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Duk posts by FNU47
Fight Network Signs Exclusive Multi-Year Programming Deal with World Series of Fighting
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PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT & MP3 WITH ROBERT GUERRERO, Lokacin Harunar Martinez, Dominic BREAZEALE & YASMANY CONSUEGRA
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Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight champion John “Apollo kidd” Thompson ready for next opportunity
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Domin Rabonka nan da nan Release
Newark, NY (Yuni 3, 2015)–Just two weeks after winning the 2015 Boxcino Jr, Middleweight gasar, John “Apollo kidd” Thompson (17-1, 6 KO ta) is already getting back in shape and wants a quick ring return.
Thompson won his title by stopping Brandon Adams in two rounds on May 22 a Corona, California, in what was the last show of ESPN Friday Night Fights.
“Everything is going well. I am already back working out. I have been receiving a lot of calls to do interviews and being acknowledged,” Said Thompson.
“I am going back to down to camp this weekend and start preparing for my next fight.”
Thompson credits his self belief for his success and knows that the best is yet to come.
“I always had big confidence in myself. If you don’t believe in yourself, you already lost. My goal is to be number-one.”
“I am just ready to get back in the ring and put on a good show, entertain and continue to win,” finished Thompson.
Thompson is promoted by GH3 Promotions and Banner Promotions.
GH3 Promotions siffofi da undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight ta Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez da Jr. Middleweight John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight Jerrell Harris,undefeated Super Bantamweight Qa'id Muhammad, undefeated hur Oscar Bonilla da haske matakin matsakaicin nauyi Lavarn Harvell ga GH3 Promotions barga.
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Bellator Knocks Out Four Additional Preliminary Bouts for Kansas Card On June 26
SANTA Monica, Calif. (Yuni 3, 2015) – With a complete four-fight main card already announced for “Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” on June 26, the promotion has turned its focus to the preliminary showcase with four new fights.
The newly announced bouts include bantamweights Jeimeson “The Minion” Saudino (8-4) vs. Aaron “The Cyborg” Ely (4-2), lightweights Bobby “Super Duper” Cooper (12-5) vs. Pablo Villaseca (9-0), as well as heavyweights Daniel “Big Kansas” Gallemore (4-2) vs. Augusto Sakai (7-0), and female featherweights Iona Razafiarison (2-0) da kuma Bryanna “Pink Ranger” Fissori (1-0).
"Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” is headlined by a heavyweight clash between French striking specialist Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) and former Bellator MMA Heavyweight World Champion Alexander “Drago” Volkov (24-5). Taron faruwa Yuni 26 at Kansas Star Event Center Arena in Mulvane, Mayu.
The night’s main card airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. DA/ 8 p.m. CT, yayin da na farko bouts jera a kan Spike.com a 6:45 p.m. DA/ 5:45 p.m. CT. Tikiti na “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov” start at just $17 and are currently available at Ticketmaster.com.
Additional announced pairings on the SPIKE-televised card include lightweights Dave “The Caveman” Rickels (16-3) vs.John “The Natural” Alessio (35-17), former Bellator MMA featherweight champion Pat “Paddy Mike” Curran (20-7) vs. Yamauchi up (18-2) and a contest between middleweight sluggers with Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1) on the event’s featured portion.
In a bantamweight battle between two Kansas natives, Wichita’s Saudino is a scrapper who has won half of his eight professional victories without the judge’s help. He looks to improve to nine wins against Leavenworth’s Ely, a ground game specialist who has earned all four professional victories by submission. This 135-pound bout will be a must-see showcase of Midwest MMA talent.
RFA and Titan FC veteran Cooper has already earned two victories in the Bellator cage and will look to make his fight at Bellator 139 three in a row. He goes up against Villaseca, a Chilean MMA prospect with an unblemished professional record at 9-0, with three knockouts and three submission finishes.
Emporia’s “Big Kansas” Gallemore is a heavyweight who’s hands have earned all four of his victories, three of which have taken place under the Bellator banner. He will meet the undefeated Sakai, a dangerous Brazilian striker who has finished six of seven of his opponents with either his fists or knees.
Iony Razafiarison is a coming off of a unanimous decision victory in her professional debut this past January, and will look to make an immediate impact in her first fight with the Bellator promotion. She will take on Bryanna Fissori, who also makes her promotional debut at Bellator 139 after winning her first career victory by knockout last October.
“Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” - Jumma'a, Yuni 26, Kanas Star Event Center Arena, MULVANE, Kansas
Babban Card (9 p.m. DA)
Bellator matakin matsakaicin nauyi Main Event: Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) vs. Alexander Volkov (24-5)
Bellator Hur fasalin Kuma ku yãƙi: Dave Rickels (16-3) vs. John Alessio (35-17)
Bellator Featherweight fasalin Kuma ku yãƙi: Pat Curran (20-7) vs. Yamauchi up (18-2)
Bellator Middleweight fasalin Kuma ku yãƙi: Joe Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1)
Na farko Card
Bellator Featherweight Prelim Kuma ku yãƙi: Bubba Jenkins (8-2) vs. Joe Wolf (18-10)
Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Kuma ku yãƙi: Jeimeson Šaudiņš (8-4) vs. Aaron Ely (4-2)
Bellator Hur Prelim Kuma ku yãƙi: Bobby Cooper (12-5) vs. Pablo Villaseca (9-0)
Bellator matakin matsakaicin nauyi Prelim Kuma ku yãƙi: Daniel Gallemore (4-2) vs. Augusto Sakai (7-0)
Bellator Featherweight Prelim Kuma ku yãƙi: Iona Razafiarison (2-0) vs. Bryanna Fissori (1-0)
Dominic “FA” BREAZEALE OPENS UP PBC ON NBC LIVE TELECAST & FACES UNDEFEATED CUBAN HEAVYWEIGHT YASMANY CONSUEGRA
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Miguel COTTO VS. Daniel GEALE Final taron manema labarai Quotes & Hotuna
WBC & Zobe MUJALLAR MIDDLEWEIGHT duniya zakara COTTO TO FUSKANTA tsohon BIYU lokaci duniya zakara GEALE ON Ta watan Yunin 6, 2015 AT Cibiyar Barclays a Brooklyn LIVE ON HBO®
Gabatar BY ROC Nation WASANNI + Miguel COTTO kiran kasuwa
NEW YORK (Yuni 2, 2015) – ROC Nation Sports da Miguel Cotto Kiran shirya karshe taron manema labarai ga Yuni 6 showdown tsakanin WBC da Zobe Magazine Middleweight Duniya Champion Miguel Cotto kuma tsohon Biyu-Time Duniya Champion Daniel Geale a ranar Talata, Yuni 2 a B.B. Sarkin Blues Club & Gasa a New York City. Tare da babban taron mahalarta, undercard mayakan Junior Younan da Zhang Zhilei kasance kuma a cikin kasancewa. Wasu jawabai hada Michael Yormark (Shugaban kasar & Shugaban saka alama da Dabaru na ROC Nation), Karina Soto (Miguel Cotto Kiran kasuwa), Freddie Roach (Cotto ta Trainer), Gary Shaw (Gary Shaw Productions), Graham Shaw (Geale ta Trainer), Brett Yormark (Shugaba na Barclays Cibiyar da Brooklyn raga), Peter Nelson (VP HBO Sports shiryawa), David Berlin (Babban Darektan New York Jihar Athletic Hukumar) da kuma Ululy Martinez (Mataimakin shugaban kasa Puerto Rican Day Parade Board of Directors). A taron manema labarai da aka emceed ta Brooklyn raga Jama'a Address sanarwa ya David Diamante.
Hotuna:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zghog55phfcebgl/AADdHvtxcpbR-JVk2zOI54qPa?dl=0
PHOTO bashi: Rich Kane - Hoganphotos / ROC Nation Sports
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wzeqxzlc7s79fev/AAAZBtNFUxTp3M_WOX65_pvNa?dl=0
PHOTO bashi: Miguel Cotto Kiran / ROC Nation Sports
VIDEO:
VIDEO bashi: Miguel Cotto Kiran / ROC Nation Sports
Ga abin da mahalarta taron manema labarai ya ce:
Michael Yormark – Shugaban kasar & Shugaban saka alama da Dabaru na ROC Nation
"Led by mu Shugaban Jay Z da abokan, ROC Nation aka kafa yi aiki tare artists da Entertainers ya shiryar da su, kuma taimake su gina su yabo ko da bayan da iyaka na music masana'antu. An kasancẽwa to,, cewa a yau za mu tsaya a wani wuri mai suna ga almara BB King - yiwuwa ya huta lafiya - an artist da wani mutum da ya sani ba iyaka a yayin da ake aiki da transcended ya art. A cikin 'yan shekarun nan short, ROC Nation kanta ta kumbura bayan duniyar music, diversifying a hanyar da cewa mutane da yawa taba tunanin zai yiwu. A yau za mu fara bikin a landmark a cikin wancan fadada, kamar yadda wani labari, Duniya Champion Miguel Cotto, shirya zuwa kanun labarai ROC Nation ta farko da manyan yaki a ranar Asabar da dare a kan Daniel Geale, rayuwa a Barclays Cibiyar da kuma a kan HBO. "
"A lokacin da ROC Nation kafa ta dambe rabo kasa da shekara guda da suka wuce, mu jajirce wajen yin abubuwa daban, da abin da ka ga a ranar Asabar da dare zai zama daban-daban. Gaban dambe duniya za a gyarawa a kan Barclays Cibiyar a ranar Asabar, tare da celebrities da VIP ta rufi da zobe da kuma wani captivated masu sauraro da kallon a gida. Za su duba tare da jira, jiran ba wai kawai a masterful yi daga gasar Miguel Cotto da wani karaya abokin gaba, amma kuma wani lantarki bayyanar daga ROC Nation artist da hip hop-SuperStar Big Sean, kazalika da muryar New York Angie Martinez, da kuma rundunar sauran surprises da za su yi wannan live dambe kwarewa daban-daban daga wani abu da ka taba gani a gaban. "
"Asabar ne farkon wani sabon abu da kuma sabo ne ga dambe masana'antu. Yana da wani zarafi ga dukan mu ya nuna dambe magoya, da kuma wasanni da nisha magoya a duniya, cewa mataki a kan yãƙi dare iya kuma za su zauna har zuwa talla. "
Karina Soto - Miguel Cotto Kiran kasuwa
"Tana da dama watanni na aiki da kuma ke e kanka. Puerto Rico ta yi haske sake a daren Yuni 6 a lokacin da Miguel Cotto faɗa sabõda da sunayen sarauta samu nasarar. "
Ululy Rafael Martinez - Puerto Rican Day Parade
"Muna ba da gaske farin ciki da wannan shekara zuwa formalize dangantaka da Miguel Cotto godiya ga ROC Nation Sports da Miguel Cotto Kiran kasuwa. Na kuma so in gode ROC Nation Sports da Miguel Cotto Kiran kasuwa domin bayar da tasu gudunmuwar da malanta asusun. They are helping us empower young high school students and college students we provide scholarships to so they can further their education. I’m encouraging everyone planning on coming to the Parade on June 14 to support our man Miguel Cotto On Saturday, Yuni 6 at Barclays Center for the boxing match of the year.”
David Berlin – New York Athletic Commission
“Miguel Cotto and Daniel Geale represent the best in boxing. These are men that carry themselves with dignity both inside and outside the ring. Men who can be respectful because they don’t have to prove themselves with words. Where they prove themselves each and every time they fight is inside that ring.”
“Now that I am with the commission, I no longer root for fighters. I’m in a neutral role, but I do root for fights. I root for fights when fighters come into the ring and they fight hard but they leave the ring safely. I root for fights that satisfy the fans and fights where the right man has his hand raised at the end. That of course is where the New York State Athletic Commission comes in.
“This promises to be a competitive fight. Obviously a competitive fight means it’s a hard night for judges, but what I’m committing to the fighters and fans is that we are going to have competent, qualified and neutral officials in place and the right man is going to have his hand raised at the end of the fight. I wish both men good luck on Saturday night.”
Brett Yormark – Shugaba na Barclays Cibiyar da Brooklyn raga
“We’re expecting a great night on Saturday night. Don haka, hopefully we see all of you. Tikiti har yanzu suna sayarwa. Saturday night represents our 13ga watan night of championship boxing at Barclays Center since we opened the building 32 months ago and boxing plays a huge role in what we do in Brooklyn.”
Peter Nelson – Vice President of Programming HBO Sports Programming
“We look forward to two fighters who have always rose to every challenge that has been put in front of them. Daniel Geale had a lucrative opportunity at one point in time to make his HBO debut and he actually decided instead to go to Germany, to Felix Sturm’s backyard, fight him for his world titles and ended up lifting the titles away from him. He is naturally the largest opponent that Miguel Cotto has ever fought and he’s stepped up to every challenge that’s ever been put in front of him.”
“Miguel Cotto…the last time he stepped into the ring, he entered it an underdog and he ended up leaving it the lineal middleweight champion. He joined just a handful of fighters ever to win four world titles in four separate divisions and he was the first man from Puerto Rico ever to do so. He performed what I saw as one of the strangest punches ever in boxing when he touched a man on the temple and it caused his knee to twist into a knot. I’ve never seen that happen. It was an extraordinary performance.”
“We look to see in this fight, fighters who are going to give us moments of great bravery and great courage. These are the kind of men we want to have on the network. That’s what makes great fights.”
Gary Shaw – Gary Shaw Productions
“I have a personal problem with catch weights. We accepted the catch weight of 157 and I’m not here to complain about the catch weight. We’re going to make the weight. It’s going to be tough. I believe that if a fighter wants to fight at any weight that he wants to fight at, he has that opportunity, but he shouldn’t stop the opponent from fighting at the sanctioned weight which in this case is 160.”
“I believe Daniel Geale is going to win the fight. I believe that Miguel and his team made a mistake. If they were looking at the Golovkin fight, thinking that’s the Daniel that is going to come into the ring…it will not be that same Daniel Geale.”
“It’s truly an honor to represent Daniel Geale because he’s a different young man. The first time I met him, I flew to Germany. I looked around and I couldn’t identify Daniel Geale. Little did I know, he was standing against the back wall. After taking my seat at the dais, Daniel Geale walked up. I looked at him and I said “we’re in trouble! This kid looks like a choir boy not a fighter,” but he gave it all he got and he won the fight. He’s a family man. Doesn’t travel with an entourage. Always on time. Trains hard. Does everything that a true champion has to do.”
Daniel Geale – Former Two-Time World Champion
“This is a huge opportunity and I’m very excited. We’re so excited as a team that this fight is taking place. We’ve put a great training camp in for this fight and I’m feeling as good as I ever have. Da akwai wani uzuri. I’m going in as the best fighter I can possibly be. I’m hoping Miguel Cotto is the best fighter he can be as well. I want the fans to enjoy a great fight and I believe it will be a great fight. I can’t wait to walk away with another title. I’m going in very confident and I know a lot of people aren’t giving me much of a chance, but I have a huge amount of confidence in myself knowing I’ve completed a great training camp. Knowing that I have put everything that I possibly can into it and knowing that I have such a great team. I look forward to Saturday night.”
Freddie Roach – Cotto ta Trainer
“We’ve had a great training camp. Miguel is in great shape. Our sparring partners on our team have been great. And we’re ready for this fight. Gary’s been making a big deal about catch weights, but they have been around for a long time and he knows how to read a contract and he’s had that contract for a long time now, so I don’t think that’s an issue. We look forward to seeing you at the fight.”
Miguel Cotto – WBC & Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion
“I want to thank my lovely family for being here with my. My kids, my wife, my lovely mom. Thank you for always supporting my career no matter how hard it seems or looks to you. I love you.”
“I think that people are making a big issue where there does not need to be a big issue with catch weights. Freddie, back in 2009, made me go down from 147 zuwa 145. Did anyone hear anything about Miguel Cotto disagreeing with the catch weights? Kar Ka, I was a gentlemen the whole way. Catch weights were our main point to make this fight happen. Daniel and his team agreed to going down to 157 and I hope he can make weight on Friday. I hope to see everyone there on Saturday night.”
“Freddie brings the confidence back to Miguel. He comes every day no matter what he feels and gives his best to me. When you have this kind of person in front of you giving you his best and making sure that you are going to do your best, the only way you can pay him back is bringing your best too. We only talk about boxing when we are in the gym. He’s my trainer there, but as soon as we finish our training session, he’s my friend.”
Cotto vs. Geale, a 12-zagaye yaki for Cotto ta WBC da Zobe Magazine Middleweight gasar duniya, faruwa Asabar, Yuni 6 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and will be televised live on HBO. Da yaki, which is presented by Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions in association with Gary Shaw Productions, will be the official kick-off event of the 2015 National Puerto Rican Day Parade Week and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, Jaybird, TapouT, Tequila Cazadores, Venue Kings and Nüe Resource. Baya ga babban mataki a cikin zobe, taron zai ƙunshi da dama sananne ROC Nation ta shãfi da za su kara bauta wa yan kallo da wani fan inganta kwarewa, including Roc Nation and Grammy nominated artist Big Sean taking to the ring for a special performance prior to the main event. The event will be hosted by notable emcee “The Voice of New York” Angie Martinez and will also feature hit master DJ Lobo who will serve alongside Martinez throughout the night. Tikiti saka farashi a $500, $250, $200, $150, $100, $80, $50, $35 da kuma $25, ba ciki har da zartar da sabis na zargin da haraji, are on sale now and available for purchase atwww.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com kuma a American Express Box Office a Barclays Cibiyar. Don cajin da wayar, kira Ticketmaster a (800) 745-3000. Doors bude a 6:00 PM, na farko yaki fara a 6:15 PM and the HBO telecast begins at 10:30 PM ET/PT.
Don ƙarin bayani ziyarci www.rocnation.com. Bi ROC Nation a kan Twitter da Instagramrocnation kuma a kan Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.
Don ƙarin bayani, Ziyarar www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.
ERISLANDY LARA TRAINING CAMP UPDATE
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INCA KOLA to unveil custom ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPER at RFA 26
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INCA KOLA to unveil custom ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPER
Jumma'a, June 5th a RFA 26
in Broomfield, Colorado
WinThisChopper.com sweepstakes to support
Easter Seals New York’s Veterans Count
Las Vegas, Nevada – Tashin matattu yãƙi Alliance (RFA) and Inca Kola USA announced today that the debut of an Orange County Choppers (OCC) custom-built motorcycle designed for Inca Kola will debut at RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith this Jumma'a, June 5th. The chopper will be the awarded to a lucky winner entered in Inca Kola’s sweepstakes WinThisChopper.com
RFA president Ed Soares shared his thoughts on the promotion.
“RFA is proud to have had such a long relationship with Inca Kola,” Ajali Soares. “We are honored to host the debut of Orange County Choppers custom-built Inca Kola motorcycle at RFA 26 in Colorado. A WinThisChopper.com
Orange County Choppers co-founder Paul Teutul, Sr. shared similar sentiments.
“The entire team at Orange County Choppers is honored to be working with Inca Kola to raise awareness and donations for Easter Seals and Veterans Count,” stated Paul Teutul Sr.
Inca Kola has been a longtime sponsor of the RFA dating back to RFA 7 a watan Maris 2013, which took place at the same venue that Jumma'a night’s festivities are set to take place. “The Golden Kola” has become a very prominent brand seen at live RFA events and nationwide through the RFA’s television deal with AXS TV. Inca Kola’s COO Randy Berman sees the WinThisChopper.com
“We are really proud of our partnership with all of the vendors that have participated in this project including Orange County Choppers, Tashin matattu yãƙi Alliance, and AXS TV,” Berman explained. “We are certain that their participation will make this promotion for Easter Seals Veterans Count a huge success.”
RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith takes place this Jumma'a, June 5th at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The main card will feature six professional fights televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. DA / 7 p.m. Santa.
RFA 26 will be headlined by a welterweight title bout as RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith (14-2) puts his title on the line against RFA #1 welterweight contender Gilbert Smith (10-4). The main card will also feature a pair of bantamweight bouts. NCAA Division I wrestler Jarred “Shutout” Mercado (12-2) will lock horns with jiu-jitsu black belt Bruno Frazatto (6-2), while Hawaiian knockout artist Boston “Albarku Boom” Salmon (3-0) will clash with collegiate wrestler Danny Mainus (3-3). Also on the main card, former RFA middleweight title challenger Andrew “El Dirte” Sanchez (5-2) squares off with Respect FC and SFFN middleweight champion Clinton Williams (5-1) and undefeated heavyweight prospect Brandon Griffin (4-0) battles The MMA Lab destroyer Ashley Gooch (7-4).
170 CHAMPIONSHIP:
Ben Smith vs Gilbert Smith
155 CO-MAIN FARUWA:
Thiago Alves vs Marcus Edwards
135 Feature Bout:
Jarred Mercado vs Bruno Frazzato
265 Feature Bout:
Brandon Griffin vs Ashley Gooch
185 Feature Bout:
Andrew Sanchez vs Clinton Williams
135 Feature Bout:
Boston Salmon vs Danny Mainus
Ziyarci RFAfighting.com domin fadan updates da bayanai. RFA ne kuma a Facebook a Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
Game da RFA: RFA ne mai sana'a mixed Martial Arts gabatarwa cewa ya bada tanã fita taurari da kai contenders da damar tabbatar da gwaninta ga magoya kuma shugabannin a cikin masana'antun. Da RFA buga live abubuwan da suka faru a kan wani kowane wata, a {asar Amirka, ciki har da Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver da kuma Milwaukee. RFA za a iya gani live a kan 43 miliyan gidajensu na al'umma, ta hanyar da talabijin da yawa tare da AXS TV. Tushen a Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA yana daya daga cikin mafi m da kuma mutunta MMA kungiyoyi a cikin gaggawa girma wasanni a duniya. (A Octagon, Ultimate Yin yãƙi Championship®, UFC®, da takwas mai gefe gasar mat kuma keji zane alamun kasuwanci ne na musamman mallakar by Zuffa, LLC. Yi haƙƙin mallakan).
Game da AXS TV Combats: AXS TV ta faɗa ne mashahuri domin ta duniya gane Jumma'a Dare Mixed Martial Arts, kuma Kickboxing abubuwan. Kamar yadda Your Home Ga MMA, AXS TV utilizes wani expansive cibiyar sadarwa na kiran kasuwa daga Amurka, Canada, da Turai. Da kuma Asia domin watsa shirye-shirye fiye LIVE ta faɗa ya fi kowane talabijin na cibiyar sadarwa. “Da murya” Michael Schiavello da biyar lokaci MMA duniya-Zakaran Pat Miletich samar masu kallo gwani play-by-play, in-zurfin jirgin saman soja ɗaukar hoto, da kuma m bincike don kowane yaki katin. AXS TV watsa shirye-aji a duniya LIVE yaki abubuwan daga RFA, Zaki Kuma ku yãƙi, Legacy FC, kuma MFC kowane Jumma'a dare a 7 p.m. Santa / 10 p.m. DA.
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Yãƙe Report: Corito Reigns Supreme In Title Clash – Laamouz Stops Mukhamadiyarov as New Stars Farrugia and Brown Shine.
Rahoton: Gianluca (River) Di Caro
Hotuna: Viktor Vella
A ranar Jumma'a dare, in the grounds of the incredibly beautiful Monte Kristo Estates in Hal Luqa, Malta, local boxing fans were treated to a magnificent night of International boxing.
Taron, which was headlined by the MBC International Heavyweight title clash between Malta’s very own ‘King’ Billy Corito and the big hitting (18 KO’s from 27 wins) Latvian Edgars Kalners, was the first event from new promoters Steve Carauna and Mark Calleja, along with a little help from experienced British promoter Stephen Vaughan.
Right from the opening bell Corito went straight on the attack, landing a big right to the head, Kalners stood his ground and shot out a strong jab, only to receive another big right hand that connected flush.
What followed next was a controlled exchange between both protagonists that had many of the highly vocal fans on their feet and cheering on their man.
After a fairly frenetic start both fighters settled into a slower pace for the rest of the round.
Round two was fought at a good pace, with both men exchanging big shots throughout.
Without doubt both the first couple of rounds were fairly close, although surely could only be scored in favour of Corito due to him not only being the busier but also his shots showed way more intent, but the third was a totally different affair.
Corito slowly ground his man down, forcing Kalners back constantly with a series of powerful salvos, a number of which shook the big Latvian to the core, each time the local crowd became more vocal in encouraging their man to step up the attacks, which on some occasions he did much to the delight of the partisan crowd.
More of the same from Corito in the fourth, however Kalners seemed to have lost the will to go toe-to-toe, which made the round very much a one sided affair, with Kalners covering up often and allowing Corito to let rip with big right hands.
During one of the exchanges Kalners seemed to be caught in the rib area and as he went to shoot out a right hand of his own let out a cry of pain, after which pulled his right arm across his chest and began to turn away from his forward advancing foe.
Corito cautiously moved forward and looked toward referee Lee Murtagh for guidance on whether he should continue the attack or not on the stricken Latvian.
Whilst a gentlemanly act from Corito, it almost cost him dear as Kalners turned and threw out a strong jab and looked set to throw a big right.
Corito responded with another salvo of big rights and kept up the pressure until the end of the round.
Coming out in the fifth Kalners seemed sluggish and was breathing heavily, clearly in some form of discomfort, however Corito was not going to make the same mistake as in the previous round and once again began throwing big right hands at every conceivable opportunity.
For virtually the whole round it was Corito walking his opponent down, throwing big right hands to head and body, then in the dying seconds of the round Corito stepped up the pressure once more.
When the bell rang Corito turned and headed straight to his corner, however Kalners appeared disoriented for a few seconds before finally heading back to his corner, referee Lee Murtagh showed some concern, as did MBC Chief Medical officer Dr Mark Xuereb, who immediately headed to Kalners’ corner and began checking over the distressed Latvian.
As the minute break was coming to an end the referee stepped forward, as it was clear that Kalners was in no position to continue and waved the bout off just as the opening bell for round six rang.
Have to say I’ve seen Billy Corito in action a number of times, he’s always been good for the money, but this time he was magnificent.
Credit in part must go to Corito’s coach, former WBU World Champion Shea Neary, who came up with a game plan that surprised most, gone were the big haymaker’s Corito is so well known for, instead Corito was controlled, good head movement and his punches were crisp, sharp and more importantly nearly always bang on target.
Word is that Corito’s team were so impressed with his performance that discussions are already underway for a mouth watering showdown later this year with a certain big name British Heavyweight.
The main support see Pieta, Malta’s Haithem Laamouz in action against Russia’s Ravil Mukhamadiyarov.
Laamouz took the fight to the more experienced Mukhamadiyarov right from the start and kept up the pressure throughout the first couple of rounds.
Early on in the second Laamouz landed a cracking body shot that sent Mukhamadiyarov to the deck, as referee Lee Murtagh reached the 8 count surprisingly the tough Russian jumped to his feet. The plucky lad surprised most observers by making it to the end of the round despite Laamouz’s efforts to finish the fight early.
From the third on the pressure from Laamouz was clearly proving too much for Mukhamadiyarov, the Russian covering up and only occasionally responding with an ineffective jab to keep the Maltese lad at bay.
Early in the fifth round Laamouz backed Mukhamadiyarov onto the ropes and began a non-stop assault, until referee Lee Murtagh stepped in to save the Russian from further punishment on the one minute and thirty seven second mark.
Supporting the pro bouts were a number of International Novice Pro and semi-pro bouts between local boxers and a team from the United Kingdom.
The Novice Pro is a recently introduced division featuring boxers with limited amateur or unlicensed boxing experience but wishing to compete in the professional division.
The Novice Pro division is operated under full professional boxing rules and with the same medical requirements as the professional division.
The main differences between Novice Pro and Pro bouts are that, only Novice Pro licensed boxers can compete against another Novice Pro Licensed boxer and that the rounds are of two minute duration, not three as in the pro ranks.
KO, so now that’s explained let’s get back to the action.
The final Novice Pro bout see Malta’s Malik Zinad against UK’s William O’Reilly in a six, two minute round contest for the vacant WBU Europe Novice Pro Light Heavyweight title.
These two warriors went to war right from the opening bell, both giving their all for every single second of every round.
In the fourth Zinad stepped up the pace, occasionally forcing O’Reilly onto his back foot, it was later during one of these forceful attacks that Zinad began letting rip with some mighty bombs, one of which was just a tad off target and the thumb of his glove accidently entered the eye socket of the English lad, no surprise that as it did O’Reilly let out a shocked scream of pain as he headed for the canvas.
Dr Xuereb and his medical team were by the clearly distressed Englishman’s side in an instant, literally as referee Lee Murtagh waved the bout off.
I’m pleased to say that I had spoken with William O’Reilly since and he is absolutely OK and there is no lasting damage to his eye.
Prior to Zinad-O’Reilly was Malta’s Kerstin Brown against the UK’s Nathan Lavery, for the vacant WBU Europe Novice Pro Super Bantamweight title.
Young Brown is definitely one to watch and judging on his performance a ranar Jumma'a night is destined to become a future star, think of a younger Carl Frampton and that’ll give you an idea of just how classy and exciting young Brown is.
From start to finish the youngster controlled the bout like a seasoned pro, his ring craft was supreme, cutting off the ring to keep Lavery pinned against the ropes before closing in and letting rip with lightning fast double handed flurries.
Nobody was surprised when the score cards were read out, a shutout 60-51 in favour of Brown, as he really dominated the bout from start to finish, outboxing his taller opponent in sensational fashion.
The first Novice Pro bout featured Malta’s Max Farrugia against the UK’s Lewis Burns in a four rounder.
As with young Kerstin Brown, Farrugia is another emerging star, this kid has it all, think Junior Witter in his younger days, slick, switch boxing with so much panache it is mouth watering to watch.
From start to finish Farrugia out boxed his tough opponent, at times he made it look too easy, but believe me it wasn’t as Burns is one tough cookie and gave his all for every second of every round, just Farrugia is a class act, one that will be a great addition to the pro ranks that’s for sure.
After four sensational round the ringside judges scored the bout 40-36 (sau biyu) da kuma 40-37 in favour of the deserving Max Farrugia.
What a cracking fight and as with the other Novice Pro bouts, easily equal in quality to the full pro bouts.
The results for the semi-pro bouts are:
Noel Lebrun (Malta) vs Jonathan Dean (Birtaniya)
Judges Scores – Majority Decision in favour of UK’s Jonathan Dean.
Lee Murtagh 27-30, Darren Mairs 29-29 and Steve Farrugia 28-29
Goran Bogdanovic (Malta) vs Bradley McDonnell (Birtaniya)
Judges Scores – Split Decision in favour of Malta’s Goran Bogdanovic.
Lee Murtagh 29-28, Darren Mairs 29-30 and Steve Farrugia 29-28