boxing

Former WBA Interim Heavyweight Champion Luis Ortiz to WBC Champ Deontay Wilder: Stop Making Excuses!

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“When I look at Deontay Wilder, I see an unsure, scared fighter. He’s crazy with his technique and worried about being hit. When you are that worried about getting hit, when you do get hit, you usually get knocked out.” Luis Ortiz
A screenshot of the sent forms, dated September 9, 2016.

Responding to WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder’s recent public statements, former WBA Interim Heavyweight Champion Luis Ortiz would like to let him know: “I signed up for the WBC/VADA Clean Boxing Program last September. Stop using that excuse to avoid fighting me!”

The undefeated Ortiz (27-0, 23 KOs), of Camaguey, Cuba, now living in Miami, has been trying to get Wilder into a boxing ring for quite a while, as Wilder has chosen to face a string of what many would label second-tier opponents to defend against.
“He’s scared!” said Ortiz of Wilder. “The more he can use my failed test against me he will. He and (promoter Lou) DiBella are saying he won’t fight me because of that. That was years ago, and since that unfortunate incident, for which I was punished, I have tested a dozen times clean. Now he’s trying to say I haven’t signed up for VADA Clean Boxing… guess what Wilder? I signed up last September when I was notified that all WBC contenders need to be part of their new Clean Boxing Program. I filled out the paperwork and my trainer submitted it to the WBC. He can stop using that excuse to avoid me. I have nothing to hide and do not have to prove any longer to anyone that I am clean. Wilder is nothing but a paper champion who happened to be at the right place at the right time against the right opponent with, most importantly, the right promoter. That’s all he is.”
Ortiz’s trainer, Herman Caicedo of Caicedo Sports Training Center of Miami, Florida, also says Ortiz’s failed drug test in 2014 is no longer a factor.
“Since failing his test years ago, Luis has been tested over a dozen times, voluntarily and mandatorily in fights. He has made it very clear that he never wants that to happen again and I wouldn’t work with a fighter I even suspected wasn’t clean. There’s too much involved in how I train fighters. We all put a lot of blood sweat and tears into training for a failed drug test to derail the entire process. I do my own drug panels and steroid checks before I take fighters. And those that do not wish to willingly participate, I will not train.”
Ortiz says sooner or later, Wilder will run out of excuses to avoid him or be run out of boxing.
“My mentality was always to beat whoever was the best fighter in my division, period. I don’t handpick my opponents. This is all weird and new to me. He can’t run for much longer though. I assume he will try to unify or vacate before he has to fight me. He can’t unify with the Joshua/Klitschko winner because I am the mandatory above any unification fight, and I will not be jumped over. So, he can try to beat up (New Zealand-based contender Joseph) Parker after his next fight. Then retire the paper champion he is.”
“I am very confident about the outcome if Ortiz and Wilder ever do fight,” continued Caicedo. “Ortiz will knock him out within 10 rounds. Luis has a level to his approach that I haven’t seen in quite some time. He is a throwback, old-school heavyweight boxer. He has incredible poise, precision, and ring generalship. He’s accurate with this punches and defensively very sound. If they ever do fight, Wilder will be exposed. But, he will probably retire a legend in his own mind without ever fighting anybody.”
Ortiz says no matter what happens with Deontay Wilder, he is happy and comfortable with his life.
“I would like to thank my team: Jay, Javier and my trainer Herman for the support they give me throughout all this uncertainty, as well as my fans and, most important to me, my wife and three children. I never thought I would be fighting to make a living. Boxing was always what I did because I loved it. I fought for pride. I fought for bragging rights!! I have already achieved one dream and that was to be here in the United States with my family. I am a United States citizen and very proud. Now to be able to box for a living, make money and potentially become world champion… that, to me, is priceless.”
boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

Former World Champion Luis Collazo Scores Sensational Sixth-Round Knockout of Welterweight Contender Sammy Vasquez Jr. in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes Special Edition Thursday Night from Horseshoe Tunica  Hotel & Casino inTunica, Mississippi

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Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas Earns Split-Decision Victory Over Georgia’s
Levan Ghvamichava in Welterweight Showdown
&
Eddie Ramirez Stops Ryan Karl After Nine Rounds
in Battle of Unbeaten Super Lightweight Prospects
 
Click HERE for Photos from Ryan Greene/
Premier Boxing Champions
(Photos to be added shortly)
 
TUNICA, MS (February 2, 2017) – Former world champion Luis Collazo (37-7, 20 KOs) delivered an early “Knockout of the Year” candidate with a sixth-round knockout of welterweight contender Sammy Vasquez Jr. (21-2, 15 KOs) Thursday night in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes from Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.
The Brooklyn-native Collazo started slow as Vasquez Jr. looked to control the fight with his movement and jab. The action began to pick-up in the third round as Collazo struck the first major blow of the fight, connecting on a right hand that sent Vasquez Jr. to the canvas.
Vasquez Jr. stunned Collazo early in the fourth round with an overhand left and pressed forward to initiate numerous exchanges along the ropes. Collazo was able to hold off his younger opponent and do damage with body shots and short punches in the exchanges.
After a more tactical round five, Vasquez Jr. once again pushed forward on Collazo in the hopes of getting his offense going. The veteran Collazo was prepared for the attack and connected on a vicious right hand that put Vasquez on the mat and out for good as referee Bill Clancy halted the bout at 1:27 into the round.
In welterweight action, fast-rising Cuban contender Yordenis Ugas (18-3, 8 KOs) earned a split-decision over Levan Ghvamichava (17-3-1, 13 KOs) in their 10-round bout Thursdaynight.
It was the third straight impressive victory for Ugas, who has put himself squarely in the conversation in the welterweight division. Ugas was in control of the early part of the fight, winning exchanges in the middle of the ring and breaking through the high and tight guard of Ghvamichava.
Ghvamichava was able to work his way back into the fight with an increased work rate in the middle rounds as he began to find openings in Ugas’ defense. Referee Bill Clancy deducted a point from Ugas in round eight after multiple warnings for low blows.
The action heated up in the final two rounds as both men exchanged heavy blows throughout. Ugas began to land his left hook successfully but Ghvamichava had his moments and continued throwing punches until the final bell. After 10-rounds of action the judges scores were 99-90, 97-94 for Ugas and 95-94 for Ghvamichava.
In a showdown of unbeaten super lightweight prospects, Chicago’s Eddie Ramirez (16-0, 11 KOs) earned a stoppage victory after nine rounds of action against Houston’s Ryan Karl (13-0, 9 KOs). Karl’s corner stopped the fight before the 10th and final round.
Ramirez was the more effective fighter from the start, working off of his jab to hit Karl with a big right hand that staggered him in the second round. Karl was able to weather the storm and compete throughout the middle rounds of the fight as he threw constant power punches in an attempt to catch Ramirez.
The momentum swung to Ramirez for good starting in the seventh round, when another right hand connected with Karl and opened up a cut over Karl’s left eye. A late flurry by Ramirez in round nine as he staggered Karl near the ropes and forced him to hold Ramirez. Karl was able to finish the round, but did not answer the bell for round 10 as his corner put a halt to the fight.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
LUIS COLLAZO
“Going into the fight I knew he didn’t like the body shots. In the locker room my team was telling me that he’s going to be waiting for it. We wanted to touch him soft down low and then go up top. We opened him up. We both tried to line up the hook and mine landed first.
“I’m a slow-starter. I’m better from a distance and I have the experience. I’m 35 but I still feel like I have a lot left in the ring.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’m completely dedicated to this sport and ready to keep moving forward. Everyone said I was faded but now I have the opportunity to keep going.
“Sammy caught me with some good shots. He got me with a big overhand left. He’s a strong fighter.
“There are a lot of great fights coming up in the welterweight division. I know Shawn Porter doesn’t have an opponent right now. I’m ready to get it on if he is.”
SAMMY VASQUEZ JR.
“I felt like I was starting to get in my groove. He just caught me with a really great shot at the right time.
“I knew his big punch was the right hook. I was working on keeping my hand up to block it. I dropped it at the wrong time and he got me.
“Obviously this is going to set me back. I need to come back stronger. I hope that I can come back and fight someone that can help me move up the ranks.”
YORDENIS UGAS
“I boxed from a distance like we prepared. I thought that I was in control and I thought I won easily.
“I was surprised it was a split-decision. I thought I won most of the rounds. He was a very tough opponent but I was ready for him and I did what I wanted to do.
“I was feeding off of my corner. I’m a top contender and I’m ready to face anybody.”
LEVAN GHVAMICHAVA
“I’m disappointed in the result. It’s hard to put into words. It was a close fight. I thought a lot of his shots were being blocked and I thought I countered well.
“The referee did his best to control he low blows. You don’t want a fight to end in disqualification. But taking those shots effects everything.”
EDDIE RAMIREZ
“I’m happy. We worked hard and this is another step. We’re going to keep working hard. I have what it takes to be a world champion.
“Ryan Karl is a tough fighter. He came to give it all he had. He didn’t want to quit, but we broke him down and got the win.
“Karl and I both came to win. Someone’s perfect record had to go. There was no quit in him. I was going to finish the fight in the last round.
“My plan was to break him down. I never wanted this fight to go to decision. I did what I had to do.
“I’m aiming high. I want to fight the best. If I keep working hard everything is going to take care of itself and I’ll get where I want to.
“I wanted to make him miss a lot while also being aggressive. We were ready to finish him off, we just wanted to go little by little and get the win.”
RYAN KARL
“I just wasn’t on tonight. I couldn’t hit my right hand how I wanted to. I give him all the credit. My timing wasn’t right. He looked great and I looked mediocre.
“It’s disappointing. Boxing is my job. I lost a lot in there. I have to get better. All that matters is winning the fight.”
#          #          #
PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes was promoted by Warriors Boxing and sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and foxdeportes.com follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing, www.facebook.com/foxsports andwww.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Follow the conversation using #PBConFOX. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show Featuring PRESIDENT Donald Trump Interview

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Hosts Tom, Tony and Rich of The Fight News Unlimited Combat Sports show had the awesome experience of catching up with President Donald Trump for an exclusive interview contained in tonight’s broadcast. We ask “The Donald” about everything from Mayweather vs. McGregor to Iran and China. The interview starts about 23 minutes into the full show tape, but we will also place the interview alone in another audio file below the main show file on this post. We also discuss some MMA labor union issues, Aisling Daly retiring young from the UFC, Conor McGregor claiming his next bout will be in a boxing ring and Dana White saying Ronda Rousey is all done with fighting professionally. We also recap the first big UFC and Bellator events of the year from last week and look forward to UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston on Saturday night. We take time at the end of the broadcast to talk boxing with a recap of last week’s stunning rematch between Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton. We also talk about the Thursday night bouts on FS1 tonight. Here is our full show:

And here is the Trump interview by itself:

And if you didn’t catch why Rich gave a shout out to the movie “Good Morning Vietnam” you can listen to Rich’s first interview with Trump from 2008 here:

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, mixed martial arts, MMA

UFC STARS JOIN CAGE WARRIORS FOR FAN MEET AND GREET AT CW80

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 1at, 2017
MMA legend Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy heads up a cast of former Cage Warriors stars who will return to their former home to meet the fans at Cage Warriors 80 in London.

We’re just three weeks away from Cage Warriors’ first world title fight of 2017 as England’s Matt Inman and France’s Karl Amoussou get set to do battle for the vacant welterweight title at Cage Warriors 80.

The headlining title fight tops a packed card of action at Cage Warriors’ new home at Indigo at The O2 on February 18, but fight fans will also get a rare opportunity to catch up with some Cage Warriors’ stars of yesteryear ahead of the event.

We’re delighted to announce that we’ll also be hosting a special meet and greet session with a host of former Cage Warriors stars who have all gone on to further their respective careers in the UFC.

Heading the lineup is Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy, the popular welterweight who became the first British fighter to compete for a UFC world title when he battled the great Georges St-Pierre all the way to the scorecards at UFC 111 back in 2010.

Dan has since forged a successful career on the other side of the fence as a colour commentator and one of the most astute, respected MMA analysts in the game.

Dan will be joined by fellow former Cage Warriors stars Jack Hermansson, Darren Stewart, Alex Enlund and Tom Breese for a special meet and greet session, which is open to all fans attending the event on February 18. No additional ticket is required.

Limited tickets for Cage Warriors 80 are available via the AXS website, priced from just £20. Secure yours today and make sure you’re a part of the latest exciting chapter in Cage Warriors’ history.
For the latest Cage Warriors Fighting Championship news and updates, keep track of us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. View past CWFC action, free and on-demand, online via Cage Warriors TV.

Photo: Dan Hardy – Credit Cage Warriors 
boxing

Nicaraguan lightweight Oliver Flores Live underdog vs. No. 1 ranked  Felix Verdejo

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tomorrow night at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico
(L-R) — Felix Verdejo (135 lbs.) &
Oliver Flores (134 lbs.)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (February 2, 2017) – Live underdog Oliver “Trombita” Flores has prepared to shock the boxing world tomorrow night (Friday, Feb. 3), albeit it in hostile territory. challenging undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino lightweight champion Felix “El Diamente” Verdejo in the 10-round main event at Robrerto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

A rising star in a universarlly recognized boxing hotbed,  Verdejo (22-0, 15 KOs) represented Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympics, losing in the quarterfinals to two-time Olympic gold medalist Vasyl Lomachenko, who is the reigning WBO super feathereight world champion.  The 23-year-old will be fighting in front of a passionate hometown crowd in San Jose, risking his WBO No. 1 contender status and impending world title shot against current champion Terry Flanagan.   He’s also scheduled to fight June 10th on Top Rank’s major Puerto Rican Day card at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden.
Havoc Boxing-promoted Flores (27-2-2, 17 KOs), however, is looking forward to spoiling Verdejo’s party and bringing joy back to his native Nicaragua.
“We accepted this challenge because we believe Oliver will rise to the occasion,” Flores’ promoter Rob Diaz (Havoc Boxing) said.  “He hadn’t fought for more than a year because several fights we lined up fell through.  So, we decided to move him up to lightweight to challenge a great prospect like Verdejo.  This is a tremendous opportunity for Oliver.  He’s not concerned about fighting Verdejo in Puerto Rico.  Oliver has effectively fought on the road throughout his career because he’s a true warrior.  He has a real chance to shock the boxing world tomorrow night and we’re confident that he will bring his best into the ring. Oliver is one of the best kept secrets in boxing but fans all over the world will know his name after tomorrow’s fight.”
In his last fight on New Year’s Eve of 2015, Flores unsuccessfully challenged then-World Boxing Association (WBA) Super world super featherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama (23-0-1) in Tokyo, getting stopped in the third round.
Flores’ only other pro loss was in 2012 to current WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt, while his two draws were both on the road in Mexico and Costa Rica.
Flores (pictured to right on the scale) is a past WBA Fedebol lightweight title holder, as well as former World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX and International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight champion.  He has proven to be a dangerous, upset-minded opponent having defeated previously unbeaten boxers Marcos Mojica (12-0-2), by way of unanimous decision, and Gabriel Dorado (9-0) via a first-round knockout.
A victory over Verdejo should position Flores for another world title shot in the not too distant future.
INFORMATION:
 
Website:  www.TeamHavocUSA
Twitter: @HavocBoxingNYC
Instagram:  @Havoc_CEO
boxing, Roc Nation

FIVE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION MIGUEL COTTO VS. JAMES KIRKLAND SHOWDOWN CANCELLED DUE TO INJURY

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NEW YORK, NY (February 2, 2017) – Roc Nation Sports today received notification from James Kirkland’s team that Kirkland has suffered an injury which will force him to withdraw from his match against Five-Time World Champion Miguel Cotto on Saturday, February 25, 2017. The reported injury is a fractured nose. Unfortunately, the entire HBO Pay-Per-View show at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas is cancelled.

 

For customers who purchased through Ticketmaster via phone, online or mobile channels, you will receive a credit to the method of payment used. If you purchased in person at Ford Center or AT&T Stadium ticket office, bring the tickets and method of payment used at time of purchase to the AT&T Stadium North Ticket Office, located adjacent to Entry A, to receive your refund. If you purchased tickets from any other source, you will need to contact that point of purchase for your refund.

 

For more information, please visit www.throneboxing.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter @rocnation and Instagram @rocnationsports and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

MMA fighters & fans of rival Russian soccer teams Added to M-1 Challenge 74 card

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18 in St. Petersburg, Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (February 2, 2017) – The February 18th M-1 Challenge 74 card in St. Petersburg got even more interesting with M-1Global’s announcement that a fight between fans of arch-rival Russian soccer (non-American football) teams will square-off in full team colors.
In the main event, undefeated M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Rashid Yusupov (6-0-0, M-1: 4-0-0), of Russia, defends his title against former titlist Stephan “T-800” Puetz (15-2-0, M-1: 6-1-0), of Germany.
M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Alexander “Iron Capture” Butenko (42-11-2, M-1: 9-1-0) faces challenger Abukar Yandiev (8-1-0, M-1: 2-1-0) in theM-1 Challenge 74 co-feature.
Billed as the first MMA fight part of a major event to feature MMA fighters who are also fans of two of the top soccer clubs in Russia, CSKA and Spartak, battling between the ropes to determine the strongest soccer fan under MMA rules, not in the street.
Light heavyweight Dmitry Tebekin (4-2-0, M-1: 0-0-0), representing CSKA, will throw-down against Spartak fan Arthur Reig Tjul’parov (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0).  Tebekin was the St. Petersburg Cup winner and vice-champion of St. Petersburg, while Tjul’parov was also vice-champion of St. Petersburg as well as the third-place finisher in the All-Russian Grand Prix
.
M-1 Challenge 74 will be streamed live from St. Petersburg in high definition onwww.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 of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
Also fighting on the M-1 Challenge 74 main card, in addition to Yusupov-Puetz and Butenko-Yandiev, is former M-1 Challenge bantamweight champion Vitaly Branchuk (21-6-0, M-1: 1-2-0), of Ukraine, vs. Frenchman Moktar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (13-7-0); two-time M-1 Challenge lightweight title challengerArtiom Damkovsky (22-10-1, M-1: 12-7-0), of Belarus, vs. undefeatedBrazilian Pablo “Negao” Pereira (7-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), and Ukrainian welterweight Vyacheslav “Bison” Bogomol (9-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) vs. unbeatenPablo Ortmann (6-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), of Switzerland.
INFORMATION

www.M1Global.tv

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@VFinkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
boxing

Caleb Plant Talks Ring Return, Sparring George Groves, Commentating Debut

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Photo Credit: Mario Serrano – Team Plant
LAS VEGAS, NV (February 2, 2017) – Undefeated super-middleweight contender, Caleb “Sweet Hands” Plant (14-0, 10 KOs), will be making his 2017 debut on the Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36 KOs) vs. Gerald Washington (18-0-1, 12 KOs) card, taking place at the Legacy Arena, in Birmingham, Alabama on February 25th.  Plant will headline his own show on Fox Sports 1 against an opponent TBA on February 25th as part of a multiple telecast event.
Plant, talks about his upcoming fight, sparring with world title contender George Groves (25-3, 18 KOs), and his commentating debut.
“On February 25th, I’ll be making my ring return,” said Caleb Plant the IBF #15 contender. “I’m really pumped up to be headlining on Fox Sports 1.  Nashville, Tennessee, my hometown, is only a few hours away from Alabama, so I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of my family and friends in attendance.”
“Last week I got great work sparring with George Groves when he was in town for the Frampton fight.  He’s a class act and I learned a lot from being in the ring with him.  I held my own and my confidence is at an all-time high.  I know I can compete with anyone in the world.  I’m just going to take it one fight at a time.  I’ll be ready for whoever they put in front of me.”
In addition, Plant will be commentating side by side with Brian Custer during the Sammy Vasquez (21-1, 15 KOs) vs. Luis Collazo (36-7, 19 KOs) showdown tonight on Fox Sports 1.
“My career is headed in the right direction and I’m excited to be commentating tonight on Fox Sports 1,” Plant continued. “Commentating is something I’ve always wanted to do.  Vasquez and Collazo are two fighters looking to make a statement and I believe it’s going to be a great fight for the fans.  I have a great team around me and I’m very grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way.  I’m going to take full advantage of the situation.”
boxing

Former Interim Cruiserweight World Champion Youri Kalenga added to “Battle of Casablanca” card

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World amateur champion Mohammad Rabii
To make pro debut at home in main event 
Feb. 18 in Casablanca, Morocco
CASABLANCA, Morocco (February 2, 2017) – Former Interim cruiserweight world champion Youri “El Toro” Kalenga will provide chief support February 18 for pro-debuting Moroccan amateur boxing sensation Mohammad Rabii on the “Battle of Casablanca” card, presented by Nowhere2Hyde, at Complexe de Sportif Mohammed V Arena in Casablanca, Morocco.
Kalenga (22-3, 15 KOs), fighting out of France by way of The Congo, is currently rated No. 12 by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 16 by the World Boxing Council (WBC).  The knockout artist takes on Garrett “The Ultimate Warrior” Wilson (17-11-1, 9 KOs), of Philadelphia, who is a former United States Boxing Association (USBA) and North American Boxing Federation (NABF) champion.
In 2014, Kalenga captured the WBA Interim title with a 12-round split decision over 32-1 Mateusz Masternak in Monaco, followed with a successful title defense in Canada against 12-0 Denton Daley by way of a 12th round technical knockout.
Kalenga has never been in a dull fight.  Two of his three career losses have been to current WBA Super cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (26-2), who Kalenga dropped in the fourth round, by way of a 12-round unanimous decision in Russia, and last June he was stopped for the first time in his seven-year pro career by 20-0 Yunier Dorticos in Paris for the Interim WBA strap.
The 23-year-old Rabii defeated 2016 Olympic gold medalist Daniyar Yeleussinov in the welterweight division championship finale of the 2015 AIBA World Amateur Championships to capture a gold for his native Morocco.  Rabii won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, dropping a highly-disputed decision (0-3) in the semifinals to Uzebek boxer Shakhram Giyasov, the eventual silver medalist.
 
The ultra-charismatic Rabii has reached “rock star” status in Morocco, testament by an average of 6-million Moroccans viewing each of Rabbi’s Olympic matches on Arryadia Television.  “We are very excited to work with our television partners, Arryadia, on our February 18th show as the first of five shows in 2017 featuring Mohammed Rabii,” promoter Gary Hyde said.  “Rabii has the entire nation of Morocco behind him and he will be challenging for top welterweight honors in no time at all.”
Rabii will take on veteran Hungarian boxer Adam “Bad Boy” Mate (24-10, 17 KOs) in the six-round main event.
Also in action on “Battle of Casablanca” will be former World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) world featherweight champion, Simpiwe Vetyeka (29-3, 17 KOs), who is world ranked No. 4 by the WBA, No. 6 by The Ring magazine, and No. 7 by the WBC.  The gifted South African faces undefeated Hungarian prospect David Nerna (8-0, 8 KOs) in a 10-round bout.
Netherlands light middleweight Gevorg Khatchikian (24-2, 12 KOs) will also be in action against Ugandan Med “Kabona” Sebyala (16-8-1. 13 KOs) in another 10-rounder.  Khatchikian, who will be fighting as a 154-pounder for the first time as a professional, has only lost twice as a pro, both to present super middleweight world champions, James Degale (IBF) and Gilberto Ramirez (WBO).
Hyde manages Rabii, Kalanga and Vetyeka.
Tickets are now on sale for the Feb. 18 show in Casablanca.
INFORMATION:
Twitter:  @nowhere2hyde,
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS SERIES OPENS 2017 WITH A SMASH!

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Next Five Weeks Includes Two Blockbuster Primetime 
Network Shows
 
The Return of Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder; and Welterweight Mega-Fight Between Champions Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman
LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 2, 2017 – Premier Boxing Champions opened its third season with an explosive collision between newly-crowned WBC 126-pound champion Leo Santa Cruz and Ireland’s Carl Frampton, and a devastatingly impressive performance by Mikey Garcia, who scored a devastating third round knockout against Dejan Zlaticanin to win the WBC 135-pound world title this past Saturday night in Las Vegas.
The PBC series rolls on with a fantastic slate of shows that will feature matches in the hottest divisions in boxing – featherweight, welterweight, junior middleweight, and heavyweight.
Over the next five weeks the PBC series will present five shows in February, including the much-anticipated return of heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, who is coming off surgery on his right arm and hand. Wilder will defend his title February 25 against undefeated heavyweight Gerald Washington in Birmingham, Alabama on FOX in primetime.
Also, on March 4, the highly anticipated welterweight championship unification bout between Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman tops a blockbuster card on “SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on CBS presented by Premier Boxing Champions” in primetime.
“We believe we are able to give boxing fans what they want – the best in boxing in the most competitive divisions,” said Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications for Haymon Boxing. “We continue to bring boxing back to the masses with fights on multiple networks, in the best divisions.”
On February 2, in a 3-hour PBC show on FS1 and FOX Deportes from Tunica, Miss, Sammy Vasquez, Jr., former U.S. Army veteran and welterweight contender, will meet former welterweight champion Luis Collazo in a 10-round crossroads match.  Yordenis Ugas takes on Levan Ghavamichava in a 10-round welterweight match, and undefeated prospects, Ryan “Cowboy” Carl and Eddie Ramirez clash.  Plus, hot Mexican prospect Jose Borrego will make his U.S. television debut.
On February 10, Robert Easter will defend his 135-pound IBF world title in a 12-round match in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio against Luis Cruz on Bounce TV. Rau’shee Warren, who is from Cincinnati, Ohio, will defend his bantamweight title against Zhanat Zhakiyanov in the co-feature. Terrell Gausha, a 2012 Olympian and undefeated junior middleweight, will also be in action.
Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays returns to FS1 on Feb. 21 with Miguel Flores taking on Dat Nguyen. Also, undefeated prospects Brandon Figueroa and Darwin Price will be showcased in separate bouts.
On February 25, on FOX and FOX Deportes, heavyweights will take center stage as Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder defends his WBC world title against Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington from Birmingham, Ala., in primetime.  In what promises to be an explosive lead-in, Dominic Breazeale clashes with undefeated Polish heavyweight contender Izu Ugonoh while Tony Harrison and Jarrett Hurd collide in a 12-round match that serves as an IBF 154-pound title elimination.
Also on February 25, immediately following PBC on FOX, turn to FS1 to see hard-hitting super middleweight Caleb Plant and explosive featherweight knockout artist Jorge Lara featured in separate matches.
March will be just as busy with a slate of PBC cards on several networks highlighted by the scintillating welterweight showdown of Garcia vs. Thurman on March 4 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The fight will be the first step toward unifying titles in the sizzling welterweight division, with these two top 147-pound champions squaring off in a 12-round match.
Look for additional PBC shows in March to be announced shortly.
There are other fantastic cards for boxing fans, including four-time world champion Adrien Broner who will take on Adrian Granados in a 140-pound bout in Broner’s hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio on SHOWTIME on Feb. 18. In co-features, former 140-pound champion Lamont Peterson will meet Russia’s David Anaveysan for the regular WBA 147-pound title and 175-pound contenders Marcus Browne and Thomas Williams will square off in a crossroads match.
Middleweight champion Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs will meet 160-pound champion Gennady Golovkin in a title unification match at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 18.
About Premier Boxing Champions:
“Premier Boxing Champions” is a live boxing series created for TV and cable by Haymon Boxing. The series features a great array of boxing talent in all weight divisions, with fighters representing over 10 countries.

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