Tag Archives: Foxwoods

Melson to headline November 19 at Foxwoods Casino

New York, NY (October 11, 2016) – Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson makes his return to the ring to help the fight against heroin in Staten Island Saturday, November 19 at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, CT.

Melson’s fight headlines a DiBella Entertainment promoted Pro-Am card as part of the recently relocated but wildly popular Broadway Boxing series. This fight card is a special event. Broadway Boxing by way of Lou DiBella, is offering a Veterans Appreciation fight card with 4 of the undercard bouts consisting of Cadets from the West Point Boxing Team boxing against Cadets from the Coast Guard Academy.

Living and fighting out of New York City, Melson’s made a name for himself in and out of the ring. His outstanding professional ledger stands at 15-1-1 with 4 knockouts and in May 2015 he won the WBC-USNBC junior middleweight championship by dominating Mike Ruiz. Since the victory, he’s spent most of his time doing public speaking around the country as well as raising funds and awareness for various charitable causes such as Suicide Prevention among Armed Forces Veterans, working with disadvantaged youth and helping fight drug addiction among youth and young adults.

Following the match, Melson’s donating 100% of his purse to help combat the severe heroin problem across Staten Island, NY.

“I was fortunate enough to have had a meeting with the Staten Island District Attorney Mike McMahon a few weeks ago,” said Melson. “My dear brother Ibrahim Kurtulus arranged my requested meeting I asked him to help set up after I read an article published in May of 2016 discussing the heroin plague in that borough. The article stated that through May of this year, there were 40 reported deaths in Staten Island due to overdosing on heroin. During my meeting with McMahon, he told me that the number is now at 70. McMahon forced the issue to have a change in the local law in Staten Island where users arrested for using heroin will be sentenced to rehabilitation instead of prison. The commencement date for this policy has not yet begun.”

Melson, who considered himself retired from boxing, came back to the sport in part to help combat the problems in Staten Island.

“I need to come out of retirement so I can start going to bat for the people in the borough of Staten Island. Staten Island is the borough that I spent my childhood in while growing up in Brooklyn. I was a frequent visitor at Bayley Seton Hospital as a child for weekly allergy shots, Fort Wadsworth to visit my friends and on Arthur Kill Road to visit my aunt. I decided that I needed to find a way to help and draw attention within the five boroughs to Staten Island; a borough that residents say they feel forgotten in. I also decided that I am going to donate my purse to an organization within the borough aimed at helping addicts once they leave their rehabilitation. It also means a lot to me as a West Point graduate that I’ll have the opportunity to box on a card with Cadets that are coached by the same man that coached me while I was a Cadet in Colonel Dr. Ray Barone.”

“I’d like to thank Lou DiBella for this great opportunity. He has been an incredible supporter of my career and what I’ve fought for every single punch of the way and he his actions always remind me of this. I considered myself retired from boxing after my last fight. I told my family that I am done boxing. I have not been boxing or in the gym for a year and a half. After reading that article on the heroin problem in Staten Island, I could not sit around helpless when I believed I could help.  Heroin is the number one issue harming the quality of life in Staten Island as well as the taker of lives. So I decided to suffer one more time with making weight and getting in shape so that the people of Staten Island know that they are not facing this plague of heroin alone. My family has a history of addiction so I understand how severe it can be.”

Melson’s opponent in this eight round middleweight contest will be announced shortly and tickets can be purchased by going to http://knockoutpublicity.com/tickets-to-boyd-melsons-november-19-fight/.

DeLomba upsets Cowart and Fernandez Shines in DBE Debut

NEW ENGLAND STRONG
 
RESULTS FROM FOXWOODS
(all pictures by Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)
MASHANTUCKET, CT (September 2, 2016) – New England boxers dominated last night’s Broadway Boxing, presented by DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Nissan of Queens, Optyx, Azad Watches and Christos Steak House, held in the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Rhode Island lightweight “Nice” Nick DeLomba (11-1, 2 KOs) outboxed and outpunched former Florida State Golden Gloves champion Amos “2 Smooth” Cowart (11-2-1, 9 KOs) for an upset victory by way of an eight-round unanimous decision.
DeLomba, who was one of five winning New Englanders without a loss, took the fight to Cowart, beating him to the punch and effectively counterpunching. Cowart was unable to contain DeLomba’s side-to-side movement or his flurries of punches in the main event.
“Everybody looks at me and thinks they’re going to attack my body,” an ecstatic DeLomba said after the fight.  “Nobody moves as smooth as me and I’m going to keep doing it.”
Nick DeLomba (R) outworked Cowart
In the co-feature, New Mexico super featherweight Jose “Shorty” Salinas (10-2-1, 5 KOs) stood tall, stunning Albania native Dardan Zenunaj (12-2, 9 KOs), who is trained byRobert Garcia. Now fighting out of Belgium, Zenunaj couldn’t put Salinas away early and he paid for that in the later rounds. Bloodied and bruised, Salinas refused to stop throwing punches, and his huge heart resulted in an eight-round unanimous decision victory.
Jose Salinas pulled off a stunner
Undefeated Spaniard Jon “Jonfer” Fernandez (9-0, 7 KOs) used a tremendous height and reach advantage to pound his tough Mexican opponent Naciff “Chata” Castillo (17-9-2, 5 KOs) until referee Joey Lupino halted the action midway through the fifth round. Fernandez recently signed a promotional contract with DiBella Entertainment and legendary boxer Sergio Martinez.
Jon Fernandez (R) unloaded on Naciff Castillo
Brooklyn lightweight Wesley Ferrer (12-0, 6 KOs), a 2013 New York City Golden Gloves champion, kept his undefeated record intact by outclassing a game Angel Figueroa (4-4-1). Referee Arthur Mercante stopped the fight 20 seconds into the seventh round.
Wesley Ferrer (L) was simply too much for Angel Figueroa
Sensational high school senior “Marvelous” Mykey Williams (4-0, 2 KOs) unloaded a three-punch combination that knocked out David Nelson (3-6, 1 KO) just 24 seconds into the first round. The 18-year-old Williams, fighting out of East Hartford, is rapidly developing into a rising star.
Mykey Williams ended the show early
Worcester, MA featherweight Irvin Gonzalez (2-0, 2 KOs) needed only two minutes to knock out Juan Muniz (0-5). The 20-year-old Gonzalez, whose pro debut also ended spectacularly in the opening round, exploded with a barrage of punches until referee Mercante stepped in to save the Texan from additional damage.
Irvin Gonzalez (R) is a promising prospect
In an action-packed match between a pair of pro debut fighters, East Hartford welterweight Anthony Laureano (1-0) emerged with a hard-fought win by four-round majority decision over Philadelphia’s Nahir Albright (0-1). The 21-year-old Laureano was a 2016 New England Golden Gloves champion.
Anthony Laureano (R) and Nahir Albright went to war
Fan favorite Jonathan “Smooth” Figueroa (1-0, 1 KO), fighting out of nearby Hartford, turned in an impressive performance in his professional debut, finishing off Philadelphia welterweight Demetris Williams (0-2) in the fourth round. Figueroa, a 2012 Southern New England Golden Gloves champion, wore down Williams and ended things with a powerful right hand.
Jonathan Figueroa celebrating his pro debut victory
Full results below:
OFFICIAL RESULTS
(all winners listed first)
WELTERWEIGHTS
Anthony Laureano (1-0, 0 KOs), East Hartford, CT
WDEC4 (39-37, 39-37, 38-38)
Nahir Albright (0-1, 0 KOs), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jonathan Figueroa (1-0, 1 KOs), Hartford, CT
WKO4 (1:58)
Demetris Williams (0-2), Philadelphia, PA
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Mykey Williams (4-0, 3 KOs), East Hartford, CT
WKO1 (0:24)
David Nelson (3-6, 1 KO), Lawton, OK
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Nick DeLomba (11-1, 2 KOs), Cranston, RI
WDEC8 (80-72, 80-72, 78-74)
Amos Cowart (11-1-1, 9 KOs), Groveland, FL
Jon Fernandez (10-0, 8 KOs), Bilbao, Pais Vasco, Spain
WKO5 (1:45)
Naciff Castillo (17-10-2, 5 KOs), Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Wesley Ferrer (12-0, 7 KOs), Brooklyn, NY
WTKO7 (0:20)
Angel Figueroa (4-4-1, 0 KOs), Loran, OH
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Jose Salinas (10-2-1, 5 KOs), Albuquerque, NM
WDEC8 (78-74, 78-74, 77-75)
Dardan Zenunaj (12-2, 9 KOs), Braine le Comte, Belgium
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Irvin Gonzalez (2-0, 2 KOs), Worcester, MA
WTKO1 (2:00)
Juan Muniz (0-5), Tyler, TX
For more information, visit www.DBE1.com and www.Foxwoods.com, follow on Twitter @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt, @FoxwoodsCT, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/foxwoods/.

BROADWAY BOXING  WEIGHTS & PICTURES FROM FOXWOODS

WEIGHTS FROM FOXWOODS
(all pictures by Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

MAIN EVENT – LIGHTWEIGHTS – (8)
Amos “2 Smooth” Cowart (11-1-1, 9 KOs), Groveland, FL 137 lbs.
“Nice” Nick DeLomba (10-1, 2 KOs), Cranston, RI 137 lbs.
CO-FEATURE – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS (8)
Dardan Zenunaj (12-1, 9 KOs), Braine le Comte, Belgium 130 lbs.
Jose “Shorty” Salinas (9-2-1, 5 KOs), Las Cruces, NM 131 lbs.
WELTERWEIGHTS (4)
“Marvelous” Mykey Williams (3-0, 2 KOs), East Hartford, CT 142 lbs.
David Nelson (3-5, 1 KO), Lawton, OK lbs. 140 lbs.
FEATHERWEIGHTS (8)
Irvin Gonzalez (1-0, 1 KO), Worcester, MA 126 lbs.
Juan Muniz (0-4), Tyler, TX 129 lbs.
WELTERWEIGHTS (4)
Anthony Laureano (pro debut), East Hartford, CT 146 lbs.
Nahir Albright (pro debut), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 144 lbs.
WELTERWEIGHTS (4)
Jonathan “Smooth” Figueroa (pro debut), Hartford, CT 144 lbs.
Demetris Williams (0-1), Philadelphia, PA 144 lbs.
LIGHTWEIGHTS (8)
Jon “Jonfer” Fernandez (8-0, 6 KOs), Bilbao, Pais Vasco, Spain 132 lbs.
Naciff “Chata” Castillo (17-8-2, 5 KOs), Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico 132 lbs.
LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)
Wesley Ferrer (11-0, 6 KOs), Brooklyn, NY 139 lbs.
Angel Figueroa (4-3-1, 0 KOs), Lorain, Ohio 139 lbs.
WHAT:  “Broadway Boxing”
 
WHEN:  Thursday, September 1, 2016
WHERE:  Fox Theater, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT
PROMOTER:  DiBella Entertainment
DOORS OPEN:  5:00 p.m. ET
FIRST BOUT:  7:00 p.m. ET
TICKETS: $125, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
For more information, visit www.DBE1.com and www.Foxwoods.com, follow on Twitter @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt, @FoxwoodsCT and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.facebook.com/foxwoods/

SOLID BROADWAY BOXING CARD ANNOUNCED STRONG NEW ENGLAND FLAVOR


This Thursday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino
MASHANTUCKET, CT (August 30, 2016) – DiBella Entertainment has announced a solid  Broadway Boxing card, showcasing many of New England’s most promising prospects, this Thursday night in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
“Nice” Nick DeLomba (10-1, 2 KOs), fighting out of Cranston, RI, is one of six New Englanders that will be featured on, ironically, Broadway Boxing. The 26-year-old DeLomba will square off against Groveland, Florida’s Amos “2 Smooth” Cowart (11-1-1, 9 KOs) in the eight-round main event.
Belgian super featherweight Dardan Zenunaj (12-1, 9 KOs), a former World Boxing Association (WBA) International champion, faces New Mexico’s Jose “Shorty” Salinas(9-2-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round contest.
Undefeated Brooklyn lightweight Wesley Ferrer, a 2013 New York City Golden Gloves champion, will participate in another eight-round bout.
A pair of newly signed DiBella Entertainment fighters, unbeaten Spanish junior lightweight Jon “Jonfer” Fernandez (8-0, 6 KOs), who is co-promoted by future Hall of Famer Sergio Martinez, and pro-debuting Puerto Rican welterweight Jose Roman, will also be in action. Fernandez is matched against Mexican Naciff “Chata” Castillo (17-8-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-rounder, while Roman turns pro against Philadelphian Khaaliq Core in a four-round match.
East Hartford, CT welterweight “Marvelous” Mykey Williams (3-0, 2 KOs), a three-time Ringside World Tournament champion, returns to his second home at Foxwoods for his fourth pro fight against David Nelson (3-5, 1 KO), of Los Angeles, CA, in a four-round bout.
Connecticut’s own Anthony Laureano and Jonathan “Smooth” Figueroa will be making their pro debuts in separate four-round bouts against Philadelphians. The welterweight Laureano, a 2016 N.E. Golden Gloves champion from East Hartford, challenges pro-debuting Nihir Albright, while Hartford junior welterweight Figueroa, a 2012 Southern N.E. Golden Gloves gold medalist, competes against Demetris Williams(0-1).
A pair of Massachusetts featherweights will be fighting in separate four-round bouts. N.E. Golden Gloves winner Timmy Ramos (4-0-1, 4 KOs), of Framingham, will battle Sean Acosta, of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Worcester’s Irvin Gonzalez (1-0, 1 KO) will take on Texan Juan Muniz.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for the September 1st card are on sale and priced at $125, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are available atwww.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
For more information, visit www.DBE1.com and www.Foxwoods.com, follow on Twitter @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt, @FoxwoodsCT, @dardanzenunaj, and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment andwww.facebook.com/foxwoods/.

Cowart vs. DeLomba headlines  Broadway Boxing Thursday, Sept. 1st at Foxwoods Resort Casino

MASHANTUCKET, CT (August 11, 2016) 
Broadway Boxing, presented by DiBella Entertainment, returns Thursday night, September 1, to the Premier Ballroom at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Lightweight prospects Amos “2 Smooth” Cowart (11-1-1, 9 KOs) and “Nice” Nick DeLomba (10-1, 2 KOs) will throw-down in the eight-round main event.
“Foxwoods has become a terrific venue for Broadway Boxing and I am thrilled to deliver this lightweight crossroads battle between two once-beaten prospects as the main event,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Cowart fought well in his ShoBox appearance last year, but he will be returning to his natural weight class on September 1. Moving past his hometown confines for only the second time as a pro, we will see if DeLomba is ready to elevate his career to the world stage.”
A native Floridian from Groveland, Cowart (pictured above) is coming off his first loss as a professional, suffered just over one year ago in Atlantic City. The bout, televised live as part of Showtime’s ShoBox: The New Generation series, saw the hard-hitting Cowart move up in weight to challenge fellow undefeated prospect Regis Prograis. Cowart went on to lose a very entertaining eight-round decision to the still undefeated contender Prograis, who was chosen as one of this year’s ESPN.com’s “Prospects to Watch”. Following the loss, Cowart was forced to sit on the sidelines as he nursed an injury suffered in the bout. Now back and fully healthy, Cowart is dropping down in weight and looking to make some noise in the 135 lbs. division.
“The bout with Prograis was a good learning experience, but I am not a 140-pounder,” said Cowart. “I took the fight because it was an opportunity to perform on national TV, and I believe I gave a good showing of what I am capable of doing. I am back now at my comfortable weight and know that I have what it takes to compete against the best up-and-coming guys in this division. DeLomba is the hometown boy. I know that he is going to have the crowd behind him, but once that bell rings, it’s just him and me in that ring, and I plan on putting on a spectacular performance as I get my career back underway and moving toward the top.”
DeLomba, the reigning New England super lightweight champion, has been favorably compared at this stage of his young career to another Italian fighter from the same Rhode Island city of Cranston, in two-division world champion Vinny Paz. DeLomba is expected to have a partisan hometown crowd behind him and will be looking to make a statement against the once-beaten Cowart.
“This is a huge fight for me at this stage of my career,” said DeLomba. “Cowart’s only loss is to Prograis and he is considered one of the best young 140-pounders in all of boxing. If I can beat Cowart more convincingly, that is a major statement. I am not only going to be the bigger guy in the ring on fight night, but I am the better boxer. He is coming off a year layoff, and I know that he is eager to get back in that ring, but this is the biggest fight of my career, and I plan on putting on a show come September 1.”
Belgium super featherweight Dardan Zenunaj (12-1, 9 KOs), a former World Boxing Association (WBA) International champion, and undefeated Cuban amateur standoutLuis “The Lion” Garcia (14-0, 11 KOs), fighting out of Peekskill, New York, are also scheduled to be in action on the Sept. 1 Broadway Boxing card in separate eight-round bouts.
Additional fights on the card will be announced shortly.
Tickets for the Sept. 1st card are on sale and priced at $125, $75 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are available atwww.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
For more information, visit www.DBE1.com and www.Foxwoods.com, follow on Twitter @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt, @FoxwoodsCT, @DardanZenunaj, and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment andwww.facebook.com/foxwoods/
      
      

TOP RISING STARS MARCUS BROWNE AND HUGO CENTENO ADDED TO UPCOMING PBC ON NBC CARD

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
 
PETER QUILLIN TAKES ON MICHAEL ZERAFA
IN FEATURE BOUT LIVE ON NBC
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 AT 4 P.M. ET/1 P.M. PT
AT FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO IN MASHANTUCKET, CONNECTICUT
MASHANTUCKET, CT (August 21, 2015) – Undefeated light heavyweight rising star “Sir” Marcus Browne (15-0, 11 KOs) will take on former world champion Gabriel Campillo (25-7-1, 12 KOs) while undefeated middleweight Hugo “The Boss” Centeno(22-0, 12 KOs) battles Poland’s Lukas Maciec (22-2-1, 5 KOs) as part of the featured undercard bouts on the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC event on Saturday, September 12 from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.
The September 12 card is headlined by undefeated middleweight star Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0-1, 22 KOs) taking on Michael Zerafa (17-1, 9 KOs) in a 12-round middleweight matchup, while super welterweight world champion Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage (34-5, 19 KOs) defends against undefeated rising star Jermall Charlo (21-0, 16 KOs) in the co-main event. Live coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on NBC.
The undercard, which is set to kick off at 1 p.m. ET, will feature two of the brightest young up-and-coming stars in all of boxing putting their undefeated records on the line as Browne and Centeno compete in their separate 10-round matchups.
A 2012 U.S. Olympian, Browne has been very impressive since making his pro debut in November 2011.The 24-year-old Staten Island-native is coming off his two most impressive victories to date this year. In May, Browne dominated Cornelius White (21-3) over 10 rounds at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Prior to that, in April, Browne scored an impressive sixth-round TKO over perennial contender Aaron Pryor Jr. Browne is looking to throw his name into the mix of the top fighters in the 175lb. division, and an impressive showing against the former world champion Campillo would do just that.
Campillo is 3-1 in his last four bouts, including a huge upset stoppage victory over previously undefeated Thomas Williams Jr. (17-0) in August of last year. The 36-year-old owns victories over Beibut Shumenov, Hugo Hernan Garay and Mirzet Bajrektarevic over a career that dates back to 2002. The fighter out of Madrid, Spain knows that if he is going to make another run at a light heavyweight title, he cannot afford another loss.
Oxnard, California’s Centeno has long been one of boxing’s top prospects with victories over Ayi Bruce, Keandre Leatherwood, Angel Osuna and Gerardo Ibarra. In his most recent fight, he faced his stiffest test to date against James De La Rosa and passed with flying colors, scoring a spectacular fifth-round knockout. Ready to make his move on the middleweight elite, Centeno will take on the 26-year-old Maciec out of Lubin, Poland. Maciec enters the bout on a five-fight win streak, including victories over Lanardo Tyner and previously unbeaten fighters Jussi Koivula and Sasu Karapetyan. Maciec is 15-1-1 in his last 17 bouts and is ready to show the world that he belongs at the top of the 160lb. division when he makes his U.S. debut.
The Browne or Centeno fight could end up as a swing bout for the NBC broadcast pending the outcome of the two scheduled televised bouts.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $150, $85 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes, and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
For more information visit www.premierboxingcghampions.com, www.dbe1.com andwww.nbcnbcsports.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KidChocolate, @K9Boxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT and Swanson_Comm, become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing Champions,www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment and www.Facebook.com/NBCSports.

MIDDLEWEIGHT STAR PETER QUILLIN HEADLINES ACTION PACKED PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON NBC CARD AS HE FACES AUSTRALIAN MICHAEL ZERAFA

 
PLUS CORNELIUS BUNDRAGE TAKES ON JERMALL CHARLO
IN A SUPER WELTERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 AT 4 P.M. ET/1 P.M. PT
AT FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO IN MASHANTUCKET, CONNECTICUT
 
Tickets on Sale Now!
 
MASHANTUCKET, CT (August 10, 2015) – Undefeated middleweight star Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (31-0-1, 22 KOs) will headline in a 12-round middleweight bout against Michael Zerafa (17-1, 9 KOs) while super welterweight world champion Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage (34-5, 19 KOs) defends against undefeated rising star Jermall Charlo (21-0, 16 KOs) on an action-packed edition of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC Saturday, September 12 live from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut starting at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
“I’m ready and excited to return to the ring on NBC on September 12,” said Quillin. “I’m already deep into training camp and preparing to be in the best shape of my career. I know my opponent is dangerous and he’s coming to make a name for himself.  I’m at the top of my game and I plan to stay there.”
“I’m excited for this fight. This sport is all about fighting the best and giving the fans what they want to see,” said Zerafa. “This is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to coming over there and putting on a show.”
“It’s a blessing to be the junior middleweight world champion,” said Bundrage. “I want to thank my entire team for making this fight happen. I’m looking forward to my debut on PBC and successfully defending my second world title. Detroit is where the title is at, it’s not going anywhere. I will be ready to give my supporters all around the world a great performance, in victory.”
For Charlo this is a long-awaited title shot. He and his brother, Jermell, are both top prospects in the 154-pound division.
“This is my time, I’ve never been more ready for a fight,” said Charlo. “I’ve dreamed about a fight like this for a long time and it’s here in front of me. I will be spectacular and I will finish Cornelius Bundrage.”
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $150, $85 and $45, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and www.foxwoods.com or by visiting the Foxwoods’ Box Office. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
“Peter Quillin is coming off the toughest fight of his career. We are looking forward to him getting back in the ring, in anticipation of the long-awaited showdown with Daniel Jacobs later this year,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Young, hungry Michael Zerafa is looking to upset the apple cart. With no pressure and nothing to lose, he will try to throw a wrench into Kid Chocolate’s lofty plans. Young Jermall Charlo looks to put his name on the 154-pound map by taking a world title from veteran champion and puncher Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage. We are thrilled to bring this PBC event to DiBella Entertainment’s New England home, Foxwoods.”
“For 23 years, Foxwoods has been the East Coast capital for the best in entertainment and sports, especially boxing, where we have been privileged to host hundreds of fights featuring the best fighters in the world,” said Felix Rappaport, President and CEO Foxwoods Resort Casino. “On September 12, continuing in that rich tradition, The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods will be honored to work with the best in the business, Lou DiBella and Premier Boxing Champions series, as they present a nationally televised afternoon of championship boxing live coast-to-coast on NBC.”
Quillin returns to action on September 12 fresh off of a hard-fought draw against middleweight world champion Andy Lee looking to keep his undefeated record intact. He won a middleweight belt in 2012 with his star-making, six-knockdown performance against Hassan N’Dam in the first boxing card hosted at Barclays Center. Born in Chicago but fighting out of New York City, the 31-year-old went on to defend that title against strong contenders Fernando Guerrero, Gabriel Rosado and Lukas Konecny. Now, “Kid Chocolate” looks to show off his superstar skills on network television for the second time.
After turning pro at 18-years-old, Zerafa won the first 15 starts of his career while fighting out of his native Australia. At 23-years-old Zerafa will make his U.S. debut on September 12 when he comes to Connecticut to take on Quillin. He owns wins over previously unbeaten fighters Bruno Carvalho and Luke Sharp and is coming off of a fourth round TKO over Yodmongkol Singmanasak in March.
Bundrage’s career has skyrocketed in recent years since a world title winning performance in 2010 over Cory Spinks. The Detroit-native went on defend the title against Sechew Powell and Spinks. He would lose the title in 2013 but quickly earned another shot against Carlos Molina, who he would defeat by unanimous decision to become a two-time world champion. He defends against the very hungry Charlo on September 12.
Highly regarded and undefeated,the 24-year-old Charlois primed for his first world title opportunity. He remained undefeated in 2014 with dominant victories over Hector Munoz, Norberto Gonzalez and Lenny Bottai and started 2015 by shutting out Michael Finney in March. Fighting out of Houston, Charlo will no doubt look to be impressive in his first PBC opportunity.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.dbe1.comand www.nbcsports.com/boxing,follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @KidChocolate @K9Boxing, @FutureOfBoxing, @LouDiBella, @FoxwoodsCT and @Swanson_Comm,