This week on the FNU Combat Sports show, Tom, Tony and Rich discuss a slow week for boxing and recap two huge MMA cards in the United Kingdom last weekend. We also talk about Michael Bisping deciding to retire, weight cutting issues in the UFC, and a cop nicknamed “Blade” getting his 15 seconds of fame in a viral video where he boxes a teen in full uniform and comes out on top. Listen to the whole show below:
In the Main Event “Super Match,” Olympic champion and four-time World champion Jordan Burroughs of the USA powered back from trailing 4-0 with a strong second period to defeat two-time Frank Chamizo of Italy, 8-5.
In the other Super Match, American star Jordan Oliver won a 3-3 criteria victory over 2012 Olympic champion Toghrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan.
Other U.S. winners were Tamyra Stock (Women’s 68 kg), James Green (Men’s 70 kg), Kyle Dake (Men’s 79 kg), J’den Cox (Men’s 92 kg), Kyle Snyder (Men’s 97 kg), Nick Gwiazdowski (Men’s 125 kg) and Helen Maroulis (Women’s 57 kg).
BEAT THE STREETS BENEFIT
At Pier 17, Seaport District, New York, NY., May 17
High School SuperMatch at 57 kg – Patrick Glory (Delbarton HS, NJ) tech. fall Gavin Teasdale (Jefferson Morgan HS, PA), 16-3
Women’s 59 kg – Adeniyi Aminat (Nigeria) pin Megan Black (USA),1:50
Women’s 68 kg – Tamyra Stock (USA) vs. Blessing Oborududu (Nigeria), 2-1
Men’s 57 kg – Reineri Andreu Ortega (Cuba) dec. Josh Rodriguez (USA), 5-2
Men’s 70 kg – James Green (USA) dec. Franklin Meren Castillo (Cuba), 2-1
Men’s 79 kg – Kyle Dake (USA) tech. fall Livan Lopez Azcuy (Cuba), 13-1
Men’s 92 kg – J’den Cox (USA) dec. Yurieski Torreblanca Queralta (Cuba), 2-1
Men’s 97 kg – Kyle Snyder (USA) dec. Reineris Salas Perez (Cuba), 9-8
Men’s 125 kg – Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) dec. Yudenny Alapajon Estevez (Cuba), 9-1
Women’s 57 kg – Helen Maroulis (USA) dec. Odunayo Adekuoroye (Nigeria), 4-1
Super Match Men’s 70 kg – Jordan Oliver (USA) dec. Togrul Asgarov (Azerbaijan) , 3-3
Super Match Men’s 74 Jordan Burroughs (USA) dec. Frank Chamizo (Italy), 8-5
Youth Matches
55 –Max Malitzky(Newtown, CT) dec. Eric Bocanegra (BTSNY), 10-4
65 –Jake Maddox (Newtown, CT) dec. Antonio Arguello (Newtown, CT), 8-7
95 –Lebron Rendles (BTS Baltimore) dec. Michael Adams (BTSNY), 12-11
60 – Gaby Conte (NJ) dec. Sara Jacobs (BTSNY), 9-4
76 – Cameron Mayfield (BTSNY) tech. fall Luca Manfredi (Newtown, CT), 15-4
115 – Nathaly Pichardo (BTSNY) pin Nayanna Carvalho (BTS Providence), 1st period
125 – Zaire Crawford (BTS Philadelphia) dec. Mitchell Barcus (BTSNY), 10-7
95 – Nyah Colon (BTSNY) pin Crystal Saucedo (BTS Chicago)
115 – Isaias Torres (BTSNY) tech. fall Joshua Butler (BTS Chicago), 11-1
130 – Alessandra Elliott (BTSNY) pin Giselle Martinez (BTS Providence)
130 – Carlos Guzman (BTSNY) tech. fall David Manjarrez (BTS Chicago), 10-0
120 –Zimir Rice (BTS Philadelphia) tech. fall Terry Adams (BTSNY), 10-0
165 – Demitreus Henry (BTSNY) tech. fall Ayomide Onajide (BTS Providence), 11-0
170 – Terrance Parks (BTSNY) dec, Angel Garcia (BTS Philadelphia), 14-7
230 – Jayson Gomez (BTSNY) tech. fall Pablo Tellez (BTS Chicago), 11-0
PSAL Girls Freestyle Wrestling City Dual Meet Championships Bout
Harry Truman HS (Bronx) 34, Edward R. Murrow HS (Brooklyn) 26
Olympic champion Kyle Snyder, Olympic medalist J’den Cox, World medalists James Green and Nick Gwiazdowski lead the USA against Cuba; Jordan Burroughs and Jordan Oliver also in Super Matches
NEW YORK– Olympic and World medalists headline the United States lineup against Cuba in men’s freestyle for the Beat the Streets Annual Benefit, dubbed the “Rumble on the River,” set for May 17 at Pier 17/Seaport District in lower Manhattan.
These U.S. stars will face a talented Cuban team of men’s freestyle wrestlers as part of the exciting card of international competition. Cuba also brings a veteran team with past Olympic, World and Pan American medalists.
2016 Olympic champion and two-time World champion Kyle Snyder will compete in the Beat the Streets Benefit for the fourth time in his career. Snyder was a three-time NCAA champion and four-time finalist for Ohio State, and also boasts a Junior World title. He will face 2013 and 2014 World silver medalist Reineris Salas Perez at 97 kg at the Rumble on the River.
2016 Olympic bronze medalist and 2017 World bronze medalist J’den Cox will enter his second Beat the Streets Benefit, after also competing in 2016. Cox was a three-time NCAA champion and four-time All-American for Missouri. He has drawn 2015 Pan American champion Yurieski Torreblanca Queralta at 92 kg this year.
Two-time World bronze medalist James Green will wrestle in his second straight Beat the Streets Benefit at 70 kg. Green was a four-time All-American for Nebraska, and a University World silver medalist. He will battle Two-time Pan American champion Franklin Maren Castillo.
2017 World bronze medalist Nick Gwiazdowski, a native of Duanesburg, N.Y., is in his second straight Beat the Streets Benefit. Gwiazdowski won two New York state high school titles, then started his college career at Binghamton, where he was an All-American. “The Gwizz” transferred to NC State, where he was a two-time NCAA champion and three-time finalist. He will battle two-time Pan American Championships silver medalist Yudenny Alapajon Estevez at 125 kg/275 lbs.
Another native New Yorker on the roster is four-time NCAA champion Kyle Dake, who is in his second Beat the Streets Benefit after competing in the 2013 Rumble on the Rails. Dake was a two-time New York state champion and three-time finalist for Lansing High School, and went to nearby Cornell. Dake became the first wrestler to win four NCAA Div. I titles in four different weight classes. He has been on four U.S. Freestyle National Teams. Dake will wrestle 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time World medalist Livan Lopez Azcuy at 79 kg.
The other U.S. entry against Cuba is Josh Rodriguez, who will compete in his first Beat the Streets Benefit. Rodriguez was a three-time NCAA qualifier for North Dakota State, and is currently training full-time in freestyle at the Nittany Lion WC at Penn State. Rodriguez was third in the 2017 U23 World Team Trials. He will face 2017 U23 World champion Reineri Andreeu Ortega is competing at 57 kg.
This is the second time a Cuban team has competed in a Beat the Streets Benefit. A team of men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers were included in the 2015 Beat the Streets Benefit “Salsa in the Square,” held in Times Square.
Two other U.S. men’s freestyle stars will compete in Super Matches against opponents who are not from Cuba. 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist and four-time World champion Jordan Burroughs will battle two-time World champion and Olympic medalist Frank Chamizo of Italy, and American standout Jordan Oliver challenges two-time Olympic Medalist Togrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan.
The Beat the Streets Benefit will have a wonderful variety of competition. The Team USA women, whose roster includes Helen Maroulis, Alli Ragan and Tamyra Mensah-Stock, will take on a highly-regarded squad from Nigeria. A Super High School Match has been scheduled, featuring the nation’s top scholastic 126-lb. star in Patrick Glory of Delbarton H.S. (N.J.) against third-ranked Gavin Teasdale of Jefferson Morgan H.S. (Pa.).
This year will mark the first time that Beat the Streets has held its annual event at Pier 17/South Street District. In 2013, the event dubbed “The Rumble on the Rails,” was hosted in historic Grand Central Terminal and featured dual meets between Team USA, Russia and Iran. Playing an important role in the international Keep Olympic Wrestling effort, this historic wrestling event gained international media coverage and helped wrestling retain its status on the Olympic Games program.
Coverage will be available live and on-demand exclusively on FloWrestling.com. To access live and on-demand coverage of the Beat the Streets New York City Annual Benefit, visit FloWrestling.com and become a PRO subscriber. A subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network, as well as the matches from the Beat the Streets program starting at 2:30 p.m. ET on May 17. Watch the event across all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku or Apple TV 4.
This will be the ninth straight year in which a major international-style wrestling competition will be hosted as part of the Beat the Streets Benefit activities. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. Times Square has been the venue for the 2011, 2012 and 2014-2017 events.
This year, top Beat the Streets youth wrestlers will take the mat showcasing their skills in exhibition matches beginning at2:30 p.m. to kick off the NYC Benefit. For the third straight year, the Benefit will feature the PSAL Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships finals, showcasing the two top New York City girl’s freestyle wrestling high school teams from the spring girl’s freestyle season. Then it’s Team USA vs. an international squad at 6:00 p.m. and super matches between Burroughs and Chamizo, as well as Oliver and Asgarov, with video highlights and special guest appearances followed by the Beat the Streets Benefit Celebration.
Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased by visiting www.btsny.org, calling 212-777-5702 or emailing Joe DelConte at jdelconte@btsny.org.
The Benefit Celebration at Pier 17 will follow the wrestling competition. This unique and electrifying annual event helps Beat the Streets raise significant funds to further its mission. Whether it’s providing a safe, constructive outlet for our urban youth, fighting childhood obesity, empowering women, or uniting entire nations, wrestling teaches persistence, dedication, and the value of working hard to achieve one’s goals and creates opportunities for personal and universal growth. BTS currently serve over 3,000 student-athletes every year.
2018 Beat the Streets Benefit, “Rumble on the River”
The Seaport District/Pier 17, New York City, May 17, 2018
USA Men’s Freestyle Roster to face Cuba
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Josh Rodriguez, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
70 kg/154 lbs – James Green, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids/Nebraska WTC)
79 kg/174 lbs. – Kyle Dake, Ithaca, N.Y. (Titan Mercury WC/Finger Lakes WC)
92 kg/189 lbs. – J’den Cox, Columbia, Mo. (Titan Mercury WC/Missouri WF)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Kyle Snyder, Columbus, Ohio (Titan Mercury WC/Ohio RTC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Nick Gwiazdowski, Raleigh, N.C. (Titan Mercury WC/Wolfpack RTC)
Wrestling Schedule
2:30 p.m. – Beat the Streets Youth Exhibition Matches
4:45 p.m. – New York City Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships Finals
6:00 p.m. – World Class Wrestling to include:
57 kg – Helen Maroulis (USA) vs. Odunayo Adekuoroye (Nigeria)
59 kg – Alli Ragan (USA) vs. Adeniyi Aminat (Nigeria)
68 kg – Tamyra Stock (USA) vs. Blessing Oborududu (Nigeria)
57 kg – Josh Rodriguez (USA) vs. Reineri Andreeu Ortega (Cuba)
70 kg – James Green (USA) vs. Franklin Maren Castillo (Cuba)
79 kg – Kyle Dake (USA) vs. Livan Lopez Azcuy (Cuba)
92 kg – J’den Cox (USA) vs. Yurieski Torreblanca Queralta (Cuba)
97 kg – Kyle Snyder (USA) vs. Reineris Salas Perez (Cuba)
125 kg– Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) vs. Yudenny Alapajon Estevez (Cuba)
Followed by Annual Benefit Celebration, Pier 17
About Beat the Streets
The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTS works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to bring the life changing sport of wrestling to over 3,000 New York City student-athletes to help them achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTS and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of grit, personal responsibility and teamwork, physical fitness and nutrition, and life-long learning. The goal of fostering strong, well-rounded student-athletes is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, life skills workshops, and summer camps. More information can be found at www.btsny.org.
About USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. Simply, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. It has over 220,000 members across the nation, boys and girls, men and women of all ages, representing all levels of the sport. Its president is Bruce Baumgartner, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender. More information can be found at TheMat.com.
$25 GA Ticket, Patrick Glory vs. Gavin Teasdale High School Supermatch, Special Clinics Featuring Olympian Jake Herbert, Others Highlight Celebration Of Wrestling
The Beat the Streets Benefit is coming together nicely, with several pieces in place. The Team USA women, whose roster includes Helen Maroulis, Alli Ragan and Tamyra Mensah-Stock, will take on a highly-regarded squad from Nigeria, and a lineup of Team USA men (TBD) will battle an opponent to be announced soon. In addition, two Super Matches will take place, with 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Burroughs battling Italian Frank Chamizo, and American standout Jordan Oliver challenging two-time Olympic Medalist Togrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan.
This year will mark the first time that Beat the Streets has held its annual event at Pier 17/South Street District. In 2013, the event dubbed “The Rumble on the Rails,” was hosted in historic Grand Central Terminal and featured dual meets between Team USA, Russia and Iran. Playing an important role in the international Keep Olympic Wrestling effort, this historic wrestling event gained international media coverage and helped wrestling retain its status on the Olympic Games program.
This will be the ninth straight year in which a major international-style wrestling competition will be hosted as part of the Beat the Streets Benefit activities. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. Times Square has been the venue for the 2011, 2012 and 2014-2017 events.
This year, top Beat the Streets youth wrestlers will take the mat showcasing their skills in exhibition matches beginning at 2:30 p.m. to kick off the NYC Benefit. For the third straight year, the Benefit will feature the PSAL Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships finals, showcasing the two top New York City girl’s freestyle wrestling high school teams from the spring girl’s freestyle season. Then it’s Team USA vs. an international squad at 6:00 p.m. and super match between Burroughs and Chamizo with video highlights and special guest appearances followed by the Beat the Streets Benefit Celebration.
Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased by visiting www.btsny.org, calling 212-777-5702 or emailing Joe DelConte at jdelconte@btsny.org.
The Benefit Celebration at Pier 17 will follow the wrestling competition. This unique and electrifying annual event helps Beat the Streets raise significant funds to further its mission. Whether it’s providing a safe, constructive outlet for our urban youth, fighting childhood obesity, empowering women, or uniting entire nations, wrestling teaches persistence, dedication, and the value of working hard to achieve one’s goals and creates opportunities for personal and universal growth. BTS currently serve over 3,000 student-athletes every year.
2018 Beat the Streets Wrestling Schedule
The Seaport District/Pier 17, New York City, May 17, 2018
2:30 p.m. – Beat the Streets Youth Exhibition Matches
4:45 p.m. – New York City Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships Finals
6:00 p.m. – World Class Wrestling to include:
• Team USA vs. Nigeria in women’s freestyle
57 kg – Helen Maroulis (USA) vs. Odunayo Adekuoroye (Nigeria)
59 kg – Alli Ragan (USA) vs. Bisola Makanjuola (Nigeria)
68 kg – Tamyra Stock (USA) vs. Blessing Oborududu (Nigeria)
• Team USA vs. TBA in men’s freestyle
• High School Super Match, Patrick Glory vs. Gavin Teasdale (time TBD)
• Super Match 1 – Jordan Burroughs (USA) vs. Frank Chamizo (ITA)
• Super Match 2 – Jordan Oliver (USA) vs. Togrul Asgarov (AZE) (time TBD)
Followed by Annual Benefit Celebration, Pier 17
About Beat the Streets
The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTS works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to bring the life changing sport of wrestling to over 3,000 New York City student-athletes to help them achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTS and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of grit, personal responsibility and teamwork, physical fitness and nutrition, and life-long learning. The goal of fostering strong, well-rounded student-athletes is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, life skills workshops, and summer camps. More information can be found at www.btsny.org.
About USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. Simply, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. It has over 220,000 members across the nation, boys and girls, men and women of all ages, representing all levels of the sport. Its president is Bruce Baumgartner, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender. More information can be found at TheMat.com.
# # #
BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER Premieres During Mental Health Awareness Month
On Friday, May 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME
Photo Courtesy: SHOWTIME/Amanda Westcott
NEW YORK – April 30, 2018 – Prolific combat sports broadcaster Mauro Ranallo and his lifelong battle with mental illness are the subject of a new documentary film from SHOWTIME Sports®. BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER – named for the moniker Ranallo gave himself as a broadcast personality and DJ in the early 90’s – will premiere on SHOWTIME during Mental Health Awareness Month on Friday, May 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
First look video: https://s.sho.com/2Ft4Mig
Ranallo has Bipolar Affective Disorder, a condition afflicting nearly five percent of the U.S. population according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI.org). As a national sportscaster for preeminent boxing, mixed martial arts and WWE events, Ranallo has long been an advocate for ending the stigma of mental illness. Now, for the first time, he exposes the true extent of his daily struggle. Through extensive behind-the-scenes video footage, candid personal interviews and detailed accounts from his loved ones and doctors, BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER takes an unflinching look at mental illness and its effects.
The film explores Ranallo’s career, including his work on the two biggest pay-per-view events in television history, and his relentless pursuit of a childhood dream despite seemingly insurmountable odds. Through this deeply personal portrait, Ranallo hopes that the film might inspire others to persevere in pursuing their dreams despite the challenges of a mental health condition.
“I have always tried to do my part to bring awareness to mental health issues,” said Ranallo. “Over the last several years, I allowed my best friend, Haris (Usanovic), to film me at my lowest points as well as at my highest. The idea is simply to show others who suffer that they are not alone and that, even when the outlook is bleak, you can overcome and achieve success. Mental illness is a life sentence—there is no cure—but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence.”
“Through BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER, Mauro Ranallo has chosen to share not only his life’s dreams, but his nightmares as well,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming for Showtime Networks Inc. “Having reached the pinnacle of his profession, Mauro bravely turns his keen observational skills inward to examine his own life-long battle. The result is a raw, poignant and ultimately inspirational film that personifies Mauro’s courage and selflessness.”
Ranallo is a popular fixture on today’s combat sports scenes. In a career that has spanned more than 30 years, he has called everything from “All-Star Wrestling,” a Canadian professional wrestling outfit, to historic MMA events for PRIDE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS out of Japan, to WWE SmackDown Live on USA Network, to many of the biggest boxing events in the world for SHOWTIME Sports. Ranallo was the first broadcaster to call play-by-play on boxing, kickboxing, MMA and professional wrestling events on national television.
Today, Ranallo is the voice of three prominent nationally televised series: SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, WWE’s weekly show NXT on WWE Network, and BELLATOR MMA on Paramount Network. Perhaps best known for his dramatic, excitable style, Ranallo is a student of the English language. He has already made a lasting mark on the industry having called the two biggest pay-per-view events in television history: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao (May 2015, international telecast); and Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor (Aug. 2017, SHOWTIME PPV®).
BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER is produced by Brian Dailey, the network’s Vice President, Sports Digital Content and Strategy, and MALKA MEDIA GROUP. Directed by first-time filmmaker Haris Usanovic, the film is executive produced by Stephen Espinoza and SHOWTIME Sports.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon, Google, Xbox One, Samsung and LG Smart TVs. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, Sony PlayStation™ Vue, Amazon Channels and FuboTV. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.
Impact’s first pay-per-view for 2018 is around the corner and FITE will broadcast the event live at 8pm ET on 4/22 this Sunday in a slew of countries including United States, Canada, Australia among many others. To check availability and your local listing, visit IMPACT’s channel on FITE at https://www.fite.tv/channel/tna-impact-wrestling/ or the FITE mobile and ROKU apps.
One of the most respected and hugely popular stars of IMPACT and Lucha Underground are coming to the ring of Redemption this weekend to re-define the story of the two promotions. In a three-way main event, the belt collector Austin Aries is now defending his reign as IMPACT world champion against the Lucha brothers, Pentagon the breaker of bones and Fenix the high-flying sensation.
Official for Redemption is also the return of none other than Scott Steiner who teams up with Eli Drake to take on LAX for IMPACT’s Tag Team championship gold.
Thirty minutes before the live stream FITE will air Impact’s official Pre-Show free to viewers worldwide to remind you of the story behind Redemption matchups and get you hyped up for the epic showdown.
The action will be all over the place and we’ve got you a front-row seat. Order NOW and watch live from the comfort of your own couch.
Event includes super match between Jordan Burroughs (USA) and Frank Chamizo (ITA)
NEW YORK — FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content, today announced an agreement with Beat The Streets Wrestling, to air its annual Beat The Streets New York City event on Thursday, May 17, at Pier 17/Seaport District in lower Manhattan. Coverage will be available live and on-demand exclusively on FloWrestling.com for the fourth consecutive year.
Kicking off the benefit, the top Beat the Streets youth wrestlers will take to the mat showcasing their skills in exhibition matches. Additionally, several youth matches will be held featuring athletes from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The Benefit will also feature the PSAL Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships finals for the third straight year. The matches will exhibit the top New York City girls freestyle wrestling high school teams from the spring girls freestyle season.
Directly after, Team USA will then take on an international squad, with video highlights and special guest appearances made throughout the event. Jordan Burroughs of the United States and Frank Chamizo of Italy, will compete in the headliner super match. Rosters for both American squads and their respective international opponents will be announced at a later date.
The Benefit Celebration at Pier 17 will directly follow the wrestling competition. This unique and electrifying annual event helps Beat the Streets raise significant funds to further its mission. Whether it’s providing a safe, constructive outlet for our urban youth, fighting childhood obesity, empowering women, or uniting entire nations, Beat The Streets strives to teach persistence, dedication, and the value of hard work to achieve one’s goals through wrestling, and creates opportunities for personal and universal growth. Beat The Streets currently serves more than 3,000 student-athletes every year.
“The lessons and values of wrestling can help anyone grow and learn from hardship,” FloSports SVP Global Rights Acquisition & Strategy, Adam Fenn said. “The Beat the Streets program provides youth the opportunity for personal development and the value of teamwork at an early age in a safe and social environment. We’re honored to spotlight these teams and matches at the Beat the Streets New York City event, and look forward to working with their team for a special night.”
“We are excited to announce that FloWrestling will once again be live streaming this year’s Beat The Streets Annual Benefit matches at the brand new Howard Hughes venue at Pier 17 in the Seaport District,” said Brendan Buckley, Executive Director, Beat the Streets Inc. “Our continued partnership with FloWrestling will showcase this must-see event where Beat the Streets boys and girls from several different cities will compete against one another before the U.S. National team takes center stage. We appreciate FloWrestling for reminding the viewers that the reason this landmark event takes place is to support the more than 3,000 boys and girls that wrestle in New York City through access to training centers, coaches, competitions, summer camps and various enrichment opportunities such as tutoring, SAT Prep, college visits, and job internships.”
2018 Beat the Streets Wrestling Schedule
The Seaport District/Pier 17, New York City, May 17, 2018
2:30 p.m. – Beat the Streets Youth Exhibition Matches
4:45 p.m. – New York City Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships Finals
6:00 p.m. – World Class Wrestling to include:
Followed by Annual Benefit Celebration, Pier 17
To access live and on-demand coverage of the Beat The Streets New York City event, visit FloWrestling.com and become a PRO subscriber. A subscription unlock access to premium content across the entire FloSports network, as well as the matches from the Beat the Streets program starting at 2:30 p.m. ET on May 17. At 4:45 p.m., the New York City PSAL Girls Dual Meet Championships will take place, the Team USA matches following at 6 p.m. Watch the event across all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku or Apple TV 4.
Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased by visiting www.btsny.org, calling 212-777-5702 or emailing Joe DelConte atjdelconte@btsny.org.
This week’s show features Tom, Tony and Rich chatting about the circus atmosphere surrounding UFC 223, starting with Conor McGregor’s hand cart throwing incident. We also recap the past week’s boxing and MMA events, and we even briefly discuss Ronda Rousey’s Wrestlemania performance and the news that Brock Lesnar recently signed an extension to stay with the WWE. Listen to the broadcast below:
This week, Tom Tony and Rich get into some discussion about Floyd Mayweather, Jr. jumping into MMA. We also recap a big win by Alexander Volkov over Fabricio Werdum at the latest UFC Fight night and cover the upcoming boxing schedule and last weekend’s results.
Listen to the full show HERE
Or use our player:
By: Rich Bergeron
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is not done fighting. The money he made with Conor McGregor in a one-sided boxing match will not be very easy to make outside the dangerous world of combat sports. Retirement always seems to eat at Floyd, and sooner or later he comes back for another blockbuster bout that shocks the world.
CM Punk needs a draw to get us interested in his career. Even if he beats the ever living crap out of the next guy they feed him in the UFC Octagon, Punk will still have a lot to prove. Put him in against Mayweather in a welcome to MMA bout for the world-class boxer, and make it the dream setup for Floyd that gives him all the perks and sponsorship concessions he wants in the contract.
Floyd would be an automatic underdog going in against McGregor immediately in the cage. A challenger like CM Punk gives him more of a fighting chance. It gives CM punk a chance to really launch his career if he can beat Floyd.
The fact is, Mayweather can learn the sport of mixed martial arts quickly, and with his speed and athleticism, given more striking options he could actually shock us in his first MMA fight… if he really backs up his talk of fighting in the cage with action.
During the tour for the boxing match, Floyd repeatedly referenced the idea of fighting McGregor in the cage after the boxing match went his way. He doesn’t say things out loud that he doesn’t really think are true or could be true if he sunk his effort into it.
I had the good fortune of standing on the edge of the ring next to Leonard Ellerbe during a Mayweather training session in Las Vegas years ago.
Before he threw any punches on the mitts I asked him what he liked most about boxing. I didn’t attempt to get close during the big press rush, so I think he didn’t expect the question.
He sat silent, and I didn’t want it to go hanging like a bad fart in the wind. I asked it again, even louder. He didn’t look my way as he shadowboxed with himself. “Everything.” he finally conceded, and then he went to to work on exhibiting his speed and punching prowess for all the media to see.
Incorporating elbows, backfists, kicks and wrestling into his fighting routine could create a real monster out of Mayweather. Also, the money from boxing that would follow him to the cage could be tremendous for him and the UFC alike. It will take a ton of work at his age to adapt to the new sport, but CM Punk as a first opponent sets the bar fairly low with both men getting a chance to show they belong. Give them both a serious training camp, make a reality show out of it, and it could happen.
“Money” is already preparing to train in mixed martial arts with UFC Champ Tyron Woodley, and he heaped some praise on both Woodley and McGregor as fighters recently:
The MMA versus Boxing debate has been going on since long before I decided to do my own take on it with a series of radio shows pitting one expert against another. One of my favorites was “Iceman” John Scully against Ken Shamrock.
Not surprisingly, the debate between these two fighter/trainer experts drifted into Mayweather making the crossover to MMA. This is not a new concept to Floyd. He’s been hearing the critics yap about him never making it in MMA for more than a decade now, always thinking about how he could one day prove his haters wrong.
Anyone who thinks the best MMA fighter in his weight class demolishes Floyd has never watched him train. What could this guy do with a couple of tune-up fights and a title tilt? How about 9 months of hard training in takedown and submission defense?
Everybody and their brother who knows anything about MMA decides to use the argument of all the past boxers who failed at MMA. They remind us all of the freakshow fight involving Randy Couture easily defeating James Toney. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is not only on a different level than James Toney was when he got the chance to fight in the cage, he’s on a different planet.
Floyd can afford the best trainers, the best of everything really in preparing to enter the UFC Octagon. He will spare no expense in finances and sweat equity in cementing his legacy as the best crossover fighter in the history of the boxing and MMA rivalry. Who has the best true athletes? Mayweather is representing boxing’s best, and he doesn’t have much time left to prove that a world class boxer can dominate the MMA scene with the right approach and strategy.
McGregor did prove that he could give Floyd a few fits in the boxing ring, but on the third fight into a UFC contract that match could happen again in the cage. Floyd just has to show he belongs, but the first step is having the guts to back up his words with actions. He did say on the boxing press tour for the McGregor fight that when he beat McGregor in his own craft, he would go to the UFC and beat Conor in the cage, too.
I anticipate a “Shark Tank” type of negotiation between Mayweather and UFC President Dana White. Floyd will need to get a piece of the promotion itself, access to a wild amount of sponsorship cash, options to collect on media income, and at least $10 million per fight in just base pay. To get the billion dollar contract he envisions, the lawyers will be ironing out the details for as long as Floyd decides he needs to train for his first fight.
Floyd could easily rake in $90+ million in sponsorship and media income to make $100 million per fight with Showtime executives in his corner and a familiarity with being in front of the cameras. A five fight deal means there is a 1/2 billion dollar gap unless I am underestimating how much the UFC would give Floyd for base pay. Even if he makes $200 million per fight, the rest would have to come out of the overall corporation itself as equity, which is what Conor McGregor has been asking for.
Floyd just has a bigger upside to being an owner/partner and would be a huge asset when it comes to the UFC wanting to promote boxing at some point. He can also bring his fans and everyone who wants to see him get whipped and schooled in the new discipline. He brings eyeballs, extreme attention and money with him wherever he goes. At a $5 billion valuation, the UFC would likely be able to part with a ten percent chunk of the promotion to bring Mayweather officially on board and get him locked in for a long-term deal.
The other area that Floyd could have a huge impact on is in attracting more boxers to cross over to MMA. We’ve seen football players like Matt Mitrione and Greg Hardy experience virtually immediate success in MMA, so why not a world class boxer like Floyd? 19-0 Pro Boxer Gervonta Davis is already hinting at following his protege Floyd to MMA and says he’s just waiting for Dana White’s phone call. Then there are the heavyweight boxers to think about bringing into the cage, and Word Champion Anthony Joshua is keen on giving it a shot, too.
So, the odds are high that Mayweather steps into the cage to compete by December of this year if you believe one of his most controversial videos to date on the subject:
Mayweather could be an incredible MMA fighter if given half the chance. He is not a man who takes a challenge like this lightly. He will have the best approach possible to get into cagefighting shape. He will bring all kinds of interest back to the boxing vs. MMA debate and actually might even inspire a whole new phase of that debate. The combat sports world as a whole will benefit if Floyd and the UFC can make this partnership work.
As for those who think Floyd will get eaten alive, they are certainly entitled to their opinion, but don’t use McGregor’s failure to adapt to boxing as your bar for Floyd. Mayweather will not take on a world class MMA fighter the first time he steps in the cage. He will not bring in the MMA equivalent of Paulie Malignaggi to get up to speed on the sport. He will spare no expense to get the best preparation possible. He’s already showing that to be true by bringing Tyron Woodley on as his official training partner. He will hand pick his first opponent and likely not get any crack at a title until two or three fights go his way.
Critics of people who think they can show up to an MMA gym and come out in six weeks at the UFC level will call me crazy, but Floyd truly is an amazing athlete who can quiet his doubters, and he’s not getting any younger. It’s now or never to solve that question of which sport is truly better at crafting the ideal fighter.
