Tag Archives: ESPN

boxing, ESPN Boxing

 Erick De Leon takes on Adrian Young this Saturday night in New Orleans

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New York, NY (July 12, 2018)–Undefeated super featherweight contender, Erick De Leon will fight Adrian Young in a 10-round bout this Saturday at The Lakefront Arena in New Orleans.

 

 

 

De Leon, 26 years-old of Detroit, Michigan is a three-time National Golden Gloves Champion, has a professional record of 17-0-1 with 9 knockouts, and will face a tough veteran in Young of Los Mochis, Mexico.  Young has a record of 25-4-2 with 19 knockouts.

 

 

 

“I worked so hard, and I am excited to hear the bell ring so I can put on a great show for all of my friends and fans in New Orleans,’ said De Leon.

 

 

 

The bout can be seen live on ESPN+ beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET.

 

 

 

DeLeon, is managed by Split-T Management and promoted by Top Rank.

boxing, ESPN Boxing

2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell battles Travis Scott This Saturday in New Orleans

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New York, NY (July 12, 2018)–This Saturday, undefeated and 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell (7-0, 5 KOs) takes on his toughest opponent to date when he takes on Travis Scott (19-3, 5 KOs) in a super welterweight bout scheduled for six-rounds at The Lakefront Arena in New Orleans.

 

 

Conwell, 20 years-old out of Cleveland will look to continue his winning ways against Scott, who will be facing his 3rd straight undefeated opponent.

 

 

 

“I have never been more excited to put on a show, and I am looking to gain new fans in New Orleans,” said Conwell.

 

 

 

The bout can been seen live on ESPN+ beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET.

 

 

 

Conwell is managed by Split-T Management and promoted by DiBella Entertainment & Holden Productions.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: DiBella Entertainment

boxing, ESPN Boxing

Silva confident ahead of Saturday bout with Lopez

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Silva.jpg

New Orleans, LA (July 12, 2018) – When lightweight William “Baby Face” Silva arrived in New Orleans yesterday afternoon, he stepped off the plane and raised both hands in the air.

 

 

 

Every time a plane lands in New Orleans, happy travelers throw their hands up in a pre-celebratory fashion of what’s to come during their time in the Big Easy. Silva’s pose however is one he expects to replicate Saturday evening after he defeats hot prospect Teofimo Lopez when the two face off at New Orleans’ Lakefront Arena.

 

 

 

Silva, 25-1 (14 KO’s), completed an intense training camp under head trainer Jose Rodriguez in Plant City, FL. Originally from Brazil and now fighting out of Florida, Silva is cool, calm and confident heading into his bout with the highly touted 9-0 Lopez, who many consider one of boxing’s future stars.

 

 

 

“Everything was perfect in camp and this is the kind of opportunity I need to show everybody the fighter I truly am. Lopez is a talented boxer but I’ve got a big edge in experience and know what it’s like to be in a big fight. I’m ready or Saturday night and will do whatever is necessary to have my hand raised at the end of the fight.”

 

 

 

Silva’s promoter, Jody Caliguire of Fire Fist Boxing Promotions, immediately jumped at the opportunity for his fighter to challenge Lopez and anxiously awaits Saturday night.

 

 

 

“William needed a fight like this to get him to the level we know he’s capable of. Team Silva has respect for Teofimo Lopez and know he’s rated as one of the top young boxers but William is going to show the world that he’s among the best 135 pound fighters Saturday night.”

 

 

 

Promoted by Top Rank Inc. in association with DiBella Entertainment, Silva-Lopez fight is scheduled for 10 rounds and is for the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight title. It airs live ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 7 pm E.T. It precedes the WBC interim 140 pound championship matchup between champion Regis Prograis and Juan Jose Velasco.

 

 

 

Fans can follow Silva on Instagram @Willian_Baby_Face and for more information on Fire Fist Boxing Promotions, visit www.firefistboxing.net.

Bare Knuckle Boxing, Bellator, boxing, FNU Combat Sports Show, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC, UK Boxing

Maia vs. Usman Recap, New ESPN Deal, Boxing Promotional Battles are topics of discussion on this week’s FNU Combat Sports Show

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This week on the FNU Combat Sports Show, Tom, Tony and Rich discuss a wide variety of topics. We start out with the ESPN/UFC broadcast rights deal for five years, 30 fight cards and $1.5 billion. We also discuss the infighting among boxing promoters lately with both Bob Arum and UK upstart Eddie Hearn scrambling to sign free agents while trying to fill slots for slated shows in the United States over the coming year. We go on to recap last week’s combat sports action, highlighting the Adonis Stevenson vs. Badou Jack majority draw and the Usman vs Maia 5-round snoozefest headlining last Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night card. We of course also preview this weekend’s boxing matches and the UFC and Bellator cards coming out of England. We even touch on the regulation of bareknuckle boxing and Bobby Gunn’s claim of no fatalities recorded in the sport. Finally, we wrap up with  a reminder of what this weekend is all about: saluting our servicemen and women.  Listen to the whole show at the link below:

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v8zi5h9j4j7t07e/tonytomandrichmay262018.mp3?dl=0

boxing, ESPN Boxing

Falcao dominates Gutierrez; eager to face the best

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Team Falcao.jpg

Team Falcao after the victory PHOTO CREDIT: Damon Gonzalez (Latinbox Sports)

Plant City, FL (April 2, 2018) – Rising star and WBC #13 rated middleweight Yamaguchi Falcao scored a one-sided eight round decision over tough veteran Richar Gutierrez Saturday, March 31 at the Marina Bay SportsPlex in Quincy, MA.

 

 

 

 

 

Fighting in front of a national audience on ESPN2, the bout got off to a strange start when Gutierrez was incorrectly credited with a knockdown in the opening seconds after stepping on Falcao’s foot then landing a punch. The 2012 Olympic medalist immediately got back on his feet and made Gutierrez pay the price from bell to bell.

 

 

 

 

Falcao dominated the fight with hard jabs and crisp straight lefts, scoring a knockdown in the closing moments of the fifth. The game Gutierrez attempted to throw Falcao off by regularly clinching and using roughhouse tactics but was unsuccessful.

 

 

 

 

Scores were 79-73, 78-72 and 78-71.

 

 

 

 

Falcao is now 15-0 with 7 KO’s and Gutierrez falls to 30-18-2 (19 KO’s).

 

 

 

 

“Gutierrez was an experienced and sometimes dirty fighter,” said Falcao, who fights out of Plant City, FL and proudly represents his native Brazil. “I had a job to do and went out there and did it. I’d like to thank my team who did a great job of getting me ready for this fight and helped me bring the victory home.”

 

 

 

 

Falcao, who has been turned down by a number of notable middleweights, is eager as ever to get his shot at another top 160 pound fighter.

 

 

 

 

“I believe when I’m at my best I can compete with anybody in the division. I want the opportunity to fight for a world title and show everybody who I am.”

 

 

 

 

Details for Falcao’s next fight will be available shortly.

Bellator, boxing, FNU Combat Sports Show, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show: Quitters Never Win

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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:

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

BELLATOR 182 RESULTS & PHOTOS FROM TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO IN VERONA, NEW YORK

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Complete Event Photos Here

Andrey Koreshkov (20-2) defeated Chidi Njokuani (17-5) via TKO (punches) at 4:08 of round one

Fernando Gonzalez (27-14) defeated Brennan Ward (14-6) via submission (guillotine) at 1:02 of round three

Bruna Ellen (4-1) defeated Veta Arteaga (3-1) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

A.J. McKee (9-0) defeated Blair Tugman (10-7) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

Joey Davis (2-0) defeated Justin Roswell (1-2) via TKO (strikes) at 1:35 of round one

Arlene Blencoe (10-6) defeated Sinead Kavanagh (4-2) via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)

Chris Honeycutt (10-1) defeated Kevin Casey (9-6-2) via TKO (punches) at 2:06 of round two

Kate Jackson (9-2) defeated Colleen Schneider (11-8) via TKO (leg injury) at 5:00 of round one

Georgi Karakhanyan (27-7-1) defeated Daniel Pineda (22-13) via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 4:05 of round two

Henry Corrales (14-3) defeated Noad Lahat (11-3) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Vadim Nemkov (7-2) defeated Philipe Lins (10-2) via KO (punches) at 3:03 of round one

Talita Nogueira (7-0) defeated Amanda Bell (5-5) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:44 of round one

Ricky Rainey (13-4) defeated Marc Stevens (21-11) via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Kristi Lopez (1-1-1) fought Jessica Sotack (1-1-1) to a split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)

Matt Secor (9-4) defeated T.J. Sumler (5-6) via submission (Americana) at 4:00 of round one

Tom Regal (2-0) defeated Kastroit Xhema (1-1) via KO (punches) at 3:21 of round one

Alex Potts (1-0) defeated Brandon Polcare (1-1) via submission (kimura) at 3:10 of round one

Joshua Ricci (4-0) defeated Brandon Warne (1-3) via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

FORMER CHAMP ANDREY KORESHKOV TAKES ON CHIDI NJOKUANI DURING BELLATOR 182 MAIN EVENT AT TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO IN UPSTATE NEW YORK ON AUGUST 25

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ALSO, CONNECTICUT’S BRENNAN WARD RETURNS AGAINST FERNANDO GONZALEZ IN EXPLOSIVE MATCHUP

LOS ANGELES — Following Bellator NYC at Madison Square Garden, Bellator MMA returns to the Empire State to make its Upstate New York debut set to invade Turning Stone ResortCasino in Verona, N.Y. with a welterweight main event pitting former Bellator champ Andrey Koreshkov (19-2) against Chidi Njokuani (17-4, 1 NC) on Friday, August 25for Bellator 182.

In addition, a second welterweight bout will serve as the evening’s co-main showdown when Brennan Ward (14-5) meets Fernando Gonzalez (26-14) in a bout sure to produce fireworks, while featherweight A.J. McKee returns to the cage fresh off an ESPN “SportsCenter” Top-Ten finish of Dominic Mazzotta in his last outing.

Bellator 182: Koreshkov vs. Njokuani will be broadcast live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and the Bellator Mobile App. Tickets for Bellator 182 go on sale Friday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m. ET for $85, $65, $47 and $37 and can be purchased in person at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Additional main and preliminary card bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 26-year-old Russian phenom Koreshkov has been ascendant since his very first professional fight, claiming 19 career victories over 21 bouts, including wins in each of his first 13 contests. Fighting out of Omsk, Russia, “Spartan” will be making his 13th career appearance under the Bellator MMA banner and his first of 2017. Under the direction of Bellator MMA, Koreshkov has accrued a total of 10 victories over a four-year run, highlighted by a welterweight world title triumph over current champion Douglas Lima and a successful title defense over Benson Henderson at Bellator 153. Since making his professional debut in 2010, Koreshkov has collected 13 finishes, including 10 knockouts, eight of which came in the first round, making him one of the most dangerous 170-pounders in the game.

Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev., Njokuani enters the cage riding momentum of an impressive streak that has seen him win eight consecutive bouts and 12 of his last 13. Since joining the Bellator MMA fray in 2015, the 28-year-old Njokuani has collected four victories, including a pair of knockout finishes. Most recently, “Chidi Bang Bang” defeated Melvin Guillard at Bellator 171 in January, adding to his current run of success.

The 28-year-old Ward enters the contest as one of the most feared fighters in Bellator MMA’s stacked 170-pound class. With 13 finishes over his 14 career victories, including nine knockouts, “Irish” possesses the perfect combination of pure strength and fearlessness. A 14-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, the Waterford, Conn. native will look to earn his 10th win under the direction of the Scott Coker-led promotion. Since joining Bellator MMA in 2012, Ward has yet to see a bout enter the third frame and has finished six of his nine opponents in the opening round. Fans can expect to see fireworks when Ward is inside the Bellator cage on August 25.

Hailing from Menifee, Calif., the 33-year-old Gonzalez will enter the Bellator cage for the eighth time in his 14-year professional career. Gonzalez has seen a great deal of success since joining forces with Bellator MMA; collecting six victories over a seven-fight, three-year span, highlighted by a first round knockout of Karo Parisyan.Gonzalez has come on strong as of late, tallying nine wins over his last 12 bouts, including a pair of first round knockouts and a five-fight winning streak from 2014-16. With 16 of his 26 career victories coming by way of knockout or submission, the 40-fight veteran will look to add to that total as he prepares to go toe-to-toe with one of the most unshakable talents the welterweight division has to offer.

The son of respected MMA veteran Antonio McKee, A.J. McKee spent his entire childhood in the gym soaking up every bit of knowledge and experience available to him. The 22-year-old prodigy has applied that knowledge inside the Bellator cage and has made quite a splash in his first eight fights as an MMA professional, racking up six finishes in eight outings. The Long Beach, Calif. native heads to the East Coast looking to stay undefeated with another impressive finish.

Nationally-recognized for hosting legendary, fight-of-the-year-level boxing events, rivaling venues in major cities such as Las Vegas, Miami and New York City, Turning Stone was one of the first venues in New York to host professional MMA after it was legalized by the State last year, further distinguishing it as the premier destination for live combat sports. The August 25 Bellator MMA event will mark Turning Stone’s third professional MMA event in less than a year.

Updated Bellator 182: Koreshkov vs. NjokuaniMain Card:

Welterweight Main Event: Andrey Koreshkov (19-2) vs. Chidi Njokuani (17-4, 1 NC)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Brennan Ward (14-5) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (26-14)

Featherweight Feature Bout: A.J. McKee (8-0) vs. TBD

 

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Spike TV

‘THE AMERICAN GANGSTER’ CHAEL SONNEN ENDS RETIREMENT, SIGNS WITH BELLATOR MMA

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (September 15, 2016) – Bellator MMA is elated to announce the signing of Chael Sonnen (28-14-1), to an exclusive multi-year, multi-fight contract.

 

By signing with the Scott Coker-led promotion, Sonnen effectively ends his retirement from professional mixed martial arts and he will now enter the 205-pound division championed by Liam McGeary, amongst others.

 

“I’m consistently blown away by the product and presentation that Bellator is bringing to the fans,” said Sonnen. “I’m not nearly done competing and I’m coming after everyone, everywhere. I’m not sticking to one weight class either, I fight at ‘Gangster Weight’ and nobody is safe.”

 

Sonnen has spent a vast majority of his 43-fight career with the UFC, a run where he competed against names the likes of Jon Jones, Anderson Silva (2x), Rashad Evans, “Shogun” Rua, Demian Maia, Brian Stann, and current middleweight champion Michael Bisping. In addition to his exploits inside the cage, the West Linn, Ore., native has mastered the art of being in front of the camera, doing major broadcasting work for both ESPN and Fox Sports.

 

“Chael is an incredible athlete that has competed at the very highest levels of the sport,” Bellator MMA President Scott Coker said, “I know that he is going to continue to do just that here at Bellator. When we were in the process of signing him, Chael was adamant that he wants to compete in three divisions here. He already has unfinished business with Wanderlei Silva, but he also wants to fight guys like Tito Ortiz, Fedor Emelianenko and even Rory MacDonald at middleweight. These are all fights that I’d be very inclined to watch, so hopefully we can put some, if not all of these matchups together starting before the end of the year.”

boxing, ESPN Boxing, PBC on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions

Miguel Flores Defeats Ryan Kielczweski by Unanimous Decision in Thrilling Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN & ESPN Deportes From Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York

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Cuban Olympian Yordenis Ugas Wins by
Unanimous Decision Over Jamal James
 
Click HERE For Photos
Credit: Brett Carlsen/Premier Boxing Champions
Click HERE for Flores vs. Kielczweski Highlights
Click HERE for James vs. Ugas Highlights
 
VERONA, NY (August 13, 2016) – Undefeated rising contender Miguel Flores (21-0, 9 KOs) defeated exciting featherweight contender Ryan Kielczweski (25-2, 7 KOs) by unanimous decision (97-93, 96-94, 96-94) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
In an action-packed fight during which both fighters threw over 750 punches, the Houston native Flores was slightly more fluid and able to do enough work on the inside to keep his unblemished record intact.
Flores said, “I thought I would hurt him with body shots, so we did a lot of work down there tonight. I think my movement was the difference. Ryan said I couldn’t move, but I showed him and everyone else that I can.”
As Flores appeared to be stealing the early rounds, Kielczweski stepped on the gas at the midway point, throwing punches in bunches and landing regularly throughout the second half of the bout.
Kielczweski said, “I thought we fought a great fight tonight for the fans. I started a little slow, but I really picked it up in the fifth round.”
The increased activity was a little too belated to salvage the fight for the Quincy, MA native.
Kielczweski added, “I was gaining steam in the second half of the fight. I can’t say that I won, but I thought it could have been a draw. It was a good fight though, and I will be back.”
An excited Flores said, “It felt great to get this win tonight. I boxed and banged it out with (Kielczweski). He had some pop, and in the last round he got me with a good body shot, but we are used to tough fights like this. I like it like that. This is fun to me. We will watch the video and correct what I know were a lot of mistakes, but I believe I’m ready for the next level. I’m ready for the top contenders.”
Televised coverage kicked off with Olympic bronze medalist Yordenis Ugas (16-3, 7 KOs) defeating contender Jamal James (20-1, 9 KOs) by unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 96-94) in a technical 10-round welterweight showdown.
Three days ago, James stepped in to replace undefeated welterweight Bryant Perrella, who was forced to withdraw from tonight’s bout because of an injury to his left thumb. James was coming off just 27 of days rest following his July 16 split decision victory over Wale Omotoso.
Ugas fought last 825 days ago when he lost his second consecutive bout, the third defeat of his career. However, Ugas showed no sign of ring rust on Friday night as he casually controlled the action against James.
Ugas, a five-time Cuban National Champion, used his tremendous experience and was able to neutralize James’ height advantage.
“We focused on the body because (James) was tall,” said Ugas. “So we planned on chopping him down, and that’s what I did.”
Although Ugas had initially been preparing for his long-awaited comeback against the left handed Perrella, he had no difficulty with the orthodox James.
Ugas added, “I followed my corner’s instructions and won round by round. I felt very consistent in there tonight.”
Knowing that he’d come up short, James said, “I thought it was a good fight. (Ugas) brought it tonight. I was fighting his fight unfortunately. I started to outpoint him late, so I should have started earlier with my combinations and countering. I was trying to knock him out and I should have just boxed.”
James added, “I have no excuses though, I am a grown man and could have said ‘no’ to taking this fight. But fighting is what I do. Other fighters are not doing what I did tonight. Sure, if I had more time to prepare I might have done better, but I am a fighter.”
On his prospects moving forward, Ugas said, “After the long layoff, this is a new beginning for me, and now I am looking for a big opportunity in my next fight. It felt good to get back to fighting.”
A resilient James summed things up adding, “A fight like tonight makes me hungrier to get back in the gym and get myself ready to come back again better than ever.”
# # #
The card was promoted by King’s Promotions.
For information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KingsBoxing, @ESPNBoxing and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions.  Highlights available to embed at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on ESPN is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.