Impact Boxing will kick off it’s 2021 schedule with a great night of boxing that will air on Saturday, March 6th,

Impact Network, the basic cable channel, which reaches over 93 millions homes, hopped on the scene last year with championship fights, as well as the acclaimed boxing talk show, Stars and Champions hosted by legendary sports writer Dan Rafael

Like many fights around the globe, Impact Boxing was not able to air the quantity of high class events, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Impact Boxing is making good on their promise that it would return in in a big way, post-pandemic. Saturday, March 6th is the beginning of that.

Headlining the card on March 6, which will take place at Delray Beach Boxing Club in Delray Beach, Florida, will be Steve Geffrard taking on veteran Denis Grachev in the eight-round light heavyweight main event.

Geffrard, 30, of Miami has record of 17-2 with 12 knockouts. Geffrard has won 17 straight bouts and is a former WBO Asia Pacific Light Heavyweight champion. The eight-year pro has wins over Jamel Burnside (1-0) and a 7th round stoppage over Dmitry Sukhotskiy (23-4) to win the WBO Asia Pacific Title. He is coming off 4th round stoppage over Zoltan Sera on March 23, 2018.

Grachev, 38, of San Diego, California has a record of 20-11-1 with 11 knockouts. The 14 year-veteran has wins over Azea Augustama (9-0), Vladine Biosse (11-0), world-title challenger Ismayl Sillakh (17-0), former world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0). Grachev has also fought former world champions Chad Dawson and Lucian Bute.

Also shown on the broadcast will be an eight-round light heavyweight bout between Robin Sirwan Safar (10-0, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas taking on Demetrius Banks (10-9-1, 5 KOs) of Detroit; A six-round lightweight bout featuring Antonio Williams (13-0-1, 6 KOs) of Richmond, Texas battling Ignacio Perrin (6-4-1, 1 KO) of Argentina. Kicking off the telecast will be heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton (2-0, 2KOs) of Las Vegas fighting fellow undefeated Zachary Calmus (1-0, 1 KO) of Gloucester, Mass.

Impact has inked a deal with with an International Boxing Hall of Fame Promoter that will start staging staging bouts as part of the series beginning in April.

Those details will be announced in the very near future.

Impact Network plans up to four big boxing events per month, that will feature everything from major bouts from around the globe, as well as highlighting some of the brightest prospects in the sport.

Also in April, the network is planning the return of Stars and Champions and a new sports series called entitles Healthily Conversions.

The Saturday block of original programming will launch the last week of April.

Impact Network is is back on track to become the biggest African American faith based network in the country

Founder Bishop Wayne T Jackson, Royal Jackson and Terry Arnold planned to become the biggest voice in the multi cultural programming space with Family Friendly cutting edge positive programming.

Springfield, Massachusetts (August 17th, 2019):

In a special matinee outdoor event at MGM Springfield presented by Murphys Boxing and broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass, Charles Foster (19-0, 9 KOs) defended his NABA Light Heavyweight Championship against Denis Grachev (19-8-1, 10 KOs) winning a 10 round unanimous decision.

Foster, who is currently ranked #8 in the world by the WBA, outboxed the game Russian from the start, using his superior speed and ring generalship to win by scores of 100-90, 97-93 and 97-91.

To Grachev’s credit, he came forward the entire fight looking for an opportunity but he could never land more than one punch at a time and found himself walking into Foster’s combinations.

“I felt good about my performance tonight.”, said the world ranked contender who fights for Murphys Boxing.

“Grachev was durable and strong. He’s been in there with world champions and contenders and I was still able to sweep him with a unanimous decision. Definitely a good learning experience. I got cut in the second round and had to fight the rest of the night with it. I stayed calm under the pressure and I need to experience that type of adversity. Now it’s on to the next one. I want another fighter in the Top 10. I think I’m about two or three fights away from a world title shot.”

In regards to his next opponent, the soft spoken contender who prefers to do his talking in the ring, did mention one name he would love to share the ring with next.

“It’s up to my promoter, Murphys Boxing, my manager and my coach in regards to who I fight next but if I had my pick I would want to fight Jean Pascal. He looked great winning the WBA Interim Championship in a big upset and I’m ranked #8 in the world by the WBA and have the NABA title. I think it would make for a great fight between a former world champ and an undefeated contender. The winner would definitely be deserving of a world title shot.”

In additional action on the card…

In a shocking upset, former USA Olympian, Devin Vargas (21-5, 9 KOs) handed popular Irish heavyweight prospect, Niall Kennedy (13-1-1, 8 KOs) his first professional defeat by TKO in the 5th round of a scheduled 10 round bout.

Kennedy started strong, hurting Vargas in the third round but the crafty veteran began timing the undefeated prospect with surprisingly fast combinations. Continually beating Kennedy to the punch, the 37 year old showed flashes of the speed and ring generalship that once made him captain of the 2004 United States Olympic Boxing Team. After hurting and cornering Kennedy late in the 5th round, Vargas unleashed a barrage of punches that snapped the Irishman’s head back multiple times forcing the referee to stop the contest with only two seconds remaining in the round.

Kennedy, who has amassed an impressive following in the Massachusetts area and was on the verge of a world ranking, was naturally disappointed but still gracious and classy in defeat giving all credit to Vargas who in turn showed mutual respect to his opponent.

It was a show stealing, action packed heavyweight battle and it now leaves Vargas, a father of 5 who works full time at a Toledo, Ohio jeep manufacturing plant and also works as a high school football coach, suddenly back in the mix in the red hot division.

Springfield’s own Anthony Velazquez (7-0, 7 KOs) stopped Philadelphia’s Vincent Floyd (4-8-1, 2 KOs) 58 seconds into the 4th round of a 6 round welterweight bout. Floyd, who was giving the flashy young power puncher his toughest test to date, rightfully complained about a quick stoppage after a flurry from Velazquez brought the contest to a sudden end. The tough as nails Philly fighter, while down on the cards, didn’t even seem in trouble let alone hurt, but the crowd was in a frenzy and it may have influenced the hasty stoppage. Regardless with his combination of speed and power, Velazquez is without a doubt one of New England’s most promising young fighters.

Back from one of the shorter retirements in recent memory, world title challenger and New England fan favorite, Shelly Vincent (26-2, 1 KO) returned to the ring to win a unanimous decision over Karen Dulin (3-20-1, 1 KO) in a 6 round featherweight bout. ‘Shelito’s Way’ dedicated the fight to her first trainer who recently passed away and hinted at retirement again but said the right fight could bring her back to the ring.

Elvis Figueroa (7-0, 4 KOs) who trains alongside Charles Foster in New Haven made incredibly short work of Argentina’s Marcelo Molina (23-16-1, 19 KOs) overwhelming and stopping him in the 1st round of a 6 round super middleweight bout.

Albany, New York’s Ray Jay Bermudez (8-0, 5 KOs) won a unanimous, but very close, decision against Quincy, Florida’s Leonardo Kenon (3-7, 1 KO) in a back and forth 4 round junior welterweight bout.

Derrick Whitley Jr. (6-1-1) of Springfield’s famed fighting Whitley family won a unanimous decision over Massachusetts veteran Antonio Chaves Fernandez (9-29-4, 3 KOs) in a 6 round welterweight bout.

Springfield’s Josh Orta (5-0, 2 KOs) won a unanimous decision over Argentina’s Matias Arriagada (6-7, 3 KOs) in a well matched 4 round junior welterweight bout.

In the opener, Springfield’s Rollin Whitley (1-0) made his long awaited professional debut winning a unanimous decision over Florida first timer, Ayron Palmer (0-1). Whitley pumped up the partisan crowd by coming out to the ring to the theme song from the classic tv western, Rawhide before dropping Palmer in the 1st round on way to a 4 round unanimous decision in a competitive fight in the junior welterweight division.

UFC FIGHT PASS LINE UP

Charles Foster 173.8 (18-0, 9 KOs) vs. Denis Grachev 174 (19-7-1, 10 KOs)
10 Rounds – NABA Light Heavyweight Championship
Niall Kennedy 222.6 (13-0-1, 8 KOs) vs. Devin Vargas 219.6 (20-5, 8 KOs)
10 Rounds Heavyweights
Anthony Velazquez 149.8 (6-0, 6 KOs) vs. Vincent Floyd 151.8 (4-7-1, 2 KOs)
6 Rounds Welterweights
FACEBOOK LINE UP

Shelly Vincent 125.8 (25-2, 1 KO) vs. Karen Dulin 124.4 (3-19-1, 1 KO)
8 Rounds Featherweights
Ray Jay Bermudez 140 (7-0, 5 KOs) vs. Leonardo Kenon 136.2 (3-6, 1 KO)
4 Rounds Junior Welterweights
Elvis Figueroa 167 (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Marcelo Molina 166.2 (23-16-1, 19 KOs)
4 Rounds Super Middleweights

Derrick Whitley Jr. 148.4 (5-1-1) vs. Antonio Fernandez 148.6 (9-28-4, 3 KOs)
6 Rounds Welterweights

Josh Orta 127.8 (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. Matias Arriagada 124.4 (6-6, 3 KOs)
4 Rounds Junior Lightweights

Rollin Whitley 141.2 (0-0) vs. Ayron Palmer 137.4 (0-0)
4 Rounds Junior Welterweights

?Foster vs. Grachev for the NABA Light Heavyweight Championship takes place tomorrow afternoon – Saturday, August 17th in Springfield, Massachusetts at MGM Springfield. Doors open at 1pm for the special outdoor matinee event. Limited tickets remain at www.murphysboxing.com.

ABOUT MURPHYS BOXING

Murphys Boxing was founded by Dropkick Murphys’ frontman, Ken Casey in 2014. In just 5 short years, Murphys Boxing has become the premier boxing promoter in the New England area and one of the hottest young promotions in the country. 2018 was a breakout year for Murphys Boxing as they took their first fighter to a world title. Along with the promotion’s first champion, several Murphys Boxing fighters secured world title opportunities and nationally televised fights in 2018. Murphys Boxing closed out their banner year by co-promoting the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondokwa in front of over 10,000 fans at the TD Garden, the legendary home of the Boston Celtics, which was broadcast internationally on DAZN. Murphys Boxing’s current roster features world ranked contenders like Mark DeLuca, Charles Foster, Abraham Nova, Carlos Gongora, Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan, Greg Vendetti and undefeated prospects like Niall Kennedy, William Foster III, Luis Arcon and more! For more information visit: www.murphysboxing.com

SPRINGFIELD, MA – Murphys Boxing is proud to announce their return to UFC FIGHT PASS^®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, on Saturday, August 17^th, for a special outdoor matinee event live from MGM Springfield. The main card will stream live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS beginning at 4 P.M. ET / 1 P.M. PT.

In the main event, NABA Light Heavyweight Champion, Charles Foster (18-0, 9 KOs) will defend his title for the fourth time in a 10-round bout against Russian power puncher Denis Grachev (19-7-1, 10 KOs).

Foster, who hails from nearby New Haven, Connecticut is ranked #8 in the world bythe WBA and is coming off an impressive stoppage victory over Chicago’s once-beaten Mike Jiminez this past March.

Grachev, known as ‘Drago’s Son’, is currently on a 3-fight win streak in 2019, and an upset win over Foster would immediately land the Russian back into the world rankings.

“I’m excited to be in the main event on UFC FIGHT PASS,” explains Foster, the confident southpaw who goes by the nickname, ‘The Truth.’ “I truly feel I am ready to take on anyone in the Top 10. I want to be in position for a shot at a world title next year. This Saturday, I intend to make a statement to the rest of the light heavyweight division by defending my title and stopping Grachev.”

In the 10-round co-main event, one of Murphys Boxing’s most popular fighters, Irish heavyweight sensation Niall Kennedy (13-0-1, 8 KOs), will face one of his toughest tests to date, as he will take on former U.S. Olympic Boxer Devin Vargas (20-5, 8 KOs) in a crossroads battle that will put the winner in line for a major opportunity in the red-hot division.

Kennedy, who also serves as a police officer in his hometown of Gorey, Ireland, has amassed a sizable Massachusetts based following having fought virtually all of his professional fights in New England and winning the state’s heavyweight title in the process.

“I’m excited to be fighting at MGM Springfield live on UFC FIGHT PASS. It’s my first time in that area [of Massachusetts] and what an event to be on, getting to share the bill with the talented Charles Foster,” says the humble heavyweight.

“My opponent is a former Olympian who has mixed with the top table and who I am sure will bring the best out of me. Training is going exceptionally well. I’m going to put every ounce of blood and sweat into making my little boy, MJ, and my wife proud. This is the year where I want to get myself in the top 20 and in massive fights. For that to happen, I need to perform this Saturday.”

“Our first fight at MGM Springfield in May, which was also our UFC FIGHT PASS debut, was an amazing night and a total success,” explains Ken Casey, founder of Murphys Boxing. “For our return to MGM Springfield and UFC FIGHT PASS, we wanted to take it to another level. We think having a top 10 world-ranked fighter like Charles Foster make a title defense in his backyard, adding Niall Kennedy in a high stakes heavyweight showdown, and then making it an outdoor matinee show, accomplishes that goal. We can’t wait to be back on UFC FIGHT PASS this weekend.”

Murphys Boxing presents Foster vs. Grachev live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS this Saturday, August 17th at MGM Springfield in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Doors open at 1 p.m. and the first bout starts at 2 p.m. Tickets on sale now at www.murhpysboxing.com. The undercard will stream live on Facebook.com/DropKickMurphys.

The main card will exclusively stream on UFC FIGHT PASS at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

To sign up now, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS^®

UFC FIGHT PASS^® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, Fight Pass is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. Fight Pass provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC Fight Pass Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. Fight Pass subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 17,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access Fight Pass on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs.

For more information visit: www.ufcfightpass.com

ABOUT MURPHYS BOXING

Murphys Boxing was founded by Dropkick Murphys’ frontman, Ken Casey in 2014. In just 5 short years, Murphys Boxing has become the premier boxing promoter in the New England area and one of the hottest young promotions in the country. 2018 was a breakout year for Murphys Boxing as they took their first fighter to a world title. Along with the promotion’s first champion, several Murphys Boxing fighters secured world title opportunities and nationally televised fights in 2018. Murphys Boxing closed out their banner year by co-promoting the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondokwa in front of over 10,000 fans at the TD Garden, the legendary home of the Boston Celtics, which was broadcast internationally on DAZN. Murphys Boxing’s current roster features world ranked contenders like Mark DeLuca, Charles Foster, Abraham Nova, Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan, Greg Vendetti and undefeated prospects like Niall Kennedy, Carlos Gongora, William Foster III, Luis Arcon Diaz and more.

For more information visit: www.murphysboxing.com