mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

AMATEUR MMA CHAMPION VACATES TITLE TO MAKE PROFESSIONAL DEBUT AT NEF 22

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Lewiston, Maine (March 9, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight contest to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (0-0) will make his professional debut against tough veteran “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey(3-5) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.

 

Aaron Lacey leaves behind a legacy of victory in the amateur ranks.  He put together an impressive record of 6-1 since his debut in the fall of 2012.  Lacey capped off his amateur stint by winning the inaugural NEF MMA Amateur Featherweight Championship last November, handing Caleb Horner (4-1) the first loss of his career in the process.  Lacey is currently the number-one ranked amateur featherweight in the northeast.  He is a member of Young’s MMA in Bangor, Maine, and on April 23rd Lacey will make his professional debut alongside training partner, and NEF MMA Amateur Lightweight Champion, Josh Harvey (0-0).  Lacey will vacate the amateur featherweight title to enter the professional division.  NEF executives are expected to make an announcement on the status of that championship in the very near future.

 

“I am super excited to finally be making my pro debut come April,” said Lacey.  “This is a goal I have had for a long time and something I have always been working towards.  Derek Shorey is a very tough challenge as a debut fight.  He has a tremendous skill set and a ton of experience.  As far as vacating my belt, I had always viewed capturing the title as the capstone to my amateur career. In the moment, it was an incredible feeling and it is something I will always be proud of.  Part of what has made me successful is that I always keep looking forward for my next big challenge and my coaches along with myself believe that those challenges are within the professional ranks.”

 

After getting off to a 3-2 start in his professional career, Derek Shorey is looking to bounce back from a three-fight skid.  Last September, Shorey scored a career-defining, highlight-reel knockout of Tollison Lewis (0-5), but would go on to taste defeat in his next three matchups.  A 1998 Class-C Maine state wrestling champion for Foxcroft Academy, Shorey is the founder and head coach of the Shatterproof Combat Club based out of Dexter, Maine.  He served his country in the United States Navy for four years of active duty and did a tour of Iraq with SEABEE Battalion NMCB 27.  Shorey is hoping to find his rhythm in the cage against Lacey at “NEF 22.”

 

“Aaron is an incredibly tough, resilient fighter,” noted Shorey.  “He keeps coming at you, solid technique.  Nothing but respect for him and his skills.  That being said, I’ve been growing rapidly under new instruction, but have been unable to find my rhythm in the cage.  I feel that Aaron will bring his steady, solid pace and be met by my speed and power.  I’m excited to welcome him into the professional ranks.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place 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.”

 

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

BELLATOR MMA BRINGS FANS CLOSER TO THEIR FAVORITE FIGHTERS WITH NEW VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY

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LINK TO VIEW VIRTUAL REALITY FOOTAGE BELOW

Above: Frank Shamrock experiencing Virtual Reality (VR) via headset (photo credit: Bellator MMA/Lucas Noonan)

 

SANTA MONICA (March 9, 2016) – Bellator MMA is always looking for new and exciting ways to bring the most forward-thinking technology to its ever-increasing fan-base, providing them with unrivaled access to the world-class promotion and its superstars. During the record-shattering “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie” event this past February, Bellator launched a virtual reality initiative, giving fans a new immersive behind-the-scenes experience, from inside and Kimbo Slice’s locker room before their fights to walking down the ramp with the fighters in front of thousands of fans at the Toyota Center in Houston.

 

“We’re continuously looking for new ways to leverage technology to bring our fans into the cage so to speak,” said Bellator COO Jason Jordan. “We want to make them feel more connected to the sport of MMA, to the fighters themselves and to the underlying storylines that fuel the emotion and passion of the sport.  In this sense, we are very excited about the potential that Virtual Reality holds, and this was unequivocally proven in Houston where we captured some groundbreaking and incredibly immersive footage that I’m sure both hardcore and casual fans alike will enjoy.  Not only did we break ratings records that night, but we also raised the creative bar with our VR coverage in terms of literally engulfing fans in the energy and excitement that makes MMA like no other sport.”

 

To shoot the VR footage, Bellator used three separate six-camera rigs using GoPro cameras including one that was fully spherical, attached to a stabilized, mobile monopod. This camera was used for capturing fighters as they left their locker rooms and entered the arena. Two rigs were tethered to a monitoring command center, which allowed producers to monitor the cameras from each rig.  Bellator also used Kolor’s Autopano software to stitch together the footage from the GoPro rigs and Adobe Premiere and After Effects to edit and apply graphics to the final stitch.

 

CHECK IT OUT: To re-live some of the action from “Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie,” fans can check out the Bellator VR Experience by clicking here. It is recommended to use a smartphone or tablet for best results, or better yet a VR headset.

 

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike:

Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

mixed martial arts, MMA, UFC

Mixed Martial Arts Legend George St-Pierre To Attend Wizard World Philadelphia June 4-5

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2015-WW-Logo.jpg

 

 

Hugely Popular UFC World Champion ‘GSP’ To Greet Fans, Sign Autographs, Pose For Photo Ops In First Wizard World Appearance At Pennsylvania Convention Center

 

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PHILADELPHIA, March 8, 2016 – One of the most popular mixed martial arts fighters in the world, Georges St-Pierrewill attend Wizard World Philadelphia on Sunday, June 5, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, it was announced today by the Quebec native and Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD). The three-time former UFC Welterweight champion, known by many as the best “pound-for-pound” MMA athlete ever, will greet fans, sign autographs and pose for photo ops at his first Wizard World comic con appearance.

 

Already a 2nd dan Kyokushin karate black belt at 12, Georges dedicated himself to martial arts and training throughout his teen years. After seeing jiu-jitsu legend Royce Gracie fight in 1993 at UFC 1, “Rush” knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life and how he was going to reach those goals: he invested all his energy and all his time at becoming a better version of himself. When he wasn’t training or at school, Georges worked as a doorman in nightclubs, or hung off the back of a garbage truck, hauling in refuse. He discovered a simple truth: never stopping helps reach goals.

 

He grew as a person and as a fighter, adding fighting disciplines such as boxing, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to his karate background and competed in his first amateur bout at age 16. He won that match, and continued his steady improvement. In 2006 he became the UFC Welterweight Champion. He lost the title in 2007 but subsequently regained it in front of his hometown fans of Montreal in 2008 and hasn’t lost a single title defense since then.

 

Along his career, St-Pierre, 34, accomplished numerous firsts and awards including: the all-time most consecutive welterweight title defenses, three-time consecutive Canadian Athlete of the Year Awards (’08– ’10) by Rogers Sportsnet, Fighter of the Year Awards (’09) bySports Illustrated , World MMA Awards, MMAPayout, Inside MMA and MMAJunkie, the “Most Dangerous Man of the Year” by the Spike Guys Choice Awards (’10) and the MMA Fighter of the Year Award (’08) by Black Belt Magazine .

St-Pierre is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Way of the Fight. Released in 2013, the book shares the lessons he’s learned on the way to the top. Later that year, St-Pierre officially announced that he had decided to vacate the title and take some time off from MMA, taking a role in the 2014 blockbuster Captain America: Winter Soldier. He has not ruled out a return to the ring in the future. GSP is based in Montreal.

 

St-Pierre, who appeared in  joins an amazing lineup of superstar entertainers scheduled to attend the pop culture extravaganza, including “Marvel” movie standouts Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, David Duchovny (“The X-Files”), the Back to the Futuretrio of Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson and “The Walking Dead” standout Norman Reedus , with many other headliners.

 

Wizard World comic con and gaming events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Philadelphia show hours are Thursday, June 2, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, June 3, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, June 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

 

For more on the 2016 Wizard World Philadelphia, visit http://wizd.me/PhiladelphiaPR .

 

About Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD)

Wizard World, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com ) produces comic cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A’s, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also launched Wizard World Store ( www.shopwizardworld.com), CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM), and ComicConBox™ (www.comicconbox.com), a premium subscription-based monthly box service. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

 

The Wizard World 2016 schedule is available at: http://wizardworld.com/searchby/city/.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

WOMEN’S MMA FIGHT CONFIRMED FOR NEF 22 IN LEWISTON

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Lewiston, Maine (March 8, 2016) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE” on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine.  The fight card will feature a mix of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) and professional boxing bouts.  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur women’s featherweight contest to the MMA portion of the “NEF 22” fight card.  “Hollywood” Hannah Sparrell (1-0) will battle Angela Young (0-1) at a fight weight of 140-pounds.

 

Hannah Sparrell was introduced to the sport when she began taking her daughter to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) classes.  Sparrell soon found herself training at John Raio’s First Class MMA in Brunswick, Maine.  She made her in-cage debut last fall against Young’s teammate Kira Innocenti (0-1) at “NEF XIX” in Lewiston.  Sparrell was victorious that evening, scoring a unanimous decision from the judges after an exhausting three-round fight.  She looks forward to representing First Class MMA for a second time at “NEF 22.”

 

“I’m excited to be entering the NEF cage again, on April 23rd, against Angela Young,” said Sparrell.  “Angela, coming from the school recently named New England’s ‘team of the year,’ has proven to be a heavy hitter, as we saw in her blood-shedding battle at ‘NEF XIX.’  That being said, First Class has been putting its name on the map, displaying our skilled training, coaches and leadership, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about going head-to-head against Young’s MMA once again.  I learned a lot from the experience from my last fight and have used it as a catalyst in my focused training this winter.  I will be entering the NEFXXII cage confidently and ready for a good solid fight.”

 

Angela Young is the wife of Young’s MMA founder and head coach Chris Young.  Like Sparrell, Young made her debut in the NEF cage last fall at “NEF XIX.”  In a wild, “fight of the night” performance, Young battled back and forth with Rachel Reinheimer (2-0) of Team Sityodtong.  Reinheimer would win the decision on the judges’ scorecards, but Young would win the respect of the entire New England MMA community with her valiant effort.  On April 23rd, Young vows to chalk up the first win on her record.

 

“I am beyond ecstatic for the opportunity to fight for NEF again,” stated Young.  “Especially against an opponent as respectful and professional as Hannah.  I’ve put the work in, I’ve improved my game and I’m aiming for another ‘fight of the night.’  This time, however, my hand will be raised.”

 

New England Fights’ next event, “NEF 22: ALL ROADS LEAD HERE,” takes place 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.

boxing, CBS Boxing

Claggett vs. Bryan tops “Knockout Night at the D” Undercard

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For Immediate Release
 
 Judah vs. Torres headlines this Saturday night
Live on CBS Sports Network from DLVEC in Las Vegas 
LAS VEGAS (March 7, 2016) – Canadian welterweight champion Steve “The Dragon” Claggett takes on veteran Jeremy “Hollywood” Bryan in an 8-round Special Attraction, providing chief undercard support this Saturday for the inaugural event kicking-off “Knockout Night at the D”, airing (8 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. ET) live on CBS Sports Network from the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC).
Presented by the D Las Vegas and promoted Englebrecht Promotions, the “Knockout Night at the D” series’ inaugural event Mar. 12 will take place inside the DLVEC’s tent, located in the heart of the downtown Las Vegas casino district, one block away from the world famous Fremont Street (200 S. 3rd St.).
Five-time, two division world champion Zab “Super” Judah (42-9, 29 KOs) faces upset-minded Josh “Pitbull” Torres (15-4-2, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event of the “Knockout Night at D” new monthly pro boxing series,
Rising star lightweight star Chuy “El Huracan” Gutierrez (14-0-1, 4 KOs) faces Leon “The Third Generation” Spinks III (11-3-1, 7 KOs) in the 8-round co-feature.
Claggett (23-3-1, 16 KOs), 26, is the reigning Canadian Professional Boxing Council and Canadian welterweight titles.  As an amateur in Calgary, he captured four Alberta Championships and three Golden Gloves titles, all prior to his 18th birthday.
At the famous Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles, Claggett gained invaluable experience working with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. He also benefitted from working out at Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas, where he learned from trainer Roger Mayweather, and sparred there with two-division world champion Jesse Vargas.  During his 7 ½ year career, Claggett has also sparred with great fighters such as Judah and Alfonso Gomez, as well as Urbano Antillon during training camp in preparation for his world title fight against Humberto Soto.
An outstanding U.S. amateur boxer, Bryan (17-6, 7 KOs), of Patterson, NJ, has been a gatekeeper of the welterweight division the past few years.  He was a 2004 and 2005 National Golden Gloves light welterweight champion, as well as the 2004 Under-19 and 2005 National PAL 139-pound class gold medalist.  At the 2008 US Olympic Trials, he was eliminated by future professional world champion Danny Garcia, who Bryan had defeated in the opening round.
During his pro career, Bryan has pulled off several upsets, including an eighth-round decisions in 2013 to Yuri Ramananau (22-2) in Miami and Issouf Kinda (16-1) in New York City.  Bryan has also taken top contenders and promising prospects the full distance, albeit in losing efforts, such as Amir Imam, Sadam Ali, Mikael Zewski and Raymond Serrano.
The remainder of the undercard showcases promising prospects in four-round bouts: Las Vegas junior featherweight Salvador Perez (2-0) vs. Fabian Naranjo (3-2-1, 1 KO), of Mexico, Las Vegas welterweight Jeremy “J Flash” Nichols (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Jason Gavino (3-1, 2 KOs), of Mexico, and New Jersey heavyweight Dakota Walker (1-0, 1 KO) vs.Cashton Young (1-0, 1 KO), of Los Angeles.  Nichols (pictured to the left) gained invaluable experience as a sparring partner for Floyd Mayweather, Jr. for his mega-fight versus Manny Pacquiao.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Limited tickets, priced at $65.00 ringside and $20.00 seated general admission, remain on sale at www.Ticketmaster.com or www.DLVEC.com. Suites are $1000.00, up to 10 guests, and includes a beverage package.  Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:30 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 to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
TITLE Boxing is the official apparel and gloves partner for the “Knockout Night at the D”
series.
 
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @thedlasvegas, @dlvec, @DerekJStevens, @BoxingatheDLV
Instagram: @dlvec, @thedlasvegas
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @SuperJudah, @PitbullTorres, @ElHuracan88, @LeonSpinksIII, @SDragonClaggett, @RealTeamBryan
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

SHAWN PORTER TO HOLD LIVE-STREAMED 12-ROUND EXHIBITION

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Former welterweight world champion meets Lanardo Tyner 
in an exhibition streaming live at
LAS VEGAS (March 7, 2016) – “Showtime” Shawn Porter will hold a special 12-round exhibition match on Saturday, March 12 that will stream live on the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) Facebook page (www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions.com) in lieu of his cancelled welterweight title showdown against Keith Thurman.
In an effort to stay active and give his fans an opportunity to see him in live action, Porter will hold an old-fashioned exhibition against Lanardo Tyner (30-10-2, 19 KOs) at his gym – Porter Hy-Performance Center at 7 p.m. PT on Saturday. After the bout, Porter will host a 30-minute Facebook Live video Q&A to interact directly with fans about what’s next for him that will also be on the PBC Facebook page.
Porter was as disappointed as most boxing fans when Thurman was injured in an automobile accident and had to pull out of their highly anticipated welterweight championship showdown. It’s no coincidence that Porter is holding this fight on the same night that he was supposed to battle Thurman.
“When I found out about March 12 not happening because of what happened to Keith, I tried to move forward to fight someone else,” said Porter. “But given the level of that fight with Keith, there wasn’t anything for me really. So my dad and I decided to do this exhibition. I’m not getting paid. This is 100 percent for anybody out there who loves to see me compete and perform. Lanardo Tyner is a veteran who has fought almost everybody and he’ll provide good excitement. We won’t be going through the motions. This is real.”
“We’re doing the exhibition because Shawn was so focused on fighting Keith Thurman that we wanted to keep him focused until we can determine when they’ll be boxing again,” said Ken Porter, Shawn’s father and trainer. “We were getting off a plane in Big Bear for training camp when we heard that Keith had been injured and couldn’t fight on March 12. We continued to spar and train. We figured the only way we could keep that focus was to have someone push Shawn for 12 rounds or however long it last.
In addition to Porter’s exhibition, amateur middleweight Brandyn Lynch, nephew of legendary comedian Eddie Murphy, will face fellow amateur Joey Alday in a four-round bout.
In his last match Porter scored a 12-round unanimous decision against Adrien Broner in Las Vegas last June. The match against Thurman is one of the most highly anticipated of 2016 and will be rescheduled soon.
For his exhibition showdown with Tyner the fighters will wear headgear and use 16-ounce gloves. The fighters will weigh-in the day before the match, but there will be no involvement from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. “Mock” judges and a professional referee will be used to score the fight and complete the atmosphere of a fight night.
“We decided to do this because we needed the things associated with a big fight – the atmosphere, the crowd, the lights,” said Ken Porter. “We’re going to have everything a big fight will have – a weigh-in the Fridaybefore, the referee, the ring card girls. Mentally and physically Shawn needs this because he hasn’t fought in 10 months.”
Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rizin FF

WANDERLEI SILVA RETURNS TO JAPAN!   RIZIN FF SIGNS LEGENDARY PRIDE CHAMPION; ANNOUNCES SEVEN FIGHTERS, INCLUDING SILVA, FOR APRIL 17 LIVE EVENT IN NAGOYA, JAPAN

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(CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO BE RE-DIRECTED TO A VIDEO)

TOKYO – March 7, 2016– RIZIN FF, the combat sports promotion led by former PRIDE FC head Nobuyuki Sakakibara, announced during a press conference, the signing of all-time Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) great Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva (35-12-1, 1 NC) to a multi-year promotional contract, as well as the first two bouts, one of which will feature Silva, for its second live event that will take place at the 10,000 capacity Nippon Gaishi Hall in Nagoya, Japan onSunday, April 17.

Priced from 100,000 yen, tickets for “Top Presents RIZIN Fighting Federation I” are on sale and can be purchased online at TicketBis.com.

Silva, the former PRIDE middleweight champion and 2003 PRIDE Grand Prix middleweight champion, will team up with a fighter to be determined, in a special grappling “tag match,” the rules for which will be announced soon, and battle a duo consisting of another legend, Kazushi Sakuraba, (26-17-1, 2 NC) and Hideo Tokoro (33-28-2).

Following the April contest, Silva, who held several records under the PRIDE banner, including longest win streak and most KO’s, will compete under MMA rules in future RIZIN FF events.

In a 180 pound MMA rules contest, devastating power puncher Hisaki Kato (5-2) will take on fellow prolific finisher Yuta “Andre” Watanabe (19-6-4).

A former HEAT middleweight title holder, the 33-year-old Kato made an explosive debut before a live U.S. television audience on Spike when he scored what was later named “Knockout of the Month” – a crushing, second round (:34) KO (punch) on American star Joe “Stitch ‘Em Up” Schilling at Bellator 139 on June 26, 2015.

To date, all of Kato’s professional victories have come by way of (T)KO.

Watanabe is a 31-year-old grappling ace who boasts a splendid 84 percent finish rate, with 11 of his 19 career wins to date having come by way of submission and another 6 victories having come by way of (T)KO.

The number 10 ranked welterweight in Japan, Watanabe will make his first appearance of 2016 and look to rebound from a first round (2:00) submission (rear-naked choke) defeat at the hands of Keita Nakamura on July 20, 2015, a loss that halted a seven-fight win streak for Watanabe.

In two different women’s bouts, Rena Kubota (1-0 MMA, 31-5-1 shoot boxing) will square off an opponent to be named under shoot boxing rules, while decorated wrestler Kanako Murata (0-0) will make her highly-anticipated MMA debut against an opponent to be announced soon.

The 24-year-old Kubota is a three-time shoot boxing tournament champion who made her much-anticipated MMA debut in stunning fashion at the RIZIN FF New Year’s Eve extravaganza, where she notched a second round (3:31) submission victory over Jleana Valentino with a flying armbar.

The 22-year-old Murata’s impressive resume includes three junior Olympic medals.  Her most impressive feat, however, came in 2011 when Murata nearly defeated four-time Olympic gold medalist Saori Yoshida during the All-Japan championships.

Additional bouts for “Top Presents RIZIN Fighting Federation I” will be announced soon.

Follow RIZIN FF:

Website – http://www.rizinff.com/en/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/rizinfightingfederation/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/rizin_PR
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

UNBEATEN SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT REGIS PROGRAIS FACES VETERAN AARON HERRERA IN MAIN EVENT OF A SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATIONTRIPLEHEADER ON FRIDAY, MARCH 25

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Four Undefeated Boxers Clash in Co-Features: Ivan Baranchyk
Meets Nicholas Givhan, Ivan Golub Faces Marlon Aguas From Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

 

Live on SHOWTIME® At 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

Tickets on Sale Now

 

NEW YORK (March 7, 2016) – Unbeaten super lightweight knockout artist and emerging rising star, Regis “Rougarou” Prograis (16-0, 13 KOs) will meet experienced Aaron “The Jewel” Herrera (29-4-1, 18 KOs) in the 10-round main event of a ShoBox: The New Generationtripleheader on Friday, March 25, live on SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

 

Four undefeated fighters will clash in eight-rounders in co-feature bouts: Hard-hitting Ivan “The Beast” Baranchyk (9-0, 8 KOs), of Brooklyn, N.Y., faces upset-minded Nicholas “King Beamen” Givhan (16-0-1, 10 KOs), of Kalamazoo, Mich., in a super lightweight scrap and Ukrainian Ivan “The Volk” Golub (10-0, 8 KOs, 5-0 in World Series of Boxing), of Brooklyn, N.Y., meets Marlon Aguas (9-0, 6 KOs), of Quito, Ecuador, in a welterweight match.

 

All but Prograis and Baranchyk will be making their inaugural ShoBoxappearances. Click HERE for Prograis and Baranchyk’s Photos – Credit: SHOWTIME.

 

Tickets for the event promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Tony Holden Productions are priced at $45, $55 and $75 and are available for purchase at buffalorun.com and at stubwire.com.

 

The 5-foot-9, 27-year-old Prograis, originally from New Orleans, La., but currently residing in Houston, Texas, is an aggressive-minded southpaw who’s making his 2016 debut and third start on ShoBox. Before turning pro in April 2012 he competed in the 2012 United States Olympic Boxing Trials.

 

In his ShoBox debut on Aug, 17, 2015, he registered an impressive,eight-round decision over previously undefeated Amos Cowart.Prograis, who had won eight straight by knockout going into the Cowart clash, resumed his KO-winning streak with a ninth-round knockout over Abel Ramos last Dec. 11 on SHOWTIME.

 

“I can’t wait to fight on March 25. I’m ready to put on another great show for the fans and demonstrate how I continue to improve as a fighter,” said Prograis, who was 16 when he turned to boxing after relocating to Houston because of Hurricane Katrina. “I know I have a tough opponent, but I’m ready to go out and perform.

“Aaron Herrera is a rugged veteran and I know there will be some fireworks. I am thankful to my promoter, DiBella Entertainment, and to the network, SHOWTIME, for the opportunity to display my skills and talent.”

 

Regarding his nickname, Prograis said, “My manager and my dad were just trying to come up with nicknames. Basically, everybody was just shooting out names and they shot out that one – ‘Rougarou’. At first, I didn’t like it, but it stuck with me. A rougarou is like a Louisiana-type swamp monster or werewolf.”

 

Herrera, 27, of Valladolid, Mexico, a winner of 16 in a row at the outset of a pro career that began in August 2008, has fought some noteworthy opposition. This will be his second fight in U.S. soil. In his stateside debut, Herrera dropped a 10-round decision to undefeated prospect Pedro Campa last Dec. 12.

 

Besides experience, Herrera has solid skills, movement and hails from a strong family boxing background (his father and grandfather boxed). He’s at his best when he keeps his foes off-balance and can surely outbox them. This will be the 17th consecutive time he’ll be matched against a boxer with a winning record.

 

“I’m very excited at the opportunity to showcase my talent on theShoBox series,’’ Herrera said. “I’ve watched a few fights of Regis on YouTube. He’s a good fighter, but I am a better one. I feel fighting in Mexico has given me the upper hand. Mexican fighters are tough. I have fought better opposition and I’m the more experienced fighter.

 

“I’ve been looking for an opportunity like this. I need a good breakout fight for the fans to see me in action. I am a proud Mexican fighter and on March 25 the fans will see how real Mexicans fight like, and Prograis will know who Aaron Herrera is. Viva Mexico!”

 

The highly regarded Baranchyk is making his second eight-round start and second in a row on ShoBox. An offensive-minded fighting machine, he registered a 2:28, first-round knockout over Shadi Shawareb in his most recent start last Dec. 11 on ShoBox.

 

Baranchyk, of Minsk, Byelorussia, is a former European amateur standout who turned pro in June 2014 and relocated to the United States just a few months after. The 5-foot-7, 23-year-old has won all eight of his U.S. outings, seven by way of knockout, five in the first round.

 

“I am thrilled to make my second consecutive appearance on ShoBox,” Baranchyk said. “I know that my next opponent will be a test for me, but I will score another exciting victory for the fans.’’

 

His opponent, Givhan, turned pro in August 2012, won his first 15 scraps, boxed a four-round split draw with Freddy Durand on Aug. 22, 2015, and is coming from a majority decision over Juan Santiago lastNov. 13.

The 5-foot-7, 29-year-old fought 14 times in Michigan and one time each in West Virginia, Mississippi and Kentucky. The ultra-confident Givhan is taking a step up in class in Baranchyk, but he’s certainly not in awe of his assignment and is eagerly anticipating the opportunity.

 

“I am getting my mind ready for war,’’ said Givhan, whose nickname, “King Beamen,” is a reference to Jamie Foxx’s character from the movie “Any Given Sunday.”

 

“Training is going great both mentally and physically. I belong on theShoBox series because they showcase great talent and, false modesty aside, I have great boxing talent. I will feel at home fighting on SHOWTIME and I take this as a great honor to fight on their network.

 

“My opponent has not fought anyone of my caliber. I know he’s been talking trash, but it won’t matter in the end. He has not had an opponent who can outthink, outshine and outbox him. I am that guy, I am that fighter. The cliché is true: to be the best you’ve got to fight and beat the best. We are both undefeated and this is the kind of a fight that separates the good fighters from the great ones.’’

 

Golub, a six-foot, 27 year-old southpaw, turned pro in November 2012. At the outset of his career, he went 5-0 in the WSOB. He’s gone 10-0 since, winning eight by knockout, including his last four in a row. Golub has recorded five first-round stoppages, including a two-knockdown,2:41, opening-round TKO over Juan Rodriguez in his most recent effort last Jan. 16 at Barclays Center.

 

“It is an honor for me to make my national television debut,” Golub said. “Many champions got their start on ShoBox and I am determined to add my name to that illustrious list. My path toward a world title begins onMarch 25 when I hand Marlon Aguas his first defeat.”

 

Aguas is making his U.S. and 2016 debut after fighting seven times in Quito, Ecuador and twice in Mexico. A pro since March 2013, he won his initial eight starts and is coming off a first-round knockout over Edwin Gamboa last Nov. 7.

 

“I’m very excited and grateful to show the world a small country like Ecuador produces amazing fighters,’’ Aguas said. “Boxing is my life and I plan on making a statement in my U.S. debut.”

 

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside withSteve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall withRich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

# # #

 

About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 65 fighters who have appeared onShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Omar Figueroa, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

MARIO BARRIOS TO MAKE 2016 DEBUT MARCH 15 PBC ON FOX

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Photo by Team Barrios
SAN ANTONIO, TX (March 7, 2016) – Undefeated super-featherweight sensation, Mario Barrios (14-0, 8 KOs), makes his 2016 debut on March 15, at the Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino in Nice, CA.  Barrios, a San Antonio TX, native is scheduled to fight in a 10-round bout against an opponent TBA.  Barrios’ bout will be part of the televised portion of Premier Boxing Champions Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays PBC on FS1.  Tune in at 9PM ET Eastern Time / 6PM PT Pacific Time.
After a momentous 2015 where he went (7-0, 5 KOs), Mario Barrios is looking to continue his march toward a world title.  Standing 6’1, Barrios wants to fight for a championship before he out grows the super-featherweight division.
“Right now the goal is to win a world title at 130 pounds,” said Mario Barrios. “I’m still young enough that making weight is not a problem at the moment.  I believe with a few more fights, I’ll be ready to challenge any of the champions at super-featherweight.  First and foremost I must focus on March 15th and bring home a victory.”
This fight marks the third bout in a row where Barrios will be fighting in front of a nationally televised audience.  Mario is grateful for the opportunity to be fighting on FOX Sports once again.
“I love fighting on Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays on FOX Sports,” Barrios continued. “I’m very thankful that FOX is brining me back.  I’m always looking to impress those that are watching with an electrifying performance.  If I get my opponent hurt at any time during the fight, you know I’m going for the knockout.”
Tickets priced $20 (back), $30 (mid), $50 (ringside) can be purchased at the Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino box office or by calling 1-800-809-3636.  Doors open at 5:00 PM. First fight starts at 5:15 PM.
boxing

Lewkowicz Congratulates Oscar Escandon for Title-Winning Victory

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Knockout Over Robinson Castellanos Makes Escandon the Second Sampson Boxing World Champion in Two Weeks
 
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to congratulate his fighter, Oscar Escandon, for his title-winning victory on Saturday night in at the DC Armory in Washington, DC.
Escandon (25-2, 17 KOs), from , stepped up a weight class and picked up the interim WBC World Featherweight Championship with a KO 7 over Mexico’s Robinson Castellanos. A powerful uppercut from Escandon ended matters at the 2:59 mark.
With the victory, Escandon became the second Sampson Boxing fighter to win a world championship in the last two weeks. Mexico’s Hugo Ruiz won the WBC World Super Bantamweight title with a KO 1 over Julio Ceja.
“I did this for my country of Colombia,” said Escandon. “I am proud to be fighting for them and it was their support that helped carry me though this tough fight.”
“First of all, my warmest congratulations to Oscar Escandon and his team, Ruben Guerrero and family,” said Lewkowicz. “Oscar has made his entire country of Colombia proud by winning his second world championship for them.”
Escandon also held the WBA World Super Bantamweight Title in 2014.

“We will let Oscar enjoy his new belt for a little bit, but will soon go to work preparing him to meet the winner of the fight between full WBC Champion Gary Russell Jr. and Ireland’s Patrick Hyland on April 16. We would love for that fight to be in New York City, in front of the huge Colombian community.”

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