CESAR FRANCIS MOVES TO 147, VOWS TO RETURN STRONGER

 Press Release: February 1, 2023 – By ProBox TV – Cesar Francis has announced he will move up to the welterweight division, after the previously world ranked New Yorker dropped a close majority decision to Jesus Saracho. 

Credit: ProBox TV

 

Francis was in control early, and had Saracho visibly shaken in the early rounds, however, Saracho pressed in the later stages of the fight, causing the fight to arguably swing in favor of the Mexican Saracho.

 

Francis opened up about the fight, "I felt it was close, and I felt I landed the cleaner work throughout, however, I should have taken this fight out of the judges hands and I didn't so I only have myself to blame.

 

"I want to thank ProBox TV for continuing to support me and standing by me. I know I should have been more active in the fight, and I'll learn from this and come back stronger.

 

"I'm not a bitter man, boxing is a gentleman's sport, so I want to congratulate Jesus Saracho. I wish him nothing but the best moving forward."

 

Francis now sets his sights on the welterweight division, with the Brooklyn bred stylist having previously dominated Jose Roman at 147 prior to moving down to 140-pounds to fight Mohamed Mimoune.

 

The Rainman discussed moving between 140 and 147-pounds, "Look, I can make 40, if the right fight happens at 40 I'm there everyday of the week. I just think I may be able to get more out of myself at 147, so we're going to find out.

 

"I've taken very little punishment as a pro, I'm still developing. The way I've been matched it's really unlikely that I wasn't going to have one bad night, I've taken real fights, I'm a real fighter, so I'm excited at taking real fights at 147."

 

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, Fight library, and to subscribe please visit: www.ProBoxTV.com.

 

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

Saracho Defeats Francis: ProBox TV Future Stars Results From Plant City, FL

 Jr. Welterweight Jesus Saracho scored a hard fought ten round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Cesar Francis on Wednesday night at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, FL. The main event of digital Boxing streaming network Pro Box TV’s first installment of it’s Future Stars series did not disappoint as both Saracho and Francis brought their best in this ten round bout. In round two, Francis appeared to hurt Saracho with a body shot, but Saracho was able to withstand the barrage of offense at the end of the round.

 

Francis appeared to control the majority of the early rounds by using his range as well as timing to catch Saracho with offense as he came forward. As the fight progressed however, the two fighters appeared to switch roles in the sense that Saracho appeared to be landing the harder punches of the two and was the effective aggressor by periodically landing body shots and mixing in offense to Francis’ head in spurts. At the conclusion of the ten round bout, all three judges had scored the bout in favor of Saracho resulting in a unanimous decision victory. Official scores were: 98-92, and 96-94 (On two scorecards for Saracho. Jesus Saracho advances to 13-1, with 11 Knockouts. Cesar Francis falls to 12-1, with 7 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

Unbeaten nineteen year old Jr. Lightweight Oscar Alvarez scored a seven round technical decision over Nicolas Polanco.  Alvarez dominated the fight due largely to his 6’3 height and reach where he was able to connect frequently on Polanco frequently throughout the scheduled eight round bout. In round seven however, the bout was stopped due to a deep gash that opened directly over Alvarez’ left eye as a result of an accidental clash of heads that was bleeding profusely and going directly into the eye. At the point when the bout was stopped, Alvarez was ahead on all three official scorecards 70-63, and 68-65 (On two scorecards) resulting in him remaining unbeaten via unanimous technical decision. Oscar Alvarez advances to 8-0, with 7 Knockouts. Nicolas Polanco falls to 20-4-1, with 11 Knockouts.

 

In an entertaining Lightweight bout, Jonhatan Cardoso scored a hard fought eight round decision over previously undefeated and very “Game” Jose Arellano. Cardoso established a very high pace in the early rounds and implemented a near relentless attack to the body and head of Arellano. Although Arellano did everything he could to keep Cardoso at bay, it was the relentless attack that ultimately resulted in Cardoso winning an eight round unanimous decision in a fight where he also took a fair share of punishment as well as dished it out. All three official judges scored the bout 78-74 in favor of Cardoso.  Jonhatan Cardoso advances to 15-1, with 14 Knockouts. Jose Arellano falls to 10-1, with 6 Knockouts.

 

Jr. Welterweight Jorge Carlos moved to 4-0 in his young career by scoring a first round knockout of Anthony Linenfelser. A barrage of non-stop punches from Carlos put Linenfelser down in a corner midway through the round. Although Linenfelser was able to get up from the knockdown and was allowed to continue, Carlos moved in for the finish and a short right hook sent Linenfelser face down on the canvas resulting in the fight being immediately stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 1:40 of round one. Jorge Carlos advances to 4-0, with 4 Knockouts. Anthony Linenfelser falls to 4-18-1, with 4 Knockouts.  

 

Undefeated Heavyweight Lorenzo Medina began the evening, by scoring a first round knockout of veteran Cleveland Billingsley. Medina immediately began to land his left hook in the opening seconds of the fight and began mixing in combinations. A right hand to the head put Billingsley down for the count. Official time of the stoppage was 2:40 of round one. Lorenzo Medina advances to 5-0, with 5 Knockouts. Cleveland Billingsley falls to 5-9, with 5 Knockouts.

 

This card, which concluded a rare stretch of Boxing events in four cards promoted by four separate promoters across the state of Florida, like the previous three, showcased many of the upcoming fighters in the ProBox Promotions stable, many of whom are Florida-based. As for the debut of this Future Stars series, a series that ProBox TV intends to be a bi-weekly series throughout 2023 on Wednesday evenings, this was very much in line with what one might expect from a Boxing series that is focused on rising prospects akin to Showtime Sports’ highly acclaimed ShoBox: The New Generation series. For the first digital streaming network that is geared exclusively to the sport of Boxing, the first edition of ProBox TV’s Future Stars series should be consider a success. As both the Boxing promotion headed by promoter Garry Jonas and the streaming network, which launched in May of last year continue to grow and hopefully add content from more promoters, this series should evolve and be regarded as a proving ground for fighters nearing world title contention, as ShoBox was able to do over the past two decades. Something that for fighters remains crucial and as far as the network is concerned should be viewed as a win for Boxing fans and in particular fans in the state of Florida, which is a growing hot spot for the sport.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

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

 

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ProBox TV Future Stars Weights From Plant City, FL

 

The official weigh-in for Wednesday night’s debut of ProBox TV’s Future Stars series took place on Tuesday in Plant City, FL. Weights for the entire card, which can be seen on digital Boxing streaming network ProBox TV are as follows.

 

Main Event: Jr. Welterweight – 10Rds.

Cesar Francis 138 3/4lbs. vs. Jesus Saracho 140lbs.

Lightweight – 8 Rds.

Oscar Alvarez 132 1/2lbs. vs. Nicholas Polanco 131 3/4lbs.

Lightweight – 8Rds.

Johnatan Cardoso 133 3/4lbs. vs. Jose Arellano 133 1/2lbs.

Heavyweight – 8Rds.

Lorenzo Medina 227 3/4lbs. vs. Cleveland Billingsly 259 1/2lbs.

ProBox TV Future Stars Series: Francis vs. Saracho takes place Tonight (January 25^th) at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, FL. The card can be seen on the ProBox TV app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices and Smart TVs beginning at 7PM ET/4PM PT. For more information about ProBox TV, including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.ProBoxTV.com.

 

*Cards and Start time Subject to Change.*

 

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

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

Upcoming Events Firmly Put Spotlight On Florida’s Boxing Scene

 

With the 2023 Boxing schedule now officially off and running, many fans of the sport are likely looking to dive in and see some of what Boxing will have to offer in the new year. For those who follow the Boxing scene in the state of Florida, there will be no shortage of action as there will be four Boxing cards scheduled to take place over a five day period throughout the state.

 

As a veteran Boxing scribe who is always monitoring the upcoming schedule worldwide in search of fights and full cards that I will be covering, I felt this provided a unique opportunity to spotlight some of the upcoming bouts that will be taking place on these cards in the sunshine state. First up, promoter Anthony Arvelo’s Undisputed Promotions will present a Boxing card at the Kissimmee Civic Center on January 20^th. Headlining this card will be Jr. Welterweight contender Wesley Ferrer facing Jonhatan Cardoso.

 

This will be a fight between two fighters who are trying to work their way into the rankings and towards world title contention. Ferrer will enter this fight riding a five fight winning streak since suffering the only loss of his career in September 2018 when he dropped an eight round majority decision to Steven Ortiz. The only other mark on Ferrer’s record to this point is a draw that he fought to in December 2017 against Will Madera. Ferrer will enter this bout with a record of 17-1-1, with 8 Knockouts. In his last fight in August of last year, Ferrer scored an eight round majority decision victory over Jayson Velez. Ferrer now faces what could potentially be a dangerous opponent in the form of Jonhatan Cardoso. Cardoso however, will be coming into this bout off of his first career loss as he was stopped in one round by Juan Huertas in June of last year. Despite this, Cardoso has ended all of his fourteen career wins via knockout and it may be logical to expect that he will try to end the fight early if the opportunity arises. This card can be seen on digital combat sports streaming network and pay-per-view platform FITE.

 

Coincidentally, FITE will also be broadcasting the next two events that will be covered in this column, which will both take place on January 21^st. Former two-division world champion Antonio Tarver’s Tarver Promotions will present a Boxing card at the Calta’s Fitness and Boxing Center in Tampa. Headlining the card will be Tarver’s son Antonio Tarver Jr. who will face Drew Dwelly in a scheduled ten round Jr. Middleweight bout.

 

Unbeaten in ten professional fights with six knockouts, Tarver has gradually developed and could now be approaching the stage of a prospect. This fight against Drew Dwelly could be a test for him as it is the first time that Tarver will be facing someone, who like himself, is undefeated. Drew Dwelly will enter this fight with a record of 11-0-2, with 11 Knockouts, but much like Tarver has not faced fighters to this point that could be considered on the fringe of what most would call prospect level. So, this is a scenario where both fighters are looking to step up in competition against each other.

 

The second card FITE will feature on January 21^st will feature the return of a former World Heavyweight champion. Hall of Fame promoter Don King will present a Boxing card at Casino Miami in Miami where WBA number twelve Heavyweight contender Jonathan Guidry will face former WBC Heavyweight world champion Bernane Stiverne in the ten round main event. This is a bout between two of the Heavyweights that have been featured in Don King’s stable in recent times. It is also a battle between fighters who have a recent common opponent, but an encounter between two fighters that are seemingly going in different directions in their respective careers.

 

The common opponent that Guidry and Stiverne have faced recently is Heavyweight contender Trevor Bryan, who defeated both men. Bryan stopped Stiverne in eleven rounds in January 2021. Guidry meanwhile went twelve rounds with Bryan, who held interim/regular champion status in the WBA’s Heavyweight ratings for a period of time, in January of last year, losing a close split decision and his undefeated record to Bryan.

 

Where the two fighters appear to be heading in different directions comes from the fact that Bermane Stiverne has not won a fight since November 2015 and has been stopped in three fights since then including his last against Bryan. This coupled with lengthy stretches of inactivity seem to indicate that the former world champion is on the decline. Meanwhile, Guidry is a fighter that appears to be close to being in the mix amongst potential challengers for a world championship. Although he lost a decision to Trevor Bryan in his only career loss, he made a good account of himself in defeat in a fight that this observer felt he did enough to win in what was a competitive and close contest.  Since that fight, Guidry got back in the ring in June of last year scoring a seventh round knockout of Dacarree Scott, also in Miami.

 

What this fight boils down to is whether or not Stiverne still has enough left in him of the fighter that was once a WBC World Heavyweight champion. In all truth and honesty with the reader, Stiverne has not been the same fighter since he lost the WBC crown to Deontay Wilder in January 2015 and has not looked good in recent outings. Although Stiverne will forever hold claim to being the first fighter to take Wilder the distance in his career in losing that fight via twelve round unanimous decision, he has displayed some signs of what could be a shot fighter recently including being stopped by Wilder in one round in their November 2017 rematch. Stiverne still does have the name recognition clout to get opportunities per his being a former world champion, but he is in need of not only a win here in this fight, but perhaps a victory that will impress people to where it generates buzz for him. If he should not win this fight, it may be time for him to consider retirement. Although Jonathan Guidry is not known for his ability to score knockouts, he does have eleven knockouts in his eighteen career wins, and is likely looking to this fight as a way to catapult himself into the list of potential challengers for a world title by beating a former world champion, even if by appearances Stiverne may have seen better days and could be on his way out in terms of his career inside the ring.

 

Finally, the final card on this lengthy stretch of Boxing in the sunshine state of Florida will take place on Wednesday, January 25^th as digital Boxing streaming network ProBox TV presents a card under it’s Future Stars series at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City. ProBox TV, a relative newcomer to the Boxing streaming space in providing Boxing fans with a reasonably priced subscription-based model, debuted in May of last year and in addition to staging cards in it’s own in house arena in Plant City, FL has also staged cards in Mexico, Panama, and Puerto Rico in it’s first year of operation.

 

In addition to providing value for a subscription price for Boxing fans in addition to staging fights featuring world champions, former world champions, and top contenders, Pro Box TV has also focused on showcasing up and coming fighters looking to progress to higher levels in the sport. Thus, this card on January 25^th, will be the first in what the network and promoter Gary Jonas intend to be a bi-weekly to monthly Wednesday night Boxing series focused exclusively on future stars in the sport in addition to other content they hope to offer subscribers.

 

The debut edition of the Future Stars series will be headlined by undefeated Jr. Welterweight prospect Cesar Francis as he will face Jesus Saracho in a bout scheduled for ten rounds. This fight similar to other bouts that have been showcased on ProBox TV in the past year will feature two fighters with similar records that are both looking to take the next step towards contention for a world championship. Cesar Francis will enter this bout unbeaten in twelve professional fights with seven knockouts. In his last bout in October of last year, also at the ProBox Events Center, Francis scored a second round knockout of Francisco Armenta.

 

Now Francis faces what could be a step up in the form of Jesus Saracho. Saracho, like his opponent has twelve wins in his career, but has suffered one loss in his career. The loss came in March of last year when he was stopped in nine rounds by Deonte Brown. Of Saracho’s twelve victories however, he has scored eleven knockouts registering a near 85% career knockout percentage. Saracho has been unbeaten in his last two fights and has scored knockouts in both of those outings. This suggests that Saracho will likely look to force Francis into a fight very early in the bout and should be viewed as a dangerous opponent as his record suggests.

 

What these cards should suggest is that the Florida Boxing scene is one that is growing and could develop into one of the sport’s hot spots in a short time. As a longtime resident of the state and proud Boxing lifer, this observer very much looks forward to covering these upcoming events and we will see who emerges as fighters to watch as 2023 progresses.

 

And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Undisputed Promotions: Ferrer vs. Cardoso takes place on Friday, January 20^th at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, FL. The card can be seen on digital combat sports streaming network FITE for FITE+ subscribers beginning at 7PM ET/4PM PT (U.S. Time). For more information about FITE and how to subscribe to FITE+ please visit: www.FITE.TV.

 

Tarver Promotions: Tarver vs. Dwelly takes place on Saturday, January 21^st at  Calta’s Fitness and Boxing Center in Tampa, FL. The card can be seen on a pay-per-view basis on digital combat sports streaming network and pay-per-view platform FITE beginning at 7:30PM ET/4:30PM PT for $12.99. To order, download the FITE app on mobile, tablet, or connected streaming devices and Smart TVs, or Click Here.

 

Don King Productions: Guidry vs. Stiverne takes place on Saturday, January 21^st at Casino Miami in Miami, FL. The card can be seen on a pay-per-view basis on digital combat sports streaming network and pay-per-view platform FITE beginning at 7PM ET/4PM PT for $19.99. To order, download the FITE app on mobile, tablet, or connected streaming devices and Smart TVs, or Click Here.

 

For More information about FITE including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and for information on how to subscribe to FITE+ please visit: www.FITE.TV.

 

ProBox TV Future Stars Series: Francis vs. Saracho takes place on Wednesday, January 25^th at the ProBox Events Center in Plant City, FL. The card can be seen on the ProBox TV app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices and Smart TVs beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT. For more information about ProBox TV, including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world and to subscribe please visit: www.ProBoxTV.com.

 

*Cards and Start times Subject to Change.*

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

THE RAIN EVENT: CESAR FRANCIS HEADLINES PROBOX TV FUTURE STARS SERIES ON WEDNESDAY, JAN 25

Press Release: January 6, 2023 By ProBox TV –   Brooklyn's rising star Cesar Francis is ready for his ring return on Wednesday, January 25 in Tampa, Florida, as he headlines the inaugural ProBox TV's Future Stars Series.

Credit: ProBox TV 

Francis is coming off the back of a breakout year in 2022, featuring consistently on ProBox TV, defeating former world champions Mohammed Mimoune, Raymundo Beltran whilst also producing a KO of the Year contender against Francisco Armenta. cesar1.png

Francis discussed his 2022 and his hopes for 2023. The Panamanian-born stylist stated, "I enjoyed 2022, I was active consistently for the first time in my career, so I have to thank my team at ProBox TV and of course my team who have been together for years for all playing their part in making it the best year of my career.

"I'm not young, but I'm in my prime, I've made up for lost time and now it's all systems go. I learned a lot in the Mimoune and Beltran fights and it showed me I can compete at world level and the progression in my performances was visible. I haven't got miles on the clock, and the miles I do have are smart ones. I'm ready for whatever 2023 throws at me starting on ProBox TV on January 25."

Brooklyn's Rainman's first task of 2023 comes in the form of Mexican Jesus Saracho. Francis discussed his adversary on January 25.

The undefeated 140-pounder said, "I don't know too much about Saracho, but I know he's a game Mexican, and we will prepare accordingly in a professional way like we always do. I'm happy the fights are on a Wednesday night because everyone can watch it, it doesn't clash with anything else so I hope that all eyes will be on ProBox TV watching me show why I'm ready for those big names like Arnold Barboza. Liam Paro, Jose Ramirez, and hopefully this year Josh Taylor.

"I have to do a job on January 25, and show everybody that I'm the darkhorse in the 140-pound division. I'm ranked number 8 by the WBO and I'm grateful to the WBO for ranking me that highly, but don't miss this next fight, because I'm going to show everybody that I have the capability to become world champion in 2023."

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 archives, and to subscribe please visit: www.ProBoxTV.com. 

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