LOS ANGELES (May 25, 2016) – Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov was involved in the Fight of the Year in 2013 with Tim Bradley. John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr. was embroiled in the 2014 Fight of The Year with Lucas Matthysse.

On Saturday, June 11, Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) a former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, and former world title challenger Molina (28-6, 23 KOs) will face each other in the 12-round main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

On Tuesday, Provodnikov, Molina and undefeated WBC No. 1-ranked lightweight contender Dejan Zlatacanin participated in a Media Workout Day at Fortune’s Gym in Los Angeles.

Zlatacanin (17-0, 10 KOs), of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro, will be opposed by fellow unbeaten and WBC No. 2-ranked Emiliano Marsili (32-0-1, 14 KOs), of Italy, for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship in the opening match of the SHOWTIME telecast.

In the co-feature, undefeated former 154-pound world champion Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs), of Providence, R.I., battles Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KO’s), of Cleveland, Ohio, in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator.

Also on June 11, former world title challengers, Willie Monroe Jr. and John Thompson, will meet in a 10-round middleweight bout in the main event on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT). In the SHO EXTREME opener, heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (28-3, 23 KO’s) takes on Mario Heredia (11-1, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).

Below is what the boxers said Tuesday:

RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV

(On the importance of this fight)

“Every fight is important. I come out for every fight to give everything I have. For me, every fight is like the last fight. So this is a very important fight, just like any other.

“I don’t like to make predictions too much; boxing is an unpredictable sport and it’s hard to say what will happen. Anything can happen on June 11. We’ve got a little bit to wait and we’ll see what happens.

“I don’t know if it will go to the scorecards. Anything can happen. He is also a great fighter, so maybe it will go to the scorecards.”

(On what he expects from John Molina Jr.)

“I’m expecting him to come to fight. No doubt he’s a fighter, he’s a warrior. For somebody to defeat me is a big motivation and I know he’ll be coming to win.

“No matter what, he’s going to do anything possible to win this fight. That’s what I expect from people that take a fight with me – that they’ll die in the ring to defeat me because it would be a great accomplishment. So I’m expecting a real war, a real fight.”

(On the style of fighting and the matchup)

“I think this is the type of fight that will be exciting and all-action. I think it’s a great matchup and it will be exciting for the fans.”

(On who he’s looking to fight next)

“I’m not thinking about that too much right now. Luckily my weight classes, both 140 and 147, there’s no problem with the opposition. There (are) a lot of guys, a lot of stars. After this fight on June 11 we’ll be able to start thinking about what’s next.

“I’ve always said that I’m willing to fight anyone at 140 and 147, just let me know when and I’ll be there. I’m ready to fight any of the top guys.”

(On if he would rather fight a boxer or a come-forward fighter like Molina)

“I definitely like the guys that come to fight. For me that is a better, more enjoyable fight. I like to fight a guy that wants to brawl.

(On if he’s ready to box if Molina choses to box instead of brawl)

“On June 11, I’ll be ready for anything that can happen in the ring. I’ve been watching previous fights and correcting my mistakes and I’ll be ready for anything he decides to bring.”

(On not fighting for eight months)

“I don’t see too much of a negative side to that. I just wanted some time off and now I’m ready to come back. I’m always in shape; I’m always in the gym, always training.

“I’m training all the time and always moving around even when I’m at home. Right now, training camp is going very well. Joel Diaz is very happy with training and he says everything is going a lot better than the last training camp. Everything is 100 percent. I’m not worried at all.”

(On his relationship with trainer Joel Diaz)

“Everything is going great. When Joel and I are training together it’s always very positive. That’s important for me. I’m enjoying the training camp and I’m having a good time, which is the most important thing.

“Boxing-wise I’ve added a lot of different things. Most importantly, I’ve increased my defensive skills and that’s going to show in this fight very much and I’m positive of that. More than that, my punching combinations have gotten better in the last few camps and that’s going to show. Joel and I work well together and that’s definitely important.”

JOHN MOLINA JR.

(Thoughts leading up to the fight)

“I am really excited. Ruslan is a hell of a fighter and competitor. I think it’s a can’t-miss, all-action fight when you have someone like myself and Ruslan in there.

“Stylistically I think there are thing that I have to my advantage. Stature-wise: my height, my reach. But with that being said, when the fight starts, all of that is going to go out the window and we’re going to fight.

“We were both in Fights of the Year, but we were both on the losing ends. Now we want to be on the winning end. I think that is an unwritten motivation for both of us.

“Stylistically it’s a great matchup. We’ve had a common opponent and of course you can draw that he was in a Fight of the Year with some other fighter. But I’m not that stature. I am 5-feet-11 with a reach that he can’t compare with. On June 11 after the first bell rings, I’ll be able to tell you exactly how the fight is going to play out.”

(On the importance of winning this fight)

“Every fight is important. Fortunately and unfortunately, boxing is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ type of sport. For me, I didn’t have an extensive amateur career so the pros were, in essence, my amateur career. But I believe I’m at the right spot right now, where I need to be to hit my stride.

“Of course a victory is always the goal. I don’t like to lose at checkers and I don’t want to lose at boxing. To keep the lifestyle that I have going, I have to continue to be victorious and move forward.

“We definitely want to catapult off of a big marquee name. We want to be on the winning side. That is the goal 110 percent. We won’t be satisfied with anything less than a victory. I’m not content with getting in these fights because people love to watch me fight. I want to be content with getting these fights because I’m victorious and that’s what we’re planning on doing on June 11.

“I feel like you’re going to get the best of me now. I feel like my longevity isn’t a question because I didn’t have the extensive amateur career. A lot of these guys have been boxing since they were eight years old. I didn’t start until I was 17. I didn’t turn pro until I was 24. I only had 22 amateur fights. So the miles on my odometer, so to speak, are less than someone like Ruslan who had an extensive amateur career. He’s been in more wars than me.

“Either way you slice it, boxing takes something from you. Whether it’s your youth, your sharpness, boxing is that kind of a sport where it draws something from your body. I believe he’s had it worse than me. I feel stronger and more experienced for lacking those years.”

DEJAN ZLATCANIN

(On what this fight means for his career)

“This is the most important fight for me because the WBC title has been my dream since the first day I went to the gym. I will be the new champion.

“I was always the underdog in every fight but now I don’t get underestimated. My opponent is going to get the best me on June 11. I think those who underestimated me were wrong all along, but I will put some good shots on him and he’ll go down. I will knock him out.

“I think they [fans] will cheer for me like I am a home fighter and I will do my best to bring the good fight.”

(On his opponent)

“He’s a boxer. He’s smart, but he has no power. He will try to box, keep a distance and use his height advantage. He will use his footwork to keep me at bay, but it won’t work.”

(Thoughts on fighting for first world title)

“I am very excited and I am very happy to be fighting for my first world title. I am coming from a little country and I want everyone to know where Montenegro is and I can’t wait to get in the ring.

(On fighting in U.S. for first time)

“People in America, they’re fans, they love good boxing. It doesn’t matter where you are from, they just like good fights. They like my style because I am a fighter and I go forward.”

Tony Bellew has told Ilunga Makabu that he will not deny him his dream World title win when they clash for the vacant WBC Cruiserweight strap at Goodison Park in Liverpool on Sunday May 29, live on Sky Sports.

Bellew welcomes Makabu into the Lion’s den on Sunday night when the pitch where his beloved Everton play on becomes the stage for his third crack at landing a World title.

Typically for Bellew he’s chosen the hardest way possible to achieve his dream. Since losing by KO on his debut in 2008, Makabu has KO’d 18 of 19 opponents and is the most avoided fighter in the division.

Makabu concedes a considerable height advantage to Bellew, and with the Merseyside man believing he’ll be heavier as well as taller than the visitor, Bellew says it’s ‘Junior’ who has the real problem on his hands on Sunday.

“There’s nothing he can do to beat me,” said Bellew. “Boxing is a brutal sport and he has to make it as brutal as possible but I don’t believe he has the size and structure to do it. He’s going to come in light which will be a bad mistake. The advantages he usually has in fights are through speed and power – he’s normally faster than his opponents and punches harder than them too.

“In this fight, I don’t think he’ll have those against me. I’ve carried my speed from Light Heavyweight to Cruiserweight, and I don’t think he’s got more power than me. I’ll be the bigger man, I’ll make it show and I am the real Cruiserweight. Look at when I am stood next to Johnny Nelson – we’re the same size, and Johnny Nelson was known as one of the monster Cruiserweight, well so am I.

“He’s been put on the floor. I don’t care if it was in his first fight or last fight. Who’s he beaten that’s a World class fighter? If Glen Johnson is his best win then that says a lot to me. I’m his biggest test and he’s mine. We both have records that suggest we both have vulnerable tendencies so anything can happen.

“I believe I am going to hit him early, really nail him, and he’s going to feel it. Then it’s going to go one of two ways, he’s going to use his southpaw stance to be cute and defensive, or he’s going to say, come on then, let’s fight. If he does the latter, I’ll happily go for that, because no smaller man is going to outfight me. He can’t outpunch me, he can’t outwork me, the only way I can lose this fight is if I walk onto something huge, but I think I might be a bigger puncher than him. My record might not reflect it but look at his face when I catch him clean, he’s going to know he’s been hit.”

Bellew’s clash with Makabu is part of a huge night of action at Goodison Park as Stephen Smith looks to bounce straight back from his brave World title challenge by taking on Daniel Brizuela for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Featherweight title, and he’s joined on the bill by his Super-Middleweight brothers Paul and Callum.

Birkenhead’s Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd faces Pasquale Di Silvio for the vacant WBC International Lightweight title, while Tom Farrell meets Kofi Yates in an eliminator for the English Super-Lightweight title.

Liverpool Heavyweight favourite David Price is back in action and there’s a host of young talent on display including British Light-Heavyweight champion Hosea Burton, Preston’s Commonwealth gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald and Merseysiders JJ Metcalf, Paul Economides, Gerard Carroll, Craig Glover and Steve Brogan.

Tickets are on general sale now priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 and can be purchased by visiting www.evertonfc.com/eticketing, or by calling 0151 556 1878*. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in person by visiting the Park End ticket office or our City Centre ticket facility in Everton Two, Liverpool One. £350 VIP tickets will be available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com

Opening times for all ticket outlets can be found here.

*Booking fees apply.

Tickets for May 29 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.

Willie Limond is hoping for double-delight on Saturday night at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow live on Sky Sports – claiming his British Super-Lightweight title back from Tyrone Nurse and then watching Ricky Burns become a three-weight World champion, so they can clash in an all-Scotland World title blockbuster.

Limond vacated the title that he won against Curtis Woodhouse in June 2014 after a shoulder injury ruled him out of a clash with Chris Jenkins.

Limond was told that he would get a shot at the winner as Jenkins and Nurse met for the belt, but with their first meeting in July ending in a draw, they boxed for the title once more in November, with Nurse prevailing on points.

Nurse won the title by a handy distance despite hitting the deck hard in the fifth round, and Limond knows he’s up against a real talent in the Huddersfield man this weekend.

“I rate Tyrone highly,” said Limond. “He’s a big boy at the weight and he’s very skilful, but I am very good at adapting to different styles. Tyrone is the champion so I have to fight him to get the title back, it’s pretty simple.

“I’ve watched a few of his fights and on some of them I wasn’t that impressed with him to be honest, but in some fights when he pts it all together he’s a very good fighter. Is he in the class of the guys that have beaten me? I don’t think so. It should be a good fight though and one way or the other, I don’t think that it’s going to go the distance.”

Burns takes on Michele Di Rocco for the vacant WBA World Super-Lightweight title on the top of the bill, and Limond believes that Burns will make history and then they can make a huge domestic World title fight down the line.

“Me versus Ricky – that’s a massive fight and a no-brainer,” said Limond. “It’s easy to make, I’d be up for it, Ricky would be up for it, Sky Sports would be up for it, Eddie Hearn would be up for it, Glasgow would be up for it, the who of Scotland would be up for it. I believe Ricky will get the job done and I am confident I will too.

“It’s so big, we live three miles from each other, we’ve known each other for years and I respect Ricky as a boxer and as a man, but if it’s a fight that makes sense then let’s get it sorted.”

Limond’s clash with Nurse and Burns’ shot at three-weight World title glory is part of a huge night of action in Glasgow as Newcastle’s Jon Lewis Dickinson meets Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy in an eliminator for the British Cruiserweight Title.

Olympic Bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo returns from injury, Conor Benn fights for the second time in the paid ranks, Islington Middleweight John Ryder is in action and there’s a host of young Scots on display, including Commonwealth gold medal winner Charlie Flynn, Joe Ham and Lewis Paulin.

Tickets for Glasgow are on general sale with those in the £40-£100 bracket available from the SSE Hydro website http://www.thessehydro.com/ and on 0844 395 4000 and 0800 952 0110 (accessible). VIP tickets at £200 are exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for Glasgow are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Michael Buffer is in Britain to introduce Ricky Burns and Tony Bellew into the ring as they look to land World titles on an historic weekend of boxing live on Sky Sports.

The Hall of Fame MC will be doing plenty of travelling as he hits Glasgow first on Friday to do the weigh-in for Burns’ clash with Michele Di Rocco for the vacant WBA World Super-Lightweight title as ‘The Rickster’ aims to become Scotland’s first ever three-weight World champion.

Buffer will then head to Liverpool on Saturday for the weigh-in for Bellew’s WBC World Cruiserweight title clash with Congo KO star Ilunga Makabu – before making a mad dash to Glasgow to call Burns into the ring.

Buffer’s weekend concludes under the floodlights at Goodison Park in Liverpool as Bellew aims to land a World title at the third attempt at the home of his beloved Everton FC, and the man on the mic cannot wait for the mad weekend of brilliant boxing to commence.

“There’s such a run of great matches out there in the UK,” said Buffer. “I’m flying to Scotland for the Ricky Burns fight and the very next day will be in Liverpool for Tony Bellew’s Cruiserweight title challenge – and I am at both weigh-ins too! It’s going to be crazy and I can’t wait.

“The UK fans are outstanding in their passion and knowledge for the sport and I’ve developed a good relationship with Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith (Head of Boxing Operations).

“Bellew gets his chance for life to imitate art. Tony and I are good friends. I first met Tony in Montreal when he was starving himself at Light-Heavyweight for his fight with Adonis Stevenson. It’s a difficult fight for Tony, but if he continues the form he’s shown recently he can become champion.”

Burns’ shot at history against Di Rocco is part of a huge night of action in Glasgow as Tyrone Nurse heads into the Lion’s den to defend his British Super-Lightweight title against local favourite Willie Limond and Newcastle’s Jon Lewis Dickinson meets Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy in an eliminator for the British Cruiserweight Title.

Olympic Bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo returns from injury, Conor Benn fights for the second time in the paid ranks, Islington Middleweight John Ryder is in action and there’s a host of young Scots on display, including Commonwealth gold medal winner Charlie Flynn, Joe Ham and Lewis Paulin.

Tickets for Glasgow are on general sale with those in the £40-£100 bracket available from the SSE Hydro website http://www.thessehydro.com/ and on 0844 395 4000 and 0800 952 0110 (accessible). VIP tickets at £200 are exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for Glasgow are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

Bellew’s clash with Makabu is part of a huge night of action at Goodison Park as Stephen Smith looks to bounce straight back from his brave World title challenge by taking on Daniel Brizuela for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Featherweight title, and he’s joined on the bill by his Super-Middleweight brothers Paul and Callum.

Birkenhead’s Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd faces Pasquale Di Silvio for the vacant WBC International Lightweight title, while Tom Farrell meets Kofi Yates in an eliminator for the English Super-Lightweight title.

Liverpool Heavyweight favourite David Price is back in action and there’s a host of young talent on display including British Light-Heavyweight champion Hosea Burton, Preston’s Commonwealth gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald and Merseysiders JJ Metcalf, Paul Economides, Gerard Carroll, Craig Glover and Steve Brogan.

Tickets are on general sale now priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 and can be purchased by visiting www.evertonfc.com/eticketing, or by calling 0151 556 1878*. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in person by visiting the Park End ticket office or our City Centre ticket facility in Everton Two, Liverpool One. £350 VIP tickets will be available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com

Opening times for all ticket outlets can be found here.

*Booking fees apply.

Tickets for May 29 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.

Conor Benn says his legendary father has told him to prepare for one of the best atmospheres in boxing when he laces his gloves up for the second time in the paid ranks at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Benn made his pro bow at The O2 in London in April on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s IBF World Heavyweight title win, landing a first round KO in front of a sold-out crowd in Greenwich and displaying the swashbuckling style that made his father Nigel such a popular fighter in the 1990s.

Nigel Benn boxed twice in Glasgow, once in 1989 and then defended his WBC World Super-Middleweight crown at the SECC in October 1992. ‘The Dark Destroyer’ has regaled Conor with tales of those crazy nights north of the border, and the 19 year old cannot wait to sample another huge crowd expecting a Wold title win for a hometown favourite and stablemate Ricky Burns.

“Dad has told me stories about Glasgow – he says the fans here are amongst the best in the sport,” said Benn. “He said they’re mad and they love their boxing so much. He’s coming on Saturday but he didn’t intend to be here for. He doesn’t want to come to many more fights. Dad is keen for me to make my own path, go my own way and that’s why he has every confidence in Tony Sims and Eddie Hearn in guiding me while he’s at home in Australia.

“He will come to some fights, but it’s a testament to the belief that he has in the team around me. That gives me even more confidence that I’m in the right place with the best people – who will help me achieve my goals in the sport.

“I believe that Ricky Burns will make history on Saturday and become World champion again. He’s been thrown in to sparring with myself and Ohara Davies – we’ve been both trying to take his head off! Fair play to Ricky, he keeps up with us and gives as good as he gets in sparring.”

Benn’s progression in the paid ranks will be played out in front of more huge crowds on massive bills, with the 19 year old set to appear at The O2 on June 25 as Joshua defends his World title. Benn understands that his surname will increase the profile and the pressure on him to succeed, but with just 20 amateur bouts behind him he’s ready to do his learning in rings all over Britain, just like Joshua.

“I want to fight as much as I can, once or twice a month,” said Benn. “I’m looking forward to boxing all over the country. I want the whole of Britain to see me and be part of the journey – I want to show everyone where I’m at. Tony Sims and Eddie Hearn are adopting a similar model they used for Anthony Joshua when he first turned pro – build my profile round the country. I want them to see what scene I’m from.

“When I walked out at The O2 I thought: ‘This is it, and this is it for the rest of my life.’ I’ve got to learn to work with it and embrace it instead of being scared and letting my nerves get the better of me. The British public made me feel at home. For them to back me the way they have is another good feeling. I just can’t wait for more nights like that and there are plenty more to come.”

Benn’s second fight in the paid ranks comes as Burns’ takes his shot at history against Michele Di Rocco for the vacant WBA World Super-Lightweight title.

Tyrone Nurse heads into the Lion’s den to defend his British Super-Lightweight title against local favourite Willie Limond and Newcastle’s Jon Lewis Dickinson meets Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy in an eliminator for the British Cruiserweight Title.

Olympic Bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo returns from injury, Islington Middleweight John Ryder is in action and there’s a host of young Scots on display, including Commonwealth gold medal winner Charlie Flynn, Joe Ham and Lewis Paulin.

Tickets for Glasgow are on general sale with those in the £40-£100 bracket available from the SSE Hydro website http://www.thessehydro.com/ and on 0844 395 4000 and 0800 952 0110 (accessible). VIP tickets at £200 are exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com

Face value tickets for Glasgow are also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

WBO #11-, WBA #12- and IBF #15-rated heavyweight boxer Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (16-0-1, 14 KOs), who is preparing to defend his WBA NABA Heavyweight title against Topeka, Kansas, slugger Nick Guivas (12-3-2, 9 KOs) on Friday night at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York (and live at 9 pm EST on CBS Sports Network), took some time out of his training to make an appearance at the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester Wednesday afternoon.

Back in January, Miller made an appearance at the club prior to his NABA title fight vs. Donovan Dennis and promised the kids he would return after he won the title to show them his title belt. Today they not only got to see his title belt and take pictures with the fighter but they also received 20 donated tickets to Friday night’s fight from Miller, so that kids from the Boys & Girls Club could attend the fight.

Miller will face Guivas in the 10-round main event of Greg Cohen Promotions, Salita Promotions, FightCard Productions and Winner Take All Production’s next instalment of “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network.”

In the night’s 10-round lightweight co-main event, red-hot Filipino prospect Harmonito “El Huracan de Gensan” Dela Torre (17-0, 12 KOs) will make his debut on US soil against capable veteran Guillermo Sanchez (15-18-1, 6 KOs) of Buffalo.

Tickets for “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network” start at $35 and are available at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino box office, www.ticketmaster.com or you can charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. On fight night, doors open at 6 pm and the action starts at 7:00 pm. The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is located at 310 4th Street in Niagara Falls, NY. For more information, call 877-873-6322 or visit www.senecaniagaracasino.com.
About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen first made promotional headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney.

Cohen currently promotes WBA Interim World Lightweight Champion Ismael Barroso, Undefeated WBA NABA Heavyweight Champion and world-rated contender Jarrell Miller, undefeated WBA NABA Middleweight Champion and world-rated contender Robert Brant, former world champion Kendall Holt, as well as current world-rated contenders including long-time elite middleweight “Mean” Joe Greene, top super featherweight Arash Usmanee, Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis; WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Australian lightweight prospect Josh King.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including CBS Sports Network, HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.
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LOS ANGELES (May 25, 2016) – The B. Riley & Co. 7th Annual “Big Fighters, Big Cause” Charity Boxing Night returned to The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland on Wednesday, May 25 for a star-studded night of boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions to benefit the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation, and their mission to raise funds for research and awareness towards a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, and to help children live healthier lives through diet and exercise.

Hosted by actor and comedian Bill Bellamy, guests at the exclusive event were treated to Wolfgang Puck cuisine, and a live & silent auction display featuring iconic memorabilia and other one-of-a-kind items and experiences to benefit this important cause. During the live auction, Usher, who plays Sugar Ray Leonard in the upcoming Weinstein Company’s Hands of Stone film, joined Sugar Ray Leonard on stage to help auction off tickets to the film’s upcoming premiere and after-party, along with vintage boxing gloves signed by Robert De Niro.

Additional celebrities, VIP guests, and Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation supporters in attendance included Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber, Magic Johnson and wife Cookie Johnson, Holly Robinson Peete (Chicago Fire) and husband Rodney Peete (Former NFL Player), Cedric the Entertainer (Actor/Comedian), Abraham Lopez (NABA Featherweight Title Contender), Catherine Bach (The Young & the Restless), David James Elliott (Trumbo), Gary Hall Jr. (Olympic Gold Medalist), Jennifer Widerstrom (NBC’s The Biggest Loser), Johnny Gill (Recording Artist), Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz (NABF Featherweight Champion), Lisa Rinna (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), Mia St. John (Boxer), Nicole Murphy (TLC’s Global Beauty Masters), Ronnie Ortiz-Magro (Jersey Shore), Ronny Rios (WBC Silver Featherweight Champion), Sergio Mora (Boxer), Terry Norris (Former Boxer), Tommy Davidson (Actor/Comedian), Verne Troyer (Actor), Willie Gault (Former NFL Player) and more.

In the evening’s main event, Philadelphia son “No Smilin” Damon Allen, Jr. (10-0, 4 KOs) maintained his undefeated status and gave the crowd a thrilling fight with his third-round technical knockout of Reynosa, Mexico’s Danny Montoya (10-4, 7 KOs). Allen, Jr. kept the pressure on Montoya, wearing him down landing a flurry of punches toward the end of round three.

“I was shocked that I took out my opponent like that so quickly,” said Damon Allen, Jr. “It felt so great to be the main event tonight. I had a lot of family that wanted to be here tonight but couldn’t. Everyone can expect to see a lot from me this year and see me fighting here in LA and back home on the East Coast.”

For the third fight of the evening, rising lightweight prospect Hector “El Finito” Tanajara, Jr. (6-0, 4 KOs) wasted no time, stopping Francisco “El Mono” Medel (9-3, 5 KOs) two minutes and 15 seconds in to the first round with a left hook technical knockout.

“It was really great to be here in front of all these celebrities and fight,” said Tanajara, Jr. “I try to stay busy and fight every couple of months. Everyone can expect really big things from me later this year. My trainer Robert has taught me so much, with him being a world champion and him having trained other world champions.”

Two Mexican warriors Alexis “Laberinto” Salazar (7-3, 3 KOs) and Hector “Charro Negro” Velasquez (57-28-3, 39 KOs) brawled before an energetic crowd in a six-round middleweight bout for the second fight of the night. The veteran Velasquez, who has fought the likes of Many Pacquiao, Jorge Linares, Rocky Juarez and many others, gave Salazar a tough fight by keeping the pressure on throughout each round. Ultimately, Salazar came out on top and was declared the winner by unanimous decision by the judges.

“I felt really good to fight here tonight,” said Alexis Salazar. “It’s different from what I am used to. I am used to fighting in Mexico, and the fights aren’t as big like they are here. I am looking forward to fighting more in the US. I train in Guadalajara and have had Canelo Alvarez as a sparing partner and he’s very tough. I’m looking to learn a lot from him and bring that with me to my future fights.”

In the first fight of the night, Golden Boy Promotions’ Edgar “Kid Neza” Valerio (7-0, 4 KOs)maintained his undefeated status with a unanimous decision victory after a six round featherweight battle against Harold Reyes (2-5-1) of Puerto Rico. Valerio lead each round, never letting up on the pressure but Reyes held his own and forced Valerio to go all six-scheduled rounds.

“I feel really blessed to be a part of this event with the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation to bring awareness for childhood type 1 & 2 diabetes,” said Valerio after his victory. “This fight was a learning experience for me and there are things I would have done differently. For my next fight I feel confident that if there is a knockout, I’ll be there to take the opportunity.”

The event posthumously honored Michael King, Founder and CEO of King Sports Worldwide for his work with the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation and B. Riley & Co. In his honor, King’s daughter, Ali King performed the National Anthem during the event.

Photos, videos and scorecards are available for download in the following link: http://bit.ly/BigFightersBigCause.

About Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation
The Foundation was established in 2009 by boxing legend and six-time world champion Sugar Ray Leonard and his wife, Bernadette. The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation is committed to funding life-changing research and creating awareness for childhood type 1 & 2 diabetes and to help children lead healthier lives through diet and exercise.

Throughout Leonard’s boxing career, he watched his dad and friends struggle with the many complications of diabetes and how it has affected every aspect of their life. Type 1 diabetes strikes both children and adults at any age. It comes on suddenly, causes dependence on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Type 2 diabetes in children is on the rise, fueled largely by the obesity epidemic. Leonard draws from his personal experience and boxing career to provide inspiration for funding research to combat the disease.

For more information, visit www.sugarrayleonardfdn.org, like and follow on twitter at @SugarRayLeonard and Facebook at www.facebook.com/SugarRayLeonard6.

About Golden Boy Promotions
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by 10-time world champion in six divisions Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the world and has worked with networks such as HBO, HBO Latino, Estrella TV, ESPN, TeleFutura, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, Televisa and TV Azteca. The company has also promoted some of the top boxing events in the history of the sport including De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Mayweather vs. Canelo and other notable pay-per-view fights featuring fan-favorites Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Marco “Baby Faced Assassin” Antonio Barrera, Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Sugar Shane Mosley.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, like and follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing and Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.

About B. Riley & Co., LLC
B. Riley & Co., LLC is a leading investment bank which provides corporate fi­nance, research, and sales & trading to corporate, institutional and high net worth individual clients. Investment banking services include initial, secondary and follow-on offerings, institutional private placements, and merger and acquisitions advisory services. The fi­rm is nationally recognized for its highly ranked proprietary equity research. B. Riley & Co., LLC is a member of FINRA and SIPC.

B. Riley & Co., LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) which provides collaborative fi­nancial services and solutions through several subsidiaries which also include: Great American Group, LLC, a leading provider of advisory and valuation services, asset disposition and auction solutions, and commercial lending services; B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, an SEC registered Investment Advisor, which includes B. Riley Asset Management, a provider of investment products to institutional and high net worth investors, and B. Riley Wealth Management (formally MK Capital Advisors), a multi-family office practice and wealth management ­firm focused on the needs of ultra-high net worth individuals and families; and Great American Capital Partners, a provider of senior secured loans and second lien secured loan facilities to middle market public and private U.S. companies. B. Riley Financial, Inc. is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in major fi­nancial markets throughout the United States and Europe. For more information on B. Riley Financial, Inc., please visit www.briley­n.com.

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing sends his warm congratulations to his newest champion, John Riel Casimero of Cebu City, Philippines, for his KO 4 victory over previously unbeaten IBF flyweight champion Anmat Ruenroeng at the Diamond Court in Beijing, China.

In a rematch of their controversial first fight in June 2015, won by Ruenroeng by unanimous decision, Casimero (22-3, 14 KOs) dropped Ruenroeng (17-1, 5 KOs) twice in the fourth round to end things at 2:10. A counter left hook dropped the champion first and then a follow-up left hook to the body brought the finish.

Casimero is now a two-time world champion. He previously held the IBF Light Flyweight Championship from 2012-2014 and made three successful defenses before moving up in weight.

The new champion joins Sampson Boxing promotional stablemates Oscar Escandon and Hugo Ruiz to become Sampson’s third world champion to be crowned this year. He also handles current WBA World Super Featherweight Champion Javier Fortuna.

“John Riel has gotten this out of the way now,” said Lewkowicz of defeating Ruenroeng. “My congratulations to him and to his people in the Philippines. He is now their third current world champion and is very proud to represent them. Next, we want to unify against Chocolatito. Tell him we are ready any time.”

Referring to current WBC Champion Roman Gonzalez, Lewkowicz says this is a fight that needs to happen.

“They say no one wants to fight Gonzalez. We do! John Riel is right here and ready to unify the championships. My phone is always on. Let’s make it happen.”
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

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

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

SAN ANTONIO (May 25, 2016) – Unbeaten rising featherweight contender Miguel Flores (19-0, 9 KOs) will take on Mexican veteran Ruben Tamayo (24-8-4, 16 KOs) this Saturday night, May 28, in a 10-round fight on Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes from The Dancehall in San Antonio.

Televised coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and is headlined by former world champion Miguel Vazquez battling tough contender Erick Bone in a 10-round super lightweight showdown.

Undercard action will feature the brother of former world champion Omar Figueroa, Brandon Figueroa (6-0, 4 KOs), in a super bantamweight battle against Puerto Rico’s Jonell Nieves (6-2, 4 KOs), unbeaten 25-year-old lightweight Rickey Edwards (10-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout against fellow unbeaten John Delperdang (5-0, 5 KOs) and Los Angeles prospect Emmanuel Medina (9-0, 6 KOs) in a six-round welterweight showdown against Isiah Robinson (3-2, 2 KOs).

Additional action features a slew of local prospects as unbeaten Enrique Neira Jr. competes in a four-round middleweight bout against Rudy Lozano, Ramon Cardenas facing Isau Duenez in a four-round super bantamweight contest, unbeaten Rolando Garza battles Houston’s Rick Graham in a four-round super welterweight fight and the pro debut of Xavier Wilson in a four-round lightweight affair against Thomas Smith.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija Battah Promotions and TGB Promotions, are priced at $100, $85 and $20 and $1,000 and $850 for VIP tables, before taxes and fees and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, call (210) 988-8821 visit http://lbtickets.ticketleap.com/march28th2016/ or in person at Champion Fit Gym at 6824 San Pedro Ave.

An undefeated fighter from Michoacan, Mexico, but fighting out of Houston, Flores has not lost since turning pro in 2009 at just 17-years-old. The 23-year-old had a big 2015 beginning in May with a victory over German Meraz and followed up by wins against Juan Ruiz, Carlos Padilla and Alfred Tetteh. He started 2016 with a headlining win over Mario Briones at The Dancehall in January. Now he will take on the 27-year-old Tamayo of Sonora, Mexico. The southpaw has wins over veterans including Meraz and Jose Cayetano and he challenged Jesus Cuellar for a world title in 2014.

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, TGBPromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TitereVazquez, @LeijaBattahPR, @TGBPromotions @FS1, @FOXDeportes, @CowboysDanceHal and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsportsand www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

LOS ANGELES (May 25, 2016) – Golden Boy Promotions is taking it up a notch for the Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido fight night with the addition of fan favorite contender and prospect boxing stars for the June 4 undercard at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.. Headlining the Ring TV Live stream and the international broadcast, Creed film star and boxing top contender “King” Gabriel Rosado (22-9, 13 KOs) of Philadelphia, is set to take on Tijuana’s Antonio “Tony” Gutierrez (20-1-1, 9 KOs) in a classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico 10-round middleweight showdown.

Also featured on the live stream, undefeated knockout artist Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (13-0, 12 KOs) of Buena Park, Calif. will face Jhon “Baki The Disaster” Gemino (12-6-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round fight for the WBC Youth Super Featherweight Title, and Los Angeles fan favorite Nick Arce (7-0, 6 KOs) will take on Francisco Dominguez (8-9, 2 KOs) of Cuidad Juarez, Mexico in a six-round super featherweight event. Opening up the live stream, East Los Angeles native Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro (5-0, 4 KOs) will take on McAllen, Texas’s pride Marc Torres in a six-round super lightweight battle.

In the non-televised action, Santa Ana, Calif.’s Alexis Rocha (2-0, 2 KOs) will face Anthony Woods (0-4) from Americus, Georgia. Also, San Diego, Calif.’s Genaro “El Conde” Gamez (1-0, 1 KO) will make the second appearance of his professional career in a four-round lightweight bout against Juan Bryand (1-3,) of Laredo, Texas., while stable mate Oscar Duarte of Parral, Mexico will engage in an four round lightweight fight. Finally opening up the night, newly signed Golden Boy Promotions fighter Cesar Diaz of Palmdale, Calif. will make his professional debut in a four-round super bantamweight fight. Opponents will be announced shortly.

The main event of the night will feature Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KOs), fresh from his Fight of the Year victory over Takashi Miura, defending his WBC Super Featherweight World Title for the first time against fellow Mexican warrior and former three-time world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (43-13-3, 30 KOs, 1 NC) in a 12-round Fight of the Year candidate televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®.

Since making his film debut in last year’s Creed,the latest installment of the internationally recognized Rocky franchise, “King” Gabe Rosado is fresh off of an exciting victory over Joshua “Grand Master” Clottey this past December 2015. Looking to keep the momentum going, Rosado will be looking for another exciting victory over the tough Antonio “Tony” Gutierrez of Tijuana, Mexico. Rosado has established himself as one of the most entertaining fighters to watch in the sport taking on some of the toughest and elite fighters in the middleweight division. Having held titles such as USA Pennsylvania State middleweight title and WBO Intercontinental light middleweight title, one thing is for certain-Rosado never disappoints in the ring.

Antonio Gutierrez is coming in to his middleweight match against Rosado high off of a victory against past double wins over Alejandro “Iron Man” Alonso. A true Tijuana fighter, Gutierrez’s relentless spirit has shown with his nearly perfect record, including a knockout over Mexican knockout artist Gilberto “Gil” Flores Hernandez. With 20 wins under his belt, Gutierrez can’t wait to get back into the ring and prove he has what it takes to move up to become a top contender in the middleweight division when he faces “King” Gabriel Rosado on June 4.

Boxing’s next big thing, Buena Park’s Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez won his first seven bouts in Mexico by first-round knockout. Since then, he has defeated his past four opponents in the U.S. by way of knockout, including seasoned fighters David Rodela, Alejandro Ochoa, and Luis Ruiz Lizarraga Jr. Come Saturday, June 4, “Chimpa” will have his fans on edge as he fights for his first title against Recky “The Terror” Dulay for the WBC Youth World Super Featherweight Title.

Filipino featherweight all-star and GAB Super Bantamweight Title holder Jhon “Baki the Disaster” Gemino of Batangas, Phillipines is ready to add another bantamweight to his collection when he faces Christian Gonzalez for a fight over the WBC Youth Super Featherweight title. Having fought almost all of his fights in the Phillipines, Gemino has been training hard to make his boxing debut in America.

Having established quite the growing fan base among Southern California boxing enthusiasts, Nick Arce has impressed every step of the way with an impressive 85 percent career knockout rate. Fighting out of Westside Boxing Club in Los Angeles, Arce will be fighting for the second time this year and the second time at the StubHub Center in what is to be a fantastic show in front of his home town crowd.

Hailing from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Francisco “Panchito” Dominguez will be fighting for the first time in over a year. Having been a professional boxer for ten years, “Panchito” has so far taken on the likes of Alex “El Diablo” Becerra and the undefeated Roberto Marroquin showing that he isn’t afraid to challenge anyone in the ring.

Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro representing East Los Angeles has lived up to his nickname thus far, as the 19-year-old has ended three of his four wins by knockout. Loyal to LA FIGHT CLUB and having fought all professional bouts at The Belasco Theater, this fan favorite is hungry to make a name for himself in the East L.A. boxing scene by fighting on the Vargas vs. Salido undercard at The StubHub Center. As the nephew of former boxing Olympian Jose Navarro, “Thunder” has boxing his in his blood and hopes to keep up the family tradition of big victories and sensational knockouts on June 4 when he faces Marc Torres.

Coming back from a killer knockout over opponent Mark Rojas this year, McAllen, Texas fighter Marc Torres can’t wait to have an action-packed year of boxing as he fights for the first time in SoCal after a series of South Texas bouts. After becoming a professional boxer four years ago, the 22-year-old is sure to light up the super lightweight division when he faces rising knockout artist Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro.

The youngest fighter to ever take home the gold from the Junior Olympics in 2012, Alexis Rocha has been the talk of the boxing world as he continued on to become a six-time national champion during his amateur career. As the younger brother of current WBC Silver Featherweight Champion, Ronny Rios, this six-time national champion signed a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions at the start of this year and has so far ended both of his professional bouts by knockout.

Anthony Woods of Americus, Georgia has fought all over the United States from the Lifestyle Pavilion in Columbus, Ohio to the Grand Ballroom in Atlanta, Georgia. This welterweight fighter fears no one and has built up his experience in the ring by taking on the likes of undefeated, rising stars Nathan Howard and Leandre “Blue” White. Come June 4, Woods is ready to go to war against Alexis Rocha in the 4-round welterweight division.

After leaving behind a highly decorated amateur career, including being ranked as the number one lightweight in the United States, Genaro “El Conde” Gamez has quickly become of boxing’s top prospects. A 2014 USA Boxing National Champion, San Diego’s Gamez is currently coached by renowned former world champion Robert Garcia. Since breaking into his professional career with a catastrophic first round knockout over Archie Weah, Gamez is sure to do the same to his soon to be named opponent in a 4-round lightweight bout.

Laredo’s boxing pride Juan Bryand will be giving The StubHub Center a big Texas welcome when he fights for the first time in Southern California in the lightweight division. Since turning professional two years ago, this 31 year-old fighter began his career with a bang with he won by unanimous decision against Daniel Sanchez.

Oscar Duarte of Parral, Mexico is eager to become a big name in the sport of boxing. In his U.S. debut, Duarte defeated Alejandro Salinas in August 2015, landing himself a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions. Currently co-managed by Latin star Gabriel Soto and Guillermo Roacha, Duarte was last seen at LA FIGHT CLUB this February defeating Archie Weah via unanimous decision. Duarte has shown that he has the power to outbox any opponent and will look to do so on Saturday, June 4 when he makes his debut at The StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Opening the Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido undercard and ready to take on anyone willing to step up in the ring, Cesar Diaz is set to make his exciting professional debut as a new member of the Golden Boy Promotions stable in a 4-round super bantamweight bout.

Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido is a 12-round battle for the WBC Super Featherweight Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD, Casa Mexico Tequila and HANDS OF STONE: The True Story of Roberto Duran, in theaters this August. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins live at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. The RingTvLive.com live stream begins at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT

Tickets for Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges will are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849), and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, call 877-234-8425.

ABOUT STUBHUB CENTER
StubHub Center is southern California’s home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. Managed by AEG Facilities, the $150 million, privately financed facility was developed by AEG on a 125-acre site on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California. StubHub Center features an 8,000-seat tennis stadium, a 27,167-seat stadium for soccer, football and other athletic competitions and outdoor concerts; a 2,000-seat facility for track & field and a 2,450-seat indoor Velodrome – the VELO Sports Center – for track cycling. StubHub Center is home to Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy, the five-time MLS Cup Champions. StubHub Center is also home of the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) High Performance Training Center, the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and EXOS, an international training center for elite and professional athletes. For additional information, please visit www.stubhubcenter.com.

For more information, visitwww.goldenboypromotions.com,www.zanfer.mx, www.hbo.com/boxing and www.stubhubcenter.com; follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @ZanferBox, @HBOBoxing, @StubHubCenter, @ElBandido130, and @siri_salido; become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/zanferpromotions, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/StubHubCenter; and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @HBOBoxing. Follow the conversation using #VargasSalido

25 May 2016 – Bangkok, Thailand: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), announced today that the mixed martial artists competing at ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS are ready for all the action which takes place tomorrow evening, 27 May, at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Competitors faced off against one another ahead of fight night, which promises to be an amazing spectacle of world-class MMA action. Undefeated ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke is set to defend his title against unbeaten Japanese challenger Yoshitaka Naito in a 5-round title tiff.

Visit the official ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS Face-Off Photo Gallery by clicking: https://goo.gl/M4tHkn

Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, ONE Strawweight World Champion, stated: “It has always been my dream to compete at home in front of all of my family and friends, in front of the people of Thailand. I am grateful to ONE Championship for giving me the opportunity to live my dream and honoring me as champion. This fight means so much to me and I promise to give my all inside the cage.”

Yoshitaka Naito stated: “I am coming into this fight as the challenger, as the underdog, in front of my opponent’s hometown crowd. But in my professional career, I have not known defeat and I plan to keep it that way on fight night. The champion had better be prepared for a real battle, because I will be bringing all my skills into the cage. I will walk away with that belt around my waist.”

Tickets for ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS are still available at https://www.thaiticketmajor.com/

ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS

MAIN EVENT
ONE Strawweight World Championship bout: Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke (C) VS Yoshitaka Naito

CO-MAIN EVENT
ONE Featherweight World Championship bout: Marat Gafurov (C) VS Kazunori Yokota

MAIN CARD
Catchweight bout: Timofey Nastyukhin VS Rob Lisita
Middleweight bout: Leandro Ataides VS Marcin Prachnio
Lightweight bout: Shannon Wiratchai VS Kyal Linn Aung
Featherweight bout: Christian Lee VS Rocky Batolbatol

UNDERCARD
Catchweight bout: Yodsanan Sityodtong VS Khon Sichan
Strawweight bout: Pongsiri Mitsatit VS Ye Thway Ne
Strawweight bout: Kritsada Konsrichai VS Kev Hemmorlor

For more updates on ONE Championship™, please visit www.onefc.com and follow Twitter and Instagram @ONEFCMMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA

About ONE Championship™
ONE Championship is the largest sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia featuring the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Championship is broadcast to over 1 billion viewers across 75+ countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including FOX Sports, Setanta, MNC, Astro, Thairath TV, ABS-CBN, TV5, Physique TV, MYTV, HTV, Esporte Interativo and more.

South African superstar Zolani Tete makes an eagerly-anticipated return to his adopted city of Liverpool on Saturday 4 June to defend his IBF International Bantamweight against Mexico’s Victor Ruiz at the Echo Arena, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

All-action Tete is widely regarded as one of the most explosive punchers in the division, boasting an incredible 19 knockouts in 23 wins – 12 of them coming inside the first round! The clinical southpaw is delighted to be fighting on UK soil again and is promising to put on another show-stopping performance for his adoring Liverpudlian fans.

“I can’t wait to fight again Liverpool. It feels like home every time I’m there. I’ve been preparing for the fight for almost eight weeks now and I’m ready to deliver another explosive performance for my loyal fans,” said Tete.

He added: “Liverpool fight fans have been so good to me ever since I beat Paul Butler and I’m looking to repay their support with another exciting victory. I’ve heard they call me the Scouse African now! The Echo Arena holds happy memories for me and I plan on sending my fans home happy on June 4th.”

28 year-old Tete unforgettably announced himself on the world stage back in March last year with a devastating eighth round knockout win over then unbeaten Ellesmere Port star Paul Butler. His world-class performance left UK fans mesmerised and demanding to see more.

‘Last Born’ delivered another punch perfect performance on his return to UK soil last March when he systematically dismantled Mexico’s Jose Santos Gonzalez to claim another stoppage win. Tete is determined to dispatch Ruiz before setting his sights on huge showdowns with IBF titleholder Lee Haskins and WBA Champion Jamie McDonnell.

Tete said: “I believe Victor Ruiz is a typically tough Mexican who will come out all guns blazing. Unfortunately for him he is standing in the way of bigger and better opportunities for me. I’m going to break him into pieces,”

“Haskins and McDonnell are holding my titles. I’m coming to the UK and they can’t hide from me any longer. I have the upmost respect for both fighters but they hold the belts I want around my waist; they must bring them to me.”

Tickets priced at £40, £60 and £80 are available from:

TicketMaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com

The Channel of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, Freeview 255 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

Undefeated, WBC Silver International Champion and WBC World #6th ranked Jr. Welterweight contender Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin (18-0 15KO Long Island, NY), will take on Mexican brawler Jesus Selig (19-3-1 12KO Douglas, AZ) Friday night, June 17th at The Paramount in Huntington, NY in a 10 round Jr. Welterweight contest as part of Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing’s popular fight series “Rockin Fights”.

Seldin, who has continually climbed the ranks of the Jr. Welterweight division, will be appearing for the 15th time at the Paramount. Seldin has become a must see attraction for his all action fights and tremendous punching power. Seldin captured the WBC title on December 20, 2014, stopping the very tough Bayan Jargal in 9 rounds and has successfully defended it 3 times. In his last outing at The Paramount on March 5th of this year, Seldin returned from shoulder surgery and picked right up where he left off by destroying Puerto Rican Orlando Vasquez in 1 round. Seldin will face a much sterner test when he takes on the veteran Selig on June 17th.

Selig is coming off 2 straight knockout wins and has crossed gloves with world rated fighters Sadam Ali and John Jackson as well as top prospect Jose Ramirez. Selig is a game slugger who always comes to fight and gives 100% each time. He vows that he will put Seldin to the test on June17th.

Promoter Joe DeGuardia had these comments regarding the main event, “Cletus Seldin is becoming a major force in the already loaded Jr. Welterweight division. His ferocious style has attracted droves of fans and on June 17th we expect the same as he faces a tough task when he battles Mexican Jesus Selig who is coming in to upset the applecart. I expect another exciting night of fights at The Paramount, as has become the tradition with the Rockin Fights series”.

The undercard fighters will be announced shortly and tickets are on sale now by calling Star Boxing (718 823-2000) or going to www.starboxing.com, The Paramount Box Office (631 673-7300), or Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com (1 800 745-3000).

HOLLYWOOD, FL. (May 24, 2016) – Lightweight world champion Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy and former world champion Mickey “The Spirit” Bey are deep into training camp and closing in on their main event battle on Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Friday, June 3 from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida

Both fighters have been training in Las Vegas before they head to southern Florida for their world title battle. Barthelemy trains with Ismael Salas at the Salas Boxing Academy while Bey works with his longtime trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. at the Mayweather Boxing Club.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Kings Promotions, Mayweather Promotions and Panther Promotions, are priced at $130, $80, $60 and $35 (additional fees may apply) and are on sale now. All seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.myhrl.com,www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open at 5:30 pm, with the first fight set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Here is what the fighters had to say about training camp, their matchup and more:

What advantages do you believe you have because of your training team?

Rances Barthelemy: “To me, Ismael is the best trainer in the world. He was the lead trainer of the Cuban National Team at the time that Cuban amateur boxing was having its most success. He is truly underrated and I do not know why.

“Having gone through different trainers throughout my career, I am glad that I found Salas. We clicked right off the bat, and him being a Cuban and having a successful background both in the Cuban amateur system and in the pros, he’s been able to incorporate the best from both worlds in his training methods. He has also been able to bring out abilities in me that others were not able to and it has made me a completely different fighter.”

Mickey Bey: “Floyd Sr. has been my trainer for about 12 years. We’ve been together since I was a teenager and before I turned pro. He is an old school trainer and he knows the science of boxing.

“Being around the other Mayweather Promotions fighters provides a lot of energy to training because everybody is striving to be the best they can be. Whenever that’s the case it’s always a positive thing because the trainers know that’s what you’re after. Floyd Sr. and Floyd are the reason I moved to Las Vegas. It’s been a blessing to be able to train with him for so long. We gelled from the beginning and I have definitely grown a lot as a fighter.”

What does fighting for this belt mean to you?

RB: “I don’t really focus on this being another title defense. I just focus on it being another fight that I must win impressively so that I can get to the big fights. There is no added pressure from it being a title defense. I just want everyone to see the boxing ability that I have so that I can get the big fights that I want and deserve.”

MB: “Winning back this belt is really important to me. I still feel like it’s mine. He’s just been keeping it warm for me. I had to deal with the injuries but now I don’t have to worry about babying my hand or anything like that.”

What do you think this fight will be like stylistically?

RB: “I plan on this being a great fight between two great boxers. He has a great amateur and pro background, as do I, and hopefully that makes for a great show.”

MB: “You never really know until you’re in the ring but it’s going to be a fight between two skilled boxers. I have seen some footage but not too much because I don’t really watch much tape. I saw him fight for my vacant belt but I can’t get caught up in that because I’m different than anybody he’s ever fought. I’m a lot more difficult than he probably thinks.”

What skill advantages do you believe you have over your opponent?

RB: “I feel I am the better all-around fighter. I have the reach, height and power over him. I feel he has shown in the past that he can’t take a good punch, so we will see if he can take mine.”

MB: “I bring it all. I can do everything that can be done in the ring. Every single department, period. I do think he’s a good fighter, I give him his props, he’s a two-time world champion, but I don’t think he can do one thing better than me.”

What did you learn from your fight with Denis Shafikov?

RB: “It was a really tough fight and definitely a great learning experience. I made it tougher than it should have been but I had never been in a war like that before and adrenaline kicked in. The blood made me want to dig down and trade with him in the center of the ring and beat him at his own game. It was the first time I had to go down to the trenches and engage in a fight like that but I wanted to do it to show that not all Cubans are boring and only box around.”

What did you learn from your fight with Miguel Vazquez?

MB: “I found out how good I was because I was able to beat a guy that good with one hand. Going into it I already knew I was going to be fighting with one hand since it had been giving me problems. I couldn’t let both hands go, so I had to strategically land more accurate shots. I couldn’t let it become a high volume fight because I knew I wouldn’t be able to respond with both hands. This is my first fight in four or five years with two good hands, so it’s going to be a completely different ball game.”

What does it mean to you to fight in south Florida in front of your Cuban fans?

RB: “That’s my backyard and it’s another advantage for me. It is like being in a free Cuba pretty much and I don’t think I’ll ever feel as comfortable fighting anywhere else with the majority of the people being there to support me. It means the world to me to be able to fight in front of my fans and my closest friends. It’s the closest thing to being able to fight in my country.”

Are you concerned about fighting on the road in front of a crowd that is expected to be for your opponent?

MB: “They can’t get in the ring for him. It’s just going to be me and him. Nobody can get in the ring and help him. It doesn’t add any pressure. I grew up hard, in a rough neighborhood and I’ve been through a lot so I’m numb to any pressure. I’m just ready to get in the ring with him.”

What are your plans after this fight?

RB: “I will be headed straight to the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C. after the fight to try to obtain a visa so I can finally return to Cuba and visit my family that I have not seen since my defection eight years ago. I thought I would never be able to return but now I will be returning as a two-time world champion with grand dreams of one day headlining the first pro boxing event in Cuba.”

MB: “After this fight I’ll be looking for another big competitive fight. I’m always looking for a challenge. That’s why I’m in this fight.”

Why do you believe you’ll be victorious on June 3?

RB: “I feel I am levels above Mickey Bey in all aspects of the game. I am comfortable with my training and I plan on returning to Miami with my second world title. The adrenaline of fighting in front of my Cuban people will add fuel to my fire and propel me to victory. I am on a mission to be great and leave an imprint in the sport and Mickey Bey is in the way.”

MB: “I’m a better fighter. It’s that simple.”

Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @RealKidBlast, @MickeyBeyTMT, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports, @KingsBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @PantherPromo and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and
www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.

NEW YORK – May 24, 2016 – The weekend of June 11th, boxing’s most influential women will gather for brunch in the Big Apple for the 7th Raging Babe event of its kind, dubbed New York, New York. Attendees will include promoters, network executives, public relations representatives, referees, fighters and others, and come from diverse backgrounds, cultures and levels of experience. Women who have attended Raging Babe events have networked, forged business and personal relationships and have been inspired by the stories of success and persistence shared by the hundreds of attendees over the past few years. There may be no woman that better personifies a story of success and persistence than Kathy Duva, who will be honored with the Raging Babe Luminary Award at the brunch.

Duva, the CEO of Main Events, and a mother of three, has been involved with boxing for nearly forty years, entering the business while in college with her then boyfriend Dan Duva. The Duvas teamed up to promote some of boxing’s top talent over the years under the Main Events banner, including Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitacker, Arturo Gatti and Fernando Vargas, all while cultivating powerful relationships with HBO and other networks. Kathy continued her husband’s legacy after his passing in 1996, becoming one of the most recognized figures in boxing. Most recently, Duva and Main Events have developed one of boxing’s most avoided superstars in Sergey Kovalev.

“Kathy Duva is the perfect honoree for our first New York City Brunch,” said Raging Babe founder and namesake Michelle Rosado. “Boxing, like the ‘Concrete Jungle,’ has so many hard edges, and can be tough to navigate…but like New York City, it is full of opportunity for the right type of person, and Kathy Duva is that kind of person. She’s a headstrong, smart and persistent woman, who has an uncanny ability to endear people to her while not taking any gruff from anyone. It’s our honor to recognize her at the brunch.”

Past Raging Babe event honorees have included the “First Lady of Boxing” Jackie Kallen, Public Relations ace Kelly Swanson, TV trailblazer Claudia Trejo, heart transplant recipient Kennedy Cunningham, Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame Chief Operating Officer Michelle Corrales-Lewis, and Golden Boy’s Monica Sears. “It’s a privilege to stand in a room with women of this caliber,” said Rosado. “The Raging Babe Brunch started as a concept…something we might try to do yearly, but it’s become such a powerful and valuable event for attendees, we’re growing and doing more than one event per year. We’re able to do this because of the women of boxing that continue to support the event, and of course, thanks to our event partners.

The East Coast is well overdue for a Raging Babe Brunch, and I’m so pleased to be able to work with our partners to bring the event to New York City.”

The Raging Babe Brunch is made possible by the generous support of World Boxing Organization (WBO), War Tape, Box Stats, Boss Case (owned and operated by Raging Babe Livvy Cunningham), World Boxing Council (WBC) and Youth Fighting Forward.

HOUSTON, TX (May 24, 2016) – WBA and IBO Super-Welterweight Champion, Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (23-2-2, 13 KOs) is focused on breaking the record for most consecutive world title defenses at 154-pounds if he can’t land a big fight. The record, which was set by Gianfranco Rosi with 11 defenses of the IBF title, has stood strong since January of 1993.

If potential showdowns at middleweight with champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin or a rematch with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez can’t come to fruition, then Lara will happily defend his titles with honor.

“I’m ready to step up and fight anyone in my division or if a big fight can be made at middleweight I’m willing to be great.” said Erislandy Lara. “My first choice is to fight GGG. My next choice would be to have a rematch with Canelo. If either fight can’t be made, then my focus will be to put my name in the record books. All the fights at this level are tough so to break the record for most consecutive title defenses at super-welterweight would be unbelievable.”

“I’m ready to fight anybody between welterweight and middleweight.” said Erislandy Lara. “My first choice is to fight GGG because I feel he’s the toughest opponent and would be a fight that would solidify my legacy. My next choice would be to have a rematch with Canelo because we all know there’s unfinished business with lots of controversy. If either fight can’t be made, then my focus will be to put my name in the record books and defend my titles 12 times to break the record and unify them all at the same time.”

(NASHVILLE, TN) May 24, 2016 – Nashville’s unbeaten middleweight prospect, Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant (12-0, 9 KOs) is scheduled to return to the ring on June 3, 2016 against Colombia’s Carlos Galvan (12-4-1, 2 KOs). The scheduled 8-round bout will be televised on the undercard of Barthelemy vs. Bey at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida as Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike TV goes live at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In his last bout on January, 22 of this year, Plant dominated his opponent, winning by way of a 6th-round TKO. He’ll look to continue his winning ways on June, 3rd.

“I’m always looking to get better with each fight,” said Caleb Plant. “Every fight brings on a different challenge and I’m ready for any style that comes my way. Galvan has a lot of knockouts so I have to be aware of his power shots. I will control the action from the opening bell and make my adjustment as the fight goes on. If I get him hurt, I’m going for the knockout.”

After turning pro in May of 2014, Caleb has rapidly made his presences felt in the middleweight division by winning all twelve of his bout, nine of which came by way of knockout. Plant feels grateful about his career as it is headlining in the right direction.

“To be in the position I am this early in my career is a blessing.” Plant continued. “My management team and trainers are doing a fantastic job with everything and I couldn’t be any happier. I know fighting on television is very important for my fan base, so I want to come out and put on a great show. This will be my first time fighting on Spike TV and I want to leave a lasting impression. Expect to see some fireworks.”

Fort Myers, FL (May 24, 2016) – Welterweight Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella of Fort Myers, FL faces his toughest foe to date when he challenges Washington, DC’s David “Day Day” Grayton Saturday, June 4.

The anticipated ten round match up between unbeaten southpaws takes place at the Bell Centre in Montreal as part of a Premier Boxing Champions card on ESPN.

Both Perrella, 13-0 (12 KO’s), and Grayton, 14-0 (10 KO’s), were heralded amateurs that have been dominant thus far in the paid ranks. As is typically the case when two noteworthy prospects meet, the winner moves a step closer to contention while the fighter who falls short often has to climb back up the mountain.

With Grayton undefeated in his own right and also very hungry to advance his career by emerging victorious, Perrella’s taken his training to new heights. The 27-year-old has traveled throughout the Sunshine State for quality sparring and is strengthening his body by doing regular aquatic training. This has helped him remove weight properly so there won’t be any surprises on the scale. To further assist, Perrella hired a private chef to ensure he’s refueling his body properly.

Overall, Perrella’s team is confident about the match up against Grayton and believes the hard work in the gym is an integral part why Bryant will have his hand raised June 4.

“Camp has been great,” said Perrella’s trainer Michael Nowling. “Bryant is treating this camp like we’re preparing for a world title fight. Most importantly, he’s got a calm demeanor and clear head with no distractions whatsoever. He is not nervous about the fight or overly anxious. A lot of guys may feel overwhelmed since this a win in a fight like this likely gets the winner to the next level but not Bryant. He’s been a true professional in the gym since day one and seeing him kick it up a notch further solidifies my confidence that June 4 will be the night he puts the boxing world on notice.”

Tickets are available by going to http://www.evenko.ca/html/tickets/boxe-jun2016/index_en.html and the bout will air at 11 pm ET/8 PM PT.

LOS ANGELES (May 24, 2016) – Unbeaten since 2012 and recognized as one the top lightweight fighters in the world, WBC Lightweight World Champion Jorge “El Niño De Oro” Linares (40-3, 27 KOs) will continue to cement his legacy as a member of the Golden Boy Promotions roster, retaining the Los Angeles-based company founded by Oscar De La Hoya as his United States promoter.

The multi-year contract will continue to recognize Linares’ relationship with co-promoter, Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions, with both companies teaming up to put Linares in the biggest fights possible.

“Golden Boy Promotions is an elite promoter and they have treated me well over the years, so there was no question that I was going to re-sign with them,” said Linares. “We’ve still got work to do in this sport, and I’m confident that we will achieve more great moments together in the future.”

“Jorge Linares is an elite talent who continues to impress every time out — at only 30 years old, the best is yet to come for him,” said De La Hoya. “There are a lot of big fights out there for Jorge, and we’re going to pull out all the stops to give him the platform he deserves.”

A native of Barinas, Venezuela who now makes his home in Las Vegas, Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares is a three-division world champion who has won titles in the featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight divisions. In December of 2014, he took his third divisional crown when he knocked out Javier “El Implacable” Prieto in four rounds for the WBC Lightweight World Championship. He has since defended the title twice with a technical knockout victory over Kevin “Mighty” Mitchell in May 2015 and a knockout over Ivan “Macanon” Cano in October 2015.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @JorgeLinares and @OscarDeLaHoya, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @jorgelinaresoficial and @OscarDeLaHoya.

Nutley, NJ (May 24, 2016) – This Friday night at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, 2016 Olympic Alternate, LeRoy Davila will make his professional debut when he takes on Dominic Whitehurst in a Bantamweight bout schedule for four rounds.

Davila is signed to GH3 Promotions, with the card being promoted by Rising Promotions.

Davila is managed by Pete Festa.

Davila, 27 years-old of New Brunswick, New Jersey is coming off a amateur career that saw him go 47-13 and ony to lose to Nico Hernandez in the finals of the United States Olympic Qualifier at 108 pounds.

Davila will compete at 118 pounds in the professional ranks.

“I feel good and everything is great,” said Davila.

“I am excited to get this over with, I have been waiting a long time for this. I will have a lot of family and friends at the fight.”

In Whitehurst, he is facing an unknown fighter from Ohio, but Davila is not too concerned.

“It is true that I do not know anything about him, but I have the skills and the preparation that should be enough for the win.”

With his high amateur accolades, there are expectations.

“I don’t focus on that. It can only put pressure on me. I am just focusing on training and I am just trying to be great.. I am enjoying this opportunity to fight close to home in front of everybody. I a, looking to come out with an imprssive victory.”

Said GH3 Promotions, Vito Mielnicki, “We are excited to have LeRoy debut on Friday. He has terrific talent and we think he could be a force in the smaller weight divisions. Friday night will just be the beginning of a busy second half of the year for not only LeRoy, but the rest of the GH3 stable.”

GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Ronald Ellis, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight’s Hector Frometa, Jerrell Harris, Arturo Trujillo & Keenan Smith, , Jr. Lightweight O’Shaquie Foster, Bantamweight LeRoy Davilla & Super Middleweight Andrew Hernandez to the GH3 Promotions stable.

Enzo Maccarinelli will now challenge Dmytro Kucher for the Vacant EBU European Cruiserweight title at Bethnal Green’s York Hall on June 10th, exclusively live on BoxNation. Maccarinelli, a former holder of the European crown, replaces the Derby-based Jamaican Ovill McKenzie who withdraws through injury.

Dynamite-fisted Maccarinelli, from Swansea, Wales, is coming off the back of a brutal knockout win over boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. at the VTB Arena in Moscow last December. The former WBO World Cruiserweight Champion is delighted to be challenging Kucher for the European Crown.

“I had a phone call from BoxNation asking if I’d cover the fight as a pundit. An hour later I had a phone call from my trainer Gary Lockett asking if I fancied stepping in to fight Kucher; it was a bit mad! Obviously I’m always in the gym so I jumped at the chance,” said Maccarinelli.

He added: “I’ve won it before so it’ll be nice to become a two-time European Champion. More importantly it gets me one step closer to another world title which is my ultimate goal. I’m taking things one fight at a time and hopefully I’ll get another shot at the biggest prize. First of all I need to take out Kucker on June 10 and I intend on doing it in style.”

Kucher, from Kiev, Ukraine, comes in with a top record of 17 knockouts from 23 wins and has only tasted defeat once, on points, in a professional career spanning seven years. The big-hitting 31 year-old has previously held the WBC International Silver Cruiserweight title and will be challenging for the EBU European title for a second time after he drew against Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune for the vacant title last October.

An action-packed show sees red-hot Mitchell Smith make his eagerly anticipated return to an action in an eight rounder, English Light-Heavyweight Champion Tom Baker fights over ten rounds and Light-Heavyweight monster Anthony Yarde goes in search of another KO. Top prospects Lyon Woodstock, D.P Carr, Billy Long, Jez Smith, Lucien Reid, Charlie Duffield, Nathaniel Wilson and pro-debutant Ryan Garner all feature.

Tickets are available at ticketmaster.co.uk and eventim.co.uk at prices of £40 and £60.

The Channel of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, Freeview 255 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com or watch online at livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

LONDON (24 MAY) British middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr has offered to return his Lonsdale belt to its former owner, Nick Blackwell, despite not owning the belt outright.

The gesture was made this morning on ITV1’s Good Morning Britain, but Blackwell’s friend and former promoter, Mick Hennessy, aware that Eubank Jr needs three successful defences of the title before he can call it his own, is of the opinion that it’s not much more than a publicity stunt at this stage.

“On the face of it, it seems like a really kind gesture from Chris,” said Hennessy, “but, unfortunately, he has no right to make those sort of claims. The belt he currently has isn’t his to give away.

“Once he has made three defences of the title, and won it outright, he can do what he wants with it. It will be his to keep. But, until then, anything he says in relation to handing the belt over to Nick has to be viewed, in my opinion, as pure opportunism.”

Eubank Jr won the British middleweight title on March 26, 2016 at The SSE Arena, Wembley. In accordance to the time-honoured rules, though, he must make three successful defences of the belt to claim it outright (at which point a new belt is created). If unsuccessful, or if he decides to vacate his position, the same belt is then passed on to the next champion.

END

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Stephen Smith says he wants to land a second World title shot in 2016 – and will show he’s ready to rule the world when he takes on Daniel Brizuela for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Featherweight crown at Goodison Park in Liverpool on Sunday May 29, live on Sky Sports.

Smith is straight back into action after challenging Jose Pedraza for the IBF strap in Connecticut in April, with his brave challenge against the classy Puerto Rican ending in a points loss.

‘Swifty’ believes he’s a better fighter for the experience of his first World title shot, and the 30 year old wants to jump straight back in and believes a good win over the Argentine will underlined his credentials at the top level.

“I want to get another World title fight as soon as possible,” said Smith. “I am not getting any younger and I have shown I belong at that level so I want to stay at that level and be put straight back in at that level. If somebody offered me a World title fight next fight I would take it.

“My confidence hasn’t dropped and I didn’t take any negatives from the Pedraza fight other than the results. I learnt a lot from it and will become a better fighter from it. It will only stand me in good stead for the future so the sooner I can get another shot at a World title the better.”

“A lot of people see it as tough for me to get motivated having been up for a World title fight but for me, fighting on this massive bill, is going to be huge for me and I want to perform and look good in front of my fans.

“It wasn’t the result I aimed for and believed I would get in America but I have to give credit to Pedraza because I performed well and did a lot of things which made me think he is a good fighter. I learnt a lot from sharing the ring for 12 good rounds with him.

“I thought it was a very even fight after eight rounds and then there was a knockdown I kicked myself over. It was one of those where it wasn’t really a big shot, it was more down to my feet placement than anything else.

“I was a little bit off balance and the shot caused me to touch down. It was a big swing giving him a two-point round with only three rounds to go and I knew I had an uphill task from there. When the final bell went I thought he had won.

“On the night I don’t think I could have given much more, when I watch it back there are things you look at which you think could have gone a bit different but on the night I did everything I could and did my best and the better man won on the night. But that doesn’t mean I don’t believe I belong at that level and don’t believe I couldn’t beat him on another night, it just wasn’t my night.”

Smith’s clash with Brizuela is part of a huge night of action in Liverpool as Tony Bellew looks to land the vacant WBC World Cruiserweight title against KO king Ilunga Makabu.

Birkenhead’s Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd faces Pasquale Di Silvio for the vacant WBC International Lightweight title, while Tom Farrell meets Kofi Yates in an eliminator for the English Super-Lightweight title.

Smith’s Super-Middleweight brothers Paul and Callum are also in action, Liverpool Heavyweight favourite David Price is back on home soil and there’s a host of young talent on display including British Light-Heavyweight champion Hosea Burton, Preston’s Commonwealth gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald and Merseysiders JJ Metcalf, Paul Economides, Gerard Carroll, Craig Glover and Steve Brogan.

Tickets are on general sale now priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 and can be purchased by visiting www.evertonfc.com/eticketing, or by calling 0151 556 1878*. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in person by visiting the Park End ticket office or our City Centre ticket facility in Everton Two, Liverpool One. £350 VIP tickets will be available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com

Opening times for all ticket outlets can be found here.

*Booking fees apply.

Tickets for May 29 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.

BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA – (May 23, 2016) Blueprint Boxing Promotions is pleased to announce the signing of lightweight prospect Patricia Juarez.

Juarez 1-0 is the younger sister of Mexican boxing legend and former five time world champion Mariana ‘”Barbie” Juarez. Patricia in her pro debut defeated Jade De Haas on April 30, 2016 in Denver, Colorado.

I’m extremely excited about being signed with Blueprint Boxing Promotions. I’m looking forward to staying active in the boxing ring and climbing my way to the top of the lightweight division. I’m on a mission to become a world champion like my sister five time world champion Mariana Juarez.”said Patricia Juarez, Lightweight prospect.”

“I am proud to welcome a talented fighter like Patricia to the Blueprint Boxing Promotions team. Patricia Juarez comes from a boxing family that includes her sister Lourdes and her older sister five time world champion Mariana Juarez. Patricia has boxing in her bloodline and she wants to continue her families boxing legacy and become a world champion.” said Macke Roberts, Global Operations Officer, Blueprint Boxing Promotions.

“I trained Mariana Juarez years ago before she moved back to Mexico. She was strong willed, a hard worker and she refused to lose. I started training Patricia Juarez three years ago and her work ethic instantly reminded me of her sister Mariana. I’m happy that Patricia has signed with Blueprint Boxing Promotions. This is a great opportunity for Patricia to accomplish her goal of becoming a world champion. “said Chris Green, Manager and trainer of Patricia Juarez.

I am happy that my younger sister Patricia Juarez has signed with Blueprint Boxing Promotions. This is a great opportunity for Patricia to further expand her boxing career. I am very happy that Chris Green is her trainer I know him well and he is a good trainer. I’m happy that my sister is achieving her goals in boxing. But to me she’s been a champion since the first time she stepped in the boxing ring.”said Mariana Juarez, Former five time world champion.

“I believe Patricia Juarez has a bright future in boxing and the potential to become a world champion. The lightweight division better pay attention because Patricia Juarez is ready to rise to the top.” said Macke Roberts, Global Operations Officer, Blueprint Boxing Promotions”.

Patricia Juarez is originally from Mexico City, Mexico she now trains in Denver, Colorado with her manager/trainer Chris Green. In 2016 Patricia won the Colorado Golden Gloves and decided it was time to turn professional.

About Blueprint Boxing Promotions

After spending seventeen years working with the best promoters around the world as a respected international boxing industry consultant, advisor and matchmaker, Macke Roberts made the big move to promoting boxing events in March 2016.

Blueprint Boxing Promotions is on mission to promote exciting, competitive, fan friendly fights that boxing fans want to see. Blueprint Boxing Promotions promotes boxing events with the best world class boxers in the world. Blueprint Boxing Promotions will be promoting boxing events with our promotional partners in North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America.

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New York, NY (5/23/15) – On Friday, June 3, Broadway Boxing returns to the beautiful Resorts World Casino in Queens, NY, with an exciting 10-bout card presented by DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing, sponsored by Nissan of Queens.

Featured on the card, in separate bouts, will be former world champions Richar Abril and Yuri Foreman. Abril (19-3-1, 8KO’s), making his much anticipated return and DiBella Entertainment (DBE) debut, will take on the always-tough Jerry Belmontes (21-8, 6KO’s) in a 10-round junior welterweight showdown. Foreman (33-2, 9KO’s), fighting for the first time in 2016, is set to take on Jason Davis, of Vancouver, WA, in an eight-round junior middleweight matchup.

A gifted boxer with exceptional hand speed and movement, Abril will be returning to the ring for the first time in over a year and a half. Following his world title defense against previously unbeaten Edis Tatli (23-0) in September 2014, Abril was stricken with dengue fever that he contracted from a mosquito bite while training in Cuba to defend his title against Derry Matthews in early 2015. Abril was forced to vacate his title as he battled through the illness. Now back and 100 percent healthy, Abril will look to quickly regain his world championship under the DiBella Entertainment banner. The 33-year-old Cuban Abril’s three losses are highly debatable having all come via split decision against then-undefeated contenders Hank Lundy and Breidis Prescott, with the last defeat coming at the hands of Brandon Rios for the vacant WBA world title. Following the controversial loss to Rios, who failed to make weight for the bout, Abril, then the interim WBA champion, was elevated to regular champion. Abril twice defended his title, first against 23-0 Sharif Bogere in March of 2013, before traveling to Finland where he defeated the aforementioned Tatli. In Belmontes, Abril will get no pushover. Belmontes began his career at a perfect 17-0, and challenged Omar Figueroa for the WBC world lightweight title in 2014, dropping a close split decision. Belmontes is coming off back-to-back victories, including an upset unanimous decision over previously undefeated Valentyn Golovko in his most recent outing in January of this year.

The bout on June 3 will be Foreman’s first since December 2015. Foreman, the former WBA welterweight world champion and now ordained rabbi, stepped away from the ring in 2011 following back-to-back losses, to focus on his studies. He then returned in 2012 and reeled off four consecutive victories before once again stepping away to finally finish his rabbinical studies. Determined to remain active in 2016, Foreman hopes to make another run at capturing a piece of the junior middleweight crown.

Additional bouts on the card will be announced shortly.

Tickets are priced at $125 ringside, $75 reserved seating and $50 general admission. Tickets may be purchased by calling DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the night of the fight. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7 p.m.

“Sugar” Shane Mosley, is back with a bang on May 28th, 2016 at the gorgeous Gila River Arena in Glendale, AZ. Soon after Mosley’s December 17th win over two time Olympian Patrick Lopez, Shane entered into negotiations with not one but TWO current World Champions for a fight in the summer. After months of going back and forth, both champions backed out to opt for what each cites as “an easier defense” than Mosley. Mosley’s search to get a world title fight continued until one courageous fighter and his manager accepted the Mosley challenge. David Avanesyan is currently ranked #1 in the world with the WBA and the current interim WBA Welterweight World Champion. Avanesyan has held 6 titles in his time as a professional fighter and recently won the WBA title against Charlie Navarro (a top rated fighter).

After striking up a grand friendship in Panama, Mosley has enlisted the man, the myth, the legend, Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran, to be his trainer. This “Sugar and Stone” team, as they are calling themselves, are a match made in heaven, and the fans are going crazy. The match is being promoted by GoBox Promotions, the promotional outfit owned by Shane Mosley. The promotion promises to be a lively event with the hottest ring girls, boxing demonstrations, signed glove giveaways and fan contests. The last GoBox event was a fan hailed success with the “ring girl” fights in between matches, and musical performances. Go Box plan to take it one step further with their amazing new sponsors, and the support of Gila River Arena as well as CBS Sports.

TELEVISED
MAIN EVENT – WBA WELTERWEIGHT INTERIM WORLD TITLE – 12 ROUNDS
“Sugar” SHANE MOSLEY 49-9-1, 41 KOs), PPOMONA, CA
DAVID “Ava” AVANESYAN (21-1-1, 11 KOs), PYATIGORSK, RUSSIA

SPECIAL LIGHTWEIGHT ATTRACTION — 8 ROUNDS
VICTOR CASTRO (16-0, 7 KOs), PHOENIX, AZ
CARLOS ZATARIAN (6-2-2, 4 KO’S), SONORA, MEXICO

CRUISERWEIGHT – 8 ROUNDS
DIMAR “El Animal” ORTUZ (10-0-2, 7 KOs), Chicago, IL
RICARDO CAMPILLO (9-9-1, 7 KO’s) LOS MOCHIS, MÉXICO

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT – 6 ROUNDS
“Sugar” SHANE MOSLEY JR (6-1, 5 KOs), LAS VEGAS, NV
ROBERTO YONG (5-7, 4 KO’S), PHOENIX, AZ

NON-TELEVISED

LIGHTWEIGHT – 4 ROUNDS
CLAY “3rd Degree” BURNS (3-1-1, 3 KOS), ALEXANDRIA, LA
ISAAC AVALOS (0-1) TIJUANA, MEXICO

WELTERWEIGHT – 6 ROUNDS
LUIS “3rd Degree” OLIVERAS (10-0, 7 KOS), GLENDALE, AZ
MANUEL DE LOS REYES HERRERA (21-19-1), PLANETA RICA, COLOMBIA

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT – 6 ROUNDS
LUIS ROSE(13-3-1, 5 KOS), LYNWOOD, CA
JOSE JESUS HURTADO (4-7, 4 KO’S), SAN YSIDRO, CA

__________________________________________________________________

WHEN: Saturday, May 28th, 2016

WHERE: GILA RIVER ARENA, Glendale, AZ

PRESENTED BY: “Sugar” Shane Mosley

PROMOTER: GoBox Promotions, Inc.

TELEVISION: CBS Sports Network
CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com .

BROADCASTERS: Brendan Schaub, Steve Kim, Larry Michael, and Kevin Kelly

RING ANNOUNCER: “Ramblin” Ralph Valdez

TICKETS:
$500 ringside, $256-$132 floor, $82-$42-$22 (Premiere to Discount Admission) seating now on sale at Ticketmaster.com or the Gila River Arena box office (951-665-1000). VIP Access is $1000.00, and includes pre-party, signed, meet and greet with “Sugar” Shane Mosley, and glove signed by main event fighters. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.

OFFICIAL WEIGH IN: Friday, May 27th, 2016, 4:00 p.m. / PT on scale outside Gila River Arena.
DOORS OPEN: 5:00 p.m. PT
FIRST BOUT: 5:30 p.m. PT
FIRST TV BOUT: 7:00 p.m. PT

INFORMATION:

Website:
www.goboxpromotions.com , www.cbssports.com, www.gilariverarena.com/

Twitter: @CbsSports, @WBAnews, @GilaRivArena, @brendanschaub

Instagram: @ShaneMosley_ , @GilaRiverArena

Facebook: www.facebook.com/therealsugarshanemosley/

Follow on Twitter: @ShaneMosley_, @ShaneMosleyJr, @davidavaboxer

OTHER: This broadcast is part of the “Live with Sugar” series that was developed in partnership with GoBox Promotions and “Sugar Shane Mosley.”
Rival Boxing is the official glove sponsor for the “Live with Sugar” series.

SALT LAKE CITY (May 23, 2016) – CharityVision, a Utah-based non-profit providing medical equipment, clinics, vision screenings, eye surgeries, and training to doctors in poverty-stricken areas across the globe, is partnering with Golden Boy Promotions to host its second annual Fight Night fundraising event on Saturday, June 11 at 6:30pm at the Rail Event Center in Salt Lake City. Boxing legend, ten-time world champion in six weight classes and Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya and host of “Extra” and boxing enthusiast Mario Lopez will participate in the night’s main event. CharityVision will also partner with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions to put on three professional boxing undercard bouts, to be announced at a later date, which will precede the main event.

Josh Romney, CharityVision president, will serve as the night’s emcee and Jenn Blosil, a top 15 finalist on this season of American Idol, will sing the national anthem. Governor Mitt Romney, who participated in last year’s main event, will also be in attendance.
This year’s black-tie event, which is using the hashtag #givesight25, is expected to raise $1 million, allowing CharityVision to perform 40,000 sight-restoring surgeries. At an average cost of $25, one person’s sight can be restored with a simple procedure. For about the same cost as lunch with a friend, a mother can see her children for the first time, a family can be lifted out of poverty because sight brings new opportunities, and hope can be brought back to families and communities. With a $25 donation a commemorative Fight Night t-shirt is available www.givesight25.com. There, donations of any amount can also be made. All proceeds benefit CharityVision and its work to restore sight.

Last year’s Fight Night main event, headlined by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and five-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, raised $1 million. In 2015 Charity Vision saw almost 400,000 patients, donated over 70,000 pairs of glasses, and performed over 42,000 surgeries.

A separate media advisory will be issued with further event, coverage, and credentialing details. Click HERE for preliminary media credential requests.

For more information about Fight Night, visit www.fightnight.vision.

STATEMENT FROM 10-TIME WORLD CHAMPION OSCAR DE LA HOYA:
“I am excited to get back into the ring with a good friend for a great cause. CharityVision Fight Night is an incredible opportunity to give back to so many across the world that live with blindness but who could see with a simple, low-cost procedure. CharityVision’s work is changing lives, families and communities and I’m proud to be a part of an event that will raise funds to help restore sight for thousands.”

STATEMENT FROM HOST OF “EXTRA” MARIO LOPEZ:
“CharityVision is a great cause and I’m excited to be a part of this night for the second time. I can’t wait to get into the ring with Oscar and have some fun with him, but most importantly, bring attention to the work that CharityVision does to give many deserving individuals the gift of sight. It’s a honor to be a part of their great work and we’re going to have a great night that will change many lives.”

STATEMENT FROM CHARITYVISION PRESIDENT, JOSH ROMNEY:
“The work that CharityVision does around the world to restore sight couldn’t be done without the support we receive from Fight Night. Last year’s event was an enormous success, raising $1 million and helping tens of thousands of people see. Because we can do so much with only $25, our supporters don’t have to give a lot to do a lot. This year’s event is poised to be an even bigger success. We are incredibly grateful to Oscar, Mario and all of the other fighters who will make this night a success.”

ABOUT CHARITYVISION: CharityVision is focused on empowering local physicians in 25 developing countries to overcome curable blindness and poor vision by providing eye exams, glasses, surgeries, and eye-care clinics. In 2015, doctors in CharityVision clinics around the globe restored the sight of more than 40,000 patients. www.charityvision.net

ABOUT GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS: Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by 10-time world champion in six divisions Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the world and has worked with networks such as HBO, HBO Latino, Estrella TV, ESPN, TeleFutura, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, Televisa and TV Azteca. The company has also promoted some of the top boxing events in the history of the sport including De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Mayweather vs. Canelo and other notable pay-per-view fights featuring fan-favorites Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Marco “Baby Faced Assassin” Antonio Barrera, Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Sugar Shane Mosley.

Ellesmere Port’s super-flyweight star Paul Butler is still driven by the desire to become the first Briton for more than 100 years to step down a weight and win a second world title. Butler takes on Thailand’s Predrag Radosevic in a final eliminator for the WBO mandatory position at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday 4th June, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

If Butler overcomes his Thai challenger he will have earned a second shot at becoming the first British boxer since Bob Fitzsimmons – who won middleweight, heavyweight and light-heavyweight championships – to drop down a weight and win a second title.

“It’s a massive incentive for me,” said Butler. “I’ve been a world champion before and obviously we came down a weight and got the defeat at super-flyweight. It’s always been my dream to win a world title at two weights.”

He added: “We fell short before but we’re on the brink of getting another world title shot. This shot is massive for me; I need to win this fight to get to where I want to be. I’ve worked hard for this opportunity and failure just isn’t an option.”

30 year-old Kokietgym, who comes in with a top record of 38-7-1 18 KO’s, stands in the way of Butler’s shot at making history. The Bangkok bruiser is enjoying a red-hot 16 fight winning streak that stretches back to 2013. Butler knows he will have to be at his very best if he is to overcome his latest challenge.

He said: “We’ve watched quite a bit of him and we expect him to come and work behind his jab. He tries to set the pace with his jab and stop you from firing back with anything of your own.

“It’s all about putting him out of his rhythm and not letting him settle behind that jab. He doesn’t throw many shots other than that jab so the plan will be to take him out of his rhythm and make him pay when he misses.”

A mouth-watering night of action is headlined by Liam Smith‘s world title defence against Predrag Radosevic. South African super-puncher Zolani Tete makes his eagerly anticipated return to Liverpool to defend his IBF International Bantamweight title. Jazza Dickens takes on Spain’s Abigail Medina for the Vacant EBU European Super-Bantamweight Championship. Liverpool favourite Tom Stalker challenges for the Vacant WBO European Lightweight title. A top undercard sees Kevin Satchell, Liam Williams, Steven Lewis, Josh Leather and Declan Geraghty all in action.

Tickets priced at £40, £60 and £80 are available from:

TicketMaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com

The Channel of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, Freeview 255 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (May 23, 2016)–THIS Friday night, May 27th, a big night of boxing will kick off a holiday weekend at The Claridge in Atlantic City as Rising Promotions will present a terrific card of boxing.

In the main event, It will be about New Jersey bragging rights as Isiah Seldon will take on Eddie Edmond in a bout scheduled for six-rounds.

Seldon, who is the son of former WBA Heavyweight champion, Bruce Seldon will be making his 2nd appearance in three months as he is coming off a 6-round on March 19th over Michael Mitchell, has been in the gym to round back into form after 33-month layoff.

“Training camp has been great. We have been doing a lot of boxing as I been still shaking off some rust from the layoff,” said Seldon. “To come right back is not a big deal. I am an athlete and I am always in good shape. My body feels better when I am active and in the gym. Even when I wasn’t getting the fights, I was always in the gym.”

In Edmond, he is fighting a fighter from Newark, New Jersey and has similar experience.

“I have seen some video of him. He comes forward and he throws punches. That is the kid of fight that I want to be in. He will come to fight and that should ,make for entertaining fight.”

This will be the 2nd straight fight for Seldon against a fellow foe from the Garden State, but that doesn’t matter to the 27 year-old native of Atlantic City.

“I don’t care where a person is from. A fight is a fight. In fact, I actually want to see all the locals make it. That is unless they are fighting me. It is always fun fighting in Atlantic City. I will have a lot of friends there supporting me.”

Seldon credits his return to the ring to Rising Promotions, who will be staging their 3rd show in the past six months.

“I would like to thank Rising Promotions, Thomas LaManna and the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame. They are all trying to bring boxing back to Atlantic City the way it used to be. I feel I have an opportunity to become the face of Atlantic City boxing. I have been working very hard and I feel very good. To be headlining for the first time feels really good. Rising Promotions has given me this opportunity to showcase my skills and on Friday, I am going to put on a great performance.”

In a six-round co-feature, one of the most popular fighter’s from the shore area, Light Heavyweight Chuck Mussachio will be back in the ring after a 39-month lay off when he takes on Willis Lockett in a rematch of a bout that that ended in a draw on September 19, 2008.

In an eight-round Cruiserweight bout, Nick Kisner (16-2-1, 6 KO’s) of Baltimore, MD will take on Lamont Capers (5-8-2) of Hawley, PA.

In four round bouts:

In a four round Welterweight bout, Adrian Wilson (0-2) of Atlantic City will take on pro debuting Da’Quan Johnson of Pennsauken, New Jersey

Quian Davis (2-0-1, 1KO) of Mays Landing, NJ will fight Soloman Maye (1-6-1, 1 KO) of New Haven, CT in a Heavyweight out.

Lightweight Anthony Burgin (9-1, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia will fight Curtis Morton (4-5-4) of Harlem, NY.

Also on the card will be the pro debut of Bantamweight Leroy Davila of New Brunswick, New Jersey battling fellow pro debuter Dominic Whitehurst of Chillicothe, OH.

Davila, who had over 60 amateur fights was ranked second in the United States in his weight class.
.
Lawrence Newton (3-0, 3 KO’s) of Florida will take on an opponent to be named

Tickets are $125 for premium, $77 Ringside stage and $52 reserved and are available at www.risingboxingpromotions.com or 609-487-4444

Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo

Ilunga Makabu has told Tony Bellew that he’ll turn his dream night at Everton FC into a nightmare when they clash for the vacant WBC World Cruiserweight title at Goodison Park on Sunday May 29, live on Sky Sports.

Makabu brings a fearsome KO record to Merseyside with 18 of his 19 straight wins coming inside the distance, and the 29 year old says he will silence the hometown support and make Bellew his latest KO victim.

“People expect me to be scared of the occasion as the stadium will be full of his people cheering him and booing me,” said Makabu. “Tony must not wait for his people to get behind him to start fighting – as once we are in there, no-one can help him, it’s just me and him!

“People can come to support, and I’m happy for this as I like seeing lots of people. I’m ready to fight Tony and handle whatever he brings. I can’t wait to fight him.

“I am the King of Knockouts and for sure I will knock him out. I’m not going to be surprised and the people shouldn’t be shocked when they see me knock Tony Bellew out. I’m not going to wait for this fight to go the distance – I will knock Tony out much before then. He won’t be able to survive 8 or 10 rounds with me, let alone 12 – no way.”

Makabu’s clash with Bellew is part of a huge night of action at Goodison Park as Stephen Smith looks to bounce straight back from his brave World title challenge by taking on Daniel Brizuela for the vacant WBC Silver Super-Featherweight title, and he’s joined on the bill by his Super-Middleweight brothers Paul and Callum.

Birkenhead’s Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd faces Pasquale Di Silvio for the vacant WBC International Lightweight title, while Tom Farrell meets Kofi Yates in an eliminator for the English Super-Lightweight title.

Liverpool Heavyweight favourite David Price is back in action and there’s a host of young talent on display including British Light-Heavyweight champion Hosea Burton, Preston’s Commonwealth gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald and Merseysiders JJ Metcalf, Paul Economides, Gerard Carroll, Craig Glover and Steve Brogan.

Tickets are on general sale now priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 and can be purchased by visiting www.evertonfc.com/eticketing, or by calling 0151 556 1878*. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased in person by visiting the Park End ticket office or our City Centre ticket facility in Everton Two, Liverpool One. £350 VIP tickets will be available exclusively from www.matchroomboxing.com

Opening times for all ticket outlets can be found here.

*Booking fees apply.

Tickets for May 29 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.