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boxing

Coming in 2017:  King’s Promotions presents THE GREAT EIGHT- 140 Pound Tournament

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Reading, PA (September 26, 2016)–In 2017, King’s Promotions will present a double-elimination tournament that will feature some of the brightest prospects in the 140 pound division.
“The GREAT EIGHT–140 pound Tournament” will gain exposure to those young fighters who are willing to take a chance to catapult their career’s to the next level.
Applicants for the tournament must have double-digit wins and no more than two losses.
Besides the fight purses, there will be a prize of $15,000 for the winner, $10,000 for the runner-up and $5,000 for third place.
“We are looking for the next contenders and champions in the junior welterweight division,” said King’s Promotions CEO Marshall Kauffman.
“We already have several quality fighters that have expressed a big interest in entering.  We feel that there are a lot of fighters out there in this weight class that fit the criteria for what we are looking for and I am eager to hear from some of them.”
To find out more information, contact marshall@kingsboxing.com
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA

M-1 Challenge 71  Pavel Vitruk vs. Vitali Branchuk for Inaugural M-1 Challenge Bantamweight Championship

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October 21 in Saint Petersburg, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (September 26, 2016) – The inaugural M-1 Challenge bantamweight championship will be at stake Friday, October 21, at M-1 Challenge 71 as Pavel Vitruk battles Vitali Branchuk in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 71 will be streamed live from Russia 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 of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
 
Vitruk (13-2-0, M-1: 7-2-0), fighting out of Saint Petersburgh by way of Ukraine, was riding a 12-fight undefeated streak to start his professional career.  He suffered back-to-back losses in 2015 o then undefeated Max Coga (12-0-0) by third-round submission (choke) in the M-1 Challenge 55 Fight of the Night and to Lee Morrison by majority decision.
 
After his loss to Morrison, Vitruk (pictured below) moved from the featherweight division to bantamweight, defeating Sergey Morozov this past February in the M-1 Challenge 64 Fight of the Night.
 

 
Ukraine native Branchuk (21-5-0, M-1: 1-1-0) has won his last eight fights, including a split-decision over Antun “Killer” Racic at M-1 Challenge 64. Branchuk pictured below) is known as a well-rounded fighter and a strong striker.
 
 
In a previously announced fight, former two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0) takes on ex-Bellator titlist Attila “Pumukli” Vegh (23-6-0, M-1: 16-5-0).
 
Additional M-1 Challenge 71 fights will soon be announced.
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Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

PROFESSIONAL DEBUT OF ‘BABY SLICE’ SET TO ANCHOR PRELIMINARY PORTION OF ‘BELLATOR 162’ IN MEMPHIS ON OCT. 21

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CHASE GORMLEY, JULIA BUDD, DAN CHARLES, & VIRGIL ZWICKER ALSO BACK IN ACTION

 

COMPLETE ‘BELLATOR 162’ CARD BELOW

 

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (September 26, 2016) – The preliminary portion of “Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Oct. 21 is official and amongst the 12 new additions, there is plenty of action to be consumed during the Bellator.com-streamed card.

Notably, the professional mixed martial arts debut of “Baby Slice” will finally take place, when the 24-year-old returns from injury to meet Rick Bing, who also will be lacing up the gloves for the first time as a pro. In addition, Steve Garcia (6-1) will face Ronnie Lawrence (1-0), Julia Budd (8-2) also returns from injury to face Arlene Blencowe (7-5), heavyweights Chase Gormley (13-5) and Bobby Brents (17-5) collide, and 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide National Champion Eryk Anders (4-0) takes on Brian White (5-4).

The completed preliminary portion joins a stacked main card highlighted by a middleweight main event pitting former middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko (53-9) against Kendall Grove (23-15). In addition, former WWE competitor Bobby Lashley (14-2) and Josh Appelt (12-5) prepare to square off in a heavyweight co-main event, while a middleweight tilt between Hisaki Kato (6-2) and A.J. Matthews (8-5) is also set for the SPIKE-televised main card. Lastly, Goiti Yamauchi (19-3) and Ryan Couture (10-4) will face-off in a lightweight feature fight.

Tickets for the event are on sale now at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster or FedExForum Box Office. Main card action kicks off LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while prelims streams live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App.

See below for the complete listing of “Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” tilts, which amounts to 16 action packed bouts.

 

Complete “Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” Main Card:

Middleweight Main Event: Alexander Shlemenko (53-9) vs. Kendall Grove (23-15)

Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Bobby Lashley (14-2) vs. Josh Appelt (12-5)

Middleweight Feature Bout: Hisaki Kato (6-2) vs. A.J. Matthews (8-5)

Lightweight Feature Bout: Goiti Yamauchi (19-3) vs. Ryan Couture (10-4)

 

Complete Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Baby Slice (Debut) vs. Rick Bing (Debut)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Ricky Rainey (11-4) vs. Gilbert Smith (12-5)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Steve Garcia (6-1) vs. Ronnie Lawrence (1-0)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Chase Gormley (13-5, 1 NC) vs. Bobby Brents (17-5)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Julia Budd (8-2) vs. Arlene Blencowe (7-5)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Dan Charles (10-3-1) vs. Virgil Zwicker (14-5-1)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Tyler Hill (6-0) vs. Wade Johnson (10-1)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Jonathan Burdine (4-4) vs. James Wallace (1-0)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Eryk Anders (4-0) vs. Brian White (5-4)

Catchweight (160 lb.) Preliminary Bout: Jaleel Willis (6-0) vs. Omar Johnson (4-0)

Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Chad Cook (10-10) vs. Grady Hurley (9-1)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Mike Wessell (14-8) vs. Frank Tate (4-1)

boxing

Linares decisions Crolla to win WBA/WBC Diamond/Ring Magazine Lightweight Titles

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Live from the Manchester Arena on AWE-A WEALTH OF ENTERTAINMENT & www.klowdtv.com
For Immediate Release
SAN DIEGO, CALIF.– Jorge Linares won a twelve round unanimous decision over Anthony Crolla to win the WBA/Ring Magazine and retain his WBC Diamond Lightweight titles at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

The bout, which took place this past Saturday, headlined a card that was broadcasted live all over the United States on AWE- A Wealth of Entertainment and streamed on www.klowdtv.com.

“The fight lived up to expectations and was a terrific contest,”said Charles Herring, President of AWE-A Wealth of Entertainment.
“This is another in the long line of great fights that have come to the network and we should be announcing some more great fights real soon.”
“We were ecstatic and extremely happy about the response we had for this fight,”said Chris Schickedanz, KlowdTV Managing Director.
“We had an overwhelming turnout, and we will continue to show the biggest and brightest fights from all over the globe.”
It was a tough grueling fight that saw Linares ump out to an early lead on the strength of his quick combinations and handspeed.

In round five, Linares was cut over his left eye. In round six, Crolla was starting to take charge of the bout with his work to the body and uppercuts inside, until Linares hurt Crolla badly with a right hand that wobbled the Manchester native on the ropes.

Both guys had their moments down the stretch as Linares, at times seemed like he was losing his stamina, only to come back with hard combinations and he was able to eek out rounds.

Linares of Venezuela won by scores of 117-111, 115-114 and 115-113 and is now 41-3. Crolla is now 31-5-3.

Jack Arnfield won a twelve round unanimous decision over John Ryder in a middleweight bout.

Arnfield won by scores of 117-114, 118-110 and 115-114 and is now 21-2. Ryder is 23-3.

Callum Johnson scored a 9th round stoppage over Wilbeforce Shihepo in a scheduled twelve round light heavyweight bout.

In round five, Shihepo was docked a point for holding. Shihepo kept holding and was deducted another point in round seven. Later in the round, Johnson dropped Shihepo with a body shot. Johnson finihed things with a huge right that dropped Shiphepo in the 9th round. Shihepo could not beat the count at 2:07.

Johnson is now 16-0 with 11 knockouts. Shiphepo of Namibia is 23-9.

Conor Benn remained undefeated by scoring a 6-round decision over Ross Jameson.

The score was 60-55 for Benn, who is now 5-0. Jameson is 1-2.

Hosea Burton scored two knockdowns in the 3rd round and stopped Fernando castaneda in the same round of their scheduled ten round light heavyweight bout.

The stoppage came at 2:18 of round three, for Burton, who is now 18-0 with nine knockouts. Casteneda is 24-11.
Anthony Crolla vs. Jorge Linares is a 12-round fight for the WBA, WBC Diamond and the Ring Magazine Lightweight World Championships presented by Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Boxing Gym.
boxing

Fortuna Returns with Impressive KO over Formerly Undefeated Cabrera

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On Saturday night in front of a standing-room-only crowd at the Sambil Commercial Center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, former world super featherweight champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna returned to action with an impressive two-round blowout of fellow Dominican Marlyn Cabrera.
In his first fight since a surprise defeat last June to Jason Sosa that cost him his WBA World Super Featherweight Championship, Fortuna (30-1-1, 22 KOs) dropped Cabrera twice in the second round, eliciting the stoppage. It was Cabrera’s first loss as a professional.
Fortuna’s victory was one of three Sampson Boxing fighters to win Saturdaynight.
Undefeated 21-year-old Dominican super welterweight Jeison “Banana” Rosario (12-0, 9 KOs) destroyed formerly undefeated Carlos Jairo Cruz (now 17-1, 11 KOs) in two rounds and 22-year-old super featherweight Abraham “Super” Nova moved his record to 3-0, 2 KOs with a fourth-round knockout over Willy Morillo.
Fortuna looked sharp in his comeback bout, putting the explosive power and speed that makes him one of the most exciting fighters in all of boxing. With the victory over Cabrera in the books, the southpaw former champion will now be looking to regain his championship status.
Fortuna’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, says his fighter has two options to consider for his next fight.
“Next we will either look for an elimination bout for the IBF mandatory contender to fight Jose Pedraza or we will look to face the winner of Jason Sosa vs. Stephen Smith in Monaco on November 12,” said Lewkowicz. “Javier wants to be champion again and he’ll fight anyone to get there.”
Rosario, a recent Sampson Boxing signee to a long-term promotional agreement, is a former amateur standout with a wealth of boxing talent. Cruz stood no chance against the Santo Domingo-based slugger.
“Jeison is a future star and I’m happy to have him in my stable,” continued Lewkowicz. “I will get him a visa to fight in the USA and pay his IRS taxes, which I do for all my fighters.”
Nova, who was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, to Dominican parents, went 167-11 with 60 KOs as an amateur, winning the 2014 USA Nationals, the 2014 Independent World Cup in the Dominican, Gold at the 2014 Cheo Aponte Tournament, and the 2015 Olympic Qualifiers. He is also a five-time New York Golden Gloves Champion.
“Abraham went some good rounds and got the KO over a veteran with more fights,” said Lewkowicz. “I am happy with his performance and with the improvements he continues to show in every fight. He is a strong prospect with a bright future.”
boxing

Salita Promotions Signs Junior Welterweight Power Puncher Shoh Ergashev to Promotional Contract

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Promoter Dmitriy Salita proudly announces the signing of promising junior welterweight slugger Shohjahon “Shoh” Ergashev to a promotional contract.
Known as an extreme power puncher in Russian boxing circles, 25-year-old Ergashev (6-0, 6 KOs) is considered one of the best current prospects coming out of Uzbekistan.
Egashev now lives in Moscow and trains in Chelyabinsk, Russia, with Sergey Novikov, trainer of light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev in the amateurs. He is managed by well-known Russian based manager Oleg Bogdanov.
Southpaw Ergashev started boxing in 2003 and won the Uzbekistan Nationals four times, starting in 2005. He won 202 of his 216 amateur bouts, holds a victory over Uzbek Olympic Silver Medalist Shahram Gayasov and went undefeated the last three years of his amateur career, winning every fight by knockout against stiff competition.
Having never fought outside Russia as a professional, Ergashev says he’s eager to work with Salita, who can help him bring his talents to the Western world. “I can’t wait to fight for a world audience and show them what my punching power can do to my opponent,” said Ergashev.
Not one to waste time, Ergashev KO’d his last opponent in 16 seconds
“Shoh definitely has potential to be a champion,” said trainer Novikov. “I like his positive, serious attitude towards training and his mindset of destroying his opponents.”
“Shoh is the best prospect I have seen in a long time. He has the potential and power like fellow Kovalev and Golovkin,” said Bogdanov. “I am excited about the opportunity for him to sign with Salita Promotions and come to the US soon to take over the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions.”
“I am very happy to add Shoh to our talent roster,” said Dmitriy Salita. “He has the skills and power to be an exciting and dominant force in the future of boxing.”

Salita says he plans to bring Ergashev to Detroit soon, for an appearance on one of his wildly popular “Detroit Brawl” shows.
boxing

Michael Spinks & Fitz Vanderpool  Honored at recent 26th annual  Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet & Awards Night

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (September 25, 2016) — A small crowd packed The Diplomat Party House to honor Michael “Jinx” Spinks and Fitz “The Whip” Vanderpool at the recent 26th annual Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame (RBHOF) Banquet & Awards Night.
Spinks (31-1, 21 KOs) received the prestigious Integrity Award, while Vanderpool (26-8-4, 13 KOs) was presented the coveted Courage Award.
(L-R) – Michael Spinks, Steve Smoger and Fitz Vanderpool
Rochester’s Johnny McCoy (Clarence Millard) was inducted into the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame.  McCoy (77-30-14, 21 KOs), who passed away in 1978 at the age of 81, was one of the top flyweights in the world between 1916 and 1932. He was recognized as world champion by the state of California following a tournament to determine the winner of the vacant world title relinquished by Fidel LaBarba.
“This was another memorable banquet for the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame,” RBHOF treasurer/spokesperson Gino Arilotta said. “Everyone enjoyed the evening.  We posthumously inducted Johnny McCoy and honored are award winners, Michael Spinks and Fitz Vanderpool.  Hall of Famer referee Steve Smoger gave a wonderful speech. Each of these great men were so pleasant and they gladly signed hundreds of autographs and posed for so many pictures. These three humble men have my sincere respect.
“On Saturday, September 17th, we took the boxers along with Steve Smoger to a local radio station where they were interviewed on air. We also took them to one of Rochester’s super gyms, where Willie Monroe, Jr. trains.  We showed them many important sites within the city. I also presented a city high school graduate, the Carmen Basilio Scholarship Award, which is awarded annually.
An International Boxing Hall of Famer (IBHOF), Spinks was the most dominant light heavyweight champion of his era, capturing the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC) world titles, in addition to being a 1976 Olympic gold medalist.
Vanderpool is a former World Boxing Federation (WBF), WBC FECARBOX and Canadian welterweight champion.  He took on all comers including Rochester’s only world champion, Charles “The Natural” Murray and world champion Fernando Vargas.  Today, Vanderpool is a trainer in Canada who also gives countless hours of time and energy in Kitchener as a community volunteer.
Special guests in attendance included Murray (44-9, 26 KOs), a former IBF light welterweight champion, world-rated heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (18-0-1, 16 KOs), Rochester lightweight prospect Lavisas “Red” Williams (8-1-1, 3 KOs), Josie Basilio (widow of Hall of Famer Carmen Basilio), distinguished boxing writer Dan Cucco and Smoger, the International referee extraordinaire.
RBHOF holds monthly meetings, plus an annual picnic and Christmas party, in addition to supporting local gyms.
For more information about RBHOF go on Facebook to:  https://www.facebook.com/ROCHESTER-BOXING-HALL-of-FAME-546738288767593/
boxing

Juan Manuel “JuanMa” López plans to KO Wilfredo “Papito” Vázquez, Jr.

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Oct. 20 PPV live from San Juan, Puerto Rico
9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
TENAFLY, NJ (September 25, 2016) – Former two-division world championJuan Manuel “JuanMa” López plans to knockout bitter arch-rival Wilfredo”Papito” Vázquez, Jr., also a past world titlist, in their 12-round Special Attraction showdownSaturday, October 8, airing live on pay per view from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Guerra En El Clemente: Vázquez Jr. v. López, presented by Black Tiger Promotions, will be distributed by Integrated Sports Media live, starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, in the United States and Puerto Rico on both cableand satellite pay per view on iN Demand, DISH, DIRECTV and Vubiquity.  The event will also be available to watch across Canada on Fight Network, as well as via Fite TV app for iOS and Android devices or watch on thewww.Fite.TV website.  Suggested retail price is $29.95.
The Vázquez, Jr. vs. López main event is presented in association with Matias Entertainment and sponsored by Best Alarms and Municipio de San Juan.
The 33-year-old López (34-5, 31 KOs), fighting out of Caguas, Puerto Rico, is a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight and featherweight world champion.  From 2008 to 2010, “Juanma” was one of the top pound-4-pound fighters in the world, but he hasn’t fought in two yearsheading into his much anticipated confrontation with his fellow countryman Vázquez, Jr.
“I still think I have a lot left in the tank,” López confidently said from his Puerto Rican training camp.  “This is the first fight of my career that I feel I owe to fans because of the history behind it.  I don’t think there will be any rust because I have been training for many, months and I have been inside the gym working hard.  Maybe the agility I had four or five years ago isn’t quite the same, true, but at the same time I am more mature and much more calm and more intelligent in the ring.  I definitely feel that I am a better fighter than ever before.”
Vázquez, Jr. (24-6-1, 19 KOs), the son of the great three-time division world champion Wilfredo Vázquez, fights out of Bayamón whose best known boxing son is late Hall of Famer Héctor “Macho” Camacho.  Vázquez became the vacant WBO super bantamweight world champion in 2010, knocking out previously unbeaten Marvin Sonsona (14-0-1) in the fourth round.
“I think my opponent is a very persistent fighter and a person who will do anything to meet his goals, even though that will make him behave improperly,” López added.  “I think it will be a very aggressive fight, more of a brawl, and I’m sure the night of the fight I will be the stronger fighter.  I will dominate him, round by round, and the first moment I have an opportunity to go for the kill, I will pressure him and won’t stop until I get a knockout.”
boxing

Ruben Villa stops Mora in one for second straight first round knockout

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Onatario, CA. (September 23, 2016)–Heralded featherweight prospect Ruben Villa  made it two-for-two in first round stoppages as he took out Jose Mora at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.
Villa dropped Mora with a right hook, and then stepped on the gas with a flurry of power punches until the fight was stopped at 2:31.
Villa of Salinas, California now has two knockouts.
“Ruben has been very impressive in his first two outings,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.  “We will have him back on November 4th on the undercard of our fight card in Corona, California.”
“The fight went as expected,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing Promotions. “Ruben was sensational in earning his second straight knockout win. It’s very early in his career, but you can already tell how special he is.”
Photo By Carlos Baeza/  Thompson Boxing
boxing, charity

Perrella meets with Boys & Girls Club members of Santa Fe

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Perrella and Boys & Girls club NM.JPG
Santa Fe, NM (September 24, 2016) – Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella took time out of his intense training schedule to meet with members of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Fe Friday afternoon.
Perrella entertained a group of children at Holmes Boxing Club as part of a program with local Boys & Girls Club members. The Fort Myers, FL native is big on giving back to the community and recently started a program in his hometown called “Goodfella’s Great Students” where he rewards top academic performers. Shortly after arriving in New Mexico to finish preparations for his fight with Yordenis Ugas, Perrella was told of the Boys & Girls Club initiative and happily volunteered.
“I’ve only been in New Mexico a short time and the people here already make me feel like I’m the local fighter,” said Perrella, who risks his 14-0 record against Ugas Tuesday, September 27 on Fox Sports 1 at the Buffalo Thunder Casino in Pojoaque, NM. Spending time with children in the community was the least I could do. The kids were very excited to meet me and they brought smiles to my face just as I did to theirs. I’d like to thank Holmes Boxing and the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Fe for the opportunity. I look forward to entertaining local fight fans Tuesday evening and spending time with the children again in the future.”