All posts by FNU47

Trainer Joe Goossen high on Cuban prospect Marcos Forestal

ABOUT NOWHERE2HYDE MANAGEMENT: Owned and operated by international manager Gary Hyde in Cork, Ireland, manages present, past and future world champions such as World Boxing Association (WBA) Super & World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight champion and two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist, Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs), WBA Interim cruiserweight champion Youri “El Toro” Kalenga (21-1, 14 KOs), former WBO middleweight champion and current International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 1 mandatory contender Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (31-1, 18 KOs), three-time Cuban National champion Marcos Forestal (1-0, 1 KO), and world amateur champion Blagoy Naydenov.

 

Follow Hyde on Twitter at @NoWhere2Hyde and friend him atwww.facebook.com/gary.hyde.50?fref=ts.

CORK, Ireland (Feb. 23, 2015) – Veteran boxing trainerJoe Goossen is high on Cuban super bantamweight prospect Marcos Forestal (1-0, 1 KO), especially after the former amateur star’s professional debut February 13, in which he put 56-fight veteran Ignac “The Test” Kassai to sleep in the second round of their fight in Queens, New York.

 

A three-time Cuban National champion, the 25-year-old Forestal defeated 2012 Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Rameriez 14 months ago and was unbeaten in three World Series of Boxing matches for undefeated 2014 team champion Cuba Domadores before he defected to the United States last April.

 

Forestal, now fighting out of Los Angeles, is a 5′ 8″ southpaw who put Kassai to sleep with a in the second round. He established himself in the opening round by assaulting an overmatched Kassai with a barrage of effective punches in the opening round. At the beginning of round two, Forestal nailed Kassai with a powerful, straight left-handed punch to the temple, dropping the dazed Kassai to the canvas. Kassai barely beat the 10-count but referee Ricky Gonzalez halted the action because Kassai was clearly in no state to continue. 

“I thought he was explosive in his pro debut,” Goossen spoke about Forestal. “He is a very experienced guy with close to 300 amateur fights. He has a win over the 2012 Olympic gold medalist (Rameriez), who my fighter from Mongolia, Olympic silver medalist Tugstsogt Nyambayar, lost to in the Olympic final. Forestal and Nyambayar train and spar together. They’ve had some spirited sparring sessions, like it’s a real fight.

 

“Forestal is what I call a game player from what I saw in his first pro fight. He’s good fighting in the gym but, like a lot of champions, he lets loose when he’s in a fight without head gear and using lighter gloves. I saw him throw a fuselage of punches – non-stop, accurate and vicious – never letting his opponent to start punching. This guy had a lot of pro fights but he couldn’t get off against Forestal. Honestly, I was even more impressed by Marcos than I thought I’d be going into the fight.”

 

Goossen has trained numerous world champions including southpaws such as another Cuban, Joel Casamayor, as well as Michael Nunn and Frankie Liles. The Los Angeles-based trainer feels Forestal compares favorably, albeit as this early stage of his young career, to the aforementioned trio of world title belt owners.

 

“Joe Goossen is an amazing coach and I am delighted that he decided to train Marcos,” Forestal’s manager Gary Hyde noted. “He has trained many world champions, many of whom have been in epic fights. Marcos will greatly benefit from working with Joe.”

 

Forestal is tentatively scheduled to have his second pro fight March 6 against an opponent to be determined in Glendale, California.

 

“I trained another Cuban southpaw, Casamayor, who was explosive as a pro like Marcos,” Goossen added. “Marcos is like Joel, aggressive and he lets his punches go. In time, he will settle into his own signature style.”

 M-1 Challenge 55: In Memory of Guram Gugenishvili: OFFICIAL RESULTS

 

Presents

M-1 CHALLENGE 55

Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015  *  Tbilisi, Georgia

 

Smoldarev defeats Perak

Garner, Kudukhashvili, Coga, Damkovsky, Abdulkerimov other winners

Denis Smoldarev knees Maro Perak

 

 

TBILISI, Georgia (Feb. 22, 2015) – Last night’s dramatic and entertaining M-1 Challenge 55: In Memory of Guram Gugenishvilli featured just about everything except a knockout. Past M-1 Challenge heavyweight Denis Smoldarev (10-1-0), of Estonia, positioned himself for another title shot, defeating highly-regarded Croatian opponent Maro Perak (23-5-1) in the main event at the Sports Palace in Tbilisi, Georgia.

 

Coming off a loss last November to M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura at M-1 Challenge 53 in Beijing, China, Smoldarev bounced back with an impressive performance over Perak, who lost via an opening round submission by key-lock.

 

In another heavyweight match, former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner (15-8-0), fighting out of Port St. Lucie, Florida, also rebounded from a TKO loss in his last fight to Sergei Kharitonov in China, winning by second-round submission with arear-naked choke of Aslambek “Titan” Musaev (5-2-0), of Chechnya.

 

Rising middleweight star Nodar Kudukhashvili (8-1-0), a 2013 WMMAA champion, pleased his hometown fans with a three-round unanimous decision over American invader Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti (25-13-0).

 

In a battle between two of the top featherweight prospects in the world, German Max Coga (11-3-0) gave previously undefeated Pavel Vitruk (12-1-0) his first loss as a professional in a great fight. Coga locked-in a rear naked choke for a third-round submission victory over the talented Ukrainian.

 

Hometown favorite Artiom Damkousky (20-9-0) won his 20th career fight in a hard fought match with a three-round unanimous decision previously unbeaten Azerbaijan lightweight Heydar Mamedaliyev (7-1-0).

In another main card fight, Georgian giant Levan “Zangrief” Razmadze (5-1-0) suffered this first loss, by way of a first-round arm-bar submission to Russian heavyweight Arsen Abdulkerimov (8-2-0).

 

In preliminary fights, Spanish middleweight Enoc Solves Torres (16-8-0) defeated Russian foe Ibragim Tibilos (7-3-0) by third-round submission, using a rear-naked choke hold; Russian light heavyweight Batraz Agnaev (2-0-0) needed only a few minutes to lock-in a rear-naked choke to force his Polish opponent, Lukasz Borowski (3-3-0, into a first-round submission; Russian middleweight Artem Frolov (3-0-0) used a first-round rear-naked choke to submitArtur Oddilobekov (2-4-0), of Tajikistan; and local lightweight Raul Tutarauli (3-1-0), of Georgia, opened the show with a third-round submission (rear naked choke) of Russian Artur Aliev (1-1-1). In swing bouts held after the main event, featherweights Kurbanali Abdusalamov (4-2-0), of Russia, and Georgian pro-debuting Soso Nizharadze (1-0-0) won unanimous three-round decision over, respectively, Archil Tasziashvili (0-2-0), of Georgia, and Russian Shamil libekov (1-1-0).

Complete results and picture gallery below:

 

 

MAIN CARD

 

HEAVYWEIGHT:

Denis Smoldarev (10-1-0), Estonia             WSUB1 (Key-lock)                    Maro Perak (23-5-1), Croatia

 

Kenny Garner (15-8-0), USA      WSUB2 (Rear Naked Choke – 2:50) Aslambek Musaev (5-2-0), Chechnya

 

Arsen Abdulkerimov (8-2-0), Russia        WSUB1 (Armbar – 3:58)          Levan Razmadze (5-1-0), Georgia

MIDDLEWEIGHTS:

Nodar Kudukhashvili (8-1-0), Georgia              WDEC3               Luigi Fioravanti (25-13-0), United States

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS:

Artiom Damkovsky (20-9-0), Belarus               WDEC3               Heydar Mamedaliyev (7-1-0), Azerbaijan

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS:

Max Coga (11-3-0), Germany       WSUB3 (Rear Naked Choke – 2:36)      Pavel Vitruk (12-0-0),  Ukraine

PRELIMINARY CARD

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS:

Batraz Agnaev (2-0-0), Russia       WSUB1 (Rear Naked Choke – 2:09)     Lukasz Borowski (3-3-0), Poland

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS:

Enoc Solves Torres (16-8-0), Spain  WSUB3 (Rear Naked Choke – 1:35)      Ibragim Tibilos (7-3-0), Russia

 

Artem Frolov (3-0-0), Russia   WSUB 1 (Rear Naked Choke – 2:09)   Artur Oddilobekov (2-4-0), Tajikistan

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS:

Raul Tutarauli (3-1-0), Georgia       WSUB3 (Rear Naked Choke – 1:45)            Artur Aliev (1-1-0), Russia

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS:

Soso Nizharadze (1-0-0), Georgia                           WDEC3                                 Shamil Alibekov (1-1-0), Russia

Kurbanali Abdusalamov (4-2-0), Russia              WDEC3                       Archil Taziashvili (0-2-0), Georgia

 

 

 

Denis Smoldarev and Maro Perak exchange punches

 

 

Denis Smoldarev & Maro Perak

 

 

Kenny Garner has top position against Aslambek Musaev

 

 

Kenny Garner – Aslambek Museav

  

Kenny Garner celebrates

Max Coga connects with Pavel Vitruk

Man Coga defeats Pavel Vitruk

Msx Coga

Kurbanali Abdusalamov & Archil  Tasziashvili

 

 

Batraz Agnaev & Lukasz Borowski

 

Enoc Solves Torres chokes out Ibragim Tibilos

  

Heydar Mamedaliyev & Artiom Damkowvky

Levan Razmadze & Arsen Abdulkerimov

 

Upcoming M-1 Global Events: Apr. 10, 2015, M-1 Challenge 56 in Moscow, Russia; May 2, 2015, M-1 Challenge 57 in Orenburg, Russia.

 

Information

www.mixfight.ruwww.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

www.M-1Global.com

 

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1Global

@VFinkelchtein

@M1GlobalNews

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and matchups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2014 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.

 

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

Nancy Schultz, Mike Finn, Andy Hamilton, Richard Immel, A.L. Haizlip, Shane Sparks, Chad Leistikow, Jeff Murphy on Sat’s Takedown RADIO!

 

The Fight Network presents Takedown Radio broadcasting from the Brute Studios as Kemin Industries and 04 Water/ Blue 04 Water introduces Takedown Wrestling Radio, taking the pulse of America’s sport!

Join Scott Casber, Jeff Murphy, Tony Hager, Tim Harms, Steve Foster and Brad Johnson this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST/ 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST live on KXNO.com, TakedownRadio.com and IHeartRadio.com.

Enter our Takedown Sportswear Super Sunday Singlet giveaway for a chance to win a singlet every Sunday of the year by following us on Facebook atfacebook.com/TakedownWrestling and on Twitter at @Takedownradio @Takedownsportswear

It’s our annual Season in Review with some of the best writers and members of the media offering their opinions on the season to date.

9:00 a.m.Adidas Wrestling Hot Seat- Austin Bennett- NAIA Events Manager

9:20 a.m.Asics Corner— Media Round Table 1 with

Des Moines Register’s Andy Hamilton, WIN Magazine’s Mike Finn and  USA Wrestling’s Richard Immel

10:00 a.m.Sunflower Wrestling Guest of the week Nancy Schultz– and the heart will go on. The widow of David Schultz has a special announcement regarding the of the Long awaited Documentary on the Life of the Late Dave Schultz  takes a look back on her life and that difficult moment than changed everything.

 

10:20 a.m.Dollamur Mats Flexi ConnectMedia Round Table 2 with

Respected announcer A.L. Haizlip, Voice of the Big 10 Network- Shane Sparks, Des Moines Register reporter Chad Leistikow,

10:45 a.m.Kemin Report with Jeff Murphy- with the What’s happened and what’s to come on the collegiate

10:50 AM – Amy Ruble VP Marketing General Manager Wildrose Casinos

For contests and conversation use 866-333-5966 or 515-204-5966 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST Listen to the show on radio, computer, blackberry or iPhone on the I Heart Radio app, KXNO.com or on Takedownradio.com.

Special thanks to our friends at Adidas, Cadillac, Dollamur, All American Wrestling Supply, Defense Soap, Blue 04 Water, Nike, Legends of Gold National Training Center, St. Louis Sports Commission, Titan Mercury Wrestling Club, Sunflower Wrestling,  Fast Signs, McCarger Works, Fenemore Brothers Tree Service, Rockstar Satellite DirectTV

Fedosov, Dennis, Thomas and Cojanu advance in Boxcino Heavyweight tournament

Fedosov, Cojanu, Dennis and Thomas
 
Verona, NY (February 22, 2015)Andrey Fedosov, Donovan Dennis, Lenroy Thomas and Razvan Cojanu all scored victories in their quarterfinal bouts in the Boxcino Heavyweight tournament at the Turning Stone Resort Casino.
The show was promoted by Banner Promotions and was broadcasted live on ESPN’sFriday Night Fights.
All Boxcino bouts were scheduled for 6 rounds.
Dennis took out previously undefeated Steve Vukosa in round four.

Dennis dominating Vukosa
Dennis was the much quicker fighter from the outset and landed hard shots on Vukosa from early on.  In round three, Dennis dropped Vukosa from a hard combination.  Vukosa was never the same as he was staggered a few more times and even looked like he had no defense as he tried to turn his back several times on Dennis until he was dropped again in the fourth round and the fight was stopped at2:52.
Dennis, 222 lbs of Davenport, Iowa is now 13-2 with 10 knockouts.  Vukosa, 218 lbs of Quincy, Massachusetts is now 10-1.
“He was a patient fighter and early on, I took what I could get,” said Dennis.  “I was working off my jab and started to connect.  I trained very hard and I had a lot more in the tank.  I was a little mad that it was stopped early.  I can’t wait to get back in the gym and work on getting better.”
Andrey Fedosov scored an emphatic 1st round stoppage over Nate Heaven
In round one, Fedosov dropped Heaven with a thudding left hook.  He sent him to the canvas for a 2nd time with a devastating three punch combination that sent Heaven to the deck for a second time and the fight was stopped at 2:53.

Fedosov knocking Heaven Down
Fedosov of Los Angeles via Russia is now 24-3 with 21 knockouts.  Heaven, 227 lbs of Ocla, FL. is now 9-2.
“Everything went as planned,” said Fedosov.  “My plan was to shorten the distance and use my power and you see what happened.”
Razvan Cojanu won a drawbreaker decision over Ed Fountain.
Fountain did his best to get inside and force that action under the ineffective jab of Cojanu.  Both guys had success on the inside during the grueling fight and the bout was even after six.
Fountain started the 7th with a nice left that split open the right eyelid of of Cojanu.  Cojanu was able to fight back and land a hard combination on the ropes and that proved to be the difference in the fight.
Cojanu, 265 lbs of Las Vegas via Romania is now 13-1.  Fountain, 236 1/2 lbs of Furguson, MO is now 10-1.

Cojanu and Fountain
“I could not see anything and I won the fight with one eye,” said Cojanu.
“Buddy McGirt told me to jab more and that could have made it easier.”
Said Fountain, “I fought hard.  The referee did not help me but I will see Razvan again after the tournament.
Lenroy Thomas opened up the Boxcino quarterfinals with a drawbreaker decision over former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada.
Each guy traded some good shots over the first two-plus rounds.  Thomas landed a solid three punch combination in round three.  Estrada was effective when he was able to get in the straight right.
In round four, the two clashed heads and it caused a small cut on the forehead of Estrada.  The bout was competitive with each guy taking turns being the boss in short spurts.  After the sixth round, the bout was a even on the scorecards and they went to the seventh and deciding drawbreaker round.
In that extra frame, Thomas boxed well by landing quick combinations to a visibly tired Estrada and he was declared the winner by unanimous decision.
Thomas, 237 lbs of St. Petersburg, Florida is now 19-3.  Estrada, 261 lbs of Providence, Rhode Island is now 20-6.

Lenroy Thomas
“I showed that hard work pays off,” said Thomas.
“In the extra round, I had to dig deep and show my boxing skills.”
Thomas will meet Fedosov in one semifinal while Dennis will battle Cojanu.
Both semifinals will take place on Friday, April 10 at the Sands in Bethlehem, PA
Greg Jackson registered two knockdowns en route to a four round unanimous decision over Paulo Souza in a Jr, Middleweight bout.

Jackson lands a hard jab
Jackson dropped Souza in round two and then again in round four with a wicked left hook to the head.
Jackson, 150 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 40-34 on all cards and is now 5-1-1.  Souza, 149 lbs of Woburn, MA is now 0-6.
Guillermo Sanchez scored a 1st round stoppage over Pablo Batres in a scheduled 6-round Jr.Welterweight bout.
Sanchez landed a right hook that sent Batres down for the count at 1:44 of round one.
Sanchez, 132 lbs of Buffalo, New York is 15-14-1 with 6 knockouts.  Batres, 137 lbs of Tuscon, Arizona is 6-12-1.
Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez opened the night with a 4th-round stoppage over Bryan Abraham in a scheduled 8-round Welterweight bout.

Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez
Rodriguez scored two knockdowns in the 2nd round and seemingly hurt Abraham with every punch after.  In round four, Rodriguez landed a hard flurry in the corner and the bout was stopped at 2:48 of round four.
Rodriguez, 145 lbs of Los Mochis, Mexico is now 13-0 with 10 knockouts.  Abraham, 144 lbs of Schenectady, New York is 6-21.

Photos by Shane Sims of Banner Promotions

 

The entire Boxcino tournament is promoted by Arttie Pelullo’s Banner Promotions.
About Turning Stone Resort Casino A premier four-season, destination resort in Upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino is conveniently located about 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33. Turning Stone was named “Most Excellent Golf Resort” in 2010 by Condé Nast Johansens. The Academy of Country Music named Turning Stone “Casino of the Year” in 2009. The resort offers world-class gaming, golf, entertainment, accommodations and spa facilities, and has earned AAA Four Diamond ratings for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel, and Wildflowers restaurant. For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or (800) 771-7711. Visit the web site at www.TurningStone.com..

Paul Koon to battle Rex Harris in a battle of undefeated Heavyweights tonight!! at the Econo Lodge in Allentown, PA

Frank De Alba takes on Jose Bustos for UBF All Americas Jr. Lightweight title plus undefeated Juan Dominguez, John Magda, Ivan Golub, Christian and Molina 
Allentown, PA (February 21, 2015)–Over the past several years, heavyweight Paul Koon (2-0, 1 KO) has been rumored to turn professional on various cards in the Philadelphia area.
Each time he decided to sat participating in the World Series of Boxing.
Finally last October 4, Koon turned professional with a one stoppage over Hector Hodge and on November 20, Koon followed that up with a 4-round unanimous decision over Yohan Banks.
Those fights were in Connecticut and California respectively and tonight at the Econo Lodge in Allentown, he takes on Rex Harris(1-0-2) of Wilkes-Barre, PA in Koon’s first area appearance.
That 4-round bout will be part of a nine bout card promoted by King’s Promotions.
In the main event, Frank De Alba (14-1-2, 5 KO’s) of Reading, PA will take on Jose Bustos (7-2-3, 4 KO’s) of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in a 8-round fight for the UBF All Americas Jr. Lightweight title.
Koon of Philadelphia has been working hard and is looking to put on a good performance.
“Everything is great.  I been working in the gym, sparring and running,”said the 28 year-old.
“All I know about my opponent is that he has fought some MMA fights and he is undefeated (1-0-2) as a boxer.”
Koon is looking for a test as during his 4 year run in the World Series of Boxing, he took on the top fighters from around the world.
“I am used to fighting top level competition.  I am not used to fighting the level of guys I have been fighting in my first couple of fights.  In the World Series of Boxing, you fight only the elite fighters.  There are no journeymen.”
To get to the type of competition that, Koon knows he has to continue to win and make sound decisions with his team.
“It is not one member of my team that decides the pace that I move at.  Whatever they think is best.  Sometimes you have to take it slow.  Me, I like to rush but I know I am learning everything in the business.  This is my first fight in the area in seven years and I am using it as a steppingstone to a fight in Philadelphia.”
In the co-feature, Juan Dominguez (17-0, 11 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will fight Carlos Rodriguez (19-16-4, 11 KO’s) of Los Mochis, MX in a Super Bantamweight bout.
In 6-round bouts:
Super Middleweight John Magda (8-0, 6 KO’s) of Rutherford, NJ will take on Jay Williams (3-4) of West Monroe, LA

Ivan Golub (5-0, 4 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will take on David Lopez (4-11-3, 1 KO) in a Jr. Middleweight bout.
Danny Kelly (6-1-1, 5 KO’s) of Washington, DC will  take on Kevin Franklin (6-10, 3 KO’s) of  in a Heavyweight bout.
In 4-round bouts:
Christian Molina (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Allentown, PA will fight debuting Stacey Harris of Washington, DC in a Jr. Middleweight bout.
 
Robert Irizarry (2-0-1) of Cherry Hill, NJ will battle Benjamin Burgos (2-10-1) of Mount Pocono, PA in a Featherweight bout.  This bout is a rematch of a bout from May where Irizarry won a unanimous decision.
Christopher Booker of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against Andrew Sosa(0-4-1) of Farmers Branch, TX i in a Middleweight bout.
Tickets for this great night of boxing are $45 for General Admission and $60 for Ringside and can be purchased by clicking: www.kingsboxing.eventbrite.com or by calling 610 587 5950

The Econo Lodge is located at 1151 Building Drive in Allentown, PA

SAMMY VASQUEZ DOMINATES EMMANUEL LARTEY FRIDAY ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

 

Catch The Replay On Monday, Feb. 23 At 10 p.m. ET/PT

On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Credit Amanda Kwok / SHOWTIME®

 

PITTSBURGH, PA. (Feb. 21, 2015) – Sammy Vasquez put on a show for his hometown fans in Pittsburgh, winning a near-shutout 10-round unanimous decision (99-91 twice, 100-90) over Emmanuel Lartey in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, Feb. 20 from CONSUL Energy Center.

 

Vasquez (18-0, 13 KOs) entered the bout seeking his 10th consecutive knockout against an opponent who hadn’t been knocked down before and had been in the ring with two U.S. Olympians.  The military veteran wasn’t able to finish Lartey (17-3, 8 KOs, 1 NC), but that was just about the only thing that didn’t go his way in a thoroughly impressive performance in which he landed 50 percent of his power shots.

 

Vasquez started slow and was able to pick his shots in the early rounds, but he accelerated the tempo in the second half of the fight as Lartey appeared to slow down.  The hometown favorite did his best work with Lartey against the ropes and landed at will in the middle rounds.  Lartey seemed like he was ready to quit on his stool after the eighth, but he continued and Vasquez slowed his production in the final two rounds and cruised to the victory.

 

“I thought he was going down a few times but he hung in there,” Vasquez said.  “The jab was going well, but I made a couple of mistakes because I started feeling comfortable.  I knew he was hurt after the eighth and my corner told me to step off the gas a little bit and pick my punches more instead of just storming him.

 

“I thought he was going to quit a couple times on his stool.  He’s a tough guy – no one could knock him out. I couldn’t either.”

 

Lartey dropped his third fight to a top prospect after decision losses to Errol Spence Jr.and Felix Diaz.

 

“Sammy is a tough fighter,” Lartey said.  “He’s really strong. I did my best, but he was just too good.”

 

After the fight, ShoBox announcer Steve Farhood broke down Vasquez’s impressive game plan.

 

“It was a very controlled and intelligent performance by Vasquez, accelerating as the rounds progressed, dominating every round and controlling the action whether boxing, attacking or pinning Lartey against the ropes,” Farhood said.  “He showed a lot and he deserves the reputation he has as being one of the top young American welterweights.”

 

Craig Baker knocked out Humberto Savigne in a stunning upset, finishing the heralded former Cuban amateur with a highlight-reel TKO at 1:58 of the second round.

 

Savigne (12-2, 9 KOs, 1 NC), who had a huge size advantage and was the heavily favored fighter, landed a series of right hands in the first and looked like he could make it a quick night against the undefeated-yet-untested Baker.  But the Texan fought like an opponent who had nothing to lose against Savigne, an experienced veteran with over 400 amateur bouts under his belt.

 

Baker (16-0, 12 KOs) landed a few decent shots in the first and came out blazing in the second, throwing a high volume of punches with Savigne against the ropes.  Fighting in a small ring, Savigne had nowhere to go and continually ate shots on a suspect chin before falling face forward to the canvas.  Savigne got up, but he fell into the ropes and was clearly out on his feet, forcing the referee to halt the contest at 1:58.

 

“I hurt him in the first round and I could tell that his chin was weak, I could tell that I could finish him,” Baker said.  “In the second, I just smelled blood and I knew I had to go to work, I had to finish him.

 

“Nobody gave me a chance going in, but I was the undefeated fighter and he wasn’t.  I worked too hard to come here and lose.  I just have to keep working.  You haven’t seen the last of me – this is a life changing moment.”

 

The 36-year-old Savigne was clearly shocked after the fight.

 

“He was the better man tonight,” Savigne said.  “I wasn’t expecting him to be as tough as he was.  I made a huge mistake in taking him lightly. This is something that I’ll learn from.  Now I’ll go back to the drawing board.  I’ll go back to the gym – I’ll keep working hard and I’ll be back.

 

“In the first round, Baker hit me on the side of the ear and I lost equilibrium. I was completely dizzy. He hurt me with that shot.  He was the better man tonight.”

 

Claudio Marrero won a dominating unanimous decision victory over Orlando Rizo in the opening bout of the telecast.  Marrero (18-1, 13 KOs) controlled the bout from the outset, knocking Rizo (18-6, 11 KOs) down four times en route to a convincing victory scored 78-71, 78-70, 80-68.

 

Marrero was the more aggressive and effective fighter, landing 43 percent of power punches and 39 percent of his total punches.

 

“I was trying to set up the big shots so I could end the night,” Marrero said.  “It got away from me at times, but it was a good preparation for taking that step for a shot at a world title.

 

“I’m not disappointed I didn’t knock him out.  I underestimated his tenacity to get back up and stay in the fight and I need to work on my discipline so that doesn’t happen again.  I feel that I’m ready for a shot at a title whenever I get an opportunity.”

 

# # #

 

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 58 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

 

“MAYWEATHER VS. PACQUIAO”: STEPHEN ESPINOZA AND KEN HERSHMAN MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS

“We believed this day would come, we worked hard to make it happen and we’re thrilled that it is here.”

– Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager SHOWTIME Sports®

 

“This is the biggest boxing event of all time, we’re confident of that. We couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it and help craft it.”

– Ken Hershman, President HBO SPORTS®

 

Live on Pay-Per-View Saturday, May 2

 

Live Audio Stream

http://www.conferenceplayback.com/stream/55574793/BEYR0220.mp3

 

NEW YORK (Feb. 20, 2015) — It’s a done deal! Undefeated Floyd Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) will fight longtime rival Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) in a Welterweight World Championship Unification Bout live on Pay-Per-View on Saturday, May 2.

 

Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports, and Ken Hershman, President of HBO SPORTS, were made available to the media just minutes after the fight was officially announced by Mayweather via his Shotsaccount.

 

Here are highlights from what Hershman and Espinoza had to sayFriday:

 

KEN HERSHMAN, President HBO SPORTS

 

“This is the biggest boxing event of all time, we’re confident of that. We couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it and help craft it.

“We look forward to May 2. It’s going to be a spectacular night for this sport and for HBO and SHOWTIME as well.

“The Mike TysonLennox Lewis joint pay-per-view fight was a great roadmap for this fight. It showed that this can be done successfully. There’s a lot of mechanics that go into this when two networks are working together, and those mechanics carry forward in terms of how things operate behind the scenes.

“The fight will be held on traditional pay-per-view, nothing out of the ordinary on that front. We’re looking forward to getting going, there’s a lot of hard work ahead of us.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager SHOWTIME Sports

 

“We’re thrilled to be a part of what we expect to be a record-breaking event. This deal is a product of a lot of hard work with some blood, sweat and tears along the way.

“I took this job approximately three years ago; the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight has been a topic of conversation and a goal of not only ours, but of Floyd Mayweather’s since he came over to SHOWTIME a little less than three years ago.

“I believe that the direct line of communication between Floyd and Manny cleared up a lot of doubts on both of their minds and renewed their commitment to getting this fight done.

“We have had significant discussions as to who will make up the broadcast team; it will be an all-star team with a combination of talent from both networks.

“The meeting between Floyd and Manny at the Miami Heat game certainly greased the wheels in getting through the final stages of the process.

“One of the main reasons why this deal got done, as opposed to deals in the past, was because Leslie Moonves [President and CEO, CBS Corporation] was a part of the process. He was deeply committed to making this deal and was someone that all parties in this negotiation really respect. He was really the catalyst for seeing this through and refused to take no for an answer from any side.

“We believed this day would come, we worked hard to make it happen and we’re thrilled that it is here.”

THE FIGHT IS ON!   Floyd Mayweather Formally Announces Mayweather vs. Pacquiao

Renowned Fighters Agree To Meet in Welterweight World Championship Unification Bout on Saturday, May 2 * Live on Pay-Per-View

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 20, 2015) – Undefeated, 11-time world champion Floyd Mayweather formally announced today the most anticipated boxing match of this generation.  Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, a welterweight world championship unification bout, will take place on Saturday, May 2, live on pay-per-view.

 

This event, which holds the promise of breaking every pay-per-view record in history, is being promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., and will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®and HBO Pay-Per-View®.

 

“I am glad my decision to meet with Manny and discuss making this fight happen helped get the deal done,” said Mayweather. “Giving the fans what they want to see is always my main focus. This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport. Boxing fans and sports fans around the world will witness greatness on May 2. I am the best ever, TBE, and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win.  Manny is going to try to do what 47 before himfailed to do, but he won’t be successful. He will be number 48.”

 

For more information, follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather and @mayweatherpromo; become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions or go to www.mayweatherpromotions.com.

M-1 Challenge 55: Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

WATCH LIVE ON M-1GLOBAL.TV

MAIN CARD

 

(L-R) – Maro Perek, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Denis Smoldarev

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

MARO PERAK (23-4-1), Croatia, 216 lbs. (98.1 kg)

DENIS SMOLDAREV (9-1-0), Estonia, 266 ½ lbs. (121 kg)

 

(L-R) — Kenny Garner, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Aslambek Musaev

 

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

KENNY “Deuce” GARNER (14-8-0), United States, 263 lbs. (119.5 kg)

ASLAMBEK “Titan” MUSAEV (5-1-0), Chechnya, 211 lbs. (95.8 kg)

 

(L-R) – Luigi Fioravanti, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Nodar Kudukhashvili

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

NODAR KUDUKHASHVILI (7-1-0), Georgia, 182 ½ lbs. (82.9 kg)

LUIGI “The Italian Tank” FIORAVANTI (25-12-0), United States, 184 ½ lbs. (83.9 kg)

 

(L-R) – Max Coga, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Pavel Vitruk

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

PAVEL VITRUK (12-0-0), Ukraine, 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)                                    

MAX COGA (10-3-0), Germany, 144 ½ lbs. (65.5 kg)

 

(L-R) – Arsen Abdulkerimov, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Levan Razmadze

 

HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

LEVAN “Zangrief” RAZMADZE (5-0-0), Georgia, 275 lbs. (124.9 kg)

ARSEN ABDULKERIMOV (7-2-0), Russia, 250 lbs. (113.6 kg)

 

Heydar Mamedaliyev, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Artiom Damkovsky

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ARTIOM DAMKOVSKY (19-0-0), Belarus, 154 lbs. (70.1 kg)

HEYDAR MAMEDALIYEV (7-0-0), Azerbaijan, 157 lbs. (71.3 kg)

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ENOC SOLVES TORRES (15-8-0), Spain *

IBRAGIM TIBILOS (7-2-0), Russia *

 

PRELIMINARY CARD

 

(L-R) – Raul Tutarauli, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Artur Aliev

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ARTUR ALIEV (1-0-0 ), Russia, 153 lbs. (69.7 kg)
RAUL TUTARAULI (2-1-0), Georgia, 155 lbs. (70.4 kg)

 

(L-R) – Shamil Alibekov, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Soso Nizhardaze

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

SHAMIL ALIBEKOV (1-0-0 ), Russia, 142 ½ lbs. (64.8 kg)

SOSO NIZHARADZE (pro debut), Georgia, 142 ½ lbs. (64.8 kg) 

(L-R) – Batraz Agnaev, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Lukasz Borowski

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

LUKASZ BOROWSKI (3-2-0), Poland, 200 ½ lbs. (91.1 kg)

BATRAZ AGNAEV (1-0-0), Russia, 204 lbs. (92.6 kg)

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

ARTEM FROLOV (2-0-0), Russia, 183 ½ lbs. (83.4 kg)

ARTUR ODDILOBEKOV (2-3-0), Tajikistan *

 

(L-R) – Kurbananali Abdusalamov, M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Archil Taziashvili

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5

KURBANANALI ABDUSALAMOV (3-2-0), Russia, 145 lbs. (65.8 kg)

ARCHIL TAZIASHVILI (0-1-0), Georgia, 143 lbs. (65.1 kg)

 

*Fighters hadn’t arrived yet in Tbilisi due to bad weather

 

WHAT:             M-1 Challenge 55: Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show

 

WHEN:             Saturday, February 21, 2015

                        10:00 a.m. (New York City), 6:00 p.m. (Moscow)

 

WHERE:           Tbilisi, Georgia 1:30

 

PROMOTER:     M-1 Global

 

LIVE STREAM:  WWW.M1GLOBAL.TV

 

M-1 Challenge 55 will be streamed live from Georgia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the fights by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV.Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may also watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Andriod and Apple smart phones and tablets. The entire card will also be broadcast live, starting at 10:00 a.m. ET, on Fight Network viaCablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., nationwide in Canada, and on Roku devices across North America, and globally in more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

Denis Smoldarev

 

Former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner

 

(L-R) – M-1 Global promoter Vadim Finkelchtein and Kenny “Deuce” Garner

 

Information

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

www.M-1Global.com

 

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1Global

@VadimFinkelchtein

@M1GlobalNews

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

ABOUT M-1 GLOBAL: Founded in 1997, M-1 Global has established itself in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as the premiere entity for discovering and developing the world’s next-generation of superstar fighters. With offices in St Petersburg, Amsterdam and Los Angeles and affiliates in Seoul, Tokyo and Paris, the M-1 brand has staged more than 150 events worldwide, including the M-1 Selection, M-1 Challenge and M-1 Global and M-1 Global HWGP events, in addition to co-promoting Strikeforce events and M-1 Global on the Showtime network in the United States. Captivating live, television and broadband audiences with its superior production values and matchups, M-1 Global events have featured some of the sport’s top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Andrei Arlovski, Aleksander Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Alistair Overeem, Keith Jardine, Ben Rothwell, Melvin Manhoef, Roman Zentsov, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Denis Kang, Martin Kampmann, Amar Suloev, Chalid Arrab and Stephan Struve. 2014 promises to be another sensational year of world-class competition with a full calendar of Challenge events fueled by a talent-rich contention system ranking M-1 Global’s Champions amongst the greatest in the sport. M-1 Global’s greatest asset is renowned heavyweight fighter, Fedor Emelianenko.

 

ABOUT M-1GLOBAL.TV: Enjoy MMA action now in high definition brought to you by M-1Global.tv, offering only the best fights from M-1 Global and other MMA organizations. M-1Global.tv is a great platform developed specifically to bring together the most exhaustive fight video database. It also provides an easy and intuitive interface, helping everyone to start using the platform in no time while avoiding any spoilers. Besides watching the past fights on demand at any time convenient to the customer, viewers are able to enjoy the action LIVE, all available to M-1Global.tv users through a low-priced month to month digital subscription. Your world of action. Anytime!

SAMMY VASQUEZ vs. EMMANUEL LARTEY SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES & PHOTOS

Tripleheader TONIGHT! LIVE on SHOWTIME®

From CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

 

Click HERE To Download Photos

Credit Amanda Kwok / SHOWTIME

 

PITTSBURGH, PA. (Feb. 19, 2015) – Pittsburgh favorite and undefeated welterweight Sammy Vasquez tipped the scales at 147 ¼ pounds and Emmanuel Lartey measured 146 ½ pounds during Thursday’s official weigh-in for tomorrow’s ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader.

 

Vasquez (17-0, 13 KOs), who has knocked out nine straight opponents, and Lartey (17-2, 8 KOs, 1 NC), of Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Ghana, who has never been knocked down, will meet in the 10-round welterweight main event, live onSHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

 

In the co-feature of the Goossen Promotions tripleheader, former longtime Cuban amateur star and current third-ranked WBC light heavyweightHumberto Savigne (12-1, 9 KOs, 1 NC), of Miami via Guantanamo, Cuba, will take on undefeated Craig Baker (15-0, 11 KOs), of Baytown, Texas, in a 10-round bout.  Savigne measured 176 pounds and Baker weighed-in at 174 pounds.

 

In the opening bout of the telecast, talented southpaw and WBA No. 7 ranked featherweight Claudio Marrero (17-1, 13 KOs), of Miami by way of the Dominican Republic, will face southpaw Orlando Rizo (18-5, 11 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua, in an eight-round match.  Marrero stepped-in at 126 ¼ pounds while Rizo was at 126 pounds.

 

Advance tickets priced at $238, $100, $60, $40 and $25 for students and military with valid ID (Box Office Only), plus applicable fees, for “The Pride of Pittsburgh III” are on sale through the Dick’s Sporting Goods Box Office at CONSOL Energy Center, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. Prices increase $5 on the day of the event. Doors will open on the night of the event at 6 p.m. with the first bell at 6:30 p.m.

 

Here’s what the fighters had to say before Thursday’s weigh-in:

 

SAMMY VASQUEZ

“This fight is definitely going to be exciting.  I can’t talk trash about Emmanuel – he’s a tough guy who has faced two U.S. Olympians and never been dropped.  So there’s not much I can say about him.

 

“I’m looking to open up some flaws.  I’ve seen a couple of things I can do to maybe make him hit that canvas.

 

“I hope everybody tunes in.  We’ve trained hard and this is just the beginning.  It’s the start of 2015 and by the end of the year I hope to be a top contender or get a title shot.  But I have to get past Emmanuel first and that won’t be easy.”

 

EMMANUEL LARTEY:

“He hasn’t faced the type of guys that I’ve faced; he hasn’t faced the opposition that I have.  He’s going to be surprised when he steps in the ring with me.

 

“No, I’m not worried about fighting in his hometown.  I can win with a decision, but I’m going to be looking for the knockout to make an impression and make a statement.

 

“He’s definitely underestimating me.  Sammy has built up his record with cupcakes.

 

“This is going to be a good test for him and a good test for me.  I’m going to be the one walking out with a W.”

 

HUMBERTO SAVIGNE:

“I don’t take any opponent lightly. I know Baker is going to try to break me, but I’ve trained very hard and, in all honestly, I’m better than he is. Don’t take me wrong, I’m not overlooking him.  I’m just determined to win, and I will, either by decision or knockout.

 

“I know I’m fighting a tough guy, but I’ve trained hard and this is my year.  I’m lucky to be surrounded by such of great team.

 

“I feel that 2015 is my year. I’m ranked third in the WBC, and that’s only because I had six months of inactivity, otherwise I’d be second. After Baker, I want [Adonis] Stevenson.

 

“I suggest fans to get ready, sit back and enjoy because I’m going to give them a real show.  I’m going to make Baker see fireworks.”

 

CRAIG BAKER:

“This is the fight I’ve been waiting for.  I’m finally getting an opportunity to make a statement and surprise some people.  I know I’m the underdog, but that doesn’t bother me.  I’m undefeated for a reason.  He’s the one with a loss on his record.

 

“A win would do wonders for my career.  It would open up the door to some great opportunities.

 

“It will be an interesting fight.  I’ll play it by ear, but I’m ready to be the aggressor and I’m ready to go 10 rounds.”

 

CLAUDIO MARRERO:

“I’m not intimidated by Rizo’s amateur accomplishments.  If he says he trained hard, well, I trained ever harder than him. I think he’s the one that doesn’t know what he’s in for. Trust me – this is not going to be a day in the park. This is going to be a war.

 

“I wish Orlando Rizo good luck. He’s going to need it not to get knocked down.

 

“I’m not a trash talker. It’s simply not my style. I do all the talking I need to do with my fists in the ring.”

 

ORLANDO RIZO:

“I know this is not going to be an easy fight. I know Claudio Marrero is tough, but I’m ready for him.  I’ve been training very hard for him.  He better be ready, because I know I am.

 

“I don’t think he has ever fought anybody like me. My amateur credentials are impeccable. I’m a four-time military boxing champion, three-time Central American champion and former Nicaraguan and FECARBOX Champion. I also got a Bronze Medal in the 2007 Pan-American games in Brazil. So he better be ready for a tough fight, because I’m not going to make it easy for him.

 

“Claudio Marrero better have his A-game on, because I’m coming to take him down.”

 

# # #

 

CONSOL Energy Center is located at 1001 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219. Further information can be located at their website,www.consolenergycenter.com

 

Social Media: Follow Goossen Promotions on Twitter @GoossenBoxing, Sammy Vasquez on Twitter @TeamSVasquez, Showtime Sports@SHOsports and CONSOL Energy Center @CONSOLEnergyCtr. Use hashtag #VasquezLartey to follow the discussion.

 

For more information on Goossen Promotions view their website atwww.GoossenPromotions.com. For additional information on Showtime Sports visit www.Sho.com/sports.

 

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 58 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.