Heavyweight Sensation Efe Ajagba Delivers TKO Victory Over Razvan Cojanu in Co-Main Event& Rising Heavyweight Frank Sanchez Earns Unanimous Decision Over Joey Dawejko
I-klik HEREfor Photos from Sean Michael Ham/ Premier Boxing Champions (Photos to be added shortly)
I-klik HERE alang sa mga Litrato sa Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions (Photos to be added shortly)
BROOKLYN (Marso 7, 2020) – Robert Helenius (30-3, 19 KOs)scored an upset victory over previously unbeatenAdan Kownacki (20-1, 15 KOs) by stopping him in the fourth round of a WBA Heavyweight Title Eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday night from Barclays Center, sa balay sa Brooklyn Boxing ™.
“I want to thank everyone who gave me this opportunity,” Miingon Helenius. “Kownacki is a tough fighter. I worked hard in training camp and it paid off.”
Brooklyn’s Kownacki was fighting for the 10thtime at Barclays Center in front of his hometown crowd, but was unable to keep the taller Helenius off of him after being hurt early in the fourth. A clean Helenius right hook hurt Kownacki, before a left hook put Kownacki down.
“I knew that I hit him hard and I knew I just had to continue,” Miingon Helenius. “I knew he was still hurt after that punch.
“Kownacki just kept coming and coming. He’s a good fighter I have to give it to him. My strength is to punch back when people come at me. It was a good fight and a tremendous opportunity for me to be here.”
While Kownacki outpaced Helenius landing 84 kumo sa 49 according to CompuBox, it was Helenius’ 12 power punches landed in round four that made the difference. Helenius kept up the relentless attack, consistently hurting Kownacki and pushing him around the ring until referee David Fields waived off the fight 1:08 ngadto sa round.
“Kini dili akong gabii,” si Kownacki. “It’s boxing. It’s a tough sport and things just didn’t go my way tonight. It was a learning experience and I’m going to go back to the drawing board and get back to work.
“He hit me with a good shot. I knew what was going on, but I’m just upset with myself. It is what it is.”
Sa co-main event, heavyweight sensation cartoon Ajagba (13-0, 11 KOs) delivered a ninth-round stoppage ofRazvan Cojanu (17-7, 9 KOs), knocking him down twice en route to the victory.
Ajagba showed the prolific power that has made him a highly-regarded heavyweight nearing a jump from prospect to contender. Cojanu came to fight and had success at various points in the action, landing hooks on Ajagba and slowing down his attack in the early rounds.
In round eight Ajagba’s offensive arsenal began to break through, as Cojanu’s left eye started to swell before eventually closing. Late in round eight, Ajagba connected on a powerful straight right hand that forced Cojanu to take a knee. Watch the knockdowndinhi.
“Ronnie told me to attack the body behind the jab,” said Ajagba. “It was very effective and it started to slow him down. When he got close to me, I knew to throw more and punish him.
“Cojanu has a lot of experience. When I threw my jab, he used his right hand to block my vision, so I couldn’t throw as many combinations as I wanted. It was a good challenge.”
While Cojanu was able to make it through the round, Ajagba continued to press forward in round nine, punishing Cojanu with power shots. On the night, Ajagba out landed Cojanu in power shots by a 176 sa 81 margin. A flurry by Ajagba late in the round forced Cojanu down again, and prompted referee Ron Lipton to halt the bout 2:46 ngadto sa round. Watch the stoppagedinhi. Additional highlights can be vieweddinhi.
“It’s up to my team who we fight next, but I want hard fights,” said Ajagba. “My team has a plan and we’ll keep following it.”
Sa pasiunang duwa televised, rising heavyweightFrank Sanchez (15-0, 11 KOs) scored a 10-round unanimous decision overJoey Dawejko (20-8-4, 11 KOs) to remain unbeaten.
“I was well prepared and I thought I fought very well tonight,” Miingon Sanchez. “I dominated the fight. I showed good footwork and movement and did exactly what we worked on. I expected a lot of pressure, but with my boxing ability, there was no way he was going to catch me.”
The Cuban fighter dominated with his movement, rarely being flustered by Dawejko’s attack as he bounded around the ring and avoided the incoming Philadelphia native. Sanchez was also superior in punch output and accuracy, out throwing Dawejko 352 sa 242 and out landing him by a 116 sa 46 margin.
“I knew he was going to fight on the outside and he stayed on the outside,” Miingon Dawejko. “Not much to say, he just did what he had to do. He was scared that’s why he was running around. He kept jumping back and staying away, so I guess he made it easy on the judges.”
Sanchez was able to punch open a cut on Dawejko’s right eye in round five, which he continued to batter throughout the remainder of the fight with jabs and right hands. Human sa 10 rounds, all three judges saw the bout in favor of Sanchez, uban sa iskor sa 100-90 makaduha ug 98-92.
“I didn’t want to fight Dawejko’s fight, and he realized that and it frustrated him,” Miingon Sanchez. “He might have thought he’s faced guys like me, but there’s no other heavyweight like me.”
Night of Heavyweights Headlined by Undefeated Polish Star & Brooklyn Native Adam Kownacki Taking on Robert Helenius in WBA Heavyweight Title Eliminator This Saturday, Marso 7 in FOX PBC Fight Night Action & On FOX Deportes from Barclays Center sa Brooklyn
I-klik HERE alang sa mga Litrato sa Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions
BROOKLYN (Marso 5, 2020) – Undefeated Polish nga bitoon ug Brooklyn lumad Adan Kownacki ug Robert Helenius went face to face Thursday at the final press conference before they meet in a WBA Heavyweight title eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, Marso 7 gikan sa Barclays Center, sa balay sa Brooklyn Boxing ™.
Also squaring off at the press conference were heavyweight sensationcartoon Ajagba ugRazvan Cojanu, who battle in the co-main event, plus sa pagbangon heavyweight Frank Sanchezug Joey Dawejko, who open the night of heavyweight action at 8 sa gabii. ET / 5 sa hapon. PT.
Ang mga tiket alang sa maong kalihokan, nga gipasiugdahan sa TGB Promotions, anaa sa sale karon ug mahimo nga mapalit sa Ticketmaster.com ug barclayscenter.com. Ang mga tiket anaa alang sa pagpalit karon sa American Express Box Office sa Barclays Center usab.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from the Tillary Hotel in Brooklyn:
ADAM Kownacka
“I love fighting here in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. It’s almost half my career that I’ve fought in that ring, so it’s definitely my second home.
“Fighting for a shot at the title is truly motivating. I know this is a big fight for Robert as well and he’s trained hard, but my title opportunity is right around the corner. I could have waited, but I decided to take on this big test. I’m going to show off why I’m ready to fight for the title soon.
“It’s truly amazing to see the Polish fans on fight night. I was an Andrew Golota fan and Tomasz Adamek after that. Now I’m trying to be the next motivation for young Polish kids. I want to show them that they can make it. I kept making the right decisions and now I’m right there so close to a title shot. Robert is in my way and I have to beat him to get where I want.
“I love hearing the fans yelling on fight night and that definitely gives me extra energy and motivation to fight in the later rounds.
“I’m looking for a spectacular knockout. I want to show why I’m one of the best heavyweights in the world. I have to take care of business.
“It’s truly amazing to have fans all over the world come to share this night with me. It’s an honor to have this following. It’s breathtaking really. I’d tell them to continue on this journey with toward becoming heavyweight world champion.
“This is a very friendly press conference, there’s a lot of respect between these fighters. I can tell that everyone is ready to put on a great show for the fans on Saturday.”
ROBERT HELENIUS
“I have an opportunity to make a great fight Saturday and that’s what I trained for. I’m ready and I had a great training camp. I can’t wait to get into the ring.
“This fight we came two weeks earlier to the U.S. My body has gotten used to the difference. More, the sparring in Alabama at Deontay Wilder’s gym really helped get me ready.
“We’re doing everything right and training has been great. We’ve sparred so many rounds, I feel very sharp and ready to get into the ring against Kownacki.
“I have a lot of fans in Europe and that support is why I can even do this and compete on this level. Everything has been so perfect coming into training camp. It makes me feel more confident than I have in many years.
“I trained for years with a broken hand and have had injuries in the past. But the last two years I’ve been healthy and with the same trainer and I feel physically as good as I ever have.”
EFE AJAGBA
“I’m excited to be on this great show full of heavyweights. I’m looking forward to Saturday night. I thank my opponent for taking this challenge. He’s a good fighter and we’re looking forward to give you a great fight.
“In the Iago Kiladze fight I had him hurt and tried to finish him, but I went too wild and left my guard down. That’s why he landed a shot and knocked me down. I felt okay when I got up and I came back and finished him off.
“It’s up to Cojanu how the fight goes. We’ll find out if he can take my punch or not on Saturday. We’ll see in the ring if he’s got a hard chin.
“Cojanu has a lot of good experience against good fighters. He’s going to try to box me, but if he can’t take my power, then I’ll be able to win the fight by knockout. If he can take it, I will be ready to win a decision.”
RAZVAN COJANU
“Efe is a fighter I respect a lot. He’s a great prospect. But I’m ready for him. I feel very confident in myself. I had a great six-week training camp. Everyone who supported me, I’m going to make them proud on Saturday.
“For this fight I got the chance to work with Henry Tillman and it’s made a huge difference in my game. I know the coach can’t fight for me, but I believe in his plan and his judgement. He knows how I can beat Efe Ajagba and Saturday night you’re going to see me shock the world.
“People think Efe has already won the fight, apan ako mobati og maayo. There’s no pressure on my shoulders. I have nothing to lose. I believe in karma and I believe it’s my time for my moment to come this Saturday.
“I’m very happy to be fighting on FOX for the first time. Best of luck to all of the fighters to come through healthy and give the fans a great performance all night.”
FRANK SANCHEZ
“I’m very excited for this great opportunity to fight on this big PBC card. Saturday is going to be a great fight and you can expect a great performance from me.
“I wish Joey luck on Saturday, but not too much luck. I’m going to demonstrate that I’m one of the best heavyweights in the world.
“He’s not knocking out anybody. With my defense and movement, he’s not going to be able to hurt me. I have everything I need to dominate this fight.
“No one he’s ever fought is like me. He’s going to be shocked when I deliver a tremendous knockout on Saturday night. I’ll see you in the ring on Saturday.”
Joey DAWEJKO
“I want to thank everyone who helped me get this opportunity. I have an opportunity to be great again. I know a little about Frank Sanchez. I know they’re moving him fast, but I think they took the wrong fight. They should have waited a couple more fights for me and I’m going to prove it.
“I am in great shape and I had a great camp with my trainer Justin Fortune. I can’t wait to get in there and give everyone a great fight.
“Experience will play a big part in this fight. I had a great amateur career and I’ve fought all around the world. I’ve sparred with every champion right now and it’s all going to help.
“Frank is a good fighter, but he’s not ready for me. He’s going to try to box me, but I’m going to be too much. I’m predicting a knockout. He’s going to be in for a big shock. He doesn’t have anything I haven’t already seen before.”
KEITH SHELDON, EVP of Programming & Development for BSE Global
“Samtang kita tanan mahibalo, BROOKLYN BOXING is at its best when he we have heavyweights in the ring and this card has no shortage of them.
“Adan, you built your career at Barclays Center and we’re thrilled to see you headline for the second time. With nine wins there, it’s safe to say Barclays Center is your second home. We’re excited for you to put on a show for your hometown fans.
“Barclays Center continues to show to the world our steadfast commitment to the sport. This is our second PBC fight this year and the third in the last four months. This further demonstrates our commitment to our boxing program and the sport in general.
“Our partnership with PBC consistently brings great fights to our market and Saturday night is no exception. I’d also like to thank FOX. At Barclays Center we pride ourselves on being in the big event business, and there’s nothing bigger than a primetime heavyweight fight on FOX.”
# # #
ABOUT KOWNACKI VS. HELENIUS Kownacki vs. Helenius will see undefeated Polish star and Brooklyn native Adam Kownacki look to thrill his hometown crowd when he takes on Robert Heleniusin a 12-round WBA Heavyweight Title eliminator in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, Marso 7 gikan sa Barclays Center, sa balay sa Brooklyn Boxing ™.
FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 sa gabii. ET / 5 sa hapon. PT and features undefeated heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba facing former title challenger Razvan Cojanu in the 10-round co-main event and rising heavyweight Frank Sánchez stepping in to face Philadelphia’s Joey Dawejko in the 10-round televised opener.
Viewers mahimo live stream sa PBC shows sa Fox Sports ug Fox KARON apps o sa FOXSports.com. Dugang pa, tanang mga programa anaa sa Fox Sports sa SiriusXM channel 83 sa satellite radyo ug sa SiriusXM app.
Walay pildeng Polish nga Star Adan Kownacki gubat Robert Helenius sa heavyweight title eliminator sa Front sa Nazaret Fans Sabado, Marso 7 Main event Fox PBC Fight Night & sa Fox Deportes gikan saBarclays Center sa Brooklyn
More! Heavyweight Sensation Efe Ajagba Misulod sa Ring sa Co-Main Event & Rising MINGSAAD ang wala'y pildeng heavyweight Frank Sánchez Kicks Off Action sa 8 sa gabii. ET / 5 sa hapon. PT
Ang mga tiket sa Sale Karon!
BROOKLYN (Enero 17, 2020) – Undefeated Polish nga bitoon ug Brooklyn lumad Adan Kownacki ang headline sa usa ka gabii sa heavyweight showdowns ug tan-aw sa mahitingala sa iyang kaugalingong lungsod panon sa katawhan sa diha nga siya makakuha sa Robert Helenius sa usa ka 12-round WBA heavyweight nga titulo eliminator main event Fox PBC Fight Night ug sa Fox Deportes Sabado, Marso 7 gikan sa Barclays Center, sa balay sa Brooklyn Boxing ™.
Ang heavyweight aksyon magsugod sa 8 sa gabii. ET / 5 sa hapon. PT ug nagpakita heavyweight pagbati cartoon Ajagba sa usa ka 10-round away sa co-main event, plus sa pagbangon heavyweightFrank Sanchez mga lakang sa pag-atubang sa Philadelphia ni Joey Dawejko sa usa ka 10-round nga atraksyon.
“Heavyweights kanunay sa pagdala sa kahinam ug sa Marso 7 fans moadto sa pagkuha sa mga dili-stop lisud nga-gi-igo nga aksyon gikan niini nga mga away higante,” miingon si Tom Brown, Presidente sa TGB Promotions. “Adan Kownacki-on sa iyang kaugalingon ingon nga usa ka fan-paborito sa Barclays Center ug uban sa matag kadaugan nagabutang sa iyang kaugalingon nga mas duol ug mas duol sa pagkahimong sa unang Polako heavyweight champion sa kasaysayan. Siya nga gihatag sa tanan nga siya pagdumala sa tough ug nasinati Robert Helenius. Kaayo giisip sa pagbangon contenders Efe Ajagba ug Frank Sánchez ang pagpakigbahin sa entablado uban sa Kownacki ug tan-aw sa pagpadayon sa pagpakita sa ilang credentials sama sa umaabot nga heavyweight champion. dili ka na gusto nga blink sa diha nga kini nga mga heavyweights pakusgon sa singsing sa primetime sa Fox ug Fox Deportes.”
Ang mga tiket alang sa maong kalihokan, nga gipasiugdahan sa TGB Promotions, anaa sa sale karon ug mahimo nga mapalit sa Ticketmaster.com ug barclayscenter.com. Ang mga tiket anaa alang sa pagpalit karon sa American Express Box Office sa Barclays Center usab.
Kownacki (20-0, 15 KOs) ang nabantog tungod sa iyang kaisog ug nga sa pag-uswag ngadto sa usa ka world title shot sa knockouts sa lima ka sa iyang katapusan nga pito ka mga away. Ang 30-ka-tuig-ang panuigon Kownacki, nga natawo sa Lomza, Poland ug mibalhin sa Brooklyn sa diha nga siya sulod sa pito ka, usa ka malampusong amateur sa New York City sa wala pa milingi pro. Siya labing bag-o lang mipukan beterano contender Chris Arreola sa usa ka aksyon-packed away sa Fox sa Agosto. Sa iyang miaging duha ka mga away nakakita iskor kaniya sa usa ka impresibong unanimous decision nga kadaugan batok sa kanhi world champion nga si Charles Martin sa 2018 ug sa usa ka kadaot sa knockout nga kadaugan batok sa Gerald Washington sa Enero 2019 sa Fox. Kini nga iyang ikalima nga tul-id ug ikanapulo nga kinatibuk-ang pagpakig-away didto sa Barclays Center, diin kanunay siya gidala gikan mabination Polish nga sports fans sa lugar.
“Kini dako nga nga nakig-away sa Barclays Center alang sa panahon ikanapulo,” si Kownacki. “Ang katapusan nga siyam ka away natapos sa kadaugan alang kanako, ug Marso 7 dili sa bisan unsa nga lain-laing mga. Ako malipayon nga Fox ang pagpakita sa away sa libre nga telebisyon nga sama niini mao ang pagbalik sa karaan nga mga adlaw, ug uban sa aksyon sa akong mga away dad, kini siguradong kinahanglan-pagbantay sa TV. ako nasayud Helenius nga sa pagtan-aw sa pagbitad sa usa ka upset ug sa pagkuha sa akong dapit diha sa mga ranking, apan dili ako motugot nga mahitabo. ako na sa kampo uban sa akong mga trainers Keith Trimble ug Chris Carlsen og andam. Human niini nga away, Gusto ko nga ang modaog sa Wilder vs. Ang kaligutgut II.”
Usa ka mananaog sa tulo ka sa iyang katapusan nga upat ka mga away, Helenius (29-3, 18 KOs) makig-away sa U.S. sa ikaduhang higayon sa Marso 7, human sa pagtukod sa iyang kaugalingon ingon nga usa sa Europe sa top heavyweights alang sa pipila ka mga tuig. Natawo sa Sweden ug nakig-away gikan sa Mariehamn, Finland, Helenius nanuktok sa Erkan Teper sa Septiyembre 2018 sa pagbangon sa mga ranking sa wala pa pagtulo sa iyang U.S. debut sa Gerald Washington sa Hulyo 2019. Sa wala pa ang away Washington, ang 36-ka-tuig-ang panuigon may midaog unom sa iyang katapusan nga pito ka away, uban sa iyang bugtong ikasaway sa pag-abut batok sa Dillian maputi. Siya labing bag-o lang mihunong Mateus Roberto Osorio sa Nobyembre 2019.
“Kini mao ang away ako naghulat sa,” Miingon Helenius. “Ang tanan nga sa mga tuig sa pagbansay ug away mobayad sa diha nga makig-away kita sa Marso 7. Kownacki mao ang mahitungod sa nga mobati sa kalig-on ni Thor martilyo. pagtahod ko siya alang sa pagkuha niini nga away, apan siya mipili sa sayop nga kontra. Kini dili mahimo nga usa ka away; kini ni-adto sa mahimo nga usa ka gubat. Ako ang katapusan nga tawo nga nagatindog.”
ni Nigeria Ajagba (12-0, 10 KOs) nagdugang sa iyang pagsupak sa iyang bag-o nga mga away ug milabay sa mga pagsulay pinaagi sa pagkuha sa sa canvas sa stop Iago Kiladze sa Disyembre ug sa pagpildi sa mga kauban sa 2016 Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen sa 10-round unanimous decision sa Hulyo, ang duha sa Fox. Ang 25-ka-tuig-ang panuigon Ajagba nakaangkon kaylap notoriety sa Agosto 2018 sa diha nga ang iyang kaatbang, Curtis Harper, naglakaw gikan sa singsing human sa makapatandog nga guwantis sa pagsugod sa unang round. Ajagba midaog sa away nga walay paglabay sa usa ka kumo nga sama Harper si disqualify. Ang pagpuyo sa Stafford, Texas ug pagbansay sa Ronnie Shields, Ajagba mohimo sa iyang 2020 debut ug ikatulo career panagway sa Barclays Center sa Marso 7, human sa upat ka mga kadaugan sa 2019.
Usa ka kanhi amateur standout nga gikan sa Cuba, Sánchez (14-0, 11 KOs) karon nagpuyo sa Miami, tren sa San Diego sa Eddy Reynoso ug ang pay pildi sukad sa milingi pro sa 2017. Ang 27-ka-tuig-ang panuigon og knockout sa iyang unang unom ka pro away, ug namunit sa siyam ka kadaugan sa 2018. Sa 2019 dugang pa niya sa upat ka dugang nga mga kadaogan, lakip na ang tulo ka mga KOs ug sa iyang unang 10-round nga kadaugan sa diha nga siya mipukan Jack Mulowayi sa Oktubre sa pagdaug pinaagi sa unanimous decision.
Dawejko (29-7-4, 11 KOs) nga gisulayan batok sa usa ka gipatay sa lisud nga mga contenders sa iyang career nga mga petsa balik ngadto sa 2009. Nakig-away gikan sa Philadelphia, siya mitabok alagianan uban sa perennial contenders samtang pagtukod sa iyang kaugalingon diha sa heavyweight division. Ang 29-ka-tuig-ang panuigon sa labing bag-o lang napildi Rodney Hernandez sa Hulyo.
# # #
Viewers mahimo live stream sa PBC shows sa Fox Sports ug Fox KARON apps o sa FOXSports.com. Dugang pa, tanang mga programa anaa sa Fox Sports sa SiriusXM channel 83 sa satellite radyo ug sa SiriusXM app.
