All posts by FNU47

UNBEATEN SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT PROSPECT BLAIR “THE FLAIR” COBBS MAKES GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS DEBUT MARCH 16


Photo by Mario Serrano Prince Ranch Boxing
LAS VEGAS, NV (March 13, 2018) – Golden Boy Promotions’ undefeated super lightweight prospect, Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (7-0, 5 KOs), who is managed by Prince Ranch Boxing’s Greg Hannely, returns to the ring this Friday, March 16, 2018 at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, CA, on the highly-anticipated return of the LA FIGHT CLUB series. The event will be headlined by the eight-round flyweight fight between Seniesa “Superbad” Estrada (11-0, 2 KOs) and Sonia Osorio (10-5-1, 1 KO). Cobbs, from Philadelphia by way of Las Vegas, will face undefeated foe, Mario Esparza (4-0, 1 KO) from Phoenix, AZ, in a four-round bout.
Cobbs, who recently signed a promotional agreement with Golden Boy Promotions in December 2017, is looking to shine in his debut under their promotional banner.  While training in Las Vegas with coach Bones Adams, Cobbs feels his career is about to take off.
“Man, I can’t wait to make my Golden Boy Promotions debut on March 16, and show everyone what I got,” said Blair Cobbs. “Signing with Golden Boy is a dream come true and I’m going to make everyone proud. This is the pivotal point in my career and I’m ready to advance to the next level. I worked very hard to get into this position.  Now it’s time to show up.”
“Blair has been looking amazing of late,” said Prince Ranch Boxing’s Greg Hannely. “He’s been sparring top level guys in Las Vegas and dominating. I believe Golden Boy Promotions will be very pleased with Cobbs.  I know they’ll be happy that he’s on their stellar roster. Cobbs will be at this best on fight night, ready to shine.”
Estrada vs. Osorio is an eight-round flyweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will take place on Friday, March 16 at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, Calif. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT and the first fight and RingTV livestream begin at 5:15 p.m. PT/8:15 p.m. ET. The Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on EstrellaTV at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The card will also stream live on EstrellaTV.com and on YouTube via LBI Media, Inc.’s Fenomeno Studios. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets for the upcoming shows on April 6June 1July 6Aug. 10, and Oct. 12.
Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB start at the fan-friendly price of $25 and are available for purchase now at www.goldenboytickets.com and the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page.

HASIM “THE ROCK” RAHMAN TO BE PART OF PRINCE RANCH BOXING MANAGEMENT TEAM


 
LAS VEGAS, NV (March 13, 2018) – Prince Ranch Boxing is happy to announce the addition of former two-time heavyweight world champion, Hasim Rahman, to its management team. Rahman, who is best known for knocking out hall of famer, Lennox Lewis, back in 2001. Rahman will help with scouting talent, while working closely with trainer Bones Adams at the Prince Ranch Boxing facility in Las Vegas.
“Hasim has a keen eye when it comes to scouting talented fighters,” said Greg Hannely, president of Prince Ranch Boxing. “Adding him to our management team is only going to make us stronger. He’s been in the ring with world class fighters and knows what it takes to get to the top. He’s going to be a valuable asset to our team.”
“I’ve known Greg Hannely for many years and I’m happy to be part of his management team,” said Hasim Rahman. “We have a lot of young fighters working out at the Prince Ranch training facility who are looking for solid management. I’m here to scout the talent that comes our way and sign the best fighters. We are building a nice stable of boxers who we believe can become world champions.”
 
Prince Ranch Boxing has some very talented fighters under contract that include, Isaac Avelar (14-0, 9 KOs), Edwing Davila (17-0, 10 KOs), Blair Cobbs (7-0, 5 KOs), Damien Vasquez (13-0, 7 KOs), Humberto Velazco (19-1, 13 KOs), Victor Pasillas (12-0, 5 KOs), and Donavan Estrella (11-0, 4 KOs), to name a few.

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

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

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CLASH 3 DANNY O’CONNOR VS. STEVE CLAGGETT

                 
WBC Silver International Junior Welterweight Championship

March 17, 2018 * House of Blues * Boston, Massachusetts

LIVE ON PPV & SUPER CHANNEL
10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
St. Patrick’s Day Clash 3
 
No. 1 world-ranked junior featherweight T.J. Doheny
bringing Irish “Power” to Boston
 
Mar. 17 on PPV & Super Channel
LIVE from Boston
 
Plus, special Dropkick Murphys live acoustic set
NEW YORK CITY (March 13, 2018) – Ireland’s undefeated, No. 1 mandatory world junior featherweight contender T.J. “The Power” Doheny(18-0, 13 KOs) will put his record and status on the line this Saturday (Mar. 17) in the eight-round co-featured event on the “St. Patrick’s Day Clash 3” Pay-Per-View, card, also airing in Canada exclusively on Super Channel, live from the House of Blues in Boston.
Local fan favorite, Irish-American Danny “Bhoy” O’Connor (29-3, 11 KOs), fighting out of nearby Framingham, MA, will make his first World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver International junior welterweight title defense against Canadian challenger Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (26-4-1, 17 KOs).
“St. Patrick’s Day Clash 3”, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, is presented by Murphys Boxing in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. The popular Dropkick Murphys will play a live acoustic set prior to the main event.
Integrated Sports Media will distribute “St. Patrick’s Day Clash 3” in the United States on cable, satellite and digital PPV via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DISH and FITE.TV app and website for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.
Viewers in Canada will be able to see it live on Super Channel, which will showcase Calgary’s rising star Steve Claggett to the entire country on Saturday, March 17.
Fans around the world can also order “St. Patrick’s Day Clash 3 via FITE TV live streaming platform (excluding Canada) for $24.95. For details visit www.fite.tv
Preceding the PPV fights, 8-10 p.m. ET / 5-7 PT, four undercard bouts will be available to watch live and for free on FACEBOOK FIGHT NIGHT.
The 31-year-old Doheny takes on former International Boxing Organization (IBO world champion “Machine-Gun” Mike Oliver (26-4-1, 17 KOs) in the eight-round, co-featured event. A southpaw like Doheny, Oliver is a familiar figure in Boston having been a five-time New England Golden Gloves champion.
Doheny is a native of Ireland, who has lived in Australia, but he recently resettled in Boston’s predominantly Irish section of Dorchester. He is a five-time Irish National Champion who has more than 150 amateur matches, including a victory over Belfast’s Carl “The Jackal” Frampton (26-1, 14 KOs), who is a two-division world champion as a professional fighter.
Last December, Doheny traveled to Bankok to fight Thai favorite Pipat Chaiporn (44-10-1) in a International Boxing Federation (IBF) eliminator to determine the No. 1, mandatory contender for IBF world champion Kenichi Ogawa (23-1, 17 KOs), of Japan. Doheny emerged with a win by12-round split decision (117-11, 116-112, 113-115).
Against Oliver, Doheny will be risking his undefeated record and IBF No. 1 contender rating, but Ogawa is also a veteran southpaw like Oliver, who is viewed by Murphys Boxing and Team Doheny as a good opponent to better prepare Doheny for Ojawa.
O’Connor (29-3, 11 KOs), who was a 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, as well as the 2008 National Golden Gloves and US Future Stars champion as an amateur, is coming off .a third-round knockout of previously unbeaten Daniel Gonzalez (14-0-1) for the vacant WBC Silver Intercontinental crown last November at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.
Calgary-native Claggett (26-4-1, 17 KOs) hit the road last October and upset previously undefeated Yves Ulysse, Jr. (14-0) in his backyard for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) North American super lightweight title. Neither Claggett’s IBF North American nor his NABA USA title will be at stake versus O’Connor.
Top New England prospects, “The Silent Assassin” William Foster III (6-0, 6-0 (5 KOs) and Irvin Gonzalez, will be showcased in a pair of six-round matches.
Foster, a lightweight from New Haven, CT, faces former WBC International bantamweight champion Nick “Kanyankole” Otieno (31-13, 13 KOs)., Reigning UBF All-American super featherweight champion Gonzalez, of Worcester, MA, takes on a fellow unbeaten featherweight prospect, Ugandan Sulaiman Segawa (9-0, 3 KOs).
On Facebook Fight Night, New England champion Greg “The Villain” Vendetta (17-2-1, 10 KOs), Stoneham, MA, vs. Engleberto Valenzuela (11-12, 3 KOs), Mexico, 6 rounds; Russian welterweight Yurik Mamadov (6-1, 3 KOs), Brooklyn, NY, vs. Daniel Sostre (13-16-1, 5 KOs), Puerto Rico, 6 rounds; featherweight Amanda Pavone (2-0, 1 KO), Burlington, MA vs. Sarah Click (pro debut), Framingham, MA, 4 rounds; lightweight Tomas Romain (5-1), NY vs. Israel Rojas (13-20, 5 KOs), Mexico, 6 rounds.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @IntegratedPPV, @SCSportsTV, @FiteTV, @konightboxing, @DropKickMurphys, @StarBoxing, MurphysBoxing
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @Doc_Boxing, @SDragonC

Team USA defeats Team Ireland, 8-4 In USA Boxing’s 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour


BOSTON RESULTS
BOSTON (March 13, 2018) – Team USA defeated Team Ireland, 8-4 , last night (Monday) on the first stop of the three-city 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour, at Club Royale Entertainment Center in Boston’s historic theater district.
Two of the best amateur boxing squads in the country, featuring numerous 2020 Olympic hopefuls, had a major showdown to the delight of the mixed crowed of supporters of both programs.
“It was a fantastic night of boxing,” said Team USA head coach Billy Walsh, who used to guide Team Ireland’s boxing program“The real winners were the boxing fans, American and Irish, supporting these two young teams. I was really happy with our performance as well as theirs.”
The USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour continues this Thursday (Mar. 15 at) the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass., and concludes Wednesday, Mar. 21 at The Manchester Downtown Hotel in New Hampshire.
All the duals will begin at 7:00 p.m. EST and tickets will be made available for purchase in the coming weeks. Each city will showcase up to 12 bouts, which will all be live streamed, free of charge, on USA Boxing’s website (www.usaboxing.org).
Honorary captains Irish” Micky Ward and Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride, respectively, led Team USA and Team Ireland into the ring.
A USA Alumni Association gathering was held prior to the show.
In the final bout of the night, American super heavyweight Richard Torrez, the 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalist and 2017 USA Boxing Elite National champion, closed the show in style against four-time Irish National Champion Dean Gardiner, 3-0.
Bombs away was the theme in the heavyweight match as Irishman Kiril Afganasev powered his way past Adrian Tillman, 2-1.
Lanky American light heavyweight Khalil Coe decisioned six-time Irish National champion Caoimhin Hynes.
Three-time European champion Michael Nevin edged 2016 Youth World Championship team member Nikita Ababiy, 2-1, in a back-and-forth middleweight contest.
One of America’s brightest prospects, 2017 Elite World Championship bronze medalist Troy Isley, showed everything in his arsenal against eight-time Irish National champion Brett McGinty, emerging with an impressive unanimous decision in a toe-to-toe middleweight clash.
Eight-time Irish National champion Kierion Molloy won a split decision over American welterweight Quinton Randall, a 2017 Elite World Championship team member.
 
In a special match-up between two Internationally decorated light welterweights,2016 Youth World Champion and 2017 Elite Continental Championships silver medalist, Delante “Tiger” Johnson, took a split decision from eight-time Irish National champion Wayne Kelly.
 
Keyshawn Davis pounded Irish light welterweight George Bates en route to a dominating unanimous decision victory, in which the American showcased his numerous skills.
American lightweight Marc Castro, who moved up one weight class, turned in an auspicious “Elite” class debut, defeating Francis Cleary by way of a unanimous decisionThe highly-regarded Castro was a two-time World champion as a junior and youth boxer.
Aggressive American welterweight Oshae Jones won a hard-fought split decision versus Grainne Bates in an action-packed match from start to finish. Jones was a 2017 Elite Women’s Continental Championships silver medalist.
World Championships silver medalist lightweight Kellie Harrington won a unanimous decision over American lightweight Stacia Suttles in a very competitive match.
Four-time 2017 international gold medalist Virginia Fuchs opened the night with a victory over Irish flyweight Lauren Hogan, when the referee stopped the contest in the second round.
 
Complete individual & team results:
 
 
BOSTON RESULTS
 
SUPER HEAVYWEIGHTS
Richard Torrez, Tulare, California, USA
WDEC (3-0)
Dean Gardiner, Tipperary, Ireland
 
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Kiril Afanasev, Dublin, Ireland
WDEC (2-1)
Adrian Tillman, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
 
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Khalil Coe, Jersey, City, New Jersey, USA
WDEC (3-0)
Caoimhin Hynes, Belfast, Ireland
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Michael Nevin, Laois, Ireland
WDEC (2-1)
Nikita Ababiy, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Troy Isley, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
WDEC (3-0)
Brett McGinty, Derry, Ireland
WELTERWEIGHTS
Kieron Molloy, Galway, Ireland
WDEC (2-1)
Quinton Randall, Katy, Texas, USA
LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS
Tiger Johnson, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
WDEC (2-1)
Wayne Kelly, Laois, Ireland
 
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Keshawn Davis, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
WDEC (3-0)
George Bates, Dublin, Ireland
Marc Castro, Fresno, California, USA
WDEC (3-0)
Francs Cleary, Mayo, Ireland
WOMEN WELTERWEIGHTS
Oshae Jones, Toledo, Ohio, USA
WDEC (2-1)
Grainne Bates, Dublin, Ireland
WOMEN LIGHTWEIGHTS
Kellie Harrington, Dublin, Ireland
WDEC (3-0)
Stacia Suttles, Bronx, New York, USA
WOMEN FLYWEIGHTS
Ginny Fuchs, Kemah, Texas, USA
RSC2 (1:57)
Lauren Hogan, Offaly, Ireland
 
USA:      8              IRELAND:   4
 
 
To stay up to date on the USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour click here.
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
March 15: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing

Witherspoon decisions Capers in Atlantic City

  
Lockett upsets Prince Badi Ajamu
wins by Buaza, Hilton, Cortes & Jimenez
For Immediate Release
Atlantic City, New Jersey (March 12, 2018)–Chazz Witherspoon raised his winning streak to eight in a row as he went the eight-round distance by won a unanimous decision over Lamont Capers that headlined a seven-bout card at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.
The show, which took place this past Saturday,  was promoted by Mis Downing Promotions and Silverspoon Promotions.
Witherspoon was able to outpoint the crafty Capers.  Capers was very competitive, but it was Witherspoon’s size and harder punches that proved to be the difference as he captured the via 78-74, 78-74 and 77-75 scores.
Witherspoon of Paulsboro, NJ is now 37-3.  Capers, who was fighting for the 2nd time in seven days is 9-12-4.
Willis Lockett took a six-round majority decision over Prince Badi Ajamu in a cruiserweight bout.
Lockett of Takoma Park, MD won by scores of 59-55, 58-56 and 57-57, and is now 16-22-6.  Ajamu of Camden, NJ is 28-4-1.
Super Lightweight John Bauza remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over David Morales.
Bauza of North Bergen, NJ won on all cards by scores of 60-54, and is now 9-0.  Morales of Managua, Nicaragua is 13-9.
Mike Hilton won a three-round technical unanimous decision over Hector Perez.
The fight was a terrific back and forth brawl when Perez suffered a cut over his right eye in the third frame.
Perez almost made a quick night for himself as he dropped Hilton in the 1st round.  Hilton stormed back to register his own knockdown’s in round two and three.

The scores were 28-26 on all cards at the time of he stoppage.

Hilton of Trenton, NJ is 10-0.   Perez of Pleasantville, NJ is 3-2
Edgar Cortes won a four-round unanimous decision over Kevin Asmat in a featherweight bout.
Scores were 38-37 twice and 39-36 for Cortes, of Vineland, NJ, who is now 6-4.  Asmat of North Bergen. NJ is 3-2.
Alejandro Jimenez made a successful pro debut with a 2nd round stoppage over Derrick Pitts in a bantamweight bout.
The time of the finish was 3:00.  Pitts is 0-2.
Dan Murray and Latorrie Woodberry fought to a no-contest when Woodberry hurt his shoulder in the 1st round of their scheduled four-round welterweight bout.
“I am ecstatic about Saturday night’s card,” said Mis Downing of Mis Downing Promotions.  “The fights were terrific and very competitive.  I want to thank the Claridge Hotel and a special thanks to The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame.  I also want to thank Mayor Frank Gilliam for supporting our event.  We are excited about what is to come in the future, and we will have a very big announcement shortly about our next event, which will be a very special night of boxing.”

Mis Downing Promotions would like to thank their sponsors which includes The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, The Claridge Hotel, Fantasea Resorts, AEI Insurance, Urgent Response, HairX, Buy Smart Motors & New Vision Property Management.

Baltimore Boxing to honor late Scott Wagner March 22

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Baltimore, MD (March 12, 2018) – Jake Smith’s Baltimore Boxing Promotions returns to Michael’s Eighth Avenue March 22 for a special tribute event to the late Scott Wagner.
Prior to Smith hosting his cards at Michael’s Eighth, Scott Wagner’s Ballroom Boxing ran more than 70 successful shows over a 15 year period. His series was a major hit and he featured many fighters that went onto become world champions such as Terence Crawford, Hasim Rahman, Kermit Cintron, Orlin Norris and Al Cole. A longtime friend of Smith, Wagner stopped promoting in 2009 and graciously offered the family-owned Michael’s Eighth to Baltimore Boxing Promotions.
On February 16, Wagner passed away at age 49.
“Scott was one of my closest friends and I was devastated by his untimely passing,” said Smith, who co-promoted with Wagner and also fought for him in 1996. “He ran one of the most successful promotions for more than a decade and did right by the fighters.
Scott Wagner the person was even better than the promoter. He always helped other people and his experience assisted me in expanding Baltimore Boxing Promotions. I am forever thankful and will always have a place in my heart for Scott Wagner.”
Headlining this Olympic style boxing event is a grudge match between Deshawn “Soulsnatcher” Chase and Ocean City, MD’s Omar Serrano for the East Coast Middleweight title. One of Baltimore Boxing’s top prospects, Chase looks for redemption against the only man to defeat him.
In the co-featured bout of the evening, Baltimore Boxing’s Tyrell Boyd meets Tyler Langer. Boyd is a multi-time champion but is faced with a tough foe that fights out of the highly respected Mack Lewis Gym.
Other bouts will be announced shortly.
Along with honoring Wagner, Baltimore Boxing is hosting a fundraiser for Brenda Davis. The wife of legendary trainer Adrian Davis, Brenda’s battled health complications that have severely impacted her. All proceeds from the fundraiser will help cover Davis’ healthcare costs.
Tickets and tables are available by calling 410-375-9175 or going to Baltimoreboxing.com.

Middleweight Cem Kilic remains undefeated with 2nd round stoppage

Beverly Hills, Calif. (March. 12, 2018) – Middleweight Cem Kilic remained perfect with a 2nd round stoppage over veteran Taronze Washington in Hinckley, Minnesota this past Friday.
The native of Los Angles via Frankfurt, Germany put Washington down with a hard body shot, and the bout was stopped to raise Kilic’s mark to 10-0 with six knockouts. 
“I am 10-0 now, and I cant ell you how excited I am to get the early knockout in front of my adopted American fans,” said Kilic.  “Taronze was a tough opponent, but I trained too hard for this fight not to get the early knockout.  2018 is my year, and I am putting the middleweight division on notice.  I trust my manager to get the opportunity to showcase my talent to the entire world.”
Kilic is managed by No Limit Mindset LLC, and CEO Shane Shapiro is extremely confident in the direct that his fighter is heading.
Friday was a big step for Cem Kilic.  He demonstrated that at age 23 against a very tought opponent, who had fought three world champions (Andre Berto, Alfredo Angulo and Austin Trout) as well as a plethora of big name contenders, that Cem was able to take him out in 2 rounds.  I am very pleased and excited to announce a MAJOR mover very shortly.”
Kilic is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions.

2001 Fight of the Year Reunion planned for final stop of 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Tour

 
Special guests Micky Ward & Steve Smoger
March 21 in Manchester, NH
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 12, 2018) – USA Boxing is hosting a special reunion, featuring two key members of the 2001 Fight of the Year, to be part of the final stop on the 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour, March 21 at the Manchester Downtown Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Presented by Corona Premium, the Manchester event will start at 7 p.m. EST, and it also serves as a fundraiser for another partner of the show, the Manchester PAL Boxing Club.
Tickets are reasonably priced at $20.00 for general admission, $30 for reserved ringside seats, and available to purchase on Seacoast Ticket Agency’s website,www.seacoastticket.com, the official ticket distributor for the event.
The 2001 Fight of the Year was held July 13, 2001, at Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton, NH., and it is still considered one of the greatest matches ever broadcast on ESPN. “Irish” Micky Ward won an incredibly entertaining, back-and-forth junior welterweight match-up with “boxing cult” hero Emanuel Augustus, by way of a 10-round unanimous decision that was much closer than the judges’ scoring indicated (98-90, 96-91, 96-94).
The high-profile win positioned Ward for what turned out to be his epic Gatti trilogy, while Augustus went on to become one of the most dangerous, upset-minded opponents in boxing. Ward and the third man in the ring that night, Hall of Fame referee Steve Smoger, will host a USA Alumni Association event Tuesday, Mar. 20 at The Shaskeen Pub & Restaurant (909 Elm St. in Manchester), starting at 6 p.m. ET, and attend the following night’s (Mar. 21) USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour finale in Manchester.
“I’m honored to be invited by USA Boxing to represent all professional officials who spent so much valuable time in the amateurs on their way to their positions in the pros,” Smoger said. “I’m looking forward to being part of everything planned.
“Anytime I spend time with Micky is enjoyable, in and out of the ring, and we’ve truly formed a bond. I worked six or seven of his fights, including his first in Atlantic City, around the time we were both breaking in. We spend time together every year at the International Boxing Hall of Fame inductions. He’s such a pleasure to be around. He treats people very well. His history in the ring and personality make him a big fan favorite. He’s the same guy he’s always been but he still has the heart of a warrior.”
Bernard Dunne celebrating world title anniversary
Irish Team Performance Director Bernard Dunne will celebrate the ninth anniversary of his WBA super bantamweight title-winning performance, Mar. 21, 2009, the same date as the USA-Ireland Northeaster Boxing Tour stop in Manchester.
Dunne (28-2, 15 KOs), fighting out of Dublin, fought professionally between 2001-2009. He was 119-11 as an amateur, including 13 Irish titles.
In 2009, he stopped Ricardo Cordoba in the 11th round at O2 Arena in Dublin, to become world champion.
USA stars out in Manchester
USA Boxing will be looking to conclude the tour on a high note with expected boxers on the show such as 2017 four-time international gold medalist Ginny Fuchs (Kemah, TX), 2017 Elite Women’s Continental Championships bronze medalist Oshae Jones (Toledo, OH), 2017 World Championships silver medalist Duke Ragan (Cincinnati, OH), 2017 World Championships bronze medalist Freudis Rojas (Las Vegas, NV), 2016 USA Nationals heavyweight champion Jared Anderson (Toledo, OH), and 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalist Richard Torrez (Tulare, CA). All boxers and bouts are subject to change.
To stay up to date on the USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour click here.
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
March 12: Royale Entertainment Complex, Boston, Mass.
March 15: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
March 21: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing

BRUNSON SETS RECORD WITH THREE BRISCOE AWARDS

   
PHILADELPHIA – PA State junior middleweight champion Tyrone Brunson will be honored with three Briscoe Awards for the eventful year he had in 2017.  During the year, Brunson’s efforts won him three bouts, two belts, and kept his career on track for a big fight in 2018. For these accomplishments, Brunson will take home three Briscoe Awards on March 25th“Philly Fighter of the Year”, “Philly Fight of the Year”, and “Performance of the Year”.  This will be the first time a fighter has won three Briscoes in a single year.
“Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, Bryant Jennings and Tevin Farmer have all won two before, but Brunson will be the first guy to get three on the same day,” said John DiSanto, founder of the Briscoe Awards.  “Tyrone had a great year in 2017, so I’m happy for him.  The voters got it right.”
In addition to the “Fighter of the Year” award, Brunson’s give-and-take battle with former world champion Kermit Cintron was named the “2017 Philly Fight of the Year”.  In the fight, Brunson came off the floor twice to stop Cintron in round five.  For that win, Brunson also earned the Briscoe Award for the “Performance of the Year”.  Along with Brunson, Cintron will receive the Briscoe Award for his participation in the “Fight of the Year”.
A number of other fighters will also be honored in various categories like: “Amateur of the Year, “Prospect of the Year”, “Knockout of the Year”, Rookie of the Year”, etc.
Advance tickets for the March 25, 2018 Briscoe Awards cost $20 and are currently available for sale at BriscoeAwards.com, or by calling 609-377-6413. Tickets will not be sold at the door.  The $20 admission includes food, draft beer, wine, soft drinks, and a souvenir program and ticket.  The Briscoe Awards will be held at the VBA Clubhouse, 2733 Clearfield Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19134
The Briscoe Awards are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501c3 Non-Profit organization dedicated to preserving and honoring the great legacy of boxing in and around the city of Philadelphia. For more information, call John DiSanto at 609-377-6413.