All posts by FNU47

Super weekend of MMA & Kickboxing Action on Fight Network

 

NEW YORK/TORONTO (Feb. 18, 2015) – A super weekend of mixed-martial-arts and kickboxing action is on tap this weekend on Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including live airings of M-1 Challenge 55 and KSW 30: Genesis, as well as pre and post-fight coverage of UFC Fight Night 61: Bigfoot vs. Mir.

 

Denis Smoldarev

 

M-1 Challenge kicks things off Saturday morning (Feb. 21) at 10 a.m. from Tbilisi, Georgia. The main event pits past M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Denis Smoldarev (9-1-0), known as the Brock Lesnar of Estonia, against Maro Perak (23-4-1). Former M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Kenny “Deuce” Garner (14-8-0), fighting out Port St. Lucie, Florida, takes on Chechnya prospect Aslambek “Titan” Musaev (5-1-0).

 

Also fighting on M-1 Challenge 55 is 20013 WMMA champion and hometown favorite Nodar Kudukhashvili (7-1-0) vs. American middleweight Luigi “The Italian Tank” Fioravanti (25-12-0) and undefeated Ukrainian featherweight contender Pavel Vitruk (12-0-0) vs. Germany’s Max Coga (10-3-0), as well as unbeaten lightweights Artiom Damkousky (19-0-0), of Belarus, vs. Azerbaijan challenger Heydar Mamedaliyev (7-0-0).

 

The MMA action continues on Fight Network at 1 p.m. ET with the live airing of KSW 30: Genesis from Posnan, Poland. Welterweights take the spotlight as hometown hero “The Tasmanian Devil” Borys Mankowski (16-5-1) faces Russian foe Michail “The Lonely Wolf” Tsarev (29-4-0) in the main event. In the co-feature, Rafal Moks (10-6-0) meets Aslambek Saidov (15-4-0) in a battle of Polish fighters.

 

Saturday night’s exciting programming on Fight Network continues at 5 p.m. ET with the showing of Ring of Combat 47 from January 24, 2014 in Atlantic City, NJ, featuring American lightweights Chris Wade vs. Pat Defranco and Frankie Perezvs. Mike Santiago.

 

Fight Network’s highly acclaimed news shows, Fight News Now: MMA Edition andFight News Now Extra, respectively, follow at 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. ET.

 

Final Fight Championship: Futures 1 MMA, from April 1, 2014 in Croatia, commences and 9:00 p.m. ET the furious action concludes with Final Fight Championship: Futures 1 Kickboxing, starting at 11 p.m. ET, from March 2, 2014 in Croatia.

 

The UFC takes center stage Sunday on Fight Network. A live pre-fight show for UFC Fight Night 61: Bigfoot vs. Mir begins at 5:00 p.m. with a live post-fight show airing at11:30 p.m. ET with highlights and the live press conference.

 

Brazilian heavyweight Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (18-6-0) fights at home in the UFC Fight Night 61 main event against former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir (16-9-0), fighting out of Las Vegas.

 

 

Information:

 

www.FightNetwork.com

 

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

 

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK:  Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada and available on all major carriers in Canada, streaming live on website KlowdTV.com, and in more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East

LEGENDARY MMA GREATS SET TO MEET FANS DURING BELLATOR MMA FAN FEST AT CONNECTICUT’S DAVE AND BUSTERS

“The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko Returns to America to Join Fellow Legends of MMA Royce Gracie, Tito Ortiz & Ken Shamrock at Fan Fest Prior to Friday’s “Bellator: The British Invasion” Event at Mohegan Sun

 

WHAT:

Bellator Fan Fest at Dave and Busters

Fans of all ages are invited to Dave and Busters in Manchester, CT to meet and get autographs from some of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.

Fans will also have the opportunity to win tickets and great prizes, as well as snap a photograph with the Bellator ring girls.

WHERE:
Dave and Busters
100 Buckland Hills Dr.
Manchester, CT

WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. ET
WHO: 
Widely considered to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time,

Fedor Emelianenko is one of the most revered and respected fighters the sport has ever seen.  Stone-faced and quiet, Emelianenko boasted one of the most impressive unbeaten streaks in the history of the sport.  A multi-time World Champion in MMA and Sambo, Fedor returns to America for the first time in several years to participate in the “Bellator: British Invasion” fight week festivities.

The name Gracie is synonymous with MMA, and that is largely in part to Royce Gracie, the man who is considered to have invented the sport as we know it today.  The winner of the first several UFC events, Gracie would dismantle multiple opponents in a single night, many of whom were much larger than him.  For many years there was no answer for the Gracie Jiu Jitsu technique that he brought into a fight.  Today, it’s hard to find an MMA fighter who hasn’t trained in the art of jiu jitsu.

Tito Ortiz is an undisputed legend of the sport who still fights for Bellator. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion is one of the fiercest competitors the sport has ever seen.   With a rabid fan-base supporting him, his last fight at Bellator 131 against Stephan Bonnar drew over 2 million viewers!

When Ken Shamrock participated in UFC 1, he already had three professional MMA bouts to his name. Much like the other legends, Shamrock is recognized internationally wherever he goes.  Shamrock competed in, and won championships at several fighting organizations including UFC, Pancrase, Pride, King of the Ring, as well as WWF and TNA.

 

FIGHT INFO:
Bellator MMA returns to The Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday, February 27 for “Bellator: The British Invasion” featuring four of the UK’s biggest and brightest MMA stars fighting on American soil. Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton defends his title against Liam McGeary in the headlining match, while “King Mo” Lawal meets Cheick Kongo in a heavyweight superfight.

 

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com, Bellator.com or by visiting the Mohegan Sun Box Office.

 

FULL MEDIA FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE

 

Bellator: British Invasion” – Friday, February 27, Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Conn.

Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Title Fight: Champ Emanuel Newton (25-7) vs. Liam McGeary (9-0)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Daley (35-13) vs. Andre Santos (37-9)

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Fight: Cheick Kongo (22-9-2) vs. “King Mo” Lawal (14-4)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Rameau Sokoudjou (16-12) vs. Linton Vassell (14-4)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Michael Page (7-0) vs. Curtis Millender (7-0)

Preliminary Card (6:45 p.m. ET)

Bellator Featherweight Dark Fight: Matt Bessette (13-6) vs. Josh Laberge (9-4)

Bellator Heavyweight Prelim Fight: Raphael Butler (8-1-1) vs. Josh Diekmann (15-5)

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Jesse Juarez (22-9) vs. Brennan Ward (9-3)

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: Jason Butcher (8-1) vs. Tamdan McCrory (12-3)

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Bobby Flynn (4-2) vs. Neiman Gracie (2-0)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Marvin Maldonado (2-2) vs. Blair Tugman (6-5)

Dark Bout (approx. 11 p.m. ET)

Bellator Lightweight Dark Fight: Michael Mangan (0-2) vs. Dean Hancock (Pro Debut)

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
Access the application for each fight by clicking on the banner below

Irish eyes are smilin’; Manager Gary Hyde signs Irish heavyweight prospect Con Sheehan

 

 

CORK, Ireland (Feb. 18, 2015) – International boxing manager Gary Hyde(NoWhere2Hyde Management) has announced the signing of one of the best Ireland-born heavyweight prospects in decades, “Irish” Con Sheehan, to an exclusive contract.

 

The 25-year-old Sheehan, who registered a remarkable 203-18 amateur record, is scheduled to make his professional debut March 13 in the United Kingdom on a show to air on Eurosport. The rugged yet athletic Irishman from Clonmel, the largest town in the County of Tipperary, plans to join one of his former Irish National teammates, undefeated IBF super bantamweight champion Carl Frampton, as world champion in the not too distant future.

 

The 6′ 5″, 235-pound Sheehan is a six-time Irish National Senior Division champion, winning four titles at heavyweight and two at super heavyweight, who also captured a gold medal at the prestigious European Championships. In 2008, he became the youngest Irish Senior heavyweight champion at the tender age of 18, and he won a total of 13 Irish championships at various levels of competition. 

“I have followed Con’s amateur career all the way through from the beginning and we had discussed the possibility of working together for some time now,” Hyde said. “Con is a physical specimen of a man as well as an extremely talented fighter. We are delighted to add him to our growing stable of top fighters.”

 

Legendary Irish sports pundit Jimmy Magee commented, “Con Sheehan is a big, modern day giant of a heavyweight who fights with the fluency of a middleweight.”

 

Hyde also 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, super bantamweightMarcos Forstal (1-0, 1 KO), and world amateur champion Blagoy Naydenov.

 

Follow Sheehan on Twitter @ConSheehan89, as well as Hyde at @NoWhere2Hyde and friend him at www.facebook.com/gary.hyde.50?fref=ts.

Boxcino 2015 Heavyweights by the numbers

Verona, NY (February 18, 2015)–This Friday night at the Turning Stone Resort Casino, the Boxcino 2015 Heavyweight tournament will begin with four quarterfinal bouts.
The entire Boxcino tournament is promoted by Banner Promotions. This Friday’s fights will be televised live on ESPN’s Friday Night fights beginning at 9 PM ET.
Below is a statistical breakdown of the competitors for the quarterfinal bouts.

Heavyweights

Oldest: Steve Vukosa– 37

Youngest: Ed Fountain– 26

Most Fights: Andrey Fedosov– 28

Least Fights: Vukosa, Ed Fountain & Nate Heaven– 10

Most Rounds: Jason Estrada — 177

Least Rounds: Heaven — 23

Most KO’s: Fedosov– 20

Winning %: Vukosa & Fountain– 100%

KO%: Fedosov– 71.4 %

Total Record of 8 Fighters: 114-14 (89.1%)-65 KO’s

The weigh in will be Thursday, February 19 at 5 PM in the Cypress Room.
There will be a post fight press conference immediately following the completion of the last bout in the Cypress Room.

Tickets for the February 20th ESPN Friday Night Fights at Turning Stone are on sale now at the Turning Stone box office, in person or by calling 315.361.7469, or online at Ticketmaster. Tickets are $60 for ringside seats, $35, $25, and are subject to additional fees.

Host of the February 20th bouts, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino continues to distinguish itself as a premier destination for professional sporting events, including nationally-televised boxing matches and PGA-level golf. February 20th fight will mark Turning Stone’s 14th nationally televised boxing event in less than two years, helping establish the resort as a mecca for knockout televised fights. Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have promoted televised fight cards at the resort within the last year and Turning Stone has hosted televised boxing events on ESPN, Showtime, HBO, and NBC in the last two years. Located in Upstate New York, the four-season resort offers world-class entertainment and gaming, prestigious restaurants, luxury spa facilities, and award-winning accommodations.Tickets for the February 20th ESPN Friday Night Fights at Turning Stone are on sale now at the Turning Stone box office, in person or by calling315.361.7469, or online at Ticketmaster. Tickets are $60 for ringside seats, $35, $25, and are subject to additional fees. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The live ESPN telecast starts at 9pm.

Professional media requesting credentials for the February 20 fight must contact Kelly Abdo, Turning Stone Public Relations Manager at 315.366.9291 orkelly.abdo@turningstone.com.

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..

MBC Joins Forces with WKA To Sanction Pro Boxing In Scotland

Malta Boxing Commission’s Managing Director and Vice President, Gianluca Di Caro and World Kick Boxing and Karate Association (WKA) Scotland President Stewart Allan today announced that they have joined forces to sanction professional boxing events in Scotland.

 

The new venture will not only present opportunities for Scottish Professional boxers to be able to compete more, but also will enable fighters from the Kick Boxing world to compete both as professional Boxers and Kick Boxers.

 

Whilst the intention of this venture is to sanction pro boxing events in Scotland, it also opens the doors to the possibility of combined pro Boxing and Kick Boxing events, with the boxing sanctioned by the MBC and Kick Boxing sanctioned by the WKA, not just in Scotland but also at any event sanctioned by the MBC in Malta, the United Kingdom or Ireland.

 

On making the announcement Mr. Allan said.

 

“We are very excited to be working with the Malta Boxing Commission, it can only be good for the sport to bring such a progressive professional boxing organisation to Scotland.

 

To join those from the pro boxing world with those of the Kick Boxing world is an exciting prospect, up to now the powers to be in the UK were quite happy for our Champions to switch disciplines and compete as pro boxers.

 

Unfortunately it has always been at the expense of the fighter’s Kick Boxing career, that’s been because once they have switched to pro boxing they are no longer allowed to compete as a Kick Boxer.

 

That will change, under our joint venture with the Malta Boxing Commission our fighters will be licensed and compete as pro boxers, as well as continue to campaign as Kick Boxers under the WKA.

 

For our fighters this means so much, they want to compete in both sports and have so much to offer to both.

 

This new partnership isn’t just about our fighters being able to fight in both disciplines, we will be actively be looking to develop the pro boxing side in Scotland, give Scottish boxers the chance to be more active than they have been in the past, we want to build up the MBC to benefit fighters from both disciplines.

 

We also want to bring more genuine 50/50 fights to Scotland, we don’t want it to be an extension of the current scene, we want to bring the fans genuine exciting closely matched fights, each and every show.”

 

MBC’s Mr. Di Caro then added.

 

“I couldn’t agree more with Stewart, this is a seriously exciting development for the sport, one that will benefit fighters from both Boxing and Kick Boxing.

 

When Stewart approached us with the concept we were open to it straight away, not for the reason many people will think, but because we had already made the decision that should anyone that competes in another pugilistic art that also wants to pro box, should be allowed to do so.

 

This decision was made some time ago, in fact it was when thirteen time World Champion Marlon Hunt first approached us about pro boxing under our banner.

 

Marlon is one of the top competitors in the Kick Boxing world, how could we possibly tell him that he has to give up fighting on the Kick Boxing circuit if he pro boxes, I mean he has World titles in Kick Boxing, K1, Muay Thai, with us he can defend those titles as well as begin challenging for Championships in boxing also.

 

I have to say, since I’ve mentioned Marlon, that when he joined us we didn’t quite realise what an asset he would become, he is a great ambassador for the MBC, with the fans and boxer’s alike, so much so that early last year he was unanimously elected onto the MBC Executive Committee.

 

Now, not only do we have the chance to have more of the top Kick Boxers competing in the pro boxing, but also have the opportunity of Kick Boxing World Champions from around the world competing for Championship honours as pro boxers.

 

On the business side of things Stewart will be the Chairman of the new MBC Scottish Region, as well as join the Executive Committee of the Malta Boxing Commission.

 

Stewart has big plans for the new venture and to that end has already signed up a couple of Scottish promoters, one of whom plans to promote the first MBC Scotland sanctioned event quite soon, probably in April or May.

 

I for one am so proud to be involved in this exciting new venture, I honestly feel that this will prove to be one of the best things to happen to our sport in a long, long time.

 

What’s more it will provide the boxing fans with a whole new breed of genuinely outstanding World class fighters to get behind, as well as present opportunities for Scottish boxers to be more active, which can only be good for the sport.”

 

For further information on the Malta Boxing Commission please go to:

Web: www.maltaboxingcommission.com

Twitter @MaltaBoxingComm

Facebook www.facebook.com/MaltaBoxingCommission

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/malta-boxing-commission

E.mail: admin@maltaboxingcommission.com

 

Introducing undefeated Jr. Middleweight Christian Molina

Molina to take on pro debuting Stacey Anderson this Saturday at the Econo Lodge in Allentown, PA 
Allentown, PA (February 17, 2015)–Christian Molina did not have much of an amateur background but he has been a quick study and has become one of the top prospects in the Lehigh Valley.
This Saturday he will look to go to 4-0 when he takes on pro debuting Stacey Anderson in a 4-round Jr. Welterweight bout at the Econo Lodge in Allentown, PA and is promoted by King’s Promotions.
In the main event, Frank De Alba will take on an opponent to be named in a 8-round Jr. Lightweight bout.
Molina, 27 years old of Allentown, PA had just five amateur bouts but has raced off to a perfect 3-0 mark with impressive wins over Dominic Goode, Jordan Morales and Josue Rivera and he now looks for a similar performance against Anderson.
“Training has gone great.  Anderson is a new opponent.  All I know is that he has an MMA background,” said Molina.
“I train hard I make the sacrifices to win.  I look to box and I look to fight.  I just do whatever it takes to fight that opponent.”
The southpaw has already built up a nice following and wants to thrill the fans on Saturday night.
“I just want to thank all the fans and especially the Spanish fans that will come out and support me this Saturday.”
In 6-round bouts:
Juan Dominguez (17-0, 11 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will take on an opponent to be named.
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:
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.
Paul Koon (2-0, 1 KO of Philadelphia will battle Rex Harris (1-0-2) of Wikes-Barre, PA, in a Heavyweight 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

WATCH PARTY: BELLATOR’S COUNTDOWN TO THE BRITISH INVASION

 

 

Take a closer look at Bellator’s talented team of fighters from the U.K. Paul Daley, Michael Page, Linton Vassell and Liam McGeary, as they prepare to invade the U.S. on February 27th at “Bellator: The British Invasion,” which takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

The highly anticipated event airs LIVE and FREE on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET.

Countdown follows Team U.K. to London England for a look at their training, family life and a personal tour of their home land.

Grab some popcorn and click the image below to view the video!

Once you’re done enjoying it you can share it with your friends and family, so that they can watch it also.

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LIVE BOXING RETURNS TO CBS TELEVISION NETWORK WITH MULTI-YEAR VENTURE FROM CBS & SHOWTIME®

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

 

CBS Sports Presentation of Premier Boxing Champions To Air In Conjunction With Marquee SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Events

NEW YORK (Feb. 17, 2015) – CBS Sports and SHOWTIME Sports® have announced a multi-year joint venture to present live boxing on the CBS Television Network-the first of up to eight live events in 2015 will premiere on Saturday, April 4 at 3 p.m. ET on CBS.  Premier Boxing Champions on CBS will air in conjunction with marquee SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING events as part of a partnership that will cross-promote the live programs across multiple platforms. 

 

The first six weeks to begin this venture will feature two of the biggest names in the sport-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and Adonis Stevenson-and bookend this year’s most anticipated boxing event, the SHOWTIME PPV® presentation of the undisputed pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather.

 

Each live boxing event on CBS and SHOWTIME will be supported with short- and long-form shoulder programming that will air across multiple platforms including CBS, SHOWTIME and CBS Sports Network.  In addition, a significant marketing budget will be dedicated to promoting each of the live CBS broadcasts and each major SHOWTIME telecast with targeted advertising campaigns.

 

“The Premier Boxing Champions series on CBS will help usher in a new era in the storied history of boxing,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.  “With the support of our parent company, we are uniquely positioned for a three-tiered approach that includes live boxing broadcasts on America’s No. 1 network, the cable reach of CBS Sports Network and, of course, the premium television leader in boxing, SHOWTIME.  The benefit of elevating the sport across these platforms for all involved, including SHOWTIME, is immeasurable.”

 

The schedule of upcoming live boxing events on CBS and SHOWTIME is as follows:

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

On Saturday, March 28, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will present a doubleheader featuring a featherweight showdown between WBC champion Jhonny Gonzalez and top contender Gary Russell Jr., and a matchup of 154-pound contenders Jermell Charlo and Vanes Martirosyan.  The live SHOWTIME telecast will preview the following week’s April 4 CBS debut of Premier Boxing Champions. 

 

PREMIERE BOXING CHAMPIONS ON CBS

The CBS premiere on Saturday, April 4 (3 p.m. ET/Noon PT) will feature light heavyweight world champion Adonis Stevenson defending his WBC title against former super middleweight champ Sakio Bika.  In the co-feature, undefeated light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev will face veteran former world champ Gabriel Campillo.  The CBS broadcast, with its national reach of more than 110 million households, will offer a broad platform to promote a major SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event just two weeks later. 

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

On Saturday, April 18, SHOWTIME presents the network debut of former world champion and Mexican superstar Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., as he takes on light heavyweight contender Andrzej Fonfara. 

 

PREMIERE BOXING CHAMPIONS ON CBS

On Saturday, May 9 Premier Boxing Champions returns to CBS for the second installment (4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT).  This broadcast will pit undefeated Omar Figueroa, who recently vacated his Lightweight World Championship to move up in weight to 140 pounds, against former champion Ricky Burns. 

 

The April 18 SHOWTIME telecast and the May 9 CBS broadcast will support-and be supported by-theMay 2 SHOWTIME PPV event featuring the undefeated, world’s No. 1 ranked fighter, Floyd Mayweather.

 

Additional confirmed dates for Premier Boxing Champions on CBS include live broadcasts in June, July and September, with up to three remaining events on the 2015 calendar yet to be announced. The live boxing broadcasts on CBS, other than the aforementioned premiere, will be broadcast live at4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT. 

 

The Premier Boxing Champions series was created for television by Haymon Sports. It is the first consistent series presentation of live boxing on CBS in 15 years.  The network aired a one-off live event featuring current WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz in 2012.  Prior to that, the last live boxing on the network was in 1997 when then-middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins knocked out Glen Johnson.

 

Live boxing was a staple on the network in the 1980s, consistently featuring future Hall of Famers Sugar Ray Leonard, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and others. Boxing’s history on CBS dates back to 1948 when the Pabst Blue Ribbon Bouts premiered featuring legendary blow-by-blow commentator Russ Hodges. 

Boxcino 2015 Heavyweight training camp quotes Former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada replaces Mario Heredia

 
For Immediate Release

Verona, NY (February 17, 2015)–This Friday night at the Turning Stone Resort Casino, the Boxcino 2015 Heavyweight tournament will begin with four quarterfinal bouts.
Former U.S. Olympian, Jason “Big Six” Estrada is a replacement in the tournament for Mario Heredia who bowed out of the tournament for medical reasons.

Estrada of Providence, Rhode Island was a member of 2004 United States Olympic team and turned professional later that year.  He has solid wins over James Northey (11-1), Lance Whitaker (32-4), Moultrie Witherspoon (14-1) &  Derek Bryant (20-4-1).

Below are quotes from the competitors for the heavyweight fights this Friday.

Steve Vukosa--“Training is going great.  I have been getting extra work shoveling all the snow here in Massachusetts.   I haven’t really checked much on Donovan Dennis.  I am excited to get in the ring and am excited for this opportunity.”

vs
Donovan Dennis “Training camp is good.  I had great sparring and am in good shape.  I am ready and have been anxious for the last couple weeks.  I am ready for whatever I have to do to win the fight.”
Razvan Cojanu–“Everything has been great.  I am ready to go.  I had top sparring and it went great.  To be honest, I don’t know much about Ed Fountain other then he is a southpaw.  That doesn’t matter to me as I just go in there and do my job.”
vs.

Ed Fountain–“Training camp is pretty good. I am the underdog, and I am going to have some fun.  I hope he brings his best so I can prove myself.  I know he is a veteran.  I look forward to knocking him out and putting myself at the top of the tournament.”

Lenroy Thomas–“Training went well.  I am disappointed by the change of opponents.  I just believe in myself and my faith.  I watched some videos of Estrada, and he comes to fight.  He brings the fight.  It will be a good fight, and I will be victorious.”

Vs.

Jason Estrada–“I am a late entry, but I have been in camp.  I am in pretty good shape.  This is such a good opportunity that I could not pass it up, and I am throwing my hat in the ring.  I do not know much about my opponent.  My dad did the research.  I am just going in to fight my fight.  From my amateur background, I have seen many styles.  It is not hard because I have seen so many styles.  I can adapt and may the best man win.”

Nate Heaven–“Training is going great.  I have had lots of sparring.  I have been running, and I am in great condition mentally and physically.  I just keep charging along.  From what I have seen, he will try to put a lot of pressure.  He is aggressive and likes to go to the body.  We are just preparing for whatever he comes up with.  Training has been so well that we just want to take this from training to the ring.”
vs.

Andrey Fedosov–“I am ready to my best in this tournament! I had a great camp.”

The weigh in will be Thursday, February 19 at 5 PM in the Cypress Room.
There will be a post fight press conference immediately following the completion of the last bout in the Cypress Room.

Tickets for the February 20th ESPN Friday Night Fights at Turning Stone are on sale now at the Turning Stone box office, in person or by calling 315.361.7469, or online at Ticketmaster. Tickets are $60 for ringside seats, $35, $25, and are subject to additional fees.

Host of the February 20th bouts, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino continues to distinguish itself as a premier destination for professional sporting events, including nationally-televised boxing matches and PGA-level golf. February 20th fight will mark Turning Stone’s 14th nationally televised boxing event in less than two years, helping establish the resort as a mecca for knockout televised fights. Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have promoted televised fight cards at the resort within the last year and Turning Stone has hosted televised boxing events on ESPN, Showtime, HBO, and NBC in the last two years. Located in Upstate New York, the four-season resort offers world-class entertainment and gaming, prestigious restaurants, luxury spa facilities, and award-winning accommodations.Tickets for the February 20th ESPN Friday Night Fights at Turning Stone are on sale now at the Turning Stone box office, in person or by calling315.361.7469, or online at Ticketmaster. Tickets are $60 for ringside seats, $35, $25, and are subject to additional fees. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The live ESPN telecast starts at 9pm.

Professional media requesting credentials for the February 20 fight must contact Kelly Abdo, Turning Stone Public Relations Manager at 315.366.9291 orkelly.abdo@turningstone.com.

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..

M-1 Global launches M-1 Medieval Pro Full Contact Jousting

 

(see M-1 Medieval photo gallery below)

 

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Feb. 18, 2015) — M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelstein and Artemy Gershvald have formally announced the launching of a new project, M-1 Medieval, which features professional full contact jousting fights.

 

Men dressed in medieval warrior armor fight each other using replicas of medieval bladed weapons with a blunt edge (see pictures above and below).

 

The original M-1 Medieval fight was held August 15, 2014 at M-1 Challenge 50: Battle on Neva in St. Petersburg, Russia. Five-time world, 10-time Russian historical fencing champion Sergey Ukolov defeated American Mike Ivey.

The second and third M-1 Medieval fights happened October 17, 2014 at M-1 Challenge 52: Battle of Narts in Ingushetia, Russia. Russian warriors squared off asSergei Ukolov beat Maxim Plaksin in one match, while Ingushetia favorite Maxim Plaksin knocked out Demitry Stadnichenko, of Kazakhstan, in the second round of their competition.

 

In the fourth M-1 Medieval fight, Kazakhstan Vladimir “The Bear” Toropov, representing the Bayard Club, was victorious over Nikolai “The Raven” Potryasov, of Kyrgyzstan.

 

 

Upcoming M-1 Global Events:Feb. 21, 2015, M-1 Challenge 55: Guram Gugenishvili Memorial Show in Tbilisi, Georgia;  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.