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New WBA Middleweight Champion Rob Brant Basking in the Glow, but Ready for ‘Next Assignment’

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Brand-new WBA World Middleweight Champion Rob “Bravo” Brant says he goes everywhere with his new best friend. “The belt hasn’t left my side since they handed it to me,” laughs the personable new champion from Saint Paul, Minnesota.

 

 

 

28-year-old Brant (24-1, 16 KOs) says he went into his main-event showdown with then champion Ryota Murata (14-2, 11 KOs), last Saturday night at the Park MGM in Las Vegas (and live on ESPN+), unaware he was such a heavy underdog.

 

 

 

“I really did go into it very confident I would win, just off the preparations we did,” said Brant, who was having his first fight with former world champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad as his trainer. “I tried to stay away from news when I was in training, so I had no idea how big of an underdog I was. We had a post-fight press conference and that was when I found out. When reporters were asking about it. I had no idea. It wouldn’t have deterred me anyway if I had known.”

 

 

 

Despite the doubts of the bookmakers, Brant cruised to a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over 2012 Olympic gold medalist Murata, with two judges giving him all but one round, the other all but two. Brant busted up the now ex-champion with a piston-like jab and peppered him with combinations throughout what turned out to be a surprisingly dominant performance.

 

 

 

According to CompuBox statistics, Brant landed 356 of 1,262 punches (28 percent) while Murata connected with just 180 of 774 (23 percent).

 

 

 

“As a pro, he hasn’t seen what I gave him,” explained Brant. We knew he had a hard time with hand speed and jabs. He locks up when punches are being thrown, so we made sure we kept him backing up and worried about the jab and punches in general. The more he thinks about my shots, the less he throws. We knew we’d be able to keep him on his back foot. Eddie Mustafa is very strict on letting the hands go. We were big on the cardio in training and keeping the punch rate high. And when you’re keeping the jab out there all the time, other shots open up.”

 

 

 

Brant says at fight’s end, he wasn’t worried about the decision going his way.

 

 

 

“I’ve always felt that judges’ decisions are out of my hands. I was nervous about it, you don’t know until they announce your name, but I knew I had done what I felt was my best work. I had a great sense of pride and relief knowing I put it all out there and did everything possible to win. But now that I have won, it’s kind of like having giant weight lifted off my shoulders. It’s definitely my biggest accomplishment ever, winning in Vegas against a former Olympic gold medallist. It’s everything I ever worked for. It was the best feeling in the world. I knew how much I worked for that. Boxing gives back what you put into it and I put my everything into it.”

 

 

 

Although Brant and promoters GCP reportedly agreed to a rematch before the fight, the new champion says he’s not sure the now ex-champion wants it.

 

 

 

“All the talk of a rematch has been from his promoters. I haven’t heard him say anything about it. He might be a little discouraged right now. I’m not saying he won’t be able to come back, but I don’t think he wants it right now. I’ll just go on to bigger and better in the division. Once you win a title, there are no more easy fights. Until you are the undisputed king, you’re always taking steps up in class in every fight.”

 

 

 

Brant says he took a week off but is now back in the gym and ready for what comes next.

 

 

 

“I’m just waiting for the next assignment to work toward. I want to know who my next opponent is as soon as possible, so I can go to sleep at night thinking of what I’m going to do. Watching film and looking for flaws and things I can exploit. That’s when I‘m really the most comfortable. When I have an assignment. It’ll be a big name eventually. I’m there now. So I’m just waiting to see who is next for me to spend all my time watching that person.”

 

 

 

Brant gives a big piece of the credit for his upset victory to the only man to ever beat him. Last October, he stepped up in weight to participate in the World Boxing Super Series as a super middleweight and lost a one-sided decision to former light heavyweight champion Juergen Braehmer in Germany.

 

 

 

“The thought of what happened against Braehmer was always in the background. That’s what really motivated me to be the best I could in this fight. I knew I was better than I was in that fight. I had to prove it by doing what I’m capable of. The loss to Braehmer will be in the back of my mind forever. I won’t let anyone else do that to me again. I will never forget that loss and I’ve been a better fighter from that point forward.”

boxing, kickboxing, Las Vegas, mixed martial arts, MMA

Kickboxing Title Bout Headlines FFC 33 Multi-Discipline Event on Nov. 2

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Mykyta Chub fights Andi Vrtacic for the FFC Middleweight Championship at Fight Dome

LAS VEGAS, NV, (October 30, 2018) – The main event is set for “FFC 33” and it will involve two explosive kickboxers from overseas. Mykyta Chub (17-7-0) of the Ukraine, battles Andi Vrtacic (10-0-0) Pula, Croatia, for the FFC Middleweight Championship on November 2nd, at Fight Dome located at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas.

 

 

 

Both fighters have fought for FFC multiple times. Chub has a (3-1) record during his tenure with Final Fight Championship. Vrtacic, who is the defending middleweight champion, boasts a (4-0) record with FFC.

 

 

 

“The fans at Fight Dome Las Vegas loved our Kickboxing fights at FFC 31,” said FFC CEO/Founder, Orsat Zovko. “And we are excited to have world champion kickboxers fighting for us again on November 2nd.”

 

 

 

The Co-Main Event for “FFC 33” will feature an MMA Lightweight clash between, Darrick Minner (16-5-0) Nebraska City, NE, and former UFC Fighter, “Cassius” Clay Collard (16-7-1) Toquerville, UT.

 

 

 

There will be one other Kickboxing bout at “FFC 33” as Chris McMillan (87-10-3) of Calgary Alberta, Canada, takes on Teo Mikelic (18-6-0) Pula, Croatia, in the Lightweight division.

 

 

 

In Boxing, it will be a battle of two Super Welterweights in a six round contest as Randy Fuentes (7-6-1) McAllen, TX faces off against Andre Keyes (18-4-1) of Tacoma, WA.

 

 

 

“FFC 33” will air on CBS Sports Network, as a part of a multi-year agreement to broadcast FFC’s ground breaking multi-discipline (Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA) Fight Dome series at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas. The event will also air in Spanish on Claro Sports in Mexico and Latin America. Check your local listings for more information.

 

 

 

Tickets for “FFC 33” are available at any Las Vegas Caesars Entertainment Box Office, by calling 702-777-2782 or 855-234-7469, or online at Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

For more information about Final Fight Championship, please visit finalfightchampionship.com, Facebook at Facebook.com/FFCFighting, and Follow FFC on Instagram/Twitter @FFCFighting.

boxing, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE

Undefeated Prospects Castaneda and Venegas Jr. Clash for NABA Super Lightweight Title December 1st in San Antonio, TX

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WBA-NABA SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
KENDO “EL TREMENDO” CASTANEDA vs. GILBERT “EL GUERO” VENEGAS
DECEMBER 1, 2018 AT THE SCOTTISH RITE THEATRE IN SAN ANTONIO, TX

SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 30, 2018) – TMB & PRB Entertainment and Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions, present “Whose ‘0’ Will Go 2”, a live boxing event taking place at the Scottish Rite Theatre in San Antonio, TX, on December 1, 2018. In the 10-round main event, undefeated super lightweights Kendo Castaneda (14-0, 7 KOs) and Gilbert Venegas Jr. (10-0, 6 KOs), will battle for the vacant WBA-NABA title. The entire card will be streamed via Facebook’s FIGHTNIGHT LIVE channel, which has already served more than three million fight fans since May 2017.

 

 

 

Venegas age 24, is coming off an impressive unanimous decision victory against Armando Cardenas (9-2, 5 KOs), a fight that took place at the Scottish Rite Theatre on September 8, 2018. With momentum on his side, Venegas is determined to remain unbeaten with a victory against Castaneda.

 

 

 

“Castaneda comes in with an undefeated record, so this will no doubt be my toughest opponent of my career, but a fight I believe I can win.” stated Gilbert Venegas Jr. “I’ve worked very hard to get into this position, to fight for a title, so rest assure, I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by. Being that this will be my first shot at a title, you better believe I’m coming to win, and win impressively. I’m going to be the new NABA super lightweight champion and on December 1st, my hands will be raised in victory.”

 

 

 

The 24-year old Castaneda, who is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions, recently defeated former WBC United States Champion, Jesus “Chuy” Gutierrez, by 8-round unanimous decision. With the victory, Castaneda, who resides in San Antonio, TX, will look to keep his undefeated record in tact against Venegas.

 

 

 

“I’m predicting a tremendous performance,” said Castaneda. “I’m ready to razzle and dazzle, graze them and daze them, confuse and abuse them. Getting a NABA title shot on my second fight with Roy Jones Jr. Boxing represents a huge door being kicked down for me. If I can’t beat a guy like Venegas, I have no business in boxing.”

 

 

 

Tickets priced $35 General Admission $40 at the door, and $100 Ringside, are on sale now, and can be purchased by calling (210) 449-5599 or (210) 322-9974. The Scottish Rite Theatre is located at 308 Ave E, San Antonio, TX 78205. Doors open at 4:00 PM, first bell at 5:30 PM.

 

 

 

Follow all the action via social media at FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Facebook, @FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE

on Instagram and @FIGHTNIGHTLIVE_ on Twitter, or by using the hashtag #FIGHTNIGHTLIVE.

 

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boxing

Michael Dutchover Looks to Close out 2018 With Another Win

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Photo by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

PHILADELPHIA, PENN. / ORANGE, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2018) – The fast-rising Michael Dutchover (11-0, 8 KOs), with four solid wins on the year, aims to close out 2018 with another victory on Friday, Nov. 16, from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

 

 

 

Dutchover, who will turn 21 the day before the event, will fight veteran and former world title challenger Daulis Prescott (31-9, 24 KOs) in the 8-round main event of Thompson Boxing’s “Locked n’ Loaded” season finale.

 

 

 

Dutchover, a junior lightweight fighting out of Midland, Tex., has had a breakout year of sorts with his recent display of power punching. His last three wins have come by way of knockout, including a sensational second round, one-punch destruction of Sergio Martinez in July.

 

 

 

Prior to that, the West Texas warrior, who trains in Los Angeles, removed Mike Fowler in three rounds. Two months ago in September, Dutchover stopped Bergman Aguilar in the fifth.

 

 

 

Dutchover, however, understands the Colombian-born Prescott poses a far more serious challenge than any other foe he has faced this year, or in his young career.

 

 

 

“This year was all about elevating my level of competition,” said Dutchover, who is promoted by industry veterans Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing .”Prescott is battle tested and will be ready to fight. I love a challenge and I’m embracing it.”

 

 

 

Dutchover’s confidence is a direct result of the high-level sparring he receives on a routine basis from the many top-notch gyms in the Los Angeles area.

 

 

 

“I’ve been in with some of the top names in the sport and they all teach me something different,” Dutchover said. “Danny Roman, Oscar Valdez and Jessie Magdaleno are a few that come to mind. They are incredible boxers and good people too. I’m fortunate to have met them this early in my career.”

 

 

 

All fights will be live streamed on via our Facebook page.

 

 

 

The livestream starts at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Josesito Lopez providing expert, color commentary.

 

 

 

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

 

 

 

 

boxing

O’Quinn Wins Again! Undefeated Detroit Bantamweight Sends Mexico’s Esquivel Through the Ropes in Second Round TKO Victory

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Undefeated bantamweight prospect Ja’Rico “Great Lakes King” O’Quinn continued building his reputation as one of Detroit’s most promising young fighters on Friday night with a second-round stoppage of former world-title challenger Christian “Italiano” Esquivel of Mexico.

 

 

 

Fighting at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, O’Quinn (now 10-0-1, 7 KOs) showed why he is so highly regarded by sending Esquivel through the ropes for a TKO victory at 2:56 of round two.

 

 

 

Esquivel, a former NABF, WBC Continental Americas, WBC Youth Intercontinental, WBC FECOMBOX, and WBC Silver Bantamweight Champion, had no answer to the fast and powerful hands of O’Quinn. He falls to 30-16-1, 23 KOs.

 

 

 

“Christian Esquivel was a world title challenger and an experienced fighter. My goal was to make a statement,” said a happy O’Quinn, post-fight. “I did what was expected of me and rose to the occasion.  I’m looking forward to having another impressive win before the year’s ends and starting next year with my TV debut. I am bringing world championship glory back to the city of Detroit. It’s just a matter of time!”

 

 

 

O’Quinn’s promoter, Dmitriy Salita, said he expected a strong showing from O’Quinn and says he got even more than he hoped for from the 23-year-old.

 

 

 

“Ja’Rico is one of the most gifted prospects in all of boxing! I was very impressed with his dominating performance. He is on his way to winning a world title and joining the list of the great champions from the city of Detroit.”

boxing

UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHT PROSPECT  EROS CORREA SCORES 2ND ROUND KNOCKOUT IN MEXICO

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TIJUANA, MX (October 27, 2018) – Tonight in Tijuana, Mexico, San Jose, California’s bantamweight prospect, Eros Correa (3-0, 3 KOs), remained undefeated with a second-round knockout over Cristian Vizcarra. Correa, who is managed by Cali Boxing Management, dropped Vizcarra three times before the bout was stopped.

 

 

 

At the end of round one, Correa caught Vizcarra with a powerful right hook that sent the Tijuana native to the canvas. Correa sent Vizcarra to the canvas for the second time in the middle of round two with a left hook to the temple. Correa followed with a barrage of punches that sent Vizcarra to the deck for the third time, forcing the referee to stop the fight. With the win, Correa keeps his knockout streak alive to start his career.

 

 

 

“Tonight, I wanted to come out aggressive and get my opponent out of there,” said Eros Correa. “Now that I’m staying busy, I’m getting more comfortable in the ring. I know with each fight I’m going to get better. My goal is to get right back in the ring as soon as possible. I want at least two more fights before the end of the year.  My managers are doing a great job guiding my career and I’m thankful.”

boxing

DANIEL “DA BEAST” BAIZ VICTORIOUS WITH DOMINATING UNANIMOUS DECISION

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Photo by Robert Elizondo

SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 27, 2018) – Tonight at the San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, Daniel “Da Beast” Baiz, who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing, improved to (13-1, 5 KOs) with a dominating 4-round unanimous decision victory over Leonardo Esquivel Carrizal (5-5-1, 2 KOs).

 

 

 

Fighting at a lighter weight, Baiz used superior lateral movement and boxed beautifully for four rounds. When the fight went to the inside, Baiz stood his ground and fired off some explosive combinations, hurting his opponent on a few occasions. With the win, Baiz feels he’ll be even more impressive in his next fight.

 

 

 

“I had a really good training camp going into this fight and it showed tonight,” said Daniel Baiz, who fought at this lightest weight as a professional. “My plan is to fight at welterweight moving forward. I know I’ll be a more explosive fighter at 147 pounds. With a few more fights at this weight, I’ll be ready to fight anyone in the division.”

 

 

 

“Daniel showed once again he’s the real deal,” said manager Greg Hannley. “I have complete confidence in Baiz and his ability to take his career to the next level. At welterweight, he’ll be a problem for anyone.”

boxing, DAZN

Women’s Superstar Claressa Shields to Defend IBF and WBA Middleweight Championships and Looks to Add WBC Belt Against Scotland’s Hannah Rankin, Live on DAZN on November 17

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On Saturday, November 17, at the Kansas Star Arena and Casino in Mulvane, Kansas, superstar two-division women’s world champion Claressa Shields of Flint, Michigan, will defend her IBF and WBA World Middleweight Championships and be looking to add the vacant WBC title against Hannahh Rankin from Glasgow, Scotland.

 

 

 

The 10-round Shields (6-0, 2 KOs), and Rankin (5-2, 1 KO) battle will serve as the co-featured bout to Brooklyn-born heavyweight contender Jarrell Miller’s WBA World Heavyweight Championship showdown against Romania’s Bogdan Dinu.

 

 

 

These two fights will be broadcast live on DAZN, along with former world champion Brandon Rios taking on Canelo’s brother, Ramon Alvarez, in a super welterweight 10-rounder and former two-time world middleweight title challenger Gabriel Rosado going against once-beaten contender Luis Arias.

 

 

 

Shields was originally scheduled to face WBC and WBO World Middleweight Champion Christina Hammer on November 17, but the bout was postponed after Hammer withdrew due to medical reasons. Hammer has been named a champion in recess during her recovery. The two champions are now projected to do battle in the first quarter of 2019.

 

 

 

“Claressa is a once-in-a-generation athlete that transcends the sport,” said her promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “She will take another step in her goal to achieve the status of GWOAT as she makes the first defense of her middleweight world titles against the skilled and durable Hannah Rankin.”

 

 

 

A bonafide women’s superstar and TV ratings favorite, 23-year-old “T-Rex” Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and already a world champion in two weight divisions. In her fourth professional fight, she won the IBF and WBC Super Middleweight Championships in August 2017 with a dominant stoppage of Germany’s Nikki Adler. Then, in June of this year and in just her sixth pro fight, she dropped down to 160 pounds and won the IBF and WBA Middleweight titles with an exciting unanimous decision over Hannah Gabriels.

 

 

 

“I’m so excited to be able to give my fans another chance to see me defend my championship this year and to have the opportunity to win the WBC middleweight title on November 17,” said Shields. “I appreciate the efforts of Salita Promotions, my manager Mark Taffet, and Matchroom Boxing in putting this fight together so quickly. I will be in great shape and will provide a great performance.”

 

 

 

“I want to thank Salita Promotions and Matchroom Boxing for providing Claressa with another chance to fight this year and an opportunity to attain a third middleweight world championship,” said Mark Taffet, manager of Claressa Shields. “Claressa is hungry and motivated to put on a great performance on November 17 on DAZN. Claressa has lofty goals and I have no doubt that she’s going to achieve every one of them, including fighting and defeating Christina Hammer early next year. I expect Shields vs Rankin to be an action-packed fight that fans will enjoy tremendously.”

 

 

 

28-year-old Rankin put in an impressive and brave performance while losing a challenge for Alicia Napoleon’s WBA Super Middleweight Championship in August of this year. Before that, she picked up the WBC Silver Middleweight Championship with a dominant victory over Finland’s Sanna Turunen in June.

 

 

 

“I’m excited about the fight and proud to be representing Scotland on such a big stage,” said Rankin. “In boxing, nothing is impossible and on November 17, it will be just us in there when the bell rings and I think it’s going to be one hell of a fight.”

boxing, DAZN

Ivan Baranchyk ready for world title this Saturday against Anthony Yigit as part of WBSS in New Orleans

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NEW YORK (October 26, 2018) –Undefeated Ivan Baranchyk (18-0, 11 KOs) is destined to become a world champion when he takes on Anthony Yigit in a fight for the vacant IBF Junior Welterweight title as part of the WBSS, Saturday night in New Orleans (DAZN, 8 pm ET).

Baranchyk of Miami, Oklahoma via Russia is one of the most exciting fighters in the world as he is a come-forward fighter who likes to throw hard power shots.

In Yigit (21-0-1, 7 KOs), Baranchyk is facing a boxer from Sweden, who will be looking to stand in the way of Baranchyk’s dream of becoming a world champion.

Baranchyk is looking to become the next world champion under the guidance of Split-T Management.

Baranchyk scaled 140 lbs at Friday’s weigh in, while Yigit was 139.7

WBSS Season 2 Quarter-Finals - New Orleans: Weigh-In
WBSS Season 2 Quarter-Finals – New Orleans: Weigh-In

“I am good, and ready for this fight.  It has been a dream to become world champion, and Saturday I have a chance to realize that and at the same time advance in this great tournament,” said Baranchyk.

“It’s a truly exciting moment in time.  To have a client with such a great work ethic, and so much heart, and now seeing him get  that opportunity he deserves is an outstanding feeling,” said David McWater of Split-T Management.

Baranchyk is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Fight Promotions and Holden Promotions.

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

Bright Prospects From Hard Hitting Promotions Highlight Non-Televised Undercard of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, November 16 At The 2300 Arena

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Hard Hitting Promotions Fighters Branden Pizarro, Gadwyn Rosa, Christian Tapia, Benny Sinakin To Compete In Off-TV Action
Plus Angel Pizarro, Kieran Hooks And The Pro Debut Of David Stephens
First Bout Begins At 7 p.m. ET Prior To SHOWTIME® Tripleheader Headlined By All-Philly Showdown Between Jaron Ennis And Raymond Serrano; ShoBox Veterans Kenneth Sims Jr. and Samuel Teah Clash in Co-Featured Bout

PHILADELPHIA — October 26, 2018 — A bevy of prospects will be on display as part of the non-televised undercard of ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, November 16 at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

 

 

 

Highly-touted junior welterweight Branden Pizarro will see action in an eight-round bout as he takes on Jerome Rodriguez.

 

 

 

The 19-year-old Pizarro, of Philadelphia, is a two-year professional with a record of 12-1 with six knockouts. One of the top amateurs in the country before turning professional, Pizarro has a knockout win over Abdiel Padilla. In his last bout, Pizarro stopped 30-fight veteran Justin Johnson in two rounds on October 6 at The 2300 Arena.

 

 

 

Rodriguez, of Allentown, Penn., has a record of 7-10-3 with two knockouts. The 32 year-old has big wins over Tre’Sean Wiggins (3-0) and world-ranked Avery Sparrow (4-0). Rodriguez, who has fought 10 undefeated opponents, is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Jeremy Cuevas on October 6 at The 2300 Arena.

 

 

 

In a six-round bout, Gadwyn Rosa (8-0, 7 KOs) of Ocala, Fla., will take on an opponent to be named in a super featherweight bout.

 

 

 

In four-round non-televised bouts:

 

 

 

Kieran Hooks (3-1-1, 1 KO), of Philadelphia, takes on Gledwin Ortiz (5-2-1, 4 KOs) of Bronx, N.Y. in a super welterweight bout;

 

 

 

Christian Tapia (6-0, 5 KOs), of Coamao, PR, will take on an opponent to be named in a super featherweight bout.

 

 

 

Benny Sinakin (1-0), of Philadelphia, takes on an opponent to be named in a light heavyweight bout.

 

 

 

Angel Pizarro (4-0, 3 KOs), of Philadelphia, will take on an opponent to be named in a super bantamweight bout.

 

 

 

Former top-amateur standout, David Stevens, of Reading, Penn, will make his pro debut in a cruiserweight bout.

 

 

 

In the previously announced main event, highly touted unbeaten welterweight prospect Jaron Ennis will square off against 11-year professional Raymond Serrano in a Philadelphia vs. Philadelphia 10-round bout in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® at 9:35 p.m. ET/PT from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

 

 

In the co-feature, a pair of ShoBox veterans meet when Chicago’s Kenneth Sims Jr. (13-1-1, 4 KOs) takes on Philadelphia’s Samuel Teah of Hard Hitting Promotions (14-2-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight bout. Also on the card, undefeated Ukrainian Arnold Khegai (13-0-1, 9 KOs) faces New Jersey’s Jorge Diaz (19-5-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-round super bantamweight bout.

 

 

 

Tickets for the show, which is promoted by Victory Promotions in association with Hard Hitting Promotions are priced $50, $75 and $125 and can be purchased at 2300arena.com and hardhittingpromotions.com.