DAZN UNVEILS STAR-STUDDED ORIGINAL CONTENT SLATE FOR ITS GLOBAL PLATFORM

 

Press Release: By DAZN – London | New York, Dec. 09, 2020 ― DAZN, the leading global sports destination, has unveiled an exciting slate of original programming that will be available on its Global platform, featuring global sporting icons Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Joshua, Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin. DAZN’s Global platform is now live in 200+ countries and territories.  

Credit: DAZN 

 

The content will be rolled out on the platform throughout December and January to amplify DAZN’s packed line up of world championship boxing. The availability of original content on DAZN’s Global platform will vary per market. 

 

“We want to give people a reason to return to DAZN again and again, and not just for the biggest sporting events,” said Ed McCarthy, DAZN Chief Operating Officer. “Sports fans want more than just live action and this latest slate of exciting original content is a perfect complement to our stacked fight schedule this December.”

 

The full slate is as follows: 

 

‘Parallel Worlds’ is the latest docu-series from DAZN that connects global sporting icons from different disciplines to discover what they share in common. The first episode listens in on an intimate conversation between global superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin as they explore training techniques. Executive produced by Grant Best (The Making Of, Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad) with Toby Burnett as Executive Creative Director (The Making Of), in association with Stink Films. 

 

‘The Making Of’ marks the return of DAZN’s immersive documentary series which relives the key moments that helped create and define the biggest global sporting icons. The latest two instalments focus on three fights that have defined Anthony Joshua and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin’s boxing careers, along with trainers, promoters, journalists and fans, revisiting each fight and breaking down what it was like to be part of that sporting occasion. ‘The Making Of’ is a DAZN Originals production in association with Archer’s Mark. It is executive produced by Grant Best with Toby Burnett as Executive Creative Director.   

 

Another fan favourite returns with ‘40 Days: Canelo vs. Smith’, an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at how world-class fighters prepare and train for significant fights. This new, 3-part series explores the buildup as the pound-for-pound superstar champion Canelo Alvarez returns to the super middleweight division to face undefeated champion Callum Smith. Produced in association with Evolve Studios. 

 

‘Off the Cuff’ is a new raw, stripped back interview series with major stars. It debuts with Anthony Joshua, interviewed by award-winning sport journalist, Gareth A Davies, discussing Joshua’s aspirations to be the undisputed heavy weight champion in the lead up to his highly anticipated fight against Kubrat Pulev.  

 

‘Best 10 Seconds’ retells the pinnacle moment in the careers of world-class athletes as you’ve never seen it before. This animated series depicts the best 10 seconds in the careers of Sergio Mora, Anthony Joshua and Ryan Garcia, narrated by the athletes themselves and featuring animation by Blinkink. 

 

‘Always’ is a weekly short-form entertainment show that invites fans into the world of superstar athletes. Incorporating social media content, the first series will debut on DAZN’s social media channels and feature episodes dedicated to Anthony Joshua, Canelo Alvarez and Ryan

 

Additionally, DAZN’s global platform will see the service’s trademark commentary and entertainment shows, ‘Boxing with Chris Mannix’, ‘JABS with Mannix and Mora’ and ‘The Ak & Barak Show’ go global with regular interviews and behind-the-scenes access to the biggest fights and world-class athletes. 

 

Download the DAZN app now on internet-connected devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs, and living room devices such as smart TVs, streaming sticks and game consoles. For more information, visit www.DAZN.com. 

 

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.

Joshua-Pulev Preview

 

The year 2020 began with Boxing’s Heavyweight division being front and center on the sport’s big stage. In many ways, picking up from where 2019 concluded with Anthony Joshua regaining his unified IBF/WBA/WBO/IBO Heavyweight world championship in his rematch with Andy Ruiz, 2020 saw the rematch between WBC Heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder and undefeated former Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury. An encounter that saw Fury become a two-time world champion by stopping Wilder in seven rounds. From there, 2020 was supposed to see a third encounter between Fury and Wilder with the winner ultimately facing Joshua to determine the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world.

 

As sometimes tends to happen however, life as well as unforeseen circumstances can have plans of its own and while 2020 was supposed to be a year of progress for the Heavyweight division as well as for the sport as a whole to be able to capitalize on significant momentum, the year will unfortunately be remembered for unprecedented and tragic circumstances. This observer of course is referring to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic that brought sports as well as everyday life for many to a standstill for much of the year. Along with shut downs across the globe and a significant stoppage for the sport of Boxing that has never been seen before, so too was the plans and hopes of being able to determine one World Heavyweight champion during the calendar year.

 

While Tyson Fury remains inactive with a potential third fight with Deontay Wilder still looming, Anthony Joshua has returned his attention to fulfilling his obligations as a unified world champion as he will face longtime Heavyweight contender and current IBF number one rated challenger Kubrat Pulev on December 12^th at the Wembley Arena in London, England.

 

This fight not only represents Joshua’s first title defense since regaining his unified world championship one year ago, but it also will be the first World Heavyweight championship bout to take place since the COVID-19 epidemic spread globally. As such, the obvious question that will surround this fight as has been the case for virtually every world championship fight that has taken place throughout the sport since activity began to resume behind closed doors in June is what effect will the circumstances of the ongoing crisis have on the fighters.

 

For Joshua there will also obviously be the question that will surround him at least for a period of time regarding whether or not his knockout loss to Andy Ruiz in June of last year was merely a bad night at the office or a sign of flaws that had before then been unnoticed. Of course, when it comes to Boxing at the highest level, it is not unusual to see even the best of the best fighters lose a fight from time to time. While it may ultimately prove to be unfair for Joshua to be labeled as having a suspect chin or for questions to surround him regarding his ability to recover from being hurt and/or knocked down, the reality is skepticism will at least be present until he can answer those would be critics.

 

There is also the obvious stresses that are related to the ongoing epidemic that both fighters will contend with. Although obviously no one outside of the fighters and their respective camps know how their preparation has been in the lead up to this fight, we will likely find out very early on if ring rust perhaps due to a lack of sparring that would normally be available under circumstances when the sport is in its normal active state, as well as general inactivity caused by the epidemic will be a factor in this fight.

 

While some may dismiss this title defense as only a mandatory defense for 

Joshua with the thinking that mandatory challengers do not always pose a threat, in Kubrat Pulev, Joshua will face a fighter who’s only loss came in his previous opportunity at a world championship against Wladimir Klitschko in November 2014. Since that loss where he was knocked out in five rounds by Klitschko, Pulev has been unbeaten in winning eight straight bouts. 

 

Despite Pulev’s winning streak, stylistically, this fight figures to favor the champion Joshua. Although Joshua has a well established reputation as a “Knockout Artist “, in his rematch with Andy Ruiz, Joshua showed a willingness to adapt and showed a new wrinkle to his arsenal in showing he could box tactically and the end result proved to be a lopsided twelve round unanimous decision to regain his world championship.

 

In this fight, I believe we might see the champion attempt to implement a similar strategy. While Andy Ruiz had deceptive hand speed and that proved to be Joshua’s downfall in their first encounter, Kubrat Pulev does not have that type of hand speed and some might say that Pulev is slower than Ruiz in terms of lateral movement, what Pulev does have is the type of punching power that can do damage if one chooses to stand and exchange offense with him. Joshua will have a two inch height advantage and near three inch reach advantage over Pulev who stands 6’4 with a 79 ½ inch reach compared to Joshua’s 6’6 and 82 inch reach.

 

Based on this and how well Joshua was able to execute the adjustments he was able to make in his rematch with Ruiz, it is crucial that the champion continue to evolve his Boxing arsenal in this fight, in this observer’s eyes. Although the physics appear to favor Joshua, if the champion is not on his game, Pulev is certainly capable of pulling an upset if the opportunity presents itself.

 

In some ways, the circumstances in the lead up to this fight is similar to the lead up to Joshua’s first fight with Andy Ruiz. The obvious difference was Ruiz stepped into the fight on limited notice when Joshua’s originally opponent Jarrell Miller was removed from the fight after testing positive for a banned substance. Where there are similarities is like the first Ruiz fight, there are extenuating circumstances occurring outside of the ring, this time created by an ongoing global epidemic, which whether a fighter or his team will admit to it, can have an effect on a fighter’s preparation. Perhaps the most telling similarity however, is that like the first encounter with Ruiz, Joshua has a potential lucrative unification bout for what would be the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world should he get by Pulev. If Joshua is not focused in what cannot be an easy environment to prepare to defend his championship, it could have a similar outcome to his first fight with Ruiz because much like Ruiz, Kubrat Pulev has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Joshua vs. Pulev takes place on Saturday, December 12^th at the Wembley Arena in London, 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 1PM ET/10AM PT (U.S. Time). 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.

 

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the card can be seen on a pay-per-view basis on Sky Box Office beginning at 7PM (Local UK time) for £24.95. For more information about Sky Sports, availability in your area, and to order please visit: https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/joshua-pulev.

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RYAN GARCIA VS. LUKE CAMPBELL INTERIM WORLD TITLE BOUT TO TAKE PLACE AT AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER IN DALLAS, TEXAS

 

Press Release By DAZN – DALLAS, TEXAS (Dec. 7, 2020): Golden Boy is delighted to announce that Garcia vs. Campbell is headed to American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas atop of a stacked card of international action. The event will feature Nicaraguan twin brothers Rene and Felix Alvarado defending their world titles against internationally ranked contenders, along with the return of world champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn and a wide array of undefeated prospects. 

Credit: DAZN 

 

The fights will take place on Saturday, Jan. 2 and will be streamed live worldwide exclusively on DAZN.

 

“Boxing is a sport that reaches all corners of the map; after nearly a year at home what better way to bring in 2021 than with a card full of champions, contenders and prospects from all over the world?” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “They say that everything’s bigger in Texas, so I couldn’t think of a better place to welcome the newest superstar in boxing.”

 

In the co-main event, Rene “El Gemelo” Alvarado (32-8, 21 KOs) puts his WBA Super Featherweight World Title on the line against Roger “The Kid” Gutierrez (24-3-1, 20 KOs) in a 12-round fight.

 

Alvarado is a 31-year-old world champion of Managua, Nicaragua who has fought the likes of Robinson “Robin Hood Castellanos, Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez, Danis “Djingis Khan” Shafikov, Carlos “The Solution” Morales and Andrew “El Chango” Cancio, the man he beat to become a world champion. Alvarado hopes to retain his title in a rematch of his 2017 bout against Gutierrez.

 

“Despite many delays due to COVID-19, my desire to defend my world title on January 2 is much stronger than ever,” said Rene Alvarado. “At the same time, I am happy because I now know that my brother will be with my that night in Dallas, Texas defending his world title as well. It will be a historic night for Nicaraguan boxing to see a pair of twin brothers defending their championships at the highest levels of the sport. I will keep training hard as always, and we will do anything necessary to retain the title.”

 

Gutierrez is a Venezuelan contender who recently turned his career around by knockout out rising prospect Rocky Hernandez. After two additional wins, the 25-year-old earned his first world title shot against the man who handed him his first loss as a professional.

 

“Once again I want to thank God, the World Boxing Association and Golden Boy for this great opportunity,” said Roger Gutierrez. “While we have had many setbacks with this bout, I have used this additional time to fine-tune my skills to be as fit as ever to defeat Rene Alvarado in this rematch. It will be an honor to grant Venezuela a new world champion and avenge my first loss in Dallas, Texas.”

 

Felix “El Gemelo” Alvarado (35-2, 30 KOs) will defend his IBF Light Flyweight World Championship against DeeJay Kriel (16-1-1, 8 KOs) of Boksburg, South Africa in a 12-round battle. Felix, who is the twin brother of Rene, will fight for the first time after signing with Golden Boy.

 

“This year has been very difficult for the world,” said Felix Alvarado. “Personally, it’s been difficult because I haven’t been able to make my debut as an official Golden Boy fighter and defend my world title. But this January 2, I’ll have the opportunity to do so alongside my brother. This fills me with a lot of pride and joy. I hope to deliver to all a great fight to start a new year that will without a doubt be better for everyone.”

 

“I’m ready to become a two-time, two-division world champion after I beat Felix Alvarado,” said DeeJay Kriel. “This is my time to showcase my skills. 2020 was a difficult year for everyone, but I can’t wait to get 2021 started on the right foot. Make sure to catch the action live on DAZN!”

 

Unified super middleweight world champion Franchon “The Heavy-Hitting Diva” Crews-Dezurn (6-1, 2 KOs) of Baltimore, Md. will face Ashleigh Curry (8-13-4, 1 KO) of Saint Joseph, Mo. in an eight-round super middleweight bout.

 

2016 Olympian Raul “Cougar” Curiel (8-0, 6 KOs) of Tampico, Mexico and Ferdinand “Lucky Boy” Kerobyan (14-1, 9 KOs) of North Hollywood, Calif. will clash in a 10-round battle between two Golden Boy welterweights. This bout promises to deliver a winner who will make waves in the division.

 

Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (14-0-1, 9 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada will defend his NABF Welterweight Title in a scheduled 10-round fight against Issouf Kinda (18-5, 7 KOs) of the Bronx, N.Y. 

 

Sean Garcia (5-0, 2 KOs), the native of Victorville, Calif. who is the younger brother of Ryan Garcia, will participate in a six-round lightweight fight. 

 

Hawaiian prospect Asa Stevens will make his professional debut a four-round bantamweight fight.

 

Opponents for Stevens and Garcia will be announced shortly.

 

Tickets for Garcia vs. Campbell will go on sale to the general public Friday, Dec. 11 at 10:00 a.m. CT and are priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $35, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.americanairlinescenter.com 

or www.ticketmaster.com.

 

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #GarciaCampbell

 

 

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.

 

Should Spence-Crawford Happen In Early 2021?

 

The fight between undefeated unified IBF/WBC Welterweight world champion Errol Spence and former two-division world champion Danny Garcia had one central story going into the encounter. How would Spence, one of Boxing’s hottest rising stars look in his first fight following surviving a near fatal car accident shortly after he unified the IBF and WBC world championships in the 147lb. Welterweight division in October of last year. Beyond that obvious question, an encounter between Spence and Garcia would be compelling under normal circumstances.

 

After all, it was an encounter between two of the top fighters not just in the Welterweight division, but of the entire sport. The circumstances of Spence coming back from a horrible car accident as well as the circumstance of the fight taking place in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic was also intriguing. On December 5th, the two fighters entered AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX to do battle before a crowd of an estimated 16,000 spectators under specific COVID-19 protocols.

 

Despite the circumstances in which Spence entered this fight, it was not surprising to see the champion take the initiative and force the action. At his best, Errol Spence is an offensive-minded fighter that often proves to be very difficult for opponents to combat simply because of the work rate he establishes throughout a fight. In many ways, this fight was no different in that it was Spence forcing the action and bringing the fight to Garcia.

 

Although Spence was the fighter generally throwing his punches first, what was interesting was to see Garcia almost being able to keep pace with the champion’s offensive output for much of the early portion of this fight. While Garcia did not match Spence punch for punch, what he did do was make the champion be defensively responsible as well as establish some effective work to Spence’s body. A truly tactical bout in every sense of the word through the first six rounds, Spence gradually was able to step up his activity as the fight progressed and over time the tempo of the combat increasingly favored the champion.

 

While much of the fight could be described as simply one fighter outworking the other, the main story of the fight in this observer’s view was not so much the offensive production of Errol Spence, but rather Garcia’s inability to let his hands go with consistency as the fight progressed. In previewing this fight, I pointed out how Garcia is a solid boxer/puncher who is capable of hurting fighters in the midst of exchanges of offense.

 

Having said this however, Garcia at his core is a precision counter puncher and when a fighter has such a trait, there are times where they can become complacent in waiting for an opportunity to let their hands go by way of counter punching rather than being on offensive-minded and looking to get their punches off first. While it is indeed a task that is easier said than done to be offensive-minded against a fighter like Spence who is also a boxer/puncher, but is more known for his punching power, I feel Garcia waited too long for opportunities to present themselves for him to attempt to counter punch and once he did let his hands go, he was not consistent and did not throw with enough volume to make much of a difference in terms of the scoring as at the end of the twelve round world championship bout all three judges scored the fight in favor of Spence giving him a lopsided unanimous decision victory.

 

Sometimes it is as simple as saying one fighter was able to do more than the other. The other interesting sub-plot that accompanied this fight was what would lie ahead for the winner. Quite frankly, Errol Spence turned in as good a performance as one could expect against a fighter of Danny Garcia’s caliber, especially given the circumstances that Spence was coming back from in addition to the difficulties created by the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic. While some may feel that he may have been able to force a stoppage particularly later in the fight when the effects of both fatigue as well as the punishment Garcia had sustained throughout began to become apparent, Spence’s performance was as dominant as could be short of getting a stoppage win.

 

Off of the strength of his performance as well as his performances against Mikey Garcia and Shawn Porter in 2019 before the near fatal accident, Spence should be pitted against another top star of the sport. Although current WBA Welterweight world champion Manny Pacquiao may indeed be the most lucrative option that might be available to him, this observer believes an equally viable option could be undefeated multi-division world champion and current holder of the WBO Welterweight crown Terence Crawford.

 

Crawford recently scored a fourth round stoppage of former IBF Welterweight world champion Kell Brook in November. Much like Spence, Crawford has been able to dominate most opposition that has been placed before him and depending on one’s perspective, stylistically a fight between the two might be one of the most exciting bouts that could be made in the sport. There are however, a few potential roadblocks that could prevent a fight between the two from taking place in the near future. In terms of the sport itself, former two-time Welterweight world champion Shawn Porter has been named the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) top contender in the Welterweight division, which puts him in line to challenge Crawford for his portion of the Welterweight world championship next.

 

Although much like anything in the sport of Boxing, it is far from a given that a world champion will fulfill their mandatory defense obligations especially if a more lucrative offer might be available to them, it is logical to assume that Crawford would want to face Porter first in order to fulfill his obligations as to ensure that he will not be stripped of the WBO title and thus would be in position to enter a unification bout with Spence should he get passed Porter. Perhaps the more obvious roadblock that could stand in the way is the fact that Crawford is currently under contract to promoter Bob Arum and his company Top Rank Inc., whereas both Spence and Porter are aligned with the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters and even though the two entities did work together earlier this year to bring the Heavyweight world championship rematch between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury to fruition, generally rival promoters are not eager to work together on a regular basis to ensure that fights that have sufficient public demand are made within a reasonable timeframe simply because of the various business interests that each promoter has, which more often than not are not the same.

 

One of the many criticisms the sport of Boxing has faced for many years is the fact that many marquee bouts that draw significant interest and could elevate the sport to higher levels often do not get made within a reasonable timeframe. While the formula of the delaying such fights in order to drum up interest over a period of time is one that is as old as the sport itself, it is a formula that has seen its flaws exposed more than once and in a sport where promoters are often too reliant on both their own ways as well as unfortunately outdated and overpriced methods of getting their product out to the audience, which ultimately limits their reach, there comes a time where promoters have to put their respective business interests as well as their egos aside to do the right thing by both the fighters themselves as well as the Boxing fans who continue to support the sport in the midst of horrible circumstances and who have been asked repeatedly to pay inflated fees to watch the sport they love.

 

If the promoters truly had the best interest of Boxing in mind, we would see what would amount to a mini tournament take place where Crawford will defend his title against Shawn Porter and the winner would face Errol Spence in a unification bout, where that winner would then face Manny Pacquiao to determine an undisputed Welterweight world champion. A concept that is not all that unlike the stepladder format in which many tournaments held by the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) are structured.

 

The scenario that this observer has laid out is a simple and clear path toward determining an undisputed world champion in the Welterweight division. It is however, only as simple and clear as the promoters, Boxing’s various sanctioning organizations, and even the networks that are involved in the sport will allow it to be. It is clear however, with the outdated concept of pay-per-view continuing to dwindle due largely to an unwillingness by those who continue to rely on such a model to adapt, the public demanding more marquee fights at reasonable price points where more consumers of every economic level will be able to access said fights, and what has to be a growing frustration amongst television networks that are not seeing the types of returns for their pay-per-view investments, something needs to change in order for all the above to succeed. With 2021 on the horizon and with the COVID-19 epidemic continuing to worsen, it is time for the promoters and networks to come up with alternative ways in order to get their product in front of as many eyes as possible. One of the best ways to do that would be to work together in implement a scenario where the best fighters fight the best and ensure that the consumer does not have to pay an inflated fee or find an alternative way to see those fights as they happen.

 

“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

Saunders Decisions Murray In London

 

Undefeated WBO Super-Middleweight world champion Billy Joe Saunders scored a dominant twelve round unanimous decision over longtime contender and always “Game” Martin Murray on Friday night at the Wembley Arena in London, England. Saunders frequently used angles, his hand speed, and timing to manage distance between himself and Murray. Although Murray, who was making his fifth attempt at a world championship, was able to land occasionally throughout, the strategy implemented by the champion did not allow him to get into any sort of rhythm and Saunders was able to box his way to a one-sided unanimous decision victory to successfully defend his Super-Middleweight world championship for the second time. Official scores were 120-109 (On two scorecards) and 118-110 all in favor of Billy Joe Saunders . Billy Joe Saunders advances to 30-0, with 14 Knockouts. Martin Murray falls to 39-6-1, with 17 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

In what was billed as a WBA Lightweight  elimination bout, James Tennyson scored a dominant first round knockout over previously undefeated Josh O'Reilly. A barrage of punches with both hands sent O'Reilly down early in round one. O'Reilly got up on unsteady legs and seemed not to be warmed up as this fight began. Sensing he had his opponents in trouble Tennyson pressed forward and scored a second knockdown of O'Reilly with a short left hook. A follow-up barrage of punches following O'Reilly getting up for the second time forced a merciful stoppage of the fight at 2:14 of round one. James Tennyson advances to 28-3, with 24 Knockouts. Josh O'Reilly falls to 16-1, with 6 Knockouts.

 

 

In Women’s Bantamweight bout, Shannon Courtenay successfully rebounded from her loss to Rachel Ball earlier this year to score a seventh round knockout over a determined Dorota Norek. Norek immediately brought the fight to Courtenay with near reckless abandon throwing punches with both hands non-stop. While this pace continued for several rounds, Courtenay eventually started to land the harder more effective blows. Despite appearing bothered by an accidental clash of heads in round five, Courtenay continued to gradually take control of the fight and brought the bout to a sudden conclusion when she knocked Norek down with a flush right hook to the head. Although Norek was able to make it to her feet, she was out on her feet and the fight was promptly stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 1:35 of round seven. Shannon Courtenay advances to 6-1, with 3 Knockouts. Dorota Norek falls to 6-2, with 1 Knockout.

 

 

Undefeated Featherweight Donte Dixon remained unbeaten by scoring a six round decision over a very “Game” Angelo Dragone. Dixon’s greater activity and sharper punches allowed him to have the edge in this bout. A late barrage of punches from Dixon in the sixth and final round nearly forced Referee Robert Williams to stop the fight. It was Williams who scored the fight 58-56 in Dixon’s favor. Donte Dixon advances to 5-0, with 1 Knockout. Angelo Dragone falls to 5-2, with 0 Knockouts.

 

 

In the first of two Light-Heavyweight bouts on the card, undefeated Lewis Edmondson kicked off the evening by scoring a third round stoppage over John Telford. Edmondson dropped Telford in the first round and scored a second knockdown of Telford before the fight was stopped at 2:22 of round three.  Lewis Edmondson advances to 4-0, with 1 Knockout. John Telford falls to 11-3-1, with 2 Knockouts. This was followed later in the evening by undefeated former British Light-Heavyweight champion Lerrone Richards who scored a workmanlike eight round decision over veteran Timo Laine. Frankly, this bout resembled a sparring session as for eight rounds Richards consistently pressed forward and kept Laine defensive to such degree that he went lengthy periods throughout the fight not throwing a punch. As all non-title bouts in the United Kingdom are scored by the referee, Referee Robert Williams scored the bout a shut out 80-72 for Richards. Lerrone Richards advances to 14-0, with 3 Knockouts. Timo Laine falls to 28-15, with 12 Knockouts.

 

A scheduled ten round Super-Middleweight bout between undefeated Zach Parker and Cesar  Nunez was cancelled hours prior to the card due to Parker’s cutman testing positive for the COVID-19 virus resulting in the bout being cancelled in accordance with British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) guidelines. There is no word as of this writing as to when or if the fight will be rescheduled.

 

For Billy Joe Saunders, this title defense against Martin Murray was an audition of sorts as he will likely be in the running of potential opponents to face the winner of the December 19^th clash between undefeated WBA world champion Callum Smith and current unified Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.” Although Saunders was in command from the opening bell in his title defense against Martin Murray and never allowed the veteran contender to work his way into the fight, if there are any would be critics of this performance it could be that as dominant as Saunders was, he failed to stop Murray.

 

One may feel that a stoppage win for the champion may have been able to provide him with the best argument as a potential opponent for Smith or Alvarez heading into 2021. Nevertheless, Saunders does have a style that will prove to be a difficult puzzle to solve for any fighter in and around the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division. The question, despite his status as an undefeated two-division world champion after previously holding a portion of the World Middleweight championship prior to the Super-Middleweight crown he currently holds, will be if his style and Boxing ability is such that he is viewed as a high risk/low reward option for many fighters who could provide lucrative paydays. While it would be difficult for Saunders to get those types of opportunities if he is indeed viewed as such an option and it could go as far as denying him the opportunity to unify the Super-Middleweight world championship, at the end of the day all a fighter can do is face whatever opposition that is placed before them and if they are able to emerge victorious over said opposition, that still remains the best possible argument a fighter could make even if stoppage wins and head-turning knockouts will receive the most attention.

 

“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

 

Saunders-Murray Weights from London

 The official weigh-in for Friday’s Matchroom Boxing card headlined by undefeated two-division world champion Billy Joe Saunders making the second defense of his WBO Super-Middleweight world championship against longtime contender Martin Murray took place earlier today in London, England. The official weights for the entire card, which will take place at London’s Wembley Arena and will be broadcast in many countries globally on digital sports subscription streaming network DAZN as well as Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland are as follows.

 

Main Event: WBO Super-Middleweight world championship – 12Rds

 

Billy Joe Saunders (Champion) 167 1/4lbs. vs. Martin Murray (Challenger) 167 1/4lbs.

 

Lightweight – 12Rds. 

 

Josh O’Reilly 133 1/4lbs. vs. James Tennyson 134 3/4lbs.

 

Women’s Bantamweight – 8Rds.

 

Shannon Courtenay 117 3/4lbs. vs. Dorota Norek 115 3/4lbs.

 

Featherweight – 6Rds.

 

Donte Dixon 127 1/2lbs. vs. Angelo Dragone 127 3/4lbs.

 

Super-Middleweight – 10Rds.

 

Zach Parker 167lbs. vs. Cesar Nunez 167 3/4lbs.

 

Light-Heavyweight – 8Rds. 

 

Lerrone Richards 172lbs. vs. Timo Laine 171 1/2lbs.

 

Light-Heavyweight – 6Rds.

 

Lewis Edmondson 172lbs. vs. John Telford 170 1/2lbs.

 

Saunders vs. Murray takes place tomorrow (Friday, December 4^th) at Wembley Arena in London, England. The card can be seen in the United States and many countries globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 2PM ET/10AM PT (U.S. Time). 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. 

 

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the card can be seen on Sky Sports Main Event beginning at 7PM (Local UK Time). For more information about Sky Sports including schedules and availability in your area please visit:www.SkySports.com. 

 

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

 

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

Martinez-Rodriguez Added To Callum Smith-Canelo Alvarez Undercard

 Press Release: December 3, 2020 By DAZN – Julio Cesar Martinez will defend his WBC World Flyweight title against Francisco Rodriguez Jr on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez’s World title clash with Callum Smith at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday December 19, live on DAZN in 200+ countries and territories worldwide and on TV Azteca in Mexico. 

Credit: DAZN 

 

Martinez (17-1 13 KOs) puts the famous green and gold strap on the line for the third time and comes into the bout fresh from a savage second round KO win over Moises Calleros in Mexico City in October.

 

The Mexican talent is quickly becoming a must-watch fighter with his all-action style guaranteeing excitement and the 25-year-old returns to Texas having beaten British challenger Jay Harris over 12 rounds in Arlington in February.

 

On a huge night for Mexican boxing with pound-for-pound king Alvarez back in action, Rodriguez Jr. (33-4-1 24 KOs) will be aiming to rip the belt from his fellow countryman in his second World title fight. The 27-year-old, ranked #2 in the WBC, landed the WBC Latino title at Super-Flyweight in his last outing in November 2019, picking up the 24thKO win of his career over Jose Maria Cardenas.

 

“I’m here in San Diego preparing and I’m very excited to be here,” said Martinez. “I’m completing almost two months of camp. I’m so honoured to be fighting on the undercard of Saul. I’m going to leave everything to God as always and have faith that he’ll ensure it all goes well. Hopefully that night I’ll get a knockout.

 

“We know that this guy is very strong, that he’s coming very well prepared. It’s going to be a tough fight but we know as always we’ve prepared 1000 per cent and we have no fear. Going to leave everything in the ring. I still have three kilos to lose but I have two, almost three weeks left to lose that. I’m excited and anxious.

 

“I’m appreciative of everything from Mr. Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for all of their support. I want to also thank Eddy Reynoso and my trainer Mauricio Aceves who are always so attentive as well as my family. “Somos con todos menos con miedo”. Blessings”

 

“I want to thank Martínez and his team as well as Matchroom for giving me this opportunity,” said Rodriguez Jr. “It is a pleasure to fight in the biggest card of the year. Martinez is a solid champion and a good fighter but with all due respect he hasn’t fought someone like me, I been waiting for this shot for almost five years and it comes at a perfect timing – I won’t waste it,”

 

“Julio Cesar Martinez is arguably the most exciting pound-for-pound fighter in boxing right now and this is the perfect stage to continue his ride,” said Eddie Hearn. “This is perhaps the toughest challenge of his career right now and the fans in Texas can expect a Mexican war for the WBC World title on December 19.”

 

Martinez’s clash with Rodriguez is part of a huge night of action in Texas, topped by Alvarez once against reaching for greatness, challenging WBA and Ring Magazine World champion Smith – and more undercard fights will be announced later this week.

 

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. 

Spence-Garcia Preview

 As Boxing continues to attempt moving forward in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 global epidemic, the month of December 2020 will offer some of the biggest bouts that the sport has seen throughout the frustrating year. One of those attractions is the clash between undefeated unified IBF/WBC Welterweight world champion Errol Spence and former two-division world champion Danny Garcia, which will take place on December 5^th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. The fight, which will headline a four bout pay-per-view card promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters and will be broadcast in the United States on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View brings together two of the top fighters not just in the 147lb. Welterweight division, but in the entire sport.

 

It is a fight however, that has one question that surrounds it. What will Errol Spence look like inside the ring after surviving a near fatal car accident in October of last year, mere weeks following his split decision win over WBC world champion Shawn Porter to successfully unify the IBF and WBC Welterweight world championships. Quite frankly, Spence is lucky to be alive after what was a horrific accident that some believed would at minimum be career ending even though he survived. The obvious question is what effect will that accident have on one of the top stars in the sport as he now looks to resume his career.

 

Normally when previewing a fight such as this, this observer would go into a thorough break down of each fighter’s previous outings and how those performances might effect both boxer’s approach as the fight nears. In this case, I feel it is unnecessary due to both the question surrounding Errol Spence in what will be his return to the ring as well as the similarities in terms of styles between Spence and Garcia. 

 

If there are any adverse effects suffered by Spence due to the accident one year ago, we will likely find out early on in the fight as at his best, Danny Garcia is a solid boxer/puncher who has proven throughout his career that he can catch and hurt opponents in the middle of exchanges by using his compact offensive approach to take advantage of openings his opponent might leave him. While one could expect Spence who has scored knockouts in twenty-one of his twenty-six career wins registering a career knockout percentage of nearly 81% to come out aggressively, this could prove to be a dangerous strategy against a fighter with the counter punching ability of Garcia. 

 

The danger for Garcia in this fight in my eyes could be the potential of him being outworked over the course of the fight as was the case in his two career defeats to Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter. Although there is a question regarding how Errol Spence will look coming back from the car accident, Garcia should prepare for the fighter Spence was before the accident, a fighter who has a mix of punching power and hand speed that frequently has his opponents on the defensive. If Spence is the same fighter as he was before the accident, Garcia must find a way to stay busy consistently throughout the fight as well as find a way to nullify Spence’s power and aggression if he wants to be successful in this bout in an attempt to become a three-time Welterweight world champion after previously being a unified world champion in the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division.

 

While much of the story of the story leading up to this fight centers on Errol Spence and his comeback from a near fatal car crash and what effects that accident might have had on him physically and in terms of his Boxing ability, there is also what may be ahead for the winner of this bout as undefeated WBO world champion Terence Crawford and current WBA world champion Manny Pacquiao could well be waiting in the wings for the winner for potential fights to further unify the 147lb. Welterweight division.

 

Clearly both men have a lot at stake in this encounter and while this fight would surely produce a high rating on the national Fox network here in the United States through its various affiliates across the country, the PBC has chosen once more to put one of their most competitive bouts on pay-per-view following two moderately successful, but under performing pay-per-view cards during the month of September and most recently the Gervonta Davis-Leo Santa Cruz bout on Halloween night in October. Much like those events, this card will carry a similar price point of $74.99. It remains to be seen as to how many consumers will buy this event given both the worsening COVID-19 epidemic as well as the alternative options that are available on digital subscription streaming networks such as ESPN+ and DAZN for the remainder of 2020. Both networks each have monthly subscription options that are at a considerably less expensive price point than the recent price point of pay-per-view cards promoted by the PBC group of promoters on a per card basis. While each network also offers a more expensive yearly subscription option, the possibility certainly exists that more consumers both due to the epidemic as well as this fight being scheduled close to the Christmas holidays might opt out of paying their money to see this fight as it happens.

 

While this observer tends to point this out whenever a card is to be broadcast via pay-per-view at an inflated price point, I want the reader as well as the promoters and networks involved to understand, I have no agenda beyond being honest with readers and in all honesty, I want to see every promoter and network big or small that is involved in the sport of Boxing to do well. The simple reason is if everyone involved in the sport succeeds it helps grow Boxing, increases exposure by putting the sport in front of as many viewers as possible, which will ultimately also benefit the fighters as well as those on the business end of the sport. 

 

Although I realize that my position in being vocal in pointing out the benefits digital subscription-based streaming offers the consumer, may not make me popular amongst those still relying on the increasingly outdated model of pay-per-view, the reality is technology including, but not limited to television distribution is all moving in one direction. Subscription-based streaming. There is also another reality that comes with everything moving in the direction of low-cost streaming Until those promoters and networks adapt to the changing landscape, which has only accelerated due to the ongoing epidemic, the networks and promoters that continue to insist on pay-per-view will continue to see their potential audience dwindle regardless of who is on the card and who is squaring off in the main event.

 

As has been the case for the previous pay-per-view events that have taken place in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, it would be a shame if the potential great fight that Errol Spence vs, Danny Garcia figures to be on paper ends up producing underwhelming returns when all is said and done. Much like the events that have taken place before it however, if that is indeed what happens and the pay-per-view event does not produce the type of numbers to make it successful for the promoter, for Fox Sports, and for the fighters themselves, it will likely have little to do with the fighters, but rather a “Bad Business” decision that could ultimately be of little or no benefit to anyone in the end. That would truly be a shame.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

PBC: Spence vs. Garcia takes place on Saturday, December 5^th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. The fight as well as a three bout televised undercard can be seen in the United States on a pay-per-view basis on cable/satellite providers as well as the Fox Sports app on connected streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View for $74.99. Contact your local cable/satellite provider to order or visit: https://www.foxsports.com/boxing/pbc/pay-per-view-spence-jr-vs-garcia-192 to order on the Fox Sports app. Check your local listings internationally.

 

For more information about Premier Boxing Champions please visit: www.PremierBoxingChampions.com

 

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

 

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