Tag Archives: boxing

 Unbeaten Ruben Villa Fights in Hometown of Salinas, CA on Saturday, Oct. 13

Photo by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

PHILADELPHIA, PENN. / ORANGE, Calif. (Oct. 1, 2018) – Promising featherweight prospect Ruben Villa (13-0, 5 KOs) headlines a talent rich card from his hometown of Salinas, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 13.

 

 

 

Villa, 21, returns to the Salinas Storm House for the second time this year. The talented southpaw faces Mexico’s Miguel Carrizoza (10-3, 2 KOs) in the 8-round “New Blood”main event.

 

 

 

Villa last fought from the Salinas Storm House in April, when he routed fellow prospect Marlon Olea in route to winning the vacant WBO Youth featherweight championship. It was Villa’s first title since turning professional in July 2016.

 

 

 

The two-time national Golden Gloves winner fights for the fifth time this year after registering six wins in 2017.

 

 

 

“It’s incredible how fast I’ve developed,” said Villa, who is managed by Danny Zamora and trained by Max Garcia. “It feels like it was yesterday that I was in four round fights and now I’m routinely headlining shows.”

 

 

 

The lefty, who sometimes conducts training camps in the sparring rich city of Riverside, Calif., decided to stay close to home for this fight. Him and his team have zeroed in on what is required to defeat Carrizoza.

 

 

 

“He fought my stablemate, Michael Dutchover [undefeated junior lightweight], last year so Mike gave me a pretty detailed scouting report on him,” Villa said. “He’s a bruiser. He likes to come forward and get you onto the ropes or just backpedaling. I know how to fight guys like that. I’ve fought against guys like that before and I’ve seen a bunch of them in previous training camps. We are really comfortable in our game plan.”

 

 

 

Villa is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

 

 

 

Tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $40, $75, & $125, and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900, or online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

 

 

 

The Salinas Storm House is located at 185 Maryal Drive in Salinas, CA 93907.

 

 

 

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. local time with the first bout at approximately 6 p.m.

 

 

 

All fights will be live streamed on our Facebook page.

 

 

 

The livestream starts at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Steve Kim providing expert, color commentary.

 

 

 

“New Blood” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions and sponsored by Everlast.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

HEAVYWEIGHT PROSPECTS KYE BROOKS AND JONATHAN RICE SCORE KNOCKOUTS IN MEXICO

Photos by Prince Ranch Boxing

TIJUANA, MX (October 1, 2018) – Prince Ranch Boxing heavyweights, Kye Brooks (4-0, 3 KOs) and fellow stablemate, heavyweight Jonathan Rice (9-3-1, 5 KOs), both who are managed by Greg Hannley, were victorious this past Saturday in Tijuana, MX.

 

 

 

Jonathan Rice scored a first-round knockout against, Juan Carlos Moreno. After a few explosive exchanges, Rice caught Moreno with a counter right hand that sent him to the canvas. Moreno got up and came firing back, only to get caught again with a strait right cross, forcing the referee to stop the bout at the 2:19 mark of round one.

 

 

 

“Fighting in Mexico is a challenging experience when the whole crowd is against you,” said Rice. “After a few exchanges I got comfortable in there and took him out. I’m thankful to my manager Greg for keeping me busy. I’m ready to get right back in the ring and keep this momentum going.”

 

 

 

Brooks, who hails from Las Vegas, scored a first-round knockout over Jorge Jimenez. After dropping him twice with two powerful left hooks, a barrage of punches followed, forcing the referee to stop the bout at the 2:37 mark.

 

 

 

“I came out here and got the knockout out,” stated Brooks. “After being out of the ring for a few months, it felt good to get back in there. I’m hoping to return to the ring at least one more time before the year ends.”

 

 

 

“Fighting in Mexico is something we plan on doing moving forward as I want to keep my guys busy.” said Greg Hannley, CEO of Prince Ranch Boxing. “Kye and Jonnie both got knockout victories and the march continues. Both these heavyweights got the talent to compete with anyone. I’m just going to move them one fight at a time.”

 

 

 

This even was promoted by Gonzalez Boxing Promotions, in association with GM3 Boxing.

 MMA Title Bout Headlines FFC 31 Night of Champions at Fight Dome

Clay Collard battles Dave Courchaine for the FFC MMA Lightweight Championship on Oct. 12

LAS VEGAS, NV, (Oct. 1, 2018) – The main event is set for “FFC 31 Night of Champions” and it will consist of two rising stars in Mixed Martial Arts as Clay “Cassius” Collard (16-7-1) of Price, UT, battles Dave “Insane” Courchaine (20-7-0) of Cheney, WA, for the FFC MMA Lightweight Championship at the all-new Fight Dome Las Vegas at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

 

 

 

After suffering two straight losses under the UFC banner in 2015, Collard returned to MMA in 2018 and responded with two straight victories, a TKO win over Troy Dennison, and a submission win (by triangle choke) against Carson Gregory.

 

 

 

As for Courchaine, he was on a five-fight win streak dating back to 2014 before losing to Arthur Estrazulas by 1st round KO in January of 2017. Both fighters are hungry and both fighters have something to prove when they step into the ring on Oct. 12.

 

 

 

There will be one other MMA title bout on the “Night of Champions” as Ben Egli (10-2-0) of Tigard, OR, takes on Brazilian, Roberto Neves (10-3-0) for the FFC Welterweight Title. The remainder of the multi-discipline fight card will consist of championship bouts involving boxing and kickboxing.

 

 

 

The WBU cruiserweight title will be up for grabs in boxing as Dennis Morris (14-2-1) of Milwaukee, WI, goes up against Shawn Miller (18-4-1) of Troy, NY.

 

 

 

In Kickboxing, Glory veteran, François Ambang (18-7-1) of Mechanicsville, VA (via Cameroon), will fight battle-tested Albanian, Shkodran Veseli (83-18-1) for the FFC Welterweight Title, and Brazilian, Jhonata Diniz (16-5-0) faces off against, Croatian sensation, Mladen Brestovac (54-14-1).

 

 

 

“FFC 31 Night of Champions” will broadcast live on CBS Sports Network, Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. (PST) and 10 p.m. (EST).

 

 

 

General ticket prices begin at $69. Tickets 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 groups of 10 or more call 866-574-3851 or email EntertainmentGroupSales@Caesars.com.

 

 

 

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

DEONTAY WILDER vs. TYSON FURY LONDON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

 Tensions Rise As Two Larger-Than-Life Personalities Trade Verbal Jabs In Kick-Off Of International Press Tour Ahead of December 1 WBC Heavyweight Title LIVE on SHOWTIME PPV ® 

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Mark Robinson/SHOWTIME

Watch the Full Press Conference HERE

LONDON (October 1, 2018) – The Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury Press Tour got off to a combative start as the two heavyweight giants went face-to-face in London on Monday, exchanging verbal jabs ahead of their December 1 showdown for the WBC Heavyweight World Championship live on SHOWTIME PPV from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

Amidst the back-and-forth jawing, the 6-foot-7 Wilder and the 6-foot-9 Fury had to be separated when Wilder refused to back down from Fury’s challenge to engage in a sparring session.

 

 

 

“I want to feel the power,” Fury said to Wilder. “You’re going to feel the Fury, I want to feel the Alabama slammer.”

 

 

 

“I’m going to show you the full power”, Wilder quipped back. “This ain’t no game!” Watch the confrontation HERE

 

 

 

To watch Monday’s press conference in full, visit the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel: https://s.sho.com/2Qf3mgW

 

 

 

Wilder vs. Fury tests the raw power of Wilder against the unmatched size and mobility of Fury. America’s only heavyweight champion since 2007, Wilder has 39 knockouts in 40 professional fights, including knockouts in all seven of his title defenses. Fury is a former IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight world champion who is undefeated in 27 professional fights and holds boxing’s coveted lineal heavyweight title.

 

 

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by BombZquad Enterprises and Queensberry Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, go on sale Wednesday, October 3 at 12 p.m. PT. Tickets are priced starting at $75, plus applicable fees, and are available via AXS.com.

 

 

 

In anticipation of the biggest heavyweight event in the U.S. since Mike Tyson-Lennox Lewis in 2002, the Wilder vs. Fury International Press Tour continues Tuesday at Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York and concludes Wednesday in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

Below are flash quotes from today’s event at BT Sport Headquarters in London:

 

 

 

DEONTAY WILDER

 

 

 

“I believe every word that I say. When I say I’m going to knock a man out and tell him where and how he may lay, it comes to pass. I’m all about devastating knockouts, that’s what I do. There’s no pressure on me. You just need to be there to witness it.

 

 

 

“He has two months to get ready. He’s lost a lot of weight but he needs to lose a little bit more. He already knows he’s going to get knocked out. He can hoot and holler, he can build himself up but he needs to take my advice and speak it, believe it, receive it. He’s going to feel pain he’s never felt before.

 

 

 

“Some people don’t even think I should be fighting Fury at this point in time. Whether they want to see another fight or they don’t think he’s ready right now, we can’t live off other’s opinions. When you come to see a Deontay Wilder fight, you’re only coming to see one thing and that’s me knocking somebody out. You all are looking at the 41st person that’s going to be knocked out.

 

 

 

“The antics aren’t going to work against me. I’m not (Wladimir) Klitschko, this is Deontay Wilder.

 

 

 

“I definitely think I’m the No. 1 heavyweight in the world. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel I was the best. I’m not worried about any other fighters or what they’re saying or how they are hyping themselves up. I already know I’m the part. All you have to do is tune in. I’m about to put him in the oven and make a muffin.”

 

 

 

TYSON FURY

 

 

 

“I am no challenger for no man. I am the lineal heavyweight champion of the world. That means I’m the best of the best. The elite champion. This is two champions colliding, this is equal-rights champion vs. champion.

 

 

 

“I’m savoring nothing. The only thing I’m savoring is smashing Deontay Wilder’s teeth in. The press has all turned up today to see the biggest fight of our generation between two undefeated giants, and boy are you going to get a fight. You’re in for a real treat, don’t worry about that. I’m in no mood to dance around the ring. There’s not a 15 stone man on the planet that can beat Tyson Fury.

 

 

 

“I have no concern at all about my lack of fights in recent years. If you can fight, you can fight. I picked this fight. I said to Frank, get me this fight. I could have fought another 10 bums and won them too. Nobody forced me to fight Deontay Wilder, I picked him because I believe he’s an easy touch.”

 

 

 

“I will stand right in front of him and prove what I will do. I will punch his face seven days a week and twice on a Sunday. If we fought 30 times, I’d win 30 times.”

 

 

 

LOU DIBELLA

 

 

 

“It’s been a long time since the heavyweight division has had two giants like this. Two champions at the top of their game, at the top of their division willing to fight one another. It’s not rocket science making a fight. Deontay spent a lot of time trying to make a fight with another guy from England who didn’t want to fight. When Fury got himself back into the ring and got himself in the shape he is in now, Shelly (Finkel) and Frank (Warren) were able to make this fight very quickly.

 

 

 

“When two great champions want to make a fight, the fight happens. That’s why December 1 is happening. We’re going to know right then and there who the best heavyweight on the planet is until proven otherwise. The winner of this fight will be the best heavyweight on the planet.

 

 

 

“Fury is an interesting guy who has had to overcome a lot of adversity. I think he should be proud of himself for getting his life in order and being able to turn things around. What he’s done in the last six months has been remarkable. I’m still going to admire him after he gets knocked out on December 1.”

 

 

 

SHELLY FINKEL

 

 

 

“I have nothing but respect for our challenger, Fury. When I was handling Klitschko, we didn’t think Fury had a chance against him. He proved me wrong. He won’t prove me wrong twice.

 

 

 

“We didn’t pick to fight Tyson because we thought he was easy, we believe he’s the best out there. We want to fight the best, and only the best. We have respect for you because your countryman didn’t want to fight even though he was offered a fortune to fight. When it was presented, he said no. I commend you for stepping right in.”

 

 

 

FRANK WARREN

 

 

 

“These are the two best heavyweights because they’re willing to step in the ring together. That’s what great fighters do. We are going to see something special on December 1. I think it’s going to be a fight that nobody expects. This is not going to be cat and mouse, it’s going to be a war. Tyson has a fighter’s mentality. He’s not trying to duck out through contracts, through a backdoor method. He wanted the fight and Shelly and I worked together to make this happen. You cannot miss it. This will be one of the best heavyweight fights for a long time.

 

 

 

“Fury is traveling to the other guy’s backyard like he did when he went to Germany and took Klitschko to school. He’s going to take Deontay’s belt and this is a fight you cannot afford to miss.”

 

 

 

STEPHEN ESPINOZA

 

 

 

“This is a fight that has captivated America and will continue to captivate America. We have two mythical figures and that’s what people love about the heavyweight division; they are almost superheroes. In particular, these two individuals are the two largest men in the heavyweight division and I mean that in a physical sense as well as their personalities. On paper, in the ring, on the press tour, it’s a phenomenal matchup.”

USA Boxing Alumni Association Profile:   1972 Olympic Bronze Medalist JESSE VALDEZ

  (L-R) – Austin Trout, Jesse Valdez, Raphael Marquez and B.J. Flores

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 5, 2018) — 1972 Olympic bronze medalist Jesse Valdez, who was an outstanding amateur boxer, never turned pro because he chose security for his family rather than take a risk and parlay his amateur pedigree into a prize fighting career.

 

 

 

Valdez first went to the local Boys’ Club when he was 11. The youngest of seven children in a low-income family, headed by his single mother, in which the kids all slept in one bedroom, girls in a bed, boys on the floor, sharing space with cockroaches.

 

 

 

“I started going to the club and I guess I did well because I started beating older and bigger guys,” Valdez remembered. One day a coach asked me if I was interested in learning how to box. At 11, USA Boxing people were interested in me, not me the boxer, and they always gave me guidance. Because of my background, I knew I wouldn’t be going to college, and these people helped me and gave me guidance.

 

 

 

In 1964, 16-year-old Valdez upset Olympic bronze medalist Quincey Daniels at the National AAU Championship in the welterweight division, and later that year he qualitied for the U.S. Olympic Team as an alternate. Valdez captured a gold medal at the1967 National Golden Gloves in the light middleweight weight class and he added a bronze medal from the prestigious Pan-American Games.

 

 

 

“I wanted to be a better boxer and that (defeating Daniels) also helped me become a better person. I had never traveled outside of Texas before then. I went to the Regionals and Nationals and then I was asked if I wanted to go to East Africa. All I knew about Africa was Tarzan, Jane and Cheetah. In high school, I was offered college scholarships, but my grades were bad because I spent more time out than in school. I didn’t have a father figure.”

 

 

 

While he served in the U.S. Air Force, Valdez won a gold medal at the 1970 National AAU Championship as a light middleweight and two years later, he became the 1972 National Golden Gloves welterweight champion. A USA Olympic Team alternate for the second time in 1968, the third time was the charm for Valdez, who qualified for the 1972 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team by defeating future world champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

 

 

 

“My dream came true in 1964,” Valdez noted. “I was a USA Olympic Team alternate in 1964 and again in 1968. But in 1972, I wanted to win a gold medal, even though I ended up with bronze.”

 

 

 

Valdez became a household name in America because his Olympic fights in Munich, Germany, aired live on ABC Wide World of Sports, the award-winning Saturday afternoon show during the seventies, when legendary announcer Howard Cosell took a shine to Valdez. Unfortunately, Jessie was eliminated in the semifinals by the eventual gold medalist, Emilio Correa, by way of a controversial decision, and Jesse settled for a bronze medal.

 

 

 

The 1972 Olympics, however, is sadly remembered for the deaths of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches taken hostage and murdered by a Palestinian terrorist group, Black September.

 

 

 

“The Olympic village was built in a circle,” Valdez explained. “There were athletes everywhere from all around the world. My roommate and I had a routine after eating. We walked to digest our food and that night we started to walk, when guards with guns and rifles wouldn’t let anybody go past them. We didn’t know why and didn’t speak German. We then asked our coaches what had happened, and they said people were shot that afternoon. Later, we saw what happened on television.

 

 

 

“I was team captain and all the captains from every sport were asked what the athletes wanted to do, continue (competing) or go home. We decided to go on because, if we had stopped, that’s what they (terrorists) wanted. The Olympics were halted one day for a memorial recognizing those who had died.”

 

 

 

 

TEAM USA vs. TEAM GERMANY, OCT. 6 & 12 in CHATTANOOGA

 

 

 

Team USA and Team Germany, two of the world’s top amateur boxing programs, will meet in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for two separate duels taking place Saturday, October 6 and Friday, Oct. 12, at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

 

 

 

The duels will feature some of the top male and female elite boxers as they prepare for the lead up to the Olympics in 2020. The two events will take place alongside this year’s Eastern Elite Qualifier & Regional Open Championships, which is expected to have more than 650 boxers, aged 8-40, compete from Oct. 8-13.

 

 

 

 

After the 1972 Olympics, promoters lined-up to offer Valdez a pro contract, but he quickly turned down all offers having other options as well. He could have remained in the Air Force and been a coach. Instead, he accepted an offer from a Houston television station that wanted to benefit from hiring the Olympic bronze medalist returning home. Valdez became a reporter and the station’s ratings immediately went up, but other reporters became jealous and that became a problem for Jesse. At first, he contemplated a return to the Air Force, but Valdez liked working in television and he became a photo journalist until he retired in 2005.

 

 

 

Why not take advantage of his fame as an Olympic bronze medalist and turn pro?

 

 

 

“When I was 14 or 15 there were pros training at the gym I went to after school,” Valdez explained, “There was one professional boxer there I really liked and looked up to. He was a world champion, who will remain nameless, and I watched him work out. I’ll never forget, he asked me if he could borrow $1.00. I didn’t even have a nickel and that really opened my eyes. Here was a world champion asking me for money. It stuck in my mind. I took a job as a reporter because I really needed (medical) benefits.

 

 

 

“I try to go to clubs and help amateurs, but I don’t watch pro fights.”

 

 

 

 

USA Boxing Alumni Association

 

 

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans — The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.

 

 

 

The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events hosted by the Alumni Association, including its annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.

 

 

 

To join the Alumni Association, simply register at alumni@usaboxing.org for a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain and e-wallet.

 

 

 

 

Now 70, the Mexican-American from Houston has never regretted the decision he made nearly a half-century ago, or, of course, his experience at the 1972 Olympics. Jesse Valdez has become a valued speaker for the USA Boxing Alumni Association.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing, @USABoxingAlumni

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

Darmani Rock takes on Pedro Julio Rodriguez in main event on Saturday, October 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

   
Jeremy Cuevas vs Jerome Rodriguez in co-feature
Branden Pizarro to see action
Also featuring undefeated Gadwin Rosa, Christian Tapia, Marcos Suarez and Marcel Rivers

Philadelphia, PA (October 1, 2018) – A terrific night of action is rounding into place as Hard Hitting Promotions presents an eight-bout card THIS Saturday, October 6th at The 2300 Arena.

 

 

 

In the main event, undefeated heavyweight Darmani Rock (12-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes Pedro Julio Rodriguez of Miami, Florida, via Cuba in an eight-round bout.

 

 

 

Rock of Philadelphia, who was the number-one amateur heavyweight in the United States and former Youth Amateur champion, has a record of 12-0 with seven knockouts.

 

 

 

The 22 year-old Rock is a two-year professional who has a 1st round stoppage over Carlos Cotto (8-1-1) on his resume.  Rock is coming off a six-round unanimous decision win over Marquis Valentine on July 20th in Sloan, Iowa.

 

 

 

This will be Rock’s 3rd appearance in Philadelphia.

 

 

 

Rodriguez has an impressive mark of 23-5 with 19 knockouts.

 

 

 

The 32 year-old Rodriguez is an eight-year professional, who has defeated four undefeated fighters.  Rodriguez holds a win over Andy Perez, who was 19-2 at the time.

 

 

 

Rodriguez is coming off a loss to Andrey Afonin on May 19th.

 

 

 

In the six-round co-feature, Jeremy Cuevas (10-0, 8 KOs) of Philadelphia will fight Jerome Rodriguez (7-9-3, 2 KOs) of Allentown, PA in a lightweight contest.

 

 

 

Branden Pizarro (11-1, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia will take on 24 fight-veteran Justin Johnson of Pittsburgh in a six-round junior welterweight fight.

 

 

 

Gadwin Rosa (7-0, 6 KOs) of Ocala, Florida takes on David Berna (16-5, 15 KOs) of Budapest Hungary in a super featherweight bout.

 

 

 

In four-round bouts:

 

 

 

Christian Tapia (5-0, 4 KOs) of Coamo, Puerto Rico fights Hector Marengo (7-13-4, 4 KOs) of Arecibo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

 

 

 

Marcos Suarez (5-0-1,1 KO) of Bronx, New York battles Israel Suarez (4-6-2, 1 KO) of Luquillo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

 

 

 

Benny Sinakin of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Alexander Lara in a light heavyweight bout.

 

 

 

Marcel Rivers (6-0, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a welterweight bout.

 

 

 

Tickets available now! $50 GA , $70 Premium, $125 VIP +fees

 

 

Purchase Tickets online at hardhittingpromotions.com ;  2300arena.com or by calling 267.758.2173  as well as the 2300 Arena Box Office.

 

Doors 6PM – First bout 7PM

 

 

 

Follow Hard Hitting Promotions at:

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View on Instagram

 

BRANDON FIGUEROA KNOCKS OUT OSCAR ESCANDON IN FINAL ROUND IN PBC ON FS1 & FOX DEPORTES MAIN EVENT FROM CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA IN ONTARIO

  Joe Joyce Makes Impression Against Iago Kiladze in U.S. Debut; Both Joey Spencer and

Efe Ajagba Knock Out Opponents in First Rounds of Respective Fights;
Stephen Fulton Dominates German Meraz in TV Opener
 
Click HERE For Photos
Photo Credit: Luis Meija/Ringstar Sports

Ontario, Calif. (Sept. 30) – In a marathon night of fights, Southern California fans were treated to performances in a variety of weight classes headlined by Brandon Figueroa (17-0-0, 12 KOs) of Weslaco, TX against Columbian Oscar Escandon (25-5-0, 17 KOs) in an action-packed 10-round super bantamweight bout that ended with a knockout by the young prospect Figueroa in the final round live on FS1 and FOX Deportes from Citizens Business Bank Arena.

 

 

 

Both Figueroa and Escandon picked up the pace early as they went toe-to-toe battling in an entertaining fight from the first bell. Figueroa, who typically fights at a distance, wanted to make a statement that he isn’t afraid to fight on the inside. An accidental head butt caused a large cut over the left eye of Figueroa, as blood poured the remainder of the fight. The combatants continued to throw high volumes of punches throughout the bout, but Figueroa remained more accurate and active as Escandon did his best to stay strong. In the tenth and final round, Figueroa sealed the win with a powerful combination that ended in a right upper cut to Escandon’s chin, sending him to the canvas rendering him unable to stand at minute 1:42.

 

 

 

“Escandon is tough. He is short and it was hard to get to the body,” said Figueroa. “I can fight both inside and outside, but his size did matter. I had to get in there and he wasn’t backing up. I was ready for this fight. Opportunities like this don’t come often so I had to take it and run with it. I have been training all summer and I am ready to take a few days off and get right back to it.”

 

 

 

“I knew Figueroa was good, but I was surprised at how tough he was,” said Escandon. “Everyone can get caught with a punch. I wasn’t tired. I just got caught. I am okay. I am going to keep going.”

 

 

 

The co-main event saw British Silver Medalist Joe Joyce (6-0, 6 KOs) make his U.S. debut in a heavyweight fight domnation against Iago Kiladze (26-4-0, 18 KOs) of Georgia. Thirty seconds into the second round, Joyce sent Kiladze through the ropes with a flurry of right hands. Kiladze recovered and fought back, surviving the remainder of the round. He entered the third throwing everything he could, but Joyce hit him with a hard hook to the body forcing him to the canvas again. The fight ended in the with 41 seconds to go in the fifth round as Joyce landed a hard left hook to Kiladze’s body knocking him out.

 

 

 

“It is great to be here,” said Joyce. “I started training in the United States because it was the best way to start my career here,” said Joyce. “It is great to have my sixth win here and I look forward to getting in the ring again soon. I think I made a great impression here tonight and I just want to continue that streak.”

 

 

 

Also featured on the card was fast-rising star Joey Spencer (5-0, 5 KOs) of Union City, Calif. Against Cory Macon (0-3-0) of Durham, NC in a four-round middleweight bout. The 18-year-old Spencer, with dreams to become the youngest American with a world title, went to work immediately, going to the body of Macon. He continued to attack the body, but with a hard left hook, he sent Macon to the canvas, ending the fight just inside round number one at minute 2:36.

 

 

 

“I stay active and stay in the gym. It keeps me focused and ready,” said Spencer. “My goal is to become a world champion by age 20. Fans need to keep an eye on me and my career because I am here to stay.”

 

 

 

Efe Ajagba (7-0-0, 6 KOs) faced Nick Jones (7-1-0, 5 KOs) of Okmulgee, OK in a six-round heavyweight fight that didn’t even last one round. With a hard right hand, Ajagba sent Jones to the canvas with a devastating knockout in 2:25 of the first.

 

 

 

“Now we know why my last opponent walked out of the ring. He was afraid that was going to happen to him,” said Ajagba. “I watched tape of Jones and I knew he was slow. I was ready to attack the minute I got into the ring. I want anyone that my management will put in front of me. I am ready. I prepared for six rounds and I can’t wait to get back in the ring.”

 

 

 

In a televised swing bout, young prospect Jose Balderas (5-0-0) of Santa Maria, Calif. was tested by Mexican Ivan Martino (3-3-0, 3 KOs) in a bantamweight, but was able to get his shots off, connected with several left hooks to Martino’s body.

 

 

 

“He is a strong guy and he kept coming, but we were ready for it,” said Balderas. “I think I got the rounds he needed. I have been improving since my first fight. I am going to keep learning and keep growing.”

 

 

 

Stephen Fulton (14-0-0, 6 KOs) of the fighting city of Philadelphia faced German Meraz (61-50-2, 38 KOs) of Mexico opened the telecast in a scheduled eight-round featherweight fight. Fulton, who took this fight with 72 hours’ notice, used his jab throughout the and dominated every round. In the first minute of the eighth and final round, Fulton knocked Meraz down, setting up the win. In the end, the judges ruled the bout a unanimous decision.

 

 

 

“I wasn’t worried about taking the fight on such short notice,” said Fulton. “I knew I was going to dominate. I might have prepared for someone else, but that didn’t matter. I have the experience to be able to adjust. He could have had 100 fights or five fights and I would have bene ready. I want Brandon Figueroa next.”

 

 

 

To kick off the night, FS1 and FOX Deportes broadcasted a slate of preliminary fights. Below please find the results of those exciting match-up:

 

 

 

Jesse Rodriguez of Los Angeles (7-0-0, 4 KOs) won via unanimous decision against Edwin Reyes of Las Vegas (8-4-3, 5 KOs) in an eight-round light flyweight bout.

 

 

 

British light heavyweight Kody Davies (7-0-0, 6 KOs) defeated Jerhed Fenderson (4-7-0, 2 KOs) of Las Vegas via unanimous decision.

 

 

 

In his professional debut, Oscar Juarez of Brownsville TX, defeated Matt Gaver (0-2-0) of Bakersfield, Calif. via unanimous decision in a six-round super lightweight bout.

 

 

 

Arnold Alejandro of Dallas (8-0-0, 7 KOs) defeated Francisco Camacho (7-9-1, 3 KOs) of Matamoros, Mexico via fifth round knockout in a featherweight fight scheduled for six rounds.

 

 

 

To open the night of fights at Citizens Business Bank Arena, former world champion James DeGale (25-2-1, 15 KOs) defeated Fidel Moterrosa (39-19-1, 31 KOs) via third round KO.

 

 

 

# # #

 

 

 

Fans can live stream the fights on the FOX Sports app, 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.

 

 

 

 

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.comhttp://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.

Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @Ringstar, @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available atwww.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

DEVIN HANEY SCORES IMPRESSIVE DECISION OVER VETERAN JUAN CARLOS BURGOS IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

 

 

 

 

Mattice and Hamazaryan Fight To Split Draw in Highly Anticipated Rematch

 

Catch The Replay Monday, October 1, At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

 

Click HERE For Photos; Credit Dave Mandel/SHOWTIME

Yoon Tops Renteria in Main Event of Heavyweight Factory’s “Rumble at the Rock 2” at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hollywood

(Friday, September 28, 2018) Youthful exuberance carried the night, as Honolulu, Hawaii’s undefeated Logan “The Korican Kid” Yoon (13-0, 10 KOs) won a unanimous 10-round decision over John “El Emperador” Rentería (16-5-1, 12 KOs) of Panama.

 

 

 

Fighting in the main event of Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory’s “Rumble at the Rock 2” boxing event at the Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla, Yoon outworked the gritty Panamanian.

 

 

 

Often landing three to take one, 19-year-old Yoon is a punching machine with seemingly limitless energy. Renteria landed well at times, but couldn’t match Yoon’s work rate. The scores were 98-92, 100-90, and 99-91.

 

 

 

Miami (via Havana’s) undefeated Livan “Machine Gun Kid” Navarro (9-0, 5 KOs) graduated to prospect status, and probably learned some lessons along the way, with a unanimous 10-round decision over Armando “The Gentleman” Alvarez (18-2, 12 KOs) of Key West.

 

 

 

Navarro came out guns blazing for the first four rounds and landed some thudding shots to the body and head. Staying cool, the more experienced Alvarez began to come on in the middle of the fight, as Navarro began to slow.

 

 

 

To his credit, Navarro found the energy to reignite the buzzsaw in rounds eight and nine to seal victory. Alvarez landed plenty of sharp counters and had his moments as well. The scores were 98-92, and 97-93 x 2.

 

 

 

In an interesting 10-round welterweight tiff, Puerto Rico’s Derrieck Cuevas (18-0-1, 14 KOs) stayed undefeated with a unanimous 10-round decision over Mexican spoiler Silverio Ortiz (37-23, 18 KOs).

 

 

 

Making his Heavyweight Factory debut, Cuevas seemed somewhat befuddled by the awkward Ortiz at times. He managed to knock Ortiz down with a left hook in round three and the Mexican lost a point in round six for rabbit punching.

 

 

 

That said, it’s obvious why Ortiz has a reputation for taking undefeated records away. Not your typical smash-and-grab veteran, the roughhousing Ortiz throws clubbing haymakers from weird angles that could easily confuse a more conventional fighter.

 

 

 

Cuevas, who punches like a mule kicks, stuck to his training and managed to come out the winner. The scores were 95-93, 96-92 and a wrong 98-90.

 

 

 

In an eight-round featherweight bout, Miami via Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan’s Mussa “Warrior” Tursyngaliyev (8-0, 6 KOs) won a pedestrian unanimous decision over Monteira, Colombia’s Deivi “El Cabo” Bassa (20-6, 12 KOs). A stylistic mismatch, the pair tried to get things going, but it never really happened. Tursyngaliyev won by scores of 79-73, 80-72 and 78-74 for being more effective against the, too often, jab-and-grab Colombian veteran.

 

 

 

Blood-and-guts fan favorite Jessy Cruz (14-7-1, 5 KOs) of Miami had an easier night than usual when Homestead, Florida’s Sergio Aguilar (2-10, 2 KOs) elected not to come out for round four of their six-round featherweight bout. The official verdict was TKO 3 (3:00). Cruz normally goes down, knocks the other guy down and wins some and loses some in the fight of the night. Nice to see him not have to go to the edge of human endurance for once.

 

 

 

Miami’s Jorge De Jesus Romero (11-0, 9 KOs) was too strong for outgunned Hungarian Jeno Tonte (8-4, 7 KOs) in their eight-round featherweight bout.  A squat puncher, Romero walked down Tonte with relative ease and ended his night early with a TKO 3 at 2:43. An extended body barrage to a wilting Tonte’s midsection convinced referee Sam Burgos that enough was enough.

 

 

 

Dustin Arnold (6-1 (1 KO) of Coral Springs, Florida, had things all his way for four rounds of his lightweight six-rounder against Raul Chirino (12-10, 6 KOs) of Miami. Chrino came to life and took the fight to Arnold in the last two rounds. Too little too late, as the talented Arnold took the unanimous nod (scores: 58-56, 59-55 x 2). Good, entertaining fight between two Florida rivals.

 

 

 

Miami’s Irosvani Duvergel (4-0, 2 KOs) did what you’re supposed to do against your early opponents when you’re a hard-punching super middleweight prospect. The transplanted Cuban battered Texas veteran Emmanuel Sanchez (7-10-1, 1 KO) for four straight rounds and won a wide unanimous decision (40-35 by all three judges). A true slugger with bad intentions, Duvergel is going to be a fun fighter to watch, especially as he goes up levels and finds some worthy competition. He chased Sanchez around the ring with looping hard shots and was credited with a knockdown in round three.

El Matador Management Fighters Mathew Gonzalez and Justin Biggs in action on Saturday night in Brooklyn

 

New York (September 28, 2018) – Two undefeated fighters from Felipe Gomez’s El Matador Management will be on display on Saturday night at The King’s Theatre in Brooklyn, New York.

 

 

 

Super Welterweight Mathew Gonzalez (6-0, 4 KOs) will take on Jordan Morales (3-4, 1 KO) in a four-round bout, while super welterweight Justin Biggs (4-0, 4 KOs) will take on Noe Lozano (2-3) in a six-round tilt.

 

 

 

Gonzalez of Ridgewood, New York will be making his 5th start of 2018, and the busy fighter is ready for his next challenge.

 

 

 

“Everything is going well.  I have had good sparring, my weight is good, and it is time to perform,” said Gonzalez.

 

 

 

He will be facing Morales, of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, who took the fight on two-weeks notice.

 

 

 

“I don’t know too much about him.  A friend of mine, Richardson Hitchins fought him at Barclays Center, and I was at that fight, so I have seen him fight.”

 

 

 

Gonzalez has established himself as one of the top ticket sellers in the New York area, and the 23 year-old nicknamed “Lefty” is getting noticed.

 

 

 

“I go to different places and people are starting to know me.  It’s good to know that I am building a fan base.  I thrive on having a big fan base.  It makes me want to go out and execute and perform for my fans,”

 

 

 

Gonzalez is happy on where he is at in his career, as getting in a 5th fight in 2018 is setting himself up for a good year in 2019.

 

 

 

“I am where I should be.  Every fight, I am getting better and better.  I am just taking one fight at a time.  I just want everyone to stay tuned and keep and eye on me.  Fans can follow me on Instagram at leftygunz_

 

 

 

Biggs of Brooklyn will be making his 3rd consecutive appearance at the venue in his hometown.

 

 

 

“My training was great.  I have been working hard, and I am on weight,” said Biggs.

 

 

 

Biggs has a pretty good scouting report on his foe, and he is looking for a great fight on Saturday.

 

 

 

“He is a fellow southpaw.  He is pretty intense, and he comes at you, which should make for a great fight.  I think that my body punching and jab will be too much for him to handle.”

 

 

 

Biggs has a nice knockout streak to start his career, and unlike most fighters he feels that stoppages are important for many reasons.

 

 

 

“The most important thing is to win.  I don’t go in there looking for a knockdown, but I feel I will eventually get him out of there by breaking my opponents down.  It is important to get knockouts because that is what people pay to see.”

 

 

 

Four fights into his career, Biggs continues to see himself evolve as a fighter.

 

 

 

“I see myself from old fights in the amateurs, and I see that I am more disciplined.  I am more defensively responsible, and I am moving more fluidly.  I feel that I am efficient and exciting.  I am happy with my progress.”

 

 

 

Biggs, 26 years-old has a very ambitious schedule, and within a year, he sees himself as a legitimate contender.

 

 

 

“In the next year, I would like to be 14 or 15 and 0.  Maybe even higher.  I feel good that more that I fight, the more that I learn.  I want to be fighters on the networks and being called a future world champion.  Saturday, i will do my best, and hope people will be inspired by watching me fight.”

 

 

 

Both Gonzalez and Biggs are promoted by Real Deal Boxing.

 

 

 

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