All posts by FNU47

USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour Kicks-off March 12 in Boston 

“Fightin’ Irish” boxing history
Rich in Boston
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 12, 2018) – “Fightin’ Irish” and Boston boxing has been synonymous for more than a century, since the Irish first started emigrating to the United States in general, Boston in particular, after the Great Potato Famine.
Many Irish and Irish-American boxers have fought in the Greater Boston area, some born and others resettling there. This rich tradition continues next month in a different way when the three-city 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour kicks-off Monday, March 12, at the newly renovated Royale Entertainment Complex in Boston’s famed theater district. The Boston stop, which is being presented by Budweiser, will have general admission tickets for $20.00 and a limited amount of $30.00 reserved tickets go on sale today (Monday, Feb. 12) at 12 p.m. ET are available to purchase online here.
The USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour will continue March 15 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass., concluding March 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).
The tradition started back in the 19th century with “The Boston Strongboy,” John. L. Sullivan (Roxbury, MA), the first millionaire American athlete, as well as the first “gloves” world heavyweight champion and final “bare knuckles” heavyweight champion of the world. An International Boxing Hall of Famer, Sullivan won 38 of 38 pro fights, 30 coming by knockout, with only one loss and two draws.
Another Hall-of-Famer from that era, Jake Kilrain (29-5-8, 17 KOs), lived in Somerville and Quincy, both Boston suburbs.   Kilrain (1829-1899) also reigned as world heavyweight champion.
Irish boxers from Greater Boston continued this rich tradition through the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries with world champions and top contenders such as welterweight Paddy Duffy (31-3,16, 18 KOs), Lawrence welterweight Mike Glover(Cavanaugh – 30-5-5, 16 KOs), and Charlestown welterweight Mike “Twin” Sullivan(28-6-16, 17 KOs), and Newton bantamweight Jimmy Walsh (33-10-20, 14 KOs)
In the 1950’s, Woburn lightweight “Irish” Tommy Collins (61-12, 44 KOs) was dropped 10 times at the Boston Garden by world champion Jimmy Carter, until he finally succumbed in the fourth round. His gutsy performance, however, earned him an appearance on the popular Ed Sullivan Show.
Arlington heavyweight Tom McNeeley (37-14, 28 KOs), unsuccessfully fought for the world title in 1961, stopped in the fourth round of his Toronto fight versus defending champion Floyd Patterson, and McNeeley’s son, Boston-native and later Medfield resident Peter “Hurricane” McNeeley (47-7, 30 KOs) famously was stopped in the opening round by “Iron” Mike Tyson in the latter’s first fight after his release from prison.
In the 1980’s, Irish boxers made their way to Boston to fight; some returned home after their careers, others relocated in the area. In 1984, Ireland-native Sean Mannion (42-14, 13 KOs), who had moved to the Dorchester section of Boston, lost a 15-round decision in Madison Square Garden to Mike McCallum for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight World Championship.
 
Steve “Celtic Warrior” Collins (25-2-1, 18 KOs) moved to Everett, later to Brockton, to work with Goody and Pat Petronelli, who handled Marvelous Marvin Hagler throughout is Hall of Fame career. Collins captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight and super middleweight world titles before moving back to Ireland.
Collins’ younger brother, Packie Collins, also moved to Brockton to fight. He later worked with Irish heavyweight champion Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride (35-10-1, 29 KOs), who went on to knock Tyson out and into retirement. McBride, who still lives in Dorchester, was a stablemate of former Team Ireland head coach and current Team USA head coach, Billy Walsh, at the European Games. Both were also Ireland Olympians, respectively, in 1988 and 1992.
Another Ireland Olympian, Wayne “Pocket Rocket” McCullough (27-7, 18 KOs), moved to Las Vegas from Northern Ireland. The luck of the Irish wasn’t with him in Boston in 1997, when he lost his World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight title at Hynes Convention Center, by way of a 12-round split decision to Daniel Zaragoza.
Arguably the most famous and popular Irish-American boxer, outside of Sullivan and Jack Dempsey, is Lowell junior welterweight “Irish” Micky Ward (38-13, 27 KOs), who was involved in three Fight of the Year award winners, two from his epic trilogy with Arturo Gatti, and the first boxer with more than 10 career losses to earn a $1-million purse. Ward’s life was portrayed by another Boston icon, actor Mark Wahlberg, in the award-winning movie, “The Fighter.”
Irish boxers are still coming to Boston to fight. Locally-based Murphys Boxing has promoted numerous shows in Boston featuring world-class boxers such as Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan and undefeated super bantamweight TJ “Power” Doheny (18-0, 13 KOs), as well as undefeated rising stars such as “Sting” Ray Mayotte and New England & Massachusetts heavyweight champion Niall Kennedy (10-0, 6 KOs).
The Irish team will announce its boxers later this month after the conclusion of its National Championships.
Headlining Team USA’s roster is 2017 World Championship bronze medalist Troy Isley(Alexandria, VA). USA Boxing’s team will also include Virginia Fuchs (Kemah, Texas), who won four international gold medals in 2017, 2016 Youth World Champion and 2017 Elite Continental Championships silver medalist, Delante Johnson (Cleveland, OH), 2017 USA Boxing Heavyweight National Champion Jared Anderson (Toledo, OH) and 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalist and 2017 USA Boxing Super Heavyweight National Champion, Richard Torrez (Tulare, CA). A full roster for each city will be released closer to the start of the tour.
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.
All boxers and bouts are subject to change.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing

Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez will fight for the WBA Fedelatin title

 

 

After winning the Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) vacant Las Americas title last December, Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez (9-0, 4 KO’s) from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, will seek a top ranking spot in the World Boxing Association (WBA ) when he faces Nicaraguan Leyman Benavides (13-6-1, 2 KO’s) for the vacant WBA Minimumweight Fedelatin title.

 

 

 

 

The Méndez-Benavides duel will take place on Saturday, March 17 at the Fiesta Hall of the Jaragua Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

 

 

 

 

“The Fedelatin title is of upmost importance because it places the boxer in the top 15 of the WBA rankings and in a matter of two or three additional fights, the opportunity to go for the world title is very possible. We trust in ‘Bimbito’s’ skills so that on March 17, Puerto Rico will have another boxer close to a world title opportunity” said Raúl Pastrana, President of management company ‘Spartan Boxing Club’.

 

 

 

 

The undefeated Mendez, who was part of the Puerto Rican National Amateur Boxing Team said:

 

 

 

 

“I have seen boxers that have won the Fedelatin title, and in the blink of an eye, they are already fighting for a world title, and for that great moment is that I have worked all my life since childhood. With Trujillo Alto and Puerto Rico in my heart, I hope to be able to take another step on March 17 to become world champion in the near future”.

 

 

 

 

In his last fight in Santo Domingo, DR last December, Méndez defeated Dominican Republic’s Juan Guzmán (22-10, 12 KO) by TKO in the second round to capture the UBF belt.

 

 

 

 

‘Spartan Boxing Club’ has in its squad of professional boxers: WBO/WBC ranked at 122 lbs., Yenifel ‘El Rayo’ Vicente (31-3-2, 23 KO’s) of the Dominican Republic, former members of the Puerto Rican Amateur Boxing Team, Bernard ‘Bimbo’ Lebrón (9-0, 4KO’s), John ‘The Beast’ Correa (3-0, 3KO’s) and Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez, light heavyweight and former Olympian, Lenin Castillo (17-1- 1, 12 KO’s) of the Dominican Republic, among others.

U.S. Olympian Nico Hernandez Captures IBA Americas title In 4th pro fight

“KO NIGHT BOXING” GOLD & GLORY”
OFFICIAL RESULTS

IBA official/Hall of Fame referee Steve Smoger presented Nico Hernandez with the IBA flyweight title belt
(picture by Tony Scvhock / GS Memorymaker)
PARK CITY, Kan. (February 11, 2018) – U.S. Olympian and hometown favorite Nico Hernandez captured the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas flyweight title in his fourth professional fight, headlining last night’s “KO Night Boxing” Gold & Glory” card, at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.
Presented by “KO Night Boxing LLC,” the card was taped live to be shown at a later date on CBS Sports Network. “KO Night Boxing” Gold & Glory” card, presented by KO Night Boxing LLC,
The 22-year-old Hernandez (4-0, 3 KOs) stopped last-minute replacement, game Victor “El Torito” Torres, in the fifth round.
Hernandez’ original opponent, Hungarian champion Joseph Ajtai (19-9, 12 KOs), never made it to Wichita due to a series of unfortunate circumstances. Ajtai lost one day in Frankfurt, Germany, after leaving his passport on the plane he took from Budapest. Once he landed in Chicago on Wednesday, he was tied up by a visa issue at U.S. Customs. He missed his connecting flight to Wichita and because of snowstorms that grounded numerous flights, including those to Wichita, Ajtai never made it out of O’Hare Airport, stranded there for several days.
The IBA granted a special exception for Hernandez to fight Torres, due to these unforeseen problems, with the agreement that Hernandez would next fight Ajtai for an IBA title.
“It was an electric night,” promoter John Andersen said. “Once again, Nico made the proper adjustment that can be credited to his amateur pedigree. In the amateurs, opponents often change at the last moment and Nico has overcome many obstacles during his boxing career. We’re going to give Josef another title shot against Nico in April or May. They have unfinished business together!
“I was very pleased with Nico’s performance. It’s the best I’ve seen him. He was unbelievable in every way, on point throughout the fight. We also want to give Torres credit for accepting the fight on such late notice.”
Hernandez came out fast from the start, battering Torres’ body with tremendous combinations, and he never let up. Torres absorbed punishment but remained upright, but IBA referee Steve Smoger halted the action in the fifth round for Torres’ safety.
“I’m not leaving this belt,” Hernandez commented at the post fight press conference as he handled his IBA Americas belt. “It’s going everywhere with me. I was looking forward to this fight and I’m ready to continue my success. This is the first (title belt) of many. I got what I worked hard for. I want to thank my coaches, all the work paid off, and now I have this (title belt).”
In the co-featured event, Minneapolis welterweight Javonte Starks (13-2, 7 KOs) and Mexican veteran Cesar Soriano (28-36-2, 17 KOs) fought to a six-round majority draw.
Bakersfield, CA pro-debuting Derrick Clayton upset Milwaukee junior welterweight Akeem Black (3-2, 1 KO), registering a second-round technical knockout.
Wichita middleweight Jeff Sturm (2-0, 1 KO) remained undefeated, stopping intrastate rival Brian Clements, of Topeka, halfway through the opening round.
Another pro-debuting California fighter, junior welterweight Chazz Macias, needed only1:20 to knockout Omaha’s Corey Roberts.
Fighting for the first time in 5 ½ years, Washington D.C. heavyweight Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm (14-2-1, 10 KOs) took out 300-pounder Richard “Silverback” Carmack (15-13-1, 12 KOs) in round one.
Full results below:
 
 
OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN EVENT – VACANT IBA AMERICAS FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Nico Hernandez (4-0, 3 KOs), Wichita, KS
WTKO5 (0:55)
Victor Torres (2-8-1, 1 KO), Modesto, CA
(Hernandez won vacant IBA Americas flyweight title)
CO-FEATURE – WELTERWEIGHTS
Cesar Soriano (28-36-2, 17 KOs), Iztacalco, Distrito Federal, Mexico
D6 (5-56, 57-57, 57-57)
Javonte Starks (13-2-1, 7 KOs), Minneapolis, MN
HEAVYEIGHTS
Maurice Byarm (14-2-1, 10 KOs), Washington D.C.
WKO1 (1:34)
Richard “Silverback” Carmack (15-13-1, 12 KOs), Kansas City, MO
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Jeff Strum (2-0, 1 KO), Wichita, KS
WKO1 (1:12)
Brian Clements (0-1-1), Topeka, KS
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Derrick Clayton (1-0, 1 KO), Bakersfield, CA
WTKO2 (2:59)
Akeem Black (3-2, 1 KO), Milwaukee, WI
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Chazz Macias (1-0, 1KO), Tehachapi, CA
WKO1 (1:20)
Corey Roberts (0-4), Omaha, NE
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @KONightBoxing, @IBABoxing
Facebook:  /NeonStar, /IBABoxing
Follow @Nicomhernandez on Twitter and Instagra

Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera Finishes off Kevin Cobbs in 3 with super uppercut

“NEW ENGLAND’S FUTURE 5”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
(pictures courtesy of Bonesprostudios)
WORCESTER, Mass. (February 11, 2018) – Undefeated prospect Richard  “Popeye The Sailor Man”  Rivera  finished off Kevin “The New England Bully” Cobbs in the third round, punctuating the night with an lethal uppercut that landed right on the button, headlining last night’s “New England’s Future 5” card, presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment, at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The 27-year-old Rivera (6-0, 5 KOs) fought once again in front of his large, traveling fanbase from Hartford, CT, capturing the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) light heavyweight title in dramatic fashion. The charismatic Hartford boxer ended his third consecutive match with what has become his trademark right-uppercut.

Rivera used his strength, energy and determined will to defeat South Boston’s Cobbs (10-3, 4 KOs), whose previous fight had been more than a year ago, when he was stopped in the second round by now world champion David Benavidez.

In only his sixth pro fight, the key question going into the bout was whether Rivera was ready to effectively step up in class to face a more experienced Cobbs. Right from the opening bell, the answer was a resounding, yes, as Rivera pounded Cobbs with powerful shots to the body and head.

Cobbs was dropped three times in the third round, one was ruled a push, and the end came when referee Jackie Morrell halted the action at the 2:51 as a reeling Cobbs was blasted backwards from the Rivera’s previously mentioned uppercut.

  The beginning of the end for Cobbs (L) as Rivera sets up his vaunted uppercut

“I stepped things up in the third,” Rivera explained. “He stopped throwing as many punches in the third and was ducking in. I said I wasn’t going to look for the knockout but, if it came, I’d take it. I got him with my uppercut. I respect Cobbs and thank him for giving me this opportunity.”
In the co-featured event, hometown favorite Bobby “BH3” Harris, III (2-0-1), the two-time national amateur champion, and Brazilian super middleweight Saul Almeida (0-8-2) fought to a four-round majority draw.
Super middleweight Troy “Omar KO Artist” Artis (5-7-1, 3 KOs), of Danbury, CT, upset intrastate rival Jose “Rated R” Rivera (4-2, 3 KOs), of Hartford, winning a six-round majority decision.
Danbury, CT junior welterweight Omar Bordoy, Jr. (4-0-, 1 KO) used a blistering body attack to defeat Seth Basler (0-5) by way of a lop-sided four-round unanimous decision.

Junior welterweight prospect Wilfredo “El Sucaro” Pagan (4-0, 2 KOs) floored veteran Bryan “The Brick” Abraham (6-29-2, 6 KOs) with a sweet right-left combination at the end of the opening round. In the second round, Pagan, of Southbridge, MA., drilled Abraham who went flying across the ring and into the ropes as referee Jackie Morrell halted the bout.

Springfield, MA junior middleweight Derrick “Bad Boy” Whitley (3-0) cruised to a dominating four-round unanimous decision over Cleveland’s Roger Blankenship (1-3), pitching a complete shutout in the process.

Bridgeport, CT welterweight Joe Goss (1-0) turned in an impressive pro debut, dropping Montreal’s Samuel Vasquez (1-3, 1 KO) in the second round on his way to a four-round unanimous decision.

Puerto Rican junior lightweight Luis “Lobito” Rivera (4-3, 1 KOs) overcame a nasty cut over his eye to win a hard-fought four-round majority decision over Carlos Marrero, III (0-2), of Bridgeport, CT, in a non-stop action fight to the finish.

Unbeaten Springfield, MA light heavyweight Ray “Bazooka” Graceski (5-0-1, 3 KOs) and International Muay Thai fighter, Harford’s pro boxing debuting Pawel Banasiak (0-1-0), fought to a four-round draw in an entertaining brawl.

Puerto Rican super middleweight Jelame Garcia (7-0, 6 KOs), fighting out of Lynn, MA., remained undefeated but Nathan Schulte (0-5), of Woburn, MA, extended him the full distance for first time as a pro en route to a four-round unanimous decision.

Complete results:

OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN EVENT
VACANT UBF NEW ENGLAND LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Richard Rivera (6-0, 5 KOs), Hartford, CT
WKO3 (2:51)
Kevin Cobbs (10-3, 4 KOs), South Boston, MA
(Rivera won vacant UBF New England light heavyweight title)
CO-FEATURE – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Bobby Harris, III (2-0-1), Worcester, MA
D6 (37-39, 38-38)
Saul Almeida (0-8-2), Framingham, MA
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Ray Graceski (5-0-1, 3 KOs), Springfield, MA
D4 (38-38, 38-38, 38-38)
Pawel Banasiak (0-0-1), Hartford, CT
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Troy Artis (5-7-1, 3 KOs), Danbury, CT
WDEC6 (58-56, 58-56, 57-57)
Jose Rivera (4-2, 3 KOs), Hartford, CT
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Jelame Garcia (7-0, 6 KOs), Lynn, MA
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-37)
Nathan Schulte (0-5), Woburn, MA
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Derrick Whitley (3-0), Springfield, MA
WDEC4 (40-35, 40-36, 40-36)
Robert Blankenship (1-3), Cleveland, OH
Joseph Goss (1-0), Bridgeport, CT
WDEC4 (40-35, 39,36, 38-37)
Samuel Vasquez (1-3, 1 KO), Montreal, Canada
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Omar Bordoy, Jr. (4-0, 1 KO), Danbury, CT
WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
Seth Basler (0-5), Marion, IL
Wilfredo Pagan (4-0, 2 KOs), Southbridge, MA
WTKO2 (1:25)
Bryan Abraham (6-29-2, 6 KOs), Schenectady, NY
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS
Luis Rivera (4-3, 1 KO), Hartford, CT
WDEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 38-38)
Carlos Marrera, III (0-2), Bridgeport, CT
 
INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp, KingRivera_

PROMOTER DON KING SAYS MACHADO-MENSAH FIGHT HAS BECOME CONVOLUTED, FULL OF INTRIGUE & MACHINATION; WE ARE READY TO FIGHT!

Dkp

 

 

Deerfield Beach, Fla. (Feb. 9, 2018) – Boxing promoter Don King has been trying to finalize a fight with WBA super featherweight champion Alberto “El Explosivo” Machado for more than two months with his number two contender, Rafael Mensah.

 

“I’ve been dealing with Robert Diaz of Golden Boy Promotions and he seems to be a forthright person,” said King.  “Since the beginning of December they have been telling me we would have an agreement to fight on January 27th after they arranged a meeting with HBO’s Peter Nelson.  It has been one story after another story.”

 

King continued: “I had the one call with Robert Diaz and he never called me back. We kept calling him.  We were supposed to go in together to meet with Peter Nelson and they said we would have a 50-50 deal, and I’ve never heard from him. Mensah has been waiting three years for a title opportunity.

 

“My fighter was set to fight on Jan. 27, which is what we agreed upon. But I never heard back from anyone. They are playing the con game in trying to avoid this fight with Mensah.  They are trying to get under the rules and not fight my future champion.  The making of the Machado-Mensah fight has become convoluted and full of intrigue and machination.  This whole thing has been mysterious.   We are ready to fight!”

 

Mensah, who hails from Ghana, is 31-0 with 23 KOs.

Danny Garcia Philadelphia Media Workout Quotes & Photos

 
With Quotes & Photos from Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe of the
Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles
 
Two-Division Champion Battles Former Champion Brandon Rios in Welterweight World Title Eliminator Live on SHOWTIME Saturday, February 17 from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
 
Click HERE for Photos from Chet Susslin/SHOWTIME
 
PHILADELPHIA (February 9, 2018) – One day after the city celebrated its first Super Bowl championship, two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia was joined by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Dannell Ellerbe at a media workout in Philadelphia as Garcia prepares for his welterweight world title eliminator against former champion Brandon Rios Saturday, February 17 live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
The Premier Boxing Champions event also features undefeated super middleweight world champion David Benavidez and top-rated contender Ronald Gavril squaring-off in a rematch of their thrilling September 2017 bout in which Benavidez won the vacant title by split decision. TheSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with , welterweight contender Yordenis Ugas battling Ray Robinson in an IBF 147-pound title eliminator.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at AXS.com.
Here is what Garcia, Ellerbe, Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe and Danny’s father and trainer, Angel Garcia had to say Friday from DSG Boxing Gym in Philadelphia:
DANNY GARCIA
“At the end of the day, everyone at welterweight has to prove themselves. The pieces will fall into place. Eventually we’ll all fight each other. I’m just going to keep taking it one fight at a time.
“I’m excited to get back in the ring. I feel rejuvenated. My body feels fresh. Training camp has gone really well and now it’s time to get in there and go to work.
“I learned from the Keith Thurman fight not to leave anything in the hands of the judges. It was a close fight that could have gone either way. I have to go for the kill, so it is what it is.
“I was just enjoying myself for a little bit after the Thurman fight. I knew that I’d be back so it was good to get some time with my family and away from boxing. Now I’m back and ready to go.
“This is a new chapter in my career. There are new obstacles to overcome. Just like I’ve always had in my career. I’m going to take it one fight at a time so I can get back to where I belong.
“Once you’re a champion, you’re always a champion. On February 17 I’m going to show everyone why I’m one of the best fighters in the world.
“I’ve had my best performances in Las Vegas against Amir Khan and Lucas Matthysse. Las Vegas is where the stars fight so I’m happy to be fighting there again.
“I’ve been preparing for everything. I’ve been working on boxing and brawling; it’ll just depend how I feel when the fight starts. I’m going to be ready for 12 rounds regardless.”
DANNELL ELLERBE, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker
“Just to know how starving Philadelphia has been for a Super Bowl championship, and to bring the first one, it’s a great feeling. These fans give you energy and make you play better.
“It’s all love between the Philly athletes. We all show up for each other’s events and support each other. That’s really big to have a supportive community and I’m sure everyone will be rooting for Danny next Saturday.”
ANGEL GARCIA, Danny’s Father & Trainer
“Brandon Rios is not going to be an easy opponent. This is going to be a great fight. Rios is a very tough fighter. There’s no way this is going to be an easy fight and Danny knows that.
“Danny knows he can’t take anything lightly because Brandon Rios will be prepared. But he’s not going to win. Danny Garcia has never taken a beating; he gives them out.
“Brandon Rios better keep his hands up. We’ll be ready in one week for Danny Garcia to be at his best. You’re going to see him once again show his great skills.”
LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions
“Garcia vs. Brandon Rios is a great stylistic matchup. Rios is a very aggressive fighter who likes to put pressure on. Danny is a boxer-puncher, but I think you see that Danny really comes forward. He’s a guy who’s boxing skills are underrated.
“Danny Garcia has been a unified champion and shown he’s one of the best fighters in the world. Come February 17, he’s going to make a big statement. There’s a lot of justified talk about other welterweights, but Danny Garcia is a name in this division who is here to stay.
“The Benavidez vs. Gavril rematch is a fantastic fight. It’s a fight people have been looking for since the first time they faced off. I think it’s going to live up to what everyone has expected. I know Ronald has made some adjustments, and I’m sure Benavidez has made some too. I think it’s going to be an all-out war.”
#          #          #
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports  and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, and @MandalayBay or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/ShoBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampionsand www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Premier Boxing Champions is presented by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Frank De Alba suffers cut

    
 Mykal Fox – Ricardo Garcia & Kermit Cintron – Marquis Taylor to battle in co-main events on Tuesday, February 13 at Sands Bethlehem Event Center
Undefeated fighters Colby Madison  Michael Coffie, & Juan Sanchez in action
Martino Jules squares off with Malik Loften in battle of undefeated featherweights
Bethlehem, PA (February 9, 2018) – Junior Lightweight contender Frank De Alba suffered a cut in his last day of sparring and will not be able to compete against Carlos Padilla in the main event of King’s Promotions packed card on Tuesday, February 13th at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center.
Undefeated super lightweight Mykal Fox (15-0, 4 KOs) of Baltimore, MD will take on Ricardo Garcia (14-1, 9 KOs) of Dominican Republic, also two-time world champion Kermit Cintron (39-6-3, 30 KOs) of Reading, PA. will do battle with Marquis Taylor(8-1) of Houston, Texas as the card will feature a pair of eight-round co-feature bouts.
“It’s unfortunate that Frank got hurt, but we have two excellent fights that will now top the bill,” said King’s Promotions CEO Marshall Kauffman.  “This is a terrific card from top to bottom, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday night.”
In six-round bouts:
Colby Madison (5-0-1, 4 KOs) of Owings Mills, Maryland will fight Dante Selby (2-3-1) of Philadelphia in a heavyweight bout.
Blake Mansfield (5-1-1, 3 KOs) of Burlington, NC will fight Darryl Bunting (3-2-2, 1 KO) of Asbury Park, NJ in a middleweight tilt.
In four-round bouts:
Michael Coffie (1-0, 1 KO) will take on pro debuting Nicoy Clarke of Jersey City, NJ in a heavyweight bout.
 

Martino Jules (2-0) of Allentown, PA will fight Malik Loften (1-0, 1 KO) of Suitland, MD in a featherweight bout.

Juan Sanchez (4-0, 1 KO) of Allentown, PA will take on Sergio Aguilar (2-6, 2 KOs) of Homestead, FL in a featherweight bout.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by King’s Promotions, are priced at $50, $75 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are on sale now. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER CONDUCTS LOS ANGELES MEDIA WORKOUT

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
Wilder Defends His WBC Title Against Fellow-Unbeaten Luis Ortiz Saturday, March 3 Live on SHOWTIME
Click HERE for Photos from Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
Click HERE for Photos from Idris Erba/Team Deontay Wilder
LOS ANGELES (Feb. 9, 2018) – Just days after the birth of his daughter, American heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder met with members of the Southern California media on Thursday as he prepares to defend his WBC Heavyweight World Championship against fellow-undefeated challenger Luis Ortiz Saturday, March 3 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.
Wilder and his girlfriend, fellow “WAGS Atlanta” star Telli Swift welcomed their daughter into the world on Tuesday before Wilder turned his focus to March 3, climbing in the ring at Team Watson Boxing Club in the San Fernando Valley to work out with his Los Angeles-based trainer Mark Breland, the former U.S. Olympics gold medalist and former WBC Welterweight World Champion.
The 32-year-old Wilder owns a perfect record of 39 wins, zero losses and 38 knockouts. Fighting out of his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Ala., he was a 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist and is the only reigning American heavyweight world champion.  The 6-foot-7 Wilder faces the toughest opponent of his career in Ortiz, a 6-foot-4 Cuban who owns a professional record of 28-0 with 24 knockouts.
Here is what Wilder had to say on Thursday:
 
DEONTAY WILDER:
“Once I unify all the titles then line up the mandatories, I’ll easily get to 50-0. I’m not a 12-round fighter, and I don’t get overtime. I’m a knockout artist. So that being said, I don’t take much damage, but I give all the damage. I put people in the hospitals. I put people in stretchers. When you fight me your head is not the same when you leave. When you fight me you’re really signing a death warrant.
“This is one of the biggest fights of my career and I’m up for the challenge. I’m going to pass with flying colors.
“Ortiz has got that reputation of being the bogeyman but I’ve never been scared of the bogeyman. For that reason, I wanted him. A lot of people have been avoiding him, even champions that are champions to this day have avoided Luis Ortiz. But this champion right here took on the opportunity.
Even when [Ortiz] failed the drug test once, I still blessed him again because I’m very adamant about what I want to do. I want to fight the best. I say I’m the best. I say it very proudly, I say it very confidently. I say it so boldly and I want to show the world that I don’t play around. If I say it, I really mean what I say. I don’t have time to waste.
“If he fails again then somebody’s going to need to go whoop his ass. The public needs to whoop his ass. All of Miami should get up and do that. The first time, a lot of people spent a lot of time and a lot of money for tickets and he did what he did. A lot of people were enraged. I heard it and a lot of people blamed me, which I don’t know why. But, with this fight right here and what I did with my last performance, it makes it even better. It intensifies the whole fight. So, if he [fails his drug test again] then shame on him. I feel sorry for his soul and his life. I don’t think he’s going to do that. I think he has a lot of responsibilities in his hands right now. At this point in time he knows he needs to do the right thing. Three times is not the charm in all instances.”
“I don’t focus on what these guys are doing. I don’t focus on what their strengths are. I just focus on me. I focus on what I’m capable of doing. I focus on what I’m going to do and when I tell people I’m going to do something, you know I’m going to do it. At the end of the day that’s what my father taught me. There weren’t any contracts back in the day, it was just the shake of a hand. And if you said something and you didn’t abide by it, there’s consequences to your actions, to your words. To this day, I abide by that. So, if I say I’m going to do something it’s guaranteed to be done.”
 
On his lifestyle outside of boxing:
“I just think life itself is just mental. I do a lot of visualization. I do a lot of meditation. It strengthens my mind to go through a lot of the situations that I go through. Having a baby and being on a reality show, all of that is fun stuff. Some people know how to maintain it and some people don’t. I’m just a guy that multitasks a lot of things. I can do a lot of things. Even when I’m talking to you, my mind can be in so many different places right now and still be able to comprehend and interact with you. So, I think I was meant for a lot of things. Boxing is just not what all I can do. I’m so talented in so many different areas.
“I’m a laid back guy. In my personal life I’m just a cool, calm and collected dude that likes to live life and I love peace. Unfortunately, in what I do in the ring, I turn into the ‘Bronze Bomber’ and the ‘Bronze Bomber’ don’t get caught by none.”
 
On being on reality TV and recognized by non-boxing fans:
“I think it’s very important. People need to know who the heavyweight champion of the world is. America got a bad man, an ass-whooper, right in America. I think it’s important and people should understand and should know who that is. That’s why I do the things I do. That’s why I’m so competitive. That’s why I speak the way I speak. Sometimes it may annoy people, it may get on people’s nerves and I never hear it in front of my face, but I understand it. I do it to show people that I’m going to speak it and you’re going to see me deliver it. I think you get the most respect when you say something you’re going to do and you do it. Look at Ali, people hated him. They say he was a big mouth who ran his mouth too much but he proved himself many times and that’s that thing I want to do. I want to speak what I say I’m going to do and you watch me work.”
On Anthony Joshua:
“I want him just as bad as everybody else wants him. If it was up to me, we would’ve been fighting two years ago. I’ve been calling this man out. When they hyped him up and said he was this, said he was that. I’m the type of person that I get happy for other people. With me and my happiness and me being successful, that’s all up to me. It ain’t up to nobody else. So, when I see other people doing great things, when I see good things coming to other people, I get happy for other people. It’s a hard thing for people to get happy for other people because things don’t happen for them but I’m not like that because I know my blessings will sure enough come. All I got to do is keep working.
“I come in peace all of the time but with him, I don’t think Joshua wants to fight me. His promoters don’t want him to fight me. They’re on the goal of trying to build this resume, saying they want to be the first billionaires, stuff like that. But doing that, the plans all end with me. All roads lead to me. I’m not going nowhere, no time soon. They know black don’t crack. So, I’m going to be around for a long time. I ain’t the best heavyweight in the division. I’m the best heavyweight on this earth. I’m just waiting on the opportunity to prove it.”
Prediction on Joshua-Parker:
“I’ve always said ‘later rounds’. I see that fight going later rounds if Joseph Parker is smart in what he does. He has nice movement and is able to execute on all of the opportunities that he sees with Joshua. Because Joshua can’t move his head. He’s a muscle, body-building type of guy. You’ve seen my dance? [chuckles] With that, if he’s able to calculate what he needs to do in the ring – because the ring has a lot of secrets – if he’s able to do things he needs to do, I see late rounds. But, like I said before, I think they’re going to have to knock Joshua out because they’re not going to give it to him.”
Prediction for March 3:
“People ask me the round and I always see threes. This year is a magical year. It’s the year of the 33. So, I see threes everywhere. I see three rounds or less, maybe shorter than that. It all depends on how I feel when I see him.”
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New England   Tournament of Champions  Novice Division results from Lowell

 
72nd annual Lowell Sun Charities
Golden Gloves Championship
New England Tournament of Champions
Novice Division finals this Thursday night in Lowell 

Marlboro, MA junior welterweight Nelson Perez (L) defeated Brockton’s Kevin Walsh to advance to next Thursday night’s All-New England Championships in the novice division
(pictures courtesy of Edward Boches / Boches Photography)
LOWELL, Mass. (February 9, 2018) – Western New England and Central New England teams dominated last night’s semifinals round in the novice division of the New England Tournament of Champions, part of the 72nd annual New England Golden Gloves Championships, was held last night at historic Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
Team Western and Team Central won five and four individual matches, respectively, of 10 exciting bouts with the 10 winners advance to this coming Thursday’s (Feb. 15) novice division championship final at Lowell Memorial Auditorium. See the complete 2018 schedule of events below as well as last night’s complete results.
“Now, we’re down to the final two novice boxers in each weight class from the six New England states,” N. E. Executive Director Bobby Russo said. “It’s always interesting to see the cream rise to the top. The week after next the All-New England’s open division matches will be held and there will be more good match ups.”
Tickets start at $16.00, only $7.00 for students (ID required) and are available to purchase by calling the Lowell Memorial Auditorium box office at 1.866.722.8881 or ordering online at www.lowellauditorium.com. Buy tickets early to avoid long lines the night of the show..
Proceeds from the Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship go towards sending the New England Golden Gloves champions to the National Golden Gloves Championship (starting May 14, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska), in addition to supporting local athletes and area gyms, the Boys & Girls Club, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, cancer funds, scholarships and many other great charitable causes.
 
OFFICIAL RESULTS
(Feb. 8, 2018)
 
NOVICE
FLYWEIGHTS (114 lbs.)
Jean Pineiro, Bridgeport, CT / WNE
DEC (4-1)
Thomas Curtis, Methuen, MA / CNE
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (141 lbs.)
Nelson Perez, Marlboro, MA / CNE
DEC 5-0
Kevin Walsh, Brockton, MA / SNE
WELTERWEIGHTS (152 LBS.)
Alexander Lynch, Quincy, MA / Grealish Boxing Club
DEC 5-0
Jacob Knowles, Canaan, ME
Marc Soils, Westbrook, CT / WNE
DEC (5-0)
Marwan Tama, Cranston, RI / SNE
MIDDLEWEIGHTS (165 lbs.)
Makenson Barjon, Bridgeport, CT / WNE
DEC 5-0
Kevin Pontier, Woonsocket, RI / SNE
Cody Zombeck, Rochester, NH / NNE
DEC (5-0)
Greg Bono, Waltham, MA / CNE
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (178 lbs.)
Jesse Batanda, Nashua, NH / CNE
DEC (5-0)
Josh Sealy, Fall River, MA / SNE
Dimani Williams, Bloomfield, CT / WNE
DEC (4-1)
Bradley Jimenez, Burlington, VT
HEAVYWEIGHTS – (201+ lbs.)
Yuri Panferov,. New Haven, CT / WNE
RSC3 (1:27)
Emanuel Anaele, Brockton, MA / SNE
Jean Fleuirassaint, Mattapan, MA / CNE
DEC (4-1)
Kevin Wilaon, Dover, NH / NNE
CNE – Central New England, SNE – Southern New England,
NNE – Northern New England, WNE – Western New England

Bridgeport, CT middleweight Makension Barjon (L) won a 5-0 decision over Kevin Pontier, of Woonsocket, RI
 
72nd annual Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship Schedule
(Lowell Memorial Auditorium – 6:30 p.m. doors open, 7:30 p.m. first bout)
New England Tournament of Champions
Novice Class Championship Finals – Thursday, Feb. 15
Open Class Semifinals – Wednesday, Feb. 21
Open Class Championship Finals – Thursday, Feb. 22
INFORMATION:
New England Golden Gloves Executive Director: Bobby Russo
Director of Contestants: Art Ramalho
Chief of Officials: Lauri Purcell
Ring Announcer: John Vena
Venue: Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA
Twitter: @LowellGloves

TURN THE PAGE: JONES & DENNING WILL WRITE NEXT CHAPTER IN STORIED CAREERS AT NEF 33

Portland, Maine (February 9, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland onApril 14, 2018 with the fight promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 33: Riptide.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the card.  Bill Jones (12-10) is scheduled to meet Matt Denning (5-7) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

 

 

Having begun competing in MMA back in 2007, Bill Jones is one of the longest-active fighters on the New England regional scene. His list of opponents over the years reads like a “who’s who” of local featherweights and lightweights.  He holds wins over some of the best the region has to offer like UFC veteran Tateki Matsuda (13-8) and current UFC competitor Matt Bessette (22-8).  Most recently, Jones competed on the national stage at World Series of Fighting (WSOF) 35 last spring in New York.  Jones is currently a member of Nostos MMA based in Somersworth, New Hampshire.  “NEF 33″ will be Jones’ long-awaited first appearance in the NEF cage.

 

 

 

“I’m excited to finally make my NEF debut and face Matt Denning, a fight I’ve been looking forward to for a long time,” said Jones.  “My health is at a new level since I stopped smoking. I feel refreshed and ready to put on my best performance to date against an opponent that I’m looking to dismantle in impressive fashion. Everyone knows not to sleep on me. I made my mark in the regional scene a long time age – and April 14th will be the next chapter in that story. Let’s get after it!”

 

 

 

Including his amateur career, Matt “Ken Doll” Denning is a fifteen-fight veteran of the NEF cage.  He is on a two-fight win-streak in that cage with first-round submission victories over Josh Parker (6-10) at “NEF 28” and Dom Jones (1-1) at “NEF 29.”  Like Jones, Denning is a veteran of the WSOF cage, having competed for the national promotion at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  Most recently, Denning fought for national promotion Bellator in Connecticut.  He is a member of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) based in Lewiston, Maine.

 

 

 

“I’m excited to fight for NEF again,” said Denning. “The last two times I fought for them, I had first round submission wins. Bill is a veteran and someone that I’ve tried to fight for a while. After this fight, I don’t expect to be as active as I have been in the past. I want to focus on my job, Hollie and Becca. I look forward to a great showing and seeing all my fans.”

 

 

 

NEF returns to Portland, Maine, at Aura on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.  For more information on the event, please visit www.NewEnglandFights.com.