Wednesday, March 31, 2021

JAIME MUNGUIA TO FACE TOUGHEST CHALLENGE YET WHEN HE BATTLES MACIEJ SULECKI AT UTEP DON HASKINS CENTER IN EL PASO, TEXAS APRIL 24TH ON DAZN

 Press Release: By DAZN – EL PASO, TEXAS (March 31, 2021) – Mexico’s biggest rising star Jaime Munguia (36-0, 29 KOs) will face his toughest challenge to date as he defends his WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Championship against Maciej Sulecki (29-2, 11 KOs) in a 12-round battle on Saturday, April 24 at The University of Texas at El Paso’s Don Haskins Center under strict COVID-19 fan safety protocols and with a reduced event capacity below 40%. For detailed COVID-19 event safety fan protocols, click here or visit http://www.utepspecialevents.com

Credit: DAZN 

 

The fight will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico. Similar to Garcia vs. Campbell, the event will feature an earlier start time of 12:30 p.m. PT/1:30 MDT/3:30 ET to maximize the audience across North America and Europe. 

 

Additional information regarding the undercard will be announced soon.

 

“There is no more exciting a middleweight in the world today than Jaime Munguia, and every time he fights, he brings huge knockout power into the ring,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy.  “Sulecki is a tough customer who gave Danny Jacobs all he can handle, but if Munguia can pass this test, a world championship fight is right around the corner.”

 

Munguia is a 24-year-old former world champion from Tijuana, Mexico who leaped onto to the highest levels of the super welterweight division by knocking out Sadam "World Kid" Ali to capture the WBO title. Munguia then defended his title against Liam "Beefy" Smith, Brandon "Bad Boy" Cook, Takeshi InoueDennis Hogan and Patrick Allotey. After five defenses at junior middleweight, Munguia moved up to 160 pounds to capture the WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Title against Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan, which he defended against Tureano Johnson. Munguia looks to demonstrate the new skills he’s acquired under head trainer Erik “El Terrible” Morales against the toughest challenge of his career to date.

 

“I feel very happy to be returning on April 24 against Maciej Sulecki,” said Munguia. “It will be a great fight against great challenger. We are training at 100% to be in the best of conditions, and we promise to deliver an exciting battle.”

 

Sulecki is a Polish contender who has scored knockout victories against Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. and countryman Grzegorz Proksa. The 31-year-old puncher has only suffered two defeats, which were against Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs and Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade. Sulecki believes Munguia is standing in his way of another title shot.

 

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to return to the United States and fight in the main event of such a big card,” said Sulecki. “Jaime Munguia is a strong, young warrior, but I have fought against some of the best of this division. On April 24, I will show the world that I am a top middleweight contender and that I deserve another world title shot.”

 

“Maciej Sulecki is very excited about this opportunity to test his skills against Jaime Munguia,” said Leon Margules, President of Warriors Boxing. “This is the perfect challenge to demonstrate that Sulecki deserves another world title shot, and it has all the ingredients to make for an action-packed battle.”

 

Munguia vs. Sulecki is a 12-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer Promotions and Warrior’s Boxing. The event is sponsored by Tecate “The Official Beer of Boxing” and Hennessy "Never Stop. Never Settle.” The fight will take place on Saturday, April 24 at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico, beginning at 12:30 p.m. PT/1:30 MDT/3:30 ET.

 

Tickets for Munguia vs. Sulecki go on sale Friday, April 2 at 10:00 am MDT and are priced at $200, $100, $60 and $35 not including applicable service charges. In an effort to promote social distancing, tickets will be sold in pods/groupings of 2, 3, 4 and 6 people only. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call 915-747-5234. Tickets will also be available for purchase at http://www.utepspecialevents.com or www.ticketmaster.com

 

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #MunguiaSulecki

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Thoughts On Povetkin-Whyte II

 Boxing in many ways is a sport that one central question is asked in just about every variation that one could think of. A question that begins with “What If.” Although there are numerous ways that the “What If’s” can be asked in reference to the sport, when it comes in the days preceding an anticipated rematch, the “What If’s” are relatively simple and most of the time stir conversation.  

In the case of the rematch between longtime Heavyweight contenders Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte, there were three “What If’s” that people asked. What if Whyte, who suffered a brutal one punch knockout at the hands of Povetkin last August was climbing back into the ring with Povetkin too soon? What if Povetkin, a boxer/puncher who has never been regarded as a power puncher first and foremost could show that he could produce a similar performance as the first encounter, could he do it again? Perhaps more importantly for Povetkin who dealt with a severe bout of the COVID-19 virus causing him to be hospitalized, which caused a postponement of this rematch for months however, what if, he was not fully recovered?

 

All the “What If’s” culminated in the rematch taking place on March 27th at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar. Normally when discussing a fight that this observer previewed beforehand In the days leading up to the bout, I will try to briefly touch upon some of the key elements, which I mentioned could become a factor when the fight takes place. In this case, this would not be necessary, but the question of “What if Povetkin was fully recovered from COVID-19?,” went through my mind repeatedly as I watched this fight.

 

From the opening bell, Povetkin seemed lethargic. The lateral and head movement that Povetkin is known for was not there for him in this fight. While under many circumstances particularly when discussing a fighter that is nearing forty-two years old as Povetkin is, it is logical to think that the absence of movement and reaction time is an indication of advancing age. Although there were some who felt that Povetkin was in decline prior to the first fight with Whyte, what stood out more to me that leads me to believe that there is more to it than a fighter in decline is Povetkin frequently had trouble with his balance and it appeared that his equilibrium was compromised in some way.

 

Some might feel differently because there were occasions throughout the rematch where Povetkin was able to stand up to some of Whyte’s power punches. There were also times however where perhaps because of apparent trouble with his equilibrium that Povetkin did not have punch resistance. While Povetkin did try to battle through these difficulties and did land some offense during the bout, he could not keep Whyte off of him or have any success in disrupting his rhythm. In the fourth round, Whyte staggered Povetkin with a flush right hand that he had been able to land frequently throughout the bout, this sent Povetkin stumbling into the ropes, which also happened more than occasionally due to both balance and apparent equilibrium problems.A follow up barrage highlighted by a left hook to the head sent Povetkin down. Although Povetkin showed his mettle by trying to get up, he staggered into the ropes and this prompted the fight to be stopped. 

 

Even though the story that emerged from this fight was the physical condition of Alexander Povetkin, Dillian Whyte simply did what he needed to do in this rematch and bottom line was able to avenge his loss to Povetkin in their first encounter. Although an obvious question will be who will Whyte fight next and the question regarding Povetkin’s condition does not take away from Whyte’s performance, the question I have asked myself in the days since this rematch took place is whether or not the subject of advanced medical screening needs to be discussed.

 

It is important for this observer as I have done over the past two decades that I have covered Boxing and by extension combat sports when similar situations have emerged to state for the reader that I am not a medical expert and I do not want to venture into an area that I do not have the expertise or qualifications to offer in depth analysis. As the COVID-19 global epidemic has continued however, there does remain elements of the unknown. Elements such as how long this crisis will last before the world can return to a semblance of normalcy that was experienced prior to COVID-19 , but also and more importantly, what could the long-term effects be for those who unfortunately are stricken with this virus who are able to survive it. 

 

While there have been those both in sport and out who have not experienced major problems related to the virus, others like Povetkin have dealt with more severe cases and in his case, had to be hospitalized. The question of what can be done going forward is not one that I can answer and I would assume that those who are medical experts might say that there is not enough information at present time to know what the long-term impacts on one’s health might be after being infected by COVID-19. 

 

After watching someone like Alexander Povetkin, who has been an athlete for many years and one who has been one of the top contenders in his division for much of the last decade struggle as much as he did with his equilibrium and lacking the reflexes one needs to compete in sports, if this is not a case of a fighter getting old in one fight, further medical screening should at minimum be considered. Although much like anything when it comes to licensing of fighters things might be viewed on a case by case basis, with much still unknown about the COVID-19 virus, perhaps athletic commissions around the world should consider whether a fighter should be granted a license to compete in a relatively short period after battling the COVID-19 virus and more specifically, those who have had severe cases as Povetkin did.

 

While obviously one cannot generalize something like this and say that one fighter’s case will be exactly like another fighter’s, if Povetkin’s difficulties in his rematch with Dillian Whyte was not due to his age and decline and had more to do with the impacts of having to battle COVID-19, if there is no further screenings from a medical standpoint, which might include a period of inactivity for fighters before being allowed to re-enter competition, Boxing and by extension all combat sports may be entering a dangerous slippery slope that may have consequences,

 

For Boxing, a sport with no shortage of flaws, criticism, and unfortunately tragedies throughout its history, it is best to get out in front of something that could be a significant issue going forward before it becomes the latest in a long list of things that leaves the sport open to ridicule. If the powers that be in Boxing, which in this case starts with the athletic commissions and regulatory boards around the world that regulate the sport were to turn a blind eye to this and it turns out that Alexander Povetkin is not the only fighter who after suffering from COVID-19 deals with long-term effects that serve as an indication that perhaps they should have not been allowed to compete, such criticism/ridicule will be hard to argue against.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter:www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Three Undefeated Boxers Highlight Triller Fight Club Undercard Expansion For April 17 in Atlanta

 

Credit: FITE 


Press Release: By FITE – Three Undefeated Boxers Highlight Triller Fight Club Undercard Expansion For April 17 in Atlanta

Junior Younan (15-0-1), Quinton Randall (7-0) and Lorenzo Simpson (9-0) Put Undefeated Marks On The Line At Mercedes-Benz Stadium

LOS ANGELES, March 30, 2021 -- Triller Fight Club today announced the latest additions to a world-class lineup of boxing for its April 17 event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Joining the global PPV boxing and entertainment extravaganza will be three undefeated boxers, including welterweight Quinton Randall (Houston, 7-0), super middleweight Junior Younan (Brooklyn, N.Y., 15-0-1) and middleweight Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson (Baltimore, Md., 9-0). Simpson will meet Francisco Torres (Buenos Aires, 16-3-1), while Younan will meet Jeyson Minda (Quito, Ecuador/Salem, Mass., 14-4-1) with an opponent TBD for Randall. Triller Fight Club is a partnership between leading music and social media platform Triller and Snoop Dogg, and is spearheaded by visionary producer Ryan Kavanaugh.

“Nowhere will you find this mix of world class fights mixed with some of the biggest names in entertainment,” said Peter Kahn, Triller Fight Club Chief Boxing Officer. “The undercard we have built continues to stoke the fire for boxing fans, who will come for the action and love the music, while our audience coming for our elite music talent will be enthralled by the hard hitting, fast paced mix of legends and rising stars in the ring. Everyone learns, we grow audiences together and our vision of four quadrant entertainment reinvents the pay per view experience, with more to come.” 

As revealed last week, the card will also have another fan favorite, hard hitting Steve Cunningham(Philadelphia) replacing Antonio Tarver in the previously announced fight against Frank Mir.  

These world class additions help round out Triller Fight Club’s first in a series of 2021 special events. In the headline matchup April 17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Jake Paul takes on former Bellator and OneFC champion Ben Askren, while Regis Prograis (New Orleans), a former world champion and arguably one of the top two super lightweights in the world, takes on Ivan Redkach (Shostka, Ukraine); heavyweight MMA Bad Boy Mir (Las Vegas) will battle Cunningham (Philadelphia); and Joe Fournier (London) will challenge music icon and worldwide star Reykon(Envigado, Colombia).

Since turning professional shortly after his 18th birthday in 2013, the Brooklyn born Younan (15-0-1, 10 KOs) has stopped all opponents in the first two rounds. In his last start on March 9, 2019, he won a dominant unanimous decision over Derrick Findley in Verona, N.Y. Prior to turning professional Younan was a very highly decorated amateur including a 2011 National Junior Olympic Championship, a four-time National Silver Gloves champion, a three-time National PAL champion and a two-time National Junior Golden Gloves champion. 

The former U.S. national boxing champion, Randall (7-0) turned pro in February 2019 and has quickly racked up seven victories, including two by way of stoppage. The 30-year-old native of Houston last fought in The Bubble at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on October 17, 2020, a unanimous decision over Jan Carlos Rivera. He is one of boxing’s great redemption stories, having overcome a series of personal tragedies, including the death of his eight year old son in a car accident, to turn his professional career around and put him in a position for continued success, now with TFC.

Minda enters at 14-4-1 with nine KO’s. The native Ecuadorian will bring a loyal and diverse Latino fan base to the card as well for his fast rising undefeated opponent.

The 20-year-old (9-0, 5 knockouts) Simpson made his pro debut in December 2018, and last fought in October, scoring a unanimous decision over Sonny Duversonne. Simpson is a 12 time National Champ and six time Silver Gloves winner, who many have dubbed “The Future of American Boxing.” 

Torres (16-3, 5 KOs) has won his last eight bouts, two by KO, since April 2-18. He last fought on February 20, taking a unanimous decision from Louis Hernandez in Shelbyville, Ohio. Last August he claimed the WBA Fedecaribe super welterweight title with a win over Cleotis Pendarvis in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The lineup for the four-hour Pay Per View show will include performances by Justin Bieber, The Black Keys, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Diplo, Major Lazer, and the exclusive world premiere of the hip hop supergroup Mt. Westmore (Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Too $hort and E-40) performing for their first time ever together. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Bert Marcus will lead and direct the creative storytelling for the Triller Fight Club event.

The lead up to April 17 officially also includes an original series exclusively on Triller and FITE. “PRBLM CHILD” is a raw, all-access look into the life of one of the world’s most polarizing and controversial personalities, YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, as he trains for his fight vs. Askren. The series also will include boxing legends Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Ryan Garcia, Jorge Masvidal and Snoop Dogg, among many more.

In addition to being a co-owner, Snoop also provides strategic counsel to Triller Fight Club, helping to select fighters and musical acts for the show-stopping events. An entertainment expert who has successfully maneuvered through a range of projects in a variety of different fields, Snoop secured his spot as a fan favorite during Triller's first sporting event, Tyson vs. Jones.

iNDemand, the leading transactional video-on-demand and PPV programming provider in North America, will serve as the exclusive U.S. and Canadian cable, satellite, and telco PPV provider for the event. Fans will be able to order the event on PPV through their existing cable, satellite and telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Fios, and Optimum in the U.S., as well as leading providers in Canada.

FITE, the premier PPV digital platform, will handle worldwide live pay-per-view streaming distribution online, and via FITE mobile and Smart TV apps, game controllers and all major OTT devices as well as power TrillerFightClub.com.

The suggested PPV retail price for the event is $49.99 (U.S. & Canada). Fans outside North America can check the FITE link at https://www.fite.tv/watch/jake-paul-vs-ben-askren/2p8y0/ for international pricing. All fight information can be found at TrillerFightClub.com, which features fight news, announcements, promotional videos, and the digital portal to buy the event. 

 

**HOW TO WATCH THE APRIL 17, 2021, TRILLER FIGHT CLUB PPV EVENT**

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, DIRECTV & U-Verse TV, Fios, and Optimum (U.S.), as well as leading providers in Canada.

Worldwide Streaming: FITE.TV and all FITE mobile, Smart TV, game controller and OTT apps as well as the event microsite hub: TrillerFightClub.com

 

Triller Fight Club, April 17, 2021

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Bout Schedule as of March 30, 2021

 

Main event:

Jake Paul, Cleveland (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Ben Askren, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (pro debut/boxing, 19-2-0, 6 Kos/MMA), 8 rounds, cruiserweight

 

Undercard:

Regis Prograis, New Orleans (25-1, 21 KOs) vs. Ivan Redkach, Shostka, Ukraine (23-5, 18 KOs), 10 rounds, super lightweight

Steve Cunningham, Philadelphia (29-9-1, 13 KOs), vs. Frank Mir, Las Vegas (pro debut/boxing, 18-11-0, 14KOs/MMA), 8 rounds, heavyweight

Joe Fournier, London (8-0, 8 KOs), vs. Andres Felipe Robledo Londoño (“Reykon”), Envigado, Colombia (pro debut), 6 rounds, light heavyweight

Junior Younan, Brooklyn (15-0-1, 10 KOs), vs. Jeyson Minda, Quito, Ecuador (14-4-1, 8 KOs), 8 rounds, super middleweight

Lorenzo Simpson, Baltimore (9-0, 5 KOs) vs. Francisco Torres (Buenos Aires, 16-3-1) 8 rounds, middleweight

Quinton Randall, Houston (7-0, 2 KOs) vs TBD 8 rounds, welterweight



About Triller:

 

Triller Network is a consolidation of companies, apps and technologies and the first of its kind leading the move into Internet 3.0.  Triller Network pairs the culture of music with sports, fashion, entertainment and influencers through a 360-degree tech and content-based vertical. The TrillerNetwork—which includes the globally popular Triller app used by musicians, celebrities, athletes, and overall culture setters—has more than 300 million users worldwide. Unlike other apps it is often compared to, such as TikTok, it encourages its users to post the content created utilizing the Triller app across other social media platforms and websites. The network owns proprietary ad-tech and ad AI which is uniquely tied to the content rather than as is traditional to the user. By tracking the content, the Triller Network empowers its tastemakers and users to push their content virally to affiliated and un-affiliated sites and networks reaching tens of millions of additional users daily. Data from its AI suite, direct influencer and artists relationships is generated from both the on app and on the on and off network information and used both to program longer-form content, connect users across the web with the content and provide monetization opportunities maximizing brand partnership integrations. Having launched Highly successful campaigns starting with the app, and continuing throughout the entire tech ecosystem, with some of the biggest brands in the world including Pepsi, McDonalds, Weedmaps, DraftKings, L’Oreal, and many others, the Triller Network offers brands a unique content and technology integration. Branded content is integrated at the Trillerapp level, making direct deals with the influencers and celebrities who post the content. This branded content is pushed to and through thousands of affiliated and non-affiliated sites, apps, social networks and is ultimately integrated into valuable long-form Triller Network content, such as boxing PPV, live fashion shows, and episodic reality content on TrillerTV. Some of the more than 50 original half-hour TrillerTV shows include The D’Amelios Family’s Must Haves, Jennifer Lopez In The Morning, Jake Paul: Staying On Top, 2 Chainz Let’s Do It, Hypehouse’s Hanging With The Hype, Ur Lov’d: the Noah Beck Show, Fat Joe’s Masterclass, The Perez Hilton Show, and Violet Benson’s Too Tired To Be Crazy, among others. Triller Network includes Triller Fight Club which launched last year with the highly-successful Tyson-Jones Fight which shattered digital PPV records and became the 8th highest selling Boxing PPV of all time.

 

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: FITE Used with permission. For more information about FITE including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, and to order Triller Fight Club please visit: https://www.fite.tv/watch/jake-paul-vs-ben-askren/2p8y0/ and www.FITE.TV

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Friday, March 26, 2021

Povetkin-Whyte II Official Weights From Gibraltar

 

The official weigh-in for Saturday’s Heavyweight rematch between top contenders Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte took place earlier today in Gibraltar. Weights for the entire card, which will be broadcast globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN and on pay-per-view throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland on Sky Box Office are as follows .

 

Main Event: Heavyweight – 12Rds.*

 

Alexander Povetkin 228 1/4lbs. vs. Dillian Whyte 247 1/4lbs.

 

(* Bout will determine interim champion status in the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Heavyweight ratings. A designation currently held by Povetkin.)

 

Vacant British Jr. Middleweight championship – 12Rds.

 

Ted Cheeseman 153 1/2lbs. vs. James Metcalf 153 3/4lbs.

 

Lightweight – 4Rds. 

 

Campbell Hatton 136 3/4lbs. vs. Jesus Ruiz 136 1/4lbs.

 

Welterweight – 10Rds. 

 

Chris Kongo 146 3/4lbs. vs. Michael McKinson 146 1/4lbs. 

 

Heavyweight – 10Rds. 

 

Fabio Wardley 232 1/4lbs. vs. Eric Molina 251 1/4lbs.

 

Jr. Lightweight – 10 Rds.

 

Youssef Khoumari 130lbs. vs. Kane Baker 128 1/2lbs.

 

Heavyweight – 10Rds.

 

Erik Pfeifer 246 1/4lbs. vs. Nick Webb 262lbs. 

 

Povetkin vs. Whyte II takes place on Saturday, March 27th at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar. The bout as well as its full undervalued can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN (Excluding the United Kingdom) beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT (U.S. Time.) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms,Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the card can be seen on a pay-per-view basis on Sky Box Office at 6PM (Local UK Time) for £19.95. For more information about about availability in your area and to order please visit: https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/povetkin-whyte. Check your local listings for availability and start times internationally.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison