All posts by FNU47

Ray Robinson” I Won That Fight. I Am The Last Guy to Defeat Crawford. I deserve a Title Shot Against Him”

April 6, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

NEW YORK (April 4, 2019)–Welterweight contender, Ray Robinson believes that he should have deserved the decision in his bout with WBO number-one ranked Egidijus Kavaliauskas in a bout that was seen live on ESPN this past Saturday at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Robinson of Philadelphia and Kavaliauskas battled to a majority draw in a bout where Robinson demonstrated great ring generalship and dictated the pace of the bout.

“This is why I fell in love with boxing. To hit and not get hit, i put on a boxing lesson,” said Robinson.

“I feel like I offset him. I was faster and the lateral movement confused him. I frustrated him. I just listened to my coaches and threw him off. I had a full camp, and it showed in my performance as I feel that I dominated,” continued Robinson, who won one scorecard by a 97-93 tally, while two others were even at 95-95.

Kavaliauskas has been mentioned for a chance to fight undefeated WBO champion Terence Crawford, but with his performance, Robinson would happily step in the ring with the Nebraska native, as he showed not only he is a worthy fighter, but he also, Robinson owns a win over the consensus pound-for-pound fighter in the amateur ranks. Robinson feels he would repeat that result in the pro ranks, with an opportunity at Crawford.

“I think now I deserve that shot. I am the last person to defeat Terence Crawford in the amateurs. The fans would want to see it, and I am sure he would want it. If it was me, I would want to fight the last person who beat me. If not Crawford, I feel that I deserve to compete with the top welterweights out there. Guys like Thurman, Porter, Spence, Sadam Ali, Kell Brook, Adrien Broner. Any of them. I am a promotional free agent, so it won’t be difficult to make a deal with any of them”

Ray Robinson talks Kavaliauskas draw

JOHN OLIVER UNLEASHES HIS FURY ON WWE BOSS VINCE MCMAHON

April 4, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

John Oliver has come a long way from “The Daily Show.” His latest monologue is both funny and pointedly critical of Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Entertainment empire. It also could be considered as a great explanation of why the UFC’s fighters should also not be considered independent contractors, as Vince’s wrestlers are considered to be. The IRS implications alone are puzzling. How do Vince and the UFC get away with it? Hopefully this attention brought to the issue inspires change, but as for fans bringing critical signs to the event, I doubt we will see that. Fans know that they can’t get on TV if they don’t bring a sign the WWE actually wants to broadcast. Either way, if you are a fan, a casual observer, or a vociferous critic of wrestling entertainment, you should watch this entire clip:

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

UNBEATEN RISING HEAVYWEIGHTS JERMAINE FRANKLIN & OTTO WALLIN TALK UPCOMING BOUTS & ROAD TO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – Franklin Battles Rydell Booker While Wallin Faces Nick Kisner Live on SHOWTIME Saturday, April 13 from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

April 4, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

Bare Knuckle Boxing

BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP QUOTES, VIDEO & PHOTOS FROM NEW YORK MEDIA EVENT – Former Two-Division Boxing Champion Paulie Malignaggi & Former UFC Standout Artem Lobov Exchange Words In Anticipation of Potential Showdown

April 3, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

**Former Two-Division Boxing Champion Paulie Malignaggi & Former UFC Standout Artem Lobov Exchange Words in Anticipation of Potential Showdown**

**CLICK HERE FOR MP4 VIDEO LINK FROM BKFC**

***(From left to right: Malignaggi, BKFC Founder & President David Feldman & Lobov)***

**Lobov Makes BKFC Debut This Saturday in Main Event**
**Against Jason Knight from Mississippi Coast Coliseum**
**in Biloxi & Live on Pay-Per-View**

***Click* *HERE* *for Photos from Wojtek Kubik***

***Click* *HERE* *for Video (Large .MXF File) from BKFC***

***Click* *HERE* *for Video from Giovanni Bartocci/Team Malignaggi***

**NEW YORK** (April 2, 2019) – **Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship** (BKFC) hosted a media event in New York Tuesday as recent BKFC signee and former two-division boxing champion **Paulie Malignaggi** and former UFC standout and Conor McGregor stablemate **Artem Lobov** had a heated exchange and had to be separated in anticipation of a possible showdown between the two later this year.

Lobov is preparing to take on **Jason Knight** in the main event of “BKFC 5: Lobov vs. Knight” this Saturday from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi and live on pay-per-view. If he is successful on Saturday night, a highly-anticipated showdown against Malignaggi looms.

“BKFC 5: Lobov vs. Knight” will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $29.95. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.

Tickets for “BKFC 5: Lobov vs. Knight” are available now exclusively at www.bareknuckle.tv beginning at $35.

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday from Mendez Boxing in Manhattan:

**PAULIE MALIGNAGGI**

“Without disrespecting Jason Knight, because we’ll see what happens Saturday, but I think everyone here would like to see Malignaggi vs. Lobov. I see that it’s picking up traction and fans in general are talking about it.

“When I get Lobov in the ring, the goal is not just to win. I have to really excel and show something more. The goal would be to hurt him bad.

“Being in the gym every day gets me excited. In that way, I feel mentally reborn. I’m sure there will be tough days, but that’s par for the course. I think mentally you can find motivation that will spur you on to chase certain goals.

“I started talking to David Feldman first about being involved on the broadcast aspect of BKFC. But then he threw out numbers for me to fight that got my attention. Once we got past that first part of the conversation, things started moving along and here we are.

“There’s always adjustments to be made in a new discipline as far as how you’re going to throw and receive punches. We’re going to make small adjustments, but your base is your base. My base is boxing and we’re going to keep the things we want to keep.

“I’ve watched some of the bare knuckle fights and there are some fundamental differences. There are some things that boxers can take advantage of. But there are also some aspects that boxers might not be used to in bare knuckle.”

**ARTEM LOBOV**

“I’m a real fighter and I’m going to fight Paulie in a real fight. I want to make money for it. He knows I’m down. If you’re a real fighter, let’s fight in the ring.

“Let’s be honest, Paulie doesn’t want to fight me on the street, because he knows I’d tear him apart in seconds. But I want to prove myself in the boxing ring. That’s why I’m doing this. I want Paulie safe until the day I can finally put my hands on him.

“This is the only chance he has to get a shot in on me. When we do get to fight, he won’t get a hand on me, I guarantee that.

“I’m here to fight on Saturday night. I’m a true fighter. No one will ever make me quit. I don’t care about anything that Paulie can do to me.

“Paulie was always the fight I wanted. It’s ‘night night’ for Jason Knight this Saturday, then it’s on to Paulie. That’s the only fight I want. He deserves to get slapped around.

“Jason Knight was a top UFC fighter at one point. He’s a very tough opponent, but his strength was mixing disciplines. Just boxing me, he doesn’t have a chance.

“I love the bare knuckle training. This is my game. I love the stand-up fighting. My approach is that if you want to be a good boxer, you have to box a lot. I went into all of the best gyms in Ireland and got great sparring.”

**# # #**

**About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship**
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT PROSPECTS ANGELO LEO & NEIL TABANAO TALK TRAINING CAMP IN ADVANCE OF THEIR SHOBOX MAIN EVENT BOUT THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 5 FROM SAM’S TOWN LIVE IN LAS VEGAS

April 2, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

***Click HERE for Photos from Team Leo/Mayweather Promotions***

***Click HERE for Photos from Team Tabanao***

**LAS VEGAS** – April 1, 2019 – Unbeaten 122-pound prospect **Angelo Leo** and Filipino **Neil Tabanao** talk training camp just days away from their *ShoBox: The New Generation* main event showdown Friday, April 5 live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from *Sam’s Town Live* in Las Vegas.

The *ShoBox* tripleheader co-feature will see unbeaten super featherweight prospect **Xavier Martinez** (13-0, 9 KOs) squaring off against experienced Filipino **John Moralde** (21-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout and undefeated Mayweather Promotions’ 130-pound prospect **Andres Cortes** (10-0, 6 KOs) facing **Jahmal Dyer** (9-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round bout in the telecast opener.

Tickets for the Mayweather Promotions’ Sin City Showdown are priced at $25, $50 and $75 and can be purchased by visiting: https://mayweatherpromotions.com/events/.

Leo, (16-0, 8 KOs), who started boxing at the age of eight, has dreams of emulating his biggest boxing inspiration, Roberto Duran, by one day becoming a world champion. He draws inspiration not only from Duran’s aggressiveness in the ring, but also from his tactical fighting style. The 24-year-old from Albuquerque, N.M. has sparred with elite boxers such as Leo Santa Cruz, Jessie Magdaleno, Nonito Donaire, and Tomoki Kameda and assures he is more than prepared to withstand Tabanao on April 5^.

Tabanao, 25, made his pro debut in 2012 in his home country of the Philippines. He will make his television debut this week as he looks to move up the super bantamweight ranks. Tabanao won the WBO Oriental Featherweight Title in 2016 with a third-round technical knockout of Ibrahim Balla to then lose it to former 122-pound world champion Issac Dogboe. He suffered two consecutive defeats after losing to Dogboe but has admirably rebounded by winning his last four bouts.

**Here is what the fighters had to share ahead of their matchup:**

***On what they know about their opponent:***

**Leo:** “Tabanao is definitely not a pushover. He has 17 wins and 11 of those by knockout, so we definitely know that he can punch. I’ve seen a video of him, he likes to counter off the high guard. He’s fought a former world champion, Isaac Dogboe, and went the distance with him. So, he is a tough competitor for sure, but I think with my boxing and ring IQ, I can get the victory.”

**Tabanao:** “Angelo Leo is a good fighter. We need to use a good strategy to win this fight—and we have it. We trained very hard targeting his weaknesses. He’s in for a surprise this Friday.”

***On what a win from this fight will do for their career:***

**Leo:** “A win over Neil Tabanao will probably set me up for another 10-round fight and after that I will hopefully be competing on a world title eliminator. I think in the next two or three fights I’ll get a world title shot.”

**Tabanao:** “I want to be recognized in the world of boxing. Leo is a step towards that goal. He doesn’t know what he’s in for.”

***On training camp:***

**Leo:** “I had a very good training camp. I have a very good team. My dad, is my head trainer, he is the one in charge. Luis Chavez is my other trainer. He lives in New Mexico trainer and comes down when I fight. Steve Cartledge and John Sinclair are helping me with my strength and conditioning. We started increasing the rounds in my sparring and we are trying to get the conditioning up as well. I have been training super hard for this fight. I feel that I’m in tip-top shape.”

**Tabanao:** “I had a good training camp. I trained with my coach Sonny Dollente at Mabuhay Boxing Camp at Dujali Davao del Norte in The Philippines. We worked hard on perfecting our strategy; we are ready to counter whatever Leo may do on Friday night.”

***How does it feel to fight on national television?***

**Leo:** “It feels like a dream come true to fight on national television. I’ve been working so hard for this moment. Finally, I get to show everybody who I am and what better way to do it than as the main event on TV. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity. Everyone will see what I’m all about.”

**Tabanao:** “It means a lot to me to be able to fight on national television. I hope this is the first of many televised fights. I want to become a renowned and successful boxer to be able help my family. I’m determined to do it.”

**# # #**

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

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

ROBERT EASTER JR. AND RANCES BARTHELEMY MEET IN WBA LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT SATURDAY, APRIL 27 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

April 2, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

***Viktor Postol And France’s Mohamed Mimoune Battle in 140-Pound Title Eliminator Plus Rising Heavyweight Sensation Efe Ajagba Meets Once-Beaten Michael Wallisch on*** SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® Tripleheader

**Presented by Premier Boxing Champions from The Chelsea Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas**

**Tickets on Sale Monday, April 1!**

**LAS VEGAS –** (March 29, 2019) – Former lightweight world champion **Robert Easter Jr.**and former two-division champion **Rances Barthelemy** will meet for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title on Saturday, April 27 live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will also feature former super lightweight champion **Viktor Postol** taking on France’sMohamed Mimoune in a WBC super lightweight title eliminator, while rising heavyweight sensation **Efe Ajagba** looks to remain unbeaten against once-beaten German **Michael Wallisch** in a 10-round heavyweight attraction.

Easter vs. Barthelemy pits two highly skilled and explosive former 135-pound champions against each other as they look to grab a title and vault themselves back into the top echelon of the lightweight division.

Easter will return to the ring for the first time since losing his IBF title in a unification showdown with WBC Champion and pound-for-pound great Mikey Garcia last July on SHOWTIME. Barthelemy is undefeated at 135 pounds and returns to the lightweight division for his second fight since losing a 140-pound title rematch to Kiryl Relikh last March on SHOWTIME.

“Two former champions looking to reclaim their championship status speaks for itself in terms of the action and will to win that Easter and Barthelemy will bring on April 27,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Both guys have already proven that they have what it takes to take care of business at this level. The eliminator bout, with Postol bringing his experience and Mohamed looking to take advantage of the opportunity, is a great lead-in to the main event attraction. Plus, Efe Ajagba will bring his A+ game in pursuit of a victory over Michael Wallisch. The fans in attendance at the Cosmopolitanhere in Las Vegas, and tuning in on SHOWTIME, are in for a treat.”

“Easter vs. Barthelemy is a true 50-50 fight that will end with one of these fighters leaving the ring with one of the top spots in the lightweight division,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Both are former world champions at lightweight and possess the styles and attributes that should make this an action-packed match. Combined with a very competitive title eliminator between Viktor Postol and Mohamed Mimoune, plus the can’t-miss punching power of Efe Ajagba, this is going to be a dramatic night on SHOWTIME and at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with About Billions Promotions, go on sale Monday, April 1, and can be purchased at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster.

The 28-year-old Easter (21-1, 14 KOs) won the IBF Lightweight Championship in 2016 by edging an exciting split-decision against then-unbeaten and current IBF titleholder Richard Commey. After two successful title defenses in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, Easter defeated former champion Javier Fortuna by decision in a January 2018 fight in SHOWTIME.

That victory set up a unification with WBC champion Mikey Garcia, in which Easter survived an early knockdown to push Garcia the full 12 rounds before coming up short on the scorecards. At 5-foot-11, Easter has continued to show the combination of size, skill and athleticism that made him a highly regarded prospect following an amateur career that featured a spot as an alternate on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.

“I’ve wanted to fight Barthelemy since he had the lightweight title and vacated it, and now I have the chance,” said Easter. “He has an awkward style and I’m up for that challenge. I am still coming in as the taller fighter with a reach advantage and I’ll use it to make this fight go how I want it to. He is a former world champion and he is coming to bring it just like I am.”

A decorated Cuban amateur who hails from a boxing family that includes his older brother, Olympic Gold Medalist Yan, and younger brother, unbeaten featherweight Leduan, Rances Barthelemy (27-1, 14 KOs) will return to lightweight to vie against one of the best fighters in the division. The 32-year-old now trains in Las Vegas and previously captured a 135-pound belt by defeating Denis Shafikov in December 2015.

Barthelemy won a 130-pound championship by defeating Argenis Mendez in 2014 and attempted to become the first Cuban three-division champion when he moved up to 140-pounds for his first fight against Relikh, a title eliminator that he won by decision. After dropping the rematch to Relikh in a vacant title fight on SHOWTIME, Barthelemy returned to the ring in December and stopped Robert Frankel.

“I’m looking forward to a great fight against Robert Easter Jr,” said Barthelemy. “I know I have what it takes to beat him and capture another title and become a three-time world champ. My best performances have come at 135 pounds. Both of us are former world champions who are hungry and will give the fans a sensational night of boxing. I’ve never lost at lightweight and that will continue on April 27. Don’t miss this fight on SHOWTIME. It’s now or never!”

Originally from Ukraine, but now fighting out of Los Angeles, Postol (30-2, 12 KOs) previously earned a 140-pound world title by knocking out Lucas Matthysse in 2015. The 35-year-old dropped the title in a unification showdown with Terence Crawford in 2016 before bouncing back by defeating then unbeaten Jamshidbek Najmiddinov. Last June he dropped a decision to unbeaten contender Josh Taylor and most recently he defeated Siar Ozgul in November.

The 31-year-old Mimoune (21-2, 2 KOs) has fought professionally since 2010 and will be making his U.S. debut against Postol on April 27. Representing Haute-Garonne, France, he is unbeaten in his last 10 fights dating back to 2014. His last five victories have come in 12-round decisions, including two last year over then unbeaten Emiliano Dominguez and most recently against Franck Petitjean.

Nigeria’s Ajagba (9-0, 8 KOs) gained notoriety last August 24 when his opponent, Curtis Harper, walked out of the ring after touching gloves to start the first round. The 24-year-old, 2016 Nigerian Olympian won the fight without throwing a punch as Harper was disqualified. In his last fight Ajagba, who lives in Stafford, Texas and trains with Ronnie Shields, defeated his toughest competition to date by stopping longtime contender Amir Mansour after two rounds.

Fighting out of Munich, Germany, Wallisch (19-1, 12 KOs) won his first 19 pro fights after turning pro in 2010, including a German heavyweight title-winning performance in 2013 against Alexander Kahl. The 33-year-old fought three times last year, picking up two knockout victories before losing to Christian Hammer in December.

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com,
follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo,@TGBPromotions and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, andwww.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.

boxing

JONATHAN RICE BATTLES ARSLANBEK MAKHUMUDOV FOR WBC INTERNATIONAL TITLE

March 30, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

*Photo by Eye of the Tiger Management*

**LOS ANGELES, CA (March 28, 2019)** – Heavyweight **Jonathan Rice** (10-3-1, 6 KOs), who is managed by **Greg Hannley** of **Prince Ranch Boxing**, will battle **Arslanbek Makhmudov** (7-0, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBC International title, May 17, 2019, at the Montreal Casino, in Montreal, Canada. The 10-round main event is being promoted by **Eye of the Tiger Management**.

Rice has three consecutive wins, two by knockout, under the tutelage of former world champion **Wayne McCullough**, who took over as head trainer in September of 2018. With McCullough in his corner, Rice is confident that he will come out victorious against Makhmudov, who will be fighting in his backyard. Makhmudov is originally from Russia, but now resides in Montreal.

“I have great coach in Wayne McCullough, and I know I can beat Makhmudov with the game plan we have in place.” stated Rice. “I’ve improved tremendously over the last year and my confidence is at an all time high. Fighting in Makhmudov’s backyard will be no easy task. I will have to be at my best to show the world that I belong in the same conversations with all the top heavyweights in the world. Capturing the WBC International title will open up many doors for my career.”

“Jonnie Rice has come a long way with Wyane McCullough in his corner,” Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing said, “Rice has a lot of heart and its going to be one hell of a fight. These are the type of fights that will catapult him up the ranking, getting him one step closer to a world title.”

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

OLDEST ATHLETE TO EVER WIN IN PROMOTION’S CAGE TO RETURN AT NEF 38

March 30, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (March 28, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” on April 27, 2019 at Aura in Portland. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur catchweight bout to the card. Garry Carr (1-0) will return to the cage to take on Brian Cosco (3-7) at a fight weight of 158-pounds.

Garry Carr made his debut in the NEF cage at “NEF 31” in the fall of 2017. That night, he submitted David Hart in the first round to pick up the win. In doing so, Carr became the oldest athlete ever to emerge victorious in the NEF cage at the age of 56. He will look to break his own record on April 27 when, at the age of 57, he returns for his sophomore effort. Carr is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) based out of Lewiston, Maine.

“Very proud to announce my return to the NEF cage on April 27th at Aura in Portland’s Old Port district,” said Carr. “It’s been over a year since my MMA debut and I have great memories there. I will be fighting out of team Central Maine BJJ who have prepared me for this match. I’m looking to show the skills I have learned to the crowd and hope that they will cheer me on to victory. Let’s fill the house and make it a night to remember.”

Brian Cosco may be a newcomer to the NEF cage, but he is a longtime veteran of the New England MMA scene. The Revere, Massachusetts native has competed on the regional circuit since 2011 and has ten previous cage appearances to his credit. He will look to get back on the winning track after a loss last summer on a fight card in New Hampshire. Cosco currently represents Sityodtong and Brazil 021 of Somerville and Medford, Massachusetts respectively.

“I’m excited to come up to Maine and fight for NEF,” exclaimed Cosco. “I’m feeling good. I’m not injured going into a fight for the first time in a while. I plan on going in there and getting the finish. I want to win convincingly so the NEF fans will want to see me back in there. I’m going to give the fans their money’s worth. I can’t wait for that cage door to shut!”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Aura in Portland, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.