TAMPA (October 23, 2024) – Veteran combat sports trainer Orlando Cuellar has had to purchase a larger display case for all the awards he has received during his 40-year career as a combat sports trainer.
Another prestigious award will be added when Cuellar is inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame at a special ceremony on November 23rd in Tampa, Florida.
Cuellar has perfected his craft during the past several decades, starting in Miami, relocating in Las Vegas for a while and then several years in New York City. Orlando made a full circle back to Miami, where he has enjoyed his most success since he created his base there as a world-class professional boxing trainer, renowned strike coach in mixed-martial-arts, and highly respected mentor in bare-knuckle fighting as a trainer. Cuellar has also trained fighters in training camps around the world.
His remarkable coaching career has resulted in building and fine-tuning numerous world champions in boxing, MMA, and bare-knuckle fighting, as well as being the trainer/coach of a record-setting feat when his bare-knuckle fighter stopped his opponent in 3-seconds four years ago for the world’s fastest combat sports knockout.
“I’m truly honored and humbled for this wonderful recognition from the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame with its long history,” Cuellar said. “I’m looking forward to the induction ceremony on November 23rd in Tampa.”
Cuellar was inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame in 2021 and International Martial Arts Hall of Fame this year, in addition to receiving the Coaches Championship Belt last year from the National Boxing Association (NBA) in association with the World Boxing Association (WBA), selected as the 2004 Trainer of the Year by Boxing Scene, and nominated several times as Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers of America Association (BWAA). He also received a Special Achievement Award in 2020 from the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame.
Master trainers like Cuellar teach their fighters, not just instruct them in the corner and hold pads. His experience is invaluable in terms of the overall success of his many combat sports fighters.
Currently, Cuellar’s latest project is Gallery Department’s Founder and Artist, Josué Thomas, who is one of Cuellar’s high-profile students, and has his sights set on Celebrity Boxing.
Josué Thomas & Orlando Cuellar
The legend continues for “Coach” Orlando Cuellar, also known in venues and gyms around the world as, “Commanderzero.”
For the first-time ever, DAZN to offer 50% discount in the US and up to 33% in the UK, providing unmatched access to weekly boxing events, and much more
DAZN Early Black Friday promotion gives combat sports fans best ever deal to watch at least one fight per week until the end of the year
U.S. fans will be able to catch all the action for as low as $9.99 USD* per month (minimum commitment applies)
U.K. fans will be able to catch all the action for as low as GBP £9.99* per month (minimum commitment applies)
LONDON, 24 October 2024 – DAZN Group, the global sports entertainment company and leading destination for boxing fans worldwide, today announced an unprecedented early Black Friday promotion, offering significant discounts of 50 percent in the United States and up to 33 percent in the United Kingdom. The promotion, the first of its kind from DAZN, will run from Thursday October 24 to Friday November 29, making it more affordable for fans to watch boxing during this holiday season.
With a commitment to delivering high-caliber boxing content, DAZN will feature at least one fight per week until the end of 2024 and has an exciting slate of matches in store for early 2025.
Boxing fans have much to look forward to exclusively on DAZN before the end of the year, including a doubleheader emanating live from Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday November 9, featuring IBF Welterweight World Champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis and WBC Super Flyweight Champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez defending their respective world titles in separate bouts. Also included in this one-of-a-kind promotion will be the long-awaited super-lightweight clash between Regis Prograis and Jack Catterall this Saturday, October 26, as well as the December 7 card featuring IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Liam “The Prodigy” Paro facing former U.S. Olympian Richardson Hitchins.
“DAZN’s early Black Friday offer further cements the company’s mission to make boxing more accessible to all fans alike, solidifying our position as the go-to platform for the sport,” said Alfie Sharman, Vice President, DAZN. “Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the sport, this price reduction opens the door to the platform’s world-class coverage. We hope fans will be thrilled by our weekly flights featuring rising stars and established champions across multiple weight classes.”
This price reduction marks a historic move for DAZN, ensuring that both seasoned and new boxing fans alike can enjoy top-tier matchups, from emerging talent to established world champions, at an affordable rate. In the United States, subscribers will pay just $9.99 per month as part of the 12-month agreement, down from the usual $19.99. U.K. subscribers will also benefit from significant savings.
Saturday, November 2, 9pm ET – Floyd Schofield vs. Rene Tellez Giron, Gabriela Fundora vs. Gabriela Alaniz – Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas, Nev.
Saturday, November 9, 7pm ET – Jaron “Boots” Ennis vs. Karen Chukhadzhian II, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez vs. Pedro Guevara – Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pa.
Saturday, November 16, 1pm ET – Chris Billam-Smith vs. Gilberto Ramirez, William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer, Arnold Barboza vs. Jose Ramirez – The Venue Riyadh Season, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Saturday, November 30, 2pm ET – Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai – BP Pulse Live, Birmingham, U.K.
Saturday, December 7, 2pm ET – Ben Crocker vs. Stelios Papadopoulos – Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, U.K.
Saturday, December 7, 8pm ET – Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins – Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Saturday, December 14, 8pm ET – Alexis Rocha vs. Raul Curiel – Toyota Arena, Ontario, Calif.
RENES, Switzerland (June 20, 2024) — More than 180 boxers from 30 National Federations will compete in the 2024 U19 World Boxing Championships which get underway this week at the Pueblo Convention Center, Colorado, USA (October 26 – November 2, 2024).
The competition, for male and female boxers aged 17 and 18, is World Boxing’s first-ever global championships. It will feature athletes from all five Continents that compete in boxing and will be held across 10 weight categories for both men and women.
The action will run across one session per day, beginning at 15:00 MT for the first five days when there will be two rings in place. The penultimate day, Friday, 1 November, will have one session in one ring, beginning at 13:00 MT. The final day, when the medals will be handed out, will also feature action in a single ring across one session of boxing, beginning at 13:00 MT.
The largest contingent of boxers taking part in this historic event are from the host nation, USA, along with India and Italy, who have all entered teams of 15 men and women.
Other National Federations that will be taking part in the U19 Championships are Algeria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, Finland, Germany, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Tahiti, Thailand, Ukraine, United States and Wales.
The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “This competition is a significant milestone in the development of World Boxing, and I would like to thank USA Boxing for hosting our first global championships.
“World Boxing is committed to putting athletes first and delivering high quality competition opportunities for boxers at all levels is a significant part of this. I have no doubt that our colleagues at USA Boxing will deliver a top-class event which will provide a fantastic platform for U19 men and women from our member National Federations to showcase their skills and further their development as elite boxers.”
USA Boxing CEO and Executive Director, Mike McAtee, commented: “As we prepare to host the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships, I could not be more excited for the opportunity to showcase the incredible talent of our youth boxers on an international stage.
“This event marks a historic moment for World Boxing and our sport. The World Boxing U19 Championships will serve as a monumental opportunity to keep Olympic-style boxing at the heart of the Olympic movement, and we are thrilled to play a pivotal role in fostering the next generation of champions from around the world. Together, we will celebrate the spirit of competition and the dedication that defines our sport.”
The Chair of the Board of USA Boxing, Tyson Lee, added: “As Chair of the Board of USA Boxing, I am honored to welcome everyone to the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships here in Colorado.
“In a short time, World Boxing has made remarkable progress in fostering competitive international tournaments by collaborating with National Federations around the globe. We at USA Boxing are proud to contribute to this effort, and we are eager to witness the spirited competition that this event will bring.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, our dedicated staff, and the entire USA Boxing community, thank you for your participation and best of luck to all the athletes!”
The 2024 U19 World Boxing Championships will be streamed live on World Boxing’s YouTube page and World Boxing will be posting updates throughout the competition on its social media channels:
World Boxing was launched in April 2023 and aims to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic movement and currently has 44-member National Federations covering all five Continents that compete in international boxing.
On 7 May 2024 World Boxing held its first meeting with the IOC which signaled the start of formal collaboration between the two organizations aimed at establishing a pathway for boxing to remain in the Olympic Games.
Streaming live Nov. 16th on DAZN from Tropicana Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (October 21, 2024) – The next generation of East Coast boxerswill beshowcased onBoxing Insider Promotions’ November 16th card, streaming live on DAZN from The Showroom at Tropicana Atlantic City.
This knockout card will feature a combination of blue-chip prospects,rising stars, popular local fighters, and a potential women’s world champion in the future.
Two rising stars fighting on the card are Chattanooga (TN) welterweight Avious Griffin (15-0, 14 KOs) and Baltimore (MD) bantamweight Dominique “Dimes” Crowder (17-0, 10 KOs) in a pair of eight-round bouts.
Griffin, 30, is a heavy-handed former Tennessee State Champion presently riding an eight-fight knockout streak. Trained by Brian “Bomac” McIntyre, Griffin will take on Adrian Gutierrez (12-2-1, 6 KOs) in the main event.
The 30-year-old Crowder, the reigning WBA International bantamweight champion, is rated No. 14 in the world by the WBA and a former New York Golden Gloves Champion. Mark Breland and Jose Guzman train him.
Two other boxers to watch closely are Long Island (NY) super middleweight Donte Layne (4-0, 4 KOs) and Paterson (NJ) junior middleweight Dwyke Flemmings, Jr. (8-0, 8 KOs).
Layne faces Shaquille Cameron (7-3, 6 KOs) in a six-round fight presented in association with Overtime Boxing. The 21-year-old Layne is a gifted southpaw who captured gold medals at the 2022 USA National Championships and National Golden Gloves Tournament, as well as at the 2021 USA Nationals and Junior Pan American Games.
Flemmings, Jr. is a 20-year-old up-and-coming prospect who won a silver medal at the 2018 USA Junior Olympics. He will fight TBA in a scheduled six-round match. Atlantic City fighters will keep The Boardwalk lit such as electrifying junior middleweight Justin “Mr. Atlantic City” Figueroa (10-0, 8 KOs), legacy heavyweight Bruce “Atlantic City Express 2.0” Seldon, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs), and undefeated lightweight hopeful Francisco Rodriguez (5-0, 5 KOs).
Figueroa, 25, is matched against Omar Rosales (9-3-1, 5 KOs) in a six-round match. He was a popular football player at Holy Spirit High School and former member of the famed AC Beach Patrol. Figueroa is riding a 10-fight knockout streak.
The 30-year-old Seldon, Jr. is the son of former World Boxing Association (WBA) Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon, Sr. (40-8, 36 KOs), known as “The Atlantic City Express” when he fought professionally from 1988 to 2009. Seldon, Jr., who attended Absegami High School, is matched with Zach Calmus (1-1, 1 KO) in a four-rounder.
Rodriguez, 20, has a perfect pro record to date, five victories in five fights, all ending in a knockout. The southpaw has only fought a total of eight rounds, displaying natural power after fighting in The Combat League (TCL) for the Philadelphia Smoke.
The loaded card will also display a bonafide future female title contender, Hawaiian lightweight Shere Mae Patricio (2-0, 1 KO). The 21-year-old Patricio was a gold medal winner at the 2023 USA Women’s National Golden Gloves and 2022 USA Women’s National Championships. She will fight TBA in a four-round encounter.
Boxing Insider Promotions’ power-packed Nov. 16th event at The Trop also has an international flair, as undefeated Italian junior welterweight Giacomo Michels (8-0, 6 KOs) takes on Ronnell “Punisher” Burnett (11-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Michels, who fights out of Roma, Lazio, was a standout amateur in Italy, capturing top honors in the 2021 Italian Elite National Championships and U-22 National Championships.
Boxing Insider Promotions promoter Larry Goldberg, an Atlantic City native, is dedicated to bringing boxing back to The Boardwalk. This event will mark his 12th promotion to date, the third in a row at Tropicana Atlantic City in 2024. After holding six boxing events in New York last year, Goldberg was recently selected as Promoter of the Year by the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.
“It’s amazing to bring local boxing back to Atlantic City with a strong mix of local and regional fighters,” Goldberg said. “I am excited that once again DAZN will be streaming the event and continue showing its commitment to grassroots boxing.”As always, the card is subject to change.
An amateur show will be held at Tropicana Atlantic City the following day (Saturday, Nov. 17 – 1-6 pm ET), sanctioned by USA Boxing. Tickets are $40.00 and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Atlantic City PAL.
This Wednesday vs. Shurretta Metcalf on ProBox TV live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden
Miyo Yoshida(picture courtesy of DiBella Entertainment)
NEW YORK CITY (October 21, 2024) – So much has changed in the last year for three-time, two-division World Champion Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0 KOs) when she enters the ring this Wednesday night (Oct. 23) to make the first defense of her International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title, as well as avenge a loss to her challenger, No. 1 contender Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (13-4-1, 2 KOs), at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Yoshida vs. Metcalf will headline the “Heroes on the Hudson 2” card, presented by DiBella Entertainment and broadcast live on ProBoxTV, in the 10-round (2-minutes each) main event to celebrate and support heroic veterans of the United States Armed Forces in advance of Veterans Day in the latest addition of the popular Broadway Boxing series.
A year ago, in the inaugural “Heroes on the Hudson” card, Metcalf defeated Yoshida by way of a 10-round unanimous decision, but, a month later, Yoshida answered the call to challenge IBF Bantamweight World Champion Ebanie Bridges (9-1) and the Japanese boxer was an upset winner in San Francisco via a 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 97-93), capturing her third world title.
“Everything changed when I received the offer two weeks before the world title I won,” Yoshida explained. “I had planned to fight if I received a nomination order, and I want to take revenge and increase my value. I can learn from my losses, so this result will be different.
“I think Metcalf maintains her boxing style with that blessed height (5’ 7 ½”) because she works so hard. She is a single mother (as is Miyo) and tries many things. She can be rough with her language, but I basically respect her. I will defend and firmly avenge my loss to her to advance my story.”
Yoshida also attributed much of her success to her New York City-based team: head trainer Jimmy Sosa, his brother and assistant trainer Aurelinna, strength-and-conditioning coach Sergie Korchynskyy, and manager Keith Sullivan.
“The Sosas are like a father to me and Sergie is like my brother,” Yoshida said. “They come to listen to my lectures, and I learn important things in life, not only through boxing, but also with many kids at Cops & Kids Boxing gym in Brooklyn. Team Sosa patiently teaches me until I understand even if there is a language barrier. I appreciate that and members of Team Sosa are learning Japanese, because the team is united as one.” 4-time World Champion Jorge Linares will work her corner, and he speaks fluent Japanese.
“Keith is my manager, and he listens to me kindly and explores many possibilities for me. He understands my struggles as a single mother, in a foreign country.”
Yoshida vs. Metcalf launches the Great 8 Tournament to crown the undisputed women’s World Bantamweight Champion.
Miyo had been training regularly with veterans and active duty personal at the U.S. military bases in Japan since her July 2016 match at Camp Zama, which inspired her to move to New York. She is still supported by the people at Camp Zama and Atsugi Base.
“It is truly an honor to be managing Miyo,” Sullivan commented. “She is a three-time world champion who brings tremendous professionalism and commitment to her training. This fight has a great drama built into it because of the loss she suffered in their first fight followed by Miyo convincingly winning the world title one month later as a last-minute fill-in. This is a Do Not Miss fight. It will be an exciting fight. I am hopeful that this tournament can be the blueprint for other female divisions to keep the champions and their mandatories active. It is a win-win for all involved.”
Sullivan is a former Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Athletic Commission, who manages IBF and WBA #6 rated welterweight Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (4-0, 2 KOs), and WBC #9 rated super middleweight Nisa Rodriguez (2-0, 0 KOs), amongst several other professional fighters.
Kingsley Ibeh (L) stopped previously undefeated Jack May on the opening round(photo courtesy of Allan Jay Abril)
TACOMA, Wash. (October 20, 2024) – Nigerian heavyweight Kingsley Black Lion” Ibeh (14-2-1, 12 KOs) turned in the best performance of his pro career in the main event of last night’s “EQC Fight Night,” card presented by Toro Promotions, Inc., and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, in the EQC Event Center at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.
In a Clash of the Titans, the 6’ 4”, 273-pound Ibeh only needed 49 seconds to stop 6’ 8”, 257-pound Jack “The Outlaw” May (10-1, 9 KOs) to capture the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino Silver Championship.
The crowd of 2,000, which sold-out one week in advance, was electrified by the main event, in which there was no “feeling out” as Ibeh and May traded bombs from the opening bell. Suddenly, though, Ibeh landed a powerful left cross on May, who was up against the ropes, and “The Outlaw” went down hard, severely knocked at the 59-seconds mark of the opening round.
Ibeh, fighting out of Phoenix, weighed 7-pounds less than for his last fight, 16 fewer than he weighed four fights ago as the former professional football player in Canada won his ninth fight in a row.
“The Black Lion” is the cousin of the retired former heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi.
In the co-featured event, hometown favorite Marquice Weston (16-4-1, 9 KOs) registered a first-round stoppage of heavyweight John Shipman (5-8, 2 KOs) by way of a vicious body shot. It was Weston’s first victory in six years.
Haitian-born lightweight Nesley Trezile (1-1) notched his first pro win in a mild upset with a four-round majority decision over local fighter Agustin Tovar (2-1, 0 KOs). Trezile fights out of Los Angeles.
There was almost a major upset as Antonio Louis “Tswervo” Hernandez (7-19-4, 4 KOs) gave Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0-2, 7 KOs) everything he could handle in their six-round match.
Hernandez landed clean shots on Barajas, who was coming off a 4-year layoff. Barajas closed the fight strongly, but it wasn’t enough as the judges scored the fight a majority draw.
Illinois junior welterweight Quinn McKenna (1-0-1, 0 KOs) won his first fight as a pro, taking a four-round unanimous decision from Clayton Hibbert (2-3, 2 KOs). Both fighters were hurt in round three as they opened up offensively, leaving both seemingly out on their feet. McKenna, however, was the fresher fighter in the fourth and final round. He had Hibbert on the run to earn his initial victory.
Russian lightweight Samvel Gandilyan (5-0-1, 3 KOs) kept his unbeaten pro record intact with a fourth-round knockout of a game Ezera Rabin.
Official Results below:____________________________________________________
OFFICIAL RESULTS MAIN EVENT – VACANT WBC LATINO SILVER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Kingsley Ibeh (14-2-1, 12 KOs), Phoenix, AZ by way of Nigeria WKO1 (0:59) Jack May (10-1, 9 KOs), Chino Hills, CA (Ibehwon the WBA Latino Silver Heavyweight title)
CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS
Marquice Weston (16-3-1, 9 KOs), Tacoma, WA W KO1 John Shipman (5-8, 2 KOs), Dallas, TX
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Juan Barajas (11-0-2, 7 KOs), Victorville, CA D6 (57-57, 57-57, 56-58) Antonio Louis Hernandez (7-20-3, 4 KOs), Kansas City, MO
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS Quinn McKenna (1-0-1. 0 KOs), Naperville, IL W DEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 39-37) Clayton Hibbert (2-3, 2 KOs), Los Angeles, CA
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Samvel Gandilyan (5-0-1, 3 KOs), Medvedovskaya, Russia W TKO4 Ezera Rabin (1-8, 1 KO), Oakland, CA
Nesley Trezile (1-1, 0 KOs), Inglewood, CA by way of Haiti W DEC4 (39-37, 39-37, 38-38) Agustin Tovar (2-1, 0 KOs), Auburn, WA
_______________________________________________________________________. INFORMATION: Instagram: @ToroPromotionsInc Facebook: /ToroPromotionsInc You Tube: @ToroPromotionsINC X (formerly Twitter): @ToroPromotions TikTok: @ToroPromo
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – October 18, 2024 – Michigan’s Joshua Pagan outdueled cagey veteran Haskell Rhodes in the “Fight of the Night” and main event of Salita Promotions’ “Big Time Boxing Puerto Rico” event on Friday with a unanimous decision victory from the Coca-Cola Music Hall and on DAZN.
Nicknamed “Double J”, Pagan, whose father grew up in Puerto Rico and later moved to the United States settling in Grand Rapids where Pagan was born, had a legion of boisterous fans in his corner all night as he moved his record to 11-0 (4 KOs) in the 10-round lightweight victory over Rhodes (31-7, 16 KOs). In a fight closer than the judges’ scorecards indicated, Pagan’s hand was raised in victory by the referee with the scores of 100-90 and 99-91 twice.
“It was amazing tonight, and the entire crowd was filled with just so much energy,” Pagan said. “I wanted to get the knockout, but he was just so experienced. I give him a lot of credit.”
The all-action fight saw an amazing fifth round with exchanges by both fighters that had fans rise to their feet and show their appreciation to both boxers.
The co-feature saw Juan Carrillo (13-0, 9 KOs) from Barranquilla, Colombia, win the IBF Light Heavyweight Latino title as he scored a decisive unanimous decision over Lenin Castillo (25-6-1, 19 KOs) of Santo Domingo, D.R. The judges scored the fight 98-92, 99-91, 100-90. Two judges gave Castillo the eighth round while the third had Carrillo winning the back-and-forth round and pitching a shutout.
In the second television bout, local San Juan favorite Kiria Tapia (5-0, 0 KOs) won for the fifth time against no defeats as she recorded a dominating six-round unanimous decision over Beata Dudek (4-5, 4 KOs) in a fight that saw flashes of the great Puerto Rican champion Amanda Serrano. The trio of judges were all in agreement with their scorecards giving it to Tapia 60-53. Tapia, who knocked Dudek to the canvas in the first round, threw her wide left at will in dominating the outclassed Hungarian.
Opening the highly anticipated DAZN main card, “Motor City” Detroit’s Da’Velle Smith (10-0, 8 KOs) scored a first-round technical knockout over Gilberto Santos (16-16, 12 KOs) from Brazil. It was never a contest as Smith came out the aggressor and knocked Smith to the ground twice before the referee had seen enough following a blistering overhand right and called the bout at 2:28 of the first round.
See below for more on the DAZN fights and what the fighters had to say:
LIGHTWEIGHT MAIN EVENT – 10 ROUNDS
Joshua Pagan (11-0, 4 KOs) over Haskell Rhodes (31-7-1, 16 KOs) via unanimous decision
Scorecards: 99-91 twice and 100-90
“I wish I would’ve had a couple more rounds,” Rhodes said in defeat. “It was a good fight. My hat’s off to Joshua. He fought a clean, smart fight. I love boxing and getting up every day and going to the gym. So I can’t wait to see what’s next for me.”
IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT LATINO WORLD TITLE CO-FEATURE – 10 ROUNDS
Juan Carrillo (13-0, 9 KOs) defeated Lenin Castillo (25-6-1, 19 KOs) via unanimous decision
Scorecards: 98-92, 99-91, 100-90
“I was looking for the knockout and tried to get him out of there, but he was a tough opponent,” Carrillo said. “Hopefully, what’s next for me is an opponent with a big name.”
WOMEN’S SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT MAIN CARD BOUT – 6 ROUNDS
“I was happy to have all the support of my family and fans in attendance,” Tapia said. “I want to keep improving and progressing and my team and I are confident it could lead to a world title shot someday. The early knockdown set the tone for what I was able to do for the rest of the fight.”
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT MAIN CARD BOUT – 6 ROUNDS
Da’Velle Smith (10-0, 8 KOs) stopped Gilberto Santos (16-16, 12 KOs) via first-round TKO (2:28).
“I felt amazing, and it was fun out there,” Smith said “It didn’t last long but I don’t get paid extra for overtime. I was able to show the fans in Puerto Rico and around the world just a bit of what I can bring. He came in overweight, but we didn’t complain. We just show up and win.”
In preliminary action, all four winners came from the island of Puerto Rico and from the “A” side. They included: Allen Morales from San Juan (KO at 1:38 of round two), Jorge Vizcarrando from Trujillo Alto (TKO at :15 of round four), Karla Davila (six-round unanimous decision) and Antonio Mota from Toa Baja (four-round majority decision).
“Big Time Boxing Puerto Rico” was promoted by Salita Promotions in collaboration with PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) and 21 Events and is part of Salita Promotions’ “Big Time Boxing USA” series, the leading developmental series for promising prospects and young contenders on their journey toward a world championship.
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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.
ABOUT DAZN
DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app. For more information on DAZN, its products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com.
DAZN To Deliver Four-Fight Card To U.S., U.K. & Latin American Fans
Live from Berlin * 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT
*Complete fight card below*
BERLIN, GERMANY (Friday, Oct. 18, 2024) – Global sports streaming service DAZN has landed U.S., U.K. and Latin American telecast rights to Saturday’s IBF Super Middleweight World Championship between No. 1-ranked contender William Scull and No. 2-ranked Vladimir Shishkin for the vacant title on the final day before the event. Scull vs. Shishkin is the main event of a fight card promoted in cooperation between AGON Sports and Kuc Boxing, taking place at Stadthalle in Falkensee, just outside of Berlin. The four-fight televised portion of the card will air live on DAZN in the territories beginning at 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT.
The main event pits Salita Promotion’s top world title contender, Shishkin, against Scull, the undefeated Cuban-born boxer now living and training in Germany. The stakes are high as both men look to claim the IBF title belt recently vacated by Unified Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez.
“I am very happy that U.S. fight fans, and boxing fans around the world will have a chance to witness Saturday’s important world title fight,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “The implications for the future of the division and that of each fighter are significant. Vladimir Shishkin has dreamt of this moment his entire career and he has prepared accordingly. I believe he is more than ready to step into the lion’s den in Berlin and win his first world title.”
The 33-year-old Shishkin is a SHOBOX alum with an impressive pro career that began in 2016. A bona fide knockout artist, Shishkin (16-0, 10 KOs) has defeated Sena Agbeko, DeAndre Ware, Jose Uzcategui and carries momentum into Saturday’s bout from back-to-back knockout wins over Raymon Ayala and Mike Guy. Shishkin is entering his first world title bout and faces the added pressure of winning on Scull’s home turf. The Russian born Shishkin trains in Florida with world-class trainer SugarHill Steward.
Scull (22-0, 9 KOs) has proven to be one of the more dangerous super middleweights in the world. Starting his professional career in 2016 as well, Scull most recently defeated New Orleans’ Sean Hemphill via unanimous decision in dominant fashion this past May. As a result, Scull was listed as the mandatory challenger for the then-reigning IBF Super Middleweight Champion, Canelo. Now facing his toughest test to date in Shishkin, Scull plans to make a statement to boxing fans around the world that he is the next generation’s 168-pound champion to beat.
Salita stated earlier, “Having worked with Shishkin for over six years, I have seen the undeniable progress he has made throughout his career as he continues to fight the biggest names in the sport. On Saturday, October 19, both Shishkin and Scull have the chance to make their case to fight Canelo Alvarez and to begin to reshape a marquee division with a wealth of big-name talent.”
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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (October 16, 2024) – Ahead of Friday night’s “BIG TIME BOXING PUERTO RICO” event taking place at the iconic Coca-Cola Music Hall, the fighters participated in a press conference on Tuesday and a media workout Wednesday at Felix Pagán Pintor Boxing Gym and hosted by International Boxing Hall of Famer Ivan Calderon.
Undefeated Joshua James Pagan (10-0, 4 KOs) from Grand Rapids, Mich., will take on hard-hitting veteran Haskell Rhodes (31-6, 16 KOs) from Las Vegas in a 10-round bout in the lightweight division. In the co-featured bout, the vacant IBF LATINO belt in the light heavyweight division will be on the line as unbeaten Argentine prospect Juan Carrillo (12-0, 9 KO) takes on Gilbert Castillo (25-5-1, 19 KO) from Miami, Fla.
The night of fights will air live globally on DAZN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Here is what the fighters had to say.
Joshua James Pagan:
“I see this [press conference] as the hard part. I just love fighting and training; that’s the easy part. It’s my full-time job and what I love to do, and what I’ve been doing my entire life. Camp’s been great, and I went to Vegas for about a week and a half and got some good sparring from Bruce Carrington and came here last week to close out camp.
“I’ve fought in Atlantic City, but Vegas is my next step. That’s the dream right there, and I can’t wait to take one more step on Friday night to make it happen.
“I want to thank my opponent, Haskell Rhodes, for accepting the fight. I have no doubt in my mind that we have a great fight on our hands for everybody here. Growing up, I always dreamed of fighting here in Puerto Rico, let alone the main event. So, it truly is a blessing to be here. I used to watch Tito Trinidad and Miguel Cotto, and it always inspired me to be the next great fighter with Puerto Rican lineage.”
Haskell Rhodes:
“If you’ve ever seen me fight or the way I dress, it’s definitely influenced by Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho, down to my red and black shoes with all the sparkles. I’m bringing a heavy vibe of Hector Camacho on Friday night!
“I love the atmosphere and being around all the fighters – it makes me happy. I fought at the MGM Grand, and I was the main event where the Spurs played in San Antonio. So, this fight is right up there.
“I want to thank God because this wouldn’t be possible without him. Thank you, Salita Promotions. I grew up watching Puerto Rican fighters like Miguel Cotto and Héctor Camacho. Those guys were my heroes when I was coming up. When I got the phone call to take this fight, it wasn’t even a question. I’ve been to Puerto Rico twice, so the third time’s the charm for me to fight.”
Da’Velle Smith:
“First, I want to thank Salita Promotions for making this fight happen. I want to thank my manager and my whole team. I am really excited to be here in general. I grew up with lots of Puerto Ricans in Detroit, so much so that I thought I was Puerto Rican. I am excited to get in there and put on a great performance for the fans here in Puerto Rico and everyone who’s tuning in around the world.
“I’ve been here since Monday and just can’t wait for Friday night. I have Puerto Rico in my heart, and I’ve been trying to get here for 16 years. Hopefully, what’s next for me are bigger fights and showing everyone that I’m ready to put my foot on the gas and become a world champion.”
Juan Carrillo:
“I’m so grateful for Salita Promotions for giving me this opportunity. I have confidence that I will win this fight on Friday night. I wanted [Dmitry] Bivol to win, but I thought [Artur] Beterbiev won the fight.”
Gilbert Castillo:
“There is a lot of attention right now on the light heavyweight division, which is very deep in talent. To fight now for the IBF vacant Latino belt is a privilege and honor.”
Kiria Tapia:
“This is a huge and historic event at Coca-Cola, and I know my opponent will come to fight. I grew up watching great women’s champions like Laila Ali and Cristy Martin. They inspired me to be the fighter I am, and I hope I can be the one to show future girls and women what it takes to become a world champion boxer.”
Ivan Calderon, International Boxing Hall of Famer:
“Thanks to Salita Promotions for bringing ‘Big Time Boxing’ to Puerto Rico and get ready to hear it loud inside the Coca-Cola Music Hall, just like Madison Square Garden where I fought, and Tito [Trinidad] and Miguel [Cotto] fought. It’s going to be that kind of energy and excitement that they had there, you will have here in Puerto Rico.”
David Berlin, Salita Promotions General Counsel
“We are thrilled to be here in Puerto Rico, which has such a rich boxing tradition, and expect that this will be the first of many Big Time Boxing USA shows on the island.
Big Time Boxing USA is the premier talent development series in the United States. We came to Puerto Rico because it has such a rich boxing history and an impressive pool of young talent. We are looking for the next Tito Trinidad, the next Miguel Cotto, the next Ivan Calderon.”
ABOUT THE FIGHTS: Undefeated Joshua James Pagan (10-0, 4 KOs) will take on hard-hitting veteran Haskell Rhodes (31-6, 16 KOs) in a 10-round bout in the lightweight division. The IBF vacant Latino belt will be on the line when unbeaten Argentine prospect Juan Carrillo (12-0, 9 KO) steps into the ring against Lenin Castillo (25-5-1, 19 KO) from Miami, Fla., in a 10-round bout. In the TV opener, Salita Promotions’ popular and undefeated Da’Velle Smith (9-0, 7 KOs) of Detroit, Mich., returns to the ring to contest a middleweight bout at six rounds against Brazil’s Gilberto Pereira dos Santos (16-15, 12 KOs). In addition, an exciting women’s fight has been added to the broadcast as local San Juan, P.R., product Kiria Tapia (4-0, 0 KOs)will take on Hungary’s Beata Dudek (4-4, 4 KOs) in a junior lightweight (130 pounds) special attraction.
HOW TO WATCH: The night of fights will air live globally on DAZN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Corey Erdman will handle the blow-by-blow call, with International Boxing Hall of Famer announcer Al Bernstein joined by former IBF Junior Middleweight world champion Raul Marquez handling the commentary. Doors open at 5 pm ET with the first fight to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketera.com and the venue’s official website: www.cocacolamusichall.com.
“BIG TIME BOXING PUERTO RICO” is promoted by Salita Promotions in collaboration with PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) and 21 Events and is part of Salita Promotions’ “Big Time Boxing USA” series, the leading developmental series for promising prospects and young contenders on their journey toward a world championship.
ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
