Category Archives: boxing

boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show: Povetkin Steroid Issues, Hopkins Knocked out of Ring, Paige and Sage endure UFC Growing Pains

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Rich, Tom and Tony cover the past week’s news and events and look forward to the few fight cards happening over the next few weeks. We spend a good amount of time discussing the final fight of Bernard Hopkins, the drug testing debacle with Alexander Povetkin, and the UFC fight night co-main events where highly hyped prospects Paige VanZant and Sage Northcutt bombed hard. Check out the show below. This one closes out the year for us, so fans can tune in next year for our next broadcast on January 5, 2017.

boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

Exciting Welterweight Contender Sammy Vasquez Jr. Takes On Former World Champion Luis Collazo in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes Special Edition Thursday, February 2 From Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi

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Plus! Hard-Hitting Welterweights Yordenis Ugas & Levan Ghvamichava Collide While Ryan Karl & Eddie Ramirez Meet in Battle of Unbeaten Super Lightweights
 
Tickets on Sale Thursday, January 5!
 
TUNICA, MS (December 22, 2016) – Exciting welterweight contender Sammy “The Sergeant” Vasquez Jr. (21-1, 15 KOs) is set to battle former world champion Luis Collazo(36-7, 19 KOs) in the 10-round main event of a special three-hour edition of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Thursday, February 2 from Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.
Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will feature Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas(17-3, 8 KOs) meeting Georgia’s Levan Ghvamichava (17-2-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round matchup of hard-hitting welterweights plus Houston’s Ryan “Cowboy” Karl (13-0, 9 KOs) taking on Chicago’s Eddie Ramirez (15-0, 10 KOs) in a 10-round battle of unbeaten super lightweights
“I’m eager to get back in the ring and give the fans a great fight,” said Vasquez Jr. “Fighting a tough veteran like Luis Collazo, who has a lot of heart and experience, is the type of fight I’m looking for.  The fans are going to see a good fight between two guys who are hungry to get a victory.  I can’t wait till the bell rings.”
“I’m totally stoked about this fight against Sammy Vasquez” said Collazo. “He is a talented fighter and I’m excited to test his abilities and the will that he has to win. This will be a good one.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing, are priced at $150, $75 and $35 and are on sale Thursday, January 5. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster atwww.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Vasquez has fought professionally since 2012, after serving two tours of duty in Iraq as a member of the National Guard. He made it to the semifinals of the 2012 U.S. Olympic trials and won gold at the 2010 and 2011 Armed Forces Boxing Championships. The fighter out of Monessen, Penn., notched big victories in 2015 over Wale Omotoso in June and Jose Lopez in September. In PBC on FOX action in January, Vasquez stopped veteran contender Aron Martinez in the sixth-round in Los Angeles before suffering his first professional defeat to Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz in July.
One of Brooklyn’s most respected fighters,Collazo looks to make the most of his showdown with Vasquez on February 2. A world champion in 2005, Collazo has faced top fighters his whole career. Most notably in recent years, he delivered an electrifying second-round knockout over Victor Ortiz in December 2014. Collazo gave world champion Keith Thurman trouble in his last outing, staggering him with a body shot in the middle rounds before eventually losing to the undefeated fighter.
Ugas returned from a two-year layoff in August and has looked sensational in defeating undefeated prospects Jamal James by decision and Bryant Perrella by fourth-round stoppage. A sensational Cuban amateur, Ugas picked up a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics and also owns gold medals from the 2005 World Amateur Championships and 2007 Pan American Games. Now fighting out of Miami, the 30-year-old looks to further establish his credentials for a world title shot.
Ghvamichava returns to the ring after an emphatic knockout of Breidis Prescott in July that saw him move up in weight and rebound from a defeat to top unbeaten contender Sergey Lipinets. Trained by Virgil Hunter in California, Ghvamichava is originally from Poti, Georgia. Before the Lipinets bout, he carried a five-fight winning streak that included wins over previously unbeaten fighters Chris Singleton and Jonathan Garcia plus veterans Cosme Rivera and Sergio Reyes.
An undefeated prospect representing Houston, Karl had an excellent amateur career that ended with him ranked third in the nation in the 141-pound division. The 24-year-old won six times in 2015 including an October domination of Alfonso Olvera at the Dancehall in San Antonio. Now he is primed to reach contender status after dominating tough Mexican Luis Solis in June and stopping previously unbeaten Jose Felix Quezada in September.
A Chicago Golden Gloves champion, Ramirez knocked out seven of his first nine professional opponents and picked up five victories in 2015 including a decision over former world champion Cristobal Cruz. The 24-year-old most recently picked up his most impressive pro victory when he knocked out previously unbeaten Kevin Watts in September.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and foxdeportes.com follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.facebook.com/foxsports andwww.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
Bounce TV, boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

Unbeaten Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Returns Home to Defend Title Against Puerto Rican Contender  Luis Cruz Friday, February 10 In Main Event of  Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV from  the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio

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Plus! Bantamweight World Champion Rau’shee Warren Takes On
Once-Beaten Challenger Zhanat Zhakiyanov in Co-Main Event
 
Tickets on Sale Tomorrow, December 23!
 
TOLEDO, OH (December 22, 2016) – Unbeaten lightweight world champion Robert Easter(18-0, 14 KOs) will return to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio to defend his title against hard-hitting Puerto Rican Luis Cruz (22-4-1, 16 KOs) Friday, February 10 in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV live from the Huntington Center.
Televised coverage on Bounce TV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features bantamweight world champion and three-time U.S. Olympian Rau’shee Warren (14-1, 4 KOs) battling once-beaten contender Zhanat Zhakiyanov (26-1, 18 KOs).
“Being able to headline a big fight in my hometown after winning a championship is a dream come true,” said Easter. “My first dream was to win the world title and now I get to defend it in front of my people. I had great fan support at my last fight in Pennsylvania and I know everybody is even more excited to see me at home. A lot of people felt involved in helping me win that world title, and now we get to have a homecoming celebration. This is going to be big for the city. I can’t wait to showcase my skills.”
“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m planning on putting on my best performance,” said Cruz. “I am going to fight for my home of Puerto Rico and become another world champion from the island. I know that Easter is a good fighter and he will have the fan support, but I am already training harder than I ever have. This is going to be an exciting fight, but I don’t expect it to go the distance.”
“I’m ready to get back in the ring,” said Warren. “I’m happy the fight is three days before my birthday because defending my title for the first time and winning will be the best birthday present. We’ve been checking out Zhakiyanov. I think it’s going to be a good show because he definitely isn’t a slouch. I’m just going to enjoy being a champion, defending my title and showing what I’m capable of.”
“I’m very happy to be fighting in the U.S. with a chance to become a world champion,” said Zhakiyanov. “I want to thank Warren for taking this fight, but it will be a big mistake. I’m coming to win and win impressively. This is going to be my statement that I am one of the best fighters in this division.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions, are priced at $30, $50, $75, $100 and $200, and are on sale Friday, December 23. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Toledo’s Easter and Cincinnati’s Warren will both look to show the Ohio crowd the skills that have made them world champions and potential big stars in the sport. Both fighters are making their first world title defenses and will do so in the friendly confines of the Buckeye State.
An accomplished amateur who was a 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate, the 25-year-old Easter picked up five-straight victories dating back to the beginning of 2015 before earning his world title opportunity against Richard Commey in September. Easter was successful in holding off the unbeaten Commey as he was able to earn a split-decision victory in a memorable fight. Now, Easter will step into the ring as the fighting pride of his hometown for the first time, with his sights set on an impressive performance.
Representing Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, Cruz’s last fight saw him in an entertaining back-and-forth scrap with lightweight contender Ivan Redkach in April that saw both men hit the canvas on their way to a narrow split draw. Cruz owns victories over Martin Honorio, Antonio Davis and Hevinson Herrera in a career that saw the fighter win his first 19 professional bouts.
A three-time Olympian, Warren competed for the U.S. in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 games before turning pro. The 29-year-old picked up victories over veterans Jose Luis Araiza, Javier Gallo, German Meraz and Jhon Alberto Molina leading up to his first world title shot in 2015. After dropping a controversial split-decision in their first fight, Warren defeated Juan Carlos Payano by majority decision in the rematch in June and became the first member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team to win a world title.
Fighting out of Petropavl, Kazakhstan, Zhakiyanov has won his last 21 fights since his only professional loss in 2008. Most recently he picked up an interim bantamweight title via a decision victory in 2015 over once-beaten Yonfrez Parejo. No stranger to fighting on the road, Zhakiyanov’s U.S. debut on February 10 will mark the 12th country that he has fought in as a professional.
#  #  #
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter@PremierBoxing, @RobertEaster_Jr, @RauSheeWarren, @BounceTV, and @Swanson_Comm and follow the conversation using #PBConBounce, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions andwww.Facebook.com/BounceTV. PBC on Bounce is sponsored by Corona: La Cerveza Mas Fina.
Bounce TV is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. The network features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more.  Bounce TV has grown to be available in more than 93.5 million homes across the United States and 93% of all African American television homes, including all of the top AA television markets.  Among the founders of Bounce TV are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and Ambassador Andrew Young.
For local channel location, visit BounceTV.com.
boxing

Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna returns to action on Saturday, January 28th at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City

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Chuck Mussachio takes on Michael Mitchell in co-feature

Plus undefeated Quian Davis, John Bauza, Dan Murray and Yurik Mamedov in action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Atlantic City, NJ (December 22, 2016) – Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will return ti the ring in an eight-round junior middleweight bout on Saturday night, January 28th at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.
The bout will headline a card promoted by Rising Promotions.

LaManna of Millville, New Jersey has a record of 21-2 with nine knockouts.

The 25 year-old is coming off a defeat to undefeated Dusty Hernandez Harrison in a thrilling bout that took place on September 15th in Philadelphia.

In that bout, LaManna fought a good fight and had solid moments throughout the hotly contested bout that was for the USBA Welterweight title.

LaManna is moving back up to the 154 pound division where LaManna is undefeated (7-0 between 148-154 pounds) in the division for which he turned professional in 2011.

LaManna won his first 16 bouts, where enjoyed wins over Ashanti Gibbs and Jamaal Davis.

After suffering his first professional defeat to undefeated middleweight prospect Antoine Douglas, LaManna ripped off five consecutive victories that was highlighted by by a 4th round stoppage over Kendal Mena (20-3)

“I’m excited to be getting back in the ring at The Claridge! It’s like my adopted home in Atlantic City and the whole staff over there have been nothing but great to me and my Rising Star Promotions crew,” said LaManna. “My last fight with Dusty was a rough one for me, I feel I was robbed of a decision win or at least a draw. I took some time off, enjoyed time with family and friends but I’ve been training for the passed 2 months and camp has been going really well.”
“This is my second fight with new trainer Ray McCline and we expect to put on a show come January 28th.”
“I’m looking for big fights in 2017, possibly another title fight and TV exposure but my main focus is on January 28th.”

In the six-round-co feature, light heavyweight Chuck Mussachio (19-3-2, 5 KO’s) of Wildwood, New Jersey will fight Michael Mitchell (3-7-2, 1 KO) of Paterson, New Jersey.

Mitchell has faced terrific competition and has only been stopped once, and has fought four undefeated fighters.

Also scheduled to appear in  a six-round bout will be:
Junior Welterweight John Bauza (5-0, 2 KO’s) of North Bergen, NJ & super middleweight Gabriel Pham (6-1, 2 KO’s) of Pleasantville, NJ.
In four-round bouts:
Ernesto Perez of Vineland, NJ will make his pro debut against Courtney McCleave (2-5, 1 KO) of Concord, North Carolina in a junior middleweight bout.
Jamil Simmons of Pleasantville, NJ will make his pro debut against Tomas Romain (0-1) of Brooklyn, NY in a lightweight bout.
Also scheduled to compete in four-round bouts will be heavyweight Quian Davis (4-0-2) of Mays Landing, NJ; junior welterweight Bryne Green (7-9-1, 3 KO’s) of Paulsboro, NJ; junior welterweight Dan Murray (1-0) of Lanoka, NJ; welterweight Yurik Mamedov (3-0, 1 KO) of Brooklyn, NY & bantamweight Dallas Holden (1-0) of Atlantic City.
Tickets for this great evening of boxing are $125, $80 and $55 and can be purchased at www.RSPboxing.com 
THERE WILL BE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 20TH IN ATLANTIC CITY–DETAILS TO FOLLOW
 
boxing

Decorated amateur boxer Mohammed Rabii To make pro debut Feb. 18 at home in Morocco

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CASABLANCA, Morocco (December 21, 2016) – Moroccan amateur boxing sensation Mohammed Rabii will make his long anticipated professional debut February 18, fighting at home in Casablanca, at the Complexe de Sportif Mohammed V Arena.
The 23-year-old Rabii represented Morocco at this year’s Olympic Games in Brazil, where he captured a bronze medal in the welterweight division, losing a disputed decision (0-3) in the semifinals to Uzebek boxer Shakhram Giyasov, who then lost (0-3) in the championship final to Daniyar Yeleussinov.  Rabii had defeated Yeleussinov, of Kazakhstan, in the gold-medal championship bout of the AIBA World Amateur Championships.  An average of 6 million Moroccans viewed each of Rabbi’s Olympic matches, providing testimony to his celebrity status back home.
A gifted orthodox fighter, Rabii was the past World Series of Boxing Fighter of the Year, who  signed an exclusive, multi-year managerial contract last October with Nowhere2Hyde Management, which is owned and operated by international manager Gary Hyde, of Cork, Ireland.
“We are delighted to have signed one of the best amateur boxers in the world,” Hyde said.  “Mohammed has a great style with knockout power in both hands. He will kick-star his pro career in front of his adoring fans in Casablanca February 18th.  He is a national hero, so, the plan is to take full advantage by building him up at home in Morocco.”
Two other boxers managed by Hyde, former World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight Simpiwe Vetyeka and middleweight Gevorg Khatchikian, will fight in the main event and co-feature, respectively, against opponents to be determined.
Vetyeka (29-3, 17 KOs), fighting out of South Africa, is currently ranked No. 4 by the WBA.   The only two pro losses for Khatchikian (24-2, 12 KOs), a Netherlander, have been to present super middleweight world champions James Degale (IBF) and Gilberto Ramirez (WBO).
Tickets are now on sale for the Feb. 18 show in Casablanca, in which Rabii will be supported by three other Moroccan fighters.
INFORMATION:
Twitter:  @nowheretohyde,

Facebook: www.facebook.com/garyhyde, www.facebook.com/mohammadrabii
boxing

IBF Flyweight World Champion John Riel Casimero to Relinquish Title and Campaign at Super Flyweight

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Former IBF World Light Flyweight and current IBF Flyweight World Champion John Riel “Quadro Alas” Casimero and his team have made the decision to relinquish his title and campaign in the super flyweight division.
Casimero (23-3, 15 KOs), who stopped Englishman Charlie Edwards in 10 rounds last September at the O2 Arena in London, will now go gunning for the 115-lb division’s top dogs including IBF World Champion Jerwin Acajas and Nicaragua’s Román “Chocolatito” González.
26-year-old Casimero, from Cebu City, Philippines, says he’s looking forward to the opportunity to join the greats of Philippines boxing.
“To win my third title would be a great honor for me and put my name in with some of the best fighters my country has ever produced,” said Casimero. “I will be immediately looking to make an impact and fight the big fights that allow me the opportunity.
Casimero’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing, says Casimero is more than ready for the move.

“He’s so strong and he keeps growing,” said Lewkowicz. “It is time for John Riel to move up and secure his place in Philippines boxing history. It is our hope to quickly face Acajas and Chocolatito next year. That is what we will work to make happen.”
boxing, Mayweather Promotions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Get to Know Super Middleweight World Champion Badou Jack

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(Photo Credit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME)
 
Jack Meets James DeGale in Super Middleweight World Title Unification Saturday, January 14 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn & Live on SHOWTIME
 
BROOKLYN (December 20, 2016) – Super middleweight world champion Badou Jackhas endured a long road on the way to his highly anticipated super middleweight world championship unification showdown against James DeGale taking place Saturday, January 14 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn and live on SHOWTIME.
Jack comes from a unique background for a boxer but has persevered through the same struggles that professional fighters face every day. He’s faced obstacles that few are able to overcome and now, with a huge SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event looming, Jack is on the cusp of stardom.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, start at $25. Tickets are available now and can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Take a look below at some interesting facts that have led Jack to his January 14showdown:

1.       Jack was born in Sweden to a Swedish mother and Gambian father. He has 

six siblings — two older sisters, two younger sisters and two younger brothers.

 

2.       He started boxing on his own curiosity and has already gotten some of his 

younger siblings interested in training. Professional boxing was banned in Sweden from 1969 through 2007

 

3.       Began boxing in 2000 and took quickly to the sport before starting his 

international amateur career.

 

4.       Qualified for the 2008 Olympics for Gambia. He remains the only boxer to 

ever represent the country in the Olympics and was the flag-bearer and one of three athletes to represent Gambia at the Beijing games.

5.       Jack is the first Swedish-born man to hold a boxing world title since 

Armand Krajnc held a middleweight title in 2001. The only other Swedish-born world champion was Ingemar Johansson, who famously won the heavyweight world title by knocking Floyd Patterson down seven times in one round on his way to a stoppage in 1959.

 

6.       Came to the U.S. to pursue boxing after the Olympics and first began 

training at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn.

 

7.       Was discovered by former heavyweight world champion Shannon Briggs 

and he temporarily moved to Miami to work with Briggs. He maintains a close relationship with Briggs today.

 

8.       After moving to Las Vegas, Jack met Floyd Mayweather in 2012 while 

sparring Andre Dirrell and eventually signed with Mayweather Promotions.

 

9.       After winning his world title in 2015, he was a finalist for the Swedish 

Athlete of the Year.

 

10.   He traveled to Gambia earlier this year and last year, along with Ishe Smith, 

to deliver training equipment and other donations to the country. 

 
(Photo Credit: Instagram.com/BadouJack)
# # #
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® doubleheader begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT with junior lightweight world champion Jose Pedraza taking on undefeated contender Gervonta Davis.
 
Additional action is featured on SHOWTIME EXTREME®and headlined by junior featherweight world champion and Brooklyn-native Amanda Serrano battling former two-division world champion Yazmin Rivas. The telecast begins at 7 p.m. ET/PT and features Ievgen Khytrov battling Immanuwel Aleem in a 10-round matchup of undefeated rising contenders.
Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP.  For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @BadouJack, @JamesDegale1, @Sniper_Pedraza, @Gervontaa, @ShowtimeBoxing, @SSports, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella,  @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionswww.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. This event is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing

Warriors Congratulates ‘King’ Carlos Molina for Victory Saturday Night and Sensational 2016

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Warriors Boxing sends congratulations out to Former IBF junior middleweight world champion “King” Carlos Molina for winning his sixth consecutive (and fifth this year) fight on Saturday night.
Fighting at the Gran Oasis Arena in Cancun, Mexico, Molina (28-6-2, 8 KOs) won a unanimous shutout (80-72 X3) decision over Diego “Demoledor” Cruz (17-4-1, 13 KOs). The 33-year-old Molina is currently rated #9 at welterweight by the WBC.
“I feel very comfortable at 147; this is my natural weight,” said Molina, post-fight. “I am at weight after working out and I feel faster in my fights. For this fight, I worked on utilizing my jab and being more effective with it. Over all I am happy about how things came together. I will continue to work hard to get back to a world title fight.”
Molina says he likes the hectic schedule he maintained this year, in fighting five times against respectable opposition.
“I want to stay busy. The activity I experienced this year was excellent and I want to continue being busy. I want bigger fights with anyone in the top 10 at 147. I want the fights that will lead to a second world title. I am a problem for anyone at 147 and in 2017, I want to be challenged with the best the division has to offer.”
“Carlos was one of the best in the world at 154,” said his promoter, Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing. “But at 147, he could very well be the best in the world. He is a true technician with a difficult style to solve for anyone. Now that he’s bigger and stronger than his opponents, he’s in very serious contention for a second world championship once again. He had a great year and I congratulate him.”
boxing

Free Agent Boxing Management Congratulates Former World Champion Jose Alfredo Rodriguez for Title-Winning Victory

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Team Rodriguez Setting Sights on ‘Chocolatito’
 
José A. Acevedo of Free Agent Boxing Management wishes to congratulate his fighter, Jose Alfredo “Torito” Rodriguez, for winning both the UBF All-Americas and Latino Super Flyweight Championships in front of a standing-room-only crowd at the ABC Sports Complex in Springfield, Virginia, on Saturday (December 10).
 
A former interim WBA Light Flyweight and WBC Youth World Light Flyweight Champion, Rodriguez, now ranked #15 by the IBF, scored an eight-round decision over Puerto Rico’s former WBA Fedecentro Super Flyweight Champion, Edwin “Puto” Rodriguez (8-3, 5 KOs), no relation.
 
The victory marked the first time Sinaloa, Mexico’s Rodriguez had ever competed in the United States.
 
Although the Puerto Rican was able to get inside a few times, Rodriguez used his jab to keep him outside and controlled the action for most of the fight.
 
“Torito got some good rounds in against Rodriguez,” said manager Acevedo. “This will help him brush off that ring rust. I am very happy with his performance. I knew this fight was going to go the distance, because ‘Puto’ is a good fighter. Torito is very strong though, with a bright future ahead of him.”
 
Acevedo says the win was the first step pin his plan to put Rodriguez in his dream fight.
 
“Next we will be looking to fight the best of the best to get Torito back on top. He wants to be champion again and he’ll fight anyone to get there. But the fight he really wants is (current WBC World Super Flyweight Champion Roman) Chocolatito (Gonzalez). That’s who we are gunning for.”
boxing

World ranked middleweight Willie Monroe, Jr. looking for major fights in 2017

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Monroe goes 2-0 in 2016 with wins over two former world title challengers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philadelphia, Penn./Rochester, New York (Dec. 19, 2016) –Willie Monroe, Jr. is ready for another major opportunity after a year where he defeated two world title challengers.
The native of Rochester, New York scored unanimous decision victories over John Thompson and Gabriel Rosado in 2016 to put himself in position to be mentioned for an early-2017 bout with Canelo Alvarez or a world title opportunity with WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders.  Monroe is also looking for showdowns with contenders David Lemieux and Curtis Stevens.
The recent win over Rosado netted Monroe the WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight title.
Sporting a record of 21-2 with 6 knockouts has Monroe ranked number-5 by the WBA, number-8 by the WBO and number-13 by the WBC.
This week, Monroe became a member of #TeamEverlast as a endorser for the legendary Everlast brand.
“I am very thankful to be a part of #TeamEverlast. Joining this elite group of guys is a testament to my hard work and determination being recognized.  I look forward to growing with Everlast in the coming years.”
“2017 is going to be an exciting year,” said Monroe. “I saw what it is like to be on that stage in 2015 when I faced Golovkin for the world title.  This year I beat 2 world title challengers decisively, and now I am looking to keep that momentum and  have a big year.  You will see a lot more fight out of Willie Monroe.  I have already proved myself as a boxer, and this year I will have to show other elements out of Willie Monroe.”
“It was a big stage to fight Golovkin, but I fought on a bigger stage on the Canelo undercard in front of 50,000 people, and I proved that I am one of the top guys in the division.  I will prove that once again in 2017.”
“The most important thing for me is activity in 2017. There are fights to be made; Saunders, Stevens, Lemieux. I would fight all of those guys one after another. My team and I ended 2016 with fireworks; lets continue that show in 2017.”
“Willie put together an amazing 2016 in the final 6 months of the year. I am glad we got the deal with Everlast finalized. This serves as excellent momentum going into 2017,” said Adrian Clark (Strategic Partner to Willie Monroe, Jr.)
“Willie had an outstanding year,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.  “He showed his resiliency by coming back from the Golovkin fight.  Great fighters take losses and come back stronger, and that is what Willie showed.  He will be in a significant bout in early 2017, and he will prove again that he is one of the top middleweights in the world.”