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BREAZEALE TO JOSHUA: “LET’S DO THIS!”
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Upland, California (April 22, 2016) – Nearly three months after an exciting victory in the inaugural Premier Boxing Champions on Fox series, Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale (17-0, 15 KO’s) finds himself sitting on the cusp of a shot at the world title against newly crowned IBF world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KO’s). What has transpired for Breazeale in the last four months, has been nothing short of the irony in how he has reached this point to possibly fight Joshua; is his fate as he sees it.
Back in December of 2015, Breazeale was scheduled to fight Charles Martin in a battle of undefeated American heavyweights. Martin then withdrew from the bout to preserve a title shot against Vyacheslav Glazkov in which he later won. Breazeale went on to fight heavyweight veteran Amir Mansour a month later and after courageously getting up from the canvas, stopped Mansour on his stool prior to the 6th round.
“You know, the incident with Martin was really disappointing as we had trained hard for that bout. To show up fight week physically and mentally prepared for the bout and then it’s all of a sudden called off, is just discouraging. But I trusted in my adviser Al Haymon and he put something together for me quickly.”
“Later the Mansour bout was scheduled and it was a tough fight, but I learned a lot from it. During and after the fight, I realized that I had to use basic fundamentals. He caught me with a good shot but I got off the canvas and started to box him. Only the best of best heavyweights get off the canvas and finish the fight the way I did. Mansour was never stopped before and I clearly showed I have the power needed to stop fighters, and after I broke his jaw, I don’t think he’s ever going to want to fight again,” said Breazeale.
Breazeale, was then scheduled to fight Chris Arreola on April 30th and received disappointing news that Arreola had fractured his ankle and could no longer move forward with the bout. “When I first heard about it, I thought to myself not again, and I was upset that another fight was cancelled, but it was a blessing in disguise,” Breazeale said.
Two weeks later, Anthony Joshua would obliterate Charles Martin and claim the IBF world heavyweight title. “Charles Martin got what he deserved and was totally outclassed by Anthony Joshua. Joshua did what he had to do. Martin wasn’t even developed or prepared for the bout. He was soft and slow and you can’t do that in the heavyweight division,” said Breazeale.
Breazeale, who is now ranked #13 by the IBF, is being considered to fight Joshua in his first title defense, and he hopes that he gets a shot at the world heavyweight title and is chosen for the bout. “When I first heard that I was possibly going to fight Joshua for the title I was extremely excited. I have been thinking about this daily. This is an opportunity that every fighter dreams and hopes of. I’m sure Joshua felt the same way when he first found out he was going to fight Martin for the title. The only difference is that I am not going to lay down like Charles did and hand the belt over.”
“Hey Anthony Joshua! LET’S DO THIS! This a great fight for the heavyweight division and the fans. We are both 2012 Olympians, undefeated, and pack a punch. The United States of America versus Great Britain. I want to go back to London and finish what I didn’t in 2012. Instead of the gold medal, I want the IBF title, and I guarantee you I’m bringing it back to the United States where it belongs!,” said Breazeale.
“Here Comes Trouble“
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ANDREY KORESHKOV LOOKS TO SPOIL HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED BELLATOR MMA DEBUT OF BENSON HENDERSON AT ‘BELLATOR 153’ ON SPIKE TOMORROW
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (April 21, 2016) – Following weigh-ins for “Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” competitors on Thursday, all fights are set to take place inside the cage at the Mohegan Sun Arena tomorrow on Spike.
Headlined by a welterweight world title bout between Andrey “Spartan” Koreshkov (18-1) and Benson “Smooth” Henderson (23-5), the main card is primed to entertain. The card is loaded with young talent, including 28-year-old welterweight star Michael “Venom” Page (9-0), who will put his unblemished record on the line against Jeremie Holloway (7-1).
In addition, “Bellator 153: Henderson vs. Koreshkov” also features Brennan Ward (13-3) going to battle against “Cyborg” Santos (20-16), Patricio “Pitbull” Friere (24-3) versus Henry Corrales (12-2) and Brent Primus (6-0) meeting “Toninho Furia” (27-5).
“Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and airs live and free on Spike at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App. In addition, stay tuned immediately following the event, the debut of “Bellator Kickboxing: Torino” takes place at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Tickets for the event start at just $30 and remain on sale now at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com and the Mohegan Sun Box Office.
BAMFORD & GULLIVER: A FIRST CLASS FRIENDSHIP FORGED THROUGH FIRE
Lewiston, Maine (April 21, 2016) – Bryce Bamford (1-0) and Nick Gulliver (2-0) share a bond that was built by spilling blood and sweat together in Brazilian Jit Jitsu gyms across Maine and New England. When they enter the NEF cage together on Saturday night in Lewiston at “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” it will be the culmination of a combat sports friendship that goes back almost a decade.
“Let’s just call him ‘The Hulk,’ since he is a machine on the ground and strong as an ox,” Gulliver, a police officer by trade, joked when asked about his gym partner and confidant, Bamford. “’The Hulk’ and I have been training together for a long time… He is a one of a kind training partner. If I look at him and say that I need help with something, he will help me in any way that he can. He has everything you want in a training partner and a friend. He is a great guy and I’m so happy I can train with someone like Bryce.”
Bamford and Gulliver first met several years ago at Fitness Styles, originally located in Livermore Falls, Maine. “It was more just ‘go and punch each other’ and it was a little wild,” Gulliver recalled. Soon after, Bamford moved his training over to The Foundry in Farmington, Maine where he began focusing on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in earnest. Before long, Bamford recruited Gulliver to join him at The Foundry where the two have remained loyal training partners. “Best thing I could have done,’ Gulliver stated. “I’ve been training with Bryce ever since.”
Last year, Gulliver, who currently holds the rank of purple belt in BJJ, began cross-training at John Raio’s First Class MMA in Topsham and returned the favor to Bamford by pulling him over to Raio’s gym where the two began supplementing their BJJ studies with rigorous mixed martial arts (MMA) training. Immediately finding that the sport was a fit for both of them, Gulliver was the first to test his MMA skills in the NEF cage. He made his debut last June at “NEF 18: MADE IN AMERICA” and finished Ora Spratt (0-2) via submission in the first round.
“One of the most memorable moments that I have of Bryce was after my first MMA fight,” Gulliver recalled. “Bryce came down to speak with me and he congratulated me on my first win. I looked at him and thanked him for all the help that he has given me over the past few years. Then I said to him: ‘Now it’s your turn.’ He looked at me and shook his head. I could tell he was hooked at that moment. But he said, ‘My mom came and watched you and loved it, but I don’t think she can handle watching me fight.’ I laughed because I knew that it wouldn’t be long before he would be in the cage fighting next to me.”
Gulliver was right.
Bamford, 40, a dedicated father and family man, runs a slasher at Palletone in Livermore Falls during his day job. The soft spoken, yet charismatic heavyweight currently holds the rank of Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As complimentary as Gulliver is of him, Bamford equally values Gulliver’s work ethic and the deep bond that the two share. “When Nick sets a goal, he doesn’t stop until he gets there,” Bamford stated. “He is relentless.”
After witnessing Gulliver’s stellar debut in the NEF hexagon, Bamford felt the itch to follow his friend’s lead and challenge himself in the ultimate proving ground. “I blame Nick for the fact that I am stepping into the cage and not sitting up in the stands drinking cold beer with everyone else,” laughed Bamford.
Bamford made his NEF debut in November 2015 at “NEF XX: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE.” He needed only 19 seconds to stop his opponent that night.
“Bryce is 40 years old, but that number means nothing—just ask anyone who has grabbed ahold of him,” Gulliver stated. “If he would have got involved in this sport 20 years ago, no one would have touched him if he was training the way he trains today. He’s the first guy in the gym and the last guy out. That is why his age means nothing. He has heart and a lot of it. I respect a guy with the outlook on life like Bryce Bamford has. He can teach us all something.”
This weekend, Bamford and Gulliver are set to take to the cage again. Bamford is scheduled to face a man ten years younger than him in Joe Krech (0-1) and Gulliver is set to take on his biggest challenge to date when he faces former multiple-time state champion wrestler Dave Smith (2-1) from Beserkers MMA in Rumford, Maine.
“’All Roads Lead Here’ is a title so fitting for a story like the one between Bryce and I,” Gulliver stated. “Every day we have been training—every time we make each other bleed or sweat or tired—it all leads up to April 23rd. This is why we push each other—for opportunities like this.”
Leading into this weekend’s blockbuster event, there are strong rumors that this could be Bamford’s last MMA fight. At 40-years old and with a loving wife and child at home, there are other interests that the camping and motorcyclist enthusiast is passionate to pursue. If NEF 22 is in fact the last time that the two storied training partners take to the cage together, they intend to capitalize on the opportunity to solidify their martial arts history with a pair of wins on Saturday.
“In 20 years from now, I can see Bryce and I talking about this fight, drinking a beer,” Gulliver stated in closing. “We won’t talk about how much work we put into the fight, or how many hours we trained, or how many times we kicked each other’s asses—but we will talk about the fun time we had in that moment. Some things in life, you don’t forget. Times like this upcoming weekend are one of those moments. I’m glad I can share that with Bryce.”
New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place this Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF 22” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event 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.
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES FROM NORTHPORT, ALABAMA
“When we step in that ring, nothing is acceptable but a knockout. And I’m looking to knock him out.” – Deontay Wilder
Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) Defends Against Mandatory Challenger
Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) One Month From Today
Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) One Month From Today
on May 21 in Moscow, Russia
NORTHPORT, ALA. (April 21, 2016) -Undefeated WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder hosted a media workout Tuesday at the Skyy Gym in Northport, Ala. as he prepares to become the first reigning American heavyweight champion to travel to Russia to defend his title.
In exactly one month, on Saturday, May 21, Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala., will put his world title on the line against mandatory challenger and native Russian,Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs), in Moscow.
Here’s what Wilder said at his Media Workout day on Tuesday:
DEONTAY WILDER
(On his expectations going to Russia…)
“My expectation is, of course, to win. To come back with that victory for America. This is a big fight, not just for myself, for America. It’s like Russia vs. America. I’ve been getting nothing but positive feedback from fans all over. Even if they weren’t a fan of Deontay Wilder they are now for this very fight. Hopefully I can win them over to stay a fan of Deontay Wilder after this fight. I think it’s a great fight. I think it’s a great thing that we’re going over to Russia defending my title in somebody else’s backyard.
“Like I said before, it’s easier for me to fight here in American but that’s not what it’s all about to me. When I have a title that says the heavyweight champion of the world, I want to travel all over the world to defend my title. I’m living my dream, I’m getting an opportunity to do that with this fight. I’m looking forward to Russia and I want to tell Russia,’Here I come.’ “
(What it means to be the first heavyweight champion to fight in Russia…)
“It means a lot. It makes me even closer to my faith. God doesn’t make mistakes in lives. He doesn’t make a mistake in my life, your life or anybody else. Things happen for a reason and they happen at the right time in your life. Things may not come when you want it, but when they come it’s right on time. The things that have been accumulating throughout my career, it’s been amazing. How I’ve been able to make history, beat other records, and continue to make history. It’s amazing. I just want to know what else he has in store for my life. If it’s continuously history being made, what’s next? I’m excited.
“I can’t wait to see how my life unfolds at the end of my career. What happens at the end of Deontay Wilder when it’s time for him to say I’ve done all I’ve done in this sport and I don’t want to do it anymore. I want to see how much ground I can cover for those that have come before me.”
(How you predict the fight going…)
“I predict the fight as being a punishment in the first round and then knocking him out. All heavyweights want to knock somebody out so we have to say we’re going to knock them out. This is the cream of the crop division. The heavyweights. The hard-hitters. The heavy hitters, as they say. When we step in that ring, nothing is acceptable but a knockout. And I’m looking to knock him out.”
(On if he’s reached his peak…)
“Not at all and that’s the scary part about it. I haven’t even reached my peak yet and I’m still learning on the way up. I want to always learn. Each and every fight brings experience to me. It brings something that I’ve taken away from that fight and that I’ve added to the next fight. Looking forward to being very crisp and very good in this fight and showing people a little bit more of what Deontay Wilder is capable of. Especially those who haven’t seen anything thus far yet, stay tuned to this fight. This is one you don’t want to miss.”
(On unifying the titles in the future…)
“Most definitely. I really feel when I say that I will be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, I don’t just say it to say it, but I also feel it inside me, deep inside me that I will be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and add my name to the few undisputed champions that have come before me. My name will be placed in history on that. Why wouldn’t it? All the things I’ve done up to now, that will be the icing on my cake to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. I won’t stop, no matter how many hours I have to put in. No matter how many fights that I have to take. No matter how many countries I have to visit to defend my title. I will be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.”
(On concerns about going to Russia…)
“I don’t have any concerns. I don’t let my brain sit back and think about if I don’t knock him out or are they going to rob me, or anything like that. I just don’t want my mind to be on that when I’m in a fight. I want to have a clear mind. I want to go in there and do what Deontay is capable of doing. Like I said, all things are in God’s hands and if it’s in his will for me to win, it’s going to happen. If not then, I don’t stop there. My legacy is not going to stop there. But I’m very confident in what I’m about to do and what I’m going to do, and we all know that if we knock him out then we don’t have to worry about that. So of course that’s going to be my priority on my list – to knock him out.”
Official Boxing Fan Fest To Be Held Before Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto PBC on FOX Super Fight At StubHub Center In Carson, Calif.
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AUSTIN TROUT: ‘I’M GOING TO TAKE THAT BELT’
Former World Champion Heads to Las Vegas
For 154-Pound Title Showdown May 21
Against Jermall Charlo Live on SHOWTIME®
At The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
‘I don’t see this being a boring fight; he’s going to bring it, I’m going to bring it’ – Austin Trout
Click HERE For Photos From Dave Nadkarni/PBC
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 20, 2016) – Austin Trout (30-2, 17 KOs), the former super welterweight world champion, is ready to collect his second world title on Saturday, May 21 when he meets IBF Junior Middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo in a 12-round match live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) from The Chelsea, a one-of-a-kind 40,000-square-foot venue inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
“It’s my time,” said Trout. “My focus is amplified 10-fold. I’m the confident, happy Austin that fans know, but trust me, when it’s fight time I’m ready for any dogfight that comes. You’ll see Austin bring out and defeat the ‘Lion’ in him because at the end of the day I’m taking that belt.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $39, and are available online at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000and www.ticketmaster.com.
Born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Trout is trained by Barry Hunter and Louie Burke of Headbangers Gym in Washington D.C. Having started boxing at the age of 10, his natural talent and the ability to grow into the sport took Austin across the United States and Latin America in the amateur divisions and then into the pros. Known as one of the fiercest gentlemen competitors in the sport, he beat the likes of Miguel Cotto, Rigoberto Alvarez and Delvin Rodriguez, before losing his title to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Trout comes into May 21 looking to claim a title in a division he’s been a true threat within for his career.
You’ve said you’ve been led to this fight, why is it important?
“Coming off of four consecutive wins, I’m not just on a comeback streak but I’m taking a full step forward. Charlo is the champ, this fight is about no more half stepping. It’s about taking on the best. Isn’t that what it’s about, being the best?”
How is camp going?
“I physically feel great. I’m really comfortable with Barry, it’s my fourth camp with the Headbangers team; Luis is there as well. Luis helps me with pre-camp and then I shift to D.C.
“I was already in D.C. getting camp started when the rumors about this fight came true. I had been at the gym at home for pre-camp for a month and a half before hitting D.C. I was working out five times a week, running every day just getting the program going. As I said, no half-stepping. I’m already sparring, doing the work, getting right. I’m not walking through it but running and trotting through it. I’m 30, I’m at my physical peak, my talent couldn’t be any better.”
Talk about the fight and what to expect?
“Neither one of us is going out without a fight, so I don’t see this being a boring fight. It’s time for people to remember me. I’ve earned this championship shot against an undefeated bull like Jermall Charlo but I will take his belt. “
Your first professional loss was against ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in San Antonio in 2013. What are your thoughts on that fight?
“I had a good, competitive fight with Saul – it felt like a unification bout – I was WBA champion and he was WBC champion. The open scoring was more detrimental to my game plan thea the judges! During the fight when I was told that I wasn’t winning on anyone’s cards I had to change my game plan. It was a dogfight. Canelo never had to box and move that much before in a fight.
“But, live and learn. Instead of walking into a fight like that I listened to those around me. No more surprises. This Charlo fight is a fight I want, a fight my team wants and we’re ready. I’m a more mature, focused champion who’s coming back. I’m dangerous – I have experience, talent and God on my side.”
For more information visit www.sports.sho.com andwww.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @LaraBoxing, @VanesBoxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @NoDoubtTrout, @TwinCharlo, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxingand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions
Mayweather Promotions Stars Chris Pearson & Sharif Bogere Headline Undercard Action In Separate Bouts Saturday, April 30 From The DC Armory In Washington, D.C.
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M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Viktor Nemkov to defend title vs. Rashid Yusupov
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Stephan Puetz returns vs. Andrey Seledtspv
M-1 Challenge 66, May 27 in Orenburg City, Russia
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 ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (April 19, 2016) – M-1 Challenge light heavyweight championViktor Nemkov will defend his title May 27against challenger Rashid Yusupov, headlining M-1 Challenge 66, in Orenburg City, Russia.M-1 Challenge 66 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV.Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
M-1 Global also announced that former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz will also return to action against M-1 Global-debuting Andrey Seledtsov.
Nemkov (23-5-0, M-1: 14-4-0) captured the coveted M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title this past December, taking a hard-fought 5-round decision from defending champion Puetz, who had won a 5-round split decision April, 2014 against Nemkov for the title. Nemkov (pictured to left) 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.
A native of Kazakhstan who fights out of Russia, Nemkov will be making his initial title defense of his second championship belt against Yusopov.
 Nemkov (L) and Puetz (R)
The 23-year-old Yusupov (6-2-0, M-1: 3-1-0), fighting out of Sochi, Russia, has won four fights in a row to put himself into title contention. A former Russian, European and World Amateur MMA champion, unlike many of his fellow countrymen from the North Caucasus, Yusupov (pictured below) is a dangerous striker whose signature moves are powerful kicks. He is also a top-notch wrestler, evident by his M-1 Challenge victories against Charles Andrade and Martin Zawada.
 Puetz (13-2-0, M-1: 4-1-0), fighting out of Munich, Germany, successfully defended his M-1 Challenge title twice, after beating Nemkov in their original championship match, against Luis Fernando Miranda (SUB2 – choke) August 15, 2014 at M-1 Challenge 50, and Valery Myasnikov (KO/TKO2 – punches) December 17, 2014 at M-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 severely damaged broken nose.
The 28-year-old Seledtsov (5-1-0, M-1: 0-0-0) is a former Spetsnev solider who has a solid boxing, combat samba and MMA background. The powerful Russian is the local White-Rex promotion champion.
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Ivan Redkach & Luis Cruz Fight To Split Draw In Thrilling Main Event On Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 & BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes From Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pa.
Immanuwel Aleem Takes Decision In Action Packed Battle Against Jonathan Cepeda
Junior Castillo Drops Kyrone Davis & Wins Unanimous Decision In Battle of Unbeatens
Click HERE For Photos From
Leo Wilson/Premier Boxing Champions
BETHLEHEM, PA. (April 20, 2016) – Ivan Redkach (19-1-1, 15 KOs) and Luis Cruz (22-4-1, 16 KOs) fought to a split draw and both scored knockdowns Tuesday night in an exciting main event on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC)TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa.
In early action, Cruz began to establish his straight right hand when he knocked Redkach off balance and sent him to the canvas in round two. The Puerto Rican veteran controlled much of the early rounds with that right hand, great movement and overall boxing ability.
Redkach was aggressive throughout, throwing 602 punches over the 10-round bout to Cruz’s 485. However, Cruz’s 33 percent connect rate was good enough for him to dominate the first half of the fight.
The 2008 Ukranian Olympian began to find a landing zone for his big left hand as the fight wore on and late in round eight he landed one cleanly on Cruz that dropped him hard. Redkach was then awarded a controversial knockdown in an explosive ninth round when Cruz fell to the mat on what he said was a slip as a result of a push.
Both men emptied the tank in the final round knowing that one punch could change the outcome of the fight and ended with several flurries. The scores after 10 rounds were razor thin at 94-93 for Redkach, 94-93 Cruz and 94-94, resulting in the split draw.
The co-main event of the evening featured a fast pace brawl that saw unbeaten prospect Immanuwel Aleem (16-0, 9 KOs) earn a hard fought victory over Jonathan Cepeda (17-2, 15 KOs) in their eight-round middleweight contest.
Aleem and Cepeda traded power punches all fight long, with Cepeda taking the brunt of the punishment as he was out landed 272 to 107. Aleem was superior in all regards as he also landed an impressive 42 percent of his total punches.
Cepeda refused to surrender however and used a powerful right hook to occasionally stun Aleem. The still unbeaten prospect was always able to return any punishment and then some, winning by the score of 79-73 on all three judges’ scorecards.
In the televised opener unbeaten middleweight prospects collided as Junior Castillo (10-0, 9 KOs) earned a unanimous decision over Kyrone Davis (10-1, 4 KOs) in a competitive eight-round affair.
The Delaware-native Davis was impressive early with his movement and boxing abilities but the southpaw Castillo was soon able to time his opponent and land left hands to the head and body.
In the fourth round, Castillo hurt and dropped Davis in the middle of the round with a left hand after an exchange. Neither man allowed the other to gain too much momentum throughout the remainder of the fight, but it was Castillo’s output advantage of 117-92 that bettered Davis’ accuracy advantage of 36 percent to 30 percent.
Castillo won the decision by scores of 78-73, 77-74 and 76-75.
Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:
IVAN REDKACH
“I think I won, but it was a good fight.
“The knockdown I suffered was me losing my balance. I felt I controlled the fight because I knocked him down twice. I thought I could have stopped him after the first knockdown.
“I am not going to argue with the decision but I feel I won the fight.”
LUIS CRUZ
“I thought the last knockdown was a slip. That was the difference between the draw and my win.
“I hurt him. I had the power. I tried to work round-by-round. I feel that I won six rounds and that the knockdown cost me the win.
“I thought I fought well. The draw was better than a loss. Why not a rematch? He is strong and dangerous. He hits hard but I know I am better than him.”
IMMANUWEL ALEEM
“He was a tough guy. I hit him with some good shots but he kept his ground. I respect that.
“I was trying to take my time to get him out. I was being hasty. I was trying to get him every chance I got but he was tough. I am a student of the game and I was taking my time.
“My manager George Peterson has a resume of building up Paul Williams and I trust what he has in store for me. He knows what I am capable of doing. We will go after everybody, just like Paul did.”
JUNIOR CASTILLO
“It was a very good fight. I had some difficulty at first but I felt confident that I would be victorious.
“I kept consistent with my game plan and I was able to knock him down. I thought I would be able to finish him but I got too wild.
“It feels good to defeat an undefeated prospect and also go the distance. I have never gone the distance before.
“I want some kind of title fight. My confidence is much higher right.”
KYRONE DAVIS
“I felt like it was a good fight. I feel like I won. I thought the crowd swayed the judges. I felt like I won but that’s how it goes sometimes.
“78-73 was too wide. I controlled the first two rounds. He crossed over and hit me with a good shot. He may have won the knockdown round and the last round.
“If he gives me a rematch, I would love it. This is just a minor setback. I will improve after this fight and I will move forward.”
PBC’s TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes was promoted by King’s Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @IRedkach, @FS1, @TheSBEC, @FoxDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/