Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (11 July 2019) Amir Khan and Billy Dib officially weighed in today for tomorrow night’s massive ‘Red Sea Fight Night’ extravaganza, exclusively live in the UK on Channel 5 and 5Spike. Khan and Dib headline the show when they collide for the Vacant WBC International Welterweight Championship, that also features the heavyweight showdown between Hughie Fury and Samuel Peter, the IBO World Bantamweight title clash between Prince Patel andMichell Banquez and the WBC Silver Featherweight Title fight between Dave Penalosa and Lerato Dlamini. The boxers will weigh-in again for the ceremonial weigh-in and face off for the public at the Red Sea Mall this evening at 7.30pm AST.

THE WBC INTERNATIONAL WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP  AMIR KHAN (146.4lbs) V BILLY DIB (145.3lbs)

IBO WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP PRINCE PATEL (117.5lbs) V MICHELL BANQUEZ (117.5lbs)

WBC SILVER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP DAVE PENALOSA (124.7lbs) V LERATO DLAMINI (125.4lbs)

12-ROUND HEAVYWEIGHT CONTEST HUGHIE FURY (218.5lbs) V SAMUEL PETER (261.2lbs)

SUPER BOXING LEAGUE Jeddah Sharks (l) v Jeddah Tigers (r) 4 X 3 Minute Rounds Super Bantamweight Contest Zoirov Shakhobidin, Uzbekistan (119.5lbs) vs. Sandeep Bhatti, India (120.8lbs) 4 X 3 Minute Rounds Lightweight Contest Rakesh Lohchab, India (132.5lbs) vs. Zuhayr Al-Qahtani, Saudi Arabia (134.5lbs) 4 X 3 Minute Rounds Welterweight Contest  Rodrigo Caraballo, Venezuela (145.5lbs) vs. Sajid Abid, England (147.5lbs) 4 X 3 Minute Rounds Middleweight Contest Abdul Julaidan Fatah, Saudi Arabia (159.6lbs) vs. Kyle Lomotey, England (160lbs) 4 x 3 Minute Rounds Middleweight Contest  Michael Hennessy Jr., England (158.7lbs) vs Farhad Hazratzada, Afghanistan (157.8lbs) 4 X3 Minute Rounds Heavyweight Contest Hemi Ahio, New Zealand (234.8lbs) vs. Ali Kiydin, Germany (219.6lbs)

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (10 July 2019) Amir Khan is promising a special show against Billy Dib this Friday on the massive ‘Red Sea Fight Night’ extravaganza as he looks to make Saudi Arabia the centre of the boxing world.

The Two-Time World Champion makes his big Middle East debut at the King Abdullah Sport City stadium in Jeddah when he takes on Billy Dib for the Vacant WBC International Welterweight Championship, exclusively live in the UK on Channel 5 and 5Spike.

Khan met face-to-face with Dib at the final press conference today at the Jeddah Hilton Hotel and said that this is just the beginning of his plan to bring big-time boxing to the region with the support of the Saudi General Sports Authority.

The fight is being held during Saudi Season that aims to promote the nation as a world leading tourist destination.

“It’s a very exciting time for boxing in the Middle East and myself and my partner Bill Dosanjh are pioneering the move with our Super Boxing League in the region,” Said Khan.

“My fight with Dib is breaking new ground here and I want to put on a real show for the public that have not seen big championship boxing before or have only seen it on TV. I’m sure once they see it and feel the excitement, it will give them a big appetite for it so they can’t wait to see the next show,”

“This is just the start of our plans, we intend to make Saudi Arabia a big-fight capital just like Las Vegas, New York and London and in time I believe that it will be just as big as those cities.”

“Through our Super Boxing League teams the Jeddah Sharks and Tigers we aim to discover and develop the first stars of Saudi boxing and help to create exciting talent in this largely untapped area of potential,”

“Also, we have just opened the Super Boxing Gym in partnership with Fitness Time to bring boxing training initially to eight properties in Saudi Arabia and can expand to 140 properties throughout the KSA that will give incredible access for people to train in boxing.”

“The dream would be to help discover the first Saudi boxing World Champion or help to take the first Saudi boxer to Olympic Gold, that is our aim and this is just the beginning.”

Also meeting at today’s head-to-head were the rest of the undercard:
IBO WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
PRINCE PATEL V MICHELL BANQUEZ

WBC SILVER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
DAVE PENALOS V LERATO DLAMINI

HUGHIE FURY V SAMUEL PETER

MAYNARD COMMUNICATIONS

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (9 July 2019) Amir Khan and Billy Dib gave Saudi fight fans a glimpse of what to expect ahead of their big fight this Friday night when they performed a public work-out in the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah.

Two-Time World Champions Khan and Dib will meet at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium with the Vacant WBC International Welterweight Championship on the line, exclusively live in the UK on Channel 5 and 5Spike.

Khan was put through his paces by trainer Clarence “Bones” Adams and fitness and strength conditioner Alex Ariza and was given a huge reception from the hundreds of spectators who filled the floors.  The Bolton star of Pakistani heritage is the first and only high-profile Muslim boxer to have headlined in The Kingdom.

The 32-year-old looked sharp and fast as he unloaded big shots on Bones’ hand pads to the delight of the fans, for many it was their first time seeing a superstar boxer like Khan up close.

Khan is thrilled to making his Middle East debut and has promised more appearance in the future.  He said, “This is my first time fighting in Jeddah and I’m going to make the most of this.  I’ve fought all over the world, Las Vegas, New York, London, but it’s going to be great fighting in Jeddah, I want to create history and I want to bring big fights to Saudi Arabia, I want big fights in Jeddah.”

Dib took the fight with Khan after the original opponent Neeraj Goyat withdrew after being involved in a car crash, but Amir is ready for the change of opponent.

He added, “Sometimes it can be hard when you have a replacement opponent.  It’s been hard because I’ve working on an opponent from India, Goyat, so what I have to do is change my game plan for this fight.  Billy’s a great fighter and a two-time world champion and he’s coming to win so we have to change up a little bit, but I’m ready,”

He finished by promising to deliver an exciting performance for his new audience and is looking to forward to returning to Saudi Arabia soon.

Khan said, “Me and dib, we are both ex-world champions, we’re going to put on a great performance for the fans to enjoy.  A win will give me a top five ranking in the world. We are going to see fireworks and there will be many more events like this in the future.”

Australian Dib didn’t give away too much as he did some light shadow boxing in the ring as he looks to cause a shock and defeat the heavy favourite Khan.

Dib said, “This is an amazing experience for me to be allowed to fight here and I can’t wait.  I can definitely win this it’s a great opportunity for myself.  Amir’s a great fighter and beaten some legends but I’m going to do whatever I can to win.”

Other British fighters on the packed ‘Red Sea Fight Night’ show were in action at the Red Sea Mall workout were Hughie Fury, who takes on former WBC World Heavyweight Champion Samuel Peter; Prince Patel, who faces Venezuelan punch Michell Banquez for the IBO World Bantamweight Championship and middleweight sensation Michael Hennessy who has his second professional fight.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (5 July 2019) On Friday 12th July, Billy Dib, the Two-Time World Champion from Sydney, Australia, front’s up to Bolton, England’s, Amir Khan at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and he’s already launching bouncers around ‘King Khan’s’ ears.

‘This is a one-off fight at welterweight for me and Amir Khan is absolutely the right guy for me to fight,’ states the 33 year old who can count on a 15 year and 52-fight pro career for experience.

‘Put it this way, you’d have to offer me a ridiculous amount, well into eight figures, to step into a ring with Manny Pacquiao. Your health is everything. But Amir Khan certainly isn’t Manny Pacquiao.

‘Look, Amir definitely WAS a great champion, a proven warrior who’s made his mark on the game. He could be a future Hall of Famer. In time, I hope the boxing world will fully appreciate his skillset.

‘But in the past few years there’s been a major decline, a lot of chinks have emerged. He’s no longer the fighter who schooled the likes of Devon Alexander and Marcos Maidana. Today, he’s fighting for different reasons….money!’

Like the Bolton wonder, ‘Billy the Kid’ commenced his career in the lighter categories -fighting eight world championship fights between 126-130lbs – and is effectively jumping up three weight categories to challenge Khan. No problem, he insists.

When I landed in Saudi at the end of June, I was already in great shape,’ claims Dib who enters after a spectacular first round knockout victory in late April and whose only loss in his last eight was an IBF World title tilt at Tevin Farmer last August.

‘For the first time in my boxing career, I’ve not needed to worry about my weight. I’ll be far stronger, more thickset and hopefully I’ll carry my speed up cos I’m quick, too. Everybody knows I’m a quality body puncher and I’ll be bringing even more strength and power. I’ll definitely test Khan. I really fancy my chances.’

A triple national amateur champion, bustling Billy represented Oz at the World Juniors and Seniors (Cuba 2002 and Thailand 2003 respectively) and has previously starred as a pro in Britain, the US (ten times), Macau, Japan and Thailand. However, this will be his debut in the region of his ancestry.

‘I’m super, super excited to finally fight in the Middle East. It’s always been a mystery to me why boxing has been so slow to take off in the area,’ he says.

And he’s galvanised to deliver a career best showing.

‘If I don’t bring my absolute A game, I’ll get exposed,’ he concedes.

‘Amir’s a super-fast starter and brings amazing hand speed but once my eye is gauged to that speed, I’ll sort out the game plan. Sometimes that speed works against Amir. The times he’s been kayoed, have been when he gets carried away and becomes reckless. I may not be a one punch ‘lights out’ fighter but I’ve certainly got the power to inflict damage.

‘I expect it to be a stylish fight rather than a war. Amir’s the naturally bigger man so I’ll need to box out of my skin, like I did in the amateurs. I win because I’m the more intelligent fighter. In past fights, I’ve proved I can be a mover, a boxer, a puncher. I can diversify.

‘The only way I win is to lay him out. I’m gonna ice him!’

Check Billy out on Instagram @BillyDib.

The event titled Red Sea Fight Night during the Saudi Seasons is a boxing extravaganza with three further big Championship titles fights on the show: Hughie Fury vs. Samuel Peter; Prince Patel vs. Michell Banquez – IBO World Bantamweight Championship; Dave Penalosa vs. Lerato Dlamini – WBC Silver Featherweight Championship.

An action packed undercard also features British middleweight talent Michael Hennessy Jr. vs Abdul Julaidan Fatah; Super-bantamweight contest Amandeep Singh vs Shakhobidin Zoirov; Lightweight contest Zuhayr Al Qahtani vs. Farhad Hazratzada; Super-featherweight contest Lolito Sonsona vs. Isack Junior; Welterweight contest Rodrigo Caraballo vs. Sajid Abid and Heavyweight Contest Ali Kiydin vs. Hemi Ahio.

Khan v Dib is exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and the undercard on 5Spike on Friday 12th July.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (5 July 2019) Amir Khan’s ‘Red Sea Fight Night’ showdown against Billy Dib in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday 12th July is the hottest boxing event in the world this summer with a host of celebrities from the world of sport and entertainment attending the big night.

Following confirmation of British Heavyweight great Lennox Lewisand UFC’s legendary Chuck Liddell and current phenomenon Israel Adesanya, Americanrap megastars Rick Ross and Tyga will not only be at ringside to watch the action, but will also PERFORM in the King Abdullah Sports City stadium.

Two-Time World Champions Khan and Dib headline a massive fight card when they collide for the Vacant WBC International Welterweight Championship that also features the mega-heavyweight clash between Hughie Fury and former World Champion Samuel Peter, televised exclusively LIVE in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and the undercard of 5Spike.

Known as ‘The Biggest Boss’ Rick Ross is one of hip-hops most respected and revered MCs and was voted MTVs “Hottest MC” of 2011 with a multitude of highly acclaimed hit albums and singles.  The Maimi Monster mogul is also a highly successful record label CEO and business entrepreneur.

Grammy Nominated Tyga is an RIAA Certified Platinum rapper who remains a hip-hop fixture with dedicated and growing following of millions across social media.  His chart topping history is undeniable with 31 hits on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart and selling 638K albums, 12.2 million digital songs and 1.4 billion on-demand streams.

More legendary boxing champion and celebrities will be at ringside for the big fight and will be announced shortly.

The event titled Red Sea Fight Night during the Saudi Seasons is a boxing extravaganza with three further big Championship titles fights on the show: Hughie Fury vs. Samuel Peter; Prince Patel vs.Michell Banquez – IBO World Bantamweight Championship; Dave Penalosa vs. Lerato Dlamini – WBC Silver Featherweight Championship.

An action packed undercard also features British middleweight talentMichael Hennessy Jr. vs Abdul Julaidan Fatah; Super-bantamweight contest Amandeep Singh vs Shakhobidin Zoirov; Lightweight contest Zuhayr Al Qahtani vs. Farhad Hazratzada; Super-featherweight contest Lolito Sonsona vs. Isack Junior; Welterweight contest Rodrigo Caraballo vs. Sajid Abid and Heavyweight Contest Ali Kiydin vs. Hemi Ahio.

Khan v Dib is exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and the undercard on 5Spike on Friday 12th July.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (3 July 2019) Expect the King Abdullah Sports City to be awash with A-List stars from both the worlds of entertainment and sport when Amir Khan and Billy Dib collide for the WBC International Welterweight belt at the ‘Red Sea Fight Night’ in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday 12th July.

Last week Britain’s finest ever heavyweight Lennox Lewis – the 1988 Olympic gold medallist and former unified WBC, WBA and IBF king – confirmed his presence at ringside for the fistic feast in the dessert, live in the UK on free-to-air Channel Five and will feature a white hot undercard fronted by the juggernaut heavyweight collision between Hughie Fury and ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ Samuel Peter. 

And this week UFC legend Chuck Liddell and UFC’s hottest prospectIsrael Adesanya, have confirmed their attendance at ringside to what promises to be an historic landmark night for the sport in the MENA region.

Khan v Dib takes place during Saudi Seasons, which promotes the Kingdom as one of the most important tourist destinations in the world, and during a packed week of activities, Liddell and Adesanya will give seminars at Fitness Time gym in Jeddah.

Liddell – billed as ‘The Ice Man’ for his capacity to strike opponents unconscious – is one of the MMA franchise’s greatest ever stars. And he knows a thing or two about boxing, having been introduced to the Noble Art by his maternal grandfather in his native Santa Barbara, long before he carved his legend inside the Octagon.

In his prime, chiller Chuck was incontestably one of the most savage and complete fighting all-rounders on the planet. Formerly an NCAA collegiate wrestler, he went 20-2 as a kick boxer with an astonishing 16 victims sent for an early shower. He began his life in MMA by conquering the art of Brazilian ju-jitsu before reaching 8^th Dan in the hybrid Hawaiian martial art of Kajukenbo

During a stand-out career between 1998-2010, the 6ft 2in Californian strike specialist ruled on the UFC light-heavyweight throne from 2005-2007 and successfully retained his claim on four occasions. Representing globally revered The Pit team, lethal Liddell smashed the record for the most knockouts in the history of the UFC 205lb division – his business card was a looping overhand right which twice won him the UFC ‘Kayo of the Night’ award – and was involved in a series of unforgettable tear-ups with fellow icons such as Randy Couture, Rampage Jackson, Tito Ortiz and Wanderlei Silva, to name just a few. His 2007 war with the latter scooped MMA Fight of the Year honours.

And ‘The Ice Man’ wasn’t just one of the UFC world’s greatest fighters, he reigned as one of its biggest personalities. The first UFC fighter to grace the cover of ESPN’s The Magazine, Liddell featured in 13 PPV fights netting almost 5.9million buys. He subsequently coached Team Liddell in Spike TV’s hugely popular ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, featured in 11 films, came 11^th in Dancing with the Stars and was a houseguest in the US version of Celebrity Big Brother. Unsurprisingly, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in Las Vegas in 2009.  

Joining Lewis and Liddell in Jeddah, will be present day phenomenon Adesanya, one of the most colourful, controversial and clinical operators on the UFC scene and is a nominee for The Best MMA Fighter ESPY.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria but a resident of Auckland, New Zealand since the age of 13, ‘The Last Style Bender’s combustible high-kicks have taken him to the UFC’s ‘interim’ middleweight championship. A flamboyant showman and incorrigible sledger, the 29 year old has evolved into one of UFC’s biggest box-office draws.

A stick thin 6ft 4in tall and sporting a telegraph pole 80in reach, Adesanya’s crushing kicks earned him 32-0 stats as an amateur kick boxer plus a record three King of the Ring awards. Like Liddle, he has also dabbled with conventional boxing, winning five of six among the paid brigade between 2014-15. 

And the ‘Style Bender’ has proved an absolute sensation since gate crashing the UFC circuit in December 2017. Sporting a perfect 6-0 CV, his fan-friendly, flashy fighting skills have been recognised with three ‘Performance of the Night’ awards plus a brace of ‘Fight of the Night’ accolades.

Israel’s attendance around ringside in Saudi is sure to rouse emotions in what promises to be an unmissable evening of entertainment and action with more big names to be announced.

Fight fans looking to travel out to Jeddah to watch the action packed show headlined by Amir Khan v Billy Dib can purchase fight tickets here and also easily apply for an E-VISA to attend. Please go to this link:

https://jeddah.sa/en/activityDetails.html?id=5d1a0f31e036b717654a2c76

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (27 June 2019) British Heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis has confirmed he will be in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday 12th July to watch Amir Khan in his showdown with Billy Dibb.Two-time World Champions Khan and Dib will clash in a spectacular setting at the King Abdullah Sports City for the Vacant WBC International Welterweight title, televised exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5.Lewis, the former Unified WBC, IBF & WBA World Heavyweight Champion, announced on his Instagram account @mrlennoxlewis that he will be at ringside for the highly anticipated showdown in the desert. He said:I’ve watched @amirkingkhan career unfold from he became the youngest British boxing Olympic medalist to unified world champion.. and everything else in between – “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here”  ?I’ll be in Jeddah to witness another chapter, Khan vs Dib.. #KhanDib?

More legendary boxing champion and celebrities will be at ringside for the big fight and will be announced regularly.The event titled Red Sea Fight Night during the Saudi Seasons is a boxing extravaganza with three further big Championship titles fights on the show: Hughie Fury vs. Samuel Peter – Championship Title TBC; Prince Patel vs. Michell Banquez – IBO World Bantamweight Championship; Dave Penalosa vs. Lerato Dlamini – WBC Silver Featherweight ChampionshipAn action packed undercard also features British middleweight talentMichael Hennessy Jr. vs Abdul Julaidan Fatah; Super-bantamweight contest Amandeep Singh vs Shakhobidin Zoirov; Lightweight contest Zuhayr Al Qahtani vs. Farhad Hazratzada; Super-featherweight contest Lolito Sonsona vs. Isack Junior; Welterweight contest Rodrigo Caraballo vs. Sajid Abid and Heavyweight Contest Ali Kiydin vs. Hemi Ahio.

Khan v Dib is exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and the undercard on 5Spike on Friday 12th July.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (27 June 2019) The World Boxing Council (WBC) has sanctioned the organisation’s Vacant International Welterweight title to be contested between Amir Khan and Billy Dib on Friday 12th July at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

It was announced yesterday that Khan would now face Australian Dib after original opponent Neeraj Goyat was forced to withdraw following his involvement in a serious car accident that has required him to have hospital treatment.

The history-making fight between British-Pakistani Khan and India’s Goyat would have been the first time the two nations had met in the boxing ring and the WBC had commissioned a special one-time Pearl Championship belt to commemorate the landmark fight.

However, with the unfortunate withdrawal of Goyat, the WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has now given permission for the Vacant WBC International title to be on the line instead when Khan and Dib, both Two-Time World Champions, meet in the ring on fight night.

The WBC International Welterweight belt has previously been held by former pound-for-pound greats Shane Mosley and Erik Morales.

Sulaiman said, “The fight between Amir Khan and Billy Dib is now officially confirmed for the WBC International title and I’m proud that it will be contested for at the magnificent King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah. The specially commissioned WBC Pearl Championship belt that was due to be challenged for will now be contested at a future date. The winner of Khan and Dib will receive a WBC ranking in the top five of the welterweight division.”

The event titled Red Sea Fight Night staged during the Saudi Seasons – an initiative aimed at transforming the Kingdom into one of the most important tourist destinations in the world – is a boxing extravaganza with three further big Championship titles fights on the show: Hughie Fury vs. Samuel Peter – Championship Title TBC; Prince Patel vs. Michell Banquez – IBO World Bantamweight Championship; Dave Penalosa vs. Lerato Dlamini – WBC Silver Featherweight Championship

An action packed undercard also features British middleweight talent Michael Hennessy Jr. vs Abdul Julaidan Fatah; Super-bantamweight contest Amandeep Singh vs Shakhobidin Zoirov; Lightweight contest Zuhayr Al Qahtani vs. Farhad Hazratzada; Super-featherweight contest Lolito Sonsona vs. Isack Junior; Welterweight contest Rodrigo Caraballo vs. Sajid Abid and Heavyweight Contest Ali Kiydin vs. Hemi Ahio.

Khan v Dib is exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and the undercard on 5Spike on Friday 12th July

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (26 June 2019) Amir Khan will now fight Two-Time World Champion Billy Dib on Friday 12th July in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the WBC Pearl Welterweight Championship on the line after his original opponent Neeraj Goyat was involved in a car accident.

Two-Time World Champion Khan was due to face Goyat at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in the first ever Pakistan-India showdown in a boxing ring.

Khan will still headline the groundbreaking boxing extravaganza in the Middle East that also features Hughie Fury, Prince Patel and Dave Penasola all in championship title action, exclusively live in the UK on Channel 5 and 5Spike.

It’s clear that Goyat’s will not recover in time and be fully fit to fight Khan on the scheduled date and promoter Bill Dosanjh of The Super Boxing League has moved quickly to secure Khan a new opponent in the World class former two-time World champion Dibb.

Khan said, “First of all my heart goes out to Neeraj and I pray for him to make a full recovery and is fit and healthy again to resume his boxing career,”

“We’ve had to make the decision to find a replacement and we’ve done extremely well in securing Dib to now be in the opposite corner,”

“This fight is a landmark moment for boxing in Saudi Arabia and myself, Bill, the Saudi GSA and the government have worked tirelessly to put this event together. We wanted to keep the event on during the important Saudi Season and ensure the fans in Saudi get to watch this great event,”

“I’ve been a professional for nearly 14 years now and I’ve seen and dealt with near enough everything in that time so adjusting to a new opponent and challenge is part and parcel of the boxing business so I’ve just got to sit down with my team and work on the new plan,”

“I’m really excited the fight is still on, I would have been absolutely distraught if my dream of fighting in Saudi had to be put on hold. Dib is a respected and experienced two-time World Champion so I’m looking forward to pitting my skill against him.”

Khan v Dib is exclusively live on Channel 5 and the undercard on 5Spike on Friday 12th July.

PHILADELPHIA – IBF junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer, earned the Briscoe Award for the “2018 Performance of the Year” with his 12-round unanimous decision over Billy Dib in Australia, last August. Farmer won the world title with the victory, and will receive his award on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at the Briscoe Awards in South Philadelphia. Farmer’s overall efforts in 2018 also secured honors as he “2018 Philly Fighter of the Year”.

Farmer became a champion in spectacular fashion, scoring a knockdown over Dib and winning the bout by unanimous decision. The boxing fans voted the performance as the best among three other nominees. It is the third time Farmer has been recognized for having the best performance among Philly boxers (2015, 2016 & 2018). He has won six awards overall, including this year’s award for “Philly Fighter of the Year”.

“It took a lot of work to make this possible,” Farmer said about his awards. “I’m gonna definitely be there (on April 14th). I’m happy to be there. It’s an honor.”

The awards, named after Philly middleweight boxing legend Bennie Briscoe, have been recognizing the best achievements of the Philly boxing scene since 2007.

This year’s event will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Xfinity Live! in South Philadelphia (1100 Pattison Avenue), 1-4 PM. Tickets for the Briscoe Awards cost $10 each, and can be purchased in advance at BriscoeAwards.com, or by calling 609-377-6413.

The Briscoe Awards are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501c3 Non-Profit organization, dedicated to preserving and honoring the great legacy of boxing in and around the city of Philadelphia. For more information, call John DiSanto at 609-377-6413.

New York, NY (August 3, 2018) Tevin “The American Idol” Farmer (26-4-1, 5 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA, won the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title today via 12-round unanimous decision against Australian Billy Dib (43-5, 24 KOs), at Technology Park, in Eveleigh, a suburb of Sydney, Australia.

Dominating from the opening bell, the southpaw Farmer landed at will throughout the fight. Using lateral movement and superior ring intelligence, Farmer hurt Dib with a piston-like jab and battering left hands over the course of the bout, dropping the valiant Australian in the ninth stanza en route to his first world title. After 12 rounds, scorecards read 118-109, 119-108 and 120-107. An emotional Dib announced his retirement in the ring following the decision.

“Billy Dib is a hell of a fighter, he had a great career, and he’s a two-time world champion,” said an elated Farmer. “He tried to bully me and that might have worked if I wasn’t from Philly. I’m the new champion of the world. It was a long time to get here, but there’s a long way to go.

“Nobody wanted to give me a shot, everybody was ducking me so I had to kick the door in. Now I’ve got the belt and everybody will want to start screaming my name. I’m ready to fight anyone and unify the titles.”

“I’ve never had a champion like Tevin Farmer,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “At 7-4-1, with all the odds against him, he decided he’d be a world champion. He went from 7-4-1 to 26-4-1, now with an IBF strap around his waist. Despite being shot through the hand protecting family and getting robbed in his last fight, he never stopped smiling and always believed in himself. Tevin is Philly to the core.

“I’m so proud of Tevin and I’m so proud of my friend Billy Dib, who fought the only fight that he could to give himself a shot. Dib would not quit as he hasn’t quit throughout the dark moments of his life. He went the distance with his heart, as he has and will in life. I wish him well in retirement.”

The 28-year-old Farmer had challenged for the same vacant title in his last bout on December 9, 2017, losing a very close, controversial decision to Kenichi Ogawa, of Japan. Ogawa later tested positive for a performance enhancing drug and was stripped of the title with the decision being changed to a No-Contest.

Farmer vs. Dib aired in the United States on ESPN+ and is currently available on replay HERE.

New York, NY (August 1, 2018) Tevin “The American Idol” Farmer (25-4-1, 5 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA, has the opportunity to realize his dream of becoming a world champion this Friday, August 3, when he faces off against Australian Billy Dib (43-3, 24 KOs), for the vacant IBF Junior Lightweight World Title, at Technology Park, in Eveleigh, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. The world title fight will be streamed live on ESPN+ with the telecast starting at 6:15am ET. The Farmer-Dib main event is expected to begin no earlier than 7:30am ET.

“I had the best training camp of my career. I can’t wait for Friday and to become a world champion,” said Farmer. “I know everything happens for a reason in life and everything I’ve gone through has brought me to Sydney to win the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title.”

What Farmer has gone through includes working hard to rebuild his career following a dubious start, recovering from a gunshot wound to his hand, and coming out on the wrong end of a controversial decision in a world title opportunity last year.

In his first 20 months as a pro, Farmer’s record read 7-4-1. However, he rededicated himself, signed with DiBella Entertainment, and incredibly put together 18 consecutive victories over the next five years. While on his rise up the world rankings, Farmer caught the eye of one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters, Andre Ward, who told FightHype.com, “That young boy from Philly, Tevin Farmer, they sleeping on him. You better watch out for Tevin. He can do it all.”

This past July 29th marked the one-year anniversary of Farmer getting shot in the right hand while trying to intervene during a neighborhood domestic dispute. Just four months after that incident, Farmer outboxed Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa in an IBF world title bid, on December 9, in Las Vegas, only to be denied the belt when three judges disagreed with what most ringside observers and boxing pundits felt should have been a clear victory for the Philadelphian. The decision was later changed to a No Contest and the IBF 130-pound title declared vacant after it was discovered that Ogawa tested positive for two forms of androstanediol (synthetic testosterone) in a urine test.

A victory on Friday will add Farmer, a great, great nephew of Joe Gans, to the illustrious list of world champions from the City of Philadelphia that includes Tommy Loughran, Joey Giardello, Joe Frazier and, more recently, Bernard Hopkins and Danny Garcia.

“I’m thrilled for Tevin that he gets to right a wrong in this fight with Billy Dib,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “I respect Billy Dib, who’s been a friend for years. I know he’ll be bringing his A-game, but I know that Tevin is ready. When I signed Tevin almost four years ago, I promised to give him an opportunity to fight for a world title and in his last fight, he should have been crowned a champion. I look forward to watching Tevin fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a world champion this Friday.”

(July 30, 2018) — Philadelphia native Tevin Farmer will take his world title quest to Australia when he faces Sydney’s Billy Dib for the vacant IBF junior lightweight title on Friday, Aug. 3 at Technology Park in the Sydney suburb of Eveleigh.

Dib-Farmer and undercard action, including top prospect Tim Tszyu (9-0, 7 KOs) defending the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental super welterweight title against Stevie Ongen Ferdinandus (27-15-1, 14 KOs), will be streamed live in the United States beginning at 6:15 a.m. ET on ESPN+ — the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. The Dib-Farmer bout will start no earlier than 7:30 a.m. ET.

Farmer (25-4-1, 5 KOs), a defensive wizard with fleet feet, has authored one of the great career turnarounds in modern boxing history. He started his career 7-4-1, then reeled off 18 consecutive wins before earning a shot at the vacant IBF junior lightweight title on Dec. 9, 2017 against Kenichi Ogawa. Most ringside observers felt Farmer deserved the victory, but the judges awarded Ogawa a split decision. Ogawa, however, tested positive for a banned substance, and the result was changed to a no contest.

Dib (43-4, 24 KOs) is a former IBF featherweight champion who won the belt on July 29, 2011 with a unanimous decision over Jorge Lacierva. He made two successful title defenses before being dethroned by Evgeny Gradovich via split decision on March 1, 2013. Later that year, he took on Gradovich in a rematch and was knocked out in the ninth round. He challenged Takashi Miura for the WBC super featherweight title on May 1, 2015, with Miura defending the title via third-round TKO. Since the Miura defeat, Dib is 4-0 with a no contest. Against Farmer, he will have the home canvas advantage, as he is 35-0 when fighting in Australia.

To subscribe to ESPN+, visit plus.espn.com.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks.

The ESPN+ lineup includes 18 exclusive, live Top Rank events per year, dozens of fights from other Top Rank undercards, an unmatched library of the greatest fights in boxing history, and two exclusive, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays) and In This Corner (twice monthly).

It also features hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is an integrated part of the completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App is the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App curates all of ESPN’s incredible content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.

Billy Dib will take on Tevin Farmer for the Interim IBF Junior Lightweight title, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Be advised that No. 3 Billy Dib and No. 4 Tevin Farmer are the two highest-ranked available contenders in the IBF junior lightweight division and have indicated a willingness to participate in this interim title fight,” the IBF wrote to representatives of Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, which represents Dib, and Lou DiBella, who promotes Farmer. “In an effort to determine who the interim champion will be, the IBF is ordering that a bout should be held between Dib and Farmer for the interim title. The winner will be the interim champion and must fight IBF junior lightweight champion Kenichi Ogawa as soon as he is able to defend the title.”

Said Lou DiBella, “We’re going to accept the fight and figure out a way to get it on. We have to figure out a place to put and a way to get it televised,” DiBella said. “Billy’s my friend. I’ve been friendly with Billy forever but Tevin is younger, faster and fresher. Billy always gives everything he has but I think you have to favor the younger, fresher guy. This is probably the last great opportunity of Billy’s career. It’s a make or break fight for him and we know Billy is not an easy out for Tevin.”

BROOKLYN, NY — In the highly anticipated main event witnessed live by 12,084 fans at the Barclay’s Center, Mikey Garcia (37-0, 30KO) had no issues dealing with Adrien “The Problem” Broner (33-3, 24KO).  Apart from a first round that Broner may have won on jabs alone, it was the Oxnard, CA native, Garcia, who dictated and controlled the fight for the majority of the twelve round super lightweight bout.

Early and often the 29 year old former three-division world champion, Garcia, walked down Broner, waited until him to retreat into a defensive shell, then unleashed thumping body shots and straight rights that occasionally broke through Broner’s high-guard.  It was a scene that would play out time and time again over the course of the contest.

The Cincinnati native, Broner, who was previously unbeaten at 140lbs., found success in the fourth, snapping crisp jabs that would momentarily disrupt Garcia’s rhythm.  But like waves lapping on a shoreline, Garcia kept plodding forward, patiently waiting for openings in Broner’s guard before unloading.

Likely sensing he was behind on the scorecards, Broner began to show urgency in the ninth round.  The former four division world champ began became more aggressive, willing to meet Garcia, a super lightweight debutant, in the middle of the ring, and exchange blows with his Mexican-American counterpart.  Toward the end of the ninth, Broner hammered Garcia’s body before coming back upstairs shortly after, connecting with a clean left hook just as the round came to a close.

Again in the tenth Broner found success with the left, landing another clean uncontested hook to Garcia’s jaw that stopped the former three division champion in his tracks.  Garcia took the shot well, and Broner was unable to capitalize on any openings.

After stringing together two straight effective rounds, any momentum that Broner might have been building was quickly squashed by Garcia in the championship rounds.  The always-composed Garcia continued to walk down Broner, working behind his jab, and getting the better of the exchanges with Broner.

At the end of twelve, it went to the scorecards.  Judge Eric Marlinski scored it 117-111 and judges Don Ackerman and Steve Weisfeld saw it 116-112, all in favor for the still undefeated Garcia.

15rounds.com scored the bout 117-112, Garcia, with the first round being scored 10-10.

“This is definitely one of my best performances ever. I think I controlled the fight in the early rounds and I kept the activity up. [Broner] is a great fighter who has great skills,” Garcia said post-fight.  “I was the superior fighter tonight.

He continued, “We trained for 10 weeks, we had a great training camp and great sparring. We knew it was going to be a tough fight so we had to be in great shape.”

As to what weight class he’ll fight in in the future, Garcia said, “Maybe I’ll go down to 135, stay at 140 or go up to 147.”

Broner also spoke after the fight, congratulating Garcia on his win before talking about his previous career accomplishments.

“At the end of the day I’m still a four-time world champion at four different weight classes and I’ll still be in the history books.”

Charlo Blasts Past Heiland In Middleweight Debut

In his first fight at middleweight Jermall Charlo (26-0, 20KO) walked through Argentine southpaw Jorge Sebastian Heiland (29-5-2, 16KO) en route to a fourth round stoppage.  From the onset, Heiland’s legs looked stiff, his movements were jagged and robotic; and as a result, his punches lacked conviction.  It would later be revealed that Heiland was suffering from a left knee injury.  The veteran southpaw attempted to enter the ring with a taped left knee, but the brace was removed by the New York State Athletic Commission.

Charlo, fresh off a monumental 2016 where he outpointed Austin Trout and KO’d Julian Williams, started composed, feeling out his awkward opponent.  In the second, the Texan turned up the heat and caught Heiland with a short right that exploded on his chin and collapsed him to the canvas.  Heiland, whose signature win came in 2014 against Matthew Macklin, survived the round, but his inability to plant his left leg worried ringside physicians enough to examine his knee between rounds.

Once cleared, the gutsy Heiland continued on, but it was only to absorb punishment from the explosive Charlo.  In the fourth, after connecting with a flurry of punches, Charlo finished the debilitated Heiland off with a crisp left hook that sent the Argentine to the mat.  After initially beating referee Benjy Esteves’ 10 count, Heiland stumbled backwards and was help upright by the ropes.  Esteves stepped in at that moment and immediately stopped the contest at the 2:13 mark of round four.

“My coach told me to stay behind my job like I did; continue to work and it’s going to come,” Charlo said afterward.

“I’m ready, bring on the biggest names at 160… I’m the real Tommy Hearns… I feel like it’s my turn and I’m going to go get it,” he continued.

A disappointed Heiland also spoke afterward and addressed his injury.  “I turned my left knee in the first round, but I did not want to give up. I tried to give it my all, but it was not my night. I had bad luck but I am going to work harder than ever to get back and get another opportunity to achieve my dream and win a world title.”

It’s Miller Time; Big Baby Blasts Washington

Jarrell Miller (19-0-1, 17 KOs) remained undefeated by stopping former world title challenger Gerald Washington (18-2-1) after round seven of their scheduled ten round heavyweight clash

Miller came stalking and landing hard shots that had Washington on the defensive from the get-go.  In round four, Miller opened up and landed several bombs that drew “Ooohs and Ahhs from the crowd.  In round six, Washington mounted a furious rally where handed ten flush shots to the head and ample body of Miller.  Miller was able to gain his 2nd wind, as at the end of the round he landed some head snapping punches in the corner.

Miller continued to beat down Washington until the bout was stopped in the corner after round seven.

BROOKLYN (July 6, 2017) – A stacked night of undercard bouts will be highlighted by unbeaten rising Irish stars Katie Taylor and Noel Murphy in separate showdowns on Saturday, July 29 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

The July 29 event is headlined by a super lightweight showdown between four-division world champion Adrien Broner and unbeaten three-division world champion Mikey Garcia, in a 12-round bout presented by Premier Boxing Champions. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also feature unbeaten Jermall Charlo facing Argentina’s Jorge Sebastian Heiland plus highlights of the heavyweight matchup between former title challenger Gerald Washington and unbeaten Jarrell Miller.

Taylor will compete in an eight-round lightweight bout while Murphy enters the ring for an eight-round welterweight affair. Additional action will see Australian contender Billy Dib (42-4, 24 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight fight and unbeaten prospect Alejandro Guerrero (3-0, 2 KOs) in a four-round lightweight match.

Rounding out the night will be a trio of unbeaten local prospects as the Bronx’s George Arias (7-0, 3 KOs) steps into the ring for a six-round heavyweight bout, plus Staten Island’s Kenny Robles (2-0, 1 KO) competing in a four-round welterweight attraction and Brooklyn’s Richardson Hitchins (2-0, 1 KO) in a four-round junior welterweight matchup.

Tickets to the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, are priced at $950, $750, $350, $300, $250, $150, $75, and $50 (not including applicable fees), are on sale now, and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

“Katie is clearly one of the biggest stars in Irish boxing and her presence on this card further evidences the rise in women’s boxing,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “She joins five-time, five weight division Puerto Rican world champion Amanda Serrano and US star Heather Hardy in continuing our commitment to include the best women on the best cards at Barclays Center. While Katie will appear on the international telecast, the local Irish community and US-based fans will need to join us at Barclays Center on July 29 to see her in action. Undefeated Noel Murphy, from County Cork, Ireland, further bolsters this card for fans of Irish boxing while Australian former world champion Billy Dib and young local talent, such as Bronx heavyweight George Arias and former Golden Gloves champions Kenny Robles and Richardson Hitchins round out the card.”

“I’m so pleased to see Katie make her American debut on such an outstanding card,” said Eddie Hearn, Group Managing Director for Matchroom Sport. “I believe Katie is the most entertaining and dangerous fighter in women’s boxing and has already lit up many venues in her professional journey, most recently Wembley Stadium on the Joshua v Klitschko card in front of 90,000. She is one of the biggest stars in Ireland and we are expecting fantastic support from the Irish community on the east coast for her first US experience.”

A rising star overseas, Bray, Ireland’s Taylor will make her U.S. debut on July 29 and conduct her training camp in Vernon, Connecticut after five pro fights in the United Kingdom dating back to her pro debut last November. Taylor has already picked up three victories in 2017, including her most recent triumph over previously unbeaten Nina Meinke in April. Taylor seeks a professional world title after a sensational amateur career that saw her twice represent her country in the Olympics, including a gold medal-winning performance in 2012, in addition to five gold medals in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.

Originally from Cork, Ireland, Murphy returned to his home country to fight as a professional for the first time in February when he won an eight-round decision over Avelino Vazquez. The 22-year-old fights out of Woodlawn, NY and will look to pick up his fourth victory this year after most recently earning a decision over Brian Jones in May. Murphy seeks his third professional win at Barclays Center and second this year after beating Maxito Sainvil in January.

# # #

ABOUT BRONER vs. GARCIA
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia is a 12-round super lightweight showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, July 29 live on SHOWTIME. Broner vs. Garcia is presented by Premier Boxing Champions at Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports,www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MikeyGarcia, @AdrienBroner, @MayweatherPromo, @LouDiBella, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing, , www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotionsand www.Facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment. PBC is sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Miami, OK (April 5, 2017) – World-ranked junior lightweight Billel “Babyface” Dib and former WBC Youth titlist Yuandale “Money Shot” Evans will square off in an important ten round bout Friday, April 21 at the Buffalo Run Casino In Miami, OK.

Promoted by Holden Productions and DiBella Entertainment, the card also features the highly-anticipated pro debut of 2016 US Olympian Charles Conwell. Tickets are on sale now at the Buffalo Run Box Office or by logging onto Stubwire.com/event/fourstatefranchiseboxing/buffaloruncasino/miami/14694.

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Dib has an outstanding 21-1 record with 10 victories by knockout. Currently ranked #7 by the WBO and #13 by the WBA, Dib impressed in his debut at the Buffalo Run Casino last December, outpointing Colombian contender Carlos Padilla over eight rounds. A victory on the 21st will move him closer to fighting for a world title.

Living and fighting out of Cleveland, OH, Evans is 18-1 with 14 KO’s. He has eight first round knockouts and captured the WBC Youth title via fifth round KO of Ruslan Berchuk in his native Russia. Defeating the highly-regarded Dib would put Evans in the picture at 130 pounds.

Middleweight Charles Conwell fights for the first time as a pro against an opponent to be named in the four round co-feature. The 19-year-old represented the United States in Rio at the 2016 US Olympics and is now a member of Holden Productions’ “Four State Franchise” team. Named Ohio’s Amateur Athlete of the Year for his remarkable 2016, Conwell has a fan-friendly style that is expected to quickly make him a crowd favorite.

“We are pleased not only for Charles Conwell’s pro debut but also to have a quality main event between two very good fighters,” said Tony Holden. “Charles is already generating buzz locally and the fans are eager to see him in action.”

Kenzie Witt-Morrison of Tulsa, OK looks to avenge a prior draw against Oklahoma City native Aaron Chavers, 7-2-1 (3 KO’s), in six round heavyweight rematch. The son of late heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison and half brother of fellow “Four State Franchise” member Trey Lippe-Morrison, Witt-Morrison is 10-0-2 and has 9 victories by knockout.

Undefeated welterweight Jarrett “The Legacy” Rouse of Bartlesville, OK will face an opponent to be named. Representing the “Four State Franchise,” Rouse is a multi-sport standout, compiling a 10-0-1 record with 4 KO’s in the ring along with a 3-0 professional record as a mixed martial artist. In December 2016, he scored a career best victory by outpointing once-beaten Shadi Shawareb.

Dillon “White Lightning” Cook was also scheduled to appear but had to withdraw due to an elbow injury.

Opponents and additional bouts will be announced shortly.

Takashi Miura will defend his 130 pound title against former Featherweight titlist Billy Dib on May 1 in Tokyo according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“I’m so humbled and happy that both the IBF and WBC have considered me [to fight for their title],” Dib told ESPN.com. “I have decided to go with the WBC option as I feel it’s an opportunity to prove I belong with the best of my division.”

“I want to face the best, and I know if I can dethrone Miura, I will be given that opportunity to once again be on the big stage,” Dib said.

NEW YORK (Oct. 30, 2014) – Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (37-3, 21 KOs) will not be trick-or-treating tomorrow night (Friday) at home in Australia. Instead, he’ll be dressed in trunks and wearing boxing gloves for his 12-round fight with his upset-minded Indonesian opponent Ruben Manakane (14-11-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant PABA super featherweight title.

Dib, whose only three losses as a professional have been in world title fights to undefeated Evgeny Gradovich twice and Steve Luevano, based on his tremendous experience and talent advantage, will likely throw a horrific scare, if not worse, into his young opponent.

The 29-year-old Dib will be fighting in Australia for the first time in more than four years having fought three of his last four fights in the United States with the other in Macao, China. This fight will mark Dib’s professional debut in Melbourne, where he last fought 13 years ago as an amateur in the Australian National Championship.

“The opportunity came about when I heard (promoter) Tarik Solak and (Dib’s trainer) Billy Hussein discussing it,” Dib explained to Aus-Boxing.com why he’s fighting in Melbourne. “I mentioned that I’d love to fight back in Australia, so Billy and Tarik were like, let’s do it. After my brother and manager Emid (Dib) got clearance from the team at SMS (Promotions) and (Dib’s promoter) 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson), we decided that the next stop should be Melbourne.

“I know that he (Manakane) is currently ranked fourth by the PABA and that he has eight wins from his last ten outings. He stretched world-class Filipino AJ Banal the full distance a few years back, too. He’s only 21 years of age, so I’m expecting him to come out fast and do all he can to cease the moment. I never take any of my opposition lightly and I know that Manakane stands in the way of my journey to another world championship. One step at a time.”

After being stopped for the first time in his career last November to Gradovich in their rematch, Dib decided to move up in weight and campaign as a super featherweight, staring this past July 2 at Foxwoods Resort Casino on ESPN Friday Night Fights against former WBA featherweight title challenger Alberto Garza (26-7-1, 21 KOs). Dib overcame a nasty cut over his right eye from an unintentional head-butt in the opening round to win a unanimous 10-round decision.

Dib (L) is shown here attacking Garza
(photo by Emily Harney)

Now, Dib is rated No. 6 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), as well as No. 12 by the IBF, as he positions himself for a potential world super featherweight title shot in 2015 against one of the reigning champions: IBF Rances Barthelemy, WBO Orlando Salido, WBC Takashi Miura and WBA Takashi Uchiyama.

“After being involved in the sport of boxing for so long, Dib continued his interview with Aus.Boxing.com, “I now understand that it’s a business and not just a sport. It’s all about strategic planning. We have had several discussions with WBA, WBO and IBF officials about this fight for the PABA crown. It will definitely help evaluate my rankings across the board. The plan is to face the necessary opposition to work my way into a mandatory position with one of the prestigious crowns. I honestly feel that I could face any of the super featherweight champions tomorrow, but realistically we may be looking at six to 12 months. I don’t just plan on getting a world title shot, I plan on winning another crown.

Michael Farenas earned a Super Featherweight title shot with an impressive 8th round stoppage over previously undefeated Mark Davis at the Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut.

Farenas came firing with the left hand from his southpaw stance He landed several hard left’s that caused a cut over Davis right eye in the first frame. Davis had a better 2nd round until he was caught with a hard left just before the bell. After a back and forth round three, Davis came out in round four by landing quick combinations. In round five, Farenas landed a flush left that wobbled Davis all over the ring just before the end of the frame. It was more of the same in round six as Farenas continued to land hard shots on Davis.

In round eight, a series of hard blows rocked Davis into the corner and referee Steve Smoger stopped the bout at 59 seconds of round eight.

Faranes, 130 lbs of the Philippines is now 39-4-4 with 31 knockouts. Davis, 130 lbs of Cleveland, OH is now 18-1.

Former world champion Billy Dib scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Alberto Garza in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Dib was cut over the right eye in round one from a headbutt. Dib landed a some nice shots over the first few rounds. Although not looking pretty, Garza started getting in some counter shots. Dib came back to finsih strong in the final round as he landed some solid left hands behind a stiff jab.

Dib, 131 lbs of Sydney, Australia eon by scores of 98-91 and 96-93 twice and is now 37-3. Garza, 131 lbs of Mexico City is now 26-8-1.

Ryan Martin scored a 4-round unanimous decision over Matthew Baca in a Lightweight bout.

Martin dominated the fight for three rounds with pure boxing. In round four, Martin unleashed a few thudding power shots and and won by scores of 40-36 on all cards.

Martin, 135 lbs of Chattanooga, TN is now 7-0. Baca, 135 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is now 4-2-1.

Earlier tonight, two of the brightest young stars on the DiBella Entertainment roster, Junior “Sugar Boy” Younan and Louis “Cruise Control” Cruz, stayed unbeaten, winning dominant unanimous decisions in separate bouts to open up 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions card at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.

The 18-year-old phenom Younan was taken the distance for the first time in his young career, scoring a shutout over tough-as-nails Azamat Umarzoda. The super middleweight Younan got in some much-needed rounds, having previously scored four consecutive first-round knockouts in two minutes or less. The “boxing prodigy”, as Younan was referred to in a NY Times article written on him when he was just 10 years old, showed the total package, displaying lightning quick hands and combination punching to both the body and head, as well as amazing footwork and defensive movement. It was an impressive showing for the Brooklyn-native, who improved to a perfect 5-0, 4KO’s, with the four-round unanimous decision. Younan will be back in action on an upcoming DiBella Entertainment Broadway Boxing card this summer in NYC.

The Bronx-native Cruz lived up to his nickname cruising to a six-round unanimous decision over Ryan Picou in their super lightweight matchup. Cruz displayed a piston-like jab that kept Picou off balance for much of the fight. Cruz pressed the action throughout and was the much busier of the two, as Picou was content to stay on the outside, looking to score with single shots. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in Cruz’s favor, with scorecards of 59-55 twice, and 58-56. With the win, Cruz improved to a perfect 8-0, 4KO’s, and, like Younan, will be featured on an upcoming DiBella Entertainment Broadway Boxing card this summer in NYC.

Two of CES Boxing’s most prized prospects from Connecticut kept their unbeaten records intact Wednesday on the undercard of SMS Promotions’ special edition ESPN Friday Night Fights card at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Female super bantamweight Shelito Vincent of New London improved her record to 12-0 with a majority decision win over Nydia Feliciano (7-6-3) of the Bronx while New Haven welterweight Jimmy Williams upped his record to 7-0-1 and won for the second time in five weeks by beating fellow Bronx native Stephen Owusu (8-6, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision.

Similar to their first go-round in January of 2013, Vincent and Feliciano traded blows over six hard rounds with Vincent earning the narrow victory by scores of 59-55, 58-56, 57-57. The first meeting between the two ended with a unanimous decision win for Vincent, 59-55 and 58-56 on the other two scorecards.

Williams continued his impressive run in a six-round bout against the battle-tested Owusu, dropping his opponent in the second round en route to a 59-54, 60-53, 57-56. Williams is now unbeaten in his last three fights since a draw against Greg Jackson in 2013. The streak includes a first-round knockout win over fellow Connecticut fighter Christian Lao in May.

While Williams and Vincent held true to form, the televised portion of last night’s card featured a thrilling upset in the main event. Southpaw Michael Farenas stopped previously unbeaten Mark Davis in the eighth round of their scheduled 12-round International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight title eliminator.

Junior lightweight Billy Dib outworked former world champion Alberto Galarza in a 96-93, 96-93, 98-91 unanimous decision win and Cranston, R.I., welterweight Nick DeLomba upset New Haven’s Edwin Soto, winning a 58-56, 59-55, 57-57 majority decision, handing Soto only his second loss in 13 fights.

CES Boxing returns Sept. 12, 2014 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I. For ticket information, or for more information on Vincent and Williams’ next bouts, visit www.cesboxing.com, follow CES Boxing on Twitter at @CESBOXING and Instagram at CESBOXING, or “like” CES Boxing on Facebook by clicking the corresponding link.

New York, NY (6/30/14) – This Wednesday, 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions returns to the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT, for a special edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights. Headlining the card will be Mark Davis (18-0, 5KO’s) putting his undefeated record on the line against Michael Farenas (38-4-4, 30KO’s) in a 12-round super featherweight matchup. In the co-feature bout, former world champion Billy Dib looks to get back to his winning ways when he squares off against Alberto Garza (26-7-1, 21KO’s) in a 10-round super featherweight showdown.

Scheduled to appear on the undercard in separate bouts will be two of the brightest young stars on DiBella Entertainment’s loaded roster, highly regarded undefeated prospects Junior “Sugar Boy” Younan (4-0, 4KO’s) (left in photo above) and Louis “Cruise Control” Cruz (7-0, 4KO’s). Younan will take on tough-as-nails Azamat Umarzoda, who is coming off a majority draw against former amateur standout Kareem Martin in a four-round super middleweight matchup. Cruz squares off against Ryan Picou in a six-round junior welterweight bout.

The “boxing prodigy”, as Younan was referred to in a lengthy New York Times
article written on him and his father/trainer Sherif Younan when Younan was just 10 years old, has long been in the spotlight starting with his amateur career. The blue-chip prospect first picked up a pair of gloves at just two years old and by the time he was eight, he was fighting competitively. Compiling an outstanding 90-5 record, the Brooklyn-native won nearly every major tournament that he competed in on both the regional and national level. In addition to winning the National Junior Olympic championship in 2011 (he lost a debated decision in the 2012 finals), the #1-rated amateur was a nine-time Junior Olympics champion, nine-time Junior Metro champion, eight-time NY State Silver Gloves champion, five-time Regional Silver Gloves champion, four-time National Silver Gloves champion, three-time Ringside World champion, three-time National PAL champion and a two-time National Junior Golden Gloves champion.

The 18-year-old phenom has more than lived up to his hype in his fist four bouts in his first year as a pro, scoring four devastating knockouts, all which have come before the two-minute mark of the very first round. A tough MMA fighter, Umarzoda has fought four consecutive undefeated opponents, and has only been stopped once in his career, his pro debut, and should provide a test for the young rising star.

Like Younan, the 23-year-old Bronx-native Cruz had a stellar amateur career, which saw him win the 2010 NY Golden Gloves, take silver at the 2011 National Golden Gloves and compete at the 2012 US Olympic Trials. Cruz signed with DBE in early 2013, going a perfect 4-0 that year, and has already picked up two impressive victories this year, including a highlight reel first-round knockout over Jose Santiago in January. Cruz is looking for yet another impressive performance when he takes on Picou Wednesday night.

Tickets for the show are still available and are priced at $100, $75 and $45. In addition to the fights, 50 Cent will be celebrating his birthday that same evening and a purchase of the $100 seats gets you into the birthday bash for free. You can purchase tickets through all Ticketmaster outlets or by visiting www.Foxwoods.com

FACT SHEET

WHAT: “50 Cent’s Birthday Bash”

WHEN: Wednesday, July 2, 2014

WHERE: Grand Theater at Fox Tower, Foxwoods Resorts Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut

WHO: MAIN EVENT – IBF WORL JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR (12)- ESPN
MARK “Too Sharp” DAVIS (18-0), Cleveland, Ohio
vs.
MICHAEL “Hammer Fist” FARENAS (38-4-4, 30 KOs), Paranaque City, Philippines

CO-FEATURE – JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS (10) – ESPN
BILLY “The Kid” DIB (36-3, 21 KOs), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
vs.
ALBERTO “Kichis” GARZA (26-7-1, 21 KOs), Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico

LIGHTWEIGHTS (4) – ESPN
RYAN “Blue-Chip” MARTIN (6-0, 3 KOs), Cleveland, OH
vs.
MATTHEW “Champ” BACA (4-1-1, 2 KOs), Albuquerque, New Mexico

JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS (6)
JIMMY WILLIAMS (6-0-1, 3 KOs), New Haven, Connecticut
vs.
STEPHAN OWUSU (8-6, 4 KOs), Bronx, New York

FEMALE SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS (6)
SHELLY “Shelito’s Way” VINCENT (11-0, 1 KO), Providence, Rhode Island
vs.
NYDIA “Da Phenomenal” FELICIANO (7-5-3, 0 KOs), Bronx, New York

WELTERWEIGHTS (6)
NICK DE LOMBA (3-0, 0 KOs), Cranston, Rhode Island
vs.
EDWIN SOTO (9-1-2, 4 KOs), New Haven, Connecticut by way of Puerto Rico

WELTERWEIGHTS (6)
LUIS CRUZ (7-0, 4 KOs), Bronx, New York
vs.
RYAN PICOU (1-2, 0 KOs), Las Vegas, Nevada

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS (4)
JUNIOR “Sugar Boy” YOUNAN (4-0, 4 KOs), Brooklyn, New York
vs.
AZAMAT UMARZODA (0-3-1), Las Vegas, Nevada

(all fights & fighters subject to change)

PROMOTER: SMS Promotions

TELEVISION: Special edition of ESPN FNF

TICKETS: $100.00, $75.00 and $45.00 on sale online at www.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods’ box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods’ box office. Tickets are also be available to purchase through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

AFTER PARTY: Doors to the after party will open at 10:00 p.m. ET. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods’ box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods’ box office.

DOORS OPEN: 6 p.m. ET FIRST BOUT: 7 p.m. ET ESPN2 BROADCAST: 9-11 p.m. ET

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (June 19, 2014) – Former IBF featherweight champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (36-3, 21 KOs) returns Wednesday, July 2 to the scene of arguably the most disappointing night of his professional career for a 10-round co-feature bout against former WBA featherweight title challenger Alberto “Kichis” Garza (26-7-1, 21 KOs). Dib’s promoter, 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions, will present a special edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights at Grand Theater in Fox Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

In 2013, Dib lost his International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight title belt at Foxwoods by way of a 12-round split decision (114-112, 112-114, 112-114) to undefeated Evgeny Gradovich. Dib also lost a rematch to Gradovich last November and the Australian has moved up one weight class to junior lightweight for his fight with Garza.

“I’m grateful for fighting again at a beautiful venue like Foxwoods,” Dib said. “I have no demons (fighting there). I am blessed for what I already achieved and hungry to achieve more. I am also grateful for the opportunity ESPN and my promoter have given me. 50 creates opportunities. I have had all four of my fights shown on U.S. television and also shown live in my home country, Australia. 50 is a really smart guy that surrounds himself with really good people that help run his business. Some really fine examples of that is Monique Mayers, Angel Martinez and Sean Gibbons who make sure I’m always looked after. I am very grateful to them and the whole SMS team.”

Moving up in weight at the age of 28 is typical for fighters. “I have been making featherweight for the past 10 years and felt that I was losing some power due to slight struggles making weight,” Dib explained. “I feel stronger now and I am excited about attempting to win another world time in different division. That’s definitely my goal. I have done it before and know what it takes. I can’t put a time frame on it. I will be patient and work hard to achieve another world title, God willing.”

Garza is a 28-year-old Mexican boxer who lost his only world title shot to World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Nicholas Walters by fourth-round technical knockout in 2013. Garza has held the World Boxing Council (WBC) and Silver Continental Americas titles, as well as the IBF Latino championship during his 11-year pro career.

“I know Garza has the Mexican heart that you can never underestimate,” Dib added. “He is very experienced, fought and won titles, and is dangerous. But I will be ready!”

In the 12-round main event, undefeated 50 Cent-promoted junior lightweight Mark “Too Sharp” Davis (18-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, faces Filipino knockout specialist Michael “Hammer Fist” Farenas (38-4-4, 30 KOs) in an IBF (IBF) title eliminator. The winner will become the mandatory challenger for the winner of the July 10 title match between IBF junior lightweight champion Argenis Mendez and challenger Rances Barthelemy.

Undefeated SMS Promotions lightweight prospect Ryan “Blue Chip” Martin (6-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, takes on Albuquerque’s Matthew “Champ” Baca (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in the four-round ESPN opener.

Former S. Connecticut State University football player and current Connecticut State junior middleweight champion, New Haven’s unbeaten Jimmy Williams (6-0, 3 KOs), faces Bronx veteran Stephen Owusu (8-6, 4 KOs) in a six-round fight of local interest.

Undefeated WIBA International super bantamweight champion Shelly “Shelito’s Way” Vincent (11-0, 1 KO), of Providence, and former IWBF bantamweight titlist Nadia “Da Phenomenal” Feliciano (7-5-3, 0 KOs), fighting out of the Bronx, square off a six-round, non-title bout.

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is undefeated Nick DeLomba (3-0), of Cranston, RI versus New Haven (CT) welterweight Edwin Soto (9-1-2, 4 KOs) in a four-round match.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $100.00, $75.00 and $45.00 and are on sale online at www.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods’ box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods’ box office. Tickets will also be available to purchase through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Doors at Grand Theater in Fox Tower will open at 6 p.m. ET. The first bout will start at 7 p.m. ET with ESPN FNF between 9-11 p.m. ET.

Doors to the after party will open at 10:00 p.m. ET. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods’ box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods’ box office.

Manny Pacquiao came back from the devastating knockout of a year ago to Juan Manuel Marquez to score an easy 12 round unanimous decision over former Lightweight champion Brandon Rios at the Cotai Arena at the Venetian in Macau, China.

Pacquiao came out in round one and showed blazing speed with his left hand. Pacquiao continued to pepper Rios with straight left hands and blazing four and five punch combinations that started bleeding around Rios’ left eye in round six.

Pacquiao continued to land ripping punches and rocked Rios several times with flush lead lefts. By the 11th round, Rios right eye was swelling from the effects of the offensive assault of Pacquiao. Pacquiao toed with Rios for much of the fight but Rios was tough as he tried to the very end. Pacquiao looked as good as could be and showed that rest did him well as he cruised to victory to the tune of 120-108, 119-109 and 118-108.

Pacquiao is now 55-5-2. Rios of Oxnard, CA is now 31-2.

Evgeny Gradovich retained the IBF Featherweight title with a 9th round stoppage from the man he won the title from in Billy Dib.

Gradovich dominated the bout as he landed some tremendous hard right hands and systematically beat Dib down. From about round six on, Gradovich started pounding Dib abd scored a knockdown in round six from an overhand right. With Dib’s left closing, Gradovich landed some hard right hands and mixed in uppercuts that lifted the head of Gradovich up to the point where Dib’s trainer Billy Huessein stopped the bout.

Gradovich of Russia is now 18-0 with 9 knockouts. Dib of Australia is now 36-3.

Andy Ruiz scored a stoppage over Tor Hamer after three round of their ten round Heavyweight bout after Hamer did not come out for the fourth round.

After a pretty good first two rounds for Hamer, Ruiz stated to take over as he started landing hard combinations and body shots. Hamer looked spent and decided after three rounds that he had enough.

Ruiz is now 21-0 with 15 knockouts. Hamer of New York is 21-3.

Chinese Olympic hero Zou Shiming scored a six round unanimous decision over Juan Tozcano in a Flyweight bout.

Shiming looked more polished then he did in either of his previous two bouts as he sat down on his punches and landed hard shots. Toscano was cut around the right in round three. Shiming continued to land hard combinations. The fight could have been stopped at any point as he was bloodied, battered and taking a beating but he lasted until the final bell.

Shiming, 111 1/2 lbs of China won by scores of 60-54, 60-54 and 60-52 and is now 3-0. Tozcano, 110 lbs of Esonada, MX is now 4-1.

Felix Verdejo scored a six round unanimous decision over Petchsamuthr Duanaaymukdahan in a six round Lightweight bout.

Verdejo showed early in round one that there was a clear class difference as he fired off shots with both hands. Verdejo landed a booming right hand that started round three and his opponent took it well and came back to fire some shots. Verdejo coasted down the stretch while Duanaaymukdahan had a point deducted a point in the final round for a low blow.

Verdejo of Puerto Rico won by scores of 60-53 on all cards ans is now 9-0. Duanaaymukdahan of Bankok, Thailand is 8-2..

Rex Tso scored a 1st round knockout over Susu Sithjadaeng in a scheduled 6 round Super Flyweight bout.

Rios dropped Sithjadaeng and then landed about 30 unanswered blows before the fight was stopped at 2:29.

Tso, 117 lbs of Hong Kong, CHN is now 11-0 with 7 knockouts. Sithjadaeng, 117 1/2 lbs of Thailand is now 7-4.

Kuok Kun Ng won a four round unanimous decision over You-Jie Zeng in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for NG, 151 1/2 lbs of Macau, China is now 2-0. Zeng, 147 1/2 lbs of Bangkok, THI is now 4-5.

Ik Zeng scored a six round majority decision over Hero Tito in a Lightweight bout.

Scores were 6054, 60-54 and 57-57 for Zeng, 137 1/2 lbs of Dalina, China and is now 14-0. Tito, 138 lbs of Milan, Indonesia is now 7-3.

Hermanito De La Torre scored a 3rd round stoppage over Jason Butar Butar in a scheduled 6 round Light bout.

De La Torre landed a big uppercut that was followed by a push but was ruled a knockdown and Butar was down for the 10 count at 1:23 of round three.

De La Torre is now 11-0 with 6 knockouts. Butar Butar is now 15-12-1.

Evgeny Gradovich will defend the IBF Featherweight title against the man he won it from in Billy Dib on November 23rd in Macao, China as part of the Manny Pacquiao – Brandon Rios card.

“Gradovich got rid of his mandatory in his last fight, he’s exciting to watch and we felt it was important to live up to the commitment to Dib for a rematch since he gave Gradovich the opportunity,” said Top Rank’s Todd duBoef said. “It was an excellent fight on ESPN2, so why not put this one on the Pacquiao-Rios show and then the winner can look at bigger matches in 2014.

“I’m excited to return to Macau to fight on the Pacquiao versus Rios card and I know I will fight even better this time,” Gradovich said. “I had very little time to train before fighting Dib the first time. I think it was just 29 days before the fight when we got the call. This time I have much more time to focus and technically be better in my performance against Dib.

“I’m extremely excited that the rematch has been made,” Dib said. “Our first battle was a good one. I feel I have developed into a more fan friendly fighter. Gradovich is a good fighter and I expect another all-out war with him. I look forward to recapturing the IBF championship and setting up a trilogy with Gradovich.

“The fact that the fight is on such a big stage is so exciting. Finally I feel that I have the chance to show the world that I can mix it with the best of them. I truly believe in my heart I’m winning this championship back.”

Former IBF Featherweight champion Billy Dib scored a ten round majority decision over Mike Oliver at the Convention Center in Hartford Connecticut.

It did int start out well for Dib as he was docked points in round’s two and three for low blows by referee Michael Ortega.

At times the fight was exciting as they traded both in the center of the ring and on the ropes. Dib pushed the action while Oliver counter well in spurts. In the end it was the aggressiveness of Dib that was the prevailing factor.

Dib, 127 lbs of Sydney, Australia will now look to win back his title with a contractual rematch with champion Evgeny Fradovich with a record of 36-2. Oliver, 124 lbs of Hartford is now 25-4.

Mark Davis remained undefeated with a eight round unanimous decision over Robert Osiobe in a Lightweight bout.

Davis was a bit sharper with his punches and built up a working margin through the first five-plus rounds. Osiobe gained confidence after a cut opened up around the left eye of Davis and he began to come on just a bot but it was too little too late as Davis won by scores of 78-74, 78-74 and 77-75.

Davis 135 lbs of Cleveland, OH is now 17-0. Osiobe, 134 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas is now 14-6-4.

Emanuel DeJesus went the distance for the first time but remained perfect as he scored a four round unanimous decision over Rikardo Smith in a Welterweight bout.

DeJesus showed his terrific power as he floored Smith with a booming left hook. Smith was able to get up and finish the fight but was outclassed as DeJesus won by scores of 40-35, 39-36 and 39-36.

DeJesus of Puerto Rico is 5-0. Smith of Kissimmee, FL is now 6-4.

HARTFORD (June 20, 2013) — Australian boxer-puncher Billy “The Kid” Dib (35-2, 21 KOs) returns to the United States on a mission to recapture his world title belt. The former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion takes on local favorite “Machine Gun” Mike Oliver (25-3, 8 KOs), in the 10-round co-feature on the July 5thESPN Friday Night Fightsshow, airing live from the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

“50 Cent’s Birthday Bash,” the first solo venture by rapper/promoter 50 Cent’s (Curtis Jackson) SMS Promotions, is headlined on ESPN Friday Night Fights by a potentially explosive 10-round war showcasing undefeated North American Boxing Organization (NABO) and North American Boxing Association (NABA) light heavyweight champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (12-0, 8 KOs) against former world super middleweight title challenger Allan “Ghost Dog” Green (32-4, 22 KOs). Alvarez-Green is being presented in association with Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM).

Dib is coming off an exciting slugfest that headlined the March 1st ESPN Friday Night Fights, in which he lost a 12-round split decision (114-112, 112-114, 112-114) and his IBF belt to undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich (18-0). IBF No. 4-rated Dib, ironically, gained more respect among American fans from his loss to Gradovich than he had in his 35 victories.

“I fought the wrong fight and paid the ultimate penalty,” Dib spoke about fighting Gradovich’s fight instead of following his game plan. “It was really hard for me to lose my IBF belt, which meant so much to me, but the great news is I know I can win it back. I have to give Gradovich credit for his performance but it’ll be a different outcome in a rematch. I will make a statement in this fight to let world featherweight champions know that Billy Dib is still here.”

Oliver, a former International Boxing Organization (IBO) and United States Boxing Association (USBA) super bantamweight champion, handed 18-0 Gary Stark, Jr. his first professional loss in 2007 by 12-round decision. The 33-year-old Oliver’s other notable victims include Adam Carrera, Al Seeger and Mauricio Pastrana.

“I know he (Oliver) was a great amateur champion who will enjoy fighting in front of his hometown fans,” Ring Magazine No. 7-rated Dib remarked. “He’s a crafty southpaw. People are going to see a rejuvenated Billy Dib, an aggressive fighter who is coming to fight Oliver. I was shown a lot of love and respect after my last fight in America and I will return that love with a devastating performance and knockout victory.”

Dib is promoted by 50 Cent, who has opened up many doors for the Australian boxer. “It has been amazing to work with 50,” Dib explained. “My manager and brother, Emaid Dib, deals with him on a regular basis. He says 50 really gets involved and is hands-on with the promoting side of boxing. He’s a great person with a great heart, who has great energy for boxing and actually loves the sport. He has built a great team around him at SMS Promotions. My twitter account (@BillyDib) went crazy when 50 sent out a couple of tweets to follow me. The social media side of things has been huge and my crossover fans have really increased. I guess that’s the power he brings that other promoters probably can’t. I want to thank all my fans for their loyalty and support.”

Undefeated lightweight prospect Mark “Too Sharp” Davis (16-0, 5 KOs), who captured gold medals at the 2005 and 2006 U.S. National Championships, meets Danish-import Robert “Super” Osobe (14-5-4, 6 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas, in an eight-round bound.

In a six-round bout, unbeaten Puerto Rican welterweight Javier “El Chino” Flores (9-0, 8 KOs), fighting out of Hartford, faces Rogelio De la Torre (10-3, 6 KOs), of Houston.

Also fighting on the undercard in four rounds bouts is hot prospect Arizona light welterweight Luis Olivares (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. undefeated Puerto Rican Jonathan Perez (4-0, 2 KOs), along with Cincinnati native Donte Strayhorn (1-1) vs. Hartford’s Oscar Diaz (0-1), New Haven featherweight Nate Green (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Micah Branch (1-6-1), of Cincinnati, New Haven (CT) super bantamweight Jimmy Williams vs. Saul Almeida (0-1), of Woburn (MA), and pro-debuting light middleweights David Wilson, of New Haven, vs. Woburn’s (MA) Rodrigo Almeida.

Davis, Olivares, and Strayhorn are also promoted by 50 Cent. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets are priced at $150.00, $100.00, $60.00 and $35.00 (SOLD OUT) and available to purchase at Connecticut Convention Center (860-728-2625) or by calling Mike Criscio (203-627-7472). There is a 10-percent surcharge on all sold tickets. A $150.00 ticket entitles the bearer to free admission to 50 Cent’s post-fight party at the Connecticut Convention Center. Admission to the post fight party is $30.00 per person at the door for those without a fight ticket, or $20.00 for all tickets excluding $150.00.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET with the first fight scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET.

It was a mauling 12 round fight between featherweights Billy Dib and Evgeny Gradovich; ending with Gradovich taking a split verdict over the more well known Dib. Gradovich often was able to get the best of the exchanges; typified in round 5 which he stunned Dib with a hard left hook. Dib recovered and had his moments throughout the 12 rounds, but the tone of the fight was set. Despite Dib’s aggression, Gradovich was the one to consistently land the harder and cleaner shots. Gradovich was deducted a point in round 8 for holding but Dib was dealt the same; also losing a point in the same round for holding. Despite his best efforts, Dib was unable to break the pattern throughout the fight. Gradovich was simply the harder and cleaner puncher throughout and it earned him a split decision victory by scores of 114-112 (twice) to 112-114 for Dib. Both fighters gave their all and neither backed down so perhaps a rematch is in order. Gradovich improves to 16-0 (8kos) while Dib drops to 35-2 (21kos).

For junior middleweight Wille Nelson, only one round of the scheduled 10 was necessary for victory. Nelson blitzed foe Michael Medina in only 2 minutes, dropping him once with a counter right hand along the ropes and finishing with a right hand, left hook combo. It was a quick and brutal finish, and referee Arthur Mercante Jr. was wise to stop the bout at 2 minutes of round 1. Nelson improves his record to 20-1-1 (12kos) while Medina drops to 26-4-2 (19 kos.) Scores were 36-40 across the board.

Making his pro debut, light welterweight Luis Olivera blitzed through his opponent Rafael Munoz with ease. Olivera knocked Munoz down with a beautiful lead left hook early in round one and didn’t let up. After Munoz rose and was cleared to continue, Olivera jumped on him and stunned him with another lead left. As Munoz backpedaled toward the ropes, Olivera caught him for a third time with the left and finished with a flurry, dumping Munoz to the canvas and forcing referee Johnny Callas to call the fight. Time of the stoppage was 1:38 of round one. Olivera notches his first win and stands at 1-0 (1ko) while Munoz drops to 1-2.
Welterweight Jimmy Williams outworked Ray Younger over 4 rounds to earn himself a unanimous decision. Williams scored far more often with his jab and body attack and limited Younger to an ineffective defense of potshotting and moving. The fight played out mainly the same over the 4 rounds and Williams picked up an easy win, improving to 2-0 (1ko) while Younger dropped to 0-2.

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (February 28, 2013) – Earlier tonight IBF Featherweight Champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (35-1-1NC, 21KO’s) and undefeated Russian Challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8KO’s) both made weight for their championship bout tomorrow night at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods. Both Dib and Gradovich looked to be in tremendous shape, with each fighter tipping the scales at 125 lbs.

The event tomorrow is promoted by 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by SMS Audio. The championship bout will be televised live tomorrow night on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Below are the complete weights for the entire card.

IBF Featherweight Championship (12)

Billy Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), Champion, Sydney, Australia 125 LBS.

Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), Challenger, Igrim, Russia 125 LBS.

NABF Super Welterweight Championship (10)

Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs), Champion, Cleveland, OH 152 LBS.

Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs), Challenger, Los Angeles, CA 154 LBS.

Junior Lightweights (8)

Ryan Kielczweski (15-0, 3 KOs), Quincy, MA 127 LBS.

Gil Garcia (5-3-1, 1 KO), Houston, TX 129 LBS.

Super Bantamweights (8)

Luis Rosa Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), New Haven, CT 124 LBS.

Jhovany Collado (4-6-2, 1 KO), Jamaica, NY 123 LBS.

Junior Welterweights (4)

Luis Oliveras (pro debut), Glendale, AZ 140 LBS.

Rafael Munoz (1-1), Houston, TX 140 LBS.

Female Junior Featherweights (6)

Shelly Vincent (7-0), Providence, RI 124 LBS.

Mikayla Nevel (0-3), Columbus, OH 122 LBS.

Welterweights (4)

Jimmy Williams (1-0, 1 KO), New Haven, CT 146 LBS.

Raynard Younger (0-1), Alpharetta, GA 147 LBS.

The 12-round main event on ESPN Friday Night Fights features International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent, defending against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich. NABF Super Welterweight Champion Willie Nelson defends his title against Michael Medina in the 10-round co-feature.

The ESPN Friday Night Fights card, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions, will air live at 9 p.m. ET. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio.

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 may be purchased online at foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods’ box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods’ box office.

Photo by Ed Diller