Tag Archives: Minnesota

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Before and After: The Incredible Rebirth of Mikey ‘Baby Face’ Faragon

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The incredible rebirth of Albany, New York’s Mikey “Baby Face” Faragon (19-1, 9 KOs) is complete and he will return to action in a six-rounder tonight, Friday, August 9, at a GCP and Rapacz Boxing show at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota against Missouri’s Demetrius Wilson.


Faragon was once a super lightweight prospect touted as one of the most promising young fighters to ever come out of the Capital Region, but a severe foot injury forced him out of boxing five years ago.


During his extended recovery, which included several painful surgeries, 32-year-old Faragon fell into depression and unhealthy living and gained a great deal of weight.


With his mobility now restored, Faragon challenged himself to get back in shape and said he would fight again if he could. Pictured above, right, Faragon is back in fighting shape and, against Wilson, will be looking to gauge how much of that immense potential he still has.

boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

ANTHONY DIRRELL DEFEATS AVNI YILDIRIM BY TECHNICAL SPLIT DECISION TO WIN WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE IN MAIN EVENT OF PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS ON FS1 & FOX DEPORTES FROM THE ARMORY IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN

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HOMETOWN FAVORITE JAMAL JAMES SCORES TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT WIN OVER JANER GONZALEZ

Click HERE for Photos from Andrew Dobin/Minneapolis Armory
(Photos to be Uploaded Shortly)

MINNEAPOLIS (February 24, 2019) – Anthony Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KOs) defeatedAvni Yildirim (21-2, 12 KOs)by technical split decision (96-94 X 2 for Dirrell, 98-92 for Yildirim) for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Championship in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes from the Armory in Minneapolis. Referee Mark Nelson stopped the contest in the tenth round due to an accidental clash of heads and a cut over Dirrell’s left eye with the decision going to the scorecards.
 
“I was upset with the stoppage because I wanted finish the fight like a champion,” said Dirrell. “It feels great getting my WBC belt back. We want to unify against Caleb Plant or any of the champions. I’m just going to go home, take some time, talk to my camp and then we’ll go from there. If the Benavidez fight comes calling then I’ll fight him.
 
“I thought I was winning this fight by more than what the judges had,” added Dirrell. “I was jabbing him and he was applying some pressure, but that’s just what he does. I won the fight though and that’s all that matters.”
 
Minneapolis-native Jamal James (25-1, 12 KOs) scored a crowd-pleasing technical knockout win over Janer Gonzalez (19-2-1, 15 KOs). Midway through the sixth stanza, James appeared to drop Gonzalez with a straight overhand right, but referee Gary Miezwa declared it a slippage. Near the end of the sixth round, James landed another knockdown and this time it counted and hurt Gonzalez. At the close of round six, Gonzalez went to his corner and never came out with the fight being declared a sixth-round stoppage as Gonzalez was unable to answer the bell for the seventh round.
 
“This is the best crowd I’ve ever fought in front of,” said James. “We packed this place out. Middle of winter, snow all around us and they still came out and showed a lot of support. I can’t even explain the feeling to come out here and stop (Gonzalez). The only question I have is where’s my belt? I’m ranked third in the WBA. Keith Thurman got the belt, Pacquiao got the belt. But in all honesty, whoever gives me that opportunity I’m stepping in there with them.
 
“He gave me a great fight, but at the end of the day I had too much to offer and he couldn’t get back up,” continued James. “I just kept my range and was able to counter on him. And when he was coming in he was coming in real wild and opening himself up for some big shots that I was able to take advantage of. The first time he went down I thought it was a legitimate knockdown, but the ref was a good ref. I definitely caught him with a good combination and a nasty body shot for the second knockdown. After that, I knew that took the rest of the fight out of him and all I had to do was finish the job.”
 
“I was thinking this was a very important fight for my career,” said Gonzalez. “I was so happy for this fight, it just didn’t go my way. I am going to fight again, though. Every fight is a learning experience for me.”
 
The FS1 and FOX Deportes opening bout featured a hard-fought rematch betweenJeison Rosario (18-1-1, 13 KOs) and Marcos Hernandez (13-2-1, 3 KOs). In February of 2018, the two fought to a draw. In the rematch, Rosario was able to secure a technical knockout with referee Celestino Ruiz halting the action 2:45 into the ninth frame. At the time of the stoppage, Hernandez was up on judge Kyle Shiely’s scorecard (77-75) with Rosario ahead on judges John Mariano’s and Tim Taggart’s scorecards (78-74, 77-75).
 
“He let his guard down and he kept making the same mistakes,” said Rosario. “When I saw the opportunity, I dropped him.
 
“The first time we fought I wasn’t ready,” added Rosario. “I was weak. But I learned from the first fight what to do in the second one. That’s how I took him out.”
 
“It was a close fight that could have went either way,” said Hernandez. “He hit me with a good shot. I got up and felt O.K. I was just trying to dodge some shots and he hit me with a left. He was firing and I just should have thrown back.
 
“I think the ref stopped the fight early, but that’s not my job,” continued Hernandez. “I’d definitely welcome a third fight with Rosario, though. I’ve never been afraid to fight anyone, so fighting him a third time wouldn’t be a problem at all.”
 
In the Premier Boxing Champions on FS2 prelims, Bryant Perrella (16-2, 13 KOs) won a unanimous decision (78-74, 79-73 X 2) over Breidis Prescott (31-16, 22 KOs).
 
“I’m very happy with my performance tonight,” said Perrella. “I felt great going the distance. My endurance was fantastic. I would have been much more aggressive and thrown harder shots, but I hurt my hand in the second round and it was hurting the rest of the fight. I just used my jab and ring generalship to control the fight and get the win.”
 
The FS2 co-feature saw Money Powell IV (9-0, 5 KOs) stop Javier Frazier (8-9-1, 4 KOs) by third-round technical knockout (2:03). Powell landed 86 punches in the bout, 36 of which were to Frazier’s body.
 
“This training camp we really worked on a lot of body shots,” said Powell. “I feel like body shots are neglected nowadays and body shots pay the bills, break you down real quick.”
 
In the FS2 swing bout, Austin Dulay (13-1, 10 KOs) scored a very quick first-round knockdown of Yardley Cruz (24-13, 14 KOs) before cruising to a third-round stoppage (:27).
 
“I just listened to my coaches and they told me to be a dog and come forward,” said Dulay. “I thought I had him stopped with that first knockdown after the opening bell, but I didn’t want to rush into anything because he has a ton of experience.
 
“I want a rematch with Chris Colbert right away on the April 13 card here at the Armory,” added Dulay. “I got back in camp after that loss, figured out what was wrong, got a nutritionist and moved up to 135 pounds. I feel better than ever, so I’m definitely ready for that rematch.”
 
In the opening televised bout on FS2, Justin Pauldo (12-1, 6 KOs) scored a first-round knockdown and stoppage (1:17) against Federico Malespina (16-11-2, 2 KOs) who was unable to continue.
 
“I landed a solid straight right hand,” said Pauldo. “I saw him fall back into the ropes and I knew I had him hurt. So, I touched the body and got him out of there quickly.”
 
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For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, ht
tp://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @WarriorsBoxingProm, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.
boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

Former World Champions Collide as Peter Quillin Takes on Minnesota-Native Caleb Truax in Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Main Event Saturday, April 13 from The Armory in Minneapolis

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Top Contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko Battles Jack Culcay in Middleweight Title Eliminator & Rising Prospect Chris Colbert Steps Into the Ring in Action Beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Tickets on Sale Saturday, February 23!

MINNEAPOLIS (February 21, 2019) – Former world champions will go toe-to-toe as Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin faces Minnesota-native Caleb “Golden” Truax in a 12-round IBF super middleweight title eliminator that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Saturday, April 13 from The Armory in Minneapolis.

Televised coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and will feature top middleweight contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko taking on Jack Culcay in a 12-round IBF title eliminator, plus unbeaten rising prospect Chris Colbert will compete in an undercard attraction.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing and TGB Promotions, go on sale Saturday, February 23, and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.

“Quillin vs. Truax is a true 50-50 matchup of former world champions looking to put themselves in position to grab another world title,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing. “Truax will have the hometown crowd in Minnesota behind him, but Quillin has fought at the highest level against top competition for years. It has all the makings of a dramatic fight, and combined with the Derevyanchenko vs. Culcay middleweight eliminator, it’s going to make for an action packed night at the Armory and on FS1 and FOX Deportes.”

“Both of these are fantastic matchups because there are championship implications on the line,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “That adds to the motivation for each of the guys stepping into the ring. For Qullin and Truax, they both know what it means to be a world champion and this is their opportunity to return to that status. There is always a lot of energy in the Armory for these types of matches and that really carries over to the FS1 and FOX Deportes broadcast for those watching at home. It promises to be a very entertaining evening for all boxing fans.” 

A former middleweight champion, Quillin (34-1-1, 23 KOs) delivered in his second bout at super middleweight, defeating J’Leon Love last August by unanimous decision. Born in Chicago and raised Michigan, Quillin has called Brooklyn, N.Y. home throughout a pro career that saw him win a world title against Hassan N’Dam in 2012 and defend it three times. His only loss came to Daniel Jacobs in 2015 after battling former champion Andy Lee to a draw earlier that year.

“I’m approaching this fight very seriously because I know Truax is a durable guy who knows how to fight,” said Quillin. “He comes from a background where people don’t give him credit for what he’s done, and those are the most dangerous guys. I’m no stranger to fighting in my opponent’s backyard. My job is to go into the ring and go home with the win. I’m looking to walk away with some of his fans on my side by winning the fight and putting on a great performance.”

Fighting out of Osseo, Minnesota, Truax (30-4-2, 19 KOs) pulled off one of 2017’s biggest upsets when he traveled to London to defeat James DeGale and become a 168-pound world champion. The 35-year-old lost a hard-fought rematch to DeGale in 2018 and most recently scored a third-round stoppage of Fabiano Soares at the Armory in August.

“Peter Quillin is someone I’ve wanted to fight since I first sparred with him in 2012,” said Truax. “I walked away from that experience confident that I could get the job done if we were ever matched together. The fact that it’s taking place at home in Minnesota is even better because my fans are going to give me a huge advantage. My goal is to get back into title contention and win my second world title.”

A 2008 Olympian for his native Ukraine, Derevyanchenko (12-1, 10 KOs) has made his home in Brooklyn, N.Y. since turning pro in July 2014. The 33-year-old was unbeaten in his first 12 fights, earning a world title fight with a final-round stoppage of Tureano Johnson in 2017. He most recently dropped a narrow split-decision to Daniel Jacobs in a middleweight title fight in October.

Culcay (25-3, 13 KOs) is originally from Ecuador, spent much of his career fighting out of Germany, and now lives in Florida. He enters this bout on a three-fight winning streak after picking up a trio of wins in 2018. He had previously held an interim 154-pound titles before losing close decisions against Demetrius Andrade and Maciej Sulecki.

Representing his hometown of Brooklyn, N.Y., Colbert (10-0, 3 KOs) has begun to make a name for himself showing off tremendous skills across his first 10 pro victories. The 22-year-old most recently dominated Josh Hernandez on FS1 in January and he will return to fight at The Armory for the second time after defeating then unbeaten Austin Dulay on FS1 last April.

Fans can live stream the fights on the FOX Sports app, available in English or Spanish through the FOX, FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSports.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @WarriorsBoxingProm, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. p

boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

MARCOS HERNANDEZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES & PHOTOS

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Once-Beaten Contender Hernandez Battles Jeison Rosario in Rematch Saturday, February 23 in Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes Action from The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota Beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Click HERE for Photos from Team Hernandez
 
RIVERSIDE, CALIF. (February 15, 2019) – Once-beaten contender “Mad Man” Marcos Hernandez will look to continue his winning streak from “The Contender Season Five”, when he rematches Jeison Rosario live on FS1 and FOX Deportes Saturday, February 23 from the Armory in Minneapolis and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

 
Coverage on FS1 and FOX Deportes begins live at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT and is headlined by former WBC super-middleweight champion Anthony Dirrell facing Avni Yildirim for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight Championship.
 
The 25-year-old from Fresno, California is looking to continue his journey to a world title as he has beaten four well-regarded prospects in only fifteen fights. Hernandez is currently training with Henry Ramirez in Riverside, California, and looking forward to his rematch with Rosario, who he fought to a draw last February in Texas.
 
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing and TGB Promotions, are on sale now, and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/and through Ticketmaster.
 
Here is what Hernandez had to say about his upcoming matchup and more:
 
On his rematch against Jeison Rosario:
“I fought Jeison Rosario almost one year ago exactly. I have a lot of respect for him because we fought to a draw, but that being said, I felt I got the better of him. This not a six-round bout like our first match, this is a ten-round fight, and I know what needs to be done to further my career with my performance in this fight.”
 
On his recent training camp:
“I really like training with Henry Ramirez in Riverside, California. Henry is a cool guy who’s trained a lot of top fighters and knows what it takes to get the job done. In Fresno there were many distractions, so moving away from my family, my wife and kids, it is a sacrifice that I make to go to the next level. This is a job and I treat it like a job. I am doing everything possible to be a contender.”
 
On fighting on this PBC event on FS1 and FOX Deportes:
“I’m very excited as this is my fourth time on FS1. I love what Premier Boxing Champions is doing for the sport of boxing, bringing fights to network television. FS1 has been good to me and I am excited that one of my biggest wins will be on FS1 so everyone can watch it.”
 
On his goals for 2019:
“I want to stay active, but my focus is solely on Rosario and getting that win. My hopes are to get in with a fighter with a big name. I’ve fought a lot of tough fighters, but not a lot of big-name fighters yet. I am hoping that by the end of this year I can fight one of those fighters’ people have seen on television for years.”
 
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boxing, Fox Sports 1, Premier Boxing Champions

Former Super Middleweight Champion Anthony Dirrell Battles Top Contender Avni Yildirim for the Vacant WBC Super Middleweight World Championship in Main Event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 & FOX Deportes

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Saturday, February 23 From The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Plus! Minnesota-Native Undefeated Welterweight Jamal James Clashes with Janer Gonzalez in a Special Hometown Attraction

Tickets on Sale Now!

MINNEAPOLIS (January 16, 2019) – Former super middleweight world champion Anthony Dirrell gets an opportunity to rejoin the championship ranks when he battles top contender Avni Yildirim for the vacant WBC Super Middleweight Championship in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on FS1 and FOX Deportes Saturday, February 23 from The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Televised coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with welterweight championship contender Jamal James fighting in his hometown for a third straight time against Janer González in a special 10-round attraction in the co-feature.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Warriors Boxing and TGB Promotions, are on sale now, and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/and through Ticketmaster.

“Fight fans in Minneapolis and watching on FS1 and FOX Deportes are in for a treat with this high stakes world title showdown between Anthony Dirrell and Avni Yildirim,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing. “Dirrell has been a champion and amongst the division’s elite for years, while Yildirim always comes to fight and will be determined to make the most of this opportunity. With the addition of local fan-favorite Jamal James in welterweight action, this is shaping up to be a can’t miss night at The Armory.”

“Anthony Dirrell took a long, difficult road to get to the super middleweight championship and he has worked hard to get into position to reclaim the title,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Avni Yildirim has been one of the most active contenders in the division and he has gained significant experience since his last opportunity to win a championship. He will need all that and more to get past Dirrell. And it’s going to be a special night watching Jamal James fighting for his hometown fans again.”

Dirrell (32-1-1, 24 KOs) won the WBC Super Middleweight Championship with a unanimous decision victory over Sakio Bika in 2014. It was the culmination of a long, hard road for Dirrell of Flint, Michigan after he successfully battled non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and was cleared to return to boxing after completing chemotherapy in 2008. His reign as world champion was cut short when the 34-year-old Dirrell lost the title by majority decision to Badou Jack in 2015. He has won five straight since that loss to climb back into contention for a chance to become a two-time world champion.

“This is just like every other fight where we’re going to work on a game plan and execute that game plan in the ring,” said Dirrell. “I saw him fight Chris Eubank and it showed me some things. He’s a come forward fighter. That’s the kind of guy I like to fight. He’s tailor-made for me. I’m going to do what I do best and that’s fight. I’ve been keeping my mind, body and soul together and staying focused to know what I have to do to become two-time WBC champion.”

Yildirim (21-1, 12 KOs) is one of the most active contenders in the super middleweight division. The 27-year-old from Istanbul, Turkey has fought at least four times a year since 2014. The fight against Dirrell will be only the second time that he has fought in the United States after defeating Glen Johnson in Miami in 2015. Yildirim suffered the only loss of his professional career by stoppage against Chris Eubank, Jr. in 2017. In his last fight he won a majority decision against Lolenga Mock and he enters this fight on a five-fight winning streak.

“I’m very thankful to everyone who helped me get this opportunity and I know that I have all the tools to beat Anthony Dirrell,” said Yildirim. “Dirrell is a good fighter, but I believe I bring more to the table than him. I’m coming to win and bring the belt home to Turkey. I waited all my boxing life for this stage and I am ready to give him a war.”

James (24-1, 11 KOs) has become a local favorite and will be fighting in front of his hometown crowd in Minneapolis for the third straight time. The 30-year-old James has rolled off four consecutive victories since suffering the first loss of his career – a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugás in 2016. In his last fight James stopped Mahonry Montes by knockout on August 24 on FS1. Gonzalez (19-1-1, 15 KOs) is a power-puncher from Cartagena, Colombia and is coming off the first loss of his career via a unanimous decision to Radzhad Butaev in 2017.

“I’m hungry to make 2019 the year that I get that world title,” said James. “I’m focused on my opponent, but in this fight I’m going to keep showing off the skills and speed that makes me the next champion. I’m extremely grateful to be fighting again at home and to keep bringing PBC to Minneapolis. I’m going to be the next champion from here and the journey starts fresh for 2019 when I step into that ring on February 23.”

“I’m excited for this opportunity to fight Jamal James in his backyard and leave all his hometown fans disappointed,” said Gonzalez. “I’m training harder than ever to bounce back from my loss and show everyone what I’ve learned. This victory is going to put me back on the path to becoming word champion.”

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Fans can live stream the fights on the FOX Sports app, available in English or Spanish through the FOX or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSports.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. CCCC��U��,

boxing

New WBA Middleweight Champion Rob Brant Basking in the Glow, but Ready for ‘Next Assignment’

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Brand-new WBA World Middleweight Champion Rob “Bravo” Brant says he goes everywhere with his new best friend. “The belt hasn’t left my side since they handed it to me,” laughs the personable new champion from Saint Paul, Minnesota.

 

 

 

28-year-old Brant (24-1, 16 KOs) says he went into his main-event showdown with then champion Ryota Murata (14-2, 11 KOs), last Saturday night at the Park MGM in Las Vegas (and live on ESPN+), unaware he was such a heavy underdog.

 

 

 

“I really did go into it very confident I would win, just off the preparations we did,” said Brant, who was having his first fight with former world champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad as his trainer. “I tried to stay away from news when I was in training, so I had no idea how big of an underdog I was. We had a post-fight press conference and that was when I found out. When reporters were asking about it. I had no idea. It wouldn’t have deterred me anyway if I had known.”

 

 

 

Despite the doubts of the bookmakers, Brant cruised to a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over 2012 Olympic gold medalist Murata, with two judges giving him all but one round, the other all but two. Brant busted up the now ex-champion with a piston-like jab and peppered him with combinations throughout what turned out to be a surprisingly dominant performance.

 

 

 

According to CompuBox statistics, Brant landed 356 of 1,262 punches (28 percent) while Murata connected with just 180 of 774 (23 percent).

 

 

 

“As a pro, he hasn’t seen what I gave him,” explained Brant. We knew he had a hard time with hand speed and jabs. He locks up when punches are being thrown, so we made sure we kept him backing up and worried about the jab and punches in general. The more he thinks about my shots, the less he throws. We knew we’d be able to keep him on his back foot. Eddie Mustafa is very strict on letting the hands go. We were big on the cardio in training and keeping the punch rate high. And when you’re keeping the jab out there all the time, other shots open up.”

 

 

 

Brant says at fight’s end, he wasn’t worried about the decision going his way.

 

 

 

“I’ve always felt that judges’ decisions are out of my hands. I was nervous about it, you don’t know until they announce your name, but I knew I had done what I felt was my best work. I had a great sense of pride and relief knowing I put it all out there and did everything possible to win. But now that I have won, it’s kind of like having giant weight lifted off my shoulders. It’s definitely my biggest accomplishment ever, winning in Vegas against a former Olympic gold medallist. It’s everything I ever worked for. It was the best feeling in the world. I knew how much I worked for that. Boxing gives back what you put into it and I put my everything into it.”

 

 

 

Although Brant and promoters GCP reportedly agreed to a rematch before the fight, the new champion says he’s not sure the now ex-champion wants it.

 

 

 

“All the talk of a rematch has been from his promoters. I haven’t heard him say anything about it. He might be a little discouraged right now. I’m not saying he won’t be able to come back, but I don’t think he wants it right now. I’ll just go on to bigger and better in the division. Once you win a title, there are no more easy fights. Until you are the undisputed king, you’re always taking steps up in class in every fight.”

 

 

 

Brant says he took a week off but is now back in the gym and ready for what comes next.

 

 

 

“I’m just waiting for the next assignment to work toward. I want to know who my next opponent is as soon as possible, so I can go to sleep at night thinking of what I’m going to do. Watching film and looking for flaws and things I can exploit. That’s when I‘m really the most comfortable. When I have an assignment. It’ll be a big name eventually. I’m there now. So I’m just waiting to see who is next for me to spend all my time watching that person.”

 

 

 

Brant gives a big piece of the credit for his upset victory to the only man to ever beat him. Last October, he stepped up in weight to participate in the World Boxing Super Series as a super middleweight and lost a one-sided decision to former light heavyweight champion Juergen Braehmer in Germany.

 

 

 

“The thought of what happened against Braehmer was always in the background. That’s what really motivated me to be the best I could in this fight. I knew I was better than I was in that fight. I had to prove it by doing what I’m capable of. The loss to Braehmer will be in the back of my mind forever. I won’t let anyone else do that to me again. I will never forget that loss and I’ve been a better fighter from that point forward.”

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA CELEBRATES YEAR-END EVENT IN MINNESOTA WITH LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

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LFA 56 – HUBBARD vs. MOTA
MAIN EVENT:
MIDWEST POWERHOUSE
AUSTIN HUBBARD
vs.
UNDEFEATED BRAZILIAN PHENOM
KILLYS MOTA
LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7th LIVE on AXS TV
LIVE at the NEW 
MYSTIC LAKE CENTER
PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
Tickets are on sale NOW through MysticLake.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will celebrate its year-end event in Minnesota by crowning a new lightweight champion at LFA 56. This event will conclude a stellar 2018 for LFA, which consisted of 27 events that took place cost-to-coast, across all four contiguous U.S. time zones, and were televised live and nationwide on AXS TV.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 56 will feature a lightweight title fight when Midwest powerhouse Austin Hubbard faces top undefeated Brazilian prospect Killys Mota for the vacant strap. LFA 56 – Hubbard vs. Mota takes place Friday, December 7th at the new Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring our year-end event at the world-class Mystic Lake Center in Minnesota”, stated Soares. “LFA has enjoyed two incredible years since the merger of RFA and Legacy created our promotion. LFA 56 will punctuate year number two in style. It will be the fourth nationally televised MMA event to take place inside Mystic Lake’s new world-class facility in 2018. Mystic Lake has been a wonderful partner and it will now host the LFA lightweight world title fight between Austin Hubbard and Killys Mota on December 7th.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 56 – Hubbard vs. Mota are available for purchase NOW at MysticLake.com.

 

 

 

Hubbard (9-2) returns to the LFA Octagon fresh off the most impressive win of his career. That win took place in his LFA debut in May against fellow top prospect Harvey Park. The fight took place at LFA 39 in Vail, Colorado. The resort town is over 8,000 feet above sea level and the event broke AXS TV’s record for the highest elevated event in network history. The 26-year-old Illinois native, that currently trains at Elevation Fight Team in Denver, was able to withstand the thin air and won a war of attrition against the talented New Mexico based Sheriff’s Deputy, who was riding a 7-fight win streak. Hubbard earned a shot at the vacant title with that gritty performance and will now travel back home to the Midwest with his sights set on becoming LFA’s second lightweight champion.

 

 

 

Mota (11-0) will get his LFA title shot after doing what every fighter dreams of achieving after their first 11 pro fights. That would be attaining a perfect 11-0 record. During the course of that streak, Mota famously knocked out UFC and PRIDE legend Akihiro Gono in his native Brazil. However, it was his most recent win that was his most important win. That came in his LFA debut in June against fellow top prospect Bobby Lee. The 27-year-old Glover Teixeira protégé stopped Lee just 21-seconds into the second round of their fight at LFA 41. The win came via Guillotine Choke after Mota battered Lee with his impressive Muay Thai arsenal. The win also came four weeks after Hubbard’s LFA debut win. Now their paths will finally meet at LFA 56 with the LFA lightweight title on the line.

 

 

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Lightweight Title Bout (155 lb)

– Austin Hubbard (9-2) vs. Killys Mota (11-0)

 

 

 

 

 

In 2017, RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA have launched the careers of over 150 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May 2018, the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

LFA 56 will be the ninth LFA event to take place in the state of Minnesota. RFA and Legacy FC hosted a combined nine events in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” before the merger. Six of those events took place under the RFA banner inside the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. The entire main card of LFA 56 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA CELEBRATES ITS 50th EVENT IN MINNESOTA WITH A  MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

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LFA 50 – ALLEN vs. HILEY
 
 
MAIN EVENT:
“ALL IN”
BRENDAN ALLEN
vs.
“THE AMAZING”
TIM HILEY
 
MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE 
 
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st LIVE on AXS TV
 
LIVE at the NEW 
MYSTIC LAKE CENTER
PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through MysticLake.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will celebrate its historic 50th televised event in Minnesota by crowning a new middleweight champion at LFA 50. This event will also kick off an action-packed fall fight season, which starts on the third week of September.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 50 will feature a middleweight title fight when two-time LFA title challenger Brendan “All In” Allen faces top undefeated prospect “The Amazing” Tim Hiley for the vacant strap. LFA 50 – Allen vs. Hiley takes place Friday, September 21st at the new Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to celebrate our 50th televised event at the state of the art Mystic Lake Center in Minnesota”, stated Soares. “LFA has produced fifty nationally televised MMA events faster than any promotion in history. LFA 50 will be the third of four live nationally televised MMA events to take place inside Mystic Lake’s new world-class facility in 2018. Mystic Lake has been a fantastic partner and it will now host our LFA middleweight world title fight between Brendan Allen and Tim Hiley on September 21st.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 50 – Allen vs. Hiley are available for purchase NOW at MysticLake.com.

 

 

 

Allen (9-3) returns to the LFA Octagon fresh off the most emphatic win of his career. The 22-year-old Louisianian and two-time LFA middleweight title challenger knocked out two-time Legacy FC middleweight title challenger Larry Crowe with a check hook KO that went viral in June after their headlining encounter at LFA 43. The man known as “All In” is now looking to do just that in his sixth appearance for the promotion. He also competed twice for Legacy FC before the promotion merged with RFA to create LFA and is fully aware of the stakes when he steps foot inside the LFA Octagon. His only setbacks have come to men currently competing in the UFC. The young Roufusport product has built a loyal fan base for being one of the most clinical finishers in the division. All nine of his victories have come via KO, TKO, or submission. He now hopes a third time’s a charm as he vies for LFA gold at LFA 50.

 

 

 

Hiley (7-0) will get his first LFA title shot after dominating in his first two fights for the promotion earlier this year. The 29-year-old has the same plan as Allen. He is looking to continue a proud LFA history of top middleweight prospects that win LFA titles and sign with the UFC. All four previous LFA middleweight champions have done just that. That illustrious list includes Eryk Anders, Markus Perez, Anthony Hernandez, and Ian Heinisch. “The Amazing” one looks to continue amazing LFA fight fans with his exciting skill set. Another layer of intrigue to his title fight with Allen is that both men train just a few miles from each other in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Hiley represents Pura Vida, home of UFC star Zak Ottow. Meanwhile, Allen fights out of Roufusport, home to UFC star Sergio Pettis. Both Ottow and Pettis became stars in the RFA before signing with the UFC. Hiley looks to start his own legacy at LFA 50.

 

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Middleweight Title Bout (185 lb)

– Brendan Allen (9-3) vs. Tim Hiley (7-0)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Heayweight Bout (265 lb)

– Brian Heden (31-16) vs. Raphael “Bebezão” Pessoa (8-0)

 

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Ben Neumann (13-5) vs. Bobby Lee (8-2)

 

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Ashkan Morvari (15-7) vs. Jason Witt (13-5)

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Josh Marsh (4-1) vs. Dmitry Gerasimov (9-6)

 

 

 

In 2017, RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA have launched the careers of over 140 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May 2018, the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

LFA 50 will be the eighth LFA event to take place in the state of Minnesota. RFA and Legacy FC hosted a combined nine events in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” before the merger. Six of those events took place under the RFA banner inside the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. The entire main card of LFA 50 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

In 2017 RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

boxing

Undefeated Middleweight Cem Kilic to take on Joe Amouta on Friday, August 17th in Hinckley, Minnesota

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1st bout with new trainer, Buddy McGirt

Beverly Hills, Calif. (July 26, 2018) – Undefeated middleweight prospect Cem Kilic returns to action on Friday night, August 17th at the Hinckley Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota against Joe Amouta in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

 

 

 

Kilic (10-0, 6 KOs) will be making his 3rd consecutive appearance at The Hinckley Grand Casino.

 

 

 

The native of Sherman Oaks, California by way of Frankfurt, Germany, Kilic will be making his 1st start under world-renowned trainer Buddy McGirt.

 

 

 

Amouta (7-1-1, 2 KOs) of Minneapolis, Minnesota has wins over 3 undefeated fighters plus 13-1-1, George Carter, Jr.

 

 

 

“I’m excited to get back in the ring on August 17th to one of my adopted fan bases in Minnesota,” said Kilic. “I have been training very hard, improving every facet of my craft. I am in phenomenal shape, I’m more motivated than ever and ready to show what Buddy McGirt and I have been working on in the gym, and finishing off this year with at least 3 more fights!”

 

 

 

“Training camp is going great,” said McGirt.  “This is our first camp together, and every day Cem continues to improve and learn more and more. Cem works very hard in the gym and is getting world class sparring that will make him the better fighter come fight night.” – Buddy McGirt

 

 

 

“Over the last few months we made some positive changes to Cem’s team bringing in a new trainer and strength + conditioning coach.,” said manager Shane Shapiro of No Limit Mindset LLC. “There are not many world class trainer’s like Buddy McGirt, and he has made an immediate impact on Cem in a short time. I’m excited to see all the hard work translate on August 17th!”

 

 

 

 

Kilic is managed by Shane Shapiro’s No Limit Mindset LLC, and is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions.

 

boxing

Brant Stops Hloros with Body Shot and Defends WBA-NABA Championship in Hinckley

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On Friday, January 20, in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 3000+ at the Grand Casino’s Events & Convention Center in Hinckley, Minnesota, WBA #3-, IBF #13- and WBO #5-rated middleweight contender Rob “Bravo” Brant stayed busy and defended his WBA-NABA Middleweight Championship by stopping Detroit’s Alexis Hloros.
With a possible title-shot opportunity on the near horizon, the Saint Paul, Minnesota-based Brant (22-0, 15 KOs) wasted no time in dispatching Hloros at2:33 of the first round. A huge body shot dropped Hloros for a count of nine, but he arose still wincing in pain, and was in no condition to continue.
“I was happy with the way the night ended up,” said Brant. “When you get a guy last minute like Alexis Hloros, you have to treat them like they have been training to be the best version of themselves. Overlook them and you can get beat. I feel like I am ready for a bigger name now and am ready to showcase myself at the top level.”
The event, presented by Greg Cohen Promotions in association with David Schuster’s Winner Take All Productions, also featured GCP’s always exciting super welterweight KO artist Skender Halili.
Halili (13-1, 13 KOs) kept his KO percentage at 100% by stopping Wichita’s Romon Barber (7-13, 6 KOs) in the fifth round.
The anvil-fisted Halili landed some bombs early that Barber was able to absorb. However, Halili’s power eventually wore him down. In the fifth, he caught Barber with an uppercut that staggered him backwards into the ropes where he then pounded him relentlessly until the referee stopped the fight. It was a spectacular show of brutal punching power.
“I was very impressed with both our fighters tonight,” said Greg Cohen. “Rob Brant is clearly at the top of his game and ready for a big opportunity. Despite the opponent change on short notice, he handled it the way a future champion should. And Skender Halili continued his run as one of the most exciting punchers in boxing with another fan-friendly win. It was a great event in front of a huge crowd of fans. I am proud to have been able to promote it.”