NEW YORK, NY (March 26, 2024) – Undefeated super lightweight slugger Kurt Scoby (13-0, 11 KOs) is ready to make his highly anticipated return to the ring at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 19, 2024. Scoby will be facing off against Dakota Linger (13-6-3, 9 KOs) of Buckhannon, West Virginia, in a scheduled 8-round main event bout.

This fight, promoted by OTX (Overtime Boxing), will be televised live on DAZN, giving fans across the globe the opportunity to witness Scoby’s impressive power and skills.

Training in the gritty depths of Brooklyn’s infamous Gleason’s Boxing Gym, Scoby’s grinding away, fine-tuning his craft with the seasoned wisdom of trainers Don Saxby and Leon “Cat” Taylor. Coming up strong in the tough New York boxing scene, Scoby’s known as a real fighter, one who can end sparring with one punch. He’s rapidly becoming boxing’s next fresh face in NYC.

Kurt Scoby, who tends to keep his words short and to the point, sums up his feelings about his reputation and training regimen saying, ““I’ll never be satisfied!”

Co-managers Brandon Stump and Daniel Gonzalez, alongside the seasoned promoter Lou DiBella, believe Scoby has every attribute to become something special in the ring. With their combined efforts, they have confidence that they will strategically guide Scoby’s journey to the top of the boxing world. Here is what they had to say.

“Kurt Scoby has been making a lot of noise training in New York, everyone is talking about him,” stated Scoby’s co-manager Brandon Stump, President of CTB Athletics. “Everyone watching live in Atlanta or on DAZN is going to see his explosiveness. There is no doubt in my mind that Scooby will become the face of boxing in New York City, it’s just a matter of time.”

“Kurt Scoby is a world class athlete with world class discipline and world class talent,” said Scoby’s co-manager Daniel Gonzalez. “2024 is going to be an amazing year for him and for OTX Boxing. There is no doubt in my mind that he will move from being a prospect to being a real contender in the loaded super lightweight division.

“Kurt Scoby is one of the best prospects in boxing right now at 140 pounds,” said renowned boxing promoter, Lou Dibella, from NYC. “He’s also an explosive puncher. He had a stellar 2023 and will begin 2024 back on Overtime in a tough contest, on April 19, against an upset-minded Dakota Linger. A win here helps push Scooby further up the world ratings.”

Brazilian amateur star turned 4-0 professional Beatriz Ferreira will face Argentina’s Yanina del Carmen Lescano for the vacant IBF Lightweight World Title at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool on Saturday April 27 – live worldwide on DAZN.

‘The Beast’ (4-0, 2 KOs), who captured Silver in the Lightweight category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, put pen to paper on a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in July 2022 before making her much anticipated professional debut at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland later that year.

The 31-year-old from Sao Paulo returns to fight in the UK for the second time following her points win over Karla Ramos Zamora at the Utilita Arena Sheffield in July 2023, aiming to capture a World Title in just her fifth professional fight before turning her attention to winning Gold at the Paris 2024 games this summer. 

“I’m very excited to be fighting for a World Title in just my fifth pro fight,” said Ferreira. “A few other opponents didn’t accept the challenge to fight me for the World Title. I don’t understand that attitude but Lescano was brave enough to accept and I know she will be a tough challenge.

“I want to put on a great show in Liverpool next month and make sure I go to the Olympics in Paris as the reigning World Champion in both the professionals and amateurs. That would be very special. I won Silver at the last Olympics in Tokyo and I am very focused and confident that I can upgrade that medal to Gold in Paris.”

Sunderland’s rising Welterweight star Pat McCormack (5-0, 5 KOs) returns to the ring for his first fight since July 2023 to face Argentina’s William Andres Herrera (16-3, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Title, while Rotherham Super-Welterweight talent Junaid Bostan (8-0, 6 KOs) faces Southminster’s Jack Martin (9-1, 4 KOs) in a Final Eliminator for the English Title – with the Commonwealth Silver Title also on the line. 

There’s also action for Eltham Super-Flyweight prospect Maiseyrose Courtney (5-0), Matchroom’s latest Featherweight signing Joe McGrail (9-0, 5 KOs), Walsall Flyweight pro debutant Hamza Uddin and Liverpool Lightweight Frankie Stringer (6-0).

Tickets for Matchroom’s latest NXTGEN card on April 27 are priced £40, £60 and £120 (Ringside)

FightPass tickets will be available to purchase for Matchroom Boxing FightPass members from midday on Wednesday March 27.

General Sale tickets will be available to purchase from midday on Thursday March 28 via stagefrontvip.com/boxing and exhibitioncentreliverpool.com.

MIAMI, FL (March 25, 2024)— Legendary boxing promoter Don King has put together another electrifying boxing event, “The Quest for the Best,” set to take place on Saturday, April 27, at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, Florida. This evening promises to be an unforgettable showcase of talent and determination as three championship bouts top the slate of matchups set to unfold in the ring.

Don King commented: “In the ring, there’s no room for hesitation, only domination. ‘The Quest for the Best’ will be a testament to the relentless pursuit of greatness in the squared circle.”

The lineup for this highly anticipated event features some of the most formidable contenders in the sport.

WBA Continental Americas Middleweight Champion Ian Green (18-2, 12 KOs) has been a fan favorite at Casino Miami. The Paterson, NJ native aims to win his seventh straight fight as he takes on Roy Barringer (10-4, 6 KOs), a hard-hitting challenger from Toledo, OH.

Miami, FL’s own Ahmed Elbiali (23-1, 18 KOs), who holds the NABA/NABF Light Heavyweight Championships, will show his explosive power as he takes on undefeated Sergio Jimenez (13-0-1, 11 KOs) from San Pedro, CA, in a showdown that promises fireworks from start to finish.

The third championship fight will feature WBC Int’l Lightweight Champion Antonio Perez (9-0, 5 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA risks his title against Los Angeles’ Oscar Acevedo (9-1).

The evening of boxing also will feature four undercard fights. DeVon Williams (4-0, 4 KOs) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL will face Julio Tanori (1-1, 1 KO) for the WBC Youth Intercontinental Super Lightweight championship. 

Angel Perez (9-0, 7 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA will take on Nigel Fennell (13-3, 8 KOs) of Chula Vista, CA in an eight-round welterweight attraction. A 10-round bantamweight fight will feature Boynton Beach, FL sensation Lawrence Newton (16-0, 7 KOs) challenging Luis Tenorio (10-0, 8 KOs) of Tulua, Colombia and the final undercard fight is a six-round welterweight attraction will feature Semajay Thomas (11-1, 8 KOs) of Chicago, IL.

Tickets for this sensational evening of boxing are now on sale, starting at just $25. Don’t miss your chance to witness the action live at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai. Ringside tables are available for $1,500, while side floor seats can be purchased for $50. Floor ringside seats are priced at $100, and ringside seats are $300. Secure your seats now at www.playcasinomiami.com.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be broadcast live on DonKing.com, FITE.TV, and ITUBE247.com, ensuring that fans worldwide can experience the thrill of “The Quest for the Best.”

Join us on Saturday, April 27, for an unforgettable night of championship boxing, presented by the one and only Don King. For more information and updates, visit www.donking.com.

LONG BEACH, CA (March 25, 2024) – Welterweight Louie Lopez (14-2-2, 5 KOs), from Corona, CA, is gearing up for his upcoming fight against Jesus Resendiz (8-0-1, 6 KOs) from San Diego, CA. The scheduled 8-round bout will headline CBN Promotions’ March 30 card at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California.

Lopez, a local fan favorite, will be coming into this fight with a dog mentality as he will be facing another undefeated fighter, the seventh of his professional career. Lopez is coming of a draw against Salvador Briceno (18-7-1, 11 KOs) in his last fight.

The entire event will be broadcast live on Fubo Sports and on tape delay on Fox Deportes and Estrella TV. Doors open and at 5:00 pm PT with the first bout beginning at 6:00 pm PT. Tickets priced $55, $75, $100, $150 (Plus applicable fees), are available for purchase now by calling Ticketon at 800-688-8080, or online at www.cbnpromotions.com or www.ticketon.com. Thunder Studios is located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810.

Here is what Lopez had to say about his recent training camp, his matchup with Resendiz, fighting in another televised main event, and more.

On his recent training camp:

“After my last fight I was back in the gym training as I wasn’t satisfied with my last performance. For this camp I got superior sparring partners and I’m in better shape. I’m doing things a lot smarter now and I feel these minor changes will make a big difference. Training camp has finally wrapped up and I’m ready to go.” 

On his matchup with Resendiz:

“This is going to be a tough fight against anther undefeated fighter, but I want to let everyone know that I never turn down a fight. I’m a throwback fighter who is willing to fight anyone, and Resendiz is the type of fighter I look forward to facing, because he’s never tasted defeat. Stylistically, this will be an exciting fight for the fans because we both like to come forward.”

On fighting in another televised main event:

“I’m truly blessed to be fighting on the national stage once again, and I’m grateful to my promoter Alex Camponovo for the opportunity. I promise I’m going to bring another exciting fight for the fans. When you fight on TV, it always motivates you to come out swinging.”

On what a win will do for his career:

“A victory will help me get closer to a big fight against someone in the top ten. I know I have to put a few big wins together to accomplish that goal, so I’m going to do everything in my power to win this fight.”

This event is sponsored by HUSTLER Casino – LA’s only luxury Casino. Tequila Mandala – 100% Agave Azul, Shoe Palace – Community comes first, and Northgate Market B – a family owned supermarket chain.

HENDERSON, Nevada (March 25, 2024) — Liam Wilson is eager to claim his spot among the top fighters in the junior lightweight division.

The Australian former world title challenger will take on former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez in a special 12-round attraction this Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

In the co-feature, WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and WBO/IBF ruler Yokasta Valle will collide in a highly anticipated showdown for the undisputed minimumweight crown.

Valdez-Wilson & Estrada-Valle headline a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) is a five-year pro who made his U.S. debut by nearly upsetting Emanuel Navarrete in a bid for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title at Desert Diamond Arena last February. The 28-year-old stunned Navarrete with a left hook before flooring him with a flurry of punches in the fourth. Wilson was eventually stopped in the ninth round, but he bounced back with victories over Carlos Alanis in August and Jackson Jon England in December. Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs), a two-time Mexican Olympian, returns following an August defeat against Navarrete at the same venue.

Following a recent training session in Henderson, Nevada, this is what Wilson had to say:

“I’ve had two fights since the Navarrete fight. I feel much more prepared this time around. I’m going back to the same place. I’m much more familiar with the whole atmosphere there. I’m really looking forward to March 29.”

“I think he’s going to want to prove himself in this fight. He wants to show that he still has what it takes to be a world champion. So, while I’m not sure what to expect, I know he is well rounded. You don’t become a two-division world champion by being one-dimensional.”
 
“It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen with him. In the past, he’s shown that he likes to go in there and brawl. But he’s also been boxing and moving more in his last couple fights. So, I’m not too sure what to expect from him, but I’m ready for anything.”
 
“He has been in a lot of wars. I have that tendency as well. If a fight gets rough, I get dragged into it. So, I’m ready for anything. I’m going to use my abilities. I’m going to stick to my game plan. But I’m also ready for a war.”

LAS VEGAS – March 25, 2024 – A star-studded lineup of knowledgeable and experienced on-air talent is set to call the inaugural PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video on Saturday, March 30, headlined by the Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora and Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz world championship showdowns live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Providing blow-by-blow for this highly anticipated event will be renowned boxing commentator Mauro Ranallo, with former three-division world champion Abner Mares and legendary Hall of Fame trainer Joe Goossen on fight analysis. In the host position will be veteran announcer Brian Custer, while Claudia Trejos and Jordan Plant will each provide ringside reporting.

For the Spanish language pay-per-view, acclaimed play-by-play voice Alejandro Luna will deliver the blow-by-blow.

Ranallo was the longtime voice of boxing on SHOWTIME, in addition to play-by-play duties for entities including WWE SmackDown and NXT, Bellator MMA and more. A Mexican Olympian and a four-time world champion throughout a career that saw him become one of Southern California’s most popular fighters, Mares worked as an analyst for SHOWTIME from 2020 through 2023. One of boxing’s most celebrated trainers, Goossen has operated the Ten Goose Boxing Gym for many years, training top fighters including Shane Mosley, Amir Khan, Riddick Bowe, Diego Corrales and many more. Behind the mic, Goossen was acclaimed for his commentating with FOX Sports from 2018 through 2022.

Custer won two Emmy awards while working at SNY-TV, and currently is a featured ESPN talent appearing on SportsCenter and more. He’s experienced in the fight game as well, as a longtime host of SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. Trejos is a veteran of ESPN and ESPN Deportes broadcasts and is a member of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, while Plant was a fixture ringside reporting for FOX Sports boxing events.

Luna is a two-time Emmy nominee and has handled Spanish blow-by-blow for SHOWTIME, FOX Sports and Univision.

The announcer teams will also be on the call for the two preliminary PBC on Prime Video fights that stream live and for free, regardless of Prime Video membership, beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is topped by rising star and reigning world champion Tim Tszyu taking on all-action contender Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora for Tszyu’s WBO title and the vacant WBC 154-pound world title in the main event, plus 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz meeting in the co-main event.

The pay-per-view will also see Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defend his belt against No. 1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa, plus WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio César Martínez defends his world title against unbeaten contender Angelino Cordova in the pay-per-view opener.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are available now through AXS.com. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #TszyuFundora and #RollyPitbull, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

WORCESTER, Mass. (March 25, 2024) – Undefeated prospect Dennzel “Double Impact” Whitley (14-0, 8 KOs) remained undefeated, winning last Saturday night’s “Pandemonium at The Palladium 3” main event with a second-round stoppage of late replacement Joe Wilson, Jr. (3-7, 0 KOs).

“Pandemonium at the Palladium 3,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), was streamed on www.BXNGTV.com live from the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Whitley dropped Wilson at the end of round one with a nifty one-two, but he managed to rise to beat the count. Wilson may have survived but it was only temporarily, as Whitley unloaded a perfect left hook that sent Wilson to the canvas. Referee Gene Del Bianco immediately stopped the fight without counting.

The 25-year-old Whitley, fighting out of Holyoke (MA), is the reigning Junior North American Boxing Federation (NABF), Massachusetts and United States Boxing Federation (USBF) welterweight champion.

The Sumpter brothers, fighting out of Pittsfield (MA), fought on the same card for the first time in 21 months. IBA Americas Super Middleweight Champion Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (9-0-1, 7 KOs) fought Antonio Louis “Tony The Beast” Hernandez (7-18-3, 4 KOs) to an eight-round majority draw in a non-title fight. Sumpter seemed to be loading up for one big punch during the first few rounds, but in the sixth round, southpaw Sumpter let his hands go, connecting on several occasions. Knowing the fight was close, Sumpter came out in the eighth round on the attack, belting Hernandez with some punishing punches, but he didn’t sustain the pressure, forcing the action only in spurts.

Sumpter’s older brother, heavyweight Quintin Sumpter (7-2, 4 KOs), out-punched a game, colorful Zach Calmus (1-1), of Gloucester (MA), in a bombs-away encounter for a four-round unanimous decision. Sumpter dropped the awkward Calmus with a left hook to the top of the head only seconds prior to the end of fourth and final round.

Springfield (MA) super featherweight Carlos “El Gallo” Gonzalez (11-0, 10 KOs), the new Massachusetts Champion, kept his undefeated record intact with another dominant performance, blasting Aldimar Silva (22-25, 14 KOs) from the opening bell until the end. Gonzalez hurt Silva with a shot and then jumped all over him, battering him in a neutral corner with 10-unanswered punches, the last forcing Silva to take a knee. Referee Gene Del Bianco counted to eight, but he didn’t like what he saw in the eyes of the former Brazilian Super Bantamweight Champion and stopped the fight. Gonzalez has stopped all but one of his 11 opponents as a pro fighter.

One of New England’s elite fighters, World Boxing Association’s (WBA) No. 14 rated super featherweight William “The Silent Assassin” Foster, III (16-1, 10 KOs), a 2-time New England Golden Gloves Champion and reigning WBA Fedecentro Champion, faced Lucas “El Pibe” Mignoni (14-6, 4 Kos), of Argentina. Fighting out of New Haven (CT), Foster dropped Mignoni with a vicious left hook to the body that dropped the Argentinian to his knees, and he was unable to beat the referee Del Bianco’s count.

The newest member of the CGP stable, Dorchester (MA) lightweight Jonathan de Pina (13-2, 6 KOs), knocked out Michael “Titan” Taylor (1-7) in the second round. De Pina, the 2018 New England Golden Gloves Champion, unloaded in the second after a feeling-out first round, trapping Taylor in a neutral corner and pounding him until referee Paul Casey waved off the fight.

(L) – Jonathan de Pina was victorious in his GCP debut

Southpaw Jetter Burgos (8-1, 6 KOs), fighting out of the Bronx, outclassed super welterweight Linwood “Mr. Composure” Dozier (10-36-3, 5 KOs) in the opening fight of the evening, mixing in a steady diet of crisp combinations and powerful body shots en route to a six-round unanimous decision.

Complete Results Below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT — SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Denzel Whitley (14-0, 8 KOs), Holyoke, MA

WTKO2 (0:35)

Joe Wilson, Jr. (3-7, 0 KOs), Manchester, CT

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Quinton Sumpter (7-2, 4 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

WDEC4 (40-35, 40-35, 40-35)

Zach Calmus (1-1, 1 KO), Gloucester, MA

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Steve Sumpter (9-0-1, 7 KOs), Pittsfield, MA

D8 (76-76, 76-76, 75-77)

Tony Hernandez (7-12-3, 4 KOs), Liberty, MO

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Jetter Burgos (8-1, 6 KOs), Bronx, NY

WDEC6 (60-54, 60-54, 60-53)

Linwood Dozier (10-36-3, 5 KOs), Belcamp, MD

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Jonathan de Pina (13-5, 6 KOs), Dorchester, MA

WTKO2 (2:39)

Michael Taylor (1-7, 0 KOs), Cortland, NY

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Carlos Gonzalez (11-0, 10 KOs), Springfield, MA

WTKOI1 (2:27)

Aldimar Silva (22-25, 14 KOs), Sao Paulo, Brazil

William Foster III (17-1, 11 KOs), New Haven, CT

WKO1 (1:06)

Lucas Mignon (14-6, 4 KOs), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Granite Chin returns May 11th with “Rumble at the Rink” at Quincy Youth Arena in Quincy, MA.

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

LOS ANGELES (March 25, 2024) –- Elite challenger Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (45-1, 30 KOs) has predicted victory this Saturday night in a war versus undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) Cruiserweight World Champion Arsen “Feroz” Goulamirian (21-0, 14 KOs) which will be streamed live on DAZN from YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.

The 12-round Goulamirian vs. Zurdo main event headlines a card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Y12 Boxing.

“He (Goulamirian) is the Champ for a reason,” Ramirez said. “Arsen is the warrior with Thor-like strength who can also box. He’s going to be a huge challenge, which is why I wanted this fight. I’ve been working on my skills and my strength to overcome Arsen.

“It’s going to be a war. I know he likes to fight on the inside and that’s my specialty as well. I believe the combination of my strength and power will allow me to be victorious.”

The 32-year-old Ramirez was the first Mexican-born boxer to capture a super middleweight world title and now he’s planning to duplicate that feat as a cruiserweight against Goulamirian, the Armenian-born champion who lives in France and trains in Big Bear, California. This will only be Zurdo’s second fight as a cruiserweight having moved up from the light heavyweight division, after he campaigned at 168-pounds for the first 10 years of his professional boxing career.

“I feel comfortable at this weight,” ‘Zurdo’ noted. “Naturally, as I got older, it was tougher to make weight and now everything seems to be easier. Like I always say, there’s no better teacher than experience in this life. I’m not training differently as a cruiserweight. I’m always working on the basics of boxing. Going into a higher division, one of the main things is that I’m able to lift heavy and not worry about gaining muscle mass.”

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INFORMATION:

Website: www.ZurdoPromotions.com

Facebook: /ZurdoPromotions, /GilbertoZurdoRamirez

Instagram: @zurdoramirez, @zurdopromotions

Twitter: @ZurdoPromotions, @GilbertoZurdoRamirez

ABOUT ZURDO PROMOTIONS: Headquartered in Las Vegas and Mexico, Zurdo Promotions is the premier combat sports/event led by former World Champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. Zurdo Promotions strives to be the best in all areas to set the new standard in boxing. Visit us at www.ZurdoPromotions.com.

Liverpool Featherweight talent Joe McGrail has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will make his eagerly anticipated debut as a Matchroom fighter on the April 27 NXTGEN card at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

The 21-year-old has won all nine of his fights since joining the paid ranks with a stoppage win over Francisco Rodriguez on the huge sold-out Conor Benn vs. Chris Algieri and Katie Taylor vs. Firuza Sharipova double header in December 2021.

McGrail, who trains out of the renowned Everton Red Triangle on Albion Street under Paul Stevenson, joins Matchroom’s growing stable of talent alongside his brother Peter – who will be looking to return to winning ways at the top of Matchroom’s latest NXTGEN instalment after suffering a shock KO loss to Ja’Rico O’Quinn in December.

A standout performer at amateur level, competing in 64 bouts and becoming a National ABA Champion, the Evertonian will now look to make his mark in the domestic 126lbs division – targeting titles by the end of 2024.

“I’m made up and excited,” said McGrail. “I’m looking forward to making my mark on the big shows and showing people what I’m about. Teaming up with Matchroom and DAZN will do wonders for my career and give me a massive boost.

“I’ve got a bit more of a plan in place now and there’s going to be a lot more eyes on my fights. It’s going to be an active year for me. We’ll be pushing the rounds up and by the end of the year we should be fighting for some sort of title.

“I’m a good boxer but I throw my punches with bad intentions. I’m always trying to hurt whoever I’m in there with. I think people will like to watch that. I’m over the moon I’ll be making my big Matchroom debut in Liverpool. It means all my family and friends can be there.

“If all goes to plan, I’ll get another three fights in this year. All of my fights up until now have been four and six rounders, but this next one is over eight and the next one after that is eight too. After that we’ll go up to ten and if there are any titles out there then it should be for one. I’ll be looking for titles before the end of 2024.”

“I’m delighted to announce the signing of another outstanding fighter from Liverpool – Joe McGrail,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “We’ve been watching Joe for a long time and he hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in his professional career. April 27 is set to be a huge night for the McGrail family, with Peter looking to return to winning ways after his setback in December. Watch Joe’s journey live around the world on DAZN.”

You can follow McGrail’s journey on Instagram: joemcgrail_

LOS ANGELES (March 24, 2024) – Toro Promotions’ train of promising heavyweight prospects – undefeated 2020 Ukraine Olympian Tsotne Rogava (6-0, 6 KOs), Alexander “The Great” Flores (19-4-1, 17 KOs) and Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh (12-2-1, 10 KOs) – all turned in impressive knockout performances last night at LumColor Phoenix Center in Ontario, California.

The event was co-promoted by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Fearless Boxing Promotions.

The 6’ 5”, 264-pound Rogava kept his undefeated pro record perfect with his sixth victory in six fights, all won by early knockouts.  Born in Georgia, the fast-rising Rogava absolutely destroyed Antonio Brown (8-5, 8 KOs), dropping him three times in the opening round for his third straight first-round stoppage of an opponent.

A former Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer simply overpowered Brown, who also has knockout power based on his career record. Rogava has boxed a grand total of only eight rounds in his six pro fights, clearly dominating any opponent who has stepped in the ring with him, nobody getting through two complete rounds .

Flores rebounded from his 10-round unanimous decision loss to 15-1-1 Dante Stone this past January 4 in grand fashion, landing at will and closing the show in the third round against Josue Vargas (5-7-2, 2 KOs). Three of his other pro career losses have all been to world champions Luis Ortiz, Joseph Parker, and Charles Martin for the popular fighter from Rowland Heights, California,

Nigeria-native Ibeh, who lives in Phoenix, is a physically imposing specimen, standing 6’ 4” and tipping the scales at 299 pounds. Ibeh extended his win streak to seven with a first-round knockout of a game Derek Cardenas (9-12, 2 KOs). Ibeh, whose cousin is the infamous heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi (20-0, 15 KOs), decked Cardenas twice in round one.

Complete Results of Toro Promotions’ fighters below:

_____________________________________________________________________

OFFICIAL RESULTS

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Tsotne Rogava (6-0, 6 KOs),

Marina del Rey, California by way of Ukraine and Georgia

WKO1

Antonio Brown (8-5, 8 KOs), Phoenix, AZ

Alexander Flores (19-4-1, 17 KOs), Rowland Heights, CA

WKO3

Josue Vargas (5-7-2, 2 KOs), Panorama City, CA

Kingsley Ibeh (12-2-1, 10 KOs), Phoenix, AZ by way of Nigeria

WKO1

Derek Cardenas (9-12, 2 KOs), Panorama City, CA

____________________________________________________________________ 

Tsotne is scheduled to return to the ring on April 12 vs. TBA in an eight-round bout at Blue Sport Stable in Superior, Colorado.

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INFORMATION:

Instagram: @ToroPromotionsInc

Facebook: /ToroPromotionsInc

You Tube: @ToroPromotionsINC

X (formerly Twitter): @ToroPromotions

TikTok: @ToroPromo

Dalton Smith remained undefeated with fifth round stoppage over former three-time world title challenger Jose Zepeda in Sheffield, England.

Zepeda had a nice first two rounds and he was able to dart in and out landing quick combinations and straight lefts. Smith started to get o Zepeda in rounds three and four. Round five saw Smith land a perfect right to the body that sent Zepeda down for the 10-count at 1:25.

Smith, 139.6 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is now 16-0 with 12 knockouts. Zepeda, 139.6 lbs of La Puente, CA is 37-.5

Sandy Ryan Stops Terri Harper After 4; Retains Welterweight Title

Sandy Ryan defended the WBO Welterweight title with a stoppage after round four over former two-division world champion Terri Harper.

Ryan dominated and hurt Harper badly on several occasions. It was clear that Ryan was the boss in the fight and the corner of Harper pulled the plug on the fight following the fourth stanza.

Ryan, 146.2 lbs of Derby, ENG is 7-1-1 with three knockouts. Harper, 145.9 lbs of Denaby Main, ENG is 14-2-2.

Ishmael Davis Decisions Troy Williamson

Ishmael Davis remained undefeated with a 12-round unanimous decision over Troy Williamson in a British Super Welterweight Eliminator.

Davis, 153.8 lbs of Leeds, ENG won by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice and is now 13-0. Williamson came in over the 154 lb. weight limit at 158.2 of Darlington, ENG is 20-3-1.

James Flint Outlasts Campbell Hatton

James Flint won a 10-round unanimous decision over Campbell Hatton in a Central Areal Super Lightweight Title bout.

The fight was a war with both guys landing throughout.

In round nine, Flint was cut over his left eye. In round 10, Flint was all over Hatton and the son of the Hall of Famer was hanging on for most of the round.

Flint, 139 lbs of Dorncaster, ENG won by scores of 98-92, 97-94 and 97-95 and is now 14-1-2. Hatton, 138.7 lbs of Hyde, ENG is 14-1.

Leivars Stops Mirga in 9

Nico Leivars stopped Piotr Mirga in round nine of their 10-round super Bantamweight English Title Eliminator.

In round three, Leivars was cut over his right eye from a punch.

In round nine, Leivars landed a perfect left to the body that sent Mirga down for the count of 10 at 1:32.

Leivars, 121.3 lbs of Mansfield, ENG is 6-0-1 with one knockout. Mirga, 121.1 lbs of Southend, ENG is 7-3.

Liam Cameron stopped Hussein Itaba in the opening round of their six-round light heavyweight contest.

In round one, Cameron dropped Itaba with an uppercut. Moments later, it was a left hook tat put Itaba down again. Itaba got to his feet, but the referee stopped the bout at 2:32.

Cameron, 174.8 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 23-5 with 10 knockouts. Itaba, 173.3 lbs of Dar-Es-Salaam, TAN is 16-9-3.

Leli Buttigieg won a six-round decision over Bartlomiej Stryczek in a super welterweight contest.

In round three, a big right from Buttigieg dropped Stryczek in the corner.

Butigieg, 157,2 lbs of Newham, ENG won by a 60-53 score and is now 3-0. Stryczek, 156 lbs of Bestwina, POL is 2-3.

Conan Murray remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Edgar Kemsky in a middleweight fight.

Murray, 158 lbs of Cusworth, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 8-0. Kemsky, 156.6 lbs of Belfast, NI is 3-7-1.

6 x 3 mins Middleweight contest
CONNAN MURRAY 158 lbs v EDGAR KEMSKY 156.6 lbs
(Cusworth, England)              (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

followed by

6 x 3 mins International Super-Welterweight contest
LELI BUTTIGIEG 157.2 lbs v BARTLOMIEJ STRYCZEK 156 lbs
(Newham, England)               (Bestwina, Poland)

followed by

6 x 3 mins International Light-Heavyweight contest
LIAM CAMERON 174.8 lbs v HUSSEIN ITABA 173.3 lbs
(Sheffield, England)               (Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania)

followed by

19:00 LIVE ON DAZN

10 x 3 mins English Super-Bantamweight Title Final Eliminator
NICO LEIVARS 121.3 lbs v PIOTR MIRGA 121.1 lbs
(Mansfield, England)          (Southend, England)

followed by

10 x 3 mins Central Area Super-Lightweight Title 
JAMES FLINT 139 lbs v CAMPBELL HATTON 139.7 lbs
(Doncaster, England)     (Hyde, England)

followed by

12 x 3 mins British Super-Welterweight Title Final Eliminator
ISHMAEL DAVIS 153.8 lbs v TROY WILLIAMSON 158.2 lbs
(Leeds, England)                   (Darlington, England)

followed by

10 x 2 mins WBO Welterweight World Title
SANDY RYAN 146.2 lbs v TERRI HARPER 145.9 lbs
(Debry, England)               (Denaby Main, England)  

followed by

12 x 3 mins vacant WBC Silver Super-Lightweight Title
DALTON SMITH 139.6 lbs v JOSE ZEPEDA 139.6 lbs
(Sheffield, England)             (La Puente, USA)  

OS ANGELES (March 22, 2024) – Toro Promotions, Inc. weighed-in three gifted heavyweight prospects today for tomorrow night’s event, co-promoted by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Fearless Boxing, at LumColor Phoenix Center in Ontario, California.

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 8 ROUNDS

TSOTNE ROGAVA (L)

2020 Ukraine Olympian

Marina del Rey, California by way of Ukraine and Georgia

5-0, 5 KOs

264.4 lbs.

vs.

ANTONIO BROWN (R)

Phoenix, AZ

8-4, 8 KOs)

231 lbs.

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS

ALEXANDER “The Great” FLORES (in scale)

Rowland Heights, CA

18-4-1 (16 KOs)

260 lbs.

vs.

JOSUE VARGAS (R)

Panorama City, CA

5-6-2, 2 KOs

235 lbs.

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS

KINGSLEY The Black Lion” IBEH (L)

Ike Ibeabuchi’s cousin

Phoenix, AZ by way of Nigeria

11-2-1, 9 KOs

299.4 lbs.

vs.

DEREK CARDENAS (R)

Panorama City, CA

5-6-2, 2 KOs

285.4 lbs.

INFORMATION:

Instagram: @ToroPromotionsInc

Facebook: /ToroPromotionsInc

You Tube: @ToroPromotionsINC

X (formerly Twitter): @ToroPromotions

TikTok: @ToroPromo

New York, NY (March 22, 2024) Fighting on St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, Friday March 15 in The Theater at Madison Square Garden, ‘King’ Callum Walsh continued to validate his status as The Fastest Rising Star in Boxing, with a ninth-round stoppage of Dauren Yeleussinov in front of huge crowd at the famed venue and a worldwide audience viewing on UFC Fight Pass.

With the victory guided by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, the 23-year-old native of Cork, Ireland improved his record to 10-0 with eight knockouts. Walsh also earned the WBC Continental Super Americas Welterweight Title with the dominant victory.

During a very busy fight week in addition to making the media rounds in New York City and hosting the Final Press Conference in Madison Square Garden’s Chase Square, Walsh spent the week meeting with a large group of local dignitaries at the Irish Consulate and held a packed media photo shoot at the Empire State Building. He also received a wealth of publicity from numerous international and local newspapers along with the top sports outlets prior to and following the fight.

The remarkable event was promoted by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions. “It was a great St. Paddy’s Event last Friday March 15. Now with all the numbers that have been tallied, ‘King’ Callum Walsh has clearly established himself as The Fastest Rising Star in Boxing,” said Loeffler.

“Callum’s fight night was in the Top 20 of all boxing events held in the historic The Theater at Madison Square Garden, that’s a huge statement for only his second fight in New York City and the storied history of the venue. Callum’s event was also the highest rated boxing show in the history of UFC Fight Pass. That’s a pretty big statement for someone that’s 23-year-old with only ten fights. The future will only get brighter for young ‘King’ Callum!”

Walsh will return to action on Friday, June 7 at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, CA and headline live on UFC Fight Pass with further details to be announced shortly.

LAS VEGAS, NV (March 22, 2024) – Super lightweight boxer puncher Starling Castillo (18-1-1, 13 KOs), hailing from the Dominican Republic and now training under the tutelage of renowned coach Bob Santos in Las Vegas, prepares to face off against Jesus Saracho (13-1, 11 KOs) from Guanajuato, Mexico, in a thrilling 10-round co-main event bout. The action-packed event will take place live from the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, and will be broadcast internationally on ProBox TV’s “Wednesday Night Fights.”

Starling Castillo, known for his high ring IQ and superior boxing skills, is prepared to make a statement in the super lightweight division. Under the guidance of 2022 Trainer of the Year, Bob Santos, Castillo has honed his skills and is ready to showcase his talents on the global stage.

“A victory in this fight will get me back in contention to compete for a world title in the super lightweight division,” said Castillo, who is promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz. “I’ve been training hard alongside Coach Santos, and I’m confident that all the hard work we’ve put in will pay off. This is a pivotal moment in my career, and I’m ready to seize the opportunity.”

Bob Santos, renowned for his expertise and success in training world-class fighters, praised Castillo’s progress, stating, “I’ve been impressed with Starling’s dedication and work ethic over the past year. He’s made significant improvements in his technique and conditioning, and I have full confidence in his ability to deliver a standout performance in this bout. He’s ready to make a statement in this fight.”

Castillo also reflected on his return to the ring after a prolonged layoff, saying, “It’s been a challenging journey getting back into fighting shape, but I’m thrilled to be returning to the ring. The time away has me extremely hungry to come out on top, and I can’t wait to showcase the improvements I’ve made.”

The ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida, will set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling night of boxing action. With Starling Castillo and Jesus Saracho prepared to leave it all in the ring, fans can expect fireworks from start to finish.

For more information on the event and ticket details, please visit the official ProBox TV website.

NEW YORK, NY (March 22, 2024) Before she became a three-time, two-division world champion, Japan’s Miyo Yoshida made her U.S. debut on April 27, 2023, at Sony Hall in New York City, as part of DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series. Boxing fans who missed the event live will be able to catch the action that took place that night premiering this Sunday, March 24, at 6:00pm ET, on SNY. The stacked card, which was promoted in association with Boxing Insider Promotions, was headlined by a thrilling junior middleweight battle between Brian Ceballo and Luis Alberto Veron.

“This Sunday night, Broadway Boxing will premiere an exciting episode from its vault that was first broadcast on DAZN, featuring three stars from the DiBella Entertainment stable,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Before capturing her bantamweight crown, Miyo Yoshida made her U.S. debut, with her daughter watching from ringside, as she took on a very game Indeya Smith. Tsendbaatar Erdenebat, known to some as the Mongolian Mole following his intense sparring sessions with Ryan Garcia, employed his wide arsenal against Edy Valencia Mercado. Rising star David Lopez picked up his first win under the DBE banner. His next fight will be April 19 back on DAZN as part of the Overtime series.”

Now the IBF women’s bantamweight world champion, Yoshida, on this night, squared off against the tough Indeya Smith, of Dallas, TX, in an eight-round super flyweight contest. Born in Kagoshima, Japan, Yoshida now resides in New York, NY. She won her first world title in June 2019, seizing the WBO super flyweight belt from Casey Croft via unanimous decision. Miyo made one successful defense, then lost the title by technical decision (stoppage due to gash over her eye). She regained that belt in a rematch six months later. After losing the title on a split decision in 2022, Yoshida decided to leave Japan with her young daughter and build upon her career in the United States.

The co-main event featured the unbeaten Mongolian power puncher Tsendbaatar Erdenebat taking on Mexican veteran Edy Valencia Mercado in an eight-round contest. Erdenebat grew up on the countryside steppes of the Mongolian grassland, living a nomadic lifestyle with his family, herding horses and livestock, which helped him to develop his lauded strength. As an amateur, Erdenebat was a two-time Olympian, competing in the 2016 Rio Games and 2020 Tokyo Games. Accumulating an impressive 147-41 record, Erdenebat won 11 Mongolian National titles, as well as gold medals at the AIBA Asian Championships twice, the 2018 Asian Games, and a bronze medal at the 2019 AIBA World Championships.

Touted junior welterweight prospect “Dynamite” David Lopez made his DBE debut on the undercard against Dominican Nelson Morales. Lopez, from Oakland, CA, now based out of Las Vegas, turned professional at 17 years old while still enrolled in high school. Coming from a family of fighters, Lopez, a southpaw who is of Black and Filipino heritage, is trained by his father and former pro boxer, Kris Lopez. Amassing an overall amateur record of 34-4, Lopez won the Desert Showdown World Amateur Boxing Championships, Puerto Rican National Championships, and a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics.

Since its inception in November 2003, Broadway Boxing has featured many boxing luminaries and world champions, including Vitali Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin, George Kambosos Jr., Jamel Herring, Jose Pedraza, Amanda Serrano, Miyo Yoshida, Andre Berto, Heather Hardy, Paulie Malignaggi, Peter Quillin, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Joshua Clottey, DeMarcus Corley and Randall Bailey, among others.

Boxing fans wishing to enjoy this premiere of Broadway Boxing can do so by tuning in to SNY on Sunday at 6:00pm ET. SNY can be found on the following platforms (list not all-inclusive – see your local TV guide): DirecTV (639), Time Warner Cable (26), Verizon FiOS: (577, 77), Cablevision (718, 60), Comcast (843, 73). 

DiBella Entertainment

Instagram: @DiBellaEnt

X (Twitter): @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt

Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment

LAS VEGAS – March 22, 2024 – Unbeaten rising star Tim Tszyu and all-action super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora went face to face for the first time on Thursday, at a media workout before they meet for Tszyu’s WBO and the vacant WBC 154-pound world titles headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The media workout also featured WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero, who takes on Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in the co-main event, plus WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara  and No. 1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa, who meet in a 12-round pay-per-view attraction.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are available now through AXS.com. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from Split T Boxing Club in Las Vegas:

TIM TSZYU

“I had sparring for the new opponent come in on Monday and I was grateful for the great work they gave me. This fight is all about awkwardness when you have someone that tall. But nothing phases me. It is what it is and the show goes on.

“This is a unification now, so I’m very grateful for that. It’s a legacy-defining type of fight. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and one day they’ll say that the Tszyu family is the best to ever step into this boxing world.

“I’ve met Fundora before and I respect him and how he fights. I just have to find the right shots. Every great boxer finds the way to win and we’ll find those keys on March 30.

“I talked to Brian Mendoza and he talked about how Fundora is awkward with his style and that he uses his height to his advantage in different ways.

“My message to the fans is definitely don’t blink during this one.”

SEBASTIAN FUNDORA

“I’m just going to keep focusing on what I need to do. My original opponent Serhii Bohachuk has a lot of similarities to Tim Tszyu, so it’s no difference for me. If I stick to my plan, I’ll be successful.

“I was in control of the Mendoza fight, so I don’t want to change too much because of the result, and it doesn’t really matter to me what he did against Tszyu. I’m just going to keep focusing on my game.

“I’ve been training hard all camp. We only had a little bit to fix after our last fight, but my dad and my sister keep my mind straight. My sister Gabriela just became world champion, and now it’s my turn to go do the same.

“A win puts me back at number one in the division. That’s where I want to be. I have my eyes on all of the big names. This is the first stone in the Fundora legacy.

“Having the right preparation is very important of course. But I don’t think it’s really an advantage that I was preparing for someone similar to Tszyu already. It’s about what happens when you step into the ring. Of course I believe I’m going to win this fight, but not because of an advantage like that.

“I want to win this fight, become unified champion and keep going from there. We want to keep moving up.”

ROLANDO ROMERO

“I think I’m a different Rolly in every fight, I learn a lot every camp I’m in. Ismael Salas is a tremendous trainer who trained me before I went pro, so I feel like I’m back at home.

“Cruz takes punches because he has to, it’s because he has no other option in his game. This fight is gonna be an explosion and a Mexican slugfest. I’m gonna beat him at his own game.

“My strength and conditioning coach has had me do a lot of explosive work, and honestly I hate every single second of working with him, but it’s what I need. I already hit hard, and now it’s gonna be more of an explosion on fight night.

“Everyone is excited to see this fight. It doesn’t require too much talking because you’re gonna see it all in the ring on March 30.

ERISLANDY LARA

“I’ve had a great training camp for this fight. There are always new things you can learn when you put the time in at the gym. We’ve been really focused on our opponent and doing anything we can to win this fight. I feel spectacular and you’ll see it on March 30.

“I don’t pay attention to the rest of the middleweight division, I focus solely on me. It’s all about March 30 on pay-per-view. Tune in and let’s make history.

“I’ve stayed focused on everything that’s in my control and I’ve used my training camp to make sure there won’t be any rust when that bell rings.

“I don’t need to send a message to Michael Zerafa, he knows he has to be ready on March 30. We’ll be ready for him.”

MICHAEL ZERAFA

“I’m super excited to be here. I was a boy when I fought in the U.S. the first time and now I’m a man. You’re gonna see a different Michael Zerafa. I’m a lot better fighter and I’m ready to shock the world and make a statement.

“I’m better mentally, physically and really in every way. I’m more experienced and just a better fighter. I was 21 when I fought Peter Quillin, I fell short, but I do believe that now it’s my time.

“I have a lot of respect for Lara, but I truly believe this fight is not going the distance. Everyone I’ve fought has said I have ridiculous power and I will show it on March 30.

“Lara has been in there with the best. It’s just another day for him. But this is my life and I truly believe this is my time. I’m ready to make a statement. This is more than a fight for me. My sister Michelle is battling cancer right now and her dream is to watch me win a world title. I’m thankful to have this opportunity to prove that whether you’re fighting for your life or fighting for a title, you can make it happen.”

#         #         #

ABOUT TSZYU VS. FUNDORA & ROLLY VS. PITBULL

The stacked inaugural four-fight PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video will see rising star and reigning world champion Tim Tszyu taking on all-action contender Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora for Tszyu’s WBO title and the vacant WBC 154-pound world title in the main event, plus 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz meeting in the co-main event on Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The pay-per-view will also see Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defend his belt against No. 1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa, plus WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio César Martínez defends his world title against unbeaten contender Angelino Cordova the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The card marks the debut event for PBC Pay-Per-View available through Prime Video since the parties announced a landmark, multiyear rights agreement in December. In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #TszyuFundora and #RollyPitbull, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

Marc Castro told Matchroom’s ‘Flash Knockdown’ podcast that he has a spring in his step in training today after being told he will fight for his first title when he takes on Abraham Montoya for the WBC Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Saturday April 6, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF MATCHROOM’S ‘FLASH KNOCKDOWN’ PODCAST

Castro (11-0 8 KOs) recorded another stoppage win in his first ten round clash in November in Los Angeles, only needing seven of the scheduled ten to get Gonzalo Fuenalida out of there. The Fresno talent and former amateur stud has impressed in the paid ranks since making his pro debut in December 2020 in San Antonio but acknowledged on the podcast that taking on Montoya (22-5-1 14 KOs) represents a significant step-up – but feels that’s how it should be if you want to win belts.

“It’s amazing to be fighting for my first title and the green and gold is my favorite belt,” said Castro. “The WBC is a great program, I won their amateur title back in the day, so I am really excited. I know I have to go out and earn it and it’s not going to be easy, but nothing in this world is easy or given to me. This is a big step for big things ahead.

“My team, Matchroom and my manager Keith Connolly all feel like I am ready for this. We’re moving as a unit and that’s the most important thing to me. Once you know that it’s officially for the title, it’s different. I don’t want to say it’s extra motivation because I treat this like a job, I am here to do my job. Sometimes you don’t want to go to work but at the end of the day you get it done and that’s how I look at it. 

“It’s most definitely my toughest test. I know he has been in there with some great boxers at Super-Featherweight, he has a win over Lopez the current champion, so he has a great resume and he’s never been stopped. I am always thinking about the best-case scenario which is the KO and that’s what we train for, but at the end of the day we’re training for the ten rounds, and I know that he’s coming to fight.

“I feel most comfortable at Super-Featherweight. Trying to figure out the weights was a bit of an issue, but now we’ve got that sorted we’ll be rocking and rolling. I can be at peak condition at 130lbs, fast and strong, with a lot of agility. 

“I’ve been training since the last fight. I’ve just been keeping ready for whenever Matchroom could get me out and that’s April 6 so you will see the improvements in me.

“Las Vegas is so special, I always get my fans spending their hard-earned money to come and watch me fight, that means the world to me, seeing them coming together for every fight. My support is growing tremendously, it makes me really happy.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself from training, in the ring, out of the ring and my public image, all of that. The main thing I’ve learned is treating every day like a regular day, trying to make the most of every day and keep everything the same so once fight night comes, it’s just another day at the office, and that includes keeping my circle small.”

Castro takes on Montoya on a stacked card in Las Vegas which is topped by a double-header featuring two more of Matchroom’s hottest young fighters as Richardson Hitchins takes on Gustavo Lemos in a final eliminator for the IBF World Jr. Welterweight title and Diego Pacheco faces Shawn McCalman for the WBO International and USWBC Super-Middleweight titles.

Briton’s Olympic gold medal star Galal Yafai goes back-to-back in the US as he makes the fifth defense of his WBC International Flyweight title against Agustin Mauro Gauto, while World title action on the card could see Skye Nicolson become a World champion at the first attempt as she tackles former World ruler Sarah Mahfoud for the vacant WBC World Featherweight title.

Harley Mederos kicks off the action on April 6 over six rounds at Super-Featherweight against Pedro Vicente, the same distance that former Team USA talent Steven Navarro will make his pro debut at Super-Flyweight against Jose Lopez.

Castro appears in the the latest episode of ‘Flash Knockdown’ recorded before a huge night of action in Sheffield tomorrow night, live on DAZN. Sandy Ryan speaks ahead of the defense of her WBO World Welterweight title against Terri Harper, Heavyweight Dave Allen gives some inside scoop into Jack Catterall’s training camp, while Shabaz Masoud talks training during Ramadan and takes on the ‘Coach Trip’ quiz.

Philadelphia, PA (March 22, 2024) — Another massive night of professional boxing is in store when RDR Promotions returns to the Harrahs Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack in Chester, Pennsylvania on Saturday night, March 30th.

In the eight-round main event, junior welterweight Greg Outlaw Jr, (13-2, 7 KOs) of Bowie, MD takes on tough veteran Rondale Hubbert (16-28-3, 10 KOs) of Duluth, Minnesota.

Outlaw has quality wins over Kashon Hutchinson (2-0), Mack Allison IV (8-1-1), Edgar Torres (8-1-1), Johnathan Montrel (12-0) and his last fight when he scored an opening round knockout over Sebastian Gabriel Chaves on November 10, 2023 in Philadelphia.

Hubbert is a 12 year-pro and has wins over Winston Anderson (4-0), RJ Lasse (12-1), Tony Lee (11-2-1) and his last bout when he took out Marklin Bailey in three rounds on February 16th in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

In the six-round co-feature, highly regarded super flyweight LeAnna Cruz (7-0) of Allentown, PA fights Beata Dudek (3-1, 3 KOs) of Miskolc, Hungary.

Cruz won the NABF Super Flyweight title with a eight-round unanimous decision over Tania Walters on November 10th in Philadelphia,

Dudek is coming off her first blemish as she dropped a six-round decision to Brittany Sims on March 1st in El Paso, Texas.

Also in a six-round bout, undefeated cruiserweight Stanley Johnson (3-0, 2 KOs) of Houston, Texas will take on an opponent to be named.

In four-round bouts:

Rashan Adams (5-1, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Ryan Picou (3-15-1 of Las Vegas in a super featherweight contest.

Trinidad Vargas (4-0, 1 KO) of Grand Prairie, Texas fights Robin Ellis (6-2, 5 KOs) of New York in a super flyweight contest.

Nasheed H. Harris (1-0, 1 KO) of Washington, DC takes on Twon Smith (3-8, 2 KOs) of Oklahoma City in a light heavyweight bout.

Deric Davis (2-0,2 KOs) of Fort Washington, Maryland will square off with Emond Driver (1-2, 1 KO) of Indianapolis in a lightweight contest.

Hakeem Harmon (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia fights Christopher Puryear (2-1) of Jacksonville, Florida in a lightweight fight.

Steve Cunningham Jr, (2-0, 2 KOs) of Pittsburgh takes on Jeremiah Kendrick (1-3, 1 KO) of Philadelphia in a middleweight bout.

Juan Davila (4-0, 2 KOs) of Franklinville, NJ takes on an opponent to be named in a lightweight fight.

Lamar Smith of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Anthony Young (0-7) of Philadelphia in a super lightweight bout.

Tyshwan Denson (2-0, 1 KO) of Akron, Ohio takes on an opponent to be named in a super featherweight fight.

Deutrell Perry of Hatfield, PA will make his pro debut against an opponent to be named in a lightweight fight.

Tickets are $65, $75, $100 and $130 and can be purchased at rdrboxing@yahoo.com

LONDON, UK (March 22, 2024) – The full fight card is now confirmed for BOXXER’s bumper ‘Bad Blood’ bill on Sunday, March 31st at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke top a stacked card in the capital as they look to settle their differences in one of British boxing’s most hotly anticipated match ups.

The unbeaten fighters have been on a collision course as both men aim to establish themselves as Britain’s number one heavyweight.

Their simmering rivalry has reached boiling point following a cancelled purse bid last year.

Clarke was ordered as mandatory challenger for Wardley’s British Title in April but was later withdrawn from purse bids. The fallout sparked a series of tense exchanges between the warring heavyweights and has added serious spite to their Easter Sunday showdown.

The ‘Bad Blood’ runs deep in an undercard filled with unmissable fights.

Welterweight rivals Florian Marku and Chris Kongo, who had to be pulled apart following an explosive press conference altercation last year, finally get the chance to settle their long-standing feud. 

Viddal Riley and Mikael Lawal will clash in a special bet365 Wildcard contest for the English Cruiserweight Title, while Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic and Steve Robinson collide in what promises to be a fan-friendly heavyweight fire fight.

With opponents set for Ben Whittaker and Callum Simpson the full supporting cast is now in place for a dramatic night of boxing at The O2.

Whittaker (6-0, 5 KOs) has become a viral sensation with clips of his flamboyant showboating during his stoppage win over Khalid Graidia on February 3rd generating millions of views and global interest on social media.

Tipped for superstardom, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medallist will look to capitalise on his new-found attention by delivering another show stealing performance when he takes on Leon Willings (7-1, 2 KOs).

Rising super middleweight star Simpson (13-0, 9 KOs) will look to extend his unbeaten streak as he builds towards a British Title challenge.

Before the 27-year-old from Barnsley has his crack at the Lonsdale belt, he must first get past the experienced Tanzanian Dulla Mbabe (34-13-1, 29 KOs).

Over 10,000 tickets have already been sold for the stacked Easter Sunday ‘Bad Blood’ show with an additional allocation of tickets, priced from £35, now released due to demand and available for purchase via BOXXER.com.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE, Integritas Property Group, Fastline Steel Services, CarFinance 247 and VOW Nutrition.

By Norm Frauenheim –

Canelo Alvarez threw out a couple of numbers that would seem to eliminate any chance he’ll ever fight David Benavidez

“One-hundred-and-fifty million dollars to $200-million,’’ Canelo said this week at a news conference formally announcing his May 4 fight with Jaime Munguia at Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena.

Not even Donald Trump can come up with that kind of money these days.

It’s hard to know whether Canelo is serious, but conventional wisdom

suggests that the prohibitive purse numbers are just another way of Canelo telling Benavidez that it’s just not going to happen.

But fantasy numbers have also ignited more Benavidez-Canelo trash talk, which seemed to enter another inflationary spiral this week.

Benavidez fired back from Miami, where the Phoenix-born fighter is training for a light-heavyweight fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk, projected for June 15.

“Hopefully, after you make that $150 million, you have enough left over to buy a pair of nuts,” Benavidez said on his Instagram account.

Presumably, he wasn’t talking about a couple of Pistachios.

Nobody has yet given up on a Benavidez-Canelo possibility in September. Even Benavidez mentioned it in an Instagram post early Thursday.

“Just wait on it,’’ Benavidez posted. “don’t be surprised when this fight happens in September.’’

First, however, a lot would have to happen. Canelo has to beat Munguia. That’s considered likely. From this corner, however, Munguia has a real chance to take Canelo’s undisputed super-middleweight title in what would be a huge upset.

The 26-year-old Munguia, who in January did what Canelo could not in stopping John Ryder in Phoenix, has young legs. If he can take the fight into the late rounds – say, the eighth — he’s got a shot.

It’s no secret that Canelo runs out of gas down the stretch.

Then, there’s Benavidez, who will get a look at his future at a heavier weight against the competent Gvozdyk, a former 175-pound champion.

As of Thursday, there was still no word on where Benavidez and Gvozdyk will fight on a card also expected to feature Tank Davis, who hasn’t fought since last April’s stoppage of Ryan Garcia.

Moving on up

Emanuel Navarrete’s move up to lightweight is official. He’ll fight Ukrainian Denys Berinchyk on May 18 for a vacant World Boxing Organization in San Diego, Top Rank announced this week.

Navarrete, already a three-division champ, is expected to win. If he does, he figures to vacate the WBO junior-lightweight title.

That could open the door for the Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson winner to land a possible shot at the vacated belt.

Valdez and Wilson, both beaten by Navarrete last year, fight March 29 – next week Friday — at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ in the main event on an ESPN-televised card.

By Norm Frauenheim –

PHOENIX – The streets have always been part of Michael Carbajal’s identity.

He’s endured them. Survived them. Fought because of them. They’ve left their mark, scars still there like deep cracks in an old sidewalk outside of his Ninth Street Gym, which was a church about a century ago.

It’s still a bully pulpit, but punches do all the preaching these days. You can hear the choir in the rhythm of a speed bag.

Step out of the gym and down the street, Fillmore, and you’re at Carbajal’s childhood home.

I’ve walked that street with him often and asked what keeps him there. He looks at me, eyes flashing like sparks off flint, as if to say I don’t understand.

For years, I didn’t.

Today, I do.

That was delivered definitively this week at a Phoenix City Council meeting just a few miles of roadwork from Ninth Street and Fillmore. Carbajal was on the agenda, Item No. 65. From liquor licenses to zoning issues, the session began with the usual process. Think about your last visit to the Motor Vehicle Division. Take a number, please.

But, suddenly, it went from protocol to poignant with Item No. 65, a resolution to rename one of those streets after Carbajal.

Ordinarily, council meetings in any city don’t attract a crowd. But this one did. From Carbajal friends and neighbors to those who had a role in his ring career, dozens were there.

I was there, too, and I was lucky enough to speak in his behalf. I was asked to.

Ordinarily, that’s not the job of a journalist, sports or otherwise. I had covered Carbajal’s career during my years at The Arizona Republic.

I was there in Seoul when he got robbed of a gold medal at the 1988 Olympics.

I was there in Las Vegas when he got up twice and knocked out Chiquita Gonzalez in a dramatic 1993 Fight of the Year, a fight as memorable as any in the history of boxing’s smallest weight classes.

I was there in Mexico City in 1994 in front of at least 30,000 Gonzalez fans, then unhappy at California’s Proposition 187, controversial immigration legislation.

Carbajal was Mexican only in name and heritage on that night, which ended in Gonzalez wining a debatable decision in a second rematch.

For those Mexican fans, he was a convenient American target for their anger at the California proposal. They drank, threw debris and waited for Carbajal to enter the hostile arena as if he were the bull that the place had been built for.

About an hour before opening bell, I saw Carbajal, seated with his hands taped and ready to take that long walk through a gathering storm.

He was a lonely figure at the end of a long dark tunnel that was his dressing room.

All the while, restless partisans stomped their feet in unison.

The noise had an angry beat, one that echoed a fundamental cliche: You can’t play boxing. I looked at Carbajal and wondered what I would feel at that moment.

One word: Terror.

I think I would have headed for the parking lot, jumped into a taxi, gone to the airport and boarded a flight in a panicked escape to Cabo San Lucas.

But I also knew then that I admired Carbajal. It’s hard to be objective about courage, and I saw plenty of it on that night in a 108-pound kid off the streets of Phoenix.

Over the years, I was often accused of crossing the line. I was told I had gotten too close. I can’t deny that. But I won’t apologize for it, either.

Boxing, itself, is different than any other sport in traditional journalism, now a dying craft. Trust is hard to come by from fighters who grew up mistrusting cops, teachers and a gringo reporter from a big daily that had not paid much attention to their neighborhoods.

In more than a decade as the Suns beat reporter, I had worked hard to keep my distance. But those traditional lines weren’t there in trying to cover Carbajal, a tough Mexican-American from a dangerous neighborhood just a few blocks from The Republic’s newsroom.

Through it all, there was controversy, an inherent part of almost any ring career. After all, prizefighting is controversial, almost by definition.

There were arrests, police investigations, shootings, gang allegations and ominous rumors. It was part of the Carbajal story and part of the reason I would ask him: Why, Michael, why do you stay here?

He has for the same reason he took that long ring walk on that night in Mexico City three decades ago. His adherence to a dangerous craft is as unshakable as his ties to those streets in a dangerous neighborhood.

Turns out, his friends, neighbors and a few retired cops understood that better than a gringo reporter.

They spoke to the city council before and after I did at Wednesday’s meeting Retired cops, who had worked Carbajal’s neighborhood, confirmed there was trouble, but they said, it didn’t come from Michael.

By the time it was my turn to take the podium, I realized that legacy — a word so overused to be almost meaningless – is still relevant in Carbajal, now 56 and 25 years removed from his last fight in 1999.

Younger neighbors, who weren’t even born when he was fighting, know him and identify with him because he’s still there. Their challenges were his challenges.

For Phoenix, he continues to be a living piece of tangible history. In my two minutes before the City Council, I talked about how the Phoenix area has become an emerging market for promoters from all over the world.

Eddie Hearn, of London’s Matchroom Promotions, has been staging cards in Phoenix and Glendale for the last couple of years. Hearn is putting together a Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez-Juan Francisco Estrada SuperFly showdown, projected for June 29 at Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena.

“There are a lot of educated fans here,’’ Hearn said repeatedly when he was in Phoenix, representing John Ryder in January for Ryder’s stoppage loss to Jamie Munguia.

There are, because of Carbajal. At recent cards, I’ve often been approached by young fans who tell me that their dads used to read me all the time when I was writing about Carbajal for The Republic.

Those sons are Hearn’s educated fans, the demographic that has turned the Phoenix market into a go-to place for promoters and networks.

They also represent Carbajal’s ongoing legacy, an avenue to what the emerging market has become.

There are no avenues in Carbajal’s neighborhood. But there will be a street, from Ninth to Tenth, named after him. The Council voted to attach Michael Carbajal Way onto the street signs. It was a unanimous decision, 9-0.

It’s appropriate. The streets that created him will soon be named after him.

ATLANTIC CITY, March 21, 2024. —  South Jersey’s own Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Gold Middleweight World Title against Venezuelan Johan “Chelo Manotas” Gonzalez in the main event in a twelve-round bout on Saturday, June 8 at Bally’s Atlantic City.

This World Championship Boxing Event is being promoted by Main Events in association with LaManna’s Rising Star Promotions. Ticket info will be released soon.

“I am definitely excited to fight in another world title fight I was down and out after the first try but now I’m back in the mix fighting for the WBA Gold against a very experienced opponent from Venezuela,” said LaManna. “Gonzalez rated at 154 and despite coming up to 160, he’s explosive and powerful and has a master trainer in Ismael Salas and this would be my first win against him. I made my pro debut at Bally’s and now I’m going to be fighting for a world title there and being able to accomplish both that would be amazing. Atlantic City is my backyard, so it is going to be fire that night, and on that night and I don’t think there will be anyone that can beat me.

“Working with Main Events is a real honor,” continued LaManna. “We’ve been talking about a fight like this for months, almost a year. Thankfully Main Events can see my mission and they can see my drive between fighting and promoting and I’m glad they got behind mean they are taking a chance with me and I’m looking forward to continuing with them in the future.”

“I admire Thomas for the way he has taken charge of his career and become a successful promoter in his own right,” said Kathy Duva. “Now that he has an opportunity to challenge for the world title, Main Events is happy to step in and help so LaManna can focus exclusively on preparing for the biggest fight of his career. Main Events has a long history promoting boxing in Atlantic City. And a great deal of those fights were promoted in association with Bally’s. We are looking forward to a great promotion.”

LaManna quote:

“The dream for any boxer is to become a champion, so I am very happy for this opportunity,” said Johan. “LaManna has a lot experience and very well-known boxer in the business and that means I need to work harder to get the win. This is boxing and nothing is easy in this sport.  Atlantic City is like his home, a knockout could come, but for sure we will have a great camp, training to get the W, by decision or by KO. Atlantic City is place with good boxing history, now is time to write my own.”

“Bally’s Atlantic City is thrilled for the return of boxing. We look forward to hosting this thrilling event and providing memorable experiences for boxing enthusiasts and our guests,” said Michael Monty, General Manager at Bally’s Atlantic City.

Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (37-5, 16 KOs) born and raised in Millville, NJ, just down the road from Atlantic City, is on a seven fight win streak that propelled him onto the world stage. He is undefeated in Atlantic City, 21 wins, no losses and one draw overall and seven wins with no losses at Bally’s.  He made his professional debut in 2011 and has an impressive collection of belts, including the New Jersey State Welterweight Title, World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX title, WBA Fedecentro title, WBA Fedecaribe title and the WBA Fedalatin title. He has won two titles in AC and made two successful defenses. His string of seven wins began after his 2021 world title fight defeat to Erislandy Lara.

Johan Gonzalez (34-2, 33 KOs) is a Venezuelan fighting out of Las Vegas, NV and has knocked out all but three of his thirty-six opponents. The thirty-two-year-old made his pro debut in June of 2017 and fought ten times in the first 5 months and one day of his career. He the had ten more bouts in 2018. He became Venezuelan Welterweight Champion and IBA Intercontinental Champion in 2018. In 2021, Johan won the WBA Fedalatin welterweight title in March and eight months later the WBA Fedalatin super welterweight title. In 2022 he collected the NABA Super Welterweight title with a knockout win in Panama City. His first thirty-three of his career fights took place in either Venezuela or Panama – and those three were in his last four fights.

ABOUT MAIN EVENTS

Main Events has been promoting fights in Atlantic City since 1982. Their first was a WBC light heavyweight title fight between Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Eddie Davis. Their first event at Bally’s AC was in April of ‘95 with Gatti in the co-feature of an IBF Super Featherweight World Title fight between Eddie Hopson and Moises Pedroza. Since then they have promoted bouts with many notable world champions, including Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, Mark Breland, Meldrick Taylor, Sergei Kovalev and Dmitri Bivol. Amongst the most notable fights promoted by Main Events in Atlantic City include, “The Battle of the Ages,” Holyfield-Foreman for the World Heavyweight Championship, which was the first TVKO (HBO PPV) event; Bivol-Smith which was the last HBO fight to take place in Atlantic City, Kovalev-Hopkins—the last World Championship fight at Boardwalk Hall; Gatti-Ward II & III and Gatti-Mayweather.

ABOUT BALLY’S CORPORATION

Bally’s Corporation is a global casino-entertainment company with a growing omni-channel presence of Online Sports Betting and iGaming offerings. It currently owns and manages 16 casinos across 10 states, a golf course in New York, a horse racetrack in Colorado, and has access to OSB licenses in 18 states. It also owns Bally’s Interactive International, formerly Gamesys Group, a leading, global, online gaming operator, Bally Bet, a first-in-class sports betting platform, and Bally Casino, a growing iCasino platform. With 10,500 employees, the Company’s casino operations include approximately 15,000 slot machines, 600 table games and 5,300 hotel rooms. Upon completing the construction of a permanent casino facility in Chicago, IL, and a land-based casino near the Nittany Mall in State College, PA, Bally’s will own and/or manage 17 casinos across 11 states. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BALY”.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with a pivotal rematch featuring No. 5 ranked flyweight contender Matheus Nicolau taking on No. 6 Manel Kape. In addition, hard-hitting light heavyweights No. 11 Ryan Spann and rising contender Bogdan Guskov square off in a high stakes showdown. 

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: NICOLAU vs. KAPE 2 takes place Saturday, April 27 in Las Vegas and will be available on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and ESPN. The prelims will air on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT, followed by the main card airing on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. 

UFC APEX VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC octagon girls and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

Nicolau (19-4-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) looks to make the most of his first UFC main event. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a strong standup game, Nicolau has earned victories over Matt Schnell, David Dvorak, and Tim Elliott. The veteran contender now aims to secure a second win against Kape and make his case for a title shot later this year.

Kape (19-6, fighting out of Phuket, Thailand by way of Porto, Portugal) returns to action looking to avenge his 2021 loss to Nicolau. The Angolan-born fighter has made waves in the 125-pound division by delivering dominant performances against Felipe dos Santos, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, and Ode’ Osbourne. Kape now looks to finish Nicolau in emphatic fashion and cement his spot in the Top 5.

Veteran Spann (19-7, fighting out of Beaumont, Texas by way of Memphis, Tenn.) sets out to remind the world why he’s among the best at 205 pounds. A dominant force for the past six years, Spann has delivered highlight finishes against Dominick Reyes, Ion Cutelaba, and Misha Cirkunov. He now hopes for another first-round finish to derail Guskov’s momentum.

Guskov (15-3 fighting out of Dukent, Uzbekistan) looks to put the division on notice by taking out a top-ranked opponent. Making just his second Octagon appearance, Guskov wowed fight fans with his first-round knockout against The Ultimate Fighter season 30 finalist Zac Pauga. Uzbekistan’s own now sets forth to secure the biggest win of his career by getting his hand raised against Spann.

Additional bouts on the card include: 

• No. 11 ranked flyweight Ariane Lipski (17-8, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) and No. 12 Karine Silva (17-4, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) go toe-to-toe in a thrilling matchup
• WelterweightsTim Means (33-15-1, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) and Uroš Medi? (9-2, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska by way of Novi Sad, Serbia) square off
• Joel Álvarez (20-3, fighting out of Asturias, Spain) looks to secure back-to-back wins as he takes on Dana White’s Contender Series signee Mateusz R?becki (19-1, fighting out of Szczecin, Poland) at lightweight
• Bantamweight veteran Rani Yahya (28-11-1 1 NC, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil)collides with Dana White’s Contender Series alumnusVictor Henry (23-6, fighting out of Southgate, Calif.)
• Dana White’s Contender Series heavyweight contract winners Don’Tale Mayes (10-6 1 NC, fighting out of Louisville, Ken.) and Caio Machado (8-2-1, fighting out of Vancouver, B.C., Canada) look to steal the show
• Gabriel Benitez (23-12, fighting out of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico)takes on Maheshate (9-3, fighting out of Sichuan, China)at lightweight
• Marnic Mann (6-2, fighting out of Bozeman, Mont.) locks horns with Brazil’s Ketlen Souza (13-4, fighting out of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) at strawweight
• Ivana Petrovic (6-1, fighting out of Tønsberg, Norway) faces Liang Na (17-1, fighting out of Heilongjiang, China) in a flyweight tilt
• Gabe Green (11-5, fighting out of San Pedro, Calif.) welcomes Dana White’s Contender Series signee James Llontop (14-2, fighting out of Lima, Peru) to the UFC 155-pound division
• Dana White’s Contender Series heavyweight contract winners Austen Lane (12-4 1NC, fighting out of Jacksonville, Fla.) and Jhonata Diniz (6-0, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) are set to deliver fireworks
• The Ultimate Fighter season 31 finalist Austin Hubbard (16-6, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) clashes with Michal Figlak (8-1, fighting out of Worcester, England by way of Poznan, Poland) in an electric lightweight matchup

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event. 

### 

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About ESPN+ 

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus/

About ESPN 

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

Las Vegas (March 21, 2024) – Current WBC world champion, WBA interim champion and first female undisputed super middleweight world champion Franchón Crews-Dezurn has confirmed that she will appear at the Seventh Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday May 4, 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo will also coincide with the mega fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.

Franchón will hold a Meet & Greet with her fans at her booth during the fan event held over the Cinco De Mayo weekend. 

The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, Canelo vs. Jacobs and Canelo vs. GGG III. 

Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com – @BoxFanExpo

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –https://bit.ly/BOXFANEXPO2024

Franchón will make her third appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and memorabilia. Franchón will also have merchandise to sell for fans to enjoy. Boxing fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures with this boxing star also known as the “The Heavy Hitting Diva”. Follow Franchón Crews-Dezurn @thehhdiva

Franchón joins Roy Jones Jr., Erik Morales, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Juan Manuel Marquez, Michael Spinks, Claressa Shields and Marco Antonio Barrera as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with more Boxing stars to be announced.

About Franchón Crews-Dezurn 

Historic sports figure Franchón Crews-Dezurn, is a former contestant on American Idol, 12-year member of Team USA, 15X National Champion, 5X Pan Am Gold medalist, 2X Olympic alternate and 2X world medalist. Franchón is the first US woman to qualify for the Pan American Games and one of three US women to compete in the event.

The Heavy Hitting Diva is a current world champion and the first female undisputed super middleweight champion, winning the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine championship belts. Outside the ring, Franchón is a fashion designer that has designed clothing and boxing apparel that was featured on HBO, Showtime, DAZN and ESPN, dressing pro contender Glenn Dezurn Jr, fellow world champions Claressa Shields, Marlen Esparza and Issac Dogboe. This year, Franchón debuted “Secret Place Fashion Experience” in New York during NYFW 2024 to rave reviews. Franchón has achieved all of these great accomplishments while having her debut single “Secret Place” charting in the Top 10 on dance charts in the United Kingdom (UK). Renaissance Woman Franchón is a professional singer, songwriter, public speaker, designer and college graduate. Truly an extraordinary woman in the world of sports and entertainment. She advocates for better health, women’s empowerment, equality pay in sport and entrepreneurship.

?About Box Fan Expo

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.

Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, David Benavidez, Teofimo Lopez, Andre Ward, Ryan Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, Mikey Garcia, Errol Spence Jr, Fernando Vargas, Rolando Romero, Sergio Martinez, Tim Bradley, Jose Ramirez, Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Floyd Mayweather sr., Claressa Shields, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, Seniesa Estrada, Jorge Linares, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Brandon Rios, Anthony Dirrell, Danny Jacobs, and many more.

Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.

Throughout the next few weeks leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –

To request information on exhibiting and sponsorship at the Expo:

For media credentials:

Contact us:

Telephone number: (702) 997-1927 or (514) 572-7222

For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

More information on Box Fan Expo visit: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

Follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter and Instagram at: @BoxFanExpo

Follow Box Fan Expo on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo