Category Archives: boxing

boxing, UK Boxing

Kennerdale: It’s Going to be a War on Saturday Night!

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KENNERDALE Vs PEERS

PBC Silver English Welterweight Championship

29th September 2018 – Pride Park, Derby

 

 

Over the past year or so there’s been a lot of speculation, or should that be desire, about the possibility of an all Merseyside showdown between local heroes Craig Kennerdale and Paul Peers.

 

Until very recently it had been just pure wishful thinking, it had been proposed on numerous occasions and failed to be made, however come Saturday night this much anticipated showdown finally becomes a reality, as promoter Dan Gray decided enough of the talking, if the fans want the fight, they should have their wishes come true and added it to the card for his upcoming event at the home of Derby County FC, Pride Park in Derby.

 

When Dan Gray first proposed the fight to Paul Peers, Peers had told him “Good luck mate, others had tried to make the match-up in the past and failed.” Not to be deterred Gray not only convinced Kennerdale’s manager Kyle Gallagher that the time was right, but also the unbeaten prospect himself.

 

Speaking from his Liverpool home Craig Kennerdale explained why he decided to take the fight now.

 

“I always knew that Paul and I would face each other one day, but always expected it to be much later on in our careers, but when Dan (Gray) dangled the carrot of making it for a title, my first title shot, I just couldn’t refuse.

 

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for so long, I’ve been around the sport since I was ten years of age and in that time every single training session, every spar and every fight I’ve ever had has been leading to this fight, I can’t wait for Saturday night, it’s my dream to win a title.

“I can’t help but think that this fight has all the hallmarks of being a seriously good all action fight the fans will love to watch.

 

“I believe styles make fights, the difference in our styles, as well as the way we approach fights make this a very interesting match-up. It’s going to be a war on Saturday night.

 

“Like most boxers on the Liverpool circuit, I know Paul’s ability and believe me I’m not taking anything lightly, he’s a good technical boxer with a strong amateur pedigree.

 

“I’m unbeaten in the pros and believe me I don’t intend on losing my ‘0’ anytime soon.

 

“Although I have respect for Paul, I’m here to win. I’m in the best shape of my life, I’m hitting harder and faster than ever before and because of that I have every confidence that it will be me that lifts the belt come fight night.

 

“Respect to Paul Peers and may the best man win!”

 

Craig Kennerdale versus Paul Peers for the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Silver English Welterweight title supports co-headliners Ross Doherty versus Gvido Seilis World Boxing League and European Boxing League European Welterweight Championships contest and Nathan Decastro versus Agoe Ashong, Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Commonwealth Super Middleweight Championship contest on the Daniel Gray promoted event at Pride Park in Derby on Saturday 29th September 2018.

 

There are also two non-championship contests featured on the event, exciting Super Bantamweight Emily Pugh makes her second pro outing against Latvia’s Veronika Sirajeva and Leed’s Super lightweight Jack Jones makes his professional debut against Dundalk, Ireland’s Michael Kelly.

 

The event is virtually sold out but there are a few tickets still available, for details please call Dan Gray on 07522 401454.

boxing

JEAN PASCAL TO FACE GARY KOPAS

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‘‘THE MATCH!’’
November 9 in Sydney, Nova Scotia

SIDNEY, Nova Scotia (September 25, 2018) — Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) has reached an agreement with MG Ring Productions last Friday to hold a fight between former WBC and The Ring light heavyweight world champion Jean Pascal (33- 5-1, 20 KOs) and Canadian cruiserweight champion Gary Kopas (10-11-2, 5 KOs). The 12-round cruiserweight (200 lbs) fight will be held November 9 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

 

 

It will be a second consecutive cruiserweight fight for Pascal, the Laval, Quebec fighter, and this time he will try to get his hands on the CPBC Canadian cruiserweight belt.

 

 

 

APOLLO (PASCAL) vs ROCKY (KOPAS)

 

 

 

The Jean Pascal vs Gary Kopas fight is like a real-life remake of the original Rocky movie. In one corner there is a blue-collar road warrior, Kopas, who has fought in everybody’s hometown and not always given a fair shake, yet, he still pulled himself up to be the CPBC Canadian cruiserweight champion.

 

 

 

Now, he’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime to fight one of Canada’s best and most notable fighters of his generation, Pascal. In the other corner is the former undisputed lineal WBC and The Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion, Pascal, who has fought some of the all-time bests.

 

 

 

This fight gives a local blue collar worker a chance to prove his worth in a battle called: ‘‘The Match!’’

 

 

 

The President of MG Ring Productions, George Reynolds, and the President of Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), Yvon Michel, negotiated for a little more than a month to come to an agreement. GYM represented Jean Pascal and his advisor, Greg Leon, for this fight.

 

 

The clash, entitled “The Match of The Year”, will be featured on pay-per-view in Canada. A press conference will be held soon to reveal more details.

 

 

 

“Kopas has not lost in a few years and I will not take him lightly,” Pascal said. “I know he will come to surprise the world and try to ruin my career, but everyone who knows me knows that his career will end on November 9.”

 

 

 

‘‘My last fight was a bout in my hometown (Saskatoon) against a guy from Mexico,” Kopas noted. “Besides that, I’ve been staying in the gym, learning new skills and enjoying life. When I first heard I was fighting Jean, I was shocked… happy, but shocked. Getting the opportunity to make history and show the world the best me is an insane feeling.

 

 

 

“This is a huge fight for me. Pascal has done great things and I’m really looking forward to showing my best against a former world champion. This fight will change my life, but I want Pascal to understand that his life is going to change too, after his defeat. I hope he stands toe-to-toe with me like he did his last fight. He will not last long.

 

 

 

‘‘I want to thank all my family, friends, and fans for all the crazy support already and thank my management, MG Ring Productions, for this opportunity. It’s going to be a hard eight weeks of intense training, but knowing I have the support of such awesome people really helps.’’

 

 

 

“Jean Pascal is a man of challenges and when he realized the seriousness of Kopas and his organization, he decided as usual to take it,” Michel commented.

 

 

 

“At this point in my career,” Pascal added, “it’s very important for me to stay active. We had other plans that, unfortunately, fell at the last minute but, fortunately, the fight with Kopas came.”

 

 

 

In the co-Main Event, undefeated Cody “The Crippler” Crowley, who is the current CPBC International Jr. middleweight champion and current CPBC Canadian middleweight champion, will defend his titles. On the undercard, Quebecker Eric Barrak (8-4-0, 7 KOs) will fight for the North American CPBC heavyweight title, while Mario Perez (19-7-5, 11 KOs) of Toronto, will do the same for the CPBC International super featherweight (130 lbs) belt. Five championship fights will be presented on this spectacular boxing card. Others to be named

 

 

 

JEAN PASCAL

 

 

The former light heavyweight world champion will be looking his third straight win, second triumph in the cruiserweight division, and his fourth win in five fights under trainer Stephan Larouche.

 

 

 

In his last ring appearance, this past July 20th at Place Bell in Laval, Pascal knocked out Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran and former hockey enforcer, Steve “The Boss” Bosse, in the eighth round of an intense and captivating battle.

 

 

 

GARY KOPAS

 

 

 

Gary Kopas is the current CPBC Canadian cruiserweight champion and CPBC International cruiserweight title holder.

.

 

 

Don’t let his record fool you: Kopas is known as a real bulldozer in the ring. Stopped in his pro bout in 2000, he has never been stopped again, and he came back with a vengeance. Determined to prove his value in the boxing world, he has won his last six bouts.

 

 

 

Kopas won his Canadian title after a fierce fight with the late Quebec pugilist, David Whittom.

The Saskatoon boxer, a gentleman and shaken by tragedy, has since created a “Go Fund Me” page to raise money for David’s son.

 

 

 

Here is the link of the page: https://www.gofundme.com/zzq9z-rip-david

boxing, World Boxing Super Series

WBSS Championship Final Super Middleweight Division: George Groves vs. Callum Smith

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GEORGE GROVES vs. CALLUM SMITH
WBA Super Middleweight World Championship
LIVE ON SUPER CHANNEL IN CANADA
Friday, September 28, 2018
2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT
WBSS Championship Final
Super Middleweight Division
 
George Groves vs. Callum Smith
 
AIRING LIVE THIS FRIDAY IN CANADA
EXCLUSIVELY ON SUPER CHANNEL
  (Picture courtesy of World Boxing Super Series)
 

EDMONTON, Canada– The postponed first-season finale of the World Boxing Super Series’ (WBSS) super middleweight division will take place this Friday (Sept. 28), when World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight world champion “Saint” George Groves is challenged by undefeated fellow Brit, Callum “Mundo” Smith, to air live from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, starting at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT, exclusively on Super Channel in Canada.

Super Channel acquired the exclusive rights in Canada to broadcast the World Boxing Super Series from MP & Silva, a leading international media company that provides media rights, digital, technology and sponsorship services.

 

 

Groves vs. Smith, presented by Sauerland Event, was postponed from its originally planned June 2 date due to Groves’ shoulder surgery from an injury he suffered in his February17th WBSS semifinals 12-round unanimous decision victory against Chris Eubank, Jr.

The 30-year-old Groves (28-3, 20 KOs), fighting out of London, knocked out defending WBA super middleweight champion Fedor Chudinov (14-1) in the sixth round of their May 27, 2017 title fight.

His first title defense was a fourth-round stoppage of Jaime Cox in the opening round of the WBSS, followed this past Feb. with his aforementioned win over Eubank (26-1). In addition to Chudinov, No. 1 -tournament seeded Groves has defeated world champions Glen Johnson and James DeGale, “It has been a long preparation for the fight. I am fit, I am healthy, I have put in the work.

“This will be the toughest test yet in the tournament, but I am boxing better than ever, and I don’t see Callum posing a threat, I expect another comfortable win. We are preparing for the very best Smith possible. We know what to do and I am capable of it, I just need to get it done.”

Smith (24-0, 17 KOs), 28, won a 12-round unanimous decision from previously undefeated Erik Sjoglund (26-0) in the WBSS opening round. The Liverpool boxer whose three brothers are boxers was supposed to fight former WBA and WBO light heavyweight Juergen Braehmer in the WBSS semifinal round, but Braehmer pulled out and he was replaced late by unbeaten Nicky Holken (13-0), who Smith defeated by way of a 12-round unanimous decision.

“I am in a good place, feeling good,” WBC Diamond belt holder Smith commented. “I feel comfortable in winning. I just feel I am a better fighter than anyone he has fought in this tournament. I feel confident I will come out on top. The fans should be in for a treat, I am looking forward to becoming a world champion.”

 

 

Five exciting fights on the “Groves vs. Smith” card, promoted by Sauerland Event, will air exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.

In the co-featured event, Eubank (26-2, 20 KOs) takes on his Irish opponent, J.J. “Slick” McDonagh (16-4, 8 KOs), in a 10-round bout. British super lightweights Darren Surtees (8-0, 5 KOs) and Kane Baker (8-4) square off in an eight-round bout, undefeated British cruiserweight Mikael Lawal (7-0, 5 KOs) meets Tamas Kozma (6-6-3, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder, and Dutch heavyweight Kem Ljungquist (4-0, 2 KOs) faces Mourad Omar (4-1, 4 KOs), of Egypt, in an eight-round match to open the broadcast.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

All WBSS super middleweight championship fights will also be available on Super Channel On Demand.

Super Channel has aired major boxing events during the past two years like Brook vs. Spence Jr., Pacquiao-Horn, Eubank, Jr. vs. Abraham, Lomachenko vs.Marriaga, Crawford vs. Indongo, Smith vs. Williams II, Frampton vs. Donaire, Fury vs. Seferi, Frampton vs. Jackson, and the entire first WBSS season.

To watch all the World Boxing Super Series action live, as well as more exciting boxing to come, fight fans in Canada can contact their local cable provider to subscribe to Super Channel and all that it offers, including premium series, movies and much more, for as low as $9.95 per month.

boxing

Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame 2018 award winners announced

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CTBHOF logo

 

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (September 24, 2018) – Undefeated East Hartford junior welterweight prospect “Action” Anthony Laureano (pictured to right, photo courtesy of Star Boxing) has been selected as the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) 2018 Professional Boxer of the Year.

 

Other award winners include Nephateria Miller, Amateur Boxer of the Year; Pete Hary, Jr., Professional Official of the Year; Jason Concepcion, Amateur Official of the Year; and Roland Roy, Contribution to Boxing.

 

 

 

The 2018 CBHOF award winners, as well as its six-member Class of 2018, will be honored October 13 at the 14th annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner, in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun.

 

 

 

The new CBHOF inductees are boxers Cocoa Kid and Angel Vazquez, judge Don Trella, and trainers John Harris, Bill Gore and Brian Clark.

 

 

 

“We have an incredible group of honorees this year,” CBHOF president John Laudati said. “Pro Boxer of the Year, Anthony Laureano, is an exciting up-and- comer who clearly earned this award. The selection of Nephteria Miller as Connecticut’s best amateur boxer really underscores the ascendancy of women’s boxing, not only in Connecticut, but in the world. Jason Concepcion and Pete Hary richly deserve being named amateur and pro officials of the year. We at CBHOF are most pleased to posthumously present the George Smith Contribution to Boxing Award to Roland Roy’s family. His recent passing is a tremendous loss to Connecticut’s Boxing Community. His lifetime of tireless effort on behalf of and devotion to the mission of USA Boxing will be honored and celebrated by this award.”

 

 

 

The 23-year-old Laureano (8-0, 3 KOs), a former New England amateur champion, is an all-action, fan-friendly fighter who is arguably the top prospect today in N.E. His next fights is scheduled for Sept..21 in Huntington, New York. His promoter, Joe DeGuardia(Star Boxing), was induced into the CBHOF in 2013. Anthony earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Manchester Community College.

 

 

 

Miller, of New Haven, captured a silver medal at the 2017 U.S. Nationals in the 125-pounds featherweight division. She accepted an invitation earlier this year to attend the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is currently the No. 2 rated women’s featherweight in the United States.

 

 

 

A pro boxing judge since 2008, Hary has judged more than 250 fights during his career. The most notable fight Hary has judge to date was in 2015, when current IBF light heavyweight world champion Eleider Alvarez defeated Isaac Chilemba by way of a 12-round majority decision in Quebec City for the WBC Silver championship.  The vice president of the CBHOF, Hary lives in Ledyard with his wife, Lauri, and their son, Matthew.

 

 

 

After joining the ranks of USA Boxing, Concepcion rapidly was voted Treasurer and was then appointed Chief of Officials. Jason was the catalyst in terms of creating the Willie Pep Invitational. He and his wife, Heather, continue to serve on the Connecticut USA Boxing Board of Directors. Last year, Jason was unanimously voted to the CBHOF Board of Directors.

 

 

 

The late Roy was president of USA Boxing in Connecticut for nearly 20 years. He was president of USA Boxing Region 1, which includes all of N.E. and metro New York, until his recent passing. The Glastonbury native was also the coordinator for the Junior Olympics in the Northeast Region and worked 16 years with the US Olympic committee to further Olympic-style boxing. An original member of the CBHOF, Roland had been heavily involved in the annual selection of the CBHOF Amateur Fighter of the Year. Roland Roy was responsible for keeping amateur boxing alive and well in the Nutmeg state.

 

 

 

Tickets for the CBHOF 13th annual Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $90.00, are on sale and available to purchase by calling Ann Murphy at Mohegan Sun (1.860.862.8846) or Sherman Cain at 1.860.212.9029. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET, followed by a full sit-down dinner at 7 p.m. ET.

 

 

 

Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 14th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, event sponsorship opportunities, or past CBHOF inductees.

boxing, women's boxing

Selina Barrios Retains NABF Lightweight Title with Dominating Unanimous Decision Over Patricia Juarez

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Photos by Robert Elizondo – Team Barrios

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (September 22, 2018) – Tonight at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, TX, San Antonio’s female boxing sensation, Selina “Aztec Queen” Barrios (5-0, 2 KOs), remained undefeated with a dominating 10-round unanimous decision victory over Patricia Juarez (4-1), sister of WBC Bantamweight champion, Mariana “Barbie” Juarez (50-9-4, 13 KOs).  With the victory, Barrios retains her NABF Lightweight title.

 

 

 

In the early rounds, both fighters were very active, throwing a lot of punches, but Barrios was the one landing the cleaner shots. Although Juarez was doing her best to box from the outside using a one-two combo, her power wasn’t enough to keep Barrios off her as she kept coming forward, landing her signature overhand right. Barrios hurt Juarez in round five, knocking her mouthpiece out with right hook, forcing the referee to stop the action momentarily. Juarez recovered but never was able to stop Barrios from coming forward as she continued to land thumping power shots. A clash of head butts cut Barrios on the forehead during the middle rounds, but she was never bothered by them. In the later rounds, Barrios continued to apply pressure, forcing Juarez to fight on the inside. Juarez showed a lot of heart making it to the final bell but came up short as Barrios remains undefeated. Scorecards read 100-89 and 99-91 twice all in favor of Barrios.

 

 

 

“I felt I controlled the fight from the opening bell,” said Selina Barrios. “Juarez was a very tough opponent and I give her a lot of credit for going the distance. I hit her with a lot of power shots and she hung in there. I didn’t feel any power in her punches, so I kept coming forward. I got the victory and I’m ready to fight any of the champions at Lightweight. Katie Taylor, Mikaela Mayer and Amanda Serrano, I’m coming for you guys. You can run, but you can’t hide.”

 

 

 

This event titled “Heavyweight Boxing Showdown” was brought to you by CCC ENTERTAINMENT in conjunction with CC HOOKS, HOUSTON ASTROS, and KEEPPUNCHING ENTERTAINMENT.

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Michael Dutchover (11-0, 8 KOs) Delivered Another Knockout Win on Friday Night  

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PHILADELPHIA, PENN. / ORANGE, Calif. (Sept. 24, 2018) Junior lightweight Michael Dutchover (11-0, 8 KOs) put on another impressive performance on Friday night, this time knocking out the bigger Bergman Aguilar (14-4-1, 4 KOs) in the fifth round of Thompson Boxing’s “New Blood” main event.

 

 

 

Dutchover, 20, used controlled body punching to end Aguilar’s night in the fifth round of a scheduled 8-round fight. The Midland, Texas native, who conducts training camp in Los Angeles, zeroed in on the body from the outset.

 

A pinpoint left hook to the body sent Aguilar to one knee in the fourth round. By the fifth, Dutchover had knockout on his mind.

 

 

 

“Once I started letting my hands go, that’s when things started opening up,” said Dutchover, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “In the third round I turned up the pace. By the fourth everything started to click. I rocked him with some body shots and got a knockdown. I knew he was getting tired. I knew my punches were wearing him out so I made the choice to take him out in the fifth.”

 

 

 

Official stoppage time came at the 2:31 mark of the fifth round.

 

 

 

To watch the full slate of fights, including the Dutchover knockout,

 please click here for YouTube link. 

 

 

 

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

 

 

 

Photos by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

boxing, UK Boxing

Peers Prepares to Face Kennerdale In All Merseyside English Title Clash

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There’s nothing quite like a local Derby, whether Football or any sport but especially Boxing, to get the fans salivating and when it’s an all Merseyside clash it is without doubt the most mouth-watering of them all.

 

 

 

 

On Saturday 29th September, on neutral ground at Pride Park in Derby, the home of Derby County Football Club, life-long Everton fan Paul Peers will step into the ring against fellow Merseysider and staunch Reds fan Craig Kennerdale.

 

 

 

 

Adding extra spice to the contest, if being a Merseyside Derby wasn’t enough; there will be a Title Belt at stake, the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Silver English Welterweight Championship.

 

 

 

 

Speaking from his new home in the Orkneys, Peers made it clear he wasn’t just coming to make up the numbers.

 

 

 

 

“I’m really looking forward to this fight, it’s one that could and should have happened last year.

 

 

 

 

“We’re both from Liverpool, there’s no two ways about it the depth of talent in the city is growing all the time. Liverpool has produced so many Champions over the years, everything from English to World Champions, hopefully after the 29th my name will be added to the long, long list.

 

 

 

 

“I have every intention of boxing at my very best as I try to win this English title, as will Craig.

 

 

 

 

“I’ve seen that Craig is right up for this, he looks even faster now than when I see his training videos. That shows he’s fit and he’s ready, which makes for a good fight, as so am I.

 

 

 

 

“It will be storming fight, expect fireworks on the night, there’s so much a stake, not just bragging rights, I want that belt around my waist.”

 

 

 

 

Craig Kennerdale versus Paul Peers for the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Silver English Welterweight title supports co-headliners Nathan Decastro versus Agoe Ashong, Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Commonwealth Super Middleweight Championship contest and Ross Doherty versus Gvido Seilis World Boxing League and European Boxing League European Welterweight Championships bout on the Daniel Gray promoted event at Pride Park in Derby on Saturday 29th September 2018.

 

 

 

 

There are also two non-championship contests featured on the event, exciting Super Bantamweight Emily Pugh makes her second pro outing against Latvia’s Veronika Sirajeva and Leed’s Super lightweight Jack Jones makes his professional debut against Dundalk, Ireland’s Michael Kelly.

 

 

 

 

The event is virtually sold out but there are a few tickets still available, for details please call Dan Gray on 07522 401454.

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

O’SHAQUIE FOSTER UPSETS PREVIOUSLY UNBEATEN JON FERNANDEZ WITH UNANIMOUS DECISION IN MAIN EVENT OFSHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

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Four Fighters Lose Their Undefeated Records, Bringing ShoBox Total To 180

 

Catch The Replay Monday, September 24 At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Dave Mandel/SHOWTIME

SHAWNEE, Okla. (September 22, 2018) – O’Shaquie Foster upset previously undefeated Jon Fernandez in a battle of ShoBox: The New Generation veterans, scoring an impressive unanimous decision victory over the highly regarded prospect Friday on SHOWTIME from Firelake Arena.   VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: https://s.sho.com/2OI0NUp

 

 

 

Fernandez (16-1, 14 KOs), a protégé of former unified world champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, became the 180th fighter in the history of the ShoBox series to lose his undefeated record after three other previously undefeated fighters dropped decisions on Friday.

 

 

 

The 25-year-old Foster (14-2, 8 KOs), a resident of Houston, executed his team’s game plan to perfection, utilizing superb movement and connecting opportunistically with counter shots. Foster was far sharper on both offense and defense, connecting on 36 percent of his total punches compared to just 16 percent for Fernandez.

 

 

 

Fernandez was frustrated by Foster, a crafty and experienced fighter who was one win away from representing the United States in the 2012 Olympics. In his previous six bouts, Fernandez averaged 8.4 jab connects per round but was limited to just 13 jabs in tonight’s entire 10-round fight.

 

 

 

“This was the best fight of my career,” said Foster, who was appearing on the ShoBox series for the fourth time. “I knew I had it in me, I just never put it together.  I have a new team, I have a new trainer, a new strength and conditioning coach. This was what I dreamed of and we put in the work to make it happen.

 

 

 

“I knew he was a puncher and he’d come forward the whole fight.  I knew I had to work off my jab and use my lateral movement.  He had a little power, but he never got me clean. We’re going to sit down and look at the drawing board.  I can tell you this, we’re not the B-side anymore.”

 

 

 

Fernandez improved throughout the second half of the fight, landing a big right hand in the sixth round that briefly wobbled Foster. However, the Spaniard was unable to extend his impressive KO streak of 14 consecutive fights.

 

 

 

“His style was frustrating, but we were expecting it,” said the 23-year-old Fernandez, who was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in boxing. “We thought his conditioning would go down and he’d slow down in the later rounds.  He didn’t (slow down) and that surprised me.

 

 

 

 

 

“I feel like we can still get better and better.  We just had a bad game plan for this fight.”

 

 

 

Irvin Gonzalez Jr. (11-0, 9 KOs) out-boxed Carlos Ramos (9-1, 6 KOs) from start to finish to score a unanimous decision victory in the co-featured bout of tonight’s ShoBox: The New Generation telecast. The judges scored the fight 79-73, 78-74, 80-72. Gonzalez, who was the more active and aggressive fighter, kept his unbeaten record intact despite facing a frustrating and defensively shrewd opponent in Ramos.

 

 

 

“It took me a few rounds to figure him out, but once I did he didn’t have anything on me,” said Gonzalez. “He only had the left hand and that was about it.  He really didn’t throw any punches.

 

 

 

“This was a big learning experience for me. This was my second eight-rounder and it opened my eyes a little bit.  I know I’m conditioned well but I have to go back to work.”

 

 

 

The 22-year-old Gonzalez, a fourth-generation boxer in his family and native of Worcester, Mass., outhustled the skillful southpaw Ramos, who was not nearly active enough throughout the eight rounds. The longer, leaner Gonzalez, who averaged 58 punches per round to Ramos’ 28, relied on his length advantage and fought at range.

 

 

 

The tentative and defensive Ramos, on the other hand, landed only 27 punches in the remaining seven rounds after landing 11 in the opening round. Gonzalez, for his part, exceed 50 punches in all but the third round.

 

 

 

In the second bout of the quadrupleheader, Philadelphia’s Steven Ortiz (9-0, 3 KOs) edged Brooklyn’s Wesley Ferrer (12-1-1, 7 KOs) in an evenly-matched and difficult-to-score matchup of undefeated prospects.  The two fighters were separated by no more than five total punches in each round of the majority decision, which was scored 78-74, 77-75, 76-76.

 

 

 

Both fighters fought at a deliberate pace, but neither was able to find their rhythm and consistently land combinations. Ortiz started stronger, but Ferrer grew into the fight and was the busier fighter in the middle rounds. The final two rounds were the deciding factor in the fight. The two judges who had Ortiz winning on their scorecards favored Ortiz in rounds seven and eight.

 

 

 

“I think it was a pretty close fight,” said a disappointed Ferrer. “I thought I was winning the first few rounds, but I know I got out-worked in the last two rounds. At the end of the day, the judges saw something else and he got the win. If I won the last few rounds I would have won the fight.”

 

 

 

Ortiz, who held a narrow 127-115 advantage in total punches landed and a 99-93 advantage in power punches landed, felt he did enough to win but was not completely satisfied with his performance.

 

 

 

“I was coming off a long layoff and wasn’t as sharp as I should have been,” said the 25-year-old Ortiz. “I landed the sharper jabs and landed the harder shots. I think my ring experience and ring generalship was the difference in the fight.

 

 

 

“I want to come back a lot sharper and a lot smarter. At the end of the day, it was a learning experience. I got the win against a tough guy.”

 

 

 

In the telecast opener, Denver’s Misael Lopez (9-0, 4 KOs) got the better of Staten Island’s James Wilkins (5-1, 5 KOs) in a battle of young, previously undefeated super featherweight prospects, tallying a unanimous decision victory (79-72, 77-74, 76-75).

 

 

 

The action-packed fight saw both fighters come out swinging, setting the tempo for the rest of the eight-round bout which saw a total of 1,320 punches thrown. Wilkins brought the pressure to Lopez throughout, but Lopez’s volume of punches, movement and combinations enabled him to control most of the rounds. Lopez’s conditioning proved key. In the final four rounds, Lopez led 139-68 in total connects and landed 213 power punches to just 115 for Wilkins throughout the duration of the eight rounds.

 

 

 

Wilkins, who was featured on the SHOWTIME documentary CRADLE OF CHAMPIONS that premiered immediately preceding tonight’s ShoBox telecast, was deducted a point for a low blow in the fifth round after several warnings. In the seventh round, Wilkins appeared to score a knockdown when he connected with a strong right hand that knocked Lopez off-balance, but referee Mike England ruled that Lopez’s right hand did not touch the mat.

 

 

 

“I think the difference was I was able to make him miss, land the cleaner shots and used my boxing to dictate the pace,” said the 22-year-old Lopez. “I’m looking to keep going and stay on the big stage.  Hopefully people and promoters will notice that I’m the real deal.”

 

 

 

In his national television debut, the ever-confident Wilkins felt wronged by the judges’ scorecards and the referee’s apparent missed knockdown in the seventh.

 

 

 

“I think I did enough to pull it off,” said Wilkins. “I could see a split decision, maybe, but I dropped him and that wins the fight. That was a 10-8 round. I want to go back to the gym, work hard and get right back. You haven’t seen the last of me.”

 

 

 

Tonight’s quadrupleheader was presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with MaravillaBox Promotions, Holden Productions and The Real Deal Boxing, and sponsored by Gagliardi Insurance.

 

 

 

The full telecast will replay on Monday, September 24 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and SHOWTIME on DEMAND®.

 

 

 

Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with boxing analyst and historian Steve Farhood, who was celebrating 40 years in boxing this week, and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Chuck McKean producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

 

 

In non-televised undercard action, heavyweight Prospect George Arias of Bronx, N.Y. improved to 12-0, 7 KOs with a second-round knockout (2:18) of Byron Polley, (30-24-1, 13 KOs), of St. Joseph, Mo. Polley was down once in the first and again in the second round which resulted in the stoppage.

 

 

 

Junior Middleweight Dennis Knifechief, of Shawnee, Okla. moved to 12-8-1, 7 KOs with a fourth round TKO (1:51) of the valiant Chris Barnes, (4-8-1, 3 KOs) of Tulsa. Barnes fought on after being dropped in the first and second rounds and twice more in the fourth.

 

 

 

 

Top Middleweight Prospect Ardreal Holmes of Flint, Mich., looked dominant and improved to 7-0, 4 KOs with a four-round decision of Houston’s Rick Graham (6-21-3, 2 KOs).  The fight was scored 40-35 twice and 38-37.

 

 

 

 

 

A scheduled six-round cruiserweight battle between Bo Gibbs Jr, (20-1-0, 8 KOs), of Carney, Okla., and David Lujan, (4-9-0, 1 KO), of Wichita, Texas, resulted in a no-contest due to an accidental clash of heads in the first round.

 

# # #

 

 

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,

 

boxing

THE CONTRACTS ARE SIGNED & THE FURY VS. WILDER FIGHT IS ON!

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DEONTAY WILDER vs. TYSON FURY SET FOR DECEMBER 1

 

WBC HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION WILDER TO DEFEND AGAINST LINEAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION FURY LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK (September 21, 2018) — WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will defend his title against lineal champion Tyson Fury in a blockbuster matchup of undefeated heavyweights Saturday, December 1 live on pay-per-view.

 

 

 

The contracts have been signed and the promotional tour will kick off in London on Oct. 1 and continue with stops in New York City and Los Angeles.

 

 

 

Wilder vs. Fury tests the raw power of Wilder against the unmatched size and mobility of Fury. America’s only heavyweight champion since 2007, Wilder has 39 knockouts in 40 professional fights, including knockouts in all seven of his title defenses. Fury is a former IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight world champion who is undefeated in 27 professional fights and holds boxing’s prestigious lineal heavyweight title.

 

 

 

More details on the location, venue and the on-sale ticket information for the heavyweight championship battle will be released next week.

 

boxing, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE

TUESDAY NIGHT FIGHTS! FIGHTNIGHT LIVE AND KINGS BOXING CLOSE OUT SEPTEMBER AT THE SANDS

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Fan-friendly, interactive FREE series Powered by Everlast makes Tuesday night debut from Bethlehem, Pa.

 

NEW YORK (Sept. 21, 2018) – Following a Season II opener viewed by almost 197,000 and the revelation of its new title sponsor, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Powered by Everlast partners with King’s Promotions once again, closing out the month of September with Tuesday Night Fights. Fans can catch all of the action in the center of the ring on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. live from the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pa.

 

 

 

“Tuesday Night Fights! We love being able to present weeknight shows filled with up-and-coming fighters, giving fans the opportunity to relax in their living rooms and catch all the action on any device, including their big screens,” said Mark Fratto, Principal and Director of Business Development, Linacre Media. “We’re looking forward to four or so hours of action, so catch us at home or on the go live, or anytime next week on demand through the miracle of Facebook.”

 

 

 

“King’s Promotions is ecstatic about almost 200,000 views for our Sept. 14 show, especially on short notice,” said Marshall Kauffman of King’s Boxing. “We continue to be one of the busiest promoters anywhere and we’re excited to bring the best-quality boxing to fight fans on Facebook.”

 

 

 

In the main event on Tuesday, Anthony Mercado (11-4, 9 KOs) of Philadelphia and Puerto Rico takes on Victor Vazquez (10-4, 3 KOs) in what figures to be an exciting super lightweight bout scheduled for eight-rounds for the World Boxing Foundation Silver International title. Also in action, undefeated featherweight prospect Stephen Fulton (13-0, 6 KOs) of Philly meets veteran Esteban Aquino (12-5, 7 KOs) of the Dominican Republic. Middleweight Money Powell (7-0, 4 KOs), rising featherweight prospect Raeese Aleem (11-0, 5 KOs), heavyweights Colby Madison (6-0-2, 4 KOs) and Michael Coffie (3-0, 2 KOs) and featherweight Martino Jules(4-0) will all risk their undefeated records.

 

 

 

Now in its second season, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE, Powered by Everlast is the fan-friendly series that – among other aspects – prides itself on the real-time conversations held between fight commentators and the viewing audience. FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has showcased more than 340 fighters and 11 promotions during 18 live event broadcasts since May 2017, and in doing so, the interactive platform has generated the loyal interest of fight fans from across the United States and around the globe, including significant audiences in Mexico, the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, and even fans in South America, Asia and Australia.

 

 

 

At more than 1.6 million views for the series, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has continued to deliver impressive numbers throughout its first 18 shows:

 

  • Since May 2017, the numbers on the 18-show FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series showed promise and potential for the new platform with an average of 90,001 views per eventand more than 6 million total views.

 

  • The Sept. 2017 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” from Resorts World Casino (225,000), the August 2017 CES “Super Saturday” from Foxwoods (203,000), the Sept. 2018 “Card Fit For Kings” from Philadelphia (195,620), the Sept. 2017 CES “Twin River Twinbill” from Lincoln, R.I. (157,000) and the March 17, 2018, Murphy’s “St. Patrick’s Day Clash” (151,253) all logged 150,000 or more views, and collectively the 18-show series has seen a total of 1,620,014 views across all devices.

 

  • In addition to the raw viewership numbers, the fully-interactive, fan-friendly productions have seen more than 183,000 collective live post engagements(more than 10,100 per show), including more than 124,000 “likes” or “loves,” more than 31,000 comments and more than 10,000 shares.

 

  • The Sept. 2017 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” set a new bar with 224,658 viewsand the Sept. 2017 DiBella-CES doubleheader carried the series to three-quarters-of-a-million views in just over four months. The Sept. 2017 DiBella card saw more than 40,000 viewer interactions including almost 39,000 “likes” or “loves” and the March 17, 2018, Murphy’s “St. Patrick’s Day Clash” set a new high-water mark for shares with 2,182.

 

  •     The FIGHTNIGHT LIVE page on Facebook has more than 80,000 fans and more than 83,000 followers. And Facebook itself has taken notice – the world’s No. 1 social network recently profiled FIGHTNIGHT LIVE on its “Success Stories” media blog, noting the series’ use of industry best practices for production and interactivity: https://www.facebook.com/facebookmedia/success-stories/fightnight

 

 

 

 

Created and produced by Linacre Media out of New York City, the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series features professional announcers, multiple camera angles, television graphics, replays and behind-the-scenes access and interviews. The streamed shows are available globally wherever Facebook is available. The initiative not only enables fans from around the world to tune in, but also gives up-and-coming fighters a global platform to showcase their abilities, gives promoters an accessible “broadcast” solution and gives sponsors the ability to reach a mass audience via branded content.

 

 

 

More FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Fall 2018 dates will be officially announced in the coming weeks.

 

 

 

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online at: https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/

 

 

 

Follow all the action via social media at FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Facebook, @FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Instagram and@FIGHTNIGHTLIVE_ on Twitter, or by using the hashtag #FIGHTNIGHTLIVE. For the latest Linacre Media events and broadcast schedule, follow @LinacreMedia across all social platforms or use the tags #LinacreMediaEvents or #LinacreMediaOnTV.

 

 

 

About Everlast Worldwide Inc.

The preeminent brand in boxing since 1910, Everlast is the world’s leading manufacturer, marketer and licensor of boxing, MMA and fitness equipment. From legendary champions Jack Dempsey and Sugar Ray Robinson to current superstars Deontay Wilder and Dustin Poirier, Everlast is the brand of choice for generations of world champion professional athletes. Built on a brand heritage of strength, dedication, individuality and authenticity, Everlast is a necessary part of the lives of countless champions. Based in Manhattan, Everlast’s products are sold across more than 75 countries and 6 continents. For more information, visit www.everlast.com.