PARK CITY, Kan. (February 11, 2018) – U.S. Olympian and hometown favorite Nico Hernandez captured the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas flyweight title in his fourth professional fight, headlining last night’s “KO Night Boxing” Gold & Glory” card, at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.

Presented by “KO Night Boxing LLC,” the card was taped live to be shown at a later date on CBS Sports Network. “KO Night Boxing” Gold & Glory” card, presented by KO Night Boxing LLC,

The 22-year-old Hernandez (4-0, 3 KOs) stopped last-minute replacement, game Victor “El Torito” Torres, in the fifth round. Hernandez’ original opponent, Hungarian champion Joseph Ajtai (19-9, 12 KOs), never made it to Wichita due to a series of unfortunate circumstances. Ajtai lost one day in Frankfurt, Germany, after leaving his passport on the plane he took from Budapest. Once he landed in Chicago on Wednesday, he was tied up by a visa issue at U.S. Customs. He missed his connecting flight to Wichita and because of snowstorms that grounded numerous flights, including those to Wichita, Ajtai never made it out of O’Hare Airport, stranded there for several days.

The IBA granted a special exception for Hernandez to fight Torres, due to these unforeseen problems, with the agreement that Hernandez would next fight Ajtai for an IBA title.

“It was an electric night,” promoter John Andersen said. “Once again, Nico made the proper adjustment that can be credited to his amateur pedigree. In the amateurs, opponents often change at the last moment and Nico has overcome many obstacles during his boxing career. We’re going to give Josef another title shot against Nico in April or May. They have unfinished business together!

“I was very pleased with Nico’s performance. It’s the best I’ve seen him. He was unbelievable in every way, on point throughout the fight. We also want to give Torres credit for accepting the fight on such late notice.”

Hernandez came out fast from the start, battering Torres’ body with tremendous combinations, and he never let up. Torres absorbed punishment but remained upright, but IBA referee Steve Smoger halted the action in the fifth round for Torres’ safety.

“I’m not leaving this belt,” Hernandez commented at the post fight press conference as he handled his IBA Americas belt. “It’s going everywhere with me. I was looking forward to this fight and I’m ready to continue my success. This is the first (title belt) of many. I got what I worked hard for. I want to thank my coaches, all the work paid off, and now I have this (title belt).”

In the co-featured event, Minneapolis welterweight Javonte Starks (13-2, 7 KOs) and Mexican veteran Cesar Soriano (28-36-2, 17 KOs) fought to a six-round majority draw.

Bakersfield, CA pro-debuting Derrick Clayton upset Milwaukee junior welterweight Akeem Black (3-2, 1 KO), registering a second-round technical knockout.

Wichita middleweight Jeff Sturm (2-0, 1 KO) remained undefeated, stopping intrastate rival Brian Clements, of Topeka, halfway through the opening round.

Another pro-debuting California fighter, junior welterweight Chazz Macias, needed only 1:20 to knockout Omaha’s Corey Roberts.

Fighting for the first time in 5 ½ years, Washington D.C. heavyweight Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm (14-2-1, 10 KOs) took out 300-pounder Richard “Silverback” Carmack (15-13-1, 12 KOs) in round one.

Full results below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT IBA AMERICAS FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Nico Hernandez (4-0, 3 KOs), Wichita, KS
WTKO5 (0:55)
Victor Torres (2-8-1, 1 KO), Modesto, CA
(Hernandez won vacant IBA Americas flyweight title)

CO-FEATURE – WELTERWEIGHTS
Cesar Soriano (28-36-2, 17 KOs), Iztacalco, Distrito Federal, Mexico
D6 (5-56, 57-57, 57-57)
Javonte Starks (13-2-1, 7 KOs), Minneapolis, MN

HEAVYEIGHTS
Maurice Byarm (14-2-1, 10 KOs), Washington D.C.
WKO1 (1:34)
Richard “Silverback” Carmack (15-13-1, 12 KOs), Kansas City, MO

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Jeff Strum (2-0, 1 KO), Wichita, KS
WKO1 (1:12)
Brian Clements (0-1-1), Topeka, KS

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Derrick Clayton (1-0, 1 KO), Bakersfield, CA
WTKO2 (2:59)
Akeem Black (3-2, 1 KO), Milwaukee, WI

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Chazz Macias (1-0, 1KO), Tehachapi, CA
WKO1 (1:20)
Corey Roberts (0-4), Omaha, NE

INFORMATION:

https://www.hartmanarena.com/events/upcoming-events/1.html, www.internationalboxingassociation.com

Twitter: @KONightBoxing, @IBABoxing

Facebook: /NeonStar, /IBABoxing

Follow @Nicomhernandez on Twitter and Instagra

PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 11, 2018) – Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster (25-1, 13 KOs) was back in action on Saturday night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, battling gritty opposition in power-puncher Francisco Cordero (38-10, 29 KOs). All but one ringside judge scored it a complete shutout for Webster, who earned the win via counts of 80-72 twice and 79-73.

“He was a tough opponent,” Webster said of Cordero. “He definitely wasn’t as fast as me and couldn’t move with me. I knew he didn’t like the body shots, so I probably should have gone to the body a little more. I was also landing left hooks on him, but he had a strong base. After not fighting since August, I was knocking a lot of ring rust off, but I ultimately came out and did what I needed to come away successfully with another victory.”

Webster was working the jab early in this contest, establishing his range and keeping his hands busy. In the second frame, he began tossing some throwaway jabs that he followed-up with a straight right hand down the middle, something that would be successful for him throughout the evening. He continued to do a nice job of keeping Cordero on the edge of his attack, and he looked to be in complete control by the time the middle rounds arrived.

Cordero had trouble getting inside the 6-foot-4 frame of Webster, as his offense quickly became restricted to a two-punch combination of an attempted jab to the body and a wild overhand right. Throughout the bout, Webster was able to continually read Cordero correctly, and he repeatedly missed with those shots.

In the latter rounds, Webster mixed in flurries while keeping Cordero distanced on the perimeter of his range, which prevented his opponent him from being able to get much offense going. Webster eventually put the exclamation point on the bout with a fast start to the eighth and final frame before finishing off a strategic win that never allowed Cordero to bring his power into play.

The victory stands as the 25th win for the Glassboro, N.J. native, a prestigious mark that was clearly significant to him.

“It means everything,” Webster said of reaching 25 victories. “I’m a student of the game, and I will remain a student of the game so I can keep on growing.”

With his first fight of the year now under his belt, Webster looks to springboard this win into a busy 2018. He hopes to step back into the ring as early as March.

WORCESTER, Mass. (February 11, 2018) – Undefeated prospect Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera finished off Kevin “The New England Bully” Cobbs in the third round, punctuating the night with an lethal uppercut that landed right on the button, headlining last night’s “New England’s Future 5” card, presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment, at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The 27-year-old Rivera (6-0, 5 KOs) fought once again in front of his large, traveling fanbase from Hartford, CT, capturing the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) light heavyweight title in dramatic fashion. The charismatic Hartford boxer ended his third consecutive match with what has become his trademark right-uppercut.

Rivera used his strength, energy and determined will to defeat South Boston’s Cobbs (10-3, 4 KOs), whose previous fight had been more than a year ago, when he was stopped in the second round by now world champion David Benavidez.

In only his sixth pro fight, the key question going into the bout was whether Rivera was ready to effectively step up in class to face a more experienced Cobbs. Right from the opening bell, the answer was a resounding, yes, as Rivera pounded Cobbs with powerful shots to the body and head.

Cobbs was dropped three times in the third round, one was ruled a push, and the end came when referee Jackie Morrell halted the action at the 2:51 as a reeling Cobbs was blasted backwards from the Rivera’s previously mentioned uppercut.

The beginning of the end for Cobbs (L) as Rivera sets up his vaunted uppercut

“I stepped things up in the third,” Rivera explained. “He stopped throwing as many punches in the third and was ducking in. I said I wasn’t going to look for the knockout but, if it came, I’d take it. I got him with my uppercut. I respect Cobbs and thank him for giving me this opportunity.”

In the co-featured event, hometown favorite Bobby “BH3” Harris, III (2-0-1), the two-time national amateur champion, and Brazilian super middleweight Saul Almeida (0-8-2) fought to a four-round majority draw.

Super middleweight Troy “Omar KO Artist” Artis (5-7-1, 3 KOs), of Danbury, CT, upset intrastate rival Jose “Rated R” Rivera (4-2, 3 KOs), of Hartford, winning a six-round majority decision.

Danbury, CT junior welterweight Omar Bordoy, Jr. (4-0-, 1 KO) used a blistering body attack to defeat Seth Basler (0-5) by way of a lop-sided four-round unanimous decision.

Junior welterweight prospect Wilfredo “El Sucaro” Pagan (4-0, 2 KOs) floored veteran Bryan “The Brick” Abraham (6-29-2, 6 KOs) with a sweet right-left combination at the end of the opening round. In the second round, Pagan, of Southbridge, MA., drilled Abraham who went flying across the ring and into the ropes as referee Jackie Morrell halted the bout.

Springfield, MA junior middleweight Derrick “Bad Boy” Whtley (3-0) cruised to a dominating four-round unanimous decision over Cleveland’s Roger Blankenship (1-3), pitching a complete shutout in the process.

Bridgeport, CT welterweight Joe Goss (1-0) turned in an impressive pro debut, dropping Montreal’s Samuel Vasquez (1-3, 1 KO) in the second round on his way to a four-round unanimous decision.

Puerto Rican junior lightweight Luis “Lobito” Rivera (4-3, 1 KOs) overcame a nasty cut over his eye to win a hard-fought four-round majority decision over Carlos Marrero, III (0-2), of Bridgeport, CT, in a non-stop action fight to the finish.

Unbeaten Springfield, MA light heavyweight Ray “Bazooka” Graceski (5-0-1, 3 KOs) and International Muay Thai fighter, Harford’s pro boxing debuting Pawel Banasiak (0-1-0), fought to a four-round draw in an entertaining brawl.

Puerto Rican super middleweight Jelame Garcia (7-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Lynn, MA., remained undefeated but Nathan Schulte (0-5), of Woburn, MA, extended him the full distance for first time as a pro en route to a four-round unanimous decision.

Complete results:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT
VACANT UBF NEW ENGLAND LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Richard Rivera (6-0, 5 KOs), Hartford, CT
WKO3 (2:51)
Kevin Cobbs (10-3, 4 KOs), South Boston, MA
(Rivera won vacant UBF New England light heavyweight title)

CO-FEATURE – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Bobby Harris, III (2-0-1), Worcester, MA
D6 (37-39, 38-38)
Saul Almeida (0-8-2), Framingham, MA

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Ray Graceski (5-0-1, 3 KOs), Springfield, MA
D4 (38-38, 38-38, 38-38)
Pawel Banasiak (0-0-1), Hartford, CT

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Troy Artis (5-7-1, 3 KOs), Danbury, CT
WDEC6 (58-56, 58-56, 57-57)
Jose Rivera (4-2, 3 KOs), Hartford, CT

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Jelame Garcia (7-0, 6 KOs), Lynn, MA
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-37)
Nathan Schulte (0-5), Woburn, MA

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Derrick Whitley (3-0), Springfield, MA
WDEC4 (40-35, 40-36, 40-36)
Robert Blankenship (1-3), Cleveland, OH

Joseph Goss (1-0), Bridgeport, CT
WDEC4 (40-35, 39,36, 38-37)
Samuel Vasquez (1-3, 1 KO), Montreal, Canada

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Omar Bordoy, Jr. (4-0, 1 KO), Danbury, CT
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Seth Basler (0-5), Marion, IL

Wilfredo Pagan (4-0, 2 KOs), Southbridge, MA
WTKO2 (1:25)
Bryan Abraham (6-29-2, 6 KOs), Schenectady, NY

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS
Luis Rivera (4-3, 1 KO), Hartford, CT
WDEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 38-38)
Carlos Marrera, III (0-2), Bridgeport, CT

INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp, KingRivera_

MIAMI, Florida – Top light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera is working hard in the second half of his training camp for his March 3rd HBO televised clash against WBA light heavyweight champoin Dmitry Bivol.

The 35-year-old former Cuban amateur standout has been on quite a run. After losing a unanimous decision to the now retired former pound-for-pound king Andre Ward, Barrera has put together a four fight win streak against the likes of Vyacheslav Shabranskyy, Paul “Pay Per View” Parker, Joe Smith Jr. and the hard hitting Felix Valera.

While that is an impressive list, Barrera knows that none of those opponents are as formidable as the challenge that lies ahead of him on March 3rd at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

“Bivol is a great fighter. He will be the second best fighter I have faced and second only to Andre Ward,” said Barrera. “He has a great amateur pedigree and has been knocking out the majority of his opponents. I know I need to bring my ‘A’ game to beat him.”

Bivol has stopped his previous four opponents and only 2 of his 12 victims have made it to the final bell. Barrera has a lot of respect for his opponent and believes his power is legitimate.

“He has knocked guys out with one punch. I know I have to be careful in there. He is a very confident fighter. He knows he has power and knows how to get in position to use it. That is why I am taking him very seriously,” Barrera explained.

Barrera knows that a victory over Bivol will open a lot of doors as fights against champions like Sergey Kovalev, the Adonis Stevenson-Badou Jack winner and Artur Beterbiev could be available to him but the Cuban refuses to look ahead.

“March 3rd is all that matters. God willing I get the win and then we can talk about future plans but right now I am focused on Bivol. I know I have to concentrate on him and give him all of my attention,” said Barrera.

PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 9, 2018) – On Saturday night, a highly-anticipated battle between a former world champion and a world title challenger headlines a big night of boxing in the Championship City of Philadelphia, as Hard Hitting Promotions partners with Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE to showcase a card featuring a number of undefeated fighters and rising area prospects. Fight fans from across the globe can catch names like Lundy, Corley, Webster, Cuevas, Rahman and Baumgardner beginning at 7 p.m. live from South Philly on any device wherever Facebook is available, as the easy-to-access combat sports platform delivers its second show of the New Year.

“Our Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series has showcased outstanding cards from New York to Chicago to Arizona to the heartland, and we’re really looking forward to capturing exceptional action on Saturday from the Fighting City – and the Championship City – of Philadelphia. Saturday’s card features so many fighters that all boxing fans have heard of, and some exciting prospects that Hard Hitting Promotions has been doing a great job of building in the Philly area,” said Mark Fratto, Principal of Linacre Media. “The FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series will deliver its 1,000,000th view live from 2300 Arena and we want to thank fight fans everywhere for their support.”

In the main event on Saturday, Philadelphia’s “Hammerin'” Hank Lundy (28-6-1, 14 KOs) looks to electrify his hometown faithful as the former world title challenger takes on former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (50-28-1, 28 KOs), in what will be the 80th career bout for the veteran. In the co-feature, super middleweight contender Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster (24-1, 13 KOs) meets hard hitting Colombian Francisco Cordero (38-9, 29 KOs). The card also features a number of intriguing prospects – including Alicia Baumgardner (4-0, 4 KOs) as she vies for the WBC International Female Super Featherweight strap, unblemished lightweight Jeremy “King” Cuevas (6-0, 5 KOs), heavyweight Hasim “Gold Blooded” Rahman Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) – the undefeated son of the two-time world heavyweight champion – and unbeaten cruiserweight Marcos Suarez (5-0-1, 1 KO).

“We’re honored and privileged to be able to bring such a sought-after main event – an attraction three years in the making – to Philadelphia. This will be one of those legendary fights in this city, one that boxing fans will really be talking about. People who love boxing will not want to miss this fight and won’t have to, thanks to our page and the Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE channel,” said Manny Rivera of Hard Hitting Promotions.

Over the first nine months of programming, the numbers on the 11-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 nearly 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 10-show series saw a total of more than 18,000 total hours of Facebook video consumed by 986,786-plus users across all devices.

In addition to the raw viewership numbers, the fully-interactive, fan-friendly productions have seen more than 133,000 collective live post engagements (12,000-plus per show), including more than 92,000 “likes” or “loves,” more than 17,000 comments and 5,000-plus 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 Aug. 26 Foxwoods “Super Saturday” show stands out individually with 3,336 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 79,000 fans and more than 81,000 followers.

On Saturday night, Feb. 10, live from 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia, 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 Marc Abrams of AWE, NBC Sports Philadelphia, 15Rounds.com and AbramsBoxing.com. 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.

Deerfield Beach, Fla. (Feb. 9, 2018) – Boxing promoter Don King has been trying to finalize a fight with WBA super featherweight champion Alberto “El Explosivo” Machado for more than two months with his number two contender, Rafael Mensah.

“I’ve been dealing with Robert Diaz of Golden Boy Promotions and he seems to be a forthright person,” said King. “Since the beginning of December they have been telling me we would have an agreement to fight on January 27th after they arranged a meeting with HBO’s Peter Nelson. It has been one story after another story.”

King continued: “I had the one call with Robert Diaz and he never called me back. We kept calling him. We were supposed to go in together to meet with Peter Nelson and they said we would have a 50-50 deal, and I’ve never heard from him. Mensah has been waiting three years for a title opportunity.

“My fighter was set to fight on Jan. 27, which is what we agreed upon. But I never heard back from anyone. They are playing the con game in trying to avoid this fight with Mensah. They are trying to get under the rules and not fight my future champion. The making of the Machado-Mensah fight has become convoluted and full of intrigue and machination. This whole thing has been mysterious. We are ready to fight!”

Mensah, who hails from Ghana, is 31-0 with 23 KOs.

PHILADELPHIA (February 9, 2018) – One day after the city celebrated its first Super Bowl championship, two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia was joined by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Dannell Ellerbe at a media workout in Philadelphia as Garcia prepares for his welterweight world title eliminator against former champion Brandon Rios Saturday, February 17 live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

The Premier Boxing Champions event also features undefeated super middleweight world champion David Benavidez and top-rated contender Ronald Gavril squaring-off in a rematch of their thrilling September 2017 bout in which Benavidez won the vacant title by split decision. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with , welterweight contender Yordenis Ugas battling Ray Robinson in an IBF 147-pound title eliminator.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at AXS.com.

Here is what Garcia, Ellerbe, Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe and Danny’s father and trainer, Angel Garcia had to say Friday from DSG Boxing Gym in Philadelphia:

DANNY GARCIA

“At the end of the day, everyone at welterweight has to prove themselves. The pieces will fall into place. Eventually we’ll all fight each other. I’m just going to keep taking it one fight at a time.

“I’m excited to get back in the ring. I feel rejuvenated. My body feels fresh. Training camp has gone really well and now it’s time to get in there and go to work.

“I learned from the Keith Thurman fight not to leave anything in the hands of the judges. It was a close fight that could have gone either way. I have to go for the kill, so it is what it is.

“I was just enjoying myself for a little bit after the Thurman fight. I knew that I’d be back so it was good to get some time with my family and away from boxing. Now I’m back and ready to go.

“This is a new chapter in my career. There are new obstacles to overcome. Just like I’ve always had in my career. I’m going to take it one fight at a time so I can get back to where I belong.

“Once you’re a champion, you’re always a champion. On February 17 I’m going to show everyone why I’m one of the best fighters in the world.

“I’ve had my best performances in Las Vegas against Amir Khan and Lucas Matthysse. Las Vegas is where the stars fight so I’m happy to be fighting there again.

“I’ve been preparing for everything. I’ve been working on boxing and brawling; it’ll just depend how I feel when the fight starts. I’m going to be ready for 12 rounds regardless.”

DANNELL ELLERBE, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker

“Just to know how starving Philadelphia has been for a Super Bowl championship, and to bring the first one, it’s a great feeling. These fans give you energy and make you play better.

“It’s all love between the Philly athletes. We all show up for each other’s events and support each other. That’s really big to have a supportive community and I’m sure everyone will be rooting for Danny next Saturday.”

ANGEL GARCIA, Danny’s Father & Trainer

“Brandon Rios is not going to be an easy opponent. This is going to be a great fight. Rios is a very tough fighter. There’s no way this is going to be an easy fight and Danny knows that.

“Danny knows he can’t take anything lightly because Brandon Rios will be prepared. But he’s not going to win. Danny Garcia has never taken a beating; he gives them out.

“Brandon Rios better keep his hands up. We’ll be ready in one week for Danny Garcia to be at his best. You’re going to see him once again show his great skills.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“Garcia vs. Brandon Rios is a great stylistic matchup. Rios is a very aggressive fighter who likes to put pressure on. Danny is a boxer-puncher, but I think you see that Danny really comes forward. He’s a guy who’s boxing skills are underrated.

“Danny Garcia has been a unified champion and shown he’s one of the best fighters in the world. Come February 17, he’s going to make a big statement. There’s a lot of justified talk about other welterweights, but Danny Garcia is a name in this division who is here to stay.

“The Benavidez vs. Gavril rematch is a fantastic fight. It’s a fight people have been looking for since the first time they faced off. I think it’s going to live up to what everyone has expected. I know Ronald has made some adjustments, and I’m sure Benavidez has made some too. I think it’s going to be an all-out war.”

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, and @MandalayBay or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShoBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Premier Boxing Champions is presented by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Bethlehem, PA (February 9, 2018) – Junior Lightweight contender Frank De Alba suffered a cut in his last day of sparring and will not be able to compete against Carlos Padilla in the main event of King’s Promotions packed card on Tuesday, February 13th at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

Undefeated super lightweight Mykal Fox (15-0, 4 KOs) of Baltimore, MD will take on Ricardo Garcia (14-1, 9 KOs) of Dominican Republic, also two-time world champion Kermit Cintron (39-6-3, 30 KOs) of Reading, PA. will do battle with Marquis Taylor (8-1) of Houston, Texas as the card will feature a pair of eight-round co-feature bouts.

“It’s unfortunate that Frank got hurt, but we have two excellent fights that will now top the bill,” said King’s Promotions CEO Marshall Kauffman. “This is a terrific card from top to bottom, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday night.”

In six-round bouts:

Colby Madison (5-0-1, 4 KOs) of Owings Mills, Maryland will fight Dante Selby (2-3-1) of Philadelphia in a heavyweight bout.

Blake Mansfield (5-1-1, 3 KOs) of Burlington, NC will fight Darryl Bunting (3-2-2, 1 KO) of Asbury Park, NJ in a middleweight tilt.

In four-round bouts:

Michael Coffie (1-0, 1 KO) will take on pro debuting Nicoy Clarke of Jersey City, NJ in a heavyweight bout.

Martino Jules (2-0) of Allentown, PA will fight Malik Loften (1-0, 1 KO) of Suitland, MD in a featherweight bout.

Juan Sanchez (4-0, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA will take on Sergio Aguilar (2-6, 2 KOs) of Homestead, FL in a featherweight bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $50, $75 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 9, 2018) – Just days after the birth of his daughter, American heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder met with members of the Southern California media on Thursday as he prepares to defend his WBC Heavyweight World Championship against fellow-undefeated challenger Luis Ortiz Saturday, March 3 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

Wilder and his girlfriend, fellow “WAGS Atlanta” star Telli Swift, welcomed their daughter into the world on Tuesday before Wilder turned his focus to March 3, climbing in the ring at Team Watson Boxing Club in the San Fernando Valley to work out with his trainer Mark Breland, the former U.S. Olympics gold medalist and former WBC Welterweight World Champion.

The 32-year-old Wilder owns a perfect record of 39 wins, zero losses and 38 knockouts. Fighting out of his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Ala., he was a 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist and is the only reigning American heavyweight world champion. The 6-foot-7 Wilder faces the toughest opponent of his career in Ortiz, a 6-foot-4 Cuban who owns a professional record of 28-0 with 24 knockouts.

Here is what Wilder had to say on Thursday:

DEONTAY WILDER:

“Once I unify all the titles then line up the mandatories, I’ll easily get to 50-0. I’m not a 12-round fighter, and I don’t get overtime. I’m a knockout artist. So that being said, I don’t take much damage, but I give all the damage. I put people in the hospitals. I put people in stretchers. When you fight me your head is not the same when you leave. When you fight me you’re really signing a death warrant.

“This is one of the biggest fights of my career and I’m up for the challenge. I’m going to pass with flying colors.

“Ortiz has got that reputation of being the bogeyman but I’ve never been scared of the bogeyman. For that reason, I wanted him. A lot of people have been avoiding him, even champions that are champions to this day have avoided Luis Ortiz. But this champion right here took on the opportunity.

Even when [Ortiz] failed the drug test once, I still blessed him again because I’m very adamant about what I want to do. I want to fight the best. I say I’m the best. I say it very proudly, I say it very confidently. I say it so boldly and I want to show the world that I don’t play around. If I say it, I really mean what I say. I don’t have time to waste.

“If he fails again then somebody’s going to need to go whoop his ass. The public needs to whoop his ass. All of Miami should get up and do that. The first time, a lot of people spent a lot of time and a lot of money for tickets and he did what he did. A lot of people were enraged. I heard it and a lot of people blamed me, which I don’t know why. But, with this fight right here and what I did with my last performance, it makes it even better. It intensifies the whole fight. So, if he [fails his drug test again] then shame on him. I feel sorry for his soul and his life. I don’t think he’s going to do that. I think he has a lot of responsibilities in his hands right now. At this point in time he knows he needs to do the right thing. Three times is not the charm in all instances.”

On his lifestyle outside of boxing:

“I just think life itself is just mental. I do a lot of visualization. I do a lot of meditation. It strengthens my mind to go through a lot of the situations that I go through. Having a baby and being on a reality show, all of that is fun stuff. Some people know how to maintain it and some people don’t. I’m just a guy that multitasks a lot of things. I can do a lot of things. Even when I’m talking to you, my mind can be in so many different places right now and still be able to comprehend and interact with you. So, I think I was meant for a lot of things. Boxing is just not what all I can do. I’m so talented in so many different areas.

“I’m a laid back guy. In my personal life I’m just a cool, calm and collected dude that likes to live life and I love peace. Unfortunately, in what I do in the ring, I turn into the ‘Bronze Bomber’ and the ‘Bronze Bomber’ don’t get caught by no one.“

On being on reality TV and recognized by non-boxing fans:

“I think it’s very important. People need to know who the heavyweight champion of the world is. America got a bad man, an ass-whooper, right in America. I think it’s important and people should understand and should know who that is. That’s why I do the things I do. That’s why I’m so competitive. That’s why I speak the way I speak. Sometimes it may annoy people, it may get on people’s nerves and I never hear it in front of my face, but I understand it. I do it to show people that I’m going to speak it and you’re going to see me deliver it. I think you get the most respect when you say something you’re going to do and you do it. Look at Ali, people hated him. They say he was a big mouth who ran his mouth too much but he proved himself many times and that’s that thing I want to do. I want to speak what I say I’m going to do and you watch me work.”

On Anthony Joshua:

“I want him just as bad as everybody else wants him. If it was up to me, we would’ve been fighting two years ago. I’ve been calling this man out. When they hyped him up and said he was this, said he was that. I’m the type of person that I get happy for other people. With me and my happiness and me being successful, that’s all up to me. It ain’t up to nobody else. So, when I see other people doing great things, when I see good things coming to other people, I get happy for other people. It’s a hard thing for people to get happy for other people because things don’t happen for them but I’m not like that because I know my blessings will sure enough come. All I got to do is keep working.

“I come in peace all of the time but with him, I don’t think Joshua wants to fight me. His promoters don’t want him to fight me. They’re on the goal of trying to build this resume, saying they want to be the first billionaires, stuff like that. But doing that, the plans all end with me. All roads lead to me. I’m not going nowhere, no time soon. They know black don’t crack. So, I’m going to be around for a long time. I ain’t the best heavyweight in the division. I’m the best heavyweight on this earth. I’m just waiting on the opportunity to prove it.”

Prediction on Joshua-Parker:

“I’ve always said ‘later rounds’. I see that fight going later rounds if Joseph Parker is smart in what he does. He has nice movement and is able to execute on all of the opportunities that he sees with Joshua. Because Joshua can’t move his head. He’s a muscle, body-building type of guy. You’ve seen my dance? [chuckles] With that, if he’s able to calculate what he needs to do in the ring – because the ring has a lot of secrets – if he’s able to do things he needs to do, I see late rounds. But, like I said before, I think they’re going to have to knock Joshua out because they’re not going to give it to him.”

Prediction for March 3:

“People ask me the round and I always see threes. This year is a magical year. It’s the year of the 33. So, I see threes everywhere. I see three rounds or less, maybe shorter than that. It all depends on how I feel when I see him.”

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow us on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @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.

James Branch has signed a promotional deal with Frank Warren.

The former Repton Boxing Club star represented Team GB on several occasions, one of the many highlights of a glistening amateur career that included 7 National Title wins and 3 GB Titles.

Branch, 22 , achieved his long-time ambition when he claimed England Boxing Senior’s Elite 86kg title in April 2017 and believes his counter-punching style will help him bag more titles in the professional ranks.

He will be plying his trade under the watchful eye of respected trainer Martin Bowers at the renowned Peacock Gym in Canning Town alongside Warren stablemate and Heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois.

The Hainault talent is looking forward to getting his career up-and-running in the paid code with a debut to be announced shortly, and Branch feels now is the perfect time to turn over with Hall of Famer Warren.

“I’m over the moon to be joining up with Frank and the team at BT Sport and BoxNation,” said Branch. “There was nothing left for me to achieve in the amateurs, I’d reached pinnacle and now I’m fully focused on making my professional debut this year.”

“It’s an exciting time to be joining Frank’s stable, there’s some real talent on his books and I want to be leading the way eventually. His 2018 schedule is already looking top drawer and hopefully I’ll be able to get on a few of the big shows.

“I’m looking to make my name quickly so I want to be as busy as possible in the coming months. I’ve won multiple titles at Cruiserweight and Light-Heavyweight and I’ll be sitting down with my team to decide which weight I’ll be making my debut at.

“I believe that my style is suited to the professional game. I’m a slick southpaw and can cause problems for anyone on my day. Make them miss and make them pay is my motto! I’ve been training with Martin for a month or so now and he’s already made me feel part of the Peacock family.

“I’m delighted to welcome James to the team,” said promoter Frank Warren. “James is supremely talented and has made a name for himself in the amateurs with Repton and Team GB. I’m looking forward to watching him make his debut later this year.”

Watch James on Bunce’s Boxing Hour on BoxNation (Sky channel 437/HD 490) this evening at 7.00pm.

You can follow James’ journey on Twitter: @JamesBranch95 and Instagram: jamesbranch

Tickets will go on exclusive pre-sale to Leeds United Members and Season Ticket Holders from 10:30am on Friday 9th February, with General Sale from 10.30am on Monday 12th February.

Tickets will be available to purchase online via the club’s official website www.leedsunited.com and via the Leeds United Ticket Office on 0371 334 1992.

On Saturday 19th May, Elland Road will host the IBF World Featherweight Title fight between the current World Champion, Lee Selby and number one contender for the belt, Leeds Warrior, Josh Warrington.

It’s the first time that Elland Road has staged a World Title Boxing fight and the event will be one of the biggest sporting occasions in Yorkshire this Summer!

Following the lively press conference last week where the two fighters came head to head, Leeds United are delighted to confirm ticket arrangements for this explosive night of boxing, with general admission tickets available from just £40 per person.

Ticket prices:

West Stand Blocks
B3, B4, C16, C22, D13 £40
C17, C21, D12 £60
C18, C20, D11 £80
C19 £100
North Stand Blocks
N2, N6, N7, N8, N9, N10, N11, N12 £40
N3, N4, N5 £60
East Stand Lower Blocks ??
L28, L34, L35 £40
L29, L33, L32 (Rows EE-C) £60
L30, L31 (Rows D-V), L32 (Rows EE-C) £80
L31 (Rows EE-C) £100
Pitch ??
Category 3 £100
Category 2 £150
Category 1 £200
Please note, not all areas listed will be initially available for sale and will open subject to demand.

For more information please contact the Leeds United Ticket Office on 0371 334 1992.

Hospitality is available starting at £130+VAT.

Sale dates:

Friday 9th February 2018 10:30am
Tickets will go on exclusive pre-sale to Leeds United Season Ticket Holders, Members and Seasonal Hospitality Guests.

Monday 12 February 2018 10:30am
Tickets released for general sale.

Tickets will be available to purchase online via the club’s official website www.leedsunited.com and via the Leeds United Ticket Office on 0371 334 1992.

WORCESTER, Mass. (February 9, 2018) – The official weigh in was held today at Pepe’s Pizza & Restaurant for tomorrow night’s “New England’s Future 5” card, presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment, at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

MAIN EVENT – 8 ROUNDS
VACANT UBF NEW ENGLAND LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Richard Rivera (5-0, 4 KOs), Hartford, CT 172 lbs.
Kevin Cobbs (10-2, 4 KOs), South Boston, MA 173 lbs.

CO-FEATURE – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Bobby Harris, III (2-0), Worcester, MA 166 lbs.
Saul Almeida (0-8-1), Framingham, MA 166 lbs.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Ray Graceski (5-0, 3 KOs), Springfield, MA 171 lbs.
Pawel Bansiak (pro debut), Hartford, CT 174 lbs.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS
Jose Rivera (4-1, 3 KOs), Hartford, CT 165 lbs.
Troy Artis (4-7-1, 3 KOs), Danbury, CT 162 lbs.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Jelame Garcia (6-0, 6 KOs), Lynn, MA 168 lbs.
Nathan Schulte (0-4), Woburn, MA 168 lbs.

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS- — 4 ROUNDS
Derrick Whitley (2-0), Springfield, MA 157 lbs.
Robert Blankenship (1-2), Cleveland, OH 147 lbs.

WELTERWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Joseph Goss (pro debut), Bridgeport, CT 148 lbs.
Samuel Vasquez (1-2, 1 KO), Montreal, Canada 149 lbs.

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Omar Bordoy, Jr. (3-0, 1 KO), Danbury, CT 144 ½ lbs.
Seth Basler (0-4), Marion, IL 146 lbs.

Wilfredo Pagan (3-0, 1 KO), Southbridge, MA 145 lbs.
Bryan Abraham (6-28-2, 6 KOs), Schenectady, NY 145 lbs.

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Carlos Marrera, III (0-1), Bridgeport, CT 128 lbs.
Luis Rivera (3-3, 1 KO), Hartford, CT 129 lbs.

WHEN: Saturday, February 10, 2018

WHERE: The Palladium, Worcester, MA

PROMOTER: Rivera Promotions Entertainment

TICKETS: $75.00 (ringside) and $45.00 (general admission), are on sale and
available to purchase at www.ThePalladium.net or the Palladium
box office (general admission only), or by contacting Jose Rivera
(elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera
(anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) or any of the fighters.

DOORS OPEN: 6:00 p.m, ET

FIRST BOUT: 7:00 p.m. ET

RING ANNOUNCER: John Vena

INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp, KingRivera_
ABOUT RIVERA PROMOTION AND ENTERTAINMENT (RPE): Founded in 2017, Worcester, MA-based RPE is owned and operated by retired three-time, two division world champion, RPE CEO/promoter Jose Antonio Rivera, and his son, RPE president/matchmaker Anthonee (A.J.) Rivera. RPE’s philosophy is to give young, local fighters a platform to develop and showcase their boxing skills

Los Angeles, CA (February 8, 2018) The doors of the Legendary Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, California swung open this morning as Three-Time World Champion DONNIE NIETES and Four-Time World Champion BRIAN VILORIA hosted the Los Angeles Sports Media just sixteen days prior to their world title bouts at the highly anticipated SUPERFLY 2 event set for Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the ‘Fabulous’ Forum and televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Nietes and Viloria were joined by TOM LOEFFLER of 360 Boxing Promotions. Below are quotes from the participants.

DONNIE NIETES

“I am very happy and proud to be training here at the Wild Card Boxing Gym. I feel very welcome here and everyone has been nice to me. The opportunity to work and spar with Brian Viloria has been very important and will get me ready for my fight on February 24.”

“To be part of such a terrific boxing card is great for me and my career. The exposure I will get on HBO on this card will take my career to another level. I am looking forward to fighting in the Forum, a historic boxing venue and I will try to give everyone the best fight possible.”

“I expect a very tough fight, Reveco is a two-time world champion and is coming for my belt. I have to be at my best to beat him and I will be.”

BRIAN VILORIA

“I have been doing this for a long time and I still love boxing. For me boxing is a lifestyle, I don’t consider it work at all, so as long as I feel good and I get opportunities I will continue to work hard to be ready.”

“It has been very cool working and sparring with Donnie, he is a true professional and I am still learning from him. The sparring has been high level and we are helping each other to get better all the time.”

“It’s a great main event and a tough fight for Sor Rungvisai and Estrada. I fought Estrada and I know how good he is. Estrada is a good boxer, very intelligent and has good power. I looking forward to that fight and on the whole show there are a lot tremendous fights.”

TOM LOEFFLER

“It’s great to be here this morning with Donnie Nietes and Brian Viloria, two of the best fighters in the world and between them having been world champions’ seven times over their careers. Both are in excellent shape and ready for their world title fights on February 24.”

“Superfly 2 is only sixteen days away and the anticipation from the fans and the media has continued to build momentum since we announced the main event in December. This card truly is the ‘Gold Standard’ for boxing events in 2018.”

————————————–

SUPERFLY 2 is headlined by WBC Super Flyweight World Champion SRISAKET SOR RUNGVISAI, (43-4-1, 39 KO’s), of Si Sa Ket, Thailand, defending his title over 12-rounds for the second time against former world champion and #1 ranked mandatory challenger JUAN FRANCISCO “El Gallo” ESTRADA, (36-2, 25 KO’s), of Sonora, Mexico. The event will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark® beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Co-featured on the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast, former WBC Super Flyweight World Champion, CARLOS ‘Principe’ CUADRAS, (36-2-1, 27 KO’s), of Mexico City, MX faces hard-hitting, two-time world title challenger MC WILLIAMS ARROYO, (16-3, 14 KO’s), of Fajardo, Puerto Rico in an outstanding ten round super flyweight clash.

Opening the telecast, the Fighting Pride of the Philippines and three-time world champion DONNIE NIETES, (40-1-4, 22 KO’s) will make the first defense of his IBF Flyweight World Title over 12-rounds against two-time world champion and mandatory challenger JUAN CARLOS REVECO, (39-3-0, 19 KO’s) from Las Heras, Argentina.

Headlining the non-televised portion of the event, four-time world champion in two divisions and #2 ranked BRIAN “The Hawaiian Punch” VILORIA, (38-5, 22 KO’s) of Los Angeles, CA via Waipahu, Hawaii will challenge undefeated and #1 ranked ARTEM DALAKIAN, (15-0, 11 KO’s), of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine in a scheduled 12-round bout for the vacant WBA Flyweight World Title.

Tickets for SUPERFLY 2, priced at $250, $150, $100, $60 and $30 are now on sale and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000) and the Forum Box Office. The Forum is located at 3900 W. Manchester Blvd, Inglewood CA 90305. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. on the night of the event.

SUPERFLY 2 is presented by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions in association with Nakornluong Promotions and Zanfer Promotions. Cuadras vs. Arroyo is presented in association with Promociones del Pueblo and PR Best Boxing. Nietes vs. Reveco is presented in association with ALA Promotions. Viloria vs. Dalakian is presented in association with Teiken Promotions.

SOCIAL MEDIA

#SUPERFLY2

Twitter

@Srisaket_ssr

@GalloEstrafaOfi

@CuadrasOficial

@BrianViloria

@360Promotions

@TomLoeffler1

@ZanferBox

@ALAPromotions1

@HBOboxing

@theforum

HOUSTON (February 8, 2018) – Unbeaten former 154-pound world champion Jermall Charlo hosted a media workout Thursday in his hometown of Houston as he prepares for his WBC Interim Middleweight World Title showdown against Hugo Centeno Jr. Saturday, March 3 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The Premier Boxing Champions event will be headlined by heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder defending his title against unbeaten contender Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz.

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.

Here is what Charlo and his trainer Ronnie Shields had to say Thursday from Charlo Boxing and Fitness Club in Houston:

JERMALL CHARLO

“It’s going to be a tough fight against Hugo Centeno Jr. If he can stand up to my power, we’re going to fight and it’ll be a brutal war. If he can’t, I’ll take him out in the first round.

“We can’t let Houston down now. My brother and I have made it this far. We can’t stop now. It’s my turn to put on a spectacular performance on March 3. I’m trying to one-up my brother’s previous performance each time I step in there.

“My goal is to show everybody that I’m the best middleweight in the world. I’m going to keep fighting everyone they put in front of me. I’m going to knock them out one-by-one until Canelo or Golovkin have to face me.

“I’ve had the chance to work on some improvements to my game since my last fight. I think having even more patience in the ring is going to help step my game up even higher. I want to be a champion at middleweight more than I did at 154-pounds.

“Hugo Centeno Jr. is another fighter who is in my way. I know he’ll come in prepared, but I’m confident I’m going to walk out of there with the victory.

“This is going to be a big year for me and my brother. We’re going to keep showing everyone why we’re so feared.”

RONNIE SHIELDS, Charlo’s Trainer

“Jermall looks great in training camp and we expect him to be at his best come March 3. He’s motivated to put on a good show and prove to everyone he’s a force in this division.

“Hugo Centeno is a quality fighter. He’s well-trained and has length, so Jermall knows he has to be prepared. Centeno isn’t going to let him win, Jermall is going to have to go in and impose his will on the man.

“I believe Jermall has the talent and determination to beat any of the top middleweights out there. We’re going to keep working every day so that when the time comes for one of those fights with a Golovkin or Canelo, he’ll be prepared to take advantage of the opportunity.”

# # #

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,
follow us on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LouDiBella, @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.

LOS ANGELES (Feb 8, 2018): Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN will return to the Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico, as Jose “Chiquiro” Martinez (20-0-1, 13 KOs) makes the first defense of his NABO Super Flyweight Title in a 10-round rematch against Tijuana, Mexico’s Alejandro “Peque” Santiago (15-2-3, 7 KOs) on Saturday, March 24 at Complejo Ferial de Puerto Rico in Ponce. Doors to the event open at 7:00 p.m. AST/6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT, and the first non-televised bout begins at 7:30 p.m. AST/6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. ESPN and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET /5:30 p.m. PT. ESPN 3 will live stream the fights beginning at 8:00 p.m. AST/7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.

Martinez captured the NABO 115-pound title by defeating Jesus Martinez with a vicious shot to the body in the main event of the Nov. 16 edition of Golden Boy Boxing ESPN in Cancun, Mexico. Martinez’s record is unblemished except for a majority draw against Santiago himself, a decision that Martinez, the 25-year-old native of Las Marias, Puerto Rico, is eager to correct.

“I’m extremely happy and grateful to once again fight against Alejandro Santiago,” said Jose Martinez. “I wanted this fight to get that thorn off my side and to show all of my people what I’m made of. I learned a lot from the first fight because it was so close. I’ll walk away with the win by training hard and being in great condition.”

Santiago is a young fighter who has welcomed tough fights throughout his career. Though spending much of his time fighting at home in Tijuana, Mexico, the 21-year-old has twice gone to foreign territory in search of tough matchups. In 2016, Santiago fought to a split draw against then-undefeated Antonio Nieves in New York. Later that year, Santiago battled to a majority draw against Martinez, which he’ll look to rectify win a victory in their rematch.

“I believe I won the first fight,” said Alejandro Santiago. “It was a close fight, but this time there will be no doubts. I’m working really hard for this fight. I’m very motivated and I think that a victory will put me on the pathway to a world title. Martinez is a great fighter, and I know it will be a great fight. It’ll be a fight between Mexico and Puerto Rico, which is always big for boxing.”

In the televised co-main event, San Antonio’s, Texas’ Joshua “The Professor” Franco (13-0, 6 KOs) will return in his first 10-round fight against Lucas Fernandez (11-1-1, 8 KOs) of Santa Fe, Argentina. This super flyweight prospect’s nickname comes from his skillful boxing style, which combines good defense and short punches to be effectively aggressive. Franco will inch closer to a regional title if successful in this match-up.

Danielito Zorrilla (4-0, 4 KOs), the rising super lightweight puncher of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, will face Regino Canalas (6-6, 2 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico in a six-round battle. Zachary Ochoa (18-1, 7 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York will return in a six-round super lightweight fight against Puerto Rico’s Ryan Pino (7-1, 3 KOs). Ochoa will look to earn his third victory in a row after his first career loss.

Kevin Nieves (12-1, 5 KOs) of Comerio, Puerto Rico will return in a six-round lightweight clash against his compatriot Edgardi Rivera (7-5-2, 5 KOs), while Jose Bartelomei (4-0, 4 KOs) of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico will participate in a four-round fight against Miguel Ortiz (3-24) in the 130-pound division.

Rashidi Ellis (18-0, 12 KOs) of Boston, Mass. will return in an eight-round welterweight fight. Juan Camacho (6-1, 5 KOs), who is also from Juana Diaz, will square off in super flyweight fight scheduled for four rounds. Edwin Valentin (3-0, 3 KOs)of Salinas, Puerto Rico will compete in a six-round bantamweight fight, while Josean Serra (11-1, 7 KOs) of Ponce, Puerto Rico will return in a six-round light flyweight bout to open the night of action.

Opponents for all four, along with a full card of action, will be announced shortly.

Martinez vs. Santiago II is a 10-round fight for the NABO Super Flyweight Title promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” Hennessy “Never Stop, Never Settle.” The fight will take place on Saturday, March 24 at Complejo Ferial De Puerto Rico in Ponce. Doors to the event open at 7:00 p.m. AST/6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT, and the first non-televised bout begins at 7:30 p.m. AST/6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. ESPN and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET /5:30 p.m. PT. ESPN 3 will live stream the fights beginning at 8:00 p.m. AST/7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.

Videos and images are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/MartinezSantiago2. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions.

Tickets for Martinez vs. Santiago II are priced at $20 for general admission and $30 for VIP tables plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketpluspr.comor by phone at (787) 808-5000, and at Complejo Ferial de Puerto Rico Box Office at www.complejoferialpr.com or by phone at (787) 567-4181.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com/,
www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com/ and www.espn.com/boxing. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPN, and @ESPNBoxeo; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, and follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPNBoxeo. Follow the conversation using #GBPonESPN

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Canada (February 8, 2018) – United Boxing Promotions (UBP) announced today that it has signed Indian super middleweight prospect Sukhdeep Singh for his professional debut, March 17, at Hersey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

An elusive, pure boxer, Singh will make his pro debut March 17 on a UBP-presented St. Patrick’s Day card, in a four-round bout against an opponent to be determined, at Undefeated Irish-Canadian sensation Josh “Dubs” O’Reilly (10-0, 4 KOs), fighting out of Hamilton (Canada), will make his initial International Boxing Association (IBA) Inter-Continental lightweight title defense against Mexican veteran Juan Bedolla Orozco (19-7-2, 14 KOs) in the 10-round main event.

“Since 2010,” UBP promoter Tyler Buxton said, “United Boxing Promotions has launched the careers of Toronto’s best boxers. On March 17th, we continue this tradition with the pro debut of Sukhdeep Singh, whose international boxing experience and following could make him the next Amir Khan.”

India may not be boxing’s most fertile country, although reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific and Oriental super middleweight champion Vijender Singh (10-0, 7 KOs) is an exception, but Singh had a decorated amateur career, ranked as high as No. 17 in the world in his division.

The 25-year-old Singh, who is switches between orthodox and southpaw stances, captured gold medals at the 2012 Senior National Boxing Championship and 2011 Boxing Super Cup. Two years ago, he also trained with the Indian Olympic Boxing Team in Ireland.

Last year, Singh was named “Best Boxer” in India’s inaugural boxing league, Super Pro Boxing League, founded by former world champion Khan and Bill Dosanjh.

“I’m very happy for this opportunity to turn professional in Toronto at the Hershey Centre,” Singh commented.
From Punjab’s farming fields to Canada’s training grounds, Singh is being trained by Ryan Grant of Grant MMA & Boxing.

“I have been training Sukh since he was 16 years old,” Grant noted. “I’m excited to watch his growth through the professional ranks.”

Tickets are available at the Hershey Centre box office or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.UnitedPromotions.CA

Facebook: /UnitedBoxingPromotions

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ABOUT UNITED BOXING PROMOTIONS (UBP) — An Ontario-based professional boxing promotions company, United Boxing Promotions was incorporated in 200 with its primary goal of building pro boxing in the province of Ontario, Canada. UBP has established itself as a premier promotional company worldwide

UNP’s partner, Mississauga Hersey Centre, provides the venue for a combination of exciting fight cards in a premier facility, enabling UBF to provide its valued spectators an entertaining evening of pro boxing.

During the past few years, UBP has made a definitive difference in Ontario boxing and it is UBP’s goal to continue the growth of pro boxing by providing assistance to other start-up promotional companies and supporting amateur programs.

EL PASO, TX. (February 8, 2018) – Highly touted 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas will battle Jorge Rojas in a six-round matchup live in primetime on Saturday, February 17 in Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes action from Don Haskins Center on the UTEP campus in El Paso, Texas with television covered starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Balderas vs. Rojas will be featured on fight night coverage, which is headlined by a 12-round duel between former welterweight world champions Victor Ortiz (32-6-2, 25 KOs) and Devon Alexander (27-4, 14 KOs) in the main event and an a 12-round IBF super middleweight title elimination bout between undefeated contender Caleb “Sweethands” Plant (16-0, 10 KOs) and Rogelio “Porky” Medina (38-8, 32 KOs) in the co-feature.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

“It’s just speaks to who Karlos is that he has a televised spot on national TV,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman and CEO of Ringstar Sports, Balderas’ promoter. “He’s one of those once in a generation talents that combines power, style and grace. From his ring walk and how easily he dispatches opponents you can see this young man has star written all over him. He has that “it” factor. He engages people and gets them all fired up. He has an amazing aura. He’s fun to watch and engaging. I’m expecting a great performance from him.”

The 21-year-old Balderas (3-0, 3 KOs), a first-generation Mexican-American, competed on the U.S. Olympic boxing team in the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Balderas of Santa Maria, California turned pro last year and fought three times in 2017. He scored a knockout victory over Carlos Flores in his last fight on Dec. 15.

“I’m very happy to be fighting on this card on FOX and FOX Deportes in primetime,” said Balderas. “It means more people can see that I’m here and I’m ready and I’m in great shape. We’ve been doing a bunch of different things in my training camp, like biking and swimming that I know will help me. My first three fights have finished very fast, so people haven’t seen my true speed and power. I have an explosiveness that I’d like to showcase more. I’ll look to show more of my speed and my boxing skill in this fight. I need more rounds and experience to progress. I want to box and move more, use my feet more in this fight. I’d like to do that, but we’ll see what happens.”

Rojas (4-2-1, 2 KOs) fought four times last year and is coming off a loss to Cesar Soriano in his last fight on Oct. 17. The 27-year-old Rojas of Puebla, Mexico will be fighting in the U.S. for the first time in his career.

“I’ve been given a great opportunity,” said Rojas. I’m going to go out there, fight my heart out and try to do my best. Let the best man win. I’m going to do everything I can to represent my team and my city of Cholula. I’ve been training really hard to make the most of this chance. This is really big for me and I want to leave a good impression on the fans, no matter the result.”

Also featured on this exciting night of fights is former 154-pound champion Austin Trout (30-4, 17 KOs), who takes on Juan De Angel (20-7-1, 18 KOs) in a junior middleweight affair, former title challenger Thomas Williams Jr. (20-3, 14 KOs), who battles Humberto Velazco Torres (18-1-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight bout, Mark Anthony Hernandez (11-1, 3 KOs), who takes on Jeison Rosario (14-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight fight and 154-pound contender Tony Harrison (25-2, 20 KOs), who enters the ring looking to pick up a victory on his way to a second world title shot.

Rounding out the action is IBF Female Featherweight World Champion Jennifer Han (16-3-1, 1 KO), who fights out of El Paso and will defend her title against Bolivia’s Lizbeth Crespo (11-3, 3 KOs), plus Argentina’s Jonathan Pachado (1-0, 1 KO) against Josh Ross (3-6-4) in a four-round lightweight fight, unbeaten Wesley Diana (1-0, 1 KO) in four rounds of lightweight action and Karlos’ brother Jose Balderas (2-0) in a four round bantamweight affair.
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Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FOX or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.tgbpromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @FOXTV, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.PBC on FOX & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 8, 2018) – Thompson Boxing Promotions will hold a fundraising raffle for boxer Daniel Franco as part of its “Path to Glory” boxing event on Friday, Feb. 16.

The event takes place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

Franco, who is from nearby Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., suffered a significant brain injury in June when he was knocked out in the eighth round by Jose Haro. Since then, Franco has undergone multiple brain surgeries. His recovery is progressing well, but Franco and his family are beset with mounting medical and rehabilitation bills.

Thompson Boxing will match the total that is raised by the raffle and promoter Ken Thompson respectfully encourages other promoters to help in any way they can. Prizes for the raffle will be announced as the event draws closer.

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the venue on the day of the event.

The seven-card event is highlighted by featherweight titleholder Erick Ituarte (19-1-1, 3 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. defending his NABF Junior championship against the battle tested Jose Ramirez (27-6-2, 16 KOs) of Mexico in a bout set for 8-rounds.

Ituarte, who defends his title for the second time, is in the midst of a 12-fight winning streak that dates back three years. His last win, in November, was a first round destruction of Gustavo Molina. It is anticipated that Ramirez will not back down from a fight. He holds losses against world champions Vasyl Lomachenko, Abner Mares, and Oscar Valdez.

In the 6-round co-feature, rising featherweight talent Ruben Villa (9-0, 4 KOs) of Salinas, Calif. puts his unblemished record to the test against fellow southpaw and veteran Ruben Tamayo (26-11-4, 18 KOs) of Ciudad Obregon, Mexico.

In the 8-round special attraction, free swinging super bantamweight Isaac Zarate (13-3-3, 2 KOs) of San Pedro, Calif. fights Mexico’s Christian Ayala (12-1, 4 KOs). Zarate holds a recent win against former world title challenger Carlos Carlson and routinely spars with WBA titleholder Danny Roman.

Additionally, the “Path to Glory” fight card showcases four unbeaten prospects: bantamweight Saul Sanchez (6-0, 4 KOs) of Indio, Calif., bantamweight Mario Hernandez (4-0, 1 KO) of Santa Ana, lightweight Ruben Torres (3-0, 3 KOs) of Los Angeles, and lightweight Zhora Hamazaryan (8-0, 6 KOs) of Armenia.

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

All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents: Path to Glory via our Facebook page and ThompsonBoxing.com.

The livestream starts at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Steve Kim providing expert color commentary.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. local time with the first bout at approximately 8:00 p.m. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 N. Vineyard Ave. in Ontario, CA 91764 and can be reached at 909-937-0900.

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

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. To follow the conversation on social media, please use #PathToGlory, #TBPresents, and #ThompsonBoxing.

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.

(Brooklyn, New York) – The old Frank Galarza (18-2-2, 11 KOs) is back and his timing couldn’t be better. In his second fight coming off of a 14-month layoff after suffering two difficult back-to-back losses, Galarza put together a strong performance at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on the Kovalev vs. Shabranskyy undercard, winning with solid scores in a unanimous decision.

Galarza returns to “his house,” the Mecca of Boxing, again on March 3 on the non-televised undercard of Sergey Kovalev vs. Igor Mikhalkin in a junior middleweight bout against veteran Ed Paredes (38-7-1, 25 KOs) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Galarza, now 32, said he knew he had to keep fighting. “My thing was to never quit. It’s easy to hang it up. Something inside me told me not to. Keep driving, keep seeking, keep pushing, keep asking,” said Galarza.

Galarza also found motivation in Youth Fighting Forward, the foundation he started in 2014, dedicated to engaging kids ages 8 to 17 of all backgrounds whether affected by crime, poverty, or simple low self-esteem through boxing and mentoring. Galarza saw a way to help kids who come from a background like his own — without family or other support systems — through boxing and mixed martial arts, along with a range of educational strategies. In a fitting twist, it was the kids who inspired Galarza to get back in the ring himself.

“I know what it’s like to not have much,” explained Galarza. “Look … Nobody expected me to become the person I became, in televised fights and knocking people out. Even I had some doubts, but I worked through it. I disciplined myself, trained myself, kept showing up. That’s the goal, keep showing up.”

Galarza said when he visits schools and tries to provide motivation, “A lot of them look at me and relate. They look up to the fact I was able to do it, had the confidence to do it. Just speaking to me gives them the confidence to do it. I know what it’s like not to have people believe in you. That makes them want to strive for something,” and it encourages Galarza to strive as well.

Galarza confesses he has something else in common with kids: he loves watching cartoons. “Deep down inside, I’m a big kid. I’m just a big kid,” Galarza admitted. “I don’t watch TV. I only watch cartoons. I watch ’em all! I watch all the new ones, the old ones. I love the ‘Team Titans.’

“Don’t judge me!” said Galarza with a big laugh. “It keeps me sane. I enjoy a good movie now and then, but you can ask my mother. I’ll watch cartoons all day.”

Back in the win column, the Brooklyn native says he finally feels like his old self. “I feel like my last fight, I needed to get my ferociousness back, the old Frank Galarza, my ‘Notorious.’ I needed to get back where I needed to be,” said Galarza.

Looking back on his return, Galarza said he’s pleased with his body work and display of boxing ability, including good movement and adjustments. “Toward the end of the rounds I decided to be smart and not get hit, I’ve proven that. Little corrections I need to do now, we’re sharpening our skills now.”

Galarza said he can’t wait to get back in the ring. “I’m comfortable, I’m back. Boxing sometimes takes a toll on you. It’s a love-hate relationship. I had to find the love again. The last fight brought the love and passion back. People can expect to see my passion for the sport” on March 3, Galarza promises fans.

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.

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New York, NY (2/8/18) – In front of a packed house on Wednesday night, DiBella Entertainment returned to B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in midtown Manhattan for the latest installment of Broadway Boxing. The bouts were streamed live on DiBella Entertainment’s Facebook page. Broadway Boxing is presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX and Christos Steak House.

(Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

In the main event, Noel Murphy, 139.2 lbs., of Woodlawn, NY, by way of County Cork, Ireland, and Brooklyn’s Mikkel LesPierre, 139.4 lbs., waged a barnburner for 10 thrilling rounds. It became a war of attrition with many ebbs and flows between the two southpaws. Murphy stormed out of his corner and was the aggressor for the first two frames, focusing a lot of his attack downstairs. In the third, LesPierre stymied that pressure with expert footwork and counter shots. The middle rounds were close, though LesPierre’s right hooks created a bruise underneath Murphy’s left eye. The sixth featured plenty of exciting exchanges then LesPierre found the proper distance again to land combinations led by his potent uppercuts. With a sense of urgency, Murphy picked up the pace in the ninth and never let up for the remaining six minutes, attacking the body and continually moving forward. However, he also lost a point in round nine for a rabbit punch, which was the deciding factor in the decision. The judges tallied 97-92, and 95-94 twice, all for LesPierre, now 19-0-1 (8 KOs), who seized the WBC USNBC super lightweight title with the victory. Murphy is now 12-1 (2 KOs). Without the point deduction, the bout would have been declared a majority draw. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, LesPierre moved to the US at age six and was raised in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. He is trained by Don Saxby out of Gleason’s Gym.

In front of a large cheering section, the popular Jude “King Zar” Franklin, 128 lbs., took on Italian Floriano Pagliara, 129.6 lbs., in a battle of Brooklyn. The contest began with wild exchanges, though Franklin was the more accurate puncher. Backing Pagliara into the ropes, Franklin planted a right hook to the body followed by an overhand right upstairs to drop his fellow Brooklynite just one minute into the bout. Trained by Elmo Serrano out of Gleason’s Gym, Franklin kept up the pressure, digging shots to the body. A game Pagliara tried to fire back in round two, but that only left himself open for counters. Franklin landed a straight right that decked Pagliara a second time, resulting in a TKO stoppage at 1:31 of the second stanza. Franklin’s record now stands at 7-0 (6 KOs), while Pagliara fell to 16-8-2 (7 KOs).

(Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

Making his DBE debut, Ukrainian heavyweight prospect Oleksandr “Sasha” Teslenko, 220 lbs., of Toronto, Canada, patiently stalked Keenan Hickman, 269.2 lbs., of Baton Rouge, LA, from the outset, landing stiff jabs to the midsection before launching powerful straight rights. One straight right wobbled Hickman near the end of round one. The same punch dropped Hickman in the second. Though he arose, Hickman endured another 20 seconds of punishment before the referee halted the bout at the 1:09 mark. Hickman’s ledger dipped to 6-3-1 (2 KOs). The 6’5″ 25-year-old Teslenko, born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, improved to 12-0 (10 KOs). Teslenko, now managed by Gary Freedman, took up boxing at age eight at the behest of his father. As an amateur, Teslenko became a three-time Ukrainian National champion while accumulating an impressive 224-23 record. During this time, Teslenko also earned a degree in Marketing from the University of Chernivtsi and served in the Ukrainian Army alongside DBE stablemate Ivan Golub.

(Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

In his New York debut, East Hartford, Connecticut’s Mykquan Williams, 146 lbs., finished Preston Wilson, 142.8 lbs., of Parkersburg, WV, inside the opening frame. Williams quickly found a home for his straight right upstairs, clearly bothering Wilson. Near the bell, a three-punch combination started by a right uppercut dropped Wilson for the full count, ending the contest at the 2:59 mark. Wilson fell to 4-3-1 (3 KOs). Trained by Connecticut Boxing Hall of Famer Paul Cichon and managed by the renowned Jackie Kallen, Williams upped his record to 10-0 (6 KOs). Williams was also a decorated amateur with a 45-13 record, highlighted by three gold-medal performances at the Ringside World Championships, in addition to winning the PAL Tournament and Silver Gloves Championships.

Heavyweight prospect Stephan Shaw, 261.8 lbs., of St. Louis, MO, dominated Joel Caudle, 265 lbs., of Raleigh, NC, over six frames en route to a unanimous decision in his DBE debut. Shaw’s offense steadily increased as the fight wore on; beginning with stiff jabs to keep a proper distance to land straight rights and short left hooks. Soon after, Shaw added hooks to the body to his arsenal followed by combinations. Caudle was game, landing his own leather in exchanges, but Shaw remained in control throughout. Scorecards read 60-54 twice, and 59-55, to up Shaw’s record to 10-0 (6 KOs), while Caudle, 7-2-1 (5 KOs), suffered his second defeat. Following a stellar amateur career that included 2013 PAL and USA National Championships titles, Shaw turned professional in December 2013. Managed by David McWater’s Split-T Management, Shaw trains with four-time Olympic Boxing coach Basheer Abdullah out of Arena Gym in San Diego, California.

Southpaw Jonathan Arroyo, 146 lbs., of Patchogue, Long Island, NY, improved to 2-0 (1 KOs) with a second-round stoppage of Andrea Crepaldi, 142.2 lbs., of Manhattan, NY, who was making his pro debut. Arroyo used his height and reach advantages to keep Crepaldi at the end of his power shots, landing a series of hooks to stagger his foe and force a stoppage at the 2:59 mark of round two.

Queens, New York (February 8, 2018) – El Matador Management is proud to announce the signing of undefeated featherweight prospect Juan “Ciclon” Sanchez to an exclusive managerial contract.

Sanchez, 22 years-old of Allentown, Pennsylvania has a perfect mark of 4-0 with one knockout. He is the son of former WBO Super Bantamweight world champion, Agapito Sanchez. Juan started boxing at the age of 15, and had a brief amateur career consisting of approximately 30 fights.

“My first exposure to boxing was when I was four years old and I accompanied my dad to the gym,” said Sanchez. “I am excited to be with El Matador Management and looking forward to continue to grow in boxing. Boxing is a show, and I look forward to putting on great performances. I like to look flashy! Felipe Gomez has the experience to take me along this exciting journey.”

Said Felipe Gomez, “I appreciate the confidence that Juan Sanchez and his team have placed in me. I remember what a warrior Juan’s father, Agapito, was in the ring. I can see similarities in Juan’s style and I believe he will go on to be an accomplished fighter.”

Sanchez will be back in action on Tuesday, February 13 against Sergio Aguilar at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center

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After completing a three year apprenticeship that should serve as a blue print for the industry, unbeaten Manchester starlet Zelfa Barrett intends to attack the major 130lb titles in 2018.

Since entering the profession with modest amateur credentials in October 2014, the ‘Brown Flash’ has honed his craft in six scheduled four rounders and nine scheduled six rounders – off TV, in the classrooms of the northern small halls – before sizzling in three scheduled 10 rounders in 2017. In late October, he was scary good in his championship bow, splattering city rival Chris Conwell in four to claim the vacant English title.

The speed of his development under his uncle, coach and mentor Pat ‘Black Flash’ Barrett – a monster punching British and European Light-Welter king of the early 1990s – has been quite astounding.

Now 19-0, with nine (often spectacular) stoppage wins in his last ten starts, the smooth yet savage 24 year old was nominated as Prospect of the Year by six of the 12 experts canvassed for BoxNation’s end of year review.

And rival foghorns who mocked his courage – when ‘Uncle Pat’ withdrew him from British eliminators last year before his time was fully served – have latterly hit the mute button. Seekers turned hiders!

‘Uncle Pat’ treats me like a son and has always done what he thought was best for me. But now he thinks we’ve covered all bases and I’m finally ready for the British title,’ says ‘Zelly’ who trains at the city’s World renowned Collyhurst and Moston gym and is managed by Steve Wood.

‘Obviously it was very frustrating at times with people calling me out and my uncle withdrawing me from eliminators cos I’m a fighter and want to fight everyone. ‘Uncle Pat’ is ’militant’, a very hard man to please but I’ve just had to trust him and thankfully the perseverance has paid off. We’re there now.

‘It’s been about grafting in the gym and biding my time, a case of becoming proficient in every aspect of boxing before unleashing me. Reflexes, defence, counter punching, body attack; no blips, able to adapt to every eventuality.

‘My uncle doesn’t ever want me to be a rabbit in the headlights, confronted by a situation in the ring that I’d not encountered before. Above all, it was about developing ring generalship, knowing how to own every inch of the ring.’

If the chilling countout of Conwell exemplified young Zelfa’s explosiveness, his classy 10 round beatdown of Nicaraguan nugget Eusebio Osejo five months earlier gave credence that he has the fitness and focus required to flourish over the championship trip.

‘Last year, I added more ring experience and prepared for 12 rounders in training camp,’ says Zelfa who decked Osejo in rounds four and nine en route to a commanding 99-90 decision.

‘I completed a 10 rounder where previously I’d not gone past round six. That’ll hold me in good stead for the future. There’s no point just doing it in the gym.

‘And I showed I can carry my power from first round to last because I‘ve been taught to punch with the correct technique since I was an amateur. I turn my knuckles over and punch through the shoulder, through the target.’

The silky 5ft 7in counter puncher from Harpurhey’s ring education has been further enriched by extensive spars with the city’s elite.

He explains: ‘Sparring world champions such as Terry (Flanagan), Scott Quigg and (Anthony) Crolla has played a huge role in developing the self-belief that I’m ready for the big titles.

‘There’s been tough times and trust me, they tried to knock me out. Lately, it’s got more technical, more thoughtful. It’s about who makes a mistake cos they get punished.

‘They operate at world level so if I can give a good account of myself with them, deliver hard rounds, I doubt I’m going to be troubled by those at the level I’ll be operating at this year.’

He keeps his tools sharp with a ten rounder with Dundee’s Ronnie Clark at the York Hall on February 24th and expects his passing out parade to be formalised in the second half of this year.

‘The English title win was confirmation that I’m now ready for ‘lift off’. We hope to advance the old school way – British, Commonwealth, European – and I’m still quite young,’ he concludes.

‘I’ll make my British challenge this year, maybe around September. We’re ready for any of them and now it’s on our terms.’

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 hard-hitting Southampton Super-Welterweight Joe Pigford returns to the ring after a brutal KO win over Aaron Morgan in May 2017; 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; stylish Ilford Super-Middleweight Umar Sadiq and former Team GB Flyweight Harvey Horn both look to go 2-0 while Beckton Lightweight and Anthony Yarde gym mate Mohammed Bilal Ali makes his professional debut.

Tickets for Saturday 24th February priced at £40, £50, £60 and £80 are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.com and directly from fighters on the bill.

Media accreditation: Media and photographers wishing to attend the February 24 show can apply via the event page on the Frank Warren website: https://www.frankwarren.com/allevents/yarde-v-averlant/

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 7, 2018) – Former world champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios hosted a Los Angeles media workout Wednesday in advance of his welterweight title eliminator against Danny “Swift” Garcia Saturday, Feb. 17, live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

In the co-feature of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), undefeated super middleweight world champion David Benavidez and top-rated contender Ronald Gavril square-off in a rematch of their thrilling September 2017 bout in which Benavidez won the vacant title by split decision.

In the telecast opener, welterweight contender Yordenis Ugas meets Ray Robinson in an IBF 147-pound title eliminator.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at AXS.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from NGBA Boxing Gym:

BRANDON RIOS

“I’m training really hard and I’m ready to get back in the ring. My weight is perfect right now and I’m just ready to give the fans a great show.

“This is the kind of fight that I asked for because I know that beating a guy like Danny Garcia will mean a lot to my career and put me on the fast track to accomplish my goals.

“Danny has a lot of power on his hook. He throws it hard and is accurate. We’ve worked hard to prepare for this moment and I’m excited.

“Having Robert Garcia here makes me much happier in training. I love the instructions from him and Donald Leary, and I love having them as my corner. Sparring the young guys in Robert’s gym really has helped me. Those guys are hungry and always pushing to prove themselves. I have to keep elevating my game.

“As long as I beat Danny Garcia, I know that it puts me back to the top of this division. I’m here again and I’m doing it right this time. I want to make the most of this part of my career. I don’t want to ever wonder ”what if?'”

“I’m going to win. That’s my mentality. I’m going into this fight with that same hunger and drive to never be defeated. I’m going to do whatever I have to do to win this fight.

“We’re expecting to fight the best version of Danny Garcia. I know he had his first loss and wants his title back, so he’ll be prepared. I think we’re going to give the fans a great show.

“I feel rejuvenated and more mature than ever before. I’ve already been to the top. I just want to do things right this time so I can get back up there and stay there. I’m taking this camp very seriously to be at my best on February 17. I’m going to go out there and execute the game plan.

“We’re going to give 150 tickets to first responders of the Las Vegas incident last year and it means a lot to me and my whole team. Those men and women work very hard and put their lives on the line to protect us all around the world. It means a lot to me for them to come to this show.”

ROBERT GARCIA, Rios’ Trainer

“For this fight Brandon has been so motivated and training so hard. He’s very close to weight already and we’ve had more than enough rounds of sparring.

“Brandon is like my little brother and he’s definitely part of the family. I’ve always been in touch with him even when I wasn’t training him. When we agreed to team up again, the promise was that he had to stay healthy and train hard and show us that he wants to be champion again. Since that day, he’s been on a mission. He’s doing it the right way.

“Danny Garcia is a great two-division world champion. We expect him to be confident and I’m sure he’s training hard to get a good win. Brandon is going to be motivated to give everyone a great fight. His mind set is to go out and beat Danny Garcia and that’s what he’s going to do.

“Brandon is training hard to do what people don’t believe he can do. His confidence is like never before. I see the same Brandon that we’ve seen in the best moments of his career.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, and @MandalayBay or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShoBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Premier Boxing Champions is presented by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

LAS VEGAS (February 7, 2018) – Undefeated super middleweight contender Caleb “Sweethands” Plant hosted a media workout in Las Vegas Wednesday as he prepares for his world title eliminator showdown against Rogelio “Porky” Medina Saturday, February 17 as part of Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes from Don Haskins Center on the UTEP campus in El Paso, Texas.

Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is headlined by a 12-round duel between former welterweight world champions Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander. Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Here is what Plant had to say Thursday from City Boxing Gym in Las Vegas:

CALEB PLANT

“Medina is a rough, tough competitor who comes to win every time. He puts it all on the line, so I expect it to be a great fight. He’s going to fight to the very end so I have to be ready.

“Training camp has been excellent. A lot of fighters say this, but this truly has been my best camp. My sparring and my strength training has been on point. My weight is on point and I’m ready to put it all together on February 17.

“My team has done a great job putting me in a position to be at my best on fight night. We’re going to keep working so that everything finishes with me putting on a great performance in El Paso.

“It’s great to be fighting in primetime on FOX and FOX Deportes. I know I’ll have a lot of eyes on me but I’m not going to let it affect what I do. I’m going to stay under control and execute the game plan we worked on.

“Caleb Truax just won the IBF title and after this fight I’ll be number two in that division. That’s definitely a fight that we want and will look to make happen after this one. David Benavidez is the fight I would want first after I win the IBF title.

“This is going to be a fun USA vs. Mexico fight and I’m looking to represent for my country. I think the competitiveness will be extremely high on fight night.

“I’m thankful to everyone who has supported me and I’m going to keep giving them great performances on February 17.”

# # #

Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FOX or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.tgbpromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @FOX, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.PBC on FOX & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 7, 2018): Following a 2017 that saw massive knockouts, shocking upsets and the rise of several Golden Boy Promotions prospects, LA FIGHT CLUB returns on March 16 for its inaugural 2018 show live from the Belasco Theater in Downtown, Los Angeles, Calif. and live on EstrellaTV’s Boxeo Estelar. The series will continue on April 6, June 1, July 6, Aug. 10, and Oct. 12, with more possible dates to follow.

“LA Fight Club was popular beyond any of our imaginations throughout 2017, and we are proud to bring it back,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “We saw a little bit of everything that boxing has to offer at the Belasco last year including upsets, knockouts, the development of future world champions, and I am looking forward to 2018 delivering even more.”

Among the highlights from 2017:
Virtually unknown outside of his native Philippines, lightweight “Ruthless” Romero Duno (16-1, 14 KOs) arrived at the Belasco Theater in March as an opponent to then-undefeated and hot prospect Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (18-1, 15 KOs). Less than six minutes later, Duno scored a brutal knockout that led to a contract with Golden Boy Promotions and has placed him in position for huge fights in 2018 and beyond.
Longtime Nicaraguan super featherweight contender Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (28-8, 19 KOs), once again upset the apple cart as an opponent, forcing the corner of then-undefeated Venezuelan Roger “The Kid” Gutierrez (17-1-1, 14 KOs) to call off the July 14 main event in the seventh round of a scheduled eight. Alvarado would go on to knock off former world-title contender Denis Shafikov (38-4-1, 20 KOs) later in the year.
One-time highly touted super featherweight prospect Charles Huerta (20-5, 12 KOs) resurrected his career in the April main event at the Belasco Theater, knocking out then-unbeaten prospect Ivan “Striker” Delgado (11-1-1, 4 KOs). Once the referee waived off the bout following Huerta’s two knockdowns of Delgado in the third round, the Paramount, California native’s career was back in full swing.
Fighters appearing on the March 16 card will be announced shortly.

LA FIGHT CLUB is an innovative boxing series that showcases the best and brightest stars of the exclusive Golden Boy Promotions stable. The events will be sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Casa Mexico Tequila. The series will return to the Belasco Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, Calif. on Friday, March 16, along with EstrellaTV’s Boxeo Estelar. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets for the upcoming shows on April 6, June 1, July 6, Aug. 10, and Oct. 12.

Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB start at the fan-friendly price of $25 and are available for purchase now at www.goldenboytickets.com, the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page, or by calling 213-233-2957.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.thebelasco.com, and www.estrellatv.com. Follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @EstrellaTV. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA and www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork.
Visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @belascola and @EstrellaTV. Follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB and #BoxeoEstelar.

Some of Frank Warren’s brightest young stars are in action at Bethnal Green’s iconic York Hall on Friday 2nd March as part of his stacked Box Academy show.

All-action Hornchurch Welterweight Sanjeev Sahota (10-0, 3 KO’s) has enjoyed a rapid rise since turning over in early 2016 and continues to work towards his first professional title. Negotiations for ‘SSS’ to take part in his first title bout on the March 2 card are ongoing.

Undefeated English Super-Bantamweight Champion Josh ‘Handsome’ Kennedy (10-0, 5 KO’s) promises to start the year in style as he targets a shot at the British title currently held by Thomas Patrick Ward later in the year.

Fulham Super-Middleweight talent Zak Chelli (3-0, 2 KO’s) returns to the atmospheric hall for the first time since his pro debut win against Trowbridge’s Jacob Lucas in February 2017.

Hornchurch Super-Middleweight Harley Benn (2-0,1 KO), son of British fight legend Nigel, is gunning for another York Hall KO when he takes on Welshman Gary Cooper over four rounds.

Exciting Erith Flyweight Jake Pettitt (2-0) makes his York Hall bow after his impressive points win over Stefan Sashnov on the Billy Joe Saunders v Willie Monroe Jr undercard back in September.

Powerful Sidcup Super-Featherweight D.P Carr (8-0, 4 KO’s) tests himself against former Midlands Area Champion and Lyon Woodstock opponent Paul ‘The Incredible’ Holt.

South Ockendon Super-Lightweight ‘Champagne’ Charlie Driscoll (5-0) takes part in his first scheduled six rounds contest while the hugely-popular Canning Town Light-Heavyweight Charlie Duffield (4-1, 4 KO’s) faces Stoke’s Chris Nixon over six rounds.

Surrey Lightweight Tony Vincent (1-0) fights in the capital for the first time and Wormley Lightweight Alfie Price makes his professional debut against Gloucester’s Andy Harris.

Tickets for Box Academy priced at £40, £50, £60 and £80 are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.com and directly from fighters on the bill.

Media accreditation: Media and photographers wishing to attend the March 2 show can apply via the event page on the Frank Warren website.

(Bronx, New York) – Sixty thousand community college students participate in athletic competition, according to the NCAA. Another 400,000 compete if you include four-year college students. Only two percent will ever become professional athletes.

Twenty-year-old Bronx native Ismael Villarreal (1-0) has already beaten those odds. The two-time New York Golden Gloves champion won his first bout as a professional boxer in November in his debut at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Villarreal returns to the big stage again at The Garden on Saturday, March 3 on the non-televised undercard of Sergey Kovalev vs. Igor Mikhalkin in a four-round junior middleweight bout against Anthony Woods (1-5) of Douglasville, Georgia.

“I never thought I was going to return (to Madison Square Garden) that quick,” said Villarreal. “It’s pretty cool, and I get to fight in my hometown, so I like it.”

Villarreal remains in New York between fights in order to balance his full-time training schedule and full-time course load at Brooklyn Community College. He is a physical education major, studying subjects including biology and education, with the goal of becoming a teacher. “You’ve always got to have a backup plan. Anything can happen… I can’t drop school.”

Villarreal competed as an amateur while attending Belmont Preparatory High School, founded in the Bronx in 2002 for academically talented students throughout the community. Many of his teachers there became boxing fans, and Villarreal expects to see many of them for his second fight at Madison Square Garden. “They’ve always been supportive,” said Villarreal.

His community college classmates and instructors aren’t as aware of Villarreal’s second full-time job as a professional boxer: “Sometimes they find me on the internet. I would have told them, but I don’t want to interrupt class saying ‘hey, I’m a boxer!'”

Juggling the demands of training and his school obligations makes time management critically important for Villarreal. “I have to go every day, my only day off is Friday. I still have to focus on running, on homework, on the gym. It’s tough but I’ll make it through,” said Villarreal.

Villarreal says the real exhaustion is mental more than physical. “When I go to school and I’m boxing, it’s definitely hard. Some can do it, some can’t … Sometimes it’s hard to manage… no one can say it’s easy, it’s a challenge.”

But Villarreal has discovered the value of discipline, and he says it benefits him in multiple ways. “I’ve always been disciplined when it comes to schoolwork. If anything, I become more disciplined with boxing from the schoolwork,” explained Villarreal.

For his upcoming fight, Villarreal is dropping from middleweight to junior middleweight (154 pounds). He says he’s working on being more active and throwing more punches, especially working to the body. Villarreal’s plan for 2018 is to stay active in the ring. But he also understands at this stage of his career, “sometimes you get tired of waiting, but patience is important … I know everything will pay off in the future.”

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.

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Fill out the credential application at:
http://emcevents.com/kovalevmikhalkin.html

The deadline to apply for Fight Week credentials is Friday, February 23. Ringside space is limited.

Since Ted ‘Kid Lewis terrorised the World’s Welterweights almost a century ago, London’s East End has always been a fertile breeding ground for fighting men and Whitechapel-born Flyweight Harvey Horn appears to possess all the core ingredients to advance that legacy.

‘Very early on in life, I learned that you quickly gained respect around our manor if you could hold your hands up,’ says ‘Horny’ Harvey who was born in the London Hospital and raised in flat just off the Roman Road in Bethnal Green.

‘You had to be able to look after yourself to survive around there. Both my dad and my mum – who’s a proper East End bird – preached: ‘If any one lies a hand on ya, hit ‘em back twice as hard!’

Though the 22 year old Mark Tibbs coached southpaw has since alighted to the village of Abridge in Essex, his heart and roots remain firmly entrenched in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

‘We’ve still got loads of family there,’ disclosed the diehard West Ham United fan who earned rave reviews after brutally dicing Czech import Denis Bartos inside three rounds on his pro bow at the Copper Box Arena last December.

‘I really enjoyed going to primary school and growing up in the East End. From secondary school, I was always the smallest in my group but my pals were all massive and they really looked after me. I was never bullied. In fact I was usually the trouble maker!

‘I weren’t a bad tempered kid but I could always handle myself. When I was just seven, my mum got me into karate cos I was always rucking’.

But it was in a different form of combat that young ‘Aitch’ was to excel.

‘Dad, like many round here, was a huge boxing fan. He claims he had 15-20 amateur bouts and never lost but I’m not sure I believe him! My step granddad, Terry Insole, won several national junior titles out of the Fisher club,’ claims Horn.

‘Dad was always telling me stories about the top local fighters, your Straceys, your Kaylors. As I grew older, I started to take an interest in the champions who came from our area. I was particularly fascinated by (ex WBC champion) Charlie Magri from Stepney who, despite being a Flyweight, could knock people cold and sell a ticket, pack out any venue.

‘As a toddler, Dad first took me to the York Hall to have a swim but I later boxed there four times and, atmosphere wise, it was probably the best. They’re hardcore knowledgeable fans and once the MC announces you’re from Bethnal Green, the place just goes mental!

‘The Repton amateur boxing club was also right on my doorstep and it was a massive thing in the area. Dad first took me there when I was about seven but they rejected me, told me there were too many kids there already so I joined the Gator (ABC in Hainault) before returning to Repton, aged 15.

‘I’m the eldest of three boys who all box….and I’m easily the smallest. Finlay, who’s 18, is very stocky and unbeaten in three. Louis, who’s 16 but already six foot, won the schoolboys….ironically the only national junior title I didn’t win.’

In addition to bagging seven national titles (including the 2014 ABA Seniors), ‘Triple H’ captured a European Under 22 title, European Seniors silver medal and won three out of four starts for the GB Lionhearts in the brutal quasi-pro WSB before narrowly failing to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. He believes he has the talent, confidence and personality to make a similar impact now that he punches for his lunch.

‘I’m aware the East End has a proud boxing heritage and I intend adding to it,’ concludes the man who shifted over 250 tickets for his debut.

‘On the Team GB set-up, I was brought up alongside the likes of Anthony Joshua. I want what they’ve got and intend to go out and get it.’

Horn takes on Gateshead’s Gary Reeve over four rounds at York Hall on February 24th.

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);

Zelfa ‘Brown Flash’ Barrett (19-0, 12 KO’s) takes on former British Super-Featherweight title challenger Ronnie Clark (20-4-2, 10 KO’s) when he fights in the capital for the first time;

Elsewhere on a stacked card hard-hitting Southampton Super-Welterweight Joe Pigford returns to the ring after a brutal KO win over Aaron Morgan in May 2017; 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; stylish Ilford Super-Middleweight Umar Sadiq looks to go 2-0 while Beckton Lightweight and Anthony Yarde gym mate Mohammed Bilal Ali makes his professional debut.

Tickets for Saturday 24th February priced at £40, £50, £60 and £80 are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.com and directly from fighters on the bill.

Media accreditation: Media and photographers wishing to attend the February 24 show can apply via the event page on the Frank Warren website: https://www.frankwarren.com/allevents/dubois-v-jones/

Matchroom Boxing, JD Sports and Sky Sports are looking for the next generation of boxing announcers with the launch of ‘The MC Academy’.

Budding MC’s are invited to enter by uploading a video clip of themselves (maximum of 30 seconds long) introducing a fight to Twitter or Instagram using #MCacademy by Wednesday February 28. A judging panel led by Hall of Fame MC Michael Buffer joined by promoter Eddie Hearn and Head of Boxing at Sky Sports Adam Smith will select the best ten entries who will travel to Sky Sports’ HQ for a final audition and a backstage tour of the studios.

Three finalists will emerge from the audition day and they will meet Buffer who will put them through their paces in an MC Masterclass before they face the fans at an upcoming public work out.

The time spent with Buffer and at the work out will be turned into a final video montage for each of the three finalists, and fans will be able to vote for the winner – who will then get a BBBofC license and MC at Matchroom shows.

“I have a very busy schedule this year and I can’t be everywhere,” said Buffer. “So we’re starting The MC Academy. Let’s find a new voice and a new face who can help me out!

“There will be no age restriction and, of course, it’s open to both men and women! Show me what you’ve got, and good luck!

“So, ladies and gentlemen…boys and girls! Send in your videos and let’s get this party started”

“This is a great chance for an aspiring MC to learn from a legend and take centre stage at our shows,” said Hearn. “We expect to see some amusing entries over the next few weeks but also hope to unearth the next Michael Buffer!”

“Eddie and I have talked for a long time about launching this innovative and interactive new competition to find an MC!” said Smith. “It is a wonderful chance for everyone to have a go, team up with a mate, hit the notes solo or come up with something different – as we move into a flourishing and vibrant new period for boxing.

“So however young, old or crazy you are – have a go! It will be a lot of fun whittling down the list and what an opportunity to join us at Sky for the grand final and moreover being mentored by the legendary Michael Buffer! Bring it on!!”

“JD Sports are excited to launch The MC Academy,” said JD Sports’ Group Marketing Director Stephen White. “We are committed to supporting the next generation of boxers and now the next generation of MC’s too!”

For further information and terms and conditions, visit http://www.matchroomboxing.com/mcacademy/

Welling Super-Featherweight Archie Sharp might just be the best kept secret in British boxing.

The 22 year old ‘Sharpshooter’ went undefeated in his first 25 amateur bouts, conceded just once – on a double countback to a Russian in Russia in the European schoolboys final – in 22 starts in an international singlet and hoovered up nine national junior titles during a nine year innings in the unpaid sphere.

And in his 11 fights since committing to a pro deal with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren in July 2015, the audaciously talented box-fighter has smashed six victims inside three rounds and registered ‘shutout’ points victories against the other five. Yet still he insists we haven’t witnessed his best side.

‘The higher I go, the more you’ll see my true ability, definitely,’ says the sleek 5ft 9in Chelsea fan.

‘When I spar class fighters like the Walsh brothers (champions Liam and Ryan) or Carl Frampton, I’m the clever fighter, in and out, working off the centre (of the ring). On best form, I can give ANYONE problems.

‘Presently, against these tough journeyman who just come to survive, I’m having to engage my opponents, be the aggressor, press forward. While I can box or trade, my best asset is that I’ve always been very, very clever. I’m a student of the sport, really clued up.

‘As I rise through the ranks and my opponents become more ambitious, I’ll be able to return to my natural counterpunching game and that’s when my class will really shine through.’

‘Profile wise I’ve probably fallen a bit behind your Zelfa Barretts and Lyon Woodstocks mainly because I don’t waste my time calling people out on social media. I leave them alone and they tend to leave me alone,’ claims Sidcup-born Sharp who has been coached by Richard Sawyer from the age of 11 and is managed by the MTK franchise in Marbella.

‘But I’m making big statements behind the scenes, in the gyms, with the top fighters and trainers, those whose opinions really matter. Let the others have smoke blown up their arses.

‘I’ve not seen that much of the others anyway. Zelfa’s ahead of me. He’s on the cusp of a British title challenge already. Woodstock was given a very tough night by Craig Poxton. You’ve also got Martin Ward and Joey Cordina; classy, classy operators.

‘Look they’re all great prospects but, when the fights are made, we’ll see who ‘The Main Man’ is. I’m still only 22 but I’m already a big superfeatherweight and there’s a lot more strength to come.

‘Don’t forget, in the amateurs I fought decorated international boys. Pat McCormack went the Olympics. His brother Luke did well at the Europeans (Under 22 champion). Calum French is a heck of a talent who has shone in the WSB….I beat them all.

‘I can throw and land shots the others won’t dream of throwing. I lost just five of 56 as an amateur and the only slip-ups came when I neglected my boxing and had a trade-up. On my A game, I can’t see any of ‘em beating me.

‘By New Year’s Eve 2018, I’d like to have a couple of titles, perhaps the Southern Area, maybe the English. I believe I’ve got the ability to jump up for the British title tomorrow but you have to go through the stepping stones. Other prospects run in too quick and come up short.’

The quick thinking, quick fisted starlet kickstarts his 2018 campaign in an eight rounder against an as yet unnamed opponent at the York Hall on February 24th. It will be his sixth pro outing at the iconic East End fight club.

‘The York Hall is such a historical venue which holds great memories for me. I should be pushing 200 tickets personally which will make for a good atmosphere as always, when I fight,’ states Archie who recently became a father for the first time.

‘What I bring to the show is class. Counterpunching. Hopefully, I’ll get an opponent who wants to work so fans can see me landing all sorts of lead uppercuts and check hooks, spinning my opponent through the ropes off the back foot.

‘I know the level I’m at. Now it’s just a case of proving it to everybody else!’

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);

Zelfa ‘Brown Flash’ Barrett (19-0, 12 KO’s) takes on former British Super-Featherweight title challenger Ronnie Clark (20-4-2, 10 KO’s) when he fights in the capital for the first time;

Elsewhere on a stacked card hard-hitting Southampton Super-Welterweight Joe Pigford returns to the ring after a brutal KO win over Aaron Morgan in May 2017; 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; stylish Ilford Super-Middleweight Umar Sadiq and former Team GB Flyweight Harvey Horn both look to go 2-0 while Beckton Lightweight and Anthony Yarde gym mate Mohammed Bilal Ali makes his professional debut.

Tickets for Saturday 24th February priced at £40, £50, £60 and £80 are available to purchase from www.ticketmaster.com and directly from fighters on the bill.

Media accreditation: Media and photographers wishing to attend the February 24 show can apply via the event page on the Frank Warren website: https://www.frankwarren.com/allevents/dubois-v-jones/