Local hero Mikaela Lauren and Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes are ready for tonight’s battle for the vacant WBC Female World superwelterweight championship in Vasteras, Sweden. At yesterday’s weigh-in both contender were well inside the limit with Lauren bringing 69.4 kg (153 lbs) to the scale while Magdziak Lopes was a little lighter at 69.0 kg (152 lbs).

“It has always been my dream to fight for the Green and Gold belt – the only price that counts in boxing” said Mikaela Lauren. “This is the title which has been held by Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson – as well as by great female champions like Laila Ali.”
Lauren is entering the fight with a tremendous record of 22 wins and only three defeats with one of those losses coming against supreme welterweight ruler Cecilia Braekhus in a world title fight in 2010. Her co-challenger Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes has won 10 of her 14 pro fights with two losses (against Kali Reis and Tori Nelson) and two draws. Magdziak Lopes was born in Gliwice (Poland) but is fighting out of Marshfield (USA) were she works as an attorney when she’s not fighting or training in the gym.
The WBC Female superwelterweight championship has been vacated by Tiffany Junot after she won the title from Mia St. John in November 2012. The title has also been held by Christy Martin (2009) and Jisselle Salandy who made five successful title defenses in Trinidad and Tobago between 2006 and 2008.
The world championship fight between Lauren and Magdziak Lopes headlines an event labeled “Fighting Spirit” which will be available live worldwide as online pay-per-view on https://fightingspirit.solidtango.com/
The show starts at 6pm Central European Time (noon ET) with the main event starting at 10pm CET (4pm ET).

LINCOLN, R.I. (Nov. 7th, 2014) – In what will undoubtedly go down as the fight of the year, and perhaps one of the most memorable fights in the recent history of women’s boxing, Providence, R.I., super bantamweight Shelito Vincent earned her first world title, narrowly beating Jackie Trivilino, 95-95, 98-92, 96-94, to capture the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) championship.

As expected, both fighters came out swinging, exchanging lefts and rights through the first two rounds while fighting within striking distance of one another the entire fight.

Trivilino (9-9-1) got the better of the exchanges of the third, catching Vincent (13-0) with a hard left hook and a short, right uppercut, but Vincent answered the bell in the fourth, opening the round with a looping overhand right that caught Trivilino square in the jaw on her way in from the corner.

Neither fighting clinched or held. They just kept coming forward, and after a spirited fifth round, which in many ways was a replay of the first four action-packed rounds, Vincent started the sixth with another tremendous blow, a hard overhand right that brought the crowd to its feet.

Trivilino came out orthodox in the seventh, trying to work the body and coax Vincent into lowering her head to set up one of her trademark uppercuts, but Vincent found her second wind toward the end of the round and landed another lead right followed by a left to back up Trivilino for what seemed like the first time in the entire fight.

Fatigue began to somewhat set in late in the eighth round as Trivilino came out firing with a sense of urgency, landing a big right and another uppercut in the closing seconds in what was her best round of the night. Vincent actually tried to wrap her up at one point following a strong right hand, the first time either fighter got tangled up the entire night.

The ninth round was more of the same with nonstop flurries and both fighters leaning in close to work the body and try to land upstairs with vicious combinations. Vincent landed two of the cleanest shots of the round, an overhand right and a left hook, but Trivilino fought well off the ropes in the closing seconds while unloading one last flurry.

Trivilino carried the momentum into the 10th with a solid right uppercut to open the round before Vincent began storming back. She stunned Trivilino with a short right in the closing seconds and began backing up her opponent again and landing another hard right at the bell as the crowd rose to its feet to give both fighters a standing ovation.

Returning to the ring for the first time in more than three years, Providence’s Angel Camacho Jr. (13-0) looked sharp as ever, outworking Hyannis, Mass., vet Paul Gonsalves (7-5-1) to earn a 58-56, 59-55, 59-55 unanimous decision win in the six-round super middleweight co-feature.

Gonsalves, who also fought last Thursday, took the fight on short notice after Camacho’s original opponent, Tylon Burris, withdrew due to a back injury. He looked a step behind at times as Camacho controlled the center of the ring and eluded most of the damage, but Gonsalves began to find his footing midway through and made the fight close toward the end. For Camacho, it was his first win since 2011 and just his second in six years.

One of the best fights of the night occurred in the welterweight where unbeaten Cranston, R.I., native Nick DeLomba (6-0) put his record on the line against the dangerous Lazar Stojadinovic (1-2-1) of Miami, Fla.

The two exchanged blows for six hard rounds and even traded knockdowns before DeLomba escaped with a 56-56, 57-55, 58-55 majority decision win. DeLomba sent Stojadinovic crashing to the canvas with a quick right cross in the closing seconds of the third round, catching Stojadinovic backpedaling during an exchange in the center of the ring.

For the next two rounds, DeLomba continued to fight his trademark fight, boxing on angels and counterpunching against the hard-charging Stojadinovic. At one point, Stojadinovic began egging on DeLomba to keep hitting him, to which DeLomba gladly obliged.

Toward the end of the fifth, Stojadinovic delivered a left to DeLomba’s midsection and DeLomba lost his balance with his feet tangled up and fell to the canvas. Lupino scored it a knockdown, but DeLomba kept pushing and closed out the fight with another flurry, much to the delight of the crowd. The win kept DeLomba unbeaten in six professional fights and unbeaten in all three of his fights in 2014.

The night started with a back-and-forth slugfest between New Haven, Conn., lightweight Oscar Bonilla (3-0-1) and Scott Sullivan (1-1) of New Bedford, Mass. Bonilla, fighting for the first time in more than two years, and Sullivan stood toe-to-toe for four hard rounds, exchanging blows in the center of the ring with Bonilla winning most of the exchanges. Bonilla earned the unanimous decision, 39-37, 40-36, 39-37, his first win since 2012, in an entertaining opening bout.

Warwick, R.I., super middleweight Zack Christy (1-0-1), a former Air Force vet, and Sergio Cabrera (0-3-2) of Somerville, Mass., also slugged it out for four rounds with neither fighter gaining any real momentum over the course of the fight. The bout ended in a draw, 38-38, on all three scorecards, Cabrera’s second draw in the past eight days.

Facing a tall task – literally – against the 6-foot-3 Mike Rodriguez (0-2) of Springfield, Mass., rising prospect Ray Oliveira Jr. (2-0) of New Bedford, Mass., the son of the legendary “Sucra” Ray Oliveira Sr., won his second bout in as many tries by unanimous decision, 39-37, 39-37, 40-36.

A last-minute addition to the card, Brockton, Mass., heavyweight Julian Pollard (5-0, 5 KOs) won for the second time in eight days and kept his five-fight knockout streak alive, stopping Providence veteran Arthur Saribekian (23-6-1) at 2:41 of the opening round.

Pollard came out swinging and landed early, opening a nasty cut over Saribekian’s right eye within the first few minutes. Pollard eventually dropped Saribekian late in the round with an overhand right and Saribekian got to his feet, even convincing referee Joey Lupino to let him continue, but Saribekian’s corner quickly threw in the towel before he could sustain any additional damage.

Battling a southpaw for the first time in his young career, Worcester, Mass., middleweight Khiary Gray-Pitts (3-0) continued to make tremendous strides, outworking the 5-foot-11 Vincent Floyd (1-1-1) to earn a 40-36 unanimous decision on all three scorecards. As the aggressor for the entire bout, Gray-Pitts kept Floyd against the ropes for four rounds and neutralized the one edge Floyd had as a southpaw. The win was Gray-Pitts’ third of the year after making his professional debut in June.

Visit www.cesboxing.com for more information, follow CES Boxing on Twitter at @CESBOXING and Instagram at CESBOXING, or “like” CES Boxing on Facebook.

New York, NY (11/7/14) – Three boxers on DiBella Entertainment’s large and talented roster – two prospects on the rise and one a contender on the comeback – earned impressive victories over the past week.

Last night, in his fifth contest of 2014, Regis “Rougarou” Prograis, of Houston, TX, took on the undefeated Jeff Humphries in a six-round junior welterweight contest held at Evangeline Downs Casino, in Opelousas, LA. Normally the aggressor, the 25-year-old Prograis played the role of counter-puncher as Humphries burst out of his corner throwing bombs. Easily evading Humphries’ offense with adept defensive maneuvers, Prograis returned fire with a four-punch combination to the body and head to knock his foe out cold inside the first minute of round one. Scoring his sixth knockout in a row, Prograis improved to 12-0 (10 KOs).

(Photo credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

Just two weeks after his New York debut where he earned a four-round decision on DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series, the touted English/Irish super middleweight prospect Steed “The Stallion” Woodall made the third trip of his professional career down to the Dominican Republic to face Cleudy Matos at Momo Car Wash, in Salcedo, on Saturday, November 1. Born in Birmingham, England, and now living and training in Palm Beach, FL, the 20-year-old Woodall quickly established his stiff jab to back up Matos. Once inside, Woodall landed a vicious right uppercut on the chin of Matos that lifted him off his feet before dropping to the mat hard. With Matos in no shape to continue, the contest was halted at the 0:47 mark of round one, upping Woodall’s record to 6-0 (4 KOs).

(Photo credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

On Thursday, October 30, Georgian middleweight contender Avtandil “The Tornado” Khurtsidze, now living in Kiev, Ukraine, continued his comeback squaring off against Eddie Hunter at Florentine Gardens, in Hollywood, CA. The 5’4″ Khurtsidze stalked Hunter over the first two frames, parrying his opponent’s flicking jab. Just 20 seconds into round three, Khurtsidze expertly cut off the ring, trapping Hunter against the ropes and flooring him with a combination. Though Hunter arose, Khurtsidze continued to apply pressure with left hooks and right crosses until the bell. For the remainder of the contest, Khurtsidze blasted his adversary with power shots until Hunter’s corner felt that their charge had taken too much punishment, ending the bout at 2:13 of round five. Notching his sixth win since suffering his last defeat in 2010, Khurtsidze is now 29-2-2 (18 KOs).

“Both Prograis and Woodall are exciting young prospects that have thus far thrilled crowds with their seek-and-destroy mentalities and I expect them to continue to show promise as their level of opposition increases,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Khurtsidze is a proven fighter on the comeback and I’m confident that with just a few more wins under his belt, he’ll be ready to challenge for a world title in the near future.”

Brooklyn, NY (November 7, 2014) –Undefeated Cruiserweight Junior Wright
(12-0-1, 10 KO’s) has been making waves and is climbing up the ladder to become one of the top contenders in the 200 lb. division. After defeating several undefeated contenders including undefeated Nick Kisner 12-0.
Junior Wright burst on to the scene with his Fight of the Year candidate with another top rated undefeated contender Steve Bujaj which took place on May 15, 2014 at the Millennium Theater in Brooklyn.

Wright, who is promoted by Star of David Promotions and regarded by many to be the top cruiserweight prospect in the world is looking to become a top-10 contender in the early part of 2015.

You just had a 3rd round stoppage over Lucas St. Claire in a “Stay Busy” fight on November 1 in Milwaukee. Talk about the fight?
St Clair was a big puncher. He has MMA and boxing experience. I train hard and prepare well for all fighters. I got a chance to work on some things we have been practicing in the gym. I hit him with straight shots, dropped him 4 times and got the 3rd round knockout.

Will you fight again this year?
We will try to get 1 more fight in this year before coming back to NYC on Jan 22.

Talk about coming back to NYC?
I am very excited to come back to NYC. It is where my biggest fight against Bujaj took place. Following that fight I had a lot of support from local media and boxing fans. NYC is a boxing center and I look forward to putting on a great show and making more fans. But I am really looking to get one of the belts. I am just trying to perfect my craft and fight the best in the Unite States and Europe. I want to win belts and defend them.

Steve Bujaj is on the the card on January 22nd. Will you keep an eye on his fight?
Not really, i will let the coaches do all that. I just take care of my business.

What are your plans for 2015?
My biggest goal is to fight on Showtime on HBO. I feel like I am close to getting there.

What Cruiserweights are you pin pointing?
European champion Rakhim Chakhkiev (2008 Gold Medal winner)—he is an awkward lefty…, Dennis Lebedev, (Former WBC Champion) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk ..He is Polish and would draw a big crowd in my hometown of Chicago, So i think that would be good business…We also would like to the winner of the Nathan Cleverly – Tony Bellew fight.

You are signed with Dmitry Salita’s Star of David Promotions. How has that relatonship been?
Dmitry is the best! I like the way he operates. He doesn’t believe in wasting time. He has kept me busy. Because of him, we have connections in the UK, Russia & South Africa. He understand a fighter and the importance of staying busy and getting better in the ring. I had 2 fights since August away from the bright lights perfecting my skills. I train hard and am getting better every day. I can’t wait to get my opportunity!

Coach Rick Wilson..
Junior is an all action, worth the money to see fighter. Thats why we nicknamed him the Hurracaine. Whenever u see a newscaster at the front of a Hurricaine, u want to see that.. Junior can knock u out with either hand. We would be ready for Bellew or Cleverly. We want a few more learning fights under our belt and we know Dmitry can get us those fights with his world class connections…South Africa, Russia and the UK

Junior beat several undefeated fighters and we took chances early in his career because I know my fighter! We fought 1 world class fighter in his back yard…Jrunior Broke his nose and jaw and with shotty refereeing we still got a draw. We would have to had to shoot him to get a decision. Junior has fought nothing but formidable guys. 4 or 5 more fights we will be fighting at the highest level.With Dmitrys connections we hope to fight 1 of the upper echelon champion’s. We will try to get another fight in before the end of the year and are ready to blast on to the scene big time!

Junior, do you have any final statements?
-Be prepared for the hurricane

LAS VEGAS, NV. (November 7, 2014) — The sub plot thickens! When undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight champion JESSIE VARGAS makes his second title defense, against former world champion ANTONIO DEMARCO, on the MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO vs. CHRIS ALGIERI World Welterweight Championship pay-per-view undercard, it will be more than a battle between two Mexican warriors, it will be the first time FREDDIE ROACH and four-division world champion ROY JONES, JR. have worked the same fight as trainers from opposite corners. Furthermore, Jones will be doing the commentary on the remaining pay-per-view telecast fights.

How did the Vargas-Jones partnership come to be?

“I called Jessie’s fight on HBO when he fought [Anton] Novikov last August. Jessie won but I did not see the improvements I was hoping to see,” said Jones. “He asked me to train him for the DeMarco fight and I agreed. I am working with five fighters right now but Jessie is my first champion. We worked on Jessie’s mechanics for the first four weeks before we began sparring. He’s developing more speed – and more speed means more power. My plan is to work Jessie’s corner in Macau, then go back to ringside and call the fights for HBO Pay-Per-View.”

” We met for first time at his gym for a fundraiser and right out of the blue
he said he would like to give me tips on how to throw punches with much more power,” said Vargas. “So I took him up on his offer and the very next day, in his gym in Las Vegas, he showed me a couple of things. I was intrigued by his method of teaching. That’s when I asked him if he would train me. He accepted and I am very excited to be working with Roy. He has so much to teach me. He knows all about power – who can ever forget Roy’s big hook? His in-ring positioning is the best and that is what he is teaching me. Already I feel the power. I am fighting my third straight left hander in DeMarco. We’ve had three left handed sparring partners in camp. It’s a thrill to be trained by Roy Jones. He not only tells you about a certain move but can show it to you, too. When you are a champion there are challenges and you have to keep improving yourself. I have a lot of stake in this fight. Manny is moving down to 140 lbs I am told. He is on my radar for the biggest fight of all.”

Vargas (25-0, 9 KOs), of Las Vegas, NV., will be fighting outside the U.S. for the first time in his professional career. He captured the WBA super lightweight title on the April 12 Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley Jr world welterweight title rematch in Las Vegas, winning a unanimous decision over undefeated defending champion Khabib Allakhverdiev. It was a close and competitive fight that proved Vargas’ grit as he bit down hard during the championship rounds to pull away with the victory and the world championship belt. His impressive resume includes victories over former world champions Stevie Forbes and Vivian Harris and top contenders Josesito Lopez, Lucky Boy Omotoso, Ray Narh and Lanardo Tyner. In his last fight, on August 2, Vargas successfully defended his title against undefeated contender Anton Novikov via a unanimous decision.

DeMarco (31-3-1, 23 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico, captured the WBC lightweight championship crown on his second try, winning the vacant title with an 11th-round stoppage of top-rated contender Jorge Linares in 2011. DeMarco successfully defended the title twice during his one-year reign — both by knockout — against Miguel Roman and John Molina. Since moving up in weight, he has won three straight fights, with two of those victories coming by way of knockout. In his last fight, on August 23, DeMarco won a 10-round unanimous decision over Landro Tyner.

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Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, Banner Promotions and Tecate, the Pacquiao-Algieri world welterweight championship event will take place Saturday, November 22, at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena, and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

“24/7 Pacquiao/Algieri,” premieres This Saturday! November 8 at 1:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on HBO immediately following the live World Championship Boxing event from Atlantic City.

An all-new special “Under the Lights: Pacquiao-Algieri” debuts Next Saturday! November 15 at 11:45 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.

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

Saturday’s HBO World Championship Boxing doubleheader telecast airs at 10:45 p.m. (ET/PT).

The HBO telecast kicks off live from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, when welterweights Sadam Ali and Luis Carlos Abregu square off for 10 rounds.

The main event of the evening, a 12-round light heavyweight world title unification showdown, features Bernard Hopkins against Sergey Kovalev.

Official Weights from Atlantic City:

Bernard Hopkins: 173.5 lbs.
Sergey Kovalev: 174.5 lbs.

Sadam Ali: 146 lbs.
Luis Carlos Abregu: 146.5 lbs.

Join the conversation on Twitter: #ALIENvsKRUSHER

Nov. 7, 2014 – As a prelude to the upcoming HBO Pay-Per-View® showdown on Nov. 22 between world welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao and fast-rising challenger Chris Algieri, HBO Sports will air “24/7 Pacquiao/Algieri,” an action-packed one episode, 30-minute special examining the 147-pound title showdown.

The “24/7 Pacquiao/Algieri” special will premiere Saturday, Nov. 8 at 1:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on HBO immediately following the live World Championship Boxing event from Atlantic City.

The quintessential underdog versus superstar storyline will be explored with”24/7″ cameras visiting Algieri at home on Long Island and in camp in Las Vegas as well as traveling to the Philippines to visit with Manny Pacquiao as he trains for the fight.

The 30-minute special will be narrated by Liev Schreiber.

Other HBO playdates for 24/7: November 9 (11:00 a.m.), 10 (2:45 a.m.), 13 (2:30 p.m.), 18 (8:45 a.m.), 19 (6:00 p.m.), 21 (1:00 p.m. & 3:00 a.m.), and 22 (9:45 a.m.).

HBO2 playdates for 24/7: November 19 (8:00 p.m.) and 21 (4:15 p.m. & 11:30 p.m.).

HBO Signature playdates for 24/7: November 22 (5:30 p.m.)

All times are ET/PT.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, Banner Promotions and Tecate, the Pacquiao-Algieri world welterweight championship event will take place Saturday, November 22, at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena, and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

“24/7 Pacquiao/Algieri,” premieres This Saturday! November 8 at 1:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on HBO immediately following the live World Championship Boxing event from Atlantic City.

An all-new special “Under the Lights: Pacquiao-Algieri” debuts Next Saturday! November 15 at 11:45 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.

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

LOS ANGELES (November 7, 2014) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight champion CHRIS ALGIERI made his final appearance in Los Angeles before heading off to The Venetian Macao to challenge Fighter of the Decade and reigning WBO welterweight champion MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO. Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs), from Huntington, NY on Long Island, who has Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management, a Masters degree in Clinical Nutrition and a Ph.D. in Upsets Inside the Ring, hosted a Los Angeles press conference luncheon on Thursday, at The Conga Room.

International motion picture superstar SYLVESTER STALLONE paid a surprise visit to the press conference so he could see his real-life “Rocky” image in-person.

“In my business life imitates art. But in Chris’ case I think it’s the other way around,” said Stallone. “Watching Chris rebound from those two first-round knockdowns against Ruslan Provodnikov and out-box him the next 11 rounds to win the title was more than an upset. It was Rocky-esque. As for his fight against Manny Pacquiao on November 22, all I can say to you Chris is great movies deserve great sequels and I won’t be the least surprised to see you give us one in Macao.”

“It was the thrill of a lifetime,” said Algieri. “When I put my arm around him to pose for a photo all I could feel were muscles. Boxing owes a great deal to ‘Rocky’ and Sylvester Stallone.”

“Chris Algieri’s story has captured the imagination of the sports world. It’s all you read about in the United States and throughout Asia, not unlike Sly Stallone’s, “Rocky,” which did the same thing in 1976 and won the Academy Award for Best Picture,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

Algieri, who spent the first four weeks of training camp in New York, moved his base of operations to Las Vegas enduring intensive training and conditioning for the remaining six weeks in preparation for his battle against Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani Province of the Philippines, and boxing’s only eight-division world champion. Algieri departs for Macao next Wednesday night from Los Angeles.

Joining Algieri at the press conference was WBO featherweight champion VASYL LOMACHENKO, World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight champion JESSIE VARGAS and his new trainer, former four-division world champion ROY JONES, JR., China’s most iconic athlete, undefeated Top-Five flyweight contender and two-time Olympic gold medalist ZOU SHIMING and Hall of Fame promoter BOB ARUM. Lomachenko and Vargas will be defending their titles while Zou fights in a world title elimination bout on the Pacquiao-Algieri world welterweight championship pay-per-view portion of the undercard.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, Banner Promotions and Tecate, the Pacquiao-Algieri world welterweight championship event will take place Saturday, November 22, at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena, and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

“24/7 Pacquiao/Algieri,” premieres Tomorrow! Saturday, November 8 at 1:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on HBO immediately following the live World Championship Boxing event from Atlantic City.

An all-new special “Under the Lights: Pacquiao-Algieri” debuts Next Saturday! November 15 at 11:45 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.

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

Jimmy Burchfield’s CES Boxing presents one of the most highly-anticipated fight cards of 2014 has a little bit of something for every boxing fan, from a world title fight to the long-overdue return of an undefeated fan-favorite.

The title, “Winner Take All,” is fitting considering the winner of the Shelito Vincent-Jackie Trivilino in the 10-round main event tonight at Twin River Casino will take home the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) female super bantamweight world title.

A fight more than a year in the making, Vincent-Trivilino promises to deliver non-stop action, similar to Vincent’s bout against the gritty Angel Gladney in May of 2013, a fight in which both sides traded blows for eight full rounds. Trivilino (9-8-3, 1 KO), of Plattsburgh, N.Y., is an offensive-minded who comes forward, doesn’t mind taking punishment in order to dish it out and will challenge anyone anywhere at any given time.

Through the years, Trivilino has faced some of the best in women’s boxing, including former World Boxing Council (WBC) female super bantamweight champ Alicia Ashley, former International Women’s Boxing Federation (IWBF) and super featherweight world champion Ronica Jeffrey and Brooklyn’s WBC, UBF International champion Heather Hardy, currently ranked No. 7 in the WBC.

Vincent (12-0, 1 KO), herself a former women boxing title-holder now ranked No. 4 in the WBC, is aiming for her first world title in what will be her toughest to date. Vincent defeated Gladney for a women’s international more than a year ago by unanimous, winning at least seven of the eight rounds on all three scorecards.

“What a fight card!” said CES president Jimmy Burchfield Sr. “This is the best of both worlds. With Vincent and Trivlino, you have two of the best in women’s boxing”

Those words were echoed by Michael Campbell, president of the Universal Boxing Federation. “This terrific match-up of two boxers dedicated to their profession epitomizes what the UBF represents.”

Both fighters weighed in exactly at 122lbs.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents live professional boxing from Glow, Bluwater, U.K. this Saturday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. ET, with the Hennessy Boxing MaxiNutrition Knockout tournament final, headlined by British light heavyweight champion Bob Ajisafe tackling late replacement “Magic” Matty Clarkson.

Fight Network’s live broadcast will air on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Clarkson replaces the injured Travis Dickinson, who withdrew from the bout on Thursday due to a leg injury suffered in training. He played part in a “Fight of the Year” contender with Dickinson in May and is the reigning Central Area light heavyweight champion.

In the co-featured tilt, former two-time British light welterweight champion Lenny Daws moves back into title contention when he meets Frenchman Chaquib Fadli for the vacant European title. Plus former multiple-time world title challenger “Fast” Eddie Chambers seeks his fourth consecutive victory opposite Brazilian heavyweight Marcelo Luiz Nascimento.

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

LONDON (Nov 7) – The world’s oldest ever world champion Bernard Hopkins believes that he has no place on boxing’s pound-for-pound list.

The current WBA and IBF light-heavyweight world champion is gearing up to face hard-hitting Sergey Kovalev this Saturday night on BoxNation in an edge of the seat unification clash, which will also see the Russian’s WBO belt up for grabs.

After rebranding himself as ‘The Alien’, due to his remarkable achievements and having become the oldest ever unified champion at 49 years of age, Hopkins says he doesn’t want to be put on boxing’s ‘pound-for-pound’ list which categorises boxing’s elite.

“I don’t want to be on anybody’s pound-for-pound list when I win this fight because to put me on a pound-for-pound list says that I’m human. It says that I’m human based on you characterise me one, two, three or four,” said Hopkins.

“To me you got to make a new list and what I’m doing now I’m making a new legacy and a new list. So don’t put me on no pound-for-pound list because that would make me human that would make me just like them.

“I respect the pound-for-pound list but you have to do another list for me. You have to sit down and think we can’t put this man in the top 10 because he’s doing something that no one has ever done. 15 years ago my career was meant to have been over,” he said.

The Philadelphian pugilist has seen it all in boxing having risen as an upstart in 1988 before reigning supreme as champion over the middleweight division for a decade before his conquest of the light-heavyweight division.

Against Kovalev he steps in against an unbeaten knockout artist who has scored 23 stoppages from his 25 wins, but Hopkins has a past of overcoming fighters with flawless records having upset the likes of Felix Trinidad and Joe Lipsey.

“I have a history of taking fighters undefeated records – starting with the first big name Tito Trinidad. This is something I have a pattern of doing. This isn’t just hype talk that’s why I haven’t got to holler and shout,” Hopkins said.

“I have a history of taking the ‘O’ away and giving a guy a devastating loss – some haven’t even bounced back.

“But one thing about a puncher is they have a punchers chance. They could be gone till the 11th round then ‘pow wow’.

“They are always dangerous but ‘The Alien’ likes to walk on his tightrope 50 feet in the air, maybe 100, with no safety net but I’m going to make it across the other side,” said Hopkins.

With 65 fights and numerous world titles, Hopkins, who turns 50 in two months, says the fight with Kovalev goes beyond just boxing for him with his hunger to succeed in life a motivating factor.

“When I hear or read or get asked a question like, ‘you didn’t have to take this fight, you could have taken a different fight,’ I think, have you paid attention to my career?,” said Hopkins.

“This isn’t about being an athlete, a boxer or whatever it is. This is something separate. Me as a man, I’ve been here since 1965. I have been special ever since.

“When you’re dealing with the spirit that I carry with me, from my personal life to here, all of that comes together in the ring.

“An opponent, he can be fast, slick or a puncher; you have to face all of these intangibles that I bring to the ring. I don’t mind putting my wits up against anyone’s wits today. I’m so calm and relaxed. I still have that hunger to prove myself,” he said.

Hopkins v Kovalev is live on BoxNation (Sky437/490HD, Virgin 546 & TalkTalk 525) this Saturday night. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.525), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

Nov. 7, 2014 – Leading up to the highly anticipated welterweight world title bout between Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri – set for Saturday, November 22 and presented live by HBO Pay-Per-View® – HBO Sports will present the exclusive replay of two compelling showdowns that highlight the remarkable skill and will of these combatants.

On Friday, Nov. 14 at 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT) and Saturday, Nov. 15 at 8:15 a.m. (ET/PT), HBO2 will replay Pacquiao vs. Bradley II 2014 and Algieri vs. Provodnikov 2014 back-to-back. On April 12, 2014 in the bright spotlight of Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao avenged his controversial loss with a dominating performance over then undefeated Timothy Bradley in their championship title rematch. Last June in Brooklyn, NY, Algieri displayed incredible fortitude and ring skills by rebounding from an opening round onslaught to upset 140-pound title-holder Ruslan Provodnikov in one of the year’s most remarkable triumphs.

Both fights will also be available 24 hours a day to HBO On Demand® and HBO GO® subscribers beginning Monday, Nov. 10.

Pacquiao vs. Algieri takes place Saturday, November 22 and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

Amir Mansour
Fred Kassi
20-1, 15 KOs
18-2, 10 KOs
Wilmington, DE
New Orleans, LA
232 lbs / Red & Black Trunks
233 lbs / Green & Black Trunks

Mikhaylenko & Cruz
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Dmitry Mikhaylenko
Ronald Cruz
17-0, 6 KOs
20-4, 15 KOs
Gelendzhik, Russia
Bethlehem, PA
152.5 lbs / White Trunks
153 lbs / Orange Trunks

Lepikhin & Junior
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Vasily Lepikhin
Jackson Junior
16-0, 9 KOs
15-1, 13 KOs
Gelendzhik, Russia
Sao Paulo, Brazil
175 lbs / White Trunks
175.5 lbs / Blue Trunks

Caramanno & Caroll
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Anthony Caramanno
Omar Caroll
2-0
0-3-1
Staten Island, NY
Philadelphia, PA
123 lbs / Blue & Silver Trunks
123.5 lbs / Black & Gold Trunks

Prescott & Trujillo
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Anthony Prescott
Arturo Trujillo
5-3-2, 2 KOs
5-0, 3 KOs
Cherry Hill, NJ
Easton, PA
Black & White Trunks
Grey Trunks

Valliere & Navarro
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Nick Valliere
David Navarro
2-0, 2 KOs
1-6
Forked River, NJ
Philadelphia, PA
158 lbs / Black & Yellow Trunks
158.5 lbs / White Trunks

About Nov. 8 at Sands:
The November 8 special triple header edition of NBCSN Fight Night will take place at Sands Resort Casino in Bethlehem, PA and will feature a ten-round heavyweight match-up between Amir “Hardcore” Mansour and Frederic “Big Fred” Kassi, a ten-round welterweight match-up between Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko and Ronald Cruz and a ten-round light heavyweight match-up between Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin and Jackson “Demolidor” Junior. Tickets are $75 and $50 and available through ticketmaster.com, peltzbxing.com and the Sands box office. The card is presented by Main Events, Peltz Boxing, German Titov Boxing Promotions, in association with Joe Hand Promotions and BAM Boxing. The special triple header telecast of NBCSN Fight Night will begin at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT.

NBC Sports Live Extra:
NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will live stream Fight Night at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT on November 8. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

FOLLOW US:

Official hashtag: #FightNight
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Twitter: @main_events
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ORANGE, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2014) – Thompson Boxing Promotions is saving its best for last. The tenth and final show of the year for the Southern California-based company features a who’s who of top-tier prospects. Highlighting the 8-round “Locked n’ Loaded” main event is welterweight heavy hitter Artemio Reyes (22-2, 18 KOs) of Riverside, Calif. Reyes puts his seven-fight win streak on the line against Christopher Degollado (10-3, 8 KOs) of Monterrey, Mex.

In the 8-round co-main event, lightweight sensation Jose Roman (18-1-1, 12 KOs) of Garden Grove, Calif. looks to close out the year with four solid wins against Jose Luis Ramirez (7-1-1, 4 KOs) of Tijuana, Mex.

Additionally, Carlos Carlson (15-0, 10 KOs), a rangy bantamweight with extreme power in his left hand, will test his burgeoning skills against an opponent to be named later (8-rounds).

The action originates from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif. Tickets for “Locked n’ Loaded” are priced at $40, $60, and $100, and are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (714) 935-0900, or online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

“Our goal is always to put together an exciting event from top-to-bottom,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing Promotions. “This show appears to have extra sizzle because it’s loaded with some of our top performers. Because of that, it’s the best ticket in town.”

“We benefited greatly from how the schedule shook out,” said Alex Camponovo, matchmaker and general manager. “Reyes, Roman, and Carlson, if they take care of business this month, will set themselves up for bigger opportunities in 2015.”

The triumvirate of Reyes-Roman-Carlson represents a core group of prospects that have blossomed this year. Reyes is on an absolute tear, having notched six of his last seven wins by way of knockout. Roman faced adversity for the first time in his young career and was able to produce his first come-from-behind win by outpointing Luis Solis in May. Carlson kept his undefeated record in check and captured the vacant WBC Latino title earlier in the year.

“All three answered the bell this year,” Camponovo said. “Each flourished under different sets of challenging circumstances and that’s what you want to see.”

Additionally on “Locked n’ Loaded”

Junior lightweight prospect Erick Ituarte (8-1-1, 1 KO) of Los Angeles takes on Jesus Angulo (3-5, 2 KOs) of Nuevo Laredo, Mex. in a fight scheduled for 6-rounds.

A fifth bout will be added at a later date. Opponent information will be announced separately.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m, and the first bell rings at 7:45 p.m. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 N Vineyard Ave, Ontario, CA 91764 and can be reached at (909) 937-0900.

“Locked n’ Loaded” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Lucas Oil, in association with KCAL 96.7 FM Rocks!, KOLA 99.9 FM, and LATV Networks.

For additional information please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ThompsonBoxing. To follow the conversation on social media, please use hash tags #ThompsonBoxing, #LockednLoaded.

By Norm Frauenheim-

Bernard Hopkins’ life as street thug, ex-con, Congressional witness, peace-maker, fighter, promoter, pundit, provocateur, butcher, baker and candlestick maker includes different nicknames, a couple of masks and roles only he knows are still within him.

“I’m not human,” Hopkins said in a recent conference call.

But he is.

There’s an endless array of humanity jammed into that one being who over the many years has been called Inmate #Y4145, The Executioner, B-Hop and today The Alien.

It’s what makes him so compelling. So challenging.

He shows us what is humanly possible on either side of those proverbial ropes. He’ll have to do it all over again Saturday night in Atlantic City against Sergey Kovalev in a light heavyweight-fight (HBO 10:45 pm ET/PT) as intriguing as any bout in the last year.

By now, circumstances confronting Hopkins have been documented and over-analyzed. Kovalev’s power and relative youth – he’s 31 – are a couple of factors that some think will finally stop Hopkins’ unprecedented defiance of time’s inevitability. He’ll be 50 in January.

Half-a-century is a long time anywhere. For anybody whose mileage has taken them past that birthday and deposited them in the senior-citizen division, Hopkins’ resilient ability to fight on is science fiction-like.

Hopkins swims as part of his training regimen these days. While watching him in the water during HBO’s pre-fight documentary, I wondered if there was a youth-restoring Cocoon from director Ron Howard’s 1985 Academy Award-winning movie at the bottom of that Philadelphia pool.

It’s alien all right, which explains that silly green mask that Hopkins wears. It’s not because he’s trying to hide a gray beard. He has always understood that boxing is a mix of sport and theater. Maybe, Kovalev will prove to be nothing more than just another vanquished face in his supporting cast. I think not. I predicted a Kovalev victory by decision for The Ring. http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/362819-who-wins-bernard-hopkins-sergey-kovalev

Then again, I picked Hopkins to lose to Kelly Pavlik in 2008. Maybe, I should start wearing a fool’s mask.

Truth is, Hopkins is already a winner. The fight could get ugly, which might diminish what has already been accomplished. Nevertheless, Hopkins has done what you expect of somebody about to turn 50.

To wit: He’s become role model for a sport that badly needs one.

In stepping up to fight an emerging star and one of the game’s most feared punchers, he has embarrassed pound-for-pound contenders who are more than a couple of decades younger.

Hopkins reminds us – and hopefully them – that building a legacy is serious business. It’s a not a mere logo for a souvenir. Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s pursuit of legacy has begun to look manufactured. His TBE — The Best Ever – is on T-shirts and caps. Wonder if Manny Pacquiao has bought one? For a bonfire, maybe.

The Best Ever is not possible with a fight against the best. That’s what Hopkins is doing in his decision to face Kovalev. The build-up to the bout has included much of what is often attached to a Hopkins fight.

Race became an issue when he told ESPN that the fight is not a cover piece for Sports Illustrated or other major media, because he’s black. Because his last name isn’t Marciano or Stern, he said.

The comments, of course, generated some major-media coverage. It also was nothing new from Hopkins, who once said retired NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb wasn’t “black enough” and told Joe Calzaghe that he could never go back to the projects if he let “a white boy’’ beat him.

Any discussion of race these days is on the wrong side of the politically-correct fence. But when has race not been a part of boxing? It is the sport, after all, that created The Great White Hope, a term still used. Agree with Hopkins. Disagree with him.

But thank him for his honesty. He’ll never be able to mask that or anything else in a life full of evolving lessons about what humans shouldn’t do and what they can be. That’s a victory on any scorecard.

LONDON (6 NOV) Hennessy Sports regret to inform that Travis Dickinson has withdrawn from Saturday night’s MaxiNutrition Knockout final with Bob Ajisafe due to a leg injury picked up in training.

Dickinson will now be replaced in the MaxiNutrition Knockout Final by Preston’s ‘Magic’ Matty Clarkson, who will compete for the coveted MaxiNutrition trophy live on Channel 5.

Clarkson played his part in a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender with Dickinson in May and is the Central Area light-heavyweight champion. He has a record of 12-2-2 (3 KOs) and is known for his high-volume style and effective body punching.

Now, having thrilled fight fans in his epic semi-final with Dickinson, the 27-year-old looks to complete his Rocky story and topple Ajisafe to lift the MaxiNutrition trophy.

Tickets to see who will lift the MAXINUTRITION TROPHY are available to purchase from Ticketline.co.uk or by calling the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 9991

Tickets are priced at £25 for General Admission, £50 for Outer Ringside Reserved Seating, £100 for Inner Ringside Reserved and £120 for Inner Ringside Reserved (Please note that the £120 ringside tickets will secure you a seat in the first 3 rows)

Parsippany, NJ (November 6, 2014)–On Friday night, December 12, undefeated Middleweight prospect Antoine “Action” Douglas will return to the ring for the 6th time this year as he take part in an 8-round Middleweight bout that will headline a Pro-Am show at the Parsippany PAL in Parsippany, New Jersey.

The show is promoted by GH3 Promotions.

Douglas of Burke, Virginia has a record of 15-0-1 with 10 knockoutsand has been one of the most talked about Middleweight prospects in the United States. The 22-year old has quality wins over undefeated Colby Courter (4-0) and Marquis Davis (8-0-2). Douglas was impressive in scoring a sensational 2nd round stoppage over former world title challenger Luca Messi (37-9-1) on April 4 in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Douglas and former world title challenger Michel Soro (23-1) fought at highly contested draw in a bout that Douglas dominated over the first half of the bout.

That bout headlined the 200th episode of the highly acclaimed ShoBox: The New Generation series on July 25 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.

In his last bout, Douglas was very impressive in breaking down and eventully stopping the durable Jose Medina on October 24 in Somerset, NJ.

His opponent will be named shortly.

(Douglas will be fighting on November 13 in Washington, DC against Don Mouton)

Explosive punching Super Middleweight Jerry “The King’s Son” Odom will see action in the co-feature.

Odom of Bowie, Maryland has a record of 12-0 with 11 knockouts. 8 of those knockouts have come in the 1st round.

He is showed tremedndous heart by fighting through a nasty cut over his eye to stop previously undefeated Vilier Quinonez (8-0) in the 7th round of their bout was part of the 200th episode of Sho Box on July 25 in Verona, NY.

In 4-round Bouts:

Lightweight Bienvenido Diaz (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Prospect Park, NJ; Welterweight Caleb Hernandez (1-0) of New Jersey and former amateur standout Ian Green will make his pro debut in a Middleweight bout.

There will be six amateur bouts.

“We are looking forward to putting on another great event,”said GH3 Promotions Vito Mielnicki.

“Jerry and Antoine are the most active fighters in the country and they continue to strive towards each becoming world champions. There are a lot of people interested in them as Roc Nation wanted to be involved but Jerry and Antoine know that we at GH3 are moving them the right way. After December 12, Antoine would have fought 3 times in three months.”

“I also want to thank New Jersey Commissioner Larry Hazzard. We are thrilled to be the 1st promotion to do a pro-am under his new leadership. As a alot of people know, I am very big supporter for the amateur program and after talking with Larry, he has the same vision in giving all the young amateurs a great platform to grow into great fighters,”said Mielnicki

Tickets for this outstanding evening of boxing are $100 Stage, $75 Ringside and $50 General Admission.

Baltimore, MD (November 6, 2014) – Jake Smith’s Baltimore Boxing Promotions will host an evening of Olympic-style boxing and anti-bullying awareness Saturday, November 29 at the Myers Pavilion in Baltimore.

Headlining the card is the East Coast middleweight title bout between Rashad Kilpatrick of Washington, DC and Baltimore Boxing’s very own Donald Wallace. In the co-feature, Maryland State junior middleweight champion Allen Burris defends his title against an opponent to be named. In a special featured bout, multi-time champion Joey “Bazooka Joe” Veazy meets Jessie Singletary, while Ernie “Lightning Bug” Hall, Melad Attashy and Arno Young are all scheduled to appear in separate bouts.

Tickets from $25 and VIP seating are available by calling 410-375-9175 or going to Baltimoreboxing.com. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the first fight starts at 8.

To raise anti-bullying awareness in the community and throughout the boxing world, Baltimore Boxing is teaming up with Unified Efforts’ “I Belong” campaign. Founded in 2012 by former Baltimore detective Debbie Ramsey, Unified Efforts is a full-service bullying prevention organization.

“We can stop bullying with Unified Efforts,” said Ramsey, whose efforts earned her the Baltimore Citation Award for Community Service. “The “I Belong” campaign is teaming up with Baltimore Boxing to help students achieve academic success by ending violence and bullying. Our goal is to continue taking violence and bullying off the streets.”

Throughout the event, Ramsey will distribute anti-bullying pamphlets and is also going to speak to the crowd on bullying prevention.

“I’m happy Unified Efforts and Baltimore Boxing was able to come together for this event,” said Smith, who recently became president of the South Atlantic Amateur Boxing Association, which oversees Maryland. “It’s been a focal point of Baltimore Boxing to team up with organizations that better the community. I look forward to working with Debbie on knocking out bullying.”

For more information on Baltimore Boxing, go to Baltimoreboxing.com.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Nov. 6th, 2014) – Listed below are weights for all of the participants in tomorrow night’s professional boxing card at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., titled “Winner Take All,” CES Boxing’s 2014 season finale.

SHELITO VINCENT
Providence, R.I.
12-0, 1 KO
122

JACKIE TRIVILINO
Plattsburgh, N.Y.
9-8-3, 1 KO
122

ANGEL CAMACHO
Providence, R.I.
12-0, 4 KOs
168

PAUL GONSALVES
Hyannis, Mass.
7-4-1, 3 KOs
168

NICK DELOMBA
Providence, R.I.
5-0
147

LAZAR STOJADINOVIC
Miami, Fla.
1-1-1
147

KHIARY GRAY-PITTS
Worcester, Mass.
2-0, 1 KO
160

VINCENT FLOYD
Philadelphia, Pa.
1-0-1
164

JULIAN POLLARD
Brockton, Mass.
4-0, 4 KOs
253

ARTHUR SARIBEKIAN
Providence, R.I.
23-5-1, 18 KOs
240

RAY OLIVEIRA JR.
New Bedford, Mass.
1-0, 1 KO
158

MIKE RODRIGUEZ
Springfield, Mass.
0-1
160

ZACHARY CHRISTY
Warwick, R.I.
1-0
169

SERGIO CABRERA
Somerville, Mass.
0-3-1
170

SCOTT SULLIVAN
New Bedford, Mass.
1-0, 1 KO
135 ½

OSCAR BONILLA
New Haven, Conn.
2-0-1
135

BERNARD HOPKINS, IBF & WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion

“When I hear or read or get asked a question like, ‘you didn’t have to take this fight, you could have taken a different fight,’ I think, have you paid attention to my career?

“This isn’t about being an athlete, a boxer or whatever it is. This is something separate. Me as a man, I’ve been there since 1965. I have been special ever since.

“When you’re dealing with the spirit, that I carry with me, from my personal life to here. All of that comes together in the ring. An opponent, he can be fast, slick or a puncher, you have to face all of these intangibles that I bring to the ring.

“I don’t mind putting my wits up against anyone’s wits today. I’m so calm and relaxed. I still have that hunger to prove myself.

“Psychological warfare, you will never win against me. Everyone on this side [points to Kovalev’s side of dais] knows you’re never going to win. I don’t care who’s sitting over there.

“When I step into that ring I’m at war with everybody.

“I have no secrets. I’m one of the cleanest athletes that has ever been in any sport. Remind yourself every now and then who you’re dealing with. Then you can say, ‘I asked him that 15 years ago.’

“It doesn’t disappoint me when I hear people say ‘He didn’t have to take this fight.’ What do you think? I’m a charity case? I’ve been wise to figure this out.

“Sergey wants to do what every fighter and athlete wants to do, put the best against the best. They want to fight the best. I’m not going to be in this game fighting nobodies.

“I know the ring like I know this building [Caesar’s Atlantic City], but that’s not because I’ve been here a bunch of times. It’s because I pay attention to everyone and everything. I believe at looking people in the eye and learning everything I need to know about them.

“I’m still calm and relaxed now, but I still have the hunger to prove myself. Sergey says he wants a fair fight. [To Sergey] You’re the Krusher, you make your own fair fight.

“John David Jackson says he knows everything there is to know about me. Sergey is the student. I’m not fighting John. But how can a teacher teach with credibility when the teacher has all F’s? How can a teacher teach a student to have all A’s when he has an F? I guarantee John did not show our fight to Sergey.”

SERGEY KOVALEV, WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion

“All roads lead to this fight. This is a huge fight in my career and in my life.

“Bernard Hopkins is a legend. He is a professor of professional boxing. This fight is dangerous for me but this fight is also dangerous for him because of me.

“November 8th on HBO in Atlantic City will be a great show and a really interesting fight. I hope that this fight will be very fair and honest.

“In the beginning of my career, I was ready to fight anywhere at anytime. No one knew me in America and I built my career from zero. I fought any place, any opponent.

“I only understand about 10 percent of what Hopkins says. He speaks in American English and slang. It’s probably a good thing because it doesn’t bother me.

“After he fights me, he can leave boxing and become a one man show in the theater or comedy. He is a great talker.

“It would be different if we fought in Russia and I could fully explain myself and what I want to say and he had what he was saying interpreted.

“The way someone explained to me what he said. He is saying interesting things.

“I understand that he is sure of himself 100 percent, and that is a good thing, but I am going to win on Saturday night.”

SADAM ALI, Undefeated Welterweight Contender

“I am very excited to be on the undercard with Hopkins and Kovalev. Every time I’m on a card with Hopkins, he is making history and it motivates me.

“I want to thank all the promoters for getting back together because that is the most important thing.

“I am ready to put on a show. Everyone has the chance to put on a show. I have been boxing for 18 years and this is my time.”

LUIS CARLOS ABREGU, Welterweight Contender

“I want to thank Sadam Ali and his team. They are good people. This is a sport. In the fight we are going to come to work and it will be a fight. After that we will go back to being friends again.

“You all know my style. I’m here to give the fans a great fight. Let’s put it all together and may the best man win.

“Now there isn’t much more to say. Lets leave it for Saturday night.”

NAAZIM RICHARDSON, Hopkins’ Trainer

“There’s not too much we can say about Bernard Hopkins that hasn’t already been said.

“This fight will put ‘The Alien’ in the Hall of Fame. ‘The Executioner’ is already in there. He is not only he oldest boxing champion he is the oldest champion in any sport. We can’t even reduce him to boxing any more, he’s no longer just ours.

“I’ve seen this man face punchers before. I’ve seen him face everything except for ‘fan man.’

“Come out and see one of the greatest athletes of all time. ‘The Executioner’, ‘The Alien’, ‘B-Hop’ or whatever your favorite segment was in his career.

“I don’t want anyone to declaw or defang Kovalev. I don’t want to hear it was this or that, or that the mind game of Bernard was too much for him. You all watch this kid. There’s no excuse for this man not to come out and do what he’s been doing.”

JOHN DAVID JACKSON, Kovalev’s Trainer

“Boxing needs fights like this. I respect Bernard and what he has accomplished in his career and I respect this young man Kovalev for what he has accomplished in his young career. He is going to go on to bigger and better things.

“It’s fights like these that keep boxing alive, with the veteran warrior and a young warrior willing to fight each other.

“The talking is done, the fight plan is together and every stone has been turned.”

EGIS KLIMAS, Kovalev’s Manager

“I want to thank Sergey for being a good person. It’s fights like these that keep boxing alive. He wants to take the old man’s title.

“It is a fight that people need to see in boxing. They could have chosen other fights. This is what boxing needs. I am respecting this man for what he’s accomplished.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President & Founder of Golden Boy Promotions

“This is the premiere event for the year in boxing. The beauty about this is that it could easily have been on pay-per-view, but its not it’s live on HBO.

“It’s the biggest fight of the year and all of the parties involved stepped up to the plate and it is going to be a highly anticipated event.

“Bernard is a future Hall of Famer who is shattering records left and right. Talk about perseverance, never giving up and fighting for what’s right.

“You can go on and on about what a perfect example of an athlete he is. He eats, sleeps, and breathes boxing. Bernard Hopkins is in a class of his own. We are never going to see another Hopkins in our lifetime, that’s how special he is and I’m not just saying that because he knocked me out.

“There is something about Hopkins psychological game plan. It puts you in a trance. It caught me by surprise. That is what Hopkins is. We know he is physically strong, fast and agile, but here there is nobody like him.

“Having the privilege to step into the ring with Bernard Hopkins is an experience that is impossible to prepare for. How are you going to deal with his brain power, mind and his plan A, B, C?”

KATHY DUVA, CEO of Main Events

“Sergey will enter the ring with one belt and wants to leave with three. He has an electrifying presence in the ring and I have no doubt he is going to give us a show.

“These are two great fighters. Bernard is a great fighter. There is no other way to describe him. I know what this legacy means to him. Taking this fight at this point in his life proves that.

“We have put together a card from top to bottom that should be entertaining. We wanted to make sure we stacked the card from top to bottom.

“Atlantic City is not out. This is a perfect example of If you bring the best fights to Atlantic City the people are going to be interested It’s been a little bit of a dry spell for us in Atlantic City. Maybe it’s an omen but Larry Hazzard was reappointed commissioner and we go this great championship fight right here on our doorstep.

“I want to thank the fighters. When you can get guys to fight that are taking chances and making fights happen that fans want to see, that is the best scenario possible for the sport.

“Bernard has been a fighter in Atlantic City for a long time, a lot longer than he probably wants to remember. I commend him for taking this fight and bringing it to Atlantic City.”

CARL MORETTI, Vice President of Boxing Operations for Top Rank

“You don’t want to say the opening fight is going to steal the show. This kind of fight is experience versus youth.

“In the welterweight division any fight you can make is a good fight because it always leads to something great. We look forward to making fights like this.

“Luis Carlos Abregu is probably the best puncher in the welterweight division.

LARRY HAZZARD, Commissioner of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission

“There’s not much I need to say. This is quite a homecoming for me. When I left in 2007 it was not a good year for me. When I left Hopkins was headlining a big event in AC. At that time you were ‘The Executioner’ and now you’re ‘The Alien.’

“It is wonderful that this is taking place in Atlantic City. This is probably the most anticipated boxing event for the entire year. It is a fight that really didn’t have to take place. These two guys could have danced around each other for another year ago, but because they consider themselves the best and in boxing the best should be fighting the best.”

# # #

“Alien vs. Krusher: Hopkins vs. Kovalev” is a 12-round unification bout for the IBF, WBA and WBO Light Heavyweight World titles, presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Main Events in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Corona Extra, AT&T, Hortitsia Vodka and Mexico, Live it To Believe It!. Ali vs. Abregu is a 10-round welterweight bout for the WBO Intercontinental title and is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank.
The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT.

24/7 HOPKINS/KOVALEV, the 30-minute special narrated by Liev Schreiber and produced by HBO’s Emmy-Award-winning “24/7” production team replays Friday, Nov. 7 at 8:00 p.m. on HBO2 andSaturday, Nov. 8 at 11:00 a.m. on HBO. All times are ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50, plus applicable fees and service charges, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mainevents.com, www.hbo.com/boxing or http://www.boardwalkhall.com/.

Follow on Twitterat www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/main_events, www.twitter.com/hboboxing, www.twitter.com/THEREALBHOP,
www.twitter.com/krusherkovalev and www.twitter.com/BoardwalkHall and #alienvskrusher.

Become a fan on Facebookat www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/maineventsboxing, www.facebook.com/therealbhop, www.facebook.com/hboboxing and www.facebook.com/BoardwalkHall.

J Russell Peltz, Hall of Fame Matchmaker
“I would like to welcome everyone to the press conference for the final NBCSN Fight Night card of the year. Two 40+ athletes are fighting Saturday night on the East Coast and I guarantee we have the more exciting one here. We have a great international card with fighters from the United States, Russia, Brazil and Puerto Rico.

Lepikhin & Junior
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

“Vasily Lepikhin fought here in August and knocked out Robert Berridge and earned himself a world ranking at light heavyweight.

“I saw Dmitry Mikhaylenko in August against Sechew Powell and I have never saw a fighter throw more punches from more angles. He is like the Energizer Bunny; I think he would throw punches as he was going down.

Mikhaylenko & Cruz
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

“Ronald Cruz is the reason we first came to Bethlehem. We had our first fight in the summer of 2011 in a make-shift tent and sold every ticket in a matter of weeks. Ronald has had a tough year. He fought Kermit Cintron in a tough battle in March and more than a few people thought he should have walked away with the victory.

Mansour & Kassi
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

“Fred Kassi is the mystery man at heavyweight. We could not find a single video of a Kassi fight. I called people in Louisiana who do and do not like him and could not find any footage of him. He has never been stopped. He is a tough guy and is always in shape. He wanted to wait for the right opportunity.

“The only man here who has been in boxing longer than I have is Joe Hand and he is making a comeback now as manager of Amir Mansour.

“If Saturday’s fight is half as exciting as Amir Mansour’s last fight in April against Steve Cunningham we are all in for a treat. It was a razor-close decision.”

Joe Hand
Joe Hand Sr.
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Joe Hand, Joe Hand Promotions
“Our team is really grateful to Main Events for giving us this opportunity. Amir’s record shows one loss but in reality he has never lost a fight. We want to put on a good show and make it as short as possible.”

“Hardcore”
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Amir Mansour
“I would like to thank Russell Peltz and Main Events for bringing me here once again and NBC for giving the American people the opportunity to watch good fights. I would like to thank Mr. Hand for believing in me. We had a very good camp. We don’t know too much about our opponent. We are prepared for a war if that is what it comes down to. There is no quit in me. I am very prepared. I am going to do my thing, and not make any mistakes I made in my last fight.”

Fred Kassi
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Fred Kassi
“Thanks for this opportunity. We will see on Saturday what I can do. No one knows who I am so let’s wait for Saturday.”

“The Mechanic”
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Dmitry Mikhaylenko
“I am second time in United States and I just started learning English. We had a good preparation for the fight – great sparring. We are ready for the fight 100%. I promise I will have a beautiful and clean fight.”

Ronald Cruz
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Ronald Cruz
“I want to thank Main Events and Peltz and everybody who helped to make this fight possible. I jumped on this fight the second they offered it to me. I can’t wait to get in the ring and show my skills. These people have helped me a whole lot. I feel great. I will go into the ring and fight my heart out for 10 rounds. I am in here to win.”

“The Professor”
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Vasily Lepikhin
“Hello everybody and it pleasure to be here again. It was good training in Garcia gym in Oxnard, CA. We had good sparring partners. Saturday will be a good fight and I show you my skills, my power and my mind. It will be a good fight. My team, my coach, my father, my brother and my managers helping me in preparations – thanks everybody.”

Jackson Junior
Photo Credits: Larry Levanti/Main Events

Jackson Junior
“Thank you and please excuse me for not knowing the language but I am definitely going to put on a good fight. It a very good fight for both of us. Thank you.”

About Nov. 8 at Sands:
The November 8 special triple header edition of NBCSN Fight Night will take place at Sands Resort Casino in Bethlehem, PA and will feature a ten-round heavyweight match-up between Amir “Hardcore” Mansour and Frederic “Big Fred” Kassi, a ten-round welterweight match-up between Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko and Ronald Cruz and a ten-round light heavyweight match-up between Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin and Jackson “Demolidor” Junior. Tickets are $75 and $50 and available through ticketmaster.com, peltzbxing.com and the Sands box office. The card is presented by Main Events, Peltz Boxing, German Titov Boxing Promotions, in association with Joe Hand Promotions and BAM Boxing. The special triple header telecast of NBCSN Fight Night will begin at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT.

NBC Sports Live Extra:
NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will live stream Fight Night at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT on November 8. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

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OXNARD, CA (November 6, 2014) – Gary Shaw Productions Jr. Welterweight contender, Puerto Rico’s Thomas Dulorme (21-1, 14 KOs), has arrived in Oxnard, California to train with boxing coach Robert Garcia. Dulorme will battle Philadelphia native Hank Lundy (25-3-1, 12 KOs) on a special triple-header edition of HBO BOXING AFTER DARK® on Saturday, December 6, 2014 headlined by Lemieux vs. Rosado.

“Everything is going as planned and training camp has begun,” said top 140 lbs contender Thomas Dulorme. “Robert Garcia and I are off are off and running. There are a lot of good fighters in camp so I know sparring will be intense. It’s very competitive in this gym and I have to be on my game every time I step into the ring. I feel great and I’m looking forward to a challenging training camp.”

“Dulorme has made all the right sacrifices to get back on top,” said promoter Gary Shaw. “The fact that he’s been training in Oxnard with Robert Garcia these last few fights tells me he’s serious about his career. Garcia has been doing a fantastic job with him and I know they’ll be ready to go on December 6th.”

Lemieux vs. Rosado is a 12 round NABF middleweight bout which is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Eye Of The Tiger Management and sponsored by Corona Extra, AT&T and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. Dulorme vs. Lundy is a 10-round junior welterweight bout promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions and CES Boxing. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

For more information go to www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.eottm.com, www.hbo.com/boxing or www.barclayscenter.com Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/EOTMVD www.twitter.com/hboboxing, www.twitter.com/KingGabRosado, www.twitter.com/lemieuxboxing, www.twitter.com/HugoBoss805, www.twitter.com/KingJamesLDR, www.twitter.com/Swanson_comm or www.twitter.com/BarclaysCenter. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/EyeoftheTigerManagement, www.facebook.com/hboboxing and www.facebook.com/BarclaysCenter.

New York (November 6, 2014) – Heather Hardy has garnered headlines with every punch, and rightfully so, when, as a single mother from Brooklyn, unfiltered, strong-minded and authentic, she decided to become a professional boxer. The new documentary, “HARDY,” takes viewers behind the scenes into Heather’s complex and unique life as a female fighter, single mother, girlfriend and determined businesswoman. The film is directed by Natasha Verma and executive produced by New York’s biggest boxing promoter, Lou DiBella. The film will screen at DOC NYC, the country’s largest documentary film festival, at Bow Tie Chelsea Cinemas at 11:45AM on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

“The film is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be in my shoes. Nothing was handed to me and I’m not ‘lucky’ as some people might think,” says Heather. “There is so much more to achieving success in this sport beyond training and winning. It’s not easy carving out a spot and making myself unforgettable, marketing my brand, selling tickets, and simultaneously being a full-time mother and father.”

A selection of the festival’s “Jock Docs” section, “HARDY” follows Heather as she works her way from amateur boxer in Brooklyn to professional boxer. The 73-minute documentary reveals the struggles of a woman in a man’s world and the turbulent past that influenced Heather to find her talents as a fighter. The film sheds light on the exciting and surprisingly vulnerable woman behind the gloves.

“As a fighter you’re trained to be guarded, but Heather is strikingly honest in this revealing film. This is not a boxing film, but a movie about a woman searching for her purpose in life,” says DiBella. “Her search for identity is sometimes unconventional and may seem impossible to many, but that’s what draws you into the film. The film is full of real life characters, dramatic revelations and edge-of-your-seat moments.”

Director Natasha Verma met Heather while on location for a photography project at Gleason’s Gym. Heather caught her attention while training for her professional debut.

“When I first met Heather, she was homeless amid Hurricane Sandy raising her daughter as a single mother,” says Verma. “She had nothing but two hands and an unbreakable will. After watching her in the ring a couple of times, I was hooked.”

First-time director Verma was raised in South Texas and is the youngest-ever Columbia University Journalism graduate as well as the youngest-ever graduate from the University of Texas with two degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Biology (Pre-Medical). She currently works as an anchor for NBC2 News in Fort Myers, Florida.

The documentary features interviews and cameos by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Adrien Broner, Ann Wolfe, Kathy Collins, and Lou DiBella. The film was shot over two years around the New York and Texas areas, at local boxing shows, and inside the legendary Gleason’s Boxing Gym in Brooklyn.

“HARDY” is produced by Natasha Verma Productions, Camera And A Dream Productions, and BK Blu Productions, written and directed by Natasha Verma and executive produced by Lou DiBella. For more information on “HARDY” and to purchase tickets to the film, visit: http://bit.ly/1vjLnbd.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents Canadian broadcasts of stacked mixed martial arts and kickboxing cards this Friday, Nov. 7, beginning at 6 a.m. ET with ONE Fighting Championship 22: Battle of Lions from Kallang, Singapore, followed later by a 9 p.m. ET broadcast of GLORY 18 from Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Emanating from Kallang’s Singapore Indoor Arena with prelims kicking off at 6 a.m. ET, ONE FC 22: Battle of Lions features the inaugural ONE FC middleweight champion being crowned, as Leandro Ataides faces top Kazakh star Igor Svirid for the title.

Plus, top welterweights will clash as Bakhtiyar Abbasov takes on Luis Santos, while undefeated Dwayne Hinds takes on fellow unbeaten Warren De Reuck.

Rounding out the card, fast rising star Aung La N Saung takes on Japanese veteran Tatsuya Mizuno in a middleweight contest, featherweights Cary Bullos and Major Overall square off, lightweight contender Zorobabel Moreira returns to take on streaking Japanese star Koji Ando, while Amir Khan and Kirstie Gannaway will represent Singapore against Waqar Umar and Adek Omar, respectively. Other bouts include Rocky Barolbatol vs. Martin Nguyen and Jeff Huang vs. Zuli Silawanto.

At 9 p.m. ET, the world’s premier kickboxing league GLORY takes over the primetime airwaves with GLORY 18: Return to GLORY from Grand Casino Hotel & Resort in Shawnee, Okla.

Headlining the event is a GLORY world title showdown between reigning lightweight champion Davit Kiria and No. 2 ranked challenger Robin van Roosmalen, marking the third fight of a trilogy that began in 2011. Van Roosmalen won each of their previous two encounters with his latest victory coming nearly one year ago at GLORY 12 New York in November 2013.

In the co-feature, worlds collide as American knockout artist and No. 2 ranked middleweight Wayne Barrett meets Dutch kickboxing specialist Jason Wilnis, currently ranked No. 9.

GLORY’s one-night, four-man tournament format returns with power punchers Brian Collette and Zack Mwekassa squaring off, along with rising Brazilian prospect Saulo Cavalari and seasoned Dutchman Danyo Ilunga battling on the other side of the bracket. The winners of each semifinal bout will then face off to earn the right to fight for the GLORY light heavyweight title at a later date.

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

For More Information Contact:

Fight Network
Chad Midgley
VP Programming & Production
chad@fightnetwork.com
www.fightnetwork.com

Fight Network
Ariel Shnerer
Programming & Communications Manager
ariel@fightnetwork.com
www.fightnetwork.com

About Fight Network:

Fight Network (www.fightnetwork.com) is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available on all major carriers in Canada, select countries in Europe, across the Middle East and North Africa on OSN, on select U.S. carriers including a programming block on Pursuit Channel (www.pursuitchannel.com), and on TSN Radio in Canada via its program “Live Audio Wrestling,” and its programming on Sirius XM Channel 167, as well as its recent acquisition of My Combat Channel. Fight Network’s parent company Anthem Media Group Inc. also owns a significant interest in the Pursuit Channel and launched Fantasy Sports Network (FNTSY) across North America in March 2014.

Philadelphia, PA (November 6, 2014)–On Friday night, January 16, 2015, the two champions from the Boxcino 2014 tournament will be featured in co-main events as part of an ESPN Friday Night Fights telecast at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

In one main event, middleweight Willie Monroe Jr. will making his first appearance since capturing the Boxcino crown.

In the second co-feature, the Boxcino 2014 lightweight champion Petr Petrov will also be in action.

The ten-round fights will be be contested for Monroe’s and Petrov’s NABA & NABO titles.

Monroe of Rochester, New York has a record of 18-1 with six knockouts and is riding an eight-fight win streak.

He is currently number-three by the WBA and number-seven by the WBO.

He catapulted up the rankings on the strength of his Boxcino tournament win where he defeated Donatas Bondorovas, previously undefeated Vitalii Kopylenko and in the finals he won a 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Brandon Adams in a bout that took place on May 23 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino.

Petrov of Madrid, Spain has a record of 35-4-2 with 17 knockouts and has won three in a row which won him the Boxcino Lightweight tournament.

In the first round of Boxcino, Petrov was very workmanlike in defeating previously undefeated Fedor Papazov. He then took out Chris Rudd in four rounds in their semifinal bout.

In the finals, Petrov looked sensational by stopping Fernando Carcamo in the 8th round to not only win the Boxcino tournament but in the process, he won the NABA & NABO titles. The win also surged Petrov to the number-three ranking by the WBA and number-seven by the WBO.

“We are excited to start the year with Willie and Petr on ESPN,”said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo.

“They are coming back to the same venue where they won their titles. This is going to be a big year for both of them and on January 16, 2015 they will continue their quests to become world champions.”

“After winning last years’ Boxcino tournament, we are very excited to again have Willie Monroe Jr. and Petr Petrov back on our network,” said John Campagna, Director of Programming at ESPN. “After last year’s event, both fighters proved that they deserve to be in the conversation when discussing the top fighters in both the middleweight and lightweight divisions.”

Host of the January 16th bouts, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino continues to distinguish itself as a premier destination for professional sporting events, including nationally-televised boxing matches and PGA-level golf. The January 16th fight will mark Turning Stone’s 13th nationally televised boxing event in less than two years, helping establish the resort as a mecca for knockout televised fights. Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have promoted televised fight cards at the resort within the last year and Turning Stone has hosted televised boxing events on ESPN, Showtime, HBO, and NBC in the last two years. Located in Upstate New York, the four-season resort offers world-class entertainment and gaming, prestigious restaurants, luxury spa facilities, and award-winning accommodations.Tickets for the January 16th ESPN Friday Night Fights at Turning Stone are on sale now at the Turning Stone box office, in person or by calling 315.361.7469, or online at Ticketmaster. Tickets are $60 for ringside seats, $35, $25, and are subject to additional fees. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The live ESPN telecast starts at 9pm.

Professional media requesting credentials for the January 16 fight must contact Kelly Abdo, Turning Stone Public Relations Manager at 315.366.9291 or kelly.abdo@turningstone.com.

About Turning Stone Resort CasinoA premier four-season, destination resort in Upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino is conveniently located about 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33. Turning Stone was named “Most Excellent Golf Resort” in 2010 by Condé Nast Johansens. The Academy of Country Music named Turning Stone “Casino of the Year” in 2009. The resort offers world-class gaming, golf, entertainment, accommodations and spa facilities, and has earned AAA Four Diamond ratings for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel, and Wildflowers restaurant. For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or (800) 771-7711. Visit the web site at www.TurningStone.com..

It is not very often that you get a fight card that has all undefeated fighters on one side of the card, but come four weeks from tonight, on Thursday, December 4th and that’s what fight fans will get to watch. What a way to close out the year with a Fight Club OC show that will deliver some of the best young boxing prospects in the nation and they are all undefeated!

Get your tickets now, or how about planning your office holiday party on December 4th and see why a night at a Fight Club OC show in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center might be the most fun you can have in Orange County on a Thursday night! All seats are reserved, VIP Suites offered, a 40′ Video Screen, a great Happy Hour, free giveaways to win a whole bunch of stuff….it’s all part of the Fight Club OC magic.

But what we really are selling is competitive, action packed, equally matched fights, and come December we will give it to you in spades.

How about this lineup of future stars, all who have not come close to tasting defeat: 9-0 Joshua Conley out of San Bernardino with six knockouts; 8-0 Manny Robles out of LA with four knockouts; 6-0 Kevin Watts and his brother 3-0 Tevin Watts from Lancaster; 4-0 Luis “The Mayor” Mora with three knockouts and in his first bout under the Roy Englebrecht Promotions banner; and Fresno’s 3-0 Mark Anthony Hernandez. And for good measure fans will see San Diego heavyweight Matt McKinley who is 0-0-1 looking for his first pro win facing Tamis Long from Los Angeles.

All Fight Club OC tickets are $55 and are available online at www.fightcluboc.com

Bethlehem, PA:
The final NBCSN Fight Night telecast of 2014 will feature a special triple header this Saturday, Nov. 8, live from Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Penn., at 8:30 p.m. ET. In the main event, heavyweights Amir “Hardcore” Mansour (20-1, 15 KOs) and Fred “Big Fred” Kassi (18-2, 10 KOs) will square off for 10 rounds.

The telecast begins with a 10-round light heavyweight battle between Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin (16-0, 9 KOs) and Jackson “Demolidor” Junior (15-0-1, 13 KOs), followed by welterweight Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko (17-0, 6 KOs) taking on local sensation Ronald Cruz (20-4, 15 KOs) for 10 rounds.

NBC Sports Group’s Fight Night team of play-by-play announcer Kenny Rice, analyst B.J. Flores and ringside reporter Chris Mannix will call the action from Sands.

“Hardcore” Mansour is a Fight Night veteran, making his third appearance on the program. In his most recent appearance, he lost a hard fought battle to Steve “USS” Cunningham on April 4 in front of his hometown crowd at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Penn.

When asked about making his third appearance on Fight Night,the 42-year old Southpaw laughed, “I hope that it means NBC likes me.” He added, “We have a very large following in the (Philadelphia) tri-state area so it’s important to me that all the fans can watch. We have a lot of new fans as a result of my last fight with Steve and my first fight against Kelvin Price. We’re very happy to be back on NBCSN Fight Night.”

Mansour’s opponent, Fred Kassi, a Douala, Cameroon native, will make his Fight Night debut on Saturday. The 35-year-old has won his last three fights (two by knockout) in his adopted hometown of New Orleans, La.

“I’m very excited to be on Fight Night,” said Kassi. “Amir talks about how no one wants to fight him; I do – without hesitation. Fight Night is the perfect showcase because Fight Night fans understand boxing, and I’m going to put on a clinic. We’re training specifically for Amir’s hard swinging style. Bring it on, power doesn’t matter much if he can’t hit me. If he changes up and doesn’t bring the power and tries to box with me…he won’t last. Either way, we’re ready. For Fight Night fans who don’t know me now, they will after Nov. 8.”

Undefeated Russian welterweight contender Dmitry Mikhaylenko made his U.S. debut in his last fight, defeating Sechew Powell via unanimous decision in August. This will be his Fight Night debut.

“I am very excited to make my debut on American television,” said Mikhaylenko. “It has always been a dream of mine, and I thank Main Events and NBCSN for this opportunity.”

Facing off against Mikhaylenko is Puerto Rican Ronald Cruz, who lives in Bethlehem, Penn. This will be his ninth fight at Sands, where Cruz always has hometown support in the crowd.

“I am happy to be back on NBCSN again and I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to showcase my style and my skills,” said Cruz. “Expect excitement because I am coming to win this fight.”

Russian light heavyweight sensation Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin is a 29-year-old from Chelyabinsk, Russia. The Professor made his Fight Night debut back on Aug. 9 at Sands, with a fifth round TKO over New Zealand native Robert “The Butcher” Berridge, to secure the WBO Oriental and PABA light heavyweight titles.

The undefeated Lepikhin said, “I am very happy to be back fighting on NBCSN Fight Night. I hope to put on another great fight for my fans.”

Lepikhin’s opponent is Brazilian Jackson “Demolidor” Junior, who knocked out Francisco Antonio Mora in the third round in his last fight. Junior will also make his Fight Night debut on Saturday.

The Brazilian Junior added, “Boxing is easy. The wait until the fight is much harder.”

Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said, “As always, we look forward to the return of fighters who have made an impression on Fight Night fans before, as Amir Mansour, Vasily Lepikhin and Ronald Cruz certainly did, and to introducing new faces. Our matchmakers put together an excellent triple header and it’s a great way to close out the Fight Night series.”

About Nov. 8 at Sands:
The November 8 special triple header edition of NBCSN Fight Night will take place at Sands Resort Casino in Bethlehem, PA and will feature a ten-round heavyweight match-up between Amir “Hardcore” Mansour and Frederic “Big Fred” Kassi, a ten-round welterweight match-up between Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko and Ronald Cruz and a ten-round light heavyweight match-up between Vasily “The Professor” Lepikhin and Jackson “Demolidor” Junior. Tickets are $75 and $50 and available through ticketmaster.com, peltzbxing.com and the Sands box office. The card is presented by Main Events, Peltz Boxing, German Titov Boxing Promotions, in association with Joe Hand Promotions and BAM Boxing. The special triple header telecast of NBCSN Fight Night will begin at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT.

NBC Sports Live Extra:
NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will live stream Fight Night at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT on November 8. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

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LONDON (Nov 6) – Proud new dad Sergey Kovalev isn’t in the mood for any niceties after vowing to ‘kick ass’ when he faces Bernard Hopkins this weekend.

The pair clash in what is one of the most eagerly anticipated fights of the year, with both men putting their world titles on the line when they lock horns in an historic battle at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City this Saturday night, live on BoxNation.

Despite having become a father for the first time, the feared Russian knockout artist has not softened from his characteristic steely disposition and has stated he is prepared to win the fight with Philadelphian Hopkins in any way possible.

“This is a huge fight for me and this is the fight of my life. It’s a very important fight. I’m focused on this. Yes, my baby was just born and I remember this, and my son has pushed me more and is a big motivation for me. Now I understand who I’m doing everything in my career for. I’m doing it now not for me. I’m doing this for my family,” said Kovalev.

“I go into the ring and I get my victory at any cost. If I need to fight, I will fight. If I need to box, I’m going to box. This is a fight. You can keep in your mind one strategy but these fighters can change.

“I don’t have any strategy for the fight, just to go into the ring and fight like a street fight. I’m going to kick his ass because he’s my opponent. Any of my opponents want to beat me. If I’m not going to beat him he will beat me,” he said.

The reigning WBO light-heavyweight champion has made it clear that he is even prepared to push the boundaries if need be.

“Anyway I need to get a victory, dirty fight or clean fight, for me it doesn’t matter. I will fight dirty, if Hopkins will fight dirty,” he said.

“I’m going to fight a clean fight, but who knows what will happen November 8th. It will be interesting, very interesting. I can’t imagine what will happen,” Kovalev said.

The journey to this point in his career has been a long and arduous one for the big-hitting Kovalev, who has scored 23 knockouts in his 25 wins.

Having moved over to the USA to fulfil a childhood ambition of establishing himself among the elite of the sport, the 31-year-old Kovalev’s road to stardom wasn’t easy.

“You never know what will be tomorrow, but if you believe in it, it can happen, if you trust and believe in yourself and you have a goal and you’re working to this goal, then yes, this can happen,” said Kovalev, speaking on his rise to the top.

“When we fought three, four years ago with Egis [Kovalev’s manager], and we were travelling all over the country in America and fighting anyone who was ready, I didn’t think that this fight would be possible.

“But I believed that I can to do it, and I tried to do it, and some very big thanks to my promoter, Kathy Duva and to Egis that they, from their conversations led me to sign a contract with the promoter – that is when my fight began.

“I waited a long time at this level and waited for this fight, a huge fight. When I was a child I had a dream, when I watched TV I dreamed. I wanted to be there and now I’m here. Everything from your head and everything from your heart, if you want it, you can do it,” Kovalev explained.

One secret weapon that Kovalev has in his armoury going into this fight is trainer John David Jackson, who was in camp with Hopkins for four years under the tutelage of the WBA and IBF champion’s trainer Naazim Richardson.

Kovalev, however, is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of the bout.

“The most important thing for the team and for me is just to keep going systematically, and keep disciplined, and keep working. What John David Jackson said is that it’s a secret between me and him, he has the keys to my victory.

“I understand that everybody wants to hear what happened in my training camp with John David Jackson, but everything you will see on November 8th in Atlantic City,” Kovalev said.

Hopkins v Kovalev is live on BoxNation (Sky437/490HD, Virgin 546 & TalkTalk 525) this Saturday night. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

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New York, NY (11/6/14) – DiBella Entertainment’s unbeaten junior welterweight prospect Regis “Rougarou” Prograis returns to action tonight when he takes on Jeff Humphries at Evangeline Downs Casino, in Opelousas, LA, in a six-round contest.

The dynamic southpaw Prograis, 11-0 (9 KOs), has impressed and excited audiences with every outing, knocking out all but two of his opponents thus far in five rounds or less with his heavy hands and aggressive come-forward style. A native of New Orleans, Prograis was forced to abandon his home in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Moving all around Texas, Prograis was enrolled in six different high schools before graduating and finally settling in Houston. Looking for a way to take out his frustration, Prograis embarked on an amateur boxing campaign that culminated with a 62-8 record over a four-year span. Given his relentless approach inside the ropes, Prograis’ father gave him the nickname “Rougarou”, which, in New Orleans folklore, is a mythical half-man/half-werewolf creature.

With many competitors wary of his power, Prograis often had to compete well above his natural weight, at 152 pounds. Following a trip to the 2011 USA Olympic Trials, Prograis decided that his style was better suited for the professional ranks. Training out of Main Street Gym in Houston under the tutelage of Bobby Benton, Prograis turned pro in April 2012, in the junior welterweight division. He has remained active in 2014, with tonight’s contest against Humphries, 2-0 (1 KO), from Ukiah, CA, being his fifth ring encounter this year.

“This is a great opportunity for Prograis to fight in Louisiana, about an hour from where he was born,” said Jarvis Johns, Prograis’ manager. “Now that we’ve signed with DiBella Entertainment, this might be his last fight in this region for a while since DBE will want to showcase Prograis’ talents all over the country. He likes to go for the knockout, but he can box too. I know that, with DBE, Prograis will become a future world champion.”

“I’m proud to be a part of the DiBella Entertainment family,” said Prograis. “I always give my all. This is an entertainment business and I always want to give the fans their money’s worth.”

“Regis Prograis is a tremendous and colorful prospect with devastating power,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “I’m confident that he will continue to build a large fan base as he climbs up the junior welterweight rankings.”