Tag Archives: Emanuel Navarrete

Ruben Villa Returns Headlines Thompson Boxing Event on April 15th in Ontario CA

Ruben Villa Returns Headlines Thompson Boxing Event on April 15th
ONTARIO, CA (March 16, 2022) – Returning after his first chance at a world title, Thompson Boxing’s featherweight contender Ruben “Drac” Villa (18-1, 5 KOs), who is co-promoted with Banner Promotions, will make his 2022 debut as he headlines Thompson Boxing’s “Path To Glory” event on Friday, April 15, 2022. Villa will square off against battle tested veteran, Horacio Garcia (35-5-1, 25 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico in a 10-round main event.

This event will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA. Doors open at 6:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 8:00 pm PT. Tickets are priced at $50$75, and $100, are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900.

As one of several talented Thompson Boxing fighters to challenge for a world title, Villa makes his long-awaited return to the ring. Villa’s last fight was a narrow loss against Emanuel Navarrete (35-1, 29 KOs) in October of 2020. After a year and a half break from action, Villa is energized and focused on his goal of becoming a world champion.

“I have fallen in love with the sport of boxing once again, the year or so I was out, I focused on all the things I need to improve on,” said Villa in the comforts of his newly remodeled gym in Salinas, California. “I have always said I want to bring a world title fight to Salinas, and that is still the goal. So, this is just the start of a new beginning, and a better version of myself. The road to redemption starts on April 15th against a worthy opponent in Garcia.”

In the 6-round co-feature, Richard “Cool Breeze” Brewart Jr. (10-0, 4 KOs), of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., will face Walter “2 Guns” Wright (17-8, 8 KOs) of Seattle, Washington, in a middleweight bout. 

“I am ready to start 2022 off on the right track and I’m looking forward to having a big year with Thompson Boxing,” said Brewart. “I’m going to make noise in my division this year. The goal is to fight as much as possible and work my way toward ten-round bouts by the end of the year. I know that fighting in meaningful fights gives me a chance at belts, and I want to collect as many of those as I can. I have not taken an easy road, and I will continue to show how talented I am in April.”

This event will stream live for free on the Thompson Boxing Promotions website (www.thompsonboxing.com), as well as their Facebook and YouTube pages. In addition, Fight fans will be able to watch all Thompson Boxing fights, weigh-ins, and behind-the-scenes content, via their new Mobile App downloadable on Apple and Google.

UNDERCARD BOUTS:

Lightweight Pedro Valencia (8-0, 7 KOs) of Las Angeles, Calif. will face an opponent to be named at a future date. (6-rounds)

Welterweight Esteban “Stone Hands” Munoz (5-1, 3 KOs), of San Bernardino, Calif., will face Jessie Nares (2-1, 1 KO) of Oxnard, Calif. (6-rounds)

Middleweight “Knuckle” Nelson Oliva (1-0, 1 KO) of Riverside, Calif, will face Antonio Duarte (2-2) of Tijuana, Mexico. (4-rounds)

Opening the card is bantamweight Alejandro “Chako” Barajas (pro debut) of Los Angeles, Calif., facing Ulises “Duende” Rosales (0-5), of Huntington Park, Calif. (4-rounds)

This event is sponsored by Thompson Building Materials, transforming spaces in beautiful places; Omega Products International, the leading stucco manufacturer in the United States; Henry / Fortifiber, moisture system control as easy as 1,2,3, and Makita, rule the outdoors.

For more information, regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please visit ThompsonBoxing.comYou can also follow the conversation on social media, please use #ThompsonBoxing.

Check out our Live Stream on YouTube at ThompsonBoxingTV. For updates follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @ThompsonBoxing.
Photo by ROSIE COHE/SHOWTIME

Undefeated lightweight Jamaine Ortiz Takes on Unbeaten joseph adorno

The Technician” vs. “Blessed Hands” 

This Saturday in Florida on ESPN+ 

WORCESTER, Mass. (April 19, 2021) – Rarely do undefeated prospects with double-digit victories fight each other because of the perceived risk like lightweights Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (14-0, 8 KOs) and Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (14-0-1, 12 KOs) will do this Saturday night, April 24th, at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. 

The 8-round Adorno vs. Ortiz fight, streaming live on ESPN+, will be on the Top Rank card headlined (on ESPN) by WBO World featherweight champion Emanuel Navarette (32-1, 24 KOs) defending his title against challenger Christopher Diaz (26-2, 16 KOs).    

Both young lightweights were decorated USA amateur boxers who are rising stars in arguably boxing’s most loaded division.  

“I’m counting the days,” Ortiz said about his fight with Adorno.  “I’ve trained hard my whole life.  When an opportunity like this comes, I’m ready to prove myself.  I think I’ll have a spectacular performance and impress the crowd like I usually do.  I’m fighting on another big card; I’m going up not down.”   

The reigning WBC USNBC (U.S.) Silver lightweight champion, in addition to being a former WBC World Youth lightweight titlist, the 24-year-old Ortiz recently cracked the top 40 in the WBC ratings at 31, and he’s also ranked No. 5 by the NABF.   

Ortiz is coming off a sensational, high-profile knockout of Sulaiman Segawa (13-3-1, 4 KOs), who had never been stopped, in the seventh round last November on the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones, Jr. pay-per-view event. 

The lone blemish on the 21-year-old Adorno’s pro record came in his last fight, back on January 11, 2020, when he fought an 8-round split draw with Hector Garcia (14-7-3).  Born in New Jersey and raised in Puerto Rico, Adorno lives and trains in Allentown, Pennsylvania. 

Ortiz surprisingly may have what amounts to a “hometown” advantage, at least in terms of vocal support, largely because many of his New England friends and family are flying down to Florida to attend the fight, along with his Florida fans. 

“My father lived in Florida and I visited him during summers, and I went to second grade there,” Ortiz explained.  “I have a big family-base in Orlando.  A lot of family and friends from Worcester are going to the fight.  I’m surprised by how many people will be there for me.” 

Ortiz is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES), which will co-promote Adorno vs. Ortiz with Top Rank, and managed by Dick Shappy

“Both teams need to be complimented for taking a fight like this.” Burchfield commented.  “Two undefeated, young boxers like this fighting each other is what real boxing is all about. Bob Arum, Carl Moretti Team Top Rank have been friends of mine for so many years.   

“We turned Jamaine pro and through all these years as a promoter (32nd), maybe, every decade or so you have a special one like Jamaine, who can become the future of boxing. When you find a fighter who can box, punch and set-up his punches very well, he’s special and I feel Jamaine is special like that, not only in the ring but outside as well.  I don’t worry about getting a late-night call about him.  He is a total professional, no distractions with him.  Jamaine works as a carpenter, he’s learning the real estate business, and he’s also looking into the medical field in the future. He reminds me of Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De Lay Hoya.  He has that charisma and is a technician in the ring.  A very smart kid in the ring. He has a spectacular team of managers and trainer to work with, too.”  

“For many years,” Shappy added, “our management team (including Eddie Imondi) had been searching for the right boxer to come along that had the potential to be a world champ. We are very confident that we have found that person, Jamaine ‘The Technician’ Ortiz.” 

Rare as it may be in boxing, the reward is ultimately worth the risk for these legitimate fighters, Ortiz and Adormo.  

Ruben Villa to take on Emanuel Navarrete for the WBO World Featherweight Title on Friday, October 9th

Photos by Emily Harney / Banner Promotions

PHILADELPHIA, PA/ / ORANGE, CA. (Sept. 21, 2020) – On Friday night, October 9th, undefeated WBO number-two ranked featherweight contender Ruben Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) gets his much deserved world title shot when he takes on former WBO super bantamweight world champion, and WBO number-one ranked contender, Emanuel Navarrete (32-1, 28 KOs), in a battle for the WBO World Featherweight title.


Navarrete is undefeated in the last eight-years, which spans 27 fights.


The fight will take place at “The Bubble” inside the MGM Grand Conference Center, and will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.


“I have been working my butt off since I was a little kid for this opportunity, and I just can’t wait to get in there and fight for the title,” said Villa, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “Navarrete is a real aggressive Mexican fighter. He is coming to win. He was a former champion, and I am the underdog, but I have the style to beat him. We have kept the camp the same. We just treat it like it’s every other fight, just that this fight is for a world title.  All my hard work is paying off. I am honored and excited to represent everyone who has supported me and my journey to become a world champion, and I plan on bringing the world title back to my home city of Salinas, California.”


“This is what we envisioned for Ruben when we signed him out of the amateurs, to be fighting for a world title,” said Artie Pelullo, President of Banner Promotions. “That opportunity has now arrived, and we expect Ruben to put on a great performance on October 9th and win the WBO Featherweight World Title. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Stephen Espinoza and Gordon Hall of Showtime for all their help with the development of Ruben’s career, by showcasing him on ShoBox that has helped get him ready for this fight.”


“Ruben Villa is a terrific fighter and has the ability to make his dream to become a world champion a reality. The hard work that Banner Promotions and us at Thompson Boxing have put on his career will surely pay off,” said Ken Thompson, CEO of Thompson Boxing. “Navarrete is a terrific champion and it will be a huge challenge for our fighter, but I’m sure Ruben will rise up to the occasion and make us all proud.” 

EXPLOSIVE HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN, JUNIOR FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT & BATTLE OF UNBEATEN RISING CONTENDERS ADDED TO WILDER VS. FURY II PPV UNDERCARD

Former Heavyweight Champion Charles Martin Battles Former Title Challenger Gerald Washington in Title Eliminator in Co-Main Event

Junior Featherweight World Champion Emanuel Navarrete Defends His Title Against the Philippines’ Jeo Santisima in PPV Featured Bout & Super Welterweight Sensation Sebastian Fundora Opens PPV in Battle Against 2016 Australian Olympian Daniel Lewis

Saturday, February 22 in Historic Mega PPV Event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (January 30, 2020) – Three exciting, high-stakes showdowns have been added to the PPV undercard for the historic, mega PPV event headlined by the highly anticipated rematch between unbeaten WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and undefeated lineal champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Furytaking place Saturday, February 22 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
 
In the co-main event, former heavyweight world champion Charles Martin will square off against former title challenger Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington in a 12-round IBF Heavyweight Title eliminator. The PPV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and includes the PPV featured bout as WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, a.k.a “The Mexican Iron Man” defends his title against Filipino contender Jeo Santisima. In the PPV opener, super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will face 2016 Australian Olympian Daniel Lewis in a 10-round battle of unbeatens.
 
Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at www.mgmgrand.com or www.axs.com. The event is promoted by BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions, Top Rank and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. A Premier Boxing Champions presentation.
 
The 33-year-old Martin (27-2-1, 24 KOs) became heavyweight champion in January 2016 when he won by TKO against then unbeaten Vyacheslav Glazkov. After losing his title to Anthony Joshua, Martin has won four of his last five fights, with all of his wins coming inside the distance. Originally from St. Louis, now living in Las Vegas and currently training in Southern California with Manny Robles, Martin bounced back from a narrow decision defeat to Adam Kownacki in 2018 to earn victories in 2019 against Gregory Corbin in March and Daniel Martz in July.
 
“It is great to be back on the big stage,” said Martin. “Wilder vs. Fury II is the biggest heavyweight fight in a long time and it’s great to be on the PPV.  February 22 will get me one step closer to my goal of becoming two-time heavyweight champion. Gerald Washington is standing in my way, so it’s my job to go right through him toward my ultimate goal.”
 
Washington (20-3-1, 13 KOs) is a six-foot-six heavyweight contender who was a former college football standout at the University of Southern California and a U.S. Navy veteran. Born in San Jose, California, Washington scored an impressive victory in his last outing, knocking out veteran contender Robert Helenius in July. Washington was unbeaten in his first 19 pro fights, before dropping his world title challenge against Deontay Wilder in February 2017.
 
“This title eliminator is a very big opportunity for me and I’m going to do everything in my power to win on February 22,” said Washington. “I have the right team behind me and the right mindset. I’ve known Martin my whole career and we even spent some time working together in the ring. I’m going to be at my best and I expect the same from him. It’s an honor to be a part of an event like this. Deontay and Tyson are both characters and I’m glad I can be a part of what’s going to be a great night of boxing on February 22.”
 
Representing San Juan Zitlaltepec, Distrito Federal, México, Navarrete (30-1, 26 KOs) captured his 122-pound title by defeating Isaac Dogboe in December 2018, and emphatically retained the title by stopping Dogboe in the final round of their rematch in May 2019. The 25-year-old stayed busy after securing the title, scoring stoppage victories in successful title defenses in August, September and most recently in December, when he knocked out Francisco Horta in Mexico. He is boxing’s most active world champion, as the Santisima bout will be his fifth title defense in nine months.
 
“I am motivated to make my fifth defense in less than a year and especially because I’m proud to be part of a historic card headlined by Wilder vs. Fury II,” said Navarrete. “This is a great opportunity to put on an exhibition for the fans and showcase my talent once again. I’m very grateful to my promoters, Bob Arum and Fernando Beltran, for giving me these opportunities.”
 
The 23-year-old Santisima (19-2, 16 KOs) turned pro in 2013 as a 16-year-old and has not lost a fight since his fourth career contest in 2014. A native of Masbate City, Philippines, Santisima will ride a 17-fight winning streak into his U.S. debut and his first world title opportunity on February 22. His 2019 campaign saw him deliver victories over Alvius Maufani in August and Rene Dacquel in December.
 
“I really appreciate this opportunity, as this has been my dream since I was a kid,” said Santisima. “For this fight, I will train and prepare to become the new champion. I don’t feel any pressure. I will just do my best on fight night to show the world who I am. I heard and read the news that this fight is a mismatch, but I will do my best to give a great fight.”
 
Towering at nearly six-feet six-inches, Fundora (13-0-1, 9 KOs) has used his height and length, combined with power and aggressiveness, to rack up an unbeaten record since turning pro in 2016. Fighting out of Coachella, California, Fundora fought three times in 2019, including TKO victories over then unbeaten fighters Donnie Marshall and Hector Manuel Zepeda. The 22-year-old most recently fought to an exciting split-draw against fellow contender Jamontay Clark in August.
 
A 2016 Olympian representing his native Sydney, Australia, Lewis (6-0, 4 KOs) was unbeaten in 2019, his first year as a professional. The 26-year-old picked up his first five wins between his debut in March and his U.S. debut in November where he defeated Alexis Gaytan. Most recently, Lewis knocked out then unbeaten Rivo Kundimang in December.
 
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