amateur boxing, Amateur MMA, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

HAITIAN SENSATION WILL MAKE NEF DEBUT ON JUNE 18

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Lewiston, Maine (May 31, 2016) – The Androscoggin Bank Colisée has a storied history of professional boxing inside the arena’s four walls.  On June 18, Russell “The Haitian Sensation” Lamour, Jr. (13-2, 6 KOs) will add the next chapter to that story when he enters the New England Fights (NEF) ring for the first time.  At “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND,” Lamour will make his NEF debut in a middleweight bout against Mexican veteran Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela (69-71-2, 56 KOs).

 

“Definitely excited to be making my NEF debut,” said Lamour.  “NEF does a lot of shows here in Maine, and from what I hear it’s always a packed show.  So I’m looking forward being on this card.  I am excited about fighting at the Colisée ’cause I can then say that I fought in the same building that Muhammad Ali fought in and also that it’s right here at home in Maine.  Fighting here at home again is always a great feeling, especially when you’re fighting in front of the people that support you the most.  Can’t ask for anything better than that when fighting here in your backyard.”

 

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Lamour entered the Portland Boxing Club shortly after graduating from Deering High School in Portland, Maine.  He had a stellar amateur boxing career, finishing with a record of 79-16.  Among his numerous amateur accomplishments, Lamour was a five-time New England regional Golden Gloves champion.  He competed in the semi-pro World Series of Boxing (WSB) where he was the number-one ranked middleweight in the Americas.

 

Lamour’s success carried over to the professional ranks where he won his first 11 bouts.  Over the course of that impressive run, Lamour would capture the vacant USA New England Middleweight Title with a TKO victory over Laatekwei Hammond (21-6) in Lamour’s hometown of Portland, Maine.  Lamour has competed on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights before a national audience.  Last month, he scored a TKO win over Borngod Washington (3-17) in Salem, New Hampshire.  Lamour hopes to make it two in a row with a win over Valenzuela on June 18.

 

“He is a journeymen,” Lamour said of his upcoming opponent. “He’s been fighting for a while and has seen many different styles, but to me he’s just someone else that’s in my pathway that I have to beat to get to where I want to be, so I have to get him out of my way.”

 

Roberto Valenzuela is no stranger to Maine fight fans.  He travelled from his home in Sonora, Mexico to Lewiston, Maine last fall to battle Brandon “The Cannon” Berry (11-1-1).   Valenzuela would lose the bout via unanimous decision, but he impressed all in attendance with his gritty performance, roughing up Berry and cutting him above the eye in the process.  Valenzuela has faced the likes of former world champions Andre Berto (31-4, 24 KOs) and Steve Forbes (35-14, 11 KOs) and current world champion Zahir Raheem (35-3, 21 KOs).  He held the Mexican Pacific Coast Super Featherweight Title from 2003 to 2007.

 

“I am very excited to come back to Maine and fight again,” said Valenzuela through a translator.  “I love New England, and I’ve fought in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island during the course of my career.  I’ve also worked corners in Connecticut and been pulled over for speeding in New Hampshire, so that must count for something.  The last time I was in Maine, I busted open Brandon Berry’s eye and waged a bloody war.  I’m ready to do the same with Russell Lamour.  I hope he’s ready too.”

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on June 18, 2016 with “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”  Tickets for “NEF 24” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.

 

For more information on the events and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

boxing, CBS Boxing, Las Vegas

Old-time Las Vegas grudge match headlines June 10th “Knockout Night at the D” Demond Brock vs. Chuy Gutierrez

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Live on CBS Sports Network
LAS VEGAS (May 31, 2016) –  An old-time grudge match between lightweights Demond “Body Shot” Brock and Chuy “Hurrican” Gutierrez will headline the third installment of the “Knockout Night at the D” series, Friday night, June 10, airing (11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT) live on CBS Sports Network from the outdoor Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC).
The “Knockout Night at the D” series, presented by the D Las Vegas and DLVEC, is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.
“Brock versus Chuy has been a fight in the making for years and now the dream is a reality,” said Keith Veltre, CEO / Co-Founder of Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions.  “As Brock defends his title, Chuy will fight to the end to regain the title that he let lapse.  This fight promises to be an all-out war and the winner will move into a national spotlight.  Thanks to the ‘Knock out Night at the D’ series, Derek Stevenson is giving Las Vegas prospects an opportunity to make a national presence.”
Brock (11-3-1, 4 KOs) will defend his USNBC title against former USNBC lightweight champ Gutierrez (14-0-1, 4 KOs), who never lost his belt in the ring, which has set the stage for this Las Vegas showdown to determine who the USNBC belt  truly belongs to.  Adding fuel to the fire is the fact both fighters train in Las Vegas and have growing fan-bases.
The 35-year-old Brock, who fights out of Kenner, Louisiana, learned to box in the Louisiana State Penitentiary, while serving his 14 ½-year sentence there for armed robbery.  In prison, he won 39 of 40 fights with 17 knockouts, eventually finishing his amateur career with an outstanding 54-3 record.
Last November in El Paso, Texas, the RJJ-promoted Brock upset 9-1-1 Oscar Valenzuela, capturing the vacant WBC United States (USNBC) lightweight title by way of a unanimous 8-round decision.
Gutierrez is from Sinaloa, Mexico, the home of Hall-of-Famer Julio Cesar Chavez among many other top fighters born there.  A love of baseball kept Gutierrez occupied, until, as he says, “boxing found me.”  Gutierrez was attending college at South Nevada and working, still dreaming of becoming a major league baseball player, when he walked into the famed Johnny Tocco’s Ringside Boxing gym at the age of 21.
Bitten by the boxing bug, Gutierrez turned pro in in 2010 and he’s rapidly developed into a fan-friendly fighter, largely due to his aggressive, entertaining style.  In 2014, Gutierrez won an 8-round majority decision over Rashad Ganaway(14-4-1) for the vacant USNBC lightweight crown.
The unbeaten Gutierrez wants his belt back and he’s determined to take it from Brock, who, of course, believes otherwise.  They will settle the score June 10th in the 10-round main event that promises fireworks.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $99.99 VIP ringside, $49.99 ringside, $24.99 and $14.99 general admission (seated), are on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com.  Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:15 p.m. PT.
The “Knockout Night at the D” series was developed in partnership with DLVEC and Neon Star Media.
CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go towww.cbssportsnetwork.com.
FITE will stream all of the June 10th “Knockout Night at the D” preliminary matches worldwide.  In addition, the entire card may be watched on FITE APP outside of North America starting at9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
TITLE Boxing is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D” series.
Idea Design Studio is the main sponsor.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvec, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV, @RoyJonesJrBoxing
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas, @RoyJonesJRBoxing
Follow these fighters on Twitter:  @BodyShotBrock, @ElHurrican88, @jflashgang
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Undefeated Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade Fighting way back to top of Super Welterweight Division

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Demetrious Andrade (photo by Shane Sims / Banner Promotions)
PROVIDENCE (May 31, 2016) — Undefeated super welterweight Demetrious “Boo Boo” Andrade is in a good place as he prepares for his June 11 showdown versus Willie “The Great” Nelson on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from Turning Stone Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Approaching the peak of his professional boxing career, the 28-year-old Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs) has moved past a frustrating three-year stretch that, after he won a 12-round decision over Vanes Masrtirosyan for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) 154-pound world title,  found him fighting only twice.  One was his only title defense, in which he won impressively by way of a seventh-round stoppage of then WBO No. 1 mandatory title challenger Brian Rose.  But, due to promotional issues, Andrade was later stripped by the WBO for inactivity.  His last fight was this past October when he recorded a second-round knockout of Dario Fabian Pucheta for the WBO International belt.
Now, Andrade has a new three-year promotional contract that gives his company, A Team Promotions, 50 percent of his promotional rights to go along with 25 percent each for Banner Promotions and Star Boxing.
“I’ve always been in a good place, mentally, because I have confidence in myself,” said Andrade on what he went through during his long stretch outside of the ring.  “I continued training hard. The politics of boxing, well, I’m not 100 percent there yet.  Not until I’m actually in the ring and fighting will I actually know if that’s worked out for me.
“I’m satisfied in my future, showcasing myself in the ring.  I own 50 percent of myself and that – being a promoter – is a big factor.  I know everything now, including all the real numbers, and I’ve learned about the ins and outs of this business.  I’m also meeting the right network of people to help my career.”
Andrade is thrilled to be fighting on SHOWTIME for the second time during his career, the first back in 2013 on ShoBox: The New Generation against Freddy Hernandez.  “The top 154-pounders are with SHOWTIME.  I’d like to thank SHOWTIME for giving me this amazing opportunity.”
Andrade-Nelson is a 12-round WBC title elimination fight to determine the second mandatory challenger for new WBC Super Welterweight Champion Jermell Charlo, who, as the WBC No. 1 contender was matched last May 21 with No. 2 rated John Jackson.  No. 3 Andrade was originally slated to face No. 5 Charles Hatley in a title eliminator to determine the No. 1 mandatory contender.  However, negotiations with Hatley’s promoter, Don King, failed to materialize and Andrade moved on to fight WBC No. 10 Nelson.  The WBC declared Hatley as Charlo’s mandatory challenger, despite him being ranked lower than Andrade, with the Andrade-Nelson winner now declared the mandatory title challenger for the future Charlo-Hatley victor.
Andrade, though, has no hard feelings with the WBC about its decisions.  “I’m just thankful to be fighting in this ‘tournament’,” he commented.  “Charlo was the WBC International champion and he should have had the opportunity to fight for the vacant title.  I have the WBO International title, Hatley the WBC Silver title, so Hatley should probably have been ranked higher than me by the WBC.  I respect the WBC’s decision to make him the first mandatory challenger.”
Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KOs) and Andrade are familiar with each other through the USA Boxing amateur program, but the two have never met in the ring.
“Nelson lets his hands go,” Andrade noted.  “He likes to mix it up and so do I.  I like to think that I’m a little smarter than him in the ring.  This is going to be an interesting fight.  I respect him for taking the fight and I’m preparing to fight the toughest opponent I’ve ever faced.  He may be the tallest guy (6′ 3″) I’ve ever fought as a pro, but it’s only a few inches, and not a big deal.”
Andrade is back on his way to reaching the peak of the 154-pound division once again.
“I am ready to set the roof on fire on June 11,” Andrade said.  “Once everyone at 154 pounds gets a taste of me, they will know I am the greatest.  The Charlos made history by becoming the first twins to hold titles in the same weight division.  I will make history by beating both of them.  Then I will beat Lara and unify all of the belts.
“Stay tuned.  I am a force to be reckoned with.  I will show the world that the best 154 pound fighter in the world is Demetrius Andrade.”
INFORMATION
Twitter: @AndradeATeam
Instagram:  @BooBooATeam
www.Facebook.com.DemetriusAndrade
boxing

Seldon and Mussachio earn big wins on the Boardwalk

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Capers upsets Kisner; Big wins by Davila, & Johnson

Davis and Maye battle to draw

For Immediate Release

Atlantic City, NJ (May 30, 2016)–This past Friday night at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, Rising Promotions staged it’s third consecutive fight card in front of a large crowd that saw Isiah Seldon defeat Eddie Edmond in the six-round main event.

The middleweight bout highlighted a entertaining six bout card.

Seldon rocked Edmond several times with right hands that had the Newark, New Jersey resident holding on. The grabbing got much more severe and Edmond was deducted a point in round four. In round six, Seldon sealed the fight when he landed a right hand that forced Edmond’s glove to touch the canvas for a knockdown.

Seldon, 156 lbs won by scores of 59-54, 59-53 and 58-54 to raise his record to 9-1. Edmond, 158 lbs is 4-5-2.

In the co-feature, Chuck Mussachio shook off 39 months of ring rust to pound out a six-round unanimous decision over Willis Lockett in a cruiserweight rematch of a draw that occurred almost eight-years ago.
Mussachio was adept with his jab and landed some hard right hands that stunned Lockett. Despite the long layoff, Mussachio was sharp with his punches and reflexes looked on-point as he was only hit with a couple right hands. Mussachio thrilled his fan base that has stood by him throughout his eleven year career and the Lower Cape May Regional High School guidance counselor will look to make one more run at a title fight.

Mussachio, 183 lbs of Wildwood, New Jersey won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 19-3-2. Lockett, 205.3 lbs of Takoma Park, Maryland is 14-17-5.

In an action filled welterweight bout, Quan Johnson made a successful pro debut with a fourth round stoppage over Adrian Wilson in the final scheduled round of their welterweight bout.

Johnson showed fast hands from his southpaw stance and he got off to a good start when a straight left hand in round one landed for a knockdown. Moments later, a hard straight left sent Wilson down for a second time in the opening frame, Wilson began to bleed from his nose in the next round and his troubles worsened when a cut over the right eye formed after another hard left. Wilson showed heart as he fought back hard but, he was outgunned as he tasted the canvas two more times in round four from first a right hook and then finally an accumulation of punches forced the bout to be stopped at 2:15 of round four.

Johnson, 148.6 of Cherry Hill, New Jersey is 1-0 with 1 knockout. Wilson, 147.3 lbs of Atlantic Cuty is 0-3.

Heavyweight’s Quian Davis and Soloman Maye battled to a four round majority draw

Davis boxed but Maye came forward in attempt to make the fight. The judges liked the aggressiveness of Maye and gave him credit for two rounds on two cards ad Davis took a card 39-37 while two read even at 38-38.

Davis, 253 lbs of Mays Landing, New Jersey is now 2-0-2. Maye, 226.7 lbs of New Haven, Connecticut is 1-6-2.

2016 United States Olympic Alternate, LeRoy Davila stopped Dominic Whitehurst in the second round in a scheduled four round bantamweight bout featuring pro debuter’s.

Davila showed quick hands from his southpaw stance and dropped Whitehurst with a body combination in round two. Davila landed a three punch combination to the body to register a second knockdown. Davila ended things when he landed a hard left hand and the fight was stopped at 2:34.
Davila, 116.9 lbs of New Brunswick, New Jersey is now 1-0 with one knockout. Whitehurst, 117.5 lbs of Chillicothe, Ohio is 0-1.

Said Davila’s manager, Pete Festa, “Rising Promotions is the best up and coming promoter in the industry.”

Lamont Capers opened up the show by scoring a eight round split decision over Nick Kisner in a cruiserweight bout.

Capers was effective with the right hand that continued to get through on Kisner. Kisner landed some good shots that made Capers nose bleed, but he wasn’t as consistent or active enough to pile up the rounds. Kisner was deducted a point for holding in round seven.

Capers, 196.2 lbs of Hawley, Pennsylvania won by scores of 77-74 twice, while Kisner took a card 76-75. Capers is now 6-8-2. Kisner, 197.8 lbs of Baltimore, Maryland falls to 16-3-1.

“We are the most active promoter in New Jersey and our mission is bring world class boxing back to the boxing capital of the state and that’s Atlantic City. We are working on bringing TV into the picture in the very near future,” said Rising Promotions Thomas LaManna.

“Debbie LaManna and Rising Promotions have done a tremendous job in trying to restore Atlantic City’s reputation as a boxing town again. They seem to have found a niche by bringing local fighters who have strong fan bases to a great venue like the Claridge,” said prominent boxing writer, Dave Weinberg of The Atlantic City Press.

The next Rising Promotions card will take place on Friday, July 22 at The Claridge Hotel with the return of welterweight contender, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna in the main event.

Facebook.com/risingstarboxing
Instagram: @risingpromo

boxing, Rich Bergeron

A Salute To Our Fallen Heroes

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By: Fight News Unlimited Founder Rich Bergeron

100_2730

This Memorial Day I am reminded of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I wear this quote on the back of my favorite Fight News Unlimited T-shirt, and I truly believe in what it says.

 

Although I graduated from military school and attended The Air Force Academy, Virginia Military Institute and Norwich University (Class of 1999), I did not enter military service, but I did gain a great appreciation for those who did choose that path. One of my fellow Norwich alumni who was on my boxing team always enters my thoughts when I think of those who did make that bold choice to serve their country in a time of war.

 

Captain Anthony Palermo was a true hero, and he is sorely missed by his friends and family. For Tony and all the others who laid down their lives for us, we salute you today and vow that we WILL NEVER FORGET your sacrifice and the impact you made on our lives while you were here and even after you are gone as we remember the better days and smile. Here is a tribute I gave to Tony at a Battle of the Badges event a few years ago. To learn more about Tony, Click Here.

 

 

amateur boxing, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

MILITARY VETERANS TO FEATURE PROMINENTLY ON NEF 24 PRO MMA CARD

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Lewiston, Maine (May 30, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF) presents “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND” at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston on June 18, 2016.   On that night, two military veterans will be featured in professional mixed-martial-arts (MMA) bouts.  Mike “The Mustache” Hansen (4-4) will compete in a heavyweight bout while CJ Ewer (1-0) will see action in the welterweight division.

 

Mike Hansen won two state wrestling championships competing for Mountain Valley High School (MVHS) in Rumford, Maine.  Shortly after graduation, Hansen began training in MMA and made his debut in the sport in 2005.  He would, however, put his MMA career on the backburner for the next decade to enlist and serve his country as a combat engineer in the United States Army.  After retiring from the Army, Hansen returned to Maine and opened Berserkers MMA in Rumford, where he trains other MVHS alum to compete in the NEF cage.  OnJune 18, Hansen will face Robert Laroski (1-1).

 

“I hope he’s been training, ’cause I’ve been active starting this year,” said Hansen.  “I’m looking for a win coming off my last fight.  I will find his weaknesses and exploit them.  I’m looking for the finish, and it won’t take long.  Just over 51 years ago, (Muhammad) Ali got the first round, first minute stoppage over (Sonny) Liston right at the Colisee.  My fight will end in similar fashion, under the same roof.”

 

CJ Ewer is a proud member of the United States Air Force security forces.  When he is not overseas serving his country, Ewer can be found back home in the Bangor, Maine area training at Young’s MMA.  After a successful amateur career, he submitted Zenon Herrera in his pro debut earlier this year.  On June 18, Ewer will take on “The Fresh Prince” Phil Rowe (1-2) from Florida.

 

NEF returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine on June 18, 2016 with “NEF 24: PROMISED LAND.”  Tickets for “NEF 24” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525.

 

For more information on the events and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com.  In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

 

About New England Fights

 

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

Former World Champion Miguel Vazquez Earns Unanimous Decision Over Erick Bone in the Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes SaturdayNight from  The Dancehall in San Antonio

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Rising Featherweight Miguel Flores Remains Unbeaten with Victory Over 
Mexican Veteran Ruben Tamayo
 
Click HERE for Photos from Ryan Greene/Premier Boxing Champions
(Photos to Be Added Shortly) 
 
SAN ANTONIO (May 29, 2016) – Former world champion Miguel “Titere” Vazquez (36-5, 13 KOs) defeated Ecuador’s Erick Bone (16-4, 8 KOs) in a 10-round battle that headlined Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Saturday night from the Dancehall in San Antonio.
The former champion from Mexico worked behind a strong jab and brought the fight to Bone throughout the main event. Bone was able to return fire and was effective at times when countering.
The jab of Vazquez eventually led to success with the right hand that was able to hurt his opponent and keep the battle-tested Bone from building momentum.
Both fighters landed at a nearly identical rate as Vazquez connected on 22 percent of his punches while Bone landed 21 percent. However, it was Vazquez with the advantage in punches landed at 94 to 74.
The fight featured many close rounds, which was reflected by the varied scores of the judges. In the end, all three had the fight for Vazquez by scores of 99-91, 97-93 and 96-94.
In the co-main event, rising featherweight Miguel Flores (20-0, 9 KOs) kept his record perfect as he defeated Mexican veteran Ruben Tamayo (26-9-4, 18 KOs) in their 10-round bout.
Facing a southpaw for the first time as a professional, Flores had some trouble early with the game Tamayo who was able to penetrate the defense of the 23-year-old with left hands while also opening a cut with an accidental head butt in round two.
As the fight went on Flores showed improved movement and a variety of effective punches that allowed him to take control of the fight. Most notably, Flores used a bruising left hook to the body that left Tamayo marked up and slowed down his offense.
Both fighters threw over 550 punches but it was Flores who out landed his opponent 175-121. The judges rewarded the still undefeated fighter with the unanimous decision by scores of 100-90 and 98-92 twice.
Here is what the main event fighters had to say Saturday:
MIGUEL VAZQUEZ
“I wanted to throw the heavier punches because I thought I could win by knockout, but that didn’t happen. There was an overhand right in the eighth round that I thought hurt him badly.
“He was an elusive fighter and survived, so there are still things that I have to work on.
“There was some difficulty adjusting to the late opponent switch, but overall, no problem. I had been sparring southpaws as well as right-handers.
“If I could have followed up on some of the hooks and overhand rights, I could have gotten him out of there.
“I’ve always wanted to fight Adrien Broner. I want to make that.”
ERICK BONE
“Vazquez was awkward and hard to fight. I gave it my all in there.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting back in the gym and working on some things before I return to the ring.”
PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes was promoted by Leija Battah Promotions and TGB Promotions.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, TGBPromotions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TitereVazquez, @LeijaBattahPR, @TGBPromotions @FS1, @FOXDeportes, @CowboysDanceHal and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsportsand www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. PBC on FS1 and FOX Deportes was sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA

M-1 Challenge 66 Viktor Nemkov vs. Rashid Yusopov M-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Championship May 27, 2016 * Orenburg City, Russia

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Presents
 
Yusopov upsets Nemkov to become new
M-1 Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion
 
Puetz decisions Seledtsov
M-1 CHALLENGE 66 OFFICIAL RESULTS
New M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Rashid Yusopov
ORENBURG CITY, Russia (May 28, 2016) – Last night’s M-1 Challenge 66 event had its share of upsets, leading with a main event split decision victory by Rashid Yusopov over defending M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov, in Orenburg City, Russia.
Former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz took a unanimous 3-round decision from Andrey Seledtsov in the co-feature.
Russian challenger Yusopov (7-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0) won a hard fought 5-round split decision over defending champion Nemkov (23-6-0, M-1: 14-5-0), fighting out of Russia by way of Kazakhstan, who was making his initial title defense.
Nemkov had captured the coveted M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title this past December, taking a 5-round decision from defending champion Puetz, who had won a 5-round split decision April, 2014 against Nemkov for the title.  Nemkov is a two-time M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion having defeated Vasily Babich (WSUB3 – arm-lock) for the vacant title that he then lost in his first title defense to Puetz.
 
The 23-year-old Yusupov was riding a 4-fight win streak going into his fight with Nemkov.  A former Russian, European and World Amateur MMA champion, Yusupov is known as a dangerous striker whose signature moves are powerful kicks.
Puetz vs. Seledtsov was billed as “Terminator” vs. “Spetsnev” and it lived up to its name as Puetz won a unanimous 3-round decision.   Puetz, of Germany, had successfully defended his M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title twice, after beating Nemkov in their original championship match, against Luis Fernando Miranda (SUB2 – choke) August 15, 2014 atM-1 Challenge 50, and Valery Myasnikov (KO/TKO2 – punches) December 17, 2014 atM-1 Challenge 54. In a non-title fight this past May, Puetz stopped then-M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin Tybura in the third round due to a severely damaged broken nose.
Seledtsov, 28, is a former Spetsnev solider known for his powerful boxing, combat samba and MMA background.  A local White-Rex promotion champion, the Russian was making his M-1 Global debut.
 
In other M-1 Challenge 66 fights, Damir Ismagulov (7-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0) stopped Georgian lightweight Raul Tutarauli (6-3-0, M-1: 3-1-1) near the end of the third round on punches, American bantamweight Josh “The Finisher” Rettinghouse (13-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0) made an impressive M-1 Global debut when the doctor stopped his fight against BelarussianVadim Zhlobich (4-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0) in the opening round, Timur Nagibin (8-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0) won a 3-round decision over fellow Russian countryman Mikhail Korobkov (9-1-1, M-1: 0-1-1), and Russian featherweight Movsar Evloev (3-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0) punched outAlexander Krupemkin (1-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), fighting out of Ukraine.
Complete results & photo gallery below:
 
MAIN CARD
M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
RASHID YUSOPOV (7-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia
WDEC5
VIKTOR NEMKOV (23-6-0, M-1: 14-5-0), Russia by way of Kazakhstan
(Yusopov M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
STEPHAN PUETZ (14-2-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Germany
WDEC3
ANDREY SELEDTSOV (5-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
DAMIR ISMAGULOV (7-2-0, M-1: 3-2-0), Russia by way of Kazakhstan
WKO/TKO3 (Punches – 3:49)
RAUL TUTARAULI (6-3-0, M-1: 3-1-0), Georgia
BANTWAMWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
JOSH RETTINGHOUSE (13-4-0, M-1: 1-0-0), United States
WKO/TKO1 (Doctor Stoppage – 3:10)
VADIM ZHLOBICH (4-3-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Belarus
FEATHERWEIGHTS – 3 X 5
TIMUR NAGIBIN (8-1-0, M-1: 3-0-0), Russia
WDEC3
MIKHAIL KOROBKOV (9-1-1, M-1: 0-1-1), Russia
MOVSAR EVLOEV (3-0-0, M-1: 3-0-0)
WKO/TKO1 (Punches – 4:09)
ALEXANDER KRUPEMKIN (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Ukraine
 

Yusopov strikes Nemkov
 

(L-R) – Yusopov & Nemkov
 

(L-R) — Yusopov & Nemkov
 

(L-R) — Puetz & Seledtsov
 

Vadim Zhlobich fight vs. Josh Rettinghouse was stopped by the doctor due to these cuts
 

Nagibin & Korobkov
 
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June 16, 2016 – M-1 Challenge 68: Shlemenko vs. Vasilevsky @ St. Petersburg, Russia
 
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boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Ruslan Provodnikov – John Molina Jr. media workout videos and interviews

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ERONA, N.Y. (May 27, 2016) — This past Tuesday former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion Ruslan Provodnikov and John Molina Jr. held media workouts at The Fortune Gym in Los Angeles, Calif. in advance of their Saturday, June 11th clash.
.Provodniov and Molina will headline a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader from the Turning Stone Resort Casino. The event will be be televised live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
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Ruslan Providnikov media interview
Ruslan Providnikov media interview
Ruslan Provodnikov media workout
Ruslan Provodnikov media workout
John Molina Media Day interview
John Molina Media Day interview
John Molina media workout
John Molina media workout
Provodnikov vs. Molina Jr. also features a WBC Super Welterweight Elimination bout between Demetrius Andrade and Willie Nelson and a battle for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Championship between No. 1 Dejan Zlaticanin against No. 2 Emiliano Marsili.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Banner Promotions, Inc., are priced at $85, $60, $45 and $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com.
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Turning Stone Resort Casino is no stranger to hosting high caliber nationally televised boxing events. Last year, Turning Stone hosted the epic battle between Provodnikov and Matthysee, selected over arenas in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami. When Provodnikov returns to Turning Stone on June 11th, it will mark Turning Stone’s 18th nationally-televised boxing event, cementing the resort as a mecca for knockout fights. Located in Upstate New York, Turning Stone is an award-winning destination resort, offering world-class amenities including four hotels, 21 restaurants and dining options, two luxurious spas, 1,200 square foot Las Vegas style gaming floor, five beautiful golf courses, and several bars, cocktail lounges and nightlife venues.
Visit Banner Promotions at www.banner-promotions.com, follow on Twitter at @BannerBoxing, follow on Instagram at @BannerBoxing, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BannerPromotions, follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/banner-promotions-inc-?trk=biz-companies-cym, and watch on Youtube at www.youtube.com/user/bannervideo.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

For Turning Stone Resort Casino: www.turningstone.com ; Twitter: @turningstone ; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningStoneResort/

mixed martial arts, MMA, UFC, wrestling

Olympian and UFC champion Daniel Cormier named Honorary Chairman of Wrestling World Cup in Los Angeles, June 11-12

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Daniel Cormier, a two-time Olympian in men’s freestyle wrestling and current UFC light heavyweight champion, will serve as the Honorary Chairman of the 2016 World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling, set for The Forum in Los Angeles, June 11-12.

Cormier will be supporting the promotional efforts for the World Cup (wrestlingworldcup.com) and encouraging the public to come out to see the action, which will feature the top eight men’s freestyle nations in action.

The U.S. World Cup team will include all six of the 2016 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestlers. Many of the other nations will also include their 2016 Olympic athletes on their rosters.

“It is a great opportunity. You get to see guys in the final stages of their preparation. During off-Olympic years, you may get to see guys who are not peaked. This is in the phase of when they are peaking for the Olympic Games, two months before the competition. The foreign wrestlers will also be in peak condition. Not only will you get to see our guys at their best, but you get to see them competing against some of the best wrestlers in the world at their peak. It is very rare that we get that kind of opportunity here in the United States,” said Cormier.

This is the third straight year which the World Cup has been held in Los Angeles and hosted at The Forum. Cormier joins two other former wrestlers and major public figures who have served as Honorary Chairman of the World Cup.

In 2014, award-winning actor Billy Baldwin was the Honorary Chairman. In 2015, Stephen Neal, a World champion wrestler and three-time Super Bowl champion with the NFL New England Patriots, served as the Honorary Chairman.

Cormier had a successful career in international freestyle wrestling. He was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team, which competed in Athens, Greece, as well as the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, which competed in Beijing, China. Cormier placed fourth at the 2004 Olympic Games. He was a 2007 World bronze medalist and placed fifth in the 2003 World Championships. He wrestled on six straight U.S. World or Olympic Teams, and won six straight U.S. Open national titles.

Cormier, who follows international wrestling closely in spite of his busy schedule as a UFC athlete and a television commentator, is excited about the U.S. team which will compete at the World Cup and at the Olympic Games.

“We have an amazing team this year. A chance to see them live is something you can’t get back after it’s gone. We have one of the better Olympic teams that we have had in a long time,” said Cormier.

A native of Lafayette, La., Cormier was a two-time NJCAA Junior College national champion for Colby CC in Kansas. He went on to Oklahoma State, where he placed second in the 2001 NCAA Div. I Championships, competing for two-time Olympic champion John Smith.

The 37-year-old Cormier trains at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose alongside fellow UFC standouts such as Cain Velasquez and Luke Rockhold. Since moving to California, he has been impressed by the quality of the wrestling and the culture of the sport in the state.

“Wrestling in California is huge. The state championships draws massive numbers. I have a youth wrestling club, and every weekend, we wrestle in massive tournaments. The kids get to wrestle five, six times a weekend. In the LA area, this is a big deal, for people to be able to see wrestling at such a high level. The last time I was at the World Cup at the Forum, it was amazing. You can feel the history of the building. The team went out and had a fantastic performance. It will be a big crowd. People should not miss this opportunity to see the best in the world,” said Cormier.

Cormier won a silver medal at the 2005 World Cup which was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

“It is the history of the event that make it special. It dates back as far as I can remember. Some of the greatest American wrestlers have won the World Cup. It is a very prestigious event. The World Cup is different than other international events. It brings you back to your days in high school wrestling and college wrestling when you wrestle in dual meets. Your result directly affects the team and its ability to win. I only wrestled in one World Cup, with six years on the World Team and eight years on the national team. It was a great experience,” said Cormier.

He is excited that wrestling, his favorite sport, will be showcased once again in Los Angeles, the U.S. bid city for the 2024 Olympic Games. Having been on two Olympic teams (2004 in Athens and 2008 in Beijing), Cormier would to see the Olympics hosted in the United States once again.

“LA right now is a great sports city. The World Cup will show that Olympic sports can draw people. We have not had an Olympics in LA since 1984. If the Olympics go back to LA, it will be great. LA is a huge city, a sports city. The people in LA would love it. This is a chance to show that the city can host an Olympic-level competition and be successful. Los Angeles is so diverse. You have everybody in Los Angeles. You have a ton of different cultures in the LA area,” said Cormier.

Cormier has excelled in his Mixed Martial Arts career, compiling an impressive 17-1 record while competing at heavyweight and light heavyweight.

Cormier will not be able to attend the World Cup this year due to training. Cormier is currently preparing for the UFC light heavyweight title fight against Jon “Bones” Jones at UFC 200, which will be held in Las Vegas, Nev. on July 9. This is a huge fight, as both of these former wrestlers have held the UFC title belt during their careers. Jones beat Cormier in their only previous battle by decision, a title match during UFC 182 on January 3, 2015.

“Preparation is going great. I have had Ed Ruth in training camp to wrestle, Deron Winn in training camp to wrestle. I’ve got a kid from Iowa State coming in to wrestle also. I am wrestling with the best guys I can find to emulate Jon Jones. (Khadjimurad) Gatsalov of Russia was the best wrestler I ever wrestled, but he didn’t have the type of style and the funky ability of Jones. Ed Ruth is a wiry, tricky wrestler. I am bringing in guys who can give me that feel. I was outwrestled the last fight. He pushed me against the fence and took me down two or three times. That is not happening again,” said Cormier.

Cormier has helped with the World Cup in Los Angeles in the past, serving as the Honorary U.S. Team Captain in 2014, sitting with the team mat side and providing support to the athletes and coaches.

The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championships, as the eight best men’s freestyle teams will compete against each other. At the 2016 World Cup, the United States will be joined by (alphabetically): Azerbaijan, Georgia, India, Iran, Mongolia, Russia and Turkey. Lineups for the other seven teams in the World Cup will be announced shortly.

The United States is slated to face Iran, Azerbaijan and India in Group B competition. Russia headlines a tough Group A pool that also includes Georgia, Turkey and Mongolia.

Attendees can purchase tickets for the popular international competition through Ticketmaster.

FREESTYLE WRESTLING WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 11

Session I – Round 1 & 2 of Pools (3 p.m.-7:30 p.m.)

Sunday, June 12

Session II – Round 3 of Pools, 5th & 7th Place Matches (11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)

Session III – 3rd Place Match, followed by 1st Place Match (5 p.m.-7:30 p.m.)

General admission for both the Saturday and Sunday sessions are just $60 total or $35 for individual days. Preferred seating options are available for $85 for both Saturday and Sunday, or $55 individually.

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