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All posts by FNU47
Kupambana na Mtandao Dalili Exclusive Mbalimbali Mwaka Programming mpango na Dunia Mfululizo wa Kupambana na
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PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT & MP3 WITH ROBERT GUERRERO, Aron 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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Kwa mara moja Release
Newark, NJ (Juni 3, 2015)–Just two weeks after winning the 2015 Boxcino Jr, Middleweight mashindano, John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson (17-1, 6 KO ya) 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 katika 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,” ulisema 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 makala undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight ya Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez vilevile Jr. Middleweight John Thompson, Jr., undefeated welterweight Jerrell Harris,undefeated Super Bantamweight Qa'id Muhammad, undefeated lightweight Oscar Bonilla na Nuru Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell kwa GH3 Promotions imara.
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Bellator Knocks Kati Nne ziada Awali Kikohozi kwa Kansas Kadi Juni 26
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Juni 3, 2015) - Pamoja na kamili nne mapambano kadi kuu tayari alitangaza kwa "Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov "Juni 26, kukuza limegeuka mtazamo wake kwa kuonyesha awali na mapambano nne mpya.
Kikohozi wapya alitangaza ni pamoja na bantamweights Jeimeson "minion" Saudino (8-4) vs. Aaron "Cyborg" Ely (4-2), lightweights Bobby "Super Duper" Cooper (12-5) vs. Pablo Villaseca (9-0), kama vile vigogo Daniel "Big Kansas" Gallemore (4-2) vs. Augusto Sakai (7-0), na featherweights kike Iona Razafiarison (2-0) na Bryanna "Pink mgambo" Fissori (1-0).
"Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov "ni kichwa na mgongano kati ya Heavyweight Kifaransa fora mtaalamu Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) na aliyekuwa Bellator MMA Heavyweight World Champion Alexander “Drago” Volkov (24-5). tukio unafanyika Juni 26 katika Kansas Star Tukio Center uwanja katika Mulvane, Mei.
Kadi kuu usiku airs kuishi na bure kwenye Mwiba katika 9 p.m. NA/ 8 p.m. CT, wakati kikohozi awali mkondo juu ya Spike.com katika 6:45 p.m. NA/ 5:45 p.m. CT. Tiketi kwa ajili ya “Bellator: Kongo vs. Volkov "kuanza saa tu $17 na sasa zipo katika Ticketmaster.com.
Ziada alitangaza pairings kwenye kadi SPIKE-televisheni ni pamoja na lightweights Dave “Caveman” Rickels (16-3) vs.John “Mtindo” Alessio (35-17), zamani Bellator MMA featherweight bingwa Pat “Mpunga Mike” Curran (20-7) vs. Yamauchi up (18-2) na mashindano kati ya middleweight sluggers kwa Joe “Kushona 'Em Up” Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1) juu ya featured sehemu tukio.
Katika bantamweight vita kati ya mbili Kansas wenyeji, Wichita ya Saudino ni scrapper ambaye alishinda nusu ya ushindi wake nane mtaalamu bila msaada wa jaji. Yeye inaonekana kuboresha kwa mafanikio tisa dhidi Leavenworth ya Ely, mtaalamu ardhi mchezo ambao ina chuma zote ushindi nne kitaaluma na kuwasilisha. Hii bout 135-pound itakuwa lazima-kuona kuonyesha ya Midwest MMA vipaji.
RFA na Titan FC mkongwe Cooper tayari chuma ushindi wawili katika ngome Bellator na kuangalia kufanya mapambano yake katika Bellator 139 tatu mfululizo. Yeye huenda juu dhidi ya Villaseca, Chilean MMA matarajio na kasoro mtaalamu rekodi 9-0, kwa knockouts tatu na finishes kuwasilisha tatu.
Emporia ya "Big Kansas" Gallemore ni Heavyweight ambaye ni mikono yachuma zote nne za ushindi wake, tatu ambayo yamefanyika chini ya Bellator bendera. Atakutana undefeated Sakai, hatari Brazil mshambuliaji wa nani amemaliza sita ya saba ya wapinzani wake na ama ngumi yake au magoti.
Iony Razafiarison ni kuja mbali ya ushindi usiojulikana uamuzi katika kwanza yake kitaaluma hii Januari zamani, na kuangalia kufanya matokeo ya haraka katika mapambano yake ya kwanza na kukuza Bellator. Yeye itachukua juu ya Bryanna Fissori, ambao pia hufanya kwanza yake uendelezaji katika Bellator 139 baada ya kushinda ushindi wake wa kwanza wa kazi na mtoano mwezi Oktoba mwaka jana.
“Bellator MMA: Kongo vs. Volkov” - Ijumaa, Juni 26, Kanas Star Tukio Center uwanja, MULVANE, Kansas
Kuu ya Kadi (9 p.m. NA)
Bellator Heavyweight Kuu Tukio: Cheick Kongo (22-10-2) vs. Alexander Volkov (24-5)
Bellator Lightweight Kupambana Feature: Dave Rickels (16-3) vs. John Alessio (35-17)
Bellator Featherweight Kupambana Feature: Pat Curran (20-7) vs. Yamauchi up (18-2)
Bellator Middleweight Kupambana Feature: Joe Schilling (2-4) vs. Hisaki Kato (4-1)
Awali Kadi
Bellator Featherweight Prelim Kupambana: Bubba Jenkins (8-2) vs. Joe Wolf (18-10)
Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Kupambana: Jeimeson Šaudiņš (8-4) vs. Aaron Ely (4-2)
Bellator Lightweight Prelim Kupambana: Bobby Cooper (12-5) vs. Pablo Villaseca (9-0)
Bellator Heavyweight Prelim Kupambana: Daniel Gallemore (4-2) vs. Augusto Sakai (7-0)
Bellator Featherweight Prelim Kupambana: Iona Razafiarison (2-0) vs. Bryanna Fissori (1-0)
Dominic “TROUBLE” BREAZEALE OPENS UP PBC ON NBC LIVE TELECAST & FACES UNDEFEATED CUBAN HEAVYWEIGHT YASMANY CONSUEGRA
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MIGUEL COTTO VS. DANIEL GEALE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS
WBC & RING MAGAZINE MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION COTTO TO FACE FORMER TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION GEALE KUHUSU Juni 6, 2015 AT BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN LIVE ON HBO®
Yaliyowasilishwa na 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 katika 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 (Rais & Chief of Branding and Strategy of Roc Nation), Hector Soto (Miguel Cotto Promotions), 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.
PHOTOS:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zghog55phfcebgl/AADdHvtxcpbR-JVk2zOI54qPa?dl=0
PHOTO CREDIT: Rich Kane – Hoganphotos/Roc Nation Sports
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wzeqxzlc7s79fev/AAAZBtNFUxTp3M_WOX65_pvNa?dl=0
PHOTO 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 – Rais & 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. Hivyo, hopefully we see all of you. Tiketi bado ni juu ya kuuza. 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. 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. Hakuna udhuru. 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 kwa 145. Did anyone hear anything about Miguel Cotto disagreeing with the catch weights? Je Si, 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, Mapambano 12 ya raundi ya Cotto ya WBC na Gonga Magazine Middleweight mashindano ya dunia, unafanyika Jumamosi, Juni 6 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and will be televised live on HBO. kupambana, 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. Mbali na hatua kubwa ndani ya pete, Tukio hilo kipengele kadhaa mashuhuri kumgusa Roc Taifa ambayo zaidi kutumika watazamaji na kuimarishwa shabiki uzoefu, 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. Tiketi bei saa $500, $250, $200, $150, $100, $80, $50, $35 na $25, si ikiwa ni pamoja na gharama za huduma husika na kodi, are on sale now and available for purchase atwww.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com na katika American Express Box Ofisi ya saa Barclays Center. Kutoza kwa njia ya simu, wito Ticketmaster saa (800) 745-3000. Milango wazi katika 6:00 PM, mapambano ya kwanza huanza saa 6:15 PM and the HBO telecast begins at 10:30 PM ET/PT.
Kwa maelezo zaidi tafadhali ziara www.rocnation.com. Kufuata Roc Taifa juu ya Twitter na Instagramrocnation na kwenye Facebook katika www.facebook.com/RocNation.
Kwa habari zaidi, ziara 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
Ijumaa, June 5th katika RFA 26
in Broomfield, Colorado
WinThisChopper.com sweepstakes to support
Easter Seals New York’s Veterans Count
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Ufufuo Kupambana 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 Ijumaa, 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,” Alisema Soares. “We are honored to host the debut of Orange County Choppers custom-built Inca Kola motorcycle at RFA 26 in Colorado. The 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 Machi 2013, which took place at the same venue that Ijumaa 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, Ufufuo Kupambana 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 Ijumaa, 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. NA / 7 p.m. PT.
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” Soko (12-2) will lock horns with jiu-jitsu black belt Bruno Frazatto (6-2), while Hawaiian knockout artist Boston “Boom Boom” Salmoni (3-0) will clash with collegiate wrestler Danny Mainus (3-3). Pia kwenye kadi kuu, former RFA middleweight title challenger Andrew “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 TUKIO:
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
Tafadhali ziara RFAfighting.com kwa bout updates na habari. RFA pia ni juu ya Facebook katika Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
Kuhusu RFA: RFA ni mtaalamu mchanganyiko karate kukuza ambayo inatoa kupanda kwa nyota na wagombea juu fursa ya kuthibitisha vipaji vyao kwa mashabiki na viongozi katika sekta ya. RFA inatoa matukio live kila mwezi kuzunguka United States ikiwa ni pamoja na Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver na Milwaukee. RFA inaweza kuonekana live katika juu ya 43 milioni nyumba kitaifa kupitia mpango wake televisheni na AXS TV. Msingi katika Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA ni moja ya kazi na kuheshimiwa mashirika MMA katika mchezo kuongezeka kwa kasi katika ulimwengu. (Octagon, Ultimate Kupambana Championship®, UFC®, na nane upande mmoja ushindani kitanda na ngome kubuni ni registered alama za biashara inayomilikiwa peke kwa Zuffa, LLC. Haki zote zimehifadhiwa).
Kuhusu AXS TV mapambano: AXS TV mapambano ni maarufu kwa ajili yake wote kutambuliwa Ijumaa Night Mixed Martial Arts na matukio Kickboxing. Kama Home yako Kwa MMA, AXS TV hutumia mtandao wa kujitanua wa promotions kutoka United States, Canada, na Ulaya. Na Asia ya matangazo zaidi LIVE mapambano kuliko nyingine televisheni yoyote ya mtandao. “Sauti” Michael Schiavello na tano wakati MMA ya bingwa wa dunia Pat Miletich kutoa watazamaji mtaalam kucheza-na-kucheza, kina fighter chanjo, na uchambuzi wa kina kwa kila mapambano kadi. AXS TV matangazo matukio duniani darasa LIVE kupambana kutoka RFA, Kupambana Simba, Legacy FC, na MFC kila Ijumaa usiku katika 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. NA.
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Kupambana Ripoti: Corito Reigns Supreme In Title Clash – Laamouz Stops Mukhamadiyarov as New Stars Farrugia and Brown Shine.
Ripoti: Gianluca (River) Di Caro
Picha: Viktor Vella
Siku ya Ijumaa usiku, 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.
tukio, 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 mafanikio) 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 Ijumaa 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 (mara mbili) na 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 (Uingereza)
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 (Uingereza)
Judges Scores – Split Decision in favour of Malta’s Goran Bogdanovic.
Lee Murtagh 29-28, Darren Mairs 29-30 and Steve Farrugia 29-28