Tag Archives: WBA

boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

TOP SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT FRANCHON CREWS-DEZURN RETURNS ON FRIDAY, JUNE 22, IN DETROIT, ON THE UNDERCARD OF CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. HANNA GABRIELS IBF & WBA WOMEN’S MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

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With her long-time rival, Claressa Shields, moving down to middleweight, Baltimore’s Franchon “The Heavy-Hitting Diva” Crews-Dezurn will finally be getting her own deserved chance to shine.

 

 

 

One of the best female fighters in the world not currently holding a world title, Crews-Dezurn (3-1, 1 KO) will return to the ring for a six-round fight on the non-televised undercard of the blockbuster “It’s Our Time to Shine” event featuring two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and current Unified Women’s Super Middleweight Champion Shields attempting to become a two-division world champion against unified 154-pound champion Hanna Gabriels for the vacant IBF and WBA Women’s Middleweight World Championships.

 

 

 

The main event will be televised live on SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION (10 p.m. ET/PT) and will also feature highlights of Unified Women’s Middleweight Champion Christina Hammer as she defends her WBC & WBO Titles in her U.S. debut against former world champion Tori Nelson.

 

 

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are available at Ticketmaster.com or at the Masonic Temple Box Office at (313) 832-7100. VIP tickets are priced at $300, ringside tickets at $125, and remaining tickets at $75, $50 and $35.

 

 

 

Not long ago, Crews-Dezurn, an eight-time national amateur champion and two-time medalist at the World Amateur Championships, looked to be the face of American women’s boxing before Shields, a younger boxing prodigy, stole much of her thunder and her spot on the inaugural women’s Olympic boxing team.

 

 

 

The pair faced each other again in their simultaneous pro debuts in late 2016, with Shields winning a decision.

 

 

 

Since then, Crews has signed with Shields’ promoter, Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions, and won three straight fights in impressive fashion.

 

 

 

“Training is going good,” said Crews-Dezurn. “I’ve been helping my husband Glenn get ready for his next fight, so I’m already in great shape. I’m very happy to be getting back in the ring.”

 

 

 

An entrepreneur, singer, and business student in addition to boxing, the charismatic Crews-Dezurn is as marketable as any fighter could be, but has been forced to live in the sizable shadow cast by the success of Shields.

 

 

 

However, now that Shields is off chasing a showdown with German counterpart Christina Hammer at middleweight, the super middleweight division has an opening for a new world champion.

 

 

 

“I’d like to be fighting for a title within the next year,” continued Crews-Dezurn. “I know in my heart I’m right there with the best super middleweights in the world. I just need to keep working hard and let things happen like they should.”

 

 

 

Promoter Salita, a champion of women’s boxing and one of the main forces behind its resurgence, says Crews-Dezurn’s day is coming soon.

 

 

 

“Franchon will be world champion in the not-too-distant future,” he said. “She has all the skills and she works very hard to reach her goals. She deserves all the success she will have. I’m happy to be promoting her career. She’s a very special fighter and person.”

 

 

 

Crews-Dezurn’s opponent is currently TBA. “It’s Our Time to Shine” is presented by Salita Promotions.

 

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boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, women's boxing

CLARESSA SHIELDS TO FIGHT FOR WORLD TITLE IN SECOND WEIGHT DIVISION AS SHE FACES HANNA GABRIELS FOR IBF & WBA WOMEN’S MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FRIDAY, JUNE 22 LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

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World’s No. 1 Fighter At 168 Pounds Takes On No. 1 Fighter At 154 Pounds In Main Event Middleweight Bout

 

 

 

SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION Live At 10 p.m. ET/PT

From Masonic Temple In Detroit, Mich.; Tickets On Sale Now

 

 

 

NEW YORK (April 24, 2018) – Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and unified women’s super middleweight Champion Claressa Shields will attempt to become a two-division world champion on Friday, June 22 live on SHOWTIME when she faces unified women’s 154-pound champion Hanna Gabriels for the vacant IBF and WBA Middleweight World Championships at Masonic Temple in Detroit, Mich.

 

 

 

The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION telecast begins at 10 p.m. ET/PT and features the No. 1 fighter at 168 pounds facing the No. 1 fighter at 154 pounds as they both attempt to become champions for the first time in the middleweight division.

 

 

 

Shields (5-0, 2 KOs), who grew up in nearby Flint, was the first American boxer in history – male or female – to win consecutive Olympic Gold Medals. The 23-year-old turned professional following the 2016 Olympics and became unified women’s super middleweight world champion in just her fourth professional fight. Shields now begins her first camp with renowned trainer John David Jackson as she attempts to become a two-division champion.

 

 

 

“I can’t wait to get into the ring on June 22,” said Shields. “I love the fight against Hanna Gabriels – champion versus champion, exactly the kind of fight that I want every time to take women’s boxing to new heights. I’ve said one of my goals is to win world championships in three weight divisions. I’m proud to be super middleweight champion, and on June 22 I will add the middleweight championship to my accomplishments. I’m excited to be working with John David Jackson for the next step in my career as I look to conquer another division.”

 

 

 

Two-division champion Gabriels (18-1-1, 11 KOs) is the reigning WBA and WBO World Champion. The native of Costa Rica won her first world title at welterweight in 2009 and has since fought in an astounding 11 consecutive world title fights. The 35-year-old won her first belt in the 154-pound division in 2010 and became unified champion in 2016. In her last bout, Gabriels avenged the only loss on her record, a 2013 defeat to then-undefeated title challenger Oxandia Castillo.  She looks to become a three-division world champion on June 22. 

 

 

 

“I’m really excited and grateful to have the opportunity to showcase my skills against Claressa Shields on SHOWTIME,” said Gabriels.  “This will be a great battle of two world champions, a great night for my country, and a great fight for women’s boxing.  I only know one thing – the woman in front of me will lose.  I take nothing away from Claressa’s accomplishments, but on June 22 she is facing a three-time world champion and I will take the ‘0’ in her record and prove I am the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”

 

 

 

“This main event is yet another example of SHOWTIME Boxing’s commitment to delivering the best fighters in the best matchups,” said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION. “We have two unified champions, the top fighters in their respective divisions, facing off for a championship in a new weight class.  Will Claressa Shields be as dominant as a middleweight?  Can Hanna Gabriels shock the world and hand Claressa her first loss since she was an amateur in 2012?  We’ll find out on June 22.” 

 

 

 

SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION (10 p.m. ET/PT) will also feature extensive highlights of unified women’s middleweight champion Christina Hammer (22-0, 10 KOs) as she defends her WBC & WBO titles in her U.S. debut against former world champion Tori Nelson (17-1-3, 2 KOs). 

 

 

 

If both Shields and Hammer are victorious in their 160-pound bouts on June 22, they will meet in a fall blockbuster on SHOWTIME to determine the undisputed women’s middleweight world champion. 

 

 

 

“I’m glad Christina Hammer will be fighting that night as well. After I beat champion Hanna Gabriels, I want to unify all the middleweight belts against Hammer,” Shields said. “I’ve never been so motivated. This will be a great year for women’s boxing. It’s our time!” 

 

 

 

Hammer, of Dortmund, Germany, has dominated the women’s middleweight division for nearly eight years, having won the WBO title at 160 pounds in 2010.  The 27-year-old became unified champion in 2016 with a unanimous decision over WBC titlist Kali Reis and has made two defenses as unified champion. Hammer won the WBO title in 2010 in her eighth professional fight and has dominated the middleweight division since, losing just a handful of rounds in her reign as champion at 160 pounds. Hammer, who also models professionally and was recently featured at Fashion Week in New York City, has campaigned mostly in Germany since turning professional in 2009.  

 

 

 

“I have been training intensively for months for my first fight in the U.S.,” Hammer said. “I can’t wait to show my skills, desire and hunger to America and prove that I am THE middleweight champion of the world. While I have great respect for Tori Nelson, I promise I will defeat her in spectacular fashion on June 22 and send a message to Claressa Shields. It’s my time to shine!”

 

 

 

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are available at Ticketmaster.com or at the Masonic Temple Box Office at (313) 832-7100.  VIP tickets are priced at $300, ringside tickets at $125, and remaining tickets at $75, $50 and $35. 

 

 

 

“Women’s boxing will shine brightly on June 22 in Detroit as the best fight the best,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita.  “Claressa Shields, in just her sixth fight as a professional, is once again showing her willingness to take on all challenges when she competes for a second world title against one of the best female fighters in the sport. Hanna Gabriels is a long-reigning world champion and a national hero in Costa Rica. This fight and this card, which features four women’s world champions battling each other, is the definition of world-class boxing. June 22 will be their time to shine, live on SHOWTIME in Detroit.”

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GCP Signs Romanian Contenders, Undefeated Heavyweight Bogdan Dinu and All-Action Featherweight Viorel Simion, to Promotional Contracts

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Florea, Dinu and Cohen

 

Greg Cohen Promotions proudly announces the signing of a pair of Romanian contenders, world-rated heavyweight Bogdan Dinu and world-class featherweight Viorel Simion, to promotional contracts.

 

 

 

 

Undefeated WBA #14-rated Dinu (18-0, 14 KOs) is a powerful boxer/puncher with enormous potential. Standing six-foot five and weighing in at 250 lbs, Dinu has the size and strong amateur pedigree to compete with any big man in the world.

 

 

 

 

The only career losses for all-action featherweight Simion (21-2, 9 KOs) came against world champions Scott Quigg and Lee Selby in their backyards and both fights could have gone either way. A world-class talent with a “made for TV” style, Simion never stops throwing punches.

 

 

 

 

The goal, says Greg Cohen, is to relocate both to Las Vegas and begin the next phase of their career journeys by training under the tutelage of highly respected former world champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

 

 

 

 

“Bodgan Dinu is the real deal and is ready to take on the top talent in the world. He has the size, power and boxing skill to win the heavyweight title now,” said Cohen. “And Simion just needs the promotional backing to become champion. Both fighters are very welcome additions to my promotional stable.”

 

 

 

 

The signing of both fighters comes as a result of a chance meeting with Romanian business magnate, and both fighters’ manager, Sorin Florea.

 

 

 

 

“Sorin and I met in Bucharest two months ago,” continued Cohen, “and we instantly hit it off. He is the most committed, knowledgeable, and passionate manager in the sport. We both agree that in order for Bogdan and Viorel to realize their maximum potential/exposure, they need to relocate to the US. I am happy to make that happen for them.”
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IBF World Title Challenger Emmanuel Rodriguez sends message to WBA Champion Ryan Burnett

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In Cardiff, Wales, WBA bantamweight world champion, Ryan Burnett ( 19-0, 9 KO’s ) successfully defended his belt against Venezuelan, Yonfrez Parejo ( 21-3-1, 10 KO’s ) by unanimous decision.

 

 

 

 

Previously, Burnett was the WBA and IBF world champion, but he vacated the IBF because he decided to face WBA ranked Parejo, instead of facing the hightly touted Puerto Rican boxer, Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Rodriguez ( 17-0, 12 KO’s ), who is IBF top ranked.

 

 

 

 

Now Rodriguez is facing Paul Butler from England for the vacant IBF world title on a date to be announced. Purse bid schedule on April, 3 at the IBF headquarters in New Jersey.

 

 

 

 

“Congratulations Ryan Burnett on your victory. You’re lucky for not fighting me for the IBF world title but I guess you’re smart by leaving the title vacant. We know you left the title because you know deep in your heart, that the title belongs to me. I’m always willing to fight you in your house, in front of your people, but I understand that your heart of a champion is having some issues” said a confident Rodriguez.

 

 

 

 

“Burnett saw how I won gold medal at the Singapore Youth Olympic Games in 2010. In that tournament, Burnett also won gold in another category, but I won the ‘Best Fighter Award’”.

 

 

 

 

“Now my mind is 100% on Paul Butler who was a former world champion and is a veteran, but after that fight, and if Burnett has some honor left, we can unify belts in front of his people. Burnett has a big fan base that I admire a lot, and they deserve to see the best fighters facing each other”, said Rodriguez.

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Official Weights from ‘Rumble at the Rock’ in Hollywood, Florida

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Roberto Duran Jr. 149.6 lbs. vs. Miguel Morales 147.6 lbs.
Jorge De Jesus Romero 121.4 lbs. vs. Szilveszter Ajtai 120.8 lbs.
Steve Geffard 176.4 lbs. vs. Zoltan Sera 175.2 lbs.
Jessy Cruz 123.8 lbs. vs. Sam Rodriguez 120.8 lbs.
Harold Calderon 149 lbs. vs. Ronald Montes 152 lbs.
John D Martinez 156.8 lbs. vs. Jose Cortes 157 lbs.
Mussa Tursyngaliyev 125 lbs. vs. Luis Hinojosa 126.8 lbs.
Ivan Dychko 244.8 lbs. vs. Stephen Kirnon 224.8 lbs.
Juan Carlos Payano 118.4 lbs. vs. Mike Plania 117.4 lbs.
Logan Yoon 139.2 lbs. vs. Juan Carlos Salgado 139 lbs.

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Interim WBA Bantamweight World Championship
Stephon Young 118 lbs. vs. Reymart Gaballo 116.6 lbs.
 
“Rumble at the Rock” is presented by Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory.Tickets are priced at $255, $130, $80 and $55. All seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.myhrl.com, www.ticketmaster.comor charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Additional fees may apply.
 



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Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez will fight for the WBA Fedelatin title

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After winning the Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) vacant Las Americas title last December, Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez (9-0, 4 KO’s) from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, will seek a top ranking spot in the World Boxing Association (WBA ) when he faces Nicaraguan Leyman Benavides (13-6-1, 2 KO’s) for the vacant WBA Minimumweight Fedelatin title.

 

 

 

 

The Méndez-Benavides duel will take place on Saturday, March 17 at the Fiesta Hall of the Jaragua Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

 

 

 

 

“The Fedelatin title is of upmost importance because it places the boxer in the top 15 of the WBA rankings and in a matter of two or three additional fights, the opportunity to go for the world title is very possible. We trust in ‘Bimbito’s’ skills so that on March 17, Puerto Rico will have another boxer close to a world title opportunity” said Raúl Pastrana, President of management company ‘Spartan Boxing Club’.

 

 

 

 

The undefeated Mendez, who was part of the Puerto Rican National Amateur Boxing Team said:

 

 

 

 

“I have seen boxers that have won the Fedelatin title, and in the blink of an eye, they are already fighting for a world title, and for that great moment is that I have worked all my life since childhood. With Trujillo Alto and Puerto Rico in my heart, I hope to be able to take another step on March 17 to become world champion in the near future”.

 

 

 

 

In his last fight in Santo Domingo, DR last December, Méndez defeated Dominican Republic’s Juan Guzmán (22-10, 12 KO) by TKO in the second round to capture the UBF belt.

 

 

 

 

‘Spartan Boxing Club’ has in its squad of professional boxers: WBO/WBC ranked at 122 lbs., Yenifel ‘El Rayo’ Vicente (31-3-2, 23 KO’s) of the Dominican Republic, former members of the Puerto Rican Amateur Boxing Team, Bernard ‘Bimbo’ Lebrón (9-0, 4KO’s), John ‘The Beast’ Correa (3-0, 3KO’s) and Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez, light heavyweight and former Olympian, Lenin Castillo (17-1- 1, 12 KO’s) of the Dominican Republic, among others.

boxing, HBO Boxing

PROMOTER DON KING SAYS MACHADO-MENSAH FIGHT HAS BECOME CONVOLUTED, FULL OF INTRIGUE & MACHINATION; WE ARE READY TO FIGHT!

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Dkp

 

 

Deerfield Beach, Fla. (Feb. 9, 2018) – Boxing promoter Don King has been trying to finalize a fight with WBA super featherweight champion Alberto “El Explosivo” Machado for more than two months with his number two contender, Rafael Mensah.

 

“I’ve been dealing with Robert Diaz of Golden Boy Promotions and he seems to be a forthright person,” said King.  “Since the beginning of December they have been telling me we would have an agreement to fight on January 27th after they arranged a meeting with HBO’s Peter Nelson.  It has been one story after another story.”

 

King continued: “I had the one call with Robert Diaz and he never called me back. We kept calling him.  We were supposed to go in together to meet with Peter Nelson and they said we would have a 50-50 deal, and I’ve never heard from him. Mensah has been waiting three years for a title opportunity.

 

“My fighter was set to fight on Jan. 27, which is what we agreed upon. But I never heard back from anyone. They are playing the con game in trying to avoid this fight with Mensah.  They are trying to get under the rules and not fight my future champion.  The making of the Machado-Mensah fight has become convoluted and full of intrigue and machination.  This whole thing has been mysterious.   We are ready to fight!”

 

Mensah, who hails from Ghana, is 31-0 with 23 KOs.

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UNBEATEN SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT PROSPECT VICTOR PASILLAS TALKS SPARRING WITH VASYL LOMACHENKO

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Photo by Team Pasillas
LAS VEGAS, NV (December 6, 2017) – Prince Ranch Boxing’s undefeated featherweight prospect, Victor Pasillas (11-0, 4 KOs), shares his thoughts on sparring with WBO Super-Featherweight Champion Vasyl Lomachenko (9-1, 7 KOs), as he prepares for his showdown with WBA Super World Super Bantamweight champion, Guillermo Rigondeaux(17-0, 11 KOs).
Pasillas, a southpaw from East Los Angeles, marveled at the speed and quickness of Lomachenko, the Ukrainian star who trains in Oxnard, CA.
“Sparring with Lomachenko was a great experience,” said Victor Pasillas, who trains in Northern California with coach Brian Schwartz. “He has extraordinary speed and precise accuracy with his punches.  Being in the ring with a fighter like Lomachenko, you learn a lot.  Moving forward, I’m going to take this experience and apply what I’ve picked up to better my game. I feel Vasyl will be to big and powerful for the smaller Rigondeaux who is moving up in weight.”
Victor, who has been out of the ring for over two years, will look to get back in the ring in early 2018.
“Unfortunately, I had a few fights fall out,” Pasillas continued. “That happens in boxing sometimes, so I just have to deal with it.  I’m looking forward to a fresh new start in 2018.  I’m happy to be part of the Prince Ranch Boxing team and I can see myself in some big fights in the upcoming year.  I’m just going to keep working hard and and take advantage of my opportunity when it presents itself.”
“Victor Pasillas has a lot of talent and we plan to keep him busy in 2018,” stated Greg Hannely, president of Prince Ranch Boxing. “We will be announcing his next fight shortly.  He definitely has a bright future.”
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Jessica McCaskill Gets Her Wish to Face Katie Taylor: Social Media Challenges Turn to Women’s Super Fight on December 13 in London

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Christmas comes a little early this year for hard-punching Warriors Boxing lightweight Jessica ‘CasKILLA’ McCaskill.

All year, she and manager/trainer Rick Ramos have been expressing their wish, via social media, to face Irish gold medalist turned professional world champion Katie Taylor.
On Wednesday, December 13, they will get their wish, as Chicago-based McCaskill (5-1, 3 KOs) will challenge Taylor (7-0, 4 KOs) for her WBA Lightweight Championship at York Hall in London, England, and live before a massive audience on Sky Sports.
“I’m relieved. I’ve been working toward this fight for a long time,” said McCaskill, rated #2 in the world at 135 lbs and #1 in the United States in women’s boxing. “We have been training for this fight since my last fight because we knew it was coming and we’ve definitely bumped up the intensity.”
Before turning professional a year ago, the popular Taylor, from Bray, won lightweight gold at the 2012 London Olympics, as well as an impressive assortment of world and European amateur championships. Known as the Irish athlete of her entire generation, Taylor is regarded as a superstar in the UK because of her aggressive and crowd-pleasing style.
“I’ve never watched a full fight of hers,” professed McCaskill. “I’ve seen some highlights. I see mistakes she makes, but it’s not so much what I see in her. It’s what I see in all her opponents. They’ve all been scared of her. I am not. You won’t see any fear in me. Everybody else was terrified to engage her. They just showed up. I’ll be fighting to the last bell.”
Much of the credit for landing the fight must go to Ramos, who doggedly pursued Taylor and her promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, on social media.
“I felt like offended about comments Katie and Eddie made about how no one wants to fight her,” explained Ramos. “I remember thinking, ‘well, NO ONE called Jessica. We would love to fight Katie!’ That kind of started everything. Eddie Hearn finally did contact me via Instagram and things started getting real. I was happy that my social-media tactic worked!”
McCaskill, who also works full-time in Regulatory and Reporting at R.J. O’Brien & Associates investment bank in Chicago, says she’s not intimidated about stepping into Taylor’s home field for this fight. In fact, she’s expecting a number of her fans to be there as well.
“It’s funny because of my job and my previous investment banking job, I have a lot of contacts and friends over there who are excited to show up for me. My company I work for has a branch that is three miles from the venue. I’ll be expecting a lot of fans there for me as well that night. It would be incredible to headline over there and to break her undefeated record and get my first world title in one night in front of them. I can’t wait!”
About Warriors Boxing
Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.
With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to its credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.
When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibragimov-Holyfield.
For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.
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GH3 Promotions News and Notes

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Nutley, NJ (September 21, 2017)–Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions is gearing up for a busy fall schedule.
Middleweight Antoine Douglas (22-1-1, 16 KO’s) has won three in a row since his lone defeat, and that has catapulted him to world rankings of number-8 by the WBC, Number-9 by the WBA and Number-8 by the WBO.  Douglas will be back in action onNovember 11th in Atlanta.
Undefeated Super Middleweight Ronald Ellis (14-0-1, 10 KOs) will meet Taneal Goyco on November 4th in Springfield, Virginia.
Super Bantamweight Adam Lopez (16-1-2, 8 KOs) will take place on November 18th, and will be announced in the next week.
Newly signed lightweight Thomas Mattice (9-0, 7 KO’s) will make his GH3 Promotions debut on November 11th in Atlanta on the same card as Douglas.