 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 21, 2018) – Future Hall of Famer Antonio “The Magic Man” Tarver (31-6-1, 1 NC, 22 KOs) has just about done it all as a boxer having been an Olympic medal winner and world champion as an amateur, along with capturing five major light heavyweight world titles as a professional, as well as a pair of The Ring magazine’s top honors, and four other world championships in two different divisions.“I credit USA Boxing for giving me structure for the first time in my life,” Tarver explained. “Everything was scheduled; curfew, eating, training, sleep….everything! I then understood that I had to be accountable for everything I did. I had talent, but I wasn’t structured, and that was bigger than me. I had to adjust to authority. My determination took off, giving me support I never had before. I went on to make speaking engagements and get sponsors. I broke barriers. I’ve been the best at every level that I fought at in the world.”
Tarver was a highly decorated amateur who had an amazing 158-12 record. He is the only boxer to capture gold medals at World Amateur Championships, U.S. National Championships and Pan-American Games in the same year (1995). The Orlando, Florida-born southpaw won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, losing in the quarterfinals to future world champion Vassiliy Jirov, who Tarver had defeated in the semifinals of the 1995 World Amateur Championships. Tarver also won top honors at the 1994 National Golden Gloves Tournament and 1995 World Championships Challenge.
“I went on a winning roll in 1995 and went into the Olympics in rare form,” Tarver said. “And that’s why I was favored to win a gold medal. I was hitting him (Jirov), the same guy I’d beaten in the World Championships, but no points were registering for me. I had a good second round, but I was down three points, so I threw my game plan away in the third round. I felt I had to do more and got away from my style: counter punching, not getting hit, and being patient. I thought I had won and so did a lot of people. I made up for that, though, with a gold-medal professional career.
“I had been faced with a decision about going pro after I was beaten in the ’92 Olympic Trials. I decided to stay in the amateurs, despite not having any guarantees about making the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team. I sacrificed four years of my pro career, which is why I turned pro at a relatively late age (27). I was determined when I found out the 1996 Olympics were in Atlanta. I think I made the right decision and I have no regrets.
“I had always dreamed of going to the Olympics. I saw Roy Jones, Jr – we first fought each other at 13 – get robbed of gold. I was watching that on television, jumped up, and knew where I was heading: The Olympics! We both suffered horrible decisions in the Olympics and I knew then that our careers would be parallel.
Tarver made his pro debut February 18, 1997 in Philadelphia, stopping Joaquin Garcia (4-0) in the second round.
“I was an Olympic bronze medal winner but when I first turned pro,” Tarver added, “I didn’t have a promoter or manager. Nobody was willing to take a chance on me until I was 4-0, when I signed by first contract with Russell Peltz. I felt nobody could beat me.”
Nobody was able to beat Tarver, at least until his 17th pro fight, when Eric Hardingdefeated Tarver by way of a 12-round unanimous decision.
Two years later, Tarver embarked on a 12-fight murderer’s row stretch during the next seven years, arguably establishing him as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. It all started with a successful rematch with Harding (21-1-1) in Indianapolis, when Tarver dropped Harding in the fourth round, plus twice more in the fifth, on his way to a fifth-round technical knockout to avenge his lone pro loss to that date.
Next up for Tarver was a showdown with 44-3 Montell Griffin for the WBC and IBF 175-pound division titles, which were vacated by Roy Jones Jr., April 26, 2003 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In his first world title shot as a pro, Tarver pitched a complete shutout, decking Griffin in the first and last rounds to shut out his opponent by scores of 120-103 from all three judges.
Seven months later, however, Tarver lost a controversial 12-round majority decision and his WBC crown (he was stripped of his IBF belt) to WBA Super and IBO champion Jones in Las Vegas. The following May at the venue, Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, though, Tarver became the first to knockout Jones, putting him to sleep in the second round.
Tarver then became a mainstream celebrity, appearing on late-night shows and covers ofThe Ring magazine and KO Magazine, and co-hosting an ESPN Friday Night Fights telecast.
“I was robbed in my first fight with Roy,” Tarver insisted. “They called my knockout of Roy the greatest upset in light heavyweight history. Why didn’t they see me coming? I had beaten everybody ranked ahead of me. Roy was the pound-4-pound king, but he knew. I may not be the fastest, the quickest, or the strongest, but I doubt that there’s ever been a pro fighter to enter the ring with a higher IQ than me. Even at my age, I still feel that way today.”
The WBC stripped Tarver of his title in 2004 for fighting IBF champion Glen Johnson (41-9-2) instead of the WBC mandatory challenger. Johnson, ironically, was stripped of his IBF title for the same reason right before his fight in Los Angeles with Tarver. Tarver and Johnson fought for The Ring and IBO titles and Johnson won a 12-round split decision.
In their rematch six months later in Memphis, Tarver won a unanimous 12-round decision over Johnson to capture the IBO strap. Tarver completed his trilogy with Jones, retaining his IBO title with a unanimous 12-round decision (117-111, 116-112, 116-112).
Tarver lost a 12-round decision June 10, 2006 in Atlantic City to Bernard Hopkins for the IBO championship, which was soon vacated and recaptured by Tarver with a 12-round majority decision over Elvir Muriqi (34-3).
Tarver traveled to Australia in 2011 to challenge IBO cruiserweight champion and local hero Danny Green, who retired after nine rounds, as Tarver added another title belt to his display case.
In December of 2013 in Temecula, California, Tarver knocked out Jonathon Banks (29-2-1) in the seventh round, and Tarver’s last fight was a 12-round split decision draw with former world champion Steve Cunningham (28-7) in Newark, New Jersey.
In 2006, Tarver starred as Mason “The Line” Dixon, the heavyweight champion in the film,Rocky Balboa.
Tarver, as he marches towards his planned history-making performance by becoming the oldest heavyweight world champion of all-time, also has served as a color commentator in boxing for Spike TV and Showtime.
Today, at the age of 49, Tarver is still technically active, and he also trains his son and undefeated middleweight prospect, Antonio Tarver, Jr. (5-0 (4 KOs), where they live in Tampa, Florida.
“I was older than the rest of the boxers on the U.S. Olympic Team and the U.S. National Team,” Tarver remarked. “What a team! Guys like Diego Corrales and Zab Judah didn’t make that Olympic Team. I gave Floyd Mayweather, Jr. his first moniker, ‘Pretty Boy Floyd’, until he changed it years later to ‘Money’. We had a bond on that Olympic team with Floyd, Fernando Vargas, David Reid, Zarim Raheem and the others.”
Although at the age of 49 he is still an active fighter, Tarver occassionally does some color commentating and he trains pro and amateur boxers at a gym in Tampa, Florida. “I’m not retired as a fighter,” Tarver commented. “I started a program, ‘Train with The Champ’, and it includes room rent and training. I like to say it’s an AirB&B for boxing. I train my son (5-0 middleweight Antonio Tarver, Jr. there. I learned a lot from my early days, training in Orlando with my coach, Lou Harris, and I reunited with Jimmy Williams, who is 90 now, training my son together in Tampa.
Tarver also is an advocate of the relatively new “USA Boxing Alumni Association,” which was created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans — the Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.
“I’m going online to join,” Tarver said. “I’m looking forward to attending an Alumni Association meeting, June 24-30 during the Junior Olympics in Charleston, West Virginia.
Everything that goes around, comes around, in USA Boxing. Just ask future Hall of Fame candidate Antonio Tarver.
INFORMATION:
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ADONIS STEVENSON RETAINS WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER BATTLING BADOU JACK TO MAJORITY DRAW IN HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BOUTSATURDAY IN SPLIT-SITE DOUBLEHEADER ON SHOWTIME®
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Gary Russell Jr. Outpoints Joseph Diaz Jr. to remain WBC Featherweight Champion at MGM National Harbor
in Maryland
Watch The Encore Presentation Monday At 10 P.M. ET/PT On
SHOWTIME EXTREME®
Click HERE For Stevenson-Jack Photos; Credit Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
Click HERE For Additional Stevenson-Jack Photos; Credit Janer Bigio/Mayweather Promotions
Click HERE For Russell Jr.- Diaz Jr. Photos; Credit Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
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NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. (May 20, 2018) – WBC Light Heavyweight world champion Adonis Stevenson and former two-division world champion Badou Jack fought to a highly competitive majority draw Saturday at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. At MGM National Harbor in Maryland, and in the opening bout on SHOWTIME, Gary Russell Jr. (29-1, 17 KOs) defeated Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs).
With the draw, Stevenson retains the WBC belt in what was Toronto’s most significant world title fight in more than 30 years. The judges scored the fight 115-113 in favor of Jack and 114-114 twice. Russell won his fight via unanimous decision, 115-113 and 117-111 twice, to retain his WBC featherweight world title.
The Stevenson-Jack bout was the main event of a split-venue SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader. Video recap here: https://s.sho.com/2LgUaqL
It was a day that saw SHOWTIME deliver three world championship fights from three countries.
In a bout filled with momentum swings, it was Jack (21-1-4, 13 KOs) who was the busier and more accurate fighter. While Stevenson (29-1-1, 24 KOs) outpointed Jack in the early rounds, the challenger turned it on in round number seven and dominated the champion in the second half of the fight. In rounds seven through ten, Jack out landed Stevenson 114-40. However, a ferocious body shot from the right hand of Stevenson in round ten altered the momentum back in his favor.
Stevenson, who has resided in Montreal since he was five-years-old, was able to gain a second wind in the 11thround, riding the momentum of the body shot that injured Jack. With everything on the line in the night’s final round, both fighters emptied the tank and left it all in the ring. Jack rebounded tremendously and when the final bell rang, it was Stevenson who was struggling to stay on his feet.
“I went to the body and saw that he was fatigued,” said Stevenson, who moves to 9-0-1 in world title fights. “I had to keep the pressure on him. He’s a slick fighter, a two-time world champion but I felt I won the fight.
“I used both hands. I touched him a lot with the right hand on the body and slowed him down. He tried to come and attack me. I feel like I won the fight but I’ll give him a rematch if he wants it.”
Jack, who started the fight sluggishly, thought he did enough in the later rounds to win the fight.
“I thought I definitely won the fight,” said Jack, who drew for the fourth time in his career. “No judge had him winning. I have no idea why I can’t get a decision. It could be that they’re jealous of Floyd and don’t like him. I’m one of his top fighters. I can’t do anything about it. I’m not the judge. I have to respect their decision.
“Maybe I started the fight too slow. I gave away those rounds. He didn’t really hit me. I can’t do anything about it, let’s do a rematch in Las Vegas. I came to his backyard, it’s time he comes out to Vegas.”
In the main event from MGM National Harbor in Maryland, it was a tactical and hard fought battle of two former U.S. Olympians as Russell Jr. (29-1, 17 KOs) defeated Diaz Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs). Russell won the contest via unanimous decision, 115-113 and 117-111 twice, to retain his WBC featherweight world title. The 29-year-old hometown favorite used his hand speed, quickness and relentless attack to overwhelm Diaz Jr., the previously undefeated top-ranked contender.
Russell Jr.’s game plan to dictate the pace and establish the jab was clear, throwing a career-high 587 jabs throughout the 12-round battle. While the number of punches landed were close (199-192 in favor of Russell Jr.), Russell Jr.’s output trumped Diaz Jr.’s accuracy as the champion’s career-high 992 punches thrown were the most ever for him in a CompuBox tracked fight. Diaz Jr. was committed to attacking the body of Russell Jr., but he was unable to break the champion down, who injured his right hand in the third round.
“We train to survive those body shots,” said Russell Jr. “We put the work in every day in the ring. We consistently grind and push ourselves to be great and we push ourselves to the limit.
“I was disappointed in my performance because I wasn’t planning on going the distance. I hurt the right hand, but I still had to use it, because he could not get past my jab.”
Diaz Jr. showed heart and youthful enthusiasm, closing the fight with a strong final round but ultimately, he lacked the creative, diversified attack needed to truly trouble Russell Jr.
“The game plan was to break him down with the body shots and start attacking him more in the later rounds,” said the South El Monte, Calif. native. “But I started attacking him too late and didn’t pick it up until the 8th or 9th round. Gary Russell Jr. is a tremendous fighter and he did a great job keeping me at bay.”
“This will just make me a hungrier fighter. I hope I got the respect of a lot of fight fans. I wanted to become champion against the best featherweight fighter in the world. Tonight wasn’t my night but I’m going to bounce back harder and I’ll be champion soon.”
Earlier in the day of in a live stream on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page, Josh Warrington became the new IBF featherweight world champion by upsetting Lee Selby in a split-decision victory. The judges scored the bout 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader 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, mayweatherpromotions.com and www.groupeyvonmichel.ca follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @AdonisSuperman, @BadouJack, @MrGaryRussellJr, @JosephDiazJr, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, @GoldenBoyBoxing, @MGMNatlHarbor and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.. Stevenson vs. Jack was promoted by promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel, Lee Baxter Promotions and Mayweather Promotions and Russell Jr vs. Diaz Jr. was promoted by TGB Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions.
Subriel Matías shines; defeated Mexican Adrián Estrella
Cataño, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rican super prospect Subriel Matias (10-0, 10 KO’s) from the Maternillo neighborhood of Fajardo, won by technical knockout in the fifth round over Mexican Adrián Estrella (28-2, 24 KO’s) in combat held at the park Pedro ‘Perucho’ Cepeda in Cataño as part of the event promoted by Fresh Productions Boxing.
In the first two rounds, Estrella was able to establish his boxing, but entering the third round, the Puerto Rican began to throw an accurate jab that led him to combine more shots to take the round.
The fourth round was a action packed for both fighters. Both were connecting blows with bad intentions, but in the second half of the round, Matías was able to connect accurate shots to the body and face of the Mexican Estrella who was in bad shape once the round was over. After that, Estrella decided not to continue with the bout.
“I have a lot to improve,” said Subriel Matias, “I lost the first two rounds, he dominated me, but we knew that the victory was ours because I go from less to more and already entering the third round, I was better. I knew I was going to catch it. I know I could have given more in the victory, but we won and I’m happy. I want to thank Adrián Estrella for the opportunity to face him”.
Promoter Juan Orengo of Fresh Productions Boxing said that “Subriel showed that he is a boxer that has to be taken seriously. His punch made a Mexican warrior take off in the middle of the fight. We put strong tests on Subriel because we know that he has all the tools to win and for now, without getting hurt. His resume is very advanced and expect more interesting fights along the way. We will be announcing the next steps soon”.
Before the match, Matias already had strong victories by way of the knockout over world title challenger Daulis Prescott of Colombia, former Olympian Patrick Lopez, former rising prospect Jeffrey Fontánez of Caguas, Puerto Rico and Brazilian power puncher Joaquim Carneiro.
Estrella, on the other hand, has victories over former world champions Celestino Caballero and DeMarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley and over world title contenders, Balweg Bangoyan and Dante Jardón.
In other battles:
In the super welterweight, Derrieck Cuevas (17-0-1, 14KO) defeated Mexico’s Jesús Álvarez (15-5, 11 KO) in a seventh-round TKO.
In the lightweights, Nestor Bravo (13-0, 9 KO) defeated by technical knockout in the first round Colombian Jean Sotelo (26-16-2, 16 KO) in 8-round bout.
At bantanweights, Jonathan ‘Bum Bum’ López (3-0, 3 KO) of Humacao looked impressive when he won by technical knockout in the first round over Frankie Santiago (1-2). Santiago visited the canvas three times.
In the 110 pounds and six rounds, Óscar Marrero (3-1, 2 KO) won by unanimous decision to Alexis Díaz (1-18-1) of Trujillo Alto. The three judges scored 60-54.
In the welterweight division, Alberto Amaro (7-6, 3 KO) defeated by technical knockout in the third round Heriberto Salamán (0-4) of Carolina.
In the super featherweight division, Michael Adorno (3-0, 3 KO) of Vega Alta won by technical knockout in the third round on José Luis Cortés (0-2) of Aguadilla.
In duel of debutantes in the featherweight division, Luis Enrique Rivera (1-0, 1 KO) of Catano knocked out Joshue Mercado ( 0-1 ) in the first round.
JOSH WARRINGTON UPSETS LEE SELBY TO EARN THE IBF FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN FANS LIVE ON SHOWTIME SPORTS SOCIAL PLATFORMS FROM LEEDS, U.K.
WATCH THE FULL FIGHT: https://s.sho.com/2L5dV4G
NEW YORK (May 19, 2018) – Josh Warrington became the new IBF featherweight world champion by upsetting Lee Selby in a split-decision victory. The bout was streamed live to U.S. audiences via the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page from Elland Road Football Ground in Leeds, U.K. The judges scored the bout 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115.
Warrington (27-0, 6 KOs), from Leeds, used the energy of the home crowd and established control of the fight from the onset. He was the more aggressive fighter, catching Selby with a clean left hook to the jaw and an equally powerful right hand in the second round. In the same round, Selby, who was making the fifth defense of the IBF title that he earned in 2015, suffered a substantial cut above his left eye from an accidental headbutt. The cut would plague him for the remainder of the fight. In the middle rounds, Warrington continued the barrage to the head of Selby, who was taken to the corner in the sixth round for inspection after a second accidental headbutt but was allowed to continue. (Click HERE to watch the accidental headbutt)
Selby (26-2, 9 KOs), of Cardiff, Wales, showed the experience and skills that made him champion in the later rounds despite the blood flowing down his face. He was able to regain his composure, establish his jab and land several impressive combinations, doing enough to earn the win in the eyes of one judge. But in the eyes of Warrington, who becomes Leeds’ first ever world champion, it was clear who the victor was. (Click HERE to watch Warrington’s reaction to victory)
“I can’t put into words how I feel. I got into the ring tonight with the expectation of the city on my shoulders,” said Warrington. “I outboxed the boxer tonight.
“I’m overcome with emotion. We worked on gameplans but that all went out of the window and it was sheer grit and determination and this crowd got me through tonight.”
Following Carl Frampton’s victory over Nonito Donaire last month, Warrington’s victory was the second of four high-stakes featherweights’ fights in quick succession on SHOWTIME platforms featuring seven of the consensus top-10 ranked featherweights, including three world champions and four former multi-division champions. Also on Saturday night, WBC World Champion Gary Russell Jr. defends his belt against Joseph Diaz live on SHOWTIME and on June 9, Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares will meet live on SHOWTIME in a highly anticipated rematch for the WBA Featherweight World Title.
Steele spoils Upsher’s comeback bid
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania…. “Right idea, wrong fight”, those were the words of Dallas welterweight, Jonathan Steele who gained his 8th victory as a professional on WFC 87 at Meadows Racetrack and Casino. Steele, who entered the ring on Saturday with 9 fights under his belt squared off against the seasoned veteran, Steven Upsher, 25-5-1(6kos), who was attempting a comeback bid in front of his hometown crowd. Steele dominated the fight from the opening bell, banging Upsher to the body, which ultimately led to the 31 fight veteran to quit in the 5th round of their scheduled 8 round bout.
“We took the fight on a two week notice. My initial fight on May 18th was canceled, and Upsher’s opponent pulled out at the last minute. I didn’t care what his record was, or who he fought. I knew he had never faced a guy like me before.” Steele added.
The 27-year old former United States Marine is managed by Dallas based boxing manager, Adrian Clark.
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This Week’s Combat Sports Show: Nunes vs. Pennington Recap, Lomachenko vs. Linares analysis, Liddell Unretires and calls out Jon Jones
This week’s fight news unlimited combat sports show is a great mix of boxing and mixed martial arts. Tom, Tony and Rich cover all the action from last weekend and marvel at the master of his craft that is Vasyl Lomachenko. We discuss Chuck Liddell coming out of retirement with Golden Boy MMA, and Tito Ortiz taking the debate to be his first opponent. We also have a bit of a debate about Raquel Pennington telling her corner she wanted to be done after the fourth round against Amanda Nunes. Her coaches pep talked her into continuing, which led to more blood loss and facial damage from a clearly more hyped up and fresh opponent. Weigh in right here in the comment section if you have your own opinion on the situation.
Listen to the show live through this link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8igg415vwt22dij/tomtonyrichmay18th2018.mp3?dl=0
One-on-One with Anton Vyazigin; SuperFight with Sergei Kharitonov To headline M-1 Challenge 92
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SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (May 18, 2018) – Russian heavyweight “Cherepovets Giant” Anton Vyazigin (9-2-1, M-1: 4-1-0) challenges MMA living legend Sergey Kharitonov (27-6-0, M-1: 5-0-0) next Thursday (May 24), headlining M-1 Challenge 92 in a heavyweight SuperFight, at M-1 Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 92 will be live-streamed from Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets. M-1 Challenge 92 will also be available onwww.FITE.TV(preliminary card is free, $7.99 for the main card)
The 37-year-old Kharitonov, undefeated in five M-1 Challenge events, has defeated some of the greatest heavyweight MMA fighters of all-time, including Alistair Overeem, Andrei Arlovski, Fabricio Werdum and Pedro Rizzo.
The 6′ 6″, 265-pound Vyazigin, who is coming off a sensational 16-seconds knockout ofZaur Gadzhibabayev this past March at M-1 Challenge 89, sat in the “hot seat” leading up to Thursday’s showdown to answer some questions:
Tell us about your training camp. Did you change a lot of your regular training methods for a fight against Kharitonov?
AV: “My training camp was no different from any other camp. As always, I had many sparring sessions, wrestled a lot, and was focused on functional training. In general, it was just another camp. I trained at home in Cherepovets, because this is where I belong. I have good relations with fighters from many gyms, but I have never gone anywhere to a training camp. I don’t have enough money to go abroad for a camp, I work for myself.
I feel comfortable training in my gym. I have a great team, including some heavyweights, and we always help each other. If I have a fight scheduled, guys help me; if some other guys have fights, we all help them.”
How much will you weigh for the fight?
AV: “I think this time I will be at least 265 pounds before the fight, maybe even a bit heavier. I would not say I am that huge, there are many guys bigger than me. When I was a child, I used to be skinny and tall and only when I was n the Army did I start to gain weight. Now, when I am 265 pounds. I breath good, and I think this weight is perfect for me.
What are your predictions for the upcoming fight? Are you going to fight Kharitonov standing or would like to take him down?
AV: In our weight class, one missed punch can end the fight, so I think we have equal chances to win this fight. During camp, we train for everything, so I will be ready to fight him standing but, if needed, I will take him down, because it is very important in MMA to be able to change the game plan during the fight.”
Give us your thoughts on the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight title. Do you see yourself as champion in a couple more fights?
AV: “Now, I am concentrated on the upcoming fight but, yes, definitely if I win this fight I will be the No. 1 heavyweight contender. However, I do not think about it right now. My goal is to fight the strongest and most experienced opponents, who are rated higher than me.
“I am not fighting in Saint-Petersburg for the first time and I really enjoy competing in this city. I think some fans will root for Sergey, but there will also be a lot of fans supporting me in the M-1 Arena on May 24th!”
INFORMATION:
Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@Vadim_finkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
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Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:
May 24 – M-1 Challenge 92: Kharitonov vs. Vyazigin in Saint Petersburg, Russia
June 1 – M-1 Challenge 93: Shelemnko vs. Silva in Chelyabinsk, Russia
Australia, Turkey, Japan and England to host WBO bouts
The World Boxing Organization (WBO), chaired by Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel, will have seven fights in different parts of the world this upcoming weekend.
Saturday, May 19:
In Australia, there will be a duel of unbeatens when the popular Australian Liam Paro (13-0, 9 KO’s) faces Sebastian Bytyqi (11-0-1, 8 KO’s) of the Czech Republic for the vacant WBO Youth Jr. Welterweight title. The fight is scheduled for 10 rounds and it’ll take place at the Southport Sharks AFL Club in Southport.
“Paro and Bytyqi have the backing of world champions for this fight. Paro has been sparring with our WBO world champion Jeff Horn and in Bytyqi’s corner, he has Lukas Konecny, a former interim WBO champion and is the best fighter the Czech Republic has given so far”, said Valcárcel.
In Turkey, from the Spor Salonu in Trabzon, former world champion and WBO #2 Firat Arslan (47-8-2, 26 KO’s) will face Isaac Paa Kwesi Ankrah (14-7, 12 KO’s) of Ghana in a 10 round bout for the WBO Inter-Continental Jr. Heavyweight belt. Former Olympian, current WBO junior welterweight European champion and #12 ranked, Fatih Keles (10-0-1, 5 KO’s) of Turkey, will be making the third defense of his title against Russian Maxim Churbanov (8-3-1) and former Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen (8-0-0) will defend his WBO European Heavyweight Title against Georgia’s Tornike Puritchamiashvili (11-8-0, 7 KO’s).
In England, WBO Inter-Continental Junior Welterweight title holder and 4th ranked Jack Catterall (20-0, 11 KO’s) will be making his seventh title defense against Frenchman Christopher Sebire (26-10-1, 9 KO’s). Then, in duel of Englishmen, Darren Tetley (15-0, 6 KO’s) will face Mason Cartwright (13-0-1, 5 KO’s) for the vacant WBO welterweight European belt. The fight venue is the Elland Road Football Ground in Leeds.
Sunday – May, 20 2018
The boxing movement of WBO regional titles continues, and will take place in Japan, where the WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight champion and #2 ranked Nihito Arakawa (31-6-1, 18 KO’s) will put his title on the line against Filipino, Rimar Metuda (12-3, 7 KO’s) in a bout that’ll take place in the Ota-City General Gymnasium.
“We are very active all around the world. We are extending our organization so that the best fighters represent the WBO. Several of the fighters who will see action this weekend are close to going for a world title. Arakawa, Catterall, Arslan, Demirezen and Keles are very well ranked. If they continue with their winning streaks, great things will come for them”, expressed Valcárcel.
Split-T Management signs undefeated Junior Lightweight Erick De Leon
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New York, NY (May 18, 2018)-Split-T Management has signed undefeated junior lightweight contender Erick De Leon to an exclusive managerial contract.
De Leon, 26 years old of Detroit by way of Sabina Nuevo Leon, Mexico has a record of 17-0-1 with 10 knockouts.
Before turning professional, De Leon was a three-time (2009-2011) National Golden Gloves champion as well as a Ringside World champion in 2008. He also was a 2008 National Silver Gloves champion.
De Leon turned professional in 2012, and has amassed wins over Fidel Navarrete (8-1-2), Jose Salinas (10-2-1) & Daulis Prescott (31-4).
In his last bout, De Leon waged a ten-round battle with fellow undefeated top 130-pound contender Andy Vences which ended in a draw.
“I am very happy and blessed to join the Split-T Management family,” said De Leon. “I am motivated, and I know we will do big things together. I can do everything in boxing. My preference is to be aggressive and make it exciting for the fans but it comes down to what I need to do to win. Whether it is boxing or brawling, I’ll do what I have to do get the W. I am a gym rat, and I want to be the best, which means I want to fight the big dogs in the 130 pound division.”
Said Split-T Management CEO, David McWater, “I am ecstatic to have a fighter of Erick De Leon stature in the Split-T Management family as well. He is one of the best Junior Lightweights in the world, and I am looking forward to help him achieve his dream of becoming the Undisputed Jr. Lightweight in the world!
ABOUT SPLIT-TMANAGEMENT
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, De
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
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NEF RELEASES FIGHT CARD FOR RETURN TO PORTLAND ON JUNE 16
Portland, Maine (May 18, 2018) –Earlier today, New England Fights (NEF) released the official card for its upcoming return to Aura in Portland, Maine. The mixed-martial-arts event, entitled “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” is scheduled to take place on Saturday night, June 16, 2018 with a bell-time of 7:00 pm EDT.
The main event will feature two rising East Coast prospects when Bangor, Maine’s own Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-1) meets Fayetteville, North Carolina’s Da’Mon “The Diamond” Blackshear (4-1) in a featherweight bout. Lacey is coming off a dominant win over veteran Josh Parker (6-9) earlier this year, while Blackshear looks to rebound from the first loss of his professional career last August.
Lacey’s Young’s MMA teammate “The” Ryan Sanders (15-9) will see action in the co-main event against Tampa, Florida’s Vince McGuiness (5-7). Sanders is the reigning NEF MMA Pro Lightweight Champion. The fight with McGuiness will be a non-title affair.
Rounding out the professional portion of the card will be yet another Young’s MMA competitor in the form of Carl Langston (0-1) who is scheduled to rematch The Choi Institute’s Ernesto Ornelas (3-7) in a battle of Portland fan-favorites. Langston and Ornelas initially met last month at “NEF 33” with Ornelas coming out on top via unanimous decision. Langston immediately requested a rematch blaming his performance on nerves surrounding his pro debut. Ornelas obliged and has promised to finish Langston this time out, leaving no room for question.
The amateur portion of the card will be headlined by a pair of title fights. Undefeated Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) prospect Kam Arnold (3-0) will face Michael Crespo (3-3) of First Class MMA for the vacant NEF MMA Amateur Bantamweight Championship. In the second title fight, Carlton Charles (2-1) of the Charles Fighting Family and Berserkers MMA meets Duncan “The Highlander” Smith (2-2) of Evolution Athletix to crown a new NEF MMA Amateur Welterweight Champion. Both fights are scheduled for five three-minute rounds – a first in the NEF amateur division as all previous title fights had been scheduled for three three-minute rounds.
Three women’s bouts will take place on the amateur card. Brianne Genschel (0-1) of First Class MMA and the Foundry will take on Tampa, Florida’s Amanda Gallo (1-1) while Genschel’s First Class MMA teammate Chelsea Tucker (0-2) faces the debuting Glory Watson (0-0) of Young’s MMA, and Carol Linn Powell (0-1) meets Sarah Matulis (1-0) of the Outlet. Powell owns and operates Nostos MMA of Somersworth, NH alongside her husband, UFC signee and former NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (8-3).
Henry Clark (3-4) and Killian Murphy (1-0) both had opponents pull out on them prior to press time. NEF matchmakers are working on finding replacement opponents. Bantamweight and featherweight amateurs interested in either fight are asked to contact NEF via email at newenglandfights@gmail.com. Serious inquiries only please.
The full “NEF 34” fight card (subject to change):
PROFESSIONAL MMA
155 Ryan Sanders 15-9 (Young’s MMA) vs Vince McGuiness 5-7 (Bang Muay Thai Tampa/Gracie Pac MMA)
145 Aaron Lacey 5-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Da’mon Blackshear 4-1 (Team ROC)
135 Carl Langston 0-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Ernesto Ornelas 3-7 (Choi’s)
AMATEUR MMA
170*TITLE Carlton Charles 2-1 (Charles Fighting Family/Berserkers MMA) vs Duncan Smith 2-2 (Evolution Athletix)
135*TITLE Michael Crespo 3-3 (First Class MMA) vs Kam Arnold 3-0 (CMBJJ)
205 Cody Rolling 4-5 (F2 Arena) vs Mike Williams 2-2 (CMBJJ)
185 Mark Gardner 2-0 (The Academy) vs Eric Camacho 0-0 (F2 Arena)
185 Jordan Norman 0-0 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Zac Lawrence 0-0 (Nostos)
180 Rich Kenney 0-0 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Brandon Schwinck 0-1 (Independent)
170 Dalton Dunphy 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Curtis Ouellette 0-1 (CMBJJ)
170 Christian Barrett 0-0 (First Class MMA) vs Michael Vizza 1-3 (RMNU)
155 Angelo Rizzitello 1-1 (The Outlet) vs Clifford Redman 0-4 (Independent)
155 Brandon Clark 0-0 (The Academy) vs Joe Howard 0-0 (CMBJJ)
150 Delmarkis Edwards 0-1 (Independent) vs Taylor Bartlett 0-1 (CMBJ)
150 Josiah Kenney 0-0 (Kenney’s MA) vs Carter Labrecque 0-0 (CMBJJ)
140 Jordan Young 0-0 (Independent) vs Glenn Kasabian 1-3 (Nostos)
135 Brianne Genschell 0-1 (First Class MMA) vs Amanda Gallo 1-1 (RMNU)
135 Sarah Matulis 1-0 (The Outlet) vs Carol Linn Powell 0-1 (Nostos)
130 Chelsea Tucker 0-2 (First Class MMA) vs Glory Watson 0-0 (Young’s MMA)
125 Greg Waterbury 0-0 (White Mountain BJJ) vs Brady MacDonald 0-1 (Pictou County Titans)
NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018. Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.