SAM NOAKES IS back in search of a perfect 10 when he makes his return at the 02 Arena on November 26 after making his recovery from a broken thumb, live on BT Sport.
Thrill-a-minute lightweight Sam was due to fight back in July before a sparring injury sustained while working with Archie Sharp put him on the missing list.
Now he is set to fight for the Commonwealth title against the unbeaten Scot Calvin McCord on the undercard of the big Zach Parker-John Ryder clash for the WBO Interim world super middleweight title.
“Camp was going well and I was sparring Archie,” reflected Noakes, 25. “I think it was the seventh or eighth round, right at the end, and I switched through, misjudged the distance and hit him on top of the head. I thought ‘that hurt’, then I carried on, hit a few jabs out and it was still hurting.
“So I stopped and they took my hand out of the glove and my thumb was wedged underneath. I went to the hospital and, after the x-ray, she called me straight in. I thought ‘this ain’t good’ because normally you are just sat there if it is not urgent and they just leave you there.
“I had snapped it with a clean break. At least you know where you stand with a clean break, it is sweet now, but it was a pain in the ar*e at the time and I wasn’t very happy!
“So I’ve been out for eight months and I’m an old has-been now… All forgotten about.”
“I’ve fallen on my feet here though, having the Commonwealth title, so I am happy with that.”
Noakes resisted the temptation of becoming a couch potato during his absence and hit the road to keep in trim.
“As soon as I got the solid cast on I was running straight away. If I had sat about eating when I came back I would be a middleweight! So I kept ticking over and I was lucky to only have it on for about four weeks. When it came off I was pushing weights and I was happy just to be back in the gym.
Tickets for Zach Parker vs John Ryder for the WBO Interim Super-Middleweight Championship at The O2 are on sale now, available from axs.com.
Zach Parker vs John Ryder for the WBO Interim world super middleweight championship headlines a huge bill at the 02 Arena on November 26, live on BT Sport.
The bill also features Hamzah Sheeraz (16-0, 12) who will bid to add the Commonwealth middleweight title to his WBC Silver belt when he takes on the highly-rated River Wilson-Bent (13-1-1, 6).
Dennis McCann (13-0, 7) who faces Joe Ham (17-3, 6) for the vacant Commonwealth super-bantamweight belt, while lightweight Sam Noakes (9-0, 9) takes on the unbeaten Scot Calvin McCord (11-0, 2) in a defence of his WBC International Silver championship and for the vacant Commonwealth title.
Noake’s gym mate, Pierce O’Leary (10-0, 6), fights for the vacant WBC International super lightweight championship against the Namibian Emmanuelo Mungandjela (16-3-1, 7).
Thetford cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher (2-0, 2) and Upminster super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali (4-0) also appear on the card.
VIDEO: David Morrell vs. Aidos Yerbossynuly: Weigh-In | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
DAVID MORRELL JR. VS. AIDOS YERBOSSYNULY FINAL WEIGHTS AND COMMISSION OFFICIALS FOR SATURDAY’S SHOWTIME® TRIPLEHEADER
WBA Super Middleweight World Championship – 12 Rounds
David Morrell Jr. – 166 ½ lbs.
Aidos Yerbossynuly – 167 ¼ lbs.
Referee: Tony Weeks; Judges: Mike Fitzgerald (Wis.), Patrick Morley (Ill.) Don Trella (Conn.)
Middleweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Jeison Rosario – 160 lbs.
Brian Mendoza – 159 ¼ lbs.
Referee: Mark Calo-Oy; Judges: Scott Erickson (Minn.), John Mariano (Minn.), Gary Ritter (Okla.)
Referee: Dave Smith; Judges: Patrick Morley (Ill.), Kyle Shiely (Minn.), Don Trella (Conn.)
Middleweight Bout – Eight Rounds
Julian Williams – 159 ½ lbs.
Rolando Mansilla – 158 lbs.
Referee: Mark Calo-Oy; Judges: Brian Cosgrove (Minn.), John Mariano (Minn.), Gary Ritter (Okla.)
Super Lightweight Bout – Eight Rounds
Kent Cruz – 143 lbs.
Enriko Gogokhia – 141 ½ lbs.
Referee: Gary Ritter; Judges: Scott Erickson (Minn.), Kyle Shiely (Minn.), Don Trella (Conn.)
Note: Contracted weight is 143 pounds.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9:10 p.m. ET/6:10 p.m. PT immediately following the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva replay. Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers round out the telecast team – Emmy® award winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The producer is Ray Smaltz III and the director is Chuck McKean. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action with former junior middleweight world champion and SHOBOX® analyst Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as expert analyst in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP). SHOBOX announcer and combat sports expert Brian Campbell and his MORNING KOMBAT co-host Luke Thomas will call the action during the live-stream bouts.
# # #
ABOUT MORRELL JR. VS. YERBOSSYNULY
Morrell Jr. vs. Yerbossynuly will see unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. return to action against undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly in a 12-round duel that headlines live on SHOWTIME Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will begin at 9:10 p.m. ET/6:10 p.m. PT and features former unified champion Jeison Rosario taking on veteran contender Brian Mendoza in a 10-round middleweight attraction in the co-main event, plus unbeaten middleweight Fiodor Czerkaszyn battles the hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round telecast opener.
TYRONE JAMES LOOKS TO HIT THE JACKPOT ONCE AGAIN ON THURSDAY NIGHT (11/17) AT SHORE WARS
Wantagh, New York (November 4, 2022) – “THE JACKPOT”TYRONE “PRETTY BOY” JAMES (12-0 9KO’s) returns at Mulcahy’s in Wantagh, Long Island, on Thursday night (November 17) at “Shore Wars.” James will face off with OMAR “THE GRINCH” SIALA in a super welterweight showdown main event. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.
From his pro debut in 2015, Tyrone James began cementing himself as a must see attraction every time out. His first prove it test came in January of 2018 at “Rockin’ Fights” 29, when he took on Alex Duarte (then 13-3-1 10KO’s) in a scheduled 6-round fight. In a back and forth first round, James began to find his timing and exploded when he feinted by crouching down, before coming back up to land a precise left hand, followed by a barrage of nearly 15 punches which caused referee Pat Sullivan to stop the fight at the 1:45 mark of the third round.
Watch the full James-Duarte fight by clicking HERE.
James would continue to remain perfect, defeating Keasen Freeman with a seismic one punch first round knockout (watch the knockout HERE), followed by Leo Carrizalez with an insane 7 consecutive uppercuts 8th round TKO (watch the knockout HERE). Ray Oliveira Jr. was next on the James list of knockout victims, as James pinned Oliveira in the corner and landed a multi punch combination causing Pat Sullivan to step in at the 1:47 mark of round 2 (watch the knockout HERE). Finally in his first main event at “Rockin’ Fights” James dropped Denis Knifechief in the first round and closed the show in the 4th of the scheduled 8 round bout.
All the momentum came to a halt thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an elbow surgery (Tommy John surgery) that had James out of the ring for two years and six months. Finally, the day came on March 18th, and James was ready to blast back on the scene. Wasting no time, James took on well respected Jimmy Williams (then 18-6-2 6KO’s) in what was a feet to the fire return to action at “Rockin’ Fights” 41. After shaking off some rust, a perfectly timed 4th round counter overhand right launched over a Williams jab and landed flush. Wowing the packed crowd in attendance, the dynamite right hand caused a stop the fight at the 2:34 mark of round 4. The full James-Williams bout can be viewed at on Star Boxing TV HERE.
On Thursday night at “Shore Wars”, James looks to make tack on another statement victory against respected German born, OMAR “THE GRINCH” SIALA (39-20-3 23KO’s) over 8 rounds. James is ready for the opportunity in front of him. James had this to say about the bout, “It’s The Jackpot the new ABO Champ and Mr. Main Event is back November 17! I’m going for my 7th KO in a row. Make sure you buy a ticket because this fight here, you don’t wanna miss!!! Say it with me ‘CHA CHING.'”
Terence Crawford Discusses Upcoming PPV Showdown with David Avanesyan
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 4, 2022) – Welterweight superstar and current pound-for-pound king, Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) will make his triumphant return to the ring when he battles WBO #6 ranked David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb. on December 10, 2022. The 12-round bout will air live on BLK Prime PPV, with Crawford’s WBO welterweight title on the line.
Tickets priced $50, $75, $125, $200, $350, and $500 for Crawford vs. Avanesyan go on sale this Monday, November 7, at 10:00 a.m. CT. and are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. This event is promoted by NextGen Boxing, Bash Boxing, and BLK Prime. Doors open at 5:00 pm CT with the first fight starting at 5:30 pm CT.
“We have seen player empowerment movements in other sports, and now we are starting to see it in boxing,” said Crawford. “I have taken control of my career and my December 10 fight on BLK Prime is the start of my next chapter.”
Crawford chose to bring his latest world title fight back to his hometown of Omaha, Neb. He hasn’t fought in front of the always raucous Nebraska crowd since a TKO victory over Jose Benavidez in October of 2018. “My hometown fans deserve another big fight, and we are going to pack the CHI Health Center once again on December 10.”
Crawford is looking to extend his nine-fight knockout streak, one that has gone under-appreciated from boxing fans and media. December 10 will mark Crawford’s sixth defense of his WBO welterweight title and his 17th straight world title fight across three weight divisions.
“I am an exciting fighter and the best closer in the sport. I have knocked out every fighter I have faced since 2016,” continued Crawford. “I’m going to put on another entertaining fight on December 10 and continue my knockout streak. David Avanesyan is a tough opponent who is riding a strong knockout streak of his own. He’s upset some really good fighters and has nothing to lose. That makes for something that the fans will want to see.”
A former WBA interim champion, Avanesyan enters this welterweight title bout on a six-fight stoppage streak dating back to 2019, when he captured the European welterweight championship. He defended that title five times before he recently decided to vacate and challenge Crawford for his WBO crown. Considered by many boxing connoisseurs as a legitimate welterweight contender, Avanesyan is ranked top ten by three of the recognized sanctioning organizations. His will to keep his winning streak intact is not to be discarded and will certainly bring forth an entertaining fight.
Crawford vs. Avanesyan, a 12-round WBO welterweight world title clash, will stream live on BLK Prime for the price of $39.99. BLK Prime, a Silicon Valley-based tech company, is a subscription video on demand platform that utilizes elite technology to bring the best picture-perfect stream available. Telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
HAMZAH SHEERAZ WILL bid to add the Commonwealth middleweight title to his WBC Silver belt when he takes on the highly-rated River Wilson-Bent at the 02 Arena on November 26, live on BT Sport.
Zach Parker vs John Ryder tops the bill at the popular Greenwich venue, with Dennis McCann (against Joe Ham) and Sam Noakes (against Calvin McCord) also fighting for Commonwealth titles on the night at super bantamweight and lightweight respectively, while Pierce O’Leary takes on Emmanuel Mungandjela with the WBC International super lightweight title at stake.
Along with the Commonwealth title, Sheeraz (16-0, 12 KOs), 23, will be making a first defence of his WBC Silver title he won last time out by defeating Francisco Emanuel Torres via a fifth round stoppage. He previously won the WBC International Silver title with a defeat of Jez Smith and is a former holder of the WBO European title at super welterweight.
Wilson-Bent (13-1-1, 6) enjoyed a perfect run in the professional ranks until coming up against forthcoming British title challenger Tyler Denny. Their first encounter in November of last year ended up as a draw on the scorecards following an epic English title battle, before Denny prevailed in the rematch via a split decision.
The 28-year-old has previously won and defended the Midlands Area title against unbeaten opponents in Troy Coleman and George Farrell and recently returned to winning ways with a fifth round stoppage of Ben Thomas.
Promoter Frank Warren commented: “This is going to be some night of boxing! We’ve now got four major domestic title fights on the bill, with all of them near enough even-money. This is a show tailor-made for British fight fans.
“We explored a number of options when it came to choosing an opponent for Hamzah. He is still pretty new to the weight division, with having just two fights at 160lbs, so we determined that a tough domestic test will serve him best at this stage.
“River has fought on one of our Birmingham shows previously, so we know his quality and also know that he will view this as a breakthrough opportunity and will give it his absolute everything.
“This is the sort of examination Hamzah needs and I feel certain it will be a competitive and entertaining fight on what is already an exciting card. Having the Commonwealth title on the line is a big bonus and the winner will be firmly in line for a shot at the British title.”
Tickets for Zach Parker vs John Ryder for the WBO Interim Super-Middleweight Championship at The O2 are on sale now, available from axs.com.
Zach Parker vs John Ryder for the WBO Interim world super middleweight championship headlines a huge bill at the 02 Arena on November 26, live on BT Sport.
The bill also features Dennis McCann (13-0, 7) who faces Joe Ham (17-3, 6) for the vacant Commonwealth super-bantamweight belt, while lightweight Sam Noakes (9-0, 9) takes on the unbeaten Scot Calvin McCord (11-0, 2) in a defence of his WBC International Silver championship.
Noake’s gym mate, Pierce O’Leary (10-0, 6), fights for the vacant WBC International super lightweight championship against the Namibian Emmanuelo Mungandjela (16-3-1, 7).
Thetford cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher (2-0, 2), Bexley welterweight Micky Burke jr (7-0, 3) and Upminster super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali (4-0) also appear on the card.
Images are free to use, where possible please credit: Queensberry
VIDEO: David Morrell Explains How Minnesota Has Become His 2nd Home | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
VIDEO: Dmitry Bivol vs Zurdo Ramirez Weigh In (Cameron-McCaskill & Rakhimov-Barrett)
BIVOL VS. RAMIREZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
6 x 3 mins International Lightweight contest FAHAD AL BLOUSHI 60.8kg v IRAKLI SHARIASHVILI 61.1kg (Dubai, UAE) (Rustavi, Georgia)
followed by
6 x 3 mins International Lightweight contest CAMPBELL HATTON 63.25kg v DENIS BARTOS 62.45kg (Hyde, England) (Rakovnik, czech Republic)
followed by
8 x 3 mins International Lightweight contest AQIB FIAZ 61.3kg v DIEGO VALTIERRA 60.0kg (Oldham, England) (Algortal, Spain)
followed by
8 x 3 mins International Bantamweight contest SULTAN AL NUAIMI 53.5kg v SOHAIB HAQUE 53.5kg (Dubai, UAE) (Calcutta, India)
followed by
21:30 LIVE ON DAZN
10 x 3 mins International Bantamweight contest KHALID YAFAI 54.75kg v JERALD PACLAR 53.35kg (Birmingham, England) (Cebu City, Philippines)
followed by
4 x 3 mins International Super-Lightweight contest MAJID AL NAQBI 62.45kg v JOHN LAWRENCE ORDONIO 63.0kg (Dubai, UAE) (San Fernando City, Philippines)
followed by
10 x 3 mins WBC International Flyweight Title GALAL YAFAI 50.75kg v GOHAN RODRIGUEZ GARCIA 50.35kg (Birmingham, England) (Gomez Palacio, Mexico)
followed by
12 x 3 mins vacant IBF Super-Featherweight World Title SHAVKATDZHON RAKHIMOV 58.95kg v ZELFA BARRETT 58.95 kg (Bokhtar, Tajikistan) (Manchester, England)
followed by
10 x 2 mins Undisputed Super-Lightweight World Titles CHANTELLE CAMERON 63.3kg v JESSICA MCCASKILL 63.25kg (Northampton, England) (Chicago, USA)
followed by
12 x 3 mins WBA Light-Heavyweight World Title DMITRY BIVOL 79.25kg v GILBERTO ZURDO RAMIREZ 79.20kg (Tokmak, Krygyzstan) (Mazatlan, Mexico)
No More Waiting: Caleb Plant agrees to fight to fight David Benavidez
By Norm Frauenheim –
David Benavidez waited for weeks. He heard Canelo Alvarez say no, no and no all over again. He heard David Morrell say maybe later.
From Caleb Plant, he heard nothing.
Until Thursday.
Suddenly, the waiting game and all of its frustration ended. Plant announced on Twitter that he signed to fight Benavidez. It was a surprise, if only because Plant had quit talking about Benavidez.
For years, Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) and Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) exchanged trash talk. Then nothing, no mention at all of Benavidez from Plant after Plant’s stoppage of Anthony Dirrell on Oct. 15
The silence was almost newsworthy. It was as if Plant had joined the crowd that was running from Benavidez, boxing’s most avoided fighter since Antonio Margarito.
Turns out, however, the silence was simply business. Negotiations had been underway for at least a couple of weeks, in part because neither Benavidez nor his promoter-manager Sampson Lewkowicz wanted to fight Jose Uzcategui, who had already fallen out of a 2021 date because of a positive test for the potent steroid EPO.
Benavidez-Uzcategui talks had been reported. And perhaps that fight would have been an alternative if a deal couldn’t be made with Plant.
But it was also clear that Uzcategui was a fight that would have done nothing for Benavidez reputation. Nobody wanted to see it. Plus, there’s a risk in a stay-busy fight, especially against an opponent with a documented PED history.
The real talks were with Plant, the only fight that made any real sense for Benavidez and his emerging fan base. Benavidez quickly signed, according to his father and trainer Jose Benavidez Sr.
“David signed a few week ago,’’ Jose Sr. told 15 Rounds from Seattle where he and his sons have been living and training for the last few years.
Still, however, the unbeaten super-middleweight from Phoenix had to wait, wait on Plant. Finally, he signed Thursday.
“Plant wanted this, wanted that,’’ Benavidez Sr. said. “He wanted to use Rival gloves. He wanted the blue corner. He wanted to be the second guy to enter the ring. He wanted a 22-foot ring. I told him, look, we’ll fight you in a ring as big as the Dallas Cowboys stadium. Then, you’ll have plenty of room to run around.’’
Benavidez’ dad took the list of demands to his son.
“David just looked at me and said ‘Give him whatever he wants. I just want to fight him,’ ‘’ Jose Sr said.
Done deal.
It’s still not clear exactly when the fight will happen. Jose Sr. said a date within the first quarter of next year – January, February or March — looks likely. A neutral site is also likely. Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Dallas are possibilities, he said.
Phoenix is not on the list. After a hometown crowd erupted in a collective roar at Benavidez’ scary blowout of David Lemieux in suburban Glendale last May, it’s clear that the heartbeat of Benavidez’ fan-base is Phoenix. It would be tough for Plant to win a decision there.
It’s also a fan base that’s likely to follow Benavidez to where ever, whenever he fights Plant. The Benavidez family – David, former junior-welterweight champion Jose Jr. and Jose Sr. – are planning to move back to Phoenix.
“It’s time, time to come home,’’ Jose Sr. said.
Time, time to fight Plant, too.
RASHID STEVENS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
SACRAMENTO, CA (November 3, 2022) –In the Thompson Boxing co-main event this Saturday, Rashid Stevens (6-1, 5 KOs), of Gardena, California is looking to upset Damoni Cato-Cain (7-0, 6 KOs), in an eight-round super welterweight contest.
“New Blood” will take place at Omega Products International in Sacramento, CA. Doors open at 5:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 7:00 pm PT. Tickets are priced $50, $75, $100, and $125 are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900 or online at www.thompsonboxing.com. Fight fans will be able to watch all Thompson Boxing fights, weigh-ins, and behind-the-scenes content, via their new Mobile App downloadable on Apple and Google.
Here is what Stevens had to say about his upcoming matchup with Cato-Cain, his recent training camp, and more.
On his recent training camp:
“I was in the gym when I got the call. A few fights had fallen out, and I knew I was in great shape. This is what I have been training for and staying motivated for, so now I just must trust the process. I have been helping people get ready in the gym, and now it’s my turn. Next man up, you know the drill!”
On his matchup with Cato-Cain:
“He seems like a good awkward fighter. I don’t think he has fought many southpaws, and I am a very tricky. I believe he sparred with Manny Pacquiao and Terence Crawford, so I know at the very least he will be tough. He probably brings something to the table, but I just don’t think he will be comfortable fighting a southpaw who is willing to take him into deep waters.”
On what a win will do for his career:
“This will be a defining moment in my career. Defeating an undefeated heavily hyped local favorite in his hometown would make my boxing career a success. I am coming to win. This is everything I have trained for. A win will get me to bigger paydays.”
On fighting in Sacramento on Thompson Card:
“I know he will have a lot of fans there but from what I’ve seen, there will be no hometown cookin. All of Thompson Boxing cards are fair. I am going to put on a show first, but silence the crowd, second. His supporters will be very quiet after the opening bell. Thompson might want to sign me after this fight.”
This event is sponsored by HUSTLER Casino, LA’s only luxury casino; Thompson Building Materials, Transforming spaces into beautiful places; Omega Products International, The leading stucco manufacturer in the United States; Belgard, Paves the way; and Makita, Rule the outdoors.
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“New Blood” will stream live for free on the Thompson Boxing Promotions website (www.thompsonboxing.com), as well as their Facebook and
For more information, and regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. You can also follow the conversation on social media, please use #ThompsonBoxing.
BROADWAY BOXING STREAMS LIVE ON FITE
New York, NY (November 3, 2022) – DiBella Entertainment is pleased to announce that the Big Apple return of Broadway Boxing will be available live on FITE, the largest digital sports and entertainment platform in the world. On Tuesday, November 22, International Boxing Hall-of-Famer Lou DiBella will host the 117th edition of the longest-running grassroots boxing series from the famous Edison Ballroom in Times Square.
The entire Broadway Boxing event will air on FITE for $19.99. The livestream will start at 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT. To order, please visit www.fite.tv.
“As we approach the 20th anniversary of Broadway Boxing, I am thrilled to offer this stacked card on FITE. What started out as a local club show for the New York metropolitan area has grown into an international brand. Branching outside of the United States, we’ve broadcast events from locales such as Germany, Monte Carlo, Canada, and Costa Rica,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “With FITE, Broadway Boxing will now be live broadcast to a global audience. While those in attendance will be enjoying gourmet food and drinks, fans watching at home will get a world class production with entertaining fights, featuring Broadway Boxing staples, who have developed on the series, and celebrity guest commentators calling the action.”
“When you think of boxing’s history, you think of the champions, but you also think of that long-gone atmosphere where the event itself matters. People dress up to be seen ringside and the promotion itself has class,” said Michael Weber, COO of FITE. “DiBella Entertainment is bringing back that era in time for the holidays in Manhattan. With fighters like Mykquan Williams and Stephan Shaw on the card, you know the action is going to measure up too.”
Rising junior welterweight contender “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (18-0-1, 8 KOs), from East Hartford, CT, will face Clarence Booth (21-5, 13 KOs), of Saint Petersburg, FL, in the 10-round main event. Williams, a former WBC USNBC titlist, is a Broadway Boxing veteran, having made 13 appearances on the series thus far. Booth has won six of his last seven bouts, with five by knockout.
Top undefeated American heavyweight prospect, Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw (17-0, 13 KOs), co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank, will be featured in the co-main event against Rydell Booker (26-6-1, 13 KOs).
Tickets are on sale now. Tables of 10 and individual seats at various levels are available by calling (212) 947-2577. VIP, Platinum, Gold tables, and VIP ringside seats, include dinner and open bar. Other ringside patrons can sample a buffet dinner with drink tickets available for purchase. A limited number of General Admission tickets without dinner are also available. Edison Ballroom is located at 240 West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036. Doors will open on the night of the event at 6:00pm ET, with the first bout scheduled for 7:00pm ET.
Celebrity chef and boxing enthusiast Chris Santos will be doing ringside commentary on FITE, alongside New York Yankees reporter Justin Shackil and Dan Canobbio, of Jomboy Media.
“Broadway Boxing is back, and I’m so excited to be part of it, doing ringside commentary for DiBella Entertainment at the Edison Ballroom,” said Santos, Co-Founder and Executive Chef of Beauty & Essex. “You may know me as a judge and TV personality in the culinary world, but I’m also a passionate lifelong hardcore fan of boxing and I can’t wait to once again transition from judging food to judging fights as your unofficial scorer. DiBella Entertainment is going all out with an upscale night of dinner, craft cocktails and, of course, bell-to-bell action in the ring and I can’t wait to see you there.”
Santos has over 25 years of experience as an executive chef in New York City’s hottest restaurants as well as his expansions on the West Coast. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Chef of Beauty & Essex Restaurants in the Lower East Side, at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, and in Hollywood, CA. Santos released his first cookbook in 2017 to critical acclaim, titled, “SHARE – Delicious and Surprising Recipes to Pass Around Your Table”. In addition to his three restaurants, he has been a series regular and sitting judge on Food Network’s hit series “Chopped” since its 2008 debut. Santos has also been featured on NBC’s TODAY Show, CBS’s Early Show, The Martha Stewart Show, and The Rachael Ray Show, among many others.
Since its inception in 2003, Broadway Boxing has featured many boxing luminaries and world champions, including George Kambosos Jr., Bakhodir Jalolov, Vitali Klitschko, Gennady Golovkin, Sergio Martinez, Jose Pedraza, Amanda Serrano, Heather Hardy, Andre Berto, and Paulie Malignaggi.
FOR TICKETS AND TABLE RESERVATIONS, CALL (212) 947-2577.
ABOUT FITE
FITE is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry’s marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 6MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire TV and Huawei apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Virgin Media, Shaw Communications’ Blue Curve IPTV, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Comcast’s Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex as well as 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram,YouTube, LinkedIN and Facebook.
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Miguel Madueño Looks to Bounce Back Against Juan Huertas in Plant City this Friday
PLANT CITY, FL (November 3, 2022) – Thompson Boxing’s lightweight Miguel Madueño (27-1, 25 KOs), is looking to bounce back from the first loss of his career when he faces Juan Huertas (16-3-1, 12 KOs), on Friday, November 4th, at the Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida. The 10-round bout will broadcast worldwide on ProBoxTV.com with the WBO Latino Championship on the line.
“I have had a great camp and made major improvements since my first career loss,” said the power-puncher Madueño, who has an 89% KO ratio as a pro. “In my last fight I didn’t feel like myself, but now I am ready to bring the old ‘Explosivo’ back. I will knock this guy out and put the division on notice.”
In Madueño’s last fight, he lost a twelve-round decision to former world champion Jezreel Corrales, in March of this year. Since that fight, Madueño has not missed a day in the gym and has used the loss as motivation.
“I wanted to be a world champion so bad and put a lot of pressure on myself to perform in my last fight,” said Madueño reflecting on his fight that had implications for a future world title shot. “I know now what I need to do, and how not to beat myself. I put myself in a position that made my last fight much harder.”
Huertas recently upset undefeated Jonhatan Cardoso in June of this year and is hoping for a similar result on Friday, but Madueño doesn’t see it happening.
“He is in a lot of trouble,” stated Madueño. “He has been knocked out twice, and I don’t see a way he can take my power at all. I am one of the hardest punchers in the division – when I hit him, he will fall, and he isn’t getting back up.”
Caleb Plant Signs Contract For Benavidez Fight
Former Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb Plant announced on his verified Twitter account that he signed a contract to face David Benavidez for a fight that has been brewing for several years.
Plant indicated the fight will take place in 2023.
The bout is expected to be ordered by the WBC at their convention next week in Acapulco.
Jose Benavidez Sr. told 15rounds.com Norm Frauenheim that his son signed the contract weeks ago. He also said that the fight will take place no later than March. Three possible venues are Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Dallas.
STACKED UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED FOR GLOBAL TITANS FIGHT SERIES’ HEADLINED BY FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS. DEJI OLATUNJI EXHIBITION ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 FROM COCA-COLA ARENA IN DUBAI
Dubai, UAE – November 3, 2022 – A stacked lineup of exciting undercard attractions has been announced for the latest installment of the ground-breaking Global Titans Fight Series taking place Sunday, November 13, from the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and live on pay-per-view, headlined by all-time-great boxing superstar Floyd “Money” Mayweather in an exhibition bout against UK-based YouTube sensation turned pro-boxer Deji Olatunji in the main event.
In the light heavyweight co-main event, Manchester’s Tommy “TNT” Fury (8-0, 4 KOs), will return to the ring to face New York-based Puerto Rican slugger Paul Bamba (5-2, 4 KOs) in a potentially explosive six-round non-title fight. Fury, the outspoken 23-year-old television personality and half-brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, will be looking to impress against Bamba and secure a long-awaited showdown against YouTube superstar turned fighter, Jake Paul.
In his most recent ring appearance, Fury scored a dominant six-round decision over Daniel Bocianski in April of this year. The 33-year-old Bamba, a fighter, ex-Marine and celebrity trainer from Puerto Rico and now living in New York, is coming off a second-round knockout victory over Francisco Morelos last September.
A world-class women’s bout will also highlight the undercard, as former two-time world champion and top super featherweight contender Delfine Persoon (47-3, 19 KOs) of Belgium will face proven Tunisian/German veteran Ikram Kerwat (11-3, 5 KOs) in a 10-round showdown.
37-year-old Persoon, a railway policewoman in her homeland, held the Women’s WBC Lightweight Championship for five years and made nine successful defenses. Best known for her heart-stopping two-fight series against top pound-for-pound fighter Katie Taylor, Persoon was last seen in action in May of this year when she won a close but unanimous 10-round decision over Elhem Mekhaled in Dubai.
With a combat-sports history dating back to age four, Kerwat has is trained by boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. along with former World Super Middleweight Champion Sven Ottke and won the WBC International Lightweight Championship in 2016 with a first-round stoppage over Gina Chamie. The 38-year-old Kerwat was last seen winning a shutout unanimous decision over Tanzania’s Happy Daudi in March of this year.
In a very special attraction, former WWE and AEW Wrestling superstar Bobby Fish will make his boxing debut against Ghanaian middleweight Boateng Pempreh (2-3, 2 KOs) in a four-round super middleweight slugfest. A former amateur kickboxer known for his striking-based wrestling style, the 45-year-old Fish will be looking to “walk the walk” in the ring after being highly critical of compatriot CM Punk’s MMA exploits.
The card will also include unbeaten 21-year-old prospect J’Hon Ingram (3-0, 3 KOs) stepping in for a four-round lightweight bout against Japanese kickboxing star Koji “Kouzi” Tanaka, who most recently stopped Mayweather’s bodyguard Ray Sadeghi in a custom rules match in September. Originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Ingram trains out of the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas and has been a frequent sparring partner of Mayweather’s.
The night will also feature an appearance by undefeated Cuban born Dubai resident and WBC International Super Featherweight Champion Jadier Herrera (8-0, 6 KOs), facing hard-hitting Colombian power-puncher Franklin Manzanilla (21-8, 20 KOs) in a 10-round duel.
In an intriguing eight round bout, once-beaten middleweight Harley Benn (9-1, 1 KO) of London, England, the son of former two-weight world champion Nigel Benn, returns to action in a battle against undefeated WBC Middle East Welterweight Champion Faizan Anwar (14-0, 6 KOs) of Calcutta, India, as they square off in a middleweight bout fought at a 155-pound catchweight
Rounding out the stacked night of action will be four-round light heavyweight matchup, former “Love Island” season four winner Jack Fincham will make his professional boxing debut in a tough test against Alameda, California’s Anthony “Pretty Boy” Taylor (2-3, 1 KO). The 31-year-old Fincham, who has a background in amateur boxing, will be looking to finally show off his ring skills, but has vowed to return to reality TV if he loses. The 33-year-old Taylor, a former sparring partner of Jake Paul, is also an accomplished MMA competitor and actor.
IMPORTANT PPV INFO: Global Titans: Mayweather v Deji will be distributed by Integrated Sports across North America live on Cable and Satellite Pay Per View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH, Shaw PPV, Rogers, Bell TV, and SaskTel priced at $34.95. Additionally, it will be broadcast via Digital PPV on PPV.com, FITE and DAZN PPV.
The event is presented by world-class boxing and entertainment company Global Titans, along with co-owners/partners FrontRow Entertainment and Mayweather Promotions. Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased at https://www.coca-cola-arena.com/en/events/Global-Titans.
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Global Titans:
Global Titans is a world-class boxing and entertainment platform that works with titans from the boxing world and superstar entertainers to create ground-breaking live shows and content for millions of fans worldwide. Their productions boast a global roster of talented world champions, elite contenders, and tomorrow’s rising stars.
Their mission is to create shows that bring joy to boxing and music fans around the world and their team comprises experts in their fields who continuously strive to innovate with new formats, technology and delivery platforms, so their shows & content are remembered & cherished – just like the titans who bring them to life.
DAVID MORRELL JR. VS. AIDOS YERBOSSYNULY FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
MINNEAPOLIS – November 3, 2022 – Unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. and undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly went face-to-face at the final press conference on Thursday, before they put their unbeaten records on the line live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.
The press conference also featured former unified champion Jeison Rosario and veteran contender Brian Mendoza, who meet in the 10-round middleweight co-main event, plus unbeaten middleweight Fiodor Czerkaszyn and the hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore, who kick off the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast at 9:10 p.m. ET/6:10 p.m. PT with a 10-round duel.
Prior to the telecast, The SHOWTIME Boxing COUNTDOWN show, hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT podcast hosts, Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell will deliver a three-fight lineup streaming live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
The streaming presentation is topped by longtime contender Andre Dirrell in a 10-round light heavyweight showdown against hard-hitting Yunieski Gonzalez, plus former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams takes on Argentina’s Rolando Mansilla in an eight-round middleweight affair, while unbeatens Kent Cruz and Enriko Gogokhia rematch in an eight-round super lightweight sequel of their split-draw in February.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from Minneapolis:
DAVID MORRELL JR.
“100% I’m coming for the knockout. He’s the one that’s asking for it. It’s going to be for my team and for Cuban boxing. You don’t mess with the people of Cuba.
“I’m excited for my second opportunity fighting on SHOWTIME. I hope he’s not too hungry, because I’m not giving him anything to eat on Saturday night. I’m more focused and locked in than ever thanks to Ronnie Shields and my whole team.
“I appreciate Aidos stepping up to this fight, but now it’s time to show what I can do. I’m going to show the rest of the division what’s in store for them.
“I’m predicting an eighth-round knockout. I’m going to go into the ring as be the best version of myself.
“We’re in the home stretch now. I’m going to go in there and go for the win. Today was to show everyone how excited we are for this fight, because the fans should be pumped for this as well. We’re ready to put on a show for them.
“I feel bad for Aidos. He has no idea what’s going on and he doesn’t know anything about boxing history. I’m going to teach him on fight night. I’m taking him to school. He has it coming.
“My only focus right now is on Aidos. I’m not paying attention to any other fighters, but I’m going to be ready for them. I want to fight David Benavidez in my next fight. I respect everyone in the division, but I’m hungry for the biggest fights. I want to fight everybody.”
AIDOS YERBOSSYNULY
“I’m a hunter. I like hunting and it’s part of our culture. It’s hunting season right now in Kazakhstan, but I’m here in the United States and I’m here to hunt Morrell on Saturday night and bring that belt home.
“We respect the Cubans and their skills. But in the pros, there aren’t as many good fighters as in the amateurs. Whatever he has learned, I have those same skills. We both have power in both hands, and I’m going to let my fists speak for me.
“I’m always learning. I improved a lot with my training in Las Vegas because my coach, Kay Koroma, is a very experienced and well-known coach in American boxing. I had a good transition from the amateurs into the professional ranks and I learn something new with each fight. I grow as an athlete with each fight.
“There is nothing about David Morrell Jr. that concerns me. The danger with boxing is that every fighter is coming to hurt you. Every boxer is dangerous. There’s nothing special about him. I think that we are evenly matched fighters but the difference on Saturday night is going to be that I’m the smarter fighter and I want it more.
“If he’s promising something to his fans, he might have to apologize to them after he loses. I’m definitely coming to stop Morrell in this fight. I trained hard and I’m here to get the belt.
“If I get past David Morrell Jr. on Saturday, then I’d like to fight David Benavidez next. I’ve sparred with Canelo Alvarez before and I respect him. To get that fight, I have to prove myself first. That’s why I want to face Morrell and Benavidez back-to-back.”
JEISON ROSARIO
“I’m going to go in there to win. I don’t care if I finish the fight in the first or last round. I’m happy either way. My power will be there, but I’ll be ready for whatever happens.
“Sometimes you need to stumble not just once, but twice or more, to learn a lesson. I guarantee that I’ve learned my lesson and that you’re going to see the best version of me on Saturday night.
“This fight is just as important as when I went into Philadelphia and took the titles away from Julian Williams. That’s how serious I’m taking this fight.
“I’m staying at middleweight. I was putting my health at risk to make 154 pounds, so I’m fully committed to winning a world title at 160 pounds.”
BRIAN MENDOZA
“I’m here and I’m ready. I’ve been training in this camp since April. I’ve really been locked in this whole year. You’re going to see that I’m anything but a last-minute sub.
“I’m ready to put on an explosive performance. Everyone is going to see the work I put in it. This is where preparation meets opportunity. You’re going to see me at my best and with my hand raised.
“This is huge for me. I’m about to add a former unified champion to my resume. This changes the trajectory of my career. It’s all up from here and I’m about to show the world what I’m capable of.”
FIODOR CZERKASZYN
“Gallimore is a power puncher, but there are a lot of different skills you need in boxing. It’s not just power that decides who wins.
“This is my chance. I’m hungry and I will show it. This is like a holiday for me, because I’m here without pressure. I’m happy and I’ll show it in the ring.
“He’s had this break in his career, but I know he’s been training and sparring throughout it. Maybe he’ll feel some rust in the ring, but we’ll find out on Saturday.
“I’m very confident in the training that I’ve had. This is a step up for me and it’s something I’ve wanted for a while. I’m ready to perform on the big stage.”
NATHANIEL GALLIMORE
“Ring rust is not going to be a problem. I started my career at middleweight, so I’m not worried about that either. We’ve been working on a lot of new things and on Saturday it’s going to show.
“He can say what he wants to say, because at the end of the day, he has to get in the ring with me. Everyone is going to see what I bring to the table on Saturday night.
“I’m definitely back. As I’ve said before, it starts with this opponent. The whole world is going to know that I’m back after they watch this fight.”
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ABOUT MORRELL JR. VS. YERBOSSYNULY
Morrell Jr. vs. Yerbossynuly will see unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. return to action against undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly in a 12-round duel that headlines live on SHOWTIME Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features former unified champion Jeison Rosario taking on veteran contender Brian Mendoza in a 10-round middleweight attraction in the co-main event, plus unbeaten middleweight Fiodor Czerkaszyn battles the hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round telecast opener.
“Good afternoon everyone. It’s an absolute pleasure and an honour to be here in Abu Dhabi at the incredible Pixoul Gaming facility. It’s the first time any major event has been held here and it’s an incredible turnout ahead of what is a historic moment for the sport of boxing, and of course for Abu Dhabi and Matchroom Boxing as well.
“A few months back we had the vision when we sat down with the DCT to change the face of boxing here, to make Abu Dhabi a destination for the elite level of the sport. On Saturday night we bring you an incredible night of boxing. There’s a lot of talk at the moment about fights falling through and not happening – Saturday night is a celebration of how good this sport is. Of course the main event, Dmitry Bivol, the WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion and now on the pound-for-pound list after his victory against Canelo Alvarez, agains the former Super-Middleweight World Champion Zurdo Ramirez, 44-0. This is one of the best fights in boxing. But not just one of the best fights in boxing, one of the best cards in boxing from top to bottom.
“When we talked about coming here when we sat down with the DCT we wanted to make an impression. We wanted to show the people here and around the world on DAZN how great this sport is. This undercard is sensational. Women’s boxing is on fire right now on the back of Taylor vs. Serrano as Madison Square Garden and Shields vs. Marshall at The O2, we have a fight that I believe could potentially top them all. The Undisputed Super-Lightweight World Championship between Jessica McCaskill and Chantelle Cameron.
“The IBF Super-Featherweight World Championship between Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov and Zelfa Barrett. Olympic gold medallist Galal Yafai, former World Champion Kal Yafai, Campbell Hatton, Aqib Fiaz, Emirate fighters looking to progress onto the world stage as well. This is an incredible night of boxing at the Etihad Arena and we cannot wait to get the Champion Series underway with the DCT here in Abu Dhabi. It’s a big moment for us at Matchroom Boxing and a big moment for the sport.”
Chantelle Cameron:
“Firstly, thank you for making this fight. I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time. What a place Abu Dhabi is. It’s unbelievable. Me and my team are all having a great time. Jessica, you think you’re going to hurt me? When I land on your chin, your face is going to drop. I’m telling you now. You’ll see. Anyway, talk is cheap. I’ve done all of my hard work, I’m enjoying this week and I’m enjoying this moment. Bring on Saturday and shutting her up.”
Jessica McCaskill:
“I’m very excited about the opportunity, it’s definitely a dream come true. Once you get to that level, obviously you start thinking, ‘okay what’s the next biggest thing?’. For right now, being in Abu Dhabi is such a pleasure, everybody has been so nice and we’ve had such an amazing talk. When you talk about the fight itself, I have to say, Chantelle you really don’t understand what you’ve got yourself into on Saturday. The last girl I fought, she begged her coach to stop the fight. She argued with her coach after three rounds because she thought she was going to die. She wanted to go home to her kids. Now I’m moving down in weight I hope you don’t think I’m not going to bring that power. It’s coming on Saturday. Like the gentleman said on the end – this is the hurt game and I’m very good at my job. I take this very seriously.”
Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov:
“Hello everybody. All glory to Allah. Thank you to my team. We are ready. 100%. We come here to take the belt. First of all, want to demonstrate myself at the top level. Respect to my opponent. I’m just trying to perform to the best I can. I’m the top of this weigh and I’m still there.”
Zelfa Barrett:
“No doubt. I do believe I’ll become a World Champion. I’m in the ring with a great fighter. Rakhimov is a good fighter. I’ve studied him. He’s got good trainers behind him but I believe in myself. I’ve been in the gym. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for all of my life. Every single tool in my box is going to come out. I’m cool and I’m ready. It’s going to happen, and I’m ready to become a World Champion.
“Timing is everything in life. It’s just funny how it happened. Obviously with Joe and his hand injury, he got stripped and I’m next up. When I was thinking about the real side of boxing, I was thinking ‘hmmm I could be a World Champion next year or later on, Joe will fight Rakhimov and I’ll get the winner – there might be a unification fight so I might have to wait again’. It’s just come at the right time. Like I say, I’ve been in the gym. I’ve been training and I’m ready. My time is now.
“He’s a very good fighter. I respect him as a fighter. He won the IBO World Title. I keep saying it, he’s a good fighter – but I believe in myself This level is about belief. It’s not about anything else, and I believe in myself. I truly believe I’ll be a World Champion, I believe it.”
Galal Yafai:
“Thanks for putting me on such a great show, I really appreciate it. It’s brilliant to be on such a big show in Abu Dhabi – it’s a great place. I’m with my brother Kal and all of these other great fighters. I’ve got a tough fight on Saturday but I’m hoping to get through that and just move forward.
“I’m professional, I don’t want to look past this guy on Saturday. It’s meant to be a step up, but it’s only a step up if I make it difficult for myself. Sometimes I think I’m not sure if you’re putting the pressure on me or you think I’m actually that good! I don’ t know if it’s a compliment or not. I’ve just got to keep winning, keep looking good and maybe I can fight the other guys in the future.”
Gohan Rodriguez Garcia:
“First of all I’d like to say thank you to everyone for being here and for the opportunity. I am going to get into the ring and give everything I have. The winners will be the public because they will see a good fight because I will give everything I have.
“It makes me very happy to hear some of the names Eddie Hearn is suggesting for me to fight next should I beat Galal Yafai on Saturday. That’s the opportunity that every fighter would be looking for so I hope that on Saturday I get the result that I have been working for.”
Majid Al Naqib:
“Thank you Eddie. I want to thank Matchroom, Frank and all of the guys around this great event. Thank you guys for having me, DCT, my coach – I love you and thank you for everything you have done for me. Honestly, I can’t wait for Saturday night. I want to show these gentlemen what I’ve got! It’s the hurt business Eddie, you know that. I’ve been here a long time. 7 years I’ve been hustling and it’s time to show what I have. I’ve got nothing to say. I just want to enjoy the moment, I want to fight and I want to give it all on Saturday night.”
Kal Yafai:
“It’s been a long time but I’m glad and happy. I can’t wait for Saturday night. Two-weight World Champion, and I know you’re the man to make it happen. But Saturday night I’ve got to get this business done. It’s massive for us as an Arab family. It’s a pleasure to be here, and I wouldn’t mind fighting here again. I’ve been loving it so far. Abu Dhabi has been great to us this week. I just can’t wait for Saturday.
Jerald Paclar:
“Thank you for the opportunity Eddie. I’ve been preparing for this fight for six months and I’m ready to put on a performance on Saturday night. Jerwin Ancajas has been a sparring partner of mine and it has helped me prepare fully for this fight.”
Aqib Fiaz:
“I’ve had a smile on my face all week. I’m having it off here. I can’t believe I’m here. I didn’t believe I’d be here until Monday. I’ve got quite a few people coming over as well. Thank you Eddie for the opportunity. I’m just ready to put on a show on Saturday. I cannot wait to go.
“I posted a photo the other day of me and Zelfa sparring six years ago and it was exactly to the day yesterday. I was talking to Pat, and we were talking about how people never show you where they come from. They always show you where they are and what they’re going. I take nothing for granted. God has been kind. We’re here and I’m just ready to go on Saturday. It’s going to be a big night for all of us.”
Campbell Hatton:
“It’s like a little holiday for us. Obviously the mind is on the job when we’re training and when we’ve got the gloves on. On fight night the mind will be well and truly on the job. For staying relaxed and keeping a cool head for the fight week we couldn’t have it much better. We’ve been sat around the pool, and me and Matt (Hatton) need the sun! It’s been great for us and I’m just looking forward to putting in a relaxed performance on Saturday as well.
“We’ve been seeing improvements, and again it’s been because I’ve been more relaxed, but I’ve still reverted back to going into tear-up mode a little bit and trying to do a little bit too much. I can’t keep saying we’re seeing glimpses and it’s coming and then anything other than a relaxed performance from start to finish this week won’t be good enough. I’ve got a good opponent who is going to be aggressive and help me show off more of a skilful side of my game which I’ve not shown as much as I’d like to yet.”
Fahad Al Bloushi:
“Thank you everyone for coming through. Thank you to Eddie for putting me on this amazing platform. I’m just really excited to be on such a big platform and to perform at a big stage, not just any stage but at the Etihad Arena with Matchroom. I’m excited to showcase my talent to the people of the UAE. This is a big dream come true for me so I just want to thank you all for the opportunity. I think that’s what we need – we just need a couple of names to be boxing at a high level and to perform at a high level stage. I want to be that person. It’s a good opportunity for kids to look up to us and say, ‘I want to be like that fighter’. It might inspire them to go to a boxing gym and learn to what to do. Hopefully I can become like that one day.”
Weigh-In Quotes ProBox TV Last Chance Tourney Championship
PLANT CITY, Florida (November 3, 2022): $50,000 cash is on the line inProBox TV’s 140 lb. “Last Chance” Tournament Championship. The tourney final will take place this Friday, November 4, at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida and will be streamed live at PROBOXTV.com and the ProBox TV app beginning at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT
In the co-featured bout, WBO Latino Lightweight Champion Juan Huertas will defend his title against Miguel Madueno (ten-rounds).
Tickets, starting at $50, are on sale and available at EventBrite.com – click HERE
The Last Chance Tournament kicked off on May 20 with eight combatants who were chosen based on having a top amateur trajectory, where fate had not been on the side of their once promising professional careers. On August 4 was whittled to the two who battle for the title THIS FRIDAY November 4:
ProBox TV Last Chance 140 lb. Championship – 10 Rounds
Kendo Castañeda140 lbs. (19-5, 9 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas vs.
Antonio “Toño” Moran 140.2 lbs. (28-5-1, 19 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico
The rest of the card
WBO Latino Lightweight Championship – 10 rounds
Juan “El Olympico” Huertas 134.6 lbs.(16-3, 12 KOs) from 24 de Diciembre, Panama
Miguel. “Explosivo” Madueno 135 lbs. (27-0, 25 KOs) originally from Guasave, Sinaloa, MX
Super Featherweights – 6 Rounds
Carlos Rosario133.6 lbs. (5-0, 3 KOs) Fajardo, Puerto Rico vs.
Ezequiel Borrero 136 lbs. (5-0, 2 KOs) Las Vegas, NV
Super Featherweights – 6 rounds
Dominic Valle 129.2 lbs. (4-0, 4 KOs) Lutz, FL vs.
Jose Meza130.4 lbs. (8-7, 2 KOs) Durango, Mexico
“Being in the tournament has been a good opportunity to rise as a fighter,” said Moran. “Being able to qualify and win to reach the final has been an awesome experience and it has kept me training practically all year. I have been preparing very well and that has made me ready for any moment. I think that Castaneda is a fighter who comes forward and is aggressive, so you must box him. He’s going to come in with his same fighting style and he’s going to try and pick me up at close range, but I’ll handle it. In the first four rounds I will look for the knockout, but if I don’t get it, I will box him because there is no other way. I’m going to do the fight my way, connecting with quick combinations and moving around the ring.
“I’m always ready to fight, so I actually do not vision this as my last chance,” said Castaneda regarding being in the tournament. “There has been some pressure to win to move on, but it’s been so much fun more than anything. Moran thinks he will knock me out in 5? I think nothing of Moran, esta pendejo, but it will be a Mexican war for as long as it lasts, and I am ready for 32 rounds. Moran will be running into a brick wall and eventually he falls. The referee stops it, or his corner stops it.”
Juan “El Olympico” Huertas (16-3, 12 KOs) from 24 de Diciembre, Panama, won the WBO Latino title on June 17, 2022 via first round TKO. Miguel. “Explosivo” Madueno (27-0, 25 KOs) originally from Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico, has gone the distance only three times (two decision wins and one decision loss) and has never fought for a title of any kind, until Friday.
LIVE VIDEO: David Morrell vs. Aidos Yerbossynuly: Press Conference | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
VIDEO: Dmitry Bivol vs Zurdo Ramirez Plus Undercard Press Conference (Cameron-McCaskill & Rakhimov-Barrett)
BIVOL VS. RAMIREZ FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:
“Hello and welcome back to the main event press conference. This Saturday night at the Etihad Arena live on DAZN around the world, we have one of the best fights in boxing. The beginning of the Champion Series, the start of a new era of boxing here in Abu Dhabi with Matchroom Boxing and the DCT.
“It’s quite incredible to think that when the WBA ordered this fight, it was just eight weeks ago that we concluded this deal. The work that has gone in to fight week, the work that has gone into preparation of this fight, this is just the start of a long-term relationship between Matchroom and DCT to change the face of boxing here.
“From grass roots, inspiring the younger generation to participate in the great sport of boxing, to developing the amateur scene, World Champions, Olympic Champions from this region. Opportunities for professional fighters to flourish on the global scene. Bringing some of the best fight nights, the best fighters here to Abu Dhabi.
“In my opinion this will become one of premier destinations for boxing and I can’t thank the DCT, everybody in Abu Dhabi enough for their help and support. We’re going to have an incredible crowd on Saturday night at the Emirates Arena, an incredible atmosphere and we cannot wait to get underway.”
Dmitry Bivol, WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion:
“Hello everybody. I want to say first of all, thank you to the Abu Dhabi government, the Department of Culture and Tourism for this opportunity for me to introduce boxing to Abu Dhabi. Thank you to Eddie, Gilberto Ramirez and his team – everyone who is involved in this fight. Thank you to my team.
“I really had a big dream to win this belt and I don’t want to leave it. I will fight for this and I want to keep it. I want more. I feel I have something inside of me which I need to realise so I can be happy at the end of my career.
“What about this camp? I had it in three locations, I had a great camp everywhere. The last location was Abu Dhabi. I have been here since September 27th. I feel like I had everything that I needed for training. When I thought about resting, I had everything for resting here. When I met people in the gym or the mall everyone was really happy. People have been very welcoming to me and my team. People are welcoming to every tourist here. It’s good.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday night. I believe it will be an exciting fight. Abu Dhabi will make more boxing fights and maybe boxing will be the main sport in Abu Dhabi. I hope it will be because this is my favourite sport in the world. I want to be everywhere, and people know the sport. It’s great. Thank you everyone.
“When people tell me that I have achieved everything it’s like they pour water on my fire. I try to only think about my dream, to realise my full potential. I try to be hungry and angry every time and be focused on training and my opponents. I try to think about how this Saturday night will be the hardest fight of my career. It makes me more focused on the night.”
Vadim Kornilov, manager of Dmitry Bivol:
“Any fighter has to go through a very long road to get to the top. As a team, it has been part of our strategy to make sure that we look at the end goal, and we don’t look at every point along the way. It’s kind of having a vision of what is at the end.
“I appreciate that you guys have always been there for us. Basically, most of Dmitry’s career, Matchroom, Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith have been a big part of this and the entire team. World of Boxing, RCC Boxing, Main Event, there has been many promoters and entities involved and it has always been our view that we all work as a team and we all try to get to the end point.
“Dmitry and I just spoke about this a couple of days ago, this is probably going to be the first fight where Dmitry has most of the arena backing him and rooting for him. This is the new level that he has got to from the last fight, and I think it adds a lot of responsibility. We’ve been thinking about that and making sure that doesn’t affect him in any way.
“We also wanted to mention that we’ve been here for a month now and Abu Dhabi feels like home. Everything that has been done for us, we don’t want to leave. It’s been very welcoming. It’s a pleasure being here and having camp here. Everything ran very smoothly, and I appreciate that very much.
“I want to thank Gilberto Ramirez, Oscar De La Hoya and his team. This fight has been cooking up some time. Back and forth conversations and talk and press. This Saturday night hopefully the fireworks will come for Abu Dhabi and everybody involved. I really hope it will be an exciting fight.”
Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez, challenger:
“I really believe that I can become a two-time World Champion on Saturday. I want to say thank you to Oscar and to everyone for being here. To my team and all of the press and media – thank you. I’d like to thank Dmitry and his team for making the fight happen.
“It’s exciting for me to come from Mexico and be here in Abu Dhabi. It’s the same weather, I feel like I’m at home. I’ve been training hard for this fight and I will take the belt this Saturday that’s for sure. 44 tried, 44 fell. I hope that the people enjoy the fight because this is the type of fight that fans like to see in boxing.
“Right now I just see it as becoming a two-time World Champion, I don’t see it like me becoming a boxing star. My goal is to become a two-time World Champion, continue to build my legacy and eventually to become a legend. That’s my goal. I want to do that for all of my fans out there.”
Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions:
“First of all, thank you very much to Saleh Mohammed. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and for having us here in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi, Matchroom Boxing, DAZN – we appreciate your support and your platform which is bringing the global sport, the sport that we all love to a huge audience.
“Two gladiators, the best at 175lbs, live from Abu Dhabi – it doesn’t get any better than this. Zurdo Ramirez took the hard road, the long road. He had to fight two eliminators to get to this position. Zurdo Ramirez is a fighter who is undefeated, a fighter who is hungry, a fighter who is going to show you exactly what Mexican boxing is all about here in Abu Dhabi. That’s why everyone should be excited.
“Against a fighter in Bivol who is excellent. I love Bivol, his style is bar none one of the best in the business. I believe that Bivol coming off a tremendous win against Canelo, another Mexican superstar, in his last fight was a tremendous showing. He did a great job. But I do have to say that Zurdo Ramirez is no Canelo. Zurdo Ramirez is a fighter who punches in bunches, a fighter who is big and strong and heavy and southpaw. He is going to be very active.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Zurdo Ramirez. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for boxing to be on the big stage and show the world what Abu Dhabi is, show the world what big-time boxing is, and to show the world that, yes, promoters can come together and stage the big fights.
“I was pretty active last night on social media, but for a reason, because we need these big fights to happen. I’m very proud of Bivol, I’m very proud of Zurdo Ramirez for fighting each other, for showing the world and the fans across the world that fighters are not afraid of each other. Fighters are willing to fight the very best. It’s the people behind the scene that must stand up and show up and make sure that we get fans the best fights possible. Thank you DAZN again. Thank you Abu Dhabi, and thank you Eddie Hearn.”
PROBOX TV’S 140 LB. LAST CHANCE TOURNAMENT FINAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 – STREAMED LIVE WORLDWIDE ON PROBOX TV and the PROBOX TV APP
PLANT CITY, Florida (November 3, 2022): A $50,000 bonus check will be on the line inProBox TV’s 140 lb. “Last Chance Tournament Championship. The tourney final will take place this Friday, November 4, at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, Florida (Tampa suburb) and will be streamed live at PROBOXTV.com and the ProBox TV app beginning at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT
Tickets, starting at $50, are on sale and available at EventBrite.com – click HERE
The Last Chance Tournament kicked off on May 20 with eight combatants who were chosen based on having a top amateur trajectory, where fate had not been on the side of their once promising professional careers. On August 4 was whittled to the two who battle for the title THIS FRIDAY November 4:
Kendo Castañeda (19-5, 9 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas vs.
Antonio “Toño” Moran (28-5-1, 19 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico
In the August 4 semi-finals, Kendo “Tremendous” Castaneda beat Joseph Fernandez in what Paulie Malignaggi called a Fight of the Year candidate; and Antonio Moran won by virtual shutout against Michael Dutchover.
“Being in the tournament has been a good opportunity to rise as a fighter,” said Moran. “Being able to qualify and win to reach the final has been an awesome experience. It has kept me training practically all year. I have been preparing very well and that has made me ready for any moment. I think that Castaneda is a fighter who comes forward and is aggressive, so you must box him. He’s going to come in with his same fighting style and he’s going to try and pick me up at close range, but I’ll handle it. In the first four rounds I will look for the knockout, but if I don’t get it, I will outbox him. I’m going to do the fight my way, connecting with quick combinations and moving around the ring.
“I’m always ready to fight, so I actually do not vision this as my last chance,” said Castaneda regarding being in the tournament. “There has been some pressure to win to move on, but it’s been so much fun more than anything. Moran thinks he will knock me out in 5? I think nothing of Moran, esta pendejo, but it will be a Mexican war for as long as it lasts, and I am ready for 32 rounds. Moran will be running into a brick wall and eventually he falls. The referee stops it, or his corner stops it.”
In the May 20 quarters, former WBO Latino and WBA Fedecentro Welterweight Champion Moran beat Jeffrey Torres (10-2, 6 KOs) via unanimous decision, while “West Texas Warrior” Dutchover defeated Clarence Booth (21-5, 13 KOs) by split decision. In the other quarters, Castañeda scored a first-round knockout victory over Sonny Frederickson (21-6, 14 KOs), while Fernandez upset Zhiming Wang (11-4, 3 KOs) via unanimous decision.
A ProBox TV monthly subscription is $1.99.
ProBox TV was founded by Roy Jones Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Antonio Tarver, Paulie Malignaggi and Garry Jonas. Miguel Cotto recently joined the team. As always, the ‘Big 4’ will be calling the action from ringside.
Ruben Torres to Face Eduardo Estela November 26th in Carson, CA
LOS ANGELES, CA (November 2, 2022) – Thompson Boxing’s undefeated lightweight star, Ruben “Ace” Torres (19-0, 16 KOs), from South Central, Los Angeles, is back in action on November 26, 2022, when he steps in the ring with Eduardo Estela (13-1, 9 KOs), of Montevideo, Uruguay. The fight is presented by MarvNation and produced by Legendz Entertainment live on Pay-Per-View. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.
Torres vs. Estela, a scheduled 8-round bout, will take place at ‘The War Grounds’, Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA. The main event will showcase Jose ‘Chon’ Zepeda (35-2, 27 KO’s) of LaPuente, CA vs. #2 ranked, former World Champion Regis ‘Rougarou’ Prograis (27-1, 23 KOs) of New Orleans, for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight world title.
“This is a big fight for me, and I plan to take full advantage of the opportunity,” said Torres. “I know Estela is hungry to make a name for himself so I’m well aware of the task at hand, I must dictate the action from the opening bell. At this point in my career, every fight is life or death. This will be my first time fighting outside of my Thompson Boxing family, and I’m going to represent my promoter with a great performance.”
Torres’ knockout of Cristian Baez (18-2, 17 KOs) in his last fight went viral, and he hopes to build on that momentum. Torres has knocked out 9 of his last 10 opponents.
“I feel my power has improved with each fight as I’m getting more comfortable sitting on my punches,” continued Torres. “Every day I train, I’m working on some aspect of throwing a power punch. All the hard work will be on display on November 26th.”
Making his U.S.A. debut, Eduardo Estela has nothing to lose and promises to bring forth an entertaining fight. He believes Torres is not on his level and plans to upset him in his hometown.
“I saw a lot of weaknesses in Torres when he fought Baez,” stated Estela. “I have confidence in my ability to execute the game plan my trainer and I put together. This will be the first time I’ll be fighting in the United States, so this is my chance to prove to the world that I’m an elite fighter. A victory will catapult me to bigger fights down the road. I will not let this opportunity pass me by. I’m fighting for all my countrymen back home. Torres is in for a rude awakening.”
“We believe Ruben Torres has all the ingredients to become a world champion,” said Alex Camponovo, General Manager for Thompson Boxing. “This is a very dangerous opponent, and a win against Estela will certainly help Torres climb the rankings.”
DAMONI CATO-CAIN TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
SACRAMENTO, CA (November 2, 2022) –In the 8-round co-main event of Thompson Boxing’s “New Blood” card, Oakland’s own Damoni Cato-Cain (7-0, 6 KOs), a local undefeated fan favorite and big-ticket seller, looks to make a statement against Rashid Stevens (6-1, 5 KOs), of Gardena, California, in a super welterweight clash.
“New Blood” will take place at Omega Products International in Sacramento, CA. Doors open at 5:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 7:00 pm PT. Tickets are priced $50, $75, $100, and $125 are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900 or online at www.thompsonboxing.com. Fight fans will be able to watch all Thompson Boxing fights, weigh-ins, and behind-the-scenes content, via their new Mobile App downloadable on Apple and Google.
Here is what Damoni Cato-Cain had to say about his upcoming matchup with Stevens, his recent training camp, and more.
On his recent training camp:
“I have trained very hard for this fight and I’m in great shape. I got a lot of rounds in, sparring with all the top guys in the Bay Area. I worked tirelessly to have the best camp possible so that I can let the world know who ‘Big Cato’ is!”
On his matchup with Rashid Stevens:
“We would have essentially the same record if it wasn’t for his only loss in his career. He is also a southpaw, and I can’t remember the last time I fought a southpaw, so I am looking forward to the switch-up with that. I just want him to come on weight and bring forth his best version of himself. Stylistically, this is a great matchup that the fans will enjoy because we are both going to let our hands fly.”
On what a win will do for his career:
“It is a blessing to be alive every day. I want to make the most of each opportunity presented to me. This is just another chance to do just that. I am going to maximize my potential in this fight and go to the furthest extent possible after this fight. A win will do wonders for my career. I’m hoping to crack the world rankings in 2023.”
On fighting close to home in Sacramento:
“I can’t wait to display my skills to my family and friends in Sacramento, Ca. I am embracing the moment. I have been waiting on a fight and was glad to get this bout so close to home. I am excited to demonstrate my skills and show that I respect the craft as well as the sport. I have a lot of people who are waiting to see me perform and haven’t gotten the chance, so this will be a big event.”
This event is sponsored by HUSTLER Casino, LA’s only luxury casino; Thompson Building Materials, Transforming spaces into beautiful places; Omega Products International, The leading stucco manufacturer in the United States; Belgard, Paves the way; and Makita, Rule the outdoors.
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“New Blood” will stream live for free on the Thompson Boxing Promotions website (www.thompsonboxing.com), as well as their Facebook and
For more information, and regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. You can also follow the conversation on social media, please use #ThompsonBoxing.
December 17: Quilisto Madera vs. Hector Zepeda Headlines Toscano Boxing Promotions Event at Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium
STOCKTON, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2022): Toscano Boxing Promotions returns on December 17 as middleweight warrior Quilisto Madera (13-3, 9 KOs) takes on Hector Manuel Zepeda (21-5, 7 KOs)in an eight-round main event at the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium in Stockton, California.
The fight will headline a full card of action that will be streamed live on FightHype.
“We’re ready to close the year with an action-packed show,” said Jorge Toscano, CEO and Founder of Toscano Boxing Promotions. “Quilisto Madera is a hometown favorite who has developed a reputation for delivering exciting, action-packed fights. We’ll also have local favorites Manuel Jaimes, Ector Madera, Irving Xilohua and many more. We expect a packed house at the Civic Auditorium.”
Madera is a 30-year-old native of Stockton, California who has fought as a professional since October of 2014. In his last nationally televised fight, he faced Jose Armando Resendiz in a back-and-forth brawl that saw him lose via a controversial split decision in April of 2021. Madera then returned later that year to stop Roberto Vazquez via third-round technical knockout and is now ready to headline in front of a hometown crowd.
Zepeda is a 25-year-old native of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico who has been in the ring with fighters such as Sebastian Fundora, Carlos Molina and Steven Butler. Despite being younger than Madera, Zepeda is very experienced and the style matchup promises to make this fight a toe-to-toe war.
In the co-main event, Manuel Jaimes (12-1-1, 10 KOs) of Stockton, California looks to bounce back from his only loss in an eight-round lightweight battle against Ricardo Lopez Torres (16-5-3, 11 KOs). Jaimes is a slick boxer who has also been able to show knockout power. He’ll look to regain momentum in this fight as he begins to climb the rankings in a very stacked division.
The following undercard bouts are also scheduled to take place:
· Arturo Popoca (5-0-1, 4 KOs) of Riverside, California will take on Alexis De Luna (10-0, 5 KOs) of Bakersfield, California in a six-round battle between undefeated prospects.
· Giovannie Gonzalez (15-6-1, 12 KOs) of Stockton, California will clash against Marco Cardenas (8-7-1, 4 KOs) in a six-round lightweight bout.
· Ector Madera (10-0, 6 KOs) of Stockton, California will put his undefeated record on the line in a six-round welterweight battle.
· Kenneth Lopez (6-0, 3 KOs) of Ceres, California returns in a four-round super middleweight tilt.
· Felix Soria (4-0, 2 KOs) of Riverside, California will participate in a four-rounder in the welterweight division.
· Irving Xilohua (3-0, 2 KOs) of Stockton, California faces of against Jesus Arturo Guzman (8-8, 5 KOs) in a four-round super bantamweight fight.
Opponents for Madera, Lopez and Soria will be announced shortly.
# # #
Madera vs. Zepeda is an eight-round middleweight fight presented by Toscano Boxing Promotions. The event will take place on Saturday, December 17 at the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium in Stockton, California. The event will be streamed live on FightHype.
Tickets for Madera vs. Zepeda are on sale now and start at $50, excluding applicable services charges. Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketon.com or by clicking here.
Credentials: Media interested in attending Madera vs. Zepeda must be pre-approved for media credentials. The credential application is available HERE. The deadline for submitting the media application is Monday, December 12 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
About Toscano Boxing Promotions
Toscano Boxing Promotions is a promotional company based out of Stockton, California that was founded by Jorge Toscano in 2018. The company has hosted events both in the United States and in Mexico, including the 2021 battle between Anderson Silva and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. The Toscano Boxing stable includes rising stars Damian Sosa, Manuel Jaimes, Jose Alvarado, Jose Carrillo and more.
MCCANN PREDICTS POWER SURGE
DENNIS MCCANN PROMISES his forthcoming opponent, Joe Ham, is going to ‘feel the power’ when they go into battle with the Commonwealth super bantamweight title at stake on November 26 at the 02 Arena, live on BT Sport.
McCann (13-0, 7 KOs) is going for a hattrick of title belts at the glitzy London venue that also staged his second fight as professional back in July 2019, having in his last two fights also claimed the WBO Youth super bantamweight title and the WBC International Silver belt at featherweight.
The 21-year-old features on a card headlined by the WBO Interim world super middleweight showdown between Zach Parker and John Ryder, that also sees Hamzah Sheeraz and his iBox Gym teammates Sam Noakes and Pierce O’Leary in championship action.
Gorbals man Ham (17-3, 6), a former decorated amateur, is expected to increase the risk level for the richly talented Maidstone youngster, but McCann suspects he is a box of tricks Ham won’t have encountered before.
“He is an ex-Team GB fighter and has boxed all around the world, but he hasn’t met Dennis the Menace yet or fought anyone like me,” insisted the super-slick southpaw.
“When he feels the power he is not going to like it, trust me.”
The tests are, supposedly, getting tougher for the always-confident McCann, who emphatically defeated the more seasoned James Beech jr last time out in July.
Beech believed size and experience would count in his favour at the Copper Box Arena, but McCann set about the West Midlander right from the off and put him to the canvas before choosing to settle down and take a more calculated approach before ending the fight in the eighth.
He admits he was told there was no rush by his trainer and mentor Alan Smith, but had already figured out himself that Beech would enjoy a second wind after weathering the early storm.
“He did, but I am a clever kid and I can read fights so I realised he had recovered a little bit,” McCann explained. “I class myself as a world class fighter so I took my foot off the gas a little bit and broke him down knowing I would get him out of there later on.
“I reckon it was my best win, you’ve got to remember that kid is a natural featherweight, really, and has been up as far as super feather, so I thought I did well and got the job done, as I said I would.
“I told everyone I was going to stop him, I don’t tell lies and I got him out.”
Although McCann fought for a featherweight title, the limit was set in between super bantam and feather, but he confirms an increase in poundage from his former home at bantamweight was a welcome one.
“I felt strong, I felt very, very strong. I weighed in at 55.8kg, which is only half a kilo over the super bantamweight limit. Of course it was easier, us fighters love getting a little allowance! If I was fighting at middleweight I would make it hard for myself, that is fighters for you.
“I feel I am punching a lot harder, my manpower is starting to come now. I am wobbling people, hurting people and breaking people down. And I am finding it hard to get sparring partners because of it!”
Tickets for Zach Parker vs John Ryder for the WBO Interim Super-Middleweight Championship at The O2 are on sale now, available from axs.com.
Zach Parker vs John Ryder for the WBO Interim world super middleweight championship headlines a huge bill at the 02 Arena on November 26, live on BT Sport.
The bill also features WBC Silver middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz (16-0, 12) defending his title, while lightweight Sam Noakes (9-0, 9) takes on the unbeaten Scot Calvin McCord (11-0, 2) in a defence of his WBC International Silver championship.
Noake’s gym mate, Pierce O’Leary (10-0, 6), fights for the vacant WBC International super lightweight championship against the Namibian Emmanuelo Mungandjela (16-3-1, 7).
Thetford cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher (2-0, 2), Bexley welterweight Micky Burke jr (7-0, 3) and Upminster super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali (4-0) also appear on the card.
Images are free to use, where possible please credit: Queensberry
LIVE VIDEO: Dmitry Bivol vs Zurdo Ramirez Plus Undercard Workout
Seven Split-T Management Fighters Pick Up Wins
NEW YORK (November 1, 2022) -Seven Split-T Management fighters had their hand raised in fights throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
Wednesday night in Puerto Rico, Willito Ortiz stopped Bryan Rodriguez in the opening round of their super lightweight bout. Ortiz landed some hard shots that put Rodriguez to the canvas. Rodriguez had enough as he sat on his knee and took the full count of 10 at 2;05.
Ortiz of Bayamon, Puerto Rico is 1-0 with one knockout.
Photo By Golden Boy / Tom Hogan
Saturday in San Diego, Asa Stevens remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous over Mychaquel Shields in a super bantamweight bout.
Stevens of Waianae, Hawaii won by scores of 40-35 on all cards, and is now 3-0. Shields was making his pro debut.
Stevens is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.
Saturday in New York, two Split-T prospects remained undefeated with impressive victories.
Photo By Mikey Williams / Top Rank
Haven Brady Jr. moved up to eight-rounds and won a unanimous decision over Eric Mondragon in a junior lightweight contest.
Brady of Albany, Georgia won by tallies of 79-73 twice and 8-74 to raise his record to 8-0. Mondragon of Maywood, California is 8-1-1,
Photo By Mikey Williams / Top Rank
On the same card at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden and streamed on ESPN+, 2021 United States Olympian, Tiger Johnson pitched a shutout and won a six-round unanimous decision over Esteban Garcia in a junior welterweight bout,
Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 6-0. Garcia of Brawley, California is 15-2.
Photo By Darryl Cobb Jr.
In Philadelphia, heavyweight Sonny Conto remained undefeated with a second round stoppage in a scheduled six-round main event at the 2300 Arena.
Bryant shot right out of his corner, and went after Conto. The Philadelphia native engaged in a back and forth brawl and dropped Bryant with a hard left hand just before the bell sounded to end the opening frame. In round two, Conto continued to pound away until Bryant was weary, and the fight was stopped by the corner at 2:13.
Conto of Philadelphia is now 11-0 with nine knockouts. Bryant of Pittsburgh is 6-2.
Brady, Johnson and Conto are promoted by Top Rank.
In Milwaukee, two more Split-T fighters got victories on a card at The Tripoli Shrine Center.
Rolando Vargas of Milwaukee moved to 8-1 with a split decision win over Charles Garner (6-2) in a junior welterweight bout.
Javier Zamarron made an explosive pro debut with an opening round knockout of Ahmond Rayshaun Oates in a featherweight bout.
Zamarron of Sheboygan, Wisconsin dropped Oates three times before the fight was finally halted in the opening frame.
LUIS SAAVEDRA TRAINING CAMP NOTES
SACRAMENTO, CA (November 1, 2022) – Luis Fernando Saavedra (9-7, 3 KOs) of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, has big plans to upset Eros Correa (12-1, 8 KOs), of San Jose, Ca, when the two meet this Saturday in the 10-round bantamweight main event on Thompson Boxing’s “New Blood” card.
“New Blood” will take place at Omega Products International in Sacramento, CA. Doors open at 5:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 7:00 pm PT. Tickets are priced $50, $75, $100, and $125 are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900 or online at www.thompsonboxing.com. Fight fans will be able to watch all Thompson Boxing fights, weigh-ins, and behind-the-scenes content, via their new Mobile App downloadable on Apple and Google.
Here is what Saavedra had to say about his recent training camp, his matchup with Correa, fighting in California, and more.
On his recent training camp:
“I’ve had a full training camp, which in my career has not been all that often, so given the amount of time and preparation I have had, I know I am ready. I trained so hard that I know I’ll be able to go the full twelve rounds with ease. My plan is to get the stoppage before the final bell rings.”
On his matchup with Correa:
“He is a good boxer and very respectful. I think he knows that he is in for a tough fight and that since 2018, no one has had an easy fight with me. I think he will look to box, but I have trained hard to maintain a fast, explosive pace that will force him to fight me or fatigue. Either way, I know the fans are in for a good show based on this match-up. I won’t let him make this a boring fight, as I’ll be coming at him with a ton of pressure.”
On what a win will do for his career:
“My record doesn’t look great, but I have some big wins against some good fighters. Beating a top guy like Eros Correa gives me a chance to lands some bigger fights. I feel with the proper training I can compete with the best fighters in the world. I’m looking to win this fight and move on to bigger and better bouts.”
On fighting in Northern California:
“This will be my first time fighting north of Los Angeles so I’m hoping the fans are just a loud as they are in Southern California. I am sure he will have a lot of fans in attendance but fighting at home can create a lot of pressure. I intend to stress him out and make him uncomfortable in front of his friends and family. If he underestimates me, his in trouble.”
This event is sponsored by HUSTLER Casino, LA’s only luxury casino; Thompson Building Materials, Transforming spaces into beautiful places; Omega Products International, The leading stucco manufacturer in the United States; Belgard, Paves the way; and Makita, Rule the outdoors.
“New Blood” will stream live for free on the Thompson Boxing Promotions website (www.thompsonboxing.com), as well as their Facebook and
For more information, and regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com. You can also follow the conversation on social media, please use #ThompsonBoxing.
RIP Boxing Manager Rich Masini
The Boxing world is mourning the passing of manager Rich Masini. Masini of Holmdel, New Jersey passed away on Sunday after battling an illness.
Masini was 56 years-old and was a fixture on the New Jersey / Pennsylvania boxing circuit. He managed fighters such as heavyweight John Lennox, super middleweight Gabriel Pham, cruiserweight Jaywon Woods, junior welterweight’s Anthony “Juice” Young and Danny Murray.
Masini also helped a lot of local promoters put on shows.
“I was introduced to Rich Masini through a mutual friend Paul Pape in 2011 at the Paul Williams vs Erislandy Lara fight at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, his Heavyweight Boxer John “The Breed” Lennox was fighting on the undercard. I had Anthony “Juice” Young attending with me that night. Rich and I spoke about me training John Lennox and Rich managing Anthony Young’s career. From there we began a friendship as well as a partnership working together to develop and guide the careers of “The Breed” John Lennox, Anthony “Juice” Young, Jaywon Woods, Gabriel Pham and Dan Murray. Rich Masini was a hard working and passionate manager that believed wholeheartedly in his fighters and would go the extra mile to help them in and out of the ring. His presence and voice will be dearly missed in our boxing community. My prayers and condolences go out to his wife Joanne and his son Richie and his entire family during this time of great loss.,” said Ray McCline, President of The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame and confidant to Masini
“Rich was one of a kind and a great friend and mentor. He will be deeply missed around the boxing world,” said middleweight contender / promoter Thomas LaManna.
There will be a public viewing for Masini which will take place this Friday at the Paul Ippolito Berkely Memorial (646 Springfield Ave, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922) between 4 PM and 8 PM.
Masini is survived by his wife Joanne and five children
