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YOUNG’S MMA HAS HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE ON AUGUST 5 IN BANGOR
Bangor, Maine (Lub Xya hli ntuj 28, 2016) – The dedicated delegation from Young’s MMA of Bangor usually relish their reputation as road warriors in New England Fights.
Lewiston is long established as the hub city for the organization, drawing competitors and spectators from both directions on the Maine Turnpike. Fighters and fans from the Penobscot River valley find that staying engaged for those fight cards four or five times a year requires greater commitment than most.
For only the second time in its history, the regional promotion will bring its cage to the Queen City. “NEF Presents: Dana White Lookin’ for a Fight” is slated for Friday, Lub yim hli ntuj 5 at Cross Insurance Center.
Young’s, the gym located just a few blocks away at 127 Hammond Street, will celebrate by showcasing one of its fighters in four of the eight scheduled professional bouts. Battle-tested Ryan Sanders and relative newcomers Aaron Lacey, Josh Harvey and CJ Ewer all are poised to take their best shot with the support of a raucous, partisan crowd.
“That’s the most exciting part for me, being from Brewer. I went to Brewer High School,” Lacey said. “It was definitely a huge, huge draw for me, seeing it in person. I went to the fights when NEF came to Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion (Lub Xya hli ntuj 12, 2013) and all I could think is, ‘Man, I want to do this.’ This has been a goal of mine for a long time.”
Sanders (10-7) will battle Derrick Kennington (11-7) in a clash of wily lightweights that will be on the featured attractions on the docket.
His three stablemates each emerged victorious in their only previous pro bout. Lacey will lock up with John Santos (3-3) of Derry, N.H., in a featherweight fight. Harvey has an appointment at featherweight. Ewer, who won an amateur bout at the outdoor concert venue in Bangor, will be tested by Ruben Redman (0-1) in a welterweight scrap.
Even with numerous friends in attendance, the four men know it is the presence of UFC president White, who grew up in nearby Hermon, which could have career-changing ramifications.
“It’s a great opportunity. It’s awesome to know that someone like that is going to be in the building on fight night,” Sanders said. “But for me it’s just another fight. I don’t want to get caught up in all that. Just let it unfold.”
White and cohorts Din Thomas and Matt Serra travel the country in pursuit of undiscovered MMA talent in a reality show that is broadcast on White’s YouTube page as well as the UFC Fight Pass subscription-based streamed video service.
Yes, the entrepreneur’s Maine connections are well-documented. White also previously brought UFC Fight Night 47 to Bangor. Young’s talent pool suspects that the latest event is more than just a case of White throwing a bone to his home base, however.
“I’m grateful that he’s bringing it here. I’m sure he’s watched film from NEF in his spare time. He must see something in NEF that he likes in order to be doing this,” Harvey said. “It doesn’t make me more nervous. I’m excited for it. I’m going to try to put that all aside and focus on the task at hand.”
Under the tutelage of co-owners Chris Young and Ernie Fitch, roughly five or six professionals and a dozen amateurs cycle through the gym in any given training camp.
“Four of us fighting, it just shows we’re the best gym in the area. Three of us are undefeated. We’re producing studs. People see that and want to train with the best guys they can,” Sanders said. “We definitely push each other. You have guys who kick your ass every day. We want the best for each other. That’s why we’re here.”
Harvey expects the numbers and commitment to grow after White’s visit. He has been training at Young’s for three years. The cage side seat at the waterfront inspired him to step up his own training regimen. It’s a built-in advantage, Harvey noted, that has belonged almost exclusively to Lewiston until now.
“That’s what gets most people started. They go and see the fights and they want to try it,” Harvey said. “That’s why you see places like Central Maine BJJ (Lewiston) and First Class MMA (Topsham) growing so much. The fights are right there in their backyard.”
Lacey characterizes Young’s as “a gym full of killers.”
The statistics underscore Lacey’s point. The three pros with unblemished records all won their debut in two minutes or less.
“Ryan has only gone to a decision I think one time in his career. He’s a finisher. Josh won his fight by submission in the first round. CJ is super strong,” Lacey said. “They challenge me to be the best I can be every day. They keep me focused not just in the gym but in the game of life outside the cage.”
Although he is facing an opponent with significantly greater experience, Lacey expects a helpful adrenaline rush from having so many familiar faces at his back.
“It is different. I fought I think seven times in Lewiston between amateur fights and my pro debut,” he said. “This gives me a chance to be in my comfort zone. And a lot of my fans can’t make it down there. By the time you figure in the travel, the price of the tickets, maybe staying overnight, they just can’t do it.”
Harvey agreed, pointing out that it’s the initial fight for which he hasn’t needed to pack a suitcase.
“This will be the first time I’ve slept in my own bed the night before a fight. I think it’s a huge advantage,” Harvey said. “Some people might think with more of your fans there that there’s more pressure, but I think it just builds you up.”
“NEF Presents Dana White: Looking for a Fight” takes place on Hnub vas Xuv, Lub yim hli ntuj 5, 2016 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Tickets are on sale now at www.CrossInsuranceCenter.
For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. tsis tas li ntawd, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA thiab www.flocombat.com, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”
Vadim Finkelchtein: “The Emelianenko-Maldonado situation is getting ridiculous”
MONTE CARLO, Monaco(Lub Xya hli ntuj 28, 2016)- World MMA Association (WMMAA) Vadim Finkelchtein has gone public to explain the recent WMMAA decision regarding Team Maldonado’s appeal, which resulted in the change of the official Fedor Emelianenko–Fabio Maldonado fight result to a draw, in addition to terminating its Head of Judges, Radmir Gabdullin.
WMMAA president Vadim Finkelchtein
Vadim, talk us through the appeal process. Why did you accept it in the first place since Russian MMA Union rejected Maldonado manager’s appeal?
VF: “Everyone could see what was going on in the media and MMA community after the bout. Being the founder of both the Russian MMA Union and World MMA Association, I received tons of messages and calls from people demanding an explanation about how it was possible for Russian MMA Union employees to officiate their own boss’ fight. I read hundreds of negative comments disparaging the Russian MMA Union and WMMAA. Some even went so far to say it was about Russian Mafia doing business there, all Russian judges are bought, etc. I tried to stay away from this debacle, since the fight occurred in another promotion, but when Maldonado’s manager sent an appeal to the WMMAA, asking to reassess the fight outcome, we couldn’t say no. WMMAA’s reputation was on the line as well as that of the Russian MMA scene, too.”
What did the process of choosing the reassessment commission look like and why was head judge Radmir Gabdullin suspended?
VF: “Basically, I had to make Radmir, as the WMMAA’s head judge, responsible for the whole process. However, since he was one of the reasons the appeal surfaced in the first place, the most logical decision was to suspend him temporarily and appoint WMMAA’s Secretary General (Alexander Engelhardt) to handle it.”
Click these links to read WMMAA press releases about this subject: http://wmmaa.org/
In his recent interview, Radmir Gabdullin belittled the significance of WMMAA’s verdict, stating it was all unofficial and that he had never received any appeal.
VF: “There’s nothing to comment about here. It’s a pure lie. I don’t understand what he was trying to accomplish by saying something like this. If necessary, I can show the manager’s e-mail with Russian MMA Union employees, Kamil Gadzhiev and WMMAA employees as recipients. Saying he’s never received an appeal is absurd and a silly excuse.”
At the same time he insulted the professionals that reassessed the fight by calling them incompetent.
VF: “When I read it my first reaction was vast disappointment. How could he, as the official head judge, state something like this towards his colleagues who he knows really well? He used to officiate multiple events with them. Their experience is ten or maybe even hundred times greater than Radmir’s. Marco Broersen has been officiating major European events, including KSW, M-1 Global and many others, for 15 xyoo. He’d been working in this field when Radmir was still in school. It’s a shame for him to say something like that. It’s degrading for both Radmir and the Russian MMA Union.”
Can you explain why 24-year-old Radmir had been chosen to become the head judge in both WMMAA and Russian MMA Union having no experience or appropriate education whatsoever?
VF: “You know, it all started back in 2010-2011, when I decided to start developing amateur MMA in order to provide thousands of young athletes with career opportunities. For that to happen the MMA Union in Russia was necessary, as well as official recognition of Mixed Martial Arts as a sport. It was hard. I had no experience working in a Federation; plenty of paper work. We lacked a qualified staff when we started to look for people. I offered Fedor Emelianenko to be the Union president with me heading the WMMAA. Gabdullin’s name was mentioned by Fedor. He said there was this young and promising guy, let’s see what he can do. I agreed completely, although I realized he had neither experience nor knowledge.”
What was your reaction to Kamil Gadzhiev’s comments claiming in each interview that a draw was the best outcome, but after the result was changed by Sherdog following the WMMAA’s verdict, he changed his mind and promised to call and mail Sherdog to protest its action?
VF: “I had a phone chat with Kamil. He made it clear that he trusts the WMMAA and Russian MMA Union, while repeating his personal opinion that the draw would be the most righteous decision. I don’t know why his words were not consequently supported by his deeds.”
Russian MMA Union has a lot of officials. Yet, no one would comment on the situation, including Fedor himself. Why is that?
VF: “I can’t answer this question. Most important for me is justice and reputation and that holds for Russian MMA and WMMAA, too. I couldn’t choose sides, which is the reason why an international commission of judges was created. No one tried to take the other man’s victory, as some have claimed in comments. As the WMMAA president, I feel ashamed the situation went that far. The vast majority of the leading MMA sites supported the WMMAA’s verdict; Sherdog changed the outcome. Another example is the Match TV poll result, in which 56-percent of Russian voters said Fedor didn’t win the fight. ‘Big’ John McCarthy said it. Sergey Kharitonov,Alexey Oleinik and many others have said the same. People who have been cheering for Fedor for years realized that. And now we have one person stating the opposite, saying our decision is unofficial, that experienced judges have become incompetent in no time, and he’d never received an appeal. That’s a sad situation and we need to handle it appropriately. The world awaits sound and reasoned decisions but gets excuses and lies instead. Our reputation is on the line because of that.”
Schedule of Major 2016 MMA Events
Aug.3-8 – Asian MMA Championship in Hwasun, South Korea
Sept. 14-16 – European MMA Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia
Oct. 7-9 – Inaugural Pan-American Championships in Santiago, Chile
Nov. 18-20 – World MMM Championship in Macau, China
Information
Twitter: @theWMMAA
Instagram: @worldmmaa
SHOWTIME SPORTS® VIDEO FEATURES: LEO SANTA CRUZ FIGHTS FOR HIS AILING FATHER; CARL FRAMPTON AIMS TO REPLICATE SUCCESS OF MENTOR BARRY MCGUIGAN
Santa Cruz Family Opens Up About Father Jose’s Battle With Cancer
YOUTUBE: http://s.sho.com/2aggcKE
DOWNLOAD: https://we.tl/J0vCnh3Bn7
Frampton, & McGuigan Plan For Irish Invasion
YOUTUBE: http://s.sho.com/2aym4k3
DOWNLOAD: https://we.tl/sWZP1GAXgJ
As Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton prepare to collide for one of the top spots in the featherweight division hnub Saturday no, the undefeated fighters have plenty of motivation as they approach their marquee summer blockbuster.
Boxing has always been a family affair for the Santa Cruz clan, with father Jose leading the charge with the assistance of Leo’s brother, Antonio. But a frightening diagnosis of cancer has threatened to prevent Jose from manning Leo’s corner for the first time in his career.
After unifying the super bantamweight division, Frampton moved up to featherweight for his second fight in the U.S. And while the Irish sensation aims to become a two-division world champion, he’s also hoping to become a star in America and follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Hall of Famer Barry McGuigan.
Check out these intimate SHOWTIME Sports features on Santa Cruz and Frampton as they approach a career-defining moment hnub Saturday no, live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. LI/6 p.m. PT) ntawm qhov chaw Barclays hauv Brooklyn.
#SantaCruzFrampton
Daim pib rau cov kev tshwm sim nyob, which is presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Cyclone Promotions, start at $38 and can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.
Undefeated former two-division world champion Mikey Garcia will fight for the first time in two-and-one-half years when he faces Elio Rojas in the co-feature on SHOWTIME. In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast, Harrison Tony thiab Sergey Rabchenko will meet in a 12-round IBF Junior Middleweight Elimination Bout.
An all-Brooklyn showdown between welterweights Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi thiabGabriel “Tito” Bracero highlights the undercard on SHOWTIME BOXING on SHOWTIME EXTREME®. A 10-round clash between once-beaten lightweight Ivan Redkach and streaking Tevin Farmer, a winner of 14 straight, will open the SHOWTIME EXTREME®telecast live at 7 p.m. LI/PT.
Barclays Center’s BROOKLYN BOXING™ programming platform is presented by AARP. For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LeoSantaCruz2, @RealCFrampton, @BarclaysCenter, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment, www.Facebook.com/barclayscenter. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
“SHOOTOUT”IN QUEBEC STEVENSON vs. WILLIAMS WBC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
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Lub Xya hli ntuj 29 airing live on Spike TV from Videotron Centre
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Adonis ”Superman” Stevenson – WBC and lineal light heavyweight world champion:
”Welcome to Québec City Thomas. I saw your fight against Edwin Rodriguez. It was a nice performance with a beautiful KO. When I saw that bout, I told myself I wanted that fight with you. I knew I was going to be motivated.”
”I know Williams hits hard and that he has a name now in the United States, but I keep the same Kronk Gym mentality Emmanuel Steward taught me: we go for the KO. It is also my daughter’s birthday and I want to get her a KO, I am motivated. That will be exciting…don’t blink!”
Thomas ”Top Dog” Hmong/Williams – WBC #8 light heavyweight ranked challenger:
”You don’t know what I have been through to be here. Tweets, talks and predictions won’t mean nothing Hnub vas Xuv hmo ntuj…..facts will. There will be a new champion.”
Eleider ”Storm” Alvarez – WBC #1 ranked challenger and WBC Silver light heavyweight champion:
”With only a 10-day notice, I am really happy to face a fighter of good caliber. Berridge is a tough guy who faced good names like Thomas Oosthuizen and Blake Caparello, but I prepared really hard for Chad Dawson. I am ready.”
Robert ”The Butcher” Berridge – New Zealand light heavyweight champion :
”I am excited to be here and to face a solid boxer. Expect a good performance from me Hnub vas Xuv.”
Yvon Michel – President of GYM:
”The event is called ‘SHOOTOUT’ because of the aggressive style of Thomas Williams Jr, who fights like there is no tag kis, combined with the explosive power of Adonis Stevenson.”
”Williams is a clear and present danger but we are convinced that Adonis is well prepared and will succeed, so that we will all be happy Hnub vas xaum morning while eating breakfast. We still have not seen his full potential yet.’
”The fight between Eleider Alvarez and Robert Berridge is really important for the rankings in the light heavyweight division. Alvarez is highly considered by all the independent rankings (The Ring, BoxRec) and Berridge was already in training before the withdrawal of Chad Dawson, because he was supposed to fight on HBO PPV last weekend before the bout was cancelled for administrative reasons. He is fearless and a hard hitter.”
Tickets for the “SHOOTOUT” event, jointly promoted by GYM and Gestev and presented by Vidéotron, in collaboration with Mise-O-Jeu, start at $50.00 and are on sale and available to purchase at www.ticketmaster.ca, the Videotron Centre Box Office, calling GYM at (514) 383-0666 andthe Champion Boxing club (514) 376-0980, or by dialing 1-855-790-1245
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4TH ANNUAL NEVADA BOXING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY MEET AND GREET; FRIDAY JULY, 29, 2016
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Open To the Public
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LAS VEGAS, NV (Lub Xya hli ntuj 27, 2016) – Tus 4th Annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame Ceremony kicks off this FridayLub Xya hli ntuj, 29, 2016, with a meet and greet at the world renowned Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The daylong event will commence from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and take place at Caesars Palace on the 3lawm floor outside the Palace Ballroom in the pre function area. Boxing champions from past and present will be on hand to sign autographs and take photos with those in attendance. The event is open to the public. Charity donations, which will be donated to local boxing programs, will be accepted during the event.
Rau hnub Saturday Lub Xya hli ntuj, 30, 2016, eleven members of the boxing fraternity will be honored with induction into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. In the boxer category, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mancini, Christy Martin, Pernell Whitaker,Ricardo Lopez thiab Freddie Little will be inducted, and all six have confirmed their attendance. In the non-boxer category, trainers Kenny Adams, Thell Torrence thiab Johnny Tocco are the honorees, and will be joined by boxing writer Tim Dahlberg and broadcaster James “Smitty” Smith. Unfortunately, Tocco passed away in 1997, but all of the others are confirmed to be on-scene for their inductions.
Below are the list and times of the boxing icons that will be present at Friday’s meet and greet.
11am-12pm Ana Julaton – Former 2-time Women’s Super-Bantamweight World Champion
Hasim Rahman – Former 2-time Heavyweight World Champion
Devin Haney – Undefeated Rising Star and Featherweight Phenom
Ishe Smith – Former Super-Welterweight World Champion
Richard Steele – Famed Retired Boxing Referee
12pm-1pm Jesse Vargas – Current WBO Welterweight World Champion
Mike McCallum – Former Light Middleweight, Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion
Verno Phillips – Former 2-time Super-Welterweight World Champion
Leon Spinks – Former 2-time Heavyweight World Champion
Bones Adams – Former Super-Bantamweight World Champion
Terry Norris – Former 3-time Super-Welterweight World Champion
1pm-2pm Laura Serrano – Former Women’s Super-Featherweight World Champion
Ricardo Lopez – Former Minimumweight and Light-Flyweight Champion
Kevin Kelley – Former Featherweight World Champion
Joel Casamayor – Former Super-Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion
Riddick Bowe– Former 3-time Heavyweight World Champion
2pm-3pm Ava Knight – Former 2-time Women’s Flyweight World Champion
James Smith – Boxing Commentator and Host of In The Corner TV show
Badou Jack – Current WBC Super-Middleweight World Champion
Eddie Mustafa Mohammad – Former Light-Heavyweight World Champion
3pm-4pm Christy Martin – Former Women’s Super-Welterweight World Champion
Pernell Whitaker – Former Lightweight, Super-Lightweight and Welterweight World Champion
Zab Judah – Former Super-Lightweight and Welterweight World Champion
Quick Tillis – Former Heavyweight World Title Challenger
Ernie Shavers – Former Heavyweight World Title Challenger
Shawn Porter – Former Welterweight World Champion
4pm-5pm Elena Reid – Former Women’s Flyweight World Champion
Freddie Little – Former Super-Welterweight World Champion
Kenny Adams – Professional Boxing Trainer)
Paulie Ayla – Former Bantamweight and Super-Bantamweight World Champion
Crystina Poncher – Boxing Commentator
Bernardo Osuna – ESPN Boxing Commentator
The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is an IRS 501-c-3 non-profit, charitable organization which donates to boxing-related causes. Ticket purchases, auction or raffle purchases, and donations are tax-deductible.
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Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton Fight Week Media Workout Quotes & Photos
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Greg Cohen Promotions Signs Streaking Bantamweight Contender Elton Dharry to a Promotional Contract
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Australian Top Heavyweight and Uncrowned Champion Lucas Browne Volunteers for WBC Clean Boxing Program
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Lee Baxter Promotions’ “Next Generation” available on Free Stream Live
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Lub Xya hli ntuj 27, 2016) – Lee Baxter Promotions is proud to announce that the inaugural “Next Generation” card taking place Hnub plaub, Lub Xya hli ntuj 28 at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto will air free and live on FRPLive.TV.
Created recently by Lee Baxter himself, the “Next Generation” cards will offer an outlet for boxers who believe they have what it takes to make it to the next level. The majority of the fighters hail from Canada but some will travel from various parts of the world.
From TV shows to live events, concerts, interviews and original content, FRPLive.tv has a wide array of entertainment for their viewers. The website was originated by legendary DJ Funk Master Flex and continues to add new content on a daily basis.
Promoter Lee Baxter said of his first card being aired “I’m glad we can provide entertainment for fight fans around the world free of charge. I believe that there is no better way to introduce all four corners of the globe to our new series and the fighters competing than allowing them to watch it from the comfort of their homes.”
Headlined by a showdown between talented Ontario native Steven Wilcox and Mexico’s Juan Orozco, the telecast for the five fight card starts at 7 pm est and can be seen worldwide athttp://frplive.tv/view-5/?
Sponsored by Everlast, Vonbets, Hardknocks Boxing Club & Labatts Brewery, tickets to the “Next Generation” are on sale now for $45, $55 thiab $65 by logging onto Ticketmaster.Ca. Qhov rooj qhib thaum 6:30 PM and the first fight is scheduled for 7:30.