Boxing News Stories and Press Releases from

       The Boxing TwinsFor Immediate Release:

The Comeback Heavyweight Contender JD Chapman Continues

Hitz Boxing Returns with an Epic Evening of Entertainment

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BOARDWALK BOXING: FIGHTNIGHT LIVE TO DELIVER HARD HITTING PROMOTIONS JULY 31 CARD, LIVE FROM THE SHOWBOAT IN ATLANTIC CITY    

 

Pre-order now! FloSports broadcast begins at 7 p.m. and subscription plans start at $12.50 per month. 

Online: https://www.flocombat.com/

Online: https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE

NEW YORK (July 21, 2021) – The Jersey Shore heats up on Saturday, July 31, as FloSports FIGHTNIGHT LIVE returns to carry an action-packed Hard Hitting Promotions card live from the boardwalk in the historic Fight Capital of Atlantic City. Ten big bouts featuring the hottest prospects from Puerto Rico, Philadelphia and The Garden State air via FloCombat from the Showboat Hotel beginning at 7 p.m. – an outstanding treat for fight fans everywhere as Summer 2021 continues to sizzle.

“Every time we’re able to participate in an Atlantic City show is special, and we’re particularly excited to help usher in a new era and new series with Hard Hitting Promotions at The Showboat,” said Mark Fratto, Principal and Director of Business Development, Linacre Media. “The history and pageantry is something we try to capture every time we’re on the boardwalk. The great Chick Hernandez and our favorite unified world champion, Franchon Crews-Dezurn will be on-hand to deliver a nine-fight card of up-and-coming warriors.”

As part of FIGHTNIGHT LIVE’s blockbuster multi-event deal with FloSports, the 7 p.m. card featuring 10 scheduled bouts will air exclusively on FloCombat. FIGHTNIGHT LIVE plans to deliver two shows per month – 24 boxing and MMA cards per year – via the subscription-based FloSports platform. Fight fans can witness every explosive knockout and drama-dripped decision from regional rising stars – as well as the 10,000-plus events streamed annually by FloSports via the web, the FloSports mobile app (iOS and Android), or connected TV platforms such as AppleTV, Roku, FireTV, Vizio and others – for as little as $12.50 per month. Fight fans can subscribe with a monthly or annual membership today at https://www.flocombat.com/ to be ready for a full slate of FIGHTNIGHT LIVE events in 2021-22. 

“This is just a small piece of what is going to happen in Atlantic City. This has been a vision for the last three and a half years. What we will be doing is putting on great fights and high quality events, and we can see this as the start of bringing big time boxing in Atlantic City like it used be,” said Manny Rivera, Partner with Hard Hitting Promotions, of the new 12-event Showboat series. “You can see what we are trying to do in our first event, by having excellent fights with all of the fighters getting tested in real fights.”

On Saturday, July 31, the Hard Hitting Promotions card begins at 7 p.m. and features a scheduled ten matchups. A ten-round tilt for the vacant WBA-NABA super featherweight title will serve as the main event on the boardwalk, headlined by undefeated Puerto Rican sensation Christian “El Hijo Del Pueblo” Tapia (11-0, 10 KOs), who has amassed 10 stoppages among his 11 career victories. His toughest test to date comes with this title matchup against veteran power puncher Mason “Rock Hard, Mighty” Menard (36-5, 25 KOs) of Rayne, La. Unbeaten Dylan Price (13-0, 10 KOs) of North Philadelphia, WBC-USNBC Silver Welterweight champ Anthony “Juice” Young (21-2, 8 KOs) – a local standout who grabbed national attention with a May 2019 stoppage victory of former world titlest Sadam Ali in Vegas – also headline the FloCombat programming. Popular flyweight Ricardo “Time Bomb” Caraballo (6-1, 2 KOs), of Riverview, Fla. by way of Philly, Bronx welterweight prospect Dezmond Lucas (2-0, 1 KO) and Emmanuel “Salserito” Rodriguez (9-0, 4 KOs) of Newark, N.J., via Puerto Rico, also put their impressive records on the line in separate bouts.

Additional FIGHTNIGHT LIVE summer programming – such as event previews, some undercards and highlights – will be available through the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Facebook channel, which boasts nearly 89,000 fans and almost 101,000 followers. 

Now in its fifth season, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is the fan-friendly platform that – among other aspects – prides itself on giving a home for rising combat sports stars and regional boxing and MMA promotions. FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has showcased more than 785 fighters and 23 promotions during 52 live event broadcasts from 24 different cities and three countries since May 2017, and in doing so, the platform has generated the loyal interest of fight fans from across the United States and around the globe, including significant audiences in Mexico, the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, and even fans in South America, Asia and Australia.  

Created and produced by Linacre Media out of New York City, the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series features professional announcers, multiple camera angles, television graphics, replays and behind-the-scenes access and interviews. The streamed shows are available globally via FloSports, through web, mobile devices (both iOS and Android) and connected TV solutions, such as Roku, FireTV and AppleTV. The initiative not only enables fans from around the world to tune in, but also gives up-and-coming fighters a global platform to showcase their abilities, gives promoters an accessible “broadcast” solution and gives sponsors the ability to reach a mass audience via branded content.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online at: https://www.flocombat.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/

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42-0 Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez

On a mission to steal Dmitry Bivol’s soul & take his WBA Super light heavyweight title belt

CHAMPIONS: (L-R) Oscar de la Hoya, Zurdo Ramirez, and Bernard Hopkins

LOS ANGELES (July 15, 2021) – Undefeated Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez’ stock recently rose even higher after his sensational fourth-round stoppage of world title challenger Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs), positioning the gifted Mexican boxer for a world title shot in the light heavyweight division, and putting the three world champions on notice.

After notching his 42^nd pro victory without a loss, “Zurdo” drew rave reviews for his impressive performance and all-around style, which showcased a punishing body attack, decking Barrera three different times. It’s important to note that Barrera went the distance with Hall of Famer Andre Ward and WBA Super World Light Heavyweight Champion Dmitry Bivol didn’t finish off the Cuban until the 12th round.

The 30-year Ramirez, who made his debut under the Golden Boy banner, issued a loud statement to the three reigning world light heavyweight champions: Bivol, Artur Beterbiev (WBC/IBF) and Joe Smith, Jr. (WBO).

“I knew I had to come out strong and make a statement,” Ramirez spoke about the Barrera fight.  “Barrera is a tough, strong opponent who has fought the best.  I had visioned all this in training camp and wanted to showcase my skills. Golden Boy did a great job promoting the show and I wanted to make sure I did my best job in the ring.

“I’ve always loved going to the body early.  My team and I have worked on several areas including the improvement of my body shots that was evident during the fight.  I’m at my best today! I’m comfortable at this weight and believe the combination of my new and improved power and ring experience makes me a dangerous fighter.”

Prior to Ramirez’ fight versus Barrera, Bivol (18-0 11 KOs) posted the following on social media: “@zurdoramirez, I’ve never avoided a challenge.  Good luck to you in the fight against Barrera and after that let’s make it happen.”

“Zurdo” has a better shot at fighting Bivol this year than the other two world champions who are tentatively scheduled to face each other in a unification fight.  Ramirez and Bivol want this fight, as do their respective camps, along with boxing fans worldwide.  They’ve both also fought on DAZN as well.

“Bivol is definitely one of my main targets,” Ramirez explained.  “Both our teams have explored the fight and they know where to find me.  After calling me out on the internet, I’ll be surprised if he retracts from his comments; it’s boxing and you can never be too confident until contracts are signed.  He called me out on social media and his side knows I’m available.  If it doesn’t happen, I’m sure he would have a good reason why, but, at the end of the day, I’m 100-percent for this fight and his team is fully aware of it.”

Ramirez couldn’t have been happier with his Golden Boy debut.

“It was exactly how I had envisioned,” Ramirez concluded.  “Oscar (de la Hoya) and his entire staff were great and really made us feel comfortable throughout the process.  It was a great show and I really enjoyed working our first of many shows together.”

Will Bivol accept the challenge and fight “Zurdo”? Stay tuned, the clock’s ticking.

(Photo courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions)

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• The former Italian and European welterweight champion and world junior-middleweight title challenger Silvano Bertini dies at age 81

• Silvano Bertini – The former Italian and European welterweight champion and world junior-middleweight title challenger died on June 27, 2021, aged 81. Bertini was born in Signa, Toscana, Italy, on March 27, 1940, and was active from 1965-1973,  compiling a record 42-3-1 (KO 18/KO by 3).

  

  As an amateur, Bertini won a silver medal at the 1963 European Championships and a bronze medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In 1965 he turned professional and was undefeated in his first 28 fights before losing to Jean Josselin in 1969. He retired in 1973 after failing to come out for the bell in the 12th round against Koichi Wajima for the lineal world junior-middleweight title. During his career, he defeated such fighters as Domenico Tiberia, Angel Robinson Garcia, Fighting Mack, Chucho Garcia, Oscar Miranda, Alberto Torri, Eddie Blay, Romano Rubini,  Giuliano Nervino,  Jose Hernandez, and Jose Luiz Penteado.  Besides Josselin and Wajima, he also fought Roger Menetrey.  

  https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/16034

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Wednesday: Tim Tszyu-Steve Spark Junior Middleweight Down Under Showdown to Stream Live and Exclusively on ESPN+

Live coverage from Australia begins at 5 a.m. ET/2 a.m. PT

(July 6, 2021) — The newest superstar in Australian boxing, undefeated junior middleweight contender Tim Tszyu, will look to extend his unbeaten record and defend his WBO Global belt in a 10-round showdown this Wednesday, July 7 against countryman Steve Spark at Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, Australia.
 
Tszyu was originally supposed to fight longtime contender Michael Zerafa, who pulled out of the bout due to health concerns. Spark filled in on about a week’s notice to save the main event.
 
Tszyu-Spark and select undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ starting at 5 a.m. ET/2 a.m. PT.
 
Tszyu (18-0, 14 KOs), the WBO No. 1 junior middleweight contender, has built a fanatical following in Australia, where he has fought all of his pro bouts. Last August, he knocked out former world champion Jeff Horn in front of 16,000 fans, and less than four months later, he knocked out Bowyn Morgan in one round in front of more than 15,000 spectators. Tszyu returned March 31 against former world title challenger Dennis Hogan and notched a bloody fifth-round stoppage. Spark (12-1, 11 KOs) has won 11 fights in a row, including an upset over Jack Brubaker in April to earn the shot at Tszyu.
 
In other streaming action on ESPN+:

• Undefeated junior lightweight Liam Wilson (9-0, 6 KOs) will challenge Filipino veteran Joe Noynay (18-2-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the WBO Asia Pacific title. Noynay is 6-0-1 in his last seven fights dating back to 2017.
   
• Junior middleweight veteran Troy O’Meley (11-1, 2 KOs) will face Wade Ryan (18-9, 6 KOs) in a 10-round rematch of last December’s battle, which was won by Ryan via split decision.
   
• In an eight-round welterweight tilt, Sam Ah See (13-0-1, 6 KOs) will seek to extend his winning streak to 11 against Czar Amonsot (35-5-3, 22 KOs).
   
• In a six-round female junior bantamweight bout, Linn Sandstrom (1-1) will fight Natalie Hills, who is making her pro debut.
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August 6: Michael Conlan to Fight Former World Champion TJ Doheny in Belfast Homecoming at Falls Park LIVE and Exclusively on ESPN+

10-round junior featherweight bout will be contested for Conlan’s WBO Intercontinental belt

Live streaming coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT

BELFAST (June 30, 2021) — The fighting pride of West Belfast, Michael “Mick” Conlan, is primed for a summer homecoming for the ages. Conlan, the WBO No. 1 junior featherweight contender, will defend his WBO Intercontinental title against former world champion TJ Doheny in a 10-round showdown Friday, Aug. 6 at Falls Park in Belfast as part of the Féile an Phobail festival.
 
Promoted by Conlan Boxing, Conlan-Doheny and undercard fights will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ starting at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
 
“This is a big test for Mick, as Doheny is a formidable foe who won’t be intimidated fighting in front of the partisan Belfast crowd,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He wanted a Belfast fight, and I am thrilled that his loyal fans will get to see him in person once again.”
 
Added Jamie Conlan, CEO of Conlan Boxing: “Michael and I are honored and excited to bring live boxing back to Belfast. Everyone has been working hard behind the scenes to make this event possible during these crazy times and now there is light at the end of the tunnel. Both Michael and TJ have Irish pride on the line, but they see each other as the perfect dance partner to reach the world title level. It has all the ingredients for a fantastic fight.”
 
Conlan (15-0, 8 KOs) became an Irish sporting folk hero after an amateur career that saw him win a 2015 World Championships gold medal and qualify for a pair of Olympic Games. He captured a bronze medal in London in 2012 and turned pro after a well-publicized robbery — and a double middle finger salute toward the judges — at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He’s fought in Belfast twice as a pro, selling out the SSE Arena Belfast in 2018 and packing nearly 10,000 fans into Falls Park in August 2019. He last fought in April and made his junior featherweight debut with a 12-round majority decision over noted spoiler Ionut Baluta.
 
Conlan said, “I’m excited to be back fighting in my city. It was special in 2019, but I believe this year it will be even better as we haven’t had live events due to the pandemic. On Aug. 6, we will show Belfast is back!
 
“It will be an honor to share the ring with TJ. I have a lot of respect for him and his achievements. I believe it’s my toughest fight to date, and with that, I will make my biggest statement in my quest to become a world champion.”
 
Doheny (22-2, 16 KOs), from Portlaoise, Ireland, reached the pinnacle of the sport when he upset Ryosuke Iwasa by unanimous decision in August 2018 to win the IBF junior featherweight world title. He made one defense of the title before losing a hotly contested title unification matchup against Daniel Roman. Following a comeback victory, he was upset via eight-round unanimous decision against Baluta, who went on to knock out former Irish amateur star Davey Oliver Joyce before fighting Conlan. 
 
Doheny said, “This will be my first time fighting on Irish soil, and I can’t think of a better homecoming. It doesn’t get much bigger than this for an all-Irish clash, and the fans are in for a real treat. This is the kind of fight that I have been craving since my close majority decision loss to Daniel Roman. Top opposition is what motivates me and helps me raise my game. I cannot wait for this.”

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Steve Vukosa & Mike Marshall

Battle to 10-round draw in “Breakout” main event

OFFICIAL RESULTS

DERRY, N.H. (June 28, 2021) –- “Breakout” main event fighters Steve “The Gentle Giant Vukosa and “Fly” Mike Marshall battled to a 10-round Granite Chin Promotions doubleheader last night, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, at New England Sports Center in Derry, New Hampshire.

Granite promoted another day-night doubleheader, including a Pro-Am card during the afternoon sessions, highlighted by the semifinals of the inaugural “Granite Chin Invitational, featuring some of New England’s top amateur boxers.”

The ageless Vukosa (13-1-1, 5 KOs), a former WBC U.S. heavyweight title holder, and Marshall (5-1-1, 4 KOs), the reigning New England heavyweight champion, battled to a 10-round draw and the NABA United States title they fought for remains vacant.

It was clearly a difficult fight to judge as evident by the wide range of judges’ scoring: 99-91 for Marshall, 97-93 in favor of Vukosa, and 95-95.

“We had a dynamic day and night,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti said.  “During the day, we had some of the top amateurs in New England and some local pros.  At night, we had a packed house and entertaining fights.  Although scorecards in the main event may not have reflected the fight, I don’t argue with the outcome, only the way we got there.  I’ll talk to Steve and Mike and ask them if they want to fight again on our August 28^th card.  I’m not sure if Steve wants to continue fighting and Mike may be  offered a bigger fight.  We’ll talk soon and find out.”

In the co-featured event, former New England heavyweight champion Justin “Crazy Train” Rolfe (6-2-1, 4 KOs) outworked his Mexican opponent, Jose Humbert “Olimpico” Corral (20-27, 12 KOs) from the opening bell to win a decisive 8-round unanimous decision for the vacant ABF Atlantic heavyweight title.

New England welterweight champion Mike “Bad Boy” O’Han, Jr. (13-1, 7 KOs) retained his title with a workmanlike performance against gutsy challenger Tyrone “Hands of Stone” Luckey (13-15-4, 9 KOs), who was unable to answer the bell for the sixth round.

In what was unquestionably the Fight of the Night, junior lightweights Kevin “El Gallo” Rodriguez (1-1) and Dee “Outlaw” Venable 2-6) went toe-to-toe for four entertaining rounds of non-stop action.  Despite being penalized a point for a low blow, Rodriguez edged Venable on all three judges’ scorecards by the identical scores of 38-37.

Undefeated welterweight prospect Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (5-0, 4 KOs) floored Paulo Sousa three times en route to a third-round triumph by technical knockout.

Unbeaten Julien “Black Drago” Baptiste (3-0, 2 KOs) pitched a near shutout against Rodrigo “The Lion” Almeida (2-11, 2 KOs) for a 4-round decision.

Young welterweight Eric “Gladiator” Goff (2-0, 2 KO) used an old-fashioned body attack and a right hook put Aquilando Brandao (0-4) on the canvas in round one.  He beat the count, but it was ruled that he was unable to continue, resulting in a knockout for Goff.  

An unanswered barrage of punches thrown by junior middleweight Carlos Abel Castillo led to the referee stopping the bout late in the first round against an overmatched Jay Gregory (0-4)

A wild opening round, in which heavyweight Marco Nasciemento (0-2) was dropped twice and then he decked Dennis Ventura (2-0, 2 KOs), was followed by a slower pace in round two. Ventura dropped Nasciemento again in the second and Nasciemento was unable to beat the count.

Lightweight Brandon Idrogo moved to 3-0 with his third knockout, needing only 50-seconds to secure a technical knockout of Tommy “T-Mike” Kenney (0-6).

Light heavyweight Steve Sumpler won his first pro fight by way of a fourth round TKO, when an accidental head but opened a cut over Saul “Spider” Almeida’s right eye so severe that the ring doctor halted the fight.

Fighting for the first time in more than three years, undefeated middleweight Jelame Garcia (8-0, 6 KOs) got right back on the winning track, out-boxing Texas veteran Larry “Slo Mo” Smith for a 4-round unanimous decision  

Promising middleweight prospect, Josniel “TG” Castro (3-0, 2 KOs) punished Jader Alves, who had two points deducted for holding and head butting, until the ring doctor stopped the one-sided fight after the conclusion of the third round. Castro recently signed a managerial contract with Shearns Boxing.

Nelson “Chino” Perez improved his record to 3-0 when his opponent, Dewayne Wisdom, was disqualified in the fourth round for repeated fouls and refusal to follow the referee’s orders.

Three-time New England Golden Gloves champion Demeck “Hightower” Edmonds (2-0, 2 KOs) needed only three punches and 21-seconds to stop pro-debuting Wallace Nass Silva in the evening’s first bout.

“Wild Thing” Pallerin defends ABF Atlantic title

ABF Atlantic cruiserweight champion Yan “Wild Thing” Pallerin, fighting out of Montreal, successfully defended his crown against Angolan challenger Cristiano Pedro (2-4-1, 1 KO) in the afternoon card’s main event. Pallerin, who improved to 12-1 (5 KOs), methodically cruised to an 8-round unanimous decision by scores of 79-73, 78-72, 78-72.

In other afternoon pro bouts, lightweight Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (1-0-1) won his first pro fight via a 4-round unanimous decision over game Andy Aiello (1-5-1), cruiserweight Andrew “Action Packed” Perez (2-0, 2 KOs) took a third-round technical knockout versus Jesus “The Juice” Cintron (1-19-2), cruiserweight Scott Lambert (2-2, 2 KOs) earned a first-round TKO win over Yhago Goncalves (0-4), Canadian heavyweight Alexis Barriere (2-0, 2 KOs) finished off pro-debuting Andrew Nolan with a crisp right in the opening round, and Laurent Humes stopped Philipe Martins in the round in a battle of pro-debuting super middleweights.

Middleweight Wade Faria, welterweight Shea Wilcox and Jaydell Pazmino were semifinals winners in the inaugural Granite Chin Invitational, and they will advance to the championship round August 28^th at New England Sports Center.

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• 
• *CARD UPDATE*
  Mark Dawson takes on Larry Fryers in New Main Event on Saturday, July 24th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
  Dawson – Fryers headlines 2nd night of back-to-back shows
  Joey Dawejko in Co-Feature
  Plus Undefeated Rasheen Brown, David Stevens, Nicholas Sullivan and Paul Koon
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• PHILADELPHIA (June 28, 2021)-Undefeated welterweight Mark Dawson Jr. will take on seasoned veteran Larry Fryers in the eight-round main event of an RDR Promotions card on Saturday, July 24th at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.
  The card will conclude the 2nd night of a “Crossroads” weekend doubleheader at the 2300 Arena. The July 23rd show was updated last week with Nahir Albright taking on Jeremy Hill in the main event.
  Dawson of Philadelphia has a record of 8-0-1 with three knockouts. The 24 year-old Dawson, is a five year-professional, and is coming off of a win over Rodrigo Solis on May 8th at the 2300 Arena.
  Fryers of Yonkers, New York has a record of 11-4 with four knockouts. The 30 year-old Fryers is a five year professional. He has a good win over previously undefeated Charles Natal (9-0-2). Fryers is coming off a setback to prospect Xander Zayas on June 12th.
  In the co-feature, popular heavyweight Joey Dawejko will compete in an eight-round bout.
  Dawejko of Philadelphia is 21-8-4 with 12 knockouts. The 21 year-old Dawejko is a 12 year-professional who has wins over Ricardo Johnson (1-0), John Lennox (6-0), Derric Rossy (28-7), Mark Rideout (4-0-2), Enobong Umohette (9-2), Natu Visinia (11-1), Demetrius Banks (9-1) and Kelvin Nunez (15-0). Dawejko is coming off a 1st round stoppage of Joe Jones on April 3rd at the 2300 Arena. Dawejko’s opponent will be announced shortly.
  In six-round bouts:
  Dhafir Smith (28-25-7, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Joe Jones (11-4, 8 KOs) of Jersey City, NJ in a cruiserweight bout.
  Edgar Joe Cortes (8-6-1, 1 KO) of Vineland, NJ fights Gorwar Karyah (2-2, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia in a bantamweight fight.
  Rasheen Brown (9-0, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a super bantamweight contest,
  In four-round bouts:
  Afunwa King (3-1, 1 KO) of Bronx, NY fights Clarence Whitehead (0-2) of Philadelphia in a light heavyweight contest.
  Paul Koon (4-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a heavyweight fight.
  Nicolas Sullivan (3-0, 1 KO) of Norfolk, VA fights Nathan Benichou (2-5, 1 KO) of Puebla, MEX in a super featherweight bout.
  David Stevens (5-0, 4 KOs) of Reading, PA takes on an opponent to be named in a light heavyweight contest.
  Iman Lee of Yonkers, NY will make his pro debut against an opponent to be named in a super featherweight bout.
  Tickets are $75, $100, $150 and $250 for VIP Box, and can be purchased from the fighters or emailing rricerivew@yahoo.com
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• 

Split-T Management’s Eric Puente and Omar Rosario Remain Undefeated With Wins in Las Vegas

SKY SPORTS TO DELIVER MORE BOXING THAN EVER BEFORE AS PART OF A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE SPORT

Two new partnerships will see Top Rank and BOXXER fights on Sky Sports until 2025, ensuring boxing fans will see the pick of the sport across the worldSky Sports license agreement to bring Top Rank shows for next four years

New four-year partnership with BOXXER in the UK with commitment to grow the sport and work with the British Boxing Board of Control to support domestic boxing community

Full Sky Sports, Top Rank and BOXXER partnership launch in August – agreements will bring more boxing to Sky Sports than ever before.

LONDON (June 12, 2021) —  Sky Sports has outlined the next phase in its long and proud 30-year association with the sport of boxing, bringing two new partnerships that will deliver a fresh and exciting lineup of fighters both in the UK and internationally and more boxing than before.
 
Beginning on Saturday [June 12], Sky Sports will be the UK & Ireland home to Top Rank events from the United States thanks to a brand-new licensing agreement with the prestigious boxing promotion company. Sky Sports will step up its commitment to the very best UK fighters in a partnership with  BOXXER, founded by the youngest licensed promoter, Ben Shalom. John Wischhusen, formerly Head of Boxing at Matchroom Sport, brings more than 20 years of boxing management experience to the BOXXER team. Full UK schedule and announcements will be made in August.
 
Top Rank has a deep history with the sport, promoting greats including Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao, George Foreman and Marvin Hagler. Currently, they have the likes of Terence Crawford, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Josh Taylor, Teofimo Lopez, Shakur Stevenson, Oscar Valdez, Naoya Inoue, Artur Beterbiev, Joe Smith Jr., Jamel Herring, Emanuel Navarrete, Jose Ramirez, Michael Conlan, and Mikaela Mayer, amongst others, on their books.
 
The agreement will mean Sky Sports will broadcast many of the sport’s elite pound-for-pound fighters and deliver the best of men’s and women’s international boxing to Sky Sports audiences. Customers can look forward at least 18 Fight Nights a year, approaching 100 hours of boxing on Sky Sports, as well as 50-plus years of archive content highlighting legends such as Ali, Foreman, Pacquiao, Robert Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
 
Sky Sports coverage of Top Rank events begins immediately with Shakur Stevenson taking on Jeremiah Nakathila Saturday 12 June at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas for the vacant WBO interim junior lightweight title. Sky Sports will be broadcasting three Top Rank cards this month involving Naoya Inoue [June 19] and Vasiliy Lomachenko [June 26] bringing the best of Stateside boxing to Sky Sports subscribers, with Anthony Joshua’s upcoming bout with Oleksandr Usyk widely anticipated to follow in late summer. 
 
BOXXER aims to challenge traditions with a new approach to boxing promotion and Sky Sports and BOXXER will work collaboratively including with other promoters to bring elite fighters to Sky Sports Boxing with a modern approach to the sport.
 
Sky Sports, BOXXER and Top Rank will reveal a more detailed fight schedule for the remainder of 2021 as well as a refreshed editorial approach over the coming weeks. This wide-ranging partnership will benefit the very top of the sport as well as at grassroots levels, with a commitment to engage with the British Boxing Board of Control on how to ensure sustainable growth. Sky Sports and BOXXER are committed to developing initiatives to support grassroots boxing and the facilities to grow the sport and will outline further details in August. Sky Sports and BOXXER aim to introduce a new dynamic and diverse approach encompassing all platforms and engaging new audiences.
 
Sky Sports Managing Director Jonathan Licht said: “We’re very excited to partner with Top Rank and BOXXER to bring more world class boxing to Sky Sports.  Top Rank are one of the biggest boxing promoters in the world, and our customers will now be able to see more of the world’s best boxers on Sky.
 
“BOXXER have ambitious and exciting plans for the sport in the UK, and we share a long-term view for boxing.  Sky Sports has been a strong and close partner to boxing for more than 30 years and we look forward to continuing our partnership, giving a platform to the best fights at home and abroad and helping to grow the sport at elite and grassroots levels. We look forward to sharing more details with boxing fans in the next couple of months.”
 
Top Rank President Todd duBoef said: “For decades, Sky has been the leading sports brand in the UK. The world’s biggest sporting events and boxing matches have been cultivated under the Sky banner. Top Rank is honored to partner with Sky to continue to grow the sport both locally and globally for years to come.”
 
BOXXER founder Ben Shalom said: “Sky Sports has been the bedrock of British boxing for many years. We have been waiting for the opportunity to offer a transformative approach to the sport and we are delighted that Sky Sports have bought into this vision. We believe this will take the sport to new heights. Sky will show the best fights from around the world alongside a powerful UK schedule.”
 
British Boxing Board of Control General Secretary Robert W. Smith said: “The British Boxing Board of Control are delighted that Sky Sports has reconfirmed its commitment to British Boxing that already spans in excess of 30 years.
 
“In John Wischhusen, Sky Sports retain a longstanding and respected relationship within the Sport, and Ben Shalom is one of the new generation of promoters at this transitional and exciting time for Boxing in the United Kingdom.
 
“Sky Sports’ next chapter in boxing represents a fantastic opportunity for many as they will continue to broadcast major events, in addition to supporting the boxing pyramid in this country.”
 
These new agreements will ensure Sky Sports remains the home of world class sport in the UK and Ireland, including Anthony Joshua’s next bout exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office. 
 
Sky Sports also broadcasts the best matches every weekend from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and for the first time the Women’s Super League, every race from the Formula One, the best of cricket, golf and much, much more.

• _________________
• 

• Manuel Gallegos new NBA Americas Super Middleweight Champion

  RJJ BOXING RESULTS

  LOS MOCHIS, Sinaloa, Mexico (June 11, 2021) – Fighting at home, Manuel “Meno” Gallegos (18-1, 15 KOs) captured the vacant NBA Americas Super Middleweight Championship last night in the main event on another installment of RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS, presented by RJJ Boxing Promotions and De La O Promotions, at Benito Juarez Auditorium, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.

  RJJ Boxing was streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS^®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

   

  Gallegos won a unanimous 10-round decision over Roy Jones, Jr.-trained Kevin “The Second Coming” Newman (11-3-1, 6 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas.  Newman had two points deducted.

  In the co-featured event, Pablo “Diamente” Robles (15-2, 19 KOs) upset previously unbeaten WBO Latino featherweight champion Alan “Cachorro” Solis (13-1-1, 7 KJOs), rated No. 12 by the WBO, in a battle of Mexican featherweights.  Robles dropped and stopped Solis in the third round of their non-title fight.

  In a Special Lightweight Attraction, WBC Youth Silver Lightweight Champion Luis “Koreano” Torres (12-0, 8 KOs) remained undefeated, taking a one-sided 10-round unanimous decision from veteran Diego “Pato” Eligio (20-6-1, 8 KOs) in a non-title match.  Torres set the pace early, pressuring former WBC FECOMBOX titlist Eligio from the start, and landing the more impactful punches throughout the fight.     

  Mexican lightweight Nazario Castro (6-2, 3 KOs) handed Ricardo “El Rojas” Bracamontes (6-1, 3 KOs) his first los as a professional by way of a 6-round unanimous decision, opening the UFC FIGHT PASS live stream.

  Lightweight Jose Alberto “Jortito” Lugo Cota (4-0, 3 KOs), 19, blasted out Mario “Belocka” Duran (3-3, 2 KOs) in the opening round, while Florida middleweight Andrew Murphy (3-0, 2 KOs) pounded the body of Luis Jesus Alcarez (2-5), knocking down his opponent that closed the show midway through round one.

  • _________________

Undefeated Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez goes for 42^nd victory vs. Sullivan Barrera

Streaming live July 9^th on DAZN from L.A.

LOS ANGELES (June 8, 2021) – Undefeated former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Middleweight Champion (WBO) Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs), who will be making his debut as a member of Golden Boy’s stable, goes for his 42^nd professional victory July 9^th against world light heavyweight title challenger Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs).

Zurdo vs. Barrera, presented by Golden Boy Promotions, will be streamed exclusively on DAZN, live from Banc of California Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Football Club (pro soccer), located in downtown Los Angeles. 

“I’m very excited to make my debut with Golden Boy,” Ramirez said.  “LA’s the home to many Latinos and I can’t wait to share the moment with my people. 

“Every fight is the most important fight of my career.  Obviously, the goal is to dominate the division and become world champ, and I do believe this match-up versus Barrera is a step in the right direction.”

There will be World title implications for the winner of the 12-round Zurdo vs. Barrera main event.  Ramirez is ranked No. 3 by the World Boxing Council (WBA) and WBO, as well as No. 5 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), which rates Barrera at No. 7 in the world.

Ramirez, 29, was the first Mexican fighter to capture a World super middleweight title, which he relinquished to move up to the light heavyweight division.  He is 2-0 (2 KOs) as a 175-pounder, defeating Tommy Karpency (29-6-1) on April 12, 2019, when Karpency was unable to continue fighting after four rounds, along with a 10th round stoppage of Alphonso Lopez (32-3) last December to capture the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) crown.

The 39-year-old Barrera was a decorated Cuban amateur boxer (285-27 record), who was the middleweight gold medalist at the 2000 AIBA Junior World Championships.  Barrera, who defected to the United States in 2009 and settled in Miami, beat future pro world champions such as Chad Dawson, Beibut Shumenov and Mariano Natalio Carrera.

During the course of his 12-year pro career, Barrera is 3-3 vs. past or present world champions having defeated Jeff Lacy (WTKO4), Karo Murat (WKO12) and Felix Valera (WDEC10), losing to current WBA Super and IBF World light heavyweight champions, respectively, Dmitry Bivol (TKO12) and Joe Smith Jr. (DEC10), in addition to Hall of Famer Andre Ward (DEC 12).

“Barrera is a tough Cuban veteran with world-class experience,” Ramirez added.  He’s fought the best in the past and shown why he’s been in many title fights against them.  He even had a one-sided victory over the current WBO champions, Joe Smith, Jr.”

Jesse Hart is the only common opponent; Ramirez won a pair of decisions in World super middleweight title fights against Hart, while Sullivan lost a 10-round light heavyweight decision to the Philadelphia boxer.

Tickets are priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $35, excluding applicable service charges, and available to purchase at www.bancocaliforniastadium and www.ticketmaster.com.

• _________________
• 
• Landry Kore Inks With Shapiro Sports, Returns on June 19
• 
• Los Angeles, CA (June 9, 2021)–Landry Kore has signed a promotional deal with Shapiro Sports & Entertainment, and will make his debut as the co-main event on the Felix Sturm-James Kraft card in Hamburg, Germany, June 19.
  Regarded as one of the hottest prospects in European Boxing, Kore (11-0-1 6 KOs) landed the IBO Mediterranean middleweight title with a knockout win over former undefeated Armen Ypremyan at the Versluys Dome in Belgium back in May 2018.
  Kore, born in Ivory Coast, recently relocated to Germany to train under the guidance of Dominik Junge, who has trained 2 world champions; Ewa Brodnicka and Raja Amasheh… 
  “This is a new chapter signing with Shapiro Sports, the 160 pound division is very hot right now in the United States and I know there are going to be opportunities for me,” said Kore. “I want to keep moving up the rankings and improving, I’ve got the capabilities to go all the way. I believe in my own ability and it’s a pleasure to have such a professional team around me. 
  “I wouldn’t waste anyone’s time if I didn’t believe I could win a world title, this is why I’m here – to win a World Title. There’s no one in my weight category that I fear, I’m ready to fight anyone with the right preparation and notice. 
  “Landry is a really great prospect with a lot of room to grow. He is now working with an excellent trainer in Dominik Junge, who has produced several world champions, and is really going to be instrumental in his growth. I look forward to moving him fairly quickly up the rankings as he puts everybody on notice at 160 pounds.” – said Shane Shapiro CEO of Shapiro Sports & Entertainment.
• _________________
• 

Three Fighter Locker stable members competing in The Olympics

BOSTON (June 3, 2021) – Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker managerial company will have three representatives competing in Tokyo this summer in the Summer Olympic Games.

Colombian light flyweight Yuberjan “El Tremendo” Martinez, who captured a silver medal at the 2018 Olympics in Brazil, is currently rated fourth in the world by AIBA.  His main opposition figures to be Artur Hovhannisyan (Armenia), Oscar Collazo (Puerto Rico) and Nodirjon Mirzakhmedov (Uzbekistan).

Martinez lost in the 2018 Olympic championship final to Uzbekistan’s Hasanboy Dusmatov, 3-0.   A decorated amateur, Martinez won gold medals at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games and 2018 South American Games, silver at the 2019 Pan American Games and 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games, and bronze at the 2017 World Amateur Championships.

Another 2-time Olympian is Dominican Republic lightweight Lionel de los Santos, who is rated No. 3 by AIBA behind Lazaro Jorge Alvarez (Cuba) and Tsendbaster Erdenebat (Mongolia).  Santos, who was eliminated in the last Olympics in the preliminary round, is already 3-0 as a professional with three first-round knockouts.

Santos, 26, was a silver medalist at the prestigious Pan-American Games in 2019, where he lost to 3-time Pan-Am gold medalist Lazaro Alvarez, the 3-time World amateur champion and 2-time Olympic bronze medalist.

The third Fighter Locker Olympian is Colombian middleweight Jorge Vivas, a 33-year-old who won a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games.

“Adding these fighters to the Fighter Locker family was a huge accomplishment,” manager Ryan Roach said.  “These guys are the best of the best in the world.  You’re talking less than one-percent chance of making an Olympic team and two of three of my fighters are going back to the Olympics for the second time.

“After the Olympics, I will quickly transition these fighters into the professional ranks, as long as they are healthy and so forth.  We have four fight dates set for them and representing their homelands proudly.  I am very honored to represent these young men and guide their careers.”

Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers include California super flyweight Rocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro (21-1, 6 KOs), Troy, NY ABF American West super lightweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (12-0, 9 KOs), Toronto, Canada welterweight West Haven, CT super welterweight Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (17-5-2, 6 KOs), super middleweight “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (7-0, 4 KOs), U.S. Army super bantamweight Daniel Bailey, Jr. (5-0, 4 KOs), lightweight Leonel de los Santos (2-0, 2 KOs), a 2-time Dominican Republic Olympian, Boston featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), pro-debuting Dominican Republic welterweight Juan Solano, and Salt Lake City, 2016 Brazilian Olympic silver medalist Yuberjen Martinez, Brazilian Olympian Jorge Vivas, Colorado super middleweight Marvin “Too Much” Cordova, Jr. (23-2-1, 12 KOs), West Palm Beach, FL light heavyweight Robert Daniels, Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs),  Utah brothers, super lightweight Ignacio Chairez (8-0-1, 5 KOs) and lightweight Gabriel Chairez (3-0-1, 2 KOs).

• _________________

Roy Jones, Jr.-trained Kevin Newman vs.

Manuel Gallegos headlines RJJ Boxing card in Mexico

JUNE 10^TH STREAMING LIVE AND EXCLUSIVELY ON UFC FIGHT PASS®

LAS VEGAS (June 3, 2021) – Las Vegas-based Kevin “The Second Coming” Newman (11-2-1, 6 KOs), trained by living legend Roy Jones, Jr., is fully prepared to challenge his Mexican opponent, Manuel “Meno” Gallegos (17-1, 15 KOs), in the RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® 10-round main event for the vacant NBA Americas Super Middleweight Championship, on Thursday, June 10, at Benito Juarez Auditorium in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Presented by by Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions and De La O Promotions, the stacked June 10^th card will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS^®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. To sign-up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

 

Newman, whose 4-right win streak was snapped in his most recent fight, last February in Las Vegas to Geno Pilana by way of a close 10-round decision 96-94 X 3), is anxious to showcase his improvements working under the guidance of Jones.

“I’m really looking forward to this fight,” Newman said.  “It’s a great opportunity for me thanks to Roy, my team, and RJJ Boxing Promotions to get me back on the path to chase my dream of becoming world champion.  I’ve been in the gym with Roy since April of last year, working day in and day out down in Pensacola, Florida.  This is my first fight with Roy as my head trainer and having an official camp with him.  I’m excited to show what we’ve been working on. 

“Gallegos is a solid opponent wo comes to fight.  I’m extremely focused and look forward to going out and putting on a great performance and gaining new fans in Los Mochis.  Tune in to UFC FIGHT PASS on June 10^th because this is going to be a fight fans don’t want to miss.”

The main event finds 23-year-old Mexican super middleweight Manuel “El Meno” Gallegos (17-1, 15 KOs) matched against his Las Vegas opponent, Kevin “The Second Coming” Newman (11-2-1, 6 KOs), in a 10-round bout.

A dangerous puncher, Gallegos stopped 15 of his opponents in his 17 pro wins.  His undefeated record was snapped in his last fight at 17-0, when the 23-year-old last October, when he dropped an 8-round unanimous decision to 10-1-1 (7 KOs) Oziel Santoyo. 

“I want to thank RJJ Boxing and UFC FIGHT PASS for the opportunity to fight in front of my countrymen,” Gallegos commented.  “I hope my opponent is training hard because I’m coming after him.”

Two other 10-round bouts are on tap. World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino featherweight champion Alan “Cacharro” Solis (13-0-1, 7 KOs), rated No. 12 by the WBO, takes on Pablo “Diamente” Robles (14-2, 9 KOs) In the co-featured event.   

 

Nineteen-year-old Luis “Koreano” Torres (11-0, 8 KOs), the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Silver Lightweight Champion, faces Diego “Pato” Eligio (20-5-1, 8 KOs) in a Special Featherweight Attraction. 

 

Undefeated Mexican super featherweight Ricardo “El Rojas” Bracamontes (6-0, 3 KOs) is scheduled to fight in a 6-rounder against an opponent to be determined.

 

Also fighting on the undercard, both in 4-round matches, are Mexican lightweights Jose Alberto “Jorjito” Lugo Cota (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Mario “Belocka” Duran (3-2, 2 KOs), as well as Pensacola, Florida middleweight Andrew Murray (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Luis Jesus Alcarez (2-4).

• _________________

 

June 12: Tyler McCreary-Manuel Rey Rojas & Xander Zayas-Larry Fryers Confirmed for Stevenson-Nakathila ESPN+ Undercard at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Undercard bouts to stream exclusively on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT
Main Card on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Tickets starting at $50 are on sale now at Etix.com

LAS VEGAS (June 3, 2021) — The leader of Puerto Rico’s new wave, 18-year-old welterweight Xander Zayas, is not wasting time. Zayas, who scored one-sided victories in February and April, returns Saturday, June 12 in a six-rounder against “Lethal” Larry Fryers at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on the undercard of the WBO interim junior lightweight title bout between Shakur Stevenson and Jeremiah Nakathila.
 
In his first bout in more than 18 months, Toledo-born junior lightweight Tyler McCreary hopes to get back on the winning track against veteran spoiler Manuel Rey Rojas in an eight-rounder.
 
Zayas-Fryers and McCreary-Rojas will be among the undercard bouts streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. Stevenson-Nakathila and the 10-round junior welterweight duel between Jose “Sniper” Pedraza and Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $50 are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting Etix.com.
 
Born in San Juan and now residing in South Florida, Zayas (8-0, 6 KOs) won 11 national titles as an amateur and has five first-round knockouts since turning pro shortly after his 17^th birthday in October 2019. He has stepped up the competition in 2021, shutting out James Martin over six rounds in February and knocking out Demarcus Layton in 56 seconds in April on the Emanuel Navarrete-Christopher Diaz undercard. Fryers (11-3, 4 KOs), an Irishman who now calls New York home, is a five-year pro. Last June, he dropped an eight-round decision to undefeated prospect John Bauza inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble.
 
McCreary (16-1-1, 7 KOs) last fought in November 2019 in a co-feature bout against former two-weight world champion Carl “The Jackal” Frampton, but he was dropped twice en route to a one-sided decision defeat. He made his Top Rank debut in March 2019 and looks to turn the page against Rojas (20-5, 6 KOs), a native of Dallas, Texas, who lost a competitive decision to Toledo native and junior lightweight contender Albert Bell in April.
 
In other undercard action on ESPN+:

• Puerto Rican junior welterweight prospect John “El Terrible” Bauza (14-0, 5 KOs) returns in an eight-rounder versus Christon Edwards (12-2, 6 KOs), a Houston native who has won six in a row.
   
• In a battle of undefeated junior lightweights scheduled for six rounds, Bryan Lua (7-0, 3 KOs), a Robert Garcia-trained prospect from California’s Central Valley, will face Puerto Rico’s Frevian Gonzalez (4-0, 1 KO). Gonzalez and Lua each notched a pair of victories last year inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble.

• Middleweight phenom Troy “Transformer” Isley (1-0), who shut out Bryant Costello in his pro debut in February, is back in a four-rounder against Philadelphia’s LaQuan Evans (4-1, 2 KOs), who has won three straight dating back to 2019.

• Kasir “Mazzi” Goldston (2-0, 1 KO), an 18-year-old former U.S. amateur star from Albany, New York, will make his 2021 debut against Michigan native Maurice Anthony (3-1, 3 KOs) in a four-round welterweight tilt. 

• Welterweight prospect Jahi Tucker (3-0, 2 KOs), who hopes to follow promotional stablemates Jamel Herring and Joe Smith Jr. and become the next world champion from Long Island, will fight Ysrael Barboza (3-1-1, 3 KOs) in a four-rounder. Tucker turned heads in his last bout with a body shot knockout over Eric Rodriguez.
• _________________

100 Percent: Full Capacity Now Permitted for Top Rank’s June Events at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Tickets for all June shows are on sale now at Etix.com
Shakur Stevenson-Jeremiah Nakathila (June 12), Naoya Inoue-Michael Dasmarinas (June 19) and Vasiliy Lomachenko-Masayoshi Nakatani (June 26) headline Top Rank on ESPN events

LAS VEGAS (June 1, 2021) — Almost 16 months since Tyson Fury knocked out Deontay Wilder in front of a sold-out Las Vegas crowd, Top Rank, in accordance with Nevada regulations, returns to full capacity with June’s trio of events at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
 
The three-week run commences Saturday, June 12 with former featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson (15-0, 8 KOs), who will fight Namibian contender Jeremiah Nakathila (21-1, 17 KOs) for the vacant WBO interim junior lightweight world title. In the 10-round junior welterweight co-feature, former two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (28-3, 13 KOs) fights the undefeated Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs).

One week later, WBA/IBF bantamweight world champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue (20-0, 17 KOs) defends his world titles against mandatory challenger Michael “Hot and Spicy” Dasmarinas (30-2-1, 20 KOs), Mikaela Mayer (14-0, 5 KOs) makes the first defense of her WBO female junior lightweight world title against Erica Farias (26-4, 10 KOs), and NABF featherweight champion Adam Lopez (15-2, 6 KOs) takes on former junior featherweight world champion Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe (21-2, 15 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

The action concludes June 26, as former pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KOs) fights hard-charging Japanese contender Masayoshi Nakatani (19-1, 13 KOs) in a 12-round lightweight bout, and former middleweight world champion Rob “Bravo” Brant (26-2, 18 KOs) battles the unbeaten Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (9-0, 5 KOs) in a 10-round showdown.

_________________

June 26: Rob Brant-Janibek Alimkhanuly Middleweight Showdown Set for Lomachenko-Nakatani Co-Feature at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Lomachenko-Nakatani and Brant-Alimkhanuly to stream live on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Tickets starting at $75 go on sale Friday, May 28 at 12 p.m. PT

LAS VEGAS (May 27, 2021) — Janibek Alimkhanuly, the middleweight phenom who once ruled the amateur ranks, is ready to bring his patented “Qazaq Style” to Las Vegas. Alimkhanuly, an unbeaten 28-year-old, will step up against former middleweight world champion Rob “Bravo” Brant in a 10-round showdown Saturday, June 26 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
 
Brant-Alimkhanuly will serve as the co-feature to the 12-round lightweight main event between former pound-for-pound king Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko and Japanese contender Masayoshi Nakatani.
 
Lomachenko-Nakatani and Brant-Alimkhanuly will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets priced at $400, $300, $200, $125 and $75 go on sale Friday, May 28 at 12 p.m. PT and can be purchased by visiting Etix.com.
 
“This is a fantastic doubleheader featuring a living legend in Lomachenko and a pair of middleweights who are closing in on a world title opportunity,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Janibek is relatively young in the pro ranks, but he has long wanted to fight the best available opposition. Rob Brant didn’t hesitate when offered this fight.”
 
Brant (26-2, 18 KOs) won the WBA middleweight belt in October 2018 with a one-sided decision over Ryota Murata, but in their rematch less than nine months later, Murata stopped Brant in a two-round barnburner. Brant returned last August and stopped Vitaliy Kopylenko in five rounds. Alimkhanuly (9-0, 7 KOs) dominated the field en route to winning the 2013 World Championships and represented Kazakhstan at the 2016 Olympics, where he advanced to the quarterfinals. A five-year pro, Alimkhanuly made his Top Rank debut in 2018 and most recently knocked out Gonzalo Coria in two rounds last October inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble.
 
“I am very excited to be back in the ring under the Top Rank banner against a formidable opponent in Janibek,” Brant said. “I am excited to showcase all the hard work I have put in with a victory on a stacked card.”
 
Alimkhanuly said, “For the fans who don’t know about me, you will be introduced to ‘Qazaq Style’ on June 26. Rob Brant is a former world champion who demands respect, but I am coming to Las Vegas to put on a spectacular show. My time has come. I will beat any of the middleweight champions. You will see it soon.”

• _________________

  “For Love of the Game”

  By Ernie DiStefano

  In 2015, after thirty years of experience as a criminal justice professional, of which I spent seventeen years working in a prison and witnessing the vast waste of human potential, I founded a non-profit organization, the Comeback Athletes & Artists Network, (CAAN, Inc.). Our mission was, and continues to be using athletics and the arts as a means of preventing crime, by assisting former prison inmates, those with a criminal history, and those most at-risk and vulnerable in our society.

  

  Promising young fighter – Shaheed Holmes

  We at CAAN, Inc. are so committed to our cause that we offer our time and effort as volunteers, receiving no financial compensation of any kind. Our reward will be seeing professional boxers’ lives and careers, and the sport of boxing as a whole, flourish by being able to provide boxers access to and financial assistance toward acquiring the following services (upon request of the athlete):

  1. Outside Referrals for Financial Investment/Financial Planning: We want to be able to provide boxers with access to outside financial planning and investment services that will give them a pathway for a happy and secure retirement and a means for ensuring a financial stability and security for themselves and their families.
  2. Outside Referrals for Legal Assistance: We want to be able to provide boxers with outside referrals for legal assistance on issues relevant to the fight game and their professional fight careers.
  3. Outside Referrals for Education/Vocational Training: We want to be able to provide boxers with access to outside educational programming and vocational training that will give them and their families a steady income, so they can survive while trying to advance in their professional fight careers.
  4. Outside Referrals for Physical, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health Treatment: We want to be able to provide boxers with access to outside treatment interventions to address their physical and mental well-being, as well as any issues of addiction they may be experiencing.
  5. NOTE: Upon written request of a boxer, and when our organization has an adequate amount of revenue to do so, we will provide financial assistance to a boxer for any of the requested above services. CAAN, Inc. will provide said financial assistance for requested services directly to the service provider.

  Here are testimonials from two of our athletes that represent the positive impact we want our services to achieve in people’s lives.

  “Ernie DiStefano and CAAN, Inc. gave me hope when I was hopeless…”-P.F. McCleary, Former Athlete and current Musical Artist.

  “Thanks to the help of CAAN, Inc., I can afford my training fees and pursue my athletic dreams.”-Shaheed Holmes, Aspiring Boxer

  My previous work as a boxing coach, co-manager, and mental training coach with professional and amateur boxers brought me to the belief that boxers are the most vulnerable and at-risk athletes in the sports world. I further believe the central cause of their vulnerability is poverty, for poverty creates desperation and strife, which lead to destructive life choices such as drug abuse, violence and crime. For these reasons, our organization’s athletic mission is focused on boxers. I also have a personal incentive for this mission. I have always loved the boxing game and have enormous respect for the Sweet Science, especially for the valiant warriors who practice it inside the ring! And as it is with every sport, when athletes are distracted by difficulties outside the ring or other venue of competition, their athletic performances suffer.

  

  Promising young fighter – Preston Lum Jr.

  In order to best serve the needs of professional boxers in these areas, I am in the process of communicating with boxers all over the world to obtain their feedback and recommendations with respect these and any other service interventions they may feel are needed. Therefore, if you are a professional boxer, or are aspiring to a career as a professional boxer, and are 18 years of age or older, please visit our CAAN, Inc. Facebook Group and send a request to join. You can also email us at happyathlete24@gmail.com. I am also in the process of pursuing funding and financial support from those who believe in our cause, because without it, we will never be able to provide the above services to boxers. For more information on our mission and our services, or to give a tax-deductible donation, please visit our website at www.caangroup.org.

  Please consider doing so for the same reason that motivates us….Love of the Game!

• _________________

Middleweight Javier Martinez Remains Undefeated with explosive 4th round Stoppage over Calvin Metcalf in Las Vegas

All The Marbles: Jose Ramirez & Josh Taylor Primed for Undisputed Junior Welterweight Title Showdown

Ramirez-Taylor to air LIVE Saturday on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (Simulcast on ESPN+) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT

Undercard to stream exclusively on ESPN+ at 4:45 p.m. ET/1:45 p.m. PT

LAS VEGAS (May 21, 2021) — Nobody’s hat was stolen. No brawl broke out. WBC/WBO champion Jose Ramirez and WBA/IBF champion Josh Taylor were all business Thursday at the final press conference for Saturday’s undisputed junior welterweight world title showdown at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

Ramirez (26-0, 17 KOs) and Taylor (17-0, 13 KOs) are fighting, not only to maintain their unbeaten records, but to become the sixth man to attain undisputed status in the four-belt era. For the first time since the matchup was officially announced nearly three months ago, the two best 140-pound fighters in the world were face to face. A little good-natured trash talk followed. But that’s to be expected.

Two days before the fight, this is what Taylor, Ramirez and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum had to say.

Bob Arum

“I’m very excited. Now at the end of this pandemic, we have the best fight of the whole pandemic experience. We don’t have to sell anything about this fight. We just mention the fighters. They are both undefeated, both former Olympians, both world champions. This will be a great fight!”

“With Jose as a fighter, you have seen his accomplishments, but I’m more impressed with the man he is outside of the ring. I’m proud of Jose.”

Jose Ramirez

“It’s an honor for me to face a great fighter like Taylor. This will be the best fight of the year.”

“He is very prideful of his country and I respect that. That’s the way a champion should be.”

“This has been a great training camp. I’m very motivated. It will be an honor and a blessing to make history as the first Mexican undisputed champion.”

“I believe a fighter like Taylor will bring out the best in me. He is a technical fighter, and when you face a fighter like that, you see everything clearly. You will see all the small things that I have worked on and that will show the experience I have as a fighter. You will see all my skills, and I will put on a show against a great fighter.”

“I’ve never been a fan of opinions of who is the best fighter out there. Sometimes people don’t understand that especially at this level, each fight is going to be tough. I always train like I’m the underdog. I always train like each fight is the biggest fight of my career. I can’t afford to lose. That’s always been my mentality. I always find a way to win.”

Josh Taylor

“I loved every single minute of camp in Las Vegas. Felt great to be back to normal.”

“I respect every fighter that jumps in the ring. You don’t become a unified champion out of anywhere. You have to be a great fighter. I highly respect him. He is a great fighter and a great person, but on Saturday night, as soon as that bell rings, all that goes out the window”

“This fight means the world to me. Puts my name in the history books as one of the {best} Scottish fighters in history. That’s why I have trained so hard for this fight. I dedicated my whole life to the sport. I’m so confident. This is a pure boxing fight.” 

“I’m confident I’m getting the KO on Saturday.”

• _________________

Fighting for a Cause: José Ramírez to Auction Fight-Worn Gloves and 1/1 Poster for Cancer Research

The V Foundation and The Bautista Foundation will split the proceeds
Ramírez will battle Josh Taylor for the undisputed junior welterweight world title, LIVE Saturday on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)

LAS VEGAS (May 21, 2021) — WBC/WBO junior welterweight world champion José Ramírez is set to fight WBA/IBF champion Josh Taylor this Saturday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET), a history-making bout that will crown an undisputed champion.
 
After the final bell, two one-of-a-kind fight artifacts — a 1/1 poster signed by Ramírez, Taylor and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, and Ramírez’s fight-worn Cleto Reyes gloves — will be auctioned off by Goldin Auctions. The proceeds will be shared with a pair of charities supported by Ramírez: The V Foundation for Cancer Research and The Bautista Foundation, which funds community, education and health programs in California’s Central Valley, where Ramírez was born and still resides.
 
Ramírez (26-0, 17 KOs), a 2012 U.S. Olympian, has long used his fights as a platform to raise awareness and funds for myriad nonprofits.
 
Ramírez said, “The fight against Taylor is a big one, but I am especially proud to fight for the V Foundation and The Bautista Foundation, two charities that do such vital, life-changing work. Get those bids up, donate to a worthy cause, and be sure to watch my fight against Josh Taylor on Saturday.”
 
Stephen Foster, the founder of Fresno Coin, fired the first haymaker of fight week when he opened the bidding at $7,500.
 
Foster said, “José is a leader in our community and stands for so many great things, and we at Fresno Coin stand with him in the fight against cancer.”
 
About Ramirez vs. Taylor

Promoted by Top Rank, Ramírez vs. Taylor is a 12-round showdown for the undisputed junior welterweight world championship, which will take place Saturday, May 22 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The event will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (and simulcast on ESPN+) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ (in English and Spanish) at 4:45 p.m. ET/1:45 p.m. PT.
 
The telecast will also feature a 10-round junior welterweight battle between Jose “Chon” Zepeda and “Hammerin” Hank Lundy, in addition to an eight-round junior welterweight tilt between knockout artist Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez and Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. 

• _________________

Top Mexican prospects showcased on stacked  

June 10^th RJJ Boxing card

STREAMING LIVE AND EXCLUSIVELY ON UFC FIGHT PASS® FROM MEXICO  

LAS VEGAS (May 13, 2021) — RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS®, presented by Roy Jones, Jr. Boxing Promotions and De La O Promotions, returns to Mexico on Thursday, June 10, to showcase some of the top Mexican boxing prospects.

All the action will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS^®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT from Benito Juarez Auditorium in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. To sign-up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.  

“RJJ Boxing continues to showcase some of the best prospects in Mexico,” RJJ Boxing CEO/co-founder Keith Veltre said.  “The future of Mexican boxing will be in action once again on UFC FIGHT PASS.  We have been able to continue promoting during the pandemic by following COVID-19 protocols, working with Emanuel Romo (DLA O Promotions), a dedicated staff and young fighters anxious to prove themselves in the boxing world outside of Mexico.”

The main event finds 23-year-old Mexican super middleweight Manuel “El Meno” Gallegos (17-1, 15 KOs) matched against his Las Vegas opponent, Kevin “The Second Coming” Newman (11-2-1, 6 KOs), in a 10-round bout.

Gallegos, who has stopped 15 pf his opponents in his 17 pro wins, is coming off his only loss as a pro last October, by way of an 8-round unanimous decision to 10-1-1 (7 KOs) Oziel Santoyo.  Gallegos’ most impressive victory to date was an 8-round unanimous decision over 37-7 Marco Reyes.  Upset-minded Newman has won four of his last five fights.

In the co-featured event, World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino featherweight champion Alan “Cacharro” Solis (13-0-1, 7 KOs), rated No. 12 by the WBO, will face the toughest test of his young pro career, Pablo “Diamente” Robles (14-2, 9 KOs), in a 10-round, non-title fight.  Solis, also from Mexico, has become a semi-regular fighter on RJJ Boxing cards in Mexico. 

Another Mexican fan favorite, World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Silver Lightweight Champion Luis “Koreano” Torres (11-0, 8 KOs) faces fellow Mexican, Diego “Pato” Eligio (20-5-1, 8 KOs), in a 10-round Special Featherweight Attraction.  The 19-year-old Torres is another familiar fighter on RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS in Mexico.  

• _________________

Inaugural “Granite Chin Invitational”  

& “Breakout” pro card part of  Day-Night Doubleheader   

June 26 in Derry, N.H.  

QUINCY, Mass. (May 17, 2021) – Granite Chin Promotions has announced it will host the inaugural “Granite Chin Invitational” as part of a Pro-Am card, featuring elite amateur boxers from throughout New England, as part of another day-night doubleheader on June 26th at New England Sports Center in Derry, New Hampshire.  

Two winners in each competing weight class of the June 26^th “Granite Chin Invitational” semifinals round, marking the first N.E. amateur tournament since the COVID-19 pandemic started more than a year ago, will advance to the August 26^th championship final at the same venue.  Several open-class amateur matches will also be held during the afternoon segment of this novel twin-bill.  

The “Granite Chin Invitational” is sanctioned by USA Boxing.  

Some of the top N.E. amateur boxers expected to compete include 2021 USA National Championships gold medalist Arika Skoog, the 2-time N.E. Golden Gloves champion out of Newton (MA); 2-time N.E. Golden Gloves champion Tashawn Ward, a featherweight from Providence (RI); and middleweights James Maner, 2019 N.E. Golden Gloves champion from Providence, and 2-time N.E. Golden Gloves champion Mike Fontanez, of Nashua (N.H).:  

“I am excited to be hosting an open class tournament in 2021,” Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti.  “Once I found out that the New England Golden Gloves was canceled, I felt obligated to do something for amateurs, especially open class boxers with national aspirations, Our tournament may not have the same prestige as the Golden Gloves, but it will give local amateurs a chance to see who the best in New England at their respective weight classes.  We recently decided to add pro bouts to the day show as well.  Like our last show, we want both shows to be packed with exciting bouts.”  

The pro segment of the afternoon’s Pro-Am card will showcase ABF Atlantic Cruiserweight Champion Yan “Wild Thing” Pellerin (11-1, 5 KOs) vs. Cristiano Pedro, fighting out of Lewiston (ME) by way of Angola in an 8-round, non-title fight.  Other pro fights, all 4-rounders, include Canadian heavyweight Alexis Barriere (1-0, 1 KO) vs. New York’s pro-debuting Andrew Nolan, Methuen (MA), light heavyweight Andrew Perez in his pro debut vs. TBA, Springfield (MA) super lightweight Ian “Dinamite” Garcia (0-0-1) vs. Andy Aiello (1-4-1), of Bridgewater, MA, New York cruiserweight Scott Lambert (1-2, 1 KO) vs. Yhago Goncalves (0-3), of Portsmouth (ME) by way of Brazil, and Springfield’s pro-debuting light heavyweight Laurent Humes.  

Full details about the “Breakout” pro card that same evening, headlined by a 10-round, vacant NABA U.S. heavyweight title fight between Steve “The Gentle Giant” Vukosa (13-1, 5 KOs), of Quincy, MA. and New England heavyweight champion Mike “Fly” Marshall (5-1, 4 KOs), of Danbury (CT), will soon be announced.  

Tickets go on sale this Monday (May 17) and are priced at $25.00 (Day Show) / $40.00 (Night Show) for general seating (unassigned). Unassigned ringside seating will be available at $35.00 per seat during the day show.  The night show will offer ringside tables (assigned and seats 4) for $300.00 and are available to purchase online at www.ticketriver.com (Search: Granite Chin Invitational for the day show, Breakout for night show).  

Doors open at 12:15 p.m. ET and 7:15 p.m. ET (night) with the first bouts, respectively, at 12:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. ET.

• • _________________

Friday Fight Time: Magomed Kurbanov-Liam Smith Junior Middleweight Showdown to Stream Live and Exclusively on ESPN+ 

Live stream from Russia to begin at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT

(May 5, 2021) — Former WBO junior middleweight world champion Liam “Beefy” Smith is set to enter enemy territory. Smith, from Liverpool, England, will battle undefeated Russian contender Magomed Kurbanov for the vacant WBO International junior middleweight title Friday at KRK Uralets in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Smith-Kurbanov will headline a scheduled five-fight card streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT.
 
Smith (29-2-1, 16 KOs) held the WBO junior middleweight world title from 2015-2016 before losing to Canelo Alvarez via ninth-round stoppage. He is 6-1 since the Alvarez fight, including two wins over current middleweight contender Liam Williams. Smith is riding a three-bout winning streak since his latest world title challenge, a game 2018 decision loss to Jaime Munguia. Kurbanov (21-0, 13 KOs) is a six-year pro who has held the WBO International junior middleweight title twice before. His most notable victory came in November 2019, when he outlasted longtime contender Diego Chaves over 12 rounds. Kurbanov went 3-0 in 2020, including a decision win over Ismail Iliev.
 
In other streaming action on ESPN+:

• Welterweight contender Eduard Skavynskyi (13-0, 7 KOs), who was born in Ukraine and now resides in Yekaterinburg, will fight former world title challenger Joel Julio (39-5, 33 KOs) in a 10-rounder.
   
• In a 10-round showdown for the vacant WBO European junior featherweight belt, Evgenii Liashkov (8-1, 2 KOs) will go for his ninth consecutive victory against Mukhammad Shekhov (8-0-1, 3 KOs), a one-time amateur standout for his native Uzbekistan.
   
• Enriko Gogokhia (12-0, 7 KOs), a former professional kickboxing standout from the nation of Georgia, will look to extend his knockout streak to five against Gustavo David Vittori (24-7-1, 12 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight contest.
   
• Southpaw boxer-puncher Zafar Parpiev (9-2, 2 KOs), who is coming off a December knockout win over the previously undefeated Turat Osmonov, will fight Filipino veteran Alphoe Dagayloan (14-4-6, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder at junior bantamweight.
• _________________

 

WBO Champion Emanuel Navarrete Retains Title after Vicious KO of Tough Challenger  Christopher Diaz

Rising superstar Edgar Berlanga drops Demond Nicholson four times en route to decision win

Story by Alexander R. Rinaldi and Joseph Rinaldi                                                 

KISSIMMEE, Fla. It was a great night of fighting at the Spurs Arena – the name itself sounding much like the backdrop of a western shootout or the outpost of a cavalry regiment, when boxers and their fists took up the visage of gunfighters and six-shooters with WBO Featherweight World Champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete leading the charge scoring a stunning and impressive knockout over the #6 ranked challenger Christopher Diaz.

What was most impressive about the knockout was that Navarrete was well ahead on the scorecards going into the twelfth and final round. Still, like the great gladiators and gunfighters of yesteryear, Navarrete left no room for doubt and put away his game and gallant challenger Diaz in a devastating, punishing fashion.       

Coming into the bout with a 80% knockout rate, Navarrete, who was also the former WBO Super Bantamweight champion having defended that title successfully five times, all of them ending by way of knockout, sent a loud and clear message to the rest of the featherweight champions that he is the new sheriff in town and the major one certainly to be reckoned with.

And reckoning he did – right in front of Diaz’s hometown faithful.

What also the made the fight compelling and exciting was that the bout was between a Puerto Rican challenger against a Mexican champion – a Spanish Witch’s brew for a grand night of boxing.

Diaz, 125.8, was a seasoned and top notch challenger who entered the bout with an impressive ledger of 26-2 (16 KO’s) having never been previously knocked out and who fought a tough fight against Shakur Stevenson whom he suffered a points loss to in 2019.

Facing the lankier Navarrete, the challenger Diaz had his worked cut out for himself, especially when he entered the relatively small 18 foot ring – a true puncher’s den – against the grave digger fists of the Mexican champion.

Wearing black trunk with white trim, Navarrete, 126, of San Juan Zitlaltepec, Mexico, wasted little time establish his jab against the small challenger. With a 72 inch reach (8 inches longer than the challenger’s) the champion stabbed Diaz with lancer-like jabs and leaping left hooks and jarring uppercuts. Duiaz, of nearby  Orlando, Florida, meanwhile went after Navarrete with lefts and rights to the champion’s head and body.

In round two, Diaz hammered relentlessly to Navarrete’s body and at one point even rocked the Mexican with a hard right to the jaw.

Navarrete regrouped in round three, and began scoring with right hand leads and left hooks, eventually slicing Diaz with a piercing left that slashed a cut over the challenger’s right eye.

To make matters worse for the challenger, in round four Navarrete started throwing his unorthodox left uppercut along with his potent jabs, left hooks, and right crosses. But with 42 seconds remaining in the round, it was the left uppercut that would strike pay dirt as it crashed under the Puerto Rican’s chin like an unseen grenade,  and sent him dropping hard and fast to the canvas. Though Diaz did not see the punch that struck him, he certainly felt it, as he stumbled to try and beat the referee’s count.

Up at the count of “nine” Diaz looked as if had he had been run over by a team of horses, as he used all the grit he had to stay upright until the bell sounded to end the round.

In round five, Diaz came out fast, aggressively tracking  the Champion with a two-fisted attack as both fighters began throwing bombs at the other.

Diaz fared even better in the next two rounds, trapping Navarrete against the ropes and waling away at his head and body. The problem was that the champion withstood those blows and fought back trading punch for punch. Then when it looked like Diaz was holding his own, the referee took a point deduction for hitting Navarrete behind the back.

Then came round 8.

After some good action for the first two thirds of the round, at the 1:13 mark of the round, Navarrete scored once again with that lethal left uppercut that nearly tore Diaz’s head off his shoulders, which the champion followed with a right to the jaw that landed like gunfire from a Remington Block rifle, that crashed the challenger back to the canvas. Barely up at the count of eight, Diaz bravely continued, but it was if he was entering the buzz saw of a western lumber mill.  Before he could settle himself, Diaz was struck again by over ten thunderous punches from the champion, which dropped him back to the now familiar canvas on the ring floor. Again, he gamely rose as the round ended to spare him.

To his credit, Diaz never gave up, but continued to fight hard and nearly got back in the fight, especially after landing a hard left uppercut of his own in round eleven.

Going into the twelfth and final round, Navarrete was well ahead on the scorecards and Diaz need a knockout to win the fight and the title. Knowing this all too well, Diaz went after the champion with both guns blazing. He even caught the Mexican with a hard right to the jaw as he continued his onslaught with a do or die attitude. Unfortunately, Navarrete was not satisfied with a decision and battled back with the fury of a tornado and the deadly killer instinct of a rattle snake.

With less than a minute in the fight, Navarete did what true champions do – he went for the knockout. With a five punch combination starting with a right to temple and ending with one more left uppercut to the jaw, Diaz smashed back to the canvas for the fourth and final time in the bout.

Once again, Diaz, with the courage of a lion rose back to his feet until his trainer Nelson Rodriguez mercifully stopped the bout at 2:49 of the twelfth and final round. 

 “I think we did put on a worthy performance (of Mexcio vs. Puerto Rico) because ‘Pitufo,’ I knew he was tough, I knew he was strong. And I knew he could hit hard, but he surpassed all my expectations. He brought out all the best in me and so I’ve got a lot of respect for Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Diaz,” said a jubilant Navarrete after the bout.”

“I was really impressed by ‘Pitufo’ because every time I hurt him, every time I dropped him, he came back stronger. He was a beast in there because he kept coming at me. He kept getting better even though I kept hurting him, and as the fight progressed, you’d expect him to get weaker but he kept getting stronger. I just couldn’t understand it. So I have the utmost respect for Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Diaz and what he did tonight.”

Diaz (26-3, 16 KOs) entered the fight having won two straight since a decision loss to Shakur Stevenson in a non-title bout. He landed 183 punches on Navarrete, but he was unable to seriously hurt the seasoned champion.

Diaz said, ” I’m very disappointed. I wanted to win. It’s a title shot. But next time. He’s a great fu—– fighter. He hit hard. We went to war. I made my best fight. I was in shape. Everything was good. 
 
“I’m not a weak fighter. I always bring my heart with me. I came here to fight. I said I want to box but that guy, he’s a problem. We come here to fight, too. He caught me. My coach loves me like a son, and he stopped the fight.”

In other action:

Super Middleweight: Edgar Berlanga (17-0, 16 KOs) UD 8 Demond Nicholson (23-4-1, 20 KOs). Scores: 79-68 and 79-69 2x.

There is a first time for everything.

“The streak” is no more, but Berlanga is still undefeated. Berlanga, who had 16 consecutive first-round knockouts entering the night, was extended the eight-round distance by Nicholson. He dropped Nicholson four times en route to the near-shutout, and the reading of the scorecards was academic.

Berlanga knocked down Nicholson with a left hook in the second round, a right hand in the third round, a left hook in the fifth round, and a right hand just before the bell sounded to end the eighth.

Berlanga said, “I feel amazing. It’s kind of fu—- up I had to go to the judges with all the people here. I know they wanted a first-round knockout, but I enjoyed getting the experience. 
 
“It was an awesome experience for me. I caught him with an amazing shot at 10 seconds of the last round. I wanted to get him out! But I didn’t, but I got the experience, especially in front of my Puerto Rican people. It was good.”

Junior Welterweight: Josue Vargas (19-1, 9 KOs) UD 10 Willie Shaw (13-3, 9 KOs). Scores: 98-92 and 99-91 2x.

Vargas, the Puerto Rican-born contender who now fights out of the Bronx, New York, survived a rough patch when he was buzzed in the opening round. He then proceeded to outbox Shaw, a native of Oakland, California. Vargas has won 13 consecutive bouts since a controversial disqualification loss early in his career.

Lightweight: Joseph Adorno (14-0-2, 12 KOs) MAJORITY DRAW 8 Jamaine Ortiz (14-0-1, 8 KOs). Scores: 76-74 Ortiz and 75-75 2x.

War. Eight rounds of fistic war. Adorno and Ortiz fought to a dead heat but combined to give boxing fans what will ultimately stand as one of 2021’s best fights. Adorno knocked down Ortiz with left hooks in the second and seventh rounds, but when Ortiz wasn’t on the canvas, he was muscling Adorno on the inside and ripping him with combinations. After nearly being knocked out in the seventh, Ortiz dominated the eighth round, sweeping the stanza on all three judges’ cards to salvage the draw.

Featherweight: Orlando Gonzalez (17-0, 10 KOs) UD 8 Juan Antonio Lopez (15-9, 6 KOs). Scores: 78-74 and 79-73 2x.

Puerto Rico’s Gonzalez didn’t have it easy against Lopez, but a determined effort and a boost from the partisan crowd was more than enough.

Welterweight: Xander Zayas (8-0, 6 KOs) TKO 1 Demarcus Layton (8-2-1, 5 KOs), :56.
 
Zayas tied his personal record for the shortest evening of his career, dispatching Arkansas native Layton in under a minute. A left hook started the onslaught, then another sweeping left planted Layton to the canvas. Referee Emil Lombardi saw enough and waved off the bout.
 
Zayas said, “This was amazing, something I was looking forward to for a long time. The last time I fought in front of a crowd, it was in Puerto Rico. Doing it here in Kissimmee, in front of my Puerto Rican fans, was memorable. First-round knockout, what else can I ask for?”

Junior Featherweight: Jeremy Adorno (5-0, 1 KO) MD 4 Ramiro Martinez (2-1-2, 1 KO). Scores: 38-38, 39-37 and 40-36. Adorno had the most difficult evening of his young career, returning from a 15-month layoff to edge Texas resident Martinez. Adorno was stunned in the second and fourth rounds, but his volume and clean punching told the story of the fight.

Junior Lightweight: Jaycob Gomez (2-0, 2 KOs) KO 1 Mobley Villegas (3-2, 2 KOs), 2:38. Puerto Rican phenom Gomez prevailed in less than a round, ending matters with a three-punch combination that put Villegas down for the 10-count.

(Undercard Action by Top Rank)

(Photos by Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Terence Crawford demolishes former Champ Kell Brook to retain WBO Welterweight Title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

By Alex and John Rinaldi

LAS VEGAS —  It is common knowledge that the state of Nebraska’s most widely known and grown crop is corn, which is used to feed livestock and poultry, as well as make the industrial chemical known as ethanol.

After the corn is grown and harvested – the next most important part of the process is the husking of corn, which is the removal of its outer leafy-like layers leaving remaining only the cob or seed rack of the corn. This husking is not only part of the process, it also becomes a communal ritual in some parts of the state.

That is why the University of Nebraska football team is famously known as the Cornhuskers.

It is equally well known that the WBO Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford also happens to hail from Nebraska.

But make no mistake about it, the closest Crawford  will ever come to being a Cornhusker is when his fists crash through his opponents’ layers of defense with the goal of turning their battered, smashed faces into cornbread.

And like the Grim Reaper the only thing Crawford is reaping lately is pain and destruction.

Defending his WBO welterweight title for the fourth time, on November 14, Crawford knew that his opponent was not some undeserving or unqualified challenger. Instead staring at him from the other side of the ring stood Kell Brook, from Sheffield England, who had previously won the IBF welterweight title from Shawn Porter in 2014, then defended it successfully three times until losing it to Errol Spence three years later in 2017.

Brook, 147,  also had three things going for him: One, lack of fear of any man; Two,  the skills and desire to win back the welterweight title, and, Three,  knockout powered fists that caused 27 men in his 39 wins to never hear the sound of the final bell.

Besides that, the Brit looked be chiseled out of the same Brimham Rocks found near his hometown of Sheffield. In short, he looked to be in wonderful condition and ready to take on his American adversary.

Though the odds makers had him a +1100 chance to win, by fight time, when the English money finally made its way to the Las Vegas Strip, the odds in Brook’s favor increased to +700.

As for Crawford, 146.4, who entered the ring at odds of -225 to retain his title by knockout, and wearing black trunks with gold trim, he had one thing on his mind – a mission as old as the wars of men and might, to seek and annihilate his challenger before the bell tolled 12.

A few minutes later, when the bell rang loud in the near COVID deserted MGM Bubble, Brook started the fight confident behind left jabs and rights to the head and body.  When Crawford, a natural southpaw, came out initially as a righty, Brook took advantage of this to score often with the left jab.

In round two, Terence switched back to lefty and began landing some hard right jabs and combinations. Brook, meanwhile, connected well with straight rights to attack Crawford’s southpaw stance and even managed to pull out of his arsenal an uppercut or two.

The give and take continued in round three, when Brook, wearing white trunks with blue and red trim, continued throwing punches to Crawford’s head and midsection. This time the champion began to pick up the pace, and even stunned Brook with a hard right to the chin near the round’s end.

That right hand punch would prove to be a harbinger of things to come, and like a firestorm tearing up a prairie, it would soon spell doom to anyone in its path.

For the challenger Brook, that doom came for him in round four.

After a fairly close beginning of the round, at around the 2:17 mark, Brook went to throw a left jab…then it happened.

Like meteor on target to strike planet Earth, Crawford countered over the left with a right cross that collided with Brook’s jaw and crushed it as if struck by a cinder block thrown off the top of a farm silo.

Immediately Brook, who never actually saw the punch coming or landing, flew across the ring and into the ropes. Though the ropes at first appeared to be protecting him from falling to the canvas, at the same time it also trapped him like a spider’s web.  

Seeing Brook helpless and hurt, Crawford pounced on him with a hard flurry of punches until the referee Tony Weeks interceded to give the British challenger a merciful eight count.

With his eyes still rolling in his head like gumballs, and his face taking on the gray mask of a man about to take the long walk down the hall to the electric chair, Brook bravely continued the fight.

Unfortunately for Brook, Crawford not only wanted to continue the fight – he also wanted to end it.

And end it he did.

His punches shot out like bullets from a Tommy Gun, consisting of a right to the head, followed by three jarring left hooks, culminating with one final right hand that put Brook somewhere between an ether forced sleep and the curved resting bench of a guillotine.

Thankfully Weeks saw enough and jumped in to save both Brook and his career in the fight game.

The time of the stoppage was 1:14 of round four.

Although Brook (39-3, 27 KOs) was leading on two of three judges’ cards entering the fourth round, it was Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs)  who ended Brook’s challenge forever.

Crawford, who pocketed a cool $4 million for his night’s work,  has now won eight straight fights by knockout dating back to July 2016.

As for  Brook, the first thing he said to his corner after the fight was, “What happened?”

Well, Terence Crawford happened…and he keeps on happening fight after fight.

“I already said who I want {next}. I want Pacquiao. I want to revisit that fight,” Crawford said. “That was a fight that should’ve happened right now. But being that the pandemic happened, and they weren’t going to allow fans in the Middle East, they had to put a hold to that. Everything was 95 percent done. We had the venue. The money was almost there. It wasn’t quite there. That was the only thing we were waiting on.

“Kell is a tremendous talent. He came and he tried to take my title. He was in shape. He made the weight. There were no excuses to be put on the table. He came off of three wins.”

Added Brook, “Never in my career, nobody has ever done that to me in sparring or anything.
 
“It was one of them… I got caught with a shot I didn’t see. I’m gutted because nobody could’ve gotten me in better condition. I was bang on the limit. Maybe I could’ve been a bit more relaxed and loose and let the shots go.”

The only saving grace for the game and talented brooks was that he went home $2 million richer.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said, “Terence Crawford showed, once again, why he is the best welterweight in the world. It was a dominating performance over a very good fighter in Kell Brook. Terence ranks up there with all the great welterweights I’ve promoted.”

Franco-Moloney 2 Ends in Controversy

In one of the strangest events in recent boxing history, Joshua Franco, of San Antonio, Texas,  and Andrew Moloney, of Melbourne, Australia,  fought to a no-decision thereby permitting Franco to retain his WBA jr. bantamweight title.

In a fight that saw Moloney, 114.7,  stabbing his jab at the Champion Franco, and throwing punches in bunches to his head and midsection, the Australian appeared dominant and on the top of his game. 

Then trouble emerged after Moloney connected with some hard blows to the right eye of Franco, 114.5, The champion’s eyed swelled almost immediately prompting referee to  Russell Mora to seemingly incorrectly rule that there was an accidental headbutt. 

In round two, Moloney, (21-1, 14 KO’s) who was trying to avenge the loss of his title to Franco last June, continued his two-fisted assault as Franco battled heroically through his quickly closing eye. At the end of the round, the ring doctor stopped the fight.

After a 26-minute replay review, controversy reigned supreme. WBA super flyweight world champion Joshua Franco, (17-1-2, 1ND, 8 KO’s) retained title via no decision over Andrew Moloney. Franco dethroned Moloney back in June via unanimous decision, and in the rematch, Moloney controlled the first two rounds before the bout was stopped. The injury sustained by Franco in the first round caused the fight to be halted following the conclusion of the second.

Moloney said, “They took this away from me. The injury was caused by a punch. I can’t believe this.
 
“I was in control of the fight and on my way to a clear victory. I deserved this win. I landed 50 punches on that eye. It was not even close.”
 
Added Arum, “This is an absolute disgrace. There was no head butt.  Andrew Moloney should be the new champion.”

In undercard bouts:

Bantamweight: Joshua Greer Jr. (22-2-2, 12 KOs) Majority Draw 8 Rounds Edwin Rodriguez (11-5-2, 5 KOs). Scores: 77-75 Rodriguez and 76-76 2x. Noted spoiler Rodriguez nearly pulled another upset, but Greer closed the bout strong to salvage the draw. Rodriguez is 2-0-2 in his last four fights, all of which came against undefeated fighters.Middleweight: Tyler Howard (19-0, 11 KOs) UD 8 KeAndrae Leatherwood (22-8-1, 13 KOs). Scores: 77-73, 77-74 and 76-74. “Hercules” Howard returned from a nearly 18-month layoff to pick up the most significant victory of his career. In a closely contested bout, Howard dropped Leatherwood in the closing stages of the eighth round to clinch the decision.

Featherweight: Duke Ragan (3-0, 1 KO) UD 4 Sebastian Gutierrez (2-1-1). Scores: 40-35 2x. Ragan, a top prospect from Cincinnati, Ohio, cruised to the win after knocking down Gutierrez in the second round.

Bantamweight: Vegas Larfield (2-0, 2 KOs) TKO 3 Juan Alberto Flores (2-1-1), 1:07. Larfield, who trained with Andrew Moloney to prepare for this bout, made a memorable American debut, scoring two knockdowns in the third round. Entering the third round, two judges had the fight even, while the third had Flores ahead 20-18.

Lightweight: Raymond Muratalla (11-0, 9 KOs) TKO 3 Luis Porozo (15-5, 8 KOs), 2:40. Muratalla upped his KO streak to six with a statement-making performance over the former Ecuadorian Olympian. Muratalla, who is trained by Robert Garcia, notched a pair of knockdowns in the third round.

Photos courtesy of  Top Rank

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Terence Crawford vs. Kell Brook: Top Boxing Telecast Across all TV Networks since January 2019

• Crawford vs Brook averaged 1,758,000 viewers, making it the most viewed boxing telecast across on all TV networks since January 2019.
• The main event was also the most viewed boxing telecast on cable since December 2018 (Lomachenko vs. Pedraza on ESPN: 1,889,000)
• The fight rating peaked during the 11:45 p.m.-12:00 a.m. ET quarter hour with 2.1 million viewers
• Through seven Saturday night telecasts on ESPN so far this year, Top Rank on ESPN has averaged 1,033,000 viewers, up 44% from 11 Saturday night telecasts in 2019
• Adults 18-49 are up 54% year-over-year
• Crawford vs. Brook ranked No. 1 as the most socially engaged boxing telecast across TV over the last two years, with over 306,000 total social interactions across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
• Crawford vs. Brook had a strong performance on social media, becoming the most socially engaged telecast across TV over the last two years, with over 306,000 social interactions across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
• Lomachenko vs. Lopez and Crawford vs. Brook have been the most socially engaged boxing telecasts across TV in consecutive months over the last two years.
• Top Rank on ESPN has featured an action-packed fall schedule highlighted by some of the leaders of boxing’s electric youth movement, including stunning performances by the new undisputed lightweight king Teofimo Lopez, WBO female junior lightweight world champion Mikaela Mayer and WBA/IBF unified bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue. Rising star Shakur Stevenson, the undefeated former featherweight world champion from Newark, N.J., is set to close out the year in a 10-round junior lightweight main event against Toka Kahn Clary, Saturday, Dec. 12, from MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe, Shawn Porter and Ryan Garcia lead boxers in win over UFC on television’s Celebrity Family Feud
By Ron John Rinaldi

LOS ANGELES – The iconic television Family Feud, hosted by Steve Harvey, scored a knockout when present and past WBC Champions competed against their fellow combat sport adversaries in the UFC to the delight of the live crowd on hand.

The WBC team consisted of present WBC Silver Lightweight Champion Ryan Garcia (20-0, 17 KO’s), former WBC and IBF Welterweight Champion Shawn Porter (31-3-1, 17 KO’s), retired legendary former Heavyweight Champions Evander Holyfield (44-10-2-1NC, 29 KO’s) and Riddick Bowe (43-1-1NC, 33 KO’s), as well as WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.

Surprisingly the weak link on the team happened to be Sulaiman, while the four boxers soared to victory with their answers.

In an interesting note, the day before the fighters were to appear as part of the boxing team for Family Feud, Shawn Porter somehow happened to be watching his Family Feud teammate Ryan Garcia’s boxing KO Francisco Fonseca on February 14, and wondered how the young boxer could have a fight and somehow be able to make the taping of the show the very next day.

“I was in denial,” Porter told ESPN. “I’m like, ‘He ain’t gonna be there. He’s fighting the night before.’ The second thought: ‘Is he that bold to schedule two things?’ My thought was, I hope to see him there.”

Not surprisingly, Garcia, who happens to be one of the new shining stars in boxing, Garcia knocked out Fonseca at just 1:20 of the second round and then, about 15 hours later, helped lead Team WBC to a dominant 522-37 victory over Team UFC on Feb. 15.

The fight was in Anaheim, California. The show was filmed in the Fairfax district of L.A. and aired Thursday night on October 29 on ABC.

“We got the [early] knockout,” Garcia said afterward. “Two days in a row, [early] knockout.”

Forrest Griffin did not get Team UFC off to a good start on “Celebrity Family Feud,” much to the amusement of Henry Cejudo. “Giraffe”? What was Griffin thinking?

Team UFC was headed by former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin, and also featured Henry Cejudo, who was UFC men’s bantamweight champion at the time, and former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm  along with welterweight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, and strawweight champion Michelle Waterson. 

With the victory, the WBC boxers earned $25,000 for the Andy Vargas Foundation, a youth scholarship program in Los Angeles. The UFC team won $5,000 for the Jimmy V Foundation for cancer research.

Prior to the beginning of the Feud contest, the boxers presented Steve Harvey with an authentic WBC World Championship Belt featuring his name and likeness on it.

The UFC team also presented Harvey with the UFC championship Belt

The UFC team had a slow start and struggled to gain back any momentum. In the first showdown, between Garcia and Griffin, the ex-UFC fighter hit the button first and was asked to name a top answer for the question: “What animal does your wife turn into as soon as you come to bed?” Griffin stupidly answered “giraffe,” which was not on the board. Garcia said “bear” — the No. 1 answer, which allowed Team WBC to take control.

“That’s where it went wrong,” Griffin said with a laugh. “You have to set the tone as the team captain. We had a fumble on the opening kickoff. That’s pretty much what happened. … I don’t know where that came from, but I wish it went back there.”

Next to the UFC fighters, the WBC boxers looked liked Rhodes Scholars, especially Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe who proved to be the funniest contestant with the best answers.

But it was Bowe who delivered the most telling blow of the episode when host Steve Harvey asked: “Some guys are so lonely they’ll go out on a date with their who?”

Cool as you like, the man known as Big Daddy replied: “Joe.”

And Harvey fell straight into the trap.

“Joe, who?” he replied.

“Joe Mamma,” Bowe said.

Harvey let out an hysterical, stunned reaction as the players from both teams erupted in laughter.

Joked Thompson: “As soon as ‘giraffe’ came out of his mouth, we were like, ‘OK, we’re screwed.'”

Bowe was arguably the MVP for Team WBC, quick with a joke and answers, including a showdown victory over Holm.

“Family Feud” host Steve Harvey told the studio audience that in Las Vegas five years ago he bet $10,000 on Holm to beat Ronda Rousey at UFC 193. Holm, of course, knocked Rousey out. “I told everybody she was gonna whoop Ronda Rousey,” Harvey said.

Waterson said she’s a lifelong fan of “Family Feud” and was hoping to get more time to hang out with Harvey on set. “I want a rematch,” she said.

Team WBC would beg to differ. Garcia stole the show, guiding his team to victory just hours after a highlight-reel knockout in a boxing ring.

“Life is good,” Holyfield said. “One has to take advantage of the opportunity — and he did. Bam.”

All in all, it was great to see the boxers take part in the show.  Steve Harvey, a lifelong boxing fan, proved to be a genuinely thrilled to see his boxing heroes, as well as was generally touched when he was presented with the WBC Belt.

Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) is next scheduled to fight Luke Campbell in Indio on Dec. 5 for the WBC interim lightweight title.

Ryan Garcia, center, waives to the studio audience as the professional boxer from Victorville stands next to host Steve Harvey, left, and teammate Evander Holyfield on the set of “Celebrity Family Feud,” which aired Thursday night, Oct. 29, 2020, on ABC.

Earlier this month, he said he’s been “eagerly waiting” to get back to the sport he has dominated to this point. 

“It’s been a tough year for everyone, but I’m excited to bring the fans an escape for the night … or based on my track record, a few minutes at most,” Garcia said of his upcoming bout. “Luke’s record speaks for itself, but I’m ready to prove the doubters wrong. This is my era now, and Dec. 5 is just the start of it.”