NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. – August 10, 2023 – Former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez and streaking contender Melvin Lopez went face to face at Thursday’s final press conference before they meet for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championship this Saturday, August 12 headlining live on SHOWTIME from The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The press conference also featured fighters competing on the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast that will see undefeated rising star and Capitol Heights, Maryland-native Gary Antuanne Russell taking on fellow unbeaten Kent Cruz in the 10-round super lightweight co-main event, plus sensational top prospect and Landover, Maryland-native Travon Marshall dueling unbeaten two-time Olympian Gabriel Maestre in the 10-round welterweight telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through www.mgmnationalharbor.com/.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from MGM National Harbor:

EMMANUEL RODRIGUEZ

“I’m more mature and experienced now than I was when I first won the title. I will be the fifth world champion from Puerto Rico right now and that would be a privilege. That’s the goal in this fight.

“I guarantee you I’m gonna come out with the win on Saturday, because I’m the toughest opponent he’s ever faced.

“I’m gonna prove I’m the best fighter in the division. This is gonna send a message to all the other champions that I’m here to stay.

“I’ve had so much love and support from Puerto Rico already. The island is eager to see me fight and I want to give back all that love with a win on Saturday night.

“Starting in the fourth round, I should be able to figure out what he’s got in store for me. Then I feel like I can stop him between the fourth and seventh rounds.

“I’ve trained in Mexico and it’s been like a second home. They’ve really supported me. I owe it to all of them to give it my all.

“The fans are gonna see an amazing show and the best version of Emmanuel Rodriguez. I guarantee that.”

MELVIN LOPEZ

“Winning would bring me happiness and pride for my country, and it would prove to me that all my hard work ever since I was little, paid off.

“He can say whatever he wants, talk is cheap. Saturday night is where it’s all shown. He’s gonna have to back it up.

“I’m not gonna guarantee a knockout. I’m an animal that hunts for his prey. I’m gonna try to get him where I want and whatever happens, happens.

“He says he’s the best in the division, and he’s gonna try to show it. But I’m gonna do the same thing. I’m gonna try to show that I’m the best on Saturday night.

“I’m gonna give it my all for the world title. We both want it badly. For everyone watching on Saturday night, I’m gonna do everything I can to bring the title home.”

GARY ANTUANNE RUSSELL

“People are gonna see a Grade-A performance from me on Saturday. It feels really good to be back. Cruz is gonna bring his physical best and I’m gonna bring everything I need to put the fire out.

“My knockout streak is a good thing, but the object of this sport is to continue to win. A knockout would be a notch on my belt and I plan to get it, but it’s not a weight on my shoulders.

“It’s up to me to just perform at my highest peak. We have to execute everything at the highest level. That’s what will leave me victorious.

“He can expect pain. It’s the hurt business. Someone’s ‘0’ has got to go. At the end of the day, I’m gonna take my hat off to him and be respectful, but I’m gonna show everyone that I do it for the art. I love this sport.

“I’m back in my hometown and representing my area. If I get good grades, I make the family look good right? That’s the objective. People are gonna be saying that I’m a beast.

“Pressure busts pipes and makes diamonds. If anything, I’m at ease fighting at home.”

KENT CRUZ

“Beating Russell will mean everything for my career. This is the fight that we’ve been waiting on. This is gonna bring the best out of me and it’s gonna make me up my level and up my ability.

“People are gonna be surprised. We had a terrific camp and brought out the old Kent Cruz. I’m gonna shock the world come Saturday night. For sure.

“This is my third southpaw in a row, so we’ve been training for southpaws for a long time. It’s been easier for me because we just maintained what we were doing. I love fighting southpaws because it makes it easier for me to set up what I want to do.

“I feel like he has more pressure on him than me, because he’s fighting in his hometown. I just have to do my part and come out victorious Saturday night. We’re gonna do whatever it takes.

“I’m gonna shock the world. People are looking past me, but I’m gonna wake them up for sure.”

TRAVON MARSHALL

“The 147-pound division is about to be wide open and there are a lot of good prospects coming up. It’s time to get a gauge on who’s gonna be next to take over.

“A victory over Maestre will give me standing in the division. With me being this young and going up against a two-time Olympian, that’s an amazing thing.

“Me and my team are prepared for anything. Make sure you tune in on time Saturday night, because I’m gonna snipe him out of there.

“He’s never faced anyone like me as a pro. It’s a whole different caliber over here. People are gonna say that this young guy is the one after this fight.

“You’re gonna see a dominant performance by a young up-and-coming prospect that came out of nowhere. They’re gonna know my name after Saturday night.”

GABRIEL MAESTRE

“He’s gonna have to be ready each and every round, because I’m coming to win. I know that he’s young and hungry and that he’s fighting at home, but I’ve prepared myself for all of that.

“The fans are going to be the true winners, because this is gonna be a true spectacle and a memorable fight for everyone watching.

“I’m beyond motivated for this fight. The American fans like to see a brawl and I’m gonna go punch for punch with Travon. It’s gonna be fun.

“I respect what Marshall says, but the real talking is done inside of the ring. He hasn’t fought anyone like me and he has no idea what he’s in store for.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #RodriguezLopez, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

Sheffield, England – 9 August 2023 – All-action Doncaster star Reece Mould will make the first defence of his WBA Continental Lightweight Championship against Kent rival Martin McDonagh on Friday 6th October in Sheffield.

Mould versus McDonagh headlines a double-title GBM Sports show that also features the fiery Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship showdown between Emma Dolan and Nicola Hopewell.

The venue for the GBM Sports show will be officially announced on Monday.

It’s set to be real 50-50 clash between Mould and McDonagh as the pair are expected to trade some serious leather with the winner going on to pursue bigger honours.

Mould (18-1-0, 6 KO’s) won the title in style against the previously unbeaten Hamed Ghaz in February on a unanimous decision and then defeated the hard Mexican Christian Lopez Flores in June, but now arguably faces the toughest test of his 19-fight career.

World rated Mould is out to prove that he’s the real deal and is on a mission to become World Champion.   A victory against McDonagh is crucial to remain on course towards challenging for a World title.

Mould said, “I can’t wait for this one! McDonagh is the type of test I want and need at this stage of my career.  When it’s an all British clash with a title on the line it makes it that bit more special and adds an extra edge to it.  I believe he’ll be coming to win and take the title and I know that I’ll have to be at my very best and I’ll be more hungrier and determined to keep hold of the belt and everything it means for my future.”

Hard-as-nails McDonagh (12-2-0, 1 KO) from Sheerness is the reining Southern Area Lightweight Champion and will provide a stern test for the ambitious Mould.

The 28-year-old southpaw defeated Connor Marsden by tenth round stoppage in September last year to claim the title and then made first defence in a hard fought, tense, battle against Ben Smith in April this year to retain the title on a points victory.

McDonagh said, “I’m really looking forward to the fight with Reece it’s a very tough fight but one I’m confident in winning.   A win gets my his world ranking and puts me in the place I feel like I deserve. Thank you to Izzy of GBM Sports and my manager Lee Eaton for getting me the opportunity and I look forward to putting on a career best performance.”

The remaining boxers to feature on the undercard have also been confirmed.

It was announced on Monday that rising prospects Naphtali Nembhard, Adam Mohammed, Will Cawley and Nohmaan Hussain will all feature in the line up.

GBM Sports have now announced that up-and-coming prospects Bree Wright, Faraqat Ali, Joe Hayden, Sheldon McDonald, Red Johnson and Declan Cairns have all been added to the show to complete an action-packed 12-fight card.

Sheffield’s only female professional boxer, welterweight Wright (3-0-0, 1 KO) has built an unbeaten record as she looks towards challenging for her first title shortly.  Burbeary has battled through mental health and weight issues to start her pro boxing career and counts her friend and World Champion Terri Harper as her inspiration.

Sheffield Super-Featherweight ‘El Frako’ Ali (7-0-0) will have domestic titles in his sights with a victory on the night.  The rising talent is unbeaten in seven and has featured on all GBM Sports’ card to date.

Dave Allen protege Hayden (10-0-0) from Coinsborough has been billed as ‘Doncaster’s busiest and brightest boxing prospect’.  The 23-year-old southpaw has amassed a ten-fight unbeaten record in just over a year of turning pro and his quality has been recognised by World Title contender Jack Catterall who insists on using Hayden for sparring.  Hayden was also a former semi-professional player with Maltby Main and Frickley Athletic.

Sheffield Cruiserweight McDonald (6-1-0, 2 KO’s) is another former semi-professional footballer having played for Sheffield FC, Handsworth and Clipstone.  He was studying Accountancy at Sheffield’s Hallam University and boxing in the amateur code when his friend and mentor former World Cruiserweight Champion Johnny Nelson noticed his boxing talent and advised him to drop football.  McDonald followed his advice and turned professional and has also completed his successfully completed his Accountancy degree.

Completing the card will be unbeaten Sheffield Super-Middleweight prospect Johnson (3-0-0) and Worksop Welterweight Cairns (6-1-0, 1 KO).

Promoter Izzy Asif, CEO of GBM Sports, commented, “What a fight it’s going to be between Mould and McDonagh.  This has the makings of a great fight between these two proud warriors.  Full credit to McDonagh for challenging Mould in his Yorkshire strong hold and I know he’ll give it everything he’s got.  Reece is really riled up for this fight and knows that everything he has worked for is on the line so he knows that there are no two ways about it – he must win.  I’m delighted to add the remaining names to the show and it will be GBM Sports’ biggest and best fight night to date.  I’m really looking forward to seeing all these boxers’ in action on the night and it’s quality from the top to the bottom on the card.  With Reece headlining and Dolan versus Hopewell in the chief support, all the way through to Nembhard, Mohammed, Cawley, Hussain, plus our announcement today of Wright, Ali, Hayden McDonald, Johnson and Cairns.  It’s going to be an amazing night to show the depth and talent in GBM Sports and how far we’ve come in a short space of time.

LAS VEGAS – August 9, 2023 – Mexican superstar and pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez will defend his undisputed super middleweight world titles in a blockbuster showdown against hard-hitting undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo headlining a SHOWTIME PPV (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) Saturday, September 30 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Canelo, who’s amassed one of the best resumes of his generation at only 33-years-old, will make the third consecutive defense of his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO super middleweight world titles against the junior middleweight king Charlo in the first matchup of the four-belt era pitting two reigning undisputed champions against each other. With a win, Charlo would add his name alongside legendary champions such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roy Jones Jr. by successfully jumping two weight classes to win a world title.     

Pre-sale tickets are available tomorrow, Thursday, August 10 from 10 a.m. PT until 10 p.m. PT through AXS.com by using the code: PBC

Public on-sale begins Friday, August 11 at 10 a.m. PT with tickets available through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions.

“Canelo Álvarez and Jermell Charlo are fighters who dare to be great every time they enter the ring and have shown that once again by going headfirst into this dream matchup between the two best fighters in their divisions,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Canelo is already a surefire Hall of Famer but continues to seek the biggest and best fights for his devoted fans. Charlo has also established himself as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters and would leave no doubt about his place in boxing’s hierarchy with a win on September 30. This is a night you won’t want to miss on SHOWTIME PPV and at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.”

“We are very excited about this historic matchup under the PBC banner,” said Eddy Reynoso, Canelo’s Manager and Trainer. “Our team is very focused on this fight and we have decided to hold a high-altitude training camp to prepare. We have a great champion in Charlo in front of us and this will be an exciting fight because of the styles both fighters bring to the ring.”

“Canelo vs. Charlo is a legitimate mega-fight and yet another testament that SHOWTIME® continues to deliver the biggest and best matchups in the sport.” said Stephen Espinoza, President, SHOWTIME SPORTS®. “In a banner year that has already featured some of the most anticipated fights in recent memory, Canelo vs. Charlo stands out as a historically unique showdown between two undisputed champions. September 30 will be another can’t-miss event for boxing fans around the world.”

Having captured world titles at 154, 160, 168 and 175-pounds, Canelo (59-2-2, 39 KOs) will enter the ring for yet another super fight as he looks to become the first man during the four-belt era to defend all four titles successfully three consecutive times. The fighting pride of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Canelo became undisputed at super middleweight in November 2021 by taking the IBF belt from then unbeaten Caleb Plant via an 11^th-round TKO headlining a SHOWTIME PPV. After dropping a light heavyweight title fight against Dmitriy Bivol in May 2022, Canelo rebounded to defeat Gennadiy Golovkin in their September 2022 trilogy fight before most recently defeating John Ryder in May.

Under the guidance of his renowned coach Reynoso, Canelo has triumphed over a long list of elite fighters since turning pro at just 15-years-old in 2005, including Golovkin twice, plus Shane Mosley, Erislandy Lara, Miguel Cotto and Sergey Kovalev to name a few. Outside of the Bivol fight, Canelo’s only other defeat came against undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather in September 2013.

“I’m very happy that we got to make a fight of this magnitude between two undisputed champions,” said Canelo. “Jermell Charlo has also faced the best in his division, and I’m glad that the fans are going to enjoy a world class fight between us on September 30.”

Houston’s Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KOs) unified the junior middleweight titles in emphatic fashion his last time out, knocking out Brian Castaño in round 10 of their May 2022 rematch, after they fought to a draw in a July 2021 slugfest. The 33-year-old became a unified champion in September 2020, dropping Jeison Rosario three times on his way to an eighth-round knockout that earned him the WBA and IBF titles. Before that fight, Charlo had avenged the only loss of his career as he reclaimed his WBC belt via an 11^th-round knockout of Tony Harrison in one of 2019’s best fights.

Charlo is trained by 2022 BWAA “Trainer of the Year” Derrick James in Dallas and won his first world title in his debut fight with James by scoring an eighth-round knockout of John Jackson in 2016. He followed up that victory with three successful defenses, knocking out Erickson Lubin and Charles Hatley, and winning a decision over former world champion Austin Trout. Charlo and his twin brother and two-division champion Jermall, who fight under their Lions Only banner, made history in 2016, becoming the first twins in boxing history to simultaneously hold world championships in the same weight class.

“I’m really excited to make history once again on September 30,” said Charlo. “This is the biggest fight in boxing and I’m coming to leave it all in the ring like I do every time. I manifested this fight into existence and earned it with everything I’ve done in this sport so far. Canelo is a great fighter, but he’s gonna see what Lions Only is all about. When the fight’s over, people are gonna have to recognize that I’m the best fighter in the sport.” 

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For more information visit sho.com/ppv and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloCharlo, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 9, 2023) — Lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla suffered a training injury and has been forced to withdraw from his ESPN-televised co-feature this Saturday, Aug. 12, against fellow unbeaten Diego Torres at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

The 10-round junior welterweight tilt between rising contender Lindolfo Delgado and Jair Valtierra is the new co-feature and will be televised directly before the WBO junior lightweight world title showdown between reigning champion Emanuel Navarrete and former two-weight world champion Oscar Valdez.

Navarrete-Valdez, Delgado-Valtierra, and the heavyweight showdown between Richard Torrez Jr. and Willie Jake Jr. will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

Delgado (17-0, 13, KOs) represented Mexico at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won his first 11 bouts by stoppage. He made his Top Rank debut in June 2021 and outlasted then-unbeaten puncher Omar Aguilar by decision last August in a 2022 Fight of the Year contender. Delgado fought at Desert Diamond Arena in February, knocking down veteran Clarence Booth en route to a one-sided decision victory. Valtierra (16-2, 8 KOs), from Leon, Mexico, lost an eight-round decision to Muratalla last July. He returned in February against the unbeaten Nestor Bravo, and the bout was ruled a no contest in the fourth round after a head clash opened a cut near Bravo’s right eye.

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“It’s a night of Heavy Duty action at The O2 in London, with Anthony Joshua now facing ‘The Nordic Nightmare’, 6ft 9in Robert Helenius as ‘AJ’ looks to move on to some of the biggest fights in the division, and the undercard is stacked with some of the biggest, baddest and best Heavyweights in the world, along with some of our youngest talent.

“We know the issues of the last few days and it’s never easy to think on your feet and adapt, but the instruction from Anthony Joshua was clear, ‘I’m ready to fight and I want to fight on Saturday.’ 

“We have to thank our broadcast partner DAZN. The great news for subscribers that this is no longer Pay-Per-View – unbelievable value for fight fans to be able to watch ‘AJ’ in a big fight with a great undercard, so thank you to them for their support as we have not only ‘AJ’ that wanted to fight on Saturday, but all these undercard fighters that have had long training camps too, and as we all know, you only get paid when you fight.  

“It’s been a challenging few days and I want to thank ‘AJ’, who stayed focused after putting 12 weeks of hard work into his camp and was desperate to fight on Saturday night and showcase the hardwork that took place, and Robert Helenius, who accepted the challenge and has a good team of people around him we knew wouldn’t mess around, and we knew he was fit and had just boxed. This is an important fight at The O2.”

Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs faces Robert Helenius over 12 rounds at Heavyweight):

“I looked at the undercard and I know how important it is for them to compete. I know how hard you (Eddie Hearn) worked, and all the Matchroom staff, my coach, DAZN, so it’s a responsibility I have. Late replacements aren’t ideal but it’s the third time it’s happened. A long career will present these types of obstacles and I’ve just got to get used to them, it’s just another rock in my shoe to the top of the mountain. 

“The principles remain the same, worry about myself. Robert and I sparred years ago, we shared the ring, but I’ve sparred with so may styles, competed with som many styles, the objective remains the same – victory, and victory by any means. There’s no overtime in boxing so I have to be on my A-game and inflict pain to get the victory.

“Coming off the back of Covid, everyone suffered during that period. The sport industry slowed down and now we just want to get some momentum going again. As Derrick said, I came out to camp early this year, I took a couple of weeks, maybe a month back in the UK then went to Dallas, to try to progress on. So, my goal was to fight as many times as possible, like Robert, he fought on Saturday, you have to stay active, keep expressing your skill as that’s the only way to improve. I fought in April, but I’ve spent a lot of time in the ring in the gym as we do a lot of ring work in Dallas, and that’s the closest thing to a fight. It’s not just hitting the bags and mitts, there’s a lot of combat training so I am physically ready. 

“It would be silly to underestimate him, or anyone. I have to take him deadly serious and credit to him, he’s coming to roll the dice, he wants to win. Other Heavyweights that were mentioned, finance is an issue – risk versus reward, but in reality, that’s not all there is for him, so good luck to him, and shout out to everyone in Finland, I’ve been there before, and we’re looking to provide some good entertainment from top to bottom as the card is unbelievable. 

“The card is phenomenal, it’s the old days at The O2 and this is what we want to bring, it’s entertainment. It’s not ‘I’m coming out to watch Anthony Joshua’, no, it’s ‘I’m coming out to watch a Matchroom show, a great night of boxing’, so credit to everyone involved in this.”
 
Derrick James, trainer of Anthony Joshua:

“You have to move forward. Now it is all about Robert who is a pretty good fighter, you will see everything ‘AJ’ has been able to work on throughout camp and implement it into his game.

“We have had a little more time this time. It’s all about the process, he’s brought into that process and he’s getting better and better. 

“The only difference from Dillian to Robert is you have to change the trajectory of the punches, one shorter and lower, now higher because he’s 6ft 9in. But it’s good, he’ll be able to show his transition from fighting one guy to a week later another guy, so we will see.”

Robert Helenius (32-4, 21 KOs fights Anthony Joshua over 12 rounds at Heavyweight): 

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity. This fight offer came to me after my fight at the weekend. I was going on vacation with my family but not anymore, here we are. We had a good camp behind us, and we feel ready. I am ready to fight, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. I respect him, he’s a good fighter. It’s going to be glorious. I’ve been chasing the World Title for 15 years and when you get this big of an opportunity you can’t let it slip and I will give everything to win this fight.”

Markus Sundman, manager of Robert Helenius: 

“Massive opportunity, when do you get a call this close to a fight night and you come off a camp and you are in shape, everything has fallen into place. Victory would mean everything.”

Alfie Sharman, VP DAZN:

“We were obviously disappointed with the news but we move, and here we are in London with an AJ fight week, and everybody knows with an ‘AJ’ fight week it’s a huge event. 

“We want to thank our great partners ‘AJ’, Freddie Cunningham and everyone at 258, Eddie, Frank and Matchroom and the teams at DAZN working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure the event goes ahead. Robert is a tough opponent; he’s been in with the best and he’s here to spoil the party.

“The O2 will be full on Saturday, the undercard is incredibly strong, and this night is part of the DAZN subscription and there’s much more to come, make sure you tune in on Saturday live on DAZN.”

WHAT:          “Veterans Stadium Showcase” Pro-Am Boxing Event

WHO:            The Lineup

MAIN EVENT – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (8)

Harry “The Hat” Gigliotti (9-4, 3 KOs), Haverhill, MA

Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs), Holbrook, MA

CO-FEATURE – USBF & MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS (8)

Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (5-3, 2 KOs), USBF Champion, Woburn, MA

Jamer Jones (3-1, 3 KOs), Mass. Champion, Pittsfield, MA

MIDDLEWEIGHTS (8)

Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (14-0, 13 KOs), Weymouth, MA

Miguel “El Pirado” Angel Suarez (15-12, 9 KOs), Beccar, Buenos Aires, Argentina

VACANT USBF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (6)

Scott “Bombz” Lampert (5-8, 4 KOs), Dover, NY

Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole (7-0, 5 KOs), Galway, Ireland

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS (6)

Robert Talarek (27-20-3, 18 KOs), Ruda Slaska, Poland

Tommy “The Governor” Hyde (5-0, 4 KOs), Cork, Ireland

LIGHTWEIGHTS (6)

Nathan Benichou (2-16-1, 2 KOs), Puebla, Puebla, México

Gabriel “The Menace” Morales (7-0, 4 KOs), Lowell, MA

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS (6)

Kenny “The Lionheart” Larson (7-0, 5 KOs), Salem, MA

Alfred Raymond (1-6-1, 0 KOs), Warwick, RI

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Bruno Saravia (pro debut), Boston, MA

Kevin Nagle (2-0, 2 KOs), Scituate, MA

MIDDLEWEIGHTS (6)

Luke “The Quiet Storm” Iannuccilli (6-0, 3 KOs), Methuen, MA

Ryan Thomas Clark (2-4, 1 KO), Berwick, NH

(card subject to change)

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WHEN:           Friday, August 11, 2023 (Aug. 12 rain date)

WHERE:        Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy, MA

TICKETS:  Tickets for “Veterans Stadium Showcase,” are on sale and available for purchase online at www.EventBrite.com.

LIVE STREAM: www.bxngtv.com

WEIGH IN: Malachy’s Saloon, 51 Granite Street in Quincy, MA

OTHER:     Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET with the amateur matches starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, pro card commences at 8 pm. ET.

INFORMATION:  

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

NASHVILLE, TN. – August 9, 2023 – Exciting undefeated prospect Da’Velle Smith picked up his third victory of the year on Tuesday night, as the Saiita Promotions’ prospect delivered a third-round TKO of veteran Dedrick Bell in their middleweight clash that took place in Nashville, Tennessee. The stoppage came 2:59 into the round and improved Smith’s record to 6-0 with 5 KOs.

“It felt good to be back in the ring,” said Smith. “I knew I was in with a veteran and I was prepared to get some rounds in. I was patient and did what I had to do to get the victory. I want to keep the momentum going and hopefully get right back into the ring to fight again in September.”

Bell presented the most experienced challenge of Smith’s young career, as the 69-fight veteran has faced the likes of Yordenis Ugas, DeMarcus Corley and Jose Benavidez Jr. to name a few, throughout his career. The 22-year-old Smith first burst onto the scene in September 2021 by winning the WBC’s inaugural Big Belt Championship by knocking out Ricky Evans in the first round.

His 2023 campaign had already seen him stop Gyorgy Mizsei in February before blasting out the previously unbeaten Kahydlian Woods in the first round on the Claressa Shields-Maricela Cornejo undercard in June. Training in the renowned Kronk Gym, Smith has begun to catch the eye of luminaries in the boxing world as he works his way up in the sport.

“Da’Velle is progressing at a fast past and is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “He’s tall, strong, skills and a big puncher coming out of the Kronk Gym in Detroit.”

“It was good to have Da’Velle on the show in the Kronk colors,” said Christy Martin, boxing legend and the promoter of last night’s show. “You could tell from his performance that he is a special fighter.”

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS

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

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

LOS ANGELES (August 9, 2023) – An exciting regional battle pitting undefeated super featherweight prospect Austin Brooks (10-0, 3 KOs) versus Anthony Chavez (11-3-1, 3 KOs), in the 10-round main event on a solid top-to-bottom card, presented by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, on Saturday night, August 26, at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

Austin Brooks

The 27-year-old Brooks, fighting out of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is a rising star in the 130-pound weight class, who has fought a few times on the ESPN platform. He has yet to fight more than six rounds in any of his pro fights to date.

“I feel blessed for the opportunity to be fighting in the main event,” Brooks remarked. “To get my first 10-round fight against a quality opponent and in the main event is something I’ve been working towards. I will capitalize on this moment.”

The more experienced Chavez, representing Redlands, California, was a bronze medalist at the 2015 USA National Championships. He is a throwback fighter who is trained by the highly respected Henry Ramirez.

A rare match-up featuring two undefeated prospects, Jon Bryant (8-0, 2 KOs) and Axl Melendez Salgado (6-0, 4 KOs), will square off in the six-round, co-featured event. Fighting out of Bremerton (WA), Bryant is coming off an impressive six-round decision win over veteran DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (52-35-1, 28 KOs), the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Light Welterweight World Champion.

“We are very excited to be back at the Emerald Queen Casino,” promoter Azat Torosyan (Toro Promotions) said. “Tacoma, we are crafting another unforgettable show filled with intense action.”

On the undercard in six-round matches, Seattle featherweight Gregory Cruz (5-2, 3 KOs) faces Roberto Negrete (4-1-1, 2 KOs), undefeated Portland super lightweight will take on Filipino Jake “D’ Twins” Bornea (14-5-1, 7 KOs), the former WBO Asia Pacific Youth Flyweight titleholder, and Fife (WA) super middleweight Cameron “The Puerto Rican Bakugo” Seville Rivera meets tough, upset-minded Antonio “Ton The Beast” Hernandez (7-16-2, 4 KOs). The opening bout of the evening will showcase lightweight hopeful Josue Cadena in a good test against California club fighter Dan Hernandez (2-2, 1 KO).

Card subject to change.

Tickets for the event are priced at $100.00, $60.00, and $40.00, and may be purchased by calling (253) 594-7777 or at www.Emeraldqueen.com.

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 9, 2023) – Three-division and five-time world champion Yokasta Valle (28-2, 9 KOs) will make her grand 2023 return to U.S. soil after selling out stadiums in her native Costa Rica and will defend her IBF and WBO Minimumweight World Championship titles against a soon-to-be-announced opponent. Nicaraguan-born and Costa Rican-raised, Valle will participate in a 10-round match as part of the Zepeda vs. Gesta fight card. A guaranteed barn burner of a main event, William “El Camarón” Zepeda (28-0, 24 KOs) will defend his WBA Continental Americas Lightweight Title in a 12-round match against Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs). The co-main event will also produce fireworks for the illustrious Mexican Independence Weekend with Vancouver’s Victor “El Tornado” Morales (18-0-1, 9 KOs) scheduled to defend his WBA Intercontinental Featherweight Title against Mexico City’s Edwin “Pupo” Palomares (18-4-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round fight.

Doors to The Commerce Casino & Hotel open at 2:30 p.m. PT, The Golden Boy Fight Night: Zepeda vs. Gesta Prelims on YouTube and Facebook Watch begin at 2:30 p.m. PT, and the DAZN broadcast will begin at 5:00 p.m. PT/ 8:00 p.m. ET.

Tickets for Zepeda vs. Gesta are on-sale today, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 10:00 am PT and are priced at $150, $100, $75, and $50 plus applicable fees. A limited amount of Golden Boy VIP Experience seats will also be available for purchase with exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades included. Standard and VIP tickets can be purchased at GoldenBoyPromotions.com.

The undercard has been stacked from head-to-toe with Golden Boy’s must-watch prospects and soon-to-become contenders. Houston, Texas’ Darius “DFG” Fulghum (6-0, 6 KOs) will look to continue his knockout streak in an eight-round light heavyweight fight against Mexico City’s Ricardo “Tyson” Luna (25-10-2, 16 KOs). Fulghum will be leveling up after breezing through a third-round technical knockout victory against Jeremiah Curtright last April 29.

Opening the DAZN broadcast with eight-rounds of middleweight action, recently signed Eric Priest (10-0, 7 KOs) who represents Wichita Falls, Texas and is now under the tutelage of world championship trainer Ismael Salas, will face off against Danish-born Simon “Vikingo” Madsen (13-1, 10 KOs) who now calls Mexico City home. Priest is returning to the ring after a slugfest last May 27 against Argentinian Ricardo Villalba. Madsen’s second professional fight in the U.S., he will be looking for redemption after his first go-around in the States didn’t go according to plan.

On the The Golden Boy Fight Night: Zepeda vs. Gesta Prelims streamed on YouTube and Facebook Watch, Daniel “Junebug” Garcia (6-0, 5 KOs) of Denver, Colorado will fight Guadalajara, Mexico’s Erick “Aidahoe” Benitez (4-4, 1 KO) in a four-round super featherweight match. In a six-round super lightweight fight, Mexicali, Mexico’s Pinpon Reyes (10-0, 5 KOs) will measure up against Roberto Gomez (5-1, 5 KOs) of Mexico City.

Recently signed to Golden Boy, Mexican Olympian Gael Cabrera (1-0, 1 KO) of Sonora, Mexico will participate in a four-round super bantamweight fight. Making his pro-debut and opening Mexican Independence Day Weekend festivities, Jordan Cervantes of East Los Angeles will participate in a four-round lightweight fight. Opponents for both will be announced soon.

#

Zepeda vs. Gesta is a 12-round fight for the WBA Continental Americas Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The fight is sponsored by Betonline, “BetOnline, Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand.

Media interested in applying for a media credential can submit their request at https://forms.gle/ftJEyQUyfYavLyDM8. Credentials are due EOD, September 12.

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

NEW YORK (August 9, 2023) – The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, has announced two-time Olympic gold medalist and three division boxing champion Claressa Shields will return to the PFL SmartCage with a multi-year agreement. Shields is regarded as one of the top combat sport athletes in the world.

Shields began her MMA training in 2020 under the tutelage of Roberto Alencar. The PFL continues to bolster their roster with some of the biggest names in combat sports including Francis Ngannou, Jake Paul, Shane Burgos, Cedric Doumbe and Amanda Serrano.

“It is a privilege to announce the PFL has re-signed the most dominant women’s boxer in the world, Claressa Shields, to a new multi-year agreement,” said Peter Murray, CEO of the Professional Fighters League. “Claressa and the PFL share a fighter first, merit-based value system and take on the world attitude. We are proud to welcome “The GWOAT” back to the PFL and the sport of MMA.”

“I am excited to return to a fighter-first organization, and I can’t wait to return to The PFL SmartCage,” said Claressa Shields. “My goal remains unchanged; I will be the first athlete to hold championships in both boxing and MMA simultaneously. I have grown so much since my first MMA fight and cannot wait to put my skills on display.”

Shields is looking to make her PFL SmartCage return in 2024.

The 2023 PFL Playoffs continue live from The Theater at MSG in New York City on August 18 and 23, airing on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.

PFL is the #1 fastest growing company in MMA and the #2 MMA company on a worldwide basis. PFL is the only league in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year, making PFL a “win and advance” meritocracy like all other major sports. PFL fighter roster hails from over 20 countries and 25% of PFL fighters are independently ranked in the top 25 of their weight-class. The company leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage powering real-time betting and next-gen viewing experience.

About Professional Fighters League
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the fastest growing and most innovative sports league. PFL is the #2 MMA company worldwide on all key metrics and the only with the sports-season format where individual fighters compete in Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship. The our global live fight franchises: PFL League Season, PFL Challenger Series, PFL PPV Super Fights, and PFL Europe.

PFL airs live in the U.S on ESPN and ESPN+ and is broadcast and streamed to 140 countries with 25 international leading media partners, including DAZN, Stan Sport, Viacom18, RMC Sport, Globo, Star Times, FPT, CSM, DirectTV, ITV, and MBC.  PFL has dozens of major brand sponsors such as Anheuser-Busch, GEICO, Bose, US Marine Corps, and Celsius Energy Drink. 

PFL is backed by blue-chip investors including Ares, Luxor Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, Knighthead, Legends, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners.

MMA is the growth sport of this decade, with over 600 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demo of any sport, and true global revenue streams.

PFLmma.com; Instagram (@PFLmma); Twitter (@PFLMMA); Facebook (/PFLmma)

Top Rank presented by AutoZone: Navarrete vs. Valdez will be presented live this Saturday, August 12, at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT, on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ from Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona.

In the main event, three-division world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete will defend his WBO junior lightweight world title against former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez.

Navarrete (37-1, 31 KOs), the fighting pride of San Juan Zitlaltepec, Mexico, captured the WBO junior featherweight world title by defeating Isaac Dogboe in December 2018. After five defenses, he moved up to featherweight and defeated Ruben Villa for the vacant WBO title in October 2020. The 28-year-old defended his crown against Christopher Diaz, Joet Gonzalez and Eduardo Baez. In February, he became a three-division world champion with a ninth-round knockout victory over Liam Wilson.

Valdez (31-1, 23 KOs), from Nogales, represented Mexico at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. The 32-year-old captured his first world title in July 2016 with a second-round stoppage win over Matias Rueda. In February 2021, he became a two-division world champion with a 10^th-round knockout against Miguel Berchelt. Valdez suffered his first loss to Shakur Stevenson in April 2022 and is coming off a unanimous decision victory against Adam Lopez in May.

In the co-feature, undefeated lightweight contender Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (18-0, 15 KOs) takes on unbeaten Mexican standout Diego Torres (17-0, 16 KOs) in a 10-round clash.Muratallahas stopped 12 of his last 13 opponents and is on track to have his most impressive year yet. Torres is a young powerhouse who’s set to celebrate his 26^th birthday by making his long-awaited U.S. debut.

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs) will open the tripleheader in a special feature, six-round heavyweight tilt against Willie Jake Jr. (11-3-2, 3 KOs).

The undercard Streams Exclusively on ESPN+ at 7:15 p.m. ET / 4:15 p.m. PT.

ESPN’s Joe Tessitore will call the action with Hall of Famer, Timothy Bradley, Jr. Mark Kriegel and Bernardo Osuna?will serve as reporters.

Digital, On Demand and Exclusive to ESPN+

ESPN.com 

• What you should know about Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez’s title fight by Mike Coppinger
• Out Friday: Bradley’s Breakdown 

ESPN+: On Demand Shows, Archives & Premium Articles

• Top Rank: Real Time– All-access with top fighters throughout fight week as they work their way to fight night. 
• Who Do U Fight 4?– Learn what drivesthe next generation of Top Rank stars. 
• State of Boxing– Post-show coverage of the biggest fights on ESPN and ESPN+. 
• Best of Boxing Spotlight – An archive of the all-time best Top Rank fights. 

Follow @ESPNRingside: Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok

Navarrete vs. Valdez (All Times ET)

Original Programming:

Ahead of their upcoming bouts, ESPN will air two original programs: The Gentleman Boxer: Richard Torrez Jr. and Hecho en Mexico: Navarrete vs. Valdez 

The Gentleman Boxer: Richard Torrez Jr. is a 30-minute candid look at the rising American heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. (5-0, 5 KO) ahead of his upcoming special feature bout in Arizona. Fight fans will get to know the charismatic 24-year-old California native who took home a silver medal for the United States at the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Hecho en Mexico: Navarrete vs. Valdez is a 30-minute cinematic presentation of the two Mexican warriors who will go “mano a mano” in the Arizona desert. The show previews the marquee main event between three-division world champion and defending WBO junior lightweight world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (37-1, 31 KO) and the former Mexican Olympian and two-division world champion Oscar Valdez (31-1, 23 KO).

In addition to the air times below, both programs will be available for replay on-demand in the ESPN App and on ESPN.com and ESPN+.

(All times ET)

About ESPN

About ESPN+

Hall-of-Famer Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (24-6-2, 7 KOs) continues her comeback on Saturday night, facing Josefina Vega (9-5, 4 KOs) in an 8-round lightweight bout.  The fight serves as the co-feature to Chordale Booker’s WBC US super welterweight title defense against Nicolas Hernandez on CES Boxing’s stacked “Summer Heat 2023” show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

This will be Clampitt’s 5th bout since coming out of retirement in 2021 after an 8-year layoff, when she left the squared circle to raise her family and pursue other interests.  The Warwick, RI, resident initially retired after suffering an injury in a TKO loss to Holly Holm in 2010.  

“I had 2 young children and training with toddlers was pretty much impossible,” reflects Clampitt of the difficult decision to leave the sport.  “After my son, I wanted to try it one more time and have a retirement fight and then I thought ‘I’m done.’”

Having won 4 major world titles across 2 weight classes, Clampitt won a unanimous decision over Dominga Olivo at Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI, and left boxing in 2013 with a 21-5-1 record, having accomplished her lifelong dream of becoming a world champion several times over.  

But while Jaime focused on her family and “On the Ropes,” a gym located in Warwick that she owns with 3 other women, a funny thing happened to female boxing: the sport exploded in popularity with the emergence of Irish superstar Katie Taylor in a way that no one could have imagined.

“I didn’t think I’d have another chance at this, but women like Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano brought female boxing to another level,” admits Clampitt, who stayed active during her hiatus by bodybuilding and training amateur fighters.  “Once I started to see that, I thought: ‘I’m still in awesome shape, I’m in the gym every day.  Why not?  Let’s just see what happens.’”

As Clampitt contemplated a return to the ring, she called her friend and now trainer Steve Maze about working out again.

“I said, ‘let’s just hit the mitts and see what happens,’” recalls Clampitt, who returned to the sport almost 8 years later in 2021.  “I never lost the love for boxing, and once I started training, I just got that desire and drive again.”  

What Clampitt wasn’t aware of is that because she had been retired for more than 5 years, she was being considered for the International Boxing Hall of Fame at a time when she was planning a comeback.

“I didn’t know that I was nominated,” laughs Clampitt.  “One day, one of the amateur boxers that I trained said ‘Why didn’t you tell me that you were nominated into the hall of fame?’ I didn’t even know.  It was a surprise.  I was wondering: should I be coming out of retirement?  I just got this nomination, I don’t know, but everyone was so supportive and understanding.”

When Jaime returned, she noticed that female boxing had drastically changed – not only were women being compensated more fairly, but they were headlining major events.  

“I’ve been to quite a few big fights over the years, and Taylor-Serrano was the most insane fight I’ve ever been to,” says Clampitt of the 2022 ‘Fight of the Year’ between two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.  “I actually cried because I was so proud of both of them.”  

The fight was the culmination of years of growth in a sport where the female fighters are setting the example of the best facing the best.  The attention garnered was nothing like what the 47-year-old experienced earlier in her career.

“I got my pro license in 1999 and my first pro fight in 2000, so I’ve been around forever,” explains Clampitt.  “When I started amateur boxing in 1992, they didn’t even want to put us on amateur shows or even have us in the gym.  No one would even put us on shows until I met Mr. [Jimmy] Burchfield [Sr., founder of CES Boxing].  He is a pioneer of female boxing.  He was one of the first promoters that put females on, so to see these women headlining at Madison Square Garden was very emotional for me.”  

Indeed, Jimmy Burchfield Sr. played a pivotal role in Clampitt relocating from her native Gravelbourg in Saskatchewan, Canada, to settling and fighting out of Warwick, Rhode Island.

“I got the opportunity to fight Liz Mueller at Foxwoods, and she was promoted by Jimmy,” recalls Clampitt of her first fight in the United States in February 2001, when she was 3-0.  “I knew who she was because we were in the world championships in Finland together.  We fought on ESPN at a time when women were not featured on TV.  Teddy Atlas was commentating the fight, and everyone thought I won it.”  

Mueller was awarded a close majority decision, but Clampitt’s performance impressed Burchfield so much that he offered her a contract a few months later.  By June of that year, “The Hurricane” was making her CES debut in her adopted state of Rhode Island, where she’s lived ever since.  The pairing paid off, as Clampitt rose to the top of the lightweight and super lightweight divisions under CES Boxing’s banner.

2007 turned out to be Clampitt’s best year.  In February, she won the IBF lightweight title against the ultra-popular Mia St. John.  Clampitt followed that up in June with a unanimous decision over the legendary Jane Couch for the vacant IBF super lightweight title.  

“Mr. Burchfield always treated me with the upmost respect and believed in me,” says Clampitt of her longtime promoter.  “When I fought Mia St. John, I was the main event.  That was unheard of.  Besides Christy Martin, there weren’t a lot of females headlining shows.  He took a chance on me, and I will forever be grateful because not only did he do a ton for my career, but he did a lot for female boxing getting us known and seen because he was putting me on TV.”

And while the sport has changed in many ways, Clampitt has also gained a lot from her time away from it.

“My style has changed over the years,” says Jaime of her evolution.  “I had a long amateur career, so when I started, I showed a lot of movement and boxed on my toes.  As I’ve aged, I feel stronger and I feel like I have more power, so I like to get in there and mix it up.  I spent years building a lot of strength and I like to use that a lot more in the ring now.”

Not only did Jaime’s physical strength improve, but the years away allowed her hands to fully recover after dozens of amateur and professional fights.

“It was a lot of start-stop for me at the time,” says Jaime of nagging hand injuries.  “It was very disappointing when I was younger, but the rest in between allowed my body to heal.  I had 8 years off before my comeback.  I didn’t spar when I was off.  I was lifting weights, I was raising kids, I was in the gym, but not getting hit.  That’s given me longevity.”    

On Saturday, the rejuvenated Clampitt plans to use all of her experience and boxing ability when she faces the little known Josefina Vega at Mohegan Sun Arena.

“She’s a veteran of the sport,” says Clampitt of her Ecuadorian opponent, who has been boxing since 2012.  “There’s not a lot of information on her, so my team and I are ready for anything.  If I have to box, I’ll box.  If I need to go after her, I’ll go after her.  The exciting part of this camp is that we have to be ready for anything. We’re going to have to adapt and we know that.”  

And while her comeback ideally leads to a 5th world title, the practical Warwick resident takes it one step at a time and is equally focused on being compensated fairly in the new women’s boxing economy.  

“Of course, I would love to fight for a title,” acknowledges Clampitt.  “Right now, we just take it fight by fight because of my age.  I’m 47.  It’s almost unheard of in male or female boxing.   Boxing changed a lot over 30+ years, and I want to be part of something great and push myself.  I’ve had so many people tell me ‘no’ during my career that I want to prove them wrong.  While I don’t do it for the money, I deserve to be compensated adequately for what I’ve done.  I’m still motivated, still healthy, and I’m going to keep going as long as I can.”       

Tickets for “Summer Heat 2023” are priced at $46, $66, $140 and $165.  Tickets are quickly selling out, so fans are encouraged to buy them at CESfights.com, Ticketmaster or at the Mohegan Sun box office.  Weigh-in and final press conference are open to the public on Friday and will be held outside the Mohegan Sun Arena.  Doors open at 4pm on Saturday, with the first amateur bout starting at 4:30pm and the pro card beginning at 7pm.

For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.

ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA

Mohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named “2021 Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency.  In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been the “#1 Casino Venue in the World,” “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” and a seven – time national award – winner for “Arena of the Year.”  For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.

LAS VEGAS, NV (August 8, 2023) – In a move that underscores his commitment to climb the ranks of the super featherweight division, Top Rank’s undefeated boxing sensation Andres Cortes (20-0, 11 KOs) has announced his intention to square off against the victor of the highly anticipated showdown between Emanuel Navarrete (37-2, 31 KOs) and Oscar Valdez (31-1, 23 KOs). The monumental clash is set to take place this Saturday, August 12, at the Desert Diamond Arena.

Fresh off his most astonishing victory to date, Cortes secured a seventh-round stoppage against Xavier Martinez (18-2, 12 KOs) that propelled him to victory and saw him seize the prestigious WBC USA Silver title at super featherweight. The triumphant win not only solidified his unbeaten record but also positioned him as a force to be reckoned with in the competitive world of boxing.

“My recent victory was a defining moment for me, and I am more than ready to take on the best in the division,” said Cortes ahead of the Navarrete vs. Valdez showdown. “Navarrete and Valdez are both remarkable fighters, and I’ll be watching their clash closely. I have the utmost respect for both of them but make no mistake—I want to face the winner. I believe I have what it takes to emerge victorious and prove myself as a true contender and a world champion.”

Cortes has established himself as a super featherweight powerhouse on the rise. His skill, resilience, and grit have made him a standout in the division, and he’s determined to continue his ascent by securing a bout against the winner of Navarrete vs. Valdez.

“I feel I’ve earned the right to fight the winner of this fight.” continued Cortes. “I’ve never turned down a fight and did everything my promoter told me to do. I’m grateful to Top Rank for getting me to this point in my career and now I’m ready to become a world champion. All I need is the opportunity.”

Cortes’ rapid rise and drive have positioned him on a collision course with boxing’s elite, promising fans a thrilling spectacle when the time comes for his next showdown.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 8, 2023) – The protagonists of one of boxing’s most iconic trilogies will be in attendance this week as Mexico prepares to crown a new king.

Mexican legends Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales will be on hand for the fight week festivities leading up to the WBO junior lightweight world title showdown between reigning champion Emanuel Navarrete and former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez this Saturday, August 12, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Navarrete-Valdez, the Raymond Muratalla-Diego Torres lightweight co-feature, and the heavyweight showdown between Richard Torrez Jr. and Willie Jake Jr. will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

The Barrera-Morales trilogy began on Feb. 19, 2000, as reigning WBC super bantamweight world champion Morales secured a razor-tight split decision victory against WBO champion Barrera in a historic back-and-forth tussle that was named Ring Magazine Fight of the Year. Part 2 took place on June 22, 2002, with Barrera capturing the WBC featherweight title via unanimous decision in a verdict that had pundits and fans split.

In their November 2004 rubber match, Barrera emerged victorious for a second time, dethroning then-WBC super featherweight champion Morales by majority decision in another Ring Magazine Fight of the Year. Since then, their trilogy has inspired future generations, including Navarrete and Valdez, who will go toe-to-toe as they attempt to etch their names among the most storied all-Mexican showdowns.

“To know that two legends from an important Mexican trilogy will be there during fight week gives us some added pressure,” Navarrete said. “They set the bar really high. What they did is difficult to do, let alone surpass. But Valdez and I have what it takes to leave a similar mark.”

“The fans want to see a fight like the ones between Morales and Barrera,” Valdez said. “Every time there is a fight between Mexicans, it’s a great battle, and this won’t be the exception. I always tell people that I grew up during the era of Morales and Barrera. They inspired me to be the fighter that I am today. So, to leave something similar in history would mean the world to me.”

The full suite of Navarrete vs. Valdez fight week events will stream live on Top Rank’s YouTube, Twitter and Facebook pages, in addition to various ESPN platforms.

Thursday, Aug. 10: Navarrete vs. Valdez Final Presser
4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT
Streaming live on ESPN+ and Top Rank’s YouTube, Twitter & Facebook pages

* Barrera and Morales will chat about the historical significance of Saturday’s fight.

Friday, Aug. 11: Navarrete vs. Valdez Official Weigh-In
3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
Streaming live on ESPN+ and Top Rank’s YouTube, Twitter & Facebook pages

* Barrera and Morales will pose alongside Navarrete and Valdez during the weigh-in and face-off.

Saturday, Aug. 12: Navarrete vs. Valdez Fight Night
10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Main card airing live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. Undercard action begins at 7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT on ESPN+.

* Barrera and Morales will be seated ringside. After the fight, they will present the winner with a special gift.

OTX – Overtime’s boxing platform – is back in action with a slate of matches featuring some of the most promising next generation fighters, Friday, August 11th at OTE Arena in Atlanta and live on DAZN around the world.

The main event sees undefeated Albert Bell (23-0-0) out of Toledo, OH facing off against Presco Carcosia (10-2-1) in a Super Featherweight fight. Bell looks to continue his march towards contention, with Carcosia looking for the upset on the big stage.

In the co-main event, Raul “Money” Salomone (12-1-0) out of Long Beach, CA will fight Tyler “Hercules” Howard (19-1-0) out of Crossville, TN. Both fighters have one loss on their record and will work to keep it that way. 

David Navarro (5-1) out of Los Angeles, CA and D’Angelo Fuentes (8-1) out of Coconut Creek, FL are set to square off in the Super Lightweight division. Navarro comes from a boxing lineage; his uncle Jose Navarro was a US Olympian and World Title contender and his Uncle Carlos was the last American fighter to beat Floyd Mayweather in the amateurs.

After making waves in the boxing space as an amateur, Giovanni Marquez (5-0-0) trained by his father, former Olympic and World Champion Raul, will look to stay undefeated against New Jersey’s Nicky “The Bull” Vitone (9-2-1).

“Cool Girl” Steph Chavez (2-0-0) in just her third pro-fight will try to keep her perfect record, but will face Devaney “La Flacka” Torres (0-1-0), searching for her first professional victory.

At just 19 years-old, and the youngest fighter signed by the legendary Mayweather Promotions, David “Dynamite” Lopez (3-0-0) out of Oakland, CA will be fighting native New Yorker, Joseph Suero, who also spends time as a stuntman.

OTX has set out to bring fans closer to fighters than ever before through stories from outside the ring alongside glory within, opting for an innovative and fan friendly rule set while respecting the essence of the sweet science.

OTX is implementing an Overtime Round. If there is a draw on the judges’ scorecards after the regularly scheduled rounds, there will be an additional “winner takes all” round. This allows the fighter to take their fate into their own hands and for the victory.

To incentivize the fighters, OTX is also offering a unique KO Bonus for every fight on the card. A KO in any round is rewarded, but there is a multiplier effect if the KO is in the first or last round to create a more compelling fight for fans from start to finish. On top of the KO bonuses OTX is opting for an 18×18 ft ring versus the standard 20-22 square foot sizes which means extra action.

All the fights will air exclusively on DAZN. For more information, visit https://otboxing.com/

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – (August 8, 2023) – Adam Azim, the hottest young talent in British boxing, heads to the AO Arena Manchester on Saturday, September 2nd, joining the blockbuster Smith vs Eubank II pay-per-view card on a mission to fast-track himself to world-title contention and fulfil a promise made to his idol Amir Khan.

Having accepted a challenge laid down by Amir Khan – who became world champion at just 22 years old – to win his first world title at an even younger age, the 21-year-old Azim is taking a big step up in opposition in an attempt to fast-track himself into world title contention.

Dangerous Ukrainian Aram Fanyan (22-1, 4 KO’s) has nearly three times Azim’s professional experience and just one career loss, making the young veteran a serious test for the young Azim (8-0, 6 KO’s). Fanyan is headed to Manchester intent on derailing Azim’s momentum and stealing the young prodigy’s shine for himself.

Originally scheduled for June, the clash was postponed when a severe bacterial infection took root in Azim’s left hand via a cut sustained in a training session. Now fully recovered, the super-lightweight standout is straining at the leash to put on another show-stopping performance for British fight fans at one of the most anticipated boxing events of the year.

“Aram Fanyan isn’t coming to roll over. He’s dangerous, he’s experienced and we all know what’s going on in Ukraine right now – he wants to win for his country as much as anything. He’s very motivated and he’s not a guy to underestimate, so he’s definitely a good opponent,” said Azim.

“He’s the toughest opponent of my career so far and I’m looking to put on a great performance which shows beyond doubt that I am ready to to step up to that next level and start winning some titles. Being on a big pay-per-view card like Smith vs Eubank 2 is just extra motivation for me – I want to be headlining my own pay-per-views in the future and the road to that really starts with this fight on September 2nd.”

Fanyan said, “This is a huge opportunity for me to fight on one of the world’s biggest television platforms for the sport of boxing. Ukraine has produced some great names in boxing. After this fight, Aram Fanyan is the next Ukrainian name the world’s boxing fans will come to know

“Adam Azim is young but already has a big name and big reputation, so when I travel to England and beat him on his home soil, that’s going to get a lot of attention and it’s going to open up some huge opportunities for me.”

2_SEP_AZIM_FANYAN_1080x1080_NoCTA.jpeg“Adam Azim is a prodigious talent and having just turned 21 we’ve still only seen a fraction of what he’s capable of. His natural ability combined with his work ethic and ambition is frightening. We believe he is the future star of this sport. On September 2nd he will feature on a pay-per-view card for the first time and we believe he will headline many pay-per-views of his own in the future. He’s facing a dangerous, experienced opponent in Aram Fanyan. It’s an important test for Adam Azim and a big step forward for his career.”

BOXXER: Smith vs Eubank II – Repeat or Revenge? takes place Saturday, September 2nd at the AO Arena Manchester and airs live and exclusively as a Sky Sports Box Office pay-per-view event.

Azim vs Fanyan joins previously announced undercard bouts including a big domestic heavyweight clash between Frazer Clarke (7-0, 5 KO’s) and Dave Allen (25-5-2, 18 KOs), a welterweight encounter between ‘The Albanian King’ Florian Marku (12-0-1, 7 KO’s) and Irish rival Dylan Moran (18-1, 8 KO’s) plus British super-middleweight champion Mark Heffron (29-2-1, 23 KO’s) against Jack Cullen (21-4-1, 9 KO’s) and the return to the ring of light-heavyweight sensation Ben Whittaker (4-0, 3 KO’s).

Final remaining tickets are available via Boxxer.com

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

RYAN GARNER IS looking to turbo-charge his career prospects at York Hall on Friday August 18 with a maiden title success against the 12-1 Spaniard, Juan Jesus Antunez, live on TNT Sports.

The WBC International super featherweight title will be on the line in Bethnal Green when ‘The Piranha’ will be roared on by something like 250 fans from his home city of Southampton.

The 25-year-old has got a definite spring in his step following a stunning second round stoppage of Eduardo Valverde back in May, a performance that reminded ringsiders and TV viewers what a precocious talent he was considered when he broke through back in mid-2016.

Momentum, along with contentment, is now building for the Wayne Batten-trained 13-0 man, who became a father to baby daughter Harper earlier this year.

“Never been better, if I’m honest, everything is going well and I was straight back into training camp after the last one,” said the European champion as an amateur. “So I am just happy I have got a quick turnover and it is good to get on a little roll.

“I’ve been consistent and, even after the last one, my physique was still there, the abs were still there. The old me would have been a bit out of shape, but now my muscles are still popping!”

Prior to his Valverde destruction, Garner spoke of his wish to get people talking about him again and catch the attention of the boxing public. A couple of ripping body shots more than did the trick.

“Even in the commentary and the pundits, they had a lot of praise for me. I needed that because before I’d been, not forgotten about, but nobody was really talking about me.

“When I was 18, just turned over and looking good, there was a ring about my name. It went quiet on me and I had a lot of hiccups and bumps in the road, as well as not very good performances. The camp for the last fight couldn’t have gone any better, the fight couldn’t have gone any better, the whole thing. The praise I’ve had, it has set me up for the rest of the year.

“With a busy me you will see the best of me. I had the fight and, within two or three weeks, I had another date pencilled in, so I am getting on a roll now.”

And, with a WBC International title belt wrapped around his waist, Garner will possess significant currency to trade with.

“I am happy with any title, but this is a serious one and I think it gets you in the top 15 with the WBC. This is just a stepping stone, once you are in there it opens doors for you to bigger and better things.

“With a win I can start ticking off names and moving up in the rankings. Financially too, I am setting up my family so all round I couldn’t be more positive.”

Only a limited number of tickets for McCann vs Baluta remain, available from ticketmaster.co.uk. If you can’t be there, watch live on TNT Sports in Friday, 18 August.

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DENNIS MCCANN (14-0, 8 KOs) WILL bid to add the vacant WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight title to his growing collection of belts when he steps up to take on Ionut Baluta (16-4, 3) at York Hall on Friday August 18, live on TNT Sports.

Also on what should be a thrilling card in Bethnal Green, the British and Commonwealth featherweight champion Nathaniel Collins (12-0, 6) will defend his titles against Raza Hamza (17-1-1, 7).

The Queen of Queensberry, Raven Chapman (6-0, 2) will make a defence of her WBC International featherweight title against the undefeated Lila dos Santos Furtado (9-0, 1) from Brazil.

Featherweight Umar Khan (6-0), super welterweight Khalid Ali (5-0, 3) and super welterweight Joel Kodua (2-0) complete the card in six round fights.

Only a limited number of tickets for McCann vs Baluta remain and available from ticketmaster.co.uk. If you can’t be there, watch live on TNT Sports in Friday, 18 August.

Anthony Joshua will face Robert Helenius in a 12-round main event at The O2 in London this Saturday August 12, shown exclusively live worldwide on DAZN – with fans now able to view as part of their regular subscription.
 
This follows the news that the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that Joshua’s original opponent Dillian Whyte had returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol. As a result, their fight was immediately cancelled with a full investigation underway.
 
Saturday’s sold-out event will now be available to watch worldwide on DAZN via the usual subscription service. Fans will be able to claim a refund directly for any pay-per-view pre-orders they had made via DAZN.
 
On a huge night of Heavyweight action in the Capital, IBF Mandatory World Title challenger Filip Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs) clashes with Australia’s undefeated contender Demsey McKean (22-0, 14 KOs) for a shot at Ukraine’s unified World Champion Oleksandr Usyk, two-time World Title challenger and fan favourite Derek Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) returns to the scene of so many of his famous wins to take on America’s Gerald Washington (20-5-1, 13 KOs) over ten rounds and Romford sensation Johnny Fisher (9-0, 8 KOs) has the opportunity to land his first belt when he faces off with Torquay’s Harry Armstrong (5-1-1) for the vacant Southern Area Title.
 
Elsewhere on the card, Hyde Super-Lightweight Campbell Hatton (12-0, 5 KOs) takes on Hitchen’s Tom Ansell (10-4, 2 KOs) over eight rounds, Billericay Middleweight prospect George Liddard (3-0, 3 KOs) goes for another knockout against Bas Oosterweghel (5-1, 3 KOs), Wales Featherweight talent Brandon Scott (5-0, 1 KO) makes his Matchroom debut against Shepshed’s Louis Norman (14-13-1, 2 KOs) and Eltham Super-Flyweight Maiseyrose Courtney (3-0) faces her toughest test against Bournemouth’s Gemma Ruegg (7-7, 1 KO).
 
“This wasn’t in the script,” said Joshua. “I respect Helenius and may I say, I respect any male or female who steps into the ring. I am laser focused on the win. I can make steps forward to bigger and better things but the road map has a check point, Saturday night. May the best man win.” 
 
“I am excited about fighting Anthony Joshua on August 12,” said Helenius. “I am a true Viking that is willing to face any challenge at a moment’s notice. This is not an opportunity I was going to let slip away. I plan to make the most of it!”
 
Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said: “To get the news on Saturday was really disappointing, not only for us but for Anthony Joshua and for the fans. But we got to work and we have done what we’re good at – and we have managed to keep the show on. AJ has been unbelievable throughout this whole process. He is someone who is ready to fight having trained for 12 weeks in Dallas with Derrick James. He has always been a great pro but this just shows me again the hunger he has for the sport. He wants to go out there this Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd at The O2 and perform. There were a lot of options. But we had to make sure it was the right fight for the right deal. I think Robert Helenius is a good fight. Yes, he lost to Deontay Wilder but that was by a shot that would have probably knocked out a horse! But he came to fight. He can really punch, he’s 6ft 8in and he won at the weekend. Ultimately there is criticism in whatever you do, but I actually think this is a tricky and dangerous fight.”
 
Alfie Sharman VP DAZN said: “DAZN were incredibly disappointed about the cancellation of our original main event on Saturday and are extremely appreciative of the efforts by all involved to get this new fight across the line. Robert has been in with some of the best in the division, and this will be another hard night for Anthony Joshua. Tune in live and exclusive on DAZN.”
 
Tickets will remain valid for all existing ticketholders. Refunds will be available for ticketholders from the original point of purchase.
 
Existing DAZN subscribers can watch Joshua vs Helenius live and exclusive on DAZN as part of their DAZN subscription. No Pay-Per-View purchase required. If you’re not yet a DAZN subscriber, sign up at DAZN.com where monthly prices start at £9.99 per month. 
 
Once signed up, search ‘DAZN’ on your favourite device’s app store and download the DAZN app to start watching on smart TVs, streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Chromecast, plus game consoles, mobile and tablet.
 
To watch Joshua vs Helenius on DAZN through your Sky Q or Sky+ HD box,  go to DAZN 1 HD channel 429 and follow the steps to sign up to DAZN.  Or go to DAZN.com/Sky to get started. 

QUEBEC CITY, Canada (Aug. 8, 2023) — WBC/WBO/IBF light heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev now has a date to defend his crown. After recent dental surgery forced Beterbiev to postpone his Aug. 19 title defense against former world champion Callum Smith, the two will now meet Saturday, Jan. 13 at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.

Promoted by Eye of the Tiger and Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets are on sale now via www.ticketmaster.ca.

“It’s a few months later than originally planned, but I am thrilled that Artur Beterbiev will have a chance to defend his titles in front of the incredible Quebec City fans,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Artur has a clean bill of health, and I know Callum, a supremely talented former champion, will be at his best on January 13th.”

“I’m very pleased that the camps came to an agreement quickly, so we can go ahead with this light heavyweight championship super fight,” said Eye of the Tiger president Camille Estephan. “It’s going to heat up this January in Quebec City.”

Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KOs), boxing’s only current world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, has made seven title defenses since capturing the IBF strap in November 2017. He is coming off January’s stirring eighth-round TKO over Anthony Yarde in Yarde’s hometown of London. Smith (29-1, 21 KOs), from Liverpool, England, is the former Ring Magazine and WBA super middleweight world champion. He has won two fights since moving up to light heavyweight following a decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez in December 2020.

The ticket holders have the option to either keep the tickets they purchased and retain the previously selected seats, or get a refund. The refund option will be available via the Ticketmaster account of the person who purchased the tickets. In the case of a ticket transfer, the original purchaser will have to proceed with the refund request. Any refund requests made after this deadline will be denied. For any questions, contact the ticket

NEW YORK (August 8, 2023) – Last Friday night at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Split-T Management fighters Oshae Jones and Haven Brady remained undefeated with victories on the inaugural OTX Boxing show.

Jones of Toledo, Ohio won an eight-round unanimous decision over Miranda Barber in a junior middleweight bout.

Jones, the 2020 United States Olympic Bronze medal winner controlled the action and won by shutout scores of 80-72 on all cards to raise her mark to 4-0.

Barber of Boca Raton, Florida is 3-5.

Brady of nearby Albany, Georgia win a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Andre Rene Rodriguez in a junior lightweight contest.

The 21 year-old Brady also pitched a shutout to the tune of 60-54 on all cards to make him a perfect 10-0.

Rodriguez of Phoenix is 9-1.

The bouts were part of the OTX series that began and will continue for the next three Friday’s on DAZN. Split-T Management will be well represented on all the shows. Appearing this week will be middleweight Tyler Howard, featherweight David Navarro & super lightweight Giovanni Marquez

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (August 7, 2023)–Weight’s for Tuesday night’s Jimmy Adams Promotions card at The Troubadour Nashville.

Erick Arellano 226 – Javier Frazer -Will weigh in Tuesday

Victor Hernandez 128 – Weusi Johnson 128

Da’Velle Smith 160.8 – Dedrick Bell 159.2

Yoelys Leal Molina 148 – Henry Hewig 148

Promoter: Jimmy Adams Promotions

Venue: Troubadour Nashville

1st Bell: 7 PM CT (8 PM ET)

Free Stream: countrybox247.com / FITE.TV (Marc Abrams & Former NFL All-Pro Albert Haynesworth on the call)

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD – August 7, 2023 – Three showdowns featuring a top rising prospect, an all-action contender and a former title challenger will highlight the SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN show this Saturday, August 12 from The Theater at MGM National Harbor in an event Presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Action live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page will begin at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and is topped by top rising prospect Michael Angeletti dueling fellow unbeaten Jonathan Lopez in an eight-round bantamweight affair. The lineup will also see all-action contender Jose Benavidez Jr. facing Sladan Janjanin in a 10-round middleweight bout, plus former title challenger Damien Vazquez battles the Philippines’ Jeronil Borres in an eight-round bantamweight showdown. The live stream is hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show host Luke Thomas.

These fights precede a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® tripleheader headlined by former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez take on streaking contender Melvin Lopez for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championship. The telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features undefeated rising star Gary Antuanne Russell taking on fellow unbeaten Kent Cruz in the 10-round super lightweight co-main event, plus sensational top prospect Travon Marshall duels unbeaten two-time Olympian Gabriel Maestre in the 10-round welterweight telecast opener.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through www.mgmnationalharbor.com/.

A highly skilled technician with blazing speed, Angeletti (8-0, 7 KOs) has upped his competition in recent outings, dominating the previously unbeaten Jeremy Adorno in October 2022 before stopping the experienced Michell Banquez in round eight of their May clash on SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN. Originally from New Orleans and now training in Spring, Texas, Angeletti carries a six-fight knockout streak into Saturday night. He faces Puerto Rico’s Lopez (8-0-2, 4 KOs), who will be fighting in the U.S. for the second time as a pro. The 26-year-old made his U.S. debut in February, fighting fellow unbeaten Eduardo Diogo to an entertaining majority draw.

Phoenix’s Benavídez (27-2-1, 18 KOs) is the older brother of unbeaten two-time world champion David Benavídez and is trained by his father Jose Sr. A long-established contender, Benavídez moved up to super welterweight after dropping a 2018 world title challenge to Terence Crawford and most recently lost a close decision to two-division champion Danny Garcia last July. He will take on the 32-year-old Janjanin (36-15, 26 KOs), who won his most recent outing via decision in April. A native of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Janjanin has fought in 14 different countries, often facing top contenders and rising prospects, including a point’s loss to former interim champion Martin Murray in 2019.

The 26-year-old southpaw Vázquez (16-3-1, 9 KOs) was born in Thornton, Col. and now fights out of Las Vegas. The younger brother of former two-time champion Israel Vázquez, he challenged Brandon Figueroa for a 122-pound world title in September 2020. After dropping an August 2021 showdown against former champion Rau’shee Warren, Vázquez returned to the ring in March by stopping Francisco Bonilla Zambrano in three rounds. He will be opposed by the 28-year-old Borres (12-8-2, 6 KOs), who has fought professionally since 2014. Representing Catarman, Camiguin, Philippines, Borres most recently dropped an April clash against unbeaten Abraham Perez.

The non-televised undercard lineup will feature Philadelphia’s Jesse Hart (28-3, 22 KOs) facing Argentina’s Elio Trosch (15-10-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round light heavyweight clash, Washington, D.C.-born prospect David Whitmire (2-0, 1 KO) stepping in for a four-round super welterweight bout against Jordy Tientcheu (0-1) and unbeaten super middleweight Daniel Blancas (6-0, 4 KOs) battling New York’s Devaun Lee (11-9-1, 6 KOs) for six-rounds of action.

#         #         #

ABOUT RODRIGUEZ VS. LOPEZ

Rodriguez vs. Lopez will see former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez take on streaking contender Melvin Lopez for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championship headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, August 12 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland. 

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will see undefeated rising star and Capitol Heights, Maryland-native Gary Antuanne Russell taking on fellow unbeaten Kent Cruz in the 10-round super lightweight co-main event, plus sensational top prospect and Landover, Maryland-native Travon Marshall duels unbeaten two-time Olympian Gabriel Maestre in the 10-round welterweight telecast opener.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #RodriguezLopez, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

QUINCY, Mass. (August 7, 2023) – Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) has announced the signings of unbeaten eastern Massachusetts prospects, super middleweight James “Pitbull” Perkins (12-0-1, 9 KOs) and junior middleweight Kenny “Lionheart” Larson (7-0, 5 KOs), to exclusive promotional contracts.

Perkins, of Lynn (MA), and Salem’s (MA) Larson both train at Broadway Boxing Club in Everett (MA) and are managed by Dennis Willcox.

“Both of these guys are awesome in and out of the ring,” GCP President Chris Traietti commented. “When their manager, Dennis Willcox, came to me about working with them, it was a no brainer. These guys want big fights, and I will deliver that. It is sincerely a pleasure and an honor to have these guys as part of the ever-growing Granite Chin family. Our roster continuously gets better and having these two continues that trend.”

(L) James “Pitbull” Perkins

A 30-year-old gravedigger, Perkins was a standout high school hockey player at St. Mary’s of Lynn. He is an entertaining, come forward brawler with lethal power in both hands. His next fight is August 19 in Worcester (MA) against Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (8-0, 7 KOs) in the eight-round “Pandemonium at The Palladium” main event for the vacant IBA Americas Super Middleweight Championship. (purchase tickets at www.ThePalladium.net.

“I’ve known Chris (Traietti) for a while now,” Perkins said. “I fought on one of his New Hampshire shows in my second pro fight. I signed with him because he’s a good guy and a good promoter. I think we can do some big things together. I’m looking forward to it.”

(R ) – Kenny “Lionheart” Larson

Larson, 33, is another fan-favorite with power in both fists, along with always being in an attack mode. He was a 2016 New England Golden Gloves (Novice) Champion. Larson is slated to be in action this Friday night (Aug. 12 rain date) versus Alfred Raymond in a six-round “stay busy” fight outdoors on the “Veterans Stadium Showcase” card at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy (MA). (purchase tickets at www.ThePalladium.net)

“I felt signing with Chris was the best choice for my career,” Larson remarked. “He will get me the best fights and further my career.”

“Pandemonium at The Palladium” and “Veterans Stadium Showcase” are both presented by Granite Chin Promotions.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

Los Angeles, CA (August 7, 2023) The Fastest Rising Star in Boxing, ‘King’ Callum Walsh, (7-0, 6 KOs), of Cork, Ireland will now make the first defense of his WBC US Silver Super Welterweight Title against ‘El Pitbull’ Juan Jose Velasco, (24-4-0, 15 KOs), of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the scheduled ten-round main event on Saturday, August 26 at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, CA and broadcast globally on UFC FIGHT PASS.

Presented by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions as part of their acclaimed Hollywood Fight Nights events, remaining tickets priced at $200, $150, $100, $80 and $60 can be purchased online through the 360 Promotions website. The Commerce Casino, ‘The World’s Largest Card Room and Site of the LA Poker Classic’, is located at 6131 Telegraph Road, Commerce, CA 90040. For more information and directions visit their website.

The original opponent for Walsh, Livan Navarro, suffered a training injury and had to withdraw from the title fight. The more experienced Velasco has battled numerous world champions and top contenders including Regis Prograis, Zachary Ochoa, Elvis Rodriguez and Mario Berrios. The upset minded Argentinian looks to return to the win column against the heralded Walsh following a hotly contested split decision loss against Flavius Blea on May 5, 2023 in Mioveni, Romania.

“While it was unfortunate that Livan Navarro was injured, Juan Jose Velasco presents another very tough challenge for Callum Walsh,” said Tom Loeffler. “We’ve got more exciting fights to announce this week for this outstanding card on August 26 at the Commerce Casino and broadcast on UFC FIGHT PASS. Tickets for this event are moving very fast and I strongly encourage fans to purchase well in advance to ensure entry on fight night.”

Trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach at the famed Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, CA, the 22-year-old southpaw Walsh earned the WBC US Silver Super Welterweight Title with a dominant performance and fourth round stoppage of world title challenger Carson Jones in front of a sold-out Commerce Casino crowd on June 9, 2023.

                                                ————————————————–

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Sheffield, England – 7 August 2023 – GBM Sports is delighted to announce that the all-action Doncaster boxing star Reece Mould will make the first defence of his WBA Continental Lightweight Championship on Friday 6th October in Sheffield.

Mould will headlines a double-title show that also features a fiery Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship showdown between rivals Emma Dolan and Nicola Hopewell, rising prospects Naphtali Nembhard, Adam Mohammed, Will Cawley and Nohmaan Hussain, with even more talent to be added show.

The venue for the show will be announced shortly. 

Bringing excitement every time he fights, Mould inflicted the first defeat to Bradford rival Hamed Ghaz in a pulsating fight in February this year.  Mould wobbled Ghaz twice in the second round and almost stopped him, but Ghaz recovered and fought back hard to take the fight to the judges’ scorecards.  Mould’s work-rate and better punch output saw him win on all three cards to claim not only the WBA Continental belt, but also the Vacant English title.

He was last in action June against against Christian Lopez Flores in a gritty fight that saw Mould floor Flores in the fourth round and receive a count but the hard Mexican got up and took the fight the eight round distance with Mould winning with a dominant point victory of 80-71.

With a World title challenge in his sights, Mould is eager to put on a scintillating display and show the fans’ that he’s the next big name to emerge on the British scene.

Mould said, “I’m raring to get out and fight and I can’t wait for October 6 in Sheffield.  It’s an important fight for me and a big win set me up for a big fights next year.  My team are looking at potential names now and I’ll be in a position to confirm soon who will be in the opposite corner.  I won the title with a good win over Ghaz and then faced a tough Mexican last time out, I’ll be ready for whoever is put in front of me.”

To compliment the top of the bill, GBM Sports have assembled a top quality undercard that will see a fiery East Midlands clash between fierce rivals Emma Dolan (5-0-0, 1 KO) and Nicola ‘Hurricane’ Hopewell (3-0-0, 1 KO) in the chief-support.  

Dolan from Newark created a small piece of history when she became the first ever holder of the female Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship by defeating tough Tanzanian Halima Vunjabei on the judges’ scorecards.

She makes the first defence of the title against Worksop’s unbeaten Hopewell with plenty of pride and ‘bragging rights’ at stake in the hot derby showdown that has got the trade and fans’ excited.

On the undercard two talented Sheffield prospect with fascinating stories will feature.

What can be billed as a ‘homecoming’ of sorts, Naphtali Nembhard, who was a former basketball player with the Sheffield Sharks will make his professional boxing debut in the middleweight division over four rounds.  The 27-year-old played as a small forward for the Sharks and makes the transition from the court to the ring where he will see if his fast hands can make the change from scoring hoops to knockouts.

One of the biggest compliments a boxer can receive is when fans says ‘they have the heart’.  For undefeated bantamweight prospect Nohmaan Hussain (3-0-0), it also has another meaning as he also has a career as an NHS cardiac intensive care practitioner.  The Sheffield University graduate works in an Intensive Therapy Unit ITU monitoring and caring for Level 3 patients who are severely poorly from both pre and post cardiac surgery.  Hussain aims for his fourth victory in his four round contest.

Also on the card will be the unbeaten Oldham Bantamweight Will Cawley (3-0-0, 1 KO), the latest protege under top trainer Ben Davison, and Birmingham Super-Featherweight talent Adam Mohammed will make his professional debut.

Promoter Izzy Asif, CEO of GMB Sports, is looking forward to seeing Mould back in the ring and heading an action-packed show.  He said, “It’s fantastic to have Mould headline the show in Sheffield on October 6 and defending his belt.  He brings excitement and action whenever he fights and the fans’ love to watch him so it will be another electric night for GBM Sports.  The chief support on the card between Dolan and Hopewell is also set to be a red-hot match with plenty of East Midlands pride at stake for the winner and loser.  With two of our popular and exciting up-and-coming Sheffield talents on the card in Naphtali and Nohmaan plus the additions of Will and Adam, the card is nicely shaping up at this points.  We’ll have an announcement on the venue very shortly and further fighters who will feature on the card.”

An announcement will be made in due course for the official press conference with further fights to be added to the card.

WORCESTER, Mass. (August 6, 2023) – History was made last night at Polar Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate Worcester Red Sox (WooSox), which hosted its first boxing event, “Punch-Out at Polar Park,” under the stars at its award-winning minor league ballpark.

The “Punch-Out at Polar Park” Pro Am card was presented by Shearns Boxing Promotions (SBP) in conjunction with Kendrick Ball’s Camp Get Right.

“It certainly took a lot of hard work from a lot of good people, including my partner (Kendrick Ball, Sr.) and my family,” SBP president Chuck Shearns said. “It was a historical event and I hope everybody had a good time.”

(L) – Kendrick Ball, Jr. pitched a shutout at the venue that he helped build as a union construction worker

Hometown hero Kendrick “Peppa” Ball, Jr. (21-1-3, 12 KOs) sent the fans home happy, pitching a shutout in the main event versus Oscar “Moustro” Riojas (28-17-3, 16 KOs), winning by scores of 80-72 three times.

Ball had in a workmanlike strategy, out-boxing his Mexican opponent, and then breaking him down in the final two rounds. Riojas proved to be a crafty southpaw with invaluable experience having fought world champion Carlos Gongara, Irish Olympian Joseph Ward, and top contender Diego Pacheco.

“Leading up to the fight, that (fighting at home in the first boxing event at Polar Park) wasn’t my focus,” Ball, Jr. commented after the fight. “Now, it means a lot to me for me to accomplish what I wanted to and have my fans watch. I made some new fans, too.

“My opponent was getting tired (in the last 2 rounds), He’s very tough, I couldn’t get him out. He’s a lefty and I kept stepping on his foot.”

Quintin Sumpter (L) and Sean Bey (R)

In the co-featured event, heavyweight “Don’t Play” Sean Bey (8-0, 7 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact, albeit under controversial scoring against Quintin Sumpter (6-2, 4 KOs). In the fourth round, Sumpter lulled Bey in and caught him with a left-right combination that decked Bey for the first time in his pro career. Bey was penalized a point in the fifth round for pushing Sumpter.

A cancer survivor, Bey had never fought more than two rounds and Sumpter was more than happy to take his opponent into deep water. When the decision was announced after eight rounds, Bey was awarded a majority decision, which drew a chorus of boos from the non-partisan fans.

Brockton lightweight “King” Kevin Walsh (10-0, 4 KOs) improved to 10-0 with a hard fought six-round unanimous decision victory over Philip Davis (3-6-2, 0 KOs), who fights out of Worcester. The pace picked up dramatically in the second half of the fight and at times it looked like each fighter was on the edge of registering a knockout. Neither fighter went down on the canvas, though, and their aggressiveness had fans roaring down the stretch.

Norton police officer Melanie “Pitbull” Costa (2-0, 1 KO, a North (MA) police officer, stole the show in the Fight of the Night with her scintillating, non-stop performance against Brazilian super bantamweight Kalindra Walkiria De Carvalho Faria (1-1, 0 KOs), a standout mixed martial arts fighter. The much shorter Costa, who was a four-time National Golden Gloves champion as an amateur, fought inside effectively from start to finish, throwing punches in bunches, much to the delight of the aroused crowd.

Junior middleweight Josniel “TG” Castro (10-1, 8 KOs), a promising prospect from Boca Raton (FL), bounced back convincingly from his first loss as a pro this past January, blasting out Jorge “Tomatito” Martin (13-12-1, KOs) with a powerful right hook early in the third round.

Worcester police officer Neal Sullivan (1-0-1) had the hometown fans on their collective feet with a brutal knockout of light heavyweight Michael Medeiros (0-5) at the 54-seconds mark of round two.

Pro-debuting junior welterweight Tevin “The Hitman” Regis stopped journeyman Joshua Zimmerman (0-11) midway through the opening round.

In the opening bout of the evening, James Maner (4-0, 3 KOs), 2019 New England Golden Gloves Champion, remained undefeated, defeated veteran cruiserweight Saul “The Spider” Almedia (1-18-4 (1 KO) by way of a dominant four-round unanimous decision, winning each round on all three judges’ scorecards for a shutout.

The pro card followed three amateur matches in the inaugural Carlos Garcia Tournament. Garcia, who is inducted in the National Golden Gloves Hall of Fame, was honored (see the picture below) during the event for his 40 years of service heading the boxing program at the Worcester Boys and Girls Club.

“The Godfather of Worcester Boxing,” Carlos Carcia (second from the left)

Complete results below:

PRO RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Kendrick Ball, Jr. (21-1-3, 12 KOs), Worcester, MA

WDEC8 (80-72, 80-72, 80-72)

Oscar Riojas (28-17-3, 16 KOs), Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS

Sean Bey (8-0, 7 KOs), Stoughton, MA by way of Providence, RI

WDEC (76-74, 76-74, 75-75)

Quintin Sumpter (6-2, 4 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

CRUISERWEIGHTS

James Maner (4-0, 2 KOs), Johnston, RI

WDEC4 (40-46, 40-36, 40-36)

Saul Almeida (1-18-4, 1 KO), Framingham, MA

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Neal Sullivan (1-0-1), Worcester, MA

WTKO2 (0::54)

Michael Medeiros (0-5), Nahant, MA by way of Brazil

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Josniel Castro (10-1, 8 KOs), Boca Raton, FL by way of Puerto Rico

WTKO3 (:43)

Jorge Martin Garcia (13-12-1, 3 KOs), General Lavalle, Buenos Aires, Argentina

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Tevin Regis (1-0, 1 KO), Dorchester, MA

WTKO1 (1:35)

Joshua Zimmerman (0-11), Baltimore, MD

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Kevin Walsh (10-0, 4 KOs), Brockton, MA

WDEC6 (60-54, 59-55, 59-55)

Philip Davis (3-6-2, 0 KOs), Worcester, MA

FEMALE SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS

Melanie Costa (2-0, 1 KO), Norton, MA

WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)

Kalindra Walkiria De Carcalho Faria (1-0, 0 KOs), Taubate, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The inaugural Carlos Garcia Amateur Tournament

AMATEUR RESULTS

106 lbs.

Thomas Hardy (Black Belt Boxing)

Wabandoment2

Samuel Parseghian (Worcester Boys & Girls Club)

147 lbs.

George Alvis (Grealish Boxing)

WSDEC3

Justin LaPorte (Camp Get Right)

203 lbs.

Andreas Entzells (Camp Get Right)

WUDEC3

Daniel Nineve (Bernardo Boxing)

INFORMATION:

Website: polarpark.com. cgrboxing.com

Facebook: /ShearnsBoxingPromotions, /CampGetRightBoxing, /PolarParkWorcester

Twitter: @ShearnsBoxing, @PolarPark

Instagram: @ShearnsBoxingPromotions, @cgrboxing, @PolarParkWorcester

August 5, 2023 – Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that Dillian Whyte had returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol.
 
In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted.
 
Further information on the event will follow.

On Saturday, August 12, live from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, three-division world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete puts his WBO junior lightweight world title on the line against former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez.  Richard Torrez Jr. will open with a special feature, a six-round heavyweight tilt against Willie Jake Jr.

The main card airs at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and simulcast on ESPN+, with the undercard at 6:45 p.m. ET/ 3:45 p.m. PT exclusively on ESPN+ (English and Spanish).

Ahead of their upcoming bouts, ESPN will air two original programs: The Gentleman Boxer: Richard Torrez Jr. and Hecho en Mexico: Navarrete vs. Valdez 

The Gentleman Boxer: Richard Torrez Jr. is a 30-minute candid look at the rising American heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. (5-0, 5 KO) ahead of his upcoming special feature bout in Arizona. Fight fans will get to know the charismatic 24-year-old California native who took home a silver medal for the United States at the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Hecho en Mexico: Navarrete vs. Valdez is a 30-minute cinematic presentation of the two Mexican warriors who will go “mano a mano” in the Arizona desert. The show previews the marquee main event between three-division world champion and defending WBO junior lightweight world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (37-1, 31 KO) and the former Mexican Olympian and two-division world champion Oscar Valdez (31-1, 23 KO).

In addition to the air times below, both programs will be available for replay on-demand in the ESPN App and on ESPN.com and ESPN+.

(All times ET)

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