Category Archives: boxing

Undefeated Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder Defends His Title Against Two-Time World Title Challenger Chris Arreola in Premier Boxing Champions on FOX & FOX Deportes Primetime Main Event Saturday, July 16 From Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)

 
Tickets On Sale Tomorrow!
 
BIRMINGHAM, AL (June 13, 2016) – Undefeated heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) will defend his title in his home state when he battles two-time world title challenger Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, July 16 from Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama with televised coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions in association with Bruno Event Team, start at only $20 and go on saletomorrow. For tickets please visit www.alabamatitlefight.com andwww.ticketmaster.com.
Wilder returns to the ring after he was set to travel to Russia and defend his title against Alexander Povetkin on May 21 before the challenger failed a drug test that caused a cancellation of the fight. Now, Wilder will showcase his exceptional skills in primetime on network television as he takes on Arreola. It will be Wilder’s fourth defense and third in his home state of Alabama.
“I’m always excited about coming home and being in front of my people where I’m the most comfortable,” said Wilder. “I’ve been traveling a lot, going over to Sheffield, England to train before I was supposed to fight Alexander Povetkin in Moscow. But because of his decision to use a banned substance, the fight didn’t happen. I’m disappointed about that, but it’s not going to stop me from being an active heavyweight world champion.  It has also given me the opportunity to again defend my title before my hometown fans. It’s always good to come home.
“This is the longest stretch that I’ve been out of the ring and I’m anxious to get back in and continue my quest to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world,” continued Wilder. “This is another fight in that process. I respect Chris Arreola for getting into the ring with me, but we all know who the real champion is and I’m going to prove it. I’ve been training long and hard for a fight and now I’m going to take it out on Arreola on July 16.”
“I’m thankful to Deontay for this opportunity, he has provena great deal by winning the heavyweight title and by defending it three times,” said Arreola. “I’m very excited to step into the ring with him, put on a great show, be victorious and make history by becoming the first Mexican heavyweight world champion.”
“We are thrilled that Deontay will be back in the ring quickly, in primetime on FOX, and at home in Alabama. Chris Arreola knows that this is his last opportunity for heavyweight glory and will likely come out throwing bombs from the opening bell. I expect an explosive, fan friendly fight for as long as it lasts,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “In the wake of Povetkin’s positive PED test and the cancellation of that fight, we are happy that Deontay’s next heavyweight title defense will be contested on July 16th and on such a great platform.”
“Chris knows what this fight means, and having been in the position to be the first Mexican heavyweight world champion before, he’s not going to let that chance slip by him again, ” said Tom Brown of TGB Promotions.
“We are excited to work with DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions to bring the third heavyweight boxing championship in a little over a year to the state of Alabama,” said Gene Hallman, president and CEO of Bruno Event Team.  “We expect tickets for this fight to sell quickly and we encourage Alabama boxing fans to show their support for Deontay.”
“FOX and FOX Deportes are thrilled to be broadcasting the much anticipated heavyweight championship of the world between Deontay Wilder vs. Chris Arreola as part of our partnership with Premier Boxing Champions,” said David Nathanson, FOX Sports Head of Business Operations. “It’s been just over 20 years since FOX presented its last heavyweight headliner, Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis. We’re sure this title fight will deliver another amazing PBC show on our networks.”
The heavyweight champion from Tuscaloosa is itching to get back in the ring after defending his title with stoppages of Eric Molina, Johann Duahaupas and most recently a one-punch knockout of Artur Szpilka in January. Before turning pro in November 2008, Wilder won the bronze medal at heavyweight for the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games.  He is the last American male boxer to medal in the Olympics. The 30-year-old won the belt with a dominant decision over Bermane Stiverne in January 2015. The six-month layoff will be the longest of Wilder’s career. This fight will mark the eighth time Wilder fights in his home state of Alabama as a professional.
Always in exciting fights, the Los Angeles-born Arreola will look to entertain the primetime audience as he takes his third crack at a heavyweight world championship. With victories over Eric Molina, Seth Mitchell, Joey Abell and Jameel McCline plus championship losses to Vitali Klitschko and Bermane Stiverne, he will be one of the most battle-tested opponents of Wilder’s career.
There will be two more hours of boxing on FS1 and FOX Deportes at 10 p.m. ET, immediately following the Wilder vs. Arreola fight on FOX. Further details will be announced shortly.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.alabamatitlefight.comwww.dbe1.com,www.TGBPromotions.com,http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and foxdeportes.com follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @BronzeBomber, @NightmareBoxing @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing,www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. www.facebook.com/foxsports andwww.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX. PBC on FOX is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

VASQUEZ BROTHERS WIN IN RENO

June 13th, RENO — In front of a packed crowd at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Reno, flyweight Oscar Vasquez took a unanimous victory against Mexico’s Javier Lapizco.  All three judges scored the bout 80-72.  Vasquez was in control of the fight from the opening bell but had to weather several intense exchanges with the game Lapizco throughout the fight.  Vasquez moves to 10-1, Lapizco to 7-4.

 

Oscar’s younger brother Santos scored a second-round TKO over Nestor Hernandez in a Jr. flyweight bout.  Santos had Hernandez down in the first round by landing a left-hook that landed perfectly.  He continued to land punches in the second and once again put Hernandez down.  After a third knockdown, referee Vic Drakulich called a stop to the contest.  Vasquez moves to 2-2, Hernandez to 0-2.

 

Also on Saturday’s card, Reno’s Alec McGee was successful in his professional debut over the tough Mulapi Enjani via unanimous decision in a four-round featherweight bout.  The aggressive Enjani had his moments, but McGee’s boxing ability proved to be superior.  Enjani moves to 2-2-2.

 

The sensational opening bout pitted super featherweights Derick Bartlemay and Matt Murphy against each other in a four-round fight.  The nonstop action resembled the final fight sequence in a Rocky movie and ultimately resulted in a draw.

 

In a four-round super-featherweight bout, Rafael Busuioc scored a unanimous decision win over Jose Luis Gallegos in an a high energy bout.

COMBAT SPORTS GIVE BEZANSON DIRECTION AFTER FAMILY TRAGEDY

Lewiston, Maine (June 13, 2016) – Combat sports gave Mike Bezanson (1-0) direction. They also helped him cultivate the relationship with his father that he always coveted but could never seem to grasp.

Now, on the eve of Father’s Day, less than a week past the four-year anniversary of his dad’s untimely death, Bezanson is poised to take another step in the career that was their shared dream.

Bezanson, 21, of Lancaster, N.H., returns to the New England Fights hexagon to take on Shawn Bang (1-1) of Auburn, Maine, in a welterweight bout at “NEF 24: Promised Land.” Their amateur bout is one of the many attractions on theSaturday, June 18 card at Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.

“I think this fight is going to be good for me, because I’ll be able to show my skills against an opponent with more in-cage experience than I have,” Bezanson said. “Also, the fact that June 18 is the day before Father’s Day makes this a sentimental and emotional fight for me.”

The encore comes almost a year to the day after Bezanson stopped Jeff Dustin (0-1) by technical knockout via strikes in his mixed martial arts debut on June 13, 2015. Bang has split his first two verdicts in the NEF cage.

Bezanson’s showboating, stick-and-move style drew mixed reviews from the large crowd that witnessed his rookie effort. Some booed the relative lack of action, perhaps suspecting that Bezanson was toying with an overmatched opponent.

It was all part of his plan to relish the moment and take advantage of the opportunity.

“Truthfully we had a game plan to get experience,” Bezanson said. “If I have any thoughts of going pro, I need to get as much experience as I can. If you go in there and knock a guy out in 10 seconds, don’t get me wrong, you got a knockout and that’s great, but you’re not learning what it takes to get comfortable on the other side of that 10 seconds. You don’t know how much energy you’re going to need.”

Bezanson never lacked energy, or personality, from childhood. He describes himself as a young man who never got into any serious trouble, and never experimented with drugs or other disorderly conduct, but one who freely challenged authority.

He gravitated to the boxing ring as a freshman in high school. It gave him direction. It also provided a foundation for the on-again, off-again relationship with his father, Jamie.

“Before I took up boxing, my dad wasn’t really involved much in my life. He would come and go, you know, for personal reasons,” Bezanson said. “When I started boxing, we got really close. Boxing and racing were his things. He would tell anybody and everybody that I was boxing and how proud he was, and that meant a lot to me.”

Jamie Bezanson never had the chance to watch his son develop as a fighter. On June 15, 2012, during annual “Bike Week” in Laconia, his motorcycle crossed the center line and struck another vehicle.

The elder Bezanson succumbed to his injuries. He was 37.

“I lost it for a while. I stopped boxing. Mentally, I was just in a very emotional place,” Bezanson said. “Then right next to my house, Kaze Dojo opened up. I said, ‘That’s something I could do.’”

Bezanson began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Greg Williams. He proved himself a natural talent, winning the gold medal in his debut at the Vermont Open.

Then came the natural progression to MMA, where his stand-up skills proved too difficult for Dustin to defend. Bezanson commanded the cage with the poise and surgical precision of a veteran.

“I’m a pretty confident guy all around. I really wasn’t that nervous. I figure why be scared if you’re prepared and you’ve put in all that training?” he said. “Ninety percent of fights are lost before you even get into the cage. If you let the emotions get to you, you’re not going to perform to the best of your ability.”

Bezanson suffered a catastrophic knee injury in training shortly thereafter. He has spent most of the past year recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL and meniscus.

Once he returned to the gym, Bezanson spent much of his time focused on his evolving ground game. It should be tested royally by Bang, a former high school wrestler from a renowned regional fighting family.

“Striking is definitely one of my strengths. I’m a lanky dude, and I try to use that to my full advantage,” Bezanson said. “But I’ve worked really hard on my ground game in training. I didn’t really get a chance to show it in my first fight, but I know I will this time.”

Bezanson sees his second foray into the cage as the true beginning of what he hopes will be a prolific career.

In addition to the many fans who will make the four-hour round trip from the North Country to watch him, Bezanson knows he will have one special set of eyes in his corner.

“Boxing taught me a lot of discipline. MMA is the same thing. People can use it however they want, but that’s what it does for me,” he said. “It’s something I like to do and something that I know makes my father proud all at the same time.”

The opening bell on June 18 is set for 7 p.m. The current docket includes five pro boxing fights, three pro MMA bouts and eight amateur MMA skirmishes. Tickets for “NEF 24: Promised Land” start at $25 and are available atwww.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at 207.783.2009, extension 525.

For more information on the events and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Thomas Dulorme returns this Saturday

Former world title challenger, Thomas Dulorme (22-2, 14 KOs) from Carolina, Puerto Rico, will be back in action this Saturday, June 18 at the Pabellón de la Feria, Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.
Dulorme will be facing Mexican, Jesus “Pantera” Gurrola ( 22-8-3, 10 KO’s ) in a scheduled eight round welterweight division bout.
“Right now I’m a free agent. This bout marks my return at the welterweight divison where I first started my career, and was ranked as one of the best in the world. Now you can expect a stronger and faster boxer. At the jr. welterweight division I was ranked in the top positions too, but It was difficult for me to make weight” said Dulorme.
“At this stage of my career, I feel very good both mentally and physically to get back to the winning route. Now after this fight, we will be looking for better options,” said the 26 year old world title contender.
Dulorme has notable victories over former world champion DeMarcus Corley, the rising prospect, Karim Mayfield, who marched unbeaten in 19 starts and world contender Hank Lundy and Charlie Navarro.
In his last presentation, which was affected by a sudden divorce during his training and differences with his team, Dulorme lost a competitive match against one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world, Terence Crawford in bout ruled for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) world title at the 140-pound division.

Joseph Elegele Scores Hard Fought Unanimous Decision Victory Over Phil Lo Greco In Main Event Of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round On Bounce From The Lakeland Center in Lakeland, FL

Dauren Yeleussinov and Devaun Lee Fight To Split Decision Draw
Craig Baker Stops Steve Lovett In Final Seconds Of Eighth Round
Click HERE For Photos
Credit: Dave Nadkarni/Premier Boxing Champions
 
LAKELAND, FL. (June 13, 2016) – Exciting super welterweight Joseph Elegele (16-2 11 KOs) showed his strength and power Sunday night in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV as he went toe-to-toe with Phil Lo Greco(27-3, 15 KOs) for 10 hard-fought rounds from The Lakeland Center in Lakeland, FL. Both combatants left it all in the ring, exchanging punches throughout the bout with close rounds that left the audience wanting more.
Elegeleof nearby Winter Haven, FL started the bout coming forward, slightly stunning Toronto’s Lo Greco with several flurries of punches that set the tone for a hard fought back and forth battle. The action picked up in round two as Lo Greco came in on the attack early in the round, pinning Elegele against the ropes and continuing to pepper him with punches to the body and the head.
Despite being taken aback by the attack, Elegele came roaring back in the final seconds of round two and out of the corner to kick off round three. Lo Greco remained in the pocket, not afraid to continue to throw wide left hooks as the fighters traded punches back and forth.
As the fight continued, Lo Greco backed Elegele up against the ropes, smothering him with punches despite Elegele’s four-inch height advantage. But round six was completely controlled by Elegele as he threw a combination of bruising punches that very well could have sent Lo Greco to the canvas. However Lo Greco remained in the pocket. In the 10th and final round, Lo Greco came out strong, outworking Elegele, but with less than 20 seconds to go in the bout, Elegele stunned Lo Greco with a barrage of punches up against the ropes. Judges scored the bout  97-95 and 96-94 twice, all for Elegele, the winner by unanimous decision.
The second televised bout saw two former amateur standouts Dauren Yeleussinov (5-0-1, 4 KOs) of Kazakhstan, who now fights out of Brooklyn, and Devaun Lee (7-2-1, 3 KOs) of Queens, NY in an eight-round middleweight bout that ended in a split draw. Yeleussinov wasted no time in the first round as he kicked off the fight by throwing multiple left hands, one to the body and two to the head of Lee.
Lee escaped the round unscathed and despite spending the majority of the second round against the ropes, he was able to let his hands go and catch Yeleussinov with multiple shots. The 30-year-old Yeleussinov went on the attack in the sixth round, pinning Lee against the ropes, once again with a barrage of punches. Judges scored the bout at 79-73 for Yeleussinov, 78-74 for Lee and 76-76, ending the bout in a split draw.
In the opening televised bout, Australian prospect Steve Lovett (15-1, 12 KOs) battled Craig Baker (17-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round light heavyweight showdown that ended with an explosive knockout. Baker of Baytown, TX was sent to the canvas in round four following a big left hook thrown by Lovett, but Baker was the more active fighter throughout the fight as he was up on all three of the judge’s scorecards going into the eighth and final round. With only three seconds to go in the bout, Baker sent Lovett to the canvas with a hard right hand that ended the bout.
Here is what the participants had to say about their respective performances Sunday night:
JOSEPH ELEGELE
“I wasn’t surprised because he’s a tough fighter, he’s a Canadian and Canadian fighters are tough. He came to fight. It was a good fight.
“It’s hard for anyone to find an answer for a straight left, but I was surprised he kept walking through it.
“I hope this win puts me on the next level. I’m ready for the top fighters. I know there are some things I can work on, but I am ready for the top fighters.
“I’m not sure what’s up with my left hand.  It hurt me when I was throwing it, but I’m a warrior. I’ve been through too much in life to let a little left hand hurt me. It could be falling off and I’m still going to throw it.”
PHIL LO GRECO
“It was his hometown. The score could have gone either way. I hurt him in the second round. He was out and the ref could have stopped the fight. That is no excuse. I will fight anyone, anywhere.
“I felt I was pushing the fight. I am disappointed in the decision.
“It’s up to the fans if they want to see me again. People see that I will fight anywhere and anyplace. I enjoyed tonight.”
DEVAUN LEE
“I don’t agree with the draw, I think I won the fight. I would have been comfortable with a split decision. He worked, but I landed clean shots and I landed heavier punches. I feel like I won the fight. He has power, but he wasn’t powerful enough to stop me.
“Next, I’m ready for whatever they put in front of me. I would do it again.”
CRAIG BAKER
“Lovett is a strong guy and he’s a hell of a competitor. He came to work and he tested me, so it is what it is, man.
“This is awesome, man. This is what I sweat and kill myself in the gym for. This win means the world to me.
“He never hurt me tonight. We stayed patient I do what we do. This is the biggest win of my career, but I won’t rest until I get a title.
“I’ll fight whoever next. I’ll be back in the gym soon and getting ready for whoever the put in front of me next.
“Fighting on a Premier Boxing Champions card is amazing. I’m grateful to get the opportunity and I hope to be back on PBC fighting again.”
# # #
The fight card was promoted by King’s Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra: La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @BounceTV, @KingsBoxing_ and @Swanson_Comm and follow the conversation using #PBConBounce, become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions andwww.Facebook.com/BounceTV.
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.
Check out Fight News Unlimited’s recent interviews of the main event combatants:
Phil Lo Greco:
Joseph Elegele:
http://www.podcastmachine.com/podcasts/19429/episodes/114793 

Moises Chucky Flores remains undefeated winning IBO title wants Rigondeaux next

Photo By Team Pro Box Management
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA (June 12, 2016) – Last night at the Ramatex Factory in Windhoek, Namibia, Mexico’s super-bantamweight standout, Moises “Chucky” Flores (25-0, 17 KOs) remained undefeated with a 12-round unanimous decision over hometown hero, Paulus Ambunda (24-2, 10 KOs).  With the victory Flores captured the IBO championship and retained his WBA interim title.
Flores, who hails from Guadalajara, Mexico, controlled the action from the opening round.  Flores scored three knockdowns throughout the fight using superior boxing skills while applying pressure to keep Ambunda off balance.  As Flores mounted a substantial lead he never looked back.  Scorecards read 115-110, 115-111 and 114-111, all in favor for Flores.
“It’s never an easy task going into someone’s hometown and getting the victory,” said Moises “Chucky” Flores. “I had complete faith in myself, as did my team, fighting Ambunda in his hometown.  We knew we had to dominate the fight to win on the judges’ scorecards.  He’s a durable fighter with a lot of heart but I was not going to be denied tonight.  I want to be recognized as the next great fighter from Mexico.  I want Guillermo Rigondeaux next.”
Guided by Pro Box Management’s Gary Jonas and Henry Rivalta, a fight with Rigondeaux is on the horizon.  Currently, Flores is the mandatory challenger to fight Rigondeaux, who is the current WBA Super Champion at super-bantamweight.
“Flores once again proved he’s an elite fighter winning in Ambunda’s backyard.” said Gary Jonas. “Now we are focused on getting in the ring with Rigondeaux.  Flores is the WBA interim champion and he’s hungry to become the super champion.  Right now we are in talks with team Rigondeaux to get this fight made.  Chucky is ready to take over the 122-pound division.”

“Iceman” John Scully’s 4th Official Amateur Boxing Reunion

This will be my 4th official amateur boxers reunion, with the first three having taken place in Las Vegas (December 2014), New York City (June 2015) and Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut (July 2015).
Boxers who have attended previous reunions include the likes of four-time world champion Roy Jones Jr., three-time world champions Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum and Iran “The Blade” Barkley, WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster, former WBC light heavyweight champion Montell “Ice” Griffin, 1988 U.S. Olympic coach Kenny Adams.
I’ve had this idea to bring my former amateur peers together for many years and in December of 2014 at the Rival Boxing Store in Las Vegas I finally had my first amateur boxers reunion and it was a tremendous success. Since then I’ve had two more (at Jimmy’s -Glenn- Corner on W. 44th St. in NYC and at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut)successful gatherings that have seen everyone from local amateurs, regional Golden Gloves champions, National AAU champions, world champions, Olympians and every other possible level of amateur boxer.
I had originally planned to have boxers from my Olympic trials class (1988)gather for a reunion but changed it to any era or level. On that end we’ve had boxers ranging from 1976 A.A.U. National champion Bret Summers from Washington State and 1976 Jamaican Olympian Mike McCallum all the way up to 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada.
Basically it’s a chance for us to get together, reminisce, tell stories, see old friends, meet people we’ve never met before. Maybe the best example of what my reunions entail came at the 2015 event at Foxwoods when I had Hartford’s Luis Ortiz and Lawrence Clay-Bey meet for the very first time since they boxed each other as young kids at Marc Anthony’s in Hartford way back in 1977!
WHEN: July 23, 2016, 12 noon to 4 pm
WHERE: Margaritaville Restaurant inside the Mohegan Sun casino @ Uncasville, Connecticut.
WHO: Invited and expected guests include, among MANY others:
Two-time welterweight champ Marlon “Magic Man” Starling
1985 ESPN welterweight champion “Schoolboy” Troy Wortham
WBA welterweight and junior middleweight champion Jose Antonio Rivera
Dickie Ecklund and “Irish” Micky Ward (“The Fighter”)
1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Breland
Comp-U-Box record holder “Sucra” Ray Oliviera
“Contender Star Peter “the Pride of Providence” Manfredo Jr.
1996 U.S. Olympic team captain Lawrence Clay-Bey
Current boxing promoter (Star Boxing in NYC) and 1988 NYC Daily News Golden Gloves 147 pound Champion Joe DeGuardia
Former two-division world champion “Poison” Junior Jones from Brooklyn, NY
WBO World Heavyweight Champion Mike Bentt and 1988 U.S. Olympic alternate.
2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada

ICE

Quote: “

The wait in the dressing room before a professional boxing match -that last hour- could be enough to strip a man who never boxed before of whatever pride, desire and heart he THOUGHT he had”Iceman John Scully, April 2002

“Boxing is a tight-knit fraternity. Everybody knows everybody. But a line in the resin will forever be drawn separating those who step into the square ring and those who DON’T. Many, many people make money on a fight, but when the bell sounds, only two people answer it.” Randy Smith, February 2003, Journal Inquirer (Manchester, Conn.) Newspaper

JOHN MOLINA OUTPOINTS RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV; DEMETRIUS ANDRADE DELIVERS STATEMENT KO VICTORY AND DEJAN ZLATICANIN WINS 135-POUND TITLE SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME®

 

Andrade Knocks Out Willie Nelson: VIDEO:http://s.sho.com/1ZHD8CJ

Zlaticanin KOs Franklin Mamani: VIDEO:http://s.sho.com/28tCoqP

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Tripleheader Replays Monday, June 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click HERE For Images; Credit Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

VERONA, N.Y. (June 11, 2016) – John Molina outpunched Ruslan Provodnikov in an all-action fight by revealing a new weapon in his arsenal, a sharp and steady  jab.  Molina captured a surprising unanimous decision in a 12-round junior welterweight bout that featured fierce exchanges throughout Saturday on SHOWTIME from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

 

In the co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Demetrius Andrade delivered a statement, knockout victory over Willie Nelson, staking his claim as one of the world’s best in the stacked 154-pound division.  In the opening bout, Dejan Zlaticanin knocked out Franklin Mamani to earn the vacant 135-pound world title and make history as the first native of Montenegro to win a world championship.

 

Molina and Provodnikov promised a war, and they delivered.  But what surprised many was the volume of punches and effective jabbing from Molina (29-6, 23 KOs), a veteran more known for engaging in brawls than his boxing prowess.  Molina threw nearly 1,110 total punches, including 643 jabs compared to just 265 for Provodnikov, who failed to close the range on his naturally bigger opponent.

 

“We knew we had to outwork Provodnikov,” said the 33-year-old Covina, Calif., native.  “It was a fight that we needed.  Ruslan Provodnikov is a very notable name.  He’s a tough, tough guy.  He kept moving forward.

 

“People don’t realize I had my amateur career in the pros, and now it’s my time to step out and shine.  I have a new trainer.  Shadeed (Suluki) showed me how to throw punches and use my power.”

 

Molina vs. Provodnikov was scored 116-112, 117-111, 115-113.

 

“I think it (the scorecard) was self-explanatory.  A fighter knows when they won a fight.  I won that fight and it was going to be hard to take it away from me.”

 

The judges agreed on nine of the 12 rounds, a relatively high percentage according to SHOWTIME analyst Steve Farhood.

 

“Today the decision was the right one,” Provnikov said.  “Molina won the fight – he was better tonight.  Everything was scored the way it should have been.

 

“We expected that he was going to box, he was going to move.  We expected him to do that.  It wasn’t my night.  Maybe I don’t have the same hungriness as before.  I’m not going to make excuses, but it was hard for me to find my groove tonight.

 

“I don’t think it’s that (the layoff).  There are no excuses.  I lost the fighttonight.  I couldn’t find the hungriness.  I have to sit down and think of why that happened.

 

“I’m sorry if I disappointed.”

 

Undefeated former world champion Demetrius Andrade put on a masterful performance against top-10 ranked Willie Nelson, flooring the former world title challenger four times including once in the opening round and emphatically in the final round to close the show (TKO 12,1:38).

 

With the win, Nelson, who landed a staggering 57 percent of his power punches in just his second fight in two years, moved one step closer to earning another shot at a title fight.  Andrade, who never lost his belt in the ring, is now the second mandatory challenger for the WBC Super Welterweight World Title, currently held by Jermell Charlo.

 

“I’m coming to get those belts,” said the 28-year-old Andrade.  “People can’t run no more.  The best have to fight the best.  I’m coming for them.

 

“I came back, I’m stronger.  Me and my team worked hard.  We figured out what we need to do to take it to the next level.  I’m ready for the Charlo brothers.  I want them.”

 

Andrade was on his way to pitching a shutout, delivering a statement performance after months of frustration from “boxing politics.”  The former WBO 154-pound champion targeted the head and the body of Nelson, relying on a steady diet of combos to floor the 6-foot-3 Nelson in the first, 11th and twice in the 12th.

 

“I’m young enough and my reaction time is still going,” Andrade said.  “Willie Nelson is a true champion.  He pushed me to the limit where I had to figure out what punches to throw.  But I put the pieces of the puzzle together and got the knockout, baby.

 

Nelson, of Cleveland, dropped to 25-3-1 with 15 KOs.

 

“He was tough,” Nelson said.  “I was forcing my shots too much. I felt like I was getting back into the fight, but he was crafty and mobile.

 

“I am ready for whatever is next and, despite what happened tonight, I am here to stay.  My career won’t end like this.”

 

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME telecast, Zlaticanin blasted late-replacement Mamani with a third round TKO (:54) to win the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship.

 

The 32-year-old Zlaticanin (18-0, 10 KOs) became the first native of the Southeastern European country of Montenegro to capture a world championship.

 

“I’m very proud.  I made Montenegro proud,” Zlaticanin said.  “I want to thank my fans that came to support me.  I think I made my country proud.  I think they will be delighted.  I don’t think they know what this means, but in a few days they will know.”

 

The southpaw Zlaticanin pounced with a powerful straight left that had Mamani in trouble just seconds into the fight.  The Bolivian, who was also aiming to become the first native of his homeland to win a title, survived the round but he was in trouble again in the third.  Zlaticanin staggered with an overhand left and followed with a series of unanswered blows that forced referee Charlie Fitch to halt the contest with Mamani (21-3-1, 12 KOs) defenseless against the ropes.

 

“I knew that I would knock him out.  He stood too close to me.

 

After the fight, Zlaticanin called out Jorge Linares, the WBC Lightweight “Champion in Recess”, who pulled out of a tentatively scheduled match with Zlaticanin due to an injury.

 

“I want Linares next.  He can’t run from me anymore.

 

In undercard action on SHO EXTREME, Willie Monroe Jr. (20-2, 6 KOs) won a unanimous decision (96-92, 95-93, 99-89) over John Thompson (17-2, 6 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight matchup of former world title challengers.  Monroe scored two knockdowns, one in the second and another with a straight right jab in the fifth.

 

In the opening bout on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME, Russian heavyweight Andrey Fedosov (29-3, 24 KOs) scored four knockdowns en route to a sixth round TKO (1:33) of Mario Heredia (11-2, 9 KOs, 1-2 in WSB).

 

Saturday’s event from Turning Stone Resort Casino was promoted by Banner Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

 

Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader replaysMonday, June 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.  The SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME telecast replays Tuesday, June 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO EXTREME.

 

Brian Custer hosted the SHOWTIME telecast, with Mauro Ranallo calling the action, Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-time world champion Paulie Malignaggi commentating and Jim Gray reporting. Barry Tompkins and Steve Farhood called. the SHOWTIME EXTREME action.  In the Spanish simulcast, Alejandro Luna called the blow-by-blow and former world champion Raul Marquez served as color commentator. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING was David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.

Brock dominates Gutierrez in heated fight  To retain WBC United States lightweight title OFFICIAL RESULTS

 

Team Brock Celebrates
(all pictures by Manny “Mitts” Murillo / RJJ Boxing Promotions)
LAS VEGAS (June 10, 2016) – The heat was on in Las Vegas tonight, temperature-wise as well as the action inside the ring, for the third installment of “Knockout Night at the D” series, which aired live on CBS Sports Network from the outdoorDowntown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC) in 90+ degree conditions before another capacity crowd.
An old-time Las Vegas grudge match turned into a highly entertaining boxing war as WBC United States (USNBC) lightweight champion Demond “Body Shot” Brock(12-3-1, 4 KOs) won a hard fought 10-round decision over former USNBC 135-pound titlist and previously unbeaten challenger Chuy “Hurrican” Gutierrez (14-1-1, 4 KOs).
(L-R) – Chuy Gutierrez and Demond Brock put on a real show
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegasand DLVEC, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.
“What a night we had downtown,” said Derek Stevens, Owner and CEO of the D Las Vegas and DLVEC.  “I want to thank the Nevada Athletic Commission for allowing us to do these fights outdoors.  I want to shout out to Chuy and Brock,,,..what fighters!  Let’s keep this going downtown.”
Brock, fighting out of New Orleans, learned to box in Louisiana State Penitentiary, where he served nearly 15 years, sentenced as an adult at 15 for armed robbery.  The determined lightweight controlled the pace and consistently beat hometown favorite Gutierrez to the punch all night.  Gutierrez, a tough Mexican who lives in Las Vegas, showed the heart of a champion, albeit in a losing effort to a fresher Brock.
Brock (R) nails Gutierrez with right
“I think I put on a great performance,” Brock commented after the fight.  “I came out to give my best effort.  We trained to fight inside to fight Chuy, not box, to make him uncomfortable in a fight he’s not used to.  I won this fight on the inside.  No backing up for 10 hard rounds.  We prepared that way because we knew Chuy was going to come in throwing shots.  But he’d never fought anybody of my caliber.  I was looking to finish him but I didn’t want to get careless.”
In a battle of unbeaten junior middleweight, Mexican invader Rolando “Rola” Garza (9-0, 6 KOs) and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Erasmo “The Reckoning” Garcia (5-1-1, 3 KOs) put on a show in the televised co-feature.  All they really needed was a phone booth as the two warriors pounded each other from the opening bell, although Garza got the much better of the action for the first four rounds, buzzing Garcia at the end of the fourth.  The game Garcia came back in the fifth, despite suffering a lot of damage from a relentless attack by Garza, who simply outclassed his overmatched opponent with his technical boxing skills.   Garza, who was deducted a point for throwing a low blow in the fifth round, won a unanimous 6-round decision in a firefight.
“We worked the body and, thank God, won the fight,” Garza noted. “He’s a tough, unbeaten guy.  We came here and did it.  Viva Las Vegas!”
Garza (L) was too much for Garcia
In the television opener, Las Vegas welterweight prospect Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (5-0. 2 KOs) dominated previously unbeaten Adam Vasquez (5-1-1).  The flashy Nichols dropped Vasquez twice in the final round to win a 4-round unanimous decision by scores of 40-34 three times.
Nichols decked Vasquez twice
Nichols won his third fight in the last three months, “I can go next week,” Nichols said after the fight.  “He was tall fighter who was undefeated. He didn’t come here to lose.  I take my hat off to him because I hit him with some great shots.  He is a tough guy with a big heart.  I had to do the Ali Shuffle in the first round because he was my favorite fighter.”
Los Angeles heavyweight Johnathan “Johnnie” Rice (4-1, 2 KOs), a former Winthrop College (NC) basketball player, upset 4-time Mexican National amateur champion Edgar “El Chato” Ramirez (1-1, 1 KO), pitching a shutout for a unanimous 4-round decision.
Rice unloaded some haymakers on Ramirez
Las Vegas junior featherweight Max “Baby Face Assassin” Ornelas (1-0, 1 KO de an auspices pro debut, one day after his high school graduation ceremony, one day prior to his 18th birthday.  Ornelas dropped Robert “Lil’ Rob” Ledesma (1-5) midway through the first round.  Ledesma rose but Ornelas hit him with a vicious left hook to the body, hurting Ledesma who turned his back and walked away in pain.  Referee Jay Nady stepped in and halted the fight.
17-year-old Ornelas (R) had an impressive pro debut
Heavyweights Tracey “The Titan” Johnson (4-2-4), of Boston, and Los Angeles’Cashton “Fedia-Tone” Young (2-1, 1 KO) set the stage in the opening fight of the evening. They stood toe-to-toe for most of the four rounds as Johnson, who has a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Emmanuel College, won a 4-round split decision.
Tracey Johnson (R) pulled off a win
Complete results below:
MAIN EVENT
WBC UNITED STATES (USNBC) LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10) – CBSSN
Demond “Body Shot” Brock (12-3-1, 4 KOs), Champion, New Orleans, LA
WDEC10 (100-90, 98-92, 97-93)
Chuy “El Hurracan” Gutierrez (14-1-1, 4 KOs), Las Vegas, NV
(Brock retained the WBC United States lightweight title)
 
CO-FEATURE
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS (6) – CBSSN
Rolando “Rola” Garza (9-0, 6 KOs), Cadereyta, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
WDEC6 (59-54, 59-54, 58-55)
Erasmo “The Reckoning” Garcia (5-1-1, 3 KOs), Little Rock, AK
 
WELTERWEIGHTS (4) – CBSSN
Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (5-0, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, NV
WDEC4 (40-34, 40-34, 40-34)
Adam Vasquez (5-1-1), Las Cruces, NM
 
HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)
Jonathan “Johnnie” Rice (4-1, 2 KOs), Los Angeles, CA
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Edgar “El Chato” Ramirez (1-1, 1 KO), Mexico City, Mexico
 
JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHTS (4)
Max “Baby Faced Assassin” Ornelas (pro debut), Las Vegas, NV lbs.
WTKO1 (2:01)
Robert “Lil’ Rob” Ledesma (1-4), San Antonio, TX lbs.
 
HEAVYWEIGHTS (4)
Tracey “The Titan” Johnson (4-2-4), Boston, MA
WDEC4 (39-36, 38-37, 36-39)
Cashton “Fedia-Tone” Young (2-1, 1 KO), Los Angeles, CA lbs.
.
CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
FITE streamed all of the “Knockout Night at the D” preliminary matches worldwide.  In addition, the entire card was available to watch on FITE APP outside of North America.
“Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with DLVEC and Neon Star Media
TITLE Boxing is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series
Idea Design Studio is the main sponsor
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvec, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJRBoxing
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJRBoxing
Follow these fighters on Twitter:  @BodyShotBrock, @ElHurrican88, @jflashgang

RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV & JOHN MOLINA JR., DEMETRIUS ANDRADE & WILLIE NELSON, DEJAN ZLATICANIN & FRANKLIN MAMANI OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PHOTOS

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Live on SHOWTIME®Tomorrow From Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. During International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend

 

Click HERE For Photos Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

 

Junior Welterweight Main Event – 12 Rounds

Ruslan Provodnikov – 140 Pounds

John Molina – 140 Pounds

REFEREE: MARK NELSON; JUDGES: DON ACKERMAN (N.Y.), GLENN FELDMAN (Conn.), JOHN MCKAIE (N.Y.)

 

WBC Super Welterweight Title Eliminator – 12 Rounds

Demetrius Andrade – 154 Pounds

Willie Nelson – 154 Pounds

REFEREE: RICHARD PAKOZDI; JUDGES: WYNN KINTZ (N.Y.), JOHN MCKAIE (N.Y.), TOM SCHRECK (N.Y.)

 

WBC Lightweight World Championship – 12 Rounds

Dejan Zlaticanin – 134 Pounds

Franklin Mamani – 133 ½ Pounds

REFEREE: CHARLIE FITCH; JUDGES: DON ACKERMAN (N.Y.), GLENN FELDMAN (Conn.), JOHN MCKAIE (N.Y.)

 

SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME – 7 p.m. ET/PT

 

Middleweights – 10 Rounds

Willie Monroe Jr. – 160 Pounds

John Thompson – 159 Pounds

REFEREE: MARK NELSON; JUDGES: DON ACKERMAN (N.Y.), GLENN FELDMAN (Conn.), WYNN KINTZ (N.Y.)

 

Heavyweights – 10 Rounds

Andrey Fedosov – 225 ½ Pounds

Mario Heredia – 286 Pounds

REFEREE: RICHARD PAKOZDI, JUDGES: WYNN KINTZ (N.Y.), JOHN MCKAIE (N.Y.), TOM SCHRECK (N.Y.)

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com).