SPRINGFIELD, MA – Murphys Boxing is proud to announce their return to UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, on Saturday, August 17th, for a special outdoor matinee event live from MGM Springfield. The main card will stream live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS beginning at 4 P.M. ET / 1 P.M. PT.
In the main event, NABA Light Heavyweight Champion, Charles Foster (18-0, 9 KOs) will defend his title for the fourth time in a 10-round bout against Russian power puncher Denis Grachev (19-7-1, 10 KOs).
Foster, who hails from nearby New Haven, Connecticut is ranked #8 in the world bythe WBA and is coming off an impressive stoppage victory over Chicago’s once-beaten Mike Jiminez this past March.
Grachev, known as ‘Drago’s Son’, is currently on a 3-fight win streak in 2019, and an upset win over Foster would immediately land the Russian back into the world rankings.
“I’m excited to be in the main event on UFC FIGHT PASS,” explains Foster, the confident southpaw who goes by the nickname, ‘The Truth.’ “I truly feel I am ready to take on anyone in the Top 10. I want to be in position for a shot at a world title next year. This Saturday, I intend to make a statement to the rest of the light heavyweight division by defending my title and stopping Grachev.”
In the 10-round co-main event, one of Murphys Boxing’s most popular fighters, Irish heavyweight sensation Niall Kennedy (13-0-1, 8 KOs), will face one of his toughest tests to date, as he will take on former U.S. Olympic Boxer Devin Vargas (20-5, 8 KOs) in a crossroads battle that will put the winner in line for a major opportunity in the red-hot division.
Kennedy, who also serves as a police officer in his hometown of Gorey, Ireland, has amassed a sizable Massachusetts based following having fought virtually all of his professional fights in New England and winning the state’s heavyweight title in the process.
“I’m excited to be fighting at MGM Springfield live on UFC FIGHT PASS. It’s my first time in that area [of Massachusetts] and what an event to be on, getting to share the bill with the talented Charles Foster,” says the humble heavyweight.
“My opponent is a former Olympian who has mixed with the top table and who I am sure will bring the best out of me. Training is going exceptionally well. I’m going to put every ounce of blood and sweat into making my little boy, MJ, and my wife proud. This is the year where I want to get myself in the top 20 and in massive fights. For that to happen, I need to perform this Saturday.”
“Our first fight at MGM Springfield in May, which was also our UFC FIGHT PASS debut, was an amazing night and a total success,” explains Ken Casey, founder of Murphys Boxing. “For our return to MGM Springfield and UFC FIGHT PASS, we wanted to take it to another level. We think having a top 10 world-ranked fighter like Charles Foster make a title defense in his backyard, adding Niall Kennedy in a high stakes heavyweight showdown, and then making it an outdoor matinee show, accomplishes that goal. We can’t wait to be back on UFC FIGHT PASS this weekend.”
Murphys Boxing presents Foster vs. Grachev live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS this Saturday, August 17th at MGM Springfield in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Doors open at 1 p.m. and the first bout starts at 2 p.m. Tickets on sale now at www.murhpysboxing.com. The undercard will stream live on Facebook.com/DropKickMurphys.
The main card will exclusively stream on UFC FIGHT PASS at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.
To sign up now, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com
ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®
UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, Fight Pass is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. Fight Pass provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC Fight Pass Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. Fight Pass subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 17,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access Fight Pass on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs.
For more information visit: www.ufcfightpass.com
ABOUT MURPHYS BOXING
Murphys Boxing was founded by Dropkick Murphys’ frontman, Ken Casey in 2014. In just 5 short years, Murphys Boxing has become the premier boxing promoter in the New England area and one of the hottest young promotions in the country. 2018 was a breakout year for Murphys Boxing as they took their first fighter to a world title. Along with the promotion’s first champion, several Murphys Boxing fighters secured world title opportunities and nationally televised fights in 2018. Murphys Boxing closed out their banner year by co-promoting the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondokwa in front of over 10,000 fans at the TD Garden, the legendary home of the Boston Celtics, which was broadcast internationally on DAZN. Murphys Boxing’s current roster features world ranked contenders like Mark DeLuca, Charles Foster, Abraham Nova, Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan, Greg Vendetti and undefeated prospects like Niall Kennedy, Carlos Gongora, William Foster III, Luis Arcon Diaz and more.
For more information visit: www.murphysboxing.com
