ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Jan. 5, 2015) — M-1 Global has announced its 2015 M-1 Challenge schedule of events, kicking-off February 21 with M-1 Challenge 55, dedicated to the memory of M-1 Challenge’s first heavyweight champion, Guram Gugenishvili, at Tbilisi, Georgia.

M-1 Global will promote a total of 12 M-1 Challenge events in 2015, including seven in Russia as well as single events in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China and Czech Republic.

Gugenishvili (12-2-0, 1 KO/TKO, 10 SUB) died this past November in a car accident.

The 6′ 5″, 249-pound Gugenishvili was from Tbilisi, Georgia, which was chosen as the site of M-1 Challenge 55 as a tribute to him.

The M-1 Challenge 55 card will soon be announced.

Below find a 2015 M-1 Challenge promotional link about its 2015 season plus a Gugenishvili photo gallery:

BROOKLYN, NY (JANUARY 5, 2015–Promoter Dmitriy Salita is proud and pleased to announce another hard-hitter to his Star of David Promotions team.

Ytaleo Perea, a heavyweight from Ecuador, who fought in the 2012 Olympics and won the Pan American gold for the second time at age 18, will be battling under the Salita banner, the promoter announced.

Perea, will scrap on the next Star of David show, which will unfold on Jan. 22, at Webster Hall in NYC.

“Perea is extremely talented and owns incredible achievements which are very impressive for such a young athlete ” said Salita. “This includes Pan Am Games gold medal wins, wins over Cuban world champions, gold at Americas Olympic qualifiers participation in the Olympics and highlight reel knockouts on an elite level, all under the age of 19. He has tremendous potential. With the right training and fight schedule I expect him to excel in the pro ranks. The huge Spanish-speaking community in NYC will be very excited to follow this fighter who could be a future star. We are very excited to add him to our talent roster.”

Check the Star of David website for ticket information, so you can check out rising star Perea in person. www.salitapromotions.com

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 5, 2015) – With a high stakes welterweight (170 pounds) matchup between two of the world’s most decorated Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) superstars and submission experts – Jake Shields (30-7-1, 1 NC) of San Francisco, Calif. and Brian Foster (22-6) of Sallisaw, Okla. – set to headline the World Series of Fighting (www.wsof.com) event on Saturday, January 17 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, the card has received four additional supporting bouts for the evening’s live NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) telecast.

Prior to the highly anticipated headliner, WSOF 17: Shields vs. Foster will also feature lightweight (155 pounds) veteran Brian “The Bandit” Cobb (20-8) against undefeated prospect Johnny “Johnny Boy” Nunez (5-0).

A pair of undefeated, middleweight (185 pounds) rising stars – Bulgarian Krasimir “The Wrestler” Mladenov (11-0) and Brendan Kornberger (5-0) of Vancouver, British Columbia Canada – will put their perfect records on the line against each other.

Additionally, bantamweight (135 pounds) Bryson Hansen (7-2) faces “Ruthless” Rudy Morales (3-1) and welterweight (170 pounds) Adam Cella (6-2) meets Danny “Dee1” Davis Jr. (10-8-1) in the card’s first live NBCSN televised bout.

Priced from $29.99, tickets for WSOF 17: Shields vs. Foster are on sale at Ticketmaster.com and WSOF.com.

Cobb, of Bakersfield, Calif., returns for his third appearance under the WSOF banner. In the promotion’s inaugural event, he earned a split-decision win over Brazilian standout Ronys Torres.

Cobb returned in 2013 and showed great heart, but ultimately suffered a TKO loss to undefeated WSOF superstar Justin Gaethje, who went on to capture the world lightweight title.

Nunez, of Las Vegas, Nev., is an Xtreme Couture-trained athlete who has competed professionally since 2012 and boasts a perfect record through his first five starts. In March, Nunez made his first appearance for WSOF, earning a hard-fought split-decision victory over fellow top prospect Ozzy Dugulubgov.

The 28-year-old Mladenov is one of Bulgaria’s top fighting exports. Unbeaten through the first 11 fights of his career, Mladenov now fights for the third time under the WSOF banner after earning previous wins over the hard-hitting Angel DeAnda and Kendrick Miree.

Mladenov has shown an ability to finish fights, with four submission wins to his credit, but he can also grind out wins, as witnessed by the six victories he has produced by decision.

The hard-punching Kornberger has only been taken the distance once, thus far, in his professional career that he ignited on March 12, 2010 with a first round (1:36) TKO of Troy Hardy with a barrage of punches. In his last start on Oct. 3, 2014, Kornberger scored his fourth career TKO with a third round (2:55) stoppage of Brad Stewart.

Xtreme Couture prospect Hansen, a Honolulu, Hawaii native who now lives in Las Vegas, looks to rebound from a disappointing August decision loss to Matt Sayles at WSOF 12. The loss came on the heels of a stellar 46-second KO of Sean Cantor. The heavy-handed Hawaiian boasts five KO’s in his seven career victories.

Morales, a Wand Fight Team prospect, will enjoy the opportunity to fight in his hometown of Las Vegas. After falling short in his pro debut, Morales has since earned three straight wins and now makes his WSOF debut.

Cella, from St. Louis, Mo., started his career 4-0 with four first-round stoppages and earned his way on to The Ultimate Fighter 17, though he came up short against eventual finalist Uriah Hall. Since his UFC run, Cella has gone 2-1 with two more first-round finishes.

Davis is another Las Vegas resident currently enjoying the best run of his career, a four-fight winning streak that includes WSOF wins over Jorge Lopez and Phil Dace.

The preliminary bout card for WSOF 17: Shields vs. Foster will be announced soon.

About “World Series of Fighting” (WSOF)

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

ABOUT NBCSN
NBCSN, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 85 million homes, the Emmy Award-winning network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL) – including two games of the Stanley Cup Final — Premier League, Formula One, IndyCar, Tour de France, the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2015, NASCAR. In addition, NBCSN features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk, The Dan Patrick Show, and NASCAR America. NBCSN is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

Mashantucket, CT: Karl “Dynamite” Dargan (17-0, 9 KOs), the undefeated lightweight from Philadelphia, PA who wowed Foxwoods audiences with a brutal fifth round knockout of Angino Perez back in September, returns to the Fox Theatre to face Tony “The Lightning” Luis (18-2, 7 KOs) for the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Championship live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights on Jan. 30. In the co-feature, middleweight Thomas Falowo (12-3, 8 KOs) of Pawtucket, Rhode Island will square off against Russell Lamour (11-0, 5 KOs) of Portland, Maine for eight rounds. The doors will open at 5:00 PM ET and the FNF telecast will begin at 9:00 PM ET. Tickets ($40, $60 and $75) are already on sale through Foxwoods.com and the Foxwoods box office.

Karl “Dynamite” Dargan
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events

Although this will be the 29-year old Dargan’s first appearance on Friday Night Fights he is no stranger to fighting on the national stage. His last appearance at Foxwoods was a special afternoon edition of Fight Night on NBC. With his knockout of Perez in September, he added the Junior NABF Lightweight Title to his collection, which already included the USBA Atlantic Coast Region Lightweight Title. The WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Championship is a vacant title so Dargan will be looking to add a third belt to his collection on Jan. 30.

The 26-year old Luis is from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. In his last appearance he defeated Wanzell Ellison in an eight-round unanimous decision. This will be the second ten-round fight of his career. In Luis’ first ten-round fight earlier this year, he lost the vacant USBA Lightweight Title to Ivan Redkach. After making his professional debut in 2008, Luis won his first 15 fights before.

Tony “The Lightning” Luis
Photo Courtesy of:
Greg Cohen Promotions

Thomas Falowo, a local fighter from Pawtucket, RI is 26 and will make the second appearance of his career at Foxwoods. Falowo knocked out Zack Thomas in the third round in his last appearance in front of the Foxwoods fans. In his last fight he was stopped in the seventh round against Ronald Gavril in Las Vegas, NV.
Falowo’s undefeated opponent, Russell Lamour, is 32-years old and will make his Foxwoods debut on Jan. 30. He kept busy in 2014 with five fights (all victories). This will be the third eight-round fight in Lamour’s career.

Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said, “We’re very excited to be working with ESPN and with Foxwoods again. Dargan had a big 2014 and we expect 2015 to be even bigger. With this fight, he’ll have another opportunity to pick up a regional title and move up in the lightweight rankings, but it won’t be easy. Tony Luis will press the action so Dargan will have to fight. On a national platform like ESPN, a big win in an explosive fight can catapult the winner to stardom. Both of these fighters understand that, so I expect a great fight on January 30th.”

About January 30
Presented by Main Events in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, the Jan. 30 edition of Friday Night Fights on ESPN2 and will take place at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT. It features a ten-round lightweight battle between undefeated contender Karl “Dynamite” Dargan (17-0, 9 KOs) against Tony “The Lightning” Luis (18-2, 7 KOs) for the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Championship in the main event. The co-feature is an eight-round middleweight bout between Thomas Falowo (12-3, 8 KOs) against Russell Lamour (11-0, 5 KOs). The remaining undercard bouts will be announced shortly. Tickets are $40, $60 and $75 and available now through Foxwoods.com and the Foxwoods box office. The doors will open at 5:00 PM ET and the Friday Night Fights telecast will begin at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN2.

Las Vegas, Nevada – The world’s largest mixed martial arts fight library is going to get a whole lot bigger in 2015.

UFC FIGHT PASS, the UFC’s digital streaming service, has obtained the rights to the fight archives of Cage Rage, Extreme Challenge MMA, the XFO, UCMMA, Hook N Shoot, TKO, King of the Cage and the Pancrase organizations.

The UFC FIGHT PASS library extension was announced earlier today in Las Vegas.

UFC’s Chief Content Officer Marshall Zelaznik said: “When we launched UFC FIGHT PASS one year ago, we said that it would keep getting better and better and would offer fight fans unrivaled value for money. We believe we’ve delivered on that promise yet again with this exciting announcement that these major fight libraries will be coming to FIGHT PASS.”

The new libraries will join those of the WEC, Strikeforce, WFA, PRIDE FC, EliteXC, Affliction, Invicta FC and of course UFC on UFCFIGHTPASS.com.

Zelaznik said fans will begin to see selected content from these new libraries added to the FIGHT PASS service in the spring, with content uploaded throughout 2015.

He said: “When we are finally done ingesting all these new libraries, we expect to be offering our members access to over 13,000 fights from all over the world and across and the entire history of our sport. That’s an astonishing 6,500 hours of archived fights on top of all the interviews, documentaries, original programming and live fights we have on UFC FIGHT PASS.”

The new fight archives will include:

· Cage Rage – the British based promotion was active from 2002 to 2008 and featured Vitor Belfort, Michael Bisping, Anderson Silva, “Bigfoot” Silva, Dan Severn, Brad Pickett and more.

· Extreme Challenge MMA – Formed in the mid-1990s, Extreme Challenge’s vast library includes everything from MMA pioneer fights with the likes of UFC Hall of Famers Dan Severn, Matt Hughes and Pat Miletich to bouts featuring modern UFC starts including Tim Kennedy and reigning welterweight champion Robbie Lawler.

· XFO – The premiere regional promotion in American’s Mid-West since its 2004 inception, the X-Treme Fighting Organization’s archives boast appearances from Chael Sonnen, Clay Guida, Jamie Varner and Felice Herrig.

· UCMMA – the successor to Cage Rage Championships, UCMMA features some of the best British talent including the early bouts of Jimi Manuwa, Tom Watson and Brad Pickett.

· Hook N Shoot – A US based group which ran from the mid-1990s to 2011 and boasted appearances from future UFC fighters like champions Jens Pulver and Frank Mir, contenders including Antonio Nogueira and female pioneers including Miesha Tate.

· King of the Cage – Founded in 1998 in California, KOTC has featured a who’s who of MMA over the years, including Dan Severn, Rampage Jackson, Daniel Cormier, Rory MacDonald, Urijah Faber, and early career appearances from current UFC champions Ronda Rousey, Demetrious Johnson, Robbie Lawler and TJ Dillashaw.

· TKO – This Canadian league ran from 2000 to 2008 and served as a proving ground for the best Canadian talent including Patrick Cote, Sam Stout and Mark Hominick and Georges St-Pierre.

· Pancrase – Launched in 1993, this iconic organization from Japan has featured legendary MMA pioneers including Ken Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Josh Barnett and Masakatsu Funaki plus more modern names like Jose Aldo and Chael Sonnen.

Further details will be announced in the coming weeks and months.

UFC FIGHT PASS is available now at UFCFIGHTPASS.com on personal computers, Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, Chromecast, Android, Samsung, LG Smart TV and Roku. Subscriptions are $9.99 month to month, $8.99 per month for six months or $7.99 per month for a one-year subscription.

Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Beijing, Singapore and Sao Paulo, the UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries to 800+ million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S. which includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. UFC also owns over 100 UFC GYM® locations,UFC.TV (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT™ (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC 360 (the internationally distributed magazine), a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, best-selling DVDs and Blu-rays, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, Octagon™ branded apparel and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit www.UFC.com and follow UFC at www.Facebook.com/UFC and Twitter: @UFC.

Baltimore, MD (January 2, 2015) – Multi-time champion Irish Joey “Bazooka Joe” Veazey will once again headline when he faces Lamont White in the main event of “Federal Hill Slugfest” Friday, January 23 at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, MD.

“Federal Hill Slugfest” is promoted by Baltimore Boxing Promotions and tickets starting at $25 are available at Baltimoreboxing.com or by calling 410-375-9175. VIP seats for $50 and VIP tables of 10 for $500 are also available. All VIP ticketholders get free hors d’oeuvres from 7-8 pm.

A huge ticket seller who fights out of the Baltimore Boxing Gym, Veazey is the current East Coast Junior Middleweight champion. Earlier this year, Veazy won a silver medal at the 2014 National Junior Golden Gloves. Having won or placed near the top in tournaments since his earliest days as a boxer, Veazey is expected to be a player in the paid ranks in the near future.

In the co-feature, Allan Burris of Baltimore meets Washington DC’s Jessie Singletary and Baltimore Boxing will also have a special attraction women’s bout between popular locals Courtney Hartlove and Melissa Wilson.

More bouts will be announced shortly.

“Baltimore Boxing is thrilled to return to Michael’s Eighth Avenue,” said Jake Smith, CEO of Baltimore Boxing Promotions. “Joey Veazey continues to impress and will put on a great show for his loyal fan base. Every time we do a card at Michael’s, the building is packed. Ticket sales are already very strong so make sure to get yours in advance because we’re expecting a sell out!”

In addition to an excellent evening of boxing, Baltimore Boxing will have a 50/50 raffle. 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Baltimore Boxing’s amateur program, which has helped keep kids off the street and in the gym for more than 20 years.

Doors open at 6:30 and the first fight begins at 8:15.

For more information, go to Baltimoreboxing.com

NEW JERSEY (January 2, 2015) – With less than two weeks before his showdown with WBA Interim lightweight champion Darleys Perez (31-1, 20 KOs), Peruvian contender Jonathan Maicelo (21-1, 12 KOs) reflects on his training camp and the golden opportunity his promoter Gary Shaw has provided for him. The 12-round bout will take place at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California and air live on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” on January 9, 2015. Maicelo is rated WBA #7, WBO #13 and WBC #22.

Maicelo on fighting Perez on ESPN “Friday Night Fights”…..
“I’m very thankful to my promoter Gary Shaw for bringing me back on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights”. I’m looking to redeem myself from my last performance when I lost to Nugaev. I’ve learned from that loss and have every intention on bringing home the victory. This is a big opportunity for Team Maicelo to shine on national television.”

Maicelo on Darleys Perez as a fighter…..
“Perez is a very determined fighter who worked his way back to the top after losing to Gamboa. He’s got a lot of heart but I feel I’m the more skilled fighter. He has a lot of experience fighting at the top level. He’s a crafty veteran, but this is my time to show the world that I’m the better fighter.”

Maicelo on training camp…..
“We’ve had a great training camp here in New Jersey. We did all of our sparring in the Bronx where I’ve had over 100 rounds of good work with top guys. The focus is there with my trainer Butch Sanchez. Together we have a great game plan that we will execute on fight night.”

Maicelo on fighting for the WBA Interim Championship…..
“I’ve always dreamed of becoming a world champion and a win against Perez will be incredible. It’s been a long road to get to where I am today and I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by. Gary Shaw came through on his promise to get me this fight and I’m going to make him and everyone in my country proud. The WBA Interim Championship is mine for the taking.”

“I’m very excited about this fight,” said Gary Shaw. “You have two warriors ready to leave everything in the ring. Maicelo is very confident in his abilities as is Perez, which makes for a very entertaining fight. The Chumash Casino will be rocking on January 9th, that you can take to the bank.”

The ESPN “Friday Night Fights” telecast begins Friday January 9, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. EST / 6:00 p.m. PST from the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif. Tickets priced $35, $50, $65, $85, and $95 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Chumash Casino Box office or online at HERE. Doors open at 5:00 P.M, first fight starts at 5:30 P.M.

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 2, 2015) – Crowd-pleasing WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KOs) puts his title and unbeaten record on the line in a 12-round bout against Jesus “Estrella” Ruiz (33-5-5, 22 KOs). Plus promising world-ranked undefeated junior welterweight Amir “Young Master” Imam (15-0, 13 KOs) will face hard-hitting Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. (19-2, 16 KOs) in a 10-round fight, promising an undercard full of action on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

The Jan. 17 “Return To Glory” fight card co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions is highlighted by a heavy-duty main-event matchup that has stirred the interest of even the most casual sports fan — dangerous defending WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of Haiti, against unbeaten mandatory challenger Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs) of Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Tickets for the event are on sale and priced at $500, $350, $250, $125 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

“2015 is going to be a huge year for boxing and Golden Boy’s opening act in Las Vegas will get things started with a bang,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions.

“In addition to Deontay Wilder looking to bring a heavyweight title back to America for the first time in a decade, longtime favorite Leo Santa Cruz and rising star Fidel Maldonado Jr. — electric fighters with significant power — will both appear in separate fights on the undercard, giving boxing fans a chance to see three top stars in action on a single card.”

All-action and two-division world champion Santa Cruz, of Los Angeles, Calif., will be making his fourth defense of the 122-pound title he won with a third-round knockout over Victor “Vikingo” Terrazas (37-3-1, 21 KOs) on Aug. 24, 2013. Santa Cruz, 26, is coming off of a second-round technical knockout over Manuel “Suavecito” Roman (17-3-3, 17 KOs) on Sept. 13 at MGM Grand.

Before stepping up a notch in weight, Santa Cruz was the IBF Bantamweight World Champion, winning that belt in June 2012 and making three defenses. An excellent body puncher who is at his best when he keeps up a relentless pace, pressures his opponents and wears them down, Santa Cruz is 7-0 with three knockouts in world title fights.

Santa Cruz, who’s as personable and courteous outside the ring as he is ferocious and determined inside, said, “I feel great about my upcoming fight with Ruiz. He is a strong fighter, undefeated in the past two years and the kind of opponent I want to fight.”

“I want to put on a great show on Jan. 17,” Santa Cruz continued. “And show boxing fans that I am a strong fighter ready to go to the next level and take on the top, tough fighters in the division: Guillermo Rigondeaux, Scott Quigg, Carl Frampton and Abner Mares.”

Jesus Ruiz of, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, retired his amateur status at the tender age of 16. He has won five in a row, including a clear 10-round decision in perhaps a career-best performance over Leonilo “Veneno” Miranda (36-7, 33 KOs) in his most recent start on Nov. 7, 2014.

A professional since November of 2006, the 25-year-old Ruiz will be getting the opportunity of a lifetime in just his third start in the United States (and third outside of Mexico). He won a lopsided eight-round decision over Enrique “Cuate” Quevedo (16-7-1, 10 KOs) on Aug. 24, 2013, in Cabazon, Calif., after losing his U.S. debut on an upset split decision in Tucson, Ariz., in July of 2008.

“I want thank Golden Boy Promotions and SHOWTIME for this great opportunity to fight for the world title,” said Ruiz. “I know many believe I have no chance, but I am well prepared and ready to give my all. I am ready for war and ready to leave it all in the ring like a true Mexican warrior.”

Like the heavyweights in the main event, Albany, New York native, Amir Imam (pronounced “EE-mom”) and Fidel Maldonado Jr., of Albuquerque, New Mexico, are not accustomed to putting in a full night’s work. Between them they have gone the distance only six times in a combined 37 fights.

“Amir Imam is a great kid and a very exciting fighter, and this is going to be a very exciting fight,” said Hall of Fame promoter Don King. “I think Amir is going to be the next Tito Trinidad. He can both box and punch and he is going to be a bad man. I want a title for Amir and this fight with Maldonado is en route to that.”

“This is by far the biggest fight of my career and I’ve got to show the world what I’ve got,” Imam said. “I know that Maldonado is a southpaw and he comes forward and throws a lot of punches. I plan on boxing the kid for 10 rounds, but if the opportunity for a KO comes then I will go get it. I’m not letting anyone take this opportunity away from me. I have worked too hard for it.”

“Maldonado had a great amateur background, he’s very smart and he’s a very good fighter. It’s going to be a great fight,” said Imam’s head trainer Stacey McKinley. “Maldonado’s fought a better class of fighters than Amir but never fought a fighter like Amir and most have not. He’s not strong enough for Amir and Amir will walk straight through him. Amir will be Don King’s next superstar.”

Imam, an amateur standout and silver medalist at the 2011 U.S. Olympic Trials, “doesn’t get paid for overtime” in the professional ranks as 11 of his fights ended in rounds one or two.
The 24-year-old has steadily improved as his professional career has progressed and is 2-0 on ShoBox: The New Generation. In what was expected to be his toughest test, Imam knocked out Jeremy “Hollywood” Bryan (17-5, 7 KOs) in the second round of his ShoBox debut on April 12, 2013.

Since the Bryan blowout, Imam’s taken a big step up in competition, most notably in his last three fights, beginning with a fourth-round stoppage of then-undefeated Jared “The Quiet Storm” Robinson (14-0) on Feb. 21, 2014, in Cleveland on ShoBox; the following May 10 on a unanimous eight-round decision over Yordenis Ugas (15-3, 7 KOs) (it was Imam’s first fight to go the distance since his pro debut in November 2011); and most recently, last Dec. 13 when he stopped Santos “El Toro” Benavides (23-6-2, 17 KOs) in the sixth round.

Maldonado Jr., 23, is a tough, hard-nosed, aggressive-minded left-hander who’d won six straight, five by knockout, before his last outing ended in a third round no contest against Fernando “Picapiedra” Silva on Dec. 20, 2014, in Cancun, Mexico.

“I have been training hard since my last fight against Fernando Silva, and have had no time off,” said Maldonado Jr. “I am ready to get the job done, and I hope he is ready. My goal is to show fans that I can put on a great show, step up the competition and get ready for a title match one fight at a time.”

The NC stopped some of the momentum Maldonado Jr. had regained in the previous 18 months, since suffering his second pro loss on a disputed 10-round split decision to fellow prospect Michael “The Artist” Perez (21-1-2, 10 KOs) on Aug. 24, 2012, on ShoBox in Indio, Calif. Maldonado Jr. was out-boxed and clearly behind on points early but rallied to floor and hurt Perez badly with the last punch of the hotly contested fight in which Maldonado Jr. felt he was robbed.

***

SHOWTIME Sports® will present ALL ACCESS: STIVERNE VS. WILDER on Friday, Jan. 9 at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

Stiverne vs. Wilder, a 12-round world championship bout for Stiverne’s WBC Heavyweight World Title, is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions. Unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defends against Jesus Ruiz and undefeated junior welterweight Amir Imam meets Fidel Maldonado Jr. in the co-featured bouts. The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., and will air live on SHOWTIME (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (8 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

For more information visit www.donking.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BStiverne, @BronzeBomber, @SHOSports and @MGMGrand and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com/.

Chester, PA (December 31, 2014)–On Saturday night, January 31, undefeated Jr. Middleweight Prichard Colon will take on Jonathan Batista
in the featured bout on a 10 bout card at Harrahs Philadelphia.

The show is promoted by Kings Promotions and XFE.

Colon of Orocovis, Puerto Rico and Batista will square in the 8-round bout that will top a bill that will feature 9 undefeated fighters.

Colon, 22 years old, has a record of 12-0 with 10 knockouts and will be fighting for the 13th time in just under two years. He is coming off a 8-round unanimous decision over Christopher Degollado (11-2) on September 11 in Las Vegas.

Batista of the Dominican Republic has a record of 14-5 with seven knockouts.

The 30 year-old Batitsa will be facing his 6th undefeated fighter and Colon will be the 4th straight unblemished opponent.

Batista has a win over previously undefeated Ruddy Ascasio (2-0). He is coming off a 6-round unanimous decision defeat to Dominique Dolton (14-0) on November 14 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

In the 8-round co-feature, undefeated Gervonte Davis will fight Israel Suarez in a Featherweight bout.

Davis of Baltimore, Md. has a record of 9-0 with 8 knockouts.

He is coming off a 6-round unanimous decision over 79-fight veteran German Meraz on October 8 in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Suarez of Luquillo, Puerto Rico has a record of 4-4-2 with 1 knockout.

He is capable with wins over Omar Pena (2-0-1) and Fauris Capellan (1-0) as well as a draw with Frank Trader (10-1). He is coming off a close split decision defeat to Frankie De Alba on April 18 in Allentown, PA.

In 6-round bouts:

Grayson Blake (5-3, 2 KO’s) of State College, PA will face Anthony Prescott (5-4-2, 2 KO’s) of Cherry Hill, NJ.in a Jr.

Kyrone Davis (5-0, 3 KO’s) of Wilmington, DE will take on an opponent to be named in a Middleweight bout.

Stephen Fulton (3-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be announced in a Jr. Featherweight bout.

Caleb Plant (5-0, 4 KO’s) of Ashland, Tennessee will fight David Lopez (4-11-3, 1 KO) of Caldwell, Idaho in a Middleweight fight.

Kareem Martin (3-0-1, 2 KO’s) of Washington, DC will battle James Robinson (3-2-2, 1 KO) of York, PA in a Welterweight fight.

Willie Jones (4-0, 2 KO’s) of Tampa, FL will square off with Christian Steele (4-11-2, 1 KO) of York, PA in a Welterweight tilt.

In 4-round Bouts:

Earl Newman (3-1, 3 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will fight Darnell Hayes (0-1) of Lebanon, PA in a Cruiserweight battle.

Robert Irizarry (2-0-1) of Cherry Hill, NJ will box Luis Acevedo (1-0-1) of Bethlehem, PA in a fight between undefeated Featherweights.

Tickets for this great night of boxing cost $100, $75 and $50 and can be purchased by calling 610-587-5950 or www.hboxing.eventbrite.com

The 1st bout will start at 7 PM with the doors opening at 6 PM.

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 30) – On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Golden Boy Promotions will celebrate Bernard Hopkins’ 50th birthday with a night of boxing fit for a legend. This special Golden Boy Live! installment is set to give fans something to celebrate along with the “The Alien’s” landmark moment. The night of fights will air on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes live from the 2300 Arena in Bernard’s hometown of Philadelphia.

In the main event, Philly’s own Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) faces highly regarded Nicaraguan junior lightweight contender Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the super lightweight co-main 10-round event, rising junior welterweight star Michael “The Artist” Perez of Newark, New Jersey looks to extend his current unbeaten streak to eight fights, he will face a to be announced opponent. Plus, Opening the televised action is Washington, D.C.’s undefeated fighter Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round junior lightweight battle against an opponent yet to be named.

“I’m so excited that Golden Boy has decided to honor my birthday in this way,” said Hopkins. “The best present that they can give me is to bring a great night of fights to my hometown and give Philly boxing fans something to celebrate.”

Hopkins, fresh from his hard-fought 12-round title fight with Sergey Kovalev on November 8, turns 50 on January 15. “The Alien” will attend the event held in his honor and will be featured on the television broadcast.
Hunter vs. Alvarado, a 10-round featherweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Joe HandPromotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Mexico – Live It To Believe It! Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event are priced at $75 for ringside, $50 for general reserved and $35 for reserved corner. Tickets are available by calling (215) 364-9000, online at www.wanatix.com or at 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19148.

Hard-nosed Philly native Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) is a popular local hero who is ready to make his name on the national and international scene. Unbeaten in four of his last five fights, the 28-year-old won the USBA title last March with a win over Yenifel Vicente and in his most recent outing, he stopped 11-1 prospect Daniel Ramirez in six rounds.

Managua, Nicaragua’s Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) has won four of his last five bouts, most recently bouncing back from an upset loss to Rocky Juarez by defeating Juan Pablo Sanchez for the WBC International title in October. Eager to get back into the title race in 2015, the 25-year-old wants to deliver the kind of performances that guarantee a shot at the 130-pound crown.

Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Michael “The Artist” Perez (21-1, 10 KOs) is excited to take the trip to Philadelphia for what is close enough to be called a home game. With a record of 6-0-1 in his last seven bouts, the 24-year-old is coming off of two successful defenses of his WBA Fedelatin Title in 2014 when he defeated Jorge Romero and Jared Robinson. Currently ranked sixth in the world by the WBA, Perez wants to make a statement in his first fight of 2015 that he’s ready for a shot at the world championship.

Undefeated newcomer, Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) is quickly becoming an exciting fighter to watch in the sport. Hailing from Washington D.C., Roach Jr., scored a knockdown and dominated a four-round decision over Puerto Rico’s Alexander Charneco in his Dec 6 bout.

An all-star undercard also includes Avery Sparrow (3-0, 1 KO, Philadelphia), Ismael Garcia (7-0-1, 3 KOs, Vineland, NJ) and Raymond Serrano (19-2, 9 KOs, Philadelphia)

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, www.JoeHandPromotions.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Swanson_comm, @FOXSports, @FOXSports1, @FOXDeportes, @JoeHandPromo and, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, www.facebook.com/JoeHandPromotions
and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @JoeHandPromo

ESPN Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will return for its 18th season Friday, Jan. 9, at 9 p.m. ET, live on ESPN2 with a 12-round lightweight bout between WBA #1 ranked Darleys Pérez (31-1, 20 KOs) and Jonathan Maicelo (21-1, 12 KOs). The winner of the bout will be next in line to fight WBA World Champion Richar Abril. The 10-round co-feature will feature up-and-coming welterweight contender Francisco Santana (21-3-1, 10 KOs). The fights, from the Chumash Resort and Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif., will also be televised on ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra at 10:30 p.m. and will be carried live on broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+. The card is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.

“As seen with last year’s WBC Heavyweight Title fight, the resurrection of the Boxcino tournament and our Fall Boxing Specials, our goal is to continue to find new ways to surprise and excite boxing fans,” said Brian Kweder, ESPN senior director of programming and acquisitions. “This season promises to be no different with several stellar fights either scheduled or in the planning stages and the highly anticipated debut of the heavyweights in this year’s edition of the Boxcino tournament.”

Full screen previewESPN2 Commentators/Studio:
Blow-by-blow commentators Joe Tessitore and Todd Grisham (@GrishamESPN) will again share ringside duties alongside analyst Teddy Atlas on ESPN2. Both Tessitore and Atlas are recipients of the prestigious Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism presented by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA): Atlas (2001), Tessitore (2010). Grisham, who will call the fights with Atlas during the season opener, will also return for his third season as studio host providing all the latest boxing news and highlights when not calling fights. Bilingual reporter Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) will contribute to Friday Night Fights in English, and Noche de Combates (Fight Night) in Spanish.

Full screen previewESPN Deportes Commentators/Studio:
Delvin Rodríguez will call the fights with Pablo Viruega for Noche de Combates on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+, while Leopoldo González and Claudia Trejos will return as studio hosts. Hall of Fame referee Joe Cortez will make appearances in studio throughout the season and Osuna will provide reports and interviews each week.

Golpe a Golpe, ESPN Deportes’ weekly 60-minute boxing news and analysis show (generally 4 p.m. Saturdays), will be co-hosted by Juan Manuel Márquez and Jorge Eduardo Sánchez. A Los Golpes (7:30 p.m. Mondays) will provide the latest boxing news and analysis with co-hosts Osuna, David Faitelson and analyst Julio César Chávez Sr.

Viewership and Ratings Up:
In 2014, ESPN Boxing on ESPN2 (including Friday Night Fights and ESPN Boxing Specials – 29 telecasts) saw a 13% increase in viewership – 393,000 viewers (P2+) in 2014 vs. 349,000 viewers (P2+) in 2013. The viewership numbers are based on a 50% increase among household ratings (0.3 HH US rating in 2014 vs. 0.2 HH US rating in 2013).

ESPN’s most-watched and highest-rated fight across all ESPN networks in 2014 was the May 10 WBC World Heavyweight Championship fight between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola televised on ESPN. The fight saw an average audience of 940,000 viewers (P2+) and delivered a 0.7 HH US rating, making it the highest-rated and most-viewed fight on ESPN and ESPN2 since 2006.

Noche de Combates on ESPN Deportes (34 telecasts) saw an 18% increase in Hispanic viewership (53,000 Hispanic P2+ impressions in 2014 vs. 45,000 Hispanic P2+ impressions in 2013) and was up 50% in Hispanic Household ratings (0.3 Hispanic HH US rating in 2014 vs. a 0.2 Hispanic HH US rating in 2013). Stiverne vs. Arreola was the highest-rated and most-watched fight on ESPN Deportes in 2014, and most-watched fight on the network among Hispanic Households since 2010. The fight averaged a 0.6 Hispanic Household US rating with 87,000 Hispanic Household impressions and 122,000 Hispanic P2+ impressions.

Return of Boxcino:
The single-elimination, two-weight class tournament, which garnered positive reaction from media and fans in 2014, will return in 2015 and will feature eight fighters in both the junior middleweight and heavyweight divisions. The competition — presented by Banner Promotions — will take place throughout the Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates season. Telecast dates below. Fighters and matchups will be announced at a later date.

Date
Time (ET)
Main Event
Location
Networks
Fri, Feb 13
9 p.m.
Boxcino 2015 Quarterfinals- Junior Middleweight
Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Feb 20
9 p.m.
Boxcino 2015 Quarterfinals- Heavyweight
Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Verona N.Y.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Apr 3
9 p.m.
Boxcino 2015 Semifinals- Junior Middleweight
TBD
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Apr 10
9p.m.
Boxcino 2015 Semifinals- Heavyweight
Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Verona N.Y.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, May 22
9 p.m.
Boxcino 2015 Finals- Junior Middleweight and Heavyweight
Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Verona N.Y.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN

Last year, Willie Monroe Jr. (Middleweight) and Petr Petrov (Lightweight) were crowned Boxcino 2014 champions in a tournament that featured fighters in both the lightweight and middleweight divisions. Both winners will be featured on Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates on Friday, Jan. 16. ESPN televised the first Boxcino tournament in 1997, which was won by future four-time world champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas.

2015 Production Highlights:
Friday Night Fights telecasts will continue to include alternate point of view cameras mounted in different locations capturing the atmosphere of the venues and fights. Telecasts will also continue to emphasize more live audio during fights to give viewers more access to the fighters and trainers. In addition, every Friday Night Fights telecast will continue to implement an ultra slo-mo camera, providing some of the most dramatic replays of a fight’s biggest punches.

Social Media:
Friday Night Fights social media presence in 2015 will continue with the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting App,” an application on the ESPN FNF Facebook page that allows viewers to score the fight round-by-round. Osuna (@osunaespn) and hall of fame ESPN boxing analyst/former Editor-in-Chief of The Ring magazine Nigel Collins (@ESPNFNF) will live tweet during every show.

WatchESPN:
Every Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates telecast will be available on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One via WatchESPN.

ESPN.com:
Making the Rounds, ESPN.com’s original boxing show with Jim Basquil and Brian Campbell will discuss boxing’s top stories each week and include analysis of Friday Night Fights cards. Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn), ESPN.com boxing writer and winner of the 2013 BWAA Nat Fleischer Award winner for career excellence in boxing journalism, will continue to write features and provide analysis.

January Friday Night Fights/Noche de Combates Schedule:

Date
Time (ET)
Main Event
Location
Networks
Fri, Jan 9
9 p.m.
Darleys Pérez (31-1, 20 KOs) vs. Jonathan Maicelo (21-1, 12 KOs) —12 rounds, for the WBA #1 Ranking at Lightweight
Chumash Resort and Casino, Santa Ynez, Calif.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Jan 16
9 p.m.
Willie Monroe Jr. (18-1, 6 KOs) vs. Brian Vera (23-8, 14 KOs) — 10 rounds, Middleweights; Petr Petrov (35-4-2, 7 KOs) vs. TBD – 10 rounds, Lightweights
Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Verona N.Y.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Jan 30
9 p.m.
Karl Dargan (17-0, 9 KOs) vs. Tony Luis (18-2, 7 KOs) —10 rounds, Lightweights
Foxwoods Resort and Casino, Mashantucket, Conn.
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN

New York, NY (December 30, 2014) – 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and former heavyweight champion Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe has joined Team Fight to Walk.

An elite heavyweight in his heyday, Bowe captured the undisputed world championship in 1992 after besting then-unbeaten Evander Holyfield. Bowe and Holyfield fought twice more, with Holyfield winning the rematch and Bowe dramatically stopping the future hall of famer in the rubber match. The Bowe-Holyfield trilogy is considered one of the greatest in boxing history. In addition to twice besting Holyfield, Bowe defeated former or future champions Pinklon Thomas, Tony Tubbs, Bruce Seldon, Michael Dokes and Herbie Hide.

Recently, Bowe met Team Fight to Walk co-founder Boyd Melson at the WBC Convention in Las Vegas where Melson received the Ambassador of Peace Award. The two started talking and Bowe immediately took an interest in the cause Melson fights for. Shortly after the convention, he agreed to join Team Fight to Walk and the fight against paralysis.

“When Boyd told me what he was doing, I was amazed,” Bowe said. “I was familiar with spinal cord injuries after hearing about the accident Paul Williams was in a few years back and I know he’s fighting to walk again. But to hear that somebody donates all of their earnings in the ring when everybody else is concerned with keeping every penny possible is really something else. My goal is to help raise awareness and show people that even though things may be dim that there is a bright light (with the pending trials).”

“Spending time with Riddick at the WBC Convention was incredible on multiple levels,” said Melson. “When I told him about Team Fight to Walk’s mission, he immediately wanted to join. He told me that meeting my father and I was one of the best things to happen to him in a long time. I was incredibly honored to hear him say that because I grew up watching Riddick. He was a great fighter and his willingness to join Team Fight to Walk as he’s on his way into the Hall of Fame means the world to us.”

For more information on Team Fight to Walk or to donate, go to Teamfighttowalk.com. All questions about Team Fight to Walk or Spinal Cord Injuries can be emailed to Boydmelson@Teamfighttowalk.com.

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 29) Still eight months shy of his 30th birthday, Jorge “El Nino de Oro” Linares (37-3, 24 KOs) has the opportunity to become the youngest Venezuelan to win world titles in three divisions when he faces Mexico’s Javier “Implacable” Prieto (24-7-2, 18 KOs) for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship on Tuesday, December 30 at the Metropolitan Gym in Tokyo, Japan.

Linares, a former featherweight and super featherweight world champion, has been undefeated for more than two years, winning six consecutive bouts, four by knockout. The 27 year old Barinas native and Tokyo resident defeated Nihito Arakawa (25-5-1, 16 KOs) via decision in a 2014 March title eliminator, and is currently ranked number one by the WBC. He kept busy by knocking out Ira Terry (26-13, 16 KOs) in two rounds in August. Now he’s ready to take on the 27-year-old Prieto, who is unbeaten in his last 10 bouts and is ranked number two by the WBC.

Javier “Implacable” Prieto from Apatzingan, Michoacán, Mexico is the current WBC Silver Lightweight Champion and is eager to conquer the WBC Lightweight World Championship against Linares. He is coming off 12-round draws against Ivan “Macanón” Cano (22-6-2, 15 KOs) in May and September. This will his first world title bout.

Linares vs. Prieto is a 12-round bout for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship, taking place at the Metropolitan Gym in Tokyo, Japan and promoted by Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Boxing Gym in association with Ohachi Promotions.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, visit on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing.

New York, N.Y. (Monday, December 29, 2014) – Ronson Frank’s Uprising Promotions, in association with Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, has confirmed its next show for Friday, February 13th, at the Five Star Banquet Hall in Long Island City, Queens. The card, entitled “The Big Pay Back,” continues the initiative of Uprising Promotions to KO Autism, and proceeds from the night will be donated to The School For Language and Communication Development (SLCD) in Glen Cove, New York.

“We are expecting a great show, and it will be an all-action card with competitive matches,” said Ronson Frank, President of Uprising Promotions. “We will be supporting a great cause to raise autism awareness, and proceeds from the show will be donated to the SLCD. We are expecting a big turnout once again, and we invite everyone to come join us for a great night of boxing.”

Five Star Banquet Hall is located at 13-05 43rd Avenue in Long Island City, Queens. Tickets for the February 13th card are priced at $60 for general admission and $100 for ringside seating. There is also a table option with dinner, beer/wine and seating with a celebrity fighter. For pricing on those tables, call (516) 451-6773.

Final fight negotiations are underway for the February 13th show, and the entire bout card will be announced in the upcoming weeks. This show is being sponsored by Resolution Sports, Brooklyn Brothers and Charlie’s Auto Collision in Long Island City.

For more information on Uprising Promotions and to keep up with all of our latest news, make sure to check out www.UprisingPromotions.com and follow on social media @UprisingNYC.

Nutley, NJ(December 29, 2014)–2015 looks to be a huge year for Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions as the company out of New Jersey gears up for a run that will see its fighter’s competing in major fights.

On January 9 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, undefeated Super Middleweight Jerry Odom (12-0, 11 KO’s) of Bowie, Maryland will take on Andrew Hernandez (7-0-1, 1 KO) of Phoenix, Arizona in an 8-round bout as part of the inaugural Roc Nation boxing event.

Shortly after will be the announcement of the first fight under the GH3 banner of undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez (9-0, 4 KO’s) of San Antonio. Texas.

Returning to action in February will be Jr. Middleweight John Thompson (14-1, 5 KO’s) of Newark, New Jersey.

The furthest along is undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas. Douglas of Burke, Virginia is still just 22 years-old has a record of 16-0-1 with 10 knockouts. Douglas, who has performed at a high level in his National television appearances hopes to be knocking on the door of a world title shot by the end of the year.

Recent signee Derrick Webster (18-0, 9 KO’s) is coming off a 21 second knockout in his GH3 debut that took place on November 25.

Said GH3 Promotions Vito Mielnicki, “This is a big year for us. We are excited to have Jerry Odom fight in Madison Square Garden. New York is the perfect place for Jerry to compete as he has terrific punching power will definitely capture the attention of the great boxing fans and media of New York.”

“With Antoine, he is ready for the next step. We feel by year’s end, he will be ready to compete with the top Middleweights in the world. We are about to announce Thompson’s next move and he will be in fights that people around the country will be able to see and we feel that will push him into being a top contender.”

“We are extremely excited about our new talent in Adam Lopez and Derrick Webster. Both have shown the potential to be players in their respective weight classes.

“I am looking to fight Featherweight Glenn Dezurn Jr. (6-0, 4 KO’s) about 8 times this year and have him in line to fight on television and we are also bringing back hard punching Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell (13-1, 7 KO’s) back early in the year.

“Wanzell Ellison will be back in a good fight. He preformed well on Sho Box despite going up in weight and I believe he can do great things at 130 lbs. Finally we will be making an announcement very shortly as we are about to sign a Heavyweight that will make a lot of noise”

2015 will also mark the return of Bantamweight Qa’id Muhammad (8-0, 7 KO’s)

Also the GH3 amateur program is preparing to compete in the National Silver Glove tournament. The regional’s will take place this weekend in Utica, New York and the National tournament will commence at the end of the month in Independence, Missouri.

GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Featherweight Glenn Dezurn Jr., undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Jr. Middleweight John Thompson, Jr. Lightweight Wanzell Ellison, Featherweight Jorge Diaz, undefeated Super Bantamweight Qa’id Muhammad and Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell to the GH3 Promotions stable.

OSAKA, Japan (Dec. 29, 2014) — After enduring a frustrating year in which he has fought only once, unified world super bantamweight champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (14-0, 9 KOs) is prepared to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title belt this Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, against WBO No. 6 rated challenger Hisashi Amagasa (28-4-2, 19 KOs) at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka, Japan.

Rigondeaux, who resides in Miami, is also the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super and The Ring Magazine super bantamweight champion.

The 34-year-old Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, arrived Dec. 21 in Japan and the pound-for-pound star is extremely grateful for the overwhelmingly warm reception he has received from countless Japanese boxing fans who’ve watched him train or approached him in Osaka.

Last July in Macao, Rigondeaux successfully defended his WBO/WBA Super titles, destroying challenger Sod Kokietgym (63-2-1) in the opening round of the ultra-skilled Cuban’s lone fight to date in 2014.

The 5′ 10 ½” Amagasa towers over the diminutive Rigondeaux, who is 6 ½ inches shorter than his Japanese opponent. Rigondeaux, however, isn’t concerned in the least about their differences in height because of his past success against many taller foes.

“This is my second time fighting in Asia this year,” Rigondeaux said. “I am very frustrated that the other world belt holders are running scared and won’t fight me. It’s disgraceful that we couldn’t find a world-class, 122-pound fighter to fight me, so, I would like to thank Amagasa for dropping down from featherweight (126 lbs. division) to challenge me. I will put on an explosive fireworks display on New Year’s Eve in Japan.”

Unfortunately, Rigondeaux vs. Amagasa will not be televised in the US or Europe, however, there will be an estimated 30-million Japanese fans tuning in to
watch ‘Rigo’ perform.

Japanese press have reported that Rigondeaux is the biggest star to fight in Japan in nearly a quarter-century, since “Iron” Mike Tyson fought against James “Buster” Douglas there in February 1990, describing Rigondeaux as a “Monster Superstar.”

‘We have already been offered a fight against another Japanese challenger in Japan this coming May,” Rigondeaux’ manager Gary Hyde added. “Rigondeaux is in tremendous condition, as always, and we are very confident going into this fight on New Year’s Eve that ‘Rigo’ will put on a another stellar performance.

“In January, we will sit down and discuss the terms of a promotional contract that was initially offered to us this past summer and is now back on the table. Hopefully, we will come to an agreement with this promotional company and ‘Rigo’ will be back fighting on mainstream television networks in 2015.”

Hyde also reported that if, as reports have circulated, WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (20-0-1, 16 KOs) is seriously interested in fighting Rigondeaux, “Rigo” will return from Japan to fight Santa Cruz in a major unification bout January 17 in Las Vegas. Santa Cruz is scheduled to fight an opponent to be determined in the 12-round co-feature on a card headlined by the WBC heavyweight title fight, airing live from MGM Grand on Showtime, between defending champion Bermane Stiverne and mandatory challenger Deontay Wilder.

UNCASVILLE, CONN. (December 26, 2014) – The popular boxing elimination tournament, Boxcino 2015, will make its season debut, Friday, February 13, 2015, featuring four quarterfinal bouts in the junior middleweight division at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. The entire Boxicino 2015 series will be televised live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.

Promoted by Banner Promotions and Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES), tickets to the February 13 edition of Boxcino 2015, priced at $125, $65, $40 and $30, including facility fee, will go on sale Tomorrow! Saturday, December 27, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased via www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets or in person at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.

The Boxcino 2014 tournament spawned breakout stars Willie Monroe and Petr Petrov. Both are now world-rated No. 3 as well as future stars Brandon Adams & Fernando Carcamo.

The Boxcino 2015 season debut will feature four quarterfinal bouts with the winners moving on to semifinals which will take place on April 3.

“We are excited to be coming to the Mohegan Sun to kick off Boxcino 2015,” said Banner Promotions CEO Artie Pelullo. “I have been friends with Tom Cantone for over 15 years and I look forward to working him and his staff on this great event. Last year’s tournament was very successful and we look forward to having the first round of junior middleweights at Mohegan Sun. There have been many classic fights at the Mohegan Sun and on February 13 we plan on adding to the great tradition.”

“We are excited and honored to collaborate with Artie Pelullo and Banner Promotions,” said Jimmy Burchfield, President of CES Boxing. “Artie is a dear friend of mine and one of the true gentlemen in the sport of boxing. Few promoters work harder or go to such great lengths to nurture and develop talent from all over the world. In an era where the entertainment dollar is stretched thin and fighters are ducking challenges left and right, Artie remains old school, building his foundation through hard-fought, competitive fights that give the ticket-buyer tremendous value for every dollar they spend. What he has done in such tumultuous times for our sport is remarkable and it’s an incredible thrill to be working alongside him on what will be an epic event February 13th. You will see the best of both worlds — boxing’s marquee talent along with the rising stars of the northeast. No one knows this market better than Banner Promotions and CES Boxing. This will be a must-see event.”

“We love any time we have a boxing event here as they always account for tremendous energy and buzz in the Casino” – said Tom Cantone, Senior Vice President of Sports & Entertainment for MTGA

The participants of Boxcino will be announced shortly. Local prospects slated to appear on the undercard include:

David Bauza, Hartford, Conn: light-heavyweight (6-0, 3 KOs);

“Prince” Ray Oliviera, New Bedford, Mass: light-middleweight (2-0, 1 KO), son of former jr. welterweight contender “Sucra” Ray Oliviera

Khiary Gray-Pitts, Worcester, Mass: middleweight (3-0, 1 KO)

Nick DeLomba, Providence, RI: welterweight (6-0, 0 KOs)

Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.

Big Bear Lake, CA (December 25, 2014) While wishing his fans across the globe a “Merry Christmas”, WBA/IBO and WBC ‘Interim’ Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN spent the holiday training for his upcoming world title defense against two-time world title challenger MARTIN MURRAY, the WBC’s #1 ranked middleweight set for Saturday, February 21 at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte-Carlo.

Golovkin is training at The Summit High Altitude Training Center in Big Bear Lake, California under longtime trainer ABEL SANCHEZ. The duo has worked together at the Southern California camp since June 2010.

“It feels great to be back in camp,” said Golovkin. “We’re working hard with my Coach Abel Sanchez to put on another exciting show in Monte-Carlo against Martin Murray.”

“Gennady was looking forward to starting his training,” said TOM LOEFFLER of K2 Promotions. “This is an excellent matchup between the best middleweight and the #1 rated challenger and Gennady will be well prepared to defend his titles against Murray on February 21.”

Prior to the start of training camp, Golovkin traveled the globe for press conferences in front of huge crowds of media in Monte Carlo, Astana, London and Mexico City. He also attended the WBC Convention in Las Vegas.

“Gennady is one of the most internationally marketable fighters in the world. At every stop the attention we received was overwhelming from the media and fans,” continued Loeffler.

Boxing’s Fastest Rising Superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, 31-0-0 with 28 KO’s, scored his 18th straight stoppage and 12th defense of his WBA title on Saturday, October 18th with a devastating second round knockout of WBC “Interim” Middleweight Champion, Marco Antonio Rubio in front of a standing room crowd of 9,323 at the StubHub! Center in Carson, California, USA. The attendance was record setting, far surpassing any other previous boxing events held at the acclaimed West Coast venue including those featuring Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andre Ward.

A native of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, now residing in Stuttgart, Germany, Golovkin has fought twice previously in Monte Carlo. In March 2012, Golovkin knocked out former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida in the third stanza, which earned him numerous “Knockout of the Year” awards from the international boxing media and scored a sixth round stoppage of former world title challenger Osumanu Adama in February 2013, also taking place at the Salle des Etoiles.

On October 25, Martin Murray stopped Dominic Spada in the fifth round also at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo. Golovkin was ringside for the Murray/Spada bout and came away impressed by his performance. With the victory, Murray of Merseyside, United Kingdom improved his record to 29-1-1 (13KO’s).

In April 2012, Murray traveled to Buenos Aries, Argentina and battled hometown world champion Sergio Martinez. Despite dropping Martinez in the eighth round, he lost a controversial decision in a bout many in the media and ringside observers believe he was victorious in.

Three fights earlier, Murray headed to Mannheim, Germany in December 2011 to challenge also hometown champion Felix Sturm. Outlanding Sturm throughout the fight with blistering power punches, most ringside observers and media members also thought he won this fight despite settling for a highly controversial split decision draw.

GOLOVKIN vs. MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte Carlo along with Monte Carlo SBM.

LAS VEGAS (Dec. 24, 2014) – Following a spectacular year of world-class Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) action, NBC will recap the paths that seven World Series of Fighting (www.wsof.com) world champions took to capture gold with ‘WSOF Unstoppable: Road To The Championship,’ a special 90-minute program that premieres on the broadcast network on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 2:30 p.m. EST/11:30 a.m. PST.

“We are excited to cap off what was a banner year for World Series of Fighting, and appreciate the opportunity that NBC is giving our fans to re-live some of the most incredible moments we have seen thus far in our cage,” said World Series of Fighting President, six-time world champion and two-time Hall of Famer Ray Sefo.

“WSOF Unstoppable: Road To The Championship,” continued Sefo, “will essentially hone in on the journeys and achievements of our reigning world champions who fought their hearts out to become recognized as the top fighters in their respective divisions.”

Hosted by World Series of Fighting play-by-play announcer Todd Harris and MMA legends Bas Rutten and Renzo Gracie, ‘WSOF Unstoppable: Road To The Championship’ features a mixture of highlights and complete rounds from 16 different World Series of Fighting bouts that took place over the course of nine live events between 2013 and 2014, including the seven championship showdowns that took place this year.

Each matchup showcases one of the seven featured athletes – bantamweight (135 pounds) Marlon Moraes, featherweight (145 pounds) Lance “The Party” Palmer, undefeated lightweight (155 pounds) Justin Gaethje, welterweight (170 pounds) Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares, middleweight (185 pounds) David Branch, heavyweight Smealinho Rama and women’s strawweight (115 pounds) Jessica “Jag” Aguilar – in either a World Series of Fighting world championship bout or a bout that took the fighter one step closer to his or her successful title bid.

Since it launched its live event series on Nov. 3, 2012 with a stellar six-bout fight card on NBC Sports Network that reached over 80 million homes, World Series of Fighting has effectively been building its brand, and on July 5, the promotion made its debut on broadcast television before a live NBC audience of nearly 1 million viewers.
World Series of Fighting has successfully expanded its footprint to 100 different countries with its premier fight programming as part of a multi-year agreement with IMG, the world’s leader in sports content distribution.

‘WSOF Unstoppable: Road To The Championship’ is produced by Tupelo-Honey Raycom.

On Jan. 17, World Series of Fighting action returns to NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) live with a sensational card headlined by a welterweight matchup between rival superstars Jake Shields (30-7-1, 1 NC) of San Francisco, Calif. and Brian Foster (22-6) of Sallisaw, Okla. The winner of the main event will challenge Palhares for the world welterweight championship.

About World Series of Fighting (WSOF)
World Series of Fighting (WSOF) is a worldwide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter (@MMAWorldSeries) and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo (@SugarRaySefo).

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing got his Christmas present a day early this year, as former interim WBA World featherweight Champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna has renewed his long-term promotional contract.

One of the sport’s most exciting knockout punchers, 25-year-old Fortuna (26-0-1, 19 KOs), from the Dominican Republic, is considered an irreplaceable member of the Sampson Boxing stable.

“This is my gift for this year, to continue working with a budding superstar like Javier,” said Lewkowicz. “He is on the verge of stardom and, like all my fighters, he is also like a son to me. I admire all of their loyalty and I wish them all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.”

Lewkowicz also says the future is looking bright once again for everyone in boxing and sends his warmest regards.

“2015 will be a great year for my fighters and for boxing and I want to wish all my co-workers and brothers and sisters in boxing my sincerest wishes for a wonderful holiday.”

ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

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

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

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 24) – On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Golden Boy Promotions will celebrate Bernard Hopkins’ 50th birthday with a night of boxing fit for a legend. This special Golden Boy Live!installment is set to give fans something to celebrate along with the “The Alien’s” landmark moment. The night of fights will air on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes live from the 2300 Arena in Bernard’s hometown of Philadelphia.

In the main event, Philly’s own Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) faces highly regarded Nicaraguan junior lightweight contender Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout. In the super lightweight co-main 10-round event, rising junior welterweight star Michael “The Artist” Perez of Newark, New Jersey looks to extend his current unbeaten streak to eight fights, he will face a to be announced opponent. Plus, Opening the televised action is Washington, D.C.’s undefeated fighter Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round junior lightweight battle against an opponent yet to be named.

“I’m so excited that Golden Boy has decided to honor my birthday in this way,” said Hopkins. “The best present that they can give me is to bring a great night of fights to my hometown and give Philly boxing fans something to celebrate.”

Hopkins, fresh from his hard-fought 12-round title fight with Sergey Kovalev on November 8, turns 50 on January 15. “The Alien” will attend the event held in his honor and will be featured on the television broadcast.

Hunter vs. Alvarado, a 10-round featherweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Joe HandPromotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Mexico – Live It To Believe It! Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event are priced at $75 for ringside, $50 for general reserved and $35 for reserved corner. Tickets are available by calling (215) 364-9000, online at www.wanatix.com or at 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19148.

Hard-nosed Philly native Eric “The Outlaw” Hunter (19-3, 10 KOs) is a popular local hero who is ready to make his name on the national and international scene. Unbeaten in four of his last five fights, the 28-year-old won the USBA title last March with a win over Yenifel Vicente and in his most recent outing, he stopped 11-1 prospect Daniel Ramirez in six rounds.

Managua, Nicaragua’s Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado (21-3, 14 KOs) has won four of his last five bouts, most recently bouncing back from an upset loss to Rocky Juarez by defeating Juan Pablo Sanchez for the WBC International title in October. Eager to get back into the title race in 2015, the 25-year-old wants to deliver the kind of performances that guarantee a shot at the 130-pound crown.

Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Michael “The Artist” Perez (21-1, 10 KOs) is excited to take the trip to Philadelphia for what is close enough to be called a home game. With a record of 6-0-1 in his last seven bouts, the 24-year-old is coming off of two successful defenses of his WBA Fedelatin Title in 2014 when he defeated Jorge Romero and Jared Robinson. Currently ranked sixth in the world by the WBA, Perez wants to make a statement in his first fight of 2015 that he’s ready for a shot at the world championship.

Undefeated newcomer, Lamont Roach Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) is quickly becoming an exciting fighter to watch in the sport. Hailing from Washington D.C., Roach Jr., scored a knockdown and dominated a four-round decision over Puerto Rico’s Alexander Charneco in his Dec 6 bout.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Swanson_comm,@FOXSports, @FOXSports1, @FOXDeportes, @JoeHandPromo and, become a fan on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, www.facebook.com/JoeHandPromotions
and visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @JoeHandPromo

Pennsauken, NJ (December 24, 2014)–On Saturday night, January 24 at the GPG Event Center (Formerly the Woodbine Inn) in Pennsauken, New Jersey, the inaugural boxing will take place with local favorite and Middleweight contender, Harry Joe Yorgey taking part in a bout for the WBU World Middleweight title.

The show is promoted by Witherspoon’s Silver Spoon Promotions.

Yorgey of Bridgeport, PA has a record of 27-2-2 with 12 knockouts and is coming off a draw with Eric Mitchell on July 25.

Yorgey began his career unbeaten in his first 23 bouts (22-0-1) by scoring wins over Billy Johnson (1-0), Ronnie Warrior Jr. (11-1-1), Jason LeHoullier (21-0-1) and a 9th round knockout over Ronald Hearns (21-0).

That set up a shot at Alfredo Angulo for the WBO Interim Middleweight title.

Yorgey was stopped in three rounds but has come back to go 5-1-1 since which was highlighted by a 1st round stoppage over previously undefeated Zain Shah (5-0).

In the 10-round co-feature, Heavyweight contender Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon will also be in action.

Witherspoon (31-3, 23 KO’s) of nearby Paulsboro, New Jersey established himself as one of the top American Heavyweights as the St. Joseph’s University graduate won his first twenty-three bouts with wins over the likes of Michael Alexander (11-0), Talmadge Griffis (24-6-3), Jonathan Haggler (18-1) before suffering his 1st defeat to future two-time world title challenger Chris Arreola via controversial disqualification.

Witherspoon went on to win three win a row which was highlighted by an entertaining 8th round stoppage over Adam “The Swamp Donkey” Richards (21-1). That fight was voted Ring Magazine’s 2008 Heavyweight Fight of the Year. Witherspoon then dropped a fight to future two-time world title challenger Tony Thompson.

Witherspoon went on to score 4-consecutive knockouts which included a devastating 3rd-round destruction over Tyson Cobb (14-2).

Witherspoon then took on undefeated prospect Seth Mitchell on April 28, 2012 in a bout where Witherspoon had Mitchell badly hurt in several occasions before Mitchell came away with the victory.

In Witherspoon’s last bout, he score an exciting 8th round stoppage over Tyabb Beale on July 12 in West Deptford, New Jersey.

Witherspoon’s and Yorgey’s opponents will be named shortly.

In four round bouts:

Darryl Bunting of Asbury Park, NJ will make his pro debut against Ryan Bivins (0-1) of Philadelphia in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Nick Valliere (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Forked River, NJ will fight Josue Rivera (2-6, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia in a Welterweight bout.

Erik Spring (4-0, 1 KO) of Reading, PA will see action in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Jeffrey McCalla of Baltimore, MD will make his pro debut in a Middleweight fight.

Malik Hawkins (1-0, 1 KO) of Baltimore will take part in a Welterweight bout.

Courtney Blocker (3-0, 3 KO’s) of Pensacola, FL will fight in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Tickets for the great evening of championship boxing $100 for Platinum Ringside (limited amount available); $75 for Gold Select seating (limited amount available)and $50 for General Admission and can be purchased by calling 856 472 0443 or Mr. Yorgey at 484 685 8785.

There will be an after party at the GPG Event Center.

The GPG Event Center is located at 1443 Route 73 in Pennsauken.

For more information and media credentials, contact:

Marc Abrams at 856 287 7611 or phillyboxing@gmail.com

Tacoma, Washington (December 23, 2014) Brian Halquist Productions is starting the New Year off with a bang; presenting Battle at the Boat 99, live from the Emerald Queen Casino on Friday, January 9th. Headlining this stellar card will be Tacoma’s own Mike “Imagine Me” Gavronski (15-1-1 10KO’s) versus Lynnwood, California’s Louis Rose (11-2-1 3KO’s) in a 10-round main event. The evening’s action will begin at 8:00PM and will feature a stacked card, showcasing some of the Northwest’s best up and coming talent.

Following a Unanimous Decision victory in November of this year, Gavronski is looking to continue his winning ways against the talented Californian. With 10 of his 15 professional victories coming by knockout, the heavy-handed Gavronski knows what it takes to please a crowd. Fighting in his own backyard has proven beneficial to the Tacoma native, as his extremely vocal fans pack the 1800 seat EQC showroom to show their support.

Meanwhile, the equally talented Rose is looking to get back on track after suffering only the second defeat of his career, also in November of 2014. With 10 of his 14 fights ending up in the judges hands, Rose is an ironman whose cardio is never in question.

In the six round semi-main event of the evening, two Battle at the Boat veteran’s will take center stage as Vancouver’s Virgil Green (9-3 3KO’s) takes on Tacoma knockout artist Will Hughes (4-1 3KO’s). Both fighters are coming off of wins earlier this year and will have their sights set on continuing that trend.

This very special Friday night edition of Battle at the Boat will also feature undefeated Buckley, Washington native Jeremy McCleary (5-0). McCleary has proven himself a true tactician in the ring, dominating opponents en route to an unblemished professional record. The talented 20 year old has built a loyal fan base with his stellar performances, and will be looking to build upon his success with a victory over Damen Wood.
Tickets for Battle at the Boat 99 are on sale now through the Emerald Queen Casino box office and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets start at only $25. Doors open at 7 PM with the first fight scheduled for 8 PM. More information can be found at www.halquistproductions.com

WBA world heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev and his promoter Timur Dugazaev are shocked of the passing away of their trainer and longtime friend Fritz Sdunek.

“I just cannot believe it and cannot find words to express my grief”, says Chagaev. “We have been in the gym together just a few days ago. Fritz was not only the best boxing coach Germany has ever seen but also and foremost a great and unique human being and a role model in all aspects of life. I am proud to have known him and to have worked with him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. It is a very, very sad day for boxing.”

Timur Dugazaev talked to Sdunek only two days before he unexpectedly passed away at a hospital in Hamburg. “Fritz was part of our family. I admired and respected him and had lots of fun with him at the same time”, adds Dugazaev. “I spoke to him when he was in hospital. He told me he was feeling well and that he was looking forward to being released within the next days. We talked about my fight last weekend. He congratulated me to my win, told me what I did right and where I can improve. He was in good mood. I still can’t understand that he is not with us anymore.”

Sdunek has taken over as head coach for both Ruslan Chagaev and Timur Dugazaev in September. In November the team was in training camp in Zinnowitz starting to prepare Chagaev for his first title defense of his second reign as WBA world champion.

“Of course, this is a major setback for our whole team. Fritz can never be replaced – not as a trainer but even more important as the great man that he was”, states Dugazaev. “He was such a gentleman, truly one of a kind. All Chechnya is mourning his death. We miss him already. But of course, we will continue fighting for him. Spiritually he will always be in our corner. We will always remember him as our friend, father and brother.”

NEW YORK/TORONTO (Dec. 23, 2014) – Fight Network is going to celebrate Boxing Day in style this Friday (Dec. 26), airing six fights featuring the late, great Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (40-9, 31 KOs) from 9 a.m. ET — 9 p.m. ET.

Gatti was arguably boxing’s most popular, exciting fighter from his professional debut in 1991 until his retirement in 2007. He had an unearthly knack for sensational comebacks during a fight, as well as for enduring and dishing out tremendous pain.

The native of Italy lived in Montreal and Jersey City (NJ) during his colorful career until his untimely death in 2009. Known by boxing many fans as a “Human Highlight Film” in the ring, he was posthumously induted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in 2012.

Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for boxing, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.

Below find the Arturo Gatti Marathon programming schedule for this Friday on Fight Network:

9:00 a.m. ET – Calvin Grove (49-8), May 4, 1997 at Caesars Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ

11:00 a.m. ET – Angel Manfredy (22-2-1), Jan. 17, 1998, Convention Hall, Atlantic City, NJ

1:00 p.m. ET – Oscar de la Hoya (32-2), Mar, 24, 2001, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV

3:00 p.m. ET – Terron Millett (26-2-1), Jan. 26, 2002, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

5:00 p.m. – Micky Ward (37-11), May 18, 2002, Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT

7:00 p.m. – Micky Ward (38-11), Nov. 23, 2002, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ

Gatti-Ward I was the consensus 2002 Fight of the Year, round nine the Round of the Year. The late Emanuel Steward, who was the HBO color commentator for Gatti-Ward I, called it (9th rd.) the mythical Round of the Century.

Information:

www.FightNetwork.com

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK: Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Fight Network recently launched on live streaming website KlowdTV.com.

LAS VEGAS, NEV (December 23, 2014) – Top Rank®, SECA and Sands China Ltd., who have been building the growth of boxing in the People’s Republic of China by producing and promoting seven world championship events in Macao over the past 20 months, announced that the second installment of their latest joint venture, “Fists of Power” attracted over 6.2 million viewers to its December 16 telecast. “Fists of Power II,” a live televised boxing series for Mainland China featuring fighters from The Peoples Republic of China battling against international opposition, was broadcast live throughout China via CCTV and regional channels in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. “Fists of Power II,” which emanated from the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, featured two title bouts — undefeated Yang Lianhui, from Dalian, China, who fights under the ring name of IK Yang, improved to 18-0, 13 KOs, and captured the vacant IBF Pan Pacific junior welterweight title when his opponent Fahsai Sakkreerin (41-6-1, 22 KOs), of Chiang Mai, Thailand, retired on his stool in the fifth round; and May Yi Ming (12-5, 7 KOs), of Shenyang, China, captured the vacant WBO Asia Pacific junior flyweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over savvy ring veteran Tommy Seran (24-4, 15 KOs), of Surabaya, Indonesia.

“Top Rank is delighted that together with our partners – SECA and Sands China – we have been able to further popularize boxing in the great country of China, which has been validated by the ratings for our first two live telecasts,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “None of this would have been possible without the role of Ed Tracy, CEO of Sands China Ltd., who sparked this venture, and the encouragement and direction of the Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp., the legendary Sheldon Adelson.”

Singapore – The UFC® today announced the appointment of Kenneth K. Berger as its Executive Vice President and General Manager of Asia.

Berger, 49, has a proven track record of business success throughout Asia, having worked across the region for the last 25 years. With an MBA from Thunderbird, American School of International Management, Berger went on to build his career at International Management Group (IMG), where he held the position of International Vice President Asia. His responsibilities at IMG included managing the licensing division in South East Asia, and then Japan, where he developed a variety of licensing programmes including Major League Baseball (MLB), Wimbledon, Arnold Palmer and the British Open.

Berger later made the move to ISL Marketing as their Managing Director, Japan and then to FIFA Marketing, where he headed the FIFA World Cup marketing and event services operations. After successfully delivering the marketing rights of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he launched his own successful sports agency, Sports Marketing Japan (SMJ). For seven years SMJ worked as a licensee for globally renowned sports properties in developing branded mobile and pc sites in Japan for Serie A, NBA, NFL, PGA Tour, LPGA, UFC and ESPN.

In 2009, SMJ was acquired by Yoshimoto Kogyo, Japan’s largest entertainment production entity and talent agency.

On the appointment, UFC Chief Global Brand Officer Garry Cook said: “The UFC welcomes a leader like Ken to drive increased brand growth in Asia and take the sport and the UFC to the next level. The next twelve months will see UFC enter new markets, develop a more robust local roster of fighters and host several world class events in Asia and we are confident in the developments and successes that Ken will bring.”

Ken Berger added: “I feel honored to be joining the UFC. Mixed martial arts is the world’s fastest growing sport and Asia is its birthplace, which puts me in a very special position. I am hugely excited to be part of such a dynamic industry, and I am looking forward to helping the sport grow in this part of the world. The international stage is an important piece of UFC’s success, together with our talented and committed staff and athletes, we will help to scale MMA across Asia.”

###

About the UFC®

Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, the UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASSTM, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec, Canada, Dec. 22, 2014 – In the first face-off between the triple light heavyweight champion and the former holder of several belts in the same weight division, there was nothing but respect all around at a press conference that was held Monday to officially kick off the unified Light Heavyweight World Championship fight that will take place between Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KO) and Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KO). The bout is to be televised on HBO on March 14, 2015 at the Bell Center.

Even though he holds the unified WBO, WBA and IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion title belts, Kovalev praised Pascal highly at Monday’s press conference. “He’s the best possible opponent I could face in the weight division,” said Kovalev, who was named Sports Illustrated’s 2014 Fighter of the Year Monday.

“I respect Sergey Kovalev because he is the king of the light heavyweight division,” said Pascal, the former WBC, IBO and The Ring Light Heavyweight champion. “This will be the greatest challenge ever faced by a Quebec-based boxer, but with discipline and hard work, as well as the support of local boxing fans, nothing is impossible.”

The champ vs the local favourite
Kovalev said he won’t be bothered by the fact that the fight will take place in Montreal, where Pascal is one of the most popular boxers on the local scene.

“The ring is the same everywhere”, he said. “I plan to show who I am to Canadian boxing fans, and I aim to do the things they like to see in a ring.” Pascal also promised this will be a fight not to be missed. “If you’re a boxing fan, this is the perfect Christmas gift to give to someone you love, because it will be one of the greatest fights ever – and the greatest ever held in Canada.”

“This is not my first time in Canada, but each time I come here I’m greatly impressed to see to what extent boxing is a major sport in the Quebec province,” said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, Kovalev’s promoter. “This will be a high-quality event, and I’m delighted to be working with a first-rate promoter in InterBox and a great network in HBO for this fight that will bring together two great boxers.”

“What a great way to end 2014 with this announcement of a such a great fight for the New Year,” said InterBox President Jean Bédard. “Sergey Kovalev is the holder of three world titles, but he is first and foremost the boxer that no one wants to face. But it is with great enthusiasm that Jean Pascal has accepted this challenge.”
“Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal are first-rate competitors who always look to fight against the best and, on March 14, that’s exactly what they will do against one another in a World Championship bout,” said Peter Nelson, Vice President of Programming at HBO Sports. “Following a key win for his career against Bernard Hopkins, Kovalev will put his three unified titles on the line, which Jean Pascal will try to take away. And let’s not forget that the winner will be able to proclaim himself king of the light heavyweight division. This event is absolutely not to be missed!”

Kovalev back in North America
The unified WBO/IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight champion is back from a small vacation in Russia and spending quality time with his wife and infant son, who was born right in the middle of his last training camp. After a short rest, Sergey is now ready to start training for his fight against Jean Pascal. Kovalev is anxious to defend his WBO title for the fifth time, as well as the IBF and WBA titles he wrestled from Bernard Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs) in a wide unanimous decision win on November 8th.

Pascal’s sole objective: To become World Champ again
Following the unfortunate turn of events during his December 6th fight, Jean Pascal is hungrier than ever to attain his ultimate objective of becoming world champion again. Marc Ramsey, who accompanied David Lemieux to Brooklyn last December 6th for his bout against Gabriel Rosado will be back in Pascal’s corner for the March 14th bout. Roy Jones Jr. and Russ Anber will be assisting Pascal during camp and during the bout.

Tickets on sale
Tickets for the unified Light Heavyweight World Championship fight between Kovalev and Pascal are on sale at the Bell Centre ticket office, at www.evenko.ca, by telephone at 1-855-310-2525 or through Club de Boxe Champion (514-376-0980).

About Main Events
Main Events was founded in 1978 by the late Dan Duva and is now run by his widow Kathy Duva. As one of the top promotional companies in the world Main Events has promoted boxing legends Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker and many more. Currently Main Events promotes WBO, IBF and WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion Sergey « Krusher » Kovalev who just defeated legendary light heavyweight Bernard « The Alien » Hopkins in one of the highest rated fights of the year last month in Atlantic City, NJ. Main Events is committed to promoting quality fights that boxing fans want to see.

About InterBox
InterBox, founded in Québec in 1997, and acquired by Groupe Sportscene in 2004, is recognized throughout Québec and the world as a respected boxing organization. InterBox’s goal is to promote professional boxing locally and internationally via talented boxers supported by top-drawer trainers using cutting edge techniques. InterBox regularly promotes and presents elite events in cooperation with such significant corporate sponsors as Vidéotron, the Cage aux Sports restaurant chain, Coors Light and Mise-O-jeu.

Camden, N.J. (Monday, December 22, 2014) – Undefeated super middleweight Derrick “Take it to the Bank” Webster (18-0, 9 KOs) is well known for being active in the community and giving back as much as he possibly can. His charitable persona was on full display this past weekend in Camden, hosting the first of what will be an annual toy drive for the holidays.

“It was a very special event that we put together,” Webster said of the toy drive. “It meant a lot to me to see the kids have smiles on their faces. We were able to provide over 200 gifts, and I loved getting in the ring and being able to interact with the kids. I just love kids, period.”

At the event, world famous DJ Quick supplied the music and set up a great environment for the toy drive. Webster stepped into the ring and put on a workout for everyone in attendance, also inviting a few kids into the ring for some brief “sparring.” Once the workout was completed, every kid was given the opportunity to select three gifts each before games and raffles were held to win an additional present.

Needless to say, everyone who attended the event left as winners.

“A lot of times, I wake up with something on my heart,” Webster said about the idea to host a toy drive. “We didn’t go around to different businesses and stores for this. We went into our own pockets. You don’t have to be a millionaire to give back to the people. $100 will go a long way. $50 will go a long way.”

The 1st Annual Derrick Webster Toy Drive caps off what has been an outstanding year for Webster professionally, both inside and outside of the boxing ring. In addition to adding four more victories to his resume in 2014, the Glassboro native signed with DandD Management in February and then inked a promotional contract with GH3 Promotions just over a month ago. Webster last stepped into the ring in late November, knocking out once-beaten Odobai Sai in just 22 seconds.

Webster, trainer Denny Brown and his entire team now set their sights on what looks to be a huge 2015, with an announcement regarding his next fight coming soon.

For all of the latest information on Derrick Webster, make sure to check out his official website at www.DerrickWebster.com.

Toronto (December 22, 2014) – TSN, RDS, Fight Network and UFC® today announced a new multi-year agreement for Canadian media rights to UFC global events.

Bell Media’s TSN and RDS will deliver a slate of marquee UFC programming to fans across multiple platforms, including major live events, preliminary fights of UFC Pay-Per-View events, UFC Fight Night™ events, and The Ultimate Fighter® series.

Fight Network will broadcast all UFC Fight Night™ events from around the world as well as preliminary bouts for domestic non-Pay-Per-View cards.

TSN and RDS will partner with Fight Network to produce an original live pre-fight program before Pay-Per-View events that will air on Canada’s #1 sports networks. Additional shoulder programming will air across TSN’s suite of five national feeds, giving UFC fans more access to programming than ever before.

As part of the partnership, TSN, RDS and Fight Network will work together to provide effective sales and marketing of UFC broadcasts in Canada.

“We are excited to join forces with TSN and RDS to provide UFC’s one-of-a-kind content in English and French, through two of Canada’s most-watched specialty channels. On top of that, we have an agreement with Fight Network that will perfectly complement this coverage,” said Tom Wright, UFC Managing Director, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. “This is a huge win for Canadian UFC fans as they will have more content on broadcast television than ever before.”

“UFC is a marquee international property with a loyal and engaged Canadian fan base. UFC content and support programming will be a tremendous addition to our slate of championship events,” said Shawn Redmond, Vice-President of Programming and Marketing, TSN. “We are also looking forward to working with Fight Network to showcase original UFC content across our suite of five feeds.”

“We are thrilled to be entering into this prestigious multimedia partnership with UFC and Bell Media’s TSN and RDS, and we look forward to working with our colleagues to grow the UFC’s already significant fan base in Canada as well as helping to build the sport of mixed martial arts at the grassroots level,” said Leonard Asper, CEO, Fight Network.

TSN kicks off its UFC coverage on Saturday, Jan. 3 with COUNTDOWN TO UFC 182: JONES VS. CORMIER at 7 p.m. ET on TSN4 and TSN5. The countdown show leads into two hours of UFC 182 preliminary fight coverage at 8 p.m. ET, which features Danny Castillo vs. Paul Felder, Marcus Brimage vs. Cody Garbrandt, Shawn Jordan vs. Jarod Cannonier and Evan Dunham vs. Rodrigo Damm.

Additional UFC programming will launch on TSN and RDS in early 2015 and includes UFC NOW, UFC UNLEASHED, UFC ULTIMATE INSIDER, UFC COUNTDOWN, ROAD TO THE OCTAGON, event weigh-ins and press conferences.

This announcement follows TSN and RDS’s new broadcast rights agreement with UEFA, making the networks the new home of UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE and UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE.

In addition to its live coverage, Fight Network will be producing live pre-fight programming, live coverage of press conferences and weigh-ins, post-fight analysis, as well as library programming highlighting UFC’s finest fighters and moments leading up to today.

About UFC

Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC®) is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell-out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT™ (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit www.UFC.ca and follow UFC on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/UFC, on Twitter @UFC_CA and Instagram @UFC.

About TSN

TSN is Canada’s Sports Leader and #1 specialty network. With a broad portfolio of multimedia sports assets, TSN delivers world-class content across its industry-leading platforms including five national television feeds, TSN.ca, TSN GO, and TSN Radio stations across the country. With more championship events than any broadcaster in the country, TSN’s roster of live sports programming includes the Grey Cup, IIHF World Junior Championship, FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, CFL, NFL, NBA, MLS, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, Season of Champions Curling, UEFA Euro 2016, MLB, Barclays Premier League, Golf’s Majors, NASCAR, F1, Grand Slam Tennis, NCAA March Madness, and Skate Canada and Rugby Canada events. TSN is a division of Bell Media, which is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company.

About RDS

RDS is Canada’s French-language sports broadcasting leader and Quebec’s #1 specialty network. In addition to its world-class content delivered across multiple platforms, including the RDS, RDS2 and RDS Info channels, RDS.ca website, RDS Mobile, RDS Télé mobile and the RDS GO app, RDS offers the broadest portfolio of French-language sports programming in the world. Official broadcaster of the Montreal Canadiens, CFL and Grey Cup, NFL and Super Bowl, MLS and MLS Cup, MLB and World Series, FIFA World Cup soccer from 2015 to 2022 and Euro 2016 and exclusive French-language broadcaster of the Montreal Alouettes, F1®, and the Tour de France, RDS’s various channels present almost 4,000 hours of live programming each year, including Montreal Impact soccer, the IIHF World Junior Championship, NASCAR, PGA Tour golf including all four majors, ATP tennis including all four Grand Slam tournaments, Barclays Premier League soccer, NCAA March Madness basketball, Seasons of Champions Curling and the Skate Canada International. RDS is a division of Bell Media, which is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company.

About Fight Network

Fight Network (www.fightnetwork.com) is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S., all major carriers in Canada and over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and includes additional programming on TSN Radio in Canada on Sirius XM Channel 167. Fight Network’s parent company Anthem Media Group Inc. (www.anthemmediagroupinc.com) also owns Fantasy Sports Network and a significant interest in the Pursuit Channel.