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Category Archives: boxing
IBF Flyweight World Champion John Riel Casimero to Relinquish Title and Campaign at Super Flyweight
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Get to Know Super Middleweight World Champion Badou Jack
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Warriors Congratulates ‘King’ Carlos Molina for Victory Saturday Night and Sensational 2016
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Free Agent Boxing Management Congratulates Former World Champion Jose Alfredo Rodriguez for Title-Winning Victory
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World ranked middleweight Willie Monroe, Jr. looking for major fights in 2017
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FIVE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION MIGUEL COTTO VS. JAMES KIRKLAND SHOWDOWN SET FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 AT FORD CENTER AT THE STAR IN FRISCO, TEXAS
PRESENTED LIVE BY HBO PAY-PER-VIEW®
NEW YORK, NY (December 19, 2016) – Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions are pleased to announce that Five-Time World Champion Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs) will return to the ring on Saturday, February 25, 2017 when he takes on James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland (32-2, 28 KOs) at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Coming off respective losses to Canelo Alvarez, both fighters will be seeking redemption in a 12-round junior middleweight showdown. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Cotto and Kirkland will join Roc Nation Sports and the Dallas Cowboys organization on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. CT for a press conference at Ford Center at The Star to officially announce the fight. This will be the first event of its kind to be held at the state-of-the-art, 510,000 square foot indoor athletic facility shared by the Dallas Cowboys, the City of Frisco, and Frisco ISD’s high schools. Ford Center at The Star is also the home to the Dallas Cowboys Football World Corporate Headquarters.
Tickets priced at $304, $204, $154, $104, $79, $54 and $29 not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. local time and will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 and the AT&T Stadium box office.
“I’m excited to return to the ring and put on a great show. I can’t wait to start training camp and get ready for February 25,” said Five-Time World Champion Miguel Cotto. “Fighting inside the beautiful Ford Center, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboy’s newest creation, and headlining the first ever boxing event there pumps me with a lot of enthusiasm and energy.”
“I’m very excited to get back into the ring against a legend like Miguel Cotto. I’m going to train like never before so I can show the world that the old James Kirkland is back,” said James Kirkland. “You know the fight will be exciting while it lasts. February 25 can’t come soon enough.”
“Miguel Cotto is back and ready to put on an exciting show against the always tough James Kirkland,” said Hector Soto, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “We can’t wait to see Miguel back in the ring on February 25 on HBO Pay-Per-View.”
“On behalf of Roc Nation Sports, we are so thrilled about Miguel Cotto’s return to the ring and to bring the first public event to Ford Center at The Star,” said Michael Yormark, Roc Nation President & Chief of Branding and Strategy. “This will undoubtedly be a historic event with an exciting, all-action bout in store for the fans in Frisco and all of North Texas along with those watching from home on HBO Pay-Per-View.”
“We are excited to host an incredible matchup for the very first boxing match here at Ford Center at The Star,” said Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager. “This venue was designed with the idea of versatility in mind, and we expect a great crowd in Frisco, Texas to experience a world class fight between Miguel Cotto and James Kirkland.”
“Throughout his brilliant ring career, Miguel Cotto has never backed down from a challenge and on February 25 he takes on a dangerous knockout specialist in James Kirkland,” said Tony Walker, Vice President, HBO Pay-Per-View. “Fans watching live in Frisco and those tuning in on pay-per-view should not blink in what should be an all-action slugfest.”
Miguel Cotto (40-5, 33 KOs) is a former WBC and Ring Magazine middleweight world champion and the first native of Puerto Rico to become world champion in four different weight classes. He previously held the WBO junior welterweight world title, the WBA welterweight world title, the WBO welterweight world title and the WBA super welterweight world title. He also represented Puerto Rico in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Cotto has competed in 24 world championship fights, compiling a record of 19-5 with 16 knockouts in those bouts. In Puerto Rico, he is hailed as a national hero and the successor of Felix “Tito” Trinidad as the island’s most revered boxer. Cotto is one of the biggest gate attractions in boxing and one of the largest pay-per-view draws among active fighters. In June 2014, Cotto made history in his first fight as a middleweight by dominating Argentine southpaw and defending WBC and Ring Magazine Middleweight World Champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez. He is trained by legendary Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and has fought some of the biggest names in the sport including Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. Cotto owns his own boxing promotional company in Puerto Rico, Miguel Cotto Promotions, and presides over his charity La Fundación El Ángel de Miguel Cotto, a non-profit organization dedicated to combatting childhood obesity. In March 2015, Cotto and Roc Nation Sports announced that they had entered into a partnership that includes a co-promotional agreement with Miguel Cotto Promotions to promote Cotto’s fights. On June 6, 2015, Cotto defended his WBC, Ring Magazine and lineal middleweight world championships against former two-time World Champion Daniel Geale at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Cotto scored a thunderous knockdown early in the fourth round before finishing matters with a second knockdown midway through the round, which left Geale unable to continue. On November 21, 2015, Cotto cemented his status as one of the biggest pay-per-view draws among active fighters in his much anticipated mega-fight against Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, despite going the distance for a twelve-round unanimous decision loss. The hard-fought bout has been dubbed as the biggest fight in the history of the famed Puerto Rico vs. Mexico boxing rivalry. The Five-Time World Champion is eager to return to the ring against James Kirkland on February 25.
A Texas titan, representing the city of Austin, 32-year-old southpaw James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland (32-2, 28 KOs) has built his reputation with explosive power. His fists have accounted for 28 knockout victories over the course of his nearly 14-year professional career. A former NABO and WBC Continental Americas Champion, Kirkland bounced back from his lone defeat against Nobuhiro Ishida in 2011 with five consecutive wins, four coming by way of knockout. Kirkland has defeated Brian Vera, Alfredo “Perro” Angulo and Carlos “King” Molina and handed Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia his first professional loss by way of a punishing sixth round technical knockout, prior to taking the stage for a 12-round super welterweight war with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on May 9, 2015 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
Cotto vs. Kirkland is a 12-round junior middleweight fight presented by Roc Nation Sports and Miguel Cotto Promotions and Ford Center at The Star, and is sponsored by Corona Extra.
For more information, please visit www.throneboxing.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter @rocnation and Instagram @rocnationsports and on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/RocNation.
For more information, visit www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.
Follow the conversation using #CottoKirkland.
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Palicte split decisions Cantu in classic Gallimore stops Baez in 1st round
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OFFICIAL RESULTS
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All pictures by Manny “Mitts” Murillo / Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions
LAS VEGAS (December 17, 2016) – Tonight’s final round of the 2016 “Knockout Night at the D” series ended in typical style as “Mighty” Aston Palicte won a 10-round split decision over previously undefeated “Lil'” Oscar Cantu in a terrific super flyweight match from start to finish inside the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center indoor facility.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegasand Down town Las Vegas Events Center, was promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions. This evening’s seventh and final “Knockout at the D” event in 2016 aired live on CBS Sports Network and streamed worldwide on FloBoxing.tv
The Palicte vs. Cantu main event, as expected, was a classic match-up of contrasting styles between a dangerous puncher (Palicte) and consummate boxer (Cantu). There was surprising non-stop action from the opening bell. Power punching Palicte (22-2, 18 KOs) pressed the action as the clear aggressor, but Cantu stood in the pocket, too, as the technician used his defensive skills to make things difficult for his world rated Filipino opponent.
Ultimately, it all came down to the 10th round, which Palicte swept on all three judges’ scorecards for a hard-fought split decision victory by scores of 98-92, 96-94, 94-96. Palicte, rated No. 11 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 15 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), took Cantu’s North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title belt in addition to capturing the vacant WBO Inter-Continental strap.
Cantu, who is rated No. 4 as a flyweight by the World Boxing Council (WBC), showed tremendous heart, granite chin and the ability to move extremely well, throwing punches from every conceivable angle. The difference, however, proved to be Palicte’s slugging ability in this classic confrontation in which the puncher barely prevailed against the boxer.
In the co-feature, Jamaican junior middleweight Nathaniel “No Problem” Gallimore(16-1-1, 13 KOs) scored a spectacular first-round knockout of previously unbeaten Angelo “Bombardero” Baez (15-1-1, 11 KOs), the Chilean junior middleweight champion.
Gallimore hurt Baez midway through the opening round and then closed the show with vicious left to the liver that dropped Baez to his knees. In obvious pain, he was unable to get to his feet before the 10 count.
 Galiimore (pictured above in green), who fights out of Chicago, dedicated the fight to his stablemate, the late Ed Brown (20-0), who was murdered earlier this month. “I saw a tape of him (Baez) and knew he backed up to the ropes,” Gallimore explained the finish. “I practiced that shot in the gym and I’m very happy with the outcome. I told all my teammates back in Chicago that I was dedicating this fight to Ed Brown.”
Los Angeles junior middleweight Flavio Rodriguez (6-0, 5 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact against previously unbeaten Mexican fighter Dilan “El Tremendo” Loza(5-1, 3 KOs) in the television opener. Rodriguez, who one point during his 4 1/2-year hiatus from the ring weighed 90 pounds more than he entered the ring tonight, won by way of a third-round technical knockout. Loza was hurt by an accidental shot to the base of his head in the third and he was later dropped in the same round by the heavy-handed Rodriguez. Referee Jay Nady halted the bout after the third round.
 Rodriguez (L) paralyzed Dilan Loza with a liver shot
“For the most part,” Rodriguez said, “he didn’t do anything different. I thought I controlled the fight with my jab. My boy, Leo (Santa Cruz, friends from LA), was a world champion and I want to get to his level.”
In a battle of unbeaten welterweight prospects, hometown favorite Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (7-0-1, 2 KOs) and San Diego’s Kevin “KO” Ottley (3-0-1) fought to a 6-round draw.
 Kevin Otttley (L) & Jeremy Nichols fought to a draw
RJJ-promoted fighters, junior lightweight Randy “El Matador” Moreno (8-0, 7 KOs) and bantamweight Max “The Baby-Faced Assassin” Ornelas (7-0, 3 KOs), were both successfully showcased on the undercard.
Fast moving Moreno won his eighth fight in nine months, stopping “Money” Mike Fowler (5-4, 2 KOs) in the fourth round. Moreno improves each fight, showing incredible poise for a 21-year old boxer, and he legitimately rates as a national prospect to watch.
 Moreno (L) kept rolling
Ornelas dropped Jorge Perez (6-5-1, 3 KOs) in the second round on his way to a shutout decision over four rounds. The 18-year-old Ornelas recorded the seventh win of his 6-month pro career.
 Ornelas (L) is now 7-0 and only 18 years old
Also fighting on the undercard, Texas junior featherweight Jessie “The One” Hernandez improved to 8-1 (6 KOs) with a 6-round unanimous decision over Sharone “Smoke” Carter (6-2, 2 KOs).
 Jessie Hernandez (R) took out his frustrations on Sharone Carter
Complete results below:
OFFICIAL RESULTS
(winner listed first each fight)
MAIN EVENT – SUPER FLYWEIGHTS
Aston Palicte (22-2, 18 KOs), Challenger, Bago City, Philippines by way of Los Angeles, CA
WDEC10 (98-92, 96-94, 94-96)
Oscar Cantu (14-1, 1 KO), Champion, Kingsville, TX
(Palicte won the NABF & vacant WBO Inter-Continental super flyweights titles)
CO-FEATURE – JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Nathaniel Gallimore (16-1-1, 12 KOs), Chicago, IL
WKO1 (2:31)
Angelo Baez (15-1-1, 11 KOs), Osorno, Chile
WELTERWEIGHTS
Flavio Rodriguez (6-0, 5 KOs), Los Angeles, CA
WTKO3 (3:00)
Dilan Loza (5-1, 3 KOs), Mexicali, Mexico
Jeremy Nichols (7-0-1, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, NV
D6 (57-57, 57-57, 57-57)
Kevin Ottey (3-0-1, 2 KOs), San Diego, CA
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS
Randy Moreno (8-0, 7 KOs), Las Vegas, NV
WTKO4 (1:03)
Mike Fowler (5-4, 2 KOs), Milwaukee, WI
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS
Jessie Hernandez (8-1, 6 KOs), Ft. Worth, TX
WDEC6 (59-54, 58-55, 57-56)
Sharone Carter (6-2, 2 KOs), St. Louis, MO
BANTAMWEIGHTS
Max Ornelas (7-0, 3 KOs), Las Vegas, NV
WDEC4 (40-35, 40-35, 40-35)
Jorge Perez (654-1, 3 KOs), Riverside, CA
The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center and Neon Star Media.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvEventsCenter, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
RIVAL BOXING GEAR & EQUIPMENT is the official gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series. www.rivalboxing.com, @rivalboxinggear
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| About the D Las Vegas: the D Las Vegas delivers the fresh, energetic attitude and fun atmosphere synonymous with downtown Las Vegas. The new casino hotel boasts 629 remodeled rooms and suites and a unique two-level casino featuring modern and vintage floors. Cocktails, beer and frozen beverages abound inside the casino at LONGBAR and on the Fremont Street Experience at D Bar. the D offers contemporary American fare at D Grill, Detroit’s legendary Coney Dogs at American Coney Island and premium steaks and authentic Italian dishes at Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse. The Showroom at the D Las Vegas features outstanding entertainment ranging from award-winning dinner theater and Broadway productions to music, comedy and more. Follow the D on Facebook and Twitter.
About Downtown Las Vegas Events Center: Located at the corner of Third St. and Carson Ave. across from the D Las Vegas, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center can accommodate up to 11,000 guests and features state-of-the-art stage, sound and lighting. The open-air design is inviting to both tourists and locals and offers the perfect spot for concerts, conventions and other large-scale events. Embracing the uninhibited spirit of Downtown Las Vegas, the new venue plays host to a line-up of curated events including premier concerts, food festivals and more. The venue is also the first entertainment arena in Las Vegas to accept Bitcoin as currency. For more information, visit www.dlvec.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @dlveventscenter.
About Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. Based in Las Vegas, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable such as undefeated super welterweight John Vera and former 3-time world super bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko, along with Tony Lopez and Hanzel Martinez, lightweight Demond Brock, super featherweight Randy Moreno, cruiserweight Irsael Duffus, bantamweight Max Ornelas, super lightweight Emanuel Robles, middleweight Rolando Garza and light heavyweight Adrian Taylor.
About Neon Star Media LLC: Neon Star Media is a marketing and content company that creates highly effective brand-integration experiences for our clients, executed through a unique “story-telling” approach that empowers client’s product messaging to soar while delivering results. At Neon Star Media, we maximize client media spends by leveraging our relationships with various sporting events, cable channels, digital platforms and other social media outlets. We work with our clients to engage, endorse and advance their message with audiences on all platforms 24/7. Visit us on Twitter @Neonstarmedia or Facebook www.facebook.com/Neon-Star- |
UNBEATEN ADAM LOPEZ FACES THE STREAKING DANNY ROMAN IN MATCHUP OF TOP-10 RANKED SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION QUADRUPLEHEADER FRIDAY, JAN. 20, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
10 p.m. ET/PT From Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino
Undefeated Super Middleweight Ronald Ellis Takes On Christopher Brooker;
Undefeated Super Lightweights Kenneth Sims Jr. & Wellington Romero Faceoff;
Stephon Young Risks Undefeated Record vs. Daniel Rosas
Tickets on Sale Now
NEW YORK (Dec. 19, 2016) – Undefeated, WBA No. 3-ranked super bantamweight Adam Lopez (16-0-1, 8 KOs) will face the WBA’s No. 4-ranked Danny Roman (20-2-1, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation quadrupleheader on Friday, Jan. 20, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino.
The first ShoBox telecast in 2017 features eight fighters with a combined record of 115 wins against just seven losses.
In the co-feature, undefeated super middleweight Ronald Ellis (13-0-1, 1 NC, 10 KOs) will face off with Christopher Brooker (11-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round 168-pound matchup of ShoBox veterans.
In another eight-round featured bout, former national amateur champion Kenneth Sims Jr. (10-0, 3 KOs) and Dominican Olympian Wellington Romero (11-0-1, 5 KOs) will clash in an eight-round matchup of up-and-coming, unbeaten super lightweights making their ShoBox debuts in their toughest assignments to date.
In the opening bout of the telecast, undefeated bantamweight Stephon Young (15-0-3, 6 KOs) takes on Mexican veteran and two-time interim world title challenger Daniel Rosas (19-3-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round super bantamweight bout.
Tickets for the show, which is promoted by GH3 Promotions, Kings Promotions in association with Thompson Boxing (the main event) and Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino, are $125, $100 $75 & $50 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or calling 1-800-745-3000
ADAM LOPEZ VS. DANNY ROMAN – 10 Rounds, Super Bantamweights
Lopez, of San Antonio, Texas, by way Phoenix, Ariz., is a prototypical Shobox prospect-turned-contender. He’s 3-0-1 on the series, having defeated three previous unbeaten boxers on the series: Mario Muniz (11-0) in a hard-fought 10-round decision on Feb. 19, 2016, outpointing Eliezer Acquino (17-0-1) across 10 rounds on July 17, 2015, and knocking out Pablo Cruz (11-0) in the second round on March 13, 2015. In his most recent ShoBox outing, Lopez boxed a 12-round draw with Roman Reynoso(18-1-1) on July 22, 2016.
“This will be my toughest fight. It is all about levels and progressing,’’ Lopez said of the matchup between the 26-year-old world-ranked contenders. “This may be my lastShoBox fight so I want to save the best for the last.
“Roman is very good fighter and I’m ready for a tough fight. He’s progressed a lot. He’s a good puncher, counter puncher and works the body. But I’m ready for whatever he brings. A win would be huge — it puts me in contention to fight a world champion.’’
An excellent boxer-puncher and tactician that likes to counter, Lopez was a standout amateur before going pro in February 2012. He is coming off an eighth-round knockout over Carlos Valcarcel on Nov. 11, 2016, and is facing likely his toughest test to date in Lopez.
Roman has won 13 in a row dating to March 2014 – and none of the fights have been close. He went 4-0 in 2014, 6-0 in 2015 and 4-0 in 2016. The Los Angeles native, who is coming of an eight-round decision over previously unbeaten Marlon Olea (12-0) last Nov. 18, will make his ShoBox and East Coast debut in just his second outing outside of Southern California.
“I’ve been extremely active over the last few years and now all the hard work is starting to pay off,’’ said Roman, a pro since October 2009. “This is a tremendous opportunity and the type of fight I’ve been preparing for. Adam Lopez is a great fighter, and he’s highly ranked just like me. We are going to give the fans an exciting fight.
“I can box, I can brawl. I give the fans what they want. I think people are going to be impressed with how I fight. People want to see a fight and I know I’m going to bring it. Boxing fans are going to know who Danny Roman is on Jan. 20.’’
RONALD ELLIS VS. CHRISTOPHER BROOKER, 8 Rounds, Super Middleweights
Ellis, of Lynn, Mass., and Brooker, of Philadelphia, are making their second ShoBox starts. Like Lopez, they fought Feb. 19, 2016, in Atlantic City. Ellis boxed an entertaining eight-round majority draw in a slugfest with hard-hitting Jerry Odom; Brooker took an eight-round majority decision over previously unbeaten John Magda(11-0) in a match that was originally announced a split draw but was later changed to a majority decision win for Brooker.
This will be Ellis’ second fight since the Odom fight. The 27-year-old Ellis, the older brother of welterweight prospect Rashidi Ellis, outpointed Oscar Riojas across eight rounds on Dec. 10.
Ellis feels he’s benefited from going the distance in consecutive contests. “It’s helped me that I’ve gone through it before,’’ said Ellis, whose 10 knockouts have come inside two rounds (eight in the first). “Now, I know what they’re looking for. This time I’ll finish super strong and put on a show. I need this to further my career and put me in main event fights.
“I’ve seen Brooker fight a few times. He’s a tough guy who comes forward and comes to fight, and that is perfect for me. Brooker will be there for me to hit, and it will give me a great opportunity to showcase my talents.’’
As an amateur, Ellis upset Terrell Gausha to win the 2010 National Golden Gloves. Gausha went on to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games and is now an undefeated professional middleweight.
Brooker, a physically strong, aggressive-minded boxer-puncher, is trying to regain his winning ways after a nine-fight winning streak ended when he lost by 10th-round TKO to highly regarded Ronald Gavril (16-1) last Oct. 8 in Las Vegas. The 25-year-old Brooker dropped Gavril in the fifth round but went down twice in the 10th before it was stopped at 2:04. Entering the 10th and final round, the fight was even on the judges’ scorecards.
“I’m ready and excited to get back in the ring,’’ said Brooker. “I can’t wait to fight another undefeated fighter on ShoBox. I’m still looking to get to the next level. I was at Ellis’ last fight, and I saw an average fighter compared to the guys I’ve fought. He’s solid, throws nice, short punches but runs out of gas.
“In my last fight I lost because I kept looking for the KO. I have a new trainer now (Gaunch Muhammad), and I’m getting back to the technical part of boxing. I’m jabbing more, and in my previous camps I wasn’t jabbing or boxing enough. I have the heart and condition but I have to get to my opponent with the jab.’’
The Philadelphia native was a top level amateur who has been active since turning professional in 2015.
KENNETH SIMS JR. VS. WELLINGTON ROMERO – 8 Rounds, Super Lightweights
Sims, of Chicago, is matched with unquestionably the most dangerous opponent of a career that began in March 2014. This will be the eight-round debut for the 23-year-old, who has gone six full rounds six times.
“This is the biggest fight of my career,’’ said Sims, who is coming off a six-round decision over Jonathan Dinong last Nov. 11. “I will be prepared for anything that I have to do. I’ve seen videos of Romero and I know he is a good fighter. I fought world champions in the amateurs so it’s not a big deal to fight him. I need to take care of business and get my win on national television. It’s as simple as that.”
Sims was a main sparring partner for Floyd Mayweather (when he was getting prepared for Andre Berto) and Manny Pacquiao (as he was getting ready for Mayweather). Sims, known for his boxing skills and ability to work the body, was a 2013 U.S. National Amateur Champion and a 2012 Olympic Trials semifinalist.
Romero had 268 amateur bouts and represented his native Dominican Republic in the 2012 Olympic Games, where he lost to eventual Gold Medalist Vasyl Lomachenko. Shortly thereafter he relocated to New York, where he turned pro in 2013. The 25-year-old is coming off a first-round knockout over Engleberto Valenzuela on Dec. 10.
A slick boxer who can punch and gives opponent issues because of his awkward style and movement, Romero has been brought along carefully against mostly modest opposition. The southpaw is coming off a first-round TKO over Luis Meroles last Dec. 5.
Romero understands that this could likely be his most daunting task to date. “I’m looking forward to introducing myself to the American public,’’ he said. “Sims is a good fighter but I will always like challenges, and this will be my biggest challenge as a pro.’’
STEPHON YOUNG VS. DANIEL ROSAS – 8 Rounds, Super Bantamweights
Young, of St. Louis, is making his second ShoBox start. In his debut, he boxed a 10-round draw with previously undefeated Nikolai Potapov (14-0) in April of 2016.
“To be able to be back on ShoBox feels good,” said Young, who registered a majority 10-round decision over previously once-beaten Juan Lopez Jr. in his last scrap on Sept. 30, 2016. “My first fight on ShoBox was not a fair decision. It was my first 10-rounder and I feel like I won the fight. This time I will be able to show more of what I have.
“Training has been great. I already have been in camp for two months. The fight against Potapov was my first with my new coach (Herman Caicedo), and this will be our third fight. We won the NABA title by beating Lopez and now we’re back.”
The 25-year-old Young, who is currently ranked No. 9 in the WBA, was an experienced amateur who compiled a record of 86-13 while representing the U.S. in a number of tournaments. In the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2011, he lost to the No. 1-rated amateur, Rau’shee Warren.
The 27-year-old Rosas, of Mexico City, is a nine-year veteran who is experienced against top opposition. In 2011, in just his 13th professional fight, Rosas fought to a 12-round split draw against Jose Cabrera in a bout for the Interim WBO Super Flyweight World Title. In 2014, he lost a close, unanimous decision to Alejandro Hernandezfor the Interim WBO Bantamweight Title.
Rosas has rattled off three consecutive victories since fighting Hernandezt. In his last bout on April 29, he lost via TKO to current IBF Super Bantamweight ChampJonathan Guzman in his U.S. debut.
Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
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About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. TheShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 67 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.
PROMOTER DON KING HOPES WBC WILL DECLARE BERMANE STIVERNE WBC INTERIM HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP
LAS VEGAS (Dec. 17, 2016) – In the aftermath of Saturday’s news that the WBC Interim heavyweight title fight in Russia between former heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne and top-ranked Alexander Povetkin had been cancelled because Povetkin tested positive for drugs again, Hall of Fame promoter Don “Only In America” King offered a simple solution:
Declare his fighter, Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs), of Las Vegas, the interim champion.
“I’ve had a long-standing respect with the WBC, beginning with Jose Sulaiman and now with his son, Mauricio, who has done an incredible job filling his father’s shoes as WBC president and just got re-elected for four more years. I stand with them and with the WBC for trying to do things the right way and with their organization’s safety procedures in regard to the boxers and the sport.
“It’s sad but this guy, Povetkin, has become a total embarrassment. He’s now tested positive in two WBC heavyweight title fights in a row. I’m all for winning and losing fights in the ring, but it’s time for justice to prevail. I don’t know what’s going on over there with so many Russian athletes in so many sports testing positive for drugs, but it has to stop. They cannot be allowed to continue to do things the way they are.
“The WBC should declare Stiverne world champion, make him the mandatory for (WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay) Wilder, and let’s move on with it. There are a lot of great heavyweight fights that can be made with willing boxers who don’t break the rules every fight.
“I’m very disappointed for Bermane, who’s now gone through two training camps with nothing to show for it. Why put up all that money for travel and expenses and then have no fight. He was ready to beat Povetkin and regain a part of the WBC title.
“And then – worse yet — for them to try and put it on Bermane for not fighting is just ludicrous. They’re taking the victim and trying to set him up as the criminal in this.’’
Stiverne pulled out after the WBC withdrew its sanction because Poverkin tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman revealed the positive test by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) on Saturday morning. Then, the WBC withdrew its recognition of the fight.
“There’s no reason to fight if the WBC won’t sanction the bout,” said Stiverne, who could have gone through with the bout but without the sanction opted not to. “I’m very disappointed in the actions of Povetkin. I’ve been training for months to be victorious.
“To wake up the day of the fight, have breakfast, take a nap and then find out he tested positive is the worst possible situation.”
This is the second time in seven months Povetkin (30-1-0, 22 KOs) has tested positive for a banned substance. He tested positive for Meldonium ahead of a scheduled May bout with Wilder, cancelling that fight.
If it had transpired, the winner of the fight for the WBC interim heavyweight title would have become the mandatory challenger to Wilder. Stiverne lost the WBC title to Wilder on a 12-round decision on Jan. 15, 2015. He’s the only fighter to go the distance with Wilder.