Tag Archives: lightweight

RANCES BARTHELEMY & MOHAMED MIMOUNE LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS


Former Two-Division World Champion Barthelemy Takes on Robert Easter Jr. for WBA Lightweight Title This Saturday, April 27 Live on SHOWTIME® from The Chelsea Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

Click HERE for Photos from Sean Michael Ham/
Mayweather Promotions
 
LAS VEGAS (April 23, 2019) – Former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy and France’s Mohamed Mimoune continued preparations for their respective showdowns at a media workout in Las Vegas Tuesday before they step into the ring this Saturday, April 27 live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
 
Barthelemy faces off against former lightweight world champion Robert Easter Jr. for the vacant WBA Lightweight title in the main event, while Mimoune takes on former champion Viktor Postol in a WBC 140-pound title eliminator as part of the action live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
 
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with About Billions Promotions, can be purchased at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster.
 
Here is what the workout participants had to say Tuesday from Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas:
 
RANCES BARTHELEMY
 
“The key thing for me to get back to the top, is to get back to my roots. It’s about using what made me a champion and getting back to that. We’ve gone back to our Cuban roots in training with Joel Casamayor and left any distractions behind. You’ll see all of that in my performance on Saturday night.
 
“Easter and myself are both on the road to redemption coming off of our first defeats. I expect the same Robert Easter Jr. that I’ve seen on tape. He comes forward and tries to fight it out. There’s nothing overly impressive about him to me.
 
“I’m ready for whatever Robert Easter Jr. wants. If he wants a war, we’ll have a war. Everyone knows I’ve never backed down, but I’m going to win this fight with the intelligence that made me a world champion.
 
“Casamayor comes from the same streets as me, he knows my style, how I think and how I need to work. We identify with one another a lot so we don’t have to confront each other. With a simple look, I know what he’s trying to tell me. Between him and my brother, Yan, I feel blessed to have two Olympians in my corner.
 
“To the Cuban people, this will be my best fight and and a strong performance for the Cuban boxing community. I’m going to focus and work hard like us Cubans always have since we were born. I had to grow up through hardships and I’ve worked to show that anything is possible coming from Cuba.”
 
MOHAMED MIMOUNE
 
“Postol is one of the best that I will face but I am not afraid. I am confident I will win. I’ve studied him together with my coach and we have a strategy in place that you will see on Saturday.
 
“I’m very excited for this opportunity. It is every boxer’s dream to fight in Las Vegas and I am happy and ready to show the Americans what I have.
 
“I have no issues with Postol’s height advantage. I am prepared for it. It is not my first time facing off against a boxer that is taller than me. I have a very good reach as well, but it is my speed that will beat him.
 
“I have worked very hard after my losses and put all my effort into bettering my performance. I’m stronger and more mature now than ever. I know I have to win and I will win.
 
I’m looking forward to the opportunity to fight for the world title after I win on Saturday night. I’m dedicating this fight too all French people and I hope they make sure to not miss it on Saturday.”
 
JOEL CASAMAYOR, Barthelemy’s Trainer


“We’ve been training since mid-February for this fight. It’s been a long three months in the gym together. I see a different Rances. He’s fighting smarter and he’s gotten back to his Cuban roots. That’s what made him a two-time world champion.
 
“It’s hard to predict, but if it were up to me of course I’d say Rances will win by knockout. From what I’ve seen in training camp, Rances is going to put on a great performance Saturday night. He knows what he has to do.
 
“We have a great connection throughout camp. I just have to look into his eyes and I feel like I know what he’s going to bring. All the hard work has been done and he’s 100 percent ready for Saturday night.”
 
MEHDI OUMIHA, Mimoune’s Trainer
 
“Mohamed Mimoune is an improved fighter who’s shown a lot of new and different skills in training. We have the right tactics to earn this victory on Saturday.
 
“We are prepared for what Postol can bring, but we’re focused on Mohamed Mimoune being at his best. Everything I have seen in training camp makes me very confident that we’re going to win Saturday and go on to fight for the title.”
 
LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions
 
“Rances has a tremendous amount of experience. If you look at his earlier fights before he became champion and during his championship runs, he’s fought on the big stage time and time again.
 
“I think Rances’ experience will help in a fight like this, but Robert Easter Jr. has also been in big fights. They both bring a lot of background in exciting, high-quality fights. You have two fighters with something to prove looking to do just that live on SHOWTIME Saturday night.”


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ABOUT EASTER VS. BARTHELEMY
Former lightweight world champion Robert Easter Jr. and former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy will meet for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title in the main event of a SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION Saturday, April 27 from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
 
Televised coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will also feature former super lightweight champion Viktor Postol taking on France’s Mohamed Mimoune in a WBC Super Lightweight Title Eliminator, while rising heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba looks to remain unbeaten against once-beaten German Michael Wallisch in a 10-round heavyweight attraction.
 
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sportswww.PremierBoxingChampions.com,
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RANCES BARTHELEMY TRAINING CAMP QUOTES & PHOTOS


Former Two-Division World Champion Faces Former Champion Robert Easter Jr. for WBA Lightweight Title Saturday, April 27 Live on SHOWTIME® from The Chelsea Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Presented by Premier Boxing Champions

Click HERE for Photos from Irving Quinonez/Damian Vasquez –
Team Barthelemy

LAS VEGAS (April 16, 2019) – Former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy discussed changes to his training camp as he nears a vacant WBA Lightweight Title showdown with former lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr. taking place Saturday, April 27 live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
 
Coverage on SHOWTIME begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will also feature former super lightweight champion Viktor Postol taking on France’s Mohamed Mimoune in a WBC Super Lightweight Title Eliminator, while rising heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba looks to remain undefeated against once-beaten German Michael Wallisch in a 10-round heavyweight attraction.

 
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with About Billions Promotions, can be purchased atwww.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster.
 
After losing for the first time in his pro career in a 140-pound title fight against Kiryl Relikh last March, Barthelemy rebounded to stop Robert Frankel in December as he prepared to return to the lightweight division to face Easter. Since the loss to Relikh, Barthelemy made fellow Cuban and former world champion Joel Casamayor head trainer as he looks to return to the championship ranks.
 
Here is what Barthelemy had to say from training camp at Prince Ranch Bones Adams Boxing Gym in Las Vegas:
 
How has training camp gone so far?
 
“Everything has been going well under the guidance of Joel Casamayor and the assistance of my brother Yan Barthelemy and Oscar Vasquez. We have been training twice a day and sparring three to four times a week against solid guys like former world champion and ex-opponent Mickey Bey. Like they say, ‘iron sharpens iron’ and the quality of sparring has been tremendous help in getting me ready for April 27. I feel better prepared both mentally and physically than I did in my most recent fights.”


What do you make of Robert Easter Jr. and what do you know about him?
 
“I have seen various Robert Easter Jr fights and have been studying him very closely. He’s a great boxer who likes to use his height and reach to his advantage. He’s an ex-world champion who has fought quality opponents. He deserves all of my respect but we are very confident that we will be victorious against him.”
 
Do you feel you have been able to rebound from your first career defeat?
 
“Most definitely, I have been able to move on and use that defeat as a lesson in my career. They say sometimes we learn more in defeat than we do in victories and that was the case in that fight.
 
“Sometimes we do not see clearly when we are winning. Bad habits or little details that need correction are overlooked when you are winning. Sometimes we do not even see them. I feel rejuvenated and we have made many important changes that were necessary for my career. You will see on April 27 that there is still much more left from Team Barthelemy.”


What would it mean to become a champion again on April 27? 
 
“We have no doubt that we’ll become champion again for a third time on April 27. This will bring my name back at the top of the sport with many potential big fights to be made. It will mean so much more to me because Cuban boxing has currently gone through a rough patch and this victory will allow Cuba to have a champion once again.”
 
Any final message to your fans before your fight?
 
“Please make sure to tune in on April 27. This fight will be very competitive, with two evenly-skilled former world champions looking to reclaim their status at the top of the sport. Fights like this are what make boxing great. Cuba will have a champion once again on April 27!”


 
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Petr Petrov Scores 4th Round Stoppage in Homeland of Spain


PHILADELPHIA, PENN. (MARCH 24, 2019)–On Saturday, lightweight contender Petr Petrov scored a 4th round stoppage over Hermin Isava in Petrov’s home country of Spain.


The fight was Petrov’s 1st fight in Spain in almost seven years.

With the win, Petrov raises his mark to 39-6-2 with 20 knockouts, and the former Boxcino champion and two-time world title challenger is ready for another run at a world championship.

“I know Petr was happy to fight at home, and  he was thrilled to fight, and win very impressively in front of his family and friends.  Now we will look to bring him back in a significant fight that he deserves,” sad Banner Promotions President, Arthur Pelullo.

HORNSTRA AND HERRERA SPOILIN’ FOR A FIGHT AT NEF 38

Portland, Maine (February 27, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) will present its next mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” on April 27, 2019 at Aura in Portland.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the card.  Keegan “The Flu” Hornstra will take on Zenon “K-Bar” Herrera at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

Hornstra, who fought on the first three NEF cards in 2012, has not competed in the promotion’s cage in nearly seven years.  A veteran of more than 20 MMA bouts over the course of his amateur and professional careers, Hornstra is 3-3 over the course of his last six with all three wins being finishes.  He last competed on a card in Massachusetts in November 2016.  Hornstra currently represents Evolution Athletix based in Saco, Maine.

“I’m excited to be back in the NEF cage,” said Hornstra, “it’s been about seven years since my last outing in Maine. I’m fighting one of the NEF regulars in Zenon, the guy is super tough and I don’t think he’s ever said no to anyone. He’s coming off a dominant win and has found areas of success against some of NEF’s bigger names. I’m going to get in and put him out quickly and move on to the next.”

After several attempts in the NEF cage, Zenon Herrera finally picked up his first win as a professional at “NEF 32” last year with a unanimous decision victory over Nate Charles.  He returned to the cage later in the year in a losing effort to Ernesto Ornelas.  Herrera will look to bounce back from that loss on April 27 against Hornstra.  He is a member of Team Smog.

“Everything I’ve seen thus far leads me to believe that this is going to be a great and tough match,” said Herrera.  “I’ve had that moment of the glory that comes with getting my hand raised in victory and will strive to get it back.  As for Keegan, he’s one of those guys who brings his best every time he comes out, and I know this match will be no different.  I guess all I can really say is don’t look away once it starts, I have a feeling this one’s gonna end with a bang.”

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 38: STORMBORN,” will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Aura in Portland, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.AuraMaine.com.

Teofimo Lopez has star making performance in New York City


Teofimo Lopez obliterates Mason Menard in 44 seconds with “Knockout of the Year” candidate in front of large viewing audience in ESPN

Photos by Mikey Williams / Top Rank

NEW YORK (December 10, 2018) -Top lightweight Teofimo Lopez scored an explosive 44-second knockout over Mason Menard this past Saturday night at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in a scheduled ten-round bout that was viewed by a massive audience on ESPN.


Lopez landed a crushing right hand that had Menard plummeting face-first on to the canvas, in what was the opening televised bout on the Vasilly Lomachenko – Jose Pedraza lightweight unification card.

Lopez is now the NABA, NABF and USBA Lightweight champion.
The knockout, was featured on ESPN SportsCenter, and all over social media, took place on an event which was the 2nd highest rated boxing card on cable television this year 

With the win, Lopez pushed his perfect mark to 11-0 with nine knockouts, and now he feels he is ready for anybody in the lightweight division.


“I knew he was a tough fighter. I knew he could fight,” Lopez said. “I wanted to test him, and I took a chance early in the fight. I know he trained hard, and he didn’t want it to go that way. But this is ‘The Takeover.’ ‘The Takeover’ has begun.

“In 2019, I will be a world champion. That’s a guarantee.”

“I put an exclamation point that I am no longer a prospect, and now it’s on to the contenders, and moving up the rankings.  In 2019 you will see me fight for a world title.”

Said Lopez manger, David McWater of Split T Management, “He’s just never stops surprising me. Just when you think he can’t do better than his last fight he does something even more amazing. It’s been a generation since boxing saw a young fighter like this”

Teofimo Lopez talks about his explosive KO over Mason Menard

Crushing Power Puncher Shohjahon Ergashev Returns This Saturday in Chicago

Fearsome super lightweight crusher Shohjahon “Descendant of Tamerlane” Ergashev will return to action this Saturday, November 10, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago against Springfield, Massachusetts, veteran Zack “AK47” Ramsey.

 

 

 

Ergashev (13-0, 12 KOs) of Detroit via Uzbekistan and Ramsey (8-4, 4 KOs) will meet in a six-round battle on the undercard of the World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight Tournament doubleheader featuring former WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Krzysztof Glowacki (30-1, 19 KO), from Walcz, Poland, will face Maksim Vlasov (42-2, 25 KO) of Samara, Russia, in a 12-round battle for the Interim WBO World Championship and former WBC World Cruiserweight Champion Mairis Briedis (24-1, 18 KO) from Riga, Latvia, will take on Hamburg, Germany’s Noel Mikaelian (23-1, 10 KO) for the WBC World Diamond Belt Championship.

 

 

 

Ergashev is off to a roaring start as a professional, going the distance only once, thus far. He is the current World Boxing Association International Super Lightweight Champion. The 26-year-old moved from is native Uzbekistan to train at Detroit’s Kronk Gym last year and his thudding power has only improved.

 

 

 

“I have been training in Detroit for seven weeks and I feel that I am getting better and better with each camp,” said Ergashev. “I look forward to putting my skills on display November 10 in Chicago.”

 

 

 

Dmitrriy Salita, the promoter mining Russia and Central Asia for super prospects like Ergashev, says the powerful southpaw is headed for greatness.

 

 

 

“Shohjahon Ergashev is the best super lightweight in the world and, pound-for-pound, one of the hardest punchers in boxing,” said Salita. “I look forward to another impressive showing from him on a big championship night of boxing in Chicago.”

Banner Promotions signs undefeated Lightweight Mohamed Soumaoro

PHILADELPHIA, PENN.(November 8, 2018)–Banner Promotions has signed it’s 2nd undefeated lightweight this week as the promotional company has signed Mohamed Soumaoro.

 

 

 

The 25 year-old Soumaoro is out of Montreal, Canada by way of Conakry, Guinea and Havana, Cuba.

 

 

 

He has amassed a professional record of 6-0 with three knockouts.

 

 

 

Growing up in Havana as a youth he enjoyed walking, playing soccer, going to school and learning. During this time he was introduced to karate and taekwondo. He did not pursue those sports because in 2008, he moved to Blainville, Quebec to live with his sister. It was  while watching television that he discovered an interest in boxing.

 

 

 

After a 53-fight amateur career, he turned professional on April 8, 2017 with a 1st round stoppage over Antonio Vergara.

 

 

 

Soumaoro has continued his success as he has made two starts this year. In his last bout, he stopped Ramon Urbina in one round on September 15th in Managua, Nicaragua.

 

 

 

He considers himself as a counterpuncher as he is heavily influenced by future Hall of Famer, Juan Manuel Marquez.

 

 

 

“I started boxing at age 15 after watching fights on television.  I started fighting a little bit in the streets when I was in Guinea,” said Soumaoro.

 

 

 

“I am happy to sign with Banner Promotions.  My manager Otis Grant has said great things about Banner Promotions, and I see big things.  I am happy.  This is going to be a good journey.  I am ready to make a statement, and realize my American dream.”

 

 

 

“We are happy to add Mohamed to our roster,” said Banner Promotions President, Artie Pelullo.  “His manager Otis Grant has glowing things to say about him, and we feel that we will take him to the next levels of the sport. We look forward to helping him develop into a future champion.”

 

 

 

 

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

Rock knocks out Rodriguez in four

   
 
Cuevas decisions Rodriguez in bloody co-feature
 
Pizarro stops Johnson
 
Rosa & Tapia remain undefeated
 
Sinkain wins pro debut
 

Philadelphia, PA (October 8, 2018) – This past Saturday night, Darmani Rock remained perfect by stopping Pedro Julio Rodriguez in round four of a scheduled eight-round heavyweight fight that headlined a seven-bout card at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

 

 

 

The action-packed card was promoted by Hard Hitting Promotions.

 

 

 

The card was seen by a world wide audience on Facebook Fight Night Live, and can be viewed in demand BY CLICKING HERE

 

 

 

Rock focused on the body early-on.  In round four, Rock landed a hard right to the body, and left hook that sent Rodriguez to the canvas.  Rodriguez got to his knees, and that was it as he took the ten-count at 27 seconds.

 

 

 

Rock, 275.5 lbs of Philadelphia is now 13-0 with eight knockouts.  Rodriguez of Miami falls to 23-6.

 

 

 

 

 

Good looking prospect Jeremy Cuevas won a six-round unanimous decision over Jerome Rodriguez in a lightweight bout.

 

 

 

Cuevas was cut from around his left eye in the third round from an accidental headbutt.  In was the right eye of Rodriguez that started leaking blood in the same round.  Cuevas started putting his dazzling combinations together, but Rodriguez showed a good chin.

 

 

 

This was a solid learning experience for the 22 year-old Cuevas, as he fought an experienced foe and worked through adversity by having the cut.

 

 

 

In the end, Cuevas won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice to raise his perfect mark to 11-0.  Rodriguez of Trenton, New Jersey falls to 7-10-3.

 

 

 

 

 

Branden Pizarro stopped veteran Justin Johnson in round two of their scheduled six-round junior welterweight bout.

 

 

Pizarro dropped Johnson three times in round two, and the bout was stopped at 2:21.

 

 

Pizarro, 141.2 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is now 12-1 with six knockouts. Johnson, 141.5 lbs of Pittsburgh is 6-19-6.

 

 

 

 

 

Gadwin Rosa needed just 41 seconds to destroy Aldimar Silva in a scheduled six-round super featherweight bout.

 

 

Rosa scored two knockdowns, and the bout was stopped.

 

 

Rosa, 130.5 lbs of Ocala, FL is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Silva, 128.1 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 21-14.

 

 

 

 

 

Christian Tapia stopped Hector Marengo in round two of their scheduled four-round lightweight bout.

 

 

Tapia dropped Marengo in round two with a right hand. Marengo did not beat the count at 2:02.

 

 

Tapia, 133.3 lbs of Coamo, PR is 6-0 with five knockouts. Marengo, 134.5 lbs of Arecibo, PR is 7-14-4.

 

 

 

 

Benny Sinakin won a four-round unanimous decision over Alex Lara in a light heavyweight bout.

 

 

At the end of round three, Sinakin dropped Lara with a left hook.

 

 

Sinakin, 172.8 lbs of Philadelphia, PA won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 1-0. Lara, 173.6 lbs of Manhattan, NY is 1-1.

 

 

 

 

 

Marcos Suarez and Israel Suarez battled to a four-round majority draw in a lightweight clash.

 

 

In round one, Marcos Suarez suffered a cut on his forehead.

 

 

Marcos Suarez took a card 40-36 while that was overruled by two even cards at 38-38.

 

 

Marcos Suarez, 133.3 lbs of Bronx, NY is 5-0-2. Israel Suarez, 134.5 lbs of Luquillo, PR is 4-6-3.

 

 

 

HARD HITTING PROMOTIONS WILL RETURN TO THE 2300 ARENA ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH.  DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

Darmani Rock takes on Pedro Julio Rodriguez in main event on Saturday, October 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

   
Jeremy Cuevas vs Jerome Rodriguez in co-feature
Branden Pizarro to see action
Also featuring undefeated Gadwin Rosa, Christian Tapia, Marcos Suarez and Marcel Rivers

Philadelphia, PA (October 1, 2018) – A terrific night of action is rounding into place as Hard Hitting Promotions presents an eight-bout card THIS Saturday, October 6th at The 2300 Arena.

 

 

 

In the main event, undefeated heavyweight Darmani Rock (12-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes Pedro Julio Rodriguez of Miami, Florida, via Cuba in an eight-round bout.

 

 

 

Rock of Philadelphia, who was the number-one amateur heavyweight in the United States and former Youth Amateur champion, has a record of 12-0 with seven knockouts.

 

 

 

The 22 year-old Rock is a two-year professional who has a 1st round stoppage over Carlos Cotto (8-1-1) on his resume.  Rock is coming off a six-round unanimous decision win over Marquis Valentine on July 20th in Sloan, Iowa.

 

 

 

This will be Rock’s 3rd appearance in Philadelphia.

 

 

 

Rodriguez has an impressive mark of 23-5 with 19 knockouts.

 

 

 

The 32 year-old Rodriguez is an eight-year professional, who has defeated four undefeated fighters.  Rodriguez holds a win over Andy Perez, who was 19-2 at the time.

 

 

 

Rodriguez is coming off a loss to Andrey Afonin on May 19th.

 

 

 

In the six-round co-feature, Jeremy Cuevas (10-0, 8 KOs) of Philadelphia will fight Jerome Rodriguez (7-9-3, 2 KOs) of Allentown, PA in a lightweight contest.

 

 

 

Branden Pizarro (11-1, 5 KOs) of Philadelphia will take on 24 fight-veteran Justin Johnson of Pittsburgh in a six-round junior welterweight fight.

 

 

 

Gadwin Rosa (7-0, 6 KOs) of Ocala, Florida takes on David Berna (16-5, 15 KOs) of Budapest Hungary in a super featherweight bout.

 

 

 

In four-round bouts:

 

 

 

Christian Tapia (5-0, 4 KOs) of Coamo, Puerto Rico fights Hector Marengo (7-13-4, 4 KOs) of Arecibo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

 

 

 

Marcos Suarez (5-0-1,1 KO) of Bronx, New York battles Israel Suarez (4-6-2, 1 KO) of Luquillo, Puerto Rico in a lightweight bout.

 

 

 

Benny Sinakin of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Alexander Lara in a light heavyweight bout.

 

 

 

Marcel Rivers (6-0, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a welterweight bout.

 

 

 

Tickets available now! $50 GA , $70 Premium, $125 VIP +fees

 

 

Purchase Tickets online at hardhittingpromotions.com ;  2300arena.com or by calling 267.758.2173  as well as the 2300 Arena Box Office.

 

Doors 6PM – First bout 7PM

 

 

 

Follow Hard Hitting Promotions at:

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View on Instagram

 

Undefeated Roman Bogatov captures M-1 Challenge lightweight title

 
M-1 CHALLENGE 97 / TATFIGHT 7
OFFICIAL RESULTS
New M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Roman Bogatov

KAZAN, Russia (September 29, 2018) – Undefeated Russian wrestling sensation Roman Bogatov captured the vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title last night, taking a unanimous decision over Rubenilton “Rubinho” Pereira, in the M Challenge 97 / Tatfight 7 main event, held in Kazan, Russia.

 

 

 

The judges were very busy as all five main event fights, plus three of five undercard matches, went the full distance on a card of evenly matched fights.

 

 

 

Competing fighters represented nine different countries: Russia, Brazil, Spain, France, Canada, China, Finland, Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland.

 

 

 

Fighting out of Orenburg, Russia, Bogatov improved his pro MMA record to 7-0, 6-0 in M-1 Global competition, displaying improved striking ability to complement his outstanding wrestling skills.

 

 

 

Pereira’s (20-6-0) superior BJJ techniques from bottom were nullified Bogatov when the fight went down to the mat. Pereira was adversely affected by Bogatov’s takedown attack, which opened-up strong punches to Pereira’s head, resulting in a flash knockdown in the third round. Pereira got back in the fight midway through round four, connecting with punches and knees to the body, but the Brazilian needed a strong fifth and final round to win a decision. Bogatov, however, remained aggressive, firing strikes and making take-downs, on his way to a unanimous five-found decision and the coveted M-1 Challenge lightweight title belt.

 

 

 

In the co-featured event, veteran Spanish middleweight Enoc Solves Torres (23-10-1) registered a unanimous decision victory against previously undefeated Ruslan Shamilov (4-1-0), of Russia. Torres decked Shamilov early in the opening round, controlled the match, never relenting for a hard-earned win.

 

 

 

Past M-1 Challenge title challenger Maxim Grabovich (9-4-0), of Russia, overcame a rocky moment in the second round against his Brazilian opponent, Tiago Varejao Lacerda (27-6-1), to control most of the action to take a split decision.

 

 

 

French lightweight Mickael “Ragnar” Lebout (18-9-2) and always tough Russian Alexey “Ataman” Makhno battled tooth and nail in a bloody war (see pictures below). Lebout hit Makhno in the face with everything but the proverbial kitchen sink, but the Russian refused to go down and even landed a few solid shots on Lebout, who also has good “whiskers”. Lebout won an entertaining fight by way of a unanimous three-round decision.

 

 

 

In the main card opener, dangerous striker Pavel Gordeev (12-1-0) edged grappling specialist Alik Albogachiev (5-1-0) by way of a split decision in a showdown between Russian lightweights. The fighters were upright in the first two rounds, much to Gordeev’s advantage, and the previously Albogachiev was unable to close the gap in the final frame.

 

 

 

On the undercard, Canadian welterweight Spencer “Judge” Jebb (13-6-0) overcame a first-round knockdown, pounding his way to a unanimous decision versus Russian Vladimir “The Woodcutter” Tyurin (4-4-0) and another Canadian, bantamweight Chris “The Greek Assassin” Kelades (13-4-0) outworked the much younger Sergey Klyuev (6-2-0), of Russia, to win a three-round unanimous decision.

 

 

 

Russian featherweight Timur Dorinin (4-1-0) locked in a rear naked choke to defeat Kangkang “The Knife” Fu (3-3-0), of China, by submission in round two.

 

 

 

Finnish lightweight Jani Salmi (9-6-0) scored his second M-1 victory, using a rear naked choke for an opening round win by submission over Ruslan Khisamutdinov (10-5-0), of Russia. In a spirited match between Russian bantamweights, settled by a unanimous decision, Ivan Eremenko (8-2-0) was too much to handle for Nidzhat Imanov (4-4-1).

 

 

 

On the pre-undercard, Russian heavyweight Nikolay Rachek (8-6-0) punched out Midaugas Gerve (3-2-0), fighting out of Northern, Ireland, via an unanswered barrage in the opening round. Russian middleweight Denis Titulialin (3-3-0) connected with a devastating knee, knocking out pro-debuting, fellow countryman Nikita Shamov in round one. Azerbaijan welterweight Gadzhibaba Gadzhibabaev turned in an impressive pro debut, knocking out Russian Zakhar Popel (1-1-0) via punches midway through the first round.

 

 

 

Full results and more pictures below:

 

 

 

 

MAIN CARD

 

MAIN EVENT – VACANT M-1 CHALLENGE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Roman Bogatov (7-0-0, M-1: 6-0-0), Russia

WDEC5

Rubenilton Pereira (20-6-0, M-1: 4-3-0), Brazil

(Bogatov won vacant M-1 Challenge lightweight title)

 

 

 

 

CO-FEATURE – MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Enoc Solves Torres (23-10-1, M-1: 7-7-1), Spain

WDEC3

Ruslan Shamilov (4-1-0, M-1: 4-1-0), Russia

 

 

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Maxim Grabovich (8-4-0, M-1: 6-4-0), Russia

WDEC3

Tiago Varejao Lacerda (27-6-1, 1 NC, M-1: 1-1-0), Brazil

 

 

 

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Mickael Lebout (18-9-2, M-1: 2-1-0), France

WDEC3

Alexey Makhno (18-7-0, M-1: 5-4-0), Russia

 

Pavel Gordeev (12-1-0, M-1: 6-0-0), Russia

WDEC3

Alik Albogachiev (5-1-0, M-1: 5-1-0), Russia

 

 

 

UNDERCARD

 

 

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Spencer Jebb (13-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Canada

WDEC3

Vladimir Tyurin (4-4-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

 

 

 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Jani Salmi (9-6-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Finland

WSUB1 (rear naked choke – 3:52)

Ruslan Khisamutdinov (10-5-0, M-1: 1-2-0), Russia

 

 

 

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Timur Doronin (4-1-0, M-1:1-0-0), Russia

WSUB2 (rear naked choke – 3:06)

Kangkang Fu (3-3-0, M-1: 0-2-0), China

 

 

 

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Chris Kelades (13-4-0, M-1: 2-1-0), Canada

WDEC3

Sergey Klyuev (6-2-0, M-1: 4-2-0), Russia

 

Ivan Eremenko (8-2-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia

WDEC3

Nidzhat Imanov (4-4-1, M-1: 1-1-1), Russia

 

 

 

PRE-UNDERCARD

 

 

 

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Nikolay Rachek (8-6-0, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia

WKO1 (punches – 4:28)

Midaugas Gerve (3-2-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Northern Ireland

 

 

 

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Denis Tiuliulin (3-3-0, 1 NC, M-1: 1-1-0), Russia

WKO1 (knee – 2:56)

Nikita Shamov (0-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

 

 

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Gadzhibaba Gadzhibabaev (1-0-0, M-1: 1-0-0), Azerbaijan

WTKO1 (punches – 3:20)

Zakhar Popel (1-1-0, M-1: 0-1-0), Russia

 

 

 

 

Roman Bogatov (L) remained undefeated with a decision win vs. Rubenilton Pereira

 

 

 

AND THE NEW M-1 CHALLENGE 97 CHAMPION IS…..ROMAN BOGATOV

 

 

 

Enoc Solves Torres & Ruslan Shamilov (front) had a close fight

 

 

 

Alexey Makhno (L) and Michael Lebout had a bloody war (pictured above & below)

 

Pavel Gordeev (L) & Alik Albogachiev battled from start to finish

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

 

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

 

 

 

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