Category Archives: boxing

Washington, D.C. Native Anthony Peterson Battles Ghanaian Olympian Samuel Neequaye & Super Middleweight Contender J’Leon Love Faces Michael Gbenga On Friday, April 1 From the DC Armory In Washington, D.C.

 
Plus Full Undercard of Local Prospects!
 
Premier Boxing Champions on Spike Begins At
9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 23, 2016) – Lightweight contender Anthony Peterson (36-1, 24 KOs) looks to show off in his hometown when he battles Ghanaian Olympian Samuel Neequaye (22-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round bout on Friday, April 1 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C.
The April 1 event features a Premier Boxing Champions on Spike tripleheaderwhich is headlined by four-division world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner taking on British contender Ashley “The Treasure” Theophane with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
Additional action inside the ring features 168-pound contender J’Leon Love (21-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout against Nigeria’s Michael Gbenga (17-24, 16 KOs).
Further undercard attractions will see a trio of D.C. natives enter the ring as 23-year-old middleweight prospect Demond Nicholson (16-1, 16 KOs) faces Ghana’s Joshua Okine (22-4, 15 KOs) in an eight-round bout, 20-year-old unbeaten welterweight Kareem Martin (7-0-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round bout against Somner Martin (5-1, 3 KOs) and 21-year-oldPatrick Harris (8-0, 5 KOs) in a six-round lightweight bout against Ghana’s Samuel Amoako (21-8, 15 KOs).
Rounding out the action is 24-year-old Shyngyskhan Tazhibay (2-0, 2 KOs) out of Kazakhstan but training out of Washington, D.C., who will face 23-year-old Georgia-native Riarus Dudley (2-0-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round welterweight showdown.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in association with HeadBangers Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit:www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster locations, or call (800) 745-3000.
The brother of former world champion Lamont Peterson, the 31-year-old Peterson hopes to soon make a name for himself in a world title fight. Owner of wins over Daniel Attah, Dominic Salcido, Mike Oliver and Marcos Leonardo Jimenez, the Washington, D.C. product is looking to win his seventh consecutive fight when he enters the ring in his hometown. He takes on Neequaye out of Ghana who now trains in Maryland. He represented Ghana at the 2008 Olympics and most recently defeated Eugenio Lopez.
A once-beaten contender at 168-pounds, the 28-year-old Love bounced back from his lone defeat to dominate Scott Sigmon in March, Jason Escalera in June and Marcus Upshaw in September to get himself back in the world title mix. The Inkster, Michigan native owns wins over Marco Antonio Periban, Derrick Findley and Lajuan Simon on his way to contender status. He takes on the Nigerian-born Gbenga who defeated Marcus Vinicius de Oliveira in February.
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TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION ANDRE WARD VS. UNDEFEATED SULLIVAN BARRERA

 

 

NABF FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION JOSEPH DIAZ JR. VS. JAYSON VELEZ

MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES AND PHOTOS

 

SHOWDOWNS SET FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 26

AT ORACLE ARENA IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

TELEVISED LIVE ON HBO®

 

Click HERE for Photos

Photo Credit: Roc Nation Sports/Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos

 

OAKLAND, CA (March 23, 2015) – On Tuesday, March 22, Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter Andre Ward (28-0, 15 KOs) and number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (17-0, 12 KOs) participated in a media workout at King’s Gym in Oakland, California in advance of their March 26 fight at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Ward and Barrera will meet in 12-round IBF number one position and mandatory position eliminator bout televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. NABF Featherweight Champion Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr. (19-0, 11 KOs) and top-rated featherweight contender Jayson “Star” Velez (23-1-1, 16 KOs) were also in attendance during the workout ahead of their 10-round NABF Featherweight title fight which will open up the HBO telecast.

 

After shadowboxing in the ring and a few rounds on the punching bags, all four fighters participated in interviews with media members in attendance. Super Bowl Champion and Oakland native Marshawn Lynch, an avid Andre Ward supporter, made a special appearance during the workout in support of Ward.

 

Below is what the fighters had to say during the final media workout:

 

ANDRE WARD, Two-Time World Champion and top-rated pound-for-pound fighter:

 

“I feel good and I am ready to go. I’m peaking at the right time. I’m just excited to get it on Saturdaynight.

 

“I used to drive by Oracle Arena on 880 as a kid on my way to King’s Gym and wonder if I could make it there one day and [trainer] Virgil [Hunter] used to say with confidence, ‘You’re going to headline there.’ As I got older, I used to go to some of the cards put on in the arena. I was still an amateur and I would just dream. Next thing you know, in 2009, I was in a sink or swim fight against Edison Miranda. If I won, there was probably a good chance that I would get a title shot and the rest is history. Here we are again, it’s my 7th time at Oracle and it’s still a blessing.

 

“It was the right time to move to light heavyweight. It was a combination of not having the right guys to fight or guys that didn’t want to fight me. I want to be great. These are the types of moves you have to make. I’m a student of the sport and when I study the sport, this is what greats have always done. They move up. The great ones find a way to get it done and I want to be in that conversation.

 

“Barrera is a big body. He’s confident. Seems to be a good puncher. We did not pick him because he’s a soft touch. We picked him because he was going to get me ready and show me what this weight class is all about. If you look at my career, there’s a place for tune-ups which I haven’t had a lot of. You want to fight the best and if you aren’t fighting the best, you want to fight the number one contender. That’s what we’re doing.

 

“I think I am evolving into an efficient fighter. I’m moving when I have to move. I think that’s the beauty of any athlete who doesn’t abuse his body and really takes his craft seriously. I’ve seen some articles claiming I missed my prime. It’s crazy to me. I feel that I am as good as I have ever been. I’ve been in a boxing gym without much of a break for the past 20 years. My brain thanked me for the last two years. My body thanked me. It might give me another two years in my career.

 

“I have to just be me. Who I am is enough. I don’t have to show up for Kovalev in the crowd on Saturdaynight. We just have to implement the game plan. I think that’s going to send the message it’s supposed to send and if it doesn’t, then he’ll [Kovalev] get the message when we fight.

 

“If I don’t win this fight, there’s nothing down the road. If I don’t win this fight, I don’t deserve to fight for the title. That’s the reality of my situation.

 

“Barrera has never fought a guy like me before, so they can talk a good game. They can dominate the headlines leading up to the fight. They can say all the slick stuff they want to say. We just want to dominate the headlines Sunday morning after the fight is over. That’s what I’m focused on.”

 

 

SULLIVAN BARRERA, Number one rated IBF light heavyweight contender:

 

“I’m stronger than Ward. I have the Cuban background and I learned a lot of skills there. More than anything, the determination to overcome anything in front of me will help me defeat Ward on March 26.

 

“Once I am in the ring, it’s my house.

 

“Whatever Ward has, I will adjust to it and overcome it.

 

“I have two hands. He has two hands. I have a job to do on March 26.

 

“I know Ward and Kovalev are very highly respected and they create a lot of money and a lot of interest, but they don’t know what Sullivan Barrera is capable of doing. I will prove that on Saturday.

 

“I’m not really a guy that has to look for a knockout. My boxing skills speak for themselves. I am fighting Andre Ward and fighting here in Oakland, so I don’t think a decision will be rendered in my favor.

 

“To all the fans, especially the Cuban fans that have supported me please know that come Saturday, I am going to do everything I have to do to come out victorious.”

 

 

JOSEPH DIAZ JR., NABF Featherweight Champion:

 

“I can’t expect what Jayson did to Ronny Rios during this fight. I’ve got to go in there, test him out and adjust when I am in the ring.

 

“If the opportunity presents itself where he’s hurt and I see that my punches are overwhelming him, then of course I’m going to get in there, be aggressive and make sure I take him out as early as possible.

 

“I know getting on the inside, cutting off the ring and taking it to the body right away will break him down. That’s going to make him not move as much and later on in rounds I can land vicious blows to the head. I’m going to take it to the body right away.

 

“Mentally I am 100% ready. This is a big stage in my career, so I’m mentally focused. I’m well prepared. I feel like this is the moment I have been waiting for my whole entire life. I feel like I’m ready for this and I can’t wait for March 26. I trained very hard for this fight and I’m well prepared for it.

 

“I really want to make a statement this fight. I want to show the world that Joseph Diaz could be the next big thing in boxing, so I trained very hard to put on a great fight for the fight fans, be very aggressive and make it a war in there. I hope that Jayson Velez is 110% ready because I want him to be at his best.

 

“If I win this fight and make a statement, I think I can move to contender status and hopefully get a world title shot by the end of this year. I want to fight tough opponents this year because I want to show the world who I am.

 

“I feel like a beast when I step into the ring and I can see it in sparring. Whenever I’m landing effective blows, I can tell that I am hurting my opponent.”

 

 

JAYSON VELEZ, Top-rated featherweight contender:

 

“At my level, every guy is a top contender. I have to train harder and improve my defense. I’ve been working on that.

 

“If you see my last three or four fights, you will see that I have been dominating in the first couple of rounds and then I run out of gas, I have been working on my stamina so that won’t happen on March 26.

 

“I have seen Diaz’s fights. We’ve sparred a couple of times. He’s got speed. He’s got a hunger. It’s his HBO debut, so he’s definitely motivated, but so am I. It’s going to be a great fight.

 

“I want to be champion of the word. I know he wants it too. On Saturday, we will know who wants it more. We both want to win and we are both training for a win. A fight between power and speed is a great match-up. Not to mention he’s Mexican and I’m Puerto Rican. You can expect a great fight and it’s not one you want to miss.”

 

 

Ward vs. Barrera, a 12-round IBF number one position and mandatory position eliminator which is presented by Roc Nation Sports in association with Main Events, takes place Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.  The event is sponsored by Corona Extra, Ticketmaster, Corporate Travel Management Solutions (ctms), Glad, Lyft, Zappos, BodyArmor, SAN Nutrition, Shoe Palace, The Waterfront Hotel and Visit Oakland. The event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. Opening the HBO telecast will be Joseph Diaz Jr. vs. Jayson Velez in a 10-round fight for the NABF Featherweight title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions.

 

Tickets priced at $300, $150, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com (bit.ly/WardBarreraTix) and charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

 

Follow the conversation on Twitter by using #WardBarrera.

 

For more information, please visit www.rocnation.com, www.mainevents.com,www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, www.hbo.com/boxing, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @rocnation, @main_events, @goldenboyboxing, @cottopromotions and @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation, www.facebook.com/MainEventsBoxing, www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

 

Dirrell Brothers Return As Premier Boxing Champions On Spike Hits Atlantic City

 
Olympic Bronze Medalist Andre Dirrell Battles Australia’s Blake Caparello & 
Former World Champion Anthony Dirrell Takes On Veteran Caleb Truax
At The Taj Mahal Casino and Hotel
 
Tickets On Sale Now!
 
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (March 22, 2016) – Olympic Bronze Medalist Andre Dirrell (24-2, 16 KOs) takes on Australia’s Blake Caparello (22-1-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight attraction as Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) returns to Spike on Friday, April 29 from Taj Mahal Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Also on the same card, Dirrell’s brother, former world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (28-1-1, 22 KOs) will meet former world title challenger Caleb “Golden” Truax (26-2-2, 16 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight affair as part of an exciting night of PBC on Spike action beginning at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
The former 168-pound titleholder Anthony and two-time title challenger Andre are both prime for another run at championship gold, but will have stiff competition from opponents who have recently had their own title opportunities.
“April 29 is going to be a fun night of boxing,” said Andre. “Caparello is hungry just like me and he’s fighting for his career so I know he’s a very dangerous man. Everything in camp has been perfect so far. I’m excited that both Anthony and I will get to showcase our skills and spread our family name even more on the same Spike show.”
“It’s an honor to be fighting on the same card as my brother,” said Anthony. “It’s going to be a great night of boxing. Truax is a good, rugged fighter who will bring out the best in me. I need someone to push me to the max. My prediction is always a knockout.”
Caparello scored a first round knockdown in his 2014 world title bout before losing to Sergey Kovalev, while Caleb Truax battled middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs in a PBC on Spike co-feature in 2015, failing to Jacobs in the final stanza.
“This is a huge opportunity for me to show the world that I am one of the best 168-pounders in all of boxing,” said Caparello. “This is the weight class where I belong. Dirrell is a former Olympian and, like myself, a world title challenger. I expect a very tough fight on October 17, but I know that I will be victorious.”
“This is a fight that I have to take advantage of and win,” said Truax. “It’s another great opportunity for me and I’m putting everything into training. Dirrell is a good, athletic fighter with skills. It’s a tough task but I’m up for it. I’m bringing my A-game so he better do the same.”
“April 29 will be an outstanding night,” said Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions. “Having the Dirrell brothers on the same card will be a great and unique night of boxing. Both are exceptional talents and they are in with two guys who are looking for breakthrough wins in Blake Caparello and Caleb Truax.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $50, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and are on sale now.
An amateur standout that won two U.S. World Championships in addition to his Olympic Bronze medal, the 32-year-old Andre Dirrell is ready to return to the ring after an illness delayed his previously scheduled bout against Caparello. The fighter out of Flint, Michigan holds victories over Arthur Abraham and Curtis Stevens and only has two narrow losses on his resume.
A crafty fighter out of Victoria, Australia, Caparello won his first 20 professional fights primarily fighting out of his home country. He owns victories over Michael Bolling, Jorge Olivera, Allan Green and previously unbeaten Robert Berridge. The 29-year-old most recently scored a unanimous decision over Affif Belghecham in June and after his scheduled bout with Dirrell was delayed, he defeated Luke Sharp by decision.
Anthony Dirrell has seen more adversity than most throughout his career as his time in boxing has been seriously jeopardized twice, first in December 2006 when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and was sidelined for 20 months and again in May 2012 when he broke his lower left leg and left wrist in a motorcycle accident. The Flint, Michigan-native never let that hold him down as he kept winning fights and working his way up the professional ranks. In 2014 he won his first championship when he defeated defending champion Sakio Bika. His road back to a 168-pound title began in September when he dominated the action against Marco Antonio Rubio on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
Born in Osseo, Minnesota, Truax is an experienced veteran who has fought professionally since 2007. Fighting mostly in his home state, the 31-year-old won his first 14 fights. He dropped a 2012 showdown to Jermain Taylor but went undefeated in his next eight fights to earn the fight against Jacobs. Most recently, Truax stopped veteran Melvin Betancourt in the fourth round in February.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AndreDirrell, @BlakeCaparello, @AnthonyDirrell, @GoldenCalebT, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports, @KingsBoxing_and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions.
Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on Spike is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Beibut Shumenov targeting Lebedev-Ramirez cruiserweight Unification title fight winner

LAS VEGAS (March 22, 2016) – World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim Cruiserweight World champion Beibut Shumenov (16-2, 10 KOs) is targeting the May 21st unification title winner between WBA titlist Denis Lebedev(28-2, 21 KOs) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Victor Emilio “El Tyson de Abasto” Ramirez (22-2-1, 17 KOs).
When Shumenov defeated B.J. Flores(31-1-1, 20 KOs) last July in Las Vegas, the former WBA light heavyweight champion became WBA Interim champion as well as its No. 1 mandatory contender.
Lebedev, however, hasn’t fought a mandatory fight since last April 10 in which he won a 12-round decision over then Interim WBA champion Youri Kalenga.  Lebedev made a voluntary tittle offense last November, stopping Lateef Kayode in the eighth round.
Shumenov will be back in the ring next month (April), full details forthcoming, and then he will challenge the Lebedev-Ramirez winner within 90/120 days of their outcome.
“I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to fight the Lebedev-Ramirez winner because it’s always been my goal to unify the titles,” Shumenov explained.  “Lebedev has always been my target.  Ramirez is the other fighter I’ve really wanted to fight and my manager tried to make a fight between us, too.
“I’ve been in the gym since my last fight, training hard to perfect my skills. Now, I am a completely different fighter since I fought last July.  My team is extremely happy and confident that I can beat all of the other world cruiserweight champions.”
Last December, Shumenov was scheduled to defend his Interim WBA crown against two-time world cruiserweight champion Krzyesztof “Diablo” Wlodarczyk (50-3-1, 36 KOs), but a serious medical issue concerning a family member forced Shumenov to withdraw from the aforementioned fight.
“The opportunity to fight the winner of Lebedev/Ramirez in a big unification fight just came about this year and I didn’t have that option back when I agreed to initially fight Wlodarczyk back in December and I was unable to foresee what would happen to my family personally,” 32-year-old Shumenov said.  “I have no problem fighting Wlodarczyk in the future, but only after I fight the Lebedev-Ramirez unification winner.  In addition, at any time, I have no problem fighting WBA No. 2-ranked Yunier Dorticos.
“Right now, I’m at my fighting prime yet still improving, training with my coach, Ismael Salas.  I want to show the world my skills before I get too old.  Literally, I’m ready to fighttomorrow and I’ve been ready for months.  I’ll be back in the ring next month and then I’ll get my shot at the Lebedev-Ramirez winner.”
Fans may friend Beibut Shumenov on his Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/BeibutShumenov.

Introducing Puerto Rican Heavyweight Jose Medina

Jose Medina.jpg

 

Winter Haven, FL (March 21, 2016) – As a young boy growing up in Puerto Rico, Jose Medina looked up to the same fighters that are forever etched in their rich boxing history.

 

From Felix Trinidad to Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Lopez, Medina had many outstanding fighters to admire. There was one major difference however. Medina was significantly larger than all of the greats that grew up on the boxing crazed island that sits 1,100 miles south of Key West.

 

At 6’3 260 lbs, Medina is more than 75 pounds bigger than the largest native Puerto Rican to capture a world title in Jose Torres. Those sizing up Medina before seeing him in action may question his conditioning but the 19-year-old is not just sheer bulk though. In the gym, stablemates called him “Kung Fu Panda” due to his shockingly impressive agility and nimbleness inside the squared circle.

 

As an amateur, Medina captured three Puerto Rican National Championships before relocating to Florida in 2015 where he captured the Florida State Police Athletic League (PAL) title along with Silver in the Paul Murphy Championships. He also quickly gained a large following, as the Orlando area has one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in the US.

 

However, that doesn’t mean there weren’t doubters.

 

“When he first came here, he never did strength training before,” said trainer Marco Fazzani. “People saw him when we first went into gyms and they thought he was a slouch because of his appearance. That until we got him in the ring and everybody realized Medina is no joke. Since he’s been training here, he grew two inches and became a lot physically stronger. We’re also working every day to improve his physique.”

 

On March 4, Medina made his professional debut at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa against Richard White. Admittedly nervous, Medina overcame the expected jitters that came with removing the headgear for the first time and scored a second round knockout.

 

Having gone through the White bout without incident, Medina is fighting for the second time in less than 30 days when he meets Todd Bradley of Brandon, FL in a four round bout as part of Mad Integrity Fight Sports’ “Bombs Away 5” Saturday, April 2at the Bayfront Hilton in St. Petersburg, FL. As a fighter who is still developing in many aspects, Medina understands the importance of staying busy and is excited rather than nervous for his second professional fight.

 

“I’m very thankful to be fighting on this card,” said Medina. “We’re expecting a great turnout on April 2. I’ve seen Bradley fight before but I never give my game plan away. Most importantly, I want to give my fans great entertainment and emerge victorious.”

 

Promoter Joey Orduna of Mad Integrity Fight Sports, who was admittedly surprised when seeing Medina in action, is looking forward to having him on the card.

 

“Jose has a ton of talent and he is definitely going to be a staple in the Tampa-St Petersburg area as he develops. He’s already got a very good fan base and as a heavyweight with speed and power, the amount of people that follow him will only grow. I’m excited to see him go to work on the 2nd and believe those that haven’t seen him before are in for a treat.”

 

The Medina-Bradley matchup is featured on a ten bout card promoted by Mad Integrity Fight Sports at the Bayfront Hilton in St Petersburg, FL. The card includes a number of Sunshine State scraps including the main event between welterweight Ali Tareh, 13-11-5 (6 KO’s) of Tampa against Juan Aguirre, 6-16-1, of Jacksonville in an eight rounder along with the highly anticipated lightweight matchup between St. Petersburg’s Jose “Lil’ Pacquiao” Resendez, 4-0 (2 KO’s), and Raul Chirino, 7-1 (3 KO’s), out of Miami. The card features a total of ten bouts and tickets from $35 are on sale now by calling 813-507-5110.

 

For more information and updates, please visit Facebook.com/Madintegrityfightsports.

LaManna stops Mena in four in front of sold-out crowd at Claridge in Atlantic City

 

Seldon & Pasciolla pick up Tri-State title belts; Rainone decisions Chalmers

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (March 21, 2016)–This past Saturday night, welterweight contender, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna thrilled a sold-out crowd at The Claridge in Atlantic City when he scored  fourth round stoppage over Kendal Mena that highlighted a action-packed nine bout card.
The card was promoted by Rising Promotions and Vincent M. Ponte’s Gulfstream Promotions.
With all of the seats occupied, fans were jammed on the walls and they enjoyed LaManna’s performance, which was action-filled from the opening bell.
LaManna used hard right hands to continuously rock Mena.  In round one, LaManna set the tone by buckling Mena with one of those rights.
LaManna was sitting down on his punches to the point where he sent Mena’s mouthpiece firing out oh his mouth several times and finally in round three, referee David Fanciosi had to deduct a point from Mena.  LaManna continued to rock Mena with hard shots and had him wobbled throughout round four.  LaManna had Mena on the ropes and one more hard right hand pummeled into Mena and Franciosi stopped the bout at 2:23 of round four.
LaManna of Millville, NJ is 20-1 with eight knockouts.  Mena of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic is 20-4.
“It felt good to get the stoppage.  I can only see bigger and better things coming for my career,  I am only getting better and stronger, and I predict more knockouts to come,”  Said LaManna.  “I felt real composed and I knew he was hurt in the first round and I took my time to break him down and get him out.  Rising Promotions and Gulfstream Promotions has three more dates at The Claridge (May 27, September 17 and November 12) and I am still building.  I am still young and am taking my time to get where I want to be.”
Isiah Seldon (8-1) came back after a 33-month layoff with a six-round unanimous decision over Michael Mitchell to capture the Tri-State Super Middleweight title.
Seldon of Atlantic City almost had a stoppage in round one as he landed a hard flurry of punches and had Mitchell hurt on the ropes.  It looked like referee Mary Glover was stepping in to stop the fight, but she just separated the fighters.  Seldon got the best of the action over the game Mitchell and came home with the victory to the tune of 58-56 on all cards.
Dan Pasciolla (7-1-1) won the Tri-State Heavyweight title with a shutout six-round unanimous decision over comebacking former IBF Cruiserweight champion Imamu Mayfield (25-10-2)
Scores were 60-54 on all cards.
Popular Long Island welterweight Tommy Rainone (25-7-1) made his boardwalk debut a successful one as he scored a hard fought unanimous decision over Maurice Chalmers (14-13-1) in a eight-round bout.  Rainone used effective punching to open up a cut over Chalmers left eye in round two.  Chalmers tried to make the fight, but Rainone used effective counters and won by scores of 79-73 on all cards.
Daryl Bunting (1-0-1) started the card off with a four-round unanimous decision over Darryl Watkins (0-3) in a super middleweight bout.
Bunting win by scores of 40-36 twice and 40-35.
Omar Brito (3-2, 2 KO’s) scored a explosive one-punch knockout over Bienvenido Diaz (2-2) in a scheduled four-round super featherweight bout.
Brito landed a perfect right hand that sent Diaz to the canvas.  Diaz got to his feet but was wobbling around the ring and the bout was stopped at 2:20 of round one.
Quian Davis (2-0-1) won a four round unanimous decision over Corey Morley (0-2-1) in a heavyweight bout.
Scores were 40-36 on all cards.
Alvin Vermall Jr. (8-0-1)  remained perfect by winning an entertaining four round unanimous decision over D’Quan Morgan (3-3-1) in a cruiserweight bout.
There was good back and forth action throughout the bout.  Vermall, who is from Catskills, New York has an exciting style reminiscent to another former Catskills fighter in Mike Tyson.  Morgan was bleeding from his nose in round three.  The two fought a spirited affair with Vermall winning by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37.

Hakim Bryant (6-0) remained perfect with a six-round unanimous decision over Rick Graham in a middleweight bout.
Bryant (6-0) dominated the action, and dropped Graham in round six from a flurry on the ropes and won by scores of 60-51, 60-52 and 60-53.
The show is available for viewing for $14.99 on GFL.TV by CLICKING HERE
Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo

Dillon Cook Counting Down Days for ShoBox Debut!

 

D Cook.jpg

Seneca, MO (March 18, 2016) – On March 25, junior middleweight prospect Dillon “White Lightning” Cook will find himself in a familiar place but with a new challenge when he battles Justin DeLoach in an eight round bout on ShoBox: The New Generation at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK.

 

Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions are $45, $55 and $75 and can be purchased by logging onto Buffalorun.com or Stubwire.com.

 

Unbeaten in 16 professional bouts with six wins by knockout, Cook’s fought five of his last seven matches at the Buffalo Run, winning handily each time. A member of Holden Productions’ “Four State Franchise”, the popular Cook is from nearby Seneca, MO and fought in front of sellout crowds on multiple occasions. While these are definite advantages for Cook, DeLoach comes into the ring with an impressive background.

 

Against DeLoach, 13-1 (7 KO’s), Cook is taking a significant step up in competition and will do so before a national audience. Hailing from Augusta, GA and based in Houston, TX, DeLoach trained alongside top fighters including IBF junior middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, undefeated Jermell Charlo, Bryan Vera and Edwin Rodriguez amongst others. Recently, Team DeLoach announced that his new chief second is former two division champion Paul Williams and highly respected George Peterson will work as an assistant.

 

To prepare for DeLoach, Cook’s been training out of the Heartland Boxing Gym and travels to various gyms for sparring as he anxiously waits for the opening bell on March 25.

 

“I’m excited for the fight but trying not to let the pressure of fighting on TV get to me,” said Cook, a former National Junior Golden Gloves titlist and six time Kansas City Golden Gloves winner. “(To specifically prepare for DeLoach) we’re working on (technique to counter) his style. DeLoach is a good fighter I’ve seen him fight a few times he’s fast and a busy fighter but I’m pretty fast myself. I expect to match his speed, if not beat it.”

 

Cook also acknowledges his advantages and never second guessed taking the step up in competition.

 

“I’m a smart fighter and can adapt well (plus the) hometown crowd is definitely a benefit. I knew we’d step (up the competition in the near future) and this is a great time for it. I’ve had 16 professional fights and am ready to show the world that I’m capable of going to the next level.”

 

Cook’s promoter, Tony Holden, is confident in his fighter and believes the locals will come out droves to support him.

 

“I’m proud to see him get a shot on a national stage. He’s a key part of the “Four State Franchise” and is a big crowd draw. He’s worked very hard and I expect him to put forth a tremendous performance. I’d like to personally thank Showtime as well for this incredible opportunity.”

 

The Cook-DeLoach bout opens up a quadrupleheader live on Showtime (10:30 PM ET). The card also features highly regarded junior welterweight Regis Prograis (16-0) against Aaron Herrera (29-4-1), two showdowns where somebody’s 0 must go between unbeaten welterweights Ivan Golub (10-0) and Marlon Aguas (9-0) and junior welterweights Ivan Baranchyk (9-0) vs Nicholas Givhan (16-0-1).

 

Isiah Seldon back and looking for big opportunities

 

Seldon battles Michael Mitchell this Saturday at The Claridge Hotel for the Garden State Super Middleweight title

Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna battles Kendal Mena in main event
1ST BOUT —7 PM SHARP
For Immediate Release
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (March 18, 2016)–TOMORROW NIGHT at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City,super middleweight Isiah Seldon returns to the ring after  a 33-month layoff when he challenges Michael Mitchell  as part of an 11-bout card that is promoted by Rising Promotions and Vincent M. Ponte’s Gulfstream Promotions.
In the main event, Thomas LaManna takes on Kendal Mena in a eight round welterweight bout.
Seldon is eager to be back in the ring after much soul searching over the past two-plus years.
“I have been working a job and staying in the gym.  I have been keeping sharp but I just needed to get my life in order, ” said Seldon.  “We have been looking for the right fight.  I was offered some good financial opportunities in Russia, but I want to do this the right way.  I am not in this for the money.”
Seldon feels at age 27, the time is now to concentrate on in his ring career.
“I am not getting any younger, and when I got the call from Rising Promotions and they offered me the right fight, I jumped at it.”
When asked about the veteran Mitchell, Seldon really doesn’t know alot.
“I don’t know much.  I saw a couple video snippets of him and I see a tough guys who comes forward.  It should be a good fight.  I trained very hard for this and I am ready.”
When asked what he sees in the next few years, Seldon, believes that with Rising Promotions looking to do stage multiple fight cards on the boardwalk property, he sees an active 2016.
“I am looking at two or three more fights this year.  Rising Promotions said I could be on their cards going forward.  I am just trying to stay busy.  I am 27 years-old and it is time to go.  The Beast Mode is turned on and I am excited to show a new Isiah Seldon.  Before I was just a brawler but in the time off, I have developed my boxing skills and I am a much better fighter.”
In an eight-round welterweight bout, Tommy Rainone (24-7-1, 5 KO’s) of Long Island, NY battles Maurice Chalmers (14-12-1, 8 KO’s) of Lynchburg, VA.
In six-round bouts:
 
Lamont Capers (5-7-2) of Hawley, PA will fight Willis Lockett (14-16-5, 5 KO’s) of Takoma Park, MD in a cruiserweight bout.

Former cruiserweight world champion Imamu Mayfield (25-9-2, 18 KO’s) of Perth Amboy, NJ returns to the ring after an eight year absence when  he takes on Dan Pasciolla (6-1-1) of Brick, NJ in a heavyweight bout for the Garden State Heavyweight title.
In four round bouts:
Quian Davis (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Mays Landing, NJ battles Corey Morley (0-1-1) of Philadelphia in a Heavyweight bout.
 
Omar Brito (2-2, 1 KO) of Pleasantville, NJ will fight Bienvenido Diaz (2-1, 2 KO’s) of Prospect Park, NJ in a super featherweight fight.
Alvin Vermall (7-0-1, 7 KO’s) of La Place, LA will take on D’Quan Morgan (3-2-1, 3 KO’s) of Hamlet, NC in a cruiserweight tilt.
Undefeated middleweight Hakim Bryant (5-0, 4 KO’s) of Asbury Park, NJ will fightRick Graham (3-11-2, 1 KO) of Detroit, MI.
 
Darryl Bunting (0-0-1) of Asbury Park, NJ will tussle with Darryl Watkins (0-2) of Temple Hills, MD. in a super middleweight fight.
Ubdefeated lightweight Steven Ortiz (2-0) of Philadelphia, PA will box Jose Miguel Castro (5-7, 3 KO’s) of Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Tickets for the March 19th fight card are $50 GA,  $75 Stage (very few remaining)$125 VIP (SOLD OUT) (Booths of 5 available for $500—SOLD OUT) and are available at RisingBoxingPromotions.com or 609-487-4444.
The Claridge Hotel is located at  123 S. Indiana Ave. Atlantic City NJ

Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo

Ashley Theophane & J’Leon Love Media Workout Quotes & Photos

 
PBC on Spike Begins At 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT
 
Click HERE For Photos From Dave Nadkarni/PBC &
Esaiah Gomez/Mayweather Promotions
 
LAS VEGAS (March 18, 2016) – 140-pound contender Ashley “The Treasure” Theophane and super middleweight contender J’Leon Love hosted a Las Vegas media workout Thursday as they prepared for their respective showdowns on Friday, April 1 from the DC Armory in Washington, D.C.
Theophane takes on super lightweight world champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike beginning at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Love will compete in a non-televised undercard attraction.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by About Billions Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in association with HeadBangers Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visitwww.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster locations or call (800) 745-3000.
Theophane and Love held court at the Mayweather Boxing Club as they went discussed their upcoming showdowns with media.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
ASHLEY THEOPHANE
“The focus is to go in there and outwork him on fight night. At the end of the day I have to set the pace. I can’t go out there and outbox him because he’s got tremendous skill and speed. So I have to be able to go out there and outwork him and make it a war.
“When he sees that I’m still there in round 5, he’s going to start to get worried. My whole thing on fight night is to work and bring a war.
“As a boxer, you want to fight the best, and you want these big nights. For me, it’s been a hard road to get to this point, and I’m actually looking forward to fight night because I know it’s going to be a very hard fight, and I know in order for me to win I have to be at my best, and that’s what I have prepared for.
“I’ve been sparring a lot of strong young men in camp; a lot of guys who many believe will be future stars of boxing, and I’ve been doing very well, so I’m more than ready. It’s just a matter of counting down the days now.
“My career shows that if you believe in yourself and never give up, you will get your opportunity. At that point, it’s just up to you to take it.
“I feel I will be able to match him come fight night. I know I’m the big underdog, I know I’m not being given the chance to win, but I really believe we are going to prove the doubters wrong and be world champ come April 1.
“It just became real to be in the same place with him [Broner] at the press conference. It was more motivation to come back in the gym. Once we got back, the guys here at the gym saw me sparring the next day and said they can tell he had motivated me. He can talk, but on fight night, we have to fight. He said he’s going to stop me in 4 rounds, so I’ll be looking forward to seeing that because I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be there for the whole 12 rounds.
“Mayweather Promotions believed in me from the very start and they flew with me in the deep end. I have improved from being around Floyd, and watching him. You have to improve with being around him-the best fighter of all time-you have to improve.”
J’LEON LOVE
“Training has been great; I’m healthy, I’m focused, my weight is not bad, I can’t complain. I actually took a week off in September of last year, and have been right back in the gym. We’ve been training ever since for 5 or 6 months now, so we were already ahead.
“This guy [Gbenga], despite his record, has been in the ring more times than me, so he is a lot more experienced. He can survive, or do little things that can upset my game plan, but at the same time, I’ve been there done that, and just ready to showcase my talent.
“Every fight is important, whether it’s the first couple of fights, or now. To me, this is a stay busy fight-stay busy, showcase my talent, look impressive, and show that we’re ready for a world title. Not just fight for a world title, but win a world title. Be a world champion. Continue to reach different levels in the game.
“I’m hungry, I feel like this is already written for me. I didn’t make it this far for nothing, or to be a contender. For a world championship fight, I’m going to definitely seize the moment so I’m going to go out there and do what I do best, and that is to fight.
“I’m a pretty slick fighter, very smart fighter, so I’ve dissected him already and he makes a lot of mistakes. I think he’ll fall into the trap, and I feel like I will get him out of there. I’m very confident in my training and my ability.”
# # #
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AdrienBroner, @AshleyTheophane, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports,@MayweatherPromo, and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and
 www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionsHighlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on Spike is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

IRELAND’S PATRICK HYLAND CELEBRATES ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH FAMILY AS HE PREPARES FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 16SHOWDOWN WITH FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION GARY RUSSELL JR.

 

Featherweight Title Showdown Headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING At 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT from Foxwoods Resort Casino In Mashantucket, CT.

 

MASHANTUCKET, CT (March 17, 2016) – Patrick “The Punisher” Hyland spent St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland with his family, trading green beer for his son’s green bib, as he prepares for his featherweight world championship showdown against Gary Russell Jr. on Saturday, April 16live on SHOWTIME® from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.

 

“I spent St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends,” said Hyland. “We just got back from dinner after bringing my son up to the parade in Rathcoole.

 

“It was a lovely, sunny day for the beer garden, but none for me. I’ll have to celebrate April 17. I’m looking to bring that title back to Ireland.”

 

The Irish born and raised Hyland has won four fights in a row as he prepares for his world title opportunity stateside with the expectations of his nation on his shoulders.

 

“This win would be massive for the Irish boxing community,” said Hyland. “I want to become a world champion like Carl Frampton and Andy Lee and this is a prime chance. I’m going to proudly represent the Irish people and leave everything in the ring.”

 

Hyland has extra motivation, along with fighting for his wife, Lorna, and newborn son, Callum, he will be honoring the memory of his late father and longtime trainer who passed away recently.

 

“This fight means the world to me and it’s why I got into boxing,” Hyland said. “I’m dedicating this to my late father and after I win I’ll look up and say ‘Dad, we did it!’ ”

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT with undefeated IBF Super Featherweight World Champion Jose Pedrazadefending against mandatory challenger Stephen Smith.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $150, $90 and $45 not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.comand www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. The Pedraza vs. Smith bout is promoted in association with Gary Shaw Productions, Universal Promotions and Matchroom Boxing.

 

For more information, visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @MrGaryRussellJr, @PajPunisher, @Sniper_Pedraza, @SwiftySmith, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports,and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment.