PROBELLUM AND LOU DIBELLA ANNOUNCE LANDMARK DEAL

 

Press Release: By Probellum – LOS ANGELES, FEBRUARY 22 – Probellum is thrilled to announce a major strategic partnership with Boxing Hall of Fame promoter Lou DiBella and his company DiBella Entertainment. 

Credit: Probellum

 

The strategic partnership will see Probellum, a global promotion and media company that launched last year, and the legendary DiBella collaborate on a number of fronts in a bid to further their shared vision of advancing the sport of boxing.

 

This will include co-promotional activities around key fighters in the DiBella Entertainment stable, support for grassroots boxing in the United States, and the continued growth of Probellum’s international network of co-promotional partners.

 

“Today is a landmark day for Probellum. I am delighted to be able to formally announce our strategic partnership deal with the great Lou DiBella,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum.

 

“Lou and I have known and worked together for many years and his influence and reputation in boxing needs little explanation.

 

“He has led great change in the past and alongside the excellent team we are building at Probellum, I have every confidence that we will be able to create a new era for our sport.”

 

“Boxing has to change. For too long, self-interest and politics have got in the way of what the fighters and the fans really want – the best against the best, in locations all around the world,” added Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.

 

“I have been very vocal about the need to transform our sport and I am so pleased to have found people who share that vision and are taking significant steps to make it a reality.

 

“Probellum is the only business in the market with the vision and strategy to disrupt boxing’s status quo on a truly global scale and I didn’t hesitate to begin collaborating when they called. Change is coming and we’re ready to go.”

 

DiBella was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020 after decades of being one of the most influential figures in boxing, including being the driving force of HBO’s boxing coverage for 11 years as the network’s Senior Vice President in Charge of Programming.

 

In the role, DiBella was the man behind the widely acclaimed Boxing After Dark series before going on to launch DiBella Entertainment and becoming one of boxing’s most important promoters, guiding the careers of a hugely impressive list of world champions, which includes Bernard Hopkins, Sergio Martinez and Jermain Taylor.

 

Probellum was founded in September 2021 and has become the fastest-growing brand in the sport, making its intentions clear with a raft of top-level fighter signings including  Nonito Donaire, Regis Prograis, Estelle Mossely and Donnie Nietes and multiple co-promotional deals across the globe.

 

“Since launch, we have surpassed even our most ambitious expectations in relation to the quality and breadth of the fighters and international co-promotional deals we’ve signed, but today is a game-changing moment for Probellum and the wider boxing industry,” added Harrison Whitman, Chief Strategy and Legal Office at Probellum.

 

“Forming this strategic relationship with Lou is going to help bring about important change to the sport and provide fans and fighters with more opportunities for great fights.”

 

For ticket news, live news and updates, be sure to follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

 

About Probellum

 

Launched in September 2021, Probellum is a global boxing promotion and media company, and the fastest-growing brand in the sport.

 

Probellum’s elite stable includes Nonito Donaire, Regis Prograis, Estelle Mossely, Lee McGregor, Donnie Nietes, Troy Williamson, Dina Thorslund, Muhammad Waseem, O’Shaquie Foster, Will Cawley, Mark Dickinson and Pat and Luke McCormack. 

 

Since launching, Probellum has signed co-promotional partnerships with some of the biggest promoters globally, including Wasserman (Germany), Universum (Germany), GYM (Canada), Maravilla Box (Spain), Team Ellis (Australia), Titov Boxing Promotions (Russia), Volcano Boxing (El Salvador), BXSTRS Promotions (Mexico), PR Best (Puerto Rico) Glozier Boxing (New Zealand), Box Office Sports (Ghana) and LNK Boxing (Latvia).

 

Probellum hosted its inaugural event at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena in December 2021 and returns to Middle East in March for a double-header.

 

Probellum Evolution takes place at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on March 18 and 19, with both shows topped by world title fights. 

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Probellum Used with permission.

 

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

 

 

Reis Decisions Prazak To Become Unified World Champion

 

Women’s WBA Jr. Welterweight world champion Kali Reis successfully defended her world title with a hard fought ten round majority decision over former WBC Jr. Lightweight world champion Diana Prazak on Friday night at the Sycuan Casino in El Cajon, CA. An extremely competitive fight from the outset, the ebb and flow consisted of Prazak pressing the action and forcing the fight on the inside. Despite the challenger’s aggression, it was Reis who seemed to land the cleaner punches of the two fighters in spots. It did not stop Prazak to rally late in landing some hard hooks to the head of the champion mixed with effective body shots in the latter rounds of the grueling battle, but ultimately Reis’ cleaner offense particularly over the first half of the fight that was enough to convince two of three official judges for the champion to not only retain her WBA world championship, but also leave the fight a unified world champion by adding the vacant IBO Jr. Welterweight world championship to firmly establish Reis as a focal point in the 140lb, Jr. Welterweight division division. Official scores were 95-95, (Even) and 97-93, 96-94 in favor of Reis. Kali Reis advances to 18-7-1, with 5 Knockouts. Diana Prazak falls to 14-4, 9 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

In a Women’s WBA Welterweight elimination bout, Alma Ibarra scored an eight round unanimous decision over Kandi Wyatt. Although Wyatt was competitive throughout, she was not able to match Ibarra’s overall offensive output as her quicker hands, ability to attack at angles, and combination punching were enough to earn the convincing unanimous decision victory. Official scores were: 80-72, 79-73, and 78-74 all in favor of Ibarra. Alma Ibarra advances to 9-1, with 4 Knockouts. Kandi Wyatt falls to 10-3, with 3 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated Heavyweight Elvis Garcia scored a third round stoppage of late substitute Joel Shojgreen. Shojgreen seemed to building some momentum in the first two rounds, but Garcia stepped up his pace in round three by throwing and landing several hooks to the head. This ultimately resulted in Shojgreen being dropped three times officially as Garcia unleashed what was a non-stop barrage. Although Shojgreen was able to survive the round, Referee Jack Reiss determined Shojgreen was in no condition to continue and stopped the fight at the end of round three. The fight was announced as being in the controversial “Bridgerweight” division, which is only recognized by the World Boxing Council (WBC). Elvis Garcia advances to 12-0, with 9 Knockouts. Joel Shojgreen falls to 10-3, with 9 Knockouts.

 

A clash between unbeaten Jr. Lightweights saw Austin Brooks score a four round unanimous decision over Jesus Beltran. The story of this fight was Brooks’ ability to control distance, get his punches off first, and keep Beltran from getting his offense off consistently. Official scores were: 40-36, (On two scorecards) and 39-37 all in favor of Brooks. Austin Brooks advances to 4-0, with 1 Knockout. Jesus Beltran falls to 4-1, with 3 Knockouts.

 

This card, which was promoted by Hall of Fame promoter Lou Dibella and his Broadway Boxing series continued to underscore the progression of Women’s Boxing. Although the progress is undeniable and should be celebrated, the main event of this card also underscored the importance that rounds in Women’s Boxing need to be extended to three minutes in duration. The same length of time as men competing in the sport.

 

While the battle between Kali Reis and Diana Prazak realistically could have gone either way. Reis showed she is a champion by offering Prazak a rematch in response to some booing from the crowd in attendance in saying that she was not happy with her performance and gave Prazak credit for pushing her to her limit. While neither fighter has anything to be ashamed of as they both left it all in the ring, a show of “Class” between two warriors who gave everything they had to give is something all involved in the sport could learn from.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

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

 

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