Tag Archives: heavyweight

DEONTAY WILDER OPENS UP ABOUT LONG-AWAITED “LEGACY FIGHT” AGAINST TYSON FURY IN WIDE-RANGING SHOWTIME SPORTS® INTERVIEW

  

“It’s time for America to wake up and understand they have the baddest man on the planet right here” – Deontay Wilder

 

Wilder Shares His Thoughts With Below The Belt Host Brendan Schaub As He Prepares To Face Fury December 1 Live On SHOWTIME PPV®

 

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder sat down with SHOWTIME Sports correspondent Brendan Schaub as part of a wide-ranging interview providing a glimpse into the mindset of the undefeated champion as he prepares for the most significant heavyweight event in the U.S. in more than 15 years. The 6-foot-7 Wilder meets 6-foot-9 lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury December 1 live on SHOWTIME PPV® from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

Wilder, who is America’s only true heavyweight champion since 2007, discusses everything from his career-defining win over Luis Ortiz and his incredible knockout power, to the pressures of being the heavyweight champion of the world and his love for his family in the candid 35-minute interview from a double-decker bus in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

The Tuscaloosa, Ala. native, however, had the most to say about his upcoming battle with Fury. “Throughout my whole career, guys always said I only had one hand,” Wilder explains to Schaub as they head to Los Angeles International Airport following Monday’s media day in Santa Monica. “But when you get in the ring, it’s going to be different. The game plan is going to go out the window, like Mike Tyson said.

 

 

 

“This is the moment in time for America to wake up and understand they have the baddest man on the planet right here,” Wilder passionately continues. “And you think I’m going to let this Gypsy come in here and mess up all those plans for me? I don’t think so.”

 

 

 

The heavyweight showdown headlines the December 1 SHOWTIME PPV live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).  Wilder, who has knocked out all seven challengers of his title, will attempt to make his eighth WBC Heavyweight defense. In the third fight of his comeback, Fury has the opportunity to become a two-time heavyweight world champion.

 

FULL INTERVIEW:

 

 

 

 

Introducing undefeated Heavyweight Sensation James “The Beast” Wilson

Golden Boy enters “Beast Mode or No Mode”
Jared Shaw managed Heavyweight recently inked promotional deal with Golden Boy Promotions
 

Los Angeles, CA. (November 8, 2018) – In an age where heavyweight boxing is once again a hot division.  The question is still asked, who will be that next Mike Tyson like knockout artist? Or has sports like football and basketball taken the best big men away from boxing?

 

 

 

Enter James “The Beast” Wilson.

 

 

 

Wilson has all the attributes of the above mentioned qualities.  A terrific athlete, who was in an NFL training camp with a background in fighting that displays ferocious power.

 

 

 

Wilson, who just signed with Golden Boy Promotions, has a record of 8-0 with seven knockouts, but his story begins over 20 years ago in the streets of Los Angeles.

 

 

 

Wilson was going through hard times and was homeless between the ages of 13 and 15, where he was sleeping in motels, park benches, and showering in those parks.  Wilson had a scrape with the law, and that changed his life….for the better.

 

 

 

“I was locked up and then placed in a group.  That actually got me to have structure and placed me on the right track. I did well in school and started playing sports and now I had positive options in my life,” said Wilson.

 

 

 

Wilson became the Los Angeles Times High School Football Player of the year, as well as a three-time all-city Track & Field athlete, which earned him a scholarship to Concord University in West Virginia.

 

 

 

Wilson, who graduated with a degree in sociology, then went on to play professional football in of all places, Poland.

 

 

 

After that he earned a training camp invite with the Chicago Bears.  However he chose to follow another athletic passion.

 

 

 

“I started doing Kenpo-Karate, Muay-Thai and Kickboxing.”  Wilson had a professional Kickboxing record of 16-2-1 where he  competed in top organizations such as K-1 and Glory.

 

 

After that, Wilson tried his hand at MMA and racked up an impressive 5-2 record and fought for the highly regarded Bellator Fighting Championships.

 

 

 

Still not satisfied, Wilson started boxing.

 

 

 

Wilson again traveled the globe and began his punching for pay career in New Zealand.

 

 

 

“I knew a promoter in New Zealand, and I was able to fight every week there.  That sped up my process and development.  I came back to Los Angeles, and was able to get four more wins.”

 

 

 

At 7-0, Wilson then met longtime boxing industry player, Jared Shaw.

 

 

 

Shaw saw videos of Wilson on his Instagram account, and reached out to the undefeated heavyweight.

 

 

 

“Jared contacted me, and met at the gym, and he had the same vision for me that I had, and the rest is history.”

 

 

 

“I saw James as a diamond in the rough,” said Shaw.  “He has the combination and speed and power that you do not see in the heavyweight division.  He has that “it” factor that I saw with Kimbo Slice. I was fortunate enough to have signed Kimbo off of the fights that were seen on Youtube.  When Kimbo entered a room, you felt presence and energy.   I see a lot of the same qualities in terms of James being that type of an attraction.  Anybody who mistaken’s James for a football player or a Mixed Martial Artist will surely have their hands full in the boxing ring.  This is a blue-chip athlete, ” said Shaw, who grew up in the sport as his father Gary Shaw has been one of the top promoters in the world for the past three decades.

 

 

 

 

 

Shaw’s 1st job was to get James with the right trainer.  Enter Justin Fortune.

 

 

 

“I have known Justin for a long time.  Both as a strength and conditioning coach and as a trainer.  Most would know him at the side of Manny Pacquiao, but perhaps most people don’t know that Justin was a heavyweight prospect who fought Lennox Lewis.  What I like most about this pairing is Justin was a shorter heavyweight as well, but a powerful puncher.  His years of experience is what is going to help James accelerate his growth in the sport.  As a team, we have a goal to bring a world championship back to Los Angeles and in a timely fashion,” continued Shaw.

 

 

 

Shaw’s next move was to find the right promoter for Wilson to sign with, and the duo found one of the biggest companies in the world that was interested.

 

 

 

“A lot of promoters were looking at me.  I met with Golden Boy, and they saw my talent and vision and I feel that they will make it happen for me, and take me to the Heavyweight championship of the world,” said Wilson.

 

 

 

Shaw spoke highly of the marriage between fighter and promoter.

 

 

“It is the perfect situation.  Golden Boy Promotions is one of  the leaders in our sport when it comes to promotion companies. In this situation, it worked out that you have a great prospect from Los Angeles fighting from a world renowned company based in Los Angeles.  Right now Golden Boy is at the top of the sport.  They promote arguably the top fighter in the world in Canelo Alvarez, and they were able to secure him an unprecedented deal with DAZN.  We look forward to the opportunities that will come for James, and to showcase James’ extraordinary set of  skills.  I have the 100% confidence in Oscar (De La Hoya), Eric (Gomez) and Robert (Diaz) to lead James to the Heavyweight championship of the world, and help maximize his earnings potential.  Los Angeles has never had a Heavyweight champion, so it makes perfect sense that the 1st one will be with a complete Los Angeles based team with James, Justin, Golden Boy and myself. ”

 

 

 

“What I would like people to know about James is that inside the ropes, he is a Beast and Human Highlight Film, so Don’t Blink. But outside of the ring, he is an incredible father to his three boys.  A tremendous motivational speaker, and a positive role model to the inner-cities and the rest of the world.  He is big on community and helping the youth.  Especially those that are bullied.”

 

 

 

Wilson speaks to a lot of youngsters about Anti-Bullying. “I do a lot of speaking and seminars for anti-bullying.  I go to a lot of schools and foster homes and tell them my story.  I think I can be someone for kids to look up to and let them know that they have a future despite whatever circumstance they are in. I tell kids that your hands are weapons, your mouth is a weapon, and the only place for fighting is inside of a ring.”

 

 

 

When asked who he wants to fight and what his goals are in the sport, Wilson said, “I am not looking to fight anyone individual specifically, I am looking to fight all of them.  Most importantly, I am here to give the fans something to watch. It is 365 days of “Beast” season.  It’s Beast Mode or No Mode.”

 

 

 

To Follow James Wilson, click:

https://www.instagram.com/jamesthebeastwilson/

Training Camp Almost Complete; A Confident and On-Weight Claressa Shields Ready for Hannah Rankin DAZN Showdown on November 17

Women’s superstar and two-division world champion Claressa Shields is in Florida with trainer John David Jackson, finishing up preparations for her showdown with Glasgow, Scotland’s Hannahh Rankin on Saturday, November 17, at the Kansas Star Arena and Casino in Mulvane, Kansas.

 

 

 

Shields (6-0, 2 KOs) will defend her IBF and WBA World Middleweight Championships, and be looking to add the vacant WBC title, against Rankin (5-2, 1 KO) in the 10-round co-featured bout to Salita Promotions stablemate Jarrell Miller’s heavyweight showdown against Romania’s Bogdan Dinu.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

23-year-old Shields, a former two-time Olympic Gold Medallist, has reignited interest in women’s boxing and become a ratings favorite for her nationally televised championship exploits. A proud native of Flint, Michigan, Shields mixes her brash pronouncements of greatness with a genuine and continued effort to inspire female athletes and render aid to members of her home community.

 

 

 

Shields was originally scheduled to face WBC and WBO World Middleweight Champion Christina Hammer on November 17, but the bout was postponed after Hammer withdrew due to medical reasons.

 

 

 

Did the change of opponents from Hammer to Rankin affect your training? 

 

 

 

I don’t train for my opponents, I just push to get the best out of me, physically and mentally. If I’m the best ‘me,’ I don’t have to worry about who the opponent is. The change of opponents didn’t bother me at all; the worst thing about this camp for me was just all the date changes – constantly having to get my mind focused on the pace and timing of training depending on the fight date. I can’t wait to get in the ring!

 

 

 

You’ve fought at super middleweight 168 and recently at middleweight 160 pounds. How is your training, diet and any other efforts different to make 160? 

 

 

 

Training is always hard and I’m constantly learning. I’ve had a completely different diet this camp – a real change and a positive one for me. I’ve teamed up with Perfecting Athletes for my daily meals, and I feel great. I’ve always tried to eat healthy but these folks are pros and are more educated in that field than myself. I have this magic drink that makes my stomach smile – I love it! It’s watermelon mixed with a green vegetable. I’m not going to tell you what vegetable it is, but I’ve been drinking it everyday, and I feel GREAT.

 

 

 

Your viewership numbers have been very strong. Why do you think people are drawn to you? 

 

 

 

I believe that people are drawn to how real and honest I am, both in and out of the ring. I say what I mean and mean what I say. I’m hard but I have a soft side also. And I think people are drawn to how I fight — not only do I talk a good game but I fight my a– off too! I give 1000% every time – I want to change the game and bring a whole new generation of fans to women’s boxing and boxing overall.

 

 

 

What do you know about your opponent Hannah Rankin? 

 

 

 

I know that my opponent Rankin is very tough and determined to be a world champion. I like her drive, I like her heart. I know that she has been in the ring as a sparring partner for many champions, one being Christina Hammer. So Rankin has seen some good fighters. But one thing is for sure – she has never seen a fighter like me. And since Hammer couldn’t fight because of her medical condition, in many ways the next best thing is to fight and beat her sparring partner and let Rankin tell Hammer what she’s in for when she returns!

 

 

 

What needs to be done to solve the Flint water crisis?

 

 

To solve the flint Water crisis, I think that people should continue to give water and also keep it in the news that there is a city in America where, unbelievably, US citizens don’t have clean water. And hopefully the president or our governor do something to fix all the pipes.

 

 

 

What’s the secret to becoming the best of the best in any sport? 

 

 

 

I believe the secret starts with believing in yourself, being dedicated, working hard and just always striving to be better. I feel I’m my biggest critic when I train and box. It’s hard to watch film of my fights because even though I’m doing 97 things right I just can’t stand to see the 3 things I’m doing wrong. I’m a person who strives to pull out my full potential. It takes guts to be great. Nothing will stand in the way of achieving my goals, which includes being the GWOAT and creating equality for all women fighters when it comes to the money, opportunities and coverage the men get.

 

 

 

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DEONTAY WILDER LOS ANGELES MEDIA DAY QUOTES & PHOTOS

 
WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder Battles Lineal Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury Saturday, December 1On SHOWTIME PPV® From STAPLES Center in Los Angeles
 
Click HERE for Photos from Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
 
Click HERE for Photos from Ryan Hafey/
Premier Boxing Champions

 

LOS ANGELES (November 5, 2018) – WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder held a jam-packed media day Monday in Los Angeles where he discussed his blockbuster matchup against lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury taking place Saturday, December 1 on SHOWTIME PPV® from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

Wilder arrived in Los Angeles, along with trainer Jay Deas, to show off his skills in front of media at Churchill Boxing Club in Santa Monica. The most significant heavyweight event in the U.S. in more than 15 years, Wilder vs. Fury tests the raw power of the 6-foot-7 Wilder against the unmatched size and mobility of the 6-foot-9 Fury.

 

 

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by BombZquad Enterprises and Queensberry Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $75, plus applicable fees and are available via AXS.com. Wilder vs. Fury will be produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV.

 

 

 

Here is what Wilder and Deas had to say Thursday at media day, where Wilder was joined by his girlfriend Telli Swift and their eight-month-old daughter Kaorii:

 

 

 

DEONTAY WILDER

 

 

 

“I feel like I’m at my very best right now. Mentally, physically and emotionally I’m ready to go. Everything is perfect. I just want to get in the ring and show action. Tyson Fury doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into.

 

 

 

“As a true champion, I know how to adjust to any fighter that’s in front of me. My experience facing fighters of all styles has prepared me for this special fight.

 

 

 

“I’ve had tremendous sparring. Every day I’m making adjustments and getting myself right so I can get my timing and style exactly how it needs to be. If the fight was this weekend, Deontay Wilder is ready to go.

 

 

 

“Luis Ortiz was the most avoided fighter in the heavyweight division and I understand why he had never gotten the title shot before. I’m the type of fighter who gives people opportunities and he was the fighter I needed to face to prove to the world what I’m all about.

 

 

 

“This is not a game for me. Everyone has heard about what it’s like to be in the ring with me, but until you’re in there, you don’t know for sure that what you’ve been hearing is for real. I’m the best in the world. I don’t think any heavyweight has been through what I’ve been through.

 

 

 

“I’m training for a certain type of mission. As a fighter I have to have the mindset that I must be ready for anything. Then, once it’s time for the bell to ring, I become ‘The Bronze Bomber’.

 

 

 

“Fury has height just like me and he also brings an awkward style like myself. He’s rangy, mobile and he believes he’s the best in the world. You’ll get two giants who are athletic and move around the ring like no one else in this sport.

 

 

 

“They say that I have the power and he has the boxing skills. We’ll see on December 1. It’s a puncher versus a boxer. I think the puncher is going to box his lights out, and then I’m going to knock his lights out.

 

 

 

“I don’t watch too much film or study guys past getting their style down and seeing how they use their styles. My trainers watch film and use that knowledge to give me advice throughout the fight. I find that my opponents fight differently depending on who they’re facing, so I can’t dwell too much on watching past fights.”

 

 

 

JAY DEAS, Wilder’s Trainer

 

 

 

“Tyson Fury is kind of like a Rubik’s cube. But a Rubik’s cube can be solved. Fury is a very versatile fighter who can move, he can box and fight from lots of distances. He’s the total package as a fighter and on top of that he’s strong-willed mentally.

 

 

 

“We have our hands full, but I know that Deontay Wilder is the guy to handle Tyson Fury. Deontay is the the right guy to take over boxing and this is the first step in that.

 

 

 

“Deontay has had a fantastic camp and we’ve had really good sparring partners. Fury is a tall fighter, but it’s really the athleticism that makes him what he is. We believe we’re better off finding more athletic guys who are slightly shorter than Fury, rather than someone his height who is a statue.

 

 

 

“Fortunately Deontay has always been a focused fighter, so keeping him right mentally I don’t think will ever be a problem. Deontay can handle any chaos around him better than anyone I’ve seen. When he says he’s the man for this job, he really means it.

 

 

 

“The tough thing with preparing for Tyson Fury is that even he doesn’t know exactly what he’s going to do in there. He can fight lefty, righty, dirty or clean. We’re working on being prepared for all of these things and more.

 

 

 

“Both guys are very athletic and very awkward style-wise, but once this fight combusts, it’s going to be phenomenal. You don’t want to blink or go to the bathroom, the pretzel can wait, because you’re going to want to catch every second of it.”

 

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TYSON FURY DISCUSSES CRUSHING DOWNWARD SPIRAL AND CAREER COMEBACK IN EMOTIONAL SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH MAURO RANALLO

 

Lineal Heavyweight Champion opens up ahead of his fight against Deontay Wilder December 1 on SHOWTIME PPV®.

“If mental illness can bring someone as big as me, as strong as me… to my knees, then it can bring anybody to their knees” – Fury

Photo Credit: SHOWTIME

Catch the full interview: https://s.sho.com/2OmqAAq

WHAT: Lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury opened up to SHOWTIME Sports® announcer Mauro Ranallo about his years-long struggle with mental health in what Ranallo deemed the most important interview of his career. The two sat down in Big Bear, California where Fury has been training for his December 1 showdown against WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder live on SHOWTIME PPV®.

 

 

Fury, who shocked the world in 2015 with a unanimous decision victory over former world champion Wladimir Klitschko, details his swift rise to the upper echelon of the heavyweight division, all while battling crippling depression and anxiety that diminished his love of the sport. He recounts his apathy toward boxing leading up to the Klitschko fight and the downward spiral he endured following his historic win.

 

 

Following his win over Klitschko, Fury would fail to face his mandatory challengers and attempted to combat his mental struggles with alcohol and drugs, eventually ballooning to 400 pounds. The self-proclaimed “Gypsy King” hit a turning point in October of 2017, when he began to seek help for depression and anxiety and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, which Ranallo also suffers from.

 

 

Ranallo’s battle with mental illness was recently chronicled in the SHOWTIME documentary BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N’ ROLLER, where the combat sports announcer showcases his struggles and advocates for the shattering of stigmas surrounding mental illness. Like Ranallo, Fury aims to raise awareness of his own struggles and encourage others to seek help.

 

 

“It was like having a fight in my own mind,” Fury said. “[Mental illness] is a silent killer. It is almost like carbon monoxide poisoning because you can’t see it. My calling card is to spread the word on mental health.”

 

 

Fury’s journey back to stardom began with back-to-back wins in his first two fights this past summer. He knocked out Sefer Seferi in June of 2018, and followed suit with a unanimous decision win over Francesco Pianeta in August. His August victory culminated with an in-ring confrontation with Wilder, where the two announced their upcoming heavyweight blockbuster fight.

 

 

The heavyweight showdown headlines the December 1 SHOWTIME PPV live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). Wilder, who has knocked out all seven challengers of his title, will attempt to make his eighth WBC Heavyweight defense. In the third fight of his comeback, Fury has the opportunity to become a two-time heavyweight world champion.

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

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

TYSON FURY LOS ANGELES MEDIA DAY QUOTES & PHOTOS

 

 

Lineal Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury Battles WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder Saturday, December 1 On SHOWTIME PPV® From STAPLES Center in Los Angeles
 
Click HERE for Photos from Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

LOS ANGELES (October 25, 2018) – Lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury hosted a Los Angeles media day Thursday at Churchill Boxing Club in Santa Monica as he prepares to take on WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder Saturday, December 1 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on SHOWTIME PPV®.

 

 

 

Fury, who is training in Big Bear, arrived nearby by helicopter for the media workout to discuss the showdown with Wilder before jumping into the ring to show off the skills that made him an IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion.

 

 

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by BombZquad Enterprises and Queensberry Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment and TGB Promotions, are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $75, plus applicable fees and are available viaAXS.com. Wilder vs. Fury will be produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV.

 

 

 

Fury was working out in shorts from Oddball, a company that donates all of its proceeds to research to fight testicular cancer, a cause Fury has championed. Here is what Fury and his trainer, Ben Davison, had to say Thursday from Churchill Boxing Club in Santa Monica:

 

 

 

TYSON FURY

 

 

 

“This is an important fight for boxing, because it’s two undefeated champions facing off. There have been people not getting in the ring with top guys for whatever reason, but here you have two fighters stepping up and onto the line.

 

 

 

“It’s a pretty easy fight to analyze, Deontay Wilder needs to connect with that big right hand and knock me out, and I need to not let him do that. I need to do whatever I can to get out the way of that right hand, and make him worry about defending my punches.

 

 

 

“I already became a unified champion; I’ve crossed the bridge into the very upper echelon of the sport. This time I’m back and I’m here for good.

 

 

 

“I’m back to reclaim my throne. Even though I’ve had the tune-up fights, I feel like this is my true comeback fight.

 

 

 

“I’m used to being in hostile, solitary environments for training camp. For the Wladimir Klitschko fight I was in Holland, in a forest 10 miles away from any shop or town. I thrive in the condition in Big Bear.

 

 

 

“There have been no distractions training up in Big Bear. It’s perfect. There’s nothing but a few bears and rattle snakes. That’s it as far as distractions.

 

 

 

“I have a great up-and-coming trainer and he’s going to have me ready for the challenge.

 

 

 

“I wear these funky shorts in public a lot and I wore them today because they represent a company called Oddballs, and every penny spent on these pants goes to research to fight testicular cancer. A friend of mine went through it recently, and I want to spread awareness for him and this cause.”

 

 

 

BEN DAVISON, Fury’s Trainer

 

 

 

“I have a great sense of Tyson Fury and can feel what he needs when he wakes up each day and walks into the gym. Our relationship has really gelled these last 12 months.

 

 

 

“It’s going to be an action-packed fight that’s for sure. Both men are violent freaks of nature to be honest with you. It’s going to be an epic battle.

 

 

 

“I think physically alone you can see how far Tyson Fury has come. That takes a lot of willpower and dedication. He’s put a lot of work in just physically, and that’s really just a slice of what he’s shown in the gym.

 

 

 

“All heavyweights can punch, if any one of them hit you on the chin, you’re going to have problems. It’s not the power of Wilder that we’re focusing on, it’s the agility, speed and awkwardness that he brings. We’re studying his habits and watching every little thing that he does in the ring.

 

 

 

“It takes fights like these to bring the best out of Tyson Fury. He’s a fighter who raises his game to what’s in front of him.”

 

 

 

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FFC 32 NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS OFFICIAL MMA RESULTS

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
‘Gravedigger’ Buries ‘Badwater’ for FFC Title
 
‘AK-47’ Vanderford Remains Undefeated With KO at FFC 32
Shelton Graves (left) wins FFC Heavyweight Title by keeping Carl Seumanutafa (right) against the ropes.
Photo courtesy: Sergey Baranov/Final Fight Championship

 

 

Las Vegas, NV, (Oct. 20, 2018) – Sometimes things in life are simply quick and painless. Most of the fights at FFC 32 however, were actually quick and painful. Knockouts, let’s be honest, usually are quite painful.

 

 

 

Friday night’s Main Event was one of the only fights at FFC 32 (which was an all-MMA event) that did not end in a knockout. Shelton “Gravedigger” Graves (9-3-0) defeated Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa (11-9-0) by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to win the vacant FFC MMA Heavyweight Championship Title.

 

 

 

Graves did a great job of avoiding standing toe-to-toe with the knockout artist, Seumanutafa, spending most of the fight pressing the heavy-handed Samoan (Seumanutafa) up against the ropes and using knees to the body and a series of quick uppercuts to frustrate his opponent. The strategy worked, as Seumanutafa was frustrated with the constant pressure, which allowed Graves to keep him on the ropes and against the turnbuckle, taking away any opportunity for a Seumanutafa trademark knockout.

 

 

 

In the Co-Main Event, Undefeated Welterweight, Austin “AK-47” Vanderford (6-0-0), kept his unblemished record in tact when he rocked Emilson “The Amazonian Warrior” Freitas (7-3-0) with a nice left hand to the temple at the 1:38 mark of round one. Vanderford wins by KO for only the second time in his professional career.

 

 

 

Previously unbeaten Light Heavyweight, Ivan Erslan (6-1-0), was trying to stay undefeated as a professional but his opponent, Branko Busick (3-1-0) had other ideas. Busick sent Erslan to the canvas at the 4:41 mark of the second round with a solid left hand to the chin and it was all she wrote for Erslan. Busick picks up the first KO victory of his young career.

 

 

 

In the Lightweight division, as promised, it was a “grapplers paradise” for as long as it lasted… And it didn’t last very long. Brandon “Kiba” Ricetti (9-2-0) submitted Adam “Smash” Smith (11-10-0) by Arm Triangle at the 4:26 mark of the very first round. If you’re keeping score, all nine of Ricetti’s wins have come by submission.

 

 

 

FFC 32 took place at its permanent home, “Fight Dome”, which is located at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas. The event aired nationwide on CBS Sports Network.

 

 

 

Complete “FFC 32” MMA results below:

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

 

 

 

FFC HEAVYWEIGHT MMA CHAMPIONSHIP

Shelton Graves (9-3-0), Baltimore, MD

Win by Unanimous Decision, 5 Rds. (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa (11-9-0), San Francisco, CA

(Graves wins FFC Heavyweight Title)

 

 

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Austin Vanderford (6-0-0), Portland, OR

Win by KO (Punch), 1:38 Rd. 1

Edmilson Freitas (7-3-0), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

 

 

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Branko Busick (3-1-0), Steubenville, OH

Win by KO (Punch), 4:41 Rd. 2

Ivan Erslan (6-1-0), Zagreb, Croatia

 

 

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Brandon Ricetti (9-2-0), Chico, CA

Win by Submission (Arm Triangle), 4:26 Rd. 1

Adam Smith (11-10-0), Spokane, WA

 

 

 

BANTAMWEIGHTS (Pro Debuts)

Brady Hiestand (1-0-0), Spokane, WA

Win by Unanimous Decision, 3 Rds. (29-26, 29-26, 29-26)

Corey Conway (0-1-0)Las Vegas, NV

CONFIDENT HUGHIE FURY WRAPPING UP ‘TORTUROUS’ TRAINING CAMP; ARRIVES IN BULGARIA SATURDAY TO FACE KUBRAT PULEV IN ‘FIRE & FURY’ IBF ELIMINATOR ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, IN SOFIA, BULGARIA

(October 18, 2018) Britain’s IBF #5-rated heavyweight contender Hughie Fury is putting the final touches on a “torturous” training camp and, with his team, will arrive in Sofia, Bulgaria, this Saturday.

 

 

 

On Saturday, October 27, Fury (21-1, 11 KOs) will face Kubrat “The Cobra” Pulev (25-1, 13 KOs) in a 12-round elimination bout at the Arena Armeec in Pulev’s hometown of Sofia. The winner that night will become the first in line to face champion Anthony Joshua.

 

 

 

The event, entitled “Fire & Fury” will be presented by Ivaylo Gotzev and John Wirt’s Epic Sports and Entertainment, together with Fury’s promoter, Hennessey Sports, and will be broadcast live in the UK on Channel 5.

 

 

 

“I made a promise to beat Pulev in his own backyard and that’s what I’m going to do,” said a confident Fury. “Nobody else wanted this tough fight. That’s because they’re not future champions. I know what it takes and what you have to do to become the man. I don’t care if I fight Pulev in his own house. He’s in my way of what I want, and he’s got to go.”

 

 

 

Fury and father/trainer Peter Fury have been pushing it to the limit in their Manchester Gym, training twice a day, six days a week for up to three hours per session. But Fury, the current BBBofC British Heavyweight Champion, says all the work will soon be worth it.

 

 

 

“It will all be worth it when my hand is raised,” he continued. “There are no holes in my game right now. I’m at the top of my craft and once Pulev is eliminated, I’ll be coming for Anthony Joshua. He looked vulnerable in his last fight. I’m the one who will capitalize on those vulnerabilities!”

 

 

 

Despite his supreme confidence, defeating Pulev will be no easy feat for 24-year-old Fury. 37-year-old Pulev is one of the most popular athletes in all of Bulgaria, and a former two-time European and IBF International Heavyweight Champion. Pulev’s only career loss came in a challenge for the undisputed heavyweight championship against Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. Britain’s Dillian Whyte and Americans Jarell Miller and Dominic Breazeale all declined to face Pulev before Fury accepted.

 

 

 

“After I walk right into Pulev’s hometown and take him out, something no other heavyweight would even dare to try, everyone is going to be talking about me and Anthony Joshua. I can’t wait to get this job done and move on to the world championship.”

 

 After Homecoming win, Heavyweight Contender Andrey Fedosov eyeing big fights

 
 

PHILADELPHIA, PENN / CHICAGO, ILL. (October 17, 2018)-After a 10-round unanimous decision over tough Joey Dawejko this past Saturday in Ekaterinburg, Russia, 2015 Boxcino Heavyweight champion Andrey Fedosov is back on track in his effort to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world.

 

 

 

Fedosov, who made his first start in his home country in over 10 years, defeated the former world amateur champion by shutout scores of 100-90 on two scorecards, and 98-92 on a the third card.

 

 

 

Fedosov registered his 2nd win in less than four months.

 

 

 

With the win, the 32 year-old Fedosov improved to 31-3 with 25 knockouts, and now will will look for marquee bouts against the best in the division.

 

 

 

“I am very excited about the future,” said Fedosov.  “I have a brand new team with Journeyman Management with Andrew Zak and Alex Vaysfeld.  We are looking to go to the top.  I am already back in the gym training for the next fight, and I am willing to fight anyone.”

 

 

 

“We are very proud of Andrey for his win on Saturday.  We are looking towards the future with big fights,” said Manager, Andrew Zak.

 

 

 

“Andrey is definitely one of the best heavyweights in the world, and to beat a tough competitor like Dawejko shows that he is now ready to take on the elite of the heavyweight division.  I will sit down with my partner Bobby Hitz and Andrey’s manager, Andrew Zak,  and seek out the best and biggest fights for him,” said Arthur Pelullo , President of Banner Promotions.

 

 

 

“It was a great win against a very capable and durable heavyweight.  If you are not on top of your game, Dawejko can beat anyone out there.  We look forward to bigger opportunities for Andrey,” said Bobby Hitz of Hitz Boxing.

 

 

 

 

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