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Wednesday, September 3, 2025

MVP’S QUEBEC STANDOUT TAMMARA THIBEAULT SET TO FACE ITALIAN RISING STAR CRISTINA MAZZOTTA

Press Release: September 3, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions- MONTREAL, CANADA – September 2, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced that MVP’s 2x Canadian Olympian and #1 IBF and WBA middleweight Tammara Thibeault (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Italy’s rising star Cristina Mazzotta (1-0) in the co-main event of Most Valuable Prospects 15 Championship Edition, live from Théâtre St-Denis in Montreal, Quebec, on Saturday, September 27. Thibeault vs. Mazzotta will be a 6 round Middleweight bout contested at 160lbs with 2 minute rounds. The event will stream globally for free on DAZN.com and the DAZN app for DAZN subscribers. Tickets for Most Valuable Prospects 15 Championship Edition are on sale now HERE.


MVP’s standout Tammara Thibeault is currently the #1-ranked WBA, #1 IBF, #4 WBO, and #8 WBC middleweight contender. Originally from Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada, Thibeault began her boxing journey at the age of nine, inspired by seeing her father, a former CFL player, knock out an opponent during a Provincial boxing tournament. Following in his footsteps, she took up boxing at age 12 and was inspired to compete for Canada while watching the first women’s Olympic boxing competition during the 2012 London Olympics. The 28-year-old middleweight, a southpaw standing 6 feet tall, forged an outstanding amateur career. A two-time Olympian, Thibeault made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, where she advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s 75kg (165lb) event, matching Canada’s best-ever Olympic result in any women’s boxing event. She went undefeated until she returned to the Paris Olympics in 2024, earning gold medals at the 2022 Amateur World Championship, the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the 2023 Pan Am Games. Thibeault, who speaks French, English, and Spanish, recently completed a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Concordia University in 2023, which she earned over seven years while competing. She currently lives in Sheffield, England, where she is earning a one-year Master’s degree in urban design and urban planning while training at the renowned Steel City Gym. Thibeault made her pro debut while competing under men’s rules, three-minute rounds, on the main card of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 10 in December 2024, then returned to the ring in March 2025 as part of MVP’s first ever event in Canada, Most Valuable Prospects 11, where she again competed under men’s rules with three-minute rounds and won by knockout in the final second of the first round, proving again the impact of women competing with equal rules to men. Thibeault entered her third pro fight continuing to compete under equal rules over 8, three-minute rounds on the preliminary card of MVP's historic Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 all-women's card against then-#1 contender Mary Casamassa, winning by TKO to become the #1 contender with both the IBF and WBA following the bout—one of the fastest-rising world title contenders in history.


“Cristina Mazzotta is incredibly talented, and I’m looking forward to a competitive fight that will push me to perform at my very best,” said Tammara Thibeault.“This co-main event is a chance to represent Quebec with pride and take another step toward a world title. The support from my hometown is incredibly meaningful, and I want to deliver a performance that the fans will never forget on Saturday, September 27.”


Cristina Mazzotta, from Mesagne, Italy, represents the storied Pugilistica Rodio Brindisi gym, a boxing institution since 1938. She burst onto the pro scene in July 2025, defeating seasoned Czech boxer Ester Konecna in a thrilling six-round debut that captivated over 2,000 fans in Mesagne’s Villa Comunale. Her amateur career is equally decorated, with a silver medal at the 2018 Italian National Championships in Pescara and a collection of national medals, establishing her as one of Italy’s brightest boxing prospects.


"I’ve been training long and hard to display my skills on a big platform,” said Cristina Mazzotta. “MVP is doing big things in women's boxing and I’m happy to get this opportunity on their event. My opponent is very good but I am confident in what i bring to the table."


“Tamm Thibeault is a phenomenal athlete whose meteoric rise and world-class talent set the standard for the next generation of boxing,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of MVP. “Her co-main event against Cristina Mazzotta is an important step in her rapid rise, pitting one of Quebec’s finest athletes against one of Italy’s most promising talents. On Saturday, September 27, Montreal’s Théâtre St-Denis will provide the perfect stage for Tamm to perform for her hometown fans, delivering a memorable night demonstrating MVP’s commitment to developing top talent on a global scale, live on DAZN.”


Most Valuable Prospects 15 will also feature an IBF world title headliner as undefeated champion Sol Cudos (10-0-2, 3 KOs) defends her strawweight belt against MVP’s Kim Clavel (21-2, 3 KOs). The stacked card also includes Montreal’s undefeated Mazlum Akdeniz (21-0, 8 KOs), MVP’s global star Javon “Wanna” Walton (2-0-1, 1 KO), Ontario standout Amanda Galle (11-0-1, 1 KO), Costa Rica’s rising contender Naomy Valle (14-0, 9 KOs), and local prospects Omar Alieh (2-0, 2 KOs) and Loick Lahaie (2-0). Montreal native and renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani is set to join the broadcast team as ringside reporter on fight night, marking Helwani’s first time part of an official team calling an event in Montreal. 


Most Valuable Prospects 15 is promoted by GYM and distributed globally by DAZN. The 15th event in the series will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly, TORKLAW, and Event Tickets Center have also joined on to sponsor the Most Valuable Prospects series.


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


About MVP


MVP 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 returns 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 six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry 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, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and 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 the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.


For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com.


Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.


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

Belated Thunderdome 51 Results From Perth, Metro City Australia

Credit: Mike O'Hara Dragon Fire Boxing 

Press Release: September 3, 2025 By Dragon Fire Boxing - Friday night,(August 29th) Dragonfire Promotions returned to the Metro City Night Club for another exciting display of young talent.


 


The main event saw “Lethal” Joel Lewis capture his second state title with a knockout win over Fano Kori.


 


The card also saw WBA Oceania Super Bantamweight Champion “Fist of Fury” Runqi Zhou with a 99 second KO, the return of “The African Dream” Kazeem Soyoye & The Isle of Man’s Sam Rennie continue his undefeated streak, along with other exciting prospects on display.


 


Joel Lewis Captures WA State Super Welterweight Title with Win Over Fano Kori


 


Joel Lewis claimed the WA State Super Welterweight title, defeating Fano Kori by a sixth-round KO in the evening’s main event. The victory marks the second state title of his professional career.


 


The Perth fighter has been on the comeback trail since suffering his first defeat overseas in June 2024. He responded with two straight wins before meeting Kori, who had originally been scheduled to face him earlier this year.


 


The bout was Lewis’ first since relocating to Queensland to train under Angelo Hyder, a respected coach with multiple world champions to his name.


 


The change in camp paid off as Lewis produced a composed and clinical performance to secure the belt.


 


The fight started fast, with both men chasing a quick stoppage.


 


In the second round, Lewis caught Kori coming in with a quick uppercut that sent him to the canvas. Kori was able to answer the count, but Lewis remained in control throughout the rest of the round.


 


Lewis continued to lure Kori into his uppercut to counter the aggression of his opponent.


 


Midway into the fourth round, Lewis landed a perfect left cross that sent Kori to the canvas yet again. Kori chased the finish for the next two rounds and it ultimately cost him, as he got clipped in the final round by yet another uppercut that sent him crashing to the ground.


 


Kori got to his feet before being dropped by a vicious left hand, giving Joel Lewis the victory with three seconds left in the fight.


 


After yet another amazing performance to make it three wins in a row, the sky is the limit for Joel Lewis.


 


Runqi Zhou steamrolls Asyer Aluman in 99 seconds


 


Runqi Zhou defeated Asyer Aluman by first-round TKO to score his second straight victory since his appearance at the WBC Grand Prix.


 


The fight started with Zhou immediately putting pressure on his opponent. He continued roughing Aluman up against the ropes before landing a short-left hook to the body that knocked him to his knees.


 


Aluman was able to get to his feet before Zhou fired off one more flurry that prompted the referee to stop the fight after 99 seconds of action.


 


 


Lewis Clarke defeats Bilal Seidu to become the top contender for State Title


In the co-main event of the evening, Lewis Clarke defeated Bilal Seidu by a controversial split decision.


 


The win for Clarke sets him up for a potential fight with current WA State Cruiserweight Champion Billy Quinncroft.


 


After coming up short in the WBC Heavyweight Grand Prix, Lewis Clarke looked to put his career back on track.


 


After winning his last fight in Thailand, Clarke fought in Perth for the first time in almost a year against Bilal Seidu. 


 


When the bout was announced, it was classed as a WA State Cruiserweight title Eliminator, an accolade that Seidu had come up short in achieving only months prior.


 


With plenty at stake for both men, the bout promised to be an intriguing contest. Ultimately, it was Clarke who emerged victorious.


 


Seidu started the fight aggressively by roughing his opponent up against the ropes. Clarke stayed composed and timed his uppercut well.


 


The onslaught from Seidu continued in the middle rounds, as he was able to catch Clarke in the centre of the ring before following him to the ropes to unload a barrage of punches. 


 


In the final round, both men were clearly fatigued. Clarke was able to rip combinations to the body while Seidu landed massive power punches that got a big reaction from the crowd.


 


Both men gave it everything they had before the final bell sounded.


 


Many in attendance on the night believed Bilal Seidu had done enough to be victorious. However, the judges saw it differently with Lewis Clarke being awarded a split decision win.


 


Sam Rennie remains undefeated against George Lumoly


Earlier in the night, Sam Rennie kept his undefeated record alive with a comfortable third-round stoppage victory over George Lumoly.


 


Coming off his historic regional title win, The Isle of Man’s Sam Rennie looked to continue his dominance in the Perth Boxing Scene.


  


His opponent George Lumoly seemed to be a tough test on paper, but the Brit breezed through him to deliver another smooth performance.


 


The fight started with Rennie being in complete control of the range, keeping Lumoly on the end of his jab.


 


In the second round, the Brit started to unload more power shots to the body before dropping Lumoly with a right hook before the bell.


 


Rennie cornered Lumoly throughout the third round before knocking his opponent down yet again with a body shot.


 


Lumoly recovered before being finished off with an uppercut, giving the referee no choice but to stop the fight.


 


With yet another impressive victory under his belt, Rennie has set his sights on a WA State Title fight in the future.

 


 


FULL CARD RESULTS


Joel Lewis DEFEATED Fano Kori by 6th Round KO


 


Lewis Clarke DEFEATED Bilal Seidu by Split Decision


 


Kazeem Soyoye DEFEATED Reynold Kunaming by 3rd Round KO


 


Sam Rennie DEFEATED George Lumoly by 3rd Round TKO


 


Gareth Hilton DEFEATED Bahtiyar Sonyol by Unanimous Decision


 


Devon Kelly DEFEATED Beejay Boonket by 3rd Round TKO


 


Runqi Zhou DEFEATED Asyer Aluman by 1st Round TKO


 


Luke Dowsett DEFEATED Mitch Arnold by Unanimous Decision


 


Craig O Sullivan DEFEATED Ryan Stokoe by 4th Round TKO


 


Ryan Daye DEFEATED Turahman by 2nd Round KO


 


Nathan Lingois DEFEATED Daniel Kent (Exhibition Fight)



Material Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing/ Photo Courtesy of: Mike O'Hara Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission.


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

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Conlan Looks To Build Momentum

It can be a cliche, but those who are familiar with the sport of Boxing and really combat sports as a whole, know that there are several stages throughout a fighter's career. Such stages have been chronicled numerous times by this observer in covering countless fighters over the last three decades that I have covered combat sports, and have been discussed as a focal point when a fighter either prepares to enter a new phase or as that fighter is on the rise up the ranks.


One such fighter that saw such a rise is Featherweight contender Michael Conlan. Conlan, a native of Belfast, Northern Ireland is a two-time Olympian and former Olympic Bronze Medalist. Upon turning professional in 2017, Conlan went on to win sixteen straight bouts leading to a world championship bout when he challenged then WBA World Featherweight champion Leigh Wood in March 2022. In a grueling back and forth fight where he was ahead on all three judges scorecards, Conlan would find himself on the receiving end of a brutal knockout at the hands of Wood where he was knocked out of the ring in what was frankly a scary scene for all who witnessed it. 


Despite the knockout loss and the severity of it, Conlan would rebound to win two fights before suffering two more knockout losses in 2023. Following those setbacks in being stopped in three of four bouts, a layoff took place to allow Conlan to recover and likely time to process what had been a rough period in his career. This resulted in Conlan not competing in 2024.


From an old school standpoint, there are those, and this observer often finds himself in this category as well, who feel that often the worst thing for a fighter is inactivity, which over time can prove to be a silent killer of a fighter’s ability, and ultimately negatively affect the fighter’s career. There are times, however, where a lengthy absence can be and should be a necessity. Circumstances where a fighter finds themselves on a bad slide when it comes to wins and losses, and particularly when a fighter suffers more than one knockout loss in a relatively short period of time, would be an exception to the wisdom of inactivity doing more harm than good as it allows the fighter time to recover both physically as well as mentally. 


The rebuilding process for Conlan began in March of this year when he scored an eight round decision over Asad Khan. Now, Conlan looks to continue to build momentum as he will return to the ring on Friday, September 5th against twenty-two fight veteran Jake Bateson in a scheduled ten round bout at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland in a fight that can be seen globally on digital combat sports and entertainment streaming platform Triller TV


This fight, which will be for the vacant WBC International Featherweight championship figures to be a test for Conlan in his second fight back from that hiatus. Bateson, who will come into this bout off of a technical draw in his last bout against Danny Quartermaine, who currently holds the WBO and WBA versions of the European Featherweight championship in December of last year, will come into the fight with a respectable record of 20-1-1, with 6 Knockouts. While not known for his punching power, Bateson does have the type of Boxing skills that will likely put Conlan, who will enter with a record of 19-3, with 9 Knockouts, under some degree of stress at some point in this bout.


At his best, Conlan is a highly-regarded world-class boxer, who has a good mix of hand speed and power, despite only having nine knockouts in his nineteen wins. The question here will be whether Bateson can put Conlan under the type of stress and pressure where he will be tested and more specifically, how his punch resistance is following those three stoppage losses.


Boxing is and will always be a sport where the rise of a fighter will always get more attention than the stories of fighters looking to rebuild their careers. Whether Michael Conlan will be back in the position he was in three short years ago in fighting for and literally being minutes away from becoming a world champion remains to be seen and short of another setback where he might be stopped again inside the distance, we are likely not going to get a conclusive answer from this fight, assuming he wins and regardless of the method of victory if that indeed happens. This is more likely going to be another step towards the long-term goal of getting back into contention. If Conlan is successful and performs well, however, this could at minimum provide a gauge as to how many more steps might be needed in that process. 


“And That's The Boxing Truth." 


Conlan vs. Bateson takes place on Friday, September 5th at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen globally on digital combat sports and entertainment streaming network Triller TV under its Triller TV+ subscription tier beginning at 12PM ET/9AM PT with preliminary bouts followed by the main card beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT. (*North American Times Only.*) For More information about Triller TV including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, Local start times in your area, and region-specific pricing and Triller TV+ subscription availability please visit: www.TrillerTV.com


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



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