Tag Archives: lightweight

Undefeated lightweight prospect Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz Set for Friday’s homecoming fight

February 28, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

WORCESTER, Mass. (February 26, 2020) – Undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth World lightweight champion Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (12-0, 6 KOs) plans to make a major statement this Friday when he fights at home in Worcester, Massachusetts, for the first time as a professional boxer.

Ortiz will headline a CES Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® event, promoted by Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES), at the historic Worcester Palladium.

In the 8-round main event, Ortiz faces Mexican knockout specialist “Loco” Luis Ronaldo Castillo (22-5, 17 KOs), a former WBC FECOMBOX lightweight champion, in a non-title fight.

“I’m ready,” Ortiz said after a recent open workout. “It’s good getting so much support. I have a lot of people coming to the fights. To me, I only have one job – win! And I’d like to win in spectacular fashion. I want to show everybody at the Palladium and those watching on UFC FIGHT PASS that it’s all real, no hype behind my name. Everybody watching Friday night will know what I bring into the ring.”

Ortiz, 23, is a lightning-quick, gifted lightweight with tremendous upside. A decorated amateur, Ortiz is a rising star in what many believe will be a breakout year for him.

“Jamaine certainly hasn’t reached his full potential,” Ortiz’ head trainer Rocky Gonzalez commented. “He’s still young and all he really needs is more experience. He’s a good listener with great hand speed, and he switches (stances) easily. And he really believes in himself and it’s hard to beat somebody like that. I can’t teach heart, but he has that as well. I don’t know how far he can go, not yet, but he’s talented and nowhere close to being a finished product.”

The Feb. 28^th show showcasing Ortiz worldwide will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

Tickets are on sale and available to purchase at CESBoxing.com and the Palladium box office. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m./ ET.

boxing, Las Vegas

Kendo “Tremendo” Castaneda In Florida for first time but on important business trip

February 28, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

This Friday showdown vs. unbeaten NABO champion Yomar “The Magic” Alamo

LAS VEGAS (February 27, 2020) – Undefeated super lightweight Kendo “Tremendo” Castaneda (17-0, 8 KOs) flew into Orlando from his native San Antonio this past Tuesday night on his first visit to Florida.

Unlike millions of people who go to Orlando for Disneyworld, though, Castaneda’s initial look at palm trees is simply part of his business trip. Castaneda challenges North American Boxing Organization (NABO) champion Yomar “The Magic” Alamo (17-0-1, 12 KOs) in this Friday night’s 10-round main event, airing live on Boxeo Telemundo, starting at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT, from Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.

Alamo vs. Castaneda is co-promoted by All-Star Boxing, which promotes Alamo and the event, and Castaneda’s promoter, Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions.

“It’s pretty cool here,” Castaneda shared his first impressions of Florida. “A guy working for the promoter met us at the airport to film my arrival and interview me, so it’s been a welcoming experience, and people in Florida know I’m in the house. I like it here. It’s nice and in a way, I feel like I’m at home. I’m going to put on a show for fans, I’m going to be like their Disney World. I’m ready for the big ride and to put on a great show for the people.”

Castaneda captured the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) crown a year ago, taking a 10-round decision from previously undefeated Gilbert Venegas, Jr. (10-0), and followed that with an impressive 10-round unanimous decision over Dominican veteran Eudy Berbardo (24-3).

Last October in Reno, Nevada, Castaneda stopped Stan Martyniouk (20-3) in the sixth round, after which he was installed by the World Boxing Organization as its No. 15 rated super lightweight in the world.

WBO No. 8 ranked Alamo, fighting out of Puerto Rico, is coming off the only blemish on either fighter’s pro record, fighting to a draw with Antonio Moran (24-4-1).

Alamo, 24, is the former World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth World and FECARBOX super lightweight champion, who has made three successful NABO title defenses.

“After this fight,” Castaneda concluded, “people are going to forget this Alamo (not the famous Alamo in Castaneda’s hometown) and remember me, The Tremendous One. I expect the fight t to end in a spectacular knockout in my favor, late in the fight, because I like to punish my opponent.”

INFORMATION:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com

Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa, @RoyJonesJrOfficial, @KeithVeltre, @KendoTremendo

Instagram: @RoyJonesJRboxing, @artofmusiclv, @rivalboxinggear, @KeithVeltre

Facebook: /RJJBoxing, /KeithVeltre

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions has been reinventing boxing. RJJ has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years. Creating exhilarating content for CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in some of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.

Based in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, NV, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable: WBO #6 rated bantamweight Max Ornelas, featherweight Ray Ximenez, WBO #15 rated super lightweight Kendo Castaneda, middleweights John Vera, Connor Coyle and Shady Gamhour, super middleweight Juan Barajas, and heavyweight Alexander Flores.

amateur mixed martial arts, Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

RICHARD TO PUT LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE ON THE LINE AGAINST CORSON AT NEF 43

February 21, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (February 19, 2020) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus. The event, titled “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, with a bell-time of 7 pm EDT. Zac “Rocky” Richard (6-2-1) is scheduled to defend the NEF Amateur Lightweight Title that evening against the challenge of Devin Corson (3-1). They will meet at the lightweight championship limit of 155 pounds in a bout scheduled for five three-minute rounds.

Richard won the then-vacant championship last November in Portland, Maine with a unanimous decision victory over “Magic” Mike Murray (3-2). He is no stranger to titles, having won a Maine State Championship wrestling for Massabesic High School in Waterboro in 2015. The win capped a tremendous sophomore year in the cage for Richard as the follow-up to his 2018 “Rookie of the Year” season. The last time Richard fought on the stage of the Collins Center, in September 2019, he scored a vicious slam knockout of Erik Tainter (0-2). The slam has become a signature move for Richard over the course of his young career. He is a product of Nostos MMA of Somersworth, New Hampshire where he trains under UFC veteran and former NEF Professional Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (10-4).

“Devin can say whatever he wants about me winning my title ‘at the right time,’” said Richard. “He’s had his offers. He’s got it. Unluckily for him, he’s got the most motivated Zac there has ever been. I do predict this fight, though, to be a great one.”

Speaking of slams, there may be no athlete who has ever delivered more highlight-reel slams in the NEF cage than the challenger Devin Corson. Like Richard, Corson brings a strong wrestling base with him to the MMA game, having been a standout competitor on the mats for Foxcroft Academy in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. Corson is currently riding a two-fight win-streak with unanimous decision wins over both Jacob Deppmeyer (now 1-0 as a pro) and Taylor Bartlett (2-3-1) in 2019. He represents the Outlet based in Dexter, Maine.

“I don’t think much about Zac besides he is in my way,” stated Corson. “He’s the man I have to defeat to get the 155 belt. After all is said and done, I will be the one with my hand raised.”

New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 43: Rampage,” will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at the Collins Center for the Arts at UMaine Orono. Tickets will be on sale this week at www.CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

boxing, UFC

No place like home for Undefeated lightweight prospect Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz

February 17, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

WORCESTER, Mass. (February 11, 2020) – A lifelong dream will become finally reality on February 28^th, when undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth World lightweight champion Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (12-0, 6 KOs) fights at home for the first time as a professional in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Ortiz will headline a CES Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® event, promoted by Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES), at the historic Worcester Palladium. His opponent in the 8-round main event will be Mexican knockout artist “Loco” Luis Ronaldo Castillo (22-5, 17 KOs), a former WBC FECOMBOX lightweight champion.

“I’ve never fought in Worcester as a professional,” Ortiz said at a recent press conference. “I’ve wanted to do this bad to let people in Worcester see what it has. It’s going to be extra special because two of my closest friends, Irvin Gonzalez and Kendrick Ball, Jr., are also fighting on this card. We’ve fought together since we were kids.”

The 23-year-old will not be defending his WBC Youth World title, because he will relinquish his belt in April, when turns 24 and becomes ineligible in terms of the age requirement (23 and younger).

“Jamaine had one of the most prestigious amateur careers ever in New England,” Ortiz’ promoter Jimmy Burchfield (CES Boxing) said. “He already owns the WBC World Youth title and has World Champion written all over him.”

“The Technician” is fine tuning his game and he’s already looking ahead to the not too distant future.

“I’m very excited to be fighting February 28^th for the first time in Worcester,” Ortiz added. “It’s an exciting card with action-packed fights. I expect it’ll be sold out and hope so, because I want to prove to my city, my promoter, and local businesses that big-time boxing belongs here and will be supported by Worcester. In 2021, I want to bring world championship boxing to the new baseball stadium (Polar Park, the future home of the Worcester Red Sox, Triple A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox) across the street that will seat 10,000.”

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

Tickets are on sale and available to purchase at CESBoxing.com, the Palladium box office or from Team Ortiz. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m./ ET.

boxing, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

RUBEN VILLA CONTINUES TO IMPRESS WITH UNANIMOUS DECISION VICTORY ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME®

February 2, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

***Taras Shelestyuk Records Dominating Unanimous Decision Win; Zhora Hamazaryan and Sulaiman Segawa Fight To Split-Decision Draw in Lightweight Matchup***

**Catch The Replay Monday, February 3 At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME EXTREME^®**

Click **HERE** for Photos; Credit Dave Mandel/SHOWTIME

**SHREVEPORT, La. – January 31, 2020 –** After his fourth consecutive victory in a little more than 12 months on *ShoBox: The New Generation,* Ruben Villa is ready to graduate from the 19-year prospect series.

The undefeated featherweight Villa put on a boxing clinic in a dominating unanimous decision win over Alexei Collado. The judges scored the fight 99-91 and 98-92 twice in the main event Friday night from George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport, La.

The 22-year-old Salinas, Calif., native Villa (18-0, 5 KOs), who entered the ring paying tribute to the late Kobe Bryant by wearing his No. 8 Lakers jersey into the ring, called his performance “solid” against a “tough and aggressive fighter.”

“He was challenging throughout the fight,” said Villa. “I feel like I put on a good show. He was a big knockout puncher and he’s no pushover. He brought out the best in me.”

Villa, who was the was also the 2014 and 2016 National Golden Gloves Champion, is currently ranked No. 5 at 126 pounds by the WBO and No. 13 by the WBC. He said after the fight he’s ready for the best his division has to offer.

The 31-year-old Cuban Collado (26-3, 23 KOs) who lives in Miami, lost for the first time in seven bouts. “It was a good fight,” said Collado, who won the 2006 Junior World Title in the flyweight division. “We both brought everything. We put on a good show for the fans. He moves a lot and he’s a smart fighter. I feel like when I threw a lot I hit him but I wasn’t active enough.”

Villa said he stayed disciplined training during the holidays. “Now I’m going to take a few weeks off and then get right back in the gym,” he said.

In the co-featured bout, undefeated Ukrainian and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Taras Shelestyuk (18-0, 10 KOs) recorded a dominating unanimous decision victory against Argentina’s Luis Alberto Veron (18-2-2, 9 KOs). The judges scored the 10-round welterweight fight 97-93 and 98-92 twice.

Shelestyuk, who overcame a bad fifth-round cut on his forehead, had boxed just 10 rounds in the last three years.

“It was a good fight,” Shelestyuk said. “I hit him with some good shots, and controlled the fight. I have been out since March, and I feel that I performed well. I am happy to be back on television.

“The cut didn’t bother me. This is professional boxing, and these things happen. I want to be back in May or June. If I come back in the next several months, I want to fight a big name – guys like Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia.”

In the telecast opener, late replacement Sulaiman Segawa (12-2-1, 3 KOs) looked impressive in his *ShoBox* debut seemingly out-boxing Zhora Hamazaryan (9-1-2, 6 KOs) and recording the better stat sheet, but the close lightweight fight was called a split-decision draw. One judge had Segawa winning 78-74, another 77-75 for Hamazaryan and the third judge called it even, 76-76.

*ShoBox* analyst Steve Farhood had the fight scored 77-75 Segawa, while Barry Tompkins and Raul Marquez both saw it 78-74 in favor of Segawa.

“I won the fight,” said Segawa, who took the fight on just four days’ notice. “I maintained him and his aggressiveness. I came up to his weight and dictated the action. I staggered him a couple of times and he was not touching me.”

Segawa earned the better stats in nearly every category. Hamazaryan was more active (57.5 punches per round to Segawa’s 53.6) but Segawa outlanded him 130-100 overall, 42-14 jabs and 88-86 power and was more accurate in all phases (30%-22% overall, 28%-8% jabs, 31.3%-31.1% power). Segawa even led 25-22 in body connects

Segawa, 28, moved to Silver Spring, Md., two years ago and is originally from Kampala, Uganda. He has won six times against previously undefeated opponents with his two losses also to undefeated fighters.

Hamazaryan, who was making his third *ShoBox* appearance, returned to the ring after 16 months as he returned to his native Armenia to get his physical education degree.

“It was a good fight,” the 23-year-old Hamazaryan said. “I started slow because of the switch in opposition and felt rusty. I’m going to go right back to the gym and keep on learning. And I will be better.”

It was the second consecutive split draw for Hamazaryan, who also recorded a split draw against Thomas Mattice in his last *ShoBox* appearance in September of 2018.

Friday’s fights were promoted by Banner Promotions, Thompson Boxing and Bishop Promotions LLC. The full telecast will replay on Monday, February 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME^® and SHOWTIME on DEMAND^®.

Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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About *ShoBox: The New Generation*

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, *ShoBox: The New Generation* has featured young talent matched tough. The *ShoBox* philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 81 fighters who have appeared on *ShoBox* and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.

boxing

Undefeated lightweight prospect Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz Hammerin’ his way to medical school

January 15, 2020 FNU47 Leave a comment

WORCESTER, Mass. (January 6, 2020) – Undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth World lightweight champion Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (12-0, 6 KOs) isn’t a typical professional boxer whose life entirely revolves in and around the “Sweet Science.”

The 23-year-old Ortiz is also a licensed carpenter with diverse interests ranging from engineering and psychology to philosophy, and his ultimate post-boxing career aspiration is to attend medical school. First, though, Ortiz’ goal is to become world champion, which would be a first for a native of Worcester, Massachusetts.

“I was always fascinated by architecture, starting with my mother’s house, and that spun off to engineering,” Ortiz explained. “I wanted to learn how to build to better understand and became a carpenter after graduating from high school. I’m not worried about getting hurt at work. I do work with my hands, but I’m in the union and everything is safe, and I’m very careful.

“Medical school is my dream. I want to help people working with cells, blood and muscle tissues, understanding the body. I’m not sure if I’ll do research or be working with patients, maybe in internal medicine, but not in traditional medicine. I’m interested in natural, holistic medicine, and working for the benefit of people.”

Ortiz, who started boxing at the age of six, will return to the ring in early 2020 for, most likely, his final WBC Youth World title fight, because this title is for fighters 23 or younger, and Jamaine turns 24 on April 28.

The WBC World Youth title has been a stepping-stone for great champions such as Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Timothy Bradley,Danny Garcia and Leo Santa Cruz, among the more notables.

“I’m proud to be the WBC World lightweight champion, but I’ll have to give it up in April when I turn 24.,” Ortiz remarked. “I’ll win bigger titles as I get older. This has been good for now, but I’m going on to bigger and better things. I’m confident that I’ll be world champion in 2021 and I want to be a multiple wight-class world champion before I retire.”

Ortiz recently gained even more confidence when Teofimo Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs) captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World lightweight championship, knocking out defending champion Richard Commey in the second round this past December.

At the 2015 National Golden Gloves, Ortiz lost a decision to Lopez in the championship final. “He didn’t do that stuff to me (like he did to Commey),” Ortiz noted. “He didn’t beat me up. I lost a decision, but I showed that I could fight with him. He was nothing like you saw on television (vs. Commey), though. I’ve watched him get better and better.

So is Ortiz and before he swaps his boxing gloves for a stethoscope, he has unfinished business in boxing. Nothing short of capturing a world championship crown will satisfy “The Technician.”

boxing, DAZN

DEVIN HANEY FACES SANTIAGO IN MAIDEN WORLD TITLE DEFENSE

November 5, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

**‘The Dream’ Meets Unbeaten Dominican Challenger in Los Angeles on Nov 9**

**LAS VEGAS, NV (November 2, 2019)** – Devin Haney will face Alfredo Santiago in the first defense of his WBC World Lightweight title at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Saturday November 9, live on DAZN in the US, Sky Sports in the UK and distributed globally on FITE.

TICKETS FOR KSI-LOGAN PAUL II FEATURING HANEY-SANTIAGO ARE ON SALE NOW – CLICK HERE

Haney (23-0 15 KOs) was elevated to full champion at the recent WBC Convention in Cancun, Mexico, following his dominant performance against Zaur Abdullaev in New York in September where he overpowered the unbeaten Russian over four blistering rounds to force Abdullaev to retire, and land ‘The Dream’ the interim belt at 135lbs.

Now Haney makes the short trip from his Las Vegas home to Los Angeles where he faces Santiago (12-0 4 KOs) in his maiden defence, the unbeaten Dominican talent, who turns 25 the day after the fight, will be on looking to derail Haney’s reign as champion at the first hurdle.

“I’m happy we got this deal done,” said Haney. “I’m not just a WBC World Champion that’s holding somebody else’s belt. I’m the sole champion, and I will defend the Lightweight World title on November 9. I’ve been working hard and I’m extremely focused. This will be the perfect gift to myself for my 21st birthday.

“All the fans at STAPLES Center and the millions watching on DAZN, are going to witness another dominant performance. I’m going to continue to show the world that I’m the best in my division.

“Alfredo Santiago is my next opponent; he’s undefeated, he’s hungry, and he’s coming to win. I take every fight very serious and this fight is no different. Tune in next Saturday and you’ll see that the hype is real.”

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Matchroom Boxing and Fresh Productions for this opportunity,” said Santiago. “This is the moment that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid, and the one I’ve been waiting for since I became a boxer. I am physically and mentally ready, and I am going to show who the best 135lber in the world is.

“Mr. Haney is a formidable fighter who chose the wrong opponent. He cannot beat me. I belong to ‘The Terror Squadron’, the best boxing team in the world. This is my time.”

“I am delighted to see Devin defend his World title on November 9,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “We’re going to have a huge crowd of new fight fans at the arena and tuning in all around the world to watch KSI and Logan Paul, and Devin is the perfect fighter to showcase what boxing is all about to a potential crop of new fight fans – he’s young, exciting, confident and relatable – the perfect mix.

“Alfredo Santiago is a hungry young fighter himself and this is a golden opportunity for him to halt
Devin’s charge to superstardom – but I believe that ‘The Dream’ will shine and being his reign as World champion in style.”

Haney’s clash with Santiago is part of a huge night of action in Los Angeles as YouTube sensations KSI and Logan Paul clash in a rematch of their controversial draw – this time as professional fighters.

Billy Joe Saunders (28-0 13 KOs) makes his American debut and defends his WBO World Super-Middleweight title against unbeaten Argentine Marcelo Coceres (28-0-1 15 KOs), and he is joined on the card by a quartet of Eddie Hearn’s talented rising US stars in Nikita Ababiy (7-0 6 KOs), Diego Pacheco (6-0 5 KOs), Reshat Mati (4-0 ) and Alexis Espino (4-0 3 KOs).

Tickets are on sale NOW from AXS.com

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boxing, women's boxing

SELINA BARRIOS WINS BY FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUT

August 6, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

*Photos by Robert Elizando*

**SAN ANTONIO, TX (August 5, 2019)** – This past Saturday at the Alzafar Shrine in San Antonio, TX, Female lightweight contender, **Selina “Aztec Queen” Barrios** improved to (6-1, 3 KOs) after knocking out **Nina Gallegos** with a vicious body shot just 42 seconds into round one. Supreme Boxing Promotions was the promoter.

“It was beautiful to see the fans of San Antoinio come out and support our boxing event last night. I wanted to make a statement with a knockout performance, and I was blessed to deliver it. The boxing community and fans in San Antonio are incredible. I’m hoping we can continue to bring more boxing shows to our great city.”

Barrios, the NABF Lightweight champion is looking to get back on world title run.

“My focus now is landing a big fight with any top fighter in the super featherweight or lightweight division,” Barrios continued. “My manager is working on a few things and my next fight will be announced sometime soon, hopefully against a big name.”

“We have plans for Selina to be in a big fight sometime in 2020,” said **Kerry Dangle,** Barrios’ co-manager. “I think she will be best suited if we can keep her busy, maybe one more tune up fight before we step her up again.”

“Selina is ready to go on a nice run.” said **Colin Campbell**, Barrios’ co-manager. “She really stepped up her game during training camp and it paid off. She’ll be in a big fight very soon.”

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

A NEW MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION WILL BE CROWNED AT NEF 39

May 24, 2019 FNU47 Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (May 22, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 22 with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN.” Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur title fight to the card. Carlton Charles (3-2) will face Jordan Norman (2-1) for the vacant amateur middleweight belt.

Prior to entering the MMA ranks, Carlton Charles made his mark on the football field. He played for Windham High School in Windham, Maine and later led the team to a Class A title as an assistant coach. Charles went on to play fullback for the University of Maine Black Bears. He made his NEF debut in the summer of 2017 with a 23-second knockout win. He would top that performance with a 12-second knockout victory in February 2018. After an unsuccessful attempt at capturing the amateur welterweight title against Duncan Smith (5-3) last June, Charles returned to the cage one month ago in New Hampshire and picked up yet another first-round knockout win.

“As always, I feel blessed and very grateful for the opportunity to fight for the belt,” said Charles. “I know Jordan has come a long way in this sport and is always training hard and improving. I will be looking to not be caught by one of those big meat hooks that he has for hands. He’s a big powerful guy, and I’m going to be training hard as always to be able to go out and perform to my best ability. I know my coaches will have me ready for this one! have no doubt in my mind the fans will be in for a real treat with this one.”

Jordan Norman has indeed come a long way since his NEF debut last June. He lost that evening via first-round knockout, but Norman would come firing back in his next two bouts. He won a split decision over John Assam (0-1) last fall, and just last month finished Greg Ishihara (0-1) in the second round. Norman represents the Bad Little Falls Dojo.

“I’m honored for the opportunity to get into the NEF cage and compete for the amateur title against someone like Carlton,” exclaimed Norman. “He and I will put on one hell of a show for the Lewiston crowd. Both of us come to fight and it won’t be any different on June 22nd. I have nothing but respect for him and his team. I’m excited for the task at hand and scrapping it out for the middleweight title.”

The middleweight title fight between Charles and Norman is the fourth already announced for the “NEF 39” card. Josh “Hook On” Harvey (6-0-1) is scheduled to defend the professional featherweight title against Jordan Downey (5-4), while Nate Boucher (4-3) will square off with Robert Presley (5-4) for the vacant amateur men’s flyweight belt, and undefeated Glory Watson (4-0) takes on Caree Hill (4-1) to crown NEF’s first amateur women’s flyweight champion. Also announced for the card, Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (9-7) faces Lewis Corapi (8-5) in a professional lightweight bout.

“NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN,” will take place on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com.