Jake Paul remained undefeated with an eight-round sPLIT decision over former UFC Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in front of over 16,000 fans at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.

Paul landed 71 of 207 punches; Woodley was 52 of 163.

Paul, 190 lbs of Cleveland won by scores of 78-74 and 77-75, while won a card 77-75.

Paul is now 4-0. Woodley, 189 1/2 lbs of Saint Louis, MO is 0-1.

For Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley photos (more to come), scorecard and punch stats using this link HERE

Photo Credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

JAKE PAUL

“I don’t know what to say. He was a tough opponent and he’s been fighting for so many years and I’m still new to this. My legs felt weird, I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me. All respect to Tyron though. He’s a Hall of Famer and put up a good fight. I have nothing but respect for him. There’s no hard feelings. This feels amazing to do this for my city and it’s a dream come true

“He hit me with one shot the whole fight, and it was a good shot. It was one real good shot. I don’t know what that one judge saw. But l still got the victory. For me to come here and go eight rounds in my fourth fight, who does that? I’m doing things that have never been done. 

“We’ll see who’s next. I’ve been fighting for 18 months now. I haven’t got my hair cut in two years. I haven’t stopped for a second. I’m just going to figure out what’s next.”

TYRON WOODLEY

“I feel like I won the fight. Jake is a great opponent. I didn’t expect him to eat my punches like that. But the fact that one judge only gave me two rounds is insane. Forget that Tommy Fury fight. Let’s run that back.

“Nobody is going to sell the PPV like we did. The ropes held him up when I hit him. I could have had that knockdown. I walked him down and landed back time and time again. I landed power punches, he missed shots all night.”

Serrano Decisions Mercado; Retains Featherweight titles

Amanda Serrano retained her WBC/WBO Featherweight titles with a 10-round unanimous decision over 122-lb world champion Yamileth Mercado.

In round nine, Mercado had a mouse for med under her left eye. Later in the round

Serrano landed 160 of 577 punches; Mercadro was 95 of 302.

Serrano, 124 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 41-1-1. Mercado, 124 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 18-3.

AMANDA SERRANO

“I had a tough Mexican in front of me tonight. She’s a champion in her own weight class, but I hope I made everyone proud and happy and that SHOWTIME will have me back again. I’m hoping that I made some of these people here fans of women’s boxing and that I made the sport proud. 

“I don’t want to say that I’m No. 1 pound-for-pound, because there are great female fighters like Claressa Shields. As long as I’m at the top with fighters like her, then I’m good. 

“I want that fight with Katie Taylor in the future. First I want to fight the other featherweight champions and become undisputed in my weight class. Then we’ll have two undisputed champions against each other when Katie and I fight.” 

DuBois Blows Out Cusumano inside of 1

Daniel Dubois made a statement in his American debut as he stopped Juiseppe Cusumano inside of the 1st round of their scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

DuBois dropped Cusumano three times. The first was set up by a left hook that was followed by a right hand to the side of the head that sent Cusumano to the canvas. The 2nd knockdown cam from a combination on the inside. DuBois finished off the fight as DuBois laded a right to the jaw that was followed by a right to the head that folded Cusumano to the canvas at 2:10

DuBois, 238 lbs of London is 17-1 with 16 knockouts. Cusumano, 235 1/2 lbs of Danville, VA is 17-4.

DANIEL DUBOIS:

“You don’t get paid for overtime. I had a great performance and had the best training camp ever.

“I want to fight for a world title. I want to fight the best. It’s going to come soon. Whoever’s next. I want to fight for a world title.

“It was a great week. Amazing atmosphere. Good crowd and energy. I loved it.

Love Stops Baranchyk After 7

Montana Love scored the biggest win of his career and remained undefeated by stopping former world champion Ivan Baranchyk after round seven of their scheduled 10-round junior welterweight bout.

At the end of round seven, Love landed a perfect counter left that sent Baranchyk down to the canvas. Branahcyk, who never seemed to get on track had the plug pulled on the fight after the 7th frame.

Love, 141 lbs of Cleveland, OH is now 16-0-1 with eight knockouts. Baranchyk, 140 1/4 lbs of Miami, FL is 20-3.

MONTANA LOVE

“I want to say thank you to everyone who came out tonight. Hopefully I gained some fans. It’s an amazing feeling. It’s very emotional to have this moment in my hometown.

“This is a dream come true. I’m in training everyday thinking about and visualizing this moment. I want to thank Ivan for giving me this opportunity and helping us give the fans a great show.

“We’d been working on that uppercut the whole time during training. The game plan was to move and box him and make him miss. We knew that eventually he was going to open up.

“Strap me up. We’ve been working hard and now it’s my time. I want Josh Taylor and Gervonta Davis. Line them up and we can make it happen, as soon as possible.”

Fury Decisions Taylor

Tommy Fury remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Anthony Taylor in a crruiserweight bout.

Fury landed 73 of 179 punches; Taylor was 29 of 113.

Fury, 179 lbs of Manchester, ENG won by scores of 40-36 and is now 7-0. Taylor, 175 lbs of Alemeda, CA is 0-2.

TOMMY FURY

“I thought I had a good performance. You can’t forget that I only had 10 amatuer fights and my dad wasn’t here with me tonight. I had a great time fighting in front of all these lovely people. 

“Jake Paul should have an easy night against me right? He has no excuse to not take the fight. Let’s get it on Jake Paul. I’ve done my part, now you do your part Jake, and we’ll get it on. 

“I’m a novice in this game and I know that I have to work on everything. I’m nowhere near a finished product. I’m learning every single day and I’m just thankful to be here healthy and talking to you. 

“I was nervous, but at the end of the day, we get in the ring and we fight. Day by day, second by second, I’m getting better and I’m learning. We’re going to get there slowly, but we’re going to get there surely.”

ANTHONY TAYLOR

“I felt like I stole rounds three and four. It could have gone either way. I controlled the middle of the ring and I backed him up. I of course feel like there was some bias because everyone wants to see Fury fight Jake Paul. 

“I was more active and threw more body shots. I’m happy with my performance, now it’s up to the powers that be if they want me back. I appreciated this opportunity that I got. 

“Everyone said he was going to knock me out in the first round, but obviously I gave him trouble. I’m not happy that the scores were unanimous.” 

NEW YORK (August 27, 2021) -Three members of the Split-T Management stable will be in action as undefeated heavyweight Stephan Shaw and undefeated junior welterweight Omar Rosario will be in the ring on Friday in Plant City, Florida while former IBF Junior Welterweight champion Ivan Baranchyk battles undefeated Montana Love as part of the Jake Paul – Tyron Woodley pay-per-view event on Sunday night in Cleveland.

Shaw of Saint Louis, Missouri is one of the top heavyweight prospects in the United States as he sports a record of 14-0 with 10 knockouts. The 28 year-old will be making his 2021 debut. He has racked up wins over Danny Kelly (9-2-1), Jonny Rice (4-1-1), Joel Caudle (7-1-1), Donovan Dennis (12-3), Willie Jake Jr, (8-2-1), Gregory Corbin (15-2) and his last bout when he took an eight-round unanimous decision over Lyubomyr Pinchuk (12-1-1-) on December 17, 2020 in Las Angeles..

Shaw will be taken on Nick Davis (6-2) of Atlanta, Georgia. Davis is a six-year professional who is coming off a 2nd round stoppage of Eric Abraham on July 23rd in Decatur, Georgia.

Shaw is promoted by DiBella Entertainment.

Rosario of Caguas, Puerto Rico will take on fellow undefeated Marc Misiura in a four-round bout. Rosario of Caguas, Puerto Rico is 4-o with two knockouts.

Rosario, 23 years-old, was the Puerto Rican Olympic Trial Champion at 152 lbs., and was the island’s favorite to win a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Misiura is the third consecutive undefeated opponent for Rosario. Rosario stopped both Uriel Villanueva (1-0) and Wilfred Mariano (3-0), with the latter coming on June 19th in Las Vegas.

Misiura of Scranton, PA is 2-0 with one knockout. The 27-year-old turned professional this year, and is coming off a unanimous decision over Ubaldo Lara on April 24th in Louisville, Kentucky.

Rosario, who is promoted by Top Rank, checked in at 141.2 lbs at Thursday’s weigh-in.

Both Shaw’s and Rosario’s fights will be part of a Telemundo card.

On Sunday night in Cleveland, Baranchyk will make his long awaited return to the ring following his participation in the 2020 fight of the year against Jose Zepeda. That fight, which took place on October 3, 2020 featured eight knockdowns, with Baranchyk coming up on the short end of a classic that was stopped in round five.

Prior to that fight, Barranchyk (20-2, 13 KOs) of Miami, Oklahoma, has wins over Alfonso Olver (1-0), David Thomas (4-0), Angel Figueroa (4-1-1), Shadi Shawareb (9-0-2), Nicholas Givan (16-0-1), Eliseo Cruz Sesma (9-0-1), Zhimin Wang (7-0), Abel Ramos (17-1-2), Keenan Smith (11-0), former two-time world title challenger Petr Petrov (38-5).

On October 27, 2018, Barachyk won the IBF Junior Welterweight title with a 7th round stoppage over Anthony Yigit in New Orleans. In his first defense he came up just short against now undisputed world champion Josh Taylor. Baranchyk rebounded with a 4th round stoppage over Gabriel Bracero (25-3-1).

Love of Cleveland is 15-0-1 with seven knockouts. Just 26 years-old, Love already has wins over Vladimir Pierre (1-0), Samuel Teah (12-1), Ricardo Garcia (14-2), Jerrrico Walton (16-0) and in his last bout, Love stopped Olaide Fijabi (16-0) in two rounds on June 5th in Dubai.

The bout will be part of a SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View broadcast at 8 PM ET

Baranchyk is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions.

Also in action will be undefeated junior middleweight Charles Conwell (15-0, 11 KOs) making his Cleveland homecoming against late-replacement Juan Carlos Rubio (18-0, 9 KOs) of Jalisco, Mexico in a 10-round bout.

Conwell is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions.

NEW YORK (August 2, 2021) – Three more exciting matchups have been finalized for the highly-anticipated Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley SHOWTIME PPV fight card. Former world champion Ivan Barancyhk will compete along with U.K. stars Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois and Tommy “TNT” Fury makingtheir U.S. debuts in separate bouts on Sunday, August 29 from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

The five-fight SHOWTIME PPV telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and be headlined by renowned content creator and undefeated professional boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul taking on the toughest challenge of his young career in the former UFC champion Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley. The card also features the previously announced world championship showdown between Puerto Rican star and WBC/WBO Featherweight World Champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano and super bantamweight world champion Yamileth Mercado of Mexico, which will serve as the co-featured bout.

A former junior welterweight world champion, Baranchyk will step into the ring to face the unbeaten Cleveland-native Montana Love in a 10-round showdown on the pay-per-view. Baranchyk seeks another run at the 140-pound title, while Love looks to score a career-best win.

The hard-hitting heavyweight Dubois, who is ranked No. 1 by the WBA, will face Joe Cusumano in a 10-round matchup, and Fury, the younger brother of heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, will square off against combat sports veteran Anthony “Pretty Boy” Taylor in a six-round, 180-pound catchweight fight to open the pay-per-view telecast.

Additional action at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse includes top-10 ranked junior middleweight and 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell taking on Lucas Bastida of Argentina in a 10-round fight. Paul, Love and Conwell will be fighting critical bouts in front of their hometown fans at the Cleveland arena.

Tickets starting at $45 are still available via RocketMortgageFieldHouse.com. The event is co-produced by SHOWTIME PPV and Most Valuable Promotions and promoted by Tony and Bryce Holden of Holden Productions. The pay-per-view telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV. Barstool Sportsbook is the official sports betting partner for the event and will be incorporated in a unique, fully integrated brand activation that is to be announced in more detail.

The Belarusian Baranchyk now fights out of Oklahoma and will look to move closer to another world title opportunity with a win August 29. Sporting a 20-2 record with 13 knockouts, the 28-year-old returns to the ring after fighting in the 2020 Fight of the Year against Jose Zepeda last October. The two fighters combined to score a staggering eight knockdowns in the instant classic won by Zepeda. Baranchyk became a world champion in 2018 by stopping then unbeaten Anthony Yigit in seven rounds. He steps in against Love, a graduate of the ShoBox: The New Generation series who owns a 15-0-1 record with seven knockouts. A highly accomplished amateur, Love will be fighting in his hometown of Cleveland for the second time in his career.

“This is a big step for me,” said Baranchyk. “I am grateful to get back in the ring with someone like Montana after my loss. I want to show everyone that I’m back, I’m stronger, and I’m a new version of myself. I want to thank my fans for the support you’ve always given me. On August 29, it’s SHOWTIME, baby!”

“I know Ivan is a strong young fighter, but he has some ugly habits,” said Love. “We’re having a grueling camp right now and I’m going to keep it ‘Too Pretty’ on fight night. Cleveland deserves the show I’m about to put on.”

A promising heavyweight contender at 23 years old, Dubois has compiled a 16-1 record with 15 knockouts since turning pro in 2017. Dubois had an impressive amateur career as a five-time British junior national champion. A London-native, Dubois’ lone professional loss came against top heavyweight contender Joe Joyce in November 2020. Dubois rebounded quickly with an emphatic second-round knockout of Bogdan Dinu in June to capture the Interim WBA Heavyweight Title. Now, he takes on the 33-year-old Cusumano, who has won four of his last five bouts with all of those victories coming by stoppage. With a record of 19-3, his 17 knockouts give him an impressive 77% KO ratio. Fighting out of Danville, Virginia, Cusumano most recently knocked out Gregory Corbin in November 2020.   

“I am ready now to push on and build on the WBA interim title I won in my last fight,” said Dubois. “I am thrilled to take the show on the road and look to win the American public over. I am told the American public love heavyweight boxing, so it is time to introduce them to Daniel Dubois. I will make sure it is a name they won’t forget.”

Already a crossover star after his runner-up finish on the hit U.K. reality TV show “Love Island”, Fury will look to follow in the footsteps of his boxing-rich family and establish his own championship legacy. The 23-year-old from Manchester is 6-0 with four knockouts, having most recently earned a unanimous decision over Jordan Grant in June. Fury will be opposed by Alameda, California’s Taylor, an experienced MMA competitor who dropped his sole pro boxing appearance in 2017 by split-decision. The 32-year-old’s MMA experience includes five Bellator fights and a 7-5 overall record with wins in his last five fights. Taylor is currently training in Puerto Rico and is a regular sparring partner of Jake Paul as he prepares for his bout against Woodley.

“American fans can, as always with me, expect a big dirty knockout,” said Fury. “That is what I say and that is what I try to bring. I want to put on a masterclass performance and show levels again and show how much I am improving. This is another step on my journey to world titles.”

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @TWooodley and @ShowtimeBoxing, on Instagram via @JakePaul, @Twooodley and @ShowtimeBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

NEW YORK (January 22, 2021) – Split-T Management was awarded the highest honors in the sport, solidifying itself as the premiere management organization by sweeping all of the major awards in an announcement by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) today.

Undisputed Lightweight World Champion Teofimo Lopez took home the coveted Fighter of the Year; Split-T Management CEO David McWater was named Manager of the Year; Ivan Baranchyk took part in the Fight of the Year, and Teofimo Lopez Sr. was named Trainer of the Year.

Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) took his honors on the strength of his sensational performance on October 17th when he added the WBC Franchise, WBA and WBO Lightweight titles to his IBF Championship. The win by Lopez further exemplified that Split-T Management is one of the most powerful entities in boxing as it now handles one of the top Pound-for-Pound fighters in the sport.

“I’m very appreciative of this,” Lopez said. “It’s been a long journey and this is just the beginning. What I can say is this is a true big win for us. It’s surreal. Sometimes I still think this is a dream for us, but we turned that dream into reality.

“When I look down on the list of past BWAA Fighter of the Year award winners, they are all in the Hall of Fame, or going into the Hall of Fame. Now I’m a part of that group and that history. It’s something no one can take away from me. And there is so much more that we will accomplish.”

Under McWater, Split-T outperformed the industry in 2020, featuring its fighters in 40% of the bouts it had participated in the year prior (the industry average was 13%). Split-T Management fighters amassed a record of 44-6-1, winning four world titles that included Lopez, Kali Reis, Raquel Miller and Christina Linardatou as well as four more regional titles, with fights televised or streamed on all of the major boxing platforms such as ESPN/ESPN+, SHOWTIME, DAZN, NBC Sports and FOX. Other Split-T boxers, such as Charles Conwell, Brian Ceballo, Abraham Nova, Stephan Shaw and Janelson Bocachica continued their rise in the sport from prospects to bonafide contenders.

“Getting this award is pretty exciting and very vindicating,” McWater said. “It involved a lot of hard work, and it’s especially sweet because I felt last year Keith Connolly (the 2019 BWAA Manager of the Year) deserved it so much, which I felt gave the award more credibility than in the past.

“It’s a tribute to our whole company at Split-T. Everyone at Split-T has so much to be grateful about for Teofimo and his father. Their awards couldn’t be more deserving.”

Baranchyk’s October 3rd eight-knockdown thriller with Jose Zepeda was broadcasted on ESPN+ had fans in awe in one of the most exciting and sensational back-and-forth fights in recent memory. Baranchyk displayed both the renowned heart and tenacity that has made him beloved by fans.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the BWAA as a participant in the Fight of the Year,” said Baranchyk. “I only watched the bout once so I can fix my mistakes and come back stronger for my next fight, which I would love to be a rematch with Jose – something I know the fans would also want.”

Lopez Sr. made good on his prediction of his son defeating the highly acclaimed Lomachenko. Lopez Sr. was magnificent in devising a game plan for which his son carried out almost flawlessly in the October 17th bout.

“I never expected this,” Lopez Sr. said. “This is a tribute to all of the hard work that we put in. I was thinking about my son. I wasn’t thinking about any awards, so to get this from the BWAA makes me a part of history and I’ll be in the boxing books forever. It’s a great honor and I don’t plan on letting anyone down.”

By Bart Barry-

Saturday on ESPN+ California’s Jose Zepeda and Belarus’ Ivan Baranchyk made a junior welterweight nontitle fight that should prove the year’s best.  Each man got knocked-down four times in fewer than five rounds, yet there was nothing comical about the action.  There was nothing lighthearted about the finale, either, when Zepeda dangled Baranchyk over the abyss at 2:50 of round 5.

The most-telling bit of forecasting happened before the match, when ESPN flashed its junior welterweight ratings and showed its main event fighters in sixth and seventh place.  It wouldn’t have mattered if the graphic’d had them one and two or 15th and 16th, frankly, because what mattered is what matters first in any contest: evenness.  Zepeda and Baranchyk over their cumulative 55 prizefights had proved themselves equals in a consensus that emerged messily, as reliable consensuses usually do, as they plied their crafts first in Mexico and Belarus then on the West and East Coasts of the U.S., having few opponents in common.

There’s the matter of styles, too, of course, but that’s a predictor of entertainment more than excellence; any sadist can be entertained by an overmatched slugger mauling a weakling volume-puncher, but such spectacles never make memorable fights.  What makes a fight memorable is when both combatants make choices that make the other man transcend himself, and both did Saturday.

Baranchyk’s strength discomfited Zepeda, but Zepeda’s precision snatched Baranchyk’s consciousness, rendering him bluemat origami.  However many knockdowns there were, or should have been, they didn’t predict the knockout well as other events did.  Credit as ever to commentator Timothy Bradley, who noticed Baranchyk’s stiffened leg while everyone else kept watch on his head and fists.

Zepeda got Baranchyk in trouble early, even in a round Zepeda lost 10-7, by striking the onrushing Belarusian in full rush.  This was not the Zepeda who tried to play keepaway from opponents behind good boxing in the past but instead a pupil of what former opponents outwilled him and used their volition to overcome his class.  As both an athlete and entertainer, Zepeda learned, he must plant his feet and fight.  Whenever he did, Saturday, things improved for him.  When he retreated and gave Baranchyk’s punches room to unfurl, Zepeda got undone.

Commentator Bernardo Osuna made a great observation as to why: Zepeda’s retreats from Baranchyk’s wild lunges became wild themselves, so as to keep time and distance, and wild retreats ever bring a fighter to the ropes and their elasticity.  Baranchyk, who has only one plan but knows that plan intimately, timed elasticity’s effect and doubled the force of his punches by catching Zepeda being rebounded at him.

Zepeda, a prizefighter who prefers a controlled setting, surrendered all control of space and pace each time he got returned to Baranchyk, hurtling, by the ropes.  So long as the match happened at ringcenter, no matter how many times Baranchyk felled him with balanceshot hooks, Zepeda knew he’d be OK if his conditioning held up.  That must’ve been a thought in Zepeda’s mind or his corner’s.  Baranchyk is just about the last man you’d want to show a sign of fatigue, feasting as he does on oppponents’ fear for its rejuvenating effect.

If Baranchyk is not quite chinny it’s still his chin that represents his weakest spot.  In any other test of fortitude, one imagines, Baranchyk might best Zepeda, but not chin.  Zepeda got hit by fully leveraged shots and dropped quarce and barely deflected a halfdozen nearmisses but never lost his wits and stood square to Baranchyk’s attack and looked for what holes he might exploit.

Baranchyk cannot be dissuaded, and Zepeda was right not to try.  So long as Baranchyk was conscious he would rush forward – not unlike Vassiliy Jirov’s stomping towards James Toney even as his legs gave out – as it is his pedigree.  If Baranchyk’s just barely too young to remember the Soviet Union he sure isn’t too young to have been raised by folks who endured the deprivation of its final days, collapse and aftermath, scholars of cruelty and what it does to employers and victims, both.

Hence the immediate sympathy for Baranchyk as he lay motionless; he had followed orders directly to unconsciousness.  There was an air of betrayal to it.  A noble man who finds a purpose and devotes himself to it slavishly, we’re told in everything from fairy tales to epic poems, emerges a hero.  There was Baranchyk following his uncompromising strategy of melting another man’s rubbery will, and prevailing too, and then he wasn’t.  The end came in an instant.  A professional athlete contorted in a wrongful shape by a body severed from its command center, Baranchyk looked desperate for medical attention one second later.

Bradley and Osuna’s class, too, came through on the broadcast; Baranchyk’s ordeal didn’t create Osuna and Bradley’s strong character but revealed it – two men who were pitchperfect in their coverage of a fighter’s injury not because they rehearsed it but because they had experiences and trust enough to go with their intuition and not miss.  How refreshing.  Men who knew how to quiet down, who had more than one speed.  You can watch boxing for decades and never see a broadcast handle what happened Saturday with the grace ESPN+’s booth did.

Rare that a fight be so excellent and require no rematch, but that’s how Zepeda-Baranchyk felt; both men did exactly as they planned to do and one man had to be driven to the hospital afterwards.  Neither man will be the same.  Baranchyk’s chin will be a target and source of doubt henceforth.  Zepeda’s power and force will compose a wildcard that complements his class.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Jose Zepeda stopped Ivan Baranchyk in round five of a classic eight-knockdown fight that each guy hit the deck four times. The fight was a junior lightweight elimination bout at The MGM Grand Cinference Center in Las Vegas,

In round one, Baranchyk dropped Zepeda with a hard right over the top. Towards the end of the round Baranchyk sent Zepeda down for a 2nd time with a right hand that was followed by a left hook. In round two, Zepeda dropped Baranchyk with a left hand. Baranchyk came right back and sent Zepeda down for a 3rd time with his own hard right. In round three, Zepeda put Baranchyk down for a 2nd time with a left over the top. In round four, Zepeda drilled Baranchyk with a hard straight left that made the former champion fall on his back. In round five, Baranchyk landed a hard right that sent Zepeda into the corner for which referee Kenny Bayless ruled the corner post held him up. It was seconds later where Zepeda landed a right hook that followed by a short left hand that knocked Baranchyk out on his feet. Baranchyk buckled over his knee and was out cold for several minutes until he was able to get to his feet. The end came at 2:20.

Zepeda, 139.9 lbs of Le Puente, CA is 33-2 with 26 knockouts. Baranchyk, 139.6 lbs of Miami, FL is 20-2.

Zepeda said, “I feel great because I won the fight. It was a hard fight, and I’m thinking, ‘Man, boxing is hard. It’s no easy game.’ Boxing, it’s tough, and you have to give it 100 percent because it’s a hard sport.
 
“Both of us are climbing up, and somebody had to stay. I was able to win the fight, and I told him, ‘Thanks for the fight. It was a great fight.’
 
“I know I’m tough. I didn’t know how tough I was. Tonight, I showed myself, too. I’ve never been in a fight like this. It was a great learning experience.”

Flores decisions Kielczweski

Gabriel Flores Jr. remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Ryan Kielczweski in a lightweight bout.

Flores outlanded Kielczweski 127-73.

Flores, 130.7 lbs of Stockton, CA won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 and is now 19-0. Kielczweski, 131 lbs of Quincy, MA is 30-5.

Flores said, “{I was not} buzzed at all. Not buzzed at all. I was a little bit off balance on my heel, which is rare. I’m always on my toes.
 
“I gotta stay in the pocket more. I need to stay on myself to stay in the pocket. I’m in the pocket landing shots, and then I feel like, ‘I’m bored here.’”

Vianello and Ibeh battle to a Draw

Kingsley Ibeh and undefeated Guido Vianello battled to a six-round majority draw in a heavyweight bout.

Vianello was cut in round two over his left eye. Ibeh was cut over gis right eye in the final round.

The scores read 59-55 for Ibeh and 57-57 twice.

Ibeh, 276.8 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 5-1-1. Vianello, 238.7 lbs of Rome, ITA is 7-0-1.

Ragan decisions Moraga

Duke Ragan won a four-round unanimous decision over John Moraga in a featherweight bout.

In round three, Ragan was cut over his right eye.

Ragan outlanded Moraga 53-29.

Ragan, 126.4 lbs of Cincinnati, OH won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is 2-0. Moraga, 127.7 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 1-2.

Frevian Gonzalez remained undefeated with a four round majority decision over Carlos Marrero III in a junior lightweight bout.

Gonzalez, 131.8 lbs of Cidro, PR won by scores of 40-36 twice and 38-38 to raise his mark to 4-0. Marrero, 130.5 lbs of Bridgeport, CT is 2-4-1.

Mitchell Sipe stopped Jimmy Barnes in the opening seconds of their four-round heavyweight bout.

In a wild opening seconds, Sipe dropped Barnes with a hard combination. Barnes, who clearly has not had boxing training ate more hard shots until the fight was mercifully stopped at 43 seconds.

Sipe, 248.9 lbs of Bakersfield, CA is 1-0 with one knockout. Barnes, 290.6 lbs of Pine City, MN is 1-1.

Haven Brady Jr. made a successful pro debut by stopping Gorwar Karyah in the 4th and final round of their featherweight bout.

In round Round two, Brady was deducted a point for a low blow.

In round four, Karyah was deducted a point for holding. Later in the round, Brady continued to land some hard power shots, and the fight was stopped with Karyah on the ropes at 2:27.

Brady, 125.9 lbs of Albany, GA is 1-0 with one knockout. Karyah, 124 lbs of Philadelphia is 2-2.

JJ Mariano stopped Matthew Reed in the opening round of their scheduled four-round welterweight bout.

Mariano dropped Reed. Reed was hurt and Mariano hurt him in the corner and the fight was stopped at 1:27.

Mariano, 144 lbs of Reno, NV is 3-0 with two knockouts. Reed, 149.6 lbs of Bakersfield, CA is 1-1.

NEW YORK (October 3, 2020) – TONIGHT at the MGM Conference Center, two members of the Split-T Management stable will be in action on a big card that will be streamed by ESPN + (7:30 PM ET).

Former IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion, Ivan Baranchyk will take a very important step back towards 140-pound supremacy when he takes on former world title challenger Jose Zepeda in a 10-round bout.

Haven Brady Jr. will make his much talked-about pro debut when battles Gorwar Karyah in a four-round featherweight contest.

Baranchyk of Miami, Oklahoma by way of Amursk, Russia has a record of 20-1 with 13 knockouts, and is looking for his 2nd consecutive win since dropping his title in a highly-contest bout to now unified champion Josh Taylor. Baranchyk won the title by stopping via 7th round stoppage over Anthony Yigit on October 27, 2018.

The 27 year-old is coming off a 4th round stoppage over tough New Yorker Gabriel Bracero in four-rounds on October 5, 2019 at Madison Square Garden.

Baranchyk is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions.

Zepeda has a record of 32-2 with 25 knockouts, and has won two straight, which includes a win over former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza. The 31 year-old Zepeda’s only two blemishes have come in world title bouts to Jose Ramirez and Terry Flanagan. The La Puente, California native is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision win over Kendo Casteneda on July 7th,

At Friday’s weigh-in, Baranchyk was 139.6 lbs, while Zepeda was 139.9 lbs

Also, seeing action will be highly decorated amateur Haven Brady Jr.

The 18 year-old Brady will be making his pro debut in a four-round featherweight fight against Gorwar Karyah

Brady, is from Albany, Georgia, and was the 2019, Jr. National Olympic Gold Medal winner at 132 pounds. His amateur career saw him go 65-10 with 30 knockouts. Besides winning the Jr. Nationals, Brady won the 2019 Eastern Qualifiers and 2019 Jr. National PAL.

He has a very exciting style, who likes to throw a lot of power shots.

Karyah of Philadelphia is 2-1 with both wins coming by knockout.

Brady is promoted by Top Rank.

Brady weighed in at 125.9 lbs. Karyah was 124 lbs.

Photos by Mikey Williams / Top Rank

•     José Zepeda 139.9 lbs vs. Ivan Baranchyk 139.6 lbs 
(Junior Welterweight — 10 Rounds)

•    Gabriel Flores Jr. 131.7 lbs vs. Ryan Kielczweski 131 lbs 
(Lightweight — 10 Rounds)

•        Guido Vianello 238.7 lbs vs. Kingsley Ibeh 276.8 lbs 
(Heavyweight — 6 Rounds)

•      Duke Ragan 126.4 lbs vs. John Moraga 127.7 lbs 
(Featherweight — 4 Rounds)

•     Frevian Gonzalez 131.8 lbs vs. Carlos Marrero III 130.5 lbs 
(Jr. Lightweight— 4 Rounds)

•    Mitchell Sipe 248.9 lbs vs. Jimmy Barnes 290.6 lbs 
(Heavyweight — 4 Rounds)

•    Haven Brady Jr. 125.9 lbs vs. Gorwar Karyah 124 lbs 
(Featherweight— 4 Rounds)

•   JJ Mariano 144 lbs vs. Matthew Reed 149.4 lbs 
(Welterweight— 4 Rounds)
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to 8.5 million subscribers, offering fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) at ESPNplus.com, ESPN.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month.

LAS VEGAS (October 1, 2020) — Take two. Junior welterweight contenders Jose “Chon” Zepeda and former world champion Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk were scheduled to fight in July, but the bout was postponed after Baranchyk suffered an injured rib in training. Both men now have a clean bill of health, and the two will fight Saturday evening in a 10-round bout from the MGM Grand Conference Center (ESPN+, 7:30 p.m. ET).

In the co-feature, unbeaten lightweight sensation Gabriel Flores Jr. will take on Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczweski in a 10-rounder.

At Thursday’s final press conference, here’s what the fighters had to say.

Jose Zepeda

“I have gained a lot of experience by fighting guys like {Jose} Ramirez and ‘Sniper’ Pedraza. Those guys have been world champions. It was a great experience being in the ring with them. The experience counts a lot.”

“The bubble is something new, but it doesn’t make much of a difference. I don’t mind the whole experience of the bubble. At the end of the day, it’s always the two fighters in the ring fighting each other.”

“I feel like I’m the number one at 140. I did think the Ramirez fight was pretty close, and a lot of people saw me winning. I think he is one of the best in the top 5. Both of us right here, together with Ramirez and Josh Taylor, are in the top 5. It’s very exciting. We are all good at certain things and that makes for a very exciting division.”

Ivan Baranchyk

“In my training camp, I’ve been going harder and harder and harder. I feel great. I’m ready to fight all rounds. I can go 10, 12, or 20 rounds. I’m very hungry.  You will see a good fight Saturday night.”

“I don’t feel like I’m in a bubble. I feel comfortable. The treatment has been the best. I feel good.”

“This is the best division. This fight is very important for me because it will be my next step towards a world title opportunity. If we win this fight, maybe I can get the chance to challenge Ramirez.” 

Gabriel Flores Jr.

“Everything has been great. Moving to Vegas has helped me get great sparring. We’re running up Mount Charleston. My conditioning level is outrageous. The move here really helped me.”

“I’m 100 percent healthy, thank God, because that last fight {June 18 against Josec Ruiz}, just going in and continuing to fight, it was tough going those whole 10 rounds with my lower back injury because it was a real injury. I went to a chiropractor and got it all figured out. I’ve been healthy for a while.”

“He’s experienced and everything, but I’m moving my way up the rankings. Every fight that comes, I get better and better. We fix our mistakes. We get better.”

Ryan Kielczweski

“I’m always in the gym, either holding the mitts or working people out or working out myself. It wasn’t really too hard to kick it back into gear and get right back into shape.”

“He’s 18-0. He’s obviously a very good fighter, very fast. He’s got a lot of skill. I just can’t wait to get in there and see what happens.”

“When I faced {Tommy} Coyle, I went up a couple weight classes. It was at super lightweight, and I took the fight on about three weeks’ notice. I was in shape. I fought maybe three or four weeks before that. I was still in shape, but I really didn’t have much time to set up a real game plan. We go in there and do what we do.”

“I had plenty of time to get ready for this. I’m in great shape.”

Use the hashtag #ZepedaBaranchyk to join the conversation on social media. For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing; twitter.com/ESPNRingside.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to 8.5 million subscribers, offering fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) at ESPNplus.com, ESPN.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month.

LAS VEGAS (September 22, 2020) — Gabriel Flores Jr. returns for his MGM Grand Las Vegas “Bubble” encore Saturday, Oct. 3 against veteran contender Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczweski in the 10-round lightweight co-feature to the highly anticipated junior welterweight bout between Ivan Baranchyk and Jose Zepeda.
 
Flores, from Stockton, Calif., headlined on ESPN June 18 against Josec Ruiz and prevailed via shutout unanimous decision.
 
Baranchyk-Zepeda, Flores-Kielczweski and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
 
Flores (18-0, 6 KOs), the 20-year-old prodigy who signed a pro contract with Top Rank at 16, recently moved his training base from Stockton to Las Vegas and signed with manager James Prince. He shined on the Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury II undercard in February, dropping Matt Conway in the opening round en route to a unanimous decision win. Flores, known as “Stockton’s King,” authored a dominating victory over Ruiz despite entering the fight with a lower back injury.
 
Kielczweski (30-4, 11 KOs), from Quincy, Mass., is the most experienced foe of Flores’ career, a 12-year pro who has won four of his last five and has never been knocked out. He last fought in March 2019 and won an eight-round decision over Nick Otieno in Melrose, Mass. He is no stranger to ESPN audiences, having fought multiple times on the beloved “Friday Night Fights” series.
 
“I want to show everyone that I’m ready for bigger and better competition,” Flores said.  “I’m prepared for a world title shot.”

“I’m excited to get back in the ring on Oct 3 against a very talented prospect. A win here will put me back where I need to be for bigger fights,” Kielczweski said. “I’d like to thank Murphys Boxing and Top Rank for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills on such a high-level platform.”
 
In undercard action:

• Heavyweight prospect Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (7-0, 7 KOs), a 2016 Italian Olympian, will look to extend his KO streak against “Bubble” veteran Kingsley Ibeh (5-1, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder. Vianello knocked out Don Haynesworth in the opening round on June 9, while Ibeh won two bouts in the first run of “Bubble” cards. Ibeh upset the previously undefeated Patrick Mailata via majority decision on July 2.
   
• 2019 Junior Olympic gold medalist Haven Brady Jr., an 18-year-old boxer-puncher from Albany Ga., will make his professional debut in a four-round featherweight bout. Brady recently signed a long-term promotional pact with Top Rank.
   
• Featherweight Duke Ragan (1-0, 1 KO), who won his professional debut last month inside the “Bubble” with a first-round stoppage, returns in a four-rounder against an opponent to be named.
   
• Heavyweight Mitchell Sipe, a professional mixed martial artist, will make his pro boxing debut in a four-round fight against an opponent to be named.
   
• In a rescheduled six-round junior lightweight bout originally set for Sept. 19, Puerto Rican junior lightweight prospect Frevian Gonzalez (3-0, 1 KO) will fight Carlos Marrero (2-3-1).

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to 8.5 million subscribers, offering fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 
 
Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) at ESPNplus.com, ESPN.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month.

(September 18, 2020) — Haven “The Hitman” Brady Jr., an 18-year-old featherweight phenom from Albany, Ga., has signed a multi-year professional pact with Top Rank. Brady will turn pro in a four-round bout Saturday, Oct. 3 on the Jose Zepeda-Ivan Baranchyk undercard, live on ESPN+.

As an amateur, Brady went 65-10 with 30 knockouts, and in 2019, he won gold medals at the Junior Olympics, Eastern Qualifiers and National PAL tournaments.

“Top Rank has afforded me a great opportunity. It’s a pleasure to fight under the Top Rank banner, and I’ll never let them down,” Brady said. “I’m a power puncher. When my opponent doesn’t go, I can use my boxing skills. Whatever an opponent presents, I can adapt to any style.”

Brady also excels outside the ring. A 2020 Westover High School graduate, Brady also graduated from Albany Technical College with an associate degree in business management. He maintained a 3.5 GPA in his high school and collegiate studies.

Brady trains at Soul City Boxing in Toledo, Ohio, under the guidance of Otha Jones II and Roshawn Jones, and alongside undefeated prospects Isaiah Steen and Otha Jones III.

Brady said, “I want to be a great fighter, someone that everyone remembers. Most importantly, I strive to be a role model for the youth.

“I’m excited to fight on ESPN+ in my pro debut. I can’t wait to show the fans my talent. There’s a new fighter to watch in the featherweight division.”

NEW YORK (October 7, 2019)–Split-T Management fighters Ivan Baranchyk and Brian Ceballo turned in impressive performances on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden as each fighter registered stoppage victories on the undercard of the Gennady Golovkin – Sergiy Derevyanchenko card.
Former IBF Junior Welterweight world champion, Baranchyk stopped tough New Yorker Gabriel Bracero in the 4th round of their scheduled 10-round bout, while Ceballo took out previously undefeated Ramal Amanov in the 3rd round of their welterweight tussle.  

Baranchyk came out throwing hard punches early as he was looking for the an explosive early knockout.  In round two, Baranchyk started getting to Bracero and opened a cut over the right eye of Bracero.  In round four, Baranchyk landed two hard body shots that was followed by a jab and big right that forced Bracero to hold on and eventually fall to the canvas.  When Bracero got to his feet, the fight was waved off at 1:30.
With the win, Baranchyk will look for another major opportunity with a record of 20-1 with 13 knockouts.  
“The Beast is back.  This is my message for everybody,” said Baranchyk.  “This is a good opponent and I am back.  I fought opponents that were dirtiier and I was prepared for that.  Pedro Diaz is my guy as a trainer.”
Baranchyk is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Holden productions and Fight Promotions.

Ceballo was fighting in front of a hometown crowd, and continued his ascent of the prospect rankings as he was dominant in his surgical dissection of Amanov.  
Ceballo cut Amanov’s left eye early in the fight, and the New York native started landing more and harder as round’s two and three commenced.  In the 3rd round, Ceballo landed a hard flurry of punches that forced the stoppage at 1:20.  

With the win, Ceballo, who was fighting for the 5th time in 2019 is now 11-0 with six-knockouts.  Amanov loses for the 1st time and is now 16-1.
Ceballo is promoted by 360 Promotions.
The fights were seen live on DAZN.

NEW YORK CITY — In the main event from Madison Square Garden, Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin (40-1-1, 35KO) scored a unanimous decision (114-113, 115-112×2), edging past Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10KO) to recapture the IBF middleweight title he once owned in an all action Fight of the Year candidate streamed live on DAZN.  

It was a bombs-away affair from the get-go and similar to Dervenyanchenko’s title fight against Daniel Jacobs, the Ukranian came out of cold and was caught and dropped by a Golovkin right on the top of the head midway through the first round. GGG carried his momentum into the second round and landed a vicious lead left hook that opened a nasty gash over Derevyanchenko’s right eye that immediately sent blood running down the 33 year-old’s face.  

Perhaps spurred on by a sense of urgency brought on by the cut, Derevyanchenko stepped up pressure in the third round and started taking the fight to Golovkin, committing heavy shots to the 37 year-old’s body which immediately started to pay dividends.

Credit Derevyanchenko’s cutman, Mike Bazzel, who worked on the gruesome cut round after round, and did a good enough job to satisfy the ringside physicians who continually inspected the Ukranians eye throughout the fight.  

Derevyanchenko noticeably hurt Golovkin for the first time in the fight late into the fifth with a left hook to the liver that produced a wince from GGG and sent him backpedaling in retreat.  The following round witnessed Golovkin sucking wind, breathing deeply through his mouth, while the bloody Derevyanchenko applied more pressure.  

After dropping the early-middle rounds, Golovkin dug in in the seventh and rallied, landing huge left hooks that targeted the worsening cut over Derevyanchenko’s eye.  

The eight and ninth played host to wild exchanges where both fighters were willing to take punches to land their own shots. 

But in the tenth, a surefire Round of the Year candidate, Derevyanchenko came out of his corner guns-a-blazin’ and wailed away on GGG, who found himself in a world of hurt.  But the Kazakh once again found something within himself, withstood Derevyanchenko’s onslaught, and scored with his own huge shots as the round progressed. 

The championship rounds witnessed back and forth action with GGG besting Derevyanchenko during the most meaningful exchanges.  

At the end of twelve, judge Kevin Morgan scored the bout 114-113 and both Eric Marlinski and Frank Lombardi had it 115-112, all for Golovkin.  15Rounds.com also scored it 115-112.

Golovkin now reclaims ownership to the IBF world title he once held and the one that rival Saul “Canelo” Alvarez was stripped of earlier this year after Alvarez and Golden Boy Promotions failed to make a fight with Dereveyanchenko, the IBF mandatory challenger, by a set deadline.  

Tonight marked the second fight GGG worked with trainer Jonathan Banks in his corner.  Banks entered the picture after Golovkin and longtime trainer Abel Sanchez went through an ugly public divorce earlier this year.

For Derevyanchenko, tonight marked the second straight fight he had his longtime trainer, Andre Rozier operating as his corner’s chief second.  Derevyanchenko, who is co-trained by Rozier and Gary Stark, was forced to split from Rozier and work solely with Stark for his title clash with Daniel Jacobs, who is also trained by Rozier.  It was the second time the Ukranian came up short in a title bout, the other being to Jacobs earlier this year.  

It was Golovkin’s second consecutive fight and fifth overall inside the main room at the “World’s Most Famous Arena”, where he’s amassed a record of (4-0, 3KO).  He last fought at the Garden in June when he knocked out Steve Forbes in 4 rounds.   

Golovkin’s lone defeat remains his controversial MD defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2018.  The two rivals also fought to a draw in 2017 in a fight that many believe Golovkin deserved to win. 

Madrimov Batters Barrera En Route To 5th Round TKO

In the co-feature from Madison Square Garden, unbeaten Uzbeki junior middleweight Israil “The Dream” Madrimov (4-0, 4KO) destroyed Mexican veteran Alejandro Barrera (29-6, 18KO), scoring a fifth round TKO in a contest initially slated for ten rounds.  

Madrimov, 24, set the tone early when he landed a leaping left hook that floored Barrera early in the first.  Instead of headhunting the foggy Barrera, Madrimov make a conscious effort to batter Barrera’s body for the remainder of the opening round.  

Madrimov, who is one of a seemingly endless number of Uzbeki fighters training out of Joel Diaz’s gym in Indio, CA, fought a level above Barrera, who did his best to slip and counter the forward-pressing Madrimov.  Madrimov kept coming though, altering from orthodox to southpaw, pouring in jabs to the body and head, and consistently working his way inside to unload.  

By the fifth round, Madrimov’s body shots began to take their toll on the 33 year-old Barrera, whose movement and reflexes significantly slowed.  It then became open season for the Matchroom Boxing prospect, who potshotted Barrera with head-snapping blows until referee Benjy Esteves stepped in to stop the punishment at the 2:36 mark of the fifth round.  

Madrimov now joins Errol Spence Jr. as the only other fighter to have stopped Barrera inside the distance.  

Baranchyk Blasts Bracero, Scores TKO3

Former IBF junior welterweight champion Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (20-1, 13KO) bounced back from his World Boxing Super Series semi final defeat to Josh Taylor, scoring a fourth round TKO against veteran Gabriel Bracero (25-4-1, 6KO) in a contest originally scheduled for ten rounds.

It was bombs away for Baranchyk in the opening round, as the 26 year-old threw haymaker after haymaker, hoping to land a fight-ending blow early.  Credit the crafty Brooklynite, Bracero, who was able to remain composed during Baranchyk’s early bursts, and pepper in counter shots that would momentarily halt the Beast’s momentum.  

In the second, Baranchyk began connecting with his power shots.  Using his jab only to set up hooks and crosses, Baranchyk landed a huge left hook early in the round and briefly staggered Bracero.  The two engaged in numerous exchanges throughout the remainder of the round, and at times Bracero would land clean, but his punches did little to deter the forward momentum of Baranchyk who would open a cut over Bracero’s right eye before round’s end.  

In the fourth round, Baranchyk planted a heavy left hook to Bracero’s liver that forced him against the ropes.  Baranchyk immediately followed the body shot with a clean jab and a huge right cross that sent Bracero stumbling forward to the mat.  A dazed Bracero beat referee Arthur Mercante Jr.’s ten count but his corner stepped in to stop the contest before action resumed. The official time of the stoppage came at the 1:30 mark of the fourth round.  

Akhmadev Walks Through Hernandez, Stops Him In One

Khazak-born super middleweight Ali Akhmadev (16-0, 12KO) needed just :44 seconds of a scheduled ten rounds to land a fight-ending right cross to Andrew Hernandez’s (20-8-2, 9KO) temple.  

The GGG stable-mate, who is also trained by Jonathan Banks, set the right hand up nicely by throwing it behind a stiff jab. 

It was Akhmadev’s second straight win inside the distance, and just the fourth time Hernandez has been stopped in his thirty fight career.  

Ceballo Disposes Of Amanov In 3

In a battle of unbeatens, former five-time New York Golden Gloves Champion Brian Ceballo (11-0,6KO) scored a third round TKO over fellow welterweight Ramal Amanov (16-1, 5KO), handing the Azerbaijan native his first pro defeat.  

The 25 year-old Ceballo dominated from the onset, proving to be too quick and too slick for the 35 year-old Amanov.

Early on, a Ceballo left opened a bothersome cut over Amanov’s right eye.  In the third round, Ceballo, who was fighting for the fifth time in 2019, landed another left that knocked Amanov off-balance.  The Fort Greene Brooklyn native Ceballo followed up the left with a flurry of shots that prompted referee Arthur Mercante, Jr. to step in and stop the contest at the 1:20 mark of the third round.  

Szeremeta Shines In US Debut, Scores TKO2 Over Cortes

In his US debut, unbeaten Polish middleweight Kamil Szeremeta (21-0, 5KO) scored a second round TKO over Mexican veteran Oscar Cortes (27-5,14KO).  

The 29 year-old Szeremeta asserted himself early, dropping Corets with a beautifully thrown left hook to the chin in the opening round.  The tattooed Pole kept the heat on in the second, hurting Cortes with an overhand right, before finishing him off with a final left-right combo.  With doctors clamoring on the apron, referee Benjy Esteves Jr. called a halt to the bout at the :45 second mark of round two.  

It was the fourth time in Cortes’ career that he’s been stopped inside the distance and just Szeremeta’s win via stoppage in his last nine contests.  

Injury Spoils Irishman Joe Ward’s Pro Debut, Suffers TKO Loss 

Former 2016 Irish Olympian Joseph Ward (0-1) had his pro debut spoiled when he suffered a gruesome knee injury midway through the second round of a scheduled six round light heavyweight clash that resulted in his opponent, Marco Delgado (6-2, 4KO), being awarded a TKO victory.

The end came suddenly in the second when a Delgado feint drew a reaction from Ward, whose knee twisted awkwardly and immediately gave out, leaving Ward reeling in pain on the mat.  Referee Eddie Claudio ruled the injury “self-imposed”, and therefore Delgado received a win by TKO. The time of the stoppage came at the 1:00 mark of round 2. After doctors tended to Ward’s knee, the gritty Irishman — who is trained by Buddy McGirt — walked out of the ring under his power.  

Ababiy Kicks Off MSG Card In Style; Stops Seldon In One

Twenty year-old Matchroom Boxing super middleweight prospect Nikita “White Chocolate” Ababiy needed less than one of a scheduled six rounds to up his already perfect record to 7-0, 6KO, earning a first round TKO against 31 year-old veteran Isiah Seldon (13-3-1, 4KO).  

Ababiy, who trains under Aureliano Sosa and fights out of Brooklyn, NY, was relentless, battering Seldon’s body, before coming upstairs to deliver a definitive blow that left Seldon unable to continue as the bout was waved off at the 1:45 mark of the opening round.

It was the fifth stoppage in six career wins for the Keith Connolly managed fighter.  

On the flip side, tonight’s TKO marked just the second time in seventeen pro bouts that Seldon had been stopped inside the distance. 

The Ababiy stoppage kicked off a night of fights from Madison Square Garden that will culminate when former middleweight king Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin and Sergiy Derevyanchenko clash for the vacant IBF middleweight title in a bout that will be streamed live on DAZN. 

NEW YORK (October 4, 2019)–TONIGHT!!! Split-T Management will have two of it’s high-class fighters in action at Madison Square Garden, as former junior welterweight world champion Ivan Baranchyk takes on New Yorker Gabriel Bracero in a 10-round bout. Also seeing action on the card will be rising undefeated welterweight Brian Ceballo battling undefeated foe Ramal Amanov.

The fights will be part of the Gennadiy Golovkin – Sergiy Derevyanchenko Middleweight title undercard and will be streamed live on DAZN.beginning at 7 PM ET.

Baranchyk of Amursk, Russia, who is now residing in Miami, Oklahoma has a record of 19-1 with 12 knockouts.

The 26 year-old Baranchyk won the IBF Junior Welterweight title with a seven round beatdown of Anthony Yigit on October 27, 2018. Unfortunately, Baranchyk came up just short in dropping his title to undefeated Josh Taylor on May 18th.

Baranchyk also has wins over David Thomas (4-0), Angel Figueroa (4-1-1), Shadi Shawareb (9-0-2), Nicholas Givan (16-0-1), Eliseo Cruz Sesma (9-0-1), Zhiman Wang (7-0), Abel Ramos (17-1-2), Keenan Smith (11-0), and former two-time world title challenger Petr Petrov (38-5-2).

In Bracero, he will be facing a battle-tested veteran who has a record of 25-3-1 with six-knockouts.

Baranchyk weighed in at 139.6 lbs. Bracero was 140 lbs.

Baranchyk is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Holden Promotions and Fight Promotions.

Bracero of Brooklyn has wins over Winston Mathis (6-0), Danny O’Connor (14-0), Guillermo Valdes (12-3), Jermaine White (17-4), Dmitry Salita (35-1-1), O’Connor again (26-2), and in his last bout, Bracero stopped Artemio Reyes (25-2) in five rounds on July 28th.

Ceballo of New York City has a record of 10-0 with five knockouts.

In just 19 months, Ceballo has climbed to the top of a lot of prospect lists on the strength of victories over Bakhtiyar Eyubov (14-0-1) and Luis Alberto Lopez.

In the Eyubov fight, Ceballo dominated the power puncher, and developed a name for himself as the fight also took place at Madison Square Garden on the Gennadiy Golovkin – Steve Rolls card.

Ceballo is coming off a 4th round stoppage over Luis Eduardo Florez on August 23rd in Boston.

“A win on this stage against another undefeated fighter would allow me to continue my career as a Professional Fighter, and allow people to see what Brian Ceballo can do against different opposition,” said Ceballo

Six-year veteran Amanov is an undefeated foe who sports a record of 16-0 with five knockouts. Amanov has fought mainly in Russia, and will be making his 2nd start in the United States.

Amanov has wins over Ranses Payano (19-1) and Soloman Bogere (12-1-2).

Ceballo was 148.6 lbs. Amanov 148.4 lbs.

Ceballo is promoted by 360 Promotions.

By Bart Barry-

Saturday in Scotland the World Boxing Super Series held the final semifinals matches in its bantamweight and super lightweight divisions, and they went even better than hoped. Hometown southpaw Josh “Tartan Tornado” Taylor defanged Russian Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk, and Japan’s “Monster” Naoya Inoue proved exactly that against Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez. The fighters’ aggregate record Saturday morning was 69-0 (52 KOs).

This wonderful DAZN combination of excellent performances in authentic prizefights, the rare fusion of excellence and authenticity, is something WBSS, in only its second season, has given us more of than any of its rivals. Not peers, mind you – rivals. Peers would be doing their best to do what WBSS does, which is provide incentive enough to our beloved sport’s abundance of shortsighted agents to make them please both current consumers and would-be consumers (most of whom self-identify as former consumers).

To wit: across the digital spectrum Saturday a former giant in the prizefighting space – forget not, Showtime, when it was lean and innovative a decade ago, gave us the Super Six – appealed to the worst of its remaining viewership by promoting a mismatch with an a-side’s homicidal musings. Likely there’ll be more here about what Deontay Wilder did, in a few weeks, after Anthony Joshua fights, because unless those guys are fighting one another or Tyson Fury, neither of them nor their exploits merits more than half a column anymore.

It’s much easier to be cavalier about boxing’s flagship division the week after a Naoya Inoue fight, isn’t it? He is the very essence of what pound-for-pound was intended to measure when the concept got launched during Sugar Ray Robinson’s era. If you were able to make Inoue and Wilder and Joshua and Fury the same size and fight them in a round tournament the question is not whether Inoue would emerge as winner or even if Inoue would win every match by knockout but whether any of today’s best heavyweights could make it out the first minute with him. The gulf in craft, leverage and reflex is that great.

To attract casual fans, I know, we’re supposed to pretend this is not so, we’re supposed to squint to see something great about today’s heavyweights besides their mass, but it simply cannot be done during WBSS season, when prime world titlists fight one another, one after the other, showing each other respect before and after their confrontations while subjecting one another to relentless violence between the ropes. It makes farcical inauthentic much of the rest of the year’s fare.

Inoue is the world’s best prizefighter right now. Better than Bud, better than Hi-Tech, better than The Truth, better than Canelo. He is making highlight-reel showcase opponents out of world titlists in matches expected by experts to be competitive. I can’t name his promoter, I don’t know his training techniques, I don’t know if he was an Olympian, and if he’s a heartthrob in his native land I don’t know about that either. I don’t know, in other words, any of the flummery publicists pass our ways when it’s time to grow the brand and risking more than words is out of the question.

Here’s what happened Saturday in WBSS’s bantamweight semifinal: Emmanuel Rodriguez, a larger man making the third defense of a title he won on the road, went directly at Inoue the way a champion does when he thinks his challenger is a hypejob. He moved Inoue back, too, and chastened him with a few counters, and the first round was excellent and competitive, exactly as an aficionado, as distinct from a branding fanatic, should wish every round of every fight be. The second round was going competitively, too, until Rodriguez turned a touch too brazenly on a left hook and got spuncycled on the next. After that things got real academic real quick. Inoue went bodysnatching, not headhunting, as a man does when he wants his opponent’s submission more than he wants a YouTube clip, and Rodriguez collapsed for being caved-in.

It was decisive and quick, not sloppy or preordained. It was another chance to be euphoric at the spectacle of boxing done beautifully.

And it wasn’t even Saturday’s main. That came after a moment of mutual admiration between Inoue and his WBSS-finals opponent, Nonito Donaire, now enjoying a career resurrection complete as it is completely unexpected. Donaire’s winding transition from promoter-creation brat to international ambassador concluded prettily with his sincere congratulations to Inoue, a moment of affection and elegance enough to make you proud of your commitment to our sport, enough to make you wonder, however briefly, if Donaire, once considered a prodigy too, mightn’t have a last hook in him, a sink-all-coffins-to-one counter that he starts with Inoue’s a millisecond earlier and a millimeter shorter and makes all Japan inhale sharply.

It’s a farfetched scenario, indeed, though not farfetched as Donaire’s simple presence in the finals; “dear Lord, give me just one chance to throw the hook” – so went Nonito’s prayer at tournament’s start, and now he will have it. A more answerable prayer will have Josh Taylor who, after blackmatting Ivan Baranchyk a twotime in a prizefight proper brutal, looks forward to Regis Prograis in the finals.

There’s no reason to hold the decisive match on neutral ground, Super Six’s largest mistake; return to Glasgow and let Prograis try and stretch the Scotsman in his home gym, knowing if he lets European judges score one of their own he’ll have read to him by a kilted ring announcer three cards prefilled at Friday’s weighin. Same goes for Inoue-Donaire for that matter; let Nonito choose the venue – Inoue’s supporters have the means and willingness to travel wherever their man plies his craft.

O but the WBSS is so much better than everything else.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

NEW YORK (May 18, 2019) –After a long-wait, IBF Junior Welterweight champion Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk will make the 1st defense of his crown when he takes on fellow undefeated Josh Taylor today at The SSE Hydro Arena in Taylor’s hometown of Glasgow, Scotland.

The bout can be seen live on DAZN at 2 PM ET

Baranchyk, who won the title with a 7th round beatdown of Anthiny Yigit on October 27th in New Orleans, is ready to prove that he is the definition of a world champion by stepping into the lions den of Glasgow.

Baranchyk of Amursk, Russia, who now calls Miami, Oklahoma home is considered one of the hardest punchers in boxing, and he knows that he will have to land some of his patented power shots in order to silence an expected sellout crown at The Hydro Arena.

The 26 year-old Baranchyk is a five-year professional, who already has wins over seven undefeated fighters, and he is looking for Taylor to be the eighth to fall while at the same time defending his title and advancing to the finals of the WBSS and meet Regis Prograis in what would be a big fight in The United States

The highly-regarded Taylor has a record of 14-0 with 12 knockouts, has wins over undefeated fighters Ohara Davies (15-0) and Ryan Martin (22-0) as well as former world champions Miguel Vazquez and Viktor Postol

“One of the great privileges of my life is being associated with Ivan Baranchyk. He is all class, and people have no idea about his level of determination. I expect him to win and to build a legacy as not just a champion but a great champion,” said David McWater of Split-T Management.

Baranchyk weighed in at 139.6 lbs. Taylor weighed in at 140.2 in his initial attempt, but came back and made the 140 lb weight limit an hour later.

Baranchyk is managed by Split-T Management and is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Fight Promotions and Holden Productions.

Just 4 days until the WBSS Super-Lightweight and Bantamweight Semi-Finals – Josh Taylor vs Ivan Baranchyk and Naoya Inoue vs Manny Rodriguez – at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, UK!

Tickets available from TicketMaster.co.uk here.

The magnificent doubleheader on Saturday, 18 May will conclude the semi-finals stage the World Boxing Super Series and the quest for the Muhammad Ali Trophy in the 140lb and 118lb editions of the tournament.

Josh Taylor goes for his first World title, in the same city he won his Commonwealth Gold medal, against IBF champ Ivan Baranchyk! The winner will fight Regis Prograis in the Super-Lightweight Ali Trophy final later this year.

In the other main event, Japanese pound-for-pound star Naoya Inoue takes on Manny Rodriguez to find out who will face Nonito Donaire in the Bantamweight Final! The IBF World title and Ring Belt are on the line and both men have promised KO finishes… Blink and you’ll miss it!

Ticket Price Bands (Seating Plan below):
Cat.1 Ringside – £299
Cat.2 Ringside – £249
Cat.3 Floor – £109
Cat.4 Lower Tier 1 – £79
Cat.5 Lower Tier 2 – £59
Cat.6 Upper Tier 1 – £39
Cat.7 Upper Tier 2 – £29 – SOLD OUT

Tickets available from TicketMaster.co.uk here.

PUBLIC WEIGH-IN – 4pm Friday, 17 May (Main events on the scales 5pm)
Lomond Auditorium, SSE Hydro, Exhibition Way, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 8YW

Make sure you attend the Weigh-In and cheer your fighter on when they hit the scales! It’s free entry, all welcome!

Join the Glasgow Semi-Finals event on Facebook here!

Tickets available from TicketMaster.co.uk here.

Visit WorldBoxingSuperSeries.com for more information or follow @WBSuperSeries on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

IBF Junior Welterweight champion Ivan Baranchyk is back in the World Boxing Super Series after coming to an agreement, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“We just resolved our differences. After a lot of yelling, people started listening and we resolved our differences,” said Baranchyk manager Dave McWater, who is in New York because Teofimo Lopez Jr., one of his fighters, is scheduled to box on the Terence Crawford-Amir Khan ESPN PPV card on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. “The biggest thing was Ivan wanted to fight somebody now. And at this point May 18 was closer than anything we could get scheduled. So he’s excited and he thinks he beats Taylor easily.”

In an effort to force Baranchyk’s hand, World Boxing Super Series owner Comosa AG was granted an ex parte injunction in a Swiss court earlier this month ordering Baranchyk to remain in the tournament. The sides began talking about a deal and one was eventually reached.

“We wouldn’t be in if we weren’t,” McWater said of the resolution. “It was worth it. We’re ready to go. Ivan was ready to fight in February. He could fight tomorrow.”

Asked if he had any concerns about getting the money for the fight, and in a timely fashion, after the issues in the quarterfinals, McWater said, “We’ll get all of our money, absolutely.”

Baranchyk will go into the manda

Earlier this year, Baranchyk left trainer Pedro Diaz and their Miami training camp, to be trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach at his Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California. Diaz helped lead Baranchyk to winning a vacant 140-pound world title by seventh-round stoppage of Anthony Yigit in the quarterfinals in October in New Orleans.

“That’s nerve-racking for me but not for [Baranchyk],” McWater said of the trainer change so close to the semifinals. “He seems totally fine with it. He did go from one of the greatest trainers in the world to one of the greatest trainers in the world. So it’s not like he left Pedro for Joe Blow. I have faith in the kid and he seems non-fazed by it.”

IBF Junior Welterweight champion, Ivan Baranchyk has withdrawn from the World Boxing Super Series due failure of being paid, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“We are definitely pulling out. Ivan was supposed to fight [Josh] Taylor in Glasgow [Scotland] in late May. That was what I was hearing, but they haven’t spoken to any of us, not me, not [co-promoter] Lou [DiBella], said Baranchyk’s manager David McWater.

“We got the purse for the quarterfinals but we had to wait about two months for the win bonus that Ivan was owed, and we didn’t get it until after we had to threaten them,” McWater said. “They paid us late and now they are refusing to put the money in escrow for the semifinals until the fight. They won’t even put part of the money in escrow.”

“We feel like they are not going to be able to pay us,” McWater said. “They’re not willing to negotiate putting money in escrow in a timely fashion. We don’t believe the fight will happen anyway and we’re burning daylight. Ivan is missing fights. We’re incredibly disappointed because we wanted this tournament to work so badly. We are not pulling out because we have some other plan, but I feel confident somebody will make us an offer.

“Ivan has a world title, so I don’t expect us to sit around. This kid looks at his boxing as a 9-to-5 job. He trains every single day. How do you tell him there are all these delays because they don’t have the money?”

McWater said he would not be surprised if there was litigation over Baranchyk’s withdrawal but “I think we win. We may end up in court. We are the injured party and were more than fair with them. They are the ones in breach of their contract.”

A Comosa AG spokesperson told ESPN, “We have not received any notice of Ivan Baranchyk pulling out of the tournament. Ivan Baranchyk was paid a very large sum to challenge for a vacant title and the WBSS and its shareholders have invested hugely into its brand. Its contracts are watertight and any failure to meet them will be met with the very hardest of consequences. This applies to all fighters and also to promoters, managers and agents alike.”

“I understand the decision that was made by Ivan and Dave McWater. They’re extremely frustrated and had a number of significant concerns about continuing in the WBSS,” DiBella said. “As Ivan’s co-promoter, I reached out to the WBSS to convey their concerns and provide them with an opportunity to give comfort to Ivan and to provide specifics with respect to the next round of the tournament and the final, as well as comfort with respect to the money presently being there to meet their obligations. But a number of phone calls were not returned and a substantive letter sent last week was not replied to.”

DiBella is also junior welterweight semifinalist Regis Prograis’ promoter and said that Prograis’ continued participation in the tournament is up in the air.

“Regis’ future in the tournament has to be determined by Regis and his management, Churchill Boxing,” he said. “As with Ivan, DiBella Entertainment is not in contractual privity with the World Boxing Super Series.”

NEW YORK (October 30, 2018) –Split-T Management’s Ivan Baranchyk won the IBF Junior Welterweight title with a 7th round stoppage over Anthony Yigit.

The bout, which took place in New Orleans, was also part of the World Boxing Super Series, giving Baranchyk more than just a world title to celebrate.

Baranchyk took the fight to Yigit, as he landed many power shots that made the left eye of Yigit swell very badly. With the eye just about closed, the fight was halted after the 7th frame, gibing Baranchyk the coveted world title.

Baranchyk will now face the winner of next Saturday’s contest between Josh Taylor and Ryan Martin, which will take place in Glasgow, Scotland.

“This is the best feeling in the world,” said Baranchyk. “To become world champion, I feel like I am the best fighter in the tournament. It was a good fight, I was able to implore my style and get the stoppage. I will rest for a a week or so, and then start my work for my next fight.”

“I couldn’t be happier than I am for Ivan. He deserved this and worked for it as hard as anyone can. You have to be around Ivan to really realize how intense and dedicated he is. We are looking forward to the next round and I honestly don’t think Ivan cares which one he fights,” said David McWater of Split T Management.

Baranchyk is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Holden promotions and Fight Promotions.

By Bart Barry-

Saturday on DAZN, boxing’s now-essential network, the quarterfinals of the World Boxing Super Series super lightweight tournament happened in New Orleans. Belarusian Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (19-0, 12 KOs) walloped the sparkle out Sweden’s Anthony Yigit (21-1-1, 7 KOs) in the first mainevent. And in the second New Orleans’ Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (23-0, 19 KOs) decisioned unanimously England’s Terry Flanagan (33-2, 13 KOs). It was puncher-versus-survivor, both matches, and if that pitting didn’t make the best fights the WBSS has delivered thus far, they were still widely better than what American premium-cable swill they usurped.

Prograis doesn’t hit nearly hard enough for the posing he does. One suspects the origin of this posturing bent of his can be found in his record and generally soft stuff he’s built his resume with. He knows exactly how to throw the blastoff counter and admire its results but is less adept at following the counter with a few more punches. At no point in Saturday’s match was he better balanced and prepared for what came next than after he dropped Flanagan in round 8. He had the pose just right and the strut to the neutral corner down, too, much more than what finishing tactics one’d need to cut the lights of a former titlist.

Prograis has oodles of what the kids call swag – something like a young Yuriorkis Gamboa, without the Olympic gold medal to justify it. He is the fighting pride of transplanted New Orleans, a group generally longer on fight than pride. He’s also the number-one seed in a tournament bound to reveal whatever weaknesses he has, even if they don’t unravel him, and deserves a nod of approval for testing his fistic skills in single-elimination rather than some documentarian’s imagination in an episode of HBO’s defunct “2 Days” series.

Prograis will be 30 years-old round about the time of his semifinal match, which is to write he’s in the permanent period of his career, the time when any loudly publicized alterations to his fighting style will be cosmetic (he’s a lopsided-decision loss away from an Abel Sanchez Mexican-style makeover [though, while we’re on the subject, will any boxing figure’s profile go flaccider absent HBO stimulus than Abel’s?], where he’ll learn not to compromise his punches with head movement).

A prototypical U.K. prizefighter, full of heart and chin as he is bereft of power, Flanagan was an excellent opening exam for Prograis. Flanagan knew some tricks. While he did nothing to raise a referee’s suspicions he intended to elbow Prograis if given the chance, he sure brought his elbows back high and wide on the inside for a guy ostensibly defending himself from counters. He dipped low before clinches, too, the better to butt his assailant. Which is to write, he made Prograis earn victory the right way – by fighting.

Few are the men – no current practitioner save Naoya Inoue springs to mind – who have talent enough to win at the championship level and remain virgin pristine in tactic. Great fighters are dirty fighters, men who in their most challenged moments draw on experiential reserves of every trick employed against them by veteran fighters who often didn’t know and always didn’t care about the potential of the men across from them.

To wit, here’s an anecdote a young prospect recounted some years ago about sparring with Yori Boy Campas:

I knew he was going to hit me in the liver if he could. I’m bigger than him, so I don’t need to get too close to him. His arms don’t look that long. We’re two minutes in and he catches me there and nods. Just to tell me he could do it anytime he wanted. I was like, that’s pretty sneaky. He sees me get ready and throws the hook, really big. Except it doesn’t do anything because his glove is open and he’s hitting me on my elbow. But he’s not hitting my elbow. He’s, like, cupping it. Shoving it out of the way. And he’s still on his right side. Then right behind it come the knuckles. It was tap-slam.

You don’t pay the rent for long with hurting other men unless you’re a supernatural talent, which Campas wasn’t, or you master the patterns of your body and others’. Campas won his 107th professional fight in March, how easily we forget, and will never make any historian’s Top 50 list, true, but upon exiting the crucible of a boxing ring with him no man ever did not admire him, in large part because Campas knew, knows, every single way one man may hurt another with gloved fists. Flanagan is no Campas but surely taught Prograis some things Saturday, things Prograis will call upon unexpectedly someday if he’s humble enough to be wise, which he mightn’t be.

If Prograis challenges himself consistently for the next five years his defense is such he’ll find himself exactly where Flanagan was in round 8, eventually, and if Prograis was conscious of anything more than his own aesthetics after he dropped Flanagan, which he mightn’t’ve been, he’ll draw upon the experience of his own frustration in being unable to foreclose on a man like Flanagan who pays the mortgage but sporadically.

Another reason to evangelize for the World Boxing Super Series, and the concept of tournament boxing in general: There aren’t but a handful of gainfully employed matchmakers anymore worth a ha’penny – there are easily a dozen matchmakers worth quite a bit more than that, but the current marketplace has overvalued signature-destination storytelling, or whatever be the PBC’s equivalent, more than earnest competition – and so, select eight men in any division overlooked by American networks, and then let competition, talent and chance do the rest. Throw in a visionary broadcasting platform and some cool white lights and keep the tournament moving.

Whoever emerges with the Muhammad Ali Trophy (named after Muhammad Ali, we learned Saturday) is henceforth a signature-destination fighter for aficionados; if you’re less excited for Usyk-Bellew than you were for Jacobs-Derevyanchenko you’re a publicist, aspiring or actual, not an aficionado. Tournaments value competition over narrative (the 2009 narrative went: Andre Ward, a spoiled American gold medalist, will be stapled to the canvas by Mikkel Kessler in round 1 of the Super Six), achievement over character development.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Regis Prograis won a 12-round unanimous decision over former lightweight champion Terry Flanagan to defend the WBC Interim Syoer Lightweight championship and advance to the semifinals of the World Boxing Super series junior welterweight tournament at the UNO Lakefront Arena in Prograis hometown of New Orleans

In round eight, Prograis dropped Flanagan with a straight left. later in the a round, a cut was opened up outside of Flanagan’s left eye.

Prograis, 139.8 lbs of New Orleans won by scores of 119-108, 118-109 and 117-110 to remain perfect at 23-0. Flanagan, 139.3 lbs of Manchester, UK is 33-2.

Ivan Baranchyk won the IBF Junior Welterweight title and advanced to the semifinals of the World Boxing Super Series with a 7th round stoppage over Anthony Yigit.

In round two, Yigit began to form a mouse around his left eye from the heavy blows of Baranchyk.

By round six, Yigit. eye was almost closed and looking a lot worse for wear. Baranchyk continued to land hard shots on the iron-chinned Yigit and Yigit’s eye was a mess and completely shut when the bout was stopped at 3:00

Baranchyk 140 lbs of Miami, FL is 19-0 with 12 knockouts. Yigit, 139.7 lbs of Stickholm, SWE is 21-1-1.

Jonathan Guidry stopped Quincy Palmer in the first round of their scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.

Guidry landed a hard power combination that was ounctuated by a straight right that put Palmer down, and the bout was stopped.

Guidry is 12-0-2 with six knockouts. Palmer is 10-10.

Jonathan Montrel won a four-round unanimous decision over Antonio Wattell in a lightweight bout.

Montrel won by scores of 40-36 twice, and 39-37 and is now 2-0.  Wattell is 1-5-1.

Subriel Matias remained undefeated by winning via 1st round disqualification over Fernando Saucedo.

In round one, Matias dropped Saucedo twice.  On the second knockdown, Matias was docked a point while hitting Saucedo while he was down.  During the round, the corner of Saucedo stepped on the ring apron, and the fight was waved off.

Matias is now 12-0.  Saucedo is 62-9-3.

Jeremy Hill won a four-round unanimous decision over Brandon Arvie in a lightweight bout.

Hill scored knockdowns in rounds one, two and four and went on to win by scores of 40-33 on all cards.

Hill is now 5-0.  Arvie is 3-2.

Illyan Kolev made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Antonio Louis Hernandez in a super welterweight bout.

Scores were 40-35 and 39-36 for Kolev who is now 1-0.  Hernandez is 1-5.

NEW YORK (October 26, 2018) –Undefeated Ivan Baranchyk (18-0, 11 KOs) is destined to become a world champion when he takes on Anthony Yigit in a fight for the vacant IBF Junior Welterweight title as part of the WBSS, Saturday night in New Orleans (DAZN, 8 pm ET).

Baranchyk of Miami, Oklahoma via Russia is one of the most exciting fighters in the world as he is a come-forward fighter who likes to throw hard power shots.

In Yigit (21-0-1, 7 KOs), Baranchyk is facing a boxer from Sweden, who will be looking to stand in the way of Baranchyk’s dream of becoming a world champion.

Baranchyk is looking to become the next world champion under the guidance of Split-T Management.

Baranchyk scaled 140 lbs at Friday’s weigh in, while Yigit was 139.7

WBSS Season 2 Quarter-Finals – New Orleans: Weigh-In
WBSS Season 2 Quarter-Finals – New Orleans: Weigh-In

“I am good, and ready for this fight. It has been a dream to become world champion, and Saturday I have a chance to realize that and at the same time advance in this great tournament,” said Baranchyk.

“It’s a truly exciting moment in time. To have a client with such a great work ethic, and so much heart, and now seeing him get that opportunity he deserves is an outstanding feeling,” said David McWater of Split-T Management.

Baranchyk is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Fight Promotions and Holden Promotions.

Regis Prograis won the WBC Interim Super Lightweight title with a spectacular 2nd round stoppage over former world champion Julius Indongo at The Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, North Dakota.

Prograis dropped Indong at the end of the first round from a jab. Prograis dropped Indongo three more times in the next round with hard left hands, and referee Ian-John Lewis stopped the bout at 2:54.

Prograis, 140 lbs of Houston, TX is 21-0 with 18 knockouts. Indongo, 139.6 lbs of Omaha, NE is 22-2.

“I had to put on a show for SHOWTIME, for Deadwood, and for all my fans in Houston and New Orleans and just the whole division,” said Prograis. “I had to put on a show for everybody. I am now the man at 140.”

“I want the real title now, and I don’t think those two dudes will fight me after tonight,” said Prograis. “Indongo only had one loss to Terrence Crawford, the pound for pound best, and I stopped him a round before Crawford did. I don’t see anybody trying to fight me right now.”

Junior Fa remianed undefeated with an eight-round majority decision over Craig Lewis in a heavyweight bout.

Fa, 256.6 lbs of Papakura, NZ won by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 76-76, and is now 14-0. Lewis, 247.8 lbs of Detroit, MI is 14-2-1.

“I’m happy I was able to get the decision, but I wasn’t happy with my performance at all,” said Fa. “If I had to give myself a grade, it would be an F. I fought with too much emotion the first few rounds and that threw me off a little bit.

“I was pretty surprised with the one judge who saw it even. I saw him getting tired but I was just flat tonight. I can learn a lot from this fight and where I went wrong and what not to do in my next fight.”

“I needed a little more time to train as my conditioning fell off a bit towards the end,” said the former National Golden Gloves gold medalist Lewis. “But overall, I was happy with my performance, I thought it was probably a draw.”

Ivan Baranchyk stopped former two-time world title challenger Petr Petrov in round eight of their scheduled 12-round IBF Junior Welterweight Elimination bout.

Baranchyk dropped Petrov with the 1st punch of the fight, which was a jab. Baranchyk dropped Petrov in round two from a combination, and at the end of round six with a big right. Baranchyk landed power punches throughout the fight, and the biut was stopped by referee Mark Nelson at 1:18 of round eight.

Baranchyk, 140 lbs of Brooklyn is now 17-0 with 11 knockouts. Petrov, 138.5 lbs of Madrid, Spaid is 39-6-2.

“I thought I fought a more controlled than in the past and something my new coach has been helping me with,” said Baranchyk, who is currently ranked No. 4 in the IBF 140-pound division. “I knew I had to keep punching to the body, punching to the body. And I did that well tonight.

“I was surprised they stopped the fight when they did. I felt like I won every round and controlled the fight. I knew I won the fight. It was a good fight for me.”

DEADWOOD, S.D. (March 8, 2018) – Undefeated 140-pound contender Regis Prograis and former unified world champion Julius Indongo made weight on Thursday ahead of their 12-round main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION for the vacant Interim WBC Super Lightweight World Championship on Friday, March 9, on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Prograis (20-0, 17 KOs), of Houston by way of New Orleans, has scored knockouts in 13 of his last 14 fights and is a rising star in the wide-open 140-pound division. Indongo represents the toughest challenge of Prograis’ career with his lone loss coming to one of the top fighters in boxing, Terence Crawford.

In the co-feature of the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader, fellow undefeated 140-pound contender Ivan Baranchyk (16-0, 10 KOs) will meet former world title challenger Petr Petrov (38-5-2, 18 KOs) of Ryazan, Russia in an eliminator for the IBF’s No. 2 position at 140 pounds. The 25-year-old Baranchyk is currently ranked No. 4 in the IBF at 140 pounds and owns seven wins over previously undefeated fighters.

Opening the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION telecast, undefeated heavyweight Junior Fa (13-0, 8 KOs), of Papakura, New Zealand, squares off against Craig Lewis, (14-1-1, 8 KOs), of Detroit, Mich., in an eight-round bout. The 28-year-old Fa made an astounding statement in his US network debut, stopping Fred Latham in the first round in Cleveland on ShoBox: The New Generation.

The event is presented by DiBella Entertainment, in association with Fight Promotions Inc., Holden Productions and Banner Promotions. Tickets, priced at $200, $80 and $60, are on sale now and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com or by calling (877) 907-4726.

In a non-televised undercard bout, undefeated heavyweight prospect Trey Lippe Morrison will face Oswaldo Ortega in his first fight in 15 months after suffering a hand injury. Lippe Morrison is the son of former heavyweight world champion Tommy Morrison.

The doors open and first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. More information on Deadwood Mountain Grand can be found on their website at www.DeadwoodMountainGrand.com.

OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND COMMISSION OFFICIALS:

Regis Prograis vs. Julius Indongo – 12-round Interim WBC Super Lightweight World Championship

Prograis: 140 pounds

Indongo: 139 ½ pounds

Referee: Ian John-Lewis; Judges: Jack Woodburn (CAN), Juan Carlos Pelayo (MEX), Rey Danseco (USA)

Ivan Baranchyk vs. Petr Petrov – 12-Round IBF Junior Welterweight Title Eliminator

Baranchyk: 140 pounds

Petrov: 138 ¾ pounds

Referee: Mark Nelson; Judges: Benoit Roussel (CAN), George Hill (USA), Pasquale Procopio (CAN)

Junior Fa vs. Craig Lewis – 10-Round Heavyweight Bout

Fa: 256 ½ pounds

Lewis: 247 ¾ pounds

Referee: Mark Nelson; Judges: Rey Danseco (USA), Juan Carlos Pelayo (MEX), Benoit Roussel (CAN)

FINAL QUOTES:

REGIS PROGRAIS:

“Indongo’s style is not basic at all but I’m easy and I’ve been able to make the adjustments I’ve needed once they named the new opponent.

“He’ll probably try and stay on the outside, and as soon as I hit him he’ll try and box me. It depends on what I want to do. I might want to box him on the outside, or I might want to get on the inside and brawl with him. It depends on how I feel.

“The next five weeks are going to be amazing for the 140-pound division. It’s wide open and anything can happen. There are a lot of paydays out there.

“Both of the guys that I’ve been sparring with are bigger than me. They’re real big, probably 20, 30 pounds bigger than me, and they’re left-handed and they have a lot of power. That’s what I’m getting ready for. Julius Indongo is going to look little compared to them.

“Indongo is a two-time world champion, so I don’t have any complaints about facing him. When they told me about the switch, I was actually happy. They asked me who I wanted to fight and I said, ‘Give me somebody good.’ When they brought up his name, I said ‘yes.’ I knew he would eventually be a future opponent for me.

“I think he’s good. He has deceptive power. He only lost one fight, to Crawford, and he definitely can’t be ashamed of that – Crawford is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters right now. Indongo is good, but at the same time, I think this is a real good opportunity for me.

“I just think this is going to be a great fight. You’ve got me – I’m up-and-coming, I’m 20-0 with 17 knockouts, I’m going after the belt and to be the best at 140 pounds. Julius Indongo is a two-time world champion, and he wants to prove that he’s still on top, also.

“I’ve been working mostly on my jab for this fight. I know the SHOWTIME fans know all about my jab, but it’s going to be more powerful.

“I lost to Errol Spence in the finals of the Texas State Golden Gloves and I think I can go to 147. I was in Florida and was standing next to Keith Thurman and I was bigger than him. So eventually I will go up.”

JULIUS INDONGO:

“I know that Regis is a very strong fighter, but my team and I have a game plan that I am confident in and I think that we will get the win.

“I have had plenty of time to prepare for this fight with Regis. I was already training because I knew I had a fight in March. The late notice will not be a problem for me. I am ready to go.

“The loss to Crawford did not affect me. Losing is a part of boxing. I took my loss like a pro and I am emotionally past it. Tomorrow night I will have a fresh start and will show that I am a better fighter because of it.

“I’m not going to change too much from my last fight just because I lost. I am going to keep my own style and just fine-tune a few details that I have to work on in order to win the fight.

“I definitely want to give credit to Mark Breland and Deontay Wilder’s trainer, Jay Deas. We trained with them for two and a half weeks. We went to Tuscaloosa and they really helped us out and I think I really improved because of it. They were extremely welcoming and we will definitely be returning to train with Wilder’s team again.

“Regis is a tough fighter. The credit he has gotten, he deserves. He is tough, resilient and gritty and we expect all of those things tomorrow night. We expect a very tough, competitive fight, but I am very confident in my own abilities.”

IVAN BARANCHYK

“I like my new trainer (Pedro Diaz) a lot. It’s a completely different style and level of work that I’ve never tried before. I watched a lot of video of him and I really liked the work that I saw he did with Miguel Cotto.

“I feel as ready as I’ve ever felt. I feel good. The training has been more focused on my technique. I feel like I’m coming into this fight in great shape. I’ve tried to stay disciplined in training. My trainer always says you win the fight in the gym.

“I think that I’m a strong fighter, but in boxing you have to be smart too. I have been working on my intelligence in the ring and how to manage my energy. In the past, I have wasted more energy than I’ve needed to.

“My opponent doesn’t matter, the late change won’t affect me. I am ready to fight whoever they put in front of me. My game plan is the same, I am going to come out strong, aggressive, intelligent and win the fight. Petrov is a good fighter but this is a good matchup for me.

“I think it’s going to be a tough fight. Petrov is a good fighter with a lot of experience who has had a good career. But I have a long future ahead of me, too.

“Tomorrow night I’m going to show a lot of improvement in the technical aspect of my fighting. I feel that I have a very strong future in this sport and I want to be a world champion one day. Petrov is just another step for me.”

PETR PETROV

“My training has been good. The late notice should not affect me, I am always in the gym and always in good shape. I trained in Spain for six weeks before coming here, so I am 100% ready for this fight. It was an easy decision to take this fight.

“I am always staying in the gym and always ready for a fight. The 11 month layoff was not by design, I was always preparing for a fight that fell through for one reason or another

“I was not familiar with Baranchyk, but I have learned that he is an aggressive fighter that will come forward. My counter-punching and my angles will be very important in this fight. I am going to stand toe-to-toe with him.

“I know that he is the younger, bigger fighter and I am taking this fight on short notice, but none of that matters. The only thing that matters is what happens in the ring tomorrow night, and I am confident that I will win.”

JUNIOR FA:

“I was really happy with my last fight against Latham. It was a real confidence booster for me. That fight was really important for me to get some exposure in the U.S. and start to build a fan base over here.

“I like fighting taller opponents, because in the long run it’s really good experience for me. If I am going to compete for world titles, I need to be able to fight opponents that have the same size as me.

““I’m a lot more confident now than I was in my previous couple fights. A lot of that confidence comes from the really difficult training camp that I’ve had. There’s a real boost in my fitness and in my overall sharpness. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my career, both physically and mentally.”

CRAIG LEWIS

“I’m an original Kronk Gym boxer, but now I train at Hand’s On Boxing Gym in Detroit.

“I was a former college basketball player. I went to Macomb Community College and Wayne State University. I was all about defense. I would knock guys down all the time. I’d knock down guys who were 7-feet, 300 pounds. I figured if they couldn’t get the ball, they couldn’t score. I did the dirty work. I figured I might as well get paid for it, so I turned to boxing.

“Junior Fa’s alright. I’ve got to work the jab, and I’ll make adjustments once I’m in there. I switch up and fight southpaw. I don’t have a time when I do it. When it comes, it just comes.

“I think come Saturday morning the SHOWTIME boxing fans will say, ‘wow, that’s the new up and coming heavyweight.’ I’m definitely a prospect and have skills. I have good hand-eye coordination. It’s not just about power with me. I have real skills, and playing basketball helped me with that.”

TREY LIPPE MORRISON

“I’ve been training the whole time, every day. I’m super excited, it’s been too long. The reason I’ve been off so long is because of my hand, but it’s healed up now. This will be a big test to see how my hand feels.

“I’m always nervous to get into the ring. But I’m very excited because I feel like I’ve been learning a lot the past year, so I’m excited to put that to use. I feel like I have the tools and I know exactly what I need to do. I’m so excited to show off what I’ve learned and I’m ready to experience it myself. I know I’m still lacking certain skills and there’s things I need to get better at, but I feel myself getting better.”

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Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analyst. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.