All posts by FNU47

boxing, charity

Omar Juarez’ Touching Story with Special Needs Child

November 14, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

**BROWNSVILLE, TX (November 10, 2020)** – The rapidly expanding emergence of an inspirational leader continues unabated in the personage of undefeated super lightweight prospect, **Omar Juarez** (9-0, 4 KOs). An outstanding professional boxer by trade, Juarez is rising on the national stage with his recent designation as brand ambassador for the newly formed partnership between the California based **Feet First Foundation** and the globally recognized World Boxing Council’s humanitarian branch **“World Boxing Cares”**.

Omar Juarez’ carefully crafted message about the principles needed to achieve goals has positively affected young people’s lives in his hometown, Brownsville, Texas since he was 15-years old. The overwhelmingly positive feedback he has received from young people about his message has inspired him to even greater heights in this endeavor.

None more than a touching tribute he just received from a special needs child named Isaias, who deals with acute challenges that include communication. Isaias is limited to communicating through a laptop and was a frequent visitor to Omar’s gym on Fridays when it was opened to special needs kids.

As the pandemic took hold, Isaias found himself isolated at home and began to feel the effects of this isolation, he typed out a message of gratitude to Omar for being a source of inspiration and hope. His family acknowledged to Omar the much needed solace this represented to their son.

“To hear a message like the one I received from Isaias and his family made my day,” said Omar Juarez, who fights under the **Premier Boxing Champions** banner. “Its moments like these that keep me motivated as I continue to be a positive role model in my community. As a Chinese proverb states…I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”

These are the touching moments that energize Omar as he continues his quest to become an inspirational leader on a worldwide scale.

mixed martial arts, UFC

iKON Fighting Federation RETURNS TO MEXICO

November 14, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

iKON 3 STREAMING LIVE & EXCLUSIVELY ON UFC FIGHT PASS^®

Nov. 20 FROM MARINATERRA HOTEL SPA & EVENT CENTER IN SAN CARLOS

LAS VEGAS (November 10, 2020) – Many of Mexico’s top mixed-martial-arts fighters will be in action Friday night, November 20^th, at iKON 3, streaming live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS^®, starting at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT, from Marinaterra Hotel Spa & Event Center in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico.

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com or download the UFC app.

iKON 3 is presented by iKON Fighting Federation (in association with Roy Jones Jr. Boxing) and De La O Promotions.

Two highly rated Mexican lightweights, No. 5 Alejandro “El Pato” Martinez (11-4-0) and No. 7 Daniel “Danger” Vega (12-3-0), headline iKON 3. Martinez has won two fights in a row, while Vega has been victorious in five of his last six matches.

South America and Mexico’s top-rated flyweight, Louis “Lazyboy” Rodriguez (11-2-0) faces Paul “El Tierno” Marquez Moreno (6-5-0) in the co-featured event.

A pair of Mexican lightweights with identical records (10-3-0), Marco “La Roca” Elpidio and Oziel “El Terro” Rodriguez Lopez, throwdown in a Special Lightweight Attraction.

Tucson (AZ) super welterweight Pete “Dead Game” Rodriguez (1-0-0, SFT: 1-0-0), who made his successful pro debut at iKON 2, in which he used a strong ground-and-pound attack to stop his opponent, battles Yasser “Pantera” Guzman Delacruz (0-1-0)

Other fights on tap include Miami super lightweight Elvin Espinosa (3-0-0) vs. TBA, female flyweight Kayla “K-Rock” Hracho (1-2-0), fighting out of Coconut Creed, Florida, vs. Jessica “Asthartea” Solis (0-1-0), and pro-debuting Mexican featherweights Luis “Mano” Gerardo Carcia and Francisco Montoya Barcena.

Card subject to change.

INFORMATION:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre

Twitter: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @Keith_Veltre, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial

Instagram: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. RJJ has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years. Creating exhilarating content for UFC Fight Pass, CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in some of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.

Based in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, NV, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable: NABF super flyweight champion, WBC #15, WBA #14 and IBF #7 Jade “Hurricane” Bornea (15-0, 10 KOs), two-time world title challenger WBO #11 bantamweight “Mighty” Aston Palicte (26-4-1, 22 KOs), former NABA welterweight champion Kendo ‘Tremendo” Castaneda (17-2, 8 KOs), former Interim World middleweight title challenger John “The Phenom” Vera (19-1 (1 KO), NABF, WBC FECARBOX & WBC U.S. welterweight champion, WBC #14 and Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (22-0, 17 KOs), undefeated middleweight prospect Connor “Kid” Coyle (12-0, 5 KOs), undefeated super middleweight prospect Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0, 7 KOs), and former WBC World Youth heavyweight Alexander “The Great” Flores (18-3-1, 16 KOs).

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS^®: UFC FIGHT PASS^® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

boxing, USA Boxing, women's boxing

Sa’Rai Brown-El : The future of women’s boxing – 2020 USA Boxing Nationals, Dec. 5-12, Shreveport, Louisiana

November 14, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 9, 2020) – The future of women’s boxing, perhaps, is 15-year-old Sa’Rai Brown-El, who has already captured top honors in 11 national and regional tournaments.

Since she started boxing in 2015, Sa’Rai has collected gold medals at the 2019 Junior Open, 2019 National PAL, 2019 & 2017 National Junior Olympics, 2017 Western Regional Open, and Eastern Regional Open in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

“I stayed focused and hungry and, most importantly, humble,” she spoke about her success in the junior division. “No matter how much you’ve accomplished or the number of accolades you’ve gotten, always stay hungry and always strive for more.”

Boxing started for her when she was 10, training at Lugo Boxing and Fitness in Marietta, Georgia. Prior to that in her native Albany (NY), she went to her uncle’s gym and found a pair of boxing gloves.

“I fell in love with boxing when I found that first pair of gloves,” Brown-El explained. “I first started boxing because, at that time, my dad didn’t agree with me. I saw a lot of people who didn’t agree with females competing in a male dominated sport, so I wanted to prove those people wrong. I just love boxing because my whole family boxes.”

The COVID-19 pandemic adversely effected most boxers, who were limited in terms of training and sparring, in addition to being shutout of tournaments. Brown-El, however, made the best of a bad situation, running miles with her siblings, cardio mitt work with her father, and much more.

Brown-El has her sights firmly set on the 2020 USA Boxing National Championships, December 5-12, at the Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.

“I am super excited and super focused on the National Championships,” she added. “I am fighting to get on the USA High Performance Team for my second year. I really want this and I will be working hard every day. My goal for now is to be on Team USA for the second time. I want to fight internationally and be Number 1 in the world.”

Brown-El has definitive long-range goals in boxing, starting with the Olympics and finishing as the face of women’s boxing.

“If I win a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, maybe a second time in 2028, after that I think that will open up great opportunities for me,” the prodigy commented. “I think it’ll especially help me in the pro ranks. Winning a gold medal is my biggest goal right now.

“I want to be the greatest female boxer in the world. I want to be known and I want to make a statement for all females. I really want to shock the world. I eat, sleep, and breath boxing. This is not just a sport for me, this is a lifestyle.”

Sa’Rai Brown-El is on a golden path to stardom. She represents the future!

INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

boxing, mixed martial arts, UFC

RJJ Boxing & iKON Fighting Federation Return to Mexico for back-to-back events

November 3, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

STREAMING LIVE & EXCLUSIVELY ON UFC FIGHT PASS^®

Nov. 19 & 20 FROM MARINATERRA HOTEL SPA IN SAN CARLOS

LAS VEGAS (November 2, 2020) – Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions and iKON Fighting Federation (iKON) return to Mexico for back-to-back combat sports events, November 19^th an 20^th, at Marinaterra Hotel Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico.

RJJ Boxjng and iKON MMA will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS^®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com or download the UFC app.

“We’ve really enjoyed working the past few months with co-promoter Emanuel Romo (De La O Promotions) and Marinaterra Hotel and Spa has been a gracious host” said Keith Veltre, CEO/co-founder of RJJ Boxing. “Things will be a little different this trip, though, because we’ve separated boxing and MMA into two nights of combat sports entertainment. RJJ Boxing features a great super middleweight title fight between undefeated Juan Barajas and Mexican knockout artist Bruno Sandoval. As usual, we’ll showcase some promising prospects in real fights. iKON is growing fast, and our third MMA event promises to be our best yet.”

Boxing is scheduled to start streaming Thursday (Nov. 19) live on UFC FIGHT PASS, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, followed on Friday (Nov. 20) with MMA action, commencing 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

In the 10-round main event, Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Victorville, California, puts his unblemished pro record on the line against dangerous Bruno “Tiburon” Sandoval (21-4-1, 17 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino super middleweight championship.

Three unbeaten Cuban prospects living in Guatemala – middleweight Yoelvis “La Joya” Gomez (2-0, 2 KOs), heavyweight Geovany “La Bestia” Bruzon (2-0, 2 “KOs) and super bantamweight Ariel Perez De La Torre (3-0, 3 KOs) — are slated to be in 6-round bouts versus opponents to be determined. Unbeaten California welterweight Raiden “Mortal Kombat” Jace Martinez (5-0, 5 KOs) is also scheduled to fight in a 4-rounder against TBA.

Two highly rated Mexican lightweights, Alejandro “El Pato” Martinez (11-4-0) and Daniel “Danger” Vega (12-3-0), headline iKON 3.

Additional iKON 3 matches will soon be announced.

Cards subject to change.

INFORMATION:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre

Twitter: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @Keith_Veltre, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial

Instagram: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

boxing, USA Boxing

Giovanni Marquez following in Olympian and world champion father’s footsteps

November 3, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

2020 USA Boxing Nationals, Dec. 5-12, Shreveport, Louisiana

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 2, 2020) – Houston welterweight amateur boxer Giovanni Marquez is hoping for a little Deja-vu from his chief coach and grandfather, Arturo Marquez, who guided his son and Giovanni’s father, Raul “El Diamante” Marquez, to a roster spot on the 1992 USA Boxing Olympic Boxing Team.

Raul, who was a 2-time US amateur champion in two different weight classes, welterweight, and junior middleweight, went on to become the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light middleweight World champion, retiring with a 41-4 (12 KOs) pro record.

Rather than turn pro this year, 19-year-old Giovanni remained in the amateur ranks, albeit with a series of goals, first and foremost, to capture a gold medal at the 2020 USA Boxing National Championships, December 5-12, at the Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.

“My goal this year is to win the U.S. Nationals and have outstanding performances throughout the tournament,” Giovanni reported. “My long-term goal is to compete internationally and represent the United States at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

“The reason I returned for another year after missing in the Olympic Trials is because I still have a lot to prove on the amateur boxing scene. My team and I decided this was the best decision and I am still very young. My performances in every national tournament I’ve competed in have consistently improved every time. In my last national tournament – Last Chance Qualifier – I faced off with Delante Johnson, the 2020 US Olympic Qualification Team member, and I lost a split decision. Although I lost the fight, I proved that I could compete at the highest level with the top dogs. Now that I’m a little bit older, stronger, and physically and mentally more mature, I’m confident I have what it takes to become No. 1 in the division. This is why my team and I decided to stay an amateur instead of turning pro.

“I’m very excited about these Nationals, excited to show what I’ve been working on and critiquing everyday inside the gym. Winning the Nationals will mean the world to me, as I have put in so much time and effort into this sport. With my experience gained the past few years, hard work and maturity, I am confident a gold medal awaits me in Shreveport.”

A boxer-puncher who makes the necessary adjustments needed to win, Giovanni has the ability to switch from his orthodox stance to southpaw, comfortably and effectively.

Being the son of a famous boxer, naturally, has its advantages and disadvantages. Giovanni is ready to break out on his own, at least to some extent, with his grandfather and grandmother (Yolanda Marquez) working his corner, while his dad sits in the stands watching the action.

“Coming from a boxing family,” Giovanni remarked, “I was always in the gym messing around on the heavy bag while my father was training. The reason I started boxing was because it’s something that was just part of my family’s life. I had an interest to try it out myself and realized I was talented. I fell in love with the sport and haven’t looked back since. My first official fight was when I was 12.

“There definitely are more eyes on the son of a famous boxer. This doesn’t add pressure on me, it motivates me to prove that I am capable of accomplishing the same things my father did like winning national titles. To have a father with his experience and knowledge in boxing is truly a blessing.”

Training during the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t really been a problem, largely because his grandfather and father are boxing gym owners. Giovanni did struggle, though, because he worried about his grandfather’s health due to his advanced age and susceptibility to dangerous complications if infected. They’ve stayed healthy by practicing social distancing and properly sanitizing each and every day in the gym.

“Being cornered by my grandfather is a good feeling,” Giovanni explained, “because I know everything he tells me is for my own good. I feel like my grandfather already created one Olympian in my dad, so he has all the right tools and knowledge to do the same with me.

“Not only is he my boxing coach, he’s also a mentor who has groomed me into the young man I am today. My father and uncle also help to train me by working the mitts and helping out with strength and conditioning workouts. Ultimately, it is a good feeling to have my family in my corner, pushing me beyond my limits in order for me to be successful.”

Giovanni Marquez is preparing to establish his own identity.

INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing, @USABoxingAlumni

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

ABOUT USA BOXING: The mission of USA Boxing shall be to enable United States’ athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence, develop character, support the sport of boxing, and promote and grow Olympic style boxing in the United States. The responsibility of USA Boxing is not only to produce Olympic gold, but also oversee and govern every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing