New York, February 19 2020

The much anticipated “Rockin’ Fights” 38 double main event of hometown hero, CLETUS “THE HEBREW HAMMER” SELDIN (Shirley, Long Island 24-1 20KO’s) defending his NABA title against Colombian slugger, HUMBERTO MARTINEZ (33-9-2 25KO’S) as well as top, world rated heavyweight, CARLOS TAKAM (Henderson, Nevada 37-5-1 28KO’s) against heavy-handed combatant FABIO MALDONADO (Sao Paulo, Brazil 26-3 25KO’s), has created a buzz in the boxing world.

On the undercard, adding to the excitement, Star Boxing is pleased to announce that undefeated Long Island talents, Haitian born, WENDY “HAITIAN FIRE” TOUSSAINT (Huntington, Long Island, 10-0 4KO’s) and ALEX “EL TORO” VARGAS (Bellport, Long Island 5-0 1KO) will be featured on the undercard.

Toussaint is set to face the tough, JERMAINE “REAL STEEL” CORLEY in a scheduled 6-round super welterweight bout. Toussaint stands at 6’0″, and has recently found dynamite in his hands, winning four of his last five bouts by knockout. Toussaint is returning from a hand injury that has kept him out since June of 2019 and looks to pick up where he left off. Corley (Mt. Vernon, NY 3-8 1KO) has earned the respect of many based on his no-nonsense, brawler style. In eleven professional fights, Corley has fought nine undefeated fighters, Toussaint making ten, and has an overall opponent record of 54-5-1.

Toussaint is prepared to go to work on February 28, “I’m very happy to be getting back in the ring in front of my fans at The Paramount. I plan on putting on a great fight and look forward to having a very busy and productive, 2020.”

Undefeated Bellport product, and 2013 NY Golden Gloves champion, ALEX “EL TORO” VARGAS (5-0 1KO) has quickly made a name for himself at The Paramount. Following the best win of his career over then undefeated DASHAUN JOHNS (2-0) at “Rockin’ Fights” 37 in November, Vargas looks to continue his rise, when he takes on Puerto Rican veteran ANTONIO SANCHEZ (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico 6-8-3 3KO’s). Sanchez has become a pseudo gate keeper of the welterweight division has made a name for himself in tough fights with high level prospects in both the United States and Puerto Rico.

Vargas is ready to put on a show in front of his rowdy hometown fans, “I’m excited to return to the Paramount to fight in front of all of my people again. My opponent has a lot of experience but I’m working hard, staying focused and looking forward to getting another win.”

Both Toussaint and Vargas look to continue their dominance at The Paramount come February 28th, adding to an already stellar card featuring Cletus Seldin and Carlos Takam. Rockin’ Fights 38 is anticipating a sell-out, so be sure to get your tickets now, before it’s too late!

FRANK WARREN and Queensberry Promotions talent stacked stable will get terrestrial TV exposure following BT Sport’s innovative link up with ITV.

Fight content will be shared between the broadcast giants, giving Warren promoted boxers unrivalled coverage in Britain thanks to the ground-breaking initiative.

Hall of Fame promoter Warren said: “This is fantastic news for boxing, our boxers and even better for fans who now have another outlet to watch our exciting boxers.

“BT Sport is showing their long-term commitment to the sport and their desire to give boxing an even bigger audience is there for all to see with this new arrangement.”

The BT Sport/ITV partnership begins on Saturday (February 22nd) with simultaneous live coverage from York Hall, Bethnal Green of the grudge rematch between British and Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight champion Brad Foster (11-0-2) and Lucien Reid (8-0-2).

When they fought each other last September, their fight ended in a controversial draw.

ITV1 coverage commences at 10.15pm on Saturday. Besides the much-anticipated double title clash between Foster and Reid, unbeaten prospects Dennis McCann (5-0) and Willy Hutchinson (10-0) are featured in live televised action.

Kent Super-Bantamweight McCann, 19, has been compared with all-time great Naseem Hamed and Super-Middleweight Hutchinson was Scotland’s first ever World amateur champion.

Warren added: “What a night Saturday promises to be starting with high class action at York Hall where we have delivered the rematch fans demanded between Brad and Lucien.

“The bill is filled with young prospects and young Dennis and Willy will benefit even more from joint BT Sport and ITV1 exposure. This is brilliant for our boxers.

“Once the show finishes at York Hall it gets even bigger on BT Sport Box Office with live coverage of Tyson Fury’s rematch against Deontay Wilder – the biggest fight in the world this year.

“This unique broadcasting partnership will continue and that brings bigger exposure for our boxers who can become household names.”

Lichfield’s Foster had a stunning 2019 – taking the British title from Josh Wale before adding the Commonwealth crown when he stopped Ashley Lane in the 12th round.

His draw against Reid followed, but with added exposure he is determined to show Londoner Reid and TV viewers who is the boss this weekend.

Foster, 22, said: “It is wicked being on BT Sport and ITV1. I was buzzing as soon as I was called with the news about extra television coverage.

“I am pressing to get in the world title picture and with even more people watching at home it can only benefit all the boxers.

“It is going to be great fight and now everyone can watch Lucien and myself give fans a night to remember. It’s massive.

“Lucien and myself have both been in there with each other and that makes the fight even more tasty.”

Many ringsiders believed Reid deserved to win their first meeting and although one judge sided with him, the remaining two scored it level which meant the majority draw.

“It’s amazing news,” said Reid who was a decorated amateur.

“All the sports fans have BT Sport, but ITV can take it to another level by hitting the general public who might not watch boxing regularly.

“This arrangement means it is an even bigger audience that will watch me showcase my skills against Brad.

“There is rivalry from the first meeting, we’re both good and people will see two Super-Bantamweights flying at each other. There will be speed, skill and it’s a great fight.

BT Sport’s live broadcast from York Hall starts at 8pm. Among the action included on Fight Night Live is the British Super-Middleweight title eliminator between Kody Davies (10-0) and Umar Sadiq (9-1).

Also on the bill is Alex Bishop (3-0), Ryan Garner (8-0), Eithan James (2-0), Louie Lynn (5-0), Sam Noakes (2-0) and Henry Turner (1-0) take the next step towards early title contention, while 2016 Olympian Muhammad Ali, makes his professional debut at featherweight.

LAS VEGAS – UFC^® returns to Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb. for the second time in two years with an exciting main event guaranteed to deliver action, as No. 3 ranked light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith looks to defend his home state territory against No. 9 Glover Teixeira.Also on the card, No. 10 ranked strawweight Cynthia Calvillo aims to make a statement when she moves up in weight to take on No. 12 ranked flyweight Antonina Shevchenko.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+^®: SMITH vs. TEIXEIRA will stream live from Pinnacle Bank Arena with all fights carried exclusively on ESPN+ in English and Spanish. The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 25, with the prelims kicking off at 5 p.m. ET.  Doors open at 4 p.m. ET.

Competing in his home state for the first time under the UFC banner, Smith (32-14, fighting out of Omaha, Neb.) looks to get back into the title conversation with another highlight-reel victory. After joining the light heavyweight division in 2018, Smith quickly established himself as a top contender with impressive first-round knockouts over former champions Rashad Evans and Mauricio Rua. He now looks to put on a show for his fans by taking out his third former-title challenger in a row.

A perennial top contender since joining the UFC in 2012, Teixeira (30-7, fighting out of Danbury, Conn.) aims to spoil the homecoming of Smith and notch his fourth win in a row. Tied with champion Jon Jones for the most stoppages in light heavyweight division history, Teixeira has scored emphatic finishes over Rashad Evans, Ovince Saint Preux and Ion Cutelaba. He now plans on breaking back into the top 5 with a record-setting performance.

The older sister of women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, Shevchenko (8-1, fighting out of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) looks to keep building her own legacy in the UFC. A former K-1 and Muay Thai world champion, Shevchenko holds wins over Ji Yeon Kim and Lucie Pudilova. She now intends to build the first win streak of her UFC career with another bonus-earning performance.

A top contender in the strawweight division, Calvillo (8-1-1, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) moves up in weight for the first time in her UFC career in order to compete at her full potential. A dangerous submission specialist, she has locked in finishes against Amanda Cooper, Pearl Gonzalez and Poliana Botelho. Calvillo now aims to make a statement by being the first person to stop Shevchenko.

Announced bouts on the card include:

• Light heavyweight finishers battle as Ovince Saint Preux (24-13, fighting out of Knoxville, Tenn.) attempts to hand Shamil Gamzatov (14-0, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) his first loss
• Evan Dunham (18-7-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) returns to the Octagon against Michael Johnson (20-15, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla.) in a clash of lightweight veterans
• Brazilian women’s strawweight prospects meet as grappling ace Mackenzie Dern (7-1, fighting out of Long Beach, Calif.) hunts for another submission against Ariane Carnelossi (12-2, fighting out of Presidente Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• Anthony Rocco Martin (17-5, fighting out of St. Cloud, Minn.) and David Zawada (17-5, fighting out of Düsseldorf, Germany) look to make a statement to the rest of the welterweight division
• Middleweights Andrew Sanchez (12-5, fighting out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada) and Zak Cummings (23-7, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) compete to climb back into the win column
• Rising lightweight talents meet as Roosevelt Roberts (9-1, fighting out of San Bernardino, Calif.) takes on Matt Frevola (8-1-1, fighting out of Long Island, NY)
• Alexander Romanov (11-0, fighting out of Gagauzia, Moldova) intends to make a statement when he makes his UFC debut against Raphael Pessoa (10-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• Lightweights Christos Giagos (17-8, fighting out of Hawthorne, Calif.) and Alan Patrick (15-2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) look to bounce back into the win column

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+^®: SMITH vs. TEIXEIRA go on sale Friday, February 21 at 10 a.m. CT. Tickets are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, February 19 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, February 20 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

To sign up for ESPN+, go to www.ESPNplus.com/UFC.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 300 million fans and 75 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 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 65 countries. The organization’s digital 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.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ grew quickly to 3.5 million subscribers in 18 months, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ ­— all for just $12.99/month.

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – nine U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

Hope you are doing well. I wanted to reach out and let you know that ESPN+, the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service, today released the premiere episode of its new boxing series – “The 3 Knockdown Rule.”

The 3 Knockdown Rule is hosted by television personality and boxing aficionado Mario Lopez and ESPN boxing writer Steve Kim as they have brought their popular podcast to the screen, exclusively on ESPN+. This show will analyze and deliberate the biggest bouts of the year, with thoughtful insights, healthy debate and special guests from around the world of boxing.  

The premiere episode previews this Saturday’s highly anticipated rematch between undefeated lineal heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury and unbeaten heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder. This episode also includes a special guest appearance by legendary trainer, and good friend, Joe Goossen as he breaks down each fighter’s keys to success.

Goossen explains what he thinks Fury’s points of emphasis should be for this fight:

“I think Fury did a great defensive job in the last fight but in the pro boxing game it’s aggressiveness that wins the day. So if you are going to be defensive when you make a guy miss you have to make him pay for it and Fury has to do that in this next fight.”

Goossen also gives his thoughts on why Fury changed his trainer for this fight:

“I think he probably went back and looked at the tape of the last fight and said look I need something new and I need somebody that really knows this game and what I am going to be expected to do in this next fight and what I need to do. I think this move is going to pay off or him.”

I have included the press release below, but if you are interested, I would be happy to also share preview videos for future episodes, and I can offer an opportunity for you to speak VP and Executive Producer, Original Content, ESPN+, Brian Lockhart about the series.

Please let me know if this is of interest and I look forward to your feedback. Thanks!

Best,
Matt

February 19, 2020

Streaming Now on ESPN+: The 3 Knockdown Rule,

Premiere Episode Previews Fury vs. Wilder II

• Mario Lopez and Steve Kim bring their popular podcast to the screen, exclusively on ESPN+
• Series will deliberate the biggest boxing matches throughout the year
• First episode previews Fury vs. Wilder II on Saturday, Feb. 22
• Subscribe on the ESPN App, ESPN.com and connected TV devices

The premiere episode of The 3 Knockdown Rule, hosted by television personality and boxing aficionado Mario Lopez and ESPN boxing writer Steve Kim, previews this Saturday’s highly anticipated rematch between undefeated lineal heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury and unbeaten heavyweight champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder. The 3 Knockdown Rule streams exclusively on ESPN+, the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service.

Taking their popular boxing podcast of the same title to the screen, Lopez and Kim discuss and debate their expectations and insights into what promises to be the championship fight of the year. The two also jump into the ring with legendary trainer and good friend Joe Goossen to break down each fighter’s keys to success. Future episodes of The 3 Knockdown Rule on ESPN+ will also feature Lopez and Kim analyzing and deliberating the biggest bouts of the year, with thoughtful insights, healthy debate and special guests from around the world of boxing.

Preview video: https://vimeo.com/391612755 / Password: tkr

PLEASE NOTE: Preview video is for MEDIA VIEWING ONLY, not for posting.

Fury vs. Wilder II will be available as part of a joint presentation by ESPN+ PPV and FOX Sports PPV live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Feb. 22. Their first fight in December 2018 saw Wilder retain his title via split draw after Fury rose from a 12th-round knockdown to finish the fight. 

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown quickly to 7.6 million subscribers in less than two years, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ ­— all for just $12.99/month.

Joseph Parker has told Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury to fight Anthony Joshua next and crown an undisputed World Heavyweight champion, as Parker himself prepares to return to action against Shawndell Winters at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Saturday February 29, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW STARTING AT $25 VIA SEATGEEK

Parker (26-2 20 KOs) is back on the World title trail after having to pull out of a proposed clash with Derek Chisora in London in October after sustaining an illness through a spider bite.

The former WBO champion is finishing his preparation for his return to action against Winters (13-2 12 KOs) in Las Vegas this week before heading to Texas, and on Saturday night the Kiwi fan-favorite will take his seat in Sin City as Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury rematch for Wilder’s WBC title.

Parker has grown close to Fury having bonded with the former champion when he defended his old belt against his cousin Hughie in Manchester in September, and while he’s backing ‘The Gypsy King’ to beat Wilder on Saturday night, his message to both men is simple: face unified champion Anthony Joshua next, providing the British IBF, WBO and WBA champion comes through his next fight unscathed.

“I want to see the winner challenge Joshua,” said Parker. “The reason I say that is because we’ve been talking about the undisputed champion for a long time. It’s important to give the fans what they want to see, who the best is in the division at this time.

“I have to side with Fury on Saturday. I like his boxing ability and what he can do in the ring as a big man, moving, jabbing, combinations. I just hope it’s a great fight again.

“It’s whoever executes the plan. They’ve both had time to look at the tape of the first fight and study each other and their own movements, so it’s who executes their plan first, or better.

“Both of these guys talk a lot of crap, but they are very entertaining. If I tried to talk like that it wouldn’t work, not even close, so I’ll just stick to what I know!

“The first fight was so exciting and controversial, I think. A lot of people thought Fury won the fight on points, other people thought because of the knockdowns Wilder won, so the rematch is going to be very interesting.”

Parker’s clash with Winters is part of a stellar night of action in Frisco topped by the Welterweight clash between Mikey Garcia (39-1 30 KOs) and Jessie Vargas (29-2-2 11 KOs) with the WBC Diamond strap.

Britain’s longest reigning World champion Kal Yafai (26-015 KOs) puts his WBA World Super-Flyweight title on the line against the former pound-for-pound king and four weight World ruler Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (48-2 40 KOs) and rising Mexican sensation Julio Cesar Martinez (15-1 12 KOs) makes the first defense of his WBC World Flyweight title against unbeaten European champion Jay Harris (17-0 9 KOs) and Israil Madrimov (4-0 4 KOs) defends his WBA Inter-Continental Junior-Middleweight title in an official eliminator for the #2 position in the WBA against Venezuelan Charlie Navarro (29-9 22 KOs).

Matchroom Boxing USA talents Diego Pacheco (8-0 7 KOs) and Alexis Espino (5-0 4 KOs) get their first taste of action in 2020 and headline star Garcia will showcase two of his Garcia Promotions charges with 20 year old unbeaten Texan Flyweight Jesse Rodriguez (10-0 6 KOs) clashing with Marco Sustaita (12-2-1 10 KOs) over ten rounds and unbeaten Mexican Middleweight Leo Ruiz Acevedo (6-0 4 KOs) taking on Dennis Knifechief (12-11 7 KOs) over six rounds.

ENDS

About The Star in Frisco
The Star is the 91-acre campus of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and training facility in Frisco, Texas. Developed as a first-of-its-kind partnership between the City of Frisco, Frisco ISD and the Dallas Cowboys, The Star features Ford Center, a 12,000-seat stadium that hosts Frisco ISD football games, other world class sporting events such as top flight boxing matches, concerts and other events; Cowboys Fit, a 60,000 square-foot gym developed in partnership with leading fitness developer, Mark Mastrov; Cowboys Club, a members-only club where the country club meets the NFL; the Omni Frisco Hotel, a 16-floor, 300-room luxury hotel; Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy & Research at The Star, a 300,000 square-foot center of excellence for sports medicine; Twelve, a 17-story, luxury residential tower in partnership between Pro Football Hall-of-Fame Quarterback #12 Roger Staubach, and Dallas-based developer and former Dallas Cowboys center, Robert Shaw; Formation, a dynamic coworking experience offering a collaborative work environment of open workspace, dedicated desks and private offices; as well as a variety of shopping, dining and nightlife options throughout The Star District. For more information on The Star, visit www.TheStarInFrisco.com.

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 19, 2020): Golden Boy is delighted to announce that it has signed Hawaiian amateur standouts Dalis Kaleiopu and Asa Stevens to promotional agreements. This exciting duo will look to make their professional debut in the near future.

Kaleiopu is a 21-year-old native of Waianae, Hawaii who will compete in the lightweight division. After starting to box at the age of 13, Kaleiopu participated in several amateur tournaments and the Olympic Trials. This young prospect can box and punch, so he’ll look to make waves in the stacked 140-pound division.

“I thank God for allowing me to be in this position and to have Golden Boy promote me,” said Dalis Kaleiopu. “This is a big compliment to my family and team for all the hard work we do together in and outside of the ring. Oscar was a great fighter, and he has developed champions all over the world. So, to be a Hawaiian from a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean makes me feel truly blessed to be in your stable amongst your great champions. Mahalo Nui Loa, Mr. De La Hoya and Team Golden Boy.”

Stevens, a 19-year-old prodigy who is also from Waianae, Hawaii, will compete in the bantamweight division. Stevens is a multi-national amateur champion with a smooth, tactical southpaw style. The cousin of UFC fighter Max Halloway, Stevens will look to gain similar popularity in the sport of boxing.

“This is beginning to feel real now,” said Asa Stevens. “The thought of turning pro and becoming a world champion was secondary to becoming an Olympian. But now I understand the amateurs were just a part of my journey and that those dreams are over with. Now, I am ready to turn the page to this new chapter of my life and showcase my talent as a professional. Waianae, Hawaii, we are on the map now. The world is watching, and I won’t let us down!”

“Our stable is getting better and better every single day,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Dalis Kaleiopu is a huge kid for 135 pounds, so we look forward to seeing him grow in what is a very stacked division for us at Golden Boy. On the other hand, Asa Stevens is a slick, intelligent southpaw who without a doubt will enter the upper echelon of the division in just a few years. With these two new talents, anything is possible. We can even host an event in Hawaii so they can showcase their skills in front of a hometown crowd. Stay tuned.”

About Golden Boy
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment brand committed to making fighting entertainment more accessible and affordable. The company’s in-house production team develops creative original programming for ESPN, RingTV.com and international channels across the globe. The company holds the exclusive rights to top boxers and has promoted some of the biggest and highest grossing events in the history of the sport. Now, Golden Boy is one of the most successful boxing entertainment companies in the world and shapes the future of boxing for fighters and fans alike through its 2019 partnership with streaming platform, DAZN.

Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions proudly announces the signing of undefeated Armenian featherweight Aram Avagyan to a promotional contract.

Avagyan (9-0-1, 4 KOs) hails from the Armenian capital of Yerevan and currently fights out of Moscow, Russia. The former amateur star started boxing at age 10 and went on to win two bronze medals at the European Championships and participate in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Known as a smart tactician in the ring, 29-year-old Avagyan holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports at the Russian-Armenian University.

A three-year professional, Avagyan won the WBC International Silver Feather Title with a unanimous decision over proven Mexican veteran Emanuel Lopez in 2018. He made his US debut and successfully defended his title for the second time in Las Vegas last May with a unanimous decision over fellow undefeated prospect Francisco Esparza on the undercard of the Canelo vs. Danny Jacobs fight.

“I have high expectations with Salita Promotions, and I believe that we will soon reach great heights,” said Avagyan. “I am glad that the head of the company is a former professional boxer since he understands very well what to be an athlete. My goal with every fight is to win and move closer to my goal of becoming a world champion. I have chosen this path and I want to fight with anyone in the top 10 and all the champions. I’m always ready anywhere and with anyone!”

Promoter Salita says Avagyan will soon start working with Sugarhill Steward at the Kronk Gym in Detroit to prepare for his upcoming debut under the Salita Promotions banner. That fight will be announced shortly.

“Aram has the resume and skills to be a force in the featherweight division,” said Salita. “His exciting style and desire to face the best will create a lot of exciting fights in the talent-packed division.”

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Philadelphia, PA (February 19, 2020) – Local attractions will highlight the inaugural RDR Promotions card on Saturday, March 7th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

In the main event, Samuel Teah (16-3-1, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Dieumerci Nzau (11-11, 8 KOs) of Silver Spring, Maryland in a six-round junior welterweight bout.

In six-round bouts, Brandon Robinson (14-2, 9 KOs) of Upper Darby, PA fights Jose Obando (19-26-2, 14 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico in a super middleweight bout.

Nahir Albright (7-1, 2 KOs) of Sicklerville, NJ will take on Andrew Rodgers (4-8-2, 2 KOs) of Elkhart, Indiana in a junior welterweight affair.

In four-round bouts:

Nafear Charles (2-0, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia fights Joseph Santana (0-2) of Providence, RI in a super lightweight contest.

Laquan Evans (3-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia battles debuting Anthony Young in a bout that will feature debuting Philadelphia based middleweights.

Ryan Umberger (3-0, 3 KOs) of Bensalem, PA boxes Estevan Payan (1-8-1, 1 KO) of Glendale, Arizona in a middleweight fight.

Naheem Parker of Camden, New Jersey will make his pro debut against Anthony Carter (0-1) of Philadelphia in a lightweight bout.

Rashiem Jefferson of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against an opponent to be named.

Victor Medina (1-0, 1 KO) of Hartford, Ct will take on an opponent to be named in a super bantamweight fight.

Tickets are $125 VIP with a drink; $75 Ringside and $55 General Admission and can be purchased at 2300arena.com

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 19, 2020): Middleweight Shane Mosley Jr. (15-3, 9 KOs) has signed a co-promotional agreement with Golden Boy and Tournament of Contenders.

Mosley Jr. is a 29-year-old middleweight standout who made his professional debut in 2014. Son of Hall of Famer Shane Mosley, Sr., the younger Mosley has spent the past few years fighting all over the country. Most recently, he participated in the revived reality show The Contender from MGM Television and Paramount Television, which airs on premium cable network EPIX, and he’s coming off two victories in a row.

“I am thrilled to be joining Golden Boy,” said Shane Mosley Jr. “I feel this was meant to be; I’ve known Oscar, Eric and Robert since I was a kid. It feels like a homecoming. This is an incredible opportunity for me and a big step in the right direction on the road to becoming a world champion. I’m grateful to Golden Boy, The Contender and my management team, Victory Sports, for making this happen.”

“Shane Mosley Jr. is family to us,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “We’ve known him since he was very young. So, I’m delighted to have him join the Golden Boy stable. This is the place where he belongs, and I’m positive that he will flourish in his new home.”

“We’ve had a long relationship with Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy,” said Jeff Wald of the Tournament of Contenders. “So, this is great for Shane Mosley Jr. It’s the result of his hard work, discipline and dedication. It’s easy for people to underestimate Shane Mosley Jr. He doesn’t come from the tough background like most fighters, and his movie star good looks make people think he’s not as tough, but believe me the kid can fight.”

“We are excited to partner with Golden Boy and feel that this is the best place for Shane to take his career to the next level,” said Rick Torres, President of Victory Sports. “Having worked with Oscar, Eric and Robert on a number of events in the past, I know they have what it takes to help us guide Shane to a world championship.”

About Golden Boy
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment brand committed to making fighting entertainment more accessible and affordable. The company’s in-house production team develops creative original programming for ESPN, RingTV.com and international channels across the globe. The company holds the exclusive rights to top boxers and has promoted some of the biggest and highest grossing events in the history of the sport. Now, Golden Boy is one of the most successful boxing entertainment companies in the world and shapes the future of boxing for fighters and fans alike through its 2019 partnership with streaming platform, DAZN.

London, UK (19 February 2020) Undefeated Birmingham light-heavyweight hotshot Shakan Pitters claims the inexhaustible lung power that has taken him to the cusp of a British title can be traced to his primary school years and the eccentricities of his ex-pro father Colin.

On Saturday 28th March, the freakishly tall sharpshooter squares off against fierce domestic rival Craig Richards for the vacant domestic 175lb crown on promoter Mick Hennessy’s big bill at the Coventry Skydome, exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel Five.

‘When I was in Year Four (age nine), a couple of times a week dad would wake up my mum and us kids at 4a.m and demand we go on a five mile run with him,’ revealed Pitters, who at a lofty 6ft 6in is the tallest contender in the division by some distance.

‘I didn’t mind because I was a good runner and just enjoyed doing everything Dad wanted me to do. When we got home, it’d be pull-ups on the door ledge and an ab circuit before going back to bed!

‘From the age of six, Dad had me in the gym, watching him hit the bags and coach the likes of Matt Macklin and Frankie Gavin at the Small Heath gym. As a kid I could hold my own sparring with older, heavier kids but dad never allowed me to box. He was confident I’d make it as a footballer.

‘I was on West Bromwich Albion’s books for about six years as a schoolboy. Those middle of the night jogs made a huge difference on the pitch. I could run non-stop. Coaches would ask: ‘What are they feeding him?’

‘But, unfortunately, I had injuries. The Albion released me so I turned to boxing, aged 22.’

For five seasons, Pitters flitted casually between the Second City and Eastside gyms, engaging in a score of bouts but paying scant regard for such rudiments as roadwork or nutrition. The arrival of his daughter four years ago forced the logistics worker to re-evaluate.

‘Suddenly, at 27, I needed money so started to do it properly,’ disclosed Pitters.

‘Though I never took it seriously as an amateur, I barely lost a handful and always acquitted myself well sparring good pros like Terry Carruthers, Dee Mitchell and Cella Rendo at Eastside. I knew if I kept my discipline, I had the talent and attributes to go far.’

The Brummie boy comes from good breeding. In the early 1990s, his father Colin extended Richie Woodhall, then a 6-0 prospect and a future WBC World Champion; plus quality champions Steve Foster, Neville Brown and Adrian Dodson. Colin’s brother Rob lost just one of his first dozen as a hot light-middle prospect before descending into the role of a journeyman.

‘There was no chance I was going on the road, as my dad and uncle had,’ states Shakan.

‘Dad’s mindset was just to earn money to support the household. He was a smoker but, when he took it seriously, he was very capable.

‘Though he never wanted me to take the boxing up and hasn’t been to many fights, I know he’s proud. He’ll be at my British title challenge.

Since first dipping his toes into the professional pool in March 2017, skyscraper ‘Shak’ has racked up a lucky 13 straight wins, bagging an Ultimate Boxxer crown at London’s O2 Indigo in November 2018 and the English 12st 7lb title following a comprehensive 10 round decision over Scunthorpe’s 16-2 Dec Spelman at the York Hall last September.

Though 10 of his fights have been scheduled for four rounds or less, his raking right hand has registered four brutal stoppages (all inside two rounds) with three victims succumbing to the full 10 count.

‘I don’t have the physique of a strongman but, as a young kid, could always hit those punch machines hard and dad commented on my power on the pads before I’d even had any bouts. In sparring, I’ve hurt heavyweights and cruisers,’ he claims.

‘As a kid, Tommy Hearns was an idol. Like him, I’ve got the range, distance, technique, twist and leverage to generate serious power. I can crack with or without gloves. I’m a chilled guy but I’ve banged a few over on the street…the last one because they spat at my girlfriend.

‘I’ve also got excellent natural stamina, just as I had as a footballer. And my inside game is pretty underrated. My style’s not one dimensional, it’s a bit crazy, very hard to train for. I alternate, depending on what’s in front of me.

‘Against Dec Spelman – a real hard puncher – I showed I can fight on the back foot but I’m equally comfortable going forward. Dad had me going forward and back on the pads and when skipping, at a very young age so it’s natural. Others might think Dad was barmy, but I’ve a lot to thank him for!’

A top quality undercard is headlined with the return of red-hot cruiserweight talent Isaac Chamberlain from Brixton, South London, as he returns to action and back on his pursuit of a world title.

The card also features some great Midlands match ups that includes a fiery Coventry derby between welterweights Jordan Cooke and Michael Green over six-rounds; Birmingham’s Ishmael Ellis takes on Walsall’s Shaun Cooper over six rounds at lightweight; Coventry’s River Wilson Bent clashes with Tamworth’s Lee Gunter in a four-round light-middleweight contest; Tamworth welterweight Tom Silcox in a four-round contest; Birmingham super-featherweight Lewis Coley in a four-round contest; Leamington Spa lightweight Danny Quartermine in a four-round contest and Battersea light-heavyweight Mark Williams in a four-round contest.

Also on the card will be exciting middleweight prospect Michael Hennessy Jr. from Sevenoaks, Kent, in his fifth professional bout in a six round contest.

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports and join the conversation at #PittersRichards

BritishTitle

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 18, 2020) —WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and lineal heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury made their grand arrivals Tuesday afternoon at MGM Grand, kicking off fight week events for the most anticipated heavyweight showdown in two decades.

Fury (29-0-1, 20 KOs) rolled up in a red Ferrari, while Wilder (42-0-1, 41 KOs) arrived shortly after in a Rolls-Royce SUV, both greeted by throngs of fans awaiting Saturday’s clash.

They will renew their rivalry this Saturday, February 22, in a historic mega PPV event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Wilder has defended his world title successfully 10 consecutive times, while Fury is unbeaten in five bouts since returning from a nearly three-year layoff in June 2018.

The grand arrivals also featured fighters competing in the PPV undercard squaring off, including former heavyweight champion Charles Martin and former title challenger Gerald Washington, who meet in the co-main event, WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, a.k.a. “The Mexican Iron Man”, and Filipino contender Jeo Santisima, who battle in the PPV featured bout, and unbeaten super welterweights Sebastian Fundora and Daniel Lewis, who fight in the PPV opener at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

This is what the main event fighters had to say Tuesday:

DEONTAY WILDER

“The first fight was great, but the second time around we’re getting even more love. It’s been a blessed feeling and I’m so excited to show my greatness come Saturday night.”

“I’m going to knock out Tyson Fury in devastating fashion on Saturday night. After I show the world what greatness lies inside of me, I will continue to go even further and do more amazing things in this sport.”

“We all know that boxing is the hurt business and we both have bad intentions coming into this fight. I’m looking forward to our energies colliding and having an amazing fight.”

TYSON FURY

“Las Vegas is the home of champions, and ‘The Gypsy King’ is here to put on a show. I am knocking that bum out in two rounds. It’s going to be an early night.”

“I’ve done all I can, and I can’t wait for Saturday night to be here. The WBC belt is the only major title I’ve yet to win. Saturday night, it will be mine.”

“Las Vegas is the new home of ‘The Gypsy King.’ This is my time. Wilder got a gift last time. That won’t happen again. I’m coming for the knockout.”

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ABOUT DEONTAY WILDER VS. TYSON FURY II
Wilder vs. Fury II will see the highly anticipated rematch between unbeaten WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and undefeated lineal champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury as they headline a historic, mega PPV event Saturday, February 22 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The Wilder vs. Fury II PPV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features former heavyweight world champion Charles Martin squaring off against former title challenger Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington for a 12-round IBF Heavyweight Title eliminator in the co-main event. WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, a.k.a. “The Mexican Iron Man” will defend his title against Filipino contender Jeo Santisima in the PPV featured bout. Plus, in the PPV opener, super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will face 2016 Australian Olympian Daniel Lewis in a 10-round battle of unbeatens.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com,www.toprank.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com and www.espn.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @trboxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @ESPN, @ESPNRingside, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/trboxing,www.facebook.com/foxsports, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes andwww.facebook.com/espn.

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Portland, Ore. for the first time in over three years with a battle of heavyweight contenders, as No. 8 ranked Alistair Overeem takes on No. 9 Walt Harris. In a pivotal strawweight contenders’ bout, former champion and No. 7 ranked Carla Esparza takes on No. 8 Michelle Waterson.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+®: OVEREEM vs. HARRIS will take place Saturday, April 11 at Moda Center. The main card begins at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ in English and Spanish, with the prelims kicking off on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 7 p.m. ET. Doors open at 6 p.m. ET.

Among the most decorated strikers in MMA, Overeem (45-18 1NC, fighting out of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) has his sights set on another highlight-reel knockout. Over the course of his career, he has earned thrilling victories over former UFC heavyweight champions Junior Dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum and Andrei Arlovski. Overeem is now poised to re-assert himself as a title threat with a specular performance.

A heavy-handed striker, Harris (13-7 1NC, fighting out of Birmingham, Ala.) has earned all his MMA victories via knockout. His two most recent outings saw him finish both Aleksei Oleinik and Sergey Spivak in under one minute each. Harris also holds wins over Daniel Spitz and Chase Sherman. Harris now hopes to continue his rise up the division by netting the biggest win of his career.

The inaugural UFC women’s strawweight champion, Esparza (16-6, fighting out of Irvine, Calif.) looks to take another step back towards title contention. Winner of The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned, she holds impressive victories over Rose Namajunas, Alexa Grasso and Cynthia Calvillo. Esparza is now gunning for her third consecutive win against one of the division’s perennial contenders.

A former Invicta FC atomweight champion, Waterson (17-7, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) aims to take out her first former UFC titleholder. A talented striker and grappler, she holds entertaining wins against Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Paige VanZant and Felice Herrig, and she hopes a win over Esparza will continue her ascent up the strawweight ladder.

Additional bouts on the card include:

No. 13 ranked welterweight contender Vicente Luque (17-7-1, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil) looks for another highlight-reel finish against surging Randy Brown (12-3, fighting out of Queens, N.Y.)
Eryk Anders (13-4, fighting out of Birmingham, Ala.) collides with Krzysztof Jotko (21-4, fighting out of Orneta, Poland) in an entertaining middleweight bout
Niko Price (14-3 1NC, fighting out of Cape Coral, Fla.) takes on Muslim Salikhov (16-2, fighting out of Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia) in a welterweight bout guaranteed to deliver fireworks
Tristan Connelly (14-6, fighting out of Vancouver, Canada) aims to continue the momentum from his Fight of the Night debut victory when he meets Alex da Silva (21-2, fighting out of Balneario Camboriu, SC, Brazil)
Don’Tale Mayes (7-3, fighting out of Louisville, Ky.) faces Rodrigo Nascimento (7-0, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Brazil) in a clash of Dana White’s Contender Series signees
Markus Perez (11-3, fighting out Sao Paulo, Brazil) meets Alessio Di Chirico (12-4, fighting out of Rome, Italy) in an exciting middleweight bout
Julia Avila (7-1, fighting out of Oklahoma City, Okla.) squares off with Karol Rosa (12-3, fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Visit UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. Please click here to apply for the event.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT ON ESPN+®: OVEREEM vs. HARRIS go on sale Friday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Feb. 20 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

To sign up for ESPN+, go to www.ESPNplus.com/UFC.

ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2020) – Undefeated lightweight prospect, Ruben “Ace” Torres (11-0, 9 KOs), gives an inside look into his mindset as he will headline Thompson Boxing’s “Path To Glory” event this Friday, Feb. 21st, from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.

Torres, age 22, who hails from South Central Los Angeles, faces the dangerous puncher from Mexico, Gabino Cota (19-10-2, 17 KOs), in an eight-round main event bout. Torres is guided by Danny Zamora and trains out of the Santa Fe Springs Activities Center in, Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

Here is what Torres had to say before his showdown this Friday.

On his desire to make his grandmother proud of him, who suddenly passed away last year:

“My grandmother was dear to my heart and I will always keep her in my memory, everything happened so fast when she passed away out of nowhere. She was my number one fan and I miss her like crazy; I’m still trying to deal with her not being here and I can’t really put it into words, but I know she’s in a better place. I will always have her spirit with me when I step into the ring and I know she’s watching over me. I’m going to continue this journey to a world title with her in my mind, I want to make her proud.”

On how his manager and trainer Danny Zamora demands that he attends college:

“My manager and trainer, Danny Zamora, has been a big influence in my life. After going to school for a few years, I dropped out to pursue my boxing career. When I came back to the Santa Fe Springs gym, Danny told me that he wouldn’t train me unless I continue to attend college. Right now, I’m taking courses at Cerritos College as advised by Zamora and I’m thankful to him for always looking out for my best interest.”

On fighting in front of the fans in Ontario as he headlines the next Path to Glory show:

“I love the energy when I fight at the Doubletree Hotel, everyone is right on top of you. I can see and hear everyone in the building and it’s not far from downtown LA, where a lot of my family is from, so its nice that they can all come see me. It’s a lot fun and electrifying to say the least.

Tickets for “Path To Glory” are priced at $60, & $100 (general seating is sold out) and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900, or online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

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All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, and ThompsonBoxing.com. Beto Duran will handle blow-by-blow duties, while Rich Marotta provides expert, color commentary, and both will be accompanied by Jessica Rosales who will present special features and interviews for Path to Glory. The livestream starts at 8:05 p.m. PT / 11:05 p.m. ET. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91764, and can be reached at 909-937-0900, doors open at 6:30 PM.

“Path To Glory” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Henry Fortifiber, Belgard Pavers and Everlast.

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 18, 2020) — As fight night nears, boxing legends, world champions, celebrities and more shared their predictions for the highly anticipated rematch between unbeaten WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and undefeated lineal champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury ahead of the historic, mega PPV event this Saturday, February 22 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at www.mgmgrand.com or www.axs.com. The event is promoted by BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions, Top Rank and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. A Premier Boxing Champions presentation.

The heavyweight championship rematch has garnered debate ever since the controversial end of their first fight in December 2018, and remains a 50-50 fight just days before they square off again. Here are predictions from throughout the boxing world and beyond for Saturday’s main event, with the respondents leaning towards Wilder to retain his title over Fury, by an 18 to 14 margin:

Sugar Ray Leonard, Hall of Famer
Wilder W 12: “I like Deontay Wilder to win, possibly by knockout, but, in truth, I don’t see either guy being knocked out. I think that Wilder not only has that powerful right hand, but that he has improved in his ability to set it up.

“On the other hand, I know that Tyson Fury has excellent boxing abilities and a tremendous chin from the way that he got up from the two knockdowns in their previous fight. In the end, I think that Wilder is always in shape and that he will use his speed and power to get the job done.”

Jamel Herring, WBO Junior Lightweight world champion
Fury by Majority Decision: “If Fury can box the same way he boxed in the first fight, without any scares, he can pull it off. On the flip side, it’s hard to pick against Wilder, as he always looks more impressive in rematches.”

Manny Pacquiao, WBA Welterweight World Champion
Wilder KO 10: “Never bet against a puncher, particularly one like Deontay Wilder. I look at Wilder like I do at a Mike Tyson, another puncher. I see Wilder winning this rematch with Tyson Fury by 10th-round knockout.”

Carl Frampton, former two-weight world champion
Fury W 12: “I think it’s a very difficult fight to call. Fury won the last one by a mile, but I think Wilder will be more aggressive this time, which may play into Fury’s hands. Wilder can win by KO at any moment, but put a gun to my head, and I’d say Fury on points.”

Thomas Hearns, Hall of Famer
Wilder W 12: “Deontay Wilder can box and win, but I think that his power will be the difference in defeating Tyson Fury. I believe that it will go to a decision again, but with Deontay Wilder winning it.”

Mikaela Mayer, undefeated super featherweight/2016 U.S. Olympian
Fury by decision: “I Fury is the better boxer and smart enough to make the adjustments needed from the last fight. If he can avoid a bomb from the ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ I think he will win on the scorecards.”

Evander Holyfield, Hall of Famer
Wilder W 12: “I’m picking Deontay Wilder based on his confidence and the fact that he does all of the right things to remain in great shape, and that he’s committed to his craft.

“Wilder’s not just a big guy with a right hand, but he’s also become more calculated in his approach. That’s why I’m picking him to win this second fight against Tyson Fury.”

Michael Conlan, WBO No. 1 Featherweight Contender
Fury by decision: “He needs to be even more careful this time, but he looks like he’s put in some serious work and is ready finish what he started last time.”

Shawn Porter, former two-time world welterweight champion
Wilder KO:” I have not had this hard of a time picking a winner of a fight after dissecting every component in a very long time. I honestly believe that this fight right here will seal both of their legacies.

“This is a 50-50 fight for several reasons. Deontay Wilder will be much more patient and freer from the anxiety he had trying to put on a big show in the first fight. Tyson Fury is now two years from depression, two fights from the retirement he came out of to fight Wilder.

“Fury has changed trainers in order to take the fight to Wilder and win by KO. Fury still has his speed and quickness, while Wilder is still powerful and more confident. It’s going to be a great fight.

“It’s razor thin until the end. I’m picking Wilder to win by KO, Fury by points, or Fury by KO. This is a 50-50 fight. I said on ‘Inside PBC Boxing’ a couple of weeks ago that Wilder wins by KO, but I’m picking the fans to win.”

Xander Zayas, 17-year-old welterweight prospect
Fury by decision: “He will outbox Wilder and make the necessary adjustments. It will essentially be a repeat of the first fight, only more convincing.”

Larry Holmes, Hall of Famer
Wilder KO 7-8: “Deontay Wilder will knock out Tyson Fury in the seventh or eighth round if he does what I know that he can do, which is stay on the outside, use his jab, throw that right hand over the jab.”

Colin Cloud, LIMITLESS at The Mirage
Wilder KO: “I predict Wilder will win by a knock-out in the first three rounds. I further predict Tyson will get ‘in the zone’ listening to some classic Jay-Z, Whereas Wilder will be listening to Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ album, because ultimately he is both a lover and a fighter.”

Adam Kownacki, undefeated heavyweight contender
Wilder KO 7: “I’m going with Deontay Wilder, and I think it’s going to be a knockout in round seven. I think it will be a rematch similar to the one with Luis Ortiz, whom he stopped in the 10th round the first time and in the seventh round the second time.

“Wilder will be patient, wait for his opening, and then, he will deliver. I think Wilder lands the big right hand and that, this time, Fury doesn’t get up.”

Robert Garcia, trainer of Mikey Garcia
Fury W 12: “I see Tyson Fury winning by a decision over Deontay Wilder. Unlike the first time, where he was knocked down twice, I believe that Fury will be fight more cautiously and that he’ll win a decision.”

Keith Thurman, former unified welterweight world champion
Wilder KO: “I’m going with Deontay Wilder, who is one of the most dangerous punchers in boxing history. There’s something about the first time that you step into the ring with an opponent, the entire, ‘I’ve never seen you; you’ve never seen me before.’

“But the fact is, Wilder now knows the movement, the speed and the tactics that Tyson Fury has, but, of course, Fury has the ability to dance, move around and change it up. But as long as Wilder can keep up with and move with him, I believe that he will do what he does best.

“I believe that Wilder can end the fight at any moment, aiming that right hand straight down the pipe, which he just about did in the last fight. It’s a tremendous event, I missed the first one, but I’ll be present at this next one and another great heavyweight rivalry. Team BombZquad.”

Matt Goss, 1OAK Las Vegas at The Mirage
Fury W “So proud of Tyson and his mindset and all of the battles he has won in and outside of the ring. Massively respect you Tyson, from one Brit to another, go and do what you do best, TCB.”

Mikey Garcia, former four-division world champion
Wilder KO 8: “I’ve got Deontay Wilder knocking out Tyson Fury in the eighth round. Wilder will be much more aggressive than he was in their first fight. Wilder will catch Fury with a big shot in the eighth round.”

Michelin Star Chef Akira Back, Chef for Yellowtail at Bellagio and Kumi at Mandalay Bay
Wilder KO 9: “Wilder in a 9th round KO. And after he knocks out Fury, I hope he will have time to stop by Yellowtail to celebrate and have a shot with me.”

Ruben Guerrero, trainer of Robert Guerrero
Fury W 12: “Tyson Fury is much more focused going into this fight. He’s not partying like he was, and he didn’t go into camp out of shape. He’s gotten God-centered in his life now, so I’m picking Fury to win by decision over Deontay Wider.”

Jermall Charlo, Undefeated WBC Middleweight World Champion
Wilder KO 10: “Deontay Wilder by knockout in the 10th over Tyson Fury. Deontay has to establish the jab early to get close, then crank right hands repeatedly.”

Marcus Deegan, MC, Thunder from Down Under at Excalibur
Fury KO 2: “After Tyson Fury got up like a zombie from the dead after that devastating knock down in their first fight, it shows his heart is beyond those of a normal human. This time around, I believe Tyson Fury will be victorious via knockout in the second round.”

Chris Colbert, interim WBA Super Featherweight Champion
Wilder KO 8: “I feel like Tyson Fury is less confident for this fight, and I think that Deontay Wilder is going to win by knockout. I would like to see Fury put up a helluva fight, but I don’t think that will happen this time.

“Wilder has more hunger to come back and to do better in his rematches, like he did against Bermane Stiverne and Luis Ortiz. I don’t think Fury goes any further than eight rounds this time.”

Paulie Malignaggi, former two-division world champion
Fury W 12: “I feel like it’s going to be Tyson Fury on points, but it’s a fight between the two best fighters in the weight class.

“The onus is Deontay Wilder to make the adjustments, whereas if Fury fights the same fight, odds are, he’s probably going to get the decision.

“I do think that Fury has to be careful with getting careless in spots, but Wilder can’t just fight believing that he can land one shot and get him out of there.

“Fury is a great boxer who can probably be better at avoiding the shot the second time around because he knows what he’s dealing with.”

David Benavidez, undefeated WBC Super Middleweight World Champion
Wilder KO 11: “I think Deontay Wilder knocks out Tyson Fury in the 11th round, but I think it’s gonna be a close fight until that happens. Still, I think Wilder wins the fight.

“I think Tyson Fury will have a lot of success early, but that ultimately Wilder will catch him with that big right hand and knock him out.”

Andy Lee, former middleweight world champion
Fury KO 2: “Tyson Fury can win this fight with Deontay Wilder in any way that he wants, whether by stoppage or knockout or accumulation of punishment on points.

“But the way that Fury’s looking in training, I will say that he wins by stoppage or knockout, and I’ll say he wins in round number two.

“I’m a former Kronk Gym fighter, and he’s being trained by [Emanuel Steward’s nephew Javon] SugarHill Steward, and you know what all of us Kronk Gym fighters want – knockouts.”

Anthony Dirrell, former two-time super middleweight champion
Wilder KO 8: “I am picking Deontay Wilder to win the rematch with Tyson Fury, and I think that it will happen in Round eight or nine.

“I just believe that Wilder will be better than he was in the last fight, and you can just look at his record in rematches against Bermane Stiverne and Luis Ortiz.”

Terry Fator, Terry Fator: The VOICE of Entertainment at The Mirage
Fury KO 4: “I am a huge fight fan…it’s why I never miss a presidential debate. My prediction–Fury in 4 when Wilder hits the floor.”

Charles Martin, former world heavyweight champion
Wilder KO 8: “Deontay Wilder’s gonna win by knockout. I believe that Tyson Fury will be out-boxing Wilder for most of the rounds, but then, he will get stopped by that powerful right hand in the eighth.”

John Ryder, former WBA interim super middleweight champion
Fury KO: “I believe this fight will be a lot more explosive then the first. I believe Deontay Wilder will feel Tyson Fury can’t hurt him and will go for the KO very early and fade later in the fight. Tyson will get him out of there anywhere after the eighth round.”

Luis Ortiz, heavyweight contender
Wilder W 12: “Deontay Wilder will win a decision over Tyson Fury, who will be coming in respecting Wilder’s power and being wary of taking a shot based on all of the evidence of Wilder’s previous fights with me, and from their first fight.

“Looking at what Wilder was able to do with me during the championship rounds of our first fight and also much sooner than that in our second fight, he’s going to be worrying about taking a similar shot, otherwise, there’s a locomotive coming.”

Bermane Stiverne, former world heavyweight champion
Wilder KO:” I think Deontay Wilder will knock out Tyson Fury, it’s just a matter of when he lands the right hand or the left hook and finishes him off.

“Wilder’s power saved him in the last round against Fury the first time, but I think that now that Fury has tasted Wilder’s power, I think that has to be in the back of his mind.

“Whether it’s the first or the last round, just like Fury was doing well in the first fight, I think it’s going to be a knockout for Wilder.”

Michael Clift, “Barry Gibb”, The Australian Bee Gees Show at Excalibur Hotel & Casino
Fury W: “Wilder will come after Fury and try for a big knockout punch, that’s his best hope. Fury will bide his time and use his reach and awkward style to wear Wilder down and strike when he sees him tiring. I’d like to see Wilder win but I think Fury will be too strong. Fury to win!”

ABOUT DEONTAY WILDER VS. TYSON FURY II
Wilder vs. Fury II will see the highly anticipated rematch between unbeaten WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and undefeated lineal champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury as they headline a historic, mega PPV event Saturday, February 22 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The Wilder vs. Fury II PPV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features former heavyweight world champion Charles Martin squaring off against former title challenger Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington for a 12-round IBF Heavyweight Title eliminator in the co-main event. WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, a.k.a “The Mexican Iron Man” will defend his title against Filipino contender Jeo Santisima in the PPV featured bout. Plus, in the PPV opener, super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will face 2016 Australian Olympian Daniel Lewis in a 10-round battle of unbeatens.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.toprank.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com and www.espn.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @trboxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @ESPN, @ESPNRingside, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/trboxing, www.facebook.com/foxsports, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes and www.facebook.com/espn.

Las Vegas (February 18, 2020) – Box Fan Expo, the largest boxing fan event held in the United States, has started to announce its attendees, starting with three-time world champion Jessie Vargas. Vargas, a former World Champion boxer has confirmed that he will appear at the sixth annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday, May 2, 2020, at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vargas will hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at the Box Fan Expo Store during the fan event held over the Cinco De Mayo weekend.

The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, and Canelo vs. Jacobs. Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com- @BoxFanExpo

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available online at:
https://bitly.com/BoxingExpo2020

Vargas will make his sixth appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, and personal items. Boxing enthusiasts will have an opportunity to also take pictures with this fan friendly Boxing Star.

Vargas will return to the ring on February 29, 2020 to face former four-division world title holder Mikey Garcia. The blockbuster welterweight fight will take place at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas and streamed live on DAZN in the US.

About Jessie Vargas
Vargas is a Mexican American professional boxer who is a former two-weight division and three-time world champion, having held the WBA (Regular) and IBO super lightweight titles in 2014 and the WBO welterweight title in 2016. Some of his most noticeable fights came against Manny Pacquiao, Adrien Broner, Tim Bradley, Josesito Lopez and Humberto Soto to name a few.

About Box Fan Expo
Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.

Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, David Benavidez, Errol Spence Jr, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Claressa Shields, Teofimo Lopez, Brandon Rios, Jorge Linares, and many more.

Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.

Throughout the next few months leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –
http://boxfanexpo.eventbrite.com/

(Feb. 18, 2020) — The featherweight and super lightweight MTK Global Golden Contract tournament fields will be narrowed down Friday, as the 10-round semifinal bouts will be contested from London’s York Hall. ESPN+ will stream the fights beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT.

In the super lightweight semifinals, Ohara “Two Tanks” Davies will fight Jeff Ofori and Mohamed “The Problem” Mimoune will take on fellow southpaw Tyrone McKenna.
 
The featherweight semifinals will feature Ryan Walsh against Tyrone “White Chocolate” McCullagh and Leigh Wood defending his WBO European title versus former world title challenger James “Jazza” Dickens.

Former top prospect Davies (20-2, 15 KOs) revitalized his career in the quarterfinals with a seventh-round stoppage over Logan “Korican Kid” Yoon. Ofori (10-1-1, 3 KOs) was saddled with a draw in the quarterfinals against Kieran Gething, but the referee broke the deadlock and scored the contest for Ofori. McKenna (20-1-1, 6 KOs), from Belfast, has won four in a row and notched a near-shutout over Mikey Sakyi to advance. Former European Union and French welterweight champion Mimoune (22-3, 3 KOs) rose from a second-round knockdown in his quarterfinal bout to stop Darren Surtees in the fifth round.

Former British featherweight champion Walsh (25-2-2, 12 KOs) knocked out then-beaten Hairon Socarras in nine rounds to punch his semifinal berth. McCullagh (14-0, 6 KOs) bested Razaq “Lionheart” Najib via unanimous decision in the quarterfinals and is campaigning as a featherweight after winning the WBO European junior featherweight belt in October 2018. Former world title challenger Dickens (28-3, 11 KOs), from Liverpool, England, has won six in a row since a two-fight losing skid. He won a clear points verdict over former European Union and Spanish featherweight champion Carlos Ramos to advance to the semifinals. Wood (23-1, 13 KOs) made perhaps the most emphatic quarterfinal statement, as he knocked out the previously unbeaten Irish Olympian Davey Oliver Joyce in nine dominating rounds.
  
The light heavyweight Golden Contract semifinal bouts will be contested Friday, March 20, live on ESPN+. The championship bouts of all three weight classes will be fought on a date to be announced.
 
For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing. 
 
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown quickly to 3.5 million subscribers in 18 months, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.
 
Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. 
 
Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ ­— all for just $12.99/month.
 

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 18, 2020) — Closed circuit tickets for the highly anticipated rematch between WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and lineal heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury are available now. The two fighters will step into the ring Saturday, February 22 in a historic mega PPV event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
 
Venues hosting Wilder vs. Fury II closed circuit telecasts are:

• Mandalay Bay Ballroom at Mandalay Bay
• The Still at The Mirage
• Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York
• Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York
• Moneyline at Park MGM 

Closed circuit tickets priced at $100 (not including applicable fees) are now on sale at www.mgmgrand.com/wildervsfury2cc

#  #  #

 
ABOUT DEONTAY WILDER VS. TYSON FURY II
Wilder vs. Fury II will see the highly anticipated rematch between unbeaten WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and undefeated lineal champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury as they headline a historic, mega PPV event Saturday, February 22 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
 
The Wilder vs. Fury II PPV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features former heavyweight world champion Charles Martin squaring off against former title challenger Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington for a 12-round IBF Heavyweight Title eliminator in the co-main event. WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, a.k.a “The Mexican Iron Man” will defend his title against Filipino contender Jeo Santisima in the PPV featured bout. Plus, in the PPV opener, super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will face 2016 Australian Olympian Daniel Lewis in a 10-round battle of unbeatens.
 
For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.toprank.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com and www.espn.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @trboxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @ESPN, @ESPNRingside, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/trboxing, www.facebook.com/foxsports, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes and www.facebook.com/espn.

Bob Arum (Chairman, Top Rank): We can’t wait for fight night. The response from everybody from cable systems, satellite providers, digital platforms has been enormous. I want to thank especially ESPN and FOX for the magnificent way they have both stepped up to the plate to help us promote this fight. I want to also take this opportunity to thank my friends at PBC, who have worked so well with my staff at Top Rank to make this such a great event and of course giving kudos to the two fighters who have been amazing in the comments they have made about the fight to the press, respecting each other’s ability but confident in the fact that each of them believe that they will win. And I’m particularly impressed and very thankful for Tyson Fury, who has shown the world how you as a participant promote a big event like this heavyweight championship match. Tyson has done a marvelous job communicating to the press, and having watched him in the gym sparring, I’m telling everybody that he’s on the top of his game and you’re going to see a masterful performance from Tyson on Feb. 22.

Tyson Fury (Lineal Heavyweight World Champion): First of all, God bless you, Bob Arum, for that excellent intro. Yeah, I’ve been training very, very hard for the last eight weeks in Las Vegas, and I was training four or five weeks before that back in the UK. I’ve never, ever, ever been as focused or as ready for one fight as I am for this fight. I have pulled out all the stops that anyone could ever pull out for a training camp. I’ve not left anything unturned. Every butt has been kicked. We are going to see the best Tyson Fury that Tyson Fury can be. Last time, I only had a couple of fights, well, six months actually, after three years out of the ring. This time, I’ve had well over a year of activity and I’m going to have five victories back to back. I beat him in our 12-round contest {at the end of 2018}. I’m match fit. I’m ready. I’m confident. Sparring has been going well. I’m injury-free. No excuses on my end. I’m ready for a war, one round or 12.

Q: My first question for you Tyson is, given that you have 12 rounds of experience against Deontay Wilder in your first fight from a couple years ago, I wonder what do you think the biggest adjustment is that you need to make in this particular matchup knowing that you already went 12 rounds with the guy before and you’ve seen what he has?

Fury: The biggest mistake I made last time was not making him pay when he was hurt. I didn’t know what I had in the tank last time. I’d never done 12 rounds {in my comeback}. It’s a long time. This time, I know I can do the distance and we’re not getting hurt. I’ll throw everything but the kitchen sink at him and he won’t know what hit him.

Q: What {did you see from him in the first fight} that you think you can exploit in the rematch?

Fury: I learned he can be hit, and he can be hurt quite regularly. That’s the biggest thing that I learned about Deontay Wilder. Nothing I didn’t already know. Before I fought him, obviously I didn’t know what he was like in a boxing ring, and after I fought him, I know what he’s like. And I think there’s nothing to worry about. He’s got a big right hand and that’s it. He’s a one-dimensional fighter, and I’m going to prove that on the 22nd of February.

Q: So, Tyson, do you think going into this match you’ll have more confidence because you went the 12 rounds. A lot of people thought you won. You outboxed him for a long stretch. You survived the knockdowns. Or is there a concern because you did get knocked down twice, particularly hard in the 12th round? Like, which one is it?

Fury: No, there’s no stress to me going into the fight. I’ve been 12 rounds, outboxed him quite comfortable, took his best shots, got up, fired back into him. The one who should be concerned is Deontay Wilder because, with him being a one-trick pony, he’s a knockout artist, but he knocked me down twice in two rounds, nine and 12. And he had over two minutes in each round to finish me and he couldn’t finish me. It was like on Mortal Kombat. They said, “Finish Him!,” and then couldn’t finish him. So yeah, he’s the one who should be concerned. He’s landed the two best punches that any heavyweight in the world could ever land on somebody else, and the Gypsy King rose like a Phoenix from the ashes back to my feet and hurt him in the end of the round. So yeah, it’s going to be pretty difficult for Wilder, not me. This is heavyweight boxing. I’ve been hit. I’ve been hurt. I’ve been put down in {my} career, but it’s not when we get put down. It’s what happens when we get back up and keep moving forward.

Q: Tyson, on a conference call a couple of days ago, Deontay Wilder’s trainer said that he felt that Deontay Wilder’s boxing ability and his ring IQ was underrated. I was just wondering how you would assess his…you know being the skillful boxer that you are, how would you assess his boxing ability and his ring IQ?

Fury: So he’s got a lot of experience. He’s got over 40 professional fights. If he doesn’t know about boxing now at 34 years old, he’s not going to know it. I thought his boxing IQ was okay, but it wasn’t up there with the likes of someone like Wladimir Klitschko. But he was decent. He’s always looking dangerous. He always looks imposing and dangerous, so you can never write somebody off like that. That’s for sure.

Q: Tyson, there’s been a lot of talk since you’ve fought him and he’s had two big knockouts and {people saying} that he’s arguably the biggest puncher in boxing history. Even Bob himself has said maybe that that’s true. I’m just wondering, having felt his power, what you think of it and how it maybe compares to Klitschko and other people that you’ve fought?

Fury: You know I’ve felt the power. Ain’t so bad. Ain’t so bad. He can’t be the biggest puncher in history because he couldn’t knock the Gypsy King out, could he? I took his best shot flush on the chin and I got back up. He punches hard, but I’ve never been hit by the likes of someone like Earnie Shavers. I didn’t get hit by George Foreman. I didn’t get hit by Rocky Marciano or any of those top guys. I didn’t get hit by them, so I can’t comment. So to say it’s the biggest punch in history, I’m not really sure because I didn’t get hit by all the guys in history. But, you know, I don’t think he punches harder than Wladimir Klitschko. Wladimir has a massive knockout punch and won a lot more fights than Wilder has. Make no mistake, all heavyweights punch hard and we can all knock anybody out. Wilder, I don’t think it’s so much his power. It’s the speed it lands at, which can be tricky when you don’t see it coming. But then again, even a guy who’s got no knockout ratio, if he hits you and you don’t see it coming, then he’s going to put you down. But as for feeling punches in fights, I’m not familiar with it because I don’t feel any punches when I’m in the ring because the adrenaline is flying high when you’re in a fight. You don’t feel the punches ever.

Q: Tyson, you said in both press conferences that you’re training for the knockout. You’re predicting a second-round knockout. The reaction of most people has been that you’re planting a mind trick or trying to sort of hide your strategy. How would you address the doubters who don’t believe that this is your intention?

Fury: Well, we won’t have to wait long to find out, will we? So it’s not very long to see if I’m bluffing or I’m telling the truth. This is boxing. Many people have done many things in the past, but we’ll see which man wants to back it up.

Q: If this is your intention, how much did the judging in the first fight against Wilder play in you wanting to alter your strategy like this?

Fury: It played a massive role because it made me uncomfortable. It made me do things I didn’t want to do, but when we’re taken out of our comfort zone and pressed and pressed and pressed, then we become better. So it was almost like a blessing in disguise I didn’t get the decision because I would’ve kept working on my boxing and just box, box, box, box. I believe I can outbox Deontay Wilder very, very comfortably, but the fact of the matter is I believe I outboxed him comfortable last time. But it’s no good me believing it. The judges have to believe it, and to guarantee a victory, I’ve got to get a knockout because I don’t want to leave anything unturned this time. I don’t want another controversial decision. I don’t want people to say, “Oh well he won. No, he won, whatever.” I want it to be a defining win either way. The books decided it. One judge had it at 114-112 or something, one had it 113-113 {and the other one had Wilder winning 115-111}. So I’m not sure what fight that judge was watching, but I’m not a judge and these guys see what they see. That’s their opinion. That’s what they get paid to do, so yeah, but in order to guarantee a victory, I think you’ve got to take it out of anybody’s hands. My own destiny lies in my own two fists.

Q: Tyson, given the terms of the contract and the potential for a third fight with the loser having the option of from what we’ve heard publicly, are you preparing your mind that you’re going to fight Wilder twice this year no matter what happens?

Fury: One fight at a time. I’m only nine days from the biggest fight of my life. So I’m not looking past that. I’m not looking at any other fights. Not one other fight in the world matters at the moment. I only concentrate on one fight at a time. Let’s get through this one. Then we’ll talk business about more fights.

Q: Hello, Gypsy King. Hello, Bob Arum. Question for Tyson Fury. Tyson, you’ve said that this time we’re not going to see the “herky-jerky”style and you’re going to be more offensive and really looking to take it to Deontay Wilder. I do wonder have you done things in camp, tweaked anything, so you will be showing more power? Are you turning your hips more or punching through the target? What are you doing in camp so this strategy will work on Feb. 22?

Fuy: Well, if I told you that, I’d give me full game plan away, wouldn’t I?

Q: Yeah. I don’t want the full game plan, maybe just 10%.

Fury: Well, let’s just say I’ve been sitting down in the pocket and letting them fly very aggressively and a high volume of them. Let’s just say that.

Q: Thank you Bob and Tyson for the time today. And Tyson, I just want to go back on what Brian said real quickly and you said this fight is the biggest fight of your life. What makes this fight bigger than the fight you had with Wladimir Klitschko?

Fury: This fight is the biggest fight of my life. As we know, Wladimir Klitschko is in the past. It’s history and this fight is active. So every fight that I have going forward is the biggest fight of my life.

Q: You brought in recently Jacob “Stitch” Duran to be your cutman. What was the decision behind bringing Stitch in?

Fury: The decision was I got a big cut in the last fight, 47 stitches across the top of the eye inside and out, and I’m going to need someone who’s the best at what they do. And Stitch is the best at what he does. So yeah, we’re not cutting any corners. That’s for sure.

Q: Do you wish you would’ve brought him in before the fight with Otto? Or was it just had a guy, you were set on him and you wanted to see what would happen?

Fury: Well, I don’t think it makes any difference who was in the corner unless there was a miracle worker in the corner, and there was a miracle making them not happen. Then yeah, it doesn’t matter who’s in the corner on that night.

Q: Hey Tyson. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us today. Would you call the first Wilder fight the toughest of your career or would you say that you’ve been tested more than that one fight?

Fury: I wouldn’t say that was the toughest fight. I’d say that was one of my easiest fights, to be fair, and other than the two knockdowns, it was a pretty one-sided fight. Yeah, I’ve had much difficult fights than that before, much more harder than that. Deontay Wilder is not my toughest opponent. That’s for sure. My toughest opponent in my whole career was Steve Cunningham. He was a former cruiserweight champion that fought me in about 2013 in New York in Madison Square Garden and that was the toughest fight I ever had.

Q: A real quick question for you. You say you’re going to knock out Deontay Wilder. You didn’t do it in the first fight. Do you see something or do you see a weakness in Deontay that will make you exploit it and knock him out?

Fury: It’s not about Deontay Wilder does. It’s about what I do. I don’t think about the opponent. The opponent means nothing to me. I’ve got to concentrate on what I do, not what he does. It’s all about what I do on the night, not about what he does when he gets a knockout.

Q: Thanks for taking the time out to talk to all of us. I just have one simple question. When you realized that you needed to be more aggressive this time around to get a guaranteed win, was that what led you to training with SugarHill Steward more than perhaps another trainer that might be more defensive-minded?

Fury: Yeah. I had a good defensive coach, Ben Davison. We worked a lot on defense every single day for two years. It was defense, defense, defense. So I needed an aggressive trainer. I worked with SugarHill in the past. I knew he was a good guy. I knew we got along well, which is very important. Communication is key to any good relationship, and that’s what I brought him in, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, ever

Q: Thanks so much. Thanks Tyson for taking time to talk to us. Earlier in the call, you talked about the readiness in this fight compared to the first fight. Obviously, you had the very tough fight against Otto Wallin. Do you believe that that fight maybe perhaps prepared you for you to have to go into deep waters against Deontay Wilder this time around compared to your first two fights coming back right before the first fight against Deontay?

Fury: Going the distance in good fights, that really does sharpen your match fitness. I was happy that the last fight was a tough fight and it wasn’t just a {blowout} because it prepared me more for the Deontay Wilder Battle Royale. We both had two quick knockouts in the first two fights we had. He knocked out Dominic Breazeale in one round. I knocked out Tom Schwarz in two rounds. And then, in the second fight, I got a good 12 rounds in and he got a good seven rounds in. So we’re both coming into this fight, we’re match fit. We’re both coming very active into this next fight.

Q: Tyson, you mentioned a few minutes ago that the Steve Cunningham fight was the toughest of your career. I know you were down in that fight. Can you elaborate on what made that fight the toughest for you?

Fury: At that time in my life, I had never fought anybody like Steve Cunningham. He won the IBF title and defended it maybe seven times or something like that. He was the unified champion and it was my first step-up on to anybody with that type of ability. And he was slick and he was hard to hit. He was very awkward and he was a very good boxer. So that was the toughest fight of me life.

Q; Going into that fight, Steve was a smaller heavyweight. Did you underestimate him maybe going into that fight?

Fury: No, I never underestimated him. He was 6’3 and 210 pounds. He was probably taller than Evander Holyfield and bigger as well. So we say small heavyweight, but they’re really big heavyweights. Well, today the heavyweights have gone supersize. So yeah, it was a tough opponent. I didn’t underestimate him. He was a very good guy, very good boxer.

Q: Changing trainers is never easy but how much did it help, though, that you knew {SugarHill Steward} and didn’t have to get to know a new trainer entirely?

Fury: It was very helpful. We knew each other from the past, and it was helpful because we just gelled straight away. There was no getting use to each other and all that. We just went straight to work in an old-fashioned type manner.

Q; Would you have changed to a trainer that you weren’t familiar with or would you not have done that?

Fury: I wouldn’t have done it. No, because we only have eight weeks to prepare for the fight, and it takes a few weeks to get used to a new trainer and to gel. You never know what you’re getting with new trainers and all that bull, but the fact that we worked together in the past, we knew each other, we kept in touch and we spoke to each other over the years, it was really helpful. We just got straight down to work.

Q: Hey Bob. So my question is for you. I know Tyson said that he wanted to go for the knockout, but you know it has been several occasions where you’ve come out and said that Tyson is one of the best boxers you’ve ever seen. So does it kind of concern you when he comes out with a game plan like that wanting to knockout Wilder? So you know that kind of plays into his hands when you know he can pretty much outbox him for the full 12 rounds.

Arum: I have confidence in Tyson because there are guys who say they’re going to knock out their opponent, and it’s like a baseball player getting up to the plate and trying to hit a home run when anybody who knows baseball will say that the guy who looks to make contact has a better chance to hit a home run than the guy that’s swinging from his heels. So Tyson is a great boxer, but he has determination to knock out Wilder and he knows that he’s not going to force it and the knockout will come. And that, unlike the first fight, when he gets Wilder into trouble, and Wilder was in trouble at a couple of times in that fight. He’s not going to let him off the hook. He’s going to go for the knockout.

Q: So you have the big win against Wladimir Klitschko on your record. You’ve got some other good wins, Chisora, whatnot. A lot of people thought you won the first fight with Deontay. If you win this second fight, what do you think this does for the legacy of Tyson Fury, particularly because you have said that you don’t have very many more fights left after this?

Fury: I’m not really too concerned about the legacy. I’ve done what I’ve done, and when I’m finished with boxing, I don’t care about the legacy at all. The fact of the matter is I care about being active and I care about what’s happening now. So yeah, I think the Wilder fight cements me. Winning this fight cements me as the best of my era. No more to prove. Everyone else has been defeated, and there was only me and Deontay Wilder left after 12 years as professionals. It’s all on the line for this fight. I think it’s a massive must for me. It’s a massive must to win.

Q: I mean rarely do I hear boxers say that they literally don’t care about their legacy. I have to believe that after your long career that you don’t have some part of you that wants to be remembered in a really positive way for everything you’ve accomplished.

Fury: I’m not overly concerned about what happens when I’m done. When I’m done, it means I’m retired, and when I’m retired it means I’m onto other things and I’ll be in another chapter of my life. So we can only take one chapter of our lives at a time, and I’m just enjoying living in the moment right now. I’m living my dream, my childhood dream, my young adult dream and my midlife dream. And like I said, I really don’t care about legacy and that’s the fact of the matter because what somebody thinks of me when I’m finished is really unimportant because it’s all sticks and stones. Whether it’s good or bad, everyone is entitled to their opinion. And there will be somebody else to replace me just like everybody else, every other champion. Other young guys will come along and take my place and that’s how the food chain works.

Q: So, you heard Tyson say that he doesn’t care what people would say about it in terms of his legacy. You’ve been around for a long time and seen a lot of great heavyweights. What do you think Tyson Fury’s legacy would be with this victory?

Arum: Well, I think that everybody would have to recognize him as one of the great heavyweight champions of all time. I mean, you know it seems to me, and I’ve been through in my years in boxing, heavyweight champions that go back before most of you writers were born. I mean starting with Ali and Joe Frazier and Foreman and Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and now Joshua and Wilder. And when Tyson does what I expect him to do on Feb. 22, he definitely will belong with those immortals.

Q: Tyson, you said that you don’t really so much care what the other guy brings to the table. It’s what you’re able to do, but I feel like Wilder to me seems as confident as he’s ever been. I wonder do you assess him the same way. Or his mindset really doesn’t matter to you?

Fury: Yeah, his mindset is none of my concern. Every fighter I’ve ever fought, they have been confident they’re going to win because if they weren’t, they’d be in the wrong game, that’s for sure. As performing athletes, as champions, you always believe you’re going to win. So, it hasn’t affected me so far in my career that every opponent I’ve ever fought thought he was going to win and he didn’t. You know, it doesn’t matter what the opponent’s mindset is. It’s about what mindset I’ve got going into the fight and what game plan I execute in there, and that’s all it comes down to. Wilder can be the best Wilder he ever wants to be, but if my mindset is totally concrete on winning, then I’m going to win for sure. And it’s how much you want it and I believe I want this more than Deontay Wilder does. Deontay Wilder wants to be a famous guy. He wants to be an actor. He wants to be on TV. He is into all that lifestyle and all that. He’s what I’d call a social climber. He wants to be something he’s not. Me, I don’t care for all that stuff. I don’t care about being famous. I don’t care if somebody wants to shake hands and it’ll be on TV. None of that stuff means anything to me. The only thing that means anything to me is winning these fights. That’s it. Period. When the boxing is over, that’s it for me. There’s no more fame. There’re no movies because I won’t take any more steps to be an actor or to be a singer or to be something like that because it doesn’t interest me. I’m a purebred fighting man through and through, and when it’s over, it’s over. That’s it, but for now I’ll stick to it.

Q: One of the things that is a topic going into this particular fight is your weight and how comfortable you are coming into this fight in comparison to your first fight. How do you feel with your current weight going into this fight that’s coming up in nine days?

Fury: Yeah. I feel comfortable with the weight. I’m already there where I want to be. I’m not trying to lose weight. I’m not trying to put weight on. I’m a giant heavyweight. I’m eating clean, eating well and whatever weight I weigh in on the night is really unimportant. You’ve seen heavyweights come in at 200 pounds. You’ve seen them come in at 300 pounds. The heavyweight division has no limit, so it’s one of those things.

Q: Years ago, Emanuel Steward talked about you and Deontay Wilder being two of the top heavyweights coming up to this particular point. With you now training with SugarHill Steward, what does this mean to you to like pretty much come almost full circle from that particular point years ago with Emanuel Steward until now?

Fury: Fantastic, isn’t it? It’s very fitting that 12 years ago or 10 years ago Emanuel called all this and it has come back to reality and SugarHill is training me, his nephew. So it’s great that I actually have things like an influence of the Kronk Gym and Emanuel Steward in the corner.

Q: Hi Tyson. I’m probably one of the few English people to speak with you today. I know everybody is excited back home. Looking at the interview with John Fury and David Haye, John Fury said that we saw the best of Deontay Wilder. Would you agree with that?

Fury: Yeah. I think we’re seeing the best of Deontay Wilder. He’s 34 years old. I don’t think you get better after 34, do you? I think you hit a point in your career and that’s called the prime-year career, the pinnacle, and then after that pinnacle you slide down and that’s what happens. History tells our story, so Deontay Wilder is at the pinnacle of his career. The only place he can go now, he can either extend that pinnacle or he can slide down. So yeah, he’s not going to get any better. He’s at his best.

Q: Absolutely, and talking from a different perspective, especially here in the UK, you’re known as a real advocate of mental health. For all these people getting up off the ground in the 12th round of the last fight, you really showed that true bravery and that true Gypsy fighting spirit. What have you got to say to all the people out there in the UK and all around world who are struggling with mental health?

Fury: The best message I can give is you can do it. It’s never over until it’s over. Seek medical advice immediately and communication is the key to everything. If you don’t talk about things, you’re never going to get things right. Things will never come back to how they were unless you talk about them. Bottling mental health is one of the worst things anybody can do. I’ve been there. I’ve done it all myself, and I hid it away from a lot of people for a long time and I exploded and that’s what happens. If you want to get well again, you’ve got to seek medical advice and get a routine going in your life. You know, set short-term goals, targets and achievements. That’s what I did. I used changing of my medicine, and I used living a healthy lifestyle as the medicine to take.

Fury: I just want to say thank you for everyone taking your time today to interview me and get some questions in. I believe we went through quite a few things there and I announced as much as I could and a big shout-out to Bob Arum for being on the line and taking time out of his busy schedule. And don’t forget to tune in on ESPN+ and FOX PPV and BT Sport Feb. 22. It will be the most entertaining fight of the last 20 years. Be there or be square. Peace out!

ABOUT DEONTAY WILDER VS. TYSON FURY II
Wilder vs. Fury II will see the highly anticipated rematch between unbeaten WBC Heavyweight World Champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder and undefeated lineal champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury as they headline a historic, mega PPV event Saturday, February 22 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The Wilder vs. Fury II PPV begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features former heavyweight world champion Charles Martin squaring off against former title challenger Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington for a 12-round IBF Heavyweight Title eliminator in the co-main event. WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, a.k.a “The Mexican Iron Man” will defend his title against Filipino contender Jeo Santisima in the PPV featured bout. Plus, in the PPV opener, super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will face 2016 Australian Olympian Daniel Lewis in a 10-round battle of unbeatens.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, www.toprank.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage, www.foxdeportes.com and www.espn.com/boxing, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @trboxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @ESPN, @ESPNRingside, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/trboxing, www.facebook.com/foxsports, www.facebook.com/foxdeportes and www.facebook.com/espn.

Frank Warren is delighted to announce that cruiserweight contender Jack Massey has signed a contract extension with Queensberry Promotions.
 
The recent British title challenger, who was deemed by many observers as unfortunate to drop a decision to Richard Riakporhe at York Hall in a fight for the vacant title, is determined to manoeuvre himself back into the title fold during his second stint with Hall of Fame promoter Warren.
 
“I am looking forward to a big 2020 where I will hopefully get some big fights and some big title fights,” said the 26-year-old known as ‘One Smack’. “It is all exciting stuff.
 
“We’ll probably look for a ten-round run out and then look for a title after that, so we are looking for a belt in the next two fights and we will see what is out there and up for grabs.
 
“We know the fights are out there and there are some great ones to be made in the cruiserweights. It is looking good and there are some big domestic fights to be done.”
 
Aside from picking up title belts, an obvious aim for Massey is to be responsible for bringing boxing back to the spectacular surrounds of the Devonshire Dome in Buxton, where he has fought on four previous occasions in front of a packed out venue.
 
“There has been a bit of talk and we have been looking at that,” confirmed the 16-1 man. “If we can get a televised show there with Frank it would be great. It would be just amazing, it is a great venue and it would be wrong not to go back there.
 
“It would look great on telly and I think it is the largest free-standing dome in Europe. It is a cracking venue,” added Massey, who says he has been boosted by the public support following his performance against Riakporhe last time out.
 
“It has put my name out there but it was a bit controversial with the judges and the referee. I’ve got to take it as it is and move on to the next one. I’ve got a 12 round fight under my belt now and it was a good one that I can use as a plus.
 
“It was weird at the end of the fight. I was down but it wasn’t like I had lost because the commentators said I was up and on Twitter it was the second most trending subject after the fight with people saying I was robbed.
 
“Obviously my zero has gone but that takes a bit of pressure off and I can just get on with it now.”
 
Frank Warren added: “I am delighted to continue promoting Jack and he is one of the most exciting cruiserweights out there with a big following right behind him.
 
“We will have a strong interest in the division this year, with Jordan Thompson and James Branch getting themselves into what will be an exciting mix of which Jack is firmly a part of.”

FRANK WARREN IS delighted to confirm that the Everton Red Triangle trio of Andrew Cain, Nick Ball and Brad Strand have signed promotional agreements with Queensberry Promotions.
 
All trained by respected coach Paul Stevenson from a gym established 100 years ago, the Liverpool Three share a decorated amateur background and an unbeaten professional grounding.
 
Featherweight Cain, 23, is a five-time national champion, who is now 4-0 in the pro ranks having made his debut in 2015. After taking time out from boxing due to family circumstances, he returned to the ring in 2019 and continued his trend of securing victory via stoppage.
 
His four bouts have all finished early and have spanned less than nine rounds of action.
 
Super bantamweight Strand, 22, is a four-time national champion, senior ABA champion and Tri-Nations winner. The England international opted to turn pro rather than pursue Olympic ambitions and is now 2-0 in the paid ranks.
 
Ball, 22, the most established of the three at 11-0 is a crowd-pleasing featherweight with destructive intent. He came from a background of Thai boxing before switching to Kirkby ABC from where he had 25 amateur fights.
 
His goal was to become a professional boxer, which led him to the Everton Red Triangle.
 
Ball performed on a Frank Warren promotion in December at the Nordoff Robbins dinner show, where he stopped Johnson Tellez in the second round at the Hilton Hotel in Mayfair.
 
“I am happy to sign with such a major promoter who has been around for years,” reacted Cain to signing up to the Queensberry platform headed by a Hall of Fame promoter. “He is probably the biggest at the moment and he has a record of taking young fighters to the top, so hopefully he can do that for me.
 
“We have got a great set-up at the moment with fights already booked in so it has worked out perfectly.
 
“I feel like the break I had helped me, as crazy as it sounds, but I needed the time and it has all come back together again. I am suited to the pros because, I don’t want to sound horrible, but when I am hitting people I like to know that I am hurting them. You don’t get that in the amateurs, whereas in the pro game they know when they are hit.
 
“I’d love to sell a show out in my home city, but I will fight anywhere Frank wants me to and I appreciate what he is doing for myself and the rest of the lads.”
 
Strand, who made his pro debut in 2019, added: “I am thrilled that myself, Andrew and Nick have been signed by such a big promoter and the platform can only help us push on in our careers.
 
“It is always the aim to become a TV fighter and I am certainly working towards that and I cannot wait to appear on a Frank Warren show. With the exposure I will get, along with the rest of the lads, my boxing career can go from strength to strength.
 
“I would love to get the big shows back to Liverpool and show everyone what we can do.”
 
Ball, 22, reflected on his pre-Christmas night in the capital where he seized his chance to shine in front of his new promoter.
 
“It was good and a boss experience to see him up close and fight in front of him. I went to see him after the fight and he was made up with my performance, saying it was outstanding, while Tyson Fury also had something to say to me.
 
“I was standing there after and he asked if it was me in the ring before pulling me over for a picture with him, also saying I should be proud of myself.
 
“Big shows don’t come to Liverpool as often as they used to and it is up to the boxers to make it happen and make people get up and want to come. Your style has got to be exciting to get people off the sofa and to the fights.
 
“The three of us who have signed with Frank have all got exciting styles and there are a lot of other lads from Liverpool who can help bring the shows back and we can all be on together.”
 
Promoter Warren added: “Liverpool is a place we have proudly promoted for many years and we intend to rekindle the fight scene in the city through our association with Paul Stevenson and his richly talented crop of fighters.
 
“I am delighted to have signed Andrew, Brad and Nick, who are all quality young fighters with a big future in front of them. They will be the spearhead of a new expansion for us where we will step up the development of the best young fighters and turn them into household names.
 
“I am hugely excited by the potential of these young men and I like the fact that they all see it as part of the job to entertain. I am looking forward to getting started with them.”
 
Andrew Cain, Brad Strand and Nick Ball, along with Queensberry super welterweight and Commonwealth champion JJ Metcalf, all feature on the Queensberry/Black Flash Promotions show at Liverpool Grand Central on February 28.

By Bart Barry-

“Playing to strengths delivers excellence; merely
fixing weaknesses does not.” – Paddy Upton, “The Barefoot Coach”

Saturday in Las Vegas, British heavyweight Tyson
“Gypsy King” Fury at long last rematches his 2018 championship draw with
American Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder. 
As the rematch will be a pay-per-view affair the next six days promise
an explosion of hyperbole to which this column will not contribute.

Because neither man is what one’d call “good” at
boxing.  In fact, to honor NBA All-Star
Weekend here’s an oldschool simile: Fury-Wilder 1 held all the aesthetic
delights of a threepoint shooting contest between Robert Parish and Mark Eaton.

Because he looks the part, probably we get
unfairly tough on Deontay here; while Fury fights very much like an obese gypsy
in recovery, Wilder does too, despite looking an Adonis dipped in espresso-gold.

As part of precolumn research that was not
exhaustive I partook of a video called “Deontay Wilder VS Tyson Fury
Highlight | The best Fight” – by virtue of its viewcount and pedigree the
video’s title appears unironical, and that is remarkable given how much
fighting it does not have in its 12 minutes. 
The video features someone’s honest effort to cross-stitch a
championship prizefight’s best 1/3, and there aren’t a dozen clean punches landed
the whole reel.

You’ve got Tyson doing his slap-n-jiggle thing, playfully
spanking Deontay’s cheek with his palm whilst his torso jiggles like it too was
playfully spanked, and you’ve got Deontay, decidedly less urgent, doing his
“Wilder and” Wilder thing, punctuating each quixotic tilt with a windmill
right.  It’s immensely entertaining in
its way, though, because of the men’s simple immensity.

I recall its being way more entertaining in
realtime, too, for the reason every heavyweight fight is suspenseful.  Knowing what didn’t happen after 36 minutes,
though, makes reviews tedious, in a way the rematch may prove.

It seems Fury outsmarted himself in this leadup as
well.  Much of his good scoring in the
first fight concerned universal doubts as to his mettle and durability.  He’d told us he was a miracle of regained
character and volition, and told us and told us, but knowing he’d be chased by
a giant lunatic for a halfhour or so few of us thought he’d pitch the perfect
game he needed.  Yet he almost did.  And every minute that went by with his
remaining upright favored him on every scorecard, official or otherwise; Fury
got a whole lot of credit for ring generalship and defense so long as Wilder’s
aggression remained ineffective and his punching stayed uncleanly.

But for this rematch Fury’s been running his mouth
about an early knockout.  He doesn’t plan
to do this – it’s too ridiculous of a prospect, even, to be a prefight chess
move – but in selling the fight in an unoriginal way Fury has changed
expectations.  You spend your
trainingcamp citing selfhelp literature and people mistake your every retreat
for strategy and in some cases courage, but you tell people you’re there to
snatch another man’s consciousness, and quickly, you’re getting a lot less
credit for not-punching.

Wilder, meanwhile, is a man of his word.  He’s there to bean you with a fastball, and
he don’t say otherwise.  What’s sometimes
lost in our promoter-induced squinting to see talent in Fury that absolutely is
not there (shrink him to 135 pounds, call Juan Manuel Marquez and administer
extreme unction) is what a specimen of conditioning Wilder is.

Until you’ve hurled yourself headlong at sea-level
air you don’t realize how tiring it can be. 
Wilder loads his life into half his punches, misses cleanly and then shoulders
the burden of stopping his right fist from sailing to the cheap seats.  Missing punches is physically fatiguing as it
is spiritually discouraging.  And yet.

Wilder had strength and selfbelief enough to knock
the dust off Fury 33 unsuccessful minutes after he started trying.  We spent an unfortunate amount of time
praising Fury for his lastround Lazarus, postfight, without commenting enough
on Wilder’s unexpected round-12 power; Wilder merely met expectations while
Fury exceeded them.

That quote at the top explains the success of Wilder’s career philosophy.  He began boxing too late in life to trifle with nuance.  The last American male to win an Olympic heavyweight medal, Wilder saw his marketing potential long, long before any of us imagined he’d be a unified titlist.  He saw the fear in other men’s eyes – including refs’ – when he went crazy, and he kept iterating his way to the most frightful competitor he could be.  That required an ability to cut a man’s lights with any punch he threw, no matter how early or late, and doing so requires great fitness.

Where an uncertain athlete might’ve found his way
to Wild Card or Kronk to learn footwork or head movement or conservation of
energy, by 2010, Wilder took only what he did best and committed to doing it
better.  If the holes in his style aren’t
any larger now than when he started, they are, surprisingly, no smaller.

But what, honestly, has any man done to exploit
these holes?  Fury got so flustered by
Wilder’s intensity he forgot to hook Wilder’s elbows on every clinch.  Be not fooled by Tyson’s opportune mugging
later; he was proper frightened for his first 10 minutes across from Deontay.  Which is proper absurd in its own right – nature
endowed Fury with a larger frame than even the top 1-percent of all men in
human history, but he sure doesn’t fight like it.

Saturday I’ll be cheering for one outcome as usual.  A knockout. 
Since Wilder is much likelier to bestow it, I’ll take him: KO-9.

*

Author’s note: This column will be on sabbatical
next week while its writer visits Mexico.

*

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Caleb Plant thrilled his hometown fans as he stopped Vincent Feigenbutz in round 10 to retain his IBF Super Middleweight title title at The Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennesse.

It was a one-sided affair from the opening bell as Plant was bigger, faster and stronger then Feigenbutz, and Plant emphatically used all of those advantages.

Plant boxed extremely well against a square target that Feigenbutz well. Plant jabbed, ripped to the body and came back with left hooks that the German visitor had no answer for.

In round nine, Feigenbutz started bleeding from the nose and the stoppage was inevitable.

Finally in round 10, Plant landed another blistering combination and the fight was stopped at 2:23.

Plant, 166.8 lbs of Nashville is 20-0 with 12 knockouts. Feigenbutz, 165.2 lbs of Karfarube, GER is 31-2.

“I was super fueled by the crowd tonight,” Plant said. “I could have gone all night. The whole city came out. Nashville stand up!”

“I felt great out there,” said Plant. “I was relaxed and sharp. I told you I was going to stop this before the 12th round. I want to dedicate this to my daughter, to my mother, my grandfather and the whole city of Nashville.”

“Everyone knows I want that unification fight with David Benavidez,” Plant stated. “You know who the best 168-pounder is. If you want that, you’ve got to come see me. I want that fight; I’ve been asking for it and I’m tired of waiting!”

Abel Ramos, down on the cards, scored a last-second stoppage win over Bryant Perrella in a 10-round welterweight bout.

Perrella controlled the bout for most of the 29-plus minutes of the bout. He boxed well and worked the body. That was until he got caught in the last 2o seconds of the bout by an uppercut that sent him to the canvas. Ramos then landed a hard right that sent Perrella for a 2nd time. Perrella got to his feet but wobbled as referee Jack Reiss asked him to walk to his right, and the bout was stopped at 2:59.

Ramos, 145.8 lbs of Casa Grande, AZ is 26-3-2 with 20 knockouts. Perrella, 146.8 lbs of Fort Myers, FL is 17-3.

“I know the fight’s not over until it’s over,” said Ramos. “That’s the game. I’ve been sick for two weeks. But no excuses. I wanted to come here and perform. “I watched the Chavez-Taylor fight like 10 million times and I never thought I’d be in something like that. It just goes to prove that fights are never over till it’s over. You have to fight every single second of every single round.”

“This is boxing. It’s like Meldrick Taylor and Chavez,” said Perrella, agreeing with Ramos’ comments. “These things just happen. I’m not going to take anything away from my opponent. I was winning every round convincingly. What can I say? There was second left in the 10th round. It’s like a needle in the haystack. It is what it is.”

“Perrella’s a tough fighter,” said Ramos. “He’s a strong, strong fighter. I have nothing but respect for him. I expected a tough fight and that’s what happened.”

“Everything was going well, and I was winning the fight, round by round,” said Perrella. “I don’t know. This is boxing. That’s the thing about the sport. It is what it is. There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not going to make up any excuses or take anything away from my opponent. It’s just an experience that you go through in life and you have to overcome it. Absolutely I’d like to do it again with him. We can get a rematch in for sure.” “I want all the welterweights,” Ramos exclaimed. “I’d like to have another big TV fight and go out there and prove myself.”

Former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno won a 10-round unanimous decision over Austin Dulay in a lightweight bout.

Dulay took the first couple of rounds by boxing. In round four, Magdaleno turned the fight around by starting a nice body attack.

In round seven, Magdaleno dropped Dulay with a body shot. Seconds later, Magdaleno was deducted a point for a low bow. Magdaleno continued to work the body effectively as the fighters came down the stretch.

Magdaleno, 134.4 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 97-91 and 96-92 twice and is now 32-3. Dulay, 134.4 lbs of Nashville is 13-2.

“I knew mentally I could break him down,” said Magdaleno. “If I attacked the body, I knew I could break him down. He’s a young prospect. He’s taller than me so my plan of attack was to get in close and go to the body.”

“Even Diego just told me that he had nothing to do with the decision. He knows. How can they do that to me in my hometown? That’s dirty man.”

“Every round he was hitting me low and, in the back, and on the hips,” said Dulay.
“It was more times than he got called for. I won that fight 100%.”

“Experience has everything going for me. In my previous fight, I lost my head,” said Magdaleno. “This time I took my time. My camp said slow it down. Happy for the victory tonight.”

Follow all the action as Caleb Plant defends the IBF Super Middleweight title against mandatory challenger Vincent Feigenbutz.  The action begins at 8 PM ET with Austin Dulay taking on Diego Magdaleno.  Bryant Perrella takes on Abel Ramos

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY.

Round 1 Plant lands a right to the body..Right to body..

Round 2 Right drives Feigenbutz back..Sharp Jab

Round 3 Right from Plant..Hard combination..Uppercut and hook..

Round 4 Body shot from Plant…Jab

Round 5 Combination from Plant..Uppercut

Round 6 Feigenbutz throws a barrage…Plant smiles at him..Jab to head and body from Plant..Plant outlanding Feigebutz 101-23

Round 7  Good body shot from Plant..Jab from Feigenbutz..Left to body from Plant..2 crisp jabs..

Round 8 Plant lands a left..Good hook from Feigenbutz..Uppercut from Plant

Round 9 Big right from Plant rocks Feigenbutz..3 punch combination..Hard right..Blood from Nose of Feigenbutz..Hard body shot from Plant..Another hard body shot

Round 10 Body shot from Plant..Good right..Feigenbutz taking a lot of punishment..Ripping body and head combo..Beautiful uppercut..Hrd 3 punch combination..Right from Feigenbutz..COMBINATION AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

Round 1 Left from Perrella…

Round 2 Blood from nose of Ramos..Body shots from Perrella

Round 3 Left from Perrella…Backing Ramos up

Round 4 Jab from Perrella..Left from Perrella hurts Ramos..Combination..

Round 5 Jab from Perrella…Right from Ramos..

Round 6 Combinations from Perrella..Jabs…

Round 7 Hook from Ramos…Good body shot..

Round 8 Ramos coming forward..uppercut from Perrella..Short shots inside..

Round 9 Perrella lands a left to the body..Good body shots…

Round 10 Good right from Ramos,..HUGE UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES PERRELLA..BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES PERRELLA…THE FIGHT IS OVER

Round 1  Left from Dulay..Good combination from Magdaleno….Combination from Dulay..Hook from Magdaleno..

Round 2 Straight left from Dulay..Popping left..Good body shot from Magdaleno

Round 3 Good counter from Dulay..Good left..

Round 4 Jab from Magdaleono..Hard left from Dulay..Good combination from Magdaleno…

Round 5 Jab from Magdaleno…Dulay goes down from a low blow

Round 6 Good body shot from Magdaleno..Straight left…Combination..Uppercut from Dulay..Hard body from Magdaleno

Round 7 BODY SHOT AND DOWN GOES DULAY..Hard body shot…Dulay goes down from a low blow..MAGDALENO DEDUCTED A POINT…Body shot hurts Dulay..Hard left to the head…Body shot..Counter left

Round 8 Left from Magdaleno..

Round 9 Combination to body from Magdaleno..Another body shot..Another..Yet another..Good left from Dulay…Left

Round 10 Hard left from Magdaleno..Good 1-2..Body shot..Another body shot..Uppercut from Dulay..Hard body shot..

97-91 AND 96-92 TWICE FOR MAGDALENO

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 15, 2020): The most dominant rising force in the welterweight division returns to the ring as Vergil Ortiz Jr. (15-0, 15 KOs) defends his WBA Gold Welterweight Title against Samuel Vargas (31-5-2, 14 KOs) in a 12-round main event. Ortiz Jr. will headline a stacked card in his adoptive home of Southern California that will also feature Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano, Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan, Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis, Seniesa “Superbad” Estrada and more! The event will take place Saturday, March 28 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, Calif. and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Ticket information for the event will be announced shortly.

“When people think of the future of the welterweight division, one name stands out, and that’s Vergil Ortiz Jr.,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO at Golden Boy. “Simply put, this kid is special. His talent, speed and power set him apart from any other fighter who is moving up the 147-pound rankings. Don’t miss another spectacular knockout performance at the Forum or live on DAZN!”

Since debuting as a professional in 2016, Ortiz Jr. has knocked out every opponent in sight. The native of Grand Prairie, Texas, who has roots in Michoacan, Mexico, will participate in his first fight of the year after stopping Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera, Antonio “Relentless” Orozco and Brad “King” Solomon in a spectacular 2019. The 21-year-old knockout artist plans to do the same in 2020, but Vargas stands in his way.

“I’m excited to be returning against Samuel Vargas,” said Vergil Ortiz Jr. “He’s a tough fighter with a lot of experience, so I know that my talent and skills are going to be put to a tough test. I’m also happy to be fighting in Los Angeles at such a historic venue where many legends in the sport have fought. I love this city, and I love the people here, so I’m going to work very hard to perform to the best of my abilities on March 28.”

Vargas is recognized as one of the toughest challenges in any division. The 30-year-old native of Bogota, Colombia has faced a who’s who of welterweight boxers, including Amir “King” Khan, Luis Collazo, Danny “Swift” Garcia and Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. Vargas plans to engage Ortiz Jr. in a war, something he has yet to encounter.

“Throughout my career, I have always taken the challenges that other fighters in the division don’t want, and that’s exactly what I’m doing again,” said Samuel Vargas. “Vergil Ortiz Jr. is one of the brightest young stars in boxing, but he hasn’t had to go through a war yet. I’ve shown that I’m willing to go through hell in that ring, so if Ortiz is everything he’s hyped up to be, he better be on point March 28 because I know I will.”

In the co-main event, Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (33-7-1, 23 KOs) will put his WBC International Silver Super Lightweight Title on the line against Michael “The Artist” Perez (25-3-2, 11 KOs) of Newark, N.J. in a 12-round fight.

Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannisyan (18-3, 15 KOs) will fight for the vacant WBA Interim Super Bantamweight Championship against Jose Sanmartin (30-5-1, 20 KOs) of Barranquilla, Colombia in 12-round clash.

Welterweight contender Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (22-0, 14 KOs) of Lynn, Mass. will defend his WBA Continental Americas Welterweight Title against Sergio Ortega (21-2, 15 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico in a 10-rounder.

Seniesa “Superbad” Estrada (18-0, 7 KOs) of East Los Angeles, Calif. will make the first defense of her WBA Interim Flyweight Title in a 10-round battle.

Christopher Pearson (17-2, 12 KOs) of Tortwood, Ohio will participate in a 10-round middleweight bout.

Raul “Cougar” Curiel (8-0, 6 KOs) of Tampico, Mexico will face Steve “Manos de Oro” Villalobos (8-0, 6 KOs) of Mount Vernon, Wash. in a 10-round welterweight clash between two young prospects.

Irish prospect Aaron “Silencer” McKenna (10-0, 6 KOs) will return in an eight-round super welterweight clash.

Chris “Milly” Ousley (12-0, 9 KOs) of Chicago will open the night in an eight-round middleweight battle against Jarvis Williams (8-2-1, 5 KOs) of St. Louis.

Ortiz vs. Vargas is a 12-round fight for the WBA Gold Welterweight Title presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, March 28 at the “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, Calif. and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and
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By Norm Frauenheim-

Tyson Fury moves from profane to prophetic in interviews in much the same way he switches from orthodox to southpaw in the ring. It’s subtle, almost seamless, which makes it hard to detect. It also makes him dangerous.

He’s a man with many sides. He’s fighter with many styles. The idea is to keep everybody guessing, especially Deontay Wilder, who believes his singular power will be enough to knock down and knock out whatever version of Fury shows up from round to round in their long-awaited rematch Feb. 22 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

“I’m ready for war, one round or twelve,’’ Fury said during an international conference call this week.

Translation: It might — emphasis on might – mean that Fury is prepared for any eventuality in what many say is an extension of the 12-round fight than ended in a draw 14 months ago at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. This heavyweight rivalry could end in the 13th round or the 24^th round. But Fury is confident it will end in his favor. He’s also confident it will end in a knockout.

He likes his chances, in large part because he simply has more ways to fight than Wilder does. Fury has options; Wilder has only one.

“I learned that he can be hit quite regularly,’’ Fury said. “He’s one-dimensional, a one-trick pony, and on Feb. 22 I’m going to prove that.’’

Wilder’s dimension is in the power he possesses in a right hand that is delivered with leverage and astonishing speed. Wilder’s record speaks for itself. Forty-one stoppages in 43 fights is a formula to fear. But Fury isn’t afraid, in part because he has done something as singular as Wilder’s right hand. He’s the only one who got up from it, not once, but twice – first in the ninth round and again in an incredible twelfth.

“I felt the power,’’ Fury says. “Ain’t so bad, ain’t so bad.’’

Ain’t so good, perhaps for Wilder, who might be left wondering whether he has run into the one fighter resilient enough to survive boxing’s version of a weapon of mass destruction. If doesn’t work this time, what will?

“It’s not about getting knocked down,’’ Fury said. “It’s about what happens when you get up.’’ 

There’s controversy about whether the count from referee Jack Reiss was too long in the dramatic final round on Dec.1, 2018. Nevertheless, Fury got up in time to resume what was yet to be decided. He got up in time to work his body into even better condition. This time, there was no crash diet, no battle to a lose a reported 100 pounds over long year.  He looks to be in condition.

“You’re going to see the best Tyson Fury that’s ever been,’’ he said, promising still another version of a fighter who never quits re-inventing himself into someone Wilder never expected.

The ‘KO King’ Vincent Feigenbutz (31-2, 28 KOs) and his opponent Caleb Plant (19-0, 11 KOs) both comfortably made weight on Friday afternoon ahead of their IBF Super Middleweight World title fight this Saturday night at the 20,000 seater Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, USA. 

Feigenbutz, who gets another taste of World title action having won the WBA Super Middleweight World title in 2015, will be fighting in the United States for the first time in his career as he looks to overcome the hometown hero Caleb Plant. 

IBF Super Middleweight World Title – 12 Rounds
Caleb Plant – 75.7kg
Vincent Feigenbutz – 73.6kg

The IBF Super Middleweight World title clash between Caleb Plant and Vincent Feigenbutz takes place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on February 15th with all the action broadcast live on Fox in the US, Sport1 in Germany and BoxNation in the UK.