Double V Management signs Ed Paredes and Larry Fryers


Newly established Double V Boxing Management is proud to announce the signing of welterweight contender Ed “The Lion” Paredes.

Paredes, fighting out of Miami, FL, boasts a professional record of 38-8-1, 25 KOs and will immediately return to the ring on April 27, 2019 in the Dominican Republic. Paredes reunites with former Cuban National Team coach Jorge Rubio. The duo was a perfect 13-0 and both are excited to re-start their winning ways. The former #3 ranked world contender in the WBC at 147 is looking forward to a busy 2019, where he hopes to land a major fight against one of the division’s best.

“I’m very excited to work with Double V Boxing Management,” said Paredes. “With Vinny, Vic, and Jorge by my side I am fully confident they can get me back to the big stage. I understand this is my last run, and I will make the best of it. A world title fight is the goal and now I have the right team to make it happen.”

Double V Boxing Management is the union of established boxing manager Vincent Scolpino (VMS Management, Inc.) and attorney Victor Wainstein. Scolpino is best known for managing former world champions Joshua Clottey, Joseph Agbeko, and Alejendro Berrio, as well as numerous world ranked contenders, while Wainstein previously represented 2008 Olympians Tureano Johnson and Azea Augustama.

“I was introduced to Vic by veteran matchmaker Zac Pomilio, and immediately my wheels started spinning on how we could put something together,” said Scolpino. “Quickly we realized we were on the same page and Double V Boxing Management was created. With Vic’s legal and boxing background combined with my experience, we have a great team to bring our fighters to the top.”

“I have been looking for the right opportunity to get back into boxing and when I was introduced to Vinny, I knew it was the perfect fit,” said Wainstein. “We are ready to get started, and I believe we have the solid foundation to assist our fighters in all of their career goals.”

Together, they are confident that Double V can become a major force in the boxing industry, providing highly experienced managerial and legal representation for its clients.

Double V Boxing Management has also recently signed super lightweight “Lethal” Larry Fryers and has quickly secured a spot for Fryers on a major card. Fryers, fighting out of Yonkers, NY by way of Clones, Ireland, will be fighting on April 20, 2019 at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of the ESPN PPV show headlined by Terrance Crawford vs Amir Khan. Fryers is expecting a huge Irish turnout from his loyal New York fan base and promises an explosive performance.

Interested boxers, trainers, and advisors can contact Vinny Scolpino at (201) 394-5026 or Victor Wainstein at (305) 308-4238 to find out more about Double V Boxing Management and all potential management opportunities.




LIVE VIDEO: Shields vs. Hammer: Weigh-In




MARTIN NGUYEN STOPS NARANTUNGALAG JADAMBAA TO RETAIN ONE FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

12 April 2019 – Manila, Philippines: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), once again ignited the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila for another evening of world-class martial arts action. ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR highlighted the biggest and brightest stars of ONE Championship who came out to showcase their incredible skills. In the main event, reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin Nguyen retained his title with a scintillating knockout of Narantungalag Jadambaa. In the co-main event, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio avenged a prior loss to Yosuke Saruta to be crowned 2-time ONE Strawweight World Champion.

Visit the official ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR photo gallery by clicking: https://bit.ly/onephotos

In the main event of ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR, Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Vietnam and Australia continued his reign over the featherweight division with a spectacular knockout victory over former World Champion Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia to retain the ONE Featherweight World Title. Nguyen and Jadambaa exchanged thunderous strikes in the opening round, both looking to end the night early. In the second round, Nguyen punished Jadambaa with powerful kicks to the leg before unleashing a perfectly-placed flying knee to take the Mongolian star out and remain the featherweight division’s king.

In the co-main event, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of the Philippines reclaimed the ONE Strawweight World Championship in highlight-reel fashion after knocking out Japan’s Yosuke “The Ninja” Saruta in their highly-anticipated World Title rematch. Pacio survived some early trouble courtesy of a first-round knockdown from Saruta and began getting more comfortable with his strikes as the bout wore on. In the fourth round, Pacio caught Saruta with a well-timed high kick that instantly knocked Saruta out.

Japan’s Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada booked his ticket to the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Semi-final round after defeating Cuban Greco-Roman Wrestling World Champion Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart via unanimous decision. The former DEEP Flyweight World Champion Wada utilized his height and reach advantage to outstrike Balart and keep the relentless Cuban grappler at bay. After three rounds of action, Wada earned the victory and the right to face Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in the next round of the flyweight tournament.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Leandro “Brodinho” Issa showcased his elite grappling skills with a first-round submission win over China’s Fu Chang Xin. Issa brought the action to the ground early and wasted no time in imposing his will on the mat, working his way into an armbar with relative ease. Issa then transitioned into a triangle choke before locking in another deep armbar to force the tap from Fu in the opening round.

Romanian kickboxer Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica prevailed over Morocco’s Ibrahim “Mr. Cool” El Bouni in an action-packed ONE Super Series kickboxing bout. The two world-class light-heavyweight strikers figured in an intense back-and-forth bout as they stood toe-to-toe and went strike-for-strike until the final bell. After three rounds of action, it was Stoica who was declared the winner.

Unbeaten American James Nakashima picked up a massive win after an apparent knee injury rendered former World Title contender Luis “Sapo” Santos of Brazil unable to continue in the second round of their welterweight contest. Santos found success in the early moments of the bout, using his elite-level Muay Thai striking to punish Nakashima in the stand up. In the second round however, Nakashima countered a kick with a takedown and landed awkwardly on Santos’ left leg, ultimately leading to the stoppage.

Filipino featherweight contender Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly weathered a storm of submission attempts from South Korean grappler Sung Jong Lee to score a second-round TKO win in front of his hometown crowd. Kelly fought off a wave of kneebar and heel hook attempts from Lee, who was in constant pursuit of grappling exchanges. Kelly turned the tables in the second round however, as he fended off yet another submission attempt and pounded Lee out with piston-like punches for the stoppage win.

Brazilian kickboxing World Champion Anderson “Braddock” Silva announced his arrival to the global stage of ONE Championship, knocking out Australia’s Andre “The Giant” Meunier in the first round of their ONE Super Series kickboxing bout. The hard-hitting heavyweights wasted no time in providing fireworks as they traded massive combinations right off the bat. Midway through the opening round, Silva connected on a counter-right hook that knocked Meunier out cold instantly.

“Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il of South Korea bounced back in a big way after making quick work of Filipino veteran Eric “The Natural” Kelly with a flash knockout in the first round. Kwon landed a well-placed right straight that rocked and dropped Kelly. The Korean prospect finished things off with some ground-and-pound for the stoppage win in just 19 seconds.

Thai legend Saemapetch Fairtex was once again victorious on the ONE Super Series stage, as he outstruck Serbian-American Ognjen Topic en route to a hard-earned a majority decision win. Saemapetch was aggressive from the opening bell, overwhelming Topic with a seemingly unending barrage of strikes. Topic rallied late in the final round, but it proved to be too late, as Saemapetch walked away with the judges’ decision.

China’s “The Stalker” Xie Bin scored another impressive win after submitting Afghanistan’s Ahmad Qais Jasoor in the second round. It was a competitive opening round between the two bantamweight contenders, as they displayed their grappling skills by trading submission attempts. In the second round, Xie wasted little time in getting the action to the ground and worked his way into a deep D’Arce choke that left Jasoor with no other option but to tap out.

Singaporean flyweight Niko Soe was triumphant in his return to the ONE Championship Circle, defeating Indonesian wrestling champion Eko Roni Saputra via doctor stoppage due to injury. Soe connected on a glancing elbow midway through the first round that opened up a cut on Saputra’s head, prompting an official halt to the action. After getting inspected by the cageside physician, it was ruled that Saputra would be unable to continue and Soe was awarded the TKO victory.

Lerdsila Phuket Top Team of Thailand put on a striking clinic as he defeated Japan’s Momotaro via unanimous decision in their ONE Super Series Flyweight Muay Thai bout. The multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion utilized a masterful mix of thunderous kicks and well-timed throws to outclass the Japanese striker on all fronts. After three rounds of action, Lerdsila earned the nod from all three judges.

Vietnamese-American women’s atomweight and ONE Championship newcomer Bi “Killer Bee” Nguyen was impressive in her promotional debut, dominating Indonesia’s Dwi Ani Retno Wulan en route to a first-round TKO win. Nguyen was relentless as she took Wulan down to the mat early in the opening round. From there, Nguyen seamlessly transitioned into full mount and punished her opponent with strikes from the top to pick up the stoppage victory.

Kicking off the action at ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR, Filipino flyweight Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales continued his impressive run in ONE Championship by making quick work of Japan’s Akihiro Fujisawa with a submission win in the first round. Fujisawa attempted a takedown early in the first round but found himself getting caught in a deep guillotine choke. Gonzales postured up and tightened the choke, forcing Fujisawa to tap out abruptly.

Official results for ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR
ONE Featherweight World Championship bout: Martin Nguyen defeats Narantungalag Jadambaa by Knockout (KO) at 1:07 minutes of round 2
ONE Strawweight World Championship bout: Joshua Pacio defeats Yosuke Saruta by Knockout (KO) at 2:43 minutes of round 4
ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Quarter-final bout: Tatsumitsu Wada defeats Gustavo Balart by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Catch Weight (68.0 KG) bout: Leandro Issa defeats Fu Chang Xin by Submission (Armbar) at 3:03 minutes of round 1
ONE Super Series Light Heavyweight Kickboxing bout: Andrei Stoica defeats Ibrahim El Bouni by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Welterweight bout: James Nakashima defeats Luis Santos by TKO (Injury) at 0:56 minutes of round 2
Featherweight bout: Edward Kelly defeats Sung Jong Lee by TKO (Strikes) at 2:51 minutes of round 2
ONE Super Series Heavyweight Kickboxing bout: Anderson Silva defeats Andre Meunier by Knockout (KO) at 1:14 minutes of round 1
Featherweight bout: Kwon Won Il defeats Eric Kelly by Knockout (KO) at 0:19 minutes of round 1
ONE Super Series Bantamweight Muay Thai bout: Saemapetch Fairtex defeats Ognjen Topic by Majority Decision (MD) after 3 rounds
Bantamweight bout: Xie Bin defeats Ahmad Qais Jasoor by Submission (D’Arce Choke) at 2:27 minutes of round 2
Flyweight bout: Niko Soe defeats Eko Roni Saputra by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) at 3:03 minutes of round 1
ONE Super Series Flyweight Muay Thai bout: Lerdsila Phuket Top Team defeats Momotaro by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Women’s Atomweight bout: Bi Nguyen defeats Dwi Ani Retno Wulan by TKO (Strikes) at 3:55 minutes of round 1
Flyweight bout: Ramon Gonzales defeats Akihiro Fujisawa by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:19 minutes of round 1

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.




BROWNE: THERE’S GOING TO BE BLOOD

Aussie hardman Lucas Browne is expecting a bloody and bruising affair when he collides with Doncaster fan favourite Dave Allen at The O2 in London on April 20, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

The Heavyweight rivals came face-to-face for the first time at today’s Public Workout at Old Spitalfields Market and both men were in good spirits as they embraced and joked, but the former WBA Heavyweight World Champion insists it will be strictly business come fight night.

“This is the first time I’ve met Dave and I really like him,” said Browne. “I’ve never had a bad word to say about him and I still don’t. He’s a cool guy and you can see how popular he is from today’s turnout at the workout, there was hundreds of the people there. It is what it is. We’re both professional fighters and I’m just going to do my job on the night.

“I don’t think he’s ever going to be a World Champion but he’s definitely a great fighter. If you put him up against anyone else in Australia, I think he beats them. He’s got a chin like a brick so it’s going to be a long night for me. I’m not going to bowl him over in one round but I’m prepared for all scenarios. We’re going to knock lumps off each other.

“I think there’s going to be blood, some cuts and some big punches. The fans are going to be the real winners. I genuinely believe this has got the potential to be Fight of the Year if everything gels. He looks like he’s started to take things very seriously and you can tell that by the shape he’s in. I think you’ll see the best versions of us next week.”

Browne returns to the scene of his sole career loss to Dillian Whyte determined to redeem himself. Since that loss, ‘Big Daddy’ (28-1) has made changes to his training team and bounced back with three wins. He believes another victory on April 20 will fire his name back into the World mix.

“My mental state wasn’t right heading into the Dillian Whyte fight. Everything that I was doing at home with training and going away from the family and all that sort of stuff wasn’t right, so that did affect everything else as well. My head wasn’t right and I think that had a big impact on everything leading up to the fight.

“My boxing trainer Rodney Williams who came over with me last time, he’s an absolute legend of a bloke as well as a boxing trainer, but I wasn’t doing any of the strength and conditioning and all that other stuff. I think I was definitely lacking in that regard.

“Now I’m hooked up with Jay Gray my Head Coach. I’m in Perth with my kids and family and that’s a full time thing there. Jay does everything in the one gym so not only my boxing, sparring and pad work, but all of the strength and conditioning, fitness and everything all in one spot.

“I think it’s something that I needed to do instead of spending so much time away from my family. I’m in a really good place now and I feel happy. I think that’s going to make a big difference to my career moving forward. This is the start of my journey to another Heavyweight World title.”

Allen vs. Browne is part of a huge night of boxing in the Capital.

Derek Chisora (29-9, 21 KOs) clashes with Senad Gashi (17-2, 17 KOs) in his first fight under new trainer Dave Coldwell, Sunderland’s ‘Pretty Boy’ Josh Kelly (8-0, 6 KOs) takes on the toughest opponent of his career to date in the form of unbeaten 17-0 Pole Przemyslaw Runowski and Ilford Welterweight prospect Conor Benn (13-0, 9 KOs) makes his long-awaited return to the ring, Brooklyn Middleweight prospect Nikita Ababiy (3-0, 3 KOs) makes his UK debut and Watford Bantamweight Shannon Courtenay fights for the second time as a pro after her debut win at the Copper Box Arena.

General Sale tickets for April 20 are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)




DUBOIS WELCOMES CHISORA AND ALLEN CLASHES

DANIEL DUBOIS INSISTS he will have no issue in taking on the next available contenders should his proposed British title showdown with Joe Joyce not come to fruition.

The 21-year-old heavyweight and his team are adamant he will not be withdrawn from the mandated collision for the Lonsdale belt should he be successful in overcoming the threat posed by the world-ranked Ghanaian Richard Lartey at the SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27.

That being the case, it would be down to the Olympic silver medallist to choose whether he accepts the mission of attempting to de-rail the rapid progress of the 10-0 Dubois or look elsewhere to build on his success of stopping former world champion Bermane Stiverne last time out.

Dubois earlier today stated on his official Twitter account that he would like to win the British Title this year. Alternatives to Joyce could include the likes of David Allen and Derek Chisora.

Dubois is relishing the prospect of taking on Joyce, but when asked whether other names in the British frame such as Dereck Chisora and David Allen would hold any fears for him, ‘Triple D’ asserted he has no issues.

“I am not out to duck anybody and these guys are further on or roundabout the same stats as me in the rankings, so I have got to face them and I will do,” said the executor of nine KOs out of 10 fights, who acknowledges that the threats to his unbeaten progress are getting very real now.

“This is what we have been working towards and why I turned pro, to be moving up the rankings and progressing as I am.

“I haven’t really seen too much of Lartey, but I am sure he is going to be game and come ready for a fight, so I’ve got to be prepared one hundred per cent. I cannot cut any corners and I will be ready.”

Meanwhile, Dubois credits Joyce for adding a stellar name to his list of eight vanquished opponents and winning the Commonwealth title.

“It was a good win for Joyce and a good name for his resume. It was not the best Bermane Stiverne because he is at the end of his career now, but it was a good win and a good scalp for his CV against a former world champion.”

Daniel Dubois v Richard Lartey tops the bill at the SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27 on a card that also includes the Commonwealth super middleweight title fight between Lerrone Richards and Tommy Langford, as well as the Southern Area super middleweight title clash between Zak Chelli and Jimmy Smith. WBO European super flyweight champion Sunny Edwards and WBO European super featherweight champion Archie Sharp also feature.

Chorley-boxer Jack Catterall will be in action as he edges ever-closer to a world title challenge. Rangy Super Welterweight talent Hamzah Sheeraz will be back out after his impressive win over Rod Douglas Jnr. Hard hitting middleweight and Peacock gym product Denzel Bentley (9-0) and Belfast amateur middleweight star Caoimhin Agyarko will also return to action. There is a Queensberry debut for Sheffield middleweight Shakiel Thompson (2-0) – with Thompson being tipped by sparring partner Billy Joe Saunders as a star for the future. Ilford Super Middleweight Umar Sadiq (4-1) also returns as he looks to rebuild after his first career loss. Tunde Ajayi trained lightweight Bilal Ali (1-0) will have his second professional fight after making a successful start to his pro career, with Hoddesdon super lightweight Alfie Price set for his fifth.

Tickets will be priced as £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150 and are now ON SALE to purchase via Eventim, Ticketmaster, the SSE Arena website and AXS.com




LIVE VIDEO: Munguia vs. Hogan Weigh-In




CATTERALL UNHAPPY ABOUT ‘LITTLE GRASSHOPPER’ JAB FROM HOOKER


JACK CATTERALL IS hopping mad over being likened to an insect by his forthcoming world title foe Maurice Hooker.

The 25-year-old from Chorley – who returns to the ring at the SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27 – has worked his way into the mandatory challenger position for the WBO world super lightweight title held by the Texan Hooker.

The unbeaten Catterall undertook a little working holiday recently to watch Hooker make a second defence of his title against Mikkel LesPierre in New York, where the 29-year-old laboured to a points victory.

Since Catterall made himself known to ‘Mighty Mo’, the champion has acknowledged his challenge across social media by describing him as a ‘little grasshopper’.

Definition: A plant-eating insect with long hind legs which are used for jumping and for producing a chirping sound.

“He has since called me a ‘little grasshopper’ twice, which I am not happy about,” responded Catterall this week in his Fighter Diary posted on frankwarren.com.

“I don’t even know what he means by it or trying to get out of it.”

Insect references aside, Catterall is happy to have made the acquaintance of his future opponent and is convinced he will soon be parting him from his title.

“I treated it like a work trip, just in and out, because I am not a loud person and didn’t want to make too much noise.

“The way it unfolded went well for me, I got a bit of publicity from it and people know now that I am the No.1 contender. He certainly knows and I made a statement by travelling out to watch him, which I think was a smart move.

“I got to see him up close again for the second time and now I am even more convinced that I can beat him. I saw him before the fight, a couple of hours before the show started, and I wished him luck for the fight.

“So he knew I was there and then you will have seen the little clip in the ring when he got his victory. He let me know that I would be getting my shot at the title soon enough.”

The 23-0 Catterall, who calls himself ‘El Gato’, was not overly impressed with Hooker’s display against LesPierre after the champion was forced to make several return visits to the scales the day before the fight.

“Looking at the fight in comparison to when he beat Terry Flanagan, I would say that it wasn’t his greatest performance and he was much better against Terry and in his first defence.

“Whether him going downhill is to do with weight issues? I know he struggled to make it this time, so maybe that is why he didn’t perform.

“I didn’t think the opponent, even though he was undefeated, had really earned a shot at the title and I was a bit surprised over the success he had in snippets in the fight. I thought Hooker would make a statement with this guy and blow him out of the water, but it proved to be different.

“He is an awkward customer though with his long reach and the height, but if you look at my record I have boxed them all and had plenty of tall opponents like Nathan Brough, Tyrone McKenna, Tyrone Nurse – and Ohara with his extra-long arms!”

It is now a waiting game for Catterall due to Hooker’s stated intention of having an interim fight on home soil.

“I am still in the waiting room for my shot at the title and it seems like he is going to have another fight before defending against me. I’m hearing he will have a summer defence as a homecoming in Dallas and I’m hoping not too long after that we can get it on.

“I am prepared to go to America if needs be and there are a couple of ways I have looked at it. As a child, when you think of big fights, you always dream of winning in America and fighting away from home. I know he is the champion and you have got to make a statement and really take the belt off him.

“It honestly won’t bother me where the fight is, whether it is over here or over there.”

Daniel Dubois v Richard Lartey tops the bill at the SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27 on a card that also includes the Commonwealth super middleweight title fight between Lerrone Richards and Tommy Langford, as well as the Southern Area super middleweight title clash between Zak Chelli and Jimmy Smith. WBO European super flyweight champion Sunny Edwards and WBO European super featherweight champion Archie Sharp also feature.

Chorley-boxer Jack Catterall will be in action as he edges ever-closer to a world title challenge. Rangy Super Welterweight talent Hamzah Sheeraz will be back out after his impressive win over Rod Douglas Jnr. Hard hitting middleweight and Peacock gym product Denzel Bentley (9-0) and Belfast amateur middleweight star Caoimhin Agyarko will also return to action. There is a Queensberry debut for Sheffield middleweight Shakiel Thompson (2-0) – with Thompson being tipped by sparring partner Billy Joe Saunders as a star for the future. Ilford Super Middleweight Umar Sadiq (4-1) also returns as he looks to rebuild after his first career loss. Tunde Ajayi trained lightweight Bilal Ali (1-0) will have his second professional fight after making a successful start to his pro career, with Hoddesdon super lightweight Alfie Price set for his fifth.

Tickets will be priced as £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150 and are now ON SALE to purchase via Eventim, Ticketmaster, the SSE Arena website and AXS.com




LIVE VIDEO: UFC 236: Seasonal Press Conference




Lomachenko still seeking a cutting-edge test for his artistry

By Norm Frauenheim-

There’s something singular about Vasiliy Lomachenko. That’s another way of saying there’s nobody else quite like him. His unique skillset is often compared to modern art, a cutting-edge exhibition on canvas that has seen it all.

The portrayal works. At least, it has in promotional terms for the last couple of years. Against Anthony Crolla Friday at Los Angeles Staples Center in an ESPN+ televised bout (8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET), the artist will be back at work.

Crolla is just there, another opponent Lomachenko is expected to add to his brilliant body of work. The idea is to watch how Lomachenko does it. The result doesn’t appear to be in doubt. If you believe the odds, Crolla is nothing more than a piece of clay that Lomachenko’s array of many-angled punches will sculpt into another victory.

Crolla is an 18-to-1 underdog. There are reports that a betting site has listed Lomachenko as a 100-to-1 favorite. Art can be massacre, too.

It’s worth a look. Lomachenko always is. But we don’t watch fights because we’re looking for museum masterpieces. We’re seeking drama, often the kind that is painted in blood-red tones.

Lomachenko (12-1, 9 KOs) is facing Crolla (34-6-3, 13 KOs) because of a hand injury suffered by Richard Commey, whose IBF lightweight title represented a chance for the Ukrainian to add a fourth major belt to his collection.

Commey would get a better shot from oddsmakers than Crolla has. But probably not by much. Commey figures to wind up the way Crolla will when and if the IBF champ faces Lomachenko.

Lomachenko, probably the best Olympic boxer since Cuban heavyweight Teofilo Stevenson, wants unification.

Fans want a test.

A potential one has been there for years in Mikey Garcia, still the World Boxing Council’s lightweight champion despite his one-sided welterweight loss to Errol Spence Jr. on March 16. The Garcia-Lomachenko possibility had been No. 1 in the public mind of fights the fans wanted to see. But it cooled, in large part because of Garcia’s divorce from Top Rank and his current relationship with PBC.

Now, there’s also an erosion in the way some see Garcia, who was overmatched in his loss to a much bigger Spence. There’s still some question about what Garcia will do next.

To wit: Will he go back to 135 pounds? Or will he wait and hope for a shot at Manny Pacquiao, perhaps at 140?

Lomachenko still hopes for a showdown with Garcia, but he night have to wait until Garcia wins a couple of bouts that will help put the Spence loss in the rear-view mirror. Guess here: Garcia will still be the threat he was at 135, but he will have to restore credibility lost in the risky venture against Spence.

“I still want that fight, 100 percent, but it is up to Mikey,’’ Lomachenko said in interviews before Friday’s opening bell. “Can he cut the weight? I don’t know. But if he can make 135, I want that fight.’’

Both Lomachenko and Crolla made weight Thursday at a weigh-in moved from Staples Center to the Los Angeles Convention Center because of a memorial service for rapper Nipsey Hussle. Lomachenko was 134.4 pounds; Crolla 134.8.

Top Rank is making alternate plans. It’s no secret that Garcia and the promotional company don’t exactly get along. Emerging sensation Teofimo Lopez has been mentioned as a Lomachenko possibility. So, too, has Miguel Berchelt, if Berchelt beats Francisco Vargas in their May 11 rematch at Tucson’s Community Center in an ESPN-televised card that will also include a Isaac Dogboe-Emanuel Navarrete rematch.

But Lomachenko has always want to fight Garcia. Perhaps, the artist in him foresees a classic. But there’s something else, too. In the end, he understands that his mastery of the ring craft only becomes enduring art if it is challenged, tested by another acknowledged master.




JAIME MUNGUIA VS. DENNIS ‘HURRICANE’ HOGAN FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE PHOTOS AND QUOTES


MONTERREY, MEXICO (April 11, 2019): WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion Jaime Munguia (32-0, 26 KOs) and mandatory 154-pound challenger Dennis Hurricane” Hogan (28-1-1, 7 KOs) hosted their final press conference today ahead of their 12-round fight for Munguia’s title. They were joined by Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy, along with Fernando Beltran, CEO of Zanfer Promotions, among others.The event will take place Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Below is what today’s participants had to say at the press conference:

JAIME MUNGUIA, WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion:

“I feel very happy and proud to be here. We have been advancing, little by little. had four very tough world title fights. We’ve been learning a lot, and we’ve been gaining a lot of experience during the past year. I also want to say that I will leave everything in the ring this Saturday. I want you all to see a different Jaime Munguia, a better version with better abilities. I want to tell Dennis Hogan that this world title will stay in Mexico. He is not a better fighter than me. This fight is dedicated to all of Mexico!”

DENNIS HOGAN, WBO Number 1 Contender:

“I’m happy to be now as my chance to become world champion gets closer. I want to say that as an Irish man living in Australia who is fighting a Mexican in his own land, I am honored. I know that Ireland, Australia and Mexico are great boxing nations with people who always fight with determination and will. So, I know this will be an excellent fight for everyone in the world. I’m happy and proud to be part of it. To put the icing on the cake, I will be going out there to take that world championship. I’m winning on April 13.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy:

“Golden Boy has been here before in this great city of Monterrey back in September 2008 when Antonio Pitalua and Jose Armando Santa Cruz fought in the main event. Monterrey, the land of great fighters such as Lauro “El Tigre” Salas and Clemente Sánchez, will be in for a show on Saturday when knockout artist Jaime Munguia faces the tough Australian contender, Dennis Hogan.”

“Munguia became known to the world by beating Sadam Ali by knockout in May 2018 when he was crowned WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion. Since then, this powerful Mexican warrior has defended his crown three times. Now, he has a very difficult test against Dennis Hogan, WBO No. 1 contender. We know it will be a great battle between two of the best 154-pound fighters in the world.”

“Also, the co-main event will feature Diego de la Hoya against Enrique Bernache in his featherweight debut. We are also going to present to the local fans the strong Brazilian contender Patrick Teixeira, who will face Mario Lozano in a match for the WBO Latino Junior Middleweight Title. At Golden Boy, we are committed to offering the best fights in boxing.”

FERNANDO BELTRAN, CEO of Zanfer Promotions:

“When I talk about Jaime Munguia, I talk about a young man who I have had the pleasure of knowing since he was a boy. He was a young boy with a lot of dreams. His father, Jaime Munguia Sr., would go to the office and say, ‘My kid, he’s good!’ He will be someone important!”

“We helped him with what we could. We helped him during his amateur career. Logically, he debuted with us and he had a great run in different parts of Mexico. We debuted him in Las Vegas where he won by knockout. Then, Golde Boy called us, and gave us the great opportunity with Sadam Ali. We fought him, and then began a co-promotion with Golden Boy. That initiated his jump toward international fame.”

Munguia vs. Hogan is a 12-round fight for the WBO Junior Middleweight World
Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Munguia vs. Hogan can be purchased online at www.ArenaMonterrey.com or by clicking here.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #MunguiaHogan

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/MunguiaHogan into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.




Weigh-In Results: Lomachenko vs. Crolla and Ramirez vs. Karpency


• Vasiliy Lomachenko 134.4 lbs vs. Anthony Crolla 134.8 lbs
(Lomachenko’s WBO/WBA Lightweight world titles – 12 Rounds)

• Gilberto Ramirez 174.6 lbs vs. Tommy Karpency 174.6 lbs
(Light Heavyweight – 10 Rounds)

ESPN+ (8 p.m. EST)

• Arnold Barboza Jr. 140 lbs vs. Mike Alvarado 139.6 lbs
(Barboza’s NABF Jr. Super Lightweight title – 10 Rounds)

• Alexander Besputin 147 lbs vs. Alfredo Blanco 146.4 lbs
(Besputin’s USBA Welterweight title – 10 Rounds)

• Janibek Alimkhanuly 160 lbs vs. Cristian Olivas 159.2 lbs
(Vacant WBC Continental Americas and WBO Global Middleweight titles – 10 Rounds)

• Guido Vianello 244.6 lbs vs. Lawrence Gabriel 208 lbs
(Heavyweight – 6 Rounds)

• Ruben Rodriguez 144.8 lbs vs. Ramel Snegur 142.8 lbs
(Welterweight – 6 Rounds)

• Christopher Zavala 129 lbs vs. Sergio Gonzalez 129.4 lbs
(Super Featherweight – 4 Rounds)

• Elvis Rodriguez 139.4 lbs vs. Kevin Luna 139.8 lbs
(Super Lightweight – 4 Rounds)

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing USA, tickets priced at $310.50, $207, $103.50, $77.65, $51.75 and $25.90 (including facility fees) are available now and can be purchased by visiting AXS.com.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month.




“Riot at The Rim” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

HAMPTON, N.H. (April 11, 2019) – The official weigh in was held today at Best Western Plus for tomorrow night’s “Riot at The Rim,” presented by Granite Chin Promotions, at The Rim in Hampton, New Hampshire.

Official fighters’ weights below:

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

MAIN EVENT – VACANT N.E. WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)
Derek Silveira(15-2, 8 KOS), Salem, MA 145 lbs.
Roberto Valenzuela, Jr. (14-0, 134 KOs), Aqua Prieta, Sonoma, Mexico 147 lbs.

VACANT WBC FECARBOX CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10)
Gilberto Matheus Domingos (22-10, 20 KOs), Sao Paulo, Brazil TOMORROW
Chris Traietti (27-4, 21 KOs), Quincy, MA 195.6 lbs.

VACANT ABF COLONIAL ATLANTIC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (8)
Vinnie Carita (19-1-1, 18 KOs), Pembroke, MA 198.2 lbs.
Claudio Porto (8-4-1, 7 KOs), Sao Paulo, Brazil 194.2 lbs.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS (4)
Robert Valenzuela (67-78-2, 56 KOs), Aqua Prieta, Sonomo, Mexico 169.6 lbs.
Henry Gedney (2-0, 1 ko), Gloucester, MA 163 lbs.

Rob Butler (pro debut), Boston, MA 158.6 lbs.
Rodrigo Almeida (1-9), Woburn, MA by way of Brazil 172.6 lbs.

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS (6)
Engleberto Valenzuela (11-15, 3 KOs), Aqua Prieta, Sonoma, Mexico 152.4 LBS.
Anthony Marsella, Jr. (11-0, 5 KOs), Providence, RI 156.8 lbs.

WELTERWEIGHTS (6)
Khiry Todd (7-1, 5 KOs), Lynn, MA 149.6 lbs.
Francisco Medal (13-16, 8 KOs), Urupan, Mexico 143 lbs.

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (6)
Romain Tomas (7-2, 1 KO), Brooklyn, NY by way of France 137 lbs.
Omar Bordoy (7-0, 2 KOs), Danbury, CT 139.2 lbs.

Andy Aiello (1-2-1), Bridgewater, MA 138.2 lbs.
Sidney Maccow (5-8, 3 KOs), New York, NY by way of St. Marteen 139.6 lbs.

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (4)
Nelson Perez (pro debut), Marlborough, MA 137.4 lbs.
Emmerson Noguiera (pro debut), Woburn, MA 143.8 lbs.

FEATHERWEIGHTS (8)
Tramaine Williams (16-0, 6 KOs), New Haven, CT 123,2 lbs.
Ernesto Guerrero (30-26, 20 KOs), Aqua Prieta, Sonomo, Mexico 123,6 lbs,

FEATHERWEIGHTS (4)
Nathan Martinez (2-0), New Britain, CT 124,6 lbs.
Chantae Bowens (0-1), Wilson, NC 125.6 lbs.

(all fights & fighters subject to change)

INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/GraniteChin
Twitter: @Granite_Chin




FORMER CFL STAR ADAM BRAIDWOOD TO HEADLINE VANCOUVER’S FIRST BOXING EVENT SINCE 2012

VANCOUVER, B.C.– Big time boxing will finally hit one of Canada’s big time markets on May 11, as Lee Baxter Promotions presents a night of world class professional boxing at the Vogue Theatre in downtown Vancouver.

There hasn’t been a professional boxing event in Vancouver since 2012, and in total, there have been only four since the year 2000.

In the main event, B.C.’s own heavyweight threat Adam Braidwood will be in action as he continues his journey towards the Canadian heavyweight title. Braidwood is one of the division’s most dangerous punchers, and his only two losses have come at the hands of UFC veteran Lee Mein (one he avenged) and to Canadian Olympian Simon Kean.

The former CFL standout-turned heavyweight slugger was born in Delta, BC, and now resides in Victoria, BC, and is sure to have plenty of fans eager to see him fight in his home province for just the second time.

“We’re extremely proud to be the ones to bring boxing back to Vancouver. It’s been a mystery why this market hasn’t been served at all, but those days are over,” said Lee Baxter. “With Adam Braidwood in the main event, you know it’s going to be a night you’ll remember, because he doesn’t know how to fight any other way.”

In the co-feature, fellow heavyweight standout Kristian Prenga will face an opponent to be named later. Prenga is riding a five-fight knockout streak, and all of his professional wins have come by KO. Aside from the action in the ring, he is known for his rabid fanbase and following from the Albanian-Canadian community, who have made for some of the more incredible live boxing atmospheres in recent memory on Canadian turf.

“Both Braidwood and Prenga have huge fanbases and the same mindset inside the ring. If they get past their respective tests, who knows, it’s a possibility that we see them in the ring against one another at some point this year,” said Baxter. “Who wouldn’t want to see two punchers of that calibre face off?”

The night will also feature undefeated super bantamweight Ross Mylet, who will be boxing for the first time outside of Ontario. In terms of fighting outside of his home province however, Mylet is no stranger. The 28-year old is a former North American kickboxing champion, representing Canada for many years. Mylet remains closely connecting with the kickboxing and combat sports community across the country, and is eager to show his skills in British Columbia once again.

In addition, Canadian national amateur champion Amanda Galle will be making her second professional appearance after thrilling a Toronto crowd in her debut with a dominant win over Perla Rojas.

The full undercard, including British Columbia’s amateur light heavyweight champion Buneet Bisla making his professional debut, will be announced shortly.

Tickets are available now, and start at just $48.50. Doors will open at 7 PM, with the first bell sounding at 8 PM.




PETER QUILLIN VS. CALEB TRUAX FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES


MINNEAPOLIS (April 11, 2019) – Former world champions Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin and Caleb “Golden” Truax went face-to-face Thursday at the final press conference before they meet in an IBF Super Middleweight World Title Eliminator that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes this Saturday from the Armory in Minneapolis.

Also in attendance at the press conference were top middleweight contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Jack Culcay, who battle in an IBF Middleweight Title Eliminator, and sensational prospect Joey Spencer, who takes on Osias Vasquez to kick off the telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing and TGB Promotions, are on sale now, and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from the Generals Hall at The Armory:

PETER QUILLIN

“I’m here to put on a great fight. That’s what we worked so hard to do on Saturday night. I’m excited to showcase my talents on FS1 and FOX Deportes and make a statement at super middleweight.

“My wife just had a daughter, and that’s been my biggest motivation all training camp. I’m fighting for my family, not just myself. I’m hoping to inspire people who see my story and realize it’s not just about the fight, but about what we’re fighting for. I’m here to spread a positive message.

“When we’re in that ring, all I’m going to see is Caleb Truax, nothing else matters. I’m very fortunate to be here and have the chance to display my skills. He has to look good in front of his fans, and I’m just here to give the fans a good fight. There’s no pressure to do anything extra.

“The weather here kind of reminds me of back home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Going to new cities is kind of like having new places to conquer. I’m here with the right mindset that Minnesota is going to be a place I’m remembered and that I’ll have a great memory from.

“When I sparred Caleb I remember I knocked his headgear off and it flew across the ring, that’s the only thing I really remember from that. I knew our paths could eventually cross. I’ve had my eye on him and I was really happy for him when he won his title. I have a feeling we’re going to combine for a great fight.

“I have a very determined opponent and I’m fighting in his backyard. It’s a tough fight for both of us. I have to put my authority down on this fight and control it. It’s going to be hard with all his fans in there, but what I’ve always done is take negative circumstances, and turn them into positives.”

CALEB TRUAX

“I’m excited for Saturday night. It’s a big fight and important for me that I’m in the main event and in a title eliminator. I’m looking to earn a chance at another title and I know that I have to take care of business on Saturday to get there.

“I’m looking forward to sharing the ring with Peter Quillin, a guy I’ve known and respected for a while. He’s accomplished a lot. I think that our styles are really going to clash and give the fans a lot of action and drama.

“Peter and I sparred a long time ago, back in 2012. I came away feeling confident that if we ever fought, I’d be able to get the job done. I don’t remember much of the specifics, but I felt confident from the experience. At the same time, I’m expecting an even better Peter Quillin on Saturday night and that’s what I trained for.

“I’ve tried to train a little bit smarter for this one. I need to focus more on recovery at this point in my career. I’ve had pretty much the same team around me for a while now. We do the old school training and work hard every day.

“The stakes are high for this fight. Whoever wins hopefully gets a crack at the title. It’s going to be tough for the loser to bounce back. If I want to keep fighting I have to leave Saturday with my hand raised.

“It’s a thrill to be in this fight and have it here at The Armory in front of my hometown fans. I saw the support that (fellow Minnesota-native) Jamal James got for his last fight, and I’m expecting more of that on Saturday. It’s going to be special and I’m going to take advantage.”

SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO

“I’m happy to be here for this world title elimination fight. This fight is important for my career to get back to where I want to go and to show what I am capable of.

“On Saturday night I’m going to put on a really good show and give the fans a beautiful fight. Everyone knows I always bring action and great technical skill. I am confident that I will be victorious on Saturday and go on to win a world championship.”

JACK CULCAY

“It’s nice to be here and I’m very thankful for this opportunity against Derevyanchenko. It’s a great honor for me to be in this fight against one of the best middleweights in the world. This the step that I was looking to take in my career.

“I’ve been sparring with Caleb Truax, and I feel it’s gotten me completely ready for this challenge. I’m going to show it in the ring on Saturday night. It’s going to be a lot of action and a lot of skill in the ring.”

JOEY SPENCER

“I’m really excited to be fighting on this card headlined by Peter Quillin and Caleb Truax. I want to thank everyone for the support, both my fans and my team for everything that’s gotten me here. We’ve worked really hard every day in training camp and I can’t wait to put on a show.

“The Armory is a great venue with great energy. I’ve fought here before and I’m looking forward to coming out and putting on another great performance for this Minneapolis crowd.”

LEON MARGULES, President of Warriors Boxing

“I’m excited to welcome everyone back to the latest PBC fight night at the armory. Those who have come to the previous shows have noticed that the crowds have gotten larger and larger. These shows are generating great excitement and Saturday is another example of a card loaded with elite fighters.

“It’s really a terrific treat to be promoting this card. It should be a great night of boxing for everyone at The Armory and watching on FS1 or FOX Deportes. This card is stacked from top to bottom and is set to deliver from start to finish.”

# # #

ABOUT QUILLIN VS. TRUAX
Quillin vs. Truax will see former world champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin and Caleb “Golden” Truax battle in a 12-round IBF Super Middleweight title eliminator that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Saturday, April 13 from The Armory in Minneapolis.

The telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features top middleweight contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko taking on Jack Culcay in a 12-round IBF title eliminator and sensational undefeated prospect Joey Spencer stepping into the ring for a six-round super welterweight fight.

Fans can live stream the fights on the FOX Sports app, available in English or Spanish through the FOX, FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSports.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku.

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




Former Super Welterweight Champion Austin Trout Battles U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes Saturday, May 25 from Beau Rivage Resort Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi


BILOXI, MS. (April 11, 2019) – Former super welterweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout returns to the ring to take on former title challenger Terrell Gausha in a 10-round super welterweight bout that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes on Saturday, May 25 from Beau Rivage Resort Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

In the co-feature, unbeaten super welterweight contender Chordale Booker battles rugged veteran Wale Omotoso in a 10-round bout, while sensational unbeaten welterweight prospect Eimantas Stanionis will open the broadcast at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in an eight or 10-round welterweight fight.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, go on sale Monday, April 15 and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office and through Ticketmaster.

“Austin Trout has one of the best resumes at super welterweight in the sport today,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “He’s been in the ring with some of the best boxers at 154-pounds of this generation and I’ve never seen him in a bad fight. Terrell Gausha doesn’t back down from anyone and that will make for an exciting match against Trout. Chordale Booker will be putting his unbeaten record on the line against Wale Omotoso in what will be one of his toughest tests to date. It’s a show that has something for everyone that attends at Beau Rivage or tunes in to FS1 and FOX Deportes.”

Trout (31-5, 17 KOs) has tangled with some of the top super welterweights of this generation, including Saul Alvarez, Erislandy Lara, Miguel Cotto, Jermell and Jermall Charlo and Jarrett Hurd. The 33-year-old from Las Cruces, Mexico, will look to rebound from a majority decision defeat to Jermell Charlo last June. His knockout victory over Joey Hernandez in 2015 headlined the first PBC show on FS1.

“I’m excited to be back in the ring,” said Trout. “I’m ready to take another chop at the world title and this is my way back. I’m really motivated to get that championship belt again. Gausha is a strong, technical fighter with an Olympic pedigree. I’ve got to get in there and take care of him and look good doing it. A good win over him will get me right back in the mix.”

The 31-year-old Gausha (21-1, 10 KOs), a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic boxing team from Cleveland, Ohio, will look to put himself back into title contention with a victory over Trout. He came up short in his first title fight against Erislandy Lara, losing a unanimous decision in 2017, before rebounding with a knockout victory over Joey Hernandez in his last fight in December.

“I feel good about this fight and I think it’s the perfect fight for me,” said Gausha. “With Austin Trout being a former champion and having experience fighting all the top guys in the division, it gives me a chance to show where I’m at. It’s not only about winning, but it’s the way I’ll win that will put people on notice.”

Booker (14-0, 7 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Juan De Angel in January on FS1. The 27-year-old southpaw from Stamford, Conn., was busy in 2018, going 5-0 with three knockouts. Booker is very active in his Stamford community as well, running his charity for at-risk youth and training amateurs for the Golden Gloves.

“My expectations for myself are to put on the best performance I’ve had in boxing period – amateur or pro,” said Booker. “I’m looking to showcase every ability that I have, not just brute strength. I want to show people that I’m championship caliber. What I see from him is that he’s a game fighter and comes to fight. He likes to come forward. He’s going to try to take it to me. But I can do a lot of things, box going forward, backwards, sideways, or anything it will take to get this win.”

The 33-year-old Omotoso (27-3, 21 KOs) is a hard-nosed veteran who will present Booker with his toughest test to date. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Omotoso learned to fight in the streets before honing his skills in the boxing gym. He calls himself “Lucky Boy” because he feels fortunate to have made it off the streets alive and become a successful professional boxer. Now training in Los Angeles, Omotoso most recently defeated Freddy Hernandez in December 2017.

“I got the call to fight a young, undefeated fighter in Booker and I said bring it on,” said Omotoso. “I’m really happy he took the fight because most people say I’m too dangerous and too tough. I will give it all I got. When I go to the ring I put all my effort and training into the fight. That’s the way this sport is. I know he’s going to come in with all he’s got, but the toughest man will win.”

Stanionis (8-0, 5 KOs) is from Kaunas, Lithuania and was a member of the 2016 Lithuanian Olympic boxing team. The 24-year-old, who now lives in Oxnard, California, and trains with Ronnie Shields in Texas, is on the fast track toward being a top contender. He’s continued to impress with victories over durable veterans Levan Ghvamichava and Samuel Figueroa in his last two bouts.

# # #

Fans can live stream the fights on the FOX Sports app, available in English or Spanish through the FOX, FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSports.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku.

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, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.




BRANDON FIGUEROA TRAINING CAMP NOTES

WESLACO, TX. (April 11, 2019) – Unbeaten super bantamweight contender Brandon Figueroa is on a rapid ascent in the 122-pound division and shared his thoughts on his rise and his matchup against Venezuela’s Yonfrez Parejo that takes place Saturday, April 20 in Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes action from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Trained by his father Omar Figueroa Sr. at their gym in their native Weslaco, Texas, Brandon credited their hard work in the gym as leading to his most recent and impressive victories, knockout wins over Moises Flores and Oscar Escandon.

“I feel like my power has really come together in the last year,” said Figueroa. “We’ve worked hard on my positioning when I throw my punches, especially to the body, and the results have shown up in my fights. I’m more aggressive and my punches are just more in-tune.

“My confidence has continued to grow as well with these performances. Winning these fights the way I’m winning them has given me a boost and I’ve taken that into training camp. It’s given me that energy to fight even better and believe in myself even more.”

Figueroa can capture an interim 122-pound title with a win on on April 20, but he first must get by a durable opponent in Parejo, who has challenged former champions Ryan Burnett, Hugo Ruiz and Zhanat Zhakiyanov.

“I’m facing a game opponent who’s fought a lot of great fighters,” said Figueroa. “I know he’s a boxer who likes to jab and move. He’s going to give me the straight right-left hook combo, so I have to attack the body. It’s going to be a chess match to see how he deals with my pressure.”

With this win, Figueroa could set himself up for even more significant bouts at the end of this year, a path that the 22-year-old envisions will eventually lead him to multiple weight-divisions.

“I can only take it one fight at a time, but I believe I’m going to be on that world class level soon,” said Figueroa. “Everything is going the way it’s planned and I know if I stay focused and take care of business, I’ll be fighting for a world title by the end of the year.

“The plan would eventually be to move up and continue to challenge myself at featherweight and even beyond that. I want to reach the top of several divisions. But that’s for the future, and I can’t look past April 20.”

The younger brother of unbeaten former world champion Omar Figueroa, Brandon made his pro debut in 2015 as an 18-year-old on the undercard of his brother’s fight against Ricky Burns. As he grew into a world title contender, Figueroa has made his own name in the sport.

“I’m still proving myself in every fight,” said Figueroa. “I don’t mind being talked about with my brother at all, but I think I’ve proven I’m more than Omar’s little brother. I’m proud of what we’ve both accomplished and the legacy we’re creating in Weslaco and the boxing world.”

Riding a five-fight knockout streak into April 20, Figueroa plans to put on another signature action-packed performance for fight fans watching on FOX and FOX Deportes and at Dignity Health Sports Park.

“I’m going to be the same Brandon Figueroa who comes forward and relentlessly attacks the body,” said Figueroa. “This is one of the biggest fights of my career with this title on the line. I feel strong and ready. I can’t wait for April 20.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, in association with DSG Promotions, are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com or at the Dignity Health Sports Park box office from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

# # #

ABOUT GARCIA VS. GRANADOS
Garcia vs. Granados will see former two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia battling rugged veteran Adrian Granados in a 12-round welterweight bout that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, April 20 20 from Dignity Health Sports Park, formerly StubHub Center, in Carson, California.

Heavyweight contender Andy Ruiz takes on Alexander Dimitrenko in a 10-round bout in the co-feature and unbeaten contender Brandon Figueroa battles Venezuela’s Yonfrez Parejo in a 12-round match for the WBA Interim Super Bantamweight title that opens the primetime FOX broadcast that begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Fans can live stream the fights on the FOX Sports app, available in English or Spanish through the FOX or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSports.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku.

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, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.




LIVE VIDEO: Munguia vs. Hogan Press Conference




“WBA” WORLD BOXING ASSOCIATION CONFIRMED FOR 5TH ANNUAL BOX FAN EXPO, DURING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND, SATURDAY MAY 4, IN LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas (April 11, 2019) – “WBA” World Boxing Association has confirmed that they will participate at the fifth annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday May 4, 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The WBA will have a booth and hold a Meet & Greet for the fans with some of the Boxing stars that will appear as guests at their booth (to be announced shortly) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Expo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., during Cinco De Mayo weekend. The Boxing Expo will also coincide with the highly anticipated fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Danny Jacobs, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite:
http://boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com/
WBA will have merchandise to sell and memorabilia to showcase for fans to enjoy. Boxing fans will also have a great opportunity to take pictures with top fighters and boxing celebrities who will be present at their booth. Fans will also be greeted with surprises by the WBA at this years’ Expo.

About World Boxing Association (WBA)
WBA is an international boxing organization that sanctions official matches and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. Founded in the United States in 1921 by thirteen state representatives as the National Boxing Association, in 1962, the organization changed their name in recognition of boxing’s growing popularity worldwide and began to gain other nations as members. Gilberto Mendoza from Venezuela was the President of the WBA since 1982 until his death in 2016, after which his son Gilberto Jesús Mendoza took over as president.For more info go to: http://wbaboxing.com/

WBA joins Julio Cesar Chavez, Riddick Bowe, Mikey Garcia, Errol Spence Jr., Marco Antonio Barrera, Mia St,John, Juan Manuel Marquez, Vinny Paz, Devin Haney, Earnie Shavers, Al Bernstein, Michael Spinks, WBC, Erik Morales, James Toney and Jessie Vargas as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with many more Top Boxing stars to be announced

About Box Fan Expo
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet-and-greet boxing superstars of today, current and former world champions, legends of the sport and other boxing celebrities. Fans can expect to experience various interactions such as autograph and photos sessions, FaceOff with your favorite boxers, pictures with the Ring Card Girls, Live DJ Music, chance to win prizes, purchase merchandise and memorabilia from different booths Exhibitors, “ALL UNDER ONE ROOF”. You won’t want to miss this must-attend Expo!

Box Fan Expo has been a huge success with fans and boxing industry people. Many boxing stars have attended the last four Expos such as Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roy Jones Jr., Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Errol Spence Jr., Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Zab Judah, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Pazienza, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris , Riddick Bowe , Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Abner Mares, Jorge Linares, Brandon Rios and many more…

Exhibitors include: boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who wish to participate will once again have a chance to showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at:
https://boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com

Throughout the next several weeks leading up to the event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo. And for anyone in the Boxing industry or other Exhibitors (non-industry), who would like to be involved and reserve a Booth, contact Box Fan Expo:

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

For any inquiries please email: boxfanexpo@gmail.com

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

Follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter and Instagram: @BoxFanExpo

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




DANIEL ‘MIRACLE MAN’ JACOBS DISCUSSES HIS MENTAL PREPARATION AHEAD OF HIS FIGHT AGAINST CANELO ALVAREZ

October 26, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Danny Jacobs steps on the scale to weigh-in for the Matchroom Boxing USA fight card that will take place on October 27, 2018 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA

NEW YORK CITY (April 11, 2019): Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs), IBF Middleweight World Champion, talked about his mental preparation ahead of his unification fight against WBC, WBA, Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion. Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs). The 12-round fight will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday, May 4 and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Jacobs, 32, feels he has the mental advantage after having overcome a tough battle with cancer. The native of Brooklyn, New York also noted that he has a strategic advantage over Canelo because he has studied him for his entire career and because of his unique blend of abilities.

Below is what Daniel Jacobs had to say after a recent workout:

“This is my opportunity to prove what I have been saying, that I am the best middleweight in the world. Doing the impossible is not new to me. Ten years ago, I was in a wheelchair in the hospital. Fast forward to now and I’m fighting for middleweight supremacy. You can’t make this story up, and I feel like this is my destiny.”

“I’ve looked death in the eyes. It happened when I was in the hospital bed with my back to the wall after doctors told me that I had cancer and would never box again. I’ve been through the toughest of all mental battles. I see it and feel it. Canelo hasn’t faced and beaten an opponent like cancer, but I have, so to me I am already a victor.”

“Canelo is a true champion with superstar status who has fought so many great fighters, so to step in the ring with him is an honor for me. But aside from that, my legacy is on the line here. I have so much to gain from this fight, and I look forward to doing that and giving the fans a great show. I want to be a Hall of Famer one day, and you only achieve that by fighting the best like Canelo.”

“I was surprised in a way when the fight was getting close, and I was still worried until the contracts were signed. I didn’t believe that I would get the fight even when we were negotiating because anything can happen in boxing. Sometimes you hear things. You hear people say that Canelo doesn’t want to fight the best guys out there. But I was confident in my team getting it done, and I take my hat off to Canelo and his team for taking the fight. Now it’s time to put on something great for the fans.”

“Canelo wanted to make history against Rocky [Fielding], and I respect that. It was an easy fight, but he’d had two hard fights with GGG before that, and they were tough and great matches. He’s a champion; you know he’s going to bring it and that just brings the best out of me.”

“To prepare for a fight, you have to study film and look at flaws and things you can exploit, but I’ve been studying Canelo for all of my career as I was a fan of him and still am. I know his style and I don’t need to watch his fights with Golovkin and compare them to my fight with Golovkin as every fighter is different and every fight is different. For me, it’s all about adjusting on the night because I can plan for the Canelo that fought GGG and he can be a completely different style on the night. GGG is not as fast as me and I’m bigger. I’m sharper.”

“Every fighter has a flaw or makes mistakes that you can exploit. I’m a longer fighter. I’m just as fast, I’m stronger and I have skills, too. I am not like the recent opponents that just come forward. I can go back and side-to-side and I can switch stances. I can do a bit of everything in the ring, so it’s going to be a challenging fight for him and I really believe my hand will be raised that night.”

“Andre Rozier is one of the greatest trainers of our generation, and I trust him 100 percent. We’re going to be in great shape and totally prepped. I just have to be the best me as I have all the weapons and components to beat him and prove I am the number one Middleweight out there.”

“My life and my story resonate with a lot of people all around the world, so I am not worried about becoming a bigger star, that’s not my focus. In my opinion, I am already a great person outside the ring and I set a great example for people that follow in my footsteps, especially from my neighborhood. I’m doing my job in that aspect.”

“We don’t need to talk trash. That’s not what I am about, and I don’t think he is either. I’ve done it before with some opposition because if it’s in them and if you want to be about it, I can be about it. Trust me. But truly I am a person who likes to show respect and I want the fans to see that because as fighters, we can have negative things placed on us from the past. I want to be a stand-up guy that represents the sport because that’s what we are doing; we are ambassadors for boxing and at the elite level.”

Canelo vs. Jacobs is a 12-round fight for the WBC, WBA, Lineal, Ring Magazine and IBF Middleweight World Titles presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Jacobs are on sale now and are priced at $2,505, $1,505,
$1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305, and not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of 10 per person at the $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, and $305 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information,visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez,
www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy, @Canelo,
@DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloJacobs.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/May4DAZN into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.




Canelo Alvarez and Daniel ‘Miracle Man’ Jacobs Face Off in Middleweight Unification Fight Live in U.S. Movie Theaters Nationwide on May 4


DENVER – April 11, 2019 – On May 4, boxing’s biggest star will take one step closer to becoming undisputed champion as Canelo Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) defends his WBC, WBA, Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Titles in a 12-round unification fight against IBF Middleweight World Champion Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) during the celebratory weekend of Cinco de Mayo. The highly anticipated bout and its co-featured fights will broadcast live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to big screen across the nationas “Canelo vs. Jacobs.” A full undercard, featuring David Lemieux vs. John Ryder, will be shown prior to the main event.

Tickets for “Canelo vs Jacobs” can be purchased online at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices now.

The live broadcast of “Canelo vs Jacobs” presented by Fathom Events and Golden Boy is set for Saturday, May 4 beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. CT / 7:00 p.m. MT / 6:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. AK / 4:00 p.m HI. Boxing fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in more than 500 select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

Canelo, 28, a native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, became the top man in the sport by giving fans the biggest and most entertaining fights. At 154 pounds, Canelo captured several world titles and defeated the likes of Austin “No Doubt” Trout, Sugar Shane Mosley, Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo, Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara and Liam “Beefy” Smith. Canelo, however, scored his most significant victory at 160 pounds when he defeated Gennady “GGG” Golovkin in their highly anticipated rematch in September 2018 and established himself as the WBC, WBA, Lineal and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion.

In his super middleweight debut, Canelo became a three-division world champion by knocking out Rocky Fielding in three rounds to capture the WBA Super Middleweight World Title in December 2018. Canelo will return to middleweight for this fight as he continues to clean out the 160-pound division.

Jacobs, 31, is a native of Brooklyn, New York and is widely considered one of the best middleweights of this era. Jacobs rose up the middleweight rankings to win the WBA Middleweight World Title against Jarrod Fletcher in 2014 after being away from the sport for 19 months due to a form of bone cancer that he courageously overcame. Jacobs made several successful defenses including a thunderous first-round knockout of Peter Quillin the following year. Although he lost to Gennady Golovkin in a very close fight in 2017, Jacobs returned stronger than ever, defeating former amateur champion and middleweight contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko to capture the IBF Middleweight World Championship. Jacobs will look to capture more middleweight hardware in the biggest fight of his career.

“We are proud to partner again with our friends at Golden Boy to bring this unification bout to cinemas nationwide,” said Ray Nutt, Fathom Events CEO. “Fight fans have loved watching Canelo on big screen and we expect them to really enjoy this battle with Daniel Jacobs.”

For artwork/photos related to “Canelo vs. Jacobs” visit the Fathom Events press site.

About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is the leading event cinema distributor with theater locations in all top 100 DMAs® (Designated Market Areas) and ranks as one of the largest overall theater content distributors. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC); Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK); and Regal Cinemas, a subsidiary of the Cineworld Group (LSE: CINE.L), Fathom Events offers a variety of unique entertainment events in movie theaters such as live performances of the Metropolitan Opera, top Broadway stage productions, major sporting events, epic concerts, the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics series, inspirational events and popular anime franchises. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes for unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live Digital Broadcast Network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 1,010 locations and 1,628 screens in 182 DMAs. The company also provides corporations a compelling national footprint for hosting employee meetings, customer rewards events and new product launches. For more information, visit www.FathomEvents.com.

About Golden Boy:
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment brand committed to making fighting entertainment more accessible and affordable. The company’s in-house production team develops creative original programming for ESPN, RingTV.com and international channels across the globe. The company holds the exclusive rights to top boxers and has promoted some of the biggest and highest grossing events in the history of the sport. Now, Golden Boy is one of the most successful boxing entertainment companies in the world and shapes the future of boxing for fighters and fans alike through its 2019 partnership with streaming platform, DAZN.




ALEX BARBOSA ANNOUNCER FOR THE BRISCOE AWARDS


PHILADELPHIA – Former professional boxer and current ring announcer, Alex Barbosa will be the announcer at the 12th Annual Briscoe Awards on Sunday. Over the past several years, Barbosa, a busy ring announcer these days, has worked numerous boxing matches in the Philadelphia area, including events at the Sugar House Casino, the 2300 Arena, and others.

On Sunday, April 14, 2019, Barbosa will take the mic and host the 12th Annual Briscoe Awards, which recognizes the biggest accomplishments of the Philly fight scene.

In addition to his work as a ring announcer, Barbosa is also the owner and proprietor of TKO Fitness, a boxing, MMA, and kick boxing gym in Cherry Hill, NJ. Under Barbosa’s guidance, TKO Fitness has become one of the hottest boxing gyms in the area. TKO Fitness is home to many thriving boxers, including IBF junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer.

The awards, named after Philly middleweight boxing legend Bennie Briscoe, have been recognizing the best achievements of the Philly boxing scene since 2007.

This year’s event will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Xfinity Live! in South Philadelphia (1100 Pattison Avenue), 1-4 PM . Tickets for the Briscoe Awards cost $10 each, and can be purchased in advance at BriscoeAwards.com, or by calling 609-377-6413.

The Briscoe Awards are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501c3 Non-Profit organization, dedicated to preserving and honoring the great legacy of boxing in and around the city of Philadelphia. For more information, call John DiSanto at 609-377-6413.




MANO-A-MANO: CANELO VS. JACOBS TO DEBUT TODAY, THURSDAY, APRIL 11 AT 10:00 P.M. ET/7:00 P.M. PT


LOS ANGELES (April 11, 2019) – The Golden Boy production of Mano-A-Mano: Canelo vs. Jacobs will premiere today, Thursday, April 11 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT on Facebook Watch as part of the lead up to Canelo vs. Jacobs. The four-part series will deliver an in-depth look into biggest fight of the year, which will take place Saturday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN. Fans can watch the series by clicking here.

“Golden Boy has always been interested in sharing stories about our fighters,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “We aren’t just promoting a fight. We are also telling a story about two great men who will put everything on the line to cement their legacy as fierce warriors. Both men have their own touching stories to tell, and we as a leading media and entertainment brand have the responsibility of sharing them. In that way, we ensure that fans on May 4 understand the magnitude of this event and connect with the fighters on a deeper level.”

Mano-A-Mano is an original production of Golden Boy, where Oscar De La Hoya serves as Executive Producer. The series has evolved from a television show developed for ESPN to a four-part series that is tailor-made for the Facebook Watch platform. The series will have a full story arc covered in four eight-minute chapters that each have their own unique title. Mano-A-Mano will feature exclusive interviews with fighters, trainers and promoters, along with exclusive footage from both fighters’ training camps.

This four-part event will take place every Thursday leading up to Canelo vs. Jacobs at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT on the Golden Boy Fight Night Page.
Episode 1: Adversity streams Thursday, April 11
Episode 2: Family streams Thursday, April 18
Episode 3: Legacy streams Thursday, April 25
Episode 4: Rivalry streams Thursday, May 2
Canelo vs. Jacobs is a 12-round fight for the WBC, WBA, Lineal, Ring Magazine and IBF Middleweight World Titles presented by Golden Boy in association with Matchroom Boxing. Lemieux vs. Ryder is a 12-round super middleweight battle presented by Golden Boy in association with Eye of the Tiger Management and Matchroom Boxing. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, May 4, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Jacobs are on sale now and are priced at $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, $305, not including applicable service charges and taxes. There will be a limit of 10 per person at the $2,505, $1,505, $1,205, $805, $605, $405, and $305 price levels. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com.

For more information,visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,
http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing,
www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy,
@Canelo, @DanielJacobsTKO, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloJacobs.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/May4DAZN into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.




GALAHAD KNOWS IT’S NOW OR NEVER

KID GALAHAD admits he must beat Josh Warrington or his world title hopes will be destroyed forever.

Warrington (28-0) will be roared on by his hometown fans at First Direct Arena, Leeds when he defends his IBF world featherweight title against Galahad on Saturday June 15.

Sheffield’s Galahad has been a professional since September 2009 and finally became mandatory challenger for Warrington last October when he beat Toka Kahn Clary.

There is a perception that his awkward style makes him an avoided man and Galahad (26-0) knows few champions will fancy him as a future opponent whatever the outcome against Warrington.

He said: “This is everything and 100 per-cent, I am going to leave it all in that ring.

“Not matter what I do, I am going to bring that belt back with me. I know I am not going to get a second chance.

“Things have happened to me, but I have stayed focused. With this opportunity I am not going to let it slip out of my hands.

“Josh knows he can get another chance. After I beat him his promoter will get him a rating and he might fight Carl Frampton in a rematch and the winner could fight Oscar Valdez.”

“I was banned in 2014 for 18 months and when I got back boxing it took a bit of time to get going, but that is in the past and we’re here in 2019.

“We’re closing in on this world title and we’re gonna hold it as long as we can.”

Warrington was the underdog when he took the title from Lee Selby last May and successfully defended against Carl Frampton in December.

The Leeds man will be the bookies’ favourite in his hometown, but Galahad insists those wins might not be the career defining triumphs some have painted.

Galahad says: “In 2018, Josh had a great year. He became a dad to twins, then beat Lee Selby and Carl Frampton.

“They say good things happen in three. 2019 is my year and his luck has ran out.

“I don’t believe it’s an easy fight. But style wise he knows, his dad knows and Frank knows that I am all wrong for him.

“At this moment Josh might be confident because he beat Selby and Frampton who he thinks are better than me, but when he gets in the ring he’ll wish he never took this fight.

“The timing for when he beat Selby and Frampton was perfect. Selby was struggling to make the weight and Carl hasn’t been the same for three or four years.

“I think Josh’s win over Selby was so much better than the Frampton win. I just believe he is fighting a strong featherweight who is in his prime and I believe in his head he knows what is going to happen.”

Tickets for Warrington v Galahad are available via Ticketmaster and are priced as below:

£450 – Hospitality
£300 – Floor
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor/Tier
£75 – Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier




Rumble at the Rock V “Night of the Undefeated” Comes to Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. on Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (April 11, 2019) The fifth installment of the popular Rumble at the Rock series will be held on Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Presented by Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory, the event, entitled “Night of the Undefeated,” will feature no less than seven undefeated local favorites in separate bouts.

In the 10-round main event will be undefeated, WBA No. 7-rated featherweight contender Hairon “El Maja” Socarras (21-0-3, 13 KOs) of Miami via Marianao, Cuba. Socarras, 26, was last seen scoring a unanimous eight-round decision over Mexico’s Carlos Ruiz in March at Hard Rock Event Center.

Also scheduled for action is Miami via Havana undefeated welterweight Livan “The Machine Gun Kid” Navarro (10-0, 7 KOs). Navarro, 28, scored a KO 4 over Barranquilla, Colombia’s Wilfrido Buelvas last November.

Back in action will be undefeated 20-year-old boxing prodigy Logan “The Korican Kid” Yoon (15-0, 12 KOs). The Hawaii-based welterweight Yoon is coming off a TKO 5 over Africa’s Hamza Sempewo in Atlantic City last November.

Two-time Olympic medalist and undefeated heavyweight KO artist Ivan “The Kazakh Giant” Dychko (7-0, 7 KOs) of Hollywood, Fla., via Kazakhstan, will be back, looking to keep his perfect record intact in an eight-round test. The 28-year-old scored a one-punch demolition of once-promising Maurice Harris last July.

Riding the momentum of impressive victories over established veterans Breidis Prescott and Ed Paredes in his last two fights, popular Puerto Rican sensation Derrieck Cuevas (20-0-1, 14 KOs) will be back for his next step up the welterweight ladder. Cuevas, 24, is the hard-punching prospect Florida fans have rallied behind faithfully.

Back for another appearance is the rugged, made-for-TV Cuban super middleweight Irosvani Duvergel (5-0, 3 KOs). Duvergel, 27, will be participating in his fourth straight fight at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood and his exciting style has made him a fan favorite.

Also in action will be cruiserweight “Bad” Blake Davis (1-0) from Cooper City, looking for his second win in a four-round showdown.

Tickets for “Rumble at the Rock V” cost $250, $150, $100 and $60 and are available through ticketmaster.com.

“This series of shows has produced several future champions for South Florida and I’m proud to be part of it,” said Henry Rivalta, Director of Boxing Operations for The Heavyweight Factory. “Every one of our undefeated prospects will be matched up in challenging tests to continue their development.”

Opponents and rounds will be announced shortly. On fight night, the Hard Rock Event Center doors open at 6 p.m., and the action starts at 7 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, Fla.

# # #

About Hard Rock Event Center
Hard Rock Event Center is the newly constructed 3,600-seat venue located in the northwest corner of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood. As part of the $1.5 billion property expansion, the former Hard Rock Live arena will be razed and replaced with a state-of-the-art 6,500-plus-seat venue in a theater-style configuration, slated to open in 2019. In the interim, a full schedule of concerts, comedy shows and other events will take place in the Hard Rock Event Center. Seminole Hard Rock has hosted some of the hottest musical acts such as John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, Billy Joel, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw and Carlos Santana; top comedians including Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, George Lopez and the late Robin Williams; as well as major sporting events and events of major sports stars, from UFC matches to charity galas for Jason Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and more. For additional information, please visit www.myhrl.com.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship casino resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It is a world-renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination that features a AAA Four Diamond-rated luxury hotel; expansive gaming offerings including first-in-class slots, high-stakes table games and South Florida’s premier poker room; spa and fitness center; award-winning dining and nightlife; and the popular Hard Rock Event Center which hosts A-list entertainers, comedy and sporting events. A $1.5 billion expansion slated to open in fall 2019 will bring 638 luxury guestrooms to a first-ever, iconic, guitar-shaped hotel and 168 upscale guest accommodations in an adjacent hotel tower overlooking a lush, “Bora Bora” style, private cabana environment; a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa®; a 13.5 acre recreational water-focused experience for sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, sailing and paddle boarding; 21 distinctive restaurants, bars and lounges; an expanded gaming floor featuring 3,100 slots, 193 table games and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space; and 26,000 square feet of new retail space. The highly anticipated 6,500 seat Hard Rock Live theater-style concert venue will feature headline performances and live broadcast capabilities. The resort is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood Seminole Reservation along State Road 7, (U.S. Highway 441). The resort is 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Miami and Miami International Airport. For more information, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, call 800-937-0010 or follow us:
Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly




GASHI: IT’S HARD TO TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS

Senad Gashi says Derek Chisora “doesn’t have a boxing brain” and has questioned whether the 35-year-old’s new trainer Dave Coldwell will have any impact on their clash at The O2 in London on April 20, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

The Spain-based German heads into next week’s showdown with ‘WAR’ Chisora holding a record of 17 wins from 19 fights, with all 17 of those wins coming by way of knockout. He hopes another big KO win over the former British and Commonwealth Champion will propel his name towards Heavyweight title action.

“Derek Chisora is an old dog and it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks,” said Gashi. “Derek is a very experienced guy, he doesn’t have a boxing brain but his toughness and experience makes up for that. What I will say is he looks like he’s in the best shape of his life.

“We are two very different fighters but what we both share is lots of heart. We are both warriors deep down and I predict that this will be a fight that people will talk about for a very long time. He calls himself ‘WAR’ Chisora and it’s a war he’s going to get. People will love this fight.”

Gashi travelled to the UK to take on former World title challenger Carlos Takam at short notice last time out in December on the Whyte vs. Chisora 2 undercard. After a brave showing, he was eventually stopped by the French-Cameroonian in the seventh round, but ‘GachineGun’ is adamant there would have been a different outcome if he was given time to prepare properly.

“I had just three days’ notice for my fight with Takam. If I’d of had a full training camp I am confident I would have beaten him. I was fighting from instinct and my stamina wasn’t there. In the end I gassed out and you all saw what happened. I came to the fight without a coach and I decided my strategy 20 minutes before the fight started.

“I’ve had a full training camp this time and I’ve done my homework. I’m prepared and ready to get the win. I watch the round Whyte KO’d Chisora every day. I know that I’m able to give any fighter on the planet a hard night and I’ll show everyone the real Senad Gashi on April 20.”

Chisora vs. Gashi is part of a huge night of boxing in the Capital.

Doncaster fan favourite Dave Allen (16-4-2, 13 KOs) faces the biggest night of his career against Australia’s former WBA Heavyweight World Champion Lucas Browne (28-1, 14 KOs), Sunderland’s ‘Pretty Boy’ Josh Kelly (8-0, 6 KOs) takes on the toughest opponent of his career to date in the form of unbeaten 17-0 Pole Przemyslaw Runowski and Ilford Welterweight prospect Conor Benn (13-0, 9 KOs) makes his long-awaited return to the ring, Brooklyn Middleweight prospect Nikita Ababiy (3-0, 3 KOs) makes his UK debut and Watford Bantamweight Shannon Courtenay fights for the second time as a pro after her debut win at the Copper Box Arena.

General Sale tickets for April 20 are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)




SUNNY EDWARDS: CALL US THE ‘CROYDON KLITSCHKOS’

SUNNY EDWARDS believes he and world champion brother Charlie are following in the footsteps of heavyweight greats, The Klitschkos.

The Croydon flyweight siblings might be nine stone lighter than the Ukrainian former world heavyweight champions, but the little big men are inspired by their success story.

Sunny (10-0, 3 KOs) is heading towards world honours, while Charlie is WBC flyweight champion – the division where both aspire to hold global gongs at the same time and dominate like the Klitschkos did.

“We are the mini Croydon Klitschkos,” roared Sunny who defends his WBO European super-flyweight title at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday April 27, live on BT Sport.

Sunny, 23, showed he is destined for the top at the back end of 2018 with impressive wins against Ryan Farrag and Adrian Granados.

Charlie has been defeated, but like the Klitschkos showed mettle to bounce back from defeat and become a world champion.

Sunny said: “The Klitschkos would have started out with nothing and that is what makes you dangerous.

“I’ve always said that if you have disposable income and want for nothing those fights that you lose or times it gets hard, how easy is it to turn around and say; ‘Boxing isn’t for me?’

“When you have invested everything those setbacks don’t knock you off. They just help you pave a different way.

“Flyweights are not the biggest division, but we’re building enough of a profile. We’re not earning what the heavyweights do, but we’re earning good money and not slaving away in ten rounders for a couple of grand.”

Although the Edwards pair have devoted their lives to boxing, it was only 12 months ago they started training together when Charlie joined Sunny at Grant Smith’s Steel City gym in Sheffield.

Sunny added: “Although we have the same career we are walking them differently. We have different promoters for a start.

“Although he is my brother and I am so proud of where he is I am still paving my own way. I’m not looking for handouts off the back of him.

“It is great to have him alongside me training at Steel City gym. We help each other, we bring each other on and it’s great.”

Daniel Dubois v Richard Lartey tops the bill at the SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27 on a card that also includes the Commonwealth super middleweight title fight between Lerrone Richards and Tommy Langford, as well as the Southern Area super middleweight title clash between Zak Chelli and Jimmy Smith. WBO European super flyweight champion Sunny Edwards and WBO European super featherweight champion Archie Sharp also feature.

Chorley-boxer Jack Catterall will be in action as he edges ever-closer to a world title challenge. Rangy Super Welterweight talent Hamzah Sheeraz will be back out after his impressive win over Rod Douglas Jnr. Hard hitting middleweight and Peacock gym product Denzel Bentley (9-0) and Belfast amateur middleweight star Caoimhin Agyarko will also return to action. There are Queensberry debuts for unbeaten welterweight Chris Kongo (10-0) and Sheffield middleweight Shakiel Thompson (2-0) – with Thompson being tipped by sparring partner Billy Joe Saunders as a star for the future. Ilford Super Middleweight Umar Sadiq (4-1) also returns as he looks to rebuild after his first career loss. Tunde Ajayi trained lightweight Bilal Ali (1-0) will have his second professional fight after making a successful start to his pro career, with Hoddesdon super lightweight Alfie Price set for his fifth.

Tickets will be priced as £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150 and are now ON SALE to purchase via Eventim, Ticketmaster, the SSE Arena website and AXS.com




Ivan Golub Makes It Three Wins In A Row, Decisions Manuel Reyes


NEW YORK CITY — Ivan “The Volk” Golub retained his WBC USNBC Welterweight Title, scoring a wide ten round unanimous decision against Manuel Alejandro Reyes (11-5-1, 5KO) in the main event of a DiBella Entertainment Broadway Boxing card from midtown Manhattan’s SONY Hall.

It wasn’t necessarily easy work for the southpaw Golub, but the Ukrainian controlled the action from bell to bell. Golub, who now lives and fights out of Brooklyn, got off to a quick start, immediately banging away at Reyes’ body. Reyes’ gained a bit of momentum the ensuing round when a short right opened up a cut over Golub’s right eye — a cut that would produce blood until the final bell.

In the third, however, the 30 year old Ukranian turned the tide for good, gaining confidence after landing a crisp one-two that stunted Reyes’ ever-forward momentum. In the fourth Golub landed a huge straight left that was set up by a pawing jab. By the time the fifth round rolled around, Golub found a rhythm, timing the southpaw Reyes as he made his way in, peppering him with punches before the California-native could fire off shots of his own.

Golub, who was fighting for the fifth time in Manhattan, continued to control the fight in the mid-to-late rounds, as well, as Reyes was unable to solve his Ukrainian counterpart.

At the end of ten, all three judges scored the contest for Golub, 99-91 and 100-90×2.

The result makes it three wins in a row for Golub since suffering his only career defeat at the hands of Jamontay Clark in 2017.

For Reyes, the result makes it two losses in a row. Prior to tonight, he suffered a UD loss against Mykal Fox in 2017.

Bakhodir Jalolov Blasts Out Brendan Barrett In One

Former 2016 Uzbekistani Olympian Bakhodir Jalolov (6-0, 6KO) destroyed fellow heavyweight Brendan Barrett (7-3-2, 5KO), stopping him in the first of a scheduled six rounds, winning the NABF Junior Heavyweight Championship in the process. From the opening bell, the 6’7” southpaw Jalolov had his way with 5’10” Barrett, who took the fight on short notice. About midway through the opening round, the 24 year-old Jalolov landed a crisp jab that immediately drew blood from Barrett’s nose and sent him retreating to a neutral corner where he took a knee. The 37 year-old Barrett managed to get back to his feet, but probably wished he’d been counted out. Smelling blood in the water, Jalolov, who now lives and fights out of Brooklyn, NY, connected with a missile of a straight left that exploded on Barrett’s chin and collapsed him to the canvas, this time for good. Referee Earl Brown reached a count of three before waving off the contest at the 2:45 mark of the first round.

Alicia Napoleon Pleases Hometown Crowd With TKO2 Over Eva Bajic

Lindenhurst, NY native Alicia “The Empress” Napoleon (11-1, 6KO) delighted the hometown crowd and dismantled fellow super welterweight Hungary’s Eva Bajic (14-17, 9KO), dropping her twice en route to a TKO2 victory. Napoleon, 33, simply outclassed Bajic. Working behind a sharp jab, Napoleon landed at will and in the opening moments of the second round landed a left-right combination that sent Bajic to the mat. The 34 year-old Hungarian, who has now lost six fights in a row and eight of her last nine, beat the ensuing count, but didn’t last much longer. Napoleon followed up and landed an overhand right that returned Bajic to the mat, prompting the ringside physician to step on the ring apron and advise the referee to stop the contest. The official time of the stoppage came at the 1:04 mark of the second round. Napoleon has now won four in a row since suffering his lone career defeat against Tori Nelson in 2015.

Hurshidbek Normatov Shuts Out Calvin Metcalf In 6 Round Bout

Uzbekistan’s Hurshidbek Normatov (8-0, 3KO) shutout (60-53×3) fellow middleweight Calvin Metcalf (9-2-1, 2KO) in a six round contest. Normatov, a 26 year-old southpaw who fights and trains out of Brooklyn, NY, used his jab to keep Metcalf at distance. Once the jab was established, Normatov began to pepper in short right hooks, connecting and dropping Metcalf with a perfectly thrown one in round 3. To his credit, the stubborn 24-year old Metcalf hung tough and refused to let Normatov earn a win by stoppage. At the end of six, all three judges scored it 60-53 for the Uzbekistani.

Brian Ceballo Makes Easy Work Of Ricardo Garcia, Stops Him In 2

Former five-time New York Golden Gloves Champion Brian Ceballo (8-0, 4KO) had an easy night at the office, dominating and stopping fellow welterweight Ricardo Garcia (14-6-1, 9KO) inside two of a scheduled six rounds. Midway through the second Ceballo, who lives and fights out of the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, connected with a straight right that landed on Garcia’s chin and collapsed him to the mat. The Dominican-born Reading, PA transplant, Garcia, beat referee Earl Brown’s ten count, but never fully recovered. Ceballo, 25, immediately followed up and sealed the deal with a huge left hook that backed Garcia to the ropes, prompting Brown to jump in and call a halt to the bout at the 2:33 mark of the third round.

Khalid Twaiti Stays Perfect With TKO3 Over Jeno Tonte

Super bantamweight Khalid Twaiti (5-0, 3KO) needed less than three of a scheduled four rounds to up his perfect record and record a TKO win against Hungary’s Jeno Tonte (9-7, 8KO). Twaiti, a 23 year-old Yemeni-American from Brooklyn, forced the action and overwhelmed Tonte, who had no answer for Twaiti’s volume or power. After a flurry of punches that landed without obstruction, the referee in charge stopped the contest at the 1:13 mark of the third round.

Joseph Williams Returns From Two-Year Layoff, UDs Jose Mario Flores

Far Rockaway, Queen’s Joseph “Mack” Williams (13-0, 8KO) outslugged and shutout (60-54×3) fellow cruiserweight Jose Mario Flores (8-2-2, 4KO) in a six round contest, kicking off a seven-fight Broadway Boxing card from midtown Manhattan’s SONY Hall, presented by DiBella Entertainment. The night will culminate when once-beaten Ivan Golub (15-1, 12KO) squares off against California-native Manuel Alejandro Reyes (11-4-1, 5KO) in a ten round welterweight scrap.




Presser Notes & Quotes: Vasiliy Lomacheko Ready for STAPLES Center Debut


LOS ANGELES (April 10, 2019) – WBO/WBA lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko came to Los Angeles to defend his titles. Anthony Crolla hopes to shock the world.

Lomachenko and Crolla faced off for the first time Wednesday at the final press conference two days before their STAPLES Center showdown, which will stream on ESPN+ starting at 11 p.m. EST/8 p.m. PST. In the co-feature, WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will make his light heavyweight debut against Tommy Karpency in a 10-rounder.

And, in the featured bout on the undercard stream (ESPN+, 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST), former 140-pound world champion Mike Alvarado will take on the unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr. in a 10-rounder.

This is what the fighters and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum had to say.

Vasiliy Lomachenko

“I saw his fights with Linares. Anthony Crolla has a very defensive style. I have my strategy, and I plan on showing it Friday night. I will find the key to his defense. I have to be aggressive and throw a lot of punches. I want to win and I don’t like to lose. That is my motivation. I always think about the fans and putting on a show in the ring.”

“I need two more belts to become undisputed champion. In my next fight, maybe I will unify with Richard Commey. Everyone asks me about Mikey Garcia, but can he make 135? If he vacates his belt, we will see what happens. If he can cut the weight, I’m ready.”

Bob Arum

“I think this is going to be a very good and interesting fight, but I have to say that any Loma fight is worth watching. It’s the equivalent of watching Picasso do a painting. What a great thrill that would be. It’s a great thrill for people who love boxing to watch this guy fight. It’s something that’s unique. It’s something that we won’t see again for many years. All fans should come out and watch this because this is an artist at work.”

Anthony Crolla

“We always knew the April 12 date was penciled in with the Top Rank team for {IBF lightweight champion} Richard Commey to fight Vasiliy. We also knew it was a very quick turnaround from the Commey-Isa Chaniev fight {on Feb. 2}. I was watching it, and people think I had only seven weeks’ notice, but {trainer} Joe {Gallagher} always stresses the importance of staying in the gym, staying ready. A lot of people think to have only seven weeks to prepare for a guy like Lomachenko isn’t long, but we had a full 12-week camp just in case this popped up. And, lo and behold, after Commey stopped Chaniev, we saw an interview after the fight and his hand was wrapped up. And we thought, ‘Oh, there’s a chance of this happening. I’m thankful for the opportunity, like {Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn} said. And I prepared the best I possibly can. I’m in, without a doubt, the best shape of my life physically and mentally. That’s what it should be in a fight like this.”

“I’ve been loving it over here. I’ve trained here lots of times in the Wild Card and boxed in Las Vegas, but never in LA, so it’s brilliant to be fighting here.”

“This would be the pinnacle of my career and then some. I think we’ll see a bit of everything on the night. I know I am prepared to leave everything in the ring. I’ve got fans, family, friends and gym mates coming to LA to cheer for me and that just spurs me on even more.”

Gilberto Ramirez

“I feel very blessed for all that’s happened. It’s the right moment for me in my career. I am grateful.”

“I can’t wait to put on a great show at STAPLES Center. I’m ready to show the fans what I bring to the ring.”

“I know Tommy is an experienced guy, but if Bob gives me a big fight with Callum Smith at 168, I can make the weight. That would be a fantastic fight.”

Tommy Karpency

“I expect an action-packed fight. He’s an undefeated world champion moving up. I’ve fought a lot of world champions and elite challengers at light heavyweight. Also, I expect an action-packed fight because he lets his hands go and I let mine go a little bit. We’re both southpaws, so that makes for a better flow than righty versus lefty. And we’ll see what happens.”

“Any fight at this level, this is the best in boxing. It can catapult you to whatever. Options are endless {after} winning a fight like this. I’m really not looking past this. These are elite guys all around, so beating him is like beating a world champion from any other division. It’ll be a huge win and a huge opportunity.”

Arnold Barboza Jr.

“We know what Mike brings. I think his time has passed. It’s my time now. Friday night, you’re going to see what we’ve been working on. We’re going to showcase our skills.”

On a potential world title shot in the near future should he win

“This fight is everything to me. A win over Alvarado will assure me that I belong with the top guys. We’re ready to go on Friday.”

“I’m not getting caught up in the moment. At the end of the day, I’m here for business. We can worry about that after.”

Mike Alvarado

On his comeback to boxing after overcoming personal issues

“After God reinvented me and gave me another opportunity {at a} shot at peace, I could’ve never thought {I’d be here}, but being here makes sense. I was born, and I was meant to be here. I’m here, and I’m giving it another shot. I’m going after it.”

On if a win would lead to a world title shot

“I know getting past Barboza would open the doors up and would catapult me to that next level. I’m excited, and I’m focused, and I’ve been working hard. I had great preparation, so everyone will find out. Friday night.”

“It’s going to be a good fight. We’re going to put on a good show.”

ESPN+, 11 p.m. EST/8 p.m. PST

Vasiliy Lomachenko (champion) vs. Anthony Crolla (challenger), 12 rounds, Lomachenko’s WBO/WBA lightweight world titles

Gilberto Ramirez vs. Tommy Karpency, 10 rounds, light heavyweight

ESPN+, 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST

Mike Alvarado vs. Arnold Barboza Jr., 10 rounds, Barboza’s NABF jr. super lightweight title

Alexander Besputin vs. Alfredo Blanco, 10 rounds, Besputin’s USBA welterweight title

Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Cristian Olivas, 10 rounds, vacant WBO Global and WBC Continental Americas middleweight titles

Guido Vianello vs. Lawrence Gabriel, 6 rounds, heavyweight

Ruben Rodriguez vs. Ramel Snegur, 6 rounds, welterweight

Christopher Zavala vs. Sergio Gonzalez, 4 rounds, super featherweight

Elvis Rodriguez vs. Kevin Luna, 4 rounds, super lightweight

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing USA, tickets priced at $310.50, $207, $103.50, $77.65, $51.75 and $25.90 (including facility fees) are available now and can be purchased by visiting AXS.com.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtag #LomaCrolla to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month.




Undefeated Super Middleweight Kalvin “Hot Sauce” Henderson takes on Antowyan AIkens in Main Event on Friday, May 10th at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia


Philadelphia, PA (April 10, 2019)–One of the biggest and most competitive cards is coming to 2300 Arena on Friday night, May 10th as King’s Promotions in association with Titans Boxing Promotions present a tremendous night of boxing.

In the eight-round main event, undefeated super middleweight, Kalvin Henderson takes on Antowyan Aikens in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

Henderson of Fayetville, Arkansas has a record of 11-0 with seven knockouts. The 28 year-old is a three-year pro who has wins over Cameron Burroughs (2-0), Bobby Taylor (4-0) and in his last bout when he stopped highly-regarded Brandon Robinson (11-1) on December 7, 2018. That bout was named the 2018 Philadelphia Fight of the Year.

Aikens of Atlantic City has a record of 13-6-1 with one knockout. The 29 year-old Aikens is an eight-year professional. Aikens has quality wins over Sherman Artis Jr. (2-0) & Amir Shabazz (4-0). In his last bout, Aikens was stopped by two-time former world title challenger Ronald Gavril on December 7th in Las Vegas.

In the first of two, eight-round co-features, super middleweight Brandon Robinson takes on DeVaun Lee.

Robinson of Philadelphia has a record of 12-2 with nine knockouts.

The 30 year-old Robinson is a three-year professional, who won 11 straights fights with wins over Brandon Clark (2-0) and Ernest Amuzu (25-3). Robinson stopped Lawrece Blakey in one round on March 29th in Philadelphia.

Lee of Queens, New York has a record of 10-5-1 with five knockouts.

The 31 year-old Lee is a six-year pro, who has quality wins over Josue Valdez (5-0), Ian Green (8-0), former New York Golden Gloves champion Chris Galeano (10-0), Robelle Rogers (4-1); former world title challenger Giovanni Lorenzo (37-7) and Carlos Rafael Cruz (17-1). Lee then entered The Contender Tournament where he lost to eventual finalist Shane Mosley Jr. In his last bout, Lee lost a unanimous decision to Tyrone Brunson on November 9th.

Appearing in an eight-round lightweight bout will be undefeated super bantamweight Raeese Aleem (13-0, 7 KOs) taking on Ramiro Robles (15-8-2, 9 KOs) of Queretero, Mexico.

In Six-round Bouts:

Alycia Baumgardner (6-1, 4 KOs) of Fremont, OH takes on Gabriella Mezei ((9-17-3, 3 KOs) of Covasna, Romania in a lightweight bout.

Antonio DuBose (10-2-1, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia take on an opponent to be named in a featherweight fight.

James Martin (4-0) of Philadelphia boxes Kashon Hutchinson (4-5, 1 KO) of Reading, PA in a welterweight fight.

Paul Kroll (2-0, 2 KOs) fights Vincent Floyd (4-6-1, 2 KOs) in a battle of Philadelphia based welterweights.

In four-round bouts:

LaQuan Evans (1-0) of Philadelphia takes on Brandon Bey (0-1) of Bronx, NY in a middleweight bout.

Ryan Umberger (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia battles Daryl Fenton (1-4-1) of Washington, DC in a middleweight bout.

Tickets are $100, $75 and $50 and can be purchased at www.2300arena.com




ARIZONA BOXERS FEATURED ON UNDERCARD OF MAY 11 ESPN WORLD TITLE DOUBLEHEADER IN TUCSON

TUCSON, AZ — Local fighters on the rise will mingle with world-class champions and contenders on the May 11 boxing card at the Tucson Arena.

The ESPN-televised event, dubbed “Twice as Nice,” is topped by a world championship doubleheader. The main event features the long-awaited rematch between Miguel Berchelt (35-1, 31 KOs) and Francisco Vargas (25-1-2, 18 KOs) for the WBC World Super Featherweight Title. The Mexican fighters met in January 2017, in an 11-round war that saw Berchelt win by knockout, relieving Vargas of his world title belt.

In the co-feature, Emanuel Navarrete (26-1, 22 KOs) goes against Isaac Dogboe (20-1, 14KOs) again, this time in defense of the WBO World Super Bantamweight title he took from Dogboe via unanimous 12-round decision in a spectacular upset in Glendale, AZ, last August.

Though the card is topped by two championship rematches, it is a local return bout of last November’s Christopher Gonzalez vs. Judas Estrada battle that Tucson boxing fans are lining up to see.

Tucson’s Gonzalez (3-0-1), put his undefeated record on the line against Nogales’ Judas Estrada (1-1-1) at last November’s Guerra De Gallos event and their welterweight bout ended in a four-round draw. Gonzalez was busier, pressuring his opponent, while Estrada landed heavier punches, cutting Gonzalez early in the bout. The two fighters were still bloody and standing in the ring when they accepted the rematch.

Under-the-radar middleweight prospect Emmanuel Guajardo (4-0) will look to impress in a four-round bout. Guajardo, 28, earned a unanimous decision over New Mexico’s Daniel Garcia Flores in his last fight in November.

Rising Phoenix star Carlos Castro (22-0, 9 KOs) will face Philippines’ Ernesto Saulong (22-4-2, 9KO) in an 8-round super bantamweight bout. Castro is coming off an upset win over Genesis Servania (32-2, 15 KOs) in February, where Castro captured the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super Bantamweight title in a unanimous decision on ESPN.

The May 11 card is promoted by Top Rank, in association with Peltz Boxing Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions. Tickets are priced at $102, $77, $52 and $27. They can be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or at the Tucson Convention Center ticket office. Doors to the Tucson Arena open at 2:30, and first bell is at 3:30.