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boxing, Olympics, USA Boxing

Top USA amateur boxers adjusting to life without fights & waiting another year for Olympics show

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Arjan Iseni training during the pandemic
 
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 23, 2020) — Amateur boxing, as in the professional ranks, has been shut-down worldwide due to the Coronavirus pandemic. USA Boxing members are adjusting to these challenging and trying times all across the country.
 
Gyms and schools are closed, tournaments suspended, and the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo have been postponed a year. Members of the Elite Qualification, Youth and Junior High Performance teams are home rather than in Colorado Springs training at the state-of-art United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center.
 
How are some of the leading U.S. amateur boxers living during this period without fights?
 
ELITE OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION TEAM

Joseph Hicks (Grand Rapids, Michigan), 26-year-old middleweight, USA Ranking #2
Gold medal performances: 2019 National Golden Gloves; 2017 & 2018 Eastern Elite Qualifier; 3-time Eastern Elite Qualifier (2017-2019)
 
Hicks was within one qualifier victory of officially becoming a member of the 2020 Team USA Olympic Boxing Team. He is taking advantage of the break, though, spending quality time with his wife and young daughter.
 
“

I personally feel that this has been a blessing in disguise, because I have more time to improve on the things the USA coaches have been telling me to work on. I live in an apartment in Lansing (MI), but I’ve been staying with my mom in Grand Rapids so I can comfortably train. It’s weird in a way, but I miss getting punched at. I’ve been trying to adapt to the new normal, but I can’t wait to be back at the training center (in Colorado Springs).
 
“I love that I can see my daughter every day to give her all my attention, but she misses the gym as much as me. My wife and mother have been very supportive. I believe waiting another year will only make me better by the time the Olympics are here.”
 
Oshae Jones, (Toledo, Ohio), 22-year-old welterweight, USA Ranking #1
Gold Medal Performances: 2020 Olympic Team Trials, 3-time Elite National Championships (2016-2019), 2017 Eastern Elite Qualifier, 2016 Youth Open, 2014 National PAL. International: 2020 Strandja Tournament & 2019 Pan-American Games
 
Jones had been on a roll leading up to the since postponed Americas Qualifier to lock a roster spot on the 2020 Team USA Olympic Boxing Team. She has been training at her family’s gym in Toledo, as well as getting more involved in community services and functions.



“I have not adapted to life without boxing, because boxing will never leave my life. My family / coaches have a gym connected to our house we live in. Boxing is not a sport, it’s a lifestyle .

“My heart dropped when I first heard that the Olympics were postponed. Everything that I have been working toward for basically my whole life is on pause until next July. I do not know how I  feel or how to express how I feel. The only thing I can do is try to stay motivated.”
 
 
YOUTH HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAM
 
Arjan Iseni (Staten Island, New York), 17-year-old light heavyweight, USA Ranking #1
Gold Medal Performances: 2019 Youth National Championships, Eastern Regional Open & Youth Open
 
Iseni lives in the Coronavirus epicenter, Staten Island, NY. He and his father built a small ring in their backyard (see picture below) because he couldn’t train in any gyms.
 
“It’s very hard to know that I won’t be able to represent Team USA this year in any international tournaments. This is my last year as a youth boxer, but I have been training very hard during quarantine, and I will be ready for whatever is next for me.
 
“It is hard knowing that I will not be fighting soon, but this gives me more time to perfect the little flaws in my game, and I’ll comeback stronger when this all ends. Hopefully, everything goes back to normal soon, so I can get back to fighting actively and hopefully make Team USA as an Elite boxer.”
 

Shera Mae Patricio (Waianae, Hawaii), 17-year-old flyweight, USA Ranking #1
Gold Medal Performances: 2019 Youth National Championships & Western Regional Open; 2018 Youth National Championships & Western Regionals Open; 2017 National Junior Olympics & National Golden Gloves
 
Patricio lives the furthest away from training camp and her teammates, but her family owns a boxing gym, and training/sparring isn’t as a problem for her because she has eight siblings.
 


“We are in quarantine and I have adapted to life without fights by continuing to train at our personal gym with my siblings. Training hasn’t been a problem for us because we have our own personal gym. We sanitize all the equipment and the gym before and after training. Since there are no fights coming soon, we have been sharpening up our skills and building more knowledge We’ve been gaining strength and keeping up our endurance. On weekends, my dad rides a bike while we run laps to get some sunlight, and sometimes we do sprint drills outside.
 
“Our family is a boxing family that started with my dad as he was a boxer. He started training me, only for defense, but it started to get serious in 2015 when I won my first tournament in Kansas. All of my other siblings are also boxers and they’re also multiple-time champions. My siblings and I have been getting a ton of family time staying home together. This quarantine has made us even closer. Our bond makes us stronger individually and as one. I’m far away from training in Colorado Springs, but my teammates are only a phone call away. I’m able to stay in touch and that’s very warming. Some of the coaches check on me to see how I’ve been doing. I looked forward to all the tournaments I planned to fight in and I’m disappointed they’ve been postponed, but I have more time to be even better prepared for my next fight.”    
 
JUNIOR HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAM

Steven Navarro (Los Angeles, California) 16-year-old flyweight, USA Ranking #1
Gold Medal Performances: 2019 Junior National Championships & National PAL; 2018 Junior National Championships; 2017 Prep Open & Western Regional Open
 
Navarro was training in Colorado Springs to prepare for international competition in Bulgaria, but the trip was cancelled two days before Navarro and his teammates were scheduled to depart.
 


“As a member of the USA Boxing Junior Team, I look forward to every fight / tournament, because it could be my last. So it was very heartbreaking when I was notified that our fights in Bulgaria and future international fights were cancelled due to this pandemic. I continue working as hard as I do on a regular basis: waking up at 5 in the morning, running 5-6 miles in nearby hills, of course wearing my mask. I come home to take my online classes from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., which gives me a 2-hour nap before heading to my private gym. I am the only person who trains at my gym every day at 4:30 p.m. Once I get to the gym, I begin stretching for 3 rounds (3-minute rounds), shadow box for 5-7 rounds, then I hit five varieties of punching bags (3 rounds each). Afterwards, I work mitts (5-8 rounds) where I focus on different movements and situations that could possibly happen in a fight. I often hit the double-end bag and speed bag for 3 rounds. I finish my boxing training with 15 min. of jump rope.

“I train on a daily basis for 2 hours with my father/coach Refugio Navarro. This pandemic is a bit of a gamble due to not having access to sparring. I do tend to ‘move’ with my father once every week, but the experience is different. Once finished, I head to my grandparents’ house (only one block away from my home) to do my strength and conditioning. I do wear a mask and gloves when working out there. My grandfather is a bodybuilder and has his gym setup in his garage. I work-out with my grandfather for a good hour, constantly disinfecting all equipment, to wrap-up my day. I work with what I have, which is a blessing. Boxing isn’t a season sport, you must stay ready all year for anything, and that’s what I continue to do as I strive for greatness.”

Fernanda Chavez (Dallas, Texas), 14-year-old bantamweight, USA Ranking #2
Gold Medal Performances: 2019 Junior Open; 2018 Prep Open & Eastern Regional
 


Chavez is a first-year member of the Junior High Performance Team and her inaugural training camp in Colorado Springs was pushed back.
 
“Adapting to this new lifestyle hasn’t been the easiest. I’m thankful I have my family, as we’ve been going on daily runs and workouts at parks. My family understands the importance of my athleticism and staying fit, which is why we continue to motivate each other during this tough time. I’m not sure when our lives will return to normal, which is why I’m still prepared at all times.
 
“The things I’m looking forward to most at camp in Colorado Springs is meeting other junior females on the team, as well as learning the different styles they bring. I also look forward to creating bonds between my new teammates and coaches from across the nation.” 
 
 

Arjan Iseni’s backyard ring in Staten Island



INFORMATION:
 
www.usaboxing.org 
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
 
ABOUT USA BOXING: To promote and grow Olympic-style amateur boxing in the United States and to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus they need to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring. USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold!

boxing, Olympics, USA Boxing

From East LA to Team USA Flyweight boxer Anthony Herrera is living the dream

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 20, 2020) – From the mean streets of East Los Angeles to a berth on Team USA is a remarkable achievement for 19-year-old flyweight Anthony Herrera, who recently was selected to be a member of the 2020 Olympic Games Tokyo Boxing Qualification Team.

“Since I was very young,” Herrera spoke about growing up in East LA, “my parents always kept me in sports.  Being so occupied with sports was actually a distraction from what was going on around the city.  So, I never had time to get into trouble and my parents kept me away from a bad lifestyle.  Once I started boxing, I took it seriously, staying focused and setting goals.  I was a little older at that time and whether or not I wanted to partake in boxing or wanted to make a career out of it was all up to me, and I always had my parents full support.  Boxing has been a big part of my life.  I’m always looking forward to the next workout or anything boxing related.  It’s part of my image at this point.”

For now, though, Herrera is preparing with his teammates at the United States Olympics and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for the America’s Qualification Tournament, March 26-April 3, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Herrera will qualify to represent his country at the Olympics by finishing among the top five in Buenos Aires, or first six placers at the World Qualifier, May 13-14, in Paris, France. 

“I thrive under pressure,” Herrera said.  “I don’t let pressure get to me mentally so much that it negatively impacts my performance.  It makes me perform better when I’m in the ring.  I’ve been under pressure my whole boxing career.  Not only has it made me a better fighter in certain situations that are intimidating, but also a stronger person overall.  Going to Argentina is no different, the nerves are still there, but so is my determination to get to Tokyo.”

A 2018 National PAL and 2019 Western Elite Qualifier champion, Herrera recently finished second at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and third at the 2020 Strandja Tournament in Bulgaria.

“The amateur boxing accomplishment I’m most proud of is making the United States Qualification Team as a flyweight,” he noted. “It was tough to make it here and knowing that I overcame the obstacles I faced on this long journey to where I’m at now makes me very happy.  I can truly say I earned it.

“My first International boxing match (Strandja) was a little different from what I’m used to. The equipment we used and fighting without headgear created more risk when fighting, but I had fun in my first international fight.  I already have the feel for that environment and am more comfortable now.

“I really enjoy training in Colorado Springs with my teammates, because it’s a great experience that only the best athletes get.  I love training at home as well, but there are less distractions in Colorado Springs.  I get to focus 100-percent on my craft and get to travel more.”

Herrera, who describes his style as a “swarmer”, applying pressure and breaking down his opponent, is living the dream.

“Fighting in the Olympics was always big for me, but getting a gold medal is my dream,” he added.  “I’ve always wanted it because no one can ever take that away from me, and the story and work that is put behind a gold medal is priceless.  In my opinion it is harder than winning a world title in professional boxing.  Being this close to the Olympics, I’m proud of myself but not satisfied. I know that I still have work to do and I’m taking one step at a time.  The next step for me is to qualify for the Olympics at the Olympic Qualifier.” 

Herrera attributes some of his success to learning from former and contemporary boxers, implementing any techniques that they use into his style, including, for example, the footwork and head movement of Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., and Mike Tyson’s set-ups from the body to head.

Tokyo is a long way from East LA for Anthony Herrera.

INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

ABOUT USA BOXING:  To promote and grow Olympic-style amateur boxing in the United States and to inspire the tireless pursuit of Olympic gold and enable athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence. Additionally, USA Boxing endeavors to teach all participants the character, confidence and focus they need to become resilient and diverse champions, both in and out of the ring. USA Boxing is one team, one nation, going for gold!

boxing, Olympics, USA Boxing, women's boxing

2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing Women’s Field Finalized

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 22, 2019) — Following four qualifying tournaments that began in December 2018, the field of 40 elite female boxers who will compete next month at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing in Lake Charles, La. is final. A total of 117 elite female boxers competed throughout the year for the 40 available spots. Only ten will advance from the trials competition to the next stage of the selection process and the opportunity to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Here is a closer look at the field in the five weight classes.
 
Flyweight/112 lbs./51 kg

2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing champion Virginia Fuchs (Houston, Texas) fell short of advancing to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games during the international qualification but has dominated the flyweight division ever since. Having won eight international medals since those trials, Fuchs could face her biggest competition from the young talent of Heaven Garcia (El Monte, Calif.). Garcia, a two-time World Champion in the junior and youth divisions, has been the one to watch for many years, and these trials could be her coming out party in the elite division. However, Christina Cruz (Hell’s Kitchen, N.Y.), two-time Elite World Championship bronze medalist, will bring experience to her third U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing that will be tough for any boxer that she faces. Mariana Gonzalez (Sunnyvale, Calif.) stood atop the podium at the Western Elite Qualifier, while runner-up Jazzelle Bobadilla (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) has international experience on her side that can help her to upset this division. Jasmine Hampton (Ann Arbor, Mich.) was victorious at the Last Chance Qualifier to punch her ticket to Lake Charles, with Lina Vezzani (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Stephanie Chavez (Orange, Calif.) rounding out the flyweight division.
 
 
Featherweight/125 lbs./57 kg

Expected to be the most competitive weight class in the women’s field, the featherweight division has numerous boxers looking to advance to the next stage of the selection process. Five of the eight boxers have World Championship medals, with the last three boxers having impressive performances at their qualifiers. Yarisel Ramirez (Las Vegas, Nev.) won a silver at the 2015 Junior World Championships, as well as a bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games in her first year in the elite division. Two-time Youth World Championships bronze medalists Isamary Aquino (Universal City, Texas) leads the way in the medal count and will look to continue making a name for herself. Lupe Gutierrez(Sacramento, Calif.) and Iyana Verduzco (Los Angeles, Calif.) won gold medals in their World Championship debuts, with Gutierrez winning at the 2015 Junior World Championships and Verduzco at the 2018 Youth World Championships. Mikiah Kreps(Niagara Falls, N.Y.) won the bronze medal at this October’s Elite World Championships in her international debut, and will be using the confidence from that performance in Lake Charles. Andrea Medina (San Diego, Calif.) impressed many in Reno, defeating numerous World Championship medalists on her way to the title, while Destiny Jasso(Dallas, Texas) and Melanie Costa (Norton, Mass.) survived a tough bracket out of the Eastern Elite Qualifier to advance to these trials.

Lightweight/132 lbs./60 kg

Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.) enters the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials with confidence on her side, after an impressive 2019 run that included bronze medals at the 2019 Pan American Games and World Championships. Amelia Moore (Alexandria, Va.) and Stacia Suttles(Bronx, N.Y.) both have World Championship experience, as well as winning international performances to be strong contenders to take the title and advance to the next stage of the qualification to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Ravven Brown (San Antonio, Texas) recently made her international debut at the 2019 Elite World Championships and had a quick rise to success in her short boxing career. Kimberly Carlson (Chicago, Ill.) andWhitney Gomez (Bend, Ore.) left the Western and Last Chance Qualifiers golden, whileJennifer Lopez (Jersey City, N.J.) and Rebecca Maine (Pittsburg, Pa.) round out the field following their silver medal performances in Ohio and California.
 
Welterweight/152 lbs./69 kg
 
Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio) made history this year with her gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Games and looks to be one of the favorites for the welterweight division. The comeback of a few boxers and the rise of some up and comers will make this another exiting weight class to watch. Two boxers who recently came back to the sport and looking to shake things up are Danyelle Wolf (San Diego, Calif.) and Mary Spencer (Boulder, Colo.). Wolf, a three-time USA Boxing National Champion and two-time Continental Champion made her return to the ring in impressive fashion in Reno this year, while Spencer, who is a dual-citizen, represented Canada at the 2012 Olympic Games and won three World Championships under the Canadian flag, won the Eastern Qualifier to punch her ticket to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing. Sharahya Moreu (Albuquerque, N.M.) may be the youngest in the division at 20-years-old but has a great deal of experience and will use that against her elder opponents. Briana Che (Madison, Wisc.), Arika Skoog(Boston, Mass.) and Jill Stafford (La Mesa, Calif.) all won silver medals in their respective qualifying competitions and could easily surprise many in Lake Charles, while Liz Flores(Woodland Hills, Calif.) grabbed the last spot to compete after Morelle McCain decided to compete in the middleweight division following her qualifying in both weight classes.
 
Middleweight/165 lbs./75 kg
 
Since the departure of two-time Olympic Champion Claressa Shields to the professional ranks, Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.) has been the leader for Team USA in the middleweight division, winning multiple international medals including a silver at the 2019 Pan American Games and a bronze at the 2018 World Championships. 2017 Youth World Champion Citlalli Ortiz (Coachella, Calif.) put on a dominating performance at the recent Last Chance Qualifier, including two wins by RSC, and will be looking to continue her winning ways into Lake Charles, while Morelle McCane (Cleveland, Ohio) had an impressive 2019, taking a bronze in her international debut earlier this year. Alexis Gomez(South San Francisco, Calif.) and Kendra Reeves (Twin Falls, Idaho) picked up titles at the Western and Eastern Qualifiers to punch their tickets to Louisiana and will be looking to have another victorious tournament, while Fallon Farrar (Colorado Springs, Colo.),Melody Popravak (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Rachael Washington (New York, N.Y.) took the silver medals at the three qualifying tournaments and will hope to improve their performances in Lake Charles.
Follow USA Boxing on social media, as well as the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing and 2019 USA Boxing National Championships website for news, results, selection procedures and updates of the tournament by clicking here: http://bit.ly/BoxingTrials20
Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA, Paramount Network

BELLATOR HEADS TO JAPAN WITH LEGENDRY CLASH BETWEEN FEDOR EMELIANENKO AND ‘RAMPAGE’ JACKSON

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SAITAMA SUPER ARENA TO HOST BELLATOR JAPAN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 – LIVE ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK

TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 3

 

LOS ANGELES – For the first time in the organization’s history, Bellator travels to Japan and the iconic Saitama Super Arena for an historic event, as Fedor Emelianenko (38-6, 1 NC) and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (38-13) square off in a long-awaited heavyweight showdown. Bellator Japan: Fedor vs. Rampage, powered by RIZIN, takes place Sunday, December 29 and will air LIVE on Paramount Network.

 

Tickets for Bellator Japan: Fedor vs. Rampage go on sale November 3. Additional bouts are expected to be announced in the coming days.

 

“For Bellator’s debut in Japan, we wanted to bring a massive event and fighters that the Japanese fans really connect with,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “Given the vast history of martial arts and MMA in Japan, and especially at Saitama Super Arena, this will be a very special show that no one will want to miss.This will, unquestionably, be a monumental event for Bellator and I am looking forward to the moment that Fedor and ‘Rampage’ walk out to a crowd that has known them since their careers began. I would also like to thank RIZIN for their help in making this event a possibility and we look forward to working together in the near future to showcase the best talent each organization has to offer.”

 

Fighting out of Stary Oskol, Belgorod Oblast, Russia, Fedor Emelianenko returns to Japan following a successful run in the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix earlier this year, where he earned consecutive first-round knockouts over Chael Sonnen and Frank Mir. A former PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion and PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight World Grand Prix Champion, “The Last Emperor” returns to where his career started. Often referred to as “The GOAT” by fans around the world, his career resume stands as one of the most impressive in the history of the sport with victories over Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Hunt, Mark Coleman and Andrei Arlovski, to name a few. With 29 career victories ending via finish, the punching power and world-class Sambo of the stoic Russian could result in yet another defining moment in his illustrious career.

 

An eight-fight veteran of Bellator, “Rampage” Jackson’s legendary career has seen him compete against some of the top names in the sport, generating a loyal army of fans along the way. The former PRIDE and UFC champion is the proud owner of many epic highlight reel slams and knockouts that he has racked up throughout his epic battles with the likes of Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson, “King Mo” Lawal, Kevin Randleman and, perhaps most-notably, his four-fight series with Wanderlei Silva. The Memphis, Tennessee-native has long been seen as an icon to MMA fans around the globe and has openly voiced a desire to face Fedor in front of a Japanese crowd before his career comes to an end. Now, the two legends will finally meet inside the Bellator cage on December 29 at the famed Saitama Super Arena.

 

Updated Bellator Japan: Fedor vs. Rampage Fight Card:

Heavyweight Main Event: Fedor Emelianenko (38-6, 1 NC) vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (38-13)

 

*Card subject to change.

 

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

 
boxing

Lewkowicz Secures Right to Broadcast KO King Guzman’s Title Defense This Saturday in Japan

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Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing is proud to announce he has secured the rights to broadcast a special early-morning Woz Promotions tripleheader of world-class boxing, on TyC Sports, on Saturday, December 31, 2016 (4:30 am ET/6:30 pm JST), from the Shimazu Arena in Kyoto, Japan, and featuring boxing’s next superstar, Jonathan “Salomon King” Guzman.
In the United States, TyC Sports can be found on DirecTV channel 469.
One of boxing’s most feared punchers, the undefeated KO artist Guzman (22-0, 22 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will be making the first defense of his IBF World Super Bantamweight Championship against Yukinori Oguni (18-1-1, 7 KOs) of Tokyo, Japan.
In the co-main event, multiple-time world champion and current WBA World Flyweight Champion Kazuto Ioka (20-1, 12 KOs) of Osaka, Japan will defend against Yutthana Kaensa (15-0, 6 KOs) of Bangkok, Thailand.
In the eight-round super bantamweight opener, hometown product Shohei Omori (17-1, 12 KOs) of Kyoto will face a stern test against solid veteran Rocky “The Road Warrior” Fuentes (35-8-2, 20 KOs) of Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines.
A regular source of top-quality professional boxing with its weekly Saturday “Boxeo de Primera” series, TyC Sports is a Buenos Aires, Argentina-based sports network that currently operate the domestic pay TV channel TyC Sports, TyC Sports 2, TyC Sports 3, as well as two international pay TV channels, TyC Sports Latin America and TyC Sports USA.
“On the last day of the year, boxing fans around the world can watch the next superstar of boxing in action,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “Jonathan Guzman is the hardest puncher and the most exciting fighter in boxing. I am happy to be able to bring this fight to the world outside Japan.”
For more information on TyC Sports, please visit www.tycsports.com.
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.
Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.
mixed martial arts

RIZIN FF Announces Tournament Brackets, Matchups for Eight-Man Heavyweight Tournament on December 29 and 31 

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Fighters comment on the highly-anticipated tournament that will award its winner a $300,000 grand prize

TOKYO, JAPAN (Nov. 30, 2015) –A drawing to determine the tournament brackets and first stage matchups for the RIZIN FIGHTING GRAND-PRIX 2015 eight-man, heavyweight tournament that will take place over the course of two days – December 29 and December 31 – and will award its winner a grand prize of $300,000, was held today in Tokyo.

BAMMA Heavyweight Champion Mark Godbeer, who had been scheduled to compete in the tournament, was forced to withdraw due to a neck injury sustained in training. BAMMA will announce a replacement fighter for the tournament soon.

Prior to the drawing, Chairman Nobuyuki Sakakibara stated, “This tournament will be the highlight of RIZIN. Fighters from around the world who are proud to represent their promotion and country, and are eager to use this platform to boost their career to make a name for themselves have gathered in the tournament. The majority of the media who gathered today may not know much about these athletes, but when K-1 first kicked off in 1993, nobody knew about Branko Cikatić or Mike Bernardo. The fighters who open up the new doors are those who exceed their expectations.”

The seven contestants slated for tournament action appeared at the press conference.  Each drew an envelope  numbered one through seven, and those who drew numbers one through four received the opportunity to choose their respective places in the tournament draw.

The first stage tournament matchups will be as follows:

Bout # 1: Lawal vs BAMMA fighter
Bout # 2: Aukstuolis vs Cappelozza,
Bout # 3  Ishii vs Prochazka,
Bout # 4: Reljic vs Nemkov.

A tournament reserve bout between Valentine Moldovsky and Yuta Uchida was also announced during the press conference.

Fighter Quotes:

– 1st Pick = “King Mo” Lawal – selected Slot A

“I am honored to fight for RIZIN. I am excited to showcase my skills in front of the Japanese fans and get the job done. I’m happy to be able to pick number one. I’m always number one. I’m in a position where others will pick me, my job is to crush whoever stands next to me.”

““I currently don’t have an opponent, but I’m sure that BAMMA will send a good fighter for me. But unfortunately whoever comes will get smashed so he better be prepared. I think Ishii made a smart choice by avoiding me and my bracket. Good for him.”

“That’s a lot of money! I’d buy a bunch of ice cream, some nice clothes, and go to Disney World and see a bunch of movies. I’d go to Vegas and party, and buy tons of gold accessories.”
– 2nd Pick = Teodoras Aukstuolis (BUSHIDO Europe Champion) – selected Slot C

“I am grateful to be given such an opportunity. At this level of competition, you have to be ready to fight anybody so I don’t care who my opponent will be. I believe in myself and am ready to fight anybody.”

“For me, becoming the champion in more important than the money. Money will follow as a result of being a true champion. My mind is set to win the tournament.”

“The reason why I am here is because I believe in myself. I will fight to represent my small country. My opponent has wild striking but there is no reason why I would lose. I will put on a show and come out victorious.”

– 3rd Pick =  Goran Reljic (Former KSW Light Heavyweight Champion) – selected Slot G

“I don’t care who fights me. My dream since I was a kid was to fight in Japan, and I am living the dream right now, my goal is to show my best performance on New Years Eve.”

“I like the matchup. I’ve been training with Sambo world champion Blagoi Ivanov and am familiar with the Sambo fight style. I know he comes from a great team, but I will be ready to take anything he has to offer so it will be a good fight.”

“I am living a childhood dream. I am more focused on continuing my journey on my dream to become a champion in Japan. I will think of what to do with the money once I achieve my goal.”

–  4th Pick = Satoshi Ishii (Beijing Olympics Judo Gold medalist) – selected Slot E

“Preparation is good. I will not feel that a fight is a fight, the battle on NYE has just begun.”

“My plan is to invest half of the prize money in gambling and will donate the rest.”

“This was a good offer that I could not turn down. An MMA tournament, Good opponents, good prize money. I don’t want to focus too much on winning the tournament because that will affect my mental game, so I will focus on one fight at a time.”

– 5th Pick = Bruno Cappelozza (Jungle Fight 100kg Champion) – selected Slot D

“I really don’t know any of the fighters here today, so I will choose my opponent and hope I’m lucky.”

“That type of big money will change my life and my family’s life. And also becoming a champion. Those two aspects will be huge accomplishments for me.”

“It has been my dream to fight in Japan. I do not know too much about my opponent, but I’m sure we will both be prepared for an exciting fight. I think this will be an excellent fight.”

– 6th Pick = Vadim Nemkov (MMA Union Heavyweight Champion) – selected Slot H

“I will be representing Sambo. I would like to show the beauty of Sambo and the art of Sambo.”

– 7th Pick = Jiri Prochazka (GCF Czech Light Heavyweight Champion) – selected Slot F“I am very excited to be able to show my skills in a country where the Samurai was born. I will not disappoint you.”

“Everybody here is tough. Since I will be fighting the hometown favorite, my fight will be gathering attention. I would like to use this opportunity and this challenge to become the next big thing.”

“It is so much money I do not know where to start. I believe that the money will come later. So as of now, my focus is to give it all I have to make RIZIN proud that they chose me for a participant.”

General Manager Nobuhiko Takada took the microphone after the drawing, “I am feeling a familiar, comfortable yet tense atmosphere right now. I am just excited to witness the birth of future stars. I hope Ishii can perform in a way where he will make us Japanese fans proud. Ishii’s first accomplishment was winning the gold medal, but we have not seen any outstanding results from him in MMA. I really hope he can use this opportunity to achieve the biggest accomplishment of his career.”
boxing, UK Boxing

Legendary Referee Mickey Vann To Officiate MBC’s Inaugural Scottish Event This Saturday

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Legendary globe trotting Championship referee Mickey Vann will be making one of his shortest international journeys in a long while, this coming weekend, when he officiates the first Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) sanctioned event in Scotland, the Stewart Allan promoted event at the Rivals Gym in Wishaw on Saturday 25th April 2015.

 

Vann, who has been the MBC’s chief referee since 2013, has been officiating for close to forty years, the first bout he refereed was Eddie Smith versus Joe Jackson at the Anglo American Sporting Club in Manchester on the 11thOctober 1976.

 

It would be some seven years later before Vann refereed his first domestic Championship bout, the BBBofC Central Area Featherweight Title fight between Steve Pollard and Steve Farnsworth at the Tiffany’s Nightclub in Hull on the 29th March 1983.

 

Three years later Vann refereed his first International Championship contest, the Commonwealth Lightweight Title fight between Zimbabwe’s Langton Tinago and Australia’s Graeme Brooke at the Granada Studios in Manchester on 23rd August 1986.

 

With numerous British, Commonwealth and European title contests under his belt on the 8th June 1990 Vann refereed his first World Championship bout, the WBC World Minimumweight title fight between Japan’s Hideyuki Ohashi and Thailand’s Napa Kiatwanchai in Tokyo, Japan.

 

To date Vann has refereed one hundred and forty three International, Inter-Continental and World title contests for the World Sanctioning Organisations, such as WBC, WBO, IBF, WBU etc as well as an even higher number of European, Commonwealth, British and Irish domestic title fights during his eight hundred and eighty two bout career to date.

 

The most recent of these bouts being the WBO Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title fight between Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and Russian Andry Knyazev, which took place in Kiev just last weekend.

 

In addition Vann has also judged one hundred and seventy three Championship contests since 1978, taking his officiating career total to an incredible one thousand and fifty five contests, sorry make that one thousand and fifty six contests if we include the upcoming event this weekend.

 

Shortly after returning from Kiev, the effervescent Vann spoke briefly about his career and the upcoming event he is to officiate in Scotland on Saturday.

 

“What can I say I didn’t realise I’d refereed that many fights,

 

My most memorable fight would naturally be Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno at Cardiff Arms Park, that was history.

 

But have refereed so many memorable fights, where do I start, Shea Neary and Mickey Ward, now that was a great fight.

 

There’s some from years ago I can remember, like Jean-Marc Renard against Farid Benredjeb, oh what a war that was, they both ended up in hospital.

 

Another memorable fight was Cassius Boloyi against Phillip Ndou, It was a war, an absolute war

 

They were two South Africans but from different tribes, they wanted me to referee it, not a South African, which was very much appreciated.

 

I remember refereeing the WBC mandatory Lightweight title fight, between Leavander Johnson and Miguel Angel Gonzalez, in a bullring, which was an experience.

 

I refereed in America Jorge Paez and Angel Manfredy, that was a terrific fight, in fact refereed three or four times in America.

 

I think if you count them all I think I refereed in thirty nine different countries, I left school at seven and went back at thirteen and left again at fourteen and I didn’t know at that time that there were that many countries in the world. I didn’t, honestly.

 

I just enjoy what I do, you know I’ve been to Russia, Argentina, Japan, all over, I just got back from Kiev.

 

People come up for photographs, even in Kiev, with Mickey the dancer and then they pretend they are you moving about, it’s lovely.

 

I pick out nothing really, I just pick out what has been the big fights that I’ve enjoyed.

 

I qualified as a star grade referee in 1978 and I’m still going, I’d done hundreds of fights by then, it’s not a job really, it’s just enjoyment as such.

 

I wasn’t a very good pro fighter, I was a pretty good amateur, I had sixty six fights as an amateur and lost nineteen, but you used to have three fights a day in the Championships, you fought in the morning, won that you fought in the afternoon and if you won that you fought at night to get through to the next round, in the Army Championships and the boys clubs sort of thing, that’s what we all did.

 

As a pro I have fourteen fights but I lost nine, but I enjoyed it, I’m glad I turned pro and I’m glad I fought, I’m glad I fought amateur and pro and I missed it when I retired and I wanted to do something and my manager suggested I referee, I wanted to coach but Tommy Miller, my manager said to me ‘Jesus Mick what could you teach anyone’, so he said to me you want to be a referee, so I put in for it and it took me two years and I qualified.

 

I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and some times have been better than others, in fact they used to hate me in Scotland, they thought I hated the Scots. I heard this on the radio many times.

 

Alex Morrison will tell you, he thought I was hater of Scotsmen, I wasn’t, just they never seemed to get the verdict from me, so it’s quite ironic that this Saturday it’s the Scottish promoter and the Scottish boxers that asked for me for this show.

 

I’ve always had great fun there and my all time favourite fighter is a Scotsman, Ken Buchanan, so it’s really nice that they want me to be there for the first MBC sanctioned event there, I can’t wait.”

 

Mickey Vann will be the referee for both the Sandy Robb versus Mathew Ellis and Scott Allan versus Isaac Quaye that co-headline the Stewart Allan (Rivals Promotions) event at the Rivals Gym in Wishaw, Scotland on Saturday 25th April 2015.

 

Tickets priced £30 and £40 are available direct from any of the boxers taking part, or call Stewart on 07711 725257.

Sanctioning for this event will be provided courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) – For further information on the Malta Boxing Commission please go to:

Web: www.maltaboxingcommission.com

Twitter @MaltaBoxingComm

Facebook www.facebook.com/MaltaBoxingCommission

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E.mail: admin@maltaboxingcommission.com