Tag Archives: Naoya Inoue

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WORLD-RANKED BANTAMWEIGHT NIKOLAI POTAPOV ROLLS OVER OSCAR RICHARD, CONTINUES HUNT FOR THE MONSTER FROM JAPAN

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Photos by Sergey Baranov / @fightphoto_official 


(June 28, 2021) WBO #3, IBF #7, WBC #14 bantamweight Nikolai Potapov continued his “Hunt for The Monster” on Sunday morning (June 27) by scoring an eight-round unanimous decision over Tanzania’s Oscar Richard.
 
Fighting in the main event of a 14-fight event at the Soviet Wings Sport Palace in Moscow, Russia and live on Russian TV and Salita Promotions’ YOUTUBE CHANNEL, Potapov (23-2-1, 11 KOs) showed off his world-class skills by dominating the game Richard (7-4-1, 2 KOs) throughout.
 
Potapov, of Podolsk, Russia, was happy to stay busy with the victory and hopes it continues to propel him to the fight he wants: a shot at three-weight world champion and current unified bantamweight world champion Naoya “The Monster” Inoue of Japan.
 
“I commend my opponent,” said Potapov, post-fight, “he had no fear in him. It felt good to get in eight good rounds after six months. I am sharp and ready to slay ‘The Monster’ as soon as I get him in a ring.”
 
Potapov, who had over 180 amateur fights and won numerous national and international tournaments, says the vaunted Inoue is nothing he hasn’t seen before.


“I’ve beaten hard punchers like him before,” said Potapov of Inoue. “I know his style inside and out and beating him will not be a problem. Bring me ‘The Monster!’”
 
Potapov’s long-time promoter, Dmitriy Salita, says that Potapov’s focus has been on Inoue for a long time.
 
“Since the first time he saw Inoue fight he’s been saying he knows how to beat him,” said Salita. “All his experience fighting around the world, he says he knows exactly how to nullify a fighter who relies on his power like that.”
 
Salita, who presented the event on his popular YOUTUBE CHANNEL says he’s happy with the large viewership who were allowed to watch several exciting overseas prospects before their North American debuts.
 
“I am delighted that we were able to provide boxing fans with an opportunity to watch free live boxing featuring some of the best contenders and prospects from Russia,” said Salita. “Thousands of fans tuned in, participated in a live chat and talked boxing. OurYOUTUBE CHANNEL has been a phenomenal platform to give needed exposure to talent from around the world and connect them with the boxing community. There is much more to come in the coming months!”
 
# # #
 
About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
 
Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 
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IBF World Champion ‘Manny’ Rodríguez will train in Cuba for Inoue Clash

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Carolina,Puerto Rico – The IBF world bantamweight champion, Emmanuel “Manny”Rodríguez (19-0, 12 KOs) and his team left for Havana, Cuba to continue training for his unification fight against WBA world champion Naoya Inoue (17-0, 15 KOs). This is the semifinal round of the acclaimed World Boxing Super Series.

The date and venue of the event will be announced soon.

“I will be quartered in Cuba for 77 days. It will not be easy to be away from myfamily for so long, but the sacrifice will be worth it”, said Rodríguez.

“We trust the plan that we have with my new coach William Cruz, and on the track with veteran José Bonet. The results will show in the fight. The chemistry that we developed in these past weeks of light training has been very good. This will be the first time that I’m not the favorite in a fight, and the motivation is incredible. It’s very huge. I like challenges. Our goal and focus is to take the victory and that Puerto Rico continues to shine in boxing”, said an emotional Rodríguez, from the Luis Muñoz Marín Airport in the city of Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Rodríguez’s promoter, Juan Orengo of Fresh Productions Boxing, explained that “this camp will not have room for distractions. It will have a lot of boxing and teamwork. Manny will be in top condition. Also, prospect Jonathan ‘Bum Bum’ López is joining us in Cuba. He is another fighter from our squad, and will fight where the Manny Rodríguez fight takes place. We are very enthusiastic about everything that is happening. Manny was always looking to fight Inoue, and it’s finally happening.”

boxing, World Boxing Super Series

Briedis vs Mikaelian & Glowacki vs Vlasov Quarter-Finals in Chicago Nov 10

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Season I star Mairis Briedis vs. Noel Mikaelian and Krzysztof Glowacki vs. Maksim Vlasov are the two Quarter-Finals on an incredible doubleheader when the World Boxing Super Series comes to the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, USA.

 

 

 

“I am really looking forward to fighting in Chicago,” said Briedis (24-1, 18 KOs). The Latvian hero is undoubtedly one of the favourites to take home Season II’s Ali Trophy in the 200-lb division.

 

 

 

“I am happy to be back in the World Boxing Super Series, and I am looking forward to fighting in front of a U.S. crowd. I am sure there will also be a lot of Latvians in the arena to help create a fantastic atmosphere.”

 

 

 

Briedis’ opponent, Germany’s Noel Mikaelian (23-1, 10 KOs), is eager to perform on the biggest stage – only a split decision defeat, in an IBF eliminator against Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, prevented him of participating in Season I.

 

 

 

“There are only world class fighters in this tournament, but I believe my ring IQ will give me the edge to win it,” said Mikaelian.

 

 

 

The second main event in Chicago on November 10 is a potent match-up between Poland’s former world champion Krzysztof Glowacki and Russia’s Maksim Vlasov.

 

 

 

“The plan is simple: take it all, give nothing back,” said Glowacki (30-1, 19 KOs)

 

 

 

The exciting southpaw fought Season I winner Aleksandr Usyk in 2016 – relinquishing the WBO belt over 12 rounds, he won the belt in 2015 via knockout against Marco Huck.

 

 

 

“I have been waiting for a long time for my chance, and I am full of power and great energy. I am going to win this tournament and become world champion again!”

 

 

 

Vlasov (42-2, 25 KOs), a fighter with success at multiple weights, likewise enters the quarter-final with great confidence after winning 12 straight fights since moving up in weight in 2015.

 

 

 

Tickets will be available to buy via TicketMaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000 on Monday 1 October. Fans can be alerted by email when tickets go on sale by signing up for Ticket Alerts here.

 

 

 

Ahead of Season 2, US-based boxing fans are able to watch Season I’s Ali Trophy Super Middleweight Final, George Groves vs Callum Smith on Friday, 28 September, LIVE on the global sports streaming platform. To sign up for a one-month free trial, fans can visit DAZN.com or download the DAZN app to their preferred connected device.

 

 

 

Dates and venues for the six weeks of Ali Trophy quarter-final action this autumn:

 

 

 

  1. October 7th, Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals 

Naoya Inoue (Japan) vs. Juan Carlos Payano (Dominican Republic)

WBA ‘Regular’ Bantamweight Championship

&

Kiryl Relikh (Belarus) vs. Eduard Troyanovsky (Russia).

WBA Super-Lightweight Championship

 

 

 

  1. October 13th,  Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals

TBA

 

 

 

  1. October 20th, CFE Arena, Orlando, USA – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals

Emmanuel Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) vs. Jason Moloney (Australia)

IBF Bantamweight Championship

&

Yunier Dorticos (Cuba) vs. Mateusz Masternak (Poland).

Cruiserweight Quarter-Final

TICKETS: From $30 (plus fees) here: TicketMaster.com

 

 

 

  1. October 27th, U.N.O. Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, USA – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals

Regis Prograis (United States) vs. Terry Flanagan (England)

WBC Super-Lightweight Diamond Title

&

Ivan Baranchyk (Belarus) vs Anthony Yigit (Sweden)

IBF Super-Lightweight Championship

TICKETS: From $30 (plus fees) here: TicketMaster.com

 

 

 

  1. November 3rd, SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals 

Ryan Burnett (Northern Ireland) vs. Nonito Donaire (Philippines)

WBA ‘Unified’ Bantamweight Championship & WBC Bantamweight Diamond Title

&

Josh Taylor (Scotland) vs. Ryan Martin (United States)

WBC Super-Lightweight Silver Title

TICKETS: From £35 (plus fees) here: thessehydro.com

 

 

 

  1. November 10th, UIC Pavilion in Chicago, USA – Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals

Mairis Briedis vs. Noel Mikaelian

Cruiserweight Quarter-Final

&

Krzysztof Glowacki vs. Maksim Vlasov

Cruiserweight Quarter-Final

TICKETS: From $30 (plus fees) here: TicketMaster.com (On sale: Mon 1 Oct)

 

 

 

Season II divisions and Ali Trophy quarter-final match-ups:

 

 

 

Bantamweight: 

Ryan Burnett (Northern Ireland) vs. Nonito Donaire (Philippines)

WBA ‘Unified’ World Championship and WBC Diamond Title

 

 

 

Zolani Tete (South Africa) vs. Mikhail Aloyan (Russia)

WBO World Championship

 

 

 

Naoya Inoue (Japan) vs. Juan Carlos Payano (Dominican Republic)

WBA ‘Regular’ World Championship

 

 

 

Emmanuel Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) vs. Jason Moloney (Australia)

IBF World Championship

 

 

 

 

Super-Lightweight:

 

 

Regis Prograis (United States) vs. Terry Flanagan (England)

WBC Diamond Title

 

 

 

Josh Taylor (Scotland) vs. Ryan Martin (United States)

WBC Silver Title

 

 

 

Kiryl Relikh (Belarus) vs. Eduard Troyanovsky (Russia)

WBA World Championship

 

 

 

Ivan Baranchyk (Belarus) vs. Anthony Yigit (Sweden)

IBF World Championship

 

 

 

 

Cruiserweight:

 

 

Mairis Briedis (Latvia) vs. Noel Mikaelian (Germany)

 

 

 

Yunier Dorticos (Cuba) vs. Mateusz Masternak (Poland)

 

 

 

Krzysztof Glowacki (Poland) vs. Maksim Vlasov (Russia)

 

 

 

Ruslan Fayfer (Russia) vs. Andrew Tabiti (United States)

IBF Eliminator

boxing, HBO Boxing

Antonio Nieves back in action against Christian Esquivel on Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio

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 Antonio Nieves back in action against Christian Esquivel in Columbus, Ohio

 

Nieves (17-2-2, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio will be making his 1st appearance since dropping his last bout to WBO Super Flyweight champion Naoya Inoue on September 9, 2017 in a bout that was broadcast live on HBO.

 

 

 

In Esquivel, Nieves is taking on an a veteran opponent who sports a record of 30-14-1 with 23 knockouts.

 

 

 

This will be a good test for Nieves, as Esquivel is a tough veteran who has fought countless world champions and undefeated fighters.

 

 

 

“I am 110% ready for this fight on Saturday. I am excited to get back in the ring and make my way back to the top. I fought one of the most feared Super Flyweights in the world.  It my first trip to the weight class, and I didn’t get the victory. But being there only made me more hungry, and I’m coming back with a vengeance,” said Nieves.

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‘GODZILLA KILLER’ ANTONIO NIEVES IS NOT AFRAID OF THE MONSTER FROM JAPAN

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Cleveland’s Antonio “Carita” Nieves is going into his first world title fight having grown up watching the kind of damage a movie monster from Japan can inflict.
But he’s not scared.
On Saturday, September 9, Nieves (17-1-2, 9 KOs) will challenge two-time world championo Naoya “Monster” Inoue (13-0, 11 KOs) as the chief supporting televised bout of an HBO Boxing After Dark tripleheader (10:15 p.m. ET/PT), live from the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
Entitled “SUPERFLY,” the event will be headlined by the rematch between current WBC World Super Flyweight Champion Wisaksil Wangek of Thailand and Nicaraguan superstar Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.
Opening the telecast will be a battle of Mexican former world champions, as former WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Carlos “Principe” Cuadras (36-1-1, 27 KO’s) will take on rival countrymen and former flyweight world champion Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada (35-2-0, 25 KO’s) of Sonora, Mexico.
The fight against Inoue is a dream come true for 30-year-old Nieves, a quick-fisted and determined fighter, who has spent his entire boxing career waiting for this, his first chance at a world championship.
Nieves, who has campaigned until now as a world-class bantamweight, will have the size advantage in Saturday’s fight, as well as the edge in experience.
That said, it will be no easy task. Yokohama’s 24-year-old Inoue is known for his devastating punching power, especially to the body. The Japanese slugger won the WBC Light Flyweight World Championship in his sixth fight and is already making the seventh defense of his WBO World Super Flyweight Title he won the title in his eighth pro fight.
“Training went great,” said Nieves, who prepared for battle with career-long trainer Joseph Delguyd at the Old School Boxing Club in Cleveland. “Making this lower weight was no problem at all. I’m about one or two pounds over with a week to go and I haven’t missed a meal yet. I always knew it wouldn’t be hard to make this weight. I make 118 easily, so a couple pounds more wasn’t going to be that difficult.”
Nieves says unlike Godzilla movies, he will be bigger than his Japanese opponent.
“We have been watching tapes on him. He’s a two-time world champions, quick and strong at the weight. They say he’s a monster from Japan like Godzilla, but we will see. I believe I’ll be stronger bigger guy at this weight. A lot of his fights were at 108 lbs and then he jumped up in weight. The fact that I’m coming down in weight will help me a lot. I am going to be able to push him around like people haven’t done to him before.”
Nieves says he knows what a victory would mean over the streaking Inoue, in a division packed with talent.
“I’m taking this fight as my entrance into this division that is loaded with big fights. After this fight I’ll be in a position for more big fights. To win the world championship means everything to me. That’s why I did all this: to fight the best and now we have that opportunity and that’s what we’re going to do. We have a game plan and Saturday, we’re going to execute it.”
“I am very excited for Antonio to get an opportunity to showcase his skills in a world title on HBO,” said his promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “Antonio is one of the better-known and most accomplished contenders in the division and I expect a spectacular performance on September 9.”

Tim VanNewhouse, Nieves’ co-manager, says he and his partner couldn’t be happier with their fighter’s achievement. “It’s very rewarding to David McWater and I to see Antonio get to this level. He will be the first under the Split-T family of fighters to fight for a world title.”