Tag Archives: Cesar Soriano

U.S. Olympian Nico Hernandez Captures IBA Americas title In 4th pro fight

“KO NIGHT BOXING” GOLD & GLORY”
OFFICIAL RESULTS

IBA official/Hall of Fame referee Steve Smoger presented Nico Hernandez with the IBA flyweight title belt
(picture by Tony Scvhock / GS Memorymaker)
PARK CITY, Kan. (February 11, 2018) – U.S. Olympian and hometown favorite Nico Hernandez captured the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas flyweight title in his fourth professional fight, headlining last night’s “KO Night Boxing” Gold & Glory” card, at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.
Presented by “KO Night Boxing LLC,” the card was taped live to be shown at a later date on CBS Sports Network. “KO Night Boxing” Gold & Glory” card, presented by KO Night Boxing LLC,
The 22-year-old Hernandez (4-0, 3 KOs) stopped last-minute replacement, game Victor “El Torito” Torres, in the fifth round.
Hernandez’ original opponent, Hungarian champion Joseph Ajtai (19-9, 12 KOs), never made it to Wichita due to a series of unfortunate circumstances. Ajtai lost one day in Frankfurt, Germany, after leaving his passport on the plane he took from Budapest. Once he landed in Chicago on Wednesday, he was tied up by a visa issue at U.S. Customs. He missed his connecting flight to Wichita and because of snowstorms that grounded numerous flights, including those to Wichita, Ajtai never made it out of O’Hare Airport, stranded there for several days.
The IBA granted a special exception for Hernandez to fight Torres, due to these unforeseen problems, with the agreement that Hernandez would next fight Ajtai for an IBA title.
“It was an electric night,” promoter John Andersen said. “Once again, Nico made the proper adjustment that can be credited to his amateur pedigree. In the amateurs, opponents often change at the last moment and Nico has overcome many obstacles during his boxing career. We’re going to give Josef another title shot against Nico in April or May. They have unfinished business together!
“I was very pleased with Nico’s performance. It’s the best I’ve seen him. He was unbelievable in every way, on point throughout the fight. We also want to give Torres credit for accepting the fight on such late notice.”
Hernandez came out fast from the start, battering Torres’ body with tremendous combinations, and he never let up. Torres absorbed punishment but remained upright, but IBA referee Steve Smoger halted the action in the fifth round for Torres’ safety.
“I’m not leaving this belt,” Hernandez commented at the post fight press conference as he handled his IBA Americas belt. “It’s going everywhere with me. I was looking forward to this fight and I’m ready to continue my success. This is the first (title belt) of many. I got what I worked hard for. I want to thank my coaches, all the work paid off, and now I have this (title belt).”
In the co-featured event, Minneapolis welterweight Javonte Starks (13-2, 7 KOs) and Mexican veteran Cesar Soriano (28-36-2, 17 KOs) fought to a six-round majority draw.
Bakersfield, CA pro-debuting Derrick Clayton upset Milwaukee junior welterweight Akeem Black (3-2, 1 KO), registering a second-round technical knockout.
Wichita middleweight Jeff Sturm (2-0, 1 KO) remained undefeated, stopping intrastate rival Brian Clements, of Topeka, halfway through the opening round.
Another pro-debuting California fighter, junior welterweight Chazz Macias, needed only1:20 to knockout Omaha’s Corey Roberts.
Fighting for the first time in 5 ½ years, Washington D.C. heavyweight Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm (14-2-1, 10 KOs) took out 300-pounder Richard “Silverback” Carmack (15-13-1, 12 KOs) in round one.
Full results below:
 
 
OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN EVENT – VACANT IBA AMERICAS FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Nico Hernandez (4-0, 3 KOs), Wichita, KS
WTKO5 (0:55)
Victor Torres (2-8-1, 1 KO), Modesto, CA
(Hernandez won vacant IBA Americas flyweight title)
CO-FEATURE – WELTERWEIGHTS
Cesar Soriano (28-36-2, 17 KOs), Iztacalco, Distrito Federal, Mexico
D6 (5-56, 57-57, 57-57)
Javonte Starks (13-2-1, 7 KOs), Minneapolis, MN
HEAVYEIGHTS
Maurice Byarm (14-2-1, 10 KOs), Washington D.C.
WKO1 (1:34)
Richard “Silverback” Carmack (15-13-1, 12 KOs), Kansas City, MO
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Jeff Strum (2-0, 1 KO), Wichita, KS
WKO1 (1:12)
Brian Clements (0-1-1), Topeka, KS
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Derrick Clayton (1-0, 1 KO), Bakersfield, CA
WTKO2 (2:59)
Akeem Black (3-2, 1 KO), Milwaukee, WI
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
Chazz Macias (1-0, 1KO), Tehachapi, CA
WKO1 (1:20)
Corey Roberts (0-4), Omaha, NE
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @KONightBoxing, @IBABoxing
Facebook:  /NeonStar, /IBABoxing
Follow @Nicomhernandez on Twitter and Instagra

2016 Olympic bronze medalist Nico Hernandez Fully recovered and raring to go in 1st title fight

 
“KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” for
vacant IBA Americas flyweight title vs. Jozsef Ajtai
Feb. 10 at Hartman Arena in Park City, KS
PARK CITY, Kansas (January 22, 2018) – 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and hometown hero Nico Hernandez has fully recovered from an injury that postponed his December 2nd fight to Saturdeay, February 10, versus Hungarian champion Jozsef “Little Red” Ajtai in the the eight-round main event for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas flyweight title, headlining the “KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” card, at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.
“KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” is a presentation of KO Night Boxing LLC., in association with Hartman Arena, and sponsored in part by Park City (KS), Twister City Harley-Davidson and Metro PCS.
The action will be taped live for future airing on CBS Sports Network.
The 22-year-old Hernandez (3-0, 2 KOs), fighting out of Wichita, suffered an undisclosed injury that forced him to withdraw from the Dec. 2nd fight. Neither Hernandez nor his promoter, John Andersen (KO Night Boxing, LLC), have revealed any details about Nico’s injury to avoid giving his opponent any possible advantage to target in the ring.
“I feel good, ready to fight,” Hernandez commented.  “We wanted to make sure that I was injury free and I am 100-percent. I’m going to do whatever is needed to win this fight.  Fighting for my first title means a lot to me.  I didn’t think it would happen this fast.  I want everybody to see that I can be competitive with the best in my division. A win February 10th will get me there a lot closer.

“My opponent like to runs a lot and he’s quick, so I need to have my legs under me.  Other than that, though, I should be okay.  He has fought some good guys.  I can’t wait to get in the ring in front of my fans.”
Ajtai (19-9, 12 KOs), who is one year and six days younger than Hernandez, has already fought in five title fights. He also went the full 10-round distance, albeit in a loss by decision in 2016, to two-time Olympic gold medalist Shiming Zou, the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight world champion. Fighting in his opponent’s hometown isn’t a problem for Ajtai, who has vast road experience having fought as a pro in the USA, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Ukraine and Slovakia.
“Nico will not know where I will be in the ring,” Ajtai predicted. “When he looks to the left for me, I will go to the right; when he tries to find me on the right, I will be on the left. When he wants to rest, I will come forward punching; when he wants to punch, he won’t find me.
“I have a plan for this fight and I’m sure he does as well. But, in the ring, only one fighter’s plan can succeed. It’s going to be a good fight, but I can’t promise the public that Nico will be the winner.”
“I’m excited that Nico is 100-percent healthy for this fight,” Andersen said. “We couldn’t be happier to bring this great fight, and many more as we move forward, to the great city of Wichita.”
In the six-round co-featured event, Minneapolis welterweight Javonte Starks (13-2, 7 KOs), a former Future Stars National Champion as an amateur, takes on veteran Mexican fighter Cesar Soriano (28-36-1, 17 KOs), the former FECARBOX lightweight titlist.
Promising Milwaukee junior middleweight prospect Akeem Black (3-1, 1 KO) faces pro-debuting Derrick Clayton, fighting out of Bakersfield (CA), in the four-round televised opener.
Wichita middleweight Jeff Sturm (1-0) meets cross-state rival Brian Clements (0-0-1), of Toledo, in the four-round TV swing bout.
Also fighting on the under card is Washington D.C. heavyweight Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm (13-2-1, 9 KOs) battles 300-pound Kansas City (MO) foe Richard “Silverback” Carmack (15-12-1, 12 KOs) in a six-round match. A pair of four-rounders find undefeated Bakersfield junior welterweight prospect Miguel Contreras (5-0, 4 KOs) throwing-down with his Georgia opponent, Archie Wey (2-9), and California junior welterweight Chazz Macias is slated to make his pro debut against an opponent to be determined.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 24 @ 10 a.m. CT) at the Hartman Arena box office and http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/50551?Brand=Hartman. Prices are $115.00 (VIP), $75.00, $50.00, $35.00, $25.00 and $20.00 (prices do not include service fees).  Student tickets are available – kindergarten through college – for $15.00 dollars but are only sold at the arena. Student Identification is requited.
This is an all-ages show. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. CT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 p.m. CT.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @KONightBoxing, @IBABoxing
Facebook:  /NeonStar, /IBABoxing
Follow @Nicomhernandez on Twitter and Instagram

Two title fights set for “KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory”

Dec. 2 at Hartman Arena in Park City, KS
Tramaine Williams
(picture courtesy of Roc Nation Sports) 

PARK CITY, Kansas (November 24, 2017) – Undefeated, rising star Tramaine “The Mighty Midget” Williams is returning to the “Sunflower State” with his own “Gold & Glory” plan as he battles for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) International junior featherweight title co-main event on the “KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” card, at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.

“KO Night Boxing: Gold & Glory” is a presentation of KO Night Boxing LLC., in association with Roc Nation Sports and Hartman Arena. The event is sponsored in part by Park City KS, Twister City Harley-Davidson and Metro PCS.
The action will be taped live for future airing on CBS Sports Network.

Williams 13-0, 5 KOs) will be fighting for the third time in Kansas, each on a “KO Night Boxing” card headlined by hometown hero and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Nico Hernandez (3-0, 2 KOs). Hernandez will be fighting for his first pro title Dec. 2 in only his fourth pro fight, versus Hungarian flyweight champion Jozsef “Little Red” Ajtai (19-9, 12 KOs) in the eight-round main event for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas flyweight title fight.

A 10-time national amateur champion from New Haven (CT), the 24-year-old Williams is moving down one weight class to fight Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado (23-2, 20 KOs) for the vacant WBO Junior Featherweight Championship in the 10-round co-featured event.
Williams, who is the No. 2-rated featherweight in the United States Boxing Association (USBA), won eight and 10-round decisions, respectively, to Eduardo Garza and Derrick Murray, this past March 3 and September 23, on “KO Night Boxing” events in Kansas.   On another “KO Night Boxing” card, Williams registered a sensational opening-round knockout of 30-7 William Gonzalez, this past July at the Queen Mary in Long Beach.

“Fighting for the WBO International Junior featherweight title is a huge opportunity for me and I’m thankful for Roc Nation’s support in arranging this fight,” Williams said. “I know my potential and winning this belt would be the first step toward putting myself in position to fight for a world title.

“I’m looking forward to competing for this honor at Hartman Arena, in front of the fans in Kansas, who have always supported me.”
Collado was a decorated amateur boxer in his native Cuba, where he defected from to Miami, where he lives and trains. In his last fight, Collado stopped Walter Rojas in the first round, May 28th in Trinidad, to capture the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino junior featherweight title.
The opening televised bout is an eight-round welterweight match featuring unbeaten Wellington Romero (13-0-1, 7 KOs), a 2012 Dominican Republic Olympian who now fights out of Newburgh, New York, against his fellow Dominican, Victor Abreau (9-2, 5 KOs).
Arizona welterweight Abel Ramos (18-2-2, 13 KOs) takes on battle-tested Mexican invader Cesar Soriano (28-36-1, 17 KOs) in an eight-round throw-down.

Also fighting on the undercard in a six-round match between undefeated junior lightweights, Californian Joshua Zuniga (8-0, 3 KOs) and Moldova-native Piotr Apostol (4-0, 2 KOs), fighting out of Seattle.

Wichita middleweight Jeff Sturm (1-0) faces intra-state rival Brian Clements (0-01), of Topeka, while another Wichita fighter, junior middleweight Ramon Barber (7-16, 6 KOs). meets Milwaukee’s Akeem Black (3-1, 1 KO), in a pair of four-round bouts.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 24 @ 10 a.m. CT) at the Hartman Arena box office and http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/50551?Brand=Hartman. Prices are $115.00 (VIP), $75.00, $50.00, $35.00, $25.00 and $20.00 (prices do not include service fees).  Student tickets are available – kindergarten through college – for $15.00 dollars but are only sold at the arena. Student Identification is requited.
This is an all-ages show. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. CT with the opening bout scheduled at 6:00 p.m. CT.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @KONightBoxing, @IBABoxing
Facebook:  /NeonStar, /IBABoxing
Follow @Nicomhernandez on Twitter and Instagram

FRIDAY FIGHTNIGHT LIVE SPECIAL ATTRACTION TO SHOWCASE ROY JONES JR. BOXING FROM AMERICA’S HEARTLAND

Fan-friendly fight series approaching one million views after six months and eight shows.

SLOAN, Iowa (Nov. 16, 2017) – This Friday night, Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE will collaborate with Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions once again to showcase top-notch talent during a special one-hour attraction live from America’s Heartland. Fans from across the globe can catch all the action beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. CT (local time) from WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa, on any device wherever Facebook is available, as the series continues to build with a ninth show on the six month-old platform.

“It’s an exciting time for the boxing community now that Roy Jones Jr. Promotions can help showcase the undercard tomorrow night,” stated Keith Veltre, CEO and CO-Founder. “We know that the young talent can’t always have their family friends in the stands for support, so we are proud to be able to help them showcase their talent for all the world to see on Facebook FightNightLive.”

The one-hour show on Friday will feature some of RJJ Promotions’ up-and-coming attractions, along with some outstanding Midwest and West Coast brawlers. Fighters expected to be delivered exclusively via the Facebook platform include Arizona’s Abel Ramos (18-2, 13 KOs), Chicago’s Nathaniel Gallimore (19-1, 16 KOs) and California’s undefeated Hector Lopez Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs). They’ll take on a trio of Mexican-born battlers in Cesar Soriano (Mexico City), Esau Herrera (Mexico City) and Israel Rojas (Sonora) who have combined for 62 victories, collectively.

“The FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series continues to grow, from New York to Connecticut to Chicago to Phoenix to New England, and now a great opportunity in the Midwest, with much more to be announced. We’re pleased to be able to work with national promoters like Roy Jones Jr. and Keith Veltre to provide this service to fight fans everywhere,” said Mark Fratto, Principal of Linacre Media. “And the numbers, which have been phenomenal, don’t lie. We look forward to reaching our millionth fan before the New Year in only eight months, and we’re so grateful for everyone’s support.”

Over the first six months of programming, the numbers on the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series have showed promise and potential for the new platform with an average of almost 106,000 fight fans tuning in per event. The Sept. 9 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” from Resorts World Casino (225,000), the August CES “Super Saturday” from Foxwoods (203,000), the Sept. CES “Twin River Twinbill” from Lincoln, R.I. (157,000), the Sept. Star Boxing “Showdown at the Paramount” from Long Island (92,255), the July Roy Jones Jr. “Desert Showdown” from Phoenix (63,000), the May “Slugfest at the Sun” from Mohegan Sun (45,000), the June “Rosemont Rumble” from Chicago (32,000) and the Sept. DiBella “Friday Night Foxwoods Fights” (32,000) saw a total of more than 15,000 total hours of Facebook video consumed by 847,500-plus users across all devices.

In addition to the raw viewership numbers, the fully-interactive, fan-friendly productions have seen more than 126,000 collective live post engagements(15,800-plus per show), including almost 90,000 “likes” or “loves,” almost 15,000 comments and 4,400-plus shares. FIGHTNIGHT LIVE broadcasts are viewed by 76 percent men, 24 percent women. The top demographic is comprised of males ages 25-34, which encompasses approximately 29.6 percent of the audience, on average.

The Sept. 9 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” set a new bar with 224,658 viewsand the Sept. 15-16 DiBella-CES doubleheader carried the series to three-quarters-of-a-million views in just over four months. The Aug. 26 Foxwoods “Super Saturday” show stands out individually with 3,336 live hours of content viewed, while the Sept. 15 DiBella card saw more than 40,000 viewer interactions including almost 39,000 “likes” or “loves.”

On Friday night, Nov. 17, live from WinnaVegas, fans can expect a high-impact, multi-camera streaming experience complete with graphics, animations, replays, interviews and an announce team anchored by Sean Wheelock, Jim Grieshaberand Patrick Ortiz. To provide spectators with a fully-interactive ringside experience, commentators will ask and respond to questions from the Facebook audience throughout the broadcast.

Created and produced by Linacre Media out of New York City, the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series features professional announcers, multiple camera angles, television graphics, replays and behind-the-scenes access and interviews. The streamed shows are available globally wherever Facebook is available. The initiative not only enables fans from around the world to tune in, but also gives up-and-coming fighters a global platform to showcase their abilities, gives promoters an accessible “broadcast” solution and gives sponsors the ability to reach a mass audience via branded content.

More FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Winter 2017-18 dates will be officially announced in the coming weeks.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online at: https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/

Follow all the action via social media at FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Facebook, @FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Instagram and @FIGHTNIGHTLIVE_ on Twitter, or by using the hashtag #FIGHTNIGHTLIVE. For the latest Linacre Media events and broadcast schedule, follow @LinacreMedia across all social platforms or use the tags #LinacreMediaEvents or #LinacreMediaOnTV.

Claressa Shields Dominates to Win WBC Silver Belt, Sets Detroit Brawl Gate Record; Has Sights on World Championship Next

Photos by Boy Ryder

In just her first eight-round fight, Claressa “T-Rex” Shields scored a spectacular unanimous decision victory last Friday, June 16, at the Masonic Temple in Detroit to win the WBC Silver Super Middleweight Title. 

 
Shields (3-0, 1KO) dominated tough Sydney “Ginger the Ninja” LeBlanc (4-2-1), winning all eight rounds on all three judges’ scorecards en route to adding the WBC Silver belt to her NABF Middleweight Championship belt. LeBlanc was simply no match for the blazing fists of crowd favorite Shields, who has convincingly established herself as a world championship-class contender in women’s boxing after just three professional fights.
 
Shields’ bout was the main event of a jam-packed Detroit Brawl event which set a new gate record for promoter Dmitriy Salita’s popular Detroit-based series.  
  

“Claressa is one of the best boxers in the world!” said Dmitriy Salita. “Regardless of gender, her skills and experience are that of the elite fighters in the world. She is improving with each fight and the sky is the limit. Claressa is ready for the top fighters in her division and we will work on making a big championship fight happen next.” 

 
In the 10-round co-main event, transplanted Detroit cruiserweight Alexey Zubov moved to 15-1, 9 KOs with a surprisingly easy 10-round decision over Detroit’s highly regarded Demetrius Banks (9-1, 4 KOs).
 
From the opening bell, the superior work rate of Zubov told the story, as the confused Banks had no answers for the big Russian’s jab. All three judges scored the fight 99-91. There were no knockdowns.
 
“Two of the best cruiserweight prospects in the world met in Detroit,” continued Salita. “The winner is now a real contender, ready to fight the best in the world. Alexey is much improved since his time training with Sugar Hill at the Kronk Boxing Gym. The magic of Kronk is alive and came to life in Alexey’s performance. Great things on the horizon for him!”
 
Another of Salita’s growing stable of promising contenders, Detroit bantamweight Ja’Rico O’Quinn (7-0, 5KOs) had too many tools for the outgunned David Martino (2-3, 2 KOs) and won by dominant unanimous decision (60-54, all three judges). A talent to watch, O’Quinn basically walked the determined Martino into his lightning-fast shots for six rounds.
 
“Ja’Rico’s defense was superb in his fight. His opponent was rarely able to even touch him. He is going to be a force at 118 lbs. in the not-too-distant future.”
Another surging contender from the Salita stable, junior welterweight wrecking ball Bakhtiyar Eyubov (13-0, 11 KOs) needed just 1:41 of round one to chew up and spit out Mexico’s Cesar Soriano. Eyubov targeted the body of Soriano and took away his breath with thudding left hoods to the liver that ended things quickly. Eyubov is an animal.
 
“Bakhtiyar went up a weight class because no one will fight him. This fight showed why,” said Salita. “He is too strong for most fighters to stay in with for very long. He will be in a big fight in the near future. He’s ready.”
 
In other results, Michigan’s Antonio Urista (8-2, 2 KOs), pulled off a surprising upset with a six-round unanimous decision (59-53 and 58-54 and 58-54) over Turkmenistan’s Serdar Hudayberdiyev (3-1, 2 KOs). Urista dropped Hudayberdiyev with a looping right hand and he never fully recovered. Both fighters suffered cuts in this rugged affair.
 
To open the show, Michigan light heavyweight Darren Gibbs (1-2, I KO) picked up his first professional victory with a 30-second TKO1 over debuting Scott McCurdy; Jacob Bonas (3-0-1, 2 KOs) scored a TKO3 over Tony Brooks (1-2) and Dimash Niyazov (10-0-3, 5 KOs) stayed undefeated with a fifth-round TKO over a surprisingly determined Ramon Guevara (10-24-2, 6 KOs).
 
“Thank you to everyone involved in this terrific show,” said Dmitriy Salita. “The fans of Michigan asked for world-class boxing and they’ve responded by filling the Masonic Temple. And thank you to all my great sponsors for all their help and congratulations to all the fighters for their brave performances. It is onward and upward for Claressa Shields, who will be back later this summer against a world-class fighter. Clearly, she is ready for anyone in the world.”
 
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For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visit www.salitapromotions.com. Facebook and Twitter: @DetroitBrawl 

Sydney LeBlanc Steps in to Face Two-Time Gold Medalist Claressa Shields for WBC Silver Super Middleweight Championship at Detroit Brawl, Looking for an Upset this Friday

Sydney “Ginger the Ninja” LeBlanc is stepping in on three days’ notice to face Women’s NABF Middleweight Champion, Claressa “T-Rex” Shields of Flint, Michigan, in the eight-round main event of Salita Promotions’ “Detroit Brawl” this Friday, June 16, 2017, at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.
33-year-old LeBlanc (4-1-1) from Gretna, Louisiana, represents a step up in competition from original opponent Mery Rancier, who was unable to participate due to visa issues. A six-year pro who was already in training for a fight on June 10, LeBlanc says she’s eager for the chance to upset the two-time Olympian and budding women’s superstar Shields.
“I’ve been pro boxing for nine years, since before the Olympics had a women’s division and I’ve taken a lot of time off because of a lack of available opponents,” explained LeBlanc. “These Olympians are reopening the gates for all female fighters. Everybody was on the shelf for years. This is the first time female boxing has been popular since the Ann Wolfe days, so I’m very appreciative of the opportunities they are bringing. I’ve never watched any of my opponents before a fight, but I know about Claressa Shields and I want to fight her. I’m looking at this fight as a good chance to see where I’m at, skill-wise and I’ll be ready.”
Shields vs. LeBlanc will be contested for the WBC Silver Super Middleweight Championship.
Once again sponsored by the Greektown Casino Hotel, tickets for “Detroit Brawl” are priced at VIP $200, Box Seats are $100 and $55, Seating is $40, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com.
 
In the 10-round co-main event, undefeated Detroit cruiserweight Demetrius Banks (9-0, 4 KOs) will take on Detroit via Russia’s Alexey Zubov (14-1, 9 KOs).
 
In the night’s main supporting bout, undefeated welterweight pulverizer Bakhtiyar Eyubov (12-0, 10 KOs) of Aktjubinsk, Kazakhstan, will look to stay busy waiting for his next high-profile step, as he attempts to inflict his crowd-pleasing style on always-tough Cesar Soriano (27-35-1, 16 KOs) Iztacalco, Mexico, over six rounds.
In another of the chief supporting bouts, Detroit’s rising talent and “Great Lakes King” Ja’Rico O’Quinn (6-0, 5 KOs) returns to action in a six-round bantamweight brawl against David Martino (2-2, 2 KOs) of San Felipe, Mexico.
Also scheduled is an all-action six-round super welterweight battle between Antonio Urista (7-2, 2 KOs) of Lansing, Michigan, and highly decorated former amateur star Serdar Hudayberdiyev (3-0, 2 KOs) of Turkmenabat, Turkey.
Opening the night will be a six-round super lightweight tilt between Staten Island, New York via Kazakhstan’s Dimash Niyazov (10-0-3, 4 KOs) and Grand Rapids, Michigan, veteran Ramon Guevara (10-24-2, 6 KOs); as well as a four-round welterweight bout between undefeated Jacob Bonas (2-0-1, 1 KO) of Bellville, Michigan, and Clinton Township, Michigan’s Tony Brooks (1-1).
On fight night, doors open at 7:00 pm and the fights begin at 8:00 pm.
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For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visit www.salitapromotions.com. Facebook and Twitter: @DetroitBrawl

Exciting Slugger Eyubov Ready to Knock Out Soriano at Salita Promotions’ Detroit Brawl on Friday, June 16, at Masonic Temple

When you’re an absolute beast in the ring, opponents are hard to come by. Fortunately, rising junior welterweight contender Bakhtiyar Eyubov is a patient predator.
Chomping at the bit for a big opportunity, Eyubov (12-0, 10 KOs) of Aktobe, Kazakhstan, will rise in weight once again to feast on Iztacalco, Mexico’s Cesar Soriano (27-35-1, 16 KOs) on Friday, June 16, 2017, at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.
The pair will meet on the undercard of promoter Dmitriy Salita’s blockbuster “Detroit Brawl,” featuring an eight-round main event between two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (2-0, 1 KO) of Flint, Michigan, and Mery Rancier (7-8-3, 5 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, for the WBC Silver Super Middleweight Championship.
In the 10-round co-main event, undefeated Detroit cruiserweight Demetrius Banks (9-0, 4 KOs) will face Detroit via Russia’s Alexey Zubov (14-1, 9 KOs).
Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” are priced at VIP $200, Box Seats $100, Floor Seating $100 & $55, and balcony seating $40, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com.
Confident and swaggering in the ring, Eyubov is not just a hard-punching slugger doing his job. Clearly, Eyubov loves to beat people up, often laughing and dancing during his exciting appearances. While the 30-year-old’s style delights his audiences, being on the receiving end of it isn’t something a lot of fighters are eager to do.
“As usual, it’s very hard for me to find opponents to fight at my true weight class of junior welterweight,” said Eyubov. “But I had a great camp and I’m looking forward to putting on a show for the Detroit crowd against a veteran Mexican fighter who is durable, cagey and experienced.”
This difficulty finding opponents had forced Eyubov to rise to 147 lbs for many of his ring appearances, including this fight against Soriano. In his biggest victory to date, he also gained weight to score a split decision over well-respected welterweight veteran Karim Mayfield in August of 2016. The fight, a back-and-forth barnburner, was televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation.
And so, with a lack of world-class opponents willing to trade blows, Eyubov says he will continue to work hard and improve with trainer Ismat Niyazov at The Fight Factory in his adopted home of Brooklyn until reaching the point where he can no longer be avoided.
“I’ve been working on improving my boxing ability with the intention of landing my power shots in combinations. I love exciting fights and knockouts that’s what I am looking to deliver on June 16 in Detroit. One fight at a time, but I want to fight the best fighters in the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions. I am coming.”
In another of the chief supporting bouts, Detroit’s rising talent and “Great Lakes King” Ja’Rico O’Quinn (6-0, 5 KOs) returns to action in a six-round bantamweight brawl against David Martino (2-2, 2 KOs) of San Felipe, Mexico.
Also scheduled is an all-action six-round super welterweight battle between Antonio Urista (7-2, 2 KOs) of Lansing, Michigan, and highly decorated former amateur star Serdar Hudayberdiyev (3-0, 2 KOs) of Turkmenabat, Turkey.
Opening the night will be a six-round super lightweight tilt between Staten Island, New York via Kazakhstan’s Dimash Niyazov (10-0-3, 4 KOs) and Grand Rapids, Michigan, veteran Ramon Guevara (10-24-2, 6 KOs); as well as a four-round welterweight bout between undefeated Jacob Bonas (2-0-1, 1 KO) of Bellville, Michigan, and Clinton Township, Michigan’s Tony Brooks (1-1).
On fight night, doors open at 7:00 pm and the fights begin at 8:00 pm.
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For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visit www.salitapromotions.com. Facebook and Twitter: @DetroitBrawl

Exciting Undercard Announced for Next ‘Detroit Brawl’ Show at Masonic Temple, Featuring the Return to Michigan of Claressa Shields

The undercard has been announced for promoter Dmitriy Salita blockbuster “Detroit Brawl” on Friday, June 16, 2017, at the Masonic Temple in Detroit and it features an impressive mix of local and international prospects in high-stakes match-ups.
Thus far, five exciting bouts are scheduled in support of the eight-round main event featuring two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa “T-Rex” Shields (2-0, 1 KO) of Flint, Michigan, taking on Mery Rancier (7-8-3, 5 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, for the WBC Silver Super Middleweight Championship and the 10-round co-main event between undefeated Detroit cruiserweight Demetrius Banks (9-0, 4 KOs) and Detroit via Russia’s Alexey Zubov (14-1, 9 KOs).
Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” are priced at VIP $200, Box Seats $100, Floor Seating $100 & $55, and balcony seating $40, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com.
In the night’s main supporting bout, undefeated welterweight pulverizer Bakhtiyar Eyubov (12-0, 10 KOs) of Aktjubinsk, Kazakhstan, will look to stay busy waiting for his next high-profile step, as he attempts to inflict his crowd-pleasing style on always-tough Cesar Soriano (27-35-1, 16 KOs) Iztacalco, Mexico, over six rounds.
In another of the chief supporting bouts, Detroit’s rising talent and “Great Lakes King” Ja’Rico O’Quinn (6-0, 5 KOs) returns to action in a six-round bantamweight brawl against David Martino (2-2, 2 KOs) of San Felipe, Mexico.
Also scheduled is an all-action six-round super welterweight battle between Antonio Urista (7-2, 2 KOs) of Lansing, Michigan, and highly decorated former amateur star Serdar Hudayberdiyev (3-0, 2 KOs) of Turkmenabat, Turkey.
Opening the night will be a six-round super lightweight tilt between Staten Island, New York via Kazakhstan’s Dimash Niyazov (10-0-3, 4 KOs) and Grand Rapids, Michigan, veteran Ramon Guevara (10-24-2, 6 KOs); as well as a four-round welterweight bout between undefeated Jacob Bonas (2-0-1, 1 KO) of Bellville, Michigan, and Clinton Township, Michigan’s Tony Brooks (1-1).
“This is an exciting show from top to bottom,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “Every fight has been chosen for its excitement level. I am proud to be presenting it to the boxing savvy fans of Detroit, America’s comeback city and home for world-class boxing.”
More fights, opponents and rounds will be announced shortly. On fight night, doors open at 7:00 pm and the fights begin at 8:00 pm.
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For more information on the “Detroit Brawl” or Salita Promotions, visitwww.salitapromotions.com. Facebook and

Twitter: @DetroitBrawl
About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.