LAS VEGAS – July 12, 2023 – Undefeated boxing superstars and pound-for-pound greats Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Terence “Bud” Crawford previewed their showdown for the undisputed welterweight championship during a virtual press conference on Wednesday as the WBC, WBA and IBF champion Spence and WBO champion Crawford clash on Saturday, July 29 headlining a SHOWTIME PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The pay-per-view telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see Spence and Crawford vie to become the first undisputed welterweight world champion in the four-belt era and likely emerge as the sport’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions, TBC Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:

ERROL SPENCE JR.

“There’s no backing down for either one of us. Me and Terence put together is just a recipe for a great fight. We both come to win and now we have everything on the line. I know we’re gonna put on a great performance.

“I came out here to Las Vegas three weeks early to train and acclimate. We’ve been 100% focused and training hard. We’re going over the game plan and making sure we’re on point and not leaving any stone unturned. This is a legacy fight and a fight people are gonna talk about for a long time.

“This fight does a lot for the sport of boxing. I hope a lot of the best fighters are ready to face each other. This is an old school fight with the two best fighters in the world. It’s rare that you get that. We’re two old school fighters who are going to go in there and give it their all.

“This fight boils down to grit, determination and focus. It’s about who’s body and mind can withstand the most punishment, but also make it through different highs and lows of the fight. Whoever can impose their style on their opponent will win the fight.

“There have been fighters way more gifted than Terence who have lost in boxing. They can say what they want about him, but I know my capabilities. I know my mindset when I step into the ring. I believe that I can beat any fighter.

“Everyone in Derrick James’ gym pushes each other. Even if it’s indirectly. We watch each other work and naturally you’re gonna try to work a little harder and make sure you’re really working, because another top fighter is watching you and trying to see how you work. We’re feeding off each other and Derrick does a great job giving us all our own time slot.

“The level of opposition you face definitely matters. I’ve fought guys at the top when they really had something to lose. But once we get in the ring, it’s really all about abilities. It’s about dictating the pace and implementing the game plan.

“I didn’t want to risk anything that would jeopardize this fight. I was willing to sacrifice to wait on Terence. Everyone knows the magnitude of this fight and what this means for our legacy. I put the ego to the side.”

TERENCE CRAWFORD

“This fight puts a stamp on everything that I’ve accomplished in this sport. People have tried to discredit me for this and that and have been calling for this fight. This solidifies everything. This is the fight that boxing needs.

“Training camp is going great and not much has changed. We’re firm believers in if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ So we’ve been steady.

“This fight boils down to who prepared the best and then on fight night, who’s on their A+ game. That’s what it comes down to.

“I’m not focusing on a potential rematch. I plan on winning the first match. The rematch is not in my mind. I’m focused on the job at hand right now.

“I’m not worried about any size difference. Look at Jeff Horn and Shawn Porter. Even Jose Benavidez Jr. was a big welterweight. This is nothing new. I was always the smaller guy, even when I was fighting at 140-pounds. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

“Everyone Errol faced had a loss and had something already taken from them. He faced guys who already knew how to lose. I take a fighters’ belt and their ‘0’. Those fighters are never the same after that face me.  

“The objective is always to get the win first and foremost. But if you’ve followed our careers, you know that Errol and I are always in exciting fights. There’s no doubt in my mind that this fight will be more of the same.

“With the magnitude and the stage and just everything that’s surrounding this fight, yes I needed Errol. But legacy-wise, I had already accomplished a lot and was already a Hall of Famer. This win is the cherry on top for me.

“Errol and I got on the phone to get the biggest fight in boxing made. We both understood the assignment and had the same goals and dreams in mind. We came together to make sure we were both mature enough to get the fight made.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #SpenceCrawford, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @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/.

Long Island, NY (July 12, 2023) — “Rockin’ Fights” 45 is scheduled for October 28, 2023 at the Pollstar #1 World Rated venue and Star Boxing’s home away from home, The Paramount, in Huntington, NY.

Tickets for “Rockin’ Fights” are officially available via presale to Star Boxing’s loyal social media and mailing list followers. Get access to tickets before anyone else when using the code word, “STAR” to unlock tickets.

Stay tuned to Star Boxing socials for fight card information and announcements coming soon!

NEW YORK, NY – July 12, 2023 – Today, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced their main event for its second Most Valuable Prospects event on Friday, August 18 in Orlando, Florida. The WBA Fedelatin title bout will feature super-lightweight Puerto Rican-American talent Nestor “El Mas Bravo” Bravo (21-0, 15 KOs)and Will “Ill Will” Madera (17-2-3, 10 KOs). The 10-round bout is contested at 140 lbs and will be taking place at the Caribe Royale Resort.

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and promoted by MVP, with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed by DAZN. The second event in the series continues the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2023 and will be hosted by the series’ official title sponsor, Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. DAZN will air the series across its platforms as a part of its subscription package which will include the entire main card lineup and prelims. Tickets are now on sale at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005EEADB50BF76

Bravo, the undefeated fighter out of Orlando, FL, by way of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, is ranked seventh in the world by the World Boxing Association as a super lightweight. The cross-weight talent also holds the WBO-NABO junior welterweight title, which he won in October 2022 by stopping Adrian Yung in seven rounds and becoming the second fighter ever to do so. Bravo hopes to return to his winning streak after facing a disappointing no-contest against WBC Latino Champion Jair Valtierra in February 2023 when Valtierra clashed heads with Bravo in the fourth round. He is trained by Bob Santos, who was named Ring Magazine’s 2022 Trainer of the Year.

Madera, the Puerto Rican super lightweight out of Albany, NY, comes to the ring following a series of high-octane matchups. The orthodox fighter handed Brandun Lee the first knockdown of his career via a vicious overhand right in August 2022, ending in a narrow loss after Lee got up at the 11th second and won the bout. Previously, Madera stopped Jamshidbek Najmitdinov (20-1) in the 5th round of their faceoff at the Barclays Arena in October 2021 and defeated Thomas “Gunna Man” Mattice (13-0-1) by a unanimous decision in February 2019. Madera, a father to six, is trained by Ty Goldston.

“Our first Most Valuable Prospects event was incredibly successful and we are thrilled to announce the lineup for Most Valuable Prospects II,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Our commitment to cultivating the next generation of great boxers is evident in the work that we do, and we want to thank each of our partners for sharing that same mission. The matchups on this card will serve our audiences with nothing less than an exciting night as we all witness these young athletes work towards becoming tomorrow’s must-watch names in boxing. We appreciate Caribe Royale Resort’s hospitality and partnership and want to thank our distribution partner, DAZN for their dedication to bringing the action to global audiences at home.”

Viewers can expect to see nine total fights on the 18^th, with some of the world’s most promising prospects in boxing. The full undercard and broadcast team will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We are excited to be working with the team of Most Valuable Promotions on our second Most Valuable Prospects event. The main event is a great one for the fans in attendance and those watching on DAZN. Two top talents will be vying for the WBA Fedelatin Title in what will be an action packed bout,” said Amaury Piedra, Managing Director of Caribe Royale Resort and President of Boxlab Promotions. “In addition the list of up and coming prospects on the co-main and remainder of the card is exceptional. We will feature some of the top rising stars in boxing from around the world. Caribe Royale and Boxlab Promotions are proud to be a part of bringing this event to Orlando. This is part of Caribe Royale’s strategy of being the top All Suite hotel in Orlando for both locals and visitors alike.”

For more information, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @MostVPromotions, @DAZNBoxing, @Boxlab_AP, and @cariberoyale or on Instagram via @JakePaul, @MostValuablePromotions, @DAZNBoxing, and @cariberoyaleorlando.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last four global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Fury match, which surpassed 800,000 Pay-per-view buys worldwide. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head-to-head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US, and the UK.? Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC.? 

DAZN is the NFL’s global partner and, from the 2023 season, will be the only place for fans around the world to watch every NFL match through the NFL Game Pass International add-on subscription. DAZN is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with UEFA Women’s Champions League and Finetwork Liga F.? DAZN is adding more and more sport to its platform to create a destination for sports fans.?

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DAZN is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialize, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.?

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles, ensuring that fans have access to ground-breaking rights catalog and slate of incredible content. In the UK and globally, DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony, and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV and can find the app on their iPhone, iPad, and android mobile devices. DAZN is available as an Amazon Channel on Amazon Prime TV and can be viewed on Channel 429 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.   

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?www.dazngroup.com.??

About Caribe Royale Orlando Resort

Located just minutes from the Walt Disney World® Resort in the nation’s number one convention and tourist destination, Caribe Royale Orlando is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite meetings resort in Orlando. A TripAdvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award winner – among just 10 percent of hotels worldwide to receive the distinction – the upscale Caribe Royale is emerging from a $140 million renovation that includes fully remodeling all of its one-bedroom suites, an all-new 50,000-square-foot grand ballroom (bringing the total meeting space to 220,000 square feet), and an inviting new lobby. Being privately-owned, Caribe Royale offers meeting planners faster approval cycles and more flexibility to create stand-out events. To learn more or to book a visit, event or meeting, visit www.cariberoyale.com. Follow the all-suite convention hotel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(@cariberoyale), LinkedIn and Pinterest. #cariberoyaleorlando

LOS ANGELES – July 12, 2023 – Boxing superstar Claressa “G.W.O.A.T.” Shields continued to make history this week, as the world’s top pound-for-pound women’s boxer was awarded the 2023 ESPY Award for “Best Boxer” prior to Wednesday’s award ceremony. Shields became the first ever female boxer to win the award that has been given out since 1993.

“First I want to thank God. I am truly humbled to become the first woman ever to win the ‘Best Boxer’ of the year award for the ESPYS,” said Shields. “This award may have my name on it but it is for every female boxer who has stepped into the ring and hopefully will inspire generations of young women in the future to pursue their dreams with no boundaries. I want to thank ESPN and all my fans who voted for me all over the world! To win this award against the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney is an incredible honor. What a feeling to be the GWOAT amongst men!”

Shields beat out men’s boxing stars Davis, Haney and Stevenson to win the fan voting for the award. The Flint, Michigan-native was already one of just three women since 2008 to be recognized in the category, having earned a nomination for the 2021 ESPYS, and is the only woman to receive multiple nominations in that time span.

Shields’ recent run has included her two victories in 2022, capped by an action-packed victory last October over Savannah Marshall that saw Shields become the undisputed middleweight world champion for the second time. Already boxing’s only champion to become undisputed in two divisions, Shields defended her four belts successfully this June in front of a huge crowd at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit as she shut out Maricela Cornejo on her way to a unanimous decision.

“This is an incredible honor for a generational great, the ‘G.W.O.A.T.’ Claressa Shields,” said Dmitriy Salita, Shields’ promoter and President of Salita Promotions. “It is yet another first for women’s boxing and most importantly more fuel for women’s empowerment all over the world. Claressa Shields is building the bridge to equality with the bricks of her unmatched, unparalleled accomplishments inside and outside of the ring.”

Mark Taffet, Shields’s manager and President of Mark Taffet Media, added: “Claressa continues to shatter every glass ceiling and accomplish what, prior to her, was considered unachievable. The only two-time US Olympic boxing gold medal winner, fastest man or woman to win world championships in three weight divisions, only man or woman to hold undisputed world titles in two weight divisions simultaneously, and only woman in the past twenty five years to win Sportswoman Of The Year twice is now the first woman to win the Best Boxer ESPY award!”

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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. 

Galal Yafai will headline Matchroom Boxing’s latest NXTGEN card at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on Saturday August 19 when he puts his WBC International Flyweight Title on the line against Tommy Frank, shown live worldwide on DAZN. 

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion Yafai (4-0, 3 KOs) fights in his home city for the first time as a professional after racking up four wins from four fights since joining the paid code with a long-term promotional deal back in January 2022. 

Amateur sensation Yafai picked up the WBC International crown on his professional debut at The O2 in London before making defences at the world-famous Madison Square Garden In New York, the stunning Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and The O2 once more last time out in April.

Sheffield’s Frank (15-3-1, 3 KOs) conceded his British Flyweight Title to Wales’ World Title contender Jay Harris last time out in Rotherham, succumbing to a tenth-round stoppage after an entertaining back and forth barnstormer.

The former Central Area, Commonwealth, WBC International Silver and IBO Intercontinental Flyweight Champion is out to cause a big upset and claim the biggest scalp of his career, a win that would propel himself to the front of the queue for massive fights in the Flyweight division. 

Alnwick’s rising Welterweight star Cyrus Pattinson (6-0, 4 KOs) broke down and stopped former British Champion Chris Jenkins last time out in March in his first headline fight at the Utilita Arena Newcastle to pick up the WBA International Title.

The 29-year-old former Team GB standout puts his Title on the line against Wolverhampton’s former Midlands Area Welterweight Champion Conah Walker (11-2-1, 3 KOs) as he continues to climb the 147lbs ladder towards further title shots later this year.

Warley Heavyweight hope Solomon Dacres (6-0, 2 KOs) looks to build on his two-round demolition of Robert Ismay earlier this year while Oxford’s Jordan Flynn (9-0, 1 KOs) and Birmingham’s Kane Baker (19-10-1, 3 KOs) rematch in an eliminator for the English Super-Featherweight Title following their April clash.

There’s also action on the card for Bolton Super-Lightweight Khaleel Majid (10-0, 3 KOs), Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen (2-0, 1 KO) and Leicester Bantamweight prospect Muhammad Ali (2-0), plus professional debuts for Birmingham duo Sahil Khan and Ibraheem Sulaimaan. 

“I’m excited to be fighting in my home city for the first time as a professional and to be headlining the show makes it even sweeter,” said Yafai. “I haven’t fought in Birmingham in around ten years so it’s going to be special fighting in front of my friends and family for the first time since capturing Olympic Gold and starting my pro career with Matchroom. 

“Tommy Frank is in the opposite corner and he’ll be fully motivated to get the upset but this is my city and I’ll be getting the win with a big performance on home soil. My career is progressing nicely and this is another step on my journey towards fighting for and winning World Titles. See you on August 19 Birmingham.”

“Although my last fight against Jay Harris was a defeat I learnt a lot from it and I have more belief in myself than ever before,” said Frank. “I wasn’t expecting this opportunity but I believe that things happen for a reason and I’ll be ready to make my mark on the big stage on August 19.

“Yafai is a quality fighter with a great pedigree and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I’m grateful for the opportunity and to be showcased on such a big platform. I will no doubt be underestimated but that’s fine with me, I believe I have a lot more to achieve in boxing and with a rejuvenated confidence in myself I believe this opportunity has come at the perfect time.”

“I’m excited to be returning to Birmingham for our first show in the city for almost five years,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Olympic gold hero Galal Yafai gets the opportunity to headline his first show and it’s a WBC International Title defence against Sheffield’s former British Champion Tommy Frank. Galal has looked sensational so far on his professional journey and he’ll be determined to impress on home soil as he continues to work towards World Titles in the Flyweight division and beyond.

“There’s plenty of emerging Midlands talent on display with Solomon Dacres taking his next step in the Heavyweight division and destructive Coventry Middleweight Aaron Bowen returning for his third fight in the pros. North East Welterweight star Cyrus Pattinson looks to build on his sensational scrap with Chris Jenkins and there’s plenty more on offer for our second NXTGEN helping of the year. Catch it all live around the world on DAZN.”

Tickets for Yafai vs. Frank are priced £40, £60, £120 and £200 (VIP).

General Sale tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and The Ticket Factory from midday on Thursday July 13.

Tasman Fighters and Jai Opetaia have agreed to work with Matchroom as part of a global promotional partnership.
 
Opetaia (22-0 17 KOs) wrestled the IBF and Ring Magazine World Cruiserweight titles away from Mairis Briedis on home turf with an outstanding display in Queensland, Australia in July 2022, outboxing the Latvian with a show of skill mixed with guts after breaking his jaw in both the second and final rounds.
 
The 28 year old extended his unbeaten slate to 22 fights in the paid ranks on that famous night, landing World title honors at the first attempt in a professional career that began in August 2015 after the imposing southpaw said goodbye to a glittering amateur stint that yielded gold in the World Junior Championships in 2011 and saw him become the youngest ever Australian Olympian fighter when he represented his country in at the 2012 Games in London.
 
Opetaia is determined to make more history with the goal of unifying the Cruiserweight division, and the IBF and Ring king is itching to get back into the ring and turn those dreams into reality with Matchroom.
 
“This is something that Tasman Fighters and myself have always worked towards and now I just want to start taking these big fights and unify all the titles,” said Opetaia.
 
Penning a deal with Opetaia sees another Australian star added to Hearn’s blossoming stable Down Under, with the world’s leading Cruiserweight joining the likes of Liam Paro, Stevie Spark, Ebanie Bridges and Skye Nicolson, and Hearn is excited to be able to plot big events in Australia following a successful first outing in Queensland in October – and with Matchroom joining forces with Tasman Fighters on Opetaia, fighters and fight fans alike in Australia are the big winners in the deal, with huge nights on the horizon.
 
“I am thrilled to welcome Jai to the Matchroom Boxing Team and delighted to be working closely once again with Tasman Fighters,” said Hearn. “Jai’s win over Briedis was an historic moment for Australian boxing and solidified him as the number one in the Cruiserweight division. There is no doubt that he can collect all the belts to become undisputed ruler and not just become a superstar at home, but all over the world.
 
“Australian boxing continues to rise and Matchroom want to be a major part of that growth, and with Jai joining our other Aussie stars, we look to returning there soon.”
 
“The deal Tasman Fighters has struck with Matchroom is a massive opportunity for Jai Opetaia to move forward in his career on a global scale, it also opens the door for all of our contracted fighters and Australian boxing in general,” said Mick Francis, Company Director of Tasman Fighters. “Pathways for our athletes is something we consider is the key to developing boxing in this part of the world and with Matchroom it is finally a reality. We are looking forward to the future.”
 

QUINCY, Mass. (July 12, 2023) – Undefeated super middleweight prospect Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (8-0, 7 KOs) has never turned down a fight. Neither has his next opponent, James “Pitbull” Perkins (12-0-1, 9 KOs), and that’s why the two undefeated fighters will throw-down August 19^th.

Sumpter vs. Perkins headlines “Pandemonium at The Palladium”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), in an eight-round showdown for the vacant International Boxing Association IBA) Americas Super Middleweight Championship.

“Pandemonium at The Palladium” will be streamed live on www.bxngtv.com from the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“This fight is one of the best main events Massachusetts has seen this year,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “What more can you ask for? Two undefeated guys with knockout power going for it all for a chance to elevate their careers to the next level. The spectators better take their bathroom and concession breaks before this one starts. It could end at any moment!”

More than a belt is at stake, more like Bay State (MA) bragging rights for the winner of this potentially “lights-out” fight between these Western (Sumpter, Pittsfield) and Eastern (Perkins, Lynn) Mass. rival fighters.

Sumpter, 29, leaped at the opportunity to fight another undefeated fighter because of the upside for his career that an impressive victory will make within New England boxing circles.

“’ll be better known after this fight,” Sumpter said. “I don’t care about my opponent’s record or anything else. This is the type of fight that will establish me as one of the better boxers around. This fight will open up a lot of doors for me, when I come out on top. More people will start taking notice of me and I’ll be getting calls for bigger fights.

“We are both explosive fighters. I don’t think he’s going the full distance. It’ll come down to skills. I’ve seen some things from him I’ll exploit. Nobody studies me better than me. I’m sure he has watched me, too.”

Pittsfield is 100 miles to the west of Worcester, but Sumpter, who is the reigning Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Champion, is confident his fans will travel in force.

“I’ll feel good traveling,” Sumpter added. “This will be the second card I’ve headlined. I have a solid fan-base and it’s growing with each win. And, like I said, he’s not going the distance.”

In the co-featured event, undefeated Massachusetts Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (11-0, 6 KOs), of Holyoke (MA), takes Hector “El Gatito” Ednar Bobadilla (9-14-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Atlantic welterweight title.

Other fighters expected to be in action on the “Pandemonium at The Palladium” undercard include another  Holyoke boxer, super welterweight Carlos Castillo (7-0, 4 KOs), unbeaten Springfield super featherweight Isaiah “Baby Warrior” Cruz (6-0, 4 KOs), and New Haven (CT) featherweight Felix Parrilla (7-0, 6 KOs).

Card subject to change. Tickets are on sale and available for purchase online at www.ThePalladium.net.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first bell at 7:30 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:  

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

Plant City, FL (July 11, 2023) — Star Boxing’s Brazilian super middleweight, LUCAS DE ABREU MARTINS (14-3 11KO’s) is set to take on undefeated Guatemalan, LESTER MARTINEZ (15-0 13KO’s) tomorrow night, July 12, at the ProBox Event Center in Plant City, Florida. The 10-round super middleweight bout will air live on Probox.TV and the ProBox Youtube channel.

Both De Abreu and Martinez weighed in today ahead of their clash, with De Abreu coming in at a fit 166.6 lbs and Martinez coming in at 165.6 lbs. De Abreu always comes to fight, having made a good account of himself against top prospects, Diego Pacheco, Ernesbadi Begue, and Darrelle Valsaint. Tomorrow night he looks to be a stiff test for Martinez who is coming off an emphatic TKO victory over Isaiah Steen this past April.

Tune in to ProBox.TV or the ProBox Youtube page to watch the LIVE along with the rest of the five fight card.

LAS VEGAS (July 11, 2023) – Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez promises to deliver fireworks as he prepares to defend his WBO featherweight world title on enemy turf.
 
Ramirez will face Japanese contender Satoshi “Diamond Left” Shimizu on Tuesday, July 25, at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. Ramirez-Shimizu will serve as the co-feature to the world title showdown between  WBC/WBO junior featherweight champion Stephen Fulton and pound-for-pound king Naoya “Monster” Inoue.
 
Fulton-Inoue, Ramirez-Shimizu and additional undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
 
Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, took the fast track to becoming a world champion. In 2022, the 29-year-old stopped Irish veteran Eric Donovan in February, starched then-unbeaten contender Abraham Nova in June, and defeated Jose Matias Romero via ninth-round TKO in October. He defeated former world champ Isaac Dogboe on April 1 to capture the vacant WBO featherweight crown. Ramirez, who trains in Las Vegas with Ismael Salas, will now finish training camp in Japan. Shimizu (11-1, 10 KOs) is a 37-year-old southpaw making his first attempt at a world title. The two-time Olympian and 2012 bronze medalist is coming off a second-round stoppage win over Landy Cris Leon last December. 

Following a recent training session, this is what Ramirez had to say about his first world title defense:
 

“Just a few months ago, I fulfilled my cherished goal of becoming world featherweight champion. The time has now come for the first defense of my title, and I couldn’t be happier or more honored for it to be in Tokyo, Japan, in front of a sold-out arena and as chief support to the much-anticipated unification clash between Fulton and Inoue.”

 
“Becoming world champion was a big leap in my quest to be considered the world’s top featherweight and eventually becoming a consensus pound-for-pound fighter. My battle against the tough and experienced Shimizu will be another important stop in my journey.”
 
“I’m looking forward not only to the fight, but also experiencing all that this beautiful country has to offer with its passionate boxing fans, it’s vibrant culture and rich history, among so many other things. See you all at the Ariake Arena on July 25, and get ready for another great show from El Tren!”

RIYADH, Saudi, Arabia (July 11, 2023) —TYSON FURY, THE undefeated Lineal and WBC heavyweight champion of the world, and Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, will collide on Saturday, October 28th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in an epic showdown between two giants of their fields following the opening of Riyadh Season.

The clash to find out who is the “Baddest Man on the Planet” will take place under the official rules of professional boxing, with 3 judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system. Both fighters however are promising to meet in the middle of the ring, go to war and win by knockout in devastating fashion.

An agreement has been reached with Queensberry, Top Rank and Ngannou’s promotional banner, GIMIK Fight Promotions, to partner with Riyadh Season to host the history-making event that will capture the imagination of fight fans around the globe.

The world will discover who can rightly claim the title of “Baddest Man on the Planet” in the capital of the Kingdom, when “The Gypsy King” goes up against “The Predator” to determine the true Heavyweight King.

The fight will see the toughest chin in boxing tested by the Most Powerful Punch in the world, as confirmed by the Guinness World Records. This is a matchup where there will be no quarter given.

The mega-fight, one of the richest in history, will take place in a regulation boxing ring under the standard boxing rules in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s largest city.

———————————————————-

Tyson Fury: “As soon as that bell goes, it’ll be bombs away! This guy is supposed to be the hardest puncher in the world, but let’s see how he reacts when he gets hit by the Big GK. I can’t wait to get back out there under the lights. I’m looking forward to showing the world that The Gypsy King is the greatest fighter of his generation in an epic battle with another master of his craft. Francis looked tough when he jumped in the ring after the Whyte fight, but there is no one tougher than me, and you’ll all see that in devastating fashion on October 28. I’d like to thank my promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum, my manager Spencer Brown, and the guys at Riyadh Season for making this incredible event possible. It’s going to be a fight for the ages. Get up!”

Francis Ngannou: “I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years. My dream was always to box, and to box the best. After becoming the undisputed MMA Heavyweight Champion, this is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the baddest man on the planet.  I’d like to thank Riyadh Season and my team at 3Point0 Labs for helping put this event together. All I will say to Tyson for now is he better dance in that ring because if I touch him, he’s going to sleep.”

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh (Chairman of the Board of the General Entertainment Authority and Head of Riyadh Season): “Riyadh Season 2023 is back for its fourth edition of world class experiences and live events — keeping its claim as one of the most anticipated entertainment seasons worldwide. Following its opening ceremony, Riyadh Season 2023 will kick-off with an electrifying boxing match on October 28th, 2023. MMA and boxing audiences will witness the ultimate clash between two champions, Tyson Fury against Francis Ngannou. This face-off will set a new standard for such an event.”

Frank Warren (Queensberry Chairman): “This heavyweight clash has ‘war’ written all over it. Tyson Fury is the most exciting heavyweight on the planet. It is a game changer; we didn’t want to wait for Tyson to get out and here we are at Riyadh Season in a super-fight. Tyson is at his best when he is breaking new boundaries and this event is one of a kind. History will be made in Riyadh with a battle of the giants from the two leading codes of combat fighting. Tyson is the true King of the Ring and Francis Ngannou will present an intriguing challenge as he has the much publicised Most Powerful Punch in the world, this guy has a sledgehammer in each hand. Can Tyson avoid the sledgehammer all fight? What happens if it lands? It will be a truly spectacular event and Riyadh Season will provide a stage fit for two champions in one boxing ring.”

Bob Arum (Top Rank Chairman): “Tyson Fury is one of the finest heavyweight boxers in history, and he now has an opportunity to lock horns with an MMA legend. This will be a historic event, and we know that Tyson Fury will put on a tremendous fight. The people of Riyadh and fight fans around the world are in for a real treat.”

Marquel Martin (Chief Executive Officer, 3Point0 Labs): “Francis has been defeating the odds since he was born and so has Tyson from what I understand. Both are ‘Kings’ of their respective heavyweight divisions in their primes, and we finally get to see whose head is fit to wear the crown. We have all the respect in the world for Tyson and his team, but they are not accustomed to dealing with a force of nature like Francis. He’s simply BUILT DIFFERENT and I think Tyson will feel that in the Ring come October 28th in Riyadh. History is made here and we’re very much looking forward to shocking the world once again.”

Andrew Cutrow (Chief Business Officer, 3Point0 Labs): “All due respect in the world to a heavyweight fighter of Tyson’s calibre, sitting up there with the Mike Tysons and Muhammad Alis of the world, but there is no one with the will and fight that Francis has. He’s beaten every insurmountable challenge in his life, whether in the ring or in life, and it’s fair to say that NO ONE wants to be on the end of one of his punches. Riyadh should get ready for a fight for the ages – one that will go down in history as one of the greatest sporting events of this generation.”

Tyson Fury background:
The undefeated Fury, 34, the 6-foot-9 self-styled Gypsy King with a record of 33-0-1 (24 KOs), first became unified world heavyweight champion back in November 2015 when he toppled the long-standing ruler Wladimir Klitschko.

Dusseldorf, Germany, was the scene of one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight history, when the unified king was befuddled by the bashful Brit. The Ukrainian was completely outfoxed by his younger challenger and Fury wasn’t to be denied. Klitschko was parted from his four belts and Lineal champion status.

After a lengthy period out of the ring, Fury teamed up with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren to plot his route back to heavyweight domination and, after just two return fights, he accepted the challenge of taking on the previous WBC champion and biggest puncher in world boxing, Deontay Wilder, in December 2018.

The outcome was a hotly disputed draw, which ensured the Fury-Wilder chapter still had a couple more pages to run. Fury linked up with Top Rank and ESPN in America, and a rematch with Wilder took place in February 2020. Fury took many experts by surprise by stating his intention to meet the ferocious hitter in the centre of the ring.

To that end, he teamed up with old comrade SugarHill Steward in order to maximise his own offensive weapons. True to his word, Fury rocked Wilder and put him down in the third and fifth before the towel came in from Wilder’s corner just over halfway through the seventh.

An absolute thriller took place in October 2021 in Las Vegas. Fury picked up where he left off and put Wilder to the canvas in the third before a spirited revival from the ‘Bronze Bomber’ saw Fury down twice in the fourth. The champion prevailed convincingly in the end, with Wilder down the 10th and then out for count in the 11th. An epic trilogy had played out before the eyes of the world.

London was calling when a mandatory defence against WBC interim champion Dillian Whyte was called by the governing body. There was only one place fit to stage the homecoming of The Gypsy King and a packed to the rafters Wembley Stadium became Fury’s field of dreams. Wembley is traditionally known as the ‘Home of Legends’ and Fury added his name to the illustrious list with a spectacular sixth-round stoppage in front of 94,000 spectators.

Fury sold out another stadium last December, this time Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with 60,000 people braving the night air to see him overwhelm Derek Chisora for a third time via a 10^th-round stoppage in what represented a third defence of his WBC world championship.

Francis Ngannou background:
Ngannou, 36, 17-3 (12 KOs) has a life-story that most wouldn’t believe possible. The 6’4, 280-pound physical specimen, hailing from Batie, a small village in Cameroon, Africa, grew up working in a sand quarry starting from the age of 10. At 22 years old, harbouring a dream to box, Francis decided to leave on foot across the Sahara, traveling on raft across the Strait of Gibraltar on a life-threatening journey, only to find himself homeless on the streets of Paris, walking into a gym. It didn’t take long for his coaches and peers there to realize his raw talents and God-given power to knock people out.

He was encouraged to enter an MMA tournament to make some extra cash in November 2013, and less than 8 years later, Francis would become the UFC’s first-ever African Heavyweight Champion, knocking out arguably the greatest Heavyweight in UFC History, Stipe Miocic, spectacularly in the second round. In January 2022, Ngannou defended his title against the undefeated interim UFC Champion Ciryl Gane, winning the fight via unanimous decision, all while fighting on a torn ACL and MCL against doctors’ guidance.

In late 2022, Ngannou decided to enter free agency and departed the UFC following the end of his contract, subsequently signing an unprecedented mega-deal as a global strategic partner with global MMA co-leader Professional Fighters League (PFL) and their Super Fights Division in 2023, further serving as the Chairman of PFL Africa, set to launch in 2025.

About Riyadh Season:
Saudi Arabia’s capital embraces one of the world’s biggest entertainment event every year during winter. Since the launch of the Riyadh Season in 2019, the festival has welcomed visitors from all over the world to experience thousands of concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and other unique cultural events. In 2023, Riyadh Season will commence on Saturday, 28 October with a spectacular opening ceremony and an historic boxing match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou.

LOS ANGELES (July 11, 2023) – Undefeated super flyweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez (11-0, 8 KOs), fighting out of South-Central Los Angeles, seems to be the best kept secret in the super flyweight division.

Ramirez, 26, is rarely if ever mentioned by the media as an elite super flyweight, despite him being the top rated 115-pounder in the World Boxing Association (WBA) ratings.

Boxing is a risk-reward sport, and the bottom line is “Scrappy” is too risky for many of the “name” super flyweights to fight, at least right now. His problem is the relatively late start he got in boxing. He has been on the fast track, capturing the WBA Continental and North American Boxing Association (NABA) super flyweight titles along his long, arduous journey. More significantly, though, is that he’s extremely explosive in the ring and improving each fight.

“Scrappy” accepted an offer last December to face veteran Thai boxer Sirichai Thaiyen (64-4, 42 KOs), who was then rated No, 3 (the No. 1 spot is open), in a WBA Title Eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for WBA Super Flyweight World Champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco. Nothing materialized, Thaiyen has been dropped to No. 8 in the WBA’s ratings, and Franco lost his title to Kazuto Ioka (30-3-1, 15 KOs) and retired. Ramirez’ opponent is being determined. The WBA will go down its ratings until it secures the highest-rated fighter who is available and accepts the challenge to fight “Scrappy.”

“I’ll fight whoever is put in front of me,” Ramirez explained. “In the end, boxing is a business and the only thing I’m missing is a world title. I am on the path to what I want, fighting the new WBA super flyweight champion, (Kazuto) Ioka. I’ll go to Japan to fight him if that’s what it’ll take.”

___________________________________________________

WBA SUPER FLYWEIGHT RATINGS

Champion : Kazuto Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KOs), Japan

1. Unrated
2. John “Scrappy’’ Ramirez (12-0, 8 KOs), USA – WBA Continental Champion
3. Kosei Tanaka (19-1, 11 KOs), Japan
4. Roman “Chocolito” Gonzalez (51-4, 41 KOs), Nicaragua
5. Bin Lu (3-1, 2 KOs), China – WBA International Champion
6. “El General” David Cuellar Contreras (23-0, 16 KOs), Mexico
7. Ronal Batista (15-3, 9 KOs), Panama
8. Sirichai Thaiyen (65-5, 43 KOs, Thailand
9. Argi Cortez (25-3-2, 10 KOs), Mexico
10. Phumelele “Truth” Cafu (8-0-3, 7 KOs), South Africa
11. Felix Montenegro (12-9-1, 8 KOs), Panama
12. Kenta Nakagawa (24-4-1, 12 KOs), Panama
13. Rene “El Indio” Calixto Bibiano (20-0, 7 KOs), Mexico
14. Winston “El Fantasmas” Guerrero (19-0, 12 KOs), Nicaragua
15. Keiver “El Chamo” Fernandez (25-1-1, 13 KOs), Venezuela 

_____________________________________________________________________                 

Ramirez adds, “The WBA is the oldest organization with great champions throughout its history.”

Ramirez, the lone USA representative in the WBA super flyweight rankings, simply hasn’t had enough time fighting yet as a professional to have an elite name in the WBA ratings such as No. 4 Roman “Chocolito” Gonzalez, the 5-time, 4-division world champion, or even No. 5 Bin Lu, who was a 2020 Chinese Olympian that had a world title fight in only his second pro fight, albeit in a loss to WBA Light Flyweight World Champion to Carlos Canizales. The other world super flyweight champions are all better known than “Scrappy” at this stage of his career: Juan Francisco Estrada (WBC), Fernando Martinez (IBF Super champ), and Junto Nakatani (WBO).

There are also other more recognizable names in the top 15 of the major sanctioning bodies than Ramirez’ in the super flyweight division such as former world champion Donnie Nietes, Srisket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras, Andrew Maloney, and Jade Bonea. Plus, Ramirez is a dangerous opponent for any fighter, including world champions.

“Either the media doesn’t want to talk about me or I’m not relevant,” Ramirez said. “I’m the WBA Continental champ, so I’m in the loop. It doesn’t matter because I’ll get the respect that I deserve. “I’m a high-risk, low-reward fighter right now. I’ve been saying that since day one. I know  I’m risky to fight but there are other fighters like me out there. There have been some changes in the WBA with Ioka being the new super flyweight champion. I’m pursuing the eliminator to become Ioka’s mandatory challenger. I won’t be denied. Somebody has to step up in the WBA top 15 and fight me. My time is coming!”

“Scrappy” Ramirez is working with 3 Point Management (3 PM), a growing company based in Los Angeles that has a growing stable of gifted boxers including former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs), light heavyweight Kareem Hackett (10-0, 5 KOs), super middleweight Cem “Champ” Kilic (17-1, 11 KOs), and heavyweights Darius “DFG “ Fulghum (6-0, 6 KOs) and Zach Spiller (3-0, 2 KOs).

The World Boxing Association (WBA), through its Championships Committee, issued a resolution for the minimum weight in which it ordered a Purse bid between Thammanoon Niyomtrong and Erick Rosa for next July 21, to be held via Zoom

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (July 10, 2023)–Weight’s for Tuesday night’s Jimmy Adams Promotions card at The Troubadour Nashville.

Victor Hernandez 133.6 – Mike Fowler Will weigh in Tuesday

Desmond Lyons 139.6 – Ivan Reyes 140.2

Eric Arellano 224.4 – Javier Frazier 204

Ermes Orta 139 – Jason Page Jr. Will weigh in Tuesday

Kevin Torian 198.4 – Raphael Carolina 200.6

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)

Fort Worth, Texas (July 10, 2023)–After a successful debut in Fort Worth, Texas on April 27th, King’s Promotions will be back for what will be an entertaining night of boxing this Thursday night at The El Corral West Night Club.

In a six-round featured bout, Emmanuel Moreno (3-0) of nearby Wichita Falls, Texas takes on Manuel Chavez Garcia (1-1) of Mexico in a bantamweight fight.

In Four-round bouts:

Jose Gomez (3-0) of Dallas battles Raul Garcia Jr. (2-9,1 KO) of Oklahoma City in a welterweight bout.

Alex Araiza Mones (0-1-1) of Fort Worth fights debuting Macy Breaux of Larose, Louisiana in a bantamweight contest.

Jaycob Ramos (1-0) of Plano, Texas fights an opponent to be named in a featherweight bout.

Malik Calhoun Khalil (2-1, 2 KOs) of North Richland, Texas takes on Austin Dulworth (0-3) of Dallas in a middleweight contest.

Jordan Najar (1-0) of Fort Worth, Texas fights debuting Raymond Goodine in a super bantamweight fight.

Fernando Solis (1-0) of Fort Worth, Texas boxes Raul Zamudio of Pasadena, Texas in a featherweight bout.

Nathaniel Vincent of Grand Prairie, Texas will make his pro debut against Daniel Gray of Laurens, South Carolina in a welterweight bout.

Tickets are $200, $100, $60 and $40 and can be purchased at

CLICK FOR TICKETS

Harlem Eubank will tackle Ishmael Ellis in Edinburgh next week, as Lee McGregor’s huge homecoming show becomes ever bigger. 

The unbeaten Brighton stylist fights Ellis over 10 rounds, live and free-to-air on Channel 5, at the Meadowbank Sports Centre, on Friday, July 21. 

‘Lightning’ McGregor headlines the show by taking on Mexican puncher Erik Robles for the vacant IBO world super bantamweight title on what promises to be an emotionally charged night in the Scottish capital. 

Now, super lightweight contender Eubank has been confirmed for the hard-hitting undercard, which already boasts the UK’s most fearsome heavyweight prospect, Matty Harris, world-ranked super featherweight star, Sultan Zaurbek and returning featherweight contender Isaac Lowe. 

Wasserman Boxing, in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment, can also reveal that heavyweight Kash Ali will face Bodhan Myronets over six rounds on an evening not-to-be-missed. 

The full card, with emerging talents and local heroes still to be announced, will be confirmed in the coming days. 

Harlem Eubank said: “The super lightweight scene is on fire at the moment, both domestically and internationally, and I know I am on the cusp of some huge fights. 

“And because those big fights are on the horizon, there is no room for error, so I have to be firing on all cylinders in Edinburgh on July 21. 

“But training has gone very well, and I plan on making a statement in front of the Scottish fans.”  

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman Boxing, said: “This is going to be a breakthrough year for Harlem, where his career goes to new levels. 

“He dealt brilliantly with a late replacement, as the headline fighter, at York Hall in March and now, in Edinburgh next week, he gets to show what he is all about to a new audience. 

“Harlem is on the brink of some massive nights and, mark my words, he will be the next Eubank to become a world champion.” 

New Haven, CT (July 10, 2023)–World ranked junior lightweight contender William Foster III will be back in action this Wednesday night when he takes on Fradamil Macayo at The Probox Event Center in Plant City, Fl.

The fight will headline a card on ProBox TV beginning at 7:30 PM ET 

Foster has a record of 15-0 with nine knockouts. The 29 year-old is ranked number 15 by the WBA. His resume includes wins over Sulaiman Segawa (10-0), Angel Suarez (8-2), Jahmal Dyer (9-2), Donald Smith (10-0), world rated and fast rising contender Edwin De Los Santos (13-0) and in his most recent bout he scored a convincing win over Avery Sparrow on July 23, 2022 in Philadelphia.

Macayo is a power punching southpaw from Venezuela who has a record of 16-1 with 13 knockouts. Macayo has wins over undefeated fighters Jose Luis Marcano (9-0) and Armando Ramirez Almanza (5-0-1).

?“We are excited to see the best William Foster the world has seen to date on July 12. He gets better every time he steps in the ring. He has had a great camp and his coach always has him fully prepared for battle. William is a true warrior who is ready and willing to take on any of the division’s elite. This bout is for two regional titles (WBA Fedecentro and WBO Global). He is already ranked in the WBA and with a win over Macayo he will crack the WBO world ratings which means he is then one phone call away from a well deserved world title opportunity. His recent victories over Edwin De Los Santos and Avery Sparrow coupled with an impressive showing against Macayo should catapult William up the world rankings. His resume of victories is quite impressive for someone with only 15 fights! By facing and defeating such stiff competition William is fully prepared for anything that he sees in the ring. It is just a matter of time before William is recognized as the class of the 130 pound division!”, stated David Dubinsky of DKO Boxing, Foster’s Co-Manager.

Said Foster, “Camp went really well. I sparred more than 78 rds for this fight and I sparred with different types of fighters, my coach always pushes me beyond my limits.. I expect Macayo to be the pressure fighter and try to take the fight to me but he seems smart enough to not go straight in. I’m going to surprise him with my speed and skills that I have developed over the years and with a victory I am hopeful to get a world title fight next. I’ve been in the business long enough and it’s time to get my shot at the title.”

QUINCY, Mass. (July 10, 2023) – Like some of his fellow countrymen in the past, undefeated Irish light heavyweight prospects Tommy “The Governor” Hyde (5-0, 3 KOs) and Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole (7-0, 5 KOs) have traveled across “the pond” from their native Ireland to Boston in order to enhance their professional boxing careers.

They will both be fighting on the August 11th (Aug. 12th rain date) on the “Veterans Stadium Showcase” Pro-Am card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Quincy (MA), a suburb of Boston only 10 miles to the south of the Massachusetts capital.

“This card wouldn’t be complete without some Irish flair to it,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. “With that said, I didn’t want just any Irish fighters on the show. I wanted two of the hottest prospects. Working with both guys has been a pleasure. Their teams have been great. Their fan-bases are in for a treat come August 11th.”

They’ve built solid fan-bases of Irish natives who now live in the United States, as well as Irish American boxing fans, just like their predecessors from the Emerald Isle, world champion Steve Collins and Mike Tyson-conqueror Kevin McBride.

Although Hyde and O’Toole will be fighting in separate six-round bouts this could be a prelude to a showdown between the Irish light heavyweights. They fought twice as amateurs with each winning one and in the future, they could be matched against each other once again, only this time as professionals.

Tommy Hyde (L) – (picture credit: Garreth Croke)

The 24-year-old Hyde is a three-time Irish National Champion who had an 80-26 amateur record. His father, Gary Hyde, is an international matchmaker who has represented numerous world champions.

“I am delighted to be fighting in Boston again,” Hyde said. “It’s like a second home now. I have a lot of family and friends living there and they all show me great support when I’m fighting there. It’s a big boxing city and it’s great to be following in the footsteps of Steve Collins and Kevin McBride who I really admire.

“I fought all over the world as an amateur in 2019. I fought outdoors in a multi-national tournament in Odessa, Ukraine. It was a really good experience, so I’m really looking forward to fighting outdoors in a Boston stadium.

“This will be the second show we shared since we’ve been pros and it probably won’t be the last. A fight between us could be big down the line in Boston or Ireland. He’s an Irishman like me, so I’ll be supporting him until we fight just like any other Irish boxer.”

Hyde faces an opponent to be determined.

Thomas O’Toole (R) – (photo credit: Emily Harney / Fightography

O’Toole, 25, is another celebrated Irish amateur boxer who captured top honors in the Haringey Box Cup and Irish Elevate final, in which he decisioned Hyde. “The Kid” won 51 of 60 amateur matches. Ten Years ago, O’Toole fought outdoors for the first and only time in an amateur show at Boston City Hall, arranged by then- Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

A southpaw, O’Toole lives in nearby Braintree (MA). Six of his seven pro matches have been held in Greater Boston, the lone exception in Manchester, New Hampshire. “The Kid” is moving up one division to fight Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Scott “Scottie Bombs” Lampert (5-8, 4 KOs) for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) cruiserweight crown.

“Fighting outdoors does make a difference,” O’Toole commented, “especially if it’s hot and humid. I couldn’t prepare for fighting outdoors here in the summer if I was training in Ireland. We don’t have hot and humid weather there. I’ve been training here in this weather. It’s amazing how the weather can zap your strength. It did have an effect on me when I fought in Boston outdoors as an amateur.

“Tommy and I have gone our separate ways as pros, but our paths may grow down the line. We haven’t seen much of each other when we fought on the same card here. He is coming on very well in the pro ranks. He has a good man behind him in his father, Gary, and I think Tommy can go far. He’s said that a fight between us can easily be made if it makes sense. I agree. We both have big fan bases. This is going to be an amazing, fun night.”

Irish eyes will certainly be smilin’ Aug. 11th in Quincy.

In the eight-round, main event, former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man, Ohan, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook, and Haverhill’s Harry “The Hitman” Gigliotti (9-4, 3 KOs), reigning ABF Atlantic super lightweight title holder, will throw-down in a non-title fight.

United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Champion Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (5-3, 2 KOs), of Woburn, and Massachusetts titleholder Jamer Jones (3-1, 3 KOs), of Pittsfield, are in a middleweight unification bout for their titles in the eight-round co-featured event.

Gigliotti’s stablemates, undefeated Lowell lightweight Gabriel “The Menace” Morales (7-0, 4 KOs) and unbeaten Methuen middleweight Luke “The Quiet Storm” Iannuccilli (6-0, 3 KOs) will also be in action, respectively, versus Nathan Benichou (2-16-1, 2 KOs) and Ryan Thomas Clark (2-4, 1 KO).

Also fighting on the undercard is undefeated middleweight prospect Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (14-0, 13 KOs), of nearby Weymouth (MA), will be in action, as well as Scituate heavyweight Kevin Nagle (2-0, 2 KOs), vs. TBAs. Hogan was a celebrated amateur who was a 2020 USA Boxing Olympic Team alternate as well as a 2010 New England Golden Gloves champion.

Card subject to change.

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

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Traietti at chris@granite-chin-promotions.com for details.

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

Long Island, NY (July 10, 2023)– Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing’s critically acclaimed fight series, “Rockin’ Fights” is back at The Paramount in Huntington Long Island on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

Star Boxing is proud to present the 45th “Rockin’ Fights” professional boxing card at The Paramount. The Paramount has become a second home to Star Boxing, developing the likes of world champions Chris Algieri and Joe Smith Jr., along with other top prospects and talent that have graced the squared circle in Huntington, Long Island. Star Boxing is pleased to continue the tradition of action-packed fights on Long Island and is looking forward to another thrilling show on October 28th.

Tickets for “Rockin’ Fights” 45 will be available via presale and public on sale at the following times:

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Interim IBF Welterweight Title – 12 Rounds

Jaron Ennis – 145 ½ lbs.

Roiman Villa – 146 ½ lbs.

Referee: David Fields; Judges: Lynne Carter (Pa.), Mark Consentino (N.J.), John McKaie (N.Y.)

Middleweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Yoelvis Gómez – 159 lbs.

Marquis Taylor – 158 lbs.

Referee: Harvey Dock; Judges: Ronald McNair (N.Y.), Robin Taylor (N.Y.), Paul Wallace (Md.)

Lightweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Edwin De Los Santos – 133 lbs.

Joseph Adorno – 135 lbs.

Referee: Charles Fitch; Judges: Ronald McNair (N.Y.), Robin Taylor (N.Y.), Paul Wallace (Md.)

SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN

Stream Live at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT

on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing^® Facebook Page

Middleweight Bout – Eight Rounds

Euri Cedeno – 159 lbs.

William Townsel – 157 ½ lbs.

Referee: Eric Dali; Judges: Ronald McNair (N.Y.), Robin Taylor (N.Y.), Paul Wallace (Md.)

Heavyweight Bout – Six Rounds

Steven Torres – 239 lbs.

James Evans – 225 ½ lbs.

Referee: Eric Dali; Judges: Ronald McNair (N.Y.), Robin Taylor (N.Y.), Paul Wallace (Md.)

Super Welterweight Bout – Four Rounds

Dwyke Flemmings Jr. – 156 ½ lbs.

Henry Rivera – 156 ½ lbs.

Referee: Charles Fitch; Judges: Ronald McNair (N.Y.), Robin Taylor (N.Y.), Paul Wallace (Md.)

Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle the blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers round out the telecast team – Emmy^®-winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr., and boxing historian Steve Farhood, who will serve as unofficial scorer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy Award winner David Dinkins, Jr. and the director is Bob Dunphy. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) with former world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation^® commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving alongside him as the expert analyst. 

The SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN show is hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, who also serves as an analyst alongside Marquez on SHOBOX^®, as well as by Stephen Jackson, the former NBA champion and co-host of the popular show ALL THE SMOKE^®.

# # #

ABOUT ENNIS VS. VILLA

Ennis vs. Villa will see undefeated rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis defend his Interim IBF Welterweight Title against all-action contender Roiman Villa headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, July 8 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT and will also feature rising Cuban sensation Yoelvis Gómez taking on middleweight contender Marquis Taylor in the 10-round co-main event, plus hard-hitting lightweight knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos faces former amateur superstar Joseph Adorno in the explosive 10-round telecast opener.

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

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (July 7, 2023) – The undercard is set for the July 15 Golden Boy Fight Night: Mexico Edition show featuring No. 3 WBC-ranked Alan “Rey David” Picasso (24-0-1, 13 KOs) fighting against Sabelo Ngebinyana (15-6-1, 11 KOs) of Cape Town, South Africa. The 10-round fight is now for the WBC Silver Super Bantamweight Title and will be an eliminator for a world championship. Presented in association with Zanfer Boxing, the event will take place at Restaurante Arroyo, and broadcast on Azteca TV in Mexico and worldwide on DAZN.

In the co-main event, Monterrey, Mexico’s Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza (20-0, 17 KOs) will fight in a 10-round featherweight match against Ally “Gent Mawe” Mwerangi (12-6, 8 KOs) of Morogoro, Tanzania. Espinoza was last seen on March 25 with an impressive third-round knockout over Rafael Rosas Ramirez.

Also representing Monterrey, Aaron Silva (12-0, 9 KOs) will attempt to keep up his knockout streak in an eight-round super middleweight fight against Hassam “La Sombra” Valenzuela (20-4-2, 16 KOs) of Hermosillo, Mexico. Silva was last seen dazzling the crowd with a fourth-round knockout against Jaime Hernandez last March 2023.

In a six-round super bantamweight fight, Gregory “Goyo” Morales (14-1, 8 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas will face Mexico City’s Rodolfo Montoya (30-13-1, 28 KOs). Morales was last seen scoring a unanimous decision win against warrior Diuhl Olguin last December 2022.

Opening the fight card and returning to the ring after a successful debut performance this past May 2023, Santa Ana’s Johnny “Sugarcane” Cañas (1-0) will fight Hugo Vega (1-3-1) of Mexico City. The two will participate in a four-round super lightweight fight.

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Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZN is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event will be available worldwide to all subscribers on DAZN, both live and on demand.

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 #GBFightNight

ORANGE, CA (July 7, 2023) – After an illustrious and groundbreaking journey spanning over two decades, Thompson Boxing Promotions, founded by the late Ken Thompson, has made the difficult decision to conclude its operations. Thompson Boxing will be holding its final “Path to Glory” show on Friday, July 21, 2023, marking the end of an era that has left an indelible mark on the sport.

Louie Lopez (13-2-1, 4 KOs) will headline in a welterweight 8-round main event against an opponent TBA. George Acosta (15-1, 2 KOs) will fight an opponent TBA in an 8-round super featherweight co-feature. 

Thompson Boxing Promotions, renowned for its commitment to promoting world-class boxing events, has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of California’s boxing scene. Throughout their remarkable journey, Thompson Boxing has showcased countless talents, supported aspiring fighters, and provided memorable moments for fans from all walks of life.

Under the visionary leadership of the late Ken Thompson and the guidance of General Manager and matchmaker Alex Camponovo, Thompson Boxing Promotions has consistently delivered high-quality events, placing a strong emphasis on integrity, respect, and fairness. From the unforgettable nights at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, and the action-packed evenings at the Omega Products International Event Center in Corona, California, Thompson Boxing Promotions has left an extraordinary legacy that will forever be cherished.

Alex Camponovo expressed his gratitude to the fans and fighters who have been part of this incredible journey. “We are deeply grateful to our loyal fans, who have been the driving force behind Thompson Boxing’s success over the years. Their unwavering support and passion for the sport have been truly inspiring. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the fighters we have had the privilege to represent. It has been an honor to work with such exceptional talent for the past 23 years, and we take pride in the role we played in their careers.”

Throughout its existence, Thompson Boxing Promotions has built a reputation as a promoter dedicated to the development of young fighters, providing them with a platform to showcase their skills and pursue their dreams. The organization’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the sport has been commendable, as it consistently embraced fighters from various backgrounds and nurtured their potential.

As the curtain closes on Thompson Boxing Promotions, the boxing community acknowledges the incredible impact the organization has had on the sport. The legacy of Ken Thompson will continue to inspire future generations of promoters, fighters, and fans.

“Path to Glory” will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA on Friday, July 21, 2023. Doors open at 6:45 pm PT with the first fight starting at 8:00 pm PT. Tickets priced $50, $75, $100, and $125, are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900 or online at www.thompsonboxing.com. 

Fight fans will be able to watch all Thompson Boxing fights, weigh-ins, and behind-the-scenes content, via their new Mobile App downloadable on Apple and Google.

Diego Pacheco has told promoter Eddie Hearn that he’ll show he’s ready to face his fellow contenders at Super-Middleweight as he defends his WBO International and USWBC Super-Middleweight titles against Manuel Gallegos at Cintermex in Monterrey, Mexico tonight, live worldwide on DAZN.

Pacheco (18-0 15 KOs) is knocking on the door of the big names in the division and if he shines against tonight in his second consecutive headline bout against Mexican Gallegos (19-1-1 16 KOs) and is looking to keep his seemingly unstoppable momentum going with another great performance tonight.

The 22 year old was elevated to headline status in his last outing in Liverpool, England and took that spotlight chance by the scruff of the neck when he destroyed Jack Cullen in March with a destructive fourth round KO, and should he be victorious tonight, Pacheco could headline for a third time in a third different country, but this time on his home patch in Los Angeles.

Pacheco will arrive earlier to the arena than most headliners would do tonight, but that’s so he can be ringside when his younger Heavyweight brother Federico fights for the fourth time in the paid ranks to kick-off the card live on DAZN. Diego and Federico train alongside each other with David Benavidez Sr in Seattle, with one of the very best in the Super-Middleweight division, David Benavidez, there for Pacheco to learn from.

Benavidez is one of many top contenders lining up to take on Super-Middleweight king Canelo Alvarez, along with one of Pacheco’s Matchroom stablemates, Edgar Berlanga. The Puerto Rican star made his Matchroom debut at the end of June against Jason Quigley at a sold-out Theater at Madison Square Garden, and punctuated a wide points win by putting the Irishman down twice in the final round.

Pacheco believes he is already above Berlanga’s level and would love the chance to prove that but is focused on the job at hand; namely, putting on another great display in another step-up night.

“It means a lot to headline here,” said Pacheco. “I boxed here a couple of times as an amateur and had good wins, so to be back here to defend my titles it’s a big blessing. I’m very focused, I’m 22, I’m getting older and wiser and I’m super happy with the way everything is going with my career. I have my feet on the ground and I’m ready for whatever comes tonight.

“I knew one day I would come back to Mexico and headline. I didn’t know that it would be Monterrey and I didn’t expect my brother to be on the card with me. But everything happens for a reason, we’re on the right track and we’ve been training super hard. My brother and I dreamt about moments like this and we’re just happy that it’s all falling into place. 

“I know Gallegos is a good fighter, he’s an experienced, tough Mexican fighter. He’s durable, never been stopped, never been put down, so I am excited to be stepping up against guys like this. I’ve been showcasing my skills and power against a lot of opponents, but to do it against a guy like him will be fun and hopefully everyone recognizes that he’s a good opponent once I look good against him. I’ll box this guy, use my skills against him and get him frustrated, and then once I find those openings, I’ll hit him with my hardest shots and I think he won’t be able to take them. I’m not predicting any rounds, but I think I will get him out of there.

“Federico and I are always pushing each other in camp and we both know that it’s important that we show out and look good. That’s what we have been preparing for and it’s time to shine tonight.

“It’s great to be around great fighters, not just David but his brother, and a lot of other great fighters in the gym. We all learn from each other, and Benavidez Sr really works all of us hard every day, and I’m grateful for all the tips and support from David and the rest of the guys in there.

“It’s not just sparring with David that improves me, every single day just being in there with him and the rest of the team I am getting better. He’s always watching and looking to help us improve, and it means a lot that he watches the rest of us after he’s trained and is willing to help us get better.

“I got to headline the night out of nowhere, we found out about a week before the fight. I was excited, it didn’t change anything, I still went in there to look good and dominate, do my thing. It motivated me with all eyes on me and that’s the same tonight.

“Jason looked good for a lot of the fight. It was a good fight; it went the way I thought it would do. Edgar is a good fighter, but I think that I am levels ahead of him, I’ll show that tonight and in the big nights to come. I welcome any fighter in the top of the 168lb division to fight me, I want to come out as the best. I am only 22 so I have time on my side to fight all these names, so I tell Eddie Hearn – line them up however you want, I’ll be ready.”

Live worldwide on DAZN from 6pm CST

4 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest

Federico Pacheco Jr. (254lbs) vs.   Oscar Heredia (252lbs) 
Los Angeles, California                      Monterrey, Mexico

Followed by

8 x 3 mins Flyweight contest

Neider Valdez (108lbs)         vs.     Isaias Ortiz (109lbs)
Monterrey, Mexico                           Mexico City, Mexico

Followed by

10 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest 

Jonathan Rodriguez (115lbs) vs.    Israel Gonzalez (115lbs)
San Luis Potosi, Mexico                     Los Cabos, Mexico

Followed by

10 x 3 mins Lightweight contest

Eduardo Hernandez (137lbs)         vs.     Hector Garcia (137lbs)
Mexico City, Mexico                                    Tijuana, Mexico

Followed by

10 x 3 mins WBO International and USWBC Super-Middleweight titles

Diego Pacheco (168lbs)        vs.     Manuel Gallegos (168lbs)
Los Angeles, California                     Los Mochis, Mexico

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – July 7, 2023 – Unbeaten prospects will square off in a trio of matchups highlighting the SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN live streaming presentation this Saturday, July 8 from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Action live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT and is topped by 2020 Dominican Olympian Euri Cedeño taking on fellow unbeaten William Townsel in an eight-round middleweight affair. The lineup will also see a rematch of unbeaten heavyweights as Steven Torres and James Evans look to settle the score after their January 2022 split-draw and super welterweights Dwyke Flemmings Jr. and Henry Rivera compete in a four-round battle.

The live stream is hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell, as well as by Stephen Jackson, the former NBA champion and co-host of the popular show ALL THE SMOKE^®, who will all be ringside for the three bouts.

These fights precede a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® tripleheader headlined by undefeated rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis defending his Interim IBF Welterweight Title against all-action contender Roiman Villa in a telecast that starts at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com. The Ennis vs. Villa fight is promoted in association with D&D Boxing and Sampson Boxing.

The 23-year-old Cedeño (4-0, 4 KOs) will make his U.S. debut on July 8, having stopped all four of his opponents since turning pro in October 2022. Representing La Romana, Dominican Republic, Cedeño comes from a boxing family as both his younger brother and sister box, with the 2020 Olympian Euri leading the way in the pro ranks. He will be opposed by the 28-year-old Townsel (5-0, 4 KOs), who enters this bout having scored two knockouts so far in 2023. Originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Townsel now resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Fighting out of Reading, Pennsylvania, Torres (5-0-1, 5 KOs) burst onto the pro scene in December 2019 and went on to stop his first five opponents in two rounds or less. The 25-year-old first went toe-to-toe with Evans (6-0-1, 6 KOs) on New Year’s Day 2022, as the two supersized heavyweights fought to a split draw. A 30-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, Evans has added stoppage wins over Geovany Bruzon and Marcus Maulding since their 2022 clash.

The 19-year-old Flemmings (3-0, 3 KOs) turned pro in December 2021 and has earned three-straight stoppages heading into Saturday night. A native of Paterson, New Jersey, Flemmings most recently stopped Assuan Jones Chatman in the first round of their September 2022 matchup. He will be opposed by the 33-year-old Rivera (2-0, 1 KO), who fights out of Las Vegas and is originally from Oakland, California. Rivera’s last outing saw him earn a TKO over Tyre Rivera in April 2023.

The non-televised lineup will see super lightweight prospect Ismail Muhammad (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round clash against Texas’ Parker Bruno (0-1).

#         #         #

ABOUT ENNIS VS. VILLA

Ennis vs. Villa will see undefeated rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis defend his Interim IBF Welterweight Title against all-action contender Roiman Villa headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, July 8 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.. 

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT and will also feature rising Cuban sensation Yoelvis Gómez taking on middleweight contender Marquis Taylor in the 10-round co-main event, plus hard-hitting lightweight knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos faces former amateur superstar Joseph Adorno in the explosive 10-round telecast opener.

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

4 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest
 
Federico Pacheco Jr. (254lbs) vs.   Oscar Heredia (252lbs) 
Los Angeles, California                      Monterrey, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
8 x 3 mins Flyweight contest
 
Neider Valdez (108lbs)         vs.     Isaias Ortiz (109lbs)
Monterrey, Mexico                           Mexico City, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest 
 
Jonathan Rodriguez (115lbs) vs.    Israel Gonzalez (115lbs)
San Luis Potosi, Mexico                     Los Cabos, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins Lightweight contest
 
Eduardo Hernandez (137lbs)         vs.     Hector Garcia (137lbs)
Mexico City, Mexico                                    Tijuana, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins WBO International and USWBC Super-Middleweight titles
 
Diego Pacheco (168lbs)        vs.     Manuel Gallegos (168lbs)
Los Angeles, California                     Los Mochis, Mexico

SAN ANTONIO, TX (July 6, 2023): Today, Golden Boy Promotions hosted a press conference at the Tobin Center and announced the new main event for Saturday, July 8 featuring Golden Boy’s hot prospect Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (14-0, 11 KOs) who will headline in his home state of Texas. Presented in association with Davies Entertainment, Schofield will face Haskell “Hackman” Rhodes (28-4-1, 13 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada in a 10-round lightweight fight and defend his WBA International Title. The new main event replaces the original clash between undefeated knockout sensation Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (19-0, 19 KOs) of Grand Prairie, Texas and World Champion Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) of Kaunas, Lithuania for Stanionis’ WBA Regular Welterweight Title. The DAZN broadcast will begin at 7:00 p.m. CT/ 5:00 p.m. PT.

In the chief supporting role, Joseph “JoJo” Diaz (32-4-1, 15 KOs) will participate in a 10-round lightweight fight against Harbor City, California’s Jerry Perez (14-2-1, 11 KOs). In a spectacular unification bout, the WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine World Champion Marlen Esparza (13-1, 1 KOs) of Houston, Texas will face WBO World Champion of Buenos Aires, Argentina Gabriela Alaniz (14-0, 6 KOs) in a 10-round flyweight fight. Opening the broadcast with an eight-round super welterweight fight, Romanian-American prospect Eric Tudor (8-0, 6 KOs) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida will square off against Reggie Harris, Jr. (7-3, 3 KOs) of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Featured in the prelims, Tristan Kalkreuth (10-1, 7 KOs) of Duncanville, Texas will fight Joe Jones (13-8,10 KOs) of Jersey City, New Jersey in a six-round cruiserweight match. Opening fight night with six-rounds of light heavyweight action, Houston’s Darius “DFG” Fulghum (5-0, 5 KOs) will fight Jeremiah Curtright (2-1, 2 KOs) of Saint Charles, Missouri.

Here is what the fighters had to say:

FLOYD “KID AUSTIN” SCHOFIELD, WBA INTERNATIONAL LIGHTWEIGHT TITLEHOLDER:

“It’s a blessing to be the main event, everybody is coming up to me now ‘oh, now you’re the main event’ so you know, I gotta do what I got to do. Hearing that, I know I have to make a statement. I was training just as hard as if I was the main event from the beginning, so Saturday night I am going to make a statement.

“It’s super exciting to be fighting in San Antonio because it’s like now, all my fans don’t have an excuse, they can come to this fight. So I’d like to see everyone who said they were coming. I have a big fan base in Austin and in San Antonio, and to combine them for the fight is going to be massive support and love, the energy is going to be amazing.

“I just want to give a big thanks to Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy, Bernard Hopkins, my dad, my team, Chris, Cameron Davies, and all the fans. Thank you for not canceling this fight and my best wishes to Virgil Ortiz. Make sure you tune in on Saturday. It’s gonna be a good show.”

HASKELL “HACKMAN” RHODES, LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHTER:

“Just like Schofield, we’ve been training just like we’re the main event to compete against the whole card to steal the show. But I do want to say thanks to Golden Boy and everyone for keeping the show going and also to Floyd for taking the fight with me to put me in this position.

“I know he’s super talented, but I’ve seen a lot like him, and I’m used to styles like his, so I bring the experience and I’m ready. I know I have learned some lessons that have helped me straighten out my life because there are some fights I shouldn’t have lost. So this fight is going to get a fire from me that he’s not expecting. The fighter you have seen in the ring before is not the same, I am a whole different person.”

MARLEN ESPARZA, WBA, WBC, AND RING MAGAZINE WORLD CHAMPION:

“I’m really excited to be here. First of all, I want to thank God and I want to thank Golden Boy for making sure that the show goes on. I hope Vergil has a quick and healthy recovery. But I’m excited to get back in the ring. I’ve defended my belts before and I’m really looking forward to getting this WBO belt. My goal is to become undisputed and this is what I need to do to get there. I understand I’m also facing a world champion. So, we’re taking this very seriously. Me and my coach, my manager James Cooper, we’ve worked really hard on making sure that we have everything done correctly. And I’m just waiting and ready to get the job done.

“I feel like it’s like any other challenge that I faced in boxing. It’s always on to the next, to the next and trying to show that I am one of the best female boxers in boxing. I’ve done everything there is to do and the WBO belt is just what’s next. I take everything extremely seriously. Boxing has been my life. And it’s everything I focus on and this is a life goal. And I’m not going to leave the ring without it.”

GABRIELA ALANIZ, WBO WORLD CHAMPION:

“I’m really happy to be here and I am ready to show everyone the kind of fighter I am. I am very excited to be able to defend my world title and be able to fight for two more world titles.

“Making history as a female boxer in Argentina is a big motivator for me. I know that I’m in a foreign land, and I’m here as a visitor, but in the ring, I feel like I’m a local, because I am where I love to be. I love to be in the ring fighting.”

JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ, FORMER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION:

“It’s a tragic situation, what’s going on with Virgil Ortiz and in his career, my condolences to him and his family. I’m gonna be praying for you brother and I wish you a quick recovery so you can come back to the ring and give the fans what they want to see and see you back in the ring.

“Also want to thank Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions, for saving the show and saving this card. All of us fighters on the undercard have been working day in and day out to showcase our skills and showcase our abilities and show what we can do inside their ring. So for them to save the show for us means a lot to us.

“I’ve been training very, very hard. My career has had a lot of ups and downs, but I’ve been very focused and I feel very, very determined. I cut a lot of things out of my life that weren’t beneficial and right now I’m at my A-game. I’m really going to put on a great show, especially now that I’m the co-main event. I’m really going to whack some ass now.”

ERIC TUDOR, SUPER WELTERWEIGHT PROSPECT:
“I’m very excited to be a part of another great card. I want to thank God and Golden Boy for the opportunity. I want to thank my team for getting me ready. And, you know, I’m just very excited and looking forward to putting on another great fight Saturday, so make sure you tune in early.”

DARIUS FULGHUM, LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT PROSPECT:

“This is a huge opportunity to be on this card. Bernard gave a great speech; I was listening to it and it really inspired me and motivated me. We got to pivot. We make dozens of decisions in the ring and in life all the time. And so when a moment comes, we’ve got to seize it. So that’s what I’m here to do, to steal the show. And I hope everybody watching tunes in. We’re gonna put on a great show with everybody on this card.”

TRISTAN KALKREUTH, CRUISERWEIGHT PROSPECT:

“I just want to thank you all, all the fans and my team, my coaches. I’m just very humbled and grateful to be here and just following up on what Bernard said, as a fighter we have a simple job. It is to prepare, train, and fight. I just hope everybody tunes in to this fight. All Glory to God.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS:

“The health of the fighter is the most important. We are all in Vergil’s corner, wishing him the very best possible recovery and will wait for him with open arms and ready for when he wishes to come back to the ring. Vergil, with the help of his dad, has the potential to be a world champion.

“Thank you to DAZN and all our partners for helping us make sure the show goes on. This has opened up the opportunity for Golden Boy’s top prospect, Floyd Schofield, to accelerate his profile by headlining in his home state of Texas. Floyd will face Haskell Rhodes in a 10-round fight for the WBA International title.”

BERNARD HOPKINS, HALL OF FAMER AND GOLDEN BOY PARTNER:

“We lost the main event, of course we’re not happy about it, you’re not happy about it, but his health is most important. But also what’s important is that the fighters to my right and to my left see that adjustments have to be made. It’s no different than life, no different than in the ring, things happen that you can’t control.

“So the fighters here, the future champions, are watching. They might not say anything to us, but they are watching to see how we react as promoters. See how we pivot, to how we adjust, just like in the ring. Sometimes you gotta make those adjustments, the adjustments that need to be made on the promoter-side to save the show.

“And so again, this is an opportunity for those who were waiting to be showcased, for those who want to be the main event to get the chance to be the star of the night, of the show. So this is an opportunity for everybody that’s up on stage, that’s going to fight, to learn as a lesson that first, health is more important. Your safety is more important.”

#

Schofield vs. Rhodes is a 10-round fight for the WBA International Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Davies Entertainment. The event is sponsored by BetOnline, “Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Saturday, July 8 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas and will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN.

Fans can purchase tickets at a discounted price for $150, $75, $37.50, $35, and $25 not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at ticketmaster.com or by using the Ticketmaster App on your mobile device. More information on ticket refunds will be shared as soon as possible.

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 #StanionisOrtiz

About the AT&T Center
The premier entertainment venue in South Texas, the AT&T Center is the home of the San Antonio Spurs (NBA) and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The Bexar County-owned arena has also hosted hundreds of concerts and special events since opening in 2002 and underwent a $110+ million renovation in 2015 to enhance the fan experience at all levels. For more information go to ATTCenter.com.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – July 6, 2023 – Undefeated rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis and all-action contender Roiman Villa went face-to-face at Thursday’s final press conference before they fight for Ennis’ Interim IBF Welterweight Title this Saturday, July 8 headlining action live on SHOWTIME in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

The press conference also featured rising Cuban sensation Yoelvis Gómez and middleweight contender Marquis Taylor, who meet in the 10-round co-main event, plus hard-hitting lightweight knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos and former amateur superstar Joseph Adorno, who duel in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast opener at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com. The Ennis vs. Villa fight is promoted in association with D&D Boxing and Sampson Boxing.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

JARON ENNIS

“I’m ready and excited to get in there. I can’t wait. He comes forward and that’s what I like. I’m gonna show him my skills and everything I can do. We’re gonna show him why I’m one of the best fighters in the world.

“We’re going to have fun and do what I always do. We’ll be smart and let him come to us. I can’t go looking for the knockout, that’s when you don’t get it. We’re gonna put on a beautiful show for the fans and give them some fireworks.

“A victory over Villa keeps me going toward my goal. A lot of people say that he’s a power-puncher, but we’ll see on Saturday night. I’m coming to make a big statement and get a stoppage.

“I’m ready for anybody. But right now, we have business to take care of. I’m focused on Roiman Villa and then we’ll worry about what’s next.  

“Going the distance in my last fight didn’t put any pressure on me leading up to this one. Everyone fell for the trap. I wanted guys to want to fight me. I had been scaring everyone off.

“Villa is gonna be right there in front of me not moving his head. He’s a good fighter, but he’s throwing wild hooks. He’s gonna have a long night.

“It’s the ‘Boots’ Ennis show now. I’m gonna go out there and have fun. I’m gonna set up the knockout and be sharp and box beautifully.”

ROIMAN VILLA

“When you get an opportunity to fight a world class fighter like Ennis, you have to take that chance. It’s my duty to go after the toughest challenges and take advantage of opportunities like this. I’m not afraid of anybody.

“You may think the winner of this fight will be the most prepared or the one with the best technique, but I believe that it’s already decided. I put my faith in that and that’s why I’m so confident. I’m here for a reason and I’m gonna come out on top Saturday.

“I’ve had five months of preparation for this fight. Regardless of all of that, my faith is all I need. I’ve got power, but with my faith in the right place, everything will go the way we’ve planned.

“I’m not worried about a prediction. We can say whatever we want up here. I just have to do my talking in the ring on Saturday night.

“When I fought Rashidi Ellis, I was over the moon with the result and now I’m here for another challenge. If I win on Saturday, I’m ready for everybody. It doesn’t matter who comes next.

“I’m not about to say anything as far as a prediction. Because I’m gonna stay humble and take care of what I can on Saturday.”

YOELVIS GOMEZ

“I’m ready for this fight. Saturday night he will see that he’s never been in the ring with a lion like me.

“He has some impressive wins, but no one he’s faced is going to compare to me. His streak is over on Saturday night.

“I’m ready for whatever happens next. My only focus is on getting that victory on Saturday night and doing it in style.

“On Saturday night he’s going to have to prove everything that he’s saying. All that matters is what happens when we get in that ring.”

MARQUIS TAYLOR

“He did what he was supposed to do with everyone they put in there with him. That’s get them out of there. None of those guys on his resume compare with me at all.

“Look at my resume. He won’t even be my toughest fight. I’ve fought Kermit Cintron and in one year I beat three undefeated fighters. That’s what I do. I go in there and surprise people. By the time he’s in there with me, it’s too late for him.

“I know on Saturday I have to back up the talking. I show up every fight and I’ve been doing it for years now. I’m just happy and blessed there haven’t been any injuries in training camp and I’m feeling great. He’s gonna find out on Saturday.

“I’ve been begging for a fight like this for years. They say no one wants to fight me. So I’m happy to be here and Saturday I’m going to back it all up.

“Experience is going to be the difference. I’ve dealt with a lot of adversity. I’ve gone through everything in the ring that you can think of. After this, I want the title shot.”

EDWIN DE LOS SANTOS

“We’re gonna give the fans what they deserve on Saturday. I’m not worried about the knockout. I have to fight my fight, and I know that success will come from that.

This is going to be fireworks inside the ring. The fans are going to be the winner. They’re going to see a true fight between two really good fighters.

“Adorno is a quality fighter who deserves respect. But I’m strong and I feel great. I’m not worried about his credentials, I’m just worried about giving the fans a good fight.

“He’s talking the talk right now, but he’s gonna have to show it in the ring. Now this fight got really interesting.”

JOSEPH ADORNO

“This fight is very important for me. It’s do or die. I win or it’s gonna be tough for me. Only thing on my mind is getting the win.

“This weight is way better for me. Most guys won’t fight me at 135 pounds. It’s gonna be a problem for him. He’s gotta deal with my power.

“The fans are going to see a different me. I’m smarter now. He was talking smack in interviews but he’s all nice today. I’m gonna have to make him eat his words.

“I’m just so ready to get in the ring. I’m really not worried about anything he says, because I know that I have all the tools to get my hand raised.”

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ABOUT ENNIS VS. VILLA

Ennis vs. Villa will see undefeated rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis defend his Interim IBF Welterweight Title against all-action contender Roiman Villa headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, July 8 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.. 

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT and will also feature rising Cuban sensation Yoelvis Gómez taking on middleweight contender Marquis Taylor in the 10-round co-main event, plus hard-hitting lightweight knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos faces former amateur superstar Joseph Adorno in the explosive 10-round telecast opener.

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

DALLAS – July 6, 2023 – Today, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Real Fight Inc. (RFI) announced that two super middleweight powerhouses, Shadasia “The Sweet Terminator Green” (12-0, 11 KOs) and Olivia Curry (7-1, 2 KOs) will be joining the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz pay-per-view card live on August 5th. The 10-round matchup will be contested at 168 Ibs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. Green, the universally recognized number one contender, comes to the ring off her latest dominating victory, a 6th round TKO, over former unified world champion, Elin Cederroos, back in February. Curry, who boasts a decisive five-bout winning streak, will put her power and skill to the test as she steps in against the powerful Green. Rounding out the card will be Real Fight, Inc.’s  Alan Sanchez (22-5-1, 10 KOs) vs. Angel Beltran Villa (17-1, 10 KOs) as they go head-to-head in an 8-round welterweight bout. 

The Paul vs. Diaz pay-per-view is presented by Celsius Essential Energy drinks and will be distributed globally by DAZN PPV. In the US and Canada in addition to DAZN PPV, Paul vs. Diaz will be available on all major cable and satellite pay-per-view providers. All tickets can be purchased at https://www.ticketmaster.com/mvp-jake-paul-v-nate-diaz-dallas-texas-08-05-2023/event/0C005EA581B12549

Green, the former Team USA star who boasts an impressive 12-0 record with 11 KO’s and the record for fastest KO in a women’s fight, joined MVP after a trailblazing few years in the sport. She is currently the mandatory challenger for Undisputed champion Savannah Marshall’s newly earned WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF belts, which sets up a bout that would be the biggest women’s fight in UK history. As a former standout college basketball star, Green spent years as a starter for Old Dominion University (ODU) where she was impressively named Third Team All-CAA and ranked top 20 in the CAA in scoring. The Paterson, NJ native later broke out into the amateur boxing scene when she joined the U.S. National Team as a heavyweight after just five fights, earning a silver medal at the 2016 World Championships in Kazakhstan. In 2019, Green transitioned to professional boxing where she quickly gained notoriety as a top female contender, ranking #1 in the WBC and IBO, and #2 in the WBA, ultimately earning her the Paterson Laila Ali Award. 

“I’m at the top of my game right now,” said Shadasia Green. “I may be next in line for the super middleweight title, but right now, I’m strictly focused on knocking out Olivia Curry. The August 5^th card boasts an impressive lineup of fights and it’s an honor to share center stage with female boxing legends like Amanda Serrano and Heather Hardy. I can’t wait to show fans in Dallas and at home exactly why they call me ‘The Sweet Terminator.’”

Curry, the professional boxer out of Chicago, originally hailing from Cincinnati, OH, comes to the ring after winning her last five fights. The 33-year-old began her amateur fighting career in Muay Thai, winning the TBA Classic and fighting the best Class A competition in North America. As an amateur boxer, she won the Chicago Golden Gloves and went on to represent Chicago at the National Golden Gloves three times. Curry was nationally ranked as an elite female and competed at the 2018 USA National Tournament. As a pro, she is ranked in the top 5 middleweight contenders by major sanctioning bodies and The Ring Magazine. Outside the ring, Curry is a commercial filmmaker. She is managed by Trinidad Garcia and Rick Ramos.   

“I’m grateful to MVP and Real Fight, Inc. for the opportunity to fight Shadasia and introduce myself to the world with a bang,” said Olivia Curry. “I’m coming to Dallas to win. I want to show that women’s boxing at the higher, more dangerous weight classes is leveling up.”

RFI’s 32-year-old Alan Sanchez (22-5-1, 10 KOs), hails from Guadalajara, Mexico and has conducted his camp in Stockton, CA. He is the former WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Champion and is coming off consecutive victories that include wins over Saul Bustos (15-0-1) and Jose Miguel Borrego (18-2). Defined by the area’s toughness,  Sanchez is a 147 Ib standout who will take on Angel Beltran Villa who boasts an impressive record of 17-1 with 10 KOs. The 27-year-old from Mexicali, Mexico is currently training in Indio, CA and is entering this fight after an eight-fight winning streak, following his June knockout of Abraham Afful and unanimous decision upset win against Luis Lopez in March. He is managed by Francisco Garcia. 

“Shadasia Green vs. Olivia Curry promises to be an exciting fight from start to finish. I am excited for the world to see why Jake and I are such big believers in Shadasia,” said MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian. “For the first time, every member of our current MVP talent roster will be fighting on one card, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team we’ve built. Between the energy of the American Airlines Center, our incredible PPV production with DAZN, and the quality of the Paul vs. Diaz fighters- this night will be legendary.”

“These fights are the final pieces of a main card that showcases the best in boxing, Real Fight, Inc. and Most Valuable Promotions,” said RFI President, Zach Rosenfield. “We wanted to ensure that fans who attend this event and watch it all over the world through DAZN are treated to the best that boxing has to offer, and together we know that is what we are delivering”

Most Valuable Promotions, founded by Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, and Real Fight, Inc., founded by Diaz, are partnering to bring Paul vs. Diaz to global audiences. The strategic partnership will combine the star power and international reach of both fighters to promote the year’s biggest fight. The event is presented by Celsius Essential Energy drinks and will be distributed globally by DAZN PPV. In the US and Canada in addition to DAZN PPV, Paul vs. Diaz will be available on all major cable and satellite pay-per-view providers.

For more information, follow on Twitter via @MostVPromotions, @shaygreen35, and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @shadasia_green, @oliviarosecurry, @MostValuablePromotions, and @DAZNBoxing.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last four global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Fury match, which surpassed 800,000 Pay-per-view buys worldwide. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head-to-head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About Real Fight, Inc.

Founded by mixed martial arts legend Nate Diaz, in 2022, Real Fight Inc. promotes exactly what the name suggests — the fights people want to see, featuring the realest fighters from all over the world. Since his departure from the UFC, Diaz is extending his business empire with a true all-around combat experience that will focus on boxing, MMA, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The inaugural event under the Real Fight, Inc. banner is set to take place on August 5, 2023, when Diaz makes his long-awaited professional boxing debut against Jake Paul at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.  The card will also feature RFI fighters, Chris Avila, Alan Sanchez, Jose Aguayo and Luciano Ramos

About DAZN:

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US and the UK.? Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, La Liga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC.?

DAZN is the NFL’s global partner and, from the 2023 season, will be the only place for fans around the world to watch every NFL match through the NFL Game Pass International add-on subscription. DAZN is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with UEFA Women’s Champions League and Finetwork Liga F.? DAZN is adding more and more sport to its platform to create a destination for sports fans.?

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DAZN is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialize, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.?

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles, ensuring that fans have access to a ground-breaking rights catalog and slate of incredible content. In the UK and globally, DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and Apple TV and can find the app on their iPhone, iPad, and android mobile devices. DAZN is available as an Amazon Channel on Amazon Prime TV and can be viewed on Channel 429 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.  

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?www.dazngroup.com.??

About American Airlines Center:

Designed by architectural wizard David M. Schwarz and Dallas based HKS, Inc., American Airlines Center is considered one of the nation’s top arenas. Since opening its doors in 2001, the Center has been setting the precedent for sporting and live entertainment events. Bringing in a wide variety of big name shows as well as being home of both the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars, American Airlines Center consistently displays its unique versatility. Billboard Magazine named American Airlines Center the 6th busiest arena in the world in 2022.

LAS VEGAS – July 6, 2023 – As fight week nears for the long-anticipated Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford SHOWTIME PPV clash, former champions and common Spence and Crawford opponents Shawn Porter and Kell Brook, plus top trainers Virgil Hunter and Stephen “Breadman” Edwards, previewed the matchup during a virtual media roundtable before Spence and Crawford meet on Saturday, July 29 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions, TBC Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.

Porter dropped a 2019 Fight of the Year to Spence, before losing the final fight of his career to Crawford in November 2021. Brook faced Spence in May 2017 as Spence traveled to the U.K. to capture his first career world title, while Brook came stateside to face Crawford in November 2020, losing by fourth-round TKO.

Here is what Porter, Brook, Hunter and Edwards had to say on Thursday:

SHAWN PORTER, Former Two-Time Welterweight Champion

“I’m excited. I was at church last night and they were talking about this fight. This is the biggest fight and I’m excited about it.

“The one narrative is Terence Crawford can do more things in the ring. He has more tools in his toolbox. Errol Spence is the most fundamentally sound boxer in the world. We have never been able to see him pull out everything that he has. Terence has been in the ring with guys who have done different things. From an X’s and O’s standpoint, it’s all a matter of, ‘What are you going to do this round?’ Both fighters have the ability to make adjustments, be aggressive, fight off the back foot, and counterpunch. This is an outstanding fight because they both have an A+ in every box. We are going to see three different strategies from each fighter, maybe even four or five different game plans. Both of these guys have to have both in order to win the fight.

“The calculated pressure from Errol has to be something that he sustains for the entire fight. He needs to continue putting on the pressure and body punching. If you’re Terence Crawford, you have to get to Errol’s body and make him uncomfortable. Errol has a really tight defense and keeps his hands at home. If he’s not punching, his hands are up. With a guy like that, you have to find openings. Those openings are usually there when that punch is being released. Punch when he’s punching. Be accurate and be that sharpshooter. We’re not saying anything that either of these fighters can’t do. That is why this is such a great fight. It’s hard to find the timing, it’s hard to find the distance. It’s hard to be confident and do it. It’s going to be a great fight.

“If Terence is able to be comfortable and manage his energy, we have to start talking about him in the same breath as Manny Pacquiao, Andre Ward, and Floyd Mayweather. With this fight, you can’t measure another fighter’s energy or mentality through the fight. Terence never got uncomfortable in his fight against me. He never showed me that there was anything unsettled within his heart or mind. I pride myself on making fighters uncomfortable. Never once did I see Terence uncomfortable. I didn’t apply the kind of pressure that Errol is going to apply. That may have been the reason why I didn’t see Terence uncomfortable.

“I don’t have a pick. I don’t know who is going to win this fight. This is what boxing truly is. Both guys have basically everything needed to win, from power to speed. I truly don’t think anyone can look at this fight and say, ‘That guy is going to win,’ because there are so many outcomes and possibilities. One thing we know that’s not going to happen is that there won‘t be any foul play, any low blows. There is not going to be any head butts that would end this fight prematurely. The fans win. Boxing purists especially win.”

KELL BROOK, Former Welterweight World Champion

“I’m very excited for this fight and everyone is talking about this fight. It’s a massive fight and for No. 1. I actually put both these guys up as pound-for-pound in all the divisions. and they’re going to go after it.

“Errol Spence is a very big welterweight, a natural southpaw. He’s big and strong and goes to the body good. His IQ is very high in the ring.

“Terence Crawford can box. He’s a sharpshooter with his punches and a very good finisher. He’s going to need every game plan in this fight. This is a real test.

“I put up guys like Errol, Crawford, Shawn Porter and Golovkin who I’ve been in there with who just have that aura around them. They have that X-factor. It’s the small margins that will decide this fight. It will come down to who has prepared the best. This is the real test for No. 1 in the division and we’re going to get some toe-to-toe action.

“I think Errol brings calculated pressure and will go to the body. He will be the bigger guy in the fight. Crawford has to be sharp and use the entire ring and pick his shots at the right time and make Spence work when he doesn’t want to work. He has to be very clever and get the rounds and break him down over the fight.

“I think inactivity can be an issue and it’s mental for Errol, who might question his inactivity. Time will tell.

“I think Terence is a very sharp and snapping puncher and Errol has a more grinding and thumping kind of power. That’s the difference I see in the two. We’re talking about two star fighters and it’s going to come down to a very small margin and they’re going to have to bring every part of their game to get a victory.”

VIRGIL HUNTER, Former Trainer for Andre Ward, Andre Berto, Amir Khan and More

“The fight can’t come soon enough. I’m excited, especially to get both men at their peak. Both men seem hungry and ready to go. I expect an epic night.

“Errol has a grind-it-out, that go-get-you mentality. It doesn’t make sense to go against what works. In this fight, it’s not what I’m going to do to you. The fighter that wins will be the one who’s not going to let the other fighter do what he wants to do.

“I had the fortune to spend one day in the gym with Terence. His physical strength is underrated. The way he is genetically built, the way he has stayed in the gym for his entire career and has never gotten out of condition, brings a snap to his punch. He has a real buggy whip snap to his punches. You can feel a snap. He was a wrestler early on, and I’ve watched him tussle with big guys and get them down to the ground. He is built from the feet up with his physical strength. He can generate a lot of power.

“I like Errol and the way he fights. At some point that grind out style will slow up as you age. You have to grind every single day. Errol has admitted that he has had a lifestyle that wasn’t always good. That does damage to the internal organs that is irreversible. Errol’s determination and drive are A-plus. Who can stop the other guy from doing what he wants to do is going to be a factor in this fight.

“If either fighter is down in the fight, he has the ability to come back, even the fight, and take the lead. The first four rounds are going to determine how the rest of the fight is going to go. Both men understand that they have to get the respect of the other fighter real quick. The key for Terence is to stop Errol from what he wants to do and hurt him. The key for Errol is to keep grinding. He is going to have his momentum accelerated and make it very difficult for Terence.

“If I was able to spend three weeks in Errol’s and Crawford’s camps and watch the training, watch the strategies, and watch what they both do after training, how they recuperate, how they reinvigorate themselves, that would allow me to have a more accurate pick in this fight. I will be more settled on a pick during the week of the fight. I’ll be watching the mentalities and attitudes of the fighters, particularly on their skills. The Las Vegas heat and the rehydration process are going to be factors. I would have to be subjected to each fighter’s mental makeup over a period of time to see the concentration and mental fortitude to be able to make a pick. I’m just going to enjoy the fight. This is a great fight for boxing.”

STEPHEN “BREADMAN” EDWARDS, Trainer for Julian Williams, Caleb Plant and More

“Crawford doesn’t have a lot of holes in his armor. One thing I was able to see in his fight with Shawn and Kell is that, for some reason, Terence is a little bit of a slow starter. They were able to get a lot done in the early rounds. So, I would really be conscious of that. [Terence] is one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen. The one thing about him is if you can get to him early before he adjusts.

“With Errol, he’s a snowball fighter who, once he gets his rhythm, comes forward and can walk you down behind that southpaw jab. One thing I would be worried about in this fight is letting Errol get his rhythm and establish that hard southpaw jab. That’s the first thing I would address if I was in Terence’s corner.

“The other thing would be counter attacking Errol’s body punching. Errol hits you to the body all night long and kind of wears you out. Besides Shawn, I’ve never seen someone go to Errol’s body all night long. I notice the small things and I’ve noticed Terence wears his trunks kind of high. I’ll be curious to see how he can overcome Errol’s grinding body shots.

“Terence is the puncher in this fight. Not that he punches harder than Errol, but he can hit you with shots that Errol doesn’t hit guys with. Errol kind of beats you down with his power, while Terence hits you on the money with shots you don’t even see. I would have Terence punch with him. Terence is really gifted where he can keep his eye on the target, punch with guys, and land clean shots. I don’t think he’s the hardest puncher I’ve ever seen as far as one-punch knockouts, but he has that ability to hit you while you’re punching with shots you don’t see. He doesn’t have to load up on it. It’s like a fast-snapping shot.

“Errol boxes going forward. When a guy boxes going forward he doesn’t get the same accolades as the guy who’s throwing a lot of smooth moves like a Pernell Whitaker or Floyd Mayweather, or even Shakur Stevenson. I think people use the word basic as an insult, but it’s not an insult, it’s a compliment. [Errol] is not fancy. He doesn’t show a lot of fancy moves and he doesn’t do a lot to avoid punches. But that doesn’t mean he’s not boxing. He keeps it simple.

“I think it’s a 50-50 fight. Errol does things in a subtle way. Against Mikey Garcia he fought a conservative fight and literally won every round. He got criticism for it because he didn’t knock the smaller man out. But he totally undressed him and outboxed him, so he does have that in his game and it could show up that night of the fight. Sometimes those guys need that special opponent in front of them to bring out what they really are because they don’t really show all of their stuff against the lesser guys.

“Those bright lights can do something to you, but both guys have composed, mature selves in the ring. I don’t see either guy choking up under the bright lights. Both guys seem to have that clutch gene. I don’t think that’s going to be a factor. Every time I’ve seen one of these guys’ backs against the wall, they up the ante and raise the stakes.

“Once these guys start clicking you’re going to see something special. I think the casual fan might say, ‘There’s not enough action.’ But for the purist, you’ll see some great, great stuff. It will become a classic. I think this is one fight I wish was 15 rounds because I think both guys are 15-round fighters and would have flourished in a 15-round era.

“I don’t have a pick right now. That’s the honest truth. I think we’re going to have the Fight of the Century. I wouldn’t be surprised if both guys hit the canvas. It’s so close and so many little things in the gym matter. I’m objective and have relationships with both teams. I really don’t have a pick right now. I just think it’s going to be a great fight.”

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ABOUT SPENCE VS. CRAWFORD

Spence vs. Crawford will see unified WBC, WBA and IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth’’ Spence Jr. take on WBO 147-pound world champion Terence “Bud’’ Crawford for the Undisputed Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, July 29 in a highly anticipated SHOWTIME PPV clash from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera in a 12-round WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event, plus rising star Jesus “Mono” Ramos takes on Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title eliminator. Kicking off the pay-per-view, unbeaten rising heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan will duel the power-punching Viktor Faust in a 10-round matchup.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #SpenceCrawford, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @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. (July 6, 2023) – Undefeated contender Raymond “Danger” Muratalla is ascending the lightweight ladder without any delay. 

The 26-year-old Muratalla, who blasted out Jeremia Nakathila in only two rounds in May, makes his third appearance of 2023 in a 10-round clash against unbeaten Mexican standout Diego Torres on Saturday, August 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. 

Muratalla-Torres will serve as the co-feature to the junior lightweight title showdown between WBO world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete and former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez. U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. opens the televised tripleheader in a six-round heavyweight tilt against Willie Jake Jr. 

Navarrete-Valdez, Muratalla-Torres, and Torrez-Jake will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $50 are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Muratalla (18-0, 15 KOs) is quickly becoming a major threat in his division. He made his pro debut in 2016 in Mexico, and two years later he debuted in the U.S. He has stopped 12 of his last 13 opponents, and he is on track to have his most impressive year yet. In March, he survived a first-round knockdown to stop Humberto Galindo with a body shot in round nine. In May, he opened the Devin Haney-Vasiliy Lomachenko pay-per-view broadcast with his devastating showing against Nakathila. 

Muratalla said, “I couldn’t be more excited to get back in that ring on such a great card. I can’t wait to put on another great performance for the fans. I believe this is my time now, and I will continue to show the hard work that’s being put in.”

Torres (17-0, 16 KOs) is a 25-year-old powerhouse from Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. The oldest of four boxing brothers, he began his pro career in 2019 and unleashed a streak of 13 knockout victories. In February 2022, he took on fellow Zapopon native Jonathan Escobedo Martinez, going the 10-round distance for the first time in an all-action slugfest. Torres is 3-0 with three knockouts since the Martinez war. In his last fight, he beat Jose Segura Torres via fifth-round TKO in March. Torres is now set to celebrate his 26^th birthday by making his long-awaited U.S. debut. 

“I am very excited about this fight. I think this is a big opportunity for me,” Torres said. “Fighting against another undefeated fighter is something that I was looking for. It is my way of showing that I am made for this, and I am here to achieve great things. I am not afraid. I’m going to give it my all and come out with a great victory.”

Isaac Lowe is the latest addition to the undercard of Lee McGregor’s huge homecoming world title fight next month. 

Live and free-to-air on Channel 5, on Friday, July 21, McGregor battles it out with Mexico’s Erik Robles for the vacant IBO world super bantamweight title. 

The Wasserman Boxing event, delivered in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment sees McGregor box in front of his home fans for the first time since his pro debut, five years ago. 

And supporting McGregor’s big night, is a packed undercard which now includes Lowe taking on Jonathan Santana in a featherweight dust-up. 

Unfortunately, a small set-back in training has forced the former cruiserweight champion of the world, Mairis Briedis, to withdraw from the Meadowbank Sports Centre event. 

But fans can still enjoy the latest outing for the UK’s most fearsome heavyweight prospect, Matty Harris as he aims to become the first man to stop Kostyantin Dovbyshchenko. 

Sultan Zaurbek, the world ranked Kazak with 10 knockout wins on his record, takes on former European super featherweight champion, John Carter. 

And with further big names, emerging talents and local favourites to be confirmed in the coming days, McGregor’s huge Edinburgh homecoming is one not to be missed. 

Lowe said: “This won’t just be a typical Isaac Lowe performance, I am going to show people I am a good boxer.

“People know I have the heart of a lion and I come to have a fight but there are other ways to win a fight. 

“I provide value for money, there is guaranteed entertainment in my fights. I am far from finished and I plan to put on a good show for the fans.” 

Briedis said: “I was really looking forward to fighting in Edinburgh on July 21. 

“Sadly, I have suffered a small set back in training and so I won’t be ready in time.  

“But I can promise my fans that big fights are coming later this year, and they will put me, and my beloved country of Latvia, back at the top of the sport.”