LONDON (4 APRIL) On Saturday, April 2, 2016, Nick ‘Bang Bang’ Blackwell woke from an induced coma. Twenty-four hours later, on Sunday, he was talking to family and close friends at his bedside (see picture below).

Nick had been placed in an induced coma following a British middleweight title contest at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday, March 26. Contrary to early reports, though, his bleed was outside the brain – on the skull, in fact – and was minor enough for there to be no need to operate.

He was in an induced coma for almost seven days, given the very best possible treatment by the incredible team at St. Mary’s Hospital, and the sedatives used were gradually reduced over this period of time.

Finally, at the weekend, Nick woke from this induced coma, acknowledged the voices of loved ones and, by Sunday, was starting to talk. It was the outcome everyone had been hoping and praying for; Nick had won his toughest fight yet.

On behalf of Nick, his family, and very close friends, we’d like to thank everyone for their continued support and well-wishes. It has been overwhelming at times and has certainly not gone unnoticed.

Nick Blackwell won the hearts of over three million (television) viewers on March 26 with an astonishing display of all-action bravery and determination. In the past week, however, he has humbled millions more. He’s a fighter. He’s a warrior. He’s a true champion and gentleman.

*** If you could continue to respect the Blackwell family’s desire for privacy at this time, it would be greatly appreciated ***

David Brophy says he will punish George Groves if he looks past their fight at The O2 on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The unbeaten Scotsman lands a golden chance to gatecrash the lucrative and talent-stacked Super-Middleweight scene with a meeting with the Londoner for the vacant WBA International title.

Groves is plotting an assault on a fourth World title shot having been edged out by WBC king Badou Jack in Las Vegas in September, but the unbeaten Caldercruix man believes he has the tools to capitalise on his shot if ‘Saint’ George is looking past him.

“I love being the underdog,” said Brophy. “George is a good fighter and I know that, but I am more than prepared for this step up and I will give it everything I have got. I feel really confident and I would have taken the fight if I wasn’t. I’m not here to make up numbers and that’s the first mistake that anybody will make. I’m coming to London to do a land a big win.

“I expect George to be fast and to try and do a job on me. I feel as if he is going to have a big fight in the summer, and whatever that is I think they will be treating me as a stepping stone and that is even better for me because I don’t mind going into somebody’s back garden either.

“I will give him more than he expects, I know that. Because I haven’t been in the limelight, and haven’t looked for it – I haven’t talked myself into big fights – he hasn’t heard of me, and he will have a shook tonight. He will expect me to be a walkover but I won’t be that.

“My preparations couldn’t have been better; I have been sparring with Callum Smith before his fight on Saturday and had been before the call for this came. It is the best preparation I could have got; Callum is a special, special fighter so to be sparring with him has been perfect for me.”

Brophy clash with Groves is part of a huge night of action in London topped by Joshua’s first World title fight, as Lee Selby defends his IBF World Featherweight title against Eric Hunter and Jamie McDonnell defends his WBA Bantamweight strap against Fernando Vargas.

There’s a key Middleweight battle between former World title challengers Matthew Macklin and Brian Rose, Ohara Davies faces Andy Keates for the vacant English Lightweight title and Nigel Benn’s son Conor makes his professional debut.

Fernando Vargas has replaced Juan Alberto Rosas as the opponent for WBA Bantamweight king Jamie McDonnell at The O2 on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Vargas lands a golden opportunity on the bill following a huge win for the 27 year old Mexican over former World champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr in Brooklyn in June, and provides the Doncaster man’s first action in the UK since his two brilliant wins over Tomoki Kameda in Texas last year.

McDonnell turned 30 last week and believes a great performance against Vargas can see him land a unification bout in the summer, as he looks to dominate at 118lbs before a potential move to Super-Bantamweight.

“It’s a massive chance for Vargas,” said McDonnell. “It means everything to him and he’s going to bring the fight to me, but I am focused, feeling sharp and looking to make a statement.

“I’ve been training for lots of styles so it doesn’t bother me. I’m just buzzing to be back in the UK and ready to put on a show.

“I was looking to move up after the first Kameda fight but I am making Bantamweight well so if the big fights keep coming at Bantamweight I will stay there, it just depends on what options there are out there for me.”

McDonnell’s clash with Rosas is part of a huge night of action in Greenwich, topped by Joshua’s World title clash with Martin. Lee Selby defends his IBF World Featherweight title against Eric Hunter, while there’s a key Middleweight battle between former World title challengers Matthew Macklin and Brian Rose, three-time World Super-Middleweight title challenger George Groves meets unbeaten Scotsman David Brophy, Ohara Davies faces Andy Keates for the vacant English Lightweight title and Nigel Benn’s son Conor makes his professional debut.

St. Petersburg, FL (April 3, 2016) – Jacksonville, FL’s Juan Aguirre spoiled what was expected to be a homecoming for popular junior middleweight Ali Tareh Saturday, April 1 at the Bayfront Hilton in his hometown of St. Petersburg, FL.

Headlining Mad Integrity Fight Sports’ “Bombs Away 5” the main event boxers entered the ring for their eight round junior middleweight fight to a standing room only crowd, which packed the venue prior to the start of the first fight. A big ticket seller who had a large group of supporters on hand, Tareh took his time in the early going. Aguirre, a pressure fighter, looked to close the gap and connect with a hard shot upstairs. With seconds remaining in the opening stanza, Aguirre saw an opening and unleashed a devastating left left hook that knocked Tareh out cold at 2:59.

Aguirre is now 7-17-1 with 1 knockout. Tareh, who received a standing ovation upon returning to his feet, slides to 13-12-5 with 6 wins by knockout.

The six round co-featured bout marked the return of highly touted featherweight Jose “Lil Pacquiao” Resendez of Bradenton, FL. Coming off a year and a half layoff, Resendez met once-beaten Raul Chirino of Miami. A spitting image of a right handed Manny Pacquiao physically and stylistically, Resendez went to work from the opening bell. Resendez dominated the action with blazing fast combinations to the body and head before dropping Chirino towards the end of the first.

Resendez went back to work in the second and hurt his foe again but the game Chirino hung in tough and landed some counter shots against the ultra-aggressive Resendez. Smelling the blood from the damaged he’d done in the prior two rounds, Resendez continued to aggressively attack Chirino with hard combinations. Resendez was credited with his second knockdown of the evening when the referee ruled the ropes kept Chirino up. Dazed from taking many clean punches, he was in no position to continue and the bout was stopped at 2:03 of the third.

Resendez, who was mobbed by picture snapping fans after the win, improves to 5-0 with 2 KO’s. Chirino is now 7-2 with 3 KO’s.

Welterweight Armando “The Gentleman” Alvarez of Miami scored a one punch knockout over Tampa’s Lee “Holliwood” Dawson in the second of their eight round bout. After dominating the first round by throwing a plethora of punches against the defensive minded Dawson, Alvarez dropped him with a hard right hand for the ten count at 1:24 of round two.

Alvarez ups his professional ledger to 9-0 with 5 knockouts while Dawson’s record slips to 2-2-4.

In what was without a doubt the fight of the night on an evening full of action, junior lightweight Michael “Choko Guillen scored a dramatic last minute stoppage of Rafael “Junito” Rivera. Guillen immediately came at Rivera winging aggressive shots to the body and head. Rivera, who recognized his opponent left himself open during the relentless attack, scored a flash knockdown with a counter left hook. Undeterred, Guillen continued to swarm Rivera at a frenetic pace in the second and third while the latter found success tagging his wide open opponent with crisp counter shots.

With the crowd on their feet in the fourth and final round, Guillen cornered Rivera and dropped him with a hard shot to the body. Rivera immediately vomited and was counted out at 2:29.

Guillen, of Edgewater, FL, is now 2-0 with 1 knockout. Tampa’s Rivera is 1-2 (1 KO).

Highly touted Cuban junior welterweight Yordan Frometa went the distance for just the second time as a pro against awkward Farkhad “Crazy Russian” Sharipov. Frometa, who now calls Miami home, was the busier fighter and showed power in both hands. Sharipov however forced him to work from bell to bell by punching from different angles while regularly switching between orthodox and southpaw.

Scores were 59-55 and 60-54 twice. Frometa’s record is now 8-0 (6 KO’s). Sharipov, of Kissimmee, FL by way of Kyrgyzstan, is 4-8 with 1 knockout.

Middleweight prospect Steed “The Stallion” Woodall of Houston, TX by way of Birmingham, UK broke down Bradenton, FL based Bolivian Juan Raya en route to a third round TKO. With world renowned Ronnie Shields in his corner Woodall thoroughly dominated with hard shots to the body and head until Raya’s corner threw in the towel at 2:40 of the third.

Woodall improves to 10-1-1 with 7 KO’s. Raya slides to 2-5 with 1 knockout.

“This was an incredible card from end to end,” said Joey Orduna of Mad Integrity Fight Sports. “The fans definitely got their monies worth and I owe a special thanks to everybody involved with the event. Fights like these are what the sport is all about and if we continue to give the fans entertainment, the interest in the sport will only grow.”

For updates on Mad Integrity Fight Sports, please visit Facebook.com/MadIntegrityFightSports

Other results:

Heavyweights: Jose Medina (2-0 Winter Haven, FL) UD4 Todd Bradley (0-2 Brandon, FL) 40-36 3X

Super Middleweights: Arnold Hill (6-10 4 KO’s St. Petersburg, FL) MD4 Rashad Jones (4-7-2 2 KO’s Selma, AL) 38-38 and 39-37 2x

BOB ARUM: This is a very interesting promotion as far as I’m concerned. A lot of people are concentrating on the new and improved Tim Bradley. Manny Pacquiao with his right arm now totally repaired – he has had that torn rotator cuff since before the De La Hoya fight. A lot of athletes are able to perform well with a torn rotator cuff – a lot of pitchers in the major leagues are able to perform well with it. Obviously now that it’s repaired, it is at full strength. Freddie will tell you that Manny is hitting harder with the right hand – even harder than with the left hand, so he is now going to be a real two-handed fighter which is very interesting. I think Tim Bradley’s big advantage is that he is going in with a game plan. I don’t think he had much of a game plan in the first two fights but certainly Teddy has given him one. I am very excited for my “NoTrump Undercard” with the young Hispanics contenders and I think it is resonating tremendously, particularly with the Hispanic community. I’ve done dozens of radio interviews and television programs with the Hispanic media and there is a lot of excitement.

How are tickets selling?

BOB ARUM: The Ticket situation is good. It is about what it was last time that Manny fought Bradley. There are approximately 2,00 tickets left and a lot of those will go in the last week. They are selling at a very good clip so if we don’t sell out we will have at least 14,000 people in the arena on April 9. I am still optimistic that they will all be gone by fight night.

What is your aiming point for the pay-per-view?

BOB ARUM: I really think that we have a shot to go over 700,000. I really think that Manny and Bradley will do most of the numbers, but let me tell you that my Hispanic army is marching out there and we are going to do a tremendous number from people, aside from the Pacquiao-Bradley numbers, that want to see these Hispanic stars in very, very important fights. I am pretty confident that we will do over 700,000 with a little break here and there. Maybe if Trump opens his mouth a little bit more we can go over 800,000.

Do you think Bradley will be different for this fight? What has Freddie been telling you and what do you think it will it be?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Bradley has a new trainer for this fight and a new game plan and I am very excited for that because we will see more action in the ring in this fight.

In the first two fights he was avoiding your left hook. Will you use it more this fight or less?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Right now I have been working on my right hand and my right hook which is very good. My left hand is still good, but my right shoulder is healed and that is good, because I can use it with real power.

Freddie said it took you longer to get in shape for this fight. Is that because of the layoff or the shoulder?

MANNY PACQUIAO: We had a lot of time to exercise for this fight. We had a lot of time to train and all I can say is training camp was great and I am ready for the fight and everything is great.

Do you feel like the layoff has helped you?

MANNY PACQUIAO: That is one thing, it is good to have a long layoff in boxing – I feel fresh and new and I feel good now when I train every day. I really enjoyed this training camp.

You haven’t had a KO since 2009. Is that something that weighs on your mind or frustrates you? Or do you even think about it?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Yes, I am thinking about that. I have thinking about the last knockout that I had was in the Cotto fight and I believe the Margarito fight should have been stopped. It was a long time ago. I am thinking about it (the knockout) and that’s why I work hard. Right now it is a good thing that I had a layoff – I feel excited and fresh in my body and I will try hard for it in this fight.

Bob mentioned you’ve had a torn rotator cuff since the De La Hoya fight. Had you ever given consideration to having the surgery before since it has lingered for so long?

MANNY PACQUIAO: That fight was in 2008, so it was long ago. I still felt good and every time I rested the pain was gone.

Was it the worst in the Mayweather fight and psot-Mayweather?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Yes, in the fourth round. In the fourth round when I was throwing a lot of combinations. I hurt it coming off of one of the combinations.

It seems like you have been going back and forth regarding retirement. We know you have said you want to pursue your political career full time to assist your countrymen. Where do you stand on that right now?

MANNY PACQUIAO: After this fight I have already said that my mind is to focus on my job. If I win a Senate seat I have a big responsibility and I need to focus on that. I cannot say right now that I am going to retire. I don’t want to say that because I don’t know what the feeling is when you leave boxing. I will give it great thought when I return home.

So, you are going to have this fight, go back home and do your work and see what happens – and leave the door open?

MANNY PACQUIAO: My mind right now says to retire, but we don’t know.

Bob, have you spoken about this with Manny? What is your position?

BOB ARUM: Manny told me that he was going to retire after this fight, but I have been around this business for 50 years and a lot of fighters can’t walk away, so I am not advertising that this is going to be Manny’s last fight. It could be but then it may not be. He said he’s going back to run for Senate and if he becomes a Senator, he’ll have to decide whether to devote full time to the senate or he can work in a continuous boxing career. But again, that is going to have to be something that’s he’s going to have to decide. But one thing, for everyone on this line, I am not selling this fight as Manny’s last fight, so if he does come back after this fight – don’t say I deceived anyone.

Freddie, have you spoken about retirement with Manny following this fight? What is your position?

FREDDIE ROACH: We have talked about it a little bit. He told me he’s going to retire and I told him I think he still has some more fights left in him if he wants and he did ask me about training if he goes into the Olympics, if they let the pros in the Olympics and I said of course I will. That’s as far as we got. We didn’t talk about any fights after this. We are just concentrating on this fight right now.

Freddie, have you given any thought about not having Manny around any longer as a fighter?

FREDDIE ROACH: Of course, I will miss him. We have been together for a long time and I will go to all of his birthday parties in the Philippines and we will be friends for life.

Bob?

BOB ARUM: Well, I look back on it, working with Manny, but I have been at this for a long time. Fighters retire, but the life of boxing continues. If Manny does retire, I’ll concentrate on Terence Crawford, Jessie Vargas and Gilberto Ramirez and Oscar Valdez and Jose Ramirez, Jesse Hart and a whole host of other guys, and Nonito Donaire. So again, I will look back at it like when I promoted Muhammad Ali and George Foreman – that it has been a tremendous experience and I’m grateful for it but life goes on. One thing is for sure – I ain’t retiring. You are going to have me around for another 50 years.

Manny, do you think if you had the surgery earlier you would still be in the middle of this non-KO string?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I am not sure.

Freddie?

FREDDIE ROACH: I am not sure. He was young enough to get through the injury. We didn’t know it was a severe injury and we worked through it. The thing is when he moved to 147 and fighting against guys that when they went into the ring weighed 160, the thing is, it’s tougher against the bigger guys. He had a lot more knockouts at 140 and 135 of course but those guys were much smaller. I think that had more of an effect than the injury.

Do you expect Bradley to bang the shoulder early to see how healthy it really is?

FREDDIE ROACH: No because I think he would be wasting his time. He doesn’t have the injury right now. We were working on it and it has been 100% great for this training camp. The surgery went well and the rehab went well and Manny is 100% at this point.

Manny, you are in the political business, what do you think about the “NoTrump Undercard?”

MANNY PACQUIAO: All I know is that we have a good undercard.

Bob, have you heard from anyone in the Trump organization regarding the undercard?

BOB ARUM: I don’t take their calls.

Manny, in the two fights against Tim, which did you think you did better? The one you lost or the one you won?

MANNY PACQUIAO: I think the same. I believe the same, because I won both.

Which one were you happier with?

MANNY PACQUIAO: The one that I won.

Why that that one different or better?

MANNY PACQUIAO: The difference was throwing a lot more punches. To make sure I won every round to win the fight.

Do you believe it is important for you to win this fight to carry momentum into your election back home?

MANNY PACQUIAO: It is very important to get the win for my country and the people in the Philippines, but the most important thing is a win for my country and a win for my legacy in boxing.

Do you think a win will help you in the election?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Yes.

What do you think about professionals fighting in the Olympics?

BOB ARUM: The idea that you will allow professional boxers into the Olympics, at this short notice, is absolutely insane. The idea that Manny Pacquiao would face off with some 17 or 18 year old kid, who has no professional experience, is not only stupid, it’s dangerous. These people ought to have their heads examined. People say that professionals play basketball. That’s true, but in basketball you can dunk over somebody, but it’s not a hurt game. In boxing, if you put experienced pros in with rank amateurs there will be serious health consequences. I don’t understand why they are now raising this issue. It makes no sense to me.

On this short notice it seems extremely unlikely it will happen…

BOB ARUM: Absolutely – extremely unlikely. Andre Ward says he wants to go to the Olympics. Many Pacquiao says he wants to got to he Olympics. Are they going to fight 17 year old kids?

Manny, if this happens, would you consider fighting in the Olympics?

MANNY PACQUIAO: Yes, after this fight I am going back to the Philippines to do my job and if they allow me to fight in the Olympics – I am not going to say that I am going to fight or saying that I am not. I am not closing the door and I am not committing to it – I am thinking about it.

With the long layoff, did it make you realize that you don’t need boxing anymore in your life?

MANNY PACQUIAO: With the long layoff in boxing – I feel better right now – I feel fresh. A long layoff is a good thing because I was able to spend more time with my family and concentrate on helping the Philippine people.

Freddie, Teddy Atlas trains fighters to be more aggressive, how does that play to you?

FREDDIE ROACH: Well, if he will be more aggressive I will be happy for that. If his fighter fights a little harder we will fight back. Manny is ready for whatever he brings to the table. We see the adjustments he is trying to make but once Manny hits him, he will revert back to what he does best. I am not worried about Teddy Atlas, believe me.

In Closing…

MANNY PACQUIAO: Thank you everyone and all of the media and make sure you watch on April 9. There is going to be a lot of action in the ring and I am excited for that. Thanks you and God bless all.

BOB ARUM: I would like to make some observations. I really believe that this third fight between Manny and Timothy will be by far the best of the three fights. It will be very exciting and I believe that one way or another it is going to end in a knockout.

Also pay attention to the Arthur Abraham – Ramirez super middleweight world title fight. If Ramirez wins that fight, he will be the first Mexican to win a world title in a weight class as heavy as super middleweight and he will be one of the future stars not only in Mexico, but all over the world in boxing. Keep your eye on this kid, he’s 24, handsome, well spoken and fights well. If he wins this fight and becomes a champion, he will be a big star.

As will Oscar Valdez if he can get by Gradovich. Gradovich is a non-stop fighter and Valdez is a two-time Mexican Olympian and a real up and coming fighter.

Then there is my favorite, the farm worker. His parents came to this country to work in the fields. Jose Ramirez as a kid picked peppers in the fields at thirteen or fourteen years of age – he put himself through college, was a member of the U.S. Olympic boxing team – he fights his first ten round fight against Manny Perez, a very tough fighter from Denver. Jose is a kid to really focus on. He is a social activist. He is a spokesperson for the Latino Water Coalition, for immigration rights – he is a kid that’s going to make a difference.

I am very excited about this entire card on April 9. People are going to be tremendously entertained. I am really putting myself out on the line to say that it will be a complete night of boxing of the best that boxing has to offer.

*************************************

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, the Manny Pacquiao – Tim Bradley high-stakes welterweight championship event will take place on Saturday, April 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. The NoTrump pay-per-view undercard will feature World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight world champion “King” ARTHUR ABRAHAM defending his title against undefeated No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ, undefeated No. 1 WBO featherweight contender and two-time Mexican Olympian ÓSCAR VALDEZ defending his NABO featherweight title against former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight world champion EVGENY GRADOVICH and 2012 U.S. Olympian JOSE RAMÍREZ defending his World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas super lightweight title against MANNY PEREZ. The Abraham vs. Ramirez world championship fight is co-promoted by Sauerland Event and Zapari Boxing Promotions.

Remaining Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Bradley are priced at $1,204, $804, $604, $404, $254 and $154, not including applicable service fees. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available for purchase at mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.hbo.com/boxing or www.mgmgrand.com on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #PacBradley to join the conversation on Twitter.

Callum Smith destroyed Hadillah Mohoumadi inside a round to land a shot at the WBC World Super-Middleweight title at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Callum became the first of the Smith brothers to win a European title and the unbeaten star, and it’s the third belt that Smith has won in the first round, with Patrick Mendy (English) and Rocky Fielding (British) succumbing in the opening session to the brutal power and smart shot selection of the 25 year old.

Mohoumadi began brightly as he went on the attach from the off, but having cornered Smith the Frenchman felt the force of a left-hand counter that was a sign of the punishment to come. Again, the defending champion attacked the hometown star but when Smith unleashed a trademark stinging bodyshot, Mohoumadi retreated to the ropes and his hands drop, leading to a barrage of unanswered shots that saw the contest waved off after 101 seconds.

Post-fight on Sky Sports, fellow Merseyside man Tony Bellew said of the World champions at 168lbs, only IBF king James DeGale MBE would pose problems to the precocious Smith, who is now mandatory for the WBC belt held by Badou Jack.

“I feel I am getting better and better, hitting harder and getting bigger,” said Smith. “I prepared for a tough night, he’d never been stopped before and he’s European champion, but Joe Gallagher said he would try to come on early so I was ready for that and I hurt him with every counter. I do believe when I put those little gloves on I can hurt anyone.

“I’d like to fight for the World title in September, but if I have to wait then so be it. I’m only 25 and I am improving all the time. Every time I step up I win so why not keep going.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn said that Smith would be ringside in Washington when Jack defends his title against Lucian Bute and DeGale meets his mandatory Rogelio Medina on April 30, live on Sky Sports.

“Callum is the real deal,” said Hearn. “He’ll dominate the Super-Middleweight division for years to come. He’s going to fight for the World title and he’s going to win it. He’s only going to get better and better. Badou Jack won’t want to fight Callum; he just demolished Mohoumadi – Jack won’t stand up to that force. He’s got freakish power and he’s a scary, scary man. He makes the weight easy so let him dominate this division now.”

Smith’s devastating win came on a dramatic night on Sky Sports that began with a thrilling two-round shoot-out between Tom Doran and Luke Keeler. The pair met in a rematch of their Prizefighter semi-final last February and Keeler looked to be set to gain revenge for his loss that night when he put Doran down heavily in the first round with a massive right hand.

The Welshman somehow got to his feet and weathered an Irish onslaught, and then fired home left hooks that sent Keeler crashing to the canvas. Keeler managed to survive the incredible opening round and came out on the attack in the second, but another vicious left from Doran just before the halfway stage put Keeler down and took everything out of the Dublin man, and although gamely got to his feet, Doran didn’t let him off the hook and unleashed a barrage of punches that forced the referee intervene after one minute and 37 seconds of the second round, Doran becoming the WBC International champion in thrilling fashion.

That fight was followed by another rematch as Scotty Cardle put his British Lightweight title on the line for the second time against Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd, and once again, the challenger came within a whisker of landing the belt after the fight ended in a majority draw.

The pair served up an edgy affair heading into the championship rounds, but Joe Gallagher in Cardle’s corner was concerned enough after ten sessions to tell Cardle he needed to win the final two rounds to keep his title. Dodd was the man celebrating at the end of the fight, but his joy was short lived as two judges failed to split the pair and one gave the fight to Cardle 116-114.

Rocky Fielding returned to action following his loss to Smith in November, and the popular Liverpool man showed huge heart to edge past Frenchman Christopher Rebrasse via split decision.

Fielding didn’t show any demons from his first round loss to Smith with a good opening session, but Rebrasse soon brought the memories of the three knockdowns he suffered against ‘Mundo’ back in the second round as the Frenchman landed a trio of right hands that sent Fielding down. Thankfully for the hometown man, there was little time left in the round and he was able to use the minute between rounds to regroup, and although Rebrasse continued to catch Fielding throughout, the host was rewarded for his combinations and constant attacks with two judges scoring the fight 114-113 in his favour, with one leaning to Rebrasse by 115-113.

“That’s the most important win of my career,” said Fielding, who picked up the WBC International strap. “I had to dig so deep. He’s very tough – I got up, I shook it off and dug deep to come back. I’ve been working so hard in the gym and having tough spars with Martin Murray, and I used that grit and determination to get through that one.”

LOS ANGELES (April 1, 2016) – LA FIGHT CLUB on April 1 continues to bring the best boxing to Los Angeles as Fairfield, Calif.’s Manuel “Tino” Avila (20-0, 8 KOs)took on Nicaraguan warrior Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (23-7, 16 KOs) in an exciting 10-round featherweight bout from the Downtown Belasco Theater broadcast live on Boxeo Estellar on Estrella TV. The nearly sold out event saw the likes of an exciting group of special guests including NBA superstar and Los Angeles Laker’s player Metta World Peace and Golden Boy stable mates Hector “El Finito” Tanajara, Chirstian “Chimpa” Gonzalez, Jesus “Renuente” Soto Karass, Carlos “The Solution” Morales, Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas, Nick Arce, Rafael Gramajo, Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete and Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro.

Avila was put to the test in facing the seasoned Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado in the featherweight division for the first time in his career. Avila initiated the action in the first few rounds as he aggressively came at Alvarado delivering quick combinations. However, by the fifth round, Avila changed tactics and began to box Alvarado, was able to keep his distance and land effective counter-punching. The active bout went all 10-rounds with scores of 97-93, 100-90 and 97-93 to give Avila the victory via unanimous decision.

“I felt that the fight went in different stages in which he would win or I would win,” said Manuel Avila of his victory. “I know I needed to work on my inside game and stick to the game plan. I’m excited to get back in the gym and hopefully 2016 will bring more action inside the ring for me.”

“I felt that this decision was fair,” said Rene Alvarado. “We are obviously in his house, but I felt that throughout the fight it was a very close match. I’m excited to go back to Nicaragua, and work on my technique. Hopefully, if given the opportunity I will come back and fight in Los Angeles.”

Mexican warrior Gilberto “El Flaco” Gonzalez (25-3, 21 KOs) of Mexico City returned to make his second showing at LA FIGHT CLUB in an eight-round super lightweight bout against Luis “El Vampiro” Arceo (28-14-4, 19 KOs) of Aguascalientes, Mexico. The televised co-main event to Manuel Avila vs. Rene Alvarado, was a complete bloodbath as both fighters fought with tenacity and tenor, making it the fight of the night as the crowds cheered on their favorite fighters. However that lasted until the fifth round in which Gonzalez began to break down Arceo with his impactful punches. By the sixth round, “El Flaco” landed subsequent body bunches, sending Arceo to the mat, and handing him a sixth round Technical Knock-Out.

“I knew I was of him the entire fight, however there were moments in which I felt like he had me,” said ahead Gilberto Gonzalez. “It’s my first fight of the year and I feel some ring rust, so my timing off at times. Fortunately, I was able to break free in those moments and was able to land the punches that gave me the victory. I am looking forward to this year and hopefully a world title will be in my midst soon.”

Opening the televised broadcast on Estrella TV, Columbian transplant Oscar Torres (8-1, 4 KOs), who is now fighting out of Los Angeles, faced on Marquis “Marvelous” Taylor (4-1) of Houston in a six-round welterweight fight. The even match-up proved to push each fighter to their limit, as they each exchanged powerful blows throughout the six rounds. Taylor performed for the crowd with his fancy footwork and landing punches while Torres fought back with unwavering power. After six-rounds of intense action, the judges scored the fight 58-56, 59-55, and 59-55 in favor of Marquis Taylor awarding him a victory by split decision.

“Honestly, this is one of my biggest wins. I am so thankful, and only God could have made this happen. After my loss in Vegas, I was willing to take any fight offered to me, knowing that even meant going into enemy territory. Torres was a tough fighter, and we fought to the nail. I hope that with this win, I will have more opportunities to come to LA and show the West Coast what I have to offer, and give them a performance to remember, even my little dances in the ring.”

Fighting on the non-televised undercard but streaming live on Ring TV, newly signed Golden Boy Promotions fighter, Edgar “Kid Neza” Valerio (6-0, 4 KOs) of South Central Los Angeles made an impression with a first-round knockout victory over Javier Rodriguez (3-2, 2 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico.

“I am glad I was able to get in the ring and do what I came here to do, secure another victory,” said Edgar Valerio. “I am a hungry fighter who has high energy that translates well into the ring. My goal is to become a world champion and I am on my way.”

Also part of the live stream, Whittier, Calif. prospect Pablo “The Shark” Rubio Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs), who is represented by Los Angeles Laker’s player, Meta World Peace, took on Juan Carlos Benavides (5-8-1, 2 KOs) of Ciudad Obregon, Mexico in a scheduled four-round super bantamweight match-up. The match proved to be a bloody one, as the exciting brawl had both fighters launch their series of combinations neither relenting to the other. By the last round, both fighters were looking to finish each other off; however, “The Shark” was at an advantage as his body punches began to physically hurt Benavides. Judges scored the fight 39-37, 39-37 and 40-36 awarding Rubio a victory via split decision.

“Benavides was a tough guy, but I always train harder for these kinds of fights,” said Pablo Rubio. “I need to step in and make sure to use my distance and be braver to land them. I am excited to be partners with Meta World Peace and we are looking forward to growing together in the business of boxing.”

The second bout of the night featured Joshua “The Professor” Franco (5-0, 3 KOs) of San Antonio colliding with Riverside, Calif. native Jorge Perez (2-2, 1 KO) in a scheduled six-round bantamweight fight. Franco sent Perez to the mat early in the first round and continued to apply pressure as he secured a knockout victory in the second round via right hand uppercut.

“I think I’ve been able to retain my undefeated status because I’ve been sparring with amazing world champions,” said Joshua Franco. “I feel that the opportunity to receive a lot of their attention and skill has allowed me up to be an even better fighter and I’m looking forward to be built up even more.”

Opening up the night and Ring TV live stream, Tenochtitlan “T-Dog” Nava (1-0) of Los Angeles, the latest prospect to emerge from the venerable Westside Boxing Club team, made his professional debut in a four-round super featherweight event against Antonio Martinez (3-7, 3 KOs) of Durango, Mexico. Pleasing a rowdy crowd Nava applied pressure early on to Martinez, but Martinez fought back and quickly the fight fans were treated to a class brawl between two Mexica fighters that lasted all four rounds. The judges scored the fight, 40-36, 40-36, and 39-37 to give Nava his first professional victory via unanimous decision.

“I am so glad I started my professional debut with a victory by unanimous decision,” said Tenochtitlan Nava. “I know that being surrounded by great sparing partners like Nick Arce and Rafael Gramajo have helped me get stronger and prepare for this debut. I am ready for my future career in boxing and to the next fight this year.”

LA FIGHT CLUB: Manuel Avila vs. Rene Alvaradowas presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Carmelita Chorizo. Doors opened at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout began at 5:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will aired live on Friday, April 1 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and will streamed live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream will began at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.

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

Ali Tareh – 153.4 Juan Aguirre – 153
Jose Resendez – 125.2 Raul Chirino – 125.6
Armando Alvarez – 148.2 Lee Dawson – 148.6
Jose Medina – 267 Todd Bradley – 210.8
Victor Kulakovski – 151.4 Paulie Simpson – 150.2
Michael Guillen – 130.4 Rafael Rivera – 132.4
Arnold Hill – 162.8 Rashad Jones – 164.2*
Yordan Frometa – 142 Farkhad Sharpiov – 141
Steed Woodall – 163.4 Juan Raya – 164.2

* Jones’ second attempt

Promoter: Mad Integrity Fight Sports

Venue: Bayfront Hilton

First Bout: 7 PM

Tickets: 813-507-5110

New York, April 1-Promoter Joe DeGuardia is no April fool; quite the opposite. The month will be a buzz saw for the president and founder of Star Boxing, beginning with his induction into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame this Sunday, April 3.

The special honor will be followed by what has become protocol for the Bronx-born promoter, when a trio of his top boxers – Chris Algieri, Joe Smith, Jr., and Zac Dunn – all will showcase their considerable skills in April main events. The headliners will take place on three consecutive Saturday nights.

On Saturday night, April 16, the former champion and Pride of Huntington Chris Algieri (21-2, 8 KOs) returns to Barclays Center in Brooklyn, squaring off against the undefeated Olympian Errol Spence, Jr., (19-0, 16 KOs) in the Premier Boxing Champions headliner. Algieri, the former WBO World super lightweight titlist, is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Erik Bone on December 5 at Barclays.

The following Saturday night, April 23, the 23rd rendition of DeGuardia’s extremely popular Rockin’ Fights series is back at The Paramount in Huntington with the “Irish Bomber” Joe Smith, Jr. (20-1, 16 KOs) in the main event. Like Algieri, Smith was a big winner at Barclays on December 5, notching a 10-round unanimous decision over Will Rosinsky in a light heavyweight tilt.

Undefeated Australian sensation Zac Dunn (20-0, 16 KOs) puts his unblemished record and WBC International Silver Super Middleweight title on the line on his home turf at The Melbourne Pavilion against Aliaksandr Sushchyts (20-3-1, 16 KOs) on April 30.

And back to this Sunday, when the Bronx-born former Golden Gloves champion will be among the 18-member “Class of 2016” enshrined in the NYSBHOF sponsored by Ring 8 at the Fifth Annual induction dinner at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, New York, joining the likes of Aaron “Superman” Davis, Charles “The Natural” Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, and posthumous inductees Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, and Howard Cosell.

DeGuardia’s Star Boxing stable, along with the aforementioned threesome, also includes: former champion Demetrius Andrade, and ring standouts Cletus Seldin, Joshua Clottey, and Yuniesky Gonzalez.

Tickets are priced at $150.00 per adult and $60.00 for children (under 16), and include a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 PM/ET, as well as dinner (prime rib, fish or poultry) and open bar throughout the evening. Tickets are available to purchase by calling NYSBHOF/Ring 8 president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304. Visit www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

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

Philadelphia, PA (April 1, 2016)–On Friday night, May 6th, a terrific night of boxing returns the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia as King’s Promotions presents a nine-bout card.

In the main event, rising super middleweight Christopher Brooker takes on Antowyan Aikens in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

Brooker of Philadelphia has a record of 8-1 with five knockouts.

The 23 year-old Brooker has turned a lot of heads in the boxing industry after winning two consecutive high-profile, nationally televised bouts against previously undefeated prospects.

On December 29, 2015, Brooker won over Leo Hall (8-0) on FS1 and followed that up with a eight-round majority decision over John Magda (11-0) on ShoBox on February 19th in Atlantic City.

Aikens of Atlantic City has a record of 10-1-1 with one knockout.

The 26 year-old won his first ten bouts which included a win over previously undefeated Sherman Artis.

Aikens will be looking to get back in the win column after being stopped by Lanell Bellows on February 16th in Las Vegas.

In an eight-round co-feature, former world welterweight champion Kermit Cintron returns against Eduardo Flores in a junior middleweight bout.

Cintron of Reading, PA has a record of 35-5-2 with 28 knockouts.

Cintron won his first twenty-four bout and established himself as one of the most feared welterweight’s in the world.

Of those twenty-four wins were stoppages over Said Ouali (7-0), Omar Davila (12-2), Ian Mackilop (14-1), Elio Ortiz (25-6) and Teddy Reid (22-5-1).

After coming up short against WBO world champion Antonio Margarito, Cintron stopped David Estrada (18-2), which set up a title opportunity against Mark Suarez.

On October 28, 2006, Cintron stopped Suarez in five founds ton win the title in Palm Beach, Florida.

Cintron made two defenses of his crown with stoppages over Walter Matthysse (26-1) and Jesse Feliciano, before losing to Margarito for a second time.

Since then, Cintron has posted many quality wins over the likes of Lovemore N’dou (46-10-1), Juliano Ramos (15-2), Antwone Smith (20-2-1), Jonathan Batista (14-1) and his last bout, which took place on March 15, 2014,when won a ten round unanimous decision over Ronald Cruz (20-2).

Flores of Quito, Ecaudor has a record of 23-20-3 with 15 knockouts.

The 29 year-old Flores is a ten year professional who has fought for regional titles on five occasions.

He has shared the ring with Diego Chaves, Wale Omotoso, Brad Solomon, Alex Saucdo, Junior Castillo and his last bout when he dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to Khiary Gray Pitts on February 19th.

In eight-round super lightweight bout, undefeated David Gonzales (7-0-2, 2 KO’s) takes on Sammy Quinones (9-4, 4 KO’s)

In a six-round super welterweight bout, Erik Spring (6-1,1 KO) of Reading, PA will fight Justin Johnson (6-11-4) of Pittsburgh, PA.

In four-round bouts:

Scott Kelleher (4-0, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia will fight Robert Ramos (1-4, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA in a super lightweight fight.

Tyrone Crawley Jr. (4-0) of Philadelphia will square off with Korey Sloane (2-8-2) of Philadelphia in lightweight bout.

Amir Shabazz (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia fights Tahlik Taylor (1-3) of Freeport, NY in a light heavyweight affair.

Tyrell Colston (0-1) of Philadelphia battles Derek Ntifo (0-2) of Atlanta, GA in a light heavyweight bout.

Aaron Brooks of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against Ryan Bivins (0-1-1) of Philadelphia in super middleweight bout.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $100 for Ringside, $75 for Premium, $50 for Reserved and $35 for Standing room and can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE

Callum Smith says he is prepared to dig deep and guts out a win if he needs to when he meets European champion Hadillah Mohoumadi in a final eliminator for the WBC World Super-Middleweight title at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on tomorrow night (April 2), live on Sky Sports.

Smith has raced to being one-step away from a World title shot at just 25 years of age, with 13 of his 18 wins coming inside the distance, and the unbeaten Liverpool star dominated the 12-round fights with Christopher Rebrasse and Nikola Sjekloca.

‘Mundo’ says that his ability has stopped him from having to dig deep to get his victories so far, but he’s more than happy to bite down on his gumshield if it means he lands a World title shot.

“Looking at his style I think he will try to put it on me and it is my job to stop him from doing that,” said Smith, who came in heavier than the Frenchman, 11st 13lbs 8oz for Smith to Mohoumadi’s 11st 10lbs 7oz. “If he does do that I’m always confident I can deal with it and fight on the inside and dig in when I have to.

“I haven’t really had to show that yet which I think is credit to myself, but if it is a tough night then I think I can stand and tough it out and I will win whatever way possible. But hopefully it will be a lot easier than people are expecting.

“Joe Gallagher has watched a lot more of him then I have. I have watch bits of his fights of him and I have seen his fights against James DeGale and Nikola Sjekloca. I think he is improved a lot over recent years since those fights; he has changed trainer, changed promoter and is on a good run of form.

“I have to expect the best possible version of him and I think even though he lost to DeGale he gave James a tough night and he made him work for three minutes of every round. He looks heavy handed so I can’t afford to underestimate him and I will expect a tough night and I have trained that way.”

Smith’s clash with Mohoumadi is part of a huge night of action as Rocky Fielding aims to bounce back from his loss to Smith with a tough fight against Rebrasse.

There’s a pair of tasty rematches on the bill as Scotty Cardle and Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd clash again for Cardle’s British Lightweight title, while Luke Keeler looks for revenge against Tom Doran with the WBC International Middleweight title up for grabs.

Two-time World Super-Middleweight title challenger Paul Smith begins his hunt for a third title tilt, there’s action for unbeaten quartet Tom Farrell, Reece Bellotti, Ryan Mulcahy and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald while Gerard Carroll makes his professional debut.

Tickets go on sale now for April 2 from the Echo Arena at www.echoarena.com and on 0844 8000 400 – with priced at £40, £60, £80 and £100. VIP tickets priced at £200 are available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing at www.matchroomboxing.com and on 01277 359900.

Tickets for April 2 are 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.

BoxNation have secured the exclusive UK live TV rights for the biggest fight of the year between boxing superstars Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan on Saturday 7th May at the new state-of-the-art T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In a stunning acquisition, The Channel of Champions will screen the sensational showdown that pits Canelo Alvarez, the WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion, against British superstar and former two-time world champion Amir Khan in an explosive blockbuster battle.

BoxNation, who in the first four months of this year will have shown five of the ten best pound-for-pound fighters in the world in Sergey Kovalev, Andre Ward, Terence Crawford and Gennady Golovkin exclusively live, delivers to its subscribers and British fight fans the mega-fight of the year.

The scene is set for the fistic extravaganza at the brand new, state-of-the-art, 20,000 seat arena on the famous Cinco De Mayo, Mexican holiday, weekend with thousands of fans descending into the big fight city.

Mexican great Canelo, the former unified WBC and WBA World Super-Welterweight Champion, has captivated fans around the world with his all-action brand of fighting and desire to face the toughest challenges.

With an outstanding record of 46 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw and 32 KO’s, his sole loss came against then pound-for-pound great Floyd Mayweather Jr. on points, but has since gone on to lay claim to be boxing’s biggest draw and one of the best and most recognized fighters in the sport.

Canelo makes the first defense of his WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championship crown – that he won against Puerto Rican rival Miguel Cotto last November – at the catchweight of 155lbs, but now must match his power and ferocious combination punching against Khan’s lightning fast and power-packed fists.

For British ace Khan, 31 wins, 3 losses and 19 KO’s, he faces the biggest challenge of his life when he steps up in weight to take on Canelo in a truly career defining fight.

The Bolton fighter has faced insurmountable odds in the past when as a 17-year-old at the 2004 Athens Olympics he mesmerised the nation as he battled his way to a silver medal.

As a professional he’s marked himself out as one of the most exciting fighters in the sport with his electrifying performances. Khan’s won his last five fights in a row following a loss to unified super lightweight world champion Danny Garcia, including exciting wins over former world champion Luis Collazo, former three-time world champion Devon Alexander and heads into the May 7 mega-fight with a victory over former world champion Chris Algieri last time out in May 2015.

“I’m delighted and proud that the biggest fight of the year between Khan and Canelo will be broadcast exclusively live in the UK on BoxNation,” said Frank Warren, Chairman of BoxNation. “We’ve had a tremendous year so far with five out of the top ten world’s best fighters all showcasing their talents on the Channel Of Champions and now the fantastic addition of Canelo vs. Khan. The fight has caught the imagination of the public because Khan is taking a huge risk by moving up a couple of weight divisions to face one of the most fearsome fighters in the world in Canelo. It’s a fascinating clash that has got the public, trade and media all split. Can Amir overcome the odds and use his fast feet and hands to overcome the raw aggression and power of Canelo? UK fight fans will be able to find out only on BoxNation.”

“BoxNation is a great broadcast partner to carry the Canelo-Khan mega fight in the UK,” said Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Canelo-Khan is an international fight, with Mexico’s biggest star fighter facing Britain’s biggest star fighter, so I am pleased British audiences will have the opportunity to catch the action on BoxNation.”

“Amir Khan and I are two warriors and I am very pleased that such an important network like BOX Nation will be broadcasting our fight in the UK,” said Canelo Alvarez. “This demonstrates the tremendous interest that exists in this mega-fight on May 7, and will remind everyone that the fans are the ones who will be victorious because we will deliver an exciting fight.”

“The fight against Canelo is the biggest challenge of my career and having the support of my fans back home, watching live on BoxNation, is going to help inspire me to victory,” said Amir Khan. “This fight is going to have it all – speed, power, skill – and I’m going to give everything to make sure that it’s my hand that is raised come the end of the night. It’s not going to be easy but I’m going to do British boxing proud.”

– Ends –

About BoxNation

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers.

About Canelo vs. Khan

Canelo vs. Khan, a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Championships, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Canelo Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold,” O’Reilly Auto Parts, Casa Mexico Tequila and DOOM® — Fight Like Hell on May 13. David Lemieux vs. Glen Tapia is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Patrick Teixeira vs. Curtis Stevens is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed in the U.S. live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets priced at $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600, $400, $250 and $150, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person (a limit of 10 per person at the $1,500, $1,000, $800, $600 and $400 price levels and a limit of two [2] per person at the $250 and $150 price level) are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or www.Facebook.com/HBOboxing, join us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @canelo, @amirkingkhan, @OscarDeLaHoya and @HBOboxing, and follow the conversation using #CaneloKhan.

KRAKOW, POLAND (April 1, 2016) – The official weigh in for tomorrow’s “The Final Call” pay-per-view event was held today and all of the fighters made weight (see below).

Integrated Sports Media will distribute the card in North America for live viewing on cable, satellite and Internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV, Bell TV, Shaw PPV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. In addition, the fight is available in North America for purchase on-line at www.GFL.tv and www.Eversport.TV (Polish commentary only), and via the FITE.TV app (or go to http://www.fite.tv/v/adamekvsmolina for more information) for both Android and iOS.

Four bouts are scheduled to air tomorrow, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT, live from Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland. Two other fights may be shown, time permitting.

“The Final Call” is promoted in Poland by Polsat, as part of the Polsat Boxing Night series, in addition to Main Events and Don King Productions.

Main Event — Vacant IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship (12)
TOMASZ ADAMEK (50-4, 30 KOs), Jersey City, New Jersey, USA 223.5 lbs.
vs.
ERIC MOLINA (24-3, 18 KOs), Raymondville, Texas, USA 231.7 lbs.

Co-Feature — Cruiserweights (10)
MICHAL CIESLAK (11-0, 7 KOs), Radom, Poland 199.5 lbs.
vs.
FRANCISCO PALACIOS (23-3, 14 KOs), Bayamon, Puerto Rico 198.4 lbs.

Heavyweights (10)
ANDRZEJ WAWRZYK (31-1, 17 KOs), Krakow, Poland 236.7 lbs.
vs.
MARCIN REKOWSKI (17-2, 14 KOs), Kaliska Koscierskie, Poland 227.7 lbs.

Cruiserweights (10)
MATEUSZ MASTERNAK (36-4, 26 KOs), Wroclaw, Poland 199 lbs.
vs.
ERIC FIELDS (24-3, 16 KOs), Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA 198.4 lbs.

Welterweights (10)
RAFAEL JACKIEWICZ (48-14-2, 22 KOs), Minsk Mazowiecki, Poland 146.8 lbs.
vs.
MICHAL SYROWATKA (13-1, 4 KOs), Elk, Poland 146.6 lbs.

Female European Boxing Union Lightweight Championship (8)
EWA BRODNICKA (10-0. 2 KOs), Champion, Warsaw, Poland 134.7 lbs.
vs.
ANITA TORTI (9-5, 3 KOs), Challenger, Milan, Italy 134 lbs.

Bayamon, PR (April 1, 2016) – Super bantamweight contender Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle returns to the ring Saturday, April 9 to face New England titlist Josh Crespo in an eight round bout at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH.

Tickets from $35 are on sale by calling 860-982-2532 or 603-898-2311.

A blood and guts warrior who gives fans their monies worth every time he enters the squared circle, Del Valle has an outstanding 20-2 record with 15 wins by knockout. In November 2015, the Bayamon native stopped 50-plus fight veteran Jose Juan Beltran after two rounds in Comerio, Puerto Rico. Currently signed to an exclusive promotional contract with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports, Del Valle has his sights set on another big fight but first must conquer the task at hand.

Born and raised in New Haven, CT, Crespo is riding a wave of confidence having defeated Jorge Abiague (9-1) for the New England super bantamweight championship last November. Crespo’s professional ledger is a deceptive 6-2-3 with 2 KO’s but he’s unbeaten in his last five, facing two undefeated fighters in the process.

If victorious, Del Valle is expected to appear in a televised bout in the immediate future. While some potentially view this fight as a given for Del Valle prior to bigger and better things, the 29-year-old knows that records don’t tell the whole story and Crespo’s hunger can’t be overlooked.

“I’ve got big plans but that all goes out the window if I don’t do what I have to against Crespo,” Del Valle said from his training camp in Puerto Rico. “Anybody who really knows boxing understands that a record doesn’t determine how good a fighter is. I’ve seen Crespo before. He’s tough and willing to take on anybody which is evident by the fact that he’s facing me rather than a lesser opponent. I’m training like I’m the underdog since this fight is close to his hometown and I’ve got a lot on the line.”

Fans can interact with Del Valle on Twitter @Orlanditoboxing or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Orlandito-Del-Valle-111406195543360

New Delhi, 1 April 2016: India’s boxing sensation Vijender Singh and Neerav Tomar, MD IOS Boxing Promotions today met Chief Minister of Delhi Mr. Arvind Kejriwal at Delhi Secretariat. During this meeting Vijender invited Mr. Kejriwal for his title fight scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 11th June 2016.

After meeting Vijender Singh said “It was an honour for me to meet Delhi Chief Minister Mr. Arvind Kejriwal and I personally invited him to my title fight scheduled to be held in the capital on 11th June. We discussed the scope of professional boxing in India and he assured me of his help and support for which I am very grateful. I look forward for Mr. Kejriwal to come and watch me live in the Capital on 11 June. I am happy to know that Mr. Kejriwal is following my professional fights”.

Vijender’s next fight is scheduled for Copper Box Arena in London on 30th April 2016 and the boxer will leave for Manchester to resume his further training early next week. Vijender, who took his record to 4-0 in Liverpool last month will now fight in an eight-round contest against an opponent to be announced next week.

WBA World Bantamweight king Jamie McDonnell will face ‘The Monster’ Juan Alberto Rosas at The O2 in London on April 9, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

McDonnell boxes back in Britain for the first time since his pair of brilliant wins over Tomoki Kameda in Texas in 2015, and his first action in the UK since tackling Javier Chacon in Liverpool back in November 2014.

Rosas will present a tough examination for the Doncaster man though, with the Mexican former IBF Super-Flyweight champion holding wins over Zolani Tete and Alejandro Gonzalez.

McDonnell first met Kameda in May in Hidalgo, climbing off the canvas in the third round to defeat the former IBF champion and then repeated the dose in Corpus Christi four months later, this time flooring the Japanese star in the final round to put an exclamation point on the rematch.

McDonnell, who turned 30 on Wednesday, says he cannot wait to be back in action on UK soil following his US adventure but knows that Rosas can derail his plans to land a unification bout later in the year.

“I cannot tell you how good it feels to be back fighting in the UK,” said McDonnell. “It has been a long-time coming. Training has been perfect, I am feeling a million dollars and I am looking forward to putting on a great performance and showing everyone what I am about.

“I have had a full-camp, I have been in the gym for 20 weeks and I have known for the last eight weeks that I would be on this show, so we have been training towards April 9 for a while.

“Rosas has won World titles before, he beat Tete in a World title eliminator who is a top fighter and Gonzalez, who gave Carl Frampton a great World title fight, so he has mixed it with the best and is very experienced.

“He will bring a lot to the table. He is only 31 so he will still be hungry and he will want it. I hope we can put on a great fight and I am 100 per cent confident that I can beat him.

“I am really looking forward to it. I watched Froch vs. Kessler at The O2 and I cannot wait to box there myself. It’s a huge night and I am ready to show everyone what I am about and I cannot wait for it.

“If I win next Saturday there have been talks of the Juan Carlos Payano fight for the Super title, there is also the Lee Haskins fight out there, I wouldn’t mind fighting Shinsuke Yamanaka as it is me or him who is the best in the division and that would be for the green belt, so there are some big fights there at Bantamweight, but I have to get next Saturday out of the way fights. I don’t like to jinx myself and all I am thinking about is April 9.”

McDonnell’s clash with Rosas is part of a huge night of action in Greenwich, topped by Joshua’s World title clash with Martin. Lee Selby defends his IBF World Featherweight title against Eric Hunter, while there’s a key Middleweight battle between former World title challengers Matthew Macklin and Brian Rose, three-time World Super-Middleweight title challenger George Groves meets unbeaten Scotsman David Brophy, Ohara Davies faces Andy Keates for the vacant English Lightweight title and Nigel Benn’s son Conor makes his professional debut.

LAS VEGAS (April 1, 2016) – Following last week’s historic passage of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) legislation by the New York State Assembly, World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) today re-enforced its commitment to bringing its prestigious brand of league competition to the Empire State with an announcement that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire the New York City-based MMA World Expo, and that, pending New York State Athletic Commission approval, it plans to stage a series of bouts at the seventh annual affair at Manhattan’s Jacob Javits Center in December.

“This is a very exciting and momentous time for our great sport, so we could not be more thrilled to take significant steps towards becoming owners of the MMA World Expo, which has been consistently delivering an incredible fan experience for the last six years and which will make for a great home for live World Series of Fighting action at a landmark location in Manhattan,” said World Series of Fighting CEO Carlos Silva.

The announcement comes three months after World Series of Fighting opened the doors to a satellite office in midtown Manhattan.

Two weeks ago, the company announced the appointment of Michael Mersch to the dual role of Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. While serving as Assistant General Counsel for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Mersch was one of the key figures involved in the effort to legalize MMA in New York State.

Since launching in 2009, The MMA World Expo has hosted dozens of MMA celebrity guests, including Randy “The Natural” Couture, Anderson Silva, Matt Hughes, Fabricio Werdum and Matt Serra.

The annual convention is also the site of an array of martial arts seminars instructed by legendary trainers, as well as competitions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and catch wrestling, and brings together industry pioneers, vendors, athletes, trainers and fans.

World Series of Fighting will announce additional details about its MMA World Expo acquisition plans, including its intent to promote live bouts at the event this year.

Live World Series of Fighting action returns to NBCSN on Saturday, April 2 at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT with WSOF30: Branch vs. Starks that will be headlined by a middleweight (185 pounds) championship showdown between defending kingpin David Branch (17-3) and top contender Clifford Starks (13-2).

About World Series of Fighting (WSOF)
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a worldwide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com and follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries. WSOF and World Series of Fighting are registered trademarks of MMAWC, LLC.

Scotty Cardle sent a strong message to British Lightweight challenger Sean Dodd ahead of their rematch on Saturday night – “you are bang average and I’m going to teach you a lesson.”

Cardle and Dodd clash again at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, live on Sky Sports, the same venue for their epic first encounter in November.

Dodd looked set to take the title from the Lytham St Annes man making his first defence of the belt, but Cardle poured on the pressure in the final round and forced the stoppage.

Cardle offered Dodd an immediate rematch after the bell but as the fight creeps closer, he’s warned the Birkenhead challenger that it’s going to be a one-sided affair the second time around.

“The only reason it was a contender for fight of the year was because I underperformed,” said Cardle. “I had a bad day at the office and he had his best night in the paid ranks. I am happy to say I can learn from a win and move on to the next one, and that is why I took the rematch, because I have a demon to exercise. He’s bang average at best, he showed his best performance on that night. He threw the head in a bit but other than that he didn’t do anything, I was poor on the night and he brought me down to his level. It’s a different story this time.

“Last time it was quite a poor performance from myself,” said Cardle. “My game plan was perfect but I didn’t use it on the night. I came out to quite a hostile reception and I was trying to make a point to everybody.

“The game plan went out of the window as soon as I walked into that arena. I just wanted to fight and it was quite daft of me and quite unprofessional. I had never walked out to a reception like that before but now I have experienced it I know what I have to do, and that is to stick to the tactics Joe Gallagher has given me and show the skills that I have.

“I feel I have experienced that now and I am expecting the same hostile welcome from the fans, if not even worse because they know they got to me last time. I know it’s coming on Saturday and I have to soak in the positive energy and take it on the chin, brush it off and get on with the job.

“I did think he would come with the game plan that he did bring. I thought it would be as busy as he was but I didn’t think the fight would end up the way it did, but the only reason for that was because of my performance.

“Saturday will be the one-sided lesson it should have been the first time. No disrespect to Sean, but there are levels and I feel that I am a level above him and I have to show that because I didn’t in the first fight. I have a job to do. The training has gone great, I have felt spectacular in sparring and I have no worries going into this. If I use what I have been using in training, then we will have no complaints whatsoever.”

Cardle’s rematch with Dodd is part of a huge night of action in Merseyside as Callum Smit meets European Super-Middleweight champion Hadillah Mohoumadi in a final eliminator for the WBC World title.

Rocky Fielding aims to bounce back from his loss to Smith with a tough fight against Christopher Rebrasse, there another tasty rematch on the bill as Luke Keeler looks for revenge against Tom Doran with the WBC International Middleweight title up for grabs, two-time World Super-Middleweight title challenger Paul Smith begins his hunt for a third title tilt, there’s action for unbeaten quartet Tom Farrell, Reece Bellotti, Ryan Mulcahy and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald while Gerard Carroll makes his professional debut.

Tickets go on sale now for April 2 from the Echo Arena at www.echoarena.com and on 0844 8000 400 – with priced at £40, £60, £80 and £100. VIP tickets priced at £200 are available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing at www.matchroomboxing.com and on 01277 359900.

Tickets for April 2 are 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.

01 April 2016 – Singapore: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), in partnership with G-Shock, Under Armour, MAH Pte. Ltd., and Marvel´s Captain America: Civil War, has just announced its glorious return to the Lion City with another heart-thumping evening of world-class mixed martial arts action. Nine exciting bouts are scheduled to take place on 6 May at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. In the main event, ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash will defend his title against challenger Aleksei Butorin. Also, Singapore’s Angela Lee is set to do battle with Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi for the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship in the co-main event.
Tickets for ONE: ASCENT TO POWER are available at http://www.sportshubtix.sg.

Check out the official TVC for ONE: ASCENT TO POWER here: https://www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA/videos/vb.173291132694150/1068335273189727/?type=2&theater.

CEO of ONE Championship, Victor Cui stated: “Finally, we’re home in Singapore, and I know a lot of our fans here have been waiting a long time for our return. As usual, we have a fantastic night of world-class mixed martial arts action planned for all the fans in attendance. Expect to be at the edge of your seats as we bring you two big title fights featuring our top ONE athletes.”

ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash of Rostov-on-don, Russia, will be making the first defense of his title since winning the belt back in October. Bigdash’s resounding technical knockout victory over former champion Igor Svirid is one of the most action-packed fights under ONE Championship, and he showcased tremendous heart and resolve to overcome a devastating attack by Svirid to score the upset. Now, he takes on his first challenger as champion in Aleksei Butorin.

St. Petersburg, Russia’s middleweight contender Aleksei Butorin debuted successfully in ONE Championship with an exciting knockout over highly-regarded Leandro Ataides last September. Butorin made waves with his frightening knockout power and relentless attack, showing fans why he remains undefeated in his seven-year mixed martial arts career. Now, Butorin receives the opportunity to fight for the title against ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash.

“Unstoppable” Angela Lee of Waipahu, Hawaii, is one of the promotion’s most promising young prospects regardless of division and weight class. Lee, who is of mixed Canadian and Korean descent, has roots in Singapore and trains at Asia’s premiere mixed martial arts gym, Evolve MMA. Lee’s beautiful combination of solid striking and grappling skills has proven to be a potent formula for success as she remains unbeaten so far in her MMA career. Lee will now challenge Japanese MMA veteran Mei Yamaguchi for the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship.

33-year-old Japanese MMA veteran Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi is a female atomweight from Tokyo with a 15-8 professional mixed martial arts record. She is the current Deep Jewels Atomweight Champion and has won her last three bouts, including two by knockout. Yamaguchi’s experience and championship mettle will prove to be a big test for the surging Angela Lee in a battle for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship.

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia makes his highly-anticipated return to the ONE cage since losing his title to current titleholder Marat “Cobra” Gafurov in an instant classic last November. Jadambaa and Gafurov went back-and-forth for four gruelling rounds before Gafurov was able to unseat the former champion. Jadambaa is now officially on the comeback trail, but will face tough foe Kotetsu Boku next.

Kotetsu “No Face” Boku, although originally from South Korea, is a Japanese mixed martial arts legend and former ONE Lightweight World Champion. With more than 30 professional fights on his fight resume, Boku has the experience of a seasoned veteran and has seen it all inside the cage. Always a crowd pleaser, Boku gets to showcase his dynamite fists once again as he takes on fellow former champion Narantungalag Jadambaa.

Needing no introduction, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu master Roger Gracie of the Gracie fighting family returns to ONE Championship after more than a year away from professional competition. In Gracie’s last bout, he overcame a dangerous James McSweeney to win via third-round technical knockout at ONE: WARRIOR’S WAY in 2014. This time, Gracie takes on unbeaten middleweight contender Michal Pasternak.

32-year-old Michal Pasternak of Pinczow, Poland, is returning to professional mixed martial arts competition after a year-long layoff since his last bout. The undefeated Pasternak was successful in his ONE Championship debut against Rafael Silva, winning by decision to extend his win streak to 11. More than half of his victories have come either by knockout or by submission, but he’ll be put to the test against Roger Gracie in a highly-anticipated three-round middleweight contest.

French mixed martial artist Sylvain Potard is an aggressive and powerful contender who has enjoyed mixed success in the ONE Championship cage. He is a 12-fight veteran who possesses experience and solid technique to match his undoubted power. In his promotional debut, he defeated highly-regarded American wrestler Jake Butler by knockout. Now, he returns to ONE to face Tatsuya Mizuno.

Tatsuya Mizuno is a 34-year-old Japanese mixed martial arts veteran from Tokyo. His extensive professional MMA record of 14 wins and 11 losses has given him knowledge and experience that is a cut above the level of many fighters. Mizuno uses his great all-round striking and grappling skills to subdue his opponents, and he gets another chance for victory inside the ONE Cage against Sylvain Potard.

Christian Lee, younger brother of Angela “Unstoppable” Lee, has impressed in his first few outings in ONE Championship. Lee is riding the momentum of three stoppage wins inside the ONE Cage, two by highlight-reel knockout and the other by crafty submission. Lee looks to continue his early success but will face a stern test when he takes on the Philippines’ Cary Bullos.
32-year-old Filipino featherweight contender Cary “The Prince” Bullos is the URCC Visayas Bantamweight Champion. He has finished all his opponents in his seven wins, making him one of the top mixed martial arts prospects in the Philippines. Bullos fell short of victory in his first two appearances inside the ONE Cage, but he’s determined to get back in the win column by defeating Singapore’s Christian Lee.

Unbeaten young Singaporean Benedict Ang has two wins and no losses inside the ONE Cage. The 19-year-old featherweight from Evolve MMA defeated mixed martial arts veteran Yohan Mulia Legowo in his last bout, stopping the Indonesian after two rounds of hard action. The highly-skilled Ang will showcase his talents once more when he faces Filipino Jimmy Yabo.

The Philippines’ Jimmy “The Silencer” Yabo is a former URCC standout with an impressive mixed martial arts record of five wins and two losses. He boasts one of the best knockout percentages in the division, having finished all five of his opponents within the distance, including his last bout when he felled Pakistan’s Bashir Ahmad with one punch. A rededicated Yabo is now looking for victory, but he’ll have to go through tough Singaporean Benedict Ang to get it.

Undefeated 21-year-old Dagistani Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev impressed fans in his first appearance in the ONE Cage last January, winning by technical knockout at just over 30 seconds into the first round against Mishal Alfad. Saygid brought the crowd to the edge of their seats from the opening bell, swarming his opponent with fearless aggression and impressive wrestling technique. Saygid will take on China’s Ma Jia Wen next.

Chinese standout Ma Jia Wen is 2-1 inside the ONE Cage, and a victor in his last bout against compatriot Wang Ya Wei last November at ONE: DYNASTY OF CHAMPIONS – Beijing II. Ma is part of a quickly rising contingent of rock-solid Chinese mixed martial artists, and will look to put his skills further to the test against aggressive Dagistani standout Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev.

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 best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Championship™ has partnered with FOX and STAR Sports for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans 70+ countries across the world.

LONDON (1 April) – Premier Sports will air what is likely to be boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao’s final fight live and exclusive in the UK when he steps in against Timothy Bradley next Saturday night.

The pair clash for the third time on April 9th when they will look to settle an old score with both fighters sharing a win apiece from their previous meetings in 2012 and 2014.

Taking place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Premier Sports will be the only the place for British fight fans to see the Filipino legend in action before he hangs up his gloves.

Premier Sports is available on a number of platforms including Sky, Virgin, TalkTalk and online for just £9.99 a month, with no-connection fee or minimum term.

The channel was launched in August 2010 and has screened a number of top sporting events from football, rugby league, motorsports, ice hockey, boxing and many others.

The live broadcast of Pacquiao’s megafight with American ace Bradley will see the eight-division world champion back in the ring for the first time since his blockbuster showdown with pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather last May.

Five-time world champion Bradley is coming off an impressive ninth-round stoppage over the tough and durable Brandon Rios, and will be looking to avenge his only defeat to date when he takes on Pacquiao.

Both men are in good spirits ahead of the bout and will be looking to make sure they put on a great show come fight night.

“I look forward to my battle with Timothy Bradley and giving boxing fans a fight they will always remember,” said Pacquiao. “This fight has a very special meaning to me and I will pour every ounce of my being — physically, emotionally and spiritually — into preparing for Bradley. “He has my full attention. I dedicate this fight to my fans and to my countrymen throughout the world who have kept me in their prayers. And as always, I fight to bring glory to the Philippines,” he said.

“I have always dedicated myself to who I am on fight night. However, on April 9th I will not only have dedicated myself to that but also delivering the performance that everyone has long awaited,” said Bradley.

Richard Sweeney, General Manager of Premier Sports, added: “We are delighted to be showing Manny Pacquiao’s fight with Timothy Bradley live and exclusive in the UK. This is going to be a fantastic fight between two of boxing’s biggest and best names. Premier Sports offers great sporting content to our subscribers and at just £9.99 represents real value-for-money. This is one fight not to be missed.”

To watch Pacquiao v Bradley 3 live and exclusive on Premier Sports for only £9.99 visit premiersports.com or call 0871 663 9000.

LOS ANGELES (April 1, 2016) – Before Jesus Soto “Renuente” Karass (28-10-3, 18 KOs) and Yoshihiro “Maestrito” Kamegai (26-3-1, 23 KOs) step into the ring for what is expected to be a sure-fire Fight of the Year candidate at LA FIGHT CLUB on April 15, Golden Boy Promotions will present an exciting cruiserweight warm-up to the main event action at downtown Los Angeles’ Belasco Theater.

Los Angles transplant Vyacheslav “Lion Heart-Chigonsky” Shabranskyy (15-0, 12 KOs) will face seasoned fighter Derrick “Superman” Findley (23-18-1, 15 KOs) of Chicago in an eight-round co-main event match-up sure to heat up the night. Opening the Estrella TV broadcast, amateur standout Genaro “El Conde” Gamez of San Diego will make his debut as a professional and as a Golden Boy fighter when he takes on Archie Weah of Norcross, Ga. in a four-round super featherweight event.

Also making their professional debuts during the Ring TV live stream, Niko Valdes of South Beach, Fla. and Jousce Gonzalez of Glendora, Calif. will each participate in respective four-round super middleweight and lightweight fights. Plus, super lightweight prospect Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro (4-0, 3 KOs) will return LA FIGHT CLUB in a scheduled six-round super lightweight battle. Opponents will be announced shortly.

One of the most exciting fighters to emerge from the west coast scene in recent years, Ukrainian-born Vyacheslav “Lion Heart-Chigonsky” Shabranskyy is thrilling fans in his adopted hometown of Los Angeles. 4-0 in 2015, the last three opponents “Lion Heart-Chigonsky” faced had a combined record of 34-1-1. The 28-year-old Shabranskyy beat them all, most recently defeating 16-1 “El Monstro” Yunieski Gonzalez last December earning himself a spot on the pound-for-pound list in the light heavyweight division.

Derrick “Superman” Findley of Chicago has been in the boxing game since turning professional in 2004. The 31-year-old fighter is a well-known name in his weight class as a boxer who doesn’t go down easily. Former NABF middleweight title holder, Findley trains with some of the biggest names in boxing such as Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, and hopes to bring that same high-energy into the ring come fight night.

East Los Angeles’ Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro has lived up to his nickname thus far, as the 19-year-old has ended three of his four wins by knockout. A regular of the LA FIGHT CLUB series who has fought all of his professional fights at The Belasco Theater, Navarro is the nephew of former Olympian Jose Navarro. “Thunder” hopes to keep up the family tradition of knocking out his opponent this April in his scheduled six-round super lightweight division.

20-year-old Genaro “El Conde” Gamez enters the world of professional boxing after an amateur career that saw him ranked as the number one lightweight in the United States. A 2014 USA Boxing National Champion, San Diego’s Gamez is currently coached by renowned former world champion Robert Garcia. Everyone in the Southern California boxing scene can’t wait to see what this young fighter will bring in the ring to his 4-round super middleweight fight.

Archie Weah of Norcross, Georgia will be back in the action for a televised opening super featherweight bout against professional debut Genaro Gamez. Since turning professional a mere 3 years ago, the Monrovia, Liberia native will be making his second return to the Belasco Theater this year after his brawl with Oscar Duarte in February.

Miami southpaw Niko “Baby Face” Valdes didn’t step into a boxing ring for the first time until he was 18, but he quickly made up for lost time by winning the 2014 National championship as an amateur. By the time his amateur career was over, he was one of the top 178-pounders in the world, and he expects to have even more success as a professional with his debut at LA FIGHT CLUB.

Jousce Gonzalez is part of a fighting family that includes his brothers, undefeated professional Joet Gonzalez, amateur standout JonJairo, and sister 2016 Olympic hopeful, Jajaira, one of the top amateurs in the country. After a stellar amateur career, Glendora’s Gonzalez will enter the professional ring for the first time on April 15 in the four round lightweight opening up the night at LA FIGHT CLUB.

Jesus Soto Karass vs. Yoshihiro Kamegai is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by “Cerveza Tecate, Born Bold” and Carmelita Chorizo. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on Friday, April 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and will stream live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.

Media interested in attending the April 15 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are available here. The deadline to submit a credential application is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

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

LOS ANGELES (March 31, 2016) – WBC Super Featherweight World Champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KOs) and fellow Mexican warrior and former three-time world champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (43-13-3, 30 KOs, 1 NC) today hosted a Los Angeles press conference to discuss their 12-round battle set for June 4 for Vargas’s title at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, Calif. and to be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®.

Below is what the fighters, their trainers, managers and promoter had to say at today’s press conference:

FRANCISCO VARGAS, WBC Super Featherweight Champion:

“I’m very grateful to HBO, Golden Boy Promotions and my managers for this opportunity.

“I’m very motivated to be fighting a great warrior like Orlando Salido.

“I’m going to be in the best shape in order to give you a war.

“Everybody knows when two great Mexican warriors get in the ring, not one of them will take a step back.”

ORLANDO SALIDO, Mexican Boxing Warrior and Former Three-Time World Champion:

“Thank you to the WBC and Team Vargas for giving me this opportunity.

“I am going to be ready; I am preparing myself for a war. We know it’s going to be a great fight.

“I need to prepare myself for ‘Fight of the Year.'”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions:

“This fight between two Mexican warriors is sure to be a sight to behold in the ring on Saturday, June 4 at the Stub Hub Center in the City of Carson and live on HBO Boxing After Dark.

“The Stub Hub Center in Carson, California has been home to some of the most epic fights of this era and on Saturday, June 4 another chapter will be added to its action-packed history when Francisco ‘El Bandido’ Vargas fresh from his Fight of the Year victory over Takashi Miura in November 2015 on the Cotto-Canelo undercard, will defend his WBC Super Featherweight World Title for the first time against former three-time world champion Orlando ‘Siri’ Salido in a 12-round bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions.

“This fight will surely be a ‘Fight of the Year’candidate, making it a can’t-miss fight. You hear that, Southern California fight fans? You can’t miss this exciting event so be sure to get your tickets now while they last.

“The fans are going to win and Mexico’s going to win.”

RALPH HEREDIA, Manager for Francisco Vargas:

“Thank you to HBO for this great opportunity for this big stage. Francisco is very excited and he knows what is at stake.

“Orlando Salido is a great fighter. He has been a champion and in a few nominations for ‘Fight of the Year.’

“When two Mexican fighters come together, not one of them will take a step back. Most Latinos grew up watching boxing or soccer so this is a great event for us. It’s going to be a tremendous fight.”

MOSES HEREDIA, Co-Manager for Francisco Vargas:

“We have got another ‘Fight of the Year’ coming in 2016 with this for Francisco Vargas.

“Thank you to HBO for the presence and stage for this fight.

“Come June 4 there will be fireworks and explosions and we will make somebody dance and it’s not going to be my fighter. On June 4, we will remain the champion.”

JOSE SANTOS MORENO, Trainer for Orlando Salido:

“The way these guys fight, you’re going to see a lot of action. Thank you to Team Vargas for this opportunity.”

SEAN GIBBONS, Manager for Orlando Salido:

“Thank you for everyone coming out today. We have a great turnout today so I can only imagine what June 4 will look like.

” I would pay to see this fight; I would buy a ticket for it. Hope to see everyone June 4.”

TONY WALKER, Director of HBO Sports:

“Thank you to Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions for putting together such an outstanding card.

“Thank you Francisco and Orlando. When everyone talks about this being a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate and no one disagrees, you know you have a good fight on your hands.

“We promise you a great broadcast on HBO. A second fight will be adding to the broadcast, to be named soon.”

“Who will win? That is everyone’s question. The world deserves these kind of matches: the best against the best.

“May the best fighter win because us, the fans, already have.”

JOSE “PEPE” SULAIMAN JR, CEO of the WBC’s Los Angeles Office:

“The WBC wishes to acknowledge Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions, Zanfer Promotions, HBO and Stub Hub Center, which has hosted some of the most intense wars in boxing.

Brendan Hannan, Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Digital at LA Galaxy and Stub Hub Center:

“We are thrilled to host another premiere boxing event at the premiere boxing venue in California at the Stub Hub Center on June 4. We look forward to seeing you all there.”

Tickets for Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges and 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.

Vargas vs. 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 and Casa Mexico Tequila. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins live at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

For more information, visit www.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

KRAKOW, Poland (March 31, 2016) — The final press conference for this Saturday’s “The Final Call” pay-per-view event, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT, was held today. Below are fighters’ quotes.

Integrated Sports Media will distribute the card in North America for live viewing on cable, satellite and Internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Vubiquity in the United States, as well as Rogers TV, Bell TV, Shaw PPV and SaskTel in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider for more information. In addition, the fight is available in North America for purchase on-line at www.GFL.tv and www.Eversport.TV (Polish commentary only), and via the FITE.TV app (or go to http://www.fite.tv/v/adamekvsmolina for more information) for both Android and iOS.

Four are scheduled to air live on PPV from Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland. Two other fights may be shown, time permitting.

“The Final Call” is promoted in Poland by Polsat, as part of the Polsat Boxing Night series, in addition to Main Events and Don King Productions.

TOMASZ “Goral” ADAMEK: “I’ve had a great camp, great sparring partners and a great team around me. Kuba (Chycki – Adamek’s physical coach), trainer Roger Bloodworth – these guys did a great job in the last two months. As Eric said, ‘We are not about talking what we will do, we are ready to actually do it.’ Molina likes to mix it up, likes to throw punches, and is not afraid. This has to be a great fight just because of that. There’s no what’s after the Molina fight for me. This is the fight which will decide my future. A win means I’m on track for big fights, losing means I cannot do it anymore. What I know is that for this fight I’m much better prepared than I was for both the Glazkov and Szpilka bouts. But, of course, what happens in ring will verify our words.”

ERIC “Drummer Boy” MOLINA: “For the first time in my career I got 70 days to prepare; unprecedented in the heavyweight division. What do I know about Adamek? He’s a warrior and people in Poland expect great things from him because he’s a Polish boxing legend. In me, he will have a chance to fight one of the best heavyweights in the division and we all will know where we stand. I’m very confident, not only that I will win this war on Saturday, but also of being the first Mexican-American heavyweight in the future. People will get their money worth on Saturday. I can guarantee that. Adamek is highly rated by WBC and IBF, the two most active organizations in boxing. Saturday’s winner will be in the driver’s seat for great fights in the future.”

MICHAL CIESLAK: “I also thought that you’re bigger. And I also hope that everything what you’re saying about how good your training camp was is the truth. I can promise you that I will be ready for everything. I’m in the best shape of my life and I will prove that on Saturday. Palacios, be ready to fight! I cannot wait anymore to put on a big show.”

FRANCISCO “The Wizard” PALACIOS: “He wants to treat me like a stepping stone but the problem with that is I’m not a stepping stone for anyone. I’m a rock! You want to beat me, you have to kill me. And by the way, I thought that Cie?lak is bigger. You cannot judge what I can or cannot do just because I’ve got knocked out by Kudryashov in my last fight. It means nothing. First of all, it happens in boxing and the more importantly, it has nothing to do with what I’m ready to do now with my new team and “Chill” Wilson on my side. Just watch: The Wizard Time is coming again.”

Main Event — Vacant IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship (12)
TOMASZ “Goral” ADAMEK (50-4, 30 KOs), Former 2-Division World Champion, Jersey City, NJ, USA
vs.
ERIC “Drummer Boy” MOLINA (24-3, 18 KOs), World Title Challenger, Raymondville, Texas, USA

Co-Feature — Cruiserweights (10)
MICHAL CIESLAK (11-0, 7 KOs), Radom, Poland
vs.
FRANCISCO “The Wizard” PALACIOS (23-3, 14 KOs), 2-Time World Title Challenger, Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Heavyweights (10)
ANDRZEJ WAWRZYK (31-1, 17 KOs), World Title Challenger, Krakow, Poland
vs.
MARCIN REKOWSKI (17-2, 14 KOs), Former Poland Heavyweight Champion, Kaliska Koscierskie, Poland

Cruiserweights (10)
MATEUSZ “Master” MASTERNAK (36-4, 26 KOs), Former European Champion, Wroclaw, Poland
vs.
ERIC “Danger” FIELDS (24-3, 16 KOs), Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA

Welterweights (10)
RAFAEL “Braveheart” JACKIEWICZ (48-14-2, 22 KOs), World Title Challenger, Minsk Mazowiecki, Poland
vs.
MICHAL SYROWATKA (13-1, 4 KOs), Elk, Poland

Female European Boxing Union Lightweight Championship (8)
EWA BRODNICKA (10-0. 2 KOs), Champion, Warsaw, Poland
vs.
ANITA TORTI (9-5, 3 KOs), Challenger, Milan, Italy

PPV ANNOUNCERS: English – Bob Alexander and Glen Johnson, Polish – Andrzej Kostyra/Albert Sosnowski, Mateusz Borek (host & interviews), Przemek Saleta (on-air judge)

March 31, 2016 – Fight fans eager for a revealing inside look at the eagerly anticipated May 7th HBO Pay-Per-View® middleweight championship superfight between Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan, should mark their calendars to catch an all-new edition of “Face Off,” starring the two prizefighters. “Face Off With Max Kellerman: Canelo/Khan” debuts Saturday, April 16 at 11:15 p.m. (ET/PT).

Moderated by Max Kellerman, “Face Off” is an insightful and often gripping interview session in which the two fighters square off and answer Kellerman’s questions. This marks Alvarez’s second visit to “Face Off,” and the first-ever appearance for Khan on the series. In addition, the fighters will be joined on the set by their accomplished trainers. Both Eddy Reynoso and Virgil Hunter will participate in the roundtable.

The Canelo/Khan edition of “Face Off” is set to air multiple times on HBO and HBO2. “Face Off” will also be available on the HBO On Demand® service, HBO NOW, HBO GO® and at www.hbo.com/boxing as well as various other new media platforms that distribute the program.

HBO air times include: April 17 (9:30 a.m.), 18 (12:25 p.m.), 28 (2:15 p.m.) and May 1 (8:15 a.m.), 2 (4:35 a.m.), 4 (11:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.), 5 (4:15 a.m.), 6 (6:45 p.m.) and 7 (3:15 p.m.).

HBO 2 air times include: April 18 (12:00 a.m.), 21 (7:30 p.m.), 30 (1:55 a.m.) and May 1 (4:45 p.m.), 3 (3:15 p.m.), 5 (10:50 p.m.), 6 (11:15 a.m. & 11:30 p.m.) and 7 (10:30 a.m.).

All times are ET/PT.

“Face Off With Max Kellerman: Canelo/Khan” is part of the wide-ranging mix of original programming content being produced for the inaugural boxing event to take place at the brand new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It all culminates when Canelo vs. Khan happens Saturday, May 7. The fight card will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

Two heavyweight bouts are better than one, and fight fans will have a double dose of the big guys on next Thursday’s April 7th Fight Club OC show in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center, with the action getting underway at the NEW 2016 STARTING TIME of 7:00pm.

Former college football player and Huntington Beach resident Adam Stewart will face Oceanside’s Matt McKinney in one heavyweight bout, with the 6-7 Stewart making his pro debut against the 1-1 McKinney, a former college water polo player.

In the other heavyweight matchup it will be another former collegiate football player Dakota Walker vs LA’s Cashton Young, with both fighters standing at 1-0.

Santa Ana’s Ricky Frausto will make his pro boxing debut on the April 7th show against Stockton’s 1-1 Cesar Hernandez.

The boxing portion of the hybrid show will also feature undefeated 11-0 (9KO’s) middleweight prospect Nate Gallimore out of Evanston, IL meeting tough Luis Alfredo Lugo with a 14-24-1 (5KO’s) record.

Mixed Martial Arts action on April 7th will be “off the charts” as Huntington Beach’s John Mercurio at 7-7 (4KO’s) meets San Diego’s 11-12-1 (4KO’s) Matt Lagler in what should be a stand up war. Plus, San Pedro’s Gabriel Green one of the top amateur mma fighters in the state will make his pro debut in The Hanger facing Chula Vista’s 2-0 Andrew Lagdaan. Green is destined to be a big time fighter so fans will get to see him start his pro career here in Orange County.

REMEMBER – Happy Hour at Baja Blues starts at 5:30pm and Hangar doors open at 6:30pm with the show starting at 7pm. Tickets available online at www.fightcluboc.com

BoxNation will broadcast exclusively live in the UK Deontay Wilder’s WBC World Heavyweight title defence against Alexander Povetkin from Moscow, Russia, on Saturday 21st May.

The undefeated American superstar puts his title on the line for the fourth time against the Russian mandatory challenger and former WBA World Champion at the Khodynka Ice Palace.

In a real life re-enactment of the iconic Rocky IV movie that saw Rocky Balboa head to Russia and face the indestructible Ivan Drago, Wilder must enter hostile territory after Povetkin’s promoters won the purse bid to stage the fight on home soil.

The dynamite-punching and brash Wilder, 30, has lit up the heavyweight division with his explosive performances that have seen him stop all but one of his 36 opponents with a staggering 28 coming inside three rounds.

Since winning the WBC crown from Berman Stiverne in January last year, the ‘Bronze Bomber’ has made title defences against Eric Molina, Johann Dhaupas and Artur Szpilka and won all by stoppage, but now faces the most difficult challenge of his career.

Povetkin, 36, a former world class amateur winning Gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics and 2003 World Championships, won the WBA World title in 2001 by defeating Ruslan Chagaev in 2011 and made title defences against Cedric Boswell, Marco Huck, Hasim Rahman and Andrzej Wawrzyk – winning three out of four by stoppage.

A unification showdown against then division king Wladimir Klitschko, the IBF, WBO, WBA Super World Champion followed in October 2013 and despite being floored four times in the fight, Povetkin took Klitschko the full distance only to lose on the judges’ scorecards, which remains his sole career defeat. Since then he’s knocked-out his last four opponents to earn his world title shot.

Chief-support on the card sees two-time WBA World Cruiserweight Champion Dennis Lebedev in a unification battle against IBF World Champion Victor Emilio Ramirez.

Further big live world title action coming up on the Channel of Champions in April sees Eduard Troyanovsky and Cesar Rene Cuenca clash in a highly anticipated rematch on Friday 8th April from the Krylia Sovetov in Moscow, Russia.

Russian Troyanovsky beat Argentinean Cuenca last November, halting him in six rounds with many feeling that the fight was stopped too early and now they collide again with the IBF and IBO World Super-Lightweight titles on the line.

On Saturday 16th April live coverage comes from The Barclays Centre, New York, when WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Krzysztof Glowacki makes the opening defence of his title against former two-time IBF World Champion Steve Cunningham.

Glowacki won the title in a thriller in his last fight against Marco Huck last August when he stopped the German based Serbian in the eleventh round, live on BoxNation.

Huck dropped Pole Glowacki in the sixth round and was ahead on the scorecards before Glowacki found a big punch to floor Huck in the eleventh, it could have been stopped by the referee, but he was given a chance to continue and Glowacki steamed in to get the stoppage.

Also on the card fast rising star and 2012 U.S Olympian Errol Spence aims to become the first fighter to stop former world champion Chris Algieri in a 10-round welterweight showdown.

– Ends –

About BoxNation

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers.

Callum Smith has told George Groves to go and earn a World title shot as he prepares to meet European champion Hadillah Mohoumadi in a final eliminator for the at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.

Smith is one step from landing a shot at the big one, having seen off Rocky Fielding in spectacular style in November to pick up the Silver in another eliminator bout, the unbeaten 25 year old has ticked every box on his way to the final hurdle this weekend.

Groves told SkySports.com that he believes the pair should meet this summer should Smith have to wait for his shot at champion Badou Jack, who handed one of Groves’ three World title defeats to the Londoner in September, but Smith has told ‘Saint’ George he’ll take him on with a belt around his waist and on his terms.

“If I had a World title and he keeps winning I’m sure there will always be a demand for the Groves fight,” said Smith. “We are both British and regardless of whether his best days are behind him or not, he is still a big night. There will always be the demand for it as long as we both keep winning and I think it will happen.

“For the time being I have got tonight and then hopefully a World title shot, so it doesn’t really come into my plans just yet, but I wouldn’t rule it out next year or in the future.

“I think he believes that because he is George Groves he deserves a shot, although he has had three and lost. He thinks he should just walk straight into another one and if he loses that, thinks he deserves another one again, because of his name. He came back and beat an average fighter and he thinks that should earn him a final eliminator or a shot at the title.

“In my eyes, I think he should go away and earn his way back like I have. I have won an eliminator, I’m fighting a final eliminator, and I will have earnt my shot the right way. I think he thinks because he’s been there and boxed for it before, it should guarantee him another shot but boxing doesn’t work like that.”

Smith’s clash with Mohoumadi is part of a huge night of action as Rocky Fielding aims to bounce back from his loss to Smith with a tough fight against Rebrasse.

There’s a pair of tasty rematches on the bill as Scotty Cardle and Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd clash again for Cardle’s British Lightweight title, while Luke Keeler looks for revenge against Tom Doran with the WBC International Middleweight title up for grabs.

Two-time World Super-Middleweight title challenger Paul Smith begins his hunt for a third title tilt, there’s action for unbeaten quartet Tom Farrell, Reece Bellotti, Ryan Mulcahy and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald while Gerard Carroll makes his professional debut.

Tickets go on sale now for April 2 from the Echo Arena at www.echoarena.com and on 0844 8000 400 – with priced at £40, £60, £80 and £100. VIP tickets priced at £200 are available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing at www.matchroomboxing.com and on 01277 359900.

Tickets for April 2 are 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.

Los Angeles, CA (March 31, 2016) Boxing Superstar and Unified Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin will be in Washington D.C. today where he will be named the Official Ambassador for Kazakhstan’s World EXPO 2017 in a formal ceremony to be attended by President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Golovkin is taking a rare day away from his preparations with longtime trainer Abel Sanchez in
Big Bear Lake, California for his April 23rd world title defense to be present for one of his countries highest honors. Golovkin will be accompanied by Tom Loeffler, Managing Director of
K2 Promotions.

More information on EXPO 2017 can be found on their website below.
EXPO 2017

Golovkin is a native of Kazakhstan and won the Silver Medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece as a member of their boxing team.

———————————————————

Boxing Superstar and Undefeated, Unified World Middleweight Champion Gennady, “GGG” Golovkin, 34-0 (31KO’s) will defend his titles (WBA, IBF, IBO and WBC “Interim’) against Undefeated Mandatory Challenger Dominic Wade, 18-0 (12KO’s) on Saturday, April 23 at the Fabulous Forum in the main event at UNDEFEATED.

Co-featured will be Consensus #1 Pound-For-Pound Fighter and WBC Flyweight World Champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, 44-0 (38KO’s) battling World Ranked Contender McWilliams Arroyo, 16-2 (14KO’s) of Puerto Rico.

Both bouts will be televised Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets for UNDEFEATED, priced at $400, $300, $200, $100, $60 and $30, are now on sale through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000) and the Forum Box Office.

Golovkin vs. Wade is promoted by K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions and in association with TGB Promotions. Gonzalez vs. McWilliams is presented by K2 Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions and PR Best Boxing Promotions.

SOCIAL MEDIA: For more information, visit www.K2Promos.com, www.GGGBoxing.com, www.TGBPromotions.com, www.FabulousForum.com and www.HBO.com/boxing.

Follow on Twitter at Gennady Golovkin @GGGBoxing, Dominic Wade @_DomoWade,
Roman Gonzalez @chocolatitobox, Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions @TomLoeffler1, TGB Promotions @TGBpromotions, the Forum @theForum and HBO Boxing @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/GGGBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheForum and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Use the hashtags #GolovkinWade and #GonzalezArroyo to join the conversations on social media.

Red-hot Belfast super-flyweight Jamie Conlan will take on South Shields’ Anthony Nelson for the Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship on the undercard of Billy Joe Saunders first world title defence against Max Bursak at the Copper Box Arena on April 30, exclusively live on BoxNation.

Conlan, 29, is a former WBO European Champion and currently holds the WBO Intercontinental title along with a number five world ranking in the organisation. The Irish hero will be looking to prise the Commonwealth belt from the undefeated Nelson on his quest to become a world champion.

“I grew up watching a local guy from my area called Eamonn Magee become Commonwealth Champion and it’s always been a title that has stood out for me. I’ve always wanted to get it around my waist before moving onto bigger things,” said Conlan.

He added: “The Commonwealth belt seems to propel fighters onto bigger things as we’ve seen with Billy Joe Saunders. It’s a prestigious belt and another step on the road towards a world title. Everything is moving steadily in the right direction. Each fight is another step up the ladder and a box ticked on my journey towards a world title.”

Known as ‘The Mexican’ for his thrilling, all-action, style, Conlan has established himself as a fan favourite and is promising another knockout performance against Commonwealth Champion Nelson.

He said: “Our styles are going to make for a cracking fight. Anthony is a fighter who likes to come forward a lot and everyone knows I’m one of the most exciting fighters in the division so it’s bound to be a belter while it lasts. Fans can expect a war between us but I don’t envisage it going the distance because I’m hitting harder and I’m bigger and stronger than I’ve ever been.”

All-action Conlan is undefeated in 15 fights with 9 knockout wins and is putting in the hours out in Spain ahead of his debut fight at Stratford’s impressive Copper Box Arena.

“We’re out in Marbella at the minute and we’re deep into the training camp. I’m loving everything, the weather is ideal and the training is brilliant. I’m sparring with Charlie Edwards and then hopefully bringing in the European Bantamweight Champion Ryan Farrag. It’s all looking good and we’re pushing pretty hard now as the fight draws closer.”

Knockout merchant Conlan was ringside at the Liverpool Echo Arena earlier this month to witness rival super-flyweight Paul Butler beat Mexico’s Sebastian Sanchez inside nine rounds to claim the Vacant WBO Intercontinental Super-Flyweight Championship. A blockbuster showdown with the Ellesmere Port start is still on the wish list for Conlan.

He said: “It’s a fight that has to happen. We both want it and it’s a fight that makes sense. I’ve always seen myself as the winner; I believe in my ability. He’s a great fighter and you don’t become a world champion for no reason but I 100% believe in everything I do and I believe that I’ll have an answer for everything he brings.

“I see myself winning. I don’t know how it’ll go I just know I’m the better man. Everything he does I can do better and he won’t have an answer for the things I bring.”

WBO World Middleweight Champion Billy Joe Saunders makes the first defence of his title against “Mad” Max Bursak and headlines an action-packed card that also features: The Vacant European Cruiserweight title between Ovill McKenzie and Dmytro Kucher; Ryan Walsh defends his British Featherweight Championship against James Tennyson; Anthony Nelson defends his Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Championship against Jamie Conlon. On the undercard fast rising undefeated heavyweight sensation Hughie Fury, Erith super-bantamweight Lewis Pettitt; Chingford super-featherweight Boy Jones Jnr; Indian middleweight sensation Vijender Singh; Chelmsford super-middleweight Billy Long, West Ham super-welterweight Sammy McNess; Sidcup super-featherweight D.P Carr; West Ham super-lightweight Ben Smith; Hornchurch super-lightweight Sanjeev Sahota; Nantwich heavyweight Nathan Gorman and Enfield super-middleweight Barney Joe Jones, all feature.

Tickets priced at £30, £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200 are available from See Tickets 0871 230 7148 and www.seetickets.com, Eventim 0844 249 1000 and www.eventim.co.uk, Ticketmaster 0844 8440 444 and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

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

The Matchroom Boxing Foundation has been named the official partner of the England Boxing Elite National Championships 2016.

The Foundation will be the title sponsor of the England Boxing Elite National Championships Finals which will be held at the Echo Arena Liverpool over the weekend of April 29 to May 1.

The finals weekend is the culmination of the domestic calendar for boxing clubs in England when 10 male and female champions will be crowned after three days of boxing which begins with the quarter-finals on Friday, semis on Saturday and 10 men’s and 10 women’s finals on Sunday May 1.

Eddie Hearn, Managing Director, Matchroom Sport and founder of the Matchroom Boxing Foundation said: “I am delighted that our Foundation is able to support the England Boxing Elite National Championships on April 29-May 1. The Matchroom Boxing Foundation is committed to supporting the vital work that amateur boxing clubs do all over Britain, and these championships are as much a celebration of the hard work and dedication put in by everyone involved in the clubs as well as finding the next big stars for British boxing.”

Paul Porter, Chief Executive, England Boxing, added: “The Matchroom Boxing Foundation has done some excellent work to support boxing clubs and we are delighted that it has come on board as the official partner of the Elite National Championships which is the big event in the boxing calendar for grassroots boxing clubs in England.

“The Finals weekend is always a great showcase of the fantastic talent we have in this country and provides an opportunity for up-and-coming boxers to showcase their skills and progress their careers in a way that may one day see them go on to compete at major International championships and the Olympic Games.”

Hearn launched the Matchroom Boxing Foundation to offer money and support to the amateur clubs, with set ups in Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham all benefiting from the Foundation’s support so far.

Tickets are on sale now for the England Boxing Elite National Championships 2016 and can be purchased in advance by calling the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400 or online at http://www.echoarena.com/englandboxing.

Weekend passes for all three days are priced £39 and £28 concessions (including booking fees). Individual day tickets start at £11.50 (£6.50 concs) including booking fees.

A promotional video of this year’s finals can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btxy0jmcwRU&feature=youtu.be

ENDS

For further information please contact:

England Boxing:
· Lee Murgatroyd, Media & Communications Consultant, England Boxing, leemurgatroyd@gmail.com, 07974 161 166
· Hannah McLafferty, Communications Assistant, England Boxing, 0114 223 5643, Hannah.mclafferty@englandboxing.org

Matchroom Boxing Foundation:
· Anthony Leaver, Matchroom Sport, +44 1277 359900, +44 7813 845144, anthony.leaver@matchroom.com

Notes to editors:

England Boxing
England Boxing is the sport’s national governing body in England. It was formed in 1880, as the Amateur Boxing Association, and is responsible for the administration, development and promotion of amateur boxing throughout England. It also represents England as a member of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) and the European Boxing Council (EUBC).

England Boxing is primarily funded by Sport England and is responsible for the delivery of the Whole Sport Plan 2013-17 for boxing. This aims to grow and sustain participation in the sport and create opportunities and pathways for the most talented athletes to progress to the elite level. England Boxing is a non-profit organisation and oversees a network of more than 900 affiliated boxing clubs and is responsible for the national schools, junior and senior championships.