VLADIMIR SHISHKIN REGISTERS UNANIMOUS DECISION VICTORY ON 250th EDITION OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®
NIGHT OF HEAVYWEIGHTS HITS PRIMETIME!
HORNSTRA ON FIGHT WITH CUSHING: “BRING UMBRELLAS, BECAUSE I’M SENDING TEETH INTO THE CROWD”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Portland, Maine (January 17, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 42: Symphony of Destruction,” on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional catchweight bout to the card. Keegan “The Flu” Hornstra (4-11) will take on Ryan “The Roosta” Cushing (0-0) at a fight weight of 160 pounds.
Keegan Hornstra is a longtime veteran of the New England MMA fight scene, having made his amateur debut a decade ago. He returned to the cage last April after a three-year absence and defeated Zenon Herrera (1-8) by first-round submission at “NEF 38.” Hornstra had a quick turnaround for his next fight, taking on Dom Jones (2-3) just a few weeks later at “NEF 39.” Unfortunately for Hornstra, he was on the losing end of that contest. He will look to get back in the win column on February 8. Hornstra currently represents Evolution Athletix based in Saco, Maine.
“He won’t show,” predicted Hornstra of his opponent. “If he does, bring umbrellas, because I’m sending teeth into the crowd.”
Ryan Cushing will make his professional debut at “NEF 42.” He is an independent fighter based out of Massachusetts. Cushing was a perfect 2-0 as an amateur with both victories coming by way of first-round submission.
“Keegan is a fantastic person and a veteran that I really respect,” said Cushing. “He also has really turned himself around lately and looks better than ever, and he is someone I always got along with when I crossed paths and spoke with him, so it’s going to be pretty cool sharing the cage with him. I’m excited to test myself against him in the cage and in the ‘best facial hair’ battle at weigh-ins.”
New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 42: Symphony of Destruction,” will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. Tickets are on sale now at www.PortTix.com.
About New England Fights
New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.
CALEB PLANT NASHVILLE PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS
DANNY GARCIA TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
DEONTAY WILDER VS. TYSON FURY II LOS ANGELES PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS
Lightweight Contender & Nashville Native Austin Dulay Takes on Former Title Challenger Diego Magdaleno in FOX PBC Fight Night Action & on FOX Deportes Saturday, February 15 from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee
Undefeated welterweight Santiago Dominguez Another Mexican KO artist on the rise
BOUTS WILL STREAM LIVE ON UFC FIGHT PASS®
JAN. 30TH FROM LEGENDS CASINO HOTEL IN TOPPENISH, WA
LAS VEGAS (January 13, 2020) – Undefeated Mexican welterweight Santiago “Somer” Dominguez will be going for his 21st pro victory and 17th knockout on Thursday, January 30, when he defends his World Boxing Council (WBC) United States Silver title on the first 2020 installment of RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS®.
Promoted by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions, in association with Sanman Boxing, RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, from Legends Casino and Hotel in Toppenish, Washington.
Headlined by a sensational 10-round main event, in which unbeaten Ernesto Delgadillo (11-0-2, 2 KOs) will tangle with undefeated, world-rated Jade “Hurricane” Bornea (14-0, 10 KOs) for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super flyweight title, RJJ Boxing’s first show of 2020 has the full potential to be the best its ever promoted on UFC FIGHT PASS.
Dominguez (20-0, 16 KOs), fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas, takes on former Brazilian champion Vitor “La Amenaza” Jones Freitas(16-5, 10 KOs) in the 8-round, co-featured event. The exciting Dominguez, 28, has increased the level of opposition since fighting on RJJ Boxing cards in two of his three four fights. The big puncher stopped 17-2 Ravshan Hudaynazarov in the first round, 23-9-2 Fabian Lyimo in the second.
Riding an 8-fight KO streak, Dominguez faces an experienced challenger who has been in tough against International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, WBC World Youth lightweight titlist Jamaine Ortiz, Georgian prospect Enriko Gogokhia and Canadian favorite Sebastian Bouchard.
“I feel that either hand has knockout power,” Dominguez said, “but I could damage all my opponents during the early part of my career with precise left hook to the body. Now, my physical training continues to improve power ion both my hands.
“UFC FIGHT PASS has really motivated me since I am finally getting more exposure. The RJJ Boxing guys are super nice and make me feel welcome. They make me feel welcome and that I belong with them. I will not disappoint my manager, Terry Hollan, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing and UFC FIGHT PASS.”
Dominguez had a sterling 62-4 amateur record with 36 knockouts. His strict father kept Santiago sway from bad influences in their native Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. He turned pro in 2014, immediately displaying power in both hands.
“My opponent has smaller but quicker hands,” Dominguez added. “I assume he will try to move rather than stand in front of me. I am working with some faster guys right now to prepare. He is really open to an over-hand right.
“In 2020, I plan to fight often and train hard in the USA. There are many great fighters in the division, but I am preparing and ready to win a championship if given the opportunity”
Delgadillo, fighting out of Dallas, is a former World Boxing Council (WBC) United States super flyweight and Texas State flyweight titlist, who will be fighting for the first time since the summer of 2018.
Filipino prospect Bornea, rated No. 10 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 15 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), is a former IBF Youth World champion who will be fighting in the United States for the first time.
Undefeated middleweight Connor “The Kid” Coyle (11-0, 4 KOs), representing Northern Ireland, returns against Miguel Dumas (11-2, 9 KOs), of Mexico, in an 8-round bout. Coyle has become a UFC FIGH PASS regular having already fought on the streaming giant three times.
Two undefeated Northwest light heavyweight prospects, Seattle’s popular Richard Van Sicien (7-0, 3 KOs) and Oregonian Abraham Martin (5-0, 5 KOs), open the UFC FIGHT PASS stream in a 6-round match.
*Card subject to change.
Ticket prices range from $15.00 to $50.00 and are available for purchase by going HERE
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. PT, first fight at 6:00 p.m. PT, and FIGHT PASS starts at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT).
To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com
INFORMATION:
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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 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: two-time world title challenger, WBO #7 and WBC #10 rated super flyweight Aston Palicte, WBO #6 rated bantamweight Max Ornelas, featherweight Ray Ximenez, WBO #15 rated super lightweight Kendo Castaneda, middleweights John Vera, Connor Coyle and Shady Gamhour, super middleweight Juan Barajas, and heavyweight Alexander Flores.
ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®: UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. 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. FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 17,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, 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.
CLARESSA SHIELDS MAKES HISTORY WITH THIRD DIVISION TITLE IN RECORD TIME WITH WIN OVER IVANA HABAZIN FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM OCEAN CASINO RESORT IN ATLANTIC CITY
Welterweight Sensation Jaron Ennis Continues Knockout Streak; Elin Cederroos Edges Alicia Napoleon Espinosa In Super Middleweight World Championship Unification
Watch The Encore Presentation Monday At 10 P.M. ET/PT On
SHOWTIME EXTREME®
Click HERE For Photos from Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME
ATLANTIC CITY – January 11, 2020 – Claressa Shields made history yet again by claiming the WBC and WBO 154-pound world championships with a dominating unanimous decision over Ivana Habazin Friday on SHOWTIME from Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City.
Shields became the fastest fighter in history, male or female, to win world titles in three different weight divisions, surpassing the record of Vasiliy Lomachenko and Kosei Tanaka, who both accomplished the feat in 12 fights. The near-shutout was scored 99-89, 100-90, 100-89.
Shields (10-0, 2 KOs) overpowered Habazin from the opening bell, utilizing a strong jab and a steady diet of body shots that left the Croatian mostly in defensive mode throughout the 10-round fight. In the sixth round, a series of body shots forced Habazin to take a knee in the first knockdown of her career. It was also the first knockdown for the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and undisputed middleweight world champion in her professional career.
Following the knockdown, Habazin continued forward but did so without throwing many punches. Habazin (20-4, 7 KOs) threw just 285 compared to 516 for Shields, who also connected on 38 percent of her power shots compared to just 18 percent for Habazin.
In the co-featured bout, welterweight sensation Jaron Ennis scored his 15th consecutive knockout with a dominating fourth round TKO over the durable Bakhtiyar Eyubov.
The switch-hitting Philadelphia native came out with a blistering pace in the first, switching from southpaw in the opening minute while displaying his signature power and hand speed. An onslaught of perfectly timed punches floored the normally durable Eyubov for the first time in his career midway through the opening round. Eyubov (14-1-2, 12 KOs) got up but was dropped against just 20 seconds later as the torrid pace continued. Eyubov survived the round and Ennis (25-0, 23 KOs) took his foot off the gas a bit in the second, but the unbeaten welterweight still landed at will against Eyubov, who continued to press forward.
Prior to the fourth round, Commissioner Larry Hazzard warned Eyubov that he would stop the fight if he didn’t see improvement. With Eyubov still pressing forward but eating dozens of punches, referee Earl Brown stepped in to stop the fight at :34 at the instructions of the Hazzard.
Ennis now has 23 knockouts in 25 fights and 13 knockdowns over his last six fights. Through four rounds the incredibly effective Ennis landed 47 percent of his power shots.
“We knew he was coming to fight and bring pressure so we mixed it up,” Ennis said. “He was a good fighter but he wasn’t really that strong. I was getting hit a little too much but that’s how we did it to get the knockout.
“We were just setting him up for power shots. I just had to calm down, that’s all. I was too hyped. Once I calmed down and got into my rhythm that was it.
“He was taking a lot of punishment. He definitely was a great fighter though. I appreciate him taking the fight because a lot of guys don’t want to fight me.”
With another dominating performance, Ennis now sets his sights on the upper echelon of one of boxing’s deepest and most exciting divisions.
“We have been wanting all the guys,” Ennis said. “They keep running. They can’t run no more. I’m right here.”
In the opening bout of the telecast, IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Elin Cederroos edged WBA champion Alicia Napoleon Espinosa to unify the super middleweight division in an all-action slugfest scored 95-94 three times.
Cederroos (7-0, 4 KOs) was more active from the opening bell, throwing 747 total punches over 10 rounds compared to 432 for the slightly more effective Napoleon Espinosa (12-2, 7 KOs). But the difference in the close scorecards was a second round knockdown that Cederroos registered with a perfectly timed check left hook in the closing moments of the second. It was the first knockdown of Napoleon Espinosa’s career and ultimately the deciding factor in the scorecards.
“I’m so happy. I showed that I can box and take a war,” Cederroos said. “But when I relaxed the punches just came. It feels so wonderful. Alicia was a great opponent.”
Napoleon Espinosa was game and hurt the Swedish Cederroos multiple times but she was largely unable to get inside against her taller opponent who consistently landed the bigger punches from a distance.
“I didn’t think I lost. I thought that it was fairly close but I thought I was ahead,” Napoleon Espinosa said. “It is what it is, but I don’t think that I lost this fight.
“I know she was strong, but I wanted a tough fight. I know that Elin is an athlete. I don’t feel that I lost. I feel like it was close.”
Napoleon Espinosa had been hoping that a win would position her for a 2020 fight with Claressa Shields at middleweight with all four of Shields’ 160-pound titles on the line.
“Congrats on the fight with Shields because that was what I was looking forward to,” Napoleon Espinosa said.
The event was promoted by Salita Promotions in association with T-REX BOXING PROMOTIONS.
Friday’s SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION tripleheader will replay on Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.
An industry leading production team and announce crew delivered all the sights, sounds and drama from Atlantic City. Veteran broadcaster Brian Custer hosted the telecast, versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo called the action ringside alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi. Three Hall of Famers rounded out the SHOWTIME telecast team – Emmy® award winning reporter Jim Gray, unofficial ringside scorer Steve Farhood and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. The Executive Producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING was David Dinkins, Jr., the Producer was Ray Smaltz and the Director was Bob Dunphy.
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