Action-Packed Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz Undercard Includes Long Island’s Alicia Napoleon vs. Femke Hermans for Vacant WBA Women’s Super Middleweight World Title

BROOKLYN (February 21, 2018) – The undercard for the heavyweight world title showdown between Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz set for Saturday, March 3, from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING, willnow feature an outstanding 10-round women’s world title clash between Long Island’s Alicia “The Empress” Napoleon (8-1, 5 KOs) and undefeated Femke Hermans (6-0, 3 KOs), of Londerzeel, Belgium, for the vacant WBA Women’s Super Middleweight World Title.

“I’m thrilled to be fighting at Barclays Center for this world title,” said Napoleon. “This means so much to me and for women’s boxing in the United States. I’ve worked very hard for many years and dreamed of becoming a world champion and to have my Long Island fans see me challenge for the title makes it even more special.”

“DiBella Entertainment, Premier Boxing Champions, Brooklyn Boxing and SHOWTIME remain committed to women’s boxing and together we have staged, or at least scheduled, a women’s fight of significance on every card we’ve worked on at Barclays Center,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Napoleon is a very charismatic and popular fighter from Long Island and, on March 3, she will have a chance to achieve her dream of becoming a world champion in front of her hometown fans.”

Owner of the two popular Overthrow boxing gyms in Brooklyn and Manhattan, Napoleon made her professional debut in August 2015 winning her first seven fights, including five by stoppage.

Following her first loss on December 10, 2016, to world ranked contender Tori Nelson, Napoleon bounced back to defeat Nikolett Papp, on November 18, 2017, in Queens, New York.

Victorious three times in 2017, Hermans will be leaving Belgium for the first time in her professional career for the world title fight with Napoleon. In her last bout, the 28-year-old won a unanimous decision against Ester Koneca, on September 30, 2017.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by the highly anticipated Wilder vs. Ortiz matchup and will see undefeated former 154-pound champion Jermall Charlo take on Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the interim WBC middleweight title in the co-feature. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with top super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell battling hard-hitting Jose Uzcategui in a rematch for the interim IBF168-pound world title.

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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt, @TGBPromotions, @BarclaysCenter, @Brooklyn_Boxing and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter,
and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Dmitry Bivol Media Workout Quotes

(Norwalk, California) – WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (12-0, 10 KOs) met with news media at the Legendz Gym, owned and run by Roger Ruiz yesterday to discuss his upcoming mandatory title defense against #1 ranked challenger Sullivan Barrera (21-1-0, 14 KOs).

Dmitry Bivol – WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion:

On his debut at Madison Square Garden: “Of course I’m glad I will be fighting in America and Madison Square Garden is a famous place. I’m glad; it’s great. I’m more excited (than nervous), I think. Every fight, I feel excited.”

On starting in boxing as a child: “To be honest with you, I don’t remember much of my life outside boxing. Everything I remember has been something to do with boxing. I’m thankful to my parents that they kept me in the sport and they’ve allowed me to be in the sport.”

On his greatest strengths: “It’s difficult to say, but I move good. My feet, my speed – well, everything! Every fighter must think about himself only the best. Because of that, you can be better, you can be a winner. If you think about yourself, ‘I’m not good,’ negative, you will hurt yourself. Confidence, but not over confidence.”

On fighting Sullivan Barrera: “I want to fight with the best guys. Barrera accepted our challenge. I’m glad he did.”

On getting top opponents to fight him: “Any good fighter probably has difficulties with getting guys in the ring, fighting the right guys. But my job is to train and I believe, I really believe, that my team is going to be able to come together and make things happen. I know they can.”

On seeing a large Russian fan base in New York: “Of course it’s a pleasure to fight on a card where there’s going to be two world champions from Russia, fighting on the same night, one fight after another. I think the fans should be very glad, the Russian fans and all the fans who like both of us, will come and see both of us fight. I hope everybody comes out. It will be an interesting night.”

Any pressure fighting on the same card as two-time world champion Sergey Kovalev: “Every fight for me is a lot of responsibility. I have to be responsible for my fans, for my family, and to my team. That’s my main responsibility. Mostly, I’m happy to be fighting at such a legendary place as Madison Square Garden and fighting with one of the best fighters out of Russia, Sergey Kovalev. He’s considered one of the best right now. That adds a lot and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

On the Sergey Kovalev vs. Igor Mikhalkin fight: “Obviously, Kovalev is the favorite in the fight. But I do think people are underestimating Mikhalkin. He’s not an easy fighter. He’s not an easy opponent.”

About March 3: The Saturday, March 3 main event between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin is a 12-round match-up for the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-main event features WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol versus Sullivan Barrera in a 12-round title fight. Tickets range from $50 to $300 and are available online at TicketMaster.com and at the Madison Square Garden box office. The event is promoted by Main Events, Krusher Promotions and World of Boxing in association with EC Box Promotions, is sponsored by Medoff Vodka and Leon.ru and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

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ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK BOXING FEATURING LAMANNA VS. BRACERO WRAPS UP FACEBOOK FIGHTNIGHT LIVE WEEKEND TRIPLEHEADER ON SATURDAY

NEW YORK (Feb. 21, 2018) – Recently reaching 1,000,000 views for the series, Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE looks to establish another benchmark this Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-24, with back-to-back-to-back shows spanning from the casinos of New England to the Boardwalk of Atlantic City. A red-hot card from the Jersey Shore caps the epic weekend, as the fan-friendly streaming service partners with Rising Star Promotions on Saturday night, Feb. 24. Fans from across the globe can catch seven bouts beginning at 7 p.m. wherever Facebook is available, including a crossroads main event battle featuring Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (25-2, 9 KOs) and Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (24-3, 5 KOs).

“We’re excited to be taking this next step for the series, and to be capping the weekend with an outstanding card that will delight fight fans, called by Ray Flores and Paulie Malignaggi,” said Mark Fratto, Principal of Linacre Media. “Boardwalk Boxing at The Showboat will be back in a big way on Saturday night with names like LaManna, Bracero, Rainone, Julan, Varmall and hot prospects and local favorites all displaying their talents and passion on Facebook. As a bonus, we’re proud to produce the PPV and pro debut of Mike Rashid, who has conquered the worlds of fitness and digital media and is looking to do big things in the fight game.”

In the main event on Saturday night, New Jersey’s LaManna fights for the 19th time in the shore town, as he takes on the battle tested, Brooklyn-based Bracero. The card will feature some of the best prospects in the region that includes Jahmal Dyer of Baltimore, Md. (4-0, 2 KOs), Donald “No Love” Smith (5-0, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia, Frederick Julan (8-0, 6 KOs) of Brooklyn and Alvin Varmall, Jr. (14-0, 12 KOs) of Catskill, N.Y.

“We are excited to be bringing this great event and our first Boardwalk Boxing card from The Showboat to the fans all over the world on FIGHTNIGHT Live. We have a main event that everyone is talking about, and we are featuring some terrific prospects on an outstanding undercard,” said Debbie LaManna, President of Rising Star Promotions.

Over the first nine-plus months of programming, the numbers on the 12-show FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series have showed promise and potential for the new platform with an average of close to 90,000 fight fans tuning in per event and more than one-million fans served.

The Sept. 9 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” from Resorts World Casino (225,000), the August CES “Super Saturday” from Foxwoods (203,000), the Sept. CES “Twin River Twinbill” from Lincoln, R.I. (157,000) all topped 150,000 views, and collectively the 12-show series saw a total of more than 21,000 total hours of Facebook video consumed by 1,067,435-plus users across all devices.

In addition to the raw viewership numbers, the fully-interactive, fan-friendly productions have seen more than 142,000 collective live post engagements (nearly 12,000 per show), including almost 97,000 “likes” or “loves,” more than 22,000 comments and almost 6,000 shares.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE broadcasts are viewed by 76 percent men, 24 percent women. The top demographic is comprised of males ages 25-34, which encompasses approximately 30.0 percent of the audience, on average.

The Sept. 9 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” set a new bar with 224,658 views and the Sept. 15-16 DiBella-CES doubleheader carried the series to three-quarters-of-a-million views in just over four months. The Feb. 10 Hard-Hitting Promotions “Philly Fight Night” show stands out individually with 3,421 live hours of content viewed, while the Sept. 15 DiBella card saw more than 40,000 viewer interactions including almost 39,000 “likes” or “loves.”

The FIGHTNIGHT LIVE page on Facebook has more than 80,000 fans and more than 82,000 followers. And Facebook itself has taken notice – the world’s No. 1 social network recently profiled FIGHTNIGHT LIVE on its “Success Stories” media blog, noting the series’ use of industry best practices for production and interactivity:
https://www.facebook.com/facebookmedia/success-stories/fightnight

Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has been delivered to fans absolutely free since its May 2017 launch courtesy of series corporate partners like Elite Heat Water, Montauk Iced Tea (montaukbev.com), Mr. Custom Made (mrcustommade.com) and BallWash (ballwash.com).

On Saturday night, Feb. 24, live from live from The Showboat in Atlantic City, N.J., fans can expect a high-impact, multi-camera streaming experience complete with graphics, animations, replays, interviews and an announce team anchored by blow-by-blow announcer Ray Flores of Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime Boxing, HBO Boxing and CBS Sports Network and former IBF and WBA World Champion Paulie Malignaggi, now of Showtime, Sky Sports and CBS Sports Network. To provide spectators with a fully-interactive ringside experience, commentators will ask and respond to questions from the Facebook audience throughout the broadcast.

Created and produced by Linacre Media out of New York City, the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series features professional announcers, multiple camera angles, television graphics, replays and behind-the-scenes access and interviews. The streamed shows are available globally wherever Facebook is available. The initiative not only enables fans from around the world to tune in, but also gives up-and-coming fighters a global platform to showcase their abilities, gives promoters an accessible “broadcast” solution and gives sponsors the ability to reach a mass audience via branded content.

More FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Winter/Spring 2018 dates will be officially announced in the coming weeks.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online at: https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/

Follow all the action via social media at FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Facebook, @FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Instagram and @FIGHTNIGHTLIVE_ on Twitter, or by using the hashtag #FIGHTNIGHTLIVE. For the latest Linacre Media events and broadcast schedule, follow @LinacreMedia across all social platforms or use the tags #LinacreMediaEvents or #LinacreMediaOnTV.

Soft-spoken Ortiz continues rapid climb

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 21st, 2018) — Every fight fan loves a good trash-talker. The animosity between fighters helps fuel rivalries and puts rear-ends in seats.

So does a great fighter, with or without the verbal sparring. Unbeaten lightweight Jamaine Ortiz (7-0, 4 KOs) of Worcester, Mass., never cared much about being the loudest talker in the room, or the center of attention, for that matter.

Soft-spoken by nature, the 21-year-old Ortiz earned his stripes the old-fashioned way, perfecting his craft in the gym as an amateur and building his fan base through his performance in the ring, not with what has to say behind the microphone or in front of the camera.

“A lot of people can’t sell themselves with the way they fight, so they’ve got to sell themselves with the way they talk,” said Ortiz, who kicks off 2018 in a six-round bout against Texan Victor Rosas (9-7, 3 KOs) on Friday night at Twin River Casino.

“I won’t lie, some of it does open my ears or open my eyes with the way somebody talks. It happens all the time when big fighters lose championship fights. They got there by talking their way up there. I’m the type of guy where I don’t feel like I have to talk. I never had social media before I turned professional. All the fans I always had always came from people watching me fight.

“They weren’t there at the gym. They didn’t see how I trained. They just saw how I performed under the lights in championship moments in championship fights, the finals of all these tournaments. That’s what got me the fans I have now — fighting. I just stick to that because that’s the real me.”

Most would agree Ortiz is just fine the way he is. An accomplished amateur who advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Olympic Trails in Nevada in 2016, Ortiz has cleared every hurdle in front of him and conquered every challenge since turning pro two years ago.

After racing out to a 4-0 start, including a knockout win over previously-unbeaten challenger Glenn Mitchell in April, a minor elbow injury temporarily derailed his progress and sidelined him for the next four months. He returned in August to face Angel Figueroa at less than a 100 percent and still cruised to a unanimous decision win, shutting out Figueroa over four dominant rounds and showing no signs of ring rust.

Ring rust?

“Others call it ring rust. I don’t know what I’d call it. I guess that’s what it’s called. I guess I’ve just never used that term before,” Ortiz said. “I never felt like I had ring rust because I’m always in the gym.”

His December bout against 13-3 Derrick Murray was supposed to be his toughest test to date, but he tore through that opponent, too, winning all six rounds on every scorecard. Ortiz hasn’t lost a round since Canton Miller pushed him to a majority decision last February.

Who else is on his radar? Ortiz doesn’t bother skimming through names, especially in New England. Few have been willing to accept the challenge, but he remains ready for whoever answers the bell next.

“I never look at anybody in this area,” he says. “I’m always focused on myself. Putting my attention on someone else is taking attention away from myself. If it’s a fight against somebody around here that’s going to matter, yeah, I’m interested.

“Whoever they put in front of me, I take the fight and try to fight to be better and better every single time. Every fight, I’m trying to progress as a fighter — look better, feel better, punch harder, punch faster. I’m trying to grow as a fighter. That’s my main concern, not to live up to anyone else’s standards, but to go as an individual fighter making progress.”

His goal in 2018 is to continue to progress and prove to himself — no one else — he’s capable of performing on the sport’s biggest stage against some of the biggest names. Friday is the first step.

“I would say a benchmark for me is to capitalize and demonstrate in the ring under the lights. I talk about this a lot,” Ortiz said. “A lot of people can look good and everything can be all great, but can you perform under the lights? Can you perform when the pressure’s on you? Being clutch at the last second, that’s when it all matters.

“That’s always my main concern. When I’m under the lights, when all your friends and fans are watching you, when it really counts, being able to show the people I’m a superstar, not just in the papers, or over social media or just in the gym, but under the lights. That’s one thing I want, to be able to be that performer under the lights.”

Ortiz may fly under the radar for now, but that’ll change if he continues to steamroll opponents with the same frequency in 2018. Quiet outside of the ring, Ortiz’s hands have done a lot of talking the past two years, and the noise keeps getting louder and louder with each victory.

“I want to move up the ladder, fight in different arenas,” Ortiz said. “That’s my main concern.”

Tickets for Friday’s event are priced at $47.00, $102.00, $127.00 (VIP) and $152.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com, www.twinriver.com or www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Casino Players Club. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET with the preliminary card beginning at 7 followed by the main card streaming live on Facebook via FIGHTNIGHT LIVE at 8 with play-by-play announcer Michael Woods and color commentator Xavier Porter. FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online on all portable devices at www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/.

Ray Oliveira Jr. (9-1, 1 KO) of New Bedford, Mass., faces New Haven, Conn., veteran Edwin Soto (11-2-2, 4 KOs) in the eight-round main event for the vacant World Boxing Union (WBU) Canadian-American-Mexican Super Welterweight Title.

Hard-hitting Sicilian heavyweight Juiseppe Cusumano (13-1, 11 KOs) stars in the six-round co-feature in his toughest test to date against Pittsburgh’s Fred Latham (9-1-2, 5 KOs) and junior welterweight Anthony Marsella Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs) of Providence returns for his seventh consecutive fight at Twin River in a six-round bout against Cancun, Mexico native Israel Villela (6-8, 2 KOs).

Regional rivalries highlight the preliminary card, starting with Johnston, R.I., junior welterweight Nicky DeQuattro (2-0, 1 KO) making his Twin River debut in a four-round bout against Carlos Galindo (0-0) of Lima, Peru. Providence lightweight Michael Valentin (3-0, 1 KO) puts his unbeaten record on the line against Demetrius Wilson (2-4) of St. Louis, Mo., and Springfield, Mass., welterweight Miguel Ortiz (2-1, 1 KO) faces Wilson Mascarenhas of New Bedford, both in four-round bouts. Providence featherweight Ricky Delossantos (3-0) aims for his fourth consecutive win in a four-round bout against New Bedford’s Efren Nunez (0-1). Taunton, Mass., native Marqus Bates (2-2, 2 KOs) battles welterweight Latorie Woodberry (1-5) of Roanoke, Va., in a four-round bout.

The entire fight card is dedicated to the memory of super bantamweight Luis Rosa Jr. of New Haven, the son of Luis and Marilyn Rosa, who passed away tragically on Jan. 14th. Rosa Jr. will be inducted into the CES Ring of Honor.

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, or follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING.

SuperFly 2 from Inglewood, CA on HBO Boxing After Dark — Feb. 24

HBO Sports returns to the vibrant flyweight ranks with an action-packed tripleheader when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI VS. JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA AND CARLOS CUADRAS VS. MCWILLIAMS ARROYO AND DONNIE NIETES VS. JUAN CARLOS REVECO is seen SATURDAY, FEB. 24 at 9:30 p.m. (ET/PT) from the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

The fights will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.

Last Sept. 9, HBO BOXING AFTER DARK presented a tripleheader lineup that featured four of the top-ranked super flyweights in an event that became known as “Superfly.” Now, “Superfly 2” spotlights three of that night’s combatants, plus a red-hot flyweight title bout.

The main event showcases two winners from September, as Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (44-4-1, 30 KOs) of Si Sa Ket, Thailand defends his super flyweight title against former flyweight titlist Juan Francisco Estrada (36-2, 25 KOs) of Hermosillo Sonora, Mexico in a scheduled 12-round bout. Sor Rungvisai is coming off a remarkable 2017 in which he soared to the top of the 115-pound division with stunning back-to-back victories over pound-for-pound ace Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. Estrada, who won a unanimous decision over Carlos Cuadras in September, is on a ten-bout win streak since his 2012 championship loss to Gonzalez and is the top-ranked mandatory challenger.

In the co-main event, Mexico City’s Carlos Cuadras (36-2-1, 27 KOs) returns to take on McWilliams Arroyo (16-3, 14 KOs) from Fajardo, Puerto Rico in a scheduled ten-round super flyweight bout. Looking to get back on a winning streak, Cuadras has never avoided a challenge, having turned in memorable, explosive performances against “Chocolatito” Gonzalez in 2016 and Juan Francisco Estrada in 2017. Arroyo, a 2008 Olympian, is moving up from flyweight to compete in one of boxing’s most competitive divisions. He established himself by going toe-to-toe with Gonzalez in 2016.

The evening opens with a flyweight showdown as Donnie Nietes (40-1-4, 22 KOs) from Bacolod City, Philippines takes on Juan Carlos Reveco (39-3, 19 KOs) of Las Heras, Argentina in a scheduled 12-round title contest. Making his first title defense, Nietes is undefeated since 2004; including three draws, he hasn’t lost in 32 fights. A former three-time champion making his first U.S. appearance, Reveco has faced stiff challenges before, including his 2015 bout with Kazuto Ioka.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.

All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

The executive producer of HBO Sports is Rick Bernstein; producer, Dave Harmon; director, Johnathan Evans.

® HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

Holzken ready to gatecrash the World Boxing Super Series: “I’m here to take over!”

Nieky Holzken plans to gatecrash the World Boxing Super Series and secure his spot in the final when he faces the tournament’s number two seed Callum Smith on Saturday at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung in Nuremberg, Germany.

The undefeated Dutch super middleweight and former world kickboxing champion joins the quest for the Ali Trophy at the semi-final stage following the withdrawal of veteran German fighter Juergen Braehmer through illness.

Having landed this dream opportunity, Holzken insists he is ready to take it “with both hands” to earn his place in the final opposite the WBA Super and newly crowned IBO World Super Middleweight Champion ‘Saint’ George Groves.

While he accepts his opponent the WBC Diamond Champion might not know much about him now, ‘The Natural’ from the Netherlands says Smith “will know much more about me after I hit him for the first time on Saturday”.

How does it feel to be part of the World Boxing Super Series?

“The World Boxing Super Series is a beautiful event. This is a big opportunity for me to perform on a big stage, but I’m used to fighting on a big stage from the other sports I have been involved in. I’ve been waiting for a chance like this for a long time, and now it has been handed to me, I will take it with both hands.”

What are your impressions of the tournament so far?

“I think it’s a very good tournament. I have seen all the fights in the super middleweight division. The last fight between Groves and Eubank Jr. was amazing. I like the super middleweight contenders; they are all strong and talented guys, good boxers with different styles. I was hoping for a chance to be a part of the tournament, and now I got it.”

What are your thoughts on joining the tournament at this late stage?

“My last fight was three weeks ago against Viktor Polyhakov, and I knocked him out in the second round. The day after, I was asked to be the reserve fighter for Callum Smith and Juergen Braehmer. Unfortunately for him, Juergen Braehmer got sick, and I wish him a speedy recovery, but now I am stepping in. I am not stepping in to lose; I am stepping in to win the tournament. I am here to take over.”

What do you consider to be your greatest strengths inside the ropes and what can we expect from you in Nuremberg on Saturday?

“People say that I am a good body puncher and that I have a good fighting heart. I know my strengths and the fans will see them on Saturday.”

You have competed across various disciplines, how will your skills and experience from kickboxing help you in the boxing ring?

“Kickboxers are known for their pressure and power, and always going for the KO. And that is what I have brought with me into boxing.”

Callum Smith has said he doesn’t know much about you; will that work to your advantage?

“Maybe. He knows nothing about me, and I know everything about him. However, one thing I for sure, he will know much more about me after I hit him for the first time on Saturday.”

Tickets for Smith vs Holzken are available via eventim.de.

Fighters Create a Family Far from Home in Oxnard, California

(Oxnard, California) – Elite athletes make many sacrifices on their journey to the top of their sport. Boxers are no exception. Super welterweights Madiyar Ashkeyev (8-0, 4 KOs) of Kazakhstan, 29, and Bakhram Murtazaliev, 25, (11-0, 9 KOs) of Russia, and middleweight Meiirim Nursultanov (5-0, 4 KOs), 24, of Kazaskhstan have spent most of the last year away from family and friends while training at the Boxing Laboratory in Oxnard, California.

The trio admits they are sometimes homesick. So, they have created their own boxing family in California, and rely on each other. “We all know each other five, six years. We’ve been to tournaments (together), and on the national team. We do as much as we can for each other to make life in America easier,” said Ashkeyev.

All three fighters are in the last days of their preparation for their appearances on the non-televised undercard of the upcoming showdown between two-time Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (31-2-1, 27 KOs) versus Igor Mikhalkin (21-1, 9 KOs) and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol (12-0, 10 KOs) versus Sullivan Barrera (21-1, 14 KOs).

“We talk with each other about things, and it really helps to have the same team. We understand each other,” says Murtazaliev.

“We are the type of people who like to push each other: run faster, lift more weights. We speak the same language. We motivate each other, we help each other to get better,” added Murtazaliev. “We’re not jealous of each other. Everyone can reach their goals.”

Nursultanov, Kovalev and Ashkeyev
Photo Courtesy of: Madiyar Ashkeyev

The rising stars say they also look to Kovalev, who trains alongside them at the Boxing Laboratory, as a role model, mentor and a “big brother” figure. “Kovalev is a huge motivation for us,” said Ashkeyev. “He tells us what’s coming our way – what’s hard, what’s easy, what to do. We are always learning as much as we can. It’s nice of him and it’s good for us.”

During their rare days off, Ashkeyev, Murtazaliev, and Nursultanov say they take advantage of all that Southern California has to offer. “We go out to explore the beautiful cities – Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara,” said Murtazaliev. “We try not to be at home and try to spend our time in a better way than sitting at home, at our computers.”

Despite being thousands of miles from home, working hard and doing their best to navigate life in a strange language, they wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. “We’re showing our team (at the Boxing Laboratory) is the best in the world,” said Nursultanov. “There is no gym in the world with so many world champions.”

Nursultanov said all three fighters love to interact with fans back home and their new fans in the United States on social media. “You can always follow us on social media, we like to show how we train, what we do when training. We hope it’s helpful for future boxers and future champions all over the world.”

Fans can follow the trio on Instagram at @madiyarashkeyev, @bahkram95 and @Meiirim01.

IBF EUROPEAN SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE ON THE LINE FOR BARRETT V CLARK

After barely putting a boot wrong during a 19 fight apprenticeship in the northern halls, Manchester sensation Zelfa Barrett – arguably the nation’s brightest prospect at any weight – intends to dispense some capital punishment upon Dundee hard case Ronnie Clark when he makes his London debut at the York Hall this Saturday.

‘I’m excited, man. A lot of southern fans have been messaging me, saying they can’t wait to see me,’ says the 24 year old who has won 19 straight with a dozen – often spectacular – stoppages.

‘Other than to sign with Frank (Warren, his Hall of Fame promoter) and attend the last James DeGale fight, I’ve not really spent time in London but this isn’t no game, no sightseeing trip. I’m on a mission.

‘I intend to put on a show, highlight that boxings not just about fighting, it’s an art; hitting and not being hit. It’s very hard to do and only the very best fighters consistently manage it.’

While the super slick yet potent 5ft 7in ‘Brown Flash’ has barely had his hair ruffled between the ropes, he copped hellacious flack on the social media outlets last year when his trainer, mentor and uncle Pat Barrett – a disturbingly dangerous former British and European light-welter champion – withdrew Zelfa from a sanctioned British title eliminator with Sam Bowen – citing his undergraduate ring education remained unfinished.

Such shackles have since been shed and the time has come for Barrett to be unleashed upon all comers in the talent dense 130lb division.

‘In 2018 I’m looking to win and defend the titles but there’s still no rush. We’re definitely here for the long run, not the short stay,’ clarifies ‘Zelly’ who has been masterfully managed by Steve Wood.

‘Let the others do the sledging. I prefer listening. I do my talking in the ring. Your Sam Bowens and Lyon Woodstocks are good, durable fighters but I believe I beat them.

‘Everyone can be fit and strong but, at top level, skills pay the bills and that’s where I excel. There’ll obviously have their opinions but I believe I’ve got the gift. Rather than call out names, I just say I’ll fight anyone who has the titles.’

In an end of year BoxNation poll, six of the dozen experts canvassed nominated the Harpurhey hotshot as the nation’s brightest starlet. However, the ‘Flash’ insists hard work supersedes innate talent as the key ingredient behind his rise to prominence.

‘What motivates me is the thought of getting beat,’ confides Barrett who has been known to train on Christmas Day!

‘I gain confidence knowing that I’m training, improving, when others aren’t. Defeat always felt horrible in the amateurs whereas winning is a feeling you can’t buy. I get a buzz when I see the things I work on it training, pay off on fight night.

‘I intend to be the next ‘big thing’ to come out the city. I’m doing this for all the people of Manchester. I still get up at 5am to run and I think people appreciate my realness. You can’t lie in boxing.

‘Already there’s no other fighter like me in the city and very few in the whole country. I’m mastering that US style….don’t blink or I’ll knock you out!

‘‘Uncle Pat’ genuinely wants what’s best for me. If he can coach me to achieve more than he did, be better than him, he’d be very proud.

Barrett’s burgeoning rep will certainly soar further if he can make short shift of the obscenely intense Clark, a battle hardened former British title challenger who takes great pride in getting into opponent’s faces and ruffling a few feathers. Zelfa welcomes the challenge.

‘I know I don’t look a rough, rugged guy. I’ve usually got a smile on my face and I’d rather showcase my skills but if it comes to the nitty gritty, I know I can fight,’ he warns.

‘I’m coming to light up London! I intend to show the cockneys I can deal with whatever challenges are put in front of me, then treat them to another spectacular knockout….add to the Barrett family highlight reel!’

An action-packed evening of boxing at the iconic fight theatre features Anthony ‘The Beast’ Yarde (14-0, 13 KO’s) defending his WBO Intercontinental and European Light-Heavyweight titles against Frenchman Tony Averlant (26-9-2, 5 KO’s);

Knockout artist Daniel ‘Dynamite’ Dubois (6-0, 6 KO’s) fights at the historical East London venue for the first time in his professional career as he defends his Southern Area Heavyweight belt against Queensborough’s DL Jones (8-0-1);

Elsewhere on a stacked card Welling Super-Featherweight Archie Sharp aims to improve his unbeaten record to 12-0; former Southern Area Super-Featherweight Champion Boy Jones Jnr fights at Lightweight for the first time; gifted Southampton Featherweight Ryan ‘The Piranha’ Garner looks to get his career back on track when he fights over four rounds; Ilford Welterweight talent Hamzah Sheeraz fights in his second professional contest while stylish Ilford Super-Middleweight Umar Sadiq and former Team GB Flyweight Harvey Horn both look to go 2-0.

A very limited number of remaining tickets are available to purchase on the door.

Fight Week Schedule:

PRESS CONFERENCE:

Thursday 22nd February
Frederick’s (Restaurant)
106 Camden Passage
Islington
London, N1 8EG

Time: 12.30 for a 1.00pm start

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN:

Friday 23rd February
Courthouse Hotel
Chamber Suites 1-3
335-337 Old Street
London, EC1V 9LL

Fighters for Saturday night’s action will hit the scales at the Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch from 2.00pm.

Mikey Garcia & Sergey Lipinets Los Angeles Media Workout Quotes

LOS ANGELES (February 20, 2018) – Three-division world champion Mikey Garcia and IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Sergey Lipinets participated in an open media workout in Los Angeles Tuesday as they prepare for their world title showdown Saturday, March 10 live on SHOWTIME from Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also see two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy taking on Kiryl Relikh in a rematch of their thrilling fight last May, this time for the vacant WBA 140-pound world title.

The night also features a SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME telecast beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT that will see undefeated 140-pound contender and San Antonio-native Mario Barrios face Eudy Bernardo in a 10-round bout and undefeated Alejandro Luna taking on former world title challenger Richard Commey in a 12-round IBF Lightweight Title Eliminator.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions in association with Leija-Battah Promotions, are priced at $250, $150, $75, $50 and $20 and are on sale now. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000 or 210 556-7390.

Joining Garcia and Lipinets at Tuesday’s workout was former title challenger Josesito Lopez, who competes in undercard action at Freeman Coliseum on March 10.

Here is what the participants had to say Tuesday from the City of Angels Boxing Club in Los Angeles:

MIKEY GARCIA

“I’m excited to have another opportunity on March 10 to show my fans what I’m all about and what I can do in the ring. I’m preparing to win another world title and that’s all that’s on my mind right now.

“Neither one of us wants to lose. We’re both undefeated and no one wants to give up that ‘0’. That’s going to make this a great fight for the fans.

“I don’t have a number of titles that I’m chasing, but I do believe I will be a champion at 140-pounds and eventually at welterweight. Each fight is unique and I’m going to keep taking it one fight at a time.

“I’ve been winning and dominating my fights, but I still have room to show the fans more of my skills. I need opponents who will bring the best out of me. I’m going to keep trying to dominate each fight and make it easy for myself in the ring.

“It was a little upsetting that we had to wait to have this fight, but it’s part of the sport. We took a day off when we heard the news and then we went back to work. Now we’re ahead of schedule so it worked out great.

“We’re excited to be where we’re at and to have the opportunity to win another world title. I’m most excited that this really takes me closer to the kind of recognition we deserve and the goals I want to achieve.

“Sergey Lipinets is the number one priority right now. He’s an undefeated world champion and I can’t take him lightly at all. I’m going to follow my game plan and right now I’m on track to put on a great performance.

“The number one thing I see in Sergey is his size. He’s the bigger man so I’ll have to be prepared for the weight. Because he’s a young new champion, he’s really got nothing to lose. He’s coming with everything he has.

“I know he’s going to take this fight more seriously than any other he’s taken. I know that he has that fire in him. I have to be aware of his power and use my boxing skills to overcome it.”

SERGEY LIPINETS

“This is going to be a great fight. We’ll both be at 100 percent on fight night and ready to give our best. This won’t be a one-sided fight. It’s going to be two gladiators going at each other.

“Mikey is a great fighter. He has a lot of skills, especially defensively. I’m going to be ready for him. It’s going to be blood, sweat and tears.

“If you’ve watched my previous fights you know that this will be a great fight. We’re both going to be there in front of each other and we won’t be kissing and hugging.

“I’m very excited to be in this position and I’m planning to take advantage of it. It meant a lot to win a world title, but these are the kind of fights you get into boxing for. This is a chance to really put my name in the history books.

“Everything is on schedule for the hand. I’ve been using it at will with no problems. I’ll be ready to go on fight night. I never stopped working so the transition was very easy once the hand had healed.”

JOSESITO LOPEZ

“I can’t wait to show some new things that I’ve worked on in camp. I feel really strong, fast and quick and I’m excited to put it all together on fight night.

“Sparring with Mikey Garcia has been good for me. He’s a really intelligent fighter, he’s very precise and he does everything with a purpose. Being in there with him makes me a better fighter.

“I’m anxious to get back in the ring. I’ve worked hard with Robert Garcia on different game plans and perfecting my style. My body feels good and I’m ready to compete with the top fighters.

“Robert has a great gym in Riverside with a lot of talented fighters. We’re always working and you have to be ready to spar with anybody. The young guys have really given me good work and kept me on my toes, which I’ve needed these last few years.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Garcia’s Brother & Trainer

“Lipinets has power and we’re fighting in his weight division. Lipinets is the naturally bigger fighter and we know he’s a dedicated fighter. I’m sure he’s training like never before.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for Lipinets. Winning this fight puts him in a great position, so we have to be very careful. We can’t take him lightly, because it won’t be easy. But fighters like Mikey, with his skills, are sometimes able to overcome any disadvantage.

“Fighters like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao were able to move up in weight and still dominate, because of their great skills. Very few fighters are able to do that. We believe that Mikey is one of those special fighters.”

BUDDY MCGIRT, Lipinets’ Trainer

“The key is to not be one-dimensional. Sergey is going to give him different looks all night. Once he steps on the gas, we’ll see what Mikey’s made of.

“Mikey hasn’t fought anyone competitive since he came back. I believe it’s been awhile since Mikey’s been in a fight where he’s had to dig down and work. Once Sergey steps on the gas, we’ll see what’s inside of him. I don’t doubt him, because he comes from a family of great fighters and trainers. But sometimes that ring rust will kick in at a time when you can’t afford it.

“We’re prepared for any and everything. Once we get in there, we’ll give Mikey all we can when the time comes.

“We’re watching Sergey and we could tell if he’s hesitating or holding back when throwing his right hand. He hasn’t been doing that. It’s just a matter of time now. Everything is running on schedule.”

# # #

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports , www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @Ringstar @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/RingstarSports. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

QUOTES MATCHROOM BOXING USA NEW YORK CITY PRESS CONFERENCE

Brooklyn, NY (February 20, 2018) Matchroom Boxing USA held a press conference today in New York City to formally announce a sensational HBO World Championship Boxing double-header on Saturday, April 28, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Headlining the event, former Middleweight World Champion and BROOKLYN BOXING Ambassador DANIEL JACOBS, (33-2-0, 29 KO’s), returns for a 12-round middleweight showdown against undefeated world ranked Polish contender MACIEJ SULECKI, (26-0-0, 10 KO’s).

Opening the HBO telecast, undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight contender JARRELL ‘Big Baby MILLER, (20-0-1, 18 KO’s) faces former world title challenger, JOHANN “The Reptile” DUHAUPUS, (37-4-0, 24 KO’s), of Abbeville, France, over 12-rounds in a WBA World Heavyweight Title Eliminator.

Also returning to Barclays Center on the non-televised portion, WBA Lightweight Women’s World Champion KATIE TAYLOR, (8-0-0, 4 KO’s) of Bray, Ireland will fight in a 10-round world title unification against IBF Lightweight Women’s Champion VICTORIA BUSTOS, (18-4-0), of Rosario, Argentina.

Tickets to the event start at $42 and go On Sale This Friday, February 23 at 10 a.m. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center beginning Saturday, February 24 at noon. For information on group sales, call 844.255.9647.

Below are quotes from the participants along with EDDIE HEARN, President of Matchroom Boxing.

DANIEL JACOBS

“HBO believes in me and I am going to make sure I do my part. Maciel Sulecki is a tough competitor. Luis Arias was all talk, he didn’t give the fans what they were expecting. I believe Sulecki will bring a fight. He’s skillful and with his determination that makes him dangerous.”

“I know that I have to be at my best to make sure he doesn’t ruin my plans to rule the Middleweight division. Boxing is about the best fighting the best. Champions shouldn’t talk about what people bring to the table, they should fight the best.”

MACIEJ SULECKI

“This is my dream – when I was a kid I wanted to fight on HBO as a main event in New York – but it’s not a dream, I need to win this fight and I know I will win this fight. Everyone will know my name after this. Luis Arias was a clown who only talked, he was scared of Danny – I’m not. I’m a Polish warrior and you will see that in a really big war.”

JARRELL MILLER

“Johann Duhaupus is a tough guy man – he’s boxed some good guys and put on good performances at short notice. He’s got a full camp to fight me so I have to bring the best Big Baby to the show. Being big is a privilege, don’t hate on it, I have the biggest punch output in the division so Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder can’t walk me down. Come April 28 – the French fry is going to get cooked!”

JOHANN DUHAUPUS

“I can’t wait to come to New York City to fight, I’m so excited and I know that this is the most important fight of my career – Jarrell is a great talent and a dangerous fighter, but this is a huge chance for me and I won’t let it slip by.”

KATIE TAYLOR

“I’m so excited to be in Barclays Center again. It’s a huge fight for me against a great opponent, one of the longest reigning champions but I’m training hard already and I know I can deliver a big performance. Last year was huge for me but it was only the start and I believe that 2018 will be even bigger.”

EDDIE HEARN

“There’s a saying in the UK and I’ll use it here – this is boxing porn. We have Brooklyn, Poland, France, Ireland, Argentina and England.”

“We joined HBO for many reasons, but the main one was to get Danny Jacobs a shot at the winner of Canelo vs. GGG and I’m going to be doing everything I can to make that happen. Danny showed he was elite against Luis Arias. Now he’s got to take on a dangerous guy in Maciej Sulecki and he knows that, he has the fear and that is going to make Danny so dangerous.”

“The Heavyweight division is blowing up now. Miller vs. Duhaupas is a massive fight for the division – and I think the winner is in line for a shot at Anthony Joshua. We are talking to Barclays Center about Anthony Joshua fighting in Brooklyn, and against Miller that would be huge.”

“Katie Taylor has won it all as an amateur and she’s taught me that it’s not about women’s boxing – it’s about boxing. Katie is the best female fighter on the planet – no question. The Irish will be out in force and do not miss this girl fight, she’s incredible.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

#JacobsSulecki

Twitter

@DanielJacobsTKO

@BigBabyMiller

@SuleckiMaciej

@KatieTaylor

@MatchroomBoxing

@EddieHearn

@HBOboxing

@BarclaysCenter

@Brooklyn_Boxing

TAYLOR: I’LL STEAL THE SHOW IN BROOKLYN

Katie Taylor has vowed to steal the show when she faces Victoria Bustos in a WBA and IBF World Lightweight title unification clash at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday April 28 live on Sky Sports.

Taylor puts her title on the line for the second time after the Irish star landed the title in Cardiff in October in Cardiff against Anahi Sanchez and successfully defended it against Chicago’s Jessica McCaskill in London in December.

Long-reigning IBF champion Bustos is in her sixth defence of the IBF strap she won back in September 2013, all in her native Argentina, and the 29 year old has also fought for the WBC Super-Lightweight strap in her impressive career at the top level.

The Irish sensation returns to the venue for her American debut in July before she won the WBA strap, and Taylor believes that on a show topped by Brooklyn favourites Daniel Jacobs and Jarrell Miller, she can deliver a show-stealing performance.

“I’m so excited to be fighting in the Barclays Center again,” said Taylor. “It’s a huge fight for me against a great opponent, one of the longest reigning champions but I’m training hard already and I know I can deliver a big performance and put on the fight of the night.

“Last year was huge for me but it was only the start and I believe that 2018 will be even bigger. Unifying the Lightweight division was a goal of mine from day one in the pros and I want to have all the belts by the end of the year.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “Katie won it all as an amateur and she’s ready to dominate as a pro. Katie has taught me that it’s not about women’s boxing – it’s about boxing.

“Katie is the best female fighter on the planet – no question. The Irish will be out in force and do not miss watching this girl fight, she’s incredible.”

Taylor’s clash with Bustos is part of a huge night of boxing in Brooklyn as Jacobs faces dangerous Polish power-puncher Maciej Sulecki and Miller meets Johann Duhaupas in an eliminator for the WBA World Heavyweight title.

Tickets to the event start at $42 and go on sale Friday, February 23 at 10 a.m. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center beginning Saturday, February 24 at noon. For information on group sales, call 844.255.9647.

Confident Holzken: Fans should expect the unexpected on Saturday!

Callum Smith (23-0. 17 KOs) and Nieky Holzken (13-0, 10 KOs) faced off for the first time at a media workout before their Trophy Semi-Final on Saturday at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung.

“I am stepping up to meet one of the big guys in the super middleweight division,” said Holzken at the public workout. “But the fans can expect the unexpected on Saturday. I am here to beat Callum Smith.”

Callum Smith’s original opponent Germany’s Juergen Braehmer revealed yesterday he would be unable to compete in the semi-final because of a feverish infection.

The World Boxing Super Series’ format meant unbeaten Holzken was already on standby as a reserve.

After months of preparations, WBC Diamond Champion Callum Smith was forced to switch focus to a new challenge.

“Holzken looks like a good fighter,” said Smith after watching Holzken hitting the pads. “It really doesn’t matter who I am facing on Saturday. I wasn’t happy about my performance against Erik Skoglund in the quarter-final, but this time I will make a statement. Not only to the boxing fans, but also to George Groves. I want to put on a good show on Saturday,” said Smith.

Tickets for exciting match-up Smith vs. Holzken are available via eventim.de.

Cusumano: “Latham will feel my power!”

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 20th, 2018) — There’s nothing better in boxing right now than being a heavyweight contender in what is now a wide-open weight class, unless you’re a heavyweight who happens to hit like a runaway freight train.

Meet Juiseppe Angelo Cusumano, the hard-hitting, heavy-handed Sicilian who’d like nothing more than to throw his hat in the proverbial ring as the next great heavyweight champion.

The time is now; with the Klitschko brothers no longer hoarding every belt under the sun, there are currently three fighters sharing the four major world championships, which means there are far more open roads to success than there were when Wladimir and Vitali held each belt for periods of nine and five years, respectively.

For what it’s worth, the Klitschko brothers boast two of the top 10 longest individual title reigns in heavyweight boxing history with Wladimir’s nine-year, seven-month, six-day stranglehold on the IBF, WBO and WBO belts ranking behind only Joe Louis (11 years, eight months, eight days) for the longest ever, but those days are long gone.

Right now, it’s world champions Anthony Joshua (WBA, IBF), Deontay Wilder (WBC) and Joseph Parker (WBO) in the crosshairs of every heavyweight with a puncher’s chance, and Cusumano (13-1, 11 KOs) is confident 2018 will be the year he serves notice to the rest of the division that perhaps there’s a new challenger on the block.

“I want to give it my all,” said Cusumano, who fights again Friday night at Twin River Casino. “The heavyweight division is open and I’m going to have to do everything I need to do to be the best I can be.”

Before he sets his sights on the top dogs in the division, Cusumano must first take care of Pittsburgh’s Fred Latham (9-1-2, 5 KOs), by far his toughest test to date. Their six-round heavyweight showdown is the co-feature of CES Boxing’s 2018 season opener, which streams live on Facebook via FIGHTNIGHT LIVE beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Cusumano has won 11 consecutive fights dating back to his only career loss in 2012 and has resurfaced under the promotional guidance of CES Boxing following a two-year layoff in which poor management and alcohol abuse kept him away from the gym. Feeling as though he’d missed his shot, Cusumano considered walking away from boxing until Danville, Va., trainer Marcus Luck rolled the dice on the 6-foot-4 heavyweight and introduced him to CES Boxing president Jimmy Burchfield Sr.

The rest is history. Since signing with CES Boxing, Cusumano scored three scintillating knockout wins in a three-month span in 2017 and might’ve made it 4-for-4 in December were it not for a brief bout with pneumonia postponing his scheduled fight against Brandon Johnson.

At 29, Cusumano knows this is the year he needs to assert himself. No more distractions or layoffs, just a heavy focus on his craft. He recently hired a new strength and conditioning coach, who has forced him to push his body to the limit.

“He’s really kicked my butt,” he said. “You’ll see my body when I get up there.”

Cusumano has shared his progress with fans via social media, including a photo of him training underwater, a mirror image of the iconic snapshot of all-time great Muhammad Ali standing at the bottom of a Miami swimming pool in 1961.

The message is clear: Cusumano is hungry again, and that’s potentially bad news for the rest of his weight class.

“Each fight, I feel like I’m getting better and better,” he said. “A three-year layoff is a long time, so after these three fights I’ve just had, I get more motivated. I get more into it.”

He also knows plenty about Latham, who recently starred on the long-running ShoBox: The New Generation series on Showtime against Junior Fa in November. Cusumano has actually sparred with some of Latham’s previous opponents.

“He’s got a pawing jab and he doesn’t like to fight, really. He likes stay away and score points from a distance and stuff, so I’m going to have to attack,” Cusumano said. “He has problems every time someone attacks. I know he fought Keith Barr [in 2015] and Keith Barr is not that big of a guy and he’s not good, but he was able to land a lot of big punches on Fred just because of the pressure he was putting on him.

“I’m going to have to keep pressure on him and let him feel my power early and let him know it’s going to be a very long night if he wants to stay in that ring.”

With each fight up north, the Danville resident becomes more and more of a fan-favorite in Rhode Island, particularly in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, a predominantly Italian-American community.

He promises to look leaner than ever, even though he stills weights close to usual number of 235 pounds, and he’s adamant he’s not looking too far ahead. When asked about the other contenders his division, Cusumano simply says, “One at a time.”

“This fight is only [three days] away so I’m pretty focused on that right now and this week is about getting my energy back, rebuilding, because, like I said, I’ve been killing it,” he said. “Now I’ve just got to get that energy back and the night of the fight I should feel like Superman.”

Undefeated prospect Jamaine Ortiz (7-0, 4 KOs) of Worcester, Mass., faces Laredo, Tex., veteran Victor Rosas (9-7, 3 KOs) in a six-round lightweight bout and junior welterweight Anthony Marsella Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs) of Providence returns for his seventh consecutive fight at Twin River in a six-round bout against Cancun, Mexico native Israel Villela (6-8, 2 KOs).

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, or follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING.

Igor Mikhalkin Stands Face-to-Face with Destiny In New York On Saturday, March 3

Hamburg, Germany) –
Certain nations have always been known for producing boxing talent: Mexico, Great Britain, the Philippines, Japan and, of course, the United States.

And now Russia stands on the brink of joining this elite company. The latest Russian import from Irkutsk in eastern Siberia, light heavyweight Igor Mikhalkin (21-1, 9 KOs), faces the greatest challenge of his career as he makes his United States debut. Two-Time Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (31-2-1, 27 KOs) will test Mikhalkin’s mettle in the 12-round main event at The Theater at Madison Square Garden Saturday, March 3 televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

“It has to do with the Russian way of life, our discipline. Russian fighters in general always have a big heart and a big will to win. We strive for the best. This willingness to win is why so many Russians are fighting on March 3,” said Mikhalkin.

Mikhalkin says fighting Kovalev was inevitable. “I didn’t think until recent it was possible, but the way my career and Sergey’s career were moving, it was inevitable we would have to fight each other. It’s destiny we would see each other in a boxing ring,” said Mikhalkin.

Mikhalkin and Kovalev aren’t strangers; far from it, in fact. The two fought side-by-side as teammates in their amateur days two decades ago. Mikhalkin says, “What I remember of Sergey from those day, he was always working and training really hard, and doing his job as a boxer. Since then, I’ve seen every one of his fights and I respect him for what he has done.”

Mikhalkin said Kovalev’s style hasn’t changed much since he acquired solid fundamentals during his amateur days and he’s taken this training forward.

A win against Kovalev would change everything for him, said Mikhalkin. “I’m not as well known, but I get to fight a very popular opponent, a very dangerous opponent with lots of fans. It would change everything in my life.”

“For me, this is a once in a lifetime thing,” he continued. “Even though I am not well known, I don’t think Sergey will take this as an easy fight. He’s not underestimating who Igor is as a not-so-well-known name.”

Mikhalkin also said that it is a “big deal” for Russian boxing fans, who will be watching in his hometown and throughout the nation. The fight airs in Irkutsk at about 12 noon on Sunday. “It’s a comfortable time, Sunday at noon. It’s definitely going to be something everyone will be watching. There couldn’t be a better time to watch boxing,” said Mikhalkin.

Also watching will be Mikhalkin’s family. Both his father and brother were professional boxers. “They are proud of me. I have a great opportunity. They are a bit worried for me and are giving me all their support,” said Mikhalkin. Have they given him any advice? With a laugh, Mikhalkin said, “What they said was ‘Train well, train hard, do things the right way.”

Mikhalkin said his three-year-old son, Makar, will also be on his mind. “Things changed in my life when my son was born. It’s great motivation. I started to value things differently. I will do anything for my son to provide for him, and give him a great life,” said proud father Mikhalkin.

For fans who’ve never seen Mikhalkin, he says seeing is believing. “When it comes to my boxing style, it doesn’t matter what I say now. It’s better to see me fight. On March 3rd, people in New York and America will see what I’m made of as a boxer. All you need to know about me is that I’m a good person,” said Mikhalkin.

About March 3: The Saturday, March 3 main event between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev and Igor Mikhalkin is a 12-round match-up for the WBO Light Heavyweight World Title at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The co-main event features WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol versus Sullivan Barrera in a 12-round title fight. Tickets range from $50 to $300 and are available at TicketMaster.com and the Madison Square Garden box office. The event is promoted by Main Events, Krusher Promotions and World of Boxing in association with EC Box Promotions and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE ROCKS ON SATURDAY, FEB. 24 WITH MURPHY’S BOXING MATINEE AS WEEKEND TRIPLEHEADER CONTINUES

NEW YORK (Feb. 20, 2018) – Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE continues its tripleheader weekend with a Murphys Boxing matinee on Saturday, live from the Mohegan Sun Ballroom in Connecticut. Fight fans from across the nation and around the globe can catch an outstanding card with international appeal on any device wherever Facebook is available from 3-7 p.m., brought to fans by the promotion born out of the Dropkick Murphys popular Celtic punk band.

“Times are changing for boxing just like streaming changed music. With the built-in audiences we have we are reaching a higher viewership with our streams than many of the televised fight cards are these days. We are proud of the fights we are putting on and the big audiences we are drawing, and it’s great for our fighters to get the exposure,” said Ken Casey, Dropkick Murphys Frontman and President and Founder, Murphys Boxing.

Recently hitting the 1,000,000 views mark, Saturday afternoon’s show continues FIGHTNIGHT LIVE’s historic Feb. 23-24 back-to-back-to-back Friday and Saturday shows spanning from the casinos of New England to the Boardwalk of Atlantic City. The Dropkick Murphys are live in concert at Mohegan Sun Arena for fans onsite after Murphys Boxing, but ringside access on the Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE channel takes viewers to the Jersey Shore after the closing bell in Uncasville, Conn.

“We’re excited about Saturday, and also to begin a two-fight promotion with Murphys Boxing,” said Mark Fratto, Principal of Linacre Media. “The card is filled with undefeated up-and-comers with international appeal, and Facebook is a terrific medium to deliver these great fights and outstanding athletes to a global audience. We’re thrilled that the Murphys are part of the action and can’t wait to hoist a pint with them during our St. Patrick’s Day show in Boston as well.”

Murphys Boxing action at Mohegan Sun on Saturday afternoon features a battle for the WBA-NABA light heavyweight title between undefeated Charles Foster (14-0, 8 KOs) of New Haven, Conn. and Justin Thomas (19-3, 7 KOs) of Baton Rouge, La. A bevy of unbeaten battlers will be featured on a packed undercard that includes heavyweight Niall Kennedy (10-0, 6 KOs), super featherweight William Foster III (4-0, 3 KOs), super middleweight Carlos Gongora (10-0, 8 KOs), super featherweight Abraham Nova (9-0, 8 KOs) and super lightweight Ray Jay Bermudez (2-0, 1 KO).

The FIGHTNIGHT LIVE page on Facebook has more than 80,000 fans and more than 82,000 followers. And Facebook itself has taken notice – the world’s No. 1 social network recently profiled FIGHTNIGHT LIVE on its “Success Stories” media blog, noting the series’ use of industry best practices for production and interactivity: https://www.facebook.com/facebookmedia/success-stories/fightnight

On Saturday afternoon, Feb. 24, live from live from Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn., fans can expect a high-impact, multi-camera streaming experience complete with graphics, animations, replays, interviews and an announce team anchored by blow-by-blow announcer Vladimir Lik of The RING, Round By Round Boxing and the Russian language newspaper Russkaya Reklama, and analyst Xavier Porter of BrooklynFights.com and Notorious Boxing. To provide spectators with a fully-interactive ringside experience, commentators will ask and respond to questions from the Facebook audience throughout the broadcast.

More FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Winter/Spring 2018 dates will be officially announced in the coming weeks.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online at: https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/

J Russell Peltz reflects on his favorite fights in Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY – February 20, 2018 – Boxing in Atlantic City has been prevalent for more than 45 years. One man who has been in the center of a lot of the action on the boardwalk has been International Boxing and Atlantic City Boxing Hall-of-Fame promoter and matchmaker J Russell Peltz.

The Philadelphia legend, who has promoted scores of cards in the shore town, is making matches for the February 24 card at The Showboat Hotel that will feature Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna vs. Gabriel “Tito” Bracero in a 10-round battle for the WBC Fecarbox Welterweight championship.

“I did my first fight in 1973,” said Peltz, who has run shows in just about every property in Atlantic City.

It is only fitting that Peltz is the matchmaker with promoter Rising Star Promotions in the South Jersey based promotional outfit’s effort to bring Atlantic City back to prominence as the the premier fight destination on the East Coast.

Peltz is hoping LaManna-Bracero is added to the memorable bouts that Peltz has been involved in Atlantic City:

1. August 31, 1981 at The Sands Hotel–Frank Fletcher vs Ernie Singletary.(PRISM)

“The fight was televised by local cable channel PRISM (Jim Barniak and Bob Wright, both deceased, did the commentary) and it was for Fletcher’s USBA middleweight title.

“This was the most brutal fight I ever saw, even more brutal than Matthew Saad Muhammad-Marvin Johnson I. This was a closet classic since few saw it on PRISM. The fight was toe-to-toe for seven rounds, no knockdowns, until ringside doctor stopped it between the seventh and eighth round. They coukd have fought this one in a phone booth.

“Singletary was taken to hospital after fight.

“Later, when we couldn’t find Fletcher, we broke into his hotel room, and he was out cold on the floor. We couldn’t get an ambulance so we (Marty Feldman and I) put him in the back of a police wagon and rode with him to the hospital where the doctor told us if we hadn’t found him he would have been dead.

“Singletary kept saying in the pre-fight buildup that no 12-2 TV fighter was gonna beat him. This was a reference to Fletcher getting into the first ESPN tournament and winning while Singletary had been plying his trade for years (24-2 then) and never got that kind of exposure, just on PRISM. Actually, Fletcher already had been on NBC once, beating Norberto Sabater.”

2. September 9, 1980 from Resorts–Mike Rossman vs. Al Bolden (PRISM)

“Ex-WBA light-heavyweight Rossman was getting beat up every round for 8 1/2 rounds against Al Bolden, of Pittsburgh, PA, and finally found a little light late in round 9 and came on to knock Bolden out at 2:32 of the 10th round and salvage the win. Bolden took the second knockdown in the 10th on his knees.”

3. March 13, 1983 from Resorts–Jeff Chandler – Gaby Canizalez (ABC)

“Jeff Chandler, in the most brilliant performance of his Hall-of-Fame career out-boxed, out-punched and out-muscled future champion Gaby Canizales, of Texas, over 15 rounds to defend his WBA bantamweight title for the seventh time by unanimous decision. No one thought he could stand up under Canizales’ body attack but it was Chandler’s body and head attack that kept Canizales at bay for the entire fight. Just magnificent.”

4. March 2, 1985 from the Sands Hotel–Gary Hinton vs Aaron Pryor (ABC)

“Unknown lefty Gary Hinton gave IBF 140 pound world champ Aaron Pryor all he could handle, but a 14th-round knockdown helped Pryor gain a 15-round split decision with Sylvester Stallone in attendance. He was our partner at the time with Pryor. It was Pryor’s last successful title defense.”

5. November 19, 2011 from Ballys–Garrett Wilson vs. Chuck Mussachio

“Moving from light heavyweight to cruiserweight, Mussachio appeared to have out-boxed Wilson for 11 rounds in their USBA cruiserweight title fight, but Wilson drilled Mussachhio with a monstrous overhand right 41 seconds into the 12th round for the knockout win.”

Besides LaManna vs. Bracero, a terrific undercard has been assembled featuring undefeated fighters: light-heavyweight Frederick Julan (8-0, 6 KOs), of Brooklyn, NY; super middleweight Darren Goodall (5-0, 4 KOs), of New Milford, NJ; middleweight Omar Kabary Salem (1-0), of Brooklyn, NY; super lightweight Jahmal Dyer (4-0, 2 KOs), of Baltimore, MD.

FIGHT NIGHT TICKETS: $150, $80 and $55 and can be purchased at: www.risingboxingpromotions.com

STAR BOXING RETURNS TO THE PARAMOUNT ON MARCH 16TH FOR ROCKIN’ FIGHTS

Long Island, New York, February 19, 2018

Star Boxing’s critically acclaimed ‘Rockin’ Fights’ returns to the Paramount, Long Island’s premier venue, on March 16. The show is bound to be yet another sellout at the unique venue.

Star Boxing’s series at The Paramount has developed some of Long Island and Star Boxing’s biggest stars, like former world champion Chris Algieri, light heavyweight star Joe Smith Jr. and jr. welterweight knockout artist Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin.

Star Boxing has also brought in talent from all over the world to the Paramount including two-time world champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (Rhode Island), and former world champion, Joshua Clottey (Ghana, Africa).

Rockin’ Fights at The Paramount has continuously sold out (this is Star Boxing’s 30th show there) with a Long Island crowd that fills the venue with unrivaled energy. The series has even brought out the likes of celebrities such as actor Burt Young, famously known for his role in Rocky and hip-hop artist and actor LL Cool J, amongst many others.

The Rockin’ Fights series at The Paramount offers an affordable and extremely entertaining night out, that is guaranteed to see action packed professional fighting from the opening bout, through the main event.

On March 16th, Star Boxing plans to make the 30th edition of Rockin’ Fights yet another thrilling night of entertainment.

Get your tickets early, before they sell out! This night of fights is something you will not want to miss. Get your tickets HERE.

TELEMUNDO DEPORTES KICKS OFF “BOXEO TELEMUNDO” SPRING SEASON WITH A MEXICO VS PUERTO RICO BATTLE FOR THE WBO REGIONAL FLYWEIGHT TITLE ON FEBRUARY 23

MIAMI, Fla. – February 20, 2018 – Telemundo Deportes kicks off the 2018 spring season premiere of “Boxeo Telemundo Ford,” the #1 Spanish-language boxing program in the U.S., this Friday, Feb. 23 at 11:30 p.m. ET, live from the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. The season will open with an event featuring Mexican Ricardo “Meserito” Rodríguez, 16-5 (5 KOs) and Puerto Rican Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez, 19-2-1 (12 KOs) battling for the WBO Regional Flyweight Title.

Telemundo and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo app will broadcast live with commentators René Giraldo and Edgar López from the venues calling the bouts.

The season opener will have Mexican title contender Rodriguez looking to redeem himself from the last performances and extend his undefeated winning streak versus Puerto Rican fighters with a 5-0 record in regional title fights. Rodriguez will face Gonzalez – nicknamed “Bomba” because of his past explosive knockouts – who recently signed with All Star Boxing, Inc. after gaining an International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) Youth World Championship title and two Puerto Rican championships. Gonzalez has used the recent natural disasters in Puerto Rico as a motivation to fight for all those who have been affected and is ready to make his debut on Telemundo.

The undercard for the 2018 spring season premiere will feature Olympians Antonio Vargas (5-0-3 KOs) of Kissimmee, Florida and Jeyvier Cintron (2-0-1 KO) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Vargas represented team USA in Rio in 2016 and will be coming off a spectacular win over undefeated prospect Jonathan Garza last November. Cintron was the first and only two-time Olympian boxer to have represented Puerto Rico in the amateur ranks, and he is looking to make up for the lost time after the natural disasters that hit the island by staying very busy in 2018, starting with this bout.

“Boxeo Telemundo Ford” 2018 spring season will continue on March 2 with an exciting bout between David “Severo” Carmona and Jesus “Azul” Iribe for the vacant World Boxing Council Latin Bantamweight Title. On March 9, Telemundo returns to Mexico City for another all-Mexican bout, featuring Gilberto “Yaqui” Parra, who is ranked among the top ten in the world in his weight class, and Saúl “Baby” Juárez for the World Boxing Council Latin Light Flyweight Title.

The “Boxeo Telemundo Ford” season will be broadcast live on Telemundo and live streamed on Telemundo Deportes En Vivo app and will be complemented with extensive news and content on TelemundoDeportes.com, including access to the weigh-in and exclusive behind the scenes content. “Boxeo Telemundo Ford,” the longest-running boxing program on U.S. Spanish-language television, debuted in 1989. Since then it has showcased more than 50 world champions, including Erik Morales, Felix Tito Trinidad, Wilfredo Vazquez, Daniel Zaragoza, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, Oscar “Chololo” Larios and Israel “El Magnífico” Vazquez, earning a reputation as the show “where champions are born.” “Boxeo Telemundo Ford” wrapped up 2017 with its highest fourth quarter ever among adults 18-49 with 227,000 and 480,000 total viewers, according to Nielsen.

Luis Ortiz Training Camp Notes

MIAMI (February 20, 2018) – Unbeaten heavyweight contender Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz is finally nearing his first world title opportunity as he prepares to take on WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder Saturday, March 3 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The Premier Boxing Champions event will see undefeated former 154-pound champion Jermall Charlo take on Hugo Centeno, Jr. for the interim WBC middleweight title in the co-feature. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with top super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell battling hard-hitting Jose Uzcategui in a rematch for the IBF Interim 168-pound world title.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, start at $50 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, BarclaysCenter.com, or call 800-745-3000. Tickets for the event can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

Ortiz spoke on a variety of topics as he heads into the highly anticipated showdown with Wilder. Here is what Ortiz had to say from training camp in Miami:

On Deontay Wilder…

“He’s talking too much. He’s going to have to back that up in the ring. He says he’s going to kill ‘King Kong.’ He’s going to knock me out. I want to watch him try. I’m not like those other guys he fought. I’m a real fighter. Tough and with a lot of experience. I’ve been fighting since I was 10 years old.

“He doesn’t intimidate me. His trash talk makes me laugh. It’s just a lot of noise. I’m hungry. I’m doing this for my family. He better take me seriously because he’s going to find himself on the canvas before he knows it. I’m going to show the world who ‘King Kong’ is.”

On his confrontation with Wilder after Ortiz’s last fight…

“Someone told me Wilder was in the crowd, I smiled. I was glad to see him. I knew what he wanted.

“I’m not the kind that likes to trash talk, but I’ve had it with this guy. He talks too much. He has a big mouth. He has insulted me and has said too many dumb things. So when I saw him ringside I told him to get inside the ring and to tell the world once and for all that he was going to fight me. He says he wants to fight the top fighters. I’m a top fighter. Let’s do it.”

On testing positive for a banned substance during training for the first scheduled fight against Wilder…

“A lot of people that believe in me and know me well, know that I would not do anything that can jeopardize my future as a boxer. I have too much at stake: my family, my children and the possibility to provide for them.

“I had been taking that medicine for two years. It was my mistake not to disclose that prescription drug in the paperwork. I never thought a prescription was going to bring me so much trouble. I was taking this medicine to treat high blood pressure, but apparently it’s also used to go to the bathroom a lot and mask other things. I drink two gallons of water per day. I go to the bathroom a lot already. I never put two and two together. I’m clean. The dose they found in my system was too low to mask anything at all. If I would have known this prescription drug was not allowed, I would have told my trainer and my doctor.

“I’m a heavyweight I don’t need to make weight. Why am I going to go to the trouble of taking an illegal substance that makes you go to the bathroom a lot? I have no need. I simply didn’t know it was banned. If I would have known, I would have said something to my trainer or to the doctors.

“I think the fight was not meant to be at that point in time last year. Destiny played a part. It was supposed to be postponed. Now there are no excuses.”

On how important this fight is for him…

“Every fight I’ve had in my career has been important. The key is always to avoid thinking that it’s win or die because that can put you off center. So the way I see it is that this fight is important for me because I have to win it. And I’m going to. It’s a world championship, but for me it’s just another day at work. My only goal is to win this fight. Win. Win. Win. By winning this fight, everything else unfolds. I get a title and I help my family.”

On what’s going to happen on fight night…

“When I get in the ring, all I will be thinking about is the strategy we put together in the gym. My family is always there. They go to every fight. That was my promise to them when I had to leave them behind in Cuba to come to the United States. They will come with me wherever I go. If I gas out, I look at them and they keep me going. They are my motivation and they will help me achieve this victory.”

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and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Holzken replaces Braehmer as Smith’s Ali Trophy opponent

Undefeated Dutch super middleweight Nieky Holzken replaces Juergen Braehmer as Callum Smith’s Ali Trophy opponent after the German veteran was forced to withdraw from Saturday’s semi-final showdown in Nuremberg.

Braehmer has been suffering from influenza and yesterday revealed he would be unable to compete against Smith at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung.

“I have been battling a feverish infection since Sunday,” said Braehmer. “Unfortunately, a fight in this state is out of the question. It is not possible for me to go into the ring like this and I would like to apologise to my fans. I was well prepared and looking forward to fighting Callum.”

The World Boxing Super Series’ format meant Holzken was already on standby as a reserve, and as the tournament’s Chief Boxing Officer Kalle Sauerland explains he will now have the opportunity to earn a place opposite WBA & IBO World Champion George Groves in the final.

“It is unfortunate for Braehmer particularly after such as strong showing in his quarter-final fight with Rob Brant,” said Kalle Sauerland. “Fortunately, we are prepared for such eventualities and the tournament will move forward with our reserve fighter Nieky Holzken facing Callum Smith in our fourth semi-final.”

Holzken, who had been preparing to face Russia’s Dmitrii Chudinov, insists he is ready to gatecrash the World Boxing Super Series party, and the fighter from Helmond, Holland has already issued some words of warning for his new opponent Smith.

“I’ve been waiting for this chance to come,” said Holzken. “I signed up as a substitute fighter so I’m in great shape and prepared for Saturday. I’ve watched Callum fight many times. I study everyone in my weight division. He’s a good, solid fighter. We’re both big body punchers. It will make for an excellent fight.”

“Callum, you better be ready, because I am, and I’m coming to beat you!”

WBC Diamond Champion Callum Smith and his trainer Joe Gallagher have spent the last months preparing for veteran southpaw Braehmer, but the tournament’s 2nd seeded super middleweight must now switch his focus to this new challenge.

“I gave an interview last week and said it’s great there have been no drop-outs,” said Smith. “Looks like I spoke too soon.”

“We got the call as we were boarding the plane. I am committed to fighting on Saturday and will fight whoever the World Boxing Super Series puts in front of me.”

Heralded Prospect Ruben Villa Remains Undefeated with Unanimous Decision this Past Friday Night in Ontario, California

PHILADELPHIA, PENN./ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2017)- Heralded prospect Ruben Villa (10-0, 4 KOs) of Salinas, Calif. made it ten straight wins to start his career by outpointing veteran Juan Sandoval (15-18, 5 KOs) of Mexico. Scores: 59-55, 60-54 twice.

The bout was the co-feature this past Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.

Villa, 20, capitalized on his southpaw stance by landing a strong jab and countering with a right hook that routinely found its mark. Sandoval often looked confused and never managed to find any angles against the busier Villa.

“I just tried to keep the pressure on him from start to finish,” said Villa, who is co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “I think he fought a cautious fight, but I was still able to land a lot of punches in every round.”

Villa was most impressive in the fourth and fifth rounds when he delivered numerous sets of combinations that stunned the taller Sandoval. While Villa kept his unbeaten streak alive on Friday night, another, less recognizable streak ended. In his previous unanimous decision wins, Villa had won every round on every scorecard. On Friday night, one judge failed to give Villa all six rounds (59-55).

“That streak was bound to end sooner or later,” Villa said. “I’ll have to start another one.”

“Once again Ruben had a terrific outing on Friday night,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.

“Ruben continues his progression and development, and we are extremely pleased at where he is at. 2018 is going to be a big year for Ruben, as we will see him fight for some regional titles in the next 12-18 months.”

“Ruben looked impressive yet again against a veteran opponent,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing. “Ruben is developing and maturing quicker than we anticipated. He’ll be back in the ring very soon.”

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.

Groves injury update: I’m a fast healer

The WBA super-middleweight champion was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary hospital moments after his unanimous points win over Chris Eubank Jr.

The 29-year-old was practically fighting with just one arm for the last couple of minutes of the Ali Trophy semi-final at the Manchester Arena.

After attempting to throw a left jab, it became clear that his shoulder had popped out of place.

“The left shoulder just popped out in the 12th round,” said Groves. “The medical advice was to go straight to the A&E and have a look. They gave me a few X-rays and put it back in. I will get a few more scans and see a specialist and I we will look to see what the recovery time is. I have no pain now, I’m sure that is a good sign.”

The Ali Trophy super-middleweight finalist feels confident the injury will not affect his preparations for the final.

“I’m a fast healer. I broke my jaw in May and I was back training soon after. I have fought two times since then. I keep myself in shape, I live a clean life and it all aids to recovery time. The final is fast approaching and that is exciting for me so my body will re-heal fast. I’m in a confident frame of mind,” said Groves with a smile the day after Saturday’s dramatic fight.

“I was levels above Eubank in terms of boxing ability. Junior just felt short.”

Watch the full Groves vs Eubank Jr – The Day After documentary here.

‘Great Lakes King’ Ja’Rico O’Quinn to Face Kenya’s Nick Otieno This Friday in Warren, Michigan

2018 is shaping up to be an important year in the budding boxing career of undefeated Detroit-based bantamweight Ja’Rico “The Great Lakes King” O’Quinn.

“I’m looking to make my TV debut this year,” said O’Quinn, finishing up training for Friday’s fight. “From there, the sky is the limit. When I get on TV, I’m going to looks so good I’ll become an attraction that people want to see again and again.”

This Friday, February 23, on a show called “WAR IN WARREN,” at DeCarlo’s Banquet and Convention Center in Warren, Michigan, O’Quinn (7-0-1, 5 KOs) will kick off the year by facing Kenyan veteran Nick “Kanyankole” Otieno (31-12, 13 KOs) in a six-round showcase.

“Training went well,” he continued. “I’m putting the finishing touches on camp and making sure my weight is good. I know Otieno is a tough veteran who’s not coming to lay down. He’ll put up a good fight and I’m pretty sure he’s got some veteran tactics he’ll try to use in there. I’ll use my youth and skills to come out on top.”

A former number-one ranked national amateur champion, O’Quinn turned professional in 2015 and soon signed with the ever-growing promotional stable of Dmitriy Salita. Flashy and quick-fisted with good power, O’Quinn’s popularity with hometown fans seems to grow with every impressive performance.

“It’s a great feeling. I get a lot of love in Detroit. They chant my name. The crowd loves it. If you can make it out of Detroit, you can make it out of anywhere.”

O’Quinn says he won’t predict what will specifically happen against Otieno, only that he will continue to build his name.

“If it goes the distance, I see myself being dominant and showcasing my talents and skills for all six rounds. If it doesn’t go the distance, I’ll show them what I can do for a while and then get him out of there.”

Tickets for “WAR IN WARREN” are priced at $35/$65/$100 and are available by calling 313.655.7631. On fight night, doors at 7 pm. Action starts at 8. DeCarlo’s is located at 6015 E 10 Mile in Warren.

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About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe. For more information, visit salitapromotions.com.

Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Sign Undefeated Lightweight Zhora Hamazaryan to a Co-Promotional contract

PHILADELPHIA, PENN./ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2018) – Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions are pleased to announce the signing of undefeated lightweight prospect Zhora Hamazaryan to a co-promotional contract.

Hamazaryan, 22 years-old of Gyumri, Armenia, improved to 9-0 with 6 knockouts as he won his American debut this past Friday night when he scored a 4-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Sergio Ramirez in Ontario, California.

Hamazaryan is a three year-professional who had his previous eight victories in Russia.

In the bout against Ramirez, Hamazaryan dropped his opponent with a hard left hook in the second round. Hamazaryan was very impressive as he displayed heavy hands and had a crowd pleasing style.

“I’m pleased with the win,” Hamazaryan said. “He was a bit awkward, but it wasn’t enough to throw me off what I wanted to do.”

“Zhora had a terrific performance, and I am very pleased with his fight,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.

“He has only been in the United States for a couple weeks, and he will have a full camp here for his next fight, so I expect that he will be even better in his next bout. We feel that at 22 years old, he has a bright future, and I look forward to his watching his development.”

“Zhora made his U.S. debut a memorable one,” said Ken Thompson, President of Thompson Boxing. “He fought a very awkward fighter and was able to dominate him from the start. We like that he comes from an extensive amateur background and look forward to developing him further.”

PHOTOS BY Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing.

THE REAL DEAL BOXING and WORLD BOXING COUNCIL ANNOUNCE PARTICIPANTS FOR ‘JOSE SULAIMAN WORLD INVITATIONAL’ TOURNAMENT!!

NEW YORK CITY (February 19, 2018) Eight World Class Fighters in the welterweight division have been chosen for the inaugural ‘Jose Sulaiman World Invitational’ presented by Evander Holyfield’s The Real Deal Boxing in association with the World Boxing Council. The first round of the single elimination tournament will take place on Friday, April 27 at a location to be announced.

Fighters selected for the tournament include former world title challenger Felix Diaz,(19-2-0, 9 KO’s) of Santo Domingo, D.R., Johannesburg, South African native Chris van Heerden, (25-2-1, 12 KO’s), world ranked contender Fredrick Lawson, (26-1-0, 21 KO’s), from Accra, Ghana and undefeated Russian prospect Radzhab Butaev, (8-0-0,

6 KO’s).

Also included are Brad Solomon, (27-1-0, 9 KO’s), of Douglasville, Georgia, Timo Schwarzkopf, (18-1-0, 10 KO’s), of Stuttgart, Germany, Derrieck Cuevas, (16-0-1, 13 KO’s) of Catano, Puerto Rico, and Baishanbo Nasiyiwula, (13-1-1, 6 KO’s) of Urumqi, China.

Four alternates have also agreed to participate in the case of injury to one of the participants including Mexico’s Mauricio Pintor, (20-3-1, 13 KO’s), Paddy Gallagher, (13-3-0, 8 KO’s) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Sergiy Lubkovich, (7-0-0, 6 KO’s) of Kostroma, Russia and Francisco Santana, (26-6-1, 12 KO’s) of Santa Barbara, CA.

Boxing fans can vote to decide on the first-round matchups at The Real Deal Boxing website, www.TheRealDealBoxing.com starting NOW with the voting ending at on Monday, February 26 at 12:00 p.m. ET. First round matchups will be announced at the tournament’s kick-off press conference on Wednesday, February 28.

“This is an excellent selection of highly talented and very hungry fighters from all over the world,” said Holyfield. “The first round is a great opportunity for fans to be involved in choosing the matchups they want to see.”

2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Diaz stamped his named as one of the division’s top contenders with a dominant 10-round decision over rising star Sammy Vasquez on July 16, 2016. Prior to that Diaz had also compiled wins against other top contenders Adrian Granados, Gabriel Bracero and Emmanuel Lartey.

Most recently Diaz battled unified world champion Terence Crawford on May 20, 2017 at Madison Square Garden, coming up short against the undefeated pound-for-pound chart topper.

Now living and training in Santa Monica, CA, van Heerden will be looking to continue his winning streak with two sensational victories in his last two fights.

On October 22, 2016, van Heerden returned home in South Africa with a 12-round unanimous decision over Sacky Shikukutu at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park. Prior to that van Herdeen won a 10-round decision over Steve Claggett on April 16, 2016 in Las Vegas.

Among the other notable wins on van Heerden’s ledger are Ray Narh, Kaizer Mabuza, Matthew Hatton and Cosme Rivera. In his only defeat, the southpaw lost a hotly contested fight against the division’s top star Errol Spence on September 11, 2015.

Fighting out of Chicago, IL, Lawson won the vacant WBC International Silver Welterweight Title in Accra, Ghana with a 12-round decision over Sakima Mullings on March 11, 2017. Following that up on November 18, 2017, Lawson stopped Fidel Munoz in the third round in New York City.

In his seven years as a professional Lawson has also defeated contenders Ray Narh, Breidis Prescott and Mohammed Kayongo.

Just 24-years-old, the Russian born Butaev had an extraordinary amateur career compiling a record of 304-12. Although having the potential to participate in the 2016 Olympics, Butaev chose to turn professional in March 2016.

Now based in Brooklyn, New York, Butaev most recently won a nationally televised unanimous decision over then undefeated Janer Gonzalez on November 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. His previous three fights in 2017 ended in early, show stopping knockouts over Sherzodbek Alimjanov, Abraham Alvarez and Bakhrom Payazov.

Solomon returns to action in the tournament following an impressive unanimous decision victory over David Bency on July 29, 2017 in Panama. Among the other notable names on his ledger in his ten years as a professional are wins over Adrian Granados, Raymond Serrano, Freddy Hernandez, Ray Robinson, Kenny Abril, Wilfredo Negron and Kenny Galarza.

Solomon’s only loss came in a very hotly contested and controversial 10-round split decision to Konstantin Ponomarev on April 9, 2016 in Las Vegas.

The 26-year-old Schwarzkopf is currently riding a four-bout winning streak and will be fighting for the first time in the United States having entered the tournament.

The Kosovo born Schwarzkopf’s most recent wins include victories over Massimilliano Ballsai, Artem Haroyan, Gianluca Frezza and Tomas Urbaneja. His career also includes a victory over former world champion Junior Witter.

Schwartzkopf’s only loss came in a ten-round decision to top contender Anthony Yigit on March 21, 2015.

The undefeated Cuevas scored two stoppage victories in 2017, a third rounder against Tomas Mendez on June 17 and previously a fifth-round knockout of Juan Jesus Rivera on February 3, both in Puerto Rico.

Cuevas will also be fighting in the United States on April 27 in Louisville in the first round of the tournament.

Rounding out the eight participants, Baishanbo “The Destroyer” Nasiyiwula will also be fighting in the United States for the first time.

A professional since February 2015, Nasiyiwula is coming off his career best victory, an eighth-round knockout of John Ruba on January 20, 2018 in Shenzhen, China.

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Isaac Zarate Claims Close Victory over Christian Ayala on Friday Night

ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2018) – In a tightly contested main event, Isaac Zarate (14-3-3, 2 KOs) pulled away in the second half against the very mobile Christian Ayala (12-2, 4 KOs) to win by unanimous decision (78-74, 77-75 twice) on Friday night.

Zarate, a southpaw from San Pedro, Calif., had trouble finding his range in the early rounds. Ayala smartly countered Zarate and kept him off balance. By the fourth round, however, Zarate discovered his jab and mixed in uppercuts to pull the tide in his favor.

“I was patient all night long,” said Zarate, who sparred with WBA super bantamweight champion Danny Roman to prepare for this fight. “I knew he would get tired and start dropping his hands. Once he did I knew I would be able to throw the uppercuts.”

Zarate battled through multiple cuts caused by accidental head butts. Zarate suffered cuts above his left eye in the fourth round and below his right eye in the eighth. Despite those setbacks, he was able to battle through and claim victory.

“I expected a tough fight,” Zarate said. “I just stuck with my game plan and that was enough to get the win.”

In the 6-round co-feature, Ruben Villa (10-0, 4 KOs) of Salinas, Calif. made it ten straight wins to start his career by outpointing veteran Juan Sandoval (15-18, 5 KOs) of Mexico. Scores: 59-55, 60-54 twice.

“I just tried to keep the pressure on him from start to finish,” said Villa, who is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions. “I think he fought a cautious fight, but I was still able to land a lot of punches in every round.”

“That streak was bound to end sooner or later,” Villa said. “I’ll have to start another one.”

Unbeaten bantamweight prospect Saul Sanchez (7-0, 4 KOs) of Pacoima, Calif. handled the first test of his young career with ease, as he overwhelmed the veteran Pedro Melo (17-18-2, 8 KOs) of Mexico through four rounds.

Sanchez, 20, swept all three scorecards by unloading a heavy right hand throughout the fight. In addition to being a strong puncher, Sanchez possesses excellent head movement for such a young fighter.

Sanchez recently signed a promotional deal with Thompson Boxing.

Bantamweight prospect Mario Hernandez (5-0, 2 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. needed less than one minute to knock out Mexico’s Jorge Careaga (1-1, 1 KO). Hernandez struck to the body early and earned a knockdown thirty seconds into the first. Careaga would rise only to get knocked back down by another barrage of body punches.

He fell to the canvas for the second and final time at the :52 mark of the opening round.

Lightweight prospect Ruben Torres (4-0, 4 KOs) of Los Angeles continued his knockout win streak by dispatching Anthony De Jesus Ruiz (2-5, 2 KOs) of Mexico at the culmination of the second round.

Torres, behind an active jab, pressured and knocked down Ruiz three times in the second, but was deducted one point for hitting Ruiz after he was down. Referee Raul Caiz, Jr. put a stop to the fight at the conclusion of the second round.

Torres recently signed a promotional contract with Thompson Boxing.

In the “Path to Glory” show opener, lightweight prospect Zhora Hamazaryan (9-0, 6 KOs) stayed unbeaten by out boxing Sergio Ramirez (3-1, 3 KOs) through four rounds (scores: 39-36, 40-35 twice).

Hamazaryan, who is based in Armenia but will likely relocate to Los Angeles in the near future, dropped Ramirez in the second round with a counter right hook. Hamazaryan, 20, showed solid offensive ability in his U.S. debut.

“I’m pleased with the win,” Hamazaryan said. “He was a bit awkward, but it wasn’t enough to throw me off what I wanted to do.”

“Path to Glory” was presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Everlast.

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

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

Humberto Tito Velazco Scores Sensational Knockout in El Paso, TX

AGUASCALIENTES, MX (February 19, 2018) – This past Saturday, at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX, Sugar Promotions light-heavyweight prospect, Humberto “Tito” Velazco (19-1-1, 14 KOs), scored the knockout of the night, against Thomas “Top Dog” Williams Jr. (20-4, 14 KOs).

Velazco, who hails from Aguascalientes, Mexico, rallied from an early first round knockdown, which was more of an off-balance circumstance. Velazco wasn’t hurt and evened the score in the second round with his own knockdown, catching Williams with a short right to the face, a punch he didn’t see coming. Williams survived the round but was walking on wobbly legs. Now in a rhythm, Velazco’s timing was on point as he sent Williams to the deck for the second time in round three, this time hurting him badly with combination of punches. Williams survived once again only to be stopped in round four when Velazco, a heavy-handed southpaw, blasted him with a straight left, forcing the referee to stop the bout at the 1:37 mark.

“It was a great feeling to get a knockout in my first fight in the united states,” said Humberto Velazco, who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing. “When I got up from the knockdown I wasn’t hurt, but it definitely woke me up. When I dropped Williams, I knew he was hurt, but the round ended. I knew I had to step it up and I got him out of there. I’m ready to fight all the big names at light-heavyweight and super-middleweight. Adonis Stevenson, Sergey Kovalev, Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev are at the top. I want their belts, so they are on my target list.”

A genetic freak, Velaszco stands slightly over 6″1, and has a rare combination of speed and power. His athletic pedigree runs in the family as his brother is a professional basketball player.

“When I first saw Velazco in the gym, I knew he was something special,” said Oscar Vazquez, CEO of Sugar Promotions. “He has great feet for a big man and showed he can bang with the best of them. I’m very grateful to the folks at PBC, who gave us the opportunity to fight on this card. I believe Velazco will be the next big star to come out of Mexico.”

“Velazco is a super athletic fighter with a great personality.” said Prince Ranch Boxing’s Greg Hannley. “His final knockdown was amazing. We have big plans for Tito and everyone on boxing will know his name soon.”

Velazco vs. Williams Jr. was showcased on the PBC card headlined by Victor Ortiz vs. Devon Alexander. Look for Velaszco to be back in the ring by summer, most likely in his hometown of Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Focused Oliveira Jr. prepared for fight of his life

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 19th, 2018) — It’s not so much the fact Ray Oliveira Jr. is headlining a fight card for the first time in his career that has him a little more amped up than usual for Friday night’s event at Twin River Casino. It’s the fact he’s bringing his hometown with him.

The 27-year-old Oliveira Jr. (9-1, 1 KO) is one of three fighters from New Bedford, Mass., appearing on Friday’s 2018 season opener for CES Boxing, joining welterweight Wilson Mascarenhas and featherweight Efren Nunez.

In his 11th professional bout — all under the promotional guidance of CES Boxing — Oliveira Jr. stars in the main event against well-known New Haven, Conn., veteran Edwin Soto (11-2-2, 4 KOs), an eight-round bout for the vacant World Boxing Union (WBU) Canadian-American-Mexican Super Welterweight Title.

The vast majority of New England’s most accomplished fighters have had opportunities to headline major events, some sooner, and more often, than others. Oliveira Jr. began his climb from the bottom rung, earning his keep in four-round bouts at the beginning of the night, long before the venue is even half full. On Friday night, he’ll be the last of 20 fighters to enter the ring with a capacity crowd at its fever pitch anxiously awaiting his arrival, a feeling some never get to experience.

“I put in the work, I fought whoever was in front of me and I never made a fuss about where I was on the card,” Oliveira Jr. said. “It made no difference to me. I was putting in my work and putting in my time. That means a lot now that I’m up there. I worked hard for this and now I’ve got it. That’s the thing for me.”

Oliveira Jr.’s work ethic in the ring mirrors the energy and passion he pours into all projects in life. The New Bedford native recently opened his own gym in nearby Taunton, the Glove Dynasty Boxing Club, where he’ll train clients and work with young amateurs as a newly-certified USA Boxing coach. He signed the lease on New Year’s Day and doors opened Feb. 9. The gym is just his first step toward one day owning his own worldwide training facility, a potential melting pot of professional athletes from all corners of the globe.

Among the classes Oliveira Jr. teaches at Glove Dynasty is his Weekend Warrior program on Saturday mornings, focusing primarily on strength and explosiveness. The idea is to implement minor elements of boxing into each session. For example, clients practice a “squat uppercut” so they can get the effects of a traditional squat while learning the science of a deadly uppercut. He teaches various fitness boxing classes as well, though he acknowledges, “anyone who knows boxing knows if you’re training for boxing, that’s all the fitness you need right there.”

His approach to conditioning falls in line with his ultimate goal of transforming Glove Dynasty into more of a boxing club than a traditional gym and working with young area fighters who’ll eventually compete on the amateur circuit. He encourages his pupils to study the sport and understand what it takes to be a professional, including occasional film study. A local couple recently donated a collection of old VHS tapes featuring classic fights and instructional videos, which he’ll convert into DVDs so his fighters can watch and learn from the some of the best to ever lace up the gloves.

“Some of the fights on these VHSs were before I was even thought of,” he said. “They’ve got some of my dad [“Sucra” Ray Oliveira], they’ve got some of Jon Scully on there and then they’ve got some way before that. They’ve got some old Pernell Whitaker ones. It goes and goes.”

Though he’s currently the only certified trainer at Glove Dynasty, others in the boxing community come through frequently to either get in a good workout or help with the younger fighters, including Taunton’s Marqus Bates, who also fights on Friday’s undercard.

“I have a lot of friends in the boxing community, so there are a lot of trainers who stop by,” Oliveira Jr. said. “Being that I’m in this sport as a pro athlete, I have some insight that I can give to the amateur fighters on the etiquette of being a pro and what it takes and what kind of personal sacrifices come with being a fighter.”

Oliveira Jr. is no stranger to those sacrifices. Now that the gym is finally open, he will return to school later this year to continue his studies at Bristol Community College so he can eventually transfer to Bridgewater State University and pursue a master’s degree in sports facility management. The process of finalizing his paperwork for the gym and preparing to fight three times in 2017 briefly interrupted his schoolwork.

And if he didn’t have enough on his plate already, he’s now less than a week away from what figures to be the toughest fight of his life. The 27-year-old Soto has been a fixture on the regional circuit since debuting professional in 2009. Friday will be Soto’s 10th appearance with CES Boxing and first since October of 2013.

“He comes to fight,” Oliveira Jr. said. “I’ve seen a couple of his videos. I haven’t seen much. But from what I’ve seen he definitely isn’t a fighter who uses the ring as much as some other fighters I’ve been in there with, so it looks like I’m going to be in for a fight. It’s not going to like I hit a guy and he runs away. He’s actually going to try to throw some tough ones and take some tough ones.

“He looks like he’s willing to take a shot to give a shot, toe-to-toe kind of kid. I’m actually looking forward to fighting him. Every time these guys say they want to go to war, I don’t see it in their styles so much. This guy, I can see it more. There are going to be some big exchanges where people will be off their seats.”

Starring as the main event Friday night is the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice, and a few roadblocks along the way. Oliveira Jr. admits he made mistakes in the past, missing weight a couple of times, but he learned from it, tightened up his diet and conditioning, and now routinely clocks in under the maximum weight.

The best part, for him, is now he gets to be the last one to enter the ring Friday while representing the city of New Bedford.

“It’s not enough for me to be a main event. That wouldn’t have been it for me. The icing on the cake is I’ve got the New Bedford kids with me,” he said. “it means a lot to me be able to headline as a New Bedford fighter representing other New Bedford fighters who made their way onto the card. It gives me that sense of satisfaction of something I’ve always wanted to do, to represent my city and be strong for New Bedford.”

The Feb. 23rd card also features the return of longtime fan-favorite “Mr. Providence” Vladine Biosse (15-7-3, 7 KOs), who fights for the first time in a year and a half when he faces Atlantic City, N.J., super middleweight Antowyan Aikens (11-4-1, 1 KO) in a six-round special attraction. Hard-hitting Sicilian heavyweight Juiseppe Cusumano (13-1, 11 KOs) stars in the six-round co-feature in his toughest test to date against Pittsburgh’s Fred Latham (9-1-2, 5 KOs).

A former standout defensive back for the University of Rhode Island football team, Biosse last fought in May of 2016 when he battled Rhode Island icon Peter Manfredo Jr. to a draw. Feb. 23rd will be his unprecedented 16th appearance at Twin River.

Regional rivalries highlight the preliminary card, starting with Johnston, R.I., junior welterweight Nicky DeQuattro (2-0, 1 KO) making his Twin River debut in a four-round bout against Carlos Galindo (0-0) of Lima, Peru. Providence lightweight Michael Valentin (3-0, 1 KO) puts his unbeaten record on the line against Demetrius Wilson (2-4) of St. Louis, Mo., and Springfield, Mass., welterweight Miguel Ortiz (2-1, 1 KO) faces Mascarenhas of New Bedford, both in four-round bouts. Providence featherweight Ricky Delossantos (3-0) aims for his fourth consecutive win in a four-round bout against New Bedford’s Nunez (0-1). Bates (2-2, 2 KOs) battles welterweight Latorie Woodberry (1-5) of Roanoke, Va., in a four-round bout.

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, or follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING.

Smith: I am expecting a tough night in Nuremberg

Callum Smith (23-0, 17 KOs) is expecting the best version of Juergen Braehmer (49-3, 35 KOs) before their Ali Trophy semi-final clash in the super middleweight edition of the World Boxing Super Series February 24 at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung.

“I have had a good training camp,” said Smith. “I have improved over the sparring sessions, now it’s all about the getting the tactics right and perform on the night and I should come out on top.”

Both 27-year-old Smith and 39-year-old Braehmer appeared as serious contenders to win the Muhammad Trophy with their quarter-final performances last year.

Britain’s Smith claimed a 116-112, 117-110, 117-111 victory on the judges’ cards after a thrilling match against Sweden’s Erik Skoglund at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

Germany’s Braehmer, a former two-time light heavyweight champion, proved age is just a number when he beat American hope Rob Brant in dominant fashion at the Kongresshalle in Schwerin with the judges scoring it 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112 in favour of the 39-year-old veteran.

“Braehmer looked good against Brant,” said Smith. “He is a good fighter, he is experienced. He has been there and done it, a former two-time world champion. He is an awkward fighter and he knows he is awkward and he uses it to his own advantage.”

“I have to concentrate on me. If I do what I do good, I will be too good for Braehmer on the night. I am expecting a good fight, I am expecting the best version of Juergen Braehmer, but we have everything covered to make sure I will proceed to the final.”

“It’s a big opportunity for Braehmer nearing the end of his career. What better way to finish than winning this tournament. But I feel that whatever he brings I got the answer for it. I know that I am capable of coming through and look good doing it.”

Tickets for the Ali Trophy semi-final Smith vs. Braehmer at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung, Germany on February 24 are available via eventim.de.

COMPLETE CARD ANNOUNCED AT ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY SET FOR 9 MARCH IN KUALA LUMPUR

19 February 2018 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced its return to Malaysia’s bustling capital city of Kuala Lumpur. ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY is set to ignite the Axiata Stadium on 9 March with another evening of authentic martial arts action. In the main event, reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes of Brazil will defend his title against Reece “Lightning” McLaren of Australia. In the co-main event, former welterweight world title challenger Agilan “Alligator” Thani will take on Amitesh Chaubey.

Ticket information for ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY is available at www.onefc.com.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “It’s going to be a phenomenal year for martial arts in Malaysia, as ONE Championship continues to showcase Asia’s greatest cultural treasure on the global stage. Malaysia has an incredible group of talented athletes and it is our privilege to share their amazing stories. ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes returns to action to face rising star Reece McLaren in what should be an epic showdown of top flyweights.”

29-year-old Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes of Brazil is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with well-rounded striking and grappling skills. He is the reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion, and one of the most highly-skilled and dominant world champions in martial arts. Rarely opposed in the ONE Championship cage, Moraes has thoroughly defeated all-comers in his division, including talented Filipino flyweight Danny “The King” Kingad in his most recent title defense. Moraes will next defend his title against Reece McLaren.

26-year-old Reece “Lightning” McLaren is an Australian flyweight from Toowoomba, Australia, who sports a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a BJJ record of 270-28-0. In the cage, he owns a professional record of 10-5. McLaren made his ONE Championship debut in 2015 with a spectacular submission victory over Mark Striegl, and then followed up that win with a unanimous decision victory over the highly-regarded talent Muin Gafurov. In December of 2016, he challenged Bibiano Fernandes for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship, falling by split decision. In his most recent bout, McLaren impressed in his flyweight debut, submitting top contender Anatpong Bunrad with a first round brabo choke. Next for McLaren is a shot at reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes.

Agilan “Alligator” Thani of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a 22-year-old martial artist and one of the top welterweights in ONE Championship. Thani’s quick rise through the ranks has seen him amass a stellar 8-1 professional record, including a title shot against former ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren in May of 2017. Although Thani fell short of victory against the American, he gained a great amount of experience as a result and has emerged as a more seasoned combatant. All but one of Thani’s victories have come by exciting finish. The young Malaysian has shown steady improvement in each outing and he will now face Amitesh Chaubey in his next appearance.

Amitesh Chaubey is a 27-year-old martial artist from Lucknow, India and a welterweight newcomer in ONE Championship. He owns a professional record of 8-5 and is a former SFL Welterweight Champion known for his knockout power. Primarily a boxing stylist who stifles opponents with his quick hands and fluid combinations, Chaubey joins a deep ONE Championship welterweight division looking for a new champion. He takes on former welterweight title challenger Agilan Thani in his promotional debut.

19-year-old Christian “The Warrior” Lee, younger brother of reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee, began his professional career on an absolute tear, railing off five straight victories by thrilling finish. He has impressed fans with his ability to seek out stoppage wins over top-caliber opponents. A former Pankration World Champion, Lee toppled Japanese veteran and former ONE Lightweight World Champion Kotetsu Boku in his most recent bout, winning by first-round technical knockout to improve his record to 8-1. Known as a creative and fluid striker with unorthodox grappling technique, Lee is now set to face another Japanese veteran in Kazunori Yokota.

Veteran martial artist Kazunori Yokota of Chiba, Japan is a martial arts fixture with over 12 years of professional experience under his belt. A champion of Japanese promotion, DEEP, Yokota is one of the toughest competitors at featherweight as he has constantly punished his opponents and grinded out impressive victories. Yokota made his ONE Championship debut in May of 2016, challenging former ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat Gafurov for the title. Yokota sports a stellar record of 26-7-3 and in his most recent bout, submitted his opponent in another promotion. Now, Yokota is set to take on the surging Christian Lee.

Malaysia’s Gianni Subba is a 25-year old flyweight talent from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. He spends time carefully honing his craft with talented teammates, including brother Keanu, at Bali MMA in Indonesia. A winner of six of his last seven bouts, Subba is a seasoned athlete with a stellar 9-2 clip in his young career. Five of his nine wins have come either by submission or by crowd-pleasing knockout. In his next assignment, the crafty wushu specialist Danny Kingad poses a stern challenge.

Top flyweight talent from the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, Danny “The King” Kingad is a regional wushu champion with a wushu record of 29-1 and a martial artist with a professional record of 8-1. A true warrior from the mountains of the Philippines and one of the top prospects to come out of the country, Kingad is a tremendous striker who possesses well-rounded grappling skills. In his most recent bout, Kingad suffered the first defeat of his career after being submitted by reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes in the first round. Kingad will now return to action against Gianni Subba.

Luis “Sapo” Santos is a martial arts veteran from Brazil with over 70 fights on his record and over half of his wins ending by devastating knockout. With a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a penchant for spectacular finishes, Santos has emerged as one of the promotion’s most overwhelming physical specimens — a top contender capable of finishing any bout in a variety of different ways at any given moment. Known for his aggressiveness and brute strength, Santos looks to continue finding success inside the ONE Championship cage in his next bout against Kiamrian Abbasov.

24-year-old Kiamrian Abbasov of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan is a martial arts veteran with a professional record of 18-3. He is currently riding a 10-bout win streak and hasn’t lost a match since 2015. Known as one of the top welterweights to emerge from Central Asia, Abbasov is a former Prime Selection GP Welterweight Champion with a handful of spectacular finishes. Of his 18 career victories, three have come by submission and nine by thrilling knockout. He makes his ONE Championship debut against the dangerous Luis Santos.

Women’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Michelle Nicolini is a martial artist competing in the ONE Championship women’s strawweight division. An eight-time BJJ world champion and Hall-of-Famer, Nicolini’s elite grappling skills have brought her great success since transitioning to the cage, as she now owns a solid 4-1 professional record which includes four impressive submission victories. Nicolini made her ONE Championship debut in November of 2016, figuring in a first-round submission victory over Mona Samir. An extremely technical grappler, Nicolini is scheduled to take on Iryna Kyselova in her next appearance.

22-year-old Iryna “Delsa” Kyselova is a Europe West Fight Champion and a top-notch grappler. Hailing from Donskoe, Ukraine, she is 11-2 as a professional and will be making her ONE Championship debut. Representing YK Promotion, Kyselova is currently riding a four-bout winning streak. Nine of her total victories have come by finish, including seven submissions and two knockouts. A new player at women’s strawweight, Kyselova will take on grappling star Michelle Nicolini.

Ahmed “Wolverine” Mujtaba is a Pakistani martial artist competing in ONE Championship’s stacked featherweight division. He owns an impressive professional record of eight wins with only one defeat, with almost all of his wins coming by spectacular finish. Mujtaba is known for his tremendous grappling technique which has led to four submissions out of eight total victories. A former UGB MMA Featherweight Champion, Mujtaba makes his highly-anticipated return to the ONE Championship cage against Ma Jia Wen.

Freestyle wrestling standout Ma Jia Wen is a 21-year old martial artist from Tianjin, China with a 4-2 record. He is part of a rapid rising contingent of talented Chinese fighters who have shown great promise in combining the various aspects of striking and grappling. In his last outing, Ma Jia Wen he notched a second-round stoppage win Indonesia’s Yohan Mulia Legowo, marking his second-straight technical knockout victory. He has another tall order in front of him in his next bout, as he goes head-to-head with top talent Ahmed Mujtaba.

Former amateur standout “Jungle Cat” Muhammad Aiman of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is one of the country’s fastest rising young martial arts talents. Featuring a well-rounded skill set, Aiman has impressed in his time inside the ONE Championship cage thus far, defeating Hisyam Samsudin by unanimous decision in his first match in the promotion before stopping Brazilian grappler Eduardo Novaes in his second outing. In his most recent contest, Aiman thoroughly dominated Chinese prospect Yang Fei to win a unanimous decision. The 23-year-old former MIMMA Featherweight Champion based out of Bali, Indonesia is now set to take on his next challenge in the Philippines’ Burn Soriano.

Burn “Hitman” Soriano of Ilocos Sur, Philippines, is coming off a tough contest against China’s Chen Lei last November. The Filipino featherweight features an aggressive style, with solid power and seasoned grappling technique leading to all of his wins to date coming by way of finish. His 15-second spinning back fist knockout of Indonesia’s Mario Sitya Wirawan in 2016 was one of the fastest stoppages in ONE history. A national kickboxing champion with a kickboxing record of 14-3, Soriano has shown steady improvement over his last few contests and now looks for victory next against Muhammad Aiman.

18-year-old “Shadow Cat” Jihin Radzuan of Johor Bahru, Malaysia is a highly-touted young martial arts prospect and former FIOGA Wushu WOrld Champion making her ONE Championship debut. A well-rounded competitor, Radzuan is a Muay Thai and wushu practitioner with a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. A former Southeast Asian Open Gold and Silver Medalist in Muay Thai, Radzuan is known for her varied striking skills and terrific knockout power. Radzuan will take her first step inside the ONE Championship cage in Kuala Lumpur to face Puja Tomar.

Atomweight competitor Puja Tomar is a martial artist from Muzaffarnagar, India with a professional record of three wins and two losses. With a knack for showcasing her solid striking skills, Tomar has recorded all three of her victories by knockout. Competing largely in her home country of India, the former India wushu champion Tomar now makes her second appearance on the biggest stage in Asian martial arts as she is set to face Jihin Radzuan in the ONE Championship cage.

Hisyam “Zephyrus” Samsudin of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia is a former WBF Asia-Pacific Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion who trains at the highly-regarded Borneo Tribal Squad with former female strawweight talent Ann “Athena” Osman and coach AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor. Samsudin likes to pepper opponents with heavy handed strikes, utilizing his world-class boxing base to break down opponents. Samsudin’s next assignment is against Jerome S. Paye.

Liberian martial artist Jerome S. Paye made his ONE Championship debut in February 2016 against China’s Li Hao Jie. Across his career, Paye has showcased a well-rounded set of techniques, stifling his opponents with an array of striking combinations and techniques. With the ability to make bouts difficult for any opponent, Paye has shown incredible heart and determination in his time inside the ONE Championship cage. A taekwondo specialist, this time Paye will take on Malaysia’s Hisyam Samsudin.

Striking specialist Riski “King Kong” Umar is a 25-year-old ONE Championship flyweight contender from Ternate, Indonesia. A Muay Thai and taekwondo practitioner, Umar is unbeaten as a professional, honing his skills out of Bali MMA with other world-class talents. In his most recent contest, Umar needed just one round to knock out Egi Rozten with punches. Training out of Bali, Indonesia, Umar is set to return in his third appearance inside the ONE cage, this time against Khon Sichan.

30-year-old Khon Sichan of Siem Reap, Cambodia is a striking specialist with dynamic martial arts background. A former KWC 1 Flyweight Tournament Champion, Sichan also sports a kun khmer record of 29-9-3 in addition to his ONE Championship record of 2-2. Representing PROKOUT Top Team and Team Phnom Penh MMA, Sichan returns to the ONE Championship cage to face the rising Riski Umar at a 62.5kg catchweight.

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About ONE Championship™

ONE Championship is the largest global sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Championship is the home of martial arts. The world’s most exciting martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world’s best martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 1.7-billion potential viewers across 136 countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including Fox Sports, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Bandsports, Startimes, Premier Sports, Thairath TV, Skynet, Mediacorp, OSN, and more.