Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, August 15, 2013–The first-ever live professional boxing competition is coming to Abu Dhabi. Lion Heart Boxing Productions, a global Boxing Promotion and Sports & Entertainment Company based in Kinnelon, New Jersey (USA), will introduce live professional boxing to Abu Dhabi by producing a version of its acclaimed Thursday Night Fights series at the 5,000-capacity du Forum, located on Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi’s first-ever live professional boxing event is billed Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island and is scheduled for October 17, 2013. It will feature top boxers from the international scene as well local and regional boxing stars. Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island, as the first-ever live professional boxing event in Abu Dhabi history, rightly will start with a big bang. Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island will feature former British Heavyweight Champion and Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion Danny Williams (46-11), Moroccan Welterweight Champion Said Ouali (29-4), as well as Dubai’s Mohammad Ali Bayat (3-0), all against opponents to be announced. Danny Williams’ illustrious career includes a knockout win over former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World, Iron Mike Tyson. Williams also served as Two Times British Heavyweight Champion (most title defenses); Two Times Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion (also most title defenses); WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Champion; and WBU Champion. Ouali, who attended ADISE 2013, has been ranked in the top ten in his weight class.

Abu Dhabi has never hosted a live professional boxing event. All of the professional boxing events that have been produced in the United Arab Emirates to date have been hosted in Dubai with the only exception being a fight card held on March 29, 2013 at the Sharjah Sports Stadium, in Sharjah, when Dubai’s Mohammed Ali Bayat Farid (3-0) faced Turkey’s Shahin Aras in a six-rounder.

The only taste of live professional boxing that Abu Dhabi has ever experienced was in April 2013, when Lion Heart Boxing Productions sponsored daily pro boxing exhibitions at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) free of charge to the public during the Abu Dhabi International Sports Exhibition (ADISE) 2013. ADISE, which brought the world of sports under one roof, was organized by UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. These daily exhibitions during ADISE gave Abu Dhabi an opportunity to experience the excitement of boxing, albeit only in exhibition format. Featured boxers included Ihab Matbouli, Jordan’s first Olympian, and Said Ouali, who slated to fight on October 17.

Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island will be streamed live on ESPN3. Also, it will be televised in the USA in over 100 Million American cable homes. Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island also may be seen on TV nationally in the UAE nationally, in primetime, and will syndicated regionally and in other markets, as feasible. Now, Abu Dhabi and the UAE will get a chance to experience why Thursday Night Fights is billed “The Best Fight Series of all Time.”

Tickets go on sale on August 21, 2013 and are available at the du Forum Box Office, all TicketMaster locations and online at www.TicketMaster.ae. For additional information, visit www.YasIslandFights.com. Follow the event on Twitter at #YasIslandFights and Like it on Facebook at YasIslandFights.

About Lion Heart Boxing Promotions (the Promoter)
Lion Heart Boxing Productions is global Boxing Promoter and Sports Entertainment Company based in the U.S. The company was set up in 2001 for the sole purpose of providing top quality events with highest entertainment value and has promoted boxing events on four continents. The Company quickly earned a reputation as a producer of high quality fights and is well respected for its fair treatment of fighters and commitment to fighters’ rights.

EMD Sports, owned by Emirati Eisa Aldah, is the top UAE boxing promoter and will serve as Lion Heart Boxing Productions’ local UAE partner and co-promoter for the event.

About Thursday Night Fights
Thursday Night Fights is proven as the oldest continuous live professional boxing series with its genesis in the USA. The fight series was started by Jim Patton in 1988 and Lion Heart Boxing Productions has been promoting a version of Thursday Night Fights since 2001. Each year, from October to April, Thursday Night Fights produces 24 to 26 boxing shows with the highest entertainment at the Egan Center in Anchorage, Alaska with sellout crowds. While Thursday Night Fights shows have been promoted in other cities, Thursday Night Fights’ long and uninterrupted production streak in Alaska dating to 1988 makes Thursday Night Fights the longest continuous boxing series in history. Part of Thursday Night Fights already can be seen on national TV in the USA as The Alaskan Brawlers Reality Show, which debut January 9, 2013 on US cable network TruTV. Thursday Night Fights’ 2013-14 season of will be produced Lion Heart Boxing Productions in association with Jim Patton Promotions and be televised in the USA as well.

Contact Information
For more information about Lion Heart Boxing Productions, Ltd., Thursday Night Fights @ Yas Island, or the Thursday Night Fights series, please call Edward B. Mendy, Chief Financial Officer, at +973-650-9721 or write to him at ebmendy@LionHeartBoxingProductions.com or 480 Laurel Lane, Kinnelon, NJ 07405.

For print stories, JPEG photos of the fighters and events are available upon request by calling Serda Anderson, Vice President, Public Relations at (504) 628-7866 or write to her at 3634 Coliseum Street, New Orleans, LA 70115.

You may also visit our website www.LionHeartBoxingProductions.com or the event-specific website www.YasIslandFights.com.

Andrzej Fonfara 173 vs. Gabriel Campillo 175
IBF Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator

Mike Mollo 226 vs. Artur Szpilka 233
Adrian Granados 140 vs. Mark Salser 138
Paul Littleton 160 vs. Louis Turner 158
Junior Wright 195 vs. Nick Kisner 199
Trinidad Garcia 164 vs. Ramiro Bueno 165
Kristin Gearhart 138 vs. Amanda Cooper 138

Venue: U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago
Promoter: Round 3 Productions, 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing and Ulrich Knockout Promotions along with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority
TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+ and WatchESPN
Tickets: Tickets start at $32 and are available through Ticketmaster (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone, (800-745-3000), The Chicago White Sox (www.whitesox.com) the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office and the 8 Count Productions Office (312-226-5800).

Arthur Abraham (36-4, 28 KOs) is ready to shine again! On August 24, the former IBF Middleweight and WBO Super-Middleweight World Champion steps into the ring again. At the Sport- und Kongresshalle Schwerin, Germany, he will face-off with WBO number eight rated Willbeforce Shihepo (20-6, 15 KOs). This will be do-or-die for Abraham, because only a win over the “Black Mamba” can secure him another shot at the WBO Belt, which he lost against Robert Stieglitz earlier this year.

Abraham does not underestimate his rival. “When somebody is ranked inside the top-10 of the WBO ratings you have to think of him as being a worthy opponent. So I will not take him lightly”, said the hard-punching man from Berlin. “I have to be at my best to beat him, becoming the WBO Intercontinental Champion. Moreover, it is my chance to get another shot at Stieglitz. I want to become a world champion again!”

However, Shihepo also knows what is on the line. He is leaving no stone unturned to not only surprise the favorite but to shock him. “I have put all my effort into the preparation for this fight and been ready for more than two months”, stated the Namibian. “I am just waiting for the bout to come to put up a war!”

Nevertheless, Abraham has also a special motivation to beat Shihepo. Ten years ago, on August 16 in 2003, the 33-year-old turned pro. Therefore, a win in Schwerin would be double the pleasure.

Tickets for the big fight night on August 24 at the Sport- und Kongresshalle Schwerin, Germany are available at www.eventim.de.

It didn’t take long for Angel Garcia to erupt. He’s complaining to media that his son, Philadelphia junior-welterweight Danny Garcia, isn’t getting a fair shake in coverage of his bout with Lucas Matthysse on the Sept. 14 card featuring Floyd Mayweather Jr.-versus-Canelo Alvarez at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

It’s hard to judge whether his apparent anger is real or just an act. There are times when Angel Garcia, his son’s trainer, seems to enjoy throwing a temper tantrum. The more profane, the better. His insults and epithets before his son’s upset of Amir Khan in July, 2012 were enough to wonder whether he’s one of those Philadelphia fans known to boo Santa Claus.

But, come on, Angel Garcia shouldn’t complain about coverage that includes Matthysse on The Ring’s current cover. Angel Garcia, another in the long line of boxing dads behaving badly, should thank the media for a gift that allows him and his son to play the underdog, a role as effective as it is familiar to them. Now that Matthysse has gotten the glossy cover-boy treatment, Angel Garcia has a convenient target and an inexhaustible source of motivation.

Here’s a hunch that The Ring’s cover will show up, pasted onto Danny Garcia’s favorite heavy bag throughout the rest of training camp. It’ll probably make a good dart board when he isn’t training. Angel Garcia might cover the walls in Danny Garcia’s sleeping quarters with Matthysse looking down on him from several angles. Dad wouldn’t want his son to wake up and not be reminded of how badly his honor has been wronged.

It’s an old enough trick to be a cliché, of course. Still, it works. Bernard Hopkins is a master at seizing upon some perceived slight and turning it into controversy that seems to energize him and pay-per-view sales. Politicians use it to demonize their opposition. College football coaches call it bulletin-board material. But it’s the same thing. Alabama is No. 1 again this season, in part because Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban is more frightened of complacency than Georgia or Florida or Texas A&M’s Johnny Football. From Hopkins to Saban, it doesn’t matter whether the enemy is real or a mere straw man. It only matters that there is always some point to prove, some score to settle, some dragon to slay.

Danny Garcia, the grown-up in his relationship with a combustible dad, seems to have an instinctive understanding of the role. He has used it to fashion an undefeated record and ownership of two acronym-sanctioned pieces of the 140-pound title. Yet, he has almost become the understudy, the B-side to Matthysse’ starring role. Garcia addressed it in a matter-of-fact tone Wednesday during a conference call that did not include his dad.

“I’ll defend my titles and I’ll still be champion,’’ Garcia said. “The people who don’t believe, that’s their problem. It’s not supposed to be my time now. But I made it my time.’’

The twice-beaten Matthysse, The Ring’s 140-pound champ, is getting most of the attention and perhaps a nod as the favorite because of a crushing third-round stoppage of Lamont Peterson in May, the Argentine’s last outing. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer called Matthysse the next Manny Pacquiao. It made you wonder if Garcia was going to be the next Peterson.

A further complication, at least for Angel Garcia, lurked in media reports suggesting that Danny Garcia’s face was frozen in fear at the way Matthysse battered Peterson into submission. From a ringside seat, Garcia witnessed Peterson hit the canvas three times in the violent third.

During Wednesday’s conference call, Leonard Ellerbe of Mayweather Promotions dismissed the idea that Garcia has ever been frightened of Matthysse or anybody else, other than perhaps his dad.

“I know first-hand that Danny has been very, very adamant that he wanted this fight,’’ said Ellerbe, who was privy to conversations with Al Haymon, an advisor to Mayweather and Garcia. “Day-after-day, he was bugging Al Haymon to make that fight. Again, I know first-hand that they (father and son) had been demanding it.

“Besides, there’s no such thing as being scared of each other. Nobody is scared to make money.’’

But sometimes, just a little fear is powerful currency in its own right, especially if it’s a fear of losing. Matthysse was included in Wednesday’s call. But he refrained from saying a provocative word, perhaps because he knows Garcia has gained some emotional momentum in a controversy generated by a dad who has only begun to provoke.

Las Vegas, Nev. – On Wednesday, Sept. 4, history will be made as the Ultimate Fighting Championship®’s long-running reality series, The Ultimate Fighter®, makes its debut on America’s new sports network, FOX Sports 1. UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and No.1 title contender Miesha Tate serve as coaches in the first ever season to feature women as coaches and cast members. The Ultimate Fighter®: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate kicks off with a two-hour premiere beginning at 10 p.m. ET.

In this 18th edition of the series, 16 men and 16 women bantamweight (135 lbs.) fighters will face off in the most challenging sports tournament on television. The premiere episode will determine the eight men and eight women who will successfully move into The Ultimate Fighter house and compete for a Harley Davidson motorcycle and a six-figure contract with the UFC®.

Catch a series preview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl0MSMgIW4g&feature=youtu.be

The successful fighters will then be divided into two teams, coached by Rousey and Tate respectively. The series will follow the teams as they live and train together in preparation for their fights. The coaches will then face off in the Octagon® for the women’s bantamweight title on Saturday, Dec. 28, at UFC® 168: WEIDMAN vs. SILVA at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

“This season of The Ultimate Fighter was monumental, as we had women as coaches and competitors – fighting and living together with the men – for the first time ever,” UFC president Dana White said. “Obviously the fierce rivalry between Ronda and Miesha is going to get everyone’s attention, but it doesn’t take away from their dedication and success as coaches and the level of talent this season. One of the things that always makes The Ultimate Fighter great is the fights, and this season continues to deliver. Since we added the women’s division earlier this year, they’ve been putting on awesome fights, and the streak continues on the show, giving the men some serious competition and setting up some Fight-of-the-Night worthy battles.”

“FOX Sports 1 is now the exclusive home of the UFC. To have a show that packs this kind of power and gives our viewers a raw, emotional look into becoming an MMA professional is reality television at it’s best. We can’t wait for the September 4th premiere,” said FOX Sports 1 Co-president Eric Shanks.

The Ultimate Fighter®: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate will anchor FOX Sports 1’s UFC Wednesday block and run for 13 weeks. Each episode’s winners will advance in the single-elimination tournament, which will culminate in a three-hour finale, live from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 30. Tickets set to go on sale to the public on October 11.

The list of finalists was trimmed from more than 200 applicants, with the final fighters hailing from the United States, Canada, England, Ireland and Sweden. The competitors are, in alphabetical order (Name, Professional MMA record, Age, Fighting Out Of):

Shayna Baszler (15-8), 33, Sioux Fall, S.D.
Revelina Berto, (3-1), 24, Winter Haven, Fla.
Jessamyn Duke (2-0, 1NC), 27, Richmond, Ky.
Tonya Evinger (11-6), 32, Lake St. Louis, Mo.
Laura Howarth (4-0), 26, Hove, East Essex, ENG
Tara LaRosa (21-3), 35, Albuquerque, N.M.
Valerie Letourneau (4-3), 30, La Prairie, CAN
Bethany Marshall (4-1), 25, Newport News, Va.
Sarah Moras (3-1), 25, Kelowna, CAN
Margaret “Peggy” Morgan (2-0), 33, Nashua, N.H.
Gina Mazany (3-0), 25, Seattle, Wash.
Roxanne Modafferi (15-10), 30, Yokohama, JPN
Julianna Pena (4-2), 24, Spokane, Wash.
Raquel Pennington (3-3), 24, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Jessica Rakoczy (1-3), 36, Las Vegas, Nev.
Colleen Schneider (4-3), 31, Las Vegas, Nev.

Christopher Beal (7-0), 28, Somis, Calif.
Cody Bollinger (14-3), 22, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Louis Fisette (6-1), 23, Winnipeg, CAN
Rafael Freitas (6-0-1), 29, Albuquerque, N.M.
David Grant (8-1), 27, Bishop Auckland, ENG
Tim Gorman (9-2), 30, West Des Moines, Iowa
Anthony Gutierrez (4-0), 22, Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Emil Hartsner (4-0), 23, Luberod, SWE
Joshua Hill (9-0), 26, Binbrook, CAN
Chris Holdsworth (4-0), 25, Woodland Hills, Calif.
Patrick Holohan (9-0-1), 25, Dublin, IRL
Sirwan Kakai (9-1), 23, Coconut Creek, Fla.
Daniel Martinez (18-4), 28, San Diego, Calif.
Matthew Munsey (4-1), 26, Hollywood, Fla.
Lee Sandmeier (9-0), 30, Knoxville, Iowa
Michael Wootten (6-0), 24, Liverpool, ENG

Many of today’s most recognizable names in the UFC have emerged from The Ultimate Fighter series, which also produced champions such as Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans and Matt Serra and season winners Michael Bisping, Ryan Bader and Nate Diaz.

For more show information, bios, videos and photos, visit ultimatefighter.com and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter under our new name @TUFonFS1 or on Facebook.com/TUF.

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The Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Universally recognized for its action-packed, can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. In 2012, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, moving to FOX Sports 1 in September 2013.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 28 different languages. UFC content is also distributed commercially in the United States to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions, in English throughout Canada via Premium Sports Broadcasting Inc. and Australia via Main Event and in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with nearly 2.4 million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs and video games, UFC FIT®, an in-home fitness and nutrition program, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club® affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.

FOX Sports 1
FOX Sports 1 is a new national 24-hour multi-sport channel launching on August 17 and boasts nearly 5,000 hours of live event, news and original programming annually. The channel has eight pillar sports: college basketball and football, MLB (in 2014), NASCAR, NFL (ancillary programs), USGA events including the U.S. Open (2015), soccer and UFC. College football is highlighted by regular season coverage of Big 12, Pac-12 and Conference USA games, while the college basketball spotlight shines on the Big East, Big 12, Pac-12 and Conference USA and the Big East men’s basketball tournament. Starting in 2014, select MLB League Championship Series and Division Series games as well as regular season games are coming to the channel. FOX Sports 1 also carries select NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events beginning in 2015; NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races; the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race; and all Speedweeks coverage, including Daytona 500 Qualifying, Sprint Unlimited at Daytona, (2014, 2017-22) the Budweiser Duel, and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NCWTS Practice and Qualifying sessions. Additionally, FOX Sports 1 carries NASCAR RACEDAY, NASCAR VICTORY LANE and RACE HUB shows. The channel also carries the world’s most prolific club soccer competitions, like UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and CONCACAF Champions League, along with the world’s oldest soccer competition, the FA Cup; plus CONCACAF Gold Cup; CONCACAF Qualifiers, EURO 2016 Qualifiers; 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers; FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019; FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2018 and 2022. In addition to Saturday pay-per-view preliminary cards, Wednesday nights are home to the UFC with UFC TONIGHT, live events and THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER. In Feb. 2014, FOX Sports 1 partners with The Jockey Club for newly created package of nationally televised races featuring the leading horses in the country. FOX SPORTS LIVE is FOX Sports 1’s flagship 24/7 news, opinion and highlights program, providing around the clock coverage through regularly scheduled programs, hourly updates and an information rich ticker. Original programs include: FOX FOOTBALL DAILY, CROWD GOES WILD, a new live sports entertainment talk show hosted by Regis Philbin; and the groundbreaking BEING: documentary franchise. For more information visit www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, formwer Welterweight champion Andre erto had successful shoulder surgery.

“I am happy to have the surgery behind me and hear that everything went well,” Berto said in a statement. “I’m going to rest up and focus all my energy on my recovery so that I can return to the ring full force in 2014.”

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (August 15, 2013) – Former World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) Heavyweight Champion Sergei “The White Wolf” Liakhovich is filing a formal protest, regarding the final outcome of his fight last Friday night against undefeated Deontay Wilder, due to illegal punches that led to him being knocked out at 1:43 of the first round at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

Liakhovich’s advisor, Attorney Anthony Cardinale, is preparing the formal protest to file with the California State athletic Commission, seeking the outcome be ruled a “no contest.”

“My goal for going public is to expose Wilder and show people what really happened because it was difficult to clearly see his illegal punches on television due to the camera placement and how quickly it happened,” Liakhovich explained. “I also feel that I disappointed a lot of people who believed in me and I feel it’s important to explain what happened to them. Wilder’s people are sending out press releases to hype him up, even more, so it’s very important for me to expose him for what he is and how he fights.”

Liakhovich’s sparring partner had warned him in advance about Wilder punching behind the head and, in the locker room before the fight, his team asked referee Tom Taylor to closely watch for Wilder throwing illegal punches.

According to Liakhovich, the first illegal punch hit him over the ear, and then a right behind his head wobbled Liakhovich as his equilibrium was thrown completely off balance. Wilder than finished off a defenseless Liakhovich with a left followed by a big right.

“If he had hit me in the face, fair and square,” Liakhovich said, “I would have kept my mouth shut and said he was the better man. Everybody’s going around saying nobody can stand-up to his power, 29 knockouts in 29 fights, but any heavyweight would go down from a punch behind the head. That’s why it’s an illegal punch! There’s nothing you can do when you get hit with a punch like that; your body just goes wobbly with no balance at all.

“If he is allowed to continue throwing illegal punches like the one he hit me with behind my head,” Liakhovich predicted, “somebody is going to get seriously hurt. I can’t allow him to get away with that anymore.”

Liakhovich noted that he has since undergone an MRI and other medical exams, reporting that he is 100-percent healthy. In addition to protest the outcome of this fight, he also wants to expose Wilder for his illegal tactics before a tragedy results.

“I want to thank everybody who contacted me to make sure I was okay and to show their continued support,” Liakhovich concluded. “My career will not end on a fight like this that ended because of illegal punches. I will be back in the gym next week and plan to be fighting again in a few months.”

Legendary Chicago national anthem singer James Cornelison, best known for his beloved renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “O Canada” at the beginning of home games for the Chicago Blackhawks, will sing the national anthem at tomorrow night’s (Friday, August 16) historic boxing event at U.S. Cellular Field.

A huge crowd is expected to watch Cornelison perform, just before the night’s 12-round main event between IBO Light Heavyweight Champion Andrzej Fonfara and former world champion Gabriel “EL Chico Guapo” Campillo.

Fonfara and Campillo are headlining “THE BIG FIGHT 2,” a historic outdoor boxing event being held at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, and broadcast worldwide on ESPN Friday Night Fights. It is being presented by “The Promoters”- Round 3 Productions, 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing and Ulrich KnockOut Promotions in association with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

In the other bouts scheduled for broadcast, undefeated heavyweight Artur ‘The Pin” Szpilka (15-0, 11 KOs) will fight a 10-round rematch to his bloody war with “Merciless” Mike Mollo (20-4-1, 12 KOs) and Chicago’s Adrian “EL Tigre” Granados will face off against undefeated Mansfield, Ohio’s Mark Salser over eight scheduled rounds

Five-time Chicago Golden Gloves champ Kristin Gearhart will also make her professional boxing debut.

The addition of the well-respected Cornelison adds even more flavor to a card packed with Chicago sports history and tradition. He began singing the anthem for the Blackhawks in 1996 and has also sung for the Chicago Bears.

Tickets start at $32 and are available through Ticketmaster (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone, (800-745-3000), The Chicago White Sox (www.whitesox.com) the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office and the 8 Count Productions Office (312-226-5800).

The last professional outdoor boxing event held in Chicago took place over 50 years ago. “THE BIG FIGHT” was held at Comiskey Park on SEPTEMBER 25, 1962 and was headlined by the Heavyweight World Championship between Sonny Liston and Floyd Patterson.

U.S. Cellular Field is located at 333 W. 35th Street, one block west of the Dan Ryan Expressway. For this memorable evening the ring will be set up just behind home plate with the grandstand serving as the backdrop. Doors on the night of the event will open at 6:00 p.m. CT with the first at 7:00 p.m. CT.

8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS/ROUND 3 PRODUCTIONS

8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.

Joining forces with Frank Mugnolo’s Round 3 Productions in 2011, their partnership is currently among the premier boxing promotional firms in the United States.

Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions banner include; IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion AndrzejFonfara, top rated junior welterweight prospect Adrian Granados, former world title challenger Edner Cherry, undefeated middleweight prospects Paul Littleton and Viktor Polyakov in addition to welterweight prospect Jaime Herrera.

For more information on 8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions please visit their new website, www.8CountProductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8 Count and Facebook at “8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions”.

WARRIORS BOXING

Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

THE ILLINOIS SPORTS FACILITIES AUTHORITY

The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority is the developer, owner and operator of U.S. Cellular Field, home of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox. www.isfauthority.com.

LOS ANGELES (August 15, 2013) — A training camp injury incurred by former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez, Jr. has forced the cancellation of his fight with Bryan Vera, which was scheduled to take place Saturday, September 7, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Information on a new date and new venue for Chávez Jr. vs. Vera will be announced shortly.

A refund will be offered at the original point of purchase. If tickets were purchased from AXS via Purchase By Phone or through www.axs.com, refunds will be received automatically via AXS. Tickets purchased from the STAPLES Center box office can be refunded there, beginning today, Thursday, August 15, 2013. Those who purchased tickets at any other outlet should reach out to that original point of purchase and contact them directly for a refund.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.banner-promotions.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/banner-promotions or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/bannerboxing or twitter.com/hboboxing.

MANCHESTER, N.H. (August 15, 2013) – Light welterweight prospect Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor (21-1, 7 KOs) returns to the ring Thursday night, September 12, to headline the 12th annual Fight To Educate (FTE) Pro-Am boxing event, at Verizon Wireless Center in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Fight To Educate, presented in part this year by Alrich Cabinet, is a unique charity event that combines a love of sports with the vision of assisting children and seniors in need, who with fundraisers like this could be ‘down for the count.’ During the past 11 years, Fight To Educate has raised more than $500,000 in donations benefitting local New Hampshire non-profit organizations.

This year’s attending Boxing Legends are two-time world light welterweight champion and International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Aaron “Hawk” Pryor (39-1, 25 KOs), former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini (29-5, 23 KOs), and two-division (welterweight & light welterweight) world champion James “Buddy” McGirt (73-6-1, 48 KOs).

“We are extremely excited about the forthcoming 12th annual FTE extravaganza,” FTE Chairperson Stephen Singer said. “In addition to hosting such iconic boxing legends such as Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini and Aaron ‘Hawk’ Pryor at the event, our card promises an incredible night of heart-pounding action.”

O’Connor, fighting out of Framingham, Massachusetts, will be fighting in his record-setting fifth FTE event. The southpaw, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, made his professional debut on the 2008 FTE card and participated the following three years. He is 4-0 in FTE fights, winning each by knockout.

The 28-year-old Irish-American is riding a seven-fight win streak, which started at the 2011 FTE, since two-time world title challenger Ronnie Shields joined his corner as head trainer. O’Connor’s popularity has sky-rocketed since Kenny Casey, founder and front-man for the world-renown Dropkick Murphys band, became his manager last year.
Undefeated light middleweight Chris Gilbert, fighting out of Windsor, Vermont, is no stranger to the FTE. He will be fighting in his third straight FTE event having won his two previous FTE fights by stoppage.

Names of opponents and the amateur boxers will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Proceeds from the 12th annual Fight To Educate will benefit SEE Science Center (www.see-sciencecenter.org), The Bobby Stephens Fund for Education (www.stepheneducationfund.com), and New Horizons for New Hampshire.

Tickets, priced at $50.00 and $25.00 (general admission), are available to purchase at the Verizon Wireless Arena Box office, by going online at
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/8748/1616837/?brand=verizonarena.

Call Stephen Singer at 603.669.4100 for more details about sponsorship opportunities, including VIP table (of 8 for $1000) sponsorships for a night of professional boxing and Black Tie dinner. This special offer also includes an auction and meet-and-greet with the aforementioned boxing legends Pryor, Mancini, and McGirt.

The dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. ET, doors for boxing open at 7:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Visit www.fight2educate.com or www.verizonwirelessarena.com for additional information.

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (August 15, 2013) — Trainers working at Iron Mike Boxing Gym recently discussed the progress of their fighters in terms of how training camp has developed for Iron Mike Productions’ first event – “Tyson is Back!” – August 23 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

Acquinity Sports, under CEO Garry Jonas, partnered with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson to form Iron Mike Productions, which is presenting “Tyson Is Back!” in association with Greg Cohen Promotions.

Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero (14-0, 11 KOs), Alexei “The Cuban-Mexican” Collado and Albert “Prince” Bell are three fighters training at Iron Mike Boxing GYM who will be in action Aug. 23.

Team Iron Mike Boxing co-head trainers are veteran corner-man Herman Caicedo, who was recently joined by two-time world champion John David Jackson.

Anybody who loves boxing knows about “Irish” Micky Ward. The epic Gatti-Ward battles are always mentioned by experts, analysts and boxing fans as one of greatest trilogies in boxing history. Now, as a supervisor at the Iron Mike Boxing Gym, Ward is seen early every day, passing on his valuable experience to all the boxers that train under the direction of Caicedo.

Ward & marrero
(L-R) — “Irish” Micky Ward & Claudio Marrero

Marrero, Juan Carlos Payano, Lenin Castillo and Felix Diaz had great amateur boxing experience and these days, as professionals, they’re proving their tremendous successes in international tournaments was not a fluke. Marrero has all the tools to become one of the most exciting fighters in the world at 126-pounds, mixing a rare combination of outstanding speed and strength.

Marrero faces dangerous Argentinian southpaw Jesus Andres Cuellar in the 12-round co-feature for the Interim World Boxing Association featherweight championship. Marrero-Cuellar is half of a World Championship “Tyson Is Back!” doubleheader, airing live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. Marrero’s stable-mate, International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez (21-2, 11 KOs), makes his first world title defense in the 12-round main event against IBF No. 13-rated Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs).

Claudio Lamothe, a former amateur boxer in Cuba who has a college degree in Physical Education, has applied all his experience and knowledge of Cuban boxing as Caideo’s assistant with fighters such as Collado, Humberto Savigne, Yudel Jhonson and Robert Alfonso. Collado (16-0, 15 KOs) meets Mexican featherweight Hugo “Guerrero” Partida (19-4-2, 15 KOs) in a 10-round bout on Aug. 23.

Collado & lamothe
Claudio Lamothe (forefront) & Alexei Collado (gloved)

Lamothe is convinced that Collado’s will keep his unbeaten record intact. “In every fight we learn something,” Lamothe said, “but when work in the GYM is well planned, the margin of mistake decreases, and that’s what we try to achieve with all our fighters. Alexei Collado has an impressive record and our work is focused on improving him, getting him in great shape and learning the best technique. Coming to U.S. was a dream comes true, now we must keep our goals in mind, and I know that Collado will do a great job in this fight.”

Andy Bell is the father and coach of his son, super featherweight Albert Bell (1-0, 1 KO), the 2011 PAL Championships and 2012 National Golden Gloves Tournament gold medalist. Bell, who takes on former World Boxing Organization (WBO bantamweight champion Mauricio “Cry Baby” Martinez (36-14-1, 24 KOs), of Panama, in a four-round bout, made his successful professional debut June 28, defeating Harold Torres by technical knockout in four rounds. “Training with these talented guys is a privilege for us,” Andy remarked. “Little by little, Albert is gaining experience, something we knew we wouldn’t have in a single day. We are happy to be part of the Iron Mike Productions team and in this fight. We go into it looking for another win and more experience.”

The Bells
(L-R) — Albert & Andy Bell

Mendez, Marrero, Collado, and Bell were promoted by Acquinity Sports and are now fighting under the Iron Mike Productions banner.

Tickets priced at $150, $95, $55 and $45 are on sale and available to purchase at the Turning Stone box office, by calling (315) 361-7469, or visit www.Ticketmaster.com

Doors open at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Event Center at 6:00 p.m. ET, Friday, August 23. The first undercard bout starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. The live ESPN2 telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Iron Mike Productions, previously Acquinity Sports, is a boxing promotion company co-founded and led by Acquinity Interactive CEO Garry Jonas. It is a partnership with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson committed to changing traditional boxing promotion by advocating for its fighters’ successes inside the ring and out, throughout their professional careers and into retirement.

For additional information go online at www.IronMikeProductions.com or www.TurningStone.com.

PHILADELPHIA (August 15, 2013)—From the time he wrote down on a dresser drawer as an eight year old child that he would become a world champion, Meldrick Taylor had only one goal.

From being a prized amateur and a 1984 Olympic Gold Medal winner and then in 1988 finally realizing his dream when he knocked out Buddy McGirt to become the IBF Jr. Welterweight champion, Taylor wasn’t done.

After making two defenses, Taylor then took on his greatest challenge against then 68-0 future legend Julio Cesar Chavez.

Taylor went in as a big underdog but dominated the bout until he was controversially stopped just two seconds before the end of the fight.

Now, along with Taylor’s business partner Damon Feldman, a movie that will chronicle the life of Taylor is being shopped throughout Hollywood.

The working title is “Two Seconds from Glory”, an obvious reference to the memorable fight with Chavez.

“I am in talks with a few companies now, this is the Next Big Boxing movie, “says Damon Feldman.

“The feedback has been tremendous and we have reached out to a few A-list actors who we feel would be perfect for the movie. They all have shown a great amount of interest. There are so many actors who are big boxing fans and a couple in particular know Meldrick’s story very well and when they were presented the script, they were very interested. We promise it will be a tremendous movie with some big name actors taking part in the film”

Taylor will be signing copies of his book TONIGHT at the Deck in Essington as part of his promotional company “Champions of Tomorrow” presents its 2nd fight card

Chicago, IL, Thursday, August 15, 2013–Bobby Hitz announced today that Dimar Ortuz (9-0, 6 KOs) has informed him that due to injury he will have to pull out of the upcoming “Night of the Rising Stars” card on Friday, August 30 at Cicero Stadium in Cicero, IL. Ortuz, a dynamic cruiserweight from Chicago, injured himself serving as sparring partner working with other boxers training for their upcoming fights. A deal was in place for him to fight unbeaten Rafeal Murphy (6-0, 6 KOs) of Chicago.

“Hitz Boxing looked forward to welcoming Dimar back to the ring, this was going to be a great test for him” said Bobby Hitz. “What a horrible setback this is, I had just made him the Murphy offer the night before and then this happens. We wish him a speedy recovery.”

“FIght Night of the Rising Stars” features Antonio “Aztec God of War,” Canas, Ricardo Chavez, Fidel Navarette, Roy Navarro, Adan Ortiz and Semajay “The Truth” Thomas who will be making his pro debut.

ABOUT HITZ BOXING:
Since its debut in 1991, Hitz Boxing has been the Midwest’s leading boxing promoter. Led by Bobby Hitz, who boasted a 21-4 record with 18 KO’s as a boxer, Hitz Boxing is the longest running boxing promoter in the Chicago area dating back to the bi-monthly boxing series the “Ramada Rumble,” held at the former Rosemont Ramada Inn. The organization currently promotes the wildly popular “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN and is the subject of “Hitz Boxing,” a reality show airing on YouTube which has amassed over 5 million views. Over the years the organization has produced matches that have included some of the top names in boxing such as James Toney, Antonio Tarver, Montell Griffin, Iran Barkley, Andrew Golota and “Fast Fres Oquendo.

Bethlehem, PA—Fresh off a second-round knockout over Rodolfo Armenta on Aug. 10, welterweight Ronald Cruz returns Thursday evening, Sept. 26, to the Sands Bethlehem where he takes on Alberto Morales, of Miami, FL, in what figures to be a toe-to-toe classic.

. The live boxing begins at 8 pm.
Cruz (right), 26, of Bethlehem, PA, ended a two-fight losing streak when he stopped Armenta, of Rio Rico, AZ, in the second round at the Sands to raise his record to 18-2, 13 K0s.

A pro since 2009, Cruz had been ranked in the Top 15 worldwide by both the IBF and WBC until suffering back-to-back losses to Antwone Smith, of Miami, FL, in 2012 and to Ray Narh, of Accra, Ghana, earlier this year.

The fight with Morales will mark Cruz’ fourth consecutive match at the Sands Events Center, where he has become a crowd favorite. Cruz is 2-2 in that building, having beaten Prenice Brewer, of Cleveland, OH, as well as Armenta, while losing to clip_image006Smith and Narh.

Morales (left), 25, is originally from Managua, Nicaragua, but has moved his base of operations to Miami, FL. His 11-2-1 record includes eight knockouts and his walk-in styled attack should be a perfect fit for an all-action fight with Cruz.

Among Morales’ victims are Luis Bolano, of Colombia.
In his last fight Feb. 8 in Wilmington, DE, Morales lost a 10-round decision to southpaw Ray Robinson, of

Philadelphia. Morales spent the evening trying to work his way inside the taller, more mobile Robinson, but he will not have that problem with Cruz, who enjoys standing toe-to-toe and mixing it up.

The eight-round junior lightweight semifinal features crowd-pleasing Jason Sosa, of Camden, NJ, against hard-hitting Tyrone Luckey, of Middletown, NJ.

Sosa is 9-1-3, 5 K0s, and has knocked out his last four opponents. Luckey is 5-3-1, 5 K0s.

Five additional fights complete the card.

The Cruz-Morales and Sosa-Luckey fights headline a seven-bout card at the Sands Bethlehem. Doors open at 7.30pm; first fight 8p.m. Tickets priced at $50 and $75 and $100 (luxury suites) can be purchased through the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and at all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com, www.SandsEventCenter.com, and www.Ticketmaster.com. In Bethlehem, tickets are available at Deja Brew, Inc., 101 West 4th Street (610-865-2739) and at Pronto Insurance Notary, 232 East 3rd Street (610-419-6790).

(San Diego, CA) – ??
As far as junior welterweight Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles is concerned, boxing saved his life. Along with two older brothers, Emmanuel was raised by a strong single mother but Robles heard the call of the streets of southeast San Diego early and by the age of thirteen he already had spent his first stint in the county’s Juvenile Hall. Joyrides in stolen cars, petty crime and street fights were an every day occurrence for the teenage Robles but at the age of seventeen, he decided to make a change so that Christmas his mother gave him the gift that would change his path.

A membership to a local gym.

With his street fights as experience to draw from, the “Renegade” learned the sport quickly despite starting late and a year later, he met the trainer who he credits for much of his success, Ernest Johnson. Together they amassed a respectable 35-9 amateur career that bore fruit with the 2008 PAL National championship at 141 pounds. Robles also went on to win the 2009 southern California district Golden Gloves and the Desert Showdown tournament the same year. He also reached the quarter finals in the U.S. National tourney as his last hurrah in the amateur ranks.

The married father of three went pro in late 2010 with a unanimous decision over Luis Sanchez. The boxing stylist lined up three more wins including two by knock out. In early 2012, Robles faced fellow San Diegan Adrian Vargas in what he considers his toughest fight to date. The popular Vargas owned a win over Robles in the amateurs but for Emmanuel the four rounder in the pro ranks wasn’t to exact revenge, “I was having trouble getting on fight cards and we knew Vargas would be a tough fight in which we could showcase our skill. We wanted to show that we have the talent to be a world champion.”

Despite being in his hometown, Robles stepped into hostile territory as the pro-Vargas crowd chanted their favorite’s name through out the twelve minutes of action. In a classic match up of boxer vs. brawler, Robles controlled the majority of the action with quick footwork and even quicker hands as Vargas tried to use brute force to impose his will. In the end, the judges saw it a majority draw in a fast paced battle that many saw Robles easily take it.

On the strength of that performance, Bobby D Presents extended a promotional contract to Robles.

Since then, Robles has kept winning with meaningful victories over experienced veterans Jaime Orrantia and Adolfo Landeros as well as being called by current welterweight champion Timothy Bradley and Mexican 2012 olympian Oscar Molina for sparring in preparation for important bouts.

Robles is now ready to step up the competition to look for a regional title on his way to a world championship.

The San Diego fighter faced off with Landeros in his first fight of the year going six toe to toe rounds with the fifty-six fight veteran. At the end, Robles walked away amidst the crowds applause with a hard fought decision in a bout that many want to see again.

Promising 22-year-old Light Heavyweight Kareem Hackett will officially be making his professional boxing debut in Detroit, Michigan – a good distance from his native Ontario, Canada.

We are aware that the main draw of the night will be a much more vocalized clash between Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It will be the future that will be held in Hackett’s debut; featured on a soon-to-be announced bill ensconced with young talent from the region.

Hackett, a decorated gym-rat has virtually distributed his glamorous teen-years towards his fiery boxing career. It may not have been the common arrangement, but this tall, broad-shouldered puncher has just about mastered his style of fighting while he hasn’t even laced up his gloves for a pro fight – yet. The dream now lies before him.

Kareem Hackett had a relatively short amateur career, but it surely was a sweet and positive one. His career productivity is at its very best as work in the gym has intensified in the passing months. Hackett’s cardio, sparring, amongst many other in-ring necessities are being worked on through his extended camp at the Champion’s Boxing Gym.

Hackett’s debut was originally scheduled for August 10th in Ontario. The fight was cancelled as an opponent was never finalized for his card-opening showcase bout.

Much information is still to be announced for this event as it comes into fruition. Tickets should be available very soon.

Be sure to follow Hackett on Twitter @DreamPugilist and “like” his Facebook page at Kareem Hackett!

London (15 August) Kid Galahad has vowed to give a “master class” when he takes on Jazza Dickens for the British super bantamweight title at the Magna Centre on September 14th, live on Channel 5 from 8.00pm.

The WBC International champion accepts Jazza is “dangerous” but feels he is already “the best in Britain” and will show it against the English champion.

“He is a good kid but I’m seven or eight levels above him,” Galahad said.

“I’m the smartest and definitely the slickest – I’m the slickest for sure.

“Jazza is a strong kid – he’s physically strong and he can punch but on the night I’m going to be too much for him and it’s going to show in the fight.”

Galahad, 23, has a perfect 14-0 record with seven knockouts and has already drawn comparisons to former Ingle Gym stable mate and former world champion Prince Naseem Hamed.

But 22-year-old Dickens will certainly not make it an easy night for Kid.

Similarly holding a flawless pro record of 16 wins with five knockouts, Dickens is the English champion, picking up the belt with a 10-round unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Jon Fernandes in Liverpool.

Having already taken away an undefeated record, Jazza will be eager to do the same to Galahad.

“Some may see this as a 50/50 fight – he is a dangerous opponent, but on the night, I’m going to show I’m on a different level,” Galahad said.

“You have not seen the best of me – there is much more to come – and I will be flawless on the night.

“I’m going to put on a tremendous performance – this one will be a master class – I’ll adapt to anything he brings.

“I’m feeling strong and sharp from my last fight, I’m always training, always in the gym, always ready to fight – I can’t wait to get in there.

“I’m going to show my fans excitement, drama – and that’s what it’s going to be.

“I’m already the best in Britain and I’m going to show it in the Dickens fight.”

Supporting Galahad at Magna will be middleweight sensation Chris Eubank Jr in his 11th professional contest and current World Youth super-heavyweight champion Hughie Fury in his ninth outing as a pro.

The undercard will also feature a whole host of local talent.

Ticket Information

Tickets for September 14th are priced from £30 and are available to purchase from our box office today:

Hennessy Sports box office 01925 755 222

Tickets will be available to buy from Ticketline and Ticketmaster from this Friday August 16th at midday.

LINK TO WATCH THE VIDEO:

FOLLOW US ON ON TWITTER @HENNESSYSPORTS
For more information on Channel 5, maximuscle, Liquid and Hennessy Sports:

www.channel5.com
www.maximuscle.com
www.L1quid.com
www.hennessysports.com

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS VISIT WWW.HENNESSYSPORTS.COM

The Darwish Brothers and the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City have decided to once again offer their very successful $10 Bonus Slot Dollar opportunity to attendees of their upcoming MMA show.

Ticket buyers to the Saturday, August 24, “EFC WARRIOR” event in the Grand Ballroom at Trump Taj Mahal can bring their ticket to the promo booth, sign up for a Trump card, and will then receive $10 free bonus slot dollars on to the card, which can be used at any slot machine at the Taj on fight night.

Tickets for EFC WARRIORare priced at: $125, $100, $67 and $46 and are on sale now by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420 or online atwww.ticketmaster.com, at the EFC website: www.efcmma.com, or at the Trump Taj Mahal box office on fight night.

EFC WARRIOR will host no less than three exciting title fights, headlined by the rematch of a sensational war last February between Jen Lopez (4-1) from AMA Fight Club in Whippany, New Jersey, and arch-rival Roya Darvishian (5-2) of Lloyd Irvin MMA in Camp Springs, Maryland for the EFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship.

“This slot promotion was so successful that we’re bringing it back,” said event co-promoter Hani Darwish of The Darwish Brothers. “The fans who come to our shows get to watch the best of New Jersey MMA in action and then, after the show, they can play the best slots in the city at the best casino. It’s win/win.”

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In the other co-featured bouts, Gabriel Ruiz (3-2) of the EFC Fight Club in Woodland Park, NJ will face Jovany Alvarez (4-2) from Modern Martial Arts in Englishtown, NJ, for the EFC Featherweight Championship; and the always exciting Barat Jan (3-0) of Eagle Martial Arts in Boonton, NJ, will take on Victor Romero (3-3) of Modern Martial Arts in Englishtown, NJ, for the EFC Middleweight Championship.

For more information on the EFC and its fighters, visit the EFC website: www.efcmma.com.

Doors open at 7 pm on fight night and the first bout is at 8 pm. All bouts subject to change.

WARNING: All EFC events sell out. Purchase your tickets now before it’s too late.

LOS ANGELES, August 14 – It’s a double shot of “Golden Boy Classics” on Thursday, August 15, as the countdown to “THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO” continues on FOX Deportes with two memorable battles from the careers of Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Danny “Swift” Garcia.

In the opener at 9:00 p.m. ET, Garcia proves that he’s ready for the best in the business when he takes on former world champion Kendall Holt in a 2011 matchup. Then it’s the main event at 10:00 p.m., as two of the best of this era, Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto, square off in a quest for 154-pound supremacy.

Superior against anyone and everyone put in front of him for years, Floyd Mayweather’s boxing dominance was internationally recognized. But on May 5, 2012, “Money” gave the fans an even more impressive show as he stood and traded with hard-hitting Puerto Rican icon Miguel Cotto, pounding out a 12 round unanimous decision that proved Mayweather’s ability to do it all in the ring once again.

Having won all of his 21 previous fights, Philadelphia’s Danny Garcia was one win away from a shot at a world title when he faced former WBO champion Kendall Holt at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on October 15, 2011. And though Garcia got the win and went on to take a world title in his next fight, he had to go to war with Holt for 12 rounds to do it, earning a hard-fought split decision.

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“THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO,” a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather’s WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Valvoline, Mexico Tourism, Fred Loya Insurance and Nature Nutrition. In the 12-round co-featured attraction, WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and thunderous puncher WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse square off in a fight presented in association with Swift Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. Also, Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina square off in a 12-round battle for Smith’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Title. Smith vs. Molina is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing. The mega-event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP).

Less than 24 hours after going on sale on June 25, the event was sold out, but six MGM Resorts properties will host live closed circuit telecasts of “THE ONE.” Properties showcasing the event include ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York. General admission tickets for the closed circuit telecasts are priced at $100, not including handling fees, and are available for purchase at each individual property’s box office outlets and also are available for purchase by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711. Closed circuit ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Tickets also will be available through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for closed circuit viewing at MGM Grand, ARIA, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo and New York-New York are now on sale.

For more information visitwww.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXDeportes.com and follow on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing andwww.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, and www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

Atlantic City, NJ—DeCarlo Perez, of Atlantic City, and Jamar Freeman, of Wilson, NC, collide in an eight-round battle of junior middleweight prospects on Saturday evening, Aug. 24, in the Grand Ballroom at Bally’s Atlantic City.
clip_image003 The Perez-Freeman match serves as the semifinal to the scheduled 10-round junior lightweight main event between Teon Kennedy, of Philadelphia, PA, and Joselito Collado, of Queens, NY. The eight-fight card will be streamed live on the internet by www.pandafeed.tv. First fight is 7.30 p.m.

Perez (right), 22, has been a pro for just over three years. His 10-2-1 record includes four knockouts. He has won his last four fights, including an impressive fifth-round knockout over Julius Kennedy, of Windsor Mill, MD, on April 19 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

In that streak, Perez defeated some solid opposition: Lenwood Dozier, of Glen Burnie, MD; Shamone Alvarez, of Atlantic City; Dante Moore, of Cleveland, OH.

Moving from welterweight to junior middleweight seems to have been the recipe for success for Perez, who had lost two out of three fights in a five-month span from the fall of 2011 thru the winter of 2012 as he struggled to stay at 147 pounds. He has weighed between 151 and 156 for his last four fights, all victories.

Freeman, 28, is one of the better prospects to come from North Carolina in recent years. His only loss came in his last fight late in 2011 when he was stopped with less than one minute to go in the 10th and last round against Samuel Rogers, of the Virgin Islands, in Las Vegas, NV.

Six preliminary fights complete the card.

ABOUT AUGUST 24

The Kennedy-Collado and Perez-Freeman fights top an eight-bout card at Bally’s Atlantic City. It will be streamed live by www.pandafeed.tv. First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 and they are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000). Tickets also are on sale at www.peltzboxing.com and www.ticketmaster.com. www.pandafeed.tv will stream the card on the internet. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., in association with Bally’s Atlantic City.

NEW YORK—Dibella Entertainment, in association with SMS Promotions, put together another exciting installment of the Broadway Boxing series. The co-main events of the evening featured Boyd Melson in a rematch against Jason Thompson and Tor Hamer against Kertson Manswell.

Melson looked very calm and boxed well from the outset, keeping his distance and landing with hard shots from a southpaw stance.

The middle rounds got interesting though as Thompson was able to close the gap and turning the bout into a bit of a war.

Thompson opened a nasty cut over the right eye of Melson in the sixth round causing the referee to call a time out so the ringside physician could get a closer look. With blood streaming down his face, Melson smiled at the doctor, telling him that there was no way he was stopping the fight.

In the seventh round, Melson returned the favor, cutting Thompson over his right eye. In the eighth and final frame, both fighters stormed off their stools and met in the center of the ring and immediately began throwing bombs. As the fighters were exchanging shots, Melson dropped Thompson with a short right hook. Thompson seemed to be a little off balance, but nonetheless the knockdown was rightfully counted.

In the end, Melson was awarded the well-deserved and hard-fought decision, winning by scores of 78-73 twice, and 77-74. With the victory, Melson improved to 12-1-1, 4KO’s, After the bout, the victor was accompanied in the ring by award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. Melson discussed his foundation “Team Fight to Walk” and the “Just a Dollar Please” organization, which raises money for stem cell research. For more information on the cause visit www.justadollarplease.org

In a strange bout between two big heavyweights, Tor Hamer (20-2, 13 KO’s, 225lbs) took on Kertson Manswell (23-7, 17 KO’s, 280lbs). During the referee instructions, both fighters refused to touch gloves at first, and the referee had to order them twice before they finally gave in. The round opened up with Manswell throwing looping overhand rights. Hamer maintained his composure despite the fact that Manswell’s 280lbs body was constantly crashing into him, often knocking both fighters back. Countering a looping punch, Hamer landed a right hand that knocked Manswell off balance and down. He beat the count, and the fight continued. As the round came to a close, Hamer landed a series of short punches on his off balance opponent, sending him to a knee. The bell to end the round sounded, and Hamer was still throwing. Manswell, on a knee, dramatically fell face first to the canvas, in a performance that not many people believed. Most importantly, the referee wasn’t buying it, and ruled a TKO victory at 3:00 of the first round to Hamer.

In a four round bout, Justin Robbins(1-2, 138lbs) made things sloppy against Donte Strayhorn (2-1, 139.5lbs). Strayhorn worked behind his jab and right, while slipping in viscous body punches in between, while Robbins lunched in with wild hooks. Despite the difficulties that Robins posed, Strayhorn was able to maintain his composure and coast to a 40-36, 40-36, and 40-36 unanimous decision victory.

Michael Doyle (1-3, 131lbs) had the tough task of containing the talented Neuky Santelises (5-0, 4 KO’s, 130lbs) in a bout scheduled for four rounds. The first thing that was noticed was the size disparity between both fighters. Santelesis had a huge height advantage over Doyle. Soon after the opening bell rang, Santelises worked Doyle towards the ropes. Doyle responded by ubleashing a powerful left hand that landed perfectly on Santelises, sending him down on his back. He made it up to his feet quickly, but the referee didn’t like what he saw and stopped the fight. Some at ringside felt that it was a quick stoppage. Still, Doyle won by way of upset TKO victory at 1:19 of the first round.

The very popular Sonia Lamonakis (7-1-2, 1 KO, 216lbs) was in another brawl Wednesday night. This time her opponent was Tanzee Daniel (4-2-1, 1 KO, 240lbs). Like any other of Lomanakis’ fights, she was able to work her opponent into the corner repeatedly with her non-stop hooks. Daniel wasn’t much of a slouch herself. She was able to land cleanly on occasion, but there was very little power behind her blows. After another Lomanokis flurry, Daniel’s response was to taunt in the center of the ring. Lomanokis followed that up with working Daniel into and continuing her assault. The bout continued in this fashion until the final bell sounded. The final scorecards read 60-54, 60-54, and 59-55 all in favor of Lomanakis for the unanimous decision.

Patrick Day (4-0, 2 KO’s 154lbs) took to the ring amid cheers before his bout against Donald Ward (5-1, 3 KO’s). Day was an amateur national champion, and is highly regarded as a young professional. The bout started off with Day aggressive. He was much taller than his opponent, who took to bending low at the waist to avoid Day’s right hands. Defensively, Ward was very skilled. He ducked and dodged away from many of Day’s lightning quick punches.

Day was able to land some hard blows that hurt ward. All right hands that came in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th rounds. While Ward seemed hurt, he reacted to the punches by being aggressive himself, and even briefly hurting Day in the 2nd. The problem with Ward was that he telegraphed all of his punches, and Day was able to capitalize nearly every time. The final scores 60-54, 60-54, and 60-54 in favor of Day.

In a battle of two brawlers, Amos Cowart (7-0, 5 KO’s, 135.5lbs) took on Chazz McDowell (6-3, 1 KO, 137lbs) in a bout scheduled for six rounds. Cowart pressed the action, moving forward behind big blows to the body. McDowell often waited for Cowart to stop his onslaught, and then proceeded to land hard lows of his own. The entire bout saw lots of this back and forth action, and the crowd really gathered behind McDowell. The final scores read 58-56, 57-57, and 57-57 resulting in a majority draw. Promoter, Lou Dibella, announced afterwards that both fighters have agreed to a rematch for the next installment of Broadway Boxing.

Lennox Allen scored a six round unanimous decision over Michael Gbenga in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Scores were 60-54, 59-55 and 59-55 for Allen, 169 lbs of New York and is now 17-0-1. Gbenga, 170 lbs of Washington, DC is now 13-9.

Jeremy Abram made a successful pro debut with a four round unanimous decision over Micha Branch in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Abram, 128 lbs of Cleveland. Branch, 128 lbs of Cincinnati is now 1-8-1.

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 14, 2013) – The man who was victorious in the featured bout of World Series of Fighting’s very first event will return once again to headline for the promotion.

Andrei “The Pit Bull” Arlovski (20-10) will compete in the main event of next month’s World Series of Fighting 5 against slugger Mike “MAK” Kyle (20-9-1) in a heavyweight bout on Saturday, Sept. 14 at New Jersey’s Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Arlovski is a replacement for the injured Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.

The live, two-and-a-half-hour NBC Sports Network telecast of the World Series of Fighting 5 main card begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT. The night’s preliminary bouts stream live on World Series of Fighting’s official website, WSOF.com, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the fight card, which start at just $29, are currently on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com and charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000.

Arlovski, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titleholder, hails from Belarus and currently resides in Chicago. The 34-year-old knockout artist made his World Series of Fighting debut this past November, when he earned a first-round TKO victory over Devin Cole. He returned to the promotion in March, when he suffered a hard-fought, unanimous-decision loss to “Rumble” Johnson. The result snapped a five-fight win streak for Arlovski, who remains one of the most popular figures in mixed martial arts.

Meanwhile, Kyle is a 12-year veteran of the sport who hails from one of MMA’s most-respected fight camps, American Kickboxing Academy. A resident of San Jose, Calif., Kyle is no stranger to the spotlight and has stepped in the cage against a who’s who of MMA’s top fighters in two weight classes, including Paul Buentello, Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, James Irvin, Gegard Mousasi, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, Krzysztof Soszynski and Fabricio Werdum, among others.

Kyle fought most recently on May 24, when he needed just 21 seconds to score a knockout win over 86-fight veteran Travis “Diesel” Wiuff.

World Series of Fighting 5 features a five-fight main card in addition to a full lineup of preliminary contests. Middleweight tournament opening-round matchups of Dave Branch (12-3) vs. Danillo Villefort (14-4) and Elvis Mutapcic (13-2) vs. Jesse Taylor (26-9) have been booked, and additional bouts will be announced soon.

The nationally televised event, which airs live on NBC Sports Network, marks the promotion’s second visit to the world-class venue.

“After a very successful first event with the promotion this past March, We are very excited to welcome back the World Series of Fighting on NBC Sports Network to Revel Casino Hotel,” said Entertainment Consultant Bernie Dillon. “We are looking forward to another great night of fights.”

Offered WSOF President Ray Sefo, “We’re very happy to be headed back to Revel. They treated us so well during our first event and we had a great showing from the fans out there. The people at the hotel and venue are first-class and we look forward to a successful event on Sept. 14 and many more in the future.”

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
Based in Las Vegas, the fight capital of the wo rld, World Series of Fighting is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering an incredible, action-packed entertainment experience for fight fans by producing the best possible matchups between elite fighters from around the globe. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries.

ABOUT REVEL
Revel is smoke-free and features more than 1,800 rooms with sweeping ocean views. A member of the American Express Gold Hotel Collection, the resort houses a 130,000-square-foot casino with more than 2,000 slot machines, nearly 100 table games, electronic tables and a Poker Room. Designed to embrace its natural surroundings, Revel curates a collection of daylife and nightlife experiences crafted to bring the outside in and the inside out. Indoor and outdoor pools, gardens, lounges, and a 32,000-square-foot spa provide guests with a relaxing resort, while an outstanding collection of 14 restaurant concepts from award-wining chefs and restaurateurs, live entertainment featuring marquee acts and international artists, nightclubs, a casino that feels like a theatre and a collection of boutiques in The Row tailor to each guest’s passions. Revel was most recently named one of the Best Hotels in the Northeast by Amtrak’s Arrive magazine and one of the Top 10 Best New Hotels in the U.S. by Gayot.com.

To start your Revel journey, visit www.revelresorts.com. To receive the latest updates on Revel, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/revel and follow @revelresorts on Twitter and Instagram. Revel is located on the Boardwalk at Revel Blvd in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS NETWORK
NBC Sports Network, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 80 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France and the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2013, the Premier League and Formula One. In addition, NBC Sports Network features college football, college basketball, college hockey, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Action Sports Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, The Crossover, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show. NBC Sports Network is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Scott Quigg and Yoandris Salinas will vie for a vacant 122 pound championship as part of the David Haye – Tyson Fury undercard.

“It’s a dream come true that my first world title fight will be in Manchester,” Quigg said. “It’ll be a massive boost to have my fans there and, with Haye and Fury fighting, too, it’s a huge night to be involved in and a great stage to land a world title. I’ve worked so hard to get here and I’m going to grab this title with both hands.”

“It’s fantastic for Scott to be challenging for his first world title on this bill,” Hearn said. “They’re both young unbeaten fighters desperate to take this golden chance. It’s a great fight on what promises to be a huge night for British boxing.”

The card also will feature middleweight contender Andy Lee (30-2, 21 KOs), 29, of Ireland against Domenico Spada (37-4, 19 KOs), 32, of Italy

“This is a great next step for me in my career,” Lee said. “Spada has been around the world scene for years now and has never before been stopped. He’s a renowned tough guy with a solid chin and a great work ethic. Therefore, it is my aim to go out there, put on a show and become the first man to stop him.”

(San Diego, CA) – ??
As far as junior welterweight Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles is concerned, boxing saved his life. Along with two older brothers, Emmanuel was raised by a strong single mother but Robles heard the call of the streets of southeast San Diego early and by the age of thirteen he already had spent his first stint in the county’s Juvenile Hall. Joyrides in stolen cars, petty crime and street fights were an every day occurrence for the teenage Robles but at the age of seventeen, he decided to make a change so that Christmas his mother gave him the gift that would change his path.

A membership to a local gym.

With his street fights as experience to draw from, the “Renegade” learned the sport quickly despite starting late and a year later, he met the trainer who he credits for much of his success, Ernest Johnson. Together they amassed a respectable 35-9 amateur career that bore fruit with the 2008 PAL National championship at 141 pounds. Robles also went on to win the 2009 southern California district Golden Gloves and the Desert Showdown tournament the same year. He also reached the quarter finals in the U.S. National tourney as his last hurrah in the amateur ranks.

The married father of three went pro in late 2010 with a unanimous decision over Luis Sanchez. The boxing stylist lined up three more wins including two by knock out. In early 2012, Robles faced fellow San Diegan Adrian Vargas in what he considers his toughest fight to date. The popular Vargas owned a win over Robles in the amateurs but for Emmanuel the four rounder in the pro ranks wasn’t to exact revenge, “I was having trouble getting on fight cards and we knew Vargas would be a tough fight in which we could showcase our skill. We wanted to show that we have the talent to be a world champion.”

Despite being in his hometown, Robles stepped into hostile territory as the pro-Vargas crowd chanted their favorite’s name through out the twelve minutes of action. In a classic match up of boxer vs. brawler, Robles controlled the majority of the action with quick footwork and even quicker hands as Vargas tried to use brute force to impose his will. In the end, the judges saw it a majority draw in a fast paced battle that many saw Robles easily take it.

On the strength of that performance, Bobby D Presents extended a promotional contract to Robles.

Since then, Robles has kept winning with meaningful victories over experienced veterans Jaime Orrantia and Adolfo Landeros as well as being called by current welterweight champion Timothy Bradley and Mexican 2012 olympian Oscar Molina for sparring in preparation for important bouts.

Robles is now ready to step up the competition to look for a regional title on his way to a world championship.

The San Diego fighter faced off with Landeros in his first fight of the year going six toe to toe rounds with the fifty-six fight veteran. At the end, Robles walked away amidst the crowds applause with a hard fought decision in a bout that many want to see again.

QUEENS, NY (August 14, 2013) – On Saturday night September 21st, one of the biggest nights of boxing comes to the beautiful Resorts World Casino New York City, located in Queens, New York as two New York State title bouts will be contested on a ten bout card promoted by New Legend Boxing, Old World Boxing and W.O.N. Promotions. In the Main Event, scheduled for eight rounds, Leon Moore will take on Rafael Vazquez for the vacant Super Bantamweight title while it will be a battle of undefeated fighters when Frank Galarza and Rich Neves do battle for the vacant Jr. Middleweight crown in the Co-Main Event.

Leon Moore who hails from Georgetown, Guyana has a glossy record of 30-2 with 24 knockouts is eyeing an eventual shot for a world title. Moore has won various regional titles such as the Guyanese Bantamweight title and the WBC Caribbean Bantamweight title. He also captured the NABA Bantamweight title with a decision over former world champion Mauricio Pastrana and the PABA Super Bantamweight title with a decision over Marangin Marbun in Singapore. Moore has won 12 straight bouts which includes a 2nd round stoppage over Earl Trotmann on July 5th in Guyana.

Rafael Vazquez of Linwood, Queens has a record of 8-1 with six knockouts. The thirty-five year old won his first eight bouts before being on the wrong end of a six round split decision to Jhovany Collado on September 22, 2012 at the Resorts World Casino.

The ever popular Frank Galarza of Brooklyn, NY has one of the best fan bases in the New York City area. He touts a record of 10-0-2 with six knockouts. Galarza has excited fans with his all action style and has become a favorite at Resorts World Casino due to his clashes with Alantez Fox and Jason Thompson. Galarza, who is managed by AJ Galante is coming off an impressive fourth round stoppage over Romon Barber on June 22nd at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn which was part of the Malignaggi – Broner championship undercard.

Rich Neves from Garden City, Long Island, is 6-0-1 with three wins coming by way of knockout. Neves is known as a hard puncher and is coming off a four round unanimous decision over Willie Bryant on November 15, 2012.
In Six Round Bouts:

Current UBF world champion, Amanda Serrano will take on an opponent to be named in a six round Women’s Featherweight bout. Serrano of Bushwick, Brooklyn has an outstanding mark of 18-1-1 with 13 wins coming by way of knockout. Serrano began her career with a 12-0-1 record, which included big wins over undefeated Christina Ruiz and Nydia Feliciano, as well as capturing the NABF with a 1st round knockout over Jennifer Scott. Serrano also captured the IBF Featherweight title with a 2nd round stoppage over Kimberly Connor. After suffering her only defeat to undefeated Frida Wallberg in Wallberg’s home country of Sweden, Serrano bounced back, notching another four consecutive knockouts with the latest being on June 29th at the Resorts World Casino New York City over Dominga Oliva of Brooklyn, New York.

Gary Stark Jr. (23-3, 8 KO’s) a former NYS Champion from Staten Island, NY is planning a come-back to the ring after a three year layoff. He will be taking on an opponent to be named shortly in a Featherweight bout.
Angel Garcia (5-2, 2 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY battles Antoine Knight (2-4, 1 KO) of Merriville, Indiana in a Super Featherweight bout.

Bryant Cruz (6-0, 5 KO’s) of Port Chester, NY will fight an opponent to be announced in a Super Featherweight bout.

In Four Round Bouts:
Jay Rodriguez (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Queens, NY will take on Daniel Pietch (1-2) of Ohio in a Cruiserweight bout.

Gary Beriguette (1-0, 1 KO) of Ozone Park, Queens will take Anthony Birmingham (0-1-1) from Brooklyn, NY a Welterweight bout.

Allan Phelan (2-2, 2 KO’s) a native of County Kildare, Ireland, now residing in New York City will battle Benjamin Burgos (1-4) of Redding, PA in a Featherweight bout.

Rounding out the card will be an Irish American Middleweight Timothy McDermott of Yonkers, NY making his pro debut against an opponent to be named.

Tickets: $50 General Admission and $125 VIP Ringside can be purchased by calling
New Legend Boxing 718-487-4474 and/or logging on to www.NewLegendBoxing.com

Resorts World Casino New York City is located at
110-00 Rockaway Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11420

For media credentials, contact: Marc Abrams at (856) 287-7611 or mabrams@15rounds.com

DEERFIELD, Fla. (August 14, 2013) – Sporting an incredible 93.75-percent knockout percentage, sensational featherweight Alexei “The Mexican-Cuban” (16-0, 15 KOs) is building a new professional boxing identity for Cuban fighters who generally are known for their pure boxing and defensive skills.

The 25-year-old Collado has one of the highest KO rates in the world, even higher than his new promoter, “Iron” Mike Tyson, who recently partnered with Acquinity Sports, under CEO Garry Jonas, to form Iron Mike Productions. The Florida-based, full-service promotional company presents its first event – “Tyson Is Back!” – August 23 in association with Greg Cohen Promotions at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

“Tyson Is Back” features a World Championship doubleheader on ESPN Friday Night Fights, headlined by International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez (21-2, 11 KOs) making his initial world title defense, in the 12-round main event against IBF No. 13-rated Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs). Unbeaten Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero (14-0, 11 KOs), rated No. 2 by the WBA, meets WBA No. 4 Jesus Cueller (22-1, 18 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature for the Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight championship.

Collado, who defected to Ireland and now lives in Miami with his family, will provide chief support against Mexican junior lightweight Hugo “Guerrero” Partida (19-4-2, 15 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

A highly-decorated amateur boxer who won a gold medal at the 2006 World Junior Championships, Collado had the misfortune of competing in the same flyweight division as Cuban boxing legend Andry Laffita, who defeated a much younger and far less experienced Collado in the 2007 and 2008 Cuban National Senior Championships.

Collado switched his nickname from “Hurricane” to “Mexican-Cuban” because he’s changing the identity of Cuban pro boxers. Established Cuban pros such as Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yuriorkis Gamboa or Erislandy Lara are not popular fighters in the U.S. because of their defensive styles. Collado fights more like a Mexican than a typical Cuban fighter.

Collado action
Alexei Collado sends his opponent to the canvas

“Alexei has a killer instinct,” Iron Mike Productions COO Henry Rivalta remarked. “Alexei fights like a Mexican; he keeps coming forward, moving laterally, but never backwards.”

Now rated No. 14 in the world by the WBA, as well as No. 15 by the IBF, Collado is making noise in the United States. Collado added, “I’m benefitting from training every day in Miami with stable-mates like Claudio Marrero, Felix Diaz and Hylon Williams”

World-rated welterweight Ed “The Lion” Paredes (33-3-1, 22 KOs) meets tough Mexican fighter Noe “Platanito” Bolanos (24-8-1, 16 KOs) in a 10-round match-up.

Also fighting on the undercard is unbeaten Virginian middleweight Antoine Douglas (8-0, 6 KOs) squares-off against Russell “Spiderman” Jordan (15-10, 10 KOs), of Rochester (NY), in a six-round bout.

Former Toledo-Ohio-based amateur star, Albert “Prince” Bell (1-0, 1 KO), is back in action against past World Boxing Organization (WBO bantamweight champion Mauricio “Cry Baby” Martinez (36-14-1, 24 KOs) in a four-round match. The 20-year-old Bell captured gold medals as an amateur at the 2011 National PAL Championships and 2012 National Golden Gloves Tournament.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Mendez, Marrero, Collado, Paredes and Bell were promoted by Acquinity Sports and are now fighting under the Iron Mike Productions banner.

Tickets priced at $150, $95, $55 and $45 are on sale and available to purchase at the Turning Stone box office, by calling (315) 361-7469, or visit www.Ticketmaster.com.

Doors open at the Turning Stone Resort Casino Event Center at 6:00 p.m. ET, Friday, August 23. The first undercard bout starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. The live ESPN2 telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Iron Mike Productions, previously Acquinity Sports, is a boxing promotion company co-founded and led by Acquinity Interactive CEO Garry Jonas. It is a partnership with Hall of Famer Mike Tyson committed to changing traditional boxing promotion by advocating for its fighters’ successes inside the ring and out, throughout their professional careers and into retirement.

For additional information go online at www.IronMikeProductions.com or www.TurningStone.com.

A huge crowd of media and fans descended upon the final media conference held yesterday at the Copernicus Center in Chicago to discuss ‘THE BIG FIGHT 2,’ ESPN Friday Night Fights at U.S. Cellular Field, being held this Friday, August 16.

In attendance at the conference were all of the principle combatants including “Chicago’s Polish Prince”, and IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 13 KOs); his opponent, former world champion Gabriel “EL Chico Guapo” Campillo (22-5-1, 9 KOs); undefeated heavyweight Artur ‘The Pin” Szpilka (15-0, 11 KOs) and his opponent, “Mericiless” Mike Mollo (20-4-1, 12 KOs); as well as five-time Chicago Golden Gloves champ and professional debuter Kristin Gearhart.

Also taking turns at the podium were the event’s promoters, Dominic Pesoli of 8 Count Productions, Frank Mugnolo of Round 3 Productions, Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing and Piotr Werner of Ulrich KnockOut Promotions.

“THE BIG FIGHT 2, ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT U.S. CELLULAR FIELD” is presented by Round 3 Productions, 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing and Ulrich Knockout Promotions along with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

The historic boxing event is headlined by a 12-round light heavyweight IBF World Title Eliminator between “Chicago’s Polish Prince” Andrzej Fonfara and former world champion Gabriel “EL Chico Guapo” Campillo.

Also featured will be the “Can’t Miss” heavyweight rematch of Artur “The Pin” Szpilka of Wieliczka, Poland and Chicago’s “Merciless” Mike Mollo, scheduled for ten rounds.

In a special attraction televised bout, Chicago’s Adrian “EL Tigre” Granados will face off against undefeated Mansfield, Ohio’s Mark Salser over eight scheduled rounds.

On Thursday, August 15, the official public weigh-in will be held starting at 5pm at Bacardi at the Park (across from the park) located at 320 W. 35th Street in Chicago. Staging will be in back patio area, paperwork in the building lower mezzanine level. There is free parking available in Lot B.

Tickets start at $32 and are available through Ticketmaster (www.Ticketmaster.com, phone, (800-745-3000), The Chicago White Sox (www.whitesox.com) the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office and the 8 Count Productions Office (312-226-5800).

Additional undercard bouts will be announced shortly.

The last professional outdoor boxing event held in Chicago took place over 50 years ago. “THE BIG FIGHT” was held at Comiskey Park on SEPTEMBER 25, 1962 and was headlined by the Heavyweight World Championship between Sonny Liston and Floyd Patterson.

U.S. Cellular Field is located at 333 W. 35th Street, one block west of the Dan Ryan Expressway. For this memorable evening the ring will be set up just behind home plate with the grandstand serving as the backdrop. Doors on the night of the event will open at 6:00 p.m. CT with the first at 7:00 p.m. CT.

8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS/ROUND 3 PRODUCTIONS

8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.

Joining forces with Frank Mugnolo’s Round 3 Productions in 2011, their partnership is currently among the premier boxing promotional firms in the United States.

Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions banner include; IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion AndrzejFonfara, top rated junior welterweight prospect Adrian Granados, former world title challenger Edner Cherry, undefeated middleweight prospects Paul Littleton and Viktor Polyakov in addition to welterweight prospect Jaime Herrera.

For more information on 8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions please visit their new website, www.8CountProductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8 Count and Facebook at “8 Count Productions/Round 3 Productions”.

WARRIORS BOXING

Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

THE ILLINOIS SPORTS FACILITIES AUTHORITY

The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority is the developer, owner and operator of U.S. Cellular Field, home of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox. www.isfauthority.com.