Stevenson Decisions De Los Santos to Win Lightweight Belt

In a fight that was void of action, Shakur Stevenson became a three-division world champion as he captured the WBC Lightweight Title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Edwin De Los Santos at The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Not much happened in the fight as neither guy pushed forward. Stevenson was able to jab more effectively, while the handful of times that De Los Santos tried to press, he was ineffective as the elusive Stevenson was never in range.

Stevenson landed 65 of 209 punches. De Los Santos was 40 of 316.

Stevenson picked it up over the final six-rounds and won by scores of 115-113 and 116-112 twice.

Stevenson, 133.8 lbs of Newark, NJ is now 21-0. De Los Santos, 134.3 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 16-2.

Stevenson said, “I had a bad performance tonight. That’s all I’m really focused on. I wasn’t feeling too good, so I’ll live with it. It’s okay. I came here and got the victory, and that’s all I wanted to do.

“I just didn’t feel good. I didn’t feel good before the fight. Honestly, I had already told myself that if I feel like this in the ring and if it’s not going well, I’m going to make sure that I box and get the victory.”

De Los Santos said, “We all know what happened. He came for a track meet. He didn’t come to fight. I showed that I am on a higher level because he never stood and fought like he does with other fighters.

“I did my job. He came to survive. That’s what he did. They gifted him the title, but I’m the people’s champion.”

Navarrete and Conceicao Fight to Draw

Emanuel Navarrete and Robson Conceicao fought to a 12-round majority draw in a bout for Navarrete’s WBO Junior Lightweight title.

In round two, Navarrete had a small cut on the bridge of the nose. In round four, Navarrete dropped Conceicao with a left uppercut. In round six, Cinceicao was cut on the bridge of his nose.

In round nose, Navarrete landed a perfect right to the body that put Conceicao down.

Navarrete landed 116 of 47 punches. Conceicao was 213 of 852.

Navarrete, 130 lbs of San Juan, MEX won by a 114-112 score, while two cards were even at 113-113.

Navarrete is 38-1-1. Conceicao, 129.3 lbs of Bahia, BRA is 17-2-1.

Navarrete said, “The decision is well-deserved. Robson is a great fighter. He left his heart in the ring. There were some details with regard to technique, but we accomplished what we said we would do. We gave a great show for the fans. And, at least, I am very happy to come away with the title.
 
“He deserves the rematch, but that decision doesn’t depend 100 percent on me. But, if it does happen, I would train even better. He knows how I fight, and I know how he fights, so it would make for an excellent fight.”
 
Conceição said, “It was a hard fight. He is very strong. It was a difficult. But I know what I did tonight.
 
“It was a good fight. It deserves a rematch. If we do get the rematch, we will both train harder and will give an even better fight.”

Brian Norman Jr. remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Quinton Randall in a battle of undefeated welterweights.

In round four, Norman was cut over his right eye.

Norman landed 74 of 281 punches. Randall was 71 of 299.

Norman, 146.4 lbs of Atlanta, GA won by scores of 99-91 twice and 97-93 and is now 25-0. Randall, 145.3 lbs of Houston is 13-1-1.

Floyd Diaz remained undefeated with an eight-round split decision over Max Ornelas in a bantamweight bout.

In round two, Diaz dropped Ornelas with a leaping and wide left hook. In round three, it was a jab that put Ornelas on the canvas.

In round five, Diaz began to swell over his right eye.

Diaz, 117.7 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 78-72, 77-73 and Ornelas took a card by a 76-74. score.

Diaz is now 10-0. Ornelas, 117.9 lbs of Las Vegas is 15-2-1.

Troy Isley won an eight-round unanimous decision over upset-specialist Vladimir Hernandez in a middleweight bout.

Isley, 159.7 lbs of Alexandria, VA won by scores of 77-75 on all cards and is now 11-0. Hernandez, 156.8 lbs of Ciudad, MEX is 14-6.

Emiliano Fernando Vargas stopped Brandon Mendoza in round two of their six-round lightweight bout.

Vargas, 135.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Mendoza, 134.9 lbs of Los Angeles is 6-3.

In round one, Vargas dropped Mendoza with a left hook that was followed by a right Hand. A second knockdown was ruled after the round when a right hand made the right glove of Mendoza touch the canvas. In round two, Vargas landed a double right over the top that put Mendoza down and the fight was stopped at 57 seconds.

In a battle of undefeated heavyweights, Jackson Murray won a six-round unanimous decision over Steven Torres.

In round three, Murray dropped Torres with a right hook to the side of the head.

Murray, 230.7 lbs of Sydney, AUS won by scores of 60-53 on all cards and is now 6-0. Torres, 240.7 lbs of Reading, PA is 6-1-1.

Abdullah Mason stopped Jose Cardenas in round two of their six-round lightweight fight.

In round one, Mason dropped Cardenas with a double left. In round two, Mason dumped Cardenas with a perfect one-two and the fight was stopped at 1:55.

Mason, 134.4 lbs of Cleveland is 11-0 with nine knockouts. Cardenas, 134.6 lbs of Laredo, TX is 7-2.

Hugo Micallef stopped Sergio Odabai after round four of their six-round junior welterweight bout.

Micallef, 142.7 lbs of Monte Carlo, MON is 9-0 with two knockouts. Odabai, 141.7 lbs of Vienna, AUS 6-2-1.

Giovanni Sarchioto remained undefeated with a third-round stoppage over Lucas de Abreu in a six-round super middleweight fight.

Sarchioto dropped de Abreu twice in round three. The first coming from a series of right hands. Sarchioto finisehed off de Abreu with a hard right that put his backside and the fight was stopped at 2:06.

Sarchioto, 167 lbs of Atazio, ITA is now 9-0 with eight knockouts. de Abreu, 166.3 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA 14-5.




November 16: Junior Welterweight Prospect Hugo “The Fresh Prince of Monaco” Micallef Set to Make U.S. Debut on Stevenson-De Los Santos Undercard at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 18, 2023) — Now this is a story all about how “The Fresh Prince of Monaco” is coming to Las Vegas.

Undefeated junior welterweight prospect Hugo Micallef, the only professional boxer from the Principality of Monaco, will make his U.S. debut against Austria’s Sergio Odabai in a six-rounder Saturday, Nov. 16 at T-Mobile Arena. Micallef-Odabai will be part of the ESPN+-streamed undercard broadcast.

The ESPN-televised doubleheader (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT) is headlined by the vacant WBC lightweight world title showdown between Shakur Stevenson and Edwin De Los Santos and the WBO junior lightweight world title battle between reigning champion Emanuel Navarrete and Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Sampson Boxing, tickets are on sale now via AXS.com.

The 25-year-old Micallef (8-0, 1 KO) signed with Top Rank in 2021 and stands out as one of his nation’s most popular homegrown athletes. He enjoys the support of numerous Monégasque luminaries, including driving sensation Charles Leclerc, who will compete in Las Vegas’ big race on November 18. Since entering the paid ranks, Micallef has fought in five different counties: France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and his native land. Odabai (6-1-1, 3 KOs), from Vienna, Austria, is unbeaten in three bouts since the lone loss on his ledger.

Micallef said, “Ever since I turned pro, it has been a dream of mine to fight in Las Vegas and to carry the flag of Monaco proudly. I can’t wait to fight during the big race week and on Shakur Stevenson’s undercard. I am training hard to make a huge statement.”




SATURDAY: Slawa Spomer-Felice Moncelli Junior Middleweight Showdown to Stream LIVE and Exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+

(June 21, 2023) — Undefeated German contender Slawa Spomer will defend his WBO Global junior middleweight title against Italy’s Felice Moncelli in the 10-round main event this Saturday, June 24 at the Eisstadion in Spomer’s hometown of Heilbronn, Germany. 

Spomer-Moncelli and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT. 

Spomer (17-0, 8 KOs) started his pro career in 2018 with a first-round knockout win against Robizoni Omsarashvili. In 2020, he dropped down to junior middleweight to defeat Philipp Wiesenhofer for a German title and has since made his mark in the division with wins over then-unbeaten Jose Gregorio Suero in November 2021 and a first-round stoppage against Victor Ionascu in June 2022. Last December, the 30-year-old defeated Egzon Maliqaj via 10-round unanimous decision. Ranked No. 10 by the WBO, Spomer looks to inch closer to a world title opportunity. Moncelli (24-7-1, 6 KOs) is an 11-year veteran who returns after a seventh-round TKO victory in a rematch against previously undefeated contender Ahmad Ali last September. 

In other streaming action from Heilbronn, Germany:

  • Former world title challenger Vincent Feigenbutz (35-3, 31 KOs) makes his 2023 debut in an eight-round middleweight fight against hard-hitting Argentinean Marcos Jesus Cornejo (19-7, 18 KOs). Feigenbutz is 4-0 with three knockouts since challenging Caleb Plant for the IBF super middleweight world title in February 2020. 
     
  • Undefeated Russian-born prospect Hamsat Shadalov (5-0, 1 KO) will face South Africa’s David Rajuili (13-10-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round lightweight tilt. Shadalov, who represented Germany at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, will make his third appearance of 2023 after decision wins over Claudio Lionel Baldomir in March and Khvicha Gigolashvili in May. 
     
  • Junior welterweight phenom Hugo “The Fresh Prince of Monaco” Micallef (6-0) will battle Poland’s Michal Bulik (6-3, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder. Micallef, the only active professional boxer from Monaco, signed with Top Rank in 2021 following an extensive international amateur career. 
     
  • In a clash between two undefeated junior middleweights, Germany’s Paul Wall (4-0, 2 KOs) and Moroccan standout Sifeddine El Moussamih (2-0, 1 KO) will collide in a six-rounder.

# # #
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Eifert Decisions Sperandio

Michael Eifert won a 10-round unanimous decision over Adriano Sperandio in a light heavyweight bout in Magdeburg, Germany

Eifert won by scores of 96-95 twice and 98-92 and is now 11-1. Sperandio is 14-2.

Paul Wall stopped Nikolas Dzurnak at the end of round one of their four-round super welterweight fight.

In round one, Wall dropped Dzurnak with a body shot. Dzurnak got to his feet to end the round, but the fight was stopped in the corner.

Wall is now 3-0 with two knockouts. Dzurnak is 2-2-2.

Ibon Pervizaj won a six-round unanimous decision over Alvaro Terrero in a heavyweight bout.

In round three, Terrero was deducted a point for holding.

In round five, Terrero was deducted a point for hitting behind the head.

Pervizaj won by scores of 60-52 on all cards and is now 18-1.

Hugo Micallef won a six-round unanimous decision over Mauro Loli in a super lightweight fight.

In round three, Loli was deducted a point for holding.

In round four, Micalleft dropped Loli with a short right hand.

Loli won by scores of 60-53 and 59-53 twice and is now 3-0. Loli is 7-4.

Nenad Stancic won a six-round unanimous decision over Brayan Mairena in a super welterweight fight.

Stancic is now 12-0. Mairena is 11-30-1.

Hamsat Shadalov won a four-round unanimous decision over Edwin Tercero in a lightweight contest.

Shadalov is 3-0. Tercero is 16-21-1.




Saturday: Michael Eifert-Adriano Sperandio Light Heavyweight Battle & The Return of Undefeated Junior Welterweight Prospect Hugo Micallef to Stream LIVE on ESPN+

(July 13, 2022) — Light heavyweight contenders Michael Eifert and Adriano Sperandio will face off for the vacant IBF Intercontinental strap this Saturday, July 16, in the 10-round main event at the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. Undefeated Top Rank-signed junior welterweight prospect Hugo Micallef, “The Fresh Prince of Monaco,” returns in a six-rounder versus Mauro Loli.

Eifert-Sperandio, Micallef-Loli, and additional fight action will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Eifert (10-1, 4 KOs), a 24-year-old German, turned pro in 2018 and won the first six fights of his career before dropping a majority decision to Tom Dzemski in August 2020. Nearly one year later, he turned the tables, edging Dzemski by majority decision to win the WBC and IBF youth titles. Eifert has won two fights by knockout since then, including a third-round stoppage over the previously undefeated Nils Schmidt. Sperandio (14-1, 2 KOs), from Rome, Italy, has won three straight fights since the lone loss on his ledger.

Micallef (2-0) signed with Top Rank last year and is currently the only active boxer from the Principality of Monaco. The Monte Carlo-born Micallef is one of his nation’s most popular homegrown athletes and has the support of many of Monaco’s luminaries, including F1 star Charles Leclerc. Micallef has won bouts in France and Spain since turning pro and steps up against Loli (7-3, 3 KOs), an Italian veteran who has never been stopped as a pro.

In other streaming action on ESPN+:

  • German heavyweight Albon Pervizaj (17-1, 13 KOs) will face Spanish journeyman Alvaro Terrero (5-16-2, 3 KOs).
     
  • Junior middleweight prospect Paul Wall (2-0, 1 KO) looks for win number three in a four-rounder against Nikolas Dzurnak (2-1-2, 2 KOs).

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 22.3 million subscribers. 
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Friday Punch in Paris: Tony Yoka-Peter Milas Heavyweight Showdown Headlines Afternoon of Fights Live and Exclusively on ESPN+

(September 7, 2021) —Heavyweight contender Tony Yoka, the Paris native who won Olympic gold for France in 2016, returns home for a historic night at the fights. Yoka will face fellow unbeaten Peter Milas in a 10-rounder this Friday, Sept. 10 at Roland Garros, site of the French Open. This marks the first boxing event to take place at the famed tennis venue since 1973.
 
Yoka-Milas will headline a scheduled three-fight card streaming live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ starting at 2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT. Top Rank-signed prospect Hugo “The Fresh Prince of Monaco” Micallef will make his pro debut on the card in a four-round welterweight bout against Ezequiel Gregores (2-2, 0 KOs). Highlights of Micallef’s fight will be shown on the stream.
 
Yoka (10-0, 8 KOs) turned pro in April 2017 and stepped up early with wins over the likes of Jonnie Rice, David Allen and former European champion Alexander Dimitrenko. He went 2-0 in 2020, including a first-round knockout over former world title challenger Johann Duhaupas. Yoka made his 2021 debut in March and knocked out Belgian native Joel Tambwe Djeko to pick up the European Union title. Milas (15-0, 11 KOs), from Split, Croatia, has fought most of his pro career in Germany. He’s picked up standout victories over durable spoiler Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson and former world title challenger Francesco Pianeta.
 
In other action streaming on ESPN+:

  • In a 12-round tilt for the vacant European Union light heavyweight title, former world title challenger Igor Mikhalkin (24-2, 11 KOs) looks to extend his winning streak to four against French 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Mathieu Bauderlique (20-1, 11 KOs). Bauderlique has won eight straight fights since a shocking first-round knockout loss.
     
  • Souleymane Cissokho (13-0, 8 KOs), who earned a bronze medal for France at the 2016 Rio Olympics, will make the first defense of his WBA Intercontinental super welterweight strap against Russian veteran Ismail Iliev (13-2-1, 3 KOs). Cissokho won the belt in May with a split decision over Kieron Conway on the Canelo Alvarez-Billy Joe Saunders undercard.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 14.9 million subscribers.
  
Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).




The Fresh Prince of Monaco: Amateur Superstar Hugo Micallef Signs Professional Contract with Top Rank

LAS VEGAS (July 13, 2021) — Bonjour, “The Fresh Prince of Monaco.”
 
Hugo Micallef, who notched more than 100 amateur victories while representing his homeland of the Principality of Monaco in tournaments worldwide, has signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank. Micallef, from Monte Carlo, will make his pro debut Friday, Sept. 10 in Paris on the undercard of heavyweight contender Tony Yoka’s homecoming bout against fellow unbeaten Petar Milas (streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+).
 
Micallef will turn pro as a junior welterweight with head trainer Carlos Formento, who has worked with former welterweight world champion Kell Brook and junior welterweight contender Anthony Yigit.
 
“Hugo has everything it takes to be a superstar in the sport,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “His amateur pedigree is extensive, and I believe he’ll usher in a generation of pro boxing in the Principality of Monaco.”
 
Micallef said, “It’s a tremendous honor to be signed by the best promotional company in the business. I have dreamed of this moment. I’m ready for the start of my professional journey, and I hope to one day bring a world title back home to Monaco.”
 
Added Micallef’s manager, Karim Bouzidi of Versus Sports Management: “We at Versus Sports Management are delighted to support Hugo in his choice to sign with Top Rank, and we believe he will one day join Top Rank’s long and illustrious list of world champions.”
 
Micallef, who had aspirations of becoming the first Olympic boxer from the Principality of Monaco, now sets his sights on becoming the first boxer from his country to win a professional world title. He helped break the glass ceiling for Monegasque boxing at the world amateur level and counts Albert II, Prince of Monaco among his supporters.
 
Micallef turned heads last fall at the Boxam Elite International Boxing Tournament in Spain, toppling U.S. amateur star Delante Johnson en route to a silver medal. He last fought at the European Olympic Boxing qualifiers in Paris, falling in the Round of 16 to British superstar — and eventual tournament gold medalist — Pat McCormack, who will fight in his second Olympic Games in Tokyo.