|
||
|
Alla inlägg av FNU47
Fight Network Signs Exclusive Multi-Year Programming Deal with World Series of Fighting
|
PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT & MP3 WITH ROBERT GUERRERO, ARON MARTINEZ, DOMINIC Breazeale & YASMANY consuegra
|
|||||
|
Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight champion John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson ready for next opportunity
|
För omedelbar publicering
Newark, NJ (Juni 3, 2015)–Just two weeks after winning the 2015 Boxcino Jr, Mellanvikt turnering, John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson (17-1, 6 KO: s) 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 i Corona, Kalifornien, in what was the last show of ESPN Friday Night Fights.
“Allt går bra. I am already back working out. I have been receiving a lot of calls to do interviews and being acknowledged,” säger 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 Kampanjer terar obesegrad mellanvikt Antoine Douglas, Super mellanvikt Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, obesegrad Super Boxning Adam Lopez samt Jr. Mellanvikt John Thompson, Jr, obesegrade weltervikt Jerrell Harris,obesegrad Super Bantamvikt Qa'id Mohammad, obesegrad lätta Oscar Bonilla och Lätt Tungvikt Lavarn Harvell till GH3 Kampanjer stabila.
|
Bellator Knocks Out Four Additional Preliminary Bouts for Kansas Card On June 26
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Juni 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), lättviktare 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) och Bryanna “Pink Ranger” Fissori (1-0).
"Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov "är rubricerade med en tungviktare sammandrabbning mellan franska slående specialist Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) och tidigare Bellator MMA Heavyweight världsmästare Alexander “Drago” Volkov (24-5). Evenemanget äger rum Juni 26 vid Kansas Star Event Center Arena i Mulvane, Kan.
Nattens huvudkortet sänds live gratis Spike på 9 p.m. OCH/ 8 p.m. CT, medan preliminära skjutningarna strömma på Spike.com på 6:45 p.m. OCH/ 5:45 p.m. CT. Biljetter till “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov "startar vid bara $17 och finns för närvarande tillgänglig på Ticketmaster.com.
Ytterligare aviserade liga på spik TV-kortet inkluderar lättviktare Dave “Den Caveman” Rickels (16-3) vs.John “The Natural” Alessio (35-17), former Bellator MMA featherweight champion Pat “Paddy Mike” Curran (20-7) vs. Yamauchi upp (18-2) och en tävling mellan mellanvikt slugger med 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” - Fredag, Juni 26, Kanas Star Event Center Arena, Mulvane, Kansas
Huvud Card (9 p.m. OCH)
Bellator Heavy Main Event: Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) vs. Alexander Volkov (24-5)
Bellator Lätt Feature Slagsmål: Dave Rickels (16-3) vs. John Alessio (35-17)
Bellator Fjäder Feature Slagsmål: Pat Curran (20-7) vs. Yamauchi upp (18-2)
Bellator mellanvikt Feature Slagsmål: Joe Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1)
Preliminära kortet
Bellator Fjäder Prelim Slagsmål: Bubba Jenkins (8-2) vs. Joe Wolf (18-10)
Bellator Bantamvikt Prelim Slagsmål: Jeimeson Šaudiņš (8-4) vs. Aaron Ely (4-2)
Bellator Lätt Prelim Slagsmål: Bobby Cooper (12-5) vs. Pablo Villaseca (9-0)
Bellator Tjockt Prelim Slagsmål: Daniel Gallemore (4-2) vs. Augusto Sakai (7-0)
Bellator Fjäder Prelim Slagsmål: Iona Razafiarison (2-0) vs. Bryanna Fissori (1-0)
DOMINIC “PROBLEM” BREAZEALE OPENS UP PBC ON NBC LIVE TELECAST & FACES UNDEFEATED CUBAN HEAVYWEIGHT YASMANY CONSUEGRA
|
MIGUEL COTTO VS. DANIEL GEALE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & BILDER
WBC & RING MAGAZINE MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION COTTO TO FACE FORMER TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION GEALE PÅ JUNI 6, 2015 AT BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN LIVE ON HBO®
PRESENTERAS VID Roc Nation SPORTS + MIGUEL COTTO PROMOTIONS
NEW YORK (Juni 2, 2015) – Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions hosted the final press conference for the June 6 showdown between WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion Miguel Cotto and former Two-Time World Champion Daniel Geale on Tuesday, Juni 2 vid B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City. Along with the main event participants, undercard fighters Junior Younan and Zhang Zhilei were also in attendance. Other speakers included Michael Yormark (President & Chief of Branding and Strategy of Roc Nation), Hector Soto (Miguel Cotto kampanjer), Freddie Roach (Cotto’s Trainer), Gary Shaw (Gary Shaw Productions), Graham Shaw (Geale’s Trainer), Brett Yormark (CEO of Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets), Peter Nelson (VP HBO Sports Programming), David Berlin (Executive Director of the New York State Athletic Commission) and Ululy Martinez (Vice Chairman of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board of Directors). The press conference was emceed by Brooklyn Nets Public Address Announcer David Diamante.
BILDER:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zghog55phfcebgl/AADdHvtxcpbR-JVk2zOI54qPa?dl=0
FOTO CREDIT: Rich Kane – Hoganphotos/Roc Nation Sports
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wzeqxzlc7s79fev/AAAZBtNFUxTp3M_WOX65_pvNa?dl=0
FOTO CREDIT: Miguel Cotto Promotions/Roc Nation Sports
VIDEO:
VIDEO CREDIT: Miguel Cotto Promotions/Roc Nation Sports
Here’s what press conference participants had to say:
Michael Yormark – President & Chief of Branding and Strategy of Roc Nation
“Led by our Chairman JAY Z and his partners, Roc Nation was founded to work with artists and entertainers to guide them and help them build their careers even beyond the boundaries of the music industry. It is fitting then, that today we stand in a setting named for the legendary BB King – may he rest in peace – an artist and a man that knew no boundaries during a career that transcended his art. In a few short years, Roc Nation itself has expanded beyond the world of music, diversifying in a way that many never thought possible. Today we begin to celebrate a landmark in that expansion, as another legend, World Champion Miguel Cotto, prepares to headline Roc Nation’s first major fight on Saturday night against Daniel Geale, live at Barclays Center and on HBO.”
“When Roc Nation founded its boxing division less than a year ago, we committed to doing things differently, and what you will see on Saturday night will be different. The eyes of the boxing world will be fixed on Barclays Center on Saturday, with celebrities and VIP’s lining the ring and a captivated audience watching at home. They will watch with anticipation, awaiting not only a masterful performance from the champion Miguel Cotto against a formidable opponent, but also an electric appearance from Roc Nation artist and hip-hop superstar Big Sean, as well as the voice of New York Angie Martinez, and a host of other surprises that will make this live boxing experience different from anything you’ve ever seen before.”
“Saturday is the start of something new and fresh for the boxing industry. It is a chance for all of us to show boxing fans, and sports and entertainment fans around the world, that the action on fight night can and will live up to the hype.”
Hector Soto – Miguel Cotto Promotions
“It has been several months of hard work and dedication. Puerto Rico will shine again on the night of June 6 when Miguel Cotto defends his titles successfully.”
Ululy Rafael Martinez – Puerto Rican Day Parade
“We’re really happy this year to formalize a relationship with Miguel Cotto thanks to Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions. I also want to thank Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions for contributing to our scholarship fund. 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, Juni 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 – CEO of Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets
“We’re expecting a great night on Saturday night. Så, hopefully we see all of you. Biljetter finns fortfarande till salu. Saturday night represents our 13th 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. Han är en familjeman. 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. Det finns inga ursäkter. 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’s 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 till 145. Did anyone hear anything about Miguel Cotto disagreeing with the catch weights? LÅT BLI, 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, en 12-runda kamp för Cotto s WBC och ring Magazine Mellanvikt VM, sker lördag, Juni 6 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and will be televised live on HBO. Kampen, 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. Förutom den stora insatser inuti ringen, Evenemanget kommer att innehålla flera anmärkningsvärda Roc Nation inslag som ytterligare kommer att tjäna åskådare med en förbättrad fläkt upplevelse, 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. Biljetter kostar $500, $250, $200, $150, $100, $80, $50, $35 och $25, tillämpliga serviceavgifter och skatter exklusive, are on sale now and available for purchase atwww.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com och på American Express Box Office på Barclays Center. För att ladda via telefon, call Ticket vid (800) 745-3000. Insläpp på 6:00 PM, den första kampen börjar på 6:15 PM and the HBO telecast begins at 10:30 PM ET / PT.
För mer information besök www.rocnation.com. Följ Roc Nation på Twitter och Instagramrocnation och på Facebook på www.facebook.com/RocNation.
För mer information, besök www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.
ERISLANDY LARA TRÄNING CAMP UPPDATERING
|
||
|
Inca Kola att presentera anpassade ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPER på RFA 26
|
Inca Kola att presentera anpassade ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPER
Fredag, 5 juni vid RFA 26
i Broomfield, Colorado
WinThisChopper.com tävlingar att stödja
Påsk Seals New Yorks Veterans Count
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) och Inca Kola USA meddelade i dag att debuten av en Orange County Choppers (OCC) specialbyggda motorcykel konstruerad för Inca Kola kommer debut på RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith detta Fredag, 5 juni. Helikoptern kommer att den tilldelas en lycklig vinnare in i Inca Kola s tävlingar WinThisChopper.com
RFA president Ed Soares delade sina tankar om främjande.
“RFA är stolta över att ha haft en sådan lång relation med Inca Kola,” Angiven Soares. “Vi är hedrade att vara värd för debuten av Orange County Choppers specialbyggda Inca Kola motorcykel på RFA 26 i Colorado. Den WinThisChopper.com
Orange County Choppers medgrundare Paul Teutul, Sr. delade liknande känslor.
“Hela teamet på Orange County Choppers är hedrad över att få arbeta med Inca Kola att öka medvetenheten och donationer till påsk Seals och Veterans räkna,” uppgav Paul Teutul Sr.
Inca Kola har varit en lång tid sponsor av RFA går tillbaka till RFA 7 Mars 2013, som ägde rum på samma plats som Fredag nattens festligheter kommer att äga rum. “The Golden Kola” har blivit en mycket framträdande varumärke ses på levande RFA evenemang och rikstäckande genom RFA: s tv-avtal med AXS TV. Inca Kola COO Randy Berman ser WinThisChopper.com
“Vi är verkligen stolta över vårt samarbete med alla leverantörer som har deltagit i det här projektet, inklusive Orange County Choppers, Resurrection Fighting Alliance, och AXS-TV,” Berman förklarade. “Vi är övertygade om att deras deltagande kommer att göra den här kampanjen för påsk Seals veteran Räkna en stor framgång.”
RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith sker detta Fredag, 5 juni på 1stBank Center i Broomfield, Colorado. Det viktigaste kortet kommer att innehålla sex professionella slagsmål TV live och rikstäckande på AXS TV på 10 p.m. OCH / 7 p.m. PT.
RFA 26 kommer att rubricerade med en weltervikt titelmatch som RFA weltervikt mästare Benjamin Smith (14-2) sätter sin titel på spel mot RFA #1 weltervikt utmanare Gilbert Smith (10-4). Det viktigaste kortet kommer också ett par bantamvikt anfall. NCAA Division I brottare Jarred “Stänga Ute” Marknad (12-2) kommer att låsa horn med jiu-jitsu svart bälte Bruno Frazatto (6-2), medan Hawaiian knockout konstnären Boston “Boom Boom” Lax (3-0) kommer att kollidera med college- brottare Danny Mainus (3-3). Även på huvudkortet, fd RFA mellanvikt titel utmanare Andrew “Den Dirte” Sanchez (5-2) torg utanför med Respect FC och SFFN mellanvikt mästare Clinton Williams (5-1) och obesegrad tungvikts utsikter Brandon Griffin (4-0) strider MMA Lab jagare Ashley Gooch (7-4).
170 MÄSTERSKAP:
Ben Smith vs Gilbert Smith
155 Co-main event:
Thiago Alves vs Marcus Edwards
135 Funktion Bout:
Jarred Mercado vs Bruno Frazzato
265 Funktion Bout:
Brandon Griffin vs Ashley Gooch
185 Funktion Bout:
Andrew Sanchez vs Clinton Williams
135 Funktion Bout:
Boston Lax vs Danny Mainus
Besök RFAfighting.com för bout uppdateringar och information. RFA är också på Facebook på Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram vidRFAfighting, och Twitter påRFAfighting.
Om RFA: RFA är en professionell MMA marknadsföring som ger stigande stjärnor och topp utmanare möjlighet att bevisa sin talang för att fans och ledare i branschen. RFA presenterar live-evenemang på månadsbasis runt om i USA, inklusive Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver och Milwaukee. RFA kan ses live på över 43 miljon nationellt genom sin tv affär med AXS TV. Baserat i Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA är en av de mest aktiva och respekte MMA organisationer i den snabbast växande sporten i världen. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, och den åttasidiga konkurrens matta och buren designen är registrerade varumärken som ägs exklusivt av Zuffa, LLC. Alla rättigheter reserverade).
Om AXS TV Slagsmål: AXS TV Fights är känt för sin allmänt erkända Fredag Natt Mixed Martial Arts och Kickboxning evenemang. Som ditt hem för MMA, AXS TV använder ett expansivt nätverk av kampanjer från USA, Kanada, och Europa. Och Asien för att sända mer LIVE slagsmål än någon annan tv-nät. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello och femfaldig MMA världen mästaren Pat Miletich ge tittarna expert play-by-play, djupgående fighter täckning, och omfattande analys för varje kamp kort. AXS TV sänder världsklass LIVE kampen händelser från RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, och MFC varje Fredag natt på 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. OCH.
|
|
Slagsmål Rapportera: Corito Reigns Supreme In Title Clash – Laamouz Stops Mukhamadiyarov as New Stars Farrugia and Brown Shine.
Rapport: Gianluca (River) Di Caro
Bilder: Viktor Vella
På fredag natt, 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.
Händelsen, 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 vinner) 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.
OK, 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 på fredag 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 (två gånger) och 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 (UK)
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 (UK)
Judges Scores – Split Decision in favour of Malta’s Goran Bogdanovic.
Lee Murtagh 29-28, Darren Mairs 29-30 and Steve Farrugia 29-28