United Boxing Promotions signs another standout Canadian amateur, welterweight prospect Mark Smither

BRAMPTON, Ontario, Canada – (July 8, 2019) – United Boxing Promotions (UBP) has signed yet another standout Canadian amateur boxer, welterweight Mark Smither, to an exclusive promotional contract.

“I have been watching Mark fight at the top Canadian amateur level for a long time,” UBP president Tyler Buxton said. “He is the type fighter everyone likes: he can box when he wants to and he isn’t afraid to mix it up as well. Mark’s just an overall likeable guy, in and out of the ring. I’m really looking forward to working with him.

“I have known Mark’s coach, Jack Ireland, for almost 20 years. I’ve been pushing him to turn his guys pro for many years now. Finally, he has taken that step and I can’t wait to see how far we go as a team.”

Fighting out of Barrie, Ontario, Canada, the 26-year-old Smither (1-0) made his professional debut this past May 11, taking a four-round unanimous decision from Alvaro Figueroa Cervantes.

Smither’s next fight is scheduled for September 14 against an opponent to be determined at CAA Centre in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

“After 12 years in the sport and more than 100 amateur fights,” Smither explained, “I feel like I am now ready to compete at the professional level. The key to boxing is making the right fights at the right time and I feel Tyler Buxton and United Boxing Promotions are the best in Canada doing just that. I think with the team I now have behind me, we will do great things in the near future.

“I think a Canadian title shot is definitely achievable within the next two years and I feel like United Boxing Promotions could possibly make it happen in my hometown of Barrie. At the end of the day with the team I now have behind me, anything is possible in this fight game, and I plan on making a statement in the super lightweight division.”

During his amateur career, Smither competed in 102 matches, highlighted by two-title winning performances in the Ontario Provincial Championships and Brampton Cup. He also captured gold at the Ontario Winter Games, Ray McGibbons Tournament and Ahrnie Bohem Tournament.

Smither is the latest addition to UBP’s growing stable of gifted boxers, including world super welterweight title challenger Brandon “Bad Boy” Cook (20-2, 13 KOs), NABA lightweight champion Josh “Dubs” O’Reilly (15-0, 5 KOs), former IBF International heavyweight champion Frankie Rill, WBC International Silver lightweight title-holder Christian Uruzguieta (18-4-1, 6 KOs), super welterweight Ricardo “Magic Man” Salas (13-1, 9 KOs), lightweight Mohammed Abedeen (10-1-1, 3 KOs), super welterweights Ryan Young (13-4, 10 KOs) and Karlton Hess (3-1, 2 KOs), middleweight Sukhdeep “Chakria” Singh Bhatti (5-0, 2 KOs), and newly signed cruiserweight Brock Stumpf (1-0, 1 KO).

INFORMATION:
Website: www.UnitedPromotions.CA
Facebook: /UnitedBoxingPromotions
Twitter: @UnitedPromotions, @TylerBuxton
Instagram: @UnitedPromotions




Co-Main Event and Exciting Undercard Announced for Championship Fight Series at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and Live on Boxeo Telemundo Friday, July 12

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (July 8, 2019) – Miami via Cuba prospect Livan “Machine Gun Kid” Navarro’s eight-round welterweight showdown against Mexico City veteran Diego “Demoledor” Cruz will serve as the televised co-main event for the Friday, July 12, “Championship Fight Series” boxing event at Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.

Former amateur standout and undefeated Navarro (11-0, 7 KOs) and Cruz (19-7-2, 15 KOs) will meet as the chief supporting bout when WBA #13-rated welterweight Derrieck “Pretty Boy” Cuevas (21-0-1, 14 KOs) of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, defends his WBA Fedelatin Welterweight Championship against Los Mochis, Mexico’s Jesus Alberto “Barretero” Beltran (17-2-2, 10 KOs) in the 10-round “Puerto Rico vs. Mexico” main event.

Championship Fight Series is presented by Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory, in association with All Star Boxing, and will be televised live on the most popular boxing series on Hispanic television, Boxeo Telemundo, at 11:35 p.m. EST.

Tickets for “Championship Fight Series” are on sale now and cost $60, $100, $150, $250 and $500. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.com.

As is custom for these jam-packed events, the exciting undercard features many South Florida and international fighters.

Headlining the undercard, two-time Olympic medalist and undefeated heavyweight KO artist Ivan “The Kazakh Giant” Dychko (8-0, 8 KOs) of Boca Raton, Florida, via Rudniy, Kazakhstan, will face former ESPN 2015 Boxcino Tournament Quarterfinalist Nate Heaven (9-2, 7 KOs) of Ocala, Florida.

In an eight-round super featherweight battle, Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan’s Mussa “Warrior” Tursyngaliyev (9-0, 6 KOs) will face Panama City, Panama’s Ricardo “El Matematico” Nunez (29-9, 23 KOs). In a four-round light heavyweight contest, Miami via Cuba’s wildly popular Ulysses Diaz (10-1, 9 KOs) will look to return to the win column against Winter Park, Florida’s Mike Sawyer (8-12, 6 KOs).

In a special eight-round super featherweight attraction, Miami via Cuba’s Jessy “Beast Boy” Cruz (16-7-1, 7 KOs) will look to continue his four-fight winning streak in an all-action punch-out with Mexico City’s Isao Gonzalo “Kato” Carranza (15-14-1, 9 KOs).

Also featured will be an eight-round super bantamweight slugfest between Miami’s Jorge De Jesus Romero (14-0, 10 KOs) and Mexico City’s Szilveszter Kanalas (14-8, 9 KO); as well as a four-round light heavyweight matchup featuring popular Fort Lauderdale warrior Blake Davis (2-0, 1 KO) and Jefferson City, Missouri’s Armando Reeves (2-3).

Opening up the action will be a four-round featherweight bout between Miami’s Luis Melendez (4-1, 3 KOs) and Ponce, Puerto Rico’s Eduardo Melendez (5-26, 1 KO).

On fight night, the Hard Rock Event Center doors open at 6 p.m., and the action starts at 7 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, Fla.

# # #

About Hard Rock Event Center
Hard Rock Event Center is the newly constructed 3,600-seat venue located in the northwest corner of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood. As part of the $1.5 billion property expansion, the former Hard Rock Live arena will be razed and replaced with a state-of-the-art 6,500-plus-seat venue in a theater-style configuration, slated to open in 2019. In the interim, a full schedule of concerts, comedy shows and other events will take place in the Hard Rock Event Center. Seminole Hard Rock has hosted some of the hottest musical acts such as John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, Billy Joel, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw and Carlos Santana; top comedians including Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, George Lopez and the late Robin Williams; as well as major sporting events and events of major sports stars, from UFC matches to charity galas for Jason Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and more. For additional information, please visit www.myhrl.com.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship casino resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It is a world-renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination that features a AAA Four Diamond-rated, 465 room luxury hotel; expansive gaming offerings including first-in-class slots, high-stakes table games and South Florida’s premier poker room; spa and fitness center; award-winning dining and nightlife; and the popular Hard Rock Event Center which hosts celebrity performances, comedy acts and sporting events. A $1.5 billion expansion slated to open October, 2019, will bring 638 new, luxury guestrooms to the first-ever, guitar-shaped Guitar Hotel and 168 upscale guest accommodations, including unique swim-up suites, in the adjacent Oasis Tower at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Upon completion, the property will have a combined total of 1,271 rooms. The project will also unveil a lush, “Bora Bora” style lagoon with private cabanas and butler service; a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa®; a 13.5 acre recreational water experience for swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding; 19 dining outlets and 20 bars and lounges; an expansive gaming floor housing 3,100 slots, 193 table games and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space including a 38,000 square-foot, carpeted exhibition hall; and a 26,000 square-foot retail promenade. The highly anticipated Hard Rock Live entertainment venue with a 7,000 person capacity, will showcase A-list entertainers, comedy acts, Broadway performances, sporting events and live broadcast productions. The integrated resort is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood Seminole Reservation along State Road 7 (U.S. Highway 441), and is 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Miami and Miami International Airport. For more information, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, call 800-937-0010 or follow us: Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly.




DAVID PRICE MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES

How has training gone?

“It’s gone really well. It’s been an extensive camp but we’re coming to the end now and there’s light at the end of the tunnel. I’m looking forward to the camp being finished, fighting is going to be the easy part. Everything has gone well, so far so good. A long camp but a fruitful one. I’ve trained well, rested well, eat well. Everything is fine.”

You’ve described this as the biggest fight of your career, why is that?

“In boxing your next fight is always your biggest. It’s what is on the other side. The way the Heavyweight division is changing and the landscape is changing, the upset with the Joshua defeat and everything else, it’s probably created more interest and there’s going to be even more opportunities amongst the fighters just below the top level like myself.”

What’s next if you get the win?

“As far as winning this fight is concerned, there’s definitely going to be an opportunity and a bigger fight next. There’s a lot of American Heavyweights coming through, there’s a lot going on in Britain still. I haven’t even thought about defeat. Defeat isn’t even an option for me in this fight so it’s not something that has come into my mind, it’s all about what happens when I win.”

Could there be another opportunity to get back to the highest level of the sport?

“There might be an opportunity to fight someone that may create some buzz towards a World title eliminator or something like that. I’d love to be able to finish my career and say I’ve fought for a World title. If the belts are broken up there will be more opportunities to challenge for them. The champions will need more challengers. You just never know. We’ll see what happens.”

Dave Allen says he will knock you out in three rounds. What do you make of that?

“My best chance of beating Dave Allen will probably be in the opening few rounds so it’s going to be fireworks from the first bell. I’m expecting fireworks, it’s as simple as that. It’s going to be a great clash of styles. He thinks I’m made for him, I think he’s made for me. He says he’ll stop me in three, I’ll stop him in two. Dave Allen is a durable fighter but I can knock anyone out and I want to knock Dave Allen out. That’s the plan, to go out to try and stop him. We’ve worked on a lot of things to deal with Dave Allen and I’m confident what we’ve worked on is going to be successful on the night. I’m just focusing on doing what I want to do on the night and that’s to get in the ring and knock Dave Allen out which I believe I’m fully capable of.”

The bookies have you down as the underdog heading into July 20, does this surprise you?

“Not really because Dave Allen is coming off the back of a good win over Lucas Browne. He’s coming in off four wins. He’s had two notable wins and he’s got momentum going into our fight. He’s the favourite and I expected that, that’s fine with me. Dave Allen is the A side in this fight, I’m in as the opponent. The expectation is on Dave Allen so the beauty for me is that people aren’t expecting me to win as far as the betting is concerned. That suits me down to the ground.”

What do you expect from Dave Allen on July 20?

“I think he’s rugged. He’s durable. It’s more about preparing for what I’m going to do than reacting to what Dave Allen is going to do. We’re preparing more about my plan and my actions that I’m going to take in the ring. Let him react to me rather than me reacting to him. It’s about me getting in there on the night and staying calm and composed.”




JOYCE READY TO CONQUER THE WORLD

FRANK WARREN believes Joe Joyce will be challenging for the world heavyweight title inside a year.

The fast rising Putney heavyweight isn’t messing around and defends his WBA Gold heavyweight crown against former world title challenger Bryant Jennings (24-3, 14KOs) at London’s o2 Arena on Saturday night (July 13), live on BT Sport.

Joyce (9-0, 9KOs) is charging up the rankings. He already has former WBC champion Bermane Stiverne on his CV and is hellbent on American star Jennings joining the list.

Hall of Fame promoter Warren who co-promotes Joyce with Ringstar Sports says: “Some fighters can be fast tracked and Joe is taking that path.

“People say he is 33 and needs to get a move on, but I would say it’s more down to the boxers he has faced early in his career and his fantastic amateur pedigree.

“He is one of the most successful boxers ever in the World Series of Boxing which is an incredibly tough competition.

“He also won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games silver at the 2013 European Amateur Championships and bronze at the 2015 World Championships.

“At the Rio Olympics he was desperately unlucky not to win the gold medal in the final against Tony Yoka.

“There is a lot of jostling going on in the heavyweight division. This time next year he will be right in the thick of it and when he does get his chance he’ll be going in to win and remain champion.”

Another appealing option for ‘The Juggernaut,’ is a clash against the winner of Saturday’s bill-topping vacant British title fight between Daniel Dubois (11-0, 10KOs) and Nathan Gorman (16-0, 11KOs).

“Joe against Daniel or Nathan would be a tremendous all-British clash for the tail end of the year and a fight I would love to see,” added Warren.

“Right now we have two special fights this weekend. Four fighters, Joe, Bryant Jennings, Daniel and Nathan in two great fights.

“All of them have serious world title aspirations and fans are making a case for each of them winning their fights.

“After Saturday, the picture will be a lot clearer about what will be next for all four. One thing for sure, two of them will be in the world title picture.

“These are heavyweight fights that make people want to watch boxing and include the three best heavyweight prospects in the world.”

Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce v Bryant Jennings are on sale now. The show also features British Middleweight champion Liam Williams who clashes against France’s former European champion Karim Achour for the vacant WBC Silver middleweight crown. Super-flyweight sensation Sunny Edwards meets Mexican Hiram Gallardo for the vacant IBF super-flyweight title. WBO super-featherweight champion Archie Sharp risks his crown against Jordan McCorry. Returning after an impressive debut is Kent bantamweight Dennis McCann. Hamza Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Jake Pettitt,, Mickey Burke Jr and Florian Marku add to an exciting line up and tickets are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster and are priced as below:

£300 – Hospitality
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Tier/Floor
£75 – Floor/Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tied




DANNY KINGAD TAKES ON REECE MCLAREN IN ONE FLYWEIGHT WORLD GRAND PRIX SEMI-FINALS

8 July 2019 – Manila, Philippines: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced that Danny “The King” Kingad of the Philippines will take on Reece “Lightning” McLaren of Australia in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix semi-finals. The bout will take place at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES, set for 2 August at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. McLaren steps in for Kairat Akhmetov, who had to withdraw from the tournament due to injury.

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

Kingad is from Sadanga in the Mountain Province, but he went to school in Baguio City. He began training in wushu at the famed Team Lakay in 2012, and went on to win gold medals in several local tournaments. Inspired by the success of his esteemed teammates such as former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang, he then turned his attention to the cage. Kingad made a successful start to his professional career in 2014, debuting with ONE Championship on the way to an impressive 8-0 record.

This earned him a shot at the ONE Flyweight World Championship against Adriano Moraes, but the Igorot warrior unfortunately failed in his first bid at World Title glory. Now, “The King” is back on the title hunt. After getting past Senzo Ikeda in the first round of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix, Kingad will have to defeat McLaren next in order to clinch a finals berth.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, McLaren is a highly-decorated martial artist, claiming the Eternal MMA and XFL Bantamweight Championships before making his ONE Championship debut. He emerged on the global stage in spectacular fashion, scoring a stunning upset by submitting Mark Striegl for a hugely impressive win. He would continue that trend of success against highly-regarded prospect Muin Gafurov, and earn a shot at the ONE Bantamweight World Championship against dominant titleholder Bibiano Fernandes. McLaren gave the living legend an incredibly tough test, but narrowly missed out on gold via split decision.

After bowing out of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix to Akhmetov via decision, McLaren steps right back into the mix to replace the injured Kazakh against Kingad in the semi-final round.

Former ONE World Title challenger Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli of Italy squares off against ONE Championship newcomer Arjan Bhullar of India in a heavyweight contest.

Cerilli is a Cage Warriors Heavyweight Champion and a certified finisher known for his knockout power and submission skills. Prior to his ONE debut, Cerilli was on an impressive five-bout win streak, with four of those wins ending with emphatic knockouts. In his most recent outing, Cerilli put together a spectacular performance, finishing heavyweight behemoth Alain “The Panther” Ngalani in just one round with a series of knees.

Meanwhile, Bhullar is India’s top heavyweight mixed martial artist. He began his martial arts career on the mat, winning a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, before representing his country at the 2012 Olympics in London. With an impressive professional record of 9-1, Bullar now joins ONE Championship looking to make a run at the ONE World Title. He will have to get past Cerilli first, in what should be an interesting matchup.

Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio of the Philippines is set to go up against Japan’s Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu in a ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix alternate bout.

Eustaquio is one of the top flyweights in ONE Championship who has faced the creme of the crop in the division. In his most recent outing, Eustaquio outpointed South Korean competitor Kyu Sung Kim to win by unanimous decision. Now the 30-year-old has the chance to climb his way back up the flyweight ladder. Standing in his way is Wakamatsu, who is eager for a victory against a top talent.

Holding a professional record of 10-4, Wakamatsu is an aggressive knockout artist with shocking power. With nine of his 10 victories coming by way of knockout, Wakamatsu is a force to be reckoned with at flyweight. Seeking his first victory in ONE Championship, “Little Piranha” takes on former World Champion Eustaquio in the latter’s hometown of Manila.

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.




DIB OUT TO DEFEAT KAHN IN JEDDAH SHOWDOWN: ‘THE ONLY WAY I BEAT KHAN IS TO LAY HIM OUT. I’M GONNA ICE HIM!’

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (5 July 2019) On Friday 12th July, Billy Dib, the Two-Time World Champion from Sydney, Australia, front’s up to Bolton, England’s, Amir Khan at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and he’s already launching bouncers around ‘King Khan’s’ ears.

‘This is a one-off fight at welterweight for me and Amir Khan is absolutely the right guy for me to fight,’ states the 33 year old who can count on a 15 year and 52-fight pro career for experience.

‘Put it this way, you’d have to offer me a ridiculous amount, well into eight figures, to step into a ring with Manny Pacquiao. Your health is everything. But Amir Khan certainly isn’t Manny Pacquiao.

‘Look, Amir definitely WAS a great champion, a proven warrior who’s made his mark on the game. He could be a future Hall of Famer. In time, I hope the boxing world will fully appreciate his skillset.

‘But in the past few years there’s been a major decline, a lot of chinks have emerged. He’s no longer the fighter who schooled the likes of Devon Alexander and Marcos Maidana. Today, he’s fighting for different reasons….money!’

Like the Bolton wonder, ‘Billy the Kid’ commenced his career in the lighter categories -fighting eight world championship fights between 126-130lbs – and is effectively jumping up three weight categories to challenge Khan. No problem, he insists.

When I landed in Saudi at the end of June, I was already in great shape,’ claims Dib who enters after a spectacular first round knockout victory in late April and whose only loss in his last eight was an IBF World title tilt at Tevin Farmer last August.

‘For the first time in my boxing career, I’ve not needed to worry about my weight. I’ll be far stronger, more thickset and hopefully I’ll carry my speed up cos I’m quick, too. Everybody knows I’m a quality body puncher and I’ll be bringing even more strength and power. I’ll definitely test Khan. I really fancy my chances.’

A triple national amateur champion, bustling Billy represented Oz at the World Juniors and Seniors (Cuba 2002 and Thailand 2003 respectively) and has previously starred as a pro in Britain, the US (ten times), Macau, Japan and Thailand. However, this will be his debut in the region of his ancestry.

‘I’m super, super excited to finally fight in the Middle East. It’s always been a mystery to me why boxing has been so slow to take off in the area,’ he says.

And he’s galvanised to deliver a career best showing.

‘If I don’t bring my absolute A game, I’ll get exposed,’ he concedes.

‘Amir’s a super-fast starter and brings amazing hand speed but once my eye is gauged to that speed, I’ll sort out the game plan. Sometimes that speed works against Amir. The times he’s been kayoed, have been when he gets carried away and becomes reckless. I may not be a one punch ‘lights out’ fighter but I’ve certainly got the power to inflict damage.

‘I expect it to be a stylish fight rather than a war. Amir’s the naturally bigger man so I’ll need to box out of my skin, like I did in the amateurs. I win because I’m the more intelligent fighter. In past fights, I’ve proved I can be a mover, a boxer, a puncher. I can diversify.

‘The only way I win is to lay him out. I’m gonna ice him!’

Check Billy out on Instagram @BillyDib.

The event titled Red Sea Fight Night during the Saudi Seasons is a boxing extravaganza with three further big Championship titles fights on the show: Hughie Fury vs. Samuel Peter; Prince Patel vs. Michell Banquez – IBO World Bantamweight Championship; Dave Penalosa vs. Lerato Dlamini – WBC Silver Featherweight Championship.

An action packed undercard also features British middleweight talent Michael Hennessy Jr. vs Abdul Julaidan Fatah; Super-bantamweight contest Amandeep Singh vs Shakhobidin Zoirov; Lightweight contest Zuhayr Al Qahtani vs. Farhad Hazratzada; Super-featherweight contest Lolito Sonsona vs. Isack Junior; Welterweight contest Rodrigo Caraballo vs. Sajid Abid and Heavyweight Contest Ali Kiydin vs. Hemi Ahio.

Khan v Dib is exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and the undercard on 5Spike on Friday 12th July.




HALL OF FAMER MICHAEL ‘MANITAS DE PIEDRA’ CARBAJAL TO BE SPECIAL VIP GUEST FOR QUIGLEY VS. JOHNSON EVENT

LOS ANGELES (July 5, 2019): Hall of Famer Michael “Manitas De Piedra” Carbajal will be the special VIP guest for the event headlined by the 10-round battle between contender Jason Quigley (16-0, 12 KOs) and Tureano Johnson (20-2-1, 14 KOs) for the NABF Middleweight Title on the July 18 edition of the Golden Boy DAZN Thursday Night Fights at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif. The fights will be streamed live
on RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The series will also be available on regional sports networks around the nation.

Carbajal is a legendary boxer who, among other accolades in his amateur career, earned a Silver Medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Carbajal then began a legendary professional career where he became the first of the 1988 Olympic Team to capture a world title and then earned a total of six world titles against fighters such as Muangchai Kittikasem, Josue Camacho and Scotty Olson and Jorge “Travieso” Arce. Carbajal also participated in a historic trilogy against Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez.

Carbajal will be in attendance for this event to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center. The meet-and-greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

In the co-main event, Alberto “Impacto” Melian (5-0, 3 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina will defend his NABA Super Bantamweight Title in a 10-round fight against Leonardo Baez (14-2, 8 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico.

Marlen Esparza (6-0, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas will defend her NABO Flyweight Title in an eight-round bout against Sonia Osorio (13-6-1, 3 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico.

Ricardo Sandoval (14-1, 9 KOs) of Rialto, Calif. will participate in a 10-round flyweight battle against Marco Sustaita (12-1-1, 10 KOs) of Oceanside, Calif.

Carlos “The Solution” Morales (18-4-3, 7 KOs) of Los Angeles will return in a 10-round lightweight fight against Rosekie Cristobal (15-4, 11 KOs) of Cotabato, Philippines.

Charles Huerta (20-6, 12 KOs) of Paramount, Calif. will fight in an eight-round super featherweight clash against Filipino boxer Recky Dulay (11-5, 8 KOs).

Irish prospect Aaron “Silencer” McKenna (8-0, 5 KOs) will participate in a six-round fight against a soon-to-be-announced opponent.

Quigley vs Johnson is a 10-round fight for the NABF Middleweight Title presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Tecate “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING.” The fights will take place Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. The event will be streamed live on RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The series will also be available on regional sports networks around the nation. To see when and where the series is available in your area, click here.

Tickets for the event are on sale and start at $25. Tickets will be available at the FantasySprings Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing onlineat www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Media interested covering Quigley vs Johnson must be pre-approved for credentials.
Credential applications are due Monday, July 15 at 5:00 p.m. PT Click here to apply for a media credential. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval for a credential. You cannot transfer your credentials to someone else. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #QuigleyJohnson, #ThursdayNightFights and #TNF.

Photos and videos are available to download by click in here or by copying and pasting link: http://bit.ly/QuigleyJohnson into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy for photos andvideos used.




July 13: Shakur Stevenson to Battle Former World Title Challenger Alberto Guevara LIVE on ESPN

NEWARK, N.J. (July 5, 2019) — Eight days before his homecoming at Prudential Center, top featherweight contender Shakur Stevenson has a new opponent. Former world title challenger Franklin Manzanilla dropped out of the bout, and two-time world title challenger Alberto “Metro” Guevara will face Stevenson in the 10-round main event.

Stevenson-Guevara and the 12-round IBF bantamweight eliminator for the No. 2 ranking featuring Joshua Greer Jr. and Nikolai Potapov will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

The entire undercard will stream live on ESPN+ — the industry-leading sports streaming service — starting at 7 p.m. ET.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets priced at $100, $75, $50 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 Prudential Center box office.

“I give Alberto Guevara credit for taking this fight when so many fighters won’t step into the ring with me,” Stevenson said. “He’s been in there with some great fighters, even world champions, but nothing can prepare him for me. No matter the opponent, I am going to put on a special performance for my hometown and everyone watching on ESPN on July 13.”

“When I was offered this fight, I did not hesitate. I want to fight the best, and Shakur Stevenson is a very good young fighter,” Guevara said. “The hometown crowd will not phase me. I’m coming to shock the boxing world.”

Stevenson (11-0, 6 KOs), the WBO No. 1 contender, returned from the 2016 Rio Olympics as one of the sport’s most highly touted prospects. He graduated from prospect to contender status in 2018, knocking out longtime contender Viorel Simion in one round as the ESPN-televised co-feature to the Terence Crawford-Jose Benavidez Jr. fight in Omaha, Nebraska. Stevenson shined on the Crawford-Amir Khan pay-per-view undercard April 20 at Madison Square Garden, dominating former world title challenger Christopher Diaz over 10 rounds.

Guevara (27-4, 12, KOs), from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, turned pro in November 2009 and has twice challenged for a bantamweight world title, dropping a competitive decision to Leo Santa Cruz in December 2012 and getting knocked out in nine rounds by Japanese standout Shinsuke Yamanaka in November 2013. He is 9-2 with six knockouts since the Yamanaka defeat, with those losses coming against a former world champion (Hugo Ruiz) and a fighter who would go on to capture a world title (Emmanuel Rodriguez).

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

Use the hashtags #StevensonGuevara and #GreerPotapov to join the conversation on social media.




UPRISING PROMOTIONS AND THE NEW MEXICAN PROMOTIONS RETURN TO CLUB AMAZURA ON JULY 12

Queens, N.Y. (July 5, 2019) – Ronson Frank’s Uprising Promotions will be returning to Club Amazura on Friday, July 12, once again presenting an entertaining night of boxing in association with The New Mexican Promotion.

“We look forward to putting on another great night of fights alongside The New Mexican Promotion,” said Ronson Frank, President of Uprising Promotions. “We have a nice mix of local prospects and action fighters who should keep the fans on their feet throughout the whole card. We have received great support from the boxing community at each and every one of our shows at Club Amazura, and we do not expect July 12 to be any different.”

Long Island fan favorite Titus Williams (8-2, 3 KOs) will make his return to the ring on the card, facing Aaron Echeveste Lopez (6-3, 3 KOs) of Guanajuato, Mexico. Williams last competed this past March on an Uprising Promotions and The New Mexican Promotion show at Club Amazura, when he stopped Cristian Renteria in an exciting main event showcase. Just 22 seconds into the fourth round of that bout, Renteria stepped into a perfectly timed counter right uppercut from Williams that immediately sent him crumbling to the canvas. Referee Sparkle Lee never even started her count, waving off the fight to give Williams the knockout victory.

Undefeated super lightweight Mathew Gonzalez (8-0, 5 KOs) will also be back in action next Friday night. He will be looking to pick up the ninth consecutive win to start his professional career when he meets 30-bout veteran Federico Jesus Benjamin Malespina of Argentina. The Ridgewood, N.Y. native last fought this past March at Club Amazura as well, disposing of Gabor Kovacs in less than three frames. After putting Kovacs down in the second round, Gonzalez continued to overwhelm his opposition until the bout was halted with 34 seconds remaining in the third frame.

Two undefeated Brooklyn welterweights will also feature on this card. Cesar Francis (5-0, 4 KOs) looks to keep his perfect record intact by defeating 14-fight veteran Antonio Sanchez of Puerto Rico, while Paul Anthony (2-0, 1 KO) looks for his third consecutive win at Club Amazura when he steps into the ring opposite Earvin Young (1-0, 1 KO) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Rounding out the seven-fight show will be three professional debuts. Brooklyn native Raymond Wilburg will be making his first pro start at 147 pounds, while former New York amateur standout Hosam Abdeldayem will feature at 160 pounds. Additionally, Brooklyn lightweight Saul De Los Santos will begin his professional campaign when he meets Joseph Santana of Providence, Rhode Island.

Club Amazura is located at 91-12 144th Place in Jamaica, Queens. Sponsorship opportunities for this exciting night are still available for any companies or local businesses who are interested in showcasing themselves. To inquire about becoming a sponsor, call (516) 939-7861. For ticket information, call us today at (516) 939-7861.

Keep it locked to UprisingPromotions.com and @UprisingNYC for all of the latest information from Uprising Promotions.




FOX Sports Special “Portrait of a Fighter: Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant” to Air on FS1 Sunday, July 7 at 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT

LAS VEGAS (July 5, 2019) – Ahead of undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant’s first title defense against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee on Saturday, July 20, FOX Sports presents the half-hour special “Portrait of a Fighter: Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant” on Sunday, July 7 on FS1 at 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT.

“Portrait of a Fighter” is a first-hand account of the trials and triumphs of professional boxer Plant. In the show, follow the undefeated super middleweight Plant as he prepared for his first world title fight against José Uzcátegui.

Raised in poverty in the tiny town of Ashland City, Tennessee and surrounded by addiction and hardship from a young age, Caleb’s road to the top was anything but easy. Watch Caleb as he returns to his hometown to accept a key to the city, inspire the underprivileged youth and fulfill a promise to his deceased daughter. This boxer’s story is a portrait of what it means to be a fighter both in and out of the ring.

# # #
ABOUT PLANT VS. LEE
FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen.

Following the action on FOX, boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao battles undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

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




ARCHIE SHARP JABS ZELFA BARRETT ON WOODSTOCK VICTORY

TWO SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT rivals slugging it out for the Commonwealth title was not enough to entice Archie Sharp to sit in front of the telly for the night and carry out a scouting mission.

In fairness, the 24-year-old from Welling had already beaten one the combatants in Lyon Woodstock, but assessing the merits of Zelfa Barrett clearly didn’t appeal either.

Sharp insists he has got his own matters to attend to when he takes his place on the undercard of the mammoth ‘Heavy Duty’ show at the o2 Arena next Saturday (July 13) when he defends the WBO European title – he won from Woodstock – against the tough Scot Jordan McCorry, who challenged for the British title against Sam Bowen earlier this year.

Up in Leeds a few weeks back, Barrett placed himself firmly back on the super featherweight map with a slick and stylish display to outfox the Leicester man.

Sharp believes it was he who provided the blueprint for undoing the defences of Woodstock and Barrett simply followed his recipe.

“On the night of the fight I was out with the kids,” revealed Sharp. “I didn’t need to watch the fight because I’ve got Jordan McCorry to concentrate on.

“I have heard – a lot of people rang me on the night – that Zelfa Barrett carried out a masterclass and outboxed Lyon Woodstock. So I have heard that.

“I did see the interview with him saying that he boxed the best Lyon Woodstock. I don’t know how he can say that when I beat the man, the reigning champion, in his back yard when he was unbeaten and had never been on the floor.

“Listen, in every round he had against Zelfa Barrett the other week he would have been thinking ‘Archie Sharp did this to me’ and it was exactly what Barrett did, got on the back foot and outboxed him.”

While happy to heap praise on the performance of Manchester man Barrett, Sharp contends this his opposition was ‘damaged goods’.

“Of course he was damaged goods, but you can’t take anything away from the man because he won the Commonwealth title and I am told he won it convincingly.

“But when he is doing interviews saying Archie Sharp never did no damage to him. I disagree there.”

A potential match-up between Sharp and Barrett will doubtless be considered, but Sharp goes along with the train of thought that the fleet-footed style possessed by both fighters might not make it the most fan-friendly encounter.

More suitable for either man, Sharp considered, would be the more bullish British champion Bowen.

“I do understand, styles make fights and I totally agree with that. Our styles could clash and there could be a bit of dancing going on.

“Of course the Bowen fight would be more entertaining because he comes forward and the more he comes forward the more he is going to get hit, the same as Jordan McCorry will.

“Everyone who comes forward is going to get hit and it is just about taking it to world level. I know I can do it but I have just got to go and prove it.”

Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce v Bryant Jennings are on sale now. The show also features British Middleweight champion Liam Williams who clashes against France’s former European champion Karim Achour for the vacant WBC Silver middleweight crown. Super-flyweight sensation Sunny Edwards meets Mexican Hiram Gallardo for the vacant IBF super-flyweight title. WBO super-featherweight champion Archie Sharp risks his crown against Jordan McCorry. Returning after an impressive debut is Kent bantamweight Dennis McCann. Hamza Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Jake Pettitt,, Mickey Burke Jr and Florian Marku add to an exciting line up and tickets are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster and are priced as below:

£300 – (Hospitality)
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Tier/Floor
£75 – Floor/Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier




RAP MEGASTARS RICK ROSS AND TYGA CONFIRMED TO PERFORM AT AMIR KHAN-BILLY DIB GROUNDBREAKING FIGHT NIGHT IN JEDDAH

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (5 July 2019) Amir Khan’s ‘Red Sea Fight Night’ showdown against Billy Dib in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday 12th July is the hottest boxing event in the world this summer with a host of celebrities from the world of sport and entertainment attending the big night.

Following confirmation of British Heavyweight great Lennox Lewisand UFC’s legendary Chuck Liddell and current phenomenon Israel Adesanya, Americanrap megastars Rick Ross and Tyga will not only be at ringside to watch the action, but will also PERFORM in the King Abdullah Sports City stadium.

Two-Time World Champions Khan and Dib headline a massive fight card when they collide for the Vacant WBC International Welterweight Championship that also features the mega-heavyweight clash between Hughie Fury and former World Champion Samuel Peter, televised exclusively LIVE in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and the undercard of 5Spike.

Known as ‘The Biggest Boss’ Rick Ross is one of hip-hops most respected and revered MCs and was voted MTVs “Hottest MC” of 2011 with a multitude of highly acclaimed hit albums and singles.  The Maimi Monster mogul is also a highly successful record label CEO and business entrepreneur.

Grammy Nominated Tyga is an RIAA Certified Platinum rapper who remains a hip-hop fixture with dedicated and growing following of millions across social media.  His chart topping history is undeniable with 31 hits on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart and selling 638K albums, 12.2 million digital songs and 1.4 billion on-demand streams.

More legendary boxing champion and celebrities will be at ringside for the big fight and will be announced shortly.

The event titled Red Sea Fight Night during the Saudi Seasons is a boxing extravaganza with three further big Championship titles fights on the show: Hughie Fury vs. Samuel Peter; Prince Patel vs.Michell Banquez – IBO World Bantamweight Championship; Dave Penalosa vs. Lerato Dlamini – WBC Silver Featherweight Championship.

An action packed undercard also features British middleweight talentMichael Hennessy Jr. vs Abdul Julaidan Fatah; Super-bantamweight contest Amandeep Singh vs Shakhobidin Zoirov; Lightweight contest Zuhayr Al Qahtani vs. Farhad Hazratzada; Super-featherweight contest Lolito Sonsona vs. Isack Junior; Welterweight contest Rodrigo Caraballo vs. Sajid Abid and Heavyweight Contest Ali Kiydin vs. Hemi Ahio.

Khan v Dib is exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and the undercard on 5Spike on Friday 12th July.




LOVE ISLAND TOMMY BACKING GORMAN TO EVICT DUBOIS

LOVE ISLAND hunk Tommy Fury reckons it will be a g-lovely night for Nathan Gorman when he faces Daniel Dubois in their heavyweight blockbuster next week.

Dubois (11-0, 10 KOs) and Gorman (16-0, 11 KOs) clash for the vacant British title on Frank Warren’s ‘Heavy Duty’ bill at London’s o2 Arena on Saturday July 13, live on BT Sport.

Fury has found a winner in the villa by coupling up with Molly-Mae, but insists Nantwich’s Gorman will be a knockout in the ring and upset Dubois.

Tommy who is 2-0 as a light heavyweight said: “There is nothing Daniel Dubois does to throw Nathan off.

“I am not just saying it, but I believe it will be an easy fight for Nathan.

“If we’re being serious about it, what does Daniel do? He comes forward one-two and throws a couple of hooks.

“Nathan will become a world champion. Have you ever seen a heavyweight with speed like that before?

“Look what he did to Sean Turner. Sean is a good fighter, but Nathan made it look like it was Sean’s first fight.

“It’s all about levels, especially in the heavyweight division. You can’t just rely on power which a lot of heavyweights do.

“Nathan has got the speed, agility and he can move. For my money Nathan is going all the way 100 per-cent.”

Fury the younger brother of lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, trains alongside Gorman at Ricky Hatton’s gym.

Unless Tommy’s time in Love Island comes to an unexpected end he will not be ringside to cheer on Gorman, a distant relative on his father’s side of the family.

Although he expects Gorman to win the showdown that has split fight fans, he knows that Dubois is capable of landing knockout shots.

He added: “Daniel doesn’t really move his head. He is a basic heavyweight, but he is a big puncher and you have to be cautious.

“You can’t go in there thinking it’s gonna be easy because he can put your lights out in seconds. He is a big man and if you get hit on the chin by anybody over 15 stone you’re going down.

“So what can a big man like that do? You have to be cautious, but I see Nathan winning easily and convincingly.”

Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce v Bryant Jennings are on sale now. The show also features British Middleweight champion Liam Williams who clashes against France’s former European champion Karim Achour for the vacant WBC Silver middleweight crown. Super-flyweight sensation Sunny Edwards meets Mexican Hiram Gallardo for the vacant IBF super-flyweight title. WBO super-featherweight champion Archie Sharp risks his crown against Jordan McCorry. Returning after an impressive debut is Kent bantamweight Dennis McCann. Hamza Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Jake Pettitt, Louie Lynn, Mickey Burke Jr and Florian Marku add to an exciting line up and tickets are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster and are priced as below:
 
£300 – (Hospitality)
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Tier/Floor
£75 – Floor/Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier




Roach: “The Dud Abides


LOS ANGELES (July 4, 2019) – 
There are no holidays for the reigning Fighter of the Decade and boxer laureate Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs) as he continues to train for his upcoming challenge of undefeated WBA welterweight super champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs), from Clearwater, Florida.  The two warriors are just 16 days away from their world championship collision. 

“The only hot dog Manny is thinking about is Keith Thurman,” said Hall of Fame trainer world-famous Freddie Roach.  “Thurman talks a good game but we’ll see if he can cut the mustard with Manny on July 20.  Manny is 10 years Thurman’s senior and yet this will be Manny’s third world championship fight over the past 12 months.  Activity keeps fighters sharp.  The lack of activity explains why Thurman has looked worse and worse over his last three fights.  He’s like the Jeff Bridges character in The Big Lebowski.  He just seems to be fighting as little as possible to keep his title.  Only Thurman’s not The Dude, he’s The Dud.  Manny will sizzle and Thurman will fizzle when they battle it out in the ring at the MGM Grand on July 20.  After that, it will be champagne and Lobster Thurmandor for us.  Happy Fourth of July!”




STAR BOXING RETURNS TO THE PARAMOUNT FOR “ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” ON JULY 19TH

New York, July 3, 2019

Star Boxing is pleased to announce its return to Long Island, New York, after three months on the road, for another edition of the critically acclaimed “Rockin’ Fights” series on July 19th. Bringing a thrilling, New York centric professional boxing card, with an international flair, has become common place at Star Boxing’s “Rockin’ Fights” series, and July 19th will be no exception.

Returning for his fourth main event and tenth appearance at The Paramount, local favorite, DANNY “EL GALLO” GONZALEZ (Woodhaven, NY 17-2-1 7KO’s) will take on JEROME “THE CONQUEROR” CONQUEST (10-4 1KO) from the fighting city of Philadelphia. Gonzalez returns after impressing boxing experts this past January, when he took former world champion, current title contender and Star Boxing stablemate, CHRIS ALGIERI (Huntington, NY 24-3 9KO’s) the distance in an extremely competitive fight at the mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden, for the WBO International Super Lightweight Title. The bout solidified Gonzalez as a true prospect. The July 19th bout will be a 10-round super lightweight contest for the WBC FECARBOX Silver Super Lightweight Championship.

Danny Gonzalez had this to say about his return to The Paramount, “I’m extremely excited to be making my well needed ring return. It has been a roller coaster year for me but at the same time I have been blessed to have the right people behind me pushing my career to new heights. I have been training hard as always and have been trying new things in camp to make me a complete fighter and athlete. I feel I’m getting close to finding that perfect recipe for success. It’s always thrilling to return to The Paramount where I remain undefeated. I love the crowd, the energy and the atmosphere is always electric.” Gonzalez continued, “I’m just eager to return to the ring and perform for the fans and give them an all-out action fight from start to finish. It will be a thrilling night. I expect to destroy my opponent and move on in the rankings to bigger and better fights.”

On the undercard, fans will be excited for the return of undefeated super welterweight, “The Jackpot”, TYRONE “PRETTY BOY” JAMES (Elmont, NY 9-0 6KO’s) as he takes on RAY OLIVEIRA JR. (New Bedford, MA 8-2 1KO). James has been out of the ring due to an ankle injury, but emphatically returns for his eighth bout at The Paramount, coming off of one of the most difficult victories of his young career. Facing Leo Carrizzales at “Rockin’ Fights” 33, James peeled himself off the canvas for the first time in his career, to later stop the tough Mexican brawler. This fight will be a 6-round super welterweight bout.

Making his return to the ring is Detroit product, RONNIE “TEFLON RON” AUSTION (Detroit, MI 10-1 6KO’s) as he faces off with DENNIS OKOTH (Silver Spring, MD 3-2-1 2KO’s). Austion, a highly touted prospect fighting out of Las Vegas, took his first loss at Star Boxing’s “Slugfest at the Sun” at Mohegan Sun in January. Austion hopes a win at The Paramount will put him back on track, to continue rising the welterweight rankings. Opposing Austion is Kenyan, Dennis Okoth, who recently earned a massive upset when he knocked out highly rated Irish welterweight Dyaln Moran at Star Boxing’s “Catskills Clash” in Resorts World Catskills. This will be a scheduled 8-round welterweight bout.

Another undefeated rising star is also on the card and will be making his United States debut. Highly touted Dominican Republic bantamweight prospect, JUNIOR “BOMBITA” ALMONTE (Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic 12-0 9KO’s) will throw his first punch in the US at “Rockin’ Fights”. At just 118 pounds, Almonte packs a punch, with a 75% knockout rate. Almonte has fought all twelve of his professional bouts in his home country of the Dominican Republic, earning the Dominican Republic Bantamweight and WBC FECARBOX Bantamweight titles over this span. Almonte is highly rated in the Caribbean. Almonte’s opponent will be announced soon.

In a 4-round super bantamweight bout, JUSTICE BLAND (Brooklyn, NY) will be making his pro-debut against RAFAEL CASTILLO (Bronx, NY 1-2). Bland enters the pro-ranks with a solid amateur background including a record of 30-5, a 2018 New York Metro’s finalist and the 2018 Ring Masters Golden Glove Champion. While this is not the first time that the Brooklyn-Bronx rivalry has battled in the ring at The Paramount, this bout is sure to have the crowd on their feet.

In the opening bout of the evening, JUAN MANCILLA (East Hampton, NY 1-0) will face JERMAINE CORLEY (Mount Vernon, NY 2-6 1KO) in a 4-round super welterweight clash. The undefeated Mancilla is coming off of a three-year layoff, while Corley just recently upset Roberto Duran Jr. on June 28th at Resorts World Catskills in an epic bout that left all of the fans in attendance, in awe.

Star Boxing CEO JOE DEGUARDIA said this about the July 19th “Rockin’ Fights”: “There is no place like home, and that is what The Paramount has become – our home base. Fans will get a true New York boxing card on July 19th, headlined by Danny Gonzalez and fellow Paramount favorite Tyrone James. We are also thrilled to bring exciting Dominican Republic bantamweight prospect Junior Almonte to the States for the first time. “Rockin’ Fights” 35 will be another night to remember at The Paramount. Get your tickets now!”

“Rockin’ Fights” 35 is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
Bouts subject to change
GET YOUR TICKETS TO “ROCKIN’ FIGHTS” 35 TODAY!
FIGHT: FRIDAY, JULY 19TH, 2019
$50, $60, $100, $150, $200
BUY TICKETS HERE!

INFO:
STAR BOXING is excited to return to its renown Long Island venue, The Paramount, on July 19th, for another thrilling night of “Rockin’ Fights.” The 35th edition of the acclaimed fight series yet again brings highly talented New York centric fighters, with an international flair to The Paramount. The main event see’s one of The Paramount’s favorites, DANNY “EL GALLO” GONZALEZ, return for his fourth main event. On the undercard, fan favortie TYRONE “PRETTY BOY” JAMES makes his much anticipated 2019 debut, while highly touted undefeated Dominican Republic bantamweight prospect, JUNIOR “BOMBITA” ALMONTE, makes his United States debut.
FACTS:
ROCKIN’ FIGHTS 35 is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. “Rockin Fights” is sponsored by Modell’s Sporting Goods, The Inn At Fox Hollow and Camelot Limousine.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Follow all the action via social media at Star Boxing on Facebook, @StarBoxing on Instagram and @StarBoxing on Twitter, or by using the hashtag #RockinFights. For the latest Star Boxing events and news, follow @StarBoxing across all social platforms. Sign-up for our mailing list HERE.




August 3: Michael Conlan-Diego Alberto Ruiz Set for Historic Belfast Showdown LIVE on ESPN+

BELFAST (July 3, 2019) — Michael Conlan has a new opponent for his Belfast homecoming. Conlan, who was originally slated to face former Olympic nemesis Vladimir Nikitin, will take on the dangerous Diego Alberto “El Profeta” Ruiz in a 10-round featherweight showdown Saturday, Aug. 3 at Falls Park as part of the city’s annual Féile an Phobail summer festival.

Nikitin recently pulled out of the fight, citing a biceps injury.

Conlan-Ruiz and the 10-round middleweight showdown between Luke Keeler and Luis Arias will stream live in the United States beginning at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on ESPN+ — the industry-leading sports streaming service — on a special international edition of Top Rank on ESPN.

“When Vladimir Nikitin dropped out due to injury, I told Top Rank and MTK Global to get me the toughest possible opponent,” Conlan said. “Ruiz is on a 10-fight winning streak, and I know he’s coming all the way from Argentina to continue his victorious ways. This is my toughest test as a professional, but if I’m going to become a world champion, I must beat Ruiz. I’ve been busy in London with my trainer, Adam Booth, and I can’t wait to put on a show on August 3.

“Maybe once I’m a world champion, I might give Nikitin a shot, but for now, I’m moving on because it was more stalling my career than advancing it in terms of the level I’m at.”

“This is the biggest fight of my career,” Ruiz said. “This is a great opportunity to prove myself as a fighter. I fought June 1, and I am going to be ready for whatever Michael brings. It won’t be an easy fight, but it is not an impossible task. I am not scared to fight on the road. That is my motivation because the pressure will be on him.”

Conlan (11-0, 6 KOs) entered the pro ranks as one of Ireland’s most beloved sporting figures, having earned an Olympic bronze medal in 2012 and gold medals at both the European and World Championships in 2015. “The Conlan Revolution” turned pro in front of a sold-out Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden crowd on St. Patrick’s Day in 2017. He won the vacant WBO Intercontinental featherweight belt last December in Manchester, England, besting Jason Cunningham via unanimous decision. In his last bout, in front of a raucous St. Patrick’s Day crowd at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Conlan defeated Ruben Garcia Hernandez over 10 rounds.

Ruiz (21-2, 10 KOs), a 25-year-old from Argentina, will be fighting for the first time away from his native country. He has won 10 in a row dating back to 2016 and is coming off a 10-round split decision June 1 over Luis Emanuel Cusolito for the vacant WBC Latino silver featherweight title. Before moving up to the featherweight ranks, Ruiz won the Argentina Boxing Federation’s bantamweight title and the WBC Latino silver super bantamweight belt. 

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.

About Féile an Phobail

Féile an Phobail is Ireland’s Biggest Community Arts Festival and Summer School, and the highlight of the summer calendar in Belfast, welcoming in excess of 80,000 people to its annual August festival.

Now in its 31st year the Festival has welcomed some of the biggest names on the local, national and international stage, through an eclectic programme of arts, sport, music, literature, theatre and politics.

Féile has played a leadership role in the social, cultural and economic regeneration of West Belfast, and has been a key driver in the success story that is West Belfast Tourism.

Féile is supported by Belfast City Council, Arts Council NI, Tourism NI, and marketed internationally with support from Tourism Ireland.

About MTK Global

MTK Global is the world’s foremost fighter management company. Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it was founded in September 2012 by two-time European boxing champion, Matthew Macklin.

MTK Global delivers a wide range of support and services including career development, legal, media, endorsements and sponsorships to more than a hundred professional fighters. It provides boxing shows, events and training gyms in various locations worldwide: Marbella, Spain, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, United Kingdom, Johannesburg, South Africa, Sta. Catarina, Brasil and Sydney, Australia.

For general enquiries, email us at: hello@mtkglobal.com.




UFC LEGEND CHUCK LIDDELL AND PHENOMENON ISRAEL ADESANYA RINGSIDE FOR MASSIVE AMIR KHAN-BILLY DIB JEDDAH SHOWDOWN

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (3 July 2019) Expect the King Abdullah Sports City to be awash with A-List stars from both the worlds of entertainment and sport when Amir Khan and Billy Dib collide for the WBC International Welterweight belt at the ‘Red Sea Fight Night’ in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday 12th July.

Last week Britain’s finest ever heavyweight Lennox Lewis – the 1988 Olympic gold medallist and former unified WBC, WBA and IBF king – confirmed his presence at ringside for the fistic feast in the dessert, live in the UK on free-to-air Channel Five and will feature a white hot undercard fronted by the juggernaut heavyweight collision between Hughie Fury and ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ Samuel Peter. 

And this week UFC legend Chuck Liddell and UFC’s hottest prospectIsrael Adesanya, have confirmed their attendance at ringside to what promises to be an historic landmark night for the sport in the MENA region.

Khan v Dib takes place during Saudi Seasons, which promotes the Kingdom as one of the most important tourist destinations in the world, and during a packed week of activities, Liddell and Adesanya will give seminars at Fitness Time gym in Jeddah.

Liddell – billed as ‘The Ice Man’ for his capacity to strike opponents unconscious – is one of the MMA franchise’s greatest ever stars. And he knows a thing or two about boxing, having been introduced to the Noble Art by his maternal grandfather in his native Santa Barbara, long before he carved his legend inside the Octagon.

In his prime, chiller Chuck was incontestably one of the most savage and complete fighting all-rounders on the planet. Formerly an NCAA collegiate wrestler, he went 20-2 as a kick boxer with an astonishing 16 victims sent for an early shower. He began his life in MMA by conquering the art of Brazilian ju-jitsu before reaching 8th Dan in the hybrid Hawaiian martial art of Kajukenbo

During a stand-out career between 1998-2010, the 6ft 2in Californian strike specialist ruled on the UFC light-heavyweight throne from 2005-2007 and successfully retained his claim on four occasions. Representing globally revered The Pit team, lethal Liddell smashed the record for the most knockouts in the history of the UFC 205lb division – his business card was a looping overhand right which twice won him the UFC ‘Kayo of the Night’ award – and was involved in a series of unforgettable tear-ups with fellow icons such as Randy Couture, Rampage Jackson, Tito Ortiz and Wanderlei Silva, to name just a few. His 2007 war with the latter scooped MMA Fight of the Year honours.

And ‘The Ice Man’ wasn’t just one of the UFC world’s greatest fighters, he reigned as one of its biggest personalities. The first UFC fighter to grace the cover of ESPN’s The Magazine, Liddell featured in 13 PPV fights netting almost 5.9million buys. He subsequently coached Team Liddell in Spike TV’s hugely popular ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, featured in 11 films, came 11th in Dancing with the Stars and was a houseguest in the US version of Celebrity Big Brother. Unsurprisingly, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in Las Vegas in 2009.  

Joining Lewis and Liddell in Jeddah, will be present day phenomenon Adesanya, one of the most colourful, controversial and clinical operators on the UFC scene and is a nominee for The Best MMA Fighter ESPY.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria but a resident of Auckland, New Zealand since the age of 13, ‘The Last Style Bender’s combustible high-kicks have taken him to the UFC’s ‘interim’ middleweight championship. A flamboyant showman and incorrigible sledger, the 29 year old has evolved into one of UFC’s biggest box-office draws.

A stick thin 6ft 4in tall and sporting a telegraph pole 80in reach, Adesanya’s crushing kicks earned him 32-0 stats as an amateur kick boxer plus a record three King of the Ring awards. Like Liddle, he has also dabbled with conventional boxing, winning five of six among the paid brigade between 2014-15. 

And the ‘Style Bender’ has proved an absolute sensation since gate crashing the UFC circuit in December 2017. Sporting a perfect 6-0 CV, his fan-friendly, flashy fighting skills have been recognised with three ‘Performance of the Night’ awards plus a brace of ‘Fight of the Night’ accolades.

Israel’s attendance around ringside in Saudi is sure to rouse emotions in what promises to be an unmissable evening of entertainment and action with more big names to be announced.

Fight fans looking to travel out to Jeddah to watch the action packed show headlined by Amir Khan v Billy Dib can purchase fight tickets here and also easily apply for an E-VISA to attend. Please go to this link:

https://jeddah.sa/en/activityDetails.html?id=5d1a0f31e036b717654a2c76



MARTIN NGUYEN TO DEFEND ONE FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE AGAINST KOYOMI MATSUSHIMA IN MANILA ON 2 AUGUST

3 July 2019 – Manila, Philippines: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced that reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Vietnam and Australia will defend his title against top contender Koyomi Matsushima of Japan. The featherweight showdown has been added to ONE: DAWN OF HEROES as the main event, which takes place at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on Friday, 2 August.

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




“THURMAN IS SLOWER THAN HEINZ KETCHUP. MANNY IS GOING TO BEAT HIM 57 WAYS ON JULY 20!” – World-Famous Freddie Roach

LOS ANGELES (July 3, 2019) — The reigning Fighter of the Decade and boxer laureate, Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (61-7-2, 39 KOs), has two weeks of rigorous training at world-famous Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club, six weeks total, under his belt.  Manny is in full throttle for his challenge of undefeated WBA welterweight super champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs), from Clearwater, Florida, which takes place in 17 days.  Daily morning runs of three to five miles with hundreds of fans trailing, followed by one thousand sit-ups and assorted drills, afternoons at the gym, filled with 10 rounds of sparring, 10-12 rounds of mitts with Freddie and Buboy Fernandez, endless rounds of heavy bag and speed bag work, are capped off with another 1,000 sit-ups.  Is this normal behavior for a 40-year-old man?  Probably not, but no one ever accused Manny of being ordinary.  He continues to be history in the making.

“Manny is so unbelievably fast.  He’s 40 years old and moving around the ring with the same speed he had when he was just a seven-division world champion,” said Roach.  “Manny has Keith Thurman’s number.  Thurman is slower than Heinz ketchup.  Manny is going to beat him 57 ways on July 20.  The fans know it, and the sports books know it.  Manny has gone from underdog to a betting favorite.  Manny is money for this fight.  It’s going to be champagne and Lobster Thurmandor for us!”




VERGIL ORTIZ JR. AND ANTONIO ‘RELENTLESS’ OROZCO LOS ANGELES MEDIA ROUNDTABLE QUOTES

LOS ANGELES (July 2, 2019): Rising knockout artist Vergil Ortiz Jr. (13-0, 13 KOs) and former world title challenger Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (28-1, 17 KOs) hosted a Los Angeles media roundtable at El Cholo Restaurant today to discuss their upcoming fight for the WBA Gold Welterweight Title. The fight will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10 at The Theatre at Grand Prairie in Texas and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Below is what today’s participants had to say at the roundtable:

VERGIL ORTIZ JR., Welterweight Contender:

“This will be an action-packed fight. There is no way that this fight will be boring. We are two warriors of Mexican descent. It’s going to be an explosive fight. There will never be a dull moment in the ring. My opponent Antonio Orozco has a good record and he’s tough I’ve seen him fight before. He’s definitely a tough guy, a very explosive puncher and very strong. But so am I. It’s going to be a real good fight.”

“If I were to describe myself, it would be that I adjust. I use my head more than my muscles. There’s a lot of fighters who go in just throwing bombs, and it doesn’t look good. If you want to look good, you have to use your brain. You have to place your punches right, and that’s who I am.”

“It means a lot to fight in Grand Prairie. I’ve never fought in my hometown before. I fought in the Cowboys stadium, but that’s not the same as my hometown.”

“I believe that Antonio can handle my power because he’s coming up from 140 to 147, just like I did. We’ve never seen him fight at 147, so he might get bigger. When you’re bigger, you can handle more power than when you were smaller. This guy has been in the ring with some tough opponents, and I don’t see a reason he couldn’t handle my power. I feel like this very well might go the distance, and honestly I hope it does. I really need the experience because I’m getting close to that world title shot. I’m not looking too ahead, but if this title shot happens, then I need all the experience I can get.”

ANTONIO OROZCO, Welterweight Contender:

“It’s exciting. It’s going to give a lot to talk about. It’s going to be a fight that’s going to bring everything to the table. It’s been a great year for boxing, and it’s about to get better. “

“Vergil Ortiz is a tremendous fighter. Obviously he likes to fight. He likes to get in there and make himself known.”

“This fight is very big. This fight can open the door to bigger opportunities, perhaps another world title shot. It’s a very important fight, and I’m looking forward for whatever comes next.”

“I expect him to come. I expect him to come with everything that he has. I’ve seen his fights. That’s the way he likes to come in. He’s a heated fighter and we’re expecting that from Vergil.”

“It is a dangerous fight. Every fight is dangerous, and every fight can be your last one. Let’s not jump to conclusions. Let’s see what happens.”

Ortiz vs. Orozco is a 12-round fight for the WBA Gold Welterweight Title presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10 at The Theatre at Grand Prairie in Texas and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Tickets for Ortiz vs. Orozco are on sale and are priced at $125, $75, $50, and $30, plus applicable taxes, fees, and service charges. Tickets can be purchased at goldenboytickets.com, AXS.com, by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX (888-929-7849), and at The Theatre at Grand Prairie Box Office (Monday -Saturday 11:00 am CT – 3:00 pm CT or 972-854-5076).

For more information,visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #OrtizOrozco.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/OrtizOrozco into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy Promotions for any photo and/or video usage.




CALEB PLANT VS. MIKE LEE MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

Ray Flores
We greatly appreciate the media joining us from wherever they are around the world and we are very excited for Saturday July 20. We have the Super Middleweight Champion of the World Caleb “Sweethands” Plant putting his title on the line against unbeaten Mike Lee. It is the IBF Super Middleweight Championship of the World on the line from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It is FOX PBC Fight Night live on FOX and FOX Deportes and it all starts at 7 ET/4 PT. Brought to you by TGB Promotions and Sweethands Promotions.

Tickets are available they are going quickly at AXS.com. You can also purchase them over the phone 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resort International box office as FOX PBC Fight Night will proceed the Fox Sports pay-per-view, the PBC paper-view which starts at 9 ET/ 6 PT and that happens also at MGM Grand featuring the Eight Division World Champion Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao taking on the WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman in our main event.

Now Saturday July 20 is going to be a historic night of boxing and we are off to a tremendous start for the summer when it comes to PBC and a catalyst for that has been the promotor and the President of TGB Promotions a man who in my opinion needs to be in the Hall of Fame sooner than later, please welcome my dear friend, the President of TGB Promotions, Mr. Tom Brown.

Tom Brown
Well thank you Ray and thank you for being with us for the Caleb Plant versus Mike Lee IBF Super Middleweight Champion Conference Call. It’s going to be a huge night of boxing in Las Vegas and a spectacular night for the sport of boxing and for FOX on pay-per-view as well.

Caleb Plant will be making the first defense of his title on FOX in primetime as the build-up to the Pacquiao vs. Thurman pay-per-view event. The fans are in for a great night of action.

Caleb Plant put the world on notice with his exciting title winning performance back in January. And now Mike Lee, in his first world title fight has a huge opportunity to prove he belongs with the best as both guys put their undefeated records on the line. So now I’ll throw it back over to Ray to introduce the fighters and get things going. Thank you very much.

R. Flores
Now let’s get an opportunity to meet the challenger who is undefeated, but first I want to acknowledge his terrific team, his trainer Jamal Abdullah also another trainer that he has Julian Chua, Tareq Azim, his strength and conditioning coach.

This man is undefeated. Twenty-one bouts, 21 victories, 11 of those coming by way of knockouts. Thirty-two years of age. He’s been undefeated since turning pro back in 2010. He typically campaigns at 175-pounds but now is going down seven pounds to the super middleweight division. He could not pass up this opportunity having most recently come off of a victory over Jose Hernandez by unanimous decision last year.

Not only is he a terrific fighter but he has accomplished a lot in academics, he’s a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he earned a degree in Finance from the Mendoza School of Business. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know this young man for the past several years. He comes from a tremendous background and without a doubt, looking to make a statement and achieve his lifelong dream and become a world champion. Ladies and gentleman, please welcome the undefeated Mike Lee.

Mike Lee
I’m excited. I’m in California now feeling phenomenal. Training hard and sparring hard. It’s been the best camp I’ve ever had honestly. Weight is going down beautifully and I just feel fast and strong and ready to do this.

Q
Can you talk about what your goals were when you turned pro and how this fight fits into that?

M. Lee
Well the ultimate goal of any fighter or athlete is to compete at the highest level for a world title, a Super Bowl or whatever that may be. So for me this is a dream come true and I’m excited because you work so hard and go through all the days of training camps and injuries and surgeries and all that to get to this moment here. So it’s the pinnacle of the sport and that’s where I belong and I’m excited to show everybody that on July 20.

Q
What lead to the decision to take a fight at Super Middleweight?

M. Lee
My team and I have been talking about super middleweight if there was an opportunity for a big fight for a while so for me it didn’t necessarily come out of left field but when I got the phone call about this specific opportunity, I was all about it. I knew 168 wouldn’t be a problem and I knew I could bring my power and my speed down to this weight class and rehydrate the right way. So when a world title comes, you say “yes” and especially when I know that I can win. I knew 168 was a comfortable weight for me and here we are.

Q
Are you working with your nutritionist or doing anything different in your training?

M. Lee
Yes, I hired a new nutritionist. Normally I didn’t even really need one to make 175 but I think the key was starting to monitor and really, you know, get this stuff down early on and we had a lot of time to prepare so that’s been the key and he’s made me feel better than I’ve ever felt.

Q
2019 has really been the year of the upsets and I would say it’s fair to say you’re probably the underdog in this fight. Do you take some heart at seeing some of the upsets that have occurred this year in boxing and picture yourself being another one on the list?

M. Lee
Yes, I don’t really pay too much attention to it. Yes, people have been saying that a lot but at the end of the day I’ve just got to be the best me. Those fights and what people say and what anybody else says doesn’t dictate the outcome of this fight when the bell rings and so yes, obviously that’s something to know. That’s the beauty of the sport, it only takes one punch, especially when you have power like mine. It only takes one punch to win something so I like the position I’m in.

Q
How is the training, the preparation been for not just taking on Caleb and also losing the weight and still keeping the power that you had at 175 pounds?

M. Lee
Yes, I mean you just got to get scientific with it and that’s where I get smarter people than me around me and just trusting the team. It’s really about trust. Trusting that the weights I’m pulling are where it needs to be and you’re getting the right carbs, the right amount of fats, the right protein, all that stuff. So I have guys around me that have been doing this their entire lives and understand that. So in terms of preparation, everything gets ramped up for the world title fight. The hunger is increased, the training increases, you’re working harder and smarter so I’m just excited. I’m bringing this excited energy to all these training sessions and that’s what I’ve wanted for a long time. I’ve been top 10 in the world for my past three, four fights so this is what I’ve been waiting for.

Q
Has it been easy shaking off the ring rust during camp with the sparring and the training for this fight?

M. Lee
Yes, it really has been. We knew about this fight a long time ago. This wasn’t one of these things where I got a call four weeks before, six weeks before, so I’ve been training, I’ve been busy and we were just waiting for that phone call. That was really it, the right opportunity. And I’m really grateful my team gave me this opportunity here so yes we’ve had a long time to prepare for this.

Q
In your eyes, what do you think you possess that some of Caleb past opponents don’t have that would allow you to win this fight and become world champion?

M. Lee
Well I’m an entirely different fighter, that’s the beauty of the sport. Every single fight is different. And so it doesn’t matter. I don’t really care what his other opponents have done in or out of the ring. It doesn’t matter. On fight night, the bell rings, it’s just me and him. The best man will win so I never really look into that. I’m just telling you what my opponents say. I’ve been in so many press conferences where opponents either talk shit or they’re dismissive or they’re respectful, all across the board. I’ve beat them all. I plan on doing the exact same thing, so what comes out of his mouth doesn’t concern me whatsoever.

Q
In terms of separation training like you were just talking about, is there anything specifically that you’re changing or doing differently in preparation for Caleb Plant?

M. Lee
Not necessarily. I think, if anything, the weather has gotten better so we’ve done some more beach workouts and whether it’s shadow boxing or strength and conditioning — whatever it is on the beach, always helps. We’ve increased sparring. Listen this is my 22nd fight so we’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here so in a sense, it’s not like we’ve really added too much.

Q
From your surrounding team and the people in your corner, how important have they been in the weeks that you’ve been training and preparing for this fight?

M. Lee
It’s huge. It’s everything. That team is going to war with you and you’ve got to surround yourself with people that believe in the same mission, believe in the same value in anything in life, that’s all of us. We’re a brotherhood. I’ve had the team for a long time and Jamal and Julian are phenomenal and they see things I can’t see and they help me and push me and motivate me and this is a dream come true for the entire team.

Jamal and Julian have been in corners for world title fights already so it’s nothing new to them. Teamwork is everything and most importantly everyone having the same vision which is exactly what we have.

Q
You’ve worked with Ronnie Shields and now Jamal Abdullah. What are some of the benefits or the greatest takeaways that you can take from all three of them?

M. Lee
I’ve learned so much from them. Ronnie I’m still good friends with. I turned pro with Ronnie in Houston, Texas and I was down there with a bunch of world champions so at a very early part of my pro career I got to get in there with some of the world’s best and just learned. Ronnie is phenomenal. Big on the fundamentals and just a calm, cool, collective guy. He’s been in the ring himself and I love Ronnie to death. He’ll be a friend for life.

Q
Why the 13-month layoff between the Hernandez fight and the Plant fight?

M. Lee
If anything we were looking for the right fight. I wasn’t with a promoter and we were looking to sign and we were talking to a lot of different promoters and certain opportunities came up and then like always in boxing, they say it’s going to happen and it falls through. And you can’t believe anything until you sign the contract so obviously after that fight, I took some time off, got back in the gym and then it was a frustrating few months just kind of waiting for that phone call. But we got it, so we’re here.

Q
I would think that you would look at maybe some things there that previous opponents may have done with Plant that you may have seen to take advantage of?

M. Lee
Yes, of course, you watch film. You definitely watch film and you see what guys did well and didn’t do well all of that kind of stuff. I was just saying you don’t really take it to heart because those guys aren’t me. You take it to heart in terms of what you’re looking at or you’re staring at in terms of film study and what not but it’s the mentality of knowing that, yes, it’s good to have those specifics down and a game plan down and certain combinations and a strategy down but at the end of the day those guys aren’t me so that’s what I meant about that.

Q
Is there anyone you’ve faced whether it be sparring or were actually in the ring with that’s most like Caleb and why?

M. Lee
I don’t know, I haven’t fought him yet. No one specific comes to mind in terms of but I’ve been fighting since I was 8-years old. I’ve been pro for 21 fights. I’ve been in and out of pro camps sparring and I’ve sparred and been in the ring with so many different guys so yes, you see a little bit of everything.

Q
Have you had like a standard eight-week training camp or is it extended beyond that?

M. Lee
Yes, extended beyond that but, we didn’t want to burn out so it wasn’t like we were boxing every single day. We were just getting strength and conditioning. Just getting the timing and the rhythm down. I think that really helps as you ease into it because I think too often fighters come into a training camp and they’re 25 pounds overweight or they’re not in shape yet and we had the luxury of coming into camp in shape. So camp wasn’t about getting in shape necessarily and losing weight as much as it was just fine-tuning things and keeping the rhythm.

Q
How instrumental has Notre Dame been in this fight? What have they done to kind of champion you on and do you expect any Notre Dame Legends to appear at your fight?

M. Lee
Yes, absolutely. I’ve had a lot of Notre Dame guys call in when they had their Notre Dame Day and Media Day and support me whether it’s buddies that I have known through the Notre Dame community, guys that played football like Justin Tuck, Golden Tate or just so many amazing people that I’ve met through that community. Notre Dame has been phenomenal. They got a camera crew coming out next week to spread the message to the alumni network so I’m just super appreciative of that community. It’s taught me a lot. It’s really matured me and it’s taught me a lot about giving back too.

They’ve been involved in pretty much all my fights throughout my career involve in different children’s charities and Notre Dame charities and so it’s been exciting to be a part of that community and alumni network.

Q
Have you had any updates on Tavion or if he was planning on being at this fight?

M. Lee
Unfortunately, I don’t think he’ll be able to fly out to Las Vegas but he just had a birthday party that I sponsored and took care of and made sure people were there and I’m still in contact with him and I plan on seeing him after this fight, so he’ll be watching on TV but yes I got to bring him in the ring and he held my belt. And I mean, it’s a beautiful moment when I’ve been able to really connect with a lot of different kids whether it through Family Reach or different children’s charities and if I get a chance to do what I love which is boxing and also give back, it’s such a win-win. And there’s been many different cases of kids like Tavion that I’ve helped along this way.

And it makes me really grateful for where I am and that I have this platform and position to do it. So I’m still involved in (Tavion’s) life. Unfortunately, he got sick again and will be going through another round of chemotherapy so he won’t be able to make the trip up to Vegas which I was bummed on about but when I fly back to Chicago with the belt, I’m excited to let him hold it.

Q
What do you do differently for recovery and to kind of manage the pain throughout camp and actually fight night because of the auto-immune disease?

M. Lee
Yes, it’s known as ankylosing spondylitis. And yes when I got diagnosed it was after almost two years in and out of hospitals and even the fights that I had some layoffs where things were really tough there was a dark hole in my life and I never dealt with those moments and understand and my immune system just shut down and it really took a long time to really diagnose what was going on. And at the end of the day a lot of it came down to my diet, a lot of it came down to my mindset. I started changing the way I was thinking about things and what I was eating and how I was eating it and even getting off of all the medication that doctors had me on was huge.

There’s still days of pain. I still have to manage it but I’m so far from where I was a few years ago and it’s a beautiful thing. I think ultimately I want to show people that whether it’s doctors, whether it’s anybody, obviously you have to trust what doctors say but at the end of the day I think the human will is the strongest thing and so I think it’s beautiful and I’m grateful that I’m in this position to fight the world title. And doctors told me to my face, I’d never box again and here we are July 20. I get to fight in front of millions of people and win a world title. I’m so grateful and happy. I can’t even imagine how happy I’m going to be the next day with that belt, but regardless it seems like yesterday I was sitting in those hospital beds and so here we are. I’m very excited and grateful.

R. Flores
Mike, final comment, as you prepare for your showdown coming up in a few weeks’ time in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, as you collide against Caleb Plant.

M. Lee
Thank you for everybody’s time. Once again, I’m excited. This is an incredible opportunity and I will make the most of it and I think I’m going to shock a lot of people. I know that this is my moment and as moments get bigger and bigger, I perform better and better. So I’ll see everybody July 20 and thank you again.

R. Flores
Now let’s turn our attention over to the man that Mike Lee is going to be standing across the ring from. First of al,l we’re going to acknowledge when I mention it’s a family affair, it is certainly a family affair with Caleb Plant as well. His father Richie Plant, he’s his co-trainer. His lead trainer is Justin Gamber, who is constantly immersing himself in studying the sport of boxing and learning about the history and working on different methods that will benefit Caleb. Also Larry Wade who is a sensational and a world class strength and conditioning coach.

Eighteen bouts, 18 victories, 10 of those coming by way of knockout. Just 26 years of age, originally from Nashville, Tennessee and now residing and training in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has been undefeated since turning professional back in 2014 and after the world title in January where he knocked down Jose Uzcategui twice in round two on his way to a unanimous decision. I have had the very good fortune of getting to know Caleb Plant for the past several years and what I could tell you about Caleb Plant is that in my opinion he is so focused, so determined and the thing about Caleb Plant is when he says something, he follows through and it becomes a reality.

He knew years ago he was going to be a world champion. The determination on Caleb Plant is second to none. So ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, please welcome the reigning and defending IBF Super Middleweight Champion of the World, Caleb “Sweethands” Plant. Caleb, if you have opening comments then give us an idea of how training camp has been going. You look terrific in videos that we see but your initial thoughts.

C. Plant
I just want to thank all you guys for hopping on this call with us. Really appreciate all the media. This is how people know how we’re doing and what we’re doing and it gets us to the rest of the world so I really appreciate you guys.

I want to thank my whole team and FOX, a beautiful platform that we’ll be performing on July 20. Camp is sensational. It’s literally the best camp I ever had. I’m sure you guys get on the phone with a lot of fighters and they say that. But this camp, I literally became a new monster and that’s exactly what you guys want to see July 20.

Q
Is being on this type of stage going to add any extra motivation to go out and have the best performance of your career?

C. Plant
I know it’s a bigger stage. There’s going to be a lot of eyeballs on me. But I think they chose me for this event because they know I’m the guy who’s not going to let them down. I think they know I’m the man for the job and that I’m going to put on the show July 20. At the end of the day, get in the ring, the bell rings and we fight so I don’t really feel any added pressure just it’s a little more excited to continue to show the world what I’m capable of.

Q
From your perspective have there been any change of mentality approaching a fight being the champion compared to being the challenger?

C. Plant
Absolutely not. If he thinks that I’m not gunning for him and I was gunning for Jose then he’s sadly mistaken. So the mentality has not changed. I don’t feel like I’m the hunted, I still feel like I’m hunting. I’m not satisfied. The goal was not just to become a world champion, that was just one goal. So in my eyes I’m 18 – 0. I’m only 26, I’m just getting started. I’m gunning for him more than I was gunning for Jose.

Q
With winning the IBF title being a goal, is it safe to assume that the goal is to unify the division and win the other World Titles at 168 pounds?

C. Plant
Absolutely. If I’m not mistaken there’s never been an undisputed super middleweight champion so that’s my goal, to become the first undisputed super middleweight champion of the world. But first things first, handle business July 20. I don’t care about any other fight. I don’t care about any other champions or what they’re doing or what they’ve got going on. The only thing I care about is July 20 and I’m focused on is handling business.

Q
Do you feel validated in a way as a fighter? Has your confidence increased, do you feel stronger as a fighter now knowing that you can beat a fighter at that top level?

C. Plant
I think it’d be hard to not be more confident after winning a world title and not just one that was an easy one to knock out of the park. Jose was considered the bogey man of the division, someone nobody wanted to fight. I came in after a year layoff, broke hand, hand surgery, no tune-up fight and I knew I could get the job done. But I don’t feel validated in a sense of what I’ve accomplished. I’m happy but I’m not content, so as I said, I’m gunning for him July 20. I’m focused, I’m zoned in but at the same time I’m definitely even more confident than I was before.

Q
Can you describe how you rate him in terms of other opponents you’ve faced? How would you compare him to some of the fighters that you have fought as you were coming up as a competitor?

C. Plant
I respect everybody as a man but if somebody wants me to respect their fighting skills then they got to make me do that. Just like my past opponents, they’ve respected me as a man but they didn’t think that I’d be able to get the job done and if I wanted them to respect my fighting skills then I had to do it when the bell rang. I’m not looking for validation from him and I’m sure hoping he is not looking for it from me because he is not going to get it unless he can maybe do it in the ring.

So as far as where I ranked with other fighters, I’m pretty sure we all agree that he’s not, he hasn’t accomplished or done some of the things that some of the other guys I fought have, but at the same time, he’s a different fighter himself, he’s a different guy. So as I’ve said before I’m taking him just as serious as I’ve taken any of these other guys. I’ve worked harder this training camp than I have in any other training camp in my entire life and I’m telling you, July 20 when the bell rings, you guys are going to see a difference. You guys are going to see a new Caleb Plant.

Q
Do you feel any added pressure not inside the ring but outside the ring character-wise upholding the responsibility of that title?

C. Plant
I’ve always tried to carry myself as a champion, talk as a champion and train as a champion. I’m not a grown man, I’m a growing man. So I’m going to continue to become better in the ring. I’m going to continue to become a better man outside the ring, but thus far I think I’ve done a good job of handling that responsibility. I think if I just continue to follow what I’ve done, I think I’ll be on the right path.

Q
Do you feel any animosity towards Lee personally or what are some of your perspectives on him as a person?

C. Plant
I think that Mike Lee is not someone who tells the whole truth. I have the inside scoop on a couple of different things and so I don’t know. But I have the same amount of respect for him as anybody else who I step in the ring with, which is none. If you want me to respect your fighting skills, then you’ve got to make me do that. I’m not just going to give you the respect that you want. July 20, when the bell rings, if he wants me to respect anything in his arsenal, then he’s got to make me do that because he’s not getting it.

To me, boxing is life or death. That’s it. So I don’t care about anybody in his village, I don’t care who lives there, I’m coming to burn it down. So unless he’s looking to do the same thing with me, it’s either going to be a long night or a short night.

On July 20 just tune in and something my father has taught me is the truth belongs to everybody and lies belongs to individuals. I’m going to give you the truth July 20.

Q
What were some of the things discussed from the mics between you two when they weren’t able to pick those comments up?

C. Plant
I don’t know. I honestly couldn’t even remember to tell you. I told him to sit down and he sat down so I turned the cameras and stood there with my belt. So but none of that is really important. What’s important is when we let our hands fly so. That’s all I care about.

Q
Listen, does this guy really know what he’s getting into? The reason why I ask this is one, he’s face off – it’s the first guys face in 13 months. Two, he’s dropping down in weight. Three, he’s fighting a World Champion. Does he really know what he’s getting into?

C. Plant
No, he doesn’t but that’s okay. It’s not my job. It’s none of our jobs to tell him otherwise. I’m going to let these hands do the talking on July 20, but no, he’s delusional. He’s never faced anybody like me. He’s never even come close. He just told you guys that he’s not even getting the sparring of anybody who even looks like me. How many people do you think I can spar that fights like Mike Lee? How many people do you think he can spare that look like me? And he answered it for you. I don’t even have to tell you. So no, he has no idea but that’s okay.

He’s going to learn a lesson July 20 one that he can’t be taught. One that can only be taught by me, so. I don’t like him that much. I don’t like anybody who’s in the ring with me. I don’t want to be friends. I don’t care about what they’ve got going on. To me, boxing is life or death so if I don’t win, I don’t get to go home because I won’t have a home.

Q
I don’t think you’ve ever had a pro fight in Nashville, have you? Would you like to do that at some point and bring professional boxing into Nashville, a big-ticket fight?

C. Plant
That’s something that I have not gotten to do yet but that’s something that we’re really looking forward to and we’re close to getting it done. When they approached me with this opportunity to fight here at MGM Grand, we were talking about a couple different spots one of them being Nashville, but I really loved this opportunity and they knew that I was the man for the job to handle it in fashion. But definitely I want to bring a big fight to Nashville at the big city. I think Jeff Lacy and Jermain Taylor, they fought in Nashville. There have been a couple of other big fights in Nashville but I think that I could be the one to make it a regular thing. So first thing is first, we’ll handle business July 20 and we’ll go from there, but that’s something definitely that we’re looking forward to in the future.

Q
Do you still feel that you represent Nashville as a fighter? Is that still an important part of your identity?

C. Plant
Nashville, that’s who I am. I may reside in Las Vegas, but Tennessee, that’s what made me. Ashland City, Nashville — those are the places that made me. I live in Vegas like I said, but Nashville is always home that’s the only important part of me and it always will be.

Q
How therapeutic has it been to go back in the ring and train and prepare yourself for such a big event here coming down here in a couple of weeks?

C. Plant
Boxing has always been like a sanctuary for me. It’s been a place that I could go and be somebody. I’ve said this in other interviews that as a kid I was somebody that nobody would want to be living in a place coming from a place where nobody would want to be in. So when I got to go to the gym, then I got to be somebody that everybody wanted to be. Even at a young age, grown men looking up to me. “Oohing” and “Ahhing” and I kind of got to be a superstar. And once I got back out of those doors I had to go back to being that kid that nobody wanted to be. And so that just kind of became like addicting. it became like an addiction for me to want to be there, want to be in the gym, not go home and just be a gym rat.

Through everything that came and left in my life, through all the things that I’ve lost, through all the things I’ve been deprived of or haven’t had, boxing has always stood by my side and boxing has always been there for me through thick and thin. Boxing is like a woman. If you treat her right and you do good by her, then she’ll stand by you and she’ll do right by you. But she’s a jealous woman as well and the difference between me and my opponent is I haven’t glanced off of her. I haven’t endeavored into other things. I haven’t. Fear not the man who’s thrown 10,000 kicks once but fear the man who’s thrown one kick 10,000 times. So that’s what I’ve done.

Q
What should they be anticipating when they see you in action here against Mike Lee for your championship? What do you want to showcase that new audience of fans who may not be too familiar with what you do or what you bring to the table?

C. Plant
They can expect fireworks. They can expect an entertaining person, an entertaining fighter and Mike Lee won’t make it out the final bell so either he’ll bail out before the final bell or I’ll bail him out myself but, either the way the white flag is coming out. I’ll wave it for him so it’s going to be one or the other.

R. Flores
Do you have any final words as you prepare to get back into training?

C. Plant
Again, I’m encouraging everyone to tune in. It’s going to be a great night of fighting. It’s going to be a spectacular. I’ll be defending my world title in a spectacular fashion, so this is something you guys aren’t going to want to miss, I can promise you.

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ABOUT PLANT VS. LEE
FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX and FOX Deportes is headlined by undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant making the first defense of his title against unbeaten contender and University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Lee Saturday, July 20 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Televised coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT with rising unbeaten heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba squaring off against undefeated 2016 Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen.

Following the action on FOX, boxing’s only eight-division world champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao battles undefeated WBA Welterweight World Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View event beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

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




WORLD OF BOXING WINS WBA PURSE BID FOR MURODJON AKHMADALIEV VS. DANIEL ROMAN

Los Angeles, CA (July 2, 2019) With a winning bid of $145,000, World of Boxing won the purse bid today for the WBA Super Bantamweight World Championship bout for their fighter, #1 ranked mandatory challenger, Murodjon ‘MJ’ Akhmadaliev, (6-0-0, 5 KOs), against champion Daniel Roman, (27-2-1, 10 KOs). The purse bid took place in Panama City, Panama with World of Boxing being the only bidding party. The fight must take place by September 30, 2019.

Said Vadim Kornilov, “We’re very excited that World of Boxing has won this purse bid and is ready to give ‘MJ’ the opportunity to fight Danny Roman for the WBA Super Bantamweight World Title in September. ‘MJ’ has accomplished a great deal as a professional in just over a year, has fought top opposition from his first fights as a pro, has defended his WBA Intercontinental Title numerous times, and is ready to fight for a world title and become a world champion.”

“’MJ’ is a star in the making and will be ready to unify with other world champions after this fight! Fighters like this excite Mexican and International fans, as they will not step down from any fight, he would rather lose than let down his fans.”

A 2016 Bronze Medalist representing Uzbekistan at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, the 24-year-old Akhmadaliev has very quickly impressed U.S. boxing fans with his remarkable power and world class skills. On November 24, 2018, he was specifically chosen to fight on HBO’s last edition of their iconic World Championship Boxing series, knocking out Isaac Zarate in the ninth round.

Most recently, Akhmadaliev thrilled the Los Angeles fight fans with a stunning third-round knockout of Carlos Carlson at the Forum on April 26, 2019.

Roman has made four successful defenses of the WBA Junior Bantamweight World Title since becoming champion in September 2017 by defeating Shun Kubo in Kyoto, Japan. In his most recent bout he unified titles by defeating IBF Super Bantamweight World Champion TJ Doheny over twelve rounds on April 26, 2019.




Christian Carto returns on Saturday, August 3rd at The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY (JULY 2, 2019)–Wildly popular bantamweight Christian Carto returns to action in a six-round bout on Saturday, August 3rd at The brand new Carousel Room inside the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City.

The card, which is promoted by Rising Star Promotions, marks the 2nd card over a 14-day period at The Showboat. The show will come on the heels of the July 20th card, which will be headlined by world-ranked junior middleweight, Thomas LaManna.

Carto of Philadelphia has a record of 17-1 with 11 knockouts. Carto, who graduated from nearby St. Augustine Prep, will be making his much anticipated return after his last outing on February 8th in Philadelphia

The 22 year-old Carto won his 1st 17 bouts, which was highlighted by victories over Alonso Melendez (14-1) and James Smith (12-1).

In a co-feature bout, Yurik Mamedov will be in action in a eight-round welterweight bout.

Mamedov of Brooklyn via Russia, has a record 11-1 with three knockouts.

The 28 year-old Mamedov is making his 2nd start of 2019, and is coming off a six-round unanimous decision over Jordan Rosario on March 23rd at The Showboat.

Also seeing action in an eight-round co-feature will be super middleweight contender, Derrick Webster.

Webster (28-2, 14 KOs) of Glassboro, New Jersey, will be making his 6th appearance in Atlantic City.

The 10 year-professional has quality wins over Obodai Sai (23-1), Thomas Awimbono (25-5-1), Frankie Filippone (25-5-1), and Francisco Cordero (38-9)

Appearing in six-round bouts will be

Nahir Albright (7-1, 2 KOs) Sicklerville, NJ in a lightweight contest.

Juan Rodriguez (13-7, 5 KOs) of Union City, NJ fights Anthony Prescott (8-8-3, 2 KOs) of Cherry Hill, NJ in a welterweight fight.

Dan Murray (4-2) of Lanoka Harbor, NJ in a junior welterweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Nafear Charles (1-0) of Philadelphia in a lightweight bout.

Daiyaan Butt (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a junior welterweight fight.

Ry’Shine Collins (2-0, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia in a bantamweight match.

Marcos Lugo (0-2) of Milville, NJ in a lightweight appearance.

All opponents will be announced shortly.

Tickets are now on sale for $125, $80 and $55 and can be purchased on www.rspboxing.com

THERE WILL BE A MEDIA WORKOUT ON SATURDAY, JULY 13TH AT TKO FITNESS (1615 KINGS HIGHWAY NORTH IN CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY BEGINNING AT 2:30 PM ET)




Greg Cohen Promotions Signs Undefeated Welterweight Reshard ‘Too Quick’ Hicks to a Promotional Contract

Greg Cohen Promotions proudly announces the signing of Killeen, Texas-based welterweight Reshard “Too Quick” Hicks to a promotional contract.

A naturally talented athlete from Tampa, Fla., Hicks was an All-American cornerback and long jumper at Fordham University before enlisting in the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division as a mechanic and serving in Iraq. A successful recovery from stomach cancer led to Hicks’ retirement from the forces and his entrance into boxing at age 25.

Wasting no time, the gifted Hicks was the Texas Regional Golden Glove Champion and State Champion in 2012 at 165lbs, finishing with a record of 21-6. He turned professional in 2013 and has already held several regional and state championships.

Hicks is trained by Jesse Ravelo, the 1996 Olympic Boxing, All Marine Boxing Team and International Boxing Team Head Coach out of JR Boxing Club in Killeen. He is managed by Michael Cameron of the Cameron Management Team.

“I am extremely excited to become part of the GCP stable and I look forward to displaying my skills on the big stage,” said Hicks. “I’ll be working my way to the top and bringing more straps to the GCP family. I’d like to personally thank Greg Cohen, my promoter, and Mike Cameron, my manager, for believing in me. Let’s gets to work! I will not disappoint.”

“I am very happy to have GCP and my good friend Greg Cohen as Reshard’s promotional company,” said Cameron. “I’m very confident that this is the right move to get him to the top of the 147-lb division. I look forward to a long and successful journey together.”

“We are going to keep Reshard as busy as possible,” said Greg Cohen. “He’s been having trouble getting fights because he’s so talented and yet unknown, so that’s where Mike Cameron and I come in. We are going to get him the exposure he deserves and the fights he can win all the way to the championship.”

About Greg Cohen Promotions

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

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

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

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

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

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




TWO LIGHTWEIGHT BOUTS ROUNDOUT GERVONTA “TANK” DAVIS’ HOMECOMING WORLD TITLE DEFENSE SATURDAY, JULY 27 LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM ROYAL FARMS ARENA IN BALTIMORE

BALTIMORE (July 2, 2019) – Former world champions Yuriorkis Gamboa and Roman “Rocky” Martínez will battle 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 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 is headlined by two-time super featherweight champion and Baltimore native Gervonta “Tank” Davis defending his WBA title in a championship homecoming against mandatory challenger Ricardo “Científico” Núñez.

“Saturday, July 27 is going to be something special for the city of Baltimore,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “While we know what the main event brings, both bouts leading up to it have high stakes written all over them as well. Any time you put former world champions and young hungry prospects in the ring, you know these fighters will be looking to get the win and ultimately put themselves in position for a shot at a title. I’m anticipating non-stop action in these bouts from the first bell to the end.”

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with GTD Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or at the Royal Farms Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. ET to 5 p.m. ET.

A former titleholder at 126 and 130 pounds, Gamboa (29-2, 17 KOs) has won his last three fights, including a decision over former world champion Jason Sosa. His last time out, he dropped and defeated Miguel Beltran Jr. by unanimous decision. An Olympic gold medalist for his native Cuba, Gamboa fights out of Miami and will look to get another world title shot with a victory on July 27.

“I’m in a great position in my career and I’m very happy to be back on this big stage again,” said Gamboa. “Rocky Martinez is a very tough and formidable opponent and we will make this a great fight for the fans. I know that I will make it past this challenge and on to more marquee opportunities. I’m looking at facing Gervonta Davis and becoming world champion again.”

Always in exciting and memorable fights, Martinez (30-3-3, 18 KOs) returned to the ring in March by knocking out William Gonzalez. Fighting out of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Martinez is a three-time 130-pound champion who has faced elite fighters such as Mikey Garcia and Vasiliy Lomachenko throughout a career that has also seen him defeat the likes of Orlando Salido and Diego Magdaleno.

“I’m happy for this opportunity and to have this chance to be near a world title fight again,” said Martinez. “I’m training to win against a good fighter in Yuriorkis Gamboa. It’s a fight that will define my future and I am fully prepared to become world champion again, and this time in another weight division.”

The 25-year-old Miller (19-1, 6 KOs) has won 10 fights in a row, including a victory over current world champion Jamel Herring, as he looks to earn a world title fight. Originally from Memphis and now living in Las Vegas, Miller began 2019 with a first-round knockout over Daulis Prescott in February and now has his sights set on earning a world title fight.

“I’m coming to make a statement on July 27,” said Miller. “That’s the mindset I’ve been training for. I’m facing a former world champion and a win can solidify my name in the 135-pound division. I’ve been working hard and I know that Corrales won’t bring anything that I’m not prepared for. I’m excited to have this opportunity, take advantage of it and get one step closer to a world championship.”

Representing his native Panamá, Corrales (23-2, 9 KOs) won a 130-pound world title by knocking out Takashi Uchiyama in Japan in 2016, before defeating him by decision in the rematch. The 27-year-old returned to the ring in April to knock out Onalvi Sierra in two rounds.

“I’m very excited to have this opportunity and grateful that I have another chance to fight at the highest level,” said Corrales. “Miller is a very skillful boxer and I respect his abilities. I’m going to test him and see if he can fight off of his back foot. I’m going to prepare so that I have all the tools to get the victory on July 27.”

# # #

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 atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSportsand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.




HEAVYWEIGHTS FRANKLIN AND FORREST PREDICTING KNOCKOUTS ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY, JULY 12 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

NEW YORK – July 1, 2019 – Both Jermaine Franklin and Jerry “Slugger” Forrest are predicting knockouts when the two heavyweights face off in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, July 12.

Franklin (18-0, 13 KOs) from Saginaw, Mich., and Forrest (25-2, 19 KOs), of Newport News, Va., will meet in the 10-round main event live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash. Battle at the Boat 122 is presented by Salita Promotions and Brian Halquist Productions.

In the co-featured bout, undefeated Swedish heavyweight and top-10 ranked contender Otto Wallin (20-0, 13 KOs) will battle former world title challenger BJ Flores (34-4-1, 21 KOs) in a 10-round clash. The opening bout of the tripleheader telecast will feature a match-up of undefeated featherweight prospects as Giovanni Mioletti (16-0, 7 KOs) faces off with Luis Porozo (14-0, 7 KOs).

The 25-year-old Franklin, a 2014 National Golden Gloves Champion and widely regarded as the top American heavyweight prospect, says he’ll be a different fighter against Forrest than the one who made his ShoBox debut with a unanimous decision over former No. 1-ranked U.S. amateur Rydell Booker last April.

“I learned to have more self-control and patience in that fight,” said Franklin. “Boxing is a tough sport and I think as a boxer, sometimes we try too hard to go for the knockout. I learned to stay patient, be calm, fight my fight and not rush things.”

Against Forrest, Franklin will be facing a more aggressive and less mobile style, which may be more suited to him than Booker’s elusive counterpunching.

“I’ve seen some tape on Forrest and I know he’s left-handed and throws a lot of looping punches,” Franklin said. “He’ll be right in front for me to hit. He seems very flat-footed, so I’ll use angles against him. But I feel like I don’t need a certain opponent to look good against. I took myself out of my last fight. I didn’t show what I can do. I’ll be more focused this time. I’ve developed to another stage since then.”

Franklin says it’s slowly sinking in that he’s graduated to a main event fighter.

“It just hit me two or three days ago that I’m headlining my own card on SHOWTIME,” said Franklin. “For a while it seemed unreal, but I don’t want to get too excited, so I’m trying to stay level-headed right now. I’ve been doing a lot of weight training and resistance training and pushing past the limit. I do a full workout in the gym and then workout on something else for another hour. I’m pushing past the limits of being tired to regain that second wind faster. I’m learning how to work hard without emptying my gas tank.”

According to Franklin, if he uses all his tools the way he’s supposed to, he’ll walk away with another knockout on his record.

“I picture a knockout or TKO,” Franklin said. “I’m not going to rush anything. I’m just going to fight my fight, but I feel I can get the KO if I stay calm. It’ll come. It’s inevitable.

The 31-year-old Forrest has won 18 consecutive fights and says this fight will show the world what he already knows: that he’s a world-class heavyweight who was waiting for his big break.

“Honestly, it’s kind of like the first chance for people to see what I’ve already been doing for years,” Forrest said. “The only difference is the cameras. It’ll still be my fight. Just the world gets to see it. I can’t wait to show on a national scale what I was capable of.”

Surprisingly, Forrest says his ring name of “Slugger” has nothing to do with boxing.

“Slugger is not really a nickname,” Forrest said. “My entire family calls me slugger because I almost passed away when I was born. My mom had blood poisoning and had to have transfusions. They told my parents to go ahead and get a casket prepared for me. My mom told me ‘you got to fight, slugger.’ Shortly after that, I opened my eyes for the first time.”

Forrest says he and trainer Anthony Chase are putting in good work but haven’t done anything different in the gym for this big test.

“I’ve already had four fights this year,” Forrest continued. “I’m in fantastic shape and training is going well. I do two or three workouts a day. I’m working on my recovery time a bit more, but I haven’t changed the way I do things. I don’t change the process if it works. I just do more.”

Power and experience are the reasons why Forrest predicts he’ll stop Franklin.

“I’m going to outbox him until I stop him,” said Forrest. “He can’t outbox me. I don’t think he has the skills, power, stamina, accuracy or boxing IQ to stand with me. It’s not a real planned style of his. I don’t think he thinks much in the ring. If you’re in better shape as a heavyweight, you will win the fight. I’m sure he’s training a bit harder, but he didn’t take his last fight seriously and he got hit with a lot of flush shots.

“I’m a power puncher. I have 19 KOs and a lot of them are in the early rounds. I’m good at seeing punches and being able to avoid them. I’m also very adaptive in the ring and even though he’s taller, his reach is shorter than mine. A lot of guys get thrown up really fast and they’re not ready for it. This is one of those cases. I will stop him.”

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

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

About ShoBox: The New Generation

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




August 10: Carl Frampton-Emmanuel Dominguez Featherweight Clash Headlines Philly Fight Night LIVE on ESPN+

PHILADELPHIA (July 2, 2019) — Carl “The Jackal” Frampton is on the hunt for another world title. Frampton, the former two-division world champion from Belfast, Northern Ireland, will make his first stateside appearance in more than two years in a 10-round featherweight bout against the hard-hitting Emmanuel Dominguez on Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Liacouras Center.

Frampton-Dominguez and a co-feature will stream live on ESPN+ — the industry-leading sports streaming service — beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The entire undercard, including South Philadelphia heavyweight sensation Sonny Conto (3-0, 3 KOs), Philadelphia-born featherweight prospect Donald Smith (9-0, 6 KOs) and Puerto Rican middleweight puncher Edgar Berlanga (11-0, 11 KOs), will stream on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Peltz Boxing, tickets, priced at $100, $55 and $35 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now and can be purchased at the Liacouras Center Box Office and www.liacourascenter.com, or by calling Peltz Boxing at 215-765-0922.

“Dominguez is a tall, young, hungry featherweight, so I’ll need to be on my game,” Frampton said. “The premise of an Oscar Valdez fight is dangling in front of me, so I want to go out and show the world that I’ve still got what it takes to be a world champion. Winning is always the most important thing, but I want to do it in style. It’s great to be boxing stateside again. And Philly, in particular, has so much boxing history. I’d like to thank MTK Global and Top Rank for giving me the opportunity. I won’t disappoint.”

“Carl Frampton is already looking ahead to an Oscar Valdez fight, which gives me added motivation,” Dominguez said. “I am not a stepping stone. I am coming to Philadelphia prepared to ruin Carl’s plans.”

Frampton (26-2, 15 KOs), a 10-year pro who compiled more than 100 victories during a standout amateur career, is on the road back to another world title opportunity following his competitive decision loss to IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington last December. Frampton won the IBF junior featherweight world title in 2014 and unified titles against WBA champion Scott Quigg via split decision in February 2016. He upset Leo Santa Cruz to win the WBA super world featherweight title in July 2016 but lost the immediate rematch six months later.

Frampton won three in a row, including an interim world title, before running into Warrington in front of a sold-out Manchester Arena crowd in one of the year’s best fights. With his sights set on Valdez, he must first defeat Dominguez (26-8-2, 18 KOs), a 25-year-old native of Aguascalientes, Mexico, who has won four of his last five, all by knockout.

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

Use the hashtag #FramptonDominguez 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.




Roy Jones, Jr. Boxing Promotions inks undefeated super middleweight prospect Juan Jose Barajas

LAS VEGAS (July 1, 2019) – Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions’ growing stable of gifted fighters has expanded with today’s announcement of its latest addition, undefeated super middleweight prospect Juan Jose “Just Business” Barajas.

The 22-year-old Barajas (10-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Victorville, California, is scheduled to make his RJJ Boxing debut August 24 at Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine, California (outside of San Diego). Barajas’ fight against an opponent to be determined will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS®.

Barajas’ last fight was his most impressive to date as a professional. Last May in Memphis, he took a 10-round majority decision against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. protégé Lanell Bellows (18-4-3, 11 KOs).

“I am excited about fighting for RJJ Boxing Promotions,” Barajas said. “I am happy about the direction I am going and feel confident that RJJ Boxing will put me in the bests position to reach my goals. I am looking forward to fighting the best and showcasing my skills among the top players in the super middleweight division. It’s time to go to work!”

Barajas, who won 27 of 30 amateur matches, is managed and trained by Michael Love.

INFORMATION:
Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com
Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa, @RoyJonesJrOfficial, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre
Instagram: @RoyJonesJRboxing, @artofmusiclv, @rivalboxinggear, @KeithVeltre, @officialjuanbarajas
Facebook: /RJJBoxing, /KeithVeltre, /JuanBarajas & Athlete Page: Juan Barajas @justboxingJBB

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. RJJ has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years. Creating exhilarating content for CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN, beIN Sports and UFC FIGHT PASS in some of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.

Based in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, NV, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable: former multiple world bantamweight champion Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko (36-5, 26 KOs), 2-time world junior bantamweight title challenger “Mighty” Aston Palicte (25-3-1, 21 KOs), undefeated Irish middleweight prospect Connor “The Kid” Coyle, former world-ranked junior middleweights John “The Phenom” Vera (18-1, 11 KOs), WBA #14-rated junior welterweight Kendo “Tremendo” Castaneda (16-0, 7 KOs), junior lightweight Randy Moreno (12-2, 10 KOs), WBO #8-rated bantamweights Max “The Baby Faced Assassin” Ornelas (13-0-1, 5 KOs), undefeated featherweight prospects Ray “Valentino” Ximenez (18-2, 4 KOs), Edward Vazquez (6-0, 0 KOs), undefeated super middleweight prospect Juan “Just Business” Barajas (10-0, 7 KOs), and former WBC” Youth heavyweight champion Alexander “The Great” Flores (17-2, 15 KOs).




EROS CORREA REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH UNANIMOUS DECISION

SAN JOSE, CA (July 1, 2018) – This past Saturday, Cali Boxing Management’s super bantamweight prospect, Eros Correa (8-0, 6 KOs), remained undefeated with a unanimous decision victory over Javier Miranda. The 6-round bout took place at the Big Punch Arena in Tijuana, Mexico and was promoted by GM3 Boxing and Gonzalez Boxing Promotions.

“This was my first six round bout and I got some good rounds in,” said Eros Correa, who was an alternate on the 2012 Olympic team. “I went the distance with ease and now I’m ready to step up to bigger fights. I want my next fight to be eight rounds our more. I’m in the prime of my career and now it’s time to step it up. I’ll be back in the ring next month.”

“Eros showed he can go past four rounds and now we will see about putting him in an eight rounder in his next bout,” said Andrew Bocanegra, Correa’s co-manager. “He’s starting to build a nice fan base in Mexico and soon enough it will be that way in the States. We’re going to keep him fighting frequently with the hopes of landing a big fight.”

“Eros is looking better and better with each fight,” said Correa’s co-manager Jessie Sanchez. “Fighting in Mexico has been a big help for his career since it’s very difficult getting him fights in the United States. He’s starting to make a name for himself and sooner then later he’ll be in a big fight with a title on the line.”




Keith Hunter Looking for Big Fights After Krael Win

LAS VEGAS, NV (July 1, 2019) – After defeating Cameron Krael and Sanjarbek Rakhmanov in his last two fights, unbeaten super lightweight prospect, Keith “The Bounty” Hunter (11-0, 6 KOs), is ready to face all the top contenders in 140-pound division.

“I feel I’m the next rising star in the super lightweight division,” said Hunter, who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing. “I showed I can win tough fights with the odds stacked against me. In my last two fights I took out two TMT fighters on their home turf. I feel I’m ready to face any of the top contenders in the super lightweight division.”

This past Friday, Hunter soundly defeated Cameron Krael (16-14-3, 4 KO’s) over ten rounds, winning a unanimous decision. Scorecards read 93-97, 92-98. Before his fight with Krael, Hunter won a split decision over Sanjarbek Rakhmanov. Both fights took place at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, in Las Vegas, where Mayweather Promotions showcases their fighters.

“I knew if I came out victorious against Krael, who all the insiders know is a tough fight for anyone, I would be knocking on the door of a big fight,” continued Hunter, who is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions. “In addition, I beat Rakhmanov, who is by no means an easy fight. With these two victories behind me, I feel I’m ready for anyone.”

“Hunter is in his prime right now and we know he has all the talent to become a world champion,’ said manager Greg Hannley. “We are going to work closely with Greg Cohen, Hunters promoter, to see what type of step up fights are out there for Keith. Hunter’s fan friendly style is perfect for TV.”