Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Mercedes-Benz Stadium To Host Triller Fight Club Event Headlined By Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren On FITE

Credit: FITE

Press Release: March 8, 2021 By FITE – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta To Host Triller Fight Club’s 2021 Kickoff Event on April 17, the PPV Boxing Card Headlined by Jake Paul and Ben Askren

iNDemand is Exclusive North American Cable, Satellite & Telco Pay-Per-View Distributor; FITE to Handle Live Global Digital Streaming and Power TrillerFightClub.com

Atlanta and Los Angeles, March 8, 2021 – Triller Fight Club today announced that Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, will be the home for TFC’s inaugural event of 2021, the April 17 boxing Pay-Per-View card headlined by Jake Paul and Ben Askren. This will be the first-ever fighting event at one of the most dynamic venues in the world, which was the home of Super Bowl LIII.

Credit: FITE

iNDemand, the leading transactional video-on-demand and PPV programming provider in North America, will serve as the exclusive U.S. and Canadian cable, satellite, and telco PPV provider for the event. Fans will be able to order the event on PPV through their existing cable, satellite and telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, DirecTV, AT&T TV, Dish, Fios, and Optimum (U.S.), as well as Rogers, Bell, Shaw, Videotron, and Sasktel (Canada). FITE, the premier PPV digital platform will handle worldwide live pay-per-view streaming distribution online, and via FITE mobile and Smart TV apps, game controllers and all major OTT devices as well as power TrillerFightClub.com.

The suggested PPV retail price for the event is $49.99 (U.S. & Canada). Fans outside North America can check the FITE link at https://www.fite.tv/watch/jake-paul-vs-ben-askren/2p8y0/ for international pricing.

The four-hour show, which will kick off at 8pm ET with the live PPV main card starting at 9pm ET, will also feature an exciting undercard of fights that will be announced shortly. Triller Fight Club is a partnership between Triller and Snoop Dogg and is spearheaded by Ryan Kavanaugh.

“Our vision of big fights, big entertainment and world class events can only fit into a world class venue, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium fits that vision,” said Kavanaugh. “April 17th will have an element of surprise and action for everyone, from music fans to the casual and diehard fight fan. The way we will present the night in this state-of-the-art venue will continue to redefine consumer engagement for a global consumer, with world class partners like iNDemand and FITE joining us not just for this event, but for the others we will have in 2021 and beyond.”

“Mercedes-Benz Stadium will continue to be the place where sports and entertainment’s biggest events are held, and we welcome Triller Fight Club for this special event,” said Tim Zulawski, Chief Revenue Officer for AMB Sports and Entertainment. “We look forward to showcasing our stadium to the global audience that Ryan and his team are building, and are proud to be a part of this historic night of boxing and entertainment.”

Mercedes-Benz Stadium serves as the home stadium of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) and Atlanta United of Major League Soccer (MLS). One of the most acclaimed venues in the world, the Stadium has hosted the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2018, MLS All-Star Game and some of the biggest music and entertainment events in addition to its NFL and MLS tenants. There will be no public sale of tickets for the event. A very limited number of fans and guests will be selected to join in the live event, with details to be announced in the coming weeks, and everything will be subject to stringent local, state and federal protocols due to COVID 19.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Triller again after the incredible success of our Tyson vs. Jones Jr. PPV event last November—it was one of the best-selling PPV events of all time,” said Mark Boccardi, iNDemand’s SVP, Programming & Marketing. “2021 is going to be a great year for the Pay-Per-View event category, and we know that Jake Paul and Ben Askren will put on an exciting main event on April 17th.”

"Triller Fight Club has already reinvented the fight sport presentation genre, and we are excited to be a part of bringing this event to a global audience," said Michael Weber, COO of FITE. "Triller and FITE are the perfect pair to deliver a flawless, no-filler fan experience worthy of this moment."

The April 17th card will be Triller Fight Club’s first in a series of 2021 special events, following the debut record setting Tyson vs. Jones Jr. PPV fight in 2020, which shattered all digital fight PPV records and became the eighth most successful fight PPV in history. This event will feature Jake Paul taking on former Bellator and ONE Championship champion Ben Askren in the headline matchup of the night. Paul, whose boxing debut against former professional athlete Nate Robinson set all kinds of records for fan engagement, will face Askren, who transitions to boxing after an MMA record of nineteen wins and two losses, six knockouts and six submissions. Askren made his professional MMA debut in 2009 against Josh Flowers where he won by TKO in the first round. As a former Bellator Champion, ONE Championship Champion, PAN American Champion in freestyle wrestling, two-time NCAA wrestling champion for Missouri and two-time winner of The Dan Hodge Trophy, Askren joins Triller's Fight Club with a significant amount of experience in the ring.

In addition to being a co-owner, Snoop also provides strategic counsel to Triller Fight Club, helping to select fighters and musical acts for the show-stopping events. An entertainment expert who has successfully maneuvered through a range of projects in a variety of different fields, Snoop secured his spot as a fan favorite during Triller's first sporting event, Tyson vs. Jones.

**HOW TO WATCH THE APRIL 17, 2021, TRILLER FIGHT CLUB PPV EVENT**

TV: Cable, satellite & telco PPV providers, including Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, DirecTV, AT&T TV, Dish, Fios, and Optimum (U.S.), as well as Rogers, Bell, Shaw, Videotron, and Sasktel (Canada).

Worldwide Streaming: FITE.TV and all FITE mobile, Smart TV, game controller and OTT apps as well as the event microsite hub: TrillerFightClub.

About Triller:

Triller is an AI-driven music and social media experience bringing together creators, artists, and brands around the world. Powered by the motto "You Do You," Triller allows users to create and share videos in mere seconds, backing them with custom music tracks using Mashtraxx editing technology. Celebrities like Alicia Keys, Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, Marshmello, Roddy Ricch, and Eminem regularly use the app to create their own original music videos, while Triller has attracted brands such as Pepsi, Chipotle, Manscaped, Boost Mobile, and more. Triller recently was acquired by Proxima Media. For more information, visit www.triller.co and follow @triller on Instagram.

About Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

Opened in August 2017, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a world-class sports and entertainment venue in downtown Atlanta and home to the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United. The multi-purpose stadium is host to major sports and entertainment events, including the Super Bowl in 2019, College Football Playoff National Championship game in 2018 and is the first professional sports stadium in North America to achieve LEED Platinum Certification by the United States Green Building Council. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is proud to be collaborating with naming rights partner Mercedes-Benz and 11 founding partners, which include Mercedes-Benz, Coca-Cola, Equifax, The Home Depot, Novelis, SCANA Energy, Truist, IBM, Georgia Power and American Family Insurance.

About iNDemand:

iNDemand is an innovative partnership between three of the leading cable companies in the U.S.—Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications. iNDemand is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDemand delivers great content to more than 80 million homes and has distribution deals with more than 150 companies. For more information, go to indemand.com.

About FITE:

FITE is the premier global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry's marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 4MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire TV and Huawei apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Comcast's Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex as well as 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. Follow FITE on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If it Happens, it’s on FITE.

Material and Photos Courtesy of: FITE Used with permission.

For more information about FITE including schedules as well as list of compatible mobile, tablet, connected streaming devices/Smart TVs, and how to download the FITE app please visit: www.FITE.TV.

Monday, March 8, 2021

Amateur Standout Viviana Ruiz Signs With Tony Tolj

Press Release: March 8, 2021 By Dragon Fire Boxing – Australian marquee manager Tony Tolj has added one of Australia’s hottest women stars to his ever extensive stable.

Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing

He is delighted to announce that Colombian born Sydney based Viviana Ruiz has signed a long-term managerial contract with the Perth based manager, who has been a key figure in the rise of fighters such as Chris John, Andrew & Jason Moloney, Bruno Tarimo, Andres Campos amongst others.

The charismatic Tolj is a big advocate of womens boxing currently managing the largest stable of women boxers in the pacific rim, World #6 Kylie Hutt, World Title Challenger Kylie Hutt, as well as prospects, Sarah Higginson, Natalie Jenkinson, Sylvia Cinque, Jeanine Brown amongst others.

Ruiz has represented Australia at the Womens World Championships in India. She was competing against the best in the country to qualify (which I did) and then against the best in the world. Ruiz has had over 60 fights, 5 x State Champion, 2xAustralian Champion, Gold medallist in Spain at the Boxam event (the best in the world), Silver medallist for the Commonwealth games trials and Silver medal for the Olympic qualifiers.

Ruiz discusses her boxing journey, I came from Colombia alone without speaking English so I was getting into drinking too much, smoking and not doing anything about the great opportunities that Australia has to offer. I decided to do something healthy and good for my life and started walking every nigh. On one of my walks I saw "The fight gym". I went in there, did my first class and had an amazing feeling of happiness , control and anger realease. We Colombians are very passionate and have a lot of anger lol so it helped me lots to adress it another way. The coach said I was good and should have a fight !and 6 months later I was in the ring. I haven't stopped since there.

The Colombian born New South Wales native discussed his link up with manager Tolj.

Ruiz said, “I am delighted to link up with Tony Tolj and Dragon Fire Boxing. I loved boxing in the amateurs but my ambition was always to be a success in the professional ranks, and I felt that this was the right opportunity for me to make that leap into the pro game and I am really excited to get the ball rolling.

“I have seen the job Tony has done with the likes of the Moloney twins and I believe he will be able to do the same job with myself and take me all the way to world title fights. That is what I am in this game for.”

I was so excited to be part of Dragon Fire Boxing because they actually believe in the potential of the boxers, and I can tell from speaking to Tony that he has true belief in me and his own ability to make me a champion. They want give opportunities to those who really want it.

Ruiz continued, opening up about his style and what fight fans can expect from him, “I have an all action style and I can also box when I need too. I enjoy putting on a show for those in attendance and I feel my style is more suited to the pro game. I am learning all the time but I can guarantee excitement from my fights.”

“I want to become a World Champion. I want to change all the odds of being too old for the sport. I believe because the world has evolved in many ways, you can now have a proper diet, correct strength and conditioning and be on the top of your game for much longer than they used to be able to”.

The ever busy Tony Tolj gave his take on his latest acquisition, “Viviana Ruiz has been one of the shining lights in Australian amateur boxing for some years so I am delighted to be looking after her going forward. She trains with Ben Sava who is an excellent student of the game. Ruiz is an unbelievable talent and one that I believe will go all the way in the professional game.”

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission.

For more information about Dragon Fire Boxing please visit Dragon Fire Boxing’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DragonFireBoxing.

Friday, March 5, 2021

SuperWomen: Shields-Dicaire Weights From Flint, MI

The official weigh-in for Friday night’s SuperWomen: all-women’s Boxing pay-per-view card took place on Thursday in Flint, MI. The weights for the four bout card, which will be headlined by a ten round bout for the Undisputed Women’s Jr. Middleweight world champion between undefeated world champions Claressa Shields and Marie-Eve Dicaire and broadcast globally on digital pay-per-view by the FITE app as well as on www.FITE.TV are as follows.

Credit: FITE

*Main Event: Undisputed Women’s Jr. Middleweight world championship – 10Rds.

Claressa Shields (WBC/WBO world champion) 153 1/2lbs.

vs.

Marie-Eve Dicaire (IBF world champion) 153 1/2lbs.

(* The vacant Women’s WBA Jr. Middleweight world championship will also be on the line making this bout for the Undisputed world championship.)

Heavyweight – 8Rds.

Danielle Perkins 196 3/4lbs. vs. Monika Harrison 202 3/4lbs.

Bantamweight – 6Rds.

Marlen Esparza 117 1/4lbs. vs. Shelly Barnett 119lbs.

Bantamweight – 6Rds.

Jamie Mitchell 120lbs. vs. Noemi Bosques 119 1/2lbs.

Promotional Poster Courtesy of: FITE TV Used with permission.

SuperWomen: Shields vs. Dicaire takes place Tonight (Friday, March 5^th) at the Dort Financial Events Center in Flint, MI. The four bout card can be seen globally on digital pay-per-view on the FITE app across mobile, tablet, connected streaming devices, and Smart TVs beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT for $29.99. (U.S. Time.) Prior to the pay-per-view broadcast, a one hour pre-show will air beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT.For more information about including schedules and compatible streaming devices and Smart TVs please visit: www.FITE.TV. To order Shields vs. Dicaire download the FITE app or click the following link: https://www.fite.tv/watch/shields-vs-dicaire/2p8qn/.

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

Thursday, March 4, 2021

FITE App Will Stream You There On LG Smart TVs

Popular Global Pay Per View App Added to LG Smart TVs

Press Release: By FITE – New York, March 4, 2021 - FITE, the premier global platform for sports and entertainment, announced today that its OTT app is now live on LG Smart TVs worldwide (model years 2018-2021) including its critically acclaimed LG OLED TVs. The FITE app, offers a wide array of premium Pay Per View events, SVOD package options and free programming including the linear channel, FITE 24/7.

Credit: FITE

LG's webOS Smart TV platform provides access to the most popular streaming content services. The user experience offered by LG’s newest TVs is now more convenient than ever thanks to webOS 6.0 (2021 models), the latest version of the company’s intuitive smart TV platform. Revamped and refined for 2021, the new webOS user interface provides faster access to apps as well as simpler content discovery with finely-tuned personalized recommendations.

Louis Lewow, FITE’s VP, Distribution remarked, “We enjoyed working with the LG teams on the launch of FITE on their huge ecosystem of Smart TVs worldwide. FITE offers more than 1,000 events a year so there’s a lot more viewing options.”

“The debut of the FITE app on our LG webOS Smart TVs adds access to a wide range of top-flight sports and entertainment programming for our consumers,” said Matt Durgin, LG Electronics USA’s Senior Director of Smart TV Partnerships. “Big matches call for the biggest and best TVs. Our LG Smart TVs, especially our LG OLED TVs, and the must-watch content FITE delivers is a winning combination that delivers a front row seat to all of the action from the comfort of your home.”

FITE, an international company headquartered in New York, offers PPV programs from Top Rank, PBC, AEW, NWA and was the digital home of Tyson vs. Jones, the biggest PPV event of 2020. FITE kicked off 2021 with shows from Impact Wrestling, Glory and BKFC KnuckleMania. This promises to be the biggest year yet with major global PPV events coming soon via the new LG Smart TV app. This week, FITE offers the March 5^th SuperWomen event featuring Claressa Shields, the world’s greatest female boxer on an all-female fighter card, to a global audience. And LG customers outside the U.S. can purchase the highly anticipated pro wrestling event, AEW Revolution 2021 on March 7^th. If it Happens, it’s on FITE.

Celebrated as the "Best TV" for the seventh straight year at CES® 2021 and recently honored with a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award, LG OLED TVs deliver perfect blacks, more than one billion rich colors and a sense of immersion that allows the consumer to have the best possible experience when watching sports and movies, playing video games and more. For more information on all of LG’s Smart TVs, visit lg.com.

About FITE:

Vizio SmartCast™, Cox Contour and the Contour Streaming Player, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, Vewd, Netgem TV, as well as 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. #WeWillStreamYouThere

Material and Photo Courtesy of: FITE Used with permission.

For more information about FITE including schedules and list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, please visit: www.FITE.TV.

SuperWomen: Shields-Dicaire Battle For Jr. Middleweight Supremacy

Perhaps one segment of the sport of Boxing that has been able to take advantage of the unprecedented circumstances of the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic has been Women’s Boxing. With many of the top stars of the sport sidelined for most of 2020 due to both risks associated with the COVID-19 virus as well as for economic reasons, several of the top female fighters in the sport seized the opportunity to take the spotlight as several notable stars including undefeated Undisputed Lightweight world champion Katie Taylor, Mikaela Mayer, Teri Harper, Natasha Jonas,, Cecilia Braekhus, and Jessica McCaskill all lead the way in putting Women’s Boxing center stage.

Credit: FITE TV

One fighter who has remained sidelined as the epidemic has continued is arguably the woman who has been the focal point of Women’s Boxing here in the United States over the last several years. Undefeated three-division world champion Claressa Shields. As some may recall, Shields emerged on the Boxing scene in becoming the first fighter in history Male or Female to win back to back gold medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Since turning professional, Shields has used that notoriety to become a three-division world champion winning world titles in the Jr. Middleweight, Middleweight, and Super-Middleweight divisions.

Although Shields has accomplished what many fighters struggle to accomplish in their careers in just ten professional fights including becoming an undisputed world champion in the Middleweight division in 2019, she continues to attempt to make history as she will now attempt to become an undisputed world champion in a second weight class as she will defend her unified WBC/WBO Jr. Middleweight world championship against undefeated IBF world champion Marie-Eve Dicaire on Friday, March 5^th at the Dort Financial Events Center in Flint, MI. The bout, which will headline an all-women’s Boxing card promoted by Salita Promotions and broadcast globally on digital pay-per-view on FITE TV, will also be for the vacant WBA Jr. Middleweight world championship marking the first time that the World Boxing Association (WBA) has sanctioned a world championship bout in the Women’s Jr. Middleweight division. In doing so, the addition of the WBA crown makes this bout one for the undisputed world championship in the division and could give Shields the distinction of holding two undisputed world championships in two weight classes simultaneously if she can defeat Dicaire. A feat that even male boxers have not accomplished.

In Marie-Eve Dicaire, Shields will face a world champion with slightly more professional experience than she has with seventeen professional bouts to her credit. Dicaire won her world championship in December 2018 with a ten round unanimous decision over Chris Namus and has successfully defended her IBF crown three times since.

Stylistically, this fight could favor Shields as she is normally an aggressive fighter that likes to apply pressure on her opponents. Although neither fighter is known for scoring knockouts as Dicaire has not scored a stoppage in her career and Shields has only scored two in her ten career wins, Shields may also have an edge in terms of punching power. The interesting dynamic in thinking of how this fight might be fought is Dicaire is a fighter that uses lateral movement, angles, and has shown the ability to out box opponents when she is able to keep them at distance.

The challenge for Dicaire in this fight will be whether or not she will be able to keep Shields at a distance where she will not be able to cut the ring off and make it difficult for the IBF champion to move. Dicaire must also show that if Shields is able to get on the inside that she will be able to keep her from being able to get her punches off as Shields often throws her punches in compact combination and being able to tie her up on the inside or keep her from being able to get on the inside is something no previous opponent has been able to accomplish thus far.

Both world champions have the element of hand speed in their respective arsenals and it may be a question of how each fighter uses their hand speed that may be a determining factor in who has the edge in this fight. If Marie-Eve Dicaire is able to find success in keeping Shields at distance, this could prove to be a difficult test for the likely favorite, who will be fighting in front of a hometown crowd.

Beyond this fight being for the Undisputed Women’s Jr. Middleweight world championship, the fight between Claressa Shields and Marie-Eve Dicaire also will have the distinction of being a main event of a pay-per-view card of all women’s bouts. Although Women’s Boxing has been part of Boxing as a whole for decades, it was only in recent years that the women of the sport began to receive long overdue exposure and recognition particularly here in the United States where women’s bouts had mainly be limited to pay-per-view undercards of major bout featuring their male counterparts and very limited television exposure for the women of Boxing beyond that.

While internationally Women’s Boxing has regularly headlined Boxing cards featuring men’s bouts, it wasn’t until 2017 where Boxing fans were able to see Women’s bouts headline cards that were broadcast across cable, satellite, and streaming networks including Claressa Shields and Cecilia Braekhus co-headlining the final Boxing card broadcast by HBO in 2018. Sadly, the only card headlined by two women’s bouts broadcast by HBO during its forty-five year run broadcasting the sport.

Now, with Women’s Boxing regularly featured on digital streaming networks like DAZN, ESPN+, and combat sports centric digital networks like FITE TV, it is only a natural step forward in the overdue progression of Women’s Boxing to see a card exclusively showcasing the women of the sport. Shields-Dicaire is a historic bout for Women’s Boxing not only for what is on the line in the first undisputed world championship in the history of the Women’s Jr. Middleweight division, not only for what Shields is attempting in trying to become the first undisputed world champion in two weight classes simultaneously, but more importantly, for what it represents for the women of the sport going forward.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Promotional Poster Courtesy of: FITE TV Used with permission.

SuperWomen: Shields vs. Dicaire takes place on Friday, March 5^th at the Dort Financial Events Center in Flint, MI. The five bout card can be seen globally on digital pay-per-view on the FITE app across mobile, tablet, connected streaming devices, and Smart TVs beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT for $29.99. (U.S. Time.) Prior to the pay-per-view broadcast, a one hour pre-show will air beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT.For more information about including schedules and compatible streaming devices and Smart TVs please visit: www.FITE.TV. To order Shields vs. Dicaire download the FITE app or click the following link: https://www.fite.tv/watch/shields-vs-dicaire/2p8qn/.

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

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

GAGO CALLS FOR PARO - TZOURAMANIS WINNER

Press Release: March 3, 2021 By Dragon Fire Boxing – Liam Paro 19-0, The North Queensland native will make his long-awaited return to the ring in Brisbane this Saturday after a year without a fight.

Paro Ranked second in the world with the World Boxing Organisation and 3rd with the International Boxing Federation at super lightweight.

It was the pandemic that brought Paro’s undefeated career to a screeching halt last year after he notched win number 18 against James Chereji.

Paro takes on veteran Terry Tzouramanis 23-4-3 who hasn't been in the ring since soundly defeating Brandon Ogilvie in Perth at the World famous Thunderdome series by iconic Promoter Tony Tolj.

Watching on with keen interest is "Timorese Terror" Steve Gago 12-1 following up from his WBC Australasian title victory last March in Dragon Fire Boxings Thunderdome 33.

Gago has won multiple titles with various governing bodies whilst under the guidance of Australian Boxing Grand Wizard TonyTolj and Dragon Fire Boxing and is hungry to get back into the ring.

‘The Timorese Terror’ opened up regarding resigning a potential clash with the winner.

“I’ve won multiple titles thanks to Dragon Fire and have boxed at the likes of the IBF convention in Macau. I couldn’t be happier with how my career has unfolded but I believe I still have more titles to win and Tony is the man to get me those opportunities and I want the winner of this fight with Paro and Terry

I have great respect for Terry and Liam, they both have great teams and great careers.They are fighting at Jnr Welterweight and I'm prepared to cut and make the weight.

I want to fight the best to get the best opportunities, I believe in my team, my trainer Jay Gray, my Manager and Promoter Tony Tolj, my team mates are doing special things Francis Chua and Jackson England, I just have a great team and I will be watching this weekends fight and I will be ready for this winner”

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission.

For more information about Dragon Fire Boxing please visit Dragon Fire Boxing’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DragonFireBoxing.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

FITE App now Available Globally on Samsung Smart TVs

Press Release: By FITE New York, March 1, 2021 - FITE, the premier global platform for sports and entertainment, announced today that its Smart TV app shall be available natively on Samsung TVs worldwide. Starting today, Samsung television models from 2016-2020 will now feature the popular FITE app, which offers premium Pay Per View events, SVOD package options as well as free programming including the free linear channel, FITE 24/7.

Credit: FITE

Ben Halabi, FITE’s SVP, International Business Development stated, “as part of our continued strategy to enable viewers to watch whenever and wherever, we're delighted to be on Samsung, bringing premium events to their global user base.”

FITE, an international company headquartered in New York, streams more than 1,000 events a year from Top Rank, PBC, AEW, ONE, and was the exclusive digital home of Tyson vs. Jones, the biggest PPV event of 2020. This year FITE has already kicked off 2021 with major events from Impact, Glory and BKFC KnuckleMania, and promises a bigger than ever year with the top PPV events via the Samsung Smart TV app, offered globally.

2021 will see FITE’s diverse array of live programming from MotoCar FITE Klub to SuperWomen -- an all-women’s fighter boxing card -- to premium BJJ leagues like Third Coast Grappling to exclusive and brand new live event entrants like SlapStrike.

As they say, If it Happens, it’s on FITE.

About FITE:

FITE is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry's marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with 4MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS, Android and Huawei mobile apps, as well as via Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, and Amazon Fire TV OTT streaming apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, Vizio SmartCast™, Cox Contour and the Contour Streaming Player, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex, Netrange,Vidaa/Hisense, Vewd, Netgem TV, as well as 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. #WeWillStreamYouThere

Material and Photo Courtesy of: FITE Used with permission.

For more information about FITE including schedules, where to download the FITE app, and list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, please visit: www.Fite.TV.

Monday, March 1, 2021

Putting Alvarez-Yildirim In Perspective

The fight between Unified WBA/WBC Super-Middleweight would champion Saul “Canelo “ Alvarez and WBC number one mandatory challenger Avni Yildirim was not one of those encounters that was meant to stir debate amongst Boxing fans, both the hardcore enthusiast as well as the casual observer, and Boxing experts. There was no such anticipation for a fight that would ultimately be known for as an event rather than what too place inside the ring. In many ways however, the event of Alvarez-Yildirim that brought Boxing back to Miami, FL on February 27^th was a throwback to an era of yesteryear.

An era where the top fighters in the sport fought frequently against fighters that ranged from fringe contenders to mandatory challengers in between fights that were thought of as marquee bouts between the best of the best the sport of Boxing has to offer. While obviously as the top fighters in the sport began earning millions of dollars per fight regardless of who their opposition might be, the concept of fighting regularly between two to four times per year, or even more in previous eras became less and less frequent to the point where a common belief amongst some is that fighters who are given the label as being a top or elite-level pugilist is only expected because of their position in the sport as well as their economic value and success, to compete between once or twice in a calendar year.

Although some may view this as an accepted standard within the sport when it is able to operate under normal circumstances, the ongoing circumstances of the global COVID-19 epidemic has made for an environment both within Boxing as well as in general that is anything, but “Normal.” Many rightfully regard Saul Alvarez as Boxing’s current top draw.

What are the qualifications of being a top draw in the sport? An ability to garner support amongst Boxing fans of seemingly every description, the ability to gain fans support both in terms of their passion for the sport as well as their willingness to pay to see you compete regularly and follow you throughout your career. Finally, the qualification in a business sense drawing fans to venues where you compete in mass as well as ratings, buys, and subscriptions to the television networks that broadcast your fights.

In seemingly every one of these categories, Alvarez fits the criteria. Over the last few years, Alvarez, who was Boxing’s top pay-per-view draw even as the medium of pay-per-view has steadily declined, has in many ways led the charge for Boxing to embrace the movement to subscription-based streaming platforms after initially signing a lucrative broadcast agreement with digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN in 2018. While the ongoing relationship between Alvarez and DAZN including a well publicized dispute that led to the end of their initial agreement has been one that has been well documented by this observer here on The Boxing Truth®️ both the fighter and network have been able to continue working together, which has been a benefit for Alvarez, DAZN, as well as Boxing fans.

How has it been beneficial for all involved? Soon after working out their differences, Alvarez was back in the ring challenging then undefeated WBA Super-Middleweight world champion Callum Smith for his crown and the vacant WBC Super-Middleweight world championship last December. For a network that is attempting to break a lot of norms, it benefited DAZN by showing it can resolve disputes and maintain relationships with fighters as they continue to build their global brand and as far as Boxing is concerned be a viable alternative to the overpriced and undervalued model of pay-per-view. Along with establishing a promotional relationship with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, Alvarez has begun to venture out on his own as a promoter after splitting with longtime promoter Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions.

After defeating Smith via twelve round unanimous decision, Alvarez signed a two fight deal with Hearn and the first fight of that deal was a mandatory defense against WBC number one contender Avni Yildirim. Under circumstances where fighters have willingly given up world championships either because their television broadcaster did not see the value in the fight, which has unfortunately been a somewhat regular occurrence for traditional television networks involved in the sport, a fighter’s promoter having a different agenda, or simply the fighter not wanting to fulfill their contractual obligations, Alvarez not only chose to fulfill that obligation, but also chose to do so in a quick timeframe by today’s standards, returning to the ring only two months after winning the Super-Middleweight world championship.

This is where the term “Throwback “ comes into the equation. Depending on one’s age, some might remember that it was not uncommon to see Boxing’s top stars from Willie Pep, to Joe Louis, to Sugar Ray Robinson, to Muhammad Ali, to Roberto Duran to Sugar Ray Leonard, to Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Pernell Whitaker, Oscar De La Hoya, and so on in previous eras compete regularly both to stay active as well as fulfill their obligations as world champions in the sport between lucrative fights of significant public interest. While this is largely an “Old School” approach as this observer has often said, it is refreshing to see the approach used in the modern era of the sport.

Despite this fight really serving two purposes for Alvarez, the fight against Yildirim was met with much criticism. While most criticism came from the casual fan and those who voice their views via social media platforms, the basis of some of the criticism stemmed from Yildirim being deemed as the WBC’s top contender, despite being inactive for over two years and coming into the fight off of a loss in his second previous attempt at a world championship. While the political landscape of the sport is far from perfect and cannot easily be explained, I saw this fight for what anyone who is objective and understands the sport should have seen it as.

A world champion who spent much of the last year sidelined both due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis as well as the dispute with his former promoter and broadcaster, not wanting to go back to sitting on the sidelines after finally being able to get back in the ring two short months ago. An additional benefit beyond having the opportunity to keep what is known as “Ring Rust” off was to fulfill his mandatory defense obligation, which for world champions is an annual obligation.

While there is always an element of the unknown as I said in previewing this fight, there was little doubt that Alvarez was the significant favorite going into the bout. The burden of proof was on Avni Yildirim to show that this was more than a “Stay Busy” bout and that he would make the most of what was his third chance at a world championship, a third chance some fighters are not fortunate enough to receive.

Even under the circumstances of an ongoing epidemic, this fight featured the normal pomp and circumstance normally associated with the top fighters in the sport in present times complete with a theatrical entrance for Alvarez. For the fifteen thousand spectators in attendance, such theatrics offered a glimpse of what the sport looks like when times are normal. Unfortunately for those who were expecting compelling action once the fight got underway, this is where that expectation proved to be unrealistic.

In fairness, it is not necessarily uncommon to see a fight, particularly at the highest level of the sport begin with a somewhat conservative process often referred to as the “Feeling Out Process.” What was unusual however, was to see a commitment to such an approach from the challenger Yildirim, who is normally a fighter who looks to apply pressure. This time around, Yildirim was content to stick behind a high defensive guard and hardly threw any punches in the process. As I watched this fight, I felt that one reason for this was perhaps a healthy respect for Alvarez’ ability to counter punch as well as the accuracy in which Alvarez tends to land counter punches.

Although Yildirim had fought for a world championship twice before in his career, it is important to keep in mind the atmosphere that often comes with competing against a fighter of Alvarez’ standing in the sport. While this does not always occur, there are times where a fighter who is not used to such an atmosphere can be hesitant to let their hands go. There is also the possibility that a fighter can freeze and not be as willing to engage as they might otherwise be under circumstances of not fighting in what is known as “The Big Fight Atmosphere.”

In this observer’s view, this appeared to be a combination of both as Yildirim did not offer much resistance. Alvarez meanwhile took advantage of openings that were made available to him, which was highlighted by consistent work to Yildirim’s body. This ended up settling the stage for Alvarez to seize the opportunity to bring the fight to what many felt would be the logical conclusion. With minute into the third round, Alvarez landed a perfectly timed jab followed by a straight right hand, known in combat sports as a one, two combination, through Yildirim’s defensive guard sending him down to the canvas. Although Yildirim appeared to laugh this off upon getting up from the knockdown and would go on to finish the round, the fight would come to an end after round three.

Yildirim’s training Joel Diaz told his fighter that he would give him one more round and if he didn’t show him something he would stop the fight. While it is somewhat unclear as to what was said between fighter and trainer following Diaz’ edict to his fighter, ultimately the fight was stopped securing a first successful title defense of the unified WBA/WBC Super-Middleweight world championship for Alvarez.

Ultimately the end of this fight was anti-climatic, but regardless of the criticism some directed towards Alvarez for this fight being made, it did accomplish what was intended for the champion, his co-promoter Eddie Hearn, and even DAZN. Allowing Alvarez to remain active, fulfill his obligation as far as the WBC is concerned, and provide a night of Boxing for DAZN and its global subscriber base. It also served as a prelude to the next marquee bout in the career of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez as it was announced that he will face undefeated two-division world champion Billy Joe Saunders on May 8^th at a venue to be announced that will be broadcast by DAZN.

Saunders, who like Alvarez has held world championships in the Middleweight and Super-Middleweight divisions will put his WBO world championship in the Super-Middleweight division on the line in what will be a unification bout where Alvarez’ WBA and WBC crowns will also be on the line. Beyond an intriguing styles clash that will be examined by yours truly in upcoming material as we get closer to the date of the announced showdown, it should not be overlooked that this fight will be three months from Alvarez’ victory over Yildirim.

Although this observer does not want to come down too hard on those whether they be a casual fan, or simply those that like to vent their frustration on social media platforms whether justified in their criticism or not, I do want to ask this simple question. When was the last time an elite-level fighter who can make millions of dollars each time they enter the ring has fought three times in a six month span regardless of the perceived quality of opposition? While I can answer this question, I will leave it for the reader to answer.

As a final thought that the reader may also want to ponder as they think of their answer to my question. Prior to DAZN’s entry into the United States market in 2018, promoter Eddie Hearn, who has served as one of the network’s principal promoters said that one of the benefits beyond pushing the sport into a more reasonably priced subscription-based model over the pay-per-view or even cable network model is that as a digital broadcaster, it would allow for more cards to be staged on a regular basis and not put a fighter or promoter in a position where they would have to work in a timeframe of a network or pay-per-view distributor’s available dates. Thus allowing fighters the option to compete more frequently,

While DAZN has also taken a step to reach non-subscribers by putting simulcasts of a select number of recent cards including Alvarez-Yildirim on pay-per-view and offering those non-subscribers the option to have a free trial of their network, why should a fighter be criticized for taking advantage of the opportunity made available to him to fight as much as he can? It just so happens that the fighter in this case is regarded as the top fighter in the sport. Increased activity will only benefit Alvarez and from a business perspective as the world looks to emerge at some point from the COVID-19 crisis, will benefit the sport of Boxing as a whole, and will benefit DAZN as it looks to continue its relationship with Alvarez, open up further relationships throughout the sport increases its global footprint in the world of sports television as a whole as it continues its growth.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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

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Marlen Esparza 117 1/4lbs. vs. Shelly Barnett 119lbs.

Bantamweight – 6Rds.

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Monday, March 1, 2021