Boxing is heading into Beast Mode. 

English football’s biggest cult hero Adebayo Akinfenwa is the new voice of boxing, live on Channel 5, after signing up with Wasserman Boxing, to become the MC for tonight’s huge show in Bolton. 

Akinfewa, known to football fans around the world as ‘The Beast’, will kick-off his ring announcing journey as Lyndon Arthur faces the dangerous late replacement Boris Crighton live in front of a huge audience on free-to-air TV, in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment. 

The larger-than-life former striker played almost 800 times, and scored over 200 goals, in a career that saw him become one of the game’s most colourful and recognised characters. 

Described by Pep Guardiola as a “legend of English football”, the iconic Akinfenwa will now bring his booming voice and heavyweight personality to the boxing ring. 

“Boxing better get ready for some Beast Mode energy” roared Akinfenwa  

“When I retired from football last year, I made it clear that I wanted to try my hand at a lot of different things, and being a big-time boxing MC was top of that list. 

“Everyone knows I’m a huge boxing fan and I cannot wait to bring my Beast energy to Bolton on Friday night, on a huge night for Lyndon Arthur, live on Channel 5, with Wasserman Boxing. 

“The atmosphere on Friday night is going to be electric and I cannot wait to announce the fighters to the ring.” 

Akinfenwa, known as the strongest striker in the world during his playing days, amassed a huge army of followers because of his footballing exploits but hopes to win new fans by stepping through the ropes, and picking up the mic. 

“Big time boxing on Channel 5 just got a whole lot bigger!” buzzed Wasserman Head of Global Boxing, Kalle Sauerland. 

“We are thrilled to have Adebayo announcing the fighters to ring, live on Channel 5, on Friday night and the Beast Mode energy he is going to bring will crank up the excitement levels for Lyndon Arthur’s dangerous fight against Crighton. 

“Adebayo became a huge fan favourite in football and we know the boxing fans are going to love him!” 

Lyndon Arthur vs Boris Crighton is live and free-to-air on Channel 5 at 10pm.

Tickets are available from Wassermanboxing.com   

Manchester, England – Lawrence Okolie‘s world championship title defence tomorrow night is now official, following both fighters making weight at today’s pre-fight weigh-ins in Manchester, England.

The defending WBO world cruiserweight champion faces undefeated New Zealand-based challenger David ‘The Great White’ Light, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist who has fought his way to mandatory challenger status in the WBO rankings.

Light (20-0, 12 KO’s)  has promised the upset while Okolie (18-0, 14 KO’s) is confident he can end the fight early and retain his title with a highlight-reel finish.

The event airs live and exclusively this Saturday night in the UK and Ireland on Sky Sports.

Also on the scales today were English Super-Featherweight Championship contenders Michael Gomez Jr (18-1, 5 KO’s)  – son of Manchester boxing legend Michael Gomez – and Levi Giles (13-0, 3 KO’s), who face off for the vacant belt tomorrow night. 

Gomez made sparks fly when the two faced off after weighing in, shoving Giles over and prompting security to intervene and separate the pair, setting the stage for a fiery showdown tomorrow night.

2020 Olympic medallists Karriss Artingstall (2-0) and Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KO’s) made their fights official when they stepped on the scales, Clarke getting to see his opponent for the first time as Romanian heavyweight Bogdan Dinu (20-4, 16 KO’s) arrived as late replacement for American veteran Rydell Booker, who was taken ill at the start of the week.

BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom has lauded the main event as “a serious fight, a proper world-title fight” which will test Okolie, who trains with Tyson Fury’s coach Sugar Hill Steward.

“[Light] is someone who has earned his position, not someone we have chosen and not necessarily someone we would choose for [Okolie’s] first fight after a year out, with a new trainer on a new platform,” said Shalom at yesterday’s press conference.

“We know David Light is tough, durable and can punch. We know he’s always fighting on the front foot and he’s going to stick it on Lawrence on Saturday night. There’s a lot of pressure on Lawrence to prove to everyone who he is, why we believe he’s the best cruiserweight in the world.

Today’s weigh-in results in full:

Lawrence Okolie (14st 4lbs) vs. David Light (14st 2lbs 5oz)

WBO World Cruiserweight Title (12×3)

Frazer Clarke (19st 5lbs) vs. Bogdan Dinu (17st 10lbs)

Heavyweight (8×3)

Michael Gomez Jnr (9st 4lbs) vs. Levi Giles (9st 2lbs 5oz)

Vacant English Super-Featherweight Title (10×3)

Karriss Artingstall (9st) vs. Linzi Kuczy?ski (9st 2lbs)

Featherweight (6×2)

Callum Simpson (11st 4lbs 3oz) vs. Celso Neves (12st 0lbs 5oz)

Super-Middleweight (8×3)

Rhys Edwards (9st 2lbs 5oz) vs. Brian Phillips (9st 3lbs 5oz) 

Featherweight (8/6×3)

Shakiel Thompson (11st 12lbs 5oz) vs.Robert Talarek (11st 11lbs) 

Middleweight (6×3)

Samiel Antwi (10st 13lbs) vs. Omar Rodriguez (10st 13lbs)

6×3 Welterweight

Frankie Stringer (9st 12lbs) vs. Jacob Laskowski (9st 11lbs)

6×3 Lightweight

Harvey Lambert (10st 13lbs) vs.  Casey Brown (11st 5lbs 2oz)

Super-Welterweight (4×3)

Lyndon Arthur faces a last-minute change of opponent in Bolton after Braian Suarez failed a pre-fight medical. 

And late replacement, Boris Crighton has warned ‘King’ Arthur to expect an easy night at his peril, as the former sparring partners become rivals for real. 

Arthur was ready to lock horns with KO artist Suarez for the vacant IBO light heavyweight title at the University of Bolton Stadium, but medical issues meant the Argentinean was forced out and the supremely confident Crighton was drafted in. 

Crighton, nicknamed ‘Blade’, travelled from Glasgow on Thursday and was brimming with confidence ahead of his big chance on the Wasserman Boxing show, live on Channel 5, from 10pm, in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment. 

Arthur knew victory over Suarez, and winning the IBO title, would put him in pole position to land huge fights with any number of the world’s leading light heavyweight fighters. 

But to keep those dreams alive, the Manchester hero must deal with Crighton, a two-time Great Britain Amateur Championships winner and fighter determined to seize his golden chance. 

“This is a win-win for me, I’m in with a guy who fights at a weight that I don’t normally fight at, and someone who has had a full camp to prepare for a world title, so this is no small feat I am looking at,” Crighton said. 

“He is much bigger than me, but as the lighter man I will be faster, sharper and I have got that power regardless of whether I am at super middle or light heavy. 

“In those 10oz gloves, from super middleweight to light heavyweight, everybody has the power to put you down. Lyndon is not oblivious to that, and neither am I. The first few rounds will be like a chess match, but the middle rounds are where we are going to find out. The fifth, sixth and seventh will be where it gets exciting and where it will be make or break.” 

Crighton, who was preparing for a fight next month, received the phone call as he stepped out of a yoga class and instantly knew he had nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by accepting the offer. 

An upset win over Arthur would be “unimaginable” for his career and the 29-year-old, a double Scottish amateur champion, has promised his rival that he will bring the heat tonight. 

“I have sparred Lyndon before, it was good sparring and when you spar a high-level fighter like Lyndon, then the spars are like world championship fights – and that is how tonight is going to be.  I sparred Lyndon for the bout before he fought the rematch with Anthony Yarde and before the first fight with Yarde. 

“Lyndon won the Yarde fight with his jab; it is his prime weapon and if you allow him to get into a rhythm with his jab then he will control the fight.” 

Wasserman Boxing return for their opening event of the year and delivers an action-packed undercard featuring 50-50 fights, a title eliminator and a host of national and international stars.  

Formidable flyweight Chloe Watson is one to watch and she aims to continue her march to the top of the sport, with a six-round showdown in Bolton.  

Kane Gardner and Conah Walker engage in a fiery looking super lightweight tussle with James Moorcroft facing Nathan Bennett in an English title eliminator which is being tipped to steal the show.  

The first bell is at 17:45. 

Full weigh-in results and tonight’s running order can be found at www.WassermanBoxing.com  

Ahead of the April 1 featherweight title match at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa in Tulsa, OK, ESPN will air the original program, Blood, Sweat & Tears: Ramírez vs. Dogboe.

Fans will be treated to a 30-minute all-access preview that will feature both training camps ahead of the battle for the vacant WBO featherweight world championship between 29-year-old Cuban sensation Robeisy “El Tren” Ramírez (11-1, 7 KOs) and the 28-year-old Ghanaian former world champion Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe (24-2, 16 KOs).

Ramírez enters the title bout having won 11 straight, including a successful return victory over Adán Gonzáles who stunned Ramírez via split decision in his pro debut. Now the highly decorated amateur prodigy and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist steps up to the plate in his first-ever world title opportunity.

The fighting pride of Africa, Dogboe was born in Ghana and now resides in London, England as he looks to become a two-division world champion. Dogboe previously held the WBO junior featherweight world title, including one successful title defense before going nearly 24-straight rounds in back-to-back wars against Emanuel Navarrete, the three-division kingpin. Since then, “Royal Storm” has bounced back with four-straight victories to setup his next world title opportunity.

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

Blood, Sweat & Tears: Ramírez vs. Dogboe

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PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY — March 23, 2023 — It is with our deep regret to inform you of the devastating, and tragic passing of Ernest Hall, who was 32, and a father of three. 

Statement from Scott Abella

Abella Boxing Promotions extends our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Ernest Hall, who met a tragic and untimely death Wednesday evening in his native city of Baltimore, Maryland. 

Ernest was a young and thriving fighter looking for an opportunity to have a debut fight with Abella Boxing Promotions and had the mutual respect from all of us in the promotion and with his opponent John Leonardo.

The sport of boxing and the gym provides an outlet for youngsters and those like Ernest as an alternative to the continued violence that continues to plague our society and Ernest had that positive outlet that was provided. A moment of silence for Ernest will be observed at our scheduled show Bergen County Fight Night 3, next Saturday at The Terrace at Biagio’s in Paramus, New Jersey.

Again our deep condolences to his family and friends.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Due to the unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances, John Leonardo will no longer be fighting on Saturday April 1 in Bergen County Fight Night 3. The remaining fight card remains as previously noted. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

For any further questions, or concerns, please contact us, Robert Rizzo and/or Rich Mancuso with the contact information provided below. 

PLEASE NOTE OF THIS REVISION FROM THE PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE OF JOHN LEONARDO DISTRIBUTED FROM EARLIER TODAY THURSDAY MARCH 23, 2023. 

Six-Round Bouts

Nicky “The Bull” Vitone (9-1-1, 63.6 KO%) of Pine Brook, New Jersey, fights Jordan Rosario (4-10-0) in a super-lightweight bout. 

Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado, (5-0-0, 20 KO%), of Ridgewood, Queens, NY, will put his undefeated record up on the line against Usiel Hernandez (2-1-0) in a junior lightweight bout. 

Mike “The Champ” Lee (9-2-0, 63.6 KO%) of Jersey City, New Jersey, takes on Antonio Sanchez (7-16-3) in a super welterweight bout. 

Four-Round Bouts

Christian “Veneno” Otero (4-3-0, 28.5 KO%) of Harlem, NY will go toe-to-toe with southpaw Vinnie Denierio (3-7-0) in a lightweight bout. 

Dane Guerrero, of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, is set to make his pro-debut against Andre Hinmon (0-2-0) in a super middleweight bout. 

Kevin Hernandez (0-0-1), of Bergenfield, New Jersey will go up against George Gethers (0-3-0) in a welterweight bout. 

FRESNO, Calif. (March 23, 2023) – Top Rank on ESPN will deliver another action-packed tripleheader this Saturday at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. 

In the main event, former unified world champion Jose Ramirez (27-1, 17 KOs) takes on former lightweight world champion Richard “RC” Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs) in a 12-round junior welterweight showdown. 
 
In the co-feature, WBA minimumweight world champion Seniesa Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) will face WBC champion Tina Rupprecht (12-0-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round unification fight that will also crown a Ring Magazine queen. In the six-round heavyweight ESPN-televised opener, Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles (6-0, 6 KOs) battles Patrick Mailata (6-1, 3 KOs).
 
Ramirez-Commey, Estrada-Rupprecht and Mireles-Mailata will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $29 are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com.
 
At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Jose Ramirez 
 
“It’s always an honor for me to fight here in Fresno in front of the people who saw me grow up as a fighter. I hope to go out there on Saturday to showcase my talent in front of the people who love me the most.”
 
“I’ve experienced being at the top with people praising me and me being ranked at No. 1. Then, I became unified world champion when I beat Maurice Hooker. Then, all of a sudden after one loss, people started to walk away from that. But I’m just blessed that I have a beautiful family, a beautiful team, and a wonderful promotional company. That’s all I need. So, I found myself, and I realized who I am. I feel like I’m ready to show that lion that we all saw before I started getting distracted with some of the stuff that comes with being at the top. Now it’s time for me to work.”
 
“We’re focused on Richard Commey. This is a fight that is going to deliver a lot of excitement on Saturday.”
 
Richard Commey
 
“I’m always excited to get back in the ring. This is what I do. It’s going to be an interesting fight on Saturday. I really want to become a two-time world champion, so I’m coming strong this Saturday.”
 
“Like Ramirez said, he’s got the ‘fire’ back in him. So, I think he really wants to get back to the top. Just like me.”
 
“It’s always good to represent people, especially when those people don’t have a lot of eyes on them. So, to be the focal point and represent them is an amazing feeling.”
 
Seniesa Estrada 
 
“I’m so excited. This is the moment that I’ve dreamed of since I was seven years old. It’s crazy to think about how far I’ve come in this sport and how far this sport has come for women. Who would have thought that a little girl from East L.A. would be unifying titles on ESPN? It’s insane to think about how far I’ve come, and I’m just happy to represent all women in sport on Saturday night.”
 
“I expect Rupprecht to come in there at 100%. I expect her to go in there to win. She’s coming to win. She’s a good fighter. She’s a tough fighter. But I know that I’m different. I’m special, and I’m going to show that on Saturday.”
 
“I’ve been wanting to make the fight against Yokasta Valle. But this is the first step in making that fight happen. I have to beat Tina to fight Valle for the undisputed championship.”
 
Tina Rupprecht
 
“I’m very happy to be here. I’m happy to have my first fight in the U.S. I’m excited, and I’m ready to fight. It’s a big honor to fight for both titles. This is always what I wanted. And on Saturday you will see the best version of Tina.”
 
“Of course, I have watched her fight. But I’m not the kind of fighter who only focuses only on the opponent’s style. I also focus on myself. You will see on Saturday.”
 
Antonio Mireles
 
“I’m very excited. I knew this would happen. I just didn’t know it would happen now. It’s going to be nice to finally fight in front of a packed crowd on ESPN. It’s crazy that it’s been over a year since I turned pro. It shows how fast time goes by. But compared to where I was last year, I just feel like a completely different fighter. I’ve improved so much. But, I’m also more confident in my abilities.”

Raymond Muratalla
 
“I’m excited to be here. It’s my first time fighting in Fresno. I’m excited to be on the undercard of Jose Ramirez. I can’t wait. Each fight, I’m getting better and better. You’re going to see me go crazy. I’m just so ambitious. I’m just working hard. And I’m just really trying to stop these opponents.”
 

Saturday, March 25

ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

Jose Ramirez vs. Richard Commey, 12 rounds, WBC Junior Welterweight Title Eliminator

Antonio Mireles vs. Patrick Mailata, 6 rounds, Heavyweight
 

ESPN+ (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT)

Raymond Muratalla vs. Humberto Galindo, 10 rounds, Lightweight

Charlie Sheehy vs. Angel Rebollar, 6 rounds, Lightweight
 
Jessie James Guerrero vs. Eduardo Alvarez, 4 rounds, Light Flyweight
 
Ricardo Ruvalcaba vs. Marco Cardenas, 6 rounds, Junior Welterweight
 
Subaru Murata vs. Jose Negrete, 4 rounds, Junior Featherweight

LAS VEGAS, NV (March 23, 2023) – Undefeated super featherweight, DJ “The War Machine” Zamora (10-0, 8 KOs), is excited to be returning to the ring as prepares to take on his toughest test when he battles Jesus Abel Ibarra (15-0, 7 KOs), in what is sure to be an epic clash of unbeaten fighters. The 8-round bout will take place this Saturday March 25, 2023, on the highly anticipated Benavidez vs. Plant card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I am very excited to share the ring with another undefeated fighter and this is by far the biggest opportunity of my career,” stated Zamora, who will be fighting in his hometown Las Vegas. “I know exactly what is on the line and what I must do. I hope to give the fans a great show and send a message to the super-featherweight division. I know Ibarra, like me, is a tough fighter with a lot of heart, so we both will be leaving everything in the ring. Fans can expect to see an explosive fight.”

Zamora, who is only 19 years old, has quickly become one of the most talked-about fighters in the Las Vegas boxing scene. He’s already shown that he has the power and skill to be a force in the ring. But his impressive record is not the only thing that sets him apart. Zamora has sparred with some of the biggest names in boxing. These experiences have given him valuable insights into the sport and have helped him to hone his skills even further.

“I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and experience having sparred guys like Devin Haney and Shukur Stevenson, as well as my others out here in Las Vegas,” continued Zamora. “Ryan Garcia invited me to one of his training camps a few years back, and that work was incredible. I know what I’m capable of and I am very thankful for the opportunity to be fighting under the bright lights. I want to thank my team for making this possible. My confidence is at an all-time high and all the hard work will be on display this Saturday.”

The excitement surrounding this fight is palpable, with fans and experts alike eagerly anticipating the clash between these two unbeaten fighters. It’s sure to be a thrilling battle. Don’t miss your chance to see one of the most exciting young fighters in boxing take on his toughest challenge yet.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – (March 23, 2023) – World cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie came face to face with David Light in Manchester today at the pre-fight press conference ahead of this Saturday’s clash at the AO Arena Manchester, which will air live on Sky Sports.

<CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD PHOTOS>Credit to BOXXER / Lawrence Lustig

Light has battled his way to the mandatory challenger position for this shot at Okolie’s WBO title. Both fighters are undefeated, which means one of them will lose his ‘0’ this weekend.

Okolie (18-0, 14 KO’s) says the loser of the bout will become “irrelevant” and confidently expects that to be New Zealand man Light, while Light (20-0, 12 KO’s) is revelling in his underdog status and promising the upset.

Olympic standouts Karriss Artingstall (2-0) and Frazer Clarke (5-0, 4 KO’s) – both of whom won bronze medals at the 2020 Olympics – also compete this weekend in the next bouts of their nascent professional careers.

Clarke had been due to face American veteran Rydell Booker but now has a late change of opponent due to Booker falling ill. 

The slot has gone to towering Romanian special forces soldier Bogdan Dinu (20-4, 16 KO’s), who challenged for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title last year and has also faced former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev in 2019.

Also facing off at today’s press conference were local favourite Michael Gomez Jr (18-1, 5 KO’s) son of Manchester boxing legend Michael Gomez, and his undefeated rival Levi Giles (13-0, 3 KO’s). The two are competing for the vacant English Super-Featherweight Championship.

Here’s what today’s press conference participants had to say:

LAWRENCE OKOLIE

“He’s coming to win, [which] sets you up for a lot of openings. But you don’t get to this position by overlooking people, ever.

“It’s a nice safe place to hide behind being the underdog. When I see him I know what he really is. I’m prepared for what he may bring and will do what I need to do.

“I am going to be matching him and overmatching him for pressure and power from round one.

“Saturday’s going to come. One of us is going to win and the other one’s going to become irrelevant. So I’m looking forward to it.”

DAVID LIGHT

“I’m not here on somebody’s else’s terms… I’ve earned the shot. I’m coming to win. I know he’s a proud man and he’s going to defend with everything he’s got.

“I could have taken this fight a few years ago, for the money, but I am not here for the money – I’m here for the title.”

BEN SHALOM, BOXXER PROMOTER + CEO

“This is a serious fight, a proper world-title fight. It’s someone who has earned his position, not someone we have chosen and not necessarily someone we would choose for [Okolie’s] first fight after a year out, with a new trainer on a new platform. 

“We know David Light is tough, durable and can punch. We know he’s always fighting on the front foot and he’s going to stick it on Lawrence on Saturday night. There’s a lot of pressure on Lawrence to prove to everyone who he is, why we believe he’s the best cruiserweight in the world.

“He’s got to be able to deal with David Light. I’m very excited for it, I think we’re in for an absolute treat and we’re certainly not overlooking David Light.” 

MATT ROSE, DAVID LIGHT’S PROMOTER 

“He knows how to go into people’s backyards and win, that’s one thing he’s really good at. He’s based in New Zealand, he comes to Australia and wins, he goes to the US and wins. I know his trainer Isaac Peach has put a great game-plan together and I’ve told Ben Shalom we’re here to spoil the party.”

MICHAEL GOMEZ JR 

“I’ll punch you up now,” Gomez told Giles directly.

“I don’t know anything about him. Saturday night we’ll find out who he is. 

“I’m just going to punch his face in. I’m just going to go in there, stick it on him and see how good he is.

LEVI GILES

“I do my talking in the ring. It’s a good test for me, see where I’m at.

“We know what he brings. Forward, one dimensional. We know what he’s going to bring and we know how to deal with it.”

KARRISS ARTINGSTALL

“Her throwing her shots is going to leave more openings for me so I’m going to find my shots as well.”

“I am a level above [her] – two levels, if anything! – and I’ll show that on Saturday.”

LINZI BUCZYNSKYJ

“I just wanted the opportunity to show everyone on a big stage what I can actually do. I’m not scared to take any fight. I’ll fight anyone at any time on any stage.

“I have got the experience. She’s the one that’s got everything to prove.”

FRAZER CLARKE

“Unfortunately, Rydell Booker had to pull out of the fight. He had a medical problem and best wishes to him, we hope he gets better soon. But we’ve got a new opponent, Bogdan Dinu, he’s a credible opponent, who’s boxed some great names. It’s a good fight for me and I’m looking forward to it.”

“This is heavyweight boxing. It’s dangerous. Especially this guy at short notice. It’s up to me to be professional, which I am, go in there and do my job. I’m looking forward to it.

“It doesn’t matter who’s getting in with me at the weekend. I feel confident, I’m fit and strong. I’m ready to do a job.”

LONDON, England – Wednesday, March 22 – BOXXER, the next generation boxing promotion, will warm up British boxing fans before the summer with three sizzling shows, stacked with some of the UK’s leading prize fighters – including its first-ever stadium show on home soil.

The headline news begins with BOXXER’s first-ever UK stadium show on Bank Holiday Weekend in May, as BOXXER heads back to Bournemouth for another blistering battle on the beach on Saturday, May 27, headlined by hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KO’s). 

It takes place at the 15,000-capacity Vitality Stadium – home of Premier League football team AFC Bournemouth. An opponent for diehard Cherries supporter Billam-Smith will be revealed next Monday at a press conference in London (details to media will follow this week) in a main event that promises to be one of the fights of the year. 

“I think it will be an amazing event and an amazing show. To become number one in my division by winning at my team’s ground would be a dream. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. There’s been a lot of special moments there. Hopefully I can create another one,” said Billam-Smith.

And domestic cruiserweight quality will occupy the chief support slot on the South Coast with Mikael Lawal (17-0, 11 KO’s) making his first defence of the British Cruiserweight Championship he won by stopping David Jamieson in November.

Standing opposite him will be Isaac Chamberlain (14-2, 8 KO’s), making his second trip to Bournemouth following his unsuccessful attempt to take the Commonwealth and European cruiserweight belts from Billam-Smith in July last year.

Further fights will be announced in due course, along with ticket news for fight fans.

BOXXER’s terrific trio of electrifying events kicks off with ‘Crowning Glory’ on Saturday, May 6th at the Resorts World Arena, Birmingham when newly-announced BOXXER signing Joshua Buatsi (16-0, 13 KO’s) makes his eagerly-anticipated promotional debut. 

On the day King Charles III is coronated, the former British light-heavyweight champion – who is ranked No.1 in the world by the WBA – faces Pawel Stepien (18-0-1, 12 KO’s) in the headline bout and looks to end his Polish rival’s undefeated record in emphatic fashion as he kicks off his conquest for a world title.

In big news, generational prodigy Ben Whittaker (2-0, 1 KO’s) will make his long-awaited return to the ring in home city of Birmingham.The enigmatic 2020 Olympic silver medallist has already captured fans’ hearts and imaginations with his stunning skills, entertaining showboating style and inhuman reflexes – and he’ll be looking to come back with a bang for what will be his third professional outing.

BOXXER’s first visit to the UK’s second city will also feature Birmingham man Tyler Denny (16-2-3) defending his English middleweight championship in his home city. Denny won the belt in Coventry in June last year and will be making his third defence in this May bout with an opponent to be confirmed.

And Team GB golden girl Lauren Price MBE (3-0, 1 KO) – the nation’s most decorated amateur fighter of all-time – will return, fresh from her impressive victory away from home in Paris where she outclassed Naomi Mannes.

On Saturday, June 10 we head to London where new school meets old school as the incredible Adam Azim (8-0, 6 KOs) competes at the historic York Hall which holds a special place in British boxing folklore.

Azim, 20, has been heralded as a future world champion and last month overcame Santos Reyes at Wembley’s OVO Arena to extend his incredible, unbeaten start to life as a professional fighter.

BOXXER Founder and CEO, Ben Shalom, said: “We are excited to announce phase one of what is a huge schedule coming up for BOXXER and Sky Sports.

“It’s amazing to see new headliners get to the top, new marquee signings start with us and the return of fighters from injury. It really is going to be a groundbreaking few months with career-defining fights and huge nights.

“A special thanks to Joe Ashford-Ellis and AFC Bournemouth for making everything possible for us to stage our first-ever UK stadium show – and a first for the Premier League club too.”

For further details on tickets and event news, head to BOXXER.com

These events will be presented in association with official partners Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

LAS VEGAS – March 22, 2023 – Undefeated former two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavídez and former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant officially kicked off fight week events Wednesday with open media workouts before they meet in the SHOWTIME PPV main event this Saturday, March 25 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The media workout also featured fighters competing on the pay-per-view telecast including unbeaten rising stars Jesus “Mono” Ramos and Joey Spencer, who meet in the co-main event, rising lightweight contenders Chris “Primetime” Colbert and Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela, who duel in a lightweight showdown, and welterweight contenders Cody Crowley and Abel Ramos, who square off in the pay-per-view telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased HERE through AXS.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from MGM Grand:

DAVID BENAVIDEZ

“This is a dream come true. There’s a lot at stake in this fight. I’ve been wanting an opportunity like this for a long, long time. The time is right, right now. This is the best time to make this fight happen. I’m ready to give the fans what they want to see. I’m going for the knockout on Saturday.

“I have tremendous power. Everybody I hit, get hurt. I end up breaking them down little by little. This is the most focused I’ve ever been for a fight. I know Caleb Plant is going to be a hard fighter moving around a lot. But whatever he brings to the table, I’m going to be ready for it. I’m looking for that knockout and I’m going to get it.

“I just want to push myself. This is pay-per-view. I want to be in the limelight. I want to continue having pay-per-view fights and to do that, I have to push and get the knockout. But I’m not going to go in there just throwing wild shots. I’m going to be very calculated. This is the best I’ve ever felt mentally, physically and emotionally. I was already a monster before, but Caleb Plant brought the ‘Mexican Monster’ out of me.

“It’s a dream come true to headline a SHOWTIME PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Just coming in here and seeing my face all over the place and the ring in the entrance to the MGM Grand, I used to see that when Manny Pacquiao used to fight here. I used to tell myself that I’m going to get there one day. Now the day has come. It’s my turn to give these fans what they want to see and to be a pay-per-view star.

“I’m going to show what I’ve always shown. That I’m a monster and I can’t be stopped.”

CALEB PLANT

“I’m super excited. Thanks to all the fans showing up today. This is a big fight. Exactly what the fans want and what boxing needs. So, make sure you tune in Saturday because this is going to be big. 

“I’ve been here before. I’ve been in big fights before. I know what this is all about and I know what it takes. Me and my team are fully prepared to get my hand raised on Saturday night. 

“[Trainer Stephen Edwards] ‘Breadman’ came in last camp and we took things up to another level – you’ve seen that in my last performance. We took just a couple of weeks off and got back to work. So we’ve been building on top of that and it’ll show in the fight.

“I’m getting back to my old ways and the way my dad wants me to box. With ‘Breadman’ being here and echoing that and them going off each other, we’ve just got great chemistry.

“Getting my hand raised is all the motivation I need. It’s super motivating to have my family here with me. I’m gonna show that if you come up short or things don’t go your way, you gotta keep chasing and fighting for your dreams.”

JESUS RAMOS

“This is what boxing is all about. Good fighters fighting other good fighters. That brings out the crowd. That’s what this is about. We’re here to compete.

“It’s crazy that both Joey and I turned pro around the same time, and now we’re here. But that’s what boxing is all about, making the big fights. This is a great fight and it’s going to be entertaining for the fans.

“It’s always special sharing a card with my uncle. It’s a great card and to have my uncle and my whole family here means a lot. We did training camp together and now we’re here. It’s exciting and we’re both ready for this.

“I’m looking to make a big statement on Saturday night – that we’re here to stay. We’re fighting tough fighters, overcoming adversity and becoming better with each fight.

“I’m just focused on winning. If the knockout comes, it will come, but I have to win.”

JOEY SPENCER

“This sport is about testing yourself against the best that you can, and I feel like Jesus [Ramos] was one of the best fighters that I could get and that’s what happened. So that’s what I want to do for the rest of my career and as long as I do this – go in there and test myself physically and mentally and in a way that you can’t do outside this sport.

“It’s a great training camp and we’ve had some good looks and had some undefeated pros in my camp – tall southpaws to emulate the look that I need for Jesus. Everything is going well. I’ve put together a great game plan. I’m mentally and physically ready and I’m looking forward to showcasing that for the world to see.

“This is a familiar feeling for me – the feeling of fight week. I’ve never been this high up on a card before or in a fight of this magnitude, but I’ve been able to observe the really big fights over the past five or six years, so I’m definitely prepared to show that this is my time.

“All I know is that I have to get the win at all costs. Whatever it takes and whatever I have to do to get the win, I will do it. If I have to adjust, or if I have to change my gameplan – whatever I have to do, I’m prepared for all circumstances and ready to go out and get it done.”

CHRIS COLBERT

“I missed boxing so much. This is what I love to do. This is my life. It just feels good to be back and to be fulfilling one of my dreams. It was always a dream to fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Come Saturday night, that dream is going to come true and I’m going to show up and show out.

“I know that Valenzuela is a great fighter and he’ll be coming to fight, but I ain’t worried about nothing. In my last fight, I didn’t get the decision that I wanted, but everybody knows that I can really fight. Come Saturday night, I’m going to show that.

“I’m coming up in weight, so what fighter is not going to feel good coming up in weight? Saturday night will tell me how I really feel and I’ll see whether or not I can hang at this weight class. I feel like I can. I’ve been in the ring with 155-pounders and it’s nothing to me. I think I’ll be good.

“The time away from the ring just made me realize certain things that I didn’t realize when I was on my high horse because I was undefeated. I was winning and I was making a lot of money and doing things that I had never done before. But that’s never going to stop. I’m always going to be me. Always going to be ‘Primetime’. It’s going to be ‘Primetime’ on SHOWTIME PPV on March 25. I will be victorious.”

JOSE VALENZUELA

“This week is a blessing. It’s a dream come true to be on the undercard with my brother David Benavidez. This is another opportunity to show and prove to myself and the world what I’m made of and what I can really do. 

“I took this tough fight because I know what I can really do when I have my head in the game and when I have my stuff together. I’ll be putting on a show on Saturday night.

“I learned a lot from my loss to Edwin De Los Santos. I learned a lot about the game and about myself, my team and my family. I just learned so much and I’ve matured a lot. It was a blessing in disguise.

“Chris Colbert is a good fighter. He’s slick and he’s fast. I’m well prepared for that. I’ve trained for his style and I’ll be ready.

“I’m promising fireworks on Saturday night. The whole card from top to bottom is a great card. It’s going to be a good night of boxing and I will be victorious. My hand will be raised, there’s no doubt about that.”

CODY CROWLEY

“Vegas is home for me in terms of where I live, and also in terms of where I deserve to be, which is at the top of the boxing game with the legends. I’m paving my way one fight at a time and I feel like I’m right at home.

“Abel is a veteran. Hats off to him. He’s been in a lot of exciting fights at the top level. But he hasn’t been in there with Cody Crowley yet. Anything you’ve seen, it’s going to be totally different. I’m a different animal, a different beast. I suffocate my opponents to the point where they can’t breathe. Unless you’re willing to throw 150 to 200 punches a round, you’re not ready for Cody Crowley.

“My dad took his own life last summer. He was battling some demons just like I think every single human being in this room does on a daily basis. The greatest thing I can do to honor him is to not let those demons attack me like they attacked him. That means waking up every day no matter how hard it is, moving forward, opening my mouth, sharing my heart and letting people know what’s going on in my head. This fight, I’m raising money for suicide awareness in my father’s name so other people who need help can have resources to reach out and come out on the other side.

“In a perfect world for Cody Crowley, this fight ends in a shutout with me winning every single round until I suffocate him and take him out. I’m going for a stoppage. I’m a 15-round fighter. I’m still waiting for those days to come back. I hope when I go out there and show my conditioning and the excitement that I give fans a reason to get off their chairs and stand on their feet on fight night.”

ABEL RAMOS

“I’m excited for this fight. I’m enjoying it and I’m thankful to all the fans for showing up today.

“Crowley is a tough opponent and we’re expecting an exciting fight and we are ready to go. Whatever he brings, we’ll be ready.

“It’s motivating to be on the same card [as my nephew Jesus]. We went through training camp together and we’re here now. It’s going to be an exciting night for the Ramos family.

“Be sure you tune in, because I’m coming out with the victory.”

#         #         #

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. PLANT

Benavídez vs. Plant will see undefeated former two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavídez and former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant meet in a high-stakes, 12-round showdown for Benavídez’s Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title live on SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

In the co-main event, unbeaten rising stars Jesús “Mono” Ramos and Joey Spencer will go toe-to-toe in a 10-round super welterweight scuffle, as each fighter looks to make their claim as the future of the 154-pound division. The action will also see rising lightweights Chris “Primetime” Colbert and Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela meet in a 10-round duel, while unbeaten welterweight contender Cody Crowley faces the hard-hitting Abel Ramos in the telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezPlant, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

Boston, MA (March 22, 2023) Fast-Rising Irish Boxing Star, ‘King’ Callum Walsh, (6-0, 5 KOs), had a whirlwind international week surrounding his most recent dominant performance, a second-round knockout of Wesley Tucker on the Eve of St. Patrick’s Day, March 16 from the Agganis Arena in Boston, MA and broadcast live internationally by UFC FIGHT PASS, the highest rated boxing event on the premium streaming service.

The victory, promoted by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions, was Walsh’s sixth appearance on UFC FIGHT PASS and Boston’s biggest boxing event in many years.

Said Loeffler, “Callum’s popularity is ascending quickly. The huge attendance in Boston and the record-setting viewership on UFC FIGHT PASS validates his ability to draw immense interest for his fights. He’s clearly bringing UFC fight fans back to boxing.”

“Everywhere we go, whether its UFC events in Las Vegas, Phoenix or London; in addition to his fight nights and media events, Callum is swarmed by fans for photographs. We have very big plans for him not only this year but in the coming years.”

The 22-year-old Walsh’s week in Boston kicked off Monday with a visit to the iconic Fenway Park where he was presented with a personalized jersey by members of the Red Sox front office. While visiting the famed Green Monster in left field, Walsh declared ‘Boston fight fans will see Ireland’s Green Monster on Thursday night’.

Walsh spent Monday evening with his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach hosting a boxing clinic for the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester in addition to holding a media workout at the famed Peter Welch’s Gym in South Boston.

On Tuesday, Walsh hosted the Fight Week Press Conference at the renowned West Side Johnnie’s Sports Memorabilia Bar attended by a huge contingent of Boston media.

Following the weigh-in on Wednesday, Walsh and UFC President Dana White returned to Peter Welch’s Gym to host a Boxing Punch Machine contest for the hundreds packed into the gym. Known for his knockout power, no one was able to beat Walsh’s high score which earned him a cash bonus of $5,000.  

Among the sports celebrities in attendance for Walsh’s first fight in front of the Boston boxing fans were UFC President Dana White, UFC Legend Georges St. Pierre, Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro Defensive End Maxx Crosby, New England Boxing Legend Micky Ward, Two-Time Super Bowl Champion (New England Patriots) Tully Banta-Cain, Two-Time Heavyweight World Title Challenger Gerry Cooney, Former Heavyweight Contender Kevin McBride, Former Welterweight Contender Dicky Eklund and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Serra.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Friday March 17, Walsh and Tom Loeffler traveled to London, England for UFC 286 at the sold-out O2 Arena. Walsh was widely recognized by UFC fight fans in a venue he hopes to headline in the future.

Prior to the start of UFC 286 on Saturday, Walsh was a special guest at the UFC 286 Fan Experience where he once again registered the high score on the Boxing Punching Machine.

Walsh is scheduled to return to the ring and UFC FIGHT PASS in June.

Photos: Credit / 360 Promotions

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(March 22, 2023) – Stephen Fulton’s WBO/WBC junior featherweight world title defense against Naoya Inoue — originally scheduled for Sunday, May 7, at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan — has been postponed due to a training injury suffered by Inoue.
 
Fulton-Inoue will be rescheduled for July, with a new date to be announced in due course.
 
The main event and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
 
Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs) will make his third world title defense and second as a unified champion since defeating Brandon Figueroa in one of the best fights of 2021. Inoue (24-0, 21 KOs), the sport’s pound-for-pound king, is a three-division world champion who is making his junior featherweight debut after defeating Paul Butler last December to become the undisputed bantamweight world champion.

# # #

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

NEW YORK (March 22, 2023) – Multiple world champion Kathy “Wildcat” Collins (14-2-4, 3 KOs) will become the first female boxer inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF).

Collins, of Plainview, is one of a 22-member Class of 2022 being inducted at the 11th NYSBHOF induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, on Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 30, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“”It’s a tremendous honor to be inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame,” said Collins (married name Globuschutz). “This is my fourth induction into Halls of Fame, which is special to me since I also held four world titles. But this is even more special since it is finally here in New York, the Mecca of Boxing, and where it all started for me.

“In 1995, I was part of the first class of women ever allowed to box in the fabled Daily News Golden Gloves. A year later, the first women’s fight televised on the USA Tuesday night boxing series from the Paramount at Madison Square Garden, which culminated in the highest female purses at the time from Madison Square Garden as a co-featured bout on a major pay-per-view for Don King. These were major accomplishments in women’s boxing. It helped paved the way for women today, some coming out of the Olympics, selling out The Garden and working towards equal pay with seven-figure pay days.”

Collins’ second professional fight was a six-round decision over Andrea DeShong in 1996, which brought pro women’s boxing to the famed Madison Square Garden and regular cable television.

In 1997, Kathy captured the IFBA welterweight title and added the IWBF junior welterweight crown later that same year, then, she dropped down to the lightweight division to successfully challenge for the IWBF championship. Collins became the first fighter to simultaneously own world titles in the WIBF, IFBA, and IWBF.

Kathy Collins is a true pioneer in women’s boxing. Now, she’ll be honored at home in New York by her induction into the NYSBHOF.

“In 30 years,” she concluded, “we’ve come a long way baby! It is truly an honor to be recognized by the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame and to be recognized and included in in a tremendously talented, successful class of inductees, and being around so many of my friends and colleagues that helped me break ceilings along the way.”

“Kathy Collins is a great asset for the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame as our first female boxer inductee,” NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy commented. “Her induction into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame is an extension of her career as a pioneer of women’s boxing. We are proud to be inducting her.”

Other living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF are Brooklyn’s 2-division (welterweight & light welterweight), 6-time World Champion “Super” Zab Judah (44-10, 30 KOs), Brooklyn’s 2-divbision World Champion (welterweight and light welterweight) Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (36-8, 7 KOs), Troy welterweight Kevin “Mr. Excitement” Pompey (32-18-3, 12 KOs), and Brooklyn World Super Lightweight World title challenger Dmitry “Star of David” Salita (35-2-1, 18 KOs).

Posthumous participants being inducted are Poughkeepsie’s world lightweight challenger Johnny Busso (36-12-1, 15 KOs), Bronx middleweight Eugene “Silent” Hairston (45-13-5, 24 KOs), New York City’s NYSAC Featherweight World Champion Tony “Jimmy Pell” Pellone (51-19-6, 10 KOs), Bronx featherweight Mike “The Bronx Spider” Belloise (91-28-12, 21 KOs), New York City’s World Colored Heavyweight Champion Harry “Black Panther” Wills (70-9-3, 56 KOs), and Hempstead’s World Light Heavyweight World title challenger Eddie “Wildcat” Davis (34-6-1, 20 KOs).

Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are Brooklyn trainer Hector Rocha, Brooklyn ring announcer Dave Diamante, Bronx commentator/producer/radio show host Tony Paige, Latham journalist Bob Mladinich, Brooklyn neurologist Barry Jordan, Brooklyn judge Robin Taylor, and Buffalo journalist Bob Caico.

Posthumous non-participant inductees are Brooklyn manager Izzy Zwerling, Manhattan manager Dave Wolf, Brooklyn trainer George Washington, and New York City manager/promoter Irving Cohen.

Each attending inductee (or direct descendant of) will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.

The 2022 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF Nominating Committee members: Chairperson Jack Hirsch, Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski, Ron McNair, Jim Monteverde, Neil Terens, Jose Corpas, Bobby Cassidy, and Bob Duffy.

All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers or during the prime of their respective career.

Tickets are priced at $160.00 per adult, $60.00 for children (under 16), and includes a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, as well as a 7-course dinner (prime rib, fish, or poultry) and open bar throughout the event. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304 or depcomish@aol.com. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $80.00 to $200.00, by contacting Duffy. Go online at www.nyboxinghof.org or www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

NYSBHOF

CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and Arthur Mercante, Sr.

CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Buddy” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard and Don Dunphy.

CLASS OF 2014: Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Billy Backus, Kevin Kelley, Juan LaPorte, Gerry Cooney, Mustafa Hamsho, Howard Davis, Jr., Lou Ambers, Jack Britton, Terry McGovern, Teddy Atlas, Lou DiBella, Steve Farhood, Gene Moore, Angelo Prospero, Whitey Bimstein, Cus D’Amato, William Muldoon and Tom O’Rourke.

CLASS OF 2015: Saoul Mamby, Joey Giamba, Johnny Persol, Harold Weston, Lonnie Bradley, Paul Berlenbach, Billy Graham, Frankie Genaro, Bob Miller, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Slattery, Bob Duffy, Mike Katz, Tommy Gallagher, Bruce Silverglade, Charley Goldman, Jimmy Johnston, Cedric Kushner, Harry Markson, Damon Runyon, and Al Weill.

CLASS OF 2016: Aaron Davis, Charles Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, Edwin Viruet, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Kansas, Joe Lynch, Joe Miceli, Ed Brophy, Joe DeGuardia, Randy Gordon, Dennis Rappaport, Howie Albert, Freddie Brown, Howard Cosell, Ruby Goldstein, and Jimmy Jacobs.

CLASS OF 2017: Gaspar Ortega, Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Doug Dewitt, “The Bronx Bomber” Alex Ramos, Dick Tiger, Jose Torres, “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey, Don Majeski, Ron Katz, Stan Hoffman, Bobby Bartels, Hank Kaplan, Al Gavin, Arthur Donovan, and Dan Parker.

CLASS OF 2018: Lou Del Valle, Jake Rodriguez, Terrence Alli, Joe Mesi, Kid Chocolate, James J. “Gentleman Jim” Corbett, Jack McAuliffe, Billy Costello, Melio Bettina Ralph “Tiger” Jones, Charley Norkus, Dave Anderson, Pete Brodsky, Herb Goldman, Bobby Goodman, Melvina Lathan, Ron Scott Stevens, Johnnie Addie, Johnny Bos, Murray Goodman, Bert Randolph Sugar, and Sam Taub.

No class of 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions

CLASS OF 2020: Jorge Ahumada, Alfredo Escalera, Freddie Liberatore, Dennis Milton; Lou Savarese and Merqui Sosa, Soldier Bartfield, Steve Belloise, Jimmy Goodrich, Tami Mauriello, Davey Moore, Freddie Welch, Don Ackerman, Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Rick Glaser, Jack Hirsch, Max Kellerman, Dr. William Lathan, Julie Lederman, Ron Lipton, Kevin Rooney, Dan Daniel, Bobby Gleason, Flash Gordan, A.J. Liebling, Tony Mazzarella, and manager Dan Morgan.

CLASS OF 2021: Michael Bentt, Shannon Briggs, Verno Phillips, Donny Lalonde Johnny” Verderosa, Larry Barnes, Johnny Turner, Al Singer, Kid Norfolk, Patsy Giovanelli, Eddie Martin, Battling Siki, Solly Krieger, Herbie Kronowitz, Tommy Paul, Lou Salica, Ron McNair, Don Elbaum, Ed Schuyler, Bill Verigan, Tom Hauser, Mike Silver, and Jill Diamond, Lou Stillman, Bill Cayton, James Walker, John Condon, Irving Rudd, Richard K. Fox, and trainer Victor Valle.

ABOUT RING 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.

RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.

Go online to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues are only $30.00, and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.

INFORMATION:

www.nyboxinghof.org

www.Ring8ny.com

PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY — March 22, 2023 — Pro-fighter John “Body Shot” Leonardo (9-1-1), intends to set his mark across the boxing map on Saturday April 1st as Bergen County Fight Night 3 goes down at The Terrace at Biagio Ristorante in Paramus, New Jersey – presented by Abella Boxing Promotions with PPV available at Bergen Audio Visual – $24.99. 

The 22-year-old Italian with four knockouts in 11 bouts (36.3 KO %), out of Manalapan, New Jersey, will go toe-to-toe against Ernest Hall (4-2-1) in a six-round super bantamweight bout.

“I’m hyped to get in there,” Leonardo said. “I show up to win and I come to fight with my heart. I fight with the best of my ability, and my heart kicks in and takes care of the rest.”

Speaking of ability, Leonardo has grown into his own under the ethics and values transcended down from his father Donald Leonardo, who is a retired professional boxer and 1987 Daily News Golden Gloves Champion. 

“My dad was a big body puncher and the golden gloves had him as one of the best body punchers to ever go through the golden gloves,” Leonardo said. “My dad would always say ‘hit the body, hit the body’ and it came to a point where I was the only guy in the amateurs where I would set you up and touch you low.”

His father Donald has been the head of Leonardo’s camp ever since his amateur career, where he fought in 70 bouts starting at the age of 14. 

Uniquely, in all walks of life, things come full circle… 

Now, as John Leonardo prepares for his pro-fights, he also trains and provides lessons to the youth at Juice Boxx Boxing Gym located in Freehold, New Jersey. 

“Obviously at the stage where we’re at now, you don’t get paid enough for what we do,” Leonardo said. “It’s a tragic thing. You’re at a beginning stage, where you gotta take shots to the head in order to make a paycheck and it’s not even enough money. So to make money and to do other things, I do what I know best and that’s boxing. I train my own set of amateur guys. Many of them are currently competing in the New Jersey Golden Gloves.” 

But with that said, his main concern and goals are to represent his home roots of New Jersey as well as his Italian heritage.  

“It’s very important because you need to have the state of Jersey behind you,” Leonardo explained. “When you get big and travel out to these places, fans want to see Jersey win. They want to have someone represent for them.” 

“And representing Italians across New Jersey is even more important. Everybody’s community kinda sticks together. Being involved in your heritage and background is huge. With the Italian guys, you don’t see many of us. They want to support that. People are behind what they are.”

Remaining Six-Rounders: 

Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado, (5-0-0, 20 KO%), of Ridgewood, Queens, NY, will put his undefeated record up on the line against Usiel Hernandez (2-1-0) in a junior lightweight bout. 

Nicky “The Bull” Vitone (9-1-1, 63.6 KO%) of Pine Brook, New Jersey, fights Jordan Rosario (4-10-0) in a super-lightweight bout. 

Four-Round Bouts: 

Christian “Veneno” Otero (4-3-0, 28.5 KO%) of Manhattan, NY will go toe-to-toe with southpaw Vinnie Denierio (3-7-0) in a lightweight bout. 

Dane Guerrero, of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, is set to make his pro-debut against Andre Hinmon (0-2-0) in a super middleweight bout. 

Kevin Hernandez (0-0-1), of Bergenfield, New Jersey will go up against Tyrell Cook (0-3-0) in a welterweight bout. 

Bergen County Fight Night 3, presented by Abella Boxing Promotions is sponsored by NY METRO PROMOTION & PRINTING, TEAM PARAMUS COLLISION, PARAMUS 186 PBA, SKULL FUEL ENERGY DRINK, WIRED PRODUCTS, MYPAL BY PALADINO ENTERPRISES – NEW JERSEY’S PREMIER, HOME SERVICE APP, TURN KEY DATA, TIRE WHEEL PERFORMANCE CENTER, CIBAO MEAT PRODUCTS “TRADICIÓN DE CALIDAD”

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – BERGEN COUNTY FIGHT NIGHT 3

WHEN: Saturday Night April 1st, 2023

WHERE: The Terrace at Biagio Ristorante located on 293 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652

BOUTS: 4 Six-Round Bouts, 3 Four-Round Bouts (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

TICKETS AVAILABLE: $100 General Admission, $300 VIP

PPV/STREAMING: Bergen Audio Visual – $24.99 

Follow on Instagram: @abellaboxing

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AbellaBoxingPromotions

Top Rank presented by Autozone will be live this Saturday, March 25, at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+.  The triple-header features a junior welterweight showdown, a minimumweight title unification fight, and a six-round heavyweight clash. The event takes place at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

In the 12-round junior welterweight main event, former unified 140-pound world champion José Ramírez (27-1,17 KOs) from Avenal, California will meet former lightweight world champion Richard “RC” Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs).  Following his 2021 decision defeat to Josh Taylor for the undisputed junior welterweight title, Ramírez rebounded last March with a unanimous decision victory over former two-weight world champion José Pedraza. He has been among the sport’s best 140-pounders since winning the WBC world title against Amir Imam in March 2018.

Commey,from Accra, Ghana, made his name as one of the sport’s top lightweights, winning Commonwealth honors before capturing the IBF world title in February 2019. His title reign lasted 10 months, as he knocked out former world champion Ray Beltrán before a stunning second-round stoppage defeat to Teófimo López at Madison Square Garden. Commey’s lightweight run ended with a December 2021 decision loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko. 

The co-feature will be a world title unification clash, as WBA minimumweight world champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) collides with WBC world champion Tina Rupprecht (12-0-1, 3 KOs).

Hailing from East Los Angeles, California, Estrada returns to her home state intent on unifying world titles for the first time in her decorated career. The 30-year-old veteran turned pro nearly a dozen years ago and has competed at the world class level in three weight classes. In 2021, she captured the WBA minimumweight and WBO light flyweight titles in consecutive fights. Estrada then vacated the light flyweight title to pursue undisputed glory at minimumweight. She signed with Top Rank last year and returned from a nearly 11-month layoff in November to shut out Jazmin Gala Villarino.

Rupprecht, from Augsburg, Germany, has made five defenses of her world title after being elevated from interim champion in 2018. Earlier that year, she toppled Yokasta Valle, who is the current IBF and WBO unified minimumweight world champion. In July 2021, Rupprecht edged former world champion Katia Gutierrez by split decision. She is coming off a decision win over Rocío Gaspar in December.

The heavyweight opener will be a six-round clash between Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles and Patrick Mailata.  Mireles (6-0, 6 KOs) is a Mexican-American prospect from Des Moines, Iowa. As an amateur, he won several national tournaments and signed with Top Rank in September 2021. Mailata (6-1, 3 KOs) is a Samoan-born prospect who had a decorated amateur career representing New Zealand.

The undercard will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.
 

ESPN’s Joe Tessitore will call the action with Hall of Famers Andre Ward and Timothy Bradley, Jr. as analysts; Mark Kriegel and Bernardo Osuna will serve as reporters.  

Original Content: The Dream Americano

Ahead of the March 25 doubleheader, ESPN will air Top Rank’s The Dream Americano, a 30-minute celebration of the Mexican-American fighting spirit, featuring a visit with co-headliners, U.S. Olympian José Ramírez and undefeated world champion Seniesa Estrada. Viewers will also be treated to special guest appearances by actors Danny Trejo and Mario López. 

In addition to the air times below, The Dream Americano will also be available for replay on-demand in the ESPN App and on ESPN.com and ESPN+. 

Top Rank Presents: The Dream Americano 

ESPN.com

Out Friday: How Seniesa Estrada’s love for boxing helped save her father –by Mike Rothstein

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

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

Boxing 

Top Rank 

State of Boxing 

Max on Boxing Max Kellerman hosts a 30-minute series weighing in on key boxing news and providing insights on the sport’s top fighters and upcoming events 

Who Do U Fight 4? Get to know the next generation of Top Rank stars and learn what drives them 

Follow @ESPNRingside: Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok

 Ramírez vs. Commey-  Estrada vs. Rupprecht  – Mireles vs. Mailata  (All Times ET)

About ESPN 

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

About ESPN+

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

Lyndon Arthur will catapult himself above his domestic light heavyweight rivals by winning the vacant IBO world title, declared promoter Kalle Sauerland. 

The Manchester fighter tackles the heavy-handed Braian Suarez at the University of Bolton Stadium on Friday night, live and free-to-air on Channel 5 from 10pm, in association with Ladbrokes, Numan and Infinitum Entertainment. 

Arthur is part of a thriving UK scene at light heavyweight and Wasserman Head of Global Boxing, Sauerland, says defeating the dangerous Suarez would put the ‘King of the North’ at the top of the pile. 

The 31-year-old is refusing to look at potential mega-fights with Joshua Buatsi, Dan Azeez and Anthony Yarde just yet, but taking home the prestigious IBO belt on Friday night, will put Arthur in the driving seat to land those huge domestic clashes. 

Wasserman Head of Global Boxing, Kalle Sauerland said: “The light heavyweight division is a talking point in this country and there are some massive fights out there, internationally.  

“And on Friday night, the King of the North, Lyndon Arthur, can put himself above Buatsi, above Yarde, above Azeez by winning the IBO world title. Those fights can come, and they will come. 

“But it is a tough mission in front of Lyndon on Friday night. Suarez has close to a 90% knockout ratio and I don’t think the judges will be needed. I am confident in our man. He has been overlooked but on Friday night, Lyndon will have more viewers than Yarde, Buatsi and Azeez did in their last two fights, put together. 

“And no-one else in the UK light heavyweight division will have one of these world titles, if we are successful. A win puts us ahead in the race. Yarde put in a strong performance against Beterbiev but, at the end of the day, he was still well short.” 

Manchester hero Lyndon Arthur said: “Suarez is a good fighter who has good power and I’m excited to see what he brings. 

“My focus is only on Suarez and winning the IBO title. After Friday night, I will speak about those other fights that have been mentioned.”

The dangerous Braian Suarez said: “I am so thankful for this opportunity, and I will do everything in my hands to bring the victory home to Argentina. 

“I hope to win by KO, but the priority is just to win. Like every boxer, Arthur has weaknesses. I am not going to tell you what they are, but I am going to take advantage of them.” 

Arthur and Suarez headline a stunning first show of 2023 for Wasserman Boxing, with the 12 fight card delivering 50-50 contests, a title eliminator and a host of local, national and international stars. 

The future of female boxing in the flyweight division, the formidable Chloe Watson, has her fifth pro contest, while Kane Garnder and Conah Walker clash in a tasty looking super lightweight meeting. 

Lyndon Arthur vs Braian Suarez, for the IBO World Light Heavyweight Title is live and free-to-air on Channel 5 at 10pm on Friday.

Tickets are available from Wassermanboxing.com 

BELFAST (March 22, 2023) — Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez may have to start calling himself “The Road Warrior.” Lopez will make the first defense of his IBF featherweight world title against Michael “Mick” Conlan on Saturday, May 27, at The SSE Arena in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast.
 
Lopez captured the title last December, venturing to Josh Warrington’s home base of Leeds, England, to grind out a majority decision.
 
Lopez-Conlan and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States. BT Sport will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.
 
Promoted by Top Rank and Conlan Boxing, in association with Queensberry Promotions, tickets go on sale Friday, March 31, at 11 a.m. local time via www.Ticketmaster.ie.
 
“The passionate Belfast fans will pack The SSE Arena hoping to lift their hero, Michael Conlan, to a world title. I also know that Luis Alberto Lopez thrives in enemy territory and will not relinquish his title without a tremendous fight,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
 
“Belfast hasn’t had a big world title fight in six years. Michael’s fans have traveled far and wide throughout his career and now they get to create the cauldron-like atmosphere that the SSE Arena is known for in the biggest fight of his career. Luis Alberto Lopez is a very dangerous fighter and a fantastic champion that has a reputation of going to the enemy’s backyard and upsetting the apple cart, so we are in for a barnburner on May 27,” said Conlan Boxing CEO Jamie Conlan.
 
Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, navigated bumpy terrain to become a world champion. After early-career defeats to Abraham Montoya and Ruben Villa stunted his momentum, Lopez thrilled American fight fans with his July 2020 split decision victory over Andy Vences inside the MGM Grand Bubble. Fourteen months later, he dominated then-unbeaten junior lightweight prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. over 10 rounds. Lopez then moved down to featherweight and stopped another undefeated foe, Isaac Lowe, in seven rounds at London’s York Hall. After two stay-busy wins, he received his shot at the title, turning an expected triumphant Leeds homecoming into disappointment for the partisan fans.
 
“I am a road warrior. Traveling to my opponent’s home country doesn’t faze me,” Lopez said. “I won my world title in Leeds, and now it’s time to defend it in Belfast. The louder they cheer for Michael, the harder I will fight. The IBF title will remain in Mexico. May 27 will be a special night for me, and Michael’s fans will go home disappointed.”

Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs) turned pro in 2017 after a decorated Irish amateur career that included two Olympic berths, an Olympic bronze medal, and gold medals at the World Championships, European Championships, and Commonwealth Games. His double middle finger salute to the judges at the 2016 Rio Olympics turned him into a fighting folk hero, and as a pro, he has proven himself on the world stage. Last March, he nearly captured the WBA featherweight crown from Leigh Wood in Wood’s hometown of Nottingham, England. Conlan, ahead on all three scorecards, was knocked out in the 12th round of ESPN’s Fight of the Year. The Wood disappointment did not linger, as Conlan came back later that year with victories over Miguel Marriaga and Karim Guerfi at The SSE Arena. Five months after knocking out Guerfi in one round, Conlan returns to the friendly SSE Arena confines, prepared to seize his championship moment.
 
 “This is a massive opportunity. Fighting for the world title in Belfast is something I’ve always dreamed of, and I will be taking this opportunity with both hands.” Conlan said. “The SSE Arena will be buzzing, and I will do everything I can to bring a world title home. Credit to Lopez for coming to Belfast, but I am taking his title. He is not prepared for what is coming his way on May 27. Ireland will see a new champion crowned.”

# # #

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

March 21, 2023, Plant City, FL  —  Once beaten Mohamed “El Bufalo Negro” Soumaoro will battle undefeated Angel “El Chocolatito” Vazquez in a ten round lightweight bout in the main event of ProBox TV’s March 22 boxing show at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida. 

Tickets, starting at $50, are available HERE.

The ProBox Live Stream will begin at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT.

10 Rounds Lightweights Main Event

Mohamed Soumaoro           vs                          Angel Vazquez

Montreal, Canada                                              San Luis, Sonora. MX

12-1, 5 KO’s                                                                     12-0, 6 KO’s

139.8 lbs. 139.8 lbs.

6 Rounds Super Featherweights TV# 2

Demontaze Duncan                  vs                              Axl Melendez

Louisville, Kentucky                                               Ceiba, Puerto Rico

8-0, 8 KO’s                                                                       5-0, 4 KO’s

148 lbs.________________________________________148.4 lbs.

6 Rounds Jr. Welterweights TV #1 (8:00 PM) LIVE

Omar Rosario____ ________ vs___ _______Zach Hill

Caguas, Puerto Rico__________________________ Watertown, SD

9-0-2 KO’s______________________________________3-3-2 KO’s

141.8 lbs._________________________________________140 lbs.

Both Soumaoro and Vazquez are coming off the biggest wins of their careers, against undefeated opponents.

Soumaoro (12-1, 5 KOs) born in Guinea and fighting out of Montreal, Canada, is on a two-fight win streak. His last fight was a unanimous decision win against undefeated Jusiyah Shirley on December 2 at the ProBox Events Center.

“Training camp went very well and I feel ready to give a great show to the fans, give a beautiful performance and win the fight,” said Soumaoro. “Vazquez is a young fighter who likes to put the pressure on and will do everything in his power to beat me. However, whatever he brings to the ring on March 22 I will be ready for. I am unlike any other opponent he has faced.

“This win against Vazquez, my first ten-rounder on a Platform like ProBox TV, will be huge for my career. An emphatic win against another undefeated boxer will get my name out there and lead to bigger opportunities.”

Vazquez (12-0, 6 KOs) is from San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico. The twenty-two year old made is professional debut in February 2019 and his first eleven fights took place in Mexico. His last bout, his first in the US, was a unanimous decision win over fellow undefeated Nicholas Sullivan.

“I have prepared myself well physically, technically and mentally for this fight,” said Vazquez. “I sparred with top level fighters because I know my opponent has experience and good technique and will bring his all on fight night. The best one to do it on that night will win and I’m feeling real good about it. It will be an interesting fight and the public will enjoy it. I’m going to meet him in the middle of the ring then close the spaces and take him to the ropes where I will throw combinations that do damage.

“This a very good opportunity for me and after this victory against a quality fighter they get me bigger challenges so I can soon fight for titles that place me among the best in the division.”

Also on the three-fight live stream will be undefeated Dominique Valle (5-0, 4 KOs) from Tampa, FL vs Carlos Rosario (5-1, 3 KOs) from Fajardo Puerto Rico in a six-round super featherweight bout and Demontaze Duncan (8-0, 8 KOs) from Louisville, KY will battle Axl Melendez (5-0, 4 KOs) from Ceiba, Puerto Rico in a six-round welterweight bout.

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

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

Roseland, NJ (March 20, 2023) –GH3 Promotions has announced the signing of undefeated super middleweight Junior “The Young God” Younan to a co-promotional deal with Amaury Piedra.

Younan, 27 years-old of Brooklyn, New York has a record of 17-0-1 with 11 knockouts.

“This a is a great signing for us. Junior has always been a terrific talent. He just needed the opportunities, and that is what we plan to do. He can be a real player in the super middleweight division, and with a couple of wins, he will get those and eventually win world championships.” said Vito Mielnicki of GH3 Promotions.

“I am grateful for the opportunity. We have a nice plan for the rest of the year. I am excited for what is to come.  I am looking to fight in May, and then fight on a PBC platform. The goal is to get belts at Super Middleweight. I hope people are sleeping on me because I am getting better. Once they see me back in the ring, people will see that I am still the fighter people were talking about when I turned professional. I just had a year layoff, and stopped a guy with one loss in less than a round. After these few fights, I will be ready for anyone. The only problem before was consistency in fighting. And knowing that I will be active, I will be ready for the biggest challenges,” said Younan.

Younan was a highly touted amateur boxer who compiled a 90-5 record before turning professional in 2013 at the age of 18. Once dubbed by The New York Times as “a boxing prodigy” as a 10-year-old, Younan was a two-time National Junior Golden Gloves champion, the 2011 National Junior Olympic championship, and at one point was the No. 1-rated junior boxer in his weight class by USA Boxing. 

Younan turned professional on November 9, 2013 with a first-round stoppage over Kenneth Taylor Schmitz. Younan has defeated Mike Guy (9-2-1) and in his last bout, he stopped Dauren Yeleussinov (10-1-1) on July 30, 2022 in Brooklyn.

We see the passion with Vito and how he gets with his fighters. He responds right away and he cares about his fighters. We are very excited about the future. When we fought in July, PBC loved what they saw. Vito will get us opportunities on a PBC Platform, and Junior will be ready for anyone in the super middleweight division.  We are old school and believe real fighters have to fight real fighters. Junior will be doing just that, said Younan’s father/trainer Sherif Younan.

(March 21, 2023) — Two international fight cards will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ this week. The action starts Thursday, as super middleweight knockout artist Christian Mbilli takes on two-time Ecuadorian Olympian Carlos Gongora in a 10-round main event from the Montreal Casino in Montreal, Canada.
 
The ESPN+ action continues Friday from the Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy, as undefeated 168-pound contender Ivan Zucco faces off against London’s Germaine Brown in a 10-round bout.
 
Mbilli-Gongora and undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ on Thursday starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
 
Zucco-Brown and undercard contests will stream live on ESPN+ on Friday beginning at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
 
Mbilli (22-0, 20 KOs) is a 2016 French Olympian who is inching closer to a world title opportunity. The 27-year-old is coming off an impressive 2022 in which he scored knockout wins over former title challenger Nadjib Mohammedi and DeAndre Ware, along with a decision victory last December over Vaughn Alexander. Gongora (21-1, 16 KOs) represented Ecuador in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics before turning pro in 2015. In 2020, he scored an upset knockout victory over Ali Akhmedov. He then stopped Christopher Pearson in 2021 before losing a close decision to Lerrone Richards. The 33-year-old southpaw is coming off a fourth-round TKO over Oscar Riojas last August.
 
In other streaming action from Montreal:
 
Canadian Olympian Simon Kean (22-1, 21 KOs) faces his stiffest challenge yet against two-time world title challenger Eric Molina (29-8, 21 KOs). Kean was 15-0 with 14 knockouts before an upset loss to Dillon Carman in 2018. He avenged that loss the following year as part of a seven-fight knockout win streak.
 
Junior welterweight Steve Claggett (33-7-2, 23 KOs) will attempt to score his fifth straight KO victory in a 10-round tilt against Mexico’s Rafael Guzman Lugo (26-2-2, 16 KOs).
 
Undefeated lightweight Luis Santana (8-0, 2 KOs) returns to the ring in an eight-round fight against Francisco Arturo Ramirez Martinez (11-4, 6 KOs) of Veracruz, Mexico.
 
In a battle of undefeated junior lightweights, Canada’s Leila Beaudoin (8-0, 1 KO) will collide against Mexico’s Laura Avendano Mondragon (6-0, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.
 
Zucco (16-0, 14 KOs) is a 27-year-old southpaw who debuted in the paid ranks in 2017. He beat then undefeated Luca Capuano in 2021 via sixth-round knockout to capture his first regional title. In his last fight, he stopped Marko Nikolic in the second round to capture the WBC International super middleweight title. His last six opponents have not gone the distance. Brown (12-1, 3 KOs) is a 28-year-old native of London who captured a British title in 2022 with a decision win over Charlie Schofield. In his last outing, he lost the belt to Zak Chelli in what has been his only loss so far.
 
In other streaming action from Milan
 
Francesco Russo (12-2, 10 KOs) will put his Italian junior middleweight title on the line in a 10-rounder against Christian Mazzon (9-4, 3 KOs).
 
Maxim Prodan (20-2-1, 15 KOs) will see action in an eight-round welterweight tilt against Mirko Marchetti (8-4).
 
Undefeated Italian prospect Giovanni Sarchioto (6-0, 6 KOs) will participate in an eight-round middleweight contest against France’s Houcine Moulahi (4-13-2, 2 KOs).
 

# # #

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

LAS VEGAS – March 21, 2023 – SHOWTIME SPORTS^® boxing schedule is in full swing as the network televises its third live boxing event of March and eighth of the year this Saturday night when 168-pound stars David “The Mexican Monster” Benavídez and Caleb Plant meet in a high-stakes, 12-round showdown to settle their long-simmering feud live on SHOWTIME PPV. The showdown takes place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The SHOWTIME^® schedule across the first six months of 2023 features four matchups pitting top-5 ranked opponents against each other, including No. 1 Benavídez and No. 2 Plant at super middleweight, according to the Transnational Boxing Rankings.

As the two heated rivals put the finishing touches on their fight-night preparations, here are some news and notes from SHOWTIME SPORTS to gear up for one of the year’s biggest and best fights.

NON-STOP ACTION

SHOWTIME SPORTS is in the middle of one of its strongest schedules in the network’s 37-year history of televising live boxing. Beginning with the February 25 slugfest between Subriel Matias and Jeremias Ponce, the SHOWTIME schedule includes seven live telecasts in nine weeks, culminating with the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia mega-fight on April 22. The industry-leading schedule already includes some of the biggest names in the sport, including Benavídez, Plant, Davis, Garcia and Sebastian Fundora, with plans to add more star-power with blue-chippers Errol Spence Jr., Jermell and Jermall Charlo, Keith Thurman, Jaron Ennis, David Morrell,and Danny Garcia returning to action.

WALL TO WALL COVERAGE

There will be no shortage of content to feed fight fans’ appetite for Benavídez vs. Plant as SHOWTIME surrounds fight week with wall-to-wall, premium coverage. The full episode of the Emmy^® Award winning ALL ACCESS for Benavídez-Plant is now available on the SHOWTIME Sports and Premier Boxing Champions YouTube Channels. Special ALL ACCESS bonus clips are also being released on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel, including this clip of “The Mexican Monster” revealing a piece of his fight night attire. In addition, several YouTube Shorts, including this one of Plant showing off his impressive shoe collection, can be found on the “Shorts” tab on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel.

The SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel will also be home to live streaming coverage of all fight week events, including open media workouts on Wednesday, the final press conference Thursday, the official weigh-in Friday, and the post-fight press conference. Morning Kombat’s award-winning duo of Brian Campbell and Luke Thomas will serve as the hosts of the live streams on Thursday and Friday, as well as for the SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN show on Saturday, which will include live coverage of preliminary bouts and analysis of the upcoming pay-per-view card. Unbeaten super bantamweight contender Kevin Gonzalez will battle Colombia’s Jose Sanmartin in a 10-round duel topping the countdown prelim show, while Cuban contender Orestes Velazquez takes on Argentina’s Marcelino Lopez in a 10-round super lightweight attraction in other action.

FROM SILVER SCREEN TO BOXING SCENE

The Benavídez family is used to performing on the big stage, but Jose Benavídez Jr. took that premise to a new extreme by starring in the blockbuster film Creed 3. Jose Jr., David’s older brother and a top contender in his own right, delivered a universally praised acting performance as a pivotal character in Creed 3 in his Hollywood debut. He plays the nemesis of Damian “Dame” Anderson, who becomes the central antagonist to the title character Adonis Creed. Away from the silver screen, Jose Jr. helped David prepare for the biggest fight of his career on Saturday. Jose Jr. knows that big-fight feeling well. He’s a former amateur star who challenged welterweight champion Terence Crawford for his WBO title in 2018. He also lost a majority decision to two-division world champion Danny Garcia last July on SHOWTIME but has rebounded nicely as boxer “Felix Chavez” in the third film of the popular Creed film series.  

A FAMILIAR STAGE

MGM Grand Garden Arena will serve as the backdrop for Saturday night’s action, which is fitting since the iconic venue has played host to some of the greatest fighters who have stepped through the ropes. Since opening its doors in 1993, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Roberto Duran, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Roy Jones, Manny Pacquiao, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder have all performed there. The venue is also familiar to SHOWTIME, as Saturday will mark the network’s 36^th live boxing telecast from MGM Grand Garden Arena. Its most recent telecast there was a notable one: Canelo Alvarez’s SHOWTIME PPV November 2021 against Plant. This will be Plant’s third fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena while Benavídez will be making his second appearance there.

BUCKING THE TREND

While Saturday’s main event has the potential to be unforgettable, the headliners aren’t the only ones generating attention. The stacked undercard is led by a pair of undefeated fighters in rising stars Jesús “Mono” Ramos and Joey Spencer who are making a statement about their willingness to face tough opposition rather than pad their records with light touches in agreeing to their 10-round super welterweight bout. 

“This fight is proof that if two guys want to get in the ring at any stage in their career, even if it doesn’t necessarily follow the specific script that boxing usually follows, you can make a fight that’s outside of the box,” Spencer said during a press conference on February 22. Ramos concurred, saying, “This new generation is hungry. We want to fight each other. It’s going to bring boxing a lot of big fights and entertaining nights.”

The undercard also features an intriguing contest between two rising lightweights coming off their first career losses as Chris “Primetime” Colbert meets Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela and unbeaten welterweight contender Cody Crowley faces the hard-hitting Abel Ramos in the telecast opener in another well-matched encounter.

FROM SHOBOX^®TO PAY-PER-VIEW

Benavídez will be making his eighth appearance on SHOWTIME, having appeared on SHOBOX: The New Generation^®, SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® previously. Benavídez first appeared on SHOWTIME when he was 18 in the telecast opener of a 2015 SHOBOX, where he introduced himself to the boxing world by scoring a first-round KO over Felipe Romero. In the main event of a 2017 SPECIAL EDITION telecast, Benavídez became the youngest ever world champion in the super middleweight division with a split decision victory over Ronald Gavril. On that night, Benavídez joined a prestigious list of fighters who fought on SHOBOX and went on to win a world title – a list that has grown to 88 names after O’Shaquie Foster won a title in February. Benavídez has since appeared on five SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts and now will be making his SHOWTIME PPV debut.

Plant will headline his second SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday night and will be making his third overall appearance on the network after he also scored a victory in the opening bout of the SPECIAL EDITION telecast that was headlined by Benavídez-Gavril.

HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO BET?

DraftKings, the official sportsbook sponsor of Benavídez vs. Plant, views “The Mexican Monster” as a slight favorite on Saturday night. He is currently listed as a -330 favorite, while Plant is a +240 underdog.

Some of the brightest minds in boxing also weighed in with their fight night predictions, with many seeing this as a 50/50 fight that could go either way.

“It’s a 50-50 fight but I think Caleb on points,” said former two-time welterweight world champion Shawn Porter. “Something’s telling me Caleb is in the right place at the right time. I truly think he’s going to break down David, and he’s going to frustrate David.”

“I love the fight given the talent level of the two and the significance within the division,” said Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports. “Plant has everything he needs to win this fight, but I see Benavídez as something of a sleeping giant. He has enormous untapped potential and I believe this fight is coming at the right time for him. I see it as a nailbiter that Benavídez pulls out down the stretch with crisp combination punching.”

WHERE TO CATCH ALL THE ACTION

The four-fight pay-per-view event kicks off at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is widely available for purchase and live streaming in the United States at SHOWTIME.com/ppv and via the SHOWTIME app on supported devices including Apple iOS and tvOS devices, Android Mobile, AndroidTV, Roku, Amazon FireTV, Samsung Smart TV and LG Smart TV (2019 models and newer), Xbox One, Xfinity Flex, the Cox Wireless 4K Contour Stream Player and online at SHOWTIME.com. The event is also available for purchase in the U.S. via satellite and telco systems through DIRECTV^®, DISH, Sling TV and Vubiquity.  The suggested retail price is $74.95 (SRP). In Canada, viewers can purchase and access the event via traditional cable and satellite distributors (Bell, Rogers, Shaw and SaskTel/TELUS). Liberty and Claro TV will offer the event in Puerto Rico. G&G Closed Circuit Events is the commercial distributor within the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. 

THE A TEAM

Veteran sportscaster and “The Last Stand” podcaster Brian Custer will host the SHOWTIME PPV telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will once again handle the blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three more Hall of Famers round out the most decorated team in boxing – ringside reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) with former world champion and SHOBOX: The New Generation commentator Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as the expert analyst. Four-time Emmy^® Award winner David Dinkins, Jr. will executive-produce the telecast with Bob Dunphy, son of Hall of Fame boxing announcer Don Dunphy,directing.

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#          #          #

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. PLANT

Benavídez vs. Plant will see undefeated former two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion David “The Mexican Monster” Benavídez and former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant meet in a high-stakes, 12-round showdown for Benavídez’s Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title live on SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

In the co-main event, unbeaten rising stars Jesús “Mono” Ramos and Joey Spencer will go toe-to-toe in a 10-round super welterweight scuffle, as each fighter looks to make their claim as the future of the 154-pound division. The action will also see rising lightweights Chris “Primetime” Colbert and Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela meet in a 10-round duel, while unbeaten welterweight contender Cody Crowley faces the hard-hitting Abel Ramos in the telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezPlant, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

Atlantic City, NJ (March 8, 2023)–THIS SATURDAY night, March 25th, Kristian Prenga will take part in the main event when he takes on Sam Crossed for NABA Heavyweight Title plus The NBA Continental Heavyweight at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

The fight card is promoted by Rising Star Promotions.

Prenga of Mirdite, Albania is 12-1 with all of his wins coming by knockout. The 32 year-old has thrilled his fans with prodigious knockout power has taken out Jaime Barajas (2-0-2) and his last outing when he drilled Alvin Davie in two rounds on November 12, 2022 in Atlantic City.

Crossed of Greenbelt, Maryland has a record of 11-3-1 with seven knockouts. The 35 year-old Crossed is an eight-year veteran who has a win over Josh Jones (1-0). Crossed is coming off a defeat to Calvin Mends on May 21, 2022 in Springfield, Virgina.

Appearing in the six-round co-feature will be undefeated flyweight Anthony Johns (5-0, 4 KOs) of Newark, New Jersey against an opponent to be named

Also in six-round bouts:

Isaah Flaherty (5-0, 3KOs) of Queens, New York takes on Dewayne Williams (3-6-1, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia, PA in a super welterweight bout.

Avious Gibson (10-0, 9 KOs) of Chattanooga, Tennessee will take on an opponent to be named in a welterweight contest.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Malik Nelson (3-0, 3 KOs) of Perth Amboy, New Jersey battles Joseph Adorno Del Valle (0-0-1) of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico in a featherweight contest.

Gabriel Gerena (1-0, 1 KO) of Piscataway. New Jersey boxes Joshua Maldonado Garcia (1-3) of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico in a super featherweight bout.

Pro debuting super featherweight Francisco Rodriguez of Pleasantville, New Jersey will fight an opponent to be named.

Justin Figueroa (3-0, 3 KOs) takes on Manuel Moreira (0-3) of Sheridan, Wyoming in a super welterweight clash

Derrick Starling (5-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a heavyweight contest.

Tickets are available for $65, $85, $150 and $200 and can be purchased BY CLICKING HERE

LAS VEGAS – March 21, 2023 – A pair of undefeated rising contenders will look to cement their status in their divisions with statement victories in action that will be live streamed on the SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN SHOW this Saturday, March 25 leading up to the highly-anticipated David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant event taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Unbeaten super bantamweight contender Kevin Gonzalez will battle Colombia’s Jose Sanmartin in a 10-round duel topping the show, while Cuban contender Orestes Velazquez takes on Argentina’s Marcelino Lopez in a 10-round super lightweight attraction. The live streaming presentation will begin at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page and will be hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell.

These fights will lead up to the SHOWTIME PPV telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT featuring super middleweight rivals David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez and Caleb Plant going toe-to-toe in the 12-round main event.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased through AXS.com.

The 25-year-old González (25-0-1, 13 KOs) made a successful U.S. debut on SHOWTIME in May 2022, earning a unanimous decision over Emanuel Rivera Nieves in their 10-round fight. A native of Sinaloa, Mexico, González has fought professionally since 2016, and owns a unanimous decision over former title challenger Ivan Morales in March 2021. González won a regional 122-pound title by stopping Alexander Mejia in July 2021, finishing the fight in round seven. He takes on the 30-year-old Sanmartin (34-6-1, 21 KOs), who most recently won a unanimous decision over Miguel Martinez in December 2022. The Arboletes, Colombia-native has challenged current featherweight champion Mauricio Lara and current super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete during a pro career that dates back to 2011.

A native of Cuba now residing in Miami, Velazquez (6-0, 6 KOs) has stopped each opponent he’s faced since turning pro in October 2020 following a prolific amateur career. The 30-year-old added four victories in 2022, including most recently stopping Guillermo Leonel Crocco in the first round of their December 2022 clash. He will be opposed by Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Lopez (37-2-1, 22 KOs), who enters this fight having won his last five outings, including triumphs over veteran contenders Pablo Cesar Cano and Breidis Prescott. The 36-year-old has a 5-1 record stateside, with his only blemish coming via-split decision against Michael Perez in 2017.

The non-televised undercard lineup will be highlighted by a battle of unbeatens as Las Vegas super featherweight prospect Demler Zamora (10-0, 8 KOs) battles Arizona’s Jesus Ibarra (15-0, 7 KOs) in an eight-round showdown. Rounding out the action is super middleweight prospect Daniel Blancas (5-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round attraction facing Texas-native Nicholas Molina (4-1-1, 4 KOs), super featherweight prospect Robert Meriwether III (3-0, 2 KOs) dueling Mexico’s Jesus Perez (14-15-1, 8 KOs) in a six-round fight, and super featherweight prospect Dorian Khan Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round fight.

#         #         #

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. PLANT

Benavídez vs. Plant will see undefeated former two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion David Benavídez and former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant meet in a high-stakes, 12-round showdown for Benavídez’s Interim WBC Super Middleweight Title live on SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, March 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

In the co-main event, unbeaten rising stars Jesús “Mono” Ramos and Joey Spencer will go toe-to-toe in a 10-round super welterweight scuffle, as each fighter looks to make their claim as the future of the 154-pound division. The action will also see rising lightweights Chris “Primetime” Colbert and Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela meet in a 10-round duel, while unbeaten welterweight contender Cody Crowley faces the hard-hitting Abel Ramos in the telecast opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezPlant, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

FRESNO, Calif. (March 21, 2023) — Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles is ready for prime time.

The 6-foot-9, 270-pound heavyweight southpaw will return in a six-round clash against Patrick Mailata on Saturday, March 25, at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. Mireles-Mailata will open the televised tripleheader headlined by the junior welterweight showdown between Jose Ramirez and Richard “RC” Commey and the minimumweight title unification bout between WBA champion Seniesa Estrada and WBC queen Tina Rupprecht.

Ramirez-Commey, Estrada-Rupprecht and Mireles-Mailata will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $29 are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com.

Mireles (6-0, 6 KOs) is a Mexican-American prospect from Des Moines, Iowa. As an amateur, he won several national tournaments and signed with Top Rank in September 2021. Mireles made his pro debut the following month on the undercard of the Emanuel Navarrete-Joet Gonzalez main event in San Diego. Under the tutelage of Robert Garcia, he has maintained a 100 percent knockout ratio and is coming off a first-round knockout against Eric Perry last November. Mailata (6-1, 3 KOs) is a Samoan-born prospect who had a decorated amateur career representing New Zealand. Mailata has won two straight since a majority decision loss to Kingsley Ibeh.

Baltimore, Maryland (March 20, 2023)–Jeter Promotions has announced the signing of undefeated junior welterweight Ahmad Muhammad Jones to a promotional contract.

Jones, 23 years-old of Baltimore, Maryland is 4-0 with two knockouts.

All four of Jones’ wins have come on Jeter Promotions cards, and the signing makes it official that he will be with Jeter Promotions going forward.

?”Tony Jeter is doing an amazing job, and he is keeping fighters active and doing great things. He is staying busy by doing shows in different areas. I could see myself fighting in the different spots that Tony Promotes such as Atlanta, Pennsylvania and Maryland,” said Jones.

Jones started boxing at the age of 13, and had 35 amateur fights. He considers himself a boxer-puncher. Jones turned professional on December 3, 2021 with a first-round stoppage over Joshua Zimmerman in Philadelphia. Jones has a win over Kani Burnside. In his latest outing, Jones won a four-round unanimous decision over Michael Crain on February 18th in Hanover, Maryland..

“I am working on building my record and hopefully get on TV and fight for any belt that is available. Tony can bring me to be a champion and I believe in him:”

Jones is trained by Marvin McDowell

Photos by Daniel Cork

MANCHESTER, England – Tuesday, March 21 – Frazer Clarke will face former WBA world interim heavyweight title challenger Bogdan Dinu this Saturday, March 25th at Manchester’s AO Arena.

The news comes as Clarke’s initial opponent Rydell Booker is sadly forced to withdraw through illness following a serious medical incident.

The American heavyweight was taken unwell last weekend. Booker had attended a boxing event in his hometown of Detroit, just days before he was due to travel to the UK, where he was taken ill with a serious medical emergency. He is now recuperating and everyone at BOXXER sincerely wishes Rydell Booker a full and swift recovery.

Undefeated Team GB Olympics hero Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs), who memorably won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, will now bid to take another scalp on his burgeoning resume when he faces off against his 6ft 5in Romanian rival. 

Dinu (20-4-0, 16 KOs) was beaten by Daniel Dubois the last time he fought in England when he was stopped for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title in June 2021.

Last year, he fell short in his challenge for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title after taking on Kevin Lerena.

Based in Bucharest, Dinu fought former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev in 2019 and has stood opposite American Jerrell Miller too during his 24-fight career since turning professional in 2008.

Outside of the ring, the 36-year-old has served as an Independent Special Actions and Intervention Service Agent (SIIAS), which is a Romanian police task force created in 1995 as part of the Counter-Organised crime squad. Its roles include seizing dangerous or armed criminals, handling hostage crises, disaster rescues, the protection of police, witnesses and others involved in criminal investigations.

Whether Dinu will be able to handle the might of ‘Big Fraze’ in Manchester remains to be seen, however. Standing at a mean 6ft 6in, Clarke has been triumphant in his last two successive fights at the AO Arena and will be looking to make it a hat-trick when he returns this Saturday.

“Unfortunately Rydell Booker had to pull out of the fight. He’s had a medical problem, so I’m sending my best wishes to him and I hope he can get better soon,” said Clarke, speaking today on Sky Sports News.

“We’ve got a new opponent in Bogdan Dinu, who is a very credible opponent. He has boxed some great names including the likes of Daniel Dubois, Kubrat Pulev and Jerrell Miller. It’s a good fight for me and I’m looking forward to it.

“This is professional boxing – you can’t bank on anything. I’m accustomed to it now and throughout my career I am used to fighting people at a day’s notice. My job is to go out there and win. People can talk about looking fantastic and making a statement. But I’m a winner and that’s my job every time. If I can perform how I know I can then I will do that. I’m looking to go out there and make a statement.

“It’s been an up-and-down start to my career. Everytime I’ve got in there and I’ve won. This is heavyweight boxing. It’s dangerous. It’s up to me to be professional and do my job.

“It doesn’t matter who I’m getting in with this weekend, I’m ready to go and do my job.”

Final tickets are on sale now at BOXXER.com starting at just £25 – a bargain price for a blockbuster night of elite boxing, headlined by Lawrence Okolie defending his WBO world cruiserweight title against New Zealand’s David Light.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

– – – – – – – 

CONTACT BOXXER PR

Matty Lawless, Head of PR & Communications

+447393764765 | matty@boxxer.com

FULL CARD FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 25 AT THE AO ARENA IN MANCHESTER

*Please note: Below list is not the running order

12 x 3 mins  WBO World Cruiserweight Championship

LAWRENCE OKOLIE vs DAVID LIGHT

8 x 3 mins Heavyweight Contest

FRAZER CLARKE vs BOGDAN DINU  

10 x 3 mins Vacant English Super-Featherweight Contest 

MICHAEL GOMEZ JR vs LEVI GILES

6 x 2 mins  Featherweight Contest                                       

KARRISS ARTINGSTALL vs LINZI BUCZYNSKI

8 x 3 mins  Super-Middleweight Contest

CALLUM SIMPSON vs CELSO NEVES

6/8 x 3 mins  Featherweight Contest                     

RHYS EDWARDS vs BRIAN PHILLIPS

6 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

SHAKIEL THOMPSON vs ROBERT TALAREK      

8 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

AARON McKENNA vs LUCAS NDAFOLUMA             

6 x 3 mins Welterweight Contest

SAMUEL ANTWI vs OMIR RODRIGUEZ

6 x 3 mins  Lightweight Contest

FRANKIE STRINGER vs TBA                                       

4 x 3 mins Super Welterweight

HARVEY LAMBERT vs CASEY BROWN

Essington, PA (March 21, 2023)–RDR Promotions returns to the Clarion Hotel in Essington, PA on Friday, April 14th as heavyweights Junior Wright and Brian Howard will slug it out in the six-round main event.

Fresh off an explosive knockout of Colby Madison, Wright of Delaware County is 19-4-1 with 16 knockouts. The 36 year-old Wright has victories over Nick Reader (3-0-1), Nick Kisner (12-0-1). On May 21, 2016, Wright challenged Beibut Shumenov for the WBA Cruiserweight title. Wright was stopped in 10 -rounds in a fight that took place in Las Vegas. Wright is coming off that vicious third-round stoppage over Colby Madison on October 1, 2022 in Philadelphia.

Howard of Loganville, Georgia has a record of 15-5 with 12 knockouts. The 42 year-old Howard has wins over Yuwshua Zadok (1-0), Chris Stallworth (9-2), Alex Guerrero (12-0-1), Shawndell Winters (8-0), Carlos Negron (20-2). Howard is coming off la oss to Efe Ajagba on April 10, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In an six–round co-feature, welterweight Mark Dawson Jr. will be in action against Jose Mayoral

Dawson of Philadelphia, is promoted by RDR Promotions is 10-1-1 with four knockouts. The 25 year-old Dawson has been a pro for seven years, and has a win over previously undefeated Ivan Pandzic (13-0-1). Dawson is coming off a fourth round stoppage over Vincent Floyd on September 23, 2022 in Essington, PA

Mayoral of New Orleans, Louisiana is 5-2-1 with one knockout. Mayoral has wins over Jose Belloso and the touted Boubacar Sylla (12-0). Mayoral is coming off a draw with Ibrahim Robinson (4-0) on January 21 in Tampa, Florida.

Also in a six-round bout, Angel Perez (7-0, 6 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA takes on upset-specialist Kieron Hooks (4-2-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a welterweight bout.

In six-round bouts:

Rasheen Brown (11-1, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Eric Manriquez (7-15-1, 3 KOs) of Houston in a featherweight contest.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Antonio Dubose (13-2-2, 3 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Phillip Davis (3-5-2) of Worcester, Mass. in a lightweight affair.

Seeing action against opponents to be named will be RDR Promotions fighters: junior welterweight Marvelous Corbin (2-0, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia; bantamweight Edwin Cortes (3-0 of Millville, NJ and welterweight Nimal Farmer (3-0, 3 KOs) of Lindenwold, NJ

The Clarion Hotel is located at 76 Industrial Highway in Essington, PA

Tickets are $100, $75 and $55 and can be purchased at the Following Link

CLICK FOR TICKETS

CARSON, CALIF. – March 20, 2023 – Undefeated super welterweight sensation Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora and rising contender Brian Mendoza previewed their battle for Fundora’s Interim WBC Super Welterweight Title during a virtual press conference on Monday before they meet on Saturday, April 8 live on SHOWTIME from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Two more fights round out the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, as undefeated super lightweight contender Brandun Lee takes on Mexico’s Pedro Campa in the 10-round co-main event, while undefeated featherweights Luis “The Twist” Núñez and Christian Olivo square off in the 10-round telecast opener.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing are on sale now and can be purchased at axs.com.

Fundora has established himself as a must-see contender on the rise, engaging in exciting clash after exciting clash, including one of 2022’s best fights, an instant classic that saw him stop top contender Erickson Lubin. He will face the upset-minded Mendoza, who scored a career-best victory last time out by knocking out former unified champion Jeison Rosario.

Here is what the fighters had to say Monday:

SEBASTIAN FUNDORA

“I feel like I’ve been proving myself over and over again. We’re waiting for our shot to fight for the title. They keep putting guys in front of me who they say will knock me out or expose me, but I keep proving them wrong.

“Camp has been really good for me. We’ve been training hard and getting ready for another exciting fight in Carson. Just expect fireworks. I’m bringing my best, so I hope he brings his best.

“I’m always ready to go toe-to-toe. Everyone I fought has been strong guys and Mendoza is another. We’re just going to go for the win like always.

“This fight is as important as every other fight before. Mendoza is a contender as well and we’re not looking at him lightly. We have to get past Mendoza if we want to even think of fighting for the championship.

“Mendoza had a great performance in his last fight and he looked strong. I didn’t see anything different from him really. We knew he was strong.

“I’m just building up. My dad and I had plans that we talked about and we talked about contending and fighting for a title around this age. Things are working out. We’re where we want to be and just looking to get that title fight soon.

“We’re going to have to see what he brings on April 8. I have to prove myself again. We both have chips on our shoulders. We want to become champions and we have to win on April 8 to do so.

“I feel like some people are trying to skip me in order for the title, but I’m remaining patient and staying focused on this fight. I just have to keep moving forward while everything else gets dealt with.

“I’m using my jab and using my distance more. I’ve always been able to do it, but I’m more comfortable with it now. Lubin was really in my chest, so the fight didn’t really call for it. Against Ocampo I was able to use those skills more.

“We never pick anybody, I just get the assignment and go for it. Mendoza is coming off a big win and we said ‘heck yeah’ to the fight. It’s a good fight for the fans and a good fight for us.  

“Mendoza is gonna find out that I’m the next world champion at super welterweight.”

BRIAN MENDOZA

“When I said I was going to add a former unified champion to my resume, people scoffed and laughed at me. I just thought, ‘Okay, keep laughing.’ You don’t have to believe me. I’m going to show you with my actions. That’s what I’m going to do in this fight. I’m gonna show that I’m one of the best in this division. That’s the goal. I’m going to pull off another big upset.

“Fans can expect another explosive performance. I’ve had a tremendous camp and I’ve been killing myself day in and day out, suffering every single day making sure that I leave no stone unturned. We’re just ready to go. I wish the fight was tomorrow.

“I’ve sacrificed so much in camp to make sure that I’m ready for whatever happens on fight night. If he tries to use his range or he tries to bang like usual, we’ll be ready for anything. I’ve had great preparation, even sparring with cruiserweights in this camp. It’s a cliché, but I will truly be ready for anything.

“His height isn’t going to be an issue. I’ve been fighting and sparring guys taller than me my whole life. I’m usually the shorter guy at 154 pounds anyways. It doesn’t make a difference. I haven’t had any trouble in sparring with guys who try to keep me away or with guys who try to overpower me because they’re bigger. I have too much experience and that’s what’s going to be the difference.

“I’m not going to go in there and play to his strengths. It’s about me proving who I am to the world. The experience that I have right now is unreal. These last five years in Vegas have been tremendous. People think I’m just a hard-hitter, but I’m going to show the world otherwise.

“We’re going to hear, ‘And the new interim WBC Super Welterweight World Champion.’ Fundora is going to learn that I’m a lot more than just a power-puncher.

“A win in this fight would mean everything. I’m trying to get to that next level and I finally feel like I have the right team around me. I feel like I have the right experience and I’m in my prime. I’m entering my prime and the time is now.

“Fighting at Dignity Health Sports Park is an honor. It’s a legendary place. Tons of wars have happened there. I want to cement my name as part of one of those wars and one of those big fights that went down there. This could be a Fight of the Year type of fight. Neither of us are going to take a step back.

“I just gained a lot of great experience in the Jeison Rosario fight. He was a former unified world champion. I picked up some tricks and tips from the fight but the biggest thing I took was just the experience of being in the ring with somebody like that. 

“I’m honestly kind of enjoying the whole ‘B-side’ experience. It just makes the victory that much sweeter.”

#         #         #

ABOUT FUNDORA VS. MENDOZA

Fundora vs. Mendoza will see undefeated super welterweight sensation Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora defend his Interim WBC Super Welterweight Title against rising contender Brian Mendoza on Saturday, April 8 live on SHOWTIME from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will feature undefeated super lightweight contender Brandun Lee taking on Mexico’s Pedro Campa in the 10-round co-main event, plus undefeated featherweights Luis “The Twist” Núñez and Christian Olivo square off in the 10-round telecast opener.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #FundoraMendoza, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.

Pittsburgh, PA (March 20, 2023) -Super Bantamweight contender Oleh Dovhun inched closer to a world title opportunity by making the second defense of the WBA NABA title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Juan Centeno in a fight that headlined a five-bout card at The Priory Grand Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The card was promoted by Integrity Fighter Management and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Despite being cut on his left eyelid due to an accidental clash of head, Dovhun showed his class throughout the bout by boxing his way behind a consistent work-rate. Centeno hung in there, but Dovhun showed why he is a world-ranked contender and took the fight by scores of 100-90 on all cards.

Dovhun of Pittsburgh via Ukraine ups his perfect mark to 15-0. Centeno of Miami us 8-7-3.

Dovhun is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and managed by Integrity Fighter Management.

In the co-feature, Devaun Lee sent shockwaves by stopping previously undefeated hometown fighter Kiante Irving in round four of their six-round super middleweight bout.

Lee was able to withstand an early rush by Irving. Irving may have punched himself out as Lee started to take over in the second and third rounds. Lee started tagging Irving with flush shots until the bout was stopped at 2:03 of round four.

Lee of Queens, NY is 11-8-1 with six knockouts. Irving of Beaver Falls, PA falls to 11-1-1.

Joe Turk remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Isaiah Margheim in a heavyweight bout.

Turk of Pittsburgh is now 3-0-1. Margehim of Sandusky, Ohio is 1-3.

Jordan Zlacki took a four-round split decision over Eric Palmer in a welterweight battle.

Zlacki of Springdale, PA is now 3-5. Palmer of Uniontown, PA is 14-17-5.

The opening bout saw Devon Siegfried stop Matteo Gardner in a scheduled four-round fight featuring debuting cruiserweights.

In round three, Siegfried dropped Gardner with a right hook for the 10-count at 1:05.