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Tag Archives: boxing
FNU Combat Sports Show: Quitters Never Win
This broadcast of the FNU Combat Sports Show starts off with one of the most controversial stories of the week. Many sports pundits are quick to ridicule Guillermo Rigondeaux for bowing out of his blockbuster boxing match with Vasyl Lomachenko last Saturday. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith wasted no time during the broadcast, ripping into the Cuban boxer for refusing to come out for the seventh round of the one-sided fight. Teddy Atlas, exiled from his ringside reporting duties thanks to his outspoken views on boxing corruption and his abrasive treatment of lesser-experienced commentators, came to Rigo’s defense. Atlas argued with Smith from his own home studio, basically explaining that everyone is human. Tom, Tony and Rich all offer their own takes on the situation and their thoughts on the “fight.”
We also track the latest news in combat sports, recap the past week’s events and preview competing UFC and Bellator events this Saturday. We even touch on the multiple story lines involving Floyd Mayweather Jr. that are making the rounds in the sports media this week. “Money” claims he can make up to a billion dollars if he goes into the UFC for a three or four fight deal. Well, good luck, Floyd. I hear CM Punk wants another fight.
Listen to the two part broadcast below.
Part 1:
Part 2:
SHOWTIME Sports Confirms Aug. 26 SHOWTIME PPV® Presentation Of Mayweather vs. McGregor Second Biggest Pay-Per-View Of All Time
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
SHOWTIME SPORTS confirmed today that the SHOWTIME PPV presentation of Mayweather vs. McGregor on August 26, 2017 generated 4.3 million pay-per-view buys in North America. This includes traditional television distribution and online portals such as the new SHOWTIME PPV app and SHOWTIMEPPV.com as well as UFC.TV in U.S. and Canada.
Mayweather vs. McGregor, a four-fight SHOWTIME PPV boxing event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, officially stands as the second largest pay-per-view event of all time behind Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, which set the North American pay-per-view mark at 4.6 million buys in 2015. The SHOWTIME PPV totals for Mayweather vs. McGregor far exceed the now third best event in history—nearly doubling the 2.48 million buys for Oscar De La Hoya vs. Mayweather in 2007.
The total global revenue from the event including ticket sales, sponsorship and international distribution exceeds $600 million, which—along with Mayweather vs. Pacquiao— is among the largest for a single-day sporting event of all time. Mayweather and SHOWTIME PPV now account for the three highest grossing pay-per-view events in television history with the third-ranked event Mayweather vs. Canelo from 2013.
Three-Division World Champion Mikey Garcia Seeks Title in a Fourth Weight Class When He Challenges Unbeaten 140-pound Champion Sergey Lipinets Saturday, Feb. 10 Live on SHOWTIME® at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
Undefeated Two-Time World Champion Rances Barthelemy to Rematch Kiryl Relikh for Vacant 140-Pound Title In Co-Main Event
Tickets on Sale Next Week!
SAN ANTONIO (December 14, 2017) – Undefeated three-division world champion Mikey Garcia will attempt to win a world title in a fourth weight class when he challenges unbeaten IBF 140-pound world champion Sergey Lipinets on Saturday, February 10 live on SHOWTIME. The matchup of top-5 ranked junior welterweights will take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and is presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy will face Kiryl Relikh in a rematch of their May showdown on SHOWTIME, this time for the vacant WBA 140-pound world title. The doubleheader of title bouts in the wide-open 140-pound division sets the stage for a potential unification match.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, are priced at $250, $75, $50 and $20. Tickets will go on sale next week and will be available at Ticketmaster.com.
The 29-year-old Garcia (37-0, 30 KOs), emphatically returned to pound-for-pound lists in 2017 by scoring a highlight reel knockout of Dejan Zlaticanin to win the WBC Lightweight World Championship in January and then dominating four-division champion Adrien Broner on his way to a unanimous decision in July. Garcia is a member of a renowned boxing family, and is noted for his sportsmanship and his commanding presence in the ring, honed by his brother and acclaimed trainer Robert Garcia.
Garcia, of Moreno Valley by way of Oxnard, Calif., returned to the ring after a two-and-half-year layoff in July 2016 without missing a beat by stopping former champion Elio Rojas. Garcia, who has held world titles at 126, 130 and 135 pounds, has stopped 19 of his last 22 opponents including Roman “Rocky” Martinez, Juan Manuel Lopez and Orlando Salido.
“It is a dream to have the opportunity to become a four-division worldchampion,” Garcia said. “San Antonio has some of the greatest boxing fans in the country, including some key supporters of my Robert Garcia Boxing Academy family. Since my last fight, I have stayed in the gym. I can’t wait to give the fans in Texas and those watching at home on SHOWTIME another great performance.”
The unbeaten Lipinets (13-0, 10 KOs) captured a super lightweight world title in just his 13th pro fight by defeating Akihiro Kondo via a unanimous decision on November 4 on SHOWTIME. He is originally from Kazakhstan but moved to Russia when he was six years old. He currently lives in Beverly Hills, California, Lipinets and is trained by Buddy McGirt.
The 28-year-old moved up the 140-pound rankings with victories over then unbeaten Haskell Rhodes, Levan Ghvamichava and Walter Castillo before knocking out Leonardo Zappavigna in a world title eliminator last December. Lipinets will look to stamp his place as an elite fighter when he takes on the accomplished and dangerous Garcia on February 10.
“Getting the title is one thing, but keeping the title is a more difficult task,” said Lipinets. “I’m not about to give it away to anybody. No disrespect to Mikey Garcia or anybody else out there, but I’m keeping my title. Beating Mikey Garcia will put me in the elite of boxing where I believe I belong. I’m happy my team was able to put this great fight together. I can promise you this won’t be a snoozer. It’s going to be an action-packed fight for sure.”
“We’re going to call it’ ‘Undefeated.’ That pretty much sums it up. Two undefeated fighters, champion versus champion,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports. “It’s a big challenge for Mikey Garcia to win a championship belt in his fourth weight class. Lipinets never backs down and he’s out to show that’s he one of the biggest punchers in the division. A win for Lipinets is a game-changer for his family and his career. A win for Mikey is another feather in his cap and will help him be recognized as pound-for-pound best in the world. I’m happy to be back in San Antonio at the Alamodome. I’ve promoted some big fights there. San Antonio fight fans are in for a real treat seeing two of the best fighting each other. I’m sure the fans will embrace this fight.”
“We have another intriguing matchup of two young, hungry undefeated fighters who lay it on the line every time they step into the ring,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “As talented as Mikey is, you can’t count Lipinets out. He’s one of the hardest hitters in the 140-pound division. He’s a tough competitor and there’s a reason why he’s a world champion. He knows this is a career-defining fight and he’s going to do everything he can to spoil the party for Garcia in San Antonio on Feb. 10.”
“In three consecutive fights on SHOWTIME since his return to the sport, Mikey Garcia has solidified his position on boxing’s pound-for-pound lists,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Mikey has proven he’s willing to take on the most avoided opponents in any division as he seeks out the biggest possible matchups in the sport. He’ll face yet another dangerous opponent in Sergey Lipinets, an undefeated champion in his own right, as he seeks to become a four-division world champion. On the heels of Errol Spence vs. Lamont Peterson on January 20, a matchup of consensus top-10 welterweights, we’re proud to deliver this main event of top-5 ranked fighters to build on the momentum.”
Barthelemy (26-0, 13 KOs), who was born in Arroyo Naranjo, Cuba and now lives in Las Vegas, has won world titles at 130 and 135 pounds. He defeated Relikh by unanimous decision in his debut at 140 pound in his last fight on May 20. If he defeats Relikh again, he will become the first Cuban boxer to win world championships in three different weight classes. He defeated Argenis Mendez by unanimous decision to win the 130-pound world title in 2014 and a year later scored a unanimous decision over Denis Shafikov for the 135-pound world title. Barthelemy, 31, has two brothers, Yan and Leduan, who are professional boxers who he trains alongside with under the tutelage of Ismael Salas.
Relikh (21-2, 19 KOs) believes that he won the first match with Barthelemy and that the scorecards did not reflect the competitive nature of the fight. The 28-year-old nearly had Barthelemy out after landing a barrage of punches that penned Barthelemy on the ropes, but he was only awarded a knockdown. In the eighth round, Barthelemy came back to drop Relikh with a body shot. Shortly after the May 20 title eliminator, the WBA ordered a rematch, this time to be contested for the vacant 140-pound title. This will be Relikh’s second world title shot after the fighter from Minsk, Belarus lost a unanimous decision to Ricky Burns in Glasgow, Scotland on Oct. 7, 2016.
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Popular winter tradition continues 72nd annual Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship
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LOWELL, Mass. (R.I.P. Kenny Barr
It was announced earlier today that Kenny Barr, Vice President (Scotland) of the British & Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) and Scottish representative for the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) passed away yesterday.
Kenny, who was just 34 years old, leaves behind his beloved daughter Hayley.
Gianluca Di Caro, CEO and Executive Vice President of the British & Irish Boxing Authority made the following statement on social media earlier.
“I am in total shock, I just cannot begin to describe the way I am feeling right now, I just cannot believe that BIBA Vice President (Scotland) Kenny Barr has passed away, it just makes no sense to me at all.
My sincere condolences to Kenny’s family and friends, my thoughts are with you at this time of immense sadness.
Kenny has been by my side since the inception of the British & Irish Boxing Authority and he was there by my side when we first began sanctioning events in the UK under the Malta Boxing Commission banner and I just cannot believe that he will not be by my side as we grow bigger and stronger over the coming years.
Kenny was the main man for BIBA in Scotland, it was his determination and passion for the sport that made us so successful in Scotland.
His passion for the fighters is undeniable, they were always first and foremost in his mind, helping them in any way he could. Helping them to achieve their dreams, that was his true passion.
I’m going to miss seeing your beaming smile mate, as well as your angry scowl, I’m going to miss your passionate debates, and I’m going to miss us working together pioneering fighter and event health and safety. I promise you Kenny that we will continue to fight the fight to make this sport better, safer, and continue to help the fighters achieve their dreams.
Rest in Peace Kenny, you may be gone but you will never be forgotten xxx.”
The Board, of the British & Irish Boxing Authority, as a whole join Mr. Di Caro in sending their sincere condolences to Hayley for the loss of her father, as well as to Kenny’s family and many, many friends.
Claressa Shields Media Workout Quotes & Photos
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.”
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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.
Hernandez Returns to the Ring This Friday
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.”
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.
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UNBEATEN FEATHERWEIGHT PROSPECT EFREN “CHICO” LOPEZ RETURNS TO THE RING THIS FRIDAY IN LANCASTER, CA
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.”
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