All posts by FNU47
Mexican Quartet announced for World Cup Boxing Series “4-Man Lightweight Tournament” February 24th in Mexico
GARY RUSSELL JR. VS. MARK MAGSAYO VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fighter Locker signs Kansas City lightweight prospect Marcell Davidson
LANGSTON IN SEARCH OF FIRST PRO WIN AT NEF 46 ON FEBRUARY 12
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (January 11, 2022) – New England Fights (NEF) returns with its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 46: Decade of Dominance,” on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. The leading regional promotion launched on February 11, 2012. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card. Carl Langston (0-6)is scheduled to take on Shaun Ray (2-1) at a fight weight of 155 pounds.
Carl Langston will look for the first win of his professional career – a career stretching back to 2018. Prior to that time, Langston won seven fights as an amateur. He is a lifelong martial artist, having practiced taekwondo since the age of six and medaling in the sport at the Junior Olympic level. Langston is currently competing as an independent fighter.
“This fight is make it or break it for me,” noted Langston. “I have every tool to best Shaun and any of my last opponents, I just have to show up mentally. I have had some major positive life changes with the start of this New Year with more to come, and I feel that’s going to help play a major role in this fight. I’m ready to bite down on my mouthpiece and get this finish. I don’t feel like Ray is a true 55er—he’s very small for the weight class—so the jump up to 55 to fight him is a testament to my skill set. I’m going to be the breakthrough fighter of 2022.”
Shaun Ray made his NEF debut last summer at “NEF 44” in Milford, New Hampshire in a losing effort to Caleb Hall (4-0). Ray is a graduate of Easton High School in Easton, Maryland. He is currently a resident of Waterville, Maine. Like Langston, Ray is also an independent fighter.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to test my skill against a very well-seasoned striker,” said Ray. “I have known Carl and followed his fight career for seven years. I have a lot of respect for him as a fighter. As for myself, I am just doing what I love to do. I feel this is an excellent match up.”
“NEF 46: Decade of Dominance” takes place on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Aura in Portland, Maine. The event will commemorate NEF’s ten-year anniversary. Doors open at 6 pm with first fight at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.Ticketmaster.com.
Direct descendant of Rocky Marciano Brandon Cappiello Drops another New England Patriots music video
(L-R) Brandon Capp and Randy Lo BROCKTON, Mass. (January 10, 2022) — A direct descendant of the great Rocky Marciano, Brandon “Brandon Capp” Cappiello, dropped another music video today about the New England Patriots – Patriot (New Era Anthem) – as the club prepares for this Saturday night’s NFL playoff wild card game versus the Buffalo Bills. |
Cappiello’s paternal great grandmother and Marciano’s wife were sisters. His grandfather, Michael “Duna” Cappiello, traveled everywhere with Rocky during his undefeated Hall of Fame professional boxing career. Brandon’s father and uncle, respectively, promoter/matchmaker Rich Cappiello and trainer/former pro boxer Mike Cappiello, own and operate Cappiello Boxing Gym in downtown Brockton (MA), known as the City of Champions. Hall of Famer Marvelous Marvin Hagler also fought out of Brockton. Cappiello and fellow Brockton native Randall “Randy Lo” Coulanges wrote and performed “Patriot,” and Brandon mixed and produced it. This is the third and likely the final anthem for the Brockton duo. Six years ago, their original music video, “Champion,” went viral and their follow-up was a successful Boston Red Sox anthem, entitled “Never Back Down.” “Patriot” was directed by Scott Beer (Scott Beer Media), a highly accomplished film maker/videographer from Rhode Island. |
An associate known as BA originally asked “Brandon Capp,” a singer, and rapper “Randy Lo” if they would do a Patriots music video. He was well known on the Boston music scene having been involved with New Kids On The Block and New Edition. “I was skeptical at first because it’s so difficult to please everyone,” Brandon said. “We did it in less than a week and I produced it in my bedroom. All of a sudden, things were crazy, it went viral overnight. We’ve had more than 3 million collective views across all media platforms. It took on a life of its own. It was playing everywhere, and we were guests on a lot of television and radio shows. It still gets 200,000 views a year. “Our first anthem was an anomaly. We did it all without any real help in such a short time. But we are real artists who have both been doing music for years. It resonated in every demographic, even playing on radio, something that never happens for a sports anthem that is team based. It was more about recognition for both of us because people loved it and shared on social media. It was an incredible ride that really hasn’t ended. The third of their anthem trilogy promises to be equally addictive as its original, if not more popular, largely because of several key reasons “The sky is the limit for this song,” Cappiello concluded. “The first one was special, but this time we wanted to take the special formula of what worked and give a fresh and new take on a great concept. ” Hundreds of people had asked us to do another one for years. And nobody collaborates better than us. We’re great friends who’ve known each other since the seventh grade. We want what’s best for both of us.” The ideal situation for “Brandon Capp” and “Randy Lo” would be performing live before or during halftime at the 2022 New England Patriots’ season opener, or, better yet, performing at a Pats’ pep rally if they make another playoff run this season. Brandon Cappiello knows how to deliver a knockout….it’s in his blood SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: @b_capp, @whoisrandylo Twitter: @b_capp, @whoisrandylo Facebook: /BrandonCapp, /RandyLo |
Undefeated Adrian “Tonka” Sosa to headline “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre”
Undefeated Adrian “Tonka” Sosato headline “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre”February 12th in Dedham, MA |
BOSTON (January 10, 2022) – Vertex Promotions returns February 12th with “St. Valentine’s Day’s Massacre,” headlined by undefeated super lightweight prospect Adrian “Tonka” Sosa, on Saturday night, February 12, at Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham, Massachusetts. “We’re very excited to continue promoting our shows to showcase local talent,” Vertex promoter Dave Clark said. “We made our debut last September and promoted three more pro shows last year. We learned a lot and continue our goal to keep local fighters active and provide an entertaining night out for fans.” The 26-year-old Sosa (12-0, fighting out of Lawrence (MA), headlined a Vertex show last September in his first action in more than 2 years. He will take on an opponent to be determined Feb. 12th in the 8-round main event. In the 8-round co-featured event, undefeated ABF American West and NBA Continental champion RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (15-0, 11 KOs) faces TBA as the Albany fighter continues his march towards a major fight. Undefeated welterweight prospect James “The Slim Reaper” Perella (8-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of Mansfield, Massachusetts, is matched tough against Mexican challenger Danny “Venado” Flores (15-26-1, 8 KOs) in an 8-round bout. Perella is a 4-time USA New England Championships and 4-time New England Golden Gloves Champion. It’s “Tank Time,” again. Undefeated Weymouth (MA) super welterweight prospect Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (9-0, 9 KOs) will attempt to keep his perfect pro record intact and go 10-for-10 in an 8-rounder versus TBA. Boston Irish will be in the house as Ireland-natives “Lethal” Larry Fryers (11-5, 4 KOs) and Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole” (2-0, 2 KOs) are schedule to be in action. Fryers, a welterweight now living in Yonkers (NY), is a 20212 Ulster Intermediate Champion, while light heavyweight O’Toole (2-0, 2 KOs) returns to the Boston area for his third pro fight. O’Toole, fighting out of Galway, was a 2019 Irish Elite Championship gold medalist. Fryers will be in a scheduled 8-rounder, O’Toole a 4, and both will be matched against opponents to be determined. Also fighting in 4-round matches against TBA’s are popular Dorchester (MA) featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), a 2016 Rocky Marciano Tournament champion, and Southbridge (MA) super featherweight Alex Rivera (2-0, 1 KO). Opponents will soon be announced. Fighters subject to change. Tickets are on sale for $85.00 and up (ringside), $75.00 (general admission) and $50.00 (standing room). Tickets are available to purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-valentines-day-massacre-21222-tickets-243038654157?aff=ebdssbdestsearch or contact any of the competing fighters to purchase tickets. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET. |
LUIS NUÑEZ REGISTERS 10th ROUND TKO OVER CARLOS ARRIETA IN MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION
Otar Eranosyan Impressive in Unanimous Decision Win Over Starling Castillo in Co-Feature; William Foster III Earns Split-Decision Against Edwin De Los Santos in Telecast Opener on SHOWTIME®
Click HERE for Photos from Ryan Loco/SHOWTIME
ORLANDO, Fla. – January 8, 2022 – Luis “The Twist” Nuñez looked impressive in his second consecutive ShoBox: The New Generation outing registering a 10th round technical knockout against a game Carlos Arrieta in the super featherweight main event of an action-packed tripleheader featuring six undefeated fighters on SHOWTIME®Friday night at the Caribe Royale Resort.
(Stoppage video here)
The Dominican Republic’s Nuñez (16-0, 12 KOs) worked the body effectively all night against Puerto Rico’s Arrieta (14-1, 8 KOs), finally landing a staggering straight right hand that stunned Arrieta in the middle of the final round. Nuñez, 22, then finished off Arrieta with a flurry of punches that ultimately led to the stoppage at 1:41 of the 10th round on a night that saw three undefeated records fall on the popular ShoBox prospect series.
“The plan was to work the body and to break him down and that’s what we did,” Nunez said. “I saw the right hand was landing and I kept throwing it and trying to set him up for it and attacking until we got what we wanted in the final round. It was a great shot and great win for my career. It’s the way I wanted to close the fight.”
Arrieta’s loss was the 206th time in ShoBox’s 21-year history that a fighter lost his undefeated record and the Nuñez-Arrieta matchup was the 144th ShoBox fight between undefeated fighters.
“I thought it was a quick stoppage,” Arrieta said. “I was a little stunned, but I could have continued. I didn’t want the fight to be stopped. He was a strong fighter, a true warrior. He’s a very good fighter and was very effective with the right hand.”
Nuñez said he is ready to go back down to 126 pounds after contesting his first professional fight in the 130-pound super featherweight division. “I fought for most of my career at 122 so 126 is where I belong,” he said. “I felt strong at this weight [super featherweight] but 126 is the weight for me.”
He added: “I knew he was a tough fighter and I’m not surprised the fight went as it did. He came to fight, and we gave the fans a good fight.”
In the co-feature, Otar Eranosyan remained unbeaten with his second consecutive ShoBox victory as he dominated Starling Castillo with a unanimous-decision victory in an eight-round lightweight affair. The scores were 79-71 and 80-70 twice. (Eranosyan UD win HERE).
The former highly decorated Georgian amateur Eranosyan (11-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Hollywood, Fla., dominated the bout, scoring a 10-7 first round with two knockdowns against the Dominican Republic’s Castillo (16-1, 12 KOs).
“We work on the left hook in training and when the opening presented itself I landed the left hook on the (first) knockdown,” said Eranosyan, ranked No. 7 by the WBA at 130 pounds, who fought six times in 2021. “It’s fine that he got up. This is pro boxing. We train for 12 rounds, 10 rounds, eight rounds, however long it takes we will be there.
“I feel great about my performance. This is why I train like I do and fight as hard as I do for nights like these.”
With the win, Eranosyan believes the time is now for him to face the blue-chippers around his weight class.
“I’m ready for all the champions. Bring them on,” Eranosyan said. “Shakur Stevenson, Oscar Valdez, I’m ready for all of them. I’m getting better and better each fight and I’m ready now to face the best. I know that with more performances like these, soon I will be champion of the world.”
The 26-year-old Castillo suffered a knockdown in the first round on a left hand by Eranosyan that startled Castillo but wasn’t a direct connect. Just seconds before the round ended, Castillo was sent to the canvas once again on a counter right hand giving Eranosyan a 10-7 round and commanding early-fight lead. (First-round highlights HERE)
Eranosyan outlanded Castillo 153-102 in total punches. Of his 153 landed punches, 150 were power punches for Eranosyan.
The 28-year-old Eranosyan nicknamed “Pitbull” made his ShoBox debut in September and defeated the highly regarded Alejandro “Pork Chop” Guerrero via unanimous decision in Broken Arrow, Okla.
In the telecast opener, William Foster III passed a difficult test, earning a hard-fought split decision against Edwin De Los Santos in an eight-round super featherweight bout. Two judges scored the fight 77-74 twice for Foster, with the third judge scoring it 77-74 in favor of De Los Santos. (Foster’s split-decision win HERE)
Foster (14-0, 9 KOs) of West Haven, Conn., overcame a slow start but was the busier fighter, outthrowing De Los Santos 468-421. Fighting in his U.S. debut, the power-punching De Los Santos (13-1, 12 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, had an eventful fourth round, suffering a cut above his left eye, which seemed to slow him over the final four rounds. It was the first time the Dominican suffered a cut in his professional career. De Los Santos also had a point taken away in the fourth for holding. Fatigue was also a factor as De Los Santos had never been past the sixth round in his young career and seemed to run out of gas as the fight wore on.
“I was pressuring him the whole time and I knew he was slowing down and eventually I would get to him,” said Foster, who kept moving forward as the fight progressed and dictated and landed the more powerful punches. “I thought it was the right decision because I was landing more shots as the fight went on.”
The 28-year-old Foster – the younger brother of 20-0 professional light heavyweight prospect Charles Foster – was surprised with how fast De Los Santos started. “I knew I had to stay calm, and I adapted and my experience allowed me to adjust to what was happening,” Foster said. “He wasn’t devastating, and the punches never hurt me. I knew he would slow down and when he did, I began to land my shots and had success with my pressure.”
Regarding the point deduction in the fourth, De Los Santos disagreed with the referee’s decision. “I didn’t think the point should have been deducted,” said De Los Santos, who had scored stoppages in his last seven fights. “I thought I should have been warned first.
“I thought it was a close fight, but I thought I did enough to earn the victory. I was landing the harder shots throughout and he never hurt me.”
Added De Los Santos: “He was a little awkward and he came with a little more than we thought he would, but I still thought I won. He was aggressive and maybe I slowed down a little as the fight went on, but I still thought I was landing. This is a setback but I’ll learn from this and come back better.”
International Boxing Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside alongside former world champion Raul Marquez and renowned combat sports expert Brian Campbell serving as expert analysts. Hall of Famer Steve Farhood was the unofficial scorer. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Rich Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
The event was promoted by Sampson Boxing. The ShoBox tripleheader will re-air on Monday at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.
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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
ZHANG ZHILEI – “HRGOVIĆ IS NO BOOGEYMAN”
Undefeated heavyweight Zhang “Big Bang” Zhilei (23-0-1, 18 KOs) is looking for big fights in 2022. Zhang, who is coming off of a second-round knockout of Craig Lewis, is world-ranked in both the IBF and WBO and wants to fight a top heavyweight so that he can earn a title shot.
The division is opening up after a flurry of recent activity at the end of 2021. With its mandatory contender position vacant, the International Boxing Federation is trying to set up a final eliminator. Contenders Luis Ortiz and Joseph Parker, both of whom are fresh off big wins, ducked their chance to fight #3 ranked Filip Hrgović (14-0, 12 KOs). of Croatia. The IBF will continue to go down its rankings in order until one of the contenders agrees to fight Hrigović.
Zhang vows that if asked, he would take on the Croatian in a battle of 6’6’’ big men.
“I don’t understand why top heavyweights are turnin this down.” Said the former Olympic silver medal winner. “Hrgovic is no boogeyman. I’ve made it known that if my name comes up, I’ll step up and take it.”
And if a showdown with Hrigovic does not materialize, the 38 year-old Zhang is ready for any of the big names.
“I’m not getting any younger, and I have told my promoter that I want to make a big move,” Said Zhang, listing off of top heavyweights such as Joseph Parker and Dereck Chisora – all of whom share the same promoter, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom.
“My ultimate goal is to become world champion and I need fights that put me on that path. I will fight anyone. I want a big opportunity and all I am asking for is fair compensation. I am ready now.”
Photo – Zhang Zhilei Nov. 29th, 2021 courtesy of matchroom and Ed Mulholland
ABOUT ZHANG ZHILEI
Zhang Zhilei is a Chinese undefeated professional boxer who competes in the heavyweight division. As an amateur, he earned a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games as a super heavyweight. He now competes at the highest levels of professional heavyweight prize fighting. He currently lives and trains in the New York City metropolitan area.
ABOUT LANE BROTHERS BOXING
New York City Based “Lane Brothers Boxing” was founded in 2019 by brothers Terry and Tommy Lane. The Lane brothers have worked in professional boxing for over fifteen years, and are now using their industry expertise to advise top international boxing talent.
ABOUT LI “KURT” MAOPEI
Li Maopei, aka Kurt Li, is an advisor to top boxing talent across the globe with an expertise and focus on professional boxers from his native China.
SEVERAL GREAT FIGHTS ADDED TO BELLATOR 275: MOUSASI VS. VANDERFORD IN DUBLIN ON FEB. 25
NO. 5 RANKED SINEAD KAVANAGH MEETS NO. 4 RANKED LEAH ‘THE CURSE’ MCCOURT IN HUGE FEATHERWEIGHT CONTEST AT BELLATOR 275: MOUSASI VS. VANDERFORD
DUBLIN’S 3ARENA PLAYS HOST TO MASSIVE CARD ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25
DUBLIN – Leading mixed martial arts promotion BELLATOR MMA has today added a number of explosive fights to BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford, taking place at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, on Friday, February 25.
In what is set to be the biggest Irish female fight ever, a women’s featherweight bout between Northern Ireland’s Leah McCourt (6-1) and Ireland’s most-recent title challenger Sinead Kavanagh (7-5) is set to light up the main card. Plus, a bantamweight main card attraction between home favorite Brian Moore (14-8), whotakes on No. 9 ranked Jornel Lugo (7-0).
The promotion’s explosive return to the Irish capital for BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs Vanderford, sees middleweight world champion Gegard Mousasi defend his crown against undefeated American Austin Vanderford. The co-main event sees Irish star Peter Queally return to action against Manchester, England’s Kane Mousah (13-4) in the lightweight division.
Broadcast details and additional fights are set to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased online from Ticketmaster.ie and Bellator.com.
Sinead Kavanagh will be hoping to respond to a heartbreaking world title loss against Cyborg in her last outing in November at BELLATOR 271. A winner of her two previous BELLATOR outings before facing the pound-for-pound queen, Kavanagh will be looking to get back to her winning ways and live up to her “KO” moniker in front of the 3Arena crowd.
Currently riding a five-fight win streak, Northern Ireland’s McCourt returns to action following a dominant display in a unanimous decision victory against Jessica Borga during her last outing at BELLATOR 267 in October. Now sitting at No. 4 in BELLATOR’s featherweight rankings, a win at the expense of her opponent on Feb. 25 will go a long way towards moving “The Curse” one step closer to a BELLATOR world title shot against incumbent champion, Cris Cyborg.
Brian Moore’s long-awaited Dublin return will see the Wexford fighter go toe-to-toe with No. 9 ranked bantamweight Jornel Lugo. “The Pikeman” will be hoping the home support helps him hand Lugo his first professional defeat and in doing so climb into the official bantamweight rankings for the first time. Lugo has won all four of his bouts under the BELLATOR banner, including an emphatic first round submission win against Keith Lee at BELLATOR 265 earlier this year.
Several additions have been confirmed for the preliminary card including a bantamweight bout between Welshman Brett Johns (17-3) and Khurshed Kakhorov (8-0). Johns makes his return to European soil looking to make a statement in a must-see match-up against the undefeated Kakhorov. MMA veteran Johns boasts an impressive 17 wins from his 20 professional fights, while Kakhorov has won each of his first eight bouts, including a dominant unanimous decision win in his BELLATOR debut against Jair Junior at BELLATOR 267 in October.
England’s No. 5 ranked Fabian Edwards (9-2) is set to make his return to the cage in Dublin when he takes on Marian Dimitrov (10-2). “The Assassin” won his first nine professional fights and established himself as one of the rising stars in BELLATOR’s middleweight division. He will be looking to bounce back from a defeat in his last fight against Dublin title challenger Austin Vanderford at BELLATOR 259 in May.
Ireland’s Danni McCormack (5-0) returns to action fresh from her win at the 3Arena in November against Audrey Kerouche, when she faces Stephanie Page (5-3) in a strawweight bout. The preliminary card also features a welterweight bout between Italian Stefano Paterno (13-4-1) and BELLATOR debutantLuca Poclit (6-1) and a featherweight fight between Wales’ Scott Pedersen (1-2) and Ireland’s Nathan Kelly (3-2).
Rounding out the additions to the preliminary card is a featherweight affair between up-and-coming Irishman Ciaran Clarke (4-0) and BELLATOR debutant Abou Tounkara (7-2).
Fans can see the updated card for BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs Vanderford below:
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BELLATOR 275: MOUSASI VS. VANDERFORD MAIN CARD:
Middleweight World Title Main Event: #C-Gegard Mousasi (48-7, 2 NC) vs. #1-Austin Vanderford (11-0)
Lightweight Bout: #5-Peter Queally (13-6, 1 NC) vs. Kane Mousah (13-4)
Women’s Featherweight Bout: #5-Sinead Kavanagh (7-5)vs. #4–Leah McCourt (6-1)
Bantamweight Bout: Brian Moore (14-8) vs. #9-Jornel Lugo (7-0)
BELLATOR 275: MOUSASI VS. VANDERFORD PRELIMINARY CARD:
Bantamweight Bout: Brett Johns (17-3) vs. Khurshed Kakhorov (8-0)
Lightweight Bout: Charlie Leary (17-11-1) vs. Davy Gallon (19-7-2)
Featherweight Bout: Ciaran Clarke (4-0) vs. Abou Tounkara (7-2)
Middleweight Bout: #5-Fabian Edwards (9-2) vs. Marian Dimitrov (10-2)
Welterweight Bout: Stefano Paterno (13-4-1) vs. Luca Poclit (6-1)
Strawweight Bout: Danni McCormack (5-0) vs. Stephanie Page (5-3)
Lightweight Bout: Junior Morgan (3-0) vs. Darragh Kelly (Pro Debut)
Featherweight Bout: Scott Pedersen (1-2) vs. Nathan Kelly (3-2)
*Card subject to change.
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
Updated schedule of BELLATOR events
Sat. Jan. 29 // BELLATOR 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky // Footprint Center // Phoenix, AZ
Fri. Feb. 19 // BELLATOR 274: Gracie vs. Storley // Mohegan Sun Arena // Uncasville, CT
Fri. Feb. 25 // BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford // 3Arena // Dublin, IRE