Undefeated Icelandic heavyweight Kolbeinn “The Ice Bear” Kristinsson roared back to life last Saturday (October 8) with a second-round demolition of South American former world title challenger Santander Silgado Gelez at the Tennis Center in Delray Beach, Florida.

Appearing on a card presented by promoter Joseph Samara, Kristinsson moved his record to 13-0, 7 KOs by lowering the boom on Gelez (31-14, 25 KOs) at the 1: 45 mark of the second.

The 6? 6? and 253-lb “Ice Bear” was returning from a mostly Pandemic-induced layoff of nearly three years but was able to sharpen up in camp with UK-based heavyweights Joseph Parker and Tyson Fury, and partially under the tutelage of elite trainer Javan “SugarHill.”

“Felt great to get in the ring again and get the job done,” said the victorious Kristinsson, post-fight. “I’m excited to get back to work and want to fight again before the end of the year, so I can rack up some knockouts!”

The well-known Steward says he’s happy with what he saw from the Icelandic strongman from Gardabaer.

“I thought it was a very satisfying performance for being out so long,” said Steward. “He did everything I asked of him. I asked him to step up the pressure and that’s what he went in and did. We spent a week together working in Florida and he was sparring right up until the weigh-in. It was very beneficial for him to get that win.”

Kristinsson’s promoter, Dmitriy Salita, says he’s going to grant the Icelandic giant’s wish to be more active.

“The Ice Bear looked great for having been out as long as he was,” said Salita. “I see the improvements he’s made in technique and strength and I’ll be working hard to get him back in the ring as soon as possible and keep him busy as he works his way up the ladder to becoming Iceland’s first heavyweight champion.”
ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

Closing in on a world-title shot, Detroit via Rakhmon, Uzbekistan’s IBF #6-, WBA #12-, WBO #8- and RING #8-ranked Shohjahon Ergashev (22-0, 19 KOs) says he’s aware of the danger and knows what’s on the line when he takes on his next foe, fellow knockout artist Angel “El Furioso” Martinez Hernandez (14-1-2, 14 KOs) from Baja California, Mexico.

The two knockout punchers will meet in a 10-round super lightweight shootout as one of two main events for Salita Promotions’ next Detroit Brawl event, on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the historic Garden Theater in Midtown Detroit. Unbeaten WBO #12-, IBF #11-, WBC #7-ranked light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (8-0, 6 KOs) and also undefeated Eric Murguia (14-0, 12 KOs) will be fighting for the USBA Light Heavyweight Championship in the other 10-round main event.

Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $40 and can be purchased by clicking HERE. PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be placed in will call at the box office for pick-up. A limited quantity of VIP tickets is also available by calling 313.529.7604.

Living and training in Detroit at the Kronk Gym under world-famous trainer SugarHill Steward, Ergashev says taking on such a dangerous foe so close to a world-title fight will benefit his career in the long run.

“I’m close to a title fight and I think this fight has a role for my experience,” said Ergashev during a break in training. “My father once told me to never underestimate the strength of any opponent. I am sure this is a worthy opponent, but that doesn’t mean he’s stronger than me.”

Ergashev says facing another puncher meant switching up in training at Kronk for this match.

“This time in training, we paid a little more attention to strength and physical preparation, rather than just boxing technique,” admitted Ergashev, “and I’m delighted with the result. To be back in an American boxing ring, I feel a surge of strength and thirst for battle. This is my second fight this year and I feel like I’m reborn in boxing. I am ready to put on a spectacular show.”

Ergashev, who says he loves his adopted home of Detroit and has a special feeling for the people, is a hero of national proportions in his native Uzbekistan with over two million Instagram followers alone. “Having so many followers, I can feel the power of my fans’ support,” he said. “But, at the same time, I am aware of the social significance of the content on my page, so I try to share my opinion and outlook on life with my subscribers. I like to motivate people.”

Also featured that night will be an eight-round super bantamweight battle between Accra, Ghana’s Prince Dzanie (22-0, 18 KOs) and Juan Gabriel Medina (14-11, 12 KOs) of La Romana, DOM, as well as undefeated Icelandic heavyweight Kolbeinn “The Ice Bear” Kristinsson taking on unpredictable Houstonian Rodney Moore (20-22-2, 9 KOs) in a six-round battle of big men.

Undefeated Grand Rapids, Michigan-based former amateur champions Joseph Hicks Jr. and Joshua Pagan will also see action that night, as Hicks (2-0, 2 KOs) will face experienced Dominican scrapper Jonathan Batista (19-16, 12 KOs) in a six-round middleweight struggle, while Pagan will take on Brazilian scrapper Maycon Oller Da Silva (1-5) over four super lightweight rounds. One of Detroit’s own, undefeated middleweight Da’Velle Smith (3-0, 3 KOs), already the winner of the WBC’s Big Belt Championship Tournament, will go four rounds or less with Wenatchee, Washington’s Devontae McDonald (2-1, 1 KO).

Rounding out the action will be undefeated Houston-based light heavyweight Darius “DFG” Fulghum (2-0, 2 KOs), who will take on Delaware’s David Murray (10-3-1, 6 KOs) in a lightweight six and lastly, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada’s Spencer Wilcox (3-0, 2 KOs) will face an opponent that is still TBA in a lightweight six-rounder.

About The Garden Theater
The historic Garden Theater, built by C. Howard Crane on the northern corner of the 3900 block of Woodward, originally opened in 1912 as one of the largest theatres built in Midtown Detroit. The original theater closed in 1949 and reopened under several owners. Now, the Garden Theater is back, and better than ever, with state-of-the-art amenities including a full-service bar in the main theater and a VIP balcony with incredible architectural integrity and charm that stays true to the historic Cass Corridor structures. The revitalized performance and entertainment venue offers unique spaces for wedding ceremonies & receptions, bar mitzvahs, corporate events, concerts, conferences and meetings. The historic Garden Theater is located at 3929 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, MI. For more information, please call 313.832.0888 or visit us on the web at thegardendetroit.com, or check out our social media: FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM.
ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

Unbeaten WBO #12-, IBF #11-, WBC #7-ranked light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (8-0, 6 KOs) and also undefeated Eric Murguia (14-0, 12 KOs) will be fighting for the USBA Light Heavyweight Championship when the pair meet in one of two stereo 10-round main events at Salita Promotions’ next Detroit Brawl, on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the historic Garden Theater in Midtown Detroit.

In the other main event, Detroit via Rakhmon, Uzbekistan’s Shohjahon Ergashev (22-0, 19 KOs) will face fellow knockout artist Angel “El Furioso” Martinez Hernandez (14-1-2, 14 KOs) from Baja California, Mexico, in a 10-round shootout between sleep-inducing super lightweight punchers.

Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $40 and can be purchased by clicking HERE. PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be placed in will call at the box office for pick-up. A limited quantity of VIP tickets is also available by calling 313.529.7604.

Originally from Malgobek, 29-year-old Izmailov works and resides with all-star trainer John David Jackson in Florida. A former amateur standout, Izmailov is a thudding and aggressive puncher, showing continued improvement under Jackson’s tutelage. Izmailov was last seen demolishing formerly undefeated Chilean Abraham Tebes in three brutal rounds last April.

Currently deep into training camp with super trainer John David Jackson, says preparations for the high-stakes fight are going well.

“I am excited for my title fight against Eric Murguia who is undefeated and accomplished professional,” said Izmailov. “I’m having a great training camp with John David Jackson and working every day to be a world champion.”

Murguia, of Mission Hills, California, started amateur boxing in 2011 and went on to win the 2013 Junior World Team Open and become part of the Junior National Team. Blessed with excellent power and movement, the 24-year-old southpaw Murguia stands 6’ and was last seen winning the WBA Fedelatin Light Heavyweight Championship with a second-round knockout over Mexico’s 11-3 Hector Coronado.

“It’s an honour to be fighting for a belt like this,” said Murguia during a break in training, “and a great opportunity to fight a top contender like Ali. Winning this will put my career in a whole new position and a step closer to a world title shot. I’ve been working hard towards an opportunity like this and, come August 10, I will make sure I come out victorious and make my name known in the boxing world.”

“Izmailov vs Murguia is a fantastic fight of significance for the title between two undefeated light heavyweight contenders,” said eager event promoter Dmitriy Salita. “Both hungry, both wanting the victory badly… somebody’s ‘O’ has got to go. I am grateful to bring this fantastic fight to our Detroit audience. Detroit is on its way to being one of the hubs of professional boxing in the United States and it is fights like this that move the needle in a positive direction.”

Also featured that night will be an eight-round super bantamweight battle between Accra, Ghana’s Prince Dzanie (22-0, 18 KOs) and Memphis-based veteran Ira “Mr. Showtime” Terry (27-21, 16 KOs), as well as undefeated Icelandic heavyweight Kolbeinn “The Ice Bear” Kristinsson taking on unpredictable Houstonian Rodney Moore (20-22-2, 9 KOs) in a six-round battle of big men.

Undefeated Grand Rapids, Michigan-based former amateur champions Joseph Hicks Jr. and Joshua Pagan will also see action that night, as Hicks (2-0, 2 KOs) will face experienced Dominican scrapper Jonathan Batista (19-16, 12 KOs) in a six-round middleweight struggle, while Pagan will take on Brazilian scrapper Maycon Oller Da Silva (1-5) over four super lightweight rounds. One of Detroit’s own, undefeated middleweight Da’Velle Smith (3-0, 3 KOs), already the winner of the WBC’s Big Belt Championship Tournament, will go four rounds or less with Wenatchee, Washington’s Devontae McDonald (2-1, 1 KO).

Rounding out the action will be undefeated Houston-based light heavyweight Darius “DFG” Fulghum (2-0, 2 KOs), who will take on Delaware’s David Murray (10-3-1, 6 KOs) in a lightweight six and lastly, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada’s Spencer Wilcox (3-0, 2 KOs) will face an opponent that is still TBA in a lightweight six-rounder.

About The Garden Theater
The historic Garden Theater, built by C. Howard Crane on the northern corner of the 3900 block of Woodward, originally opened in 1912 as one of the largest theatres built in Midtown Detroit. The original theater closed in 1949 and reopened under several owners. Now, the Garden Theater is back, and better than ever, with state-of-the-art amenities including a full-service bar in the main theater and a VIP balcony with incredible architectural integrity and charm that stays true to the historic Cass Corridor structures. The revitalized performance and entertainment venue offers unique spaces for wedding ceremonies & receptions, bar mitzvahs, corporate events, concerts, conferences and meetings. The historic Garden Theater is located at 3929 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, MI. For more information, please call 313.832.0888 or visit us on the web at thegardendetroit.com, or check out our social media: FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM.
ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

(July 26, 2022) Undefeated African welterweight Prince “Octopus” Dzanie, undefeated Icelandic heavyweight Kolbeinn “Ice Bear” Kristinsson and three of Michigan’s brightest and unbeaten young prospects, Joseph Hicks Jr., Joshua Pagan and Da’Velle Smith, highlight an exciting lineup of undercard bouts that has just been announced for Salita Promotions’ next Detroit Brawl, on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the historic Garden Theater in Midtown Detroit.

The seven-fight professional boxing event will be topped by two of the hardest punchers in all of boxing, IBF #4, WBA #13, WBO #11 and RING #7 super lightweight slugger Shohjahon Ergashev and WBO #12-, IBF #11-, WBC #7-ranked light heavyweight powerhouse Ali Izmailov facing dangerously powerful opponents in “must win” showdowns.

Ergashev (22-0, 19 KOs) of Detroit via Rakhmon, Uzbekistan, will face fellow knockout artist Angel “El Furioso” Martinez Hernandez (14-1-2, 14 KOs) from Baja California, Mexico, in a 10-round shootout. Izmailov (8-0, 6 KOs), meanwhile, will put his perfect record on the line in a high-stakes 10-round battle with also undefeated puncher Eric Murguia (14-0, 12 KOs) of Mission Hills, California.

Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $40 and can be purchased by clicking HERE.

In chief support of the main-event carnage will be an eight-round super bantamweight battle between Accra, Ghana’s Dzanie (22-0, 18 KOs) and Memphis-based veteran Ira “Mr. Showtime” Terry (27-21, 16 KOs).

By having his first professional bout outside his native Ghana, the highly touted Dzanie, known as “Octopus,” will give North American fans a first look at his formidable abilities against the durable Terry. Dzanie went 87-15 as an amateur and was a three-time Ghanaian Champion and an All-Africa Bronze Medalist before representing Ghana at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing China. As a professional, he is trained by Abdul Ramany Iddrisu and managed by well-known boxing insider Vincent Scolpino of VMS Boxing. He won the WBO Africa Bantamweight Championship in 2017 with an eight-round knockout over countryman Isaac Quaye.

In another important supporting bout, undefeated Icelandic heavyweight Kolbeinn “The Ice Bear” Kristinsson will take on unpredictable Houstonian Rodney Moore (20-22-2, 9 KOs) in a six-round battle of big men.

Standing 6’ 5” and weighing 240-lbs of brute strength, Kristinsson recently signed with Salita Promotions, power manager Mark Taffet and has begun working with Detroit-based super trainer SugarHill Steward at Kronk Gym in Detroit. The Icelandic powerhouse has also worked with actor and countryman Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, aka The World’s Strongest Man and Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane on Game of Thrones, at his Thor’s Power Gym in Kópavogur, Iceland.

Undefeated Grand Rapids, Michigan-based former amateur champions Joseph Hicks Jr. and Joshua Pagan will also see action that night, as Hicks (2-0, 2 KOs) will face experienced Dominican scrapper Jonathan Batista (19-16, 12 KOs) in a six-round middleweight struggle, while Pagan will take on Brazilian scrapper Maycon Oller Da Silva (1-5) over four super lightweight rounds. One of Detroit’s own, undefeated middleweight Da’Velle Smith (3-0, 3 KOs), already the winner of the WBC’s Big Belt Championship Tournament, will go four rounds or less with Wenatchee, Washington’s Devontae McDonald (2-1, 1 KO).

Rounding out the action will be undefeated Houston-based light heavyweight Darius “DFG” Fulghum (2-0, 2 KOs), who will take on Delaware’s David Murray (10-3-1, 6 KOs) in a lightweight six and lastly, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada’s Spencer Wilcox (3-0, 2 KOs) will face an opponent that is still TBA in a lightweight six-rounder.

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be placed in will call at the box office for pick-up. A limited quantity of VIP tickets is also available by calling 313.529.7604.

“August 10th is a spectacular night of boxing top to bottom featuring international, national and local talent,” said proud event promoter Dmitriy Salita. “Fighters From Africa to Uzbekistan to Detroit… we got the best of the best fighting in significant fights to take the next step toward a world title.”
ABOUT THE GARDEN THEATER:
The historic Garden Theater, built by C. Howard Crane on the northern corner of the 3900 block of Woodward, originally opened in 1912 as one of the largest theatres built in Midtown Detroit. The original theater closed in 1949 and reopened under several owners. Now, the Garden Theater is back, and better than ever, with state-of-the-art amenities including a full-service bar in the main theater and a VIP balcony with incredible architectural integrity and charm that stays true to the historic Cass Corridor structures. The revitalized performance and entertainment venue offers unique spaces for wedding ceremonies & receptions, bar mitzvahs, corporate events, concerts, conferences and meetings. The historic Garden Theater is located at 3929 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, MI. For more information, please call 313.832.0888 or visit us on the web at thegardendetroit.com, or check out our social media: FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM.

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

There are few people on this earth who would contact undefeated Icelandic heavyweight boxer Kolbeinn “The Ice Bear” Kristinsson to tell him he’s too small and weak… but countryman Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, aka The World’s Strongest Man and Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane on Game of Thrones, is one of them.

After his last fight, a second-round demolition of American Dell Long in January, Kristinsson (11-0, 5 KOs) says he was contacted by a mutual acquaintance of he and Björnsson’s and invited to the actor and strongman’s Thor’s Power Gym in Kópavogur, near Reykjavík, Iceland. In addition to playing one of the most feared and memorable characters on the HBO blockbuster series Game of Thrones for five seasons, Björnsson was five times named Europe’s Strongest Man and is the first person to have won the Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe’s Strongest Man and World’s Strongest Man in the same calendar year.

“I was embarrassed when I got there,” laughed the 6’ 5” 240-lb Kristinsson. “They said I was skinny and looked weak.”

Björnsson put Kristinsson on a strict diet and weightlifting program to improve his power. “He gave me access to the gym whenever I want. The weight program is different every day,” said Kristinsson, “but I’m surprised that the most important part of it is to be consistent with diet.”

Kristinsson, who recently signed with Salita Promotions, power manager Mark Taffet and has begun working with Detroit-based super trainer SugarHill Steward at Kronk Gym, says the gains in two months have been significant.

“I’ve been doing my strength and power work four times a week and training boxing six times a week since my last fight and I’ve already put on seven pounds of muscle,” said Kristinsson. “I can feel I’m a lot stronger and more solid with a noticeable difference in punching power.”

Kristinsson, currently on his way back to Kronk, says he’ll be looking to put his newfound power to good use in his next ring appearance, scheduled for March 20 in Detroit against an opponent TBA.

instagram.com/theicebearkristinsson; hafthorbjornsson.com; facebook.com/thorspowergym; facebook.com/SalitaPromotions;

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Salita Promotions proudly announces the signing of undefeated heavyweight Gunnar Kolbeinn Kristinsson to a promotional contract.

Kristinsson (11-0, 5 KOs) from Gardabaer, Iceland, is the only active male fighter in his homeland and just the third in the country’s history. As an amateur, the 31-year-old was Icelandic champ and fought at the Amateur World Championships and Olympic Qualifier Tournaments.

Currently training in Detroit under Javan SugarHill Steward at the Kronk Gym, Kristinsson will have his debut fight under the Salita Promotions banner on Friday, January 17 at WinnaVegas Casino & Resort in Sloan, Iowa on the un-televised undercard of the 250th edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT).

“I feel very excited about signing with Salita,” said Kristinsson. “It’s a big opportunity and I know we are going to do big things together. I came to Detroit to train with SugarHill because I was at a point in my career where I needed more experienced, world-class coaching. My goal in boxing has always been to be undisputed world champion, this signing brings me closer to that goal.”

Moving forward, Kristinsson will travel back and forth from Iceland to Detroit. In his homeland, he will work with trainers Vilhjalmur Hernandez, Da?i Ástþórsson and Arnór Már Grímsson at Hnefaleikastö?in ÆSIR gym in the capital city of Reykjavik. The training team in Iceland will stick to SugarHill Steward’s training program so that there is “only one chef in the kitchen,” no matter where he is working.

“The Heavyweight division is buzzing again,” said excited promoter Dmitriy Salita. “Koli is a big, skilled, undefeated fighter from a unique place for boxing. I’ve been watching him train with SugarHill at the Kronk Gym and I see consistent improvement. With continued training and a busy fight schedule, I see Koli progressing to world-class levels in the heavyweight division.”

In the 10-round main event on January 17, WBC #12 super middleweight Vladimir Shishkin (9-0, 6 KOs) will take on unbeaten Ulises Sierra (15-0-2, 9 KOs). WBA and IBF #6 super lightweight Shohjahon Ergashev (17-0, 15 KOs) will face Adrian Estrella (29-4, 24 KOs) in the 10-round super lightweight co-feature and in the opener, Detroit native Ja’Rico O’Quinn (13-0-1, 8 KOs) faces Nevada’s Oscar Vasquez (15-2-1, 3 KOs) in an eight-round super flyweight contest.

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.