Eddie Hearn and Tony Bellew are back with the fourth instalment of our ‘Talk the Talk’ series, which airs tonight at 7pm (BST) on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel.

This week the duo are joined by big-hitters from the footballing world as Champions League winner and Sky Sports Football pundit Jamie Carragher, Watford F.C. captain Troy Deeney and Fleetwood Town F.C manager Joey Barton debate ‘Project Restart’ – the Premier League’s attempts to resume the season that was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic on March 13.

“We’re obviously planning our own return but football seems to have a range of hurdles to overcome in a short space of time before the restart,” said Hearn. “It’s another fascinating chat this time with Jamie, Joey and Troy to get some real insight from those involved in the game.”

 “It’s another great episode,” added Bellew. “Joey is a clever individual. Troy’s got an inspiring story, I’ve admired him from afar from years and it’s always a pleasure to speak with my mate Carra.”

Talk The Talk premieres tonight at 7pm (BST) tonight

According to Dan Rafael of boxingscene.com, bouts featuring former world champions Jessie Magdaleno and Jose Pedraza are in the works.

Magdaleno is due to face Yenifel Vicente in a 10-round bout contracted at 128 pounds on June 11 and Pedraza, who has won belts at junior lightweight and lightweight, is slated to meet Mikkel LesPierre in a 10-rounder at 141 pounds on June 18.

Both cards, like all of Top Ranks events, will air on an ESPN platform. It is unclear if the bouts are due to be main events or undercard bouts

When Jessie was going to fight in New York his weight was good and he was excited to fight, so he was very disappointed when the card was called off,” Frank Espinoza, Magdaleno’s manager, told BoxingScene. “Jessie is very anxious to get back in the ring. He wants to start making some noise this year. He’s excited about the fight coming up and hopefully he can fight for a title. He is (ranked) No. 1 (at featherweight) by the WBC.”

“Everyone wants to fight in front of crowds, but crowds or no crowds, my guys are ready to go back to work and ready fight,” Espinoza said. “I think the viewership will be huge because people have been missing boxing.”

By Bart Barry-

SAN ANTONIO – A curious scenario now plays in this city re COVID-19.  Told they can come out their residences and resume consumption at the previous pace, told they simply must resume consumership to save Texas business interests, er, liberty, residents are noticeably less inclined to do so than they were a month ago when it was verboten.

As I sit at the same window I’ve now sat every week at the same time since March, I’m able to report traffic isn’t 50-percent what it was during lockdown.  This be the fruit of unintended consequences.  When there was an authority remanding South Texans to their homes there was an object for their natural, childlike defiance; now that Lone Star government has gone proudly missing South Texans realize they’ve been abandoned to their proper fates, the cavalry ain’t coming for or against them, and much of April’s animating bravery has vanished.

Most thinking folks have spent this pandemic imagining the sundry ways life might be worse when it resumes, officially or otherwise, but few of us have considered how it might be better.  We’ll not get the full resetting many have wanted for a decade or two, life never is so symmetrical, but we’re already getting a partial resetting.

Airfare prices, for one, are undergoing a resetting not seen before.  No, they’re not going down the way every experience informed you they should, are they?  That’s because there’s no demand to compete for; most of us wouldn’t board a Southwest flight for free right now, so why drop the fare from $105 to $5?

A similar thing is about to play-out in malls across the fruited plain: Businesses expect loyal Americans to be so thrilled to have their inalienable rights to inessential and conspicuous consumption restored they’ll gladly pay a 30-percent markup for what heroic decisions retail CEOs have made on their employees’ behalves; meanwhile every American risking her health and familiars’ lives to go shopping expects Black Friday.  What happens, in other words, when supply and demand disappear together?

That question underlies much of the hesitancy you see in professional sports’ reluctance to return.  Oh sure, there are all the concerns they express publicly and often.  But there’s one longerterm concern they don’t express.  What happens if they turn the cameras back on and there’s not the pent-up interest they assumed in their budget?  The longer we adapt to a life without sports the fuller the resetting when they come back.  Sports gamblers, we learned last week from John Cassidy, have moved zealously to the stock market, a place where the Federal Reserve now backstops their wagers effectively as David Stern used to do with NBA Playoff games.

Ten years ago there were 100,000 boxing junkies who purchased every pay-per-view no matter how rank.  Are there still?  It sure wouldn’t be hard to find out if any promoter wanted to.

This week MUBI dropped in its curated queue the 1922 German silent film Nosferatu, and I watched it on a lark, the way you wouldn’t seek-out a history of Ecuadorian cacao cultivation but if one happened to be on the shelf of your Airbnb in Quito, why . . . I didn’t not-enjoy the “Symphony of Horror” in part because of the way I found myself preprepared as an audience member.  I didn’t expect action or explosions or color or dialogue; on its own terms it was fine once I got past an expectation Chaplin’s tramp would appear in each next scene.

Sunday I watched 30 minutes of TaylorMade Driving Relief on NBC and didn’t enjoy it.  Stripped of their accoutrements the best golfers in the world look like highschool fourball players on a Wednesday afternoon.  Much of the reason we believed what they did was essential and special was because thousands of our fellow men were behind them in every shot jostling for a chance to be close to them.  That conferred an authority no amount of commentary can – and no, none of the commentators considered shutting up long enough to allow the players’ undoubtedly insipid banter be heard.  Even money, that oldest authority-conferring trick in America, failed to land: When each month brings news of another $1 trillion in government relief that does little to relieve, how much of a fuck does anyone give if Rory or Rickie putts for $50,000?

If you’re going to look like TikTok you need teenage spontaneity, not fiftysomething Mike Tirico laughing over Bill Murray’s jokes before they’re told.  And yet, it dawns on me as I peruse YouTube today’s kids mightn’t be so good at improvisation as their predecessors, and there’s an element of improvisation required in broadcasting even something monochrome predictable as professional golf.

But the ongoing resetting requires much reimagining.  Every single item in the value stream of professional sports, right down to something insignificant as this column, must be reevaluated.  While the networks and teams and promoters and agents fumble about doing this, iterating their ways to a new normal, they need to start giving their product away and keep giving it away long after brave fans consider returning to their arenas.  If that means men in costumes playing children’s games no longer get 2,000 times the salary of a U.S. soldier, why, that’s an adaptation we’ll all have to stomach.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman has been named to the UFC Hall of Fame class for 2020 as a Pioneer. The 2020 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires^®, will take place later this year and will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS^®.

“Kevin Randleman was one of the first real athletes in the early days of UFC,” UFC President Dana White said. “He was a two-time NCAA Division I National Champion and All-American wrestler at The Ohio State University. He was the fifth heavyweight champion in UFC history and one of the first athletes to successfully compete at both heavyweight and light heavyweight. He was a pioneer of the sport and it’s an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2020.”

Randleman will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as the 17^th member of the Pioneer Era wing. The Pioneers Era category includes athletes who turned professional before November 17, 2000 (when the unified rules of mixed martial arts were adopted), are a minimum age of 35, or have been retired for one year or more.

A veteran of 33 professional fights during his 15-year career, Randleman compiled a record of 17-16 (4-3, UFC), including wins over UFC Hall of Famer Maurice Smith, UFC^®23: ULTIMATE JAPAN 2 middleweight tournament champion Kenichi Yamamoto and 2006 PRIDE FC world open-weight grand prix champion Mirko Cro Cop.

Randleman made his UFC debut on March 5, 1999 at UFC^® 19: ULTIMATE YOUNG GUNS in Bay St. Louis, Missouri, defeating Maurice Smith via unanimous decision. His victory earned him an immediate title shot for the vacant UFC heavyweight title against future UFC Hall of Famer and three-time King of Pancrase champion Bas Rutten in the main event of UFC^® 20: BATTLE FOR THE GOLD. Kevin entered the bout with a 7-2 record against the veteran Rutten, who stepped inside the Octagon^® with a 26-4-1 record, having won 19 of his previous 20 fights (1 Draw).

UFC^® 20: BATTLE FOR THE GOLD took place on May 7, 1999 in Birmingham, Alabama. As the fight began, Randleman immediately secured his first takedown. Kevin maintained top control while landing a barrage of punches that broke Rutten’s nose within the first five minutes, momentarily stopping the action for doctors to evaluate his condition. After Bas was deemed able to continue, Randleman immediately took Rutten back to the canvas, trading punches for 10 minutes, until referee John McCarthy halted action so doctors could address the heavy bleeding from Rutten’s nose.

Rutten would spend the majority this event fighting and throwing punches from his back, which resulted in Bas landing numerous strikes to Randleman’s head. At the end of regulation, with no winner declared, both athletes advanced to fight for three additional three-minute overtime rounds. Randleman seemed to control two of three rounds, but following 21 minutes of action, Rutten was declared the winner via split decision. This split decision loss is still considered one of the most controversial decisions in UFC history.

Rutten would later vacate the title, giving Randleman a chance to compete for the vacant UFC heavyweight title against Pete Williams at UFC 23. 

Randleman had a personal interest in this matchup, as Williams had recently defeated Kevin’s friend, trainer and coach, future UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman, one year earlier at UFC^® 17: REDEMPTION. Known as “The Kick Heard Round the World” this fight was later inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing in 2016.

UFC^®23: ULTIMATE JAPAN 2 took place on November 19, 1999 in Tokyo, Japan. At the beginning of the match, Randleman quickly advanced to the center of the Octagon, hitting Williams with several punches before securing his first takedown at the 10-second mark. Randleman controlled the action during the majority of the first round, until Williams rocked Kevin with a series of punches in the late frame.

Randleman recovered for the start of the second round, taking Williams down repeatedly and controlling the pace of the action through the remaining four rounds. Kevin’s numerous takedowns proved to be the deciding factor to winning the fight via unanimous decision and becoming the fifth heavyweight champion in UFC history.

Next, Randleman would successfully defend his title by defeating Pedro Rizzo at UFC^®26: ULTIMATE FIELD OF DREAMS, which took place on June 9, 2000 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With his victory, he became just the second UFC heavyweight champion to make a successful title defense. Kevin took a four-month break before returning to action to face future UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture on November 17, 2000 as the main event of UFC^®28: HIGH STAKES. Randleman would lose the title to Couture, then split his last two fights before leaving the organization after defeating former Strikeforce^® light heavyweight champion Renato Sobral at UFC^®35: THROWDOWN. He would continue to compete at both light heavyweight and heavyweight in other promotions until retiring in 2011.

During his MMA career, Randleman was known for his power and speed, as he recorded nine knockout victories and nine first round stoppages. A world-class wrestler at all levels, he also secured the second-most takedowns (21) during the time frame in which he competed in UFC from 1999-2002 (Tito Ortiz, 29).

Throughout his MMA career, Randleman consistently competed against the best of the best, including 13 athletes that collectively captured 13 UFC, six King of Pancrase and three PRIDE FC championships, along with individual titles in Strikeforce^® and World Extreme Cagefighting^®, respectively. Randleman also used his combat sports notoriety to compete as a professional wrestler with domestic and international promotions from 2002-07.

A native of Sandusky, Ohio, Randleman began wrestling in high school, compiling a record of 122-11 and capturing the Ohio state HS championship in 1989. He went on to wrestle at Ohio State University, where he was a three-time Big Ten and two-time NCAA Division I Champion in 1992-93. He passed away at the age of 44 in 2016 due to complications from pneumonia and is survived by his wife and four children.

Additional inductees into the UFC Hall of Fame class of 2020 will be announced in the coming weeks.

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOFFAQ. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 102 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

Alistair Overeem stopped Walt Harris in round two of their heavyweight main event at the VyStar Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida.

In the opening minute, Harris landed some heavy shots that sent Overrem to the ground. A heavy onslaught of Ground and Pound opened up a cut over the left eye of Overeem. Overeem was able to turn the tide as he got the back of Harris. In round two, Overeem sent Harris down with a big right hand. Overeem began to pound Harris on the ground. After about 20 shots the fight was stopped at 3:00.

Overeem, 253.5 lbs of Amsterdam, Netherlands, will celebrate his birthday on Sunday, and now has a record of 46-18-1. Harris, 264.5 lbs om Homewood, AL was making the the 1st appearance since the murder of his stepdaughter, and now has a record of 13-8-1.

Claudia Gadelha won a split decision over Angela Hill in a strawweight bout.

Gadelha fought through a cut over her right eye, took two cards 29-28. Hill took a card 29-28.

Gadelha, 115.5 lbs of Brazil is now 18-4. Hill, 115 lbs of San Diego, CA is 12-8.

Dan Ige won a split decision over Edson Barboza in a featherweight fight.

Barboza had a hemotoma under his left eye and was bleeding. Ige won two cards 29-28. Barboza took a card 29-28.

Ige, 146 lbs of Hawaii is now 14-2. Barboza, 145.5 lbs of Brazil is 20-9.

Krzystof Jotko won a unanimous decision over Eryk Anders in a middleweight bout.

Jotko, 185.5 lbs of Poland won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice and is now 22-4. Anders, 186 lbs of Birmingham, AL is 13-5.

In an action packed featherweight bout, Song Yadong won a unanimous decision over Marlon Vera.

Both guys landed good shots with Yadong landing punches, Vera did well with kicks and two takedowns, but Yadong won by scores of 29-28 on all cards.

Yadong, 145.5 lbs of China is 16-4-1-1. Vera, 145.5 lbs of Ecuador is 15-6-1.

Miguel Baeza remained perfect by knocking out Matt Brown in the 2nd round of their welterweight bout.

Both guys were rocked and knocked down in the 1st round. Seconds into the 2nd frame, Baeza landed a left hook that knocked down/ Baeza jumped on Brown and grzed him with a punch and the fight was stopped at 18 seconds.

Baeza, 170.5 lbs of Davie, FL is 9-0. Brown, 171 lbs of Columbus, OH is 24-17.

Kevin Holland needed just 39 seconds to take out Anthony Hernandez in a middleweight fight.

Holland landed a knee to the solar plexes that sent Hernandez down. Holland landed eight unanswered punches on the ground, and the fight was stopped.

Holland, 182.5 lbs of Fort Worth, TX is 17-5. Hernandez, 185.5 lbs of Dunnigan, CA is 7-2-1.

Giga Chikadze won a unanimous decision over Irwin Garcia in a featherweight bout.

Chikadze, 145.5 lbs of The Republic of Georgia won by scores of 30-26 and 30-27 twice and is now 10-2. Rivera, 145.5 lbs of Hudson Valley, NY is 9-5.

Nate Landwehr won a unanimous decision over Darren Elkins in a featherweight bout.

In round one, Elkins was cut around the right eye. In round two, Elkins was bleeding bad from his forehead. The doctor had to check him in the middle of the round.

Landwehr, 146 lbs of Clarksville, TN won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 to raise his record to 14-3. Elkins, 146 lbs of Portag, IN is 25-9.

Conrtney Casey made Mara Romero Borella in the 1st round of their flyweight bout.

While on her back, Casey was able to sink in an armbar that made Borella tap at 3:36.

Casey, 126 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 9-7. Borella, 125.5 lbs of Italy is 12-8-2.

Rodrigo Nascimento made Don’Tale Mayes tap in the 2nd round of their heavyweight bout.

Nascimento was able to apply a rear-naked choke that forced Mayes to tap at 2:05 of round two.

Nascimento, 255 lbs of Brazil is 8-0. Mayes, 241 lbs of Louisville, KY is 7-4.

LAS VEGAS, NV (May 15, 2020) – Prince Ranch Boxing’s undefeated super lightweight contender, Keith “The Bounty” Hunter (12-0, 7 KOs), has fully recovered from a hand injury suffered in his last fight with Sanjarbek Rakhmanov (12-3-1, 6 KOs), a 10-round bout that headlined on ShoBox back in February of this year.

Hunter, a Las Vegas native, is eager to face all top contenders when boxing returns. The super lightweight contender is currently ranked #13 by the WBA, meaning his shot at the top of the division is coming soon.

“I am ready to face the best in the division and I feel even better since my hand has fully healed with this time off,” explained Hunter, who ready to prove himself once again. “I was supposed to fight Shonjahon Ergashev and Malik Hawinks, so I’d like to fight them first, but honestly, a fight with any of the world champions is a challenge I’m ready for now. I willing and ready to face the best!”

Hunter, who is managed by Greg Hannley, is staying ready as he awaits a phone call that boxing is back.

“Keith Hunter is ready for his shot at the best in the division,” said manager Greg Hannley, CEO of Prince Ranch Boxing. “Keith has defeated two fighters signed by Mayweather Promotions in his last three consecutive bouts. He is getting national attention and his ranking in the WBA gets him closer to a world title shot. Now is Keith Hunter’s time.”

“I just know that I am gifted and want to win a world title to further my father’s legacy,” Hunter continued. “I am so focused, I just want to bring great entertainment to people who are in need of things to do, and if I can fight for a title, that’d even be better.”

Keith Hunter is promoted by Greg Cohen, founder, and CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions.

WHAT: SHOWTIME Sports’ Friday night series SHOWTIME BOXING CLASSICS will continue this week with two blockbuster matchups featuring all-time great Floyd Mayweather. In the first replay, Mayweather faces Argentine power-puncher Marcos Maidana for the WBA and WBC Welterweight Championships in one of the most competitive fights of the Hall of Famer’s career. The second fight features the undefeated Mayweather coming back from retirement to face mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor in one of the biggest global sporting events in recent memory.

WHEN: Tonight/Friday, May 15, at 10 p.m. ET/PT – Immediately following the premiere of BASKETBALL COUNTY: In The Water, documentary from executive producers Kevin Durant and Thirty Five Ventures’ Rich Kleiman.

WHERE TO WATCH: On SHOWTIME^®, via the SHOWTIME streaming service and SHOWTIME ANYTIME^®.

ADDED COVERAGE: During Friday’s SHOWTIME BOXING CLASSICS telecast, combat sports analysts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell will host a live digital companion series titled MORNING KOMBAT CLASSICS on the Morning Kombat YouTube Channel. They will watch the fights along with viewers, give their real-time reactions, and take questions from fans throughout the replay. Viewers can follow along and participate in the discussion by using the hashtag #FightFromHome on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Star trainers Manny Robles, Joel Diaz and Ronnie Shields join Chris Mannix in the latest episode of Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube show with trainers viewing the sport and the COVID-19 pandemic ‘From The Corner’.
WATCH ROBLES, DIAZ AND SHIELDS TALK ALL THINGS BOXING WITH CHRIS MANNIX ON ‘FROM THE CORNER’ ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW!
All three trainers have bustling stables of elite fighters and rising stars, and they are eagerly waiting for the go-ahead to prime their fighters to return with a bang, but first, Robles was asked about his old charge, former World Heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz. 

Robles: I’ve never had to depend on one boxer, I have a good stable of fighters and I’m lucky to be able to do what I do which is coach and be in boxing. I wish Andy nothing but the best, I understand he’s now training with Eddy Reynoso, I think that’s a good choice for Andy.

Bottom line is that it’s down to the fighter and he’s got to want it. Again, it’s down to accountability – fighters have to hold themselves accountable. We as coaches get them ready, train them and prepare them mentally and physically but if the fighter isn’t there what can you do? A fighter has to want it, and Andy has everything to get back into title contention again.

I said before the June fight with Anthony Joshua that he had what it took to be champion when no-one believed me, and I wasn’t wrong. Unfortunately, after June 1 everything changed, he was a different person overnight.  

On sparring:

Robles: How else will you get ready for a fight without sparring? It’s impossible. We have to rely on each other to be responsible, that everyone is staying safe and taking the necessary precautions and don’t end up getting sick. That’s all we can really do, hold yourself accountable and be responsible.

I’m working with four or five guys right now and I spread their training out. I’ve got other fighters that I communicate with and see how they are holding up and everyone is eager to get back to fighting. 

Diaz: You can improvise sparring with mitt work. You have to simulate the opponent that you are coming up against with the mitts. My guys are together in the camp house and as a trainer, not only am I training them, but I am reminding them that they can only go home and go to the gym and the supermarket, wash their hands and wear their masks. My boys have been sparring because they have been living together, so that’s not a problem for the guys I have here, but I have no dates, no fights.

On fighting without fans:

Diaz: We’re going through a pandemic and we have to make adjustments. Every fighter has probably boxed on an undercard with no fans at one point, I’ve had fighters box at 1am in front of one guy and the cleaners! I’ve heard from fighters recently say, ‘I don’t want to fight if there’s no fans’ but then hear fighters say, ‘I don’t care about the fans, boxing is my source of income, I need to bring the bread home!’ 

Do you want the fans, or do you want to bring food to the table? Based on the situation we are in; boxing is my source of income. People were sort of stuck watching UFC because there was a nothing else on and the ratings were high because everyone was watching. The fighters have to prepare mentally to do the same and say, ‘I am going to go to work’ and perform, or do you need the cheers of the crowd to hype you up?  

Robles: Fighters will fight anywhere in the world; you just have to adapt. This is what we do, it shouldn’t come as a shock, it’s just being able to adapt to the circumstances. 

Shields: We’re going to have to come back without fans, and it’s not going to be much different really, it’ll be like being in the gym. A lot of times in the gym you only have a few people watching you spar, so it’ll be a bit like that, but it’s the real deal. You have to prepare yourself mentally, but once you get in there, it’s not going to make a difference if you have a crowd or not, because that guy in front of you is trying to knock your head off and you have to concentrate on what’s in front of you and not what is in the audience.

On remote judging and corners:

Robles: It’s a complicated situation, I think the judges have to be there live, they aren’t close to the fighters. There are certain things that you can’t change. I got a call to say that there may only be two in the corner – coach and cutman – it’s difficult for two to do the corner, you need at least three and maybe four.

Shields: There’s no way it can happen. Suppose the internet goes, or the electricity goes? Anything can happen. Judges have a hard job as it is doing it live. They have to be there. 

Diaz: I’m not with that. You see a different fight on TV or on a monitor than you do watching it live. 

On Jermall Charlo vs. Demetrius Andrade

Shields: It’s not up to me, I don’t pick fights. That comes from the management, they strategize on who this and that guy is going to fight, then they come to me. To build a guy to become a World champion is one of the hardest things to do, and once they get there, you want to make sure that they get the best fights available to them. Our main goal now is Canelo, like everyone in the division, he’s the best and he brings the money. I like Demetrius, he’s a good fighter, but it’s not up to me to make the fights.

I spoke to Jermall and he said he just wants to get back to his sport and he’s anxious to go. These guys are ready. Jermall has a gym at his house but it gets boring when you are just doing a workout by yourself. He doesn’t care about not having fans there, he just wants to defend his title and he doesn’t want to sit out too much longer. 

By Norm Frauenheim

In case you haven’t heard or seen, Mike Tyson is coming back. That’s news, of course. But it’s strange to call his plans a comeback. When did he ever leave? He’s always in the public imagination. In deed. In name. In words. And now in video.

Video of Tyson in the gym went viral during a time when a real virus has kept so many at home with nothing much to do other than fantasize. Yeah, It’s Mike all right, waking up the past with echoes of his crazy power.

It’s fun to watch. It’s even fun to wonder.

Still, I’m not sure Tyson can still fight at 53 years old. Precedent and caution say no. But Tyson is nothing if not unprecedented.

Above all, the power in his ability to fascinate and entertain remains undiminished. Forgettable he’ll never be. At one level, it’s astonishing how much attention he can still generate. The internet is on fire with talk of him fighting Evander Holyfield.

Forget that it’s supposed to be a four-rounder for charity. Headlines, driven by runaway imaginations, frame it as the third fight in a rivalry with more imagined sequels than just another trilogy.

The hunt for the last piece of Holyfield’s ear from the 1997 Bite Fight might already be underway. In perhaps an apocryphal story, it was found on the canvas by maintenance, placed on a cocktail napkin and then lost in a cab during a wild ride from the MGM Grand to a Las Vegas emergency room after Tyson bit it off in the third round.  Maybe, the National Geographic Channel can find it preserved in gold at a pawn store or buried in liquid nitrogen in a cryonics coffin beneath the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.

It’s a story that will never go away. Then again, neither will Tyson. In a twist on an old line, you just can’t make him up. His craziness is a jagged collection of contradictions, yet genuinely compelling.

To this day, I’ll always remember him from a moment a couple of decades ago when he was living and training at the old Central Boxing Gym in downtown Phoenix. It was July. In the Arizona desert, only hell is hotter and not by much. Tyson was in the gym. The doors were wide open. A few box fans provided the only AC. Tyson was happy. I was sweating.

Turns out, it was a day when Tyson just wanted to talk. There were pigeons and food and philosophy and history and music. He talked and talked some more. Finally, I told him I had to leave. He follows me out of the gym and to my truck. I open the truck’s door and put my right foot inside the cab. Suddenly, I feel a hand as heavy as an anvil land on my left elbow.

Whoa.

Remember, Mike wanted to talk.

So, I listened.

I’ll never forget the power, running from his hand through my arm, like a force of nature. With one yank, he could have ripped my arm from my shoulder. I stood there, right foot in the truck and left foot on the street, planted by that one hand.

He was frightening.

He was fascinating.

He was everything then that he is today.

Even on video, that compelling mix is evident. People watch, still watch, in part because Tyson’s extremes can’t be faked. Genuine is an increasingly rare commodity in our fake-news world. In Tyson, it’s still there, abundant as it is vulnerable

Truth is, I’d rather Tyson not fight at all. There’s too much risk for him and the 57-year old Holyfield. I’m not convinced either will ever answer another opening bell anyway. Mind and name recognition might withstand the cumulative damage from blows over more than half a century. But the body will not.

Injuries in training are a real risk, perhaps one that will be enough to cancel plans to fight again. We don’t need to see a Tyson comeback. He’s not going anywhere anyway.   

Glover Teixeira beat up, battered and eventually stopped Anthony Smith in the 5th and final round of their light heavyweight bout at the VyStar Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida.

In round one, Teixeira was cut over his left eye. Smith continued to land heavy blows in round two that swelled up that eye.

Teixeira landed some vicious shots in the 3rd and had Smith in trouble, and close to being stopped in the 3rd. Teixeira pounded away at a bloody Smith for much of the round while Smith could only cover up on the ground,. Round four was much of the same as Teixeira beat up Smith with much of it being on the ground where Teixeira landed countless blows to the head.

Finally in round five, Teixeira got Smith on the ground and pounded away at a prone Smith, and the fight was mercifully stopped at 1:04. The fight could have been stopped in between rounds, and Smith lost at least one tooth.

Teixeira, 205 1/2 lbs of Danbury, CT is 31-7. Smith, 205 lbs of Omaha, NE is 32-15.

Ben Rothwell won a split decision over Ovince Saint Preux in a heavyweight bout.

In round two, Saint Preux began to bleed from his nose. The fight was a toe to toe brawl at times that had Rothwell winning 29-28 on two cards, and Saint Preux take a card 29-28.

Rothwell, 265 lbs of Kenosha, WI is 38-12. Saint Preux, 240 1/2 lbs of Knoxville, TN is 24-14.

Drew Dober stopped Alexander Hernandez in the 2nd round of their lightweight fight.

After a fairly even 1st round that saw , Hernandez get cut over his left eye from punches landed by Dober, Dober landed some vicious punches that hurt Hernandez several times in the 2nd frame. Hernandez desperately was successful on a couple of takedowns, but he was too hurt to sustain any type of ground advantage. Hernandez got to his feet, but was hurt by a couple of vicious shots, and the fight was stopped at 4:25.

Dober, 156 lbs of Denver, CO is 23-9-1. Hernandez, 155 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 11-3.

Ricky Simon won a split decision over former title challenger Ray Borg in a bantamweight fight.

Simon, 135 lbs of Vancouver, WA won by two scores of 29-28; Borg won a card 29-28.

Simon is now 16-3. Borg, 135 1/2 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 13-5.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski won a unanimous decision over Phillipe Linz in a heavyweight bout.

Arlovski, 238 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and is now 29-19-2. Linz, 236 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL is 14-4.

Thiago Moises made Michael Johnson tap in round two of their lightweight bout.

Johnson had a good round one, but Moises came out early in round two to take Johnson down, and eventually get him in a leg lock that made Johnson tap at 25 seconds.

Moises, 155 1/2 lbs of Sao Paulo. BRA is 13-4. Johnson 156 lbs of Boca raton, FL is 20-16.

Sijara Eubanks won a unanimous decision over Sarah Moras in a bantamweight bout.

Eubanks won by scores of 30-27 twice and 30-26, and is now 5-4. Moras is 6-6.

Omar Morales remained undefeated with a unanimous decision over Gabriel Benitez in a lightweight fight.

Morales won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice to go to 10-0. Benitez is 21-8.

Brian Kelleher stopped previously undefeated Hunter Azure in round two of their featherweight bout.

Kelleher landed a a booming left hook in round two that dropped Azure hard on his back. Kelleher landed two more crushing blows on a defenseless Azure, and the bout was stopped at 3:40.

Kelleher, 145 1/2 lbs of Seldin, NY is 21-10. Azure, 145 lbs of Phoenix, AZ.

Chase Sherman stopped Ike Villanueva in the 2nd round of their heavyweight bout.

Sherman backed Villanueva back against the cage in round two, and landed a short but vicious elbow to the chin that sent Villanueva down, and the fight was stopped at 49 seconds.

Sherman, 253 lbs of Mississippi is now 15-6. Villanueva, 232 lbs of Houston is 16-10.

NEW YORK – May 13, 2020 – SHOWTIME Sports announced today its new mixed martial arts series, MORNING KOMBAT STRIKEFORCE CLASSICS, which features hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell reliving some of the most memorable STRIKEFORCE on SHOWTIME^® fights, along with all-new interviews and analysis from legendary combat sports analyst Mauro Ranallo and Bellator MMA President and STRIKEFORCE founder Scott Coker. The new series will premiere on SHOWTIME EXTREME Thursday, May 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and will also be available via the SHOWTIME streaming service and SHOWTIME ANYTIME^®.

The MORNING KOMBAT STRIKEFORCE CLASSICS series will feature some of MMA’s biggest names over the coming months, including all-time greats Frank Shamrock, Gilbert Melendez and Daniel Cormier.

“I am extremely proud of what we accomplished with STRIKEFORCE and our partners at SHOWTIME,” Coker said. “We helped build some of the sport’s biggest stars and promoted some of the most incredible events that mixed martial arts had ever seen. The fact that these moments are still being discussed to this day shows what type of impact STRIKEFORCE had on the industry. I am excited that SHOWTIME is providing fans the opportunity to relive these classic matchups that helped make the organization what it was.”

This Thursday’s MORNING KOMBAT STRIKEFORCE CLASSICS episode will feature Frank “The Legend” Shamrock and the three final fights of his legendary career. In 2007, Shamrock won the first STRIKEFORCE Middleweight world title belt against Phil Baroni in the first STRIKEFORCE co-produced mixed martial arts event on SHOWTIME PPV^®. In 2008, he suffered a loss to Cung Le in which Le broke Shamrock’s arm. Also in the spotlight will be Shamrock’s final career fight against Nick Diaz in 2009, which kicked off a run of nine STRIKEFORCE events on SHOWTIME that year.

The Melendez-Josh Thomson trilogy will be featured on Thursday, May 21, and three of Daniel Cormier’s STRIKEFORCE HEAVYWEIGHT GRAND PRIX wins will air on Thursday, May 28.

Founded in 2006 by Coker, STRIKEFORCE MMA traces its roots back to 1985 starting as a regional kickboxing promotion. STRIKEFORCE was a launchpad for future champions such as Cormier, Robbie Lawler, Gina Carano, Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Luke Rockhold and Tyron Woodley.

The MORNING KOMBAT STRIKEFORCE CLASSICS on SHOWTIME EXTREME schedule for the month of May is below with more episodes to follow in June:

• Thursday, May 14, 10 p.m. ET/PT: 
  • Shamrock vs. Baroni (June 22, 2007) – Baroni wastes little time from the start but is eventually worn down by a relentless Shamrock ground attack. The finish comes by way of technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:00 of round two, crowning Shamrock the inaugural STRIKEFORCE Middleweight Champion.

• Shamrock vs. Cung Le – (March 29, 2008) – In the 2008 “Fight of the Year,” Le controls the fight early with Shamrock making a commendable run late in the third round. A brutal kick from Le’s left leg breaks Shamrock’s arm, ending the bout after three five-minute championship rounds and earning Le the STRIKEFORCE Middleweight World Title.

• Shamrock vs.  Diaz – (April 11, 2009) – Diaz dominates the veteran Shamrock, earning a TKO (punches) at 3:57 of the second round. The victory is one of 11 that Diaz earned over the course of a four-year undefeated stint in which he would later secure and defend the STRIKEFORCE Welterweight World Title.

• Thursday, May 21, 10 p.m. ET/PT:
  • Melendez vs. Thomson I – (June 27, 2008) – After claiming the STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Championship nearly two years earlier, Melendez is dethroned for the first time in his young career. Thomson is able to keep Melendez guessing all night, using tactical jabs and an elite ground game to control the former 155-pound world titleholder.

o    Melendez vs. Thomson II – (December 19, 2009) – Melendez avenges his first loss to Thomson with a unanimous decision victory. He dominates all five rounds using a combination of his elite ground game and knockout power to win and unify the STRIKEFORCE Lightweight World Title. Earning the 2009 Sports Illustrated “Round of the Year,” the fifth and final round of the contest will forever be remembered as one of the all-time greatest slugfests in MMA history.

• Melendez vs. Thomson III – (May 19, 2012) – Melendez survives a flurry of punches and a late takedown by Thomson at the end of the fourth, sending the rubber matchto a decisive final round. In the end, it is Melendez who defends his crown, as he holds off Thomson via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47), ending the epic trilogy with 25 minutes of war.

• Thursday, May 28, 10 p.m. ET/PT:
  • Cormier vs. Jeff Monson (June 18, 2011)– In a STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Grand Prix reserve bout, the eventual tournament champion and MMA newcomer Cormier captures a unanimous decision (30-27) against the former world champion wrestler Monson. 

• Cormier vs. Antonio Silva (September 10, 2011)– The undefeated Cormier gives up over 10 inches in reach, seven inches in height, and about 40 pounds in weight to Brazilian heavyweight “Bigfoot” Silva, but that doesn’t stop him from dropping the larger man to the canvas just 45 seconds into the fight with an overhand right. A few minutes later, Cormier delivers a massive right uppercut, knocking Silva out at 3:56 into the opening round and advancing to the final of the STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Grand Prix.

• Cormier vs. Josh Barnett (May 19, 2012)– Cormier emerges the STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament victorious with his 10^th consecutive professional victory. A jaw-dropping slam takedown by Cormier sets the stage for his early dominance. In the end, Barnett lasts all five championship rounds only to witness Cormier celebrate his new 265-pound world title.

For a limited time, new customers who sign up on SHOWTIME.com and the SHOWTIME app can take advantage of a 30-day free trial for the SHOWTIME streaming service, available on SHOWTIME.com and the SHOWTIME app on all supported devices.

FORMER SUCCESSFUL AMATEUR Jonathan Kumuteo is set to turn professional under the promotional guidance of Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions.

The 24-year-old DR Congo-born welterweight will enter the pro ranks working from the Bushey base of trainer Josh Burnham.

Preparing to embark on his professional journey working hard in solitary at his gym, Kumuteo insists the launch of his career and continued development couldn’t be in better hands.

In his first interview as a Queensberry fighter, Kumuteo spoke to Dev Sahni here.

“It means a lot because signing with Queensberry and Frank means I am with one of the biggest companies in the UK and Europe. To have the platform and backing is a dream come true.”

Kumuteo, who describes himself as ‘an aggressive counter-puncher’ enjoyed success in the amateur ranks with victory in the London Novice u20 championships and was a finalist in the National Novice championships, clocking up 28 fights as an amateur.

However, his amateur experience was punctuated by the suffering of Hidradenitis Suppurativa, (HS), which is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, for a little over four years.?

The condition affected his ability to compete in tournaments, as well as his availability to accept international recognition by both England and DRC.

“I started boxing in 2012 and it affected me for over half of my amateur career,” explained Kumuteo, who hails from Finchley. “I had three operations, the most recent being in November 2018, which I have fully recovered from.

“The first operation was minor, but the second was a particularly depressing time where I lost all my strength and literally had to rebuild from scratch. I remember first going back to the gym when I couldn’t even bench-press ten reps with no weights.

“I still boxed and lost in the London Alliance finals before following up with my dermatologist to determine the best course of action with regards to boxing again. The skin around my under arms was very weak and would always tear open.

“Sometimes I could train and sometimes I couldn’t. In my opinion I should have had at least 60-plus bouts in the amateurs but wasn’t able to due to all the time out.

“I was then advised I would need skin graft surgery if I wished to pursue a boxing career. I recovered for three months and have been in the gym ever since February 2019 training for my professional debut.

“When having to go through the pain I had to go through and still boxing for four years I found there were people going through similar situations and winning with it. When I found this out I stopped complaining and got on with everything.

“Now I am completely healed and free from medication I feel I am going to be unstoppable because if I can win the London Novice championships taking heavy medication every day, what would I have been like now that I am good?”

It was a similar will to win and an insatiable competitive streak that first led him to lacing up and stepping into the ring in the first place.

“As a youngster I was always highly competitive and if there could be a winner – in whatever it was – I always wanted to win.

“A friend of mine challenged me to spar him down at the local boxing club and initially I wasn’t interested. I decided to give it a go after a few more challenges and I fell in love with sport instantly and joined Finchley ABC.”

When he is not boxing, Kumuteo, who enjoys a sizeable following on social media thanks in no small way to sharing his experience of HS, likes to turn his hand to creative forms of media to share with his followers.

“I put that down to being creative and always thinking outside of the box. I am actually interested in photography and videography and I like to cast myself as being creative. I am always studying anything to do it, whether it be in sport, fashion and whatever.

“My own Instagram page is unlike anyone else’s and I call it a seamless feed because all my images connect. No matter image I upload, it is almost like a collage and whatever the size the images all connect one by one.

“I hope my boxing is seamless as well,” he continued, adding in a career goal for good measure.

“I know I can perform and I have the potential. With the right team, like Frank Warren and Queensberry, I believe I can go all the way.

“I have been training and the bag has become my best friend during lockdown. I am ready to go.”

Dmitry Bivol says that he is willing to drop down to Super-Middleweight to face World champion Callum Smith and become a two-weight World champion as he plots his future in the latest episode of Matchroom Boxing’s Podcast ‘The Lockdown Tapes’.
THE LOCKDOWN TAPES WITH DMITRY BIVOL IS ALSO ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW!
Bivol (17-0 11 KOs) has held the WBA Light-Heavyweight crown for over two and a half years with six successful defenses over that time, and the Russian ace has been chasing a major showdown with the likes of fellow countryman and champion Artur Beterbiev. 

The 29 year old’s appetite for a crunch clash has also caused his eyes to look to the 168lbs division too, where an old amateur foe Callum Smith holds the WBA and Ring Magazine belts, and one of boxing’s elite draws, Canelo Alvarez, has also operated recently.

Bivol’s preference is to remain at 175lbs and unify the division first, but he’s put the Super-Middleweight division on red alert by asserting that he could make the weight with ease. 

“I watch a lot of fights in my division,” said Bivol. “I know that Beterbiev is one of the more dangerous fighters because he is really strong. If I were to fight Beterbiev I would like it to be in the USA because more people can see this fight than if I fight in Russia. 

“Canelo at Super-Middleweight is a big fight but everyone wants to fight him. He is just a man, he is just a boxer. You can earn money with him and it is a good opportunity to show your boxing skills to the whole world because of his massive fan base. 

“I would prefer the fight at 175lbs as it’s my weight but I could move down to 168lbs, that’s not a big problem for me. I had breakfast before my last fight on weigh-in day and think I have the reserves to come down.

“I boxed Callum Smith in Hungary as an amateur and to be honest I don’t remember this fight at all! At the time, he was just a tall guy, with good skills from Great Britain and I had to beat him. I think in the pro’s if we were to fight now it would be great for the British and Russian fans. It is a good fight for boxing because he is a champion at 168lbs and I am a champion at 175lbs. I want to fight the best in the world and he is now one of the best.”

Fans can find Bivol’s episode plus previous episodes with, Joshua Buatsi, Devin Haney, Demetrius Andrade, Joseph Parker, Josh Warrington, Daniel Jacobs, Joe Cordina and Liam Smith here:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-matchroom-boxing-podcast/id1506174562

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YRAWQS5JXB0OvM8vCqZxq

Matchroom Website: https://www.matchroomboxing.com/lockdown-tapes-podcast/

Miami – May 12, 2020 – Boxeo Telemundo, the #1 Spanish-language boxing program in the U.S., continues its special encore presentations this Friday, May 15 at 12 a.m. ET on Telemundo with the story of former World Champion Orlando “El Fenomeno” Cruz. The trailblazer fighter made history on Boxeo Telemundo as the first openly gay boxer.

Boxeo Telemundo will be broadcast on Telemundo and streamed on the Telemundo Deportes app highlighting the best bouts around each story and featuring special commentary from the experts to provide viewers with insights and anecdotes. Additional extensive news and content on TelemundoDeportes.com, including the fighters’ best moments following each episode.

Cruz joins Florida Boxing Hall of Famer Rene Giraldo and Edgar Lopez during the program to relive his most unforgettable Boxeo Telemundo bouts and his personal story as the first openly gay athlete in the sport. The episode will highlight Cruz’ iconic fight from October 19, 2012  when he squared off against Jorge Pazos, his first bout after coming out and following his victory for the Featherweight Latino OMB Title. The show will also showcase Cruz against Orlando Salido in Las Vegas from March 13, 2013. This fight solidified him as the #1 contender in the featherweight division. Cruz went onto fight twice for world titles: WBO Featherweight (October 2013 vs. Orlando Salido) and WBO Lightweight (November 2016 vs. Terry Flanagan).

Boxeo Telemundo will culminate its featured encores next Friday, May 22 with a look back at the beginnings of 4-division champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. 

Debuting in 1989, Boxeo Telemundo has grown to become the #1 combat sports program in the U.S. among Hispanics, across broadcast and cable landscape. Since its launch, Boxeo Telemundo has broadcast over 350 title fights, showcasing some of the biggest boxing stars as they rose to stardom and won their first championship titles, earning a reputation as the show “where champions are born.” Among these stars is Saúl Canelo Alvarez, who won his first pro boxing title on Boxeo Telemundo in 2008. Other notable Champions featured include Juan Manuel Marquez, Diego Corrales, Carlos Maussa,?Floyd Mayweather, Israel Vázquez,?Wilfredo Vázquez,?Rafael Ruelas,?Jorge Solis and many others. In addition, renowned boxing Hall of Famers have also appeared on the show including Erik Morales,?Marco Antonio Barrera and Felix Trinidad.?

DETROIT, MI (May 12, 2020) – Golden Boy Promotions undefeated rising lightweight contender, 21-year old Ryan Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs), will be the featured guest on the second episode of “Stars and Champions”, airing this Friday, May 15, 2020, on the Impact Network. The 30-minute broadcast, hosted by Dan Rafael, begins at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT. Rafael gets confirmation on who Garcia wants next in the ring, and what he has been doing to keep busy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ryan Garcia and I have a great relationship and the topics we covered during our conversation were amazing,” said Dan Rafael. “He talked about his close friendship with Saul “Canelo” Alverez, how he’s like a big brother to him, and the unbelievable coaching he’s getting from their trainer Eddy Reynoso. In addition, Garcia talks about potential mega fights with Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez, all of whom are in their early to mid-twenties. We also discuss his routine during the pandemic, how he got introduced to the sport of boxing, as well as his self built social media empire. This is a must see episode of “Stars and Champions” if you’re a fan of Ryan Garcia, and boxing in general.”

“We are thrilled to have Ryan Garcia as our next guest,” said Royal Jackson, Impact executive producer of Stars and Champions. “The kid is only twenty-one and has a charisma about him that is unprecedented for a young man his age. Furthermore, to his incredible talent in the ring, he’s a down to earth individual who brings a breath of fresh air to the sport of boxing.”

“Ryan Garcia is coming off two incredible knockouts and his 6.1 million followers on Instagram is proof that he’s well on his way to becoming the next superstar in the sport.” stated Steve Marcano of SMM Boxing. “We are booking the biggest names in boxing on “Stars and Champions”.

“The Impact Network is rapidly becoming a household name in boxing,” said Rick Torres, Head of Business and Legal Affairs for SMM Boxing. “Our first show with Leonard Ellerbe was incredible and now we get to feature the young phenom, Ryan Garcia in our second episode. Boxing fans will enjoy this interview, that I can guarantee.”

The Impact Network airs “Stars and Champions” across all major cable, satellite, and digital channels. Impact is now broadcasting 24-hours a day, seven days a week, on DIRECTV’s Channel 380 or Channel 268, DISH Network’s Channel 268, Fios TV Channel 787, and Comcast’s Xfinity TV’s Channel 400. In addition, Impact Network can be viewed digitally on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Microsoft, and Sling. “Stars and Champions” can also be viewed on the Impact Network website and mobile app. Please check local listings in your area for more information.

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About Impact Network: The Impact Network provides family friendly entertainment and educational themed inspirational content through its many distribution platforms. Broadcasting in over 88 million homes, Impact endeavors to be the foremost innovative inspirational network both locally and abroad. The Impact Network is the fastest growing and largest black owned faith-based TV network spanning across the united states, the Bahamian Islands and parts of Africa!

DETROIT, MI (May 11, 2020) – The debut of “Stars and Champions”, headlined by CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe, made its highly anticipated debut this past Friday on the Impact Network. Ellerbe and host, legendary boxing writer Dan Rafael, had an open discussion about the challenges facing the boxing business as we continue to tread through the COVID-19 pandemic. Replays of “Stars and Champions” can be seen on Impact Boxing Series IGTV, Impact Facebook page, and on online at www.watchimpact.com.

“Leonard Ellerbe and I had a great informative conversation about boxing, and the business side of things, plus what challenges lie ahead as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the sports world,” said Rafael. “Ellerbe also hinted on the possibility of Floyd Mayweather returning to the ring. I believe “Stars and Champions” will be here to stay as I have been getting great feedback from our first show.”

“The first thing that were going to do, Mayweather Promotions, we’re going to roll out a nice small show for our younger fighters,” said Ellerbe. “We’ve already secured a venue. It’s just a matter of the timing and we’re looking at potentially the end of July, and all that just depends on what happens here in Las Vegas.”

“We are very pleased, here at the Impact Network, with the numbers generated from our first show,” stated Royal Jackson, Impact executive producer of Stars and Champions. “Leonard Ellerbe and Dan Rafael did a great job with their discussion. The show is now available on our Facebook page.”

“We are off to a great start with our initial “Stars and Champions” show,” stated Steve Marcano of SMH Group. “The content was highly educational and all of our shows moving forward are going to be fan friendly.”

“The progress being made with our first show has been excellent,” said Rick Torres, Head of Business Affairs for Impact Boxing. “As we march on, I believe “Stars and Champions” will continue to gain momentum in the boxing world.”

The Impact Network will air “Stars and Champions” across all major cable, satellite, and digital channels. Impact is now broadcasting 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and can be viewed on DIRECTV’s Channel 380 or Channel 268, DISH Network’s Channel 268, Fios TV Channel 787, and Comcast’s Xfinity TV’s Channel 400. In addition, Impact Network can be viewed digitally on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Microsoft, and Sling. “Stars and Champions” can also be viewed on the Impact Network website and mobile app. Please check local listings in your area for more information.

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About Impact Network: The Impact Network provides family friendly entertainment and educational themed inspirational content through its many distribution platforms. Broadcasting in over 88 million homes, Impact endeavors to be the foremost innovative inspirational network both locally and abroad. The Impact Network is the fastest growing and largest black owned faith-based TV network spanning across the united states, the Bahamian Islands and parts of Africa!

BOSTON (May 11, 2020) – Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker announced that it has signed a pair of promising Ukrainian prospects, word-rated welterweight Karen Chukhadzhian (16-1, 7 KOs) and super lightweight Zoravor Petrosyan (7-0, 3 KOs), to exclusive managerial contracts.

“I’m honored to represent such high-quality Ukrainian fighters like Karen and Zoravor,” Fighter Locker president Ryan Roach said “They’re both trained by world champion Vyacheslav Senchenko. Anytime you can add such accomplished fighters to your stable, especially a champion like Karen, is a dream come true. I’m looking forward to getting them here in the United States and into fights.”

The 24-year-old Chukhadzhian, ranked No. 14 in the world by the World Boxing Association (WBA), captured the WBA International welterweight title in his last fight this past February 1, by way of a 10-round decision over previously undefeated Sergy Vorobiev (9-1).

Chukhadzhian is also a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Youth and World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Silver welterweight champion. Like the great Bernard Hopkins he lost his pro debut, he has reeled off 16 consecutive victories.

Back in 2008, Chukhadzhian first became inspired to box after watching “King” Arthur Abraham overcome a broken jaw to decision Edison Miranda. Karen went on to have approximately 200 amateur fights and was crowned 2014 Ukraine National Champion.

“I’m pleased to have signed a contract with Ryan Roach and Daniyar Ganik (trainer),” Chukhadzhian said. “I look forward to fighting in the United States and climbing new mountains.”

Petrosyan, 21, was a decorated amateur boxer who captured a bronze medal at the 2016 World Youth (Under-19) Championships, in addition to being a multiple Ukrainian National champion. All seven of his pro career fights to date, which started October 2, 2018, have been held in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev.

“I can’t wait to start boxing in the United States,” Petrosyan commented. “I can’t believe my boxing career is now going to be built in the U.S. I’m confident of becoming a world champion I’m ready for a youth title fight right now.”

Chukhadzhian and Petrosyan join Fighter Locker’s growing stable that already includes their fellow countryman, North American Boxing Association (NABA) super welterweight title holder Stanyslav Skofokhod (19-2, 16 KOs). Other stablemates are Dominican welterweight Juan Carlos “Merengue” Abreu (23-5-1, 21 KOs), the former IBF Youth World super lightweight champion; Lynn, MA super welterweight Khiry Todd (10-1, 8 KOs),Dorchester, MA welterweight Gabriel Duluc (15-3, 4 KOs), Troy, NY super lightweight RayJay Bermudez, Toronto, Canada welterweight Jeff “The Trouble 1” Tabrizi (8-3, 7 KOs), plus former Kazakhstan National Team light heavyweight Alexey Sevostyanov and Irish National champion Paul Ryan, who will fight as a welterweight in the pro ranks. The latter two will make their pro debuts when boxing returns.

Ukraine, of course, has developed into one of the most prolific countries in terms of producing great boxers such as Vasiliy Lomachenko, Aleksandr Usyk, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Viktor Postol, among the most notable contemporary fighter from Ukraine.

Chukhadzhian and Petrosyan are in the latest wave from the Eastern European country.

Eddie Hearn and Tony Bellew are back with the third instalment of our ‘Talk the Talk’ series, which airs tonight at 8pm (BST) on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel.

The duo return for another knockout episode starring Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte and Liverpool’s UFC star Darren ‘The Gorilla’ Till.

Speaking from his Portugal training camp, Whyte discusses the possibility of fighting Alexander Povetkin behind closed doors and analyses Francis Ngannou’s victory at UFC 249 as a potential crossover clash down the line continues to gain momentum. 

Following a Twitter back and forth in the week, Till accepted Hearn’s open invite to come on the show and recap the return of MMA, reveal his proposed next outing and shake on a bet for the undisputed fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. 

Amongst a host of other topics, both men also discussed cutting weight in their respective sports and what can be done to improve fighter safety.

“It’s another unbelievable show,” said Hearn. “I’ve never spoke with Darren before, he calls me out on social media from time to time but it was fascinating to chat. Dillian’s always ready to go and provides great value in the latest Talk The Talk.”

“Darren and Dillian are two good guys who just want to fight, that’s the most important thing in combat sports and that shines through in episode 3,” added Bellew.

Talk The Talk premieres tonight at 8pm (BST) tonight

By Bart Barry-

Editor’s note: Since 2016 we’ve allowed Bart Barry to interview himself about the state of the craft once annually when he is particularly bereft of ideas for his weekly column.  Each week since March 23 we’ve expected him to request a self-interview opportunity (yes, he uses a proper hyphen when he emails).  This week it came.

BB: We only get to go to this well once every –

BB: Let’s not begin with a cliché, kid.

BB: Surprised it took this long to revert to form?

BB: A little, yes, but you do realize, right, there’s no need to use prepositions when we interview ourselves?

BB: Surprised it took long revert form?

BB: Much better.  The prepositions are for others’ clarity; when we picture a glass of TexaCola we never need of in the picture.

BB: Frankly –

BB: It’s a glass with TexaCola, obviously, not a glass constructed of cola.

BB: Be neither tedious nor insipid, lad.

BB: I loved last week’s column.  I love Kevin Barry.  He’s the writer who comes nearest the ideal of writing in the mind’s proper code.

BB: An Irishman, naturally.

BB:  Land of James Joyce, but oh so much more enjoyable.

BB: Twas a legendary matchmaker who set the hands on the Joyce clock for us –

BB: Denver weighin –

BB: Sweatbox firehazard –

BB: “You know anyone who’s ever enjoyed Ulysses?”

BB: Literature for people who enjoy feeling smart more than reading.

BB: What’s this, then?

BB: Easy to write.

BB: Does that inoculate it?

BB: One hopes.  Anything th’t can be written fastly and funlike can’t be too Joycean.

BB: How’s quarantine, son?

BB: Lovely, if I’m honest.  Haven’t read so much in 20 years.

BB: Tell me about American energy.

BB: I love that we can use italics here instead of quotes because I can’t make myself put the punctuation mark inside the quotation marks.  It looks all wrong to me.  Looks fine in dialogue; looks awful elsewhere.  I assume it’s a vestigial ask from some 18th-century typesetter.

BB: Tell me about “American energy”.

BB: Peggy Noonan used that term recently in a column, or quoted someone who did, and it struck me like a perfect euphemism for desperate anxiety.  Even in its context – a man whose wife won’t let him quarantine peacefully on his La-Z-Boy but instead remands him to Home Depot – it reads like desperate anxiety.

BB: One man’s desperate anxiety be another man’s entrepreneurial zeal.

BB: Lockdowns have shown us what’s what.  Revenge of the unenergetic, as it were.  Good to see the hyperactive boys, be they 15 or 75, trying to sit still, and they can’t.  All that hyperbolic bullshit about “hustle” we’ve been hearing from them for centuries –

BB: Turns out it wasn’t ever the choice they credited themselves with making.

BB: Monkeys moving wood.

BB: “You don’t think I’d like to just sit around all day on my couch doing nothing?”

BB: Turns out, dude, you can’t sit on your couch in your own home in the presence of your own spouse and offspring for a full hour, can you?

BB: Sounds like someone’s dad yelled at him for not sprinting from the dugout each inning.

BB: You miss him?

BB: Nope.

BB: What about her?

BB: This is the second Mother’s Day since her passing – though there’s not been the void we were raised to expect.  I miss none of the zaniness, and all her best qualities are somewhere in her daughters already, so . . .

BB: Whither our beloved sport?

BB: I credit it with staying for the most part quiet, with recognizing there’s no optimization right now, and thus no reason for selfimprovement or willful change.

BB: Boxing ain’t been on its grind.

BB: All the better.

BB: Tis a bit of a surprise.  One’d’ve thought callouts and socialmedia threats’d’ve been at record highs, right?

BB: Bullied into silence, a little, methinks.  When they show us Ali marathons or Tyson clips or items from the Pacquiao and Mayweather vaults, it quiets them, even the dummies.

BB: What does the return look like?

BB: Ask someone knowledgeable.

BB: Right.

BB: I’m not sure I’ve the imagination for that even if I thought about it in selfinterested terms for a month, and I damn sure have not.

BB: Empty arenas?

BB: We’re well-practiced at that.  Even our best ideas –

BB: The DAZN tournament, the one with the –

BB: The one Usyk won –

BB: And Callum Smith and Inoue –

BB: World Boxing Super Series!

BB: There you go.

BB: Even that had its prelims go off in what were effectively cavernous television studios.  Just bring them inside the studio.  Surprised Top Rank hasn’t built that yet.

BB: Or PBC.  It’s what they’ve been after for years.

BB: Do you miss traveling?

BB: Not nearly so much as previous years’ expenses predicted.

BB: I don’t miss any of it.  I didn’t prepare for this, but I’m well-prepared somehow.  The music stopped, and I like the chair I find myself in.

BB: Tell them a secret.

BB: We didn’t expect to be doing this, still, in 2020.  There was a final interview with the boxing writer by the boxing writer tacitly planned for last December then the new job fell through and with it the relocation and a justification to end all this, and here we are, sans regret.

BB: And still kicking long enough to write a review of Carlos’ book and Jimmy’s.

BB: I’ve not had a regret since puberty, but in November I felt a twinge of disappointment I’d not have the column when those guys’ books got published.

BB: Reading takes care of its own.

BB: Every experience in every life is equal parts impossible and inevitable.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Modern Wing’ as a member of the class of 2020. The 2020 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Toyo Tires^®, will take place later this year and will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS^®.

“Georges St-Pierre is a pioneer of Canadian MMA who helped build the sport globally,” UFC President Dana White said. “He is the most famous athlete to ever come out of Canada and one of the greatest martial artists of all-time. We’re proud to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2020.”

St-Pierre will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as a member of the Modern Wing, joining Forrest Griffin (2013), BJ Penn (2015), Urijah Faber (2017), Ronda Rousey (2018), Michael Bisping (2019) and Rashad Evans (2019) in this distinguished category. The “Modern Era” category includes athletes who turned pro on or after November 17, 2000 (when the first UFC event under the unified rules of MMA was held), are a minimum age of 35 or who have been retired for one year or more.

A veteran of 28 fights during his 17-year career, St-Pierre compiled a record of 26-2 (20-2, UFC), which included wins over UFC Hall of Famers BJ Penn, Matt Hughes, Matt Serra and Michael Bisping. His record also includes victories over well-known opponents such as former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk, former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks, former WEC^® welterweight champion Carlos Condit, former WEC^® and Strikeforce^® welterweight champion Nick Diaz and former Shooto welterweight and Strikeforce^® middleweight champion Jake Shields.  

St-Pierre made his UFC debut at UFC^® 46: SUPERNATURAL on January 31, 2004 in Las Vegas, defeating Karo Parisyan via unanimous decision. Georges returned to Las Vegas on June 19 to face Jay Hieron at UFC^® 48: PAYBACK, defeating Hieron via punches in the first round. The victory earned him his first title shot for the vacant UFC welterweight title against his fighting idol, Matt Hughes, at UFC 50. 

UFC^® 50: THE WAR OF ‘04 took place on October 22, 2004 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Hughes, the former five-time UFC welterweight champion and veteran of 41 fights, stepped inside the Octagon^® with a goal of regaining the title he lost to Penn at UFC 46. St-Pierre, in awe of the future UFC Hall of Famer, suffered his first loss via armbar submission with seconds remaining in the first round.

St-Pierre returned to the Octagon to face former SuperBrawl welterweight champion Jason Miller at UFC^® 52: COUTURE vs. LIDDELL 2. He defeated Miller via unanimous decision to begin a four-fight winning streak in UFC where he defeated Frank Trigg, Sherk and Penn, earning a rematch against Hughes at UFC 65 with the UFC welterweight title on the line.

Hughes entered UFC 65 on an equally impressive six-fight winning streak, having defeated Penn, UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie, former WEC^® welterweight champion Joe Riggs, Trigg, St-Pierre and Renato Verissimo. During this winning streak, Hughes won five fights by TKO or submission, with four in the first round.

UFC^® 65: BAD INTENTIONS took place on November 18, 2006 in Sacramento, California. St-Pierre controlled the first round with a series of punches and kicks. He connected on a head kick with seconds remaining in the first, as the horn to end the round saved Hughes. Georges continued his dominance in the second round, landing punches for the first minute before connecting on a left head kick 77 seconds into the round, followed by a series of ground strikes to end the fight and become the new UFC welterweight champion.

After a stunning first-round loss to Matt Serra at UFC^® 69: SHOOTOUT, St-Pierre returned to the Octagon and defeated Josh Koscheck via unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC^® 74: RESPECT. 

Georges would then embark on a six-year, 12-fight winning streak in which he would first capture the interim UFC welterweight title by defeating Hughes via submission at UFC^® 79: NEMESIS, then unify the title in a rematch with Serra in Montreal during UFC’s first-ever fight card in Canada, UFC^® 83: SERRA vs. ST-PIERRE 2, which he won via TKO.

St-Pierre’s global popularity skyrocketed over the next three years as he secured consecutive victories over Jon Fitch, Penn, Thiago Alves, Dan Hardy and a second win over Koscheck, leading to one of the biggest fights in UFC history at UFC 129.

UFC^® 129: ST-PIERRE vs. SHIELDS marked the first-ever sanctioned MMA event in the Province of Ontario. With St-Pierre, now one of the world’s most popular athletes, on an eight-fight winning streak, it was a perfect time for him to headline a card at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, one of the largest venues in the country. His opponent would be Jake Shields, unbeaten in six years with 15 consecutive wins.

St-Pierre would defeat Shields via unanimous decision, keeping his winning streak intact and furthering his claim as Canada’s most famous athlete. UFC 129 recorded a live gate of $12 million with a sellout crowd of 55,724 fans in attendance. The sellout crowd of 55,724 fans still stands as a North American record and serves as the third-largest crowd in UFC history.

St-Pierre would defend the UFC welterweight title three more times, defeating Carlos Condit, Nick Diaz and Johny Hendricks. Following his ninth successful title defense and 12^th consecutive victory, Georges took a hiatus from the sport in December 2013. At the time of this break, he held the records for most wins in title bouts with 12.

After a four-year hiatus, he returned to face UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping at UFC^® 217: BISPING vs. ST-PIERRE. Bisping entered the matchup on a five-fight winning streak that included wins over UFC^® 17: REDEMPTION middleweight tournament champion and former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson, and former UFC middleweight champions Luke Rockhold and Anderson Silva.

Both fighters would take turns controlling the match during the first two rounds, but St-Pierre outpaced Bisping in strikes, 74-58, submitting Bisping in the third round via rear-naked choke, capturing the UFC middleweight title. He would later vacate the title and retire. 

St-Pierre enter the UFC Hall of Fame with an impressive resume that includes:

• 1 of 7 fighters in UFC history with a title in two weight classes (welterweight / middleweight)

• 13 consecutive wins – Tied for 2^nd most in UFC history (2007-17)

• 13 title fight wins – 2^nd most in UFC history

• 20 wins – Tied for 3^rd most in UFC history

• 2,591 – Most strikes landed in UFC history

• 461 – Most significant ground strikes landed in UFC history

• 90 – Most takedowns in UFC history

Outside the Octagon, St-Pierre was honored with numerous awards, such as being named a three-time Rogers Sportsnet Canadian Athlete of the Year (2008-10), Black Belt Magazine MMA Fighter of the Year (2008), Sports Illustrated Fighter of the Year (2009), MMA Junkie Fighter of the Year (2009), World MMA Awards Fighter of the Year (2009), Wrestling Observer Most Outstanding Fighter (2008-10), Wrestling Observer MMA Most Valuable Fighter (2011, 2013, 2017) and MMA Junkie Fighter of the Year (2017).

In January 2019, the UFC welterweight championship belt St-Pierre defended against Penn at UFC^® 94: ST-PIERRE vs. PENN 2, was acquired by the Canadian Museum of History, where it remains today for public display.

Since 2009, he has appeared in several films with roles / cameos in films such as Never Surrender (2009); Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014); Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016); and Cartels (2017). As part of UFC’s 25^th anniversary in 2018, St-Pierre was the subject of a UFC “25 Years In Short” documentary entitled: “Bully Proof: The Story of GSP’s Evolution from Bully Victim to UFC Badass.”

In 2009, he founded The Georges St-Pierre Foundation to help youth stop bullying and promote physical activity in schools. His foundation which provides grants to student-athletes competing in sports that helped hone his skills, such as boxing, fencing, judo, karate, Olympic wrestling, taekwondo and artistic gymnastics. His foundation supports Kids Help Phone, PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence) and Bullying.org.

In 2013, St-Pierre added author to his list of accomplishments when his biography entitled: “The Way of the Fight” was published by William Morrow. Written with Justin Kingsley, “The Way of the Fight” shared lessons on how he overcame bullying and injury to become an internationally celebrated athlete and champion.

A native of St. Isidore, Quebec, Canada, St-Pierre was introduced to Kyokushin Karate at the age of seven, after years of being bullied. Georges dedicated himself to martial arts and advanced to the level of 2^nd Dan black belt of Kyokushin Karate by the age of 12. Competing in the All-Canadian Open Junior Kumite Championships as a teenager, he advanced to the finals six consecutive years, capturing five titles. St-Pierre, who also holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, continues to train at Tristar Gym.

Additional inductees into the UFC Hall of Fame class of 2020 will be announced in the coming weeks.

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOFFAQ. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 318 million fans and 102 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 175 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.

Justin Gaethje bloodied and battered top-ranked Tony Ferguson, and gained a 5th round stoppage to win the UFC Interim Lightweight title in front of an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

Gaethje could not miss with power shots and his work started to show as early the 1st round as Ferguson has a bump on his forehead. His face started to swell up in the next round. Gaethje continued to land booming shots that continued to mark up Ferguson’s face. Ferguson had one brief moment in the fight when he landed a perfect uppercut that sent Gaethje down at the bell.

That was basically it for Ferguson as Gaethje continued to land booming shots that would have put lesser men down and out several times over. Ferguson hung in there to take a continuous beating.

In round five, with his face a bloody and swollen mess, Ferguson started having trouble standing due to Gaethje’s leg kicks. Gaethje landed one more hard combination that made Ferguson limp to the cage, and that forced referee Herb Dean stop the bout at 3:39.

Gaethje did not accept the Interim belt when UFC President Dana tried to put the hardware around his waist. Gaethje stated, “I am waiting for the real one.” That was a reference to a potential showdown with champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Gaethje, 155 lbs of Denver is 22-2. Ferguson, 155 lbs of Orange County, CA is 26-4

Henry Cejedo retained the UFC Bantamweight title with a 2nd round stoppage over former champion Dominick Cruz.

Cejudo featured a plethora of leg kicks in he opening frame. In round two, Cejudo was cut on his forehead from an accidental headbutt. Seconds later, Cejudo caught Cruz with a huge knee that sent Cruz to the canvas. Cejudo jumped on Cruz and landed about seven punches and the fight was stopped at 4:58.

Cejudo, 135 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 16-2. Cruz, 135 lbs of San Diego is now 22-3.

CEJUDO ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THE FIGHT

Francis Ngannou annihilated Jairzhino Rozenstruik in just 20 seconds of the heavyweoght bout.

Ngannou landed a wild left hook that sent Rozenstruik plummeting on the cage and the fight was stopped while Ngannou was attempting to land land more punches on a prone Rozenstruik.

Ngannou, 261.5 lbs of Paris, FRA is 15-3. Rozenstruik, 261 lbs of Suriname is 10-1.

Calvin Kattar stopped Jeremy Stevens in the 2nd round of their featherweight bout.

After Stevens had a good 1st round, Kattar landed a vicious right that sent Stevens to the canvas. Kattar jumped on Stevens and the fight was halted after two ground strikes at 2:42

Kattar, 146 lbs of Methuen, MA is 21-4. Stevens, who was 4.5 pounds over the 146 pound weight limit, is now 28-18-1.

Former NFL star Greg Hardy won a unanimous decision over Yorgan De Castro in a heavyweight bout.

Hardy, 265.5 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL won by scores of 30-27 on all cards, ans is now 6-2. De Castro, 262 lbs of Fall River, MA is 6-1.

Anthony Pettis made it two straight against Donald Cerrone as he won a unanimous decision in a welterweight bout.

Pettis, 170 1/2 lbs of Milwaukee, WI won by scores of 30-27 on all cards and is now 23-10, Cerrone, 171 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 36-15-1.

Aleksei Oleinik won a split decision over former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum

Oleinik almost had Werdum out in the first round with punches. Werdum got the fight to the ground in the 2nd and 3rd frames, but Oleinik won by scores of 29-28 twice while Werdum took a card 29-28.

Oleinik, 227.5 lbs of Moscow, RUS is 59-13-1. Werdum, 243 lbs of Los Angeles is 23-9.

Carla Esparza won a split-decision over Michelle Waterson in a flyweight bout.

Esparza, 115.5 lbs of Irvine, CA won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28. Waterson took a card 30-27.

Esparza is now 17-6. Waterson, 115 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 17-8.

Vicente Luque stopped Niko Price in the 3rd round of their welterweight bout.

Price was cut under his right eye in round two. The fight was a war that saw Luque drop Price hard left hook. With blood streaming down the right side of Price’s face, the bout was stopped by the doctor at 3:37.

Luque is 18-7-1. Price is 17-4.

Bryce Mitchell dominated Charles Rosa and won a unanimous decision in a featherweight contest.

Mitchell had Rosa on his back basically the whole fight and almost converted submissions on three different occasions.

Mitchell, 145 lbs of Searcy, AK won by scores of 30-25 twice and 30-24 to raise his mark to 13-1. Rosa, 146 lbs of Boca Raton, FL is 12-4.

Ryan Spann won a unanimous decision over Sam Alvey in a light heavyweight contest.

Spann, 206 lbs of Beaumont, Texas won all three cards by 29-28 scores and is now 18-5. Alevey, 205 lbs of Temecula, CA is 33-14-1.