Tag Archives: Paulie Malignaggi

boxing, charity

Ring Of Hope’s “Night To Fight” Returns March 7 at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas and live on Pay Per View

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 Night To Fight 2020 promo video

Boxing non-profit organization that empowers youth in the greater Dallas area promises to produce another star-studded showcase of the sweet science with its annual fundraising event.

Light heavyweight showdown between Sam Clarkson Jr. and Israel Duffus highlights the show. Evan “Yung Holy” Holyfield, son of Evander Holyfield, to be featured in a fight; touted local prospect Tristan “Sweet T” Kalkreuth also returns to the squared circle.

IRVING, TX (February 25, 2020) — Lone Star State-based non-profit organization Ring of Hope returns for a resounding night of sanctioned professional boxing when it presents its ninth annual “Night To Fight” pro boxing and charity event on Saturday, March 7 at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas. 


The main event will present an 8 round light heavyweight attraction between two battle-tested warriors when Dallas-Fort Worth born-and-bred boxer Samuel Clarkson (22-5, 15 KOs) challenges the Freddie Roach-trained Israel Duffus (19-6, 16 KOs).


The marquee match of the night will culminate to serve as the major fundraising event to help support the Ring of Hope boxing program. Since 2010, Ring of Hope has transformed communities and changed the lives of the youth by educating, empowering and engaging students through the fundamentals of boxing.


“I’m often asked why I’ve had such a desire to be a part of Ring of Hope. It’s all about the future of the young men and women in our communities,” said Ring of Hope founder Steven Bolos. “We believe for them, believe in them and believe with and through them that they can be the leaders of tomorrow.” 


Evan “Yung Holy” Holyfield (3-0, 3 KOs), the son of Hall of Fame fighter Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, will continue on his quest to follow in his legendary father’s footsteps when the 22-year-old returns to the ring. Presented by Main Events, the Houston-based Holyfield made his pro boxing debut in November with his legendary father supporting ringside.


Local talent and 18-year-old standout Tristan Kalkreuth (4-0, 3 KOs), who last year inked a deal with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, will continue his climb up the ranks in a separate fight as well. Kalkreuth was born in Carrollton and is a resident of Duncanville. He’s trained by renowned coach Ronnie Shields, and has a decorated amateur background, where he participated in over 100 fights, earned two National Championships and fought for the USA Boxing Team in the World Championships in 2018.


Also to be featured in separate bouts are welterweights Jessy Martinez (14-0, 9 KOs) and Brandyn Lynch (10-1, 8 KOs), cruiserweight Robin Safar (10-0, 7 KOs) and heavyweight Patrick Mailata (4-0, 2 KOs), Austin-based super lightweight Robert Kevin Garcia (6-0, 5 KOs) and the Corpus Christi-based lightweight John Rincon (4-0, 2 KOs).


Night To Fight will be available live on Integrated Sports Pay Per View on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV and DISH in the United States, Shaw PPV in Canada and worldwide via the FITE.TV app and website.


Hall of Fame Showtime TV broadcaster Al Bernstein, former two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi and LA Times and Boxing Scene journalist and writer Manouk Akopyan will call the action from ringside.


Limited tickets and VIP dinner tables can be obtained through a sponsorship to Ring of Hope. For more information, go to www.ringofhope.com. 


The Toyota Music Factory is located at 300 West Las Colinas Boulevard in Irving, Texas. 


For more information on sponsorships, volunteering or to enroll a child in a Ring of Hope program, please email info@ringofhope.com. To provide a safe place for youth in the Dallas Fort Worth area to participate in after school boxing programs, click here to donate. 


For up to date information, news and developments, visit www.RingOfHope.com, and follow along online on the following Ring of Hope platforms—Instagram, Facebook andYouTube.

🥊 Highlights from previous Ring of Hope Night To Fight events



 Photos from 2019 Night To Fight, which took place Feb. 28 at the Frontiers Of Flight Museum in Dallas. The fight card featured undefeated prospects, former US Olympians and the likes of Hall of Famer fighter Thomas Hearn and The First Lady of Boxing Jackie Kallen in attendance.

ABOUT RING OF HOPE: Founded in 2010 by Steve Bolos, Ring of Hope is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate, empower and engage the youth through the fundamentals of boxing. With two gym locations—the South Dallas Club and the Colony Club—Ring of Hope emphasises on leadership development, fitness programs and community outreach while teaching the discipline of boxing. The locations also provide a safe place for youth in the Dallas Fort Worth area to participate in after school boxing programs. Through the sweet science, Ring of Hope’s coaches and volunteers empower youth to become more committed to health, fitness and wellness while also inspiring them to become more engaged in their community.

Bare Knuckle Boxing

BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP PARTNERS WITH PREMIER SPORTS FOR EXCLUSIVE U.K. BROADCAST DEAL

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“BKFC 6: THE LINE IS DRAWN” TO BE SHOWN
LIVE ON PREMIER SPORTS
 
Watch Saturday’s fight for only £9.99 on Sky, Virgin TV
and the Premier Player
 
Click HERE to View Premier Sports Promo Video
 
PHILADELPHIA (June 19, 2019) – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) has partnered with Premier Sports who will air “BFKC 6: The Line is Drawn” live and exclusively in the U.K. beginning at 2:00 a.m. (GMT+1) on Sunday, June 23 from Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla.
 
“BKFC 6: The Line is Drawn” will feature former boxing world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi making his much-anticipated BKFC debut against former UFC veteran Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov.
 
Sharing insights from his training camp, Malignaggi commented, “To prepare for Artem I hit the punching bag a lot more, because Artem is basically a punching bag with legs. I wanted to get used to that and get my fists accustomed to it. This is going to be a painful night for Artem. This is a world-class fighter against a punching bag with feet… It ends with Lobov’s face falling off.”
 
Speaking exclusively to Premier Sports ahead of the fight, Lobov said, “I am delighted that fans in the U.K. will be able to see the fight live. Malignaggi talks a good fight, in the ring there is no place for words. He uses his hands for little slaps, I use mine to hammer faces.”
 
BKFC Founder and President David Feldman said, “BKFC is delighted to partner with Premier Sports in the U.K. and to show this event exclusively to their subscribers. We have had a lot of interest from U.K. fans in this fight and we are excited to partner with Premier Sports to bring top-class bare knuckle boxing and a real grudge match to the fans there.”
 
Richard Webb, COO of Premier Sports added, “There has been huge interest from fans to see this highly anticipated fight and we are thrilled to make BKFC 6 available live and exclusive on Premier Sports in the U.K.”
 
“BKFC 6: The Line is Drawn” will also feature UFC legend Chris Leben as he battles MMA veteran Dakota Cochrane, and the finale of the BKFC Lightweight Tournament between Reggie Barnett and Johnny Bedford.
 
Premier Sports is available in 16 million U.K. homes across Sky and Virgin platforms and to everyone via the Premier Player https://www.premierplayer.tv/. Via the Sky platform, Virgin TV and the Premier Player, the cost is £9.99 per month for new customers. Premier Sports customers on the Sky platform can also get free access to the Premier Player.
 
The event will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $39.99. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.


Tickets for “BKFC 6: The Line Is Drawn” are available now exclusively atwww.bareknuckle.tv. Florida will become the latest state to host a BKFC event after previous contests have been held in Wyoming and Mississippi, plus an event that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
 
Bare Knuckle Boxing

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Presents Behind the Scenes Preview Show Chronicling Buildup to Highly Anticipated Malignaggi vs. Lobov Grudge Match

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CLICK HERE FOR “THE ROAD TO MALIGNAGGI VS. LOBOV”

“BKFC 6: The Line is Drawn” Saturday, June 22 Live on 
Pay-Per-View from Florida State Fairgrounds 
Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla.

PHILADELPHIA (June 13, 2019) – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) will give fans a behind the scenes look at former boxing world championPaulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi and UFC veteran Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov ahead of their highly anticipated bare knuckle grudge match on Saturday, June 22.
 
“The Road to Malignaggi vs. Lobov” offers a unique look at the buildup to this summer showdown as camera crews followed Malignaggi in New York and Lobov in Ireland as they prepare to headline “BKFC 6: The Line is Drawn” live on pay-per-view from Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla.
 
The event will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $39.99. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.
 
Tickets for “BKFC 6” are available now exclusively at www.bareknuckle.tv. Florida will become the latest state to host a BKFC event after previous contests have been held in Wyoming and Mississippi, plus an event that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
 
# # #
 
About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
Bare Knuckle Boxing

BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP ADDS THREE EXCITING SHOWDOWNS TO “BKFC 6: THE LINE IS DRAWN” ON SATURDAY, JUNE 22

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Former Boxing World Champion Randall Bailey Takes on Brazil’s Daniel Santos; Unbeaten Mixed Martial Artist Jamie Campbell Battles Joey Beltran; Julian Lane & Chicago’s Tom Shoaff Match Up in Second BKFC Fights

Live on Pay-Per-View from Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla.
 
PHILADELPHIA (June 5, 2019) – Three more toe-to-toe bare knuckle matchups have been added to the highly anticipated Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) event headlined by the Paulie Malignaggi vs. Artem Lobov grudge match Saturday, June 22 live on pay-per-view from Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla.


Former two-division boxing champion Randall Bailey will face off against 24-year-old Brazilian MMA pro Daniel Santos in a 155-pound bout, and unbeaten mixed martial artist Jamie Campbell takes on Joey Beltran, who has engaged in two memorable BKFC fights against Tony Lopez, in a heavyweight contest.


Also returning to BKFC are MMA veterans Julian Lane and Tom Shoaff in a 165-pound attraction. Lane looks to bounce back from a BKFC loss to Leonard Garcia, while Shoaff hopes to build on his BKFC victory over Diego Garijo.


“We’re thrilled to be adding three more matchups of this caliber to the BKFC 6 lineup and there’s still more to come,” said BKFC founder and president David Feldman. “Fight fans who join us in Tampa and those who tune-in on June 22 are going to be treated to a wide variety of fighting styles in some really compelling bare knuckle matchups. As always, we’re promising lots of action and these three fights will be no exception.”


“As a former two-division, three-time world champion in boxing, I feel that I am tailor made for bare knuckle fighting,” said Bailey. “I grew up fighting bare knuckle on the streets of Miami and I know how to win at this game. I was the bare knuckle knockout king before I ever competed in boxing.”


“I am honored and grateful to be invited to fight at BKFC 6,” said Santos. “I’m a veteran of boxing and a capoeira fighter with a lot of experience. I am well prepared and confident that on June 22 I will knock out Randall Bailey! You will see, I’ll give a great fight and surprise everyone. I’m going to grab this opportunity and make a statement so that I can continue to compete in BKFC.”


The main card for this can’t-miss night of fights will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT and will see former UFC veteran Chris Leben in his second BKFC attraction, as he takes on longtime Bellator standout Brennan Ward. Plus, the finals of the BKFC Lightweight Tournament will pit Reggie Barnett againstJohnny Bedford in a showdown for the BKFC Lightweight Championship. All leading up to the main event pitting former boxing world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi against UFC veteran Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov.


The event will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $39.99. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.


Tickets for “BKFC 6: The Line Is Drawn” are available now exclusively atwww.bareknuckle.tv. Florida will become the latest state to host a BKFC event after previous contests have been held in Wyoming and Mississippi, plus an event that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
 
# # #
 
About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
Bare Knuckle Boxing

BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP PAULIE MALIGNAGGI VS. ARTEM LOBOV NEW YORK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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BKFC Returns Saturday, June 22 Headlined by Malignaggi vs. Lobov Grudge Match Live on Pay-Per-View from Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall in Tampa, Fla.

Also Featuring UFC Veteran Chris Leben Against Bellator Standout Brennan Ward!

Click HERE for Photos from BKFC

NEW YORK (May 20, 2019) – Former boxing world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi and UFC veteran Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov went face-to-face Monday at a heated press conference in New York to officially announce their Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship showdown the headlines action on Saturday, June 22 live on pay-per-view from Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall in Tampa, Fla.
 
Also squaring off Monday before they battle on BKFC 6 were UFC veteran Chris Leben and longtime Bellator standout Brennan Ward. Televised coverage on June 22 will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. and also feature Reggie Barnett against Johnny Bedford in a showdown for the BKFC Lightweight Championship.
 
The event will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $39.99. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.


Tickets for “BKFC 6” are available tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET exclusively atwww.bareknuckle.tv. Florida will become the latest state to host a BKFC event after previous contests have been held in Wyoming and Mississippi, plus an event that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
 
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Monday:
 
PAULIE MALIGNAGGI
 
“I’ve always been known as one of the toughest guys in boxing. Lobov is known as a punching bag with a loud mouth.
 
“If I had it my way, I’d knock him out in the last round. I want to pummel him from start to finish. He’s going to come out trying hard, and then he’s going to get gun shy. He’s going to hesitate to even take a step.
 
“I’m always looking for my next challenge. I wasn’t planning on this, but it was sold to me, and it appealed to me. Artem is a punching bag and I usually hit that for free.
 
“I never lie, because I don’t have to fear anyone. You only lie because you’re afraid. Why are Lobov and his team lying? You know why. I don’t care what they think. I’m going to put this guy out next month.
 
“As I train, I realize that my hands are like razor blades. Get a good look at Lobov’s face, because next month I’m going to make it look like a road map with lines all over it.”
 
ARTEM LOBOV
 
“I feel I have the upper hand in this fight. With age, it’s easier to get knocked out. He’s never hurt anybody in the ring, so it’s going to be a bad matchup for him.
 
“I see me stopping him. He doesn’t want it anymore. In order to be a fighter and really compete, you have to have the fire. His fire is long gone.
 
“My strategy is to come in there and shove my fist down his throat. It’s personal now with the way he’s been talking and acting. I’m going to put him away.
 
“Paulie likes to hide behind the jab and feint. He never lets his hands go. He just hides and tries to make it to the end of the fight.
 
“I’m going to let it all go in that ring on June 22. I’m going to be the ‘Russian Hammer’ from the start until the finish. I want to meet him in the ring and put him away like true warriors do.
 
“I never wrap my hands. Not when I spar, not when I hit the bag or anything. It’s made them tougher. They may not look pretty, but they do a lot of damage.
 
“It’s game over for Paulie. I heard he’s known as the ‘Magic Man’, but I just hope he doesn’t disappear before the fight.”
 
CHRIS LEBEN
 
“Bare knuckle is definitely an exciting sport. It’s all of the good stuff. Two guys going toe-to-toe. It’s what I do best and it puts me in a dangerous position to hurt my opponents. When I first saw BKFC I felt like this sport was made for me.
 
“You can’t really cover up without the glove as a shield in bare knuckle, so it changes how you defend. But it also changes how you hit and where your range is at.
 
“I think this sport was made for me and it’s going to show in the fight. We’re both heavy hitters. Brennan will be my toughest BKFC opponent to date and I’m not taking him lightly. I’m riding a resurgence and it’s not going to stop.
 
“I’m pulling out all the stops and doing everything I can to prepare. Because on June 22, I’m knocking him out.”
 
BRENNAN WARD
 
“Training camp has been going great. I’m really excited because I’ve been waiting to do a bare knuckle fight for a while. I knew right away that this was for me.
 
“I think I have a great skillset for bare knuckle. I’m quick and quick on my feet. I’m strong and have heavy hands. I’m able to brawl or box.
 
“It’s basically a normal training camp for me, but with more boxing than ever. I’ve always boxed a lot anyway, so it’s something that’s come natural for me.
 
“I’m a different fighter than who Leben has fought in BKFC. This sport is so well-suited for me. I just want to brawl. I wasn’t as into the other disciplines in MMA, so when BKFC came around, I was ready to sign on.
 
“I think I’m going to be a force to be reckoned with at BKFC. I’m going to find a nice home and do work in the ring.”
 
DAVID FELDMAN, BKFC Founder & President
 
“This event is getting the kind of coverage it truly warrants. This is going to be a stacked pay-per-view event from top to bottom.
 
“The main event here is a highly anticipated battle. This is the biggest bare knuckle fight in history.
 
“We’re really happy with what we’ve been able to build. If you’ve seen any of our events, you know that it’s non-stop action from the start. We’re proud of what we’ve delivered to fight fans.
 
“People originally said that Artem had no chance against Paulie, but once they saw Artem in his first BKFC fight, fans can see that this might be tougher than anticipated. This is different than boxing and different than MMA. Getting hit with that bare knuckle is different than anything you’ve experienced before.
 
“I’m so excited to bring this fight to Florida and bring this fight to their fans. June 22 live on pay-per-view, this is one you surely do not want to miss.”
 
BRIAN RICCO, Executive Producer & Distributor
 
“We’re very excited to be on our sixth BKFC show in less than a year. Everything has been amazing. We’re expecting a big fight between two great fighters and we’re looking forward to bringing this event to fight fans around the world.”
 
# # #
 
About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
Bare Knuckle Boxing

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Returns Saturday, June 22 Headlined by Paulie Malignaggi vs. Artem Lobov Grudge Match Live on Pay-Per-View from Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall in Tampa, Fla.

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Stacked Night of BKFC 6 Action Features UFC Veteran Chris Leben Against Bellator Standout Brennan Ward, Plus! BKFC Lightweight Championship Showdown Between Reggie Barnett & Johnny Bedford

Tickets on Sale Friday!

PHILADELPHIA (May 20, 2019) – A highly anticipated grudge match between former boxing world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi and UFC veteran Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov will headline Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) action on Saturday, June 22 live on pay-per-view from Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall in Tampa, Fla.
 

The televised portion of the can’t-miss night of fights will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT and will also see former UFC Veteran Chris Leben in his second BKFC attraction, as he takes on longtime Bellator standout Brennan Ward. Plus, the finals of the BKFC Lightweight Tournament will pit Reggie Barnett against Johnny Bedford in a showdown for the BKFC Lightweight Championship.

“Coming off of our epic battle on April 6 between Artem Lobov and Jason Knight, the momentum is incredible coming into BKFC 6,” said BKFC Founder and President David Feldman. “With the feud that Paulie and Artem have already, this promises to be super exciting. This is bare knuckle and everything changes when they fight bare knuckle. So, whatever plans you have can go out the window quickly. That’s what makes this so exciting and why I am so excited for this fight. I think we will have a lot of eyes on this event and we are very happy to be hosting this in Tampa, one of the best fight markets in the country. I truly can’t wait for June 22.”
 
The event will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $39.99. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.


Tickets for “BKFC 6” will be available starting Thursday, May 16 exclusively atwww.bareknuckle.tv. Florida will become the latest state to host a BKFC event after previous contests have been held in Wyoming and Mississippi, plus an event that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
 
Malignaggi vs. Lobov will see the much-discussed rivalry between Malignaggi and MMA star Conor McGregor come to a head when Malignaggi squares off against one of McGregor’s teammates and friends in Lobov. Prior to Lobov’s BKFC debut in which he defeated Jason Knight in April, Malignaggi and Lobov exchanged words and nearly came to blows at a media day in New York. With the June 22 fight date set and buzz continuing to grow, they will soon settle the conflict in the ring.
 
“I’m very excited to make my BKFC debut and for this fight to take place in Florida. Bringing BKFC to another state is only going to help this sport grow faster and attract more attention to bare knuckle fighting,” said Malignaggi. “It’s no secret, Artem and I have some bad blood between us. I don’t like him and I’m looking forward to sinking my fists into his face. June 22 can’t come soon enough. Fans are going to really enjoy this one as the biggest BKFC card yet, and it’ll set the stage for even bigger and better events as more fighters realize that they can make a good living and have a great career in this discipline of combat sports.”
 
“I’m really looking forward to this fight,” said Lobov. “Paulie has been doing a lot of talking. He hasn’t been able to keep his mouth shut, but on June 22 I’m going to silence him. He’s an old boxer who’s coming off of the couch. He’s only doing this because he didn’t manage his money better, so now he has to take a fight against me, ‘The Russian Hammer.’ I expect to maul Paulie in there. He doesn’t know what he’s in for. I’m going to introduce him to some things that he’s never seen before and this is going to be a real fight.”
 
A two-time, two-division boxing champion, Malignaggi joined BKFC earlier this year and plans to show off the skills that made him a world champion at 147 and 140-pounds. Representing his hometown of Brooklyn, New York, Malignaggi faced top competition and big stars such as Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah, Ricky Hatton, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia, Amir Khan and more throughout a career that spanned sixteen years. He put on title-winning performances against Lovemore Ndou and Vyacheslav Senchenko while also defeating Judah, Juan Diaz and Pablo Cesar Cano amongst his notable wins. He has not fought since 2017, but remains a staple of the of the combat sports world through his renowned work as a color commentator and analyst.
 
A 32-year-old fighter from Russia, Lobov defeated Jason Knight by unanimous decision in an exciting brawl to make his BKFC debut successful in April. Lobov made his name on Season 22 of The Ultimate Fighter as part of Team McGregor, where he worked his way to the finals of the tournament before losing to Ryan Hall. Now fighting out of Ireland, where he continues to train with McGregor, he challenged Cub Swanson in a UFC main event in 2016, after picking up victories over Chris Avila and Alex White. While he lost his last three UFC bouts by decision, he owns 13 professional MMA wins.


Click HERE for Malignaggi and Lobov fighter bios
 
Originally from Portland, Oregon and now training out of Chula Vista, California, Leben first emerged onto the scene in the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter before going on to become a WEC Middleweight Champion. A veteran of over 20 UFC events, his career includes a five-fight win streak that led to a challenge of Anderson Silva. Leben will be opposed by New London, Connecticut’s Ward, a 30-year-old veteran of 15 Bellator events, including a victory in Bellator’s Season Nine Middleweight Tournament.
 
A pro boxer with a 6-2 record, the 32-year-old Barnett has earned his spot in the Lightweight Tournament Final with a victory over Rusty Crowder in April. Fighting out of Chesapeake, Virginia, Barnett will face Forth Worth, Texas native Bedford to capture the first BKFC Lightweight Title. Bedford punched his ticket to the final with an April triumph over Abdiel Velazquez.
 
# # #
 
About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
Bare Knuckle Boxing

ARTEM LOBOV DEFEATS JASON KNIGHT BY UNANIMOUS DECISION IN SENSATIONAL MAIN EVENT OF “BKFC 5: LOBOV VS. KNIGHT” FROM MISSISSIPPI COAST COLISEUM & LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

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Click HERE for Photos
Credit: Phil Lambert/Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
 
Cick HERE for Video Highlights
Credit: Evan Zentar/Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

BILOXI, Miss. (April 6, 2019) – Former UFC veteran Artem Lobov defeated former UFC veteran and Mississippi native Jason Knight by unanimous decision (48-47 X 2, 48-46) to win the main event of “BKFC 5: Lobov vs. Knight” in a Fight of The Year candidate on Saturday night at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss. and live on pay-per-view.
 
Knight started off fast, knocking down Lobov just 10 seconds in to round one. However, Lobov quickly popped up and came back to knock down Knight later in the first frame, again in round two, and for a third time in round three. The fourth and fifth stanzas showcased furious exchanges with both fighters leaving every ounce of themselves in the ring.
 
“I thought he was conquered many times,” said Lobov. “I dropped him three or four times. He’s a tough, tough kid. He kept coming and coming. That was a great fight.”
 
“We all know that I didn’t lose that fight,” said Knight. “We all know that I got robbed. It’s alright, I’m still going to party tonight.”
 
The co-main event featured former UFC veteran Chris Leben quickly overwhelming former Bellator standout Justin Baesman with a devastating left hand, followed by a series of uppercuts that stopped Baesman just :25 in to the light heavyweight contest.
 
Christine Ferea scored a technical stoppage win over Britain Hart for the Police Gazette American Women’s Featherweight Bare Knuckle Championship. Ferea had Hart in trouble midway through the second round as referee Dan Miragliotta called for time to have Hart’s severely bloodied and bruised left eye checked. The ringside physician stopped the contest moments later at 1:09 in to the second round.
 
“I’m the first woman to ever have this belt,” said Ferea. “I’m going to rep it strong and I’m super happy right now. The first round I was feeling (Hart) out. I was watching some of her footage and she can do it all. So, I just felt out the first round, touching her with the jab. And then the second round that’s when I went in and let my power go.

“I would love (a fight against Bec Rawlings)!” added Ferea. “I’ve been asking for a fight with her for three fights. I think I deserve it.”
 
Former BKFC heavyweight title challenger Sam Shewmaker and former UFC veteran Chase Sherman fought to a split draw (50-45 Sherman, 48-47 Shewmaker, 48-48) in a crowd-pleasing heavyweight attraction that featured spirited exchanges all the way until the final bell of the fifth round.
 
One BKFC lightweight tournament semi-final matchup saw Reggie Barnett defeat Rusty Crowder by unanimous decision (50-44 X 3). An extremely evasive Crowder was deducted one point in the fourth round for throwing Barnett to the canvas as Barnett cruised to the victory by a wide margin.
 
After his win, Barnett said, “Everybody expected me and Bedford to be fighting in the championship. Johnny comes to fight. I come to fight. So, you’re going to see nothing but fireworks and I personally think it’s a main event-caliber championship fight.”
 
In the other BKFC lightweight tournament semi-final contest Johnny Bedfordstopped Abdiel Velazquez :58 in to round four. Bedford scored two knockdowns in the second round, a third in the third frame and sent Velazquez to the canvas for the fourth and final time in round four, with Velazquez electing to not get back up and continue.

Before Barnett and Crowder fought, Bedford prophesied, “I anticipate I’m going to fight Reggie Barnett in the finals. I thought that from the beginning. I think Reggie knew that from the very beginning. And I think Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship knew that from the very beginning by putting us on opposite ends of the bracket. I think it doesn’t matter who you name the number one and number two seeds, we are the two top dogs in this division.”

With Barnett and Bedford winning their respective BKFC lightweight tournament semi-final bouts they will now face each other in the finals for a chance at BKFC’s first lightweight championship title.
 
In undercard action, former UFC fighter Isaac Vallie-Flagg scored a technical knockout victory over Randy Hedderick in a 165-pound showdown. Vallie-Flagg recorded two knockdowns in the third round and forced Hedderick to quit 1:22 in to round three due to an injured left hand.
 
The swing bout saw Gulfport police officer Harris Stephenson defeat Khalib Harris by split decision (50-47 Stephenson, 48-47 Harris, 49-46 Stephenson).
 
# # #
 
About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
Bare Knuckle Boxing

BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP QUOTES, VIDEO & PHOTOS FROM NEW YORK MEDIA EVENT – Former Two-Division Boxing Champion Paulie Malignaggi & Former UFC Standout Artem Lobov Exchange Words In Anticipation of Potential Showdown

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Former Two-Division Boxing Champion Paulie Malignaggi & Former UFC Standout Artem Lobov Exchange Words in Anticipation of Potential Showdown


CLICK HERE FOR MP4 VIDEO LINK FROM BKFC
(From left to right: Malignaggi, BKFC Founder & President David Feldman & Lobov)

Lobov Makes BKFC Debut This Saturday in Main Event
Against Jason Knight from Mississippi Coast Coliseum
in Biloxi & Live on Pay-Per-View

Click HERE for Photos from Wojtek Kubik

Click HERE for Video (Large .MXF File) from BKFC

Click HERE for Video from Giovanni Bartocci/Team Malignaggi

NEW YORK (April 2, 2019) – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) hosted a media event in New York Tuesday as recent BKFC signee and former two-division boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi and former UFC standout and Conor McGregor stablemate Artem Lobov had a heated exchange and had to be separated in anticipation of a possible showdown between the two later this year.

Lobov is preparing to take on Jason Knight in the main event of “BKFC 5: Lobov vs. Knight” this Saturday from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi and live on pay-per-view. If he is successful on Saturday night, a highly-anticipated showdown against Malignaggi looms.
 
“BKFC 5: Lobov vs. Knight” will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $29.95. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.
 
Tickets for “BKFC 5: Lobov vs. Knight” are available now exclusively at www.bareknuckle.tv beginning at $35.
 
Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday from Mendez Boxing in Manhattan:
 
PAULIE MALIGNAGGI
 
“Without disrespecting Jason Knight, because we’ll see what happens Saturday, but I think everyone here would like to see Malignaggi vs. Lobov. I see that it’s picking up traction and fans in general are talking about it.
 
“When I get Lobov in the ring, the goal is not just to win. I have to really excel and show something more. The goal would be to hurt him bad.
 
“Being in the gym every day gets me excited. In that way, I feel mentally reborn. I’m sure there will be tough days, but that’s par for the course. I think mentally you can find motivation that will spur you on to chase certain goals.
 
“I started talking to David Feldman first about being involved on the broadcast aspect of BKFC. But then he threw out numbers for me to fight that got my attention. Once we got past that first part of the conversation, things started moving along and here we are.
 
“There’s always adjustments to be made in a new discipline as far as how you’re going to throw and receive punches. We’re going to make small adjustments, but your base is your base. My base is boxing and we’re going to keep the things we want to keep.
 
“I’ve watched some of the bare knuckle fights and there are some fundamental differences. There are some things that boxers can take advantage of. But there are also some aspects that boxers might not be used to in bare knuckle.”
 
ARTEM LOBOV
 
“I’m a real fighter and I’m going to fight Paulie in a real fight. I want to make money for it. He knows I’m down. If you’re a real fighter, let’s fight in the ring.
 
“Let’s be honest, Paulie doesn’t want to fight me on the street, because he knows I’d tear him apart in seconds. But I want to prove myself in the boxing ring. That’s why I’m doing this. I want Paulie safe until the day I can finally put my hands on him.
 
“This is the only chance he has to get a shot in on me. When we do get to fight, he won’t get a hand on me, I guarantee that.
 
“I’m here to fight on Saturday night. I’m a true fighter. No one will ever make me quit. I don’t care about anything that Paulie can do to me.
 
“Paulie was always the fight I wanted. It’s ‘night night’ for Jason Knight this Saturday, then it’s on to Paulie. That’s the only fight I want. He deserves to get slapped around.
 
“Jason Knight was a top UFC fighter at one point. He’s a very tough opponent, but his strength was mixing disciplines. Just boxing me, he doesn’t have a chance.
 
“I love the bare knuckle training. This is my game. I love the stand-up fighting. My approach is that if you want to be a good boxer, you have to box a lot. I went into all of the best gyms in Ireland and got great sparring.”

#          #          #

About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
boxing

Promoting more challenging than fighting for Miguel Cotto

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La Batalla
TITO ACOSTA vs. CARLOS BUITRAGO
WBO World Light Flyweight Championship

SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2018
Coliseo de Puerto Rico * Hato Rey, Puerto Rico

LIVE ON PPV – 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT
 
La Batalla, June 16
Live on PPV from Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (May 31, 2018) – Future Hall of Fame boxer Miguel Cotto believes that, for him, promoting is even more challenging than fighting.

 

 

 

The living legend retired last December with an incredible 41-6 (33 KOs) pro record, in which he became the only Puerto Rican to capture world titles in four different weights classes, light welterweight through middleweight.

 

 

 

Cotto was 20-6 (16 KOs) in world title fights, 16-6 (12 KOs) versus present or past world champions during his illustrious 17-year pro career, including victories against Cesar Bazan, Carlos Maussa,Lovemore N’dou, Randall Bailey,DeMarcus Corley, Ricardo Torres,Paulie Malignaggi, Carlos Quintana,Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, Joshua Clottey, Yuri Foreman, Ricardo Mayorga, Antonio Margarito, Sergio Martinez and Daniel Geale.

 

 

 

“We have been in the promoting business for more than 13 years, combining both roles (fighter and promoter),” Cotto said. “Now, we are able to give more attention to our fighters in terms of training.

 

 

 

“Promoting is more complex because there are challenges regarding every facet of an event. As a fighter, you concentrate solely on the fight, not all the details involved in promoting a successful event.”

 

 

 

Cotto Promotions is presenting La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago, along with H2 Entertainment, in association with DIRECTV Puerto Rico, June 16th on pay-per-view, live from the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Center in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

 

 

 

Integrated Sports Media will distribute the La Batalla: Acosta vs. Buitrago card in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide (excluding Puerto Rico) on the FITE.TV app and website (www.fite.tv), starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

 

 

 

World Boxing Organization Light Flyweight World Champion Tito Acosta 17-1, 17 KOs) will make his first title defense against four-time world title challenger Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago (30-3-1, 17 KOs), of Nicaragua, in the 12-round main event.

 

 

 

“This pay-per-view card is a very important opportunity for is to showcase a great event,” Cotto added, “as well as a perfect scenario for Acosta to show the world who he is as world champion.

 

 

 

“It is a pleasure for me to give back to boxing what boxing gave me. Seeing our brand grow and fighter development let us know that we are doing things the right way. Our goal is to continue developing the best talent in Puerto Rico and building their brands and legacies.”

 

 

 

The 27-year-old Acosta is on a mission to become a Puerto Rican boxing icon like Cotto, Tito Trinidad, Wilfredo Gomez, Hector Camacho, Wilfredo Benitez and so many other greats from this fertile island.

 

 

 

Acosta’s success brings back fond memories for Cotto to when he was in a similar situation as a young world champion. “He does bring back memories for me and he proves that hard work pays off,” Cotto concluded. “Tito is living the dream every boxer has when they choose to box as a living. Now is the most challenging chapter for him to expand his reign and build his legacy.”

 

 

 

Additional June 16th PPV fights will soon be announced. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

 

 

INFORMATION:

 

www.promocionesmiguelcotto, www.integratedsportsnet.com, www.directvpr.com, www.fite.tv

 

Twitter: @CottoPromotions, @Directvpr, @IntegratedPPV, @FiteTV

boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Showtime

SHOWTIME SPORTS® RELEASES FIRST INSTALLMENT OF NEW DIGITAL TALK SHOW BELOW THE BELT

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Debut of BELOW THE BELT with Brendan Schaub features Heavyweight World Champion Deontay Wilder, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® analyst Paulie Malignaggi and Former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar

 

Available NOW On YouTube And Facebook

 

 

WHAT: SHOWTIME Sports released the debut installment of the first-of-its-kind sports talk show BELOW THE BELT,hosted by Brendan Schaub, available now on the Below the Belt YouTube Channel and the Below the Belt Facebook Page. The premiere of the twice-monthly, 30-minute program features a preview of Saturday’s Heavyweight World Championship between Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz with SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING analyst Paulie Malignaggi, as well as an interview with America’s only heavyweight world champion himself, Deontay Wilder. Schaub also interviews former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar ahead of his co-main event bout with Brian Ortega at UFC 222 on Saturday night.

 

BELOW THE BELT explores the latest news in combat sports and pop culture, with Schaub delivering candid thoughts in his unique and unfiltered style. The multi-platform program, which also includes a weekly podcast and a composite program that airs once per month on SHOWTIME EXTREME, features interviews with the biggest names in combat sports and entertainment, road trips, fight camp visits, sketches, animation and pop-culture spoofs. The next installment of BELOW THE BELT launches March 14, followed by new shows on March 28, April 11, April 18, May 2 and May 16.