Tag Archives: California

boxing

Michael Dutchover Looks to Close out 2018 With Another Win

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Photo by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

PHILADELPHIA, PENN. / ORANGE, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2018) – The fast-rising Michael Dutchover (11-0, 8 KOs), with four solid wins on the year, aims to close out 2018 with another victory on Friday, Nov. 16, from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

 

 

 

Dutchover, who will turn 21 the day before the event, will fight veteran and former world title challenger Daulis Prescott (31-9, 24 KOs) in the 8-round main event of Thompson Boxing’s “Locked n’ Loaded” season finale.

 

 

 

Dutchover, a junior lightweight fighting out of Midland, Tex., has had a breakout year of sorts with his recent display of power punching. His last three wins have come by way of knockout, including a sensational second round, one-punch destruction of Sergio Martinez in July.

 

 

 

Prior to that, the West Texas warrior, who trains in Los Angeles, removed Mike Fowler in three rounds. Two months ago in September, Dutchover stopped Bergman Aguilar in the fifth.

 

 

 

Dutchover, however, understands the Colombian-born Prescott poses a far more serious challenge than any other foe he has faced this year, or in his young career.

 

 

 

“This year was all about elevating my level of competition,” said Dutchover, who is promoted by industry veterans Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing .”Prescott is battle tested and will be ready to fight. I love a challenge and I’m embracing it.”

 

 

 

Dutchover’s confidence is a direct result of the high-level sparring he receives on a routine basis from the many top-notch gyms in the Los Angeles area.

 

 

 

“I’ve been in with some of the top names in the sport and they all teach me something different,” Dutchover said. “Danny Roman, Oscar Valdez and Jessie Magdaleno are a few that come to mind. They are incredible boxers and good people too. I’m fortunate to have met them this early in my career.”

 

 

 

All fights will be live streamed on via our Facebook page.

 

 

 

The livestream starts at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Josesito Lopez providing expert, color commentary.

 

 

 

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

 

 

 

 

boxing

UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHT PROSPECT  EROS CORREA SCORES 2ND ROUND KNOCKOUT IN MEXICO

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TIJUANA, MX (October 27, 2018) – Tonight in Tijuana, Mexico, San Jose, California’s bantamweight prospect, Eros Correa (3-0, 3 KOs), remained undefeated with a second-round knockout over Cristian Vizcarra. Correa, who is managed by Cali Boxing Management, dropped Vizcarra three times before the bout was stopped.

 

 

 

At the end of round one, Correa caught Vizcarra with a powerful right hook that sent the Tijuana native to the canvas. Correa sent Vizcarra to the canvas for the second time in the middle of round two with a left hook to the temple. Correa followed with a barrage of punches that sent Vizcarra to the deck for the third time, forcing the referee to stop the fight. With the win, Correa keeps his knockout streak alive to start his career.

 

 

 

“Tonight, I wanted to come out aggressive and get my opponent out of there,” said Eros Correa. “Now that I’m staying busy, I’m getting more comfortable in the ring. I know with each fight I’m going to get better. My goal is to get right back in the ring as soon as possible. I want at least two more fights before the end of the year.  My managers are doing a great job guiding my career and I’m thankful.”

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA BRINGS WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT  TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

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LFA 54 – MAZO vs. YARIWAKI

MAIN EVENT:

LFA WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION
SABINA “COLOMBIAN QUEEN” MAZO
vs.
LFA WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT TITLE CHALLENGER
CAROLINE “JAPA” YARIWAKI
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16th LIVE on AXS TV
LIVE at COSTA MESA HALL
OC FAIR & EVENT CENTER
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
Tickets are on sale NOW through LFAtix.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that LFA will return to southern California in November with a women’s flyweight title fight headlining LFA 54.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 54 will bring a highly-anticipated women’s world title fight to Orange County. The headliner will see undefeated LFA women’s flyweight champion Sabina “Colombian Queen” Mazo defend her title against BJJ black belt and Brazilian stalwart Caroline “Japa” Yariwaki. LFA 54 – Mazo vs. Yariwaki takes place Friday, November 16th at Costa Mesa Hall at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring the LFA women’s flyweight championship to southern California”, stated Soares. “This will be our sixth show in my home state of California.  Sabina Mazo is excited to defend her title in her adopted hometown after she recently had an opponent pull out just a few days before her last fight. Mazo will now face top Brazilian prospect Caroline “Japa” Yariwaki at LFA 54.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 54 – Mazo vs. Yariwaki are available for purchase NOW at LFAtix.com.

 

 

 

Mazo (5-0) is the 21-year-old LFA women’s flyweight champion. The Colombian wunderkind signed with LFA when she was 19-years-old and took the MMA world by storm in 2017. She burst on to the global scene three weeks after her 20th birthday at LFA 9. This happened when she knocked out 82nd Airborne Army veteran Jamie Thorton with a jaw-dropping head kick that went viral on mainstream media and MMA media outlets alike. The Kings MMA product doubled-down in her sophomore appearance for LFA by knocking out Minnesota National Guard member Linsey Williams with a nearly identical first round head kick at LFA 23. The “Colombian Queen” finally received her crown this past April. The title winning performance came courtesy of a unanimous decision over Shannon Sinn at LFA 37, which saw Mazo provide a brilliant display boxing and clinch work, as well as her signature Muay Thai skills. The Medellín, Colombia native now looks to begin her reign as champion with another masterful performance at LFA 54.

 

 

 

Yariwaki (7-2) will be making her highly-anticipated international MMA debut after building a name for herself in her home country of Brazil. The 31-year-old is a second degree black belt in Jiu-Jitsu that just celebrated seven years of being a black belt in her country’s most famous martial art on October 7th. Her head coach is her husband Werique Silva, who is a black belt in the Chinese martial art of Sanda. Yariwaki has a purple belt in Sanda and has used her well-rounded skill set to gain a reputation as a relentless finisher in her native Brazil. The Strong Team co-founder made her professional debut in 2016 and has earned 7 wins in her career, while finishing 86% of those opponents. Yariwaki is known by her nickname “Japa”, because she was born in Brazil to Japanese descendants just like fellow Belém, Brazil native Lyoto Machida. Yariwaki will look to follow her fellow Belemense’s success in the sport by capturing LFA gold. History will also be made at LFA 54 as Mazo vs. Yariwaki will be the first women’s bout to headline and LFA event.

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

 

 

Main Event | Women’s Flyweight Title Bout (125 lb)

– Sabina Mazo (5-0) vs. Caroline Yariwaki (7-2)

 

 

 

 

 

In 2017, RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 140 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC. In May 2018, the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

LFA 54 will be the sixth LFA event to take place in the state of California. RFA hosted eight events inside “The Golden State” before the merger. The entire main card of LFA 54 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

boxing

Ruben Villa (14-0, 5 KOs) Shines in Front of Hometown Fans on Saturday Night

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PHILADELPHIA, PENN. / ORANGE, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2018) – Featherweight Ruben Villa (14-0, 5 KOs) returned to his hometown for the second time in his career and delivered a thrilling, one-sided performance against the game Miguel Carrizoza (10-4, 2 KOs) Saturday night from a sold-out Storm House in Salinas, Calif.

 

 

 

Villa, 21, used terrific footwork to find the angles against Carrizoza in route to a sweep of the scorecards in the 8-round main event. Throughout the fight, Villa hammered Carrizoza with a stiff jab, followed by a thundering left hand. It was an outstanding display of accuracy for the southpaw in his fifth fight of the year.

 

 

 

“I felt great tonight,” said Villa, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “Everything was clicking. The guy was tough. I landed a lot of good shots and he came coming back. I’m very happy with my performance. I put on a great show for my hometown fans.”

 

 

 

To watch a replay of Villa’s dominant performance, please click here

 

 

 

Villa, who has been as active as possible since joining the professional ranks in 2016, looked as comfortable as he ever has.

 

 

 

“I’m gaining more and more confidence with each win,” Villa said. “I like where I’m at right now.”

 

 

 

 

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

 

 

 

 

Photos by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

boxing

Undefeated Ruben Villa weighs in for Tonight’s battle with Miguel Carrizoza

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Photo by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

PHILADELPHIA, PENN. / ORANGE, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2018) – Undefeated featherweight prospect Ruben Villa (13-0, 5 KOs) weighed in at 127.2 lbs. while his opponent Miguel Carrizoza (10-3, 2 KOs) checked in at 127.9 lbs. for tonight’s eight-round main event in at the Salinas Storm House in Villa’s hometown of Salinas, California.

 

 

 

Villa, 21, returns to the Salinas Storm House for the second time this year. Villa vs. Carrizoza is the the 8-round “New Blood” main event.

 

 

 

Villa last fought from the Storm House in April, when he routed fellow prospect Marlon Olea in route to winning the vacant WBO Youth featherweight championship. It was Villa’s first title since turning professional in July 2016.

 

 

 

The two-time national Golden Gloves winner fights for the fifth time this year after registering six wins in 2017.

 

 

 

Villa is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

 

 

 

Tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $40, $75, & $125, and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900, or online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

 

 

 

The Salinas Storm House is located at 185 Maryal Drive in Salinas, CA 93907.

 

 

 

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. local time with the first bout at approximately 6 p.m.

 

 

 

All fights will be live streamed on our Facebook page.

 

 

 

The livestream starts at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Steve Kim providing expert, color commentary.

 

 

 

“New Blood” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions and sponsored by Everlast.

 

 

 

 

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

 

 

 

amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Large turnout for recent 1st USA Boxing Alumni Association gathering on West Coast

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

A good time was had by all who attended the inaugural USA Boxing Alumni Association on the West Coast

 

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 9, 2018) – A large group of past and present amateur boxers, as well as others involved in the sport, recently turned out in force for the first USA Boxing Alumni Association gathering on the West Coast.

 

The inaugural West Coast gathering of the USA Boxing Alumni Association, held at Fortune Gym in Hollywood (Los Angeles), resulted in memorable storytelling, welcome reunions, even between past foes, in addition to a substantial increase in membership ranks.

 

In addition to longtime amateur boxing supporter, actor/singer Frank Stallone, along with the Godmother of amateur boxing, Melanie Ley, attending past and present boxers and trainers included Mickey Bey, Alex Ramos, Maureen Shea, Ronnie Essett, Paul Banke, Jorge Hawley, Les Fabri, Frank Vassar, Don Deverges, Michael and Anna Keopuhiwa, Zachary Padilla, Lenny Gargaliano, Tony Lesbeur, Felix Nance, Derrickand Vince Hudson, Rudy Garza, Justine Fortune, Alan Santana, Willie Tubbs, Randy Crippen, Alan Santana, Jacquie Richardson, Steven Stokes, Manny Salcido, Jason and Jeremy Williams, Mike Simms, Jeff Bumpus, current Team USA heavyweight Richard Torres (Tulare, CA), and 2018 Youth World Champion and Los Angeles local Iyana Verduzco. 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Tilman was also in attendance and registered as a new Alumni Association member.

 

 

 

USA Boxing board advisor and fighter liaison, “Iceman” John Scully, was responsible for recruiting most of the attendees.

 

 

 

“The USA Boxing Alumni Association gathering in Hollywood fully demonstrated our mission: Connecting Generations of Champions,” said attendee Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Executive Director. “While former opponents reunited after exiting the ring decades ago, two of today’s champions and Team USA members, Richard Torres and Roxy Verduzco, were proudly recognized for their recent success. The Alumni Association wants to thank Fortune Gym for hosting this gathering, and we look forward to connecting with our West Coast members at future events.”

 

 

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans — the Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.

 

 

 

The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events host by the Alumni Association, including Friday evening’s USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.

 

 

 

To join the USA Boxing Alumni Association, simply register at alumni@usaboxing.org for a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain and e-wallet.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR 206: MOUSASI vs. MACDONALD RESULTS & PHOTOS

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Complete Fight Night Photos

  

Bellator 206: Mousasi vs. MacDonald Main Card Results:

Gegard Mousasi (44-6-2) defeated Rory MacDonald (20-5) via TKO (punches) at 3:23 of round two

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (38-13) defeated Wanderlei Silva (35-14) via TKO (punches) at 4:32 of round two

Douglas Lima (30-7) defeated Andrey Koreshkov (21-3) via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:04 of round five

Aaron Pico (4-1) defeated Leandro Higo (18-5) via KO (punches) at 3:19 of round one

Keri Taylor-Melendez (3-0) defeated Dakota Zimmerman (0-1) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Gaston Bolanos (4-1) defeated Ysidro Gutierrez (4-3) via knockout (punches) at 1:37 of round two

 

Preliminary Card Results:

Adam Piccolotti (11-2) defeated James Terry (20-10) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Jeremiah Labiano (12-6) defeated Justin Smitley (10-8-1) via TKO (punches) at 3:28 of round one

Arlene Blencowe (11-7) defeated Amber Leibrock (3-2) via TKO (slam, punches) at 1:23 of round three

Josh San Diego (8-4) defeated Joe Neal (6-4) via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)

Chuck Campbell (1-0) defeated Joseph Ramirez (1-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Anthony Figueroa Jr. (1-0) defeated Samuel Romero (0-2) via unanimous decision (29-27, 28-26, 29-26)

Cass Bell (2-0) defeated Ty Costa (3-4) via verbal submission (armbar) 3:06 of round two

Isaiah Gonzalez (2-0) vs. Khai Wu (2-1)

Jacob Ycaro (1-0) vs. Ignacio Ortiz (1-0)

Laird Anderson (0-0) vs. Ahmed Abdelaziz (0-0)

 

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR 206: MOUSASI vs. MACDONALD WEIGH-IN RESULTS & PHOTOS

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EVENT AIRS EXCLUSIVELY ON DAZN TOMORROW AT 9 P.M. ET / 6 P.M. PT

 

 

WEIGH-IN PHOTOS | WEIGH-IN VIDEO HERE

  

Complete Bellator 206 Weigh-in Results:

Middleweight World Title Main Event: Gegard Mousasi (184.4) vs. Rory MacDonald (184.9)

Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (254.4) vs. Wanderlei Silva (226.9)

Welterweight World Grand Prix First Round Bout: Douglas Lima (170) vs. Andrey Koreshkov (169.3)

Featherweight Main Card Bout: Aaron Pico (145.7) vs. Leandro Higo (145.1)

Women’s Strawweight Main Card Bout: Keri Taylor-Melendez (116) vs. Dakota Zimmerman (115.6)

Featherweight Main Card Bout: Gaston Bolanos (145.2) vs. Ysidro Gutierrez (145.3)

 

Preliminary Card:

160-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout: Adam Piccolotti (159.1) vs. James Terry (160)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Jeremiah Labiano (144.9) vs. Justin Smitley (144.2)

Women’s Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Amber Leibrock (145.4) vs. Arlene Blencowe (145.3)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Josh San Diego (139.2) vs. Joe Neal (139.9)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Cass Bell (136) vs. Ty Costa (136)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Isaiah Gonzalez (135.8) vs. Khai Wu (136)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Jacob Ycaro (145.3) vs. Ignacio Ortiz (144.9)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Laird Anderson (145.8) vs. Ahmed Abdelaziz (147.3)*

Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Chuck Campbell (205.6) vs. Joseph Ramirez (202.4)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Anthony Figueroa Jr. (156) vs. Samuel Romero (156)

 

*Missed weight

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA 51 GETS NEW MAIN EVENT AS JAIMEE NIEVERA WITHDRAWS FROM TITLE FIGHT AGAINST CHAMPION SABINA MAZO

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LFA 51 GETS NEW MAIN EVENT 
AS JAIMEE NIEVERA WITHDRAWS FROM TITLE FIGHT
AGAINST CHAMPION SABINA MAZO
LFA 51 – GIBSON vs. ERAK
MAIN EVENT:
4-TIME UFC VETERAN
CODY GIBSON
vs.
TOP BRAZILIAN PROSPECT
GUSTAVO ERAK
BANTAMWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th LIVE on AXS TV
LIVE at the SELLAND ARENA
in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
Tickets are on sale NOW through Ticketmaster.com 

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that there has been a last-minute shuffle at the top of Friday night’s LFA 51 event in Fresno. Jaimee Nievera has pulled out of her title fight in the main event of RFA 51 due to injury. This has elevated the LFA 51 co-main event into headlining status.

 

 

 

The new main event of LFA 51 will feature a bantamweight showdown between four-time UFC veteran Cody Gibson and top Brazilian prospect Gustavo Erak. LFA 51 – Gibson vs. Erak takes place Friday, September 28th at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“Cody Gibson vs. Gustavo Erak is the new main event of RFA 51 on Friday night,” stated Soares. “It has been elevated from the co-main event after Jaimee Nievera withdrew from her title fight due to injury. Sabina Mazo will defend her flyweight title later this fall. The date and location will be announced soon.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 51 – Gibson vs. Erak are available for purchase NOW at Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

Gibson (15-7) is a four-time UFC veteran and former Tachi Palace bantamweight champion. The 31-year-old Menlo College wrestling standout has been fighting professionally for 10 years and will have the home crowd advantage as he trains with UFC star and RFA great Marion Reneau in nearby Visalia, California.

 

 

 

Erak (19-3-1) is one of the top prospects in Brazil. The 26-year-old São Paulo native will be fighting outside of his native of Brazil for the first time in a 24-fight professional career. The Muay Thai stylist and Aspera FC bantamweight champion is currently on an 8-fight win streak and has not lost in 3 years.

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)

– Cody Gibson (15-7) vs. Gustavo Erak (19-3-1)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Catchweight Bout (140 lb)

– Rolando Velasco (13-5-1) vs. Nohelin Hernandez (8-2)

 

 

 

Light-Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)

– Andres Alcantar (4-0) vs. Jordan Powell (9-7)

 

 

 

Catchweight Bout (175 lb)

– Joaquin Lopez (4-0) vs. Salaiman Ahmadyar (6-0)

 

 

 

Middleweight Bout (185 lb)

– Kailan Hill (2-0) vs.  Adam Fugitt (4-1)

 

 

 

Lightweight Bout (155 lb)

– Igor Pontes vs. TBD

 

 

 

 

LFA 51 will be the fifth LFA event to take place in the state of California. RFA hosted eight events inside “The Golden State” before the merger. The entire main card of LFA 51 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

 

 

In 2017, RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 150 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May 2018, the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

SHOWTIME SPORTS® RELEASES CONTROVERSIAL THOMAS MATTICE vs. ZHORA HAMAZARYAN FULL-LENGTH FIGHT IN ADVANCE OF REMATCH FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION

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Immediate Rematch Set For Co-Feature Of Tripleheader Featuring Devin Haney vs. Juan Carlos Burgos From Pechanga Resort Casino In Temecula, Calif.

 

Photo Credit: Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

 

Watch, Share or Embed Mattice vs. Hamazaryan: https://s.sho.com/2OhsH9G

WHAT: Fans can relive the controversial first fight between lightweight contenders Thomas Mattice and Zhora Hamazaryan, available now in its entirety on SHOWTIME Boxing YouTube channel ahead of the rematch September 28 in the second of back-to-back Fridays of ShoBox: The New Generation action.

In one of the most widely disputed fights of 2018, Mattice (13-0, 10 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact when he overcame a knockdown in the second round to escape with the eight-round split-decision victory over the previously undefeated Hamazaryan (9-1, 6 KOs). Two judges scored the fight 76-75 in favor of Mattice with the third judge scoring it 77-74 in favor of Hamazaryan.

Less than three months after judges in Iowa awarded Mattice what Hall of Fame analyst Steve Farhood called “the worst decision I’ve ever seen in the history of ShoBox”, Mattice and Hamazaryan will face off in the co-feature of the ShoBox telecast from Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif.

Hamazaryan, who recently returned stateside after an extended stay to be with family and train in his native Armenia, is looking forward to his opportunity to exact revenge.

“I respect Thomas Mattice,” said Hamazaryan, who is currently training with John Pullman and Buddy McGirt. “He fought a good fight last time, but everyone knows I won the fight and he does too. I respect that I got a rematch and we can settle this once and for all.

“My game plan is to do the same thing I did last time, but just more pressure and aggression. Because of what happened last time, I can’t leave it up to judges. I must get the knockout. If I don’t, then the same thing will happen again and I will get robbed. I can’t have that.”

Mattice, who has watched the July fight multiple times, is hoping to prove that his decision win was no fluke.

“It was important to me to get this rematch so that I can display to the fans the kind of fighter I am and show that I deserved to win the first fight. I’m looking to continue my rise and show the world that I’m the real deal.

“We’re just trying to work on the mistakes we made in the first fight. He may try to do things differently this time, but we’ll adjust and be ready come fight night. It was a controversial decision but I have to remember that at the end of the day I’m a fighter and not a judge. I just have to go out there and fight my fight, and things will be taken care of.”

The September 28 ShoBox is headlined by top undefeated lightweight prospect Devin Haney (19-0, 13 KOs) facing three-time world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos (33-2-2, 21 KOs). The opener will see two undefeated middleweight prospects meet as Cem Kilic (11-0, 7 KOs) and Donnie Marshall (9-0, 6 KOs) face off in the ninth matchup of undefeated prospects of 2018 on ShoBox: The New Generation. The previous Friday, Jon Fernandez (16-0-0, 14 KOs), one of the top prospects in boxing and Sergio Martinez protégé, will face O’Shaquie Foster (13-2, 8 KOs) in the main event of a ShoBox telecast from Firelake Arena in Shawnee, Okla.

For more information visit www.sho.com/sportsfollow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 77 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.