All posts by FNU47

Bare Knuckle Boxing

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Returns To Mississippi Coast Coliseum With Former UFC Standout Artem Lobov Battling Mississippi Native Jason Knight in Main Event

March 10, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

“BKFC 5: Lobov vs. Knight” Takes Place Saturday, April 6 in Biloxi, Mississippi Featuring Chris Leben vs. Justin Baseman, Chase Sherman vs. Sam Shewmaker & Marcel Stamps vs. Martin Verdin As Part of Action-Packed Evening Live on Pay-Per-View

**Click HERE for Interview Video with Lobov & Knight**

Tickets on Sale Now!

PHILADELPHIA (March 4, 2019) – Former UFC standout and Conor McGregor stablemate Artem Lobov will make his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) debut when he takes on Mississippi native and former UFC fighter Jason Knight in the main event of “BKFC 5: Lobov vs. Knight” taking place Saturday, April 6 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi and live on pay-per-view.

“BKFC 5: Lobov vs. Knight” is the second BKFC event of 2019 and will be the third to take place at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The event 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.

“I am really excited for this fight card and the main event,” said BKFC Founder and President David Feldman. “Artem Lobov and Jason Knight are two fighters that don’t know how to back up. Having this fight take place in Biloxi, Jason’s hometown, will be electric and I can’t wait to see that packed house. The card is stacked with Chris Leben, Marcel Stamps, Chase Sherman and many more.”

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

“It’s going to be ‘night night’ for Jason Knight on April 6,” said Lobov. “If we had fought in MMA, I think it would have been a competitive fight, but this is real fighting and he stands no chance against me. I’m happy to fight him in his hometown because I’ve always gone and taken the toughest challenges. They’re going to be cheering me when I’m leaving the arena.”

“I’m excited to fight someone like Artem Lobov in my hometown,” said Knight. “I’m ready to go out there and get this done. It’s going to be electric in the arena when they announce my name and I step into this fight. I don’t think he’s man enough to put me out like he says. He’s going to wish he never took this bare knuckle fight.”

The night of action will include former UFC veteran Chris Leben battling former Bellator standout Justin Baseman in a light heavyweight fight, Mississippi native Chase Sherman taking on BKFC fan-favorite Sam Shewmaker in a heavyweight attraction and Marcel Stamps, fresh off his BKFC victory over Kendall Grove, as he faces professional boxer Martin Verdin in a light heavyweight showdown.

A 32-year-old fighter from Russia, Lobov made his name on Season 22 of *The Ultimate Fighter* as part of Team McGregor, where he worked his way to the finals of the tournament before losing to Ryan Hall. He challenged Cub Swanson in a UFC main event in 2016, after picking up victories over Chris Avila and Alex White. While he lost his last three UFC bouts by decision, he owns 13 professional MMA wins and will take that experience into BKFC action.

Representing his hometown of D’lberville, Mississippi, Knight has a 20-6 professional MMA record since turning pro in MMA at just seventeen-years-old. He made his UFC debut in 2015 when he stepped in on two weeks’ notice to face Tatsuya Kawajiri in the Ultimate Fighter 22 finale, dropping a unanimous decision. Knight went on to win his next four UFC bouts between July 2016 and May 2017. He then lost four consecutive contests, the final three coming by decision.

Note: Artem Lobov had previously been announced to make his debut against Jason Knight at “BKFC 6” in Biloxi, MS, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 20.

boxing

Long-Awaited Pro Debut for Worcester Father Owen Minor

March 10, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

Owen Minor with his sons, (L) Ramiel and Amaren

WORCESTER, Mass. (March 5, 2019) – Decorated amateur boxer **Owen Minor** has spent the past three years focusing on fatherhood responsibilities. Minor will make his long-awaited professional debut with his two sons at his side on the “Every Man for Himself” card, Shearns Boxing Promotions’ (SBP) inaugural event, on Friday night, March 15, at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The 32-year-old Minor, who didn’t start boxing until he was 23, captured bronze medals at the 2014 U.S. Boxing National and National Golden Gloves tournaments. New England boxing fans have been anxiously waiting for his pro debut.

Why did it take so long for Minor to turn pro, especially after a relatively late start in the sport, in addition to developing into quality national amateur boxer?

“I was being a father,” Minor explained. “I have two sons, now 11 and 8, and living in Worcester is tough. I wanted to make sure that I put them in the right direction.”

A former standout football player (fullback/defensive end) at Holy Name High School, Minor knows what he’s talking about, working full-time with juvenile offenders for the Department of Youth Services in Westborough, MA.

“We are excited to have Owen making his pro debut on our first card,” promoter **Chuck Shearns** remarked. “He is at a point in his life where he feels he can balance boxing and family. Owen is in tremendous shape and can punch through concrete! Fans will really enjoy watching his fight.”

The 6′ 1″, 235-pound Minor will be making his pro debut on a card headlined by his cousin and fellow Worcester boxer, **Kendrick “Peppa” Ball, Jr**. (11-1-2, 8 KOs), who faces upset-minded **Danny “Feel Good Hollywood” Rosenberger** (4-6-4, 1 KO), of Youngstown, Ohio, in the six-round main event for the vacant New England middleweight title.

**Kendrick Ball, Sr.** trains his son as well as his nephew, Minor, who takes on Philadelphia’s **Corey Morley** (0-2-1) in the four-round, co-featured event.

“It’s a privilege to make my pro debut in my hometown on a card headlined by my cousin,” Minor said. “Not every boxer gets a chance like this. It’s a great honor for me. I love the City of Worcester and the people who live here. Boxing has always been big in my family and I want to continue our legacy in Worcester boxing.”

Undefeated Southbridge, MA welterweight **Wilfredo “El Sucaro” Pagan** (5-0, 3 KOs) meets an upset-specialist, Peruvian **Carlos Galindo** (1-7), fighting out of Woburn, MA, in a four-round clash.

Also fighting on the undercard, all in four-round fights, are Bridgeport, CT junior lightweightCarlos Marrero III (0-2-1) vs. Worcester’s **Edwin Rosado** (1-8-1, 1 KO), Worcester cruiserweight **Jake Paradise** (0-2) vs. **Francisco Artri Neto** (0-2), of Woburn, MA, New Haven, CT junior welterweight **Anuel Rosa** (1-0, 1 KO) vs. the Bronx’ **Danny Morales** (0-7), and New Britain, CT **Nathan Martinez** (2-0) vs. TBA.

Undefeated Providence light heavyweight **Angel Camacho, Jr.** (15-0, 5 KOs) returns to the ring after a three-year absence in a six-round bout against Dallas veteran **Larry “Slomoshun” Smith**.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

General admission tickets are priced at $25.00 and available to purchase online atthepalladium.net. Boxers on the card have $50.00 and $25.00 tickets to sell.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first fight at 7 p.m. ET.

Event sponsors include Lundgren Collision, Tecate, Grill 57, Worcester Railers, Worcester Red Sox, Palley Advertising, and Allstate Insurance.

**INFORMATION:**

Facebook.com/ShearnsBoxingPromotions

Twitter: @ShearnsBoxing

boxing, Fox, Premier Boxing Champions

Multiple-Division World Champion Robert Guerrero & Former Featherweight World Champion Jesus Cuellar Enter the Ring In Separate Matches to Lead a Packed Undercard on Saturday, March 9 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California

March 5, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

boxing

UNDEFEATED IRISH HEAVYWEIGHT, NIALL KENNEDY ADDED TO MURPHYS BOXING 4TH ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY CLASH

March 5, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

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**KENNEDY JOINS FELLOW COUNTRYMEN, GARY ’SPIKE’ O’SULLIVAN, JOHN JOYCE & NOEL MURPHY ON STACKED HOLIDAY CARD**

**SATURDAY, MARCH 16TH AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES IN BOSTON**

***EVENT IS ALMOST SOLD OUT. LIMITED TICKETS*** HERE!

Boston (March 4, 2019):

**Murphys Boxing** is excited to announce that undefeated, Irish heavyweight, **Niall Kenned**y (12-0-1, 8 KOs) has been added to **The 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Clash** which takes place **Saturday, March 16th** in **Boston, Massachusetts** at the **House of Blues**.

One of Murphys Boxing’s most popular fighters, ‘Boom Boom’, is coming off a dominant unanimous decision win this past October when he took the ‘O’ from fellow undefeated heavyweight, Brendan Barrett in a fight broadcast on **DAZN.**

Kennedy’s 2019 debut will fittingly take place at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Clash, his third time appearing at the annual event, and he knows firsthand the excitement and energy that comes with it.

“I won the **Massachusetts State Heavyweight Title** on the Murphys Paddys Day show in 2017 and it was an amazing experience. The atmosphere is like nothing I’ve ever witnessed at a boxing event. I’m looking forward to being part of it again.”

Kennedy, despite hailing from Gorey, Ireland where he works full time as a policeman, has fought 10 of his 13 professional fights in the New England area and actually considers Boston his boxing home.

“I’m blessed with the support that I have received from the people of Boston and Massachusetts in general. I have a large family connection in the state who bring out massive support so when it comes to boxing homes, Boston is my first boxing home.”

As for 2019, Kennedy is dead set on upping the competition and even has his eyes on a fellow unbeaten heavyweight who like himself is creating a buzz in a boxing crazed east coast city.

“My goal is always to improve with each fight. I want to be world ranked and fight the top names in the division but I know if that’s going to happen, 2019 has to be a huge year for me. There’s a lot of fighters I want to share the ring with but right now I think myself vs Philadelphia’s **Darmani Rock** is a fight that should and will happen.”

Murphys Boxing founder, **Ken Casey** agrees that 2019 will be a breakout year for Kennedy and that his addition to the St. Patrick’s Day Clash takes the event to a whole new level.

“Niall is one of our most popular fighters and he has huge fights on the horizon. We want to keep him active this year so he can be at his best for what lies ahead. Having an Irish heavyweight on a St. Patrick’s Day show puts this card over the top as one of the best Murphys Boxing has ever done.”

The Saint Patrick’s Day Clash will truly be an Irish heavy affair as Kennedy joins a card that has fellow Murphys Boxing stablemate, Cork, Ireland’s **Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan** (29-3, 20 KOs) in a risky fight against **Khiary Gray** (16-4, 12 KOs) as well as the much anticipated all Irish welterweight showdown between Cork, Ireland’s **John Joyce** (7-0, 4 KOs) and Lucan, Ireland’s **Noel Murphy** (12-1-1, 2 KOs).

Headlining the annual event will be **NABA Junior Middleweight Champion**, Massachusetts’ **Mark DeLuca** (22-1, 13 KOs) who will put his title, and his **top 10 world ranking**, on the line against Connecticut’s **Jimmy Williams** (16-1-1, 5 KOs).

In the co-main event, undefeated **NABA Light Heavyweight Champion**, Connecticut’sCharles Foster (17-0, 8 KOs) will take on once beaten, Chicago power puncher, **Mike Jiminez** (22-1-2, 14 KOs).

Murphys Boxing’s 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Clash takes place on Saturday, March 16th in Boston, Massachusetts at the House of Blues (15 Lansdowne Street). Doors open at 7pm. The night will also feature a special “in ring” acoustic performance by The Dropkick Murphys. Limited tickets are on sale now at:

http://www.houseofblues.com/
boston/EventDetail?tmeventid=01005639934736F6&offerid=0

*For group sales and VIP ticket information contact Mike Bloom at*mbloom@murphysboxing.com

**2019 MURPHYS BOXING RESULTS**

1/26 – **William Foster III** (9-0, 6 KOs) UD over Angel Suarez
*Foster defended his NABF Jr. Super Featherweight Title

2/9 – **Carlos Gongora** (15-0, 12 KOs) KO 5 over Jesus Aviles
*Gongora won the WBC South American Middleweight Title

**UPCOMING MURPHYS BOXING EVENTS**

3/16/19 – Boston, MA. **St. Patrick’s Day Clash**
3/29/19 – Melrose, MA. **Vendetti** vs. **Woods**

**ABOUT MURPHYS BOXING**

Murphys Boxing was founded by Dropkick Murphys’ frontman, Ken Casey in 2014. In just 5 short years, Murphys Boxing has become the premier boxing promoter in the New England area and one of the hottest young promotions in the country. 2018 was a breakout year for Murphys Boxing as they took their first fighter to a world title. Along with the promotion’s first champion, several Murphys Boxing fighters secured world title opportunities and nationally televised fights in 2018. Murphys Boxing closed out their banner year by co-promoting the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondokwa in front of over 10,000 fans at the TD Garden, the legendary home of the Boston Celtics, which was broadcast internationally on DAZN. Murphys Boxing’s current roster features world ranked contenders like Mark DeLuca, Charles Foster, Greg Vendetti, Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan and prospects like Niall Kennedy, Carlos Gongora, William Foster III, Abraham Nova, Mike Ohan Jr. and more!

For more information visit: www.murphysboxing.com

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

ERISLANDY LARA & BRIAN CASTAÑO FIGHT TO HIGHLY COMPETITIVE SPLIT-DRAW IN TITLE FIGHT SATURDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN

March 5, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

***Heavyweight Slugger Luis Ortiz Earns Unanimous Decision***
***Over Christian Hammer***

***Eduardo Ramirez Scores Ninth-Round TKO of Bryan De Gracia***
***In Telecast Opener***

**Watch The Encore Presentation Monday At 10 P.M. ET/PT On**
**SHOWTIME EXTREME^®**

**Click HERE for Photos from Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME**
**& HERE for Photos from Tom Casino/SHOWTIME**

**BROOKLYN** (March 3, 2019) – Former 154-pound world champion **Erislandy Lara** and WBA Super Welterweight Champion **Brian Castaño** fought to a highly competitive split-draw Saturday at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. With the draw, Castaño retains the WBA belt in what was the toughest test of his career against the longtime top 154-pounder in Lara. The judges scored the fight 115-113 (Castaño), 115-113 (Lara) and 114-114.

Castaño (15-0-1, 11 KOs), who was fighting in his first U.S. main event, held a large advantage in power connects (181-103) while Lara (25-3-3, 14 KOs) found success landing his left hand down the middle on his way to a 34 percent to 27 percent advantage in power accuracy.

In the close, difficult-to-score fight, five of the rounds were separated by three or fewer connects and three of those rounds favored Lara. In the final two rounds, Castaño ramped up the pressure and connected on 44 punches, while Lara landed only 24 punches across the championship rounds. Castaño won the final three rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. Without doing so, the Argentine would have lost his belt.

After the hotly contested fight, both fighters have options, including a rematch, in the talent-rich super welterweight division.

“I know I won the fight. I feel I was robbed,” a disappointed Castaño told SHOWTIME’s Jim Gray. “If he wants the rematch, I’ll give him the rematch. I waited for him this time so I can wait for him again if he wants the rematch. I would give him the rematch if he wants. I can also go ahead and fight any other champion that wants to fight me. I’m ready for whoever they put in front of me. Hurd or anyone else.”

Lara, on the other hand, felt he did enough to claim the belt: “I thought I won the fight by landing the more accurate and effective punches. Castaño came to fight but he never hurt me and I hurt him. All I can do is give the fans great fights and that’s what I’ll continue to do. I have a lot of fight left in me and I’m not going anywhere.

“If we have to fight him again, I’ll fight him. Hurd or Castaño. Anybody, I’ll have the rematch with both.”

In the co-feature, Cuban heavyweight slugger **Luis Ortiz** (31-1, 26 KOs) earned a unanimous decision victory over a game **Christian Hammer** (24-6, 14 KOs). Although the judges scored the fight 100-90 and 99-91 twice, both men fought through bloody noses at different points in the fight and both were stunned in a back-and-forth second round.

Ortiz, who earned his third consecutive victory since dropping a thrilling slugfest with WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder one year ago, is now looking for another world title shot.

“The fight wasn’t what I was expecting,” said Ortiz. “It was a hard fight and my corner really had to work with me. After I got the rhythm, I heated up a little bit. Every heavyweight out there should know that I still have it at 40-years-old. Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, I’m ready.”

Although Hammer fought with more energy and with more resolve than in previous fights with other top-tier heavyweights Tyson Fury and Alexander Povetkin, Ortiz used his superior technique and skills to eventually cruise to the lopsided decision. Ortiz averaged 45 jabs thrown per round and landed 61 jabs to just 20 for Hammer, while also connecting on 49 percent of his power punches. Ortiz made a conscious effort to attack Hammer’s body with 33.6% of his total connects (45 of 140) coming via body shots.

“I fought a fight that I hadn’t for years, which is box and work,” said Ortiz. “So I’m not disappointed I didn’t knock him out because I showed some of my boxing skills tonight.”

“Ortiz is a very good and experienced fighter,” said the 31-year-old Hammer, who was making his American debut. “He’s technical and smart but he’s not as intimidating as people say he is. I respect Ortiz but I don’t think he’s the best fighter I’ve ever faced.

“I’m very confident going forward. I know that I can go the distance with anyone and I’m willing to fight anyone. People thought I’d get knocked out but I proved them wrong.”

In the telecast opener, **Eduardo Ramirez** (22-1-3, 9 KOs) caught **Bryan De Gracia** (24-2-1, 20 KOs) with a vicious right uppercut in the ninth, stunning his opponent and suddenly breaking open a close fight. Ramirez pounced on the dazed De Gracia and unleashed a wave of punches which forced referee Benjy Esteves to call the fight at 2:10 of round nine.

The southpaw Ramirez, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, was trailing on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage according to two out of three judges (the third had it even). Ramirez, known to grow stronger in the later rounds, connected on 36 punches in round number nine, by far his highest connect total on the night. Although De Gracia was the more aggressive fighter, the Panamanian failed to consistently land punches. De Gracia was accurate on just 27 percent of his power punches, while Ramirez landed 38 percent of his.

“I definitely knew it was close but my corner kept telling me to keep going and going, and that’s when I caught him,” said Ramirez, who was fighting with a heavy heart following the passing of his grandfather. “I didn’t just come here to fight. I came here to do something and I did it.”

With the win, Ramirez is now in line to face WBA (Regular) Featherweight World Champion Can Xu and will be looking to challenge for a world title fight in the deep featherweight division.

In SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN action that streamed live on theSHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page, **Edwin Rodriguez** (31-2, 20 KOs) won a 10-round cruiserweight fight via unanimous decision overMitch Williams (16-7-3, 11 KOs) by scores of 96-94 twice and 98-92. Coverage on social media also saw **Antonio Russell** (13-0, 11 KOs), younger brother of WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell Jr., stop **Jose Maria Cardenas** (16-4, 13 KOs) 22 seconds into the sixth round of their bantamweight fight. In the opening bout of the digital presentation, **Leduan Barthelemy** (14-0-1, 7 KOs) remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision over **Miguel Angel Aispuro** (11-7-2, 7 KOs) by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 in their eight-round super featherweight attraction.

# # #

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports
,
www.PremierBoxingChampions.com
,
follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @BrooklynBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @LouDiBella and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing
. The event was promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment.

boxing

CRYPTO BOXERS COMES OUT SWINGING WITH NEW LOGO, WEBSITE & TKO GAME PLAN

March 2, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

Visit our website

**ATLANTA, GA (February 28, 2019)** – **Crypto Boxers**, the first and only boxing game operating on blockchain technology, continues to make strategic moves around the virtual ropes. Concept creator **Andrew Gilliam,** founder and CEO of Me N’ Mines Media, has come out swinging with a defiant new logo; a new website (http://cryptoboxers.io/), designed by independent game development studio, **PlayStakes**; and a TKO game plan to bring *“real boxing to the blockchain.* Pushing the technology envelope beyond what is currently available in the crypto gaming space, Crypto Boxers has gamers in feverish anticipation as it will feature real life boxers as collectible tokens for the virtual fighting action on Ethereum.

Crypto Boxers’ new logo now promotes the player as the ultimate crypto contender, switching the emphasis off the professional boxers and over to the gamer. The dynamic new website provides a preview into Crypto Boxers’ fully immersive, user friendly world where gamers will experience a fantasy boxing arena and engage in an interactive “gloves on” ring experience with the boxer of their choice.

“They said it couldn’t be done but we are doing it,” reveals Gilliam. “After 459 rejections, I now have major commitments, partners and growing interest from professional boxers who are calling us now. We are the first professional sports game on blockchain, and we plan to go every round! The logo and website are just a teaser of what is yet to come.”

Round4RoundBoxing, LatinoAthlete, FightTyme, and RichPlaceMedia are the first official partners to be announced by Crypto Boxers. Crypto Boxers will be releasing the names of confirmed professional boxers, boxing officials and judges that will be in the game soon. Some of the current talks with professional boxers include legendary champs like **Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks** and **Antonio Tarver**, along with currently active champsTerrance Crawford and female boxer **Christina Hammer**.

To throw your glove into the digital ring and stay updated on launch details, weigh in with **Crypto Boxers** on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and #GetIntheRing now at cryptoboxers.io !

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

DraftKings Delivers Knockout Gaming Experience in Collaboration with SHOWTIME Sports®

March 2, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

*First-Ever Boxing Game for the Expanding Sports Entertainment Platform, Exclusive to SHOWTIME Sports, Debuts for SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Event*

**BOSTON** (February 28, 2019) – DraftKings Inc. and SHOWTIME Sports today announced a collaboration that will combine forces to immerse boxing fans in the sport they love through a custom Pick ‘Em style game exclusive to SHOWTIME Sports that debuts with this Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event on March 2^nd.

This new Pick ‘Em style game asks players to choose the winner of each televised fight, determine the method of victory and predict when the bout will end for all SHOWTIME boxing events including SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, *ShoBox: The New Generation*®, SHOWTIME Boxing: Special Edition and SHOWTIME PPV®. Players will be awarded points based on the number of correct predictions in each boxing match. Prizing for individual fight cards includes $5,000 in winnings with each of the top-five finalists receiving a SHOWTIME Boxing prize pack. Additionally, the overall 2019 Pick ‘Em winner will be awarded
a free trip to every 2020 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® event.

To view and play the DraftKings and SHOWTIME Sports Pick ‘Em game please visit www.draftkings.com/showtime

“Our alignment with SHOWTIME Sports is another prime example of our endless efforts to innovate and satisfy our customers with the most comprehensive sports offerings possible,” said Ezra Kucharz, Chief Business Officer at DraftKings. “Boxing draws edge-of-the-seat fans with incredible passion and engagement with the sport, and this collaboration will further our ability to best connect with our burgeoning player community.”

“This unique collaboration with DraftKings delivers an entertaining companion experience for viewers and provides a year-long connection to all SHOWTIME boxing events,” said Stephen Espinoza, President Sports & Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “We’re excited to align with a leading sports-tech entertainment brand in the U.S. as SHOWTIME Sports continues to deliver fresh and innovative ways for fans to enjoy the best that boxing has to offer.”

Boxing is among the most storied and popular sports in the world with a passionate fan base, both domestically and internationally. Viewership trends for televised combat sports spectacles have been consistently impressive in recent years, with boxing accounting for the top selling pay-per-view television events in history. To serve this large and growing fanbase, DraftKings and SHOWTIME Sports are reshaping the fan sports entertainment experience through a creative collaboration, which will include custom fantasy games and other gaming innovations.

This Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event will be the first opportunity for fans to play this Pick ‘Em style game. Saturday’s three-fight telecast is headlined by former world champion Erislandy Lara challenging undefeated WBA Super Welterweight Champion Brian Castaño plus the return of heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz.

# # #
**About DraftKings**
DraftKings is a global sports technology and entertainment company that believes life is more fun with skin in the game. Its mission is to bring fans closer to the games they love via a unique combination of daily fantasy sports, sports betting and media platforms that, combined, deliver “The Game Inside The Game.” Founded in 2012 by Matt Kalish, Paul Liberman and Jason Robins, DraftKings is headquartered in Boston, MA, and offers daily fantasy sports contests across 11 professional sports in 8 countries including the U.S., Canada, U.K and Australia. Operating pursuant to state regulations in New Jersey and Mississippi, DraftKings Sportsbook mobile and retail, allows players in the state to engage in betting for major U.S. and international sports.

**About SHOWTIME Sports**
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS, and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple®, Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku®, Samsung Smart TVs and Xbox One. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, DirecTV Now, FuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV, Sony PlayStation™ Vue, and YouTube TV. Viewers can also watch on computers at Showtime.com. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™ and Smithsonian Channel Plus™. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

SHOWTIME Sports® To Live Stream Undercard Bouts Featuring Veteran Contender Edwin Rodriguez and Unbeaten Prospects Antonio Russell & Leduan Barthelemy in Separate Bouts On Social Media Platforms TONIGHT FRom Barclays Center in Brooklyn

March 2, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

***SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN Begins Live at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT On SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook Page***

**BROOKLYN** (February 27, 2019) – SHOWTIME Sports will provide live streaming coverage of three undercard fights on the network’s social media platforms as part of *SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING COUNTDOWN* beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, March 2 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Streaming action will see hard-hitting contender **Edwin Rodriguez** battle **Mitch Williams** in a 10-round cruiserweight fight, unbeaten prospect **Antonio Russell** square off against Mexico’s **Jose Maria Cardenas** in an eight-round bantamweight showdown and **Leduan Barthelemy** step in for an eight-round super featherweight matchup with Mexico’s **Miguel Angel Aispuro**,

The social media presentation will stream on the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page leading up to the evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING event. The three-fight SHOWTIME telecast begins live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is headlined by former world champion Erislandy Lara challenging undefeated WBA Super Welterweight Champion BrianCastaño.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com,barclayscenter.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Rodriguez (30-2, 20 KOs) has demonstrated his power-punching ability throughout numerous memorable contests in his career. The 33-year-old was born in Moca, Dominican Republic before moving to Worcester, Massachusetts. In his last fight he scored a unanimous decision over Lionell Thompson last February. He will battle Jackson, Michigan’s Williams (16-6-3, 11 KOs) who most recently scored a stoppage victory over Michael Sunkett in December.

Antonio Russell (12-0, 10 KOs) sits between Antuanne and WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Russell in the lineage of the Russell family dynasty, and will look to remain unbeaten when he steps into the ring March 2. The 26-year-old scored two knockout victories in 2018 and has stopped his last five opponents from lasting the distance. He will be opposed by the 22-year-old Cardenas (16-3, 13 KOs) from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

The younger brother of two-division champion Rances and Olympic gold medalist Yan, Barthelemy (13-0-1, 7 KOs) most recently fought to a split draw against then-unbeaten Eduardo Ramirez in September 2017. The 29-year-old from Cuba now lives and trains in Las Vegas and adds another top Cuban fighter to a card already including Lara and heavyweight contender Luis Ortiz. He prepares to take on the 28-year-old Aispuro (11-6-2, 7 KOs), who enters this contest with a three-fight winning streak.

Non-televised action will feature 2016 Haitian Olympian and Brooklyn-nativeRichardson Hitchins (7-0, 3 KOs) taking on Nicaragua’s **David Morales** (13-9, 13 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight showdown, undefeated super lightweightTyrek Irby (6-0, 2 KOs) facing Kenya’s **Dennis Okoth** (2-1-1) for six rounds of action and unbeaten **Aaron Anderson** (3-0, 3 KOs)in a four-round middleweight fight against Atlanta’s **Chukka Willis** (4-9, 2 KOs).

# # #

**ABOUT LARA VS. CASTAÑO**
Erislandy Lara vs. Brian Castaño pits former super welterweight world champion Lara against the WBA Super Welterweight Champion Castaño on Saturday, March 2 in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™, and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

SHOWTIME coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will see Cuban heavyweight contender **Luis Ortiz** take on **Christian Hammer** in a 10-round heavyweight attraction, plus hard-hitting **Bryan De Gracia**battling rugged veteran **Eduardo Ramirez** in a 12-round featherweight clash that opens the telecast.

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

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

HORNSTRA AND HERRERA SPOILIN’ FOR A FIGHT AT NEF 38

March 2, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

Portland, Maine (February 27, 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 a professional lightweight bout to the card. Keegan “The Flu” Hornstra will take on Zenon “K-Bar” Herrera at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

Hornstra, who fought on the first three NEF cards in 2012, has not competed in the promotion’s cage in nearly seven years. A veteran of more than 20 MMA bouts over the course of his amateur and professional careers, Hornstra is 3-3 over the course of his last six with all three wins being finishes. He last competed on a card in Massachusetts in November 2016. Hornstra currently represents Evolution Athletix based in Saco, Maine.

“I’m excited to be back in the NEF cage,” said Hornstra, “it’s been about seven years since my last outing in Maine. I’m fighting one of the NEF regulars in Zenon, the guy is super tough and I don’t think he’s ever said no to anyone. He’s coming off a dominant win and has found areas of success against some of NEF’s bigger names. I’m going to get in and put him out quickly and move on to the next.”

After several attempts in the NEF cage, Zenon Herrera finally picked up his first win as a professional at “NEF 32” last year with a unanimous decision victory over Nate Charles. He returned to the cage later in the year in a losing effort to Ernesto Ornelas. Herrera will look to bounce back from that loss on April 27 against Hornstra. He is a member of Team Smog.

“Everything I’ve seen thus far leads me to believe that this is going to be a great and tough match,” said Herrera. “I’ve had that moment of the glory that comes with getting my hand raised in victory and will strive to get it back. As for Keegan, he’s one of those guys who brings his best every time he comes out, and I know this match will be no different. I guess all I can really say is don’t look away once it starts, I have a feeling this one’s gonna end with a bang.”

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.

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. CHRISTINA HAMMER NEW YORK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

February 27, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

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