Tag Archives: Salita Promotions

MICHIGAN NATIVE JOSHUA PAGAN STAYS UNDEFEATED WITH THRILLING MAIN-EVENT DECISION OVER VETERAN HASKELL RHODES

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Juan Carrillo Dominating In Unanimous Decision Victory For IBF Light Heavyweight Latino World Title Belt Over Lenin Castillo In the Co-Feature

Photos HERE (Please credit Jesús Muriel)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – October 18, 2024 – Michigan’s Joshua Pagan outdueled cagey veteran Haskell Rhodes in the “Fight of the Night” and main event of Salita Promotions’ “Big Time Boxing Puerto Rico” event on Friday with a unanimous decision victory from the Coca-Cola Music Hall and on DAZN.

Nicknamed “Double J”,  Pagan, whose father grew up in Puerto Rico and later moved to the United States settling in Grand Rapids where Pagan was born, had a legion of boisterous fans in his corner all night as he moved his record to 11-0 (4 KOs) in the 10-round lightweight victory over Rhodes (31-7, 16 KOs). In a fight closer than the judges’ scorecards indicated, Pagan’s hand was raised in victory by the referee with the scores of 100-90 and 99-91 twice. 

“It was amazing tonight, and the entire crowd was filled with just so much energy,” Pagan said. “I wanted to get the knockout, but he was just so experienced. I give him a lot of credit.”

The all-action fight saw an amazing fifth round with exchanges by both fighters that had fans rise to their feet and show their appreciation to both boxers.

The co-feature saw Juan Carrillo (13-0, 9 KOs) from Barranquilla, Colombia, win the IBF Light Heavyweight Latino title as he scored a decisive unanimous decision over Lenin Castillo (25-6-1, 19 KOs) of Santo Domingo, D.R. The judges scored the fight 98-92, 99-91, 100-90. Two judges gave Castillo the eighth round while the third had Carrillo winning the back-and-forth round and pitching a shutout.

In the second television bout, local San Juan favorite Kiria Tapia (5-0, 0 KOs) won for the fifth time against no defeats as she recorded a dominating six-round unanimous decision over Beata Dudek (4-5, 4 KOs) in a fight that saw flashes of the great Puerto Rican champion Amanda Serrano. The trio of judges were all in agreement with their scorecards giving it to Tapia 60-53. Tapia, who knocked Dudek to the canvas in the first round, threw her wide left at will in dominating the outclassed Hungarian.

Opening the highly anticipated DAZN main card, “Motor City” Detroit’s Da’Velle Smith (10-0, 8 KOs) scored a first-round technical knockout over Gilberto Santos (16-16, 12 KOs) from Brazil. It was never a contest as Smith came out the aggressor and knocked Smith to the ground twice before the referee had seen enough following a blistering overhand right and called the bout at 2:28 of the first round.

See below for more on the DAZN fights and what the fighters had to say:

LIGHTWEIGHT MAIN EVENT – 10 ROUNDS

Joshua Pagan (11-0, 4 KOs) over Haskell Rhodes (31-7-1, 16 KOs) via unanimous decision

Scorecards: 99-91 twice and 100-90

“I wish I would’ve had a couple more rounds,” Rhodes said in defeat. “It was a good fight. My hat’s off to Joshua. He fought a clean, smart fight. I love boxing and getting up every day and going to the gym. So I can’t wait to see what’s next for me.”

IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT LATINO WORLD TITLE CO-FEATURE – 10 ROUNDS

Juan Carrillo (13-0, 9 KOs) defeated Lenin Castillo (25-6-1, 19 KOs) via unanimous decision

Scorecards: 98-92, 99-91, 100-90

“I was looking for the knockout and tried to get him out of there, but he was a tough opponent,” Carrillo said. “Hopefully, what’s next for me is an opponent with a big name.” 

WOMEN’S SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT MAIN CARD BOUT – 6 ROUNDS 

Kiria Tapia (5-0, 0 KOs) sixth-round unanimous decision over Beata Dudek (4-5, 4 KOs)

 Scorecards: 60-53, 60-53, 60-53

“I was happy to have all the support of my family and fans in attendance,” Tapia said. “I want to keep improving and progressing and my team and I are confident it could lead to a world title shot someday. The early knockdown set the tone for what I was able to do for the rest of the fight.”

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT MAIN CARD BOUT – 6 ROUNDS

Da’Velle Smith (10-0, 8 KOs) stopped Gilberto Santos (16-16, 12 KOs) via first-round TKO (2:28).

“I felt amazing, and it was fun out there,” Smith said “It didn’t last long but I don’t get paid extra for overtime. I was able to show the fans in Puerto Rico and around the world just a bit of what I can bring. He came in overweight, but we didn’t complain. We just show up and win.”

In preliminary action, all four winners came from the island of Puerto Rico and from the “A” side. They included: Allen Morales from San Juan (KO at 1:38 of round two), Jorge Vizcarrando from Trujillo Alto (TKO at :15 of round four), Karla Davila (six-round unanimous decision) and Antonio Mota from Toa Baja (four-round majority decision). 

Big Time Boxing Puerto Rico” was promoted by Salita Promotions in collaboration with PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) and 21 Events and is part of Salita Promotions’ “Big Time Boxing USA” series, the leading developmental series for promising prospects and young contenders on their journey toward a world championship.

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

ABOUT DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.  For more information on DAZN, its products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com. 

DAZN LANDS LIVE TELECAST RIGHTS TO SATURDAY’S IBF SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: WILLIAM SCULL vs. VLADIMIR SHISHKIN

DAZN To Deliver Four-Fight Card To U.S., U.K. & Latin American Fans

Live from Berlin * 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT

*Complete fight card below*

BERLIN, GERMANY (Friday, Oct. 18, 2024) – Global sports streaming service DAZN has landed U.S., U.K. and Latin American telecast rights to Saturday’s IBF Super Middleweight World Championship between No. 1-ranked contender William Scull and No. 2-ranked Vladimir Shishkin for the vacant title on the final day before the event. Scull vs. Shishkin is the main event of a fight card promoted in cooperation between AGON Sports and Kuc Boxing, taking place at Stadthalle in Falkensee, just outside of Berlin. The four-fight televised portion of the card will air live on DAZN in the territories beginning at 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT.

The main event pits Salita Promotion’s top world title contender, Shishkin, against Scull, the undefeated Cuban-born boxer now living and training in Germany. The stakes are high as both men look to claim the IBF title belt recently vacated by Unified Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez.

“I am very happy that U.S. fight fans, and boxing fans around the world will have a chance to witness Saturday’s important world title fight,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “The implications for the future of the division and that of each fighter are significant. Vladimir Shishkin has dreamt of this moment his entire career and he has prepared accordingly. I believe he is more than ready to step into the lion’s den in Berlin and win his first world title.”

The 33-year-old Shishkin is a SHOBOX alum with an impressive pro career that began in 2016. A bona fide knockout artist, Shishkin (16-0, 10 KOs) has defeated Sena Agbeko, DeAndre Ware, Jose Uzcategui and carries momentum into Saturday’s bout from back-to-back knockout wins over Raymon Ayala and Mike Guy. Shishkin is entering his first world title bout and faces the added pressure of winning on Scull’s home turf. The Russian born Shishkin trains in Florida with world-class trainer SugarHill Steward. 

Scull (22-0, 9 KOs) has proven to be one of the more dangerous super middleweights in the world. Starting his professional career in 2016 as well, Scull most recently defeated New Orleans’ Sean Hemphill via unanimous decision in dominant fashion this past May. As a result, Scull was listed as the mandatory challenger for the then-reigning IBF Super Middleweight Champion, Canelo. Now facing his toughest test to date in Shishkin, Scull plans to make a statement to boxing fans around the world that he is the next generation’s 168-pound champion to beat.

Salita stated earlier, “Having worked with Shishkin for over six years, I have seen the undeniable progress he has made throughout his career as he continues to fight the biggest names in the sport. On Saturday, October 19, both Shishkin and Scull have the chance to make their case to fight Canelo Alvarez and to begin to reshape a marquee division with a wealth of big-name talent.”

Hometown Hero Erick DeLeon Ready to Leave Everything in the Ring in Homecoming Main Event April 12 in Dearborn, Michigan

Undefeated heavyweight prospect Brandon Moore has been added to the bout lineup of Salita Promotions’ next Detroit Brawl event on Saturday April 2, 2022, in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI.


The current WBC USNBC Silver Heavyweight Champion as a professional, and a former USA national champion as an amateur with several victories over other current professional prospects including unbeaten Dacarree Scott, the 6’ 6” southpaw Moore (11-0, 7 KOs) will appear in an eight-round showdown against divisional gatekeeper Curtis Harper (13-7, 9 KOs).


The two heavyweights will meet in support of the night’s eight-round main event featuring the return of one of Detroit’s own, as undefeated power-punching lightweight contender Erick De Leon (19-0-1, 11 KOs) will return after nearly three years’ absence from the sport due to injuries to face hard-nosed Mexico City veteran Juan Jose “Piquet” Martinez (28-11, 20 KOs).


Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $40 and can be purchased by clicking HERE.


PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be placed in will call at the box office for pick-up. A limited quantity of VIP tickets is also available by calling Lina (313.529.7604).


Guided by rising promotional entity Probellum and co-managed by Keith Connolly and Ryan Rickey, Lakeland, Florida’s Moore won his WBC USNBC Silver Heavyweight Championship with a fourth-round knockout over Mexico’s Elvis Garcia in August 2021 and successfully defended it in October of that year with a first-round KO over Mexico’s Jesus Angel Nerio. Moore was last seen in December making quick work of Mexico’s Abraham Pascual via KO 1 in Canadian boxing hotbed Montreal.


28-year-old Moore has also sparred with several of the world’s top heavyweights, including superstar former champion Deontay Wilder.


“I’m excited to fight in Detroit,” said a happy Moore. “Dmitry Salita is a great promoter and he always has first-class events. Fighting here is like the resurrection of Joe Louis in his adopted hometown. Get ready for a show! I’m the most exciting and energetic heavyweight in the world. April 2, everyone gets to see!”


“Brandon Moore is an exciting new force in boxing’s most glamorous division and the fans are in for a treat,” added Dmitriy Salita. “He’s up against a tough and unpredictable opponent in Harper, who has pulled off a few surprises. I’m happy to be joining forces with Brandon and his team to present another young and powerful force in heavyweight boxing to the great fans in Detroit.”


In the main supporting bouts will be a pair of world-class contenders, as undefeated former amateur star and professional middleweight Timur Kerefov (12-0, 6 KOs) and WBC #9, IBF #15, WBO #14 light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (7-0, 5 KOs) will both make appearances, 8 and 10 rounds respectively, against separate opponents, while undefeated Grand Rapids, Michigan-based former amateur lightweight star Joshua “Double J” Pagan (1-0, 1 KO) will appear in a four-round special attraction.


Kerefov will take on well-respected trialhorse Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (21-9-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round showdown. The murderous-punching Izmailov’s, as well as Pagan’s opponents are yet to be announced.


All bouts are subject to change. The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center is located at 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. On fight night, doors open at 7:00 pm and the action starts at 8:00 pm.

ABOUT THE FORD COMMUNITY & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:


The mission of the Dearborn Recreation & Parks Department is to help fulfill the social, educational and recreational needs of children, adults and families by providing quality programs and activities in clean and well-maintained facilities and to achieve this through exemplary customer service. For more information, visit their OFFICIAL SITE.


ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:
 
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
 
Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

Heavyweights Simms and Johnson to Rumble in Main Event of Salita Promotions’ Next Detroit Brawl on Saturday, March 5, in Dearborn

On Saturday, March 5, 2022, in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MichiganSalita Promotions will present another edition of the “Detroit Brawl” series, this time featuring Saginaw, Michigan, heavyweight spoiler Robert Simms (11-3, 3 KOs) taking on undefeated New Yorker Moses “ThunderHands” Johnson (8-0, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event.


Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $35. Order tickets online or call or visit the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center Box Office (313.943.2354) at 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn during Box Office hours: Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 4 pm and 5 pm to 8:30 pm on the day of the event.


A proven spoiler, in six years as a professional, Simms has faced a number of quality opponents, often as the B side of the bout sheet, taking upset victories over then 15-1 Joe Cusumano (W 6), then 8-0-2 Colby Madison (W 8), and in his last ring appearance, a unanimous decision over then 8-1 Aaron Quintana last March. Still improving, Simms has lost only one fight of his last seven.


Born and raised in Huntington, New York, 29-year-old Johnson has gone undefeated, thus far, in his four-year career, stopping all but one opponent. As an amateur, Johnson was a 2015 Golden Gloves Champion in the super heavyweight open class. Johnson has worked as a sparring partner for top heavyweight Daniel Dubois. Simms represents, by far, his toughest opponent to date.


Featured in the co-main event will be Detroit super middleweight Winfred Harris Jr. (21-1-1, 10 KOs). Also seeing action will be undefeated middleweight terror Marlon Harrington (6-0, 5 KOs), as well as popular Grand Rapids, Michigan-based former amateur stars Joseph “Sug” Hicks Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), and Joshua Pagan (1-0, 1 KO) in separate four-rounders.


All undercard opponents will be announced shortly.


“The last Detroit Brawl was a tremendous success and we’re coming back to the same terrific venue for another night of world-class Michigan boxing,” said event promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “We’ve got many of the best prospects in the state that will be in tough match-ups, starting with our heavyweight main event, that I can’t pick a winner of. Both guys have a lot to prove, so it should be a sensational night of boxing from beginning to end.”


PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be mailed up to one week prior to event date. Tickets ordered within a week of event will be placed in will call in the box office for pickup. A limited quantity of VIP tickets are also available by calling Lina at 313.529.7604.


The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center is located at 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm and the action starts at 7:00 pm. This event will also be streamed on the Salita Promotions’ YouTube Channel.

About Salita Promotions
 
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
 
Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

Salita Promotions Signs USA National Amateur Champion Joshua Pagan to a Promotional Contract

Pagan will make professional debut on Salita Promotions’ ‘Detroit Brawl’ event on January 22 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI

Salita Promotions proudly announces the signing of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based 2021 USA National Amateur Welterweight Champion Joshua “Double J” Pagan to a promotional contract.

After starting boxing at age 13, in honor of his trainer/father Tony who also boxed, Pagan had approximately 90 fights as an amateur, culminating in winning three State Golden Gloves Championships and this year’s USA national Championships in Shreveport, Louisiana.

A smooth boxer with a mean streak, 21-year-old Pagan will make his professional debut on Saturday, January 22, 2022, in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan, as Salita Promotions returns for another instalment of their popular “Detroit Brawl” series of professional boxing shows.

“I’ve been part of the amateur boxing game for a while now,” explained Pagan. “It’s time to challenge myself again and start something new. Pro boxing is the same sport, but a different game. I want a new challenge.”

The young phenom will face Steubenville, Ohio’s Glenn Mitchell (3-6, 3 KOs) in a four-round welterweight battle to support the 10-round middleweight main event featuring WBC #9- and WBO #15-ranked middleweight Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr.
“I’ve watched some fights of his on YouTube,” revealed Pagan.

“Mitchell is a rugged guy. I can’t overlook him because it only takes on mistake. I’m going in there to get my first win and showcase my skills and show the Detroit fans what I can do.”

A non-stop student of the sport, while working with his father/trainer Tony, Pagan says he’s been sparring more rounds than usual against local professionals and picking up their tricks of the trade to prepare.

“I feel I got a good deal and he seems real straightforward and genuine,” added Pagan about the deal with Salita. “We got hooked up by my good friend Joseph Hicks, who is also fighting on the card. I sent him some of my fights for Dmitriy to watch and he liked what he saw, so he told us to get a hold of him. I want to win a world championship. I’ve always dreamt of being on the big stage and fighting in the big fights. I don’t get nervous in big fights. If anything I get more focused. I’m more than ready and very excited for this new challenge. I’m ready to go. I’m training hard and I will be in the best shape I’ve ever been in on January 22.”

“He seems like a really down-to-earth guy,” added father Tony. “He seems like a good promoter and we think he’ll help us grow and do what we have to do. Joshua’s greatest strength is that he’s willing to work hard and wants to keep learning. Those are his best assets. He never stops learning and he really loves the sport.”

Promoter Salita, who has enjoyed several successes in his mission to help revive Michigan boxing, says Pagan is a talented new addition to his growing stable.

“Joshua is a young new talent with tremendous potential,” said Salita. “He’s a very hard worker in the gym with exceptional boxing skills. He’s a new prospective star from the state of Michigan and I’m happy to be working with him and his father to help them reach his potential. He has a lot of fans coming out to watch his professional debut, which will be against a tough opponent with nine more fights.”

In the night’s co-main event is power-punching undefeated Detroit middleweight “prospect to watch” Marlon Harrington (5-0, 4 KOs) will appear in a six-rounder vs. TBA.

Featured in separate eight-round battles, each against opponents to be announced, will be the always-exciting top super-featherweight contender Alejandro “Pork Chop” Guerrero (12-2, 9 KOs) of Irving, Texas; as well as Detroit super middleweight Winfred Harris Jr. (20-1-1, 10 KOs); and undefeated Houston-based welterweight Quinton Randall (8-0, 2 KOs).

And in a very special six-round pro debut will be Salita Promotions’ most recent promotional signee, popular Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Team USA Captain and bonafide amateur star Joseph “Sug” Hicks Jr., who will begin his fast-track route to potential stardom against TBA. 

Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $35 (service fees will apply). Order tickets online or call or visit the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center Box Office (ph: 313.943.2354) at 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn during Box Office hours: Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 4 pm and 5 pm to 8:30 pm on the day of the event. PLEASE NOTE: tickets ordered online will be mailed up to one week prior to event date. Tickets ordered within a week of event will be placed in will call in the box office for pickup. A limited quantity of VIP tickets are also available by calling Lina at 313.529.7604.

Two-Time Gold Medalist and Professional Superstar Claressa Shields and Her Team Send Congratulations to USA Boxing’s Olympic Medal Winners

Two-time Olympic champion Claressa Shields, from Flint, Michigan, is proud of Team USA’s Olympic boxing medalists and the whole USA Boxing squad, which featured five female participants for the first time. The only American boxer ever to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals, Shields stood atop the medal podium at the first-ever Olympic Games to feature women’s boxing in 2012, before duplicating the feat at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The reigning middleweight Olympic champion was pleased with the United States’ performance at the Tokyo Olympics, which featured three silver medals and a bronze in the first appearance of a women’s welterweight competition.


“I’m super proud of the U.S. team. The Olympics is the hardest tournament to medal in and all of you showed a lot of grit, hard work, determination and skill,” Shields said.


Earning medals in Tokyo were female welterweight O’shae Jones from nearby Toledo, Ohio, who took home a bronze, as well as a pair of professional boxers in Duke Ragan (featherweight) and Keyshawn Davis (lightweight), and California’s Richard Torrez Jr, (super heavyweight) who each won silver medals. The four medals represent the highest total for Team USA since Ricardo Juarez, Ricardo Williams, Clarence Vinson and Jermain Taylor grabbed hardware (two silver and two bronze) at the 2000 Olympics.


The 2020 Olympic Games featured the addition of two women’s weight divisions, bantamweight (119 lbs) and welterweight (152 lbs), which shows the continued growth of the sport of women’s boxing throughout the world.


Shields, who in addition to her two Olympic gold medals has won ten world titles in three weight divisions and become undisputed champion in two weight classes in just eleven fights as a professional and recently launched a two-sport career with her professional MMA debut for the PFL, says that having Jones as another American female professional boxer sporting an Olympic medal would be good for the sport. Jones has previously expressed a desire to enter the pro ranks.


“An injection of new top-level talent is always positive,” said Shields (11-0-0, 2 KOs), who aside from making her successful MMA fighting debut in June, made history last March by dethroning Canada’s Marie-Eve Dicaire and becoming the first boxer in the four-belt era to be an undisputed champion in two divisions. She also retained her WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles with the victory and claimed Dicaire’s IBF belt, as well as the vacant WBA Championship. “The idea of a new generation of ladies turning pro and deepening the talent pool with Olympic-level skills will be good for the sport of women’s boxing.”


Shields went 77-1 as an amateur and turned professional after her second Olympic victory in 2016. Her 2017 battle with Szilvia “Sunset” Szabados was the first female main event to be broadcast on American premium television. In addition to currently being the WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA champion at 154 pounds, Shields had previously unified all four of the major sanctioning body belts at middleweight (160 lbs.).


Shields has had a dominating, record-breaking run thus far in her professional career, tearing through other women once considered the best in their divisions with relative ease. She and Great Britain’s Katie Taylor, also undefeated as a pro, have lifted women’s boxing to new heights in recent years, leading an increasingly deeper talent pool that will only get deeper with the addition of the 2020 Olympians from around the world.


Shields’ manager, Mark Taffet of Mark Taffet Media, agrees that the impending influx of new talent to women’s boxing will benefit the sport as a whole.


“I’m excited for the four Americans who brought home Olympic medals this year, particularly welterweight bronze medal winner Oshae Jones who I believe will be one to watch in the next few years,” said Taffet. “The female boxing talent pool, and importantly the U.S. pool, continues to improve and bodes well for the future of women’s boxing and the continued gains toward equality across the board.” 


Shields’ promoter, Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions, says he’s excited for the future and proud of USA Boxing, who produced four medal winners while undergoing a deadly pandemic that severely hampered the ability to train properly


“As a former amateur and professional boxer, I know the sacrifices required to fight on the elite level and I congratulate Team USA for all of its successes this year, even through all the added challenges that Covid-19 created,” said Salita.

WOMENS POUND FOR POUND QUEEN CLARESSA SHIELDS NOMINATED FOR ESPY FOR 2021 BEST BOXER

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR CLARESSA SHIELDS AS 2021 BEST BOXER HERE.


Salita Promotions wishes to congratulate women’s pound-for-pound #1 boxer and three-division world champion Claressa Shields for being nominated for a 2021 ESPY Award for Best Boxer.


Presented by Capital One and the ESPN network, the ESPY’s allow fans to choose the yearly winners by way of online voting.


Aside from making her successful MMA fighting debut in June, Shields (11-0-0, 2 KOs) made history last March by dethroning Canada’s Marie-Eve Dicaire and becoming the first boxer in the four-belt era, male or female, to be an undisputed champion in two divisions. She also retained her WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles with the victory and claimed Dicaire’s IBF belt, as well as the vacant WBA Championship.


Shields is in strong company with the other nominees, including unified super middleweight champ Canelo Alvarez, unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez and WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury.


CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE GWOAT HERE AND TUNE IN TO THE ESPYS ON JULY 10 AT 8 P.M. ET ON ABC.


“Claressa is a once-in-a-generation athlete who is taking women’s combat sports and her fight for equality, inside and outside the ring, to new heights every time she steps into the ring,” said her promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “She is an example to young athletes and especially young female athletes that with hard work you can reach your dreams. 2021 is another history-making year for Claressa with no end in sight to what she can accomplish.”

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About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
 
Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 
 

WORLD-RANKED BANTAMWEIGHT NIKOLAI POTAPOV ROLLS OVER OSCAR RICHARD, CONTINUES HUNT FOR THE MONSTER FROM JAPAN

Photos by Sergey Baranov / @fightphoto_official 


(June 28, 2021) WBO #3, IBF #7, WBC #14 bantamweight Nikolai Potapov continued his “Hunt for The Monster” on Sunday morning (June 27) by scoring an eight-round unanimous decision over Tanzania’s Oscar Richard.
 
Fighting in the main event of a 14-fight event at the Soviet Wings Sport Palace in Moscow, Russia and live on Russian TV and Salita Promotions’ YOUTUBE CHANNEL, Potapov (23-2-1, 11 KOs) showed off his world-class skills by dominating the game Richard (7-4-1, 2 KOs) throughout.
 
Potapov, of Podolsk, Russia, was happy to stay busy with the victory and hopes it continues to propel him to the fight he wants: a shot at three-weight world champion and current unified bantamweight world champion Naoya “The Monster” Inoue of Japan.
 
“I commend my opponent,” said Potapov, post-fight, “he had no fear in him. It felt good to get in eight good rounds after six months. I am sharp and ready to slay ‘The Monster’ as soon as I get him in a ring.”
 
Potapov, who had over 180 amateur fights and won numerous national and international tournaments, says the vaunted Inoue is nothing he hasn’t seen before.


“I’ve beaten hard punchers like him before,” said Potapov of Inoue. “I know his style inside and out and beating him will not be a problem. Bring me ‘The Monster!’”
 
Potapov’s long-time promoter, Dmitriy Salita, says that Potapov’s focus has been on Inoue for a long time.
 
“Since the first time he saw Inoue fight he’s been saying he knows how to beat him,” said Salita. “All his experience fighting around the world, he says he knows exactly how to nullify a fighter who relies on his power like that.”
 
Salita, who presented the event on his popular YOUTUBE CHANNEL says he’s happy with the large viewership who were allowed to watch several exciting overseas prospects before their North American debuts.
 
“I am delighted that we were able to provide boxing fans with an opportunity to watch free live boxing featuring some of the best contenders and prospects from Russia,” said Salita. “Thousands of fans tuned in, participated in a live chat and talked boxing. OurYOUTUBE CHANNEL has been a phenomenal platform to give needed exposure to talent from around the world and connect them with the boxing community. There is much more to come in the coming months!”
 
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About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
 
Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

SALITA PROMOTIONS TO LIVESTREAM FREE 14-FIGHT RUSSIAN BOXING EVENT ON SUNDAY, JUNE 27, AT 9:00 AM ET/6:00 AM PT, ON SALITA PROMOTIONS YOUTUBE CHANNEL

WBO #3 and IBF #7 Bantamweight Nikolai Potapov Continues Campaign to Meet and Defeat ‘The Monster’ by Taking on Tanzania’s Oscar Richard


Fans of international boxing can wake up to boxing for brunch this Sunday, June 27, at 9:00 am ET (6:00 am PT), as Salita Promotions proudly presents another marathon 14-fight matinee of Russian boxing on their popular YOUTUBE CHANNEL, free of charge from the Soviet Wings Sport Palace in Moscow, Russia. The event, entitled “Fight and Win” and presented by Shamo Boxing in association with Salita Promotions, will feature a rugged eight-round battle between WBO #3 and IBF #7 bantamweight Nikolai Potapov (22-2-1, 11 KOs), of Podolsk, Russia, now residing Brooklyn, and Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania’s Oscar Richard (7-3-1, 2 KOs).


And in the 10-round co-main event, Beshariq, Uzbekistan’s Bakhromjon “B.F.” Fozilov(3-1-3, 3 KOs) will face 18-fight veteran Andrey Tomashchuk of Chelyabinsk, Russia for the WPBF International Middleweight Championship.


30-year-old Potapov has bounced back nicely from his highly controversial “loss” to fellow contender Josh Greer by scoring two big victories, including his last outing, a shutout unanimous decision over Ukraine’s then 16-2 Oleksandr Hryshchuk in December 2020 in Moscow. In his 11-year career, Potapov has already held the WBA Asia and WBO NABO Bantamweight Championships.


“I look forward to returning to the ring and putting on an exciting performance for my fans in Moscow and worldwide,” said Potapov, who has steadily moved back into contention for another big fight, whether a rematch against Greer or a challenge of one of the division’s champions.


Also scheduled for battle in featured fights are Saint Petersburg, Russia’s Zurab Kvitsiani (7-1, 2 KOs) taking on Khimki, Russia’s David Nikolaev (9-7-1, 5 KOs) in a middleweight eight-rounder; Grozny, Russia’s (via Almaty, Kazakhstan) undefeated super lightweight Shamil Malsagov (3-0, 1 KO) up against Ufa, Russia’s Rustem Fatkhullin (8-8, 3 KOs) over eight rounds; and once-beaten Tikhon Netesov of Irkutsk, Russia (5-1, 2 KOs) facing Khimki, Russia’s (via Vanadzor, Armenia) Arkadi Harutyunyan(4-17, 1 KO) in a six-round super lightweight battle.


The event’s complete bout sheet can be found HERE.


I am thrilled to bring a Sunday show from Moscow to boxing fans in the US via ourYOUTUBE CHANNEL, said Dmitriy Salita. “Nikolai is one of the best bantamweights in the world. Coming off this weekend with Inoue’s incredible performance, I believe Nikolai will show that he is elite and ready to challenge ‘The Monster.’”


Calling the action in English will be Canada’s Corey Erdman, a commentary veteran for ESPN, NBC, CBS, SpikeTV, BoxNation, DAZN and SNY, as well as UFC Fight Pass’ recurring series Broadway Boxing. Erdman is also a lead columnist for Boxing Scene, and a regular combat sports contributor to VICE.


The livestream is part of Salita Promotions’ ever-expanding YOUTUBE CHANNEL, that already offers thousands of hours of past fights from many of the biggest names in boxing, free of charge, and attracts more than 5 million monthly views with 196,000 subscribers and hundreds of thousands of daily viewers. Check the Salita PromotionsYOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.


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About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
 
Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

SALITA PROMOTIONS AND SHAMO BOXING TO PRESENT FROM RUSSIA WITH GLOVE, A 13-FIGHT MATINEE OF RUSSIAN BOXING TOMORROW, FRIDAY, MAY 15, ON FITE

UNDERCARD ACTION STARTS AT 10:00 AM ET ON STREAMING GIANT FITE.TV; COREY ERDMAN TO PICK UP THE LIVE COMMENTARY AT 12:30 ET MARATHON BOXING CARD PRESENTED FOR JUST USD $9.99

(Friday, May 14, 2021) Tomorrow (Saturday, May 15), beginning at 10 am ET and carrying on throughout the day, Salita Promotions and Shamo Boxing will present “FROM RUSSIA WITH GLOVE,” another matinee of international professional boxing, on the popular streaming platform FITE.TV for just USD $9.99 from the Soviet Wings Sport Palace in Moscow, Russia.


The main event of the marathon 13-fight event, will feature a 10-round women’s showdown for the WBC CISBB (Boxing Bureau of the CIS, Slavic and Baltic Countries) Strawweight Championship between Vichuga, Russia’s Anna Levina (6-1, 5 KOs) and Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania veteran Halima Vunjabei (9-6-1, 5 KOs). And in the 10-round co-main event, Beshariq, Uzbekistan’s undefeated Mirzakamol Nematov (4-0, 2 KOs) will face Sergiev Posad, Russia’s Evgeny “The Eagle” Nikitin (5-5, 2 KOs) for the World Professional Boxing Federation Super Welterweight Championship.


Veteran commentator Corey Erdman will begin calling the action for the key fights on the card, beginning at 12:30 pm ET, with undefeated super welterweight Vadim Musaev(3-0) taking on Mariupol, Ukraine’s Artem Lim (5-4, 2 KOs).


Also featured will be Vladimir, Russia’s Vaghinak Tamrazyan (17-8, 5 KOs) taking on Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania’s Meshack “Smart Boy” Mwankemwa (21-9-2, 13 KOs) in a middleweight eight-rounder, as well as undefeated Russian redhead Alexander Devyatov (10-0, 9 KOs) of Saratov, Russia, going against durable South African veteranRofhiwa “The War Child” Maemu (19-10-3, 12 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight struggle.


And in an “all Russian” female special attraction, Moscow’s Luiza Davydova (4-2, 2 KOs) will face Saint Petersburg’s Yuliya Smyzhina (0-2) over six rounds in the super welterweight division.


THE FULL RUNDOWN OF ALL 13 FIGHTS CAN BE FOUND HERE. CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE EXCITING EVENT FROM FITE.TV NOW!


“This card is packed with the next generation of boxing talent from the from the former Eastern Bloc,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. Don’t miss a chance to see many of the Russian stars of tomorrow before they become big names in the United States. Thanks to my partners, Shamo Boxing, and to the FITE.TV team who always go above and beyond.”


Erdman, a boxing-media insider and commentary veteran for ESPN, NBC, CBS, SpikeTV, BoxNation, DAZN and SNY, as well as UFC Fight Pass’ recurring series Broadway Boxing, says he’s happy to be returning to his duties behind the microphone for Salita’s ongoing series of livestreamed events.


“Dmitriy continues to do the important work of giving women platforms in boxing and beyond that, normalizing them being in the main event of a broadcast,” he said. “I am very much looking forward to calling this event, the Levina vs. Munjabei main event in particular. Tamrazyan vs. Mwankemwa is a really interesting fight as well, because both of these guys are used to getting assignments against top prospects and hometown fighters, so they’re both underrated. Now they get a chance to be in a 50-50 fight and could produce fireworks together. Tamrazyan had a good argument for winning his last fight against Bobby Mominov who went on to fight on NBC not long after. Both Tamrazyan and Mwankemwa are really solid fighters that are better than their records suggest.”


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Check the Salita Promotions YouTube Channel for regular video updates of boxing’s greatest legends, its best fighters, toughest contenders and brightest prospects in action.