AMPA (July 6, 2015) – An exciting night of undercard fights comes to the USF Sun Dome in Tampa on Saturday, July 11 featuring matchups between Edner Cherry (33-6-2, 18 KOs) fighting Luis Cruz (21-3, 16 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight battle and Anthony Peterson (34-1, 22 KOs) facing Ramesis Gil (8-11-5, 5 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout.

Televised coverage of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT with an explosive junior middleweight showdown between Tony Harrison (21-0, 18 KOs) and Willie Nelson (23-2-1, 13 KOs). The night is headlined by undefeated welterweight star Keith “One Time” Thurman (25-0, 21 KOs) facing former world champion Luis Collazo (26-6, 19 KOs). Door open at USF Sun Dome at 6 p.m. with the first fight beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The night of action will also feature Walter Castillo (25-3, 18 KOs) who takes on Amet Diaz (32-11, 23 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight attraction and undefeated prospect Patryk Syzmanski (13-0, 8 KOs) facing off against Maurice Louishomme (8-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super welterweight bout.

Also showcased will be the brother of world champion Gary Russell Jr., 22-year-old Washington, D.C. prospect Antonio Russell who takes on 23-year-old Puerto Rican Jaxel Marrero in a six-round bantamweight attraction and the pro debut of Chicago’s Bruno Brecidean as he faces 21-year-old Brad Sustad out of Orlando in a super welterweight tilt scheduled for four rounds.

Rounding out the scheduled fights are Antonio Tarver Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), the 27-year-old out of Orlando and son of boxing superstar Antonio Tarver who takes on 29-year-old Julian Valerio (2-3) of Orlando in a four round super welterweight bout and undefeated 28-year-old super welterweight Manny Woods (13-3-1, 5 KOs) out of St. Petersburg who takes on 26-year-old Puerto Rican Carlos Garcia (7-14-1, 7 KOs)

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing, are priced at $200, $150, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Sun Dome box office.

An experienced fighter who has made appearances in the ring for over a decade as a professional, the 32-year-old Cherry will make his 2015 debut on July 11 in Tampa. Owner of victories over Vicente Escobedo, Monta Meza Clay and Wes Ferguson, Cherry was born in the Bahamas but now fights out of Wauchula, Florida. He takes on the 29-year-old Puerto Rican Cruz.

The brother of former world champion Lamont Peterson, the 30-year-old Peterson hopes to soon make a name for himself on the big stage. Owner of wins over Daniel Attah, Dominic Salcido and Marcos Leonardo Jimenez, the Washington, D.C. product is looking to win his fifth consecutive fight on July 11. He faces the 32-year-old Gil out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The 26-year-old Castillo is an exciting brawler who never takes a step back and will look to put on a show for fans in Tampa. The Managua, Nicaragua-born knockout artist ended 12 of his first professional 14 victories inside of the distance. He will face 32-year-old former title challenger Diaz out of Panama City.

Miami-based fighter, Hernandez will be able to compete not far from his home when he hits the ring in Tampa on July 11. The 30-year-old will bring his straight ahead style up against the 22-year-old Tercero out of Mexico City.

Undefeated at just 22-years-old, Szymanski will look to build on his recent success on July 11. The Konin, Poland-born fighter made his 2015 debut in March with a second round TKO over Yoryi Estrella. He is set to face the 37-year-old Louishomme out of Colorado Springs.

For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KeithFThurmanJr, @RealLuisCollazo, @WarriorsBoxingProm and @ESPNBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions
and www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo.

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LAS VEGAS, NV (July 6, 2015) — By popular demand, Fighter of the Year, undefeated two-division world champion and ESPY “Best Fighter” nominee TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD will host a video chat for fans and media, live from Omaha, Today! Monday, July 6, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. Omaha Time / 4:30 p.m. PT. Crawford is up for discussing anything, including his professional career, his recent humanitarian trip to Africa and his ESPY nomination (You can vote for him here: www.toprank.com/vote-4-crawford). Questions can be submitted in advance via twitter.com/trboxing and please use the Hashtag #AskCrawford. To participate in the live video chat, use either https://plus.google.com/events/c3a97duf1l2qqsuns2lluu1o5fg or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nVf1Pb8rg8.

A consensus Top-10 pound for pound fighter, Crawford (26-0, 18 KOs), of Omaha, NE, produced a stellar year in 2014 earning him the “Fighter of the Year” award from the Boxing Writers Association of America. One of boxing’s brightest young stars, Crawford captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight title in March 2014, dethroning Ricky Burns in the defending champion’s native Scotland, with a virtuoso performance. Crawford successfully defended the title twice in that year, knocking out undefeated Cuban superstar and former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa — a Fight of the Year nominee — and a one-sided unanimous decision over one-time world title contender and mandatory challenger Ray Beltran last November. Crawford vacated that title, ending his 13-month reign, on April 18 to challenge for the vacant WBO junior welterweight title against top-rated contender Thomas Dulorme in Arlington, TX. Crawford captured his second world title in as many divisions when he knocked out the once-beaten Dulorme in the sixth round.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing or facebook.com/trboxeo, or and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing or twitter.com/trboxeo.

Bethlehem, PA (July 6, 2015)–Tonight on various Comcast Networks, the June 20 King’s Promotions event that featured Garrett Wilson scoring a 3rd round stoppage over Anthony Caputo Smith for the Pennsylvania State Cruiserweight title will begin airing.

That main event plus a barnbuner fight between Erik Spring and Robert Sweeney as well as other fights will be shown on The Comcast Network Mid Atlantic at 7 PM & The Comcast Network Philadelphia at 9 PM.

The event, which was produced Gofightlive (GFL) will also have the following airings:

The Comcast Network Mid Atlantic: July 7 at at 9 PM; July 10 at 8 PM; July 11 at 11 PM; July 12 at 4 PM

Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia: July 9 at 7 PM; July 12 at 8 PM

The Comcast Network Philadelphia: July 11 at 11 PM

The whole card is on-demand on gfl.tv

NEW YORK (July 6, 2015) – One of the most recognizable names in boxing, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-2-1, 32 KOs) will attempt to get back on the winning track when he meets Mexico’s Marcos “Dorado” Reyes (33-2, 24 KOs) on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) on Saturday, July 18, from the Don Haskins Center at UTEP in El Paso, Texas.

Chavez is a Mexican superstar and former middleweight world champion. He’s also the son of legendary Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., a six-time world champion in three weight classes considered, by acclamation, as the greatest Mexican fighter of all time and as one of the best boxers of all time.

So who is Marcos Reyes?

“I’m the boxer who’s going to beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.,” he said. “I’m the one who’s going to take advantage of my opportunity of a lifetime. I’m the one who’ll show everybody that I’m a better fighter than him.

“I’ve proven to be a good fighter in my career but I’m hungry to be something more. I want to make a name for myself. I’m not intimidated. I want to beat Chavez so I can fight with the best.”

Reyes, of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico, is 27. An eight-year-pro, he stands 6-foot-1, the identical height of Chavez. Chavez is the naturally bigger boxer, of course, a fact that’s not been lost on anybody, including most certainly Reyes.

“When they told me about the Chavez fight, I couldn’t believe it,” Reyes said. “I just said, ‘OK, let’s do it.’ I just didn’t care about anything but making the fight. I wanted this fight to happen so badly.

“I’m a 160-pound fighter, but I really didn’t care about the size difference. I just wanted the chance against him. I know I’m a better fighter than him. I can do much more than him inside the ring. I can take (a punch) at my weight, I can go toe-to-toe or I can box. I can use my legs, jab, keep busy in there. He can’t.

“That’s why I’m so excited and happy about this fight. It’s the major leagues. It’s everything. It’s my chance to show the people in the world how good I am. It can open the door to all the big fights. I’m going to leave everything I have in the ring, I’m putting my whole heart on the line.”

Chavez achieved his success at middleweight but has been scrapping at super middleweight and beyond since abandoning the 160-pound division after a loss to Sergio Martinez in September 2012.

Last April 18 on SHOWTIME, Chavez took the dangerous step to move up in weight to face the naturally larger Andrzej Fonfara. Chavez, who measured 171½ pounds at the weigh-in, Chavez went down in the ninth, made it to his corner after the bell but chose not to continue in a fight he was losing by the scores of 89-80 and 88-81 twice.

Chavez has since changed trainers and will be working with Robert Garcia for the 168-pound, 10-round rumble with Reyes. Reyes will be trained for this fight by International Boxing Hall of Famer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain. Until recently, Reyes was trained by Robert Garcia.

“This is my second fight in a row with Nacho and fourth overall,” Reyes said, “but I spent most of the last two years training with Robert at his gym. So Robert and I are on excellent terms. I know he’s training Chavez now. But I’m also sure Robert already knows that I’m a better fighter than Chavez is.”

“I saw his last fight with Fonfara; Chavez is going down now, I am going up. The right time to beat Chavez is now.”

Reyes isn’t a braggart, merely a determined, confident kid anxiously closing in on a matchup he’s wanted and dreamed of for years.

“Of course there’s pressure on me, but Chavez is the fighter with the name,” Reyes said. “Chavez is the son of a giant, but there’s a saying that goes ‘the sons of giants are dwarfs.’ They never live up to expectations and become giants like their fathers.”

Reyes does have concerns about July 18, but they don’t have anything to do with Chavez Jr.

“I am worried a little about the judges if the fight goes the distance,” he said. “Maybe I have a bad decision go against me. So I don’t want it to go to the judges. I want to finish him before the 10 full rounds.

“From the first bell, I’ll be throwing punches and I will keep throwing punches. I will do what I have to do to knock Chavez out.”

On being the son of a famous father/fighter, Reyes can empathize with what Chavez Jr., has had to endure. However, Reyes is quick to point out the inherent advantages that go along with it. He also puts some of the burden on Julio Jr., for not being his own self in the ring.

“I think it is hard to handle being the son of someone famous,” Reyes said. “His father was an icon and he wants to follow the same steps, but he didn’t have it nearly as hard as his father did. Being the son brings on its own issues. Chavez doesn’t possess the qualities his dad had yet he wants to fight like his father. But he shouldn’t. His dad was short, he’s tall. He shouldn’t try to fight like him at all.

“Chavez is his son and has the same name, but in the ring he’s just a guy with the name of Julio Cesar Chavez. He’s not the same as his father and will never be.

“I just don’t see Chavez as a better boxer than me.”

Like the vast majority of Mexican boxers, Reyes idolized Chavez Sr.

“Julio Sr. was one of my first idols. I remember watching him when I was five,” Reyes said. “He was one of the main reasons I started to box. Then when I watched Oscar De La Hoya he became one of my idols. I saw a lot of their fights. And Roy Jones Jr.’s fights, too; he was also one of my idols.”

At one time during the past year Reyes was world-ranked at middleweight in the WBC (No. 9) and the IBF (No. 15). He’s campaigned almost exclusively in Mexico where he defeated a string of tough, rugged contenders. This will be his fourth U.S. appearance, second in three fights and second in Texas.

“This is very exciting for me to fight on SHOWTIME,” the come-forward boxer-puncher said. “It’s my first main event on a major television network and I’m proud and very happy about it. This is my time and I’m going to take advantage and do what I need to do against Chavez.”

Reyes went 63-7 in the amateurs, was a six-time Mexican national champion and a representative of the Mexican National Team in both the 2006 and 2007 Pan American Games. He turned pro at age 19 in April 2007.

In his third fight Reyes captured the Mexican super welterweight title with a third-round TKO. In his seventh start and United States debut, in July 2008 in Corpus Christi, Texas, he registered a third-round TKO. Reyes, in his 11th outing, defeated one of Mexico’s all-time most popular former world champions when he outpointed Luis Ramon “Yory Boy” Campas over 12 rounds in March 2009.

Reyes made it to 13-0 before he suffered his initial loss on a 10-round decision to Amilcar Milian in 2010. After losing to Milian, Reyes won his next 19 consecutive fights before losing a controversial majority 10-round decision to El Paso’s Abie Han last Oct. 18 in Carson, Calif. Reyes’ trainer that night? Robert Garcia.

Reyes might have won two or three of the first seven rounds against Han, but he made things interesting when he scored a knockdown with 30 seconds remaining in the eighth. Han also crumpled to the canvas from a seemingly meaningless left hook to the chest that may have landed a split second after the bell sounded in the eighth. The first was scored a knockdown, the second was not.

The knockdown got Reyes back into the fight and he was on his way to winning the ninth round, too, except that the referee deducted a point from him for a late hit (short left hook to the face) that appeared to clearly connect before the bell.

“I was angry with the judges in that fight,” Reyes said. “I thought I won. I don’t know what happened. I dropped him twice in the eighth but I only got credit for one. I got credit for the first one late in the round but the second one in the closing seconds of the round I did not.”

Reyes, who has mostly campaigned at 154 and 160 pounds, tipped the scale at a personal-high 165½ pounds for his most recent fight, a unanimous eight-round decision win over David Alonso Lopez last Jan. 24. Reyes won by 77-74 twice and 76-75 despite going down in the second.

# # #

In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature, unbeaten fighters McJoe Arroyo (16-0, 8 KOs) of Puerto Rico and Arthur Villanueva (27-0, 12 KOs) of the Philippines will clash in a 12-rounder for the vacant IBF Super Flyweight World title.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will conclude an action-packed weekend on SHOWTIME and CBS Sports that will feature three different boxing series. It begins on Friday, July 17, with a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) and ends with a day-night Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on CBS and SCB doubleheader on July 18.

Just hours earlier from the Don Haskins Center, PBC on CBS (live at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT) will offer a terrific doubleheader. In the main event, undefeated British superstar Carl Frampton (20-0, 14 KOs) will make his U.S. debut when he defends his IBF Super Bantamweight World title against Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez Jr. (25-1-2, 15 KOs). The co-main event will feature exciting heavyweight Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4, 31 KOs) against an opponent to be announced.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (July 6, 2015) — Marvelous Marvin Hagler, whose spine-tingling 1985 victory over Thomas Hearns defined an era, announced Monday that he will return to Las Vegas to attend the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s third annual induction weekend.

The legendary Hagler is one of the headliners of the NVBHOF’s 2015 class of inductees, chosen in the non-Nevada boxer category.

Remaining tickets for the Saturday, August 8 induction ceremony at Caesars Palace are $300, $175 and $75 and are fully tax deductible as the NVBHOF is an IRS 501 (c)3 charity. They can be purchased online at the Hall’s website, nvbhof.com.

“To the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame and to those that voted for me: I’m speechless!” Hagler said. “This is an important recognition. To get to this level, I had to fight hard in life and in the ring. Every time, it was a challenge to prove to myself that I could do it, and my determination gave me the strength to go on and make my dream come true.”

Hagler compiled a 62-3-2 record with 52 knockouts in a stellar 14-year career that saw him meet and defeat some of the greatest fighters of his era.

He’s best known for his third-round stoppage of Hearns in a savage 1985 battle for the middleweight title at Caesars Palace. It is on every boxing expert’s list of the greatest fights of all-time, with many placing it atop the list.

Hagler, though, is about far more than the fight with Hearns. He went undefeated for more than 11 years, going 36-0-1 from 1976 through 1986. His streak ended on April 6, 1987, at Caesars Palace when he lost a highly controversial split decision to long-time rival Sugar Ray Leonard.

His biggest fights came at Caesars, which became known throughout boxing as “The Home of Champions” in large part because of Hagler.

He made his Caesars debut against Vito Antuofermo on Nov. 30, 1979, when he fought to a draw in a bout many believe he won.

Hagler went on to score notable wins at Caesars over Marcos Geraldo in 1980, Roberto Duran in 1983, Hearns in 1985 and John “The Beast” Mugabi in 1986 before the loss to Leonard in 1987.

Hagler joins former welterweight, super welterweight and middleweight champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad in confirming he will attend the gala that honors the career of those who have done so much for boxing in Nevada.

The Hall was founded by noted boxing broadcaster Rich Marotta. Its chief operating officer is Michelle Corrales-Lewis, whose late husband, Diego Corrales, was an inaugural inductee into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

For more information, phone 702-3-NVBHOF, or 702-368-2463.

Johannesburg, July 6 – African boxing powerhouse Golden Gloves has signed promotional deals with three exciting young international prospects – Gary Sweeney of Ireland, Roman Zhailauov of Kazakhstan and Otabek Ibragimov of Uzbekistan.
Rodney Berman, who recently propelled the UK’s Martin Murray to a championship shot against Golovkin, explained the rationale behind his company’s move beyond Africa. “The underlying reason is the massive rise in popularity in boxing in Europe and Eastern Europe, particularly as we are so far off the beaten track in Africa.”
Zhailauov has fought twice in South Africa already as part of the deal, with Sweeney making his professional debut in Johannesburg in September. Ibragimov will debut as a Golden Gloves fighter in Ukraine – he already has two fights scheduled – to be followed by his unveiling at a tournament in South Africa in December.
A veteran of around 300 amateur bouts, Sweeney is a seven-time Irish champion who captured silver at the European Championships and has fought all over the continent in establishing himself as one of the top amateur cruiserweights in Europe.
Before leaving for fight camp in Johannesburg in late August, he will resume training in Marbella, Spain under the good hand of world-rated Matthew Macklin, who will ensure he gets top-class sparring and accommodation.
Sweeney will then team up with leading trainer Colin Nathan, who looks after WBA and IBO minimumweight champion Hekkie Budler, for his September 19 debut.
“I’ve always liked the pro game so I’ve decided to give it a shot,” said the 21-year-old whose brother Michael is a veteran pro.
Said Michael: “We were thrilled to go with Golden Gloves, who have an excellent reputation and are well-established. I believe Gary will go far. Why not box and get paid for it?”
Sweeney worked out with Nathan during a stopover in South Africa last month and Nathan was very impressed. “His fundamentals are strong, his instincts are good and he’s a strong puncher. He’s going to be a very exciting addition to the cruiserweight scene and I look forward to working with him.”
Sweeney has fight dates pencilled in for September 19, December 2 and February 2016.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has pushed out some world class boxers in recent years, chiefly world middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, Beibut Shumenov and Zhanat Zhakiyanov. Thanks to Golden Gloves, we may soon add another name to this illustrious list in the form of junior-welterweight Zhailauov.
Having recently celebrated his 21st birthday while preparing for a bout in South Africa, he is 15-0 with nine stoppages.
Rodney Berman has already christened him “Baby GGG” on account of his baby-faced looks and punching power, which was evident with a one-round blowout of Luyanda Jako last month.
“He’s got a good right hand and is very strong with quick feet,” said former world title challenger Harold Volbrecht, who trains him for his South African fights. “I took him on the pads and he picked things up quickly. Despite the language barrier, he understood perfectly what to do. He’s a natural.”
Manager Alex Kuznetsov, who hails from Ukraine, explained that Zhailauov has boxed since the age of 10, engaging in 150 amateur fights and winning a junior national title before turning pro in 2012.
He comes from a family of boxers. His father Hayrat boxed, as did his uncle Yersin, who won the WBO Inter-Continental super-bantamweight title 11 years ago.
Before his last fight, he set up camp in Kiev in the Ukraine and secured the sparring services of former WBA welterweight champ Vyacheslav Senchenko, who famously ended the career of Ricky Hatton.
Zhailauov is the national welterweight champion and also the WBC Asian champion. There are no big names on his record, but, like Golovkin himself, he is being slowly built with a view to making an assault on the world rankings in the medium-term.
Ibragimov is a 24-year-old southpaw who plans to campaign at super-middleweight.
He had 180 amateur fights, highlighted by winning the national title. He also participated at the World University Boxing Championships and was crowned Asia youth champion.
Asked about his three acquisitions, Berman said: “We know all about the Fighting Irish, so I’m very excited. We’re doing a three-fight deal with an irrevocable option to renew. I’m delighted Gary will be teaming up with Macklin, an old pro who knows the ropes and will be a superb influence on the youngster.
“If Roman comes through his September bout, we’re aiming to secure him a WBC Youth title shot in Monte Carlo in November. Ibragimov will work on the same basis as Roman. He will train in his home country and then head to South Africa a few weeks before his fights. We’ve also signed a three-fight deal with an irrevocable option to renew.”

2015 has been big for the sport of boxing. The sport is bigger than ever with it’s return to free television with series like the PBC. Today’s best fighters are now showcased on both premium cable and network television and the increase in ratings indicate that networks and advertisers want even more boxing.

Boxing’s hottest weekly series Knockout returns on Wednesday for season two with even more star power in a true formatted weekly docu-reality format. Last season Knockout was only available in thirty-two million homes and had extremely limited promotion yet it still surpassed all other properties on the network and most properties in boxing and mixed martial arts.

Here are some facts on Knockout: It’s best weekly rating combined was a 1.2. The show always aired in the network 25 weekly stops and often grabbed the number 1 or 2 spot. The live event was a success with 1138 paid admission in attendance . The live gate for Knockout surpassed one hundred thousand dollars.

This is important because this type of interest attracted some of the biggest names in the sport in the first season and it continues with Roy Jones Jr., Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather Sr. and many others on board for the second season.

These numbers were generated with limited promotion on an independent network. This type of success on a non-premium cable or network broadcast speaks for itself. KNOCKOUT is out to prove once again that it is must see and this will be proven on July 8th, at 10 p.m. eastern. For true and casual boxing fans this is a must see.

Panama City, Panama (July 6, 2015) K2 Promotions and Hennessy Sports reached an agreement today prior to the scheduled World Boxing Association purse bid for the highly anticipated Heavyweight World Championship between long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko and #1 ranked challenger Tyson Fury.

“We’re very happy to reach an agreement with Hennessy Sports for this great heavyweight title matchup,” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, promoter of Klitschko. “The fight will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany on Saturday, October 24.”

Holder of the WBA/WBO/IBF/IBO and “Ring Magazine” Heavyweight Titles, Klitschko improved to 64-3-0 with 54 knockouts on April 24 with a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over then undefeated and #1 ranked challenger Bryant Jennings at Madison Square Garden.

The win was Klitschko’s 18th consecutive world title defense and his 22nd straight victory. His title reign is second in heavyweight history only behind the great Joe Louis.

Sporting an unblemished record of 24-0-0 with 18KO’s, Fury is coming off an eighth round stoppage of Christian Hammer on February 28 in London, England. He also owns two victories over top contender Dereck Chisora and a stoppage win of former cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham.

Fury will be the sixth undefeated fighter Klitschko has faced amongst his last seven title defenses.

ABOUT K2 PROMOTIONS
K2 Promotions promotes the unified Heavyweight World Champion Wladimir Klitschko, along with WBA/IBO and WBC ‘Interim” Middleweight World Champion Gennady Golovkin, Former Cruiserweight World Champion Ola Afolabi and heavyweight contender Mike Perez.

Over the last decade, K2 Promotions has promoted the most heavyweight championship title bouts of any promoter worldwide. K2 Promotions is one of Boxing’s most respected promoters showcasing boxing’s biggest events worldwide.

The Managing Director of K2 Promotions is Tom Loeffler.

WBA World Heavyweight Champion Ruslan Chagaev will get a special musical support for his upcoming title defense against Francesco Pianeta next Saturday (July 11th) at GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, Germany. Russian Rap-Superstar Timati will perform live at Chagaev’s walk-in.

Just like Chagaev, Timati is well known all around the world and made himself a name as a heavyweight in the music industry with hit songs like “Get Your Groove On” (with Snoop Dogg) or “Welcome to St. Tropez” (with DJ Antoine). The 31-year-old Russian worked with recording artists like P.Diddy, Busta Rhymes and Timbaland. But Ruslan Chagaev is the first World Champion in his resume.

Over the last years numerous international Rap- and Hip-Hop-Superstars entered the boxing business. While 50 Cent failed with his attempt to form a promotional company, Jay-Z is trying to take over the market with “Rocnation Sports”. Lil Wayne has been performing at a couple of walk-ins of Pound-for-Pound-king Floyd Mayweather jr.
The WBA World Heavyweight Championship Chagaev vs. Pianeta headlines an all-heavyweight event promoted by Timur Dugazaev (Akhmat Promotion / Terek Box-Event) and Ulf Steinforth (SES Boxing) billed as “Heavy Night” at GETEC Arena in Magdeburg on July 11th. Sat.1 will broadcast the event live in Germany, Austria and Switzerland starting at 10.45pm local time in Germany.

LONDON (6 JULY) Nottingham’s Leigh Wood is eyeing a move up to featherweight in the near future, with sights set on winning a British title, but is first looking to put on a dazzling display on July 25 at Derby Arena.

The all-action 26-year-old is considered one of the dangermen of the super-bantamweight division, given his awkward style and heavy hands, but those days, he feels, are soon to be behind him.

“Being down at that weight really took a lot out of me and, to be honest, I think my time as a super-bantamweight is over,” said Wood, 14-1 (7 KOs). “I see my future at featherweight now. I’ll be even more dangerous at that weight, I think.

“Samir Mouneimne and Ryan Walsh are boxing for the British featherweight title and I wouldn’t mind facing either one of them at some point. You’ve also got Josh Warrington, who is just creeping outside of that level and is getting towards the fringes of world-class. I could be hot on his heels within sixteen months, maybe less. It all depends on how fast he moves with his career. But that’s also a fight I’d like to have one day.

“I want a title fight as soon as possible. John Ingle has been talking about getting me one in September or October and that’s why I’d like to get a good six rounds under my belt on July 25. I don’t want to fight someone who just falls over.

“But I’ve been knocking out opponents lately and when it’s time for them to go, it’s time for them to go. Hopefully they can find someone who is tough enough and durable enough to last the distance and it will stand me in good stead for a title shot later this year.”

Wood’s one championship chance so far came last February, when he met Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell for the vacant British super-bantamweight title. Despite a spirited effort, Wood was stopped in six rounds. It stands as the only loss on his career record – it forced him to get better.

“I’ve improved massively since that fight,” he said. “What you learn from a loss is invaluable. You can keep winning all you want, but a lot of the time you aren’t learning anything. You’re not improving. When you lose, you realise exactly what it is you need to improve on.

“Before the McDonnell fight I was a bit power-happy and a bit too eager to get the finish, but now I don’t reveal my cards. I hold something back. I introduce the power slowly and by surprise. I leave something in the bank for when it might be needed later in the fight.

“I’d love a rematch with McDonnell, though. If the fight happened the day after, I’d have known exactly how to beat him. But boxing doesn’t work like that.”

First things first, Wood looks to continue his run of knockout wins on July 25.

“I think I’ll be fighting a lively opponent who is going to test me,” he said. “It won’t be a journeyman or someone I will easily beat. I’ve asked for a test.

“I just want to entertain and stand out from all the other fighters on the card. I want to be exciting to watch, as I always am, and give the fans something a little different to what they see from all the other boxers in the show. I like to be different. I want people to walk away at the end and say, “That Leigh Wood stood out. He was impressive.”

*** Tickets for Blackwell vs. Jones can be purchased from the Derby Arena Box Office on 01332 255800 or by visiting www.derbylive.co.uk ***

*** Blackwell vs. Jones will be televised live on Channel 5 on July 25, while the supporting undercard will be televised live earlier in the evening on Spike ***

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Dariusz Sek is the new WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council Light Heavyweight Champion. The 28-year-old southpaw from Tarnow (Poland) forced local hero Shefat Isufi to retire in the eighth round of their exciting and very entertaining EPBC title fight Saturday night at Circus Krone in Munich, Germany. Sek started aggressively and won the first round but Isufi quickly adjusted and took control dominating rounds two to four by forcing Sek in the infight and landing some heavy hooks.

After four rounds Isufi was leading on all four score cards. However, Sek came back strong in rounds five and six by landing some hard body shots and wearing his opponent down. The Pole finally broke Isufi’s nose with a clean left hand in the seventh. Isufi seemed to run out of gas and was taking a lot of punishment in the eighth when referee Juergen Langos asked the ringside physician to check the Albanian’s nose which was heavily bleeding.
Isufi’s trainer and promoter Alexander Petkovic had seen enough and decided to throw in the towel after 1:24 minutes of round eight. After seven rounds all three judges had the bout even at 67-67 (twice) and 68-68.
“Of course, it is disappointing but the health of my fighters is most important to me”, said Petkovic. “With the injured nose Shefat couldn’t breathe. It is always a tough call to end a fight – especially with a guy like Shefat who always wants to go on and who can always come back. But I wanted to save him from getting seriously injured. We hope that his nose heals fast. Then we’ll get back in the ring and prepare for a rematch. Hats off to Dariusz Sek who showed lots of heart and a great fight. He deserved the win. It was a great fight as long as it lasted and I think everybody who saw it wants to see the rematch, too.”

On the undercard, hot rising prospects James and Tony Kraft scored hard fought decision wins over rugged journeymen Josef Obeslo (James) and Vladimir Idranyi (Slovakia). Just like Shefat Isufi, the Kraft brothers seemed to suffer from the summer heat in Munich. On the hottest day of the year in Germany, the temperature i

ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN (July 4, 2015) – For the second time in less than eight months, Russian striker Sergei “Paratrooper” Kharitonov defeated former M-1 Challenge champion Kenny Garner in a Heavyweight SuperFight, stopping the dangerous American in the opening round this past Friday night in M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 main event in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Kharitonov (23-5-0, 13 KO/TKO, 9 SUB) defeated Garner at the 4:11 mark of the first round via punches, setting the stage for a potential showdown with M-1 Challenge heavyweight Marcin Tybura

A pair of promising Kazakh prospects, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Sergey Morozov, gave their fellow countrymen in attendance plenty to cheer about. Rakhmonov (3-0-0, 1 KO/TKO 2 SUB), the 2013 WMMAA welterweight champion, locked in a guillotine choke on Polish welterweight Michael Wiencek (5-3-0, 0 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) only 49-seconds into their fight for a win by submission. In M-1 Challenge’s inaugural bantamweight fight, Morozov remained undefeated with a second-round technical knockout of the United Kingdom’s Andy “Naz” Young (6-7-0, 0 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) by way of a spinning back fist and punches.

In two other main event fights, American middleweight Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti (26-13-0, 10 KO/TKO, 7 SUB) used a rear-naked choke to force a second-found submission of previously undefeated Sergey Kovalev ,(5-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 2 SUB), while Azerbaijan heavyweight Zaur Hajibabayev (4-1-0, 3 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) punched out Spaniard David Trallero (2-4-0, 2 KO/TKO) in round two.

On the preliminary card, Kazakh welterweight Rashid Dagaev (3-1-0) won a three-round unanimous decision over Daniel “The Gladiator” Tabera (18-8-3), of Spain, Russian lightweight Damir Ismagulov (4-1-0) registered a win by first-round technical knockout (punches) against Spain’s Pedro Eugenio Granjo (3-2-0), Georgian middleweight Nodar Kudikhashvili improved his record to 10-1-0 with a decision over pro-debuting Ukrainian Aleksander Boyko (0-1-0), Russian light heavyweight Batraz Agnaev (3-0-0) remained unbeaten with a first-round technical knockout (punches) of Ukrainian Anton Pazenko (2-1-0), and Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (4-0-0) used a triangle choke to win by opening round decision over pro-debuting Russian Inshel Erkimbek (0-1-0).

Complete results and picture gallery below:

MAIN CARD

HEAVYWEIGHT SUPER FIGHT
Sergei Kharitonov(23-5-0), Russia WTHO1 (Punches – 4:11) Kenny Garner (16-9-0), USA

HEAVYWEIGHTS
Zaur Hajibabayev (4-1-0), Azerbaijan WTKO2 (Punches – 4:37) David Trallero (2-4-0), Spain

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Luigi Fioravanti (26-13-0), USA WSUB2 (Reared Naked Choke – 1:56) Sergey Kovalev (5-1-0), Russia

WELTERWEIGHTS
Shavkat Rakhmonov (3-0-0), Kazakhstan WSUB1 (Guillotine Choke – 0.49) Michal Wiencek (5-3-0), Poland

BANTAMWEIGHTS
Sergey Morozov(6-0-0), Kazakhstan WTKO2 (Spinning Back Fist & Punches – 3:50) Andy Young (6-7-0), UK

PRELIMINARY CARD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Batraz Agnaev (3-0-0), Russia WTKO1(Punches – 3:00) Anton Pazenko (2-1-0), Ukraine

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Nodar Kudukhashvili(10-1-0), Georgia WDEC3 Aleksander Boiko (0-1-0), Ukraine
Artem Frolov (4-0-0), Russia WSUB1 (Triangle Choke – 1:15) Inzhel Erkimbek (0-1-0), Russia

LIGHTWEIGHTS
Damir Ismagulov(4-1-0), Russia WTKO1 (Punches – 2:53) Pedro Eugenio Granjo (3-2-0), Spain

WELTERWEIGHTS
Rashid Dagaev (3-1-0), Kazakhstan WDEC3 Daniel Tabera (18-8-3), Spain

Kenny Garner & Sergei Kharitonov

Kharitonov (right) hammers Garner

(L-R) Shavka Rakhmonov & Michel Wiencek

Luigi Fioravanti (bottom) closes show vs. Sergey Kovalev

Zaur Hajibabayev & David Trallero

Sergey Morozov throws Andy Young

Damir Ismaguluv & Pedro Eugenio Granjo

Nodar Kudukhashvili

Batraz Agnaev (top) & Anon Pazenko

Artem Frolov & Inzel Erkimbek

Daniel Tabera & Rashid Dagaev

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ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premier entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With its office in St Petersburg, Russia, the M-1 brand has staged more than 160 events worldwide, including M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge, M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the U.S. network, Showtime. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and match-ups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Sergei Kharitonov, Aleksander Emelianenko, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2015 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global Champions among the greatest fighters in the sport.

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

Los Angeles, CA (July 4, 2015) On Friday, July 3, an interview was posted on the London, U.K. based website, City A.M. (www.cityam.com) with quotes attributed to boxing superstar Gennady “GGG” Golovkin.

Golovkin did not conduct this “interview” containing fabricated quotes from him. The quotes were also been picked up by numerous other media outlets.

“These are not my words in this interview, “ said Golovkin.

“It’s unfortunate that this interview was posted online and considered by many to be Gennady’s quotes, none of which are his statements,” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions.

“We are currently conducting negotiations for Gennady’s next fight and will not be commentating on any speculation about opponents. We understand the extraordinary interest worldwide in Gennady and look forward to making an official announcement at the appropriate time,” concluded Loeffler.

Golovkin is recognized as the world’s most dominant boxer. The middleweight world champion has compiled a record of 33-0 with 30 stoppages, a knockout percentage of 91% — the highest in middleweight division history and has now recorded 20 straight knockouts.

For more information on Gennady “GGG” Golovkin visit his website at
www.GGGBoxing.com, follow him on Twitter at @GGGBoxing and Facebook at @GGGBoxing.

Golovkin is sponsored by EXPO 2017, the International Exposition scheduled to take place in 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Further information can be found on their website at www.expo2017astana.com

Philadelphia (July 3, 2015 ) – D and D Management along with Mark Cipparone’s Club 1957 Management is pleased to announce a joint venture for which the two companies will now co-manage Jr. Welterweight contender Emanuel Taylor.

Taylor (18-4, 12 KO’s) of Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland has established himself as one of the top rated contenders in the Jr. Welterweight division and has been in several exciting fights against world champions Chris Algieri & Adrien Broner as well as undefeated Enrique Orozco. Those fights have made Taylor a television network staple.

“I would like to say that I’m excited to have the opportunity to establish a joint venture with Mark Cipparrone” said David Price of D and D management. “I have always had a lot of respect for him and I thought D and D and 1957 could complement instead of constantly compete with one another.”

“When we originally signed Emanuel Taylor he had already been signed with a local manager and we collectively functioned as Co- Managers. Emanuel no longer wanted his home based manager involved and Doc and I thought it would be a great opportunity to work with someone else that we felt had a high level of what we call V.I.S.A ( Vision, Integrity, Structure, Accountability).”

“We currently only have Emanuel together and all of our separate stables remain just that. We However hope that this is the beginning of a great working relationship that we could expand for years to come”

Said D and D Management’s Doc Nowicki,”I am excited that we were able to bring Mark Cipparone from Club 1957 Management to be involved with us with Emnauel Taylor. With boxing being very difficult to move fighters along, we thought it would be a perfect match. We have done good things with our fighters. Mark has done good things with his fighters. We feel great about collaborating with Manny and hopefully we can do some other things in future.”

“We have some great expectations going forward for Manny. We feel he has the talent to become a world champion as he has established himself as a favorite of the premium networks.”

‘Thee years ago I decided to dive head first into the business of managing boxers. I have given my all from day one and want nothing more than helping develop a world champion. When I received the call from Dave Price to partner with D and D to manage Manny Taylor it was without hesitation that I said yes. Believe it or not even before that call I had the same idea to join forces with D and D. Both Doc and Dave have been doing a great job with their fighters and it is easy to see that they are hard working, ethical business men. I am looking forward to see what our combined resources and talents can produce. I am not one to partner …just because. Yes the old adage 2 heads are better than one may apply, but I believe that we have complementing skills and although we may have had some underlying competitiveness in the past we genuinely like each other,” said Mark Cipparone of Club 1957 Management.”

“Manny is an extremely talented boxer and we all are committed to making a difference in his career. I am personally looking forward to working with him as part of this team and believe that he will have a special opportunity to reach his goals.”

Taylor is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

MACAO, CHINA (July 3, 2015) — Former Fighter of the Year and five-division world champion NONITO “Filipino Flash” DONAIRE and 2012 U.S. Olympian and undefeated super lightweight contender JOSE RAMÍREZ will headline “Victory at The Venetian,” on the Saturday, July 18 edition of Solo Boxeo Tecate, which will be televised from The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena via same-day delay in the U.S. on UniMás, beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. Donaire, of the Philippines, in the hunt for another world title shot, will be taking on France’s ANTHONY SETTOUL in a 10-round super bantamweight battle. Ramírez, who hails from central California, will open the telecast in an eight-round super lightweight bout against RYUSEI YOSHIDA, of Japan.

The exciting undercard, which will be streamed live to the U.S., beginning at 6:00 a.m. ET via www.toprank.tv, will feature undefeated No. 1 contender, CESAR “El Distinto” CUENCA, who is just three victories away from tying Rocky Marciano’s hallowed 49-0 record, taking on undefeated No. 2 contender “IK” LIAN HUI YANG, who will attempt to become China’s second professional boxer to win a world title. Cuenca and Yang will rumble for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior welterweight title. The live stream will also feature No. 1 world-rated lightweight contender DENIS “Genghis Khan” SHAFIKOIV, of Russia, and undefeated No. 4 world-rated junior bantamweight contender REX “The Wonder Kid” TSO, from Hong Kong, in separate bouts.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with Tecate and SECA, remaining tickets to Victory at the Venetian can be purchased via Cotai Ticketing™; prices start at HKD/MOP 180, with ferry and hotel packages also available.

Donaire (34-3, 22 KOs), a native of General Santos City, Philippines, now living in Las Vegas, is a former five-division world champion on the comeback trail for another world title shot. His banner year in 2012 featured four world championship victories which included beating former world champion Israel Vazquez, Jr. to capture the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight title, unifying the title by defeating IBF junior bantamweight champion Jeffrey Mathebula, followed by Donaire collecting his third belt of the year with a knockout of World Boxing Council (WBC) Diamond Belt super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka, ending Nishioka’s eight-year, 16-bout, winning streak, and concluding his magnificent year by blasting out Mexican icon Jorge Arce in the third round and sealing his 2012 Fighter of the Year honors while extending his 12-year, 30-bout winning streak. He lost his title to undefeated Cuban sensation and WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux in a title unification bout at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall on April 13, 2013. He bounced back in 2014, dethroning World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight world champion Simpiwe Vetyeka at Cotai Arena. Career highlights for Donaire also include knockout victories of world champions Vic Darchinyan, Wladimir Sidorenko, and Fernando Montiel, ending Montiel’s 25-bout winning streak. That victory was named the 2011 Knockout of the Year. Donaire returns to the ring fresh from capturing the vacant NABF super bantamweight title via a second round knockout victory of William Prado on March 28. He is currently world-rated No. 3 and No. 4 by the WBO and the WBA, respectively.

Settoul (20-3, 8 KOs), from Clermont-Ferrand, France, will be making his Asian ring debut on this card. A former French and European Union bantamweight champion, six of his last nine victories have come by way of knockout. He made his professional debut in 2008 and has fought outside of France just once.

Ramírez (14-0, 11 KOs), of Avenal, Calif., will be venturing outside the U.S. for the first time as a professional. Seven of his last eight fights have ended with knockout victories. A member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, Ramirez was an 11-time National Amateur Champion. Trained by Freddie Roach, the highly-respected junior welterweight prospect returns to the ring looking to extend his current knockout streak to four bouts. His last fight was a fifth-round knockout victory of veteran Robert Frankel on May 9.

Yoshida (26-7, 13 KOs), from Kumamoto, Japan, makes his second visit to the Cotai Arena ring since 2013. He enters this fight having four of his last five bouts with three of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Cuenca (46-0, 2 KOs), a southpaw who hails from Chaco, Argentina, made his pro debut in 2002. Fighting exclusively in Argentina, Cuenca has steadily risen up the world ratings the old fashioned way — by winning! Just three fights shy of matching Rocky Marciano’s mythical mark of 49-0, Cuenca has captured numerous regional titles throughout his 13-year career, all fought at the junior welterweight level. His 12-round unanimous decision victory over Albert Mensah last year, in an IBF junior welterweight title elimination bout, made Cuenca the No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger for the world title.

Yang (18-0, 13 KOs), from Dalian, China, is trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, who also trains Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao and two-time Chinese Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming. Yang, who made his pro debut in 2007, enters this fight having won seven of his last eight fights by way of knockout. Having fought exclusively at Cotai Arena and in Shanghai since 2013, Yang has built up a loyal and rapid fan base in China due to his exciting style of fighting. With 2014 knockout victories over Sukkasem Kietyongyuth and Fahsai Sakkreerin for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific lightweight title and the IBF Pan-Pacific junior welterweight title, respectively, and a sixth-round stoppage of Patomsuk Pathompothong, in an IBF junior welterweight world title elimination bout on March 7, Yang has seen his boxing stock, and his world ratings, soar. He is now the IBF No. 2 world-rated junior welterweight contender.

Shafikov (35-1-1, 18 KOs), a native of Chelyabinsk, Russia who fights out of Los Angeles, will be making his second appearance at Cotai Arena. The Russian southpaw unsuccessfully challenged Miguel Vazquez for his IBF lightweight world title on February 22, 2014, losing a competitive 12-round unanimous decision. He returned to the ring six months later and knocked out Rustam Nugaev in the ninth round of their IBF lightweight world title elimination bout last August, becoming the IBF’s No. 1 world-rated lightweight contender and mandatory challenger to then-champion Mickey Bey who vacated the title to avoid his mandatory title defense against Shafikov which had been scheduled for this card. In his most recent bout, Shafikov won a lopsided unanimous decision over Miguel Mendoza in December. He’ll be facing one-time world title challenger ROY MUKHLIS (18-3-2, 12 KOs), of Semarang, Indonesia, in a 10-round lightweight bout.

Tso (13-0, 7 KOs), the Pride of Hong Kong, has been a Cotai Arena mainstay since 2013 where fans on both sides of the South China Sea have flocked to watch his exciting fights and his ascent up the world ratings. Having already captured Asian and WBO Asia-Pacific junior bantamweight and WBC Asian super flyweight titles, Tso returns to the ring fresh from a 10-round unanimous decision Cotai Arena victory over Michael Enriquez on March 7, where he captured the vacant WBA International super flyweight title. Currently world-rated No. 4 by the WBO, No. 6 by the IBF and No. 8 by the WBA, Tso will be facing KHUNKHIRI WOR WISARUTH (21-10-1, 13 KOs), from Bangkok, Thailand, in an eight-round super flyweight bout.

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

LINCOLN, R.I. (July 2nd, 2015) – A fight nearly two years in the making will finally come to fruition Friday, July 17th, 2015 as super middleweight Vladine Biosse faces Chris Chatman in the main event of CES Boxing’s “Rhode To Redemption” show at Twin River Casino.

Those familiar with Chatman’s no-nonsense, outspoken bravado know the Jersey City native is never one to mince words. The 5-foot-8 southpaw guarantees a win over “Mr. Providence” in a fight he’s lobbied for since his most noteworthy victory at Twin River, a 2013 split-decision win over hometown favorite Thomas Falowo.

“I’m going to fuck Vla up, plain and simple,” Chatman said. “This is personal for me, and I need to thank Vla, actually, because it’s been a while since I’ve had this rage in me. I’ve always had a love for the sport I’m in, but it’s been a while since I’ve had that fire that’s burning, that killer instinct.

“Right now, you throw sportsmanship out the window. This is going to be a fight. It’s not even going to be a fight. I’m going to massacre Vladine.”

“I’m not about to talk trash,” Biosse countered. “Ever since I’ve been doing this, I’ve never talked trash about anybody. That’s just my motto. One thing I’ll say is I work hard and bring the best out of myself. Whoever my opponent is that night, I’m going to work harder than you and bring better work than you.

“It’s your job to top that. If he can top that, props to him, but I doubt it.”

The 10-round super middleweight main event headlines another stacked card for CES Boxing, featuring eight exciting bouts and a special ceremony in which former Providence Olympian Jason Estrada will be inducted into the CES Ring of Honor.

Tickets for “Rhode To Redemption” are priced at $40.00, $100.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and available for purchase online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Players Club. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

The bad blood between Biosse (15-6-2, 7 KOs) and Chatman (12-5-1, 5 KOs) stems primarily from online chatter via social media, culminating in a chance meeting between the two while Biosse was in New Jersey participating in a training camp.

“I’m at the mall with my son and Vlad shows up. He walked up to me and I said, ‘Man, who are you?’ because I’m not making the connection that it’s Vladine Biosse because Vladine Biosse lives all the way in Providence, Rhode Island,” Chatman said.

“I said, ‘Man, what the fuck you want?’ and he says, ‘Listen, I just want to let you know I’m down here for a camp.’ I knew that was bullshit because if they’re looking for a middleweight southpaw I’m the first motherfucker they should be looking at anyway.

“I told him, ‘I apologize for things getting out of hand, but I want to fight you, so when’s it going to happen?’ He said, ‘I don’t know …’ and started talking about managers and this and that. That pissed me off. I had to swallow my pride for the sake of my son. If it weren’t for my son, that fight would’ve happened on the street.”

Biosse acknowledges he and Chatman crossed paths, but denies ever refusing a showdown in the ring.

“I approached him because of the things he was saying online about me,” Biosse said. “If he was an honest man, he’d say the same thing. He apologized to me and said it was just for the fans and that he does what he does to hype the fight.

“I spoke to him about not mentioning my name in his beef because I’m not an internet fighter. If you want to fight me, we’ll make it happen. I told him, ‘As far as right now, you’re not on my level. You have to get a few wins to get on my level.’”

“If he’s a real man, he’ll speak the truth.”

Finally, on July 17th, the Biosse-Chatman feud will end between the ropes, where it was destined to end all along. A fixture at Twin River since his first appearance in 2009, Chatman owns a lifetime 3-2 record in Rhode Island and will be fighting at the same venue for this second time this year, whereas Biosse is returning to familiar territory for the first time since a majority draw against Rich Gingras in 2013.

“I really appreciate my fan base,” Biosse said. “If people love what you do and follow and support what you’re doing, there’s nothing that makes you feel better. When people heard ‘Mr. Providence’ is back, they told me, ‘We’re coming to support you and show some love,’ and, ‘We’ve been waiting on you.’ It feels great. It gives me that motivation.

“I’ve got to put on a show for these people. They love me and love what I do.”

Stylistically, facing Chatman will be a difficult task. The diminutive southpaw likes to work on the inside and has been known to break down his opponents to the body, but Biosse is confident now that he’s reunited with his original trainer, Orlondo Valles, who actually trained Gingras when Gingras and Biosse fought one another in 2013.

“Orlondo is always sharp with what he does, and I could feel the difference after the first week,” said Biosse, who acknowledged he and Valles are also working with trainer Paul Andrade in preparation for this bout. “I was like, ‘Damn, I’ve been slacking a little bit.’

“After the first week, things picked up,” he continued. “It’s been great ever since. I’ve got my timing and rhythm back as a boxer, the way I used to fight. With the things I learned from Paul, putting that together with what Orlondo does, I’m on a different level.”

For Chatman, it’s now or never, an opportunity to seize the moment in a fight he’s coveted since his gradual rise from familiar out-of-towner to sudden fan-favorite in Rhode Island. The emotions are running high, but he remains focused on the task at hand.

“I’m aware of that and need to keep that aspect in check, but I’ve got a blood lust for this fight. For whatever reasons he shut this fight down, it’s happening now,” he said.

“This is very emotional for me because this is no Facebook, jibber-jabber shit. You came to my home. I honestly thought he’d ring my doorbell, I don’t think he had the balls to do it at the moment of truth.”

Never one to back down from a tough fight, Chatman considers himself the eternal underdog, willing to fight anyone anywhere at any given time.

“He has all the advantages on paper,” Chatman said. “He’s heavier. I’m already coming up in weight and then he decided to go up in weight. If anything, I should be asking for a catchweight. But I’m going to do what I do. I’m going to come in and beat his sluggish, fat ass from post to post.”

“He comes to fight,” Biosse acknowledged. “He doesn’t box. He fights. He comes forward. I hope he does on the 17th. I hope comes forward and fights. That’s exactly what I want from him.”

“Rhode To Redemption” also features a dynamic, six-round welterweight co-feature between undefeated Nick DeLomba (7-0, 1 KO) of Cranston, R.I., and Union City, N.J., southpaw Juan Rodriguez Jr. (12-2, 5 KOs), plus the long-awaited return of unbeaten Worcester, Mass., junior middleweight Khiary Gray (7-0, 5 KOs) in a six-round bout.

The undercard features several regional rivalries, starting with a four-round junior middleweight bout between Harford, Conn., vet Joe Wilson Jr. (3-2) and Andy Gonzalez (1-0, 1 KO) of Worcester, Mass., and a four-round heavyweight rematch between Jean Pierre Augustin (4-0-1, 2 KOs) of Lawrence, Mass., and Solomon Maye (1-4-1, 1 KO) of New Haven, Conn. The two fought to a draw in April.

Also on the undercard, Framingham, Mass., super lightweight Julio Perez makes his pro debut against Boston’s Rafael Francis (0-4) and New Bedford, Mass., welterweight Scott Sullivan (1-1, 1 KO) returns to face Providence’s Angel Valdez (0-2), both four-round bouts. Lawrence, Mass., lightweight Jacob Solis (1-0) will make his Twin River debut and fight for the first time since 2012 when he faces Salem, Mass., vet Matt Doherty (2-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round bout.

For more information on “Rhode To Redemption” visit www.cesboxing.com, follow @CESBOXING on Twitter and Instagram and “like” the official CES Boxing Facebook fan page.

One week before WBA world heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev steps into the ring to defend his title against Francesco Pianeta at GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, Germany, the World Boxing Association (WBA) appointed the ring officials. Russell Mora from Las Vegas will be the third man in the ring, the judges are Philipp Verbeke (Belgium), Manuel Palomo (Spain) and Hector Guillot (Venezuela). BDB President Thomas Puetz will be the WBA Supervisor and is looking forward to the event.

“This will be a huge night for German boxing”, says Puetz. “World Heavyweight Championships are always special. It is an honor for me to be appointed as supervisor. Both Ruslan and Francesco are licensed with the BDB and I have known them for many years. They are excellent boxers and I expect an exciting and close fight. May the best man win!”

The undercard of the “Heavy Night” in Magdeburg features some of the best Germany heavyweight contenders including former European Chapion Alexander Dimitrenko as well as WBC Silver International Champion Edmund Gerber. Michael Wallisch will try to win the WBO European title and hot prospect Tom Schwarz is taking on veteran “Sandman” Konstantin Airich. The event will be promoted by Timur Dugazaev (Terek Box-Event / Akhmat Promotion) in association with Ulf Steinforth (SES Boxing).

Sat.1 will broadcast the WBA World Championship between Chagaev and Pianeta live in Germany, Austria and Switzerland starting at 10.45pm German time on July 11th. Tickets for the “Heavy Night” at GETEC Arena in Magdeburg are still available online (eventim.de or tickethall.de) starting at 26 Euros.

LONDON (3 JULY) Ilkeston’s ‘Relentless’ Russell Henshaw knows all about hard work, and is willing to pay his dues, both inside and outside the ring, in pursuit of cruiserweight titles.

The amiable 30-year-old balances a burgeoning boxing career with jobs as a bricklayer and tree surgeon and will next appear, in the ring, on July 25 at Derby Arena.

“Recently I’ve been working on the railways swinging a chainsaw about and chopping down trees,” he said. “I’ve been working in the heat all week wearing chainsaw trousers and thick, heavy clothing. It helps me lose weight, but, other than that, it’s horrible.

“It’s really hard juggling work with training, but I’m at the bottom of the food chain right now and I have to be realistic. I have to go to work to live. I need the money. Until I get a bit bigger and a bit better, it’s what I’ll have to do. One day, though, I’d like to be able to do the boxing full-time and maybe get a sponsor or two. Until then I’ll just keep grafting.”

Henshaw is currently unbeaten in four fights and has won two via stoppage. Already he has gained a reputation for entertainment. Already he has been earmarked as one to watch.

“I’ve had four fights so far and I could have had eight,” he said. “The first two opponents had licensing issues and the second two pulled out. Eight in eight months would’ve been perfect. That would’ve been a wicked year. I’m still happy with the four fights I’ve had, though.

“This month I’m hoping to fight someone who’s tough enough to stand up to a few punches and give a few back, too. It’s nice to get a black eye or two. It’s nice to feel like you’ve had a fight.”

Henshaw added: “I’m exciting, aggressive and relentless. ‘Relentless’ is my name. I’m just constantly coming at you, non-stop. I’ll get you in the end.

“I won my first ten amateur fights, a national title and the novices by just coming forward and being aggressive. My opponents didn’t know how to deal with it. I overwhelmed them all. I never let my foot off the gas.”

Though a late bloomer, Henshaw believes turning professional at 30 will prove to be the best decision he’s ever made.

“I wasn’t committed enough when I was younger,” he explained. “I enjoyed the boxing, but I also enjoyed going out, smoking, having a drink and so on. I didn’t really take it seriously. If I’d turned pro back then, I’d have won a few, lost a few and probably fizzled out.

“But now I’m a lot more mature and a lot more dedicated. I’m 30 years of age and the timing is right. I’ve got a chance now, so let’s go and do it. I can have a few good years, dedicate my life to it, and see what happens.

“Also, my following is getting bigger and bigger each time. I’m getting a reputation for being exciting and relentless and people realise I’m good value for money. I’ll probably bring at least a hundred fans to Derby because it’s fairly local. It’s then up to me to put on a great show and keep them coming back.”

*** Tickets for Blackwell vs. Jones can be purchased from the Derby Arena Box Office on 01332 255800 or by visiting www.derbylive.co.uk ***

*** Blackwell vs. Jones will be televised live on Channel 5 on July 25, while the supporting undercard will be televised live earlier in the evening on Spike ***

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Tomorrow (Saturday, July 4th) Shefat Isufi (17-2-2) will take on Poland’s Dariusz Sek (22-2-1) for the vacant WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council Light Heavyweight Championship. Isufi won the EPBC cruiserweight title in March and is coming back down to his natural weight of 175 lbs. when he faces the experience Sek who prepared for the fight sparring some rounds with no other than IBF / WBO / WBA Super Champion Sergey Kovalev.

At today’s weigh-in both fighters were just in the limit when Sek tipped the scale at 79.2 kg (174.6 lbs.) while Isufi weighed in at 79.3 kg (174.8 lbs.). Things heated up a little at the stare down when Isufi nearly headbutted his opponent after the Polish warrior came a little too close.

Isufi vs. Sek headlines a card promoted by heavyweight contender Alexander Petkovic (“Petko’s LMS Box Promotion”) who is considering hanging up the gloves to fully focus on his career as a promoter.

In the double-co-feature two of Germany’s hottest prospects enter the ring when the fast rising KO brothers James and Tony Kraft are trying to score their next impressive wins. While they are only aged 19 and 21, James and Tony Kraft are already regional heroes in Bavaria and will most probably fight for Youth titles soon.
The event takes place at famous CIRCUS KRONE in Munich and will be broadcasted live on Sport1 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as PolSat in Poland.

LAS VEGAS (July 3, 2015) – After recording another first round knockout against late sub Esteban Hillman Tababary (25-16-2, 20 KOs) last Saturday in Bolivia, Bronco Billy Wright (48-4, 38 KOs), who defended his WBC Latino heavyweight title, looks to land a big fight before the summer ends. Currently rated WBC #16, Bronco Billy Wright is ready for a top level opponent.

“Right now I’m at a stage in my career where I feel I’m ready to challenge anyone in the top 10.” said Bronco Billy Wright. “I’m knocking out guys with winning records and I’m staying active, fighting constantly. I’m very grateful to the WBC for honoring my ranking. They’ve sanctioned all my title defenses as I hold their FECARBOX, Latino and United States (USNBC) Silver titles. I’ve delivered on every fight by knocking everyone out that they sanctioned. My goal is to to land a big fight before the year ends and I’m counting on the WBC to honor my ranking, forcing someone in the top 15 to fight me.”

Adding another first round KO to his record, Bronco Billy, who hasn’t tasted defeat since 1998, is inching closer to breaking the all-time record for first round knockouts held by Shannon Briggs at 33. Currently Wright has 29 first round KOs.

“I believe if I continue to win and win impressively, someone in the top ten will take me on.” Bronco Billy Wright continued. “If not I’ll just have to keep knocking out everyone in my path till they accept my challenge. I’m going to stay busy regardless. This 50-year old man can’t be that scary can he? My message to all these young bucks is…Let’s get it on!

LAS VEGAS, NV. (July 3, 2015) — Felix “Tito” Trinidad, an International Boxing Hall of Fame member beloved by fans for his sunny demeanor outside the ring and his devastating knockouts inside of it, announced he will attend the third annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame induction weekend.

The event will be held Friday, Aug. 7 and Saturday, Aug. 8. The induction ceremony itself will be at Caesars Palace, where Trinidad scored several notable wins, on Aug. 8.

Trinidad, 42, was 42-3 with 35 knockouts in a career which saw him win world titles at welterweight, super welterweight and middleweight. He was 8-1 in nine fights in Nevada, including 2-0 in bouts at Caesars Palace.

Trinidad won the most significant matches of his career in Nevada. In a battle of undefeated welterweight champions, Trinidad bested Oscar De La Hoya on Sept. 18, 1999, in a bout dubbed, “The Fight of the Millennium.”

His most exciting Nevada win was a brawl with Fernando Vargas, which he won by 12th stoppage. He knocked Vargas down five times, but Vargas knocked Trinidad down in the fourth in an amazing back-and-forth slugfest.

He also moved up to super welterweight and defeated 1996 Olympic gold medalist and defending WBA world champion David Reid outdoors at Caesars Palace on March 3, 2000.

Trinidad, who is one of 21 persons being inducted, was chosen in the non-Nevada boxer class. He said he was thrilled to learn the news he’d been elected and is looking forward to induction weekend.

“I feel very proud of being inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame,” Trinidad said. “I am honored to be considered in the Class of 2015. I worked very hard in order to please my fans and this was a consequence. I want to thank the people of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame for considering me to be part of their induction. Thank you very much to all of them.”

Remaining tickets for the Aug. 8 induction ceremony are $300, $175 and $75 and are fully tax deductible as the NVBHOF is an IRS 501 (c)3 charity. They can be purchased online at the Hall’s website, nvbhof.com.

The Hall was founded by noted boxing broadcaster Rich Marotta. Its chief operating officer is Michelle Corrales-Lewis, whose late husband, Diego Corrales, was an inaugural inductee into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

For more information, phone 702-3-NVBHOF, or 702-368-2463.

LOS ANGELES (July 2) – Golden Boy Promotions! is excited to announce a special Fan Fiesta at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Saturday, July 11 that will kick off an electrifying night of boxing before Mauricio Herrera vs. Hank Lundy. The daytime public celebration invites fans to come out and partake in pre-event festivities featuring meet-and greets with Golden Boy fighters and autograph signings, live music, food trucks, a special Corona-sponsored beer garden, and much more, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the front entrance of the arena facing Figueroa St. in downtown Los Angeles.

The pre-celebration will kick off a highly anticipated night of fights featuring a main event 10-round super lightweight bout for the vacant NABF title between Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (21-5, 7 KOs) and “Hammerin” Hank Lundy” (25-4-1, 12 KOs), as well as exhilarating bouts matching up some of the fastest-rising talent in the sport today.

As a special added bonus, fans will be able to meet boxing legends and Olympic Gold Medalists Paul Gonzales and Henry Tillman, both returning to the same arena where they won their gold medals at the 1984 Olympics, who will be on hand to sign autographs.

The pre-celebration is open to the public and fans planning to attend the fights are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at www.lacoliseum.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations and by calling 800-745-3000.

Joining the updated card, previously announced fighter Michael “The Artist” Perez (22-1-2, 10 KOs) will now face new opponent Luis Sanchez (17-3-1, 5 KOs) of Cancun, Mexico, replacing Sharif Bogere who withdrew due to injury during training camp, in a 10-round co-main event to battle for the vacant NABO Lightweight title. Also, new to the undercard, Irish power puncher and Los Angeles transplant Jason Quigley (6-0, 6 KOs) will now face Tom “Hitman” Howard (8-3, 4 KOs) of Trenton, MI in a non-televised six-round super middleweight bout; and undefeated boxer Zachary Ochoa (11-0, 5 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York, will kickoff the night facing a yet-to-be-announced opponent in a non-televised six-round super lightweight fight.

Hailing from Cancun, Mexico, Luis Sanchez made a strong professional debut in July 2011, winning his first bout against Alejandro Rodriguez in Yucatan, Mexico. He continued to keep an undefeated status while accumulating eight more wins before facing tough opponent Winston Campos who beat him with a technical knock out in April 2012. Sanchez has racked up an impressive record boasting recent wins over Adan Mares and Alfonso Torres in 2015, and in 2014, over Miguel Beltran Jr., Adrian Padron, Jesus Cruz Bibiano, and Luis Gonzalez.

Born in Trenton Michigan, but now residing in Biloxi, Mississippi, Tom Howard rose through the amateur ranks winning the Alabama Golden Gloves tournament. Howard made his professional debut in September 2012 defeating Philip Soriano. After experiencing his first pro loss in his second fight against Donald Ward, Howard won his next seven fights. His most recent two fights against Todd Manuel and Eric Bossler resulted in losses, and on July 11, Howard will return to the ring eager to claim his first victory in 2015.

Zachary Ochoa, the 23-year-old fighter hailing from Brooklyn, New York, has already accrued an impressive record staying undefeated since his professional debut at the age of 19 in 2011. One of the most promising prospects in the sweet science today, Ochoa has continuously triumphed over formidable opponents, boasting recent wins over Moises Rios, Engelberto Valenzuela, Jose Miguel Castro, and Luis Alberto Cervantes.

Herrera vs. Lundy is a 10-round super lightweight bout for the vacant NABF title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with CES Boxing and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico, Live It To Believe It! Doors open at 4:00 pm PT and the first bell rings at 4:15 p.m. PT. The HBO Latino Boxing telecast begins at 11:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT).

Tickets priced at $10, $25, $50 and $100, plus applicable taxes and service charges, and are available for purchase at www.lacoliseum.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations and by calling 800-745-3000.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.cesboxing.com, and www.lacoliseum.com,follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CESBoxing, @HBOLatino, @elmaestro1, @hammerinhank30, @theartistperez, @sharibogere, @josephdiazjr, @jay_quigley, @strikerdelgado, @nick_arce, and @angelbojado and become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, CES Facebook Page, or www.facebook.com/hbolatino, and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @CESBoxing,@mauricioherrera359, and @hammerin_hank_lundy, @michaelperezofficial, @bogereshrif, @jospehdiazjr, @jayquigley1, @elchimpa, @strikerdelgado90, @realnickarce, and @teambojado.

an Francisco, CA: At their annual convention this weekend, the NABF will officially name Main Events’ matchmaker Jolene Mizzone their Matchmaker of the Year, along with Brad Goodman of Top Rank. Mizzone has been a staple at Main Events for close to two decades. She began as the company’s receptionist and steadily worked her way up to Vice President of Operations and Matchmaker. Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said, “Jolene is the only woman in the world making championship-level fights. She’s a pioneer. She’s works so hard and has accomplished so much. She truly deserves this recognition and we are so happy to have her at Main Events. Congratulations, Jo!”

NABF President, Duane Ford, had this to say about Mizzone, “Jolene cares for the fighters and never gives up on trying to make a fight. The NABF salutes her for her determination to make World Champions. Thank you Main Events for having Jolene and for working with the North American Boxing Federation.”

Mizzone Takes Care of Business at
Mohegan Sun
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events

Each Main Events fighter wanted to extend their heartfelt congratulations to Jolene for winning this prestigious award.

(Listed Alphabetically)

Tomasz “Goral” Adamek, Former IBF Cruiserweight World Champion
“Congratulations to Jolene. She always made good matches for me. She deserves this award.”

Sullivan Barrera
“Congratulations to Jolene, truly one of the best in the business. She knows boxing! Congrats.”

Curtis Stevens and Jolene Mizzone Chat Ringside

Mairis Briedis
“I am very happy for Jolene win this award. Congratulations!”

Cassius Chaney
“Jolene has been a great contributor to the sport of boxing and a huge part of the Main Events’ brand! She’s wonderful to work with and learn from as I begin my journey in professional boxing and with Main Events. This award is well deserved and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more of them come her way!”

Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba, NABF Light Heavyweight Champion
“First, I want to congratulate Jolene for the award. I truly believe she deserves it for her hard work, efficiency and dedication.”

Mizzone Celebrates With Sullivan Barrera

Karl “Dynamite” Dargan
“Jolene is an awesome matchmaker. Glad to be a part of a team that gets their fighters the kind of fights they need, which are competitive and makes them bring out the best of us. Congrats to you Jolene, they couldn’t have picked a better matchmaker.”

Thomas “The Souljah” Falowo
“This is great news and I’m very happy for Jolene. It is great to be on the same team and looking forward to working with her in the future.”

Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov, IBF Heavyweight #1 Contender
“Congratulations, Jolene, on this award. You work very hard and no one deserve more.”

Jolene Mizzone

Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion
“I’m very glad and happy for Jolene! It’s very good that our team is making progress in the boxing world. I wish all of the best at her job in the future.”

Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin
“This is great news for Jolene and Main Events. Congratulations!”

Arif “Mayhem” Magomedov
“I am so happy for Jolene. Congratulations and best of luck to her!”

Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu
“What an awesome achievement! I’m very proud to be a part of her success and look forward to continue working under her matchmaking guidance. It’s onward and upward from here. Congratulations, Jolene.”

Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko
“It is great working with Jolene. She deserves this award. Congratulations to her.”

Nadjib “IronDjib” Mohammedi
“My sincere congratulations goes to Jolene! The NABF Matchmaker of the Year! I’m proud to be a part it. I’m in Main Events Family for a year now and everything is getting better and bigger!”

Curtis “Showtime” Stevens
“Jolene is the best in the world! Hard work pays off. Congratulations to my Jo Jo.”

Lionel “Lonnie B” Thompson
“Congratulations Jolene you did a great job! I’m pretty sure you are going to have more success in the boxing world in the future.”

Also the following managers wished to congratulate Jolene:

Egis Klimas, Manager/Advisor for Sergey Kovalev, Czar Glazkov, Vasily Lepikhin, Dmitry Mikhaylenko, Arif Magomedov, and Sullivan Barrera
“Jolene one of the best matchmakers in the boxing, being a female in this business, she must be tough person. Congratulations to her as she deserved it big time and I am always very happy to work with Jolene.”

Jodi Solomon, Manger for Isaac Chilemba
“Congratulations to Jolene. You absolutely deserve recognition for all your hard
work!!”

About Kovalev vs. Mohammedi

WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (27-0-1, 24 KOs) will compete in his first mandatory title defense against Nadjib “Irondjib” Mohammedi (37-3, 23 KOs) on Saturday, July 25 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. The co-feature will include a ten-round light heavyweight match-up between Jean Pascal (29-3-1, 17 KOs) and Yunieski Gonzalez (16-0, 12 KOs). Tickets are on sale now and start at $25. Tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster and all MGM Resorts Properties Ticket Offices. The HBO World Championship Boxing® telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

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LOS ANGELES (July 2) – Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez (14-0, 8 KOs) returns to The Belasco Theater on August 6 to headline the latest installment of the popular series LA FIGHT CLUB live on FOX Deportes. Ramirez last thrilled fans with a shutout win over seasoned fighter Raul Hidalgo in April, and will put his unbeaten record on the line again when he faces Hugo “Guerrero” Partida (21-5-2, 16 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight fight.

Also on the card, local Los Angeles favorite fighters, Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez (18-0-1, 13 KOs) and Roy “Pitbull” Tapia (10-0-2, 5 KOs) are scheduled to return to the popular series for the second time in respective bouts. Lopez is set as the co-main event of the night in a 10-round featherweight fight and Tapia will open up the FOX Deportes telecast in an eight-round super bantamweight bout. In the non-televised portion of the night, Francisco Ochoa (1-0)is set to open up the night in a four-round super featherweight brawl. Opponents will be announced shortly.

LA FIGHT CLUB: Ramirez vs. Partida is a 10-round featherweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The FOX Deportes broadcast will air live, Thursday, August 6 at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets prices starting $20 will go on sale tomorrow, July 3 and will be available for purchase online at www.goldenboypromotions.comor by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page. For ticket information, email us at LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com.

The “Knockout Experience VIP Package” is also available for an additional $25 upgrade and includes VIP entrance, access to an exclusive lounge offering food and beverages for purchase; a meet and greet opportunity with fighters and celebrities attending the event; an automatic entry into the LA FIGHT CLUB grand prize drawing, which can include but is not limited to: autograph gloves, picture in the ring, backstage access, tour of locker rooms, fighter ring walk, tickets to upcoming boxing events and additional merchandise and prizes.

A dynamic performer who can do it all in the ring, 22-year-old Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez (14-0, 8 KOs) has taken the fight world by storm since turning pro in 2012, and with each bout, the anticipation to see him in action grows. At 4-0 in 2014, the Los Angeles southpaw got 2015 off to a rousing start with his dominant win over a tough veteran in Hidalgo, and he’s eager to put on another show for LA FIGHT CLUB fans in August.

Mexico City’s Hugo “Guerrero” Partida (21-5-2, 16 KOs) is expected by many to be the toughest test of the young Ramirez’ career, and given the 24-year-old’s power and experience, that may certainly be the case on August 6. Winner of four of his last five bouts, Partida has held the interim WBC FECARBOX title at 122 pounds, and a victory over Ramirez can put him on the right track toward world title honors.

Unbeaten in 19 professional fights, La Puente, Calif.’s Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez (18-0-1, 13 KOs) wants to start making his move to the elite level at 126 pounds, and despite a draw against Juan Carlos Martinez in March, the 27-year-old’s fifth-round knockout of Alfred Tetteh in May proved that he’s ready for that next step. Owner of wins over Gabriel Tolmajyan and Aaron Garcia, Lopez is looking forward to his next challenge.

Popular East LA prospect Roy “Pitbull” Tapia (10-0-2, 5 KOs) made his first LA FIGHT CLUB appearance in March, winning a hard-fought decision over Ali Gonzalez that kept his unbeaten record intact. On August 6, the 23-year-old super bantamweight wants to start a new knockouts streak, and he promises that whoever opposes him on fight night will be in for a rough battle.

Francisco Ochoa (1-0) of South Los Angeles is a new fighter looking to make his mark in the professional boxing scene. Ochoa made an impressive professional debut on March 27, 2015 after dominating opponent Misael Chacon at Quiet Cannon in Montebello, Calif. Ochoa, who was born in Mexico, trains out of the New Generation Boxing Academy in Lynwood, Calif. He began boxing at age 7, following in the footsteps of three older brothers. He started competing at age 8 and racked up 35 wins and two losses during his fiery amateur career. On August 6, Ochoa will look to continue his winning streak in his second professional bout at LA FIGHT CLUB.

LA FIGHT CLUB is a monthly boxing series that showcases the brightest stars in the sport and present these exciting matchups in a nightclub atmosphere with an original setup. The boxing ring will be set on the main floor of the Belasco Theater with on-camera standing room for fans in front of the ring similar to a concert pit, as well as reserved balcony and floor seats. Los Angeles’ own DJ Ray of Big Boy’s Neighborhood will spin music during the fights and fans will be able to dance and mingle with the fighters when the venue converts into a night club, in a VIP experience not matched by any promoter in the industry.

Media interested in attending the August 6 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications will be available on Monday, July 6. Completed credential applications should be sent to credentials@mercuryllc.com by 5 p.m. on July 30. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information visitwww.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com,www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @FoxDeportes, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @belascola and @foxdeportes, follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB.

Philadelphia, PA (July 2, 2015)–The two champions from the 2015 Boxcino tournament, Heavyweight Andrey Fedosov and Jr. Middleweight John Thompson have each entered the world rankings on the strength of their tournament wins.

Fedosov (28-3, 23 KO’s) of Russia defeated Donovan Dennis by 8th round stoppage on May 22nd and is ranked #7 by the WBO and #15 by the WBA.

Thompson (17-1, 6 KO’s) of Newark, NJ stopped the tournament favorite Brandon Adams with a sensational 2nd round knockout and is ranked ranked #4 by the WBO and #10 by the WBA.

“John and Andrey both did a great job in the tournament and they have bright futures ahead of them,” said Banner Promotions President, Arthur Pelullo.

ORANGE, Calif. (July 2, 2015) – WBA Lightweight Champion Darleys Perez (32-1, 20 KOs) took a break from his Los Angeles-based training camp to attend last Friday’s Thompson Boxing card at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

Perez defends his WBA world lightweight championship when he meets Anthony Crolla (29-4-2, 11 KOs) in Crolla’s hometown of Manchester, England, on Saturday, July 18. Perez, who is from Colombia, is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions.

Perez is no stranger to the Doubletree Ontario. He recorded two knockout wins at this venue – one in 2011 and the other in 2012.

“These shows are just like I remember them,” said the 31-year-old Perez. “Always exciting, lots of energy, and filled with knowledgeable boxing fans. It felt good to come back as a fan and not worry about anything else.”

Perez has been training in Los Angeles under the guidance of trainer Danny Zamora. Perez became the interim champion last June when he defeated Argenis Lopez. He followed up that win with two successful title defenses, the most recent coming in January against Jonathan Maicelo.

With WBA belt holder Richar Abril not able to fight, Perez now holds the full title, while Abril is the champion in recess.

“Darleys was built for this opportunity,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing. “He has world championship talent, and in a few weeks, he’ll show the boxing community that he’s the guy to beat in the lightweight division.”

“Darelys is as talented as they come,” said Gary Shaw, president of Gary Shaw Productions. “He’s ready to take the next step in his career, and that’s to become a mainstay in the lightweight division.”

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

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

TORONTO (July 2, 2015) — Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a pair of explosive mixed martial arts events this Friday, July 3, beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET with M-1 Challenge 59: Battle of Nomads 5 from Astana, Kazakhstan. Later, at 10 p.m. ET, Resurrection Fighting Alliance returns to primetime with RFA 27: Murphy vs. Brock from CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho.

Fight Network’s live broadcast of M-1 Challenge 59 will air on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, RFA 27 will air in Canada and internationally on Fight Network, while the domestic U.S. broadcast airs on AXS TV.

In the M-1 Challenge 59 main event, Sergei “The Paratrooper” Kharitonov (22-5) and Kenny “Deuce” Garner (16-8) meet in a highly anticipated heavyweight superfight rematch. In other featured bouts, Poland’s Michal Wiencek (5-2) faces Ukraine’s Shavkat Rakhmonov (3-0) in a welterweight bout, UFC veteran Luigi Fioravanti (25-13) looks to hand Russia’s Sergey Kovalev (5-0) his first pro blemish in middleweight action, England’s Andy Young (6-6) meets Ukraine’s Sergey Morozov (3-0) in a bantamweight matchup, plus Spaniards David Trallero (2-3) and Daniel Tabera (18-7-3) will collide with Zaur Gadzhibabayev (3-1) and Rashid Dagaev (2-1), respectively.

In the main event of RFA 27, the first nationally televised MMA event to the state of Idaho, rising prospect and fan favorite Joe Murphy (8-2) returns to face surging veteran Jesse Brock (20-8), who is one of the most accomplished MMA fighters to call Idaho home. The co-main event will feature two of the sport’s most promising flyweight prospects when Idaho’s own Czar Sklavos (11-4) battles Jeremy Horn protégé Nick Burgos (9-3). In other action, Jan Jorgensen (7-1) throws down with JR Lugo (7-1) in heavyweight action, featherweights Daniel Swain (12-4-1) and Scott Thometz (7-4) are set to face off, Miles Hunsinger (4-0) puts his perfect record on the line against Austin Miller (3-1) in welterweight action, plus Darrell Flores (5-4) takes on Stephen Martinez (10-3) in a lightweight tilt.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (July 2, 2015) – Bellator MMA is pleased to announce the signing of heavyweight, Chase Gormley (12-4, 1 NC), to an exclusive, multi-fight deal.

Gormley’s debut date and opponent will be announced in the near future.

The Los Angeles native joins a vast list of recent signings for the Scott Coker-led promotion, names that include: Josh Koscheck, Ed Ruth, Melvin Guillard, Phil Davis, Aaron Pico and Justin Lawrence among others.

“I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to compete for Bellator MMA with Scott Coker at the helm,” Gormley said. “I can’t think of a better way to show that I am one of the best heavyweights in the world than here, and with a platform like Spike it won’t be long before everyone knows my name.”

Gormley made his professional MMA debut in 2007, winning his first six bouts and earning a spot under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner. After suffering defeat for the first time, the longtime Reign MMA product returned to the regional circuit and has won his last five contests.

Most recently, Gormley has impressed in Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Titan Fighting Championship, where he scored a March 20th unanimous decision victory over Jon Madsen that earned him the vacant Titan FC heavyweight title.

Gormley will join Bellator’s heavyweight division, which is home to stars like Champion Vitaly Minakov, Kimbo Slice, Cheick Kongo, Bobby Lashley, Ewerton Teixeira and Lorenzo Hood.

About Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike, the MMA television leader. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About Spike:
Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

Nutley, NJ (July 2, 2015)–Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions is proud to announce the signing of undefeated Jr. Lightweight O’Shanique Foster to an exclusive promotional contract.

Foster is from Beaumont, Texas and trains out of Houston.

He has a record of 6-0 with three knockouts.

He was a former amateur star where he was a two-time national Jr. Golden Gloves champion, five-time Ringside National champion, National PAL champion and 2011 Houston Golden Gloves champion. He made it to the finals of the Olympic trials before losing to eventual Olympian Joseph Diaz.

“This is a great opportunity. GH3 Promotions is a great company. they have a lot of up and coming fighters. I grew up with (fellow GH3 fighters) Adam Lopez, Antoine Douglas and Jerry Odom.” said Foster.

“I am a boxer puncher. When people see me when I get to the television level fights, I think people will love my talent and style. I know the way Vito moves his fighters so I can expect to fight about 7 times over the next 12 months.”

“I can’t wait to meet everyone with GH3 Promotions and take this as far as I can I strive to be great and I want to be remembered as one of the greats,” finished Foster.

Said Foster’s manager / trainer Craig Stilley, “O’Shanique can box and bang. I have not seen many fighters that can do what he can do. I have been in boxing for 21 years and he is the best talent that I have ever worked with.”

“We are excited to get O’Shanique going. I have heard some great things about him and I believe he is a serious prospect. He fits into our blueprint of signing great young talent and we look forward to getting him in the ring in August,” Said Mielnicki.

GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight Jerrell Harris,undefeated Super Bantamweight Qa’id Muhammad, undefeated lightweight Oscar Bonilla, Heavyweight Natu Visinia and Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell to the GH3 Promotions stable.

SAN ANTONIO, TX (July 2, 2015) – 20-year old unbeaten super-featherweight sensation, Mario Barrios (9-0, 5 KOs), returns to the ring against an opponent TBA July 18, 2015. The 8-round bout will take place in Barrios’ home state at the Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas on the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Marcos Reyes card.

At 6’1, Barrios who is managed by Al Hayman, is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the super-featherweight division. After campaigning at featherweight earlier in his career, the San Antonio star is getting better with each fight. The move up in weight is not permanent, but something his team feels is appropriate for this fight.

“I feel real strong at 130 pounds and that’s where I’ll be fighting at for my next fight,” said Mario Barrios. “But if a big fight come up at featherweight, I’m still ok to make that weight. With each day that goes by, I feel I’m becoming a better fighter. Every day in the gym is another day that I increase my knowledge of this sport.

Fighting in his home state of Texas is something Barrios relishes. This will be the fourth time Mario will be fighting in the Lone Star State. In his last fight, Barrios defeated Jose Del Valle by way of a 6th round knockout, a fight that took place at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.

“I love fighting in Texas in front of my family and hometown fans,” Barrios continued. “Everyone in Texas loves to see good fights and that’s my goal every time I step into the ring. I want to bring excitement to the fans and my fighting style fits that role. I don’t know who I’ll be fighting on July 18th but one thing I do know is, I’ll be letting my hands go!