Hard-punching light heavyweight fan favorite Ahmed Elbiali says he can’t wait to show off the new skills he’s developed while working with trainer and former world super bantamweight champion Clarence “Bones” Adams.

Cairo-born Elbiali (20-1, 17 KOs) relocated from his adopted home in Miami three years ago to work with Adams at his private gym in Las Vegas and, at first, things didn’t go as well as hoped.

“Bones’ style took some getting used to,” admits Elbiali. “He’s very direct and it used to hurt my feelings sometimes, but now I know he’s a very realistic guy who just tells it like it is to help you improve. The whole environment in Vegas is different. People in Vegas are not as happy as people in Miami. Everyone who shows up to the gym in Vegas is grumpy. In Miami, the skies are always blue. You go outside in Vegas and its straight smog and heat. Now I get it.”

Once acclimated, Elbiali says the improvements in his technique were astonishing. “I think Bones is a great coach and he’s helped me to improve a lot as both a fighter and a person. We started over from the basics and everything is different now. Bones helped me realize a lot of things. I’m really excited to come back because I have so many new skills to show.”

30-year-old Elbiali, who was last seen demolishing former NABO champion Bryan Vera by sixth-round TKO in December 2019, says he’s living a clean life and working hard to reach his goal of becoming boxing’s first Egyptian-born world champion.

“Being a fighter in Vegas is the best. All these great fighters are helping me. I’ve been sparring with undefeated Russian cruiserweight, Andrey Mangushev, and learning a lot. The whole environment is great.”

With the pandemic sure to wind down eventually, boxing will go back to business as usual with live fans and fight cards all over the world every weekend. Elbiali, who is hoping to return to the ring in June, says he’s just biding his time until he can unleash his new-and-improved fists on the 175-lb division.

“I really love what I do. I can’t wait to get back in there. I am going balls to the walls from now on and leaving nothing to the judges. Like a lot of fighters, I just want to fight. Fighting is our profession, so when we don’t make money we struggle mentally. It doesn’t feel nice as a man to not be where you want to be in life. I can’t say its all about the money though. I want to prove myself and show how much I love what I do.”

Elbiali will be back in the ring soon with date and details to be announced shortly.

Tickets for Devin Haney’s WBC World Lightweight title defense against Jorge Linares at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Saturday May 29, will go on pre-sale tomorrow at 10am PT/ 1pm ET and on general sale on Friday April 9 at 10am PT/ 1pm ET. The event will air live worldwide on DAZN in association with Devin Haney Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
TICKETS STARTING AT $50 (PLUS FEES) WILL GO ON SALE VIA AXS.COM
Haney (25-0 18 KOs) defends his title for the third time having seen off the challenges of Alfredo Santiago and Yuriorkis Gamboa with comfortable points wins, but now faces the toughest test of his pro career to date in the form of Linares in his first fight back in his Las Vegas backyard since May 2016.

Linares (47-5 29 KOs) is looking to become a two-time holder of the WBC strap that he won in December 2014 against Javier Prieto, with Haney the 15^th World title battle and 53^rd bout in over 18 years as a pro. The fight was a catalyst to a four-year run where the Venezuelan ace beat Kevin Mitchell, Ivan Cano, Anthony Crolla twice, Luke Campbell and Mercito Gesta as Lightweight king before he faced defeat in a to-and-fro clash with Vasiliy Lomachenko in New York in May 2018.

The undercard for Haney vs. Linares will be announced soon.

MGM Resorts will implement its comprehensive Seven Point Safety Plan and its Entertainment & Sports “Convene with Confidence” program, which outline the company’s approach to protecting the health and safety of guests and employees. The multi-layered plans include everything from sanitation stations, masking and physical distancing to digital solutions that minimize touch points as well as enhanced cleaning protocol. Details can be found at MGM Resorts Entertainment Convene with Confidence.

PENSACOLA, FLA. (April 7, 2021) – Hard-hitting southpaw Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella detailed his current training camp, including what he’s learned from his new trainer, all-time great Roy Jones Jr., and previewed his upcoming showdown against former world champion Tony “Superbad” Harrison before they square off in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event and on FOX Deportes Saturday, April 17 from Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

“After my last fight I went on a bit of a sparring tour,” said Perrella, detailing the origins of how he linked up with his new trainer. “I ended up sparring with some of Roy’s guys in Pensacola, and afterward he let me stay to soak up some more knowledge. The rest is history. It was an easy decision to stay out there and grow under one of the best fighters ever. It’s like going off to a university. Every day I come in with my notepad and pen ready.”

Perrella will return to the ring after suffering a disappointing defeat in his last fight in February 2020 on FOX. Perrella led on all three scorecards heading into the final round against Abel Ramos, but was stopped in the waning moments of the round. For Perrella, he’s learned from the experience, and combined with his new trainer, believes it will all end up helping him long term.

“Everything that happened with the Ramos fight has been addressed and changed,” said Perrella. “That lost sent me on the journey that led me to this new weight class and training with Roy. Everything happens for a reason, as long as you look for that reason and have faith in it. That reason has been shown to me in so many ways and it’s a huge blessing.”

After spending a majority his career fighting at 147 pounds, Perrella will fight at the super welterweight limit for the first time since his third pro fight. For the six-foot, one-inch Perrella, he believes that moving up in weight full-time will open up different aspects of his game.

“The decision to move up in weight was because of how I felt in the Ramos fight,” said Perrella. “Making 147 pounds was taking a lot out of me. I performed well, but I know how I felt in that ring. I have so much more to give as a fighter. That was really only 30% of me. Making weight was coming at a cost and I no longer thought it was helping me.

“I know these fighters at 154 are bigger and stronger, but so am I. I’m going to be stronger than ever and I’m going to be ready to tangle. I probably should have been at this weight for a while. I was always a fighter moving down in weight. I still train hard like always, but by not having to worry as much about weight, I’m able to add big layers to my game. With all these changes, I even surprise myself some days with what I can do now. I’m super confident and I can’t wait to bring it all to the ring on fight night.”

Perrella not only finds motivation from returning in a primetime main event, but from having elite opposition in the former 154-pound champion Harrison. Perrella knows that Harrison presents a versatile and difficult task, but is more than up to the challenge in front of him.

“This is a huge opportunity to fight one of the top guys at this weight,” said Perrella. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. It definitely helps motivate me to have this kind of chance on this stage against a fighter like Tony.

“Tony has different layers and dimensions to his game. He can box with his jab and length, but he can also come forward with that high guard. At this level, it’s a game of adjustments. This is going to be an interesting clash of styles. There’s no other southpaw like me. He’s sharp and has experience, but I’m a whole different kind of animal than anything he’s seen.”

With Roy Jones Jr. in his corner, Perrella believes that he has the confidence to not only come out victorious on April 17, but to make this a memorable action fight for fans watching.

“I have a unique approach and now I have Roy passing down his knowledge from his experiences,” said Perrella. “It’s like a shortcut. I’m getting the knowledge handed right to me instead of going through it not knowing what to expect. This matchup is between two strong fighters and the fans can expect an action packed fight from start to finish.”

#

ABOUT HARRISON VS. PERRELLA
Harrison vs. Perrella will see former WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Tony “Superbad” Harrison enter the ring to face hard-hitting southpaw Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella in the super welterweight main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, April 17 from Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features undefeated rising contender Omar “El Relampago” Juarez stepping up versus veteran Jessie Roman in the 10-round super lightweight co-main event. The telecast opener will see the return of sensational prospect Vito Mielnicki Jr. against James Martin in an eight-round welterweight matchup.

The event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions @WarriorsBoxingProm, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas (APRIL 7, 2021)–Memorial Day weekend promises to start out with a bang, as junior welterweight Michael Dutchover will look to thrill his Lone Star State fans when he takes on Ivan Leon Benitez in the headlining 10-round bout of what will be an explosive night of boxing on Friday, May 28th at Reed Arena on the campus of Texas A&M University and LIVE and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®., the world’s leading streaming service for combat sports. The card will begin at 7 PM ET / 6 PM CT /4 PM PT.

The show is presented by Reed Arena and Texas A&M University and promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

Dutchover, of Midland, Texas, has a record of 14-1 with 10 knockouts. The 23- year-old turned professional five years ago.

Dutchover, known as the “West Texas Warrior,” has wins over Miguel Cariozza (10-1); Ricardo Lopez (7-1-2); Bergman Aguilar (14-3-1); Rosekie Cristobal (15-3), and his last bout when he won an eight-round unanimous decision over Jorge Marron (18-1) on July 26th in Orange, California.

Dutchover is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

“In December I was supposed to fight, but I had an injury, and things happen for a reason. I am back in California training and am excited to get back in the ring. There is no place that I would rather fight than in Texas. I will have fans there from Midland and all over the state. This is my fifth year as a professional, and this is the year that I become a contender,” said Dutchover.

Benitez, of Cancun, Mexico, has a record of 14-4-1 with 6 knockouts.

Just 20 years old, Benitez is already a six-year professional. He has wins over two undefeated opponents and is coming off a draw with undefeated Francisco Javier Lopez Corrales (12-0) on December 8th in Mexico.

“I will have a difficult task ahead of me in fighting Dutchover, but May 28th will be my day. I will be prepared to give the fans a great show and to beat my opponent. This is what I work for everyday, and he will not derail my dreams of becoming a future champion,” said Benitez.

Seeing action in the 10-round co-feature will be heavyweight Isaac Munoz Gutierrez.

Gutierrez of Mexicali, Mexico is undefeated with a record of 12-0-1 with 10 knockouts.

The 29-year-old Gutierrez, who will be making his United States debut, was a former amateur star in Mexico and competed in the World Series of Boxing.

Gutierrez has stopped his last six opponents and is coming off a first-round stoppage of 35-fight veteran Jesus Alberto Torres Martinez on September 7, 2019 Naucalpan, Mexico.

Seeing action in an 8-round bout will be undefeated lightweight, Miguel Madueno.

Madueno, 22-years-old from Orange, California, has an impressive record of 22-0 with 20 knockouts.

Madueno is a four-year professional who has shot up the prospect rankings with wins over Cristian Flores (7-1-2); Jesus Rendon (13-1-1); former world-title challenger Cosme Rivera; and his last bout when Madueno stopped Jesus Quintero Velarde in two rounds on December 18th in Sonora, Mexico.

Opening up the broadcast will see Jamshidbek Najmitdinov take part in an 8-round junior welterweight fight.

Najmitdinov, of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, has a record of 16-1 with 13 knockouts.

Najmitdinov is an eight-year professional who will be making his American debut.

Najmitdinov has been in several all-action fights, with a style that will appeal to the American audience. The only blemish on his record was a very disputed decision loss to former world champion Viktor Postol. That bout saw Najmitdinov go into the home country of Postol in the Ukraine, and Jamshidbek dropped Postol on two occasions and rocked him several other times during the fight, yet fell short on the judges’ scorecards.

Najmitdinov is coming off a first-round stoppage over Giorgi Khutsishvili on October 6, 2019 to win the WBC CIS Title.

“UFC FIGHT PASS prides itself on being the destination for combat sports fans,” said Crowley Sullivan, Vice President and General Manager, UFC FIGHT PASS. “We’re thrilled to showcase the exciting talent from Banner Promotions to our subscribers. With boxers putting their undefeated records on the line, this action-packed event is one our subscribers won’t want to miss.”

“I am looking forward to working with UFC Fight Pass and Darren Davis with Reed Arena. We are very excited to be putting on this show to kick off a holiday weekend. This show promises to feature fan-friendly fights. When Michael Dutchover fights in Texas, it is always a great crowd, and we are excited about his continued ascent up the rankings. We also are looking forward to getting a glimpse of a future player in the heavyweight division in Isaac Munoz Gutierrez. The fans watching in the arena and around the world are in for a terrific night of boxing,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.

“We are very happy to see the return of Michel Dutchover, and what better place than at the Reed Arena at Texas A&M. Michael will make a run for a world title and this is the best way to get him going,” said Ken Thompson, President of Thompson Boxing.

“We are thrilled to be hosting this marquee fight with Banner Promotions. Adding to a growing list of exciting events we are bringing to Bryan-College Station, this fight will be one any boxing fan will not want to miss,” says Darren Davis, General Manager of Reed Arena.

“We couldn’t be happier to be working with Banner Promotions, to bring a championship event to a great Texas Arena. Reed Arena is going to be a great new venue for boxing, the Gig’Em spirit will be alive and well,” said Daren Libonati of the Libonati Group.

Tickets go on-sale on Thursday, April 8th at 10 AM CT

WHEN: Friday, May 28th, 2021
Doors open 5:45pm with First Bell at 6:00pm CT.

WHERE: Reed Arena
Texas A&M University
730 Olsen Blvd.
College Station, TX 77843

TICKETS: Tickets start at $25
Tickets available for purchase online at ReedArena.com or by phone at
888-99-AGGIE (24463) ** venue / ticketing fees may apply.

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com, or download the UFC app.

About Reed Arena:
Prominently located on the Texas A&M University campus, Reed Arena serves as the home court for the Aggies’ men’s and women’s basketball teams and women’s volleyball team. This multi-purpose venue can also host a variety of other events including major touring concerts, family shows, rodeo, private events, motorsports and comedy. It is conveniently located within minutes of Bryan-College Station’s Easterwood Airport and the Northgate entertainment district, and within walking distance of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Center, the Memorial Student Center and the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, as well as Texas A&M’s impressive athletics complex of Blue Bell Park (baseball), E.B. Cushing Stadium (track & field), Davis Diamond (softball), Ellis Field (soccer), Gilliam Indoor Stadium (track & field), Kyle Field (football) and the Mitchell Tennis Center (tennis). To purchase tickets, please call: 888-99Aggie (888-992-4443) or 979-845-2311. You may also visit www.ReedArena.com for more information.

About Texas A&M Athletics | Home of the 12th Man:
One of the most successful Athletics Departments in the nation, Texas A&M ranked No. 15 in the most recent Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup standings and is one of eight Division I institutions nationally to finish in the top 20 of the prestigious ranking of athletics success for at least 13 consecutive years. For more information, go to www.12thMan.com.

About Texas A&M University:
Texas A&M University, the flagship university within the Texas A&M University System, is a tier-one research institution with nearly $1 billion in research grants and more than 69,000 students. The President of Texas A&M University has strategic oversight for campuses in Bryan-College Station and Galveston, Texas and Doha, Qatar. Located on the campus of Texas A&M University is The Health Science Center with the College of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, as well as The Texas A&M School of Law and Mays Business School. For more information, go to www.tamu.edu.

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®:
UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

About Libonati Entertainment Group
Libonati Entertainment Group is a team of well-versed production, operations, ticketing, promotion, and general site management professionals. We design, create, and produce both public and private events. We have experience and expertise in events ranging from small private events to large-scale 80,000 person festivals. Our event DNA stems from the Arena, Stadium, and Outdoor Festival business. Creating the most economically impactful events over the last two decades at multiple venues in Nevada and across the country.

Bouts Subject to Change

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like the Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing