MANCHESTER, England – Tuesday, March 21 – Frazer Clarke will face former WBA world interim heavyweight title challenger Bogdan Dinu this Saturday, March 25th at Manchester’s AO Arena.

The news comes as Clarke’s initial opponent Rydell Booker is sadly forced to withdraw through illness following a serious medical incident.

The American heavyweight was taken unwell last weekend. Booker had attended a boxing event in his hometown of Detroit, just days before he was due to travel to the UK, where he was taken ill with a serious medical emergency. He is now recuperating and everyone at BOXXER sincerely wishes Rydell Booker a full and swift recovery.

Undefeated Team GB Olympics hero Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs), who memorably won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, will now bid to take another scalp on his burgeoning resume when he faces off against his 6ft 5in Romanian rival. 

Dinu (20-4-0, 16 KOs) was beaten by Daniel Dubois the last time he fought in England when he was stopped for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title in June 2021.

Last year, he fell short in his challenge for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title after taking on Kevin Lerena.

Based in Bucharest, Dinu fought former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev in 2019 and has stood opposite American Jerrell Miller too during his 24-fight career since turning professional in 2008.

Outside of the ring, the 36-year-old has served as an Independent Special Actions and Intervention Service Agent (SIIAS), which is a Romanian police task force created in 1995 as part of the Counter-Organised crime squad. Its roles include seizing dangerous or armed criminals, handling hostage crises, disaster rescues, the protection of police, witnesses and others involved in criminal investigations.

Whether Dinu will be able to handle the might of ‘Big Fraze’ in Manchester remains to be seen, however. Standing at a mean 6ft 6in, Clarke has been triumphant in his last two successive fights at the AO Arena and will be looking to make it a hat-trick when he returns this Saturday.

“Unfortunately Rydell Booker had to pull out of the fight. He’s had a medical problem, so I’m sending my best wishes to him and I hope he can get better soon,” said Clarke, speaking today on Sky Sports News.

“We’ve got a new opponent in Bogdan Dinu, who is a very credible opponent. He has boxed some great names including the likes of Daniel Dubois, Kubrat Pulev and Jerrell Miller. It’s a good fight for me and I’m looking forward to it.

“This is professional boxing – you can’t bank on anything. I’m accustomed to it now and throughout my career I am used to fighting people at a day’s notice. My job is to go out there and win. People can talk about looking fantastic and making a statement. But I’m a winner and that’s my job every time. If I can perform how I know I can then I will do that. I’m looking to go out there and make a statement.

“It’s been an up-and-down start to my career. Everytime I’ve got in there and I’ve won. This is heavyweight boxing. It’s dangerous. It’s up to me to be professional and do my job.

“It doesn’t matter who I’m getting in with this weekend, I’m ready to go and do my job.”

Final tickets are on sale now at BOXXER.com starting at just £25 – a bargain price for a blockbuster night of elite boxing, headlined by Lawrence Okolie defending his WBO world cruiserweight title against New Zealand’s David Light.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

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CONTACT BOXXER PR

Matty Lawless, Head of PR & Communications

+447393764765 | matty@boxxer.com

FULL CARD FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 25 AT THE AO ARENA IN MANCHESTER

*Please note: Below list is not the running order

12 x 3 mins  WBO World Cruiserweight Championship

LAWRENCE OKOLIE vs DAVID LIGHT

8 x 3 mins Heavyweight Contest

FRAZER CLARKE vs BOGDAN DINU  

10 x 3 mins Vacant English Super-Featherweight Contest 

MICHAEL GOMEZ JR vs LEVI GILES

6 x 2 mins  Featherweight Contest                                       

KARRISS ARTINGSTALL vs LINZI BUCZYNSKI

8 x 3 mins  Super-Middleweight Contest

CALLUM SIMPSON vs CELSO NEVES

6/8 x 3 mins  Featherweight Contest                     

RHYS EDWARDS vs BRIAN PHILLIPS

6 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

SHAKIEL THOMPSON vs ROBERT TALAREK      

8 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

AARON McKENNA vs LUCAS NDAFOLUMA             

6 x 3 mins Welterweight Contest

SAMUEL ANTWI vs OMIR RODRIGUEZ

6 x 3 mins  Lightweight Contest

FRANKIE STRINGER vs TBA                                       

4 x 3 mins Super Welterweight

HARVEY LAMBERT vs CASEY BROWN

DANIEL DUBOIS 240.3lbs
BOGDAN DINU 250.4lbs

NATHAN HEANEY 159.12lbs
ILYAN MARKOV 154.12lbs

TOMMY FURY 189lbs
JORDAN GRANT 189.6lbs

CAOIMHIN AGYARKO 160.8lbs
ERNESTO ALVARO 159.8lbs

LIAM DAVIES 124lbs
STEFAN SLAVCHEV 127.12lbs

ADAN MOHAMED 125.8lbs
LUKE FASH 123lbs

GEORGE BANCE 146.3lbs
JORDAN ELLISON 146.6lbs

BOGDAN DINU has brought in the world’s most controversial boxer Jarrell Miller to help cause the downfall of Daniel Dubois.

The Romanian powerhouse challenges Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBA interim Heavyweight title at Telford International Centre on Saturday June 5, live on BT Sport.

Miller is currently banned from boxing after a string of failed drug tests, but has been flown from the United States to Bucharest by Dinu (20-2, 16 KOs) for sparring ahead of the big Dubois showdown.

Dinu who will be risking his number two ranking for the WBA world title held by Anthony Joshua when he meets Dubois was beaten by Miller in 2018.

“Jarrell has a great style and I needed him for this fight,” said 34-year-old Dinu

“The preparation has been one of the best I have had. It has been a great training camp with good sparring, good coaches and I’m healthy.

“It has been good having Jarrell Miller in camp. He puts good pressure on, is heavy handed and is a strong guy. That is what I need for big fights like this.

“He is a nice guy, a funny guy and we train together. After every spar he gives me advice on what he believes will work in the fight

“I think it is a big difference between Dubois and Jarrell. Jarrell has power, skills, experience.”

Dubois is returning after suffering an injury loss against Joe Joyce last November and still holds a healthy world ranking with WBA and WBO.

The Londoner will be hoping that 6ft 5in Dinu goes the same way as his previous Romanian opponent, Razvan Cojanu who he toppled inside two rounds in March 2019.

Dinu told the Unibet Lowdown: “Cojanu never had a good strategy against Daniel. I will have a better one. I will get revenge for my old amateur team-mate.”

To watch the Unibet Lowdown with Bogdan Dinu click here

Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday June 5 when he takes on Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16KOs) for the WBA Interim heavyweight title. Light heavyweight favourite Tommy Fury is also in action in his sixth fight as a professional.

WBO ranked number four featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) returns in his first fight under new trainer Alan Smith, while Belfast Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win. Stoke-on-Trent’s huge popular middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs).

Also on the show are unbeaten English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs), featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0)  and 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance, who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry. 
 

BOGDAN DINU is determined to show Daniel Dubois that actions speak louder than words in their big fight.

The pair clash for the vacant WBA interim Heavyweight title at Telford International Centre on Saturday June 5, live on BT Sport.

Dinu (20-2, 16 KOs) who is ranked number two in the WBA world rankings has been stung after Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) said of him: “He’s a standard boxer, he’s not that good nor that terrible.”

The 6ft 5in Romanian who last boxed in October when he knocked out Frank Bluemie in two rounds snapped back: “It is easy to speak.

“Look at Daniel’s last fight against Joe Joyce. It is difficult when you’re in there and on the receiving end.

“He is talking before he has met me. As Mike Tyson says everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”

Dinu, 34, has only had six more professional fights than Daniel but is much more experienced.

Britain will be the fifth country he has boxed in as a professional having fought in Bulgaria, Canada, United States and his homeland since turning professional 13 years ago.

His two defeats came in high calibre company against current sparring partner Jarrell Miller and two-time world title challenger Kubrat Pulev who he lost against in the seventh round of a contest where the cards were level.

As an amateur he also win a bronze at the World Junior Championships and a silver at the European Junior Championships.

Dinu told the Unibet Lowdown: ‘Daniel is coming back after a loss and he needs experience. You do that with years of work.

“Daniel lost a tough war last time he boxed, but in my opinion he needs more experience. I have the experience.

“I don’t know if they have made a mistake (picking me). I am prepared, coming to win and it will be a war from the first round.

“I am not surprised he has picked me for his return. If you want to win titles then you must always take on good fighters on big shows.

“Daniel is a good fighter, but he needs to learn and have more fights. Good fights, not just against regular fighters who lose in the first round.”

Dinu believes the years he has given up travelling around the world improving his skills will make a difference against British hope, Dubois.

He added: “In my mind I didn’t lose any fight. They are experiences and I am well prepared to get into the big and world championship fights.

“Boxing is low level in Romania and I have made sacrifices. Now is my time and I am ready for the World Heavyweight championship

“It will mean a lot to beat Daniel and people will be proud of me. I will be the winner and then on to the next opponent.”

To watch the full interview with Bogdan Dinu click here

Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday June 5 when he takes on Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16KOs) for the WBA Interim heavyweight title. Light heavyweight favourite Tommy Fury is also in action in his sixth fight as a professional.

WBO ranked number four featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) returns in his first fight under new trainer Alan Smith, while Belfast Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win. Stoke-on-Trent’s huge popular middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs).

Also on the show are unbeaten English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs), featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0)  and 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance, who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry. 

THE HEAVYWEIGHT COLOSSUS Daniel Dubois has revealed that he feels like he is starting his professional career all over again as he closes in on his date with Bogdan Dinu with the WBA Interim title at stake on June 5.

Dubois, of course, suffered the unfamiliar sensation of defeat at the back end of November when he entered into a heavy duty domestic duel with Joe Joyce with multiple titles on the line, including the British and European.

The 23-year-old, who had previously picked up nine championship belts in 15 fights, was considered by many to be the irresistible force of the heavyweight division, with the 2016 Olympic silver medallist believed to be a notable obstacle along his reign of terror that saw 14 of his opponents vanquished via stoppage.

The 35-year-old Joyce, a far more seasoned campaigner in the sport, had other ideas and brought his know-how to the fore in repelling the Dubois onslaughts, while picking him off with speedy and telling jabs to the eye of his younger opposition.

It was those measured and powerful prods from the left hand of Joyce that caused a grisly injury to Dubois’ left eye that ultimately resulted in him taking himself out of the line of fire in the 10th round of a close contest in which he was actually up on the cards.

So, instead of sitting back admiring his lofty ranking with the WBO and jostling for a seat at the top table, Dubois was left to lick his wounds and await medical reports over the severity of his injury. He was also left to ponder what went wrong and reconcile himself to the fact he would be embarking on a rebuild.

Dubois admits reconciliation was not instant.

“You know it took a few weeks actually, I must be honest,” he conceded. “Just to reflect, look back and slow everything down again, to pick up the pieces and start putting them back into place. I made decisions about the team, how we are going to move forward and what the next step is.”

A step the bright young heavy insists did not include sulking, even though the taste of defeat was far from familiar.

“I was doing a lot of things, picking up different sports like playing tennis and we’ve got a pool table at home, so I was doing a bit of that.

“I needed to shake the feeling off that a loss brings. It is a down feeling and I needed to overcome it to come forward and see the light.

“The last time I lost was an amateur, it was a good few years ago, when I was 16, probably. When you are a pro and the whole world is getting to see your vulnerabilities, it is interesting, you know. It is a proper sport this boxing.

“You have to ride with it and now I am back again and ready to come back stronger. I’ve looked at it, examined it, now I am ready to push on again, iron out my mistakes and put it right.”

During his period of contemplation Dubois reveals he harboured no doubts over his future participation in the sport, pointing out that his taking a knee maintained his own grip on his future plans rather than relying on medical opinion to continue.

“No, I was honestly too busy feeling bad to think about that. Once I collected myself and pulled myself together, not once did I have doubts over whether I would be coming back.

“Maybe it turned out right that I made the decision I did.

“There was a break from everything, but I am used to being in the gym. Usually after fights it is ‘who is next?’ but that slowed down a bit and now is the time to start again in life. I feel like I am starting my pro career again, as if I am an amateur just turning professional.

“That for me is great – a fresh start. There is no better feeling than the beginning.”

Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday June 5 when he takes on Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16KOs) for the WBA Interim heavyweight title. Light heavyweight favourite Tommy Fury is also in action in his sixth fight as a professional.

Also on the show are unbeaten English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs), featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0)  and 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance, who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry. 

Heavyweight contender Bogdan Dinu is training hard in his hometown of Buzau, Romania, and getting some excellent sparring work from former foe Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller as he prepares to face Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois for the Interim WBA World Heavyweight Championship.

The 6? 5? WBA #2-rated Dinu (20-2. 16 KOs) will face the 6? 5? WBA #11-rated Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom, on Saturday, June 5. An upset victory over the heavily hyped Dubois will put Dinu one step away from realizing his dream of becoming the first Romanian heavyweight champion of the world.*

Joining the 34-year-old Dinu in camp are his brother George, co-trainer Ross Woolgrove and strength and conditioning coach Daniel Ortega. And this week, to provide world-class sparring, is well-known heavyweight contender and promotional stablemate Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, who stopped Dinu in four rounds in 2018. The pair have remained friends.

“I am training in my home city in my own gym,” explained Dinu between workouts. “I have everything I need here and it’s going really good with Jarrell. He’s one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the world. He puts on a lot of pressure and that’s good for me to prepare for this fight. It’s an important fight and I must win!”

Dinu says he’s working on a surprise for the vaunted 23-year-old Dubois, who was considered a red-hot prospect before coming up short against fellow undefeated Brit Joe Joyce last November for the WBC Silver, WBO International, EBU European, Commonwealth (British Empire) and BBBofC British Heavyweight Championships. In the press, pre-fight, Dubois has been promising to knock Dinu out and return to the fast track.

“I see a young heavyweight who likes to fight, but has only faced easier opponents,” Dinu observed about Dubois. “His only tough fight was against Joe Joyce and we saw what happened. You’ll see by the result of our fight that his big reputation is exaggerated. He’s promising to knock me out? He’s just saying words because he hasn’t met me yet. He will have a big surprise when he looks in my eyes, just as tall as he is and not afraid of him at all. I am going to be very well-prepared and I have a lot of surprises for this kid.”

Dinu last fought in October 2020 with a second-round stoppage of German veteran Frank Bluemle in October 2020. His promoter, Greg Cohen, founder and CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions, says his fighter will be a different man when he shows up for battle on June 5.

“Bogdan Dinu has only lost to two of the top contenders in the division in Miller and Kubrat Pulev and he really should have won the Pulev fight,” said Cohen. “Bogdan is a very smart, experienced, tough guy with a great amateur pedigree and I don’t think Daniel Dubois is ready for someone with his world-class skills and experience. Dinu is working every day in camp with Jarrell, who is pushing him to his limits and taking him to new levels as a fighter. After June 5, Bogdan Dinu will be the interim WBA heavyweight champion in line to face one of the top dogs.”

*The WBA ranks Anthony Joshua as their super champion, Trevor Bryan as their regular champion, Robert Helenius as their gold champion and Manuel Charr as their champion in recess.
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About Greg Cohen Promotions

One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen is lauded for his expert guidance of, among many others, current WBA Middleweight Champion Rob Brant from Minnesota, top-rated heavyweight contender Jarrell “ Big Baby” Miller from New York and former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout of New Mexico. All three fighters, under Cohen’s promotional watch, went from unknowns to prospects to national television stars.

In addition, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney, as well as former WBA World Champion Ismael Barroso and former WBO-NABO Super Middleweight Champion “Mean” Joe Greene.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, CBS Sports, MSG and FOX Sports Net.

After a whirlwind few days where young Heavyweight superstar Daniel Dubois has been unexpectedly thrust back into the media spotlight, ‘Dynamite’ has now said it is “time to move on”.

Daniel was last seen in the ring on November 28 when he suffered a horrific eye injury at the hands of Joe Joyce.

In the wake of that shock defeat internet trolls, and even some within boxing, were keen to put the boot in on Dubois by questioning his decision to take a knee and end the bout.

One such figure was Billy Joe Saunders, who was vociferous in his criticism of the 23-year-old mild-mannered bruiser.

Those remarks would come back to bite Bill, who would fall to Canelo Alvarez after suffering a very similar injury.

Daniel says he understands why the fans and press alike have jumped on this ironic twist of fate but has insisted it is time to move on.

The ever-classy Dubois said: “I understand why everyone has wanted to make comparisons between me and Billy, but it’s time to move on now.”

Saunders is currently awaiting treatment at a hospital in Dallas and Dubois says it’s time to give him space to recover and regroup.

“Billy has had his injury, people have said what they’ve had to say but now it’s time to let him rest, heal and be with his family.

“It’s important for me to move on too. I’ve got a fight on June 5^th with Bogdan Dinu that I need to get ready for.”

The Heavyweight collision with Romania’s Bogdan Dinu will be Dubois’ first taste of action since suffering his injury and he is keen to put the memories of that fateful night behind him.

“Over six months of frustrations are ready to come out. You are going to see the best version of Daniel Dubois in that ring on June 5^th. I will beat Bogdan Dinu up and knock him out.”

Some may have expected young ‘Dynamite’ to have taken an easier fight for his return, but Dubois was keen to jump back in the mix and take on #2 ranked WBA Heavyweight Dinu with the WBA Interim title on the line.

“Dinu is a decent test. He does some things very well. He has fast hands and can move. He’s ranked #2 for a reason, and he’ll see this as a chance to get a title.”

Whilst Dubois is keen to move on from both the events of this past weekend in Texas and his own defeat in November last year, he understands that the only way to truly do that is deliver something spectacular in the ring.

At just 23-years-old, he will be looking to add a 15^th career KO to his record and improve to 16-1 as a professional.

Dubois is fully aware of the question marks that surround him after the nature of his last defeat and he is confident he has all the answers.

“I need to do what I do, show people why they called me ‘Dynamite’ in the first place” Dubois said, “It’ll be a devastating performance, I promise you. A huge knockout to put myself back on the map.”

‘BACK STRONGER: DUBOIS vs DINU’ IS LIVE ON BT SPORT 1 HD ON SATURDAY JUNE 5^th

DANIEL DUBOIS WILL make his long-awaited return to the ring on Saturday June 5 with a challenge for the vacant WBA Interim heavyweight title against the towering Romanian Bogdan Dinu.

The 23-year-old Dubois was last in action at the end of November 2020 in a multi-titled collision with fellow Brit Joe Joyce in London. An absorbing battle came to a halt when Dubois, who suffered a horrific eye injury, removed himself from further danger by taking a knee in the 10th round.

It was later confirmed that he had sustained significant damage to his orbital bone and taking himself out of the firing line almost certainly preserved his career and protected against an even more serious injury.

Having now been given the all-clear from specialists, the 15-1 Dubois is ready to pick up where he left off prior to the Joyce fight and get back into the business of winning titles. Dubois is formerly the holder of the WBC Youth world, the Southern Area, English, British, WBO European, WBO Global, WBO International, Commonwealth and WBC Silver belts.

Dinu, 34, from Bucharest, holds a record of 20-2, with 16 of his wins coming via knockout. The 6ft 5″ puncher, ranked #2 by the WBA, returned to winning ways with two KO victories after suffering his only career losses in the USA when he went up against the unbeaten ex-contender Jarrell Miller and the hugely experienced campaigner Kubrat Pulev.

The show will be co-promoted by Dinu’s US promotional vehicle, Greg Cohen Promotions.

“I am excited to be back in the ring on June 5 after the frustration of being kept out of the gym and doing what I love to do for a number of months after my last fight,” said Dubois.

“This is my chance to remind people of what I am really about, which is winning fights in a devastating fashion. I don’t need to make any excuses for the Joe fight because everybody could see the issue with my vision, but Joe won fair and square and we move on.

“Time is on my side but I don’t intend to slow down my progress and I am more than happy to be returning to the ring in a big title fight that puts me right back in the picture.

“I respect Dinu and accept that he could provide a tough test, but I can only see one outcome and that is me leaving the ring with another major championship belt for my collection.”

Dinu, who last fought in October 2020 with a second round stoppage, said: “This is the most important fight for me and I will be prepared for a war in the ring. It’s my perfect moment to win and to get to the big fights. I’m fighting in London to become the first Romanian heavyweight champion of the world.”

Promoter Frank Warren added: “I’m delighted to get this fight over the line for Daniel and really pleased to be working with Greg Cohen on this event. A win for Daniel in this Interim title fight will see him become the mandatory challenger for the WBA world title and, if he can get past Dinu on June 5, he is back in contention and right in the mix with the top contenders.

“It is an opportunity for Daniel to post a ‘business as usual’ statement to the public and the rest of the heavyweight division following his setback against Joe. Daniel’s enthusiasm to reach the very top has not diminished in the slightest and, even though it is a bit of an old cliche, it is true that he will only learn and benefit from the experience of taking a first loss and rebuilding from it.

“Dinu is a high quality and respected opponent who in no way can Daniel take lightly. It is exactly the sort of challenge he needs at this stage in his career. Daniel achieved so much, so early on his professional journey and remains so young in heavyweight terms.

“There will be significant pressure on Daniel coming back after a first defeat and the focus will be right on him to see how he reacts. He is returning in a big fight, everything will be on the line and the prize on offer is a shot at the world title.”

Greg Cohen, founder and CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions, said: “This is the career defining bout that Bogdan Dinu has been waiting for his entire life. The opportunity to not only fight for, but WIN a WBA Heavyweight Title, against a top rated and well respected fighter in Daniel Dubois will put Bogdan at the top of the heavyweight division and open the doors to mega fights for him in the near future. His entire team has been assisting him in preparing for this moment and he will undoubtedly seize the moment. It won’t be easy, but the years of hard work, sacrifice and experience are going to pay off.

“I’d like to thank the entire team at Queensberry for their professionalism and assistance in making this bout a reality. I’d also like to thank Sorin Florea, Bogdan’s long time manager from Romania who’s support, attention to detail and class are always instrumental and appreciated.  We look forward to a great night of boxing and a spectacular heavyweight matchup!”

Because of the serious nature of the illegal fouls inflicted on his fighter, Bogdan Dinu, in his knockout loss against Kubrat Pulev on March 23 at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, promoter Greg Cohen has filed a Petition for Change of Decision with the California State Athletic Commission.

Citing repeated rabbit punches, including one intentionally flagrant foul while Dinu was already down on his knees and defenseless, Cohen has filed a Petition for Change of Decision under rule 4 CCR – 368 of the Official California Code of Regulations, which states that the commission can change a fight’s verdict if a violation of the laws or rules and regulations governing boxing affected the result of any contest.

Should the verdict be overturned? Watch it HERE.

Romania’s WBA #14-rated Dinu (18-2, 14 KOs) and Bulgaria’s IBF #1- and WBC #9-rated Pulev (27-1, 14 KOs) were waging an even-on-the-cards (scores 57-57, 57-57 and 56-58) heavyweight battle when, in the seventh round, Pulev landed a punch behind the head to drop Dinu and then another when he was clearly down.

Pulev was penalized a point by referee Raul Caiz Jr. for the flagrant foul and Dinu was given five minutes to recover, but the damage had been done and when the action resumed, Dinu was knocked down twice more by illegal punches clearly landing on the back of his head and neck before the bout was halted at 2:40 and called a KO 7 victory for Pulev.

The California commission has agreed to hear out Cohen’s request, with a hearing penciled in for May 14.

For a moment it looked like Kubrat Pulev’s title shot was in jeopardy.

The Bulgarian heavyweight, who is ranked number-one by the IBF was cut badly by a Bogdan Dinu right hand in the 4th round of their heavyweight bout at The Hanger in Costa Mesa, California.

Pulev was able to shake it off, drop Dinu three times and stop him at 2:42 of round seven.

In round four, Dinu landed a big right hand that opened up a nasty cut over the left eye of Pulev.

Pulev was able to gather himself and score three knockdowns in the 7th. The 1st from a combination in the corner, where he almost got himself disqualified for hitting Dinu behind the head and while he was down. Pulev was deducted a point from that. Pulev scored two more knockdowns, both from big rights and the fight was stopped.

Pulev, 249.8 lbs of Sofia, BUL is 27-1 with 14 knockouts. Dinu, 239.6 lbs of Bucharest, ROM is 18-2.

“This is just part of being in a fight. The cut was not such a big problem. Sometimes blood makes me very hungry”, said Pulev. “I was very well prepared. I was ready for anything. At this moment I feel I can do anything inside the ring. I showed very good boxing skills. I also showed that I have good punching power and a good strategy”.

Jessie Magdaleno won a 10-round unanimous decision over Rico Ramos in a featherweight bout featuring former world champions.

Magdaleno, 125.6 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 26-1. Ramos, 127.2 lbs of Pico Rivera, CA is 30-6.

Magdaleno outanded Ramos 130-43.

“I came back from a long layoff and felt great against a tough opponent and a former world champion”, said Magdaleno. “Ramos is a great fighter, he was a former world champion for a reason, but tonight only one of us could come out victorious, and that was me. Now I’m going to sit down with my team, go back to the drawing board, and see what I have to keep working on to become a world champion once again”.

Maxim Dadashev got off the deck and came back to stop Ricky Sismundo in round four of their scheduled ten-round junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Sismundo dropped Dadashev with a straight left. In round four, Dadashev landed a clipping left hook that was followed by a right that Sismundo down on his back. That was stopped at 2:30.

Dadashev, 140 1/2 lbs of Oxnard, CA is 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Sismundo, 141 lbs of The Philippines is 35-13-3.

Tervel Pulev won a six-round unanimous decision over Mitch Williams in a cruiserweight bout.

In round three, Pulev was cut under his left eye. In round four, Pulev was docked a point for hitting on the break.

Pulev of Bulgaria won by scores of 59-55, 58-55 and 57-56 to stay undefeated at 13-0. Williams is now 16-8-3.

2008 U.S. Olympian Javier Molina won an eight-round unanimous decision over Abdiel Ramirez in a junior welterweight bout.

Molina, 140 1/2 lbs of Norwalk, CA won by scores of 79-73 and 78-74 twice and is now 19-2. Ramirez, 141 lbs of Ciudad Juarez, MX is 24-4-1.

Chris Van Heerden won a technical unanimous decision over Mahonri Montes when an accidental headbutt that opened up a cut over the right eye of Van Heerden that forced the fight to be halted.

Van Heerden dominated the action from the inside and outside. In round six, he was cut over his left eye. When they went to the score cards, Van Heerden was ahead 60-54 on all scores.

Van Heerden, 148 1/2 lbs of Johannesburg, SA is 27-2-1. Montes, 148 1/2 lbs of Los Mochis, MX is 35-9-1.

Erick DeLeon remained undefeated by stopping Jose Luis Gallegos in round six of their scheduled eight-round junior lightweight bout.

DeLeon dominated the first four rounds by landing hard body shots that started to break Gallegos down. Gallegos dropped DeLeon in round five with a hard right hand off the ropes. That was short lived as DeLeon regrouped very nicely and started attacking Gallegos and began to hurt him with a flurry of punches that forced the referee to stop the fight at 1:35 of round six.

DeLeon, 131 1/2 lbs of Detroit is now 19-0-1 with 11 knockouts. Gallegos, 131 1/2 lbs of La Barca. MX is 16-6.

David Kaminsky remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Estevan Payan in a middleweight bout.

Kaminsky, 160 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 4-0. Payan, 159 1/2 lbs of Glendale, AZ is 1-7-1.

ESPN (10 p.m. ET)

Kubrat Pulev 249.8 lbs vs. Bogdan Dinu 239.6 lbs
(Heavyweight- 10 Rounds)

Jessie Magdaleno 125.6 lbs vs. Rico Ramos 127.2 lbs
(Vacant WBC USNBC featherweight title- 10 Rounds)

ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET)

Maxim Dadashev 140.4 lbs vs. Ricky Sismundo 140.8 lbs
(Super Lightweight – 10 Rounds)

Erick De Leon 131.4 lbs vs. Jose Luis Gallegos 131.4 lbs
(Lightweight – 10/8 Rounds)

Javier Molina 125.8 lbs vs. Abdiel Ramirez 125 lbs
(Super Lightweight – 10/8 Rounds)

Chris van Heerden 148.4 lbs vs. Mahrony Montes 148.6 lbs
(Welterweight – 10/8 Rounds)

Tyler McCreary 127.6 lbs vs. Roberto Castaneda 127 lbs
(Featherweight – 8/6 Rounds)

Bobirzhan Mominov 147.6 lbs vs. Jonathan Steele 146.4 lbs
(Welterweight – 8/6 Rounds)

David Kaminsky 160.6 lbs vs. Estevan Payan 159.4 lbs
(Middleweight – 4 Rounds)

Eric Puente 133.8 lbs vs. Alejandro Lopez 134.6 lbs
(Lightweight – 4 Rounds)

Tervel Pulev 207.8 lbs vs. Mitch Williams 199.8 lbs
(Cruiserweight – 8 Rounds)

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets priced at $75 and $60 are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.socafights.com.

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

Use the hashtag #PulevDinu to follow the action on social media.

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2019) — Heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev, ranked No. 1 by the IBF, will put his rating on the line against Bogdan Dinu in a 10-round showdown on Saturday, March 23 at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, Calif.

In the co-feature, former world champions Jessie Magdaleno and Rico Ramos will clash in a 10-round featherweight bout with potential world title implications.

Pulev-Dinu and Magdaleno-Ramos will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The entire undercard, including the return of top junior welterweight contender Maxim “Mad Max” Dadashev against Ricky Sismundo, will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets priced at $75 and $60 are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.socafights.com.

“I’m excited to be fighting at The Hangar and on ESPN as I continue my quest to become the heavyweight champion of the world,” Pulev said. “I have a great team behind me, and I am focused and ready to take care of business on March 23.”

“I know this is a big opportunity for me to get to the top of the heavyweight division,” Dinu said. “I am happy to be fighting in the United States against a really top heavyweight in Pulev. When I win, I will be considered a top contender.”

“I haven’t fought in a long time, but I am ready to show the fans that I am the same guy who won the title not too long ago,” Magdaleno said. “I feel comfortable in my new weight class, and now that I’m back, the goal is to become a two-weight world champion.”

“I’m thrilled to be fighting on ESPN,” Ramos said. “I would like to thank Top Rank for the opportunity to showcase my skills on boxing’s biggest stage. I’m preparing my best to give the fans a great show. This fight will get me one step closer to becoming a two-time world champion.”

Pulev (26-1, 13 KOs) is closing in on a second world title shot, the first coming in 2014 when he put up a valiant effort before being stopped by longtime champion Wladimir Klitschko in the fifth round. He has won six straight since the Klitschko loss, most recently defeating fellow contender Hughie Fury via unanimous decision in front of his hometown fans at the Arena Armeec in Sofia, Bulgaria. Dinu (18-1, 14 KOs), a one-time top amateur in his native Romania, will be making his second ring appearance in America. He is looking to bounce back from a fourth-round stoppage loss to Jarrell Miller.

Magdaleno (25-1, 18 KOs) will be fighting for the first time since Isaac Dogboe snatched the WBO junior featherweight world title from him last April in a Fight of the Year contender. Dogboe bounced back from a first-round knockdown to stop Magdaleno in the 11th round. Magdaleno, who had difficulty making the 122-pound limit, hopes a win over Ramos propels him toward a featherweight world title shot.

Ramos (30-5, 14 KOs) captured the WBA super bantamweight title on July 9, 2011 in Atlantic City with a stunning one-punch knockout of Akifumi Shimoda. He lost the title the following January to Guillermo Rigondeaux via sixth-round knockout. Ramos has been on a hot streak since a 2015 knockout loss to Claudio Marrero, winning six in a row while campaigning at both super bantamweight and featherweight. He won a pair of fights in 2018, including an eight-round unanimous decision over Daniel Olea last September that streamed on ESPN+.

In other undercard action:

Javier Molina (18-2, 8 KOs), who represented the United States at the 2008 Olympics, will face knockout artist Abdiel Ramirez (24-3-1, 22 KOs) in a super lightweight bout scheduled for 10 or eight rounds. Ramirez is coming off a stunning knockout victory over Michael Perez on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jose Pedraza undercard Dec. 8 in New York City.

Detroit product and surging 130-pound contender Erick De Leon (18-0-1, 10 KOs) will fight Jose Luis Gallegos (16-5, 12 KOs) in a dual set for 10 or eight rounds. De Leon hasn’t fought since July 14 when he suffered a shoulder injury in a decision win versus Adrian Young.

Longtime welterweight contender Chris “The Heat” van Heerden (26-2-1, 12 KOs) will fight battle-tested veteran Mahonry Montes (35-8-1, 24 KOs) in a bout scheduled for 10 or eight rounds.

Top featherweight prospect Tyler McCreary (15-0, 7 KOs) will make his Top Rank debut against Roberto Castaneda (23-11-1, 16 KOs) in a contest scheduled for eight or six rounds.

David Kaminsky (3-0, 2 KOs), the 18-year-old former amateur standout, will fight Estevan Payan (1-6-1, 1 KO) in a four-round middleweight bout. Payan has also fought 30 times as a professional mixed martial artist.

Bobirzhan Mominov (9-0, 8 KOs) will aim for his fifth consecutive knockout against Jonathan Steele (9-2-1, 6 KOs) in a welterweight battle scheduled for six or eight rounds.

Lightweight prospect Eric Puente (1-0) will return in a four-rounder against Alejandro Lopez (1-3, 0 KOs).

To subscribe to ESPN+, visit www.espnplus.com.

Use the hashtag #PulevDinu to follow the action on social media.

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Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing 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 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.

Bogdan Dinu will take on Kubrat Pulev on March 23rd at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“After speaking with my co-promoter [Sorin Florea of Kings Promotion] in [Dinu’s native] Romania, it was more of a misunderstanding than them not wanting to fight,” Dinu promoter Greg Cohen said. “It was a language issue. We had been texting with each other. Once we got on the phone we were able to hash it out pretty quickly. We let Top Rank know and signed the contract. Dinu is looking forward to coming back to America to fight Pulev.

“If he beats Pulev, he writes his own ticket because it would be a huge win. I know they fought in the amateurs. Dinu is from Romania, Pulev is from Bulgaria. It’s like if it was New York versus New Jersey in the U.S. They’re very familiar with each other and Dinu is really confident.”

In a battle of undefeated heavyweights, Jarrell Miller stopped Bpgdan Dinu in round four of their scheduled 12-round heavyweight fight at The Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kansas.

It took Miller a couple round to get going, and then in round four he dropped Dinue twice. The 2nd knockdown was for the 10-count at 2:45.

Miller, 315.4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 23-0-1 with 20 knockouts. Dinu, 237.4 lbs of Romania is 18-1.

Claressa Shields retained the IBF and WBA as well as claiming the WBC Middleweight titles with a ten-round unanimous decision over Hannah Rankin.

Shields, 159.6 lbs of Flint, MI won by scores of 100-90 on all cards is now 7-0. Rankin, 158.6 lbs of Glasgow, Scotland is 5-3.

Nico Hernandez remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Josue Morales in a flyweight bout.

Hernandez, 112.4 lbs of Wichita, KS won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73, and is now 6-0. Morales, 113 lbs of Houston is now 8-8-3.

Hernandez landed 120-519 punches. Morales landed 62-293.

Brandon Rios scored a 9th round stoppage over Ramon Alvarez in a junior middleweight war.

The two traded heavy shots in close with Rios seizing control in the 8th round, where Rios hurt Alvarez at the end of the frame. The fight ended with a hard combination on the ropes at 38 seconds.

Rios, 151.4 lbs of Oxnard, CA is now 35-4-1 with 26 knockouts. Alvarez, 151.4 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is 27-7-3.

Luis Arias and Gabriel Rosado fought to a spirited 12-round draw in a middleweight bout.

In round 12, Arias was cut over his right eye.

Each fighter took a card 116-112 and a third card read even at 114-114.

Arias, 159.4 lbs of Milwaukee, WI is 18-1-1. Rosado, 158.2 lbs of Philadelphia is 24-11-1.

Anthony Sims stopped Colby Courter in round two of a scheduled eight-round super middleweight bout.

Sims dropped Courter three times, and the fight was stopped at 40 seconds.

Sims, 170 lbs of Indiana is 17-0 with 16 knockouts. Courter of Misourri is 13-13.

Nikita Ababiy registered his 2nd consecutive 1st round stoppage as he got rid of Javier Rodriguez in their scheduled four-round middleweight bout.

In round one, Ababiy dropped Rodriguez with a hard right hand. Moments later, it was a body shot that was followed by a left that sent Rodriguez down, and the fight was stopped at 1:48.

Ababiy, 159.4 lbs of Brooklyn is 2-0 with two knockouts. Rodriguez, 154 lbs of Nebraska is 3-7-1.

Jeremy Nichols dropped Jeremiah page four times en-route to a first round stoppage in a scheduled six-round super middleweight bout.

In round one, Nichols dropped Page with a body shot. Moments later it was a flurry of punches that sent Page to the canvas. Page was sent down for a third time with a hard over hand right. Seconds later, the fight was finally stopped after a left sent Page down for a 4th a final time at 2:34.

Nichols, 155.4 lbs of Las Vegas is 9-1-1 with three knockouts.

Manny Thompson won a six-round unanimous decision over Leroy Jones in a super middleweight bout.

Jones dropped Thompson in the 1st frame. Jones was deducted a point for a low blow in round three.

Thompson, 173.4 lbs of Wichita, KS won by scores 59-54 twice, and 57-55 to raise his mark to 8-0. Jones of St. Louis, MO is 3-5.

Bogdan Dinu believes he will shut Jarrell Miller up and crash into the top Heavyweight scene when they clash at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, KS on Saturday night, live on DAZN.

Tickets are on sale now from ticketmaster.com starting at just $25! Click here to book!

Dinu and Miller’s clash will open the doors to some of the biggest names in the division in 2019, and ‘Big Baby’ Miller has been typically outspoken in calling to face a big-name British fighter should he emerge with the win in Kansas – and told Dinu at today’s press conference that he will KO him in spectacular style.

The Romanian – who is a special services police officer as well as unbeaten Heavyweight contender – is glad the talking is all over, and the 32 year old, who has sparred many rounds with World ruler Anthony Joshua, is confident of causing an upset.

“Jarrell is a good talker but I don’t care, I catch guys like him every morning,” said Dinu. “The talking stops on Saturday night. It’s so exciting for me to fight in America, it’s a great opportunity. My team have given me an amazing chance and its’ up to me to take it.

“I have worked hard for many years to get this opportunity and I want to do a great job on Saturday night.

“I have a lot of experience and I have no fear of him, I know I can beat him, my style and my heart is enough to win the fight.

“I’ve sparred many excellent fighters like Anthony Joshua. That’s great experience, he’s a great champion and a real gentleman. He deserves his place as the best in the world.

“It was a great test for me to see where I am and being with AJ motivated me, taught me a lot and it was valuable. We did a lot of rounds before Wladimir Klitschko and the Carlos Takam fights.”

Dinu’s clash with Miller is part of a huge night of action in Kansas in association with KO Night Boxing with a host of stars and local talents in action.

Brilliant two-weight World ruler Claressa Shields who looks to add the WBC Middleweight strap to her WBA and IBF crowns against tough Scottish challenger Hannah Rankin.

Middleweight contenders Luis Arias and Gabriel Rosado clash in what promises to be a real war as the pair look to gatecrash the lucrative top table, and there’s an all-Mexican clash and a homecoming for Brandon Rios against Ramon Alvarez, brother of ‘Canelo’, as both men look to make a splash at Welterweight.

Team USA 2016 Olympic bronze medal man Nico Hernandez has raced to 5-0 (4 KOs) – the Wichita talent fights for the third time in the Kansas Star Casino and Arena since debuting there in March 2017, unbeaten Wichita Super-Middleweight and police officer Manny Thompson looks to improve his 7-0 record and Las Vegas’ Jeremy Nichols meets Wichita’s Jeremiah Page at Middleweight.

Unbeaten Light-Heavyweight contender Anthony Sims Jr. and Brooklyn’s exciting newcomer to the Middleweight scene Nikita Ababiy, fresh from a first round KO on debut in Chicago in October, are also in action.

Jarrell Miller is targeting a huge showdown against a British Heavyweight in 2019 as he prepares to face Bogdan Dinu at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas on November 17, live on DAZN.

Tickets are on sale now from ticketmaster.com starting at just $25! Click here to book!

Miller meets Dinu in a crunch clash for the division, with the big punching duo putting their unbeaten records and lofty ranking spots on the line with the Heavyweight scene set to explode in the coming months.

Deontay Wilder defends his WBC title against Tyson Fury on December 1 while division ruler Anthony Joshua returns to Wembley Stadium in London on April 13 to put his IBF, WBA and WBO straps on the line.

Dillian Whyte faces Dereck Chisora on December 22 in a rematch in London, with Whyte aiming to seal another rematch, this time with old foe Joshua, but Miller would love to get his hands on the ‘Body Snatcher’ as he hunts down a big scalp to announce himself at the very top level.

“I have to beat a Brit – if I do that, a lot will change. When you are high risk, low reward, people will make excuses not to fight you and the fans will buy into it.

“I am not afraid of Dillian – I’m afraid of no man. If AJ is not ready to face me with a title, then I’ll go and whoop Dillian’s butt. It’ll help my profile in Britain.

“He’s a clown, nobody is afraid of him. He’s got a win over Lucas Browne and that’s it. For him to call people punks, he’s deluded, I’ve fought three World title contenders back to back. He turned down Mariusz Wach twice and he didn’t really want to fight Duhaupas, he’s naive.

“I rate him as a fighter, he throws punches and wins – he’s a top guy now because since he got his block knocked off by AJ they’ve built him the right way. When he gets in the ring with me, watch how he changes, watch how the whole ‘I’m the Body Snatcher, I walk guys down’ stops.

“He couldn’t walk down a 230lbs Joseph Parker, so you’re going to walk me down, 300+lbs behemoth that throws 80 punches a round? I haven’t even thrown my right hand in my last few fights for a reason, so when I really start clocking these guys, then people will see.

“The big fights take some maneuvering and finessing, so building my profile, winning the regular title and getting into a mandatory spot is going to help me in that situation. I think I will definitely be in a spot to have an AJ or Deontay Wilder fight later in the year, so I need to get this win in Kansas and stay busy, focused, injury free and ready.

“Bogdan is aggressive but that’s against guys that want to survive. He’s never fought someone like me, who is going to be the aggressor in the fight. He’s light and he’s not a heavy puncher, and I’m going to be coming forward, throwing bombs and mixing it up, it’s going to be completely new to him. He’s going to try to move against me, everybody does, but then they all end up running for their lives – and they can only run for so long.”

Miller’s clash with Dinu is part of a huge night of action in Kansas in association with KO Night Boxing with a host of stars and local talents in action.

Two-weight World ruler Claressa Shields who looks to add the WBC Middleweight strap to her WBA and IBF crowns against tough Scottish challenger Hannah Rankin.

Middleweight contenders Luis Arias and Gabriel Rosado clash in what promises to be a real war as the pair look to gatecrash the lucrative top table, and there’s an all-Mexican clash and a homecoming for Brandon Rios against Ramon Alvarez, brother of ‘Canelo’’, as both men look to make a splash at Welterweight.

Team USA 2016 Olympic bronze medal man Nico Hernandez has raced to 5-0 (4KOs) – the Wichita talent fights for the third time in the Kansas Star Casino and Arena since debuting there in March 2017, unbeaten Wichita Super-Middleweight and police officer Manny Thompson looks to improve his 7-0 record and Las Vegas’ Jeremy Nichols meets Wichita’s Jeremiah Page at Middleweight.

Unbeaten Light-Heavyweight contender Anthony Sims Jr. and Brooklyn’s exciting newcomer to the Middleweight scene Nikita Ababiy, fresh from a first round KO on debut in Chicago earlier in the month are also in action.

Undefeated heavyweight Jarrell Miller may take on undefeated Bogdan Dinu for the WBA regular heavyweight championship on November 17th in Atlantic City, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Dinu got the call after Fres Oquendo turned the fight and a reported $500,000 due to not having enough time to have the VADA Drug testing implemented.