According to Dan Rafael of espn,com, Gilberto Ramirez vacated the WBO Super Middleweight title.

With the belt vacant, the fight between former middleweight world titleholder Billy Joe Saunders (27-0, 13 KOs), 29, of England, who is moving up to super middleweight, and Shefat Isufi (27-3-2, 20 KOs), 29, of Germany, will be for the title.

BILLY JOE SAUNDERS has challenged WBO super-middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez to face him or ditch his world title.

The Mexican hinted after a winning light-heavyweight debut at the weekend that his future belongs in the bigger 175lb division.

Saunders (27-0,13 KOs) faces German based Albanian Shefat Isufi (27-3-2, 20 KOs) at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium on Saturday May 18, live on BT Sport for the WBO interim super-middleweight crown.

Ramirez will be ordered to face the winner, unless he relinquishes the title he has held for three years.

If he does hand back his crown, the Saunders v Isufi fight is likely to be elevated to full world title status.

Former unbeaten WBO middleweight champion Saunders snapped: “I am raring to go for Ramirez, but if he doesn’t want to face me then give up the title and let me fight for the full championship.

“If it’s not going to happen against me after my ‘interim’ title fight then I would rather him say, now.

“He has said he can make 12 stone for Callum Smith so I don’t see the problem with myself. If he can make 12 stone for Callum, he can make 12 stone for me.

“I understand the rules of boxing. If you haven’t got the right style, opponents may not want to know you.

“His promoter Bob Arum has a good working relationship with Frank Warren and MTK, and he has most probably had a conversation with Ramirez.

“They know they can make the fight, but do they want it?

“Personally myself, I don’t think Ramirez will go ducking anybody, but unless he 100 per-cent knows he’s good at the weight I can’t see him taking the chance of fighting me.

“My way of winning fights is slick boxing so that takes a lot of steam out of the opponent especially if you’re weight-drained.”

Saunders cannot wait to appear at a stadium just 12 miles from his Hatfield home.

And although less than half of his wins have come inside the distance, Saunders reckons the open air crowd at the Lamex Stadium are in for a knockout night.

Saunders who is currently training in Manchester added: “I will carry more power up with me. We have been working on a few bits and bobs to improve my power.

“I’ve been sparring well, my timing is there, my speed is still there, but I have got to perform at the weight.”

Tickets for Saunders v Isufi at Stevenage FC are now on sale via www.borotickets.co.uk and are priced as below:

£200 – Hospitality
£150 – Pitch
£100 – Pitch
£75 – Pitch
£50 – Stand
£40 – Stand

Follow all the action as Vasyl Lomachenko defends the WBA and WBO Lightweight titles against former titlist Anthonyy Crolla.  The action will kick off at 11 PM ET / 8 PM PT with Gilberto Ramirez making his light heavyweight debut against Tommy Karpency.

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Round 1: Right to body from Lomachenko..

Round 2 Wicked combination from Lomachenko..Hard body shot..Left to body

Round 3 Hard combination by Lomachenko..left..triple jab..Right hook..HUGE COMBINATION…RULED A KNOCKDOWN

Round 4 Uppercut and straight left from Lomachenko..Body shot..Double uppercut..HUGE RIGHT HOOK…DOWN GOES CROLLA AND FIGHT IS OVER

Round 1 Straight left from Karpency..Straight left from Ramirez..another left

Round 2 Right to body from Ramirez..Uppercut..Karpency working on inside..Hard jab from Ramirez..uppercut..Karpency gets in a nice left..Left uppercut from Ramirez..Straight left

Round 3 Right hook from Karpency..Combination from Ramirez…Karpency bleeding from nose

Round 4 Uppercut and straight left from Ramirez..FIGHT STOPPED IN CORNER….TKO END OF 4 FOR RAMIREZ

Vasyl Lomachenko scored a sensational 4th round stoppage over Anthony Crolla to retain the WBA/WBO Lightweight titles in front of 10,101 fans at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Lomachenko was flawless as he took a couple of rounds to figure out Crolla, who did little more then move around the ring.  He started to ramp up the activity at the end of round two.  In round three, Lomachenko was credited with a knockdown as he landed a hard combination that referee Jack Reiss ruled that the ropes kept Crolla up.  In the next round, Lomachenko continued to batter Crolla until he landed a perfect right hook to the temple that sprawled Crolla face-first to the canvas and the fight was stopped at 49 seconds.

Lomachenko, 134.6 lbs of Ukraine is now 13-1 with 10 knockouts.  Crolla, 134.8 lbs of Manchester, UK is 34-7-3.

“I want to fight with Mikey Garcia, but we’ll see. I don’t know,” Lomachenko said. “I stay at 135 as long as it’s possible, and I want to unify all {the} titles.

Gilberto Ramirez announced himself to the light heavyweight division as he stopped Tommy Karpency at the end of round four of a scheduled ten-round bout.

Ramirez dominated the fight as he landed thunderous body work.  Ramirez was effective with the straight left that drew blood from Karpency’s nose.  Karpency could not continue at the end of the 4th frame citing a broken rib.

Ramirez, 174.6 lbs of Mazelton, MX is 40-o with 26 knockouts.  Karpency, 174.6 lbs of Adah, PA is 29-7-1.

“I feel more comfortable at 175 pounds than 168,” Ramirez said. “I’m looking for all the champions at 175. I want to be a pound-for-pound fighter.

“I struggled making 168 for a very long time. We’ll see what’s next, but my body felt great at 175. My new head trainer, Julian Chua, did an excellent job preparing me for this fight. Karpency was a tough guy.”

Arnold Barboza Jr. stopped former world champion Mike Alvarado in round three of a scheduled ten-round super lightweight bout.

Barboza rocked Alvarado with a hard right and knocked him down with a follow up punch.  Alvarado tried to get to his feet, but was wobbly and the fight was stopped at 49 seconds.

Barboza, 140 lbs of South El Monte, CA is 21-0 with eight knockouts.  Alvarado, 139 1/2 lbs of Denver, CO is 40-5.

“That was a good fight, and now I want Jose Ramirez. I want Maurice Hooker,” Barboza said. “That’s what I want in my future. Alvarado is a tough guy, and I stopped him in three rounds. Hopefully, this performance will catapult me to a world title opportunity. To perform like I did in front of my hometown fans, it doesn’t get better than that.”

Said Alvarado: “He caught me with a clean, surprising shot. He just caught me. It’s boxing. Some just sneak in and do the job, you know?”

Janibek Alimkhanuly won a 10-round unanimous decision over Cristian Olivas in a middleweight fight.

Alimkhanuly, 160 lbs of Almaty, KAZ won by scores of  100-90 twice and 99-91, and is now 6-0.  Olivas, 159 1/4 lbs of San Diego, CA is 16-5.

It was a short night at the office for Italian heavyweight Guido Vianello (3-0, 3 KOs), who knocked out Lawrence Gabriel (3-2-1, 2 KOs) at 49 seconds of the opening round. Vianello represented his homeland at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“I believe this was my strongest performance to date, and I’m only going to get better and better,” Vianello said. “My power is improving with every fight.”

Guido Vianello destroyed Lawrence Gabriel inside of a minute of their scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.

Vianello landed a hard right that hurt Gabriel.  A few more hard shots put Gabriel down, and the fight was stopped in 49 seconds.

Vianello, 244 1/2 lbs of Rome, ITA is 3-0 with three knockouts.  Gabirel, 208 lbs of Syracuse, NY is 3-2-1.

Alexander Besputin won a 10-round unanimous decision over awkward Alfredo Blanco in a welterweight bout.

Besputin was cut over the right eye in the first frame from a couple of wild shots that got through from Blanco.

In round nine, he was cut on his forehead.

Those did not matter as Besputin landed hard and quick combinations, and won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91.

Besputin, 147 lbs of Oxnard, CA is now 13-0.  Blanco, 146 1/2 lbs of Pigue, ARG is 20-8.

“He had a very uncomfortable, awkward style, which made it difficult for me to find my rhythm,” Besputin said. “Most importantly, I got the win, and we can move on to bigger fights. I am a top contender now, and I am ready to fight for a world title next. Bob Arum says I can beat the top welterweights, and I know I can.”

Ruben Rodriguez won a four-round majority  decision over Rumel Snegur in a welterweight bout.

Scores were 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38.

Rodriguez, 144 3/4 lbs of Indio, CA won by scores of   and is now 6-0.  Snegur, 142 lbs of Portland, OR is 3-4-1.

• 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.

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.

LOS ANGELES (April 9, 2019) — WBA/WBO lightweight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko felt right at home Tuesday at the Ukrainian Culture Center, site of Tuesday’s media workout. Lomachenko (12-1, 9 KOs) won a pair of Olympic gold medals (2008 and 2012) for his native Ukraine.

For the first time as a professional, Lomachenko will headline a STAPLES Center card, a short drive from his United States training base in Ventura County.

Lomachenko will defend his world titles against the hard-charging Anthony Crolla (34-6-3, 13 KOs), while longtime WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (39-0, 25 KOs) will dip his toe in the light heavyweight waters versus veteran Tommy Karpency (29-6-1, 18 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

Lomachenko-Crolla and Ramirez-Karpency will stream exclusively Friday, April 12 at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on ESPN+ — the leading multi-sport streaming service.

The undercard broadcast (ESPN+, 8 p.m. EST) will feature unbeaten 140-pound contender Arnold Barboza Jr. (20-0, 7 KOs) against former world champion Mike Alvarado (40-4, 28 KOs) in a 10-rounder and welterweight contender Alexander Besputin (12-0, 9 KOs) versus Alfredo Blanco (20-7, 11 KOs) in a 10-rounder for Besputin’s USBA belt. Besputin is ranked No. 1 in the world by the WBA.

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.

Three days before taking center stage at STAPLES Center, this is what the fighters had to say.

Vasiliy Lomachenko

On fighting Crolla

“I anticipate a good and entertaining fight. I want to enjoy {myself} during the fight. All of my fights, I have enjoyed.”

“Before the fight, you’re nervous a little bit, but when you step in the ring, it’s your place. You step into your house, relax and enjoy the fight.”

On headlining in Los Angeles

“On April 12, I am going to show my best style and give the fans a great show. I am excited to fight at STAPLES Center. The fans in Los Angeles are special and appreciate my boxing style.”

On a potential Mikey Garcia fight

“I still want that fight, 100 percent, but it is up to Mikey. Can he cut the weight? I don’t know. But if he can make 135, I want to fight.”

“My goal is to unify all the titles. If it’s {IBF champion Richard} Commey later this year, that would be a great fight. Any champion, I would want to fight. I want IBF and WBC belts. I want to go down in history as a great champion.”

Anthony Crolla

“It’s been a long camp and the hardest of my career, physically and mentally, but I am in a great place and I’m raring to go.”

“He’s seen by many as the best fighter on the planet and I know that I have a huge challenge ahead of me, but these are the kinds of fights that I got into the sport for at the age of 10. I’ve dreamt about nights like this and it’s almost time.”

“He’s a very unique fighter, his movement is exceptional and he creates great angles. You can see what all the praise is about. He’s one of the greatest amateurs ever and he’s taken that into the pro ranks. It’s unbelievable what he’s done in a short space of time in the pros, but I am here not just to test myself against the very best but to give it everything I have to shock the world.”

“People aren’t giving me a chance, but that doesn’t matter to me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The motivation to me is attaching my name to one of the biggest upsets in British boxing history, without a doubt, and I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn there. As a boxing fan and someone that lives and breathes the sport, that’s all the motivation I need. I’ve been the underdog all throughout my career and I know that this is by far the biggest challenge I’ve faced, but it’s one I can’t wait to get stuck into.”

“I’ve boxed at the elite level before, I’ve been boxing at the world title level for years and I’ve earned this shot, it’s not been given to me. I know that I have to pull off something massive, but I do belong at this level and I’ll prove it. I won’t be in awe. I’ve worked far too hard to let that happen and I am confident. It’s just me and him in the ring. Like any sport you need that little bit of luck, but I have worked immensely hard to get as lucky as I can, but we’re going in with a good game plan and I cannot be better prepared.”

Gilberto Ramirez

On his move to 175 pounds

“It had become more difficult for me to make 168 pounds. I spent most of my career at that weight and my body was maturing. I’d return to super middleweight if there was a really big fight available to me, like Canelo or Golovkin.”

On working with new trainers Julian Chua and Joel Flores

“I have changed my entire team. This is a new beginning for me. Julian and Joel have brought a new element to my game. and the result of this training will show on April 12.”

“I was the first Mexican fighter to win a super middleweight world title. Now, I want to become the second Mexican to win a light heavyweight world title {the late Julio Gonzalez was the first}. I want to make history in boxing. Whether it’s at 168 or 175 pounds, the future is bright for me.”

Arnold Barboza Jr.

“This is a great fight for me on a great stage like the STAPLES Center and against a warrior like Mike Alvarado. He is a great fighter, but I come well prepared and ready to win this fight.”

“We accepted this fight because I want to show the world that I am ready for the big fights. I want to show that I am ready to fight for a world title. I want to face the guy from Fresno. I want to take the title from Jose Ramirez or Maurice Hooker. ”

Mike Alvarado

On the irony of being the veteran fighting the young contender

“I was thinking about that the other day. I was fighting Cesar Bazan on the Margarito-Cotto 1 undercard in Las Vegas. I was like, “This guy is hungry.’ I knew then and there that I have to be more focused and dial in with my technique.”

On what he expects from Barboza

“He’s going to try and be real crafty and slick and whatnot. He’s going to have to put on his goggles because we’re going into deep waters. I’m going to bring in a different type of tactic, a whole different type of technique along with relentless pressure.”

On returning to a big stage near the top of the bill

“It means a lot. I know in my heart that I’m ready for it. I deserve it. I’ve won six in a row, and I’ve earned my way back to this level. This fight will solidify that I’m ready to be a world champion again.”

Alexander Besputin

“I am the WBA’s top contender, and I want a title shot soon. This is a great opportunity for me on a big card to show everyone why I am a top welterweight. After I win this fight, I want all the big names. The time for me is now.”

“I am not overlooking Alfredo Blanco. He has won four fights in a row and views me as his shot to earn a top world ranking.”

“I hope to see my Russian fans at STAPLES Center on Friday. It’s been a long time since I’ve fought in Los Angeles. Los Angeles has some of the greatest fans in the world, and I want to put on a show for them.”

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.

LOS ANGELES (March 11, 2019) — WBA/WBO lightweight world champion Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko and WBO super middleweight world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez came to Fortune Gym in Hollywood on Monday for a media workout as they prepare for their respective bouts, April 12 at Staples Center.

Lomachenko, the pound-for-pound Picasso, will defend his world titles in the main event against the hard-charging Anthony “Million Dollar’ Crolla, while Ramirez will dip his toe in the light heavyweight waters versus veteran Tommy Karpency in the co-feature.

Lomachenko-Crolla and Ramirez-Karpency will stream exclusively April 12 at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on ESPN+ — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

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

In front of a packed media contingent, this is what they had to say.

Vasiliy Lomachenko

On his weight

“Right now, I am a lightweight, but lightweight is not my ideal weight category. My goal now is to unify all four titles, and then, we’ll see. Maybe I’ll move back down to 130 pounds and win world titles there for a second time.

On Anthony Crolla as a fighter

“I don’t know too much about him. I know him from his two fights with Jorge Linares. I do know he is an aggressive fighter, and I like to fight guys who come forward.”

On preparing for Crolla

“I prepare like always. We are training hard. I’ve been training for a couple months already and will put on a great performance for my fans in Los Angeles and on ESPN+. I will show everyone my best style and hope everyone enjoys it.”

On future opponents

“I want to fight the best. But now, Crolla is the best choice. He is the mandatory challenger and wanted to fight me. That is why I accepted this fight.”

On whether he thinks he’ll dominate Crolla

“I don’t know. I can’t see in the future. It depends how he fights. We’ll see.”

On Teofimo Lopez

“I’m ready for everyone. I need the belts. If you have a belt, you can come in the ring and I’ll fight with you.”

Gilberto Ramirez

“I made history when I became the first super middleweight champion in the history of Mexican boxing, and now I’m moving up to the 175-pound division to continue making history.”

“I want to face the best fighters and clean out the division. I want all the titles. I want to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. I’m ready to prove I’m an elite fighter.”

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 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 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.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, WBO Super Middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez will move to light heavyweight.

“I am looking for another belt. That’s why I am moving up. Also, last time I fought it was a little bit hard to make the weight, 168. My body is asking to move up,” Ramirez said Friday before the weigh-in for the rematch between light heavyweight world titlist Eleider “Storm” Alvarez and former two-time titlist Sergey Kovalev, who meet on Saturday night (midnight ET, ESPN+) at the Ford Center at the Star, the practice facility of the Dallas Cowboys.

“I am looking for those belts,” Ramirez said. “They are really tough fighters. I want to be the Mexican idol. So I am looking for a challenge and an opportunity.”

“He came to us. He was having trouble maintaining his weight at 168 [pounds] and thought he would be much stronger at 175,” Ramirez promoter Bob Arum said. “So without giving up his 168 title, I think we’re going to put him in a good fight at 175, and then if he comes through that we’ll match him with one of the champions to fight for a title.

“He knows as well as we do who he matches up well with. He has sparred with Gvozdyk so he feels he can handle Gvozdyk. He’s watched Alvarez fight. Our matchmakers think he’s competitive in either fight. With Beterbiev, who knows what you have.”

“Bob told me, ‘Maybe you want to move up, fight, and after, if I don’t give you a really good fight like [one against] Canelo Alvarez or [Gennady] Golovkin or Callum Smith, something like that, then we’re going to look for a title at light heavyweight,'” Ramirez said. “It’s a big challenge for me. I am really motivated to get another belt and be a champion in two divisions.”

“I think he’s a big guy whether at 168 or 175, and if he feels stronger by not having the sacrifice to make the weight he will be a lot better puncher,” Arum said. “He’s a great boxer. The question is if he will develop a good punch. I think going up in weight will help that.”

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Their first match in 2017 was close and controversial. Their rematch was closer but less controversial.

Friday at American Bank Center in an entertaining scrap for the WBO super middleweight title televised by ESPN+, Mexican heartthrob “El Zurdo” Gilberto Ramirez (39-0, 25 KOs) remained undefeated by narrowly decisioning North Philly boxer-puncher Jesse “Hollywood” Hart (25-2, 21 KOs) by majority scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-113.

The 15rounds.com ringside card also sided with Ramirez, 116-114, scoring rounds 3 and 10 even.

“I hurt my left elbow in round eight,” said Ramirez afterwards in his native Spanish. “It wasn’t worth dick then.”

After a tentative first round, where neither guy wanted to lead but both wanted to counter hardy, Hart began to absorb left uppercuts from Ramirez in the second. By the fourth Ramirez began to piece Hart up, making Hart relent in a mouth-agape retreat, forcing Hart to exert and punch back harder than planned, which made round 5 the best of the match’s opening half.

Both men presented their chins for uppercuts, and both made tasted and served them, but Ramirez, of the two men, committed far more to bodypunching. Ramirez, too, feinted Hart out of position often, making one wonder about Hart’s confidence or conditioning.

“If I hadn’t hurt my elbow, I would have knocked him out,” said Ramirez of his advantage in the fight’s first half.

With Ramirez no longer fit and right in round 8, though, Hart’s improved physicality changed everything. Hart’s leaning on Ramirez revealed El Zurdo to be an immobile and often lazy infighter of limited leverage and creativity in the ninth.

“I pressured him, I boxed him,” said Hart after the match. “I really don’t know.”

For reasons that were unclear, after his two best rounds of the fight, in round 10 Hart returned to Ramirez’s preferred range and lost some advantage before returning to a more favorable, smothering attack in the 11th.

Round 12 was both excellent and brutal, with Ramirez doing what a champion must, seizing the initiative from Hart and retaining his belt despite a final-minute rally by the Philadelphian. If the decision was close, it was also popular, as Friday’s small crowd was passionate and partisan-Mexican.

ARNOLD BARBOZA VS. MANUEL LOPEZ

Friday’s comain featured a good boxer, California super lightweight Arnold Barboza (20-0, 7 KOs), against a decent one, Coloradoan Manuel Lopez (14-3-1, 7 KOs). The better boxer won, by three scores of 100-90, in a fight that served as a proper – by not being overly compelling – appetizer for the main event to follow.

Barboza is very good but also lightfisted. He leverages his punches correctly, and they sound robust when they land, but as evidenced by his knockout ratio, his opponents suffer surprisingly little damage. Ringside and cheering Barboza on, with near-constant suggestions, was the former master of 140 pounds, Terence Crawford.

The delta between Crawford and Barboza is exactly the delta between Barboza and Lopez.

JOSHUA GREER VS. DANIEL LOZANO

Chicagoan Joshua Greer (19-1-1, 11 KOs) looks the part and punches the part, when he connects, which he did often Friday night, and had to, too, in order to chop down stonechinned Floridian Daniel Lozano (10-6, 3 KOs) and secure a WBC Continental Americas title. Wearing a frilly red-and-white outfit with tennis-ball-green boots, Greer used his speed to discourage Lozano early and often.

In the last minute of round 7 Greer then used power he’d not shown in the preceding stanzas, dropping a four- or five-punch combination (fast as it was, could’ve been either number) that finished with a crisp righthand that put Lozano on the seat of his trunks. Lozano beat the count comfortably and made it to round’s end.

But with their man prohibitively far behind on the scorecards, Lozano’s handlers did the compassionate thing, stopping their man from answering one more bell.

UNDERCARD

The evening’s final nontitle match featured California lightweight Gabriel Flores Jr. battering about the ring Maryland designated opponent Edward Kakembo in a contest that comprised but one doubt: Will Flores stretch Kakembo or not? Not won, and so did Flores: 60-52, 60-52, 60-52.

Mexican super bantamweight Jesus “Veneno” Arechiga (7-0, 6 KOs) began Friday’s match having stopped every opponent inside the distance and in round 1 looked primed to waste Mexican David “Choko” Martino (6-6, 4 KOs) quickly, but in a scheduled execution the condemned survived with some grit and some wiles and some decent punching, and the muscular Arechiga’s faded power, too, Martino made it to the final bell of a fight Arechiga nevertheless won easily by three scores of 40-36.

Friday’s first title match, a super featherweight scrap between Los Angeles’ Mikaela Mayer (9-0, 4 KOs) and Colombian Calixta Salgado (17-11-3, 12 KOs) for the NABF title, finished with a wide decision victory for Mayer, 80-72 three times. The rangey Mayer proved herself superior in every category, from physicality to body punching to footwork, putting a comprehensive eight-round beating on her outmatched if rugged opponent.

In the undercard’s third match BoMac-trained New York lightweight Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring (19-2, 10 KOs), a lighthitting southpaw, decisioned Brazil’s Adeilson Dos Santos (19-6, 15 KOs) by three scores of 80-70, after successfully wearing-down Dos Santos late with left uppercuts.

Before that Mexican bantamweight Ruben Vega (11-0-1, 5 KOs) drew over six rounds with Dallas’ Oscar Mojica (11-5-1, 1 KO).

Friday’s first match saw Panamanian welterweight Roberto Duran Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs) use manos-jovenes-de-piedra to make instant work of Brownsville target Leonardo Pena (0-3), finishing the local fighter in under a minute.

Opening bell rang on a cavernous American Bank Center at 5:17 PM local time.

ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET)

• Gilberto Ramirez 167.25 lbs vs. Jesse Hart 167.5 lbs
(Ramirez’s WBO Super Middleweight world title – 12 Rounds)

• Arnold Barboza Jr. 139.25 lbs vs. Manuel Lopez 139.5 lbs
(Vacant NABF Super Lightweight title – 10 Rounds)

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

• Gabriel Flores Jr. 132.5 lbs vs. Edward Kakembo 131 lbs
(Lightweight – 6 Rounds)

•Joshua Greer Jr. 117.75 lbs vs. Daniel Lozano 117.75 lbs
(Vacant WBC Continental Americas title – 10 Rounds)

Mikaela Mayer 129.5 lbs vs. Calixta Silgado 127.75 lbs
(Mayer’s NABF Super Featherweight title – 8 Rounds)

Jamel Herring 132 lbs vs. Adeilson Dos Santos 132 lbs
(Super Featherweight – 8 Rounds)

Ruben Vega 117.5 lbs vs. Oscar Mojica 117 lbs
(Bantamweight – 6 Rounds)

Jesus Arechiga 122.25 lbs vs. David Martino 121.5 lbs
(Super Bantamweight – 6/4 Rounds)

Roberto Duran Jr. 145.75 lbs vs. Leonardo Pena 144.25 lbs
(Welterweight – 4 Rounds)

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, tickets to the Ramirez-Hart 2 world championship event are on sale now. Priced at $100, $65, $45, and $30, tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Office, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

About ESPN+

ESPN+, which surpassed one million paying subscribers in just five months, is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional 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, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports), domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie and more), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and 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 an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans. The ESPN App is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation, delivering a rich, personalized experience that curates all of ESPN’s content around each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Dec. 12, 2018) – Undefeated WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (38-0, 25 KOs) and No. 1 contender Jesse “Hollywood” Hart (25-1, 21 KOs) have been here before. The two fought in September of last year, with Ramirez prevailing via tight unanimous decision.

The two will renew acquaintances Friday evening at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, in a main event that will be streamed live on ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET). Undefeated 140-pounder Arnold Barboza Jr. (19-0, 7 KOs) will take on Manuel Lopez (14-2-1, 7 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

2016 U.S. Olympian Mikaela Mayer, 130-pound contender Jamel Herring, and bantamweight contender Joshua Greer Jr. will all look to steal the show on the undercard broadcast (ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET).

At Wednesday’s final press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Gilberto Ramirez

On the first Hart fight

“I dominated that fight. This fight will be no different. It will be only one side. My side.”

On returning to Corpus Christi, where he knocked out Habib Ahmed in February

“I’m really happy to be back in Corpus Christi. I started the year with a knockout in Corpus Christi, and I want to finish the year with a knockout, too. I hope everyone enjoys it.”

On a potential Canelo Alvarez fight

“I need to beat Jesse Hart and he needs to beat Rocky Fielding. Mexican versus Mexican, everybody would love to see that. If he wins and I win, let’s do it!”

Jesse Hart

On gaining revenge against Ramirez

“Things will be different because we corrected the little mistakes that didn’t go right the first time. I think with the mistakes that {trainer} Fred Jenkins corrected with me, and being on that stage and on that platform, I believe you will see a change in the outcome.”

On fighting for his father/trainer (Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, who won’t be attending the fight because of an illness)

“It means everything for my dad, to myself. Like I said, since I started boxing, me and my dad, we never dreamed of nothing else but being a world champion. I’m very blessed and very humbled by this opportunity I have again. I’m just going to go out there and put on the best performance I possibly can to bring home the victory.”

Manuel Lopez

On fighting as the co-feature

“It’s a huge blessing, for sure, and the fact that I’m going to be right before my main man here, Jesse Hart, makes it a whole lot better. We went to school together, so it makes it an even better opportunity. I’m very, very happy about it.”

On what it will take to beat Barboza

“It’s going to take hard work as it’s been. Hard work, dedication, and hopefully it will happen on Friday night. His birthday present is going to be his first ‘L.'” (Barboza’s birthday was Dec. 9)

Arnold Barboza Jr.

On fighting as the co-main event and potentially fighting for a world title in 2019

“We just put our head down and train. We’d been getting ready for a fight in November, which got moved to December. We’ve been training since our last fight ( a KO victory August 25 against Luis Solis). I wand to thank Top Rank for giving me the opportunity. I feel like I’ve passed every test that they’ve given me. From Mike Reed to tall fighters, pressure fighters, everything. He says he’s gonna give me a birthday present. My birthday present is gonna be celebrating my win. I’m going to look better than I ever have. I’ve been training the best I ever have, and I’m read to go.”

Mikaela Mayer

On her first full year as a pro {Friday will be her sixth fight of 2018}

“It definitely exceeded my expectations and my team’s. Top Rank has done a great job of moving me and I think given me the right fights, too, kind of just testing my skills and seeing where I’m at. I think that’s exactly what this next fight is going to be. They want to see where I am and see how much they can step me up in 2019, so I want to show them that I’m ready. I hope they keep me just as busy.”

On training in Colorado Springs alongside people like Jamel Herring.”

“I think it’s just the environment that makes it more exciting because I came from Team USA, where I’m training around teammates and it’s always a fun atmosphere. When you turn pro, sometimes you lost that team environment. Being able to train around fellow Olympians like Jamel, {in addition to} Terence Crawford, and still being close to the {U.S. Olympic} Training Center, it definitely keeps it exciting and more fun.”

Jamel Herring

On his 2018 campaign and training with Brian McIntyre and Terence Crawford

“It’s been great. As you can see, the proof is in the pudding. {From} my first fight with them and Top Rank back in May until now, we’ve been getting better. Like I said, the chemistry is great. I’m happy and honored to not only be with my new {training team}, but with Top Rank as well. We’re looking to close out the year strong and move on to bigger and better things in 2019.”

“I feel that with a good performance this weekend, a title opportunity will come in the new year. I’m very close. That’s why we wanted this fight. It’s very important to me. Not only to me, but to my team and my career.as a whole. Having Top Rank behind {me} has given me a lot. With a great performance this Friday, a lot of great things will come in the new year.”

Joshua Greer Jr.

On fighting for a regional title belt

“It feels good. All the hard work is paying off. I gotta thank Top Rank for the good job they’re doing, and I’m going to continue to do my part.”

On what he’s going to bring to the ring

“I got something real special for him. A new pillow. I went pillow shopping, so everything is going to come together.”

ESPN, 10 p.m. ET

Gilberto Ramirez (champion) vs. Jesse Hart (challenger), 12 rounds, WBO super middleweight world title

Arnold Barboza Jr. vs. Manuel Lopez, 10 rounds, super lightweight

ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET

Mikaela Mayer vs. Calixta Silgado, Mayer’s NABF super featherweight title

Joshua Greer Jr. vs. Daniel Lozano, 10 rounds, vacant WBC Continental Americas bantamweight title

Jamel Herring vs. Adeilson Dos Santos, 8 rounds, super featherweight

Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Edward Kakembo, 6 rounds, lightweight

Ruben Vega vs.Oscar Mojica, 6 rounds, super flyweight

Jesus Arechiga vs. David Martino, 6 rounds, super bantamweight

Roberto Duran Jr. vs. Leonardo Pena, 4 rounds, welterweight

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, tickets to the Ramirez-Hart 2 world championship event are on sale now. Priced at $100, $65, $45, and $30, tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Office, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

About ESPN+

ESPN+, which surpassed one million paying subscribers in just five months, is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional 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, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports), domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie and more), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and 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 an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans. The ESPN App is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation, delivering a rich, personalized experience that curates all of ESPN’s content around each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Dec. 11, 2018) – Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is seeking a fifth successful title defense. Jesse “Hollywood” Hart is out for revenge.

Ramirez (38-0, 25 KOs) will defend his WBO super middleweight world against Hart (25-1, 21 KOs) Friday at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, site of his February knockout of Habib Ahmed. Ramirez bested Hart via unanimous decision last September in one of the finest world championship fights of 2017.

In the co-feature, unbeaten 140-pound contender Arnold Barboza Jr. (19-0, 7 KOs) will face Manuel Lopez (14-2-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Ramirez-Hart 2 and Barboza-Lopez will stream live at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. The entire undercard, including appearances by female fighting sensation Mikaela Mayer, 130-pound contender Jamel Herring, Gabriel Flores Jr., and big-punching bantamweight Joshua Greer Jr. will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, tickets to the Ramirez-Hart 2 world championship event are on sale now. Priced at $100, $65, $45, and $30, tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Office, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Hart and Ramirez worked out for the media Tuesday at Corpus Christi Boxing Club. This is what they had to say.

Gilberto Ramirez

“I’m coming to Corpus Christi to give the fans a great fight. I have very good memories of the last time I fought here. They treated me well. I felt right at home, and that’s why I asked to fight here again. I will not let them down. I will close the year the same way I started it, with a knockout win in Corpus Christi!”

“I don’t take this fight as a rematch. The first one was a good fight, but I beat him clearly. For this fight, I’m coming better prepared mentally and physically. I’m focused on taking care of business and winning convincingly.”

Jesse Hart

“Camp was great. It was real tough because I did things l never did before. I chopped wood for the first time. I climbed rope. Going into camp this time, I was in tremendous shape. I didn’t take any time off after my last fight. I knew the rematch was looming, so I stayed hungry and ready to go. After I win this title, I’m definitely going to take a vacation and spend time with my daughter and my family.”

“Right after the decision, I wanted to fight Gilberto again. When you look at all of his opponents, I was his only opponent that came close to beating him. He’s fought a lot of credible guys, but no one came as close as me.”

“I’ve never been more ready for a fight in my life. Gilberto Ramirez is going to see a different fighter this time around. All I can do is keep honing my craft and get better.”
About ESPN+

ESPN+, which surpassed one million paying subscribers in just five months, is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional 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, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports), domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie and more), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and 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 an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans. The ESPN App is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation, delivering a rich, personalized experience that curates all of ESPN’s content around each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Nov. 29, 2018) – Arnold Barboza Jr. is hungry for a 140-pound world title shot. The Los Angeles native, who has fought all but one of his 19 professional bouts in California, will head to Texas intent on staking his claim as one of the division’s top contenders.

Barboza will face Manuel Lopez on Friday, Dec. 14 in a 10-rounder for the NABF junior super lightweight title at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Barboza-Lopez will be the co-feature to the previously announced rematch featuring WBO champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and No. 1 contender Jesse “Hollywood” Hart.

Ramirez-Hart 2 and Barboza-Lopez will stream live at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. The entire undercard will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, tickets to the Ramirez-Hart 2 world championship event are on sale now. Priced at $100, $65, $45, and $30, tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Office, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

“I have heard that a world title shot is in my future, but I never take a fight for granted,” Barboza said. “I have trained really hard this fight. Lopez is a tough guy who I know from the amateurs. I am excited to have the opportunity to showcase my skills on a big platform. I never want an easy fight. This is a step-up fight, and I am ready to show the fans what I am made of.”

Barboza (19-0, 7 KOs), a native of Los Angeles, is 2-0 in 2018, including a hard-fought 10-round unanimous decision against Mike Reed on March 10 in Carson, Calif. Lopez (14-2-1, 7 KOs), a native of Denver, is entering this fight on a six-bout unbeaten streak dating back to a competitive 2015 decision loss to then-undefeated Kevin Watts.

The undercard stream will feature:

Mikaela Mayer (8-0, 4 KOs), the 2016 Olympian and one of the brightest stars in female boxing, will defend the NABF super featherweight title in an eight-rounder against Calixta Silgado (17-10-3, 12 KOs).

Big-punching Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer Jr. (18-1-1, 10 KOs) will take on Daniel Lozano (15-5, 11 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBC Continental Americas bantamweight title. Greer, who has won seven of his past eight bouts by knockout, is coming off a third-round TKO against Giovanni Delgado on Sept. 28 in Oakland, Calif.

Gabriel Flores Jr. (10-0, 5 KOs), the 18-year-old fighting sensation from Stockton, Calif., will make his sixth ring appearance of 2018 against Edward Kakembo (10-5, 3 KOs) in a six-round lightweight bout.

Top junior lightweight contender Jamel Herring (18-2, 10 KOs) will continue his march toward a world title shot when he faces former junior featherweight world title challenger Adeilson Dos Santos (19-5, 15 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

Top prospect Ruben Vega (11-0, 5 KOs), from Mazatlán, Mexico, will clash with Oscar Mojica (11-5, 1 KO) in a six-round super flyweight battle.

In a six-rounder at super bantamweight, Jesus Arechiga (6-0, 6 KOs) will look to keep his knockout streak alive against David Martino (6-5, 4 KO).

Roberto Duran Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), son of the all-time great, will see action against Leonardo Pena (0-2) in a four-rounder at welterweight.

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

Use the hashtag #RamirezHart2 to join the conversation on social media.

To subscribe to ESPN+, visit www.plus.espn.com.

About ESPN+
ESPN+, which surpassed one million paying subscribers in just five months, is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional 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, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports), domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie and more), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and 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 an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans. The ESPN App is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation, delivering a rich, personalized experience that curates all of ESPN’s content around each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Nov. 13, 2018) – It was one of the best fights of 2017. WBO super middleweight world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez had Jesse “Hollywood” Hart down and nearly out in the second round, only for Hart to come back with a furious late-rounds rally. Ramirez ultimately prevailed via unanimous decision that September evening in Tucson, Ariz., but Hart, the Philadelphia native with the legendary last name, had rematch on his mind immediately after the decision was rendered.

His wish has finally come true.

Ramirez will make the fifth defense of his world title against Hart, Friday, Dec. 14 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ramirez-Hart 2 and a soon-to-be announced co-feature will stream live and exclusively at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ in the United States— the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. The entire undercard will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, tickets to the Ramirez-Hart 2 world championship event will go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. CST. Priced at $100, $65, $45, and $30, tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Office, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

“This will be a good fight. I feel better prepared than the first time and even more convinced that I will finish him,” Ramirez said. “I’ve always said that I wanted to be the king of the division. I’ve been waiting for unification fights, and I’m still patient. I’m at my best, and against Hart, I want to show why I’m the best.”

“I’m very grateful and humbled for this opportunity,” Hart said. “I just want to go out there and perform to the best of my ability. I have nothing derogatory to say about Gilberto Ramirez. At this point, I just want to go out there and perform.”

Ramirez (38-0, 25 KOs), the first Mexican-born super middleweight champion, will be defending the title he won from Arthur Abraham via shutout decision on April 9, 2016. A hand injury put Ramirez on the shelf until April 22, 2017, but he didn’t miss a beat, dominating Max Bursak en route to a unanimous decision victory. In his most recent outing, June 30 in Oklahoma City, Ramirez used his boxing skills to win a unanimous decision against Alexis Angulo. Ramirez, from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, is a nine-year pro who is no stranger to Corpus Christi. He headlined a show at the American Bank Center on Feb. 3, knocking out the previously unbeaten Habib Ahmed in the sixth round to retain his title.

Hart (25-1, 21 KOs), the WBO No. 1 contender, is a former amateur standout, winning the 2011 National Golden Gloves and U.S. National championships at 165 pounds. A 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate, Hart turned pro in 2012 and won his first 22 bouts prior to challenging Ramirez. Hart last fought as the ESPN co-feature Aug. 18 in Atlantic City, battering Mike Gavronski en route to a third-round stoppage. After more than a year of calling out Ramirez for a return match, Hart has his shot at redemption. A proud native of Philadelphia, Hart is the son of Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, a feared middleweight contender in the 1970s who never received a world title shot. With Eugene Hart in his corner as head trainer, Jesse Hart will seek to bring a world title home to the City of Brotherly Love.

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Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports), domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie and more), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and 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.

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Bryant Jennings got off the deck to come back and stop Alexander Dimitrenko in round nine of the their scheduled 12-round heavyweight bout at The Ocean Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey

In round four, Dimitrenko put Jennings on the canvas with a hard right to the head.

In round eight, Jennings landed a perfect left hook that buckled and eventually put Dimitrenko on the canvas. Jennings ended things in the next round when Jennings landed a booming uppercut that dropped Dimitrenko, and the fight was stopped immediately at 1:56.

Jennings, 225 lbs of Philadelphia is now 24-2 with 14 knockouts. Dimitrenko, 257 lbs of Hamburg, GER is 41-4.

“I was prepared for a tough 12 rounds,” Jennings said. “I did what I had to do. I was in great shape. He’s a big dude. He’s not as slow as I thought. I made adjustments, and I got the job done.”

Said Dimitrenko: “I wanted to continue the fight. I don’t know why the referee stopped it.”

Jesse Hart made his case for a rematch with Gilberto Ramirez with a 3rd round stoppage over Mike Gavronski in a scheduled ten-round super middleweight bout.

In round three, Hart dropped Gavronski with a jab that was followed by a booming right hand. Seconds, later, it was another crushing right that sent Gavronski down, and the fight was stopped at 52 seconds.

Hart, 168 lbs of Philadelphia is 25-1 with 21 knockouts. Gavrnski, 166.5 lbs of Tacoma, WA is 24-3-1.

“When I looked at his eyes after the first knockdown, he got real scared,” Hart said. “He started holding, grabbing. With a guy like that, he got real scared. He was fighting for survival. There’s a difference between fighting to win and fighting for survival.

“{Ramirez is} who I want. Give me a chance to redeem myself. He’s talking about going up to 175. Why? I’m right here! Come on, man. Stop with the excuses. I’m right here in front of you.”

Shakur Stevenson remained undefeated by winning an eight-round unanimous decision over Carlos Ruiz in a featherweight bout.

Stevenson, 127 lbs of Newark, NJ won by scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 8-0. Ruiz, 126 lbs of Mexico City, MEX is 16-5-2.

“It was a good performance against a tough guy,” Stevenson said. “I did what I had to do and made it easy. He showed me some things in there. I boxed him and didn’t take any unnecessary chances. We’re looking forward to the next one.”

Christian Carto remained undefeated by winning an eight-round unanimous decision over Javier Gallo in a bantamweight bout.

Carto, 120 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 80-71, 80-72 and 79-73, and is now 16-0. Gallo, 119 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 25-16-1.

“I was looking for {the knockout}, but it didn’t come,” Carto said. “Next time, I need to set shots up instead of loading up on one big one.”

Thomas LaManna won an eight-round unanimous decision over Matthew Strode in a super welterweight bout.

The two waged a war on the inside with each getting in some clean shots.

In round five, LaManna scored a knockdown with a right hand to the top of the head. In round eight, Strode was deducted a point for hitting in the back of the head.

LaManna, 150 lbs of Milville, NJ won by scores of 79-71 on all cards, and is now 26-2-1. Strode, 149.5 lbs of Marion, SC is 25-7.

Joseph Adorno remained perfect by stopping Augustine Mauras in round one of their scheduled six-round lightweight bout.

Adorno dropped Mauras with a hard left that followed by a vicious combination. Mauras was hurt and Adorno jumped on him. Adorno landed about 10 hard shots that forced the referee to step in at 1:39.

Adorno, 133 lbs of Allentown, PA is 9-0 with 9 knockouts. Mauras, 130.5 lbs of Lawrence, MA is 6-5-3.

“I’ve been working for five weeks. We had a great game plan,” Adorno said. “He’s gone the distance with tough fighters, and we knew it would be a tough fight. The hard work showed tonight.”

Oleksandr Teslenko remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Avery Gibson in a heavyweight bout.

In round one, Teslenko dropped Gibson with a right hand.

Teslenko, 216.5 lbs of Toronto, CAN won by scores of 58-55, 59-54 and 60-53, and is now 14-0. Gibson, 247.5 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is 9-9-4.

Former 130-pound champion Jason Sosa (21-3-4, 15 KOs) got back in the win column with a unanimous decision against Reynaldo Blanco (14-5, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Sosa knocked down Blanco twice in the eighth round and prevailed by scores of 78-70, 77-72, and 79-69.

Follow all the action as Gilberto Ramirez defends the WBO Super Middleweight title against undefeated Alexis Angulo.  The action begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT with a junior welterweight bout between Alex Saucedo and Lenny Zappavigna.  Also Robson Conceicao takes on Gavin Guaman.

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Round 1: Jab from Ramirez..

Round 2:  Right to the body…3 punch combination from Angulo..Right..

Round 3: Ramirez lands a left to the body..Combination..Right from Angulo drives Ramirez back..Left from Ramirez..

Round 4 

Round 5 Right from Ramirez..Right from Angulo…Left from Ramirez

Round 6  Left to body from Ramirez…Combination..4 punch combination..Good straight left from distance

Round 7 Hard right from Angulo

Round 8  Ranirez gets in a left

RAMIREZ WINS 120-108 AND 119-109 TWICE

Round 1:  Body shot from Conceicao..CONCEICAO DROPPED GUAMAN WITH A LEFT…..right hand and down goes GUAMAN

Round 2:  Left from Conceicao..RiGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES GUAMAN,..BIG COMBINATION AT THE BELL AND DOWN GOES GUAMAN

Round 3:  4 punch combination..AND DOWN GOES GUAMAN…HE GETS UP BUT FIGHT IS STOPPED

Round 1 Overhand right from Zappavigna…Right from Saucedo..Counter right

Round 2:  Right backs up Zappavigna..Left hook and right..Right from Zappavigna..Double jab and left uppercut from Saucedo..Left from Zappavigna..Jab from Saucedo…Zappavigna is right eye.

Round 3:  BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES ZAPPAVIGNA…Big combination and flurry to the body..Right to body..Right from Zappavigna

Round 4:  Right from Zappavigna..Zappavigna has Saucedo in trouble..lands some vicious rights,..Huge rights…Saucedo bleeding down his face from his right eye…this is a war…

Round 5 1-2 from Saucedo…Left to body..Jab and right on the ropes..3 punch combo on ropes..Big right..Left hook from Zappavigna..Big right

Round 6:  3 punch combo on ropes from Saucedo…Zappagvigna swelling under left eye…Body shot from Zappavigna..Right from saucedo

Round 7:  Doctor checks Zappavigna before round..Big right from Saucedo..Left..Right..Overhand right..Right…FIGHT STOPPED

Gilberto Ramirez defended the WBO super middleweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over Alexis Angulo at The Chesapeake Energy Center in Oklahoma City.

Ramirez was more consistent throughout the affair as he boxed nicely, while the challenger seemed to be looking for one shot that would turn the tide. Angulo got in a few decent power shots, but it was not enough as Ramirez took the bout 120-108 and 119-109 twice.

Ramirez of Mazaltan, MEX is now 38-0. Angulo of Bogota, COL is 23-1.

Alex Saucedo stopped Lenny Zappavigna in a seven furious round in a junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Zappavigna was cut around the right eye.  In round three, Saucedo landed a big right that dropped Zappavigna to a knee.  In round four, Zappavigna landed about 10 hard and flush right hand that opened up a bad cut around the right eye of Saucedo.  Saucedo showed a tremendous chin in order to survive the round.

Zappavigna was bleeding very badly around both eyes, tried but kept getting drilled with overhand rights and finally bowed out of the fight at 2:31 of round seven.

Saucedo of Oklahoma City is 28-0 with 18 knockouts.  Zappavigna of Leppington, AUS is 37-4.

 

Said Saucedo, “Tonight I proved it. That was a very tough 4th round, but I got through it because I’m mentally strong. It was a very long training camp and I thought of all the sacrifices I made to prepare for this fight. I did it. I got a big win against a great fighter and in front of my fans. We gave them an exciting fight. Now I’m ready to move on to bigger and better things. I want to become a world champion”

Robson Conceicao registered five knockdowns en-route to a 3rd round stoppage over Gavino Guaman in a scheduled six-round super featherweight bout. 

The end came at 53 seconds for Conceicao of Bahia, BRA, who is now 8-0 with 5 knockouts.  Guaman of River Falls, WI is 5-3.

Conceicao dropped Guaman twice in round one.  Conceicao dropped Guaman twice more in round two

Mikaela Mayer scored a 2nd round knockdown en-route to a six-round unanimous decision over Sheena Kaine in a lightweight bout

In round two, Mayer dropped Kaine with a perfect right to the jaw

Mayer of Los Angeles won by scores of 60-53 on all cards to raise her mark to 6-0.  Kaine of Edmonton, CAN is 5-1.

“It was definitely a different fight than I’ve ever had. She was taller than me and had more strength than most of the girls I’ve fought. She’s not technically sound, but when she did throw her shots, it was a good things my hands were up because I could definitely feel them. This was a great learning experience,” said Mayer

Trey Lippe Morrison kept his perfect knockout record intact by dropping five inside of three rounds of their heavyweight bout.

In round one, Morrison dropped Polley with a right hand.  Morrison dropped Polley with a perfect straight right to the head which caused a cut over his left eye.  Morrison sent Polley to the canvas in round two with another right hand.  In round three, it was a left that sent Polley down for a 4th time.  Morrison finished the deal with a leaping left hook that was reminiscent of his father, Tommy Morrison that left Polley flat on his back, and the fight was stopped at 1:39.

Morrison of Tulsa, Oklahoma is 15-0 with 15 knockouts.  Polley of St. Joseph, MO is 30-23-1.

“I was looking for some big shots in the first round that I shouldn’t have been. I saw that right hand was really hurting him, so I tried to throw that a little more than I probably should have. In the third round, I tried to pace myself and box a little more, rely on my jab. When the jab started hitting him, I started seeing other openings off my jab,” said Morrison.  “This was the most amazing experience of my life. Not only was it in front of my home crowd, but it was in the {Oklahoma City} Thunder arena. I grew up being a big sports fan, basketball, football. Just to be able to know I stood in the ring where Russell Westbrook and everyone runs down, that’s amazing to me.”

Former world champion Mike Alvarado stopped Martin Angel Martinez after round nine of their scheduled 10-round welterweight bout.

Alvarado was cut on the forehead, while Martinez was cut over the left eye.

The cut on Martinez was dripping badly as the 9th round came to a close and the bout was stopped after the round.

Alvarado of Denver, CO is 39-4 with 27 knockouts. Martinez of Empalme, MEX is 17-15-1.

“I felt like I did good. I was strong. It’s just that he was real awkward. I had been off for a long time, and I know what adjustments I have to make. I know what I got to do when I get back in the gym. I’m fine. I’ll be good. I’ll redeem myself. Time to get back to business,” said Alvarado

Christopher Zavala made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous deicison over Tyler Pacheco in a super featherweight bout.

Zavala of Los Angeles won on two cards by 40-35 scores while a 3rd card was 39-36. Pacheco of Abilene, Texas is 1-2.

“This was my first experience as a pro fighter. The atmosphere is different. I’m ready and hungry to keep improving with each fight that passes. I’m happy with my performance, but I know that I can do better. It was a good learning experience and it will help me to continue to grow as a fighter,” said Zavala

Aaron Morales remained undefeated by winning a four-round unanimous decision over David Martino in a bantamweight bout.

Morales, 118 1/4 lbs of Oklahoma City won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 3-0. Martino, 118 1/2 lbs of San Felipe, MEX is 5-5

Oklahoma City (June 28, 2018) – The fighters sat on a podium atop the floor where the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder play, discussing Saturday’s ESPN-televised card (9 p.m. ET) at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The biggest card to hit The Sooner State in years will feature a local product, Oklahoma City native Alex “El Cholo” Saucedo (27-0, 17 KOs) against Lenny Zappavigna (37-3, 27 KOs) in 10-round junior welterweight bout. The ESPN main event will see WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) defending his title against Alexis Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs).

Also featured on the ESPN telecast will be 2016 Olympic gold medalist, Robson Conceicao (7-0, 4 KOs), in a six-round super featherweight bout against Gavino Guaman (5-2, 1 KO).

The undercard will stream on ESPN+ (6:15 p.m. ET) and include the resurgent Mike Alvarado, female fighting sensation Mikaela Mayer, heavyweight knockout artist, and Oklahoma native Trey Lippe Morrison, and the pro debut of top amateur Christopher Zavala.

At the final press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Gilberto Ramirez

“Angulo is going to be a tough opponent. I expect a tough fight from him. He seems like a great fighter. His record proves it. From what I know, he’s a big puncher, and I know that he will try to knock me out. I’m going to try and knock him out, too. He doesn’t have a loss on his record, but he will on Saturday.”

Alex Saucedo

“It has taken a long time for me to get to this point, to fight in front of my home fans in the big arena here in Oklahoma City. It’s an honor. Lenny Z is a very aggressive fighter. He has almost 30 knockouts on his record and is a very dangerous fighter. I know that with the support of my people, I’ll be victorious once again.”

“I grew up in Oklahoma City. I’ve always wanted to come home, and after 27 pro fights, we made it happen. It’s been six years of working hard, and the hard work has paid off. ESPN is coming to town. This is incredible.”

“I spent 12 weeks in Big Bear preparing for this fight with my trainer, Abel Sanchez. That got me ready for this opportunity, and it’s almost fight night. I can’t wait.”

Alexis Angulo

“I don’t feel like he has any advantages. We both have two legs. We both have two arms. We both have two eyes. We are equals, and anything can happen when you get in the ring.”

“It has been my dream to fight for a world title, and now the opportunity is here. Gilberto Ramirez is a great champion, but my time is now.”

Lenny Zappavigna

“I’m going to go in there and box, but I know Alex likes to come forward and fight fire with fire. I know it’s going to be a great fight here in Oklahoma, and it’s the perfect opportunity to get me another world title shot, which is the ultimate goal.”

Robson Conceicao

“It’s a great honor to be fighting on ESPN, and I want to showcase my skills for everyone. I feel like I’ve progressed well in my pro career, and this will be the latest chapter as I go for a world title. I won a gold medal for Brazil {in the 2016 Olympics}. I can’t wait to bring a world title home as well.”

Mikaela Mayer

“I want to prove that there is a big market for female boxing. I’m thankful to Top Rank for the way that they’re moving me and putting me on these great cards. I can’t wait to be headlining a card in the future.”

Mike Alvarado

“I’ve always loved boxing. The re-invention of me defines how I’m going to perform. On top of that, I’ve reconstructed my team. They gave me a different type of mentality, and it’s just heightened my focus. This is a new experiment for me. It’s been a new experiment since I’ve changed my life and got on a good path back in 2015.”

“It’s a new Mike Alvarado. I’ve always had the heart, the natural warrior in me. I know how to go to war and fight with all my heart. That’s who I am. With all the other distractions interrupting me, I’ve released all that. I’m more content with myself without having to fight my conscience. I’m back in a big way.”

Christopher Zavala

“I want to thank Bob Arum and Top Rank for signing me. This is a big opportunity to make my pro debut on such a great card. I look forward to great things. This is only the beginning.”

###

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship extravaganza are ON SALE NOW. Priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, not including facility and service fees, tickets may be purchased at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Use the hashtags #ZurdoAngulo and #SaucedoZappavigna to join the conversation on social media.
About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans can watch thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 27, 2018) – The Azteca Boxing Gym in Oklahoma City hosted a media workout for the biggest fight card to hit the city in years.

In the main event, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs) will defend the WBO super middleweight title against fellow unbeaten Alexis Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs). And, in the special co-feature, Oklahoma City native Alex “El Cholo” Saucedo (27-0, 17 KOs) will fight veteran Lenny Zappavigna (37-3, 27 KOs) in a 140-pound slugfest.

Ramirez-Angulo, Saucedo-Zappavigna, and Robson Conceicao-Gavino Guaman will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET. The undercard (6:15 p.m. ET, ESPN+) will include appearances by Mike Alvarado, female fighting sensation Mikaela Mayer, and heavyweight knockout artist and Oklahoma native Trey Lippe Morrison.

This is what the fighters had to say.

Gilberto Ramirez

“I am very excited to be in Oklahoma because since I arrived in the city I have been feeling the love and good vibes of my countrymen, from the fans and from the family of Saucedo. Everyone has shown their support.”

“The weather in OKC is like the warm weather of my hometown of Mazatlan, Mexico.”

“I feel that there will be a lot of Mexicans fans supporting me in the arena on Saturday night and that motivates me a lot. I come well prepared to defend my title and bring it back to my country.”

“I want to give the fans a good fight, and I want to show that I am the best fighter in the division.”

Alex Saucedo

“I grew up on the south side of town, right near the arena, so this is truly a homecoming for me. I used to ride my bike past the arena and go to basketball games and monster truck events here. I can’t wait to get in there, get the win, and feel the support of the home fans. It has been a long time coming.”

“I want any of the champions at 140 pounds. I want a title shot, and I know beating Lenny Z will help me earn a title shot.”

“I had a 12-week training camp in Big Bear, which was the longest camp of my career. All I did was eat, sleep, and train. In order to become a champion you have to make the sacrifices. I put in the work alongside my trainer, Abel Sanchez.”

Alexis Angulo

“I’ll give my best. I can assure that the fans will be very happy with the fight. We’ve worked to take the title to Colombia. It’s a long trip and it’s been a strong preparation, so taking the title home is the least we expect.”

“Ramirez is a great world champion, which is why I think it will be an interesting fight. I’m sure he will also be prepared to give his best. I know it will be an excellent fight.”

Lenny Zappavigna

“This is a great fight. Out of all my fights, this is one of the ones I’m really excited about. ESPN, it’s on a great card. Winning this fight will give me great opportunities after. This is massive for me. This is a fight I need to win to get back there on top of the world.”

“When you overcome {a hostile environment} to win, it makes it that much better. That gives me more adrenaline. It’ll be good. The crowd will be there for Saucedo, as they should be. When this opportunity came my way, I knew what I was up against. I’m ready.”

Mikaela Mayer

“Boxing is repetition, so we’re working on the same things we did last camp. {Trainer Al Mitchell} really wants me to start sitting down on my punches, stay behind my jab, and make the small but really important changes from the amateurs.”

“My opponent {Sheena Kaine} is the tallest fighter I’ve faced as a pro. I might be looking up a little bit this time around. I like fighting tall people. They’re open. She seems to be pretty straight up.”

Trey Lippe Morrison

“I’m so excited. Not only is the fight in Oklahoma, but it’s in the biggest arena. Just to step foot on the floor where the Oklahoma City Thunder play is incredible.”

“The hand injury kind of sucked and was kind of awesome at the same time. It sucked because I was out for so long, but it was awesome because I had a chance to learn. I never took any time off at the beginning of my pro career. The whole time my left hand was in a cast, I used my right. I worked on a lot of things that I needed to learn, since I didn’t have an amateur career. I’ve improved a lot, and I can’t wait to demonstrate it on Saturday.”

“I’m lucky my father {Tommy Morrison} did what he did. I admit I wouldn’t have much of a following if it wasn’t for him. I’d have to come up the same way any other fighter does. For me, as far as getting fans, it’s been a little easier because of who my dad was.”

Mike Alvarado

“My passion to have another opportunity in what I love to do is driving me. I’ve always loved boxing. I’ve cleaned my life up. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs and crazy episodes in my life that took a lot to overcome. I did it, and I praise myself and praise God. As I surrendered my life over to him, he opened the door. I am doing what I’m meant to do. I’m doing it 100 percent now.”

“I’ve always had the heart. I’ve always had the natural warrior in me. I know how to go to war. I know how to fight with all of my heart. That’s just the way I was raised and the type of person I am. I’ve released all of the distractions from my life. I’m more content.”

Robson Conceicao

“I fight for my Brazilian people, and I am looking forward to showcasing my talents on ESPN. This is an opportunity for boxing fans to see the real Robson Conceicao.”

“Brazil won today {2-0 over Serbia} in the World Cup, and just like my countrymen, I will be victorious come Saturday night.”

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship extravaganza are ON SALE NOW. Priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, not including facility and service fees, tickets may be purchased at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans can watch thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

# # #

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 15, 2018) — Former WBO junior welterweight champion Mike Alvarado, female fighting sensation Mikaela Mayer, and 2016 Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceicao will see action on the June 30 undercard at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. The card will be headlined by WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez’s title defense against Alexis Angulo and 140-pound contender Alex Saucedo’s homecoming bout against the hard-hitting Lenny Zappavigna.

Alvarado (38-4, 26 KOs) will fight Martin Martinez (17-4-1-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight bout, Mayer (5-0, 3 KOs) will face fellow unbeaten Sheena Kaine (5-0, 1 KO) in a six-round lightweight contest, and Conceicao (7-0, 4 KOs) will take on Gavino Guaman (5-2, 1 KO) in an eight-round super featherweight bout.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship extravaganza are ON SALE NOW. Priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, not including facility and service fees, tickets may be purchased at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Ramirez-Angulo and Saucedo-Zappavigna will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET, while undercard action will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. ESPN+ is the recently launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

“I’m really excited to be fighting alongside the champ, Zurdo Ramirez!” Mayer said. “Top Rank continues to put me on amazing cards with the best talent in boxing. Fighting in Oklahoma City is the perfect opportunity to meet more boxing fans and give them an exciting show as I continue my journey to a world championship!”

“I’ve been reconstructing my entire organization over the past three years. I am training now with one of the finest professors of the sweet science, Tony Aguilera,” Alvarado said. “I’m excited to showcase what I’ve stayed dedicated to working hard for. Come June 30, I’ll be one step closer to securing my legacy against anyone who stands in my way.”

“I am very confident of fighting in OKC. I’m having a great high-level training camp in Miami,” Conceicao said. “I’m evolving every day and I’m sure I will put on a great show for all the fans in OKC and those watching live on ESPN+.”

Also appearing on the undercard will be heavyweight knockout sensation Trey Lippe Morrison (14-0, 14 KOs) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; former amateur standout Chris Zavala making his professional debut in a four-round super featherweight bout against Tyler Pacheco (1-1, 0 KOs); Oklahoma City native Aaron Morales (2-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round bantamweight contest; and unbeaten 140-pound prospect Julian Rodriguez (16-0, 10 KOs) against Alejandro Barbosa (11-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

Alvarado has turned his career and his life around since personal problems derailed his career, as he’s won four consecutive fights (three by knockout). In his last bout, he scored one of 2017’s best one-punch knockouts with a third-round KO over Sidney Siqueira on the Terence Crawford vs. Julius Indongo undercard in Lincoln, Nebraska. Alvarado has been involved in multiple ‘Fight of the Year’ candidates, including the first fight of his trilogy against Brandon Rios, which won Sports Illustrated ‘Fight of the Year’ honors in 2012. Alvarado lost that fight via seventh-round TKO, but less than six months later, he outboxed Rios to win a unanimous decision.

Mayer, who is making her third ring appearance of 2018, is on the fast track to a world title shot. In her last bout, May 12 on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jorge Linares card in New York City, she shut out the game Baby Nansen over six rounds. The Los Angeles native opened her 2018 campaign on March 10 in Carson, California, with a 35-second knockout over Maria Semertzoglou.

In 2016, Conceicao became the first Brazilian boxer to capture Olympic gold. He is 2-0 with a pair of decision wins in 2018, with his last bout coming April 28 in Philadelphia. On that evening, he shut out the game Alex Torres Rynn over six rounds.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo, @ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #ZurdoAngulo and #SaucedoZappavigna to join the conversation on social media.

—30—

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks.

The ESPN+ lineup includes 18 exclusive, live Top Rank events per year, dozens of fights from other Top Rank undercards, an unmatched library of the greatest fights in boxing history, and two exclusive, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays) and In This Corner (twice monthly).

It also features hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, PGA Tour golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is an integrated part of the completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App is the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App curates all of ESPN’s incredible content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

LONDON (22 May, 2018) – Super middleweight world champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez will make the fourth defence of his WBO belt against the hard-hitting Roamer Alexis Angulo, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Taking place at the home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on June 30th, 26-year-old Ramirez will face his third unbeaten challenger in a row as he defends his crown against the formidable Colombian Angulo.

Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs), from Mazatlán, Mexico, became the first Mexican-born super middleweight champion when he shut out three-time world champion Arthur Abraham in 2016.

He has since gone on to beat Ukrainian Max Bursak, before a nip-and-tuck battle against No. 1 contender Jesse ‘Hollywood’ Hart, ultimately prevailing by unanimous decision.

In his last bout in February of this year Ramirez scored the first stoppage of his championship reign with a sixth-round TKO over Habib Ahmed.

His next challenge now comes against Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs), who has won his last five bouts by knockout, most recently winning the WBO Latino belt with a first-round knockout over Evert Bravo.

Now, as part of BoxNation’s exclusive output deal with promoters Top Rank, the pair will do battle next month live and exclusive in the UK and Ireland on ‘The Channel of Champions’ BoxNation.

“I want to prove that I’m the best fighter in the division. I’m willing to leave everything in the ring to defend my title,” Ramirez said. “I want to dedicate this fight to all the Mexicans and all the Latinos who reside in Oklahoma, I would like many of them to be present in the arena. That would motivate me even more. I’ll be waiting for you guys on June 30.”

Oklahoma City’s Alex ‘El Cholo’ Saucedo will also be on the bill as he looks to continue his march to a 140-pound title shot against Lenny Zappavigna in a 10-round special attraction.

Saucedo, ranked No. 3 by the WBO at 140 pounds, last fought in March against Abner Lopez, knocking him out in the seventh round with a left hook to the body.

Against Zappavigna, Saucedo will be fighting in his home city of Oklahoma City for the first time since 2014.

“We are looking forward to a great event in Oklahoma City. Zurdo Ramirez is always in great fights, and Angulo will give him a real battle,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank. “It’s also with great pride that we were able to put in Oklahoma City native Alex Saucedo against a world class fighter like Lenny Zappavigna.”

Jim McMunn, BoxNation Managing Director, said: “Gilberto Ramirez is one of the very best super-middleweights in the world and looks to be getting better and better each time we see him. Against Roamer Alexis Angulo he faces a real test against an undefeated and ferocious puncher who has everything to gain on June 30th. It’s going to be a great card, with Alex Saucedo also set to feature against Lenny Zappavigna, all live and exclusive on BoxNation.”

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com, via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) and TV Player for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –

About BoxNation

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated boxing channel. From £12* per month with no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Mayweather vs Maidana, Saunders vs Eubank Jr and Canelo vs Golovkin.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.427), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), TV Player, online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon, Apple TV). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

Available on selected internet-connected Freeview products only, subject to coverage. Visit freeview.co.uk/availability.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV customers

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 1, 2018) — The Sooner State will welcome home its favorite fighting son and one of boxing’s elite champions for a special edition of Top Rank on ESPN Saturday, June 30 at Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder. Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez will make the fourth defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight title against the hard-hitting Roamer Alexis Angulo, while Oklahoma City’s Alex ‘El Cholo’ Saucedo continues his march to a 140-pound title shot against Lenny Zappavigna in a 10-round special attraction.

This world class doubleheader will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. ET.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets to this world championship extravaganza will go on sale Friday, May 4 at 10 a.m. CST. Priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, not including facility and service fees, tickets may be purchased at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

“We are looking forward to a great event in Oklahoma City. Zurdo Ramirez is always in great fights, and Angulo will give him a real battle,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank. “It’s also with great pride that we were able to put in Oklahoma City native Alex Saucedo against a world class fighter like Lenny Zappavigna.”

“I want to prove that I’m the best fighter in the division. I’m willing to leave everything in the ring to defend my title,” Ramirez said. “I want to dedicate this fight to all the Mexicans and all the Latinos who reside in Oklahoma, I would like many of them to be present in the arena. That would motivate me even more. I’ll be waiting for you guys on June 30.”

“It’s a huge opportunity for me, and I am thankful to be fighting at home on ESPN. I’m going to train really hard, so I can put on a great show for my city,” Saucedo said. “It’s a dream come true to fight at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. I’m ready for the moment. I know what kind of style I bring. I’m going to put on an incredible show and get Lenny out of there.”

Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs), from Mazatlán, Mexico, became the first Mexican-born super middleweight champion when he shut out three-time world champion Arthur Abraham on April 9, 2016. He was sidelined with a hand injury and didn’t make his first defense for more than a year but didn’t miss a beat in winning a shutout unanimous decision over Max Bursak. Ramirez closed out 2017 with a nip-and-tuck battle against No. 1 contender Jesse ‘Hollywood’ Hart, ultimately prevailing by unanimous decision. In his last bout, on Feb. 3 in Corpus Christi, Texas, Ramirez scored the first stoppage of his championship reign with a sixth-round TKO over Habib Ahmed.

Angulo (23-0, 20 KOs), from Bogota, Colombia, has won his last five bouts by knockout, most recently winning the WBO Latino belt with a first-round knockout over Evert Bravo. He has a well-worn passport, having gone on the road to win bouts in Turkey, Mexico, Germany, United States, and Dominican Republic.

Saucedo (27-0, 17 KOs) was born in Meoqui, Mexico, but his family moved to Oklahoma City when he was 7 years old. An accomplished amateur who won more than 150 bouts in the unpaid ranks, Saucedo turned pro in 2011 and served as a sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao. Saucedo, ranked No. 3 by the WBO at 140 pounds, last fought March 10 in Carson, Calif., against Abner Lopez, knocking Lopez out in the seventh round with a left hook to the body. Against Zappavigna, Saucedo will be fighting in Oklahoma City for the first time since 2014. Saucedo is also fighting for his place in Oklahoma City boxing history. He is seeking to become only the second Oklahoma City product to win a world title. Sean O’Grady captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title on April 12, 1981 with a unanimous decision over Hilmer Kenty in Atlantic City, N.J.

Zappavigna (37-3, 27 KOs) is a 12-year pro and a longtime contender at both 135 and 140 pounds. He challenged Miguel Vazquez for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight title on March 12, 2011 in Las Vegas, dropping a unanimous decision. Following a knockout loss to Amneth Diaz later that year, Zappavigna moved up in weight, winning 10 consecutive bouts before engaging in a bloody slugfest against then-unbeaten Sergey Lipinets on Dec. 10, 2016. Lipinets prevailed via eighth-round TKO and would go on to win the IBF junior welterweight title two bouts later. Zappavigna has won two straight fights since the Lipinets defeat.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo, @ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #ZurdoAngulo and #SaucedoZappavigna to join the conversation on social media.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Saturday’s mainevent at American Bank Center was intended to be a coming-out party for undefeated Mexican super middleweight titlist “El Zurdo” Gilberto Ramirez (37-0, 25 KOs), and it succeeded as such in large part because of promoter Top Rank’s expert matchmaking.

Ghanian Habib Ahmed (25-1, 17 KOs) took his half-fight beating like a well-whiskered toughman then surrendered right on time, or his corner did anyway, at 2:31 of round 6.

“I took control of the fight real quick,” said Ramirez immediately afterwards. “And my goal now is to unify all the titles.”

Before the match Ahmed was fond of rattling away names of famous Ghanaian prizefighters to those who had the temerity to wonder who the hell he was, but during the match he fought like no Ghanaian so much as Joshua Clottey, showing little offensive imagination, fighting only when generally cornered and looking exactly the way his dossier got read during introductions – “the undefeated WBO number-four ranked challenger in the world”.

Ramirez is very good and gorgeous too, we’re told, but he makes some odd choices – such as attempting to duck counters from a man at least five inches shorter than him. Too, there’s Ramirez’s dangerous gambit of throwing uppercut leads while moving forward, rarely a good idea, even on an opponent limited as Ahmed.

“I’m telling Top Rank I want to fight in Mexico,” Ramirez added. “In my hometown of Mazatlan.”

This was a showcase match and Ramirez treated it as such, looking dominant before a national American television audience on ESPN.

JERWIN ANCAJAS VS. ISRAEL GONZALEZ

Saturday’s co-main, Filipino junior bantamweight Jerwain Ancajas (27-1-1, 19 KOs) against Mexican Israel Gonzalez (20-2, 8 KOs) featured what might best be described as a lightweight, actually junior-bantamweight, rendition of Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, with Ancajas doing his imitative best to move slightly to his left, leap and blast, and Gonzalez having neither the quickness nor pop to dissuade him.

And unlike the last time Marquez and Pacquiao swapped fists, the Filipino won impressively by round-10 TKO.

This was a match that saw Gonzalez effective so long as he was in motion and tagged everytime he wasn’t. By round 4 there was a recurrent pattern: Gonzalez would bob his way in, flinch, feint, and gradually still his hands. Then he would freeze, flatfooted, and Ancajas would leap with a lefthand lead and tag him.

In the fifth Ancajas began to take over the match, outfighting and outfoxing Gonzalez, who found limited success only when jabbing his way in and testing the Filipino’s limited counterpunching prowess.

Through the middle rounds Ancajas’ speed and Gonzalez’s counterpunching partially neutralized one another, marking somewhat dull rounds Ancajas appeared to win in succession.

Having invested in left-cross stabs to Gonzalez’s body early, Ancajas was able to weather any punches Gonzalez landed after the ninth. Able to wade through Gonzalez’s punches Ancajas got audacious, and his audacity got rewarded.

Blasting Gonzalez with straight lefts, in homage to his hero Manny Pacquiao, Ancajas felled Gonzalez twice in round 10, the last time concussively enough to get the match waved-off at 1:50.

All told, it was Saturday’s most competitive match and marked an improvement in Ancajas’ prospects for stardom.

“‘Just be yourself, be patient’,” Ancajas said Pacquiao told him in a phone conversation before the fight. “‘Don’t put pressure on yourself’.”

From here the pressure to perform for Ancajas surely grows, and a deserved acclaim possibly awaits.

JESSE HART VS. THOMAS AWIMBONO

The evening’s singular punch belonged to Philadelphia super middleweight Jesse Hart (23-1, 19 KOs) who put a proper right uppercut on the lowered chin of overweight Ghanaian Thomas Awimbono (24-8-1, 20 KOs) and dropped him hard and early.

“I looked for the uppercut with the jab,” explained Hart. “The jab is everything. My coach told me not to look for the uppercut but to wait for it. As soon as I saw it . . .”

Awimbono, who missed weight widely and forced Hart to eat his way up to a catchweight and looked nowhere fit as his shredded opponent, rose unsteadily and collected another barrage before succumbing completely at 1:28 of round 1.

“I was mentally prepared,” Hart said about his looking sharper Saturday than in his last match. “Daddy, this is for you. I want to say, ‘Happy Birthday, Mom!’”

UNDERCARD

Saturday’s fifth match saw New York lightweight Teofimo Lopez (8-0, 6 KOs) remain undefeated by outboxing light-hitting journeymen Mexican Juan Pablo Sanchez (29-15, 14 KOs) in a match whose official cards went 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55. Despite being outgunned in every minute Sanchez nevertheless managed to open an ugly gash over Lopez’s eye with what Lopez declared a headbutt:

“Yeah, that’s a headbutt,” said Lopez. “He barely fucking hit me. He didn’t even hit me.”

Highly considered Top Rank super featherweight Gabe Flores (6-0, 5 KOs) made an impressive showing against Mexican Alex Solorio (4-3, 1 KO) in the evening’s penultimate undercard bout, stopping Solorio at 2:31 of the first round.

“Of all the young fighters Top Rank has,” said Flores afterwards. “I’m the best.”

The evening’s third match was a mismatch, as Australian super middleweight Rohan Murdock (22-1, 16 KOs) went right through Virginia’s Frank Filippone (23-7-1, 8 KOs), causing Filippone’s corner to stop the match after five rounds. Murdock looked solid if not particularly accurate, and Filippone was out of his depth from the opening round.

Before that Phoenix welterweight Jose Benavidez (26-0, 17 KOs) returned from a 20-month sabbatical to beatdown North Carolinian Matthew Strode (24-6, 9 KOs) and stop him at 2:21 of round 8. Benavidez, who was shot in the leg and told by a doctor he would need two years even to walk, looked nearly quick as fans remembered him, if not quite so sharp. The fight was a good one, Strode was awkward for a comeback opponent and took a punch well, and Benavidez knockedoff some of the rust he’ll need scrub in totality if he is to make a run at world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford, who watched from ringside.

Told Crawford was unimpressed by his showing, Benavidez said:

“(Crawford) needs to sit his ass down. I’ll fight him whenever, wherever.”

Saturday’s card began with a victorious four-round professional debut for 17-year-old Israeli super welterweight David Kaminsky (1-0) against a local no-hoper Texan named Rafael Munoz (1-3-1). For all the talk preceding Kaminsky’s debut, there was more noise than effective aggressiveness – and after a very quick start Kaminsky mostly raised questions about his own power through the match’s remaining 3 1/2 rounds of frustration.

Opening bell sounded on a sparsely filled American Bank Center at 6:08 PM local time.

Follow all the actions as Gilberto Ramirez defends the WBO Super Middleweight title against Habib Ahmed.  The action kicks off at 10:15 PM ET as Jerwin Ancajas defends the IBF Junior Bantamweight title against Israel Gonzalez.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED, THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1: Both guys trying to jab..Right hook from Ramirez..left..

Round 2 Right from Ahmed..Combination from Ramirez..Right uppercut..Right to the body..

Round 3 Ramirez cut over his left eye..Body shot from Ramirez..Cut ruled from an accidental headbutt..Doctor looking at the cut…Left hook from Ahmed..Straight left from Ramirez..

Round 4 Ramirez jabbing

Round 5  Right hook from Ramirez..another..Big left..Body shot..Big right hook..Left..Hard left

Round 6  Ramirez landing big uppercuts..body shots..Huge left,,,Ahmed taking a lot of punishment..Big head shots..CORNER THROWING THE TOWEL…RAMIREZ WINS BY TKO

Round 1 HUGE LEFT AND DOWN GOES GONZALEZ…Gonzalez trying to jab..Straight left from Ancajas..Left from Gonzalez..

Round 2 Right from Gonzalez..Straight left from Ancajas..Right hook

Round 3 Combination from Gonzalez..Right..Left from Ancajas..left..

Round 4 Left from Ancajas..Straight left..

Round 5 Good exchange…Straight left from Ancajas..Right hook..Hard left…

Round 6 Ancajas lands straight left

Round 7 Left from Ancajas..Another left..Right hook…Sharp right..

Round 8 Jab from Ancajas

Round 9 Ancajas outlanding Gonzalez 110-38…Good left from Ancajas

Round 10  Right hurts Gonzalez..Combination AND DOWN GOES GONZALEZ..BIG RIGHT HOOK DOWN GOES GONZALEZ AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (December 22, 2017) — Filipino fireball JERWIN “Pretty Boy” ANCAJAS will make his U.S. debut, Saturday, February 3, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX. A protégé of Filipino icon Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, and promoted by Top Rank®, MP Promotions and Joven Sports, Ancajas (26-1-1, 18 KOs), of Cavite City, Cavite, Philippines, will be making the fourth defense of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight world title against Top-10 contender ISRAEL GONZALEZ (20-1, 8 KOs), of Cabo San Lucas, México. The Ancajas – Gonzalez world championship fight will be the co-main event to the GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMÍREZ -HABIB “Wild Hurricane” AHMED World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight world title rumble. Both fights will be televised live and exclusively at 10:15 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN App.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, remaining tickets to the Ramírez – Ahmed / Ancajas – Gonzalez world championship doubleheader event are priced at $152, $102, $62, $42, and $27, including facility fees — the perfect fistivus holiday gift for your favorite boxing fan! They may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Office, Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

“I have had the opportunity to be ringside for Jerwin’s fights in Australia and in Macau and I see a lot of similarities to his co-promoter Manny Pacquiao,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “Jerwin has a killer instinct inside the ring and he is a great finisher. Just look at his record. Jerwin has only gone the distance once in his last 14 fights!”

“Jerwin Ancajas, the IBF junior bantamweight world champion and MP Promotions’ first world title holder, is an exciting fighter who has not reached his full potential,” said Pacquiao. “I am pleased to announce that we will have the opportunity to get worldwide exposure through his upcoming fights being televised on ESPN, with the help of the legendary Bob Arum and Top Rank. We, at MP Promotions feel that this opportunity will open the floodgates for Jerwin to reach his full potential and continue to bring great honor to the Philippines. That begins on February 3 in Corpus Christi, Texas, live on ESPN, and we will be with him in every step of the way throughout his journey.”

“I am thrilled to have Mr. Arum and Top Rank promoting my career in the United States. As a Filipino boxer there is no higher honor than to have Mr. Arum and Top Rank Boxing promoting you,” said Ancajas. “I also want to thank MP promotions and Joven Sports for helping get me to this point in my career and I look forward to following in the footsteps of my Idol and promoter Manny Pacquiao. I want to be a champion for a long time.”

“We at Joven Sports are thrilled to be signing with Mr. Arum and Top Rank boxing. There was only one choice when we decided to go with a promoter in the United States,” said Joven Jimenez, president of Joven Sports and Ancajas’ co-promoter and trainer. “Mr. Arum has done so much for Filipino boxing over the years. We are honored to be promoted by him . Also I want to thank co-promoter Manny Pacquiao and MP Promotions for all they have done and we hope to have the tremendous success that our promoter Manny has had in boxing.”

Ancajas captured the IBF junior bantamweight world title last year, dethroning defending undefeated champion McJoe Arroyo via a dominate 12-round unanimous decision. It was the only fight Ancajas has gone the distance in his last 14 bouts dating back to 2012. He has successfully defended the title three times — all in 2017 and all by stoppage — against Jose Rodriguez (32-4) in Macau; Teiru Kinoshita (25-1-1) in Brisbane, Australia, under the Manny Pacquiao – Jeff Horn world title fight; and on November 18, Jamie Conlan (19-0), in Conlan’s native Belfast.

Gonzalez returns to the ring riding an eight-bout winning streak with five of those victories coming by way of knockout. The former WBC FECOMBOX super flyweight champion is currently world rated No. 9 by the IBF.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing,facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo

@ESPNDeportes.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (November 14, 2017) — Top Rank on ESPN will kick off its 2018 season with a sensational Super Bowl weekend world championship event. GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMÍREZ , Mexico’s super middleweight champion with the matinee idol looks, defending his world title. Ramírez (36-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlan, Mexico, will make his third defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight title against Top-Five world-rated contender HABIB “Wild Hurricane” AHMED (22-0, 17 KOs) from Accra, Ghana. The fight will take place on Saturday, February 3, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX, and will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN App.

Ramírez and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum will announce the fight at a press conference on Thursday, November 16, at 11 a.m. CST,in the Henry Garrett Ballroom C, located inside the American Bank Center (1901 North Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christie, TX 78401).

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, tickets to the Ramírez-Ahmed world championship event will go on sale This Thursday, November 16, at 10 a.m. CST– the perfect fistivus holiday gift for your favorite boxing fan! Priced at $152, $102, $62, $42, and $27, including facility fees, tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Office, Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

“Gilberto Ramirez has proven that he is the best of the super middleweights All you have to do is look at his world championship victories against Arthur Abraham and Jesse Hart,” said Arum. “Gilberto has quickly become the face of boxing on both sides of the border.

“Habib Ahmed is an undefeated fighter with a good knockout record. He is fighting outside of his home country for the first time and that makes him a very dangerous fighter,’ said Ramírez. “He knows that he has a great opportunity in front of him. I’m going to train even harder than for my last title defense. I think this will be a very good fight. My world title and our undefeated records will be on the line. I’m very motivated and focused on defending and retaining my title for the third time against a good opponent. I want to show the world why I’m the champion in the super middleweight division.”

“I have an important message for Gilberto Ramirez,” said Ahmed. “I am coming to America to take your title. I am going for the knockout. All of Ghana and all of my fans are going to be so proud, so happy. This is the opportunity I always wanted. I am taking Ramirez’s title with me to my homeland.”

Ramírez, a two-fisted super middleweight wrecking machine, made history in the co-main event to the Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley welterweight pay-per-view on April 9, 2016, when he became México’s first fighter to win a super middleweight world title. Entering the fight as the top world-rated contender, Ramirez gave a virtuoso performance over the defending WBO champion Arthur Abraham, a-three-time world champion in his own right.. All three judges scored it as a 120-108 blitzkrieg. “I took him to Méxican boxing school,” a jubilant Ramírez boasted as he put on the world championship belt . A sensational young champion, Ramírez had been scheduled to make his first title defense in July 2016, but a training camp injury to his right hand followed by surgery and rest sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He returned to the ring on April 22, winning a unanimous decision over Top-10 contender and one-time world title challenger Max “Tiger” Bursak and followed that up with another impressive unanimous decision victory, this time over undefeated No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger Jesse “Hard Work” Hart on September 22.

A former Ghanaian super middleweight champion, Ahmed has won eight of his last nine fights by knockout, including the six-bout victory-by-knockout streak he is currently enjoying. In his most recent fight, on March 17, Ahmed stopped Philip Kotey in the 11th round to capture the vacant WBO Africa super middleweight title. This will not only be Ahmed’s U.S. debut, it will be his first professional fight outside his native Ghana.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo
@ESPNDeportes.

TUCSON, AZ (September 21, 2017) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ and GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ will headline and exciting world championship event This Friday! September 22, at Tucson Arena (260 South Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701.) Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), a two-time Mexican Olympian with strong roots in Tucson, will be defending his WBO featherweight title against the WBO’s No. 4 world-rated contender GENESIS SERVANIA (29-0, 12 KOs), of Bacolod City, Philippines. WBO super middleweight champion Ramirez (35-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlan Mexico, will take on No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger JESSE “Hard Work” HART (22-0, 18 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA, in the grudge match of the year. The four warriors boast a perfect combined record of 108-0 (73 KOs) with nearly 70% of their victories coming by way of knockout. Here is what they had to say at today’s media workout:

BOB ARUM: I am looking forward to a great show Friday night. Two undefeated world champions – Oscar Valdez, the featherweight champion; and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, the super middleweight champion, are in two tough title defenses; Mick Conlan is on the card. It should be a great night for boxing in Tucson and the whole world will be seeing this event thanks to our partners at ESPN.

OSCAR VALDEZ: I am feeling good and I’m very excited about this fight. We had a tremendous camp – my trainers and me and now I’m ready to get in that ring and show my people a good fight. I’m pretty excited that all my friends and all my family get to come it is only thirty minutes away from Nogales, all the people will be here in Tucson, so I’m pretty excited for this.

FRANK ESPINOZA: Like Oscar said – he’s put in a lot of hard work coming to Tucson and we are excited to be back at the Tucson Convention Center Arena and looking forward to a great fight. Servania is a volume puncher and I think it’s going to be a fan-friendly fight but I think Oscar will showcase his talent. I’ve been telling everybody all along that he has the Mexican style – he has that super style that I think he’s going to show his skills that evening.

BOB ARUM: The Mexican style maybe now will be called the Kazakhstan Style because last Saturday, one guy fought as a Mexican and the Mexican didn’t fight like a Mexican.

It’s been kind of a quick turn-around since your last fight . . .

OSCAR VALDEZ: Yes it was a pretty tough fight against Marriaga and I was a little sore but I only took a week off then I went back to run and hit the gym. It only took a week then I was good to go. I always stay active. Not train too hard in between but just enough – give it a thirty-minute run, hit the gym, shadow box, hit the bag – casual to maintain myself not to get inactive.

What do you know about Servania – he has a great record but it a bit of an unknown being from the Philippines?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I’ve seen him fight before and he is a tough fighter and he has a tough style. Not a lot of people know him. There was a point when no one knew who Manny Pacquiao and they come to America as an unknown and show their skills. I had the same questions about Marriaga because a lot of people didn’t know who he was and they found out Marriaga is a tough fighter. It was a tough fight and everyone saw he was a good fighter. Servania is a tough fighter and I definitely am not taking him lightly.

When did you live in Tucson?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I lived in Tucson and went to elementary school there they my father and I moved back to Nogales – from when I was 4 to about 9. My mother still lives there. I have some long-time friends that I played with when I was a kid and I have a lot of uncles here, cousins and uncles. My family is actually very big – I have family in Ohio, I have family in Arizona, I have family in Mexico and I have a lot of family here in Tucson as well.

Is it fair to say that Tucson is your second home?

OSCAR VALDEZ: Yes I consider Tucson my second home – I lived here for a while. Having the privilege of coming back and forth – coming back to Tucson when I live in Nogales.

OSCAR VALDEZ: I fought here two years ago but I wasn’t a champion in front of my fans and my people then but I was always going to bring back a title and now I get a chance to do it and I am very excited. I am always excited but for this a lot of my family is going to be there and support me in this fight.

Do you have plans for Oscar to fight regularly in Tucson?

BOB ARUM: Tucson is a great city and I really love it there and they have very enthusiastic boxing fans. We are going to do well at the gate – tickets are really flying out of the box office, so yes, why not use Tucson as a base, but we have big plans for Oscar. He is on the road, we believe, to superstardom. There will be a lot of places – Los Angeles and Las Vegas – clamoring for Oscar and his fights. We expect to have some really major fights for Oscar in the near term against guys who are big names in the featherweight division.

After last weekend are you concerned about the judging of the fight?

OSCAR VALDEZ: Not at all that is never on my mind. I don’t worry about my opponent. I don’t worry about judges. I don’t worry about the referee. All I care about is me and how I am doing. I am confident about the work we did in the gym, we had a tremendous camp and I am confident about how everything will go on Friday night.

What did you think about the Canelo – Triple G fight and do you think Canelo made a mistake going backward in the fight?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I think Canelo actually did a good job. A lot of people thought he lost. My personal opinion I thought he won the fight. He went back but a lot of the punches Golovkin was throwing were not landing. I think Canelo landed the stronger punches and that’s really what I think.

Do you feel you are fighting for that – to keep on proving that we belong in the United States?

OSCAR VALDEZ: If I get any chance to keep on proving that we belong in the United States – we come to this country not to rape or to be criminals – we only come to this country to do good things – to get a better life than we didn’t have back in our country.

How important is having a series such as this for a young fighter?

BOB ARUM: I think it’s very important for ESPN who is now going to be able to showcase Oscar on the worldwide leading sports network at least three times a year. We are going to have him matched against top-top featherweights and junior lightweights and the audience that we’ll be attracting starting September 22nd will be absolutely huge and so Oscar will go in the same realm as the other superstars in boxing. This development we have with ESPN is really a breakthrough and the guys that benefit most are talented young men like Oscar Valdez.

You had a streak of knockouts that ended with Marriaga – is a KO something you want to do?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I would love to get the knockout. It’s not something I look to do in the first or second round but if I hurt I would do my best to stop him but my mindset is always 12 rounds. If I don’t knock him out I am 100% ready to go 12 rounds, whether that’s going toe-to-toe or boxing, whatever. If I have the opportunity to give the crowd what they want – a knockout – I will try my best to do it if I hurt him but that’s not always the case. I will fight hard every singe round.

How do you feel about a lot more people being able to follow your career now?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I think it’s great and I am ready for this. I think it’s a great opportunity and a lot more people are going to be able to watch me now. That’s what I want. I want to be recognized and being on ESPN is going to be a great opportunity and I’m excited for that.

OSCAR VALDEZ: I think this division is a very tight division and there are a lot of great challenges out there – there are a lot of good fights to be made. Servania is no walk in the park that’s for sure. He is ranked #4 in the WBO and he has that typical Filipino style – he comes from different angles and it’s always going to be a hard fight. It’s not going to be easy for me. I know I have to be at my best to come out victorious that night and that’s what I’m planning to do.

Would the winner of Mares/Santa Cruz be on your radar?

OSCAR VALDEZ: I’m sure it would be on my radar. If everything goes well I will fight anybody and if were to be them I would gladly take the fight. Whoever it is I will gladly fight them. Whoever they put in front of me.

BOB ARUM: This is insane, the policy that we now have. These Dreamer kids are as American as my grandkids. They were raised in this country. They speak English. They go to American schools. The idea that we would send them back to other countries is ludicrous. Americans are supposedly held to higher ethical standards than this. I will fight to the last breath in my body for these kids. They belong in the United States, they can contribute to this country and we have to open our hearts to them because they deserve it. They came here – does it matter if their parents came legally or illegally? They were kids when they came here and I think every American has the moral obligation to stand up for these dreams

Would you like to unify the titles?

OSCAR VALDEZ: Yes of course

BOB ARUM: And also I read today that Carl Frampton, who is a tremendous featherweight, has signed on with Matthew Macklin’s group and Matthew manages Michael Conlan who will be on the card Friday night so there is a possible fight against Frampton that now becomes relatively easy to arrange.

Would you fight Frampton?

OSCAR VALDEZ: Of course, I am not looking ahead of this fight but I would definitely love to fight Frampton. After this fight I can think about that. I always have to think about this fight. I have confidence in my team that we did a great job in the gym and that we are 100% for Friday’s fight.

BOB ARUM: And also don’t forget the Puerto Rican kid who will be on the Lomachenko-Rigondeaux card at the Garden on December 9th – Christopher Diaz – a terrific young featherweight from Puerto Rico and as you know the great rivalries in boxing very often center around the Mexican kid against a Puerto Rican

ZURDO RAMIREZ

Jesse Hart has been talking a lot – how do you feel about that?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: I only hope that he comes in really prepared because he’s been talking a lot and it’s good because I am really prepared for this fight and very confident in my preparation.

BOB ARUM: Jesse has a very good punch – his father, Cyclone Hart, could knock down walls. He was the hardest punching middleweight of his time and he was a tremendous draw in Philadelphia during the heydays of the middleweights.

What does this fight mean to you?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: It’s a big fight and really exciting for me because he’s the number one contender and I want to put on a great show for all of the Mexican people.

Bob, assuming Zurdo is successful, what do you see moving forward?

BOB ARUM: The future for all of these guys is bright because of the alliance we have with ESPN so now he no longer waits six months before he gets in the ring again to defend his title, assuming he is successful he will fight regularly on ESPN. Maybe we will do a fight in Mexico – I think that would be a great idea. I know he has wanted to fight in Mexico. There are a lot of super middleweights around that we can match him with. There are guys like DeGale and Dirrell who are terrific fighters and David Benavidez who is the brother of Jose who fights for Top Rank – he just won the WBC super middleweight title. Zurdo is not going to lack for really good opponents.

Prior to the fight being made, there was a lot of talk from Hart’s side – do you have any bad blood with this guy?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: No, no, like I said he has been talking and talking a lot but I don’t like to talk too much. I let my fists do the talking in the ring. I talk in the ring and I come to keep my belt, keep my undefeated record and to prove to everybody that Zurdo Ramirez is a top pound-for-pound fighter.

You seem to have fought better competition that Hart – do you feel you are more ready than him for this fight?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: Yes I am ready, always ready and my team is making me feel very confident because we have been working very hard for this fight. We have been working in Mazatlan to do the hard training and the hardest part is done. Now we enjoy this fight week and everybody is going to see a great Zurdo Ramirez on Friday night.

Do you feel that he is ready for this fight? You are obviously the best opponent he has had today.

ZURDO RAMIREZ: He said he is ready. So let’s see if he’s ready.

Do you think the fact that Zurdo speaks English will make him a bigger star keeping in mind that Canelo does not?

BOB ARUM: Essentially his fan base will be the Mexicans so it is our obligation to make him fan friendly with the Mexican public which is big supporters of the sport of boxing – they certainly have rallied behind Canelo over the last few years and we hope that they will rally behind Zurdo if he continues to be victorious.

You said you want to be pound-for pound #1 – what do you think you need to do to get there?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: Keep winning every fight and beat every rival and opponents and keep doing my job.

Who did you have winning the Canelo-Golovkin fight?

ZURDO RAMIREZ: I had it a draw. The people were really surprised about Canelo because they expected Golovkin to destroy him but that was good.

BOB ARUM: Golovkin won the fight easy, EASY. I had the fight 8-4. I didn’t think there would be any controversy, and let me tell you as bad a Adelaide Byrd was that fight, what the hell was Trella watching in that 7th round when Golovkin beat the hell out of Canelo and he gave the round to Canelo – what the hell was that?

JESSE HART
JESSE HART: I am just ready to fight at this point. I really don’t have anything bad to say about the guy. I think he is a fine champion. He’s been doing a great job holding the belt. Now it is time to give it up. I am prepared to not only do 12 rounds; I am prepared to do 15 rounds. Training camp has been. Training camp has been the most, hardest of my whole life. Not just in the ring. There have been near death experiences in that gym. It was war. It was war. This training itself, you ask me about being ready for Ramirez, he will be nothing compared to the training that I have been through in this fight.

Your dad had all of these tremendous fights in the Philadelphia area for a number of years and never got a title shot – but here you are – what does it mean to get that opportunity with your dad at your side?

JESSE HART: It means a lot because of what you just said — we never had a belt in our household. My dad said, “Everything I didn’t do in boxing, I want my son to do” so he is pushing me to greatness. This is personal for my family. This is business but it is personal to bring the belt home – a world championship

Your father was tremendous for years but never got a title shot – can you tell me what that is like for you to get one with him at your side?

JESSE HART: Absolutely – When I go in there my dad’s heart is going in there with me. My dad started me at the age of 6 years old. We had to recognize the goal and how do we get there. The goal was to be a world champion. When I first saw all the great fighters of the past that my dad showed me – Henry Armstrong, Willie Pep, Sugar Ray Robinson, who was his favorite fighter – all of these great fighters that I just named, Joe Louis, all the great fighters of the past, when I was a kid my dad used to sit me by the TV and watch these guys day in and day out – that’s who I studied when I was a kid, that’s where it all came from. That’s what I wished for – for one day to become a world champion and that’s what my dad’s dream always was but he never got a title shot, so it definitely means a lot to him. He said everything I didn’t do in boxing I want my son to do. That’s why he is pushing me

How familiar are you with the great match-ups that your dad had? Do you know about your father when he fought? There had to be ten top contenders – Have you watched tapes?

JESSE HART: I think my dad was a tremendous boxer, puncher. He was a converted southpaw but he really fought on the right hand side so people didn’t really expect him to be as devastating as he was. People never expected that and they always say that the most dangerous punch in boxing is the one that you don’t see – the one you don’t expect. They didn’t expect that because like I said, he fought right-handed – he fought orthodox but he was really a southpaw. He was really left-handed – a converted southpaw. The great fighters that he fought – my dad fought a tremendous amount of great talent on his record – It was much tougher back then than it is now because back then you go 15 rounds – you go in the gym and you go 15 round wars and I like to say that the greatest fighters are from Philadelphia.

You have been waiting for years for a title shot and now it is upon you – how do you remain patient?

JESSE HART: I’d like to acknowledge Bob Arum regarding that. Bob always said ‘you’ve got to be patient.’ He said to me when I first turned pro, he said ‘there are boxing stars and there are superstars. Superstars sell themselves inside the ring and outside the ring. Boxing stars just sell themselves in the ring – they don’t know how to speak and they don’t know what to say. Box said I have all of the qualities to be a superstar because I talk well, I speak well, I have a smile and all of these things come into play to become a superstar. Things that Oscar De La Hoya had – and Bob built that. Things like the Floyd Mayweather smile. Bob builds superstars – don’t limit yourself. I have been waiting patiently to become a superstar not just to be a boxing star. I have more quality. I can fight as well but I can sell outside the ring as well.

You have been fighting the smaller titles for a while – you had a tough fight with Johnson – you hit the canvas – what do you learn from a fight like that?

JESSE HART: I took away little tricks of the trade – when to put weight on my punches and when not to put weight on my punches, when to step around a guy instead of throwing a combination. When to get a guy out of there – don’t always think about getting a guy out of there. When you look at a guy’s record like that the first thing that went thru my mind was I’m going to get this guy out of here. When I put something in my mind – that’s what I believe. Certain people’s mind are not set because they don’t have that belief – I believed that I was going to get that guy out of there. There was not a Plan B or a Plan C. I believed that I was going to get that kid out of their and that was immature – I was just looking at his record. Now I am more mature to see everything – when to box, when to move, when to tie a guy up, when to go to the body, when to throw a combination, when to step around – different things very second of every minute of every round. I had a strong belief in myself to get this kid out. Like Muhammad Ali said to Joe Frazier “you will fall, God said you will fall,’ and Joe said, “Well God ain’t here today.” That’s the belief I had in myself in that fight.

There is a lot of Philly history around you – does that mean anything to do this for the town as well?

JESSE HART: Absolutely – that means you have an upbringing – you have something behind you – you have to uphold and live up to. That means a lot of preparation. That means a lot of pride. People from Philadelphia take pride in this sport. We fight kids that are defending the neighborhood – there is a pride that we have about boxing that you have to live up to. There is a legacy and my dad always told me the best fights you fight are in the gym – there are a lot of gym fights in Philadelphia – we grew in the gym.

You were talking about being near death in the gym, Jesse?

JESSE HART: Yea, damn – Coach Jenkins pushed me a little bit to near death. Sometimes I thought, ‘Yo, am I still alive?’

How do you fill the void of no champions from Philly?

JESSE HART: Friday I become champion of the world and my team – everyone around me is keeping me focused. I just have to go out there and execute the game plan and I’ll be out there giving it my all. To become champion of the world I was told that you have to do things you have never done. You have to get to heights you have never been to, go up mountains you never thought you could climb, and I climbed that and I am here now. I have to put it all together Friday.

You were talking about becoming a superstar – how do you think you will separate?

JESSE HART: Bob Arum – he is the man with the plan. He is the guy that got me here. He is the guy that put me in position to fight, to be here. I listen to Bob so much, it’s not just about boxing, We can talk about my family he give me different advice – you want to do that you want to do this. Muhammad Ali was a superstar. Oscar De La Hoya was a superstar – Bob builds superstars. To be a champion, that’s OK but to be a superstar? How many superstars are over there with the PBC? We can’t say that but we can say that Manny Pacquiao is an international superstar. We can say that, that’s safe to say. Terence Crawford is becoming a superstar – we can say that. Felix Verdejo is becoming a superstar in this sport. Myself, I am becoming a superstar in this sport. Bob Arum builds superstars. And a lot of credit goes to him. Even for this title shot I want to thank Bob Arum for that – without him I would have never got this shot or in position to get this shot.

Your father never won a title – if you win the title Friday night what will that mean?

JESSE HART: My dad always said when I started, “I want you to be a world champion.” I was born to be a world champion. That was always my calling and I really believe that. I have dedicated my life since I was a kid I never gave up on it. Ya’ll have different things that drive you, but I was born to be a champion.

BOB ARUM: Jesse was very flattering. I have always had a real fondness for Jesse and his family – he knows that and if he comes through on Friday night, the sky is the limit because Jesse is very, very right. I am not going to be satisfied with him just being a world champion; I want to make him a world superstar in the sport of boxing. I have in my mind plans on how to do that. Jesse, one thing you can say about him is that he listens, so the sky is the limit. This is going to be a hell of a fight – two great, great young men – Ramirez representing Mexico and Jesse Hart the United States and Philadelphia. I can’t wait for this fight, I really can’t – talk about a competitive real interesting fight. That fight – the super middleweight championship Friday night is going to be something special.

BOB ARUM: By the way – the show will be televised starting at 10:30 p.m. EDT / 7:30 p.m. on the west coast and in Arizona – I am so excited for this car. I think that this card will demonstrate, as did first with the Lomachenko fight and the Crawford fight, what boxing has to offer with the help of ESPN we are going to make this sport back to where it was fwhen I first started, it was one of the leading sports in the world.

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The event will be further enhanced with the addition of Irish Olympic hero MICHAEL “MICK” CONLAN, 2016 U.S. Olympian MIKAELA MAYER and the battle for the vacant NABF welterweight title between EGIS KAVALIAUSKAS and MAHONRI MONTES. Conlan (3-0, 3 KOs) will rumble in six-round featherweight bout against Kenny Guzman (3-0, 1 KO), Kalispell, Montana, and Mayer (1-0, 1 KO) will take on Allison Martinez (1-2, 1 KO) from Spring, Texas, in a four-round lightweight bout.

Both world championship fights and Conlan’s six-round featherweight battle against Kenny Guzman (3-0, 1 KO), of Kalispell, Montana, will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app. The entire card will be available via the ESPN app beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Peltz Boxing, remaining tickets to this world championship doubleheader are priced at $102, $77, $52 and $27. They may be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or by visiting the Tucson Convention Center ticket office.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo
@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #ValdezServania and #RamirezHart to join the conversation on Twitter.

TUCSON, AZ (September 19, 2017) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ and GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ will headline and exciting world championship event This Friday! September 22, at Tucson Arena (260 South Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701.) Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), a two-time Mexican Olympian with strong roots in Tucson, will be defending his WBO featherweight title against the WBO’s No. 4 world-rated contender GENESIS SERVANIA (29-0, 12 KOs), of Bacolod City, Philippines. WBO super middleweight champion Ramirez (35-0, 24 KOs), from Mazatlan Mexico, will take on No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger JESSE “Hard Work” HART (22-0, 18 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA, in the grudge match of the year. The four warriors boast a perfect combined record of 108-0 (73 KOs) with nearly 70% of their victories coming by way of knockout. Here is what they had to say at today’s media workout:

ÓSCAR VALDEZ
“I worked so hard in this training camp with Manny [Robles]. I am prepared for Servania. He is rugged and strong. He has my upmost respect

“Bob Arum is a great human being helping the Dreamers. The Dreamers just want to work, raise families and be peaceful. Bob is doing all he can to help them. I want to thank him personally.

“ESPN is seen all over the world. It’s an honor to fight on this great network. Our fights will be seen everyplace imaginable.”

MANNY ROBLES
“Oscar had a great camp like he always does. He never looks past an opponent. He has a high level of respect of all who get into the ring against him. He is happy to be fighting in Tucson. His fans and family will be in the arena on Friday night. Oscar is ready. Trust me.”

GENESIS SERVANIA
This is my first time getting into the ring and fighting for a world title. It’s exciting. It’s my fight to win because I have trained so hard for this opportunity. It will be my hardest fight but you will soon see I came to Tucson to win and become the new world champion.”

GILBERTO RAMIREZ
“Jesse Hart is a good fighter. A tough fighter. He earned the right to be my mandatory challenger. But that does not give him the right to say bad things about me. I do my talking in the ring. On Friday night he will hear my response loud and clear.”

JESSE HART
“When I beat Zurdo for the world title I am going to wrap the championship belt right around my Dad’s waist. This fight on Friday is for my father Cyclone Hart and what he never got in all of those years in the big ring – a shot at the title.”

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The event will be further enhanced with the addition of Irish Olympic hero MICHAEL “MICK” CONLAN, 2016 U.S. Olympian MIKAELA MAYER and the battle for the vacant NABF welterweight title between EGIS KAVALIAUSKAS and MAHONRI MONTES. Conlan (3-0, 3 KOs) will rumble in six-round featherweight bout against Kenny Guzman (3-0, 1 KO), Kalispell, Montana, and Mayer (1-0, 1 KO) will take on Allison Martinez (1-2, 1 KO) from Spring, Texas, in a four-round lightweight bout.

Both world championship fights and Conlan’s six-round featherweight battle against Kenny Guzman (3-0, 1 KO), of Kalispell, Montana, will be televised live and exclusively at 10:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app. The entire card will be available via the ESPN app beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank® and Peltz Boxing, remaining tickets to this world championship doubleheader are priced at $102, $77, $52 and $27. They may be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or by visiting the Tucson Convention Center ticket office.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo
@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #ValdezServania and #RamirezHart to join the conversation on Twitter.

TUCSON (September 18, 2017) – In support of the thousands of young immigrants that could be affected by the termination the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, boxing promotional company, Top Rank®, led by Hall-of-Fame promoter Bob Arum, will donate 500 tickets to “Dreamers” in Arizona to attend the September 22 world championship event headlined by unbeaten Mexican world champions ÓSCAR VALDEZ and GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ. Valdez and Ramirez are considered by many experts as the future of the boxing rich country of Mexico, and they will defend their respective featherweight and super middleweight world titles in action-packed bouts.

“Top Rank wants to make it clear that we stand in solidarity with the Dreamers. We are ashamed of the way they are being treated by the Administration in Washington. Americans are way better than this,” said Arum.

“To me it is a great honor to be able to be a voice that can bring light to this issue and defend those that are in need and don’t have someone that will stand up for them. I have family members that are in danger of being deported over the decisions taken by our government against DACA. I will not stand around and watch silently. I completely support this initiative taken by Top Rank and I want everyone to know that we will stand together and we will fight for what is right,” said Valdez.

To claim their tickets to the Valdez vs. Servania / Ramirez vs. Hart card, the “Dreamers” should bring their Employment Authorization Card to the Tucson Convention Center Box Office starting Tuesday September 19 during regular box office hours and for as long as supplies last.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com; Facebook facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo; Twitter twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo. Use the hashtags #ValdezServania and #RamirezHart to join the conversation on Twitter.