All posts by FNU47

“Brutal” Brendan Barrett to appear in Heavyweight co-feature this Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park in Beach Haven, New Jersey

Six-time MMA champion returns to ring after 6-year hiatus to not only fight but promote boxing event this Saturday at 5:30 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Beach Haven, New Jersey (September 25, 2015)–THIS Saturday, September 26, at Veterans Memorial Park (In between the Sea Shell & Engleside Resorts) at Engleside Avenue at the Beach in Beach Haven. New Jersey, A terrific card of boxing will take place beginning at 5:30 PM

In the main event, junior middleweight Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will take part in a 6-round bout against veteran Ayi Bruce.

In the anticipated co-feature, “Brutal” Brendan Barrett takes on Satario Holdbrooks in a Heavyweight scheduled for 4-rounds.

Barrett of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey is a popular figure around the Beach Haven/Long Beach Island area due to him being a 6-time MMA Heavyweight champion.

Barrett has carved out a terrific MMA career but has always had the itch to become a boxer.

Barrett has experience in the squared circle as he has a draw in a fight that he took part in 2006.

“When I took the first boxing fight it was just to do it and to stay active. My main background was wrestling, but every time the bell rang I just wanted to throw punches. Years ago I would watch The Contender and see how the boxers were portrayed as professionals and respectful athletes compared to some of the other fighting reality shows of the time. I started learning more about the history and legacy of boxing and became more and more interested in the sport.”

“I was already an established MMA fighter when I took my first boxing fight. I went out to Pittsburgh to train for a second boxing fight but several opponents fell through and the show was eventually canceled because of a snow storm. After that fight fell through I was offered another MMA fight, for the first time at HWT, with an opponent that declined to fight me as a last minute replacement against him on a fight he was scheduled for. Months later he called me out now wanting to fight. I took that rather personally so I went back to MMA to fight him and won. After that I started getting a lot of offers to fight at HWT in MMA and since became a 6 time HWT Champion across four different promotions, yet still wanted to box again.”

Barrett started the company H.I.T.M. Promotions, which stand for History In The Making, because he was tired of waiting for an opportunity in boxing, and also wanted to help other fighters further their own careers.

“I’ve sacrificed so much and dedicated myself for so long that I felt it was time to take control of my own destiny. No matter how hard I work or how prepared I am, I was always left waiting for an opportunity. Having my own promotional company removes the waiting. I can now fight on other shows, or my own and keep myself active. I started H.I.T.M. Promotions not to be a promoter, but to be a fighter. My focus is completely on this Saturday, but in the back of my mind I am already thinking about promoting another show. This is basically the most pivotal fight in my career. Not only am I transitioning back to boxing, but it is my first fight back from an injury to my hand that should have ended my career. On top of that, it is the first show my company has ever promoted. I felt that holding this fight in Beach Haven was a great way to do something different and special to the local community and to give back to a place that I have gotten so much from.”

So when asked if this is the end of his MMA Career, Barrett is open to anything.

“I honestly haven’t thought much about MMA. I truly want to keep boxing, but I haven’t completely shut the door on MMA.

Barrett said being a fighter and a promoter has not been easy as he embarks on his 2nd appearance in the ring.

“It has been difficult dealing with all of the phone calls, emails, and planning, all while trying to prepare for a fight. There have been times when I was doing my morning cardio on and I would be on the phone while working out handling business. As the fight got closer, I had to force myself to take more time to train and prepare myself. It was hard to stay focused at times because my opponent kept changing, and when the last one fell through and they mentioned Holdbrooks, I just said yes so I could fight.”

“I am honored to have the talent the we have on this card being that this is our first show. I feel blessed to fight in my backyard of Long Beach Island and this should be a great night of action.”

To find out more on Brendan Barrett, his website is www.brutalbrendanbarrett.com

In a 6-round bout:

Ian Green (6-0, 4 KO’s) of Paterson, NJ will take on K Lon Spencer (4-2, 3 KO’s) of Beaumont, TX in a Middleweight bout.

In 4-round Bouts:

Dustin Fleischer (3-0, 3 KO’s) of Monmouth, NJ battles Ira Frank (1-0, 1 KO) in a fight between undefeated Welterweights.

Meng Fanlong (2-0, 1 KO) of Chifeng, China will take on Michael Mitchell (3-5-2, 1 KO) of Paterson, NJ in a Light Heavyweight tussle.

O’Shanique Foster (7-0, 4 KO’s) of Orange, Texas will fight Darius Jackson (0-1) of Anderson, SC in a Lightweight bout.

Angel Concepcion (6-0) of Newark, NJ faces pro debuting Sidney Outlaw of Pennsylvania in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Arturo Trujillo (6-0, 3 KO’s) of Paterson, NJ boxes Alex Asbury (0-2) of Charlotte, NC in a Middleweight bout.

The fights begin at 5:30 PM with the doors opening at 4:30 PM with tickets ranging from $125 (rows 1 & 2), $100 (rows 3 and 4). $75 (rows 5-7) and $50 for General Admission and be purchased by clicking www.hitmpromotions.com.

The entire will be announced shortly.

Seating done by Section. First Come, First Served.

This is an outdoor event but will be enclosed in a 11,000sq ft tent.

***Sponsorship opportunities available. Email BigBarrett1022@yahoo.com for more information***

For more information, Contact Marc Abrams at 856 287 7611 or www.abramsboxing.com

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS ON FS1 & FOX DEPORTES FIGHTERS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES

 
Quotes From Carlos Velasquez, J’Leon Love, Andrew Tabiti & Mickey Bey
Before They Enter The Ring On Tuesday, September 29 From
The Pearl At Palms Casino Resort
 
Click HERE For Photos From
Mayweather Promotions/Esaiah Gomez & Justin Harrison
LAS VEGAS (September 25, 2015) – Fighters competing on Tuesday’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and FOX Deportes fight card held a media workout at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas Thursday, as they prepare for their September 29 bouts at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort.
2004 Puerto Rican Olympian Carlos Velasquez was on hand to talk about his showdown with super featherweight world champion Javier Fortuna that headlines the telecast, which begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Also in attendance Thursday was super middleweight contender J’Leon Love, who takes onOsumana Adama in a 10-round bout, undefeated cruiserweight knockout artist Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti, who will take on Tamas Lodi in an eight-round affair and former world championMickey Bey, who returns in a 10-round lightweight bout.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions are priced at $100.50, $75.50, $50.50 and $20.50 plus applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased atwww.ticketmaster.com or by calling the Pearl Box Office at 702-994-3200 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
CARLOS VELASQUEZ
“All the training is over and now it’s time to fight. I had a great training camp and my body feels fresh. My weight is good I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans.
“I’m ready for this challenge. Being the main event is a blessing and I’m going to make the most of this opportunity.
“It’s time to bring another world championship back home to Puerto Rico.”
J’LEON LOVE
“Camp has been tremendous. I’ve pushed my body to a new level. I’m in great condition. We’re just waiting for the 29th.
“I always try to add to my game in training camp. I’m trying to perfect my craft. Defense is one thing you can never have too much of.
“I want to make someone miss and make them pay. I’m focused on my balance and being aggressive.
“I’ve always been an intelligent fighter. I’m trying to stay two or three steps ahead of my opponent. I want them to adjust me. I can let my skill dictate the action.
“I’m visualizing an A+ performance on Tuesday night. I’m still learning and finding myself every day. I can’t wait to bring it all into the ring.”
MICKEY BEY
“I’ve had a great camp filled with hard work. I’m working hard for Floyd Mayweather Sr. to get myself ready for this fight.
“I’ve had to slowly get back to it after my hand surgery but I feel great now and ready to go.
“I’m anticipating a clean sweep Tuesday night. I can adapt to anything on the fly in the ring. I’m a smart, all-around fighter.
“Get your popcorn early because you’re going to see everything in the ring, you never know what you’ll see.
“I’m fighting for my family and friends. I’ve had so much support through my injury. I learned a lot from sitting out. I’m ready to get in there and test it out.”
ANDREW TABITI
“I’ve been working hard in the gym on my conditioning and just staying in great fight shape.
“The main thing I’m looking for is the win. I have to respect each guy in front of me and if the knockout comes, I’ll take it.
“I want to stay active and just keep gaining experience in the ring. I’m getting better with each fight.”
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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.com andhttp://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @FS1, @FOXDeportes @PearlAtPalms and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and,www.facebook.com/foxdeportes www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotion. Highlights available to embed a www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.

RFA RETURNS TO THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES WITH BLUMER vs HIGO

 

                                         MAIN EVENT:
MELVIN “CAREER KILLER” BLUMER 
vs 
LEANDRO “PITBULL” HIGO
BANTAMWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH LIVE ON AXS TV
LIVE from  Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
 
Tickets on Sale Now at Ticketmaster.com 
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will return to Minnesota with RFA 32 – Blumer vs. Higo in November. The main event will feature a bantamweight showdown between two of the promotion’s most exciting prospects as Minnesota’s own Melvin “Career Killer” Blumer battles Brazilian dynamo Leandro “Pitbull” Higo. RFA 32 – Blumer vs. Higo will take place Friday, November 6th inside the Mystic Showroom in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
“Melvin Blumer and Leandro Higo are both coming off huge wins over former RFA title challengers”, stated Soares. “I can’t wait to see what happens when these two step inside the RFA octagon together at RFA 32 in Prior Lake, Minnesota.”
Tickets for RFA 32 – Blumer vs. Higo are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com or the Mystic Box Office at952-445-9000  You can also support your favorite fighter by purchasing your tickets through CageTix.com/RFA.
Blumer (12-2) returns to the the building where he recorded a front-runner for “KO of the Year” this past March at RFA 24. He won his RFA debut with a scintillating back-hand KO over the iron-chinned MMA pioneer Jeff Curran. The KO came with just two seconds left in the first round in a manner that was just as shocking as it was telling. The significance of Blumer’s win was that it showed the world what the Upper Midwest has known for years… Melvin Blumer is a special talent that can finish a fight anywhere at any moment. Blumer is now ready to take the next step in his career by facing one of Brazil’s elite.
“I am more than happy to be in the main event for RFA where I can put the finishing touches on a stacked RFA 32 card,” stated Blumer. “I was at Leandro Higo’s last fight where he finished a guy that just went five rounds with the champ. I definitely don’t see this fight going the distance, but I do look forward to getting my hand raised against another tough and worthy opponent.”
Higo (14-2) made a statement in his RFA debut last month at RFA 29, that was similar to the significance of Blumer’s RFA debut. Just like Blumer, he finished an opponent who had just gone 5-rounds with an undefeated RFA champion in their most recent outing. Higo was able to submit Terrion Ware via Rear Naked Choke with just two seconds remaining in their fight. The win, also like Blumer, proved what Higo’s local fans in Brazil have been saying for years… Leandro Higo is one of the top up-and-coming fighters in MMA. Higo is now eager to face Blumer in a battle of two of MMA’s most exciting and promising bantamweight prospects.
“To headline RFA 32, an international show, is a great feeling,” Higo exclaimed. “I’m very happy to be a part of RFA and my main goal is to become the champion and no one will stop me from achieving that. After my last fight I met Melvin and his brother. I thought they were from another weight class because they’re too big, too strong. I even joked with Pedro Falcao like “Look at that Pedrinho, the size of the guys we’ll have to take down (laughs)”.
“We had a good interaction, although we don’t speak the same language, we had a good time. He seems to be a pretty cool guy, I like to think I’m one too myself, so it wasn’t difficult. I’m sure we’ll have a great duel, he’s coming from a big win, I’m coming from a big win, and I believe the winner of this fight will fight for the belt. Then we’ll have a new RFA champion and his name will be Leandro Higo.”
Also scheduled to fight at RFA 32 in the RFA’s return to Minnesota are three of the state’s biggest MMA stars. Former RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith (14-3), the identical twin brother of Melvin Blumer and the other half of the famed “Bash Brothers” Marvin Blumer (11-5), and the state’s top ranked lightweight Chad Curry (7-0) who has finished all seven of his fights. Smith, Blumer, and Curry are all slated to compete on the main card of RFA 32.
While Smith’s opponent will be announced soon, Blumer and Curry know who they will face at RFA 32. Blumer’s third fight in the RFA will come against fellow RFA vet Bill Kamery (13-4). Kamery has submitted his last three opponents and looks to continue that streak in his return to the RFA. Meanwhile, Curry will make his RFA debut against Landon Vannata (6-0) in a battle of undefeated lightweight prospects. Vannata was originally set to make his promotional debut at RFA 28 last month, but his opponent pulled out of the fight on the day of weigh-in. Vannata is now primed, ready, and eager to finally step foot in the RFA octagon.
The full RFA 32 fight card and further information regarding this event will be announced soon. RFA 32 will be the promotion’s third event to take place in the state of Minnesota. The entire main card of RFA 32 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, November 6th.
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents live events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 43 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).

About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
About MYSTIC LAKE CASINO HOTEL:
Mystic Lake CasinoHotel, the premier gaming facility in the Midwest, continually creates new, fun and exciting entertainment experiences for its guests. Mystic Lake® offers gaming, three lively bars, exceptional dining at seven restaurants, headline performers, unique special events and luxurious accommodations. Located 25 minutes southwest of Minneapolis / St. Paul in Prior Lake.

DOMINIC “TROUBLE” BREAZEALE READY FOR PRIME TIME

Birmingham, Alabama (September 25, 2015) –  World heavyweight championship boxing returns to prime-time television tomorrow evening on NBCafter over thirty-years.  Two bouts will be televised and featured in the co-main event of the live Premier Boxing Champions telecast is undefeated heavyweight prospect Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (15-0, 14 KO’s).

Breazeale, who will be opening up the live telecast is truly excited and thankful for the opportunity to show that he is ready to take on the top fighters of the heavyweight division.  Speaking at the press conference yesterday, Breazeale stated the following, “I want to thank Al Haymon and Premier Boxing Champions for this opportunity.  This is a dream come true for me and I intend to make the best of it.  I respect my opponent Fred Kassi, but this is business and I am coming out looking for the early knockout.”

“I need to make a statement and what better statement than to impose my will on this man and take him out in the early rounds in front of a nationally televised audience.  Deontay Wilder is fighting in the main-event after my bout so I am sure he will be watching.  Everyone is going to know who I am after this fight and know that I am coming for those world heavyweight titles.  I want to bring that fear and respect back to American heavyweight boxing,” said Breazeale.

The Premier Boxing Champions live telecast kicks off at 8:30 p.m. EST/5:30 p.m. PST on NBC.

“Here Comes Trouble
 
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IRISH INVASION COMING TO LOWELL! GARY “SPIKE” O’SULLIVAN, STEPHEN ORMOND & PATRICK HYLAND FEATURED IN UNDERCARD ACTION, SATURDAY OCTOBER 10 FROM THE LOWELL MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM

 
DANNY O’CONNOR FACES GABRIEL BRACERO IN REMATCH
HEADLINING PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBCSN
8 P.M. ET/5 P.M. PT
 
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
 
LOWELL, Mass. (September 25, 2015) – An Irish invasion is coming to Lowell, MA onSaturday, October 10 as Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan (21-1, 14 KOs), Stephen “The Rock” Ormond (18-2, 9 KOs) and Patrick “The Punisher” Hyland enter the ring and provide colorful support for the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBCSN card, promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Murphys Boxing, from historic Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
At the same venue in which he became a New England Golden Gloves amateur champion, wildly popular welterweight Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor (26-2, 10 KOs), will be out to avenge his 2011 loss to Brooklyn welterweight Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (23-2, 4 KOs) in the 10-round main event.
The 10-round co-feature showcases undefeated super bantamweight knockout specialist Jonathan “Salomon King” Guzman (19-0, 19 KOs), a Dominican Republic native now living in nearby Lawrence MA, facing New England upset specialist Danny Aquino (17-2, 10 KOs), of Meriden, CT.
Opening the NBCSN broadcast, starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, will be Quincy, Mass. rising prospect Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczweski (23-1, 7 KOs), who twice captured a New England Golden Gloves title at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, against Brooklyn’s Rafael “Dynamite” Vazquez (16-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout.
Tickets are on sale and priced at $125, $85, $50 and $35, not including applicable service charges and taxes.  Special student, veteran and senior ticket prices also available. For tickets, visit www.lowellauditorium.com.
Irish middleweight champion O’Sullivan returns to the United States once again, where he has a perfect 5-0 (3 KOs) record.  The charismatic, top 10 world rated brawler, in the truest Irish sense, has a growing fan-base throughout New England, as well as back home in Cork, Ireland.  O’Sullivan, whose only pro loss was two years ago by controversial 12-round decision to current world title challenger
Billy Joe Saunders, takes on 29-year-old Colombian invader Francisco “Volcan” Cordero(31-4, 22 KOs) in a potentially explosive 10-round match.
A Former European champion, Ormond, from Dublin, will be fighting in the U.S. for the first time in nearly six years, against local favorite Agustine “Ruthless” Mauras (6-1-3, 3KOs), from Lawrence, MA, in a lightweight showdown.
The former world title challenger” Hyland (30-1, 14 KOs), also fighting out of Dublin, is slated for an eight-round lightweight bout.
Also competing on the undercard is unbeaten 26-year-old Polish heavyweight prospectAdam Kownacki (11-0, 10 KOs), fighting out of Brooklyn, in an eight-round bout. The 6′ 3″, 250-pound Kownacki is a two-time New York Golden Gloves champion.
Super featherweight prospect Titus Williams (2-0, 1 KO) will enter the ring in a four round bout. The 26-year-old won a gold medal at the 2013 New York Golden Gloves tournament.
 
Argentine veteran Fernando “El Vasco” Saucedo (56-6-3, 9 KOs), a former South American champion, will compete in an eight-round bout. The 33-year-old is a former world title challenger who will be looking for his fourth victory of 2015.
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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.comwww.nbcsports.com/boxing,www.lowellauditorium.com and www.dbe1.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing,  @LouDiBella, @DropkickMurphys, @MurphysBoxing, @DOC_Boxing, @TeamBracero, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports,www.Facebook.com/DropkickMurphys,www.facebook.com/MurphysBoxingandwww.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.

UNDEFEATED RISING STAR JERMELL CHARLO FACES FORMER WORLD CHAMPION JOACHIM ALCINE ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT IN HIS HOMETOWN AS PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBCSN COMES TO NRG ARENA IN HOUSTON, TEXAS 11 P.M. ET/8 P.M. PT

 
Powerful Super Welterweight Prospect Tony Harrison Takes On
Cecil McCalla In The Co-Main Event
 
Pre-Sale Discount Available Now!
Public On-Sale Available Too!
 
HOUSTON (September 25, 2015) – Undefeated rising star Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (26-0, 11 KOs) will look to put on a show for his hometown fans when he takes on Joachim Alcine (35-7-2, 21 KOs) in a 10-round super welterweight bout on Halloween night, Saturday, October 31 as Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBCSN comes to NRG Arena in Houston, Texas.
Televised coverage begins at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT with powerful super welterweight prospect Tony Harrison (21-1, 18 KOs) taking on Cecil McCalla (20-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round super welterweight attraction. Doors in the arena open at 5 p.m. CT and will feature a full night of exciting action.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Leija*Battah Promotions, are priced at $163, $109, $49 and $22, plus applicable fees. A Pre-sale ticket discount with special passcode is available now through Sunday at 11:59pm online only at ticketmaster.com. The public tickets are on sale now by calling Leija*Battah Promotions at 210.979.3302 or at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800.745.3000, via the internet at www.ticketmaster.com and at the NRG Stadium South Ticket Windows.
“This is a good fight against a former world champion,” said Charlo. “He’s experienced and he’s been in the ring with multiple world champions. I’m not taking anything away from him, but Houston is my town. I’ve been anticipating another fight here. I’m ready to go and I’m going to put on a great show.”
“I am so excited for this opportunity to compete against a young, strong fighter like Jermell Charlo,” said Alcine. “I don’t think he’s faced a fighter with my level of experience in big fights. I am not going to make it easy for him. I am going to challenge Charlo like he never has been before.”
Younger-by-one-minute than his identical twin, super welterweight world champion Jermall, Charlo is also a highly ranked young fighter looking to get one step closer to a world title shot. A tall fighter for his division, the 25-year-old stepped up in class in 2014 and delivered three wide unanimous decision victories over Gabriel Rosado, Charlie Ota and Mario Lozano. In 2015 he delivered his most impressive victory to date, beating highly-ranked Vanes Martirosyan in March.
A veteran of the sport for over 15 years, Alcine is unbeaten in his last three bouts. The 39-year-old won a world title in 2007 with a victory over previously unbeaten Travis Simms and defended against Alfonso Mosquera. Born in Haiti, but fighting out of Quebec, Alcine owns a victory over David Lemieux and most recently fought to a split-draw with Delvin Rodriguez.
At just 25-years-old, Harrison has made big noise recording a 10-fight knockout streak before dropping his last fight to Willie Nelson. The Detroit-native will look to bounce back and return to the win column when he enters the ring onOctober 31. He has picked up victories over Antwone Smith, Tyrone Brunson, Bronco McKart and Pablo Munguia in the last two years.
After an extended amateur career in which he competed in nearly 100 fights, McCalla is looking to bounce back from a loss to Ishe Smith in April. He entered 2015 on a 20-fight win streak and hopes to get back on track onOctober 31. The 30-year-old fights out of Baltimore, Maryland.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.nbcsports.com/boxing andwww.leijabattahpromo.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TwinCharlo, @IAmBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, @NBCSports, @NRGParkFan and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.

LEWISTON AND BANGOR COLLIDE IN THE MMA CAGE AT NEF XX

Lewiston, Maine (September 25, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE” on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will feature a first for Maine – mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts and professional boxing bouts on the same event with an MMA cage and a boxing ring set up side-by-side.  Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the MMA portion of the fight card.  Lewiston’s own Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (2-0) is scheduled to meet Bangor, Maine’s Jon Lemke(4-3) at a fight weight of 150-pounds.

 

Matt Denning has been nothing short of impressive in the first two fights of his professional career.  After putting together an amateur record of 4-3, Denning has since finished both Zenon Herrera (0-2) and Derek Shorey (3-2) via first-round submission in the pro ranks.  He is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) in Lewiston.  Denning’s upcoming fight will present an opportunity to gain a measure of revenge, of sorts, on Lemke who defeated Denning’s coach Jesse Erickson (6-4) at Bellator 93 in March 2013.

 

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be on the ‘NEF XX’ card,” said Denning.  Boxing and cage fighting under the same roof – it’s going to be a crazy night.  I’m looking to go 3-0 as a pro against a very high level opponent in Lemke.  It’s a heavier fight, against a guy who beat my coach in Bellator.  I’m excited to showcase my skills and put on a show for the NEF fans.  I’m Lewiston’s own Ken Doll and I plan on bringing everything I have into this fight. Fighting a friend is hard, but it’s all a part of this wide-growing sport.  My career is on the rise while Lemke’s is going down.”

 

Jon Lemke is a member of Team Irish in Brewer, Maine where he trains under the legendary Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (22-11).  Like Denning, Lemke went on a tear at the start of his professional career, winning his first three bouts in a row.  He last appeared in the NEF cage at “NEF XIV” last fall, defeating Amos Collins (4-5) via first-round technical knockout (TKO).  After some time off from competition, Lemke is ready and eager to return to NEF in November.

 

“I am excited and grateful for another opportunity to do what I love and continue my career with NEF,” said Lemke.  “I am grateful to fight Mr. Denning, who has started his pro career off on the fast track.  I realize that I have been very inconsistent in my last couple of fights, however, I have taken steps to remedy that and am happy, healthy and looking to get back on track.  Mr. Denning brings a good skill set and a big fan base to the cage, and I look forward to the challenge and rising up to that challenge.  It’s going to be a great night of fights and people are not going to want to miss this fight in particular.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE,” takes place on November 21, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The event will mark the first time in Maine history a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event and a professional boxing event have taken place together on the same show.  Tickets for “NEF XX” start at just $25 and are on sale now atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525.  For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

“WSOF 24: FITCH VS. OKAMI” ADDS SEVEN PRELIMINARY CARD BOUTS TO STAR-STUDDED, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT AT FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO IN CONNECTICUT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

 Rick Glenn vs. Adam Ward tops the undercard bill that streams live on WSOF.com before the live NBCSN telecast

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 24, 2015) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today seven matchups stacked with some of the sport’s most prolific, emerging talent for the star-studded “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” world championship event at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, live on NBCSN, beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

A featherweight (145 pounds) contest between former World Series of Fighting champion Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn and aggressive-minded standout Adam Ward will headline the preliminary bout card that will stream live on an embeddable video player on WSOF.com before the live NBCSN telecast of the five-bout main card.

An eighth bout pitting heavyweight Juliano Coutinho (6-1) of Cape Cod, Mass. against an opponent to be determined, will be announced soon.

“We are set to unleash what could very well be our most exciting lineup of preliminary bouts yet, filled with a diverse group of hungry, up-and-coming talent, future superstars and even a former world champion in Rick Glenn,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

The 26-year –old Glenn of Marshalltown, Iowa is looking to rebound after a hard-fought defeat at the hands of Lance Palmer that cost Glenn his World Series of Fighting featherweight title.  The loss snapped Glenn’s phenomenal unbeaten streak that spanned 13 fights over the course of more than 4 years.

Heading into what will be his promotional debut under the World Series of Fighting banner, Ward of Chicago, Ill. is riding a five-fight win streak that began on September 27, 2013 when he submitted Pedro Velasco with a rear-naked choke just 42 seconds into the first round of battle.

In other featherweight preliminary bout action, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida(16-5) of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil will square off with Saul “The Spider” Almeida (18-5) of Boston, Mass.

Alexandre, 27, will hunt for his fourth consecutive win.  To date, 12 of his 16 career conquests have come by way of submission.

Saul, 26, is seeking his sixth straight win after earning a split decision victory overChris Foster at World Series of Fighting’s debut event at Foxwoods Resort Casino on April 10.

Also at featherweight, Rodrigo “The Young Lion” Almeida (12-2) of Woburn, Mass. faces off with Bruce “Pretty Boy” Boyington (10-8) of Bangor, Maine.

The 29-year-old Almeida is looking to notch his eighth consecutive win, while Boyington, 36, boasts an 80 percent finish rate.

In one of two middleweight (185 pounds) preliminary card fights, hard-hitting KO artist and Iraq war veteran Justin Torrey (7-1) of Springfield, Mass. will throw down with Rex “T-Rex” Harris (7-2) of West Pittston, Penn.

Six of Torrey’s seven wins to date have come by way of (T)KO, while all seven of Harris’ victories have come by way of (T)KO or submission.

In the second middleweight scrap, recent World Series of Fighting signee Louis “Handgunz” Taylor (11-3) of Chicago will make his promotional debut against unbeaten prospect Nicolai Salchov (5-0) of Dusseldorf, Germany.

In the midst of a four-fight win streak, Taylor has produced 10 of his 11 career wins by way of (T)KO or submission.  Salchov has done likewise in 4 of his 5 starts.

Washington Nunes Da Silva (5-1) of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil will meetColton Smith (5-4) of Manassas, Va. at welterweight (170 pounds).

The WSOF 24 preliminary bout card will kick off with a heavyweight affair pittingPat Walsh (6-2) of West Bridgewater, Mass. against Tyler King (9-3) of North Attleboro, Mass.

Priced from $39.99, tickets for “WSOF 24: Fitch vs. Okami” are on sale at Ticketmaster.com and WSOF.com.

In the welterweight main event, Jon Fitch (26-7-1, 1 NC) of Fort Wayne, Ind. will face rival superstar and grappling technician Yushin “Thunder” Okami (30-9) of Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.

In the co-main event, World Series of Fighting Heavyweight Champion Blagoy Ivanov (12-1) of Sofia, Bulgaria will put his coveted title on the line for the first time against seasoned contender Derek “Caveman” Mehmen (19-6) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Doors at the Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino will open at 4:30 p.m. ET, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 5:30 p.m.  The card is subject to change.

About “World Series of Fighting” (WSOF)
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a world wide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com. Follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and “World Series of Fighting” President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

JOE WARREN-L.C. DAVIS PREPARED FOR MAIN EVENT CLASH AT ‘BELLATOR 143’ LIVE & FREE ON SPIKE

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE WEIGH-IN PHOTOS

HIDALGO, Texas (September 24, 2015) – Less than 24 hours separates Joe Warren (12-4) and L.C. Davis (23-6) from competing in the main event of “Bellator 143: Warren vs. Davis” at State Farm Arena, in what amounts to a crucial pairing in the bantamweight division.

 

Bellator 143: Warren vs. Davis” airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while the stacked preliminary portion of the event will stream live on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT.

 

Both men hit their required marks of 135-pounds, as did the remainder of the four-fight main card on Spike, which features a middleweight pairing between Kendall Grove (21-15, 1 NC) and Joey Beltran (16-11, 1 NC), a featherweight contest pitting Henry Corrales (12-1) against Emmanuel Sanchez (10-2), and a heavyweight tilt that with Vinicius Queiroz(7-3) welcoming promotional newcomer Ewerton Teixeira (3-0).

 

The Spike.com-streamed preliminary card also features several must-see fights, including the promotional debuts of Chase Gormley and Gleristone Santos and what promises to be a barnburner, when Darrion Caldwell and Shawn Bunch meet at 135-pounds. Ryan Couture was supposed to make his return to the Bellator MMA cage, but the fight was scrapped when his opponent Nick Gonzalez missed weight.

 

Below are the official weights and weigh-in photos for “Bellator 143: Warren vs. Davis.”

Eleider Alvarez vs. Isaac Chilemba in November  WBC light heavyweight final eliminator in Quebec

MONTRÉAL (September 24, 2015) – World Boxing Council (WBC) No, 2 rated contender Eleider Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs), a former Colombian Olympian who now lives in Montreal, and WBC No. 1 contender Isaac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs), of Malawi, will face each other this November in a WBC light heavyweight final eliminator bout to be staged in Quebec.
 
Yvon Michel and Kathy Duva, respectively, promoters of Alvarez and Chilemba, yesterday finalized a deal to secure this much anticipated fight, in which the winner will become mandatory challenger for WBC World light heavyweight champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson, the Haitian native who also lives in Montreal.
 
“Alvarez and Chilemba are both at the elite level of the light heavyweight division,” said Michel, President of GYM, “insuring a spectacularly intense fight that will determine the rest of their respective careers.”
 
“Isaac and Main Events are very much looking forward to the fight and very happy to have come to an agreement with our friends at GYM,” added Duva, CEO of Main Events.
 
In his last outing this past August 15 at Bell Centre in Montreal, WBC Silver champion Alvarez spoiled the undefeated record of tough Paraguayan challenger Isidro Ranoni Prieto, retaining his belt via a unanimous decision victory on a great Premier Boxing Champions card that aired live on NBC Sports.
 
Chilemba, the current North American Boxing Federation (NABA) champion, also fought his last bout at Belle Centre, the famed home of the Montreal Canadians. Fighting on the March 14th undercard headlined by a world championship light heavyweight bout between defending champion Sergey Kovalev and challenger Jean Pascal, Chilemba defeated Russian foe Vasily Lepikhin on HBO by unanimous decision to capture the NABF title.
 
The exact date and venue of the Alvarez-Chilemba showdown is expected to be announced within a couple of days. The plan is have Alvarez’ stablemate, undefeated light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev, fighting on the same card in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) elimination fight.