New York, NY (2/6/17) – DiBella Entertainment (DBE) is thrilled to announce the signing of highly touted undefeated New Zealand heavyweight prospect Uaine Fa Jr., otherwise known as Junior Fa (9-0, 6 KOs). He will make his US debut on February 25, in Birmingham, AL, underneath Deontay Wilder’s world heavyweight title defense. This is the first signing since DBE has brought in Australian boxing agent Brendan Bourke to seek out the best talent from the Asia Pacific region.

Born Auckland and now living in Papakura, Fa is a hulking figure standing at 6’5″ and averaging 270 pounds, with exceptionally fast hands. At 16 years old, he was inspired to take up boxing by his father, a former amateur boxer himself. As an amateur, Fa was the 2009 New Zealand National super heavyweight champion, a gold and silver medalist at the Oceania Championships in 2010 and 2012 respectively, as well as a bronze medalist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He also owns two amateur wins over current WBO heavyweight champion and fellow New Zealander Joseph Parker.

Connecting with manager Mark Keddell and trainer Henry Schuster, Fa made his professional debut in February 2016, winning nine fights last year. In his last bout on December 10, Fa scored an impressive third-round knockout over 17-1 Pablo Magrini on the same card that saw Parker win his world title. Fa feels that there is unfinished business between the two and is determined to face his former amateur rival again as a professional, after gaining more experience and international recognition.

Fa will make his US debut under the DBE banner on Saturday, February 25, as part of the undercard to Deontay Wilder’s world heavyweight title defense against Gerald Washington, at the Legacy Arena at the BJCC, in Birmingham Alabama. Fa will face off against Keith Barr, of Glenville, WV, in an eight-round contest.

“The physically imposing Junior Fa has the size and skills to make an impact in an era of heavyweight giants,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “His power and amateur pedigree, including two wins over Joseph Parker, have put him on the map in the Asia Pacific region; he now looks to make his mark on the US and the boxing world.”

“I would like to thank Lou DiBella for giving me this opportunity to showcase my talent and love for boxing,” said Fa. “Lou has given me a stage to perform on to show the world what I can do. I will train hard, prove myself and not let Lou down.”

“It’s great to be able to work with and learn from one of boxing’s top promoters like Lou DiBella,” said Keddell. “Junior comes from a long line of New Zealand heavyweights and looks to continue in the tradition of David Tua and Joseph Parker.”

“I’m happy to have facilitated DiBella Entertainment’s signing of heavyweight prospect Junior Fa,” said Bourke. “Junior has everything you want in a heavyweight: height, reach, punching power and fast hands. America is going to love this guy.”

Tickets for the live Wilder-Washington event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions in association with Bruno Event Team, start at $25 (not including applicable fees) and are on sale now. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and by visiting www.AlabamaTitleFight.com.

Fort Washington, MD (February 6, 2017)- Undefeated junior welterweight prospect, Mykal “The Professor” Fox will take on hard-punching Tre’Sean Wiggins in the eight-round main event of a big night of boxing on This Saturday night, February 11th at the Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland.

The show is promoted by King’s Promotions.

Fox, 21 years old of Forestville, Maryland is coming off a good 2016, where he went 4-0 and became a main event fight in the Maryland area.

Mykal Fox

The 3-year pro is coming off a 7th round stoppage over Juan Rodriguez on November 5th in the same venue.

Fox is wrapping up training camp in the D.C. area, and he believes that Wiggins could be the toughest test of his young professional career.

“Training camp has been great. It has been another good camp,” said Fox.

“Wiggins is a dangerous opponent. I have fought opponents that may have had more experience, but Wiggins has a lot of power in both hands. He is left handed like I am.”

Fox has been progressing up the ladder, and now he is considered to be on some prospects lists on the East Coast. A win over the heavy handed Wiggins would solidify his status as 2017 progresses.

“I think fighting him is the next step in my progression. I wanted to be tested, and Wiggins is a guy who has power. I am not looking to take those punches, bit if I do, I will be ready for what he has.”

Fox doesn’t have to look far for motivation, as he brother, talented middleweight Alantez Fox has a bout on February 25th for the NABF title, and the two train side by side with each other under the guidance of their trainer, who also happens to be their father, Troy Fox,

“We are both very motivated. We are there for each other. We feed off each other in the gym and it is a great motivator to train next to him every day.”

A win over Wiggins will keep Fox moving towards his short term goal for 2017.

“I am looking to get in a few more eight-round bouts, and then be able to get some some television bouts. As long as I continue to stay busy, I see that happening.”

Wiggins of Newbergh, New York has a record of 7-2 with six knockouts.

The 26 year-old southpaw scored knockouts in his first three bouts by knockout which was highlighted by a 1st round destruction of current WBA Super Featherweight world champion Jason Sosa.

The 7-year professional is coming off a six-round split decision defeat to Benjamin Whitaker on April 15, 2016 in Verona, NY.

In 6-round bouts:

Luther Smith (6-1, 5 KO’s) of Bowie, Maryland will take on Darnell Pierce (5-0, 1 KO) of Austin, Texas in a cruiserweight bout.

Marcus Bates (5-0-1, 4 KO’s) of Washington, DC will take on Alec McGee (2-0) of Reno, Nevada in a super bantamweight bout.

In 4-round bouts:

Tyrek Irby (1-0, 1 KO) of Washington, D.C. battles Lamont White (0-5) of Washington, DC in a junior welterweight bout.

Patrick Rivera (2-0, 1 KO) of Edgewood, Maryland tangos with Gregory Clark (0-1) of Washington, DC in a super middleweight bout.

Justin Hurd (1-0) of Accokeek, Maryland boxes Dawond Pickney (1-3-1) of Hot Springs, Arkansas in a junior middleweight bout.

Greg Outlaw Jr. (1-0) of Bowie, Maryland takes on Kashon Hutchinson (2-0, 1 KO) of Brooklyn, NY in a junior middleweight bout.

Malik Jackson (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Accokeek, Maryland takes on an opponent to be named in a super bantamweight bout.

Tickets are on sale for $75, $60 and $40 at www.kpboxing.com or by calling 301-899-2430

NEW YORK CITY (February 6, 2017) – Nicaraguan lightweight Oliver “Trombita” Flores’ strong performance this past Friday evening against undefeated, No. 1 ranked Felix “El Diamente” Verdejo, fought in front of more than 7,000 fans in Verdejo’s hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico, truly embodied the spirit of Flores’ promoter, Havoc Boxing.

Known throughout boxing for its flashy, totally unique looking boxing “uniforms” – trunks and jackets – that are famously worn by present and past world champions such as Danny “Swift” Garcia, Danny “Miracle Man” Jacobs, Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi and others, Havoc Boxing is also a boxing promotional company on the rise.

While Havoc Boxing may not be a major player, at least not right now, it does feature a growing stable of gifted boxers such as Flores, the former world super featherweight title challenger who many fell deserved a far better fate than his controversial 10-round decision loss (94-96, 91-99, 92-92), which was turned in by the three Puerto Rican judges at ringside.

Flores (27-3-2, 17 KOs) was a live underdog who gave prohibitive favorite Verdejo (23-0, 15 KOs) all he could handle and much more. Verdejo even drew the wrath of his hometown fans for not engaging Flores, who came on strong in the second half of the fight, bloodying the 2012 Puerto Rican Olympian’s nose in the eighth round and seriously hurting him in the 10th. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino lightweight champion left the ring at Roberto Clemente Coliseum to a chorus of boos.

Headlines describing the fight used phrases like “escaped with victory” and “struggles to win” to describe Verdejo’s tainted victory. One boxing writer had Flores winning six rounds to four, claiming Verdejo simply didn’t do enough to win any other rounds.

“We’re so proud of Oliver,” Havoc Boxing CEO Rob Diaz said. “We thought he won the fight but it’s tough fighting a national hero in his backyard with three of his countrymen as judges. Those who made excuses for Verdejo claiming he wasn’t at his best because of his eight-month layoff, we reminded that Oliver hadn’t fought in more than a year because a few fights we had lined up fell out. After the fight, so many Puerto Rican fans congratulated us, saying Oliver was robbed, and that he deserved a rematch. Verdejo is looking for an opponent for his Puerto Rican Day eve fight (June 10) at Madison Square Garden. We’re certainly open to a rematch but I doubt they’ll risk fighting Oliver again.

“Flores is what Havoc Boxing Promotions is all about. We’re still building our stable of fighters but people in the boxing industry should know by now that our fighters come to fight. They’re all willing to fight anybody, anytime, anywhere, as long as it’s a fair deal for us.”

In addition to Flores, Havoc also promotes 22-year-old Dominican Republic featherweight prospect Yohan “La Fiera” Vasquez (19-1, 16 KOs), who is ranked No. 14 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), as well as a pair of Colombian fighters, super bantamweight Wilner Soto (16-1, 8 KOs) and cruiserweight Santander “Cha Cha” Silgado (27-4, 21 KOs), who fought for the WBA world title in Russia and was ranked among the top 15 in the WBA and World Boxing Council (WBC) a few years ago.

“We’re rebuilding the Havoc Boxing brand to also showcase our promotional division,” Diaz continued. “We have some talented, hungry fighters who we keep as busy as possible, moving them into position for major fights, like Flores versus Verdejo, including two world title shots so far. We’re getting close to crowning our first world champion. Havoc Boxing is much more than boxing’s best design and merchandising company. The future is Havoc!”

ith the recent insurance and medical issues forcing NY fighter to to take travel to other states for boxing matches, Brooklyn’s Courtney Pennington is quickly establishing himself as a road warrior. Pennington went into the backyard of well-regarded local favorite Khiary Gray Pitts and pounded out the unanimous decision at the Twin River Casino’s Event Center in Lincoln, RI Saturday night. In doing so, Pennington captured Gray’s Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) International and Northeast Titles.

The Star Boxing Jr. Middleweight improved to 10-3-1 5KO’S while opponent Pitts dropped to 14-2 11KO’s. Pennington started out slow in bout getting a feel for his opponent and may have dropped two of the first three rounds. However, Pennington picked up the pace in the 4th round, chasing Pitts around the ring and finally was able to corner Pitts against the ropes unleashing a vicious combination which dropped the local fighter.

Pennington seized the momentum and kept the pressure on Gray utilizing a strong inside attack and seemingly knocked Gray down twice more in the 7th round but both knockdowns were called slips by the referee. Gray was on very wobbly legs as the round ended and the 8th round saw both fighters trade big shots but Pennington’s blows were having a much greater effect on Gray as the bell sounded ending the hotly contested bout.

In the end, Pennington prevailed with a unanimous 78-73, 77-74, and 76-75 score earning the well-deserved unanimous decision win.

Star Boxing head Joe DeGuardia had this to say about Pennington’s victory “I proud of him. For the second consecutive time he went on the road as the underdog and came away with victories, both quality wins over quality opposition”.

The bout took place at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island and was co-promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Jimmy Burchfield’s CES.

NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 6, 2016 Star Boxing chief Joe DeGuardia is fighting the unprecedented situation of no boxing club shows in the state of New York by pairing Hicksville, NY native Anthony Karperis (13-2 4KO’S) defending his New York State Jr. Welterweight title against Brooklyn, NY prospect Scott Burrell (12-2 8KO’S) in a 10 round contest at The Paramount in Huntington, NY on Saturday, March 24, 2017.

DeGuardia has gone on record with his fellow New York promoters vehemently objecting to the new rules put in place by the state commission on Sept. 1, 2016, which includes a $1,000,000 traumatic brain injury clause for each fighter. The new regulation eliminated all pro boxing in the entire state of NY from September 1, thru December 31. Up until January, the policy didn’t even exist, so nobody could promote any boxing events in the entire state. You would have to go back to the 1800’s to find a time where there was no pro boxing in NY for the months of September and October, and yet, this new law saw us all with no pro boxing for 4 months! Now, while a policy has been approved, the cost of that policy (as well as other recent NY regulatory added costs) has been so significant that anything other than major international shows are fiscally impossible.

DeGuardia has always been a strong proponent of the club level type of shows which traditionally have been the heartbeat of the sport, and lead to the major international events, both of which have been a part of NY’s rich boxing history. DeGuardia knows that these shows are vital to keep the sport alive and provide such outlets for boxers, fans and venues. While DeGuardia is facing a huge financial loss, he is moving forward for his boxers, venue partners and, perhaps most significantly, to bring more attention to this issue, which is crucial to so many.

DeGuardia had this to say about his upcoming event, “for the first time in my career I am promoting a boxing event where there is such a dual focus. This is a fight that will shine the light on new rule changes and havoc that these new rules have caused to boxers, fans, venues, local towns and numerous others. It is the ultimate dichotomy – we are doing a club show and making it a point to show that we can’t do them anymore if this new regulation isn’t changed. This may well be the last club-type pro boxing show in state of NY. We fully understand the consequences of doing a show like this with the exorbitant proportionate cost of the new insurance and other regulations. We are doing this show under the worst of conditions and it’s a damn shame because we have an unbelievable lineup of fights planned. Our main event is what boxing used to be like in New York, two local kids, both fine fighters in their own right, battling it out for the state title. And instead of looking forward to a great night of Boxing we have this dark cloud hanging over all of our heads, as numerous other promotions in various places throughout NY have been completely shut down. Hopefully by doing this event it will bring to light the dire situation in New York, and a call to action to change the regulation”.

A sensational undercard, in keeping with tradition, featuring many local fighters doing battle with each other has been lined up and will be announced shortly.

Tickets may be purchased by calling Star Boxing 718 823-2000 or at www.starboxing.com, The Paramount box office 631 673-7300, or TICKETMASTER at ticketmaster.com 1 800 745-3000. Tickets are priced at $50 and up.

Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing takes to the road as Jr. Middleweight Courtney Pennington swings back into action tonight (February 4th) in Rhode Island to take on the highly regarded Khiary Gray Pitts in the main event at The Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI.

Pennington and Pitts are no strangers having met in the amateurs with Pennington holding a victory over Pitts in the unpaid ranks. Interestingly, Pennington didn’t realize that he and Gray had met in the amateurs until after the match was made. That bout took place in 2012 in NY as part of the Long Island Amateur Boxing championships.

Pennington is confident he can repeat his feat of 2012 even though he is now fighting in Pitts’ backyard. Fighting as a road warrior doesn’t concern Pennington, which he proved that in his last fight when he traveled to Foxwoods Casino in November and stopped heavily favored and highly regarded Boyd Melson in the 7th round. That was a career best, and defining win for Pennington. The Melson-Pennington fight was also a defining example of the shame of the new regulations passed in New York where local fighters are now prevented from competing in pro matches in New York. Both Melson and Pennington are local New York fighters with followings yet their matchup against each other had to take place in a neighboring state due to New York’s new regulations.

Pennington understands the hardships many of his fellow New York fighters are facing now because of the implementation of the new insurance law and medical costs involved when promoting a show in New York. New York had been without boxing in the entire state from September thru December, marking the first time in known history that NY had been without pro boxing events and surpassed even the time in the 1800’s when NY was without boxing for the months of September and October. Sadly as a result of NY’s unfortunate new insurance regulation, New York boxers must travel out of the state to compete and NY fans and local economies are likewise suffering. New York’s loss is Rhode Island’s gain and this fight figures to be a real boost for fans in Rhode Island and the Twin River Casino.

Pitts is coming off a 7th round TKO in his last fight over tough veteran Chris Chatman in October at the Twin River Casino Events Center, where Pitts has become a local favorite.

Pennington brings a record of 9-4-1 5KO’S and resides in Brooklyn, NY while Pitts has a 14-1 11KO’S record and hails from Worcester, MA.

Promoter Joe DeGuardia had these thoughts on the bout “I’m looking forward to a great fight. Courtney had a great performance a few months ago and is confident going into this fight. Twin River Casino will have a great night of boxing and I am pleased to be co-promoting this fight with Jimmy Burchfield’s CES, which always does a great job in promoting at Twin River”.

at www.StarBoxing.com follow them on Twitter at @Star Boxing, Instagram at StarBoxing, and
Facebook.com/StarBoxing.

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 3, 2017) With his talents on full display for the entire Belasco Theater to witness, San Antonio, TX native Joshua “The Professor” Franco (8-0, 4 KOs) gave opponent Victor Pasillas (8-6-2, 5 KOs) of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico a lesson in their super flyweight main event fight with a technical knockout in the third round before a roaring crowd.

“I was definitely expecting a tougher fight,” said Franco. “I had watched a lot of his fights online, and I expected the knockout later in the fight.”

“I felt like I could have continued to fight,” said Pasillas. “It’s been two years since I’ve been in the ring, so this was the first step to rebuilding my career.”

The fans arrived in droves for the first LA FIGHT CLUB of 2017 to cheer on their hometown favorites and enjoy a night of action-packed fights. VIPs for the night included Golden Boy fighters Jesus “Renuente” Soto Karass, Oscar “Jaguar” Negrete, Jason “El Animal” Quigley, Roy “Pitbull” Tapia, Hector Tanajara, Jr., Roberto “Tito” Manzanarez, Miguel Gonzalez and Carlos “The Solution” Morales all sitting ringside cheering on the fighters.

Fighting on the co-main event, East L.A. local Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro (8-0, 5 KOs) worked opponent Houston, TX’s Angel Rodriguez (5-7-3, 4 KOs) in a scheduled six-round super lightweight bout. During the fight, Navarro threw series of combinations gradually putting more pressure on his opponent displaying his strength and stamina. In the final round, both fighters put on a show for the fans with aggressive shots to the body and face, ending with Navarro adding another victory via unanimous decision to his record.

“This fight shows that I can rumble with tough opponents,” said Navarro. “My opponent fought against Diego Magdaleno and Adrien Broner, so I knew he had to be tough, and he was. I came into the ring slowly, trying to figure him out, and Rodriguez came forward aggressively. He was a tough opponent, and I am definitely thankful for the experience. I’ll be back in the ring soon, hopefully increasing my rounds.”

As the televised opener on Estrella TV’s Boxeo Estelar, Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (8-0, 7 KOs) of Victorville, CA went straight to work utilizing his long reach and heavy-handed hits to knock down Alexandria, Louisiana’s Devon Jones (2-2, 1 KO) twice in the first round. In the second round, “Kingry” knocked Jones down again, and at the: 55 second mark Garcia sent his opponent straight to the mat with a thud earning him his fifth consecutive knockout win.

“You heard the crowd tonight, I think they enjoyed the fight,” said Garcia. “I give myself a B- for my performance since I got cobbled in my head a couple of times. I had to adjust because I didn’t know that my opponent was a southpaw. But we got the knockout and that’s what makes champions.”

On the RingTV livestream and opening up the first LA FIGHT CLUB of 2017, David “Junebug” Mijares (5-0, 3 KOs) represented Santa Monica, CA in a six round super lightweight bout against Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s Evincii Dixon (7-16-2, 2 KOs). During round one, Mijares had Dixon up against the ropes exchanging a series of hits and jabs. Throughout the next rounds, both fighters kept at it throwing blocks and blows with Mijares suffering a nosebleed in round four by way of uppercut. In round six, Mijares stumbled backward but rebounded with a vengeance throwing enough punches to capture the unanimous decision victory.

“This was a great learning experience for me. It was the first time I went all six rounds with someone who has the experience and patience inside the ring,” said David Mijares. “I definitely want to work on being more aware throughout the fight – he got me with a couple of punches high up on the head that threw me off. I want to pursue more experienced opponents like this and build myself up as a fighter for this year, and get used to fighting at six rounds.”

Joshua Franco vs. Victor Pasillas was an eight-round super flyweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Tecate Cerveza “BORN BOLD” and Casa Mexico Tequila. The Boxeo Estelar broadcast aired live on Estrella TV at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets for the upcoming shows on February 17, March 10, April 14, June 2, and July 14.

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

Los Angeles – Feb. 3, 2017 – Lion Fight Super Middleweight Champion Regian Eersel (45-4) capped off Lion Fight Muay Thai’s first event of the year with a flying knee and punch combination to knock out challenger D.C. Pratt (20-4) in the main event tonight on AXS TV FIGHTS: LION FIGHT 34.

In the co-main event, Iman Barlow (87-5-3) defended her super bantamweight title in a rematch against Maryem Usul (62-12-1) with a unanimous decision victory highlighted by multiple powerful kicks to the face including this one in round two.

Other top moments from tonight’s broadcast include:

Kronphet Phetrachapat’s (75-18-5) spinning back elbow against Keven Burmester (70-8-1) highlighted their back-and-forth majority draw match.

Nick Chasteen (6-4) landed a barrage of strikes against Gabriel Mazzetti (14-2) and later knocked off his cup, but Mazzetti ultimately won via unanimous decision.

Full highlights from the event are available to embed via YouTube here: http://bit.ly/LionFight34_Highlights

AXS TV FIGHTS: LION FIGHT 34 was presented by commentators Pat Miletich and “The Voice” Michael Schiavello, along with ringside reporter Ron Kruck, live from the Tropicana Resort Casino in Las Vegas.

Official results from Lion Fight 34 are as follows:

Super Middleweight Title Fight – Regian Eersel (45-4) defeated D.C. Pratt (20-4) via knockout (punch) at 2:29 in round one.

Women’s Super Bantamweight Title Fight – Iman Barlow (87-5-3) defeated Maryem Uslu (62-12-1) via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

Middleweight Fight – Anthony Njokuani (23-0) defeated Chris Harrington (21-3) via TKO (strikes) at 2:44 in round three.

Super Welterweight Fight – Gabriel Mazzetti (14-2) defeated Nick Chasteen (6-4) via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47).

Welterweight Fight – Kronphet Phetrachapat (75-18-5) vs. Kevin Burmester (70-8-1) resulted in a majority draw (48-46, 47-47, 47-47).

Super Lightweight Fight – River Daz (13-0-1) defeated Diego Llamas (8-3) via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 49-45).

ABOUT AXS TV FIGHTS

AXS TV Fights presents more LIVE mixed martial arts and kickboxing events than any other television network with 45 scheduled LIVE world-class fight cards in 2017. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich call all the action and Ron Kruck reports from cageside as champions, challengers, and top prospects take center stage every Friday night at 9pE/6pP. AXS TV Fights can be found online, on Facebook and on Twitter. AXS TV is widely distributed in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH, Sling TV, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other cable, satellite, telco and streaming providers. The network is also carried in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 3, 2017) – On Saturday, May 6, Las Vegas will play host to the kind of massive boxing event the city is known for when two-division world champion Canelo Álvarez (48-1-1, 34 KOs) squares off at the new T-Mobile Arena. In 2017’s first true mega fight, Alvarez will take on former WBC World Middleweight Champion Julio César Chávez, Jr. (50-2-1, 32 KOs) during the Cinco de Mayo weekend on Saturday, May 6. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.

Information on a press tour and tickets will be announced soon.

Nearly one year ago to the day before Canelo and Chávez, Jr. go head-to-head, Canelo celebrated T-Mobile Arena’s first boxing event with a thunderous knockout of Amir “King” Khan before a crowd of 16,540 in the brand new event center.

I love fighting in Las Vegas where the most important fights have historically been, and I’m very happy to be back at the T-Mobile Arena for this huge event on Cinco de Mayo weekend,” Canelo said. “I know that people from all over the world, America, obviously Mexico and everywhere else will attend to witness a great show.”

“I’m happy to return to Las Vegas where I’ve had many important battles in the ring. Las Vegas is the home of boxing,” Chávez, Jr. said.

Álvarez was last seen in September of 2016, knocking out the previously undefeated WBO junior middleweight champion Liam Smith in front of more than 51,000 fans in Dallas, Texas. Chávez, Jr. was last in action in December, when he won via unanimous decision over the highly regarded Dominik Britsch in Monterrey, Mexico.

“When my team and I talked about where to hold what will be the biggest fight of the first half of the year – we kept coming back to Las Vegas,” Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya said. “The biggest fights of the last 30-plus years have taken place in Vegas, and it is a natural home for this enormous event.”

Canelo vs. Chávez, Jr. is a 12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD. The event will take place on Saturday, May 6 at T-Mobile Arena and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

For more information, visitwww.goldenboypromotions.com and www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @hboboxing; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.Facebook.com/HBOboxing; follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOboxing and @OscarDeLaHoya; follow the conversation using #CaneloChavezJr.

Tyron Zeuge (19-0-1, 11 KOs) will defend his WBA World Super Middleweight title against Isaac Ekpo (31-2, 24 KOs) on March 25 at the MBS Arena in Potsdam, Germany.

The undefeated 24 year-old claimed the coveted WBA strap with a stunning twelfth-round knockout victory over Giovanni De Carolis at the MBS Arena in November, and now returns to Potsdam for his maiden defence.

He will face his mandatory challenger Ekpo, the Don King promoted Nigerian, who is known as the ‘Grenade’ due to his devastating punching power.

‘’I’ve been in the gym preparing for this fight since December,’’ said Zeuge, who is trained by former two-time World Champion Juergen Braehmer.

‘’I’m already in great shape and I will be ready for my first title defence. On March 25, I will defuse the ‘Grenade’. The only thing exploding will be my fists on Ekpo’s chin!’’

The challenger, who holds a 73% knockout ratio and has stopped his last seven opponents, has issued some words of warning for the young champion.

“I will cause a big bang with my fists that Zeuge will not recognise until the referee reaches the count of ten and crowns me being the new champion,” he says.

A sentiment shared with the 34 year-old’s legendary promoter Don King.

‘’Zeuge can prepare a plan A, B and C but he is not going to figure out the combination to defuse my KO grenade. After the dust has settled, there will be a new World Champion and his name is Isaac Ekpo,” said King.

Zeuge’s promoter Kalle Sauerland says his fighter should be prepared for intimidation tactics from King as well as his physical battle with Ekpo.

‘’Since becoming champion, Tyron has gone from the hunter to the hunted. He will face a tough test in his first defence,” says Sauerland. ‘’Against Ekpo, he must not only be prepared for the physical hardships of a twelve round title fight, but also, for Don King’s psychological warfare, which can not be underestimated.’’

Tickets for the WBA World Super Middleweight Championship contest between Tyron Zeuge and Isaac Ekpo on March 25 at the MBS Arena will be available online via www.eventim.de or by calling the ticket hotline on 01806-570044.

Only 1,000 coach packages are left on sale for the blockbuster World Heavyweight title clash between Anthony Joshua MBE and Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE on Saturday April 29, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Joshua puts his IBF crown on the line for the third time against former lineal Heavyweight ruler Klitschko, with the vacant WBA Super and IBO Heavyweight crowns up for grabs.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently announced that 90,000 fans will be able to attend the historic event and now just 1,000 seats remain via coach packages via this link: http://www.seetickets.com/event/joshua-v-klitschko-ticket-and-coach-package/wembley-stadium/1057044/?src=Seesocial

The coaches will depart from the following locations: Chelmsford, Colchester, Hull, Luton, Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Reading and Stoke on Trent.

Please select the same amount of coach tickets as you have fight tickets.

Includes Return coach travel from your chosen departure town to Wembley Stadium on Saturday April 29.

Fight tickets will only be distributed on the coach. If you do not travel to Wembley Stadium on the coach then you will not receive your fight ticket.

Exact times of departure and your pick up point will be confirmed no later than 30 days prior to the event. Confirmation of your journey will be printed on physical coach tickets and delivered to you no later than 2 weeks before the event.

Responding to WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder’s recent public statements, former WBA Interim Heavyweight Champion Luis Ortiz would like to let him know: “I signed up for the WBC/VADA Clean Boxing Program last September. Stop using that excuse to avoid fighting me!”

The undefeated Ortiz (27-0, 23 KOs), of Camaguey, Cuba, now living in Miami, has been trying to get Wilder into a boxing ring for quite a while, as Wilder has chosen to face a string of what many would label second-tier opponents to defend against.

“He’s scared!” said Ortiz of Wilder. “The more he can use my failed test against me he will. He and (promoter Lou) DiBella are saying he won’t fight me because of that. That was years ago, and since that unfortunate incident, for which I was punished, I have tested a dozen times clean. Now he’s trying to say I haven’t signed up for VADA Clean Boxing… guess what Wilder? I signed up last September when I was notified that all WBC contenders need to be part of their new Clean Boxing Program. I filled out the paperwork and my trainer submitted it to the WBC. He can stop using that excuse to avoid me. I have nothing to hide and do not have to prove any longer to anyone that I am clean. Wilder is nothing but a paper champion who happened to be at the right place at the right time against the right opponent with, most importantly, the right promoter. That’s all he is.”

Ortiz’s trainer, Herman Caicedo of Caicedo Sports Training Center of Miami, Florida, also says Ortiz’s failed drug test in 2014 is no longer a factor.

“Since failing his test years ago, Luis has been tested over a dozen times, voluntarily and mandatorily in fights. He has made it very clear that he never wants that to happen again and I wouldn’t work with a fighter I even suspected wasn’t clean. There’s too much involved in how I train fighters. We all put a lot of blood sweat and tears into training for a failed drug test to derail the entire process. I do my own drug panels and steroid checks before I take fighters. And those that do not wish to willingly participate, I will not train.”

Ortiz says sooner or later, Wilder will run out of excuses to avoid him or be run out of boxing.

“My mentality was always to beat whoever was the best fighter in my division, period. I don’t handpick my opponents. This is all weird and new to me. He can’t run for much longer though. I assume he will try to unify or vacate before he has to fight me. He can’t unify with the Joshua/Klitschko winner because I am the mandatory above any unification fight, and I will not be jumped over. So, he can try to beat up (New Zealand-based contender Joseph) Parker after his next fight. Then retire the paper champion he is.”

“I am very confident about the outcome if Ortiz and Wilder ever do fight,” continued Caicedo. “Ortiz will knock him out within 10 rounds. Luis has a level to his approach that I haven’t seen in quite some time. He is a throwback, old-school heavyweight boxer. He has incredible poise, precision, and ring generalship. He’s accurate with this punches and defensively very sound. If they ever do fight, Wilder will be exposed. But, he will probably retire a legend in his own mind without ever fighting anybody.”

Ortiz says no matter what happens with Deontay Wilder, he is happy and comfortable with his life.

“I would like to thank my team: Jay, Javier and my trainer Herman for the support they give me throughout all this uncertainty, as well as my fans and, most important to me, my wife and three children. I never thought I would be fighting to make a living. Boxing was always what I did because I loved it. I fought for pride. I fought for bragging rights!! I have already achieved one dream and that was to be here in the United States with my family. I am a United States citizen and very proud. Now to be able to box for a living, make money and potentially become world champion… that, to me, is priceless.”

Undefeated Super-Welterweight machine James Metcalf has signed a long-term promotional deal with Frank Warren. The son of Liverpool fight legend Shea Neary has won all 14 of his professional bouts to date and is determined to follow in the footsteps of his father and win a World title of his own.

28-year-old Metcalf, known as ‘Kid Shamrock’, made his professional debut in 2011 and is itching to be thrown into title fights after building his reputation as one of the most exciting rising talents in the 154lb division.

Metcalf’s father, known as the ‘Shamrock Express’, held the WBU Super-Lightweight crown from 1996 to 2000 and was immortalised in celluloid thanks to his appearance in the Hollywood film The Fighter; starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.

Trained by Georgie Vaughan at Derry Mathews’ gym in Liverpool, Metcalf is preparing to secure his own legacy.

“My dad was a huge inspiration growing up,” said Metcalf. “Watching him fight made me want to get into professional boxing and win titles of my own. It’s great having someone who has been there and done it giving me advice.

“He’s trained me in the past so that’s probably why a lot of people say our styles are very similar. He trained me for my first couple of pro fights before injuring himself and taking me to Georgie Vaughan who has trained me ever since.”

With a rich batch of Champions and contenders, boxing in Liverpool is booming. Metcalf is aiming to punch his way into the limelight and has big plans for 2017.

“The plan is to get a few wins under my belt and then push towards a title. I haven’t boxed since October so all I need is one or two fights to shake off the ring rust and then I’ll be ready take on anyone. I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on the British title in the next year or so.

“I’m over the moon to be teaming up with Frank. I grew up watching his shows and to now be fighting on them is massive for me. The extra exposure I’m going to get can only benefit me so it’s an exciting time to be teaming up with him.”

Warren stablemates Liam Smith and Liam Williams currently rule the roost in the domestic Super-Welter division. The fierce rivals face-off in at the Manchester Arena on April 8th and Metcalf is predicting a fight of the year barn burner.

“This fight has got the whole country buzzing. All fight fans have wanted to see them get it on for years and now it’s happening it’s impossible to predict a winner.

“Smith is the former World Champion and Williams is the rising star in the division; it has all the ingredients for an explosive clash. I want to be in their position soon.”

You can follow JJ’s journey on Twitter: @kidshamrock88 and Instagram: kidshamrock88

Glasgow Middleweight Aston Brown is delighted to have signed a long-term promotional deal with Hall of Famer Frank Warren. After a successful amateur career Brown is looking to be pushed quickly into title contention and is already targeting Tommy Langford’s Lord Lonsdale belt.

Brown, 25, is a former star of both the Scottish and British amateur scenes, boxing not only for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games, but for Great Britain and the Great Britain Lionhearts in the World Series of Boxing.

“It all started when I was nine-years-old,” said Brown. “I soon realised that I loved boxing and it was something that I had a talent for. I progressed very quickly through the ranks and in 2010 I lost to Callum Smith at the Commonwealth Games. After that I secured a place on the Team GB Development Squad where I only spent around six months before progressing onto the Podium Squad.

“I travelled the World boxing some of the best fighters around, going to around three or four European and World Championships. I learnt a lot during my two seasons in the WSB with the British Lionhearts before deciding to turn pro in 2015.”

He made a winning start to life in the paid ranks, comfortably outpointing Georgi Vlevski in Edinburgh. However, injury during his pro debut resulted in surgery and a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“It was a very frustrating for me. I had to get an operation straight after my first fight and it took around a year for the injury to heal properly. During that time I’ve moved to Manchester and teamed up with Arnie Farnell. Things are looking really good now and I can’t wait to push on under the guidance of Frank and Arnie.

“I bonded straight away with Arnie and all of the boys in the gym are absolutely spot on. It’s the perfect gym for me and I’ve got a great relationship with everyone who trains there which is great for my development. We all have a laugh and get on really well.”

Tipped as one of the best amateurs to come out of Scotland in recent years, Brown is aiming to take his career onto the next level under Warren and is planning an assault on the domestic 160lbs division.

“I’ve had over 130 amateur fights and mixed it with the best in the WSB so it won’t take me many fights to be challenging for titles. I’m aiming to be taking on the best domestic Middleweight fighters within the next couple of years. I’m hungry for success and want to be pushed on quickly.

“I’m over the moon to be starting this new journey with Frank and BoxNation. I believe he is the best man out there to take me forward and I’m aiming to get Scottish boxing back under the spotlight. Me and Josh Taylor are probably the most successful amateurs to come out of Scotland in recent times and I want to fly the flag for Scottish boxing for years to come.”

You can follow Aston’s journey on Twitter: @astonbrown and Instagram: astonbrown1

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (February 2, 2017) – Live underdog Oliver “Trombita” Flores has prepared to shock the boxing world tomorrow night (Friday, Feb. 3), albeit it in hostile territory. challenging undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino lightweight champion Felix “El Diamente” Verdejo in the 10-round main event at Robrerto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

A rising star in a universarlly recognized boxing hotbed, Verdejo (22-0, 15 KOs) represented Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympics, losing in the quarterfinals to two-time Olympic gold medalist Vasyl Lomachenko, who is the reigning WBO super feathereight world champion. The 23-year-old will be fighting in front of a passionate hometown crowd in San Jose, risking his WBO No. 1 contender status and impending world title shot against current champion Terry Flanagan. He’s also scheduled to fight June 10th on Top Rank’s major Puerto Rican Day card at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden.

Havoc Boxing-promoted Flores (27-2-2, 17 KOs), however, is looking forward to spoiling Verdejo’s party and bringing joy back to his native Nicaragua.

“We accepted this challenge because we believe Oliver will rise to the occasion,” Flores’ promoter Rob Diaz (Havoc Boxing) said. “He hadn’t fought for more than a year because several fights we lined up fell through. So, we decided to move him up to lightweight to challenge a great prospect like Verdejo. This is a tremendous opportunity for Oliver. He’s not concerned about fighting Verdejo in Puerto Rico. Oliver has effectively fought on the road throughout his career because he’s a true warrior. He has a real chance to shock the boxing world tomorrow night and we’re confident that he will bring his best into the ring. Oliver is one of the best kept secrets in boxing but fans all over the world will know his name after tomorrow’s fight.”

In his last fight on New Year’s Eve of 2015, Flores unsuccessfully challenged then-World Boxing Association (WBA) Super world super featherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama (23-0-1) in Tokyo, getting stopped in the third round.

Flores’ only other pro loss was in 2012 to current WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt, while his two draws were both on the road in Mexico and Costa Rica.

Flores (pictured to right on the scale) is a past WBA Fedebol lightweight title holder, as well as former World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX and International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion. He has proven to be a dangerous, upset-minded opponent having defeated previously unbeaten boxers Marcos Mojica (12-0-2), by way of unanimous decision, and Gabriel Dorado (9-0) via a first-round knockout.

A victory over Verdejo should position Flores for another world title shot in the not too distant future.

NEW YORK, NY (February 2, 2017) – Roc Nation Sports today received notification from James Kirkland’s team that Kirkland has suffered an injury which will force him to withdraw from his match against Five-Time World Champion Miguel Cotto on Saturday, February 25, 2017. The reported injury is a fractured nose. Unfortunately, the entire HBO Pay-Per-View show at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas is cancelled.

For customers who purchased through Ticketmaster via phone, online or mobile channels, you will receive a credit to the method of payment used. If you purchased in person at Ford Center or AT&T Stadium ticket office, bring the tickets and method of payment used at time of purchase to the AT&T Stadium North Ticket Office, located adjacent to Entry A, to receive your refund. If you purchased tickets from any other source, you will need to contact that point of purchase for your refund.

For more information, please visit www.throneboxing.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter @rocnation and Instagram @rocnationsports and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.

o
New York, NY (2/2/17) – On Saturday, February 11, DiBella Entertainment’s popular “Broadway Boxing” series will make its debut in Biloxi, MS, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, with the highly anticipated ring return of rising junior welterweight contender Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (18-0, 15 KOs). He will be defending his NABF title for the first time against Colombian Wilfrido Buelvas (18-6, 12 KOs) in a 10-round bout. The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Rite Hook Promotions in association with Hard Rock Casino. The “Broadway Boxing” series is presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, and Christos Steak House.

A native of New Orleans, Prograis was forced to abandon his home in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He was enrolled in six different high schools while moving all around Texas before graduating and settling in Houston. Looking for an outlet to channel his frustration, Prograis embarked on an amateur boxing campaign that culminated with an 87-7 record over a four-year span, before turning pro in 2012. Given his relentless approach inside the ropes, Prograis’ father gave him the nickname “Rougarou”, which, in New Orleans folklore, is a mythical half-man/half-werewolf creature.

Trained by Bobby Benton out of Houston’s Main Street Gym, Prograis signed with DiBella Entertainment in late 2014 and saw his career soar the following year. In 2015, Prograis moved up to competing in eight- and 10-round bouts, was included among ESPN’s “Prospects to Watch”, and made his ShoBox debut on SHOWTIME. Three consecutive appearances on “ShoBox: The New Generation” included decisive victories over 11-0-1 Amos Cowart and 14-0-2 Abel Ramos as well as a crushing first-round stoppage of the experienced Aaron Herrera. Prograis made his New York debut in his last bout on June 25 at Barclays Center, stopping Luis Florez in four rounds to capture the NABF belt. Ranked no. 8 by the WBC, Prograis was sidelined for several months due to an injury suffered at the gym and is anxious to get back into the ring.

“I’m really excited to finally get back inside the ring,” said Prograis. “It’s been a while and I’ve been training since my last fight in New York. What makes this even better is that I’ll be fighting in front of my home crowd because Biloxi is about an hour drive from New Orleans. I’ve fought in Mississippi twice already and had excellent performances and I plan on making this my third.”

“With three impressive outings in front of a national audience and a high ranking, Regis Prograis is on the cusp of making his mark on the world stage,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Now that he is healthy, Prograis will pick up where he left off with another dominant performance in front of fans close to home. Broadway Boxing is a brand that continues to expand and I am thrilled to bring the series to Biloxi at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.”

Junior middleweight prospect Eric Walker (14-0, 7 KOs) will fight on the undercard in his DBE debut. The 33-year-old from Plaquemine, LA, turned pro in 2013, after serving 13 years in a Louisiana penitentiary on a conviction of armed robbery. It was in prison that Walker found his passion for boxing, compiling a record of 61-1 in the prison boxing system. Walker would like his story to be an inspiration to the youth not to make the same mistakes he did. It was in December 2015 when Walker faced unbeaten 13-0 southpaw favorite Christopher Pearson that the world took notice of his heart and talent. Fighting on a Premier Boxing Champions card on Spike TV, Walker handed Pearson his first defeat via eight-round unanimous decision in a “Fight of the Year” candidate. On June 25, 2016, Walker went the 10-round distance for the first time to seize the WBC Continental Americas 154lb. belt.

Returning to the ring for the first time since 2015, light heavyweight contender Cedric Agnew (28-2, 14 KOs) will also appear on the card in an eight-round bout. A former USBA and WBC-USNBC titlist, Agnew, who is a Chicago native that later relocated to Houston, challenged Sergey Kovalev for the WBO world light heavyweight championship in 2014.

“We are finally gaining momentum with professional boxing along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina that our company has worked very hard to achieve,” said William Hunter, President of Rite Hook Promotions. “There has always been a market for boxing in Biloxi, and a lot of great fighters have competed here including Regis Prograis. We are building a solid foundation with the Hard Rock Casino Biloxi and a partnership with DiBella Entertainment that will ensure more champions and future champions will be able to showcase their talents in Biloxi for the foreseeable future on a televised national platform.”

An announcement with the full card will be released soon.

Tickets for the February 11 “Broadway Boxing” event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Rite Hook Promotions in association with Hard Rock Casino, are priced at $75, $60, $50, $40 and standing room only for $20. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com (by clicking HERE) or by calling 800-745-3000. The “Broadway Boxing” series is presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, and Christos Steak House. Doors open at 5:O0pm CT, with the first fight scheduled for 6:00pm CT.

CASABLANCA, Morocco (February 2, 2017) – Former Interim cruiserweight world champion Youri “El Toro” Kalenga will provide chief support February 18 for pro-debuting Moroccan amateur boxing sensation Mohammad Rabii on the “Battle of Casablanca” card, presented by Nowhere2Hyde, at Complexe de Sportif Mohammed V Arena in Casablanca, Morocco.

Kalenga (22-3, 15 KOs), fighting out of France by way of The Congo, is currently rated No. 12 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 16 by the World Boxing Council (WBC). The knockout artist takes on Garrett “The Ultimate Warrior” Wilson (17-11-1, 9 KOs), of Philadelphia, who is a former United States Boxing Association (USBA) and North American Boxing Federation (NABF) champion.

In 2014, Kalenga captured the WBA Interim title with a 12-round split decision over 32-1 Mateusz Masternak in Monaco, followed with a successful title defense in Canada against 12-0 Denton Daley by way of a 12th round technical knockout.

Kalenga has never been in a dull fight. Two of his three career losses have been to current WBA Super cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (26-2), who Kalenga dropped in the fourth round, by way of a 12-round unanimous decision in Russia, and last June he was stopped for the first time in his seven-year pro career by 20-0 Yunier Dorticos in Paris for the Interim WBA strap.

The 23-year-old Rabii defeated 2016 Olympic gold medalist Daniyar Yeleussinov in the welterweight division championship finale of the 2015 AIBA World Amateur Championships to capture a gold for his native Morocco. Rabii won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, dropping a highly-disputed decision (0-3) in the semifinals to Uzebek boxer Shakhram Giyasov, the eventual silver medalist.

The ultra-charismatic Rabii has reached “rock star” status in Morocco, testament by an average of 6-million Moroccans viewing each of Rabbi’s Olympic matches on Arryadia Television. “We are very excited to work with our television partners, Arryadia, on our February 18th show as the first of five shows in 2017 featuring Mohammed Rabii,” promoter Gary Hyde said. “Rabii has the entire nation of Morocco behind him and he will be challenging for top welterweight honors in no time at all.”

Rabii will take on veteran Hungarian boxer Adam “Bad Boy” Mate (24-10, 17 KOs) in the six-round main event.

Also in action on “Battle of Casablanca” will be former World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) world featherweight champion, Simpiwe Vetyeka (29-3, 17 KOs), who is world ranked No. 4 by the WBA, No. 6 by The Ring magazine, and No. 7 by the WBC. The gifted South African faces undefeated Hungarian prospect David Nerna (8-0, 8 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

Netherlands light middleweight Gevorg Khatchikian (24-2, 12 KOs) will also be in action against Ugandan Med “Kabona” Sebyala (16-8-1. 13 KOs) in another 10-rounder. Khatchikian, who will be fighting as a 154-pounder for the first time as a professional, has only lost twice as a pro, both to present super middleweight world champions, James Degale (IBF) and Gilberto Ramirez (WBO).

Hyde manages Rabii, Kalanga and Vetyeka.

Tickets are now on sale for the Feb. 18 show in Casablanca.

LAS VEGAS, NV (February 2, 2017) – Undefeated super-middleweight contender, Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant (14-0, 10 KOs), will be making his 2017 debut on the Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs) vs. Gerald Washington (18-0-1, 12 KOs) card, taking place at the Legacy Arena, in Birmingham, Alabama on February 25th. Plant will headline his own show on Fox Sports 1 against an opponent TBA on February 25th as part of a multiple telecast event.

Plant, talks about his upcoming fight, sparring with world title contender George Groves (25-3, 18 KOs), and his commentating debut.

“On February 25th, I’ll be making my ring return,” said Caleb Plant the IBF #15 contender. “I’m really pumped up to be headlining on Fox Sports 1. Nashville, Tennessee, my hometown, is only a few hours away from Alabama, so I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of my family and friends in attendance.”

“Last week I got great work sparring with George Groves when he was in town for the Frampton fight. He’s a class act and I learned a lot from being in the ring with him. I held my own and my confidence is at an all-time high. I know I can compete with anyone in the world. I’m just going to take it one fight at a time. I’ll be ready for whoever they put in front of me.”

In addition, Plant will be commentating side by side with Brian Custer during the Sammy Vasquez (21-1, 15 KOs) vs. Luis Collazo (36-7, 19 KOs) showdown tonight on Fox Sports 1.

“My career is headed in the right direction and I’m excited to be commentating tonight on Fox Sports 1,” Plant continued. “Commentating is something I’ve always wanted to do. Vasquez and Collazo are two fighters looking to make a statement and I believe it’s going to be a great fight for the fans. I have a great team around me and I’m very grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way. I’m going to take full advantage of the situation.”

Katie Taylor will fight for the third time in the pros on the undercard of the Heavyweight blockbuster between David Haye and Tony Bellew at The O2 in London on March 4, live on Sky Sports.

The Irish amateur star made her pro debut in London in November with a third round stoppage win over Karina Kopinska and followed that two weeks later with a points win over Viviane Obenauf in Manchester, and the 30 year old is ready to kick off her 2017 with a big performance in Greenwich.
“It’s great to be on another big card in front of a huge crowd at an arena like The O2,” said Taylor. “I think people are really excited about the Haye-Bellew fight and the rivalry between those guys and as a boxer these are the kind of nights you want to be a part of. It’s a massive stage for me and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ve been here in the US for the last few weeks in training camp for the fight and working hard. It’s the start of a very big year for me and I know there are big plans but I need to keep winning and keep performing so I’m not looking any further beyond March 4.”

Taylor is part of a packed bill in support of Haye vs. Bellew, with another London vs. Liverpool grudge match on the slate as Hackney’s Ohara Davies defends his WBC Silver Lightweight title against Merseyside favourite Derry Mathews, while popular Stourbridge Welterweight Sam Eggington faces a huge step-up in class against former two-weight World champion Paulie Malignaggi.

Tickets for Haye vs. Bellew sold out in record-breaking time when they went on sale in December.

Yorkshire hero Josh Warrington returns to the First Direct Arena in Leeds on Saturday 13th May where he will make the third defence of his WBC International Featherweight belt, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

An offer has been made for undefeated Warrington to face former IBF World Champion Kiko Martinez. The Spaniard has mixed it with the likes of Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz and is a step-up in opponent for Warrington.

‘The Leeds Warrior’ is itching to get back under the lights after a lengthy layoff and is promising to make a statement in May before targeting a summer blockbuster clash with IBF Featherweight Champion Lee Selby at Elland Road.

“I can’t wait to get going again,” said Warrington. “I’m excited to get back in the ring and I’m looking forward to May 13th. An offer has been made to Kiko Martinez and it’s a great fight for me if it happens. He’s a former World Champion and he’s mixed it with the best. Carl Frampton openly stated that he was one of the hardest opponents he’s boxed.

“When I sat down with my team I asked them to get me the hardest opponent they could find for my return to the ring and then do what we can to get a World title after. I’m not looking past May 13th, he’s a very tough opponent, but I want to go out there and make a statement.”

On the same bill, women’s boxing icon Nicola Adams OBE makes her long-awaited Leeds homecoming. The double Olympic Gold Medallist is aiming to emulate her hero Muhammad Ali by winning a World title in 2018.

“I would like to be ready for a World title fight next year and bring the belt home to Leeds,” said Adams OBE. “I think that’s quite realistic with all my experience. I’ve had over 200 amatuer fights, I just have to adapt a little more for the times of the rounds and we’ve been working hard on slowing down my feet, getting more power in my punches.

“This is what it’s all about for me! I can’t wait to fight in front of all of the Leeds fans. The atmosphere in the Arena is going to be unreal and I’m sure it will replicate the noise at the Games. I haven’t boxed in Leeds since I was 13-years-old so this really is a homecoming fight.”

Chief support on the card sees Liverpool’s Jazza Dickens defend his British Super-Bantamweight title against highly-rated County Durham slickster Thomas Patrick Ward. Dickens failed in his bid to de-thrown Cuban pound-for-pound star Guillermo Rigondeaux back in July and is itching to get back in the ring after recovering from a broken jaw. Recent Warren signing Ward boasts an impressive unblemished record of 19 wins from 19 fights and is described by many in the North East as British boxing’s best kept secret.

Guisborough Super-Lightweight Josh Leather will fight for his first professional title when he takes on Dublin’s Phillip Sutcliffe Jnr for the Vacant IBF Inter-Continental strap. Former England amateur captain Leather is undefeated in eleven and has stopped five of his opponents. Irish amateur standout Sutcliffe Jnr is firmly on the comeback trail after suffering his first career loss back in May 2016.

British Super-Lightweight Champion Tyrone Nurse fights over ten rounds. The Yorkshire star defends his Lord Lonsdale belt against Joe Hughes at the Leicester Arena on April 22nd and is eyeing a future showdown with Warren stablemate Jack Catterall.

A stacked undercard is completed by undefeated Bradford Welterweight Darren Tetley; rising Guildford Featherweight Thomas Kindon; power-punching Fulham Super-Middleweight Zak Chelli; Guisborough Super-Lightweight Kalam Leather and the professional debut of Team GB amateur standout Joe Maphosa.

Tickets priced at £30, £40, £60, £100 and £120 are available from:

Eventim
www.eventim.co.uk
0844 249 1000

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise this fight on Sky (SD Ch.437 and HD Ch.490), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon).

Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!

NEW YORK (Feb. 1, 2017) — Undefeated heavyweight Trey Lippe Morrison suffered a cut over his left eye while sparring on Tuesday at Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and is unavailable to fight on next Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation telecast.

“I’m very disappointed for Trey because this is the best camp that we’ve had together,” said trainer Freddie Roach, who was in his sixth camp with the undefeated heavyweight. “Trey should be healed and back in the gym in three or four weeks to come back stronger than ever.”

Lippe Morrison (13-0, 13 KOs) was set to make his second ShoBox start in an eight-round heavyweight bout against Daniel Martz on Feb. 10 at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla., near his hometown of Vinita.

“This is a small setback for Trey,” said Tony Holden of Tony Holden Productions. “You can’t prevent these injuries, they are just part of the sport. I can’t wait to get him back in the gym with Freddie to continue his path toward becoming a world title contender.”

The Feb. 10 ShoBox will continue as a tripleheader live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10:05 p.m. ET/PT. In the 10-round main event, undefeated super lightweight powerhouse Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (13-0, 10 KOs) will face aggressive-minded once-beaten Abel Ramos (17-1-2, 12 KOs).

In the eight-round co-feature, former Dominican Republic Olympian Lenin Castillo (15-0-1, 10 KOs) and former national Golden Gloves champion Joe “Mack” Williams (10-0, 7 KOs), of Far Rockaway, N.Y., clash in matchup of undefeated light heavyweights. In the opening bout of the telecast, Spain’s up-and-coming unbeaten Jon “Johnfer” Fernandez (10-0, 8 KOs) takes on southpaw Ernesto Garza (7-1, 4 KOs), of Fort Hood, Texas, the eight-round super featherweight scrap.

Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions in association with Fight Promotions are priced at $35, $55 and $75 and are available at buffalorun.com and at stubwire.com.
# # #
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 67 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

NEW YORK CITY (February 1, 2017) On Tuesday, January 31, IBF Heavyweight World Champion ANTHONY JOSHUA, (18-0, 18 KO’s) and long reigning Former Unified Heavyweight World Champion WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO, (64-4-0, 53 KO’s) hit New York City for media appearances and to hold a press conference to discuss their April 29 massive international boxing clash set for London’s Wembley Stadium where a sold-out crowd of 90,000 will bear witness.

The press conference was held at Madison Square Garden, known as The Mecca of Boxing, where Klitschko was been victorious four times in his illustrious career.

ANTHONY JOSHUA
“This is all about the mind games now, but as we know I’m a man who likes to perform. The obsession has always been there for me and not just in boxing. It starts with self, boxing is a representation of who I am. I’m determined to become the best. That’s my obsession.”

“I’m a man who likes to perform and entertain and that’s away been there. I’ve always want to take on the best.”

“The questions are correct, is it too soon, have my opponents prepared me for this” God would never put me in a position I couldn’t handle, fighting Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 people. But the objective still remains the same.”

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
“I first fought here in 2000 on the undercard of Lennox Lewis vs. Michael Grant, Anthony was 10, it’s crazy to think about time and how fast it runs. When I fought Samuel Peter, his promoter called me dead-man walking, but that man kept walking for a very long time.”

“I understand and know why this press conference is here in New York City. I know a lot of fans will be watching on TV and in the arena. I’ve fought in front of huge crowds but 90,000 is my biggest arena.”

“I’m fighting a man that I was, is and will be a fan of since I watched Anthony Joshua win his Olympic Gold Medal in 2012. He was my sparring partner in 2014 when I trained for Kubrat Pulev.”

“I believe this man has a lot of skills, maybe yes, maybe not he will be the biggest star in boxing. I know there are plans to fight Wilder after me, it’s good to be young and ambitions, but I believe this fight has a lot of questions. Is it too early for him, too late for me?”

“All those questions will be answered on April 29, do I still got it or is it too late? I’m looking forward to his challenge, I have my goal to become three-time world champion and I’m obsessed with it.”

EDDIE HEARN, Matchroom Boxing
“A pleasure to be involved the biggest boxing event in British boxing history. It would be so easy for Anthony Joshua to continue selling out the biggest arenas in the UK while fighting less that world class competition and do what every other fighter has done, keep knocking out the easy targets, it’s not what Anthony Joshua is all about.”

“In his 19th fight, Anthony Joshua is stepping up to fight a true legend in Wladimir Klitschko and isn’t that what boxing’s all about? What’s sports is all about? Create nights and moments that people will never forget, 90,000 people in the biggest stadium in the UK.”

“Anthony Joshua has set a frightening pace but I believe on April 29 it will be the crowning of the new worldwide sensation n boxing.”

BERND BOENTE, KMG Management Group
“It’s great to be back here at the Garden with the success of Wladimir and Vitali in the past and now we have a bigger event in a bigger arena with Anthony Joshua. On April 29 at Wembley Stadium with 90,000 people, a true promoter’s dream fight.”

“We have the young, undefeated champion Anthony Joshua against the longtime ruler of the heavyweight division, Wladimir Klitschko. This will be Wladimir’s 29th world title fight which is a record for the heavyweight division.”

“We are looking forward to a fantastic fight with great TV partners, Sky in the UK, RTL in Germany and we will sort out the US TV partner shortly.”

ADAM SMITH, Sky Sports (Moderator)
“Wladimir’s back as he challenges the new generation, Anthony Joshua, the IBF Champion of the World. They lock horns in a battle for the ages in front of a record 90,000 people at our national stadium, Wembley in London on April 29. A multi unification and a fantastic fight. The buildup is going to be immense.”

JOSHUA vs. KLITSCHKO is presented by Matchroom Boxing, K2 Promotions and KMG Management Group.

TUNICA, MS (February 1, 2017) – Exciting welterweight contender Sammy Vasquez Jr. shared his final thoughts ahead of his main event showdown against former world champion Luis Collazo Thursday night on a special three-hour edition of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes from Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.

Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features fast-rising contender Yordenis Ugas against Georgia’s Levan Ghvamichava in a 10-round matchup of hard-hitting welterweights plus Houston’s Ryan Karl taking on Chicago’s Eddie Ramirez in a 10-round battle of unbeaten super lightweights.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing, are priced at $150, $75 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Here is what Vasquez Jr. had to say about training, his matchup against Collazo and more:

On his upcoming opponent, Luis Collazo:
“This is a very challenging fight but one I believe I can win. Now that Collazo is one hundred percent healthy, I know he’s going to be at his best. We both are trying to get back on top so the fans can expect a great fight.”

On his recent training camp:
“It’s been a great training camp. We got a lot of good southpaw sparring and I feel sharp going into this fight. All the preparation has been done and now it’s time to fight. I’ll be at my best come fight night.”

On what he learned from his first defeat:
“It was a tough loss in my last fight with the late sub Felix Diaz. Although we fought another southpaw, our game plan was for Collazo, who is a totally different style. In this game, I must be prepared for any style that comes my way. I know that now and I’ll be fully prepared for anything that Collazo brings.”

On what a win will do for his career:
“A win against Collazo will get me right back in the mix of things in the welterweight division. With only one loss on my record, I feel I still have a lot to give to this sport. A victory will open up a path to fight for a world title.”

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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and foxdeportes.com follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Philadelphia, PA / Johannesburg, South Africa (February , 2017)–This past Friday night in Durban, South Africa, WBA number-3 ranked, WBC number-13 ranked, and WBO number-15 ranked lightweight contender Xolisani Ndongeni (22-0, 11 Ko’s) was named South African Fighter of the Year.

The ceremony took place in front of former South African world champions, and dignitaries such as Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula.

The 26 year-old Ndongeni won two big fights in 2016. His year started out on April 22nd with a 1st round stoppage over Emilio Norfat. He followed that up with a 10-round unanimous decision over Juan Garcia Mendez on November 4th in Corona, California.

The bout was Ndongeni’s American debut.

“I’m very proud to have won,” said Ndongeni. “I have a lot of faith in my team of Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves, Banner Promotions and [trainer] Colin Nathan. The sky is the limit. I’m looking forward to fighting in the US very soon and showing them all what I’m capable of.”

“I was delighted for ‘Nomeva’ [Ndongeni], who made his US debut last year and won in style against a difficult opponent,” said Golden Gloves CEO, Rodney Berman. “I have high hopes from him and this endorsement merely underlines his international potential. He’s highly rated and will surely get his big chance before long.”

Said Banner Promotions President, Arthur Pelullo, “I want to congratulate Xolisani for winning this great award. He is a terrific fighter, and was very impressive in his American debut. 2017 will be a big year for him and we look to get him in some big fights.”

Olympian Joe Cordina has signed a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing.

The Welsh talent represented Team GB at Lightweight in Rio last summer and the former European champion and Commonwealth bronze medal man is set to become an exciting addition to the paid ranks.

Cordina will train in Essex with Tony Sims and begin life in the paid ranks at Super-Featherweight, and the 25 year old has wasted no time in setting his targets for his pro career – World title glory and setting up his young family for life.

“After the games I knew that I was going to turn pro and I’m itching to get going,” said Cordina, whose debut date will be announced soon. “I was training and looking to adapt my style, looking at different fighters and bringing things in that they have, take bits from them and take that step forward because I will be learning on the job really. It’s going to be different but I am used to fighting different styles every day at tournaments and i think I am good at adapting.

“I want my name up in lights in Las Vegas, that’s the dream. There’s pressure there but I don’t feel it from what people think, it comes from myself. That works for me, if I put pressure on myself it makes me perform. We talk to psychologists at Team GB and they teach you to turn pressure into a positive and that’s what I do, sometimes people say that you shouldn’t put pressure on yourself but I use it to get out there and do the business.

“It’s brilliant to be working with Matchroom Boxing and Sky Sports. Anthony Joshua and Kal Yafai turned over with Eddie Hearn and became World champions and I believe that I can follow that same path to the top.

“I just want to put on a good show against anyone put in front of me, excite the fans and build up a profile. I want people to be talking about me and raving about my performances because in three years’ time I want to be fighting for a World title.

“There’s no better feeling in the world then having your hand raised at the end of a fight. It’s such a high that you can’t explain it, you have to do it to really know what it’s like, and it’s a feeling I want to keep experiencing.

“People in Wales have been asking when I’m going to turn pro for a while now as they want to follow my progression, Lee Selby has done great things, won a World title, Nathan Cleverly is a World champion again, but I think that people in Cardiff are waiting for someone to draw everybody in and I feel I can be the man to do that.

“I don’t want to fight for my first World title anywhere but Cardiff, and I think that the Welsh public will get right behind me. I’m a very proud Welshman, I’ve been around Team GB and English and Scottish boxers a lot so I don’t look into it too much but I want to be a guy that Welsh fans can call their own and be proud of.

“As time goes on you have different motivating factors and I have my 18 month old daughter and I’ve got another on the way. If this goes well, which it will, I can set them up for life. I have ambitions to win World titles of course, and when I keep winning those things will come naturally, but I want to set my family up for life and that’s what goes through my head in training and on those hard runs.”

“I’ve had my eye on Joe Cordina for some time – I believe he is an exceptional talent,” said Hearn. “I feel there is real potential for a star to flourish in Welsh boxing but the goal is to make him a global star as well. Fans are really going to enjoy his style and watching his career unfold on Sky Sports.”

ORANGE, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2017) – Top junior welterweight prospect Giovani Santillan (20-0, 11 KOs) and featherweight standout Erick Ituarte (15-1-1, 2 KOs) make their 2017 debuts on “Path to Glory,” Friday, Feb. 10 from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

In the 8-round main event, Santillan, 25, will face Mexico’s Omar Tienda (18-3, 11 KOs), while Ituarte squares off with Naciff Castillo (17-9-2, 5 KOs) in the 8-round co-feature.

Santillan, a southpaw from San Diego, uses a brilliant combination of speed and power to stifle opponents. He is coming off a pair of wins against veteran boxer-punchers Jose Macias and Miguel Angel Mendoza.

“The quality of opposition has gotten better over the years,” Santillan said. “I’m working toward fighting the best that the junior welterweight division has to offer. I’ve had competitive sparring sessions with Floyd Mayweather and Tim Bradley so I know I can compete with the world title holders.”

Iturte, 22, is riding an eight fight winning streak dating back to the second half of 2014. Ituarte, who is from Santa Ana, Calif., has three wins in each of the last two years. He is a volume puncher with a fearless attitude.

“I make for exciting fights,” Ituarte said. “I’m not in there to dance with Castillo. I’m there to put the pressure on and get a win.”

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

In other action, blue chip featherweight prospect Ruben Villa (3-0, 2 KOs) of Salinas, Calif. looks to improve his record against Francisco Camacho (2-6-1, 1 KO) of Tamaulipas, Mexico in a scheduled 4-rounder.

Villa, 19, began his career last year with back-to-back knockout victories. The southpaw swept all three scorecards in his last outing, a 4-round unanimous decision win over the previously unbeaten Aaron Lopez in November.

“The goal is to improve with every fight,” said Villa, who is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions. “We’ve been in camp since late last year and we’re ready for another win.”

Additionally on “Path to Glory,” Michael Dutchover (2-0, 2 KOs) of Midland, Tex., who is also a highly regarded prospect, fights an opponent to be named later (4-rounds/junior lightweights).

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. local time with the first bell at approximately 7:45 p.m. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91764 and can be reached at (909) 937-0900.

To connect with Giovani Santillan on social media: Twitter: @GiovaniSanti1, Instagram: giovan1santillan, & Facebook.

To connect with Ruben Villa: Twitter: @ruben_villa4, Instagram: rubenv4, & Facebook.

To connect with Michael Dutchover: Twitter: @angelodutch7, Instagram: michaeld_00, Facebook.

“Path to Glory” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Lucas Oil, in association with Everlast.

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

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, find us on Google+ and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

LAS VEGAS (January 31, 2017) – The World Boxing Association (WBA) has notified WBA cruiserweight world champion Beibut Shumenov and WBA Interim cruiserweight title-holder Yunier Dorticos, as well as their representatives, that Caribe Promotions has lost its rights to promote the WBA mandated Shumenov vs. Dorticos title fight.

Dorticos’ promoter, Caribe Promotions, originally won the Shumenov vs. Dorticos title fight rights last November with a winning purse bid of $350,001, which required a fight date within 90 days. Although rumored to be held in mid-February in either Miami or Las Vegas, Caribe’s ability and willingness to actually promote the fight came into question in January, 2017. The WBA demanded that Caribe confirm its intentions and even granted Caribe additional time to respond, but Caribe failed to file confirmation of a fight date with the WBA. Because Caribe was unable to confirm its intentions, the WBA had little choice but to award rights to the second-highest purse bidder, Tom Brown’s TGB Promotions.

“I last fought May 21st and I have been in the gym since June because I was supposed to fight Lebedev in September,” said a terribly frustrated Shumenov. “But he backed out of the fight with me once again and I have been ready to fight since then. I signed a bout agreement to fight Dorticos on February 11th in Miami, but Dorticos and his promoter disappeared after I signed. They’re full of it; all they do is talk. I can’t wait to knock him out. I am waiting on my manager to call me right now to tell me the new fight date with TGB.”

Caribe Promotions has been forced to also forfeit its $35,000 purse bid deposit with 10-percent off the top going to the WBA and remainder ($31,500) distributed to Shumenov and Dorticos, respectively, on a 75-25 percent basis due to its failure to promote the fight.

Shumenov (17-2, 11 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas by way of Kazakhstan, fought last May 21, when he stopped 15-1-1 Junior Wright in the 10th round of their Las Vegas fight for the vacant WBA World cruiserweight title. The WBA had ruled that the Shumenov-Wright winner would be the mandatory challenger for its “Super” champion, Lebedev, within 90 days, however, it later allowed unified cruiserweight titlist Lebedev (against Shumenov’s strong objections) to fight his International Boxing Federation (IBF) mandatory defense against challenger Murat Gassiev, effectively mandating an eliminator between Shumenov and Dorticos with that winner to fight the winner of Lebedev-Gassiev. Only days prior to the Lebedev-Gassiev title fight, Lebedev was inexplicably allowed to fight Gassiev without defending his WBA title, as only his IBF belt was on the line. Gassiev (24-0) defeated Lebedev (29-3) by way of a 12-round split decision in Moscow to become the IBF cruiserweight world champion and Lebedev remains the WBA Super cruiserweight world champion, at least for now. The WBA is expected to rule on Shumenov’s objections to Lebedev’s fight against Gassiev, Lebedev’s status and whether Lebedev will remain champion having lost his last fight.

Dorticos has made false claims in the media that Shumenov, who had been waiting for the WBA to rule on his petitions to force Lebedev to fight him without further delay, had been avoiding him. It is ironic now that Dorticos’ own promoter first sought to delay and has now defaulted on the long-awaited confrontation by failing to promote the Shumenov-Dorticos title fight within the WBA deadline.

A former WBA Super light heavyweight world champion, the 33-year-old Shumenov is the first two-division world champion from a Soviet-bloc country.

Fans may friend Beibut Shumenov on his Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/BeibutShumenov.

TUNICA, MS (January 31, 2017) – Exciting contender Sammy Vasquez Jr. and former world champion Luis Collazo went face-to-face Tuesday ahead of their welterweight showdown that headlines a special three-hour edition of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Thursday, February 2 from Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.

Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features a pair of exciting matchups. Fast-rising contender Yordenis Ugas will meet Georgia’s Levan Ghvamichava in a 10-round matchup of hard-hitting welterweights while Houston’s Ryan Karl takes on Chicago’s Eddie Ramirez in a 10-round battle of unbeaten super lightweights.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing, are priced at $150, $75 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:

SAMMY VASQUEZ JR.

“Luis Collazo is a really tough opponent. He’s always game. It doesn’t matter who he fights. I always enjoyed watching him growing up because he’s quick, strong and savvy.

“This is a fight I’ve been looking forward to. Collazo has fought everyone and he always gives a great fight. I couldn’t have thought of anybody better to have a great fight on television against. Everyone who knows the two of us, knows we’re going to come to fight.

“He’s never really been knocked out, just the mishap in the Thurman fight. Collazo hurt Thurman, and that’s a guy in his prime. Collazo isn’t in his prime, but age is just a number in this sport.

“We’re prepared. We know he’s a southpaw just like my last opponent. We were originally supposed to face him before Felix Diaz stepped in. The game plan is for me to dictate how this fight goes. I have to set the pace and control it.

“As long as I can control the fight, it’s smooth-sailing for me. I know he’s got a hard head and he’s going to come forward, so I think it’s going to be an exciting fight.”

LUIS COLLAZO

“Sammy is a tough fighter. He’s been moving up in the ranks and faced some decent opposition. We’re both lefties and I think it’s going to be an explosive fight.

“This is another tough fight for me. I’ve been in there with the top guys and everyone knows I’m going to give it my all. I’m grateful to be back in this position. There are great fight fans here in Mississippi and I’m going to give them something to cheer about.

“I’m blessed to be able to do what I love to do and I do it with passion and drive. I hope everyone enjoys what happens on Thursday night, because I know I will.

“I’ve been in this game for 17 years as a pro. I’ve seen every type of fighter. We’ll find out Thursday night how much I have left. Sometimes fighters can get counted out, but people don’t understand what’s going on behind the scenes. My preparation for this fight was great and we’ll find out Thursday if it translates to the ring.”

YORDENIS UGAS

“I’m looking forward to this fight. I hope to give a great performance and continue on my way toward a world title.

“I’ve had a perfect training camp and I’m prepared to get a victory. This is my time to make another statement to all of the top fighters in the division. I’m ready for any challenge.”

LEVAN GHVAMICHAVA

“I’ve worked very hard in training camp to prepare for this fight. I’m excited to be here and have this opportunity to give the fans a great show.

“I’m going to give it my all in the ring and make sure I walk out of there with the victory. I know that I have a tough opponent, but I’m confident in my training and my skills.”

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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and foxdeportes.com follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz is issuing a challenge to the world’s top super middleweights: Help his fighter, David “El Bandera Roja/Red Flag” Benavidez, become the youngest 168-lb champion in boxing history by fighting him.

“He is on a course to smash the old record,” said Lewkowicz of Benavidez, but I need a top-10 contender or a world champion to fight him. He’ll take on anyone in the world.”

Phoenix, Arizona’s Benavidez (17-0, 16 KOs), who did his usual steamroll over opponents last Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (this time over Uzbekistan’s Shareli Mamajonov in less than two brutal rounds), is only 20 years old. The youngest super middleweight champion in history was Darin Van Horn, who was 22 years, 8 months and 11 days old when he beat Lindell Holmes by KO 11 for the IBF Super Middleweight Championship on May 18, 1991.

“Promoters don’t want their fighters to fight him,” continued Lewkowicz. “He can’t move up the ratings or make boxing history if promoters are too worried about their investments to let their fighters face him. I need the promoters behind the top 10 contenders in the division to step up and see if their fighters can stop his rise. They can’t. But I need them to try.”

Benavidez is currently rated WBC #14, WBA #7, IBF #13.

“If you are reading this and you promote any super middleweight fighter who has a top-10 ranking or is world champion, call me. We will fight. We hear from opponents looking to get paid for getting knocked out, but never anyone with a top-10 rating. This is your challenge. Call me and let’s get it on. Help my fighter become part of boxing history.”
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.