SHAWN PORTER BECOMES WBC WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION WITH NARROW UNANIMOUS DECISION VICTORY OVER DANNY GARCIA SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN
Yordenis Ugas Dominates Cesar Miguel Barrionuevo in
Co-Featured Bout
&
Adam Kownacki Remains Undefeated with Decision Win Over
Charles Martin
Amanda Serrano Earns World Title in A Record Sixth Weight Division in SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN Main Event
Watch The Encore Presentation Monday At 10 P.M. ET/PT On
SHOWTIME EXTREME®
Click HERE for Photos from Tom Casino and Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
BROOKLYN (September 9, 2018) – Shawn Porter became WBC Welterweight World Champion Saturday night as he earned a narrow unanimous decision victory over Danny Garcia in a hotly contested fight live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
All three judges scored the fight in favor of Porter (116-112, 115-113, 115-113) in an electrifying fight in front of 13,058 fans at the 30th professional boxing event at Barclays Center. (Video highlights here: https://s.sho.com/2MWXfRj)
Porter earned the belt that Keith Thurman, who previously defeated Porter and Garcia, was forced to vacate due to an injury.
In an anticipated title fight that was widely regarded as a 50-50 contest in boxing’s deepest division, Garcia vs. Porter played out as advertised. The difference in total power punches landed throughout the 12-round battle was just five, with Garcia holding the narrow advantage.
In a matchup of accuracy vs. activity, Porter looked to outworked Garcia. He was relentless in his attack and threw 742 total punches and 544 power punches, landing 25 percent. Garcia, on the other hand, was the more precise fighter, landing the higher percentage and more meaningful punches. He connected on 46 percent of the 304 power punches he threw. Due to the contrasting styles, the three judges were only able to all agree on four rounds.
“I made a prediction and a hard one to live up to,” said Porter. “I said I wasn’t leaving New York without this belt and I’m not leaving New York without this belt. I knew he was going to be accurate. The game plan for me was to be accurate from the outside and show I could beat him without roughing him up on the ropes.”
A disappointed Garcia clearly disagreed with the judges’ scorecards.
“He was throwing a lot,” said Garcia, who falls to 7-2 in world title fights. “I had my defense tight, so I wasn’t feeling his punches. I thought I landed the clearer shots and won this fight.
“I have to sit back, relax and see what’s next for me.”
Following the announcement of the decision, IBF welterweight champion and consensus top-five pound-for-pound fighter Errol Spence Jr. entered the ring to challenge the newly crowned WBC champion to what would be a blockbuster unification bout.
“The same way that you called Danny out, I’m going to call you out”, said Spence. “I think I’m the best welterweight in the division. I’m ‘The Truth’ and I guarantee you I come home as unified champion. I definitely want that fight against Porter.”
It was a star-studded night at Barclays as current and former world champions attended the fights, including Spence, Mikey Garcia, Jarrett Hurd, Gervonta Davis, Adrien Broner, Andre Berto, Claressa Shields, Keith Thurman and Jermell and Jermall Charlo.
In the co-featured event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, consensus top-10 welterweight Yordenis Ugas (23-3, 11 KOs) out boxed Argentina’s Cesar Miguel Barrionuevo (34-4-2, 24 KOs) on his way to a dominating unanimous decision victory (119-109, 120-108, 120-108). With the win in the WBC title eliminator, Ugas earns the WBC’s second mandatory position to fight Porter.
In a tactical performance, Ugas dictated the pace from the opening bell and looked comfortable throughout the 12 rounds. He was the more effective fighter from the outset, landing 55 percent of his power punches and 35 percent of his total punches. Barrionuevo, who was facing a big step-up in competition, was never able to trouble the former Olympic bronze medalist out of Cuba, despite throwing more punches.
Barrionuevo connected on just 26 percent of his power punches and 19 percent of his total punches. Ugas was the far more accurate puncher connecting on 55 percent of his power punches and 35 percent of his total punches, including a wild multi-punch assault on Barrionuevo in the eighth round.
“We won today and I think I showed everybody my talent,” said Ugas, who improves to 8-0 at 147 pounds. “I’m happy with my performance. I showed enough, now I’m ready for a championship fight.
“I want the winner of Danny Garcia vs. Shawn Porter. I’m here to compete with the top-level guys in the sport.”
“I just didn’t have the right distance tonight,” said Barrionuevo, who was making his U.S. debut. “It was hard to catch him and attack. He countered well and attacked the body. I showed my heart but he was the better fighter tonight.”
In the telecast opener, heavyweight slugger Adam Kownacki (18-0, 14 KOs) remained undefeated by scoring a unanimous decision victory over former world champion Charles Martin (25-2-1, 23 KOs) in a sensational action-packed fight. Each of the judges scored the fight 96-94 in favor of the hometown favorite Kownacki, who was fighting in front of a boisterous contingent of Polish fans.
Both fighters were incredibly active, with close to 1400 total punches thrown throughout the 10 rounds. Kownacki and Martin, the former IBF heavyweight champion, each threw over 500 power punches and landed 37 percent of them.
Kownacki, who was fighting at Barclays Center for the seventh time in his pro career, started the fight on the front foot, backing up his opponent and wearing him out on his way to winning the early rounds. Martin began to claw his way back into the fight and caught a second win in the seventh round, landing several powerful left-handed blows to the head of Kownacki.
In a contender for the 2018 Round of the Year, the 10th and final round saw tremendous back-and-forth action with both fighters trading devastating exchanges while doing their best to stay on their feet. The two fighters combined to land 62 punches in the round, 57 of which were power punches.
“I think I proved tonight that I’m a top 10 fighter,” Kownacki told SHOWTIME Sports® reporter Jim Gray. “I think I need one or two more fights before I go for a title fight. I have a great team behind me. Whatever they decide, that’s the route we are going to take.
“I thought I won the decision a little wider than the cards, but Charles came to fight all night. He was in shape and coming forward and I had to dig deep.”
Martin, who was punished by a slow start, was gracious in defeat and gave credit to Kownacki.
“I’m a late starter, but he was the better man tonight,” he said. “Looks are very deceiving, but it’s boxing. I put up a hell of a fight and went the 10 rounds. I just came up short.”
In streaming coverage of live undercard fights on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN, Amanda Serrano (35-1-1, 26 KOs) became the first six-division world champion in women’s boxing history, joining Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya as the only boxers, male or female, to reach the mark. The Brooklyn native defeated an aggressive and determined Yamila Esther Reynoso (11-5-3, 8 KOs) to earn the vacant WBO Junior Welterweight World Championship via unanimous decision (all three judges scored the fight 99-91).
“This means everything to me,” said Serrano. “I work so hard and I hope this fight shows the fans that girls can fight and we can give it our all just like the men do. We deserve to have this platform and we deserve to be shown.”
Also on the live stream, Brooklyn fan-favorite Chris Colbert (9-0, 3 KOs) cruised to a unanimous decision win over Fatiou Fassinou (28-11-3, 15 KOs) and Mayweather Promotions’ unbeaten prospect Richardson Hitchins (6-0, 3 KOs) dominated Mexico’s Cesar Valenzuela (7-3, 2 KOs) en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader will replay on Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.
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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC was sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina and promoted by TGB Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, in association with DSG Promotions.
Split-T Management signs amateur standout Eric Puente to management deal
NEW YORK (September 7, 2018)–Boxing’s deepest management stable just got richer as Split-T Management is proud to announce the signing of amateur standout Eric Puente to an exclusive management deal.
Puente, 19 years old of Vista, California by way of Sinaloa, Mexico will campaign in the lightweight division.
Puente started boxing at the age of eight years-old by his father/trainer, Ivan.
He went on to win the 2016 National Youth Open Championship, and was a member of Team USA. Puente was a favorite to be a member of the 2020 United States Olympic Team.
Puente, who stand 5’8″ likens his style to a cross between Danny Garcia and Yuriorkis Gamboa.
“Boxing is everything to me! I live, eat and sleep boxing 24/7. Boxing is always on my mind,” said Puente. “”When the boxing world sees me fight, they will see and old school warrior that will do everything he can to come out victorious,” said Puente. “I take a lot from all the great fighters of the past like Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Eric Morales and Sugar Ray Leonard, and put into me: Eric Puente, future superstar in boxing!”
“In the midst of talking to all the promoters and managers, David McWater stood out. My dad and I felt we can trust him. We had a lot of people saying they can do this and that, but David came thru with everything he has promised.”
Said Split-T Management CEO, David McWater, “From the first time I saw Eric, he had superstar written all over him. He just gets better and better every time I see him.
He has the passion, the skills and work ethic to become a big attraction in boxing.
This kid is going to be a star!”
ABOUT SPLIT-T MANAGEMENT
Headed by David McWater, Split-T Management has amassed one of the top stables in boxing.
Their impressive roster includes:
World Rated Contenders
IBF Super Lightweight Mandatory Title Challenger Ivan Baranchyk
Welterweight “The New” Ray Robinson
Former Bantamweight Title Challenger Antonio Nieves
2016 Olympians
Lightweight Teofimo Lopez
Junior Middleweight Charles Conwell
Bantamweight Antonio Vargas
Undefeated Prospects
Heavyweights: Stephen Shaw, Marcus Carter, Yegor Plevako
Cruiserweights: Joshua Temple, “Mighty” Joe Jones
Light Heavyweights: Joseph Williams, Bortirali Mamajonov
Super Middleweights: Isiah Steen, DeAndre Ware, Isiah Jones, Anthony Barnes, Tyler Howard
Middleweights: Marquis Moore, Raquel Miller
Junior Middleweights: Ardreal Holmes, Hurshidbek Normatov, Fred Wilson, Jr.
Welterweight’s Janelson Bocachica, Poindexter Knight, Mark Dawson, Boubacar Sylla, Brian Ceballo,
Junior Lightweight: Erick De Leon
DANNY GARCIA vs. SHAWN PORTER FINAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES, PHOTOS & COMMISSION OFFICIALS FOR WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOMORROW LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
Garcia vs. Porter | Saturday, September 8
From Barclays Center In Brooklyn, Presented By Premier Boxing Champions
Click HERE for Photos from Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® – 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT Live On SHOWTIME
DANNY GARCIA vs. SHAWN PORTER – WBC Welterweight World Championship
Danny Garcia – 146 ¾ pounds
Shawn Porter – 147 pounds
Referee: Steve Willis; Judges: Don Ackerman (N.Y.), Julie Lederman (N.Y.), Eric Marlinski (N.Y.)
YORDENIS UGAS vs. CESAR MIGUEL BARRIONUEVO – WBC Welterweight World Title Eliminator
Yordenis Ugas – 146 ¾ pounds
Cesar Miguel Barrionuevo – 146 pounds
Referee: Ricky Gonzalez; Judges: John McKaie (N.Y.), Kevin Morgan (N.Y.), Tom Schreck (N.Y.)
ADAM KOWNACKI vs. CHARLES MARTIN – 10-Round Heavyweight Bout
Adam Kownacki – 263 ¼ pounds
Charles Martin – 246 pounds
Referee and judges for Kownacki-Martin are not yet determined and will be provided on Saturday
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN – 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT Streaming Live On SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel & SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page
AMANDA SERRANO vs. YAMILA REYNOSO – WBO Junior Welterweight World Championship
Amanda Serrano – 138 ½ pounds
Yamila Esther Reynoso – 138 ¾ pounds
Referee: Eddie Claudio (N.Y.); Judges: Joseph Pasquale (N.J.), Larry Hazzard Jr. (N.J.), Waleska Roldan (N.Y.)
FLASH QUOTES
Danny Garcia:
“It’s a matter of time before I fight everybody. It’s how the sport is. It’s all about timing and the time is now. I’m ready to go in there and reclaim what is mine. I’m excited for all my fights. This is another fight for my legacy. I plan on going in there and giving 150 percent and giving my all, my blood, sweat and my tears and make my family and my friends proud. Danny Garcia, baby. Win by under 9.”
Shawn Porter:
“It’s hard to put it into words how bad I want this. The best way I can describe it in words is that I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. To some, it’s just a belt, but for me it’s my world. Like I said, I’m not leaving Brooklyn without this belt. Shawn Porter will be victorious tomorrow night.”
Yordenis Ugas:
“I’m a tough fighter and I like to fight the best. They say he’s a big puncher and that’s what I like. I like guys that can stand in there and fight. Hopefully it’s going to be a war and a great fight for the fans.”
Cesar Miguel Barrionuevo:
“Tomorrow for sure, everyone will know my name. I’m ready to give a great show to everybody.”
Adam Kownacki:
“I’m from Brooklyn, man, so I’m not afraid of anything. He ain’t got no heart, so I’m going to get in there early and hurt him.”
Charles Martin:
“He’s been saying the same [stuff], but we’ll see tomorrow. This is everything. I’m coming. That’s all I have to say.”
Amanda Serrano:
“I feel great. I love fighting at Barclays and once again I’m going to make history. I’ve won all my titles by knockout so I’m looking to do it again. Brooklyn’s my second home – my home away from home. I’m excited to do this in Brooklyn at Barclays Center and hopefully there’s more to come.”
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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @DannySwift, @ShowtimeShawnP, @LouDiBella, @TGBPromotions, or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION KEITH THURMAN JOINS SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN AS GUEST ANALYST SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8 FROM BARCLAYS CENTER
Livestreaming Undercard Action Features Amanda Serrano In Potential Record-Breaking World Championship Bout and Precedes SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Three-Fight Telecast
NEW YORK – September 7 – Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman will serve as a guest analyst this Saturday on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN, providing insight and analysis during undercard streaming fights in advance of this Saturday’s Danny Garcia vs. Shawn Porter WBC Welterweight World Championship. Live streaming coverage from Barclays Center begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page and features multiple live fights and analysis preceding the evening’s three-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
In the featured bout of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN, Amanda Serrano (34-1-1, 26 KOs) will attempt to make women’s boxing history as the five-division world champion faces Yamila Esther Reynoso (11-4-3, 8 KOs) the vacant WBO Junior Welterweight World Title. A win will place Serrano in elite company alongside Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya as boxing’s only six-division world champions.
Thurman will join host Ray Flores and analyst Chris Mannix to call the streaming action Saturday from Brooklyn. The reigning WBA Welterweight Champion, Thurman has previously defeated both of Saturday’s headliners. “One Time” edged Porter in a 2016 Fight of The Year Candidate, and narrowly defeated Garcia in a split-decision win to unify the division in 2017.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN will feature multiple bouts in what will be the seventh digital presentation of live fights from SHOWTIME Sports in 2018. For the third straight year, the network continues to deliver industry-leading livestream coverage of boxing free to all U.S. consumers with internet access.
Polish slugger Adam Kownacki and former heavyweight champion Charles Martin will open up Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast with a 10-round heavyweight attraction. In the co-feature, 147-pound contender Yordenis Ugas will battle against Argentinian favorite Cesar Barrionuevo in a welterweight world-title eliminator showdown.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,
GET TO KNOW MMA PRO LEAGUE’S TEAM PENNSYLVANIA
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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (September 7, 2018) – As the inaugural fight night approaches for the newest entity in MMA, MMA Pro League, get to know the fighters for head coach Daniel Gracie’s Team Pennsylvania before they battle Team New Jersey Saturday, September 15 from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and streaming live on FloCombat.com.
Tickets for the inaugural installment of “MMA Pro League At The Hard Rock” on Saturday, September 15, featuring Team New Jersey vs. Team Pennsylvania, are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Here is what Daniel Gracie’s Team Pennsylvania fighters had to say as they prepare to take on head coach Dan Miller’s Team New Jersey:
ZEDEKIAH MONTANEZ
Weight Class: Featherweight
Hometown: North Philadelphia, PA
Why do you fight?
“I fight because it is what I love. There’s no better feeling than the rush of overcoming the uncertainty in a cage or ring with complete faith and belief in your ability.”
Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?
“I always pay my homage to the fighters that led me towards this path. Boxers like Fernando Vargas and Floyd Mayweather. Plus, MMA champions like Connor McGregor, Michael Chandler and more. But I am my own self. I do take a bit of every fighter, shake it up and come out with whatever I’ve been working on.”
What is your fighting background and style?
“I don’t try to focus on one solid background. I am a mixed martial artist now. I always keep an open mind, and try to dig into all aspects of the game.”
Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?
“I’m excited to be working with MMA Pro League, and by the looks of it, everything is great! They’re a good up-and-coming, humble and respectable organization that’s trying to bring change to the game, and together the sky is the limit for all of us.”
What is your favorite thing about Pennsylvania?
“The whole experience of being from here. It’s where I was raised. My family and all of my ups and downs happen here.”
CODY HIER
Weight Class: Bantamweight
Hometown: Davison, MI
Why do you fight?
“I fight to give my family the things I never had.”
Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?
“I’m a fan of lots of fighters, but my style is all my own.”
What is your fighting background and style?
“I have a strong wrestling background that has led to my MMA career.”
Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?
“MMA Pro League is the next big thing and I’m glad to be a part of the ground floor. It’s going to be a great ride.”
What is your favorite thing about Pennsylvania?
“The sports fans! There’s really nothing like them.”
JOE PENAFIEL
Weight Class: 130 lb catchweight
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Why do you fight?
“I fight for pride, family and money.”
Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?
“Bruce Lee, but I steal from everyone.”
What is your fighting background and style?
“I practice jeet kune do and have experience wrestling.”
Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?
“Because they’re going to put together challenging fights and they have top-class treatment of their fighters.”
What is your favorite thing about Pennsylvania?
“I like the ladies and the Philly cheesesteaks.”
ANDY JIMENEZ
Weight Class: Lightweight
Hometown: Queens, NY
Why do you fight?
“I fight because I have a passion for mixed martial arts and I’m a badass.”
Do you have a favorite fighter or someone you try to emulate?
“My favorite MMA fighter is Georges St-Pierre.”
What is your fighting background and style?
“My fighting background is jiu jitsu under Renzo Gracie.”
Why is MMA Pro League the right fit for you?
“MMA Pro League is the right fit for me because I have a versatile background and I would like to portray this within the team structure.”
What is your favorite thing about Pennsylvania?
“My favorite thing about Pennsylvania is Renzo Gracie PA.”
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To access live and on-demand coverage of all MMA Pro League action, visit FloCombat.com and become a monthly or annual PRO subscriber. Either subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the games on all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku, or Apple TV 4.
For more information visit www.MMAProLeague.com, follow the conversation on Twitter @MMAPro_League, @DanMiller185, @DanielGracie, @Hani_Darwish1 and @MarkTaffetMedia, on Instagram at Instagram.com/mmaproleague,Instagram.com/DanMiller185, Instagram.com/DanielGracie,Instagram.com/Hani_Darwish1 and Instagram.com/MarkTaffetMedia, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MMAProLeague.
DANNY GARCIA: THE APPROACH
*** SHOWTIME BOXING VIDEO ALERT ***
Former World Champion Talks About His Mindset Before He Enters the Ring
Garcia Faces Shawn Porter in WBC Welterweight World Championship Bout
This Saturday, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT Live On SHOWTIME
Photo Credit: SHOWTIME
Watch, View & Share Via YouTube: https://s.sho.com/2NWXuZn
WHAT: Former Welterweight World Champion Danny Garcia takes you on his ring walk and explains how he prepares to enter the ring in this new digital offering from SHOWTIME Sports®. DANNY GARCIA: THE APPROACH provides insight into Garcia’s routine as he shares his thoughts before he climbs through the ropes.
“I don’t have headphones in,” Garcia said. “I like to be relaxed. Here. I’m in the moment… As soon as I get in the ring, Pops [father Angel Garcia] goes, ‘Come on, Danny!’ I can look into his eyes and I know how he’s feeling. And when the bell rings, I’m in a whole different element.”
Garcia, the former unified 140-pound champion and former WBC welterweight titleholder, will meet the fan favorite and former welterweight champion Shawn Porter tomorrow night, September 8, live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
Live coverage of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features Polish slugger Adam Kownacki and former heavyweight champion Charles Martin opening up the telecast with a 10-round heavyweight attraction. In the co-feature, 147-pound contender Yordenis Ugas will battle against Argentine power puncher Cesar Barrionuevo in a welterweight world-title eliminator showdown.
The night kicks off with SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT as welterweight world champion Keith Thurman joins boxing broadcaster Ray Flores and analyst Chris Mannix to preview the night’s tripleheader and call live undercard bouts from ringside in Brooklyn. SHOWTIME’s seventh digital presentation of live boxing in 2018 will stream on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel, and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page and will feature five-division champion Amanda Serrano as she embarks on a quest to conquer a title in a sixth weight class.
FIGHTNIGHT LIVE TO OPEN SEASON II ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 14 WITH AN ACTION-PACKED PHILLY CARD FIT FOR KINGS
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NEW YORK (Sept. 6, 2018) – After a 17-show inaugural campaign that attracted 84,000 views per event and nearly 1.5 million views for the series, Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE next turns the corner to year two, looking to build upon its meteoric rise. Season II of the interactive and free fight series opens in the Fighting City of Philadelphia on Friday, Sept. 14, with an action-packed King’s Boxing card live from 2300 Arena.
The fan-friendly series that – among other aspects – prides itself on the real-time conversations held between fight commentators and the viewing audience showcased more than 300 fighters during 17 live event broadcasts in its first 12 months. In doing so, the interactive platform has generated the loyal interest of fight fans from across the United States and around the globe, including significant audiences in Mexico, the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, and even fans in South America, Asia and Australia.
“We are extremely proud of what FIGHTNIGHT LIVE accomplished since May 2017. We’ve had 17 shows originating from New York, Boston, Atlantic City, Philadelphia, New England, Phoenix and America’s Heartland, where many different promotions gained an incredible amount of exposure via this exciting, truly social platform. To be able to have several events where more than 150,000 people have tuned in only scratches the surface on the market interest for these events, and we are ready to take FIGHTNIGHT LIVE to the next level in year two,” said Mark Fratto, Principal and Director of Business Development, Linacre Media.
“Beyond the numbers, we’re really pleased with the way the shows have been presented and produced,” Fratto continued. “We’ve been able to showcase more than 300 up-and-coming fighters to fight fans all over the world, and help them expand their bases. And we’ve been able to invite our viewers to be part of the action by fostering real-time interaction between our broadcasters and viewers on the fight activity, the decisions and the knockouts; it’s the next-best thing to having a ringside seat.”
“King’s Promotions is very excited to be working with Mark and the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE team,” said Marshall Kauffman of King’s Boxing, the eleventh promoter FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has showcased over its first 18 shows. “I believe we will bring the best-quality boxing to FIGHTNIGHT LIVE.”
In the main event, rising super middleweight prospect, Brandon “B-Rob” Robinson (10-1, 7 KOs) steps up in class when he takes on knockout artist Ernest Amuzu (24-3, 22 KOs), originally from Ghana. Also on the bill, undefeated three-time Olympian Anvar Yunusov (4-0, 1 KO) takes on 21-fight veteran Angel Monreal (10-10-1, 3 KOs). Other undefeated fighters seeing action will be Shyngyskhan Tazhibay (6-0, 2 KOs), Daiyann Butt (1-0), Alejandro Jimenez (2-0, 1 KO),Chrystian Peguero (2-0, 1 KO) and Keeshawn Williams (2-0-1, 1 KO).
Now at more than 1.4 million views for the series, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has continued to deliver impressive numbers throughout its rookie season, which included seven live shows in the first five months of 2018:
- Over the first 11 months of Season I programming, the numbers on the 17-show FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series showed promise and potential for the new platform with an average of 83,714 fight fans tuning in per event and more than 1.4 million fans served.
- The Sept. 9 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” from Resorts World Casino (225,000), the August CES “Super Saturday” from Foxwoods (203,000), the Sept. CES “Twin River Twinbill” from Lincoln, R.I. (157,000) and the March 17 Murphy’s “St. Patrick’s Day Clash” (150,001) all logged 150,000 or more views, and collectively the 17-show series has seen a total of more than 30,000 total hours of Facebook video consumed by 1,423,132 users across all devices.
- In addition to the raw viewership numbers, the fully-interactive, fan-friendly productions have seen more than 173,000 collective live post engagements(more than 10,200 per show), including more than 116,000 “likes” or “loves,” almost 30,000 comments and nearly 10,000 shares.
- FIGHTNIGHT LIVE broadcasts are viewed by76 percent men, 24 percent women. The top demographic is comprised ofmales ages 25-34, which encompasses approximately 30.0 percent of the audience, on average.
- The Sept. 9 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” set a new bar with 224,658 viewsand the Sept. 15-16 DiBella-CES doubleheader carried the series to three-quarters-of-a-million views in just over four months. The Feb. 10 Hard-Hitting Promotions “Philly Fight Night” show stands out individually with 3,421 live hours of content viewed, while the Sept. 15 DiBella card saw more than 40,000 viewer interactions including almost 39,000 “likes” or “loves” and the March 17 Murphy’s “St. Patrick’s Day Clash” set a new high-water mark for shares with 2,182.
- The FIGHTNIGHT LIVE page on Facebook has more than 79,000 fans and more than 82,000 followers. And Facebook itself has taken notice – the world’s No. 1 social network recently profiled FIGHTNIGHT LIVE on its “Success Stories” media blog, noting the series’ use of industry best practices for production and interactivity: https://www.facebook.com/facebookmedia/success-stories/fightnight
Created and produced by Linacre Media out of New York City, the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series features professional announcers, multiple camera angles, television graphics, replays and behind-the-scenes access and interviews. The streamed shows are available globally wherever Facebook is available. The initiative not only enables fans from around the world to tune in, but also gives up-and-coming fighters a global platform to showcase their abilities, gives promoters an accessible “broadcast” solution and gives sponsors the ability to reach a mass audience via branded content.
More FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Fall 2018 dates will be officially announced in the coming weeks.
FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online at: https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/
Follow all the action via social media at FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Facebook, @FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Instagram and@FIGHTNIGHTLIVE_ on Twitter, or by using the hashtag #FIGHTNIGHTLIVE. For the latest Linacre Media events and broadcast schedule, follow @LinacreMedia across all social platforms or use the tags #LinacreMediaEvents or #LinacreMediaOnTV.
CBS SPORTS NETWORK ANNOUNCES TELEVISION PARTNERSHIP WITH FINAL FIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP THROUGH 2020
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First FFC event Premieres Live on CBS Sports Network Friday, Sept. 28 at 10 PM, ET From The Fight Dome at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
CBS Sports Network and Final Fight Championship (FFC) announced today a multi-year partnership to make CBS Sports Network the exclusive television home of FFC. The first FFC event premieres live on CBS Sports Network from The Fight Dome at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 28 (10:00PM, EST).
CBS Sports Network will air eight FFC events on Friday’s throughout the remainder of 2018. A champion will be crowned after each event with a belt as part of the national telecast.
“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to showcase combat sports on a National network,” said Orsat Zovko, president and founder of Final Fight Championship, “It’s an honor to partner with CBS Sports Network and nationally televise the new Fight Dome with championship-level fights to fans across the country.”
FFC events are composed of combat sports from multiple disciplines, including boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts. All events will take place in the dedicated Fight Dome venue at Rio Las Vegas.
CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is widely available through all major cable, satellite and telco distributors as well as via OTT streaming service providers YouTube TV, fuboTV, PlayStation Vue, DirecTV and Hulu. Additionally, a live CBS Sports Network stream is available through CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App by authenticating with select providers. For more information, including a full programming schedule, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
Respected international combat sports promoter, Orsat Zovko, launched Final Fight Championship® (FFC®) in 2013. FFC has since held 30 successful dual-discipline events comprised of professional kickboxing and world class mixed martial arts. Featuring marquis athletes such as Satoshi Ishii, Mirko Cro Cop, and Mladden Brestovac. FFC presents live sports broadcasts in more than 50 countries around the world, across four continents, appearing on CBS Sports Network (USA), Fight Channel World (Worldwide), among other sports and media properties. For more information on FFC, please visitwww.finalfightchampionship.com
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Undefeated welterweight Terrel Williams takes on David Grayton in co-feature bout on Friday, September 14th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA (September 6, 2018) -Undefeated welterweight Terrel Williams will take on David Grayton in an intriguing 10-round bout that will now be part of an already packed fight card on Friday, September 14th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
In the previously announced main event, Brandon Robinson will take on veteran Ernest Amuzu in the eight-round super middleweight bout.
The nine-bout card is promoted by King’s Promotions.
Williams (16-0,13 KOs) of Los Angeles, California is making his 1st start of 2018, is coming off a 6th round stoppage over Rosemberg Gomez on November 17th, 2017 in Flitny, Michigan.
Grayton (15-2-1, 11 KOs) of Washington, DC is looking to get back in the win column after dropping a 10-round unanimous decision to Miguel Cruz on November 21, 2017 in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Super Featherweight Anvar Yunusov will take on Angel Monreal in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.
In a six-round welterweight bout, Shyngyskhan Tazhibay (6-0, 2 KOs) of Washington, D.C. battles Virgil Winfield (1-0, 1 KO) from Concord, NC
In four-round bouts:
Jerrod Miner (1-1-2, 1 KO) of Philadelphia battles Alejandro Jimenez (2-0, 1 KO) of New Hope, PA in a bantamweight bout.
Crystian Peguero (2-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on pro debuting Yueri Andujar of Reading, PA in a featherweight contest.
Christopher Burgos (0-2-1) of Philadelphia fights Robert Ramos (1-5-1, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA in a super featherweight scrap.
Keeshawn Williams (2-0, 1 KO) of Washington, D.C. will take on Frahad Fatulla of Salt Lake City, Utah (1-1) in a junior welterweight bout.
Daiyann Butt (1-0) of Philadelphia battles Anthony Smith (1-2-1) of Fresno, California in a junior welterweight bout
There will be a press conference on Wednesday September 12th at The 2300 Arena at 6 PM ET. The weigh in will take place on Thursday, September 13th at 5 PM ET.
Tickets for this great night of boxing can be purchased at www.2300arena.com for $100, $75 and $50