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boxing

GYM SIGNS FRENCH OLYMPIAN CHRISTIAN M’BILLI ASSOMO

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Photo Credit: JBAutissier/Panoramic
 
MONTRÉAL (December 27, 2016) – Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) is proud to announce the promotional contract signing of 2016 French Olympian Christian M’Billi Assomo to an exclusive promotional contact.He will settle in Quebec and make his professional debut there in early 2017.
 
Known in the ring as ”Le Solide” (The Solid), Assomo will arrive in Montreal at the beginning of January, when he will start working with world-class trainer Marc Ramsay and his outstanding team.
 
The spectacular 21-year-old Assomo has all the tools to achieve his goal of becoming world champion, as well as a great star in international boxing. As a Frenchman, his primary language is that spoken in Quebec, which will facilitate his adaptation and connection with the local media.
 
A native of Yaoundé in Cameroon, he moved at the age of seven to France, where he learned by chance to box at the Montargis Club.  Assomo quickly developed into a powerful, serious tough and highly successful boxer. He became a major name on the international amateur scene in the middleweight division (165 lbs./75 kg).
 
A member of the French Army, Assomo had a truly impressive amateur record, capturing gold medals at the 2013 European Junior Championship, 2014 European Union Championship and European Olympic Qualification Tournament, as well as maintaining an unbeaten record (4-0) in the World Series of Boxing (WSB).
 
At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Assomo defeated Ukrainian Dmytro Mytrofanov and Ecuadorian Marlon Delgado prior tolosing in a furious battle to the eventual Olympic gold medalist, Arlen Lopez, ofCuba.
 
“At the outset,” GYM President Yvon Michel said, “we were interested in his talent, determination and willingness to do well. There’s also his engaging personality and he has the discipline to become the best. We are very excited to work with him. I am convinced that he has the potential to become world champion.”
 
“I am very pleased with this agreement with the Groupe Yvon Michel,” Assomo added. “I’m sure this is the beginning of a great adventure. I look forward to my first performance. GYM knew how to attract me: by its past, by the boxers it supports, by its structure,”
 
“After a good career among amateurs, rich in results,” French National Boxing Team coach John Dovi explained, “it is time for Christian to go into the pro ranks. His offensive style and overall boxing skills will allow him, I am sure, to reach the highest level.”
 
“I started following Christian M’Billi’s amateur career two years ago and his successes on the international scene were more than impressive,” Ramsey commented. “I am very happy to associate myself with such a disciplined and talented boxer. I see a very promising future for this young man.”
 
“Christian M’Billi fuels such high intensity,” GYM Vice President of Operations and Recruitment Bernard Barré noted. “Fans will be in ecstasy watching such a powerful and exciting pugilist.”
 
Assomo, who is currently training in France, fought his last amateur bout on December 3rd. The goal is to have him boxing on February 9 at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal.
 
Facts:
 
Age: 21 (March 26, 1995)
Birthplace: Yaoundé, Cameroon
Residence: Montargis, France
Division: Middleweight (165 lb in the amateurs)
Height: 5’9”
Stance:  Orthodox
Nickname: ”Le Solide”
 
Performances;
 
Participant at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games
Undefeated in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), 4-0 record
Gold medalist at the 2016 Olympic European Qualification Tournament
Gold medalist at the 2014 European Union Championship
Gold medalist at the 2013 European Junior Championship
Gold medalist at the 2015 French Championship
Record of 72-13-1
ABOUT GROUPE YVON MICHEL (GYM):  Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004 by Yvon Michel and his associates. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers through coaching support and especially by competitive management. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events.  GYM is associated with the popular series, “Premier Boxing Champions (PBC),” and has developed major Videotron partnerships with Loto Quebec, TVA Sports, Centre Videotron, Casino de Montreal and Lac Leamy, Tonik GroupImage and Lapointe Dental Centre, in addition to collaborating closely with Rixa.
boxing

VICTORY BOXING PROMOTIONS KICKS OFF 3 FIGHT PHILLY SERIES WITH “SUPER BRAWL” ON JANUARY 28TH

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PHILADELPHIA – December 27, 2016 – Victory Boxing Promotions kicks off 2017 with “Super Brawl,” a ten-bout card featuring world class talent from Philadelphia and beyond, Saturday, January 28th at 2300 Arena in South Philly.
Jaron Ennis (8-0, 7KO) will showcase his talents at welterweight in his ninth fight since his professional debut in April of last year. Ennis, who took home his second Briscoe Award earlier this year for his outstanding amateur career, delivered a phenomenal performance in his sixth round stoppage of Marucs Beckford (3-5-3, 1KO) earlier this month. The Ennis family has deep roots in the Philadelphia boxing scene. The 19-year-old is trained by his father and former professional boxer, Derrick “Bozy” Ennis, and is the younger brother of Derrick “Pooh” Ennis and Farah Ennis, who were themselves accomplished professional boxers.

Another Philadelphia favorite, super bantamweight Manny “Major Pain” Folly (8-0, 6KO), continues his quest to remain undefeated, while setting an example for the kids in his community. The Philadelphia Police Officer splits his time between training for boxing and protecting his community and fellow Philadelphia residents. He turned heads in his last fight, a first round knockout win over Hungarian Tibor Nadori (9-7-1, 4KO) in November.

Philadelphia super lightweight Joshua “Hands of Stone” Jones (3-0-1, 2KO) returns in his first fight since winning a wide unanimous decision over South Carolina’s Corey Edwards (2-2, 1KO) at Victory Boxing’s November card at 2300 Arena.

Elite talent, and incredibly hard-hitting Canadian prospect Adam Daranyi (9-0, 9KO), looks to continue his perfect run in a six round bout at super welterweight. Mexican super lightweight Carlos Sanchez, who racked up an 11-0 record in 11 months in 2016, makes his first appearance in the City of Brotherly Love. UK talent Donovan Cameron (4-0, 4KO) also steps into the ring on January 28th in a super welterweight bout.

Amateur standouts Brandun Lee and Christian Camarena both make their highly-anticipated professional debuts on the card as well.

The card is the first of three events on the books for Victory Boxing Promotions in Philadelphia in the first half of 2017. In addition to January 28th, the promotion has scheduled events on March 31st and June 17th at 2300 Arena.

“We’re very excited about bringing some of the top Victory Boxing Promotions fighters to the 2300 Arena on January 28th, and again in March and June,” said Victory Boxing Promotions’ Owner & Promoter Chris Middendorf. “The community’s response there has been so positive, and we’re looking forward continuing to showcase these world class Philadelphia fighters in their hometown.”

Tickets for Super Brawl begin at $40, and are now on sale at victoryboxingpromotions.com. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and first bell is at 7:00 p.m. For more information visit victoryboxingpromotions.com.

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For more information, press only:
Emily Pandelakis
Victory Boxing Promotions
For more information on Victory Boxing Promotions:
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

Lubin drops the ‘Hammer’ as PBC’s Rising Star of the Year

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Click HERE for story and HERE for video via PremierBoxingChampions.com
Even before he signed a professional contract on his 18th birthday, Erickson Lubin had high expectations set upon him for 2016.
In 2013, Lubin was one of the United States’ top amateur boxers and being targeted as a surefire standout on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. However, the talented southpaw swapped that dream for another on October 1, 2013, when he turned pro and began his quest to become a world champion.
While Erickson “Hammer” Lubin has yet to fight for a world title, let alone obtain one, his decision to forgo a shot at Olympic gold has remained fruitful.
Lubin (17-0, 12 KOs) continued his ascent in the 154-pound division in 2016 by winning all four of his fights in dominating fashion-two by knockout and two by unanimous decision. With his perfect performance, the staff of Premier Boxing Champions selected Lubin as PBC’s Rising Star of the Year.
The 21-year-old Orlando, Florida, native beat out fellow young guns Justin DeLoach, Jarrett Hurd and Sergey Lipinets, all of whom convincingly moved up the ladder in their respective weight classes this year.
Lubin, who in addition to his “Hammer” moniker has dubbed his right hand “Jack” and his left “Sledge,” got his year started on January 31 with a 10-round decision over Mexico’s Jose De Jesus Macias in Immokalee, Florida.
While Lubin was unable to knock out Macias-a veteran who has never been stopped in 28 pro fights-he gained a fifth-round knockdown with a counter right hook and won every round on two scorecards, with the third judge giving him all but one round.
Lubin returned to the ring on June 18, scoring a third-round TKO of Daniel Sandoval in Chicago. In that bout, Lubin pounded the head and body of his Mexican opponent before hurting him with a body shot late in Round 3. While Sandoval did not go down, referee Mark Nelson stopped the fight at the 2:36 mark.
Less than a month later, Lubin jumped back in the ring against his third straight Mexican opponent, battling Ivan Montero in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 16. Montero entered the eight-round bout with a record of 20-1, and he gave Lubin his toughest test yet, as the fight went distance. In the end, though, the young southpaw proved his skills were superior, sweeping all three judges’ scorecards.
Lubin, who has never fought a boxer with a losing record, capped his year earlier this month in emphatic fashion with a second-round KO of Juan Ubaldo Cabrera in Los Angeles. In that bout, Lubin used both “Jack” and “Hammer” to drop Cabrera twice in Round 2 and gain his sixth stoppage in his last eight bouts.
As he continues to sharpen his skills with each passing bout, don’t be surprised if Erickson Lubin’s star continues to rise in 2017-perhaps all the way to the top of the super competitive 154-pound division.
Coming Wednesday: the PBC Knockout of the Year. For all of our year-end honors, follow our Best of PBC 2016 entries.
*This article originally ran on the Premier Boxing Champions website 
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

Easter, Commey hit all the right spots in  PBC’s Round of the Year

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Click HERE for story and video via PremierBoxingChampions.com
Entering the late stages of a competitive, action-packed fight with a vacant 135-pound world title at stake, Robert Easter Jr. and Richard Commey upped the ante in a thrilling three minutes that brought out the best in both men.
After Commey gained a questionable knockdown of Easter in the eighth round of their September 9 bout at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania, there was complete uncertainty to which fighter had the edge on the judges’ scorecards.
With a date with greatness up for grabs, Robert Easter Jr. and Richard Commey wasted no time going back at it in Round 9, which the staff of Premier Boxing Champions has selected as PBC’s Round of the Year for 2016.
Easter-Commey beat out three other worthy candidates: Round 9 of Keith Thurman vs Shawn Porter, Round 2 of Leo Santa Cruz vs Carl Frampton and Round 4 of Adonis Stevenson vs Thomas Williams Jr. It was a closely contested round, with two of the judges siding with Easter and and one giving Commey the nod, which factored into Easter winning a split decision.
Just 10 seconds into Round 9, Easter and Commey moved into close quarters, exchanging heavy blows with both hands for nearly 30 seconds with little pause.
The fighters backed off nearly a minute in as they regrouped from the heated exchange and resumed a more measured approach working primarily with their jabs.
Commey, however, quickly ramped the action back up about 90 seconds into the round as the Ghana native began to let loose with his right hand coming behind the jab.
With a minute left in the round and a partisan crowd filled with family and friends from his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, rooting him on, Easter appeared to gain the upper hand as he pinned Commey against the ropes and landed a couple of solid rights during a flurry of punches.
After escaping the barrage, though, it was Commey’s turn to return fire as he landed a couple of rights before Easter responded with a head-turning left hook.
In the final 25 seconds, both fighters again exchanged rapid-fire blows before backing off just before the bell so that not only they could catch their breath, but that everyone watching could as well.
For a complete look back at Easter vs Commey, visit our fight page.
Coming Tuesday: the PBC Rising Star of the Year. For all of our year-end honors, follow our Best of PBC 2016 entries.
 
*This article originally ran on the Premier Boxing Champions website 
boxing, Ring 8

New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2017 

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Sunday, April 30 Induction Dinner
Dick Tiger, Jose Torres, Gaspar Ortega, Renaldo Snipes & Arthur Donovan head new class
NEW YORK (December 26, 2016) – The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF), sponsored by Ring 8, has announced its 15-member Class of 2017. The sixth annual NYSBHOF induction dinner will be held Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 30, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
“Once again, “said NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy, “we’re honoring New York’s finest in our sport. This is all about recognizing great fighters, as well as others involved in boxing, from the state of New York.  We’re expecting another knockout night.”
Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF include Manhattan welterweight Gaspar “El Indio” Ortega (131-39-6, 69 KOs), Yonkers’ world heavyweight title challenger Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes (39-8-1, 22 KOs), Yonkers middleweight Doug “Cobra’ Dewitt (33-8-5, 19 KOs), and “The Bronx Bomber,” world middleweight title challenger Alex Ramos (39-10-2, 24 KOs)
Posthumous participants being inducted are Queens’ former middleweight and light heavyweight world champion Dick Tiger (60-19-3, 27 KOs), Brooklyn/Manhattan light heavyeight world champion Jose “Chegui” Torres (41-3-1, 29 KOs), and “The Nonpareil”, Williamsburg middleweight world champion Jack Dempsey (51-4-11, 23 KOs).
Non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are Queens’ International agent Don Majeski, Long Island matchmaker Ron Katz, Manhattan manager Stan Hoffman and past Ring 8 president/NYSAC judge Bobby Bartels.
Posthumous non-participant inductees are Brooklyn boxing historian Hank Kaplan, Long Island cut-man Al Gavin, Bronx referee Arthur Donovan and New York City columnist Dan Parker.
Each inductee will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his induction into the NYSBHOF.
The 2017 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members:  Jack Hirsch, Steve Farhood, Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Ron McNair, Angelo Prospero and Neil Terens.
All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers or during the prime of their respective career.
 
CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and Arthur Mercante, Sr.
CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Buddy” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard and Don Dunphy.
 
CLASS OF 2014:  Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Billy Backus, Kevin Kelley, Juan LaPorte, Gerry Cooney, Mustafa Hamsho, Howard Davis, Jr., Lou Ambers, Jack Britton, Terry McGovern, Teddy Atlas, Lou DiBella, Steve Farhood, Gene Moore, Angelo Prospero, Whitey Bimstein, Cus D’Amato, William Muldoon and Tom O’Rourke.
CLASS OF 2015: Saoul Mamby, Joey Giambra, Johnny Persol, Harold Weston, Lonnie Bradley, Paul Berlenbach, Billy Graham, Frankie Genaro, Bob Miller, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Slattery, Bob Duffy, Mike Katz, Tommy Gallagher, Bruce Silverglade, Charley Goldman, Jimmy Johnston, Cedric Kushner, Harry Markson, Damon Runyon and Al Weill.
CLASS OF 2016:  Aaron Davis, Charles Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, Edwin Viruet, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Kansas, Joe Lynch, Joe Miceli, Ed Brophy, Joe DeGuardia, Randy Gordon, Dennis Rappaport, Howie Albert, Freddie Brown, Howard Cosell, Ruby Goldstein and Jimmy Jacobs.
Tickets are priced at $150.00 per adult and $70.00 for children (under 16), and include a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 PM/ET, as well as dinner (prime rib, fish or poultry) and open bar throughout the evening.  Tickets are available to purchase by calling NYSBHOF/Ring 8 president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304.  Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $80.00 to $250.00, by contacting Duffy. Go on line at www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.
About Ring 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto still remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.
RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.
Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August.  All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership.  Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.
boxing

National and International Prospects Appearing at Detroit Brawl on January 22, at Masonic Temple in Detroit

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Promoter Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions has announced the featured fighters for a special Sunday edition of his “Detroit Brawl” series on January 22, 2017, at Masonic Temple in Detroit.
In addition to Detroit fan favorite Lanardo “Pain Server” Tyner (30-10-2, 19 KOs) appearing in the eight-round main event will be an impressive group of local and international talents.
Once again sponsored by the Greektown Casino Hotel, tickets for “Detroit Brawl” are priced at VIP $123, Box Seats are $80 and $60, Seating is $40, and $20. They are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and

In separate eight-rounders will be recognizable former cruiserweight world title challenger “Hurricane” Junior Wright (15-2-1, 12 KOs) from Evanston, Illinois; transplanted cruiserweight Alexey Zubov (13-1, 8 KOs), from Magnitogorsk, Russia, now living in Detroit and Detroit’s all-action bantamweight James Gordon Smith (11-0, 6 KOs).
In six-round bouts will be welterweight KO artist Bakhtiyar “Bakha Bullet” Eyubov (11-0, 10 KOs) from Houston, Texas, via Aktjubinsk, Kazakhstan; resurgent Detroit welterweight “Lightning” Larry Ventus (7-11-1, 3 KOs); talented, undefeated bantamweight Ja’Rico “Great Lakes King” O’Quinn (4-0, 3 KOs); 2016 Olympic alternate and undefeated middleweight Ardreal Holmes (4-0, 2 KOs) of Flint; and undefeated Toledo super middleweight prospect DeAndre Ware (8-0, 6 KOs).
In a scheduled four-rounder will be undefeated Detroit heavyweight and former National Golden Gloves champion Marcus Carter (1-0, 1 KO).
All opponents are, thus far, TBA, but matchmaker Dennis Turner is hard at work to make another spectacular night that these shows are known for.
On fight night, doors open at 4:00 pm and the fights begin at 5:00 pm. The Masonic Temple is located at 500 Temple Street in Detroit.
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For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visit www.salitapromotions.com. Facebook and Twitter: @DetroitBrawl
boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show: Povetkin Steroid Issues, Hopkins Knocked out of Ring, Paige and Sage endure UFC Growing Pains

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Rich, Tom and Tony cover the past week’s news and events and look forward to the few fight cards happening over the next few weeks. We spend a good amount of time discussing the final fight of Bernard Hopkins, the drug testing debacle with Alexander Povetkin, and the UFC fight night co-main events where highly hyped prospects Paige VanZant and Sage Northcutt bombed hard. Check out the show below. This one closes out the year for us, so fans can tune in next year for our next broadcast on January 5, 2017.

boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

Exciting Welterweight Contender Sammy Vasquez Jr. Takes On Former World Champion Luis Collazo in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes Special Edition Thursday, February 2 From Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi

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Plus! Hard-Hitting Welterweights Yordenis Ugas & Levan Ghvamichava Collide While Ryan Karl & Eddie Ramirez Meet in Battle of Unbeaten Super Lightweights
 
Tickets on Sale Thursday, January 5!
 
TUNICA, MS (December 22, 2016) – Exciting welterweight contender Sammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez Jr. (21-1, 15 KOs) is set to battle former world champion Luis Collazo(36-7, 19 KOs) in the 10-round main event of a special three-hour edition of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Thursday, February 2 from Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.
Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will feature Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas(17-3, 8 KOs) meeting Georgia’s Levan Ghvamichava (17-2-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round matchup of hard-hitting welterweights plus Houston’s Ryan “Cowboy” Karl (13-0, 9 KOs) taking on Chicago’s Eddie Ramirez (15-0, 10 KOs) in a 10-round battle of unbeaten super lightweights
“I’m eager to get back in the ring and give the fans a great fight,” said Vasquez Jr. “Fighting a tough veteran like Luis Collazo, who has a lot of heart and experience, is the type of fight I’m looking for.  The fans are going to see a good fight between two guys who are hungry to get a victory.  I can’t wait till the bell rings.”
“I’m totally stoked about this fight against Sammy Vasquez” said Collazo. “He is a talented fighter and I’m excited to test his abilities and the will that he has to win. This will be a good one.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing, are priced at $150, $75 and $35 and are on sale Thursday, January 5. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster atwww.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Vasquez has fought professionally since 2012, after serving two tours of duty in Iraq as a member of the National Guard. He made it to the semifinals of the 2012 U.S. Olympic trials and won gold at the 2010 and 2011 Armed Forces Boxing Championships. The fighter out of Monessen, Penn., notched big victories in 2015 over Wale Omotoso in June and Jose Lopez in September. In PBC on FOX action in January, Vasquez stopped veteran contender Aron Martinez in the sixth-round in Los Angeles before suffering his first professional defeat to Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz in July.
One of Brooklyn’s most respected fighters,Collazo looks to make the most of his showdown with Vasquez on February 2. A world champion in 2005, Collazo has faced top fighters his whole career. Most notably in recent years, he delivered an electrifying second-round knockout over Victor Ortiz in December 2014. Collazo gave world champion Keith Thurman trouble in his last outing, staggering him with a body shot in the middle rounds before eventually losing to the undefeated fighter.
Ugas returned from a two-year layoff in August and has looked sensational in defeating undefeated prospects Jamal James by decision and Bryant Perrella by fourth-round stoppage. A sensational Cuban amateur, Ugas picked up a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics and also owns gold medals from the 2005 World Amateur Championships and 2007 Pan American Games. Now fighting out of Miami, the 30-year-old looks to further establish his credentials for a world title shot.
Ghvamichava returns to the ring after an emphatic knockout of Breidis Prescott in July that saw him move up in weight and rebound from a defeat to top unbeaten contender Sergey Lipinets. Trained by Virgil Hunter in California, Ghvamichava is originally from Poti, Georgia. Before the Lipinets bout, he carried a five-fight winning streak that included wins over previously unbeaten fighters Chris Singleton and Jonathan Garcia plus veterans Cosme Rivera and Sergio Reyes.
An undefeated prospect representing Houston, Karl had an excellent amateur career that ended with him ranked third in the nation in the 141-pound division. The 24-year-old won six times in 2015 including an October domination of Alfonso Olvera at the Dancehall in San Antonio. Now he is primed to reach contender status after dominating tough Mexican Luis Solis in June and stopping previously unbeaten Jose Felix Quezada in September.
A Chicago Golden Gloves champion, Ramirez knocked out seven of his first nine professional opponents and picked up five victories in 2015 including a decision over former world champion Cristobal Cruz. The 24-year-old most recently picked up his most impressive pro victory when he knocked out previously unbeaten Kevin Watts in September.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and foxdeportes.com follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.facebook.com/foxsports andwww.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
Bounce TV, boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

Unbeaten Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Returns Home to Defend Title Against Puerto Rican Contender  Luis Cruz Friday, February 10 In Main Event of  Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV from  the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio

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Plus! Bantamweight World Champion Rau’shee Warren Takes On
Once-Beaten Challenger Zhanat Zhakiyanov in Co-Main Event
 
Tickets on Sale Tomorrow, December 23!
 
TOLEDO, OH (December 22, 2016) – Unbeaten lightweight world champion Robert Easter(18-0, 14 KOs) will return to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio to defend his title against hard-hitting Puerto Rican Luis Cruz (22-4-1, 16 KOs) Friday, February 10 in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV live from the Huntington Center.
Televised coverage on Bounce TV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features bantamweight world champion and three-time U.S. Olympian Rau’shee Warren (14-1, 4 KOs) battling once-beaten contender Zhanat Zhakiyanov (26-1, 18 KOs).
“Being able to headline a big fight in my hometown after winning a championship is a dream come true,” said Easter. “My first dream was to win the world title and now I get to defend it in front of my people. I had great fan support at my last fight in Pennsylvania and I know everybody is even more excited to see me at home. A lot of people felt involved in helping me win that world title, and now we get to have a homecoming celebration. This is going to be big for the city. I can’t wait to showcase my skills.”
“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m planning on putting on my best performance,” said Cruz. “I am going to fight for my home of Puerto Rico and become another world champion from the island. I know that Easter is a good fighter and he will have the fan support, but I am already training harder than I ever have. This is going to be an exciting fight, but I don’t expect it to go the distance.”
“I’m ready to get back in the ring,” said Warren. “I’m happy the fight is three days before my birthday because defending my title for the first time and winning will be the best birthday present. We’ve been checking out Zhakiyanov. I think it’s going to be a good show because he definitely isn’t a slouch. I’m just going to enjoy being a champion, defending my title and showing what I’m capable of.”
“I’m very happy to be fighting in the U.S. with a chance to become a world champion,” said Zhakiyanov. “I want to thank Warren for taking this fight, but it will be a big mistake. I’m coming to win and win impressively. This is going to be my statement that I am one of the best fighters in this division.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions, are priced at $30, $50, $75, $100 and $200, and are on sale Friday, December 23. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Toledo’s Easter and Cincinnati’s Warren will both look to show the Ohio crowd the skills that have made them world champions and potential big stars in the sport. Both fighters are making their first world title defenses and will do so in the friendly confines of the Buckeye State.
An accomplished amateur who was a 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate, the 25-year-old Easter picked up five-straight victories dating back to the beginning of 2015 before earning his world title opportunity against Richard Commey in September. Easter was successful in holding off the unbeaten Commey as he was able to earn a split-decision victory in a memorable fight. Now, Easter will step into the ring as the fighting pride of his hometown for the first time, with his sights set on an impressive performance.
Representing Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, Cruz’s last fight saw him in an entertaining back-and-forth scrap with lightweight contender Ivan Redkach in April that saw both men hit the canvas on their way to a narrow split draw. Cruz owns victories over Martin Honorio, Antonio Davis and Hevinson Herrera in a career that saw the fighter win his first 19 professional bouts.
A three-time Olympian, Warren competed for the U.S. in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 games before turning pro. The 29-year-old picked up victories over veterans Jose Luis Araiza, Javier Gallo, German Meraz and Jhon Alberto Molina leading up to his first world title shot in 2015. After dropping a controversial split-decision in their first fight, Warren defeated Juan Carlos Payano by majority decision in the rematch in June and became the first member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team to win a world title.
Fighting out of Petropavl, Kazakhstan, Zhakiyanov has won his last 21 fights since his only professional loss in 2008. Most recently he picked up an interim bantamweight title via a decision victory in 2015 over once-beaten Yonfrez Parejo. No stranger to fighting on the road, Zhakiyanov’s U.S. debut on February 10 will mark the 12th country that he has fought in as a professional.
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