “No, I’m not happy at all. I started boxing when I was seven years old because I wanted to be a world champion. I remember seeing we Julio Cesar Chavez. I remember meeting him and being in awe with this man and my dream was always to be a world champion. So if I’m not a world champion. I did nothing with my career.”

Kownacki: “That definitely makes him a lot more dangerous. But don’t let the door hit you on the way out man.”

Kownacki on what version of Chris Arreola he will see & Arreola’s response

Kownacki: “Time will tell. I feel like a young, hungry dog and this will be a passing of the torch.”

Arreola: “This is this is kind of fight how I felt when I was fighting for the title. When I fought Jameel McCline, he was one of those big heavy weights that everybody was talking about, but never made it. I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want to be his Jameel. So that’s why I’m working hard out here with Joe Goossen. To make sure to put a little setback to his plans for the world title. He will get there, but my plan is to not let him use my name as a stepping stone.

Arreola on how he plans to stop Kownacki’s offense

Arreola: “Offense.Like you said, offense is the best defense. I’ve got to give offense and that’s the beauty about this fight that we are having. We’re both fighters that just want to fight. We don’t care who we are fighting. We respect them but we just want to fight, and we love what we do. That’s the fun part about this fight.”

Kownacki on Arreola’s weaknesses that he can take advantage of

Kownacki: “He leaves himself open, he throws a lot too, he’s a little bit wild and the age, I think that will be a huge factor. But I think out of all of the boxing names out there, he’s the biggest one. He’s been through everybody and out of his generation, he’s the one who’s actually left, everybody else is either retired or gone. So I’m going to try to make sure he’s going off into the sunset.”

Kownacki on if he is ready for title fight against the elite of the heavyweight division

Kownacki: “I have been with two guys that Deontay Wilder fought with Artur Szpilka and Gerald Washington. It took Wilder 10 rounds to knockout Artur Szpilka in a very competitive fight when I just walked right through him and the same thing with Gerald Washington, I knocked him out in two rounds. My next fight against Chris Arreola, another fight Wilder and I have in common, and I plan to do the same thing, walk right through him.”

Arreola on if he can stop Kownacki

Arreola: “That’s the goal. I have to stop him to win in Brooklyn. Brooklyn is his home. I have to. There is no ifs ands or buts about it. No I have to go in and bring him a war and give him a fight that he wasn’t expecting.”

Kownacki’s expectations for August 3rd

Kownacki: “I am expecting a war. I can say I was watching Chris for a long time. I know he always comes to fight so I am ready for a war.”

# # #

ABOUT KOWNACKI VS. ARREOLA
Kownacki vs. Arreola pits undefeated Polish star and Brooklyn-native Adam Kownacki against veteran former title challenger Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola for a 12-round heavyweight showdown that headlines FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, August 3 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The broadcast starts at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features former world champion Andre Berto taking on Miguel Cruz in a 10-round welterweight clash and unbeaten interim WBA Light Heavyweight Champion “Sir” Marcus Browne battling former world champion Jean Pascal in a 12-round bout.

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

Vancouver, Canada – UFC^® makes its fifth stop in Vancouver with a blockbuster clash of lightweight contenders featuring two of MMA’s most exciting fighters, as No. 4 ranked Cowboy Cerrone faces No. 5 Justin Gaethje. Plus, former light heavyweight title challenger and No.10 rankedGlover Teixeira goes for his third consecutive win against dangerous finisher and No. 14 Nikita Krylov.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+^®: COWBOY vs. GAEHTJE will air live from Rogers Arena exclusively on ESPN+ at 5 p.m. PT on Saturday, September 14, with the ESPN+ prelims kicking off at 2 p.m. PT. Doors open at 1 p.m. PT. All UFC live events will also be available in English and Spanish.

A former lightweight title challenger and perennial fan favorite, Cerrone (36-12, 1 NC, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M., USA) has delivered some of the most spectacular fights in UFC history. Throughout his storied career, he has netted thrilling victories over Al Iaquinta, Edson Barboza, Mike Perry, Matt Brown and Rick Story. Cerrone now looks to remain undefeated in Canada and continue his ascent up the 155-pound rankings against one of the division’s most dangerous competitors.

Known as “The Highlight,” Gaethje (20-2, fighting out of Arvada, Colo., USA) has proven to be among the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster. In only five appearances, he has taken home six Fight Night bonuses. During his UFC tenure, he has delivered incredible wins over Edson Barboza, Michael Johnson and James Vick. Gaethje now aims to earn his third consecutive victory over one of MMA’s most respected athletes and further stake his claim as a lightweight title threat.

A 17-year MMA veteran, Teixeira (29-7, fighting out of Danbury, Conn. by way of Governador Valadares, Brazil) has fought the who’s who of MMA. Known for his heavy hands and punishing grappling attack, he has picked up impressive victories against former UFC light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Currently riding a two-fight win streak, he is now poised to stop yet another surging contender.

An unpredictable and dynamic finisher, Krylov (26-6, fighting out of Donetsk, Ukraine) has yet to go to a judges’ decision in 32 MMA bouts. Equally dangerous with his striking as he is on the mat, Krylov has delivered highlight-reel finishes against Ovince Saint Preux, Ed Herman, Walt Harris, Francimar Barroso and Fabio Maldonado. He now hopes to use Teixeira as a stepping stone to crack the light heavyweight division’s top 10.

Announced bouts on the card include:

• KO artist and No. 11 ranked middleweight contender Uriah Hall (15-9, fighting out of Queens, N.Y. by way of Kingston, Jamaica) takes on submission ace and No. 13 Antonio Carlos Junior (11-3, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• No. 13 ranked heavyweight Marcin Tybura (17-5, fighting out of Uniejow, Poland) faces rising No. 15 Augusto Sakai (13-1, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil)
• No. 14 middleweight contender David Branch (22-6, fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y.) hopes to rebound against gritty Andrew Sanchez (12-4, fighting out of Montreal, Canada by way of Belleville, Ill.)
• No. 15 light heavyweight contender Misha Cirkunov (14-5, fighting out of Toronto, Canada by way of Riga, Latvia) aims to slow the momentum of undefeated prospect Jim Crute (10-0, fighting out of Bendigo, Australia)
• In a clash on undefeated bantamweights, Canadian Cole Smith (7-0, fighting out of Squamish, B.C., Canada) takes on Miles Johns (8-0, fighting out of Dallas, Tex.)
• Kyle Prepolec (12-6, fighting out of Windsor, Ont., Canada) takes on Austin Hubbard (10-3, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) in a battle of lightweight prospects
• Heavyweight Todd Duffee (9-3, by way of Boca Raton, Fla.) returns from a four-year hiatus against Jeff Hughes (10-2, fighting out of Independence, Ohio)
• Louis Smolka (15-6, fighting out of Kapolei, Hawaii) faces Ryan MacDonald (10-1, fighting out of North Platte, Neb.) in an exciting bantamweight bout

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

Visit the UFC^® Press Portal for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: COWBOY vs. GAETHJE go on sale Friday, July 26 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets are available for purchase at ticketmaster.ca. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC Fight Club^® members have the opportunity to purchase tickets today via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, July 25 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^®, is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization and the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. UFC boasts more than 300 million fans worldwide, including 70 million social media followers across all of its digital platforms, and its programming is broadcast in over 170 countries and territories to one billion TV households worldwide in 40 different languages. UFC produces more than 40 live events annually and consistently sells out some of the world’s most prestigious arenas. Since 2001, UFC has been proudly headquartered in Las Vegas, supported by a network of employees around the world. UFC’s current roster of athletes features more than 590 men and women representing over 60 countries. UFC FIGHT PASS^®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, delivers exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand, and original content to fans around the world. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global sports, entertainment, and fashion leader Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR, in what is among the largest transactions in sports history. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

Canucks Sports & Entertainment

Canucks Sports & Entertainment owns and operates the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League, the Vancouver Warriors of the National Lacrosse League, the Vancouver Titans of the Overwatch League and Rogers Arena. Ranked by Billboard Magazine as one of the top venues in Canada, Rogers Arena is also one of the most active and versatile multi-purpose sports and entertainment venues in North America. Since opening on September 19, 1995 with a sold out show by Bryan Adams, Rogers Arena has welcomed more than 29 million visitors and plays host to over 150 sporting and entertainment events each year. Rogers Arena has welcomed a number of internationally acclaimed artists and events, including Drake, Keith Urban and The International: DOTA 2 Championships. The charitable arm of the organization, the Canucks For Kids Fund, has contributed over $59 million dollars to charities in British Columbia that support children’s health and wellness, education and grassroots hockey initiatives.

About ESPN+ 
ESPN+ is the?multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN.?It?reached 2 million subscribers?in less than a year?and offers?fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks,?along with premium editorial content. 

Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive?UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup,?Eredivisie,?and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive 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) and can cancel at any time. 

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month. 

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – eight 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.

Houston, TX: Today in front of a packed crowd of family, friends and fans, at the Fighter Nation Boxing Gym in Houston, Texas, hot boxing prospect Evan Holyfield announced his new promotional deal with Main Events. After talks with several promoters the 21-year old son of Hall-of-Famer Evander Holyfield decided to sign with the company that launched his father’s historic career.

The middle child of the Holyfield children, Evan, amassed over 80 amateur fights including the Semi-Finals for the US Team. The 6’1.5″ junior middleweight is a boxer-puncher with lightning fast speed and hard-hitting power. In addition, to his boxing prowess Evan is also a published author. His first book, 12 Rounds to Winning for the Youth is available now on his website: evanholyfield.com.

Photo Credit: Hosanna Rull/Main Events

“This is really a dream come true,” said Evan. “I have been doing this for more than 10 years and it’s not really a job if you really enjoy it. Life is always better when you have a dream you can strive for and work towards every day. I am eager to get started and excited to begin this next chapter.”

Evan Holyfield has teamed up with Maurice “Termite” Watkins as his trainer/manager. After a 61-5-2, 42 KOs professional boxing career Termite headed to Iraq to work as an exterminator for the military camps. While serving in Baghdad he formed an Iraqi Olympic boxing team. Watkins now runs Fighter Nation Boxing Gym in Houston and works with more than 200 young fighters.

Photo Credit: Hosanna Rull/Main Events

“Evan is very coachable and hungry to create his own name,” explained Watkins. “We have assembled a great team to help him achieve that goal. 1. We have Main Events. They are the ones who took Evander to the top. 2. He’s got me. I’ve had over 65 pro fights. 3. He’s in one of the best training climates in the world. That’s why athletes come here, because it is hot, humid and they can lose weight. 4. We’ve got Tim Hallmark. In my opinion, he is the best of the best of the strength and conditioning coaches and he is the one that took worked with Evander throughout his career. He is heading up our strength and conditioning team.” He continued, “Evan is the whole package: he can box, he can punch, he is very elusive in the ring and he has incredible timing. This makes for a winning combination and we plan on going all the way. We are ready to fight!”

Holyfield and Watkins
Photo Credit: Hosanna Rull/Main Events

Holyfield’s team also includes Tim Hallmark the strength and conditioning coach with over 35 years of experience who is best-known for working with Evander Holyfield throughout his professional career. In addition to extensive roster of high-profile clients Tim has also designed the SymmetriCore® and CenterForce® training equipment that have been used by some of the world’s top professional and Olympic athletes.

“This is my 40th year as a sports performance trainer,” said Hallmark. “My philosophy has always been to first get an athlete healthy, then get him fit and then make him more athletic. Evan and I have been together for about 14 months. He has a fitter physique but, most-importantly, his recovery time has improved tremendously.” Hallmark added, “It is all about making him strong mentally. If he is healthier then he going to be able to deal with stress better. Then, it is all about attitude. If he feels better, he will have a good attitude and with the right attitude he can push himself further than he ever thought possible. That is what makes a winner!”

Photo Credit: Hosanna Rull/Main Events

For over 40 years Main Events has built some of boxing’s biggest stars. In addition to Evander Holyfield, Main Events has promoted: Pernell Whitaker, Lennox Lewis, Arturo Gatti, Meldrick Taylor and many more. The company was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and his widow, Kathy Duva, has carried on his legacy since his passing in 1996. The company’s current roster includes a diverse mix of seasoned veterans and hot prospects including, most-notably, Three-Time and current WBO Light Heavyweight Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev.

“From the moment Termite and Tim introduced me to Evan, I was struck with his maturity, his athleticism and his passion to succeed,” remarked Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. “I am thrilled and honored that he and his team have entrusted Main Events with his career. It is our goal make the system work for him as he climbs to the top of the rankings on his way to the world title.”

Maurice Hooker has credited his tight-knit team for getting him to the edge of greatness as he prepares to face Jose Ramirez in a World Super-Lightweight unification battle on Saturday night at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM WWW.UTATICKETS.COM FROM $25
Hooker (26-0-3 17 KOs) penned a deal with Matchroom Boxing USA and DAZN alongside his long time promoters Roc Nation Sports last July as he entered a new phase of his career as WBO ruler having travelled to Manchester to take the title from Terry Flanagan in June 2018. The 29 year old saw off the challenges of Alex Saucedo and Mikkel LesPierre on the road before landing the unification clash with Ramirez (24-0 16 KOs) on home turf.

The Dallas ace attributes his path to the point of unification to the men that have guided his career from the start in trainer Vince Parra and his assistant manager Arnie Verbeek and promoter Dino Duva, and hopes to repay their faith and support with a big night of celebration after Saturday’s pick-em clash.

“I just like to smile and be happy in boxing and my life,” said Hooker. “I don’t like big crowds even outside of boxing, I just hang with a few people. I don’t like too much attention and you get people arguing around you and you have to worry about everybody. I keep close to the people I trust because I know that they have got my back. All you need is a few great people and you will be ok.

“Vince and I grew up with each other, learned the sport together and did everything as a partnership, the trust is there with us and I know that whatever he tells me to do in the gym or in the corner between rounds is the right advice to get the win.

“We’ve done it all from day one, gone on the road and stayed in dirty hotels to get great sparring with Terence Crawford, Miguel Cotto and more, but now we’re in the best hotels as World champion! We’ve done it all and been through a lot. It’s good to have someone in your corner that you trust as much as I do with Vince.

“There’s a lot of fighters in and around San Diego, we’re down the street from Mexico so we can get fighters in with that Mexican style. We drive to LA, Big Bear and Las Vegas and get great work as we’re right in the middle of that.”

Hooker and Ramirez clash on a bumper night of action in Arlington, as Tevin Farmer defends his IBF World Super-Featherweight title against mandatory challenger Guillaume Frenois. Tramaine Williams takes on Yenifel Vicente for the vacant USBA Super-Bantamweight title and a trio of unbeaten talents look to continue their 100 per cent KO records in Nikita Ababiy, Artur Biyarslanov and Houston’s Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams.

Heavyweight Joey Dawejko meets Rodney Hernandez over ten rounds and there’s action for three Dallas fighters in Stephen Acosta, Javier Martinez and debutant Darius Bagley.

Tickets for the bumper night of World championship action are on sale now from $25 from www.utatickets.com