LOS ANGELES (Feb. 3, 2020): Three homegrown Golden Boy fighters will make their ring returns after challenging for a world title on the March 19 edition of Golden Boy and DAZN’s Thursday Night Nights at Avalon Hollywood. The event will be streamed live on DAZN, RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

In the main event, Joet Gonzalez (23-1, 14 KOs) of Glendora, Calif, will take on Chris Avalos (27-7, 20 KOs) of Lancaster, Calif. in a 10-round featherweight fight. Gonzalez will return after challenging for the WBO Featherweight World Championship in October 2019.

“I can’t wait to step back into the ring,” said Joet Gonzalez. “I fought for a world title, so I know what it’s like to be at that level. Now, I’ll be coming back with an even stronger desire to become a world champion. I want to thank my manager, Frank Espinoza, and my promoter, Golden Boy, for the opportunity. This March 19, I will not disappoint.”

“We’re coming to win,” said Chris Avalos. “We’re back on track. The old Chris Avalos is back. You [Joet] may think I’m a joke. You may think I’m washed up. But I’m coming to kick your ass. Keep your hands or you will see what happens.”

In the co-main event, Lamont Roach Jr. (19-1-1, 7 KOs) of Washington, D.C. will fight against Filipino warrior Neil John Tabanao (17-7, 11 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight fight. Roach Jr. will come back after challenging for the WBO Junior Lightweight World Title in November 2019.

“I’ve been itching to get back in that square to show that I’m the best at 130,” said Lamont Roach Jr. “My last fight was just a glimpse, but this year it’s all the way up with me.”

“I’m looking forward to this fight against Lamont Roach Jr.,” said Niel John Tabanao. “I know that he’s coming off his first loss and that he wants to fight for a world title again. However, I more experience than he, and I know how to score an upset. We’ll see you all on March 19.”

Marlen Esparza (7-1, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas will participate in a six-round super flyweight clash against Lucia Nuñez (7-10) of Mexico City, Mexico. Esparza will return after fighting for the WBA Interim Flyweight Title in November 2019.

“I’m ready to get back in the ring,” said Marlen Esparza. “There were multiple factors that made this last fight a real learning experience, but this next round of professional boxing is just the beginning of much more. I’m looking forward to coming out with the new strategies that I’ve been learning and switching up my game a bit.”

“I’m coming to score the upset,” said Lucia Nuñez. “I know that Marlen Esparza is strong and that she has a lot of experience. But I also have those same qualities, and I’ll be coming with an even stronger will to win. We will see you all on March 19.”

The undercard of his event will be stacked with some of Golden Boy’s most promising rising stars.

Richard “Kansas Kid” Acevedo (5-0-1, 5 KOs) of Garden City, Kansas will take on Jeremy Ramos (11-8, 4 KOs) of Colorado Springs, Colorado in a six-round super welterweight battle.

Rudy “El Tiburon” Garcia (10-0, 1 KO) of Los Angeles and Andrew Strode (6-0, 1 KO) of Denver, Colorado will meet in a six-round super bantamweight bout between two undefeated prospects.

Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (10-0-1, 9 KOs) of Glendora, Calif. will return in a six-round lightweight fight against Jose Meza (6-4, 1 KO) of Durango Mexico.

Nick Sullivan (2-0, 1 KO) of Norfolk, Va. will open the night in a four-round 135-pound clash against Marquese Steward (1-1) of Pflugerville, Texas.

Gonzalez vs. Avalos is a 10-round featherweight fight presented by Golden Boy. The fights will take place Thursday, March 19 at Avalon Hollywood. The event will be streamed live on DAZN, RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The series will also be available
on Pluto TV’s FIGHT Channel and regional sports networks around the nation. To see when and where the series is available in your area click here.

Tickets for Gonzalez vs. Avalos go on sale on Monday, Feb. 3 at 10:00 a.m. PT and are priced at $30, $40, $50, and $80, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.goldenboytickets.com and the Golden Boy Facebook page.

Media interested in covering Gonzalez vs. Avalos must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are due Monday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m. PT. Click here to apply for a media credential. 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 and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #GonzalezAvalos, #ThursdayNightFights and #TNF.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/GonzalezAvalosinto a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy for photos and videos used.

ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET)

Shakur Stevenson 126 lbs vs. Joet Gonzalez 125.2 lbs
(Vacant WBO Featherweight world title – 12 Rounds)

   Mikaela Mayer 129.6 lbs vs. Alejandra Zamora 129.4 lbs
(Mayer’s NABF Super Featherweight title – 10 Rounds)

  Joshua Greer Jr. 117.8 lbs vs. Antonio Nieves 117.8 lbs
(Greer’s NABO and WBC Continental Americas Bantamweight titles – 10 Rounds)

ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET)

                Albert Bell 132 lbs vs. Frank De Alba 132.6 lbs
(Lightweight – 10/8 Rounds)

        Francisco Esparza Jr. 132 lbs vs. Matt Conway 131.6 lbs
(Lightweight – 8 Rounds)

Xander Zayas 145.8 lbs vs. Genesis Wynn 144.6 lbs
(Welterweight- 4 Rounds)

Andy Vences 131.4 lbs vs. Mark Bernaldez 130.4 lbs
(Super Featherweight – 10/8 Rounds)

    Jason Sanchez 125.6 lbs vs. Adeilson Dos Santos 125.2 lbs
(Featherweight- 10/8 Rounds)

        Jared Anderson 233.2 lbs vs. Daniel Infante 232 lbs
(Heavyweight – 4 Rounds)

SWING BOUTS

  JJ Mariano 142.6 lbs vs. Sean Cerveny 144.4 lbs
(Welterweight – 4 Rounds)

  Diego Elizondo 135 lbs vs. Mike Sanchez 133.6 lbs
(Lightweight – 4 Rounds)
 Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy, Let’s Get It On Promotions and Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, tickets for this world championship event priced at $110, $70 and $40 (not including applicable fees) can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa gift shop.

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtags #StevensonGonzalez, #GreerNieves and #MayerZamora to join the conversation on social media. About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of 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 games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive 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 can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com.

RENO Nev. (Oct. 24, 2019) – The vacant WBO featherweight world title bout between Shakur Stevenson and Joet Gonzalez is boxing’s version of the Hatfields and McCoys, a long-simmering grudge match that will be settled Saturday evening at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

Stevenson (12-0, 7 KOs) is looking to become the first 2016 Olympian to win a major world title, while Gonzalez (23-0, 14 KOs) hopes to pull off the upset against his biggest nemesis.

In the 10-round co-feature, bantamweight contender Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer Jr. (21-1-1, 12 KOs) will face former world title challenger Antonio Nieves (19-2-2, 11 KOs). The special feature will see female fighting sensation Mikaela Mayer (11-0, 4 KOs) defend her NABF super featherweight belt in a 10-round showdown against Alejandra Zamora (7-3, 1 KO).

At the final press conference Thursday, this is what the fighters had to say.

Shakur Stevenson

On Bob Arum’s praise and taking the short track to a world title shot

“That means the world {to me}. I feel like that’s the harder route. I feel like you could say whatever you want, but I feel like going pro and fighting a bunch of bums early in your career, I feel like that’s the easy route. I feel like I went to the Olympics and fought the higher level of competition, and that’s the reason I am who I am today.”

To Gonzalez: “I also think in 2012 when he was fighting them bums, I was a freshman in high school at the time, bro. So I understand why you’re mad at me, bro. It’s all good.”

Gonzalez’s response: “Ain’t nobody mad at you. Just show up Saturday and come to fight.”

On Joet’s experience

“I’m not sleeping on him. If I’m being honest, I always said Joet was good. Go look at my Tweets from two, three months ago. I always said he’s a good fighter. He was the one who got up there and said Shakur was overrated. Saturday, he gotta put up everything he said.”

Joet Gonzalez

“I most definitely had the harder road. Like you said, he was an Olympic silver medalist. He got the fast track. He got {a title shot} in two years. It took me seven years. I’ve been pro since 2012, so I’ve had the longer road. I have more experience. I’m older, more mature, and I think that is going to help me out Saturday night.”

“His biggest test, as a pro or an amateur, is obviously for a world title. He’s gonna have to do some crazy thing to beat me because I’m not leaving Saturday without that belt.”

“I’m just anxious because all the hard work, it’s already been done. Now we’re just counting down the days, letting the days go by. Tomorrow will be weigh-ins and Saturday will be fight time.”

On the personal beef with Shakur

“It fuels me because I was never the one to put this out there. The media, the public, they found out because of him. Just running his mouth. And now when they ask him about it, he don’t want to talk about it. So, it’s personal. It’s personal, just the things he’s done, the things he’s said, and he’ll pay for that on Saturday night.”

Shakur’s response: “It’s personal for him. I’m not going in the ring with a personal mindset. I’m going in the ring to win a world title, so that’s what I’m going to do to win this world title.” 

Joshua Greer Jr.

On his flashy ring attire and “Night Night” pillow

“Pressure either busts pipes or makes diamonds, and I’m going to continue to shine.”

On his No. 2 ranking the pressure of a high ranking

“I had a great camp. I’m ready. At the end of the day, we’re going to drag him through that fire, and he gonna have on some gasoline boxing trunks so you know he’s burnt up.”

Antonio Nieves

“I’m coming to do what I gotta do. It’s a fight. At the end of the day, it’s a fight. We’re gonna fight. And that’s what we do. I’m here to fight. He’s here to fight. {If} he makes errors, we’re going to capitalize on them. We’re gonna fight him.”

“We’re ready 100 percent for whatever he brings.”

Mikaela Mayer

“I don’t know a lot about {Zamora}. There wasn’t a ton of video on her, but we do study tape. We always come up with a game plan in our camp, so we have plan A, B, or C.”

“There’s been a lot of talk about my style, and I think a lot of people are impressed with how I’ve been going to the body and working on the inside, especially being a female and being tall, you just don’t see a lot of that. I’ve really been working on that and then you see people talking about how I’m tall and long and I should use my reach more and stand on the outside, and I think it’s just been a combination of me wanting to be good at both. My team doesn’t want me to be a one-dimensional fighter. They don’t want there to be a certain way to beat me, and because I’m tall and long, girls are going to want to pressure me, and there’s going to be girls who are going to get me on the inside. So we want to be strong on the inside and box and move, so I’ve just been working on being able to put that all together.”

“I definitely plan on upping my knockout record, and I plan on doing that Saturday.”

“Whatever your reason is, if you think I’m a pretty girl and you want to see me get my ass beat, then tune in! Either way, it’s going to be an exciting fight. I feel like I always put on exciting fights, so this Saturday is not going to be any different. I’m stronger than ever. We’ve had a great training camp, a long one, and I feel good.”

ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Shakur Stevenson vs. Joet Gonzalez, 12 rounds, vacant WBO featherweight world title

Mikaela Mayer vs. Alejandra Zamora, 10 rounds, Mayer’s NABF super featherweight title

Joshua Greer Jr. vs. Antonio Nieves, 10 rounds, Greer’s WBC Continental Americas and NABO bantamweight titles 

ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT

Albert Bell vs. Frank De Alba, 10/8 rounds, lightweight

Francisco Esparza Jr. vs. Matt Conway, 8 rounds, lightweight

Xander Zayas vs. Genesis Wynn, 4 rounds, welterweight

Andy Vences vs. Mark Bernaldez  10/8 rounds, super featherweight

Jason Sanchez vs. Adeilson Dos Santos, 10/8 rounds, featherweight

Jared Anderson vs. Daniel Infante, 4 rounds, super bantamweight

SWING BOUTS

JJ Mariano vs. Sean Cerveny, 4 rounds, super lightweight

Diego Elizondo vs. Mike Sanchez, 4 rounds, lightweight

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy, Let’s Get It On Promotions and Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, tickets for this world championship event priced at $110, $70 and $40 (not including applicable fees) can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa gift shop.

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtags #StevensonGonzales, #GreerNieves and #MayerZamora to join the conversation on social media. About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of 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 games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive 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 can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com.

RENO, Nev. (Oct. 1, 2019) — The man of many nicknames and one of the faces of female boxing will fight in co-feature bouts before Shakur Stevenson takes on Joet Gonzalez for the vacant WBO featherweight world title Saturday, October 26 at Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
 
NABO bantamweight champion Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer, also known as “Mr. Do That,” “Mr. ESPN,” and “Night Night,” will defend his belt against former world title challenger Antonio Nieves in a 10-rounder.
 
In the other co-feature, Mikaela Mayer will make the third defense of her NABF super featherweight title against Alejandra Zamora in a 10-rounder.
 
Greer-Nieves will stream on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, immediately preceding Stevenson-Gonzalez at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Mayer-Zamora and undercard bouts will stream on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
 
“Joshua and Mikaela are two of the most charismatic young fighters in boxing,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Having them on the card in tough fights, along with a great championship bout in Stevenson-Gonzalez, is a bonus for Reno fight fans and everyone watching on ESPN+.”
 
Greer (21-1-1, 12 KOs), the showman from Chicago, progressed from prospect to contender in the past year, winning four bouts since signing with Top Rank last September. His last two bouts — a close decision over Nikolai Potapov and a knockout of Giovanni Escaner — were televised on ESPN, leading Greer to coin himself “Mr. ESPN.” He is currently ranked No. 2 by the IBF, and if he beats Nieves, he could be in line for a world title opportunity in 2020. Greer complements his in-ring acumen with one-of-a-kind flair. Before each fight, he has a custom pillow made, which he unveils after knocking out his opponent. He is 10-0 with eight knockouts since debuting the “Night Night” pillow concept before his March 2017 knockout over James Smith.
 
Nieves (19-2-2, 11 KOs), from Cleveland, Ohio, is a professional loan officer by day and a longtime contender who won the NABO bantamweight title in June 2016. He lost the belt via split decision to Potapov the following year, then dropped down to super flyweight for a world title opportunity against pound-for-pound great Naoya Inoue. Nieves was stopped in six rounds by Inoue, and he has won two in a row by stoppage since returning as a bantamweight.
 
“I want to show everyone on October 26 what I’ve been working on. I’m only getting better. Every fight is a learning experience, and I am going to show Antonio Nieves what I’m about,” Greer said. “The knockout didn’t come in my last fight, but it’s all part of the game. I’m bringing back the pillow, and after I beat Nieves, I will be Mr. ESPN+.”

“My primary goal is to become a world champion,” Nieves said. “Joshua Greer Jr. is ranked second by one of the major sanctioning organizations and third by another. I am coming to Reno to beat him, take over his sport in the rankings and win a world championship in 2020.”
 
Mayer (11-0, 4 KOs) is a Los Angeles native who represented the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and in a little more than two years as a pro, she has established herself as one of female boxing’s most popular attractions. She fought in Reno as an amateur and hopes a win over Zamora will lead to a world title shot in early 2020. Mayer last fought June 15 on the Tyson Fury-Tom Schwarz card in Las Vegas, where her decision win over Lizbeth Crespo drew more than 800,000 viewers on ESPN2. Zamora (7-3, 1 KO), from Argentina, is making her United States debut and has never been knocked out as a professional.
 
“It’s been a great eight-week camp for this fight, and everything is coming together,” Mayer said. “There’s been talk about my fighting style, and a lot of people have been impressed with how I’ve been working the body. Others want to see me box more on the outside. Nobody’s wrong, but this is just the process of becoming a well-rounded pro. I want to be great on the inside and the outside and that requires working both ways during my fights.
 
“I’m ready to put it all together, get this win October 26 and then get my title shot. It’s very cool to be the co-feature on the card of my Olympic teammate, Shakur Stevenson. You won’t want to miss this show.”
 
In other action:

• Albert Bell (15-0, 5 KOs), the Toledo, Ohio native coming off a career-best victory June 15 over then-unbeaten Andy Vences, will return against Frank De Alba (23-4-2, 9 KOs) in a lightweight showdown scheduled for 10 or eight rounds.
   
• Vences (22-1-1, 12 KOs) will look to bounce back from his first pro defeat against hard-hitting Filipino contender Mark Bernaldez (19-2, 13 KOs) in a crossroads super featherweight bout scheduled for 10 or eight rounds.
   
• Jason Sanchez (14-1, 7 KOs), in his first fight since dropping a unanimous decision to Oscar Valdez for the WBO featherweight world title June 8 in Reno, will face former world title challenger Adeilson Dos Santos (19-6, 15 KOs) in a featherweight tilt scheduled for 10 or eight rounds.
   
• In a battle of unbeaten super featherweights, Tyler McCreary (16-0-1, 7 KOs) will fight Pittsburgh product Matt Conway (17-0, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
   
• A pair of former U.S. amateur standouts will make their long-awaited professional debuts in four-rounders. Xander Zayas, the 17-year-old prodigy who won 11 national titles for the U.S. and Puerto Rico, will turn pro as a welterweight against an opponent to be named. Jared “Big Baby” Anderson, the two-time defending heavyweight national champion (201 pounds), will make his debut as a heavyweight versus Daniel Infante (1-2, 0 KOs).
   
• Reno product JJ Mariano (1-0, 1 KO) will return in front of the home fans versus Trinity Lopez (1-0, 0 KOs) in a four-round super lightweight bout. Mariano scored a knockout June 8 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on the Oscar Valdez-Jason Sanchez undercard.
   
• Diego Elizondo (2-0-2, 0 KOs), from nearby Carson City, Nevada, will fight Jose Ceja (1-4-2, 0 KOs) in a four-rounder at lightweight.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy, Let’s Get It On Promotions and Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, tickets for this world championship event priced at $110, $70 and $40 (not including applicable fees) can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa gift shop.

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtag #StevensonGonzalez to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of 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 games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive 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 can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com.

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 24, 2019): Ahead of his first world title opportunity, Joet Gonzalez (23-0, 14 KOs) has re-signed with Golden Boy as he begins to conquer the featherweight division.

“Joet Gonzalez is one of the most talented and toughest fighters to come out of Southern California in recent years,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “When we first signed him, he was an undefeated prospect who showed lots of promise, especially because of his amateur background. During the past years he has become the best featherweight contender in the world, and I’m proud to continue promoting him as enters the next level of his career. Joet Gonzalez will become champion on October 26, and I’m confident he will conquer the division.”

Gonzalez is an undefeated contender of Glendora, California who possess an impressive amateur resume. After several fights as a professional, the 25-year-old pugilist made his Golden Boy debut in April 2015 when he stopped Ali Gonzalez on an LA FIGHT CLUB card, where many young talents from the company developed into today’s contenders. Gonzalez then climbed the featherweight rankings by defeating fighters such as Deivi Julio Bassa, Rafael “Big Bang” Rivera, and Manuel “Tino” Avila. Now, Gonzalez will take on Shakur Stevenson (12-0, 7 KOs) of Newark, New Jersey for the vacant WBO Featherweight World Title in a bout promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy, Let’s Get It On Promotions and Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. The fight will be streamed live on ESPN+.

“The relationship between a boxer, a manager and a promoter is a partnership,” said Joet Gonzalez. “I built and developed my career with Golden Boy, and now that I am fighting for a world title, I want to show everyone that we are in this together as I take the next step in my career. I want to thank my manager, Frank Espinoza, along with everyone at Golden Boy. This October 26 I will bring a world title back home.”

About Golden Boy
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment brand committed to making fighting entertainment more accessible and affordable. The company’s in-house production team develops creative original programming for RingTV.com and international channels across the globe. The company holds the exclusive rights to top boxers and has promoted some of the biggest and highest grossing events in the history of the sport. Now, Golden Boy is one of the most successful boxing entertainment companies in the world and shapes the future of boxing for fighters and fans alike through its 2019 partnership with streaming platform, DAZN.

RENO, Nev. (Sept. 23, 2019) — Tickets for the highly anticipated vacant WBO featherweight world title fight between unbeaten stars Shakur Stevenson and Joet Gonzalez — Saturday, October 26 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center — go on sale TODAY, September 23, at 10 a.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy, Let’s Get It On Promotions and Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, tickets for this world championship event priced at $110, $70 and $40 (not including applicable fees) can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa gift shop.

A pair of undefeated Northern Nevada-based prospects, JJ Mariano and Diego Elizondo, are slated to appear on the undercard.

Stevenson (12-0, 7 KOs), the WBO No. 1 contender, is no stranger to Reno fight fans. He won multiple national tournaments there as an amateur, including the U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials in late 2015. Stevenson went on to capture a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The 22-year-old last fought July 13 in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, knocking out Alberto Guevara in the third round.

The 25-year-old Gonzalez (23-0, 14 KOs), the WBO No. 2 contender, is a seven-year pro who has scored three consecutive knockouts. A Los Angeles native, Gonzalez is coming off a sixth-round stoppage over Manuel Avila.

Stevenson-Gonzalez and a co-feature will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The entire undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtag #StevensonGonzalez to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of 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 games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive 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 can cancel at any time.

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LAS VEGAS (Sept. 13, 2019) — Three world title bouts and a highly anticipated light heavyweight unification fight are on the docket for Top Rank’s fall schedule, which will be unveiled TODAY at 12 p.m. PT at a special kickoff press conference at the MGM Grand’s KA Theatre. The press conference will feature all eight fighters, and it will be streamed live on @ESPN through the ESPN App, available to all viewers unauthenticated.

The fall schedule will kick off October 18 with the previously announced light heavyweight unification bout between IBF champion Artur Beterbiev and WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia (ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 10 p.m. ET). The entire undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

“This is a tremendous lineup of fights that Top Rank is bringing to ESPN and ESPN+ in the fall,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “You have young superstars and established champions in the toughest fights of their careers. It doesn’t get better than that. When it’s all said and done, new superstars are going to emerge.”

October 26: Stevenson and Gonzalez to Battle for Featherweight World Title

Shakur Stevenson is only 22 years old and 12 fights into his pro career. For his first world title shot, he’ll return to the sight of many of his greatest amateur accomplishments. Stevenson will face Joet Gonzalez for the vacant WBO featherweight title Saturday, October 26 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada.

Stevenson and Gonzalez are the WBO’s top two contenders for the belt vacated by Oscar Valdez, who is now campaigning at 130 pounds.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Let’s Get It On Promotions and Golden Boy, Stevenson-Gonzalez and a co-feature will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The entire undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

“I have been working for this moment my entire life, and no one is going to stop me from becoming a world champion,” Stevenson said. “I had some of my biggest amateur moments in Reno, and I can’t wait to win my first world title there. This is my time to show the world that I am the best young fighter in boxing. The Shakur Stevenson era will officially begin on October 26.”

“It’s about time I got my world title shot,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve been asking for this opportunity for a long time. Thanks to my promoter and manager, it is finally here. Shakur Stevenson has done a lot of talking. But I’ll do my talking in the ring with my fists on October 26.”

Stevenson (12-0, 7 KOs), the fighting pride of Newark, New Jersey, turned pro in April 2017 following a standout amateur career that included a 2016 Olympic silver medal for the United States. He is familiar with Reno, having won four national titles in “The Biggest Little City in the World” from 2013-2015, including his triumph at the Olympic Trials. Stevenson returned to Reno as a pro, shutting out Juan Tapia over eight rounds in February 2018 to improve to 5-0. He has fought three times thus far in 2019, including a career-best performance April 20 against former world title challenger Christopher Diaz on the Terence Crawford-Amir Khan pay-per-view undercard. He followed up the unanimous decision over Diaz with a triumphant return to Newark, where more than 5,000 fans packed the Prudential Center for his third-round stoppage over Alberto Guevara.

Gonzalez (23-0, 14 KOs) is a seven-year pro who has the edge in experience, and at 25 years old, is three years older than Stevenson. Like Stevenson, he had a storied amateur career, nearly qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics and winning a U.S. Junior Olympics title. Gonzalez has won three consecutive bouts by knockout since a split decision victory over former world title challenger Rafael Rivera. He last fought July 13 in Carson, California, capturing the WBO Global and WBA Continental America featherweight titles with a sixth-round stoppage over Manuel Avila. Immediately following the Avila bout, he expressed interest in fighting in Stevenson, and the two have since been engaged in a social media back-and-forth. The talking will stop — and the fight will start — on October 26.

November 2: Miguel Berchelt Set to Defend Super Featherweight World Title Versus Jason Sosa

WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt will defend his world title for the sixth time against former world champion Jason Sosa in a can’t-miss battle Saturday, November 2 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Berchelt, who has won four in a row by stoppage, is the division’s longest-reigning world champion and is ranked No. 1 by both ESPN.com and Ring Magazine.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions and Peltz Boxing, Berchelt-Sosa and a world title co-feature will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. The undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

“On November 2, there will be another classic war between a Mexican and a Puerto Rican warrior,” Berchelt said. “I will prove once again that I am the best and most spectacular super featherweight in the world. This title ain’t going anywhere.”

“I can’t express how happy and grateful I am to Top Rank and Russell Peltz for once again working together to give me another shot at becoming world champion,” Sosa said. “I am training harder than ever. I want this so bad, and I am not going to let anything stop what God has planned for me. We are incredibly focused knowing the importance of this fight. Berchelt is a strong opponent, and we are not taking his talents lightly. We both throw a lot of punches so expect an action-packed fight that will be the next chapter in the Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry. It’s a rivalry that’s been ongoing for years, and I plan on making my island very proud. On November 2, I plan on becoming a two-time world champion.”

Berchelt (36-1, 32 KOs) has reigned as WBC super featherweight king since January 28, 2017, the evening he dethroned Francisco Vargas via 11^th-round knockout in a Fight of the Year contender. He has maintained his reputation as an all-action star, besting Miguel Roman and Takashi Miura in dominant title defenses. He last fought May 11 in Tucson, Arizona, battering Vargas in their rematch until Vargas retired on his stool following the sixth round. A native of Cancun, Mexico, Berchelt has won 15 consecutive bouts and hopes a win over Sosa will move him closer to a world title unification bout.

Sosa (23-3-4, 16 KOs), from Camden, New Jersey, is in the midst of a career revitalization following a two-bout skid in 2017. Sosa has reeled off three consecutive wins since a controversial decision loss to Yuriorkis Gamboa in November 2017, and he is now ranked in the top 10 by two of the major sanctioning organizations. He last fought August 10 in Philadelphia, knocking out Lydell Rhodes in seven rounds to earn his shot at the title.

November 9: Jamel Herring Set for Ballpark Title Defense Versus Lamont Roach Jr. in Fresno

Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring, the U.S. Marine veteran who upset Masayuki Ito in on Memorial Day weekend to win the WBO junior lightweight title, is set to honor his comrades by returning on Veterans Day weekend.

Herring will make his first title defense against the undefeated Lamont Roach Jr. on Saturday, November 9 at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, home of the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies. This is a return engagement for Herring, who fought at Fresno’s Save Mart Center last September and had more than 1,000 active, retired and aspiring service members in the crowd cheering him on.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy, Herring-Roach and a co-feature will stream live beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+. The undercard will stream on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

“Our camps have gone back and forth, and I’m just ready to get to work,” Herring said. “I have a great team, and Terence Crawford will also be in camp to make sure I’m at my best. Overall, the night means much more than trash-talking, since it’s the weekend of both Veterans Day and the Marine Corps birthday.

“I’m glad to be back in Fresno. I had a huge crowd supporting me last time I fought in the area. I know a victory here will lead to bigger and better things.”

“I know Jamel very well and he knows me,” Roach Jr. said. “I’m super excited, and I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire life. This victory will be only the beginning of my legacy. I’m here for a reason, and I can’t wait to show the world why! I will be the WBO junior lightweight world champion on November 9.”

Herring (20-2, 10 KOs) served two tours of duty with the Marines in Iraq and captained the 2012 U.S. Olympic boxing team. His pro career stalled with a 1-2 skid from 2016-2017, but after signing with Top Rank and moving down to 130 pounds, he won three straight fights to earn the title shot against Ito. His September 2018 fight against John Vincent Moralde was a particularly special occasion, as dozens of Marines lined the Save Mart Center walkway as Herring made his entrance. He shut out Moralde as the ESPN-televised co-feature, and now he returns to California’s Central Valley ready to put on a clinic under the lights.

Roach (19-0-1, 7 KOs) is one of the best young fighters to emerge from the boxing hotbed of Washington, D.C. in recent years. His only hiccup as a pro — an April 2018 draw against Orlando Cruz in Cruz’s home country of Puerto Rico — was a minor speed bump in what has been an otherwise sterling run up the ranks. He is 3-0 since the Cruz fight, winning a pair of regional belts and putting forth his best performances on high-profile cards. He last fought May 4 on the Canelo Alvarez-Danny Jacobs undercard in Las Vegas, scoring a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Jonathan Oquendo. Roach is trained by his father, Lamont Roach Sr., who has been the head man in his corner for his past five bouts.

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Use the hashtags #BeterbievNail, #StevensonGonzalez, #BercheltSosa and #HerringRoach to join the conversation on social media. 

Shakur Stevenson and Joet Gonzalez will meet for the vacant WBO Featherweight title on October 26th in Reno, Nevada, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Devil is in the details,” he said. “I need a contract from Top Rank and then Joet and [manager] Frank [Espinoza] have to sign off on it, but Carl (Moretti) and I are good,” said Eric Gomez of Gonzalez promoter, Golden Boy Promotions

“This is by far the toughest fight for each guy,” Moretti said. “We didn’t care where the fight ended up. We know how good Shakur Stevenson is and fully expect him to win his first of many world titles that night. He’s special.”

CARSON, CALIF. (June 6, 2019): A thoroughly stacked night of Golden Boy action heads to the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. as Rey Vargas (33-0, 22 KOs) defends his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title in the 12-round main event against No. 1 Contender and former world champion Tomoki “El Mexicanito” Kameda (36-2, 20 KOs). The card will also feature the return of Diego De La Hoya, Joet Gonzalez, Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez, Alexis “Lex” Rocka and Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez. The fights will take place on Saturday, July 13 and will be streamed live on DAZN.

“Golden Boy is no stranger to big events with stacked undercards, and much less when it comes to having them at the Dignity Health Sports Park,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Not only is this place the home of the LA Galaxy, it has also become a battlefield for some of the most exciting wars this sport has ever seen. July 13 will not disappoint as the best 122-pounder in the world in Rey Vargas defends his world title against an explosive challenger. Most importantly, however, this stacked card will also demonstrate what we have been doing at the Golden Boy for many years: producing stars and making the best fights possible.”

Vargas is a 28-year-old world champion who brings a considerable height and reach advantage to every fight, which he has used to defeat all of his previous opponents. In February 2017, Vargas traveled to the United Kingdom to defeat Gavin McDonnell for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight Title. For that fight, Vargas enlisted the help of Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, who has been training him ever since. Vargas then defended the title against Ronny Rios, Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete, Azat “Crazy A” Hovhannyan and Franklin Manzanilla. The native of Mexico City, Mexico will look to make the fifth defense of his title in his first main event fight in the United States.

“This is going to be a hard and complicated fight,” said Rey Vargas. “Kameda is a difficult opponent who has been a world champion. Above all, however, he has a thorn in his side that he’ll want to take out because I beat him in the amateurs several years ago. This is an interesting fight. He is a quick fighter and he’ll look to take advantage of that, but thanks to God and my corner we are already working to counteract the strategy of this Japanese fighter. God willing, we will walk away with our hand in victory.”

Kameda is a 27-year-old native of Tokyo, Japan who traveled to Mexico when he was only 15 years old to learn from and compete with its fighters, earning the nickname “Mexicanito” in the process. Since then, Kameda has developed into a complete fighter utilizing styles from both countries. In 2013, Kameda became a world champion by defeating Paulus Ambunda for the WBO Bantamweight World Title, defending it three times. He also challenged for a world title on two occasions by facing Jamie McDonnell for the WBA Bantamweight World Championship. Kameda then moved up to 122 pounds where he plans to become a two-division world champion.

“This is going to be a great battle,” said Tomoki Kameda. “I know Rey Vargas very well. We fought in the amateurs during my time in Mexico. I look forward to getting my revenge against him and becoming a two-division world champion. I know Vargas is a tall fighter with long arms, but the Mexican style that I possess will give him a lot of trouble and make for a great fight for the fans!”

“This is a great fight where the two best super bantamweights in the world will meet,” said Oswaldo Kuchle, President of Promociones del Pueblo. “Rey Vargas will prove that he is invincible, and that’s why he has the belt with the highest ranking-the WBC belt.”

“A former world champion who’s fought on the big stage in Japan, Mexico and the U.S., Tomoki Kameda is more than ready for this opportunity to become a champion again on July 13,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “At just 27-years-old, Kameda is still in his prime after already accomplishing a tremendous amount as a pro. He’s going to bring a challenge that Rey Vargas has never seen before and deliver a memorable night for his fans all over the world.”

In the co-main event, Diego De La Hoya (21-0, 13 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico will take on hometown favorite Ronny Rios (30-3, 14 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBA Gold Super Bantamweight Title.

“I’m excited for this great opportunity to showcase my skills at the Dignity Health Sports Park,” said Diego De La Hoya. “This is another step closer to a world title challenge, and I promise to give my fans a night to remember. Ronny Rios is a tough fighter, but these types of challenges motivate me to perform at my best. I won’t be denied a victory come July 13!”

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Golden Boy and DAZN for giving me this opportunity,” said Ronny Rios. “Secondly, I would like to thank my team for helping me stay prepared, motivated and focused. I would also like to thank Diego De La Hoya and his camp for accepting this fight.”

Joet Gonzalez (22-0, 10 KOs) of Glendora, Calif. will fight for the vacant WBO Global Featherweight Title in a 10-round fight against Manuel “Tino” Avila (23-1-1, 8 KOs) of Fairfield, Calif. This fight will feature two high-level Golden Boy contenders who are centimeters away from a world title shot.

Mexican rising star Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez(28-0, 25 KOs) will return in a 10-round super featherweight fight. This will be Rocky’s second fight after signing a co-promotional deal between Promociones del Pueblo and Golden Boy.

Welterweight prospect Alexis “Lex” Rocha (13-0, 8 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. will defend his WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Title in a 10-round bout against Berlin Abreu (14-2, 11 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republican.

Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (8-0-1, 8 KOs) of Glendora, Calif. will return in a six-round lightweight fight.

Jonathan Esquivel (10-0, 9 KOs) of Anaheim, Calif. will battle in a six-round super middleweight fight.

Adrian Benton (1-0) of Cincinnati, Ohio will participate in a four-round super lightweight fight.

The opponents for this undercard will be announced shortly.

Vargas vs. Kameda is a 12-round fight for the WBC Super Bantamweight World Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Promociones del Pueblo and TGB Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, July 13 at Dignity Health Sports Park and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Tickets for Vargas vs. Kameda go on sale Thursday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. PT. Tickets are priced at $75, $50, $25 and $10, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased at goldenboytickets.com, AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849), and at the Dignity Health Sports Park Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, call 877-234-8425.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow
on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/.
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