Lundy Steps In To Face Broner Febuary 25TH On BLK Prime PPV

Press Release: By BLK Prime – ATLANTA, GA (January 17, 2023) – Due to circumstances out of the control of BLK Prime, Ivan Redkach (23-6-1, 18 KOs), who was intended to fight Adrien Broner (34-4-1, 24 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight main event on February 25, will now be replaced with “Hammerin” Hank Lundy (31-12-1, 14 KOs). 

Credit: BLK Prime 

 

 

Broner vs. Lundy, taking place at the Gateway Center in Atlanta, Georgia, will broadcast worldwide on BLK Prime PPV for $39.99. More details, including ticket sales and undercard bouts, will be announced at a later date. 

 

 

Broner vs. Lundy promises to be a thrilling and action-packed matchup between two battle-tested warriors who are promising to go to war. The combination of Broner's speed and power with Lundy's grit and determination is sure to make for an unforgettable night of boxing. 

 

 

Broner, the former four-weight world champion and Cincinnati native, has established himself as one of the sport's most exciting and dynamic fighters today. He captured world titles in four weight classes and is known for his bold and confident style. He's a fan favorite that always put on a show. 

 

 

“I’m glad they found a worthy replacement in Hank Lundy,” said Broner, from his training camp in South Florida. “Unfortunately, Redkach had to pull out, but I’m ready for whoever they put in front of me. This is the AB show and I’m on a mission to bust up everyone in my way. Hank Lundy is in trouble. I’m going to put a beating on him.” 

 

 

Lundy, hailing from Philadelphia, PA, is a seasoned veteran with an impressive resume having fought Terence Crawford, Jose Zepeda, and Viktor Postol. He's known for his relentless pressure and never-say-die approach. He's been in the ring with some of the best fighters in the world and always comes to fight. He's a fan favorite guaranteed to put on a great show. 

 

 

“Fighting Broner is something I’ve envisioned for a long time and now this opportunity has presented itself to me,” stated Lundy. “Broner has established himself as one of the best fighters in the world, but he hasn’t been active, so I’m going to take full advantage of his inactivity. Everyone knows that I will fight anyone and the big names run from me. So I’m telling everyone right now, I’m going to beat the shit out of this can man.” 

About BLK Prime:BLK PRIME is a subscription video-on-demand company that offers multicultural content to a diverse audience worldwide. To learn more about BLK Prime, visit: https://watchnow.blkprime.com/ and to order the pay-per-view, visit https://ppv.blkprime.com/pay-per-view. On social media follow #CrawfordAvanesyan, on Instagram @BLKPRIMEBOXNG @BLKPRIME on Twitter @BLKPRIMEBOXING, on Facebook @BLKPRIMEMEDIA 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: BLK Prime Used with permission.

For more information about BLK Prime please visit: www.BLKPrime.com. 

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

Upcoming Events Firmly Put Spotlight On Florida’s Boxing Scene

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

*Cards and Start times Subject to Change.*

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Mexican Sensation Oscar Alvarez features in Co-Main event on ProBox TV, Jan 25, Tampa, FL

Press Release: By ProBox TV – January 14, 2023 – Mexican sensation Oscar Alvarez is all set for his US debut, as he features on the January 25 edition of ProBox TV"s Future Stars Series in the co-main event slot, where he takes on Nicholas Polanco of the Dominican Republic. 

Credit: ProBox TV 

Polanco, who is coming off a hard-fought loss to the highly rated Albert Bell and Alvarez opened up on the challenge of the skilled Dominican. The native of Sonora, Mexico stated, "I'm very excited to be boxing on ProBox TV, and thank you to my team, and ProBox TV for putting this together so I can showcase my skills on a platform that you can watch free and frictionless all over the world. It's a great platform to be on for a fighter that is growing so I am very grateful for this opportunity.

"Polanco is a solid fighter, he has a good record and comes to fight. He has never been stopped and has won regional titles, so he is coming to win, and that's what I wanted. I wanted a fighter who is coming to win and has ambitions of being a champion. So this opponent excites me."

Alvarez is a unique talent, having had several hundred amateur contests, and stands 6ft 3in tall despite campaigning in the super featherweight division. At only 19 years old, the future appears to be a bright one for Alvarez, who ironically bares the names of two Mexican greats. 

Alvarez discussed his amateur career and hopes in the professional ranks. 

The towering Mexican said, "I'm very excited to continue my pro career on ProBox TV because I want everybody around the world to see my skills. I've enjoyed being a professional so far and think that it suits my style more than the amateurs.

"I won national titles in Mexico as an amateur and boxed internationally for Mexico, so I had a lot of experience in the amateurs, which is helping me move quickly as a professional. I think I can be a multi-weight world champion and a champion for the people of Mexico, that is my goal as a professional boxer."

Material and Photo Courtesy of: ProBox TV Used with permission.

For more information about ProBox TV including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, Availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.ProBoxTV.com. 

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

A Heavyweight Doubleheader Takes Centerstage In Verona, NY January 14th

With all signs seemingly pointing towards a showdown between the two undefeated world champions in Boxing’s Heavyweight division Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for what would be the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world appearing to be nearly finalized for a date in the spring, there are questions surrounding the rest of the division. Normally when a fight such as one for an undisputed world championship, the question that inevitably is asked is who might the first potential challenger be when the smoke clears for the new undisputed champion. Over the many years that this observer has covered the sport of Boxing including countries unification and undisputed world championship bouts throughout the entire sport, I have also learned to ask another question. Out of numerous contenders and prospects, who might be able to step into position to face either champion in a proposed unification bout, should the opportunity suddenly become available. 

With this in mind, there is potential for some Heavyweights to maneuver. An interesting doubleheader will take place on Saturday, January 14th at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY that might feature potential challengers for either Fury or Usyk either as possibly a first challenger for whomever the Undisputed Heavyweight champion might be after the title is fully unified, or as a potential challengers to step in against either should negotiations between the two champions for whatever reason fall through. These bouts, which can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ features Heavyweights that range from prospect to fringe contender. 

In the first of these two headline bouts, undefeated prospect Guido Vianello will face Johnnie Rice in a bout scheduled for ten rounds.

Undefeated in eleven professional fights, Vianello has established himself as a rising “Knockout Artist.”  In his last bout however, Vianello was forced to go the distance for the first time in his  career in scoring an eight round unanimous decision over Jay MacFarlane in October of last year.

Although that fight did go the full eight rounds, Vianello was able to dictate the combat from start to finish in what was a workmanlike performance. While that fight can also be described as a step up in his overall development, now the native of Rome, Italy prepares for what could be a test in the form of Johnnie Rice. 

Rice, a veteran of twenty-two professional fights will come into the bout having built some momentum in scoring back to back victories over previously undefeated Michael Coffee in 2021 and 2022 respectively. One potential issue for Rice is his second victory over Coffie came in January of last year and he has not been in the ring since.

With a record of 15-6-1, with 10 Knockouts, Rice has shown the ability to be a spoiler for prospects on the rise having stopped Coffie in their first fight and scoring a ten round unanimous decision in their rematch. The somewhat coincidental thing that looms over this fight is prior to facing Rice for the first time, Michael Coffie was at a similar stage as Vianello is going into this fight.

Much like the task that was in front of him in those bouts, Rice will need to use his veteran instincts and experience to be successful in this fight. Vianello’s Last opponent Jay MacFarlane was able to extend him to an eight round distance largely by looking to survive. Vianello does have nine knockouts in his ten career wins having fought to a draw eighty pro fight. MacFarlane was very “Game” and able to hang in against Vianello, but at no time in that fight did it appear that he was able to make the unhealthy prospect uncomfortable. Logic would suggest that Vianello will attempt to put pressure on Rice from the outset with the intention of stopping the fight early. The task that faces Jonathan Rice will be whether or not he will be able to weather the storm early and try to take Vianello into the middle and late rounds, otherwise known as the deep waters of a fight to try and pull off another upset.

The second Heavyweight encounter on January 14 will feature prospect Efe Ajagba facing undefeated Stephan Shaw in a bout scheduled for ten rounds. Ajagba will come in this fight looking to continue to build momentum in his second bout since suffering the first loss of his career in October 2021 when he lost a ten round unanimous decision to Frank Sanchez. Much like Guido Vianello, Ajagba is known for his ability to end fights quickly having scored knockouts in thirteen of his sixteen career wins registering a career knockout percentage of nearly 77%. In his first bout since the loss to Sanchez, Ajagba bounced back and scored a second round stoppage of Jozsef Darmos in August of last year.

In Stephan Shaw, Ajagba will face a fighter that is unbeaten in eighteen professional fights having scored knockouts in thirteen of those bouts. Some may look at this fight as a bit of a step up for Shaw even though he has experience comparable to Efe Ajagba and has a victory over Jonathan Rice in his career as well. In addition to Rice, Shaw has also defeated veterans Rydell Booker and Joey Dawejko in his career. The view of those who may be viewing this as a step up for Shaw likely base that on Ajagba having more television exposure here in the United States in his previous fights, but in reality, this seems to be a fight that at least on paper might be evenly matched as both fighters have shown punching power in the past, both have scored early knockouts in their careers, and in terms of their respective standing in the division are looking to take the next step towards at a shot at a world championship.

What these two bouts come down to in the long-term is ultimately which of these four Heavyweights will be able to provide a strong argument for themselves as a potential challenger down the line. With there being no shortage of potential options for either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk, we will see, which of these four Vianello, Rice, Ajagba, or Shaw will be able to enter the mix.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Ajagba vs. Shaw/Vianello vs. Rice takes place on Saturday, January 14th at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. This Heavyweight doubleheader as well as it’s full undercard can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 5PM ET/2PM PT.

*Card and start time subject to change.*

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet and connected streaming devices and Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

*Check your local listings internationally.*

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

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

Clavel-Plata: Boxing's First Unification Bout Of 2023

Women's Boxing has continued to make strides and receive long overdue recognition and respect in recent years. After all, the fight between undefeated Undisputed Lightweight world champion Katie Taylor and multi-division world champion Amanda Serrano, which sold out New York’s Madison Square Garden in April of last year was not just a landmark night for women in the sport for being the first Women’s bout to headline a card in The Garden, it turned out to be a candidate for Fight of the Year not just for Women’s Boxing, but for the sport overall. With that memorable night still fresh in the minds of many, including this observer, it seems in some ways like poetic justice that one of the first major bouts of 2023 will feature the women of the sport as two world champions put their respective crowns on the line to partially unify their division.

This observer is referring to the Light-Flyweight unification bout between WBC world champion Kim Clavel and WBA world champion Jessica Plata. The fight, which will take place on January 13th at the Place Bell Arena in Laval, Quebec, Canada and can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ brings together two of the best fighters in Boxing's lowest weight divisions. It also brings together two fighters that one might argue are similar both in terms of where they are in their respective careers as well as in their Boxing styles.

Both Clavel and Plata have had relatively short reigns with their respective portions of the World Light-Flyweight championship prior to getting to this unification bout at 108lbs. Kim Clavel is unbeaten in sixteen professional fights and has scored knockouts in three of those bouts. Clavel won the WBC world championship with a ten round unanimous decision over Maria Vargas in August 2021. Since winning the title, Clavel has successfully defended her crown twice and is coming off a ten round unanimous decision over Yesenia Gomez in July of last year. Like many women competing in the sport, Clavel can do a little bit of everything and has shown some power in recent fights in addition to her ability to box her way to convincing decision victories.

As  she now prepares for the third defense of the WBC world championship, Clavel will face a fighter similar to her, but with a slight edge in terms of experience. Jessica Plata will enter this fight with a record of 28-2, with 3 Knockouts. Like Clavel, the reigning WBA champion has the amount of knockouts and is experienced when it comes to going the distance and winning decisions, which when it comes to Women’s Boxing, where rounds are only two minutes in duration, is not necessarily easy to accomplish. Where Plata does have the edge at least statistically is in overall fights fought having been in fourteen more bouts than Clavel. Plata has also never been stopped in her career and has been unbeaten since 2017.

The WBA world champion won the title in March of last year with a ten round split decision over Yesica Bopp. While it may not necessarily be wise to go into a unification bout immediately after winning a world championship, particularly off of a close decision, it is important to keep in mind that Women’s Boxing is still growing and it is not uncommon to see fighters on the women’s side of the sport moving up and down in weight, at times on a per fight basis depending on what opportunities might be available to them. As such this opportunity to try and unify two of five would titles against Kim Clavel might have been the best option on the table for Plata both in terms of prestige as well as financially, in addition to what fights were available to her.

What this fight boils down to is two boxer/punchers in a fight that will likely be determined by moments in rounds rather than simply who is able to establish control. The reason for this comes down to the aforementioned two minute round length and that alone can create what amounts to a nightmare in terms of trying to score a fight where the rounds are shorter as compared to the three minute round length that Men in the sport are able to benefit from. In addition to the shorter round length, when two fighters are each able to have their share of moments during a round, that is what creates the conundrum/migraine for judges and is also why there tends to be more draws rendered in Women’s Boxing as compared to the men competing in the sport.

Although yours truly has long advocated for women to be able to have the benefit of a three minute round both for the benefit in terms of strategy as well as hopefully to help solve the scoring conundrum many judges face when it comes to scoring women’s bouts, something that was proved in the delayed 2020 Olympics where all women’s bouts had three minute rounds, I do not believe Clavel and Plata will be granted the chance to fight three minute rounds, though if they were I would applaud it as it would be another step forward for Women’s Boxing not just in terms of a unification bout like this, but for equality for the fighters competing in the sport overall.

With this in mind and with logic suggesting that this will be a fight fought at a fast pace due to the round length, given the style similarities between Clavel and Plata, who is able to have more moments that might sway the judges scoring of a round just might determine who wins this fight. It would not surprise yours truly however, if this fight were to end in a draw.

This fight nevertheless, does continue to show the Boxing world that the sport for the women competing in it is continuing to move in the right direction. Hopefully, 2023 will be a year of continued progress for the sport and more steps towards equality for female fighters can be made. Progress has largely been assisted by great fights between world champions, which has elevated Women’s Boxing to a level it has never been previously. Whether or not Clavel-Plata turns out to be the latest Fight of the Year candidate remains to be seen. 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Clavel vs. Plata takes place on Friday, January 13th at the Place Bell Arena in Laval, Quebec, Canada.  The fight as well as it’s undercard can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 7PM ET/4PM PT.

*Card and start time subject to change.*

ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices and Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

*Check your local listings internationally.*

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

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

DAZN & MISFITS BOXING ANNOUNCE HISTORIC FIVE YEAR PARTNERSHIP FOR MF & DAZN: X SERIES

 

Press Release: By DAZN –
CROSSOVER COMBAT SERIES PROMOTED BY MISFITS BOXING WILL SEE THE BIGGEST GLOBAL NAMES IN ENTERTAINMENT, SPORT, AND LIFESTYLE HEADLINING BLOCKBUSTER FIGHT NIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON DAZN FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS 

Credit:DAZN 

 

·         Partnership will see global megastar KSI fight exclusively on DAZN for the next five years.

·         DAZN to exclusively broadcast at least 6 MF & DAZN: X Series events a year including two blockbuster pay-per-view fight nights across its 230+ territories. 

·         This landmark partnership highlights DAZN’s commitment to attract new, younger audiences to the platform as well as bringing its cutting-edge technology, products and services to the market.

·         MF & DAZN: X Series 004- KSI VS. Faze Temper to air live from OVO Wembley Arena London January 14, 2023 on DAZN PPV.

·         MF & DAZN: X Series 005 February 25, 2023 – UK

·         MF & DAZN: X Series 006 April 22, 2023 – US

·         MF & DAZN: X Series 007 May 13, 2023 – UK

·         MF & DAZN: X Series 008 June, 2023 – US

 

London, January 9, 2022 – In another move that cements the global sports entertainment company as the ultimate home of sports, DAZN Group today announces a landmark partnership with social media megastar KSI and his promotional company Misfits Boxing. The deal, in association with the Sauerland brothers, Wasserman Boxing and Proper Loud, will see all KSI fights and MF&DAZN: X Series events broadcast exclusively on DAZN for the next five years.

 

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, the US and the UK. Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champion’s League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC.  DAZN is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with Women’s European Champions League and Liga F. DAZN is adding more sport and more forms of entertainment to its platform to create the ultimate destination for sports fans.

 

This pioneering partnership will bring five more years of crossover drama and non-stop boxing action to DAZN subscribers around the world. The series will feature the biggest global names in entertainment, sport, and lifestyle, and will be delivered to DAZN’s best-in-class live production standards.

 

This announcement follows the huge success of the MF & DAZN: X Series to date, which has seen unprecedented numbers tuning in to watch the drama live and on-demand. The first show alone, headlined by KSI in August, attracted nearly 2 million global viewers on DAZN (with 90% of those tuning in being first time subscribers to DAZN), with the highlights and build-up content generating a further 30 million views across DAZNs social platforms.

 

“DAZN brings the very best in sport and entertainment to millions of customers worldwide. The MF&DAZN: X Series has quickly proved to be hugely popular, driving significant new audiences and engaging a new generation of sports fans.  We are extremely excited to be partnering with KSI, Wasserman Boxing, Mams Taylor and the entire Misfits team to build on this early success over the next five years”, said Joe Markowski, CEO DAZN North America. 

 

KSI, CEO of Misfits Boxing, said: “This is a massive agreement between everyone involved with Misfits Boxing, and I personally couldn't be more excited for what this means for everyone moving forwards. It just shows everyone is here to establish a long-serving crossover boxing promotion that aims to provide ultimate entertainment and somewhere the fans and fighters can call home. There's no better way to celebrate this deal than with me fighting on Jan 14th and setting up a huge 2023. Misfits Boxing has arrived and is here to stay."

 

Co-President of Misfits Boxing and CEO of Proper Loud, Mams Taylor said: “Misfits Boxing was birthed to give the fans crossover boxing of the highest quality, and a promotion that is as much theirs as it is ours. The success, due to the fantastic partnership between KSI, DAZN,  Wasserman Boxing and myself, has meant that we can continue to remain the established home of this sport. We are proud that the future will be filled with countless MF & DAZN: X Series events, and this deal is just the starting point of what Misfits Boxing will go on to achieve for the next five years.”

 

“This agreement is truly an historic event and one which changes the dynamics of the entire ‘crossover’ boxing industry. We are so proud of Misfits Boxing’s achievements in its first six months of smashing records but now, with the long-term vision with our esteemed partner DAZN in place, we can focus on consistency of delivering the best events under the MF & DAZN: X Series Events starting with the blockbuster on January 14”, said Kalle Sauerland, Co-President of Misfits Boxing and Head of Global Boxing at Wasserman Boxing.

 

MF & DAZN X Series 004 sees KSI and  Faze Temper fight it out in an epic grudge match at the OVO Arena Wembley in London on January 14^th. This blockbuster night will be available around the world for DAZN subscribers and as a DAZN PPV in Australia, Canada, France, Netherlands, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden, the UK, Ireland and the U.S.

 

MF & DAZN: X Series 005 will take place in the UK on Saturday February 25.

 

MF & DAZN: X Series 006 will be staged in the US on Saturday April 22.

 

MF & DAZN: X Series 007 will be staged in the UK on Saturday May 13.

 

MF & DAZN: X Series 008 will be staged in the US in June, 2023

 

About DAZN Group: 

  

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US and the UK.  Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, JLeague, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world - Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC.  DAZN is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with UEFA Women’s Champions League and Finetwork Liga F.  DAZN is adding more and more sport to its platform to create a destination for sports fans.  

  

DAZN is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialise, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.  

 

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles.  DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including Playstation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and Apple TV and find the app on their iPhone, iPad, android and mobile.

   

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit www.dazngroup.com.   

 

 

ABOUT KSI

 

A pioneering YouTuber (fourth most followed channel for a British artist behind Ed Sheeran, One Direction and Adele) approaching 20 billion cumulative views, his 40.8 million subscribers know him as a creator, an artist, a mate who brings the passion (and the jokes) to whatever he does. He’s a businessman with a portfolio of interests, from owning his own music label, The Online Takeover and his own boxing promotions company, Misfits Boxing to one of the fastest growing beverages, his Prime Hydration drink is set to surpass $140 million in revenue in its first year. As a performer and all-round entertainer, he can light up stages (Reading, TRNSMT, a Wembley headline) and screen: an upcoming documentary for Prime Video, produced by Louis Theroux, promises to lift the lid on the extraordinary life of the 29-year-old from Watford. And as a boxer, the amateur-turned-professional fighter is undefeated. As a musician with over 12 million monthly Spotify listeners, he’s also well-versed in coming out on top. His second album, summer 2021’s All Over the Place entered the charts at #1, an emphatic follow-up to the previous year’s debut, Dissimulation, a #2 hit which was the biggest selling debut album of 2020. In rapid succession there’s been a flurry of hits, on his own merits (making him the British Breakthrough Artist of 2020) and with others (Don’t Play with Anne-Marie, Lighter with Nathan Dawe), making for eight Top Ten singles in total. As prolific as he is innovative, KSI was the only artist to be nominated twice in the Song of the Year category at the 2022 Brit Awards. Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube | Website

ABOUT MISFITS BOXING

Misfits Boxing is a new radical and revolutionary promotional partnership between megastar KSI, Proper Loud and Wasserman Boxing, coming to take over and make waves within the crossover boxing industry. The collaboration between Misfits Boxing and DAZN for the MF & DAZN: X Series is set to pave the way for the future of crossover boxing to provide the highest calibre of events within the genre, across the whole of the sports and entertainment industry. Stars from all corners of the globe and all formats of the entertainment world will be putting their will to the test, as Misfits Boxing guarantees the greatest crossover boxing spectacle the world has ever seen.

 

ABOUT PROPER LOUD

 

Proper Loud prides itself on having close relationships with its roster and taking the time to understand its artist's individual needs and goals. Proper Loud’s mantra is to be recognized for their integrity, fairness and making great art. www.properloud.com

 

ABOUT WASSERMAN

Wasserman is a partner to the world’s most iconic brands, properties, and talent in their endeavours across sports, entertainment, and culture. Our purpose is to transform the businesses and careers of clients. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman operates globally in more than 20 cities, including London, New York, Toronto, Raleigh, Carlsbad, The Hague, Portland, and Shanghai. In 2021, Wasserman acquired Team Sauerland, one of the world’s leading boxing promoters, to form Wasserman Boxing, a new global force in the world of boxing. Learn more at TeamWass.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, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

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

CHRIS EUBANK JR VS LIAM SMITH TO BE BROADCAST ON DAZN IN THE US, CANADA, DACH AND JAPAN ON JANUARY 21

 

Press Release: By DAZN – HUGE ALL BRITISH BOUT FROM BOXXER IN ASSOCIATION WITH WASSERMAN BOXING CONTESTED LIVE FROM MANCHESTER 

Credit:DAZN

 

 London, January 10th , 2022 – DAZN Group, the leading global sports entertainment platform, today announces that it will broadcast the all-British dust up, Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith, Saturday, January 21^st, from BOXXER in association with Wasserman Boxing, Live from AO Arena in Manchester. The event will be available to all DAZN subscribers in the US, Canada, DACH and Japan.

Chris Eubank Jr (32-2-0, 23 KOs) needs no introduction, son of legendary former world champion Chris Eubank, the 33-year-old has successfully carved out his own reputation in the sport and is seen as one of the leading middleweights in the world.

 

His latest fight in February 2022 saw an impressive shutout points win over Liam Williams at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in which he showed his class by knocking down the Welshman four times.

 

Liam Smith (32-3-1, 19 KOs) heads into this mouth-watering clash in the form of his life following big wins over Jesse Vargas, Anthony Fowler and Roberto Garcia. The Liverpool man is determined to become a world champion for a second time and a statement win vs Eubank JR will kick off 2023 with a bang.

 

‘DAZN are always looking to deliver the best boxing schedule to our subscribers and we are proud to be showing this huge fight between two of Britain’s finest’ said Joe Markowski, CEO DAZN North America. ‘We are no strangers to Liam and Chris and know we have a potential blockbuster on our hands. In 2023, we are determined to work with as many promoters as we can in order to deliver the best fights for fight fans and with actions speaking louder than words we are excited to be working for the first time with BOXXER on this special event. Tune in live January 21^st for a memorable night of British boxing’.

 

BOXXER CEO & Founder, Ben Shalom said: “This is fantastic news. I am delighted that fight fans in the US, Canada, DACH and Japan will be able to watch this blockbuster event live and exclusively on DAZN. The card is stacked with massive fights from top to bottom. And the brewing animosity between bitter rivals, Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith will reach boiling point in what promises to be an unmissable main event in front of a sold-out AO Arena in Manchester.”

 

Wasserman’s Head of Global Boxing, Kalle Sauerland, said: "It’s fantastic that this mega fight will now have a global audience on DAZN, it’s a fight that merits a global audience and the eyeballs of the world will be on Manchester come next Saturday."

 

The show features a stacked undercard with Richard Riakporhe launching his quest for a world title shot in 2023 when he battles former two-time WBO cruiserweight world champion Krzysztof Głowacki and local lad Jack Massey stepping up to face former WBO world heavyweight champion, Joseph Parker.

 

Joining them on this blockbuster night of boxing will be Ekow Essuman vs Chris Kongo and further bouts involving Frazer Clarke, Matty Harris, Scott Forrest and Amine ‘The Beast’ Boucetta.

 

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, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

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

Will Ongoing Problems Outside The Ring Prevent Gervonta Davis From Facing Ryan Garcia?

 

A significant part of the story leading into Gervonta Davis’ bout with WBA Jr. Featherweight world champion Hector Garcia on January 7^th at the Capital One Center in Washington, D. C. had little to do with the fight between the two being fought in the 135lb. Lightweight division and had little to do with the clash of styles between the two fighters. What it did have to do with was the question of whether the fight should take place following Davis being arrested on December 27^th due to an alleged domestic violence incident in Broward County, Florida involving Davis and a former girlfriend, who is the mother of one of his children. Although the woman recanted her claims and the undefeated former Jr. Lightweight world champion would be released from custody and pled not guilty to the charge of domestic battery in the days prior to the bout, the ongoing case nevertheless did hang over the fight, which was allowed to go ahead as scheduled.

 

Normally prior to a fight such as this one, this observer likes to provide readers with a preview of the upcoming encounter. In this case, I decided not to do what is the normal routine prior to this fight simply because I had significant doubts as to whether it would be allowed to take place given the circumstances Davis found himself in prior to the bout. With the fight going forward as scheduled, it was logical to at least wonder if what had to be stressful and difficult circumstances would have an impact on Davis as he entered the ring to do battle with Hector Garcia.

 

Prior to the issues Davis found himself dealing with in the days prior to the bout, this was a clash of styles between a world-class boxer in Garcia and a fighter in Davis who can do a little of everything, but is known for having explosive punching power. This fight also had what is in some ways a rarity in that both Davis and Garcia are southpaws.

 

What stood out to me particularly in the early rounds was how Hector Garcia was seemingly able to control the range in which the fight was being fought. In that he was able to maintain a distance where he was able to engage with Davis, but also be elusive where he proved to be difficult to hit. Although this was not the most entertaining fight to watch in terms of action during this period, it did prove that this would be a difficult fight for Davis. While both fighters executed their offense in spurts, it was Garcia who was seemingly able to get the better of it with his jab and landing his left hand from the southpaw stance.

 

As the fight progressed, the two fighters began to open up more with their offense and it was Davis who seemed to take control particularly due to his being able to land short compact combinations that appeared to have more power on them as compared to Garcia’s punches. It nevertheless, remained a competitive fight as the bout moved into the middle rounds.

 

Despite the issues that Davis was dealing with prior to the fight, it appeared as though the fight itself would be void of any controversy. There was however, an incident early in the eighth round where the fight was temporarily halted due to what appeared to be a disturbance in the crowd. Although it is rare to see something like that happen, it has happened before, most notably in the second encounter between Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield in November 1993 where a man infamously attempted to fly into the ring in the middle of the fight in the outdoor arena at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas that caused a significant delay in the bout. Fortunately, this disturbance would only last a couple of minutes and the fight continued.

 

It would be in the eighth round where Davis would open up and stagger Garcia with a combination of punches to the head highlighted by his left hand that appeared to have Garcia hurt in the closing seconds of the round. At the end of the eighth round, Garcia informed his corner that he could not see and that resulted in a fight being stopped as Garcia failed to answer the bell for round nine giving Davis a technical knockout victory. Ultimately, Gervonta Davis did what he had to do in order to gain a victory and remain undefeated.

 

With his victory over Hector Garcia now behind him, the stage is seemingly set for Davis to meet undefeated top Lightweight contender Ryan Garcia in the spring of this year. Whether or not that fight will take place remains to be seen however, as Davis continues to go through legal problems outside the ring as in addition to the domestic battery charge that nearly derailed his fight with Hector Garcia, Davis will stand trial in February for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run incident in November 2020 in his hometown of Baltimore, MD.

 

Obviously, whether or not a fight with Ryan Garcia or any fight for that matter inside the Boxing ring taking place will depend on not only the outcome of that trial, but also the still open case in Florida on the domestic battery charge. While it is important to keep in mind that anyone going through these type circumstances are innocent until proven guilty, the circumstances that Davis finds himself in could ultimately derail his Boxing career. If he is able to get through these particular circumstances without an interruption to his Boxing career, it may be wise for him to add members to his team that can provide both guidance as well as wisdom going forward.

 

For a fighter, who is only twenty-eight years old and is not yet at his peak, there is no telling just how far Gervonta Davis could go in his career. If he is unable to straighten things out for himself outside the ring, unfortunately his career might end up being placed under the category of what might have been. For now, the only thing that can realistically be said about Davis and his career inside the ring is “To Be Continued?”

 

“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

 

 

 

 

 

Davis-Garcia Weights

The official weigh-in for Saturday’s Lightweight bout between undefeated former unified Jr. Lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis and current WBA Jr. Lightweight world champion Hector Garcia took place on Friday in Washington, D. C. Weights for the four bout televised card, which can be seen here in the United States on Showtime Pay-Per-View are as follows.

*Main Event: Lightweight – 12Rds.

Gervonta Davis 134lbs. vs. Hector Garcia 134lbs.

(* Bout will determine Interim/Regular champion status in the World Boxing Association’s Lightweight ratings. A designation currently held by Davis.*)

*Welterweight – 12Rds.

Jaron Ennis 145 3/4lbs. vs. Karen Chukhadzhian 146 1/2lbs.

(*Bout will determine Interim/Regular champion status in the International Boxing Federation Welterweight ratings.*)

Welterweight – 12Rds.

Rashidi Ellis 146 1/2lbs. vs. Roiman Villa 145 3/4lbs.

Super-Middleweight – 10Rds.

Demetrius Andrade 167lbs. vs. Demond Nicholson 167 1/2lbs.

Davis vs. Garcia takes place Tonight Saturday, January 7th at the Capital One Center in Washington, D. C. The fight as well as three undercard bouts can be seen in the United States on Showtime Pay-Per-View on cable/satellite as well as the Showtime and PPV.Com streaming apps for $74.95 beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT. Contact your local cable/satellite providers or visit: www.SHO.com or www.PPV.com for ordering information.

*Check your local listings internationally.

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

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

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

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

Credit: ProBox TV 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Material and Photo Courtesy of: ProBox TV Used with permission.

For more information about ProBox TV including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, full event archives, and to subscribe please visit: www.ProBoxTV.com. 

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

SERRANO-CRUZ AND BAUMGARDNER-MEKHALED STAR IN UNDISPUTED DOUBLE-HEADER ON FEB 4 IN NEW YORK LIVE ON DAZN

 Press Release: By DAZN January 3, 2023 – 

All the marbles on the line at Featherweight and Super-Featherweight – Hitchins back home – Seldin and Mati clash

Credit: DAZN

Watch the action live at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, live worldwide on DAZN

New York, NY January 2023: Amanda Serrano will face Erika Cruz in a Puerto Rico vs. Mexican battle for the Undisputed World Featherweight championship and Alycia Baumgardner takes on Elhem Mekhaled for the Undisputed World Super-Featherweight championship at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday February 4, exclusively live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS START AT $30 (PLUS FEES) AND GO ON PRESALE TOMORROW (JAN 4) AT 12NOON ET AND ON GENERAL SALE FROM 12NOON ET ON THURSDAY (JAN 5) AT TICKETMASTER.COM AND MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT MSG.COM

Seven-weight World champion Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano (43-2-1 30 KOs) looks to become the first Puerto Rican born fighter to take home the title of undisputed, as she finally gets the opportunity at Featherweight where she has ruled since 2019, after her history-making Lightweight clash with Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden last April. Serrano faces off against Cruz in her hometown of New York City after a convincing win over Sarah Mahfoud in Manchester, England to add the Dane’s IBF title to her WBO and WBC belts at 126lbs.

The missing piece of the jigsaw is the WBA crown that belongs to Cruz (15-1 3 KOs). The Mexican became WBA champion in April 2021, ending the long reign of Canadian Jelena Mrdjenovich in West Point, New York. Cruz defended the title in Mexico in November 2021 and then met Mrdjenovich in a rematch in September in Mexico and won via shutout on points. The 32 year old, nicknamed ‘Dinamita’ will pose a big threat to Serrano’s hopes of becoming undisputed and put a spanner in the works of the Taylor rematch.

“This is a pivotal moment, not just for me and my own career but for my home island of Puerto Rico,” said Serrano. Earning the opportunity to be an undisputed lineal champion is something most fighters only dream about but becoming the first boxer from Puerto Rico to be an undisputed champion would make it even more special. I look forward to entering the ring on Saturday, February 4th in my hometown of NYC back at Madison Square Garden, taking on a Mexican champion in Erika Cruz and making Puerto Rican history. I encourage all my fans to turn up and tune in!”

“We’ve come to realize nothing is unachievable for Amanda and she is truly setting the tone for a historic 2023 as she goes head-to-head with Mexico’s Erica Cruz in her fight first of the year,” said MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian. “Being the first Puerto Rican born fighter to take home the title of undisputed lineal champion is a goal we have discussed since she joined MVP fifteen months ago.” With an unwavering commitment to boxing, Amanda's focus has always been to be one of the best to ever step into the ring. The fact that the Puerto Rican greats, like Felix Trinidad, Wilfredo Gomez, Carlos Ortiz and Miguel Cotto never achieved undisputed status but that Amanda Serrano will with a win, is a testament to her and her team’s greatness.”

“I am grateful that this opportunity was finally given to me after many years of work,” said Cruz. “I have always gone against everything, but God is on my side, and he has given me the strength to achieve my goals. It's time to make history and give Mexico its first unified champion at 126 pounds."

Baumgardner (13-1 7 KOs) had a brilliant 2022, capped by her victorious trip to London where she unified the 130lbs division against bitter American rival and IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine champion Mikaela Mayer in October via split decision. Baumgardner made it three wins on the bounce in the UK having ripped the WBC and IBO World titles from Terri Harper in Sheffield in November 2021 with a stunning KO and defending the belt for the first time in April in Manchester, shutting out Edith Matthysse over ten rounds.

Like Serrano, the Detroit star just needs the WBA belt to complete the full set, and that belt is vacant with #3 ranked Mekhaled (15-1 3 KOs), and the French former interim WBC champion comes into the bout on the back of a slender reversal in a bruising encounter with Belgium’s former World ruler Delfine Persoon in May in Abu Dhabi.

“Naturally, I’m VERY excited to finally be fighting for undisputed to make it official what I’ve known all along – I’m the world’s best fighter in this division!” said Baumgardner.

“To finally return home and debut in MY country as a World champion is something I’ve been so looking forward to and to have all of this come together as a co-main at the legendary Madison Square Garden in NYC is so incredible!

“NYC is an awesome representation of our country’s diversity, the diversity that’s so near and dear to my heritage… so for me, it’s definitely a fitting venue.

“I get to be an ambassador for women’s boxing in America on one of the largest stages for boxing in the world! I plan to use my talent as an athlete to show Americans and the world a level of women’s boxing that many have never seen before.

“Mekhaled is a great fighter. She’s quick, smart, very skilled, and experienced. Her record and her last fight, where she really outboxed Persoon shows that, but neither she nor anyone else in this division are on my level. So, I plan to end this one quick and make an example out of her.

“She’s standing in between me and God’s plan, so I’m going to have to walk straight through her. This won’t be a fight ANYONE can call close. She had a better chance of ending the fight on her feet if she took the offer back in April when it was first offered to her, but now, I feel motivated to silence any remaining doubters and put everyone from 130 to 140 on notice – I’m coming!”

“Since my WBC interim 2019 title, I’ve been waiting for this moment,” said Mekhaled. “Maybe fate has played well: instead of one belt, there are all on the line!

“I am super excited to fight on February 4 at the legendary MSG in New York. God knows how determined I am! It’s my time to shine. Thank you to my advisor Sarah Fina. #ANDTHENEW #UNDISPUTED.”

There’s a stacked card in support of the Undisputed double-header, and it’s led by Brooklyn’s own Richardson Hitchins taking on New Jersey’s John Bauza for the IBF North American and USWBC 140lb titles.

It’s a second fight under the Matchroom banner for Hitchins (15-0 7 KOs) and the unbeaten 25 year old will defend the IBF belt he won on his first fight with Eddie Hearn in Cleveland in November, his first title fight in the paid ranks and look to add a second strap in the process.

Hitchins fights in New York for the first time since March 2019, and fellow unbeaten man Bauza (17-0 7 KOs) will want to spoil his return to action in the Big Apple. The Puerto Rican from NJ faces both his first title bout and first battle over ten rounds in the paid ranks on the night. Bauza was a national champion the same year that Hitchins represented Haiti in the 2016 Olympics and the pair are familiar with each other having sparred in the past.

“I’m excited to come back home and showcase my talent in front of my city and my #1 fans,” said Hitchins. “When I signed with Eddie, he promised he was going to turn me into a star and having the opportunity to come back so quickly after my last fight, and do it at home, man I’m just so grateful for this.

“Bauza is no joke, we know each other, but these are the type of fights I want. I’m fighting a young, hungry, undefeated prospect like myself, but I truly believe I’m the best 140 pounder in the world and come fight night I’m going to show him I am on a whole other level. February 4th is going to be a very special night for me, and I just can’t wait to be back in front of my hometown fans and show the world that I am a problem at 140 lbs.”

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a while now and finally it’s here,” said Bauza. “On February 4, I graduate from prospect to legitimate world contender. This is a huge opportunity for me to showcase myself and I plan on putting on a spectacular performance.

“I know Richardson well, we’ve sparred before. I respect him as a fighter but he’s simply not on my level and at MSG, he’s going to realize that awfully quick.”

Staten Island talent Reshat Mati lands a big step up in his second title fight as he challenges on fellow New Yorker Cletus Seldin for his WBA NABA Super-Lightweight title. Mati (13-0 7 KOs) picked up the WBC Youth title at 140lbs in Mexico City in October in a tough tussle with Eduardo Rodriguez, outpointing the Mexican in his first ten round action.

Experienced banger Seldin (26-1 22 KOs) will provide an even tougher test in Mati’s second bout with a belt on the line, with ‘The Hebrew Hammer’ will want to extend his five fight KO winning streak as he returns to the ring for the first time since October 2021 when he knocked out William Silva in his Brooklyn backyard.

There are two more female title fights on the card, as Australian star Skye Nicolson looks to take a big step towards World title action against fellow unbeaten fighter Tania Alvarez for the WBC Silver Featherweight title and there’s another all-undefeated belt battle as Ramla Ali faces title action for the first time in the paid ranks as she meets Avril Mathie for the IBF Intercontinental Super-Bantamweight strap.

Nicolson (5-0) will look to bag belt number two just one month shy of a full year in the paid ranks having bagged the Commonwealth title on home turf in Queensland in October, completing a unique double having won Commonwealth gold for her country in the same state in 2018. It will be a night of firsts for Spaniard Alvarez (7-0 1 KO) as ‘La Violenca’ fights outside of Spain for the first time and in her first ten round bout for a belt.

Ali (7-0 2 KOs) and Mathie (8-0-1 3 KOs) also fight for their first title in the paid ranks, with Somali Olympian Ali heading into the contest after recording her second KO win and second in the first session of a fight in Saudi Arabia, the first female fight held in the country, while Florida based Aussie Mathie kept her unbeaten record intact with victory in her only fight of 2022 in June in Atlanta.

Two more undefeated fighters taste action on the card as Aaron Aponte (6-0-1 2 KOs) looks to get back to winning ways against Joshua David Rivers (8-1 5 KOs) following his entertaining split draw on the Canelo-GGG card in Las Vegas in September, and Brooklyn’s Harley Mederos (4-0 3 KOs) fights in New York for the first time against Mexico’s Julio Madera (4-2 2 KOs).

“What a start to 2023 we have in store in New York,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “The women continue to lead the way in undisputed fights, and we have two of the very best in action on February 4.

“Puerto Rico vs. Mexico fights always deliver fireworks, and we can expect nothing less when Amanda and Erika meet. Their clash of styles will make for a brilliant spectacle as Amanda and her army of fans returns to the scene of her history-making fight of the year with Katie, and we can expect a similar atmosphere to one of the greatest nights the sport has ever seen.

“Alycia was one of the standout fighters in 2022 and she has the undisputed battle she wanted the moment she ripped the titles from Terri in the UK - but what a golden opportunity for Ehlem to upset the odds.

“Reshat is in deep with the big hitting ‘Hebrew Hammer’ Seldin and Skye and Ramla both have big title fights that could be crucial on their paths to World title action.

“I cannot wait for February 4, it’s a stacked card from top to bottom and a great way for us to kick off a huge year for Matchroom on DAZN.”

“What a way to kick off our US boxing schedule with two blockbuster undisputed fights at the Garden! We are incredibly excited to be working with Amanda, Jake, Nakisa and the MVP team once again, and to have one of the best around, Alycia Baumgardner, back on DAZN. Both are truly exceptional fighters. Watch this brilliant fight night, live worldwide on DAZN”, said Joe Markowski, CEO DAZN North America.

Material and Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.

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