All posts by FNU47

ISSAC “CANELITO” AVELAR REMAINS UNDEFEATED, CAPTURES WBC FECOMBOX TITLE

Photo by Mario Serrano – Prince Ranch Boxing
AGUASCALIENTES, MX (February 2, 2018) – Tonight at the Explanada de Expoplaza in Aguascalientes, MX, Sugar Promotions presented “New Blood”. In the 10-round main event Issac “Canelito” Avelar (14-0, 9 KOs) captured the WBC FECOMBOX
Featherweight  title with a TKO victory over Alejandro Frias (6-3-1, 3 KOs).
Avelar, a southpaw who was fighting in front of his hometown fans, applied pressure from the opening bell, forcing Frias to fight going backwards. Avelar used a lot of faints to keep Frias off balance, giving him opportunities to a land a lot of power shots. In the middle rounds, Avelar was overpowering the taller Frias, forcing him fight off the ropes. As the fight entered the later rounds, Frias was starting to fade, as Avelar maintained a steady attack. In the tenth and final round, Avelar landed a flurry of punches to the head and body of Frias, forcing the referee to stop the bout at the .40 second mark. Avelar, who is managed by Prince Ranch Boxing’s Greg Hannely, remained undefeated.
“I wanted to give my hometown fans a great victory,” said Issac Avelar. “Capturing the WBC FECOMBOX title is a goal I set for myself at the beginning of this year. I know with hard work, I’ll be able to fight for more WBC titles as I march up the rankings. I’m very grateful to all the people who helped me get to this point in my career. I’m also thankful to all my family and friends who came out and supported me tonight. My career is about to take off.”
In the 8-round co-main event, NABF Junior Flyweight champion, Damien “Sugar” Vazquez (13-0, 6 KOs), remained undefeated with at fifth round knockout over Miguel Lizardo (0-2-1). Vazquez was landing at will and wobbled Lizardo in round three. Vazquez stayed patient and used a nice counter punching attack to dominate the fight. A straight left in round five sent Lizardo to the deck, ending the bout at the 1:57 mark.
 
UNDERCARD RESULTS
 
6-round Super Flyweight Female Bout
In a very competitive action fight, Cristina Mora (7-0-2, 4 KOs) and Gabriela Sanchez (3-2-1) battled for six hard rounds. Mora used her superior boxing skills to land clean shots from a distance. Sanchez had her moments as she used her pressure style to get inside of Mora, landing some nice power shots. More landed a straight right in round two that bloodied the nose of Sanchez, who was bleeding the rest of the fight. Mora edged Sanchez in the later rounds giving her a split decision victory. Scorecards read 58-55, 57-56 for Mora and 57-56 for Sanchez. Mora remains undefeated.
6-round Featherweight Bout
Local native Edwing Davila (17-0, 10 KOs) defeated Carlos Rocha (3-2-1) with an impressive fourth round TKO. Davila dropped Rocha in round three with a vicious body shot. Rocha survived the round only to get stopped after being dropped three time in round four. Fight was stopped at the 2:24 mark of round four.
6-round Super Lightweight Bout
Denver Colorado’s Donovan Estrella (11-0, 4 KOs) remained undefeated with a unanimous decision victory against Antonio Camacho (1-5, 1 KO). Estrella controlled the fight with precise punching, lateral movement and a constant body attack. Scorecards read 60-54 twice, 59-55.
4-round Light Flyweight Female Bout
In an all-out war, Mayran Salazar (7-2) defeated Naomi Arellano (4-1, 1 KO) by unanimous decision. Arellano, who suffered her first loss, was in every round, but was out gunned by Salazar, who landed the cleaner shots. Both fighters landed nice power shots, but it was Salazar who wobbled Arellano in round three. Scorecards read 39-37 twice and 40-36 all in favor of Salazar.
4-round Light Heavyweight Bout
Las Vegas’ Kye Brooks improved to (2-0, 2 KO) with a devastating first round KO over Antonio Reyes, who was making his pro debut. A left-hook, right hand combo sent Reyes to the canvas in the opening minuet. After Reyes got up, Brooks then ended the bout with a powerful straight right hand. The bout was stopped at the 1:47 mark of round one.

RONALD ELLIS & JUNIOR YOUNAN FIGHT TO A SPLIT DRAW IN THE MAIN EVENT OFSHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM WINNAVEGAS CASINO RESORT IN SLOAN, IOWA

 

Unbeaten Prospects Montana Love and Thomas Mattice Win In Co-Featured Bouts

Watch The Replay Monday, Feb. 5 At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME®

Click HERE To Download Photos; Credit Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

SLOAN, IOWA (Feb. 3, 2018) – Undefeated super middleweight prospects Ronald Ellis and Junior Younan fought to a split draw in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday on SHOWTIME from WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa.

While Ellis was the ShoBox veteran with the stronger resume, Younan entered the fight as a highly touted prospect who had never been tested.  He faced his first test on Friday in what was the first scheduled 10-round bout for both fighters.

The fight was fought in flurries, with Younan scoring from the outside and Ellis the aggressor.  Except for the eighth round where Brooklyn’s Younan displayed his best work, Ellis seemed to push the action and win the second half of the fight.  Ellis had a slight edge in power punch percentage and total punches, but Younan was slightly more accurate.  The fighters were even with 96 total connects entering the 10th round, but Ellis (14-0-2, 10 KOs) won the 10th on all three judges’ scorecards by out-landing Younan 21-9.

The 10-round fight was scored 96-94 Ellis, 96-94 Younan, and 95-95.

“I thought I pulled it out.  I closed the show at the end,” said Ellis, of Lynn, Mass.  “I was pressuring him and the fans know I won.  In the eighth, he landed a couple of shots but he wasted his energy.  As you saw, he didn’t do anything the rest of that round, and after that round he had nothing left.

“He was running from the start, so I knew I could land shots on him anytime.  My only regret is I wish that I got him out of there. It’s all knockouts from here on out.  I would definitely fight him again, but I’ll do whatever my promoter lines up for me.”

After the fight, an emotional Younan (13-0-1, 9 KOs) pleaded his case for a rematch.

“I thought I won the fight, I thought [Ellis] won maybe three rounds,” Younan said.  “My best round was the eighth round – I had him in the corner and I really thought they were going to end the fight then.  I was surprised they didn’t stop the fight.

“I can improve a little bit, I feel I can finish stronger. I’ve only had one eight-round fight before this so this was a big step up for me.  I’m growing and learning every fight.

“I’m heartbroken right now.  I wanted to win that fight.  I want him in a rematch.  I know I would win.  I know what to do and what not to do.”

Undefeated lightweight Thomas Mattice rallied from behind to score a seventh round TKO of ShoBox veteran Rolando Chinea in the telecast’s co-feature.

Chinea pushed the action as expected from the opening bell, throwing 90 punches in the first round to set a blistering pace for the scheduled eight-round fight.  Chinea, who entered having beaten three previously undefeated fighters in his last four bouts, cut the ring off and pressed forward, keeping Mattice largely against the ropes.  Mattice did his best work in the center of the ring, but the undefeated Cleveland native was unable to keep the fight from being contested against the ropes.

Down 59-55 entering the seventh, Mattice (11-0, 9 KOs) caught Chinea with a huge right to the chin and, sensing Chinea was hurt, unloaded with a series of combos to the head.  With Chinea seemingly out on his feet and falling sideways to the canvas, referee Adam Pollack stepped in to stop the fight at 1:31 of the seventh.

“It was a rough fight,” Mattice said.  “I felt like I was behind and my corner told me I needed a knockout.  He buzzed me a few times.  I caught him in the seventh and he wobbled.  At first I was trying for one shot, then I remembered to start using the one-two.  Then I landed a body shot, then a hook, and we got what we came here for, which was a knockout.”

Chinea (15-2-1, 6 KOs) was active, throwing an impressive 678 punches over seven-and-a-half rounds, compared to 414 for Mattice.  But while he was aggressive and effective on the inside, his neglect of defense is what ultimately hurt him.

“I think I did well pressuring him and sticking to my game plane,” Chinea said.  “I just got carried away and got caught with the right shot and, unfortunately, it ended the way it ended.

“I’m a little disappointed it ended the way it did, but that’s boxing and a lot of things can happen in the sport and that’s just the way it went.”

In the opening bout of the three-fight telecast, super lightweight prospect Montana Love kept his unblemished record intact with a majority decision over Sam Teah, scored 78-74, 78-74, 76-76.

The southpaw Love (9-0, 4 KOs) pressed the action from the start, utilizing superior speed and polished footwork to dictate the pace.  Cleveland’s Love, who took the fight on just four days’ notice, was seemingly talking trash during rounds, telling Teah what was coming next.  But even with the advance warning, Teah was unable to get inside or land anything of consequence.  Teah (12-2-1, 5 KOs) seemed to come alive in the sixth but it was too little, too late for the Philadelphia fighter.

“I just kept boxing and pushing him back,” Love said.  “I hurt three of my knuckles in my left hand in about the third round.  I’m not sure if they’re fractured or not, but if I hadn’t hurt them I would have ended that fight early.

“I felt strong.  I just came from a great camp with Robert Easter, which I think helped in this fight tonight. Sparring with Robert and Adrien [Broner], I’ve learned a lot from those guys.

“I give my overall performance a B or a C+.  I think I could have done a lot more.”

Teah made no excuses about facing a last-minute opponent.

“He was a crafty southpaw.  I knew he was slick, but he was quicker than I expected,” Teah said.  “I would ball up to try to come inside and he was sharp with his right hook.  Fighting guys on short-notice is the way I expect it.  That’s the sport.  I was preparing for a southpaw and I got a southpaw.  No excuses.”

The event was promoted by GH3 Promotions in association with Roc Nation Sports, Victory Promotions and Ringside Ticket.

# # #

Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

 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.

FNU Combat Sports Show, February 1, 2018 (SUPERBOWL EDITION)

Tom, Tony and Rich discuss the week in combat sports news. We also recap the boxing and MMA events from last week and preview upcoming events.

 

Tony (Eagles Fan) and Rich (Patriots Fan) make a friendly wager for the big game and talk football during the show, too.

Listen to the show below.

 

Global Sports Streaming Presents Best in Boxing on Friday, February 16th live from Tijuana, Mexico

   
Dewayne Beamon takes on Francisco Ramos Serrano in main event

Global Sports Streaming (GSS) @GSStreaming is announcing a 6 Live Fight Broadcast partnership with Fight Hub TV @FightHubTV starting with their upcoming February 16th show. Fight Hub TV will live stream the undercard fights from Global Sports Streaming’s show Best in Boxing @bestinboxing. Best in Boxing broadcasts 12 to 13 fights per show and now with a pay per view model in place will work with Fight Hub TV as the lead in to the PPV broadcast. Fight Hub TV will live stream six to seven fights on their YouTube channel youtube.com/fighthub. Fight Hub TV has over 300,000 subscribers and is the largest independent boxing YouTube channel.

“This is a great partnership for Global Sports Streaming. Marcos Villegas has built a quality channel with a loyal following and we are honored to be working with his company.” Armando Bareño founding member of Global Sports Streaming is on a mission to expand the sport of boxing and working with Fight Hub TV is only accelerating the process. “I’ve always felt that the sport of boxing does a disservice to itself by not broadcasting the developmental stages of a fighters career.” Armando and his Global Sports Streaming team are working to broaden the viewership by broadcasting fights that are overlooked by television networks.

“I’m very happy in joining Global Sports Streaming and Borizteca Boxing in this venture. It’s the perfect opportunity to provide live fights that provide knockouts to our core subscribers and fight fans via our platform. We look forward to this event and others that will see Fight Hub TV move into broadcasting live fights and events in 2018.”
Marcos Villegas created Fight Hub TV in 2009 and since than has built Fight Hub into the largest and most subscribed to digital platform for boxing in the world and second biggest in all of combat sports. Boxing fans and combat sport fans have truly found Fight Hub TV to be a great source of information on their favorite fighters and events.

Fight Fans can watch the undercards on youtube.com/fighthub and change over to bestinboxing.com to watch the pay per view portion of the card. Exciting prospect Dewayne Beamon (13-0 10KOs) of Goldsboro, North Carolina will be fighting Angel Francisco Ramos Serrano (17-1-1 12KOs) of Ensenada, Mexico in the main event.

The pay per view platform is just step one for Global Sports Streaming as they are preparing to launch their own Netflix style sports streaming service in the second quarter of 2018. “This is an idea I’ve had in my head for years and it’s finally in the process of being built. We will be expanding our sports coverage to an assortment of sports programming. We will be developing our own programming as well as working with sports producers to develop content for the platform,” stated Armando.
Other fighters scheduled to appear on the broadcast are super featherweight Mario Ramirez (9-1, 3 KOs), super lightweight Armando Tovar (8-1, 6 KOs), super welterweight Kevin Torres (6-0-1, 5 KOs) and opening up the Pay-Per-View portion will be super featherweight Roberto Meza (8-1, 4 KOs)
The show begins at 7 PM PST on www.youtube.com/fighthub, and at 10 PM PST onwww.bestinboxing.com for $2.99

Ron Scott Stevens honored to be inducted into New York State Boxing Hall of Fame

                                      
Sunday, April 29 Induction Dinner
Kid Chocolate, James J. Corbett, Jack McAuliffe, Bobby & Murray Goodman and Sam Taub head new class
NEW YORK (February 1, 2018) – Former New York State Athletic Commission Chairperson Ron Scott Stevens has been an all-purpose performer in boxing for five decades and the Brooklyn native has direct connections with most of the other 22 Class of 2018 inductees heading into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF).
The seventh annual NYSBHOF induction dinner will be held Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 29, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
“This is a great honor,” Stevens said about his induction into the NYSBHOF. “When I look back, which this award forces you to do, it dawned on me that I’ve spent more than a half-century in the world of professional boxing. More importantly, I met and worked with many terrific, interesting people who colored my life, filling voids where many existed. Boxing is an enormous family of like-minded people, all desirous of winning but most gracious in defeat.”

Ron Scott Stevens is shown here in an old picture with
“The Greatest”, Muhammad Ali
Many years ago, Stevens rolled the dice, giving up his job as a waiter and deciding to go all-in in terms of boxing, and over the course of time he has served in almost every conceivable area of boxing as an administrator, promoter, matchmaker, editor, writer, ring announcer, blow-by-blow TV announcer, producer, and radio show host.
“I figured boxing was the sport of underdogs and I was an underdog,” Stevens explained. “So, why not try boxing? The great thing about boxing is it allows somebody like me an open spot. Nobody is really born into boxing, other than the son of a boxer or, somebody like that/. It’s the beauty of boxing.
Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF include (Spring Valley) IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Al “Ice” Cole (35-16-3, 16 KOs), (Long Island) WBA light heavyweight Lou “Honey Boy” Del Valle (36-6-2, 22 KOs), (Central Islip) IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Jake Rodriguez (28-8-2, 8 KOs), (Brooklyn) world lightweight title challenger Terrence Alli (52-15-2, 21 KOs), and (Buffalo) undefeated world-class heavyweight “Baby” Joe Mesi (36-0, 29 KOs).
Posthumous participants being inducted are NBA & NYSAC World Featherweight Champion (Manhattan) Kid “Cuban Bon Bon” Chocolate (136-10-6, 51 KOs), (New York City) 20th century heavyweight James J. “Gentleman Jim” Corbett (11-4-3, 5 KOs), (Williamsburg) World Lightweight Champion Jack “The Napoleon of The Prize Ring” McAuliffe, (Kingston) WBC Super Lightweight Champion Billy Costello (40-2, 23 KOs), (Beacon) NYSAC Light Heavyweight World Champion Melio Bettina (83-14-3, 36 KOs), (Brooklyn/Yonkers) world-class middleweight Ralph “Tiger” Jones (52-32-5, 13 KOs) and (Port Washington) heavyweight contender Charley “The Bayonne Bomber” Norkus (33-19, 19 KOs).
In addition to Stevens, living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are (Troy) Pulitzer Prize-winning sportswriter Dave Anderson, (Brooklyn) trainer/advisor Pete Brodsky, (Rockaway) boxing historian/editor Herb Goldman, (Bronx) matchmaker Bobby Goodman, and (Ardsley) NYSAC chairperson/judge Melvina Lathan.
Posthumous non-participant inductees are (Brooklyn) ring announcer Johnnie Addie, (Brooklyn) matchmaker Johnny Bos, (Bronx) boxing publicist Murray Goodman, (New York City) boxing writer/historian Bert Randolph Sugar and (Lower East Side) radio & television announcer/journalist Sam Taub.
Stevens has direct connections with many NYSBHOF inductees, particularly those going in as part of this year’s class.
“I love Bobby Goodman and I knew his father,” Stevens remarked. “I was promoting shows at the Pennsylvania Hotel and right across the street Bobby was the Madison Square Garden matchmaker. We became very close. I promoted shows or did matchmaking for Al Cole, Luis Del Valle and Jake Rodriguez, Herb Goldman acted in my play about boxing, I promoted two of Pete Brodsky’s fighters, met Dave Anderson through Gerry Cooney, and knew when I assigned Melvina Lathan as a judge that she would reflect what went on in the ring because she was an excellent judge. I’m thrilled to be inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame with members of this class.”
Each attending inductee (or direct descendant of) will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.
The 2017 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members: Jack Hirsch, Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski,Ron McNair, and Neil Terens.
All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers or during the prime of their respective career.
 
NYSBHOF
 
CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and Arthur Mercante, Sr.
CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Buddy” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard and Don Dunphy.
 
CLASS OF 2014: Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Billy Backus, Kevin Kelley, Juan LaPorte, Gerry Cooney, Mustafa Hamsho, Howard Davis, Jr., Lou Ambers, Jack Britton, Terry McGovern, Teddy Atlas, Lou DiBella, Steve Farhood, Gene Moore, Angelo Prospero, Whitey Bimstein, Cus D’Amato, William Muldoon and Tom O’Rourke.
CLASS OF 2015: Saoul Mamby, Joey Giamba, Johnny Persol, Harold Weston, Lonnie Bradley, Paul Berlenbach, Billy Graham, Frankie Genaro, Bob Miller, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Slattery, Bob Duffy, Mike Katz, Tommy Gallagher, Bruce Silverglade, Charley Goldman, Jimmy Johnston, Cedric Kushner, Harry Markson, Damon Runyon and Al Weill.
CLASS OF 2016: Aaron Davis, Charles Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, Edwin Viruet, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Kansas, Joe Lynch, Joe Miceli, Ed Brophy, Joe DeGuardia, Randy Gordon, Dennis Rappaport, Howie Albert, Freddie Brown, Howard Cosell, Ruby Goldstein and Jimmy Jacobs.
CLASS OF 2017: Gaspar Ortega, Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Doug Dewitt, “The Bronx Bomber” Alex Ramos, Dick Tiger, Jose Torres, “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey, Don Majeski, Ron Katz, Stan Hoffman, Bobby Bartels, Hank Kaplan, Al Gavin, Arthur Donovan and Dan Parker.
Tickets are priced at $150.00 per adult and $70.00 for children (under 16) and include a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, as well as dinner (prime rib, fish or poultry) and open bar throughout the day. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF/Ring 8 president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304 ordepcomish@aol.com. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $80.00 to $200.00, by contacting Duffy. Go on line at www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.
ABOUT RING 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.
RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.
Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.

Undefeated cruiserweight world champions Murat Gassiev vs. Yunier Dorticos World Boxing Super Series semifinals

AIRING LIVE IN CANADA THIS SATURDAY
EXCLUSIVELY ON SUPER CHANNEL

(L-R) – Yunier Doricos & Murat Gassiev
(Pictures courtesy of World Boxing Super Series)
 
EDMONTON, Canada (January 31, 2018) – The ultra-entertaining World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) semifinals-round concludes this Saturday, when undefeated world champions Murat “Iron” Gassiev (25-0, 18 KOs) and Yunier “The KO Doctor” Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs) throw-down in a unification fight, at Bolshov Ice Dome in Adler, Russia.
Like all WBSS action, the Gassiev-Dorticos card will air live in Canada, starting at 2 p.m. ET, exclusively on Super Channel.
The Gassiev-Dorticos winner will advance this May to the WBSS championship final in Saudi Arabia, to fight WBO/WBC world champion Oleksandr “The Cat” Usyk (14-0, 11 KOs), winner of this past Saturday’s WBSS semifinals match against Mairis Briedis (23-1, 18 KOs). The WBSS’Muhammad Ali Trophy winner will become the first world cruiserweight champion to hold all four major championship belts at the same time.
Super Channel acquired the exclusive rights in Canada to broadcast the World Boxing Super Series from MP & Silva, a leading international media company that provides media rights, digital, technology and sponsorship services.
The 23-year-old Gassiev captured his International Boxing Federation (IBF) crown a year ago with a 12-round split decision victory over three-time world cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (29-1). In the WBSS quarterfinals, Gassiev knocked out two-time world cruiserweight champion Krsysztof Wlodarczysk (53-3-1) in the third round of his initial world title defense.
Dorticos is a well-schooled fighter,” Gassiev noted. “”He has many amateur fights, good speed, and fast hands. He is a great opponent and I have prepared for 12 tough rounds.

“The World Boxing Super Series is a great tournament that gives me the opportunity to unify all the cruiserweight titles. On Saturday, I am going to take another step towards that dream in front of my proud countrymen.”
A Cuban defector who now lives in Miami, Florida, Dorticos stopped interim World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight champion Youri Kalenga (22-2) in the 10th round of their 2016 fight, and he was later elevated to “regular” WBA world champion. Dorticos put Dmitry Kudryashov (21-1) to sleep in the second round of their WBSS quarterfinals match.
“I’m ready to show Gassiev what a champion looks like and give him a challenge he’s never faced before. I want to take his belt. In other words; Gassiev is my next victim. I am preparing my body and soul for the most important fight in my career. Because the only thing I’m going to accept is the victory.
“I have worked hard to be able to be a part of this tournament, I have worked hard to be able to prove that I am the best cruiserweight in the world. I believe I am the best in the world, and I can’t wait to fight again and show the fans all over the world once again what ‘The KO Doctor’ is about.”
Six fights, including four championship matches on the “Gassiev vs. Dorticos” card, which is promoted by Sauerland Event, will air exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.
In the co-featured event, Russian strongman Maksim Vlosov (41-2, 24 KOs) takes on 2008 Nigerian Olympian Olanreqaju Dorolola (27-4, 25 KOs) in the 12-round WBSS Cruiserweight Substitute Fight for the vacant WBC Silver title.   Plus, former world champion Fedor Chudinov(16-2, 11 KOs), of Russia, puts his WBA International super middleweight crown on the line in a 12-round fight against unbeaten 21-year-old American challenger Bobby Gunn, Jr. (9-0, 7 KOs), whose father, Bobby Gunn, is a bare knuckles champion; and WBA International bantamweight titlist Mikhail Aloyan (3-0-0), of Russia by way of Armenia, faces unbeaten Nicaraguan Alexander Espinoza (15-0-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-rounder.   Two swing bouts are also slated: Basir Abakarov (3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Denis Bakhtov (39-12, 26 KOs) in a 10-round battle of Russian heavyweights, and a four-round heavyweight match between Russian prospect Tair Kelekhsaev(1-0, 1 KO) vs. TBA.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.

WORLD BOXING SUPER SERIES SEMIFINALS SCHEDULE
 
CRUISERWEIGHTS
January 27, Riga Arena, Riga, Latvia – WBO/WBC Unification
Oleksandr “The Cat” Usyk (14-0, 11 KOs), Ukraine
WMDEC12 (115-113, 115-113, 114-114).
Mairis Briedis (23-1, 18 KOs), Latvia
(Usyk retained his WBO title and won the WBC championship)
February 3, Bolshoy Ice Dome, Sochi, Russia – IBF/WBA Unification
Murat “Iron” Gassiev (25-0, 18 KOs), IBF World Champion, Russia – Ring #2
vs.
 Yunier “The KO Doctor” Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs), WBA World Champion, Cuba – Ring #5
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
 
February 17, Manchester, Arena, Manchester, UK – WBA/IBO Unification
“Saint” George Groves (27-3, 20 KOs), WBA World Champion, United Kingdom – Ring #2
vs.
Chris “Next Gen” Eubank Jr. (26-1, 20 KOs), IBO World Champion, United Kingdom – Ring #4
 
February 24, Arena Nurnberger Versicherung, Nuremburg, Germany
Juergen Braehmer (49-3 35 KOs), Germany – Ring #10
(Former WBO & WBA Light Heavyweight World Champion)
vs.
Callum “Mundo” Smith (23-0, 17 KOs), United Kingdom – Ring #3
(WBC Diamond Super Middleweight Champion)
All WBSS semifinals and championship fights will also be available on Super Channel On Demand.
In addition to all the WBSS quarterfinal matches, Super Channel aired major boxing events live in 2017 like Brook vs. Spence Jr., Pacquiao-Horn, Eubank, Jr. vs. Abraham, Lomachenko vs.Marriaga, Crawford vs. Indongo and Smith vs. Williams II.
To watch all the World Boxing Super Series action live, as well as more exciting boxing to come, fight fans in Canada can contact their local cable provider to subscribe to Super Channel and all that it offers, including premium series, movies and much more, for as low as $9.95 per month.

Philadelphia-Native & Two-Division World Champion Danny Garcia Talks Underdog Mentality for Hometown  Philadelphia Eagles & Predicts Victory in Super Bowl LII

 
Garcia Takes on Former Champion Brandon Rios in Welterweight World Title Eliminator Saturday, February 17 Live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas
 
PHILADELPHIA (January 31, 2018) – Philadelphia-native and two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia has thrived in the underdog role several times throughout a career that has seen him defeat a slew of top champions. Just like Garcia triumphed over Amir Khan and Lucas Matthysse in two of his greatest wins, Garcia’s hometown Philadelphia Eagles will look to upset the odds this Sunday in Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots.
“When you’re an underdog, it’s all about using that energy and that anger to show the doubters that you can do anything,” said Garcia. “You just have to have that absolute belief in yourself and you can win anything.”
For the fighter who still lives and trains in his hometown, just like so many sports fans in the area, the Eagles bringing home a Super Bowl victory would be the culmination of childhood dreams.
“I’ve been watching the Eagles since I was a little kid,” said Garcia. “When I was little I moved to a neighborhood where football was really important and that helped me fall in love with the sport.”
Garcia has represented his city throughout a career that has saw him win titles at super lightweight and welterweight, while defeating top fighters such as Khan, Matthysse, Lamont Peterson, Zab Judah, Robert Guerrero, Erik Morales and Paulie Malignaggi. Garcia fought in Philadelphia two fights ago when he delivered a knockout victory for his hometown fans at Liacouras Center at Temple University.
“There’s a toughness to Philly sports fans,” said Garcia. “‘Rocky’ helped mold that similar image of our people. I named my daughter Philly because it means so much to me to represent this city. Everything I do is for Philly. I’ve always dreamed about the Eagles winning the Super Bowl.”
Garcia hopes to be following up a Super Bowl victory for his hometown Philadelphia Eagles with a win of his own when he takes on former champion Brandon Rios in a welterweight world title eliminator Saturday, February 17 live on SHOWTIME from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
“This is going to be a big month for Philadelphia,” said Garcia, “I think we’re going to beat New England 28-17. I still remember the first Super Bowl against New England like it was yesterday. That loss stuck with me and I know it has for the team and city too. This is our chance for payback.
“I can’t wait to see the Eagles win the Super Bowl and then I’m going to go out to Las Vegas in a couple of weeks, with Philly on my back, to beat Brandon Rios.”
Garcia vs. Rios headlines the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast that also features the rematch between unbeaten super middleweight world champion David Benavidez and top-rated contender Ronald Gavril. Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at AXS.com.
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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports  and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, @MandalayBay and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/ShoBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Premier Boxing Champions is presented by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Stars coming out for M-1 Challenge 88

 
Two M-1 Challenge title fights
Damir Ismagulov vs. Raul Tutarauli
Movsar Evloev vs. Sergey Morozov
Feb. 22 in Moscow
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (January 31, 2018) – A pair of M-1 Challenge title fights, along with the return of a former champion, are shock-and-awe fights on M-1 Challenge 88, February 22 at Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia.
M-1 Challenge 88 will be live-streamed from Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets.
M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Damir Ismaguluv (14-2-0, M-1: 8-1-0), the Kazakhstan native fighting out of Russia, defends his title against Georgian challenger Raul Tutarauli (18-3-0, M-1: 6-1-0) in the main event.
The 26-year-old Ismagulov is riding a nine-fight win streak, dating back more than 2 ½ years, including a third-round knockout of Tutarauli on May 27, 2016 in the M-1 Challenge 66 Fight of the Night. Ismagulov also won the M-1 Challenge 72 Fight of the Year, by way of a third-round unanimous decision on November 18, 2016.
Tutarauli, 25, has reeled off eight victories in a row since he lost to Ismagulov, including decisions wins last year over Artur Lemos at M-1 Challenge 77 and Vladimir Kanunnikov at M-1 Challenge 83.
In the co-main event, undefeated M-1 Challenge bantamweight title holder Movsar Evloev (8-0-0, M-1: 8-0-0) puts his perfect professional MMA record on the line against his Kazakh challenger, Sergey Morozov (10-3-0, M-1: 5-2-0).
Evloev has been unbeatable since his M-1 Global and professional debut on November 25, 2014, when the gifted Russian choked Jianwei Ha into a second-round submission at M-1 Challenge 53. At M-1 Challenge 76, Evloev captured the Interim M-1 Challenge bantamweight title, knocking out Alexey Nevzorov with a powerful kick last April, followed by an impressive five-round decision over veteran Pavel Vitruk this past July at M-1 Challenge 81 to capture the outright title.
Morozov earned his first title shot with back-to-back victories in 2017 against veteran Brazilian fighters, taking a three-round decision from Fabricio Sarraff at M-1 Challenge 76, and a second-round knockout by punches of Luan Fernandez at M-1 Challenge 83.
Also fighting on the main card is former M-1 Challenge light heavyweight champion Stephan “T-800” Puetz (15-3-0, M-1: 6-2-0), of Germany, vs. Russian foe Khadis Ibragimov (2-0-0, M-1: 0-0-0), Brazilian bantamweight Helton dos Santos Davella(15-5-1, M-1: 0-1-1) vs. Bair Shtepin (5-2-0, M-1: 2-2-0), of Russia, and American middleweight Joseph “Leonidas” Henle (10-3-1, M-1: 0-1-0) vs. Valery “The Russian Hammer” Myasnikov (11-1-2, M-1: 2-1-2).
The preliminary card is loaded, as well, with unbeaten prospects Alexander Osetrov(3-0-0, M-1: 2-0-0) and Sergey Klyuev (5-0-0) in a battle of Russian bantamweights, former M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Maxim Divnich (13-4-0, M-1: 7-4-0), of Russia by way of Ukraine, vs. Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu (9-2-1, M-1: 1-0-1) , of Kyrgyzstan, German heavyweight Frank Tattoo” Kortz (4-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0) vs. unbeaten Russian Maxim Yakobyuk (7-1-0, M-1: 2-0-0), Talekh “The Azerbaijan Terminator” Nadzhafadze (6-2-1, M-1: 2-1-1) vs. Russian middleweight Vitaliy Slipenko (9-1-0, M-1: 1-0-0), and Brazilian lightweight Rubenilton “Rubinho” Pereira (18-5-0, M-1: 2-2-0) vs. Erlan Ulukbekov (7-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), of Kyrgyzstan.
All fighters and fights are subject to change.
INFORMATION

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews
@Vadim_finkelchtein
@M1Global
Facebook:
 
UPCOMING EVENTS:
 
Feb. 9 – M-1 Challenge 87: Silander vs. Ashimov, M-1 Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Feb. 22 – M-1 Challenge 88: Ismagulov vs. Tutarauli, Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia

Kevin “The New England Bully” Cobbs Never left boxing, kept training in gym

 
Fights Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera in
“New England’s Future 5” main event
“New England’s Future 5”
Feb. 10 in Worcester, MA
WORCESTER, Mass. (January 31, 2018) — Light heavyweight Kevin “The New England Bully” Cobbs (10-2, 4 KOs”, representing George Foreman III‘s Everybody Fights gym in South Boston (MA), will be back in the ring after a relatively long hiatus, February 10th against undefeated Hartford (CT) prospect Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera (5-0, 4 KOs), at The Palladium in Worcester.
 
Rivera vs. Cobbs will battle for the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) New England light heavyweight title

in the eight-round “New England’s Future 5” main event.  “New England’;s Future 5″, presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE)”, is the fifth installment of the popular “New England’s Future Series.”
“We are very excited to be able to have put together a fight of this caliber,” promoterJose Antonio Rivera commented. “These is the kind of fight that boxing fans love to watch. Cobbs is a proven contender who has big fights experience.  It’s good to see he is confident in his abilities to take on Rivera, an undefeated up-and-coming prospect with a very bright future.”
The 33-year-old Cobbs hasn’t fought in more than two years, since he was stopped in the second round by sensational David Benavidez (19-0, 17 KOs), the 21-year-old reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Middleweight World Champion.
“People thought that I had gotten out of boxing,” Cobbs explained. “”I never stopped training, I just didn’t have any fights since the Benavidez fight. I’m a personal trainer and now I’m back in boxing shape. I never left boxing! This fight is a great opportunity for me. It can open doors for whatever my camp decides. My job is to do what’s needed in the squared circle.”
Rivera has had only five pro fights and doesn’t have a rich amateur pedigree. He’s never been in the ring with anybody close to Benavidez. Cobbs has also sparred Winky Wright, Chad Dawson for both of his fights with Bernard Hopkins, Edwin Rodriguez, Peter Manfredo, Jr. and most of the top current New England boxers.
Many believe Cobbs has a decisive experience advantage over Rivera and question whether he’s ready to step up in class to fight Cobbs. “He’s only had five pro fights,” Cobbs answered when asked, “but I don’t know if he’s ready. I can’t answer that, only he can. but we’ll find out February 10th. I can tell you that I’m ready.”
Ironically, Cobbs is from Rivera’s hometown, Hartford. Cobbs explained that he got into some trouble on Hartford streets as a youth, which led to him resettling in Burlington, Vermont. He eventually opened a gym in Fall River (MA) and now works at Everybody Fights.
“I’m doing what I like to do,” Cobbs concluded. “I don’t have jitters like I did when I first started boxing   Everything is easier now, I’m relaxed in the ring. I’m still learning on the job, but I’m more skilled than I was the last time I fought. I’m a boxing chameleon: I can box or bang to counter my opponent’s style.”
Worcester’s two-time national amateur champion Bobby “BH3” Harris, III (2-0) meets Brazilian super middleweight Saul Almeida (0-8-1) in the four-round co-featured event. Hartford super middleweight Jose “Rated R” Rivera (4-1, 3 KOs) faces Troy “Omar KO Artist” Artis (4-7-1 (3 KOs), of Danbury (CT) in a six-round bout.
Fighting on the undercard, all in four-round matches, are Southbridge (MA) junior welterweight Wilfredo “El Sucaro” Pagan (3-0, 1 KO) vs. pro-debuting Nick Peralta, of Lawrence, unbeaten Danbury (CT) junior welterweight Omar Bordoy, Jr. (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Puerto Rican Alexander “El Bravo” Picot (2-4-1), undefeated Springfield (MA) light heavyweight Ray “Bazooka” Graceski (5-0, 3 KOs). vs. Hartford’s pro-debuting Pawel Bansiak, Springfield welterweight Derrick “Bad Boy” Whitley (2-0) vs. Roger Blankenship (1-2), undefeated Puerto Rican super middleweight Jelame Garcia (6-0, 6 KOs) vs. Brazilian Rodrigo Almeida 1-7), Bridgeport’s (CT) pro-debuting welterweight Joseph Goss vs. Seth Basler (0-3), and Hartford junior lightweight vs. Bridgeport’s Carlos Marraro, III (0-1).
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $75.00 (ringside) and $45.00 (general admission), are on sale and available to purchase at www.ThePalladium.net or the Palladium box office (general admission only), or by contacting Jose Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera (anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) or any of the fighters.
Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout 7 p.m. ET.
Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Luis Rosa, Jr. Scholarship Fund.
Sponsors include Lundgren Honda, Top Royalty, Allstate, USANA, Atty. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto, Ambicion Musik, Hill Team Associates, Hispano Vocero, and Lundren Insurance & Financial Services.
INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera_

Yordenis Ugas and Ray Robinson Clash in IBF 147-Pound Title Elimination Match Live on SHOWTIME Saturday, February 17 from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas & Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

 Two-Division Champion Danny Garcia Takes On Former World Champion Brandon Rios in Main Event & 168-Pound Champion David Benavidez Defends Title in Rematch Against Top Contender Ronald Gavril in Co-Feature

 

 

 

 

 

LAS VEGAS (January 30, 2018) – Welterweight contenders Yordenis Ugas and Ray Robinson will clash in a 12-round IBF 147-pound title elimination bout live on SHOWTIME Saturday, February 17 from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions

 

 

 

 

 

Ugas vs. Robinson kicks off a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT that is headlined by a battle between two-division champion Danny Garcia taking on former world champion Brandon Rios in a welterweight title eliminator. The co-feature will see 168-pound world champion David Benavidez defending his title in a rematch against top-rated super middleweight contender Ronald Gavril.

 

 

 

 

 

This welterweight showdown will be contested for the IBF’s number two position for the title held by undefeated champion Errol Spence Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and are available at AXS.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Additional action inside the arena will feature 175-pound contender Lionell Thompson (19-4, 11 KOs) battling hard-hitting Edwin Rodriguez (29-2, 20 KOs) in a 10-round matchup, lightweight contender Ladarius Miller (14-1, 4 KOs) and former world champion Argenis Mendez (24-5-1, 12 KOs) clashing in a 10-round showdown and former top-ranked amateur Joe Spencer will make his pro debut against Uriel Gonzalez (1-2-1, 1 KO) in a four-round 154-pound bout.

 

 

 

 

 

Ugas (20-3, 9 KOs), who was born in Cuba and now lives in Las Vegas, is one of the busiest boxers in the sport and a fast-riser in the welterweight division. After losing a unanimous decision to Amir Imam in 2014, the 31-year-old Ugas took a year off from boxing and came back on a tear. During a 12-month span from August 2016 to August 2017, Ugas won five straight fights, knocking off top contenders and prospects including Jamal James, Bryant Perrella, Levan Ghvamichava, Thomas Dulorme and Nelson Lara, including multiple wins on short notice assignments.

 

 

 

 

 

Robinson (24-2, 12 KOs) is the epitome of a Philadelphia fighter – a consummate boxer who always comes to fight and likes to stay busy. Ugas will represent one of the toughest challenges of Robinson’s career. The 32-year-old southpaw fought three times last year and is coming off a seventh round technical decision victory over Breidis Prescott in Atlantic City on June 30.

 

 

 

 

 

Rounding out the night of fights are unbeaten Andres Cortes (6-0, 4 KOs) in a six-round lightweight fight, undefeated Brian Gallegos (6-0, 4 KOs) in six rounds of super featherweight action, super flyweight contender Ava Knight (14-2-4, 5 KOs) in a six round attraction and unbeaten prospect Jonathan Esquivel (6-0, 5 KOs) battling Cameron Burroughs (4-2, 3 KOs) in a six-round middleweight fight.

 

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports  and www.premierboxingchampions.com, follow on Twitter @SHOSports, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, @MandalayBay and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShoBoxing, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions and www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions. Premier Boxing Champions is presented by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.