Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“Welcome back from London everyone ahead of a huge night of boxing from the OVO Arena, Wembley live on DAZN around the world. A fight that is very important for the Heavyweight division. The main event – the return of ‘The Body Snatcher’ Dillian Whyte against America’s Jermaine Franklin. A tremendous card from top to bottom but this fight, very important for the world Heavyweight landscape and very important for the careers of both men – particularly from our side the British Heavyweight Dillian Whyte who returns to action after fighting for the WBC World Heavyweight Title against Tyson Fury. It’s a must-win fight on Saturday.”

Dillian Whyte:

“He’s had a lot of amateur fights. I had six amateur fights, people forget that. I had 6 amateur fights but one thing you’ve got to know is I can fight, and I can f**king fight. It’s as simple as that. Whichever way it is, I’ll get it done. Simple as that.

“This is boxing. Sometimes stuff happens. When you’re meant to have your best nights, you don’t and sometimes when you’re not meant to it happens. That’s just how boxing goes. You live and you learn from it. Hindsight is a bitch as they say.

“I try and listen to what my coaches say and what instructions they give. Sometimes you have a too-and-fro in your head. Buddy is calm. But don’t let Buddy’s calmness fool you. Look at the way Buddy used to fight, he used to set the pace and always fight aggressively so don’t let his calmness fool you.  

“We know what’s in front of us. He’s young and he’s dangerous. Obviously he’s undefeated and he’s full of beans as we say here in the UK. It’s up to me to beat them out of him one by one. That’s exactly what I’m going to do.

“I don’t really take much notice of what’s said on social media. If you can’t say it to myself then screw you. They can say whatever they want. Listen, that’s their job, they’re meant to say that. That’s what we pay them to come here to do. I don’t care what people say about me or think about me. 

“At the moment people are thinking I’m a wounded lion. All of these hyenas are looking to move in and have a little nibble here and a nibble there. What they’ve got to remember is I’m still a predator at the end of the day, and what predators do is they kill.”

Buddy McGirt:

“I believe anybody is a test. When the bell rings, you know the other guys’ intentions on winning, but to me everybody is a test and you never overlook anybody. I don’t give a shit who it is. If they’ve got one eye and one leg – you never underestimate them. You’ve got to be prepared for any and everything, and we have done that. Now we’re just ready to put everything together on Saturday night.

“Dillian has more than just punch power. After being with him for a couple of weeks you see this guy has a very good boxing IQ. He does a lot of different moves, it’s awkward and it’s crazy but it works for him. If I ever ask him something like why did you do that, he explains to me why. I’m like alright cool let’s make it a little better so we don’t get countered, or make it a little more effective. It was a great training camp so I have no complaints at all.

“I’m going to be 150% honest with you, I don’t study anybody. I prepare for any and everything. I’m not going to sit and work on the guy I’m training, who he’s fighting. I’m not worried about what they do because I’m preparing my guy for any and everything. I believe if you prepare for one thing, you see something and you look for it and it doesn’t happen in the fight, it’s too damn late. But if you prepare for any and everything no matter what the other guy does, you’ve got an answer for it, and that’s the key.”

Jermaine Franklin:

“First I want to say thank you for the opportunity. I’m a real chill guy I don’t really talk a lot. I just like to take care of business when it’s time to. I’ve got the upmost confidence in myself and I’m ready to go to work. I’ve just got the upmost confidence in myself and my abilities. You keep bringing up him being stopped in his last fight but I don’t care about that. I’ve come in here and prepared like he’s a World Champion. That’s all we’re looking at. I’m just focused on this fight, I don’t like to dwell too much on the future, you can lose focus on what’s at hand. After this fight that’s where my focus will be. Until then I’m just strictly focused on business.”

Jesse Addison:

“First of all it’s an honour to be here in London. The people here have been very kind and very hospitable to us. It’s an honour. We’re going to take full advantage of this opportunity we’ve got. I can recall Jermaine when he was a younger fighter, maybe about 12/13, at the time he wasn’t fighting for me but I told him – I said you’re going to be World Champion one day – not knowing that one day he would be fighting for me.

“His dad brought him to me about ten years ago and he said I’ve got to take him to another level and you’re the man for that. I said if Jermaine is determined and he wants to do this we can take him to the top because he does have potential. So we started off and we had a successful amateur career – two Golden Gloves National Championships, he was runner up one year and then he lost in the finals, came all the way back around and he made up for that and he won it.

“This guy, he knows how to win. We have great chemistry together, I go out there and give him an assignment and he takes care of the assignment. Nothing is new. His professional career has been built on the road, we went into his opponent’s backyards, in front of their fans, their family and we destroyed them. Just like we’ve come here to do with Dillian Whyte – in front of his fans, in front of his family – we’re going to destroy him. It’s nothing new. It’s nothing new to us – we grew to this.

“It’s a big step up and we’re prepared for this. This is a step where I’ve been mentally preparing him for, physically preparing him for ever since the first day that he walked in the gym. Getting this opportunity against Dillian Whyte, they talked about it maybe a year ago or something and we got all excited about it and it didn’t happen. I told Jermaine that’s okay it’s meant to happen and it will happen. Here we are, it’s going to happen. We’re not fearful of the big stage that we’re on – we are the big stage! We came here. The stage has got to get ready for us.”

Dmitry Salita:

“Thank you Eddie it’s always a pleasure to be here in the UK – amazing boxing culture, amazing fans, amazing media and the UK is the home of the Heavyweight landscape these days. I believe Jermaine is the top young American Heavyweight. I’ve been telling you about Jermaine for many years. This is his opportunity. A classic fight with a young guy fighting an older big name. I want to give a shout out and respect to Jesse Addison who has been here with him for a long time – from his first fight really. Jermaine is a National Champion, beat several undefeated fighters on his way up the ranks. We love it here but you guys are in for a big surprise on Saturday night.

“As you know we almost made the fight last year but it did not happen. I believe the timing is better for Jermaine now because Dillian did get knocked out twice out of his last three fights, although they were very high-level fights. However, I do believe that Dillian is underestimating Jermaine and Jermaine is very eager to win, very eager to be the best and I’ve seen it throughout his career. I’ve followed his since his young professional career and started working with him as a promoter three years ago. What I’ve seen is very promising. He’s ready for this big stage. He’s focused physically and mentally – he’s been here for about five weeks sparring with Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. He’s ready to rumble.”

WBO Interim World Super-Middleweight Championship
12 x 3 Minute Rounds @168lbs
Zach Parker 167.3lbs
John Ryder 167lbs
 
WBC Silver & vacant Commonwealth Middleweight Championships
12 x 3 Minute Rounds @160lbs
Hamzah Sheeraz  159.3lbs
River Wilson-Bent 159.7lbs
 
WBC International Silver & vacant Commonwealth Lightweight Championships
12 x 3 Minute Rounds @135lbs
Sam Noakes 134.6lbs
Calvin McCord 135lbs
 
Vacant Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Championship
12 x 3 Minute Rounds @122lbs
Dennis McCann 121.4lbs
Joe Ham 121.5lbs.
 
Vacant WBC International Super-Lightweight contest
10 x 3 Minute Rounds @140lbs
Pierce O’Leary 139.5lbs
Emmanuel Mungandjela 139.9lbs
 
4 x 3 Minute Rounds International Cruiserweight contest
Tommy Fletcher 201lbs
Jiri Krejci 197.6lbs
 
6 x 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Lightweight contest
Sonny Liston Ali 145.9lbs
Georgi Velichkov 144lbs

Please find detailed below the official images and fighter weights from today’s weigh-in ahead of the free-to-air event live on Channel 5 at 9:00pmtomorrow night, Friday November 25, at the historic York Hall.

Super Lightweight – 10 Rounds
HARLEM EUBANK – 139.7lbs
TOM FARRELL – 139.3lbs 

Middleweight – 10 Rounds
LIAM WILLIAMS – 163.5lbs
NIZAR TRIMECH – 162.2lbs

Flyweight – 4 Rounds
CHLOE WATSON – 113.5lbs
MINERVA GUTIERREZ – 111.4lbs

Lightweight – 4 Rounds
BILAL ALI – 135.7lbs
SANTIAGO GARCES – 137.9lbs

Cruiserweight – 4 Rounds
GELIAN ROJKU – 198.2lbs
GENNADI STSERBIN – 205.1lbs

Super Lightweight – 4 Rounds
JESSE BRANDON – 141.2lbs 
CLAUDIO BALDOMIR – 141.0lbs 

Super Middleweight – 6 Rounds
MARTIN FORU – 171.4lbs
FRAN VERDEGUER – 171.0lbs

Featherweight – 8 Rounds
LUCY WILDHEART – 125.6lbs
MARINA SAKHAROV – 125.3lbs

Super Welterweight – 4 Rounds
BILAL FAWAZ – 152.4lbs
AYOUB ZAKARI – 155.1lbs 

London, UK – 24 November 2023 – With female boxing at an all-time high in the U.K, world-ranked British based Swedish sensation Lucy Wildheart aims to become a firm household favourite.

The 29 year old Brentwood domiciled featherweight ace, managed by Richard Maynard at Strike Sports Management, boasts the same key values as Swedish super-brands: the reliability of IKEA, the durability of Volvo and the A-lister star potential of ABBA.

The fair-faced ‘Dragon Queen’ has attracted full page spreads in both The Times and Daily Star this weekahead of her showdown with France’s experienced Marina Sakharov tomorrow night at the York Hall, Bethnal Green.

And early indicators suggest that the 5ft 5 ½in fiery redhead has the hardware to match the hype.

‘Female boxers are finally getting opportunities, securing sponsors, able to make a future for ourselves. I expect our side of the sport to grew even more over the next few years and I look forward to being a big part of that,’ states lightening Lucy who has triumphed in all but one of her 11 fights since storming the profession in May 2017.

The laser-focused Swede has her sights firmly focussed on a mega-money 2023 showdown against 126lb division leader and leading female pound-for-pound contender Amanda Serrano, a New York-docked Puerto Rican who has conceded just twice in 46 public airings.

Well-hard Wildheart has herself succumbed just once, on points over 10 rounds in a June 2019 IBO lightweight challenge to French sensation Estelle Mossely in Cherbourg. It was just the Swedish stylist’s sixth pro start, nine pounds above her optimal weight and against the 2016 Olympic champion. Yet the Scandinavian hotly contests the unanimous decision that went against her.

‘I believe those scores were wrong and I won the fight,’ she insists.

‘I pushed Mossely onto the back foot and threw more punches. Despite the verdict, I left feeling a winner. Looking back, travelling to France was not the best option. 

‘Watching the fight back now, it’s as if we were both in slow motion. I’ve improved so much since. Today I’m much faster and read a fight far better.’

After traversing Europe and Africa to compile hard earned, lightly rewarded wins in the formative years of her career, the Växjö native is happily nestled in Essex with her partner and two dogs.  

‘Today, I feel British. I wear both flags,’ claims the one-time IBO Inter-Continental lightweight boss.

‘Britain has done a lot for me and I’m here to stay. The houses here are very small. In Sweden we’re used to very big gardens but Brits are far more sociable and I’ve become a much better person since coming here.’

Coached by Samm Mullins at the upwardly mobile Churchill’s boxing facility in Waterloo, south London, with Richard Merchant overseeing strength and conditioning duties in Chelmsford and respected fight face Richard Maynard  pulling the managerial strings, the support system is fully in place for the Wild One to launch her bid for global supremacy, now down at her optimal fighting weight.

‘It takes me three hours a day travelling to get to the boxing gym and another hour to get to my S & C training,’ states Wildheart.

’There’s a really positive atmosphere at Samm’s gym, plenty of high-level female sparring where we can really ‘have it’. Sam explains things in a way I can understand. We focus mainly on technical skills and the basics. He also manages me very well, feels my feelings. He’s really made me believe in myself.  

‘I hope Richard (Maynard) and me work together for the rest of my career. Together, we’ll win world titles, secure sponsorships, and really get our names out there.’

One name that Team Wildheart is desperate to be associated with is Serrano, the current WBC, WBO and IBO queen and a gateway to serious riches.

‘Amanda is a top, top fighter and a great person and I’d love to share a ring with her. I don’t shout or bully. I’m very professional but if calling Amanda out helps, that’s what I’ll do,’ concedes Lucy.

‘Yes, she has experience but I’ve been in the game a long time too. I’ve already proved competitive with plenty of good people, most notably Mossely who won the Olympic lightweight gold ahead of Katie Taylor. 

‘If the opportunity arises, I will definitely take it and be confident I beat Amanda. I’ve more skill and I’m faster. To force the Serrano fight, firstly, I must win all the fights that are coming my way.’ 

First step comes at The York Hall tomorrow night (Friday 25th November) on the Wasserman Boxing promoted card when the Swede looks to mash industrial tough French veteran Marina Sakharov in a scheduled eight-rounder. 

At the official weigh-in today held at Repton ABC, Wildheart scaled in at 125.06lb, while Sakharov came in at 125.03lb.

Debuting at the iconic East End boxing institution, and with the show covered by Channel Five cameras, it presents a gilt-edged opportunity for the ‘Dragon Queen’ to crowbar her name into Serrano’s conscious.

‘Can’t wait,’ enthuses Wildheart.

‘The British people love to go out to boxing, back their fighters and make serious sound. I love fighting here. I intend to show my focus, how much I really want this.’ 

‘In my last fight, the opponent didn’t come with much. It was more a chess game so I really hope that Marina brings her best game, comes with pressure. The better she is, the better I’ll need to answer.  That way, we can give the fans a fight that leaves them cheering and screaming. I then hope I can do everything just a little bit better than her and win a great fight! 

‘I hope to showcase that I’ve a great skill base, good technique. I’ve also got great power and can seriously hurt opponents when I get my body shots in. A stoppage will get me ranked higher, faster. She’s only been stopped once but if I hurt her, I’ll go mental. Just watch me.’

LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 24 – Charles Conwell would jump at the chance to take the scalp of Danny Garcia if it opened the door for a world title shot in 2023.

‘Bad News’ faces the experienced Juan Carlos Abreu in California on Saturday night, in a semi-final eliminator for the WBC world super welterweight title.

The unbeaten Conwell, who is ranked No5 by the sanctioning body, knows he could be just two wins away from landing a shot at the belt, which is currently held by Jermell Charlo.

Sitting above the American in the ratings are fighters including Sebastien Fundora, Liam Smith and former two-weight world champion Garcia.

And 2016 Olympian Conwell says he would be happy to face any of those names in a final eliminator – especially Garcia – to keep him on track for ‘superstardom’.

“Those are the types of fights I want,” Conwell told Probellum.com.

“I want those ex-world champions, people with experience who have been there before, who’ve done it. And I know Danny Garcia’s a great champion, he’s done his thing at two different weight classes, at 140 and 147 and now he’s bringing his skills up to 154.

“But I feel like it’s a new time and a new era. A lot of young fighters out there are starting to pop out, around my age group. It’s the right time for me to be the next superstar of the super welterweight division and if Danny Garcia is the name I need on my record, then I’ll go there and take that.”

But 25-year-old Conwell insists his focus is on Abreu, whom he meets at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson this weekend, on the undercard of the Jose Zepeda vs Regis Prograis world title clash.

The 17-0 stylist has been labelled boxing’s ‘best kept secret’ but Conwell is urging the sport’s ‘casual’ fans to make sure they tune-in to watch him deliver a statement victory over the world ranked Abreu.

“Saturday night, I’m going to leave the ring with a new record of 18-0 with 14 knockouts,” Conwell declared.

“Just know that I’m going to bring the action. I’m looking to finish this fight in style. No boxing, no dancing around, I’m looking to go out there and dominate every round. For however long it lasts.

“I possess the speed, the skill, the power, the slickness and everything else that I need to win and get the knockout. It’s just a matter of when.

“I’m looking to put on the best performance of my career so far and really going out there and making a statement. I can’t allow this to be fight close; I must dominate every round and make sure that when people talk about the super welterweight division that my name is brought up and brought up as one of the best too.”

Dillian Whyte

On teaming up with new trainer Buddy McGirt:

“Me and Buddy are cool. Buddy is a cool guy. We have a laugh and we have a joke. Buddy is an interesting guy. He tries to teach you and he doesn’t change your style. He learns your style and puts little things in your style to help make you better as a person. He asks what style you like, what punches you like and what fighters you like watching and then he has a look at you. 

“He’s doesn’t say a lot. He just gets on to you about the same things over and over again. It’s a bit of a ball-ache sometimes but it’s good – you know what I mean? I’ve never really had a teacher. I’ve had good coaches – very good coaches – but there’s a difference between a coach and a teacher. Buddy is a coach and a trainer but he’s a teacher too. He teaches you little things.

“What he does is good and it’s really interesting. Because I’m a fighter where I’m strong and fit, physical and I look to be rough – I can punch. A lot of coaches just work on that. But Buddy does thing differently. He says you don’t need to chop the house down with one punch all of the time.”

On his approach to the Jermaine Franklin fight:

“I’ll approach this fight the same god damn way I approach every fight. You know me, I approach all of my fights with only one thing in mind, and that’s to try and end it.”

On a potential Anthony Joshua rematch:

“I don’t care about the Anthony Joshua fight now. I’m focused on Franklin. There’s been pressure in all of my fights. I weren’t even an ABA Champion. People forget I had seven amateur fights. I was out there selling tickets hours before I was due to fight. I’m not an Olympian and I was never on Team GB. Every fight for me has always been must-win my whole career. It’s just another I’ve got to deal with. I’ve become quite used to that. There’s pressure but okay great. I’ve gone and beat guys that I shouldn’t have beat.”

On becoming Heavyweight World Champion:

“I definitely want to become Heavyweight Champion of the World and I’d love to get the opportunity to avenge my two losses. I’ve already avenged one, I’d love to get the opportunity to avenge the other two.”

Jermaine Franklin

On his preparation in the UK:

“We flew over about three and a half weeks ago. I’m just getting some good work in, learning some stuff from World Champions. I pay attention to a lot of the little things. Little insights that will help improve my game.”

Do you punch hard enough to put a dent in Dillian Whyte?

“I most definitely punch hard enough. I just feel like everybody is sleeping on me. They don’t know what’s in store.”

On being the underdog with the bookies:

“This is boxing. I haven’t had that many top level fights in my career. I had a couple of layoffs. I’m about to prove what I can do.”

On targeting Dillian Whyte with an uppercut:

“I mean if it positions itself then I’m going to take it. That’s not the number one punch I’m looking for. I’m pretty sure that’s what he’s expecting. He’s expecting me to just come out there and throw and hail mary of upper cuts. I’ve got pretty good outside game too. Once I get my timing I’ve got pretty good outside game. Once I time the jab I’ll be alright, inside or outside.”

On the winner potentially fighting Anthony Joshua next:

“It’s a huge pot of gold but I’m laser focused on Dillian Whyte. I try not to think too far ahead into the future. I just like to handle the task that’s in front of me.”

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (November 23, 2022) – Fiery Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi captured the vacant Massachusetts State Middleweight Champion in tonight’s “Jimmy Farrell Fight Night” main event, promoted by Granite Chin Promotions, as Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

The inaugural “Jimmy Farrell Fight Night” honored the late boxing trainer who coached many successful amateur and pro boxers in the Boston area during the past 4-plus decades.

A portion of the show’s proceeds was donated to Old Colony Hospice in Farrell’s memory.

“Jimmy meant a lot to me and so many others in New England boxing,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti said. “We wanted to honor him in a special way. I felt that naming a Pro-Am show after him was the best way to pay tribute to Jimmy. We plan on making this an annual event.”

Styles make fights and the main event matched an aggressive brawler, Andreozzi, against a pure boxer, Baptiste. Andreozzi, of Swansea, took the fight to Woburn’s Baptiste in the opening round, landing the more damaging punches. Switching often between an orthodox and southpaw stance, the entertaining Andreozzi kept up the pace, peppering Baptiste with a wide assortment of punches.

In the third, Andreozzi kept beating Baptiste to the punch, as well as showboating in a display of confidence against a growingly frustrated Baptiste, who did get in a few solid shots in the fourth to get back in the fight.

Baptiste started letting his hands go more, cracking Andreozzi several times during some exciting exchanges. Andreozzi rest and went back to what was so successful for him during the first half of the fight, working off the jab and moving forward.

The title belt seemed to be up for grabs going into the sixth and final round, in which the two fighters went toe-to-toe right to the end. Andreozzi (4-2, 1 KO) won a 6-round majority decision versus Baptiste (4-3, 2 KOs) and Mass. middleweight title.

Andreozzi vs. Baptiste was supposed to happen this past August, however, Andreozzi fell sick hours before the show and was canceled.

“This feels amazing,” Andreozzi commented after the fight. “I live for this. I have a little cut lip from some incidental headbutts, but I’m a crasher. His trainer’s words (questioning why he didn’t fight in August when he didn’t fight) was the reason I fought like this. His words were in my head since that night. I wrote ‘em on the mirror so I saw it every day when I shaved.”

“Anthony and Julien saved the show,” Traietti added. “People saw a fight they will remember for years. Congratulations to Anthony for coming out on top and that opens things up for his future,. And Julien is not done.”

Pro-debuting Stephen “Jason” Davis (1-0, 1 KO), fighting out of nearby Brockton, and junior welterweight Lucinei Santos (0-6) barely got started when Santos was suddenly decked. He fell awkwardly and was unable to continue at the 51-seconds mark of round one due to an injury.   

New York light heavyweight Scott ”Bombz” Lampert (4-6, 2KOs) came into the ring true to his nickname against Michael Medeiros (0-3), firing bombs from all angles against his overmatched opponent. Medeiros was decked four times, the last set up by a body shot, followed quickly by a perfect left-right combination to the head, resulting in a second-round knockout.

Heavyweight Kirk Wilmont (2-0,2KOs), of Brockton, opened the show with a pounding of Aquilla Prote (0-2). Wilmont dropped Prote twice in the opening round, effectively mixing shots up and down to the head and body. In the second round. Wilmont closed the show with a powerful right that sent Prote to the canvas for the third time. Once again, he barely beat the 10-count but this time he stood on wobbly legs, and referee Melissa Kelly halted the bout.

Official results below:

 _____________________________________________________________________                                          

PRO RESULTS

VACANT MASSACHUSETTS STATE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Anthony Andreozzi (4-2, 1 KO), Swansea, MA

60-54, 58-56, 57-57)

Julien Baptiste (4-3, 2 KOs), Woburn, MA

(Andreozzi won Mass. St. middleweight title)

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Kirk Wilmont (2-0, 2 KOs), Brockton, MA

WTKO2 (1 :12)

Aquilla Prote (0-2), Boston, MA.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Scott Lampert (4-6, 3 KOs), Dover Plains, NY

WKO2 (2:22)

Michael Medeiros (0-3), Boston, MA

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Stephen Davis (1-0, 1 KO), Brockton, MA

WKO1 (0 :51)

Lucinei Santos (0-6), Boston, MA

Los Angeles, CA (November 23, 2022) Tensions were high on Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles as a massive crowd of Southern California media attended the final press conference for ‘Battle of the Best’ Tuesday afternoon with #1 Ranked Jose ‘Chon’ Zepeda, (23-0-1, 20 KOs), of La Puente, CA and #2 Ranked Regis ‘Rougarou’ Prograis, (27-1, 23 KOs), of New Orleans, LA coming face-to-face for one of the final times ahead of their highly anticipated battle for the prestigious WBC Super Lightweight World Title set for this Saturday night, November 26 at ‘The War Grounds’ Dignity Health Sports Park.

‘Battle of the Best’, promoted by MarvNation Promotions and Legendz Entertainment, can be seen live on cable, satellite, telco and streaming PPV outlets beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. including FITE and PPV.COM. Remaining tickets starting at $39 for the live event can be purchased online at AXS.com. Dignity Health Sports Park is located at 18400 Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746.

Joining Zepeda and Prograis at the final press conference were moderator Beto Duran and Marvin Rodriguez of MarvNation Promotions along with PPV undercard fighters; unified minimum weight world champion Yokasta ‘Yoka’ Valle and undefeated world champion Evelyn ‘La Princesita’ Bermudez,  undefeated heavyweight contender Bakhodir ‘The Big Uzbek’ Jalolov and veteran Curtis Harper,  undefeated junior middleweight contender Charles ‘Bad News’ Conwell andupset minded, Dominican Juan Carlos Abreu.

Also, in attendance were brothers; junior middleweight Fernando ‘EL Feroz’ Vargas Jr. and featherweight Amado ‘EL Malvado’ Vargas along with their father / head trainer, boxing legend Fernando Vargas Sr, with undefeated prospects featured on the PPV Freeview (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT); super bantamweight Nathan Rodriguez, (9-0, 7 KOs) lightweight Ruben ‘Ace’ Torres, (19-0, 16 KOs) and super welterweight Alejandro Martinez, (3-2-1, 2 KOs).

Below are quotes from Jose Zepeda, Regis Prograis and Marvin Rodriguez.

Jose Zepeda

“This is athird time fighting for a world title for me and that’s why I keep saying this is the time for me to get my world title belt. I have all the experience I need. Regis Prograis is going to be fighting the best version of Jose Zepeda. I really believe it’s now or never.”

It’s nice to fight for the world title at home, I’m always fighting on the road. It’s extra motivation for me to fight in my backyard. It’s going to be a great night for boxing. I’ve heard it all before that I’m not going to win certain fights but my track record speaks for itself.”

“Prograis is going to be very surprised by my power and speed. We’re both going to fight the way we’ve been fighting. He hits hard, I hit hard and both of us are desperate to win which will make for a great fight. Both of us have a lot of heart and we both are looking for a real fight to settle this. I had two previous opportunities to win a world title and I truly believe this is the best version of me for this fight.”

Regis Prograis

“When I was the world champion everybody called my name but once I didn’t have the belt it all stopped and I know I’m a dangerous fighter and that’s part of the reason. For me, I’m just glad I’m getting the opportunity to fight for the world title again. Being a two-time world champion in the 140lb. division is my main focus now. I’m not surprised Zepeda took the fight, that’s what we all want, to become world champions. I know what type of fighter he is.”

“He going to come to fight and so am I. He said he’s 100% after the car accident so I don’t want to hear any excuses after the fight. I’m ready to dominate for 12 rounds. I’m going to dominate and I’m not worried about anything else.”

“I just feel like I’m on another level than him, skill wise. I have more experience and I’ve been at the top already. If you compare strength, power, chin, stamina, speed, defense, I feel like I win every time. Every category, it’s me. He’s been hurt, he’s been dropped a bunch of times. I’ve never been hurt and I destroy people.”

Marvin Rodriguez

“It’s going to be the best fight of the year, #1 vs #2, something you rarely see. Now people know who MarvNation is, we’ve come out strong and we’re making a statement with this fight. This is just the first of many statements coming out.”

                                                ————————————————-

With the international boxing world witnessing extraordinary women’s world championship bouts throughout this year, the tremendous momentum continues as fast-rising female superstar Yokasta ‘Yoka’ Valle, (26-2, 9 KO’s), of San Jose, Costa Rica battles undefeated world champion Evelyn ‘La Princesita’ Bermudez, (17-0-1, 6 KOs), of Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina for the WBC and WBO Junior Flyweight World Titles over ten scheduled rounds.

Fighting in the junior middleweight division, undefeated contender, 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles ‘Bad News’ Conwell, (17-0, 13 KOs), of Cleveland, OH, who many experts believe will soon be the division’s upcoming king, faces his toughest opposition against upset minded, Dominican Juan Carlos Abreu, (25-6-1, 23 KOs) in a ten-round fight.

2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Bakhodir ‘The Big Uzbek’ Jalolov, (11-0, 11 KOs), standing 6’7” and considered the dominant heavyweight of the future, faces off against veteran Curtis Harper, (14-8, 9 KOs), of Jacksonville, FL over ten rounds.

In a special attraction super welterweight six rounder, boxing fans will see the ‘Son of a Legend’, sure-fire prospect Fernando Vargas Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs), open the Pay-Per-View against local favorite Alejandro Martinez, (3-2-1, 2 KOs), of Los Angeles.

LONDON – November 23, 2022 – Undefeated heavyweight and Salita Promotions-promoted contender Jermaine Franklin sent a stern warning to Dillian Whyte as he looks to stamp his credentials as a future world champion in their headlining clash this Saturday night taking place at Wembley Arena in London and streaming live on DAZN.

“This is my chance to show that I can go toe-to-toe with any heavyweight in the world,” said Franklin, who owns a perfect 21-0 record with 14 knockouts. “I’ve had a great training camp and I’m super motivated to be in the U.K. and win on my opponent’s home turf. I’m coming to finish him, so he better not be looking past me.”

Promoted by longtime contender and veteran promoter Dmitriy Salita since 2018, Franklin has worked his way into heavyweight contention with 2019 triumphs over Rydell Booker, Jerry Forrest and Pavel Sour, before most recently stopping Rodney Moore in May. Saginaw, Michigan’s Franklin has been one of many fighters from Michigan, including women’s boxing superstar Claressa Shields, who have been promoted by Salita and helped revive that area’s boxing scene. With a victory on Saturday night, Salita believes Franklin can solidify himself as one of the standouts from the area.

“Everybody knows that Jermaine has tremendous skill and heart, but they’re going to see him take it to another level against Dillian Whyte,” said Salita. “He’s been a big part of the comeback for boxing in Michigan and I truly believe that after Saturday night, he’s going to be one of the first guys you have to mention when talking about boxing in and around the area. The sky is the limit for him and I know that he’s doing everything possible to put on the best performance of his career in this fight.”

The 29-year-old Franklin will be looking to hand Whyte his second-straight loss after the London-resident dropped an April bout against WBC heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury. Although Franklin has made it clear that his focus is squarely on Whyte, he and his promoter both know that a triumph on Saturday could lead to a blockbuster clash against another notable U.K. heavyweight, former two-time unified champion Anthony Joshua.

“I’ve never looked past any fighter and I’m not going to start with Dillian Whyte,” said Franklin. “I know that nothing I want happens unless I go in there and be the fighter that I know I am. Anthony Joshua is another big name and everyone knows that’s who Whyte wants next. But I’m here to spoil his party and step right in there to add Joshua’s name to my resume as well. No one can deny me my shot after that.”

“Jermaine is more than worthy of this opportunity in front of him and he still hasn’t shown all his full potential as a fighter,” said Salita. “I strongly believe that he’s primed to really have a breakout night. After he shows what he can do against Whyte, everyone is going to want to see him against Anthony Joshua next.”

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (November 23, 2022) – The undercard for the highly anticipated BLK Prime PPV fight between Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) and David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs), taking place at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska, on December 10, is set. Cris Cyborg (1-0, 1 KO) is scheduled to make her U.S. boxing debut in the co-main event special feature attraction.

Crawford vs. Avanesyan, a 12-round WBO welterweight world title clash, will stream live on BLK Prime for the price of $39.99. BLK Prime, a Silicon Valley-based tech company, is a subscription video-on-demand platform that utilizes elite technology to bring the best picture-perfect stream available. The telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

In a scheduled 10-round featherweight war, Arnold Khegai (18-1-1, 11 KOs) of Odessa, Ukraine, will challenge battle-tested warrior Eduardo Baez (21-3-2, 7 KOs), of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.

Undefeated heavyweight Jeremiah “Dreamland” Milton (7-0, 6 KOs), of Tulsa, Oklahoma, will go toe-to-toe against Dajuan Calloway (5-1, 5 KOs), of Warrensville, Ohio, in a scheduled 6-round bout.

Opening the PPV telecast will be a scheduled 8-round light heavyweight bout, showcasing Steven Nelson (17-0, 14 KOs) of Omaha, Nebraska, vs. James Ballard (10-4, 3 KOs) of Detroit, Michigan.

Tickets are priced at $50, $75, $125, $200, $350, and $500 for Crawford vs. Avanesyan are on sale now and are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. This event is promoted by NextGen Boxing, Bash Boxing, and BLK Prime. Doors open at 4:30 pm CT with the first fight starting at 5:30 pm CT.

Khegai has a fan-friendly style and always comes forward with aggressive pressure. His lone defeat is at the hands of two-time world champion, Stephen Fulton (21-0, 8 KOs), a fight that went twelve full rounds. A victory against Baez will get him right back into world title contention.

“Baez stands in the way of my goal to become a world champion,” said Khegai. “He’s fought at the championship level and beating him will get me one step closer to landing a big fight. I must win this fight to stay relevant in the world title picture.”

Baez, known for his tremendous toughness, is coming into this fight with his back against the wall. In his last outing, he challenged the monstrous Emanuel Navarrete ?(36-1, 30 KOs) for his WBO world title, a fight where he got caught with a solid body blow. With nothing to lose, Baez sees this fight as a do-or-die situation.

“I must win this fight, and I’m going to do everything possible to come out on top,” Baez stated. “Khegai is not invincible, he’s been beaten before. I have the

experience needed to win this fight. Those tuning in will see an all-out war, I’m going to make this a Mexican-style slugfest.”

Milton, recognized for his heavy hands, stands 6? 4?. He trains out of Las Vegas, Nevada, where he’s shared the ring with Tyson Fury, Luis Ortiz, Joy Joyce, along with a bunch of other top heavyweights. In addition, Milton has multiple knockouts that have gone viral on the internet.

“Five fights in one year because I had to! I wouldn’t want to end the year any other way. Make sure to drop my name whenever they ask who got next. Dreamland Milton from Tulsa Oklahoma, representing Black Wall St. on BLK Prime.”

Calloway has never been stopped and all his wins have come by way of knockout. Standing 6? 3?, Calloway has the power and durability to give Milton his stiffest test to date.

“Going into any fight, my goal is always to score a knockout, and that will be the case when I step in the ring with Milton,” said Calloway. “I’m excited to be

fighting on a great card, especially with Terence Crawford, who is the pound-for-pound king right now.”

Nelson, a U.S. Army veteran and former member of the Army World Class Athlete program, is a hometown hero and local fan favorite. He vows to come out victorious with a spectacular performance.

“Fighting at home in Omaha is a blessing and the CHI Health Center is always electrifying,” said Nelson. “It’s been two years since my last fight but I’m more than ready to leave everything in the ring against Ballard,” said Nelson. “Winning this fight will put me back in the rankings and in line to fight for a title in the near future. I’ve been training with Terence and the B&B team in Colorado Springs, so best believe I’ll be in the best shape of my life.”

Ballard has faced stiff opposition in his last three fights and is ready for the challenge that is in front of him. He feels he’s gained valuable experience throughout his career that will help him win this fight.

“I’ve learned more from my losses than my wins and the experience I’ve gained is what I believe will be the difference in this fight,” said Ballard. “I’m coming into this fight in great shape, and I’ll be letting my hands fly with bad intentions.”

UNDERCARD BOUTS:

Light Heavyweight Edel Gomez (6-0, 6 KOs) of Fremont, Nebraska, will take on Joseph Aguilar (4-1-1, 2 KOs) of Portland, Oregon. (8-rounds)

Welterweight Boubacar Sylla (12-0, 7 KOs), of Cincinnati, Ohio, will look to stay unbeaten when faces Javier Mayoral (4-2, 1 KO), of New Orleans, Louisiana. (6-rounds)

Lightweight Alan Garcia (7-0, 6 KOs), of Ulysses, Kansas, will battle a fighter TBA. (6-rounds)

Super Bantamweight Robert Rodriguez (10-1-2, 5 KOs), of Riverside, California, squares off against Jose Lopez (3-2-1), of Ridgewood, New York. (6-rounds)

Opening the card will be a welterweight bout between Alton Alik Wiggins (Pro Debut), of Oakland, California, vs. Phillip Carmouche (2-3), of Las Vegas, Nevada. (4-rounds)

Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) will make his triumphant return to the ring when he battles WBO #6 ranked David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb. on December 10, 2022. The 12-round bout will air live on BLK Prime PPV, with Crawford’s WBO welterweight title on the line.

About BLK Prime:

BLK PRIME is a subscription video-on-demand company that offers multicultural content to a diverse audience worldwide. To learn more about BLK Prime, visit: https://watchnow.blkprime.com/ and to order the pay-per-view, visit https://ppv.blkprime.com/pay-per-view. On social media follow #CrawfordAvanesyan, on Instagram @BLKPRIMEBOXNG @BLKPRIME, on Twitter @BLKPRIMEBOXING, on Facebook @BLKPRIMEMEDIA

(Nov. 23, 2022) — Super middleweight contenders Zach Parker and John Ryder will collide in a 12-round main event for the WBO Interim world title this Saturday, Nov. 26, at The O2 in London. This high-stakes showdown pits two of the UK’s top fighters, with the winner in pole position to earn a super fight in 2023.

Parker-Ryder and undercard contests will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.

Parker (22-0, 16 KOs) is a former British super middleweight champion who has been waiting patiently for a signature fight. He was supposed to fight Demetrius Andrade, but the American standout pulled out of a proposed May date with an injury and then declined the fight following a purse bid in September. The out-of-the-ring drama has sidelined Parker for more than a year, as he hasn’t fought since last November’s fourth-round stoppage over Marcus Morrison. Parker has knocked out five straight foes since winning the British title over Darryll Williams via split decision in November 2018. Ryder (31-5, 17 KOs), from London, has won three bouts since a highly controversial decision loss to Callum Smith for the WBA super middleweight world title. He is coming off an upset split decision win over former middleweight world champion Danny Jacobs in February.

In other streaming action on ESPN+:

Hamzah Sheeraz (16-0, 12 KOs) vs. River Wilson-Bent (13-1-1, 6 KOs), 12 Rounds, Sheeraz’s WBC Silver & Vacant Commonwealth Middleweight Titles

Dennis McCann (13-0, 7 KOs) vs. Joe Ham (17-3, 6 KOs), 12 Rounds, Vacant Commonwealth Junior Featherweight Title

Sam Noakes (9-0, 9 KOs) vs. Calvin McCord (12-0, 2 KOs), 12 Rounds, Noakes’ WBC International Silver & Vacant Commonwealth Lightweight Titles

Pierce O’Leary (10-0, 6 KOs) vs. Emmanuel Mungandjela (16-3-1, 7 KOs), 10 Rounds, Vacant WBC International Super Lightweight title

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

Boston, MA (November 23, 2022)

Boston Boxing Promotions returns tonight to the Castleton in Windham, New Hampshire for The Thanksgiving Eve Boxing Spectacular live on www.CombatSportsNow.com.

The annual event, which is entirely sold out for the 5th consecutive year, has become one of the most anticipated nights of club boxing in the entire country and a holiday tradition for hardcore fight fans.

This year’s main event has captivated New England boxing fans and beyond as the two most popular fighters in the Merrimack Valley, Brandon Higgins (9-2, 5 KOs) and Nick Molina (11-0, 5 KOs) go head to head for the New England Super Lightweight Championship in a legitimate 50/50 fight that has become a matter of civic pride.

Molina who fights out of Lowell, Massachusetts, the boxing crazed home of Micky Ward, will put his undefeated record on the line against the toughest opponent of his career in Brandon Higgins who hails from neighboring Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

Higgins vs. Molina has become of one of the most talked about fights between two Massachusetts fighters in recent memory receiving advance news coverage on tv and in newspapers leading to an advance sell out with tickets now being re-sold online for 4 times their value.

The night will also feature a who’s who of undefeated and popular prospects from the area including James Perkins (8-0-1, 6 KOs), Nicky Tejeda (2-0, 2 KOs), Kenny Larson (5-0, 5 KOs), Shayna Foppiano (4-0-1, 2 KOs) and more.

The Thanksgiving Eve Spectacular’s always lively commentary duties will be handled by a trio of Boston Boxing Promotions favorites: musician-fighter-commentator, Chris Jay, Boston Boxing Promotions 2020 Trainer of the Year, Sean Farley, fan favorite fighter, Kyle Cusick (4-2, 1 KO) and will feature a guest appearance by world champion trainer, Joseph ‘Hoss’ Janik (Andrew Cancio, Francisco Santana, Victor Ortiz).

Full Line Up

Brandon Higgins  vs. Nick Molina

Chelmsford, MA      Lowell, MA

8 Rounds – Super Lightweights

New England Super Lightweight Title

Shayna Foppiano vs. Leann O’Malley

Everett, MA        Las Vegas, NV

4 Rounds – Super Lightweights

Nicky Tejada vs. Javier Torres

Haverhill, MA  Watertown, NY

4 Rounds – Super Lightweights

Kenny Larson vs. Ryan Clark

Salem, MA     Berwick, ME

6 Rounds – Super Welterweights

Jordan Yantin vs. Mike Taylor

Malden, MA       Cortland, NY

4 Rounds – Super Lightweights

Kreaton Crouse vs. Michael Alvarez

Gloversville, NY. Bath, ME

4 Rounds – Super Welterweights

James Perkins vs. Aaron Trecell

Lynn, MA      Boston, MA

6 Rounds – Super Middleweights

Laquan Lewis vs. Dylan Felion

New York, NY       Rutland, VT

4 Rounds – Super Welterweights 

The Thanksgiving Eve Spectacular takes place tonight Wednesday, November 23 at The Castleton in Windham, New Hampshire. Tickets are completely sold out and fans without a ticket are asked kindly to not try and attend the event but to watch live on www.CombatSportsNow.com

ABOUT BOSTON BOXING PROMOTIONS

Boston Boxing Promotions was founded in 2013 and is dedicated to the resurgence of professional boxing at the regional level, particularly in the New England area. Since that time, it has presented professional boxing events in places like Boston, Cape Cod, New Bedford and New Hampshire. In 2020, Boston Boxing Promotions was the first independent boxing promoter on the east coast to hold an event during the pandemic. The event led to a popular series of empty venue shows broadcast live and for free on YouTube watched by thousands of fans around the world. Boston Boxing Promotions returned to live audiences with The Great American Boxing Bash last summer which featured 3 consecutive sold out weekends at the The Castleton

?in Windham, New Hampshire. Their annual Thanksgiving Eve Boxing Spectacular has become a tradition for hardcore boxing fans with 5 consecutive sellouts including the 2022 edition which received extensive news coverage on television and in print.

Follow Boston Boxing Promotions on Social Media!

LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 23 – Bakhodir Jalolov believes he could be undisputed world heavyweight champion within two years.

The hammer-fisted Uzbek rates Tyson Fury as the leading big man in boxing but is confident that he will, one day soon, takeover from the ‘Gypsy King’.

Jalolov, the 2020 Olympic champion, has won all 11 of his professional contests by shuddering KO and looks to add American Curtis Harper to his hit-list on Saturday night, in California on the undercard of the Jose Zepeda vs Regis Prograis world title fight.

The 28-year-old is seen by many boxing insiders as the heir to the heavyweight throne and has warned his rivals that he possesses a potent combination of devastating punch power allied with movement, footwork and boxing intelligence.

“I think the Tyson Fury is the best heavyweight in the world, and Oleksandr Usyk is very good, obviously, too,” Jalolov told Probellum.com.

“Fury for his size, he moves unbelievably. He has unbelievable movement and once again, he is big and heavy. Usyk is a great boxer, but obviously he’s small for the weight class.

“For me, I’m not a hero in Uzbekistan for winning the Olympics, I’m not there yet.

“But once I become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world at that time, maybe they’ll call me a hero.

“Maybe it’s not going to happen tomorrow, but maybe it’s going to be next year or in two years. But God bless, it is going to happen.”

“I’m not just a puncher,“ Jalolov added.

“Of course, I can punch, and I know that I have power because every time I land, people go down. But I have much more than that. I have a great footwork, feeling of distance and timing and speed.

“And my style is not to take nine shots to land 10. I’m not working like that. Instead of winning 10-9, I’ll win 1-0. I’ll land one, but I’m not going to get hit and that’s my goal. Boxing is about hit and don’t get hit.”

Jalolov (11-0, 11KOs) says former two-time heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko is his all-time favourite fighter and rates Dr Steelhammer’s win over David Haye as his best victory.

“Wladimir Klitschko was tall and fought really smart, he fought behind the jab and was very intelligent,” said Jalolov. 

“He was also a good person, in and out of the ring. Klitschko was a great, great example.

“A long time ago, I had a nickname, the ‘Uzbek Klitschko’.   And, God bless, soon he’ll know my name and who I am.”

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (November 22, 2022) – The official weigh-in was held today for tomorrow night’s “Jimmy Farrell Fight Night” event, promoted by Granite Chim Promotions, as Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

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

Doors open at 5 p.m. ET, first bout at 6:00 p.m. ET

Official weights below:

 _____________________________________________________________________                                            

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

VACANT MASSACHUSETTS STATE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (6)

Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (3-2, 1 KO), Swansea, MA 159.4 lbs.

Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (4-2, 2 KOs), Woburn, MA 158.6 lbs.

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Lucinei Santons (0-5), Boston, MA 140.2 lbs.

Stephen Davis (Pro Debut), Brockton, 140.8 MA 140.8 lbs.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Scott “Bombz” Lampert (3-6, 2 KOs), Dover Plains, NY 173.2 lbs.

Michael Medeiros (0-2), Boston, MA     TOMORROW

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Kirk Wilmont (1-0, 1 KO), Brockton, MA 264.6 lbs.

Aquilla Prote (Pro Debut), Boston, MA 257.8 lbs.

(card subject to change)

PLUS, 4 AMATEUR MATCHES FEATURING LOCAL BOXERS

_____________________________________________________________________

INFORMATION:  

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

LAS VEGAS – November 22, 2022 – Rising undefeated lightweight contenders Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera and Frank “The Ghost” Martin will clash in an intriguing 12-round WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator as they headline live on SHOWTIME Saturday, December 17 in a Premier Boxing Champions event at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will also see former world champion José Uzcátegui return to action against unbeaten former amateur standout Vladimir Shishkin in a 12-round IBF Title Eliminator. Plus, bantamweight contenders face off as Vincent Astrolabio and Nikolai Potapov battle in a 12-round IBF Title Eliminator that kicks off the telecast.

“Michel Rivera vs. Frank Martin is one of the best matchups that can be made in the stacked lightweight division and the fans watching on SHOWTIME and at The Cosmopolitan are surely in for a treat on December 17,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Each has shown immense skill and heart in earning their status as contenders, and they’ve proven that they’re ready to fight whoever it takes to become world champion. Adding in two closely matched bouts on the televised undercard makes this a night of drama that fight fans will not want to miss.”

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com. 

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and now fighting out of Miami, Fla., Rivera (24-0, 14 KOs) burst onto the scene in 2019, making his United States debut with a victory over Rene Tellez Giron. The 24-year-old continued his ascent with five more victories in 2020 and 2021, including knockouts of Jon Fernandez and Anthony Mercado. Most recently he outboxed Jerry Perez, earning a unanimous decision victory in October after dominating the previously unbeaten Joseph Adorno on his way to a unanimous decision in March.

“This is the type of fight that I’ve been asking for and I can’t wait to get into the ring,” said Rivera. “Martin is a strong opponent with a good record, but I’m ready to show that I am the future of the lightweight division. I’ve been training hard in Miami so that I’m ready for anything that Martin brings. Make sure you tune in to this fight!”

The 27-year-old Martin (16-0, 12 KOs) ascended the lightweight rankings in 2021 with a pair of impressive victories before delivering a New Year’s Day KO over veteran Romero Duno. In April 2021, Martin knocked out the previously unbeaten Jerry Perez in a dominating performance before earning a unanimous decision over Ryan Kielczweski in August. He produced a methodical destruction of Jackson Mariñez in July when he stopped him in the 10^th round, showing the skill set that has made him one of the most highly touted contenders at lightweight. Originally from Indianapolis, Ind., Martin now trains in the Dallas area under the guidance of Derrick James alongside his promoter and unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.

“I’m excited to be able to go out there and prove to myself and prove to the fans how great I am,” said Martin. “Michel Rivera is a good fighter. He’s technically sound and seems to have a determined mentality which means he’s going to come out and give a good fight on December 17. I’m just a few steps ahead of Rivera as far as having speed, power and ring IQ. I feel I have more in the arsenal. This is going to be an action-packed fight. There is going to be a lot of excitement, and a lot of hard shots are going to be dished out, so if you want to see a bang ’em fight, get ready to see two hungry, undefeated fighters go at it. Just remember: Every underdog had to go outside to an uncomfortable situation to become the top dog.”

Born in Venezuela and fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico, Uzcátegui (32-4, 27 KOs) captured a 168-pound world title in March of 2018 by stopping veteran contender Andre Dirrell after eight rounds. The 31-year-old put himself in position to fight for a title with four straight stoppage victories from 2015 through 2016, including a win over then unbeaten Julius Jackson. Since losing the title to unbeaten champion Caleb Plant in January 2019, Uzcátegui has rebounded to win four of his last five fights, including most recently knocking out Felipe Romero in May.

“I am thrilled to be returning to fight on SHOWTIME on December 17,” said Uzcátegui. “That is where I won my world title and I can’t wait to put on another great performance. I am looking at this fight against Shishkin as my chance to reclaim my belt. I’m leaving it all in the ring in this fight. It’s all or nothing for me once I step between the ropes.”

Now fighting out of the resurgent Detroit boxing scene under the guidance of the renowned SugarHill Steward, Shishkin (13-0, 8 KOs) is a Russian native who turned pro in 2016 following a prolific amateur career. The 31-year-old stopped veteran contender Nadjib Mohammedi in October 2018 before putting together his most recent five victories in stateside bouts. That run includes three appearances on SHOBOX: The New Generation and started with an eighth-round stoppage of DeAndre Ware on SHOBOX in 2019, a 2020 triumph over the previously unbeaten Ulises Sierra and most recently a sixth-round TKO of Jeyson Minda in March.

“This is an incredible opportunity for me to get closer to my ultimate dream of becoming world champion,” said Shishkin. “My opponent is a strong former champion with a proven record and an excellent skill set. However, me and my team are doing everything we can to be 100% on December 17. I believe that I’m facing a great opponent who will allow me to showcase my style of fighting.”

The 25-year-old Astrolabio (17-3, 12 KOs) put himself into world title contention with an upset victory over longtime pound-for-pound staple Guillermo Rigondeaux in February. A native of General Santos City in the Philippines, Astrolabio will make his U.S debut on December 17 as he looks to take one step closer to a world title opportunity. Prior to that decision victory in February, Astrolabio’s previous five wins had all come by knockout.

“I am very excited to make my U.S. debut on December 17,” said Astrolabio. “I want to thank my promoter Manny Pacquiao and my whole team for making this dream come true. I’m honored to be fighting in a world title eliminator. I truly feel that I earned this opportunity with my victory over Rigondeaux. This is my first fight on SHOWTIME and I’m training hard to make it a memorable one.”

Potapov (23-2-1, 11 KOs) has held his current training camp in Miami as he is co-trained by John David Jackson while he too looks to solidify his shot at a world title. The Russian native enters the fight on a three-bout winning streak following a narrow decision loss to Joshua Greer in July 2019. The 32-year-old turned pro in 2010 and was unbeaten until a 2016 draw against fellow contender Stephon Young. 

“This is an important stage of my career and a fight that I’m putting everything into,” said Potapov. “Winning a world title has always been my dream. I know that this fight is one step away from that dream. I’m going to do everything I can in my power to make it a reality. I hope that my opponent comes into the ring at his best as well, so that we can give the fans a great fight. No matter what, I’m planning on having my hand raised.”

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

DETROIT – November 22, 2022 – Salita Promotions, the promotional company headed by former longtime contender Dmitriy Salita, has added another intriguing heavyweight contender to their growing stable with the signing of hard-hitting undefeated heavyweight Moses “ThunderHands” Johnson to a promotional agreement.

Johnson (9-0-1, 7 KOs), who recently won an eye-catching hard-fought majority decision over highly-touted prospect Elvis Garcia on SHOWTIME, joins the likes of top contenders Jermaine Franklin, Otto Wallin, George Arias, Kolbeinn Kristinsson and Jarell “Big Baby” Miller in the growing Salita stable of big men.

“I’m extremely happy to be joining Salita Promotions and I can’t wait to get back in the ring and continue my climb to the heavyweight championship,” said Johnson. “I want to thank Dmitriy for believing in my abilities. I’m confident that he’s going to put me in the best position possible to achieve my dream.”

“Moses Johnson is an exciting fighter in the ring with an extremely engaging personality that makes him the total package as a prizefighter. He’s the perfect addition to the Salita Promotions team and he has all the tools necessary to become heavyweight champion of the world,” said Salita. “I’m honored that he’s entrusted me with getting him to that mountain top. He showed in his last fight that he has all the potential in the world. Now it’s just about continuing to take it fight by fight and letting his considerable physical tools and enormous heart lead the way.”

An all-around multi-sport athlete, the 30-year-old Johnson grew up in Huntington, a town in Long Island, New York, and found his love for the challenges of boxing in his mid-teens. He fights out of the Atlas Cops and Kids Boxing gym in Brooklyn and is trained by the well-respected brother duo of Aureliano and Jimmy Sosa. Surprisingly nimble despite his 6’ 2” height and substantial 260-lb. frame, Johnson’s activity rate and fluid combination punching to the head and body allow him to outwork opponents, while his respectable power keeps them at bay.

Johnson caught the boxing world’s attention in his first nationally televised showcase in October, by besting four-time Oregon Golden Gloves champion Garcia in an entertaining slugfest on SHOBOX: The New Generation at Bally’s Atlantic City Casino and Resort. Despite coming in as the underdog, Johnson’s accuracy and advantages in mobility carried him to victory by scores of 77-75 (twice) and 76-76.

Driven by his dream to win a heavyweight championship, Johnson is a prolific worker in the gym, and has sparred with many of the best heavyweights in the world, including fellow prospect Jared “Big Baby” Anderson.

“I’m in the gym working every day because I know that I have to push myself if I want to become the best,” said Johnson. “Adding Salita Promotions to my team will give me every opportunity to fulfill my potential. Now, it’s up to me to go in that ring and lay it all out there each and every time. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.”

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (November 22, 2022) – Legendary MMA superstar, Cris Cyborg, will be making her highly anticipated return to the boxing ring on December 10, when she battles Gabrielle Holloway on the Terence Crawford vs. David Avanesyan BLK Prime PPV showdown. Cyborg vs. Holloway, a scheduled 4-round bout in the lightweight division, will serve as a special feature attraction.

Crawford vs. Avanesyan, a 12-round WBO welterweight world title clash, will stream live on BLK Prime for the price of $39.99. BLK Prime, a Silicon Valley-based tech company, is a subscription video-on-demand platform that utilizes elite technology to bring the best picture-perfect stream available. The telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Cyborg, Ultimate Fighting’s only Grand Slam Champion, comes from a world-class mixed-martial-arts background. From Brazil, Cyborg makes her return to the boxing ring to continue her quest to establish herself as the greatest female fighter in any combat sport ever. In her boxing debut earlier this year, Cyborg defeated Simone Silva by a convincing unanimous decision – throwing clean right hands, pressing forward and unloading punches with Silva against the ropes. Her debut in the boxing ring established Cyborg as a looming championship contender, this next bout will prime her for that eventual opportunity. 

“This is a great opportunity for me to make a splash in the boxing world, especially on a card with Terence Crawford, the best boxer in the world,” stated Cyborg, who will be making her USA debut in the squared circle. “Boxing has always been a big part of my training and I feel I can compete at the highest level. I’m expecting Holloway to be in great shape, and I know she’s coming to win. That said, I’m taking this fight very seriously. I feel confident, and I can’t wait to showcase my boxing skills to the world.”

Holloway also comes from an MMA background. Recently fighting in the Bellator system, she joins the undercard of Crawford vs Avanesyan to establish her place in boxing – taking on a universal women’s fighting icon in Cyborg.

“Looking forward to testing my skills against a legend in Combat sports, I’m coming fully prepared, conditioning is on point, we are going to steal the show, we are the real Main Event.” said Holloway.

Tickets priced $50, $75, $125, $200, $350, and $500 for Crawford vs. Avanesyan are on sale now and are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. This event is promoted by NextGen Boxing, Bash Boxing, and BLK Prime. Doors open at 5:00 pm CT with the first fight starting at 5:30 pm CT.

About BLK Prime:

BLK PRIME is a subscription video-on-demand company that offers multicultural content to a diverse audience worldwide. To learn more about BLK Prime, visit: https://watchnow.blkprime.com/ and to order the pay-per-view, visit https://ppv.blkprime.com/pay-per-view. On social media follow #CrawfordAvanesyan, on Instagram @BLKPRIMEBOXNG @BLKPRIME, on Twitter @BLKPRIMEBOXING, on Facebook @BLKPRIMEMEDIA

LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 22 – Regis Prograis has listed the six reasons why he will defeat Jose Zepeda and reinstate himself as the best super lightweight in the world.

Prograis faces Zepeda in Carson, California on Saturday night, with the vacant WBC world super lightweight title up for grabs.

The 33-year-old, a former WBA title holder, respects Zepeda but is adamant he will be too much to handle at the Dignity Health Sports Park this weekend.

And ‘Rougarou’ says victory will not only secure him one of the four recognised world belts, but also re-establish him as the best 140lbs fighter on the planet.

“Zepeda’s never fought a southpaw this elusive, a southpaw that is strong like I am, a southpaw that has defence and a southpaw who has a chin on top of that,” Prograis told Probellum.com.

“I feel like you can hit me with anything, it’s not going to do anything. But the main thing is he hasn’t fought a workhorse like me, it is one of my strongest suits. I work so hard in training camp, I kill myself. And on top of that, there is my hunger.”

Prograis was rated as the world No1 when he headed into his 2019 unification blockbuster with Josh Taylor in London.

The American lost a classic contest on points that night and insists that by reclaiming one of the world titles, this weekend, he will once again have a strong case to also be known as the best super lightweight around.

“When people introduce me, they do so as ‘the former champ’ you but I want to be the current champion, and not only that, I want to be known as the best in the world in my division,” Prograis said.

“That is even more important to me than being a champion, it’s to be the best in the world in my division.

“There will always be debates but after Saturday, my name will be really, really high on the list. You have other fighters that are good, but I think after Saturday, my name should be at the top of the 140lbs list.”

To keep up to date with the latest news on Prograis’ world title fight, sign up to our newsletter?or follow Probellum on?Instagram,?Twitter?and?Facebook.??? 

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NEW YORK (November 22, 2022) -Tonight at The Edison Ballroom in New York City, undefeated heavyweight Stephan Shaw will be back in action when he takes on veteran Rydell Booker in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

Shaw is managed by Split-T Management.

The 30 year-old Shaw of Saint Louis, Missouri, has a record of 17-0 with 13 knockouts. The nine-year veteran has wins over Danny Kelly (9-2-1), Jonathan Rice (4-1-1), Donovan Dennis (12-3) Willie Jake Jr. (8-2-1), Gregory Corbin (15-2), Lyubomyr Pinchuk (12-1-1), Joey Dawejko and his outing when Shaw stopped Bernardo Marquez in the opening round on July 15th in Temecula, California.

Booker of Detroit is a veteran of more than two decades, and has a record of 26-6-1 with 13 knockouts. Booker has wins over former world champions Uriah Grant and Arthur Williams. Booker lost his last outing to Otto Wallin on May 26th in Dearborn, Michigan.

Shaw, who is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank, weighed 234.4 lbs. Booker was 256.6.

The bout can be seen live on FITE.TV at 7 PM ET.

Toronto will be home to another great night of top-quality professional boxing, proudly brought to you by Lee Baxter Promotions. Headlining the event, Josh Lupia (8-0-0 7KOs) takes on Lanardo Tyner (35-16-2 22KOs) at REBEL Entertainment Complex, on Sunday December 18.

Josh Lupia, an undefeated prospect from Niagara Falls, looks to continue his impressive form against Lanardo Tyner in what is set to be an all action 8 round welterweight bout. Lupia, the 2 x Canadian National Amateur Champion, returned to the boxing ring in July 2022 after a life threating incident in spectacular style. The fan favourite boxer from Niagara Falls doesn’t just bring exciting fights, he also brings with him a loyal crowd who are always out in numbers when he boxes. Lupia will be going head-to-head with Detroit’s Lanardo Tyner.

Tyner, who calls himself the ‘Pain Server’, has 22 wins via knockout. Tyner has shared the ring and gone the distance with the likes of Jessie Vargas, Lamont Peterson and none other than Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Expect a war in this match that could go either way.

Lucas ‘Prince’ Bahdi (12-0-0 11KOs) will be co-main event against Cristian Bielma (19-4-2 7KOs) of Baja California, Mexico. Lucas Bahdi, who is a 3 x Canadian National Amateur Champion, has recently signed with Lee Baxter Promotions. The undefeated Bahdi has won 11 of his 12 fights by way of knockout. For the first time as a professional, Bahdi went the full distance of 10 rounds in his last bout before being declared the clear winner. Bielma is in a good run of form, in his last 3 fights he has picked up a draw, a win and challenged for the WBO NABO Title.

Mississauga’s Amanda Galle (6-0-1 0KOs) looks to go 8 fights unbeaten. The Canadian Super Bantamweight Champion remains undefeated and showed immense heart her last time out after suffering a broken hand and earning her way to a hard-fought draw, a fight that the fans loved. As an amateur, Galle was a 3 x Canadian National Amateur Champion as well as being the 4 x Ringside World Boxing Amateur Champion. Galle will be battling it out against Luz Elena Martinez (6-4-0 3KOs) in an 8-round matchup. In her last fight, Martinez just came short in a close decision for the Americas Continental Title. Martinez is also a former WBC International Title Contender.

Highly touted amateur, Moe Zawadi (4-1-0 4KOs), will look to display his skillset in his bout against Marco Parente (1-4-3 0KOs) of Woodbrige, Ontario. Zawadi collected four Canadian national titles as an amateur. On November 19, Zawadi travelled to Washington, D.C. where he got his fourth win, another punch perfect performance. At 21 years old, Zawadi looks to have a bright future ahead of him in boxing. Parente, who is the more experienced professional, is hoping to upset the young prospect.

Canadian Bantamweight Champion, Ross Mylet (7-1-1 0KOs), is back in action. After a draw in May, Mylet looks to get back to winning ways against Eduardo Cruz Munoz (21-17-1 14KOs). The Canadian champion has been working hard with his coach Billy Martin at Hardknocks Boxing Club and is ready to give an impressive display on December 18. Munoz is on a 2-fight win streak with both wins coming by way of knockout, Munoz has also won 14 of his 21 fights within the distance.

The first bout of the event will be a 6-round contest between Uriel ‘Bombardero’ Perez (19-5-0 18KOs) and Roberto Verdugo (10-4-1 4KOs). Perez is a slick, fast handed boxer with devastating power. With 18 of his 19 wins coming by way of knockout, Perez has earned the name Bombardero. Perez, who now resides in Toronto, was scheduled for 10-rounds in his last fight against former WBO World Champion, Maurice Hooker. Before this, Perez knocked out Quebec’s Mathieu Germain, who at the time was the undefeated IBF North American Champion, in the fifth round. In the other corner to Perez will be Verdugo, the former Mexican Super Lightweight Champion.

Tickets can be purchased here on ticketmaster.com. For VIP Booths, please email sales@leebaxterpromotions.com. REBEL Entertainment Complex is located at 11 Polson Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1A4.

London, UK – 22 November 2022 – Dedicated and determined in equal measure, Lucy Wildheart, the aesthetic and powerful 5ft 5 ½in Scandinavian storm claims she has both the skill set and mindset to conquer the 126lb division.

First she fights this Friday night at London’s York Hall, Bethnal Green, when she takes on France’s experienced Marina Sakharov on the Wasserman Boxin show headlined by Harlem Eubank v Tom Farrell, live on Channel 5.

‘Wild by name, wild by nature,’ quips the girl dubbed ‘Dragon Queen’ by manager Richard Maynard.

‘My nickname represents the strength of Sweden’s medieval Vikings. As a kid, I was ‘all or nothing’. I had a mental temper but could also be really kind. I was, and still am, super competitive and always spoke out if something appeared unfair. I’d not hurt anyone but I always said my thoughts, never backed down. I had to have the last say and would scream and shout. It caused me problems at school.’

Wildheart’s current radiance disguises a difficult childhood in Växjö, central Sweden, which helped fashion her fighting psyche.

‘My parents separated when I was pretty young and we didn’t have much money. The nearest town had around 3,500 people and I was surrounded by farms and forest.  I was always outside, falling off trees. I didn’t have a mobile phone until I was much, much older. My grandparents, who played a big part in my upbringing, had horses and cows and I was raised around nature and hunting.’

Her combative urges were initially satisfied through Shotokan karate.

‘At aged nine, mum took me to karate school where the trainer, still my hero today, was really hard on me. Shotokan gave me something to focus on. It was very traditional. We bowed, spoke Japanese and we focussed mostly on katas and technique. Coach taught me life skills and respect. 

‘I became very good, very quickly because I was very coachable and learned from copying others. That karate dojo was a place where I could finally be me and I never missed a session. One time when I broke both feet, and still went and just trained with my arms. 

I’ve thought of trying out for the MMA and the UFC. I’ve already done a bit of grappling. I might have a bit of success there.’

Aged 19, lythe Lucy was forced to leave town in search of fresh employment and, with no dojos in sight, opted to dabble with the Noble Art instead. 

‘Initially, it was very difficult because, for karate, I had a wide stance and my legs were my strength. I really struggled for the first four years but I refused to give up,’ recalls Wildheart, who won 24 of 27 amateur starts, several Golden Girl titles and represented Sweden right across continental Europe before succumbing to the paid brigade in 2017.

She explains: ‘I wanted to go the Olympics but didn’t have the patience to wait another four years. I was ambitious to move fast and be involved in longer fights that would give me a proper work out. 

‘My goal was always to train full-time but professional boxing was banned in Sweden and there were no sponsors. I knew I had to move to either England or the US to make it. England was nearer. I’d had the opportunity to box on the undercard of (ex-British and European super-lightweight king) Colin Lynes and he assisted my passage.’

In addition to her birthland and Britain, Wildheart wandered to Poland, France, Ghana and Malta to secure low-paid action in her opening nine fights.

‘Being from Sweden and not having an Olympic background, I’ve not had an easy road,’ disclosed the former IBO Inter-Continental champion and IBO lightweight challenger.

‘All my fights have potentially been difficult but I’ve taken every opportunity that has been offered to me and made the best of it. The travelling has allowed me to see and experience different things.’ 

Her recent alignment to Maynard’s Strike Sports Management will provide the much-needed stability required for a concerted assault on global honours next year. 

‘Long term, from my career, I want to be able to get a house, stables and a black horse,’ speculates Wildheart.

‘I also hope to win several world titles, undisputed, and be proud of myself, knowing I achieved everything I wanted to, Then I’d love to teach all the young women boxers out there, not just coaching but contracts, negotiations….’

With just one contentious defeat in 11 pro airings, clearly the Swede is more than a pretty face. She boasts the nimble feet expected from her study as a ballerina that earned her a position at the prestigious Swedish Academy, but turned it down to move to the UK to further her boxing career.  In addition, her four stoppages (secured in two-minute rounds) are testament to the explosiveness acquired from years of competition at elite level Cross-Fit. 

She does not lack for confidence or commitment.

‘I aim to perfect the craft of boxing,’ concludes the Samm Mullins coached starlet who takes on Sakhorov over eight-rounds in a crucial must win fight to enter 2023 in World title contention.

‘I’ve got a really nice shape and a fitness level that allows me to keep my skill level high for the full duration of a fight. I do whatever is needed to win but can change quickly if things aren’t going fully to plan. 

‘I’ve a good style. I’m explosive but can also be a bit tricky. Plus, there’s several unshown aces in my pack. So far, I’ve just shown 30%. I guarantee there’s going to be some hot fights coming out of me!’ 

WHAT: “Jimmy Farrell Fight Night” Pro-Am boxing card

THE LINEUP:

VACANT MASSACHUSETTS STATE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (6)

Anthony “The Gentle Savage” Andreozzi (3-2, 1 KO), Swansea, MA

vs.

Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (4-2, 2 KOs), Woburn, MA

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Scott “Bombz” Lampert (3-6, 2 KOs), Dover Plains, NY

vs.

Michael Medeiros (0-2), Boston, MA

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (4)

Lucinei Santons (0-5), Boston, MA

vs.

Stephen Davis (Pro Debut), Brockton, MA

HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)

Kirk Wilmont (1-0, 1 KO), Brockton, MA

vs.

Aquilla Prote (Pro Debut), Boston, MA

(card subject to change)

PLUS, AMATEUR MATCHES FEATURING LOCAL BOXERS

_____________________________________________________________________

WHERE:        Bridgewater Veterans Club, Bridgewater, MA

WHEN:          Wednesday, November 23, 2022

PROMOTER: Granite Chin Promotions

RING ANNOUNCER: John Vena

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

OTHER: Doors open at 5 p.m. ET, first bout at 6:00 p.m. ET

WEIGH IN: Tuesday, Nov, 22 starting at 4 p.m. ET at Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, MA (Public Welcome)

INFORMATION:  

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin

NEW YORK (November 21, 2022) -This past Saturday night, welterweight prospect Giovanni Marquez and junior welterweight prospect Omar Rosario remained undefeated with wins in Texas and Puerto Rico.

Marquez and Rosario are managed by Split-T Management.

The 21 Year-old Marquez stopped Luis Valentin Portalatin in round three at The Lone Star Convention Center in Conroe, Texas.

? Marquez dropped Portlatin three times, with the finisher coming from a vicious right hand that slumped Portalatin to his knees in the third round.

Watch Knockout Punch

With the win, Marquez of Houston, Texas is 4-0 with three knockouts.

Marquez began boxing at the age of 12 as he is the son of former U.S. Olympian, world junior middleweight world champion and current broadcaster Raul Marquez.

Marquez had an amateur record of 75-12, which culminated in winning the National Golden Glove tournament this past August in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was named the Most Outstanding boxer in the tournament.

Marquez, who won the 152-pound National Golden Gloves, will begin his pro career around 145-pounds, with the goal to campaign as a junior welterweight

Photos by Hosanna Rull / iRull Photos / El Tigre Management.

Saturday in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, junior welterweight Omar Rosario stayed undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Bryan Ismael Rodriguez Rivera.

Scores were 60-54 on all cards for the 24 year-old Caguas native, who is now 9-0. Rivera, also from Caguas, Puerto Rico is 4-1-1.

Rosario is promoted by Top Rank.

Los Angeles, CA (November 21, 2022) Monday afternoon at Churchill Boxing Gym in Santa Monica, CA, #2 Ranked World Boxing Council (WBC) Contender Regis ‘Rougarou’ Prograis went through a brisk workout in front of a huge crowd of Southern California media kicking off fight week media events for ‘Battle of the Best’, this Saturday night, November 26 at ‘The War Grounds’ Dignity Health Sports Park.

Headlined by the WBC Super Lightweight World Championship between #1 Ranked Jose ‘Chon’ Zepeda, (23-0-1, 20 KOs), of La Puente, CA and #2 Ranked Prograis, (27-1, 22 KOs), of New Orleans, LA, the ‘Battle of the Best’, presented and produced by Legendz Entertainment in association with MarvNation Promotions, can be seen live on cable, satellite, telco and streaming PPV outlets on beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. including FITE and PPV.COM. Remaining tickets starting at $39 for the live event can be purchased online at AXS.com. Dignity Health Sports Park is located at 18400 Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746.

Zepeda was involved in a minor traffic accident on the way to the media workouts and was unable to be in attendance. He was not injured in the accident.

Joining Prograis at the media workouts were PPV undercard fighters; unified minimum weight world Yokasta ‘Yoka’ Valle, undefeated heavyweight contender Bakhodir ‘The Big Uzbek’ Jalolov, undefeated junior middleweight contender Charles ‘Bad News’ Conwell, brothers; junior middleweight Fernando ‘EL Feroz’ Vargas Jr. and featherweight Amado ‘EL Malvado’ Vargas along with their father / head trainer, boxing legend Fernando Vargas Sr. Additionally working out for the media were undefeated prospects featured on the PPV Freeview (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT); super bantamweight Nathan Rodriguez, (9-0, 7 KOs) and lightweight Ruben ‘Ace’ Torres, (19-0, 16 KOs) along with and super welterweight Alejandro Martinez, (3-2-1, 2 KOs).

Below are quotes from Regis Prograis along with a short quote from Jose Zepeda.

REGIS PROGRAIS

“Camp was hell, for me it’s like small victories in camp, like spending time with my children that I look forward to. This was a long camp, almost six months as I was supposed to fight in August and then this world title opportunity came up for November 26.”

“Training everyday was three sessions, boxing in the morning, strength and conditioning in the late afternoon and then more boxing in the evening. I’m a night person when I’m not training so waking up early every day in camp wears on me.”

“I just feel like I’m better, I’m not really nervous at all. I’ve trained so much for the last three years for this opportunity.”

“Zepeda can’t let me hit him too much in this fight if he’s trying to set traps. If I can find him I don’t think it’s going to be good for him. I don’t fight to box, I fight to hurt people. In my last three fights, I didn’t get hit and I got all three knockouts.”

“This is what I really, really love, to fight. Love the world title and the money but I really love getting in the ring on fight night.”

“I’m glad Teofimo Lopez is at 140, the division is really lit up now, that’s why I insisted on staying at 140 when I could have moved up. I’ve got a nutritionist now and don’t have to worry about making weight. I could stay at 140 for the rest of my career now if I want to.”

“There’s a lot of big fights ahead but the first thing is Jose Zepeda. Tank vs. Ryan is a good fight in the division, I got Tank but Ryan’s confidence is sky high. That’s a fight I hope to see in person if I’m not in camp. And of course, I want the winner.”

“Sandor Martin is a good test for Teofimo now, it’s a really good fight. It’s a better fight than Pedraza for Teofimo, Sandor Martin will come to win. This will prove if Teo is ready for the 140lb. division.”

“I thought Zepeda would be here at the media workouts, sorry to hear about the car accident which prevented him from coming. Looking forward to seeing him face-to-face again tomorrow at the press conference.”

JOSE ZEPEDA

“Sorry about missing the media workouts. I had a little accident but I’m good. We are 100% ready to go.”

                                                ————————————————-

With the international boxing world witnessing extraordinary women’s world championship bouts throughout this year, the tremendous momentum continues as fast-rising female superstar Yokasta ‘Yoka’ Valle, (26-2, 9 KO’s), of San Jose, Costa Rica battles undefeated world champion Evelyn ‘La Princesita’ Bermudez, (17-0-1, 6 KOs), of Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina for the WBC and WBO Junior Flyweight World Titles over ten scheduled rounds.

Fighting in the junior middleweight division, undefeated contender, 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles ‘Bad News’ Conwell, (17-0, 13 KOs), of Cleveland, OH, who many experts believe will soon be the division’s upcoming king, faces his toughest opposition against upset minded, Dominican Juan Carlos Abreu, (25-6-1, 23 KOs) in a ten-round fight.

2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Bakhodir ‘The Big Uzbek’ Jalolov, (11-0, 11 KOs), standing 6’7”and considered the dominant heavyweight of the future, faces off against veteran Curtis Harper, (14-8, 9 KOs), of Jacksonville, FL over ten rounds.

In a special attraction super welterweight six rounder, boxing fans will see the ‘Son of a Legend’, sure-fire prospect Fernando Vargas Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs), open the Pay-Per-View against local favorite Alejandro Martinez, (3-2-1, 2 KOs), of Los Angeles.

Baltimore, Maryland (November 21, 2022)–Super Bantamweight contender Elijah Pierce notched his second consecutive second round knockout as he took out Juan Carlos Pena in Oklahoma City.

Pierce, who is promoted by Jeter Promotions and is now ranked number-35 by the WBC, after winning the WBC USNBC title on the last Jeter Promotions card on on October 15th at the Hall! at Live Casino Hotel Maryland ,registered those two early victories in just over a month. They are the first two fights under Jeter Promotions and Pierce has not disappointed.

After a feeling out first round, Pierce picked up the pace in round two, as he dropped Pena with a counter left midway through the round. Pena beat the count, but was visibly hurt. Pierce then knocked down Pena for a second time with a right hook. The referee waived the count immediately awarding Elijah Pierce the knockout victory with the time of the stoppage 2:15 of round two, 

Pierce picked up his 7th consecutive victory, improving his record to 16-2 with 14 knockouts. Pena is now 32-9, and was coming off of a split decision loss to former world title challenger Stephon Young.

Elijah will be back for his third fight in three months when he is back on December 9th at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. The combined record of Pierce’s last four opponents is 58-10.

Elijah wants all the big fights in the division. Carlos Castro, Azat Hovhannisyan, TJ Doheny, Liam Davies, Gamal Yafai or any of the Golden Boy prospects which includes Hector Valdez, Rudy Garcia, Katsuma Akitsugi.

Elijah is managed by Trifon Petrov and Jessie Tanksley. He is trained by his father Andy Pierce, plus Aaron Salamone and Alain Felipe. 

NEW YORK (Nov. 21, 2022) — Junior welterweight contender TeofimoLopez will have a new “Heisman Night” foe. Jose “Sniper” Pedraza contracted a non-COVID-related illness, and Lopez will now face former European champion Sandor Martin on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Madison Square Garden.

Lopez-Martin, scheduled for 10 rounds, is a final eliminator for the WBC world title.

Brooklyn native Lopez (17-1, 13 KOs), the former lightweight king, made his junior welterweight debut in August with a seventh-round stoppage over Pedro Campa. He hopes to become a two-weight world champion in 2023, but the WBO No. 1 junior welterweight contender must first defeat the slippery Spanish southpaw. Martin (40-2, 13 KOs), who hails from Barcelona, authored the 2021 Upset of the Year when he stunned Mikey Garcia by majority decision and sent the four-weight world champion into retirement. Martin, ranked in the top 15 by all four major sanctioning organizations, followed up the Garcia triumph with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Felix in April.

“We wish Jose Pedraza a speedy recovery, but we look forward to facing Sandor Martin. He was the opponent we originally wanted for Heisman Night at Madison Square Garden,” Lopez said. “I will continue to silence the doubters as I take over the 140-pound division. I look forward to giving my hometown fans a special night of boxing.”

Martin said, “I’ve dreamed of fighting in a main event at Madison Square Garden. This is my time. I’ve taken the risk, and I will take control against Teofimo Lopez on December 10th. I will give the fans what they want to see.”

Lopez-Martin tops a televised quadruple-header airing immediately after the Heisman Trophy Ceremony at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. Heavyweight sensation Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson aims for his 13th straight knockout against the battle-tested Jerry “Slugger” Forrest, Puerto Rican junior middleweight star Xander Zayas steps up in class against 28-fight veteran Alexis Salazar, and 2020 Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis looks to jumpstart his world title ambitions in a lightweight duel versus Juan Carlos Burgos.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with OPI Since ’82, tickets starting at $51 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 20, 2022) –.Western Mass. was in the house last night for the

“Springfield Championship Boxing” Pro-Am card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, at MassMutual Center in Springfield. All the action was streamed live on www.bxngtv.com.

Holyoke welterweight Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (10-0, 6 KOs) and Pittsfield light heavyweight Steve Sumpter (7-0, 6 KOs) captured the vacant Massachusetts State titles in front of a sold-out venue.

“I remember where Granite Chin was 5 years ago and where it is today,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti commented. “This was unquestionably our greatest show to date. I’d like to thank our staff, Boston Boxing, sponsors, fans and, of course, all the fighters.”

A notoriously slow starter, Whitley evaluated his opponent, Fall River’s Kris Jacobs (5-2-1, 2 KOs), in the opening round and then took a methodical approach for the first few rounds, using his gloves-high defensive stance, effectively counter-punching in spurts.

In the eighth and final round, Whitley decked Jacobs with a right hook, but Denzel chased Jacobs from one side of the ring to the other, going for the knockout. It didn’t come but Whitley won a workmanlike 8-round split decision, surprising because one judge somehow scored, 75-75, despite the knockdown.

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(R) New Mass. State Light Heavyweight Champion Steve Sumpter

In a rare match-up of two undefeated prospects, Steve Sumpter and New Bedford’s Edet “Papito” Mkpanam put their perfect pro records on the line for the vacant Massachusetts State Light Heavyweight Championship.

A southpaw, Sumpter was the crowd favorite of the Western Mass. crowd. Both fighters were cautious in the opening round with Sumpter opening up in the second. The third belonged to the more aggressive Sumpter. Both fighters let their hands go in the fourth, ending as they pounded each other.

More of the same for Sumpter in the fifth and he cruised from there for a decisive 8-round unanimous decision to improve to 7-0 (6 KOs), going the distance for the first time, winning all 8 rounds on one judge’s card, 7 on the other two. Mkpanam (8-1, 7 KOs)had trouble throughout the fight getting off as Sumpter was a more potent sharpshooter.

(L) Steve Sumpter

“I went with the game plan to jab, jab, jab,” Sumpter said after the fight. “Once I realized he couldn’t stop my jab, it opened up other things because he was looking for the jab. I feel great, I can’t really explain it. Bringing this (touching his Mass. state title belt) back to Pittsfield is great.”

“Denzel had a real breakout fight,” Traietti added. “Whitley wanted to be tested and Chris Jacobs did. He fought better as the fight went along.

“I’m so proud of Steve and Edet. Not a lot of guys around here would have taken the fight (2 unbeaten prospects). They went for it and took it to another level.”.

Promising junior middleweight prospect Carlos Castillo (6-0, 4 KOs), of Holyoke, MA, passed the stiffest test of his young career against veteran Tyrone “Hands of Steel” Luckey (16-19-4, 12 KOs), who failed to answer the bell for round five.

Carlos Castillo (L) is a fighter to watch

Castillo, 24, was too powerful for Luckey, taking early control and never letting up. Castillo cracked Luckey with a right hook that put the New Jersey fighter on the seat of his trunks. Obviously hurt and near the end of the round, the always game Luckey was done.

Undefeated lightweight prospect Isiah Cruz (5-0, 3 KOs), of Springfield, cruised to his fifth win when Mexican Pablo Batres suddenly went down as he was back-pedaling in the opening round, failing to beat the referee’s 10-count

Springfield welterweight Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (2-0-1, 1 KO) overpowered Ronny Arana (0-7) en route to an opening round victory. Arana took a knee, got dropped by a body shot, and then Garcia unleash a barrage of punches in the red corner. He went down again right before the end of round one and referee Melissa Kelly stopped the bout.

Hometown favorite “The Gladiator” Carlos Gonzalez (3-0, 3 KOs) got the pro card rolling with a third-round technical knockout of pro debuting Mathew McGee (0-1). With a large Springfield contingent rooting him on, Gonzalez, a Springfield lightweight, patiently boxed in the first two rounds, but in the third he caught McGee with a left-right combination, dropping McGee in the blue corner. Referee Jackie Morrill halted the match at that point.

Five amateur matches featuring boxers from throughout New England opened the show.

Official results are below:

PRO RESULTS

VACANT MASSACHUSETTS STATE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Denzel Whitley (10-0, 6 KO), Holyoke, MA

WDEC10 (79-72, 78-73, 75-75)

Kris Jacobs (5-3-1, 2 KOs), Fall River, MA

(Whitley won vacant Mass. State welterweight title)

VACANT MASSACHUSETTS STATE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Steve Sumpter (7-0, 6 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

WDEC8 (80-72, 79-73, 79-73)

Edet Mkpanam (8-1, 7 KOs), New Bedford, MA

(Sumpter won vacant Mass. State light heavyweight title)

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Carlos Castillo (6-0, 4 KOs), Holyoke, MA by way of Dominican Republic

WTKO4 (3:00)

Tyrone Luckey (16-19-4, 12 KOs), Galloway, NJ

WELTERWEIGHTS

Ian Garcia (2-0-1, 1 KO), Springfield, MA

WTKO1 (3:00)

Ronny Arana (0-7), New York, NY

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Carlos Gonzalez (3-0, 3 KOs), Springfield, MA

WTKO3 (1:18)

Mathew McGee (0-1, Fairfield, ME

Isiah Cruz (5-0, 3 KOs), Springfield, MA

WKO1 (3:00)

Pablo Batres (10-23-1, 3 KOs), Nogales, Sonora, Mexico

AMATEUR RESULTS

119 lbs. – Michael Gadreau, Jr. (MTM Boxing) UD Antonio Torres (Ortiz Boxing)

139 lbs. – Dajon Padilla (Whitley Bros.) SD Adrian Valdez (Ortiz Boxing)

139 lbs (females) – Alexendra Mencia (Private Jewels) SD Chysanthe Coulouras (Central City)

154 lbs. – Deabian Adorno (Cherry Street Boxing) RSC Matthew Nguyen (Central City)

176 lbs. – Joel Vega (Alston Boxing) SD John Morton (Rolfe Boxing)

INFORMATION:

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