NEW YORK CITY (March 19, 2024) – Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor (3-0, 2 KOs) has successfully transitioned from basketball to boxing and today the 27-year-old prospect is on the rise as an undefeated prize fighter.
Taylor said he brought his legs from the courts into the ring. He first dunked a ball when he was in eighth grade, four inches shorter than the 6’ 4” Taylor is today. Pryce admits missing basketball but quickly notes that he could still play, not necessarily on a team, because he’s not in basketball shape anymore. “I’m in boxing shape,” he proudly noted.
A decorated U.S. amateur boxer, highlighted by his two New York Golden Gloves Championship titles, Taylor was also a four-time runner-up in USA National Championships, including one to Joshua Edwards, who has qualified to represent as a super heavyweight for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Last year, Taylor had seven wins fighting for New York in the Team Combat League (TCL), which is a one-round, team format competition. Technically-speaking, the wins are not part of his professional boxing record. Taylor has benefitted from that experience and will be competing this season as well.
Taylor played basketball for one season at Corning Community College in upstate New York. “I stopped playing basketball six years ago,” Taylor said. “I’ve had 60 fights (amateurs, pros and TCL) and believe the best boxers get there with sparring experience. So, I’ve been getting a lot of experience. I have a good skill set and know what I need to do in the ring.
“My mindset is to do what other boxers don’t do. All boxers learn the basics, but everything they want to throw, I already throw myself, and I know how to counter there’s. Anything they throw I’m able to defend.”
Taylor has been placed on the fast track by his manager, New York City-based attorney Keith Sullivan, who has discovered that it’s not easy finding suitable opponents for Taylor, who because of his size, amateur pedigree and participating in the TCL, is much more advanced than his three pro fights may indicate.
Another invaluable part of Taylor’s development is sparring established heavyweights such as Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, Otto Wallin, Vladyslav Sirenko, and Brandon Glanton to name a few of the more notables.
Taylor made his pro debut last December, stopping Mike Diorio in the opening round, followed January 27 with the exact same result versus Gabriel Aguilar Costa. In his most recent action in March, Taylor went the distance for the first time as a pro, pitching a four-round shutout for a unanimous decision against Antonio Torres (4-1), 40-36 three times.
(L-R) – Head trainer Benny Roman, Pryce Taylor & manager Keith Sullivan (photo courtesy of Sullivan Management)
In his last fight, held at Sony Hall, Taylor came out to the ring and paraded around the ring afterwards with an Irish flag draped around his massive shoulders (see above picture).
“Keith (Sullivan) knew there would be a lot of Irish fans there to watch an Irish fighter (Emmet Brennan) fighting after me,” Taylor explained. “He figured it was a good way to engage the large Irish crowd, so he draped me in the Irish tri-color flag. He was right, the Irish in attendance absolutely loved it, and I made some more fans.”
Basketball loss is boxing’s gain; Pryce Taylor is a legitimate prospect with tremendous upside.
In addition to managing Pryce Taylor, Keith Sullivan, a former Deputy Commissioner with the New York State Athletic Commission, and longtime boxing lawyer, also manages IBF Bantamweight World Champion Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0 KOs) and Bronx middleweight prospect Nisa Rodriguez (1-0), in addition to co-managing World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 12-rated welterweight contender Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (13-0, 10 KOs), the reigning WBA Continental Champion from Limerick, Ireland. Sullivan co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee.
UFC 292 was the first UFC event I attended in 16 years. As the MMA writer most known for exposing the Xyience scandal (see www.xyiencesucks.com), I dug out my old Xyience hat to commemorate the occasion. Once the UFC’s most prolific sponsor, Xyience is now primarily an energy drink company and does not even associate with any MMA league anymore. Needless to say, I was the only one in the entire arena sporting Xyience merch.
I paid for my own tickets this time, but I couldn’t avoid thinking about what my UFC 292 experience would have been like if my UFC 78 experience, paid for by Xyience, had turned out much differently for me almost 16 years ago.
I will be ruminating more on the personal story of my own Boston homecoming and the changes we’ve seen for the UFC between the last fight I attended and this one in a new piece I plan to write on www.paythefighters.com. Stay tuned for that, but first let’s get to the UFC’s well constructed fight card for Saturday night.
It began with a tale of two flyweight Silvas: Karine Silva and Natalia Silva. Those bouts ended with two Silva wins by two different methods, but each fighter proved dominant in their particular styles. Karine dispatched Maryna Moroz with a last-second guillotine choke just before the end of the first round. It was a fantastic start to a show that had a few peaks and valleys as far as the entertainment value of some of the match-ups. Natalia took her time and picked apart a game Andrea Lee from a distance for the majority of the contest. She cruised to a unanimous decision by being cautious and careful with her striking aim.
Next, a controversial split decision gave the odds-makers’ favorite fighter Andre Petrovski a win over Gerald Meershaert. Petrovski did not appear to have the cardio to hang with the seasoned veteran Meerschaert. All that was lacking in this fight was the concentrated striking power from Meershaert to put Petrovski down and out. Both fighters had their moments, but it seemed obvious to me Gerald was the busier and more effective fighter. He was only one of the robbery victims accosted by the judges Saturday night after clearly winning a primarily technical fight. The touches of slugfest sprinkled in from time to time seemed to always favor the more game and eager Meerschaert. He definitely deserved the win. We’ll talk about another robbery of equal caliber a bit later.
A pair of Ultimate Fighter Finale fights came next with Bantamweights Brad Katona and Cody Gibson kicking it off by earning “Fight of the Night” honors. Their toe-to-toe kickboxing match that rarely hit the ground for very long certainly had the crowd riled up from start to finish. Katona ended up being a second quicker on the draw and sharp enough with his jabs and counters to secure a win in a scrap where he often had to take one good punch to land two of his own. Gibson wore the results of Brad’s accuracy on his battered face at the final bell, but he also earned great respect for his never-quit approach from both the crowd and the organization. The UFC offered both fighters contracts for their efforts instead of only the winner getting the nod.
Kurt Holobaugh had to fight friend and fellow Team Chandler fighter Austin Hubbard in the Lightweight finale. It was a fight that started better for Hubbard than it ended. Eventually after a short feeling out process, Holobaugh took the momentum away and secured a phenomenal Triangle Choke just 2:39 into the second frame. Both fighters had their dominating moments, but it was Holobaugh’s black belt jiu jitsu skills that won the night and the TUF trophy.
Gregory Rodrigues absolutely demolished Russian Dennis Tiuliulin in a middleweight fight that had the Beantown crowd chanting “USA” briefly while rooting for a Brazilian fighter. “Robocop” enjoyed the crowd support and quickly obliged their cheers with his finishing skills in full display. Rodrigues coincidentally looks a bit like the main character in Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer,” if the character bulked up after a few rounds of steroids. Rodrigues certainly laid down the law and pummeled the Russian into unconsciousness with a machine-like precision. He took just one minute and 43 seconds to give the crowd their last stoppage until the main event.
Five straight decisions followed, two of them decided by perfect placement of monstrous leg kicks from the victors. The most painful of those two bouts to watch was Chris Weidman finishing out the preliminaries by facing off with Brad Tavares in a punishing middleweight battle. Weidman, coming back from a vicious rubber chicken leg injury where he tried to plant on a completely broken leg against Uriah Hall, looked rusty as rusty can be. Every takedown he attempted seemed to get stuffed easily by Tavares.
Every punching exchange seemed to be too little, too late for Weidman to come back from the constant leg kicks peppering both the leg with the old injury and Weidman’s other leg for good measure. Even with a torn MCL or ACL (according to Dana White who compelled Weidman to retire after the fight), Weidman stalked Tavares around the cage and tried his best to take the fight to him despite the busted wheel. Tavares won a very strategic and smart fight, disappointing the entire pro-Weidman crowd hoping for that miracle comeback performance that never came.
Marlon “Chito” Vera and Pedro Munhoz opened up the main card with a one-sided affair showcasing Vera’s patience, striking acumen, and nearly-flawless technique. Munhoz finished the fight on his feet, but he endured plenty of facial damage getting there. Chito stayed at a safe range for the majority of the bout and took few risks on the way to his unanimous decision win. The reach and speed of Vera seemed to be the most effective advantages he enjoyed against the shorter and stockier Munhoz. Vera, boring as he may be to watch at times, proved he deserves his own bantamweight title shot.
The third-straight decision gave Mario Bautista a very controversial unanimous decision win over Da’Mon Blackshear. Bautista edged out Blackshear in terms of ground control, but Blackshear was more accurate in his striking and landed more significant strikes in the featherweight scrap. I certainly thought he did enough to win, but the judges did not see the fight the same way and gave the contest to Bautista.
Ian Garry and Neil Magny clashed next in a mismatched welterweight contest. Magny showed tremendous heart in getting back up after every knockdown, but he could not overcome the incessant leg kicks thrown by Garry. Referee Keith Peterson came close to stopping the bout a few times, but Magny kept doing just enough to keep it going, hopping around on one leg at times. Garry’s striking was just as on point as his trash talk game, evoking the spirit of Nate Diaz with a few well-timed hand gestures. The crowd celebrated his continued dominance with Garry telling them about his desire to be the best fighter on the face of the earth someday in his post-fight speech. Magny will have to find an answer to his recent struggles if he wants to remain relevant in the UFC.
Weili Zhang and Amanda Lemos squared off in an epic title fight next. Lemos nearly secured a couple miraculous submission attempts, but the strawweight title fight turned into a question of whether or not Lemos could survive until the final bell. Zhang showcased her talents in all her areas of expertise, and Lemos could only hope to win by way of a couple Hail Mary submission attempts Zhang wriggled out of. Zhang’s speed, power and durability overwhelmed Lemos and left her struggling to avoid a stoppage through much of the later rounds. Somehow she managed to do it, taking a tremendous amount of damage on her way. Zhang walked away retaining her title, much to the delight of fans who backed her through the entire fight.
Finally, the main event arrived, well after midnight. Sean O’Malley entered the arena first, and the crowd erupted. Many of them sported green or pink wigs to imitate O’Malley’s signature look. O’Malley honestly looked pretty petrified, as if he didn’t even sleep at all the night before the event. Aljamain Sterling entered the cage to a chorus of boos he attempted to make light of by egging the crowd on to boo him more.
The first round was mostly a showcase of footwork from both fighters. O’Malley’s head games might have worked on Sterling, because he promised in pre-fight interviews he would secure a first round TKO of his own. Rather than rely on his greatest strength, his wrestling, Sterling wanted to beat O’Malley at his own game. That turned out to be the wrong strategy, a fact Sterling eventually realized by the time he ended up on the wrong side of that TKO. There were scant attempts to take O’Malley down, and all of them were completely stuffed. Sterling folded and fell to the canvas after getting hit with an O’Malley counter punch early in the second round. The rest was history as O’Malley closed “the Suga show” with some McGregor-esque ground and pound.
Both fighters gave great post-fight speeches, true to form. Sterling was gracious in defeat and showed his respect for O’Malley striving to reach his dream. Considering Sterling criticized O’Malley before the fight for being Dana White’s pet project and not deserving a title shot, it was a huge mea culpa. Also, if it was indeed all about being favored by Mr. White, O’Malley might have ticked off the Baldfather by indicating he’d like to fight Boxer Gervonta Davis more than any other actual UFC fighter.
As only the second Dana White Contender Series fighter to earn a world title, O’Malley can certainly call his own shots to some extent, but a boxing crossover is a very sensitive subject in the wake of Francis Ngannou recently making waves for backing out of his UFC contract and signing up for a heavyweight boxing match with Tyson Fury that will eclipse his career UFC earnings by a mile. Only Conor McGregor has been able to convince UFC brass to go all in on a crossover fight into boxing so far. Dana White has since completely scrapped tentative plans to create “Zuffa Boxing” to account for his fighters wanting to emulate McGregor’s profile, financial track record and bold bravado that earned him that opportunity to fight Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition bout.
Often, to get Dana White’s attention and respect, fighters simply have to sell themselves enough for that to translate into massive merchandise and ticket sales generated off their buzz. Much like the WWE, big personas and colorful characters often win out on opportunities in the UFC over athletes who just concentrate on their physical skill sets. Strikers are especially favored, because they deliver on the UFC’s implied “put on a show” standard of excellence imposed on every fighter who steps into the cage. It’s a style of management and carrot and stick leadership that fools fighters into thinking it’s better for their careers to constantly come forward with little concern for defense and take tremendous risks to be much more exciting and entertaining than they need to be to win a particular fight.
Now this kid O’Malley confesses to want to be like Dana himself, comfortable enough financially to bet $250,000 per poker hand. The most special talent prior to O’Malley used his own rising star persona to build his own name brands and buy his own whiskey company. He has a yacht and a Lamborghini, and he’s still the most talked about and called out fighter in the organization even after losing such a one-sided battle with Dustin Poirier and being sidelined with a broken leg for a few years. The fact that O’Malley can realize and internalize that he’ll probably never get to Conor’s level without a huge crossover fight in boxing speaks volumes about where the UFC is at today.
It is the kind of development I have to chuckle at knowing how hard it’s been to bring all the fighter pay and contract issues to court without an army of lawyers to face the UFC’s formidable legal team. One such legal army recently secured the go ahead to pursue a class action anti-trust lawsuit on behalf of over 1,200 former UFC fighters. The judge in the case appears to be already siding with the plaintiffs. Reaction to UFC class-action lawsuit certification: What happened, and what’s next? (msn.com)
Whenever the organization is confronted by statistics that show the revenue share for fighters is minuscule compared to other major sports with players’ associations, the response is typically something to the effect of: “We’ve made so many millionaires. Our fighters are doing just fine, and they all get plenty of financial opportunities with the fame we’ve helped them achieve.”
As an expert on the UFC’s financial history and an audience member at UFC 292, I couldn’t avoid confronting the reality that so many “UFC Nut-hugger” journalists get all the fringe benefits of press privileges because they play along so well with that “Zuffa Myth” mentality. The folks who put the UFC on the map subliminally seduce their supporters with access and promises of fame and opportunity, and fighters and media members alike get sucked into those kind of management theatrics. In turn, you don’t end up with much investigative reporting in MMA media circles, and fighters who ask a lot of questions and demand better contract conditions don’t get re-signed or set up with prime fight match-ups.
It took the main event result to really clarify the issue for me of how the UFC constantly keeps the focus on their supposed ability to create superstars just by letting a fighter sign any contract with the organization. Some who agree that’s the case would say it was the organization’s ability to see enough talent in O’Malley to put him on Dana White’s Contender Series that led to the spectacular rise to fame the new champ’s riding. Certainly, O’Malley wouldn’t have even been in Boston Saturday night if he never got into the organization. However, there have been plenty of DWCS fighters who didn’t get any more UFC opportunities because they lost that entry-level fight. O’Malley had to win and keep winning to be where he was on Saturday night.
The point is: Sean O’Malley’s cult following and tremendous self-confidence is a result of his own personal crusade to be someone special with unlimited potential and amazing talent. He would never even be in the conversation for a title if he did not put in all the untold hours in the gym striving to be better. The UFC did not create Sean O’Malley, they just gave him a platform to show what kind of fighter he could be. And while he is enjoying the superstardom the UFC will credit themselves for, O’Malley has to know the only way he can maximize his earning potential is to eclipse the organization itself. He has to go above and beyond their restrictive financial borders to a sport where the revenue share is so much better and a guy like Francis Ngannou can make more in one fight than he made in his entire UFC career.
So, If Dana White really did make Sean O’Malley his pet project as Aljamain Sterling suggested, he did a great job. Unfortunately, the monster he created may come back to bite him in the long run. Another UFC co-promoted boxing card will get too many of their employees trying to take the same route and wondering why Dana’s little buddy is getting all the breaks and benefits. Veterans and newcomers will both likely look at any hyped up Davis vs. O’Malley boxing match as an admission by their leadership that the UFC can’t pay their fighters enough to keep them in the cage.
“Kid, you have no idea how much money you’re gonna to make,” Dana White told O’Malley after the win according to a recent O’Malley interview. I imagine in his head, Dana finished that thought with “us.”
Plus All-Action Rising Middleweights Elijah Garcia and
Armando Reséndiz Meet in Pay-Per-View Opener
Canelo Promotions Presents a Premier Boxing Champions
Pay-Per-View from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS – August 25, 2023 – Three matchups featuring rising stars, top contenders and former world champions from 147 to 160 pounds will highlight a robust pay-per-view undercard leading up to the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo undisputed super middleweight championship clash on Saturday, September 30 live on SHOWTIME PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View.
In the co-main event, undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr.,will take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in a 12-round super welterweight special attraction. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toefor the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and ArmandoReséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.
“These three matchups deliver everything boxing fans could hope for in a pay-per-view undercard and are worthy of the historic main event clash they will lead up to,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Each fighter stepping into the ring has an opportunity to catapult themselves to the top of their respective division with a win on September 30. Fans can expect to see all of these competitors give everything they have to emerge victorious on SHOWTIME PPV at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.”
A strong southpaw who at 22 has yet to come close to hitting his ceiling as a fighter, Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs) blitzed then-unbeaten Joey Spencer in March, dropping him in round one before stopping him in round seven to earn the TKO in his sensational 2023 debut on the undercard of David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant on SHOWTIME PPV. A native of Casa Grande, Ariz., Ramos also owns back-to-back 10-round unanimous decisions over Brian Mendoza and Javier Molina in 2021, which he followed up by defeating Luke Santamaria and Vladimir Hernandez in 2022. Overall, the youthful Ramos has gained recognition with highlight-reel KOs, stopping seven of his last 10 opponents, showcasing his skills and ability to end his fights early.
“I’m excited to be part of this huge card against a tough opponent on September 30,” said Ramos. “I know Lubin is training hard and coming to win, which will make for an entertaining fight. This whole card is stacked and we don’t want to disappoint, so the fans are in for a great night of boxing.”
The 27-year-old Lubin (25-2, 18 KOs) returned to the ring in June to deliver an impressive fifth-round stoppage of veteran Luis Arias, who had never been stopped previously. Lubin’s previous outing saw him go toe-to-toe in one of 2022’s best fights, as he traded knockdowns with fellow contender Sebastian Fundora on SHOWTIME in April 2022. Heading into the Fundora fight, Lubin had put together an impressive six-bout winning streak since a loss to then unified and now undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo in 2017, a run that included triumphs over Jeison Rosario, Terrell Gausha and Ishe Smith. A native of Orlando, Fla., Lubin turned pro at 18 years old in 2013 and became one of the youngest prospects to ever appear on the developmental series SHOBOX: The New Generation®,earning “Prospect Of The Year” honors from ESPN and Ring Magazine in 2016.
“I know the world will be watching on September 30 and I plan on winning in a big way,” said Lubin. “We’ve got a young and talented fighter in front of us, but I’m young and talented as well. The difference is that I’ve fought the cream of the crop of the 154-pound division. Doesn’t matter if it’s Olympians, top prospects, contenders or champions, I’ve taken them on. I have a big chip on my shoulder and I know that with this win, I’ll be in a mega fight. I’m training extremely hard and the whole world will see it pay off.”
Ugas (27-5, 12 KOs) will step back into action on September 30 for the first time since an April 2022 unification bout defeat to Errol Spence Jr. on SHOWTIME PPV. He established himself as an elite welterweight after returning from a more than two-year layoff in 2016 following back-to-back losses in 2014. He punched his ticket as a world champion in January 2021 after winning a WBA belt by defeating Abel Ramos in September 2020. He solidified his world-championship status in August 2021, when he stepped in for an injured Spence to defeat legendary future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision. Hailing from Santiago, Cuba and now living in Miami, Florida, the Olympic bronze medalist trains in Las Vegas with renowned coach Ismael Salas and owns victories over then undefeated fighters Jamal James, Omar Figueroa Jr. and Bryant Perrella, plus veteran contenders Thomas Dulorme and Ray Robinson.
“Both me and Mario Barrios have a lot to gain with a victory on September 30, so I know that this fight is going to be one to remember,” said Ugas. “I have tremendous respect for Barrios. He’s a true warrior who’s been in the ring with the best of them, but I have confidence that I’ll be victorious. I have a lot of fight left in me and my best skills will be on display in this fight. Patria y Vida, I fight for my people.”
The 28-year-old Barrios (27-2, 18 KOs) most recently scored a sensational knockout of Jovanie Santiago in February stopping Santiago in the eighth-round. Barrios’ previous fight was his welterweight debut as he dropped a hard-fought decision to former unified champion Keith Thurman in February 2022. The San Antonio-product, who now trains with top coach Bob Santos in Las Vegas, became a 140-pound world champion in September 2019, using his aggressive style to edge out Batyr Akhmedov and earn a unanimous decision. Barrios lost the super lightweight title in another action packed, highly competitive bout, as he was defeated by three-division and five-time world champion Gervonta Davis in June 2021.
“This fight is going to be a war, because we both fight with a lot of heart and neither of us ever backs down,” said Barrios. “I can’t wait to compete in a matchup like this on one of the biggest cards of the year. This is going to be a great night of boxing from start to finish and the Mexican fans can expect to see an explosive performance from ‘El Azteca’!”
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs) is one of 2023’s biggest breakout stars He burst onto the scene in March by blasting out the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal in the fourth-round to announce his presence at 160-pounds. The 20-year-old followed up that performance by dominating veteran Kevin Salgado on his way to a unanimous decision in April on the SHOWTIME PPV undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia. The precocious Garcia has moved fast since turning pro in 2020 and has knocked out six of his last eight opponents.
“This is my second fight this year on a huge pay-per-view card and I’m super excited and even more prepared than the first time,” said Garcia. “Reséndiz is a hungry fighter just like myself, so I have no doubt that we are going to put on a hell of a show for all the fans watching.”
The 24-year-old Reséndiz (14-1, 10 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his last outing as he stopped former unified champion Jarrett Hurd in the 10th and final round of their March showdown on SHOWTIME. Reséndiz led on all three cards when the bout was stopped due to a severe laceration on Hurd’s lip. A native of Nayarit, Mexico, he now fights out of Los Angeles and will look to make it three-straight wins since a close decision loss to Marcos Hernandez in September 2021. Reséndiz turned pro in February 2018 and made a successful U.S. debut in April 2021 with a decision victory over Quilisto Madera.
“I’m very happy to have this great opportunity to compete on such an important fight card,” said Reséndiz. “I’m excited to realize my dream of fighting in Las Vegas, just like my boxing idols that I watched on TV. I’ve had an amazing training camp that will help me look my best on September 30 and put on a performance worthy of the boxing legends who inspire me.”
LOS ANGELES (August 22, 2023) – The boxing spotlight shifts back to the Great Northwest this Saturday night as rising super featherweight star Austin Brooks (10-0, 3 KOs) takes on dangerous Anthony Chavez (11-3-1, 3 KOs) in the 10-round main event on a highly competitive pro card, presented by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.
“This card sticks with our theme of compelling regional fights along with club wars,” Haydon said. “More than a couple guys have a chance to get a verdict from the great jury that is the northwest boxing fan and see if they can create a fan base for themselves going forward.”
Brooks, 27, is stepping up in class against Chavez, a 2015 USA National Championships bronze medalist as an amateur, has yet to fight more than six rounds to date. Fighting out of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Brooks, who has already fought several times on the ESPN platform, is coming off a six-round decision over veteran Diuhl Olguin this past March in San Diego.
Chavez, an old-fashioned fighter out of San Bernardino, California, is trained by well-known Southern Californian Henry Ramirez, who guided Chris Arreola and Josesito Lopez, among the more notables. Two fights ago, Chavez won a six-round majority decision over Olguin.
The six-round, co-featured event pits Seattle featherweight Gregory Cruz (5-2, 3 KOs) against Roberto Negrete (4-1-1, 2 KOs), of West Liberty, Iowa. Cruz is bouncing back from a six-round majority loss to Luis Gallegos (4-0) last April, while Negrete fought to a six-round split draw in his most recent action this past June.
Chief undercard support will be provided by undefeated Portland super lightweight prospect Lorenza Caldera (6-0, 3 KOs) and Filipino veteran boxer Jake “D’ Twins” Bornea (14-5-1, 7 KOs), the former WBO Asia Pacific Youth Flyweight titleholder.
Angel Rebollar (6-3, 3 KOs) is coming straight out of Compton (CA) to face San Bernardino (CA) super lightweight Esteban Munoz (7-3, 4 KOs) in a rare five-round bout. Rebollar was a 2019 USA Western Regional Junior Open Champion as an amateur.
Also fighting on the undercard, each in four-round matches, is Auburn, Washington lightweight Joshua Cadena (1-0, 1 KO), vs. Dan Hernandez (2-2, 1 KO), of Riverside, California; undefeated Puerto Rican welterweight prospect Axl Melendez Salgado (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. Tulsa’s Lyle McFarlane (2-1 1 KO), and San Antonio (TX) super lightweight Richard Ray Howell (4-3-2, 2 KOs) vs. Detroit’s Wesley Rivers (1-3).
Card subject to change.
Reasonably priced at $100.00, $60.00, and $40.00, tickets may be purchased by calling (253) 594-7777 or at www.Emeraldqueen.com.
NEW YORK (August 22, 2023) – Four Split-T Management fighters remained undefeated over the weekend.
Friday night in Atlanta, LeAnna Cruz remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Maryguenn Vellinga in a flyweight bout.
Cruz landed 88 of 271 punches. Vellinga was 34 of 224.
Cruz, 111.6 lbs of Allentown, PA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is 6-0. Vellinga, 111.2 lbs of Park City, UT is 4-4-2.
Asa Stevens remained undefeated with a four-round split decision over D’Angelo Hopgood in a super bantamweight fight.
Stevens, 121.7 lbs of Waianae, HI won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and Hopgood took a card 39-37.
Stevens landed 66 of 205 punches. Hopgood was 67 of. 273.
Stevens is 5-0. Hopgood, 121.2 lbs of Milwaukee is 2-2-1.
Javier Zamarron remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Sabastian Santiago in a featherweight bout.
In round one, Zamarron dropped Santiago with a perfect counter left to the head.
In round four, Zamarron with cut around the right eye, Zamarron landed 87 of 265 punches. Santiago was 52 of 307.
Zamarron, 128.2 lbs of Milwaukee won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 5-0. Santiago, 128.4 lbs of Cidra, PR is 0-2.
In The Dominican Republic, new Split-T signee Shamara Woods took a four-round unanimous decision over Rocio De Leon Query. Woods of Allentown, PA is now 3-0.
Woods will be right back in action as she will fight on a Probox TV card on September 20th in Plant City, Florida.
FORMER CHAMPION EMMANUEL RODRIGUEZ BATTLES STREAKING CONTENDER MELVIN LOPEZ FOR VACANT BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP LIVE ON SHOWTIME® SATURDAY, AUGUST 12 IN PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS EVENT FROM MGM NATIONAL HARBOR IN MARYLAND
Rising 140-Pound Star Gary Antuanne Russell Faces
Undefeated Kent Cruz in Co-Main Event
Sensational Top Prospect Travon Marshall Duels Unbeaten Contender Gabriel Maestre in Telecast Opener at
9 PM ET/6 PM PT
Tickets on Sale Now!
NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. – July 17, 2023 – Former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez will take on streaking contender Melvin Lopez for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championshipheadlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, August 12 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will see undefeated rising star and Capitol Heights, Maryland-native Gary Antuanne Russell taking on fellow unbeaten Kent Cruz in the 10-round super lightweight co-main event, plus sensational top prospect and Landover, Maryland-native Travon Marshall duels unbeaten two-time Olympian Gabriel Maestre in the 10-round welterweight telecast opener.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through www.mgmnationalharbor.com/.
“This show on August 12 is jam-packed with action for boxing fans as they will get an exciting world title clash in addition to some of the area’s top rising talent in tough contests live on SHOWTIME,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Emmanuel Rodriguez is hungry to make a second run as world champion at bantamweight and will be given all he can handle by the red-hot Melvin Lopez. With two of Maryland’s top rising stars in Gary Antuanne Russell and Travon Marshall stepping in for separate bouts before that showdown, this lines up to be a can’t-miss card at MGM National Harbor.”
Fighting out of Manati, Puerto Rico, Rodríguez (21-2, 13 KOs) defeated the previously unbeaten Gary Antonio Russell last October by technical decision to put himself back into position to fight for the world title. The 30-year-old originally won the IBF Bantamweight World Title with a unanimous decision victory over Paul Butler in 2018 and successfully defended it against the then-unbeaten Jason Moloney. Rodríguez went on to lose the title to former undisputed champion Naoya Inoue in their May 2019 title bout.
“I’m happy to have this chance to become a world champion again,” said Rodriguez. “We’re gonna go out there to win in spectacular fashion and my goal is to show that I’m the best fighter in the world at 118-pounds. My goal is to become undisputed at bantamweight, however I’m not overlooking Melvin Lopez, because he’s a good fighter and will come to give it his all on August 12.”
The 25-year-old Lopez (29-1, 19 KOs) has won eight-straight fights since suffering his only career loss in October 2019. Originally from Nicaragua and now fighting out of Miami, Lopez has fought professionally since 2015 and began competing stateside in 2018. Lopez scored three victories in 2022, starting the year with knockouts of Juan Gabriel Medina and Victor Ruiz, before most recently defeating Jobert Alvarez last December. Out of his last 10 victories, Lopez has ended nine of those inside of the distance.
“I’m very excited that the time is almost here to fight for a world title,” said Lopez. “We’ve had a great training camp and everyone has sacrificed and worked hard so that we’re at our best on August 12. I’m going to show everyone why I earned this opportunity and repay my team for all of their efforts. I have a lot of respect for Emmanuel, but the best man will have his hand raised when we share the ring.”
Fighting out of his native Capitol Heights, Md., Russell (16-0, 16 KOs) will carry on the legacy left by his late father Gary Sr. A member of one of the sport’s preeminent fighting families, Russell trains alongside his older brothers, former WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Jr. and bantamweight contender Gary Antonio. The 26-year-old has yet to allow an opponent to make it to the final bell since turning pro in 2017 following his run representing the U.S. at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. Russell defeated his most accomplished foes to date in 2022, stopping former champion Viktor Postol in February before a TKO win against former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy in July.
“When you’re a student of the game like me, you have to consider that each step we take is about more than self-gratification. We’re doing this for keeps,” said Russell. “Kent Cruz has to catch up to me, but there’s no need for me to look back. The only direction I’m going is forward and that means putting on a spectacular performance on August 12, and proving I’m the next world champion in this division.”
The 30-year-old Cruz (16-0-3, 10 KOs) steps back into the ring after a pair of draws against fellow unbeaten Enriko Gogokhia in February and then November 2022. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Cruz defeated veterans Erik Humberto Castillo and Travis Hartman following a draw against Carlos Mohamed Rodriguez in April 2018. Cruz will pick up his past ring history with the Russell family on August 12, looking to avenge an amateur loss to Gary Allan Russell, Gary Antuanne’s older brother.
“I’m very excited for this fight on August 12,” said Cruz. “I’ve been waiting for a fight like this my whole career, so we didn’t hesitate when offered this one. I’m coming in as the underdog and that’s what’s fueling me. I’ve been an underdog my whole life and on August 12 I’m gonna shock the world. When I win this fight, I’ll be in contention to fight for a world title and have my chance to achieve my childhood dream.”
At just 22-years-old, Marshall (8-0, 7 KOs) has quickly shown the skill, power and poise to become a highly regarded prospect in just eight fights. Born in Landover, Md., and now fighting out of Capitol Heights, Md., Marshall is trained by former contender Andrew Council and has already scored two stoppages in 2023. Most recently he dominated veteran contender Justin DeLoach via third-round knockout in March, his most impressive victory to date.
“I’m really excited to be fighting at home in front of my family, friends and fans on August 12,” said Marshall. “I’m working hard every day in the gym so that when fight night comes I’m 100% and ready to put on a great performance for everyone watching. My goal is to show everyone that I belong on the big stage, and that starts with a victory over Gabriel Maestre.”
A two-time Olympian for his home country of Venezuela, Maestre (5-0-1, 4 KOs) had an extensive amateur run that included victories over Brian Castano, Carlos Adames, Alexander Besputin, Oscar Molina and Brian Ceballo. The 36-year-old made his U.S. debut with a controversial decision victory over Mykal Fox in August 2021 before fighting fellow unbeaten Taras Shelestyuk to a draw last March. Most recently, Maestre defeated former two-division champion Devon Alexander after three rounds in April.
“I’m very ready for this fight against Travon Marshall,” said Maestre. “We are focused on the work that we need to put in so that we are victorious on August 12. I’m focused on having my hand raised and putting on a good show. We want to leave a good impression with the fans and move on to fight the big names in the welterweight division.”
QUINCY, Mass. (July 12, 2023) – Undefeated super middleweight prospect Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (8-0, 7 KOs) has never turned down a fight. Neither has his next opponent, James “Pitbull” Perkins (12-0-1, 9 KOs), and that’s why the two undefeated fighters will throw-down August 19th.
Sumpter vs. Perkins headlines “Pandemonium at The Palladium”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), in an eight-round showdown for the vacant International Boxing Association IBA) Americas Super Middleweight Championship..
“Pandemonium at The Palladium” will be streamed live on www.bxngtv.com from the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.
“This fight is one of the best main events Massachusetts has seen this year,” GCP president Chris Traietti commented. “What more can you ask for? Two undefeated guys with knockout power going for it all for a chance to elevate their careers to the next level. The spectators better take their bathroom and concession breaks before this one starts. It could end at any moment!”
More than a belt is at stake, more like Bay State (MA) bragging rights for the winner of this potentially “lights-out” fight between these Western (Sumpter, Pittsfield) and Eastern (Perkins, Lynn) Mass. rival fighters.
Sumpter, 29, leaped at the opportunity to fight another undefeated fighter because of the upside for his career that an impressive victory will make within New England boxing circles.
“’ll be better known after this fight,” Sumpter said. “I don’t care about my opponent’s record or anything else. This is the type of fight that will establish me as one of the better boxers around. This fight will open up a lot of doors for me, when I come out on top. More people will start taking notice of me and I’ll be getting calls for bigger fights.
“We are both explosive fighters. I don’t think he’s going the full distance. It’ll come down to skills. I’ve seen some things from him I’ll exploit. Nobody studies me better than me. I’m sure he has watched me, too.”
Pittsfield is 100 miles to the west of Worcester, but Sumpter, who is the reigning Massachusetts Light Heavyweight Champion, is confident his fans will travel in force.
“I’ll feel good traveling,” Sumpter added. “This will be the second card I’ve headlined. I have a solid fan-base and it’s growing with each win. And, like I said, he’s not going the distance.”
In the co-featured event, undefeated Massachusetts Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley (11-0, 6 KOs) takes Hector “El Gatito” Ednar Bobadilla (9-14-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Atlantic welterweight title.
Other fighters expected to be in action on the “Pandemonium at The Palladium” undercard include another Holyoke boxer, super welterweight Carlos Castillo (7-0, 4 KOs), unbeaten Springfield super featherweight Isaiah “Baby Warrior” Cruz (6-0, 4 KOs), and New Haven (CT) featherweight Felix Parrilla (7-0, 6 KOs).
Card subject to change. Tickets are on sale and available for purchase online at www.ThePalladium.net.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first bell at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The eight-day invitational event is open to novice (beginner) and open (experienced) boxers of all ages from pee wee (aged 8-10) to masters (35 and over) and aims to create opportunities for women of all ages and abilities to compete.
More than 200 boxers from eight National Federations across four continents are currently registered to take part.
The President of USA Boxing and a member of World Boxing’s Interim Executive Board, Tyson Lee, said: “USA Boxing is extremely proud to be able to host this event in association with World Boxing. The Championships aim to celebrate women and create valuable competition opportunities for female boxers of all standards and ages.
“Working with USA Boxing to deliver this event is a sign of World Boxing’s support for boxers at every level, from the grassroots to the elite, and its commitment to creating competitive opportunities that will enable all boxers to flourish.”
World Boxing was launched in April 2023. It will hold its inaugural Congress in November and plans to publish details of its competition strategy, tournament calendar and the bidding process for staging events in the latter part of 2023.
QUINCY, Mass. (July 10, 2023) – Like some of his fellow countrymen in the past, undefeated Irish light heavyweight prospects Tommy Hyde (5-0, 3 KOs) and Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole (7-0, 5 KOs) have traveled across “the pond” from their native Ireland to Boston in order to enhance their professional boxing careers.
They will both be fighting on the August 11th (Aug. 12th rain date) on the “Veterans Stadium Showcase” Pro-Am card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Quincy (MA), a suburb of Boston only 10 miles to the south of the Massachusetts capital.
“This card wouldn’t be complete without some Irish flair to it,” GCP president Chris Traietti said. “With that said, I didn’t want just any Irish fighters on the show. I wanted two of the hottest prospects. Working with both guys has been a pleasure. Their teams have been great. Their fan-bases are in for a treat come August 11th.”
They’ve built solid fanbases of Irish natives who now live in the United States, as well as Irish American boxing fans, just like their predecessors from the Emerald Isle, world champion Steve Collins and Mike Tyson-conqueror Kevin McBride.
Although Hyde and O’Toole will be fighting in separate six-round bouts this could be a prelude to a showdown between the Irish light heavyweights. They fought twice as amateurs with each winning one and in the future, they could be matched against each other once again, only this time as professionals.
Tommy Hyde (L) – (picture credit: Garreth Croke)
The 24-year-old Hyde is a three-time Irish National Champion who had an 80-26 amateur record. His father, Gary Hyde, is an international matchmaker who has represented numerous world champions.
“I am delighted to be fighting in Boston again,” Hyde said. “It’s like a second home now. I have a lot of family and friends living there and they all show me great support when I’m fighting there. It’s a big boxing city and it’s great to be following in the footsteps of Steve Collins and Kevin McBride who I really admire.
“I fought all over the world as an amateur in 2019. I fought outdoors in a multi-national tournament in Odessa, Ukraine. It was a really good experience, so I’m really looking forward to fighting outdoors in a Boston stadium.
“This will be the second show we shared since we’ve been pros and it probably won’t be the last. A fight between us could be big down the line in Boston or Ireland. He’s an Irishman like me, so I’ll be supporting him until we fight just like any other Irish boxer.”
Hyde faces an opponent to be determined.
Thomas O’Toole (R) – (photo credit: Emily Harney / Fightography
O’Toole, 25, is another celebrated Irish amateur boxer who captured top honors in the Haringey Box Cup and Irish Elevate final, in which he decisioned Hyde. “The Kid” won 51 of 60 amateur matches. Ten Years ago, O’Toole fought outdoors for the first and only time in an amateur show at Boston City Hall, arranged by then- Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.
A southpaw, O’Toole lives in nearby Braintree (MA). Six of his seven pro matches have been held in Greater Boston, the lone exception in Manchester, New Hampshire. “The Kid” is moving up one division to fight Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Scott “Scottie Bombs” Lampert (5-8, 4 KOs) for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) cruiserweight crown.
“Fighting outdoors does make a difference,” O’Toole commented, “especially if it’s hot and humid. I couldn’t prepare for fighting outdoors here in the summer if I was training in Ireland. We don’t have hot and humid weather there. I’ve been training here in this weather. It’s amazing how the weather can zap your strength. It did have an effect on me when I fought in Boston outdoors as an amateur.
“Tommy and I have gone our separate ways as pros, but our paths may grow down the line. We haven’t seen much of each other when we fought on the same card here. He is coming on very well in the pro ranks. He has a good man behind him in his father, Gary, and I think Tommy can go far. He’s said that a fight between us can easily be made if it makes sense. I agree. We both have big fan bases. This is going to be an amazing, fun night.”
Irish eyes will certainly be smilin’ Aug. 11th in Quincy.
In the eight-round, main event, former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man, Ohan, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs), of Holbrook, and Haverhill’s Harry “The Hitman” Gigliotti (9-4, 3 KOs), reigning ABF Atlantic super lightweight title holder, will throw-down in a non-title fight.
United States Boxing Federation (USBF) Champion Julien “Black Dragon” Baptiste (5-3, 2 KOs), of Woburn, and Massachusetts titleholder Jamer Jones (3-1, 3 KOs), of Pittsfield, are in a middleweight unification bout for their titles in the eight-round co-featured event.
Gigliotti’s stablemates, undefeated Lowell lightweight Gabriel “The Menace” Morales (7-0, 4 KOs) and unbeaten Methuen middleweight Luke “The Quiet Storm” Iannuccilli (6-0, 3 KOs) will also be in action, respectively, versus Nathan Benichou (2-16-1, 2 KOs) and Ryan Thomas Clark (2-4, 1 KO).
Also fighting on the undercard is undefeated middleweight prospect Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (14-0, 13 KOs), of nearby Weymouth (MA), will be in action, as well as Scituate heavyweight Kevin Nagle (2-0, 2 KOs), vs. TBAs. Hogan was a celebrated amateur who was a 2020 USA Boxing Olympic Team alternate as well as a 2010 New England Golden Gloves champion.
Card subject to change.
Tickets for “Veterans Stadium Showcase,” are on sale and available for purchase online at www.EventBrite.com.
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