Tag Archives: Sena Agbeko

FIVE UNBEATEN FIGHTERS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION® QUADRUPLEHEADER WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Janelson Figueroa Bocachica Returns Against Unbeaten Mark Reyes, Jr., in Main Event of ShoBox, Celebrating 20th Year Featuring Boxing’s Rising Stars

NEW YORK – January 20, 2021 – Exciting welterweight prospect Janelson Figueroa Bocachica will meet fellow undefeated Mark Reyes, Jr., in a ShoBox: The New Generation main event bout Wednesday, February 17 live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Bocachica vs. Reyes headlines a four-fight card featuring eight compelling prospects with a combined record of 119-4-1, five of whom are undefeated.

Detroit’s Figueroa Bocachica (16-0, 11 KOs) is following up on his dominating performance in his ShoBox debut in October when he faces the power-punching Reyes (14-0, 12 KOs) from Tampa, Fla., in a 10-round welterweight bout. The co-main event will feature unbeaten Russian and Detroit-trained Vladimir Shishkin (11-0, 7 KOs) taking on Ghana’s Sena Agbeko (23-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight matchup. In addition, Alejandro Guerrero (12-0, 9 KOs) of Irving, Texas, returns to ShoBox and faces Mexico’s Abraham Montoya (19-2-1, 14 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout. Another Russian-based in Detroit, Mich., Timur Kerefov (9-0, 4 KOs), will battle middleweight prospect Argenis Espana (15-1, 14 KOs) of Venezuela in the eight-round telecast opener.

The four-fight telecast is promoted by Salita Promotions.

“I am delighted to promote an exciting night of boxing, featuring some of the best young talent in boxing in opposing corners,” Salita said. “The February 17 card features possibly the best new talent in four different weight divisions in pick ‘em fights. Middleweight Timur Kerefov, fighting with trainer SugarHill Steward in his corner, is looking to quickly climb up the ladder. Super featherweight Alejandro Guerrero is fighting his toughest test against Abraham Montoya. Super middleweight Vladimir Shishkin is looking for a breakout performance against the hungry Sena Agbeko, who is looking to make a name for himself. This show may also be the crowning of one of the best new welterweights in the world with an exciting matchup between undefeated prospects, Janelson Figueroa Bocachica and Mark Reyes, Jr.”

Steward, who legally changed his name to SugarHill Steward to honor his late uncle Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward, calls Kerefov, “One of the best middleweights in the world right now,” and that there is no limit to how far the 30-year-old can go. “We don’t have long conversations because of the language barrier, but I’m impressed how Timur is able to process the information I tell him, and quickly get better in the short time we’ve worked together,” said Steward, who is also training Anthony Dirrell at Big Time Boxing and Fitness in Boca Raton, Fla. “The Russians who come to Detroit are here to work and not run the streets, which I like. They have families and know that boxing in the United States is the mecca. So, they take it very seriously.”

Bocachica vs. Reyes – 10-Round Welterweight Main Event Bout

Bocachica returns for his second consecutive ShoBox appearance as the 22-year-old Detroit native overpowered Puerto Rico’s Nicklaus Flaz from the start earning a first-round TKO at 2:43 of round one in October. Bocachica is a four-year pro who began boxing at age eight. He won four consecutive Ringside Championships (2011-14), the National PAL Championships and the 2015 Detroit Golden Gloves. He boasts an amateur record of 55-5. He is trained by his father, Nelson Figueroa.

“After the last appearance on ShoBox, I felt like that was the performance that I needed,” Bochachia said. “I picked Mark Reyes out myself because I wanted better competition and he is 14-0. I want to put a statement out to all of the fighters in the 147-pound division. A win gets me closer to my dreams. I am fighting better opposition. It shows that Janelson is the truth, and I am coming for everyone in the welterweight division. I am not worrying about anything.”

Reyes is coming off of a first-round knockout of Diego Perez on November 21, in his hometown of Tampa. Reyes was a successful amateur winning the PAL National Tournament in 2012, as well as the Junior Olympics and Ringside Tournament. He also won two National tournaments competing for Puerto Rico: the 2015 Frankie Larvae National Championships and 2016 Cheo Aponte National Championships. Overall, he accumulated a record of 45-5 before turning pro in March 2016. He is now trained by Raul “Chino” Rivas, who also coaches former world champion Tevin Farmer. 

“I am excited to be in this position, fighting on ShoBox, where a win will put my name on the boxing map,” Reyes said. “Bocachica is a solid fighter, but I look forward to adding the first loss to his record and showing the viewers why I took this fight on short notice. Training camp has been going great and I will be ready.”

Shishkin vs. Agbeko – 10-Round Super Middleweight Bout

Shishkin has previously fought twice on ShoBox earning impressive wins over Ulises Sierra and DeAndre Ware. Steward worked Shishkin’s corner for the Sierra fight, but Steward’s commitment to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has not allowed the two to train exclusively together. Shishkin has recently been working with L.J. Harrison. In his last fight on August 20, he recorded a ninth-round technical knockout of Oscar Riojas. Shishkin is currently ranked No. 9 by the WBC, No. 11 by the WBA and No. 12 by the IBF in the 168-pound division.

“I’m grateful, once again, to get the chance to showcase my skills on SHOWTIME,” said Shishkin, 29. “I’m preparing in a new gym called Superbad with a new coach. I’m curious how that will affect me in the bout. I know this fight puts me just one step closer to my goal of becoming a world champion.”

Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, Agbeko was a member of the Ghanaian National Team as a youth and had 69 amateur bouts. Agbeko turned pro in 2011 at the age of 19 and had his first 15 bouts in Ghana before relocating to the United States in 2013 to pursue his dream of becoming a world champion. Agbeko has fine-tuned his craft serving as a sparring partner for Caleb Plant, Badou Jack and Brandon Adams. Agbeko currently lives in Nashville, Tenn., with his wife. 

“Training is going great and we’ve been training for a while already, so we’re just doubling down on a few things and fine-tuning as well for the fight,” Agbeko said. “I know my opponent has an extensive amateur background and a style that’s reflective of where he’s from in Russia. I expect an aggressive, yet well-calculated fighter. I will win this fight because I know I want it more and, as a result, have put more effort into preparation. My superior boxing skills coupled with desire and effort will get it done.”

Guerrero vs. Montoya – Eight-Round Lightweight Bout

Fighting out of Houston, Texas, Guerrero is a big-punching prospect who won a closely contested slugfest via majority decision over Jose Angulo in the last ShoBox telecast before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sports world for several months in March 2020. Prior to that win, Guerrero had stopped three consecutive opponents including a second-round TKO of Darnell Jiles, Jr. in January 2020. A celebrated amateur who won two junior national titles, the 22-year-old “Pork Chop” has sparred with the likes of world champions Mikey Garcia and Brandon Rios at the famed Garcia Boxing Academy in California. 

“I know nothing about my opponent, but I’ve watched one clip of him and that’s all I needed to see to know he will go down,” Guerrero said. “This fight will mean a lot to me because it will show the world I’m the real deal. I will win this fight for my career and my family.”

The 26-year-old Montoya, of Baja California, Mexico, will be making his United States debut on February 17 and will be fighting outside of his native Mexico for just the second time. After dropping his second professional contest, Montoya rallied to go unbeaten in his next 18 bouts before traveling to Russia in November 2019 to take on undefeated prospect Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov, where he lost a 12-round decision. Montoya rebounded to score a second-round TKO over Reyes David Lopez his last time out in October, and also owns an impressive victory over then-undefeated prospect Luis Alberto Lopez Vargas.

“Fighting in the U.S. and on SHOWTIME has always been my dream and I can’t wait for February 17 to show what I can do,” Montoya said. “I’ve never worked or trained as hard for a fight as I have for this one. I’ve seen my opponent and know he will bring the action just like his last fight. He will be tough, but I’m as ready for this as I’ve ever been.” 

Kerefov vs. Espana – Eight-Round Middleweight Bout

Hailing from Shaluska, Russia, and now fighting out of Detroit, Mich., Kerefov will make his ShoBox debut on February 17. Kerefov, 30, amassed an impressive 298-12 amateur record in his home country during his nearly decade-long reign at the elite level of international amateur boxing. In 2019, Kerefov turned in five impressive victories in Russia prior to his United States debut at the famed Kronk Gym in Detroit in August 2020, where he turned in a dominating unanimous decision victory over Calvin Metcalf in a middleweight bout.

“I am in the middle of a great training camp with trainer SugarHill Steward in Florida,” Kerefov said. “I look forward to showing the boxing fans that I am the new face of the middleweight division.”

The 31-year-old southpaw, Espana, will be fighting for the first time in the United States as 14 of his 16 professional bouts have taken place in Venezuela. The power-punching Espana’s only career loss was to Dervin Colina in 2019 and 14 of his 15 victories have come via knockout. In December, he TKO’d Leonard Carrillo in his last fight.

“This is a great opportunity for me to appear in the U.S.,” Espana said. “I know very little about my opponent, but that does not bother me at all. I am always training and ready to go the distance or less. Victory will get me closer to a world title.”

International Boxing Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with fellow Hall of Famer and boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 83 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more. 

Sena Agbeko-Bryan Vera Headlines “Beatdown in the Boro” December 8

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Nashville, TN (October 16, 2018) – Tri-Star Boxing Promotions will host Murfreesboro, TN’s first pro boxing card in more than a quarter century when they present “Beatdown in the Boro” Saturday, December 8 at The Mid-TN Expo Center.

 

 

 

Doors open at 6 pm and tickets for “Beatdown in the Boro” will be on sale shortly at Tristarboxing.com.

 

 

 

Headlining is an intriguing eight round super middleweight showdown between Nashville’s Sena “African Assassin” Agbeko and longtime contender Bryan Vera of Austin, TX.

 

 

 

Originally from Accra, Ghana, the heavy-handed Agbeko’s outstanding professional record is 21-1 with 18 wins by knockout. In March, Agbeko outpointed Lawrence Blakey in Nashville and made it known he was eager to take on tougher opposition. Since defeating Blakey, Agbeko’s spent time training with many of the world’s top fighters in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

Recognized as one of the toughest and most exciting fighters on the planet, Vera’s never backed down from a challenge. His professional ledger is 26-13 with 16 wins by knockout and he’s been on boxing’s biggest stage multiple times. Vera has two wins against former world champion Sergio Mora along with knockout victories over former titlists Sergiy Dzinziruk and Andy Lee.

 

 

 

The tough Texan also shared the squared circle with James Kirkland, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (twice), Willie Monroe Jr., Matt Korobov and Rocky Fielding among others. At 36, Vera looks to knock off Agbeko and have another run at the top.

 

 

 

“This is going to be the biggest fight for a local boxer in quite some time and it’s truly an honor to host the first fight card in more than a quarter century in my hometown,” said Matt Young, a Murfreesboro native and founder of Tri-Star Boxing. “Sena told us adamantly that he wants to step up the competition and Bryan Vera is the kind of opponent he was looking for. We’re expecting to see the best Sena Agbeko to date but he’s still in for a tough fight.”

 

 

 

Murfreesboro’s Rydell “Super” Mayes, 1-0 (1 KO), will face an opponent to be named in a four round heavyweight contest. A standout football player at Riverdale high school, Mayes scored an impressive knockout in his pro debut July 28.

 

 

 

Lightweight Austin “The Dream” Dulay looks to get back to his winning ways following his first career defeat when he faces an opponent to be named. Born and raised in Nashville, Dulay has an excellent 11-1 record with 8 victories by KO.

 

 

 

Popular Nashville native Eduardo “Chachi” Aguilar meets 15 fight veteran Carl Currie of Robbins, IL over four rounds. The two met July 28 and fought to a thrilling draw.

 

 

 

Unbeaten Memphis, TN based junior middleweight Mike Cook, 9-0 (4 KO’s), and heavyweight Dylan Courson, 2-1 (2 KO’s), of Rome, GA are slated to appear in separate bouts against opponents TBD.

 

 

 

Additional undercard fights will be announced shortly.

 

 

 

For more information, please visit Tristarboxing.com or Facebook.com/Tristarboxing.

Agbeko tops Blakey; Reyes Thrills in Nashville

Nashville, TN (March 19, 2018) – Rising prospect Sena “African Assassin” Agbeko put another victory in the books following a thoroughly dominant six round unanimous decision victory over veteran Lawrence Blakey Saturday, March 17 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Nashville.

 

 

 

 

 

The Agbeko-Blakey matchup headlined a seven fight card promoted by Tri-Star Boxing.

 

 

 

 

 

Backed by a large group of fans, Agbeko took his time in the early going against his larger but defensively-minded southpaw foe. After getting into a rhythm, the Nashville transplant took over with a solid jab and crisp straight rights. Agbeko maintained his pace through the final bell while Blakey offered very little offensively.

 

 

 

 

 

Scores were 60-54 twice and 59-55. Agbeko is now 21-1 with 18 KO’s. Blakey returns home to Pennsylvania 5-9-2 (2 KO’s).

 

 

 

 

 

Exciting junior flyweight Edwin Reyes won a thrilling 10 round split decision over Mexican veteran Armando Vasquez. Reyes, a Nashville transplant by way of Guatemala, threw a tremendous amount of punches while Vasquez found some success countering his aggressive foe. Ultimately, Reyes was the stronger and more consistent fighter.

 

 

 

 

 

Scores were 99-91, 97-93 Reyes and a surprising 96-94 for Vasquez.

 

 

 

 

 

Reyes improves to 8-3-2 with 5 KO’s while Vasquez slides to 25-21-1 (6 KO’s).

 

 

 

 

 

In undercard action, welterweight Luis Galarza returned to the ring and decisioned durable Matt Murphy. Following the bout, Galarza donated his purse to LifePoint Church. Locals Chuckie Driver, Maidel Sando and Yolexcy Leiva all earned victories as well.

 

 

 

 

“This show exceeded my expectations,” said Matt Young. “The Vols were in the NCAA tournament and St. Patrick’s Day always has people going to a number of different places in the area so I’m overjoyed with the fact that we had a strong crowd. I’d also like to commend Luis Galarza for donating his purse to help LifePoint Church. We’re growing with every show and I hope to see everybody next time.”

 

 

 

 

 

Tri-Star is currently working on a summer card. Details will be available shortly.

Agbeko-Blakey tops St. Patrick’s Day Fight Night in Nashville

All-Action Reyes in co-feature; Galarza donating earnings to church
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Nashville, TN (March 13, 2018) – Light heavyweight knockout king Sena “African Assassin” Agbeko will headline Tri-Star Boxing’s special edition of “Fight at the Fairgrounds” when he battles Lawrence Blakey Saturday, March 17 at the Fairground Sports Arena in Nashville, TN.
Tickets can be purchased by going to tristarboxing.com/tickets and doors open at 6 pm. The card is brought to you in association with Blue Chair Bay Rum.
Hailing from Ghana and fighting out of Nashville, Agbeko’s impressive professional ledger reads 20-1 with 18 victories by knockout. The 26-year-old has become a local favorite and Saturday marks his third fight in the Music City. He most recently defeated veteran Anthony Bowman via 2ndround stoppage in January.
Standing across the ring will be Pennsylvania’s Lawrence Blakey. A tough luck fighter with a 5-8-2 record and two wins by KO, Blakey’s been victimized by questionable judging. His last four defeats came via split or majority decision and he’s faced six unbeaten foes. In November 2017, Blakey outpointed Joe Paintiff (12-3) via unanimous decision.
The Agbeko-Blakey fight is scheduled for six rounds.
Exciting junior flyweight Edwin Reyes of Nashville by way of Guatemala faces Mexico’s 56 fight veteran Armando “Chiquita” Vazquez in the 10 round co-feature. The pair previously met in 2017, with Reyes capturing an exciting decision victory. This time around Reyes, 7-3-2 (5 KO’s), aims for a knockout to erase any doubts that he’s the superior fighter.
The undercard will see the return of Antioch, TN’s Luis “El Taino” Galarza in a four round contest. Fighting for the first time in nearly two years, Galarza has an excellent 21-4 record with 15 of his victories by knockout. He’s shared the ring with world champions Kell Brook and Austin Trout but his proudest moment in boxing will come Saturday evening when he donates 100% of his fight purse to LifePoint Church.
Matt Young of Tri-Star Boxing said “This is our second straight St Patricks’ Day card. The turnout in 2017 was amazing and we’re looking to break the numbers this time around. We’ve got an incredible knockout artist in Agbeko along with one of the most exciting fighters out there in Edwin Reyes plus a number of competitive fights featured on the undercard. Luis Galarza is also making his return for a truly special purpose. I’m looking forward to seeing our loyal fans and some new faces on Saturday evening.”
For more information, visit tristarboxing.com.

Tri-Star Boxing Promotions returns to Nashville December 8

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Nashville, TN (November 7, 2017) – Junior flyweight sensation Edwin Reyes looks for his fourth straight victory when he challenges Santos “Titos” Vasquez in the eight round main event of Tri-Star Boxing’s “Fights at the Fairgrounds” Friday, December 8 at the Fairgrounds Sports Arena in Nashville.
 
Living and fighting out of Nashville by way of Guatemala, Reyes owns a solid 7-2-2 record with five KO’s. On September 15, Reyes outpointed ultra-experienced Armando Vasquez over eight rounds. Locals have fully adopted Reyes, who will be fighting for a sixth time in the Music City.
Representing Reno, NV, the hard-hitting Vasquez is 4-2-1 with three wins by knockout. A win over Reyes would run Vasquez’ unbeaten streak to five fights.
The co-featured bout of the evening pits Nashville-based knockout artist Sena “African Assassin” Agbeko against durable veteran Juan Carlos Rojas of Mexico in a six rounds super middleweight showdown.
Agbeko, who came to Nashville by way of Ghana, owns an outstanding 19-1 professional ledger with 17 KO’s. In his last bout, Agbeko dominated veteran Brad Austin over six rounds. Since his lone setback in 2014, Agbeko’s made tremendous improvements and hopes to become a contender in the near future.
Rojas has shared the ring with many notable fighters including former world champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage along with contenders Brian Vera, Nathanial Gallimore, Terell Gausha, Domonique Dolton and Caleb Plant among others.
Cruiserweight standout Mike Wilson travels from his native Oregon to face an opponent TBD in a six round contest. A two-time US National Champion as an amateur, Wilson’s 18-0 with 8 KO’s as a pro and is working his way up the ranks.
“I’m glad to have two of our favorite local fighters headlining again,” said Matt Young, founder of Tri-Star Boxing Promotions. “Reyes gives fans their money’s worth every time and Sena’s produced some great knockouts. Fans are also in for a treat with Mike Wilson. He was one of America’s top amateurs and is unbeaten in the pros so a big fight is definitely in his future.”
Light heavyweight Roy King, 10-1-1 (5 KO’s) of Johnson City, TN meets 34 fight veteran Marcus Brooks of Fort Benning, GA in a six round light heavyweight showdown while debuting light heavyweight Maidel Sando squares off with Memphis, TN’s Darius Shorter. Eduardo Aguiar, 1-0, will do battle with Memphis native Adam Young and debuting Demarcus “Chuckie” Driver enters the paid ranks against 10 fight vet Nicholas Rodriguez of Kentucky.
Additional bouts will be announced shortly.
“Nashville is becoming an excellent fight town,” stated Young. “The crowds have grown with every show and more boxers are contacting me about fighting on Tri-Star cards. I look forward to another exciting evening of action that will showcase some very good talent on December 8.”

Tri Star Boxing returns for “State Fair Boxing Showdown 2” September 15

Nashville, TN (August 30, 2017) – Fight night returns to Nashville when Tri Star Boxing presents “State Fair Boxing Showdown 2” Friday, September 15.
The six-fight card is in association with Blue Chair Bay Rum and takes place at the State Fairgrounds Sports Arena, located at 500 Wedgewood Lane in Nashville. Tickets from $25 can be purchased at tristarboxing.com/tickets.
In the six round main event, Nashville based Ghanaian Sena “African Assassin” Agbeko meets Johnson City, TN’s Brad Austin for the Tennessee Light Heavyweight championship. The heavy-handed Agbeko has an excellent 18-1 record with 17 wins by knockout and looks for a fourth straight victory since his lone setback. A veteran of 37 fights, Austin’s faced many tough opponents including Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, Yunieski Gonzalez, Ismayl Sillah, Isiah Thomas and Edwin Rodriguez among others.
 
Junior flyweight knockout king Edwin Reyes, 6-2 (5 KO’s), faces a foe to be announced in the eight round co-feature. Originally from Guatemala and now residing in Nashville, six of Reyes’ last seven bouts have taken place in the Volunteer State.
DeMarcus Rogers and Dedrick Bell will square off in a six rounder for the Tennessee State Welterweight Championship. Chattanooga’s Rogers owns a solid 11-3-1 professional ledger with four victories by KO but will have his hands full with his Memphis based foe. Bell’s deceptive ledger is 18-29-1 (9 KO’s) but the majority of his defeats came against championship level fighters.
22-year-old middleweight Winfred Harris Jr. of Detroit, MI looks to run his record to 15-0 when he battles Tennessee based Cuban Yolexcy Leiva over six rounds. On June 23, Harris took a quantum leap in competition and impressively outpointed notoriously tough Lanardo Tyner. Leiva, 5-6 (4 KO’s), is expected to give Harris all he can handle having previously faced quality foes in Marcus Willis, Frank Galarza, Boyd Melson, Thomas Lamanna and Kanat Islam.
Additional undercard bouts include debuting light heavyweight Maidel Sando versus Justin Brown (0-1), and 140 pounder Eduardo Aguiar fighting for the first time against William Ware (2-5).
It’s great to come back to Nashville,” said Tri Star Boxing’s Matt Young. “The city’s interest boxing has grown tremendously during the last few years. We’ve got a diverse and talented group of fighters on the card and it’s a great forum for them as well. The State Fair is a major event and we’re expecting a huge crowd on September 15.”