Tag Archives: California

boxing

Split-T Management signs amateur standout Eric Puente to management deal

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NEW YORK (September 7, 2018)–Boxing’s deepest management stable just got richer as Split-T Management  is proud to announce the signing of amateur standout Eric Puente to an exclusive management deal.

 

 

 

Puente, 19 years old of Vista, California by way of Sinaloa, Mexico will campaign in the lightweight division.

 

 

 

Puente started boxing at the age of eight years-old by his father/trainer, Ivan.

 

 

 

He went on to win the 2016 National Youth Open Championship, and was a member of Team USA.  Puente was a favorite to be a member of the 2020 United States Olympic Team.

 

 

 

Puente, who stand 5’8″ likens his style to a cross between Danny Garcia and Yuriorkis Gamboa.

 

 

 

“Boxing is everything to me! I live, eat and sleep boxing 24/7. Boxing is always on my mind,” said Puente. “”When the boxing world sees me fight, they will see and old school warrior that will do everything he can to come out victorious,” said Puente. “I take a lot from all the great fighters of the past like Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Eric Morales and Sugar Ray Leonard, and put into  me: Eric Puente, future superstar in boxing!”

 

 

 

“In the midst of talking to all the promoters and managers, David McWater  stood out. My dad and I felt we can trust him.  We had a lot of people saying they can do this and that, but David came thru with everything he has promised.”

 

 

 

Said Split-T Management CEO, David McWater, “From the first time I saw Eric, he had superstar written all over him. He just gets better and better every time I see him.

He has the passion, the skills and work ethic to become a big attraction in boxing.

This kid is going to be a star!”

 

 

 

 

ABOUT SPLIT-T MANAGEMENT

 

 

 

Headed by David McWater, Split-T Management has amassed one of the top stables in boxing.

 

 

 

Their impressive roster includes:

 

 

 

World Rated Contenders

 

 

 

IBF Super Lightweight Mandatory Title Challenger Ivan Baranchyk

 

 

 

Welterweight  “The New” Ray Robinson

 

 

 

Former Bantamweight Title Challenger  Antonio Nieves

 

 

 

2016 Olympians

 

 

Lightweight  Teofimo Lopez

 

 

 

Junior Middleweight  Charles Conwell

 

 

 

Bantamweight Antonio Vargas

 

 

 

 

Undefeated Prospects

 

 

 

Heavyweights: Stephen Shaw,  Marcus Carter, Yegor Plevako

 

 

 

Cruiserweights: Joshua Temple, “Mighty” Joe Jones

 

 

 

Light Heavyweights: Joseph Williams, Bortirali Mamajonov

 

 

 

Super Middleweights: Isiah Steen, DeAndre Ware, Isiah Jones, Anthony Barnes, Tyler Howard

 

 

 

Middleweights: Marquis Moore, Raquel Miller

 

 

 

Junior Middleweights: Ardreal Holmes, Hurshidbek Normatov, Fred Wilson, Jr.

 

 

 

Welterweight’s Janelson Bocachica, Poindexter Knight, Mark Dawson, Boubacar Sylla, Brian Ceballo, 

 

 

 

Junior Lightweight: Erick De Leon

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA BRINGS WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT  TO CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL VALLEY

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LFA 51 – MAZO vs. NIEVERA
MAIN EVENT:
 
LFA WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION
SABINA “COLOMBIAN QUEEN” MAZO
vs.
LFA WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT TOP CONTENDER
JAIMEE “QUEENIE” NIEVERA
 
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT
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 LFA will make its first trip to the Central Valley of California in September with a women’s flyweight title fight headlining LFA 51.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 51 will bring a highly-anticipated women’s world title fight to the San Joaquin Valley. The headliner will see undefeated LFA women’s flyweight champion Sabina “Colombian Queen” Mazo defend her title against LFA women’s flyweight top contender Jaimee “Queenie” Nievera. LFA 51 – Mazo vs. Nievera 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.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring LFA to Fresno at LFA 51”, stated Soares. “This will be our fifth show in my home state of California. The Central Valley has great fight fans and a lot of MMA talent. We look forward to packing the Selland Arena on September 28th with a fantastic fight card headlined by a women’s flyweight title fight between champion Sabina Mazo and top contender Jaimee Nievera.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 51 – Mazo vs. Nievera are available for purchase NOW at Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

Mazo (5-0) is the 21-year-old LFA women’s flyweight champion that took the MMA world by storm in 2017. The Colombian wunderkind signed with LFA when she was 19-years-old and quickly burst onto the global scene 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 51.

 

 

 

Nievera (7-4) earned her shot at LFA gold this past June with a dominant LFA debut win against the 2016 RFA Fans’ Choice Awards “Prospect of the Year” winner Katy Collins. The unanimous decision win came in Collins’ hometown of Branson, Missouri at LFA 42 just a few months after Collins had been ranked #4 on AXS TV’s inaugural women’s pound-for-pound rankings. The win immediately caught the attention of UFC matchmakers and Nievera was offered a main event spot on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series against Antonina Shevchenko. The 33-year-old Bellator veteran showed her gameness by accepting the fight on a week’s notice against Shevchenko, who is an undefeated MMA prospect, Muay Thai world champion, and the older sister of UFC #1 contender Valentina Shevchenko. Nievera displayed a ton of heart and skill, but did not get the result she wanted. The Union City, California native now has a chance to flip the script with a title winning performance in front of her home crowd at LFA 51.

 

 

 

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. Jaimee Nievera (7-4)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event |Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)

 

 

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

 

 

 

Bantamweight Feature Bout (135 lb)

 

 

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

 

 

 

Light Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)

 

 

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

 

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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 to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 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

Ruben Villa Returns to Action Aug. 24 from Omega Products in Corona, CA

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Philadelphia, Penn.. Orange, Ca. (Aug. 14, 2018) – Ruben Villa (12-0, 5 KOs), one of the rising talents in the featherweight division, takes to the ring for the fourth time this year on Friday, Aug. 24 from Omega Products International in Corona, Calif.

 

 

 

The southpaw from Salinas, Calif. battles well tested veteran Jose Santos Gonzalez (23-6, 13 KOs) of Mexico in the “Locked n’ Loaded” 8-round main event.

 

 

 

Villa, 21, has fought veterans before, specifically Ernesto Guerrero and German Meraz. The seasoned Gonzalez poses a threat in the sense that he’s been in the ring against current bantamweight title holder Zolani Tete, and unbeaten contender Duke Micah.

 

 

 

“These are the types of fights that help you grow into a better fighter,” said Villa, who is managed by Danny Zamora. “We have a smart game plan in place. I’m naturally bigger than him so we’ll use that to our advantage.”

 

 

 

Villa, a two-time national Golden Gloves champion, is coming off an impressive sixth round knockout of Ricardo Lopez in June. The talented featherweight showed off his finishing ability by out boxing Lopez until the knockout moment presented itself.

 

 

 

“I was landing solid punches in every round,” remarked Villa after the fight. “I knew I would be able to take him out. I wore him down and in the sixth, I just let me hands go and I caught him with a lot of heavy punches.”

 

 

 

Villa is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

 

 

 

All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents: Locked n’ Loaded via Thompson Boxing Facebook page and ThompsonBoxing.com.

 

 

 

The livestream starts at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Steve Kim 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

 

 

 

Photo by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

boxing

Ruben Villa Scores Impressive Knockout Win on Saturday Night

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PHILADELPHIA, Penn. / ORANGE, Calif. (July 2, 2018) – Fast rising featherweight Ruben Villa (12-0, 5 KOs) used an explosive sixth round to knock out Ricardo Lopez (7-3-2, 6 KOs) in the “New Blood”main event Saturday night from Omega Products International in Sacramento, Calif.

 

 

 

Villa, a southpaw fighting out of Salinas, Calif., showed off his superior skill set to a sold out crowd that witnessed a devastating knockout win.

 

 

 

Throughout the fight, Villa used a sharp jab to set up left uppercuts and straight rights. While most boxers use the jab as a range finder, Villa uses it to inflict pain on his opponent either by landing it, or sending an unexpected power shot to the head or body.

 

 

 

The 21-year-old also found success on the defensive side, limiting Lopez to very few clean looks.

 

 

 

The thrill ride came toward the end of the sixth round when a multi-punch combination floored Lopez. The Mexican fighter would get up, but it would prove a poor decision. Villa promptly unloaded power shot after power shot until referee Edward Collantes put a stop to the carnage at the 2:49 mark.

 

 

 

“I was landing solid punches in every round,” remarked Villa, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “I knew I would be able to take him out. I wore him down and in the sixth I just let me hands go and I caught him with a lot of heavy punches. I was surprised he got up. He was a tough guy.”

 

 

 

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
Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

BELLATOR & DAZN SIGN NINE-FIGURE, MULTI-YEAR DISTRIBUTION DEAL

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cid:image001.png@01D40D30.2FA15300cid:image002.png@01D40D30.2FA15300

 

LIVE SPORTS STREAMING PLATFORM TO DELIVER SEVEN EXCLUSIVE STAR-STUDDED BELLATOR MMA EVENTS PER YEAR

cid:image003.png@01D40D28.0B7B7440

CHAMPION VS. CHAMPION – GEGARD MOUSASI-RORY MACDONALD MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT, PLUS ‘RAMPAGE’ JACKSON-WANDERLEI SILVA IV HIGHLIGHT FIRST EVENT ON SEPT. 29 FROM SAP CENTER AT SAN JOSE

 

LOS ANGELES – Bellator, a leading global combat sports franchise owned by Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands, and DAZN, the world’s largest dedicated live sports streaming service and part of Perform Group, today announced a multi-year landmark distribution agreement.

 

 

 

The nine-figure deal will feature seven exclusive stacked fight cards per year on DAZN and another 15 that are simulcast across Paramount Network and DAZN. All fights will stream in any country where DAZN is available. As part of the platform’s global expansion, DAZN will launch in the U.S. and Italy in 2018, with the service already live in Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Japan.

 

 

 

“The exciting new partnership with DAZN is a game-changer for Bellator,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “The investment will enable us to continue expanding our roster with free agents that make sense, so we can put on PPV-worthy fight cards that fans want to see. Plus, on DAZN’s worldwide platform, our fights will be seen live for the first time to new audiences around the globe.”

 

 

 

“It’s simple; fans want to see great fighters in competitive fights so we’ve handed the keys to Scott Coker and his venerable team to go out and recruit even more top-level talent to further stack Bellator fight cards and build on their success,” said DAZN CEO James Rushton.  “With the combination of this investment and our recent announcement to bring more than 30 nights of boxing to the platform annually, DAZN will be a must-have for fight fans in the U.S.”

 

 

 

“The DAZN partnership speaks to the incredible growth of Bellator into a global sports powerhouse and high-valued franchise in the Viacom portfolio,” said Kevin Kay, President, Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT.

 

 

 

The deal begins with an epic event on Saturday, Sept. 29 from SAP Center at San Jose. The card features a highly anticipated middleweight title fight pitting Gegard Mousasi (44-6-2) against Rory MacDonald (20-4), who is moving up a weight class for a title shot against the 185-pound champ, along with the fourth fight in the legendary rivalry between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (37-13) and Wanderlei Silva(35-13).

 

 

 

Also included on Sept. 29, will be the opening fight of Bellator’s first-ever Welterweight World Grand Prix, which will feature eight of the best welterweight fighters on the planet. The Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix will be a major component of the first year of the multi-year agreement between Bellator and DAZN.

 

 

 

An exclusive online presale for this event takes place tomorrow, June 27 through Thursday, June 28, with tickets going on sale to the general public on Friday, June 29 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets start at just $30 and will be available at the ThreatMetrix Ticket Office at SAP Center at San Jose, as well as Bellator.com and Ticketmaster.

 

 

 

The event will air live on DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.  DAZN, which now streams 15,000 live events and 100 million hours of sports content globally each year, will be available in the U.S. this September with exact pricing and dates being announced this summer.

 

 

 

Mousasi vs. MacDonald:

 

 

 

Gegard Mousasi impressed in his promotional debut over former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko, a win that earned him a shot at Rafael Carvalho, where 185-pound gold was on the line. Now, after a decisive victory against Carvalho at Bellator 200, Mousasi will defend his crown against Rory MacDonald, entering the bout with his current unbeaten streak at seven fights. “The Dreamcatcher,” who trains out of The Netherlands, holds one of the most impressive resumes in all of the sport, at one time winning the STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight title, as well as the DREAM light heavyweight and middleweight titles.

 

 

 

Over the last several years, “The Red King” Rory MacDonald has become the most popular Canadian mixed martial artist due to his classic stand-up wars and wins over some of MMA’s best in Paul Daley, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, B.J. Penn and Demian Maia. Bellator’s welterweight champion joined the Viacom-owned promotion in 2016 and went on to defeat Douglas Lima for the welterweight title at Bellator 192. Now, the Tristar Gym-trained fighter sets his sights on winning gold in not one, but two separate weight classes.

 

 

 

“Rampage” vs. Silva:

 

 

A six-fight veteran of Bellator, “Rampage” Jackson’s legendary career has seen him compete against some of the top names in the sport, generating a loyal army of fans along the way. The former PRIDE and UFC champion is the proud owner of many epic highlight reel slams and knockouts that he has racked up throughout his epic battles with the likes of Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson, “King Mo,” Kevin Randleman and, perhaps most-notably, his trilogy with fellow Bellator athlete Wanderlei Silva, who he now meets at heavyweight on Sept. 29.

 

 

Wanderlei Silva’s wars with “Rampage,” Tito Ortiz, Mirko Cro Cop, Vitor Belfort, Dan Henderson, Kazushi Sakuraba, Chuck Liddell and Michael Bisping remain some of the more memorable bouts in MMA history. “The Axe Murderer” is far from ready to close the book on his illustrious career, returning to action against a man he has already competed against three times before. In addition to the PRIDE middleweight title, Silva’s trophy case includes awards for “Fight of the Year” (2003, 2004, 2007), KO of the Year (2008) and multiple “Fight of the Night” awards. Most recently, the Brazilian native made his Bellator debut against Chael Sonnen in the main event of Bellator: NYC.

 

 

Updated Bellator Fight Card:

 

Middleweight World Title Bout: Gegard Mousasi (44-6-2) vs. Rory MacDonald (20-4)

 

Heavyweight Feature Bout: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (37-13) vs. Wanderlei Silva (35-13)

 

Welterweight World Grand Prix First Round Bout

 

 

*Card subject to change.

boxing

Ruben Villa Defends WBO Youth Title Saturday from Sacramento, CA

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Photo by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

 

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. / ORANGE, Calif. (June 26, 2018) – Unbeaten featherweight standout Ruben Villa (11-0, 4 KOs) of Salinas, Calif stars in the main event this Saturday when he takes on Mexico’s Ricardo Lopez (7-2-2, 6 KOs) in an 8-round fight that will mark his third start of the year.

 

 

 

The bout will take place this Saturday, June 30, from Omega Products International in Sacramento.

 

 

 

The slick southpaw defends his WBO Youth title that he won in April in his hometown. Villa thoroughly outpointed Marlon Olea for his first championship as a professional.

 

 

 

“I’m anxious to get back in the ring,” said Villa, who is managed by Danny Zamora. “I like being active. I’m defending my title for the first time. I’ll have a lot of fans in attendance so I’m ready to put on a great show.”

 

 

 

Villa is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.

 

 

 

Tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $40, $60, & $100, and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900, or online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

 

 

 

All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents: New Blood via Thompson Boxing Facebook and ThompsonBoxing.com.

 

 

 

The livestream starts at 7:45 p.m. PT / 10:45 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Steve Kim providing expert, color commentary.

 

 

 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. local time with the first bout at approximately 7:45 p.m. Omega Products is located at 8111 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, CA 95826, and can be reached at 916-635-3335.

 

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

 

 

 

 

boxing, charity

DEVIN HANEY TO BE SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER AT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER IN SAN FRANCISCO

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Photo By Stephanie Trapp – Showtime 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (June 12, 2018) – Today unbeaten WBC Youth and USBA Lightweight champion, Devin “The Dream” Haney (19-0, 13 KOs), will be a special guest speaker at the Booker T. Washington Community Center in San Francisco, CA.  Devin is looking forward to sharing his story of being a system described problem child at Booker T. Washington.

 

 

 

Devin will be speaking on the importance of setting goals, being positive under adversity, remaining humble, staying out of trouble, eating a well-balanced diet, working hard, and becoming a young champion.

 

 

 

“Speaking to the kids at the Booker T. Washington community center today holds a special place in my heart.  I spent a lot of time at Booker T. and know what it’s like to be characterized a troubled kid,” said Devin Haney. “I want to let these kids know that with hard work and discipline, one can become successful at anything they put their mind to. Just because a kid might be labeled troubled at a young age, doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.  It’s an honor to be giving back to the organization that helped me find my way as a young youth.”

 

 

 

The Booker T. Washington Community Service Center provides a variety of programming for school aged students. The activities range from after-school academic coaching to enrichment classes.

 

 

 

WHO:        Devin “The Dream” Haney and Booker T. Washington Staff

 

 

 

WHAT:       Devin Haney will talk to youth about being a champion in life, and the

rewards of working hard with a positive attitude.

 

 

 

WHERE:    Booker T. Washington Community Center

800 Presidio Ave, San Francisco, CA 94115

 

 

 

WHEN:       Wednesday, June 13, 2018

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

WORLD CHAMPIONS MIKEY GARCIA AND  ROBERT EASTER JR. TO MEET IN LIGHTWEIGHT  CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION

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Unbeaten Stars Collide Saturday, July 28 Live on SHOWTIME® from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in an Event Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
 
Tickets on Sale Today at 12 p.m. PT!

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES, (June 11, 2018) – WBC Lightweight World Champion Mikey Garcia and IBF Lightweight World Champion Robert Easter Jr. will square-off in a 135-pound unification showdown between unbeaten stars Saturday, July 28 live on SHOWTIME from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

 

 

 

The main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) will see Garcia look to become a unified champion for the first time in a career that has seen him win titles in four weight classes. Easter, who enters with a 5-inch height and 8-inch reach advantage, looks to stamp his name amongst boxing’s elite by unifying titles at 27 years old, less than two years after capturing his first belt.

 

 

 

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, begin at $50, plus applicable fees, and are on sale today at 12 p.m. PT. To purchase tickets, visit AXS.com.

 

 

 

“SHOWTIME Sports continues to lead the industry with the biggest events, the most important matchups, week after week, month after month,” said Stephen Espinoza, President Sports & Events Programming, Showtime Network Inc. “Mikey Garcia vs. Robert Easter Jr. is the third world championship unification match on SHOWTIME this year. A consensus top-10 pound-for-pound champion facing an undefeated young champion while both are in the prime of their careers. July 28 has all the makings of an instant classic.”

 

 

 

“Mikey Garcia vs. Robert Easter is an outstanding lightweight matchup that is sure to deliver drama for fight fans at STAPLES Center and on SHOWTIME,” Said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Garcia will look to unify in his hometown and further solidify his credentials as boxing’s pound-for-pound best. He’ll have perhaps the toughest test of his career in the unbeaten Easter, who has a lethal combination of size, speed and power that he brings to the ring. With both fighters defending their titles and undefeated records, this is shaping up to be a can’t-miss night of boxing in downtown Los Angeles.”

 

 

 

“This is the kind of matchup that boxing fans love and a fight that I believe will certainly live up to expectations,” said Richard Schaefer, Chairman & CEO of Ringstar Sports. “With two undefeated world champions, and two of the top guys at 135 pounds, this fight is guaranteed drama. Mikey Garcia will look to become a unified world champion and add another accolade to a career that is already shaping up to be historic. Robert Easter Jr, a proud champion in his own right, is coming to STAPLES Center on July 28 to upset Mikey Garcia in his hometown. This is the quality of matchup that fans watching on SHOWTIME have come to expect and I suspect they will be fulfilled once again when these two warriors meet in the ring.”

 

 

 

“We are really looking forward to this incredible fight at STAPLES Center,” said Lee Zeidman, President, STAPLES Center. “These two fighters will undoubtedly headline an amazing night of fights for boxing fans in Los Angeles and we are looking forward to welcoming back Premier Boxing Champions and SHOWTIME for the second time in just two months.”

 

 

 

One of Southern California’s most popular fighters, Garcia returns to STAPLES Center for his first fight since becoming a world champion, and his first in California in seven years. Easter returns to the site of his professional debut, having started his career at STAPLES Center in 2012 after serving as an alternate in the London Olympic Games.

 

 

 

Garcia (38-0, 30 KOs), of Moreno Valley by way of Oxnard, Calif., became only the third fighter in modern history to become champion at 126, 130, 135 and 140-pounds, joining future Hall of Famers Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao, when he defeated Sergey Lipinets for the IBF 140-pound title in March. The 30-year-old relinquished that title so that he can unify the WBC Lightweight World Championship that he won in January 2017 with a highlight reel knockout of Dejan Zlaticanin (ClickHERE to watch Garcia-Zlaticanin KO video)

 

 

 

These wins, combined with a summer 2017 victory over Adrien Broner, have seen Garcia return to the top of pound-for-pound lists after a layoff of two and a half years. Garcia accrued wins over a list of notable names while winning his first two titles at 126 and 130-pounds, including Orlando Salido, Roman Martinez and Juan Manuel Lopez.

 

 

 

“This is the toughest fight of my career to date,” said the four-division champion Garcia. “Robert Easter Jr. is an undefeated world champion who presents serious challenges that I’m going to have to work hard to overcome. Unifying titles is something I’ve dreamed of doing for many years, and to do it at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles will make it even more special. This is the kind of fight that will help my legacy. To be the best you have to beat the best, and Easter is certainly one of the best out there. I’m very thankful to have this opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it on July 28.”

 

 

 

Representing his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, Easter (21-0, 14 KOs) has made three successful defenses since winning his world title in an exciting contest over Richard Commey in 2016. The 27-year-old delivered a fifth-round destruction of former champion Argenis Mendez to earn the title shot, and since winning the title has held off challenges from Javier Fortuna, Denis Shafikov and Luis Cruz to retain his 135-pound belt.

 

 

 

Easter will be making the move to work with Kevin Cunningham for the first time for this fight and conducting training camp in West Palm Beach with him. Cunningham, the longtime trainer of former world champions such as Devon Alexander and Cory Spinks, spurred Adrien Broner to a strong performance in a draw against Jessie Vargas and Gervonta Davis to a dominant knockout of Jesus Cuellar in their first fights together in April.

 

 

 

“This is a fight I’ve been waiting for and I’m really excited that the time is now,” said Easter. “This is the best fighting the best. These are the fights that boxing is all about. I made the move to train with Kevin Cunningham down in Florida and I think it’s going to help me reach another level. It’s just eat, sleep and train down there. We’re going to be ready on July 28 to put on a show and deliver fireworks.”

 

#          #          #

 

 

 

 

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports, www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.staplescenter.com follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @PremierBoxing @MikeyGarcia, @RobertEaster_Jr, @Ringstar, @TGBPromotions@STAPLESCenter and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/SHOSports, www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions andwww.facebook.com/STAPLESCenter.PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

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THE REAL DEAL BOXING COMES TO ATLANTIC CITY ON JUNE 2ND FOR A SPECIAL HALL OF FAME EDITION

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TOKA KAHN CLARY TO TAKE ON
EMMANUEL DOMINGUEZ
FOR THE NABA FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
EVANDER HOLYFIELD TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE
ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ON JUNE 3RD

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ. (May 15, 2018):–The eyes of the boxing world will once again be on Atlantic City when Evander Holyfield’s The Real Deal Boxing makes it’s Atlantic City debut on Saturday, June 2nd at the Adrian Phillips Theater inside Boardwalk Hall as part of the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend.

 

 

 

With Evander Holyfield as the lead inductee in this year’s Hall of Fame class, The Real Deal Boxing, in association with Mis Downing Promotions and the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, has put together a sensational card featuring world class fighters along with a who’s who of local talent.

 

 

 

Headlining the evening will be The Real Deal Boxing’s top 10 ranked featherweight contender, Toka Kahn Clary (24-1, 17 KOs). The Liberian born southpaw, now based out of Providence, Rhode Island is set to take on Mexico’s Emmanuel Dominguez (22-6-2, 14 KOs) in what promises to be an action-packed high stakes fight for the NABA Featherweight Title.

 

 

 

In preparation for the title shot, Clary is currently on the west coast working with Hall of Fame trainer, Freddie Roach at The Wildcard Boxing Gym in Hollywood.

 

 

 

“This has been a long, hard training camp. I’ve been pushing myself ten times harder than usual with no distractions other than missing my family.”, explains Clary. “All I do out here is concentrate on boxing. I have a great support team, starting with a new addition, Freddie Roach.”

 

 

 

Clary has impressed Roach throughout the past few weeks of training as well.

 

 

 

“So far training camp has been great,” insists Roach, the 7-time winner of BWAA Trainer of the Year award. “I’m continually impressed with Toka’s speed, power and overall skills. The next 3 weeks we will be concentrating on sharpening all the tools and come June 2nd, Team Clary will be ready.”

 

 

 

The undercard features an exciting mix of The Real Deal Boxing prospects and a host of next generation New Jersey and Philadelphia based fighters who are willing to be tested early in their careers.

 

 

 

The Real Deal Boxing’s Rayonta Whitfield (29-2, 15 KOs), who fights out of Augusta, Georgia will challenge former NABO champion and the pride of Cleveland, Ohio, Antonio Nieves (17-2-2, 9 KOs) in an 8 round bout that should see the winner move into contender status in the bantamweight division.

 

 

 

Dagoberto Aguero (13-0, 9 KOs), the undefeated super bantamweight from Florida and one of The Real Deal Boxing’s most promising prospects, will take on the toughest challenge of his career in New Brunswick, New Jersey’s Jorge Diaz (19-5-1, 10 KOs) in an 8 round clash.

 

 

 

The Real Deal Boxing’s undefeated Philadelphia based lightweight prospect, Steven Ortiz (8-0, 3 KOs) will take on Massachusetts’ Zack Ramsey (8-3, 4 KOs) in an 8 round bout.

 

 

 

Atlantic City’s very own, Anthony Young (18-2, 6 KOs) will put his excellent record on the line against the Bronx’s Enver Halili (10-1, 3 KOs) in an 8 round welterweight clash.

 

 

 

In a Philly vs. AC bragging rights battle, Alejandro Jiminez (1-0, 1 KO) will take on Dallas Holden (1-2) in a 4 round featherweight bout.

 

 

 

Promising Philadelphia welterweight and recent The Real Deal Boxing signee, Poindexter Knight (3-0, 2 KOs) will look to maintain his perfect record against an opponent to be named in a 4 round bout.

 

 

 

Brandon Robinson (10-1, 7 KOs) of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, one of the busiest fighters in the game having fought an unbelievable 9 times last year, will appear against an opponent to be named in a 6 round super middleweight bout. Robinson is signed to Marshall Kauffman’s Kings Promotions.

 

 

 

Undefeated Bowie, Maryland native and a member of The Real Deal Boxing roster, Greg Outlaw (4-0, 1 KO) will take on Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey’s Dan Murray (3-1-1) in a 6 round junior welterweight battle.

 

 

 

Rounding out the stacked card will be two fighters making their pro debuts in separate 4 round bouts.

 

 

 

Decorated national amateur champion, super bantamweight, Sacred Downing of Trenton, New Jersey will take on an opponent to be named and super lightweight, Dalyonn Butt of Philadelphia will take on the Bronx’s Samuel Forjue (0-2).

 

 

 

Evander Holyfield himself couldn’t be more excited about The Real Deal Boxing’s AC debut and his induction into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

“From my second professional fight to defending the heavyweight championship of the world against George Foreman in one of the biggest fights of the decade, Atlantic City holds a special place in my heart.”, explains the legendary 4 time heavyweight champion now turned promoter.

 

 

 

“With my induction into the Hall of Fame, it felt like this was the ideal time to bring The Real Deal Boxing to Atlantic City. We believe Atlantic City is poised to make a comeback as of one of the premier destinations for professional boxing and The Real Deal Boxing is committed to being a part of that.”

 

 

 

The Real Deal Hall of Fame Special Edition takes place Saturday, June 2nd at the Adrian Phillips Theater inside Boardwalk Hall and is presented in association with Mis Downing Promotions and the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame. Tickets are on sale now and priced at $150, $100, $50 and $35. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and in person at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office. For more information visit www.therealdealboxing.com and www.acbhof.com.

boxing

RUBEN VILLA: ‘I’M PRETTY SURE ME AND SHAKUR STEVENSON WILL FIGHT AGAIN’

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  https://www.ringtv.com/533294-ruben-villa-im-pretty-sure-shakur-stevenson-will-fight/

 

 

 

BY JOSEPH SANTOLIQUITO (RINGTV.COM)

 

 

 

The encouragement wasn’t so subtle, as Ruben Villa IV looked up from his muddy hands and knees, wiping his sweaty brow with his forearm and wondering if the day would ever end. Ruben Villa III, Villa’s father, blurted out, “Do you want to do this for the rest of your life? You better start getting serious about boxing,” or working in sweltering 90-degree heat in the fields would become a fact of life.

 

 

 

Villa, the gifted featherweight southpaw, was around 15 years old, at the time, and boxing was just something to fill the time. Though sweating in the gym certainly beat toiling for his father in the summer, lugging boxes, landscaping in what Villa describes as a “big old yard,” and making deliveries.

 

 

 

“Boxing, to me, was hard at the time and I was too immature to understand the work that you had to put into it to be successful,” said Villa, who will turn 21 next week. “I had to learn sacrifices were needed in order to be successful. Nothing was going to be handed to me. Once my father took me to work that day, I decided, no, I’d rather get paid to beat someone up.”

 

 

 

That next someone for Villa (10-0, 4 knockouts) could be Colombian Marlon Olea (13-2, 12 KOs) in Villa’s first scheduled eight-rounder, from the Salinas Storm House, in Salinas, California, on Saturday night. This is the first time Villa will be fighting at home as a pro, as the main event.

 

 

 

“When I’m sweating and working my ass off at the gym, I think back to the times I worked with my father and I’ll always remember that,” said Villa, the only boy of five children. “I’m not afraid of hard work but there are better ways to get paid. There are worse situations than boxing and boxing for a living can be a hard life too. You’re away from your family for a month and you’re sweating just as hard as when I worked for my father, who has a job in the agriculture business, doing everything from driving a forklift to making deliveries.

 

 

 

“You appreciate hard work once you see what you’re doing to keep food on the table. You get a greater appreciation when you do what they do. I used to help my father when I was in my mid-teens a couple of times. I did whatever my father told me to do. It meant doing all of the moving, boxes, wooden pallets and this yard that was always dirty. I helped my dad with deliveries and cleaning that big old yard of his. I never wanted to go back to that.”

 

It made Villa look at boxing differently.

 

 

 

“This fight with Olea is another step for me,” said Villa, whose patience belies his age. “My time will come eventually. I know that. Olea, I know, is a Colombian who is 13-2 and he has 12 knockouts, so he comes pretty heavy-handed. My sparring went well. I had some heavier guys come in and I’m ready to show what I can do.”

 

 

 

Villa is hoping his career continues on an upward trajectory, so he can one day professionally meet 2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson, who Villa defeated twice in 2015, as an amateur. The 5-foot-6 Villa, who started boxing when he was five to curb his overly rambunctious behavior, and Stevenson, who is 5-0, with 2 KOs as a pro, are both featherweights.

 

 

 

After Villa beat Stevenson the second time in 2015, Stevenson made the photo of the referee raising Villa’s hand the screensaver on his cell phone. Stevenson got his revenge by beating Villa twice at the Olympic Trials, in December 2015, to earn a spot on the U.S. team for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

 

 

 

“Somewhere down the line, I’m pretty sure me and Stevenson will happen again,” Villa said. “I want to see him again. Once we make a name for ourselves, it will happen. We’ll get that fight in and there is a rivalry between us. I know more people in boxing may know him more than they know me but I don’t care.

 

 

 

“I’ve always had the idea to push through with hard work. I’ll get mine eventually.”

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents: New Blood via Thompson Boxing Facebook page and ThompsonBoxing.com.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. local time with the first bout at approximately 6:00 p.m. The Salinas Storm House is located at 185 Maryal Dr. Salinas, CA 93907.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Photo Credit Emily Harney / Banner Promotions