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JENNINGS & SANTANA GAIN RESPECT WITH FANS
NEW JERSEY (May 5, 2015) – After HBO World Championship Boxing had one of their highest rated shows since 2012 with the Klitschko vs. Jennings championship bout on April 25th, Gary Shaw feels his fighters, Bryant Jennings (19-1, 10 KOs) and Francisco Santana (22-4-1, 11 KOs), can make quick comebacks to the big stage.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Bryant Jennings and Francisco Santana are fighters the fans want see,” said Gary Shaw. “The viewership that HBO had on April 25th was fantastic and I believe Jennings and Santana had a lot to do with those high ratings. Jennings because of his activity on social media. Santana because he has a tremendous amount of Latin fans that support him. With that being said, I believe both fighters, will be back on the big stage in the future.”
Bryant Jennings gained a ton of respect for his gallant effort against Klitschko, in which he went the distance, giving Wladimir his toughest fight in recent years, proving he was deserving of a title shot. Francisco Santana, who also went the distance with Sadam Ali, showed remarkable heart as he fought hard in every round, giving the fans their money’s worth.
“Bryant Jennings proved he’s an elite heavyweight contender with his performance against Klitschko,” Gary Shaw continued. “Santana is a Mexican warrior and both fighters gained a lot of fans that night. Both fighters pressed the action, taking the fight to their opponents, bringing excitement to the bout. Many in attendance felt the scores for both Jennings and Santana were not reflective of their fights. It was a lot closer then what the judges scorecards read. Jennings and Santana both love being HBO fighters. I have plans to bring them back to HBO.”
Boxcino 2015 Finals on ESPN “Friday Night Fights” May 22, Corona, CA
MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV Continues Friday, May 8, at 10 p.m. ET
May 5, 2015
The MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV series will feature its second consecutive week of live boxing coverage Friday, May 8, at 10 p.m. ET from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The card will feature two title fights, headlined by Top-10 contenders Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-1, 15 KOs) from Passaic, N.J., and “Irish” Seanie Monaghan (23-0, 15 KOs). Tapia will defend his NABO junior middleweight title against Michel Soro (25-1-1, 15 KOs) from France, with Monaghan defending his WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title against Cleiton Conceicao (20-6-2, 16 KOs) from Brazil.
Commentators for the event will include Kevin Kugler providing play-by-play with analyst Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and reporter Crystina Poncher. Kugler is a veteran announcer who has called college basketball and NFL coverage for Westwood One and college football for the Big Ten Network. Mancini is a 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and former NABF and WBA lightweight champion. Poncher is a commentator and reporter for Top Rank, as well as a host, reporter and correspondent for NFL Network and NFL.com. Additionally, closed captioning in Spanish will be available.
The network’s presentation will feature the continued use of “Spidercam”technology, the first of its kind for a live domestic boxing telecast, providing dynamic coverage during the series. “Spidercam” operates on a four-point system of cables from designated points beyond the corners of the boxing ring. The suspended camera has the ability to provide compelling 360-degree angles of the action including the ability to move in three dimensions – left/right, forward/backward and up/down.
As part of its entitlement sponsorship of the boxing series on truTV,MetroPCS will receive camera-visible center ring and corner pad brand placement for each fight, as well as inclusion in all promotional messaging across truTV and other Turner Broadcasting networks.
Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR.
MAYWEATHER vs. PACQUIAO PREMIERES THIS SATURDAYON SHOWTIME®, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY INSIDE MAYWEATHER vs. PACQUIAO EPILOGUE
Network’s Distinctive And Award-Winning “Epilogue” Episode Focuses
The Spotlight On The Unpredictable Drama Of Fight Week
Click On The Image Below To Watch A Clip Lift: http://s.sho.com/1JmrDZ3
The fourth and final installment of INSIDE MAYWEATHER vs. PACQUIAO–Epilogue–premieres this Saturday immediately following the SHOWTIME premiere of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao delayed telecast at 9 p.m. ET/PT. In this clip, witness Mayweather and Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach arguing just moments before the fight. And tune in this Saturday to witness all the drama and intensity immediately before and after last Saturday’s historic showdown.
Former Bellator MMA World Featherweight Champion Daniel Straus looks to work his way back to the belt at “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” against undefeated challenger Henry Corrales
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 5, 2015) – Former Bellator MMA World Featherweight Champion Daniel Straus (23-6) begins his trek back to a world title when he meets undefeated promotional newcomer and former King of the Cage titlist Henry Corrales (12-0) at June’s blockbuster “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” event.
The contest serves as the fifth and final Spike TV-broadcast main card matchup of the star-studded fight card.
Featuring one of the most anticipated heavyweight fights in the history of the sport with Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock, “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” takes place Friday, June 19, at St. Louis’ Scottrade Center and airs live on Spike TV.
Tickets for “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business,” which start at just $30, are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com.
With the night’s featured bouts now complete, additional preliminary contests will be announced shortly.
A consensus pick as one the best 145-pounders on the planet, Straus is anxious to rebound from a disappointing January loss to current Bellator MMA Featherweight Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. A member of American Top Team, Straus was ahead early in the fight and appeared to be on his way to reclaiming the belt he lost in 2014 before suffering a knee injury that limited his capabilities and eventually led to his late submission with 11 seconds left in the fourth round.
Now fully recovered, Straus plans on working his way back to a title bout as quickly as possible, and a victory on a high-profile card like “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” would certainly help him stake his claim as the division’s No. 1 contender.
Fighting professionally since 2011, Corrales began his career primarily as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu stylist, as witnessed by his five consecutive submission wins to begin his career. However, he’s since worked diligently to improve his striking game, and of his past six victories, four have come by way of knockout. Corrales boasts an unblemished professional mark through the first 12 contests of his MMA tenure, including recent wins over big-show veterans Jerod Spoon and Seth Dikun.
“Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” – Friday, June 19, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Mo.
Main Card
Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Kimbo Slice (4-2) vs. Ken Shamrock (28-15-2)
Bellator Featherweight Title Fight: Champ Patricio Pitbull (23-2) vs. Daniel Weichel (35-8)
Bellator Featured Heavyweight Fight: Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)
Bellator Featured Featherweight Fight: Daniel Straus (23-6) vs. Henry Corrales (12-0)
Bellator Featured Lightweight Fight: Michael Chandler (12-3) vs. Derek Campos (15-4)
Preliminary Card
Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Justin Guthrie (17-8) vs. Steven Mann (10-1)
Bellator Strawweight Prelim Fight: Miles McDonald (0-1) vs. Dan O’Connor (5-4)
Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Malcolm Smith (4-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1)
Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Kain Royer (1-1) vs. Enrique Watson (1-0)
Provodnikov popular at Mayweather – Pacquiao
Bellator MMA adds heavyweight sluggers Ewerton Teixeira and Lorenzo Hood
Bellators newest heavyweights Ewerton Teixeira (left) and Lorenzo Hood
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 4, 2015) – Bellator MMA’s heavyweight division will now play host to a pair of the hardest-hitting heavyweights in the game, as promotion officials are proud to announce the addition of Brazilian K-1 champion Ewerton Teixeira (3-0), as well as Blackzilians slugger Lorenzo “The Samoan Silverback” Hood (9-2).
Debut dates and opponents will be announced for both fighters in the near future.
A third dan black belt in Kyokushin karate, the 33-year-old Teixeira has been racking up titles in striking competitions for more than a decade. Teixeira reached the pinnacle of standup fighting in 2008, when he earned that year’s K-1 World Grand Prix in Fukuoka title and then fought his way to the K-1 World Grand Prix Final’s championship bout, where he would come up just short against Errol Zimmerman (though Teixeira would avenge that result in 2010).
Teixeira then turned his attention to MMA in 2012, and he has remained undefeated through his first three professional contests in the sport and is now ready to try his hand at MMA’s highest level.
Meanwhile, the 6-foot-3 Hood has been competing professionally since 2009 and has never had a fight go past the first round. Of his nine career victories, all nine have come by knockout. Hood has fought throughout the U.S. while competing on the regional circuit, earning himself recognition as one of the top heavyweight prospects in the sport.
Competing under the tutelage of former world champion Rashad Evans, the 26-year-old Hood’s work at Florida’s Blackzilians camp has prepared him for an opportunity to compete against the world’s best fighters, and Bellator MMA will now offer him a platform to prove his talent.
FIGHT NETWORK MMA & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Apr. 27-May 3, 2015)
Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, boxing, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.
Below find highlights of this week’s programming:
Monday, May 4
6:30 p.m. ET – 2014 Judo Zagreb Grand Prix– Highlights from the 2014 Judo Zagreb Grand Prix from Sept. 12-14 in Croatia.
7:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.
7:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
8:00 p.m. ET – Final Fight Championship 3: Jurkovic vs., Catinas – Featuring Igor Jurkovic vs. Raulk Catinas in a kickboxing bout and Ante Delija vs. Michail Lamprakis in MMA action from Apr. 19, 2013 in split, Croatia.
Tuesday, May 5
1:30 a.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.
2:30 am. ET – XPTV – Coverage of regional U.S pro and amateur MMA.
4:30 a.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
7:00 & 7:30 p.m. ET – Xtreme Fighting Championship – Florida-based professional MMA featuring top American prospects, international stars and UFC veterans.
8:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.
8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
Wednesday, May 6
1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 6: Payback – Featuring Jimi Manuwa vs. Like Blythe and Brad Pickett vs., David Lee from Aug. 22, 2009 in London.
6:00 p.m. ET – Best of Cage Rage – Featuring classic fights from the UK-based Cage Rage organization with Anderson Silva, Antonio Silva, Victor Belfort, Paul Daley and others.
7:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.
7:30 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA – Compilations of international MMA fights from ONE FC, UCMMA, KSW, WFC, FFC, BAMMA, EFC Africa and more.
8:30 p.m. ET – Cage Warriors 73 – Featuring Alex Enlund vs. Nad Narimano for the vacant featherweight title from Nov. 1, 2014 in London.
11:00 p.m. ET – MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency – Gabriel Morency breaks down all the happenings in MMA, discussing odds, predictions, plus special weekly guests and exclusive interviews.
11:30 p.m. ET – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scenes coverage from events and exclusive interviews.
Thursday, May 7
1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 5: Heat – Featuring Dino Gambatesa vs. Brad Whjeeler from July 11, 20-9 in London.
6:00 p.m. ET – Championship Fightling Alliance – Pro MMA from Florida featuring the likes of Josh Sampo, Mike Kyle, John Howard, Sean McCorkie, Luis Palomino and others.
7:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Rookies – Aspiring kickboxers climb the ladder of success in the sport as rookies compete for a chance to become professionals and get experience needed to succeed at a higher level.
8:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.
8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
9:00 p.m. ET — MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency – Gabriel Morency breaks down all the happenings in MMA, discussing odds, predictions, plus special weekly guests and exclusive interviews.
10:00 p.m. ET – Super Fight League 2 – Featuring Todd Duffee vs. Neil Grove and Alexander Shlemenko vs. Ikuhisa Minowa from Apr. 7, 2012 in Chandigarh, India.
Friday, May 8
2:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Nate Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.
4:00 a.m. ET – Best of DEEP – Featuring class fights from the historic Japanese DEEP promotion including Shinya Aoki, Hayato Sakurai and Gegard Mousasi.
5:00 a.m. ET – Best of Jewels – Classic fights from the all-female Japanese MMA league, Jewels.
6:00 – p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge – Professional MMA from Europe featuring top rising prospects and international stars.
7:00 p.m. ET — Fight News Now. MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.
7:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.
8:30 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.
9:00 p.m. ET — KSW 16 – Featuring Mamed Khalidov vs. Matt Lindland and Mariusz Pudzianowski vs. James Thompson from May 21, 2011 in Gdansk, Poland.
11:30 p.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Firas Zahabi – Sit-down interview with Tristar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi, trainer to the likes of Georges St. Pierre and Rory MacDonald.
Saturday, May 9
1:00 a.m. ET – SuperKombat: New Heroes Opatija 2013 – Featuring Ivan Stanic vs. Laurent Attrifi, Mladen Brestovac vs. Andy Van Steen and the opening round of the heavyweight tournament from Feb. 23, 2013.
6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Featuring Shonie Carter vs. Jason MacDonald from TKO 21.
7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Jake Shields vs. Randy Velarde from Gladiator Challenge 49.
10:00 a.m. ET – Best of SportFight – Top quality MMA from the Pacific Northwest, hosted by UFC veterans Matt LIndland and Chael Sonnen. This episode features the rise of SportFight champion Enoch Wilson.
1:30 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 46 – Featuring Brendan Barrett vs. Mlodrag Petkovic and Frankie Perez vs. Rafael Machado from Sept. 20, 2013 in Atlantic City, NJ.
4:00 p.m. ET – DEEP: 62 Impact – Featuring Satoru Kitaoka vs. Daisuke Nakamura, Daiki Jata vs. Yoshiro Maeda, Dan Hornbuckle vs. Yuya Shirai and Akihiro Gono vs. Taisuke Okuno from Apr. 26, 2013 in Yokyo.
7:00 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champion – Featuring heavyweight champ Mrcin Tybura vs. light heavyweight champ Stephan Puetz in a champion vs. champion superfight from May 2, 2015 in Orenburg, Russia.
10:00 p.m. ET – UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt Pre-Show – LIVE pre-fight coverage of UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt from Adelaide, Australia.
11:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and more.
Sunday, May 10
1:00 a.m. ET – UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt Post-Show – LIVE post-fight reaction and coverage of coverage of UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt from Adelaide, Australia, including live post-fight press conference.
6:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Name Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.
10:00 a.m. ET – Best of ADCC – Featuring compilations of the greatest grappling matches ever held, featuring Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes, Eddie Bravo, Fabricio Werdum, Marcelo Garcia, Ronaldo Souza and Royler Gracie.
11:00 a.m. ET – Elite Muay Thai: Thailand vs. Challenger – The biggest Muay Thai series in the world featuring premium international stand-up fighters takingon the renowned Thai National team.
7:00 p.m. ET – USA Wrestling Weekly – Host Scott Casber gives weekly news and analysis centering around USA Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body, including interviews, features and look back at the past.
7:30 p.m. ET – Judo Astana Grand Prix 2014 – Highlights from the Judo Astana Grand Prix from Oct. 10-12 in Astana, Kazakhstan
Information:
Twitter & Instagram @fightnet
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ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK: Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
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FIFTH CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT ADDED TO NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD
Lewiston, Maine (May 4, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur bantamweight bout to the fight card. It will be the fifth amateur title awarded on the June 13 card. The bout will feature Johnny Crafts (3-0) going one-on-one with Jeff Watts (5-2) at the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.
Voted the “Rookie of the Year” for 2014 by NEF fans, Johnny Crafts has dominated in all three of his prior bouts. For those familiar with his background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), it comes as no surprise that the brown belt has submitted each of his opponents. Last February, Crafts handed the previously-undefeated Mike Crespo (2-2) his first loss in the NEF cage. He is currently a member of Team New England United (NEU) – the largest BJJ team in the northeast.
“I’m very excited to be fighting for the first ever NEF ammy bantamweight title,” said Crafts. “This is definitely my hardest fight to date and I am ready to show everyone my progression. Jeff seems like a very well-rounded, experienced fighter and this should be a battle for the NEF fans to enjoy.”
Jeff Watts is a product of western New York state where he developed a reputation at a young age as a tough street fighter. With a background in Karate and wrestling, Watts began training in MMA in 2009. A familiar face to New England MMA fans having competed twice in Plymouth, Massachusetts, June 13 will be his debut in the NEF cage. Watts is known internationally as writer “Karmaatemycat” on major MMA website Cagepotato.com. Currently residing in Wausau, Wisconsin, he trains out of Rising Son MMA.
“I’m incredibly excited to be fighting the caliber of Jiu Jitsu that John brings to the cage,” said Watts. “I’m even more excited to see how he handles being punched in the face. First ever Bantamweight title for NEF. What an honor! Win, lose, or draw–it’s going to be a crazy night. I’m excited to show some skills I’ve never shown before. Let’s put a show on John. Bang with me.”
NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015. Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee 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.