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UNDEFEATED AMIR IMAM TO TAKE ON FERNANDO ANGULO IN 140-POUND WBC ELIMINATOR
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BELLATOR & WEC VETERAN RETURNS TO DEFEND NEF TITLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (July 10, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its nineteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XIX,” on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional featherweight championship bout to the fight card. Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (17-9) will defend the NEF MMA Professional Featherweight Title against Vovka “KGB” Clay (3-0). The bout is scheduled for five five-minute rounds at a weight of 145-pounds.
Morrison stunned the NEF universe this past February when he arrived in Lewiston and submitted hometown hero Ray Wood (5-1) in the fifth round to win the championship title. It was as if he had sucked all the air out of the Colisée with a vacuum. Morrison played the role of spoiler that cold, snowy night in Lewiston.
“I’ve never seen anything like that before,” said NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “The entire place just dropped into a dead silence. I don’t think anyone in Maine saw that coming, and I certainly don’t think anyone who’s followed NEF expected a fighter to come in and do that to Ray Wood. Everyone was shocked. It was a surreal moment.”
Morrison is a seasoned veteran with more than a decade’s experience in the sport. He has competed against the best MMA has to offer on the national stage, including a stint in World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Bellator. Morrison trains out of Daddis MMA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“I am very thankful to return to the beautiful state of Maine, for my first title defense,” said Morrison. “It will be a very entertaining fight and another victory for the five time! Five time! Five time! Five time! Five time! Mixed martial arts champion, Anthony Morrison.”
Vovka Clay is undefeated as a professional. He competed as an amateur twice in NEF and won both fights by submission in an impressive fashion. Clay is considered one of the true rising stars of the New England fight scene. A win over an accomplished veteran like Morrison could potentially propel Clay onto the national stage. He is a product of Team Triumph/Boston BJJ of Nashua, New Hampshire.
“Every fighter has a dream of making it to the UFC,” said Clay. “Some choose to go after meaningless titles and pad their records fighting nobodies. I choose to fight the highest level of competition possible. I am thrilled to be fighting Anthony Morrison for the NEF Featherweight title. He is a very durable and crafty veteran. It won’t be easy, but if I fight my fight, I will finish Morrison and I will be the NEF Featherweight Champion.”
New England Fights’ next event, “NEF XIX,” takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine. Tickets for “NEF XIX” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisée box office at207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the 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.
PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS
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BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO TAKES ON ELVIN AYALA ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TRIPLEHEADER
Plus, Undefeated Ievgen Khytrov Returns Against Nick Brinson in Co-Feature and Knockout Artists Regis Prograis and Amos Cowart Clash In Telecast Opener
Live On SHOWTIME ® Friday, August 7 At 10 p.m. ET/PT
From Bally’s Atlantic City
NEW YORK (July 9, 2015) –Boxing returns to the Ballroom at Bally’s Atlantic City on Friday, Aug. 7 with an exciting ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader featuring the return to the series of Ukrainian blue-chip middleweight prospect Sergiy Derevyanchenko (5-0, 4 KOs, WSOB: 23-1, 7 KOs) as he faces his toughest test to date, former world title challenger Elvin Ayala(28-6-1, 12 KOs) of Reading, Pa. This crossroads battle is scheduled for eight rounds in the middleweight division and will be televised live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).
In the co-feature, Derevyanchenko’s stablemate, red-hot prospect Ievgen Khytrov (10-0, 9 KOs) of Krivoy Rih, Ukraine squares off against upset-minded Nick Brinson (17-3-2, 7 KOs) of Rochester, N.Y., in an eight-round middleweight matchup.
Opening the ShoBox telecast, undefeated knockout artists Regis Prograis (14-0, 12 KOs) of New Orleans, La., and Amos Cowart(11-0-1, 9 KOs) of Leesburg, Fla., will clash in an eight-round junior welterweight showdown.
The card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Fight Promotions Inc.
“I have been preparing for this fight for over a month now and still have another five weeks of camp left; everything is going according to plan,” said Derevyanchenko. “I can’t wait to showcase my skills to the world on Aug. 7 as the main event. I’m truly thankful to Al Haymon and my promoters DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions for giving me this opportunity.
“Ayala is an experienced and proven contender and, without a doubt, my toughest opponent to date. That being said, there is no doubt in my mind that I will come out victorious from this battle.”
“I never really understood till now that this is what I do,” said Ayala. “The fight life is the life I chose. It’s why I was born into a broken home. It’s why I’ve been broke since I was born, because the only place you can go from the bottom is either six feet deeper or up, I used to believe that I was doing this for my family and those close to me, but now I truly believe I’m doing this just for me. You will see that hunger and desire when I step into the ring on Aug. 7.”
“This will be my third time fighting on the ShoBox series this year, and I am looking to put on my most spectacular performance yet,” said Khytrov. “Every time I step into the ring, I am looking to showcase that I’m one of the best up-and-coming fighters in all of boxing. I have been training like never before and promise another sensational victory.”
“I’ve got too much experience for this guy and will dictate the fight and back him up,” said Brinson. “Amateur experience means nothing when you take this kind of step up. He will be fighting a true 160 pounder for the first time and he will understand what it is like to be bullied. I can’t wait to get in the ring.”
“Boxing is a dangerous and vicious sport and I want to prove that I am one of the most dangerous, and vicious fighters out there,” saidPrograis. “I must test myself against dangerous and vicious fighters. This fight is such a test; DiBella Entertainment promotes us both [my opponent and I], therefore, it goes without saying that Cowart has talent. This fight is an opportunity for us both, but someone will have to begin again. I expect it to be a competitive fight, but I will do what it takes to win. I am looking to move forward.”
“To be on national television and to showcase my talents and my will to win on a major network like SHOWTIME is a dream come true,” said Cowart. “This will be my second fight under the DBE umbrella and I would like to thank my promoter Lou DiBella and my manager Roy Cruz and the entire team at OPB for giving me this opportunity. I am looking forward to a tough fight against Regis Prograis, but most importantly, I’m looking forward to giving boxing fans what boxing is missing, an absolute war. There will be no running in this fight, exactly the type of fight I dream of every time I step into the ring.”
SHOWTIME is excited to come back to Bally’s Atlantic City, whereShoBox: The New Generation series originated over 14 years ago with a main event battle of undefeated lightweights featuring Leo Durin vs. Martin O’Malley. Durin won the clash with a ninth round TKO and went on to become the first of 62 fighters to date that have appeared on the series and have gone on to win world championships.
“Atlantic City, the Entertainment Capital of the Jersey Shore, andShoBox: The New Generation, the premiere host for live events, have long had the reputation for producing some of the world’s best-known fights and we are excited to welcome this match on Aug. 7 at Bally’s,” said Kevin Ortzman, President of Caesars and Bally’s Atlantic City. “Since our last boxing match, Bally’s has opened Guy Fieri’s Chophouse, Buca di Beppo, and most recently, we debuted a brand new gaming and live entertainment space at the Wild Wild West, which will be the perfect experience for the boxing community both before-and-after the fights.”
“Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Ievgen Khytrov are two of the elite prospects in all of boxing and the future of the middleweight division,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Elvin Ayala is an experienced contender coming off of an impressive upset over previously undefeated Ronald Gavril. Nick Brinson has never been in a bad fight and is a veteran of ShoBox, having scored an upset victory over Jorge Melendez on the series. The opening bout between Regis Prograis and Amos Cowart is a can’t-miss battle between two undefeated, young punchers.”
As an amateur, Derevyanchenko compiled an astonishing 390-20 record and represented his native Ukraine at the 2008 Olympics. He also won a bronze medal at the 2007 Amateur World Championships and competed in the World Series of Boxing, where he posted a 23-1 overall record and was the 2012 WSB Team Champion and 2011 and 2012 WSB Individual Champion. Derevyanchenko’s rise up in the world rankings is expected to be meteoric and anything less than a world championship would be a disappointment.
In Ayala, Derevyanchenko will meet his toughest and most experienced opponent to date. Ayala is 8-1 in his last nine bouts, with the lone loss coming against fellow middleweight contender and world title challenger Curtis Stevens. Ayala is coming off back-to-back upset victories in 2015, with the first coming over 27-1-1 Aaron Mitchell in January, and then earning an impressive eight-round unanimous decision over previously undefeatedRonald Gavril (13 -1 ) in his most recent bout. Ayala knows he cannot afford another loss in his career if he is going to get another crack at a piece of the middleweight championship and is looking to derail Derevyanchenko’s championship goals when they meet onAug. 7.
Known as the “Ukrainian Lion”, Khytrov has been on a tear since turning pro in December 2013. Hailing from Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, but now living and training in Brooklyn, N.Y., Khytrov, like his stable-mate Derevyanchenko, was a phenomenal amateur, accumulating a 480-20 record. His amateur career culminated with a trip to the 2012 Olympics, where he was one of the favorites to win gold, but dropped a highly questionable decision to eventual gold medalist Anthony Ogogo.
Incredibly active as a pro, Khytrov notched six victories in 2014, including first-round knockouts over once-beaten prospects Willie Fortune and Louis Rose. Khytrov has not let off the gas in 2015, having already picked up three impressive wins, all on national TV, with two coming under the ShoBox banner.
In Brinson, Khytrov finds himself facing yet another tough opponent who has fought top competition for much of his career. Brinson is 8-2 in his last 10 bouts, with the losses coming against top undefeated prospect Dominic Wade and Olympian and recent world title challenger Andre Dirrell.
Both Khytrov and Brinson hold victories over Puerto Rican contender Jorge Melendez.
The opening matchup of the night between fellow knockout artists Regis Prograis and Amos Cowart is the exact type of matchup that the ShoBox series has been built on. The bout features two young, hungry, exciting and explosive undefeated prospects looking to burst onto the scene in both of their national TV debuts. Both fighters have devastating power in each hand and fight in very similar seek-and-destroy styles. Neither fighter is expected to take a step back for as long as the fight lasts.
The 26-year-old Prograis has knocked out eight consecutive opponents and is fully confident that Cowart will be victim number nine. Cowart, on the other hand, feels that Regis’ come-forward style will only spell disaster for his foe. Cowart is coming off his most impressive victory to date this past April when he scored a dramatic come-from-behind knockout over previously undefeated Anthony Burgin.
Tickets for the event, promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Fight Promotions Inc., are currently on sale and are priced at $120 and $60. Tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or by visitingwww.ticketmaster.com.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the first bout scheduled to start at7:00 p.m. ET.
# # #
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 62 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox 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.
Antoine Douglas – Istvan Szili for WBC Latino and IBO Intercontinental Middleweight titles to headline on ShoBox, July 17 at Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem
Derrick Webster to take on Arif Magomedov for NABO Middleweight title
Adam Lopez – Eliecer Aquino for WBA FEDELATIN and WBC Interim Latino Super Bantamweight title
Jerry Odom to battle Samuel Clarkson in opening bout of televised quadruple-header
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bethlehem, PA (July, 9, 2015)–On Friday, July 17 at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, Antoine Douglas (17-0-1, 11 KO’s) of Burke, VA. will defend his WBC Latino and vie for the vacant IBO Intercontinental Middleweight title when he takes on Istvan Szili (18-0-2, 8 KO’s) of Frenkendorf, Switzerland in a bout that will headline a televised quadruple-header on Showtime’s ShoBox: The New Generation.
The fight is scheduled for 10-rounds.
The show is promoted by GH3 Promotions in association with King’s Promotions, Greg Cohen Promotions and Main Events.
In the televised co-feature, Derrick Webster (19-0, 10 KO’s) of Glassboro, NJ will take on Arif Magomedov (15-0, 9 KO’s) of Russia in 10-round battle for the NABO Middleweight title.
In another title clash, Adam Lopez (12-0, 6 KO’s) of San Antonio, Texas will take on Eliecer Aquino (17-0-1, 11 KO’s) of Higuey, Dominican Republic in a 10-round Super Bantamweight bout for the WBA FEDELATIN and WBC Interim Latino titles.
The opening bout will pit Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom (13-1, 12 KO’s) of Washington, DC and Samuel Clarkson (14-3, 8 KO’s) of Ceder Hill, TX in a bout scheduled for 8-rounds.
Some of the best talent in the country will be on display on the non-televised undercard as scheduled to appear will be undefeated Rob Brant (15-0, 9 KO’s) of Minnesota taking on an opponent to be named in a 6-round Middleweight bout.
Natu Visinia (11-1, 9 KO’s) of Clinton, IL. will rematch Jon Bolden (7-10-1, 5 KO’s) of New York, NY. in a 6-round Heavyweight bout.
Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell (14-1, 7 KO’s) of Atlantic City, NJ will take on an opponent to be named in a bout scheduled for 6-rounds.
Super Middleweight Christopher Brooker (3-0, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will fight Botirsher Obidov (1-0-1) of Florida in a 4-round bout.
Super Bantamweight Manny Folly (4-0, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA will square off with Gabriel Braxton (2-10, 1 KO) of Redwood, GA. in 4-round bout.
Lightweight Samuel Teah (5-1, 3 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA. will box Raymond Velez (3-7) of Albany, NY in a 4-round bout.
Lightweight Bienvenidio Diaz (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Paterson, NJ will fight Oscar Bonilla (3-1-2, 2 KO’s) of New Haven, Connecticut in a bout scheduled for four rounds.
Also on the card will be a 4-round Jr. Middleweight bout between Ricky Nuno (1-0) of Bethlehem, PA taking on Tim Kunkel.
Tickets are priced at $100, $75 and $50 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster and www.ticketmaster.com
1st Bout is 7 PM with the Showtime broadcast beginning at 10 PM ET.
GH3 Promotions features undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas, Super Middleweight’s Jerry Odom & Derrick Webster, undefeated Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez as well as Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight Champion John Thompson, Jr., undefeated Welterweight Jerrell Harris,undefeated Super Bantamweight Qa’id Muhammad, lightweight Oscar Bonilla, Heavyweight Natu Visinia, Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell & Jr. Lightweight O’Shanique Foster to the GH3 Promotions stable.
JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ JR., CHRIS ARREOLA, JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ SR., & TRAINER ROBERT GARCIA MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS
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BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES’ FINEST TAKES CENTER STAGE AS UNDEFEATED WORLD CHAMPION LEO SANTA CRUZ TAKES ON FORMER THREE-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION ABNER MARES ON PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON ESPN 10 P.M. ET/7 P.M. PT SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 AT STAPLES CENTER
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Antonio Tarver, Jr. Fighting Out of his father’s shadow
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Prospect to face Julian Valerio this Saturday night in Tampa |
TAMPA (July 9, 2015) – Junior middleweight prospect Antonio Tarver, Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), son of five-time world champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver, continues to fight out of his famous father’s shadow this Saturday night in Tampa.
The 27-year-old Tarver faces Julian Valerio (2-3) in a four-round bout off-television on the Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN show, headlined by Keith Thurmanvs. Luis Collazo, at USF Sun Dome.
Tarver Jr. grew-up in nearby Daytona Beach and he recently relocated in Tampa where his father also lives. They have both trained in Miami with Orlando Cuellar. “This fight means a lot to me,” Tarver Jr. said. “I’m a young, up-and-coming fighter who has the great opportunity to fight Saturday night in front of family and friends. It’s only a two-hour drive from Daytona Beach. I’d like to thank ESPN, Al Haymon and everybody else who helped get me on this card. I sparred with him (Valerio) two years ago. He probably took this fight because of that sparring session, but I’ve got a big surprise for him Saturday night.”
There are many pros and cons having “Magic Man” as your father, especially when he is still an active, world-class fighter. “I’m my own man,” explained Tarver Jr. who was a basketball college player until he proved to his father that he was fully dedicated to boxing. “He’s more calculated; I’m quicker because I’m a junior middleweight and he’s a heavyweight. He’s a defensive genius and I’m working hard every day to improve my defense. I don’t put any pressure on myself as his son. He always told me to achieve my dreams, I’ve got to work hard, bust my butt, putting it all into my skills and crafts.
“I’ve only had 10 fights in my whole career (2 professional, 8 amateur) and I’m trying to catch-up with everybody else who have much more experience in the ring. But I have my father talking in my ear with advice from all of his experience and a great trainer in Orlando. People are going to see big differences from my first two fights. I’m ready for this fight!”
Antonio’s father is excited about his son’s third professional fight. “This is an unbelievable feeling to following my son’s transformation into the fighter he wants to be,” he admitted. “Nobody works harder than Junior. He’s dedicated, focused and all of that gives me a real easy feeling. All I do is talk to him to help him mentally. I can’t fight for him, but I can guide him, hoping he takes the right strides. He has everything going for him – talent and his head on straight. I never worry about him getting in trouble. He’s a different breed of fighter, my greatest accomplishment as a man, and I’m really excited about his future in this game.
“He was Keith Thurman’s main sparring partner for his fight and there was a buzz from their sparring sessions. Keith is one of the hottest young fighters in the world and Junior gave him everything he could handle. I tell Junior all the time that sparring isn’t the same as a fight. Sparring doesn’t get you paid or championships. Junior knows that in a fight he has to do what he worked so hard on in the gym. The lessons he learned from sparring with Keith made Junior more confident.” Tarver Jr. has been taught in Tampa by the same coach, 86-year-old Jimmy Williams, who also trained Tarver Sr. when he was 12.
“Every fight is a challenge and test as Antonio works his way up the boxing ladder,” Cuellar commented. “With his limited amateur experience, Antonio has had to learn on the job, cramming for the mental and physical challenges that will be presented. He’s passionate and dedicated on a consistent basis. Antonio seems to have all the tools to make a good run. We’ll grade his July 11th performance and go from there.”
As if Tarver Jr. needed any additional inspiration, he has just that as a father to-be for the first time this September. “The due date for my little boy is September 17,” he added. “That has motivated me even more.”
It also means that 46-year-old Tarver, Sr. will be fighting later this year as a grandfather, on his quest to become the oldest world heavyweight champion in boxing history.
“I’m so happy for Junior but becoming a grandfather doesn’t make me feel old,” Tarver Sr. concluded. “He’s a different cat. I’m preventing him from making the mistakes I made. He’s been settled for five years with his girlfriend and now they’re having a baby. I couldn’t be happier. This is a great time for me. When I do decide to retire, I’ll hand the torch to him, still hot, and let’s see how far he runs with it.”
INFORMATION:
@Tarver25
@MagicMan5XChamp |
Roy Jones Jr. Vs Tony Moran Press Conference Set for Wednesday 22nd July.
Promoter Stephen Vaughan Jr. today announced that the press conference for the Roy Jones Jr. versus Tony Moran Championship bout, that takes place at the Aintree Equestrian Centre, in Liverpool on Saturday 12th September, will take place at the Bierkeller, 6 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool L1 8LW at 1:30pm on Wednesday 22nd July.
On making the announcement, Mr. Vaughan, said. “It’s a real honour to be having the legendary Roy Jones Jr. come over and fight in England for the first time, even better that we have him fighting right here in Liverpool on one of our shows, against one of our own local lads, Tony Moran, on the 12th September.
But before we get to see the Legend himself in action, first we have the press conference, which will take place at the Bierkeller in Liverpool One.
Besides Roy and Tony we’ll also have all the lads from the home side of the card and a few of their opponents in attendance too.
This will be an open Press Conference so everyone is welcome to come along.”
PRESS CONFERENCE
Time & Date: 1:30pm on Wednesday 22nd July 2015
Location: Bierkeller, 6 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool L1 8LW
In Attendance:
Roy Jones Jr. versus Tony Moran
MBC International Cruiserweight Championship
Paul Economides (17-5-0) versus Prosper Ankrah (24-5-0)
World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Super Bantamweight Championship
Tasif Khan (10-1-2) versus Isaac Quaye (27-11-1)
World Boxing Federation International Super Flyweight Championship
WBU Junior World Super Bantamweight Champion Stevie Quinn Jr. (7-2-0) (Opponent TBA)
Unbeaten Lightweight Prospect Antonio Counihan (7-0-0) (Opponent TBA)
Unbeaten Featherweight Prospects Jay Carney (2-0-0) versus Mathew Fitzsimons (1-0-0)
Unbeaten Featherweight Prospect David Agadzhanyan (5-0-0) (Opponent TBA)
Unbeaten Heavyweight Prospect Rob Beech (5-0-0) (Opponent TBA)
Middleweight: Nick Quigley (13-2-0) versus Nathan Decastro (4-0-0)
Light Heavyweight: Lee Boyce (2-1-0) versus Matthew Pepper (1-9-0)
Welterweight: Dayle Gallagher (1-0-0) versus Matt Scriven (14-89-1)
Plus debuting boxers: Bantamweight; Tom Bell, Light Heavyweight; Liam Milner and Welterweight; Lee Monaghan
Tickets, priced £40, £60, £100 and VIP Ringside £150 for the Stephen Vaughan Promoted Roy Jones Jr. versus Tony Moran MBC International Cruiserweight Championship headed LEGEND event at the Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool on Saturday September 12th 2015 are available now, call 0333 200 0905 or buy on line at www.tkoboxoffice.com and www.vaughanboxing.tv
Sanctioning for this event will be courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission – www.maltaboxingcommission.com