AUDIO: Isaac Cruz Post Fight Press Conference after knockout over Diego Magdaleno
In his 1st Pay-Per-View Headline appearance, Geronta Davis did not disappoint as he scored a sensational 6th round stoppage over Leo Santa Cruz and is now the the WBA Super Featherweight and Lightweight champion in a bout that was in front over 9,000 fans at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The fight started out at a blistering pace with both guys throwing and landing lots of shots in the opening frame. The fight was on pretty much even terms over the next four-plus rounds with each guy taking turns being the boss in the contest.
Santa Cruz was effect with his combination punching, while Davis waiting on his left uppercut. He was not disappointed as he landed a head turnimg shot in round six that knocked Santa Cruz completely out as he plummeted into the bottom of the ring post and the fight was stopped at 2:40 of round six.
Davis, 129.8 lbs of Baltimore, MD is now 24-0 with 23 knockouts. Santa Cruz, 129.5 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is 37-2-1.
GERVONTA DAVIS
“The uppercut wasn’t the key coming into the fight, but I adapted to what he was bringing. I knew he was taller and crouching down and moving forward. Once he moved forward, I tried to jab and make him run into the shot.
“In the first couple of rounds I wasn’t really warmed up. I could tell that he was trying to counter off of me, so I just adapted to what he was doing.
“He was right there for it. He punches, but he doesn’t try to get out of the way. There was nowhere for him to go on that knockout because I got him into the corner.
“Leo is a tough warrior and a strong Mexican fighter. He came ready for me. I was just the better fighter tonight.
“I want to maintain both belts. Whatever decision me and my team comes up with, we’ll go with it. I’m not ducking or dodging anybody.
“I’m a pay-per-view star. Everybody knows I’m number one and I showed it tonight. I’m going to continue to show people all over the world that I’m the best. I don’t have to call anybody else out. I’m the top dog. Just line them up and I’ll knock them out.”
“I was just breaking him down. He’s tough and was trying to play it off, but I could tell that he was breaking down. He wanted to keep fighting back.
“He touched me with shots early that I wasn’t supposed to get touched with. I started settling down and listening to my coach and Floyd. There’s a lot of pressure early in the fight. Floyd was just telling me to stay calm. I always want to go out and get at them, but Floyd always says, I’m a 12-round fighter.
“Everyone has their opinion, but I always felt like I’m the biggest star in the sport. I don’t need to go talk about other fighters.
“This is an amazing feeling. This is just the start. I have to thank everyone who helped me get to this point.
“I saw in round one that he was countering my jab. I knew he was coming with more than one punch. I started getting out of the way after I got my shots off. Once I started going to his body, I started to break him down. He had a lot of heart, and his mind told him to keep pushing through it.
“We worked on the uppercut, but it was really me adapting to the timing of the fight. He was blocking the uppercut at first. So I started switching it up and throwing hooks when he thought the uppercut was coming.
“I didn’t get tired at any point in the fight. If he kept the pace up, I was going to box around him. I have to thank my whole team for getting me into top shape.
“I didn’t take too much punishment so I’m just going to take a week or a week and a half off and get back to Las Vegas. At this point it’s best for me to stay in the gym so I’m going to keep that up.
“It’s not up to me to say who’s on the pound-for-pound list. Me and my team believe that I’m on it. The people see what’s going on and they see what’s happening tonight.
“I knew I had the speed and power advantage coming into the fight. But he caught me a couple times. So it was more about timing than speed.
“I feel strong at 130 pounds. It’s just up to me to stay in the gym. I feel good at the weight. But if there’s a good opportunity at 135 I’m ready to make it happen.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER
“It was an amazing performance. I’m just happy for him. I know how he feels. I used to be that same kid sitting right here. It feels great to be on this side and able to give back knowledge to help him grow. If anybody can become a household name, it’s this kid right here.
“’Tank’ had a long training camp and we’re going to enjoy this victory. ‘Tank’ is the top dog. He’s on pay-per-view for a reason. We don’t want to start calling out names. We want to let him go home and enjoy himself with his family and team. He’s going to keep proving to the world that he’s the best.”
CALVIN FORD
“I thought Leo was going to box more. But that’s what makes Leo a great champion. He comes to fight. He did some things to ‘Tank’ that I didn’t like to see.
“That uppercut is a shot we’ve been working on for a while. If you listen you can hear me telling him to shoot the uppercut. Leo was pressing the issue and coming to him. He was hitting ‘Tank’ to the body a lot, but ‘Tank’ found a place to land the shot. At the end of the day, ‘Tank’ closed the show.”
Barrios Stops Karl in 6 to Retain 140 lb. Title
Mario Barrios stopped a bloody and battered Ryan Karl in round six to retain the WBA Super Lightweight title.
In round six, Barrios dropped Karl with a hard right hand. Later in the round a clash of heads opened up a nasty gash on the forehead of Karl. Karl fought with all of heart but then ate another left hand that dropped him face-first and the fight was stopped at 2:23.
Barrios, 139.5 lbs of San Antonio is now 26-0 with 17 knockouts. Karl, 140 lbs of Milanon, TX is 18-3.
Tonight’s Alamodome attendance is: 9,024
MARIO BARRIOS
“It took a minute to get used to his pressure, he was very awkward. I eventually found my rhythm as the rounds started progressing.
“I’d give myself a B. I had a little trouble finding my jab because of his pressure. I thought I was slipping his shots well and finding my shots up the middle.
“He was throwing with bad intentions. He landed some punches. But there wasn’t anything that hurt me or that threw me off.
“I’m very excited by the outcome of this fight. It’s an honor to be the first fighter from San Antonio to defend his world title.
“I’m in the sport to give fans exciting fights. A fight with Regis Prograis would be huge. That’s a fight that’s very likely to happen.
“I didn’t feel any ring rust tonight. I was just being patient and I was ready for a 12 round fight. I was just taking my time, picking my spots and avoiding his wild shots.
“I’m one of the stronger fighters at 140. I showed I carried my power for 12 rounds against Batyr Akhemdov. I think the rest of the division should take notice of that.
“Part of my style is attacking the body. I’ve always been a fan of body shots. They really pay off in the 12 round fights in the middle and late rounds. I knew Ryan’s style and I knew I had to slow him down so he wouldn’t be so rough for 12 rounds.
“This fight is for everybody who came out here in San Antonio tonight. I told them we’d get this first title defense, and I hope everyone enjoyed it.
“I’ve known Ryan a long time. I knew he was going to come hard at me, but I also knew that it was his only chance. I was just being patient and picking my shots. I started to really land them and got him out of there.
“I was ready to go a hard 12 rounds, but my patience helped me get him out of there. I listened to what Virgil was telling me in the corner. It was great to get the job done here at home
“Virgil has meant so much to me. He’s more than a coach to me. He’s a mentor and like a part of my family.”
Ryan Karl:
“I feel fine. Hard hit that I got hit with. It was a tough fight, good fight, close fight I felt like. Good headbutt, bleeding pretty good but overall I feel fine. I’m not a sore loser. I come to fight, that’s what I expected was a fight. And so congrats to Mario on the win. We’ll move on from here.
“I wish the referee never would’ve stopped it. That’s how I feel about fights. I felt like I wanted to fight, I wanted a chance to get up and continue. But it is what it is. That’s his job, he has his and I have mine. And we obviously have different mindsets, because I’m the one fighting. But of course, like I said I would always like to continue if I have a chance.
“He’s a good fighter. He beat me. I felt like if I would’ve had more rounds it could’ve been different, but he’s a very good fighter and I take nothing from him.
“Hopefully another shot is next. That’s really all I want. I’m game and I’m here to fight.”
Prograis Stops Heraldez in 3
Regis Prograis stopped previously undefeated Juan Heraldez in round three of a scheduled 10-round junior welterweight fight.
In round three, Prograis dropped Heraldez with a blistering left. Herladez never was able to get back into the fight as Prograis pounded Herladez with more left hands until the fight was stopped at 1:23.
Prograis, 141.6 lbs of Houston, TX is 25-1 with 21 knockouts. Heraldez, 139.5 lbs of Las Vegas is 16-1-1.
Photo Credit: Esther Lin / SHOWTIME
FLASH QUOTES:
Regis Prograis
“I’ve been out of the ring for a year so I think that had some effect on me not making weight. There’s no excuses, but the bubble also had some effect. Mainly it was the layoff though. My body wasn’t adjusted to making the weight again.
“My wife just told me to get this over with because she’s due to give birth any minute now. I’m living two hours away from here so I’m going home right after this.
“I still feel like I’m the best at 140. I’m going to keep proving it every time I fight. Me and Josh Taylor had a close fight, and I think if it had happened in the U.S. U would have won. We know that one day we’ll have to rematch at 140 or 147.
“It went pretty well. I congratulate Juan because he was a tough opponent for me to get back against. I’m just glad to be back. My grandpa died on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and this win is dedicated to him.
“If the Barrios thing is on the table in the future, then we’ll do that.”
Juan Heraldez
“I thought it was an early stoppage. I was just getting warm, loose. He stunned me, but I don’t think they should’ve stopped the fight. I just thought it was an early stoppage.”
Cruz Destroys Magdaleno in 53 seconds
Isaac Cruz destroyed former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno in 53 seconds of their 10-round lightweight bout.
Cruz came out and landed a heavy barrage of punches that sent Magdaleno down in the opening 30 seconds. Upon getting up, Magdaleno ate a even heavier barrage that culminated by a devastating uppercut that sent Magdaleno down and the fight was stopped.
Cruz, 132 lbs of Mexico City is 20-1-1 with 15 knockouts. Magdaleno, 134.75 lbs of Las Vegas is 32-4.
Isaac Cruz
“The new Mike Tyson from Mexico was born tonight.
“I thought it would go longer tonight, but my natural instinct is always to go for it in the first round. I have confidence that I could win the world title right now. I thought it was a statement win. From now, on hopefully everyone will know my name and I’ll get the big fights.
“I would love a Teofimo Lopez fight. I’m very motivated right now. If he’s tough enough to take it, bring it on. I’m happy to be in this position in the division.
“My team did a great job getting me ready and I knew that I had to be prepared for a big fight no matter what else is going on. I trained for three months for this fight and was happy to be able to perform in front of an audience. If I get another fight right now, I’ll take it right away and do the same thing.”
Diego Magdaleno
“I don’t want to make any excuses but I’ve been fighting some heartburn. But he came out swinging and I was trying to adjust in there. I guess I was just fighting two different things in there. You know, stung cold, and got hit. That’s it.”
Follow All the action as Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz battle for the WBA Junior Lightweight and Lightweight World Titles. The card begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT with a three fight undercard featuring Mario Barrios defending the WBA Super Lightweight title against Ryan Karl. Regis Prograis takes on Juan Heraldez; Isaac Cruz fights Diego Magdaleno.
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12 ROUNDS–WBA LIGHTWEIGHT AND JR. LIGHTWEIGHT TITLES–GERVONTA DAVIS (23-0, 22 KOS) VS LEO SANTA CRUZ (37-1-1, 19 KOS) | |||||||||||||
ROUND | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
DAVIS* | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | KO | 48 | ||||||
SANTA CRUZ | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 47 |
Round 1: Counter uppercut from Davis..Body shot from Santa Cruz..Uppercut from Davis…Blood from the bridge of Santa Cruz nose..Trading rights..Counter right from Santa Cruz..Davis Pushed down..Right to body y Santa Cruz
Round 2 Right from Santa Cruz..Davis Throws Santa Cruz down on purpose..Santa Cruz lands a flurry on the ropes..Good counter uppercut from Davis
Round 3 Counter left from Davis..Left from Santa Cruz..Left hook..Left..2 Lefts from Davis…Body..
Round 4 Left uppercut and right hook from Davis..Left hook from Santa Cruz..Lead right hook from Davis..Jab from Santa Cruz..Double jab;eft from Davis..Left..Jab to the body
Round 5 Counter left from Davis and another…Right from Santa Cruz..Right hook from Davis
Round 6 Right t o body from Santa Cruz..Nice Right..Mouse under the right eye of Davis..Combination from Santa Cruz..Low Blow from Davis..Left from Davis…Davis landing shots…Combination back from Santa Cruz….HUGE UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES SANTA CRUZ AND HE IS KNOCKED OUT COLD
12 ROUNDS–WBA SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE–MARIO BARRIOS (25-0, 16 KOS) VS RYAN KARL (18-2, 12 KOS) | |||||||||||||
ROUND | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
BARRIOS | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 50 | |||||||
KARL | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 45 |
Round 1 Left to body from Barrios..Hard left hook
Round 2 Left hook to body from Barrios…Right from Karl and another right..Chopping right from Barrios…Counter left hook to the body..Bllod from Nose of Karl..Counter right and counter left
Round 3 Lead Left drives Karl back..Right and left from Karl..Body shot from Barrios…Check hook
Round 4 Nice left hook to the body from Barrios..2 left hooks..Right Uppercut..Jab staggers Karl
Round 5 Body shot from Barrios…Jab..Right from Karl
Round 6 Thudding Punches from Barrios…BIG RIGHT AND KARL DROPS TO A KNEE….Straight from Karl..Karl cut on his forehead (Clash of Heads)..Right from Karl…Blood very bad…Doctor checks Karl..Says he can go on..Big uppercut from Karl….BIG RLEFT AND DOWN GOES KARL…FIGHT OVER
10 Rounds–Super Lightweights–Regis Prograis (24-1, 20 KOs) vs Juan Heraldez (16-0-1, 10 KOs) | |||||||||||||
ROUND | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
Prograis* | 10 | 10 | TKO | 20 | |||||||||
Heraldez | 9 | 9 | 18 |
Round 1: Heraldez trying to counter…Overhand left from Prograis..Straight left..Hard left
Round 2 Combination from Conceicao..Prograis lands a left
Round 3 2 left from Heraldez..COUNTER LEFT AND DOWN GOES HERALDEZ.. 4 Lefts from Prograis AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED
10 Rounds–Lightweights–Isaac Cruz (19-1-1, 14 KOs) vs Diego Magdaleno (32-3, 13 KOs) | |||||||||||||
ROUND | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
Cruz* | KO | ||||||||||||
Magdaleno |
Round 1 Cruz going right at Magdaleno AND DOWN GOES MAGDALENO..HARD BARRAGE AND HUGE UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES MAGDALENO AND THE FIGHT IS OVER
SAN ANTONIO, TX – October 28, 2020 – Fighters competing on the Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) undercard previewed their respective matchups at a final press conference Wednesday before they square off this Saturday, October 31 from Alamodome in San Antonio in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The press conference featured unbeaten San Antonio native and WBA Super Lightweight Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios and hard-hitting Ryan “Cowboy” Karl, who meet in the co-main event, plus former super lightweight world champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis and unbeaten contender Juan Heraldez, who square off in in a 10-round showdown, and lightweight contenders Isaac Cruz and Diego Magdaleno, who battle in an IBF title eliminator to kick off the pay-per-view.
Davis vs. Santa Cruz is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions, GTD Promotions and Santa Cruz Boxing Club. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. The Alamodome has implemented a comprehensive health and safety plan to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. All fans attending the event will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask as well as follow social distancing guidelines. Tickets will be distributed in seat blocks known as “pods” to maintain distance between groups not from the same party. For more information, visit Alamodome.com.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Wednesday:
MARIO BARRIOS
“I’m super excited to be back home for my first title defense. Come Saturday night, it’s going to be an explosive night of boxing throughout this whole card. I’m trying to steal the show in the co-main event.
“I don’t feel any pressure. I’m fighting at home and defending my title, so it’s just a dream come true. You have an Aztec warrior and a Texas cowboy going at it. I couldn’t imagine a better co-main event.
“We had another great camp with Virgil Hunter in California. I’m excited to continue to show everyone why I’m the best in my division.
“Ryan definitely comes to fight. He’s known for being a pressure fighter. I’ve always considered myself a boxer-puncher. I’ll try to use my jab and fight from the outside as much as I can. But I’ve been known to brawl on the inside as well. It’s going to end up being a fan-friendly fight.
“I’m a complete fighter. I have the speed and power. I also have height and length. I carry my power throughout twelve rounds. I’m a dangerous fighter from the opening bell until the very end.
“You’re going to see a completely different fighter on Saturday night. My last fight I showed the warrior that I am, and during the championship rounds, I made big things happen. Saturday night, I’m going to show everyone how I’ve improved.”
RYAN KARL
“You’re going to see a great fight on Saturday. We are going to steal the show, because I’ve come prepared. I’m at my very best and it’s going to make me victorious. We put the work in. I’m going to seize this opportunity now that I have it.
“I’m not worried about getting a knockout. I just have to be victorious and become champion. Nothing else matters.
“I’m healthy and injury free now. It’s been over two years since I could say that. It’s a new start in a way. I’m listening better and my corner is the best it’s ever been. I expect it to be a very explosive and exciting fight.
“I’ve known Barrios since the amateurs, but it never crossed my mind that we’d fight because he was much smaller than me then. He’s matured and gotten a lot bigger now, so I’m anticipating he’ll bring the fight to me on Saturday.
“I come to fight, I’m rough and ready and I’m coming to win any way possible. It doesn’t matter to me. I’ve never been in a boring fight. Win, lose or draw, you’ll always get your money’s worth.”
REGIS PROGRAIS
“I’m excited to be here. Training has been amazing. I just want to go out there and prove that I’m still the best at 140 pounds. I was number one for a long time. This is the first step toward getting my belts back. I’ve been training differently than ever before. I’m really living like a fighter right now. I just have to go out and do what I know I have to do.
“I need a stoppage or a shutout. That’s what I’m looking for. He’s an okay fighter. I don’t want to degrade him too much, because I just feel like I’m the better fighter.
“This is my first step toward proving I’m still the best. You sit and go over the fight a million times in your head and it usually never goes that way. I’m just going to do me and show the world that I’m still here. I train too hard not to be number one. I don’t want to be behind anybody.
“We’re all going to do our thing Saturday night. It’s a huge stacked card. Order SHOWTIME PPV and watch me mess Heraldez up.
“I’m just taking it one fight at a time right now. The landscape in boxing changes all the time. I’m not worried about anything else other than Juan Heraldez.”
JUAN HERALDEZ
“I’m going to go out there and show everyone what the sweet science is all about. It’s about hitting and not getting hit. That’s my game plan.
“I believe that my style is exactly what boxing is all about. I have more advantages in my game than he does. I’m going to make sure that everyone sees it on Saturday night.
“Prograis had his chance to be elite, now it’s my time. He fought Taylor and lost. I didn’t really even watch more than a couple of rounds of that fight though, because I’m a completely different fighter than him.
“Prograis is a step up on paper, but all that goes out the window once we’re in the ring. It’s about boxing skills and toughness. I’ve been boxing all my life, so I don’t think I’m stepping up to him.
“I can box and I can punch. There’s not going to be anything else that needs to be said or done. This fight is going to prove to everyone that I have great boxing skills. It’s going to put me in a position to earn respect, win belts and make more money.
“I don’t think he’s going to be able to land clean shots on me because of my defense. You’ll have to ask him afterwards how hard I punch. I know his eye was really swollen after his last fight. Plan on seeing him look the same on Saturday.”
ISAAC CRUZ
“I’m very happy to be here in San Antonio. I’ve been doing a lot of sparring for this fight, especially against southpaws. I’ve sparred over 200 rounds so I will be at my very best on Saturday night.
“I came to fight, I came to steal the show, and I came for the victory. I don’t need to talk too much. I can talk with my fists on Saturday.
“I’m very prepared to give Diego Magdaleno a great fight. I’m a classic Mexican fighter who keeps coming forward. I throw a lot of punches and I don’t break down after the early rounds. I love to give a good show.
“I’m facing a good fighter with a lot of experience. He’s had a lot of tough fights, but we came very well prepared to take the victory with us.
“After this fight, people will not be able to forget my name. I’m ready to keep giving more and more in the future.”
DIEGO MAGDALENO
“I’ve fought in Texas so many times and I love fighting in front of these real fight fans. This started back in February when I kicked off 2020 with a roar. I was one of the last fights with a crowd, and now I’m back here with a crowd again. I’m relishing in the energy of this event.
“It’s my birthday and I’ve never felt this great. The whole world is right in front of me and I just have to go out and grab it.
“I’m bringing something huge on Saturday. You’ve never seen Diego on this much ‘fuego’ before. I never stopped believing in myself and that’s why I’m here today.
“I know I have to stay focused and stick to the game plan. I’m going to be true to myself. I have to be smart and everything else will be taken care of.”
LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions
“Since we first started Mayweather Promotions we’ve promoted over 20 pay-per-view fights, and I have to say that from top to bottom, this is one of the most stacked undercards we’ve had. That will bring nothing but excitement for the fans come Saturday.
“The opening fight is an outstanding lightweight fight with Isaac Cruz taking on the always exciting Diego Magdaleno in a title eliminator in one of boxing’s hottest divisions.
“Then we roll into former world champion Regis Prograis, who is always in entertaining bouts, taking on Mayweather Promotions’ own unbeaten Juan Heraldez. These guys have gone back and forth during the promotion. Heraldez has told me he thinks Regis is an average fighter, and Regis has talked his trash too. They get to settle it on Saturday night. This has the potential to steal the show.
“The co-main event is an all-Texas showdown with Mario Barrios against Ryan Karl. This will definitely be an exciting bout. They both have highly respected trainers in Virgil Hunter and Ronnie Shields. So you know they will be extremely well prepared. From top to bottom we have a very entertaining undercard, so make sure to tune-in Saturday night.”
ABOUT DAVIS VS. SANTA CRUZ
Davis vs. Santa Cruz will see three-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and four-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz battle for the WBA Super Featherweight and WBA Lightweight Championships headlining a SHOWTIME PPV Saturday, October 31 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The stacked undercard will feature unbeaten San Antonio native and WBA Super Lightweight Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios defending his title against hard-hitting Ryan “Cowboy” Karl in the co-main event and former super lightweight world champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis will take on unbeaten contender Juan Heráldez in a 10-round showdown. In the telecast opener, lightweight contenders Isaac Cruz and Diego Magdaleno will battle in an IBF title eliminator bout.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromotions, @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions/.
NEW YORK – October 13, 2020 – Fighters competing on the Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) undercard previewed their respective showdowns during a virtual press conference Tuesday before they meet in the ring on Saturday, October 31 from the Alamodome in San Antonio in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The event featured unbeaten San Antonio native and WBA Super Lightweight Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios and hard-hitting Ryan “Cowboy” Karl, who meet in the co-main event, plus former super lightweight world champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis and unbeaten contender Juan Heraldez, who square off in in a 10-round showdown, and lightweight contenders Isaac Cruz and Diego Magdaleno, who battle in an IBF title eliminator to kick off the pay-per-view.
The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions, GTD Promotions and Santa Cruz Boxing Club. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. The Alamodome has implemented a comprehensive health and safety plan to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. All fans attending the event will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask as well as follow social distancing guidelines. Tickets will be distributed in seat blocks known as “pods” to maintain distance between groups not from the same party. For more information, visit Alamodome.com
Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:
MARIO BARRIOS
“I’m super amped for this type of fight. Ryan and I have known each other forever and we know the style that the other person will bring to the ring. For the fans at Alamodome and watching on pay-per-view, they’re in for a great fight.
“I couldn’t be happier to be in one of the first fights with a crowd since the pandemic. Having my first defense be in my hometown of San Antonio is huge. The feedback I’ve been getting so far from my fans has been incredible. Onfight night that we’ll both have our fan bases there for an exceptional night of boxing.
“I know that come fight night I’ll be facing the best version of Ryan Karl that we’ve seen. He’s training the same way and expecting that from me. So it’s going to be an action-packed fight and the fans will not be disappointed.
“I don’t feel any pressure fighting at home. Every time I fight at home, the energy has been unreal. If anything, it’s more motivating.
“We’ve watched my fight against Batyr Akhmedov a couple times. I’m a warrior and I showed that in the fight. We made all the changes we needed to in this camp and I’m going to show them on October 31.
“I’m very proud of the Akhmedov fight. Every great fighter has had close fights like that. It was a learning experience.
“I know the route that Karl has had throughout his career and I know he’s taking this opportunity and coming 100% ready. I’m planning to keep the world title in San Antonio, so it’s going to be a great battle.”
RYAN KARL
“This fight is going to be a big deal. It’s really surreal, to an extent. We’re very excited and working really hard and putting in the work. It couldn’t be better that it is taking place in Texas with fans. It’s going to be a big Texas showdown.
“I’ve definitely evolved as a fighter. I’ve trained harder than I ever have before. Ronnie [Shields] has talked to me about staying calm and getting ready for the moment and what it means to be in a world title fight. It’s about just staying focused and handling business. We have to remember we are there for business and nothing else. This is no pleasure but all work, no play. And he’s keeping me focused on those things and getting me in the best shape of my life.
“I’ve known Mario forever so as far as knowing each other and styles, we’re familiar. But we’ve never been in the ring with each other so we are really just guessing what we are going to do in there. As far as how we’ll come out and fight, we really won’t know until we are in there with each other.
“I expect it to be a fan-friendly fight. A true Texas fight. As far as how it’s going to play out, I really don’t know. People make adjustments in the ring. I expect us both to come to win and do so at all costs and just make it a very, very fan-friendly fight.
“I don’t really feel any pressure for this fight at all. It really doesn’t make any difference to me that we are fighting in San Antonio, or not. It’s nice to be fighting in Texas because I’m a Texan and I’d like to fight here and never have to leave. But I don’t feel any pressure at all. I’ll fight anybody, anywhere. There’s nobody else in the ring but me and him so it doesn’t really matter in the end.”
REGIS PROGRAIS
“I’m very excited for my first fight as part of the PBC stable. I’ve been wanting to come over to this side for a long time and it’s finally happening. When something bad happens, something good usually happens off of that so this is perfect. I’m in Katy, Texas, which is a two-hour drive from San Antonio, is a big fight town. Plus, this is the first fight back where we’re having fans. Everything is working out perfectly and I’m so excited to be on such a big card and to get back in the ring.
“I still feel like I’m the best in the world at 140 pounds. In the Josh Taylor fight, I went over there to England, fought in front of over 20,000 people who were all against me and I still feel like I won the fight. I won’t say they robbed me because that’s not what happened, but I still feel like I won the fight. I feel like I’m the best in the division and I need to keep proving it. This is another step for me.
“My next move depends on what’s offered to me. But first off, I have a tough fight in front of me. I’m focused on Juan Heraldez. There are a lot of things on the table for me after this, but I have to get past him first. I do yearn to be a champion at 140 pounds again before I move up to welterweight. That is the plan. But the landscape of boxing changes so much that it’s so hard to predict. You never know what’s going to happen.
“There are a lot of people out there right now for me to fight. Adrien Broner, Josh Taylor, Jose Ramirez. Me and Josh Taylor are definitely going to fight each other again. No matter what, we have to fight. The fight was too close and it was too much of a big deal out there in the U.K. for that not to happen again. I definitely want to fight Ramirez. I feel like he’s ducked me for a little while. And the Broner fight could definitely be a huge fight. All of those names are who I’m looking for. But it’s one step at a time and it’s Juan Heraldez next.
“The Taylor fight definitely showed me that there are things I need to improve on. Going into that fight, I questioned myself if I could fight 12 hard rounds. I had only gone 12 rounds against Terry Flanagan but that was a boxing lesson, not 12 hard rounds. I fought 12 hard, hard rounds against Taylor so it was kind of a question in my head before that. Now I know that I can do it. Josh Taylor is a very big puncher and I took his punches like it was nothing. As far as things I need to work on, I guess we’ll see. But I’ve been working really hard and I’ve been in training camp since before the pandemic started. I had a lot of fights that didn’t happen so I’ve been working that whole time, working on different things and busting my ass. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get to the top spot at 140 pounds.”
JUAN HERALDEZ
“In my last fight against Argenis Mendez I learned that I have to really control of the fight. I can’t let there be 50-50 rounds and leave it in the judges’ hands. I have to take as much control as I can over the fight.
“On paper Prograis has a good resume, but when it comes to skills in the ring, it’s a totally different thing. People can say what they want, but skills pay the bills.
“I’ve only watched a couple of rounds against Josh Taylor because that was a fight against a southpaw. I don’t think I can take much from that. I’m a totally different fighter.
“I just believe in my skills and ability. Whether it’s my footwork, speed or overall ability, I don’t believe that he does anything better than me. He had his time at the top of the division, but now it’s my time. It’s my time to shine.
“After this fight I think the whole division is going to fear me. I think it’s going to be hard to find me a fight after I’m through with Regis.”
ISAAC CRUZ
“[Magdaleno] is definitely a good fighter and has a lot of experience, but me and my team are ready to take advantage of the experience we have and to use it for our purposes to be able to prevail in this fight.
“The fact that this will be the first big fight with fans in the stands in the United States just fills me with happiness. It motivates me even more to do my best at the Alamodome on October 31.
“The Mexican fans know what I’m all about. We will now head over to the United States and show the American fans what Isaac Cruz is capable of. I know I can be a contender with the likes of Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia and [Vasiliy] Lomachenko and show people that there is another Mexican fighter that can be a contender and make noise in this division.
“I’m prepared for his experience. It’s going to be a great fight from the start, but as the rounds go on, he will start to realize the fighter I am and the power that I’m capable of.”
DIEGO MAGDALENO
“This is my second fight with my trainer, Bones Adams. It’s a family affair. Boxing is family to me. Going into every fight, being a mature old man that they are calling me nowadays, it feels good because I know where my priorities are. My last win over Austin Dulay was huge because my last team that I had was pretty much saying that I was old, that I was washed up and done. I didn’t like that idea. I went back and rejuvenated my whole team. Rejuvenation over here is Bones Adams.
“You’re never too old to get better and we’re here to serve beatdowns to the young guys. My last opponent was 24 years old coming over to face an old man, and I proved the world wrong. Now everybody is believing again in ‘2FUEGO’. I’m going to start this show off with some fire. They have me opening the show on a stacked card and I’m going to get in there and give it my all.
“I’m surrounded by people who want me to progress. If I believe in myself, I want my team to believe in me and I felt that my old team didn’t believe in me. That’s why you saw what happened in that Teofimo Lopez fight. I’ve learned from my mistakes and moving forward I have positive gym vibes. I have a great coach who has been in the ring with me and knows me personally. I definitely made a huge change and look what I did against Dulay, a guy with vicious knockout power. Numbers and strategies can say one thing, but at the end of the day, when we get in the ring, it’s up to me to prove everyone wrong like I did in my last fight.
“I will be the first fight back with a crowd and I think that favors me. I fight off other people’s energy and you guys will all see that on October 31.”
ABOUT DAVIS VS. SANTA CRUZ
Davis vs. Santa Cruz will see three-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and four-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz battle for the WBA Super Featherweight and WBA Lightweight Championships headlining a SHOWTIME PPV Saturday, October 31 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The stacked undercard will feature unbeaten San Antonio native and WBA Super Lightweight Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios defending his title against hard-hitting Ryan “Cowboy” Karl in the co-main event and former super lightweight world champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis will take on unbeaten contender Juan Heraldez in a 10-round showdown. In the telecast opener, lightweight contenders Isaac Cruz and Diego Magdaleno will battle in an IBF title eliminator bout.
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NEW YORK – October 9, 2020 – Former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno shared insights into his training camp as he nears an IBF Lightweight Title Eliminator bout against Isaac Cruz that kicks off SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) action on Saturday, October 31 from the Alamodome in San Antonio in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
“This is my second fight working with ‘Bones’ Adams out of his gym in Las Vegas,” said Magdaleno. “I’ve actually known him since I was nine-years-old, so I consider him like my best friend. I trust him with my life. I’ve spent some time training for this fight in Scipio, Utah too, pulling hay bales and doing all sorts of interesting drills. I’ve gotten in some good sparring here in Vegas, and I even went out to California for some sparring, too.
“I was on one of the last fight cards pre-pandemic, and I’m honored to be on the first fight card with a live crowd since the pandemic began. It’s been a hectic year, but I’m happy with where things are for me heading into this fight. Coach Adams has been doing a great job with training, but he also handles my strength and conditioning. He’s got a huge gym with a lot of motivated fighters and it’s great to be around that kind of atmosphere. And my fiancé has been handling my nutrition for my last four fights. So, it’s great to have her involved also.”
Magdaleno returns to action after upsetting Austin Dulay in Dulay’s hometown of Nashville, Tenn. in February, dropping him in round seven on his way to a 10-round unanimous decision. He credits his team in training camp for the impressive performance against Dulay.
“I’ve always taken pride in being a professional, but I learned that I can be very dangerous with the right team around me,” said Magdaleno. “I went into that fight kind of being considered a steppingstone for Dulay, but I showed that I’m still a strong fighter. People counted me out and they made a mistake. I’m just super happy that I found Coach Adams and got a proper team organized around me. I was able to change people’s minds with just one fight. Now I’m in a title eliminator, and with a win on October 31, I’ll have my third shot at a world title.”
The 33-year-old has come up short in his most high-profile fights to date, dropping title bouts to Terry Flanagan and Roman Martinez, in addition to a 2019 loss against current lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez. With those experiences and an improved training structure around him, Magdaleno believes the lessons he’s taken from those fights will be instrumental going forward.
“The biggest thing that I’ve learned is to stay calm,” said Magdaleno. “When I start thinking too far ahead, that’s when things go wrong. Coach Adams has a great way of keeping me grounded and composed. He knows how to simplify things for me and communicate exactly what I need to do, which makes it less stressful for me. And we’ve done some other things, like correcting my footwork and the angles that I use.”
In the 22-year-old Cruz, Magdaleno will be opposed by a fast-rising and exciting Mexican fighter looking to make a mark in his biggest fight to date. With an 11-year age gap, Magdaleno plans to use his extensive experience to his advantage on October 31.
“Cruz is something I’ve seen before,” said Magdaleno. “I’ve fought lots of Mexican-style fighters like him who don’t have a lot of technical skill but possess a come-forward style. So, I think I’ll be able to go back to what I know. I’ll just have to stay fluid and pick Cruz apart. He’s a guy who likes to fight on the inside and throw lots of overhand punches and hooks. I’ll break him down like I did my last opponent.”
Magdaleno will look to continue his career renaissance against Cruz and put himself back on track for another world title opportunity. With all that he’s been through during his career, Magdaleno remains highly motivated to prove critics wrong and achieve his goal of becoming a world champion.
“What I know is that when everyone counts you out, you just have to believe in yourself,” said Magdaleno. “When I decide to hang up the gloves, it’ll be because I want to, not because others say I should. I have my confidence back now and I’m very happy with where I’m going
. Being one shot away from the title that I dreamed of as a child is a huge motivating factor for me. And I fight for my family, too. I’m a different person now. I’m more mature and I think I’ll be able to prove that to people in this fight.”
ABOUT DAVIS VS. SANTA CRUZ
Davis vs. Santa Cruz will see three-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and four-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz battle for the WBA Super Featherweight and WBA Lightweight Championships headlining a SHOWTIME PPV Saturday, October 31 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The stacked undercard will feature unbeaten San Antonio native and WBA Super Lightweight Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios defending his title against hard-hitting Ryan “Cowboy” Karl in the co-main event and former super lightweight world champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis will take on unbeaten contender Juan Heraldez in a 10-round showdown. In the telecast opener, lightweight contenders Isaac Cruz and Diego Magdaleno will battle in an IBF title eliminator bout.
The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions, GTD Promotions and Santa Cruz Boxing Club. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. The Alamodome has implemented a comprehensive health and safety plan to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. All fans attending the event will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask as well as follow social distancing guidelines. Tickets will be distributed in seat blocks known as “pods” to maintain distance between groups not from the same party. For more information, visit Alamodome.com
For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromotions, @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions/.
NEW YORK – October 2, 2020 – Three-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and four-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz will square off in a Halloween thriller for the WBA Super Featherweight and WBA Lightweight Championships live on SHOWTIME PPV Saturday, October 31 (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The four-fight pay-per-view card will be the first major boxing event with fans in attendance since COVID-19 forced a halt to U.S. sports in March.
The stacked undercard will feature unbeaten San Antonio native and WBA Super Lightweight Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios defending his title against hard-hitting Ryan “Cowboy” Karl in the co-main event and former super lightweight world champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis will take on unbeaten contender Juan Heraldez in a 10-round showdown. In the telecast opener, lightweight contenders Isaac Cruz and Diego Magdaleno will battle in an IBF title eliminator bout.
The highly anticipated main event will be contested at 130-pounds and will be fought for both Santa Cruz’s 130-pound title and Davis’ 135-pound title, which they each won in their previous fight. Two crowd favorites with massive followings, Davis vs. Santa Cruz is an all-action style matchup, with Davis owning a .957 knockout rate, while Santa Cruz is long established as one of the busiest punchers and best pressure fighters in the sport.
Davis vs. Santa Cruz will be a rare clash in boxing history in which world titles in two weight classes will be at stake. Other notable instances in recent boxing history are the 1988 Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Donny Lalonde fight for the light heavyweight and super middleweight titles, and the 2014 Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana rematch for the super welterweight and welterweight championships.
“I’m looking forward to showing the world how hard I’ve been working in camp,” said Davis. “We are just a few weeks away, and I’m already in great shape. Headlining on pay-per-view has always been a dream of mine since I started boxing. I can’t wait to put on a spectacular performance against multiple division world champion Leo Santa Cruz. Thank you to my team, SHOWTIME, Mayweather Promotions, GTD Promotions, and all my fans worldwide. Keep supporting me and I’ll fight for you.”
“October 31 is going to be the biggest fight of my career,” said Santa Cruz. “I’m going to fight a very tough opponent, maybe the toughest opponent of my career. Two titles are going to be on the line, and this will be my first time headlining a pay-per-view. So I’m going to do everything that I can to put on a good show. Davis is known for his power. But I think with my experience and ring IQ I can break him down. He’s probably going to be very aggressive in the early rounds. But if I do what I’m supposed to, and execute our game plan, I will win.’’
The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions, GTD Promotions and Santa Cruz Boxing Club.
“This fight between Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz is such a great fight that we had to have it with fans, which will be a first for a major boxing event since COVID-19 started,” said Floyd Mayweather, President of Mayweather Promotions and a 12-time, five-division world champion. “Tank’ Davis is a special talent, a super skilled fighter and I have been in the gym regularly to watch and help him prepare for a tough opponent in Santa Cruz, who we all know always comes in shape and ready to fight. It’s going to be a great night for Mayweather Promotions, for boxing and for sports. The best fighting the best is all we can ask for.”
“We continue with the tradition of offering boxing fans the best matchups in the hottest divisions, pitting the best versus the best,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “Tank Davis facing Leo Santa Cruz is one of the most exciting matchups of the year. You have a young, hungry star with devastating power in Davis and an experienced and absolutely relentless four-division champ looking to conquer a title in a fifth division. This is the type of matchup boxing fans have waited the entire year to watch. Two superstars in their toughest matchup to date battling for titles in two weight divisions at the same time.”
“Gervonta Davis is the most exciting fighter in the sport, and he’s set to headline his first pay-per-view card and set the world on fire,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “He’s up against an experienced, four-division world champion in Leo Santa Cruz, who is looking to take him down and hand him his first L on October 31.”
“Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz is one of the best matchups that can be made in boxing, with each fighter in position to score a career-defining victory,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “We’re excited to bring a historic showdown with world titles in two weight classes on the line to fans at the Alamodome. Davis vs. Santa Cruz presents a fascinating clash of styles, with Santa Cruz’s relentless pressure against Davis’ fight-changing power. Adding in three high-stakes undercard attractions, this pay-per-view is lined up to present drama in the ring from start to finish.”
Tickets will go on sale Monday, October 5 at 10 a.m. CT and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. This is the first major boxing event with fans in attendance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. in March. The Alamodome has implemented a comprehensive health and safety plan to protect against the spread of the virus. All fans attending the event will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask, as well as follow social distancing guidelines. Tickets will be distributed in seat blocks known as “pods” to maintain distance between groups not from the same party. For more information, visit Alamodome.com.
“The Alamodome is excited to host the Davis vs. Santa Cruz SHOWTIME PPV event and to bring these athletes to San Antonio,” said Steve Zito, General Manager, Alamodome. “Not only is this a great platform for these athletes and their fans, but the event will also spotlight San Antonio through nationally televised matches and generate economic impact for our community during these challenging times.”
Davis (23-0, 22 KOs) burst onto the scene with an explosive knockout victory over Jose Pedraza to win the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title in a star-making performance on SHOWTIME® in January 2017. At the time, he became the youngest world champion in boxing at age 22. In the ring, Davis blends controlled aggression with blazing hand and foot speed, eye-catching power and sublime boxing skills. The dynamic combination of skills has made Davis a fan-favorite who filled arenas in Atlanta, Ga., and his hometown of Baltimore, Md., last year.
The 25-year-old began his 2019 with a knockout of Hugo Ruiz in February, before scoring a second-round stoppage of Ricardo Núñez in his homecoming fight in July. Davis closed out the year by capturing his lightweight title via 12th round TKO of former champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in December. Davis also owns a title-winning performance in which he dominated former champion Jesus Cuellar to capture the WBA 130-pound belt in 2018. Under the guidance of Mayweather Promotions, Davis will look to further improve his impressive portfolio with another title-winning performance in his first pay-per-view main event.
Fighting out of Los Angeles, Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) made his debut at super featherweight last November by defeating Miguel Flores to capture the WBA title. Santa Cruz has made his name in the sport by engaging in numerous Fight of the Year contenders, including two thrilling featherweight title duels against four-time champion Abner Mares and two-division champion Carl Frampton each. He lost his featherweight title in his first match against Frampton in 2016, but reclaimed it in their rematch the following year.
The 32-year-old has competed in title bouts in 17 of his last 19 fights, while picking up belts at 118, 122, 126 and 130-pounds. The 130-pound title made Santa Cruz just the fifth fighter of Mexican descent to win titles in four weight classes, joining Oscar De La Hoya, Erik Morales, Jorge Arce and Mikey Garcia. Santa Cruz was introduced to the sport and trained throughout his career by his father Jose, along with his brothers Jose Armando, a former lightweight contender, and Antonio. Santa Cruz will look to become a five-division champion in his first pay-per-view headliner.
The 25-year-old Barrios (25-0, 16 KOs) will be making the first defense of his world title in his hometown of San Antonio. Barrios captured his 140-pound title in his last fight in September 2019, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision over then-unbeaten Batyr Akhmedov, dropping him twice and fighting through a cut suffered on a head butt. Barrios trains in Oakland, Calif. under the guidance of renowned coach Virgil Hunter. The five-foot ten-inch Barrios debuted as a super bantamweight in 2013, eventually moving up to 140-pounds full time in 2017 where he is 8-0 with seven knockouts.
“The long layoff is finally over and fans can expect to see me go to war with Ryan Karl, who I know is coming to bring an aggressive fight to the table,” said Barrios. “I’ve stayed in great shape during this past year, so now it’s time for me to keep giving boxing fans exciting fights. I’ll be representing my city of San Antonio and as always, everyone can expect to see me as explosive as ever. On October 31, all the fans watching on pay-per-view will watch me make a statement as I defend my title.”
Born in Milano, Texas and now trained in Houston under the tutelage of top trainer Ronnie Shields, Karl (18-2, 11 KOs) will step in for his first title opportunity on October 31. The 28-year-old enters this fight on a three-bout winning streak, with all three wins coming in 2019, including a knockout of Kevin Watts to avenge one of his losses in an immediate rematch. Karl also owns victories over Kareem Martin and then-unbeaten Jose Felix Quezada during his pro career that dates back to 2014.
“I’ve been training for this my whole life and I’m not going to let it slip away,” said Karl. “We’re working hard in training camp to put on the best performance of my career. We know what we’re up against in Mario Barrios, but I’ve come too far not to take full advantage of this opportunity on October 31.”
A staple of the 140-pound elite, Prograis (24-1, 20 KOs) returns to the ring after losing his title in an exciting unification clash via majority decision last October against Josh Taylor. The 31-year-old won his title by defeating Kiryl Relikh by TKO in April 2019 and has also earned stoppage victories over former unified champion Julius Indongo, and then-unbeaten contenders Joel Diaz Jr. and Juan Jose Velasco. Prograis was born in New Orleans but lives and fights out of Houston.
“This is a huge fight and I’m very thankful to PBC for giving me this opportunity,” said Prograis. “I haven’t fought in a year and since then I’ve done a lot of self-reflection and moved from L.A. back to Texas. I’m more focused than I’ve ever been and I can’t wait to get back to my number one spot in the super lightweight division. I have to be a world champion again and I won’t stop until that happens.”
The 30-year-old Heraldez (16-0-1, 10 KOs) can vault himself into the top tier of 140-pound contenders with a career-best victory over Prograis on October 31. Born in Northridge, Cal. and training out of the Mayweather Promotions gym in Las Vegas, Heraldez most recently fought to a majority draw last May against former champion Argenis Mendez. Heraldez’s pro career has also seen him score victories over previously unbeaten Jose Miguel Borrego and tough contender Eddie Ramirez.
“It’s been a crazy year, but I took this opportunity to spend time with my family and sharpen my skills inside the ring,” said Heraldez. “There’s been a lot of great sparring happening at the Mayweather Boxing Club that I’ve taken advantage of. I have a tough opponent in front of me, and that’s my only focus right now. I trust in my ability as a fighter and I trust my team to get me over the finish line with a victory on October 31. I’m thankful to Mayweather Promotions for putting me on such a large platform for this fight.”
Fighting out of his native Mexico City, Mexico, Cruz (19-1-1, 14 KOs) is unbeaten in his last 15 fights since dropping his sixth pro fight by decision. The 22-year-old knocked out 10-of-13 opponents between 2016 and 2018, before making his U.S. debut in December 2019. That contest saw Cruz earn a unanimous decision over Miguel Perez, which he followed up in February of this year by defeating Thomas Mattice by decision on ShoBox: The New Generation.
“Since I started boxing, it has been my dream to fight on this stage in the United States,” said Cruz. “I know that Diego Magdaleno is a very tough and experienced fighter, but it’s my time on October 31. The fans will see that I have what it takes to be world champion when I beat Magdaleno and announce myself as one of the best lightweights in the world.”
Magdaleno (32-3, 13 KOs) enters this fight coming off of an impressive victory over contender Austin Dulay in February that saw him drop Dulay on his way to a unanimous decision. The 33-year-old has challenged Roman Martinez for a 130-pound title and Terry Flanagan for a lightweight crown, while also battling lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez in February 2019. A Las Vegas native, Magdaleno has won four-of-five fights entering October 31, including a 10-round decision over Artyom Hovhannisyan.
“I’ve been super eager to get back into the ring since my last performance,” said Magdaleno. “That win sparked a fire in me and got me as motivated as I’ve ever been. Now that I’m in a title eliminator, I’m even more excited to return to action. I’m facing another young lion, but he’s lacking the experience that I have. Training with Bones Adams has made a world of difference in my career. I’ve made a transition to being more composed and smarter in the ring. I’m here to make a statement and claim what’s mine. I’m never going to back down until I get that world title.”
For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromo, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing
LAS VEGAS, NV (August 28, 2020) – Prince Ranch Boxing’s undefeated featherweight sensation, Ricky “El Castigo” Medina (7-0, 6 KOs), spent this past week in Las Vegas, NV, sparring with top level fighters. Medina shared the ring with Diego Magdaleno (32-3, 13 KOs), as well as other top prospects training in the boxing capitol of the world.
“I wanted to experience what it was like to train and spar in Las Vegas,” said Ricky Medina, who resides in San Antonio, TX. “In every gym that we entered, there was either a current or past world champion getting ready to work out. I got to meet Floyd Mayweather and Tank Davis. In addition, got some good tips from Bones Adams and Jorge Capetillo. Sparring with Magdaleno was great work. I can see myself holding training camps out there in the future.”
“The experience Medina got while sparring in Las Vegas is going to give him extra confidence as he takes his career to the next level.” said Greg Hannely, CEO of Prince Ranch Boxing. “He’s already a very confident fighter so this sparring tour will only enhance his game. I’m happy that he was able to share the ring with some great fighters.”
“Ricky Medina did really well with everyone he sparred,” said Rick Morones of TMB Entertainment, Medina’s promoter. “Las Vegas is where all the top sparring is at and I’m glad we got to get that work. Everyone was very nice, and Floyd Mayweather had some inspiring words in regard to Medina’s talent. about Median. I want to thank Greg Hannley and Bones Adams for letting us train at the Prince Ranch Boxing Gym.”
Caleb Plant thrilled his hometown fans as he stopped Vincent Feigenbutz in round 10 to retain his IBF Super Middleweight title title at The Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennesse.
It was a one-sided affair from the opening bell as Plant was bigger, faster and stronger then Feigenbutz, and Plant emphatically used all of those advantages.
Plant boxed extremely well against a square target that Feigenbutz well. Plant jabbed, ripped to the body and came back with left hooks that the German visitor had no answer for.
In round nine, Feigenbutz started bleeding from the nose and the stoppage was inevitable.
Finally in round 10, Plant landed another blistering combination and the fight was stopped at 2:23.
Plant, 166.8 lbs of Nashville is 20-0 with 12 knockouts. Feigenbutz, 165.2 lbs of Karfarube, GER is 31-2.
“I was super fueled by the crowd tonight,” Plant said. “I could have gone all night. The whole city came out. Nashville stand up!”
“I felt great out there,” said Plant. “I was relaxed and sharp. I told you I was going to stop this before the 12th round. I want to dedicate this to my daughter, to my mother, my grandfather and the whole city of Nashville.”
“Everyone knows I want that unification fight with David Benavidez,” Plant stated. “You know who the best 168-pounder is. If you want that, you’ve got to come see me. I want that fight; I’ve been asking for it and I’m tired of waiting!”
Abel Ramos, down on the cards, scored a last-second stoppage win over Bryant Perrella in a 10-round welterweight bout.
Perrella controlled the bout for most of the 29-plus minutes of the bout. He boxed well and worked the body. That was until he got caught in the last 2o seconds of the bout by an uppercut that sent him to the canvas. Ramos then landed a hard right that sent Perrella for a 2nd time. Perrella got to his feet but wobbled as referee Jack Reiss asked him to walk to his right, and the bout was stopped at 2:59.
Ramos, 145.8 lbs of Casa Grande, AZ is 26-3-2 with 20 knockouts. Perrella, 146.8 lbs of Fort Myers, FL is 17-3.
“I know the fight’s not over until it’s over,” said Ramos. “That’s the game. I’ve been sick for two weeks. But no excuses. I wanted to come here and perform. “I watched the Chavez-Taylor fight like 10 million times and I never thought I’d be in something like that. It just goes to prove that fights are never over till it’s over. You have to fight every single second of every single round.”
“This is boxing. It’s like Meldrick Taylor and Chavez,” said Perrella, agreeing with Ramos’ comments. “These things just happen. I’m not going to take anything away from my opponent. I was winning every round convincingly. What can I say? There was second left in the 10th round. It’s like a needle in the haystack. It is what it is.”
“Perrella’s a tough fighter,” said Ramos. “He’s a strong, strong fighter. I have nothing but respect for him. I expected a tough fight and that’s what happened.”
“Everything was going well, and I was winning the fight, round by round,” said Perrella. “I don’t know. This is boxing. That’s the thing about the sport. It is what it is. There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not going to make up any excuses or take anything away from my opponent. It’s just an experience that you go through in life and you have to overcome it. Absolutely I’d like to do it again with him. We can get a rematch in for sure.” “I want all the welterweights,” Ramos exclaimed. “I’d like to have another big TV fight and go out there and prove myself.”
Former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno won a 10-round unanimous decision over Austin Dulay in a lightweight bout.
Dulay took the first couple of rounds by boxing. In round four, Magdaleno turned the fight around by starting a nice body attack.
In round seven, Magdaleno dropped Dulay with a body shot. Seconds later, Magdaleno was deducted a point for a low bow. Magdaleno continued to work the body effectively as the fighters came down the stretch.
Magdaleno, 134.4 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 97-91 and 96-92 twice and is now 32-3. Dulay, 134.4 lbs of Nashville is 13-2.
“I knew mentally I could break him down,” said Magdaleno. “If I attacked the body, I knew I could break him down. He’s a young prospect. He’s taller than me so my plan of attack was to get in close and go to the body.”
“Even Diego just told me that he had nothing to do with the decision. He knows. How can they do that to me in my hometown? That’s dirty man.”
“Every round he was hitting me low and, in the back, and on the hips,” said Dulay.
“It was more times than he got called for. I won that fight 100%.”
“Experience has everything going for me. In my previous fight, I lost my head,” said Magdaleno. “This time I took my time. My camp said slow it down. Happy for the victory tonight.”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 13, 2020) – Lightweight contender and Nashville native Austin Dulay will fight in front of his hometown crowd when he takes on former title challenger Diego Magdaleno in a 10-round fight that opens FOX PBC Fight Night action and on FOX Deportes Saturday, February 15 from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is headlined by IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant defending his title in a homecoming bout against mandatory challenger Vincent Feigenbutz. Plus, welterweight contenders Bryant “Goodfella” Perrella and Abel Ramos battle in the 10-round co-feature.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Sweethands Promotion, TGB Promotions and Sauerland Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.
Nashville’s Dulay (13-1, 10 KOs) has won back-to-back fights by stoppage since his lone pro defeat to top contender Chris Colbert in April 2018. The 24-year-old has fought professionally since 2015 and won his first 11 fights. He most recently scored a TKO victory over Yardley Armenta Cruz in February of last year, and his last time in the ring saw him stop Justin Pauldo in a fight that was later changed to a no contest. He will return to fight in Nashville for the first time since a 2017 victory.
The 33-year-old Magdaleno (31-3, 13 KOs) has twice challenged for a world title and will look for a signature victory on February 15 to get closer to another chance at the belt. The Las Vegas native previously dropped title fights against Roman Martinez and Terry Flanagan. Magdaleno won three straight fights between 2016 and 2018, including a triumph over Art Hovhannisyan, and most recently lost to lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez in February 2019.
Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.
For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.
NEW YORK (February 4, 2019)- On a night with three world title fights, it was boxing’s hottest star that stole the show at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, as Teofimo Lopez bloodied, battered, beat up and knocked out former two-time world title challenger Diego Magdaleno in the 7th round of their NABA/NABF/USBA Lightweight Title bout.
Lopez’s work began to show as early as round two, when his power punching opened up a cut on the bridge of Magdaleno’s nose. Lopez continued to pound away on Magdaleno. Soon after, Magdaleno’s face was a bloody mess as a result of vicious shots landed by Lopez.
In round six, a powerful left hook finally sent Magdaleno to the canvas. Most who saw the fight felt the contest should have been halted there. Lopez landed two devastating left hooks that put out Magdaleno in the 7th frame, and the fight was stopped at 1:08.
“I take nothing away from Diego Magdaleno. We picked our shots, and we knew that in the later rounds, he’d drown in those deep waters,” Lopez said. “As the competition gets tougher, you will see more of what I can do. I dissected him like a surgeon.”
Lopez took a major leap into securing a major fight in his next bout.
“I think Teofimo has clearly proven that he’s not just a prospect or a contender. He is a world champ right now, and the only thing that is missing is the belt,” said David McWater of Split-T Management.
Sergey Kovalev quieted his many nay-Sayers by putting on a boxing clinic, and recapturing the WBO Light Heavyweight decision with a 12-round unanimous decision over Eleider Alvarez in a rematch that took place at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Kovalev boxed very well as he showed consistent boxing with his jab that set up his workrate over the 36 minute fight. Alvarez only threw 30 punches per round which did not provide him with the opportunities to the land the big shots that propelled him to a knockout victory over Kovalev last August.
Kovalev took the advice of new trainer Buddy McGirt and took what the Alvarez gave him, which was jabbing through out the rounds and getting in his right hand which kept Alvarez on the defense.
Kovalev doubled up Alvarez on the punches landed, and won by scores of 120-108 and 116-112 to raise his mark to 33-3-1. Alvarez is 24-1.
“We worked a lot on my jab,” Kovalev said. “Right now, I am working with {trainer} Buddy {McGirt} the way I was when I was an amateur
“After this, I want unification fights.”
Said Alvarez: “I don’t see myself as a loser tonight, but I do give him credit, especially in that 12th round. I think that he went out and proved that he wanted to win.”
Rising star, Teofimo Lopez, beat up, bloodied and battered Diego Magdaleno and stopped him in round seven of a scheduled ten-round lightweight fight.
Magdaleno’s face started chopping up in round two from the hard blows from Lopez.
In round six, Lopez landed a blistering left hook to the chin that Magdaleno to the canvas.’In round seven, Magdaleno landed two of the powerful and concussive left hooks on a beaten Magdaleno that plummeted him to the canvas at 1:08 and the fight was halted.
Lopez, 134.8 lbs of Brooklyn is 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Magdaleno, 134.7 lbs of Las Vegas is 34-3.
“I take nothing away from Diego Magdaleno. We picked our shots, and we knew that in the later rounds, he’d drown in those deep waters,” Lopez said. “As the competition gets tougher, you will see more of what I can do. I dissected him like a surgeon.”
Oscar Valdez shook off 11 months of ring rust and stopped Carmine Tommasone in round seven to retain the WBO Featherweight title.
In round four, Valdez dropped Tommasone with a right hand. Tommasone began to bleed from his nose. Later in the round, Valdez sent Tommasone down with a hard jab. In round five, Tommasone began to bleed from his mouth. In round Round six, Valdez sent Tommasone down with a left hook.
Valdez ended things just nine seconds into round seven, Valdez dropped Tommasone with a perfect left uppecut to the chin and Tommasone went to the deck, and the fight was stopped.
Valdez, 125.8 lbs of Nogales. MEX is 25-0 with 20 knockouts. Tommasone, 125.4 lbs of Italy is 19-1.
“I was very excited. I kind of didn’t want to get too crazy in there. It was tough the first round to get {my rhythm},” Valdez said. “But finally, I got the job done. I congratulate him. He’s a great fighter. I wish him nothing but the best.
“We started 2019 well. The sky’s the limit.”
Richard Commey stopped Isa Chaniev in the 2nd round to win the IBF Lightweight championship.
In round one, Commey landed a perfect right that dropped Chaniev hard to the canvas. In round two, Commey rushed out and landed a perfect left hook that sent Chaniev to the deck. Commey was all over Chaniev, and landed power shots. As referee Laurence Cole stopped the bout, Commey added two more shots and sent Chaniev to the deck at 39 seconds.
Commey, 134.3 lbs of Accra, Ghana now will face WBA/WBO champion Vasyl Lomachenko on April 12th with a record of 28-2 with 25 knockouts. Chaniev, 134 1/2 lbs of Russia is 13-2.
“This is everything for me. This is what I worked so hard for,” Commey said. “Finally being a world champion, I feel like I fulfilled a destiny for me.”
Next up for Commey is a potential showdown with WBA/WBO lightweight champion and pound-for-pound great Vasiliy Lomachenko. He hurt his right knuckle in the opening round, and if receives a clean bill of health, Lomachenko will be next.
“When I hit him in the first round, I hurt my right knuckle,” Commey said. “I’m going to have to get it looked at and see what happens.”
Janibek Alimkhanuly stopped Steven Martinez in round five of a scheduled eight-round middleweight bout.
In round three, Alimkhanuly dropped Martinez with a left to the body. Alimkhanuly continied to pound away on Martinez, who had his nose bloodied in the fourth and finally was pulled out the fight 21 seconds into round five.
Alimkhanuly, 162 lbs of Kazakhstan is 5-0 with two knockouts. Martinez, 160 1/2 lbs of Bronx, NY is 18-5.
“I showed what I was capable of against a tough opponent,” Alimkhanuly said. “I am close to world title contention. It’s going to be a big year for me in 2019. This is only the beginning of my journey.”
Enriko Gogokhia stopped Vitor Freitas in round three of their six-round junior welterweight bout.
Gogokhia dropped Freitas in the 1st round with a straight left that barely touched Freitas. Gogikhia was cut on his forehead in round two from an accidental headbutt. In round three, Gogokhia landed a little left to the body that put Freitas down, and the bout was stopped.
Gogokhia, 142 1/2 lbs of Georgia Republic is 10-0 with five knockouts. Freitas, 141 lbs of Salvador, BRA is 15-4-1.
Jason Sanchez stopped Daniel Olea in round two of their scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.
Sanchez was dominant and landed a big right hand that dropped Olea and the bout was stopped at 1:35.
Sanchez, 125 1/2 of Albuquerque, NM is 14-0 with seven knockouts. Olea, 125 1/2 of Mexico is 13-7-2.
“I wanted to be patient in there. I wasn’t necessarily looking for the knockout right away,” Sanchez said. “But the opportunity came, and I took advantage of the opening.”
In an entertaining ten-round junior middleweight scrap, Patrick Day won a unanimous decision over Ismail Iliev.
Day, 153 3/4 lbs of Freeport, NY won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 to raise his mark to 17-2-1. Iliev, 154 lbs of Russia is 11-1-1.
Bakhram Murtazaliev stopped Elvin Ayala in round nine of their scheduled ten-round junior middleweight bout.
In round two, Murtazaliev was credited a knockdown when he landed a combination that made Ayala stumble into the ropes.
In round nine, Murtazaliev dropped Ayala with a hard right hand. Seconds later, a follow flurry of hard power punches forced the ref to stop the bout at 2:05.
Murtazailev, 153 1/2 lbs of Russia is 15-0 with 12 knockouts. Ayala, 154 lbs of New Haven, CT is 29-13-1.
Follow all the action as Eleider Alvarez tries to retain the WBO Light Heavyweight title against the man he won the belt from in Sergey Kovalev. The action starts at 10 PM ET / 9 PM CT with 2 world title fights. Richard Commey and Isa Chaniev battle for the IBF Lightweight title. Oscar Valdez defend the WBO Featherweight title against Carmine Tommasonne. Rising star Teofimo Lopez takes on former two-time world title challenger Diego Magdaleno.
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12-ROUNDS–WBO LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE–ELEIDER ALVAREZ (24-0, 12 KOS) VS SERGEY KOVALEV (32-3-1, 28 KOS) | |||||||||||||
ROUND | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
ALVAREZ | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 112 |
KOVALEV | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 116 |
Round 1: Good body shot from Alvarez
Round 2 Right from Kovalev..Another..
Round 3 Left from Kovalev..Jab from Alvarez..Left hook from Kovalev..Kovalev outlanding Alvarez 47-28 through 3 rounds
Round 4 Body shot from Alvarez..Good uppercut from Kovalev..Left hook..Jab and right hand
Round 5 Good right from Kovalev..Left..Combination..Right from Alvarez..2 lefts and right from Kovalev..
Round 6 Right from Alvarez,,Good right..Right from Kovalev..Jab from Alvarez..Double left to body from Kovalev..Right from Alvarez…Swelling under right eye of Kovalev…Good right from Kovalev
Round 7 Good body work from Alvarez..Good right
Round 8 Good jab from Kovalev..Alvarez lands a right
Round 9 Good jab from Kovalev…2 more…Right hand land..Sweeping left..Over hand right from Alvarez..Hard jab from Kovalev…176-86 for Kovalev in punches landed
Round 10 3 punch combo from Kovalev..Left rocks Alvarez on the ropes
Round 11 Right from Alvarez..Double jab from Kovalev..Good counter right
Round 12 Right and left from Kovalev..Hard jab..Good right from Alvarez…Right from Kovalev..Right..
116-112 TWICE AND 120-108 FOR THE WINNER AND NEW CHAMPION SERGEY KOVALEV
10-ROUNDS–Lightweights–Teofimo Lopez (11-0, 9 KOs) vs Diego Magdaleno (31-2, 13 KOs) | |||||||||||||
ROUND | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
Lopez | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 60 | ||||||
Magdaleno | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 54 |
Round 1 Hard right from Lopez
Round 2 Straight left from Magdaleno..Counter right from Lopez..Big right uppercut..Hard straight left..Uppercut and hard right..Left hook..sweeping right..Short right…Blood on bridge of Magdaleno’s nose..
Round 3 Lopez lands a counter uppercut..Straight right..Combination to the body
Round 4 Uppercut from Magdaleno…Combination from Lopez
Round 5 Right Hook from Magdaleno..Hard uppercut from Lopez..Left from Magdaleno..Lopez lands a punch from behind his back..
Round 6 Counter uppercut from Lopez..Hard right..HUGE LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES MAGDALENO..Big Right at the bell
Round 7 Lopez lands about 8 hard shots..Right uppercut...2 NASTY LEFT HOOKS AND DOWN GOES MAGDALENO…FIGHT OVER
12-ROUNDS–WBO FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE–OSCAR VALDEZ (24-0, 19 KOS) VS CARMINE TOMMASONE (19-0, 5 KOS) | |||||||||||||
ROUND | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
VALDEZ* | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | TKO | 60 | |||||
TOMMASONE | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 51 |
Round 1 Right from Valdez..Tommasone goes to the body with a right..Jab from Valdez..
Round 2 Jab from Valdez..Nice right to the body
Round 3 Counter right from Valdez..Right to the body..
Round 4 Good left hook buzzed Tommasone…Blood from nose of Tommasone…RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES TOMMASONE…Jab and TOMMASONE GOES TO A KNEE
Round 5 Body shot from Valdez..Body/Right combo..Blood from Mouth of Tommasone
Round 6 Left froM VALDEZ AND DOWN GOES TOMMASONE..3 Punch combination
Round 7 HARD UPPERCUT TO THE CHIN AND TOMMASONE GOES DOWN AGAIN…FIGHT OVER
12–ROUNDS–IBF LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE–RICHARD COMMEY (27-2, 24 KOS) VS ISA CHANIEV (13-1, 6 KOS) | |||||||||||||
ROUND | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | TOTAL |
COMMEY* | 10 | TKO | 10 | ||||||||||
CHANIEV | 8 | 8 |
Round 1 Commey lands a left hook..Uppercut from Chaniev..Commey lands a right..Short right..another right..Straight right..Good exchange..COMMEY LANDS A PERFECT RIGHT AND DOWN GOES CHANIEV..Commey lands more power shots and then trips
Round 2 HUGE LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES CHANIEV…Commey all over Chaniev..STRAIGHT RIGHT AND LEFT AND DOWN GOES CHANIEV…FIGHT OVER
NEW YORK (February 2, 2019)- Tonight, boxing’s hottest star, undefeated lightweight Teofimo Lopez (11-0, 9 KOs) continues his “Takeover” when he takes on former two-time world title challenger Diego Magdaleno (31-2, 13 KOs) in a ten-round lightweight bout at Ford Center at the Star, the practice home of the Dallas Cowboys in Frisco, Texas.
The fight, which is for the USBA, NABA and NABF Lightweight titles, will air live on ESPN+ at midnight E.T. and will precede that highly anticipated WBO Light heavyweight Title rematch between Eleider Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev.
Lopez of Brooklyn, NY was the ESPN 2018 Prospect of the Year, has built his lofty reputation with explosive knockout victories over the likes of Vitor Jones Freitas, William Silva and Mason Menard, Those three had a combined record of 73-5. Lopez now looks to take the next progressive step up the ladder as he fights the battle-tested Magdaleno.
Lopez weighed 134.8 lbs, while Magdaleno was 134.7 lbs.
“I am extremely proud, and grateful that I can be the co-feature for a huge card like this. Fighting in Dallas and where the Cowboys practice at, shows us we’re that much closer to bigger and better things,” said Lopez.
“A win will definitely let everyone know that in 2019 we’re fighting for the world title.”
“You can expect a great and entertaining fight along with a celebration that will go viral”
Said David McWater of Split-T Management, “I am like everyone else, I can’t wait to see what he does tonight.”
Lopez is promoted by Top Rank.
Eleider Alvarez 174.8 lbs vs. Sergey Kovalev 174 lbs
(Alvarez’s WBO Light Heavyweight world title – 12 Rounds)
Teofimo Lopez 134.8 lbs vs. Diego Magdaleno 134.7 lbs
(Lopez’s USBA, NABA, and NABF Lightweight titles – 10 Rounds)
ESPN/ESPN Deportes (10 p.m. ET)
Oscar Valdez 125.8 lbs vs. Carmine Tommasone 125.4 lbs
(Valdez’s WBO Featherweight world title – 12 Rounds)
Richard Commey 134.3 lbs vs. Isa Chaniev 134.6 lbs
(Vacant IBF Lightweight world title – 12 Rounds)
ESPN+ (7 p.m. ET)
Janibek Alimkhanuly 162 lbs vs. Steven Martinez 160.4 lbs
(Super Middleweight – 8 Rounds)
Pat Day 153.7 lbs vs. Ismail Iliev 154 lbs
(Vacant IBF Intercontinental Junior Middleweight title – 10 Rounds)
Jason Sanchez 125.4 lbs vs. Daniel Olea 125.5 lbs
(Featherweight – 8 Rounds)
Bakhram Murtazaliev 153.6 lbs vs. Elvin Ayala 154 lbs
(Murtazaliev’s WBC USNBC Super Welterweight title – 10 Rounds)
Enriko Gogokhia 142.5 lbs vs. Vitor Freitas 141 lbs
SWING BOUT
(Welterweight – 8/6 Rounds)
Promoted by Top Rank, Main Events and Krusher Promotions, in association with Groupe Yvon Michel, tickets priced at $225, $165, $85, $55, and $25 (including facility fees) are on sale now and can be purchased at SeatGeek.com.
About The Star
The Star is the 91-acre campus of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and training facility in Frisco, Texas. Developed as a first-of-its-kind partnership between the City of Frisco and Frisco ISD, The Star features Ford Center, a 12,000-seat stadium that hosts Frisco ISD football games and other events; Cowboys Fit, a 60,000 square-foot gym developed in partnership with leading fitness developer, Mark Mastrov; Cowboys Club, a members-only club where the country club meets the NFL; the Omni Frisco Hotel, a 16-floor, 300-room luxury hotel; Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy & Research at The Star, a 300,000 square-foot center of excellence for sports medicine; as well as a variety of shopping, dining and nightlife options throughout The Star District. For more information on The Star, visit www.TheStarInFrisco.com.
About ESPN+
ESPN+, which surpassed one million paying subscribers in just five months, is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and 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, along with premium editorial content.
Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports), domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie and more), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC, Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.
ESPN+ is an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans. The ESPN App is a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation, delivering a rich, personalized experience that curates all of ESPN’s content around each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also be available through ESPN.com.
Top Rank on ESPN is bringing a fistic extravaganza to Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, Feb. 2 with three world title fights, the return of 2018 ESPN “Prospect of the Year” Teofimo Lopez, and an action-packed undercard spread across ESPN/ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.
The light heavyweight world title rematch between champion Eleider Alvarez and challenger Sergey Kovalev and Teofimo Lopez-Diego Magdaleno will stream LIVE in English and Spanish exclusively on ESPN+ at 12 a.m. ET. Alvarez knocked out Kovalev last August in a come-from-behind upset that shook up the boxing landscape. Kovalev, one of the most dominant champions of this era, is seeking to become a three-time world champion. Lopez, the consensus 2018 Prospect of the Year, is coming off a stunning 44-second knockout over Mason Menard December 8 on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jose Pedraza undercard.
The Oscar Valdez-Carmine Tommasone featherweight world title fight and the Richard Commey-Isa Chaniev lightweight world title bout will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 10 p.m. ET. Valdez, one of boxing’s elite action heroes, returns to the ring for the first time since suffering a severely broken jaw in a decision win over Scott Quigg last March 10. The winner of Commey-Chaniev will eye a unification bout against Lomachenko later this year.
The scheduled five-fight undercard, which includes top middleweight prospect Janibek Alimkhanuly, will kick off the evening at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
ESPN’s coverage of Top Rank on ESPN: Eleider Alvarez vs. Sergey Kovalev 2 also includes live streaming on ESPN+ of the Official Press Conference Thursday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. ET and live television coverage (ESPN2) and streaming (ESPN+) of the weigh-in on Friday, Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. ET.
Top Rank on ESPN Alvarez vs. Kovalev 2 LIVE on ESPN+, ESPN and ESPN Deportes
Date
Time (ET)
Event
Platform
Thurs., 1/31
1 p.m.
Top Rank on ESPN: Alvarez vs. Kovalev 2/Valdez vs. Tommasone Official Press Conference
ESPN+
Fri., 2/1
5 p.m.
Top Rank on ESPN: Alvarez vs. Kovalev 2/Valdez vs. Tommasone Weigh-In
ESPN2, ESPN+
Sat., 2/2
7 p.m.
Super Saturday ESPN+ Undercard INCLUDING
Janibek Alimkhanuly (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Steven Martinez (18-4, 13 KOs) & Jason Sanchez (13-0, 6 KOs) vs. Daniel Olea (13-6-2, 5 KOs)
ESPN+
10 p.m.
Super Saturday ESPN Main Events
Oscar Valdez (24-0, 19 KOs) vs. Carmine Tommasone (19-0, 5 KOs), 12 rounds, Valdez’s WBO featherweight world title
Richard Commey (27-2, 24 KOs) vs. Isa Chaniev (13-1, 6 KOs), 12 rounds, vacant IBF lightweight world title
ESPN, ESPN Deportes
Sun., 2/3
12 a.m.
Super Saturday ESPN+ Main Events
Eleider Alvarez (24-0, 12 KOs) vs. Sergey Kovalev (32-3-1, 28 KOs), 12 rounds, Alvarez’s WBO light heavyweight world title
Teofimo Lopez (11-0, 9 KOs) vs. Diego Magdaleno (31-2, 13 KOs), 10 rounds, lightweight
*ESPN+
*ESPN+ to stream in English and Spanish
To subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 per month, go to www.espnplus.com.
###
ESPN+
ESPN+, which surpassed one million paying subscribers in just five months, is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and 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, along with premium editorial content.
Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie and more), hundreds of MLB and NHL games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC, Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.
ESPN+ is an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans. The ESPN App delivers a rich, personalized experience that curates all of ESPN’s content around each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also be available through ESPN.com.
ESPN
ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment enterprise, features more than 50 assets – eight U.S. television networks, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN International, ESPN The Magazine and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.
Undefeated lightweight Teofimo Lopez will take on former world title challenger Diego Magdaleno on February 2nd as part of the Eleider Alvarez – Sergey Kovalev card in Frisco, Texas, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
“Teofimo wanted to fight a southpaw. He says find me a southpaw if he’s going to fight Lomachenko eventually, so we started looking for a southpaw,” Top Rank Vice-President Carl Moretti said. “It’s rare when somebody asks to fight a southpaw.”
“Diego is a former world title challenger and he knows how to box very well,” Moretti said. “We expect good competitive rounds in this fight, which is what Teofimo needs. Teofimo wants to fight all styles and southpaw being a style he wants to fight. He’s thinking Lomachenko down the road, but for now it’s Diego Magdaleno.”
Diego isn’t the biggest puncher, but between who he has sparred with and who he’s been in the ring with I’m really interested to see how Teofimo handles him — or doesn’t,” Moretti said.
Diego Magdaleno won a 10-round unanimous decision over Art Hovhannisyan in a super lightweight bout at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles.
Both guys were cut over their eyes. Magdaleno, 137 lbs of Las Vegas won on all cards by a tallies of 99-91 and is now 29-2. Hovhannisyan, 137 lbs of Glendale, CA is 17-3-3.
“Entering the ring, every boxer has a chance to get the knockout-and that’s what I came for. However, I’m satisfied with the unanimous decision that I received tonight,” said Magdaleno. “Hovhannisyan was a tough opponent, but I was able to outbox him. The energy at LA FIGHT CLUB was one I have never seen before, and that definitely propelled me to put my all in to this fight, especially after taking a year off. I’m more ready than ever, and I’m looking forward to the new opportunities after winning this fight.”
“I knew what to expect from my opponent, but I feel like I didn’t fight as well as I should have. However, I did fight with my whole heart,” said Hovhannisyan. “Going forward, I’ll be looking over the tape with my coach to go over my mistakes and what I should work on. I want to thank Golden Boy for tonight’s event and this opportunity. The next steps are getting rest and healing my hand which was hurt in the fight.”
Damon Allen and Luis Arceo fought to a draw in a eight-round super lightweight bout.
Allen was bleeding from the nose in round five.
All three judges saw the fight 78-78. Allen, 136 lbs of Philadelphia is 10-0-1. Arceo, 137 lbs of Auguascalientes. MX is 28-15-5.
“I knew it was going to be a tough fight because Arceo had a ton of experience under his belt,” spoke Damon Allen. “I made the fight harder than it had to be. It was a learning experience, and we are definitely going back to the drawing board after this. I want a rematch.”
“I honestly feel like I was robbed,” said Luis Arceo. “Each time I would unleash my punches, he would run away. I was the tougher fighter, and I am glad that the judges saw that. I entered the ring as the underdog, and with this draw I feel like I was vindicated.”
Maricela Cornejo won a six-round unanimous decision over Eliza Olson in a female super middleweight bout.
Cornejo, 166.6 lbs of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 59-55 twice and 58-56 and is now 5-2. Olson, 167 lbs of Sam Bruno, CA is 9-7-3
.”I used my jab, and kept my distance because Olson is known as an unpredictable fighter,” said Maricela Cornejo. “I wasn’t pleased with the outcome-we all want to win via knock out-but I love the fact that I got to demonstrate good footwork and skills that will continue to empower women’s boxing. I’m excited to be a part of LA FIGHT CLUB, and I know that I’ll be back.”
Joseph Aguirre stopped Roberto Rivera in round five of their scheduled six-round super lightweight bout.
Aguirre dropped Rivera in the 5th with a body and shot and was stopped just seconds after getting to his feet at 1:45.
Aguirre, 136.8 lbs of Cancun, MX is 15-0 with nine knockouts. Rivera, 136.8 lbs of Tijuana, MX is 6-3.
“He had a tough punch, and his uppercuts were a wall that kept me from going in,” said Aguirre after his knock-out win. “I wanted to finish him off earlier, and I knew that I had to work him by starting with the body and working myself up. It was a tough match, but I got the knock out for being the better fighte
David Mijares stopped Jason Gavino in the 1st round of their scheduled 4-round welterweight bout.
The time of the stoppage was 2:22 for Mijares, 139.4 lbs of Santa Monica, CA and is now 4-0 with 3 knockouts. Gavino, 140.6 lbs of Tijuana, MX is 3-4.
“I knew entering the ring I had to take him seriously, especially after one of his jabs to my lead hand,” said David Mijares. “I knew that my punch to the body had hurt him because I felt him shake. I am excited to go eat some food, and then hit the gym again to train.”
Opening up the night, Mexico City’s Marvin Cabrera (1-0, 1 KO) won his first fight in afour-round welterweight bout against Jose Caro (0-4) of Tuscon, AZ with a left hook to the face leaving Caro unstable and leading the referee to stop the fight at 1:17 within the first round, landing Cabrera the technical knockout of the fight.
“It feels great to get my first win here at the Belasco,” spoke Cabrera. “I have made many sacrifices, especially leaving my entire family in Mexico, and this first win has proven it is worth it, and those sacrifices are paying off. It’s only the beginning.”
LOS ANGELES (September 6, 2016) – Albuquerque’s boxing star, Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado, Jr. (22-3-1, 19 KOs) will make his LA FIGHT CLUB debut on October 7 against the exciting and former world title challenger, Diego “Mr. Superb” Magdaleno (28-2, 12 KOs) of Las Vegas. The 10-round lightweight event will serve as the main event on the Estrella TV, Boxeo Estelar broadcast which will also feature Philadelphia’s Damon “No Smilin” Allen (10-0, 4 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight co-main event and Maricela Cornejo (4-2, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles participating in a six-round super middleweight televised opener.
Featured on the non-televised broadcast streaming on RingTVLive.com, Cancun, QuintaRoo, Mexico’s rising star Joseph “Diamante” Aguirre (14-0, 8 KOs) will fight in Los Angeles for the first time in a scheduled six-round lightweight fight while Santa Monica’s David Mijares (3-0, 2 KOs) will fight in a four-round super lightweight event. Opening up the night Marvin Cabrera of Mexico City, Mexico will make his pro debut in a four-round middleweight bout.
“The fans will not go home disappointed with this edition of LA FIGHT CLUB, as we see top prospects in the sport continue to make a name for themselves at the Belasco and beyond,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “At Golden Boy Promotions, we are dedicated to giving the fans what they want, and our continuous record of sold out LA FIGHT CLUB shows demonstratethe fans are hungry for more fights.”
Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB starting at only $20 with Flex Passes for multiple fight packages, Group Tickets and Knockout Experience upgrade are available for purchase now at www.goldenboypromotions.com, the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page, by calling 213-233-2957 or by emailing LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com. Mark your calendars and purchase tickets in advance before they sell out for the remaining dates taking place October 7, November 4 and December 2.
Albuquerque, N.M. southpaw standout Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. is one of Golden Boy Promotion’s most aggressive fighters on the roster. At the height of Maldonado’s amateur career, “The Atrisco Kid” was ranked number two in the U.S. with an eye-catching record of 118-12. After going professional in 2009, Maldonado snatched up the WBC Youth Silver lightweight title from Eric Cruz in 2011 adding to his impressive boxing resume which also includes a fight for the WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title. Maldonado has stayed active in 2016, defeating the experienced Michael Clark via first-round technical knockout in January, taking a draw against Art Hovhannisyan on May 20 and most recently obtained a technical knockout victory against Gerardo Cuevas on July 9. Now, Maldonado is ready to create a new chapter as he faces the equally exciting Diego Magdaleno on October 7.
Former world title challenger, Diego “Mr.Superb” Magdaleno is known for his exciting boxing style. A professional fighters since 2007, Magdaleno is ready to restart his career after suffering his second career loss to WBO Lightweight World Champion Terry Flanagan this past October 2015. Previously, the 29 year old was the owner of the WBO International Lightweight Title, a champion he won in 2015 by defeating Jose A. Gonzalez via seventh round technical knockout. Now ready to step back in the limelight, Magdaleno will be looking for a stellar victory against the experienced Fidel Maldonado Jr.
A professional since 2013, undefeated lightweight Damon “No Smilin” Allen, has had victories over tough opposition in Hector Marengo, Tony “Sugar Boy” Walker and Travis “El Animal” Thompson. The 24-year-old Philadelphian stepped through the ropes twice in 2015, stopping Luis “Yeye” Rodriguez in three rounds at home in Philly before making his Los Angeles debut in November with a decision victory over Oscar Santana. Since then Allen, defeated Daniel Perales on March 3, 2016 via unanimous decision and was las seen in Hollywood, winning a technical knockout victory over Daniel Montoya in on May 25.
29 year old professional boxer, actress and model, Maricela Cornejo hails from Grandview, Washington began boxing at the famed Wild Card Gym in December 2010. Quickly falling in love with the sport, Cornejo vigorously trained for 11 months before participating in her first amateur fight in Las Vegas. In August 2012, Cornejo took the leap into the professional ranks by defeating Mia Henderson via majority decision. Since then, she has mainted busy and was most recently seen in the ring against Latashia Burton in August 2015 and Kali Reis in April 2016.
Joseph “Diamante” Aguirre of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, has defeated every opponent he has ever faced and hopes to add his upcoming opponent to his list of victories as he fights for the first time in Los Angeles. With a recent victories in 2016 against Oscar Arjona via first round knockout in March and a fifth round technical knockout victory against Rony Oscar Alvarado on May 20 in his U.S. debut, and a unanimous decision victory against Ricardo Urbina on July 23. Aguirre will be looking to impress in his Los Angeles debut, in a scheduled lightweight bout in the famed Belasco Theater in Downtown Los Angeles.
Some fighters are made in the gym. The 20-year old David Mijares was seemingly born into the sport. As Mijares’ father worked with legendary musician Bob Dylan, his pregnant mother visited the boxing gym and her water broke. By the age of 12, he began competing, going on to compile a 57-12 record as an amateur. Among his accomplishments were three National PAL Championships, a 2015 Golden Gloves title, and a Bronze medal in the 2015 USA National Championships. Mijares made his professional debut with a spectacular win on the Canelo-Khan undercard on May 7 defeating Omar Reyes via unanimous decision. On June 11 he defeating Cory Vom Baur with a technical knockout and was last seen on the August 19 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB, defeating Jorelle Sparenberg via second round knockout.
LA FIGHT CLUB: Maldonado, Jr. vs. Magdaleno, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by “Tecate, BORN BOLD,” Casa Mexico Tequila and Carmelita Coconut Water. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on Friday, October 7 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and will stream live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.
Media interested in attending the October 7 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are due September 30, 2016 at 5 p.m., and can be found here. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval for a credential. You cannot transfer your credentials to someone else. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.
For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.estrellatv.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @EstrellaTV and become a fanon Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @belascola and @EstrellaTV, follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB and #BoxeoEstelar.
Terry Flanagan made the first defense of the WBO Lightweight title with a 2 round destruction of mandatory challenger Diego Magdaleno at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.
Flanagan dropped Magdaleno in round two from a straight left. Moments later, Flanagan landed a huge uppercut that was followed by a big left that sent Magdaleno down again. Flanagan scored a third knockdown from three more hard shots that was finished with a left. The fight went on but not to the liking of Magdaleno as he was drilled by a plethora of punches until the fight was mercifully stopped at 2:38 of round two.
Liam Smith captured the vacant WBO Jr. Middleweight title with a 7th round stoppage over John Thompson.
Thompson controlled the early action as he worked behind a stiff jab and followed up with right hands. In round six, Smith started landing hard power shots and in round seven, Smith battered Thompson until a punishing right hand sent Thompson down face first and the bout was stopped at 1:44 of round seven.
Smith, 153 3/4 lbs of Liverpool, UK is now 21-0-1 with 11 knockouts. Thompson, 152.4 lbs of Newark, NJ is 17-1-1.
In a battle of undefeated Jr. Welterweights, Jack Catterall won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jarko Putkonen.
Catterall is 13-0. Putkonen is 12-1.
Adrian Gonzalez scored a 6th round stoppage over John Kays in a scheduled 10-round Super featherweight bout.
Gonzalez scored 4 knockdowns before the bout was stopped.
Gonzalez of Manchester is 12-1 with 3 knockouts. Kays of Ashton Under-Lyne is 21-5-1.
In a terrific back and forth brawl, Tom Staker and Craig Evans fought to a spirited 10-round draw in a Lightweight bout.
Evans began to bleed from his nostrils in round one. Both guys took turns hurting each other with hard combinations.
Scores were 97-93 for Stalker, 96-94 for Evans and 95-95.
Stalker, 134.9 lbs of Liverpool is 10-1-2. Evans, 134 lbs of Blackpool is 14-1-1.
2008 Olympian Vijrnder Singh made a successful pro debut with a 3rd round stoppage of Sonny Whiting in a
scheduled 4-round Middleweight bout.
The wnd came when Singh blasted Whiting with two hard rights on the ropes at 2:08.
Singh of Gurgaon, India is 1-0 with 1 stoppage. Whiting of Rochester is 2-2.
Jack Flatley made a successful pro debut with a 4-round unanimous decision over Lewis Van Poet sch in a
Middleweight bout.
Flatley of Bolton, England won by a score of 40-36 and is 1-0. Van Poetsch of Lyndley is 4-23.
Las Vegas, NV (August 25, 2015) -This Friday night, it will be a special night of boxing when Global Sports Streaming (GSS) will present the first broadcast of a brand new sports streaming service and the premier edition of Best in Boxing (BIB)
The first broadcast on Friday, August 28, 2015 will feature the IBU Middleweight title bout between Tony Hirsch (18-6-2, 8 KO’s) taking on Rolando Paredes (9-2-2, 8 KO’s)
The entire 11 bout card, which is promoted by Borizteca Promotions, will stream live beginning at 10:30 PM ET on YouTube and will feature the likes of popular female light flyweight Kenia Enriquez (13-1); lightweight Demond Brock (9-3) as well as undefeated prospects super featherweight Jesus Trujillo and Jorge Escalante (2-0)
GSS is pleased to announce that boxing reporter Radio Rahim, world title challenger and Diego Magdaleno and actress Rebecca Grant will comprise the broadcast team.
Radio Rahim has been a boxing reporter from the Bay area and has been covering the sweet science for over twenty years. He is known for his hard-hitting interviews and was on hand in Macau, China when the controversial skirmish broke out between the camps of Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios. Rahim was the first reporter on the scene with exclusive interviews with members of both teams. Rahim is a respected journalist whose work can be found on secondsout.tv and boxingscene.com
Magdaleno is the number-one ranked Lightweight in the world and on October 10, he will be making the 2nd attempt at a world title when he takes on undefeated Terry Flanagan for the WBO Lightweight world title in Manchester, England. In his previous title opportunity he lost a split decision to WBO Jr. Lightweight champion, Rocky Martinez in Macau, China.
Grant is an American actress who has done extensive work in television sports. She worked as a host for the Buffalo Bills on the Empire Sports Network. She then went on to work as a reporter for the NFL on Fox and ESPN and then worked on the popular NFL Under the Helmet.
Grant has been a staple on Network television as an actress and has been on 3rd Rock from Under the Sun as well as Third Watch. She also has appeared on many shows on major networks NBC, CBS and ABC as well working on movies such as Brothers.
In 8-round bouts:
Demond Brock (9-3, 3 KO’s) of Kenner, Louisiana will fight Hector Garcia (4-3-1, 3 KO’s) of Tijuana, Mexico in a Lightweight bout.
Brian Jones (11-3, 5 KO’s) of Los Angeles, CA will fight Andres Valdez in a Welterweight bout,
Kenia Enriquez (13-1, 6 KO’s) of Tijuana, Mexico will take on Lorena Arias (3-7) of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in a female Light Flyweight bout.
In 6-round Bouts:
Jorge Ruiz (8-2, 3 KO’s) of San Diego, California will take on Antonio Villa (1-14, 1 KO) of Tijuana, Mexico in a Featherweight fight.
Michael Ruiz Jr. (9-4-2, 3 KO’s) of Fresno, California will square off with Alfonso Sandoval (0-8) of Tijuana, Mexico in a Bantamweight fight.
Amaris Quintana (8-2-2, 1 KO) of San Diego, CA will fight Lesley Villanueva (0-1) of Tijuana, Mexico in a Light Flyweight fight.
In 4-round bouts:
Jesus Trujillo (1-0, 1 KO) of Los Angeles, CA will take on Ulises Jimenez (0-1-1) of Tijuana, Mexico in a Super Featherweight affair.
Armando Tovar of San Diego, California will make his pro debut against Andres Marroquin (0-1) of Rosarito, Mexico in a Welterweight clash.
Michael Haigood (0-3) of San Diego, California will box Manuel Sandoval (0-3) of Tijuana, Mexico in a Featherweight fight,
Jorge Escalante (2-0,1 KO) of San Diego, California will rumble with Angel De Jesus Estrada (0-3) of Tijuana, Mexico in a Cruiserweight battle.
All Bouts Subject to change
Gilberto Ramirez remained perfect as he scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Derek Edwards at the State Farm Arena in idalgo, Texas.
Ramirez, 168 lbs of Mazatlan, MX won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 32-0. Edwards, 168 lbs of Las Vegas is 27-5-1.
Diego Magdaleno scored a strange 7th round stoppage over Jose Gonzalez in a scheduled 12-round Lightweight bout featuring former world title challengers
Magdaleno was cut over the left eye in round six from a punch. In round seven, Gonzalez went down from an apparent low blow and was in discomfort. He crawled around the ring for several minutes and then could not continue at 2:43 of round seven
Magadaleno, 134 1/4 lbs of Las Vegas is now 28-1 with 12 knockouts. Gonzalez, 134 1/4 lbs of Toa Boja, PR is 24-2.
Magdaleno outlanded Gonzalez 57-43.
truTV and Top Rank will exclusively present the MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV, a live primetime boxing series on Friday, June 26, at 10 p.m. ET from the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. The new boxing series, produced in association with Turner Sports and HBO Sports, will feature a 10-round bout for the WBO International Super Middleweight title between undefeated southpaw champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (31-0-0, 24 KOs) of Sinaloa, Mexico and Derek “The Black Lion” Edwards (27-4-1, 14 KOs) of Las Vegas. Additionally, southpaw Diego Magdaleno (27-1-0, 11 KOs) of Las Vegas will meet Puerto Rico’s Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez (24-1-0, 19 KOs) in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBO International Lightweight championship.
Commentators for the event will include Kevin Kugler providing play-by-play with analyst Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and reporter Crystina Poncher. Kugler is a veteran announcer who has called college basketball and NFL coverage for Westwood One and college football for the Big Ten Network. Mancini is a 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and former NABF and WBA lightweight champion. Poncher is a commentator and reporter for Top Rank, as well as a host, reporter and correspondent for NFL Network and NFL.com. Closed captioning in Spanish will be available for the truTV telecast.
The network’s presentation will feature the continued use of “Spidercam” technology, the first of its kind for a live domestic boxing telecast, providing dynamic coverage during the series. “Spidercam” operates on a four-point system of cables from designated points beyond the corners of the boxing ring. The suspended camera has the ability to provide compelling 360-degree angles of the action including the ability to move in three dimensions – left/right, forward/backward and up/down.
Follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR.