The Boxing Truth®: October 2023

Saturday, October 28, 2023

AMANDA SERRANO MAKES HISTORY WITH UNANIMOUS DECISION VICTORY OVER DANILA RAMOS IN FIRST-EVER WOMEN’S UNIFIED CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT WITH 12, THREE-MINUTE ROUNDS

Press Release October 27,2023 By DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions - Most Valuable Promotions’ Serrano successfully defends WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO, and Ring Magazine titles as both fighters establish historic precedent for women’s CHOICE for 12, three-minute rounds in boxing, marked by emotional post-fight moment from the two champions of equality.

Credit:Most Valuable Promotions/Joseph Correa

Historic event brought out the stars as Laila Ali, Holly Holm and Christy Martin were all in attendance to witness Serrano’s masterclass

Damian Lescaille retains the WBA Continental Americas title with a vicious knockout while Puerto Rican sensation Krystal Rosado secures decisive unanimous decision in second professional bout on Most Valuable Prospects III

Serrano vs. Ramos sets record for highest combat sports gate in Caribe Royale’s 25-event history with sold-out crowd

ORLANDO, FL - October 27, 2023 – In a powerful moment for equality and women’s boxing history tonight, Most Valuable Promotion’s Amanda Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KOs) successfully defended her WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO titles and claimed her 46th career win over interim WBO champion Danila Ramos (12-3, 1 KO) with a unanimous decision victory (120-108 x3). The two athletes fought through a relentless main event, proving their ability and talent over 12 exhilarating rounds at three minutes each for the unified featherweight title, equal to any men’s championship fight. Serrano threw an incredible career high 1103 punches throughout the bout, the first ever women’s unified championship fight with 12, three-minute rounds and the first time a women’s fight has gone the full 12x3. Serrano put on a show, consistently bringing the sold out crowd to their feet with fellow female boxing champions Laila Ali, Holly Holm and Christy Martin in attendance. Fellow MVP athletes Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, H20 Sylve and Shadasia Green were in attendance as well to show support for Serrano’s historic bout, while Jake Paul and Jutta Leerdam showed their support with a video that played on the broadcast and in arena.

Credit:Most Valuable Promotions/Joseph Correa

Following the fight, Serrano shared a message of pride and support for female fighters and the boxing community, emphasizing women’s choice to fight under the same rules as men, should they so choose, as well as a resounding message of hope for equal pay and a more equitable future for women’s boxing. The fight, which aired live globally on DAZN, brought the in-person crowd at the Caribe Royale Orlando to its feet as the audience gave Serrano and Ramos a thundering standing ovation for their historic performance.

Earlier this month, Serrano and Ramos, with the support of MVP, united under a joint statement titled ‘CHOICE’ to affirm the pursuit of female fighters to achieve equal pay, promotion, and competitive opportunity in the sport of boxing. United in support of Amanda and Danila’s CHOICE statement were 25 incredible female fighters, including current and former champions.

Ahead of Serrano vs. Ramos, Most Valuable Promotions showcased top up-and-coming talent with its exhilarating third installment of its Most Valuable Prospects series to a sold-out Caribe Royale Resort, as the series’ host recorded its highest combat sports gate in its 25-event history.

Damian Lescaille (6-0, 4 KOs) returned to Orlando with a 9th round knock out over Ray Barlow (7-4, 4 KOs) in an exhilarating welterweight co-main event. Lescaille traded blows with Barlow all night before he pummeled Barlow with a vicious right hook in the 9th round sending him to the canvas. Lescaille retains the WBA Continental Americas title and his third consecutive Most Valuable Prospects victory, extending his undefeated professional record to 6-0. He will also collect a $5,000 knockout bonus for the effort.

In a 6-round main card lightweight bout, Alexander Rios (7-1, 3 KOs) vs. Benigno Aguilar (11-0, 4 KOs) put their undefeated records on the line, with Aguilar fighting his way to a thrilling split decision victory (58-55, 57-56, 57-56) over Rios. Aguilar solidified his victory as he scored a major knockdown of Rios down in the fifth round as the two traded a thundering series of body and face shots across the bout. Rios returned to Most Valuable Prospects III after a memorable first round knockout on Most Valuable Prospects II.

Krystal Rosado (2-0, 1 KO), the young Puerto Rican sensation, continued to show off her elite talents in the ring over her 4-round main card showcase against fellow super flyweight Kata Pap (1-1, 1 KO). Rosado earned a decisive unanimous decision victory (40-36 x3), once again demonstrating her star potential. Rosado fought with power and tenacity, emulating her mentor Amanda Serrano, throwing punches in bunches in the ring and proving once again she is a force to be reckoned with in the ring.

In the main card opener, Damazion Vanhouter (6-0, 3 KOs) defeated Nafys Anas (4-1, 3 KOs) by unanimous decision (40-36, 39-37x2) over an action-packed four round bout. Vanhouter demonstrated his full arsenal of skills in the cruiserweight thriller, handing the shifty Anas his first professional loss.

In a thrilling headliner to the preliminary card, top-ranked WBA bantamweight and local favorite Antonio Vargas (17-1, 9 KOs) successfully defended his WBA Continental Americas title against former world champion Hernan “Tyson” Marquez (47-11-2, 33 KOs) with a dominating 10-round unanimous decision victory (99-89 x3). Vargas showcased his elite skills landing a barrage of quick combos knocking down Marquez in the second, sixth, and eighth rounds. The masterclass performance by Vargas continued his ascension as a rising superstar in the sport.

Middleweight Euri Cadeno (6-0-1, 6 KOs) and Dayan Depestre (1-0-1, 1 KO) put on an exciting back and forth match ending in a majority draw (57-57, 58-56, 56-58). Both Cadeno and Depestre traded shots for six rounds showing off their full arsenal and both showed resiliency with the ability to bounce back from some devastating blows.

The light heavyweight battle between Angel Chavez (9-0, 7 KOs) vs. veteran Bosnian talent Sladen Janjanin (37-17, 26 KOs) ended with a unanimous decision win (60–54 x3) for the young talented Chavez, who landed some vicious shots in an action packed match as both fighters gave their all in the ring and took the decision to the cards.

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and promoted by MVP, with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed by DAZN. The third event in the series continued the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2023 and will be hosted by Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. DAZN will air the series globally across its platforms as a part of its subscription package, which included Serrano vs. Ramos, the entire main card lineup, and prelims. CELSIUS Essential Energy Drinks, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of the Most Valuable Prospects series.

For more information, follow on Twitter via @Serranosisters, @MostVPromotions, @JakePaul, @Boxlab_AP, and @DAZNBoxing, and @cariberoyaleor on Instagram via @serranosisters, @MostValuablePromotions, @JakePaul, and @DAZNBoxing, and @cariberoyaleorlando.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVPworks to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last four global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Fury match, which surpassed 800,000 Pay-per-view buys worldwide. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head-to-head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US, and the UK.  Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world - Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC. 

DAZN is the NFL’s global partner and, from the 2023 season, will be the only place for fans around the world to watch every NFL match through the NFL Game Pass International add-on subscription. DAZN is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with UEFA Women’s Champions League and Finetwork Liga F.  DAZN is adding more and more sport to its platform to create a destination for sports fans. 

DAZN is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialize, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN. 

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles, ensuring that fans have access to ground-breaking rights catalog and slate of incredible content. In the UK and globally, DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony, and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV and can find the app on their iPhone, iPad, and android mobile devices. DAZN is available as an Amazon Channel on Amazon Prime TV and can be viewed on Channel 429 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit www.dazngroup.com.  

About Caribe Royale Orlando Resort

Located just minutes from the Walt Disney World® Resort in the nation’s number one convention and tourist destination, Caribe Royale Orlando is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite meetings resort in Orlando. A TripAdvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award winner – among just 10 percent of hotels worldwide to receive the distinction – the upscale Caribe Royale is emerging from a $140 million renovation that includes fully remodeling all of its one-bedroom suites, an all-new 50,000-square-foot grand ballroom (bringing the total meeting space to 220,000 square feet), and an inviting new lobby. Being privately-owned, Caribe Royale offers meeting planners faster approval cycles and more flexibility to create stand-out events. To learn more or to book a visit, event or meeting, visit www.cariberoyale.com. Follow the all-suite convention hotel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(@cariberoyale), LinkedIn and Pinterest. #cariberoyaleorlando

Material Courtesy of: DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions/ Photos Courtesy of:Most Valuable Promotions/Joseph Correa - Frontproofmedia

Green-Crews-Dezurn Set For Co-Main Event On December 15th Jake Paul Card In Orlando, FL On DAZN

Press Release October 27, 2023 By DAZN And Most Valuable Promotions- Green vs. Crews-Dezurn to be co-main event for Jake Paul’s return to the ring Friday, December 15 in Orlando, Florida

Green vs. Crews-Dezurn is the latest significant women’s championship fight as MVP works to establish equity across the sport

NEW YORK, NY – October 27, 2023 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced that super middleweight powerhouse Shadasia “The Sweet Terminator” Green (13-0, 11 KOs) will face off with Franchón Crews-Dezurn (8-2, 2 KOs) for the WBC super middleweight championship Friday, December 15 on DAZN, as the co-main event with Jake Paul and his soon to be named opponent in Orlando, FL. Green vs. Crews-Dezurn marks MVP’s latest significant women’s championship fight as the company works to establish equity across the sport. Jake Paul, co-founder of the company alongside Nakisa Bidarian, was named as one of “The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports” by Sports Illustrated this year in part for his work to revolutionize pay structure in support of female fighters.

Green, the former standout college basketball star and Team USA boxing silver medalist, boasts an impressive 13-0 record with 11 KO’s and the record for fastest KO in a women’s fight and joined MVP in January after a trailblazing few years in the sport. Shortly after, Green defeated the former unified world champion Elin Cederroos with a vicious sixth round TKO, marking the first and only time Cederroos was ever stopped in her career. Green’s latest bout against Olivia Curry in August led to a resounding unanimous decision victory as part of the Paul-Diaz undercard. Currently ranked #1 in the WBC, WBO, WBA, and IBF, the Paterson, NJ native will now face former undisputed super middleweight champion Crews-Dezurn, who is on the hunt to reclaim the WBC title after a majority decision loss to Savannah Marshall in July.

"I've poured blood, sweat, tears, and every ounce of determination into this journey,” said Shadasia Green.“Stepping into the ring for the WBC super middleweight championship is a dream come true. Franchón is a beast in the ring, but make no mistake - when we meet in that ring, it's going to be an all-out war, and I'm coming for that title. I want to thank the WBC for this opportunity and MVP and my team for all they have done for me. Get ready for an epic battle on December 15th, with Shadasia Green emerging as the new WBC super middleweight champion.”

Franchón Crews-Dezurn has taken hold of her journey for over 12 years as a former contestant on American Idol, 12 year member of Team USA, 15x National Champion, 5x Pan Am Gold medalist, 2x Olympic alternate and 2x world medalist. Franchón is the first US woman to qualify for the Pan American Games and one of three US women to compete in the event. Also known as The Heavy Hitting Diva, she won her first world title (WBC) in 2018, and went on to capture the WBO world title to become a unified champion in 2019. In 2021, Franchón defeated the IBF and WBA unified champion Elin Cederroos in a 10 round unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden, to become the first-ever female undisputed super middleweight world champion and inaugural and prestigious Ring Magazine belt champion. As a professional boxer, she is the first female unified world champion from Baltimore and first ever undisputed champion, male or female from Baltimore. To date, Franchón has only been defeated twice, by three-weight world champion Claressa Shields and two-weight world champion Savannah Marshall. Truly an extraordinary woman in the world of sports and entertainment, she advocates for better health, women’s empowerment and equal pay in sport. Franchón is currently signed with Matchroom Boxing.

“I’m super excited about this fight on December 15th against Shadasia Green. I am looking forward to winning the WBC belt on my road back to becoming undisputed for a second time,” said Franchón Crews-Dezurn. “Shadasia was always going to be my next fight. It’s just under a little different circumstances but the same mission. My goal is not to prove others wrong. I’m very confident in myself, so I’m just focused on proving myself right. I want to thank Most Valuable Promotions and my manager Peter Kahn for getting this fight done. I will put on an amazing show for the fans in Orlando, Florida and the fans watching on DAZN when I bring my title back home.”

“Since the inception of MVP I have made women’s boxing a priority and have leveraged my platform to push the sport.” said Jake Paul. “Amanda Serrano has become one of the biggest stars in sports and I believe Shadasia Green is next. She’s Sweet in person but a real Terminator in the ring. It’s an honor to share the card with two strong, powerful women, who have dedicated their lives to the hardest sport in the world,”

“This WBC title bout will be Shadasia’s greatest test so far in her professional career and her first step towards global stardom. A win against Franchón sets up two massive fights for Shadasia: Savannah Marshall and Claressa Shields,” said MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian. “But Franchón is a tested former undisputed champion and is determined to regain her belts. With no love lost between the two fighters, this will be a can’t miss fight. Thank you to the WBC and to our amazing partner DAZN for helping us bring this world-class event to global audiences on Friday, December 15.”

Most Valuable Promotions will also continue to showcase its premiere talent throughout the rest of the year to global audiences on DAZN. Undisputed featherweight champion and seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano (45-2-1, 30 KOs) is set to face WBO challenger Danila Ramos in a historic 12-round, three-minute rounds unified featherweight title bout, equal to men’s championship fights, on Friday, October 27th at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. Directly preceding the fight will be MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects III, featuring top up-and-coming boxing talent.

For more information, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @MostVPromotions, @shaygreen35, @TheHHDiva, and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @JakePaul, @MostValuablePromotions, @shadasia_green, @thehhdiva, and @DAZNBoxing.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last five global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Diaz match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US and the UK.  Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world - Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC. 

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles, ensuring that fans have access to a ground-breaking rights catalog and slate of incredible content. In the UK and globally, DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and Apple TV and can find the app on their iPhone, iPad, and android mobile devices. DAZN is available as an Amazon Channel on Amazon Prime TV and can be viewed on Channel 429 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit www.dazngroup.com.  

Material Courtesy of DAZN Used with permission.

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Fury-Ngannou Boxing's Latest Spectacle

In August 2017, the Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) worlds were consumed by a fight that was a legitimate mega event in terms of interest. This observer is referring to the encounter between Boxing Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather and two-division UFC world champion Connor McGregor, which took place in Las Vegas, NV and was one of the last successful pay-per-view attractions to draw a significant buyrate of over four million buys. The action in the ring that August evening favored the experienced boxer Mayweather, who stopped a very "Game" McGregor in ten rounds.

The Mayweather-McGregor fight followed a familiar pattern in the realm of combat sports. In that when a fighter from one combat sport ventures into another combat sport where they do not have experience in terms of that sport being their primary discipline, the results often are not favorable for that fighter and more often than not, such bouts tend to be regarded as mismatches when all is said and done. This has been seen in both spectrums in boxers venturing into MMA as future Hall of Famer James Toney did when he faced UFC Hall of Famer and two-division world champion Randy Couture and was quickly taken down to the canvas and submitted, and the aforementioned encounter between McGregor and Mayweather, held in Mayweather's realm, the Boxing ring. Although unlike Toney, McGregor was able to hold his own for a period of time in that fight, the results of both bouts were similar, the inexperienced fighter, who ventured into a different sport, ultimately being out classed and stopped by a fighter who's primary combat discipline was the format in which the fight was held.

Despite those two clear and indisputable results, there still remains a fascination in "Boxing vs. MMA" bouts in both sports. Such an event will take place on Saturday, October 28th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as undefeated two-time Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, current holder of the WBC World Heavyweight championship, will face former UFC Heavyweight world champion Frances Ngannou in a bout that can be seen on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View in the United States. The scheduled ten round bout, is either an exhibition or an official bout depending on who one asks. One thing that can be confirmed is the WBC's version of the World Heavyweight championship will not be on the line in this bout. If this will indeed be an official professional bout, as Mayweather-McGregor was, it will mark Ngannou's debut as a professional boxer.

Obviously, the main selling point of this fight as almost all "Boxing vs. MMA" bouts can be summed up in one word, "Curiosity.* No matter how many times these types of bouts take place, no matter how lopsided the fights might be in favor of one fighter, there will always be the element of both "Curiosity" and "What If's" that will surround it. Despite the aforementioned examples of lopsided or one-sided outcomes in fights like this that have taken place in the past, there are also notable exceptions, which probably contribute in some way to the "Curiosity" and "What If's" prior to a fight such as this.

Many will recall former WBO World Heavyweight champion Ray Mercer, who after a long and successful career as a boxer, ventured into the sport of MMA and scored a one punch knockout of former UFC Heavyweight world champion Tim Sylvia in 2009. Others are likely familiar with the careers of former Boxing world champions Troy Dorsey and Chris Algieri, two fighters who prior to their respective careers in professional Boxing, had won world championships as professional Kickboxers. While rare, a fighter being able to have success in more than one combat sport has been done before.

Will Frances Ngannou be able to add his name to that select list. One thing the former UFC Heavyweight world champion has going for him is in his MMA career, he has shown that he is extremely heavy-handed and has scored knockouts in ten of his seventeen career wins, most via punches. The question here is whether or not he will be able to use that punching power against a world-class boxer who just happens to be one of two fighters who has a legitimate claim to the World Heavyweight championship. While many MMA fighters do train in Boxing in preparation for their bouts as Boxing is after all a martial art, there is a difference between the two sports and even though nothing can be taken away from what Ngannou has been able to accomplish in his MMA career, this will be his first fight in a Boxing ring with a pair of Boxing gloves on and not the open-handed one ounce MMA gloves, which for all intents and purposes is one step away from fighting under Bareknuckle rules. It is indisputable that Ngannou has power in both hands, but the difference in skill level in terms of Boxing between his previous MMA opponents and a seasoned professional boxer as well as wearing eight ounce Boxing gloves are likely to play a factor here.

One must also keep in mind that Tyson Fury is a very elusive and awkward fighter that has deceptive punching power in both hands. Fury has also shown more than once they he can get up from being knocked down under circumstances where other fighters likely would not have gotten up, something that Ngannou has obviously yet to prove in terms of in a Boxing ring. Ngannou does have what could turn out to be an asset in his corner in the form of former two-time Heavyweight world champion and Hall of Famer Mike Tyson, the man who Tyson Fury was named after, as his trainer. Although some may feel the addition of Mike Tyson might be more for show, Tyson was groomed to be a fighter by the legendary late great Cus D'Amato,who taught him a style with an emphasis on head movement, hand speed, and punching power. With this being the first time that Tyson has been in the capacity of a trainer, it will be interesting to see what he has taught Ngannou in terms of implementing a Boxing style that might be effective. It is also worth noting that a major element of Tyson's Boxing education under D'Amato was significant film study sessions that also molded Tyson into one of the sport's noted historians. What makes this potentially noteworthy is that by learning through film study as well as other methods taught by D'Amato, Tyson was also exposed to a variety of styles in addition to the one that he was trained by D'Amato to use. Therefore, if Tyson has indeed been training Ngannou and this is not a mere publicity tactic to generate interest in this fight, one should not necessarily expect an attempt of implementing a style similar to what Tyson used in his prime. Tyson nevertheless is very knowledgeable on just about every known Boxing style and it would be wise for Ngannou to at minimum seek his advice.

As for Tyson Fury, it is questionable just how seriously he is taking this fight whether it is an exhibition or not. Why would there be questions regarding that? As some know, Fury recently signed a contract for a fight with undefeated WBO/IBF/WBA/IBO Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk for what would be for the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world. A fight that could be scheduled as soon as this coming December depending on both the outcome of this fight as well as any potential injuries that Fury might sustain. It might be possible based on the fact that Fury signed the contract before this fight takes place that he might be treating it lightly.

Whatever the case might be, whether this is an exhibition or not, the eyes of the combat sports world will nevertheless be focused on this event. It would be nice for a change considering that Boxing is a consistent target of ridicule if there was not anything negative that emerged from this fight. To go a step further, it would also be nice if we also saw a competitive contest, which is something that many are not expecting.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

Fury vs. Ngannou takes place on Saturday, October 28th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight as well as its undercard can be seen in the United States on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT for $79.99. The card will also be available through traditional cable/satellite Telco providers. Contact your local cable/satellite provider for ordering information.

ESPN+ and select ESPN+ Pay-Per-View events are available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices/Smart TVs. To order this pay-per-view event through ESPN+ to watch on the device of your choice, download the ESPN app, find Fury vs. Ngannou in the Boxing section of upcoming programming and follow the instructions to order within the app or Click Here for both ordering information and for instructions on how to download the ESPN app on your streaming device of choice.

(*U.S. Times Only*)

(*Check your local listings internationally*

(*Card and Start Times Subject to Change.*)

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Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Serrano-Ramos: A Long Overdue Step Towards Equality In Boxing

One would be hard pressed to answer the question of in the last decade, what parts of the sport of Boxing have been the most significant in terms of true progress. By the design of the way such a question is asked, one would likely find no shortage of answers covering just about every aspect that the sport has to offer and most likely every subject. Some would likely point to the push towards digital subscription-based streaming as one significant move of progress for the sport, while others would point to the continued reliance of some to use the overpriced and outdated model of pay-per-view as a sign of Boxing's regression as well as for lack of a better term, "Being Stuck In Its Antiquated Ways" from a business standpoint. Two subjects that have been recurring themes of this observer's work for many years.

Outside of those themes which remain a focal point for the sport, if one were to ask yours truly that aforementioned question regarding what has been the most significant progress in my view that has taken place over the last decade my answer is simple and does not require much thought because, in my opinion, the answer is indisputable. "Women's Boxing."

When I began writing about and covering combat sports in the mid-1990’s, women’s participation in the sport was just starting to get exposure due largely to Hall of Famer Christy Martin, who was the first superstar of Women’s Boxing, with her bouts being regularly featured on television and yes, pay-per-view on the undercards of some of the biggest bouts in Boxing history. Despite her success as a trailblazer in bringing Women’s Boxing to the forefront, the sport in the United States did not get the recognition, and respect that it truly deserved for many years including after Martin and other notable stars in Women’s Boxing including Lucia Rijker, Laila Ali, Holly Holm, and others retired from the sport. The struggle for consistent television exposure also remained a real one as most women’s bouts were either shown on undercards of other bouts and not given much attention, or at times not shown at all.

This differed significantly from how Women’s Boxing is treated internationally as many world championship fights would serve as the main event on cards also featuring men’s bouts on a consistent basis and that would occur several years before the United States would catch up to the rest of the world in finally recognizing what Women’s Boxing had to offer. Perhaps in an indirect way, this was aided somewhat by the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and the success of fighters in that sport such as Rhonda Rousey. It was not until the 2012 Summer Olympics that things began to shift however in the favor of Women’s Boxing. For that was the first Olympic games where Women’s Boxing was included along with the men’s Boxing tournament. Although that in of itself was groundbreaking, it was the performance of Claressa Shields in dominating the tournament to becoming the first Gold Medalist for the United States in Boxing since Andre Ward accomplished it in 2004. It would be an accomplishment that Shields would repeat in the 2016 Summer Olympics before setting her sights on a professional career after becoming the United States first boxer to win consecutive gold medals in Olympic competition.

Due to the success she was able to have as an Olympian, the spotlight was naturally focused on Shields upon turning professional in 2016 and it was that, that led the way to the sport of Women’s Boxing being able to gain long overdue recognition and exposure here in the United States as finally, it would be Women’s bouts showcased on a regular basis on television as along with Shields, fighters like Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, Heather Hardy, Cecilia Braekhus, and Jessica McCaskill, to name a few, have all become stars in the sport and have all headlined Boxing cards where men’s bouts are also featured. In what was another groundbreaking moment for the sport, it was Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano who engaged in one of the best fights this observer has ever seen in April of last year. An all-time classic that was the first Women’s bout to main event in the legendary Madison Square Garden. Not only did the fight exceed every possible expectation inside the ring, but the event also accomplished something that those who for whatever reason did not take Women’s Boxing seriously did not think was possible. It sold out Madison Square Garden’s main arena drawing over 20,000 spectators.

For someone who going back to when I started had been asked regularly “Why do you cover Women’s Boxing? No one cares…” I can’t lie to the reader when I say that seeing what had been accomplished that night from a distance was emotional for me because it also justified why I have tried to give Women’s Boxing as much attention and coverage as I could for years in addition to men’s bouts on every level of the sport. Simply put, I knew long before the boom that has taken place over the last decade that Women’s Boxing belonged on the same level as the sport for men and all the sport for women needed was consistent exposure and the chance to show what it had to offer. In time, I felt if women were given that chance, the sport would grow as well.

As emotional and vindicating as it was for me to see that accomplishment for Women’s Boxing, there has always been one thing that I have felt has held the sport back. The fact that Women’s bouts, going back as far as the 1960’s, long before the first women’s bout was ever broadcast on television, were fought with only a two minute round length and not the three minute rounds that men’s bouts are fought under. Longtime readers, particularly those who read the ‘Boxing Wishlist” that usually begins every calendar year here on The Boxing Truth® know that one wish that has been consistently featured over the years is to see women’s bouts moved to three minutes. Something that I have been screaming for, for years. Why? When one considers that women’s bouts in the sport of MMA are fought with five minute rounds, the same round length as men’s bouts, and women’s bouts are scheduled for the same three and five round distances as men’s bouts, there really is no reason why women’s bouts in Boxing should be relegated to two minute rounds, even if the argument for it is in regard to safety. I would also go as far as saying that world championship bouts in Women’s Boxing should be scheduled for twelve rounds, the same distance as men’s bouts.

Despite my pleas for such steps toward equality, particularly in regard to allowing women to fight in three minute rounds, which would solve the frequent conundrum for judges in many cases of having to score fights even because the two minute round length often does not allow one fighter to stand out clearly from the other because of the obvious quicker pace, progress toward that goal has been slow. Ironically, it was the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics held in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan that would provide the evidence that three minute rounds should be allowed in Women’s Boxing. For the first time since Women’s Boxing was added to the Olympic Boxing tournament, all bouts held in the delayed 2020 tournament were fought with three minute rounds and there were no causes for pause or any injuries, which had been the argument some have used for why Women’s Boxing “Can’t Have Three Minute Rounds.” Despite another feeling of vindication having seen women’s bouts fought with three minute rounds run smoothly, with conclusive outcomes throughout the 2020 tournament, in over two years since the delayed tournament took place due to the global COVID-19 epidemic, Women’s Boxing on the professional level has not been able to benefit from three minute rounds. At least, not yet.

For on October 27th at the Caribe Royale Hotel and Casino in Orlando, FL, Boxing history will be made. Undisputed Featherweight world champion Amanda Serrano will defend her crown against WBO number one contender Danila Ramos. The undisputed world championship bout, which will headline a card that will be broadcast on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, will be fought not only with three minute rounds, but it will be the first women’s bout in Boxing history to be fought at a scheduled twelve round distance. When I was first informed of this bout and both of the addition of two additional rounds as well as the three minute round length, the same length and distance as world championship bouts for men, I excitedly yelled “YES!”

By now, the reader should know where I stand on both the issue of round length and why women should be equal to men. This is something that is so long overdue and while this comes at the request of both Serrano and Ramos themselves rather than the change to equality being a universally adopted standard in the sport this will likely be the first step in that process.

Some however, might be asking beyond the issue of equality, what will a three minute round do and how will it benefit female fighters. The primary benefit for the fighters will be in the ability to pace themselves, something that men in the sport are able to do. When fights are fought under a two minute round length, generally they are extremely fast paced with both fighters literally throwing everything they have at each other right out of the gate, which in some cases can resemble a toughwoman or toughman contest. Although often exciting, this not only results in fighters becoming fatigued quickly, but because the rounds are shorter in duration than men’s bouts, it also often turns into a nightmare for judges who are tasked with scoring a fight.

One aspect that might also be seen as a benefit that will come with a move to three minute rounds is it might allow for more knockouts to occur as well. While a knockout can occur at any time regardless of the duration of a round, there are many top fighters in Women's Boxing that do not have many knockouts on their records, which some might attribute that to the respective styles that fighters might have, I also feel that this could be attributed to the fact that up until this upcoming bout, the pace of women's bouts have been geared for two minute rounds and one might argue that the added minute will allow fighters to not only pace themselves more normally, but also time to strategically look for a knockout if the opportunity arises.

While from an analysis standpoint most of the checkpoints that would indicate an advantage for one fighter over the other going into this fight would favor Serrano, a fighter with more experience than Ramos and one that has won world championships in seven different weight divisions, the truth here is we really don't know what will happen in this fight simply because it is the first Women's bout in history at least on the professional level to be for a world championship fought with three minute rounds and will be scheduled for twelve rounds as opposed to the previous standard of ten two minute rounds for world championship fights.

While it is likely that both Serrano and Ramos have been sparring in preparation for this bout in three minute rounds and doing sessions at a twelve round distance, we simply will not know whether there will be a difference in how both fighters approach this encounter in terms of strategy until the fight is underway. Regardless of who wins this fight, this is nevertheless a true groundbreaking moment for women in the sport and while the Florida State Athletic Commission (FSAC) should be applauded for being the first to sanction a woman's bout that puts Women's Boxing on equal ground with male fighters in the sport, hopefully more female fighters will insist on following the lead of both Serrano and Ramos in demanding three minute rounds and the same standards as men follow in the sport. Although I hope more athletic commissions adopt this push for equality in the sport so it is a universal standard worldwide for women in Boxing, it is more likely as was the case for this fight that the fighters themselves will have to demand/request three minute rounds and a twelve round distance on a fight by fight basis at least for the immediate future before all the respective commissions and regulatory boards around the world truly embrace equality in Boxing. Something that is truly long overdue.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

Serrano vs. Ramos takes place on Friday, October 27th at the Caribe Royale Hotel and Casino in Orlando, FL. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 6PM ET/3PM PT with preliminary bouts, which will be followed by the main card, which will begin at 9PM ET/6PM PT.

(*U.S. Times Only.) (*Card and Start time Subject to Change.)

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

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

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Thursday, October 19, 2023

WINWOOD V GANOZA SET FOR PERTH, DECEMBER 1ST AT THUNDERDOME 44

Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing

Press Release October 19, 2023 By Dragon Fire Boxing - Australia’s fastest rising contender Alex Winwood 3-0 returns December 1st with its Forty Fourth instalment of the popular bi-monthly Thunderdome boxing series at the home of Western Australian boxing Metro City.

The main event will see Alex Winwood (3-0, 2 KOs) take on Filipino Cris Ganoza (20-5, 10 KOs) over 10 rounds in another litmus test for the fast-rising Aussie Alex Winwood.

Winwood currently sits at WBC #2, IBF #5, WBO #8, WBA #13 and has lofty ambitions for a World Championship challenge in 2024.

Sitting in Winwoods way is veteran Filipino Cris Ganoza a 25 fight veteran, current World WBC Champion Yudai Shigeoka 8-0 fought a tough Ganoza in his 5th professional fight and the Aussie will meet Ganoza in only his 4th fight as a professional.

Winwood opened up about his upcoming bout;

“I want the best and I believe Ganoza is really the best available opponent for me, he is a South Paw, the WBC #1 contender Luis Angel Castillo Sotto is a South Paw and World Champion (Yudai) Shigeoka is also a South Paw. This is my John Wick hit list. Im very grateful to have the best team around me to make this all happen, my trainer Angelo Hyder and Tony Nobbs, my teammates (WBO World Champion) Jason Moloney, Andrew Moloney, Bruno Tarimo and everyone at the gym and my manager Tony (Tolj) for all the hours he puts in behind the scenes.

I plan on achieving great things but I just want to achieve whatever my very best is and that’s yet to be told and Im always pushing myself. I love fighting in Perth and I plan on bringing a great fight that excites all the crowd and fans.”

Promoter Tony Tolj discusses the upcoming card:

“I’m excited to close out another great year with a top-quality card, I thrive on seeing the next generation of fighters coming through and Winwood and Ganoza is going to tremendous match and vital in the career progression of Winwood.

Its refreshing to work with such a great talent who has such lofty ambitions and is prepared to take on all challenges and simply fight the best available.

Tune in December 1st it’s going to be another epic night of action.”

Event will be live on FITE.TV

Material and Photo Courtesy of Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission.

Monday, October 16, 2023

Jake Paul Returns December 15th On DAZN

Press Release October 16, 2023 By DAZN And Most Valuable Promotions- Most Valuable Promotions will partner with DAZN to bring Paul’s next bout to global audiences

NEW YORK, NY – October 16, 2023 – Following his resounding unanimous decision victory against combat sports icon Nate Diaz in August of this year, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and DAZN today announced that international superstar Jake “The Problem Child” Paul (7-1, 4 KOs) will return to the ring on December 15th. Marking Paul’s ninth professional fight, the bout will be available globally via DAZN.

Credit: DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions

December’s return to the ring promises to showcase Paul’s best effort yet as a hungry fighter ready to do whatever it takes to become a world champion.Facing his first loss at the hands of Tommy Fury in February by a contentious split decision, Paul found himself back on top in August, defeating Nate Diaz by unanimous decision. In just three years since turning pro, Paul has collected multiple accolades including ESPNRingside’s 2021 Knockout of The Year, Sports Illustrated’s 2021 Breakout Boxer of the Year, and ESPNRingside’s 2022 Viral Moment of the Year. He also earned distinction on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s August 2023 issue, “The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports” for his success in the ring, his groundbreaking work to revolutionize pay equality in boxing and his support of female fighters and boxing prospects through Most Valuable Promotions alongside his MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian.

“8 fights in the boxing game and I’m already its biggest name,” said Jake Paul. “I’ve proved that I can headline the biggest global events and defy the odds. PPV after PPV after PPV, and I’m just getting started. My mission is to be a world champion and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get there. December 15th is the next step on my journey, and I promise you’re not going to want to miss it.”

“Jake’s star power and popularity have proved that he has what it takes to command massive audiences worldwide and become the biggest name in boxing. In just eight professional fights so far, Jake has already demonstrated his historical commercial draw, that he is a force to be reckoned with, and that he is on the way to making an everlasting impact on the sport inside and outside the ring,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “We are proud to partner with DAZN to bring Jake Paul back to global audiences on December 15th as he continues his unwavering pursuit to become a world champion and put on massive events.”

“Jake Paul is a superstar in and out the ring and we are excited to once again have him fighting on DAZN,” said Joe Markowski, CEO of DAZN North America. “And what a run of shows DAZN has for you in December! Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, Regis Prograis, Sunny Edwards, Bam Rodriguez and of course Jake Paul all fighting live and only on DAZN."

Paul and Bidarian’s Most Valuable Promotions will also continue to showcase its premiere talent throughout the rest of the year to global audiences on DAZN. Undisputed featherweight champion and seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano (45-2-1, 30 KOs) is set to face WBO challenger Danila Ramos in a historic 12-round, three-minute rounds unified featherweight title bout, equal to men’s championship fights, on October 27th at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. Directly preceding the fight will be MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects III, featuring top up-and-coming boxing talent.

For more information, follow on Twitter via @JakePaul, @MostVPromotions, and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @JakePaul, @MostValuablePromotions, and @DAZNBoxing.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last five global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Diaz match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles, ensuring that fans have access to a ground-breaking rights catalog and slate of incredible content. In the UK and globally, DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and Apple TV and can find the app on their iPhone, iPad, and android mobile devices. DAZN is available as an Amazon Channel on Amazon Prime TV and can be viewed on Channel 429 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit www.dazngroup.com.  

Material and Photo Courtesy of DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.

Saturday, October 14, 2023

FITE 24/7 HITS 7 MILLION QUARTERLY VISITS

Press Release October 14, 2023 By FITE- Sports and entertainment streaming leader FITE’s Free Ad Supported Television channel achieved over 7 million starts in Q3 2023 for the first time with the help of partners such as The Roku Channel, LG, Plex and many more

New York, NY (October 13, 2023): FITE announced today that its FAST channel, FITE 24/7, achieved a record 7.3 million starts during the third quarter. Built 1000s of hours of premium combat sports events -- including the best in boxing, MMA, grappling and pro-wrestling -- and other entertainment content, the channel serves round the clock action via 19 international platform affiliates and on the FITE app available on all major platforms and cellular carriers.

Partners in the distribution of FITE 24/7 include The Roku Channel, LG, Plex. LocalNow, Sports.TV, TCL, Distro TV, Zingo TV, Sportstribal, FreeCast, RAD, Glewed, Xiomi, Gia TV, and Rakuten TV, La Nuestra, Giniko TV, Viva TV Live, TeleUp with more to follow.

“This isn’t just growth, this is velocity,” said Louis Lewow, FITE's Vice President of Distribution. “Not only did we achieve 7 million starts in Q3 we also logged over 1.2 million viewing hours – more than we hit in what was already an impressive first year. It’s proof that fans want more of the quality action we deliver, and that our fantastic partners are in all the right places.”

Among the partners, The Roku Channel is available on Google TV’s Android app, most smart TVs (including the recent addition to Samsung TV Plus), and most OTT devices (including Amazon Fire). SportsTribal (featuring FITE 24/7) has also just launched on LG in the United States.

More content is also always being added with new shows from Game Changer Wrestling, Ohio Valley Wrestling, Ultimate Strongman and Monster Knockouts on the way.

Beyond its advertising revenue, FITE 24/7 introduces viewers to FITE's growing SVOD service FITE+ and its industry leading PPV platform known for its reliability and for presenting most of the industry’s premier combat sports on a global basis.

Watch FITE 24/7 now.

For more information about FITE and FITE 24/7 contact Owen.phillips@FITE.tv

Roku is a registered trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other companies appearing in this press release are the property of their respective holders.

About FITE:

FITE by Triller is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry’s marquee PPV events to more than 7M registered users. Additionally, FITE offers exclusive subscription packages such as AEW Plus in select regions, and FITE+, the Best Value in Combat Sports, Worldwide. Consumers can stream FITE globally through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire TV and Huawei apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Virgin Media, Shaw Communications; Blue Curve IPTV, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD/ TiVO, Netgem TV, Comcast’s Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex, as well as more than 7,000 models of Smart TVs. FITE also offers a free ad-supported FAST channel called FITE 24/7 both on and off platform. Visit FITE online at www.FITE.tv. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIN, Facebook, and Threads. FITE is owned by Triller Hold Co LLC.

Material Courtesy of FITE Used with permission.

For more information about FITE including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and for instructions on how to download the FITE app please visit: www.FITE.TV.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

TWENTY-FIVE PROMINENT FEMALE FIGHTERS, INCLUDING CURRENT AND FORMER BOXING CHAMPIONS, SUPPORT AMANDA SERRANO, DANILA RAMOS, AND EQUALITY IN BOXING

Press Release October 10, 2023 By DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions- Today Amanda Serrano and Danila Ramos, in collaboration with multiple current and former boxing champions and other prominent female fighters, released a statement titled ‘CHOICE’. The statement, supported by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), affirms the pursuit of female fighters to achieve equal pay, promotion, and competitive opportunity in the sport of boxing.

Credit: Most Valuable Promotions/DAZN

The statement comes on the heels of Amanda's historic decision to fight 12 rounds at three minutes each for her unified title fight vs. Danila on Friday, October 27th, 2023 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL.

Amanda and Danila’s choice was supported by the Florida Athletic Commission, WBO, WBA, and IBF. Now, their colleagues are proud to amplify their decision as they stand up for this precedent and women’s future choice to compete with the same rules as men, should they so choose.

United in support of Amanda and Danila’s CHOICE statement are 25 incredible female fighters: Laila Ali, Ramla Ali, Daniela Bermudez, Evelin Nazarena Bermudez, Chantelle Cameron, Bonnie Canino, Maricela Cornejo, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, Seniesa Estrada, Shadasia Green, Miriam Gutierrez, Christina Hammer, Heather Hardy, Lisa Holewyne, Holly Holm, Natasha Jonas, Sarah Mahfoud, Christy Martin, Mikaela Mayer, Layla McCarter, Maira Moneo, Elena Reid, Krystal Rosado, Britt VanBuskirk, Ann Wolfe.

“I want to thank all of the boxers who are supporting this message of CHOICE. We are advocating for the ability to choose,” said Amanda Serrano. “Female boxers compete in MMA with 5 minute rounds, the same as their male counterparts. Even in bare knuckle boxing, women and men compete with the same rules. Danila and I, on Friday, October 27th, are proud to make history and compete under the same rules as male boxers. This is a fight for women everywhere to be treated the same. Thank you to the Florida Athletic Commission, the sanctioning bodies WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO, Boxlab Promotions and of course my incredible team at Most Valuable Promotions and Jordan Maldonado.”

MVP is proud to support Amanda as both a fighter and true ambassador of women’s boxing alongside the incredible women united by CHOICE.

Material and Photo Courtesy of DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.

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

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

DAZN ANNOUNCE STAR-STUDDED TALENT LINE-UP FOR EXCLUSIVE X SERIES 010 LIVE SHOWS

Press Release October 10, 2023 By DAZN - The biggest night in crossover boxing history lands in Manchester on Saturday, October 14 and features KSI vs Tommy Fury and Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis

Credit: DAZN

DAZN to host Countdown Show followed by the main card live around the world, only on DAZN PPV

The biggest night ever seen in crossover boxing will have a heavyweight talent team to match, with stars from the world of sport, music and television all forming a part of DAZN’s exclusive worldwide coverage.

A sold-out AO Arena in Manchester plays host to a historic night of action as KSI clashes with Tommy Fury and Logan Paul goes into battle against Dillon Danis, exclusively live on DAZN PPV.

And DAZN’s coverage will deliver a knockout punch from the first bell until the last with several big-names involved, including Ariel Helwani, Chris Eubank Junior and Bugzy Malone, all taking to the mic, across two not-to-be-missed shows.

Big Zuu will be your larger-than-life host for the DAZN Boxing Countdown Show, which will be broadcast live on DAZN and Youtube in the hours leading up to the unmissable boxing double-header.

Zuu will be joined by co-host and reporter Roman Kemp, who will be bringing viewers a host of interviews with celebrities in attendance at this historic evening of crossover boxing action.

Zuhair Hassan, better known as Big Zuu, is an award-winning British chef, television personality and musician. A born-and-bred Londoner, Zuu began his career as a grime MC and BBC radio host, and has since become a regular face of the MF&DAZN X Series.

Roman Kemp, meanwhile, is one of the UK’s most promising broadcasters, hosting the Capital radio breakfast show, presenting the One Show and having hosted countless star-studded events including the TV Baftas and BRIT Award Red Carpet.

Zuu and Roman will be joined by no less than three studio guests on this unmissable Countdown Show.

The first is British rap icon, actor and entrepreneur Bugzy Malone, an avid boxer and fan of the sport since childhood. X Series fans will vividly remember Bugzy’s jaw-dropping ring walk with KSI at 007 in May, when ‘The Nightmare’ fought Joe Fournier in front of a packed Wembley Arena.

Joining Bugzy is Youtube star and crossover boxer Deji Olatunji who will share with fans a unique insight into how his brother, KSI, has been training for the biggest fight of his career to date.

Mike Majlak - best-selling author, YouTube star and co-host of the Impaulsive podcast with Logan Paul – will also make the journey to Manchester, taking viewers backstage inside the locker rooms of the biggest stars set to step foot in the ring on the night.

Completing the talent team for DAZN’s biggest Countdown show to date is Nada, host and presenter on Apple Music, and sideline reporter at the recent Sideman charity football match. Nada will be capturing all the red carpet arrivals on the night, and bringing viewers exclusive interviews from behind the scenes.

Kicking off at 7pm, the main DAZN PPV card will feature DAZN anchor and X Series fan favourite, Ade Oladipo taking the reins alongside two well-known names, both of whom have enjoyed recent victories inside the ring.

Middleweight boxing star Chris Eubank Junior looks to provide expert analysis on the packed fight card, joining the DAZN broadcast fresh from gaining revenge over Liam Smith in their mammoth Manchester clash. Sparring partner to KSI and recent X Series headliner Idris Virgo will complete the pundit duo on the night, analyzing all the action as this huge night unfolds.

Meanwhile, jetting in from the United States will be combat sports legend Ariel Helwani, the star and host of the wildly popular MMA Show. Helwani will be DAZN’s in-ring interviewer, bringing fans those iconic first interviews with fighters, just moments after their bouts end. Helwani will also join the commentary team for key fights during the card.

And leading that commentary team will be Todd Grisham, the voice of the X Series, who will once again guide viewers on DAZN PPV through all the action. He will be joined on co-comms by Jonathan “The Coach” Coachman, as the pair reunite to form one of the most respected commentary teams in combat sports entertainment.

Rounding out the DAZN PPV on-air talent team is Olivia Buzaglo, an exciting young sports news presenter and football host, who has recently made a statement in the world of combat sports, joining DAZN’s boxing and MMA on-air broadcast teams.

Material and Photo Courtesy of DAZN Used with permission.

Monday, October 9, 2023

Was Warrington Fight A Featherweight Finale For Wood?

The showdown between two-time Featherweight world champion Leigh Wood and former two-time Featherweight world champion Josh Warrington was one which was highly anticipated in the United Kingdom as it was an encounter that brought together two of the top fighters in the sport and two of the top draws in the United Kingdom as well. It was also a clash between two boxer/punchers that stylistically appeared as though it could be a fight of the year candidate.

Before an enthusiastic sellout crowd in the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England on October 7th, Boxing fans were treated to a memorable battle. Before the battle occurred however, there were questions regarding the condition of the WBA world champion Wood, who had struggled on the day before the fight to make the 126lb. Featherweight limit. This fueled speculation that no matter the outcome, Wood, who was making the first defense of his second reign as WBA world champion, would be moving up in weight after this fight.

For a significant portion of the bout, Wood looked like a fighter that showed all the signs of someone who struggled to make weight and perhaps was overtrained. Although Wood attempted to keep Warrington at distance by Boxing out of the southpaw stance and trying to work behind his jab, the dynamic of the fight quickly became one where it was Warrington dictating the combat and forcing the fight on the inside.

Warrington did this by fighting out of a high defensive guard as well as crouching down underneath Wood's punches. This allowed the former IBF world champion to do two things. First it limited the ability of Wood to inflict damage, and secondly it created a scenario where Warrington could not only close the distance and get in close, but it also allowed him to vary his attack by mixing offense to the body and head of the champion. Gradually as the rounds progressed, Warrington began administering a beating on Wood by landing hard, thudding hooks to the head and body, as well as being able to push Wood back and make it a rough fight on the inside. Wood would also suffer a cut over the right eye in round four from a left hook by Warrington.

It appeared as though both because of the beating that was being dished out by Warrington as well as the apparent difficulty he had in making weight that this may not have been Wood's night as he continued to take punishment, did not use head movement, and thus could not avoid the hooks that the challenger was able to land with both hands. At the midway point of the fight, I felt Warrington had won five of the first six rounds due primarily to his effective aggression and landing the harder punches of the two fighters. While he was able to stagger Wood frequently throughout the bout, the champion showed his mettle and continued to engage. Having said this, after six rounds of mostly one way action and having seen the effects of the punishment at the hands of Warrington, this observer did question in his mind whether or not a time would approach where either the referee or Wood's corner would stop the fight.

Round seven began as many of the previous rounds had with Warrington coming forward and initiating the combat. Warrington's ability to rough up the champion on the inside worked against him however, as he would be penalized a point midway through the round for rabbit punching. As the closing seconds of the round occured, suddenly without warning, Wood exploded with a vicious right hand that badly staggered Warrington followed by a brutal right hook, left hook combination to the head that sent Warrington flat on his back down on the canvas at the bell to end the round. Although Warrington in showing mettle of his own was able to get to his feet, he got up on very unsteady legs and staggered to his corner turning his back to Referee Michael Alexander as he was attempting to determine whether Warrington could continue, resulting in the fight being stopped giving Wood a come from behind knockout victory in a successful first title defense of his second reign as world champion.

In a scene that resembled Wood's knockout win over Michael Conlan in his first reign as champion, Wood did not celebrate enthusiastically as most fighters would, especially after scoring a knockout in such brutal and thrilling fashion. Instead Wood immediately approached Warrington who sat in his corner dejected and emotional after the fight was stopped and embraced his opponent, consoling him and ensuring he was okay before celebrating his victory with his corner and the crowd in attendance. An example of "Class" and "Respect" that all fighters on every level of the sport should learn from.

The resemblance of his victory over Conlan in March of last year also had one other similarity as it relates to this fight. Wood was behind on the scorecards and like the Conlan fight, was approaching the point where he needed a knockout to retain his world championship.

An obvious question is what comes next? Perhaps this victory will be the finale of Leigh Wood's time as a Featherweight. Whether or not potential unification bouts in the Featherweight division are available, will ultimately factor into his decision on whether to move up in weight remains to be seen. As thrilling as this knockout victory was and as endearing as Wood has become to some fans for engaging in memorable battles, he will need to work on his defense if he hopes for continued success regardless of where on the weight scale his next fight will take place. While it can be an asset in having the ability to take a punch and sustain significant punishment, it can also be a curse and that does not necessarily revolve strictly around the remainder of a fighter's career, but more importantly, what a fighter's life might involve when their career is over. Looking to improve on the defensive elements of the sport should be a top priority not just for Wood, but for all fighters regardless of what stage they might be in their careers.

"And That's The Boxing Truth.

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Sunday, October 8, 2023

Conlan-Gill Set For December 2 In Belfast On DAZN

Press Release October 7, 2023 By DAZN -

Two-time Featherweight World Title challenger Michael Conlan returns to the SSE Arena Belfast to take on former European and Commonwealth Champion Jordan Gill on a huge night of Irish boxing on Saturday December 2, live worldwide on DAZN.

Credit: DAZN

Conlan (27-2-1, 8 KOs) was last seen in action in May when he was stopped in five rounds by Mexico’s IBF Featherweight World Champion Luis Alberto Lopez, his second successive World Title loss following his epic Fight of the Year clash with Leigh Wood in 2022.

The Belfast star has linked up with Cuban-American trainer Pedro Diaz for his eagerly anticipated comeback fight and will return at Super-Featherweight has he looks to rebuild towards further World Title shots.

Gill (27-2-1, 8 KOs) fights for the first time since his fourth-round stoppage loss to Spain’s two-weight World Champion Kiko Martinez at Wembley Arena back in October 2022, and the Chatteris man is hoping to throw his name back into the mix for World Title action by upsetting the local hero.

A huge undercard sees Belfast Super-Welterweight contender Caoimhin Agyarko (13-0, 7 KOs) step up for the biggest challenge of his career to date against Darlington’s former British Champion Troy Williamson (20-1-1, 14 KOs), Tyrone McKenna (23-3-1, 6 KOs) and Lewis Crocker (17-0, 10 KOs) clash in a much-anticipated 147lbs all-Belfast showdown and local Super-Lightweight Sean McComb(17-1, 5 KOs) takes on Liverpool’s former British and Commonwealth Champion Sam Maxwell (17-2, 11 KOs) over ten rounds.

“I’m delighted to be coming back to the SSE Arena Belfast with Matchroom Boxing and a new coaching team,” said Conlan. “I’ve had many great nights here and I’m looking forward to creating more. Jordan is a good fighter but one standing in my way to where I want to go. December 2 will be a fantastic night of boxing and I can’t wait to see you all there.”

“This is a great fight,” said Gill. “I think Mick is a world class fighter, and I’m buzzing to get the opportunity to prove my skills. We’ve both had our setbacks and are hungry for World Titles. Belfast will be bouncing and I can’t wait to come over and give everyone a show!”

“I can’t wait to return to the famous fighting city of Belfast for our first show since 2017,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Two huge back-to-back weeks of Irish boxing as two-time World Title challenger Mick Conlan looks to get back to winning ways up at Super-Featherweight following his loss to Luis Alberto Lopez. The Irish star has a new training team in his corner, and he’ll be looking to make a statement against former European and Commonwealth Champion Jordan Gill as he targets World Title action in the competitive 130lbs division.

“A brilliant main event supported by a stacked undercard as Belfast Super-Welterweight Caoimhin Agyarko faces the biggest step up of his career against former British Champion Troy Williamson, Tyrone McKenna and Lewis Crocker meet in an all-Belfast Welterweight clash and local Super-Lightweight Sean McComb takes on former British and Commonwealth Champion Sam Maxwell over ten rounds. Another huge night of boxing in store for fight fans around the world live on DAZN.”

Ticket details will be announced soon.

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, Loca start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Late Result: Cano Stop Ochoa

Press Release October 7, 2023 By ProBox TV - Pablo Cesar Cano scored a sixth round stoppage victory over Zachary Ochoa to celebrate his 34th birthday on October 4th on ProBox TV’s Wednesday Night Fights from Plant City, Florida.

Credit: ProBox TV

The multiple world title challenger has led a distinguished career to date, sharing the ring with the likes of Shane Mosley, Erik Morales and ProBox TV commentator Paulie Malignaggi, with his record improving to 35-8-1 (25 KOs) yesterday evening. Ochoa picks up a third consecutive defeat after a gutsy display in the Sunshine State, his record moves to 21-4 (7 KOs) after a second career knockout defeat.

It was far than a perfect start for Cano picking up a bad cut in the second round. However, Cano applied pressure just seconds later, Ochoa having to defend a gluttony of shots to survive a round that could have easily seen the fight stopped.

Ochoa was in trouble again in the third round from a left hook to the head, going immediately into defense mode. However, Cano was struggling with the steady flow of blood flowing from his eyebrow as he began to wear as the round came to an end.

In round four Ochoa got behind his jab to sway the fight towards his preferred rhythm. In round five he took full control looking as the likely winner by this stage. Cano had other plans going into round six. Ochoa was down on the canvas after a good combination from Cano, it was admirable that he made it to his feet considering the manner in which he fell down. The Puerto Rican came under fierce attack against the ropes with zero reply. The referee waved off the contest as Cano was swinging away.

Undercard

Jose Nunez defeated Omar Salcido over the ten round distance in the evening’s chief support. Salcido picked up his first defeat in the all undefeated clash in a fight the Mexican struggled to find his range. A Fight of the Year contender saw both men hit the canvas where the judges scored wide to Nunez. Scores of 98-89, 98-87 and 95-90 saw Nunez improve his record to 16-0-2 (7 KOs). Salcido goes home with a career first defeat to his name, his record moves to 17-1 (12 KOs).

Jose Arellano defeated Oscar Alvarez to hand the young Mexican a second straight defeat and Trevor Thomson defeated Willie Shaw, both won by unanimous-decision victory.

Wednesday Night Fights returns in less than two weeks with Brandon Glanton taking on Carlos Fromenta in the cruiserweight division on October 18.

Material and Photo Courtesy of: ProBox TV Used with permission.

For more information about ProBox TV including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, full event archive and additional programming, and to subscribe please visit: www.ProBoxTV.com.

Friday, October 6, 2023

Wood-Warrington Preview

One of the bigger bouts remaining on the Boxing calendar for 2023 will kick off the month of October as two-time Featherweight world champion Leigh Wood will begin his second reign as WBA world champion as he makes his first defense since regaining the title in May of this year, against former two-time Featherweight world champion Josh Warrington on Saturday, October 7th. The showdown in the 126lb. Featherweight division, which will take place at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England and will be broadcast globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, has the possibility to be a sleeper candidate for Fight of the Year.

Not only does this encounter bring together two of the biggest stars that the United Kingdom currently has to offer, each with significant followings, but also two of the best the Featherweight division has to offer. Leigh Wood's recent career could probably be best described as a rollercoaster. Many likely remember his thrilling and brutal knockout of top contender Michael Conlan in March of last year. In many ways, this was a career definer for Wood, who had become world champion via the route of earning interim/regular champion status in the WBA's Featherweight ratings, but when then champion Leo Santa Cruz opted to vacate the title, it elevated Wood to world champion. Oftentimes, fighters who become champion in this way though through no fault of their own, are not given the same recognition as a fighter who wins a world championship by defeating the previous champion. Wood's victory over Conlan served as both a statement-making as well as a star-making performance for him.

As can happen in Boxing and by extension all combat sports however, there are also times where a fighter's stock can fall almost as quickly as it goes up. Wood experienced such a scenario when he was knocked out by the very dangerous Mauricio Lara in February of this year. The loss also resulted in the loss of the WBA world championship. While the loss to Lara was a case of Wood simply getting caught and subsequently stopped in a fight that he was ahead on the scorecards up to that point, it also gave him something to prove as he quickly opted for an immediate rematch in May. Although some questioned that wisdom, Wood produced a superb performance the second time around in Boxing his way to a convincing twelve round unanimous decision to regain the championship.

Now with his stock on the rise once again, Wood prepares to defend his crown against Josh Warrington. Similar to Wood, Warrington has also experienced the highs and lows that often come during a career. The former IBF world champion also has Mauricio Lara in common with Wood, as Warrington also fought two fights against him in suffering a loss and a technical draw in the rematch when the fight was stopped due to an accidental clash of heads resulting in a bad cut where Lara could not continue. Much like Wood, Warrington is a highly skilled boxer/puncher that has a full arsenal of skills.

Warrington however, will be coming into this fight off of a loss in losing the IBF Featherweight world championship in losing a twelve round majority decision in December of last year to Luis Lopez. While it is logical to suggest that this fight could be a tactical Boxing match given each fighter's skillset, one could argue that Wood does have an edge in power having scored knockouts in sixteen of his twenty-seven career wins compared to eight knockouts in thirty-one career wins. Both fighters have suffered knockout losses to the same fighter in Lara and both came as a result of being caught in fights that they were leading.

Given that both fighters have been vulnerable before, it would not surprise me to see each of them attempt to catch the other off guard by trying to land counter punches, but the possibility certainly exists that at some point this could turn into a fight where there are heated exchanges of offense. If the latter does indeed occur, it may come down to which fighter is able to land their power punches flush, that might determine who will win this battle.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

Wood vs. Warrington takes place on Saturday, October 7th at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen in the United States and globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 11:45AM ET/8:45AM PT with Before The Bell, which will feature preliminary bouts followed by the main portion of the card, which will begin at 2PM ET/11AM PT.

(*U. S. Times Only*) (*Card and Start Times Subject To Change.*

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