VARGAS TRAVELS ACROSS THE POND TO BATTLE TOP PROSPECT BENN ON DAZN

Over the past few years, Vargas has developed a cult following as one of the sport’s bravest warriors, testing himself against some of the biggest names between 147 and 154, including Errol Spence Jr., Danny Garcia, Luis Collazo, Vergil Ortiz, Amir Khan and Ali Funeka. Though Vargas has a substantial fanbase in Canada and could have chosen an easier path, that’s simply not in his DNA.

“I’m excited to get back in the ring and test one of the guys they say is the future of the welterweight division, but I don’t think it’s his time yet,” said Vargas. “I’ve stood toe-to-toe with the best fighters in this division and I’ve never even touched the canvas. I know what it takes to be at the top level, and I want to prove that I can still be there.”

The bout comes a little more than a year after Vargas became the first fighter of note to have a fight postponed due to the worldwide pandemic. The 31-year old was originally scheduled to face Vergil Ortiz on March 28, but was postponed all the way until July. Despite training through strict restrictions in his home of Canada, Vargas turned in another valiant performance against an explosive and dangerous puncher.

“Sammy never let anything stop him, even when everything was completely closed down, he found a way to get the work in, even if it was by himself at home. He’s never made an excuse or backed down once in his career,” said promoter Lee Baxter. “There comes a time in every prospect’s career when they face a man they can’t break, and you find out what they’re really made of. Conor Benn is going to have that moment on April 10, because he’ll be staring across the ring at a man that the best fighters in this division haven’t been able to break.”

Benn, the son of the legendary world champion Nigel Benn, has been emerging from his famous father’s shadow with a string of impressive victories. Last time out, Benn dominated Sebastian Formella, who had most recently been in the ring with Shawn Porter, virtually shutting Formella out over ten rounds. Benn currently sits 11th in the WBA at welterweight, where the ageless Manny Pacquiao holds the title, alongside Yordenis Ugas.

Thanks to his crowd-pleasing style, Vargas has become a fixture on DAZN. In fact, his bout against Amir Khan was the first major boxing event aired on the platform, kicking off a run that has seen DAZN emerge as one of the power players in the industry.

“I take a lot of pride in being able to fight on DAZN once again, especially because my fans in Canada are able to watch,” said Vargas. “I promise to deliver a win this country can be proud of.”

The card will also feature the WBA female bantamweight title bout between Rachel Ball and Shannon Courtenay, as well as the return of WBO world female middleweight champion Savvannah Marshall.

Location and start time will be announced shortly, as the British Boxing Board of Control will resume overseeing action in the middle of February.



Samuel Vargas vs. Ali Funeka Headlines “Face Off” in NABA title fight Aug. 19 in Brampton, Canada


TORONTO, Ontario, Canada (July 5, 2017) – North American Boxing Association welterweight champion Samuel Vargas has been on boxing’s biggest stage and he’s determined to prove that he still belongs there.

The 28-year-old Vargas (27-3-1, 14 KOs) steps up in one of the most significant fights of his career, August 19, as he defends his NABA title against three-time world title challenger Ali “Rush Hour” Funeka (39-6-3, 31 KOs) in the main event of Lee Baxter Promotions’ (LBP) second event at the Brampton Powerade Centre, “Face Off”, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
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Vargas-Funeka is inarguable one of the highest-level bouts to be staged in Toronto in several years.

“Sam is still at a stage in his career where he’s improving and to challenge a guy who’s been a world title contender for the better part of a decade shows that he’s still hungry and still wants to test himself,” promoter Lee Baxter said.
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The tough-as-nails Vargas, who fights out of Toronto, is riding the momentum of a dominant win by 10-round unanimous decision over Armando Robles (31-5-2, 18 KOs), at LBP’s first Powerade Centre event this past March, as well as a homecoming victory for Colombia-native’s fifth-round knockout this past May over former world title challenger Marco Antonio Avendano (30-10-1, 22 KOs).

An impressive victory over his battled-tested South African opponent will certainly re-position Vargas in the world boxing scene, where he was a little more than year ago, when he fought two of the premier welterweights in the world, former WBA Super World Super Lightweight titlist Danny Garcia (32-0, 19 KOs), and current International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Champion Errol Spence Jr. (15-0, 12 KOs), in losing yet invaluable fight experiences for Vargas against world-class opponents.

“We always have our eye on big fights for Sam. A win over Funeka would really resonate in the boxing world,” Baxter added.

Funeka has some unfinished business in the “Great White North” having lost in 2009 in one of the most controversial decisions in recent memory to Joan Guzman (29-0) in Quebec City. Although many viewers had Vargas defeating Guzman, including HBO’s unofficial scorer Harold Lederman, who scored the bout 117-111 for Funeka and called for an investigation into the judging that soon followed, resulted in a questionable 12-round majority draw for the vacant IBF World Lightweight Championship.

“Canadian fans have always had a soft spot for Funeka,” Baxter noted. “The crowd at the Pepsi Coliseum was on his side and they fell in love with him that night. He deserves this fight as much as Sam does.”

Nonetheless, Funeka has remained a fighting contender ever since, going on the road and battling some of the sport’s top stars. Last year, he upset previously undefeated Russian prospect Viskhan “Little Tyson” Murzabekov (12-0) by 12-round decision in his opponent’s homeland. More recently, the dangerous South African veteran fought a bloody battle with Jeff Horn (15-0-1), who last Saturday upset future Hall-of-Famer Manny Pacquiao to become the new World Boxing Organization (WBO) 147-pound division world champion. Funeka even dropped the tough Australian before being stopped in the sixth round of their fight last December in New Zealand.

Funeka represents a measuring stick for Vargas to gauge comparisons of him against some of the top welterweights in the world.

Will Vargas have an easier time with Funeka than Horn? The answer will be known Aug. 19.

Tickets, starting at $40.00, are on sale and available to purchase through Ticketmaster at this link.

INFORMATION:
Website: leebaxterpromotions.com
Twitter & Instagram: @LeeBaxterMgt
Facebook: /LeeBaxterTattoo
ABOUT LEE BAXTER PROMOTIONS: Lee Baxter Promotions is more than just a professional boxing promotional company. Founded in 2012, LBP was created to oversee all aspects of a professional boxer’s career. Committed to developing its fighters, mapping out their roads to success, negotiating contracts, ensuring their health, creating marketing and endorsement opportunities, giving financial advice and preparing clients for their careers after boxing.

Lee Baxter Promotions recruits, develops and guides elite fighters to the next level where they need to be while working with the athletes to achieve the best results for their boxing careers.



Maidana stops Cayo in six from Body Shot


Marcos Maidana retained the WBA “Interim” Super Lightweight title with a sixth round stoppage over previously undefeated Victor Cayo at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.


The bout was competitive over the first four rounds as each guy accomplished what they set out to do. In Cayo’s case it was to move in and out and mix it up when need be while Maidana was looking and at times imposed his will on Cayo.

At the end of round two, Maidana landed a left to the top of the head just as the bell sounded that put Cayo on the canvas. Replays showed that the punch may have come a split second afher the round finished but was still was ruled a knockdown by referee Joe Cortez.

Round five saw the most action with fighters having success with Cayo landing the flurries and Maidana landing the hard shots.

In round six, Maidna landed a good right hand that was followed up by a right to the body that sent Cayo down to the canvas for Cortez ten count at the 1:38 mark of thr round.

Maidana, 140 lbs of Santa Fe, Argentina is now 28-1 with twenty-seven knockouts. Cayo, 140 lbs of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic loses for the first time and is 24-1.


Joan Guzman made amends (sort of) for his poor performance last November when he was bludgeoned by Ali Funeka only to get a gift draw. This time Guzman showed the skills that many boxing insider praised throughout the last half decade as Guzman defeated Funeka by split decision in a fight that was tainted by Guzman’s in ability to make the weight for the bout which originally to be contested for the IBF Lightweight title.


Guzman showed his elusiveness early by showing lightning handspeed and reflexes as he would make Funeka miss and then make him pay. Funeka came forward to throw more then 250 more punches then did Guzman and had some success as he pressed the action but Guzman was efficient was his countering and body punching.

In round six, Guzman landed a huge right to the top of the head that sent Funeka to the canvas. Funeka had some moments going down the stretch but they werent enough as Guzman was very consitant with his combinations and movement.

Guzman won by scores of 116-111 and 114-113 while Funeka took a card by a 114-113 tally.

Guzman was unable to compter for the IBF crown as he weighed in a staggering NINE pounds overweight at Fridays weigh-in. After a financial deal with Funeka’s camp, the fight went on. Guzman, 144 lbs of Brooklyn, NY remains undefeated at 30-0-1. Funeka, 135 lbs of East London, South Africa is now 30-3-3.

Community calendar

Dayton Daily News (Dayton, OH) December 1, 2011 Arts & Crafts INTERNATIONAL SHOW: MIXED MEDIA: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2 at K12 Gallery for Young People, 510 E. Third St., Dayton. (937) 461-5149. www.k12gallery.com.

Ballroom ’76 DANCE CLUB: 8 to 11 p.m. Dec. 3 at Arbor Hall, 2150 Arbor Blvd., Moraine. Latin, ballroom and country dancing. For those 18 years and older. $12. (937) 296-0012. www.ballroom dancedayton.org.

DAYTON BALLROOM DANCE CLUB: 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Hara Arena Conference & Exhibition Center, 1001 Shiloh Springs Road, Trotwood. Four levels of instruction in all ballroom dances from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. In addition, group instruction in other popular dances from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. $7 beginners; $10 members; and $12 nonmembers; Add-on $5. (937) 278-4776. www.dayton ballroom.org.

Basketball UD WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. BOSTON COLLEGE: 2 p.m. Dec. 4 at University of Dayton Arena, 1801 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton. (937) 229-4433. www. daytonflyers.com/ facilities/arena.

UD WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. WRIGHT STATE: 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at University of Dayton Arena, 1801 S. Edwin C Moses Blvd., Dayton. (937) 229-4433. www. daytonflyers.com/ facilities/arena.

DAYTON FLYERS VS. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE: 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at University of Dayton Arena, 1801 S. Edwin C Moses Blvd., Dayton. (937) 229-4433. www. daytonflyers.com/ facilities/arena.

Bazaar TROTWOOD-MADISON HISTORICAL SOCIETY KRIS KRINGLE SHOP: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 at The Kris Kringle Shop, 349 S. Broadway St., Dayton. The gift shop has a large variety of gift items for all ages. Lots of Christmas decorations, trees, wreaths, glassware, villages, angels, religious, santas, snowmen, stuffed animals, houseware, jewelry, clothes, to much to list. All proceeds go to Trot-wood- Madison Historical Society. (937) 837-0355 (937) 837-5387. (937) 837- 5387. www.t-mhs. blogspot.com.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR: 1 to 7 p.m. Dec. 2; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3; 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 5370 Dayton-Liberty Road, Dayton. Crafts, clothes, vendor goods, and food. Vendor tables are available. Call (937) 263-2577 or (937) 263- 4948 for more information. (937) 263-4948.

HANDMADE HOLIDAY: 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 2 at St Clair Lofts, 32 St. Clair St, Dayton. Handmade Dayton hosts local artists. Free parking. Lots of handmade, one-of-a-kind-items.

ST. HELEN CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at St. Helen School, 5086 Burkhardt Road, Riverside. (937) 254-6233. www.st helenschl.org.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION BAKE AND CRAFT SALE: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, 2300 S. Smithville Road, Dayton. (937) 252-8442.

STEBBINS MUSIC BOOSTER CRAFT BAZAAR: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at Stebbins High School SAC Center, 1900 Harsh-man Road, Dayton. Santa will be present for the kids. Craft activities for the kids $4. (937) 253-0651.

DAYTON CATHOLIC WOMENS CLUB BOUTIQUE AND LUNCHEON: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at Miami Valley Golf Club, 3311 Salem Ave., Dayton. A luncheon/fundraiser that supports local charities, through the Dayton Catholic Women’s Club. Twenty to 30 vendors selling a variety of items. $25 per person, must have a reservation. (937) 832-9356.

FIRST WESLEYAN CHURCH HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at First Wesleyan Church, 401 Gramont Ave., Dayton. Handmade jewelry, homemade baked goods, candles, fresh made scented soaps, ceramics, collectable dolls, houseplants and more. (937) 263-8870. att.yahoo.com.

Business & Tech TROTWOOD ROTARY CLUB: Noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 1 at Trotwood Rotary Club, 5790 Den-linger Road, Trotwood. Member presentation. $10. (937) 837-1484.

INVENTORS COUNCIL OF DAYTON DECEMBER MEETING: 7:20 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 at Central Christian Church, 1200 Forrer Blvd., Kettering. Patrick F. O’Reilly III will present “Advice from a Former Patent Office Examiner.” Come and get some insider tips on the patent examination and review process and information on various patent tools. (937) 256-9698. groups.yahoo.com/ group/inventors_council. in our site att yahoo login

Charity & Volunteer HELP BUILD A PLAYGROUND IN OUR COMMUNITY: 10 a.m. Dec. 1 at Helping Hands Community Outreach Center, 5499 W. Third St., Trotwood. (937) 268-6066. www.a helpinghands.org.

A CHRISTMAS WISH: 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 at Helping Hands Community Outreach Center, 5499 W. Third St., Trotwood. (937) 268-6066. www.ahelpinghands.org.

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION: Noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at Heartland Hospice, 3131 S. Dixie Drive, Dayton. Bring your brown bag lunch. Drinks provided. RSVP: Sandy Naas (937) 308-1785 by Dec. 5. (937) 299-6980. www.hcrmanorcare.com.

DAYTON AREA BOARD OF REALTORS TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE: 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Mandalay Banquet Center, 2700 E. River Road, Dayton. The Dayton Area Board of Realtors’ annual drive to collect toys and cash for the United States Marines’ Toys for Tots. Toys can be dropped off or picked up by calling Mike Martin, (937) 974-2494. www.dabr.com.

Christian CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 2011: 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Salem Church Of God, 6500 Southway Road, Clayton. The program features a choir, full orchestra and stirring multimedia. (937) 836-6500. www. SalemChurch.org.

Civic/Government HELP PEOPLE HELP THE LAND- NRCS PROGRAMS MEETING:

7 p.m. Dec. 1 at USDA Service Center, 10025 Amity Road, Brookville. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is hosting a meeting at the Montgomery SWCD office about their programs, and the money available to landowners for programs involving healthy soil, tending fruits and vegetables, looking after livestock, growing crops organically, and caring for trees. (937) 854-7645. www. montgomeryswcd.org.

Clubs SOCIAL CLUB SESSIONS: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 2 at Access Center for Independent Living, 901 S. Ludlow St., Dayton. Come and meet others and voice your concerns and ideas about living independently, stress management, finances, day to day life, family, friends and other concerns. (937) 341-5202, ext. 15.

Community SINGLES MINGLE AT GROUP INTERACTION: 7:30 to 10 p.m. Dec. 2 at Central Christian Church, 1200 Forrer Blvd., Kettering. Fellowship and euchre. $3, light snacks. (937) 436-0056. www.group interaction.org.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION RUMMAGE SALE: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, 2300 S. Smithville Road, Dayton. (937) 252-8442.

DEEDS CARILLON CONCERT SERIES [MUSIC]: 9 a.m. Dec. 7 at Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Day-ton. Dr. Larry Weinstein will perform an original concert. (937) 293-2841. www.daytonhistory.org. site att yahoo login

Dance INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE LESSONS: 7 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Michael Solomon Pavilion, 2917 Berkley St., Kettering. Sponsored by the Miami Valley Folk Dancers. No partner needed. Wear comfortable, soft-soled shoes. Lessons from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. with request dancing from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $1.50. (937) 371-1732. www.daytonfolk dance.com/mvfd.

SINGLES DANCE: 8 p.m. to midnight Dec. 2 at The Christopher Club, 3150 S. Dixie Drive, Kettering. Dance lessons at 7:30 p.m., dance at 8 p.m. Swing to current, with DJ Deron. Singles or Couples welcome, snacks included, also special drink prices. $7 for dance only, $9 for dance and lessons. (937) 299-6351. www. thechristopher club.com.

SQUARE AND ROUND DANCE: 7:30 to 10 p.m. Dec. 3 at Michael Solomon Pavilion, 2917 Berkley St., Kettering. Square and Round Dances with bonus rounds (extra half-hour of ballroom dancing before the main dance) from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Caller and cuer are usually Ken Roberts and Stuart Lewis. Presented by the Gem City Squares. $4 club members; $5 guests. (937) 298-1982; (937) 873-8124. www.gem citysquares.org. WEIHNACHTS TANZ OR CHRISTMAS DANCE: 8 p.m. to midnight Dec. 3 at German Club Edelweiss, 531 E. Wenger Road, Englewood. $7 for members; $8.50 for nonmembers. (937) 294-3056.

DANCE WITH THE CASUALS BAND: 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at American Czechoslovakian Club, 922 Valley St., Dayton. Reservations if desired, call (937)287-4275 or (937) 890-2367. $14 per person. (937) 287-4275. www.accdayton.com.

ZUMBA WITH CHRISTINE: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Smithville Office Building, 2745 S. Smithville Road, Dayton. An hour-long, heart pumping class designed to help participants sweat off those extra pounds to favorite Salsa, Merengue, and Reggaeton routines. $5/ drop in; $3.25/punch cards per class. (937) 260-6954. zumba lyoness.tripod.com.

TRACES: 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton. Poetic and explosive, humorous and thoughtful, TRACES combines traditional acrobatic forms with street elements such as skateboarding and basketball, mixed in with some theatre and contemporary dance, to tell the story of seven characters trying to live to the fullest in what they believe could be their last moments. Teens and older. (937) 228-3630. www.victoria theatre.com.

SWING DANCE WEDNES-DAYS WITH LIZZ & REX: 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Therapy Cafe, 452 E. Third St., Dayton. Free dance lessons, food by Artisan Cafe, $5 top shelf Martini’s. Featuring Retrospect Jazz. (937) 461- 4000. www.Different-Hats.net.

Education/ Campus UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON SENIOR STUDENT EXHIBITION: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at University of Dayton College Park Center, 1529 Brown St., Dayton. The exhibit features art and design work created by seniors graduating from the visual arts department of the University of Dayton. (937) 229-3237. arts.udayton.edu.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4 at Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church, 3701 Salem Ave., Dayton. (937) 275-2665. www.bethesda templedayton.org.

BODY BUILDING (BIBLE CLASS): 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church, 3701 Salem Ave., Dayton. (937) 275-2665. www.bethesdatemple dayton.org.

Ethnic & Cultural INTERNATIONAL CRECHE DISPLAY AT OAKWOOD LIBRARY: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Wright Memorial Public Library, 1776 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. Take a short trip to see creches from around the globe. The creches are on loan from the University of Dayton’s Marian Library/ International Marian Research Institute. Free. (937) 294-7171. www.WrightLibrary. org.

CHRISTKINDLMARKT (GERMAN CHRISTMAS BAZAAR): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3 at Dayton Liederkranz-Turner, 1400 E. Fifth St., Dayton. German Christmas tradition with quality vendors offering items with a German flair. (937) 434-7999. www.dayton germanclub.org.

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