Bryan Acosta remained undefeated with a 10th round stoppage over Benito Sanchez Garcia in a featherweight bout at Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, Canada.

In round one, Acosta dropped Garcia with a left hook.

Acosta dominated the action until a relentless flurry of action forced a referee stoppage at 1:37.

Acosta of Mexico is 17-0 with six knockouts. Garcia of Jalisco, MEX is 16-6-2.

Reeves Decisions Maldonado

Lee Reeves won an eight-round unanimous decision over Sebastian Diaz Maldonado in a junior welterweight bout.

Reeves, 140 lbs of Limerick, IRE won by scores of 80-72 and is now 9-1. Maldonado, 139 lbs of Aguas Calliente, MEX is 17-5-1.

Wilcox Decisions Martinez

Steven Wilcox won an six-round unanimous decision over Miguel Angel Martinez in a welterweight bout.

Wilcox, 142 lbs of Hamilton, ONT, CAN won by scores of 60-54 twice and 58-56 and is now 23-3-1. Martinez, 147 lbs of Jalisco, MEX is 15-5-1.

Zawadi stops Medina in 2

Mohammad Zawadi stopped Diego Paredes Medina in round two of their four-round light heavyweight bout.

At the end of round one, Zawadi dropped Medina with a left hook that was followed up by a combination. In round two, Zawai uncorked an overhand right that landed square on the head that put Medina down again. Medina followed that up with a big flurry that put Medina down for a third time, and the fight was stopped at 1:41.

Zawadi, 179 lbs of Barrie, ONT, CAN is 3-1 with three knockouts, Medina, 177 lbs of Culican, MEX is 2-2.

NEWCASTLE, ENG- Lee Baxter Promotions’ talented prospect Lee Reeves (5-0) returns to action in Newcastle, England on February 29th at the Eagles Community Arena.

Even though it is Reeves’ birthday today, a professional takes no days off on fight week. Reeves jumped on the scale with an official weight of 142 lbs.

The native of Limerick Ireland is poised to add another spectacular victory against his opponent Artur Davydenko who weighed in at 144.8 lbs. The young Irishman possess all the ingredients to become a serious contender in the super lightweight division. With an undefeated record that includes 4 KOs, he has power, speed and the athleticism to match his Hollywood looks.

“2020 is gonna be massive for Lee Reeves. My best performance is ahead of me. This 2020 is about staying busy and get my name on the world scene,” said Reeves.

With all the buzz surrounding this kid and superstar endorsements from the likes of; Tyson Fury, Billie Joe Saunders and Kell Brook, Reeves is the real deal.

This show is the first of many to come between Lee Baxter Promotions working with MTK Global and IFL TV. The card can be streamed February 29th on the iFL TV YouTube channel starting 12:00pm EST. Click HERE to watch!

TORONTO, ON—It’s been a fairytale first five months for Lee Reeves in his professional boxing career. On April 20, it’s only going to get better.

On the heels of a spectacular performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City on St. Patrick’s Day, the welterweight prospect Reeves has earned a headlining slot on the annual Lee Baxter Promotions 4/20 event at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto.

“It’s amazing. This is how I imagined my career would go. Big nights and putting on shows for the world to see, and representing my city in a positive light,” said Reeves (3-0, 2 KOs).

Reeves helped ignite the raucous crowd in NYC on March 17 when he dominated Edward Torres en route to a four-round unanimous decision. He helped set the table for his countrymen Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan, as well as his stablemate Samuel Vargas, who perhaps stole the show against Luis Collazo.

“It was an unbelievable experience, and to be there on St. Patrick’s Day and having the Irish there behind me screaming was a beautiful thing,” said Reeves. “It was like being at home fighting, hearing the chants and the screaming of my name. And as it got closer to the main event, the place was erupting with atmosphere and Irish spirit.”

The 24-year old proved that he’s not second in line to any Irish star—he’s at the front of the pack, a main eventer himself. Just ask lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who after seeing Reeves’ debut last year declared “he’s fast, talented and super sexy. Actually He reminds me of someone—me. Looks like Ireland has a new boxing star.”

Reeves is one of the best Irish amateurs of his era, winning eight Limerick championships and eight Munster championships, along with a pair of Irish national titles. During his years as a competitive boxer, campaigning mostly as a light welterweight, he never failed to appear in the national final at year’s end.

Reeves has already fought twice in Toronto, the home base of Lee Baxter Promotions, where a strong Irish community exists and continues to grow. It’s estimated that over 2.1 million Irish Canadians live in the province of Ontario.

“He’s a natural showman,” said Lee Baxter. “The first two times he fought here, the first two fights of his career, his knockouts were what everyone was talking about at the end of the night. He has future champion written all over him, so we figured, why wait? He’s ready to be a headliner.”

The annual 4/20 event, titled “Light ‘Em Up,” is in its third year, and has sold out well before the event date each time. This year is no different, with tickets nearly sold out, thanks in large part to Reeves and the Irish community.

“It’s gonna feel like Madison Square Garden on St. Patrick’s Day in the Danforth Music Hall, I promise you,” said Baxter. “It’s an intimate venue, and it gets loud in there, and we know Lee’s fans bring the noise.”

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, and start at just $45.

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.

TORONTO, ON—Just one fight into his professional career and welterweight prospect Lee Reeves is already catching the eyes of the right people. In this case, the eyes of the person the world will be watching this weekend.

The Irish standout, who recently signed a promotional deal with Lee Baxter Promotions in Canada, caught the eye of lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury with his scintillating third round knockout victory over Benito Aburto on November 17 in Toronto.

“Looks like Ireland has a new boxing star,” said Fury, who has also made stops in Canada throughout his career, defeating Zack Page in 2010 in Quebec City, and holding his training camp for his breakout victory over Steve Cunningham in the nation’s capital of Ottawa.

Reeves is unquestionably one of the best Irish amateurs of his era, having collected eight Limerick championships and eight Munster championships to go along with his pair of Irish national titles. During his years as a competitive boxer, campaigning mostly as a light welterweight, he never failed to appear in the national final at year’s end.

In his first professional contest, he made a seamless transition, looking like the accurate, powerful counterpuncher the scouting report promised he would be. A laser accurate left hand eventually mounted enough punishment for the referee to stop the contest in the third frame, to the delight of the raucous Irish contingent present in Toronto.

“He’s fast, talented and super sexy. Actually He reminds me of someone–me,” he said. “I’ll definitely be following his career and tuning in to his next fight December 15th in Toronto.”

Reeves will return on the 15th on the LBP event at the Coca-Cola Coliseum, headlined by Samuel Vargas vs. Gabriel Pereiro.

ABOUT THIS EVENT:

Lee Baxter Promotions, in association with Athlete Development and Management (A.D.A.M.) will present “Risky Business,” live championship professional boxing at the newly renamed Coca-Cola Colisseum in downtown Toronto, Ontario.

The Coca Cola Coliseum is the home of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, and a spot for some of the city’s biggest concerts and attractions, including WWE wrestling.

In the main event, Samuel Vargas will return home to face the undefeated Adrian Gabriel Pereiro, as he begins a new campaign at light welterweight. Vargas is fresh off a thrilling bout with former world champion Amir Khan. Despite coming up short on the scorecards, Vargas not only gained fans, but proved to have plenty of them already. The Colombian-Canadian banger dropped Khan early in the bout, and had him hurt later on in the contest as well. In the end, the fight was the most-watched in the history of U.K. subscription television.

Vargas is now honing his craft in training camp in Spain alongside former welterweight champion Kell Brook, as he is determined to return to Canada an improved fighter.

In the co-feature of the night, an old fashioned local rivalry comes to a boil, as Patrice Volny battles Ryan Young.

Volny scored the biggest win of his career in September, as he dominated veteran Albert Onolunose to capture both the WBA-NABA and WBO-NABO middleweight crowns. The victory situates him in a prime spot within the world rankings in two major sanctioning bodies, remarkably, just twelve fights into his professional career.

Another one of Canada’s top middleweights, Steve Rolls, will be in tough against KeAndrae Leatherwood. Both men have enjoyed significant national television exposure, having graduated from the esteemed ShoBox series on Showtime.

The card will also feature local favorite Nick Fantauzzi against Marco Parente in a light heavyweight contest, Bollywood star Neeraj Goyat, heavyweight sensation Kristian Prenga, the professional debut of Iranian amateur standout Salar Gholami, and the remarkable return Moncef “Buddy” Askri after an 11-year hiatus from the sport of boxing.

Tickets for “Risky Business” are available through Ticketmaster. VIP tables can be purchased by emailing sales@leebaxterpromotions.com. Doors open at 6:00 PM ET, with the first bout starting at 7:00 PM ET.

TORONTO, ON—On the heels of its biggest year as a promotional company, Lee Baxter Promotions is pleased to announce the signing of perhaps its biggest international prospect yet.

Call it the luck of the Irish.

Two-time Ireland national champion Lee Reeves has signed a promotional contract with Lee Baxter Promotions, and will make his debut on November 17 at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, ON.

Reeves is one of the most decorated Irish amateurs of his era, having collected eight Limerick championships and eight Munster championships to go along with his pair of national titles. In fact, in his years as a competitive boxer, he has never not appeared in anything less than a national final at year’s end, campaigning mostly as a light welterweight.

Now sitting comfortably in the welterweight division, Reeves is ready to make a splash in the professional ranks.

“I’m 23. I’ve done a lot of stuff as an amateur. I was thinking will I wait for the Olympics. But as we know in the amateur game, you can be on the top of your game, but one bad decision and you’re set back another 12 months,” said Reeves. “For the first 12 months of my professional career, all I’m looking at is learning, learning, learning. That’s all I want to do. I want to experience it, I want to enjoy the ride, but I won’t be getting beat.”

For Baxter, it’s an opportunity to expand the international reach, but also to connect with the notoriously astute fight crowd within the Irish-Canadian community as well.

“You couldn’t ask for a more marketable fighter than Lee Reeves. On top of obviously being an exceptional talent in the ring, he has movie star good looks, he can talk a good game, and he’s shown through his life that he knows how to deal with adversity,” said Baxter. “I think once the Canadian boxing marketplace is introduced to him, they’re going to fall in love with him.”

Naturally, Reeves fielded offers from promotional entities around the world, but decided that Canada, and Toronto specifically, would be the ideal place to base his career.

“I kept going back to Lee. Things just clicked,” said Reeves. “I was like, you know, the following for Irish boxing in Canada is huge. My skill, my confidence will go well over there. The Irish following is massive. My style of boxing will sell.”

Irish boxing is perhaps enjoying its finest era ever, with heavyweight kingpin Tyson Fury, women’s trailblazer Katie Taylor and pound-for-pound stalwart Carl Frampton all holding the spotlight as the moment.

But it’s a former Irish world champion Reeves has the closest connection to—former middleweight champion Andy Lee. Both Reeves and Lee are from the same city, Limerick, and came up through the same channels during their respective amateur careers.

“There’s a big boxing following in Limerick, so it’s a good place. I always looked up to Andy Lee. I always saw him and thought I could be on that level one day too,” said Reeves.

The 23-year old’s journey will begin on November 17 when he battles Benito Aburto, a four-fight veteran middleweight from Mexico who is coming off a knockout victory over Emmanuel Matias in May.

“The fans want to see what Reeves truly has to offer, and the only want to do that is to put him in real fights, which is exactly what Lee wants to be in,” said Baxter.

Reeves, a slick southpaw who grew up idolizing and imitating Pernell Whitaker, insists he’s as much about substance as he is style.

“I’m an aggressive counterpuncher. If a guy wants to push me, he’s going to get hurt,” said Reeves.

Tickets for “The Next Generation” are available through Ticketmaster. Doors open at 7:00 PM ET.