Category Archives: boxing

boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, UFC

Veazey to Conor McGregor: I’ll fight you now

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Baltimore, MD (December 6, 2016) – There was much talk throughout the boxing world last week when UFC superstar Conor McGregor received a boxing license from the California State Athletic Commission.

McGregor, widely considered the best mixed martial artist in the world, has been clamoring for a superfight with Floyd Mayweather. The bout would be a traditional boxing match. Talk surrounding Mayweather-McGregor received heavy criticism and it’s highly unlikely an athletic commission would sanction a five division world champion with a 49-0 record against an opponent making his debut.

Typically, debuting boxers face opponents that only have a few professional bouts.

Enter Joey “Bazooka Joe” Veazey.

Living and fighting out of Maryland, the 18-year-old had a successful amateur career and turned pro with a four round decision victory in October. A big ticket seller in his home state, Veazey is an honor student focused on being a star in and out of the ring. While many other young professional boxers would wait for a high profile fight, Veazey is ready to show McGregor he should stick to his own sport.

“The whole boxing world already knows Conor McGregor doesn’t belong in the same ring as Mayweather. I just had my pro debut and he recently got licensed so on paper, that’s an approvable fight by the athletic commission. If he does face me however, I’d prove to the world that he’s not a boxer and end the hype he’s started. He thinks he can just walk into this sport and face the best? That’s not how it works. If you really want to get in the boxing ring, I’d gladly expose you right now because boxing is no joke!”

Veazey’s next fight is scheduled for January 13 in Maryland and his promoter Jake Smith of Baltimore Boxing has already discussed licensing McGregor with Maryland State Athletic Commission executives.

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

ONE-YEAR IN: ABNER MARES & ROBERT GARCIA ON THE ROAD TO DECEMBER 10 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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(Photo Credit: Eder Mercado)
 
Athlete and Coach Discuss Highly Anticipated Featherweight Match-Up vs. Jesus Cuellar from Galen Center at USC 
in Los Angeles
 
Click HERE for Photos from Premier Boxing Champions
 
LOS ANGELES (December 5, 2016) -December 10 marks a pivotal year for Abner Mares, the highly respected former three-division world champion. It marks over one year since fans saw him enter the ring on television and one year since the newly formed partnership of Mares and revered trainer Robert Garcia. It is a transformed Mares that will enter the ring on Saturday, December 10 when he takes on current WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar in a Premier Boxing Champions live event on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles.
Tickets are on sale now at www.galentix.com . The live event is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions and presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions.
This fight is a road marker in a long and successful career for Mares as well as Garcia, who has trained numerous world champions at his two Robert Garcia Boxing Academy gyms in Oxnard, Calif., and Riverside, Calif. With Mares named one of the top five fighters in California by the Los Angeles Times, both are looking to earn and take home another coveted world championship in the featherweight division.
Q&A with Abner Mares:
You haven’t fought in over a year, but you’ve been in the gym consistently during that time. What has this last year been like for you?
“It’s been really tough not being able to fight this whole year. We’ve been training and staying active the whole year even after my two fights got cancelled. I did full training camps for each fight. Things happen for a reason. I’m with a new coach in Robert Garcia and this year has only helped us get even more ready for this fight and helped us get to know each other as trainer and fighter. Yes, it has been frustrating, but you have to look at the bright side.”
You’ve won three world titles in your career and now you’re fighting for a fourth with Jesus Cuellar. How driven are you to keep winning titles at this point in your career?
“I’m still hungry for more. Once you lose that hunger, you don’t accomplish anything. I’ve been hungry for quite some time now — hungry to prove to people and myself that there’s a lot left in Abner Mares.”
After a year with Robert Garcia, what differences in your approach and style might fans notice in the ring on Dec. 10?
“The word I’m using for this camp to sum up what I’ve done with Robert is ‘wise.’ I’m being wiser in there; he’s having me think more in there. That’s pretty much what I’ve learned with Robert. The patience he’s had, that’s what I’ve respected with him. We’ve been together a year and haven’t fought, and any other coach might start to get desperate. But he’s been patient.”
How do you see yourself fitting in right now in the big picture of a currently loaded featherweight division?
“I try not to get ahead of myself, obviously. Just the simple fact that there are big names in this division gets me excited. Just knowing that my name is still there as one of the respected featherweights says a lot, too, and makes me happy. But it’s one thing for other people to say it, and it’s another thing to prove it. That’s what I’m going to do December 10 — prove that I’m still elite and can make a big bang.”
Q&A with Robert Garcia
 
What has this last year been like for you working with Abner? It’s rare to see a trainer and fighter pair together more than a year before getting a chance to step into the ring for a fight.
 
“I’m a strong believer in things happening for a reason. With the fight date continuing to get pushed back that means this is pretty much our fourth training camp together, but I think it’s actually benefitted us. It gave us more time to get to know each other. It’s always better to know your trainer, know how he works. That way, you’re comfortable, and I think that’s a big benefit. Fighting a big, championship fight against a solid champion, it’s given us more time to learn from each other and better prepare ourselves for this fight.”
What’s stood out to you the most about now working with Abner after seeing him from a distance over the years?
“I remember Abner from the Olympics in 2000 and from the first part of his professional career, fighting locally. Following his style, it was a style that I admired. I liked his in-and-outs, he showed he was very skillful. When he became champion and started fighting big names, he became a crowd-pleaser, which fans love, when a fighter comes and gives the crowd what they want to see. But I think Abner still has those skills to still be a crowd-pleaser, but also be able to show that style he showed early in his career. He’s always been a smart fighter with good speed, good power and his footwork is also very good.”
What makes this fight – Cuellar vs. Mares – a special fight?
 
“It’s a special fight because it’s not an easy fight. We’re fighting probably the strongest of the division. He’s very strong physically and he’s a world champion. That makes the fight, for us, a little more interesting. We’re not fighting for any vacant title – we’re fighting a solid champion. I know him because I’ve trained him. It’s challenging for myself, knowing I made him a world champion and now I have a chance to take the title from him. It’s already a challenge, and now he’s training with Freddie Roach, so that makes it even more challenging.”
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com,follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing,@JesusCuellarBOX, @AbnerMares, @FutureOfBoxing, @JRockBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
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On the Verge of Boxing Stardom, Menard Ready for Tough Challenge Against Beltran

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Rayne, Louisiana’s “Rock Hard Mighty” Mason Menard (32-1, 24 KOs) knows he’s in for a tough challenge when he makes the first defense of his WBO NABO Lightweight Championship against fellow top-10 contender Ray Beltran (31-7-1, 19 KOs) of Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, December 10, at CenturyLink Center Omaha in Omaha, Neb.
The 10-round Menard vs. Beltran lightweight showdown will serve as the middle bout of an HBO World Championship Boxing tripleheader (9:35 p.m. ET/PT) that will open with the same-day delay telecast of the Joseph Parker vs. Andy Ruiz, Jr. WBO heavyweight championship in New Zealand.
Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with TGB Promotions, the exciting event will be headlined by undefeated World Junior Welterweight Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD (29-0, 20 KOs), of Omaha, Neb., making  the first defense of his unified World Boxing Organization (WBO) / World Boxing Council (WBC) /Ring magazine 140-pound world titles against one-time world title challenger and current No. 1 contender
JOHN MOLINA JR. (29-6, 23 KOs), from Covina, Calif.
 
Remaining reserved seat tickets to the Crawford – Molina world championship event, priced at $27, $52, $77 and $127, can be purchased at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets.  To charge-by-phone call (800) 745-3000.  To order online, visitticketmaster.com.
 
“I know Beltran has been around a long time and he’s fought at the top level many times. He is very tough and I know he will bring it,” said Menard.
The 28-year-old Menard punched his way into world contention this year with a pair of high-profile knockouts. In April of this year, he scored one for the highlight reels by starching formerly undefeated Eudy Bernardo with one punch in round three. Video HERE.
Then in August, he returned with another KO, this time against well-regarded Uzbekistani Bahodir Mamadjonov in the ninth round. Video HERE.
“2016 has been a great year for me,” he continued. “I’ve had two consecutive KO’s on national television and one is a candidate for ‘Knockout of the Year.’ I also won an award from the WBO in Puerto Rico. Now this fight has fallen into my lap and I will make the best of this opportunity.”
Another impressive victory for Menard would land him in world title contention… a fact not lost on the excited slugger. “Landing this fight is big for me and my career. A win here should put me in position to fight for a world title next. It should open doors me and make me a serious contender in the lightweight division.”
Menard is taking this tough challenge on relatively short notice, but says he’s in great shape and will be fully prepared for battle on December 10. “Yes, I am ready. I was already training to fight December 15. It’s now or never. I believe God has blessed me with this fight because I’ve been praying for a big one to get me to the next level.”
The Menard vs. Beltran bout is presented by Top Rank in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. The CenturyLink Center Omaha is located at455 North 10th Street in Omaha, Nebraska.
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For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, ortwitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #CrawfordMolina to join the conversation on Twitter.
boxing, Mayweather Promotions

ASHLEY “TREASURE” THEOPHANE GETS THE WIN OVER YAKABU AMIDU BY UNANIMOUS DECISION IN MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS SIN CITY SHOWDOWN

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Photo Credit: Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
Click HERE for Photos from Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
LAS VEGAS (Dec. 3, 2016) – Ashley “Treasure” Theophane (40-7-1, 11KO’s ) faced Yakabu Amidu (19-9-2, 17 KO’s ) in 10 rounds of action in the main event of Mayweather Promotions’ Sin City Showdown Friday night. Theophane came out focused and on cue with his game plan, he was able to deflect most of Amidu’s punches and break his opponent down. It was a steady 10 rounds of action, Theophane was able to break Amidu down with consistent jabs and body punches aiming consistently at his target, round after round. Amidu struggled to read Theophane, which ultimately led to Theophane to his 40th win, by way of unanimous decision.
“It feels great to have a career that’s lasted this long, he made it easy to stick to my game plan. I listened to my corner who guided me and kept me on track, I couldn’t be happier with the decision,” said Theophane.
“I knew he was going to be a good opponent, I didn’t perform my best,” says Amidu. “This fight should have been in my favor, but in the end the judges decided the winner.”
Leading up to the main event, was a fast-paced blow-by-blow welterweight exchange between Mayweather Promotions’ power-puncher Maurice Lee (7-1, 3 KO’s) and Cameron Kreal (9-12-2, 1 KO). As soon as the first bell rang Krael jumped out his corner quickly putting the pressure on Lee, while Lee searched to find his groove. Krael kept delivering punches, forcing Lee to fight on the defense. By the beginning of the fifth round, Lee found an opening, landing jabs and uppercuts affecting Krael. Ultimately, Lee couldn’t seem to land enough of what normally seems like easy jabs against the quick moving and strong Cameron Krael. After 6 rounds of action the judges saw the bout in favor of Krael by unanimous decision, giving Lee the first loss of his career.
“I only had one week to prepare for this fight, the results ultimately showed how much more experience and fights under my belt, I had over my opponent,” says Krael. “I broke him down round by round, he never had a chance.”
“My game plan was to box smart, I knew he had a lot of experience so I knew I had to be smart in the ring.” Lee reflects on his performance and goes on to say, “I thought the fight was a lot closer than what the judges ruled. I definitely could have thrown more punches. We both took a lot of punches in the end. This was a learning experience and I just gotta come back harder.”
The night began with a full Mayweather Promotions showcase serving back-to-back, non-stop undercard action. Newly signed lightweight amateur Rolando Romero (1-0, 1 KO)got the first win of his career in the first round, by TKO against David Courtney(1-5, 1KO) after only one minute and eleven seconds of action. Also making his Mayweather Promotions debut Oluwafemi “The Eagle” Oyeleye (1-0) got the first win of his career, by way of unanimous decision in a 4-round Jr. middleweight showdown against Brian True (1-5, 1 KO). Lightweight Andres Cortes (4-0, 2 KO’s) furthered his undefeated record against Miguel Espinoza (3-2, 1 KO) after 4 rounds of action. The night continued on as Latondria Jones (5-0, 2 KO’s) kept her undefeated record in tact against Selena Arellano (1-2-, 1 KO), judges ruled the 4 round Jr. middleweight bout in Jones favor by UD. Further up in the lineup was a brutal welterweight showdown giving Mayweather Promotions’ Charvis Holifield (6-2, 4 KO’s) the second loss of his career versus Samuel Santana (9-11-3, 3 KO’s) which ended in a 5th round stoppage, giving Santana the win by way of TKO.
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Follow on Twitter @AshleyTheophane, @ambitious_lee, @MayweatherPromo, and @SamsTownLV, become a fan on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.
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Sampson Boxing Congratulates Rodriguez for Winning Euro Welterweight Championship; Next Sets Sights on Paulie Malignaggi

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Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing and his long-time promotional partner, Sergio Martinez of Maravillabox Promotions, congratulate the welterweight contender they co-promote, Ceferino “Ferino V” Rodriguez, for today’s (December 2) hard-fought EBU (European) welterweight title-winning victory over France’s Ahmed El Mousaoui.
After a scintillating back-and-forth war, Rodriguez (24-1, 12 KOs), also the former WBC Latino Welterweight champion, won a split decision over the determined El Mousaoui (now 24-3-1, 6 KOs) at the Las Palmas in Islas Canarias, Spain.
The victory sets up a potential showdown with former two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi for Rodriguez’s newly won European championship on American soil.
“I am happy to have won such a rough fight,” said Rodriguez. “Now I want to make history with a fight between a Spaniard and an Italian on American soil. Bring me Paulie Malignaggi.”
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz says he hopes Malignaggi sees the historical implications of fighting for a Euro title on US soil.
“Paulie is a smart man as a fighter and commentator. I invite him to try and further his incredible career by going for this championship, which I know is important to his people back in Italy. Forget Connor McGregor and let’s make this world war happen.”
Lewkowicz says he’s very happy for his fighter’s success and for the ongoing relationship with Martinez, whom he also worked with when he was an active fighter and superstar in boxing.
“Sergio and I have enjoyed a long and successful time in boxing and I look forward to making even more boxing history, as we guide the career of Ceferino Rodriguez together, hopefully into a globally important fight against Paulie Malignaggi,” he said.
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Undefeated Prospect Mario Barrios Training Camp Quotes & Photos

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Rising Contender Talks Training with Virgil Hunter, Moving Up in Weight & More Before Competing in Undercard Action
Saturday, December 10 from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles
Click HERE for Photos from Brett Ostrowski/Team Barrios
OAKLAND (December 2, 2016) – Undefeated prospect Mario Barrios (16-0, 8 KOs) is set to make his lightweight debut when he fights Argentina’s Claudio Rosendo Tapia (28-17-4, 13 KOs) in undercard action on Saturday, December 10 from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles.
The December 10 event is headlined by featherweight world champion Jesus Cuellar defending against former three-division world champion Abner Mares in a long-awaited showdown. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with junior middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo and top-rated challenger Julian Williams in a world championship battle of undefeated rising stars in their prime.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, are on sale and are priced at $35, $50, $75, $150 and $200. To purchase tickets go towww.galentix.com.
Barrios shared thoughts on his first training camp with Virgil Hunter, moving up and weight in more. Here is what the San Antonio-native had to say from Oakland:
On moving up to lightweight…
“At 6’1, it was getting difficult making 130 pounds. I feel a lot stronger now that I’m fighting at lightweight. It’s also safer not to be drained going into fights. In my last fight, I killed myself trying to make weight.  I believe this is the right move for me.”
On working with new coach, 2011 BWAA “Trainer of the Year” Virgil Hunter…
“I have a lot of respect for Virgil Hunter. He’s great explaining the fundamentals of boxing. He’s a great motivator and I’m looking forward to a bright future with Virgil. Everyone knows he’s one of the best trainers in the world so I’m excited to have him in my corner leading the way.”
On fighting in Los Angeles on December 10…
“This will be a great card to fight on.  Jesus Cuellar vs. Abner Mares is going to be an all-out war. This will be the second time fighting at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. I’m looking to put on a great performance for all the Mexican fans that will be in attendance. Everyone will see a stronger fighter when I step in the ring on December 10.”
On his recent training camp in California…
“Training in California has been very productive. I’ve got a lot of good sparring and my strength and conditioning has gone to a new level. I feel powerful and I know I’ll be at my best when I step in the ring. All in all, it’s been a great learning experience working out here on the west coast.”
On fighting Argentinean veteran Claudio Rosendo Tapia…
“I know he just went the distance with two undefeated fighters, so I know he’s durable. Fighters from Argentina always bring it. I know this fight will get rough at some point so I’ll be well prepared for anything he brings. I’m very confident in my ability to come out victorious.”
On his goals for 2017…
“2017 will be a year where I’ll get comfortable fighting at a higher weight class. My main goal is to stay busy and get as many fights in as possible.  I can see myself possibly fighting at super lightweight if I keep growing. I’m just going to take it day by day.”

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.premierboxingchampions.com,follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing,@JesusCuellarBOX, @AbnerMares, @FutureOfBoxing, @JRockBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UK Boxing

HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER TO BE GUEST ANALYST FOR ANTHONY JOSHUA vs. ERIC MOLINA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT ON SATURDAY, DEC. 10 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® Airs at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT Live On SHOWTIME; Encore Presentation During Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®Telecast

 

Watch, Share & Embed “Wilder Road To Recovery” Video: http://s.sho.com/2gcc2TI

Download: https://we.tl/V82xszVTFc

Photo Credit: Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

NEW YORK (Dec. 2, 2016) – WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder will join the SHOWTIME announce team as a guest analyst for the IBF Heavyweight World Championship fight between undefeated champion Anthony Joshua and American challenger Eric Molina on Saturday, Dec. 10, live on SHOWTIME (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT).

 

Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs) will join host Brian Custer and analysts Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi for the SHOWTIME BOXING INTERNATIONAL® presentation from Galen Center at USC in Los Angeles, site of that evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast.

 

The “Bronze Bomber” just completed rehab for a fractured right hand and torn right bicep (see video above) as he (Wilder) sets his sights to unify the division in 2017.  Wilder is acutely familiar with Molina, having defeated the fellow-American in the first defense of his title in June, 2015 on SHOWTIME.

 

“I know firsthand just how tough Eric Molina is,” Wilder said.  “He’s coming to win because it’s a chance for him to win a world title, and he’ll definitely push Joshua.  Whoever wins will have to see me eventually because it’s my goal to collect all the belts and become the undisputed heavyweight champion.”

 

Joshua is making the second defense of his title against Molina, who is getting his second shot at a belt in his quest to become the first Mexican-American heavyweight world champion.

 

An encore presentation of Joshua vs. Molina will air as part of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast later that evening, following the main event showdown between WBA Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar and three-division former champ Abner Mares.  In the opening bout, Jermall Carlo will defend his IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship against fellow-undefeated challenger Julian Williams.

 

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

Junior Featherweight World Champion Amanda Serrano Meets Former Two-Division World Champion Yazmin Rivas Live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® in First Women’s World Title Bout on National Television in Nearly A Decade

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Saturday, January 14 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn

 

Plus! Undefeated Rising Middleweight Contenders

Ievgen Khytrov & Immanuwel Aleem Collide in Action

Beginning at 7 p.m. ET/ PT

 

BROOKLYN (December 2, 2016) – Junior featherweight world champion and Brooklyn-native Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (30-1-1, 23 KOs) is set to battle former two-division world champion Yazmin Rivas (35-9-1, 10 KOs) in the first nationally televised women’s world title bout in nearly a decade on Saturday, January 14, live on SHOWTIME EXTREME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

 

NOTE: The last nationally televised female world title fight was Mary Jo Saunders vs. Valerie Mahfood on March 30, 2007 (ESPN2).

 

The SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast begins at 7 p.m. ET/PT and features Ievgen Khytrov (14-0, 12 KOs) battling Immanuwel Aleem(16-0-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round matchup of undefeated rising contenders for the WBC Middleweight Silver belt.

 

The January 14 event features a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® doubleheader headlined by the super middleweight world championship unification showdown between Badou Jack and James DeGale.  Televised coverage on SHOWTIME® begins at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT with super featherweight world champion Jose Pedraza taking on undefeated contender Gervonta Davis.

 

Serrano, the WBO 122-pound titlist, and Rivas, the WBC International champion at super bantamweight, will fight for the WBO title and the prestigious WBC Diamond championship in a bout that promises intense action from start to finish. The addition of Serrano means that the card will feature Puerto Rico’s only two world champions, Serrano and Pedraza.

 

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.

 

Raised in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, Serrano gravitated toward boxing from watching her older sister Cindy, also a professional fighter. She picked the sport up quickly, amassing a 9-1 record during a brief amateur career in which she won the New York Golden Gloves title in 2008. The 27-year-old would go on to fight all over the world, seizing her first world title in 2011 when she defeated Kimberly Connor to grab a super featherweight belt. In 2014, she went to Argentina and defeated Maria Elena Maderna to become a world champion at lightweight. Her world title climb continued in February when she stopped Olivia Gerula in the first round to capture her featherweight championship. She made her Barclays Center debut in July with a first-round stoppage of Calixta Silgado before earning another victory in the first round when she stopped Alexandra Lazar to pick up a vacant junior featherweight world title.

 

A 28-year-old out of Torreon, Mexico, Rivas picked up her WBC International title in her last bout, a decision victory over Jessica Gonzalez. Rivas had previously successfully defended her bantamweight world title four times after winning the belt against Alesia Graf in 2014. Her prior run as a bantamweight champion lasted for five defenses after she defeated previously unbeaten Susie Ramadan to win that belt. These extended championship runs came after she became a flyweight world champion in 2005 by defeating Lucia Avalos.

 

An Olympian who represented his native Ukraine, Khytrov also won an Amateur World Championship before turning pro in 2013. Since then, the 28-year-old has dominated on his way to stopping contenders Josh Luteran and Nick Brinson and previously unbeaten fighters Maurice Louishomme and Aaron Coley. Khytrov, who trains out of Brooklyn, won an entertaining ninth-round knockout over Paul Mendez in his last start this past July. Khytrov has fought three times previously on ShoBox: The New Generation.

 

Born in East Meadow, New York and fighting out of Richmond, Virginia, Aleem was introduced to boxing at a young age by his parents. Since turning pro in 2012 at age 18, the 23-year-old has wiped out all of the competition in front of him. In 2015, he dominated Emmanuel Sanchez, David Toribio, Oscar Riojas and Carlos Galvan before defeating once-beaten Jonathan Cepeda in April. In his last bout, he boxed a draw with once-beaten prospect Demond Nicholson. He will look to take advantage of another big opportunity on January 14.

 

# # #

 

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, @SHOSports, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella,  @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports,  www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. This event is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

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Positive Reviews Piling Up for ‘When the Lights Go Out,’ the Hard-Hitting Autobiography by Former Heavyweight Contender David ‘Nino’ Rodriguez

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“One thing, though, is certain. ‘When the Lights Go Out’ is his 36th and best knockout.” Bill Knight, El Paso Times
Positive reviews and media attention are pouring in for former heavyweight contender and fan favorite David “Nino” Rodriguez, on the strength of his new book, “When The Lights Go Out,” a powerful memoir of his life growing up as a fighter.
Available through amazon.com, “When the Lights Go Out” is priced at $17.95 (paperback) and $7.95 (Kindle).
In an inspiring tale of a bullied child growing into a fearsome warrior, El Paso, Texas-based Rodriguez, who went 35-2 as a professional including 35 KOs, winning four regional championships along the way, manages to pull at the reader’s heart strings while never shying away from the brutal realities he experienced.
From street fights in Juarez, Mexico, to his beloved former trainer being murdered, to accidentally overdosing and nearly being murdered himself by street thugs, Rodriguez’s story is an unblinking eye to a life very nearly cut short at several turns.
While Rodriguez’s cement fists allowed him a decorated career in boxing that is rare, what sets this story apart from other boxing tomes is his ability to convey the fears and anxieties behind his talent for violence. While watching a heavyweight slugger walk to the ring with malicious intent in his unblinking eyes, how many see a child hiding in the bathroom stall to avoid schoolyard bullies? Rodriguez bares his soul in this remarkable story, showing intelligence, wit and stunning personal insight along the way.
Rodriguez hopes this story will help other fighters recognize if their careers are being mishandled the way his was. He hopes underdogs around the world will be inspired to believe in their talents and overcome their fears. He hopes those dealing with substance issues or depression will find comfort in his resurrection as an activist for several causes, and most of all, he hopes you’ll enjoy this hard-hitting autobiography by a truly remarkable sports figure.
For more information visit www.davidninorodriguez.com.
boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show: Miesha’s FU to Dana White, GSP and the Giant Fighters Union, Conor Being Conor and Ward vs. Kovalev recap

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This week on the FNU Combat Sports Show we discuss a fantastic month of November as far as fighting goes. We only had two shows last month, so we kick off this week in catch up mode. We discuss Ward vs. Kovalev at length, go off on a few tangents and then get to Tony’s review of “Bleed For This.”  We then go back to MMA for Rich’s commentary on Miesha Tate telling Dana White, “FU, you’re not my boss..” after his request that she go to the hospital after her fight with Raquel Pennington. Tate retired earlier in the evening after a stellar career. Rich also gets going about the fighter union front and some new developments with Georges St. Pierre, Ex-Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney, Cain Velasquez, T.J. Dillashaw and other UFC notables breaking new ground in the niche with the founding of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association.  We also manage to preview the upcoming weekend’s boxing schedule before the end of the broadcast tonight.

Part One:

 

Part Two: