Category Archives: Spike TV

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

BROOKLYN’S OWN PAULIE MALIGNAGGI TO TAKE ON BOSTON’S DANNY O’CONNOR IN TELEVISED OPENER OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE TV FRIDAY, MAY 29 AT BARCLAYS CENTER

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 BROOKLYN (April 20, 2015) – Former two-division champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (33-6, 7 KOs) returns to the ring in his hometown to face the skilled Danny O’Connor (25-2, 9 KOs) as the televised co-feature for Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike TV on Friday, May 29 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT live from Barclays Center.

This fight will be part of an explosive evening headlined by boxing superstar Amir Khan who faces tough New Yorker Chris Algieri.  Doors at Barclays Center open at 6 p.m. ET.

“After some much needed time away from the ring, it feels great to once again be fighting at Barclays Center,” said Malignaggi. “I now look forward to being a participant in the PBC events as a fighter just as I am part of the PBC family of broadcasters.”

“My supporters and I have been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this on the big stage,” said O’Connor. “It’s a throwback matchup…Irish vs. Italian, Boston vs. New York. I’ll be bringing down busloads of people and I’m sure he’s going to have a big hometown crowd. I’ve never been more ready for the challenge that lies ahead of me.”

A former world champion at 140 and 147-pounds, the 34-year-old Malignaggi will return to the ring to fight at Barclays Center for the fourth time as a professional. He has faced a slew of big names throughout his career and has taken home victories over the likes of Zab Judah, Vyacheslav Senchenko and Pablo Cesar Cano. Born in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, “The Magic Man” will look to put on a show for his hometown fans on May 29.

A former National Golden Gloves champion who has fought as a pro since 2008,O’Connor faces the toughest opponent of his career when he steps in the ring against Malignaggi on May 29. The 30-year-old is coming off of back-to-back knockout victories over Michael Clark and Andrew Farmer. Fighting out of Framingham, Massachusetts, O’Connor will be making his first professional start in the state of New York.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Star Boxing, are priced at $250, $150, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.barclayscenter.com,www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

 
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

Bellator MMA Welterweight World Champion Douglas Lima meets Russian knockout artist Andrey Koreshkov on July 17 at Mohegan Sun Arena

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 20, 2015) – Bellator MMA Welterweight World Champion Douglas “The Phenom” Lima (26-5), one of the most talented and well-rounded 170-pound fighters on the planet today, puts his title on the line against Russian knockout artist Andrey “Spartan” Koreshkov (17-1) on Friday, July 16, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

 

“Douglas Lima is an incredible champion who is in for one of the toughest fights of his life against Koreshkov,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “When the rest of this card is announced, we’ll have put together one of the greatest showcases of welterweight talent ever assembled on one night.”

 

The two elite combatants headline the newly announced “Bellator MMA: Lima vs. Koreshkov” event, which airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT.

 

Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, April 24th at 10 a.m. ET, and are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office or Ticketmaster.com. Bellator Nation presale begins this Tuesday.  Join the Bellator Newsletter list or follow us on social media (Twitter / Facebook) to gain access to the presale code and details.

 

Additional information, including ticketing details and the night’s full lineup of world-class MMA action, will be announced shortly.

 

The 27-year-old Lima is a Brazilian-born athlete who now makes his home in Atlanta. Fighting under the Bellator MMA banner since 2011, Lima is an impressive 8-1 in the promotion and an incredible 14-1 in his past 15 overall appearances. Lima earned his way to the Bellator MMA Welterweight World Title with an eight-man tournament victory that included knockout wins over Ben Saunders, Bryan Baker and Michail Tsarev. Lima then claimed the title with an April 2014 knockout win over Rick Hawn. Overall, Lima boasts five consecutive knockout victories and now looks to defend his belt for the first time.

 

Koreshkov is also fresh off an eight-man tournament win, claiming a decision victory over Adam McDonough after previously registering knockouts of Justin Baesman and Nah-Shon Burrell. The 24-year-old Koreshkov is a Russian national medalist in both pankration and hand-to-hand combat and has lost just once in 18 professional MMA appearances.  He owns 10 wins by knockouts and three by submission and also owns a 2012 victory over former Bellator MMA Welterweight World Champion Lyman Good.

 

Expect fireworks when Lima and Koreshkov collide.

 

Additional contests for “Bellator MMA: Lima vs. Koreshkov” will be announced shortly.

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

FAN FAVORITES ROBERTO GARCIA & ARTUR SZPILKA SHINE AT UIC PAVILION IN CHICAGO ON FRIDAY, APRIL 24

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PLUS, UNDEFEATED PROSPECTS & LOCAL FAVORITES ROUND OUT A FULL NIGHT OF UNDERCARD ACTION AS

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE TAKES OVER CHICAGO

 

CHICAGO (April 20, 2015) – A slew of local favorites and exciting fighters come to UIC Pavilion in Chicago on Friday, April 24 as part of a stacked undercard topped by hard-punching Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia (36-3, 23 KOs) battling James Stevenson(22-1, 15 KOs) in the first televised bout and heavyweight bruiser Artur Szpilka (17-1, 12 KOs) taking on Ty Cobb (18-6, 10 KOs).

 

These exciting undercard bouts will precede the Premier Boxing Champions on Spike doubleheader featuring Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (27-0-1, 22 KOs) battling Badou Jack “The Ripper” (18-1, 12 KOs) and Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (28-1, 25 KOs) taking on Caleb “Golden” Truax (25-1-2, 15 KOs) The televised action on Spike TV begins at 9 ET/8 CT.

 

Keith Tapia (13-0) will be showcased in an eight-round cruiserweight bout,  Ramiro Carrillo (7-0, 4 KOs) takes on Ramon Guevara (10-23-2, 6 KOs) in four-rounds of welterweight action, Maciej Suiecki (19-0, 4 KOs)faces Daryl Cunningham (30-7, 11 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight fight and Semajay Thomas (5-0, 3 KOs) goes up against Jose Santiago (3-5, 3 KOs).

 

Remaining undercard fights will pit Alex Martin (7-0, 5 KOs) against Jonathan Garcia(4-12) in an eight-round welterweight bout, Ricky Edwards (5-0, 2 KOs) fighting Javier Garcia (6-8-1, 2 KOs) in six-rounds of junior welterweight action, Joe F. Quezada (5-0, 4 KOs) battling Edgardo Torres (2-3, 2 KOs) in a six-round lightweight attraction andEddie Ramirez (7-0, 5 KOs) facing Mario Hermosillo (12-19-4, 2 KOs) in a six-round junior welterweight bout.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is co-promoted by Warriors Boxing and Mayweather Promotions, are priced at $151, $101, $51, and $31, not including applicable service charges, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or UIC Pavilion Box Office at (312) 413-5740. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the UIC Pavilion Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).

 

A veteran of the sport for nearly 15 years, Garcia is looking for his ninth consecutive victory when he fights at UIC Pavilion for the third time on April 24. Born in Mexico, but having moved to Weslaco, Texas at a young age, Garcia was able to pile up enough wins to eventually earn himself a shot at former world champion Antonio Margarito. While he lost that decision, Garcia has rebounded nicely on his curreny hot streak, which includes wins over Breidis Prescott and Victor Manuel Cayo. Garcia will take on the 32-year-oldStevenson out of Baltimore.

 

With only one loss to the undefeated Bryant Jennings on his record, the 26-year-oldSzpilka will look to build on his most recent victory, a unanimous decision in Nov. 2014 over heavyweight star Tomas Adamek. Born in Wieliczka, Poland, he has made a name for himself in Chicago having fought there twice before and picking up knockout victories each time. He will be challenged by the 39-year-old Cobb, out of Wichita Falls, Texas.

 

An undefeated cruiserweight prospect, the 24-year-old Tapia turned pro in 2011 and has not lost since. Fighting out of Santurce, Puerto Rico, he will face the 32-year-old Williamswho fights out of Jackson, Michigan.

 

Having fought four times before at UIC Pavilion, the 24-year-old Carrillo will hope to have the home crowd behind him when he goes for his eighth professional win on April 24. His opponent is the 31-year-old Guevara who was born in the Dominican Republic but fights out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

 

Eager to make his U.S. debut on April 24, the 25-year-old Sulecki has never lost since turning pro in 2010. Fighting out of Warsaw, Poland he faces Daryl Cunningham out of Detroit.

 

A young undefeated prospect and just 22-years-old, Ramirez makes his fourth straight start at UIC Pavilion on April 24. He was a Chicago Golden Gloves champion and a National Golden Gloves runner-up. Born in Aurora, Illinois, Ramirez will face the 28-year-old Hermosillo out of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

 

Another young, undefeated prospect, Edwards fights for the first time outside of his home state of New Jersey for the first time on April 24. The 24-year-old from Paterson will take on the 32-year-old Garcia out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

 

Another staple of UIC Pavilion, all five of Quezada‘s pro victories have come at UIC Pavilion. A 25-year-old out of Alsip, Illinois, he will look to remain undefeated when he takes on the 28-year-old Torres from Vineland, New Jersey.

 

Making his fourth consecutive start at UIC Pavilion in his hometown of Chicago, the highly regarded Thomas will look to start 2015 with his sixth professional win. The 22-year-old was an accomplished amateur who was the 2011 USA Boxing National Champion. His next challenge is Santiago out of Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

 

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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AnthonyDirrell, @BadouJack, @DanielJacobsTKO, @GoldenCalebT, @WarriorsBoxProm, @MayweatherPromo and @SpikeTV and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo, www.Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions andwww.Facebook.com/Spike.
boxing, Spike TV

Never Give Up: A Boxing Survival Story

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Premier Boxing Champions: Dirrell vs Jack – April 24 – Live on Spike

 

“Never Give Up: A Boxing Survival Story” is a compelling half-hour original Spike documentary featuring two of boxing’s true inspiring warriors – Daniel Jacobs and Anthony Dirrell.  

 

Heart is something that every fighter must have to win, to thrive, and to survive. This documentary focuses on the heart and grit displayed by two fighters as they overcome their most deadly opponent yet, cancer. Daniel Jacobs and Anthony Dirrell refused to go down without a fight, and both made miraculous recoveries en-route to becoming two of the best in their respective divisions.

 

“Never Give Up” recounts the parallel and amazing paths Dirrell and Jacobs have taken. From being teammates during amateurs and their early professional success; to their scary diagnosis and inspiring recovery; all the way until 2014 when they respectively won their first championships one week apart.

 

Enclosed is the entire half-hour program for you to embed. We are offering this to you prior to premiere on Spike (Friday, April 17 at 11:30pm ET/PT.)

 

On Friday, April 24 LIVE on Spike at 9:00pm ET/PT, for the first time, these two CHAMPIONS and SURVIVORS defend their titles on the same card when Jacobs fights Caleb Truax and Dirrell will takes on Floyd Mayweather Jr. protégée Badou Jack.

 

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, or www.warriorsboxing.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AnthonyDirrell, @BadouJack, @DanielJacobsTKO, @GoldenCalebT, @WarriorsBoxProm, and @SpikeTV. Or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo and www.Facebook.com/Spike.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

“Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” finalizes action-packed 13-fight lineup with additions of A.J. Jenkins vs. Arlene Blencowe, Shawn Bunch vs. Rolando Perez and John Yoo vs. Albert Morales

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 16, 2015) – A thrilling 13-bout lineup for May’s “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” is now complete with the addition of women’s featherweights A.J. Jenkins (17-5) vs. Arlene “Angerfist” Blencowe (5-4), bantamweights Shawn “Bunch the Great” Bunch (3-1) vs.Rolando Perez (7-4) and John Yoo (0-0) vs. Albert “The Warrior” Morales (1-0) to the evening’s preliminary card.

 

The three new additions finalize a nine-fight preliminary card scheduled in support of “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” four main card contests.

 

The night’s featured matchups include undefeated Bellator MMA World Middleweight Champion Brandon “Bull” Halsey (8-0) against towering Hawaiian scrapper Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (21-14), former Bellator MMA World Champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike “The Marine” Richman (18-5), welterweights Fernando “The Menifee Maniac” Gonzalez (23-13) vs. “Curtious” Curtis Millander (7-1) and bantamweightsDarrion “The Wolf” Caldwell (6-0) vs. Rafael “Morcego” Silva (22-4).

 

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” takes place on Friday, May 15, at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. The night’s main card airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT local time), while preliminary bouts stream on Spike.com.

 

Tickets for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove,” which start at just $50, are currently on sale at Pechanga.com and the Pechanga Resort & Casino box office.

 

Doors for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” open at 4 p.m. PT local time, and the first contest takes place 45 minutes later.

 

Jenkins, of Oceanside, Calif., is one of the most experienced competitors in women’s MMA. Fighting professionally since 2004, Jenkins now makes her Bellator MMA debut. The 33-year-old boasts past tussles with MMA notables Shayna Baszler, Tonya Evinger, Jan Finney, Kelly Kobold and Sarah Schneider, among others.

 

An Australian native, Blencowe is a world-class athlete and former Women’s International Boxing Association World light welterweight champion. After turning her attention to MMA in 2013, Blencowe initially garnered only mixed results as she adjusted to life in the sport. However, she has racked up three-consecutive stoppage wins as of late, and that run earned her a call from Bellator MMA.

 

Bunch is one of MMA’s most elite-level wrestlers as a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and two-time U.S. Olympic Team alternate. He now trains with the famed American Kickboxing Academy banner and has spent his entire professional MMA career under the Bellator MMA banner.

 

Meanwhile, Alliance MMA product Perez is a 10-year veteran of the sport who made his Bellator MMA in November and fought to a rarely-seen split draw. Still, Perez is unbeaten in his past four contests and now looks to get his first win in the promotion.

 

Yoo, of Irvine, Calif., makes his professional debut. He meets Morales, of Carson, Calif., who picked up a submission victory in the Bellator cage in his first professional contest.

 

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” – Friday, May 15, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, Calif.

 

Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

 

Bellator Middleweight Title Fight: Champ Brandon Halsey (8-0) vs. Kendall Grove (21-14)

Bellator Featured Bantamweight Fight: Eduardo Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike Richman (18-5)

Bellator Featured Welterweight Fight: Fernando Gonzalez (23-13) vs. Curtis Millender (7-1)

Bellator Featured Bantamweight Fight: Darrion Caldwell (6-0) vs. Rafael Silva (22-4)

 

Preliminary Card (7:45 p.m. ET)

 

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: A.J. Matthews (7-3) vs. Ben Reiter (14-0)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Prelim Fight: Virgil Zwicker (13-4-1) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (12-4)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Joe Taimanglo (20-6-1) vs. Antonio Duarte (18-5)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Jordan Parsons (10-1) vs. Julio Cesar Neves Jr. (30-0)

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Jesse Juarez (22-9) vs. Ricky Rainey (10-3)

 

Dark Fights (approx. 11 p.m. ET)

 

Bellator Lightweight Dark Prelim: John Yoo (0-0) vs. Albert Morales (1-0)

Bellator Lightweight Dark Prelim: Shawn Bunch (3-1) vs. Rolando Perez (7-4)

Bellator Lightweight Dark Prelim: Steve Kozola (5-0) vs. Ian Butler (1-1)

Bellator Lightweight Dark Prelim: A.J. Jenkins (17-5) vs. Arlene Blencowe (5-4)

 

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

Three-for-one, Wednesday Matinee

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“Bellator MMA: Uncut” returns with a focus on this past week’s “Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” card. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the main card competitors before and after they go to war inside the cage. The eight minute video showcases all the hard work and personal sacrifice these individuals put into their craft.

 

Arguably one of the best fights on the “Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen” card didn’t air on television, but instead took place during the preliminary portion of the event. Joey Beltran shined in his middleweight debut against Brian Rogers in a fight that featured a little bit of everything including a ferocious slugfest, a comeback as well as a showcase of toughness and will all rolled into one.

 

In addition, our post-lims featured Chad George’s finish of Mark Vorgeas with a Von Flue choke, making it only the second time in Bellator history this technique was used to end a fight.

The two fights took place on the Spike.com-streamed preliminary card of “Bellator: Brooks vs. Jansen,” which aired this past Friday night during a Spike telecast that peaked with over 900K viewers.

EASY TWEETS:

Relive the oohs and aahs from last Fridays #BellatorMMA event with #BellatorUncut https://youtu.be/e26WvI7Eczk

.@Mexicutioner760 looked to be the first fighter to win in 3 different weight classes. In his way: @BRogthePredator! #Bellator136 https://youtu.be/l6L_acDCNd8

Watch hometown scrapper @Savage135’s rare Von Flue choke win from last Friday’s #Bellator136! https://youtu.be/XttOuAopLRA

 

Click on the images below to view the videos

 

 

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

“Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” adds top bantamweights Darrion “The Wolf” Caldwell vs. Rafael “Morcego” Silva to evening’s Spike-televised main card

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EASY TWEET: #BellatorMMA adds @morcego_mma and @thewolf_mma to the May 15 Event headlined by @BrandBullHalsey & @kendallgrovemma

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 15, 2015) – A four-fight Spike-broadcast main card for May’s “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove” has received another thrilling contest, as undefeated bantamweight prospect Darrion “The Wolf” Caldwell (6-0) takes on Rafael “Morcego” Silva (22-4).

 

The new addition finalizes the four-bout main card for “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove,” which includes undefeated Bellator MMA World Middleweight Champion Brandon “Bull” Halsey (8-0) against towering Hawaiian scrapperKendall “Da Spyder” Grove (21-14), former Bellator MMA World Champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike “The Marine” Richman (18-5), and welterweights Fernando “The Menifee Maniac” Gonzalez (23-13) vs.“Curtious” Curtis Millander (7-1).

 

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” takes place on Friday, May 15, at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. The night’s main card airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT local time), while preliminary bouts stream on Spike.com.

 

Tickets for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove,” which start at just $50, are currently on sale at Pechanga.com and the Pechanga Resort & Casino box office.

 

Doors for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” open at 4 p.m. PT local time, and the first contest takes place 45 minutes later.

 

Two new bouts have also been added to the night’s preliminary card, with middleweights A.J. “The Mercenary” Matthews (7-3) vs. Ben “The Hunter” Reiter (15-0) and lightweights Steve “Thunderbeast” Kozola (5-0) vs. Ian Butler (1-1).

 

Additionally, a light heavyweight matchup of Virgil “Rezdog” Zwicker (13-4-1) vs. “Razor” Razak Al-Hassan (12-4) that was initially announced as a main-card matchup will now be featured on the night’s preliminary card, instead.

 

Additional bouts will be announced shortly.

 

A New Jersey native now fighting out of Arizona, Caldwell was a Division I wrestler at North Carolina State. Caldwell made his MMA debut in 2012 and has kept his record perfect through the first six fights of his career, including Bellator MMA wins over Anthony Dizy, Joe Pingitore and Lance Surma. Previously competing as a featherweight, the 27-year-old Caldwell now moves down to the bantamweight division.

 

He now faces “Morcego” Silva, a battle-tested 30-year-old fighter with championship-level experience in the Bellator MMA cage. With nearly a decade of professional fights to his name, Silva is an incredible 14-1 in his past 15 overall appearances. His only loss during that run was a 25-minute decision against former Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Champion Joe Warren. Seventeen of Silva’s 22 career wins have come by stoppage, including eight knockouts and nine submissions.

 

A former cast member on Bellator MMA’s “Fight Master” series, Matthews fought most recently in November, earning a decision win over Kyle Bolt. He now meets undefeated prospect Reiter, an intriguing individual who left Wall Street to pursue a career in MMA and now fights for the second time under the Bellator MMA banner after spending much of his early career in Peru.

 

Kozola, of San Diego, Calif., fights for the second time under the Bellator MMA banner after debuting with a knockout victory over Jonathan Rivera in January. He now meets Butler, who returns to the promotion after a November Bellator MMA debut that saw him suffer a submission loss to Joao Paulo Faria.

 

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” – Friday, May 15, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, Calif.

 

Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

 

Bellator Middleweight Title Fight: Champ Brandon Halsey (8-0) vs. Kendall Grove (21-14)

Bellator Featured Bantamweight Fight: Eduardo Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike Richman (18-5)

Bellator Featured Welterweight Fight: Fernando Gonzalez (23-13) vs. Curtis Millender (7-1)

Bellator Featured Bantamweight Fight: Darrion Caldwell (6-0) vs. Rafael Silva (22-4)

 

Preliminary Card (7:45 p.m. ET)

 

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: A.J. Matthews (7-3) vs. Ben Reiter (14-0)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Prelim Fight: Virgil Zwicker (13-4-1) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (12-4)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Joe Taimanglo (20-6-1) vs. Antonio Duarte (18-5)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Jordan Parsons (10-1) vs. Julio Cesar Neves Jr. (30-0)

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Jesse Juarez (22-9) vs. Ricky Rainey (10-3)

 

Dark Bouts (approx. 11 p.m. ET)

 

Bellator Lightweight Dark Prelim: Steve Kozola (5-0) vs. Ian Butler (1-1)

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV, UFC

No. 6 Light Heavyweight in the World Phil Davis joins Bellator MMA

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 Phil Davis Signing

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 15, 2015) – Bellator MMA is pleased to announce the signing of the sixth* ranked Light Heavyweight in the world, Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis (13-3, 1 NC), to an exclusive, multi-fight deal.

 

“I can’t wait to be fighting in Bellator and wreck shop on everyone,” said Davis. “I am the absolute best and most dominant grappler to ever fight in MMA and I’m excited to get in there and compete at my new home.”

Born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phil attended college close to home at Penn State University, where he became a four-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler for the Nittany Lions.

 

Davis had his first professional MMA fight in 2008 and accrued nine wins in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, including victories against the likes of Antônio Rogério Nogueira, Lyoto Machida, Alexander Gustafsson, Brian Stann and Glover Teixeira.

A member of Alliance MMA in San Diego, Calif., where he trains alongside Bellator stars like Michael Chandler and Joey Beltran, “Mr. Wonderful” joins the promotions Light Heavyweight division, which is currently upheld by champion Liam McGeary.

 

“Phil is a world class Mixed Martial Artist and we are very happy to be adding him to OUR roster of some of the best Light Heavyweights in the world,” said the promotion’s president, Scott Coker.  “Bellator remains fully committed to building its world-class roster by signing top free agents like Davis, as well as grooming up-and-coming stars. We’ve got some amazing matchups in mind for ‘Mr. Wonderful’ that we will be announcing in the weeks to come.”


Bellator’s Light Heavyweight division is one of the deepest in the promotion, with stars like McGeary, Tito Ortiz, “King Mo” Lawal, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Emanuel Newton and Linton Vassell.

 

*Ranking according to www.sherdog.com

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

BRITISH BOXING SENSATION AMIR “KING” KHAN TO FACE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION CHRIS ALGIERI AS PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS RETURNS TO SPIKE TV ON FRIDAY, MAY 29 LIVE FROM BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN

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Tickets On Sale Tomorrow!

 

BROOKLYN (April 15, 2015) – Boxing superstar Amir “King” Khan (30-3, 19 KOs) returns to the ring to take on former world champion  (20-1, 8 KOs) on Friday, May 29, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York as the Main Event in an exciting Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card on Spike TV.

 

The televised action begins live on Spike TV at 9 pm ET/6 p.m. PT.  Doors at Barclays Center open at 6 p.m. ET.

 

“I have happy memories of New York having made my successful U.S. debut there against Paulie Malignaggi in 2010,” said Khan. “I’m delighted to now be fighting there once again against another champion in Chris Algieri. Algieri has shared the ring with some tremendous fighters and shown great skills in those fights so I know I will need to be at my very best when we meet. In all my fights I bring excitement, speed and skill and can guarantee more fireworks on May 29 at Barclays Center.”

 

“I am very excited to get back into the ring and to be fighting here in New York,” said Algieri. “Fighting at Barclays Center, where I won my world title just under a year ago, is an added bonus. Amir Khan is a tested champion and is the matchup that I wanted. I believe this is a fight that will bring the best out of me.”

 

“I am thrilled to be returning to Barclays Center for another terrific PBC event,” stated Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Amir Khan is hands down one of the biggest names in the sport.  Coming off a huge win over Devon Alexander, Khan is on the short list to participate in a future mega fight. He must first get by the hometown fan favorite, Algieri. This is a fight that Chris wanted. He is looking to show the world that he belongs, at the arena where he shocked the world and upset Ruslan Provodnikov for a world title. We expect an electric atmosphere come May 29th.”

 

“We are excited to bring two outstanding fighters in Amir Kahn and Chris Algieri to Brooklyn,” said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. “Khan is among the most talked about and dynamic fighters in the sport, and Long Island’s own Algieri had his career defining win at Barclays Center last June. Our first PBC event in Brooklyn on April 11 was a huge success and we expect another big night on May 29. After less than three years in existence, Barclays Center is cementing itself as the premier boxing venue in the country.”

 

“We are thrilled to present this must-see matchup between of one of the sport’s true superstars, Amir Khan, and the tough-as-nails New Yorker, Chris Algieri, fighting in front of his hometown fans,” said Jon Slusser, Senior Vice President, Sports, Spike TV.

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Star Boxing, are priced at $250, $150, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale tomorrow, Thursday, April 16th at 2 p.m. ET. Tickets are available atwww.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center beginning Friday, April 17 at noon ET. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group tickets, please call 800-GROUP-BK.

 

A 28-year-old star who first burst onto the scene with his silver medal-winning performance at the 2004 Olympics, Khan is an exciting fighter who has shown incredible offensive skills and improved defensive technique since moving up to the welterweight division. His last two fights have come against former welterweight world champions Devon Alexander and Luis Collazo. He cruised to victory in those two contests and now looks to defeat another former champion when he battles the tough Algieri on May 29. Fighting out of Bolton, United Kingdom, the former super lightweight world champion is eager to make an impression in his first start at Barclays Center.

 

Algieri rose to fame in June 2014 at Barclays Center when he upset Ruslan Provodnikov for a super lightweight world title. The 31-year-old returns to the scene of his greatest triumph on May 29 to take on the British superstar Khan. The former kickboxing champion from Huntington, New York, built his undefeated boxing record on the strength of his excellent movement and skill with the jab. His victory over Provodnikov earned him a shot at Manny Pacquiao in Nov. 2014, a bout that Algieri ultimately lost.  He had previously defeated strong contenders Mike Arnaoutis and Emanuel Taylor on the way to his world title.

 

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For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, www.barclayscenter.com andwww.dbe1.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AmirKingKhan, @ChrisAlgieri, @LouDiBella, @SpikeTV and @BarclaysCenter and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/AmirKhanThePage,www.Facebook.com/ChrisAlgieri and www.Facebook.com/Spike. Follow the conversation using #PremierBoxingChampions and #BrooklynBoxing.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

Undefeated Chicago Prospect Ramiro Carrillo Signs with Warriors Boxing

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‘El Lobito’ Will Make Warriors Debut on Blockbuster April 24 Event at UIC Pavilion

 

Warriors Boxing’s newest exclusive promotional signee, Mexican-born, Chicago-based super lightweight Ramiro “El Lobito” Carrillo, will make his first appearance under his new promotional banner on the Friday, April 24, Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) “Dirrell vs. Jack” event at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

 

Carillo (7-0, 4 KOs) will be part of a jam-packed undercard in support of the Spike TV-broadcast Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (27-0-1, 22 KOs) vs. Badou Jack “The Ripper” (18-1, 12 KOs) 12-round super middleweight main event.

 

In the night’s first televised bout, Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (28-1, 25 KOs) will face top contender Caleb “Golden” Truax (25-1-2, 15 KOs) in a 12-round middleweight bout.

 

Tickets for the event, which is co-promoted by Warriors Boxing and Mayweather Promotions, are priced at $151, $101, $51, and $31, not including applicable service charges, and are on sale now. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or UIC Pavilion Box Office at (312) 413-5740. Tickets are also available at www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the UIC Pavilion Box Office (Thursday or Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).

 

The televised action on Spike TV begins at 9 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. PT (delayed on the west coast).

 

Before getting off to an undefeated professional career, 24-year-old Carrillo was a heavily decorated amateur, going 215-14. He was a four-time Chicago Golden Gloves Champion and a two-time National Silver Gloves Champion. He won the National Blue and Gold Tournament and was the runner up in the Mexican Olympic Trials.

 

Nicknamed “El Lobito”, meaning little wolf, Carrillo is an aggressive boxer/brawler who loves to go to the body. So much so that a high percentage of his professional knockouts have come from body shots.

 

Carrillo is co-trained by his father Antonio and former world champion David Diaz and managed by Ernesto Pedroza.

 

“I am very proud to be signing with Warriors,” said Carrillo. “All of the pieces are in place for me now. I have a strong team to help me reach my dreams of winning the world championship. All I have to do is train hard and win.”

 

“Ramiro makes an excellent addition to our roster,” said Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing. “He is an outstanding young fighter with a bright future. We will be looking to provide him with every opportunity he deserves in boxing. I love that he has the rare gift of being a debilitating body puncher in an age where so few fighters pay attention to the lost art.”

 

“We are all very excited about this opportunity,” said Ernesto Pedroza. “Ramiro is extremely serious about his career and works very hard. From what I see, competition wise, we feel that signing with Warriors will provide him with the platform to become a world champion soon.”

 

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, or www.warriorsboxing.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AnthonyDirrell, @BadouJack, @DanielJacobsTKO, @GoldenCalebT, @WarriorsBoxProm, and @SpikeTV. Or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing,www.Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/WarriorsBoxingPromo and www.Facebook.com/Spike.