Category Archives: boxing

boxing

“The Bosnian Prince” Armin Mrkanovic defeats Nicholas Lavin this Past Friday night in Queens, New York

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Mrkanovic now eyeing rematch with UBF champ Josh Himes

Queens, New York (May 22, 2018)–Armin “The Bosnian Prince” Mrkanovic returned to the ring after an 11-month absence to win a win six-round unanimous decision over Nicholas Lavin in a cruiserweight bout that took place this past Friday night at Amazura Concert Hall in the Jamaica section of Mrkanovic’s hometown of Queens, New York.

 

 

 

Mrkanovic controlled the action, and won by shutout scores of 60-54 on all cards to up his record to 8-3.

 

 

 

The bout was the 1st ring appearance for Mrkanovic since his highly controversial defeat against Josh Himes that took place last June 24th in West Virginia.

 

 

 

In that bout, Mrkanovic should have been awarded the bout as he outboxed Himes, and even asked for a review of the fight by the UBF, but his requests fell on deaf ears, and now Mrkanovic is demanding a rematch for the UBF title.

 

 

 

“1st of all, it was good to come back and get a win.  It its always special to perform in front of my hometown fans,” said Mrkanovic, whose focus quickly turned to Himes and the UBF.

 

 

 

“I demand a rematch with Himes.  The UBF told me that they would make this happen, and to this point they have been silent.  Everyone who saw the fight knows that I got screwed, so it is only right that we do this rematch.  Himes knows what happened.  He has not even fought since our fight.  I am ready now, so hopefully the UBF and Himes do the right thing and make this happen.”

boxing, Super Channel

Nico Hernandez captures IBA flyweight World title in 5th professional fight   Calls out fellow Olympic bronze medalist “Irish” Paddy Barnes

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Inaugural Event
HIGH STAKES
Saturday, May 19, 2018 * 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT
The new IBA World flyweight champion Nico Hernandez
(L-R) head trainer Lewis Hernandez, assistant trainer Villa, Nico Hernandez, Hall of Fame referee and IBA official Steve Smoger and promote John Andersen.
(photo courtesy of Courtney Wells / Boyd Gaming Corp.)

MULVANE, Kan. (May 21, 2018) — History was made this past Saturday night on the “SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes” pay-per-view card, when 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and local hero, Nico Hernandez, knocked out Hungarian challenger Szilveszter “The Silent Assassin” Kanalas in the opening round to capture the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Flyweight World Championship in only his fifth professional fight, at Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas.

 

 

 

In the first world title fight ever held in Kansas, Hernandez (5-0, 4 KOs) overwhelmed Kanalas (14-7, 9 KOs), the former World Boxing Federation (WBF) super flyweight world champion, to become the youngest (22) IBA world champion ever, as well as setting the record for the fewest pro fights needied to become IBA world titlist.

 

 

 

SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes was launched as Super Channel’s new live boxing series,SUPERBOX LIVE, in association with KO Night Boxing LLC, and it aired live exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.

 

 

 

Integrated Sports Media distributed “SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes” in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view as it was live-streamed worldwide on FITE.TV app and website (excluding Canada).

 

 

 

Hernandez was aggressive from the opening bell, pounding Kanalas’ head and body. A Hernandez left hook to the body really hurt Kanalas, who went down from a right that followed the vicious liver shot. Kanalas beat Hall of Fame Steve Smoger‘s count, and it was only a matter of time before Hernandez would end the fight. It came soon, right after another body-and-head combination put the over-matched Hungarian on the mat for the second and final time.

 

 

 

“A lot of people underestimate my power,” Hernandez said after the fight. “I believe that once he felt my power, I don’t think he wanted it anymore. I felt like I took his heart away. I was patient, I wanted it to go a few rounds to see what he had, but I took his heart away. I can’t really be disappointed because I am a world champion now.”

 

 

 

“Nico was explosive Saturday night and he showed killer instinct,” promoter John Andersen commented. “He was going to box, but I think he smelled fear, and Nico got into Kanalas’ head. He sensed it and jumped on him.”

 

 

 

Before he left the ring, Hernandez took the microphone in the center of the ring and called out three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic bronze medalist, “Irish” Paddy Barnes (5-0, 1 KO), who was the favored to win a gold medal in the flyweight division at the 2016 Olympics. He was eliminated in the round of 16 and Hernandez took home the bronze medal. “There’s a bronze medalist from (Northern) Ireland, Paddy Barnes, and that’s who I’d really love to fight.”

 

 

 

“I think that’s a fight we should start a conversation about,” Andersen remarked. “It’s not line Barnes is 21 (he’s 31) and I don’t know of a lot of 30 or older flyweights. It makes a lot of sense and can be a big fight. They’re both Olympic bronze medalist, already fought in scheduled 10 and 12 round fights, and have belts. (Barnes is the WBO Intercontinental flyweight champ). Nico needs to step up in terms of competition, too. I think they should get in the ring and then we can see what happens.

 

 

 

“If they don’t want to make this fight right away, maybe we can build it up by putting them on the same card, and then fight next year. This fight makes a lot of sense for both fighters and Nico has already said he wants to fight Barnes.”

 

 

 

Hernandez joined reigning IBA world champions, light heavyweight Sergey Kovalev and junior middleweight Mark DeLuca, as well as past IBA world champions such as Hall of Famers Oscar de la Hoya, George Foreman, Roberto Duran and Arturo Gatti, in addition to starsRoy Jones, Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosely, James Toney, Mikkel Kessler, Eric Morales, Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver.

 

 

 

2011 Russia Junior Championships gold medalist Andrey Afonin (6-0, 3 KOs) kept his undefeated record in tact when Pedro “El Reguilete” Rodriguez (23-4, 19 KOs), the Cuban native and former World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedalatin cruiserweight champion, was unable to answer the bell in the third round of the co-featured event.

 

 

 

Unbeaten Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Teslenko (13-0, 11 KOs), promoted by DiBella Entertainment and fighting out of Toronto, stopped Terrance “Big Jim” Marbra (9-6, 7 KOs) in the second round.

 

 

 

Undefeated Washington featherweight Victor Morales, Jr. (9-0, 5 KOs) was too much forDavid Berna (15-4, 14 KOs), of Hungary, who complained of an elbow injury and lost by way of a second-round technical knockout, in the televised opener.

 

 

 

In the television swing bout, which was held prior to the main event, popular Wichita junior welterweight Jeff Strum (3-0, 2 KOs) kept the train rollin’ with a second-round knockout of Nigeria-native Archie Weah (2-11).

 

 

 

In the most competitive fight of the night, as well as the lone match that went the complete distance, St. Louis cruiserweight Leroy Jones (3-3, 2 KOs) won a four-round unanimous decision over Kansas City, KS favorite Chris Harris (2-3-2, 2 KOs).

 

 

 

Complete results below:

 

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

 

 

 

MAIN EVENT – VACANT IBA FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Nico Hernandez (5-0, 4 KOs), Wichita, KS

WTKO1 (2:52)

Szilveszter Kanalas (14-8, 9 KOs), Pecs, Hungary

(Hernandez won vacant IBA World flyweight title)

 

 

 

CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS

Andrey Afonin (6-0, 3 KOs), Kursky, Russia

WTKO2 (3:00)

Pedro Rodriguez (23-5, 19 KOs), Miami, FL by way of Cuba

 

 

 

HEAVYWEIGHTSs

Oleksandr Teslenko (13-0, 11 KOs), Toronto, Canada by way of Ukraine

WKO2 (0:30)

Terrance Marba (9-6, 7 KOs), Saint Petersburg, FL

 

 

 

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Leroy Jones (3-3, 2 KOs), Saint Louis, MO

WDEC4 (39-37, 39-37, 39-37)

Chris Harris (2-3-2, 2 KOs), Kansas City, KS

 

 

 

JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS

Jeff Strum (3-0, 2 KOs), Wichita, KS

WTKJO2 (2:56)

Archie Weah (2-11), Norcross, GA by way of Liberia

 

 

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Victor Morales, Jr. (9-0, 5 KOs), Vancouver, WA

WTKO2 (2:56)

David Berna (15-4, 14 KOs), Budapest, Hungary

 

 

 

 

Canadian fight fans 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.

 

 

Venum (www.venum.com) is the official gloves and apparel provider for SUPERBOX LIVE.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

 

 

 

www.konightboxing.com, www.internationalboxingassociation.com

 

 

 

Twitter: @NicoMHernandez @KONightBoxing @SCSportsTV Kansas_Star @KansasStarArena @IntegratedPPV @Fitetv @NeonStarSE

boxing

Undefeated Welterweight Gerome Quigley battles Raymond Serrano for USBA and WBC United States Welterweight titles on Saturday, June 16th at Gardens Ice House in Laurel, Maryland

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LAUREL, MARYLAND (MAY 21, 2018)–Welterweight Gerome Quigley will look to stay perfect when he takes on tough Raymond Serrano in a 10-round battle for the USBA and WBC United States titles on Saturday, June 16th at The Gardens Ice House in Laurel, Maryland.

 

 

 

The show is promoted by Jeter Promotions and GQ Promotions.

 

 

 

Quigley of Montgomery Village, Maryland has an unblemished mark of 18-0 with 16 knockouts, and is one of most underrated contenders in the world.  He states that he will be ready for his toughest bout to date.

 

 

 

“I don’t know much about him other then he is tough and durable.  This will be a good test for me, and I am stepping to the next level with this fight.  Serrano is battled tested, so that should bring out the best in me,” said Quigley.

 

 

 

Despite having nearly a 90% knockout ratio, Quigley feels that he is more a of a boxer then a fight that is just looking for the knockout.

 

 

 

“I look at myself as a boxer-puncher.  I am well balanced.  When people see my record, they may look at me as just a puncher because of all of the knockouts, when the reality is that I am a boxer.  I have more boxing ability then punching ability.”

 

 

 

This fight is a chance for Quigley to get on the map be mentioned with the top welterweights in the world.

 

 

 

“A win would get me in the mix and guarantee me a spot in the top-10 or top-15 of the WBC and IBF.  It will put the world on notice about who I am as a fighter.”

 

 

 

Quigley has been plying his trade in the Beltway area (Quigley has fought in Germany 3 times) while slowly stepping up his competition level.  Now he feels that he is ready to ascend on the national and world stages.

 

 

 

“I was staying low-key and build up my record and maybe sneak up on somebody.  I was promoting my own fights.  I saw this model that (show co-promoter) Tony Jeter used.  He is an inspiration for what I have done.  He promoted himself.  He got ranked twice in the top-15 and got himself some major fights.  I feel, especially with this win, I can do that.”

 

 

 

Even though the stakes are high for this bout, Quigley is fighting for more than just two belts and a world ranking.

 

 

 

“If all goes well, I can bring my Fiance and two kids here.  They are living in Frankfurt, Germany, and I can bring them back here.”

 

 

 

Quigley was 68-5 as an amateur, and was a 2-time United States open champion, as well as a 2007 semifinalist at the National PAL Tournament.

 

 

 

A stacked undercard with 6 undefeated fighters seeing action.

 

 

 
amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver Credits USA Boxing for giving him Structure that carried him to top

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 21, 2018) – Future Hall of Famer Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver (31-6-1, 1 NC, 22 KOs) has just about done it all as a boxer having been an Olympic medal winner and world champion as an amateur, along with capturing five major light heavyweight world titles as a professional, as well as a pair of The Ring magazine’s top honors, and four other world championships in two different divisions.
“I credit USA Boxing for giving me structure for the first time in my life,” Tarver explained. “Everything was scheduled; curfew, eating, training, sleep….everything! I then understood that I had to be accountable for everything I did. I had talent, but I wasn’t structured, and that was bigger than me. I had to adjust to authority. My determination took off, giving me support I never had before. I went on to make speaking engagements and get sponsors. I broke barriers. I’ve been the best at every level that I fought at in the world.”
Tarver was a highly decorated amateur who had an amazing 158-12 record. He is the only boxer to capture gold medals at World Amateur Championships, U.S. National Championships and Pan-American Games in the same year (1995). The Orlando, Florida-born southpaw won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, losing in the quarterfinals to future world champion Vassiliy Jirov, who Tarver had defeated in the semifinals of the 1995 World Amateur Championships. Tarver also won top honors at the 1994 National Golden Gloves Tournament and 1995 World Championships Challenge.
“I went on a winning roll in 1995 and went into the Olympics in rare form,” Tarver said. “And that’s why I was favored to win a gold medal. I was hitting him (Jirov), the same guy I’d beaten in the World Championships, but no points were registering for me. I had a good second round, but I was down three points, so I threw my game plan away in the third round. I felt I had to do more and got away from my style: counter punching, not getting hit, and being patient. I thought I had won and so did a lot of people. I made up for that, though, with a gold-medal professional career.
“I had been faced with a decision about going pro after I was beaten in the ’92 Olympic Trials. I decided to stay in the amateurs, despite not having any guarantees about making the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team. I sacrificed four years of my pro career, which is why I turned pro at a relatively late age (27). I was determined when I found out the 1996 Olympics were in Atlanta. I think I made the right decision and I have no regrets.
“I had always dreamed of going to the Olympics. I saw Roy Jones, Jr – we first fought each other at 13 – get robbed of gold. I was watching that on television, jumped up, and knew where I was heading: The Olympics! We both suffered horrible decisions in the Olympics and I knew then that our careers would be parallel.
Tarver made his pro debut February 18, 1997 in Philadelphia, stopping Joaquin Garcia (4-0) in the second round.
“I was an Olympic bronze medal winner but when I first turned pro,” Tarver added, “I didn’t have a promoter or manager. Nobody was willing to take a chance on me until I was 4-0, when I signed by first contract with Russell Peltz. I felt nobody could beat me.”
Nobody was able to beat Tarver, at least until his 17th pro fight, when Eric Hardingdefeated Tarver by way of a 12-round unanimous decision.
Two years later, Tarver embarked on a 12-fight murderer’s row stretch during the next seven years, arguably establishing him as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. It all started with a successful rematch with Harding (21-1-1) in Indianapolis, when Tarver dropped Harding in the fourth round, plus twice more in the fifth, on his way to a fifth-round technical knockout to avenge his lone pro loss to that date.

Next up for Tarver was a showdown with 44-3 Montell Griffin for the WBC and IBF 175-pound division titles, which were vacated by Roy Jones Jr., April 26, 2003 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In his first world title shot as a pro, Tarver pitched a complete shutout, decking Griffin in the first and last rounds to shut out his opponent by scores of 120-103 from all three judges.
Seven months later, however, Tarver lost a controversial 12-round majority decision and his WBC crown (he was stripped of his IBF belt) to WBA Super and IBO champion Jones in Las Vegas. The following May at the venue, Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, though, Tarver became the first to knockout Jones, putting him to sleep in the second round.
Tarver then became a mainstream celebrity, appearing on late-night shows and covers ofThe Ring magazine and KO Magazine, and co-hosting an ESPN Friday Night Fights telecast.
“I was robbed in my first fight with Roy,” Tarver insisted. “They called my knockout of Roy the greatest upset in light heavyweight history. Why didn’t they see me coming? I had beaten everybody ranked ahead of me. Roy was the pound-4-pound king, but he knew. I may not be the fastest, the quickest, or the strongest, but I doubt that there’s ever been a pro fighter to enter the ring with a higher IQ than me. Even at my age, I still feel that way today.”
The WBC stripped Tarver of his title in 2004 for fighting IBF champion Glen Johnson (41-9-2) instead of the WBC mandatory challenger. Johnson, ironically, was stripped of his IBF title for the same reason right before his fight in Los Angeles with Tarver. Tarver and Johnson fought for The Ring and IBO titles and Johnson won a 12-round split decision.
In their rematch six months later in Memphis, Tarver won a unanimous 12-round decision over Johnson to capture the IBO strap. Tarver completed his trilogy with Jones, retaining his IBO title with a unanimous 12-round decision (117-111, 116-112, 116-112).
Tarver lost a 12-round decision June 10, 2006 in Atlantic City to Bernard Hopkins for the IBO championship, which was soon vacated and recaptured by Tarver with a 12-round majority decision over Elvir Muriqi (34-3).
Tarver traveled to Australia in 2011 to challenge IBO cruiserweight champion and local hero Danny Green, who retired after nine rounds, as Tarver added another title belt to his display case.
In December of 2013 in Temecula, California, Tarver knocked out Jonathon Banks (29-2-1) in the seventh round, and Tarver’s last fight was a 12-round split decision draw with former world champion Steve Cunningham (28-7) in Newark, New Jersey.
In 2006, Tarver starred as Mason “The Line” Dixon, the heavyweight champion in the film,Rocky Balboa.
Tarver, as he marches towards his planned history-making performance by becoming the oldest heavyweight world champion of all-time, also has served as a color commentator in boxing for Spike TV and Showtime.
Today, at the age of 49, Tarver is still technically active, and he also trains his son and undefeated middleweight prospect, Antonio Tarver, Jr. (5-0 (4 KOs), where they live in Tampa, Florida.
“I was older than the rest of the boxers on the U.S. Olympic Team and the U.S. National Team,” Tarver remarked. “What a team! Guys like Diego Corrales and Zab Judah didn’t make that Olympic Team. I gave Floyd Mayweather, Jr. his first moniker, ‘Pretty Boy Floyd’, until he changed it years later to ‘Money’. We had a bond on that Olympic team with Floyd, Fernando Vargas, David Reid, Zarim Raheem and the others.”
Although at the age of 49 he is still an active fighter, Tarver occassionally does some color commentating and he trains pro and amateur boxers at a gym in Tampa, Florida. “I’m not retired as a fighter,” Tarver commented. “I started a program, ‘Train with The Champ’, and it includes room rent and training. I like to say it’s an AirB&B for boxing. I train my son (5-0 middleweight Antonio Tarver, Jr. there. I learned a lot from my early days, training in Orlando with my coach, Lou Harris, and I reunited with Jimmy Williams, who is 90 now, training my son together in Tampa.
Tarver also is an advocate of the relatively new “USA Boxing Alumni Association,” which was created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans — the Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.
“I’m going online to join,” Tarver said. “I’m looking forward to attending an Alumni Association meeting, June 24-30 during the Junior Olympics in Charleston, West Virginia.
Everything that goes around, comes around, in USA Boxing. Just ask future Hall of Fame candidate Antonio Tarver.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

ADONIS STEVENSON RETAINS WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER BATTLING BADOU JACK TO MAJORITY DRAW IN HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BOUTSATURDAY IN SPLIT-SITE DOUBLEHEADER ON SHOWTIME®

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Gary Russell Jr. Outpoints Joseph Diaz Jr. to remain WBC Featherweight Champion at MGM National Harbor
in Maryland
Watch The Encore Presentation Monday At 10 P.M. ET/PT On 
SHOWTIME EXTREME®
 
Click HERE For Stevenson-Jack Photos; Credit Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE For Additional Stevenson-Jack Photos; Credit Janer Bigio/Mayweather Promotions
 
Click HERE For Russell Jr.- Diaz Jr. Photos; Credit Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. (May 20, 2018) – WBC Light Heavyweight world champion Adonis Stevenson and former two-division world champion Badou Jack fought to a highly competitive majority draw Saturday at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. At MGM National Harbor in Maryland, and in the opening bout on SHOWTIME, Gary Russell Jr. (29-1, 17 KOs) defeated Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs).

 

 

 

With the draw, Stevenson retains the WBC belt in what was Toronto’s most significant world title fight in more than 30 years. The judges scored the fight 115-113 in favor of Jack and 114-114 twice. Russell won his fight via unanimous decision, 115-113 and 117-111 twice, to retain his WBC featherweight world title.

 

 

 

The Stevenson-Jack bout was the main event of a split-venue SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader. Video recap here: https://s.sho.com/2LgUaqL

 

 

 

 

It was a day that saw SHOWTIME deliver three world championship fights from three countries.

 

 

 

 

In a bout filled with momentum swings, it was Jack (21-1-4, 13 KOs) who was the busier and more accurate fighter. While Stevenson (29-1-1, 24 KOs) outpointed Jack in the early rounds, the challenger turned it on in round number seven and dominated the champion in the second half of the fight. In rounds seven through ten, Jack out landed Stevenson 114-40. However, a ferocious body shot from the right hand of Stevenson in round ten altered the momentum back in his favor.

 

 

 

Stevenson, who has resided in Montreal since he was five-years-old, was able to gain a second wind in the 11thround, riding the momentum of the body shot that injured Jack. With everything on the line in the night’s final round, both fighters emptied the tank and left it all in the ring. Jack rebounded tremendously and when the final bell rang, it was Stevenson who was struggling to stay on his feet.

 

 

 

“I went to the body and saw that he was fatigued,” said Stevenson, who moves to 9-0-1 in world title fights. “I had to keep the pressure on him. He’s a slick fighter, a two-time world champion but I felt I won the fight.

 

 

 

“I used both hands. I touched him a lot with the right hand on the body and slowed him down. He tried to come and attack me. I feel like I won the fight but I’ll give him a rematch if he wants it.”

 

 

 

Jack, who started the fight sluggishly, thought he did enough in the later rounds to win the fight.

 

 

 

“I thought I definitely won the fight,” said Jack, who drew for the fourth time in his career. “No judge had him winning. I have no idea why I can’t get a decision. It could be that they’re jealous of Floyd and don’t like him. I’m one of his top fighters. I can’t do anything about it. I’m not the judge. I have to respect their decision.

 

 

 

“Maybe I started the fight too slow. I gave away those rounds. He didn’t really hit me. I can’t do anything about it, let’s do a rematch in Las Vegas. I came to his backyard, it’s time he comes out to Vegas.”

 

 

 

In the main event from MGM National Harbor in Maryland, it was a tactical and hard fought battle of two former U.S. Olympians as Russell Jr. (29-1, 17 KOs) defeated Diaz Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs).  Russell won the contest via unanimous decision, 115-113 and 117-111 twice, to retain his WBC featherweight world title. The 29-year-old hometown favorite used his hand speed, quickness and relentless attack to overwhelm Diaz Jr., the previously undefeated top-ranked contender.

 

 

 

Russell Jr.’s game plan to dictate the pace and establish the jab was clear, throwing a career-high 587 jabs throughout the 12-round battle. While the number of punches landed were close (199-192 in favor of Russell Jr.), Russell Jr.’s output trumped Diaz Jr.’s accuracy as the champion’s career-high 992 punches thrown were the most ever for him in a CompuBox tracked fight. Diaz Jr. was committed to attacking the body of Russell Jr., but he was unable to break the champion down, who injured his right hand in the third round.

 

 

 

“We train to survive those body shots,” said Russell Jr. “We put the work in every day in the ring. We consistently grind and push ourselves to be great and we push ourselves to the limit.

 

 

 

“I was disappointed in my performance because I wasn’t planning on going the distance. I hurt the right hand, but I still had to use it, because he could not get past my jab.”

 

 

 

Diaz Jr. showed heart and youthful enthusiasm, closing the fight with a strong final round but ultimately, he lacked the creative, diversified attack needed to truly trouble Russell Jr.

 

 

 

“The game plan was to break him down with the body shots and start attacking him more in the later rounds,” said the South El Monte, Calif. native. “But I started attacking him too late and didn’t pick it up until the 8th or 9th round. Gary Russell Jr. is a tremendous fighter and he did a great job keeping me at bay.”

 

 

 

“This will just make me a hungrier fighter. I hope I got the respect of a lot of fight fans. I wanted to become champion against the best featherweight fighter in the world. Tonight wasn’t my night but I’m going to bounce back harder and I’ll be champion soon.”

 

 

 

Earlier in the day of in a live stream on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page, Josh Warrington became the new IBF featherweight world champion by upsetting Lee Selby in a split-decision victory. The judges scored the bout 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115.

 

 

 

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader will replay on Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

 

#          #          #

 

 

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, mayweatherpromotions.com and www.groupeyvonmichel.ca follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @AdonisSuperman, @BadouJack, @MrGaryRussellJr, @JosephDiazJr, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @MGMNatlHarbor and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.. Stevenson vs. Jack was promoted by promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel, Lee Baxter Promotions and Mayweather Promotions and Russell Jr vs. Diaz Jr. was promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions.

boxing

Subriel Matías shines; defeated Mexican Adrián Estrella

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Cataño, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rican super prospect Subriel Matias (10-0, 10 KO’s) from the Maternillo neighborhood of Fajardo, won by technical knockout in the fifth round over Mexican Adrián Estrella (28-2, 24 KO’s) in combat held at the park Pedro ‘Perucho’ Cepeda in Cataño as part of the event promoted by Fresh Productions Boxing.

 

In the first two rounds, Estrella was able to establish his boxing, but entering the third round, the Puerto Rican began to throw an accurate jab that led him to combine more shots to take the round.

 

The fourth round was a action packed for both fighters. Both were connecting blows with bad intentions, but in the second half of the round, Matías was able to connect accurate shots to the body and face of the Mexican Estrella who was in bad shape once the round was over. After that, Estrella decided not to continue with the bout.

 

“I have a lot to improve,” said Subriel Matias, “I lost the first two rounds, he dominated me, but we knew that the victory was ours because I go from less to more and already entering the third round, I was better. I knew I was going to catch it. I know I could have given more in the victory, but we won and I’m happy. I want to thank Adrián Estrella for the opportunity to face him”.

 

Promoter Juan Orengo of Fresh Productions Boxing said that “Subriel showed that he is a boxer that has to be taken seriously. His punch made a Mexican warrior take off in the middle of the fight. We put strong tests on Subriel because we know that he has all the tools to win and for now, without getting hurt. His resume is very advanced and expect more interesting fights along the way. We will be announcing the next steps soon”.

 

Before the match, Matias already had strong victories by way of the knockout over world title challenger Daulis Prescott of Colombia, former Olympian Patrick Lopez, former rising prospect Jeffrey Fontánez of Caguas, Puerto Rico and  Brazilian power puncher Joaquim Carneiro.

 

Estrella, on the other hand, has victories over former world champions Celestino Caballero and DeMarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley and over world title contenders, Balweg Bangoyan and Dante Jardón.

 

In other battles:

 

In the super welterweight, Derrieck Cuevas (17-0-1, 14KO) defeated Mexico’s Jesús Álvarez (15-5, 11 KO) in a seventh-round TKO.

 

In the lightweights, Nestor Bravo (13-0, 9 KO) defeated by technical knockout in the first round Colombian Jean Sotelo (26-16-2, 16 KO) in 8-round bout.

 

At bantanweights, Jonathan ‘Bum Bum’ López (3-0, 3 KO) of Humacao looked impressive when he won by technical knockout in the first round over Frankie Santiago (1-2). Santiago visited the canvas three times.

 

In the 110 pounds and six rounds, Óscar Marrero (3-1, 2 KO) won by unanimous decision to Alexis Díaz (1-18-1) of Trujillo Alto. The three judges scored 60-54.

 

In the welterweight division, Alberto Amaro (7-6, 3 KO) defeated by technical knockout in the third round Heriberto Salamán (0-4) of Carolina.

 

In the super featherweight division, Michael Adorno (3-0, 3 KO) of Vega Alta won by technical knockout in the third round on José Luis Cortés (0-2) of Aguadilla.

 

In duel of debutantes in the featherweight division, Luis Enrique Rivera (1-0, 1 KO) of Catano knocked out Joshue Mercado ( 0-1 ) in the first round.

 

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JOSH WARRINGTON UPSETS LEE SELBY TO EARN THE IBF FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN FANS LIVE ON SHOWTIME SPORTS SOCIAL PLATFORMS FROM LEEDS, U.K.

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WATCH THE FULL FIGHT: https://s.sho.com/2L5dV4G

 

NEW YORK (May 19, 2018) – Josh Warrington became the new IBF featherweight world champion by upsetting Lee Selby in a split-decision victory. The bout was streamed live to U.S. audiences via the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page from Elland Road Football Ground in Leeds, U.K. The judges scored the bout 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115.

 

 

 

Warrington (27-0, 6 KOs), from Leeds, used the energy of the home crowd and established control of the fight from the onset. He was the more aggressive fighter, catching Selby with a clean left hook to the jaw and an equally powerful right hand in the second round. In the same round, Selby, who was making the fifth defense of the IBF title that he earned in 2015, suffered a substantial cut above his left eye from an accidental headbutt. The cut would plague him for the remainder of the fight. In the middle rounds, Warrington continued the barrage to the head of Selby, who was taken to the corner in the sixth round for inspection after a second accidental headbutt but was allowed to continue. (Click HERE to watch the accidental headbutt)

 

 

 

Selby (26-2, 9 KOs), of Cardiff, Wales, showed the experience and skills that made him champion in the later rounds despite the blood flowing down his face. He was able to regain his composure, establish his jab and land several impressive combinations, doing enough to earn the win in the eyes of one judge. But in the eyes of Warrington, who becomes Leeds’ first ever world champion, it was clear who the victor was. (Click HERE to watch Warrington’s reaction to victory)

 

 

 

“I can’t put into words how I feel. I got into the ring tonight with the expectation of the city on my shoulders,” said Warrington. “I outboxed the boxer tonight.

 

 

 

“I’m overcome with emotion. We worked on gameplans but that all went out of the window and it was sheer grit and determination and this crowd got me through tonight.”

 

 

 

Following Carl Frampton’s victory over Nonito Donaire last month, Warrington’s victory was the second of four high-stakes featherweights’ fights in quick succession on SHOWTIME platforms featuring seven of the consensus top-10 ranked featherweights, including three world champions and four former multi-division champions. Also on Saturday night, WBC World Champion Gary Russell Jr. defends his belt against Joseph Diaz live on SHOWTIME and on June 9, Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares will meet live on SHOWTIME in a highly anticipated rematch for the WBA Featherweight World Title.

 

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Steele spoils Upsher’s comeback bid

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania…. “Right idea, wrong fight”, those were the words of Dallas welterweight, Jonathan Steele who gained his 8th victory as a professional on WFC 87 at Meadows Racetrack and Casino. Steele, who entered the ring on Saturday with 9 fights under his belt squared off against the seasoned veteran, Steven Upsher, 25-5-1(6kos), who was attempting a comeback bid in front of his hometown crowd.

Steele dominated the fight from the opening bell, banging Upsher to the body, which ultimately led to the 31 fight veteran to quit in the 5th round of their scheduled 8 round bout. 

“We took the fight on a two week notice. My initial fight on May 18th was canceled, and Upsher’s opponent pulled out at the last minute. I didn’t care what his record was, or who he fought. I knew he had never faced a guy like me before.” Steele added.

The 27-year old former United States Marine is managed by Dallas based boxing manager, Adrian Clark.
Bellator, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

This Week’s Combat Sports Show: Nunes vs. Pennington Recap, Lomachenko vs. Linares analysis, Liddell Unretires and calls out Jon Jones

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This week’s fight news unlimited combat sports show is a great mix of boxing and mixed martial arts. Tom, Tony and Rich cover all the action from last weekend and marvel at the master of his craft that is Vasyl Lomachenko. We discuss Chuck Liddell coming out of retirement with Golden Boy MMA, and Tito Ortiz taking the debate to be his first opponent. We also have a bit of a debate about Raquel Pennington telling her corner she wanted to be done after the fourth round against Amanda Nunes. Her coaches pep talked her into continuing, which led to more blood loss and facial damage from a clearly more hyped up and fresh opponent. Weigh in right here in the comment section if you have your own opinion on the situation.

 

Listen to the show live through this link:

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8igg415vwt22dij/tomtonyrichmay18th2018.mp3?dl=0

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Australia, Turkey, Japan and England to host WBO bouts

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The World Boxing Organization (WBO), chaired by Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel, will have seven fights in different parts of the world this upcoming weekend.

 

Saturday, May 19:

 

In Australia, there will be a duel of unbeatens when the popular Australian Liam Paro (13-0, 9 KO’s) faces Sebastian Bytyqi (11-0-1, 8 KO’s) of the Czech Republic for the vacant WBO Youth Jr. Welterweight title. The fight is scheduled for 10 rounds and it’ll take place at the Southport Sharks AFL Club in Southport.

 

“Paro and Bytyqi have the backing of world champions for this fight. Paro has been sparring with our WBO world champion Jeff Horn and in Bytyqi’s corner, he has Lukas Konecny, a former interim WBO champion and is the best fighter the Czech Republic has given so far”, said Valcárcel.

 

In Turkey, from the Spor Salonu in Trabzon, former world champion and WBO #2 Firat Arslan (47-8-2, 26 KO’s) will face Isaac Paa Kwesi Ankrah (14-7, 12 KO’s) of Ghana in a 10 round bout for the WBO Inter-Continental Jr. Heavyweight belt. Former Olympian, current WBO junior welterweight European champion and #12 ranked, Fatih Keles (10-0-1, 5 KO’s) of Turkey, will be making the third defense of his title against Russian Maxim Churbanov (8-3-1) and former Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen (8-0-0) will defend his WBO European Heavyweight Title against Georgia’s Tornike Puritchamiashvili (11-8-0, 7 KO’s).

 

In England, WBO Inter-Continental Junior Welterweight title holder and 4th ranked Jack Catterall (20-0, 11 KO’s) will be making his seventh title defense against Frenchman Christopher Sebire (26-10-1, 9 KO’s). Then, in duel of Englishmen, Darren Tetley (15-0, 6 KO’s) will face Mason Cartwright (13-0-1, 5 KO’s) for the vacant WBO welterweight European belt. The fight venue is the Elland Road Football Ground in Leeds.

 

Sunday – May, 20 2018

 

The boxing movement of WBO regional titles continues, and will take place in Japan, where the WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight champion and #2 ranked Nihito Arakawa (31-6-1, 18 KO’s) will put his title on the line against Filipino, Rimar Metuda (12-3, 7 KO’s) in a bout that’ll take place in the Ota-City General Gymnasium.

 

“We are very active all around the world. We are extending our organization so that the best fighters represent the WBO. Several of the fighters who will see action this weekend are close to going for a world title. Arakawa, Catterall, Arslan, Demirezen and Keles are very well ranked. If they continue with their winning streaks, great things will come for them”, expressed Valcárcel.