48 Hours: “Christy Martin - The Fight of Her Life” Premieres Saturday, November 14th On CBS

 

Press Release: November 12, 2020 By 48 Hours – Opponents feared boxer Christy Martin in the ring. However, it was at home where Martin fought her biggest battle – the one for her life. Now, Martin is speaking out for other victims of domestic abuse in 48 HOURS: “Christy Martin - The Fight of Her Life” to be broadcastSaturday, Nov. 14(10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.  

 

Martin was a worldwide sensation in the boxing ring and was even on the cover of Sports Illustrated. She won 49 fights and was heading for 50. Away from the ring, however, Martin says she faced a different fight because her husband Jim Martin was abusive and controlling.  

 

“I keep thinking of the people who will watch this and say, ‘How does a woman who’s so powerful … how is she not able to stand up for herself at home,’” asks correspondent David Begnaud.  

 

“I know that people think that. But, I didn’t have the same type of mental strength to overtake him,” Martin responds.  

 

That relationship came to a head on Nov. 23, 2010, when Martin says she told her husband that day she wanted to end the marriage. Jim Martin, she says, beat and stabbed her before pulling a gun. Moments later, he fired one shot into her chest, missing her heart by just inches.  

 

“He starts to beat me. Bam, bam. He’s beating my head,” she recalls. “And bam, just like that, the switch flipped. I told him ‘You cannot kill me.’”  

 

Christy Martin survived that day in their Florida home. Jim Martin would then go on trial for attempted murder. Jim Martin’s attorney maintained it was Christy Martin who attacked her husband, not the other way around. Likewise, prosecutors also wondered whether a jury would believe that a celebrated boxer would be beaten by her husband.  

 

48 HOURS and Begnaud report on Martin’s life in boxing, the horrific attack that nearly killed her and how she put her life back together to become an advocate for victims of domestic abuse through interviews with Martin, prosecutors, Jim Martin’s defense attorney and more.  

 

“Finally, I have been able to come … to terms with, I got the 50^thwin when I got up off the floor Nov. 23, 2010 and got out of my house. That was my 50^thwin,” Martin says.  

 

Today, she’s using that experience to help others.  

 

“I think it’s a remarkable story because you have a world-famous champion boxer and she could still be in a domestic violence relationship, because that isn’t about physical strength. It’s about mental abuse,” says prosecutor Deborah Barra.  

 

48 HOURS: “Christy Martin - The Fight of Her Life” is produced by Judy Rybak. Danielle Arman is the associate producer. T. Sean Herbert is the location producer. Jud Johnston and George Baluzy are the editors. Peter Schweitzer is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer.  

 

Follow 48 HOURS onTwitter, Facebook and, Instagram. Listen to podcasts atCBSAudio.  

 

Watch a video preview of  “Christy Martin - The Fight of Her Life” by clicking here

 

Material and Video Preview Courtesy of: 48 Hours Used with permission.

 

For more information about 48 Hours please visit the official social media links listed above or visit: www.CBSNews.com.

 

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

 

 

The Case For Lopez vs. Haney

 

It would be hard to argue that one division that has been able to make the most of the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic is Boxing’s 135lb. Lightweight division. A division that traditionally has been one of the sport’s most historic and talent-deep weight classes having provided numerous memorable battles through the years. In recent times, the division has seen several fighters vying for position as they look to make their claim as the number one Lightweight in the world.

 

As most know, the recent Lightweight world championship unification bout between Vasyl Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez in October determined the Undisputed Lightweight world championship for the time being. A fight won by Lopez in a convincing unanimous decision, has created buzz as to who the first challenger for Lopez’ undisputed world championship might be.

 

Undefeated Lightweight contender Devin Haney would appear to be on a short-list of potential opponents. Much like Lopez, Haney is unbeaten and holds interim/regular champion status in the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Lightweight ratings, a designation that will be discussed further later in this column, but one that in simple terms makes Haney the number one contender as far as the WBC is concerned to challenge Lopez who holds the undisputed championship.

 

As is usually the case for fighters who fully unify world championships below the Heavyweight division however, the question of whether an undisputed champion will remain in their weight class or set their sights on potential opportunities in a higher weight division is one that is often asked. A more specific question is what could the most lucrative opportunity be that might be available to the champion either in their division or elsewhere.

 

For the fighters in the champion’s current division, it creates a scenario where they must make the most convincing argument they can as a potential opponent for the champion’s next fight. Following Gervonta Davis, who was able to make his own case as a potential opponent for Lopez with his knockout win over Leo Santa Cruz on Halloween night in San Antonio, TX, Haney’s opportunity to make his own argument came on November 7^th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL as he faced former unified Featherweight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa. Not only did the former Olympic Gold medalist and former unified world champion in the professional ranks Gamboa represent what some might call the most significant test of Haney’s career thus far, he also had a unique distinction as being a recent opponent of Gervonta Davis. A fight where Gamboa fought through a torn right Achilles before being stopped in the twelfth round in December of last year.

 

While it was logical to assume what the thirty-eight year old Gamboa would have left to give especially coming off of such a severe injury that has ended the careers of many throughout all of sports, Gamboa’s pedigree both as an amateur and a pro made this an interesting test for Haney. One that Haney would show he was ready for.

 

From the opening bell, Haney would use his height and reach advantage to dictate the combat and keep Gamboa from being able to close the gap and make it a more difficult fight for the twenty -one year old Haney who was competing in his twenty-fifth professional bout. Although the twelve round mostly tactically fought bout did not provide much in the way of exciting highlights or back and forth action, the highlight of this fight was the discipline Haney was able to show by maintaining distance where he would be most effective, counter punching effectively throughout the fight and out working his more experienced opponent over the course of twelve rounds to end a lopsided unanimous decision victory.

 

Although this fight did not provided much in the way of thrills for the viewing audience, Haney’s performance against Gamboa did have some similarities to the performance that Teofimo Lopez was able to produce against Vasyl Lomachenko. Similarities in that much like Lopez, Haney was able to stay disciplined throughout and stuck to what was by all accounts a masterful Boxing strategy against a fighter in Gamboa, who while perhaps on the back end of a fine career, is still an extremely skilled and crafty fighter that is not necessarily easy to look good against. 

 

The difference between the two performances was Lopez had been known more for his ability to score quick knockouts and his ability to out box Vasyl Lomachenko was not thought of as a possibility by some due largely to Lomachenko being a master boxer. While Devin Haney has scored some head-turning knockouts of his own in his career, his overall Boxing ability had not been questioned.

 

With his victory over Yuriorkis Gamboa now in the books, has Devin Haney made a strong enough case for himself as potentially the next opponent for Teofimo Lopez? Now, we enter the portion in this column where the business aspects of the sport must be discussed, and examined before answering that question.

 

Although the concept of interim/regular champion designations is not a new one in Boxing, it more often than not creates more confusion amongst the general fan base rather than being the well-intentioned structure that governing bodies/sanctioning organizations had hoped it would be. In recent times the WBC has adapted a similar structure to that of the World Boxing Association (WBA), that designates unified world champions as WBA “Super“ champions as they hold more than one world title in a given weight class, where the top two contenders in the WBA’s ratings holding an interim/regular champion designation followed by a top ten listing of top contenders under those two fighters who hold those designations below the unified world champion.

 

In a similar way, the WBC has instituted a “Franchise champion” designation for those fighters who hold unified or undisputed world championships in a given division.Currently in the Lightweight division, Teofimo Lopez holds both the WBC and WBA world championships as part of his Undisputed Lightweight world championship. What this means as far as the WBC is Devin Haney holds an interim designation and is in actuality the number one contender as the WBC is concerned. Where it can get confusing for a fan not in the know, is the WBC has an interim championship bout scheduled in the Lightweight division scheduled for December 5^th between former Lightweight world champion Luke Campbell and undefeated rising prospect Ryan Garcia. While this does not hold the name labels as the WBA’s interim/regular designations below the unified world champion, it is essentially the same structure.

 

Similarly, Gervonta Davis holds an interim/regular champion designation in the WBA’s Lightweight ratings so while this creates a scenario where both Haney and Davis could be next in line, it may come down to which organization is due its turn in the annual rotation of mandatory challengers that a unified or undisputed world champion is obligated to face annually. What also needs to be considered is the fact that all three fighters are represented by rival promoters who have worked together in the past to make fights happen, but have not established an ongoing collaboration to ensure fights like these potential two encounters for Teofimo Lopez happen on a regular basis, despite the benefits such a collaboration would bring to the sport overall.

 

While an argument can be made for both Haney or Davis as being next for Lopez, if the WBC is next in the rotation, I believe Haney may offer a difficult puzzle for the champion to solve. Although an argument could also be made that the reputations of both Lopez and Davis as power punchers would give the impression of a more explosive fight, Haney has also shown punching power and has also shown the ability to be elusive and crafty as a boxer. It would also be interesting to see if Haney would be more willing to engage with Lopez more than Lomachenko was able to do.

 

Of course, as always seems to be the case in Boxing, circumstances can change at any time and this does not factor into the equation both the financial interests that are involved as well as how whatever the outcome of the upcoming Campbell-Garcia bout might effect things heading into 2021. As it has been through many decades however, the Lightweight division will remain front and center in the spotlight of the most compelling and competitive divisions in the entire sport.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

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

 

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

 

Belated Thoughts On Davis-Santa Cruz

 

In the year 2020, there have been few fights throughout combat sports that have had significant public demand. Of course, this has nothing to do with the fights that promoters have been working their hardest to present under what until this year was unprecedented circumstances, but because of the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic who’s true impact we are likely not to know in full degree as the crisis continues to worsen around the world. As such, a persistent theme of many columns and other content penned by this observer here at The Boxing Truth® throughout the year has been how Boxing has attempted to resume operating under circumstances that differ significantly from what the sport sees when it is in it’s normal active state. 

 

One of the recurring sticking points that I have done my best to point out whenever appropriate even if it borders on repetitiveness has been the fact that many of the sport’s top stars have remained sidelined both due to the risk of potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus, but also for financial reasons as due to the epidemic, portions of revenue that are normally afforded to Boxing’s biggest attractions have been unavailable for reasons including, but not limited to the fact that there has not been circumstances where crowds have been allowed to attend sporting events and other public gatherings due to the epidemic. This has resulted in several anticipated encounters that fans want to see being delayed. 

 

As yours truly has discussed here on the website in recent weeks, the worsening circumstances and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 epidemic has also created a dilemma for many fighters. Whether to continue to see out for what are in most cases justifiable reasons and wait for the circumstances of the virus/epidemic to improve, and in the process potentially do long-term damage to their skills simply by being inactive, or take the risk not only of possible exposure to the virus, but a risk in terms of their current position within the sport by returning to active competition. Obviously, this is not a simple decision for most as there are families and other factors that one must consider, but for many of the sport’s top stars, the decision to return also carries with it the likelihood of reduced purses when they compete at least until circumstances regarding COVID-19 legitimately improve. 

 

The month of October saw a slight shift in the dynamic as several top fighters throughout the sport have made the choice to return to the ring to active competition and more specifically, return in what would be considered by many to be difficult bouts even under normal conditions. October 2020 closed on Halloween night with one such encounter between Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz. Two top fighters in the sport who have each been world champions in their respective careers in an intriguing style clash of a boxer versus a puncher. 

 

While this observer expected the clash of styles that this fight appeared to be on paper, the encounter between the two exceeded expectations in many ways. What was surprising even though when discussing a fight between two of the top fighters in the entire sport and thus when two such fighters are pitted against each other, one usually expects to see the highest level of competition Boxing has to offer, was to see both fighters display a varied mix of skills that do not necessarily fall under their respective styles. 

 

For those who might be curious as to what yours truly means by this, logic would suggest that you would expect a fighter with the reputation as a “Knockout Artist “ such as Davis to go in seeking a quick knockout and put power behind every punch. In contrast, you would also expect a boxer/puncher such as Leo Santa Cruz to try to box early in an attempt to stretch the fight into the middle and late rounds with the possibility of trying to get a stoppage as the fight progresses if the opportunity presents itself. Neither scenario is necessarily what happened in this fight. Instead, what we saw was a tactical fight that was fought at a high pace where both fighters elected to fight in the pocket. This scenario saw both fighters successfully display their respective skill sets as both boxed and both boxers showed a willingness to stand and exchange offense.

 

While the performance of both fighters was impressive, what stood out in my eyes was the patience that Gervonta Davis showed in this fight. As this observer has said in the past, a conundrum for fighters that are able to establish themselves as ‘Knockout Artists” is that the reputation that many who carry that label is such that there is almost an expectation amongst some fans that if a fighter can’t end a fight early, the odds of success is less for said fighter. There can also be an assumption when a fighter has a high knockout percentage that punching power is the only facet of a fighter’s skill set.

 

In this fight, Gervonta Davis not only displayed patience in allowing the opening for a knockout to develop naturally rather than head hunting, but also showed hand speed, defense, as well as showed that he could beat Leo Santa Cruz to the punch in some fast-paced exchanges. What some might say the most important thing that Davis showed in this fight was the ability to take a punch, which is usually one of the main questions that are often asked of “Knockout Artists.”

 

While both fighters displayed their respective skills in what was every bit the compelling fight that it appeared it would be on paper, the ending of this encounter was the definition of what most think of when what draws them to the sport comes to mind. A sudden and devastating left uppercut to the head late in round six sending Santa Cruz down and out on the canvas. The very definition of an”One Punch Knockout.”

 

As is normally the case after a fight like this, the obvious question is what comes next for Gervonta Davis. The reality is with positioning in the World Boxing Association (WBA) rankings in both the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight and 135lb. Lightweight divisions, it may come down to what opportunities are available, when they are available, and against whom that will likely determine what Davis does next inside the Boxing ring. Whether or not rival promoters and broadcast platforms across both traditional and digital streaming realms will work together to make some fights that will garner the attention of Boxing fans on varying levels of interest remains to be seen.

 

While Gervonta Davis clearly is enjoying the success of the biggest win of his career so far, it also remains to be seen how successful the Davis-Santa Cruz bout did as a pay-per-view attraction at a $74.99 price point. The full card at the Alamodome, which consisted of eight total bouts, only saw four bouts aired on the Showtime Pay-Per-View broadcast.

 

 Those bouts, which saw Issac Gonzalez score a first round knockout of Diego Magdaleno in the Lightweight division in fifty-three seconds,Mario Barrios score a sixth round knockout over Ryan Karl, and former unified Jr. Welterweight champion Regis Prograis score a third round stoppage of Juan Heraldez combined with the Davis-Santa Cruz main event for just over two and a half hours of airtime on the pay-per-view broadcast at that $74.99 price point. It is indeed true that promoters and networks cannot legitimately be held responsible for the length of bouts they present once two fighters are in the ring. 

 

The amount of content that was offered for the price of the pay-per+view card however, underscores the problem that promoters and networks that have thus far continued to insist on the increasingly outdated and undervalued model of pay-per-view continue to face in an ever evolving technological landscape where digital subscription streaming models have emerged offering both a legal low cost alternative for consumers as well as considerably more content for their money. With at least one more pay-per-view event to come in 2020 promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters, who have promoted two pay-per-view cards carried by Showtime Pay-Per-View over the last two months and with the upcoming unified Welterweight world championship bout between undefeated champion Errol Spence and former two-division world champion Danny Garcia slated to be televised on December 5^th by PBC broadcast partner Fox Sports Pay-Per-View here in the United States and likely to be at a similar, if not identical price point, if you are a consumer, you can only hope that if the PBC and its broadcast partners continue to insist on the pay-per-view model that they will at least offer more value in the form of offering more content for the pay-per-view price.

 

 Without that or adapting a reasonably priced digital subscription model as more and more consumers transition to streaming and away from traditional cable/satellite pay-TV providers, those promoters and networks who are resistant to the changing landscape rather than choosing to adapt to it may continue to find disappointing returns in terms of buy rates no matter who is featured on a pay-per-view card. The true disappointment however, will be for fighters like Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz, who gave everything they had in one of the better fights in a turbulent 2020, who unfortunately were probably deprived of competing in front of what likely would have been a significantly larger viewing audience. Not because of a lack of interest in the fight itself or a lack of appreciation for each fighter’s skills, but simply because the audience has essentially been priced out of being able to watch the fight take place live on television. 

 

A decision by both the promoters and networks involved should be questioned on and have to answer for, especially as the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic worsens and large groups of people, many of whom are Boxing fans are struggling to get by. The reality the networks and promoters have to face in addition to the changing technological landscape is even for the most loyal Boxing enthusiast, most will opt to take care of necessities when asked whether or not they will pay an increasingly expensive price point to watch the sport they love on a per card basis or whether they will put their money to use to make sure they and their families will be able to get by in increasingly difficult times. As great as the sport of Boxing is, most will choose the latter.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAZN ANNOUNCES BETMGM AS EXCLUSIVE ODDS PROVIDER FOR U.S. BOXING BROADCASTS

 

Press Release: By DAZN – LAS VEGAS, Nov. 6, 2020 – DAZN, the world’s largest sports streaming service, and BetMGM, the leading sports betting and gaming platform – today announced the latest evolution of their partnership. The partnership extension will kick off Saturday, Nov. 7 with a highly anticipated night of boxing featuring 21-year-old undefeated sensation Devin “The Dream” Haney defending his WBC lightweight championship against former unified world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa. 

Credit: DAZN 

 

“We are thrilled to go all in on sports betting and embark on an exciting new chapter with BetMGM – marking our longest-term sports betting partnership yet in the U.S.,” said Michael Mobley, Vice President of Media Sales in North America for DAZN. “With BetMGM in our corner as DAZN’s go-to source for betting insights, fight fans will be able to stay up to date on the latest odds and enjoy even more compelling content around boxing’s biggest events.” 



The multi-fight broadcast and digital deal entrusts and solidifies BetMGM as the exclusive odds provider for a dozen DAZN events over the next year – starting with Haney vs. Gamboa – and extends across DAZN’s platform and entire suite of channels:

 

• Throughout fight week: BetMGM branding will surround DAZN’s live streams and coverage leading up to fight night including exclusive previews of the most updated betting odds.
• During the broadcast: Live BetMGM betting tickers along with co-produced content featuring DAZN talent and BetMGM expertise around betting odds throughout the main event and co-main event of all 12 fight nights; there will also be one branded round for each evening’s main event, with BetMGM as the official presenting sponsor of the over/under round.
• Also on fight night: Custom DAZN social posts across Twitter, Facebook and YouTube will bring BetMGM into the heart of the conversation with boxing fans.
• Finally, DAZN subscribers in licensed states will regularly receive custom BetMGM promo offers in the lead-up to each event.

 

Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer, BetMGM said: “DAZN has been a great partner and we couldn’t be happier for BetMGM to be the exclusive odds provider for their U.S. boxing broadcasts. Our deep integrations, like supplying live odds during boxing’s biggest matches and offering customized promotional offers to DAZN subscribers, will provide boxing fans and bettors with entertaining and exciting opportunities to get in on the action.”

 

Devin Haney vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa is a fight for the WBC lightweight championship, as Haney resumes his quest to dominate a 135-pound division bursting with big names. The Matchroom event is one of the many highlights on DAZN’s jam-packed fall schedule and will be broadcast live from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

 

ABOUT DAZN

DAZN is the largest global sports streaming service. Since launching in 2016, DAZN has expanded to nine countries across four continents with its app available for download in the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Japan and Brazil. In the U.S., the service features big fights from Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, GGG Promotions, and Bellator MMA, all for one affordable price, on any device – including smart TVs, smartphones, streaming sticks, tablets, games consoles and PCs. This December, DAZN will dramatically increase its global presence and expand to more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

 

ABOUT BETMGM

BetMGM is a market leading sports betting and gaming entertainment company, pioneering the online gaming industry. Born out of a partnership between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and GVC Holdings Plc (LSE: GVC), BetMGM has exclusive access to all of MGM's U.S. land-based and online sports betting, major tournament poker, and online gaming businesses. Utilizing GVC’s US-licensed state of the art technology, BetMGM offers sports betting and online gaming via market leading brands including BetMGM, Borgata Casino, Party Casino and Party Poker. For more information, visit http://www.betmgminc.com/.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking" statements and "safe harbor statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and/or uncertainties, including BetMGM's ability to expand in new or existing jurisdictions. Management has based forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include the effects of economic and market conditions in the jurisdictions in which BetMGM operates, competition with other iGaming and sports betting platforms, the timing and costs of expanding in new jurisdictions as well as obtaining and maintaining the required permits, licenses, financings, approvals and other contingencies in connection with growth in new or existing jurisdictions. In providing forward-looking statements, BetMGM is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If BetMGM updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those other forward-looking statements.

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of DAZN Used with permission.

 

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

 

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

Update

 We would like to let our readers know that new material discussing the recent multi-division clash between Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz will be released here on the website on Saturday, November 7^th. Stay tuned. “And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

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

 

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

Povetkin Tests Positive For COVID-19, Whyte Rematch Postponed

 

It has been announced that the scheduled rematch between top Heavyweight contenders Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte, which was scheduled to take place on November 21^st in London, England has been postponed due to Povetkin testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. Povetkin scored a  fifth round knockout of Whyte when they met in August of this year. As of this writing, no rescheduled date for the rematch has been announced. We will keep readers updated on any developments as they become available. Stay tuned. “And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

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

 

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OKOLIE LANDS WORLD TITLE SHOT AGAINST GLOWACKI ON JOSHUA-PULEV UNDERCARD

 

Press Release: November 2, 2020 By DAZN – Lawrence Okolie will take on Krzysztof Glowacki for the vacant WBO Cruiserweight World Title on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev at The O2 in London on Saturday December 12, shown live on DAZN in more than 200 countries and territories including Poland.  

Credit: DAZN 

 

Okolie (14-0, 11 KOs) claimed the EBU European Cruiserweight Title with a seventh-round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Yves Ngabu in October last year, capping a successful 2019 which saw four knockouts in as many fights for the Hackney man. 

 

Glowacki (31-2, 19 KOs) knocked out Germany’s Marco Huck in eleven rounds to win the WBO World Title in 2015 before widely outpointing Steve Cunningham in his first defence. He suffered the first defeat of his career against Ukrainian pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk in his next fight.

 

The Polish southpaw earned the interim WBO Title by decisioning Maxim Vlasov at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago in November 2018 but was stopped in three rounds by Latvia’s Mairis Briedis last year in a challenge for the full title. 

 

“It has been a long and hard road to get here,” said Okolie. “I’m very excited and blessed to have this opportunity; I’ll be grabbing it with both hands. I will become Britain’s next World Champion on December 12. 

 

“Glowacki is a great fighter and he is someone that I looked up to when I first started boxing. I believe he won the World Title the same year I was pushing to try and get on the Olympic team when I’d had 15 amateur fights. 

 

“He’s a former two-time World Champion and has only lost twice to two elite opponents. He’s going to be my biggest test on paper as a professional. He is a consummate professional and will do everything in his power to win.

 

“I have to be on my A game, and I will be. I’m happy that throughout my career I have faced the best opposition that I could have at every stage. This is just another one of those.”

 

“I will retrieve my belt and I will bring it back to Poland,” said Glowacki. “I will become WBO World Champion for the third time in my career, there is no other option. I am prepared for a hard battle because Lawrence Okolie is big, strong and awkward, but the belt is mine and I will bring it back home.”

 

"In just 14 fights Lawrence Okolie has done it all and now it’s the moment of truth," said promoter Eddie Hearn. "Britain has the chance to crown another World Champion but Lawrence has it all to do against a great fighter and former World Champ in Krysztof Glowacki and someone who has mixed consistently at the top level. This is going to be a huge night and a huge moment for Lawrence - we can’t wait."

 

"The time has come for Lawrence," said 258 Athlete Advisor Anthony Joshua. "This is a huge opportunity, one I know he will rise to. He is about to fight at the most elite level possible. He will prepare diligently and be ready. 

 

"The whole team at 258 MGT are behind him. We are proud to have helped guide him inside and out of the ring since his professional debut to his first World Title opportunity in under 4 years."

 

Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) defends his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles against Mandatory Challenger Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) on a huge night of action, with more fights to 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, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

 

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

Mercado Decisions Sanchez: 3-2-1 Boxing Results From Corona, CA

 

Lightweight Israel Mercado scored an eight round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Mike Sanchez in a main event battle of undefeated prospects on Sunday night at Omega Products International in Corona, CA. What was the headline bout of a three-fight card saw the unbeaten Lightweights engage in a tactical fight. Many of the rounds in the bout were closely fought where both fighters were able to have their moments, but Mercado’s ability to pace himself, land effective counter punches, as well as being responsible defensively was enough to overcome Sanchez’ greater activity and seemingly harder punches. Official scores were: 80-72, 79-73, and 78-74 all in favor of Mercado. Israel Mercado advances to 9-0, with 7 Knockouts. Mike Sanchez falls to 6-1-1, with 2 Knockouts. 

 

 

Also on this card:

 

In an entertaining Welterweight bout Esteban Munoz scored a four round unanimous decision over McArio DelCastillo. Munoz used his movement and combination punching to out work a durable DelCastillo over the four round bout. Although Munoz was able to land effectively to both the body and head, and particularly had success in landing his right hand, DelCastillo kept coming forward and was able to give Munoz a tough go of it all the way through. Official scores were: 40-36 (On all three scorecards) in favor of Munoz. Esteban Munoz advances to 3-1, with 2 Knockouts. McArio DelCastillo falls to 0-4, with 0 Knockouts.

 

 

In a Jr. Featherweight bout that began the evening, Lazaro Vargas needed only twenty-two seconds to successfully make his pro debut with a first round knockout over fellow debuting Szel Martinez. A flush straight right hand to the body put Martinez down and the bout was stopped midway through the count. Lazaro Vargas advances to 1-0, with 1 Knockout. Szel Martinez falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockouts.

 

The originally scheduled main event between rising Lightweight prospect Michael Dutchover and Manuel Mendez was cancelled earlier in the week leading up to this card due to an out of the ring accident suffered by Mendez. There is no word as of this writing as to whether the bout will be rescheduled for a later date.

 

This card, which was promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions as part of their new 3-2-1 Boxing series across multiple online streaming platforms including both YouTube and Facebook Watch underscored the challenges that many promoters are across the entire sport are facing due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic. As this observer has said frequently since Boxing began trying to resume activity in June under the circumstances of the epidemic, it is important that promoters at all levels look for ways to adapt to the changing landscape. Thompson Boxing has showed a blueprint of sorts that others in the sport can follow. Not only are they taking advantage of the technology that is available in an effort to bring their fights to as many eyes as possible, but they also showed with this card that they can also change plans when necessary and were able to provide a platform to all six fighters that competed on the card, who were not only unsigned to the promoter, but all of whom are at the early stage in their respective careers. 

 

The ongoing epidemic has hurt many in just about every aspect of life. Among those that have been hurt the most by the circumstances are the many fighters across the world that may not be well known to the public, but all of whom are waiting for an opportunity. As some of Boxing’s biggest stars continue to be sidelined, the opportunity for lesser known fighters to take advantage of the various platforms that are available in an attempt to grow their followings and gain valuable exposure has perhaps never been greater. For the fighters who are able to succeed when opportunities like this present itself, they will hopefully be able to be in good position to advance their careers as the circumstances of COVID-19 hopefully improve.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

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