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Agbeko-Blakey tops St. Patrick’s Day Fight Night in Nashville

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All-Action Reyes in co-feature; Galarza donating earnings to church
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Nashville, TN (March 13, 2018) – Light heavyweight knockout king Sena “African Assassin” Agbeko will headline Tri-Star Boxing’s special edition of “Fight at the Fairgrounds” when he battles Lawrence Blakey Saturday, March 17 at the Fairground Sports Arena in Nashville, TN.
Tickets can be purchased by going to tristarboxing.com/tickets and doors open at 6 pm. The card is brought to you in association with Blue Chair Bay Rum.
Hailing from Ghana and fighting out of Nashville, Agbeko’s impressive professional ledger reads 20-1 with 18 victories by knockout. The 26-year-old has become a local favorite and Saturday marks his third fight in the Music City. He most recently defeated veteran Anthony Bowman via 2ndround stoppage in January.
Standing across the ring will be Pennsylvania’s Lawrence Blakey. A tough luck fighter with a 5-8-2 record and two wins by KO, Blakey’s been victimized by questionable judging. His last four defeats came via split or majority decision and he’s faced six unbeaten foes. In November 2017, Blakey outpointed Joe Paintiff (12-3) via unanimous decision.
The Agbeko-Blakey fight is scheduled for six rounds.
Exciting junior flyweight Edwin Reyes of Nashville by way of Guatemala faces Mexico’s 56 fight veteran Armando “Chiquita” Vazquez in the 10 round co-feature. The pair previously met in 2017, with Reyes capturing an exciting decision victory. This time around Reyes, 7-3-2 (5 KO’s), aims for a knockout to erase any doubts that he’s the superior fighter.
The undercard will see the return of Antioch, TN’s Luis “El Taino” Galarza in a four round contest. Fighting for the first time in nearly two years, Galarza has an excellent 21-4 record with 15 of his victories by knockout. He’s shared the ring with world champions Kell Brook and Austin Trout but his proudest moment in boxing will come Saturday evening when he donates 100% of his fight purse to LifePoint Church.
Matt Young of Tri-Star Boxing said “This is our second straight St Patricks’ Day card. The turnout in 2017 was amazing and we’re looking to break the numbers this time around. We’ve got an incredible knockout artist in Agbeko along with one of the most exciting fighters out there in Edwin Reyes plus a number of competitive fights featured on the undercard. Luis Galarza is also making his return for a truly special purpose. I’m looking forward to seeing our loyal fans and some new faces on Saturday evening.”
For more information, visit tristarboxing.com.
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Witherspoon decisions Capers in Atlantic City

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Lockett upsets Prince Badi Ajamu
wins by Buaza, Hilton, Cortes & Jimenez
For Immediate Release
Atlantic City, New Jersey (March 12, 2018)–Chazz Witherspoon raised his winning streak to eight in a row as he went the eight-round distance by won a unanimous decision over Lamont Capers that headlined a seven-bout card at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.
The show, which took place this past Saturday,  was promoted by Mis Downing Promotions and Silverspoon Promotions.
Witherspoon was able to outpoint the crafty Capers.  Capers was very competitive, but it was Witherspoon’s size and harder punches that proved to be the difference as he captured the via 78-74, 78-74 and 77-75 scores.
Witherspoon of Paulsboro, NJ is now 37-3.  Capers, who was fighting for the 2nd time in seven days is 9-12-4.
Willis Lockett took a six-round majority decision over Prince Badi Ajamu in a cruiserweight bout.
Lockett of Takoma Park, MD won by scores of 59-55, 58-56 and 57-57, and is now 16-22-6.  Ajamu of Camden, NJ is 28-4-1.
Super Lightweight John Bauza remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over David Morales.
Bauza of North Bergen, NJ won on all cards by scores of 60-54, and is now 9-0.  Morales of Managua, Nicaragua is 13-9.
Mike Hilton won a three-round technical unanimous decision over Hector Perez.
The fight was a terrific back and forth brawl when Perez suffered a cut over his right eye in the third frame.
Perez almost made a quick night for himself as he dropped Hilton in the 1st round.  Hilton stormed back to register his own knockdown’s in round two and three.

The scores were 28-26 on all cards at the time of he stoppage.

Hilton of Trenton, NJ is 10-0.   Perez of Pleasantville, NJ is 3-2
Edgar Cortes won a four-round unanimous decision over Kevin Asmat in a featherweight bout.
Scores were 38-37 twice and 39-36 for Cortes, of Vineland, NJ, who is now 6-4.  Asmat of North Bergen. NJ is 3-2.
Alejandro Jimenez made a successful pro debut with a 2nd round stoppage over Derrick Pitts in a bantamweight bout.
The time of the finish was 3:00.  Pitts is 0-2.
Dan Murray and Latorrie Woodberry fought to a no-contest when Woodberry hurt his shoulder in the 1st round of their scheduled four-round welterweight bout.
“I am ecstatic about Saturday night’s card,” said Mis Downing of Mis Downing Promotions.  “The fights were terrific and very competitive.  I want to thank the Claridge Hotel and a special thanks to The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame.  I also want to thank Mayor Frank Gilliam for supporting our event.  We are excited about what is to come in the future, and we will have a very big announcement shortly about our next event, which will be a very special night of boxing.”

Mis Downing Promotions would like to thank their sponsors which includes The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, The Claridge Hotel, Fantasea Resorts, AEI Insurance, Urgent Response, HairX, Buy Smart Motors & New Vision Property Management.
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Baltimore Boxing to honor late Scott Wagner March 22

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Baltimore, MD (March 12, 2018) – Jake Smith’s Baltimore Boxing Promotions returns to Michael’s Eighth Avenue March 22 for a special tribute event to the late Scott Wagner.
Prior to Smith hosting his cards at Michael’s Eighth, Scott Wagner’s Ballroom Boxing ran more than 70 successful shows over a 15 year period. His series was a major hit and he featured many fighters that went onto become world champions such as Terence Crawford, Hasim Rahman, Kermit Cintron, Orlin Norris and Al Cole. A longtime friend of Smith, Wagner stopped promoting in 2009 and graciously offered the family-owned Michael’s Eighth to Baltimore Boxing Promotions.
On February 16, Wagner passed away at age 49.
“Scott was one of my closest friends and I was devastated by his untimely passing,” said Smith, who co-promoted with Wagner and also fought for him in 1996. “He ran one of the most successful promotions for more than a decade and did right by the fighters.
Scott Wagner the person was even better than the promoter. He always helped other people and his experience assisted me in expanding Baltimore Boxing Promotions. I am forever thankful and will always have a place in my heart for Scott Wagner.”
Headlining this Olympic style boxing event is a grudge match between Deshawn “Soulsnatcher” Chase and Ocean City, MD’s Omar Serrano for the East Coast Middleweight title. One of Baltimore Boxing’s top prospects, Chase looks for redemption against the only man to defeat him.
In the co-featured bout of the evening, Baltimore Boxing’s Tyrell Boyd meets Tyler Langer. Boyd is a multi-time champion but is faced with a tough foe that fights out of the highly respected Mack Lewis Gym.
Other bouts will be announced shortly.
Along with honoring Wagner, Baltimore Boxing is hosting a fundraiser for Brenda Davis. The wife of legendary trainer Adrian Davis, Brenda’s battled health complications that have severely impacted her. All proceeds from the fundraiser will help cover Davis’ healthcare costs.
Tickets and tables are available by calling 410-375-9175 or going to Baltimoreboxing.com.
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Middleweight Cem Kilic remains undefeated with 2nd round stoppage

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Beverly Hills, Calif. (March. 12, 2018) – Middleweight Cem Kilic remained perfect with a 2nd round stoppage over veteran Taronze Washington in Hinckley, Minnesota this past Friday.
The native of Los Angles via Frankfurt, Germany put Washington down with a hard body shot, and the bout was stopped to raise Kilic’s mark to 10-0 with six knockouts. 
“I am 10-0 now, and I cant ell you how excited I am to get the early knockout in front of my adopted American fans,” said Kilic.  “Taronze was a tough opponent, but I trained too hard for this fight not to get the early knockout.  2018 is my year, and I am putting the middleweight division on notice.  I trust my manager to get the opportunity to showcase my talent to the entire world.”
Kilic is managed by No Limit Mindset LLC, and CEO Shane Shapiro is extremely confident in the direct that his fighter is heading.
“Friday was a big step for Cem Kilic.  He demonstrated that at age 23 against a very tought opponent, who had fought three world champions (Andre Berto, Alfredo Angulo and Austin Trout) as well as a plethora of big name contenders, that Cem was able to take him out in 2 rounds.  I am very pleased and excited to announce a MAJOR mover very shortly.”
Kilic is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions.
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BRUNSON SETS RECORD WITH THREE BRISCOE AWARDS

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PHILADELPHIA – PA State junior middleweight champion Tyrone Brunson will be honored with three Briscoe Awards for the eventful year he had in 2017.  During the year, Brunson’s efforts won him three bouts, two belts, and kept his career on track for a big fight in 2018. For these accomplishments, Brunson will take home three Briscoe Awards on March 25th– “Philly Fighter of the Year”, “Philly Fight of the Year”, and “Performance of the Year”.  This will be the first time a fighter has won three Briscoes in a single year.
“Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, Bryant Jennings and Tevin Farmer have all won two before, but Brunson will be the first guy to get three on the same day,” said John DiSanto, founder of the Briscoe Awards.  “Tyrone had a great year in 2017, so I’m happy for him.  The voters got it right.”
In addition to the “Fighter of the Year” award, Brunson’s give-and-take battle with former world champion Kermit Cintron was named the “2017 Philly Fight of the Year”.  In the fight, Brunson came off the floor twice to stop Cintron in round five.  For that win, Brunson also earned the Briscoe Award for the “Performance of the Year”.  Along with Brunson, Cintron will receive the Briscoe Award for his participation in the “Fight of the Year”.
A number of other fighters will also be honored in various categories like: “Amateur of the Year, “Prospect of the Year”, “Knockout of the Year”, Rookie of the Year”, etc.
Advance tickets for the March 25, 2018 Briscoe Awards cost $20 and are currently available for sale at BriscoeAwards.com, or by calling 609-377-6413. Tickets will not be sold at the door.  The $20 admission includes food, draft beer, wine, soft drinks, and a souvenir program and ticket.  The Briscoe Awards will be held at the VBA Clubhouse, 2733 Clearfield Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19134. 
The Briscoe Awards are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501c3 Non-Profit organization dedicated to preserving and honoring the great legacy of boxing in and around the city of Philadelphia. For more information, call John DiSanto at 609-377-6413.
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Undefeated lightweight Josh O’Reilly defends IBA Intercontinental title on St. Patrick’s Day in Canada

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MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Canada (March 12, 2018) – Undefeated International Boxing Association (IBA) lightweight champion Josh “Dubs” O’Reilly will make his first title defense on a special St. Patrick’s Day card, presented United Boxing Promotions, this Saturday night (Mar. 17), at Hersey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
 
Irish-Canadian sensation O’Reilly (10-0, 4 KOs), fighting out of Hamilton (Canada), will take on Mexican invader Juan Bedolla Orozco (19-7-2, 14 KOs) in the 10-round main event. The 27-year-old O’Reilly (pictured to right) captured his IBA Intercontinental title last October, when he stopped Oscar Arjona (13-6) at Hersey Centre.
 
“I’m excited to headline because I’ve always felt it would be cool to fight on St. Paddy’s Day, in the main event, close to home and defending my title” O’Reilly said without a hint of an Irish brogue. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to putting on a very good performance for everyone.
“My goals for 2018 are to keep improving, I’d like to be in some domestic fights and then set myself up on the international scene early next year.
“Josh had a breakout year in 2017,” O’Reilly’s promoter Tyler Buxton commented. “He came into the year with only one knockout in seven fights. In 2017, after moving up in weight and competition, he stopped all three opponents. Josh proved he’s one of the top lightweights in Canada and, in 2018, we’re looking to prove he’s the best in the country.”
 
Former International Boxing Federation (IBF heavyweight champion Frankie Rill (14-2, 10 KOs), faces Argentinian knockout-artist Sebastian “El Grandote” Ignacio Ceballos (34-9-2, 26 KOs) in the eight-round co-featured event.
 
In a pair of six-round matches, Canadian light heavyweight champion Tim Cronin (10-1-1, 2 KOs) meets Juan Cruz Correa (4-0-1), of Argentina, while Jason Alexander (2-2-0, 2 KOs) squares off with Darren Fletcher (1-4-1,) in a battle of Canadian light heavyweights.
 
Indian middleweight prospect Sukhdeep “Chakria” Singh, a 2012 Senior National Boxing Championship and 2011 Boxing Super Cup gold medalist as an amateur, will make his professional debut in a four-round bout versus Alejandro Garcia (2-1, 1 KO), of Mexico.
 
Also fighting in four-round fights on the undercard are aptly named Canadian welterweight Cody Kelly (2-0) vs. Waldo “Chino” Rojas (4-2-1, 1 KO), of Mexico, unbeaten Armenia native and Montreal resident Andranik Grigoryan (2-0) vs. undefeated Mexican featherweight Sergio “El Duende” Palafox (7-0, 2 KOs), and pro-debuting Canadian super welterweight Karl “The Razor” Hess vs. Mexican Mario Bedolla Orozzo (0-1-1). Grigoryan gained invaluable experience as a key member of the Russian Boxing Team in the World Series of Boxing.
 
“Our St. Patrick’s Day event is going to be a great night of fights with Irish Josh ‘Dubs’ O’Reilly as the headliner, defending his IBA International title,” Buxton added. “Also, Irish boxers Tim Cronin and Cody Kelly will be in action, so it’s safe to say the boys in green will be out March 17th at Hershey Centre. The undercard is packed with the likes of former IBF International Heavyweight Champion Franz Rill, pro debuts of the gold medalist and 2017 Best Boxer of the India’s Super Pro Boxing League, Sukhdeep, and hard-hitting native Canadian Karl “The Razor” Hess. To top off a stacked card, World Series of Boxing Russian Team member Andranik Grigoryan will be making his first visit to Ontario.”
 
Tickets, ranging between $150.00 and $20.00, are available at the Hershey Centre box office or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.
 
INFORMATION:
Facebook: /UnitedBoxingPromotions
Twitter: @UnitedBoxingPromotions, @TylerBuxton
 
Instagram: @UnitedPromotions
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MIKEY GARCIA BECOMES A FOUR-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION WITH UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER SERGEY LIPINETS SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM FREEMAN COLISEUM IN SAN ANTONIO

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Kiryl Relikh Dominates Rances Barthelemy To Capture WBA Super Lightweight World Championship In SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Co-Feature

Catch The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Replay Monday, March 12 At

10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

SAN ANTONIO (March 11, 2018) – Mikey Garcia captured a world title in his fourth weight division, outpointing previously undefeated Sergey Lipinets to win the IBF Junior Welterweight World Championship Saturday on SHOWTIME from Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio.

With the victory, Garcia (38-0, 30 KOs) joined Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez as the only fighters in history to win titles at 126, 130, 135 and 140 pounds.

“It’s a great feeling. Winning this fourth title in a fourth division is an honor,” Garcia said.  “To get to be mentioned with Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez is a huge honor for me.  It just leaves a little chapter in boxing with my name, my brother, my dad.  I think people will remember the Garcia family for ages to come.”

Garcia, who was fighting for just the second time at 140 pounds, relied on a steady diet of combos to back up Lipinets, who was making the first defense of the IBF title he won last November on SHOWTIME.  Garcia floored Lipinets for the first time in his career, connecting on a counter left hook midway through the seventh in a rousing moment that sent the pro-Garcia crowd at Freeman Coliseum to their feet.

Garcia, who won by scores of 116-111 and 117-110 twice, connected on 46 percent of his power shots compared to 36 percent for the defending champion.

“He came in exactly as I expected – a very tough, very hungry and strong fighter,” Garcia said.  “We worked with angles behind the jab.  He’s very dangerous, but we had a great game plan and we were able to prevail.

“I know I carry the power, but I was fighting a bigger man and he could take a punch.  I didn’t want to get caught and I had to be patient.”

After the fight, Garcia, who still holds the WBC title at lightweight, reiterated his mantra that he’s seeking the biggest fights available, regardless of weight division.

“What I love is I have all the options,” Garcia said.  “I could go down to 135 to unify titles, which is what I really want to do.  And in a couple of fights you’re going to see me at 147.

Despite being the defending champion, Lipinets (13-1, 10 KOs) was fighting in just his 14th professional fight.  The Russian, who was born in Kazakhstan, delivered a valiant effort against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

“It was probably experience that took over at some point,” Lipinets said.  “Mikey is a great fighter, he can obviously crack.  It was just experience that I was lacking.

“I want to go back in the gym and work on the problems I showed in the ring.  There are a couple of holes I need to close.  I’ll be back.  It’s a learning experience.”

In a rematch of one of 2017’s best and most controversial fights, Kiryl Relikh handed former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy the first loss of his career with a wide unanimous decision victory to capture the vacant WBA Super Lightweight World Championship.

Relikh (22-2, 19 KOs) was the more active fighter and controlled the co-main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast from the opening bell, throwing 1,237 total punches compared to just 494 for Barthelemy.  Relikh, who many thought won their first matchup, consistently worked off his jab, connecting on 103 punches per round while Barthelemy landed an average of just 41.

While Barthelemy (26-1, 13 KOs) won a disputed and wide decision in their first bout there was no controversy in the judges’ scorecards in the rematch, which was scored 117-110 and 118-109 twice.

Relikh became just the third fighter from Belarus to win a world title while Barthelemy came up short in his bid to become the first Cuban to win a world title in three weight divisions.

“Last time I was not ready,” Relikh said.  “I didn’t have proper preparation in the first fight but this time, with my new trainers, I was ready.  I’m very happy. I’ve waited for this dream for 20 years.  I’ve worked hard for this dream and now it’s mine.

“Coming in we were looking to box all the way.  My jab has developed so much since the last fight.  They probably thought that I would run out of gas like last time, but I trained like a champion this time.  Everything was geared toward becoming champion and that’s what we did tonight.”

Barthelemy, who picked up the pace a bit in the final three rounds, didn’t dispute the decision.

“My heart is broken because I came in to this fight trying to get that third world title,” Barthelemy said.  “I have to admit defeat and say that Relikh deserved to win that fight, but I will be back.

“At this point I have to look forward and put it behind me.”

 

The featured attraction of the SHOWTIME BOXING on SHO EXTREME telecast saw San Antonio’s own Mario Barrios (21-0, 13 KOs) deliver a sensational second round knockout of Eudy Bernardo (23-3, 17 KOs) in front of his hometown fans.

“I definitely made a statement tonight,” said Barrios. “I showed the 140-pound division that I’m here and ready for any of them.”

Barrios was dominant from the start and struck early in the second with a vicious straight right that put Bernardo down. Although Bernardo got to his feet and beat the count, referee Jon Schorle had seen enough and waved off the bout 45 seconds into the second round of the super lightweight affair.

“I wasn’t going in there looking for the knockout, but I caught him early,” said Barrios. “I’ve been on a good run and I’m ready to continue that streak. We’re moving up the ranks fight by fight. I’m looking to get a title eliminator by the end of the year and hopefully a title shot early next year.”

In the opening bout of the SHO EXTREME telecast, Richard Commey (26-2, 23 KOs) scored a sixth-round TKO of Alejandro Luna (22-1, 15 KOs) in their IBF Lightweight World Title Eliminator.

“Despite the win, my performance wasn’t up to the level that I hoped it would be,” said Commey. “He was exactly what I expected and if I had connected on more of my punches in the beginning I think the fight would have been over earlier. I was really trying to work on what we had been focusing on in camp but I just wasn’t performing well at the start of the fight.”

The fight was defined by exciting exchanges throughout, with Commey, fighting on his 31st birthday, getting the better early and connecting with power punches that caused Luna’s jaw to swell. Commey’s power broke through in round six when a powerful combination punctuated by a left uppercut sent Luna to the canvas for the first time in his career.

“I’m very disappointed,” said Luna. “All the credit to Commey, but I expect more of myself and I’m going to get back in the gym and come back much stronger and better.”

Luna rose to his feet but was quickly pounced on by Commey, who landed 62 percent of his power punches in the round, and was sent to the mat again. This forced referee David Fields to call a halt to the bout at 1:54 of round six. Commey now becomes the mandatory challenger for IBF Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter, who Commey lost a split decision to in September 2016.

“It is the greatest feeling to get the win on my 31st birthday,” said Commey. “I am looking forward to fighting for the 135-pound world title and becoming champion.”

The SHO EXTREME swing bout featured unbeaten prospect Brandon Figueroa (15-0, 10 KOs) scoring a seventh round knockout of Mexico’s Giovanni Delgado (16-6, 9 KOs) in their super bantamweight clash.

Figueroa, the brother of former champion Omar, continued to show the aggressive style that has defined his early career as he threw an astonishing 178 punches in the third round. That number was good for the second most ever thrown in a single round by a fighter in a super bantamweight bout, according to CompuBox.

The 21-year-old Figueroa continued to put the pressure on, battering Delgado until referee Gregorio Alvarez halted the fight at 1:55of the seventh round.

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports , www.premierboxingchampions.com,

follow us on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @Ringstar @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm  or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and www.Facebook.com/RingstarSports. PBC is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

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JESSE “BAM” RODRIGUEZ SCORES FIRST ROUND KO

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SAN ANTONIO, TX (March 10, 2018) – Last night at the Mi Mercado Event Center in San Antonio, TX, TMB & PRB Entertainment, sponsored by Mikey Garcia Promotions, presented “Friday Night Fights”.  Special guests Mikey Garcia, Abner Mares and Bones Adams were all in attendance.
In the main event, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (5-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, defeated Jose “El Cuate” Casiano (0-2) by way of first round knockout. A right hook to the head put Casiano down for the count at the 1:33mark of round one.
 
In the co-main event, Angel Alejandro (2-0, 1KO) went the distance with Jose Elizondo (2-6-1), winning a unanimous decision. Scorecards read 40-35 and 39-36 twice, all in favor of Alejandro. Alejandro dropped Elizando in round one before cruising to victory.
 
 
Undercard Results
 
(4-round super-middleweight bout)
Patrick Clarke(1-0, 1 KO) defeated Taylor Saucedo (0-4). A left hook to the head ended the bout at the 2:59 mark of round one.
(4-round Middleweight bout)
Steven Ramos (2-0, 2 KOs) defeated Jacob Landin (0-2). Aright hook by Ramos dropped Landin in the early part of round two, then a straight left followed, ending the bout.
(4-round jr bantamweight bout)
Aaron Morales (1-0, 1 KO)defeated Jorge De Leon (0-2)by way of first round knockout. A left hook to the body put De Leon down, ending the bout at the 1:42 mark.
(4-round heavyweight bout)
Brandon Glanton defeated Tyrrel Herndon. Herndon was disqualified for holding and quit. The bout was stopped at the 1:02 mark of round three.
(4-round Featherweight bout)
Vincente Loredo (1-0, 1 KO) defeated Ben Guerrero (0-2). A flurry of punches by Loredo ended the bout at the 1:23 mark of round three, giving Loredo the TKO victory.
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REGIS PROGRAIS SCORES DOMINATING SECOND-ROUND KNOCKOUT OVER JULIUS INDONGO TO EARN INTERIM WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

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SHOWTIME Veteran Ivan Baranchyk Dominates Petr Petrov in IBF Junior Welterweight Eliminator

 

 

 

Heavyweight Prospect Junior Fa Remains Unbeaten with Majority Decision Victory

 

 

 

Catch The Replay Saturday, March 10, At 5:30 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

 

 

Click HERE To Download Photos; Credit Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME

 

DEADWOOD, S.D. (March 9, 2018) – Undefeated 140-pound contender Regis Prograis scored a sensational second-round knockout over former unified world champion Julius Indongo to capture the Interim WBC Super Lightweight title Friday night on SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION from Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, S.D.

 

 

 

 

With the win, Prograis (21-0, 18 KOs) will now likely face the winner of next week’s Amir Imam (ranked No. 1 WBC) and Jose Ramirez (ranked No. 3 WBC) matchup for the currently vacant WBC world title belt. Prograis, of Houston by way of New Orleans, was dominant from the opening bell and has now scored knockouts in 14 of his last 15 fights.

 

 

 

 

“I had to put on a show for SHOWTIME, for Deadwood, and for all my fans in Houston and New Orleans and just the whole division,” said Prograis. “I had to put on a show for everybody. I am now the man at 140.”

 

 

 

 

In the final seconds of the opening round, Prograis landed a fierce jab that knocked Indongo (22-2, 11 KOs) to the canvas. In the second round, Prograis continued to attack the much taller Indongo, and floored him for the second time with a huge left hand. With a wobbly Indongo returning to his feet, Prograis continued the onslaught and immediately attacked his prone opponent and knocked him down for a third time in the fight. Referee Ian John-Lewis gave Indongo one more opportunity to remain in the fight, but Prograis ended it once and for all with a third knockdown in the round via a left hook and fourth in the fight at 2:54 of round number two.

 

 

 

 

Following the knockout, SHOWTIME analyst Steve Farhood spoke to the rising star in the wide-open and competitive 140-pound division. Farhood was especially impressed with Prograis, who was making his fifth SHOWTIME appearance.

 

 

 

 

“It was an awesome performance,” said the International Boxing Hall of Famer and noted boxing historian Farhood. “I was surprised he finished Indongo as quickly as he did and as emphatically as he did.

 

 

 

 

 

“I think now boxing fans know that this guy deserves to be rated among the top three or four in the 140-pound division. Because it was a such an emphatic win, all the other fights at 140, whether it’s tomorrow’s fight between Mikey Garcia and Lipinets, you got to feel like they have to answer to Regis. He deserves it.”

 

 

 

 

The WBC No. 2 ranked fighter at 140 pounds immediately turned his attention to a possible matchup with the winner of next week’s Imam-Ramirez matchup.

 

 

 

 

“I want the real title now, and I don’t think those two dudes will fight me after tonight,” said Prograis. “Indongo only had one loss to Terrence Crawford, the pound for pound best, and I stopped him a round before Crawford did. I don’t see anybody trying to fight me right now.”

 

 

 

 

 

In an IBF Junior Welterweight eliminator, Ivan Baranchyk (17-0, 11 KOs) thrilled fans at The Deadwood Mountain Grand with his all-action style, stopping Petr Petrov (38-6-2, 18 KOs) at 1:12 of round number eight.

 

 

 

 

Baranchyk, making his sixth appearance on SHOWTIME, was the much stronger, more aggressive fighter than his game but ultimately overmatched opponent, who showed commendable toughness and resiliency to stay in the fight. Baranchyk knocked Petrov to the canvas with the very first punch of the fight, and scored a second knockdown in the second round with a barrage of powerful punches.

 

 

 

 

With a bruised and battered Petrov trapped against the ropes in the eighth round, referee Mark Nelson stopped the fight. With the win, Baranchyk moves a step closer to becoming the mandatory challenger for the winner of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event on Saturday night between 140-pound IBF world titlist Sergey Lipinets and lightweight titleholder Mikey Garcia.

 

 

 

 

Baranchyk, who out-landed Petrov 159-118 in total punches and 94-76 in power punches, was pleased with the improvements he showcased tonight.

 

 

 

 

“I thought I fought a more controlled than in the past and something my new coach has been helping me with,” said Baranchyk, who is currently ranked No. 4 in the IBF 140-pound division. “I knew I had to keep punching to the body, punching to the body. And I did that well tonight.

 

 

 

 

“I was surprised they stopped the fight when they did. I felt like I won every round and controlled the fight. I knew I won the fight. It was a good fight for me.”

 

 

 

 

In the opening bout of the telecast, heavyweight prospect Junior Fa (14-0, 8 KOs), of Auckland, New Zealand, kept his unbeaten record intact with a majority decision victory over Detroit’s Craig Lewis (14-2-1, 8 KOs). The judges scored the eight-round fight 76-76, 78-74, 79-73.

 

 

 

 

Fa, who twice beat fellow New Zealand native and current WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker in the amateurs, was the more active fighter against the 33-year-old former collegiate basketball player Lewis, who took the fight on just two weeks’ notice. Fa started the fight quickly, throwing a fight-high 53 punches in round one and a 24-13 lead in overall connects in the first two rounds. As the fight wore on, Fa’s pace slowed and Lewis was able to grow into the fight, out-landing Fa 50-45 in rounds five through eight, to close the overall gap to 82-81 in favor of Fa.

 

 

 

 

Fa, who made his SHOWTIME debut in November with a first-round knockout of Freddy Latham, was unhappy with his performance despite the win.

 

 

 

 

“I’m happy I was able to get the decision, but I wasn’t happy with my performance at all,” said Fa. “If I had to give myself a grade, it would be an F. I fought with too much emotion the first few rounds and that threw me off a little bit.

 

 

 

 

“I was pretty surprised with the one judge who saw it even. I saw him getting tired but I was just flat tonight. I can learn a lot from this fight and where I went wrong and what not to do in my next fight.”

 

 

 

 

Lewis felt that taking the fight on short notice played a role in the outcome.

 

 

 

 

“I needed a little more time to train as my conditioning fell off a bit towards the end,” said the former National Golden Gloves gold medalist Lewis. “But overall, I was happy with my performance, I thought it was probably a draw.”

 

 

 

 

In non-televised undercard action, undefeated heavyweight prospect Trey Lippe Morrison (14-0, 14 KOs), the son of former heavyweight world champion Tommy Morrison, stopped Oswaldo Ortega (3-8, 1 KO) with a third-round (1:18) technical knockout in his first fight in 15 months since suffering a hand injury.

 

 

 

 

Undefeated 2016 United States Olympian Charles Conwell (7-0, 5 KOs) earned a unanimous decision victory over Mexico’s Juan Jesus Rivera (28-20, 18 KOs). The six-round junior middleweight bout was scored 60-53 on all three judges’ scorecards.

 

 

 

 

Friday’s tripleheader will replay on Saturday, March 10, at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME on DEMAND® and SHOWTIME ANYTIME®.

 

 

 

 

Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

boxing

Undefeated Julian Sosa ready for 1st headlining fight Tomorrow night in Brooklyn

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Sosa battles Wilmer Rodriguez at The Kings Theatre

Queens, New York (March 9, 2018) – Undefeated welterweight Julian Sosa will be featured in his 1st main event tomorrow night when he takes on once-beaten Wilmer Rodriguez at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York.

The eight-round bout will headline a Evander Holyfield Real Deal Boxing event.
Sosa is managed by El Matador Management.
Sosa, who will be fighting in front of his hometown fans in Brooklyn is very enthusiastic to be on the top of the bill.
“Learning that I was the main event gave me some extra motivation as I would down my camp,” said Sosa, who has a record of 10-0-1 with 3 knockouts.
“Being that this is my 1st fight this year, It means more that I am headlining.”
“This has been my longest camp.  I have been working very hard for seven weeks, and I am more than ready for Saturday.”
Sosa is just starting to round into professional career, and he feels the best is yet to come.
“It has been quite a journey .  It took me a few fights to transition from amateurs to the professionals.  I had never fought without headgear.  It took me about four fights to get used that and some of the other little things that are different.  I am now very comfortable and settled in as a professional.”
In Rodriguez, he is facing a tough veteran, who has a record of 9-1, with his only loss coming to world champion Abner Mares.
“I have seen a few videos of him.  He is a counter puncher with a “Philly Shell” defense.  He stands in place, and he looks to counter.”
Sosa is looking to put on a show for his fans that he has not performed in front of since winning a four-round unanimous decision over Erick Martinez on October 14th at Barclays Center.
“I am sorry that it has been five months since my last fight.  I need a break, I have been fighting a lot.  I am back and I am ready to roll.  This is my first eight-round bout, and I am the main event.  This is a clean start of the year, and I am ready to open eyes.”
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