Tag Archives: WBO

WBO light flyweight champion Tito Acosta to showcase skills & build his legacy vs. Carlos Buitrago


La Batalla
TITO ACOSTA vs. CARLOS BUITRAGO
WBO World Light Flyweight Championship

HNUB SATURDAY, RAU HLI 16, 2018
Coliseo de Puerto Rico * Hato Rey, Puerto Rico

LIVE ON PPV – 9
pm ET / 6 pm PT
La Batalla, Lub rau hli ntuj 16
Live on PPV from Puerto Rico

Tito Acosta (R) puts his opponents to sleep

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Tej zaum 10, 2018) – World Boxing Organization Light Flyweight World Champion Tito Acosta will showcase his vast skills June 16 in his first title defense against Nicaraguan challenger Carlos “ChocorroncitoBuitrago nyob rau hauv lub “La Batalla” 12-round main event, airing on pay-per-view, live from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Center in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago is presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions, which is owned and operated by the first Puerto Rican boxer to capture world titles in four different weight classes, future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto, and H2 Entertainment, in association with DIRECTV Puerto Rico.

Integrated Sports Media will distribute theLa Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago card in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico) nyob rau hauv lub FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), pib thaum 9 p.m. THIAB / 6 p.m. PT, rau ib tug pom tias lub khw muag khoom nqi ntawm xwb $34.95.

Building his own legacy in a traditionally rich, hot-bed for boxing like Puerto Rico, Acosta (17-1, 17 Kos) captured the vacant WBO title last December at famed Madison Square Garden, thaum nws khob qhov rooj tawm Juan Alejo (24-4-1), of Mexico, nyob rau hauv lub 10th puag ncig.

An outstanding amateur boxer with more than 180 ntais ntawv, highlighted by his gold-medal performance at the Central American Games,), the San Juan-based fighter has defeated 22-5Juan Guzman (KO1), 12-1 Japhet Uutoni (TKO12), thiab 28-5-3 Luis Ceja (KO2).

My goal is to be the best,” Acosta said. “I grew-up watching Tito Trinidad and Miguel Cotto, who are my favorite fighters. I will work as hard as I can to give the best to my family, as well as make my island proud. I will win on June 16th and let the world know that I am the best 108-pound boxer in the world.

Having a future Hall of Famer such as Cotto as his promoter is a tremendous advantage, nyob rau hauv thiab tawm ntawm lub nplhaib, for Acosta. “It means a lot and is an honor for me to have a living legend like Miguel Cotto as my promoter,” Acosta explained. “He has guided my career the best way. He also gets involved in my camp and wants me to get better and better every fight.

Tito Acosta is a really good fighter,” Cotto commented about his protégé. “He is World Champion for a reason. We will work to give him the best opportunities. Tito has an opportunity to show the world on June 16th what he is made of and who he is. As World Champion, he needs to be at the highest level to have a brilliant performance each fight, because the better performances and victories, the bigger name he will build.

It is important for a fighter to do his job in the ring because every performance is a unique opportunity to show the world who you are and at what level you belong. People in Puerto Rico love boxing, and its fighters.

WBA #2-rated Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 Kos) will be fighting in his fifth world title fight, after losing three times with one draw. He was stopped for the first time in his last fight this past December, by undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) Minimumweight World Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (8-0), in the eighth round of their title fight in Japan.

All three of Buitrago’s career losses have been to world champions, including a pair to Thammanooon Niyomtrong (11-0) nyob rau hauv 2016 thiab 2014, both by way of 12-round unanimous decisions in Thailand for the Interim WBA title. Buitrago also fought a 12-round split draw in 2013 to then-WBO Minimum World Champion Merlito Sabillo (12-0) in Manila, Philippines.

Chris Buitrago is a great fighter and tough challenger, who has the highest level of experience, and that motivates me,” Acosta spoke about his Nicaraguan opponent. “People want to watch a toe-to-toe brawl and he brings that style. I think he will brawl with me, but I’ll be ready for any style he brings June 16th.

I work for the KO (nws muaj 17 knockouts nyob rau hauv nws 17 yeej) because that’s what fans like. I work for that every fight and I will win June 16th los ntawm knockout!”

Additional June 16th PPV fights will soon be announced. Tag nrho cov sib ntaus thiab tua hluav taws yuav raug hloov.

PROMO VIDEO:

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NTAUB NTAWV:

www.promocionesmiguelcotto, www.integratedsportsnet.com, www.directvpr.com, www.fite.tv

Twitter: @CottoPromotions, @Directvpr, @IntegratedPPV, @FiteTV

Lub teb chaws yelemees, United States and Latvia Play Host to WBO Bouts

 

 

 

The World Boxing Organization (WBO), chaired by Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, will celebrate five interesting title fights; two of which are for world championships. The bouts will take place this Saturday, Tej zaum 12.

 

 

 

Brooklyn native Saddam “World Kid” Ali (26-1, 14 KO lub), coming off the most important victory of his career against legendary Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto, makes the first defense of his WBO junior middleweight world title, when he faces the dangerous Mexican Jaime Munguía (28-0, 24 KO lub). The fight will take place at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York. The fight will be televised live on HBO at 10:00 p.m. THIAB.

 

 

 

We will have a lot of activity this Saturday from the WBO. You have to pay close attention to the performance of the huge puncher Jaime Munguía, who will face a good attacker like Ali. It’s going to be a classic fight of puncher against a boxer. If Munguía wins, he would be placed on a select list of great Mexican boxers who have been world champions at or before 21 years of age”, said Valcárcel.

 

 

 

In Augsburg, Lub teb chaws yelemees, women’s boxing takes the stage when the popular former world champion Nikki Adler (16-1, 9 KO lub) of Germany and the world contender Femke Hermans (6-1, 3 KO lub) of Belgium, face each other for the vacant WBO world belt of the super middleweight division. The fight will be in the Eisstadion in Augsburg.

 

 

 

We remain committed and supportive of women’s boxing. Germany is no exception. This great fight has the community looking on because there is a world title at stake and the fight will be liked by the public”, said Valcárcel.

 

In Latvia, three WBO International titles will be in play in 12-round duels in an evening at the Riga Arena. For the vacant International junior middleweight belt, the 13th ranked Ismail Iliev (10-0-1, 3 KO lub) of Nazran, Russia will face Konstantin Ponomarev (33-0, 13 KO lub) of Miass, Russia.

 

 

 

Tsis tas li ntawd, the WBO International Lightweight Champion and 5th ranked Isa Chaniev (12-1, 6 KO lub) of Nazran, Russia, will defend his title against the strong Venezuelan puncher, Ismael Barroso (20-1-2, 19 KO lub).

 

 

 

For the vacant middleweight WBO International belt, Artur Akavov (18-2, 12 KO lub) from Russia, will face against Argentina’s Gonzalo Coria (12-1, 5 KO lub).

 

 

 

We are making a presence in eastern Europe. Lub sij hawm no, it was Latvia’s turn to have boxers who are already ranked in the top positions of the WBO and for the rest of the year, could be fighting for world titles”, expressed Varcárcel.

 

WBO light flyweight champion Tito Acosta to make 1st title defense vs. Carlos Buitrago


La Batalla
TITO ACOSTA vs. CARLOS BUITRAGO
WBO World Light Flyweight Championship

HNUB SATURDAY, RAU HLI 16, 2018
Coliseo de Puerto Rico * Hato Rey, Puerto Rico

LIVE ON PPV – 9
pm ET / 6 pm PT
La Batalla, Lub rau hli ntuj 16
Live on PPV from Puerto Rico

(L-R) – Eduardo Cajina (Coliseo de Puerto Rico Center), WBO light flyweight world champion
Tito Acosta, and promoter Miguel Cotto

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Plaub Hlis Ntuj 30, 2018) — Miguel Cotto Promotions hosted a press conference earlier today to announce World Boxing Organization Light Flyweight World Champion Tito Acosta will make his first title defense at home on June 16 against Nicaraguan challenger Carlos “ChocorroncitoBuitrago nyob rau hauv lub “La Batalla” 12-round main event, airing on pay-per-view, live from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Center in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

 

La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago is presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions, which is owned and operated by the first Puerto Rican boxer to capture world titles in four different weight classes, future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto, and H2 Entertainment, in association with DIRECTV Puerto Rico.

 

 

 

Integrated Sports Media will distribute the La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago card in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico) nyob rau hauv lub FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), pib thaum 9 p.m. THIAB / 6 p.m. PT, rau ib tug pom tias lub khw muag khoom nqi ntawm xwb $34.95.

 

 

 

Tito Acosta is that fighter you can’t blink your eyes,” promoter Miguel Cotto said. “He brings excitement to every fight and power to finish in any second. This fight against Carlos Buitrago will be fireworks from the opening bell.

 

 

 

 

Acosta (17-1, 17 Kos), fighting out of San Juan, Puerto Rico., captured the vacant WBO title last December at famed Madison Square Garden, when he knocked out his Mexican challenger, Juan Alejo (24-4-1), nyob rau hauv lub 10th puag ncig.

 

 

 

 

A standout amateur boxer with more than 180 ntais ntawv, highlighted by his gold-medal performance at the Central American Games, is a past WBO Latino and World Boxing Council (Qhov) light flyweight champion. His most notable victories have been against 22-5 Juan Guzman (KO1), 12-1 Japhet Uutoni (TKO12), thiab 28-5-3 Luis Ceja (KO2).

 

 

 

Buitrago says that his dream is to become the world champion, to that I say, keep on dreaming,” Acosta said. “Kuv tsis underestimating nws, but this will be my night, not his.

 

 

 

Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 Kos), 26, is currently world rated at No. 12 los ntawm lub WBO. The Managua-native will be fighting in his fifth world title fight having lost three times with one draw. In his last match this past December, he was stopped for the first time in the eighth round by undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) Minimumweight World Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (8-0) nyob rau hauv Nyiv.

 

 

 

Nyob rau hauv qhov tseeb, all three of Buitrago’s career losses as a professional have been to world champions, including a pair to Thammanooon Niyomtrong (11-0) nyob rau hauv 2016 thiab 2014, both by way of 12-round unanimous decisions in Thailand for the Interim WBA title. Buitrago also fought a 12-round split draw in 2013 to then WBO Minimum World Champion Merlito Sabillo (12-0) in Manila, Philippines.

 

 

 

I will enter the ring in the best shape of my life with one objective in sight: to fulfill my dream of becoming the world champion and give my country a historic win,” Buitrago commented. “The battle is on and I hope to come out victorious.

 

 

Additional June 16th PPV fights will soon be announced. Tag nrho cov sib ntaus thiab tua hluav taws yuav raug hloov.

 

NTAUB NTAWV:

 

www.promocionesmiguelcotto, www.integratedsportsnet.com, www.directvpr.com, www.fite.tv

 

 

 

Twitter: @CottoPromotions, @Directvpr, @IntegratedPPV, @FiteTV

Lenin Castillo grabs WBO Gold in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Ponce, Puerto Rico – Former Dominican Olympian Lenin Castillo (18-1-1, 13 KO lub) won the WBO/NABO vacant light heavyweight title in impressive fashion. Castillo defeated AaronHomicide” Mitchell (27-3-1, 21 KO lub) of Florida by way of technical knockout in the 10th and final round.

 

 

 

 

As a result of the victory, Castillo will now be ranked among the best 175 pound fighters in the WBO.

 

 

 

 

The fight was televised by DIRECTV PR as part of a card promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions at the Complejo Ferial, Ponce, PR.

 

 

 

 

I am very grateful to my manager Raúl Pastrana from Spartan Boxing Club, Miguel Cotto Promotions and the WBO for making this fight possible with an important title at stake that will place me among the best fighters of my weight,” hais tias Castillo, “This victory is for my Dominican people, my dad, my mom and also for the Puerto Ricans who made me feel at home since I arrived on the island for the fight”.

 

 

 

 

I prepared myself to the max and these are the results of working hard in the gym. Since I landed a good shot at Mitchell, he decided to survive the whole fight and did not let me use everything I had saved for him. But the important thing was that we won all the rounds without losing concentration”, expressed Castillo, who was training in Florida under the supervision of Maury Ramos of KMJ with the assistance of Chiro Pérez from 5th St Gym.

Former Olympian Lenin Castillo inks with Spartan Boxing Club

Former Olympian Lenin Castillo (17-1-1, 12 KO lub) from the Dominican Republic has signed with new Puerto Rican management company, Spartan Boxing Club, on his mission to be part of the big stages in boxing.

 

 

 

 

Spartan Boxing Club President Raul Pastrana stated thatWe are already planning to put Castillo on Plaub Hlis Ntuj 7 card in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Angel Acosta will defend his WBO world title, and we are currently in the process of looking for a quality opponent together with a regional title to rank Castillo in the top positions in order to get a greater fight by the end of the year”.

 

 

 

 

I signed with Spartan Boxing because they have an incredible platform and a work plan that I understand will be effective for my long-term career. I’m crazy to get back the ring to show that I deserve to be on the big stages and what better way to start this new path in front of my dear Puerto Rican people whom make me feel at home every time I go theresaid Castillo who at the amateur boxing level won gold medals at the Jr. Pan American Games and José ‘CheoAponte International Tournament, and competed at the Olympic Games at welterweight category in Beijing, Tuam Tshoj.

 

 

 

 

Nyob rau hauv nws cov nag sib ntaus, held in the month of November at the Hotel Jaragua in Santo Domingo, Castillo defeated by brutal knockout in the first round over power puncher, Andy Perez (20-7, 19 KO lub).

 

 

 

 

Spartan Boxing Club is composed of the decorated fighters: Super Bantamweight Yenifel Vicente (31-3-2, 23 KO) of the Dominican Republic who is ranked in the WBO & Qhov, former members of the Puerto Rican National Amateur Boxing Team: Bernard ‘BimboLebrón (9-0, 4KO lub), John ‘La BestiaCorrea (3-0, 3KO lub) and Wilfredo ‘BimbitoMéndez (9-0, 4KO lub), among others boxers.

COMBATE Americas CIM NPE-PUAS, TSIB-cov kev faib NTIAJ TEB BOXING zus Amanda Serrano

Tsib-division ntiaj teb no boxing yeej Amanda “Qhov tiag Deal” Serrano tau kos npe rau ib qho kom, multi-xyoo promotional daim ntawv cog lus nrog Combate Americas, thiab yog slated yuav ua rau nws MMA debut nyob rau hauv lub peb hlis ntuj.

Phaus-rau-phaus boxing phenom teem yuav ua rau nws ntau npaum li cas-ntseg
MMA debut for world’s premier Hispanic MMA sports franchise

 

NEW YORK - Lub ib hlis ntuj 11, 2018 - Combate Americas hnub no tshaj tawm cov kos npe ntawm tsib-division ntiaj teb no boxing yeej, xws li reigning ntiaj teb Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight (118 phaus) champion, Amanda "Qhov tiag Deal" Serrano (Boxing: 34-1-1, 26 KO lub; MMA: 0-0) mus rau ib qho kom, multi-xyoo promotional daim ntawv cog lus.

 

 

Lub tsuas poj niam fighter nyob rau hauv keeb kwm raws li zoo raws li lub xwb Puerto Rican competitor puas tau mus yeej tsib ntiaj teb no lub npe nyob rau hauv tsib txawv hnyav sib cais, lub 29-xyoo-laus Serrano uas tau yug los nyob rau hauv Carolina, Puerto Rico thiab fights tawm ntawm Brooklyn, N.Y., yuav ua rau nws Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debut nyob rau hauv La Jaula, lub Combate Americas tawb, rau ib tug Lub peb hlis ntuj hnub tim rau muab tshaj tawm sai sai.

 

 

"Peb yog zoo siab heev rau coj Amanda Serrano, ib tug ntawm boxing lub feem ntau exciting superstars mus rau hauv lub Combate Americas familia, thiab saib rau pem hauv ntej rau muab nws nyob rau hauv lub ntiaj teb no nyob ntev uas yog lub premier kev ua si khoom nyob rau hauv 21 Mev hais lus lub teb chaws thoob ntiaj teb,"Hais tias Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.

 

 

Serrano, ib sab saum toj 10 phaus-rau-phaus fighter, yuav txuas ntxiv nws cov burgeoning boxing hauj lwm nyob rau hauv lub nce qib ntawm DiBella Lom ze, thiab sim ua cov thawj neeg ncaws kab taub nyob rau hauv keeb kwm los ib txhij tuav lub ntiaj teb no lub npe nyob rau hauv MMA thiab boxing.

 

 

Serrano yuav nws tus thawj loj lub ntiaj teb no title, lub International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight yas, ntawm cia li 22 xyoo, nrog ib tug brutal, thib ob-round knockout ntawm Kimberly Connor nyob rau hauv lub Cuaj Hli Ntuj 10, 2011.

 

 

Nws tau txij li thaum nraus los ntawm lub zoo ibyam ntawm fighters nyob rau hauv plaub lwm hnyav sib cais, xws li los ntawm bantamweight rau khaub-ncaws nyias (135 phaus), thiab feem ntau tsis ntev los no tau qhab nia ib tug thawj round TKO rau Marilyn Hernandez nyob rau hauv Kaum ib hlis 4, 2017.

 

 

Serrano tau kev tshoov siab hla mus rau lub ntiaj teb no ntawm MMA los ntawm so lub ntiaj teb no yeej Miesha Tate, uas tau txij li thaum ua Serrano tus co-tus manager.

 

 

Combate Americas yog los tawm ib banner xyoo, ua zoo kawg li TV kev nyob rau hauv lub U.S., Mexico thiab Spain, nrog rau cov thawj ob Telemundo MMA cov txheej xwm nyob rau hauv keeb kwm uas generated lub siab tshaj plaws kev ntawm tej lus Mev MMA qhia tau hais tias nyob rau hauv lub U.S. nyob rau hauv lub caij ntuj sov thiab lub caij nplooj zeeg ntawm 2017, thiab raws li muaj ntau yam raws li 6.9 lab viewers rau ib tug rov ntawm nws txhua lub limtiam TV series on TV Azteca nyob rau hauv Mexico.

Huab tais lub Promotions kos qub ntiaj teb no title challenger José “Chelo” González mus rau ib tug promotional daim ntawv cog lus

Nyeem ntawv, PA (Kaum Ob Hlis Ntuj 27, 2017) – Huab tais lub Promotions yog txaus siab ncha moo lub kos npe rau ntawm yav tas los lub ntiaj teb no title challenger José “Chelo” González mus rau ib tug promotional daim ntawv cog lus.
González, 34 ntawm Toa Baja, Puerto Rico muaj ib cov ntaub ntawv ntawm 24-2 nrog 19 knockouts.
González yeej nws thawj 19 bouts nrog yeej tshaj Osenohan Vázquez (1-0), Eric Cruz (5-1-2), Hector Marengo (5-0-4) & Edgardo Soto (12-2).
Nyob rau lub rau hli ntuj 3, 2011, González yeej lub WBO Latino Hnav npe nrog ib tug 6 round stoppage tshaj Gerardo Cuevas.
González ua tsib vam meej defenses ua ntej nyuaj WBO Hnav ntiaj teb no yeej Ricky Burns rau Tej zaum 11, 2013.
González twb dominating uas bout thiab zoo nyob rau hauv nws txoj kev mus ua ib tug ntiaj teb no yeej ua ntej injuring nws dab teg thiab retiring los ntawm cov bout tom qab lub 10 round.
González rebounded los ntawm re-winning lub WBO Latino Hnav title thiab tiv thaiv nws nrog ib tug 5 round stoppage tshaj Marvin Quintero (26-5).
González yuav tau nrhiav rov qab los tom qab ib tug ob-thiab-ib-nrab xyoo hauj lwm.
González hais: “I am very happy with this new chapter in my career. I am returning to the ring with plenty of excitement and with the same dedication I have always had. I thank Marshall and King’s Promotions for the opportunity and I have no doubt that together we will return to a world title.
We are excited to bring Jose into the fold. He is a world championship caliber fighter, and is a terrific addition to King’s Promotions. We are looking to make his debut in early March, thiab yog hais tias nws ua peb muaj peev xwm saib loj heev lub sij hawm nyob rau hauv nws yav tom ntej,” hais tias huab tais lub Promotions CEO Marshall Kauffman.
Yog xav paub ntxiv thiab xov xwm lub peev xwm, Sib cuag:

Salita Promotions Signs Women’s Superstar Christina Hammer to Multi-Fight Promotional Contract

Promoter Dmitriy Salita proudly announces the signing of undefeated women’s unified world middleweight champion Christina Hammer to a multi-fight promotional contract.
Already a superstar in Europe, “poj niam Rauj” (22-0, 10 Kos), from Dortmund, Lub teb chaws yelemees, (via Novodolinka, Kazakhstan) is the current WBC and WBO Middleweight Champion. She has also previously held the WBF Middleweight, as well as WBO and WBF Super Middleweight Championships.
Under Salita’s promotional direction, Hammer will make her United States boxing debut on Friday, Lub ib hlis ntuj 12, nyob rau ntawm lub Txoj siav pob zeb Resort Twv txiaj yuam pov nyob rau hauv Verona, New York, on the non-televised undercard of a ShoBox: Tshiab Tiam telecast (10 p.m. THIAB/PT), featuring unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Claressa ShieldsWBC and IBF title defense against mandatory challenger Tori Nelson. Hammer is scheduled for a 10-round fight, highlights of which will be shown on SHOWTIME.
I never had any doubt that my manager Harald Pia and I would reach an agreement,” said a happy Hammer of the signing. “I love the U.S.,” nws txuas ntxiv mus. “If you are successful here, you will be successful everywhere. Since the beginning of my boxing career it has been a dream of mine to fight in the U.S.. Kuv yuav tsis tos rau Lub ib hlis ntuj 12.”
Hammer joins the Salita Promotions roster that also includes women’s superstar, unified super middleweight champion and two-time gold medalist Claressa Shields, as well as world, European (2X) thiab Lavxias teb sab (6X) amateur champion and 2012 Olympian, Elena Savelyeva.
Christina has all the tools to become a star in the U.S.,said Dmitriy Salita. “Her skills, personality and appeal outside the ring make Christina a unique and special fighter in the talent-filled middleweight division. Kuv ntseeg hais tias 2018 is going to be a historic year for women’s boxing all over the world.
Hammer is a technically outstanding boxer, but her outstanding physical strength is what separates her from the rest of the world’s 160-pound fighters. She was voted WBF Female Fighter of the Year in 2011 thiab 2013; the WBO Female Fighter of the Year in 2013; the BDB Female Boxer of the Year in 2016; the HERQUL Female Boxer of the Year in 2017 and is the only woman in Europe to earn the Diamond Ring of the WBO.
It is always a pleasure to work with highly professional partners,” said manager Pia of the deal. “I’m confident we have a contract that is good for all parties. Christina is very happy to be fighting in the U.S. It is a dream of hers to be successful over here and she can’t wait to show the U.S. public who Christina Hammer is!”
Daim pib rau cov kev tshwm sim, uas yog txhawb los ntawm Salita Promotions, yog tam sim no rau cov muag khoom rau $75 rau thawj ob kab ntawm ringside, $65 rau seem ringside rooj thiab tag nrho lwm cov luv nqi tom $49 thiab $37, ntxiv rau tej uas siv tau cov nqi. Daim pib yuav raug muas nyob rau hauv tus neeg los yog los ntawm hu rau tus siav Pob zeb Resort Box Office ntawm 800.771.7711 lossis hauv online ntawm Ticketmaster.
In the telecast opener Uzbekistan power-puncher Shohjahon Ergashev (11-0, 11 Kos) yuav fim khub undefeated thiab sab saum toj-10 ranked Sonny Fredrickson (18-0, 12 Kos) ntawm Toledo, Ohio. Nyob rau hauv lub co-feature, Jesse Hernandez (10-1, 7 Kos) yuav siv sij hawm nyob rau hauv Ernesto Garza (9-2, 5 Kos; 1-3 WSB) nyob rau hauv ib tug 10-round super bantamweight bout.

Can Saunders Secure His Most Impressive Win to Date Over Lemieux?

Billy Joe Saunders will take to the ring on December 16 in Canada as the reigning and defending WBO middleweight champion, being the proud owner of a belt which he won way back in December 2015 when defeating fellow traveller Andy Lee.

 

But since outpointing Irishman Lee with a majority decision success to become world champion at the Manchester Arena, Saunders has only defended it on two occasions, with unanimous decision triumphs over Artur Akavov and Willie Monroe Jr., more recently.

 

Against game Russian Akavov, the undefeated world title holder was far from impressive and perhaps even lucky to get such a comfortable decision in the end at the Lagoon Leisure Centre on Scottish soil. The win over American challenger Monroe Jr was a lot better, having then undertaken Dominic Ingle as his newest coach.

 

But the latter bout was still a drab affair and did nothing to further or boost Saundersappeal to a broader audience, as he outworked the New York-born southpaw quite comfortably. For most of the title defence, he was barely made to work at all, with Monroe having come in with a bizarrely inefficient gameplan.

 

Txawm li cas los, the 28-year-old will next face undoubtedly his toughest career test to date against former 160lbs champion David Lemieux, a far more serious challenge than an inexperienced and youthful Chris Eubank Jr, an indifferent Andy Lee and the far from threatening Willy Monroe Junior.

 

Hard-hitting Canadian Lemieux will enter the ring ropes as the evens outsider in the latest boxing odds to prevail on home territory, a promising price for a fighter on a strong surge of victories of late. Since being viciously stopped in a gallant showing against the division kingpin Gennady Golovkin in October 2015, the 28-year-old has earned four consecutive wins, including two big knockouts of Glen Tapia and Curtis Stevens.


Of all the opponents Saunders has gone toe to toe with to date, none have possessed the punching power of Lemieux, and that could be a decisive factor come fight night. The latter home hope is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy, who are seemingly keen to match the Canadian up with main cash cow Saul ‘CaneloAlvarez next year, rather than throw him in with ‘GGGonce again in a highly awaited rematch.

 

Despite being the favourite to prevail and maintain his unbeaten record on what will be his maiden venture outside of the UK in his professional career, it seems the odds are actually stacked against Saunders for this latest encounter.

 

It has been evident, heev, that Saunders doesn’t boast the massive power capable of keeping a fleet-footed Lemieux away from the danger areas throughout their match-up. Knockout artist Lemieux produced what could eventually be voted stoppage of the year back in March when he brutally put Stevenslights out in New York City.

 

Could another vicious stoppage success be on the cards on home soil? It’s up to Saunders and Ingle to execute their upcoming gameplan perfectly to secure what would be a highly impressive victory on the road, but it looks likely of being a truly testing night in Quebec.

Potapov Ready for Battle Against Narvaez This Saturday in Argentina

WBO #2-ranked Russian bantamweight Nikolai Potapov is in Detroit, finalizing preparations for his long-awaited showdown with WBO #1-ranked Omar Narvaez of Argentina.
The pair will meet for a 12-round showdown this Saturday, Lub kaum hli ntuj 14, at Estadio Obras Sanitarias in Buenos Aires and live on Argentina TyC Sports.
27-year-old Potapov (17-0, 8 Kos) hails from Podolsk, Russia, but travels to Detroit before fights, to work with well-respected trainer and nephew of Emanuel Steward, Javan SugarHill.
I had an intense training camp in Detroit with Sugar Hill Stewart,” said Potapov. “This is our second camp together and I feel like I am getting better everyday.
Defeating the former WBO World Flyweight and Super Flyweight Champion Narvaez (46-2-2, 24 Kos) will not be easy for Potapov. The tough southpaw won his first world championship 15 years ago and remains one of the world’s best. “I look forward to making a statement in the Narvaez fight and taking a step closer to a world title,” continued Potapov.

Nikolai is one of the best bantamweights in the world,” said his promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “A win over a top fighter a former world champion like Narvaez will put the division on notice. Nikolai is coming to make a name for himself on Lub kaum hli ntuj 14.”