Birmingham, England – 6th May 2023 – Olympic medalist Joshua Buatsi cruised to a commanding Unanimous Decision victory at the Resorts World Arena, Birmingham and live on Sky Sports. The undefeated Light Heavyweight earned scorecards of 97-94, 98-92, and 100-90 from the judges, impressively shutting down a determined and heavy-handed opponent in Pawel Stepien. 

Buatsi was measured and economical in the first half of the fight, feeling Stepien out as he shook off the cobwebs from over a year out of the ring and stopped Stepien from having any opportunity to land his dynamite right hand. 

The Olympic medalist grew into the fight as the rounds went on, loosening up his offense and coming into range to trade punches more often, confident he could come out of any exchange the victor.

Stepien gave everything across the 10 rounds and did not come to lose, taking any chance he got to land shots across the rounds, stepping up the intensity in the second half of the fight and giving Buatsi plenty to think about. This offense from Stepien did give Buatsi chances to land some crunching shots to Stepien’s body that forced him to back away and shell up.

Despite 12 months out of the ring, Joshua Buatsi controlled the fight, and won every single round on one judge’s scorecard, on the way to an intelligent, dominant victory where he didn’t take any unnecessary risks that could have left any talk of challenging for a world championship in future in tatters. 

Shrewd performances like this one are crucial for winning and retaining world championships, and that’s what Joshua Buatsi wants to do.

“I’ve been out of the ring for almost a year, so I needed the 10 rounds. I wanted to knock him out, and I’m disappointed I didn’t, but we got the win. If I had lost it, everything would have changed, so I had to be smart,” Buatsi told Sky Sports after the fight.

Having removed the ring-rust from his extensive layoff and beaten a tough, previously-undefeated opponent, Buatsi is now in position for options ranging from huge domestic clashes to world title contention.

Televised Card Results:

Joshua Buatsi def. Pavel Stepian – UD (98-92, 97-94, 100-90)

Lauren Price def. Kirstie Bavington – UD (100-90, 100-90, 100-90)

Ben Whittaker def. Jordan Grant – KO Rd 3 (0:13)

Tyler Denny def. Macaulay McGowan – SD (96-94, 96-94, 93-97)

Sean McComb def. Kaisee Benjamin – UD (97-94, 97-93, 96-95)

Full Undercard Results

Lauren Price def. Kirstie Bavington – UD (100-90, 100-90, 100-90)

Olympic Gold Medalist Lauren Price was able to add the first ever Womens’ British Championship to her collection in a whitewash, dominating victory over Kirstie Bavington. Price managed the distance of the fight perfectly as Bavington came forward and put her under pressure in every single round. Despite the pressure, Lauren Price was able to fire off brutal combinations as Bavington approached that left her bloodied and badly hurt.

Price looked somewhat close to a stoppage a few times in the later rounds of the fight, but stayed regimented in her approach and took no risks in a fight she was walking away with, making her first 10 round fight look like something she’d done a thousand times before.

Lauren Price made history again, after having done so before in Tokyo, with this victory, and went the Championship distance in only her 4th professional fight. She now looks certain to win World Championships in the professional ranks, with the only question being what could possibly slow her down.

Lauren Price said to Sky Sports after the fight: “I can’t put into words what this means. The olympics was a dream of mine, then I had to start all over again in the professional ranks. Now this was my 4th fight, first 10 rounder, and now I’m British champion. Kirstie made me work for it, she’s extremely fit and kept me on my toes all fight long.”

Ben Whittaker def. Jordan Grant – KO Rd 3 (0:13)

Olympic silver medalist and future boxing superstar Ben Whittaker took another stunning stoppage in the third professional fight of his career, sending a resilient opponent in Jordan Grant tumbling to the canvas and unable to answer the referee’s count just seconds into the 3rd round with a savage left hook to the temple.

Whittaker totally outclassed Grant across the short amount of time the fight lasted, intelligently forcing him into the corner of the ring with footwork and firing off crisp, fast shots to the head and body without allowing Grant to return fire for even a second, minimising all risk. This culminated with a perfect 1-2 from Whittaker straight through the middle of Grant’s guard at the end of the 2nd round that almost ended the fight, but Grant battled on for the start of the 3rd, where he was then beaten into submission.

With his unquestionable self-confidence, brash style in and out the ring, and a penchant for showboating to his opponents, Ben Whittaker has already become a marmite figure in boxing. But everyone, whether they love him or hate him, can’t deny he is one of the world’s finest boxing talents and looks destined for greatness in professional boxing.

Ben Whittaker said to Sky Sports after the fight: “I came out here just to have fun. All these people paid their hard-earned money, I wanted to give them a show. I could have got it done in 20 seconds but I thought we’ll go a bit longer. I’ve done the rounds in camp, it’s only right.”

Tyler Denny def. Macaulay McGowan – SD (96-94, 96-94, 93-97)

Tyler Denny took another impressive win on a BOXXER show to continue his recent career run of success. However, Macaulay McGowan made him work extremely hard for his win and had one judge giving the fight to him.

Denny dominated the first half of the fight, outworking and outjabbing McGowan, who looked unsure about how to break out of this losing situation. But as the rounds went on, and McGowan kept the pace high, he started to close Denny down and land big shots. This culminated in a blistering 8th round where Macauley McGowan unloaded everything he had, battering Denny from pillar to post and leaving him on the verge of being knocked down at multiple points across the round.

Tyler Denny did successfully survive this assault, showing true grit to do so, leaving McGowan with little left in the tank to put the same level of pressure on a slowed Denny for the final two rounds.

In the end the fight was razor close, and the division in the opinion of the judges reflected this, and while Tyler Denny ended the fight with his hand raised, both men showed they deserved their place fighting for a title.

Tyler Denny said to Sky Sports after the fight: “I knew this would be my toughest fight. He came for it tonight. I thought I was cruising through the fight after six rounds, but then he came on strong from there to the end. Listen to that hometown crowd backing me as well.”

Sean McComb def. Kaisee Benjamin – UD (97-94, 97-93, 96-95)

Sean McComb retained his WBO European Super Lightweight fight in an epic 10-round war with the massively talented Kaisee Benjamin, in a fight that had action from the first bell to the very last.

McComb took control of the fight from the first round, using his longer reach to pepper Benjamin with big shots across the first three rounds that left Benjamin reeling and with a seriously damaged nose. But Kaisee Benjamin showed tremendous grit to grow into the fight as it went on, trading in the middle rounds and then taking control in the final rounds after slowing McComb down with savage bodyshots. However, McComb hung on well and had done enough to take a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards.

Both men showed they deserved their spot at the top of British boxing in this fight, and both will have earned anyone watching this fight’s respect and adoration from now on.

Sean McComb said to Sky Sports after the fight: “Thanks to all my fans who have came over with me from Belfast. I knew I’d take this massive opportunity and take the victory here. I would love to fight on Sky Sports again.”

Shakan Pitters def. Joel McIntyre – PTS (80-72)

6 foot 6 inch tall Light Heavyweight giant Shakan Pitters gave an astute performance to win every single round against a tough opponent in Joel McIntyre who came to win. Pitters used his piston-like jab to great effect across the fight, keeping McIntyre at bay and unable to land any shots, no matter how hard he tried to close the distance.

Pitters used his height and reach advantages very well throughout the fight, controlling the distance smartly and choosing his moments to move forward and inflict damage on McIntyre to perfection. Multiple times throughout the fight, most prominently in the 4th and 6th rounds, Pitters hurt McIntyre with big right hands, but again returned to his highly successful jab rather than become reckless.

Pitters will now be hungry to fight for a British title once again, and mix it up with some of the best Light Heavyweights in the country, as he has done in the past.

Cori Gibbs def. Jimmy First – PTS (78-74)

BOXXER Series winner and Lightweight prospect Cori Gibbs avenged the bizarre first loss of his otherwise perfect career to move to 18-1 as a professional by beating the highly talented Jimmy First. Gibbs suffered the first loss of his career to First in December 2022 in a fight that saw Gibbs deducted three points across the course of the fight for losing his gumshield.

These circumstances make Gibbs’s calm, collected performance, where he used skilled footwork to consistently land shots on Jimmy First without taking any in return. First charged forward doggedly in the second half of the fight, and was able to do some damage when he moved into range, but Gibbs stayed composed and saw out the fight for a points victory.

Danny Quartermaine def. Christian Lopez Flores – TKO Rd 4 (2:58)

Exciting young prospect Danny Quartermaine earned the third stoppage victory of his career to move to 9-0 in a fight that introduced him to boxing fans across the UK in impressive style. Quartermaine, heartily cheered on by hundreds of passionate fans, totally outclassed a 40-fight veteran in Christian Lopez Flores, knocking him down twice before the referee felt Flores couldn’t continue in the final seconds, much to Flores’s protestations.

Quartermaine looks set to rise quickly through the ranks of British boxing. With solid boxing skill, genuine knockout punch power, and a large number of impassioned fans, there could be no limit to how far he could go.

Full Card Results: 

Joshua Buatsi def. Pavel Stepian –

Lauren Price def. Kirstie Bavington – UD (100-90, 100-90, 100-90)

Ben Whittaker def. Jordan Grant – KO Rd 3 (0:13)

Tyler Denny def. Macaulay McGowan – SD (96-94, 96-94, 93-97)

Sean McComb def. Kaisee Benjamin – UD (97-94, 97-93, 96-95)

Shakan Pitters def. Joel McIntyre – PTS (80-72)

Cori Gibbs def. Jimmy First – PTS (78-74)

Danny Quartermaine def. Christian Lopez Flores – TKO Rd 4 (2:58)

Canelo Alvarez is promising to deliver ‘something special’ tomorrow night when he defends his undisputed Super-Middleweight title against John Ryder at the Estadio Akron on Saturday night, live on DAZN and DAZN PPV.
 
Canelo (58-2-2 39 KOs) defends his Undisputed crown for the second time after beating bitter rival Gennadiy Golovkin in their trilogy battle in Las Vegas in September, having ripped the IBF crown from Caleb Plant in Sin City in November 2021 with an 11^th round stoppage.
 
The Mexican superstar will make an emotional return to his homeland for his latest Cinco de Mayo showdown, and it will be 4180 days since he last stepped through the ropes in Mexico, when he stopped Kermit Cintron in Mexico City in five rounds to defend his WBO World Light-Middleweight title.
 
The 32 year old four-weight World Champion fights for the 63^rd time of his storied career as he closes in on 18 years as a pro. Cinco de Mayo weekend will see him fight for the 35^th time in his homeland and it promises to be a spectacular occasion with the state of Jalisco marking 200 years of independence against WBO mandatory challenger Ryder (32-5 18 KOs) – and Canelo is promising a spectacular night in front of over 50,000 fans in Guadalajara.
 
“It’s going to be something special after 12 years,” said Canelo. “I started my career here in Guadalajara in the little arenas. And now we are in the biggest stadium and the biggest response from the people. It’s going to be one of the best nights of my career for sure. I am really excited for this fight. 
 
“I was always thinking about fighting again in Guadalajara of course. You can expect something special, and the result is even better. I’m glad and grateful that the people respond like this. I’m enjoying this moment a lot. I enjoy this because it is hard to put on this kind of fights and have people respond like this. It’s an honor for me and I’m proud of it. I’m going to bring everything tomorrow night. 
 
“It wasn’t about money. There were a lot of things that made it hard to put the fight here. Everything, TV, moving, things had to change here in Guadalajara. It’s hard to do it but you know I’m happy I made this and I’m happy to bring this fight to Guadalajara. 
 
“For a long time, I didn’t train here in Guadalajara so me training here for the whole month is different. I feel different. The vibes are different. My family is here. My grandma is here. So, it’s been different, but I enjoy everything. Eddy Reynoso said to me, ‘You need to enjoy this moment because you deserve it. Enjoy what you do because this is such a big thing’. I am just enjoying and thanking all my people and the response is just amazing, so I enjoy it a lot.
 
“You know it is going to be a good fight when a fighter is coming forward. John is a good fighter. He’s southpaw and he throws punches from everywhere. It’ll be a little bit difficult in the first rounds, but I have the experience and I need to handle it.”
 
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS:
 
12 x 3 mins Undisputed World Super-Middleweight title
CANELO ALVAREZ 168lbs      vs.     JOHN RYDER 167.1lbs
 
12 x 3 mins WBC World Flyweight title
JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ 112lbs vs. RONAL ROLANDO BATISTA 112lbs
 
10 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight contest
GABRIEL VALENZUELA 139lbs        vs.     STEVE SPARK 140lbs

Long Island, NY (May 4, 2023) – Star Boxing’s “Rockin’ Fights” 44 is just under 10 days away (5/13) at The Paramount! A highly anticipated 8 round welterweight featured bout gets a second chance on May 13, as former Irish prospect of the year “THE SILENT ASSASSIN” RYAN O’ROURKE (Dublin, Ireland, 9-0 2KO’s) will step up against southpaw, DASHAUN “TOO SWEET” JOHNS (Brooklyn, NY, 4-2 3KO’S).

The previously scheduled O’Rourke-Johns bout was set to take place in March, but O’Rourke came down with the flu and the fight had to be postponed. Now, getting right back to the action, O’Rourke and Johns have a new target date of May 13 at Star Boxing’s renowned “Rockin’ Fights” series at The Paramount.

O’Rourke, who will celebrate his 24th birthday during fight week, is a gifted boxer who continues to grow into his strength. This was evidenced in his last bout in November, when he devoured Andreas Maier by first round TKO. Johns is an accomplished boxer and was a standout US based amateur who will try to match O’Rourke’s ability and push him to his limits. While O’Rourke aims to remain undefeated, Johns is focused on adding a quality fighter like O’Rourke to his resume.

Johns’ last two victories came by way of TKO, and while he is not willing to make any bold predictions, he believes in his abilities. “I’m more ready than I was before,” said Johns. “I know this is a step-up fight for him, so he has to bring his best because that’s what I’m bringing. The legacy continues. The headline is ‘unfinished business.’”

O’Rourke, who will be fighting stateside for the third time in his young career courtesy of Star Boxing, is ready for the opportunity, “I am excited to be back in the United States to continue showing my abilities. Thank you to Joe DeGuardia for the opportunity, and be sure to tune in on May 13.”

Two fierce and skilled boxers will put their confidence and abilities to the test come May 13th. It may be an early fiery chess match between O’Rourke and Johns, as both men have shown an ability to switch quickly from tactical to brutal and change the outcome of a fight with just one punch.

Be there to see the action at “Rockin’ Fights” on Saturday May 13 at The Paramount in Huntington, NY.

Ahead of the May 20 undisputed lightweight championship showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, ESPN will air Blood, Sweat & Tears: Haney vs. Lomachenko. The two-part series features 30-minute all-access episodes taking fight fans inside the training camps of both fighters. The program is available in English and with Spanish subtitles.

The marquee main event on May 20 will stream live at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV, the exclusive digital distributor for the event in the United States. Devin “The Dream” Haney (29-0, 15 KO), the undefeated 24-year-old undisputed champion, will battle against challenger and former three-division world champion, 35-year-old Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KO).

Haney, originally from the Bay Area of California, lives and trains out of Las Vegas. As he gears up in his adopted hometown for the biggest blockbuster fight of his young career, fight fans will get a look how he’s preparing for this monumental moment against the sport’s former kingpin.

Lomachenko, a Ukrainian hero who took an 11-month hiatus from boxing to serve in a territorial defense battalion, is a former three-division world champion who is widely considered to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Fans will learn about his rich history and unique training methods as he prepares to secure the one major milestone that has eluded him thus far, the undisputed lightweight crown.

In addition to the air times below, Blood, Sweat & Tears: Haney vs. Lomachenko will also be available for replay on-demand in the ESPN App and on ESPN.com and ESPN+.

Blood, Sweat & Tears: Haney vs. Lomachenko

ESPN+, ESPN App Boxing Content: Live and Upcoming, On Demand, Studio Shows, Archives

• Top Rank: Real Time Go all-access with top fighters throughout fight week as they work their way to fight night
• Boxing
• Top Rank
• State of Boxing

• Max on Boxing Max Kellerman hosts a 30-minute series weighing in on key boxing news and providing insights on the sport’s top fighters and upcoming events
• Who Do U Fight 4? Get to know the next generation of Top Rank stars and learn what drives them

Follow @ESPNRingside on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok

About ESPN 

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.? ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.? 

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).

Joshua Buatsi has Artur Beterbiev’s collection of world titles in his sights next – provided he first gets past Poland’s undefeated Pawel Stepien tomorrow night atop the BOXXER card airing live on Sky Sports Showcase and Sky Sports Action from 7pm.

“[A win] gives me a shot at three belts. If it’s offered to me, I’m not going to turn it down,” Buatsi said today.

“You can never override Beterbiev. That’s a long reigning champion for a reason. Not by chance, not by anything. 

“I think there’s things he does well as a champion but I also bet on myself and say there’s things that I do well as a fighter. But let me get in the ring [tomorrow night] and show something.”

Buatsi weighed in today in Birmingham along with the rest of the fighters taking part in tomorrow night’s event, including history-making Lauren Price MBE and her opponent Kirstie Bavington, who will compete for the inaugural women’s British Championship, the first such championship sanctioned in Britain in the nation’s 114-year history of professional boxing championship titles.

Also on the card, rising star Ben ‘The Surgeon’ Whittaker – a 2020 Olympic silver medalist – hit the scales to make the light-heavyweight limit for what will be his third professional bout tomorrow night.

Today’s weights were as follows:

12 x 3 mins  Light-Heavyweight Contest @ 12st 7lbs 

Joshua Buatsi – 12st 6lbs

Pawel Stepien – 12st 7lbs

10 x 2 mins  Welterweight Contest @10st 7lbs      

Lauren Price – 10st 6lbs 5oz

Kirstie Bavington – 10st 6lbs

6 x 3 mins  Light-Heavyweight Contest @ 12st 10lbs

Ben Whittaker – 12st 6lbs 5oz 

Jordan “the Game” Grant – 12st 7lbs

10 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest @ 11st  6llbs

Macaulay McGowan – 11st 5lbs

Tyler Denny – 11st 5lbs 5oz

10 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight Contest @ 10st 2lbs

Sean McComb – 9st 13lbs 5oz

Kaisee Benjamin – 10st

8 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight Contest @ 12st 10lbs

Shakan Pitters – 12st 11lbs

Joel McIntyre – 12st 10lbs 5oz

6/8 x 3 mins  Lightweight Contest @ 9st 12lbs

Cori Gibbs – 9st 11lbs

Jimmy “The Fist” First – 9st 10lbs 5oz

4 x 3 mins Lightweight @9st 11lbs

Danny Quartermaine – 9st 5lbs 

Christian Lopez Flores – 9st 8lbs 5oz

Tomorrow night (Saturday, May 6, 2023), promoter Nedal Abuhumoud of Nedal’s Promotions returns to the Newtown A.C. in Newton Township, Pennsylvania, for a six-fight night of boxing.

In the night’s eight-round main event, super lightweight contender Daiyaan Butt (13-2, 6 KOs), of Philadelphia makes his return to the ring against former Ghana Boxing Authority Lightweight Champion Benjamin “Daddy Lumba” Lamptey (13-9-2, 9 KOs) of Accra, Ghana.

Tickets are priced at $45 General Admission, $125 Ringside and $175 VIP and are available HERE or by calling 609.209.5642.

In the lightweight co-main event, former Spanish and EBU European Union Featherweight Champion Carlos Ramos (16-2, 10 KOs) of Madrid, Spain, via Ecuador, will face Cidra, Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel “Tito” Morales Rodriguez (10-5, 6 KOs).

The undercard will feature unbeaten Camden, New Jersey, southpaw Devin Gantt (2-0, 2 KOs) taking on Puerto Rican southpaw Pedro “El Gago” Hernandez (7-14-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round super featherweight showdown; as well as a four-round super middleweight bout between Staten Island, New York, via Bar, Montenegro’s Arben Markasheviq (1-0-1, 1 KO) and Philadelphia’s Derrick Vann (4-6, 2 KOs).

Opening up the action will be a six-round super featherweight battle between Camden native Carlos Rosario (8-3, 4 KOs) and Barranquilla, Colombia’s Jonathan “Popeye” Perez (40-35, 32 KOs) and a four-round super middleweight showdown between Camden’s Everlon Still (3-2, 1 KO) and Cincinatti’s Turner Williams (4-15, 3 KOs).

As a special added attraction, there will be an LED Robots Show, as well as a live DJ and live music. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm. The Newtown A.C. is located at 120 Pheasant Run in Newtown, PA. For tickets or more information, please call 609.209.5642. All ages are welcome.

John Ryder is embracing the challenge of fighting Canelo Alvarez in his Guadalajara home – and says it’s only right to face the Mexican king in his backyard as he looks to defeat the undisputed Super-Middleweight champion at the Estadio Akron on Saturday night, live on DAZN and DAZN PPV.
 
Ryder (32-5-1 18 KOs) takes on the biggest challenge of his 12 year career in facing the pound-for-pound king in Mexico, and in doing so, meets a champion that’s eager to put on a dazzling display on an historic occasion, with the 32 year old fighting at home for the first time in over 11 and a half years 
 
‘The Gorilla’ landed the WBO interim title in his last fight when Zach Parker retired on his stool after four rounds of their clash in London, England in November. 
 
That win for the 34 year old followed a career-best victory earlier in 2022 over former Middleweight ruler and old Canelo foe Daniel Jacobs, with Ryder having also tackled three other Britons who have taken on the Mexican king, challenging Callum Smith for the Super-Middleweight World crown after fights with Billy Joe Saunders and Rocky Fielding.
 
Ryder completed his camp in Los Angeles before arriving in the capital of Jalisco, and the Londoner has enjoyed the hospitality to date in a state that is celebrating 200 years of independence – but the challenger knows that will turn into hostility on Saturday night – and he’s relishing the chance to ruin the party and be the second King from the UK to be crowned on the day.
 
“I know it’s going to be hostile; I am prepared for it,” said Ryder. “I think to go and fight a champion, you should go to their backyard to take their titles and that’s what I am doing. Most fighters have gone to Vegas or Texas to fight him, but I’m in Guadalajara in the Lion’s Den. 
 
“I think that the pressure is on him. It’s been a long time since he boxed here and who expects anything of me? No one. People think I am here for the paycheck, I am not, I am here to show that dreams can come true. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I deserve to be here.
 
“I think it is a good time to fight him, he has a lot of miles on the clock. Last year he had the Bivol defeat, I found it strange that he went back to Light-Heavyweight, and then he went back to 168 and while I don’t think it was a bad performance, I think people were expecting him to stop him and put the final nail in the coffin of the trilogy and he didn’t, although he did win comfortably. Obviously, he’s had the surgery on his hand and maybe there’s question marks on wear and tear, but I want the best version of him because I will give the best version of me. 
 
“I have to embrace the moment. After 12 rounds, my hand will be raised, and the new, from Islington, London, UK, undisputed World Super-Middleweight champion, John Ryder. It’s a dream opportunity and I don’t plan to waste it.  
 
“To prepare for him, you have to take him off his pedestal initially as he is who he is, but you won’t be able to get Canelo in to spar to prepare for Canelo. You work with what you can get which we have. Tony Sims is a great trainer and a real boxing historian, but it’s all very modern in my camp too. It’s been a different camp as I stayed with Joe Cordina for three weeks was fantastic, it’s one big family and he’s like a brother. He regained his World title so now it’s down to me.
 
“I have always believed that I was destined for bigger things. My career has always been a work in progress. I’ve got good people around me, familiar faces, and there’s nothing new here, I’m not in the main fight hotel so everything is a bit calmer, it’s nice and we’ll dial in when we need to.”

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with a high stakes matchup in the flyweight division, as No. 3 ranked contender Kai Kara-France faces rising No. 7 Amir Albazi. Also on the card, No. 10 ranked bantamweight contender Mayra Bueno Silva battles women’s MMA pioneer and No. 11 ranked Miesha Tate.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: KARA-FRANCE vs. ALBAZI will take place Saturday, June 3 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (English and Spanish) starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, with the prelims exclusively ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.

Kara-France (24-10 1 NC, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) looks to cement himself as a title threat in the flyweight division in his UFC main event debut. A City Kickboxing product, Kara-France earned a shot at the 125-pound strap following victories over Cody Garbrandt, Rogerio Bontorin and Askar Askarov. He now intends to defend his spot in the rankings against Albazi in his first Octagon appearance of 2023.

Surging prospect Albazi (16-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Baghdad, Iraq) aims to make the most of the biggest opportunity of his MMA career by taking out Kara-France. Undefeated in the UFC, he has secured victories over Malcolm Gordon, Francisco Figueiredo and Alessando Costa. Albazi now plans to leave no doubt that he can compete with the best in the world and vault to the top of the flyweight ranks.

Silva (10-2-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) makes her second Octagon appearance of 2023 seeking another post-fight bonus. A submission specialist, Silva owns notable finishes over Lina Lansberg, Stephanie Egger and Mara Romero Borella. She now looks to add Tate’s legendary name to her resume and make a run towards the top of the division.

Former UFC bantamweight champion Tate (19-9, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) returns to the 135-pound division intending to make a statement. Among the top names in MMA, she holds wins over Holly Holm, Sara McMann and Liz Carmouche. Tate now is determined to get her hand raised once again by handing Silva her first loss in two years.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• An exciting featherweight bout sees No. 15 ranked contender Alex Caceres (20-13 1 NC, fighting out of Miami, Fla.) match up against Daniel Pineda (28-14 3 NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas)
• Lightweight veteran Jim Miller (35-17 1 NC, fighting out of Sparta, N.J.) returns against Ludovit Klein (19-4-1, fighting out of Nove Zamky, Slovakia)
• Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (34-21 2 NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) faces Don’Tale Mayes (9-5 1 NC, fighting out of Louisville, Ky.)
• No. 11 ranked flyweight Tim Elliott (19-12-1, fighting out of Lee’s Summit, Mo.) defends his spot in the rankings against Victor Altamirano (12-2, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas by way of Mexico City, Mexico)
• Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos (23-7, fighting out of Parana, Brazil) and Abubakar Nurmagomedov (17-3-1, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) clash at welterweight
• Philipe Lins (16-5, fighting out of Coconut Creek, FL by way of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil) and Maxim Grishin (32-9-2, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) collide in a light heavyweight bout
• Strawweight action sees Elise Reed (6-3, fighting out of Princeton, N.J.) lock horns with Jinh Yu Frey (11-8, fighting out of Arlington, Texas)
• Jamie Mullarkey (16-5, fighting out of Holgate, NSW, Australia) and Guram Kutateladze (12-3, fighting out of Stockholm, Sweden by way of Tbilisi, Georgia) meet in an early Fight of the Night contender at lightweight
• Bantamweights Da’Mon Blackshear (12-5-1, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) and Luan Lacerda (12-2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) look to steal the show
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Karine Silva (15-4, fighting out of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil) looks to spoil the UFC debut of Ketlen Souza (13-3, fighting out of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) at flyweight
• John Castaneda (19-6, fighting out of Minneapolis, Minn.) and Mateus Mendonca (10-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) vie to return to the winner’s circle in a bantamweight tilt

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for media credentials to the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 233 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to over 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s active fighter roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).  

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – (May 4, 2023) -World championship belts: that’s the goal for Joshua Buatsi in 2023 as he returns to the ring aiming to put the light-heavyweight division on notice and resume his world title campaign in the main event of the BOXXER: CROWNING GLORY event taking place this Saturday night at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena.

Unified world champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA champion Dmitry Bivol are both on Buatsi’s radar – but world title opportunities depend on Buatsi successfully handling Poland’s undefeated Pawel Stepien this weekend atop a main card airing live from 7pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Showcase.

“When you win an amateur tournament you come back with something tangible, a medal to show people,” the 2016 Olympic bronze medal winner told a busy pre-fight press conference today.

“In the professional ranks the equivalent is a world title belt and that’s what I want: something tangible to show people that I am the world champion. So the aim this year is to have something tangible to show the people.”

Buatsi is determined to force his way to a world shot, while Poland’s Stepien is looking for an upset that would see him seize the Londoner’s place at the top of the WBA rankings and position himself for a championship fight.

The two unbeaten boxers are putting their future plans on the line in Saturday’s fight.

“Buatsi is a very good fighter. I have watched and studied his fights and I’m happy that I can step in the ring with him on Saturday night and test my skills,” said Stepien.

“This is the height of my career. I’m even more happy that I’m in the main event.”

“He’s a good boxer, represented his country, which I must give credit to,” he said of Stepien. “I’m sure he’ll be strong and tough. But I’m here to win – there’s no other language, there’s no other thinking process, there’s no other thought. The aim is to win, and look good doing it.”

PRICE vs BAVINGTON

The bill also features a history-making event when Lauren Price and Kirstie Bavington fight for the first professional women’s British championship.

British championship belts for male boxers were inaugurated 114 years ago, but no female equivalent existed – until now.

Price is a trail-blazer who won Wales’ first Olympic boxing gold medal in 2021. But it is early in her pro career and Bavington is a seasoned fighter and a former European champion herself.

“It’s a beautiful looking belt as well. It’s great just to add more history to my name,” Price said. “I believe in myself and I’ll come out victorious. I know she’s game, she’s tough, she’s a pressure fighter, I believe I’m a level above.”

Bavington however will make sure the fight is no coronation for Price, who’s only had three professional fights so far in her career.

“She’s fighting me for 10 rounds. I’m here to win and that’s it. Come May 6 (Saturday), this is me, I’m going to bring that British title home.”

Price’s team-mate from Tokyo Games, Olympic silver medallist Ben Whittaker returns to action against Jordan “The Game” Grant.

Grant has taken exception to Whittaker’s comments and acknowledges there’s “needle” between them.

“It’ll be good when I beat him,” the Scotsman said. “I wouldn’t have taken this fight if I wasn’t confident. But obviously if you’re an Olympian and you’re getting medals you’re right up there in the boxing world. I’m under no illusions – it’s a mountain to climb, but it’ll be sweeter when I beat him. It’ll change my life. I’m ready for a war, so let’s go.”

Ben Whittaker and Jordan Grant continued to exchange words during the face-off ahead of their fight on Saturday night.

Whittaker however is certain that with his injury woes behind him, he is on course for another victory.

“‘The Surgeon’ is back. They call [my style] flash because they can’t do it. Saturday you’ll see more flash, more performances and why I’m special.”

Local men Kaisee Benjamin and Tyler Denny are relishing their bouts that will kick off the televised card, live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Showcase from 7pm on Saturday.

Benjamin fights Sean McComb, the skilled operator from Belfast, while Denny is boxing Macaulay McGowan, who like Denny is in good form.

“In front of the home crowd I’m looking to put on a dominant performance… I’m looking to come, win and do the business, and look good doing it as well.

“It’s a good fight, he’s a game fighter, I’m a game fighter and it’s going to match up really well. I can’t see it not being a great fight.

“It’s going to be fireworks.”

Saturday’s event begins with a live stream airing free on the Sky Sports Boxing YouTube channel at 5pm, followed by the main card which can be watched live from 7pm on Sky Showcase (for non-Sky Sports subscribers) and Sky Sports Action (for Sky Sports subscribers). 

NEW YORK (May 4, 2023) — Lightweight contender Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz is set to take his career to new heights ahead of an action-packed fight night in New York City.

Ortiz has signed a multi-fight co-promotional contract with Top Rank, who will work in conjunction with Jimmy Burchfield’s CES Boxing. Ortiz will return in a 10-round clash against an opponent to be named Saturday, June 10 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. His fight will top the ESPN+-streamed undercard of the junior welterweight showdown between WBO and Ring Magazine world champion Josh Taylor and former unified and lineal lightweight king Teofimo Lopez.

In the 10-round co-feature, Puerto Rican junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas will take on Ronald “Diablo” Cruz.

Taylor-Lopez and Zayas-Cruz will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. 

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.

Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) is a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, who is of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent. A seven-year veteran, he experienced his most significant year as a pro in 2022. Ortiz secured the NABF lightweight title in February after outpointing Nahir Albright, then followed up with a 10-round unanimous decision victory against former world champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring in May. In October, the 27-year-old used his size and strength to take an early lead against former lightweight champion Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko before losing the tightly contested battle via unanimous decision.

Ortiz said, “It feels great to join a stable that has created so many Hall of Fame champions. I’m looking forward to becoming their next one. It’s been a long journey fighting my way up to get the respect I deserve. With Top Rank working with CES, I’m now hoping for bigger and better fights.

“It feels good to be back in New York to get some redemption after the loss to Lomachenko. I gained many new fans that night, and a lot of people thought I won. People know I’m the real deal now. I’m motivated to improve and take over the lightweight division. I only took 10 days off after that fight and went straight to the gym. I’m coming to make a statement on June 10 that I’m not to be played with.”

Ortiz joins a previously-announced ESPN+-streamed undercard featuring two all-Puerto Rico battles.

Henry “Moncho” Lebron (17-0, 10 KOs) will lock horns against Christian Tapia (15-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round junior lightweight tilt. Lebron is coming off wide decision wins over Andy Vences and Luis Lebron, while Tapia looks to rebound from a competitive decision defeat to Cleveland standout Thomas Mattice.

Rising prospect Omar Rosario (10-0, 3 KOs) squares off against Jan Carlos Rivera (8-1, 6 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight bout. Rivera has won four straight fights after suffering a decision loss inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble.

The loaded undercard also features a pair of rising stars in eight-rounders, both of whom fought on the Shakur Stevenson-Shuichiro Yoshino bill in April. 

Brooklyn featherweight prodigy Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (7-0, 4 KOs), who knocked out Brandon Chambers in the second round, will face an opponent to be named.

Polish heavyweight dynamo DamianKnyba (11-0, 7 KOs), who stopped Curtis Harper in the eighth round, will fight Helaman Olguin (9-5-1, 4 KOs). Olguin was last seen dropping a unanimous decision to former Tyson Fury foe Otto Wallin in January. 

Los Angeles, CA (May 4, 2023) Light Heavyweight powerhouse Umar Dzambekov, (4-0, 3 KOs), returns to battle against hard-hitting Ghanaian Dodzi Kemeh, (25-2, 23 KOs), in the eight-round co-feature on the next acclaimed ‘Hollywood Fight Nights’ event set for Friday, June 9 at the Commerce Casino and broadcast live internationally by UFC FIGHT PASS.

Tickets for the stellar card of professional boxing, presented by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100, $80 and $60 and can be purchased online at www.360Promotions.US. The Commerce Casino, ‘The World’s Largest Card Room and Site of the LA Poker Classic’, is located at 6131 Telegraph Road, Commerce, CA 90040. Doors will open on the night of the event at 5:30 p.m. For more information and directions visit their website.

Following an outstanding amateur career in his native Austria where he was a nine-time champion, the 25-year-old southpaw Dzambekov has quickly impressed the Southern California boxing fans with devastating knockouts in his last two fights. On January 27, 2023, Dzambekov knocked out previously undefeated Anthony Fleming in the fourth round. He followed that up with a third-round stoppage of Nathan Davis Sharp on April 14, 2023.

“I’m excited to be featured on UFC Fight Pass again,” said Umar Dzambekov. “Now I’m in my first eight round fight against a solid opponent with a good record like Dodzi Kemeh. Training at Wild Card with Marvin Somodio and being on UFC Fight Pass where my fans in Austria can watch is like a dream come true.”

Said Tom Loeffler, “Umar is one of the most talented young fighters I’ve seen and is on the fast track as we continue to feature him on UFC FIGHT PASS.”

Fighting in the boxing rich country of Ghana, the 31-year-old Kemeh has won his last six fights all by stoppage. On March 18, 2023, he stopped Felix Mankatah in the fourth round in Accra, Ghana. In his most recent fight in the United States, Kemeh lost a hotly contested battle to undefeated Giovani Santilian on November 17, 2017.

The June 9 event is headlined by a ten-round super welterweight clash between The Fastest Rising Star in Boxing, ‘King’ Callum Walsh, (6-0, 5 KO’s), of Cork, Ireland and Perennial Contender Carson Jones, (43-15-3, 31 KOs).  

More information on this sensational night of professional boxing will be announced shortly.

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

Social Media

#HollywoodFightNights

#UFCFightPass

Instagram

@callum_walsh1

@ufcfightpass

@360BoxingPromotions

@TomLoeffler1

@360BoxingPromotions

@howlerheadehiskey

Twitter

@KingCallumWalsh

@UFCFightPass

@360BoxingPromos

@TomLoeffler1

 @howlerhead

Facebook

@UFCFightPass

@360BoxingPromos

@howlerheadwhiskey

Website

www.360Promotions.us

NEW YORK, NY – May 4, 2023 – Today, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Real Fight Inc. (Real Fight) announced the rematch between seven-weight boxing world champion and undisputed featherweight world champion Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano (44-2-1) and former WBO featherweight title holder Heather “The Heat” Hardy (24-2, 4 KOs). After earning the WBO featherweight from Hardy nearly four years ago, Serrano will put all her belts on the line and defend her undisputed title for the first time vs. Hardy in a co-main event alongside Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on August 5^th. The event will be distributed globally on pay-per-view by DAZN, in addition to all major cable, satellite and local PPV providers. Pre-sale tickets for those that have signed up for early access will be available on May 9, while general on sale will begin on May 11. All tickets can be purchased on https://www.americanairlinescenter.com/events/detail/paul-v-diaz. 

Serrano, the first Puerto Rican undisputed world champion, started her current title reign at featherweight by defeating Heather Hardy in a brutal 10-round fight in 2019 to win the WBO belt. On August 5th, Hardy, also a Brooklyn native, will attempt to avenge her loss and take all of Serrano’s belts in a 10-round bout contested at 126 lbs. Serrano steps back into the ring after winning a blood-soaked war against WBA featherweight champion Erika Cruz in February, making her the undisputed featherweight champion but also left her with a hand injury that resulted in canceling her much anticipated rematch with Katie Taylor. Serrano’s decisive win against Cruz followed her previous win over Sarah Mahfoud in Manchester, England that added the Dane’s IBF title to her WBO, WBC, and IBO featherweight belts. Her resounding clash against Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden in 2022 earned recognition as Sports Illustrated’s Fight of the Year and The Ring’s Event of the Year and was further nominated for Event of the Year by Sports Business Journal. 

“I am the undisputed featherweight champion today because Heather Hardy agreed to fight me in 2019 for her WBO title,” said Serrano. “That was the first step in my current run at featherweight. It’s only right that I give her the opportunity to earn it back. I’m excited to once again share the card with Jake and put on an exciting war. This will be the first time I get to fight in Texas, and I promise the fans that they will not be disappointed.”

Hardy, the Brooklyn-born former World Boxing Organization featherweight champion who is promoted by Hall-of-Fame promoter Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment, will bring “The Heat” once again as she seeks to etch her name in boxing history and become the undisputed featherweight world champion. Following her professional debut in 2012, she claimed the vacant WBC international super bantamweight title in 2014, and in 2016 won the WBC international featherweight title and became one of the biggest draws in boxing. In 2018, Heather became world champion, winning the WBO featherweight title with a unanimous decision win over Shelly Vincent at Madison Square Garden. Heather put her title on the line in 2019 and lost in a unified title fight to WBC world champion Amanda Serrano in the first clash of the two boxing stars. Since then, she has battled back towards the top, recently defeating Brazil’s Taynna Cardoso in her last fight in February. 

“I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity,” said Hardy. “In 2021, I came back to boxing with a renewed passion for the sport. My late trainer told me, the day before he died, that 2023 would be my year. Now, I have the opportunity to prove him right and become an undisputed champion. Thank you to Amanda and team for keeping their word on giving me the rematch, but come fight night, I only have winning on my mind and stealing the show from Jake Paul and Nate Diaz.”

Most Valuable Promotions, founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, and Real Fight, Inc., founded by Nate Diaz, are partnering to bring this event to global audiences as Paul and Diaz battle it out as the other co-main event at the American Airlines Center. The event will be distributed and co-produced globally by DAZN PPV and made available on all devices, platforms, cable, and satellite PPV providers around the world.

“Amanda is one of the most decorated and elite athletes ever and is on path to become the winningest female boxer of all time,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “After some much needed recovery time, Amanda is excited to return to the ring and remind fans why she is the most devasting puncher in women’s boxing. If Amanda prevails in the fight, the plan is to immediately pursue the rematch with Katie Taylor in Ireland. In front of her will be one of the most revered female boxers of the last twenty years in Heather Hardy, who has only improved from the fighter she was when she faced Amanda last. Heather is very much planning on walking away as the new undisputed featherweight champion. Paul-Diaz-Serrano-Hardy… what a night!”

For more information, follow on Twitter via @Serranosisters, @MostVPromotions, @HeatherHardyBox, and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @serranosisters, @heathertheheat, @MostValuablePromotions, and @DAZNBoxing.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

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

About DAZN:

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

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

?

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

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

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

About American Airlines Center: 

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

THE QUEENSBERRY TRIO of Anthony Cacace, Nick Ball and Pierce O’Leary are all in title action on Saturday May 27 at the SSE Arena in Belfast, live on BT Sport.

Promoted by Conlan Boxing, in association with Top Rank and Queensberry Promotions, the event will see Belfast boy Michael Conlan challenge for the IBF world featherweight championship against the title holder Luis Alberto Lopez, who last fought on British soil when he defeated former champion Josh Warrington in Leeds last year.

The IBO world featherweight champion Cacace, also hailing from Belfast, makes a first defence of the title he won by overcoming Michael Magnesi at the Manchester Arena last September. The 20-1 (7 KOs) man known as the Apache takes on the Pole, IBO International champion Damian Wrzesinski, who holds a record of 26-2-2 (7 KOs).

Wrzesinski, 35, a multi-time national title holder, won his IBO championship with a win over Artjoms Ramlavs in October 2022.

Liverpool favourite Ball, 17-0 (10 KOs) takes on an unbeaten challenger for his WBC Silver featherweight title in the South African Ludumo Lamati, 21-0-1 (11 KOs).

Ball, 26, enjoyed a highly productive 2022 that encompassed a win-treble of victories over Isaac Lowe, Nathanael Kakololo and Jesus Ramirez Rubio. All three were stopped by the hugely popular ‘Wrecking’ Ball, who is increasingly becoming a must-see attraction on Queensberry shows.

Lamati, 30, became IBO world super bantamweight champion in June 2021 with victory over Jose Martin Estrada Garcia, having won the IBF Intercontinental title in July 2019.

The WBC International super lightweight champion O’Leary, 11-0 (6 KOs), defends his belt against the Romanian Alin Florin Ciorceri, 17-3 (7 KOs). The Dubliner, 23, won the title with a convincing points win over Emmanuel Mungandjela at The O2 in November of last year.

Also featuring on the card is top Queensberry prospects Willo Hayden (5-0, 1 KO), the Dublin lightweight, along with Liverpool super lightweight Callum Thompson (6-0, 1 KO). Hayden will fight over six rounds and Thompson over four.

“We took this opportunity through our friends and colleagues at Top Rank to secure a top quality world title fight for BT Sport viewers involving local hero Michael Conlan,” said Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren.

“The added incentive was getting five BT Sport favourites from the Queensberry ranks onto the card and three of them being Irish fighters in Anto Cacace, Pierce O’Leary and Willo Hayden, who will all relish the occasion of performing in front of a packed house in Belfast.

“Then there is our demolition man, Nick Ball, who wants to impress and throw down the gauntlet to the winner out of Conlan and Lopez. The Liverpool contingent is doubled by our hugely promising super lightweight Callum Thompson, who I am also looking forward to seeing back in action.”

Belfast’s unbeaten super middleweight star Pody McCrory (16-0, 9 KOs) features in 10-round action, alongside top prospects from the city in super flyweight Conor Quinn (5-0-1, 4 KOs) and featherweight Kurt Walker (5-0, 1 KO), both fighting over eight rounds.

Lightweight Feargus Quinn (5-0, 2 KOs) from Belleek and welterweight Kieran Molloy (5-0, 1 KO) from Galway will fight over six rounds, with welterweight James Freeman from Armagh making his professional debut over four rounds.

Tickets are available now via www.Ticketmaster.ie.

ONTARIO, CA (May 3, 2023): In his biggest test in the ring yet, Mexican superstar Jaime Munguia (41-0, 32 KOs) will make a highly anticipated return against the dangerous, Ukrainian world champion contender Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) in a 12-round middleweight fight on Saturday, June 10. The 12-round main event is scheduled to take place at Toyota Arena and is presented in association with Zanfer Boxing. The middleweight clash will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT/ 8:00 p.m. ET. 

“I am very excited to return to the ring and even more excited to face a fighter like Derevyanchenko,” said Jaime Munguia. “I think it will be a very intense fight from start to finish, but like always we are training very hard and are very ready to give the fans a very exciting fight. We will see you this June 10 in Southern California!”

“I’ve been in some of the biggest middleweight title fights over the last few years and as my fans know I always come to fight,” said Sergiy Derevyanchenko. “I feel like the GGG fight a few years ago was a fight that should have gone my way, so getting back to a title fight and becoming a world champion is my main goal. Mungia is a great fighter and a win over him gets me back on track to winning a world title. June 10 will be a war, a bloodbath, and I’m willing to give it everything I’ve got to come away victorious. I will be looking to get this win for myself but also for my country, Ukraine.”

“Munguia has always wanted the toughest fights — and this is going to be one of them,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “For years, Derevyanchenko has gone life and death with the division’s top middleweights and has always reached the final bell. Should Jaime get past him — and I believe he will — he is immediately in position for a world title shot.” 

“We are very excited to face a great rival like Sergiy Derevyanchenko,” said Zanfer Boxing President Fernando Beltran. “Jaime is a fighter that never stops training who is looking to be the best – this fight is no exception. We will see the fans this June 10 for a great night of boxing where we are confident that we will leave the ring with our arms high in the air.” 

Munguia was last seen in November 2022 easily cruising to a third round knockout victory against Gonzalo Coria in front of a hometown crowd in Guadalajara, Mexico. Last July 2022, Derevyanchenko secured a unanimous decision victory against Joshua Conley. Derevyanchenko has faced the likes of Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, Jermall Charlo, and other top names of the sport – giving fighters trouble and fans a spectacle. 

More information on event tickets and undercard will be announced in the coming weeks. 

###

Munguia vs. Derevyanchenko is a 12-round fight that is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Boxing. The event is sponsored by “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts,” and AutoZone, “Get in the zone, Autozone.” The fight will take place on Saturday, June 10 from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN.

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

(May 3, 2023) – Undefeated Italian southpaw Mauro Forte will look to avenge his draw against Francesco Grandelli in a 12-round rematch for the vacant European featherweight title this Friday, May 5 at the PalaSport Tivoli in Tivoli, Italy.

Forte–Grandelli II and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Forte (17-0-2, 7 KOs) is a 24-year-old contender who made his pro debut in April 2016 with a decision victory over Jacopo Lusci. In his second fight, just three months later, he fought to a split draw against Vincent Eroe. Forte then embarked on a 15-fight win streak before meeting Grandelli for the first time in November 2021. Grandelli (16-1-2, 3 KOs) is a 28-year-old who got his start in the paid ranks with a decision win over Marco Iuculano in May 2015. He experienced an early draw in his fourth fight and suffered his first loss in his sixth fight before scoring 11 straight wins ahead of his first battle with Forte. Their initial encounter ended in a split draw after 12 closely contested rounds, and the two are ready to settle unfinished business. 

In other streaming action from Tivoli, Italy: 

• Undefeated junior bantamweight Stephanie Silva (7-0) makes her 2023 debut in a scheduled 10-round clash against France’s Mailys Gangloff (8-3, 2 KOs). Silva is a 27-year-old Italian contender who is coming off a 10-round decision win over Ewelina Pekalska last October. 
   
• In a battle of undefeated bantamweights, Italy’s Simona Salvatori (8-0, 2 KOs) and France’s Johanna Wonyou (8-0, 2 KOs) will collide in a 10-round battle. Salvatori is coming off a unanimous decision win against Bethy Franco last October, and Wonyou is coming off a fourth-round TKO victory over Egine Kayange in March.
   
• Armando Casamonica (9-0, 1 KO) will put his undefeated record on the line in an eight-round junior welterweight fight against Francesco Acatullo (13-11-3, 1 KO).

# # #
About ESPN+ 
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). 

LOS ANGELES (May 3, 2023) – Eight months out of the ring didn’t leave Houston’s undefeated light heavyweight prospect Darius “DFG” Fulghum (4-0, 4 KOs) rusty last Saturday night as he made a strong statement against Jay Williams (4-10) at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

The 26-year-old Fulghum, who is a promotional free agent, fought on the William Zepeda-headlined card streamed live on DAZN.

Fulghum hadn’t fought since last August 10, when he knocked out David Murray (10-3-1) in the second round in Detroit, and he didn’t know who his opponent was until late last week.

“No rust at all,” Fulghum reported. “I felt fluid in the ring, extremely free.”

Fulghum dropped Williams once in the opening round and again in the second, throwing a flurry of punches at his overmatched opponent. The end came at the 0:58 mark of round four, when Fulghum finished off Williams with a picture-perfect left hook, right hand combination.

“It felt amazing,” Fulghum said. “I saw all my supporters there during my walk out and it brought life in me. That was a great feeling. I felt alive again!

“I only gave myself a B grade because I really should have gotten him out in the first round. I loaded up on my shots to get a clear knockout. But I listened to my corner to let my hands go and the knockout will come. It was a good learning experience.”

A licensed nurse in Texas with a degree from Prairie View A & M University, Fulghum was a decorated amateur boxer, ranked No. 1 in the USA as a heavyweight, despite fighting as a light heavyweight/super middleweight as a pro, capturing top honors at the 2018 National Golden Gloves Tournament and 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, all accomplished as he attended college.

Fulgham is tentatively slated to be back in action June 3^rd against an opponent to be determined in Galveston, Texas.

Fulghum is working with 3 Point Management (3 PM), a growing company based in Los Angeles that has a growing stable of gifted boxers including former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs), NABA super flyweight champion John “Scrappy” Ramirez (11-0, 8 KOs), light heavyweight Kareem Hackett (10-0, 5 KOs), super middleweight Cem “Champ” Kilic (17-1, 11 KOs), and heavyweight Zach Spiller (3-0, 2 KOs).

INFORMATION:

Instagram/Twitter/Linkedin: @DariusFulghum

QUINCY, Mass. (May 3, 2023) – Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste has been suffering performance anxiety in the ring, which has left him in a precarious position heading into his June 10^th main event fight headlining ”Fight Night at the Vets Club”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions’ (GCP) at the Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Baptiste (4-3, 2 KOs), of Woburn (MA), is matched against Ryan Thomas Clark (2-3, 1 KO), of Barrington (NH), in a throwback New England rivalry match, in the six-round, main event for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) middleweight title.

Baptiste is a solid all-around boxer, but “head games” have taken its toll during his pro career, and now he’s in a crossroads fight.

“It’s just one of those things,” Baptiste explained his performance anxiety, “but it’s time to go. I need to beat my performance anxiety in this fight. I’ve been aware of it because it’s shown in my performances. I’ve been dealing with performance anxiety since I was a kid and it’s been more evident in my last few fights. I need to get past this. We’ve been training differently and I’m feeling very confident about what’s to come.. I’m getting a different view from my coach, Brandon Montella.”

Baptiste and Clark are familiar with each other. In fact, they split a pair of amateur matches. “Black Dragon” won a split decision in 2016, lost a unanimous decision in 2015.

“The last time I saw Ryan was in the amateurs,” Baptiste remembered. “He won the first, I won the second. It’s seven/eight years since we last met in the ring. I hope he’s been training during that time because I have been in the gym every day since we fought. I just need to perform. I hope he’s ready because I will.”

Last November in his most recent fight, also contested at the Vets Club, Baptiste lost a six-round majority decision to Tony Andreozzi for the Mass. state middleweight title.

?

“That fight was very disappointing,” Baptiste admitted. “He had a great game plan and executed it. I lost, he won; I’m moving forward. An impressive win will get me moving in my career, possibly getting me another shot at a big fight. It is for a title. I need to keep training hard and listen to my life coach and Brandon.”

“Julien is a great guy, and he has a TON of potential,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “Everyone who knows him agrees on both counts. He’s just been inconsistent with his in-ring performances. In all of his fights he shows his toughness and resilience, regardless of what is going in his head he never gives up and continues to give it hell. His losses speak for that, two split decision losses and a majority decision loss. We are all hoping 2023 is his year to win the mental battle going on in his head and perform to the level he is capable of. It is not too late at all for him to turn the ship around and it could be quite the opposite. Who doesn’t love a comeback story, especially when it involves one of the most personable, humble fighters you will ever meet.”

Also slated to fight on the “Fight Night at the Vets Club” are former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (17-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook (MA), 2020 USA Boxing Elite National Champion Arika Skoog (1-0-1, 1 KO), of Roxbury (MA), unbeaten Lynn (MA).super middleweight James “Pitbull” Perkins (11-0-1, 8 KOs), and Scituate (MA) heavyweight Kevin Nagle (1-0,1 KO).  

Card subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $60.00 (floor seats), $40.00 (standing room only), and $400.00 for ringside tables of 4 are available for purchase at https://granite-chin-promotions.ticketleap.com.

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

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Florida with another action-packed card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, headlined by a thrilling featherweight contenders’ bout between No. 5 ranked Josh Emmett and surging No. 9 Ilia Topuria.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: EMMETT vs. TOPURIA takes place Saturday, June 24 in Jacksonville, with the entire card available on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes. The main card will also air on ABC and the Prelims on ESPN.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: EMMETT vs. TOPURIA tickets will go on sale Friday, May 5 at 10 a.m. ET and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, May 3 at 10 a.m. ET via www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, May 4 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Media members wishing to apply for UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: EMMETT vs. TOPURIA fight week credentials may sign up here.

“We are excited to welcome Dana White and UFC back to Jacksonville. This is always a major event for our city,” said Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry.  

“Jacksonville was proud to host the first major indoor sporting event during the coronavirus pandemic. We look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to our downtown and demonstrating that we are a premier destination for live sports and entertainment.”

During the pandemic, Jacksonville hosted three consecutive empty venue shows at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. UFC returned in 2021 and 2022 for sold out fights. In 2021, UFC 261 earned an arena-record $3.3 million in ticket revenue and generated $17.6 million in economic impact for the area. 

Top ranked contender Emmett (18-3, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) embarks on his journey back to title contention. The California-based Octagon veteran has secured impressive wins against Calvin Kattar, Dan Ige, and Shane Burgos. Emmett now looks to add a rising contender in Topuria to his resume with a statement performance.

Topuria (13-0, fighting out of Alicante, Spain) intends to make the most of his first UFC main event by defeating a former title challenger in Emmett. A versatile finisher and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, Topuria has claimed victories over Bryce Mitchell, Jai Herbert, and Ryan Hall. The Georgian-Spanish fighter sets out to keep his perfect record intact and find his way into the Top 5.

Current official bouts on the card include:

• Undefeated prospect Tatsuro Taira (13-0, fighting out of Okinawa, Japan) takes on Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus Kleidison Rodrigues (8-2, fighting out of Laranjal do Jari, Brazil) in a stylistic thriller at flyweight
• Exciting middleweights Gregory Rodrigues (13-5, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Denis Tiuliulin (11-7, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) clash
• Dana White’s Contender Series signees Punahele Soriano (9-3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) and Sedriques Dumas (7-1, fighting out of Pensacola, Fla.) lock horns in an intriguing middleweight tilt
• Dana White’s Contender Series alumni Mateusz Rebecki (17-1, fighting out of Szczecin, Poland) goes toe-to-toe with Loik Radzhabov (17-4-1, fighting out of Dushanbe, Tajikistan) at lightweight
• Strawweights aim to steal the show as Tabatha Ricci (8-1, fighting out of Birigui, Sao Paulo, Brazil) takes on Gillian Robertson (12-7, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Niagara Falls, Canada)
• Fireworks are set for the heavyweight division as Dana White’s Contender Series signee Austen Lane (12-3, fighting out of Jacksonville, Fla.) makes his Octagon debut against knockout artist Justin Tafa (6-3, fighting out of Brisbane, Australia)
• Amanda Ribas (12-3, fighting out of Varginha, Minas Gerais, Brazil) takes on Maycee Barber (12-2, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) at flyweight

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change. Please click here to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 233 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to over 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s active fighter roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena is North Florida’s premier showplace of such entertainment greats as Celine Dion, Jimmy Buffett, Luke Bryan, Elton John and is home to the Jacksonville Icemen and the Arena Bowl Champions Jacksonville Sharks. VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena is managed by ASM Global, the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

?May 2, 2023, Guadalajara, MX – As the boxing world descends upon Guadalajara, México for Canelo-Ryder fight week, Canelo Alvarez Promotions will show off three of their young undefeated boxers, in the boxing ring, on Wednesday, May 3.

?

The fight card, promoted by Canelo Alvarez Promotions, Close Y Talento Boxeo and No Boxing No Life, will be streamed live world-wide on ProBox TV beginning at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT. Here is the card and weights:

10 Rounds Lightweights (135) TV# 4

Jonathan Lopez_______________________vs_________________________Osvaldo Nuñez

Orlando, Florida________________________________________________Morelia, Michoacan

10-0, 7 KOs_________________________________________________________________5-4

131¼ lbs._____________________________________________________________131¼ lbs.

8 Rounds Middleweights (160) TV#3

Lazaro Lorenzana___________________ _vs____________________________Alexis Rios

San Diego, California______________________________________________Zapopan, Jalisco

10-0, 8 KOs__________________________________________________________4-2-1, 1 KO

158½ lbs._____________________________________________________________158½ lbs.

6 Rounds Super Bantamweights  (122) TV# 2

Oscar Hernandez_______________________vs________________________Joseph Morales

Guadalajara, Mexico____________________________________________Mexico City, Mexico

4-1, 2 KOs___________________________________________________________2-1-1, 1 KO

122 lbs.__________________________________________________________________121½

6 Rounds Lightweights (135) TV #1 (9:00 PM) 

Cesar Ortiz____________________________vs______________________Antonio Gonzalez

Guadalajara, Mexico____________________________________________Mexico City, Mexico

5-0, 5 KOs____________________________________________________________3-5, 1 KO

135 lbs.________________________________________________________________135 lbs.

How to Watch Wednesday’s Show:

1. ProBoxTV.com

2. The ProBoxTV app available on all app stores

3. Available on Roku TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV

Calling the fights on the ProBox TV produced event, on the English side, will be blow-by-blow commentator Mike “Goldy” Goldberg with the expert duo of former world champions Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi and Chris “The Fighting Collegian” Algieri as color commentators. On the Spanish side will be Ricardo Celis calling blow-by-blow and Eight-Time World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez adding his expertise.

About ProBoxTV: ProBox TV is a digital subscription service which gives fans exclusive access to ProBox TV Content including live streaming of fights and on-demand videos. You can also watch daily talk shows with Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi, Chris Algieri and our host Claudia Trejos. ProBox TV can be accessed using your favorite streaming devices, including mobile devices, or any personal computer. ProBox TV is a global product and available in all countries.

Upcoming WEDNESDAY Live Boxing on ProBox TV:

May 17 – Plant City, FL;_______May 31 – México City

June 14 – Plant City, FL;______June 28 – México

July 12 – Plant City, FL:_______July 26 – México City, MX

August 9 – Plant City, FL;______August 23 – México

September 6 – Plant City, FL;___September 20 – México City, MX

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en

Matchroom and DAZN are delighted to announce a three-year extension to their broadcast deals in the USA and Mexico – a deal further cements Matchroom as a true global leader in boxing while also confirming DAZN as THE home of global combat sports with the platform available in over 200 territories. 
 
Matchroom held their first event live on DAZN in October 2018 when Jessie Vargas took on Thomas Dulorme in Chicago, and since that night in the Windy City, President Eddie Hearn has teamed up with the global streaming giants to put on over 50 events in America and Mexico.
 
The first Mexico night took place in February 2019 when Humberto Soto defeated Brandon Rios in Tijuana, and Hearn has hosted seven more thrilling nights in the country and Matchroom’s latest event saw World-rated Lightweight Angel Fierro stop Eduardo Estela in Culiacan to move closer to World title action. Matchroom are in a strong position in Mexico after Mauricio Lara joined Juan Francisco Estrada and Julio Cesar Martinez as World champions from the boxing hotbed with his stunning KO win over Leigh Wood in Nottingham, England to become WBA Featherweight ruler, as they meet in a rematch in Manchester, England in May.
 
Matchroom kicked off 2023 in America in style with a double-header of Undisputed World title action in New York that saw Amanda Serrano and Alycia Baumgardner crowned the undisputed rulers at Featherweight and Super-Featherweight respectively and San Antonio had it’s first two-weight World champion in April, as future pound-for-pound star Jesse Rodriguez bravely boxed on with a broken jaw to add the WBO Flyweight crown to the Super-Flyweight strap he won and defended in style in 2022.
 
The blockbuster action continues in May as Canelo Alvarez defends his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown against and John Ryder in what promises to be a spectacular homecoming for the Mexican hero in Guadalajara on Cinco de Mayo weekend. The next action in America sees Hearn’s newest signing in action as Super-Middleweight star Edgar Berlanga faces Jason Quigley in New York in June, with the Brooklyn-based Puerto Rican KO artist the latest addition to a stacked Stateside stable along with young talents Criztec Bazaldua and Yankiel Rivera, with promoter Eddie Hearn ready to add more great nights and fighters to the already stacked schedule with this announcement.
 
“I am delighted to announce this extension to our deal with DAZN in the US and Mexico,” said Hearn. “DAZN’s schedule is without doubt the best in the sport, and our big nights in the States and all-action cards in Mexico are a massive part of that.
 
“This new deal means more Undisputed, Unified and World title blockbusters, more 50-50 wars with the top contenders and more showcasing the best rising talent in the region – and we’re ready to provide further thrilling action and value for the DAZN subscribers.”
  
“We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Matchroom Boxing in the US,” said Joseph Markowski, CEO North America, DAZN Group. “Since we entered the market five years ago, we have made significant strides to become the global home of boxing, consistently delivering the best schedule in market. 2023 will be no different, with the biggest names fighting on the biggest stages in the coming months. With our best-in-class broadcast, matched with Matchroom’s best-in-class promotion, we are incredibly excited about expanding our partnership in the years to come.”

Long Island, New York (May 2, 2023) – Undefeated Long Island fan favorite, ALEX “EL TORO” VARGAS (12-0 4KO’s) returns to the ring with no easy task, scheduled to fight forty-six fight veteran and former multi-time Argentine Boxing Federation Champion, MAURO “EL RAYO” GODOY (37-8-1 18KO’s) over 8 rounds in the welterweight division. Vargas’ return marks the end of his 18-month layoff as he took time away from the ring to complete Suffolk County Police academy training and was later sworn in as a Suffolk County Police Officer.

Vargas made his professional debut at The Paramount in 2018 and has since fought at Star Boxing’s “Rockin’ Fights” a total of eight times, with “Rockin’ Fights” 44 marking Vargas’ ninth bout at the Pollstar #1 world rated venue in Huntington, Long Island. A skilled boxer, and former New York State Golden Gloves Champion, newly admitted ‘Officer Vargas’ brings the action and excitement to his fights and will look to pick up right where he left off in November of 2021, this time against the tough veteran Godoy.

Godoy will pose a threat to Vargas’ pristine record. He is a former Argentinian amateur standout, and a multi-time Argentine Boxing Federation Champion. Godoy has both the experience and skill necessary to topple Vargas’ homecoming. Godoy is 5-2 in his last seven bouts including a knockout victory, one of his 18, which is more than the total number of professional fights in Vargas’ career.

Vargas had this to say about his return, “I’m excited to be back after a long 18 months off. Training has been going great and I can’t wait for May 13th to represent the SCPD [Suffolk County Police Department] and put on a show for all of my supporters and all of the people in attendance at The Paramount!”

“All of us at Star Boxing are proud of Alex for his accomplishment of becoming a Suffolk County Police Officer,” said Star Boxing CEO JOE DEGUARDIA. “We are excited to have Alex return to boxing in a big way on May 13 against a tough test in Mauro Godoy. We are looking forward to another sold out “Rockin’ Fights!”

TOLEDO, Ohio (May 2, 2023) — Toledo’s knockout king is set to take center stage in front of a hometown crowd.
 
Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson will fight Kazakhstan’s Zhan Kossobutskiy in a 10-round main event Saturday, July 1, at Toledo’s Huntington Center. 

In the 10-round co-feature, Montreal-based wrecking ball Arslanbek Makhmudov takes on Nigeria’s Raphael Akpejiori.

Anderson formally announced his upcoming fight today at the Glass City Pavilion in Toledo. He was joined by Hall of Fame Promoter/Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Toledo-born first responder DeAndre Ware, who will see action on the undercard.

Anderson-Kossobutskiy and Makhmudov-Akpejiori will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Universum Boxing, tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
 
At the press conference, this is what Anderson, Arum, Ware and Mayor Kapszukiewiczhad to say.

Jared Anderson

“I’m happy to be here. I’m feeling so loved and embraced here. It means everything to me. I plan to put on a great show. I plan to show the kids and the city that we are still fighting and are one of the biggest small cities in the nation. The world will know us.”
 
“I’ve been in the gym going crazy. As you can see, my body shows it. My fights show it. My power shows it. I’m going to keep pushing and stay on track so that this train keeps going.”
 
“I’m super excited. I’m happy to see all the familiar faces and all the friends and family. The cameras are good and all, but I’m doing this for the city. I’m doing this for the people that are here. I’m doing this for the people that don’t have phones in their hand and are out there in the world right now fighting to survive. I’ve been fighting to survive for a long time. Now that I don’t have to do that, I want to show you all that hopefully you won’t have to do that, too. Just keep fighting. Keep striving to be better and you will get there for sure.”

Bob Arum

“I’m happy to be here because this is Jared Anderson’s hometown. We told him that one day he would fight his first main event here in Toledo. Jared is here. And just because he’s here doesn’t mean that he gets a piece of cake. He is fighting a very, very tough competitor because we believe that Jared will be the future heavyweight champion of the world. But to do that, he’s got to fight really tough guys. And we’ve gotten him an opponent from Kazakhstan who is 19-0 with 18 knockouts.”

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz

“This is beyond exciting. It builds upon an underrated boxing history in Toledo. Right across the river, maybe a quarter of a mile down, Jack Dempsey won his heavyweight crown. Here in Toledo, the golden age of boxing began on July 4, 1919. Muhammad Ali fought here. George Foreman fought here. We’ve got a proud boxing tradition, but there is nothing more special that rallying behind one of our own. Toledo backs its own. And we can’t wait for Jared to fight.”

DeAndre Ware

“I remember boxing at the PAL. Back then, you were a little guy. We used to get on you all the time. Then you got older and started sparring. I used to put my mouthpiece out there and say, ‘you can’t knock it out my mouth.’ I can’t do that anymore. I’m proud of you, Jared. I thank you for this opportunity. I’m thankful for fighting here in front of my friends, fans and family. I’m happy.”

TOLEDO, Ohio (May 2, 2023) — Early fireworks await this Fourth of July weekend as Toledo’s knockout king heads home to headline an action-packed heavyweight doubleheader featuring a quartet of the division’s hardest-hitting punchers.

Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson will collide against Kazakhstan’s Zhan Kossobutskiy in a 10-round main event Saturday, July 1, at Toledo’s Huntington Center. Anderson will fight for the first time as a pro in his hometown, just a few days shy of the 104th anniversary of Jack Dempsey’s historic win over Jess Willard on July 4, 1919, at Toledo’s Bay View Park. Dempsey’s triumph heralded a new era in his illustrious career, and Anderson expects to do the same in his first headlining attraction.

In the 10-round heavyweight co-feature, Montreal-based wrecking ball Arslanbek Makhmudov takes on Nigeria’s Raphael Akpejiori. The Makhmudov-Akpejiori showdown rounds out a doubleheader featuring four undefeated knockout artists with a combined record of 64 wins and 61 stoppages. Anderson-Kossobutskiy and Makhmudov-Akpejiori will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Universum Boxing, tickets go on sale TODAY, May 2, at 1 p.m. ET and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.

“Jared Anderson is a proud son of Toledo, and we are thrilled to bring Top Rank and ESPN to the ‘Glass City’,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Ever since Jared turned pro, we have set our sights on Toledo as a fight destination. He is now the best young heavyweight in the world, and the time was right to bring ‘The Real Big Baby’ home. Zhan Kossobutskiy is a ferocious puncher in his own right, and I expect an action-packed fight in front of a raucous, sold-out Huntington Center crowd.”

Anderson (14-0, 14 KOs) debuted in the paid ranks in 2019 and has developed into a top contender. He has never gone beyond the sixth round, as he has stopped five of his opponents in the first round and another five in the second round. In 2020, he garnered global attention as Tyson Fury’s primary sparring partner, but he is now carving his own path. In his last fight, he knocked out then-undefeated George Arias in the third round, the second unbeaten fighter to have fallen victim to Anderson’s punching power. Ranked at No. 7 by the WBO and No. 11 by both the WBC and WBA, the 23-year-old now turns his attention to the division’s top dogs.

Anderson said, “To my family, friends, and fans in Toledo, I cannot wait to come home. This is a dream come true. Trust me, I am going to put on a show for you all. The support of my city has pushed me my entire career, and I know everyone will be in my corner on July 1.”

Kossobutskiy (19-0, 18 KOs) is a 34-year-old southpaw from Kostanay, Kazakhstan. He has only gone the distance once in his career, a 10-round unanimous decision win over Kamil Sokolowski in August 2020. He has not gone passed the sixth round since. In 2021, he went 3-0 with three knockouts, stopping once-beaten Nigerian Onorede Ehwareme, iron-chinned Philadelphian Joey Dawejko, and then-undefeated Dominican Alexis Garcia. In 2022, he dispatched former world title challenger Johann Duhaupas in the fifth round and is coming off a third-round knockout over previously unbeaten contender Hussein Muhamed in November.

Kossobutskiy said, “The fact that this fight will take place in the United States, in my opponent’s hometown, will make this fight interesting. I like to box strong opponents. Such fights are needed in the heavyweight division. I haven’t watched his fights. They say that he is good, but we will analyze him in the process of my fight preparation.”

Makhmudov (16-0, 15 KOs) made his professional debut in December 2017 by knocking out Jaime Barajas in the first round. He secured five additional first-round stoppages in his first seven fights, and in 2019, he became the first fighter to knock out tough-as-nails veteran Jonnie Rice. Later that year, he knocked out former world champion Samuel Peter in the first round, starting a series of four consecutive first-round knockouts. In September 2022, Makhmudov went the distance for the first time against former world title challenger Carlos Takam. In his most recent bout, he stopped Michael Wallisch in only one round in December. The 6’5, 265-pound powerhouse is set to face the tallest opponent of his career.

Makhmudov said, “Fighting for the first time in the United States, the Mecca of boxing, represents a major opportunity for me, not only because it will give me a chance to showcase my talent on the world stage, but also because it brings me one step closer to my dream of becoming a world champion. I’ve been dedicating my life to boxing, putting all the hard work and sacrifices for this moment. I’m ready. I want to fight the best, and I’m ready to give a great show to the boxing fans all over the world.” 

At 6’8′ and 260 pounds, Akpejiori (15-0, 14 KOs) casts an intimidating presence. A former collegiate basketball and football player for the University of Miami, he is a fistic natural, having stopped ten of his opponents in the first round and another four in the second round. In June 2022, the 32-year-old went the eight-round distance for the first time in his career against veteran Terrell Jamal Woods. In his most recent fight, Akpejiori scored a first-round knockout against Dell Long in January. Akpejiori will have a nearly three-inch height advantage over his opponent.

Akpejiori said, “I do not expect this to be an easy fight, but I have prepared for this moment for a long time. I’m used to the hard work. I’m used to the adversity, the obstacles, and the pain. This is just another chapter, and I am more than ready for it. This is an opportunity to represent the African continent on a global scale, and I do not intend to disappoint.”

The ESPN+-streamed undercard will feature Toledo-born first responder DeAndre Ware and a pair of Cleveland’s sterling undefeated talents: Tiger Johnson and Dante Benjamin Jr.

Ware (15-4-2, 9 KOs) will return in a six-round super middleweight fight. He is a local firefighter who saved the life of Top Rank coordinator Pete Susens after performing CPR before a weigh-in inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble in 2020. Nearly three years later, Ware returns on a Top Rank show seeking to rebound from a defeat to unbeaten contender Christian Mbilli last September.

Rising U.S. Olympian Johnson (8-0, 5 KOs) will see action in an eight-round junior welterweight clash. Following a 2022 in which he went 5-0 with three knockouts, Johnson kicked off 2023 with an eight-round unanimous decision win in April over Alfonso Olvera

Light heavyweight prospect Benjamin (6-0, 4 KOs) will make his third appearance of 2023 in a six-round bout. Benjamin began the year with a first-round knockout over then-unbeaten prospect Emmanueal Austin in January and is coming off a second-round destruction of Jasper McCargo in April.

Husam Al Mashhadi (6-0, 5 KOs), the fighting pride of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, will participate in a six-round junior middleweight fight. The explosive southpaw prospect, who has packed venues in his hometown, is coming off a six-round decision over Gabriel Smith in March.

Junior middleweight standout Jahi Tucker (10-0, 5 KOs) hopes to follow-up April’s action-packed decision victory over Nikoloz Sekhniashvili in an eight-rounder against an opponent to be named.

LONDON, ENGLAND – May 2, 2023 – Richard Riakporhe has signed a new contract extension with BOXXER and Sky Sports – and has now set his sights on becoming a world champion.

Ranked No.2 by the WBO and IBF, whilst rated at No.4 by the WBC, London fighter Riakporhe (16-0, 12 KOs) is on the cusp of greatness with huge fights on the horizon.

‘The Midnight Train’ will have a close eye on the upcoming Bank Holiday boxing bonanza in Bournemouth when his arch-rival Lawrence Okolie defends the WBO title against hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith in front of a sold-out Vitality Stadium – in BOXXER’s first-ever UK stadium show on May 27.

But the 33-year-old harbours high hopes and ambitions of having his own hand raised in victory and his shoulders draped in championship gold before the year is over after committing his future to Ben Shalom’s BOXXER.

Speaking exclusively to BOXXER.com before officially putting pen to paper on his new deal live on Sky Sports News today, Riakporhe said: “I was the first to sign with BOXXER after they signed their deal with Sky Sports and my journey so far has been excellent. 

“I’m really looking forward to continuing my journey at BOXXER and capturing world honours in the very near future. So keep your eyes on the one and only ‘Midnight Train’”.

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said he was ‘thrilled’ to cement the immediate future of one the brand’s leading fighters – and is determined to ensure Riakporhe realises his world title dreams under his leadership.

Shalom said: “‘Richard Riakporhe was one of our first signings at BOXXER, so we’re delighted to announce an extension with him for the business end of his career. 

“The cruiserweight division in British boxing and around the world is flying and Richard is in the thick of it all. His progression over the past 18 months has been frightening and he is ready to win a world title.”

Standing at a menacing 6ft 5in, Riakporhe looked sensational in January when he destroyed former world champion Krzysztof Glowacki inside four devastating rounds.

Riakporhe started late in boxing when he discovered the sport at 19-years-old – just four years after he survived a terrible incident when he was cruelly stabbed in the chest outside a house party at 15, requiring emergency surgery to drain his lungs of blood.

Remarkably Riakporhe recovered and has never looked back since in a magnificent career both inside and outside of the ring.

Having accomplished a degree in marketing communications and advertising in 2015 from Kingston University, Riakporhe is also now a brand ambassador for global fashion leaders Burberry alongside sports giants adidas.

Since turning pro in 2016, Riakporhe has never lost in his professional career with victories over the likes of Chris Billam-Smith, Tommy McCarthy and Jack Massey proudly on his impressive resume.

Now the quest continues for an elusive world title – with big fight news expected for Riakporhe in due course.

For all the latest news, updates and exclusive content, follow @boxxer and head to BOXXER.com.

PHILADELPHIA (May 1, 2023) — Weights for Tuesday night’s King’s Promotions Card at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia

Joey Dawejko 262.1 – Colby Madison 252.4

Brendan O’Callaghan 155.4 – Roudly Lolo 154.3

Tyler Zwicarowsi 156.3 – Vincent Floyd 162.1

Christopher Burgos 140.8 – Tyree Arnold 143

Darin Holiday 123.1 – Emanuel Moreno 118.8

Promoter: King’s Promotions

Venue: Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia

1st Bell: 7:00 PM

Stream: BXNGTV.com

Tickets are $75 and $125 and can be purchased online now at AXS.com 

St. Petersburg, FL (May 1, 2023) – Connor “The Kid” Coyle retained his NABA middleweight championship following a ten round beatdown of Argentina’s Christian Fabian Rios Saturday, April 29 at the Hilton Carillon in St. Petersburg, FL.

Headlining Reyes Fire Fist Boxing’s “Fire on the Bay,” Coyle had a strong opening round, landing hard jabs and thudding body shots. Supported by a loud cheering section, the Derry, Northern Ireland native delivered round after round, peppering Rios with clean punches. Rios was hurt on a few occasions but displayed a tremendous chin and finished the fight on his feet.

Scores were 100-90 on all three scorecards.

With the victory, Coyle improves to 19-0 with 8 knockouts. Rios, who has only been stopped once, slips to 23-18-3 with 7 wins by KO.

“We knew he was a tough guy – he took David Lemieux and Esquiva Falcao the distance,” said Coyle. “I paced myself and landed well-placed punches. That was our gameplan coming into this fight. I did hit him with a lot of solid shots, so I’ve got to give Rios credit for how game he was.”

Coyle, the WBA’s #4 ranked middleweight, believes a showdown with #3 rated Austin “Ammo” Williams is on the horizon.

“We’re the most active middleweights in the rankings. There’s been talk of us fighting but nothing came to fruition so far. I believe he’s fighting again in June so if he handles business, we could hopefully fight in an eliminator or for a world title later this year.”

Coyle’s promoter, Jody Caliguire of Reyes Fire Fist Boxing Promotions, was pleased as well and also envisions a fight with Williams in the near future.

“Connor did a great job tonight – he battered Rios and won all ten rounds. Rios has been in with a ton of world class fighters and always goes the distance so kudos to him for his toughness. I anticipate Connor moving up in the WBA rankings and I know Williams is also ranked highly so we’re ready to make it happen for the number 1 contender spot or a vacant title if Erislandy Lara vacates.”

Fernandez with his team after winning the NABA title

PHOTO CREDIT: Damon Gonzalez – Reyes Fire Fist Boxing

St. Petersburg’s Joseph Fernandez became the NABA junior welterweight champion with an emphatic fourth round stoppage of Marqus Bates. Bates got off to a solid start, but Fernandez rocked the Taunton, MA native with a head shot in round three.

In the fourth, Fernandez scored a hard knockdown via a picturesque left hook. Bates was game and made it back to his feet but was clearly shaken up. Fernandez closed the show moments later by rocking Bates, who was out on his feet when the fight was stopped at 1:41.

?Fernandez’ professional ledger improves to 16-5-3 with 6 KO’s. Bates is 11-6 (8 KO’s).

Silva wasted little time against Luque

PHOTO CREDIT: Damon Gonzalez – Reyes Fire Fist Boxing

Lightweight contender Willian “Babyface” Silva of Brazil demolished Diego Gonzalo Luque in the opening round. Silva connected with hard shots shortly after the opening bell and rocked Luque with an uppercut. Luque retreated to the ropes and Silva teed off until the bout was stopped at 2:21.

?Silva, who trains in Florida, is 30-4 with 18 KO’s. Luque, a native of Argentina, falls to 21-12-2 (10 KO’s).

“Silva’s a different fighter since returning to the lightweight division (trainer) Jim McLaughlin’s done a great job refining Willian’s style,” said Caliguire. “Luque went 4 rounds with Brandun Lee earlier this year, he’d gone the distance with Jack Catterall and Mikael Zewski among others. I believe a big fight for Silva will come in the near future.”

Light heavyweight Imran Haddabah won the NBA Americas title via first round knockout of Scott Lampert. The heavy-handed Haddabah, a crowd favorite in the Tampa Bay region, scored two knockdowns, ending Lampert’s night after a wicked right hand at 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

?Haddabah of St. Petersburg improved to 9-0 (7 KO’s) while Lampert of Dover Plains, NY falls to 5-8 (4 KO’s).

“This was a very successful card,” said Mike Reyes of Reyes Fire Fist Boxing. “We’d like to thank all the fans that came out on fight night, including many that traveled all the way from the Boston area. Connor, Willian, and Joseph all had big victories. We’ve got three more cards scheduled before the end of the year and look forward to seeing everybody during our fight nights.”

Reyes Fire Fist Boxing’s next card takes place June 24 at the Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA. A full replay of “Fire on the Bay” is available on Reyesboxingtv.com.

Additional undercard results

Junior middleweights: Luke Iannuccili (6-0 – 3 KO’s – Methuen, MA) KO2 (2:13) Christopher Wright (0-2 – Tifton, GA)

Junior welterweights: Gabriel Morales (7-0 – 4 KO’s – Lowell, MA) KO1 (:49) Nathan Harp Jr (0-2 – Kalamazoo, MI)

Light heavyweights: Mike Misa (4-0, 3 KO’s – Clearwater, FL) TKO2 (2:21) Russ Kimber (1-1 – Peabody, MA)

Junior middleweights: Rodrigo Coria (11-5, 2 KO’s – Cordoba, Argentina) UD6 (60-54 3x) Marcelo Fabian Bzowski (11-21-3 – Buenos Aires, Argentina)

STOCKTON, Calif. (May 1, 2023) — Undefeated featherweight prospect Amado Fernando Vargas is set to return in a four-rounder on the May 13 undercard of the world championship doubleheader featuring undefeated Kazakh phenom Janikbek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly defending his WBO middleweight world title in the main event against Canadian contender Steven Butler at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.

In the co-feature, Australian fan-favorite Jason “Mayhem” Moloney will face big-punching Filipino contender Vincent Astrolabio for the vacant WBO bantamweight world title.

Janibek-Butler and Moloney-Astrolabio will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Vargas’ bout will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of the Tiger, tickets starting at $25 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

Vargas (6-0, 2 KOs) is a 22-year-old prospect who made his pro debut in 2021 with a first-round knockout against Hector Montijo Molina in Mexico. In 2022, he made his U.S. debut by defeating Anel Mudo via four-round unanimous decision in May and ended the year with a points victory against Osmar Olmos Hernandez in November. In his last fight, Vargas decisioned Printice Canada over four rounds in April. Trained by his father, former world champion Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas, he is one of three boxing brothers, along with older sibling Fernando Jr. and younger brother and Top Rank-signed lightweight Emiliano.

Promising welterweight prospect Wilson “Ill Will” Mascarenhas is set to make his highly anticipated return to the ring against New Jersey’s Danny Murray on May 20th at the Historic Park Theater in Cranston, Rhode Island.  The contest is part of a stacked card promoted by CES Boxing.  

The bout will be the first for the 28-year-old Portugal native in 14 months.  The last time Mascarenhas was in the ring was in March 2022, when he shut out undefeated prospect Abraham Perez over six rounds.   

It was his second win in a promising year where Mascarenhas expected to fight 2 to 3 more times.  Instead, the New Bedford resident spent the next year recovering from multiple stab wounds suffered at his post-fight party – a serious attack that could have taken his life.    

“That night I went from experiencing the highest moment of my life to the worst moment of my life within a few hours,” states Mascarenhas.  

The traumatic incident occurred in his hometown of New Bedford, just hours after the team drove back from his bout in Warwick, RI.  

“We went back to New Bedford to celebrate,” explains Mascarenhas of the fateful night.  “I wanted to be around all my people.  So, we were celebrating and suddenly, I was being stabbed in the back.  I didn’t see it coming.  I felt the pokes, but I didn’t realize that I was being stabbed because my adrenaline was running.  Next thing I knew, my friends were grabbing me and telling me that I was bleeding.”  

Wilson’s friends were able to limit the bleeding by putting pressure on the wounds long enough for the ambulance to take him to the hospital, where he would spend the next few days.  

At the hospital, the fighter learned that he had been stabbed 4 times.  He had a broken scapula (shoulder blade) and suffered wounds to the back, neck, shoulder and head.  

While doctors told Wilson that he was lucky to be alive, they were pessimistic about his chances of ever lacing up a pair of boxing gloves again.  

“I saw myself falling into dark places, especially when doctors told me that they didn’t think I would be able to fight again,” recalls Mascarenhas.  “I tried not to focus on negativity, because it would almost take over me.”  

Instead, the fighter found solace in his team, his family, and certain friends who kept his spirits up.  One of his main sources of motivation was the upcoming birth of his daughter.

“Doctors told me that if the knife hit a major artery one centimeter away, I could’ve been paralyzed or dead,” states Mascarenhas.  “I looked at it like, God gave me another chance to move my fingers and to live.  My lady was pregnant, and my daughter would be born 4 months later, so I wanted to be fully recovered physically to be able to hold my daughter but also mentally and spiritually as a father.”  

Wilson used that inspiration to recover at an astonishing rate.  He left the hospital within 3 days and became active at home over the next few weeks.  Within a month, he was jogging and working out.  A few months later, he returned to the gym.

“I was in a lot of pain when I returned to the gym, but I kept pushing myself to the limit,” says Macarenhas.  “I tried to go against the grain to prove to myself that I could.  My mindset was: people are looking up to me and I can’t let them down.  I had to listen to myself and believe in my ability.  By the time I went to therapy, I was already able to do a lot of the movements they wanted me to work on”.  

Therapy consisted of hour-long sessions twice a week for a year that helped Wilson recover his range of motion and remove the tingling sensation he often felt in his fingertips.  

“The hospital and the doctors went above and beyond to help me get back in the ring, because that’s what I was stressing about,” laughs Wilson.  “They referred me to different specialists to make sure that I fully recovered.  I’m back today and I’m happy and excited to put on a show on May 20th.”

May 20 is a hugely important day for New Bedford’s Mascarenhas.  Ill Will wants a tough test and he believes that he will get one from Murray, who has almost double the amount of fights and has shared the ring with the likes of Elvis Rodriguez and several other undefeated prospects.  

“I’m excited and ready to go,” states the rejuvenated fighter.  “CES reached out to me with an opponent.  He’s had some tough opposition, so I know he’s coming to fight.  That’s what I wanted for my comeback, a tough test.  I owe it to myself.”

While doctors, boxing fans and pundits may have doubts about how the incident may affect Mascarenhas in the ring, Ill Will speaks with conviction about how he will respond to adversity on fight night.

“I don’t question myself anymore,” explains Mascarenhas.  “I lost my very first fight, I took a knee, and I came back with 6 straight wins.  I overcame this injury, that could’ve killed or paralyzed me.  Who would’ve thought that I’d be back to fight a year later?”  

Indeed, surviving and thriving after the near fatal assault has revealed more to Wilson about his character than any fight ever could.

“I feel like I won two fights that night, so that shows you the warrior that I am,” says Mascarenhas.  “I look at my life like, the worst has already happened, so I can accomplish anything.  Boxing is just me and another individual.  I know that I have the warrior mentality.  Now the question is, does my opponent?  

On May 20th, the world will find out.

Tickets for the May 20th event featuring Wilson Mascarenhas, Robert Duran Jr. and James Hagler Jr. at the Park Theater in Cranston, Rhode Island are on sale now and can be purchased online at cesfights.com or thepark.com.For more information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience, and worked as a promotional consultant for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view event in November of 2020.

May 1, 2023, Guadalajara, MX – As the boxing world descends upon Guadalajara, México for Canelo-Ryder fight week, Canelo Alvarez Promotions will show off three of their young undefeated boxers, in the boxing ring, on Wednesday, May 3.

The three Canelo fighters on the stream will be Fernando “Ferros” Molina (8-0-1, 3 KOs) from Guadalajara, México, Lazaro Lorenzana (10-0, 8 KOs) from San Diego, CA, and Jonathan Lopez (10-0, 7 KOs) from Orlando, Florida.

?

The fight card, promoted by Canelo Alvarez Promotions, Close Y Talento Boxeo and No Boxing No Life, will be streamed live world-wide on ProBox TV beginning at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT.

In the main event, Molina will battle Kevin Piedrahita (6-1, 6 KOs) from Celaya, Guanajuato, México, in a ten-round lightweight bout. In the co-featured bout, Lorenzana and Alexis Rios (4-2-1, 1 KO) from Zapopan, Jalisco, México will face off in a six-round super welterweight bout. Opening the stream will be Lopez in a ten-round super featherweight bout.

How to Watch Wednesday’s Show:

1. ProBoxTV.com

2. The ProBoxTV app available on all app stores

3. Available on Roku TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV

Calling the fights on the ProBox TV produced event, on the English side, will be blow-by-blow commentator Mike “Goldy” Goldberg with the expert duo of former world champions Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi and Chris “The Fighting Collegian” Algieri as color commentators. On the Spanish side will be Ricardo Celis calling blow-by-blow and Eight-Time World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez adding his expertise.

Chris Algieri notes: “Of course the eyes of the boxing world are all going to be on Canelo in his return to Guadalajara against John Ryder. This a massive event and deserves the attention it is getting. That being said, it doesn’t mean the boxing world stops.  ProBox will have its regularly scheduled Wednesday night fight series right in the middle of Canelo-Ryder fight week. ProBox isn’t here to compete with Canelo Alvarez, it’s here to find the next Canelo Alvarez.  Young fighters shouldn’t have to put their careers on hold because of a big fight. In fact, it’s a great opportunity for the champions of the future to soak up some of that superstar buzz that surrounds a big fight week.”

Paulie Malignaggie adds: Canelo is always front and center and is the name that resonates most with todays fight fans out of all the fighters of this generation. He is always the one under the most powerful microscope because literally everything about him can be and is discussed on his fight weeks. And ProBox is grateful to be part of the discussion.”

About ProBoxTV: ProBox TV is a digital subscription service which gives fans exclusive access to ProBox TV Content including live streaming of fights and on-demand videos. You can also watch daily talk shows with Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi, Chris Algieri and our host Claudia Trejos. ProBox TV can be accessed using your favorite streaming devices, including mobile devices, or any personal computer. ProBox TV is a global product and available in all countries.

Upcoming WEDNESDAY Live Boxing on ProBox TV:

May 17 – Plant City, FL;_______May 31 – México City

June 14 – Plant City, FL;______June 28 – México

July 12 – Plant City, FL:_______July 26 – México City, MX

August 9 – Plant City, FL;______August 23 – México

September 6 – Plant City, FL;___September 20 – México City, MX

Follow ProBox TV at https://twitter.com/ProBox_TV and https://www.youtube.com/c/ProBoxTV

For more ProBox TV info click here https://proboxtv.com/what-is-probox-tv/en