NEW YORK (March 12, 2019) – For the second-straight year, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Powered by Everlast has something for everyone as the fan-friendly and completely FREE platform celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in Boston with the Dropkick Murphys and Murphys Boxing. Music fans and fight enthusiasts from across the nation and around the globe can catch the Dropkick Murphys in concert and an outstanding card with international appeal on Saturday – via any device where Facebook is available – brought to fans by the promotion born out of the Dropkick Murphys popular Celtic punk band.
The free, interactive series – which has entertained almost 5.2 million fans since its platform premiere in May of 2017 – visits the shadows of Fenway once again to continue its March schedule. The three-show March is part of a 2019 first quarter that showcases an outstanding six-card lineup featuring six different promotions and spanning four cities, which began with three February shows and two March shows already that combined for more than 860,000 views.
“This is my favorite day of the year,” said Ken Casey, Dropkick Murphys Frontman and President and Founder, Murphys Boxing. “We have a sold-out venue and an excellent boxing card, and Facebook will give our fans around the world a live look inside on the Dropkick Murphys, Murphys Boxing and FIGHTNIGHT LIVE channels.”
In Saturday’s the main event, NABA Champion Mark DeLuca (22-1, 13 KOs) takes on Jimmy Williams (16-1-1, 5 KOs) in an all-New England battle of super welterweights. Also seeing action will be NABA light heavyweight titleholder CharlesFoster (17-0, 8 KOs), putting his unblemished mark on the line against battle-tested Chicago native Mike Jimenez (22-1-2, 14 KO’s). The stacked card will also see top-tier middleweight contender and Irish favorite Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan(29-3, 20 KOs) take on popular New Englander Khiary Gray (16-4, 12 KOs). Meanwhile, Irish nationals clash as Noel Murphy (12-1-1, 2 KOs) takes on undefeated John Joyce (7-0, 4 KOs) and undefeated heavyweight Niall Kennedy (12-0-1, 7 KOs) is also scheduled to make an appearance, representing The Emerald Isle on its celebrated weekend.
“St. Paddy’s Day in Boston with the Dropkick Murphys is becoming one of our favorite FIGHTNIGHT LIVE traditions, but Saturday’s card may be the finest in the history of our platform in terms of title fights and quality matchups from top to bottom,” said Mark Fratto, Principal and Director of Business Development, Linacre Media. “Combine that lineup with a live set from Ken Casey and the Dropkick Murphys, it’s unbeatable, and since the House of Blues is sold-out, we’ll get you inside and up close with Facebook.”
Now in its second season, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Powered by Everlast is the fan-friendly Facebook platform that – among other aspects – prides itself on the real-time conversations held between fight commentators and the viewing audience. FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has showcased more than 515 fighters and 16 promotions during 31 live event broadcasts from 18 different cities since May 2017, and in doing so, the interactive platform has generated the loyal interest of fight fans from across the United States and around the globe, including significant audiences in Mexico, the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, and even fans in South America, Asia and Australia.
Since May 2017, the numbers on the 30-show FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series showed promise and potential for the new platform with an average of 167,483 views per event and almost 5.2 million total views for the franchise. Since Sept. 2018, Season II shows have averaged more than 269,000 views.
The Sept. 2018 “Kings Boxing Tuesday Night Fights” (594,447) from the Sands in Bethlehem, the Dec. 2018 “Queens and Kings of Queens Card” (379,758) in New York, the Nov. 2018 “Hard Hitting Showtime Collaboration” (372,662), the Dec. 2018 “Roy Jones Jr. Texas Throwdown” (318,886), the Oct. 2018 “Hard Hitting Philly Special” (297,545), the Oct. 2018 hour-long Bareknuckle “Freeview” (292,253), the Nov. 2018 “Titans In The Capital” (256,871), the Sept. 2017 “Real Deal Promotions: Empire State” from Resorts World Casino (225,000), the Feb. 2019 “Raging Babe Philly Special” (203,000) and the August 2017 CES “Super Saturday” from Foxwoods (203,000) all logged 200,000 or more views, and collectively the 30-show series has seen a total of more than 5,191,976 views across all devices.
In addition to the raw viewership numbers, the fully-interactive, fan-friendly productions have seen more than 419,000 collective live post engagements (more than 13,000 per show), including more than 324,000 “likes” or “loves,” almost 56,000 comments and more than 18,000 shares.
The Sept. 2018 “Kings Boxing Tuesday Night Fights” from the Sands in Bethlehem set a new bar with 594,447 views and the Sept. 2017 DiBella-CES doubleheader carried the series to three-quarters-of-a-million views in just over four months. The Sept. 2017 DiBella card saw more than 40,000 viewer interactions including almost 39,000 “likes” or “loves” and the March 17, 2018, Murphy’s “St. Patrick’s Day Clash” set a new high-water mark for shares with 2,182.
The FIGHTNIGHT LIVE page on Facebook has more than 87,000 fans and more than 94,000 followers.
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.
FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Spring 2019 dates will be officially announced in the coming weeks.
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.
About Everlast Worldwide Inc. The preeminent brand in boxing since 1910, Everlast is the world’s leading manufacturer, marketer and licensor of boxing, MMA and fitness equipment. From legendary champions Jack Dempsey and Sugar Ray Robinson to current superstars Deontay Wilder and Dustin Poirier, Everlast is the brand of choice for generations of world champion professional athletes. Built on a brand heritage of strength, dedication, individuality and authenticity, Everlast is a necessary part of the lives of countless champions. Based in Manhattan, Everlast’s products are sold across more than 75 countries and 6 continents. For more information, visitwww.everlast.com.
Murphys Boxing is excited to announce that undefeated, Irish heavyweight, Niall Kennedy (12-0-1, 8 KOs) has been added to The 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Clash which takes place Saturday, March 16th in Boston, Massachusetts at the House of Blues.
One of Murphys Boxing’s most popular fighters, ‘Boom Boom’, is coming off a dominant unanimous decision win this past October when he took the ‘O’ from fellow undefeated heavyweight, Brendan Barrettin a fight broadcast on DAZN.
Kennedy’s 2019 debut will fittingly take place at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Clash, his third time appearing at the annual event, and he knows firsthand the excitement and energy that comes with it.
“I won the Massachusetts State Heavyweight Title on the Murphys Paddys Day show in 2017 and it was an amazing experience. The atmosphere is like nothing I’ve ever witnessed at a boxing event. I’m looking forward to being part of it again.”
Kennedy, despite hailing from Gorey, Ireland where he works full time as a policeman, has fought 10 of his 13 professional fights in the New England area and actually considers Boston his boxing home.
“I’m blessed with the support that I have received from the people of Boston and Massachusetts in general. I have a large family connection in the state who bring out massive support so when it comes to boxing homes, Boston is my first boxing home.”
As for 2019, Kennedy is dead set on upping the competition and even has his eyes on a fellow unbeaten heavyweight who like himself is creating a buzz in a boxing crazed east coast city.
“My goal is always to improve with each fight. I want to be world ranked and fight the top names in the division but I know if that’s going to happen, 2019 has to be a huge year for me. There’s a lot of fighters I want to share the ring with but right now I think myself vs Philadelphia’s Darmani Rock is a fight that should and will happen.”
Murphys Boxing founder, Ken Casey agrees that 2019 will be a breakout year for Kennedy and that his addition to the St. Patrick’s Day Clash takes the event to a whole new level.
“Niall is one of our most popular fighters and he has huge fights on the horizon. We want to keep him active this year so he can be at his best for what lies ahead. Having an Irish heavyweight on a St. Patrick’s Day show puts this card over the top as one of the best Murphys Boxing has ever done.”
The Saint Patrick’s Day Clash will truly be an Irish heavy affair as Kennedy joins a card that has fellow Murphys Boxing stablemate, Cork, Ireland’s Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan (29-3, 20 KOs) in a risky fight against Khiary Gray (16-4, 12 KOs) as well as the much anticipated all Irish welterweight showdown between Cork, Ireland’s John Joyce (7-0, 4 KOs) and Lucan, Ireland’s Noel Murphy (12-1-1, 2 KOs).
Headlining the annual event will be NABA Junior Middleweight Champion, Massachusetts’ Mark DeLuca (22-1, 13 KOs) who will put his title, and his top 10 world ranking, on the line against Connecticut’s Jimmy Williams (16-1-1, 5 KOs).
In the co-main event, undefeated NABA Light Heavyweight Champion, Connecticut’sCharles Foster (17-0, 8 KOs) will take on once beaten, Chicago power puncher, Mike Jiminez (22-1-2, 14 KOs).
Murphys Boxing’s 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Clash takes place on Saturday, March 16th in Boston, Massachusetts at the House of Blues (15 Lansdowne Street). Doors open at 7pm. The night will also feature a special “in ring” acoustic performance by The Dropkick Murphys. Limited tickets are on sale now at:
1/26 – William Foster III (9-0, 6 KOs) UD over Angel Suarez *Foster defended his NABF Jr. Super Featherweight Title
2/9 – Carlos Gongora (15-0, 12 KOs) KO 5 over Jesus Aviles *Gongora won the WBC South American Middleweight Title
UPCOMING MURPHYS BOXING EVENTS
3/16/19 – Boston, MA. St. Patrick’s Day Clash 3/29/19 – Melrose, MA. Vendetti vs. Woods
ABOUT MURPHYS BOXING
Murphys Boxing was founded by Dropkick Murphys’ frontman, Ken Casey in 2014. In just 5 short years, Murphys Boxing has become the premier boxing promoter in the New England area and one of the hottest young promotions in the country. 2018 was a breakout year for Murphys Boxing as they took their first fighter to a world title. Along with the promotion’s first champion, several Murphys Boxing fighters secured world title opportunities and nationally televised fights in 2018. Murphys Boxing closed out their banner year by co-promoting the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondokwa in front of over 10,000 fans at the TD Garden, the legendary home of the Boston Celtics, which was broadcast internationally on DAZN. Murphys Boxing’s current roster features world ranked contenders like Mark DeLuca, Charles Foster, Greg Vendetti, Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan and prospects like Niall Kennedy, Carlos Gongora, William Foster III, Abraham Nova, Mike Ohan Jr. and more!
MARK DELUCA TO DEFEND NABA TITLE GARY ‘SPIKE’ O’SULLIVAN TO MAKE BOSTON RETURN CHARLES FOSTER TO DEFEND NABA TITLE JOHN JOYCE & NOEL MURPHY TO BATTLE IN ALL IRISH SHOWDOWN
SATURDAY, MARCH 16TH AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES IN BOSTON
Murphys Boxing is proud to announce their 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Clash will take place on Saturday, March 16th once againat the House of Blues in Boston.
Headlining the stacked card will be Whitman, Massachusetts’ Mark DeLuca (22-1, 13 KOs). The current NABA Super Welterweight Champion, is ranked #10 in the world by the WBA and will defend his title against Connecticut’s Jimmy Williams (16-1-1, 5 KOs) in an all New England 10 round battle.
DeLuca is coming off the highest profile win of his career this past October when he fought on the undercard of Demetrius Andrade’s world title fight at TD Garden which was shown worldwide on DAZN. DeLuca won a unanimous decision in what was an immediate rematch of the only blemish on his record, a split decision loss to Walter Wright, considered by most in attendance to be a robbery. Now DeLuca finds himself, not only one of the most popular fighters in New England, but also in contention for a world title shot later this year.
“Being in the Top 10 now, I know that I’m only a phone call away from a life changing opportunity.”, explains the former Marine turned title contender.
“I’m always in the gym. I’m staying focused. I know I need a good performance against Williams to keep that opportunity alive.”
Having already headlined a Murphys Boxing event on St. Patrick’s Day, DeLuca is well aware that it isn’t the average boxing card.
“St. Patrick’s Day. Boston. Dropkick Murphys. What more can you say? The atmosphere is electric.”
In the co-main event, one of boxing’s favorite characters, Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan (29-3, 20 KOs) will make his return to Boston, where he has amassed a huge following, to take on Worcester, Massachusetts’ Khiary Gray (16-4, 12 KOs) in what promises to be an action packed 8 round battle.
The Cork, Ireland native who is promoted by Murphys Boxing in association with Golden Boy Promotions has moved down to the junior middleweight division where he is looking to make a splash in 2019 after finishing last year with a unanimous decision victory in his home country against the 40 fight veteran, Gabor Gorbics.
“Boston is a home away from home for me.”, says the outspoken, handlebar mustached slugger who has fought in the New England area 10 times.
“Murphys Boxing Saint Patrick’s Day events are not to be missed. The crowd is insane and I’m coming to give them what they wanna see… a fight!”
The night will also feature a who’s who of New England’s hottest young contenders and prospects.
Murphys Boxing’s Charles Foster (17-0, 8 KOs) will put his NABA Light Heavyweight Championship title on the line in a 10 round bout against Chicago’s Mike Jimenez (22-1-2, 14 KOs).
The New Haven, Connecticut based Foster is a world ranked contender (#10 in the WBA) and is fresh off a national television appearance last year when he beat the previously undefeated, Alvin Varmall, Jr. on Showtime. He will face one of his toughest challenges yet against the dangerous, power punching, Jimenez whose only loss came to two-time world title challenger, Jesse Hart.
Revere, Massachusetts’ favorite son, Travis Mazac Gambardella (5-0-2, 2 KOs), who trains out of the popular, KnuckleHeadz Gym in Ventura, California, will return home to try and extend his undefeated record against fellow Boston area fighter, Maceo Crowder (2-2, 1 KO) in a 6 round middleweight contest.
South Boston’s Joe Farina (4-1, 3 KOs), who last fought against Gambardella, dropping a razor close majority decision on the undercard of Demetrius Andrade’s middleweight title fight at TD Garden, will look to get back in the winning column in a four round welterweight rematch against New Jersey’s Steve Moore (1-6, 1 KO) who lost a split decision to Farina last year.
In keeping with the holiday’s theme, there will be an all Irish grudge match when Lucan, Ireland’s John Joyce (7-0, 4 KOs) travels to America to take on Cork, Ireland’s Noel Murphy (12-1-1, 2 KOs), who is now based in New York City, in an 8 round welterweight clash that has Irish pride on the line.
The night will be kicked off by the highly anticipated professional debut of Mansfield, Massachusetts welterweight, James Perella. The decorated amateur fighter will turn proagainst Woburn, Massachusetts’ Bruno Dias (0-5) in a 4 round contest.
“The St. Patrick’s Day Clash is my favorite promotion of the year and one that our fighters and fans really look forward to.”, explains, Murphys Boxing founder and Dropkick Murphys frontman, Ken Casey.
“The atmosphere that’s created when you put boxing on in a general admission, standing room only concert venue, let alone on St. Patrick’s Day in Boston, creates a unique and intense experience.”
As for the incredibly busy and successful year the promotional company is coming off of, Casey, who will also play 4 consecutive shows with Dropkick Murphys the same week at the same venue, is even more excited about what the new year holds.
“2018 was a breakout year for Murphys Boxing but with contenders like Mark DeLuca and Charles Foster in the position for world title shots later this year and a slew of undefeated prospects on the verge of world rankings, not to mention multiple cards already planned, 2019 will take Murphys Boxing to a whole new level.”
Murphys Boxing’s 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Clash takes place on Saturday, March 16th in Boston, Massachusetts at the House of Blues (15 Lansdowne Street). Doors open at 7pm. The night will also feature a special “in ring” acoustic performance by The Dropkick Murphys. Tickets are on sale now at:
2/9/19 – Quito, Ecuador Carlos Gongora vs. Jesus Aviles (WBC Latino Silver) 3/16/19 – Boston, MA. St. Patrick’s Day Clash 3/29/19 – Melrose, MA. Greg Vendetti & Ryan Kielczweski Return!
ABOUT MURPHYS BOXING
Murphys Boxing was founded by Dropkick Murphys’ frontman, Ken Casey in 2014. In just 5 short years, Murphys Boxing has become the premier boxing promoter in the New England area and one of the hottest young promotions in the country. 2018 was a breakout year for Murphys Boxing as they took their first fighter to a world title. Along with the promotion’s first champion, several Murphys Boxing fighters secured world title opportunities and nationally televised fights in 2018. Murphys Boxing closed out their banner year by co-promoting the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondokwa in front of over 10,000 fans at the TD Garden, the legendary home of the Boston Celtics, which was broadcast internationally on DAZN. Murphys Boxing’s current roster features world ranked contenders like Mark DeLuca, Charles Foster, Greg Vendetti, Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan and prospects like Niall Kennedy, Carlos Gongora, William Foster III, Mike Ohan Jr. and more!
