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

M-1 Global signs Heavyweight Alexander Volkov   Volkov vs. Smoldarev M-1 Challenge heavyweight title fight   M-1 Challenge 64, Feb. 19 in Moscow

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ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (December 15, 2015) – M-1 Global has announced its signing of Russian heavyweight sensation Alexander “Drago” Volkov (24-6-0, M-1: 8-3-0) to an exclusive promotional contract.
Volkov will battle Denis Smoldarev (11-1-0, M-1: 7-1-0) February 19 for the vacant M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship at M-1 Challenge 64 in Moscow, Russia.
The 27-year-old puncher from Moscow returns to the organization in which he made his professional mixed-martial-arts debut April 19, 2009, needing only 80-seconds to stop Nikolay Pleshokov in the second stage of the M-1 Challenge 2009.  Volkov went on to capture top honors in the finals of the M-1 Challenge 2009, defeating Ibragim Magomedov for the Russian Team Championships.
The 6′ 7″, 235-pound Volkov fought under the M-1 Global banner for the next two years, highlighted November 20, 2011 by his opening round punch-out of  in front of 20,000 fans at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson.
At that point, Volkov had won 14 of 17 pro MMA fights and the popular Russian fighter opened 2012 with an impressive decision win over former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez.
Volkov had another victory before heading to the United States in order to test himself in Bellator competition.   He won his inaugural Bellator fight against powerful Brett Rogers, by decision at Bellator 75, in the Bellator Season Seven Heavyweight Tournament.
Two Bellator fights later, Volkov had extended his win streak to 10 in a row, improving overall to 19-3-0 via five-round decision over Richard Hale to capture the vacant Bellator Heavyweight Championship, as well as finish first in the Bellator Season Seven Heavyweight Tournament in Hammond, Indiana, USA.
In his first fight of 2013, Volkov lost his Bellator heavyweight title in his first defense, as fellow countryman Vitaly Minakov recorded a first-round knockout in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.
However, Volkov rebounded with three straight wins in the Bellator Season 10 Heavyweight Tournament, defeating Bulgarian great Blaygoy Ivanov in the final by way of a second-round rear-naked choke hold.  Ivanov is best known, perhaps, for defeating living legend Fedor Emelianenko in the semifinals on his way to winning the 2008 World Sambo Championships.
Feared as one of the most prolific strikers in MMA today, 17 of Volkov’s 24 overall victims to date were knocked out.
Volkov (pictured above to left) makes his M-1 Global return against Smoldarev, of Estonia, whose only loss as a professional was to Marcin Tybura (13-1-0, M-1: 7-1-0), who abdicated his M-1 Challenge heavyweight title to reportedly continue his career in the UFC.  Tybura made his first successful M-1 Challenge heavyweight title defense November 24, 2014, defeating Smoldarev by third-round submission (choke), at M-1 Challenge 54 in Beijing, China.
The 25-year-old Smoldarev (shown above in the black trunks) has impressive victories against Ante Delia, Maro Perak, Ahmed Sultanov and Shaban Ka.  Smoldarev is also a physical specimen, standing 6′ 5″ and weighing close to 270 pounds.
M-1 Challenge 64 will be streamed live from Moscow in high definition onwww.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all of the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
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boxing, Fox, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

UNDEFEATED CONTENDER OMAR DOUGLAS MEETS FRANK DE ALBA IN PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS ON FS1 &BOXEO DE CAMPEONES ON FOX DEPORTES MAIN EVENT

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 FROM SANDS BETHLEHEM EVENT CENTER
IN BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA
 
Tickets On Sale Now!
 
BETHLEHEM, PA. (December 15, 2015) – Undefeated super featherweight contender Omar “Super O” Douglas (15-0, 11 KOs) faces his toughest test when he battles Frank De Alba (17-1-2, 6 KOs) in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions(PBC) TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Tuesday, December 29 from Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
“I’ve been working really hard and getting great work in camp,” said Douglas. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime and I plan to take advantage of it. I know how to beat this guy and I know I am in great shape. I expect an early night, but if it goes 10 rounds, so be it.”
“I am really grateful for this opportunity,” said De Alba. “I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices to get to this stage. Now that we’re here, I’m going to take advantage. I know he is a strong fighter but we will be 100 percent come fight night. This will be an entertaining fight and I will give the fans what they pay for.”
This will be the ninth installment of the TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES series since it premiered on FS1 and FOX Deportes on September 8 at the Hollywood Palladium. The series has brought numerous exciting matchups and thrilling moments in 2015 and will continue to bring sensational fights to sports fans in 2016.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $100, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
An undefeated fighter out of Wilmington, Delaware, Douglas impressed in his TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS debut in September when he showed power and skill in defeating Braulio Santos in his first ten-round outing. The 24-year-old had already beaten Daniel Attah in 2015 and previously took down veterans Anthony Napunyi, Jean Javier Sotelo and Osnel Charles.
The 28-year-old De Alba is undefeated since dropping his pro debut back in 2011 and has picked up victories of Jesus Lule, Bernardo Uribe and Jose Bustos in 2015. Born in Puerto Rico but fighting out of Reading, Pennsylvania, De Alba previously fought at Sands Bethlehem in January 2014 when he took down Chazz McDowell.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @SuperO130KP, @FOXSports1, @TheSBEC, @FoxDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes andwww.Facebook.com/the SBEC. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.
boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHRIS PEARSON MEETS FELLOW UNBEATEN ERIC WALKER & RISING STAR GERVONTA DAVIS TAKES ON LUIS SANCHEZ ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON SPIKE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 FROM THE PEARL AT PALMS CASINO RESORT IN LAS VEGAS

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PLUS! FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS ISHE SMITH & MICKEY BEY FEATURED ON STACKED UNDERCARD
 
LAS VEGAS (December 14, 2015) – Undefeated contender Chris “Young King” Pearson (13-0, 10 KOs) will meet fellow unbeaten Eric Walker (11-0, 6 KOs) in a super welterweight battle while rising star Gervonta “The One” Davis (13-0, 12 KOs) takes on Luis Sanchez (17-4-1, 5 KOs) in a lightweight bout on Premier Boxing Champions(PBC) on Spike Friday, December 18 from the Pearl at Palms Casino resort in Las Vegas.
PBC on Spike is headlined by undefeated Cuban Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (23-0, 13 KOs) and Russia’s Denis Shafikov (36-1-1, 19 KOs) in a lightweight world title fight. Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT and features Detroit’s Isiah Thomas(15-0, 6 KOs) and Russia’s Murat “Iron” Gassiev (22-0, 16 KOs) in a battle of unbeaten cruiserweights.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions in association with Warriors Boxing, are priced at $100.50, and $25.50 plus applicable fees, and are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling the Pearl Box Office at 702-994-3200 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Part of the stacked undercard of exciting fights will see former world champion Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (27-8, 12 KOs) against Tommy “The Razor” Rainone (24-6-1, 5 KOs) in a super welterweight showdown and former world champion Mickey “The Spirit” Bey (21-1-1, 10 KOs) in a lightweight contest against unbeaten Naim Nelson(12-0, 1 KO).
Rounding out the action is 29-year-old Romanian Ronald “The Thrill” Gavril (14-1, 10 KOs) against the Dominican Republic’s Mariano Hilario (12-4, 5 KOs) in super middleweight action, 26-year-old Brian Castano (13-0,9 KOs) againstMexico’s Aaron Garcia (12-4-1, 7 KOs) in a super welterweight tussle and Fabian “TNT” Maidana (8-0, 6 KOs), brother of former world champion Marcos, in a welterweight bout against Washington’s Virgil Green (11-3, 4 KOs).
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Pearson has impressed with strong victories over Steve Martinez, Said El Harrak, Lanardo Tyner and previously unbeaten Acacio Joao Ferreira in four fights before he defeated Janks Trotter in September. The 24-year-old looks to continue to rise within the junior middleweight division and cement his contender status with a victory over the 22-year-old Walker out of Plaquemine, Louisiana who is yet to lose since turning pro in 2013.
A highly regarded prospect who won the 2012 National Gloves championship, the 21-year-old Davis has already recorded four stoppage victories in 2015. Most recently, the Baltimore-native stopped former world champion Cristobal Cruz with a vicious combination in their October fight. Now he is challenged by the 23-year-old Sanchez out of Cancun, Mexico who owns victories over Miguel Beltran and Adan Mares.
After a long career that saw him go from the world of reality television as a star on “The Contender” to competing at the top level at 154 and 160 pounds, Smith finally put it all together in 2010, beginning a four-fight winning streak that culminated in a decision win over Cornelius Bundrage for a super welterweight world title in 2013, becoming the first native Las Vegan to ever win a world title. He continues to challenge the best and recorded his most recent victory in April by defeating Cecil McCalla. He takes on a dangerous veteran contender in New York’s Rainone who enters this fight having beaten Francisco Reza and Allen Litzau.
Bey returns to the ring on December 18 for the first time since winning a world title in September 2014 with a victory over Miguel Vazquez. He has won three fights in a row including victories over Alan Herrera and Carlos Cardenas. Representing Cleveland, Ohio, Bey looks to work his way back to title-contention beginning with the 25-year-old Philadelphia-native Nelson.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @RealKidBlast, @_ChrisPearson, @GervontaDavis, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports, @MayweatherPromo, @WarriorsBoxingProm,@PearlAtPalms and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and
wrestling, WWE

MAURO RANALLO JOINS WWE® AS THE NEW VOICE OF SMACKDOWN®

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STAMFORD, Conn., December 14, 2015 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that veteran announcer Mauro Ranallo will be the new voice of SmackDown beginning Thursday, January 7 when the show moves to its new home on USA Network at 8 pm ET. Ranallo brings nearly 30 years of broadcasting experience, and is currently the play-by-play announcer for Championship Boxing on Showtime and former lead announcer for the Strikeforce MMA promotion.

 

Earlier this year, Ranallo called the international feed for the historic Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight. Ranallo is the only sports broadcaster to call every major combat sport on national television, including boxing, kickboxing and MMA, as well as helping to launch New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV.

 

“Joining WWE has always been a lifelong dream of mine,” said Ranallo. “I am thrilled to add my voice to the SmackDown broadcasts as the show moves to its new home on USA Network.”

 

With more than 800 original episodes, SmackDown is the second longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. television history, only behind Monday Night Raw®. Over the past 15 years, SmackDown has been broadcast from 170 different venues, in 148 cities, in seven different countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Iraq, Japan, Italy and Mexico. Now the exclusive cable home to WWE’s flagship programs, USA Network will air SmackDown every Thursdaynight beginning January 7. USA also airs Monday Night Raw live 52 weeks a year.

 

Prior to joining Showtime, Ranallo was the voice of the Pride Fighting Championships, and spent six years in Toronto where he hosted Canada’s first TV show dedicated to MMA while also hosting a daily combat sports radio show.

 

Ranallo lives in Los Angeles where he is a social advocate for mental health, an avid hiker and voice artist for commercials, books and film.

 

About WWE

WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide in 25 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 175 countries. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and Tokyo.

 

Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found atwwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/

boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

Heavyweight contender Travis Kauffman chimes in on  controversial decision with Chris Arreola

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Reading, PA (December 14, 2015) -This past Saturday night at the AT & T Center  in San Anonio, Heavyweight Travis Kauffman (30-2, 22 KO’s) and former two-time world title challenger Chris Arreola engaged in a action packed bout that saw Arreola get a dubious split decision by scores 114-113 twice for Arreola and 114-113 for Kauffman.
Most accounts of the fight had Kauffman getting the decision, which included PBC ringside scorer Steve Farhood.
Kauffman of Reading, PA. pushed the action and landed the more telling blows, which included a knockdown in round three from a jab-right hand combination.  The fight validated Kauffman as a player in the division, but he wasn’t satisfied with just a good performance.     
“I feel good.  I thought I did enough to win the fight.  I had it 8-4 or 7-5 in my favor plus the knockdown,” said Kauffman after viewing the fight.
“I dominated from rounds three to nine.  I took off ten and eleven as I thought that I was secure with my lead.  I dominated the twelfth round and after a three-punch combination, Chris went falling back and it looked like his glove touched the canvas.  No matter what, I thought I won the twelfth round.  I backed him up the entire fight.  I dominated him at his own game.”
Kauffman believes that he won over the crowd and those in attendance thought that he deserved the nod as well.
“The crowd booed me as I came into the ring and cheered me when I left.  I won them over and I won over the boxing public.”
With the performance, Kauffman should be in line for another significant fight in the first quarter of 2016.
“I spoke to my manager, Al Haymon and he said that bigger things are going to happen for me.  Weather it is a rematch or someone else, I am ready for that.  I showed that I am a force in the division.  I worked for so long for this fight, so I am just going to take a week off and enjoy my kids and I will be right back in the gym.  I am looking to be back sometime between February and April.”
“I appreciate all the fans.  The ones that have been with me before the fight one the ones that became fans on Saturday.”
Said Kauffman’s father Marshall Kauffman, “I am very proud of Travis and what he did in the fight  Just look at each of them and you could tell who took the beating in the fight.  The worst case scenario, the fight it was 6-6 but Travis scored the knockdown that should have gave him the fight.  I believe he will get another opportunity.  He showed what he is capable of doing.”

Photos by Joe Tarlecky –Team Kauffman
boxing, UK Boxing

Corito Stops Ellis as Gelder Outpoints Bogdanovic In Malta

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On Friday night, at the Aria Complex in San Gwann, Malta’s own Heavyweight King Billy Corito scored yet another emphatic victory, this time over late replacement, Great Britain’s Matt Ellis.

 

Originally Corito was lined up to face Lee Kellett, who unfortunately was unable to make it through the floods in Cumbria to compete against the local star on this special Stephen Vaughan promoted Malta versus UK charity event, Fight For Life in aid of Caritas.

 

In front of a packed house, both fighters started hard and fast, Ellis utilising his jab to good effect to stop the local hero getting in too close, however as the bout progressed nothing Ellis could do could stop Corito getting in close and letting rip with big rights to the body of the Englishman.

 

The first two rounds were very close, but the third was a different matter altogether, Corito started fast and backed the Englishman onto the ropes with some superb combinations, once there Corito proceeded to target the body and then around the thirty second mark let rip with a powerful body shot that sent Ellis to the canvas, then as referee Lee Murtagh began the count the Englishman’s corner threw the towel in, which was ignored and the referee continued to count Ellis out.

 

The official time of the stoppage was thirty three seconds of the third round.

 

Following his victory Corito was informed by Stephen Vaughan that his next fight will be in the United Kingdom, where he will fight in a six rounder on the undercard of Tasif Khan versus Isaac Quaye WBU Super Flyweight World Championship bout in Bradford on February 6th.

 

Prior to Corito-Ellis, local Light Heavyweight Goran Bogdanovic made his professional debut against Bilston, West Midlands, UK’s Jamie Gelder.

 

Gelder started hard and fast, taking the fight to Bogdanovic, and then continued to keep up the high pace of attack for the entire four rounds, forcing Bogdanovic to be defensive throughout.

 

Bogdanovic did have some success, backing the Englishman onto the ropes and letting rip with fast and furious combinations of his own, however not enough to capture any of the rounds.

 

After four sensational rounds of boxing Judges Nick Aish and Stephen Farrugia both scored it 36-40, whilst Judge Gwayn Bonsfield scored the bout 37-39, all in favour of Jamie Gelder.

 

Supporting the two professional bouts were a number of Malta vs UK Novice Pro bouts as well as two exhibition bouts featuring local fighters.

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Spike TV

MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS TO HOLD “TOYS 4 TICKETS” CHARITY DRIVE TO BENEFIT “TOYS FOR TOTS” PROGRAM FOR PBC ON SPIKE SHOW FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 FROM THE PEARL AT PALMS CASINO RESORT IN LAS VEGAS

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TOYS CAN BE DROPPED OFF
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 & FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18
 
LAS VEGAS (December 14, 2015) – Mayweather Promotions will hold a “Toys 4 Tickets” charity drive in advance of the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike show taking place Friday, December 18 from the Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
The charity drive will benefit the “Toys for Tots” program, which aims to distribute toys to less fortunate children during the holiday season. Toys can be dropped off at the Mint Lounge inside the Palms Casino Resort on Thursday, December 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, December 18 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
 
Fans who donate a new unwrapped toy will receive a ticket voucher redeemable at the Pearl Theater Box Office at the Palms Casino Resort. Ticket value is $25 with a limit of four per person.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @RealKidBlast, @_ChrisPearson, @GervontaDavis, @SpikeTV, @SpikeSports, @MayweatherPromo, @WarriorsBoxingProm,@PearlAtPalms and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and
mixed martial arts, MMA, Rizin FF

RIZIN FF: JEROME LEBANNER RETURNS TO MMA, WILL FACE FORMER SUMO STAR KAIDO HOOVELSON AT NEW YEAR’S KICK-OFF EXTRAVAGANZA IN TOKYO

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TOKYO – December 14, 2015 – RIZIN FF, the all-new fight promotion led by former PRIDE FC head Nobuyuki Sakakibara, announced today the return of all-time kickboxing great Jerome LeBanner, to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) rules competition, in a super heavyweight matchup with former sumo wrestling star Kaido “Baruto Kaido” Hoovelson, on Thursday, Dec. 31.

LeBanner (3-2 MMA; 81-22-2, 1 NC (65 KO’s) kickboxing) of Etretat, Seine-Maritime, France will make his first appearance under MMA rules since 2010 when he lost a unanimous decision to Judo medalist Satoshi Ishii.  Prior to the defeat, LeBanner had scored three consecutive knockouts in MMA rules bouts, all under the promotion of K-1.

The 42-year-old LeBanner, who has faced and defeated every major rival of his generation in the kickboxing ring over the course of his 20-plus year professional career, was victorious in both of his starts this year, scoring a second round (:52) KO on Claudiu Istrate with a knee strike to the body to retain his I.S.K.A. world super heavyweight K-1 rules title on April 25, and earning a unanimous decision over Karl Roberson on August 4.

At 6-foot-6, 425 pounds, the 31-year-old Hoovelson (0-0 MMA, 431-213-102 sumo) of Estonia is a monstrous specimen who competed as a professional sumo in Japan between 2004 and 2013.  The bout with LeBanner marks Hoovelson’s MMA rules debut.

Just two years into his career, Hoovelson reached the top division in the sport, eventually winning a championship in 2012 and earning five awards for fighting spirit.

Follow RIZIN FF:

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

OMAR FIGUEROA DEFEATS ANTONIO DEMARCO IN PRIMETIME SLUGFEST ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC FROM THE AT&T CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO

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CHRIS ARREOLA RECOVERS FROM EARLY KNOCKDOWN TO TAKE HOME  SPLIT-DECISION OVER TRAVIS KAUFFMAN IN HEAVYWEIGHT BRAWL
 
VICTOR ORTIZ, TERRELL GAUSHA & MARIO BARRIOS PICK UP VICTORIES IN PBC ON NBCSN ACTION
Click HERE For Photos From Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions
 
SAN ANTONIO (December 13, 2015) – Undefeated Omar “Panterita” Figueroa (26-0-1, 18 KOs) won an intense slugfest over former world champion Antonio DeMarco(31-6-1, 23 KOs) in primetime Saturday night on Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) onNBC from the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
Figueroa earned the unanimous decision in an action-packed battle that saw the south Texas-native throw over 1000 punches across 12 rounds. Figueroa dominated the first six rounds of the fight, throwing numerous combinations and taking minimal damage from his opponent.
The Mexican veteran DeMarco saved his best for the second half of the fight and was able to frequently land clean power punches against the offensive-minded Figueroa. In the 11th-round, DeMarco staggered Figueroa with a series of headshots and appeared to have him in serious trouble. Figueroa recovered enough to survive the round and win the final stanza in the eyes of all three judges.
Combined the fighters threw 1160 power punches against just 519 jabs. Figueroa landed 48 percent of his power shots while DeMarco connected on 45 percent of his. The 1092 to 587 punch output advantage for Figueroa could have proved to be the difference as he out-landed his opponent 414 to 225.
The final judges’ scores were 116-112 and 115-113 twice.
In the co-featured event, Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (37-4-1, 31 KOs) earned a split-decision victory over Travis “My Time” Kauffman (30-2, 22 KOs) in a 12-round heavyweight showdown that lived up to the pre-fight trash talk between the former sparring partners.
Arreola started out strong, winning the first two rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. In the third round, Kauffman delivered a sensational combination to the head and body that put Arreola on the mat.
The knockdown slowed Arreola down as Kauffman won five rounds between rounds three and nine while displaying excellent footwork and body punching. After a low blow by Kauffman in round nine, Arreola took several minutes to recover before the referee continued the action. The extra time appeared to give Arreola a second wind as he finished strong and closed the fight with an impressive performance in the last three rounds.
The split decision was about as narrow as it could be with two judges’ scoring the bout 114-113 for Arreola and the other judge with the same score for Kauffman. Arreola out-landed Kauffman 216-206 in total punches and connected on 57 percent of his power shots.
Headlining the NBCSN telecast prior, former world champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (31-5-2, 24 KOs) returned from a yearlong layoff to stop Gilberto Sanchez-Leon (31-15-2, 13 KOs) in the eighth round of their welterweight bout.
Ortiz was coming back from a broken wrist suffered at the end of his last bout in December 2014 and was able to land 50 percent of his power punches. The stoppage came at 2:57 into the eighth round in a bout scheduled for 10.
San Antonio-native Mario Barrios (14-0, 8 KOs) impressed in front of his hometown fans on his way to stopping Manuel Vides (18-5, 11 KOs) 31 seconds into the sixth round. Barrios showed lethal accuracy, landing 54 percent of his power punches and 46 percent of his total punches.
In NBCSN action that followed the primetime broadcast, 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (17-0, 8 KOs) kept his perfect record intact, defeating Said El Harrak (12-4-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight fight. Gausha recorded a knockdown in the second round and cruised to a 100-89 decision according to all three judges.
OMAR FIGUEROA
“These are the kind of fights I love to be in. A little rougher than I would have liked and my face shows it. It was a good fight. I wish I had done better but I always do the best I can.
“My determination is what helped me win this fight. I’m not going to lose a fight. I don’t have that in me. I’ve had every injury. I could have a missing arm but I’m still going to find a way to win the fight.
“It was a great atmosphere. I could hear the fans cheering me on and it’s a great feeling. I know the people here were backing me up and I just wanted to give it my all.
“It was all heart and guts out there. That’s what I rely on when all else fails. We do our best to come out with the victory.
“I want to fight in the 140-pound weight class. Some things happened that were out of our control and we just wanted to put on a show for the fans. My body is getting bigger but I want to do some things at 140-pounds before I move up. We’re doing our best, we’re learning how to do things right. We’re in the learning process.
“My hands feel really good. They look like hands. Which is nice. My face looks like a face, just a beat up face.
“Antonio gave me a lot of respect after the fight and he told me that ‘family is the most important thing.’ We all sacrifice in training camp and we’re just so grateful that we get to fight.
“I have no quit in me. I’ve fought with injuries and adversity. It’s just not in me to quit.”
ANTONIO DEMARCO
“I thought I got a draw out of the fight, but he’s here in his home state, with his home crowd, and I respect the decision.
“He was just too big. No excuses, but I know that was why he was able to last the full fight with me.
“He was just pushing me forward, pushing me forward and using his body weight, but he never hurt me at any time.”
CHRIS ARREOLA
“I wasn’t hurt from the knockdown, it was more of a flash knockdown.”
“I pulled it out in the championship rounds. I was in great shape and that was the difference in my winning.
“I had to show him a little different look tonight and not just bull rush him. He came to me, which made it easier for me. Conditioning was the deciding factor tonight.”
“Yes, I would give Travis Kauffman a rematch. Any time, we can do it again.
“I have to earn a world title fight and have to win convincingly. If I fight Deontay Wilder, I have to be in great shape.
“I’m going to take a little vacation with the family then I plan on being back in the gym right after New Years.”
TRAVIS KAUFFMAN
“I’m not the only one that thought I won the fight, the entire crowd thought I won the fight. I fought a great fight. I came here to win. I’m not a slouch, I’m a fighter. I’ve been doing this my entire life.
“I didn’t get the victory that I deserved tonight, but I was able to win over the crowd and I won over America.
“The crowd came in cheering for Chris. They left cheering for me.”
VICTOR ORTIZ
“He was a really tough fighter. He got some good shots in. I don’t like making excuses. In three years, I’ve only fought twice. There was a lot of rust. But I’m just happy to get back in the ring.
“I feel no pain whatsoever. I’m happy for that and ready to move forward.
“My past is in my past. I want to go for it. Any of the top welterweights, I want them.
“This camp was incredible. Not just Joel Diaz, but the whole team has been with me 24/7 and they’ve been awesome. It’s a great asset to have these kind of people in my corner.
“In the past, I always found myself jumping the gun. These coaches have helped me slow down. This is definitely a step forward.
“I’m my own worst critic. There’s a lot to improve on. My reflexes were good but my timing was off. Probably due to inactivity. I’m so thankful for this opportunity and I have a whole new chance to reach my goals.”
MARIO BARRIOS
“I’m just happy to have been able to put on a great show for my family and friends. Right now I’m feeling great. I couldn’t be any more excited.
“We start with a game plan that revolves around working off our jab and picking our shots. He tended to work up the middle and that’s how we found openings.
“At any point I was ready to sit there and brawl with him, but that wasn’t the plan for this fight. The plan was to be smarter and that’s what we did.
“My height and size is something we always work on and use to our advantage.”
TERRELL GAUSHA
 
“I’m very happy with my performance but I still have a lot of improvements to make in the gym.”
“I caught him with some good body shots and that was the difference.
“We don’t target anyone, but I’m ready for someone in the top 10. I’d like to fight again in February if possible.”
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PBC on NBC and NBCSN was promoted by Leija Battah Promotions in association with TGB Promotions
For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.nbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @LeijaBattahPR, , @OmarFigueroaJr, @NBCSports and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/NBCSports. Highlights available atwww.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.

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