Tag Archives: boxing

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

Claressa Shields Media Workout Quotes & Photos

Leave a comment

Unified Super Middleweight World Champion To Defend Titles Against Undefeated Challenger Tori Nelson Friday, Jan. 12, in Main Event On SHOWTIME

 

Click HERE for Photos from Terrell Groggins / Salita Promotions

 

DETROIT (Dec. 13, 2017) – Unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields met with local members of the media and took part in an open-to-the-public workout on Tuesday at Kronk Gym, exactly one month away from defending her 168-pound WBC and IBF titles against undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Tori Nelson on Friday, Jan. 12 live on SHOWTIME.

 

A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) will face her second consecutive undefeated opponent in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation live at 10 p.m. ET/PT from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are currently on sale for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.

 

Here is what the 22-year-old native of Flint, Mich., had to say on Tuesday:

 

CLARESSA SHIELDS

“I am calm – focused – but still hungry like a challenger with the added confidence of being a world champion.  I took some time off after my last win but I look forward to getting busy again in 2018.

 

“This training camp I did eight weeks instead of six. A lot of camp has been extremely hard. But I’m so focused and determined on 2018 and starting great and staying busy. I expect my opponent to apply pressure, and to use some dirty tactics. She has more experience, but not that much when you speak of her amateur experience

 

“There is no doubt I will start 2018 with a win. Then I just take it one fight at a time. Right now my focus is Nelson.

 

“I’m excited to be on SHOWTIME as the first fight of the year, and just to be back inside the ring. I feel I have been the face of women’s boxing for some time now. I don’t let it feel like pressure – I just work really hard in the gym.

 

“In 2018 I expect great fights against the best contenders. I expect to make history again on SHOWTIME and also looking forward to dropping to 160 to fight against [Christina] Hammer mid-2018. January 12th will be the beginning of great things to come

 

“Training through the holidays is fine. The difference between the amateurs and now is that I was always in other countries competing. Now I get to be home with my family getting ready and I feel good.

 

“The matchup to me will play out with the first few rounds of me using my jab. Then I’ll add the combinations as the fight goes on. I see it being competitive though. I’m going to earn the win. I believe I can KO her by the sixth, seventh round.”

 

# # #

 

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

Hernandez Returns to the Ring This Friday

Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Team Hernandez
RIVERSIDE, CA (December 13, 2017) – Middleweight prospect, Marcos “Madman” Hernandez (10-1, 2 KOs), makes his way back to the ring this Friday, December 15th, against Oscar Mora (7-4, 6 KOs).  The 6-round bout will take place at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, CA, on the Vargas vs. Herrera card.
Hernandez, who is coming off an impressive victory against previously unbeaten prospect, Kevin Newman II (7-1-1, 3 KOs), is wrapping up the final days of training camp with coach Henry Ramirez.
“I had a great training camp going into this fight.” said Marcos Hernandez. “I’m very grateful to be fighting one more time before the end of the 2017.  Since my lone loss earlier this year, I’ve really stepped up my game in all aspects.  Training with Henry Ramierz has been a big boost to my career.  I’m going to be well prepared for anything Mora brings to the ring.  The move to middleweight has been good and I’m feeling a lot stronger.  Fans can expect me to throw a lot of punching in this fight.  It’s time to shine.”
boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

Rising Prospects Enter the Ring as 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas & 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Misael Rodriguez Compete in Separate Bouts on Friday, December 15 from Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, Calif.

Leave a comment
 
Plus! Once-Beaten Prospect Marcos Hernandez
Faces Mexico’s Oscar Mora in Undercard Attraction
 
LANCASTER, CA. (December 13, 2017) – A stacked night of action will feature 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas and 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist Misael Rodriguez entering the ringing in separate undercard matchups this Friday, December 15 from Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, California.
The Premier Boxing Champions event is headlined by former welterweight champion Jessie Vargas taking on hard-hitting veteran Aaron Herrera in a 10-round showdown. Televised coverage on FS1 and FOX Deportes begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features a welterweight matchup between rugged veteran Diego Chaves and rising contender Jamal James, plus a super lightweight bout betweenJohn Molina Jr. and Ivan Redkach. The telecast begins with exciting welterweight Wale Omotoso (26-3, 21 KOs) facing Freddy Hernandez (34-8, 22 KOs) in a 10-round contest.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, begin at $30 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets visit the Pioneer Event Center’s website:www.uavpec.com. The first 300 fans who bring a toy to donate to the Holiday Toy Drive will receive a free t-shirt and five dollars off of general admission tickets. The Holiday Toy Drive will benefit the Inner Circle Foster Care & Adoption Service in Palmdale, Calif.
Balderas (2-0, 2 KO) will enter the ring for a lightweight fight against Mexico’s Carlo Flores (4-7-1, 3 KOs) while Rodriguez (5-0, 3 KOs) takes on Cuba’s Yunier Calzada(6-2-1, 1 KO) in a six round super middleweight contest.
Additional undercard action will see once-beaten prospect Marcos Hernandez (10-1, 2 KOs) taking on Oscar Mora (7-4, 6 KOs) in an eight round junior middleweight affair.
Rounding out the night of fights are a trio of prospects as unbeaten Alejandro Guerrero meets Phillip Percy in a four-round super featherweight contest, while undefeated Efren Lopez battles Tyler Marshall in a four-round junior welterweight bout and once-beaten Luis Coria faces Leonardo Torres in a junior lightweight matchup.
Fighting out of Santa Maria, California, the 21-year-old Balderas is the son of Mexican parents who immigrated to the United States to give their children a better life. Balderas had an impressive amateur career that included a 2014 Youth National Championship, four National PAL championships and an impressive run in the World Series of Boxing. His amateur career culminated in a trip to the 2016 Olympic Games where he represented the U.S. and defeated fighters from Kazakhstan and Japan before a decision loss in the quarterfinals. He made his pro debut back in April, forcing Michael Thomas to retire after one round and followed that up with a first round stoppage of Eder Fajardo in July.
At last year’s Rio games, the 23-year-old Rodriguez overcame incredible odds to win the first Olympic boxing medal for Mexico since Christian Bejerano in 2000. The Chihuahua native and his teammates had to resort to begging on public buses and streets in Mexico to raise money to compete in international boxing tournaments. He completed his road to the medal stand by defeating Egypt’s Hosam Bakr Abdin to clinch a medal in the middleweight division. Rodriguez mad his pro debut in April with a dominant decision victory over Brian True and has continued his winning ways with more victories so far in 2017.
#          #          #
Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, andwww.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.
boxing

UNBEATEN FEATHERWEIGHT PROSPECT EFREN “CHICO” LOPEZ RETURNS TO THE RING THIS FRIDAY IN LANCASTER, CA

Leave a comment

Photo by Team Lopez
FRESNO, CA (December 12, 2017) – Amateur standout, featherweight Efren “Chico” Lopez (1-0, 1 KO), from Fresno, CA, will step in the ring for the second time this year.  The 4-round bout will take place on the Vargas vs. Herrera card at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, CA, this Friday December 15, 2017.  Lopez will square off against Tyler Marshall.
Lopez age 21, who was an Olympic hopeful with over 200 fights as an amateur, has a tremendous pedigree.  He made his pro debut in July of 2016.  During the last year he was able to get his (A.S.) degree in phycology and communications.  He’s trained by Ruben Guerrero Sr., but will be guided by former world champion, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, for this fight.  The Ghost will be making his head cornerman debut.
“I’m ready to get back in the ring and pick up where I left off,” said Efren Lopez. “I’ve been training with Ruben and Robert Guerrero in Gilroy for the last few months, and things are going great.  I’m learning a lot and I’ll be ready for my fight this Friday.”
“Chico is looking more and more like a polished pro with every training session,” said Robert Guerrero. “Unfortunately, my dad suffered an injury and won’t be able to work his corner this fight.  I’ll be guiding Efren for this bout, along with my brother Eric.  He’s ready to go.”
#  #  #
boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

UNDEFEATED 140-POUND PROSPECTS SHOHJAHON ERGASHEV & SONNY FREDRICKSON MEET IN JAN. 12 SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATIONTRIPLEHEADER HEADLINED BY CLARESSA SHIELDS-TORI NELSON

Leave a comment

 

 

Jesse Hernandez Makes ShoBox Return Opposing Ernesto Garza In Co-Feature

 

Friday, Jan. 12 Live On SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT

From Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

 

NEW YORK (Dec. 12, 2017) – Uzbekistan power-puncher Shohjahon Ergashev will face the toughest test of his career in fellow undefeated and top-10 ranked Sonny Fredrickson in the telecast opener of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, Jan. 12 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

 

In the co-feature of the tripleheader headlined by the Claressa Shields-Tori Nelson Women’s 10-round Super Middleweight World Championship, Jesse Hernandez (10-1, 7 KOs) will take on former National Golden Gloves Gold Medalist Ernesto Garza (9-2, 5 KOs; 1-3 WSB) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout between two all-action fighters.

 

Ergashev (11-0, 11 KOs), who has recorded a knockout in each of his first 11 professional fights, and Fredrickson (18-0, 12 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio, will contest an eight-round super lightweight bout.

 

“This card is a great way to set the tone for competitive fights in the 2018,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita.  “These are two pick’em fights with the winners having a legitimate shot at world title contention in the near future.  Egrashev has the power, skills and ambition to be an exciting addition to the already packed junior welterweight division, but he’s facing his toughest test in Sonny Fredrickson.  Jessy Hernandez is coming off impressive wins over two undefeated fighters and he’s returning against a very durable challenger with solid pro experience and strong amateur boxing pedigree.  I am excited and grateful to SHOWTIME that we were able to put together these fantastic fights as the first show of the year.”

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are currently on sale for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.

 

The 26-year-old Ergashev has been a pro for just over one year and is a former six-year member of the Uzbek national team where he won 202 of his 216 amateur bouts.  A decorated amateur, Ergashev owns a win over Uzbekistan’s Shakhram Giyasov, a silver medalist in the welterweight division at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

 

Ergashev registered a TKO against Marquis Hawthorne at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., in his last fight – and first in the United States – on Nov. 11.  He now trains in Detroit under Javan “Sugar” Hill Steward and Rick Phillips at the famed Kronk Gym in Detroit. 

 

“I know Sonny is a world-ranked, highly touted fighter,” Ergashev said.  “I look forward to continuing my knockout streak and getting my 12th KO on January 12.  I am excited to fight on SHOWTIME and show the world what I bring to the ring.”

 

The 23-year-old Fredrickson is currently ranked No. 9 by the World Boxing Association.  An active amateur who had 130 amateur bouts with more than 120 wins, Fredrickson traveled to Medellin, Colombia, in his last fight to face unbeaten Placido Ramirez as part of the annual WBA Convention and looked impressive in a third-round knockout.

 

Fredrickson competed in both the U.S. Amateur National Championships and National Golden Gloves and has been an active pro with five fights in 2015, four in 2016 and three in 2017.  He is represented by Roc Nation Sports and trained by Lamar Wright.

 

“If you look at Ergashev’s past opponents, he hasn’t fought against anyone that talented, so I’m confident that I’ll stop him in his tracks,” Fredrickson said.  “I’m sure he’ll try to come out strong in the beginning of the fight, but I plan to break him down. 

 

“Plenty of boxing stars got their first break on SHOWTIME, so fighting on this network is huge for me.  I’m ready to capitalize on this opportunity and showcase my skills on one of the biggest platforms in boxing.  My goal is to put on a great performance at Turning Stone and get the victory.” 

 

Hernandez is coming off two consecutive wins over previously undefeated, top-15 ranked fighters – a unanimous decision over Glenn Dezurn on Nov. 11, and fifth-round TKO of Vladimir Tikhonov in his ShoBox debut on Aug. 4.  The 27-year-old Hernandez, the youngest of 15 children, was 67-6 as an amateur and took five years off from boxing between 2009 and 2014 to work construction jobs in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.

 

“This is going to be a tough fight, but I am putting in the work and feel like I will definitely come out on top,” said Hernandez, who has six brothers that have boxed professionally.  “It will be action-packed and a must-watch fight.  I feel like my aggressive style is meant for TV.  I will fight whoever is put in front of me to prove my worth.  Dominance in the 122-pound weight division is my ultimate goal.”

 

Garza, of Saginaw, Mich., was the 2008 National Golden Gloves Gold Medalist and a 2009 U.S. National Championships Bronze Medalist.  The 29-year-old is fighting on ShoBox for the second time having suffered a third-round knockout against Jon Fernandez on Feb. 10, in Miami, Okla. Garza has won his last two fights since the defeat, both coming in Michigan. 

 

“I’ve been training hard for this fight, and I can’t wait to step into the ring to show the world my talent,” Garza said.  “I know I’m going to come out on top and bring back this win for my hometown.  I’m extremely blessed and grateful for this opportunity.  I can’t let it slip away.”

 

In the main event, Unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Shields will defend her 168-pound titles against undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Nelson. A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) will face her second consecutive undefeated opponent in the main event on ShoBox.

 

Nelson (17-0-3, 2 KOs) won a middleweight world championship in 2011 and owns wins over previously unbeaten Alicia Napoleon and Mia St. John.  The 41-year-old Ashburn, Va., native looks to capture her second world title in a showdown with the fastest rising star in women’s boxing. 

 

This will be the sixth ShoBox visit to Turning Stone Resort Casino, which hosted its first ShoBox telecast during the 2013 Hall of Fame weekend.

 

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

 

# # #

 

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

THIS SUNDAY!!! The 2017 Mid-Atlantic Awards Banquet in Philadelphia

Leave a comment

Philadelphia, PA (December 12th, 2017) – This Sunday, The 5th annual Mid-Atlantic Awards Banquet will take place in West Philadelphia.

The event will feature and recognize the most prominent amateur boxers in the area, which constitutes Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware.
The best amateurs in the area took home a staggering 47 national titles in 2017.
Several professional boxers including Tevin Farmer and Stephen Fulton will be on hand as well.
The banquet begins at 5 PM and will run until 7:30 at 5118 Walnut Street.
The cost to attend is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  The price includes a four-course meal.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 856-842-7577 or online at eventbrite.com 
boxing

HUMBERTO TORRES AND CRISTINA MORA  JOIN FORCES WITH PRINCE RANCH BOXING AND SUGAR PROMOTIONS

Leave a comment
Photo by Sugar Promotions (L-R) Damien Vazquez, Humberto Torres, Oscar Vazquez, Cristina Mora
AGUASCALIENTES, MX (December 11, 2017) – Prince Ranch Boxing is happy to announce the signing of super-middleweight Humberto Torres (18-1-1, 12 KOs) and undefeated female bantamweight Cristina Mora (6-0-2, 4 KOs), who both hail from Aguascalientes, Mexico.  The duo also signed promotional agreements with Damien Vazquez’ Sugar Promotions.
“We are pleased to add Torres and Mora to our outstanding roster,” said Greg Hannley, president of Prince Ranch Boxing. “As we establish our foundation in Aguascalientes, Mexico, it’s important that we sign the top talent from that region, and Torres and Mora fit that mold.  Both are very popular fighters from the area and we know our shows will be sell outs, with exciting local talent performing.  Sugar Promotions is the perfect fit for these two talented fighters.”
“Damien and I have done our homework and we know Torres and Mora are going to be a great addition to Sugar Promotions.” Oscar Vazquez, CEO of Sugar Promotions, stated. “We have big plans to promote a massive amount of shows in Aguascalientes and establish ourselves as the next great promotional company from Mexico.”
Humberto Torres is an orthodox fighter who stands 6’1″, with power in both hands.  He has a crowd-pleasing style and is happy to join forces with Prince Ranch Boxing and Sugar Promotions.
“I’m looking forward to a great working relationship with Greg Hannley and Oscar Vazquez.” Humberto Torres said. “It’s going to be an exciting next couple of years with all the fights coming to Aguascalientes, my hometown. I can’t wait to get in the ring and preform for my people.”
Cristina Mora is a slick boxer with great movement who is thrilled to be under the guidance of Greg Hannely, in addition to being promoted by Oscar Vazquez and Sugar Promotions.
“It’s a dream come true to be signed to a promoter like Sugar Promotions, who will be promoting all their shows in Aguascalientes, where I was born and raised” said Cristina Mora. “Prince Ranch Boxing is an elite management company with the best fighters from Mexico.  Right now, I’m happy to be associated with a great group of people.  As soon as they let me know when I’ll be fighting, I’ll be ready to go.”
#  #  #
amateur boxing, boxing, Golden Gloves

2017 National Golden Gloves champion Poindexter Knight, Jr. wins his Pro debut

Leave a comment
New York (December, 11, 2017)–On December 1st, welterweight prospect Poindexter Knight, Jr. won his anticipated professional debut when he stopped Samuel Forjoe in the first round of their scheduled four-round bout at The Strand Ballroom and Theater in Providence, Rhode Island.
The 2017 National Golden Gloves champion out of Philadelphia landed a hard combination the corner that had Forjoe bending over, and the bout was stopped in just 63 seconds.
Knight is the latest top-prospect to debut for Split-T Management, and he is promoted by Evander Holyfield’s Sports and Entertainment.
“Everything went well, I was excited and nervous, but I got through it,”said Knight.
“I thought my opponent would have a little more for me, but I did what I had to do in there and I got him out of there.  It was great to get the knockout in my pro debut,” continued Knight.
Knight is eager to get his next victory, and he is looking to do in front of his hometown fans.
“I am hoping to fight in front of my hometown fans in 2018.  That would be a goal for the upcoming year.  I can’t wait as I am coming strong in 2018.”
Knight is trained by his father Poindexter Knight, Sr, and the elder Knight was happy with his son’s performance.
“Poindexter looked relaxed, and it looked like it was his 10th fight.  I am happy to be with Split-T Management.  They gave us a chance when no one else did.  We wanted to turn pro for a while and a lot of managers made a lot of broken promises.  I put Poindexter back in the Golden Gloves, and he won, which opened a lot of doors,” Said Poindexter Knight, Sr.
“Like my son said, I would like to see him get at least five fights for 2018.  That will keep him sharp, and he will continue to learn.  We had a great 1st fight, and we will continue to work hard and get better with each fight.”
Said David McWater, CEO of Split-T management, “I’m truly excited about Poindexter Knight’s future – he has the skill and more importantly the drive to be one of the very best.”

Knight vs Forjoe
Knight vs Forjoe
amateur boxing, boxing

Vito Mielnicki, Jr wins United States Junior National Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah

Leave a comment
Nutley, NJ (December 11, 2017)–This past week in Salt Lake City, Utah, Vito Mielnicki, Jr. captured the United States Junior National championship in the 145-pound division.
Mielnicki of Roseland, New Jersey moved up an unprecedented 10 weight classes where he competed at 106-pounds at the 2017 tournament, and defeated the number-two seed, Adam Calixto of Tampa, Florida in the semifinals.  In the finals, Mielnicki defeated top seeded Obed Bartee-El of Huntsville, Alabama.
With the title, Mielnicki gained a spot in the 2018 United States Junior National Team,  Where he will be heading to train with teammates on February 4th at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado to get ready for international competition.

Mielnicki is trained by Ahmad Elliot and Willie Moses, as well as strength and conditioning coach Fred Caruso.
Mielnicki is the son of the GH3 Promotions CEO Vito Mielnicki.
boxing, UK Boxing

Can Saunders Secure His Most Impressive Win to Date Over Lemieux?

Leave a comment

Billy Joe Saunders will take to the ring on December 16 in Canada as the reigning and defending WBO middleweight champion, being the proud owner of a belt which he won way back in December 2015 when defeating fellow traveller Andy Lee. 

 

But since outpointing Irishman Lee with a majority decision success to become world champion at the Manchester Arena, Saunders has only defended it on two occasions, with unanimous decision triumphs over Artur Akavov and Willie Monroe Jr., more recently. 

 

Against game Russian Akavov, the undefeated world title holder was far from impressive and perhaps even lucky to get such a comfortable decision in the end at the Lagoon Leisure Centre on Scottish soil. The win over American challenger Monroe Jr was a lot better, having then undertaken Dominic Ingle as his newest coach. 

 

But the latter bout was still a drab affair and did nothing to further or boost Saunders’ appeal to a broader audience, as he outworked the New York-born southpaw quite comfortably. For most of the title defence, he was barely made to work at all, with Monroe having come in with a bizarrely inefficient gameplan. 

 

However, the 28-year-old will next face undoubtedly his toughest career test to date against former 160lbs champion David Lemieux, a far more serious challenge than an inexperienced and youthful Chris Eubank Jr, an indifferent Andy Lee and the far from threatening Willy Monroe Junior.

 

Hard-hitting Canadian Lemieux will enter the ring ropes as the evens outsider in the latest boxing odds to prevail on home territory, a promising price for a fighter on a strong surge of victories of late. Since being viciously stopped in a gallant showing against the division kingpin Gennady Golovkin in October 2015, the 28-year-old has earned four consecutive wins, including two big knockouts of Glen Tapia and Curtis Stevens. 


Of all the opponents Saunders has gone toe to toe with to date, none have possessed the punching power of Lemieux, and that could be a decisive factor come fight night. The latter home hope is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy, who are seemingly keen to match the Canadian up with main cash cow Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez next year, rather than throw him in with ‘GGG’ once again in a highly awaited rematch. 

 

Despite being the favourite to prevail and maintain his unbeaten record on what will be his maiden venture outside of the UK in his professional career, it seems the odds are actually stacked against Saunders for this latest encounter.

 

It has been evident, too, that Saunders doesn’t boast the massive power capable of keeping a fleet-footed Lemieux away from the danger areas throughout their match-up. Knockout artist Lemieux produced what could eventually be voted stoppage of the year back in March when he brutally put Stevens’ lights out in New York City.

 

Could another vicious stoppage success be on the cards on home soil? It’s up to Saunders and Ingle to execute their upcoming gameplan perfectly to secure what would be a highly impressive victory on the road, but it looks likely of being a truly testing night in Quebec.