Joe Smith Jr ended the legendary career of Bernard Hopkins when he knocked Hopkins out of the ring in the 8th of their scheduled 12-round light heavyweight bout at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

In round one, Smith wobbled Hopkins with a right to the top of head.  In round two, Smith was cut inside his left eyebrow from an accidental headbutt.  Hopkins fought his way back into the fight as he occasionally landed his trademark right hand and some nice uppercuts on the inside.

Smith was bombing away with his right hand and startled but never had Hopkins in much trouble.  That changed in the 8th round, when Smith rocked Hopkins with a right hand.  A follow up combination drilled Hopkins out of the ring.  Hopkins fell on the back of his head, and could not beat the 20 count of referee Jack Reiss and Hopkins was stopped for the 1st time in his illustrious 28 year career.

Smith 174 lbs of Long Island, NY is now 23-1 with 19 knockouts.  Hopkins, 174 lbs of Philadelphia will wind up his career with a record of 55-8-2.

Joseph Diaz, Jr. remained perfect by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Horacio Garcia in a featherweight contest.

Diaz used superior handspeed and body work to control the action and outland Garcia by a 266-116 mark.

Diaz, 126 lbs of South El Monte, CA won by scores of 100-90 on all cards,  and is now 23-0.  Garcia, 125.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is 30-2-1.

Oleksandr Usyk retained the WBO Cruiserweight title with a 9th round stoppage over Thabiso Mchunu

Usyk started to open up in round five and in round six, dropped Mchunu with a hard combination.  Usyk continued to build his lead and then in round nine, he landed a hard straight left that sent Mchunu to the canvas.  Mchunu was able to continue, but not for much longer as a left to the top of the head put Mchunu down for a 3rd and final time.  Referee Lou Moret stopped the bout at 1:53.

Usyk, 199.6 lbs of Kiev, UKR is now 11-0 with 10 knockouts.  Mchunu, 198.6 lbs of Cato Ridge, SA is 17-3.

Jason Quigley remained undefeated by stopping Jorge Melendez in the 1st round of their scheduled 10-middleweight bout.

Quigley dropped Melendez with a short right in the 1st round. Quigley dropped Melendez a short time later with a five punch combination. Melendez went down for a 3rd time in the round from a right. Melendez was able to continue, but just for a brief time as he landed a big flurry that forced the corner to stop the fight at 2:42.

Quigley, 159.6 lbs of Donegal, IRE is 12-0 with 10 knockouts. Melendez, 158.6 lbs of Manati, PR is 28-8-1.

Ryan Garcia remained undefeated by scoring a 2nd round stoppage over Antonio Martinez in a scheduled 6-round lightweight bout.

Martinez was cut over his left eye in the 1st round from a huge flurry of punches by Garcia. Garcia scored a knockdown at the end of the round from a right hand. In round two, Garcia dropped Martinez with a left hand. Garcia continued the onslaught and landed a bug right hand that forced the referee to stop the bout at 2:00

Garcia, 131.4 lbs of Victorville, CA is 7-0 with 6 knockouts. Martinez, 131.4 lbs of Durango, MX is 6-8.

LOS ANGELES (August 31, 2016) – Golden Boy Promotions will be celebrating its one year partnership with Estrellla TV’s Boxeo Estelar on the September 2 installment of LA FIGHT CLUBfrom the historic Belasco Theater in Downtown Los Angeles featuring a classic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico fight between middleweight contenders Antonio “La

Joya” Gutierrez (20-2-1, 9 KOs) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico and Manati, Puerto Rico’s Jorge Melendez (28-6-1, 26 KOs). As LA’s boxing aficionados come together for the upcoming boxing event to kickoff Labor Day weekend, Golden Boy
Promotions has taken a look back to at some top fight moments held on Boxeo Estelar, a pl
ace where fans can expect the best action-packed battles and where the next generation of boxing stars are born. To celebrate the milestone, Golden Boy Promotions put together a video highlighting the best moments of the partnership with Estrella TV’s Boxeo Estelar. Click HERE to download and repost the video, video credit: Golden Boy Promotions.

The 2016 Fight of the Year contender, Soto Karass vs. Kamegai left boxing fans thirsty for more on April 15th, as both fighters put on an impeccable show in front of a sold-out crowd at the Belasco Theater, live nationally on Estrella TV’s Boxeo Estelar.Wasting no time, Jesus Soto “Reunente” Karass and Yoshihiro “El Maestrito” Kamegai began thrashing
each other five seconds after the opening bell and continued the non-stop action until after 10 exhilarating rounds. Kamegai received a cut under the eye during round two by an accidental head butt, however was able to pull through with the fight resulting in a split decision draw, 97-93 for Kamegai, 96-94 for Soto Karass and 95-95 even. The event broke attendance records for the venue and generated major interest for a re-match immediately after the fight concluded. The event launched Soto Karass and

Jesus Soto Karass vs. Yoshihiro Kamegai – Photo Credit Tom Hogan-HoganPhotos_Golden Boy Promotions
Kamegai back into stardom and served as a launching pad for the fighters reinvigorated careers. Luckily for fight fans, the rematch will take place on September 10 as at the co-main event to of Roman Gonzalez vs. Carlos Cuadras on HBO World Championship Boxing from the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

One of the most memorable fights hosted at the Belasco Theater, Gilberto Gonzalez vs. Luis Arceo of the April 1st, 2015 fight card was a complete blood bath. Gonzalez was able to get the technical knock-out inthesixth round against Arceo in an eight-round junior welterweight bout. By the fifth round, Gonzalez began to break down Arceo with his impactful punches. In the sixth round, Gonzalez landed subsequent body bunches, sending Arceo to the mat leaving Gonzalez as the victor.

Rene Alvarado vs. Andrew Cancio was the highly anticipated comeback of Andrew “El Chango” Cancio, after not being in the ring for 20 months. The fight was exciting from the moment the first bell rang to an eight-round technical knock-out of the Nicaraguan Alvarado. The impressive Cancio, was able to stop the Nicaraguan warrior– something that had not been accomplished in the past. This victory secured Cancio a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions and now Cancio will be featured on the pay-per-view undercard of Canelo-Smith this September 10 as he takes on Joseph “JoJo” Diaz for the NABF Featherweight title.

Serving as the first fight on Estrella TV’s Boxeo Estelar on September 4, 2015, Diego De La Hoya vs. Jesus Ruiz headlined an event that created a star in Diego De La Hoya as he went on to win his first title fight, the WBC Youth Super Bantamweight Championship. Going up against one of the toughest opponents of his career in former world title challenger Jesus “Estrella” Ruiz, who was previously in the ring in January 2015 against then WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz; Diego showed he had what it took to take on the elite of the division as he systematically took apart Ruiz in 10 rounds. Since then, De La Hoya has headlined numerous events and will not be fighting on the pay-per-view undercard of Canelo vs. Smith on September 17 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Frankie Gomez vs. Jorge Silva was a part of October 23, 2015 will go down as one of Fantasy Springs’ bloodiest fights. The heavy hitters launched their powerful punches, wrecking each other throughout the battle. By mid-fight, Silva had a gaping cut at the top of his head with a bloody nose, while the “Pitbull” had two cuts under his eyes due to head butts. The fighters lasted all of the schedule ten rounds despite the blood, and displayed the night’s top exchange of punches. The judges all awarded Gomez the unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 100-90.

Eddie Gomez vs. John Karl Sosa_ Photo Credit_ Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Eddie Gomez vs. John Karl Sosa featured on the May 20, 2016 spectacle held at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Gomez was able to secure an impressive victory which lead him to his first title, the IBF North American Welterweight Title. Sosa did well initiating exchanges by landing repeatedly with lead right hands to the head. Sosa was able to score in the last rounds, however was not able to set his dominance in the last two rounds as he had done during the middle rounds. All three judges scored the bout in favor of Gomez with scores of 98-92, 96-94, and 96-94 respectively.

Fighting for the first time as a featherweight, Manuel “Tino” Avila took on one of the most recognized featherweights in boxing in Nicaraguan warrior Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado on the April 1 edition of Boxeo Estelar. Alvarado gave Avila a hard time in ten rounds that saw both fighters lead the action throughout the fight. By the fifth round, Avila switched the game plan, and began to box Alvarado, keeping his distance, landing effectively and counter-punching. The active bout went all ten rounds with scores of 97-93, 100-90 and 97-93 to give Avila the victory via unanimous decision and a big victory for him in a new weight division.

Headlining his first event, Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez took on an experienced fighter known for his stamina in the ring, Alejandro Ochoa, on December 4, 2015. Gonzalez, dazzled the crowed and cemented himself as a hard puncher as he cut Ochoa across the nose during the first round and sent him to the mat in the second round. Known for his heavy hands, the talented fighter continued to overwhelm Ochoa as the referee called the fight at 2:13 within the second round. Gonzalez, proved to all fight fans watching that he had the drive to move up to the next level and as he stopped Ochoa in the second round, something that had not been possible in the last 12 fights for Ochoa.

Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr. vs. Ruben Tamayo a part of the October 23 2015 edition of the Fantasy Springs Boxeo Estelar showed off Diaz’s Olympic boxing skill that dominated every round in their ten round featherweight bout. All three judges scored the fight 100-90 for Diaz, Jr. “Jojo”, who has gone on to win the NABF Featherweight title, and is slated to face of Andrew Cancio in his second defense of the belt under the Canelo-Smith fight card.

One of the most exciting fighters to watch, Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez faced San Diego’s Chris Martin and in a main event that kicked off the 2016 LA FIGHT CLUB year on January 29. In front of a sold-out crowd, “El Camaron” forced Martin to go the distance in a ten round featherweight bout, dominating the ring with his speed, releasing a thrashing upon Martin with nasty uppercuts that broke him down. The judges all unanimously decided that Ramirez was the clear winner, two of the judges scoring it at 99-91 and the remaining judge scoring it at 100-90. This performance is what launched Ramirez to fight against fellow stablemate and another Boxeo Estelar regular, Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez on June 4 as the co-main event to Vargas vs. Salido on HBO Boxing After Dark, in a competitive match where the NABF Featherweight Title was on the line.

Joet Gonzalez vs. Sergio Lopez Gonzalez, Photo Credit: Golden Boy Promotions
A Boxeo Estelar regular, Joet Gonzalez took on Sergio Lopez Gonzalez on August 5,2016 and displayed an impressive offense by showcasing a tough left hook throughout the fight, using it to slowly break down Lopez round by round. Gonzlez was challenged by Lopez’ experience as he received shots to the face and body and at times pinning Gonzalez on the ropes. The ninth round was a frenzy as Gonzalez landed massive jabs to the face, stunning Lopez. After ten solid rounds Gonzalez walked away with a unanimous decision victory and proved that he had what it took to move on to the next level of his career by defeating a more experienced fighter.

Antonio Orozco vs. Miguel Acosta demonstrated the “Relentless” efforts of Orozco as he headlined the March 25, 2016 edition of Boxeo Estelar at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Orozco only needed 1:54 of the first round after releasing his two left hooks that caused serious damage to Acosta, causing the referee to stop the fight. Orozco went on to headline the HBO Latino Boxing event held at the Fantasy Springs Resort, where he won the hard-fought unanimous decision over Abner “Jaeger” Lopez.

Oscar Negrete vs. Neftail Campos featured a pair of fighters who entered the ring on the August 5 bout sheet as undefeated. The competitive fight saw Negrete rise to the occasion as his precise boxing style gave him the upper hand as he entered the ring with clear shots to the head and body. It was in the sixth round of the eight round featherweight fight that Negrete hurt Campos with a potent left hook, however despite being hurt, Campos powered through the rest of the three rounds. Negrete’s dominant presence in the ring was clear to the judges, with the unanimous decision in favor of Negrete with all judges scoring 80-72, maintaining his undefeated status.

Zachary Ochoa vs. Luis Joel Gonzalez was the televised co-main event featured on the June 3, 2016 series of LA Fight Club, in an eight-round super lightweight fight. Regardless of Ochoa utilizing his impressive reach, Gonzalez was able to knock Ochoa down in the third round for a brief second, first in his career. However, that wasn’t enough to stop Ochoa striking his rival with a right chin jab in the seventh round in the most devastating knockout of the night-concrete proof that his swiftness and strength were too much for Gonzalez to handle.

LA FIGHT CLUB on Estrella TV’s Boxeo Estelar has been the birthplace of Southern California’s hottest talent pool, with fighters that include but are not limited to Genaro “El Conde” Gamez, Hector “El Finito” Tanajara, Jr., Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro, Joshua “El Professor” Franco, Niko “Baby Face” Valdes, and Oscar Duarte. In true fight club fashion, these rising contenders have caught the eye of boxing fanatics and critics Southern California.

Genaro “El Conde” Gamez, Super Featherweight Prospect:

After leaving behind a highly decorated amateur career, including being ranked as the number one lightweight in the United States, Genaro “El Conde” Gamez has quickly become of boxing’s top prospects. A 2014 USA Boxing National Champion, San Diego’s Gamez is currently coached by renowned former world champion Robert Garcia. Since breaking into his professional career with a catastrophic first round knockout over Archie Weah, Gamez is sure and was most recently seen in the ring defeating Juan Bryand on June 4.

Hector “El Finito” Tanajara, Jr., Lightweight Prospect:

San Antonio’s “El Finito,” Hector Tanajara, Jr. is another Texas star on the rise, and at 19 years old, he hasn’t even started to scratch the surface of his enormous potential. Unbeaten in six bouts, Tanajara has ended four of those bouts in a single round, most recently

Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro, Photo Credit: Golden Boy Promotions
stopping Francisco “El Mono” Medel on May 25. Tanajara will jumped back in the action
on May 25, 2016 stopping Francisco Medel in the first round.

Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro, Welterweight Prospect:

Jonathan “Thunder” Navarro representing East Los Angeles has lived up to his nickname thus far, as the 19-year-old has ended three of his four wins by knockout. Loyal to LA FIGHT CLUB and having fought all professional bouts at The Belasco Theater, this fan favorite is hungry to make a name for himself in the East L.A. boxing scene by fighting on the Vargas vs. Salido undercard at The StubHub Center. As the nephew of former boxing Olympian Jose Navarro, “Thunder” has boxing his in his blood and hopes to keep up the family tradition of big victories and sensational knockouts on June 4 Navarrio defeated Marc Torres via second round knockout.

Joshua “El Professor” Franco, Bantamweight Prospect:

San Antonio, Texas’s Joshua “The Professor” Franco, who made his debut less than a year ago as a new Golden Boy fighter on the August 6 edition of the popular LA FIGHT CLUB series in Los Angeles, defeating Temoatzin Landeros via split decision, and quickly followed up with a victory over Saul “Bebe” Hernandez at the October installment. He ended 2015 on a high note, with a first round knockout victory over Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico’s Leonard Reyes in December. Franco has stayed active in 2016, having fought three times previously this year and obtained victories once by knockout and twice via unanimous decision.

Niko “Baby Face” Valdes, Light Heavyweight Prospect:

Miami’s Niko “Baby Face” Valdes will fight his second professional bout at LA FIGHT CLUB against a soon to-be-announced opponent. Once ranked the third best light heavyweight amateur fighter in the U.S, this southpaw superstar leaves behind a highly decorated amateur career that saw him take home bronze at the 2014 USA Amateur Boxing National Championships, four Florida Golden Gloves state championship, and the bronze from the National Golden Gloves. In his professional debut, Valdes scored a first round

Oscar Duarte, Photo Credit: Golden Boy Promotions
knockout of Roberto Ramirez in April. The light heavyweight prospect was last seen at the
Belasco Theater on July 1, 2016 stopping Michael Andrews in the third round.

Oscar Duarte, Lightwight Prospect:

Oscar Duarte of Parral, Mexico is eager to become a big name in the sport of boxing. In his U.S. debut, Duarte defeated Alejandro Salinas in August 2015, landing himself a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions. Currently co-managed by Latin star Gabriel Soto and Guillermo Roacha, Duarte fought earlier this year at LA FIGHT CLUB in February defeating Archie Weah via unanimous decision. He was last seen in the ring on the ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate Vargas vs. Salido undercard at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. where he defeated Luis Lizarraga, Jr. by unanimous decision. On August 19, Duarte made his third appearance at LA FIGHT CLUB when he defeated Omar Garcia via first round knockout.

LA FIGHT CLUB: Gutierrez vs. Melendez, 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, September 2 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and will stream live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via LBI Media, Inc.’s multiplatform digital network Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.

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.

LOS ANGELES (October 22, 2015) – Continuing its legacy of seeking out the best and brightest in boxing, Golden Boy Promotions has signed super welterweight contender Jorge “Destroyer” Melendez (29-5-1, 27 KOs) of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico and undefeated middleweight boxing legacy Bastie Samir (14-0-1, 14 KOs) of Accra, Ghana.

A dangerously aggressive rising star and former WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation, WBO Latino and WBA Fedecaribe super welterweight titleholder, Melendez has repeatedly proved to audiences he is one to watch, most recently with a first-round technical knockout victory over Antonio Rodriguez in June 2015. After a stellar amateur career in Ghana that included qualifying for the 2008 Olympics, winning the 2007 African Championship in the welterweight division and leading Ghana’s national team, Samir relocated to the U.S. to pursue his professional career and has quickly captivated fans with an impressive 14 wins and his undefeated status.
“First of all, I would like to thank Golden Boy Promotions for the trust placed on me,” said Melendez. “Also, I would like to thank my team for always working hard for my best interest. It’s a pleasure and honor to be part of an experienced and respectable team like Golden Boy, and I will continue to proudly represent my island of Puerto Rico. All of the 154 and 160 pounders out there better be ready now that we will be having great wars in the big venues. The DESTROYER is back!!”
“I look forward to continuing the legacy of boxing that has been in my family for decades,” said Bastie Samir. “I will be a force to be watched this coming year and thank Golden Boy for the opportunity to continue my boxing career in the ring. I couldn’t ask for a better support team than my family, management team, and trainer Kenny Adams to keep me ready.”
“Golden Boy’s roster showcases the best upcoming and experienced fighters and the addition of Jorge and Bastie only furthers our mission of bringing the best talent aboard our team,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Jorge and Bastie are fighters to be feared in the ring, we are excited to be with them as they continue their paths to becoming champions.”
As an amateur, Melendez impressed fans amassing a record of 48 wins and only five losses, as well as representing Puerto Rico twice in international tournaments. In 2007, Melendez made his professional debut against Juan Aguirre, resulting in a draw, and quickly followed up with a nine win streak from 2007 to 2009. In December 2010, Melendez defeated William Correa to clench the vacant WBA Fedecaribe super welterweight title, and successfully defended the title against Chad Greenleaf in April 2011. Continuing his winning streak, he claimed the interim WBO Latino super welterweight title, battling Eric Mitchell in October 2011 and later defeated challenger Marcus Willis in April 2012 to stay the titleholder. In March 2014, Melendez was awarded the vacant WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) super welterweight title when he defeated Richard Gutierrez in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Melendez started 2015 off on shaky ground with a tough loss to Ievgen Khytrov at the MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom in Las Vegas in March, but quickly rebounded with an impressive first-round victory over Antonio Rodriguez in June in La Romana, Dominican Republic.
Hailing from Accra, Ghana, Bastie Samir accumulated an impressive amateur record of 96-7, a number four world ranking and qualification in the light heavyweight division for the 2008 Olympics for Ghana. He captained Ghana’s national team and won the African Championship in the welterweight division in May 2007. Now living and training in Las Vegas, Samir relocated to the U.S. to pursue a professional career and made his pro debut defeating Marvin Blair in November 2008 at the Valenica Ballroom in York, Pennsylvania. He has followed up his first triumph with wins in both the U.S. and his home country, amassing a 14-bout winning streak, featuring impressive victories over Billy Cunningham in November 2010 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Eddie Hunter in February 2011 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, and most recently, Marciano Commey in November 2013 at the Will Power Boxing Complex in Accra, Ghana.
More information on Jorge’s and Bastie’s next fight will be announced soon. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @DestroyerPR and @BastieSamir become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing or follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @OscarDeLaHoya.

Tony Harrison destroyed Antwone Smith in round two of a scheduled 10-round Middleweight bout at the MGM Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas.

Harrison dropped Smith twice in round one and pummeled him more in round two until the fight was stopped at 19 seconds of round two.

Harrison, 155 1/2 lbs of Detroit is now 20-0 with 16 knockouts. Smith, 156 lbs is now 23-6-1.

Ievgen Khytrov remained perfect by scoring an 8th round stoppage over Jorge Melendez in a scheduled 10-round Middleweight bout.

Khytrov scored a knockdown in round eight and the bout was stopped at 42 seconds of round eight.

Khytrov, 160 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 9-0 with 9 knockouts. Melendez, 159 lbs of Puerto Rico is 28-5-1.

Erickson Lubin remained undefeated by scoring a 1st round stoppage over Kenneth Council in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Lubin dropped Council in round one from a perfect left hand. Council was sent to the deck for a second time from a hard combination. Lubin ended things when he landed 10 booming shots and the referee stopped the bout as Council fell to the canvas at 1:33.

Lubin, 153 lbs of Orlando, FL is niw 10-0 with 7 knockouts. Council, 154.2 lbs of North Carolina is now 8-1.

Caleb Plant remained undefeated by scoring a 1st round stoppage over Daniel Henry in a scheduled 6-round Middleweight bout.

Plant dropped Henry in round one from a hard right hand. Plant finished things after Henry got turned around and when he turned forward, he ate a vicious right that knocked him flat on his back and the fight was stopped at 2:29.

Plant, 162.6 lbs of Nashville, TN is now 7-0 with 5 knockouts. Henry, 163 lbs of Austin, TX is now 2-3-3.

Jamontay Clark withstood a 3rd round knockdown to win a 4-round unanimous decision over Rick Graham in a Super Welterweight bout.

Ckark, 149 1/4 lbs won by scores of 39-37 on all cards and is now 5-0. Graham, 149 3/4 lbs is 2-5-2.

New York, NY (3/4/15) – This Friday night, Ievgen Khytrov (8-0, 8KO’s), arguably the most promising young prospect in all of boxing, returns to the bright lights of ESPN Friday Night Fights when he squares off against dangerous Puerto Rican contender Jorge Melendez (28-4-1, 26KO’s) in the 10-round co-feature bout of the evening, live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV.

Headlining the card is junior middleweight Tony Harrison (19-0, 16KO’s) putting his undefeated record on the line against the rugged Antwone Smith (23-5-1, 12KO’s).

“Jorge Melendez is an extremely dangerous opponent and very advanced for an 8-0 prospect. Khytrov is not a normal 8-0 prospect, however; he is a beast and he is elite. He is going to prove that Friday night on ESPN,” stated co-promoter Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.

“I’ve trained really hard and have sparred with the top guys in the world in my weight class,” said Khytrov, regarding his preparation for Friday’s fight. “I am one hundred percent ready, grateful for this opportunity and thankful to my promoters DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions Inc., as well as my managers Al Haymon and Rory Donadio. I’m going to give it my best and give the fans an entertaining fight.”

Nicknamed the “Ukrainian Lion”, Khytrov was a stellar amateur, having compiled an astounding record of 450-50. He won the 2011 Amateur World Championships and represented his native Ukraine at the 2012 Olympics in London as well. Khytrov was a favorite to win the gold, but lost a highly disputed decision to eventual bronze medalist Anthony Ogogo in the opening round, despite twice dropping the hometown favorite Ogogo.

Following his disappointment at the Olympics, Khytrov immediately relocated to the US and began living and training in Brooklyn, NY. Khytrov, now co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions Inc., made his successful debut in December 2013 and has been on an absolute tear ever since, including seven of his eight career knockouts thus far coming in three rounds or less. Khytrov’s last four opponents, three of whom were defeated in nationally televised slots (ESPN, FoxSports1 and ShoBox), have had a combined record of 48-5-2. The bout on Friday night will mark Khytrov’s fourth time fighting on national TV in the last nine months and he is already penciled in for his second appearance on ShoBox: The New Generation on April 10, in Brooklyn, NY. Boxing insiders have begun comparing the 26-year-old to middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, whom Khytrov has said he wants to fight down the road, but first he must get by the dangerous and heavy-handed Puerto Rican Melendez.

In his last 15 bouts, Melendez is 15-2, 13KO’s, and is by far the toughest opponent to date for Khytrov. The former world-rated middleweight and former WBO Latino super welterweight champion Melendez has only been stopped twice in his career, way back in 2010 and 2009. Melendez is coming off an exciting and very close majority decision loss to former world title challenger Javier Maciel in June of last year. The 26-year-old Melendez knows that he cannot afford another loss at this point in his career and will be laying it all on the line come Friday night.

The card is promoted by Goossen Promotions and Warriors Boxing, with the Khytrov-Melendez bout promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment and Fight Promotions. The ESPN telecast will be aired live, beginning at 11 p.m. ET.

Marvin Sonsona evened the score with Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. by scoring a 10 round Featherweight bout.

Sonsona dropped Vazquez early in round one from a straight left hand. The fight was filled with fouls and lacked action throughout the bout.

Sonsona won by scores of 96-92 twice while Vazquez took a card 96-92.

Sonsona, 125 3/4 lbs of the Philippines is now 19-1. Vazquez, 125 1/2 lbs is now 23-4-1.

Javier Maciel scored a 10-round majority decision over Jorge Melendez in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

Maciel came out aggressive as advertised. Melendez got into the fight with solid round’s two and three. Round four proved to be a disaster ans Melendez was docked a point for low blows and then was put on the canvas from a hard right. Melendez had a nice bounce back round five as he landed some solid combinations. Melendez continued to get back into the fight with power shots.

Maciel started taking control again in round’s seven, eight and nine as he forced the action. The two battled with power punches being thrown by both.

Maciel, 154 lbs of Argentina won by scores of 97-91, 96-92 and 94-94 and is now 29-3. Melendez, 153 lbs of Puerto Rico is now 28-4-1.

Former world title challenger Andy Lee was down but not out and came back to score a stunning 5th round stoppage over John Jackson in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Middleweight.

Jackson floored Lee in round one from a powerful right hook. Jackson continued to beat Lee to the punch and landed three consecutive rights to the head in round five.

In the fifth round, the two exchanged on the ropes. Lee was buckled and then out of nowhere he landed a perfect right uppercut and Jackson was knocked cold and the fight was stopped immediately at 1:07.

Lee, 154 lbs of Ireland is now 33-2 with 23 knockouts. Jackson, 152 lbs of the Virgin Islands is now 18-2.

Superstar in the making, Felix Verdejo scored a 1st rouns stoppage over Engelberto Valenzuea in a scheduled six round Lightweight bout.

Verdejo scored one knock down and continued the assault until the bout was stopped at 1:17 of round one.

Verdejo, 134 1/2 lbs is 13-0 with 10 knockouts. Valenzuela, 134 1/2 lbs is now 8-2.

Jose Lopez scored a 8-round unanimous decision over Raul Hidalgo in a Super Bantamweight bout.

Lopez, 121 1/4 lbs won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 14-0. Hidalgo, 122 1/4 lbs is now 21-11.

Jose Pedraza made quick work of Arturo Uruzquieta by scoring a 1st round stoppage in a scheduled 6-round Lightweight bout.

Pedraza landed hard effective punches throughout the short contest and eventually sent Uruzquieta to the deck. Upon getting to his feet, the fight was stopped at 2:19 of round one.

Pedraza, 132 1/2 lbs is now 17-0 with 11 knockouts. Uruzquieta, 131 3/4 lbs is now 15-6

Willie Nelson scored a 1st round stoppage over Darryl Cunningham in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Nelson dropped Cunningham with a hard right. He scored a 2nd knockdown with a barrage of punches. Cunningham goto to his feet but was very unsteady. The ringside doctor called a halt to the action at 2:43 of round.

Nelson, 157 lbs is now 22-1-1 with 13 knockouts. Cunningham, 156 1/2 lbs is now 29-7.

Jantony Ortiz made a successful pro debut by scoring a 1st round stoppage over Elio Ruiz in a scheduled 4-round Super Flyweight fight.

The time was was 2:45 of round one for Ortiz, 113 1/2 lbs of Puerto Rico. Ruiz, 114 1/2 lbs is now 1-5.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS FARINA / TOP RANK

New York, NY (5/19/14) – “Yuri Foreman has been training hard for his fight on June 7th against Jorge Melendez. At this moment, there is a dispute within Yuri’s team that does not involve DiBella Entertainment. Yuri has worked very hard on his comeback to get to an opportunity like this. Lou DiBella and DBE have a great working and personal relationship with Yuri. We are awaiting a phone call and hope to see him fight on June 7th at MSG. This will be resolved very shortly.”

NEW YORK (May 12, 2014) — Miguel Cotto Promotions, DiBella Entertainment and Sampson Boxing will present three intriguing 10-round battles which will be featured on the pay-per-view undercard headlined by the MIGUEL COTTO vs. SERGIO “Maravilla” MARTÍNEZ World Middleweight Championship. The Cotto vs. Martinez world middleweight championship event will take place on Saturday, June 7 at Madison Square Garden and will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

The pay-per-view telecast will open with one-time world title challenger ANDY LEE and Top-Five contender JOHN JACKSON in a middleweight rumble, followed by a junior middleweight battle between rising contender JORGE MELENDEZ and former world champion and future rabbi YURI FOREMAN who is on the comeback trail. The final bout before the main event will pit former world champions WILFREDO VAZQUEZ, JR. and MARVIN SONSONA in a long-awaited rematch, this time in a featherweight fight that could propel the winner back into world title contention.

“I am thrilled to have Wilfredo Vazquez Jr and Jorge Melendez in big fights on my pay-per-view undercard,” said Miguel Cotto. “They are two very talented fighters from my stable, and I wanted to open opportunities of massive exposure and good fights to further their careers. The fans will love it.”

“We have a strong undercard with true warriors who will give it their all in their fights,” said Héctor Soto, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “They will put on a good show. Having the former super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and a knockout artist like Jorge Melendez in solid fights makes a very attractive pay-per-view undercard for the fans.”

“At 154, Andy Lee is going to be more dangerous than ever,” said Lou DiBella. “John Jackson is a very tough and talented fighter, coming from a great family pedigree. That being said, I think that Andy Lee is going to shine in this fight and show the world that he is a true force in the junior middleweight division. I expect myself and Sampson to be enjoying a great victory together with Sergio in the main event, but I am very confident that he will be licking his wounds after Andy defeats Jackson.

DiBella continued, “Yuri is currently on a four-fight win streak and he is looking to show that he is still one of the elite 154 lb. fighters in the world. This is an opportunity to not only fight in his hometown but also on the biggest stage possible, and prove to the world that he is once again ready for a world title opportunity.”

“I am so happy to bring to the historic Cotto-Martínez undercard two of my best prospects in very competitive and dangerous fights, the son of the legendary Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, John “Da Rock” Jackson of the U.S. Virgin Islands and “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona, the second youngest World Champion to come from the Philippines. Don’t miss these great fights,” added Sampson Lewkowicz.

Promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions, Top Rank®, DiBella Entertainment and Sampson Boxing, in association with Maravilla Box, Tecate, PS4 and Madison Square Garden, remaining tickets to the Cotto vs. Martínez World Middleweight Championship event, priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50, tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com.

Vazquez Jr. (23-3-1, 19 KOs), of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight title in 2010, stopping Sonsona in the fourth round. He successfully defended the title twice during his 15-month reign, knocking out Zsolt Bedak and Ivan Hernandez in the 10th and 11th rounds, respectively. In his last bout, on September 20, 2013, he recaptured the WBO International junior featherweight title via a 12-round unanimous decision over Guillermo Avila. Vazquez is currently world-rated No. 14 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

Sonsona (18-1-1, 15 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, was 19 when he captured the WBO junior bantamweight title in 2009, winning a unanimous decision over Jose Lopez. After one successful title defense — a draw against Alejandro Hernandez — he moved up two weight divisions in 2010 and took on Vazquez in an unsuccessful challenge for the WBO junior featherweight title. Since that fight, Sonsona has run the table and enters this fight on a four-bout winning streak with the last three victories coming by way of knockout, including his last fight, a third-round knockout of Akifumi Shimoda for the WBO International featherweight title. Sonsona is currently world-rated No. 4 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), and the WBC, No. 7 by the WBO and No. 9 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

Melendez (28-3-1, 26 KOs), of Manati, Puerto Rico, enters this fight having won 15 of his last 16 bouts, with 13 of those victories coming by way of knockout. A disciplined veteran who has spent his entire professional career at the same weight division, Melendez first came to prominence when he captured the WBO Latin America junior middleweight title in 2011, outpointing Eric Mitchell. He successfully defended his title twice, knocking out Marcus Willis and Milton Nuñez in 2012. He enters this fight having captured the WBC’s Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) super welterweight title on March 22 via a unanimous decision over Richard Gutierrez. He is currently world-rated No.17 by the WBC.

Foreman (32-2, 9 KOs), of Brooklyn, has been a New York favorite since his professional debut in 2002. An active rabbinical student, Foreman captured the world’s attention in 2009 when he dethroned WBA super welterweight champion Daniel Santos to become the first Orthodox Jew to win a world championship in nearly 75 years. Raised in Israel, Foreman immigrated to Brooklyn and captured the 2001 New York Golden Gloves and turned professional in 2002. He lost the world title to Cotto in 2010 in the first fight ever held in the new Yankee Stadium, Foreman enters this fight riding a four-bout winning streak, including a one-round knockout of Javier Gomez last November. He is currently world-rated No. 14 by the WBC.

Lee (32-2, 22 KOs), a native of Limerick, Ireland as well as a New York fan favorite, enter this fight having won 17 or his last 18 bouts dating back to 2008. The lone blemish was a seventh-round TKO loss to defending WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr. in 2012. Ireland’s sole representative in the 2004 Olympics he is also a disciple of the great Emanuel Steward. Steward often referred to Lee as “my left-handed Tommy Hearns.” Three of Lee’s last five victories have been by way of knockout. He is currently world-rated No. 6 by the WBC and No. 10 by the WBA.

Jackson (18-1, 15 KOs), of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, the son of former two-division and three-time world champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, will be making his New York debut on this card. He enters this fight riding a two-year, five-bout winning streak, including three by way of knockout. In his last fight, he stopped Jorge Miranda in the seventh round on December 7 in Argentina. He is currently world-rated No. 4 by the WBC.

HBO’s Emmy-Award®-winning reality series “24/7,” which has captured 18 Sports Emmys in its first seven seasons, returns with an all-new edition when “24/7 Cotto/Martínez” premieres Saturday, May 31 at 11:15 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, www.hbo.com/boxing, www.dbe1.com, www.sampsonboxing.com, www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com and www.maravillabox.com, Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/DiBellaentertainment, facebook.com/TopRankMiguelCotto, facebook.com/maravillabox, and facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, twitter.com/dibellaent, twitter.com/SampsonBoxing, twitter.com/hboboxing, twitter.com/realmiguelcotto or twitter.com/maravillabox. Use the Hashtag #CottoMartinez to join the conversation on Twitter.

Puerto Rican junior middleweight slugger Jorge “Destroyer” Melendez (27-3-1, 26 KOs) is on the verge of getting a fight he has been calling for, for a very long time: an all-action “can’t miss” showdown with the always-dangerous Mexican, Alfredo ‘El Perro’ Angulo (22-3-18 KOs).

With only some purse negotiations left to settle, the pair are set to meet on Saturday, December 14, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and live on SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View, as one of the featured bouts of a blockbuster night of boxing that also features Adrian Broner vs. Marcos Maidana, Jesus Soto Karass vs. Keith Thurman and Victor Ortiz vs. Carlos Molina.

“Let’s get this finished, so I can begin getting ready to give the great people of Puerto Rico my finest victory yet,” said Melendez. “By beating Angulo into retirement, I will put my island back on the boxing map worldwide. It will be a war, but I’m a Puerto Rican warrior who doesn’t run. I have the best power in the entire division and Angulo will be ‘Destroyed’.

Only a select few times per year does a notable fight get made for a wide audience with this much “Fight of the Year” potential. Melendez manager, Edwin Diaz, says he hopes an agreement can be reached with Golden Boy Promotions on purse, to keep this sensational fight a reality. “We are not asking for an excessive amount,” he explained. “In fact, our request is still below the real value of the fight. ‘Destroyer’ vs. ‘El Perro’ will steal the spotlight that night. With so many disappointing matchups this year, this is the kind of guaranteed-action fight boxing needs. Boxing fans and critics alike want this fight, so let’s make it happen.”

Melendez has been calling out Angulo for years, trying to make this exciting fight his calling card to the big time. The 24-year-old was last seen scoring an impressive TKO 2 victory over capable Philadelphia veteran Jamaal Davis on Saturday, October 5, on the TopRank.tv broadcast “Cotto vs. Rodriguez” undercard.

“Today I woke up with more desire and enthusiasm than ever,” continued Melendez. “I’m going to train harder than I ever have for this fight, while my coach, Wilfredo Vázquez, designs the strategy to defeat Angulo. Let’s get this fight negotiation finished so I can get ready. And when that night comes, the dog, ‘El Perro’ will go out screeching and with the tail between his legs.”

Diaz says it is expected that in the coming days, the team of both fighters and Golden Boy Promotions will reach a satisfactory agreement.

Follow Jorge “Destroyer” Melendez
Twitter @DestroyerPR
Facebook.com/jorgedestroyermelendez

Promoted by Promociones Miguel Cotto & H2 Entertainment