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M-1 CHALLENGE 77 RESULTS
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Savile Row Tailor, Steed Bespoke Tailors, appoint their first brand ambassador, Paulie Malignaggi, two-weight world champion and Boxing Analyst for Showtime and Sky Sports
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Unbeaten David Benavidez Knocks Out Porky Medina in 168-Pound World Title Eliminator Headlining Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes from Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas
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Unbeaten Featherweight Jorge Lara Stops
Mario Briones by Third Round Knockout
Click HERE for Photos from Edgar Ramos/Premier Boxing Champions
(Photos will be available shortly)
LAREDO, TX (May 21, 2017) – Unbeaten rising contender David Benavidez (18-0, 17 KOs) of Phoenix, Ariz. knocked out exciting former title challenger Rogelio “Porky” Medina (37-8, 31 KOs) from San Luis Rio, Mexico in a super middleweight world title eliminator that headlined a special Saturday night edition of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes from Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas.
The action-packed main event opened with several crowd-pleasing exchanges in the first pair of rounds. Round three offered more of the same as the rugged pair of pugilists went toe-to-toe giving and receiving each other’s best.
In the fourth round, Benavidez caught Medina with a left uppercut and then followed with a flurry that backed Medina up, but amazingly Medina stayed upright. Medina fought back and engaged Benavidez, but Benavidez landed a sensational seven-punch combination to close out the round.
At the end of round six, Benavidez damaged Medina with an onslaught of offense that buckled Medina into the ropes with referee Jon Shorle ruling it a knockdown. Medina survived the round, but only to eat another bombardment of punches and get dropped for a second time at the end of the seventh round due to a right uppercut to his solar plexus.
Round eight brought a close as Benavidez landed one final eight-punch combo that dropped Medina for a third time and caused Shorle to stop the action at 1:01 into the eighth round.
Benavidez said, “This is just a glimpse of what I can do. I’ve never fought a fighter that pushed me to the full extent like this. Porky Medina is a tremendous fighter. It took everything for me to knock him out, but it was an amazing fight.”
Benavidez continued, “My biggest advantage tonight was my jab. I didn’t throw it as much as I would have liked, but just enough to set him up. I’m looking forward to getting back in the gym and coming back even stronger.”
A disappointed Medina said, “I did my best tonight. The plan was to win, work him from beginning to end, but he moved a little bit more than I anticipated. (Benavidez) did his job and hit me with a few good shots. But I’m going to keep training for my shot at a title and hopefully it will come.”
The win elevates Benavidez into the mandatory position to challenge for the vacant super middleweight world title that will go to the winner of the agreed to Anthony Dirrell vs. Callum Smith clash.
Benavidez concluded, “This makes me more humble and gives me more motivation to work harder. There has never been a super middleweight champion at 20-years old, but I’m going to be the first to do that.”
Televised coverage kicked off with unbeaten featherweight contender Jorge Lara (29-0-2, 21 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico defeating Mario Briones (28-6-2, 22 KOs) from Aguascalientes, Mexico by third round knockout in their scheduled 10-round contest.
In the first round, Lara worked to establish an aggressive pace and punished Briones. The second round began with more of the same, Lara hitting Briones with punches in bunches. Briones was able to hold his ground initially, but a straight left with a little less than one minute remaining in the second frame sent Briones to the canvas. Lara then knocked Briones down for a second time with a wild right hand at the close of the round, but Briones quickly regained himself after time expired and was allowed to continue.
The third round opened with Lara mixing it up to the body before landing an overhand right that further dazed Briones. Lara, smelling blood in the water, swarmed Briones with a barrage of punches and forced referee Lee Rogers to stop the bout at :58 into the third.
Not resting on the win, Lara said, “I felt great to get back in the ring tonight. This was a fantastic win for me, but there are four champions out there in my division. I’m ready to fight whoever asks me out of those four belt holders.”
The swing bout featured Austin Dulay (10-0, 7 KOs) of Hermitage, Tenn. winning a unanimous decision (59-52, 59-52, 59-52) in a six-round junior lightweight fight against Jose Esquivel (10-6, 2 KOs) from Laredo, Texas.
The final televised fight of the evening showcased Adam Lopez (7-0, 3 KOs) of Glendale, Calif. defeating Jordan White (4-1, 3 KOs) of Landover, Md. by unanimous decision (59-55,59-55, 60-54) in a six-round bantamweight bout.
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The card was promoted by TGB Promotions.
For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com
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GARY RUSSELL JR. DEFEATS OSCAR ESCANDON IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN CROWD FROM MGM NATIONAL HARBOR, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
Andre Dirrell Wins Via Disqualification Stoppage, Rances Barthelemy Earns Hard-Fought Decision Win
Gervonta Davis Stops Liam Walsh to Retain IBF Junior Lightweight Title from Copper Box Arena in London
Catch The Encore Presentation of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®
on Monday, May 22 at 10 p.m. on SHO EXTREME
Click HERE For Photos
Photo Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
Click HERE To Watch Gary Russell Jr.’s TKO
National Harbor (May 20) – From the MGM National Harbor “Mr.” Gary Russell Jr., (28-1, 17 KOs) had a successful homecoming in front of a nearly sold out crowd as he defended his WBC Featherweight World title with a seventh-round stoppage against the very tough, strong-willed Columbian Oscar Escandon (25-3, 17 KOs) in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
Russell Jr. took control of the action from the outset, peppering the shorter Escandon at will and dropping him in the third.
However, the brave Escandon fought his way back into the fight in the fourth and fifth stanzas, but Russell stormed into the seventh, battering the hurt Escandon and dropping him early, causing referee Harvey Dock to stop the fight at the 0:59 mark of the round (Click HERE to watch the TKO).
About the victory, Russell Jr. said, “First and foremost, I want to say happy birthday to my father. Secondly, I’d like to tell all the fans that came to support me: I love you all. Thank you.
“I fought a tough competitor. I knew Escandon wanted to come and bring his best. I knew he was going to come forward. I was ready for him. We are warriors.
“I want Lomachenko [next], that’s a no-brainer. I don’t want to do it for the fans or for the media, I want to do it for myself. And I want to do it twice. I’ll knock him out the first time and then, he’ll want me to fight him again.
“I’d love to unify against all the other guys in the featherweight division. I’d like Leo Santa Cruz, Lee Selby, Oscar Valdez.”
About the knockout loss, “I was getting my rhythm going and I felt like Gary was getting tired. I didn’t see him coming with the big punch he threw at the end and that was it. I went down and was hoping to get a 10 count, but the referee didn’t give it to me and he stopped the fight.
“I knew that Gary was going to go fast from the first to the fifth round and it was part of my strategy to let him do that and get tired. It didn’t work unfortunately.
“Now we need to go back to the drawing board to rest and see what my manager has planned for me.”
Said trainer and father Gary Russell Sr., “I’m ecstatic. I’m really happy. I got three wins. Three stoppages. It’s my birthday. I’m 15 minutes from home and I can go home and relax.
“We prepared fully for Mr. Escandon. We knew he was going to do what he did – come forward. I don’t want to diminish or take anything away from Mr. Escandon. He really is a hard, rough fighter. Throughout the course of the fight, I instructed Gary to hit him with some good shots. Some hard shots. It is a brutal sport.”
Co-featured on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING in a 12-round clash for the IBF Interim Super Middleweight Title, Flint, Michigan’s Andre Dirrell, (26-2, 16 KOs), was declared the winner after round eight as Jose Uzcategui, (26-2, 22 KOs) of Merida, Venezuela, was disqualified for a punch after the bell sounded to end the eighth round.
Uzcategui started fast, battering Dirrell from the opening round, cutting off the ring and slamming away with body and head shot through the first three rounds. Dirrell saw success starting in the fourth round, countering Uzcategui and scoring
well.
Over the next four rounds, the contenders traded even as the fight became more hotly contested. At the end of the eighth round, with Dirrell backed into a neutral corner, Uzcategui let loose with a three-punch combination, the last left hand hitting the southpaw after the bell as he fell to the combination.
Following a delay to allow medical personnel to attend to Dirrell, referee Bill Clancy declared that Uzcategui was disqualified with Dirrell being declared the winner.
Said referee Bill Clancy about his decision, “The bell rang to stop the round. The round was over and Andre [Dirrell] was knocked out with an illegal punch. So therefore, Dirrell will win this fight by disqualification.
“That’s a blatant foul. Earlier in the fight, I had warned Uzcategui. I warned him. Dirrell wins the fight, he was clearly unable to continue.”
About the ending, Dirrell said, “All I remember was him [Uzcategui] throwing a shot at me at the same time the bell rang. After that everything was blurry. I remember a shot and then all went fuzzy.
“I forgive Uzcategui. I forgive his camp. I don’t want to win a championship like this. I wanted to win fair and square. But I forgive him.
Following the decision, Dirrell’s trainer and uncle Leon Lawson punched Uzcategui in the corner, sparking a brief altercation in the ring that was quelled by MGM National Harbor security and local police.
“I’m sorry for what my coach has done. My coach is my family, my uncle, and he was worried. He cares for me. He loves me. Please forgive him.
“I’m going to stand up like a man. I didn’t win like I wanted to, but I’ll be back. I’m going to come back as soon as they let me.”
Stated a very disappointed Uzcategui, “I felt very good. I was hurting him the entire fight. I felt like I could hurt him anytime I wanted. Nothing he hit me with hurt me.
“I was throwing a three-punch combination and I didn’t hear the bell. I didn’t mean to hit him. The third punch wasn’t that hard of a punch. I was surprised he stayed down.
“He did the same thing against Abraham that he did against me tonight. He quit against me and he quit against him. I deserve to be the winner.”
The live televised fights in The Theater kicked-off with two-division world championRances Barthelemy (26-0, 13 KOs) winning a 12-round unanimous decision over valiant Kiryl Relikh, (25-3, 16 KOs), of Baranovichi, Byelorussia. Scores in the WBA Super Lightweight eliminator were 116-110, 115-111 and 117-109.
The opening two rounds of the fight featured excellent action with both fighters attempting to impose their will. In the third round Relikh suffered a low blow resulting in a two-minute delay, however, no point deduction was made by referee Kenny Chevalier. Following the low blow, the shorter Relikh became much more aggressive.
With the undefeated, blue-haired Barthelemy switching stances often in the fourth stanza, he was able to score at will against Relikh.
However, Relikh came out charging in the fifth, battering away against Barthelemy who was caught against the ropes and scoring a knockdown when the ropes held the Cuban up from a barrage of hard punches.
Recovering nicely in the sixth and seventh, Barthelemy badly hurt Relikh with a multitude of body shots from both hands.
In the eight round Barthelemy truly turned the tide for good in the ninth, drilling Relikh to the canvas with a blistering left hook to the body. Through the championship rounds it was all Barthelemy who finished strong against the game but outgunned Relikh.
Said the victorious Barthelemy, “It feels great to be going forward. The 11-month layoff really took a toll on my body and I felt it in the ring.
“I knew it was a close fight but knew I should get a unanimous decision.
“Relikh was a hard hitter. He surprised me with a right hook in the 5th round and I hit the canvas, so I knew I had to be careful going forward. I knew I had lost that round and had to come back stronger.
“I took the sixth round to take a breather and then I came back to work the body. Once I knocked him down, I saw that he was hurt and protecting himself upstairs a lot more so I knew I was going to have to be more strategic to come out victorious.”
Replied a very disappointed Relikh, “Of course I thought I won. Even TV thought I won. The referee did his job when he called it a knockdown in the fifth. I thought it was over.”
“The two low blows definitely affected me. It takes the wind out of you. This is boxing not MMA.”
Hot super bantamweight prospect Gary Antonio Russell improved to 8-0 with six knockouts with a dominating performance and knockout stoppage of Puerto Rico’s Jovany Fuentes, (7-9, 6 KOs). Following knockdowns in the second and third stanzas, the bout was called to a halt at 0:22 of round three.
Making his pro debut, super lightweight Gary Antuanne Russell, (1-0 1 KO) wasted no time dropping Joshua Ross, (2-4-4) of Monroe, LA to the canvas three times enroute to a stoppage victory at the 2:25 mark of the initial stanza.
Gervonta Davis went on the road in the first defense of his IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship and made a statement with an emphatic third-round TKO of previously undefeated local favorite Liam Walsh in the opening bout of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from Copper Box Arena in London.
The southpaw Davis (18-0, 17 KOs) set the pace from the opening bell, connecting seemingly at will with a strong left hook. In the third round, America’s youngest world champion floored Walsh with a strong left after a series of brutal connecting combos on the inside. Walsh got up, but the onslaught continued seconds later and referee Michael Alexander stopped the championship bout at 2:11, with Walsh defenseless and on unsteady legs.
“Tonight we were in the groove,” Davis said. “I think he was hurt pretty bad. The ref did his job and it was just a matter of time. I used my boxing IQ tonight and picked my shots, and when I picked my shots I got him out of there.
“I’m still on the rise. I became a champion super-fast, but I’m still rising and there’s more to come.”
Promoter Floyd Mayweather was ringside in London to support his fighter, who he’s christened “the future of boxing.”
Walsh (21-1, 14 KOs), who entered the bout as the No. 1 challenger and the decided local favorite at Copper Box, was disappointed with the stoppage.
“He’s very fast, very active, but that was too quick,” Walsh said. “He won fair and square, but sometimes they stop the fight too early. I never got an opportunity. I’m not saying the result would be different, but give me a chance.
“I’d love to fight him again. I’d fight him for next to nothing.”
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The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will re-air on Sunday, May 21 at 9 a.m. on SHOWTIME and on Monday, May 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME. The telecast will be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and SHOWTIME ANYTIME®.
CWF Legends Fanfest presents: “The Assassin Returns to Tampa”
A Special Recognition by Hillsborough County to Cowboy Luttrell & Eddie Graham is an Added Bonus
Legendary Professional wrestler, The Assassin #1 returns to Tampa, FL after a 30 year absence to headline an intimate Fanfest in North Tampa on Saturday, June 3. Joining The Assassin (Joe Hamilton) will be his son, former WCW & WWE Referee Nick Patrick, Steve Keirn, Bugsy McGraw, The Cuban Assassin Fidel Sierra (making his 1st ever Fanfest appearance as The Saint), Rick “The Gladiator” Hunter, Lady Maxine (making her first ever Fanfest appearance), plus Vendor Guest Manny Fernandez!
Taking place at the intimate American Legion Hall in Odessa, tickets are limited to only 200 wrestling fans, guaranteeing everyone a personalized experience. Super Tickets to this event are available on a first come, first serve basis and include a photo opportunity and one autograph with all of the wrestling legends. Additional autograph opportunities will be made available.(www.eventbrite.com/
Following the Fanfest, we will hold a 90 minute CWF Archive Group Cocktail Party. There will be a cash bar and complimentary hor d’oeuvres plus the opportunity to mingle with the Legends plus Special Guests. Furthermore, Stu Schwartz and Sherri Lee will be recognized for their long time contributions to CWF with The legendary Jerry Brisco presenting.
Belinda Luttrell Romano, the daughter of CWF Founder Clarence “Cowboy” Luttrell, and Nicole Gossett Alonso, the granddaughter of Eddie Graham, will both be in-person at the CWF Fanfest Cocktail Party as their respective families will be recognized by Hillsborough County for their accomplishments, dedication, and lasting legacies to the Tampa Bay community. Presenting this honor to the Graham & Lutrall families will be long time Tampa area radio personality & Host of the 970 WFLA Morning Drive, Tedd Webb.
General Admission to the event which will also feature vendors with unique wrestling memorabilia is only $5.00. Other opportunities to just meet certain CWF Legends are also available. This is a one night extravaganza that is bound to exceed expectations.
Brant Waiting Eagerly to Face Winner of N’Dam vs. Murata Tomorrow Night
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GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX & LUIS ARIAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES AND PHOTOS
WARD-KOVALEV 2: “THE REMATCH” SET FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2017 AT MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER, LAS VEGAS PRESENTED LIVE BY HBO PAY-PER-VIEW®
Click HERE for Photos
Photo Credit: Juan Carlos Fong
MIAMI, FL (May 19, 2017) – Yesterday, reigning WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 KOs) and USBA Middleweight Champion Luis “Cuba” Arias (17-0, 8 KOs) participated in a media workout at the historic Tropical Park boxing gym in Miami. Both fighters are preparing for championship defenses on the HBO Pay-Per-View telecast of Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev 2: “The Rematch” on Saturday, June 17 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Rigondeaux will face interim WBA title holderMoises “Chucky” Flores (25-0, 17 KOs), while Arias takes on rising prospect Arif “The Predator” Magomedov (18-1, 11 KOs). The championship event, presented by Corona Extra, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
The fighters put on a showcase that included shadow boxing, heavy bag, mitt work and stretching. They were joined by Roc Nation Latin artist Victoria La Mala, who will be the national anthem performer for June 17.
Below is what the fighters and La Mala had to say during the media workout:
GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX, WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion:
“Training has been going excellent in Miami, we have been preparing for a great battle with Moises Flores. I respect Chucky, he’s a great fighter and these are the types of big fights that are great for boxing. Nothing better than two undefeated fighters putting their records on the line.
“Flores is going to come prepared for the fight of his life and so am I. We never underestimate anyone and two undefeated warriors will be getting in the ring for an exciting fight on June 17.
“I have been constantly avoided by all the fighters in my division. I am the best in the world at 122 pounds and one of the top pound-for-pound fighters. I can’t wait to show the world that I am still the best. I thank Flores for having the courage to get in the ring with me unlike many top contenders that have avoided the challenge. Tune in June 17 to watch two fighters bring all that they have to the ring. It’s going to be an exciting co-main event on this year’s biggest boxing card.
“I’m happy for the opportunity to be part of such a big Pay-Per-View event, one of the biggest anticipated fights of the year – Ward vs. Kovalev 2. I’m very grateful to fight on such a big platform, and I want to let boxing fans know to expect nothing but an exciting fight. My opponents feel my power and run after the first round. Chucky Flores is a brave undefeated boxer that is coming with all he has, and we’re ready to show why each of us is the best come June 17.
“I’ve had everyone in my division run away from any mentions of me in the ring with them. My team is first focused on the Flores fight, and we’re ready to come and fight the best names in my division so that we can give the fans what they pay big Pay-Per-View money for, big exciting fights.
“I’m grateful to be a part of such a close community here in Miami, FL especially my boxing family at Tropical Park Boxing Gym. Miami is my home and I have all the support with me down here. I’m thankful for all the support that my fans brought during my training camp here in Miami. We have been able to bring boxing back here in Miami and make a great impact on the community, especially all the families that come to the park.”
LUIS ARIAS, USBA Middleweight Champion:
“June 17, I start cementing my name and legacy in this game! I’m ready to steal the show and prove that I stand amongst the best in the division.
“I’ve stepped up all levels of training. I train six days a week with two hours of boxing, one hour of strength and conditioning, and run 3.5 – 5 miles on average. I’m also working with one of the top nutritionists, Chris Alergi. He helps me with what to eat and how to monitor my weight. Can’t wait to show all of my progress on June 17.
“My message to Magomedov is simple…I hope he comes ready. He better be doing ‘em sit-ups. I’m coming!
“When I step in the ring, it’s not just about getting a win anymore. It’s about winning and looking good. I’ve built up my record. Now, I’m looking to put on an A-class performance. That’s what is going to make me stand out.
“My goal for the second half of 2017 is to put myself in top ‘contender’ position for what is probably the most stacked division in professional boxing. GGG, Canelo, Lemieux…bring them on!”
VICTORIA LA MALA:
“It’s an honor to be singing the national anthem at such an anticipated boxing event. Being from a Mexican family, I grew up watching boxing and am a huge fan of Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. I can’t wait to cheer on my Roc family–Andre, Rigo and Luis–on June 17.”
Ward vs. Kovalev 2: “The Rematch,” a 12-round mega-fight for the WBO/IBF/WBA Light Heavyweight World Championships, is presented by Roc Nation Sports, Main Events, Andre Ward Promotions, Krusher Promotions and Corona Extra, sponsored by Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Jetlux, Life10 Water, Zappos and Powered by Monster. The championship event takes place Saturday, June 17 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Tickets for Ward-Kovalev 2: “The Rematch” are available on axs.com and at the Mandalay Bay Events Center box office.
BRITISH TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN, SAVANNAH MARSHALL, CLOSES DEAL WITH MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS
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GERVONTA DAVIS & LIAM WALSH MAKE WEIGHT FOR IBF JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM LONDON
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Tomorrow/Saturday at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT
Click HERE For Photos; Credit Mark Robinson/SHOWTIME
LONDON (May 19, 2017) – America’s youngest world champion, Gervonta Davis, and undefeated No. 1 contender Liam Walsh both tipped the scale at the 130-pound limit during Friday’s official weigh-in at the 133-year-old Theatre Royal Stratford East for Saturday’s IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship on SHOWTIME.
On Saturday at the sold-out Copper Box Arena in London, the 22-year-old “Tank” Davis (17-0, 16 KOs) will attempt to become the first American to successfully defend his title on British soil in nearly a decade. The 30-year-old Walsh (21-0, 14 KOs) will aim to dethrone a man labeled by Davis promoter Floyd Mayweather as “the future of boxing” in the first defense of his IBF crown.
The referee for Davis vs. Walsh is Michael Alexander, and the judges are Howard Foster (England), Robin Taylor (United States) and Deon Dwarte (South Africa).
With fans chanting “Walsh is gonna get you” as Davis stepped on the scale, the Baltimore native narrowly missed the 130-pound limit by two ounces. Per IBF rules, Davis was given two hours to shed the extra ounces and successfully made weight approximately 90 minutes later.
“I feel good,” Davis said. “I’m ready.”
After the weigh-in, Walsh downplayed the tense stare down and words exchanged during the faceoff.
“Tomorrow we’ll lay hands on each other for real and the best man will come on top. I’m gonna win. I’m going to give every last ounce of what I’ve got.”
Davis vs. Walsh is part of a split-site, four-fight SHOWTME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast that begins on Saturday, May 20, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. In the main event, Gary Russell Jr. will make his second featherweight title defense and long-awaited homecoming against mandatory challenger Oscar Escandon live from MGM National Harbor just outside of Washington, D.C.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports