Fight Network, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling

FIGHT NETWORK MMA & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Mar. 2-8, 2015)

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Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, boxing, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.

 

Below find highlights of this week’s programming:

Monday, Mar. 2

 

2:00 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 48 – Featuring Brandon Barrett vs. Justin Woods and Chris Wade vs. Frankie Perez from May 16, 2014 in Atlantic City, NJ.

 

5:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and more.

 

6:00 p.m. ET – USA Wrestling Weekly – Host Scott Casber gives weekly news and analysis centering around USA Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body, including interviews, features and a look back at the past.

 

6:30 p.m. ET – Judo Paris Grand Slam 2014 – Highlights from the Judo Paris Grand Slam from Feb 8-9, 2014 in France.

 

7:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – Enfusion Live: Mallorca, Spain – Featuring Iman Barlow vs. Iman Ghablou and David Calbo vs. Gil Salva from July 12, 2014.

Tuesday, Mar. 3

 

12:00 a.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

 

1:00 a.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Josh Koscheck – Sit-down interview with former UFC welterweight star Josh Koscheck

 

1:30 a.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.

 

2:30 am. ET – XPTV – Coverage of regional U.S pro and amateur MMA.

 

7:00 & 7:30 p.m. ET – Xtreme Fighting Championship – Florida-based professional MMA featuring top American prospects, international stars and UFC veterans.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

 

9:00 p.m. ET – Fight4Pride Championship 2 – Featuring Stahinja Gavrilovic vs. Yacine Bandoui, Martin Grandmont vs. Loyd Galindo and Will Romero vs. Dimitri Waardenburg from Nov. 22, 2014 in Laval, Quebec, Canada.

 

11:00 p.m. ET – Cage Fury Fighting Championships 37 – Featuring Azunna Anyanwu vs. Keith Bell and Bill Algeo vs. Mike Pope from June 28, 2014 in Philadelphia.

Wednesday, Mar. 4

 

3:00 a.m. ET – Texas Fight Night – MMA action from Texas featuring the Lone Star’s top prospects in the cage.

 

4:00 a.m. ET – Rocktagon MMA – Pro and amateur MMA from Ohio featuring the next generation of stars.

 

6:00 p.m. ET – Best of Cage Rage – Featuring classic fights from the UK-based Cage Rage organization with Anderson Silva, Antonio Silva, Victor Belfort, Paul Daley and others.

 

7:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now. MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA – Compilations of international MMA fights from ONE FC, UCMMA, KSW, WFC, FFC, BAMMA, EFC Africa, and more.

 

9:00 p.m. ET – Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 67 – Featuring Brett Johns vs. James Brum for the vacant bantamweight title from Apr. 12, 2014 Swansea, Wales.

 

11:00 p.m. ET – MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency – Gabriel Morency breaks down all the happenings in MMA, discussing odds, predictions, plus special weekly guests and exclusive interviews.

 

11:30 p.m. ET – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scenes coverage from events and exclusive interviews.

Thursday, Mar. 5

 

12:00 a.m. ET — Fight News Now. MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

 

1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 35 – Featuring Karlos Vemola vs. Denniston Sutherland and Przemyslaw Mysiala vs. Carl Kinslow from Aug. 3, 2013 in London.

 

6:00 p.m. ET – Championship Fightling Alliance – Pro MMA from Florida featuring the likes of Josh Sampo, Mike Kyle, John Howard, Sean McCorkie, Luis Palomino and others.

 

7:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Rookies – Aspiring kick-boxers climb the ladder of success in the sport as rookies compete for a chance to become professionals and get experience needed to succeed at a higher level.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

 

11:00 p.m. ET – DEEP: 67 Impact – Featuring Yuki Motoya vs. Yoshiro and Haruo Ochi vs. Masakazu Imanari from June 22, 2014 in Tokyo.

Friday, Mar. 6

 

12:00 a.m. ET – It’s Showtime Special – The world’s premier kickboxing organization featuring Badr Hari, Melvin Manhoef and Giorgio Petrosyan.

 

2:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Nate Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.

 

4:00 a.m. ET – Best of DEEP – Featuring class fights from the historic Japanese DEEP promotion including Shinya Aoki, Hayato Sakurai and Gegard Mousasi.

 

5:00 a.m. ET – Best of Jewels – Classic fights from the all-female Japanese MMA league, Jewels.

 

6 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge – Professional MMA from Europe featuring top rising prospects and international stars.

 

7:00 p.m. ET — Fight News Now. MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Renzo Gracie – Sit-down interview with MMA and BJJ legend Renzo Gracie.

 

8:30 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m-by-12m arena with three levels.

 

9:00 p.m. ET — KSW 8 – Featuring Alexey Oleinik, Karol Bedorf, Mamed Khalidov and Moise Rimbon fro, Nov. 10, 2007 in Warsaw, Poland.

Saturday, Mar. 7

 

12:00 a.m. ET — Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

 

1:00 a.m. ET – SuperKombat: World Grand Prix Romania 2013 – Featuring D’Angelo Marshall, Giannis Stoforidis, Gaetan Sautron and Leroy Johnson in heavyweight tournament action from Sept. 28, 2013 in Botosani, Romania.

 

6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Mark Hominick vs. Hatsu Hioki from TKO 28.

 

7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Tyson Griffin vs. Jorge Evanelista from Gladiator Challenge 46.

 

10:00 a.m. ET – Best of SportFight – Top quality MMA from the Pacific Northwest. Hosted by UFC veterans Matt Lindland and Chael Sonnen.

 

3:00 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 49 – Featuring Andre Harrison vs. Jeff Lentz and Julio Arce vs. Jake Grigson from Sept. 19, 2004 in Atlantic City, NJ.

 

8:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

 

9:00 p.m. ET – Final Fight Championship: Futures 3 MMA – Featuring Ante Delija vs. Archontis fro, Sept. 27, 2014 in Zagreb, Croatia.

 

11:00 p.m. ET — Final Fight Championship: Futures 3 Kickboxing – Featuring Mladen Brestovac vs. Luca Panto from Sept. 27, 2014 in Zagreb, Croatia.

Sunday, Mar. 8

 

6:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Name Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.

 

10:00 a.m. ET – Best of ADCC – Featuring compilations of the greatest grappling matches ever held, featuring Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes, Eddie Bravo, Fabricio Werdum, Marcelo Garcia, Ronaldo Souza and Royler Gracie.

 

11:00 a.m. ET – Elite Muay Thai: Thailand vs. Challenger – The biggest Muay Thai series in the world featuring premium international stand-up fighters taking on the renowned Thai National team.

 

7:00 p.m. ET – USA Wrestling Weekly – Host Scott Casber gives weekly news and analysis centering around USA Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body, including interviews, features and a look back at the past.

 

7:30 p.m. ET – Judo Dusseldorf Grand Prix 2014 – Highlights of the 2014 Judo Dusseldorf Grand Prix from Feb. 21-23, 2014 in Belgium.

 

11:00 p.m. ET – King of Kings: Hero’s Bushido Vilnius 2014 – Featuring Pavel Voronin vs. Sergei Maslobojev and Jordann Pikeur vs. Tadas Jonkus from Nov. 15, 2014 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

 

Information:

 

www.FightNetwork.com

 

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

 

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

 
ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK:  Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

LIAM MCGEARY BECOMES MMA’S FIRST-EVER BRITISH WORLD CHAMPION AT “BELLATOR: THE BRITISH INVASION”

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Photo credit: Bellator MMA / Eric Coleman ALL FIGHT PHOTOS AND SCORE CARDS
 

 

Englishman Liam McGeary (10-0) kept his professional record unblemished, capping off a successful “British Invasion” and claiming the Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight title with a five-round decision win over former champion Emanuel Newton (25-8-1).

The contest served as the headlining bout of Friday’s “Bellator MMA: British Invasion” event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

McGeary attacked from the start, as he used his lanky frame and incredible grappling to move from submission attempt to submission attempt in entertaining fashion. From triangle choke to kimura to armbar, McGeary was constantly on the move, but Newton showed capable defense and pulled free from each hold.

Despite the obvious danger on the ground, Newton continued to take the fight to the floor in the second round, working from his opponent’s extremely active guard. Once again, McGeary’s submission attempts were relentless, but Newton pulled free from each hold.

The remainder of the fight played out in similar fashion, with Newton able to take the fight to the floor with ease but forced to defend constant grappling attacks from McGeary. Both fighters could make arguments for the win, with Newton enjoying extended stretches in the dominant position. However, McGeary’s constant offense set the tone for the action. In the end, judges sided with McGeary, awarding him the win with scores of 48-46, 48-47 and 48-47.

McGeary remains perfect through the first 10 fights of his career.

Meanwhile, Newton sees a seven-fight winning streak come to an end.

“It was a close fight,” Newton said. “I was on the ground. I didn’t stop hitting and moving with triangle hits. That guy is so slippery and tough.”

In the night’s co-feature, light heavyweight contender Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (15-4) moved up to the heavyweight division and earned an impressive decision win over Cheick Kongo (22-10-2).

Facing a massive size differential, Lawal turned to his wrestling base rather than try and trade with the bigger man. The plan worked, as Lawal controlled the action in the clinch and racked up points with takedowns. While the crowd tried to entice Lawal to take a more risky approach, “King Mo” remained disciplined in his approach and cruised to what looked like a clear-cut decision win, though he had to settle for a split result, 30-27, 28-29 and 29-28.

“I don’t agree with the split decision at all,” Lawal said after the fight. “I won all three rounds. He knows he lost that fight. I got the victory and that’s all that matters. Wrestling works and it showed in this fight.

“I have a great coaching staff at American Top Team. I could’ve gone another two rounds. At the end of the third round, I knew he was gassed, so I just walked him off. I hope to get the chance to fight for a title next.”

In welterweight action, Brazilian veteran Andre “Chatuba” Santos (37-10) proved himself a game opponent against Paul “Semtex” Daley (36-13-2), but the British slugger ultimately cruised to a decision win.

In typical Daley fashion, he fired heavy punches on the feet, looking for the knockout. However, Santos proved resilient, answering with strikes of his own while also looking to work from the clinch. The action went back and forth for the opening two rounds before Daley took over in the third.

An early Daley knockdown set the tone for the final frame, and Daley worked hard for the finish. Santos, however, simply wouldn’t quit, and despite being dominated in the final round, he did survive until the final bell, where Daley was awarded a decision win.

“It feels good to be back in MMA; I was a little rusty,” Daley, who had been focusing on his kickboxing career, admitted after the win. “This guy was so tough. I caught him with heavy, wild shots, and normally I would’ve taken my opponent out in the second or third round, but he didn’t quit; he has a ton of heart. It was a great fight.”

Fighting for the first time since a failed bid for the Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight World Title, Linton “The Swarm” Vassell (15-4) scored a second-round TKO over Rameau “The African Assassin” Sokoudjou (16-13).

Vassell controlled the action from the start, taking Sokoudjou to the floor and scoring with ground-and-pound blows while hunting out opportunities to end the fight with a submission. That opening would come in the second round.

Again working hard to take the fight to the floor, Vassell refused to give Sokoudjou any room to work, scoring top position and utilizing superior grappling skills. Sokoudjou was unable to get back to his feet, and Vassell eventually unleashed a flurry of strikes that earned the stoppage at the 3:18 mark of the second.

“I wanted to finish him in the first round,” Vassell said after the win. “He held my arms and stopped me from taking him down.

“It feels great representing my country and to come here and fight in front of all the American fans is a great honor.”

In the night’s first main-card contest, welterweight Brennan “The Irish Bad Boy” Ward (10-3) made quick work of “Courteous” Curtis Millender (7-1), needing just 64 seconds to score a submission win.

The two went toe-to-toe on the feet to open, and it appeared Millender was getting the best of the initial exchanges. But after coming up short on a takedown, Ward scored a crisp two-punch combination that sent his opponent to the floor. Ward took advantage of the opening, hopping on his opponent’s back and sinking in a rear-naked choke, ending the fight at the 1:37 mark of the first round.

“You know me, man,” Ward said after the quick win. “I come straight at guys like always.”

In bouts shown on Spike TV, around the world on Spike.com, hometown fighters did not disappoint here at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT as Blair Tugman (North Haven), Matt Bessette(Hartford) and Dean Hancock (Danbury) all won their bouts in impressive fashion.

Tugman (7-5) started off the night with a dominating performance over Marvin Maldonado (2-4) of Latham, N.Y, scored 30-26, 30-27 twice, all in favor of Tugman.

“Felt great to get another win in Bellator against a tough opponent in Marvin,” said Tugman. “I was excited to fight in front of my home crowd. I have a great coach (Andrew Calandrelli) and training partners at Ultimate MMA Training Center in North Haven, CT. And was confident that if I implemented my game plan I would come out with the victory. I’m upset I didn’t finish Marvin but he’s a tough guy to finish. I hope my dominant performance shows Bellator I am ready for bigger fights.

Bessette (14-6), who was able to break free of Josh Laberge’s (9-5) attack by striking him with power punches and stuns to the jaw. “Everything went right tonight, I won,” said an ecstatic Bessette.” I was able to throw my power shots and did to him what he does to other people.

“I got the win, which is the most important thing. Josh [Laberge] gave me an awesome fight and I couldn’t be happier.”

In a swing bout, Hancock looked poised in his professional debut against Mike Mangan (0-3), despite early jitters.  “It felt great coming out of the cage, the first few seconds were like a blur to me,” said Hancock. “Once I got my bearings I was able to go to work and do what I do best. It was a huge moment for me.

“I feel like I belong in Bellator, it was great to get my first professional win. I need to just keep moving forward.”

Also on tonight’s preliminary card

New York transplant Neiman Gracie did what Gracie’s do best: win via rear naked choke at 2:36 of round 1 over Massachusetts’s Bobby Flynn (4-3).  With the win, Gracie keeps his unbeaten streak intact at 3-0.

Also from New York, Binghamton’s Tamdan McCrory (13-3) scored an armbar victory over Jason Butcher (8-2) at 1:06 of the first frame.

Emergency! Raphael Butler is now 9-1-1 after scoring a guillotine choke victory over Josh Diekmann (15-6) at 1:04 of round 1.

Main Card Results

Liam McGeary def Emanuel Newton by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-47, 48-47) to win Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight title

Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal def. Cheick Kongo by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

Paul Daley def. Andre Santos by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Linton Vassell def. Rameau Sokoudjou by TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:18

Brennan Ward def. Curtis Millender by submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:37

Preliminary Card Results

Dean Hancock def. Mike Mangan by submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:33

Matt Bessette def. Josh LaBerge by TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00

Raphael Butler def. Josh Diekmann by submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:04

Tamdan McCrory def. Jason Butcher by submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:06

Neiman Gracie def. Bobby Flynn by submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:36

Blair Tugman def. Marvin Maldonado by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
boxing

Bronco Billy Wright – The Tale Of A 50-Year Old Contender

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The man is 50 years old and has a belly that protrudes in a manner that suggests his blood pressure and cholesterol levels are in code red territory.

 

Not so, says “Bronco” Billy Wright, the most unlikely of heavyweight contenders I have come across in my decades of covering this red light district of a sport.

 

“I can hold a lemon meringue pie in one hand and a pumpkin pie in the other and still knock you out!” says the Las Vegas resident (46-4, 37 knockouts) in a recent phoner.

 

Wright, who debuted as a pro in 1986 after taking to boxing to get back in shape after breaking his back in a workplace accident, told me he’s set to glove up on March 13 at We Ko Pa Casino in Fort McDowell, AZ against Gilberto Matheus Domingos, a 22-2 (20 KOs) Brazilian.

 

It’s the first fight in the US since 2012 for Wright, who has made Bolivia his ring home away from home of late. “Fighting in America is very important,” said the boxer, rated No. 17 at heavyweight by the WBC. “This comeback is a difficult one to accept for people. I had to go abroad to get fights. Fighting here, I would have just been a club fighter and, nothing against that, but that’s not what I want.”

 

What he wants, he says, is for you simply to tune in and judge him by his merits, not his age or the fact that he has too much of a fondness for sweets. Roy Jones Jr.’s group is willing to give Wright a shot and put him on this card and he’s hoping you have an open mind as well.

 

“See for yourself! Yes, I’m 50 but it works to my advantage. I relax; I have my priorities in check. I don’t drink, don’t do the crazy stuff I did in my 20s and 30s, drinking beer, chasing skirts. No, I’m not the bodybuilder, Adonis-type people have come to expect. I’m an old-school fighter. You had, back in the ’80s, Larry Holmes, Tim Witherspoon, Tony Tubbs; I’m more like a lumberjack. If you’re looking to see a body, save your money but otherwise come to see me and an exciting knockout fight. You’re going to see that for sure.”  Continue Reading…

 

 

Tickets priced $20 general admission, $35 and $50, are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Bronco Billy Wright at (702) 524-3331.

 

The We Ko Pa Casino is located at 10424 North Fort McDowell Road, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264.  Doors open at 6:00 P.M. first fight is at 7:00 P.M.

boxing, CBS Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions

ADONIS STEVENSON VS. SAKIO BIKA TO TAKE PLACESATURDAY, APRIL 4 IN FIRST PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON CBS EVENT LIVE FROM THE PEPSI COLISEUM IN QUEBEC CITY

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Live on CBS at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
MONTREAL (Feb. 27, 2015) – Light heavyweight world champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (25-1, 21 KOs) returns to the ring Saturday, April 4 at Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City to defend his title against former super middleweight world champion Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (32-6-3, 21 KOs). The April 4 event marks the debut of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on CBS (3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT).

 

“I am excited to be the headliner for first PBC event on CBS,” Stevenson said. “I know Bika will stop at nothing, so the fight will be spectacular and extremely offensive-minded. I predict that Bika will lose by knockout for the first time in his career.”

 

“After all these years fighting at 168 pounds, it was becoming increasingly difficult to make weight and that was a major factor in my defeats,” Bika said. “I see no problem making the jump to light heavyweight to face Stevenson and I do not feel I’ll be at a disadvantage because the champion made this transition successfully himself less than two years ago against Chad Dawson. I promise you that I will be the new champion on April 4.”
Stevenson, 37, won the world light heavyweight title in June of 2013 in Montreal, via a sensational 76-second, first-round knockout just over the then-undisputed king of the division, Dawson. The impressive victory earned Stevenson “Knockout of the Year” and “Fighter of the Year” accolades. In his first defense the following Sept. 28, former world champion Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud was meant to be a major test for the new champion, but the powerful southpaw forced Cloud to retire at the end of the seventh round.

 

Two months later, “Superman” concluded the year with an unequivocal victory over his No. 1 mandatory contender, Tony “Bomber” Bellew of Great Britain, who was unable to complete the sixth round. In May 2015 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Polish challenger Andrzei Fonfara proved to be a tough challenger and fans were treated to a memorable bout as Stevenson knocked Fonfara down twice in the early rounds only to visit the canvas himself in the ninth round. Judges scored the fight 116-109, 115-110 and 115-110 for Stevenson in his SHOWTIME® debut. In his last outing, Dec. 19, 2014 on SHOWTIME from the Pepsi Coliseum, “Superman” made short work of Russian veteran Dmitry “The Hunter” Sukhotskiy, stopping him in the fifth.
Bika, fighting out of Australia by way of his native Cameroon, which he represented at the 2000 Olympics, has earned the reputation as a tough, rough brawling warrior who has fought the best. He has been in six world title fights (1-3-2), holding one of the 168-pound division crowns in 2013-14. He has fought many world champions, never been knocked out in 41 professional bouts and he was “The Contender, Season 3” reality television series champion in 2007.

 

“The Scorpion” demonstrated his world-class toughness and determination in fights with the world’s elite super middleweights at that time, challenging world champions Markus Beyer and Joe Calzaghe in 2006, Lucian Bute in 2007 and Andre Ward in 2010. Resilience and hard work finally paid off for Bika when he won the coveted 168-pound title, defeating Marco Antonio Periban by decision in 2013 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. He successfully defended his title six months later by fighting to a 12- round draw with Anthony Dirrell on SHOWTIME in 2013. Bika eventually lost his belt in a rematch with Dirrell on SHOWTIME last August.

 

PBC on CBS, headlined by the light heavyweight world championship fight between Stevenson and Bika, is promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and presented by Videotron and in association with Mise-O-Jeu.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. E, at the Pepsi Coliseum box office in Quebec, by calling (418) 691-7211 or (800) 900-7469, online at www.billetech.com, at GYM (514) 383-0666 and Champion Boxing Club (514) 376-0980. Ticket prices range from $25 to $250 on the floor.

 

Because the show is being held the day before Easter, GYM encourages the Quebec public to come as families and groups by offering two tickets (in the stands) for-the-price-of-1 special offer for two days only (Saturday, Feb. 28 and Sunday, March 1) for those purchasing tickets directly through www.billetech.com.

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com and www.groupeyvonmichel.ca, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @yvonmichelgym, @AdonisSuperman and @Sakio_Bika, follow the conversation using #StevensonBika, become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.
boxing, NBC, Premier Boxing Champions

HEAVYWEIGHT STAR CHRIS ARREOLA SET TO MAKE RETURN ONMARCH 13 FROM THE CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA IN ONTARIO, CALIF.

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ONTARIO, CALIF (Feb. 27, 2015) – Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola (35-4, 31 KOs) returns to the ring on Friday, March 13 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif.

 

The action-packed card features a pair of exciting main events as Andre Berto goes up against Josesito Lopez and Shawn Porter battles Roberto Garcia on the debut of PBC on Spike TV. The televised bouts on Spike TV begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

 

“I’m itching to get back in the ring and show that I’m still going after my dream of being heavyweight champion of the world,” said Arreola. “This is a wonderful platform for me to fight with Premier Boxing Champions and I couldn’t be more excited to fight in front of my fans here in California.”

 

Born in Escondido, Calif. but fighting out of Los Angeles, Arreola has long been one of the most feared punchers in the heavyweight division. He was a 2001 National Golden Gloves champion who turned pro in 2003 and slowly began his rise up the heavyweight rankings. In 2009, having already captured a number of regional belts, Arreola challenged Vitali Klitschko for the heavyweight world title at Staples Center in Los Angeles. He took the champ deep into the fight before retiring in the tenth round, but he did not let that deter him from continuing towards his championship goals.

 

After dropping a tough decision to Tomasz Adamek in 2010, Arreola pushed his way back into title contention with six-straight victories before he got a chance against Bermane Stiverne in 2013. In their first fight, Arreola lost a unanimous decision but earned himself another fight against Stiverne, this time for the heavyweight world championship. In an action-packed fight, Arreola was stopped in the sixth-round.

 

Now, Arreola looks to return to his winning ways in a familiar setting. This will be the 33-year-old’s fifth time fighting at Citizen’s Business Bank Arena and his tenth time fighting in Ontario, Calif. If his winning ways return, he could put himself back in the world title mix.

 

The fight card is promoted by Goossen Promotions, which has promoted all of Arreola’s professional fights.

 

Tickets for the live event are priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are on sale now and are available for purchase at www.axs.com.

 

For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.spike.com/shows/premier-boxing-champions, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @AndreBerto, @JosesitoLopez, @ShowtimeShawnP, @AmenazaGarcia and @SpikeTV and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxing andwww.Facebook.com/Spike.
boxing

Sampson Boxing Renews Co-Promotional Agreement with Super Bantamweight Slugger Hugo ‘Cuatito’ Ruiz

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Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing and Oswaldo Kuchle of Promociones Del Pueblo proudly announce the renewal of former interim WBA World bantamweight and current WBC #2-rated super bantamweight contender, Hugo “Cuatito” Ruiz (35-2, 31 KOs) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico’s co-promotional contract.

 

28-year-old Ruiz, trained by his father, Heriberto Ruiz and twin brothers, Edel and Heriberto Jr (both former high-level fighters), was last seen demolishing Mexican veteran Carlos Medellin in one round last November.

 

“I am very happy that Hugo Ruiz has decided to stay loyal to us and I expect he will be world champion in his new division very soon,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “He is a very exciting fighter with the power to make every fight exciting.”

 

Ruiz’ only loss in the last eight years was a very debatable split decision to Japan’s Koki Kameda in a WBA Unification fight in Osaka, Japan, in December 2012. Ruiz made four successful defenses of his interim championship before the Kameda controversy.

 

Impressively, Ruiz carries an 84% KO ratio, boxing at the international level.

 

“I will meet with my young partner, Mr. Oswaldo Kuchle, and together he and I will figure out the best course for this exciting puncher’s career. I am proud to be joining forces with Promociones Del Pueblo on this sensational fighter.”
ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.
boxing

Lippe-Morrison to face Richard Dawson March 7

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Miami, OK (February 26, 2015) – Heavyweight knockout king Trey Lippe-Morrison faces his toughest opponent to date when he battles Richard Dawson Saturday, March 7 in the six round main event of “Four State Franchise” at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK.

 

The card is presented by Holden Productions and tickets from $30 are on sale now by calling 918-542-9400 or going to Buffalorun.com.

 

Hailing from nearby Tulsa, OK, Lippe-Morrison’s a perfect 6-0 with all of his wins coming by knockout. Like his late, great father Tommy Morrison, Trey’s a big draw and has world class punching power. Having stopped each of his last five foes in less than two minutes, Lippe-Morrison is eager to show the world that he can go rounds if needed.

 

Standing across the ring from Lippe-Morrison will be fellow Oklahoman Richard Dawson of Okmulgee. A nine fight veteran, Dawson’s 5-2-2 with three wins by KO.  Known for having an excellent chin, Dawson has never been stopped and scored a huge upset by besting Ty Cobb (16-3) in June 2013.

 

Interestingly enough, Dawson’s father Anthony Cooks was scheduled to fight Tommy Morrison November 3, 1996 in Japan but was replaced due to out of the ring issues. Dawson however believes that he’ll make up for his father’s missed opportunity.

 

“I honestly don’t know much about Trey besides that he’s only fought bums,” said the ultra confident Dawson. “I’m coming to bring the fight to him and control the action. I’m extra motivated after my last fight (a loss in a rematch against Cobb). I’ve heard he’s good but I’m going to prove to everybody what I can do!”

 

The confident and respectful Lippe-Morrison sees it differently.

 

“This is a big fight for me. I’m moving up to six rounds and Dawson’s been six multiple times. I expect this to be a good fight and will leave the trash talking to him. I’m bringing my A game and I think it will be all he can handle. My talking is done in the ring.”

 

“Richard Dawson is an excellent test for Trey and he’s extremely confident that he’s going to pull off the upset,” said promoter Tony Holden. “Everybody wants to know if Trey can box and how he’ll do after the first few rounds. I’ve seen Dawson fight multiple times and he’s a tough fighter with an excellent chin. He should be able to test Trey for the first time in his career. At the same time, Trey has the kind of power that can end a fight at any time. That is what makes this fight so interesting!”

 

Heavyweight hopeful Kenzie Witt-Morrison ofBartlesville, OK risks his 3-0 record in a four round scrap against an opponent to be announced. The popular Witt-Morrison’s won all three of his bouts by knockout and is Morrison’s son and Lippe-Morrison’s half brother.

 

Unbeaten welterweight Jesse Cook of Seneca, MO risks his 14-0 record against battle-tested Michigan native Patrick Boozer over eight rounds. The talented Cook’s won most of the rounds he’s fought as a pro, scoring a clear-cut decision over 35 fight veteran Larry Smith last December. At 7-3 with 2 knockouts, Boozer’s coming off an impressive victory, upsetting Anthony Young (10-0) in October 2014.

 

Bartlesville, OK’s Jarrett Rouse will look to improve to 5-0 when he squares off against Steve Kolin, 2-2, ofHarrison, AR. The Rouse-Colin contest is scheduled for four rounds in the welterweight division.

 

Additional bouts and opponents will be announced shortly.

 

Boxcino

Fast-Rising Lightweight Contender Tony ‘Lightning’ Luis Welcomes Newborn Son Miguel

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An amazing 2015 continued on February 20 for fast-rising Canadian lightweight contender Tony “Lightning” Luis (19-2, 7 KOs), as he and fiance Manon Latulippe welcomed the birth of their first child, a son named Miguel, on February 20.

Born at 6 lbs 14 oz, Luis says baby Miguel is healthy and beautiful.

“I named him after Miguel Cotto, always loved the name for a boy,” explained Luis. “When we told the family we were going with the name Miguel, my sister got emotional. I said ‘what’s wrong?’ She said ‘You didn’t know? The last couple years before mom passed, she said she wished she would have had another boy and named him Miguel. I thought for sure that’s why you picked it?’ I said ‘No. My favorite fighter is Miguel Cotto.’ So, it was like my mom had a hand in this.”

Baby Miguel is the latest in a hot string of victories this year for Luis, who also picked up the WBC Continental Americas lightweight title and ruined the undefeated record of IBF #15 rated Karl “Dynamite” Dargan (17-1, 9 KOs), in January, by way of an upset 10-round unanimous decision. A huge underdog, Luis surprised everyone but himself by dominating Dargan.

27-year-old Luis, from Cornwall, Ontario, says that so far fatherhood has been wonderful.

“I have no complaints. There are late nights and he’s crying and stuff, but I’m very lucky because I’ve been on midnights all week, so I’m gone all night and I’m with him during the day. Manon has been great about it. She lets me sleep to train twice a day and work all night. I’m very lucky and blessed to have a partner like her.”


###

 

About Greg Cohen Promotions

 

One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.

Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.

Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen made headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.

In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman (50-8-2, 41 KOs); and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney (74-7-3, 45 KOs).

Current world-rated contenders in the GCP roster include Arash Usmanee, universally recognized as a top-10 super featherweight; former WBA International Middleweight Champion and world-rated middleweight contender Jarrod Fletcher; top-rated featherweight Joel Brunker; cruiserweight Lateef Kayode; Canadian lightweight and TV action hero Tony Luis, and WBA and five-time Irish National Amateur Champion, Dennis Hogan; and Rising Welterweight sensation Cecil McCalla.

Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.
Boxcino, boxing, ESPN Friday Night Fights

Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight and Heavyweight semifinals to be held on Friday, April 10 at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA

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Bethlehem, PA (February 26, 2015)–On Friday night, April 10th, a special night of boxing will commence from the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA, as the Boxcino 2015 Jr. Middleweight & Heavyweight semifinals will take place on the same evening.
The show is promoted by Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions and will be broadcasted live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Over the past two weeks, the quarterfinals took place in both divisions, and the match-ups on April 10 are as follows:
In the Jr. Middleweight division:
Brandon Adams (16-1, 11 KO’s) will fight Vito Gasparyan (15-3-5, 8 KO’s) whileStanyslav Skorokhod (9-0, 7 KO’s) battles John Thompson (15-1, 5 KO’s).
In the Heavyweight division:
Andrey Fedosov (26-3, 21 KO’s) will take on Lenroy Thomas (19-3, 9 KO’s) andRazvan Cojanu (13-1, 7 KO’s) squares off with Donovan Dennis (13-2, 10 KO’s).
All four Boxcino semifinal bouts are scheduled for eight rounds.
“We are very excited to be bringing the Boxcino semifinals to the Sands in Bethlehem,” said Banner Promotions President Arthur Pelullo.
“It should be a great night of boxing to determine who the finalists will be in the Jr. Middleweight and Heavyweight divisions.”

This event starts at 7pm.  Ticket prices are $100, $75, $50.  Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000 and at the box office at the Sands Event Center.

 

Follow Banner Promotions on social media for all the latest Banner and #Boxcino2015 updates:

@BannerBoxing #TeamBanner ; @Boxcino2015 #Boxcino

Facebook.com/BannerPromotions; instagram.com/BannerBoxing
Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

ONE IF BY LAND. TWO IF BY SEA.  THREE AMAZING BRITS FIGHTING ON SPIKE TV

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THE BRITISH ARE COMING

 

OFFICIAL WEIGH IN RESULTS, QUOTES AND PHOTOS FROM

BELLATOR’S “BRITISH INVASION”

 

Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton vs. Liam McGeary

Photo Credit: Bellator MMA/ Eric Coleman / CLICK HERE FOR FULL PHOTO GALLERY

The official weigh-ins concluded this afternoon for Bellator’s highly anticipated “British Invasion” show which will serve as the first tentpole event of the year and takes place tomorrow, Feb. 27..  The night of fights airs LIVE and FREE on Spike TV at 9/8c from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, and features three of the UK’s top MMA fighters competing on American soil, as well as a super fight between “King Mo” Lawal and Cheick Kongo.

 

Champ Emanuel Newton (204.5 lbs.) vs. Liam McGeary (204 lbs.)

Cheick Kongo (239 lbs.) vs. “King Mo” Lawal (217 lbs.)

Paul Daley (171 lbs.) vs. Andre Santos (171 lbs.)

Linton Vassell (205 lbs.) vs. Rameau Sokoudjou (205 lbs.)

Brennan Ward (171 lbs.) vs. Curtis Millender (170 lbs.)

Matt Bessette (145 3/4 lbs.) vs. Josh Laberge (145 lbs.)

Raphael Butler (260 lbs.) vs. Josh Diekmann (238 1/4 lbs.)

Jason Butcher (186 lbs.) vs. Tamdan McCrory (185.5 lbs.)

Bobby Flynn (170.5 lbs.) vs. Neiman Gracie (171 lbs.)

Marvin Maldonado (136 lbs.) vs. Blair Tugman (136 lbs.)

Michael Mangan (155 1/4 lbs.) vs. Dean Hancock (155.5 lbs.)

Newton: “I am going to finish [Liam McGeary] tomorrow. Whether it be by choke, KO, TKO or submission, I am going to finish him.

 

“I am connected to my inner-being. All I ever request of myself is victory. I don’t request a nice car or a big house, all I request is victory and it will be given to me.”

 

Liam McGeary: “I am going to become the first Englishmen to win a major title in America tomorrow. I put the work in. I have sacrificed too much to come up short. I have a great team behind me.”

 

Chieck Kongo: “Two big guys are getting in that cage tomorrow, and at the end I will be the winner.

 

“I trained like crazy for this fight. I finished training camp without injury and I came to get what I deserve.

 

“If he gives me the opportunity to knock him out, I surely will do it. But if not, we will go the full rounds and I will claim victory.”

 

King Mo: “I am going to have my hand raised tomorrow. I am not sure how exactly it’s going to happen, but I will make sure of it.

 

“I train hard and smart. I have seen everything there is to see in this game. My camp was great.

 

“Whatever he gives me, I’m going to take.”

 

Daley: “Andres Santos is in a lot of trouble. He is going to get knocked spark out. He says he’s Brazilian and a lot of these guys are getting laid out on the floor; he’s going to be another one of them.”

 

Andres Santos: “I am very confident in my ability tomorrow. I know I will come out with the victory. I have prepared very long and hard for this fight and I will come out the victor.”

 

Vassell: “I’m going to finish him [Sokoudjou] either on the ground, pound or by submission. He only has a couple minutes in him and that’s when I will be looking for the knockout. If not, then I will take him down and save up for the TKO or submission.”

 

Sokoudjou: “I’m going to beat him to the ground, that’s the game plan. Whether it is on our feet or on the ground, I am going to beat him.

“I trained very hard during training camp, it was very tough. I am healthy and ready to go.”

 

Brennan Ward: “Im going to go out there and punch [Millender] him on his head. I’m Brennan Ward and I’m going to do when I do. When I’m on my game, no one can stop me.

 

“It means a lot to be fighting in front of my hometown friends and family. I’m going to put on a show.”

 

Millender: “I’m going to take him down and beat him at his own game. My striking is my biggest strength.

 

“He’s not going to expect me to be the wrestler that I am. He’s going to be in a lot of trouble.

 

“I am absolutely looking for the knockout, it doesn’t matter how I get it.”

  Cheick Kongo vs. King Mo


Paul Daley vs. Andre Santos

Linton Vassell vs. Sokoudjou
 

Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Title Fight: Champ Emanuel Newton (25-7) vs. Liam McGeary (9-0)

Bellator Heavyweight Feature Fight: Cheick Kongo (22-9-2) vs. “King Mo” Lawal (14-4)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Daley (35-13) vs. Andre Santos (37-9)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Linton Vassell (14-4) vs. Rameau Sokoudjou (16-12)

Bellator Welterweight Feature Fight: Brennan Ward (9-3) vs. Curtis Millender (7-0)

 

Preliminary Card (6:45 p.m. ET)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Matt Bessette (13-6) vs. Josh Laberge (9-4)

Bellator Heavyweight Prelim Fight: Josh Diekmann (15-5) vs. Raphael Butler (8-1-1)

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: Tamdan McCrory (12-3) vs. Jason Butcher (8-1)

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight:  Neiman Gracie (2-0) vs. Bobby Flynn (4-2)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Marvin Maldonado (2-2) vs. Blair Tugman (6-5)

 

Dark Bout (approx. 11 p.m. ET)

Bellator Featherweight Dark Bout: Michael Mangan (2-0) vs. Dean Hancock (pro debut)


About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader.  Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.  Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

 

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks.  A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.  Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
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