Edgar Berlanga remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Alexis Angulo in a super middleweight bout at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

Berlanga, 167.6 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 and is now 20-0. Angulo, 160.6 lbs of Pitai, COL is 27-3.

Henry Lebron Decisions Luis Lebron

Henry Lebron won a eight-round unanimous decision over Luis Lebron in a junior lightweight fight.

In round seven, Luis Lebron began to bleed from his mouth.

Henry Lebron, 130 lbs of Aguadilla, PR won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 and is now 16-0. Luis Lebron, 129.8 lbs of San Juan, PR is 18-4-1.

Victor Santillan won a eight-round unanimous decision over Carlos Caraballo in a junior featherweight bout,

In round two, Santillan was cut on his right eyelid from a headbutt.

Santillan, 119.6 of La Romana, DR won by scores of 78-74 twice and 77-75 and is now 12-0. Caraballo, 120.4 lbs of Guayanilla, PR is 15-2.

Dakota Linger shocked Josue Vargas with a second round stoppage in a scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout.

Linger landed a hard combination that had Vargas in serious . Linger knocked Vargas between the ropes for a knockdown. Linger was relentless until the bout was stopped at 2:06.

Linger, 142.6 lbs of Buckhamon, WV is 13-5-2 with nine knockouts. Vargas, 142.6 lbs Aguadila, PR is 20-3,

Armani Almestica remained undefeated by stopping Eliseo Villalobos in the final round of their six-round lightweight bout.

In round one Almestica dropped Villalobos with a straight left.

In round six, Almestica continued to land clean shots, and the fight was stopped at 1:47.

Almestica, 134.2 lbs of Orlando, FL is 6-0 with six knockouts. Villalobos, 134.4 lbs of Simi Valley, CA is 2-3.

Orlando Gonzalez stopped Pablo Cruz in round five of their six-round featherweight bout.

In round five, Gonzalez landed a flurry in the corner that forced referee Danny Schivone to stop the bout at 1:00.

Gonzalez, 128 lbs of Agudilla, PR is now 18-1 with 11 knockouts. Cruz, 127.8 lbs of Houston, TX is 22-5-1.

Omar Rosario remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Julio Rosa in a junior welterweight bout.

Rosario, 140.6 lbs of Caguas, PR won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 7-0. Rosa, 139.6 lbs of Bayamon, PR is 4-1.

Frevian Gonzalez won a four-round unanimous decision over Refugio Montellano in a lightweight bout.

Gonzalez, 134.6 lbs of Cidra, PR won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 5-1. Montellano, 134.8 lbs of Dallas, TX is 2-1.

Christina Cruz won remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Maryguenn Vellinga in a flyweight bout.

In round four, Vellinga was cut badly on here forehead from a headbutt.

Cruz, 111.8 lbs of New York won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 3-0. Vellinga, 110.6 lbs of Park City, UT is 3-3-2.

Jeremiah Nakathila scored the biggest win of his career by stopping former world champion Miguel Berchelt in a scheduled 10-round lightweight bout at The Resorts World Casino in Las Vegas.

In round three, Nakathila dropped Berchelt with a jab. Nakathila continued to apply hard pressure with Berchelt offering little to offset the charging Nakathila. In round six, Nakathila landed a blistering right that sent mouthpiece of Berchelt flying. That was enough to force the fight to be stopped.

Nakathila, 133.6 lbs of Winbook, NAM is 23-2 with 19 knockouts. Berchelt, 135 lbs of Cancun, MEX is 38-3.

Nakathila said, “From the first round, my corner told me to take my time. I know what I have. I knew it would be difficult for him to reach the 10^th round. It wasn’t so easy, but I made it look easy.

“He didn’t really bother me, the way he swung. I just got back to my game plan, and I capitalized.

“Luckily, {he couldn’t continue}. I was going to knock him out or put him to sleep in a bad way. Luckily, he saw it coming and decided he couldn’t come back.”

Added Berchelt, “I’m going to get up. I’m going to rise from this. The great champions are not the ones who fall. The great champions are those who rise, and I will go home, spend time with my family, visit with them, get some rest, and I am going to come back stronger than ever.”

Eduardo Baez Decisions Jose Enrique Vivas

Eduardo Baez won a 10-round majority decision over Jose Enrique Vivas in a featherweight bout.

Baez landed 304 of 783 punches; Vivas was 215 of 818.

Baez, 126.6 lbs of Mexicali, MEX won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 21-2-2. Vivas, 125.8 lbs of Mexico is 21-2.

Carlos Caraballo won a eight-round majority decision over Luis Fernando Saavedra in a junior featherweight bout.

Caraballo, 120 lbs of Puerto Rico won by scores of 79-73, 77-75 and 76-76 and is now 15-1. Saavedra, 120 lbs of Mexico is 9-7.

2021 U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson stopped Sebastian Gabriel Chaves in around four of their six-round welterweight bout.

In round four, Johnson dropped Chaves with a right hand. Later in the round, Johnson dropped Chaves with a massive left hand and the fight was stopped at 1:42.

Johnson, 142 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 3-0 with two knockouts. Chaves, 143.2 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 5-4.

Josue Vargas survived two knockdowns and a bite to win an eight-round unanimous decision over Nicolas Pablo Demario in a junior welterweight bout

In round three, DeNario landed a right against an off-balance Vargas that put Vargas on the canvas.

In round five, DeMario dropped Vargas with a hard left. Later in the round DeMario was deducted a point for biting Vargas on the shoulder.

Vargasm 142 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores of 76-4 twice and 76-73 and is now 20-2. Demario, 141.6 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 15-6-3.

Haven Brady Jr. stopped Juan Angel in round four of a scheduled six-round featherweight bout.

In round four, Brady landed a hard flurry of punches and was able to put Angel down with a double right. Brady finished off Angel by dropping him with an uppercut and the fight was stopped at 2:05.

Brady, 127 lbs of Albany, GA is 6-0 with four knockouts. Angel, 126.6 lbs of Chile is 8-3.

Dante Benjamin Jr. won a four-round unanimous decision over Kevin Johnson in a battle of undefeated light heavyweights.

Benjamin, 173.6 lbs of Cleveland, OH won by scores of 40-36 on all cards is now 2-0. Johnson, 174.4 lbs of Wichita, KS is 2-1.

Juan Hernandez Martinez and Arturo Cardenas battled to a four-round draw in a junior featherweight bout.

Each fighter won a card 39-37 and a third card read 38-38.

Gomez, 123.6 lbs of Gomez Palacios, MEX is 2-0-1. Cardenas, 122.4 lbs of Mexico is 2-0-1

Estevan Partida and Adrian Serrano battled to a four-round draw in a lightweight bout.

In round two, Serrano had blood from his nose.

Each fighter won a card 39-37 and a third card was 38-38.

Partida, 133.6 lbs of Merced, CA is 0-1-1. Serrano, 134.4 lbs of Salinas, CA was making his pro debut.

NEW YORK–The weigh-in fight was more competitive then the actual fight. Jose Zepeda annihilated Josue Vargas in the opening frame of their junior welterweight fight at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Zepeda landed a short left to the head that froze Vragas, who immediately fell face first on the canvas. Vargas tried to get up and then crashed into the bottom rope. Vargas did eventually get to his feet but then ate a devastating barrage in the corner and the fight was stopped at 1:45.

Zepeda, 139.6 lbs of Long Beach, CA is 35-2 with 30 knockouts. Vragas, 139 lbs of Bronx, NY is 19-2.

JOSE ZEPEDA

“I was ready. I was 100 percent ready, and I told him in the press conference there’s levels to this. He was the one who wanted to fight me. I just accepted the fight, and it showed today that boxing is not a game in there. There’s levels to this.”

“I told him, and he probably knew I hit hard. I don’t think he recovered after that shot.”

“After the way he went down, I didn’t think {he’d recover}. He probably was going to head up, but he was going to be wobbly on his feet, and that’s what happened and I was able to finish him.”

“I’m 32 years old, and I’m in my prime. I want the WBC world title and all the belts, to be honest. I’m ready for it. I showed today I’m ready for the WBC world title.”

VARGAS

“He caught me with a good left hand, and I tried to recover, but I think I got up too fast. That’s what happened. Overall, I’m OK. I’m good. I’m healthy. We’re not stopping from here. It’s on to the next.”

“I learned from my disqualification loss, and now I learned from my second loss.”

“It’s part of the sport. The greatest athletes in boxing have losses. I’m not ashamed of myself. I’ll be back stronger, for sure.”

Sultan Knocks down Caraballo 4 times; Decisions Caraballo

Jonas Sulton pulled off an upset victory as he dropped previously perfect Carlos Caraballo and won a 10-round unanimous decision in a bantamweight fight.

In round two, Sultan dropped Caraballo with a flurry to the head. In round three, Sultan sent Caraballo to the deck again with a left right to the face. In round four, Caraballo came back to rock Sultan several times.

Sultan came back in round six as he sent Caraballo to the canvas with a left hook. In round eight, Caraballo began to rock Sultan with some hard left hooks and hurt his opponent several times. Sultan began to swell under his right eye, In round nine, Sultan seemed to have sealed the fight when he floored Caraballo with a hard counter right.

Sultan landed 92 of 480 punches; Caraballo was 137 of 352.

Sultan, 117.6 lbs of the Philippines won by scores of 94-93 on all cards and is now 18-5. Caraballo, 117.6 lbs of Puerto Rico is 14-1.

“This is boxing. This is war. And I came to win tonight. Caraballo is a tough man, but I wanted this one,” said Sultan

Carlos Jackson pounded out a eight-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Guzman in a junior featherweight bout.

Jackson landed 79 of 385 punches; Guzman 93 of 352.

Jackson, 123 lbs of Atlanta, GA won by scores of 78-74 and 77-75; Guzman won a card 77-75.

Jackson is now 18-1. Guzman, 123 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 24-2.

In a toe-to-toe war, Mathew Gonzalez and Dakota Linger stood chest to chest and wailed away on each other, and the six-round junior welterweight contest ended in a majority draw.

The two landed many hard blows, which included a sixth round that had the crowd on their feet as Linger made a furious stand and took the final round that got him the draw by scores of 58-56 for Gonzalez and 57-57 twice.

Gonzalez landed 150 of 522 punches; Linger was 122 of 509.

Gonzalez, 143 lbs of Ridgewood, NY is 12-0-1. Linger, 141.8 lbs of Buckhannon, WV is 12-5-3.

In a spirited and at times testy six-round welterweight bout, Pablo Valdez remained undefeated with a majority decision over Alejandro Martinez.

Valdez, 148.4 lbs of New York won by scores of 59-55 twice and 57-57 to go to 5-0. Martinez, 148.6 of East Los Angeles is 2-2-1.

Jahi Tucker stopped Jorge Rodrigo Sosa in round two of their scheduled six-round welterweight bout.

Tucker hurt Sosa several times during the fight and finished off with a hard combination in the corner that forced referee Shawn Clark to stop the bout at 2:18.

Tucker, 147.6 lbs of Deer Park, NY is 5-0 with three knockouts. Sosa, 145.2 lbs is 3-3.

Ray Cuadrado won a four-round unanimous decision over Michael Land in a junior lightweight contest.

Cuadrado, 129.6 lbs of Ridgewood, NY won by scores of 49=0-36 and 39-37 and is now 2-0. Land, 129.4 lbs of Dallas, TX is 1-4-1.

Kasir Goldston remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Marc Misiura in a junior welterweight fight.

In the final round, Misiura was docked a point for an intentional headbutt to the mouth.

Goldston, 142 lbs of Albany, NY won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 4-0. Mislura, 142.2 lbs of Scranton, PA is 2-2.

NOTES—During the Caraballo-Sultan fight, the roof of the Hulu Theater began to shake due to a sold out concert featuring Harry Styles that was playing in the big room at Madison Square Garden.

(ESPN+, Approximately 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

    •    Jose Zepeda 139.4 lbs vs. Josue Vargas 139 lbs 
(Zepeda’s WBC Silver Super Lightweight Title — 10 Rounds)

•    Carlos Caraballo 117.6 lbs vs. Jonas Sultan 117.6 lbs 
(Vacant WBO Intercontinental Bantamweight Title — 10 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT)

•   Jonathan Guzman 123 lbs vs. Carlos Jackson 123 lbs 
(Junior Featherweight — 8 Rounds)

   •    Mathew Gonzalez 143 lbs vs. Dakota Linger 141.8 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

   •    Pablo Valdez 148.4 lbs vs. Alejandro Martinez 148.6 lbs
 (Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

   •       Jahi Tucker 147.6 lbs vs. Jorge Rodrigo Sosa 145.2 lbs
 (Welterweight — 6 Rounds)
  •       Ray Cuadrado 129.6 lbs vs. Michael Land 129.4 lbs
 (Junior Lightweight — 4 Rounds)
   •      Kasir Goldston 142 lbs vs. Marc Misiura 142.2 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 4 Rounds)

NEW YORK (Oct. 28, 2021)— Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas earned his nickname fighting as an amateur growing up in The Bronx. The Puerto Rican-born junior welterweight contender now has the opportunity to notch a career-defining win roughly 10 miles from where he was raised.

Vargas (19-1, 9 KOs) will take on two-time world title challenger Jose “Chon” Zepeda (34-2, 26 KOs) in an ESPN+ 10-round main event Saturday at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The winner of this crossroads battle will be in line for a world title opportunity. Vargas has won 13 straight since a controversial disqualification defeat, while Zepeda is one year removed from his Fight of the Year knockout victory over Ivan Baranchyk. Zepeda last fought in May, winning a decision over “Hammerin” Hank Lundy.

In the 10-round bantamweight co-feature, Puerto Rican knockout sensation Carlos “Purin” Caraballo (14-0, 14 KOs) will fight former world title challenger Jonas Sultan (17-5, 11 KOs). Caraballo is coming off March’s eye-opening knockout victory over Leonardo Baez. It was also announced today that Caraballo and Miguel Cotto Promotions entered into a long-term co-promotional pact with Top Rank. 

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $30 are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or MSG.com. 

At Thursday’s final press conference, this is what the combatants had to say.

Jose Zepeda

“He’s a young fighter. He’s a very energetic fighter, but I’ve been there. I have a lot of experience with rated number one and two fighters in the world. Wherever he takes it, I’m going to take it. I already proved I could go as hard as it gets.”

“He’s a young fighter. He still needs a lot of experience. He doesn’t know it. His team probably doesn’t know it yet, but Saturday he will get to see that boxing is not a game. You put your life in there, and he hasn’t been with any top 20 fighters. He’s going to realize what he got into this Saturday.”

“You’re going to see the best of ‘Chon’ Zepeda. Like I said, wherever he takes it, that’s where I’m going to take it. I know I can go all out if I need to. I don’t think it’s going to go there. I just think I’m going to outbox him. He believes he is a better boxer. He believes he’s faster. He definitely doesn’t believe he hits harder.”

“He’s number 56 in the world. Why is he saying {I haven’t fought anyone}? Saturday, like I said, he’s going to find out there’s levels to this.”

Josue Vargas

“I asked for the fight. I hit him up on Instagram a year ago.”

“I’m fighting in my hometown, Madison Square Garden, the main event. I feel ready, very confident. He said I don’t have the experience he has, but hey, I’ve been in the ring {sparring} the best. I can name them. I’ve been in there with Mikey Garcia, Floyd Mayweather, Gervonta Davis, Teofimo Lopez. The list could keep on going.”

“Now that I became a father, I’m fighting for my child now. I’m fighting for more of a reason, and I’m going to give it my all in there. I’m going to perform, I’m going to shine at Madison Square Garden in front of my hometown, and just come out victorious so you can put me in the top five, top 10 at 140 pounds. I deserve this opportunity. I’ve been in this game 14 years, 14 years strong.”

“All I got in my mind is coming out victorious, and I’m confident about that. That’s like 100 percent. That’s the way a fighter has to think. I’m in the sport for a reason, so therefore I give respect to Zepeda for taking the fight because he ain’t have to. He’s ranked {No. 1} by the WBC, so I give props to him because fighting me is a whole different ballgame. The only fighter he’s {fought} with kind of a good style is {Jose} Pedraza. That was it. He’s never faced anyone like me who’s young. I’m 23 years old who has the energy, but not only that, has great footwork.”

Carlos Caraballo

“There is a lot of talk that I’ll be the next superstar from the island. We’re working hard for that, alongside Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment. Now that I’m signed with Top Rank, we’re going to make this happen.”

“Every opponent is difficult. Everyone trains to win. I’m ready to go the 10 rounds, but if the knockout comes, I will go home early.”

“It’s motivating for me to know that big names in Puerto Rican boxing like Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad and other great champions have performed here. I’m ready to put on a great performance and be the next fighter to come out of Puerto Rico.”

Jonas Sultan

“I’m very excited for this fight. I’m proud to be here again on a Top Rank card. I’ve been here before. This fight Saturday night, I will show my best fight ever. This is going to {be a great fight} between me and Caraballo. May the best man win, and maybe I’ll be the best man.”

“{IBF junior bantamweight champion} Jerwin Ancajas is my friend and a sparring partner for this fight. He gave me the confidence and motivated me to win this fight. He gave me a lot of techniques, and let’s get ready to rumble for this fight.”

“If I beat Caraballo, it would have a big impact on my career. I would be looking for another world title fight.”

SATURDAY, October 30, 2021

ESPN+, Approximately 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Jose Zepeda vs. Josue Vargas, 10 rounds, Zepeda’s WBC Silver 140-pound title

Carlos Caraballo vs. Jonas Sultan, 10 rounds, bantamweight

ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Jonathan Guzman vs. Carlos Jackson, 8 rounds, junior featherweight

Mathew Gonzalez vs. Dakota Linger, 6 rounds, junior welterweight

Kasir Goldston vs. Marc Misiura, 4 rounds, junior welterweight

NEW YORK (Oct. 21, 2021) — After a nearly two-year layoff, former junior featherweight world champion Jonathan “Salomon King” Guzman’s comeback begins Saturday, Oct. 30 in an eight-round showdown against Carlos Jackson at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
 
Guzman-Jackson, a strong contender to steal the New York City spotlight, headlines a stacked undercard (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT) before hometown kid Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas’ step-up test against Jose “Chon” Zepeda in the 10-round junior welterweight main event (ESPN+ 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).
 
Guzman (24-1, 23 KOs) won the IBF junior featherweight world title in July 2016 with an 11^th-round TKO over Shingo Wake in Wake’s home country of Japan. Five months later, he returned to Japan and lost his title to Yukinori Oguni by unanimous decision. One of the Dominican Republic’s most accomplished fighters, Guzman has fought only twice since the Oguni defeat. In January 2020, he knocked out Rodolfo Hernandez Montoya in three rounds. Jackson (17-1, 11 KOs) is best known to a small contingent of MGM Grand Bubble attendees for his July 2020 war against Jose Enrique Vivas. In one of the year’s most hellacious action bouts — a battle of blood-curdling body blows — Vivas picked up the contested 10-round decision.  
 
In other undercard action:

• New York City crowd favorite Mathew “Lefty Gunz” Gonzalez (12-0, 8 KOs) will look to pick up his third consecutive knockout against Dakota Linger (12-5-2, 8 KOs) in a six-rounder at junior welterweight.
   
• Welterweight Pablo Valdez (4-0, 4 KOs), a New Yorker who trains alongside super middleweight star Edgar Berlanga, hopes to keep his perfect record intact against Alejandro Martinez (2-1-1, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.
   
• Jahi Tucker (4-0, 2 KOs), the rising welterweight star from Deer Park, New York, makes his MSG debut in a scheduled six-rounder versus Jorge Rodrigo Sosa (3-2, 3 KOs). Tucker, 18, turned pro at 17 last year inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble.
• Ray Cuadrado (1-0, 1 KO), a one-time New York City amateur standout, will face Michael Land (1-3-1, 1 KO) in a four-rounder at junior lightweight.
• Top junior welterweight prospect Kasir “Mazzi” Goldston (3-0, 1 KO), from Albany, New York, will step up against Marc Misiura (2-1, 1 KO) in a four-rounder.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $30 are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or MSG.com. All guests age 12 and older are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (this means having at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending). MSG’s comprehensive COVID-19 guidelines, including those regarding children under 12, can be found at https://www.msg.com/madison-square-garden/faqs.
 
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).
 
About Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) is a leader in live entertainment. The Company presents or hosts a broad array of events in its diverse collection of venues: New York’s Madison Square Garden, Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; and The Chicago Theatre. MSG Entertainment is also building a new state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas, MSG Sphere at The Venetian. In addition, the Company features the original production – the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – and through Boston Calling Events, produces the Boston Calling Music Festival. The Company’s two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG+, deliver a wide range of live sports content and other programming. Also under the MSG Entertainment umbrella is Tao Group Hospitality, with entertainment dining and nightlife brands including: Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Beauty & Essex, Cathédrale, Hakkasan and Omnia. More information is available at www.msgentertainment.com.  
 

NEW YORK (Sept. 28, 2021) — Jose “Chon” Zepeda wants a third world title shot. Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas, born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Bronx, hopes his hometown main event is the ticket to title contention.
 
Zepeda and Vargas will meet in a 10-round junior welterweight main event Saturday, Oct. 30 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Zepeda is ranked No. 2 in the world by the WBC, and Vargas, winner of 13 straight bouts, hopes to knock “Chon” off his lofty perch.
 
Zepeda-Vargas and a 10-round bantamweight tilt between undefeated Puerto Rican knockout artist Carlos “Purin” Caraballo and former world title challenger Jonas Sultan will stream and live and exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. 
 
Undercard action — also streaming and live and exclusively on ESPN+ — includes former world champion Jonathan Guzman returning in an eight-round junior featherweight fight, Long Island-born welterweight Jahi Tucker (4-0, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder, Kasir “Mazzi” Goldston (3-0, 1 KO) competing in a six-round junior welterweight contest, New York City prospect Mathew Gonzalez (12-0, 8 KOs) making his MSG debut in a six-rounder at junior welterweight, former New York City amateur standout Ray Cuadrado (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-rounder at junior lightweight, and Irish sensation Paddy “Real Deal” Donovan (7-0, 5 KOs) making his American debut in a six-round welterweight assignment.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $30 (not including fees) go on sale Friday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m. ET and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or MSG.com. All guests age 12 and older are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (this means having at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending). MSG’s comprehensive COVID-19 guidelines, including those regarding children under 12, can be found at https://www.msg.com/madison-square-garden/faqs.
 
“It’s been a long time, and Top Rank and ESPN are thrilled to be back at Madison Square Garden with an intriguing battle between a sensational young southpaw in Vargas and a world-level contender in Zepeda. The winner is squarely in the title picture,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Carlos Caraballo has all the makings of the next Puerto Rican superstar. Not many bantamweights can punch like this kid, but Sultan is far from a pushover.”
 
Zepeda (34-2, 21 KOs) is unbeaten in five bouts since a tight majority decision loss to then-WBC world champion Jose Ramirez in February 2019. The slick-boxing Zepeda participated in the 2020 Fight of the Year, knocking out Ivan Baranchyk in the fifth round of a bout that featured eight total knockdowns. He returned in May on the Josh Taylor-Ramirez undercard and outboxed “Hammerin” Hank Lundy over 10 rounds. Zepeda hopes a win over Vargas leads to a Ramirez rematch or perhaps a crack at undisputed king Taylor. Vargas (19-1, 9 KOs) earned his nickname as a wunderkind in the Bronx, where he compiled a 72-8 amateur record and won six New York City Metro championships. Apart from a controversial disqualification loss early in his pro career, Vargas has been near-perfect. He fought twice in 2020 inside the MGM Grand Bubble, notching wide points wins over Salvador Briceno and Kendo Castaneda. He last fought April 24 in Kissimmee, Florida, and turned back the awkward challenge of Willie Shaw over 10 rounds.
 
“I am pushing hard to earn another world title opportunity, but I understand the task at hand against a young, talented fighter like Josue Vargas,” Zepeda said. “There is mutual respect, but when we enter the Madison Square Garden ring, that all goes out the window.”
 
Vargas said, “I’m ready for this opportunity. Being the main event in my hometown, Madison Square Garden, is a dream true. The Bronx and Puerto Rico will be in the building to show their support. This is Puerto Rico versus Mexico, so you know it’s going to be a heck of a fight. Once I got the call, I started pushing even harder. I‘ve been through a lot in my professional career, so why not step up to the plate? I have the skills to beat Zepeda, and I’m going to do just that. Zepeda has a lot of experience against the top names in the junior welterweight division. We both have the talent and the skills to put on a show.”
 
Caraballo (14-0, 14 KOs), from Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, is a five-year pro who broke out in March with his fourth-round demolition over Leonardo Baez. He hopes to enter the world title picture with an impressive showing over Sultan (17-5, 11 KOs), a former world title challenger from the Philippines who has never been stopped as a professional. In May 2018, Sultan dropped a decision to Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF junior bantamweight world title. He has won three out of his past four fights and last fought in August, knocking out Sharone Carter in seven rounds.
 
Caraballo said, “I am thankful for the opportunity that my promoter, Miguel Cotto Promotions, is giving me together with Top Rank to fight at Madison Square Garden. I will take this opportunity to look great and continue to make noise at 118 pounds as I aspire to win a world title. Sultan is a strong, experienced opponent. I know he has fought the big names, but I am working hard with my team to show I am a force to be reckoned with. This victory is for my people from Guayanilla, and all Puerto Ricans in New York.”
 
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).
 
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Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) is a leader in live entertainment. The Company presents or hosts a broad array of events in its diverse collection of venues: New York’s Madison Square Garden, Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; and The Chicago Theatre. MSG Entertainment is also building a new state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas, MSG Sphere at The Venetian. In addition, the Company features the original production – the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – and through Boston Calling Events, produces the Boston Calling Music Festival. The Company’s two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG+, deliver a wide range of live sports content and other programming. Also under the MSG Entertainment umbrella is Tao Group Hospitality, with entertainment dining and nightlife brands including: Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Beauty & Essex, Cathédrale, Hakkasan and Omnia. More information is available at www.msgentertainment.com.  

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (April 15, 2021) — Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas was born in Isabel, Puerto Rico, and idolized the great Felix “Tito” Trinidad. For the first time in his professional career, he’ll have a building full of Puerto Rican fans cheering him on. Vargas will fight Willie Shaw in a 10-round junior welterweight bout Saturday, April 24 at a sold-out Silver Spurs Arena in the Puerto Rican enclave of Kissimmee, Florida.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with All Star Boxing, Vargas-Shaw will highlight a loaded undercard showcasing Puerto Rico’s top young talent streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. Following the undercard, Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete defends his WBO featherweight world title against Puerto Rican contender Christopher Diaz, and super middleweight Edgar Berlanga (16-0, 16 KOs) seeks to score his 17th consecutive first-round knockout against Demond Nicholson (ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

“It is time to show the world who ‘The Prodigy’ is,” Vargas said. “Fighting in Kissimmee is like fighting in Puerto Rico. After this fight, the Puerto Rican fans will talk about me. I am going to put on a show. I’ve seen some videos of Shaw on YouTube. I’m not going to take anything away from him, but he doesn’t have skills like I do. I have more experience than him. It’s time for me to break him down and show the world I’m a contender.”

Vargas (18-1, 9 KOs) had a breakthrough performance last October on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez undercard, dominating contender Kendo Castaneda via unanimous decision. He made headlines last June when he conducted his post-fight interview on ESPN after Salvador Briceno knocked out a pair of his upper front teeth. Despite the dental mishap, Vargas nearly shut out Briceno. Vargas has won 12 consecutive fights since a controversial disqualification loss.

“I’ve shown my intelligence in the ring. I barely got touched against Castaneda,” Vargas said. “I threw more than 800 punches in 10 rounds. It showed me that I belonged with higher-level fighters. I was letting him survive. That was me being nice. This time, I’ll apply more pressure and get the stoppage.”

Shaw (13-2, 9 KOs), from Oakland, California, enters the lion’s den as an experienced road warrior, having fought six times in Mexico since turning pro in 2017. Last August, Shaw pushed top prospect Omar Juarez before losing a six-round decision. He rebounded in January with a second-round stoppage in Tijuana.

In other undercard action:

Joseph Adorno (14-0-1, 12 KOs) vs. Jamaine Ortiz (14-0, 8 KOs)
8 Rounds, Lightweight

Adorno returns from a nearly 16-month layoff hoping to return to the win column following his January 2020 draw against Hector Garcia. He has a chance to advance from prospect to contender against the unbeaten Ortiz, who is coming off last November’s seventh-round knockout over Ugandan veteran Sulaiman Segawa on the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. undercard.

Orlando Gonzalez (16-0, 10 KOs) vs. Juan Antonio Lopez (15-8, 6 KOs)
8 Rounds, Featherweight

Puerto Rican southpaw stylist Gonzalez makes his 2021 debut against Lopez, a Texas resident who has upset a few undefeated prospects during his nearly nine-year pro career. Gonzalez went 162-16 as an amateur and inked a promotional deal with Top Rank in 2019.

Xander Zayas (7-0, 5 KOs) vs Demarcus Layton (8-1-1, 5 KOs)
6 Rounds, Welterweight

Puerto Rican prodigy Zayas, an 18-year-old who signed with Top Rank at 16, makes his third pro appearance in Kissimmee. He last fought Feb. 20 in Las Vegas and was pushed the six-round distance by James Martin. Zayas, who won 11 national titles as an amateur, recently spent time in his Florida training camp sparring Gervonta Davis and former world champions Adrien Broner and Robert Easter Jr. Layton is unbeaten in three bouts since a 2019 TKO loss.

Jeremy Adorno (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Ramiro Martinez (2-0-2, 1 KO)
4 Rounds, Junior Featherweight

Adorno, a 2017 U.S. Youth National Championship gold medalist, turned pro under the Top Rank banner in March 2019. The younger brother of Joseph Adorno, he’ll fight for the first time since a January 2020 decision win on the Joe Smith Jr.-Jesse Hart undercard in Atlantic City. Martinez, who fights out of Hurst, Texas, fought last November and won a one-sided decision over the 1-0 Tevin Moore.

Jaycob Gómez (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Mobley Villegas (3-1, 2 KOs)
4 Rounds, Junior Lightweight

Gómez is a 19-year-old upstart from Caguas, Puerto Rico, the same city that produced Miguel Cotto. He turned pro last October and scored a sensational first-round knockout. Villegas has never stopped as a professional.

Use the hashtags #NavarreteDiaz and #BerlangaNicholson to join the conversation on social media. For more information, visit 

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 12.1 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 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 $12.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $18.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (March 15, 2021) — Mexican great Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, boxing’s busiest world champion, is set to kick off his 2021 campaign by reviving a long-standing pugilistic rivalry. Navarrete will make his first defense of the WBO featherweight world title Saturday, April 24 against Puerto Rican contender Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla.

In the co-feature, super middleweight Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga, 16-0, with 16 first-round stoppages, will step up in class against Demond Nicholson in a bout scheduled for eight rounds (or much less).

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with All Star Boxing and Zanfer Promotions, Navarrete-Diaz and Berlanga-Nicholson will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, with undercard bouts to stream live and exclusively on ESPN+. Ticket information will be announced shortly.

“The sensational Emanuel Navarrete wanted a formidable opponent for his first featherweight title defense, and Christopher Diaz fits the bill,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We are also thrilled to have Edgar Berlanga back on ESPN, as he is the most devastating young puncher I’ve seen in ages.”

Navarrete (33-1, 28 KOs) burst onto the world scene in December 2018, battering Isaac Dogboe over 12 rounds to win the WBO junior featherweight world title. He is 7-0 since then, including five title defenses, all by stoppage. Navarrete moved up to featherweight and picked up the vacant WBO world title last October with a unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Ruben Villa. Diaz (26-2, 16 KOs) is not unbeaten, but he is battle-tested, having challenged Masayuki Ito for the WBO junior lightweight world title in July 2018. He lost to Ito by unanimous decision and has gone 3-1 since moving down to featherweight. Diaz rebounded from a 2019 points loss to Shakur Stevenson, besting former world title challenger Jason Sanchez over 10 rounds last June inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble.

“I am a fighter who likes to face the best, and my challenge now is to beat the tough ‘Pitufo’ Diaz,” Navarrete said. “I know he is a good fighter, and I am sure we will give a great show to the people of Florida and to those watching us fight on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. On April 24, I will show that I am the best featherweight in the world. I will not let him take my championship to Puerto Rico. That belt will stay with me in San Juan Zitlaltepec, Mexico.” 

Diaz said, “I have once again been given an opportunity to become a world champion, but there is something very different this time around. I will not fail. I will bring that much-needed world title to Puerto Rico. This is my time to become a world champion. God knows how much I have sacrificed and how much I have evolved. I live today to make my family happy, and it is time to change their lives. On April 24, there is no doubt that I will become world champion, and I will see you all on April 25 when I return to my island as world champion.”

Berlanga broke out as boxing’s consensus 2020 Prospect of the Year, impressing fans and media with his string of first-round routs against increasingly difficult opposition. Last July, he knocked out veteran spoiler Eric Moon in 62 seconds, and less than three months later on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez undercard, he became the first man to stop 30-fight veteran Lanell Bellows. Berlanga finished his whirlwind 2020 on Dec. 12, stopping the normally durable Ulises Sierra (15-1-2) in 2:40. Nicholson (23-3-1, 20 KOs) has won five consecutive fights since a seventh-round TKO loss to Jesse Hart in April 2018.

“I don’t like to make predictions, but make sure you tune in. I want to show out for the fans in attendance,” Berlanga said. “April 24 is going to be the beginning of a huge 2021 for my team. I take it one fight at a time, and this is just another step toward my goal of becoming a champion.”

Nicholson said, “I have the experience. When I first started, I was knocking everyone out in the first round as well. I have 20 knockouts, and that speaks for itself. If you look at his opponents, I’d knock them all out. Is he ready for the next level? He might be ready, but he won’t be ready for me.”

The undercard, which will be announced in due course, is set to feature a plethora of Puerto Rican fan-favorites: junior welterweight contender Josue Vargas, 18-year-old phenom Xander Zayas, unbeaten featherweight Orlando Gonzalez, undefeated junior lightweight Henry Lebron, big-punching lightweight Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno, and junior featherweight prospect Jeremy “Magic Hands” Adorno.

Use the hashtag #NavarreteDiaz to join the conversation on social media. For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing; twitter.com/ESPNRingside.

Teofimo Lopez won the undisputed Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Vasiliy Lomachenko at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Lopez dominated the first seven rounds as he boxed well and kept Lomachenko from the outside. Lopez featured some solid body work and landed some quick combinations that forced Lomachenko to do next to nothing.

Lomachenko came alive in the middle to late rounds and landed some quick shots that edged him closer in the fight. Lopez bit down and had a big final frame that solidified the victory by scores of 119-109, 117-111 and 116–112/

Lopez landed 183 of 659 punches. Lomachenko was 141 of 329.

Lopez is now 16-0. Lomachenko is 14-2.

Said Lopez, “I had to dig deep, man. I’m thankful. I’m grateful. And each and every day, I take that in. I thank God first because I couldn’t do it without him.
 
“I’m a fighter. I gotta dig in deep. I knew he was coming. I didn’t know if they had him up on the scorecards or not, and I love to fight. I can bang, too. I don’t care, man. I’ll take one to give one. That’s what a true champion does. I find a way to win.
 
“You just gotta keep pressuring him, press the gas, stick the jab and don’t really give him that opportunity to set up. Every time he did want to throw, I had something ready for him.”

Barboza Decisions Saucedo

Arnold Barboza Jr. scored the biggest win of his career as he remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Alex Saucedo in a junior welterweight bout.

In round one, Saucedo began to bleed from the nose that was caused by a headbutt.

In round seven, Barboza slipped, but it was correctly ruled a knockdown when officials went to the instant replay.

That was the only blip for Barboza, as he won by scores of 97-92 twice and 96-93.

Barboza landed 218 of 941 punches. Saucedo was 183 of 691.

Barboza, 140 lbs of South El Monte, CA is 25-0. Saucedo, 140 lbs of Oklahoma City is 30-2.

Barboza said, “This was like a championship fight to me. It’s all because of my father {head trainer Arnold Barboza Sr.}, not me. I did this for kids and my father. My dream is to get a house for my kids. I came that much closer today.
 
“I want a championship fight. No more messing around. No more tune-up fights.”

Berlanga stops Bellows in 1st; Keeps KO streak alive

Edgar Berlanga made it 15-for-15 in opening round stoppage as he took out Lanell Bellows in their scheduled eight-round super middleweight bout.

Berlanga cut Bellows with a hard left hook. Bellows was hurt, and Berlanga smelled blood and landed some more heavy shots and the fight was stopped in 79 seconds.

Berlanga, 169 lbs of Brooklyn is 15-0 with all 15 knockouts in the 1st round. Bellows, 169 lbs of Las Vegas is 20-6-3.

Berlanga said, “I saw with the first shot that I cut him open and the look in his eyes, he didn’t want to be in there. From the beginning, once I got in the ring, I looked in his eyes… he didn’t want to be in there. So I had to get him out.”

Vargas Decisions Casteneda

Josue Vargas won a 10-round unanimous decision over Kendo Casteneda in a junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Vargas dropped Casteneda with a straight left. Later in round three, Castenda began to bleed from his nose.

In round six, Casteneda started bleeding from his mouth.

Vargas outlanded Casteneda 226-112

Vargas, 142 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91 to raise his mark to 18-1. Casteneda, 142 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 17-3.

Vargas said,“He was a tough customer, tougher than I thought he was going to be, but my father told me to stay composed, stay calm. I dropped him, but that doesn’t mean nothing, just stay relaxed because that’s how I got disqualified when I was 18 years old.
 
“I’m very close to fighting these guys, like Zepeda, Pedraza, any of these guys. You name it, I’ll get in there with them.”

Enrique Vivas stopped John Vincent Moralde in a scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.

In the opening seconds, Vivas dropped Moralde with a body shot. Vivas then landed a huge right that drove Moralde back to the ropes. Two hard body shots later sent Mralde down and the fight was stopped at 1:16.

Vivas, 128 lbs of Motebello, CA is 20-1 with 11 knockouts. Moralde, 127 lbs of the Philippines is 23-4.

Quinton Randall won a six-round unanimous decision over Jan Carlos Rivera in a fight featuring undefeated welterweights.

Randall, 147 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 twice and is now 7-0. Vivas, 146 lbs of Puerto Rico is 4-1.

In a battle of undefeated welterweights, 17 year-old Jahi Tucker won a four-round unanimous decision over Charles Garner.

In round two, Garner started bleeding from the nose.

Tucker, 145 lbs of Deer Park, NY won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 2-0. Garner, 142 lbs of Buffalo, NY is 1-1.

LAS VEGAS (October 13, 2020) — If Kendo “Tremendo” Castaneda lives up to his nickname this Saturday night (Oct. 17) in Las Vegas, the San Antonio fighter will derail the fast track Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas has been placed.

Vargas vs. Castaneda will be streamed live on ESPN+, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT start, in a 10-round, junior welterweight showdown taking place on the high-profile Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez title unification card in “The Bubble” at MGM Grand Las Vegas Conference Center.

“I’m stoked to be on one of the biggest cards of the year,” Castaneda said. “Lomachenko is one of my all-time favorites and it’s an honor fighting on his card.”

“We’d like to thank, Bob Arum, Top Rank, MGM Grand and ESPN for giving us this tremendous opportunity,” commented Castaneda’s promoter, Keith Veltre, CEO/co-founder of Roy Jones. Jr. Boxing Promotions. “Arum said Vargas can graduate to contender with a win over Castaneda, but Kendo is more than capable of upsetting a hot prospect like Vargas, and a victory will get him back on the right track. Remember, he was rated in the top 15 prior to his last two fights, and Vargas hasn’t fought anybody on the same level as Kendo.”

The 26-year-old Castaneda (17-2, 8 KOs), a former North American Boxing Association (NABA) super lightweight champion, is coming off a pair of highly competitive losses against Jose Zepeda (31-2), by way of a 10-round unanimous loss, and a 10-round majority decision setback to Yomar Alamo (17-0-1) for the North American Boxing Organization super lightweight title.

Vargas (17-1, 9 KOs), a Puerto Rico native living in Brooklyn (NY), has been super hyped since he was an amateur, thus, his nickname, “The Prodigy.” The 22-year-old southpaw is riding an 11-fight win streak. His only loss was in 2016 to Samuel Santana, when Vargas was disqualified in the third round, following the advice of the ring physician, after Vargas hit Santana when the latter’s back was turned.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about my opponent,” Castaneda added, “so I’m expecting a great challenge. It’s going to be a tremendous showdown, Puerto Rico versus Mexico.

“I have been training tremendously hard during this pandemic, keeping to myself and working heard with Regis Prograis at his camp in Houston.”

INFORMATION:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com
Facebook: /KeithVeltre, /KendoTremendoCastaneda
Twitter: @Keith_Veltre, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial, @KendoTremendo
Instagram:
@KeithVeltre, @KendoTremendo, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

LAS VEGAS (October 8, 2020) — The breakout star of the Bubble, “Cassius” Clay Collard, is back for more.

Collard, the MMA pro-turned contender for 2020 “Boxing Prospect of the Year,” will fight Quincy LaVallais in an eight-round middleweight bout on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez undercard on Saturday, Oct. 17 from the MGM Grand Las Vegas Conference Center. It is a rematch of their June 2019 fight, which was ruled a draw.

Collard-LaVallais 2 and additional undercard bouts, including a 10-round junior welterweight clash between top prospect Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas and Kendo Castaneda, will stream live on ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The Lomachenko-Lopez world championship main event, the 10-round junior welterweight battle between Alex Saucedo and Arnold Barboza Jr., and an eight-round super middleweight tilt featuring knockout king Edgar Berlanga against Lanell Bellows will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET.

“A marquee main event deserves marquee supporting fights, and we have an incredible lineup in store underneath Lomachenko-Lopez,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Vargas can graduate to contender with a win over Castaneda, and Clay Collard is back to once again put on a show. Tune in early to ESPN+ to kick off an incredible night of boxing.”

Collard (9-2-3, 4 KOs), who is 5-0 with 3 knockouts in 2020, began the year with three victories over previously undefeated prospects. In January, he toppled the 9-0 Quashawn Toler by unanimous decision in Toler’s hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. The following month, he knocked out the 5-0 Raymond Guajardo in the second round of a bout that saw both men hit the canvas. He made his Bubble debut June 18 and battered the 6-0 David Kaminsky en route to a split decision nod. Collard has notched knockouts in his last two Bubble bouts and returns against LaVallais (9-0-1, 5 KOs), a native of Kenner, La. Collard and LaVallais fought in New Orleans, and LaVallais escaped with the draw. LaVallais has won two fights since, both by first-round stoppage.

“I’m a born fighter, and I’m grateful to be back on such a significant card,” Collard said. “When Quincy and I fought the first time, I knew I’d done enough to win, but we were in his hometown. We’re fighting on neutral ground this time.”

Vargas (17-1, 9 KOs), and his teeth, made an impression in his last bout. Vargas lost a veneer, but still managed to nearly shut out Salvador Briceno over 10 rounds in an ESPN-televised co-feature. He has won 11 consecutive fights and takes a step up against Castaneda (17-2, 8 KOs), a San Antonio-born boxer-puncher coming of a competitive decision loss in July to Jose “Chon” Zepeda.

In other undercard bouts scheduled for ESPN+:

Jose Enrique Vivas (19-1, 10 KOs) vs. John Vincent Moralde (23-3, 13 KOs)
8 Rounds, Featherweight

Vivas’ last fight was one of the best of 2020, a 10-round war against Carlos Jackson that took place July 2 inside the Bubble. Vivas and his hellacious body attack earned him the unanimous decision nod. Moralde, a top Filipino contender, is 3-1 since a September 2018 decision loss to Jamel Herring at junior lightweight.

Quinton Randall (6-0, 2 KOs) vs. Jan Carlos Rivera (4-0, 4 KOs)
6 Rounds, Welterweight

Former USA Boxing amateur star Randall takes a step up in class against Rivera, a Puerto Rican knockout puncher who has yet to see the third round as a professional. Randall, from Houston, Texas, defeated Clay Collard via unanimous decision in June 2019.

Jahi Tucker (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Charles Garner (1-0)
4 Rounds, Welterweight

The 17-year-old Tucker, who signed with Top Rank earlier this year, made his professional debut Sept. 19 and scored a first-round stoppage over Deandre Anderson. 

Use the hashtag #LomaLopez to join the conversation on social media. For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing;twitter.com/ESPNRingside.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to 8.5 million subscribers, offering fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content. 

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) at ESPNplus.com, ESPN.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month.

Former world title challenger Alex Saucedo won a 10-round unanimous decision over Sonny Fredrickson in a junior welterweight bout at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Saucedo outlanded Fredrickson 318-172 and was much more active and landing the more telling blows throughout the contest.

Saucedo, 140.8 lbs of Oklahoma City, OK won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 and is now 30-1. Fredrickson, 140.9 lbs of Toledo, OH is 21-3.

“We worked on a lot of things in the gym. It was important for me to get the rounds in, and Sonny was a tough opponent,” Saucedo said. “I am ready to take over the 140-pound division. Whatever opportunity comes my way, I will take advantage of it. Most importantly, I got rid of the ring rust and went 10 hard rounds.”

Josue Vargas won a 10-round unanimous decision over Salvador Briceno in a junior welterweight bout.

In round six, Vargas was cut over the left eye from an accidental headbutt. Vargas outlanded Briceno 187-77.

Vargas, 140.5 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and is now 17-1. Briceno, 138.2 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 17-6.

John Bauza remained undefeated by pounding out a eight-round unanimous decision over Larry Fyers in a junior welterweight bout.

Bauza, 139.3 lbs of Catano, PR won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 14-0. Fryers, 138.9 lbs of Clones, IRL is 11-3.

Fighting for the 2nd time in two weeks, Isiah Jones won a six-round majority decision over previously undefeated Donte Stubbs in a middleweight bout.

Jones, 158.3 lbs of Detroit won by scores of 59-55, 58-56 and 57-57 ans is now 9-2. Stubbs, 160.2 lbs of Riverside, CA is 6-1.

NEW YORK CITY (March 6, 2020) — Before Irish sensation Michael “Mick” Conlan enters the ring against Colombian slugger Belmar Preciado in front of a raucous St. Patrick’s Day crowd at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET), many of the sport’s brightest young stars will look to steal the holiday spotlight.

Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas will make the first defense of his IBF North American 140-pound belt Tuesday, March 17 against Salvador Briceno in a 10-rounder. Vargas (16-1, 9 KOs), from the Bronx, N.Y., has won 10 consecutive bouts since an October 2016 disqualification defeat. Briceno (17-5, 11 KOs), from Guadalajara, Mexico, has won two of three since pushing undefeated prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. the distance last June in Reno, Nev. 

Vargas-Briceno, along with the returns of top prospects Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez, Paddy “Real Deal” Donovan and Christopher “The Boy” Zavala, will stream live on ESPN+ starting at 5 p.m. ET.

“I’m excited to be fighting in my hometown on such a stacked card,” Vargas said. “It’s an honor to defend my belt in front of my friends, family and biggest supporters. I can’t wait for another spectacular fight night and to put on a show for everyone who will be watching on ESPN+.”

Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs), the fighting pride of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., will face former top prospect Dannie Williams (24-3, 18 KOs) in an eight-rounder at super lightweight. Rodriguez fought three times in the last five months of 2019 after nearly two years out of the ring due to assorted injuries. Williams, from Saint Louis, returned to the ring last April following more than five years away from it. He last fought in January, notching a 10-round decision over Andre Keys (12-1 at the time).

Donovan (3-0, 2 KOs), a 13-time national amateur champion from Limerick, Ireland, will be making his American debut in a six-round welterweight contest against Gregory Young (4-3, 1 KO). Donovan is trained and managed by former middleweight world champion Andy Lee.

“I can’t wait for my U.S. debut. I learned so much from training alongside Tyson Fury recently,” Donovan said. “I’m taking that experience into this fight. Thank you to Top Rank for putting me on this card. Conlan’s St. Patrick’s Day cards are always exciting, and I’m happy to be part of the festivities.”

Zavala (6-0, 3 KOs), a 20-year-old from Long Beach, Calif., will fight Rennard Oliver (7-2-3, 0 KOs) in a six-rounder at super featherweight. Oliver has never been knocked out as a pro and is coming off a draw against Raul Manrique Jr. (4-0 at the time).

In other action on the undercard stream:

• Feargal McCrory (11-0, 5 KOs), one of Ireland’s top young prospects, will make his United States debut against the durable Juan Tapia (9-3, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder at super featherweight. Tapia, who has fought the likes of current WBO featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson, has never been knocked out as a pro.
   
• Matthew Tinker (2-0, 2 KOs), from Scarborough, England, will face Esai Herrera (2-1, 1 KO) in a four-rounder at light heavyweight. Tinker has scored a pair of first-round knockouts to begin his career. 

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets priced at $200, $100, $70, $40 and $30 (not including applicable fees) are on sale now. 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 or www.MSG.com.

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NEW YORK CITY — In the main event of a Top Rank on ESPN card from Madison Square Garden, pound-for-pound great Terence “Bud” Crawford (36-0, 27KO) retained his WBO World Welterweight Title, sending Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas (21-1-1, 18KO) to the canvas three times en route to a 9th round TKO victory.  

True to form, the 32 year old Nebraskan Crawford started slow and conceded early rounds and momentum to Kavaliauskas.  In the third round, Kavaliauskas landed a huge right hand that momentarily buckled Crawford. The Lithuanian quickly followed up with a flurry of shots that ultimately collapsed Crawford to the mat, but referee Ricky Gonzalez nullified the knockdown and ruled Crawford was pushed.  

After four see-sawing rounds that witnessed both fighters give and take their fair share of punishment, Crawford began to take control in the fifth.  “Bud” found success by fighting a more defensive fight and staying out of range of Kavaliauskas’s right eye. 

But in the seventh, the switch-hitting Crawford upped the ante and turned up the heat. Time and again Crawford came forward with a high guard and closed the gap between he and Kavaliauskas before letting his hands go.  

Towards the end of the round, Crawford caught Kavaliauskas with a buzzing right hook that offset the Lithuanian’s equilibrium and sent him to the mat.  Kavaliauskas beat Gonzalez’s ten count and was able to ride out the ensuing storm to make it out of the round.  

Just two rounds later, Crawford dropped Kavaliauskas with a vicious uppercut.  Just a few moments later, with Kavaliauskas standing on shaky legs, Crawford missiled a left cross to the ear that dropped Kavaliauskas for the third and final time.  Gonzalez stepped in immediately to wave off the contest at the :44 mark of the ninth round.  

It was the seventh stoppage win in a row for Crawford and tenth in his last eleven contests.

For Kavaliauskas, tonight’s result makes it two straight fights that the tough Lithuanian has exited the ring winless.  He previously fought to a disappointing draw against “The New” Ray Robinson in March.

“I thought I had to entertain ya’ll for a little bit,” Crawford said afterward. “He’s a strong fighter, durable, and I thought I’d give the crowd something to cheer for.”

Referring to the second round knockdown-ruled-push, “Bud” said, “I wasn’t hurt at all. I got up and went straight to him. I wasn’t hurt by no means, I walked through everything he threw all night.”

With regards to what’s next for the WBO champ, Crawford said, “I’ll fight anybody. I’ve been saying that for I don’t know how long…I’m not ducking anyone on the PBC side or Top Rank platform…I want to fight all the top guys.”

Unfortunately for Crawford, he remains somewhat stranded on a welterweight island as much of the division’s top talent are under promotional contracts with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).

Take Over Continues: Lopez Blasts Out Commey In 2 To Capture First World Title

In the night’s most anticipated contest, 22 year-old phenom Teofimo Lopez (15-0, 12KO) scored an emphatic second round stoppage over Richard Commey (29-3, 26KO), to capture the IBF World Lightweight Title. 

After a close first round that saw little separation between fighters, a straight right by Lopez early in the second caught Commey square on the chin and collapsed the Ghanaian to the canvas.  Commey, 32, tried to get up right away, but stumbled forward to the ground before finally making it to his feet before referee David Field reaches the count of ten.  

Knowing Commey was standing on unsteady legs, Lopez went all-in, backing Commey against the ropes before unleashing a brutal onslaught of punches that had Commey’s head snapping around with each punch, forcing Fields to mercifully jump between fighters to call a halt to the contest at the 1:13 mark of round two. 

It was as impressive and dominating a performance as one could have hoped for Lopez, who now turns his attention to landing a unification bout with lightweight king, Vasiliy Lomachenko.

The emphatic win also quiets Lopez’s detractors, many of whom have suggested that family drama would negatively impact his in-ring performance.  

Partially to get away from the noise, Team Lopez held training camp for this fight in Ringoes, NJ, about 60 miles of west of Brooklyn, where Lopez was born and again resides.  While Lopez is still trained by his father, also Teofimo, Team Lopez brought in former two-weight champion Joey Gamache into his New Jersey camp to work with Lopez. 

Prior to tonight, Commey’s only other losses both came in 2016 when he found himself on the losing end of two close split decisions to Robert Easter, Jr. and Denis Shafikov.  

“I’m at a loss for words right now,” Lopez said post-fight.  “This a dream come true.”

He continued, “{Commey} is a bad man. His shot could’ve done the same to me if he hit me with that shot…You all know who I want to fight next. 2020 is going to be a big year. ‘The Takeover’ has arrived, and you haven’t seen anything yet.”

Lomachenko, who holds three of the four lightweight titles and was seated ringside tonight, also spoke after the fight, saying, “We want to ‘unificate’ all four titles.  Now he’s a world champion and now he’s in position to fight me.”

Sweet Revenge: Conlan Bests Nikitin Via UD 

In the opening bout of the ESPN-televised portion of the card, Irish featherweight Mick Conlan (13-0, 7KO) avenged his controversial 2016 Olympic defeat against Russian Vladimir Nikitin (3-1), defeating him by unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 98-92). 

The switch-hitting 28 year-old Belfast native, Conlan, fought entirely out of the southpaw stance in the opening round working well behind a stiff right jab to control the distance and pace of the fight.  

In the second, Conlan fought briefly in the orthodox stance before permanently returning to southpaw.  

After an offensively mute first round for Nikitin, the 29 year-old Russian began to come to life in the second, rushing inside Conlan’s reach and wildly letting his hands fly.  Nikitin did his best work in the early goings when he was able to pin Conlan against the ropes and fire away. 

In the early middle rounds, Conlan — who they’re quick to point out represents all of Ireland — continued to keep Nikitin at arm’s length by continually popping jabs Nikitin’s way.  But the crafty Russian kept finding ways to close the gap and force Conlan to engage.

As the fight bore on, the distance naturally closed, and willing exchanges became the norm.  

In the eight, both fighters dug in, stood their ground, threw caution to the wind, and fired shots from all angles.  Though Conlan bested Nikitin during their exchanges, the Irishman returned to his corner with a gash over his right eye — a cut that continued to leak blood for the remainder of the fight. 

It was the sixth time that the Adam Booth-trained Conlan has fought at inside the walls of Madison Square Garden, which has become a home away from home for the Irishman.  

The two were initially slated to face each other in early August, but an injury to Nikitin’s bicep forced the fight to be postponed.  

Josue Vargas Scores UD Over Noel Murphy 

Twenty-one year old Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas (16-1, 9KO) continued his ascent through the junior welterweight ranks, scoring a ten round unanimous decision (98-92×3) over Irishman Noel Murphy (14-2-1, 2KO). 

It was a slow-to-start southpaw v southpaw affair that eventually lulled into a hypnotic rhythm that time and again saw Vargas walk down a retreating Murphy before the two exchanged fire.  

Neither fighter was particularly hard to hit and by the early middle middle rounds, Vargas sported an ever-growing mouse under his right eye, while a steady of stream of blood trickled from Murphy’s nose.

And though the 25 year-old Murphy was marking up Vargas’s face, it was the Bronx-born Puerto Rican, Vargas, who continually got the better of Murphy during their exchanges.  

Tonight was just the second career loss for the durable Murphy, who lives and fights out of Woodhaven, NY by way of Cork, Ireland.  His only other career loss came against former world title challenger Mikkel Lespierre in February 2018. 

Vargas now has gone the distance three of his last four fights.  His lone blemish remains a 2016 DQ against Samuel Santa.  

Berlanga Continues First Round KO Streak, Stops Nunez In One

Undefeated Brooklyn super middleweight Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga (13-0, 13KO) continued to steamroll his opposition, scoring his thirteenth straight first round knockout, this time against the normally durable Spaniard Cesar “Bam Bam” Nunez (16-2-1, 8KO).

As per usual, it was bombs away from the opening bell for the Puerto Rican-blooded Berlanga.  

Roughly fifteen seconds into the fight, Berlanga landed a clipping left hook that sent Nunez to the canvas. The 22 year-old Berlanga kept the pressure on and continued to unload on the staggering Nunez and ultimately sent him to the mat again with a chopping right, but referee Mike Ortega waved it off, ruling Berlanga hit Nunez behind the head.  

Although a foul, the shot had lingering effects, and a foggy Nunez was floored for the third and final time shortly after courtesy of another left hook shortly succeed.  Ortega stopped the contest at the 2:45 mark of the first round.

Tonight marks the second consecutive time Nunez has been stopped inside the distance.  He was TKO’d by Germany’s Vincent Feigenbutz in August. 

Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez Nails Mendez Over Ten, Scores Wide UD

Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez improved to 19-0, 12KO earning a wide eight-round unanimous decision (80-71×2, 79-72) over fellow junior welterweight Manuel “La Tormenta” Mendez (16-7-3, 11KO).   

Rodriguez, 25, wasted no time taking it to California’s Mendez, flooring him with a right cross-left hook combo midway through the first round.  Mendez would recover from that shot, but only to go on to take nine more rounds of punishment courtesy of Rodriguez.  

Rodriguez, a former amateur standout who amassed a record of 221-9 before turning pro, has had a snake-bitten, injury-riddled career thus far.  In addition to battling various hand injuries, tonight marked just the third time back between the ropes for the Hasbrouck Heights, NJ-native since undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.

Kambosos Kicks Off Night With MD Over Bey 

Undefeated Australian George “Ferocious” Kambosos, Jr. (18-0, ) passed his toughest test yet, scoring a split decision victory (97-92, 96-93, 94-95) over former world champion Mickey “The Spirit” Bey (23-3-1, 11KO) in a ten round lightweight contest to kick off a seven-fight card from Madison Square Garden.  

It was a bit rocky early on for the Aussie, as the veteran Bey landed a few attention-grabbing left hooks.  But Kambosos, 26, remained composed and patient, took few risks and waited for tiny openings in Bey’s defense before letting his hands go. 

In the final round round, Kambosos finally found that opening and fired off a sneaky right uppercut that caught a leaning-in Bey on the chin, sending him to the mat.  

It was Kambosos’ fourth fight in the US and first at Madison Square Garden.  

For Bey, tonight was only his second fight in the last 42 months and just the third defeat of his career.  His other defeats came against John Molina, Jr. in 2013 and Cuban Rances Barthelemy in 2016.

The main portion of tonight’s Top Rank on ESPN card is set to go live at 9pm when “Irish” Mick Conlan (14-0, 7KO) seeks to avenge his controversial 2016 Olympic defeat against Russian Vladimir Nikitin (3-0).  That fight is set to be followed by the most anticipated contest of the evening, as one of boxing’s hottest prospects, Teofimo Lopez (14-0, 11KO) looks to capture his first world title against IBF World Lightweight Champion, Richard Commey.  Finally, the night will commence when undefeated pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford (35-0, 26KO) defends his WBO World Welterweight title against hard-nosed Lithuanian Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas (21-0-1, 18KO).  

NEW YORK CITY (Dec. 4, 2019) – Two of New York City’s flashiest and most promising prospects, Brooklyn’s Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga and the Bronx’s Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas, are ready for their hometown close-ups Saturday, Dec. 14 at Madison Square Garden before pound-for-pound king Terence “Bud” Crawford closes the show.
 
Berlanga (12-0, 12 KOs) will look to extend his streak of first-round knockout to 13 against Cesar Nunez (16-1-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round super middleweight bout, while Vargas (15-1, 9 KOs) will battle Noel Murphy (14-1-1, 2 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the IBF North American junior welterweight belt.
 
Berlanga-Nunez and Vargas-Murphy will be the featured undercard bouts live on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT. Later that evening, following the Heisman Trophy Ceremony, Crawford will defend his WBO welterweight world title against Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas live on ESPN and the ESPN App (in Spanish) at 9 p.m. ET, with ESPN Deportes joining in progress at 10 p.m. ET. The ESPN telecast will also include Richard Commey’s IBF lightweight world title defense against rising star Teofimo Lopez and unbeaten featherweight sensation Michael “Mick” Conlan seeking Olympic revenge against Russian nemesis Vladimir Nikitin.
 
Berlanga, boxing’s newest Puerto Rican knockout artist, has never seen the second round as a pro and has scored seven knockouts in 84 seconds or less. He made his Top Rank debut on the Crawford-Amir Khan card April 20 at Madison Square Garden, knocking out Samir dos Santos Barbosa in 46 seconds. He last fought Aug. 10 in Philadelphia, and his ring entrance with hip-hop icon Fat Joe lasted longer than the 2 minutes, 24 seconds it took him to knock out Gregory Trenel. Spain’s Nunez is the stiffest test of Berlanga’s career, as his only career defeat came via eighth-round stoppage to former WBA super middleweight world champion Vincent Feigenbutz.
 
“It’s a blessing to fight at MSG, my second time fighting in the big room,” Berlanga said. “I’ve had a few opponents who were supposed to take me rounds and I’ve knocked them out in the first round. I’m ready to go those rounds, so let’s see if he can handle my power.”
 
Vargas, the flashy southpaw who turned 21 years old in May, is seeking his 10^th consecutive win since a 2016 disqualification defeat. The Puerto Rican-born Vargas moved to New York City with his family when he was 5 years old and, in 2011, he was dubbed a “13-year-old prodigy” by the New York Daily News. This will be his fourth fight of 2019 and fifth since making his Top Rank debut on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jose Pedraza card at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden last December. Murphy, from Cork, Ireland, now resides in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx. He is unbeaten in three bouts since a close decision defeat to the then-unbeaten Mikkel LesPierre.
 
“I went to see a lot of fights there, especially when Miguel Cotto fought at the Garden,” Vargas said. “I remember seeing all the Puerto Rican fans. It gives me goosebumps every time I think about it. I always dreamed of fighting at MSG in front of my supporters from New York and Puerto Rico. I finally got here. I just can’t wait to perform under the lights at MSG, the big one.”
 
In other action on the ESPN+ stream:

• In a battle of unbeatens, Crawford stablemate Steve “So Cold” Nelson (15-0, 12 KOs) will take on Cem “Champ” Kilic (14-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the vacant NABO super middleweight title. Nelson made his super middleweight debut Sept. 1 in his hometown of Omaha, Neb., knocking out Derrick Findley in four rounds. Kilic has four knockouts in his last five bouts.
   
• Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez (18-0, 12 KOs), who hails from just across the Hudson River in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., will face Manuel Mendez (16-6-3, 11 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight tilt.
• Australian lightweight contender George Kambosos Jr. (17-0, 10 KOs) will fight former lightweight world champion Mickey Bey (23-2-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

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Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment and MTK Global, tickets priced at $506, $306, $206, $106 and $56 (not including applicable fees) are on sale now and 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 or www.MSG.com.
 
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PHILADELPHIA-– Artur Beterbiev not only kept his perfect knockout streak in-tact, but he unified two light heavyweight titles with an emphatic 10th round stoppage over Oleksandr Gvozdyk to retain his IBF and win the WBC crowns.

It was a close fight with each guy taking turns winning round’s. Gvozdyk was trying to box from the outside where Beterbiev was looking for power shits throughout the fight.

Towards the end of round one, Beterbiev threw Gvozdyk to the canvas. It was initally ruled a knockdown, but state commissioner Greg Sirb ruled a push. Both showed why this fight was viewed as a pick-em fight on paper as the fight was fought at an extreme high-level of class.

The fight started going Beterbiev’s way in round nine as he landed hard shots on a tired Gvozdyk. In round ten, Gvozdyk gave in as he was sent to the canvas three times by the still hard punching Beterbiev, and referee Gary Rosato stopped the bout at 2:49.

Beterbiev, 174.5 lbs of Montreal is 15-0 with 15 knockouts. Gvozdyk, 174,3 lbs of Khartov, UKR is 17-1.

“We work in the gym We work hard, and we have some targets,” Beterbiev said. “My first target, second target and other one comes soon.

“It doesn’t matter {who I fight next.} Anyone. I’m focused on title, not on name.”

Kudratillo Abdukakhorov won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Luis Collazo in a welterweight bout.

In round eight, Collazo started to bleed from around the left eye. In round nine, Collazo suffered a nasty cut over his right eye, and the bout was stopped.

When the scores were announced, it was Abdukakhorov won by 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93, and is now 17-0. Collazo, 146.4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 39-8.

“I am the IBF No. 1 contender, and I would like to fight for the title fight next,” Abdukakhorov said. “I wanted to fight Errol Spence Jr., but unfortunately he got in a car accident. I wish him a speedy recovery, and if he’s ready to fight soon, I would like to fight him. If he has to vacate the title, then I will fight whoever they put in front of me.”

Collazo injured his biceps in the fifth round and was unable to throw his left hand much throughout the second half of the fight.

“Hey, it is what it is. This is part of the sport,” Collazo said. “We’ll see what’s next.”

Sonny Conto remained perfect by stopping Steve Lyons after round one of their four round heavyweight bout.

Conto won the 1st round, and Lyons did not come out after the round.

Conto, 214.1bs of Philadelphia is 5-0 with four knockouts. Lyons, 201.9 lbs of Louisiana is 5-6.

Jospeh Adorno scored an explosive 2nd round stoppage over Damian Sosa in a scheduled eight-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Adorno decked Sosa with a hard right. Adorno finished the fight a round later when he hammered Sosa to the ground along the ropes and the fight was stopped at 1:39.

Adorno, 136.8 lbs of Allentown, PA is 14-0 with 12 knockouts. Sosa, 134.7 lbs of Argentina is 9-3.

Julian Rodriguez scored a hard one-punch knockout over Leonardo Donorio in the 6th and final scheduled round of their super lightweight fight

Rodriguez leveled Donaorio with a vicious left hook that sent him to the canvas. Donorio got to his feet, but referee Benjy Esteves stopped the bout at 2:29.

Rodriguez, 142.6 lbs of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ is now 18-0 with 12 knockouts. Donorio, 139.4 lbs of Philippines is now 17-17-3.

Jeremy Adorno won a four-round unanimous decision over Misael Reyes in a super bantamweight bout.

In round two, Adorno dropped Reyes with a hard counter left uppercut off the ropes.

Adorno, 121.1 lbs of Allentown, PA won by scores of 40-35 twice and 38-37 to raise his perfect mark to 3-0. Reyes, 121.2 lbs of Kansas City is 1-3.

Josue Vargas won an eight-round unanimous decision over Johnny Rodriguez in a super lightweight bout.

Vragas, 140.2 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 15-1. Rodriguez, 140.5 lbs of Denver is 9-5-1.

Michael Seals needed jut 98 seconds to obliterate Elio Trosch in their scheduled eight-round light heavyweight bout.

Seals landed a powerful right hand that sent Trosch down for the count.

Seals, 174.6 lbs of Atlanta is 24-2 with 18 knockouts. Trosch, 173.2 lbs of Santiago Del Estero, ARG is 14-7-2.

NEWARK, NJ –In his first fight as a headliner, Newark’s “Fearless” Shakur Stevenson (12-0, 7KO) brought his hometown fans to their feet, scoring a round 3rd round KO against former two-time world title challenger Alberto Guevara (27-5, 12KO) in front of 5,150 fans at the Prudential Center in the main event of a Top Rank fight card broadcast on ESPN+ and ESPN.

It was evident from the early goings that Stevenson’s size and power would overwhelm the smaller Guevara, who’s best days were fought at bantamweight. Because of this, Guevara was reluctant to let his fists fly, knowing that any Stevenson countershot could end his night.

After a relatively quiet first round, the southpaw Stevenson upped the tempo in the second, cracking and landing with both hands. About midway through the round, Stevenson scored a somewhat strange knockdown when Guevara lost his balance and bent forward to try and clinch Stevenson. In a bit of an “ole”/matador maneuver, Stevenson avoided the clinch and planted a left to the body, allowing Guevara’s forward momentum to carry him forward to the canvas. Referee David Fields ruled a knockdown and Guevara beat the count.

As the second round drew to a close, Stevenson again dropped Guevara — this time with authority — courtesy of a straight left that landed flush on the right side of Guevara’s face, dropping him to his knees. Guevara again beat Field’s ten count just as the bell sounded to end the round.

In the third, Stevenson, who is trained by his grandfather Wali Moses, thought he scored another knockdown after a landing a body shot, followed by a left to the head, but Fields correctly ruled that the body shot was low and allotted Guevara time to recover.

The end came shortly after though, as Stevenson unleashed a vicious flurry of pinballing headshots that sent an unsteady Guevara to the mat for the third and final time where he was counted out by Fields at the 2:37 mark of round 3.

It was an impressive win for the former 2016 Beijing Olympic Medalist, who was escorted to the ring by WBO World Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford (35-0, 26KO).

Initially, Stevenson, who retained his NABO Featherweight Title tonight, was slated to face Hairon Socarras (22-0-3, 13KO), who pulled out about a month before the fight. In stepped Venezeulan Franklin Manzanilla (18-5, 17KO) who accepted the challenge, only to also pull out earlier this month. Credit Guevara, Stevenson’s third scheduled opponent for taking the fight on short notice and seeing it through.

To date, Guevara has only lost to top-notch competition, including Stevenson. In his most recent fight before tonight, Guevara dropped a unanimous decision to former WBO/WBA World Bantamweight Champion Hugo Ruiz (39-5, 33KO) in January. His resume also sports losses in two world title fights, to Leo Santa Cruz (36-1-1, 19KO) in 2012 and Shinsuke Yamanake in 2013. His other loss came courtesy of Emmanuel Rodriguez (19-1, 12KO), who then went on to capture world bantamweight titles of his own.

What’s next for Stevenson?

We know he wants to move quickly. Much against the wishes of Top Rank brass, Stevenson and his camp pushed for and secured a fight against former title challenger Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (24-2, 16KO) in April. Stevenson shined in that fight, outclassing his veteran counterpart en route to a wide unanimous decision victory.

He reiterated his desire to get bigger fights after tonight’s match, asking his promotor to find him bigger fights. “Top Rank, you all have to give me better competition I want the IBF and WBO {titles},” he said. “I would love to go to England to fight Josh Warrington.”

On his performance tonight, Stevenson said, “That was a great performance I put on for the city of Newark…I surprised myself today. I was going to the body a lot. I saw him at the weigh-in. He didn’t look like he was in shape.”

More than anything, tonight’s fight served as a showcase fight for Stevenson. It granted the kid from Newark, who for a time lived on Ali Boulevard, an opportunity to put on a show in his home city in front of family and friends. For Top Rank, it also tested Stevenson’s drawing power as a headliner in a Newark market that Main Events and Tomasz Adamek once thrived in.

If it was up to Stevenson, Newark’s boxing fans will get an opportunity to see him in-person a lot more over the next few years.

“I see me bringing big fights to Newark I see me bringing boxing back to Newark. Brick City, I appreciate you all. Without you, I wouldn’t be who I am.”

Joshua Greer Edges Majority Decision Over Nikolai Potapov

In the night’s co-feature, broadcast live on ESPN, Chicago bantamweight Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer, Jr. (21-1-1, 12KO) earned a twelve round majority decision over Brooklyn-based Russian Nikolai Potapov (20-2-1, 11KO) in an IBF title eliminator.  

Official scorecards read 115-113 and 116-112, Greer, and 114-114.  

It was a technical fight, fought in the pocket and within each fighter’s firing range.  It was never a reckless affair, however, and it wasn’t going to be, no matter how many boos the blood-thirsty Jersey crowd rained down. 

Both fighters had moments where their punches landed and where they avoided return fire.  Quite simply, Greer had a few more of them, and was able to eke out a narrow decision.  

The decision victory stretched Greer’s win streak to seventeen in a row, but snapped a seven fight stoppage streak, a run that started almost two years ago to the day, when he retired Leroy Davila (5-2, 3KO).  

Greer’s only career defeat remains a 2015 majority decision a loss to Stephon Fulton (16-0, 7KO) in his fifth pro fight. 

For the 28 year-old Potapov, tonight marks his first defeat on US soil in four fights.  He’d previously compiled a record of 2-0-1. His only other defeat came in 2017 when he was retired  by former Argentine world champion Omar Andres Narvaez (49-3-2, 23KO) in Buenos Aires.  

He’s very awkward with the Russian style,” Greer said post-fight. “But at the end of the day, this is the pros…I pulled it out.”

“The booing didn’t bother me. I know I won the fight,” he added. “Every time I hit him to the body, I hurt him. I didn’t get the knockout, but I got the win.”

Josue Vargas Stops Manny Lopez In 7 

In the final fight streamed on ESPN+, Bronx-based Puerto Rican Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas (14-1, 9KO) scored a 7th round TKO against fellow welterweight Manuel “Manny Lo” Lopez (14-4-1, 7KO) in a bout originally slated for eight.  

The 20 year-old southpaw, Vargas, controlled the action and dictated the pace of the fight from the opening bell.  Vargas invited Lopez’s pressure and peppered him each and every time he got into range.  

Not for lack of trying, but the 28 year-old Coloradan, Lopez, was unable to get any offense going.  He consistently found himself on the receiving end of Vargas jabs and straight lefts.  

In the seventh round, smelling blood in the water, Vargas turned up the heat and let his hands fly.  Hurt and winded, Lopez retreated, but was unable to shake Vargas, who kept the fists coming.  

Eventually, Vargas pinned Lopez against the ropes and began unloading, at one point landing three consecutive head snapping right uppercuts.  Referee Sparkle Lee jumped in to stop the contest at the 2:50 mark of the 7th round. 

It was Vargas’ second fight under the Top Rank promotional banner and fifth consecutive win via stoppage. Vargas previously fought under contract with Mayweather Promotions.  

For Lopez, tonight marked his first fight east of the Mississippi and the first time in his career he was stopped inside the distance.  

17 Year-Old Vito Mielnicki Jr. Rocks “The Rock”, Scores Emphatic KO1 In Debut

In his professional debut, 17 year-old New Jersey native Vito “White Magic” Mielnicki, Jr. (1-0, 1KO) blew the lid off the Prudential Center, scoring a murderous first round KO against Mississippi’s Tamarcus Smith (2-3, 2KO) in front of hundreds of frenzied hometown fans.  

The end came emphatically and without notice when Mielnicki caught a retreating Smith with a left hook to the chin-straight right combo that turned out Smith’s lights, collapsing him face down on the mat where referee Shada Murdaugh stopped the bout immediately at the 1:16 mark of the first round.  

Mielnicki, a rising senior at nearby West Essex High School, needed a special exemption from the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board allowing him to make his debut tonight, ten months before his 18th birthday.  

During his amateur career, Mielnicki, who is the son of GH3 CEO, promoter Vito Mielnicki, amassed an impressive record of 147-22.  He decided to forego his amateur status and his dreams of becoming an Olympian, however, when it became clear that age restrictions would prevent him from participating in an Olympics before 2024.

Julian Rodriguez Hammers Herrera, Scores KO1

In his first bout in twenty-two months, welterweight Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez (17-0, 11KO) returned to action and scored a statement-making first round KO against veteran Colombian slugger Hevinson Herrera (24-18-1, 17KO) in a bout originally slated for six rounds. 

If you blinked you might have missed it as Rodriguez landed a left hook-straight right combo that collapsed Herrera to the mat where he was counted out by referee Sparkle Lee at the :59 mark of the first round.  

Prior to tonight, Rodriguez last fought in September 2017 when he outpointed Dario Ferman (17-6, 14KO) in Philadelphia.  Following that contest, the 24-year old Rodriguez was sidelined by injury, and required surgery to repair a torn labrum.  

He looked no worse for the wear tonight though and came out firing, overwhelming his 34 year-old counterpart and ending it early.  

For Rodriguez, tonight marked his first win inside the distance since June 2016.  

It was the second straight stoppage loss and third overall for Herrera, who was retired by former two-division world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (35-6-1, 20KO) in his last fight in March.  He remains winless outside of his native Colombia, 0-14. 

“I was very confident in my preparation, so I felt like I had to go in there and do what I had to do,” Rodriguez said.

Speaking about his early KO, he added, “That’s what {the fans} like about me. When they come here, they see a show.”

John Bauza Remains Unbeaten, Scores UD Over Ramirez

In an eight round super lightweight match, North Bergen, New Jersey’s John “El Terrible” Bauza (13-0, 5KO) scored a unanimous decision against Mexico’s Angel Sarinana (10-9-2, 4KO) to remain unbeaten.

All three judges scored the contest a shutout 80-72 for Bauza. 

It was bell to bell action, as both fighters willingly engaged round after round trying to impose their will on the other.  But it was the 20 year-old southpaw Bauza who consistently besited his 26 year-old counterpart, landing the more impactful punches while eluding most of Sarinana’s power shots. 

The result marks the fifth straight unanimous decision win for the Robert Garcia-trained Bauza.  

Vijender Singh Scores Stoppage Win In US Debut

In his American debut, two-time Indian Olympian Vijender Singh (11-0, 8KO) scored a 4th round TKO over West Virginia’s Mike Snider (13-6-3, 8KO) in super middleweight contest originally slated for eight.

It was Singh’s first fight since December 2017, and ring rust was evident, as he didn’t look as sharp as one would expect from a boxer with his pedigree.  But make no mistake, the 33 year-old Indian controlled the fight from the opening bell, and showcased his power late in the second round when he rocked Snider with a straight right that sent him flailing backwards until his back hit the ropes.  

The former Beijing Olympic Bronze Medalist upped the offense in the fourth, throwing a higher volume of punches, ultimately backing his 38 year-old counterpart into the red corner, battering him until referee Shada Murdaugh jumped between fighters at the 1:23 mark to stop the contest.  

It was the fourth time in Snider’s career that he’s been stopped before the final bell.  He was stopped in his previous outing against Tommy Hughes (9-1, 4KO) in February. He was also stopped by current WBC World Light Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk (17-0, 14KO) in 2016.  

“It was excellent getting back in the ring after a long time off,” Singh said after the fight.  “It’s great to be here in the USA and to get the win. It was really exciting.”

“It took me about four rounds to get back in the swing of things,” he added.  “I expected it to take two or three rounds, but it took me four. I felt good.”

John Bauza Decisions Angel Sarinana To Remain Unbeaten

In an eight round super lightweight match, North Bergen, New Jersey’s John “El Terrible” Bauza (13-0, 5KO) scored a unanimous decision against Mexico’s Angel Sarinana (10-9-2, 4KO) to remain unbeaten.

All three judges scored the contest a shutout 80-72 for Bauza. 

It was bell to bell action, as both fighters willingly engaged round after round trying to impose their will on the other.  But it was the 20 year-old southpaw Bauza who consistently besited his 26 year-old counterpart, landing the more impactful punches while eluding most of Sarinana’s power shots. 

The result marks the fifth straight unanimous decision win for the Robert Garcia-trained Bauza.  

Vijender Singh Scores Stoppage Win In US Debut

In his American debut, two-time Indian Olympian Vijender Singh (11-0, 8KO) scored a 4th round TKO over West Virginia’s Mike Snider (13-6-3, 8KO) in super middleweight contest originally slated for eight.

It was Singh’s first fight since December 2017, and ring rust was evident, as he didn’t look as sharp as one would expect from a boxer with his pedigree.  But make no mistake, the 33 year-old Indian controlled the fight from the opening bell, and showcased his power late in the second round when he rocked Snider with a straight right that sent him flailing backwards until his back hit the ropes.  

The former Beijing Olympic Bronze Medalist upped the offense in the fourth, throwing a higher volume of punches, ultimately backing his 38 year-old counterpart into the red corner, battering him until referee Shada Murdaugh jumped between fighters at the 1:23 mark to stop the contest.  

It was the fourth time in Snider’s career that he’s been stopped before the final bell.  He was stopped in his previous outing against Tommy Hughes (9-1, 4KO) in February. He was also stopped by current WBC World Light Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk (17-0, 14KO) in 2016.  

“It was excellent getting back in the ring after a long time off,” Singh said after the fight.  “It’s great to be here in the USA and to get the win. It was really exciting.”

“It took me about four rounds to get back in the swing of things,” he added.  “I expected it to take two or three rounds, but it took me four. I felt good.”

Joseph Adorno Blasts Out Adriano Ramirez Inside 2

Highly touted lightweight prospect Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (13-0, 11 KO) scored an emphatic second round stoppage over the Dominican Republic’s Adriano Ramirez (10-4, 6KO) to kick the first of six fights from the Prudential Center to be streamed live on ESPN+.   

The Allentown, PA native, who was born just a few miles from Newark in Union City, NJ, was patient and plodding in the first round, waiting for openings to let his hands fly.

Early in the second, Adorno found his opening and fired a crisp left hook that landed flush on the side of Ramirez’s head and floored him.  Referee Sparkle Lee offered a generous and elongated ten count, which Ramirez beat, but the fight didn’t last much longer. Adorno battered Ramirez to the ropes, and when the Dominican looked to be on his way to the mat again, Adorno made sure of it, unleashing two right crosses to finish the fight.  Lee stopped the contest at the 1:12 mark of round 2.    

It was the second fight and second win of 2019 for the Robert Garcia-trained Adorno.  He fought six times in 2018.  

For Ramirez, the result cements a three-fight losing streak.  He last dropped a unanimous decision to Josue Vargas (13-1, 8KO) in March at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater and before that was stopped by Pittsburgh’s Matt Conway (17-0, 7KO) in August 2018. 

The Adorno win kicks off an eight fight card that will commence with a two fight showcase on ESPN at 10:30pm ET when Joshua Greer Jr. (20-1-1-, 12KO) takes on fellow bantamweight Nikolai Potapov (20-1-1, 11KO) in a twelve round contest and Newark’s hometown hero Shakur Stevenson (11-0, 6KO) does battle with fellow featherweight Alberto Guevara (27-4, 12KO) in a ten round fight.

NEW YORK CITY — For the third straight year, Michael “Mick” Conlan (11-0, 6KO) claimed victory on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, scoring a unanimous ten round decision over Mexican Ruben Garcia Hernandez (24-4-2, 10KO), whipping the Irish faithful on-hand into a frenzy at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater and retaining his WBO Intercontinental Title in the process.

It was an electric entrance for Conlan, who walked through the crowd to the ring, complete with bagpipes and alcohol-fueled Irish singalogs.

But where Conlan’s entrance was on point, his performance was a bit lacking.

The 27 year old former Irish Olympian started slow, content to gain information in the early goings while switching stances from southpaw to orthodox to keep Hernandez off-balance.

Although Conlan varied his looks, he lacked creativity, and relied on potshots to slowly pick apart the lesser-skilled Hernandez. Conlan, who is trained by Adam Booth, operated at his best when he threw combinations, which unfortunately came few and far between. When Conlan did throw punches in bunches, in rounds eight and ten for example, he inflicted damage and had Hernandez on the defensive.

Hernandez’s best work came in the fifth, when he had Conlan playing a little defense, wailing away at the Irishman while his back was against the ropes.

In fairness to Conlan, he didn’t have to be something he is not tonight. Ultimately, it was an easy night’s work for Conlan and the scorecards proved that.

At the end of ten, all three judges scored it a shutout for Conlan, 100-90.

Luis Collazo Grinds Out SD Over Samuel Vargas

In what Top Rank billed as the main event of the evening, 37 year old former world welterweight champion Luis Collazo (39-7, 20KO) turned back the clock and turned in a workmanlike performance, grinding out a ten round split decision against Samuel Vargas (30-5-2, 14KO). Don Trella scored the bout 96-94 for Vargas, while Glenn Feldman and Frank Lombardi had it 96-94 and 98-92 for Collazo, respectively.

After a brief feeling out period, in which Collazo, who was fighting at Madison Square Garden for the fourth time in his career, bested Vargas, the two began to get intimate in the third. Vargas willingly closed the distance, but got a bit more than he bargained for, as Collazo time and again scored with left hands.

Undeterred, Vargas came back round after round, continually shortening the distance in order to fight chest to chest with Collazo, who was more than happy to fight in tight.

From the third round on, each round played out in similar fashion, with the Colombian-Canadian Vargas and Collazo fighting an inside fight, but with Collazo besting his foe.

Towards the end of the fight, a cut over Collazo’s right eye that was initially caused by a headbutt in round two started to give the New Yorker a few issues. But the 282 round veteran battled through and earned the judge’s decision. 15rounds.com scored the contest 97-93 for Collazo.

The result marks Vargas’ fifth career defeat. Other fighter’s to have had their fist raised against Vargas include Errol Spence, Jr., Amir Khan, and Danny Garcia.

Mojica Upsets Barnes Via Split Decision

Dallas bantamweight Oscar Mojica (12-5-1, 1KO) scored the biggest win of his career, spoiling some of the St. Patrick’s Day fun at Madison Square Garden in the process, defeating two time Irish Olympic Bronze Medalist Paddy “The Leprechaun” Barnes (5-2, 1KO) via six round split decision.

Things went wrong for Barnes, 31, from the get-go, as the first Mojica jab landed produced an ever-flowing stream of blood from the Irishman’s nose. Mojica, 26, sensing Barnes could feel his power, applied pressure for the remainder of the first, forcing Barnes to fight off his back foot.

In the second the Texan dug a beautiful left to Barnes’ liver that forced the Irishman to his knees. The referee inexplicably and wrongly ruled it a slip. Credit Barnes who, once back to his feet, starting taking the fight to Mojica.

Barnes landed his best punch of the fight — a right cross — midway through the sixth that seemed to grab Mujica’s attention and stall his offense. Barnes, who was fighting in the US for the first time, kept his foot on the gas for the remainder of the round, but it wasn’t enough to get the nod.

Judge James Pierce scored it 58-56 for Barnes, while John McKaie and Kevin Morgan saw it 58-56 for Mojica.

The result marks the second straight loss for Barnes. He last lost in August when he KO’d via body shot by Cristofer Rosales in a WBC world featherweight title fight.

It was an easy night at the office the Bronx’s Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas (13-1, 8KO) as he easily outpointed Adrian Ramirez (10-3, 6KO) of the Dominican Republic. Official scores read 80-72×3.

Vargas was patient and prodding throughout, at times almost too calculating. It seemed if he just let his hands go the fight would have ended inside the distance. Nonetheless, the 20 year old Puerto Rican southpaw fought the fight on his terms, at his pace, and cruised to the win.

Vargas’ only blemish remains a DQ loss against Samuel Santana 2016.

Bauza Cruises Past Maldonado To Stay Perfect

Newly signed Top Rank prospect John Bauza (12-0, 5KO) cruised to an easy unanimous decision against Mexican-American Ricardo Maldonado (8-9-1, 1KO). Bauza, a Puerto Rican native who lives in North Bergen, NJ, quickly imposed his will on his 30 year old opponent. The 20 year old southpaw, who is trained by Robert Garcia, came off his stool firing from the onset, sitting down on almost all his punches, firing them off with purpose.

Less than two rounds into the contest, a Bauza right hook opened a small cut above Maldonado’s right eye and less than a round later, Bauza was scoring at will with his straight left, at one point shooting three straight down Main Street without obstruction. Bauza continued to dissect and bloody Maldonado the rest of the way, possibly even breaking the stubborn Mexican’s nose.

At the end of six, all judges agreed on a 60-54 scorecard for Bauza.

Nikitin Moves To 3-0 With MD Over Tapia

Russian featherweight Vladimir Nikitin improved to 3-0 earning a hardfought majority decision against tough Texan Juan Tapia (8-3, 3KO). Nikitin, who is perhaps best known to date for his controversial win against Michael Conlan at the 2016 Rio Olympics en route to a bronze medal, struggled with the non-stop pressure from Tapia. The two were constantly exchanging, but the 28 year old Russian consistently bested his 26 year old counterpart.

At the end of six, the judges scorecards read 57-57 and 59-55×2 for Nikitin.

Joseph Adorno Battles His Way Past Victor Rosas

Nineteen year old Top Rank lightweight prospect, Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (12-0, 10KO), battled his way to a six round unanimous decision against Mexican southpaw Victor Rosas (10-9, 4KO). It took Adorno a few rounds the to figure out his 31 year old counterpart, but by the time the fourth round came around, Adorno was having it his way. The orthodox-stanced teen, who is co-trained by his father Anibal and Robert Garcia, scored a knockdown in the fifth courtesy of a counter left hook. Credit Rosas, however, who battled back in the sixth and had his best round of the fight, backing up Adorno.

At the end of the bout, all three judges agreed on a 58-55 scorecard in favor of Adorno.

Ireland’s Reeves Kicks Off St. Paddy’s Day Card With Win

In a four round junior welterweight contest, Ireland’s Lee Reeves (3-0) shutout (40-36×3) Texas-native Eduardo Torres (1-2) to kick off an evening of boxing from the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The card is anchored by a ten round welterweight scrap between former junior welterweight champion Luis Collazo (38-7, 20KO) and Samuel Vargas (30-4-2, 14KO) and concludes with a special attraction St. Patrick’s Day attraction, seeing former Irish Olympian Michael Conlan (10-0, 6KO) take on fellow featherweight Ruben Garcia Hernandez (24-3-2, 10KO) in a ten round bout of their own.

Vasyl Lomachenko won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jose Pedraza to retain the WBA and win the WBO Lightweight title at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Rounds were competitive over the course of the fight, with Lomachenko landing the more memorable shots throughout.  Pedraza did his best to slip and move while mixing in some offense in an effort to slow Lomachenko.  The Ukranian fighter, who is atop many pound for pound lists just had more in his arsenal.

In round eleven, Loamchenko opened up on Pedraza as he hurt him with a hard left him.  Lomachenko continued to land  hard and flush punches against Pedraza, who was barely punching back.  The result of that onslaught were two knockdowns that came seconds apart.  Lomachenko tried his best to close the show, but Pedraza was game and showed his veteran tactics to hear the final bell.

Lomachenko, 134.4 lbs of Akermann, UKR won by scores 119-107 and 117-109 twice   and is now 12-1.  Pedraza, 134.2 lbs of Cidra, PR is 25-2.

“It was my dream to unify titles,” Lomachenko said. “It was my next goal. I can now focus on my next chapter.

“He’s a veteran. He did a very good job, and I respect Pedraza and his team.”

Said Pedraza: “I am happy with my performance tonight. I went 12 rounds with the best fighter in the world. I knew what we were going up against. I thought it was a close fight until the knockdowns. At the end of the day, I am proud of what I did.”

Emanuel Navarrete won the WBO Super Bantamweight title via 12-round unanimous decision to dethrone Isaac Dogboe.

Although not pretty at times, Navarrete pushed the action as he featured body shots.  Dogboe retreated for most of the bout.  Dogboe suffered swelling over his right eye in round nine, and never got into a rhythm.

Navarrete, 122 lbs of Mexico City won by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113 to improve to 26-1.  Dogboe, 120.8 lbs of Accra, GHA is now 20-1.

“I thank Dogboe for this opportunity,” Navarrete said. “This world championship represents every day that I was working away from my family. This title represents sacrifice. I injured my right hand early in the fight, but I had the desire to be a champion and I did everything necessary to get the title, and I am very happy and proud to achieve this goal of being the world champion.”

Said Dogboe: “It was a great fight, and Emanuel Navarrete fought like a true Mexican warrior. Champions are supposed to keep going under any circumstance, but I just couldn’t get the victory. The best man won tonight.”

Top prospect Teofimo Lopez blew out Mason Menard in the 1st round of their scheduled ten-round lightweight fight for the USBA/NABA/NAF titles.

Lopez rocked Menard in the opening seconds of the bout, and then uncorked a perfect right to the jaw that had Menard plummet face-first on the canvas, and the fight was immediately stopped at 44 seconds

Lopez, 135 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 11-0 with nine knockouts.  Menard, 135 lbs of Rayne, LA is 34-4.

“I knew he was a tough fighter. I knew he could fight,” Lopez said. “I wanted to test him, and I took a chance early in the fight. I know he trained hard, and he didn’t want it to go that way. But this is ‘The Takeover.’ ‘The Takeover’ has begun.

“In 2019, I will be a world champion. That’s a guarantee.”

Brian Ceballo remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Daniel Calzada in a welterweight bout.

Ceballo, 147.8 lbs of New York won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 6-0.  Calzada, 147.5 lbs of Denver, CO is 16-20-3.

Alexander Besputin remained perfect by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Abreu in a welterweight bout.

In round one, Besputin dropped Abreu with a straight left.

Besputin, 146.6 lbs of Oxnard, CA won by scores of 100-88 on all cards, and is now 12-0.  Abreu, 146.8 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 21-5-1.

“He fought a very uncomfortable, dirty fight, but I dominated,” Besputin said. “I am ready for a world title fight next.”

Italian Olympian Guido Vianello made a successful pro debut with a 2nd round stoppage over Luke Lyons in a heavyweight bout.

In round one, Vianello dropped Lyons with a hard right hand.  In round two, Vianello dropped Lyons with a combination and the fight was waved off at 29 seconds.

Vianello, 236 lbs of Rome, ITA is 1-0 with one knockout.  Lyons, 239.8 lbs of Ashland, KY is 5-2.

“It was a dream come true to make my professional debut at Madison Square Garden,” Vianello said. “I hope I did Italy proud. I came here tonight to score a knockout, and I delivered.”

Josue Vargas stopped John Renteria in round five of a scheduled eight-round super lightweight bout.

In round two, Vargas dropped Renteria with a left hand. In round four, he sent Renteria down with a right hook to the head.

Vargas, 142.6 lbs of Bronx, NY is 12-1 with eight knockouts. Renteria, 142.8 lbs of Panama City, PAN is 16-6-1.

In round five, Vargas finished off Renteria with a combination that put him on the canvas, and the bout was stopped at 31 seconds

Abdiel Ramirez stopped Michael Perez in the final round of their eight-round super lightweight bout

In round four, Perez dropped Ramirez with a hard uppercut.

Ramirez came back to hurt Perez in the final round with a right hand. He followed that up with two crushing uppercuts that dropped Perez, and the bout was stopped at 54 seconds.

Ramirez, 142.4 lbs of Ciudad Juarez, MEX is 24-3-1 with 22 knockouts. Perez. 142.4 lbs of Newark, NJ is 25-3-2.