All posts by FNU47

amateur boxing, boxing

“Collegiate Fight Night” Homecoming for two West Point Cadet Boxers Luca LoConte Botis & Jack Ward

Leave a comment
Saturday, Nov. 11 in Winchester, MA
(L-R) – Luca LoConte Botis, head coach Ray Barone, and Jack Ward
 
WINCHESTER, Mass. (October 29, 2017) – “Collegiate Fight Night”, presented by the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) in association with USA Boxing, on Saturday night (7 p.m. ET start), November 11, will be a homecoming for a pair of West Point Cadets boxers with close ties to the town of Winchester (MA), Luca LoConte Botis and Jack Ward.
Ten amateur bouts are on tap at Maurer Auditorium in Winchester Town Hall (on Mt. Vernon St.) as the Cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point are matched against a New England all-star caliber team comprised of boxers from the Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT), University of Massachusetts, University of Connecticut, Trinity College and Harvard University.
West Point requires all its Cadets, male and female, to take 19 lessons of boxing and that, combined with the program’s tremendous success in competition over the years, results in its relatively high number of boxers (40) on a college boxing team. West Point voluntary head boxing coach Ray Barone is a military retiree who taught at West Point.
“Luca and Jack work hard in the gym and are leaders amongst their peers,” Coach Barone said. “They are top-of-the-line guys and we’re fortunate to have both on our team. West Point is a high-end academic school, like an Ivy League school, and we aren’t allowed to recruit boxers.
“We have another great group of boxers this year. It’s always, ‘Yes, sir; no, sir’ and they’re all very articulate. Luca and Jack, like other boxers on our team, are very respectful. Luca is a very good boxer who could very well be in the Fight of the Night. Jack came here as a football player and he’ll be in his first boxing match on November 11th.”
LoConte Botis and Ward, who has close to a 4.0 GPA, are sophomores who aspire to be Infantry officers upon graduation from West Point.
Luca attended West Point Prep School for one year before entering West Point Military Academy. A 2015 graduate of Winchester High School, he started boxing at a young age, capturing top honors in the New England Junior Olympics, and he developed his skills at Peter Welch’s Gym in South Boston, as well as with the Rivera brothers at the Somerville Boxing Club.
Because he always intended to box at West Point, Luca contacted boxing officials there when he was still in high school, and he knew the coaches and boxers before he officially got there. With 18 (11-7) amateur matches under his belt, Luca has invaluable experience in a sport he passionately views as a lifestyle, much more than a sport
“I am from Winchester and look at this show as a homecoming,” Luca remarked. “I fought there once as a freshman and now I want to show everybody at home that I’ve grown. I’m no longer a boy, I’m growing into a man, and boxing has a lot to do with that. Styles make fights and I know who I’m fighting. I plan to relax in the ring and give everybody a real show. I’m going to have a lot of fun, too, and leave with a smile on my face.
“I become a better version of myself, every day, by getting in the ring. Boxing takes its toll on the body and mind but, if I have a tough day academically or during military training, I get that anger out in the gym. Boxing is a release for me. It reminds me why I’m here. What I overcome in the ring, I can do in any other way. I plan to compete in the Golden Gloves this year and as an officer, I will lead men and women soldiers.”
Ward grew-up in Hampton, NH, but he has roots in Winchester, which he considers his second home. Jack attended Salisbury School, in Connecticut, and he was recruited as a football player. He decided not to play football at West Point and, despite having no prior experience as a boxer, he joined the West Point Boxing Team after meeting Coach Barone and some members of the squad.
“I love competing, discipline and conditioning and I’ve never been in as good shape as I am now as a boxer,” Jack explained. “Boxing adds to my overall development, mentally and physically, and the it will help me become a more effective leader: Calm under pressure, in and out of the ring.
“Because my entire mother’s side is from Winchester, my extended family lives in Winchester, which is like home for me. I’m very happy to be boxing for the first time there and I plan on having a great outing.”
Former professional world champions “Irish” Micky Ward (Lowell) – no relations to Jack Ward — and Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera (Worcester) will be special guests at “Collegiate Fight Night”.
Seacoast Ticket Agency is the exclusive online (www.seacoastticket.com) and phone(1.800.382.5242) ordering ticket service for “Collegiate Fight Night”. Tickets plus ($2.50 service fee) are priced at $20.00 for general admission and limited $40.00 ringside reserved. Limited $500 VIP packages are also available and include four ringside reserved tickets, including a pre-event reception at Lucias Ristorante in Winchester (cash bar), company name recognition in the event program, post and pre-event Meet & Greet with special guest boxers at Lucias. Tickets may be available to purchase fight night at the door, however, this event is expected to sell-out in advance.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /NCBA, /USABoxing
boxing, Rivera Promotions, UFC

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga Victorious in pro boxing debut

Leave a comment
 
“NEW ENGLAND’S FUTURE 4” RESULTS

 

 
 Gabriel Gonzaga (R) won his pro boxing debut
WORCESTER, Mass. (October 29, 2017) – Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga has a successful pro boxing debut last night (Saturday, Oct. 28) in the co-featured event on the “New England’s Future 4” card, presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), at DCU Center, Exhibition Hall, in Worcester.
The 6′ 2″, 280-pound Brazilian, now fighting out of Worcester (MA), fought another pro-debut boxer with limited MMA experience, Alejandro Esquilin Santiago, of Tampa (FL). Gonzaga stalked the southpaw Santiago, landing some hard shots in the opening round. The heavy-handed Gonzaga picked up the pace in the third and his upset-minded opponent responded in a positive fashion. Both fighters exchanged freely in the fourth and final round, neither was hurt during the contest, and Gonzaga was awarded a win by four-round majority decision.
“I thought I’d be more relaxed in the ring like I had been in the gym,” Gonzaga said. “I did my best and came away with a victory. I was too safe in the third round. My punches were much strong and a lot of his punches I blocked with my gloves. This was really great! tonight”

  Gonzaga (L) defeated Santiago
“I felt good and gave it my all,” Santiago remarked. “He hit me with some shots and gave ’em back. Not only does he have a big nose (“Napao”), he has a strong, big head, too.”
In the main event, popular Hartford (CT) light heavyweight Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera remained undefeated, improving his record to 4-0 (3 KOs), with a first-round knockout of an over-matched Hansen Castillo (0-3)
Rivera, not relations to the promoter, first dropped Castillo with a beautifully placed left uppercut and finished the show moments later with a left hook that sent Castillo flying to canvas. Referee Kevin Hope didn’t bother to count.
“My coaches were telling me to be calm because it was a six-round bout,” Rivera explained. “I saw that he had his left down and caught him with an uppercut. I’m strong to the finish because I eat my spinach.”
New Haven junior middleweight Edwin Sosa (11-2-2, 4 KOs) overcame at 15-pound disadvantage, at the very least, en route to a dominant six-round unanimous decision over Anthony “The Animal” Everett (1-7), of Rowley (MA).
Danbury (CT) junior welterweight Omar Bordoy, Jr. (3-0, 1 KO) stopped New York veteran Bryan “The Brick” Abraham (6-31, 6 KOs) in the fourth and final round. Abraham was decked twice and after counting to 10 after Abraham’s second time on the canvas, referee Paul Casey waved off the action.
Three-time national amateur champion Elvis “Chi Chi” Figueroa (3-0, 1 KO), fighting out of New Haven, pitched a complete shutout over a game, pro-debuting Rene Nazare(0-1), of Brazil, for a convincing win by way of a four-round unanimous decision.
Southbridge (MA) welterweight Wilfredo “El Sucaro” Pagan (3-0, 1 KO) pinnedPatrick Leal (0-4), of Woburn, on the ropes early, dropping him three times until referee Casey halted the fight midway through the opening round.
Complete results below:
OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN EVENT – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Richard Rivera (4-0, 3 KOs), Hartford, CT
WKO1 (2:18)
Hansen Castillo (0-3), Orlando, FL
CO-FEATURE– HEAVYWEIGHTS
Gabriel Gonzaga (1-0), Worcester, MA
40-36, 40-36, 38-38)
Alejandro Esquilin Santiago (pro debut), Tampa, FL.
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Elvis Figueroa (3-0, 1 KO), New Haven, CT
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Rene Nazare (0-1), Brazil
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Edwin Soto (10-2-2, 4 KOs), New Haven, CT
WDEC6 (60-54, 60-54, 58-56)
Anthony Everett (1-6), Rawley, MA
WELTERWEIGHTS
Wilfredo Pagan (3-0, 1 KO), Southbridge, MA
TKO1 (1:36).
Patrick Leal (0-4), Woburn, MA
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Omar Bordoy, Jr. (3-0, 1 KO), Danbury, CT
WTKO4 :148)
Bryan “The Brick” Abraham (6-31, 6 KOs), Schenectady, NY
(All fights & fighters subject to change)
 
INFORMATION:
 
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp, KingRivera_
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UK Boxing

UNIFIED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION ANTHONY JOSHUA STOPS MANDATORY CHALLENGER CARLOS TAKAM IN 10TH

Leave a comment

 

Joshua vs. Takam, The First of Consecutive Heavyweight World Title Fights On SHOWTIME, Replays TONIGHT at 10:40 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME; And On Sunday Morning at 10 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME 

 

005_Anthony_Joshua_vs_Carlos_Takam

 

CLICK FOR PHOTOS FROM CARDIFF; Credit Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

CARDIFF, WALES (Oct. 28, 2017) – Undefeated and Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua stopped IBF mandatory challenger Carlos Takam in the 10th round on Saturday night at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, where the British sensation improved to 20 wins, all by knockout, and retained both his IBF and WBA world title belts. 

 

Joshua vs. Takam was contested before a record 78,000 fans, the largest ever for an indoor boxing event and was the first of back-to-back heavyweight world title fights airing live on SHOWTIME.  Next Saturday, Nov. 4, WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder headlines a three-fight telecast when he faces former world champion Bermane Stiverne at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

 

Creative combinations and some inside fighting rarely seen from the rangy Joshua opened up a cut over Takam’s right eye and floored the challenger in the 4th.  Later, Joshua opened another gash over the left eye but a bloody and battered Takam continued to press forward.  Takam was able to land some significant punches in the middle rounds but not enough to take Joshua off his game.

 

In the 10th, after Joshua landed several big punches including a left-right combination that rocked the courageous challenger, referee Phil Edwards stepped in and stopped the fight at 1:34. 

 

“I kept my composure,” said Joshua when asked about a head butt in the second round that may have broken the champion’s nose. “We will get my nose cracked back into place and then we can get back to training.”

 

When SKY Sports’ ringside reporter Andy Scott asked the beloved champion about a unification bout with fellow undefeated champion Wilder, Joshua said, “It has to happen. It has to happen for sure.  When it comes down to it, the IBF, IBO and WBA have mandatory challengers.  I can’t just fight any Joe Blow I want.  I have to fight the obligations as champion and once I fulfill those, my door is open to fight anyone, be it Wilder or anyone else.

 

“Everyone saw how hard it took to get the belts,” he continued.  “I am not giving them up for anyone.”

 

When asked about fighting overseas in America or elsewhere, Joshua replied to the delight of the U.K. fans, “As I said, it’s not my decision what happens outside the ring… but look at what boxing is doing.  We are getting people coming in from all around the U.K. and from different countries.  I think we should keep on boxing right here in the U.K.” 

 

 For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

M-1 CHALLENGE 84 RESULTS & PICTURES

Leave a comment
Alexey Kunchenko stops Sergey Romanov in
1st round to retain title and remain undefeated
 
Artiom Frolov defeats Caio Magalhaes
Captures vacant M-1 Challenge middleweight title

(L-R) — M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein &
M-1 Challenge welterweight champion Alexey Kunchenko
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (October 27, 2017) – M-1 Challenge welterweight championAlexey Kunchenko retained his title, improving hid professional mixed-martial-arts record to 19-0-0, in last night’s M-1 Challenge 84 main event in St. Petersburg Russia.
Undefeated Artiom Frolov (10-0-0), of Russia, captured the vacant M-1 Challenge middleweight title, taking a five-round decision from Caui “Hellboy” Malgahaes (10-34-0).
  Kunchenko pounds Romanov
Kunchenko, fighting out of Russia, stopped his challenger and fellow countryman,Sergey Romanov (11-2-0), via punches in the opening round, highlighting the 20thanniversary of promotional company M-1 Global. Kunchenko and Romanov both started the action unbeaten in M-1 Global competition, Kunchenko at 8-0-0, 5-0-0 for Romanov.
  Frolov lands “money punch” on Malgahaes
Frolov won a tough five-round decision from Brazilian veteran Malgahaes in the co-featured event.
American middleweight Joe “Diesel” Riggs registered his 46th career MMA victory, punching out Oleg Olenichev (9-5-0) in the third round, while Spanish middleweightEnoc Solves Torres (21-10-1) made quick work of Andrey Seledtzov (7-5-0), using an armbar for a win by way of first-round submission.
Russian bantamweight Bair Shtepin (5-2-0) upset employed a triangle choke to forces his Finnish opponent, Janne “Jamba” Elonen-Kulmala (15-6-1) by way of a third-round submission, and Russian lightweight prospect Roman Bogatov (3-0-0) won a three-round decision over German invader Sascha Sharma (13-4-0)..
 
Fighting on the preliminary card, Russian heavyweight Philip “F-11” De Freis (13-6-0, M-1: 1-0-0) won a majority decision over fellow countryman Anton Vyzigin (7-2-0), while Russian featherweight Zalimbek Omarov (9-2-1) won a unanimous decision against Sascha Sharma (13-4-0), of Germany.   Ilya Bochkov (2-1-0) stopped Arkady Lisin (5-2-0) and Dmitry Tebekin (7-3-0) won a unanimous decision over Vasily Volodko (2-1-0) in a pair of fights between Russian light heavyweights,
In three welterweight matches featuring six Russian fighters, Maksim Grabovich (6-3-0) used a rear naked choke to defeat Temirlan Sharipov (3-1-0) in the third round, and Danila Prikaza (8-2-1) took a decision from Akhmadkhan Ozdoev (4-1-1).
Complete results and more pictures below:
 
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Alexey Kunchenko (17-0-0, M-1: 9-0-0), Champion, Russia
WKO/TKO1 (Punches – 2:44)
Sergey Romanov (11-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Challenger, Russia
(Kunchenko M-1 Challenge welterweight title)
CO-FEATURE – VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Artem Frolov (10-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), Russia
WDEC5
Caio Magalhaes (10-4-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Brazil
(Frolov won vacant M-1 Challenge middleweight title)
Joe Riggs (46-17-0, M-1: 2-0-0), USA
WKO/TKO (punches – 3:22)
Oleg Olenichev (9-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia
Enoc Solves Torres (21-10-1, M-1: 6-7-1), Spain
WSUB1 (Armbar – 0:44)
Andrey Seledtsov (7-5-0, M-1: 0-4-0), Russia
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Roman Bogatov (3-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
Jani Salmi (9-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Finland
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Bair Shtepin (5-2-0, M-1: 2-2-0), Russia
WSUB3 (Triangle Choke – 4:44)
Janne Elonen-Kulmala (15-5-1, M-1: 1-0-1), Finland
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Arkadiy Lisin (5-0-0, M-1:0-0-0), Russia
Ilya Bochkov (3-1-0, M-1:1-1-0), Russia
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Philip DeFreis (13-6-0, M-1: 1-0-0), England
WDEC3
Anton Vyazigin (7-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Russia
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Dmitry Tebekin (7-3-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia
WDEC3
Vasily Volodko (2-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
Ilya Bochkov (4-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Russia
WKO/TKO2 (Punches – 4:24)
Arkady Lisin (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Maksim Grabovich (6-3-0, M-1: 5-3-0), Russia
WSUB3 (Rear Naked Choke (1:47)
Temirlan Sharipov (3-1-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia
Danila Prikaza (8-2-1, M-1: 5-2-0), Russia
WDEC3
Akhmadkhan Ozdoev (4-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Zalimbek Omarov (9-2-1, M-1: 6-1-1), Russia
WDEC3
Sascha Sharma (13-4-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Germany
 
 

(L-R) — Kunchenko was too much for Romanov to handle
 

Frolov drops Magalhaes on his head
 
INFORMATION:

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
 
M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia
boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rivera Promotions, UFC

“New England’s Future 4” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

Leave a comment
WORCESTER, MASS. (October 27, 2017) – The official “New England’s Future 4” weight in was held today at Pepe’s Pizza & Restaurant in Worcester (MA) for tomorrownight’s the final installment of the popular “New England’s Future” series show in 2017, presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), at DCU Center, Exhibition Hall, in Worcester.
 
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
 
Main Event – Light Heavyweights (6)
Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera (3-0, 2 KOs), Hartford, CT 177.6 lbs.
Hansen Castillo (0-2), Orlando, FL 176 lbs.
Co-Feature – Heavyweights (4)
Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga (pro debut), Worcester, MA 280 lbs.
Alejandro Esquilin Santiago (pro debut), Tampa, FL 235.8 lbs.
Super Middleweights (4)
Elvis Figueroa (2-0, 1 KO), New Haven, CT 167 lbs.
Rene Nazare (pro debut), Brazil 167 lbs.
Junior Middleweights (6)
Edwin Soto (10-2-2, 4 KOs), New Haven, CT 140 lbs.
Anthony Everett (1-6), Lawrence, MA 153.6 lbs.
Welterweights (6)
Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (5-0, 4 KOs), Lawrence, MA 139 lbs.
Shakha Moore (12-23-2 (2 KOs), Norwalk, CT 146 lbs.
Welterweights (4)
Wilfredo “El Sucaro” Pagan (2-0), Southbridge, MA 146.6 lbs.
Patrick Leal (0-3), Woburn, MA 148.6 lbs.
Junior Welterweights (4)
Omar Bordoy, Jr. (2-0), Danbury, CT 139.8 lbs.
Bryan “The Brick” Abraham (6-30, 6 KOs), Schenectady, NY 141 lbs.
(All fights & fighters subject to change)
 
WHEN:                   Saturday, October 28, 2017
WHERE:                 DCU Center, Exhibition Hall, Worcester, MA
 
PROMOTER:          Rivera Promotions Entertainment
 
TICKETS:               Tickets, priced at $75.00 (ringside) and $45.00 (general
                                admission), are sale and available to purchase at the DCU
                                Center box office, www.dcu.centerworcester.com, by contacting
                                Jose Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), A.J.                                 Rivera (anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) or any of the
                                fighters.
 
DOORS OPEN:         6:30 P.M. ET
 
FIRST BOUT:            7:00 p.m. ET
RING ANNOUNCER: John Vena
 
INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp, KingRivera_
boxing, women's boxing

Salina Aztec Queen Barrios Returns to the Ring Nov 2 Against Decorated Amateur Zarina Tsoloyeva

Leave a comment
Photos by Team Barrios
SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 27, 2017) – Undefeated female sensation, super-lightweight Selina “Aztec Queen” Barrios (2-0, 1 KO), returns to the ring Thursday, November 2, 2017 in Louisiana at The Rayne Civic Center.  Barrios will face the highly touted Zarina Tsoloyeva (Pro Debut) from Zhaksy, Kazakhstan, in a 4-round bout in the super-lightweight division.  The card titled “RAYNE RISING” is presented by Bad Chad’s Boxncar Promotions.
Barrios, who hails from San Antonio, TX, is the older sister of undefeated super-lightweight contender, Mario Barrios (20-0, 12 KOs).  As an amateur, Selina had a remarkable record of (80-3), most of which came by stoppage.  She has a notable win against USA Olympian and Top Rank fighter, Mikaela Mayer (2-0, 2 KOs), and vows to make a statement against Tsoloyeva.
“Even though Tsoloyeva is making her pro debut, she’s a big step up in competition,” Selina Barrios said. “She had a great amateur career and I know she’s going to be a tough opponent.  All I know is I’m going to bring the heat, and show her why I’m the most dangerous fighter in women’s boxing.”
Selina Barrios is guided by longtime boxing manager, Kerry Daigle, who believes Barrios is one of the most exciting boxers he’s seen in years.
“Selina has that fighting style that every boxing fan loves,” said Kerry Daigle. “She’s nonstop action every time she steps in the ring.  I haven’t seen a fighter like her in a long time, male or female.  She has that special something that you can’t explain but you know is extraordinary.  She’s in a very competitive fight, against a very skilled fighter in Zarina Tsoloyeva.  When I asked her if she was willing to fight such a decorated amateur fighter, she said yes, with no hesitation.  That’s what I love about Selina, she’s ready to fight anyone, anywhere.”
Zarina Tsoloyeva, best known for her resemblance to actress Angelina Jolie, won a bronze medal in the Kazakh national championships.  She’s a highly accomplished amateur champion with great boxing skills.
Tickets to “RAYNE RISING” priced $25 General Admission (Pre-sale), ($30 general admission tickets at the door), $125 VIP Ringside, and $800 1st Row Executive Tables, are on sale now at http://www.boxncar.com/buy-tickets/ or by calling (337) 298-7658.

The Rayne Civic Center is located at 210 Frog Festival Dr, Rayne, LA 70578.  Doors open at6:00 p.m. first bell at 7:00 p.m.

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

TS-1 PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES LIVE COMBATE AMERICAS MMA TELEVISION EVENT ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 FROM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Leave a comment

Tickets for “TS-1 Promotions Presents: Combate 19” at
Freeman Coliseum on sale now at Ticketmaster.com  

Main Event: Kyra Batara vs. Paulina Granados

Co-Main Event:  Andres “The Bullet” Quintana vs. Rey “The Warrior” Trujillo
Plus: “Froggy” Estrada vs. Jesse Vasquez

 

NEW YORK – October 27, 2017 – TS-1 Promotions announced today that it will bring the Combate Americas live Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) television series to the state of Texas for the first time ever with a stacked, 12-bout event at Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio on Friday, Dec. 1.

Tickets for “TS-1 Promotions Presents: Combate 19” are on sale atTicketmaster.com.

“TS-1 Promotions is thrilled to debut the incredibly fast-growing Combate Americas live television event series in the great state of Texas,” said TS-1 Promotions CEO Greg Bloom.  “We are going to deliver to fans a memorable night of MMA action featuring some of the fastest rising stars in the sport, including several of San Antonio’s hottest, young prospects.”

In the women’s atomweight (105 pounds) main event and long-awaited grudge match, Eddie Bravo protégé Kyra “Mogwai” Batara (6-4) will square off with Paulina “Firefox” Granados (4-2).

In a featherweight (145 pounds) co-main event, Andres “The Bullet” Quintana(12-2) will face off with fellow, hard-hitting knockout artist Rey “The Warrior” Trujillo (21-19).

Elsewhere on the fight card, Jose “Froggy” Estrada (4-1) will square off with Jesse Vasquez (2-3) in another featherweight contest.

Additional bouts for the “TS-1 Promotions Presents: Combate 19” event will be announced soon.

Kyra Batara vs. Paulina Granados
The 23-year-old Batara of Las Vegas, Nev., a former high school cheerleader turned grappling expert, is coming off a stellar, second round (3:46) submission of 12-time Spanish national judo champion Vanesa Rico at “Combate Clasico” in Miami, Fla. on July 27.

To date, Batara is unbeaten in Combate Americas television action, winning all four of her bouts – three by way of submission.

Granados is a 29-year-old native of Corpus Christi, Texas, now fighting out of San Diego, Calif. where she trains with a handful of the world’s top fighters.

Granados will look to notch her third straight victory on December 1.

Andres Quintana vs. Rey Trujillo

Quintana is a heavy-handed, 26-year-old rising star fighting out of Roswell, N.M.  He is aiming for his third consecutive victory after earning back-to-back unanimous decisions over Urijah Faber protégé Erick Sanchez and Mexican contender Levy Saul Marroquin on February 16 and June 30, respectively.

Nine of Quintana’s twelve career wins, thus far, have come by way of (T)KO.

The 35-year-old Trujillo of Houston, Texas is a battle-tested, eight-year veteran of professional MMA.

A known finisher, Trujillo has earned 16 of his 21 career wins via (T)KO or submission.

Jose Estrada vs. Jesse Vasquez

The 26-year-old Estrada’s return to action comes on the heels of a successful debut at featherweight on September 15 when the Fillmore, Calif. resident stopped Izic Fernandez with a series of vicious strikes on the ground in the first round (3:59) of battle.

One of the sport’s top, young prospects, Estrada has already produced memorable, highlight reel-worthy moments, defeating his first three professional adversaries inside of one round.

Fighting out of Dallas, Texas, the 28-year-old Vasquez will look to rebound from two straight defeats.

Vasquez was victorious in his first two professional starts, defeating Josh Nealyby way of first round (3:57) submission (rear-naked choke) on October 2, 2015, and finishing Joshua Hunter via third round (2:01) TKO (punches) on February 27, 2016.

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UK Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA vs. CARLOS TAKAM FINAL WEIGHTS, PHOTOS & COMMISSION OFFICIALS FOR UNIFIED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SATURDAY LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Leave a comment

 

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Live At 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT From Sold-Out Principality Stadium In Cardiff, Wales

007_Anthony_Joshua_and_Carlos_Takam.jpg

Click HERE For Photos Credit Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

CARDIFF, WALES (Oct. 27, 2017) – Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua tipped the scales at a career-high 254 pounds and IBF mandatory challenger Carlos Takam measured 235 ½ pounds for their heavyweight showdown tomorrow on SHOWTIME.

 

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT from sold-out Principality Stadium in Cardiff where an estimated 78,000 fans will converge for the largest indoor event in boxing history.

 

Joshua, who went past the 10th round for the first time with a sensational knockout of Wladimir Klitschko on April 29, promised conditioning wasn’t an issue.

 

“I’ve been doing a lot more running. Maybe I’m starting to fill out as I get older and I’m starting to find my natural weight,” Joshua said.  “Who knows what it is.  I definitely feel a lot fitter than I have in previous fights.”

 

The referee for Saturday’s contest is Phil Edwards and the judges scoring ringside are Michael Alexander (England), Pawel Kardyni (Poland) and Ron McNair (New York).

 

If Joshua’s previous 19 bouts are any indication, the judges might not be necessary.

 

“I’m not going to say I’m going to knock him out and smash him up and all these types of things,” said Joshua, who has knocked out all of his professional opponents en route to unifying the heavyweight division.  “But that’s what I have to do.”

 

Fight Network, GLORY, kickboxing, M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia, UFC

LIVE on Fight Network – UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: Brunson vs. Machida PRELIMS, GLORY 47 Lyon & M-1 Challenge 84

Leave a comment

TORONTO – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 multi-platform channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a busy weekend in combat sports, highlighted by a live broadcast of the UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: Brunson vs. Machida PRELIMS on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET. On the same day, live coverage kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET with GLORY 47 SuperFight Series followed immediately by the GLORY 47 Lyon main card at 3:30 p.m. ET. But first, one day earlier, M-1 Selection 16 airs live on Friday, Oct. 27 at 12:00 p.m. ET followed immediately by M-1 Challenge 84 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

The two-hour UFC FIGHT NIGHT PRELIMS begin on Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. ET with four exciting bouts, as welterweights Vicente Luque (11-6-1) and Niko Price (10-0, 1NC) collide, Antonio Carlos Junior (9-2, 1NC) faces Jack Marshman (22-6) in a middleweight bout, lightweights Hacran Dias (23-5-1) and Jared Gordon (13-1) battle, while Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (17-5) and Max Griffin (13-3) open the telecast with an exciting welterweight matchup.

Ahead of the live PRELIMS, Fight Network will live broadcast the UFC FIGHT NIGHT PREFIGHT SHOW, featuring coverage from the industry’s premier mixed martial arts analysts, as former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans joins fellow analyst Kenny Florian with host Karyn Bryant and reporter Heidi Androl conducting on-site fighter interviews. At the conclusion of Saturday’s live main card on TSN2, the live UFC FIGHT NIGHT POSTFIGHT SHOW airs at approximately 1:00 a.m. ET, recapping all the exciting action.

On Saturday afternoon, GLORY, the world’s premier kickboxing league, travels to Palais des Sports de Gerland in Lyon, France. Airing live at 1:00 p.m. ET, the GLORY 47 SuperFight Series features undefeated Florent Kaouachi (11-0, 3KO) making his GLORY debut against experienced veteran Abdarhmane Coulibaly (50-21, 23KO) in a light heavyweight affair, 23-year-old featherweight Massaro “The Project” Glunder (30-10-4, 20KO) draws Lyon’s Dylan Salvador (49-13-1, 21KO) for a tough test in enemy territory, No. 3-ranked super bantamweight contender Anissa Meksen (92-3, 29KO) goes toe-to-toe with No. 8-ranked Funda “Findik” Alkayis (29-2, 12KO), Ahaggan “Boom Boom” Yassine (27-6, 19KO) and Estonia’s Maxim Vorovski (30-3-1, 14KO) meet at middleweight, plus top welterweight prospects Alim “Professor” Nabiyev (45-6, 21KO) and Jimmy Vienot (56-12, 27KO) kick off the action.

The GLORY 47 Lyon main card at 3:30 p.m. ET is headlined by reigning GLORY light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov (18-5, 5KO) defending his belt against No. 2-ranked challenger Ariel Machado(45-8, 34KO). In other action, former GLORY welterweight champion “The Best” Cedric Doumbe (67-5-1, 39KO) begins his campaign back to title contention against heavy-handed veteran Yohan “Le Bucheron” Lidon (93-36-1, 56KO), plus a one-night, single-elimination featherweight contender tournament, as multiple-time French kickboxing champion Abdellah Ezbiri (43-12-1, 13KO) meets fellow French-Moroccan Azize “The Magician” Hliali (17-14-1, 2KO), while local favorite Fabio Pinca (102-25-3, 42KO) goes up against Uzbekistan’s Anvar Boynazarov (79-20-2, 45KO) on the other side of the bracket.

M-1 Global returns to Ice Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia on Friday, Oct. 27, beginning with M-1 Selection 16 live at 12:00 p.m. ET, featuring Spain’s Enoc Solves Torres (20-10-1) against Russian Andrey Seledtsov (7-4) in a middleweight bout, British heavyweight Phil De Fries (12-6) battling Russia’s Anton Vyazigin (8-1), India’s Sascha Sharma (14-3) facing Zalimbeg Omarov (8-2-1) in a featherweight tilt,Akhmadian Ozdoev (4-0) risking his perfect record against Daniil Prikaza (7-2-1) in a clash of Russian welterweights, plus Maxim Grabovich (5-5) takes on Timerlan Sharipov (4-1) in an all-Russian welterweight duel.

The M-1 Challenge 84 main card airs live at 2:30 p.m. ET, headlined by an M-1 welterweight championship fight between Russian standouts Alexey Kunchenko (16-0) and Sergey Romanov (12-1). In the co-main event, Brazil’s Caio Magalhaes (10-3) throws down with undefeated Russian Artem Frolov (9-0) for the M-1 middleweight crown. Rounding out the stacked line-up, battle-tested American veteran Joe Riggs (46-17) enters hostile territory against Russian middleweight Oleg Olenichev (9-4), Finland’s Janne Elonen-Kulmala (15-5-1) meets Russia’s Bair Shtepin (4-2) in a bantamweight bout and Finnish lightweight prospect Jani Salmi (9-3) looks to hand Russia’s Roman Bogatov (3-0) his first blemish.

The UFC FIGHT NIGHT PRELIMS, PREFIGHT SHOW and POSTFIGHT SHOW, plus GLORY 47 SuperFight Series, GLORY 47 Lyon and the M-1 Challenge 84 main card, will all be televised live exclusively in Canada, while M-1 Selection 16 airs live in Canada, the U.S. and over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit www.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

For More Information Contact:

Fight Network
Ariel Shnerer
Director, Programming & Communications
ashnerer@anthemse.com

About Fight Network

Fight Network (www.fightnetwork.com) is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated tocomplete coverage of combat sports, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel isavailable on over eight of the top 20 video providers in the U.S., all major carriers in Canada, Roku andApple TV devices across North America, over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East andon TSN Radio in Canada via its program “Live Audio Wrestling.” Fight Network is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., a leading global sports media company. Fight Network also operates Dare to Defend, a non-profit organization aimed at addressing the issue of domestic violence and gender inequality, empowering women in the process.
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

M-1 Challenge 84   Alexey Kunchenko vs. Sergey Romanov OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PICTURES  

Leave a comment
This Friday in Saint Petersburg, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (October 26, 2017) – The official weigh in was held today fortomorrow’s M-1 Challenge 84 in St. Petersburg Russia. See weights and pictures below.
M-1 Challenge 83 will be streamed live from Saint Petersburgh in high definition onwww.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
 
MAIN CARD
MAIN EVENT – M-1 CHALLENGE WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 5 X 5
 (R) Alexey Kunchenko(16-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0), Champion, Russia,76,7 kg. (169,1 lbs.)
(L) Sergey Romanov (11-1-0, M-1: 5-0-0), Challenger, Russia, 77,1 kg. (169,9 lbs.)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS — 3 X 5
 
 
 
 (L) Caio “Hellboy” Magalhaes (10-3-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Brazil, 83,9 kg. (184,9 lbs.)
(R) Artem Frolov (9-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), Russia, 83,9 kg. (184,9 lbs.)
(L) Joe “Diesel” Riggs (45-17-0, M-1: 1-0-0), USA, 83,5 kg. (184,1 lbs.)
(R) Oleg Olenichev (9-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia, 83,3 kg. (183,6 lbs.)
 
(L) Enoc Solves Torres (20-10-1, M-1: 5-7-1), Spain, 83,8 kg. (184,7 lbs.)
(R) Andrey Seledtsov (7-4-0, M-1: 0-3-0), Russia, 83,2 kg. (183,4 lbs.)
BANTAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
(L) Janne Elonen-Kulmala (15-5-1, M-1: 1-0-1), Finland, 61 kg. (134,5 lbs.)
(R) Bair Shtepin (4-2-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Russia, 61 kg. (134,5 lbs.)
PRELIMINARY CARD
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Arkadiy Lisin (5-0-0, M-1:0-0-0), Russia, 93,4 kg. (205,9 lbs.)
Ilya Bochkov (3-1-0, M-1:1-1-0), Russia, 93,5 kg. (206,1 lbs.)
HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Philip “F-11” DeFreis (12-6-0, M-1: 0-0-0), England, 120 kg. (264,5 lbs.)
Anton Vyazigin (7-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia, 115,1 kg. (253,7 lbs.)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Vasily Volodko (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Russia, 93 kg. (205 lbs.)
Dmitry Tebekin (6-3-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia, 93 kg. (205 lbs.)
WELTERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Temirlan Sharipov (3-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia, 77,1 kg. (169,9 lbs.)
Maksim Grabovich (5-3-0, M-1: 4-3-0), Russia, 76,9 kg. (169,5 lbs.)
Akhmadkhan Ozdoev (4-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), Russia, 77,0 kg. (169,7 lbs.)
Danila Prikaza (7-2-1, M-1: 4-2-0), Russia, 77,0 kg. (169,7 lbs.)
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Jani Salmi (9-3-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Finland, 72,0 kg. (158,7 lbs.)
Roman Bogatov (2-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Russia, 71,3 kg. (157,2 lbs.)
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
Sascha Sharma (13-3-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Germany, 65,8 kg. (145,1 lbs.)
Zalimbek Omarov (8-2-1, M-1: 5-1-1), Russia, 65,8 kg. (145,1 lbs.)
(All fights & fighters subject to change)
 
 
WHEN:           Friday, October 27, 2017
WHERE:         St. Petersburg, Russia
 
PROMOTER:  M-1 Global
LIVE STREAM: www.m1global.tv (12.00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT in USA)
INFORMATION:

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
 
M-1 CHALLENGE EVENT CALENDAR:
 
M-1 Challenge 84: October 27, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia
M-1 Challenge 85: November 10, 2017 in Moscow, Russia