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BARRIENTES TWINS AND ZAMORA III WIN IN MEXICO

BARRIENTES TWINS AND ZAMORA III WIN IN MEXICOPhotos by Kyte Monroe – Pound-4-Pound Boxing LAS VEGAS, NV (March 16, 2020) –
OSCAR DUARTE VS. ANDRES GARCIA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE

OSCAR DUARTE VS. ANDRES GARCIA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCEQUOTES AND PHOTOS SATURDAY, MAR. 7 AT GIMNASIO MUNICIPAL PARRALIN CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO AND STREAMED
EL KRUSHER RETORNA

EL KRUSHER RETORNA: SERGEY KOVALEV SE MIDE ANTE SULLIVAN BARRERA EN UN MAGNO EVENTO DE CORTE INTERNACIONALCUATRO COMBATES DE CAMPEONATO

BARRIENTES TWINS AND ZAMORA III WIN IN MEXICO

Mar 17, 2020

BARRIENTES TWINS AND ZAMORA III WIN IN MEXICOPhotos by Kyte Monroe – Pound-4-Pound Boxing

LAS VEGAS, NV (March 16, 2020) – Angel and Chavez Barrientes, as well as their stablemate Demler “DJ” Zamora lll, all won this past Saturday night at the Big Punch Arena in Tijuana, Mexico.
Chavez Barrientes (2-0, 2 KOs) picked up the second win of his professional career knocking out his opponent in the first round. Chavez, who campaigns at super bantamweight, has won every fight by way of knockout in his career.
“It feels great to get the knockout,” said Chavez Barrientes. “To fight on the same card as my brother, and for both of us to get knockout wins, was awesome. I am going to stay active and look to fight again soon.”

Super bantamweight Angel Barrientes (2-0, 2 KO) won via a third-round knockout after dropping his opponent once in the first round, and again in the second. His opponent’s corner threw in the towel in round three after taking to much punishment.
“I am really happy with the performance, my opponent was tough,” said Barrientes, the 17-year-old boxing prospect. “I am confident in my ability and I know when I make my USA debut it will be special. I’m hoping to fight in America in my next fight.”

Also featured on the card, super featherweight DJ Zamora lll (3-0, 2 KOs) won a four-round unanimous decision. Zamora dominated the fight for the entire four rounds.
“It was a great fight to get me to where I need to go,” said the 16-year-old Las Vegas standout. “I am improving with each fight and this was a fight that will make me better.”

OSCAR DUARTE VS. ANDRES GARCIA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE

Mar 6, 2020

OSCAR DUARTE VS. ANDRES GARCIA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCEQUOTES AND PHOTOS SATURDAY, MAR. 7 AT GIMNASIO MUNICIPAL PARRALIN CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO AND STREAMED LIVE ON FACEBOOK WATCH

(ABOVE Oscar Duarte and Andres Garcia face off at their press conference today ahead of their 10-round fight for the NABF Lightweight Title on Mar. 7 and streamed live on Facebook Watch)

PhotosPhoto Credit: Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO. (Mar. 5, 2020): Oscar Duarte (18-1, 13 KOs) and Andres Garcia (13-2-1, 8 KOs) hosted their final press conference today at the J. Quissime Restaurant Bar in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico ahead of their 10-round fight for the vacant NABF Lightweight Title. The event will take place Saturday, Mar. 7 at The Gimnasio Municipal in Chihuahua, Mexico and will be streamed live on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page.
Below is what today’s participants had to say at the press conference: OSCAR DUARTE, Lightweight Contender:“The truth is, I’m super happy. I see all of this, and I don’t believe it. For me, it’s an honor to fight for the best promoter in the world, which is Golden Boy. And to fight here at my home, it’s also an honor. For this fight, I prepared myself very well, and I feel ready to win. We are going to win a new title this Saturday, and then we’re going for more.” ANDRES GARCIA, Lightweight Contender:“I want to thank God for the great opportunity to be part of this card. I’m here to tell you that I didn’t come to Mexico for nothing. I’ve been preparing. I’m coming to this fight, and I’m willing to take that title to my homeland, to my people in Fonseca, Colombia, who have never had a title like the one I am going to give them.” LUIS HERNANDEZ, Super Lightweight Contender:“I am very prepared, and I hope that my opponent is too. For me it’s a beautiful thing to return to Parral, Mexico. A lot of fighters have started their careers here, including some of my teammates. I also made my debut in Parral. I think it will be complicated for my opponent to take this title to Colombia.” PLACIDO RAMIREZ, Super Lightweight Contender:“I want to thank God, my agent, and my coaches for allowing me to fight as part of this undercard. I’m ready to show myself off and give a good fight. I’m prepared to take the title to my home city of Soplaviento, Colombia.” WILLIAM ZEPEDA, Lightweight Contender:“It’s an honor for me to be part of an undercard like this. I want to thank all the people who have supported me. I’ve trained well for this fight and I feel very motivated and prepared. I know I have a good rival here, but I have the desire to win and start 2020 on the right foot and keep moving forward.” Duarte vs. Garcia is a 10-round fight for the vacant NABF Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with the Municipality of Hidalgo del Parral and 2M Promotions. The event will take place Saturday, March 7 at the Gimnasio Municipal in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico. The fights will be streamed live globally on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page.

EL KRUSHER RETORNA

Mar 6, 2020

EL KRUSHER RETORNA: SERGEY KOVALEV SE MIDE ANTE SULLIVAN BARRERA EN UN MAGNO EVENTO DE CORTE INTERNACIONAL
CUATRO COMBATES DE CAMPEONATO MUNDIAL CON PÚGILES DE CUATRO DIFERENTES CONTINENTES ESTARÁN EN EL RESPALDO
SÁBADO 25 DE ABRIL DESDE EL FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO Y TRASMITIDO EN VIVO POR DAZN

¡Los Boletos Saldrán a la vente el viernes 13 de marzo a las 10:00 a.m. PT!
LOS ÁNGELES, California 5 de marzo de 2020.— Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 nocáuts), el ex monarca mundial de peso semicompleto y uno de los noqueadores más peligrosos en los últimos años, realizará su anticipado retorno ante el ex retador al campeonato mundial Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 nocáuts) en una batalla a 12 giros en peso crucero. La cartelera contará con pugilistas de cuatro países combatiendo por los cuatro organismos que rigen el boxeo mundial. El evento se efectuará el 25 de abril desde el Fantasy Springs Resort Casino y será transmitido en vivo exclusivamente por DAZN.
            “Me siento muy entusiasmado de poder anunciar una súper cartelera de corte Internacional en la que estarán envueltos peleadores de cuatro continentes, así como los cuatro organismos que rigen el boxeo mundial”, dijo Óscar de la Hoya, Presidente y Jefe Ejecutivo de Golden Boy. “Si, el exigente aficionado al boxeo de paga tendrá un festín de grandes peleas encabezada por el duelo estelar entre Sergey ‘Krusher’ Kovalev contra Sullivan Barrera, junto con los retornos de los campeones mundiales Patrick Teixeira, René y Félix Alvarado, y Chayaphon Moonsri. No se pierdan este festival de monarcas mundiales este 25 de abril desde el Fantasy Springs Resort Casino y en vivo por DAZN”, puntualizo.
            Kovalev es un artista de nocáut y ex triple monarca mundial semicompleto quién capturó su primer titulo en el 2013 cuando noqueó a Nathan Cleverly en Gales. El poderoso ruso viajó después a Atlantic City para derrotar por clara decisión al Salón de la Fama Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins y a la misma vez unificar los títulos OMB, AMB y FIB. El llamado “Krusher” como campeón mundial unificado, defendió sus títulos ante Jean Pascal y una vez ante Isaac Chilemba. El contendiente de 36 años de edad, a pesar de perder ante Andre “S.O.G.” Ward y Eleider Alvarez, vengó su derrota ante Álvarez y se anotó un triunfo por la vía del nocaut técnico ante el entonces invicto Anthony Yarde. Kovalev regresará después de haber escenificado el evento boxístico más importante del año 2019 frente a Canelo Álvarez.
            “Estoy feliz de volver al ring para ponerme en el camino a los combates de campeonato mundial”, dijo Sergey Kovalev. “Barrera es un boxeador cubano y, aunque nunca me enfrenté a ningún peleador cubano como profesional, en mi tiempo como amateur siempre teníamos boxeadores rusos compitiendo con boxeadores cubanos, así que espero recordar mi tiempo como púgil amateur. Estoy muy contento de regresar y traerles mi boxeo a mis fanáticos el 25 de abril”, aseveró.
            Barrera, después de una espectacular carrera amateur, desertó Cuba a los Estados Unidos en 2009 y realizó su debut profesional en Miami, Florida. En sólo su octava pelea capturó dos títulos regionales al derrotar a Frank Paines en 2011, y después siguió con victorias contra púgiles como Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy y Karo Murat. Barrera sufrió su primera derrota contra Andre Ward, pero regresó para borrar la calidad de invicto de Vyacheslav Shabranskyy y se anotó una victoria por decisión contra Joe Smith Jr. Las únicas otras derrotas del contendiente de 38 años han sido contra Dmitry Bivol y Jesse Hart en peleas muy duras, y ahora buscará otra oportunidad al título mundial en este 2020.
            “Esta pelea es la más importante de toda mi carrera porque siempre he perseguido a Sergey Kovalev”, afirmó Sullivan Barrera. “Sé que Kovalev tiene que ganar para continuar con su carrera, pero para mí es igual. Es muy importante ganar esta pelea, y sería como obtener el campeonato mundial. Esto es lo que significa finalmente enfrentarme a Kovalev. Quiero agradecer a Golden Boy por creer en nosotros y por brindarnos la oportunidad que siempre hemos querido de enfrentar a Kovalev. Nos vemos este 25 de abril”, agregó.             “Sullivan Barrera pasó la mayoría de su carrera profesional con Main Events, así que una pelea entre Kovalev y Barrera es algo que naturalmente anticipábamos por mucho tiempo,” afirmo Kathy Duva, Jefa Ejecutiva de Main Events. “¡Y ahora aquí estamos! Este es un combate solido entre dos peleadores de acción que jamás han rechazado un reto”, subrayó.
            “Esta puede ser la ultima oportunidad para ambos púgiles”, afirmó Joseph Markowski, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo de DAZN. “Una victoria puede lanzar a cualquier de los dos hacia una oportunidad titular. Una derrota puede significar que el fin está cerca. Habrá mucho en juego cuando Kovalev y Barrera entren al ring el 25 de abril”, aseveró.
            Patrick Teixeira (31-1, 22 nocáuts) de Sau Paulo, Brasil realizará la primera defensa de su título mundial superwelter OMB ante el invicto retador Brian “El Boxi” Castaño (16-0-1, 12 nocáuts) de Buenos Aires, Argentina en una batalla a 12 episodios.
            “Estoy contento y emocionado de defender mi campeonato mundial por primera vez,” afirmó Patrick Teixeira. “Trabajé muy duro para convertirme en monarca mundial, y no voy a dejar que alguien me lo quite. Sé que Castaño es el retador obligatorio que es fuerte y experimentado, pero mi equipo y yo estamos más que listos para dar una guerra y brindar una gran actuación para los fanáticos en el Fantasy Springs”, finalizó.
            René “El Gemelo” Alvarado (32-8, 21 nocáuts) pondrá en línea su campeonato mundial superpluma AMB ante Roger “The Kid” Gutiérrez (24-3-1, 20 nocáuts) de Maracaibo, Venezuela. Alvarado defenderá su cinturón por primera vez tras despojar violentamente el titulo al otrora campeón Andrew “El Chango” Cancio en noviembre de 2019, mientras que Gutiérrez vendrá tras una racha invicta de cinco peleas incluyendo un triunfo sorpresivo ante Eduardo “Rocky” Hernández.
Chayaphon Moonsri (54-0, 18 nocáuts), el púgil tailandés quien actualmente posee el récord invicto más impresionante en el boxeo, defenderá su campeonato mundial CMB de peso mínimo ante Marco J.Rementizo (12-3, 9 nocáuts) de Misamis Oriental, Filipinas.
            Félix “El Gemelo” Alvarado (35-2, 30 nocáuts) de Managua, Nicaragua defenderá su campeonato mundial minimosca FIB ante DeeJay Kriel (16-1-1, 8 nocáuts) de Boksburg, Sudáfrica en una batalla a 12 episodios. Félix, quien es el hermano gemelo de René, combatirá por primera vez tras firmar con Golden Boy.
            El ex monarca mundial Alberto “Explosivo” Machado (22-2, 18 nocáuts) de San Juan, Puerto Rico buscará acercarse a su esperada meta de ser campeón en dos divisiones cuando se enfrente a Cristian Báez (18-1, 17 nocáuts) de Caracas, Venezuela en un combate a 10 vueltas en la división de peso ligero.
            Diego de la Hoya (22-1, 10 nocáuts) de Mexicali, Baja California, México y Manuel “Tino” Ávila (23-2-1, 8 nocáuts) de Fairfield, California se medirán en un combate a 10 asaltos entre dos destacados contendientes de peso pluma.
            Shane Mosley Jr. (15-3, 9 nocáuts) el recién firmado contendiente de las 160 libras de Pomona, California, realizará su debut con Golden Boy en un combate a ocho giros contra Abraham Cordero (13-5-21, 7 nocáuts) de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
            Héctor Valdez (12-0, 8 nocáuts) de Dallas, Texas retornará en un duelo a ocho episodios en peso supergallo frente a un oponente que se anunciará en breve,
            Kovalev vs. Barrera es una atracción especial a 12 asaltos en peso crucero presentado por Golden Boy, Main Events y Krusher Promotions. El evento es patrocinado por Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” El evento se efectuará el 25 de abril desde el Fantasy Springs Resort Casino y será transmitido en vivo exclusivamente por DAZN.
            Los boletos para Kovalev vs Barrera saldrán a la venta el viernes 13 de marzo a las 10:00 a.m. PT. Los boletos tienen un precio de $65, $45 y $35 dólares. Los precios no incluyen cargos por servicio. Los boletos están disponibles en la taquilla de Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, llamando al 1-800-827-2946, o comprando en línea en www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

9TH ANNUAL UFC INTERNATIONAL FIGHT WEEK™ TAKES OVER LAS VEGAS FROM JULY 7 – 12

Mar 6, 2020

9^TH ANNUAL UFC INTERNATIONAL FIGHT WEEK^™TAKES OVER LAS VEGAS FROM JULY 7 – 12

Week-Long Celebration Includes UFC 252, UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and UFC Fan Experience

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that the 9^th Annual UFC International Fight Week^™will take place in Las Vegas from Tuesday, July 7, through Sunday, July 12. The week-long series of events will be headlined by UFC^® 252, presented by Modelo,the 2020 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonyand a two-day, interactive UFC Fan Experience^®.

Among the highlights, the prestigious 2020 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires^® will be held on Thursday, July 9, at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort. The event will honor specific achievements and contributions to UFC and the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, as well as recognize the global brand’s inaugural Forrest Griffin Community Award recipient.

On Friday, July 10, and continuing on Saturday, July 11, fans will be able to take part in a fully interactive and easily accessible free, two-day UFC Fan Experience at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. The two-day experience will feature meet and greets, autograph sessions, and partner activations that provide unparalleled access to UFC champions, Hall of Famers, top-ranked contenders, and other UFC personalities.

In addition, fans from around the world who converge on Las Vegas for UFC International Fight Week will be able to enjoy the open workouts, weigh-ins, press conferences and live entertainment of a traditional Fight Week leading to the schedule’s culminating event, UFC^® 252, on Saturday, July 11, at T-Mobile Arena. Details regarding UFC Hall of Fame inductees, the bout card for UFC 252, and additional events for UFC International Fight Week will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit UFCFIGHTWEEK.com.

Sam Clarkson Jr. Squares off Against Israel Duffus for Ring Of Hope’s “Night To Fight” on March 7 in Irving TX

Mar 6, 2020

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IRVINE, TX (March 4, 2020) – Fort Worth born-and-bred boxer Sam Clarkson Jr. was highly motivated by the wrong forces growing up. He was heading down dangerous Dallas roads, ones that could potentially not only derail his life, but spoil his boxing talents as well.
Before the Cedar HIll native found the sweet science at the age of 17, he was already going in and out of jail.
Reflecting on his regressions today, Clarkson Jr. is not proud of his decisions, but he doesn’t regret them either because it made him the stronger.
Non-profit organization Ring Of Hope was created in 2010 to help kids like Clarkson Jr. in the greater Dallas area escape trouble. Over the last decade, Ring Of Hope has transformed communities and changed the lives of the youth by educating, empowering and engaging students through the fundamentals of boxing.
Clarkson Jr. is proof of the promise that Ring Of Hope presents. He embodies the organization’s mission , and now, Clarkson Jr. (22-5, 15 KOs) will headline Ring Of Hope’s ninth annual “Night To Fight” on Saturday, March 7 when he takes on the Freddie Roach-trained Israel Duffus (19-6, 16 KOs) at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas.
“It’s truly a huge blessing to headline Ring of Hope’s event,” said Clarkson Jr. “It’s great to see how Ring of Hope opens its doors to everyone and people of all different backgrounds. I want to become a part of a movement to show kids who may have troubled backgrounds that boxing accepts you no matter who you are.”
The light heavyweight Clarkson is a nine-year veteran who’s defeated the likes of Cedric Agnew and also challenged Dmitry Bivol and Jesse Hart in the past.
Before the 29-year-old southpaw appeared multiple times under the bright lights of Showtime television, he racked up an amateur record of 89-9 and won the National Pals in 2009 and the Ringside silver medal in 2010. Clarkson is also a two-time Texas Golden Gloves champion.
“I was a firecracker always up for a fight,” said Clarkson Jr. “I turned a negative into a positive. When I got introduced to boxing, it was mine, and I have stayed out of trouble for the last 13 years. Boxing has changed my life. For kids who are like me when I was growing up, if you have the right passion, there are no limitations to who you can become.”
Clarkson Jr. has frequented Ring of Hope gyms ever since its inception, whether it be for sparring, reconnecting with coaches and old friends or simply speaking and guiding children.
“A lot of the kids at Ring of Hope look up to me because I am a professional boxer. It feels great to motivate them,” said Clarkson Jr. “Ring of Hope is a great platform to help kids escape the streets. I take my hat off to them.
“I’ve returned to my comfort zone with spirituality. I’ve been reading the Bible a lot more and believe that God will set-up everything for me as a family man and a provider. I’ve fallen short a lot in the past, but ever since I’ve refocused my career, everything is falling back into place. I’m excited, and I can’t wait to put on a great show. Everyone will be pleased to see my skills. I’ll be coming to make a statement. I’m coming with a chip on my shoulder and I’m looking to dominate.”
Clarkson Jr. will attempt to conquer the Panamanian pugilist Duffus, a 27-year-old who’s been training with the Hall of Fame coach Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles ever since he permanently moved to the United States in 2014.
“The last few years have been rough for me. I split with my wife, and we have two very young children. The last thing on my mind in the middle of the storm was boxing,” said Duffus. “My personal issues were affecting me, but I’m doing better now, and I’m focused on putting my career back on track.”
Duffus was riding an eight-fight winning from 2017 and 2018 before his problems outside of the ring took over. He lost his next two fights by unanimous decision. Finally in a better place, he’s looking to bounce back versus Clarkson Jr.
“Freddie has a lot of confidence in me and my talent,” said Duffus, who also has an amateur record of 98-10. “He tells me exactly what I need to do to take advantage of my opponent, and that’s what I plan on doing March 7.”
Also to be featured in separate bouts are welterweights Jessy Martinez (14-0, 9 KOs) and Brandyn Lynch (10-1, 8 KOs), cruiserweight Robin Safar (10-0, 7 KOs) and heavyweight Patrick Mailata (4-0, 2 KOs), Austin-based super lightweight Robert Kevin Garcia (6-0, 5 KOs) and the Corpus Christi-based lightweight John Rincon (4-0, 2 KOs).
Night To Fight will be available live on Integrated Sports Pay Per View on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV and DISH in the United States, Shaw PPV in Canada and worldwide via the FITE.TV app and website.
Hall of Fame Showtime TV broadcaster Al Bernstein, former two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi and LA Times and Boxing Scene journalist and writer Manouk Akopyan will call the action from ringside.

KEITH HUNTER vs. SANJARBEK RAKHMANOV OFFICIAL WEIGHTS

Feb 28, 2020

KEITH HUNTER vs. SANJARBEK RAKHMANOV OFFICIAL WEIGHTS, QUOTES AND PHOTOS FOR SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION TOMORROW LIVE ON SHOWTIME^® Three-Fight Telecast Also Features Top Mayweather Promotions Prospects Richardson Hitchins and Kevin Newman II in Action at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas

Photos; Dave Mandel/SHOWTIME

LAS VEGAS – February 27, 2020 – Undefeated rising super lightweight prospect Keith “The Bounty” Hunter and talented Sanjarbek “War” Rakhmanov both made weight a day before their anticipated rematch and ShoBox: The New Generation 10-round main event on Friday, February 28 live on SHOWTIME (10:45 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas. Hunter (11-0, 7 KOs) and Rakhmanov (12-2-1, 6 KOs) first met on February 5, 2019, in an eight-round welterweight contest that resulted in a narrow-split decision victory for Hunter. Although Hunter controlled the action in the early rounds and scored a knockdown in the second, Rakhmanov recovered and landed some heavy blows in the later rounds. The scorecards read 77-74, 76-75 and 75-76. In the ShoBox co-main event, 2016 Olympian and undefeated super lightweight prospect Richardson Hitchins (10-0, 5 KOs) takes on Rhode Island’s Nick DeLomba (16-2, 5 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Once-beaten Las Vegas native Kevin Newman II (11-1-1, 6 KOs) faces Albania’s Genc Pllana (7-1-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight matchup to open the telecast.Tickets for the Mayweather Promotions’ Sin City Showdown start at $25 and can be purchased at: https://mayweatherpromotions.com/events/. Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. FINAL WEIGHTS Super Lightweight 10-Round BoutKeith Hunter – 141 ½ lbs.Sanjarbek Rakhmanov – 143 lbs. (Contracted weight is 143 pounds)Referee: Robert Byrd; Judges: Lisa Giampa, Max DeLuca, Tim Cheatham Super Lightweight 10-Round BoutRichardson Hitchins – 141 ¼ lbs.Nick DeLomba – 141 ½ lbs.Referee: Russell Mora; Judges: Adalaide Byrd, Richard Ocasio, Chris Flores Super Middleweight 10-Round BoutKevin Newman II – 167 ¾ lbs.Genc Pllana – 168 lbs.Referee: Jay Nady; Judges: Patricia Morse Jarman, Tim Cheatham, Glenn TrowbridgeNote: All refs and judges are from Nevada FINAL QUOTES: Keith Hunter “I think I convincingly beat him the first time. It’s good that I’m getting him a second time because I’m going to show that it’s not even going to be close. I could see how some people thought it was a close fight the first time, but it won’t be close this time. He got some clean shots on me, but he never hurt me. I dropped him early. If I didn’t do that, it could have been a different story. “I’m going to get him out of there. I think it’s going to be an exciting fight. I had unleaded gas the last time around, but I now have premium gas in the tank. “He got me with one body shot. But there was really nothing up top that hurt me. With our styles, it’s always going to be the matador vs. the bull. The slugger vs. the boxer. I think this will be a similar fight as the last fight, but I’m going to be more effective this time. I’m going to hunt him. I’m a bounty hunter. “I don’t really want to leave it to the judges. There will be a time in the fight where I’m going to hurt him. When I do, I have to assess my energy and how he takes it. From there, I will decide to apply pressure or just keep boxing him and beating him. “I want anybody at 140. I want the top guys: Josh Taylor, Regis Prograis. But now, to be honest, I really want Malik Hawkins. Now it’s personal. He can fight for a tall guy. He can fight in the pocket but Darwin Price was beating him until his leg gave out. I want him next.” Sanjarbek Rakhmanov “I heard about the new opponent one week ago. I’ve been wanting this rematch forever. I one hundred percent feel that I won that fight. I was dominating for five or six rounds. I’m so happy that this will be a 10-round fight. The more rounds I have, the better my chance. We had him last time, and I let him off the hook. That was a mistake and I won’t let him off the hook this time. “I was waiting too much in the first few rounds. I started too slow. This time, I will start fast. I give him respect for taking the rematch. I’m very motivated. I want to avenge the loss. I want to make everybody know that the judges made a mistake the first time. There is a lot on the line and this win will open many doors for me. “I am more excited for this fight than for the first fight. This is my second time fighting on SHOWTIME and this is the main event. It’s a huge opportunity for me. “I started so slow in the last fight. It wasn’t until I was knocked down until I woke up and realized that I was in a real fight. That’s when I started fighting my fight and started dominating. But it was really my own fault. The punch didn’t hurt me, but it woke me up. I think Hunter is a good fighter. He can take a punch. I hurt him with a couple body shots. I can’t wait for Friday night to show the world I am the better fighter.” Richardson Hitchins “I was pretty disappointed in the last few rounds in my last fight against Kevin Johnson. He capitalized on some mistakes I made, specifically with my left hand being down. I knew if I wanted to get better, that was just something I had to go back home and adjust on. That shouldn’t happen again. I think it was a good learning experience for me. It’s better that it happened early in my career so that I can learn from it. “It wasn’t just my hand speed that won me the fight. I think I was smarter than him. I got hit with a couple right hands but I got the win. I went back and did my homework. Andre Ward is one of my favorite fighters and he got hurt early on in his career. He adjusted from that and that’s what I plan to do. “I think you’re going to see a different Richardson Hitchins this fight. Based on DeLomba’s style and me studying the sport, I don’t think he has the defense that my last opponent had. His only chance is to come forward and make this a dog fight. It’s hard to make it a dog fight with me. I feel like I’m going to shine tomorrow. “I think my last fight was a statement. That kid could fight. I may not have been at my best, but I fought a really good fighter. Even Floyd [Mayweather] was surprised that I took that fight, because he told me that kid could really fight. After the fight, I asked Floyd what I could do better. He just told me that there were some technical things I could switch up, but he said that both of us could really fight. I give so much respect to Kevin Johnson. I was able to learn a lot from that match. He’s only lost to two Olympians, so that says a lot about him. “I think I have a good inside game, but in a fight I’m more comfortable out-boxing you. It fits my skillset more. If I don’t have to get in a brawl, I’m not going to. Eventually, I’m going to have to show that I can do it.” Nick DeLomba “I feel good at 140 pounds. I’ve even fought at 137 before. I’m comfortable at lighter weights. I fought tough fights coming out the gates. I beat guys as the ‘B side’ fighter. I’ve taken the tough road. I’ve always wanted to fight on SHOWTIME. I made it to Vegas. I made it to SHOWTIME. It’s an honor to have this opportunity. There’s definitely a sense of urgency with this fight. This is make-or-break. “I just need to fight my fight. I need to stay busy and give him trouble. Give him different angles. I’m tough to figure out. I just need to be that awkward fighter that he hasn’t seen yet. He’s fought on SHOWTIME before. He’s the prospect. I’m the guy being brought in to fight him. I need to show that I’m more than just a stepping stone for him. He’s never had to dig deep. I want to make him dig deep. I know my role, and I’m here to play spoiler. “I’m proven. I’m tested. We’re going to test him. I have more fights. I have the experience. I think that is what will give me the advantage Friday night.” Kevin Newman II “You guys saw the real me the last time I was on ShoBox. As soon as I came out, I came out stepping to him and popping the jab. It was a totally different fight from the first time and I could tell immediately once he started backing up. Throughout the whole training camp, I knew I had to go and right my wrong. The first time I lost to him, I called Leonard Ellerbe immediately and told him I wanted the rematch. It took a couple years, but I was able to right that wrong. “To this day, so many people tell me I look like Roy Jones in the way that I fight. I don’t want to be Roy Jones. I want to take certain things from his game and implement them into mine, but I want to be my own fighter. Who better than the man himself to bring in and help me? The same thing with Floyd Mayweather. I always watched him and I took a lot from his game that I liked, especially defensively. I still have more work cut out for me if I want to be mentioned in the same sentence as him. But in terms of talent, people see what they see. I take so much from Roy Jones. Sometimes, when I put the tassels on my boots, I feel like I’m him. He’s my idol. Everything he says to me is gold to me. “I want to bring back the excitement to boxing. Even if you’re not knocking out everybody like Deontay Wilder or Tank Davis, I still want people to leave saying that I put on a show. There’s a lot of work to be done, but we’re going to get it done. “I just need to stay focused and keep winning. I need to keep showing my talent and the skills that I have. I still feel like there’s another 60 percent that people haven’t seen from me. Roy Jones and the rest of my team are bringing that out of me. I just want to keep going out there and putting on a show and everything else will fall into place. “He has an awkward, unorthodox style. But this is boxing, you have to go out there and be able to adjust. We have a great game plan. We’ve been working on that game plan in the gym so I’m going to go out there and do exactly what my team tells me. There’s not a guy in the division with faster hands than me. He won’t be able to handle that.” Genc Pllana “I had about two weeks’ notice for this fight. But I was ready for a March 14 fight, so I’m in good shape and right on weight. People think that I’m going to be an easy opponent based on my style, but I think I’m a really frustrating guy to fight. “I’m already a confident fighter, and my last fight against Henderson gave me even more confidence. I think I could have stopped him in my last fight. Honestly, confidence has never been an issue for me. I believe I’ll be the first Albanian world champion. I believe I’d beat Roy Jones in his prime, so that really doesn’t bother me at all. If he thinks that’s going to bother me, he has another thing coming. “I don’t care who I’m fighting, or who’s in the other guy’s corner. In the ring, it’s me vs. him. That’s all that matters. I think this will be a coming out party for me. After Friday night, fight fans will be saying that ‘The Sexy Albanian’ really is sexy.”

TOP PROSPECT KEITH HUNTER AND FIVE OTHER SHOBOX

Feb 28, 2020

TOP PROSPECT KEITH HUNTER AND FIVE OTHER SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FIGHTERS WORK OUT IN FRONT OF LAS VEGAS MEDIA IN ADVANCE OF TRIPLEHEADER Rising Stars Richardson Hitchins and Kevin Newman II Ready For Action Friday, February 28 From Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas

Photos; Credit Mayweather Promotions

LAS VEGAS – February 27, 2020 – Boxing Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. leaned into the ropes and intently watched his pupil, rising once-beaten prospect and Las Vegas native Kevin Newman II run through a spirited 30-minute media workout on Thursday at Mayweather Boxing Club. Newman (11-1-1, 6 KOs) is preparing to open Friday night’s ShoBox: The New Generation telecast when he faces Albania’s Genc Pllana (7-1-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight matchup live on SHOWTIME (10:45 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas. In the main event, undefeated rising prospect Keith Hunter will face talented Sanjarbek Rakhmanov in a rematch in a 10-round super lightweight bout. Hunter (11-0, 7 KOs) and Rakhmanov (12-2-1, 6 KOs) first met on February 5, 2019, in an eight-round welterweight contest that resulted in a narrow-split decision victory for Hunter. In the ShoBox co-main event, 2016 Olympian and undefeated super lightweight prospect Richardson Hitchins (10-0, 5 KOs) takes on Rhode Island’s Nick DeLomba (16-2, 5 KOs) in a 10-round bout. “Avenging the only loss of his career says a lot about Kevin Newman,” said the former four-division world champion and expert boxing commentator Jones, who serves as one of Newman’s trainers and mentors. “He’s not afraid of nothing or nobody and he wants to go and do his thing the right way. He wants to makes sure there’s no blemishes on his record. The loss, if you go back and avenge that loss, then that’s no blemish. You lost but you went back and beat him. You proved that it was just a bad night. Jones continued: “He cares about what people think about him. He cares about his own career because he wants to keep it clean, and he did that. A great winner has to be a great loser. He was a great loser by coming back and proving exactly what he said was wrong. He said, ‘I’m not making any excuses, he got me, but he won’t get me again. When I get prepared, I’m going to go back and do it the right way.’ And that’s exactly what he did. That’s how you’re supposed to lose gracefully. “I believe Kevin can go on to be a world champion because he has all the physical attributes. He’s got to have a little more knowledge to go along with those physical attributes and he’ll be a monster. He has great hand speed. He’s very explosive. Good reflexes. Good defensive skills. A few little technical adjustments, and he’ll be anything he wants to be.” Here is what the fighters had to say on Thursday from Mayweather Boxing Club: KEITH HUNTER: “I was born and raised here and this is the mecca of boxing, they say. So with that being said, me coming from Vegas, it’s electric because I have a lot of friends here. They are out here supporting me and they really want to see a young kid from Vegas who comes from not the best area succeed. The love is electric here. “We’re locked in. This is going to be a good statement. It’s still going to be another step-up even though I already got rid of this guy. So now I have to do it in a better fashion. “I was preparing for Malik Hawkins so I was really trying to train for a tall guy. But you have to make adjustments and you have to stay in the present moment, so for this camp I just made sure I had premium gas in my tank. I already know my opponent pretty well, but I went back and watched our first fight. I saw that he was leaping in a lot and I was giving him too much, so this time I’m going to make sure he pays every time he leaps in.” SANJARBEK RAKHMANOV: “Training camp was very great and smart. I’m very excited for this rematch. For me this fight is better than a title fight. I want to show Friday night what I’ve been working on. “I understand my little mistakes and my opponent’s mistakes and that’s what I’ve been working on during my whole training camp. I got a lot of good sparring this camp with Jessie Vargas and a couple more undefeated fighters. “Fans can expect to see a war on Friday night. For fans it’s a rematch, but to me it’s different. This time it’ll be a much smarter fight. “I’m more excited for this fight than the first fight because I want to redeem myself and climb the rankings after a win on Friday night.” RICHARDSON HITCHINS “My training camp was great. We had a tremendous training camp. I’m really not sure what to expect from my opponent. He only has a few choices: He can either come and put pressure on me, that’s not going to work, or he can try to outbox me and that’s not going to work either. He’s got to pick his poison. “Every show is important, whether it’s on TV or not. I’m definitely looking for the knockout. If it comes, it comes. I can’t predict a specific round, but I really can’t see him going past five with me.” NICK DeLOMBA: “I had one of the best camps I’ve ever had. I had a new strength and conditioning coach brought onto the team. He did a phenomenal job with me. I got great work from both my head coach and my assistant coach. We trained hard. We fought smart. We’re ready. “I want to give a big shout out and thank you to my sparring partners, Jermaine Ortiz from Worcester and Rashidi Ellis from Somerville, Mass. They were my two main sparring partners and they helped me a lot this camp and got me ready for this fight. “Hitchins is a tough opponent. He’s up-and-coming, he’s 10-0. He’s one of those prospects that are coming up and they are testing him. I am here to put him to the test and see exactly what type of fighter he is. I’m making my debut on SHOWTIME so it’s really important for me to look good. I’ve fought on some streaming services before but nothing as big as ShoBox, so it’s an honor for me and something I’ve wanted to do my whole career. I’m going to go out there, do my best and show that I can take it to that next level.” KEVIN NEWMAN II: “I feel good. Just sharpening the tools and working on little game plan stuff. Just making sure everything is in order and the game plan is all worked out. I know my opponent is tall, kind of lanky but at the end of the day the skills pay the bills. “I don’t feed into all the favored stuff. I mean, that guy has trained just like me for this. I don’t feed into that. I’m just going to try and come as prepared as I can and not focus on anything else.” GENC PLLANA: “Training camp has been great, and we are definitely ready for 10 hard rounds. In preparation for this fight I ran a lot more than usual. “My keys to victory for this fight are to walk him down with my jab and make him feel my right hand. “It feels good to fight for the first time on SHOWTIME so that people can see how good I can fight. It’s a big platform, but I feel right at home and where I belong.” LEONARD ELLERBE, Mayweather Promotions CEO “Roy [Jones] has had a tremendous influence on Kevin Newman. Roy and Floyd Mayweather were his favorite fighters growing up and you can see where he’s patterned his style a lot after Roy. “It’s a great thing, picking up little nuggets from an all-time great like Roy Jones is a dream come true. He’s been very positive and he’s learned a lot from him. I look to see some of the new things he’s picked up on Friday night. “It’s a terrific card. I really enjoy these smaller cards than the bigger cards because it’s fun watching these fighters develop in the early stages of their career and watching them grow along the way. “It’s a tremendous platform to develop your young fighters as far as the exposure that they’re getting, it’s phenomenal. I continue to tell our guys that these opportunities don’t come to you, they have to make the most of these opportunities. “Each fighter and every fighter has something to prove to themselves and it’s a good opportunity to step-up and develop more fans.” Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

ÓSCAR DUARTE REGRESA A CASA PARA ENFRENTARSE A ANDRÉS GARCÍA

Feb 28, 2020

ÓSCAR DUARTE REGRESA A CASA PARA ENFRENTARSE A ANDRÉS GARCÍA POR EL VACANTE TÍTULO LIGERO NABF EN EL RETORNO DE GOLDEN BOY FIGHT NIGHT EN FACEBOOK WATCH
SÁBADO 7 DE MARZO EN EL GIMNASIO MUNICIPAL EN PARRAL, CHIHUAHUA, MÉXICO
¡El evento será gratis para el público!
            CHIHUAHUA, México 27 de febrero de 2020. — Óscar Duarte (18-1-1, 13 nocáuts), el carismático contendiente de peso ligero buscará brindar una emocionante actuación frente a su ciudad natal cuando se mida ante Andrés García (13-2-1, 8 nocáuts) por el vacante titulo ligero NABF en el duelo estelar. Esta noche de grandes peleas se llevará a cabo el sábado 7 de marzo en el Gimnasio Municipal de Parral, Chihuahua, México y será gratis para el publico. Los combates serán transmitidos en vivo globalmente en Facebook Watch a través de la Pagina Fight Night de Golden Boy.
            Duarte es nativo de Parral, Chihuahua y reaparecerá tras tres victorias por nocaut después de sufrir su primera derrota ante Adrián Estrella. El impresionante noqueador también ha participado en muchas importantes carteleras de Golden Boy, donde ha obtenido grandes victorias frente a Roger “The Kid” Gutiérrez y Rey “Flash” Pérez. Duarte está contento de regresar a su ciudad natal y estelarizar por segunda ocasión en fila en la poderosa plataforma de Facebook.
            “Estoy contento por la oportunidad de pelear en Parral por segunda ocasión,” afirmó Óscar Duarte. “Quiero agradecer a Óscar de la Hoya, Golden Boy, y a todo mi equipo. Sé que Andrés García vendrá a sostener una guerra y buscar dar la sorpresa, pero estoy entrenando muy fuerte con Joel Díaz para salir con la mano el alto. Después de esta victoria vienen cosas grandes, así que le voy a echar muchas ganas como siempre”, finalizó.
            García es un boxeador de 32 años de edad quien combatirá por primera vez fuera de Colombia. El peligroso fajador llegará a Parral, Chihuahua, México tras una victoria por nocaut técnico en octubre 2019 y con todas las ganas de dar la gran sorpresa ante Duarte frente a su fanaticada local.
            “Vengo a ganar por cualquiera manera posible”, aseveró Andrés García. “Entiendo muy bien que Óscar Duarte será el favorito, pues estaremos en su territorio y aparte que tiene una sola derrota está virtualmente invicto. Pero estoy enfocado y listo para ganar esta pelea de cualquiera forma, ya sea por nocaut o decisión. Una victoria es clave para mi carrera”, puntualizó.
El respaldo de este evento contará con dos combates adicionales entre México y Colombia, y estará lleno de destacados prospectos de todos partes de México.
            Luis “El Matador” Hernández (20-0, 18 nocáuts) de Chihuahua, México pondrá en juego su titulo superligero Juvenil del CMB en un choque a 10 vueltas ante Placido Ramírez (17-1, 10 nocáuts) de Soplaviento, Colombia.
            William “Camarón” Zepeda (20-0, 18 nocáuts) de San Mateo Atenco, México se enfrentará a Brayam Rico (12-2, 10 nocáuts) de Bogotá, Colombia en un pleito a 10 rounds en peso ligero.
            Jaime Saavedra (4-0, 1 nocaut), el nativo de Chihuahua, México quien está firmado con Miguel Cotto Promotions y Golden Boy, retornará en una batalla a cuatro episodios en peso superligero.
            Jacobo Guerra (1-0) de Parral Chihuahua, México tendrá acción a cuatro giros en peso superwelter ante Sean Hamilton de El Paso, Texas.
            David Alvarado (1-0) de Parral Chihuahua, México combatirá en un duelo a cuatro asaltos en peso mosca frente a Carlos Zaleta (1-0) de Chihuahua, México.
            Yamil Luna (1-0) de Parral Chihuahua, México y Eduardo Simmons de El Paso, Texas chocarán en un pleito a cuatro rounds en las 135 libras.
            Luis Fernando Robles (11-1-1, 3 nocáuts) de Oaxaca, México se enfrentará a Jesús Iribe (21-13-5, 10 nocáuts) de Culiacán Sinaloa, México en un choque a 10 episodios en peso gallo.
            Israel Rodríguez Picazo (17-5, 9 nocáuts) de Tlaxcala, México y Juan Jiménez (27-18-3, 19 nocáuts) pelearán en una batalla a ocho giros en las 122 libras.
            Ulises Moguel (6-0, 4 nocáuts) de Chiapas, México participará en un duelo a ocho asaltos en peso ligero ante Ever Ceballos (11-24-1, 3 nocáuts) de Casas Grandes Chihuahua, México.
            Carlos Ortiz (11-5, 11 nocáuts) de Torreón Coahuila, México realizará su retorno en un combate a ocho asaltos en peso superligero ante Octavio Ochoa (2-9, 1 nocaut) de Casas Grandes Chihuahua, México.
            Manuel Rascón (7-2, 7 nocáuts) de Delicias, Chihuahua México abrirá la velada en un duelo a seis asaltos en peso mosca.
            Los oponentes de Rascón y Saavedra se anunciarán en breve.
            Duarte vs. García es un duelo a 10 episodios por el vacante titulo ligero NABF presentado por Golden Boy en asociación con la Municipio Hidalgo de Hidalgo del Parral y 2M Promotions el sábado 7 de marzo en el Gimnasio Municipal de Parral, Chihuahua, México y la entrada será gratis para el publico. Los combates serán transmitidos en vivo globalmente en Facebook Watch a través de la Pagina Fight Night de Golden Boy.

VERGIL ORTIZ JR. VS. SAMUEL VARGAS LOS ANGELES KICKOFF PRESS CONFERENCE

Feb 28, 2020

VERGIL ORTIZ JR. VS. SAMUEL VARGAS LOS ANGELESKICKOFF PRESS CONFERENCE
SATURDAY, MAR. 28 AT THE ‘FABULOUS’ FORUM ANDSTREAMED EXCUSIVELY ON DAZN

Click HERE for PhotosPhoto Credit: Cris Esqueda-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 25, 2020): Vergil Ortiz Jr. (15-0, 15 KOs) and Samuel Vargas (31-5-2, 14 KOs) hosted a press conference today ahead of their 12-round fight for the WBA Gold Welterweight Title. Undercard fighters from the event also participated in the presser. The fight will take place on Saturday, Mar. 28, 2020 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, Calif. and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.
Below is what fighters had to say at today’s press conference: VERGIL ORTIZ JR., WBA Gold Welterweight Champion:“I’m thankful to have one of the best promotors in the world. We’re a big family, and I’m very proud to be a part of Golden Boy Promotions. I train for every fight like I’m training for a world title. I don’t think I’m the most talented fighter in the room, but I do know that I work the hardest in the game right now.” SAMUEL VARGAS, Welterweight Contender:“I’m open to fighting everyone. I’ve fought a lot of talented boxers have had great experience throughout the years. I’m confident and I’m ready. I’ve been training very well, and I’m excited for this fight. A huge shout out to my fans in Canada and Columbia who will be watching and supporting me.” AZAT HOVHANNISYAN, Super Bantamweight Contender:“I’m as ready for any champion. I’m in the best shape and have the best trainer. I can’t wait to show everyone a wonderful fight on March 28.”
SENIESA ESTRADA, WBC Silver Light Flyweight Champion:“This is going to be my fifth time at the Forum, but this time it’s going to be very different. The last four times that I fought at this venue. I didn’t have promoter. I wasn’t making any money and I wanted to give up on my dreams. I honestly didn’t think I could make it as a boxer. This time coming back to the Forum, I’m at the best place in my career right now, physically, mentally and emotionally. I’m ready for a great fight.”
ERIC GOMEZ, President of Golden Boy:“There’s a lot of great boxing history at the forum. A lot of famous world champions have fought at this venue, including Oscar De La Hoya, who made his debut back in 1992. This is a great card and all these fights are going to be exciting, especially Vergil Ortiz Jr., who is no longer a prospect but now a contender. He has captivated the world of boxing, and I hope for him to win a world title this year. Vergil has proved himself in the ring, but make no mistake Samuel Vargas is a dangerous fighter. Vergil needs to be able to beat a fighter like Vargas. This is a big test for Vergil. Vargas is going to challenge him, but this is what he needs to go through to win a world title.
Ortiz Jr. vs. Vargas is a 12-round fight for the WBA Gold Welterweight Title presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, March 28 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, Calif. and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.
Tickets for Ortiz Jr. vs. Vargas are on sale now and are priced at $10, $25, $50 and $100. Prices do not include applicable facility fees and service charges. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available for purchase at www.fabulousforum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

18-YEAR OLD AMATEUR STANDOUT ANGEL CHAVEZ TURNS PROFESSIONAL WITH MANAGER BOB SANTOS

Feb 25, 2020

SALINAS, CA (February 25, 2020) – Highly decorated amateur, 18-year old super middleweight Angel Chavez of Salinas, California, will turn pro after winning numerous national titles. Chavez, who had well over 100 amateur fights, will have his professional career guided by established manager Bob Santos.
“I felt it was the best move for my career to turn professional since everyone says I have more of a pro-style,” said Chavez. “I know I’m young, but Bob Santos has an incredible track record working with great fighters. He guided Robert Guerrero to multiple world titles, and there are many more world champions that he’s helped get to the top. I feel I have a great team in place, and I know I’ll have plenty of opportunities to showcase my talent with Santos in my corner.”

Chavez, who stands 6’3, is a big Mexican-American super middleweight, who will be trained by former #1 contender, Jose Celaya.
“Chavez has great size and athleticism for the super-middleweight division,” said Bob Santos, who also works with WBA Super Welterweight champion Erislandy Lara and WBA champion Mario Barrios. “This kid has tremendous power in both hands and we’re excited to see what the future holds for such an exciting young fighter. I really think Chavez can be something special.”
Chavez will make his professional debut on a PBC card TBA.